Slowly the Chapter was getting comfortable in their new "permanent" home, it was much, much more comfortable than living underground, and the opportunity the Initiates got to train outside was invaluable. They were no longer hiding and as such, they were allowed outside for a limited time.
Afton used this to start thoroughly training his cardio, there was only so much you could do in a small metal-reinforced room after all. During his spare time he'd done a lot of running... He might've actually run a couple marathons around Helios One.
His studies continued as well, it took a while for a firing range to be set up, but it was a lot easier to do outside than it was underground. Plus, the additional distance would help him get better, faster.
Not everything was buttercups and roses though, Veronica had been terribly busy and wasn't able to spend any time with either him or Christine... The Elder had apparently taken an interest in the underground facility that was accessible behind Helios One, apparently you would be able to access the spire and solar panels from down there...
The only problem was that everything needed massive repairs, nuclear bombs had for some reason left the Mojave relatively unscathed, maybe the Chinese didn't think it was worth bombing a desert? But, that doesn't really make sense as Las Vegas was untouched as well.
Afton had no idea what could've so heavily damaged the technology under Helios One, but if he had to guess it'd probably be the scientists that were working here... A precaution in-case someone stumbled across the place? If what Elder Elijah was saying was correct, then something important was clearly hidden here.
How long would it take to fully repair? He had no idea. Most of the free Scribes were working overtime down there, occasionally returning to the main building covered in oil and metal shavings. The Paladins and Knights were constantly sent on patrols to gather materials that the Scribes requested...
Fortunately, there was apparently a scrap yard owned by an old woman that contained many discarded technologies. The Brotherhood couldn't figure out why so much would be tossed away like trash, and only Afton knew the amount of waste produced by the pre-war society, after all, it was the same in his old world.
Head Paladin Mcnamara managed to make a deal with the old lady named Gibson, they'd trade her bottlecaps, the current times premium currency and she'd let them scavenge in her backyard. Some of the members of the Brotherhood wanted to just take whatever they needed without bothering with her, but it seems Mcnamara hadn't lied when he said he wanted to find peaceful solutions for everyone.
It'd only been a few months since they'd started staying in Helios One when something big happened... Afton was outside and had just completed his daily run, walking to return to the base when suddenly the stars in the sky dimmed...
He wondered if it was a natural phenomenon for a moment, but realised it was simply light pollution... Light pollution from behind Black Mountain where the super mutants were living.
The next day he found out what'd actually caused it... Las Vegas had reopened... Well, it's now called "New Vegas". Afton preferred the latter as it was easier on the tongue. The scouts reported a rumour that the NCR had made a deal with someone named Mr House.
It took the Brotherhood some digging, but they eventually managed to discern who the man was... The founder of RobCo and numerous other industries. They were all confused as he'd be over two hundred years old now if that were true, and if that were the case then he must be using some sort of advanced technology to keep himself alive.
Afton had seen the Elder marching through the hallways after the news broke, he imagined the man was salivating at the thought of technology that could make you immortal. But, for some reason, he chose to ignore it and the fact the NCR had completely taken Hoover dam.
This would rapidly ramp up the conflict between the Chapter and the NCR, Afton could see why they were so eager to control the region now... New Vegas would most likely be an economic powerhouse, and if they controlled it then they'd control the Mojave.
Head Paladin Mcnamara had started sending out patrols to scout for potential safe houses, not mentioning his preparations to Elder Elijah as the man would likely force all resources into Helios One instead of their own safety.
A year passed and Afton had turned twelve, the repairs of Helios One were slowly progressing, but the difficulty of restoring a facility that had unclear functions was terribly difficult.
Veronica had eventually managed to persuade the Elder to give her some breaks, and she used them to complain to Afton and Christine about how annoying it was to work on this project without knowing what you were actually doing.
Elder Elijah kept whatever this place held to himself, not even telling Veronica, the person he was closest to when asked.
Afton was slowly becoming resentful of the Elder, the man was completely disregarding the lives of everyone in the Chapter was supposed to protect. NCR scouts had already been spotting lingering around the area, telltale signs that they were plotting something, otherwise they wouldn't hang around for so long.
Neither had attacked the other yet, Head Paladin Mcnamara feared that it'd only escalate the inevitable conflict with the NCR. And the rangers hadn't made a move due to their orders, probably along the lines of "Wait, Observe, Report".
Afton was thankful Mcnamara was so keen on keeping them all safe in the Elders absence, those hidden bunkers they'd found and started to restore were looking mighty welcoming with the NCR breathing down their necks...
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Afton was in the midst of a knife fight with Christine, Veronic wasn't present as the Elder had called her away, again. He stabbed at her stomach but didn't fear injury her, she was a lot more skilful than he was, and their armoured clothing protected against any half-hearted strikes.
She backed away and performed a snap kick at his hand as she did so, it'd surprised him and knocked his knife into the air which put him at her mercy. She leapt forwards and punched at him, forcing him to lean back to avoid the strike, this was what she wanted however as she plucked his twirling knife from the air, leaving him defenceless.
"You got me" he says with a sign, showing his palms.
Christine would usually shoot a smug smile his way after winning, but lately she seemed... Subdued? Both Afton and Veronica had noticed it, but they'd not broached the subject yet as neither had any idea what it may be.
The two girls relationship was going excellently, and somehow no one had learned of what they were doing... Perhaps the excuse that they were just training him was enough? Regardless, now that he and Christine was alone he'd take the chance to ask what was bothering her.
"Christine? You've seemed pretty down lately, is something wrong?" he asks, giving her the most sincere smile he could muster.
She halts upon hearing this, chewing the inside of her cheek before shaking her head, "No... Nothing is wrong, I'm just worried that you'll never beat me or Veronica."
Now, Afton wasn't the greatest at social interaction, but it was obvious she'd deflected his question... He wanted to think she'd tell him if it was important, but he was starting to doubt that'd happen. "I know that's not true Christine, me and Veronica have both noticed it. You can't hide anything from us, no matter how much you train yourself."
"Its nothing Afton, I'm just not used to living above ground, the things that are happening around us with the NCR is worrying me.. The Elder-" she frowns as she almost spits his name, "Doesn't seem to care what happens to all of us, as long as he gets his hands on whatever secrets this place holds." she quickly says, and he could see she was sincere in her wish to leave this facility, as well as her hatred for the Elder.
"I'm worried too Christine, but you need to remember Veronica and I have got your back... I... I think both of us would give our lives for you, just remember that we'll always hear you out, no matter what it is that's bothering you." he says in a low tone, he didn't know if their inevitable conflict with the NCR was the cause of her worries, but if she refused to tell him then all he could do is offer to help whenever she needed it.
Christine finally showed a true smile at his rather emotional statement, giving him a warm hug that seemed to last forever before shoving the knife back into his hand. "Alright, enough of that, I'm going to see if I can get you to finally beat Veronica, so prepare yourself." she drops into a low stance with an almost sadistic grin.
As always, Afton had been keeping a close eye on the happening in the Mojave, reading every report he could get his hands on. The end was nearing, the NCR had set up a large force in the airport near New Vegas and called it Camp McCarran. It was an almost perfect place to secure their position in New Vegas as it was near enough where they could easily reinforce it, as well as protect the farms surrounding the bustling city.
If that was all they'd done it would've been relatively fine, sure they were setting up a strategic point that would probably be used to destroy them at Helios One, but it'd not be the end quite yet... Except that wasn't all, one of the Rangers that'd been loitering around Helios One had done something unforgivable.
They'd fired upon a patrol coming back with supplies from the Gibson scrap yard, four Knights and two Initiates were dead. Afton didn't know whether he should feel guilty that he was thankful no one he was close to was killed.
Unfortunately, one of the Knights killed had been Bert Stanton, Miles father. His friend had been shocked and heartbroken upon hearing the news, immediately breaking down into tears as his mother comforted him even though she was hurting as much as he was.
This was the spark that started the conflict between the Mojave Chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel and the NCR. They'd not stand for having one of their own brutally killed without even a warning. Almost everyone was enraged at the attack and beckoned Elder Elijah to allow them to mount a counter-attack, Paladin Hardin was at the head of these talks.
Elder Elijah refused though! He commanded them to focus on Helios One and to not engage the NCR. He didn't seem to care that this would endanger anyone who went out for supplies or the parts that were required to repair the bloody facility.
Most of the Chapter now truly resented the man, he kept making promises that Helios One would be their crowning achievement and that they'd retaliate against the NCR after they'd fixed it. But his honeyed words fell on deaf ears...
They couldn't refuse the mans orders, as the Codex strictly prohibited them from disobeying orders, but it didn't mean they couldn't argue with him at every turn.
Head Paladin Mcnamara had started sending out Patrols of Paladins and Knights in Power armour to protect those transporting materials to the base. There hadn't been another attack yet, but that was probably due to the Rangers not being able to find any easy targets like last time.
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