章 45: Abandoned
Afton and Veronica quickly made their way through the facility, neither knew when next they'd be called to their posts, so it was best to get this down as soon as possible.
The area they were headed? The front entrance of Helios One where the more senior Paladins were located. This is the most vulnerable place the NCR are likely to attack, mainly due to the large door and relatively wide area outside with which to shoot from.
Afton ignored everyone else present and headed straight for McNamara, he was sitting upright in a side room still wearing his Power armour, apparently having a quick nap before the next attack began.
Veronica walked up and snapped her fingers a couple times in front of his face, he grumbled after a few before his eyes sprang open, he was about to reach for his gun when he finally noticed who was accosting him. "Wake up sleepy-head." she says with a small smirk.
...
He sighs, "Yes Veronica, for what pleasure do I enjoy your company?" he asks sarcastically.
Afton glances at the shut door behind them and gives the man a determined look, "The Elder is insane, and whatever plan he has devised will fail. We need another strategy otherwise we're all fucked... To be put simply." he explains.
Head Paladin McNamara nods, "Yes, I know." he states.
...
Veronica raises a brow at him, "Then why have you not done anything about it? Sure he's the Elder, but there must be something in the Codex that'd allow you to replace him... Right?"
McNamara shrugs, "There probably is, but I've looked and haven't found any concrete way yet.. Even if I replaced him, it's too late for this facility."
"If you've put this much thought into it, you must have some 'side projects' ready?" Afton asks.
McNamara restrains the smirk appearing on his features before answering, "I've thought the Elder was incompetent when we disregarded orders and headed here instead of the Hoover Dam, as such, I've had years to make my preparations... The Elder didn't notice when supplies and technology were slowly being funnelled off to a Hidden Bunker I'd had some Paladin's secure."
"Yeah, Elijah doesn't bother checking the supply logs... He's only interested in getting the facility to work, I still have no idea what its purpose is." she admits sadly.
"Is the Hidden Bunker close?" Afton asks, wondering if they'd be able to break through the NCR's siege to reach wherever it was.
The Paladin nods, "Behind the facility, there's a small almost hidden canyon path that we can use... The NCR would not dare follow us through it as any who tried would be annihilated, the only problem is we'd have to leave the base to reach it..."
Veronica continues for him, "While being shot at by thousands of soldiers?... Damn."
"It might be our only shot for survival," Afton adds, "Are you sure the NCR wouldn't be able to find the Hidden Bunker?" he asks, worried that they'd just be swapping one doomed base for another.
McNamara nods, "I would've had us heading for it now, but the Elder is still our leader... As long as he's determined to remain here, the Codex dictates that I can't do anything."
"So... We'll just wait until we're all half-starved or shot to death until we move? That's-"
"-Stupid!" Veronica finishes for him. "The Codex is supposed to help guide us and prevent our destruction, but right now its the only thing holding us back!"
"You should quieten down Veronica, it wouldn't do to have the others hear you... I'm a lot more relaxed than they are about the Codex, but don't forget it's still the foundation of the Brotherhood, and our very lives." he scolds.
Just as Veronica is about to retort the Elder's voice echoes through the facility via the Intercom, "Will my forlorn Apprentice return to me? There is drastic and important work still to be done!"
She sighs and looks at the others, "My dear master has need of me... Nolan, just remember, it won't be the Codex responsible for all the deaths that'll undoubtedly happen, it'll be on you for no doing anything to stop it." she states before leaving.
Afton could see the Head Paladin's complexion pale at her words, he knew that McNamara was more 'sensitive' than your average person, taking on responsibility and the guilt that goes along with ti without logic or reason. Clearly her words had affected him.
*BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!*
The sounds of rapid gunshots have both of them standing rapidly, Afton needed to return to his post and McNamara presumably had people to command. He waved to the Paladin before sprinting out, picking up his Laser rifle while hoping nothing too bad had happened.
And so the conflict continued, both sides were posturing proudly, but only one was starting to waver. Food and water stores were running dangerously low, and it was only a matter of time before they were out completely.
Everyone in the Chapter was beginning to have dour expression, it was clear the Elder had no clue what he was doing, nor would the man illuminate them on what his plan was. Resentment had been steadily growing towards the man, his small social inadequacies, breaches of procedure, and lack of leadership had turned almost everyone against him... The only reason they still obeyed is because of the Codex they adhered to almost religiously.
Afton had just gotten to the cafeteria where a commotion was happening. A grizzled old Paladin still wearing his Power armour was holding a tray and looking at the Initiate who was tasked with feeding everyone.
"What do you mean there's nothing left!?" he shouts, causing everyone's eyes to widen.
"Sir, there... There's nothing in stores, we only have a few bottles left, I'm sorry!" the Initiate quickly says, his eyes tearing up as he feels it's his own fault.
Everyone in the cafeteria clearly knew what this meant, Afton left, running towards where McNamara should be and spotting him propping his gun up while aiming towards the entrance to the facility. He taps him on the shoulder and whispers in his ear, "Sir, we're out of food! If we don't do something now we're all dead!" he quickly says.
McNamara stood abruptly, instantly walking towards one of the Intercoms and asking to be connected to the Elder... Eventually getting connected with a panicking sounding Veronica. "The Elder, he's gone! I have no idea where he went!"
...
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Niggross Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know.
章 46: No-Man's-Land
Head Paladin looks back at Afton after hearing that the Elder had apparently abandoned them, "Well, that makes this much easier then." he mutters before speaking back into the Intercom, "Veronica, I need you to gather all the scribes, have them prepare for combat, Power armour and all. There should be enough for everyone, make sure we leave nothing behind." he quickly orders before shutting off as he hears Veronica hurrying off.
"What should I do... Elder." he says semi-cheekily.
McNamara grimaces slightly, "Go to Senior Knight Ramos, have him equip any Initiates tall enough in Power armour, we mustn't leave anything for the NCR to pick through. I'll be heading to the Intercom room to make an announcement, be safe Initiate."
Afton leaves and relays Ramos's orders just as McNamara's voice is heard over the Intercom system, "Brother and Sisters, I am Head Paladin McNamara and I am sorry to say that Elder Elijah as gone missing, presumably abandoning us. Do not despair, I will be taking up the position of Elder and leading us out of this sorry situation we have found ourselves in. Continue to defend the entrances and await further orders, we are out of food and water, so we'll make our move upon nightfall.
In my place I promote Paladin Edgar Hardin to Head Paladin, treat his orders as if they were my own, Ad Victoriam brothers."
With that the Chapter burst into movement, all of the Initiates tall enough to properly operate Power armour were given a set, all of the Scribes were outfitting aswell, there was enough armour for everyone, and they even had extra sets in the Hidden Bunker where McNamara had been funnelling resources.
Due to the sudden surplus of weaponry, Afton had strapped a Plasma pistol to his side, and slung a Tri-beam laser rifle onto his back. He currently had two laser rifles and a plasma pistol on his person, along with a few plasma grenades in a pouch at his side.
Everyone else was getting as kitted out as he was, they needed to take as much as they could and destroy the rest, the Codex made it clear that technology could not fall into the wrong hands.
Sandra, Melissa, and Miles all had wary looks on their faces, despite all the weaponry the currently had, they felt more vulnerable than ever. The main reason for this was due to the fact they'd literally be running into the enemies line of fire, and hoping not to get shot.
Fortunately, they would be surrounded by a wall of Power armour, the most vulnerable people like pregnant women or people with children would be shielded with the other member's bodies.
Eventually, nightfall came and Afton found himself at the back entrance of Helios One, surrounded by the whole Chapter. He looked behind him and saw his mother standing there, clad in Power armour while presumably smiling at him reassuringly through her helmet.
His teacher Adah Lindgren was next to her, he hadn't known but the woman was apparently once one of the best fighters in her class. He was pretty sure Veronica was someone near the front of the formation along with his father, close to McNamara who'd be leading them.
Elder Elijah had apparently sabotaged the Helios One facility while activating all the security, only those with Brotherhood holotag's would be allowed through. This allowed everyone to get ready quicker due to them not having to sabotage it themselves... Atleast the old man had done something positive, aside from leaving of course.
Veronica wasn't happy about it as the man was basically a father to her, but she restrained her emotions for now due to the situation. He'd make sure she's alright if they survive, he didn't know how she was handling not only losing her father figure, but lover almost all at once.
McNamara stood in-front of everyone, his helmet in his hand so he could look them in the eye as he spoke, "You have all been notified of my plan, there is a bunker through the canyon and at the base of black mountain. Supplies have already been dropped off there and the NCR will not be able to find us once we're inside. All we need to do now is get there, and by Maxon I swear we will leave this place, dead or alive!
The NCR will fire upon us as soon as they are aware of our plans, all of you donning Power armour will be required to shield the centre of the formation with your bodies. We will undoubtedly lose many, but this is our only shot at survival.
My Paladins and I will lead the charge to take the brunt of the damage, I will tell you this now, it doesn't matter if I fall in battle, keep moving, Head Paladin Hardin had been given the information he needs should I be unable to lead you.
We are all bound in steel, brothers and sisters in arms, family by the Codex. I love you all, and I promise I will do everything in my power to see us through this. Ad Victoriam!" he shouts, slamming his right hand over his chest, immediately being mimicked by everyone present.
Elder McNamara puts on his helmet while grabbing his Gauss Rifle, everyone knew what was coming, and their muscles tensed while adrenaline pumped through their bodies. Afton imagined this is what the soldiers in WW1 felt just before they were commanded to charge into no-man's-land.
Without another word McNamara opened the doors and ran through, followed by other Paladins. Afton took one last reassuring glance behind him at his mother and Adah before following everyone else.
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