Wasteland Tales

Wasteland Tales Ch. 8: The Valley of Death

Will gazed at Jamie for what seemed to be hours as he held Samantha in his arms. Her crying now gone, replaced with a sleeping, blissful child. He soon took in the surroundings around him. Noticing a deafening silence that surrounded him in the now desolate field. Being flooded with memories of past. Questioning of reality. Was it really happening? Did he really lose the one he loved? The silence agreed as no movement or sound emanated, Cloudless thought filled him as he realized the realities of life. Fear did not strike him though. Only sadness seemed to fill the void now left by Jamie's departure. His eyes felt burned, reddened by the crying, stinging from reality. He rested his gaze now onto Samantha which stilled slept in his arms.
"How is she sleeping through this?" Will pondered in a hazy thought. "How am I still going through this?" he soon though after.
He hardly noticed the townspeople come to him, standing a distance away from him as he still lay on his knees. A little girl walked up to him and dropped a box of milk. Will looked over at her, noticing the tattered clothing, and dirty face, which Will just analyzed thoughtlessly. Her mom said something to the girl, but Will did not register it. She signaled with her hand to come to her and the girl complied. Will, blankly stared at the box of milk that now sat besides him. She said something, the mother of that child, something about the milk. At this point though, Will didn't care, didn't feel, didn't know. All he thought was what could be next. What he hadn't lost. Nothing came to mind, not his dignity, honor, or child in hand. He felt alone and isolated even though people were by him. Jamie was what stabilized him, what made Will feel human, safe. He seemed lost, nowhere could he see the hope that he once kept, the humanity he once held. All he could muster was a burning hatred. No audible sound came out of his mouth though. No screaming for him, nothing. There was only what he could do for his daughter, but that seemed pointless as well, ignorant at best. Another life wasted at the hands of Will. It should've been him who died, not Jamie, at least she would be able to take care of a child than he could. No time, he thought, no time for anything. He looked up to see no one standing besides him anymore, except for a fraile woman, young. Her appearance blocked only but the sun behind her.
"Am I who should suffer the pain of mistakes once made? Of that I put on others?" Will said without thought.
"Yes," said the familiar voice of who he thought to be dead.
The veil of light now fading to reveal the woman who was standing there. A woman he recognized, not to be of anyone that he could particularly recall.
"Who are you? Who am I?" Will said with that thoughtless tone of his."
"You," said the woman. "Do you not remember me?"
The familiar line shook Will to the core as it rung throughout his mind, rattling in place of reason.
"It couldn't be," Will said. "Why her though?"
"Your guilt resides in you Will, and you depict it as me, your own mother."
"No!" Will said. "I couldn't! Not now!"
If tears were still able to fall down his face, they surely would as Will now tracing the familiar face through his thoughts. It couldn't be real to him as he kneeled there. None of it made sense, but at the same time, he knew that it was all too real. The woman reminiscing as his mother approached with a swift breeze like motion. Now above him, Will only stared at the woman's face, more visible than before.
"Do my eyes betray me?" Will gasped.
"Release," she said ignoring his question.
"Release what?"
"Your guilt," she said disappearing.
As quick as she was there, she wasn't. The field once again was empty, except for a little girl that was there from earlier, standing there. She held a vase which seemed large in her hands compared to her frail frame. The girl approached Will with hesitancy, but diligently as if she knew that it was wrong to.
"This is for her," the girl said in a squeaky voice.
"Thank you," he said softly.
The girl placed the vase in front of Will, then slowly walked away as if nothing occurred at all. He thought what it meant, 'for her.' For Jamie, for Samantha? Which? As well, why give a vase? He soon picked the small vase up, realizing it's size, and feeling saddened for the condition that the child seemed to be in. He packed it into his bag with some of the items from Jamie's bag, and the gun she had dropped. He fastened the milk box onto the back of his bag, tied the sleeping Samantha on the carrier. He picked up Jamie's limp body, which laid a depression into the ground, and a red puddle in the middle. He walked for hours into the forest. It grew dark and at this point Samantha was crying furiously. In a clearing, he put Jamie's body down, and grabbed some items including a bottle and some milk. He used them to feed Samantha, and as he sat there, he thought of an idea.
"I could cremate her," Will thought.
He packed the baby's stuff up, and put Samantha into the carrier, wrapping her up tightly for the cold weather that set in. He grabbed some fallen branches and twigs, throwing into a pile. Then he grabbed Jamie's body, laying it on top of the pile of wood. He used some wood, rocks, and some other items scattered around the clearing to start a fire. The tedious process proved to work, starting a fire in the pile of wood. He stood back, watching the blaze rise as it grew, engulfing Jamie. He watched her beautiful face burn in the fire. He knew that this was the starting of a new era in his life. A new chapter, in what was to come. He kept the fire living until he saw nothing, but ash and dust of Jamie's body. He let the fire die before he collected the ash among the pile of burnt wood. The embers burned him, but he didn't care of the pain it left him. That pain was overcome by the pain of loss. That all his life, he thought losing his mother was the worst thing in his life. But that didn't compare due to him not remembering his mother fondly, and the loss of his only wife, the mother of his only child. Was this what his legacy will be? A life of pain, and hopelessness as he picked up the last pieces of what he could find as he stuffed it into the vase. He covered the vase and tried to sleep that night. The pain though kept him awake, but Samantha slept fine with the occasional time she woke up to cry. When dawn came around, he put the vase into his bag, and started to move on his way. First though, he carved into a tree with a knife, the words, "That death may be a gateway to life." He walked away aimlessly for a few hours in the cool temperatures of the morning hours. He knew if he didn't refrigerate the milk, it could spoil. He soon found himself on the outskirts of Denver. The phrase 'tell the tribes of Denver' rung through Will's mind as he moved into the city. He walked along abandoned neighborhoods, sneaking by as many unsavory wasteland creatures he may find. He moved swiftly as he could, but with enough caution to get a move on The six bottles of milk he once had, now diminished to four since both he and Samantha were using it. He stopped to scavenge some old general stores when Samantha started crying again. Tending to her, he heard the sounds of people move around the store. He stopped feeding Samantha, and put a pacifier into her mouth as he listened. The sound of a group, no more than four walking around the general store. He grabbed the pistol that he had holstered, Jamie's pistol, and held it in his hand. Aiming it right at the door that lead to the back room he waited.
"We know you're in there!" one of them yelled out.
Will sat there nervously as he faltered a bit grasping the pistol tighter as he aimed with one hand, and his other grasping Samantha.
"I'm letting your go Samantha," Will said quietly, looking down at her.
The sound of her sucking on the pacifier gave him some peace as he refocused his aim at the door.
"This is your last warning stranger, otherwise, we'll come in there and kill you!"
Will closed his eyes, this was the death he was hoping for, but he didn't want Samantha to die or worse.
He opened his eyes, yelling, "If you want me, come get me!"
"You're on!" said the man from outside.
Will knew what would happen to him, but kept the tears from running down his face, as he aimed at the door. All he heard was the sound of laser weapons being shot off in rapid successions. Thinking it was an intimidation tactic, Will braced himself for the inevitable. The sound of silence filled the air around him making him more tense. He slowly put Samantha down besides him, covering her with some boxes around him.
"I'll be back," he whispered slowly.
He moved away from the boxes, sliding up against the wall as close as he could, and stood besides the open door way. The sound of boots clanking along made him regrasp the gun. He gulped as he turned the corner, a hand pushing down the gun. This hand had an armor piece covering it, and he moved up the arm to see another masked figure. Not of the Legion, but the Brotherhood of Steel.
"Will?" asked a familiar voice.
"Budi?" Will responded.
"So that is you. God damn, I thought I never would have found you."
"What? You were looking for me?"
"Yeah, I was, come out, I'll tell you everything."
"One moment, I have to get some of my stuff."
Budi nodded as he walked away, and Will holstered his weapon, heading back, grabbing his stuff and Samantha. Once he had everything in check, he went back outside where Budi stood with a child besides him. Walking out to him, Samantha in hand, he stood behind Budi.
Turning around, Budi said, "this is my son, Benjamin."
He signaled his son to wave, and he did, he seemed to be about eight years old by Will's analysis.
Budi asked, "How old is your child?"
"I don't know, two days maybe three."
"Three days? I suppose Jamie would be holding your child."
"She would. But my daughter here is now with me."
"Is she, and her name?"
"Samantha."
A moment of silence fell over them, and Will put his head down, staring a nothing in particular.
"I know you're thinking it Budi."
"I didn't want to ask, yet."
A tear streaked Will's face, yet he didn't react to it, just stood there.
"I'll talk to you when you're ready."
"What's wrong dad?" asks Benjamin.
"Nothing son. It's nothing." He turned to Will asking, "are you ready?"
Will nodded not emanating a sound. Budi moved along and Benjamin followed, going past Will. Will just stood there, still thinking of everything she hat happened over the past couple days.
Budi turned around asking, "are you coming or not?"
Will broken fo m his haze, saying, "yeah I am."
"Then let's go, you're still going to D.C. right?"
"Yeah, yeah I am still going."
"Than c'mon, we don't want to waste time."
"Okay, let's go."
Will trudged along behind Budi and his son, only focusing on his daughter. They walked for the day, and decided to stop that evening. Will didn't realize until than that they haven't spoken this entire walk. Only noting that he quietly spoke to Samantha as she cooed.
As if he was reading his mind, Budi spoke up, asking, "Will, what did you do before you travelled to New Vegas?"
"I was part of the NCR until I was discharged."
"What happened that you that made you become discharged?"
"Well that's a long story. To put it short, that I did something that got the brass angry at me."
"Must've been bad."
"Yeah it was."
An awkward silence set in before Will asked, "What about yourself? What did you do in the Brotherhood?"
"I was a Paladin. One of the highest ranks within the Brotherhood. I went on patrols which in we got resources on the outside."
"So why come out? What's at D.C. that's so important?"
"I don't know if you remember, but in D.C. there is another disavowed chapter of the Brotherhood. It's only disavowed because they decided to help people instead of pursuing technology. I have similar interests."
"How so?"
"The Mojave chapter wasn't as so lenient to help those outside of the bunker we were in. We couldn't even retrieve much technologies due to our priority on food and other supplies."
"So you want to do what the Mojave chapter couldn't provide?"
"Yes, that's why I told you about the D.C. chapter. Because that means I could catch up to you."
"What stopped you before?"
"Explain."
"I mean, what stopped you before coming with us before?"
"I couldn't exactly get out there without being spotted by people. Since there is an sentiment to the Brotherhood that isn't all that great."
"I agree, we were taught in the NCR to fight against the Brotherhood."
"Agreed, so that's why I couldn't just pick up and leave."
"Than how did you know that we left?"
"A couple weeks after you and your group left, I got news from an informant that I had."
"You had an informant on us?"
"Yes, he hid pretty well, I doubt you noticed him."
"How many informants do you have on the outside."
"I 'had' four. They were four of them. One in the NCR, one at Freeside, one on the Strip, and the last one in the Crimson Caravan."
"Pretty important people. How do you get these informants?"
"Through the person I knew at the Crimson Caravan. He's the one that got me to meet my other informants."
"Why though? Why go through the trouble if you could be found out."
"Because Will, it was to the right thing to do."
"For what purpose? To keep tabs people? Even when you know your entire organization is despised in most part of the waste?"
"Why are you becoming hostile?"
"I'm not becoming hostile!"
"Let me ask you again, why are you becoming hostile?"
"I'm not though?"
"Look at what you're doing. You're becoming angry. Why? What are you mad about?"
"Nothing. I'm not mad at anything."
"You have something pent up inside of you."
"What do you mean?"
"You have undealt anger inside of you. I can tell."
"How?"
"I've seen people go through."
"But do you know what I'm going through based on others."
"Trust me I do."
"Sounds idiotic."
"Will, I'll discuss this with you later. Otherwise good night."
"Good night," replied Will looking down into the fire.
He stayed like that for most of the night as he fed Samantha when he could. Thinking more on how he could survive long term than on conversation. Only falling asleep in the early morning hours. Once morning came around, Budi got Will up to go. They moved through the outskirts of Denver reaching the 76. For the next couple months they scavenged materials and trading it with towns. Getting fresh milk for Samantha was the hardest part of their travels. By the end of the two months on the road, they now were standing by a road sign.
"We're about a mile from Omaha," said Budi.
"And how far is this 'Midwestern Brotherhood?'" asked Will.
"I know their main location is Chicago."
"Where's Chicago?"
"Chicago is in Illinois, and Illinois is the next state over."
"And we're one hundred miles from Omaha. How far are we than from Chicago."
"You're the one with the pipboy right?" said Budi sarcastically.
Will looked down at his pipboy and then looked back up. He sighed, saying, "We're nearly 500 miles away."
"Then we're 500 miles away. Now let's go."
"Quick question, what's the purpose of us going to Chicago?"
"The city is a center point for something called the Jet trail."
"The Jet trail?"
"Something that I was planning to tell you if you came back to find me."
"What is it?"
With a regrettable sigh, Budi continued, "it's a trail that goes from Oregon, North of California. It goes from there all the way to D.C. I was surprised you didn't hear of it."
"So there was a pre-existing trail all the way to D.C.?" asked Will with growing anger.
"Will calm yourself. Don't blame me for actions that one or more people could've taken."
"Still," Will said more calmingly. "A trail that could've helped us get there safely."
"Yes, now we're heading to Chicago to get to that trail, okay?"
"Yeah, I got it."
They trekked along dotting along the different towns on Will's pipboy. Selling, scavenging, moving. Pacing along the highway for a couple hundred miles as they moved into Illinois. Jamie's death still not leaving his mind. Awoken not just by Samantha's cries, but the gunshot that killed Jamie. Cold sweats were common occurrences. Talking in his sleep were normal. Budi did his best to comfort while Benjamin kept to himself. Will felt as if his psyche was slowly collapsing. Shattered thoughts clouded his mind. Seeing broken fragments in his mind. His anger boiled and raged, bursting as insignificant moments. Budi was weathered by these constant outbreaks, but how could he blame him. For he knew that the pain would set in for a lifetime. On their journey through Illinois, Will went off to go search for food, in the disfavor of Budi. Instead of stopping him, Budi allowed him to depart. Knowing that Will needed to let out his anger for it was infesting him like a disease. Will stormed through the wilderness, alone, in the early hours of the morning. Empty fields with a forest on the edging it. He moved through the tall grass that covered this field, seeing a small windmill not too far from his position. Thinking it would be a place for food, he trudged through. Not soon after, he heard a growl coming from all around him. He knew it was one creature, but of what he was unsure. He kept moving along, slowly this time, scanning around him to seek out what foul creature was lurking in the grass with him. He heard heavy steps move towards his at a fast rate. He bolted for whatever building could lie beyond the grass. He ran, trying not to get snagged along anything. Hearing the steps grow closer behind him made him with adrenaline pumping through his body at a pace he couldn't imagine. As he saw a break through the tall grass, something knocked him down, into a clearing. Falling, he turned around to see what was behind him. Nothing but the tall grass acted like a wall in front of Will. Getting up quickly, he noticed a house, and he went up to the front door. Trying the doorknob, he noticed it was locked. Then he started pounding furiously on the door, he waited there for what felt like an eternity. An older man eventually answered the door, only peaking through the ajar door that the old man made.
"What!?" said the man furiously.
"I need help, something, some creature is out here."
"What creature? There's no creature out there."
"I swear. There was-" Will stopped, noticing the man's eyes widen.
The old man slammed the door, and Will started pounding on the door again. Then Will heard a familiar growl from behind him. He turned quickly, going for the pistol in his pocket. He saw a Yao Guai approach him slowly. Will gulped, slowly putting his pistol into the holster. He slid down his rifle from his shoulder. Taking aim, he shook as he held the gun in his hand. A flurry of anger and fear coursed through him. He took shot, and it hit the Yao Guai in the shoulder. The beast roared at Will, charging. Quickly Will rounded another chamber, but it was too late. The beast striked out as Will rolled out of the way. Trying to shoot the Yao Guai again, he only hit it in the torso, furthering to anger the beast. It struck out again at Will, this time hitting the barrel of Will's gun. Dropping the gun, Will moved back around the porch. The glistening heat of the rising sun barely shone over the horizon. Will knowing his current situation seemed bleak, he knew that he could only escape at this point. Getting his pistol, he shot the beast, stunning it temporarily, before it charged at him, jumping at Will, slashing him in the chest. Knocking Will down to the ground, the pistol fell out of his hands, sliding over the porch. The beast rose over Will, claws out to slash down at Will. He pulled out his knife in a last ditch effort to try to defend himself. Two gunshots filled the air, and the beast fell back down on all fours before turning around. The old man, with a double barrel shotgun in hand, ran back inside. Will tried getting up, but the beast wasn't finished. It turned back around, and Will lunged at it. Stabbing it in the eyes repeatedly until the beast hit Will back. Now blind, the beast wreaked back and forth. Trying to sneak away from the large creature, the beast head Will move. It bit towards Will, and it made contact, bringing Will down. He noticed the creature grabbed his leg. He kicked it in the face which it let go. Not feeling his leg, he could hardly move. The beast came forward at Will, sniffing intensly. Using the railing, Will got back up, and it growled. Unable to put weight on his left leg. He hung from the railing, up to one of the posts which lined the porch. The beast tried biting at Will, but he stuck the knife up it's mouth which it roared in pain. The beast moved back, then the old man came back out, shooting it again this time which seemed to kill it. Will unable to focus, fell, as the old man turned around to him as he did. Next thing Will knew, he was aching in pain across his whole body. His chest felt like it was going to explode in fire. He put his hands on his chest to feel what seemed to be bandages. He took a quick glance around him to see a light hanging above him, and wallpaper on the walls itself.
Will screamed, "help!"
A few moments later the old man followed by Budi rushed into the room. First thing Will noticed was that Budi was no longer in his power armor.
"What is it boy?" asked the old man.
"My body feels like it's burning inside out," Will said with a panicked expression.
"Likely," said the old man. "Take this Med-X, it'll bring down the pain."
After a few minutes, the writhing pain of fire that surged through his body, subsided.
Once the pain cooled, Will then asked, "what happened?"
"You took on a damned Yao Guai with a Goddamn knife you imbecile."
"What, really?"
"Yes, It took a serious gash at your chest as well. It took me hours to stop the bleeding. Thankfully your Brotherhood friend here came looking for you, helped me patch you up quicker."
"Quicker?"
"I'm a doctor, but I've gotten old in my age. You would've died."
Budi pulled the old man to the side, and the man nodded, walking out of the room, closing it behind him.
"What were you thinking Will?" asked Budi. "You nearly died."
"I'm sorry Budi, I thought I could kill it."
"God, I shouldn't have let you come out here by yourself.
"Hey this was my idea."
"Still, think what would have happened if you died. What would happen to your daughter?"
"Samantha," Will said in realization. "Where is she?"
"Fine, it's nothing to worry about, it's you who should be worrying about more. You're arrogance and pain is blinding your thoughts on reality."
"What do you mean?"
"Look what happened today. You storm off and nearly die. Is that the impression you want to give off to your daughter when she grows up?"
"No it's not that. It's that I wanted to clear my mind. Blow some steam off."
"'Blow steam off.' This was to blow some steam off. What if Jamie were here to see this."
"She wouldn't be so calm about it."
"She wouldn't be so came about it. But she would've tried to slap some Goddamn sense into you. Because you know, you're so damn lucky your alive at this moment. A run in with the Legion and near death with a Yao Guai. What the hell does a man do when he has damn death wish."
"I don't have a death wish."
"You don't have a death wish? You don't have a death wish. When is attacking a Yao Guai not a death wish."
"I'm sorry."
"You should be sorry. What'll happen when I have to tell your daughter some day that, 'I'm not your real dad. He died because he got himself killed.' Look WIll, I know you want to do better of yourself, I can see it, but how you're acting it out is going to leave you dead somewhere. Seriously. You go around and acting like you're a troubled person, I understand. Losing a wife is horrible."
"You lost your wife?"
"Yes, yes I did."
"Why didn't you tell me about her?"
"You know why? Because I was saving it for a moment like this. A moment where you would realize what you're doing isn't helping anyone. Don't you agree?"
"Yeah, definitely."
"Okay," said Budi, bringing a chair besides Will's bed. "I had a wife, obviously, but we were childhood friends, she and I. Her name was Catherine, and she was the happiest person I knew growing up in the Brotherhood. During this time, we weren't living in the bunkers underground. We lived openly. Catherine and I though became best friends growing up, and we had a lot of the same dreams and passions in life. Especially helping those who need it the most. As well, we both became Paladins which are the people you see the most out in the wastes. We served and protected well together before we decided to officiate our relationship and got married 2269 and had my son Benjamin a year later. Where it came the worst though is that when the NCR took Helios One."
"You mean that energy plant south of New Vegas right?"
"Yeah that one. It was 2276 and our Elder thought he could figure out the technology behind it to create a super weapon. He told us to defend it with our lives, even when the NCR showed up. We fought until we had to retreat, and by that point we lost many, including our Elder. Little did I know yet, was about to experience the worst thing to happen to me. Among the people, I couldn't find my wife, only my son. Among the bodies I also didn't see my wife. One of the wounded I talked to, said that she saw her get gunned down by NCR. I knew he wasn't lying."
"How?"
"They don't leave many survivors among the Brotherhood. Our chapter was only out there in the Mojave because we tried to escape the NCR previously in California. That didn't work though. Either way, I knew she was dead. I mourned her, and was in the same position you were in. I asked our new Elder to try and recover her body possibly or even her tags, and yet he said that others were in the same position I was. I got frustrated with the Brotherhood, I had to tell my son the hard way, that he would never see his mother again, at age six. How I broke out of a mournful state was not easy Will. I didn't take what I lost as pain, but used it as, 'what would my wife do. What would she do in my place if I were gone.' Then I realized, she would continue on. I found information about the Eastern Brotherhood of Steel, and how they helped people. That's how I knew it was my purpose to go there, and when you found me about going there, I knew I had to go with you. That's why I did, that's why I'm here. So I want you to know this Will, don't be angry, use Jamie's death as a drive for you to do better for Samantha."
"I'll try."
"You better, otherwise the hate that stirs in you will keep going."
"Thanks Budi, I'll think about it. I never realized what her death meant in that way."
"Good, now get some rest, that wound was pretty nasty."
"Okay, I'll try," said Will as Budi walked out, but before that, Will asked, "Can I see Samantha?"
"Can you?" Budi teased at. "Just kidding, I'll see if Ben will bring her in for you," he said leaving the door ajar.
"Thanks."
Will layed there on his bed, just staring at the white ceiling that was above him. He glanced up when he heard the door to his room creak open. He saw the small boy holding Samantha in his arms walk to Will.
"Here's your daughter mister," said Ben.
"Thanks Ben, may I call you that?"
"Sure mister," the small boy replied, giving Samantha over.
"It's Will, Ben, just call me Will. I also noticed you've been taking care of her."
"I've always wanted a younger sibling."
"Is that so? Well let me tell you this, when you two grow up together, you'll have a great time together."
"Really?"
"Yes, I all I hope, is that as siblings, you'll always look out for her, even when I'm not around."
"That's sounds like a good idea."
"It is, and I think your father would agree. But for now, I think Samantha would like to spend some time alone with me."
"Okay," Ben said with a disappointed tone.
"Don't worry, she and I will be out once I feel better, okay?"
"Yes."
"Now run along."
Ben moved to the door, and said before closing it, "I've also been calling her Sam because she seems like she will be as strong as a boy."
"I hope so Ben."
Ben closed the door, and Will held the sleeping Samantha in his arms, just thanking that she wasn't dead.
He sat there in his bed for what seemed to be hours, cradling Samantha. Later, Budi came in with Benjamin.
"Hey Will, want something to eat?" asked Budi.
"Yeah," Will responded. "Hey big man," addressing Benjamin.
"Want to take her?"
With a gleeful smile, he looked up to his father who nodded in approval. He walked over to the bedside, and Will handed Samantha to her. The Doc came in with a wheel chair.
"I don't expect you to be able to walk around with that leg wound for a while now," said the Doc.
Budi and the doc help lifted Will into the wheelchair. They slowly brought Will down the stairs, trying to be careful. Yet each step felt terrible as it sent shockwaves through him, hurting his wounds. They brought him to the table where what looked to be breakfast set up.
"How long was I out?" asked Will.
"Considering how long I kept you out, and how sleep deprived you looked. Over twenty four hours," said the Doc.
"Twenty four hours?"
"I also had you under for a good amount of it."
"The time now?" Will continued.
"Around nine in the morning."
"All I can say is thank you Doc," said Will putting food onto his plate.
"No problem," said the Doc. "Oh, as well, my name is Mac. No need for that 'Doc' nonsense."
"Alright Mac, thanks for the help. I only wonder though, where did that Yao Gaui come from?"
"I don't know, but I'm glad it's dead. That creature has been pestering the livestock in town."
"There's a town here."
"Definitely, why else would I be out here."
"Good point," Will said stuffing food into his mouth.
"So Budi here was telling me that you bunch were from the Mojave. Now why come here?"
Will swallowed his food, then said, "there was a battle for Hoover Dam. Largest power source in the Mojave."
"Did the Brotherhood lose or something?"
"Well it was between two other, larger forces. The Brotherhood had no part in it."
"What? The Brotherhood had no part in it? It's one of the largest groups in the wasteland!"
"Out west the NCR is the main faction," Wil started.
"The Legion is the other," Budi finished. "And the Legion lost."
"That's good right? And the Brotherhood?"
"The Brotherhood has been scattered and the Legion has come east. Their planning to take Denver."
"They're planning to take Denver? That's not good. I have family on the border of that land near Colorado."
"What family?" Will asked.
"My kids, my grandkids. You need to tell the Elder of this information."
"We're planning to go to Chicago," said Budi.
"No time for that. I'll ask for the Elder to come down here."
"Really you can do that?" asked Will.
"Not so simply due to you, but with this information. A large force that is planning to take Denver? How large is their force?"
"Large enough to control Arizona, New Mexico and half of Colorado if they strike now," continued Will.
"Or all of it," said Budi.
"That's not good. I'll try to get in contact with the Elder. You Will, stay and rest."
Mac got up from the table, and walked out of the house hastily. Will sat there with a confused expression on his face.
"Why bring the Elder here? He would never come," said Will finally.
"I know he won't, but we did stumble upon a large force that can take on the NCR. What proves that they won't take out the Midwestern Brotherhood."
"True, who knows what they would do with large factions like these."
"I don't know, but our first priority first and foremost is getting to D.C., but that's after you heal up," Budi said standing.
Will sat there thinking, staring blankly down at his plate. Eventually he looked up to look at Samantha than to Ben, and lastly at Budi.
"What'll happen?" asked Will.
"What do you mean?"
"What will the elder say?"
"I don't know. It all depends on what you say as well."
"What we say you mean?"
"You've seen more and know more, so you'll be asked more Will. Just be calm about it."
Will picked up his plate, put it on his lap, and used the wheelchair to move to Budi.
"If the Elder does heed the information that we'll give him, does that mean though, the Legion will take action?" asked Will, putting the plate in the sink.
"Doubtful but probable. They'll only attack based on their strengths. Looking at their defeat by the hands of the NCR, I say it wouldn't happen," responded Budi.
"Okay, I wonder if he'll help us."
"With this information. I think he will."
Will started to move away from the sink, and Budi turned to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Since we are going to be here for awhile. You'll have to try to walk."
"I'll try. Doesn't mean I'll pick it up on the first try."
"It doesn't, but it doesn't mean you can't walk either. Also, I think Mac said there was some parallel bars in the garage."
"Then I'll go in there." Will turned to Ben, saying, "take care of Samantha for me, will you."
Ben nodded to Will, and Will rolled towards the garage with Budi's help. They went in, and Will got onto the bars. Putting weight onto his good leg, and Budi stood at the end of the parallel bars.
"Come to me," Budi said.
Will moved to Budi slowly, putting a little weight onto his bad leg. Pain grew over his face, as his bad leg fell, and he buckled under the pain.
Budi walked over, saying, "what did I say? I knew you wouldn't do it on the first time."
"Why are we doing this in the first place?" asked Will.
"Mac said he had to reconnect some of the tendons. Said you needed to walk out the pain."
"That just sounds bizarre."
"Life is bizarre."
"Speaking about bizarre," said Will getting up. "How did you know that I was in danger."
"You were still gone by the time I got up. That was around eight. So I came out to try to find you."
"As well. How did you find me out in Colorado?"
"I didn't. I found you in Utah. Outside of New Canaan. After I left the Mojave chapter, I went in the general route of what I thought you went after my informant told me of the direction you and your group went in."
Will got back on the bars, holding himself on the bars as Budi went to the other side.
Continuing, "I thought you would continue north, but found your group heading east. I trailed you since I didn't know how your group would respond to my presence. Neither did I want to put my son into any danger."
Will started moving on the bars, and then buckled again, falling, and Budi came to help.
"As I was saying," he started, "I trailed you through Colorado. I stayed a distance above your group once we got into the mountains."
"Why didn't you help when we were being attacked?"
"Just like you know, it was an ambush. I lost you after that. I heard everything, and moved down the mountain. to try to stay clear of the Legion. I moved along since I thought you did the same. I only found you at the town, since I was scavenging for supplies."
"So you only found me after the attack?"
"Yes, sadly I was not to help prevent anyone's death including Jamie's. As well, how did she exactly die, if I may ask?"
"She was shot in the back. Don't who from, but all I know is that she was shot straight into the heart."
'I'm sorry to hear that, and where is her body?
"Cremated and in a vase that I have in my bag."
Budi stood there in a moment of silence while Will studded forward with confidence, moving at that moment without buckling.
Budi noticing, said, "you're doing it."
"Yeah, but it doesn't mean it's easy," Will responded with a small chuckle.
Budi got the wheelchair as Will got to the end of the parallel bars. He sat in it, seemingly exhausted by the walking.
"I'm done for now," Will said.
"Good, let's get upstairs."
They went to the front part of the house where the saw Mac strutting around the living room with two Paladins besides him.
"There you two are," said Mac.
"What's going on?" asked Budi.
"We were to ask you the same thing," said one of the Paladins.
"What's happening?" asked Will.
"Well it seems like the Elder is coming down to see you tomorrow," said the same Paladin.
"Really?" said Budi rhetorically.
"Yes, the information you have is of dire need to the Brotherhood. He's going to meet you here tomorrow around noon. We want to secure this area."
"Okay, just to let you know there's some Yao Guai around here," Will said jokingly.
No one was laughing at the joke Will told, brushing off what he said.
"Either way, we'll have this house under watch while the Elder comes," says the Paladin.
Both of the Paladins leave the household, as Mac walks them out, telling them that they'll be ready for the next day. Will sat there contemplating what he would say for the next day's events. He went up to his room eventually, along with Samantha he sat there in the chair in his room for the day and part of the night. Once he finally got tried, he went to sleep, but had a restless sleep. The next morning he waited with anxiety. Prepping what he would say repeatedly in his head. The time came and the Elder approached the house. Budi sent Ben with Samantha upstairs to stay while all three men were in the living room. Budi had his power armor in for this meeting. The Elder with his Paladin guards entered the house. The Elder sat down, right next to Will.
"Hello," the Elder initiated. "You must be Will. Am I correct?"
"Yes sir," Will responded.
"Then you should know why I'm here. When I got the news of what you've witnessed, I knew it was a matter not just of national security, but Brotherhood security."
"It is, sir."
"No need for sir, Will. All I need to know first is, is the Western Brotherhood destroyed?"
"Not entirely Elder, but a good amount of known Brotherhood territory is lost to the NCR."
"Alright," he said, directing his attention to Budi, "what is the status of current Western Brotherhood chapters?"
"Mostly in hiding Elder," Budi responded.
"Thank you Budi. Now back to you Will. What is this force that threatens our western border?"
"A large force, an empire, looking to rebuild itself."
"Is that so?"
"Yes Elder. It looks to take many tribes, towns, and cities it can to build an army for it's western front."
"How big of a force?"
"Enough to warrant complete control of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and others that we may not know about currently."
"Quite an impressive force, how is its formation, its hierarchy?"
"Caesar controls the entire Legion, the Legate who controls the military more directly, than Centurions, at the bottom are Legionaries."
"Meaning that have a formalized army."
"Indeed, but it isn't any normal military structure we've seen before. They have their Legionaries in front with Centurions in the back."
"What's so different about that?"
"They're in a group together. All following each in a group towards the enemies with guns, machetes, and spears."
"Do they have any mechanized force?"
"No."
"Any Power armor?"
"No, just metal armor."
"They seem underwhelmed. Did they lose any fights with the NCR?"
"Yes, the battle of Hoover Dam, but the NCR needed to set a trap for them."
"Not even the NCR could do a direct fight with the Legion?"
"Yes, and their formations like any Old World nation."
"And how did they decisively trap them?"
"By taking out their Centurions with NCR elite snipers known as Rangers. The Legionaries kept pushing on into the town due to their former Legate."
"Former Legate?"
"Yes, that former Legate told me everything I know about the Legion. He was set on fire than thrown down the Grand Canyon."
"Meaning there is a new Legate."
"Yes, this new Legate is fearsome. Killed my entire group including my wife," with a face that's downcast.
"I'm sorry Will. Truly, but this information can help more families from not being torn apart."
"Yes, it will. The Legate told me that I have to warn Denver about their arrival. Now I'm warning you."
"Is that all the information you have?"
"The NCR is spread out, so the Legion may have a decisive victory over them if there isn't a strike on the Legion."
"Are you trying to get at something?"
"I'm trying to get out, if you strike them when the time is right, you can create a buffer between key towns and their territory."
"Saying I should take a force that I barely even have any knowledge on, and strike th when I get a chance."
"Yes, they're weakened, and they'll move their forces west. Just a note here, they take the men as soldiers and women as slaves."
"You don't even know what I'll do."
"It's just a suggestion, but this information is for you. I'm not going to bargain for military strategies."
"How am I going to trust your suggestion."
"I was part of the NCR, I know it's structure. All I'm going to tell you about them, they won't take kindly to their he Brotherhood, but if you try to hold your stance against them, you'll do well. Also, if you keep a buffer between them and you, definitely try to."
"Then why should I go against the Legion."
"Unlike the NCR, the Legion doesn't care if you're Brotherhood or not. As long as you're against them, they'll try to push you under their regime."
"So keep a buffer, but make sure it's something else."
"Yes, if not, the NCR will try to take you."
"You're saying that war is eventual against them?"
"I can't say that is true or false, all I'll say is that if you let them, they'll grow."
"One step at a time than. I'll abide by the warning about buffer zones and the Legion's dominance plan."
"Then you'll help us to get to D.C., correct?"
"Yes. Why D.C. though?"
"The Eastern Brotherhood of Steel is located there."
"Alright, it'll good to make contact than. I will the , there will be a Vertibird ready at Chicago for you then."
"Thank you."
"Sadly though, we won't be here all day, so when you're fully recovered, you'll have to walk there."
"Okay Elder, thank you for coming here today."
"No thank you, this information helps us."
The Elder got up from the seat, shook hands with Will than walked out of the house, followed by the Paladins, followed by Mac.
Budi walked over to Will, "that's not what I expected, but at least they know."
"Yeah, and we have a ride to D.C. as well."
"That's good, doesn't mean we have to walk for much longer."
"How far are we from Chicago?"
"From what I figured out, we're about fifty  or more miles out of Chicago."
"The dream that we all had, but at what cost though?"
"Too much."
"How long has it been since we also left Denver?"
"One month and about a week."
"We could've been there sooner if it wasn't for me."
"What do you mean?"
"If I didn't get myself injured."
"We couldn't have gotten a vertibird to D.C. either, so don't be so hard on yourself."
Will sat there blankly, streaming the past couple months in his head. Pinpointing opportunity they could've turned back in mind. For the next week, Will ran through the same few months, thinking everything that he could've done. By the time Will's injuries were completely healed, he moved on from those thoughts. Thinking of what he could do for his daughter, and how he could be a better person. He noticed that three large scratch marks on his chest from where the Yao Guai hit him. Once prepared, they said their farewell to Mac, and they head off at  the brink of dawn. They made a long trek about thirty miles to Chicago before resting for the night. Samantha's crying woke the three others, and the first they noticed where a sound that sounded almost inhuman coming from outside. Will peaked his head outside from the abandoned building, noticing down on the ground, a deathclaw. Will silently cursed to himself before pulling his head back inside.
"There's a deathclaw outside," Will whispered.
"How big is it?" asked Budi.
"Looks to be an adolescent one, so not one of the bigger ones."
Budi turning to Ben, whispering, "quiet Samantha, and hide in this building. We'll deal with the deathclaw, and be quiet, no loud sounds."
Ben nodded his head, as Budi turned back to Will, waving for him to follow. Will did, following Budi, who got into his power armor, and they went downstairs.
"We need to kill this thing, it may kill other people or us if we don't deal with it," Budi whispered.
"Agreed," Will whispered back.
"I'll distract it, I need you to take this," Budi continued, handing Will a grenade.
"What am I going to do with a grenade?"
"Kill it, just be careful. Alright."
"Yeah, I'll try to be careful dealing with a deathclaw."
"Good, now let's do it."
Budi went out through the back of the building, while Will went one side while Budi went around the other side. Budi came around, and started shooting at the deathclaw. It grew angry, but unaffected by the laser rifle. Will took this opportunity, and ran at the beast. It growled, then roared at Budi, as Will jumped onto it's back. It noticed Will, and tried to get him off it's back. Grabbing onto it's horns, Will rodeoed it, and when it's mouth opened, Will dropped the grenade into it's mouth, almost having it bit off. Will jumped off the creature as it spun around. The blood that splattered nearly doused Will in carnage and gore. The smell was horrendous as Will got up from the bloody mess. Looking down at only appendages of what the deathclaw used to be. Will threw up due to the overwhelming stench.
Budi walked over, saying, "disgusting, but effective."
"That's for damn sure," Will said before throwing up again.
"Why the hell did you just do that though? Riding a deathclaw and then putting a grenade down it's throat?"
"I thought it would be effective," Will responded, wiping his mouth.
"You need a change of clothes and better armor."
"Yeah, that would be nice."
The next morning, they went to the outskirts of town, where Will bathed and cleaned himself up with Ben and Samantha near him, while Budi went into town. When he came back, he had set of clothes and a new combat armor set for Will.
"Where did you get the caps for this?" asked Will.
"I told them I was Brotherhood, and they gave me this for a discounted price, and some free food."
Will looked at the items he had, and at the food in the shopping cart he used to push all the stuff out there.
"This is a lot of items, but this is great."
"Yeah, this new armor set is better than the old, torn leather set that you had previously."
"Thanks, I needed this."
"No problem, since we're close to Chicago, do you want to head there today, and leave tomorrow due to everything that's been happening so far?"
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea."
"Alright, let's say in a couple hours we do this last stretch."
"Not our last stretch, but definitely our last hike."
Both men laughed, as WIll tried on the new pair of clothes and the armor which both fit him well. They prepped for the last hike they'll take across the wasteland of America, and settle down somewhere after their troubles. When noon came around, they all departed for Chicago, making it there by dusk, the horizon glazed with orange, blanketing the sky. They searched out for the primary headquarters for a good amount of the evening until they found it on the edge of the city. The Brotherhood, expecting them, welcomed them, and brought them in, fed them, and let them sleep there for the night. Early the next morning, they head out to the vertibird, where they boarded it. The Elder came out to see them, and boarded the vertibird with two Paladins.
The Elder said, "I'm coming with you to meet the Elder of the Eastern Brotherhood. Hopefully make connection between both chapters."
"That's great," said Budi.
"Hopefully it turns out well. Are you all ready to fly?"
All nodded in agreement, and the Elder waved for the pilot to take off. It was a rough start up, but they made their way to D.C. The flight was an hour and a half, making it to D.C. As they flew over, a flare went up over a five sided building, and the pilot landed it in the middle. There, what looked to be the Elder of the Eastern Chapter, was waiting for them. They all stepped out of the vertibird with Brotherhood members all around them, and they looked around at the staring eyes of curious people.
"I'm Elder Lyons of the Brotherhood of Steel, and welcome to the Citadel," the man said. "Welcome to Washington D.C."