Wasteland Tales

Wasteland Tales Ch. 9: Ressurection

The group greeted Elder Lyons, and the Midwestern Elder, took Lyons along, and they discussed. A Paladin, a woman, walked up to Will, Budi, and the kids.
"I'm Sarah Lyons, can I help you two?" the woman asked.
"Yes," said Budi. "I'm from the west coast Chapter of the Brotherhood, and was looking to enlist my son and I into this chapter."
"Sure, come with me," said Sarah.
Budi and Ben followed Sarah who led them away, and Will was left standing by the vertibird, unsure of what to do. He stood there, unsure for a few minutes before Sarah came back.
"Aren't you coming?" she asked.
"I'm not Brotherhood, I'm a civilian," Will said.
"Okay, well I'll have someone guide you to Rivet City."
"Okay, well, who can I expect?"
"I'll send someone up, just stay here by the vertibird, okay?"
"Yeah, alright."
Sarah waked away, and Will stood there by the vertibird, slowly pacing by the vehicle. After what seemed to feel like an eternity, another armored person came to Will.
"You need help getting to Rivet CIty?" asked the armored man.
"Yes, please."
"Okay, follow me."
Will followed the man who seemed uninterested in any small talk as they walked out of the Citadel. The man stopped outside the wall, and turned to Will.
"Follow south here along the bank, until you see a dock. There will be a boat which will take you across the river. Ask him how to take you to River CIty," he said.
"Okay, thanks," Will responded.
The man walked away with no response, back into the Citadel, and Will just walked. With the vague directions given to him, he continued onward south. Eventually he did find the dock that the Brotherhood of Steel member gave him. There he saw a small row boat at the end of the dock. There on the dock was a woman, young, and brunette, near Will's own age. A middle aged man was loading some bags onto the boat.
Will approached the dock, asking the woman, "Is this the boat that goes across the river?"
"Yes," she said timidly.
"Alright, I'm Will, and you are?" he said reaching out his hand.
Lightly shaking his hand, she responded, "I'm Anne, and who's this?"
"Nice to meet you Anne, this is my daughter Samantha, what are you doing here if I may ask."
"Oh, I came here from Point Lookout, and was dropped off here, and was told to wait here. I really have no destination."
"Really?" You seem like someone with more than just being dropped off."
"Really? I seem more to you?" she said with peaking interest.
"Yeah, I just got here as well."
"From where?"
"New Vegas."
"Where's that?"
"It's about," he said checking his pipboy.
The man interrupted, asking Will, "You coming with as well?"
"Yes," Will said.
The man turned around, waving them to come with him. They followed him into the boat, and the man started rowing across the river.
"So, Will," Anne meekly intimated. "You were saying something about New Vegas."
"Yes, New Vegas is about 2,500 miles away from here."
"You came that far to here?"
"Yeah, it was pretty bad in New Vegas, a lot of turmoil."
"What turmoil?."
"War, between factions larger than the Brotherhood."
"No kidding. No wonder why you left."
"What about you? Why leave Point Lookout."
"It's really bad there. It's a marsh. I grew up there for most of my life out with my parents. They were captured by the natives. I got as much caps I could to buy a ticket. I left when the Lone Wanderer went there."
"The Lone Wanderer?"
"Yeah," intruded the man again. "The Lone Wanderer saved this place?"
"What do you mean?" asked Will.
"You see that monument over there," he said gazing at a dome building in the water. "That's the Jefferson Memorial. It houses Project Purity, Purifies the Potomac with fresh water. Beat the Enclave as well."
"No joke," Will said.
"I never met the Lone Wanderer. From what I've heard, he's a legend. Don't want to ever cross their path."
They all sat in silence as the man rowed them across the river to the other side. Then the bags were given, and both Anne and Will walked to Rivet city.
"How old is your daughter?" asked Anne.
"She's almost two months old," said Will.
"Two months? Where's the mother?"
"Sadly, she's gone," he said, bowing his head slightly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up."
"No worries, I can't change the past."
"If it makes you feel any better, your daughter is beautiful."
"Thank you."
"You know, I've always wanted to have a child, but being in the middle of a marsh, there's not many people."
Will chuckled slightly, saying, "I never expected to have a child, now I do."
"Well Will, hopefully you find what you're looking for here in Rivet City."
"You too Anne."
They walked up the scaffolding to the bridge, where they saw the massive boat with a sign saying: Rivet City. They crossed the bridge to the massive ship.
"So this is Rivet City?" asked Will rhetorically.
"I guess so, I never thought it would be a ship," responded Anne in amazement.
"Neither did I."
Looking to the signs above the doors, they noticed a Weatherly Hotel sign. They followed the signs to a hallway which each they checked each door for a sign. When they found it, Will let Anne go in first, and ask the woman at the counter for a room. As she was asking, Will noticed the slight panic on Anne's face.
"What's the matter?" asked Will.
"There's only one room available," said Anne.
"How big is this room?" asked Will to the woman behind the desk.
"It's enough to fit a few people, but it's just that room. I'm sorry, all the other rooms are occupied."
"Isn't this a hotel?"
"Not just a hotel, this is where the populace of River City lives as well."
"Meaning that we only have the option of the one room."
"Sadly, yes."
"We'll take it, how much?"
"For permanent stay or part time."
"Permanent stay."
"250 caps."
"250? I can only lay down 175."
"All my caps only is seventy five caps. I didn't have a lot," said Anne looking to Will.
"I'll cover what expenses you need."
"How many caps do you have?"
"Enough, trust me."
Anne put the caps she had left onto the counter next to Will's and the woman took the money, handing them a key.
"The room is outside this room and to the left, second door down," the woman said.
"Thank you," said Will as he grabbed the key.
They head to the door, and opened it, opening a basic room, only large enough for two cots, a couch, and a table with a couple chairs.
"This isn't that much," Will said.
"Not what I was expecting," Anne responded.
"How should we split this?"
"Good question. I think one of us gets one side, and the other person should the other side."
"Good idea."
"Which side do you want?"
"I'll take the one on the left," he said, putting his stuff down there.
Anne closed the door, and put her stuff down, asking, "what was the whole deal with the caps? I didn't intend for us to be together."
"Neither did I, but my wife and the group I was with did plan for a long trip. We spent time gaining caps before we embarked on our trip."
"How much then?"
"Out of all of us, I'm guessing we had at least 3,000 caps."
"Three thousand?'
"Yeah, and it seems that I only have now about 1,000 caps."
"What happened to the other 2,000?"
"They were on the other four who died, I wasn't able to collect them."
"What happened to them?"
"A long story. To make it short, though, a force known as Caesar's Legion ambushed us. I was the only survivor. Only after killing my wife, and nearly me as well. My daughter and I only survivors. It was only two months ago."
"You said your daughter is only a couple months old."
"Yes, because my daughter was born during the crisis."
"Well, the money you have will be enough then, I guess. As long as we can work together, I think we can make this work."
"I hope so, the only thing worse if either of us will have to be forced out of here for some reason."
Anne chuckled, "then we'll see, all I can say is today is an interesting day."
"Exactly, it's coincidental and convenient isn't it?"
"I guess, but I don't think this will long term."
"We'll have to see about that."
"Do we?"
"Yes."
"Then one of us has to prove to each other of why we should be in the same room."
"Really though, what are we going to do? I have a child, and we these caps will run out faster than we would like."
"Then we have to get jobs or something."
"Someone has to stay with Samantha though."
"Meaning that one of us has to get a job?"
"Only one."
"Who's going to be that? I don't know your child as well as you do."
"What was your job back at home?"
"I worked with my parents at our local store which was my house."
"Which was your house? And what knowledge do you know about trading?"
"That I know when things are frauds, and what is truly valuable."
"In a place that you said was practically a marsh. I doubt anyone lived there. As well, I was the son of someone who worked with Caravans. Meaning that I had to practice real deals with people."
"So?"
"So the amount of knowledge I know, and the system which by common sense would work here as well, that my knowledge is more useful than knowing how to buy and sell even though that's a part of it. "
"You're telling me that you should go out and try to work, and I stay with your daughter?"
"Yes, you said you always wanted a child. Why not practice. I surely did, and if we're going to be working together here, why not start?"
Anne with her mouth agape in shock, she was speechless on what to say. Will motioned to her as to agree, and she shrugged, crossing her arms.
"Okay, I'll do it, but you'll have to prove yourself."
"Yes, otherwise, I'll be kicked out. Same goes to you."
"Sure, okay, I did say that I always wanted a child, and I can't go back on my word."
"Then we have a deal?"
"Yes, we have a deal."
Will got up from the cot, shook Anne's hand, and gave her Samantha, heading for the door.
"We should start now," he said.
"What? It's going to be dark in a couple hours."
"I have a couple hours to find something. So do you."
He left the room, and Anne was there, cradling Samantha, unsure of what to do. Will wondered around the enormous ship, searching and exploring. He came across the bridge of the ship, where he found there a few people arguing.
"I can't organize a caravan group that large to explore outside of the Capital Wasteland," yelled one of the men.
"We need these caravans organized to help deliver more supplies across the Capital Wasteland. New settlements are popping up, and one of the hardest supplies is water," said another.
"I know, but some of the other caravaners that operate around here don't want to organize because they worry about how much caps they'll get."
"That's one of the downsides though, there are normal caravanners, and our caravans, and ew and them to help because we can't reach every settlement."
"They don't want to lose their sales, this is their livelihood."
"We know, we'll make sure, but we'll make a counter offer."
"What? It can't be done, they want to be left alone."
"So are you off? Are you not going to help then?"
"No, I'm off, I'm leaving."
The man got up, frustrated, and walked past Will, giving a nasty look to him. Will walked to the table with the two men there.
"You need help?" asked Will.
"Yes, our caravan master, Ernest Roe, just quit on us there."
"You need help getting some of the more well known traders to get to these towns?"
"Yes, and we don't know how to do it because they're in fear of losing caps."
"Then do a trade?"
"Trade?"
"What are their specialties?"
"We have people that do all sales from guns to chems to junk."
"I'll talk to him, figure out what I can do, then I'll be back here."
They nodded, as Will ran down the flights of stairs to the entrance of the ship, where on the bridge, Will found Roe walking out.
"Roe!" yelled Will.
He turned around to see Will run to him, almost out of breath.
"What do you want boy?" he asked.
"I know you're upset, but I can help the caravans.."
"How so?"
"In trade for supplies, the caravans should deliver water to the towns."
"They're already well supplied!"
"I know how some cities work from my experience,
the farther you go in the more untouched supplies there are."
"So?"
"An endless supply, I notice on the flight here, there wasn't any towns set up in the city, but scattered across the wastes."
"Meaning?"
"Hospitals for chems, police stations and military posts for weapons and ammo. Stores for junk and food. There is a whole lot in there that I heard the Brotherhood is clearing out."
"Only because the Lone Wanderer killed off the source of the Super Mutants."
"That means they could clear out the locations so you're not searching places already searched."
"How can I make that deal?"
"To make a deal where there is a trade for supplies for the sales from the..."
"It's Aqua Pura."
"Yeah for Aqua Pura, and they keep the rest of the money."
"You better keep that deal."
"I'll make sure of it."
"Okay, tell them that, and I'll be more than comfortable with that."
"Okay, I'll go do that."
Will walked back to the ship, and up the stairs to the men, who still sat there anxiously.
"I got a deal," initiated Will.
"What is it?" one of them asked.
"As long as you get supplies for them, they'll give you all their sales of Aqua Pura, and help with giving out Aqua Pura to some of the towns."
"We can make that work, but we need someone to help organize some of the schedules here for our caravans to align with Roe's schedule"
"I'll help."
The two men discussed among them, and one of them said, "alright, we'll hire you."
"Great, when do I get started?"
"Now, we need you to organize and tell the news to the caravans."
"Okay, let's gather them, and I'll need help working with some of the caravans."
"We'll help with some of it, but they need to know that there is a new caravan master."
"Let's get out there then."
They gathered their items, and headed out to the other side of the ship. Across the bridge, some of the caravans were standing around waiting for them.
"What's your name son?" asked one of the men.
"William. William King."
"William King? Well I'm Lucas Johnson. I'll introduce you to them; and I will I'll say that you're the new Caravan Master. Other than that, you'll have to introduce yourselves to them, and make an appearance."
"Alright that doesn't seem too bad."
"Ready?"
"Yeah, I am."
They walked down the scaffolding to the caravanners who noticed them, and quieted down their conversations.
"This is William King," said Lucas. "He's our new Caravan Master here for Rivet City's caravans."
Will went around and greeted all the caravanners who stood there around the two men.
"Listen to him. As well, we have set up some caravan schedules with Ernest Roe of Canterbury Commons. So the new towns that are springing up, you all don't have to transport them there, as long as they are making their rounds there. As well though, we will have to do surpluses going to existing towns, where we'll as well work with those caravans to transport them to new towns. I know you all are tired because of transporting these shipments. Don't worry though, we'll have help. We just have to align our schedules with those caravans from Canterbury Commons. That is all, thank you, and be safe."
Lucas turned to Will, and led him back to the ship. Where inside, Will started on work to organize, chart, and schedule their plans. Once finished, Will headed back to his room, late at night. There he saw Anne, baffled, pacing around the room.
"Where have you've been?" she asked.
"Working, why?"
"This whole child caring thing. It's getting to me. Your daughter, she's insane."
"How?"
"Constant crying, and changing, and just carrying. I barely managed to get her to sleep. How can you do this so well?"
"Let me tell you this. The way I did is that I just cradled her, and then gave her the pacifier when she yelled and didn't need food."
"So you're telling me to just stick a pacifier in her mouth?"
"For the most part."
"This is going to be a long stay together isn't it?"
"Yes, to be completely honest."
"Then we'll have to work as a team."
"Don't worry. I got this covered. I just need to do a couple things here then by tomorrow morning."
"What things?"
"Oh, sorry, just thinking aloud."
"Okay, well I'll try to get some sleep."
"Yeah, alright, good night."
"Night."
Will sat at the table, and he pulled out the vase with Jamie's ashes, he set it besides him, as he pulled out a piece of paper, and started writing a note. Once finished, he folded up, then stuck the piece of paper into the vase, and put it above his cot. He looked at the vase, the ceramic design of the blues and bronze stood out with laced white and black.
"I hope your death wasn't in vain," he whispered, putting the vase onto the mantel above his cot.
Will didn't get much sleep that night, only thinking on the alternatives of recent events. No guilt shrouded him, but the sense of impending dread teetered on consuming his thoughts. Pushing those away, he finally got sleep, late at night. By morning, Will's routine continued with him going to work around eight then coming home at six. This occurred for most of the week, excluding Sundays. Anne found out about the church on the ship, and started attending, she started bringing Will and Samantha. One afternoon, a few weeks after their arrival to River City, Will was holding the case containing Jamie's ashes. Anne came in with Samantha, noting only that they came in.
"What are you holding?" asked Anne.
"My old wife's ashes," responded Will.
"Oh," she said putting down Samantha in a high chair, "how was she like?"
"She was beautiful, strong, intuitive, smart. I took that for granted, I took her for granted."
"Well, I'm sorry for what happened to you, but I wanted to tell you something. Something that was exciting for me."
"What is it?"
"Do you remember when I told you my parents were captured by some native tribals?"
"Yes?"
"My parents found a way out, and now they're here."
Anne's parents walked into the room, with some bags in their hands.
"They already met your daughter, but not you yet."
Will stood up, and greeted both of them, giving them handshakes.
"What's your names?" Will asked.
"I'm Daniel, and this is my wife, Abigail;" said Daniel.
"How did you escape the tribals?"
"After the Lone Wanderer helped in Point Lookout, the tribals became more hostile. When we were captured, their leadership crumbled, and most of them disbanded. So we left."
"Who is this Lone Wanderer? I've been hearing about him or her so much."
"No one really knows," says Anne, "all we know is that whoever it is has been helping the Capital Wasteland for over a year. So far that's what I've been hearing."
"If only the Mojave had someone who could've sorted out the problems of the NCR and Legion."
Anne whispered to her parents on who the Legion and NCR were.
"What happened down there?" asked Daniel, sitting.
"A war, between the aforementioned groups. It caused my previous wife and I to come here," placing the vase on the table besides them. "This is my wife now," he continued, sitting down at the table.
"I'm sorry Will," Daniel said.
"Don't be, Anne here has been helping me cope with it."
"My daughter has always been good with people," said Abigail.
"Will, I heard that you could help us with housing?" asked Daniel.
"How so? There isn't housing here?"
"Yes, but is there somewhere that we can go?"
"I have an idea. There is a town called Megaton, which is northwest of here. I overheard some of the caravanners saying that there is a house there that nobody has bought yet."
"Why is that? What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing, there was a person who was driven out because he wanted to blow up the town."
"Who?"
"Someone named Mr. Burke. Never found out who that was."
"Then we should be getting to Megaton."
"The best way to get there that isn't going alone, is to go with a caravan. There might be one outside the city if I'm not mistaken."
"How much will the house be though?"
"Good question, I don't know how much it would be."
"How can we expect to pay?"
"Depends, how many caps do you have on you?"
"One hundred between the both of us."
"I'll go with you with some caps."
"Really? You're willing to pay?" asked Anne.
"Yes, I will help pay for it, we saved enough over the past few weeks that we could pay."
"How many caps do you make?" asked Daniel.
"A couple hundred caps a week."
"Thank you so much," said Anne, hugging Will.
"Let's get going, we don't know how long that house will be available to us." Will turned to Anne, quietly telling her, " I need you to stay here, and take care of Samantha. Take my pistol."
He handed her the 9mm pistol he had holstered, and she asked, "why can't I come?"
"I need you here, I won't do anything to them, but I'll tell them how dangerous this section of the wasteland is."
"So? I could do that as well. Plus, they know danger."
"There is something else, but I'll tell you when I get back. Okay?"
"If it means they get there safe. Please do go."
"Thank you. You won't regret it."
"Hopefully not."
Will lead Anne's parents to the caravan, taking 500 caps along with him. They connected with the caravan which was already on it's way to Megaton.
Daniel initiated conversation, asking, "How long have you been in the Capital Wasteland?"
"As long as your daughter, Mr-" Will stagnated.
"It's Mr. Reynolds, but just call me Daniel."
"Well Daniel, only a few weeks. Other than that, I lived on the west coast for most of my life."
"How did you meet our Anne?"
"By the docks where she was dropped off."
"So you two just ended up being in the same room together just by meeting by a dock?"
"Coincidence I guess. Don't know how to describe it."
"You two haven't done anything?"
"No. As I showed, I had my dead wife's ashes. She died the day after my daughter was born."
"You're not looking for any 'relationship' with my daughter?"
"Not in particular, why ask?"
"My daughter, Anne, our only child, always desired to meet someone. You fit the type of person she had a preference for."
"Really? She isn't that 'open' of a person."
"Yeah, she isn't. The only reason I bring this up too is that when we first got here, and she met us, she just went on about you and your daughter."
"I wonder why?"
"So do I. I'm curious as well if your previous wife's death isn't being pushed down."
"Why so?"
"You are acting too calm about your wife's death. Especially on how you seem to be so- straightforward- about it. No empathy, but that's all just speculation on my part. Definitely not to say that it's the truth. Just an observation."
"I understand where the concern comes from, but to inform you, it's what my wife would've wanted me to do."
"How would you know?"
"We had this discussion after we got married. On the road. We agreed that if either of us would get left behind or worse, that the other should carry on. I intended it to be her in case if I happened to die. I never had a contingency plan for in case. Now, I'm just carrying on, and everything I do is now for my daughter and her."
"Everything you do is for your daughter's safety?"
"For the most part."
"That's how we did it for Anne. Always for her. Setting up skills for her. That's the whole point of our shop. To teach her to carry on our legacy. The only bad part was due to Point Lookout's unpleasant demeanor, it was only right for her to leave."
"All I want for my daughter is a better life to live in then what I had."
"You grew up on the west coast didn't you?"
"Yes, it wasn't pleasant all the time. Very bureaucratic."
"Not much of a government here on this side of the wasteland."
"I can see it though. It's sprouting. The Brotherhood has good intentions, but the bureaucracy will come eventually."
"To change the topic, why come with us?"
"I wanted to ask you something, but you've answered for me anyways."
"How so?"
"It was about Anne. How we work as a team is pretty astonishing. She fits with me pretty well. We can sort things out without much tension."
"Much tension?"
"We have some issues over housework, but other than that, we have a lot of things in common."
"That's good to hear."
"It is."
They conversed among them until the got to Megaton which at this point was at dusk. They went in, finding the mayor and sheriff Lucas Simms. The house was immediately mentioned if it was for sale or not.
"750 caps for the house," Lucas stated.
"No can do, 500," refuted Will.
"Sorry sir, can't do that."
"You can't do that? Do you know who I am?"
"No sir, but you have no authority over me."
"I do, I run all the water shipments to the towns all across the Capital Wasteland. Unless you want your town to waste away, I'd say lower the price."
"You're bluffing."
"Ask the guys who we just came with."
Lucas Simms went to the caravanners, asking and pointing to Will. He came back with an agitated look on his face.
"Okay, I'll do 500 since you are the Caravan Master. You Goddamn bastard."
"Business is business sheriff."
Lucas handed Will the keys, as Will handed the bag of caps to Lucas. Will gave the keys to Daniel. They went to the house which they entered. A quaint house, and good enough for them to live in. With glee on them, the two seemed content with the house.
"Thank you Will," said Daniel.
"It's nicer than our house in Point Lookout," added Abigail.
"I think I should be heading back to see Anne."
"No stay," said Abigail. "I'll make us some dinner here, and you can stay overnight."
"Yeah, you didn't have to get us a house," Daniel included.
"Just for the night I guess."
Will stayed for the night, as uncomfortable as it was for him. By dawn, Will said goodbye, and left the house, heading back to Rivet City. Making it back by mid morning, he got into work. He got back to their room by six per usual, not eating that entire day.
"Where were you?" asked Anne worried.
Taken aback slightly, Will responded, "I stayed with your parents then came back this morning to work."
"You could've at least said something. I was worried sick."
"Is everything okay?" continued Will, grabbing food out of the fridge.
"Yes, everything is fine."
"Your father told me something interesting about you."
"What?" she asked in haste.
"I have a question. Are you interested in me?"
"No. Why would you ask that?"
"Well your dad told me that you seemed almost giddy about me. We've only known each other for a few weeks here now."
Defeatedly, she caves, admiring, "I know what you went through, but I never had that chance to experience true love."
"I see, let's just keep it at a minimal, and we'll see how it all plays out, okay?"
"Yeah, that sounds great."
"Okay, good, now let's focus on the bigger picture."
A few months of awkward tension grew between the both of them. Soon that tension broke as they in the tension, grew to know more about each other. Will, being with Anne, felt more at home, at ease. Having their differences, usually arguing about caps, and how it should be spent, they were usually calm about most other things. Anne wanted the money to be spent on essentials like better beds, items for Samantha, and in other items. Will wanted to only spend money on food, water, and other more bare essentials needed for survival. Soon though, Will caved slightly, giving caps to a cot for two people, and some clothing for them and Samantha. They soon became a couple, making the most out of their time together. Their awkward relationship soon grew into a loving one which they started dating. Over the coming months, the time that both of them didn't spend keeping an eye on Sam, or being generally busy, they spent with each other. Eventually they got married at St. Monica's church on Rivet City. A couple months after their wedding, Anne found out that she was pregnant. Several months later, she gave birth to a son. Naming him after himself, Will had a junior in the family. Over the next couple of years, Will's memory of New Vegas slipped into the back of his mind as he took care of his new family and life. The year became 2281, and as the year progressed, Will was fine, and happy with his family. Will and Budi, later learning his name to be Keith, both were very good friends. Ben always playing with Sam when he was over at Will's place. Overtime, though, the thought of Jamie, and all the events leading to D.C. were completely faded away. One night though, Will decided to get a drink from the bar after a week of hard work. A couple travelers were at the bar near him at the counter, and Will overheard them talking about the Mojave.
Approaching them, Will inquired, "what's happening in the Mojave?"
"You know about the Mojave?" said one of the people. "It's pretty terrifying now. The NCR and Legion are possibly going to go to war again."
"Really? When did you leave there?"
"A few months ago."
"Meaning that there is going to be a second battle of Hoover Dam?"
"Yeah, how'd you know that?"
"I'm from there."
"Well now you know."
Will stepped away from the people, and sat back down at his seat. He ordered himself another drink, as thoughts flooded back into his mind of things years gone. Thoughts of him being discharged from the NCR to finding Jamie and later her uncle. From then going to New Vegas, Kyle, fighting raiders, Timothy dying, and working at the Atomic Wrangler. Fights with Jamie, to seeing guilt incarnate. Leaving Jamie a couple times, her father, Kyle and Jamie's relationship. The time they fell in love to making love, and the first battle of Hoover Dam. Seeing the battle afterwards, planning to leave. Doing the dirty work of Francine, meeting Kelly, Mark, and George. Leaving New Vegas, meeting Philip, going to New Canaan, and getting married. Heading east, having a child, and the entire group dying, including Jamie. Burning her body, putting into her ashes into a vase, and the last time he saw the essence of guilt. Meeting up with Budi, his battle with the Yao Guai, and the information given to the Midwestern Elder of the Brotherhood. He downed his drink, put some caps on the counter, got up, and left the bar, going back to his home. Entering, his face was pale, drained, and he just concentrated on his thoughts. He started to pack some of his gatherings.
Anne noticed, asking, "what's wrong Will?"
"I need to leave tomorrow."
"What? Why?"
"I'm going back to New Vegas."
"New Vegas? Why head back there?"
"There's something I need to finish there."
"It's been nearly three years since you got here. What would you need to finish?"
"Something important."
"What would be so important that you need to go back there?"
"I need to kill the Legate."