Stealth Boy and Girl

four

CAMILLA

I wondered about Diamond City for the night, and in the morning I took to the Wastes. Diamond CIty was always buzzing with who was a synth and who wasn't. I never took any of it to heart. They had no idea what they were blowing from their asses, it was all just hype. In my opinion, it was the reporter just scaring the locals into reading more of her stupid newspapers.

The next day I found myself in a little settlement where Deacon and I had checked up on a synth. His new name was Gabriel and he was taking to the new settlement easily. I traded some things with the settlement and helped them out a little, then I went on about my travels.

I gathered information about the few people on the list of possible new members. None looked exceptionally promising, but I would have to leave that up to Desdemona. The one that I thought would make it had actually died just last week. A rough battle with a Deathclaw. I found his battered remains in the Commonwealth. I bugged out pretty quick, not knowing where the beast that killed him was. I didn't want to be like that dead guy.

The next best candidate was a young man. He was a farm hand, but had a knack for defending his little town with a wicked bladed tire iron. He didn't hate synths like everyone seemed to these days. He was a very sensitive and empathetic man. He was too soft in my opinion. I didn't want him to have to fight the Institute. I don't know how he'd handle it. Again, it was Desdemona's call to contact whoever she wanted.

Figuring I had enough data, and my three days were almost up, I headed back to the old North Church. I thought about Deacon this time, instead of my family I had left. Thoughts of him were far less painful to me.

He was a liar, but I could tell when someone was lying. It didn't particularly bother me when he lied. If his lies got him through the day, then let him. I knew there was something far darker to him, that he tried to hide behind. I wanted to ask him, or maybe investigate him on my own time. I know he had done the same to me. We didn't talk about it, but he knew where I was from. I knew from the recognition in his eyes. Maybe the only reason I haven't poked around his skeletons is because I wanted him to tell me. I wanted him to trust me.

I had given him no reasons to dislike me, or to distrust me. I had his back probably better than anyone else could in this shithole of a world. We took shifts in the night and we made sure we both had enough stimpacks to not die. We made sure each of the other was out of any shots from a sniper or anything of the like. We had each other's back.

I sighed heavily upon reaching the HQ. I hurriedly went in and typed up a little report on the terminal. It wasn't very little actually. After that, I headed back to see Desdemona and Deacon. They both were present, but there was also Whisper. I considered not letting her see me, to keep my presence in the organization a secret. But she already looked over at me. Her grey eyes sparkled and she greeted me with a smile. She seemed deep in a conversation with our leader though. I felt my fist clench and I shuffled my way over to them.

"We think it would be better if you left the Minutemen and focused your time here."

Whisper seemed very frustrated with the topic. "I think I'll stay with my men. But I will more than gladly take missions for you."

"That is unfortunate. Let me know if you change your mind then." Des turned to me. "Ah, Vex, do you have a report? Deacon told me you gathered Intel on the possible members."

I nodded once, adjusting my leather jacket. "Yeah, it's written up on the terminal. Deacon said he would grade my homework," I replied, looking at the man. I gave him a half smile, feeling cocky. "I ought to get an A+."

"As riveting as your homework sounds to read, I'm sure Des can cover it. I'm headed out with Whisper."

I tried not to show what my thoughts were, but I felt my head tilt in a manner that would suggest annoyance. I felt many things at that moment, but I tried to push them all away. "Alright," was all I said.

We all went about our business. I went over to Tom to get a few things for a gun I was working on, then I went to sit in a chair to go through my messy pack. After a few minutes, Whisper interrupted me politely.

"Hello, Vex?"

I looked up from my things and greeted her.

"I know you've been helping out a few settlements around. Would you want to join the Minutemen?"

I would be lying if I said I hadn't considered it myself. The Minutemen did a lot of good and I liked that. They didn't favor any one group from the other either. "What would that entail? I like what I do now, helping when I have the time."

"That's basically what it would be, except you have us to back you up." She smiled at me slightly. I studied her for a short moment, taking in everything I could. She had on a long, black coat, like she was some comic book character. She still had a pip-boy on her arm though. I was surprised no one tried to steal it from her.

"I'll have to think about it. But I'll find you if my mind chances."

She looked disappointed, but she didn't press the issue. She left the HQ shortly after, Deacon following close behind her. I watched them leave almost bitterly. I don't know why I felt this way either. Maybe I looked at Deacon as one of my only friends here. He was the only one I've spent time with and it hurt that he didn't want to continue to spend his time traveling with me.