101 (Percico/Pernico)

---Chapter Ten---

The walk was shorter than all of them thought it would be. They faced the Citadel in what felt like a half an hour, although it had been several. The Brothers that stood guarding the Citadel were surprised at the Paladin Commander's new company to say in the least. However, they let them in and even called people to help escort them to the Lab.

Elder Maxson, their leader, who was a young man despite his title, was pleasantly surprised at the cliche of ghouls Burke had brought to him, contrasting his soldiers' initial reaction to the group of rotting undead people that suddenly appeared at their headquarters.

"We need to get these ghouls to the Underworld. I know it's a big favor to ask of you—"

"What are you talking about?" Maxson asked. "These ghouls are people, too. And we help the people from life threatening creatures and events. I'll assign someone to it immediately."

Nico was surprised by his leader's approach to protecting the Wasteland, but at least his best friend would be in a safe place for the meantime. He gave her his goodbyes, she wished him luck with his "friend." She understood why he did not wish to hug her goodbye, but they got their points across. Percy waved goodbye to her, but she beckoned him down to whisper in his ear, something Nico did not hear. Percy nodded and smiled humorously. She then returned his wave and went off with the soldiers that would lead them to a sanctuary.

Elder Maxson promptly sent Burke back to his journey, which put Percy in the leadership role again. He did not have a problem with that, per say, but he felt nervous about leading them in the wrong direction again. Nico, noticing his insecurity, pat him on the shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. His confidence replenished, he agreed and they were on their way, their hopes high that they were not to run into any more obstacles detrimental to their mission.

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"Why don't your directions on your Pip-Boy work?" Nico asked as they strolled past a decaying park.

The day was already fading into evening, and they were somewhere near Tenpenny Tower again. High confidence was not very effective in Percy's direction sense, but it kept him patient and concentrated on hunting down his Vault. He missed his home, but for some reason, whenever he thought about returning, a feeling of sadness accompanied the feeling of anticipation. He shrugged it off, but he wondered if this feeling had something to do with the boy walking next to him.

"I dunno," he replied. "They've always been like that. No matter how many times I've gone in to get it fixed, it doesn't work. Even my friend Leo was trying to fix it, and it worked for a while, but then it went back to the way it was."

Nico frowned. "Then, why did the Megaton directions work?"

"I don't know. They just did. It only works for Megaton, somehow."

"Do you have the directions to Megaton that you followed from the Vault?"

"Yes, I do. For some reason, they are the only ones that led me to the place I needed to go."

Nico nodded in understanding. "Can you follow them backwards to the Vault?"

Percy paused for a moment before lifting his arm to look at his Pip-Boy. He tapped on the map, moving it around to view the Megaton icon and a bunch of dots that led off another direction to a icon that was blurred and glitching.

"Nico? I think you may be right."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Look, it's leading somewhere from Megaton, that looks like it's not too far from it. I didn't have to walk to far from the Vault to get to Megaton. That's probably the Vault, Nico. You're right."