Strong and Strange

The Paladin's Confrontation

"Extraordinary." Desdemona said. "So Patriot wants us to get him an account to free just 13 synths... but I think that we could free all the synths there."

"Wait... all the synths?" I was surprised at her ambition. I knew I couldn't help the Railroad with this. I sensed I needed to destroy the Institute but I now didn't know who to do it with.

"All the synths. Go give Patriot his password. But work with Z1 for all the synths." She told me. I walked out of HQ wondering if this will be alright with Liam. I went back to Red Rocket since it was getting dark out and I sensed Danse there, waiting for me. I gulped and knew he was going to confront me about my disappearance. Faramir was behind me, whining. I walked forward, accepting what Danse would say.

"Knight! Where have you've been?! You haven't reported to the Prydwen or Maxson for days." He said sternly.

"Danse, I'm sorry." I said.

"I don't know if that's true. You've been marked as AWOL."

"Alright." I said. I walked into my bedroom and changed into a beige tunic.

"You think you're fine with it, but I'm not." He said. "I'm bringing you back."

"I'm not going back, Danse." I said.

"Why not?!"

"Elder Maxson is wrong about everything." I explained. "I can't stay with the Brotherhood. It's like the Empire."

"Wha- The Brotherhood is right for the Commonwealth. You have to believe that."

"You do too. Danse, I know you." I said, decided to tell what I've seen when meditating and when I healed him. "I can see the light in you."

"You know I'm not on the dark side." Danse scowled at me.

"That's not my point." I said. "I've seen you in my dreams and when I meditate. I saw it when I healed you." I sighed. "I won't be lying... that you are a synth."

Danse's face fell. "That's not true... I'm not one of them!"

"I'm sorry to tell you Danse." I said solemnly. "I can't go to the Brotherhood." I walked away with my bag of which all my possessions were in. Faramir followed me as I walked away from Danse who had fallen to his knees. I knew I was leaving him and that he was heartbroken... but I kept going until I heard vertibirds outside.