Crossfire - Fallout 4 - [R J MacCready x Sole Survivor]

Chapter 23

The gentle clink of metal came from the rings dangling off MacCready's neck, and it chimed with each hurried step he took. He paused midstride to double over, exhaustion burning within every fibre of his being, but he soon gulped in a lungful of air before he forced his body to push on. He never stopped, not for too long, but he knew he couldn't properly allow himself to rest until he reached his destination.

There was a terrible burn on his legs, and the energy to keep them in motion was waning, but he won't stop. He can't stop, not yet. His resolve was the only thing that kept him going.

He rounded the corner when he reached the ruined streets of Cambridge, and the street opened up to the clear view of Cambridge Police station. It was barricaded, a few guards in power armour patrolled the vicinity, and they stopped to raise their weapons as MacCready neared.

"Civilian!" One of them barked, laser weapon at the ready. "You are approaching Brotherhood territory. Turn around and clear the area!"

The burn was too much, and his lungs couldn't gulp any more air as MacCready collapsed to the concrete. The only thing he had left in him was his pride, so he shakily pried himself off the ground to sit up. The Brotherhood guards still had their sights on MacCready - and by God did he want to give them a piece of his mind - but he bit back his bubbling anger and slowly held up his hands in surrender.

It took him a few attempts to swallow, his throat thick and dry, before MacCready attempted to talk. "I need to speak to Danse."

Without missing a beat, one of the guards walked up to the young man on the ground. "What business do you have with him?"

"It's about one of your other knights. I was travelling with her until she got..." Mauled, but he blinked and swallowed again. "She was injured, badly. We flagged down one of your vertibirds and they took her to that hunk of metal in the sky. Anyway, I need to see her, or at least know what's happened to her."

The guard furthest away perked up, but kept silent. The closest one raised his weapon higher. "Sorry for the bad news buddy, but only Brotherhood is authorized in this area. I'll say again, turn around and leave the area or I will shoot you on sight!"

It was hard to keep his anger in check, but MacCready clenched his jaw as he lifted himself up to stand. "Listen here, I ain't going nowhere until I speak to Paladin Danse-"

"Stand down soldier!"

Everyone fell silent as they looked to the source of the sound. His voice held such effortless authority that even MacCready felt compelled to keep quiet, but he was relieved when he saw the tall man leave the station and walk up to the three.

The two guards immediately lowered their weapons - stance straight and proper - as they addressed their commanding officer. Paladin Danse was in his power armour, custom made to fit his already tall frame, and his helmet held firmly under his arm. He nodded at the soldiers, a silent command to leave him and the civilian be, before he turned to give MacCready his full attention.

"I thought I recognized you," Danse said.

MacCready never thought he would ever be grateful to see another Brotherhood goon, but the sight of Paladin Danse gave him the hope that he needed. He gave the taller man a small wave as he fanned himself with his hat. "This isn't a social call," he said, and Danse's stare intensified as MacCready spoke. "I need to get onto that big airship of yours. Dawn is there and I need to make sure she's okay."

Danse's eyes narrowed, but nothing else about his expression gave away what the Paladin was thinking. "You're her mercenary, aren't you?" He said, "What was your name again?"