Chapter 32 “Axe will be under A.”

John woke to the sound of banging and clattering outside his bedroom. He dressed and poured a coffee from the freshly brewed pot, stepping out into their back garden. “Morning.” John said loudly. Rosie stood, leaning out of the dumpster full of robot parts.

“Morning.” Rosie smiled, her face already smeared with grease. “I’m setting up my, our, workshop.”

“Sounds Good.” John saw the parts laid out alongside crates, all in neat piles, placed by Janey. “Have you seen that axe?”

“Axe will be under A.” Rosie pointed to a pile of robotic arms, very satisfied with implementing her own system. “Or should it be under W, subsection A?”

“I’ll let you decide.” John found the black handled fire axe, swinging it gently to judge the weight. “I’m going to make a start.” The task ahead began to set in.

“I’ll make lunch.” Rosie’s voice echoed from inside the dumpster.

He made his way down to the craggy pass. Cliff walls of grey rock and open edge formed a triangle, clumps of trees dotted through. A small stream tumbled into a pool, running on to join another. John took a moment to enjoy the sun, then swung the axe at the nearest tree.

Three hours of work had given John the best workout he’d done in weeks. He sat on one of the trees he felled, trying not to look at the dozens of trees left. He heard a clanking approach, seeing the black armoured feminine bot approach.

“Good morning John.” She said, stopping.

“Morning Janey.” John still found it odd to talk with a machine.

“Admin Rosie did not send me to assist you.” Janey turned away, walking towards a cluster of trees.

John heard a steady hum build for a second, ending in hissing rip and the smell of smoke. Janey stood upright, turning her head backwards. “My task will be complete in ninety four minutes. Perhaps you would enjoy an early luncheon.” John stared as wood creaked and a pair of trees fell to the ground behind Janey. Thud after thud echoed as John walked back to the Rest.

He heard the tapping of a hammer from the back of his house, finding Rosie getting a lesson in woodworking from their neighbour Mike.

“Lunch is almost ready.” Rosie didn’t look up from chiselling a precise shape from the edge of a plank. John greeted Mike and sat at the small table with Robco, a fresh dressing on his leg. Rosie darted to the kitchen as he sat. Taking the pile of sketches and comics off the table.

She came out a moment later, warm flatbreads and roasted pork shoulder on a tray. Rosie carved the meat with the same precision as the wood, wrapping a thick cut and serving Mike first.

“I know it’s just lunch, but we wanted to thank you for the house.” Rosie looked at John and smiled.

“Well that was my pleasure.” Mike looked over the house he’d built. “Nice to build something, beats being on the job.”

“When you back Mike?” Robco asked.

“Another week yet.” Mike took another bite.

“You’re a deputy, right Mike?” John knew Rosie would like that.

“Really, like a detective?” She blurted out.

“I used to be an adventurer like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee.” Mike chuckled to himself. “More a keeping the peace type thing, but I closed a big case or two in my time.”

“I bet that was fun.” Rosie’s tone seemed to miss the mark, with everyone apart from Mike.

“Nothing else quite like it.” Mike lost himself in a memory, his expression conflicted. “I can put in a word for you, get you fair shot.”

“Thank you.” Rosie grinned. “But I’m thinking about more of a consulting detective role.” Rosie made a half joke everyone but John got. He didn’t mind, worth it to see her laugh.

John enjoyed a long lunch, sat in the back garden. He had to tear himself away to prep the Vertibird.

He returned home to grab his pack. “Rosie?” He called out, seeing her lean in from outside. “I don’t think I’ll be home till morning.” John tried to keep an apology from his voice.

“That’s ok, I haven’t even started the wiring yet.” Rosie looked like she wanted to say something, but stopped. “I’ll be here when you get back.” She smiled and went back out.

He found Robco sitting on the edge of the Vertibird cabin, waiting. “You can sit this one out, with your leg and all.” John gave him an out, knowing Robco didn’t enjoy flying.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“My leg’s fine damn it.” Robco snapped at him, his posture immediately softened. “I’m sorry son, been fussed over for a week straight. I just need to get out of the house for a bit.” John offered his arm and Robco heaved himself up and into the middle seat.

John flew low out over the forest, cutting a wide arc as the terrain shifted to ruins below. The sun began to set, bathing the swaying fields in golden light. “You know, this shit ain’t all bad.” Robco spoke over the comm, enjoying the view. “Still needs a couple of doors though.”

“They take them off.” John remembered what Valkyrie did when he made the same complaint. The hot shot pilot, and his flight instructor, tilted the aircraft to show him he couldn’t fall out. John didn’t think Robco wouldn’t appreciate that. “Plus it makes it easier to jump out mid air.”

“Oh hell. Don’t tell me you’ve done that.” Robco looked queasy again.

“Twice.” John smiled to himself. “Well, one jump, one push. Wheels down in five.”

John left Robco in the bird and went fetch Beverly. He smiled as Crixus opened the door, geared up the same as him. Suppressed submachine gun slung under the arm, pistol holstered high on the chest. Beverley appeared in a long, white dress.

John led them back to the Vertibird. “This is my friend Robco.” John took a deep breath. “Robco, it is my honour to introduce Commander Frank Carpenter of the Brotherhood of Steel, and his wife Beverly.” He felt a little uncomfortable giving the formal introduction, but didn’t want to risk making a mistake. Crixus gave him a glance to let him know he’d done right.

“Nice to meet you.” Beverly jumped right in, sitting next to Robco. Crixus locked onto the gunner’s harness and perched on the cabin’s edge, legs dangling.

Beverly and Robco chatted the whole flight. So much so John had to switch him and Crixus to a separate channel.

John had been flying for hours in darkness. He knew they were close, but couldn’t see anything. A notification began blinking in his peripheral vision. He pinched his finger and thumb together to open it, revealing text. *Engage night vision? Y/N*

The tap of his finger illuminated the world beyond the cockpit. Everything cast in shades of green only not washed out and flat like the power armour night vision. Something else appeared, a triangle, hovering above the terrain. A waypoint, the distance decreasing. John had to admit that this was a vast improvement.

“Wheels down in two. Crix, give us a count.” The rotors twisted up and clunked into position and he began to descend.

“Five metres.” Crixus came over the comm, guiding them down. “Two metres.” John eased the bird down. “Wheels down.” The bird landed with a jolt. John leapt from the cockpit and out, weapon levelled, as Crixus did the same on the other side.

“We’re going to do a sweep, back in five.” John yelled over the slowing rotors, and headed into the dark. He walked the length of the chain link fence in the garden, the only hole the one he’d made. He kept walking looking for any sign of disturbance, listening for any noise as the rotors stopped.

“Ronin, Crixus. All clear. How copy?” Crixus checked in.

“Solid copy. All clear.” John relaxed, far more than he would have without backup.

John took point up the rocky path that led up to the Vault door. Crixus helped Robco, and they soon made it to the almost hidden entrance. The straight walls of carved rock turned through a sharp corner and opened into the cave.

“Hey!” He called out from cover, hearing a flurry of activity and a large spotlight warm up.

“Who’s there?” A voice called out sternly.

“It’s John and three others, here to see Rick.” He shouted, impressed with the improved security.

“Step out, hands up.” The voice demanded. John did, getting blinded by the spotlight for a moment.

The system reacted to the disadvantaged position he’d put himself in. The colour seemed to drain from the world, taking the bright light with it. He could make out the Vault doorway and the four figures, aiming at him from cover.

“Shut it down.” The voice shouted, turning out the light and bring John’s vision back to normal.

“John, it’s Grant.” A man John knew stepped forward. Tall and thin, shaggy hair and a patchy beard. John had worked with Grant for years on level six. John smiled and shook his hand, seeing him dressed in jeans and a jacket.

“Nice to see you’ve tightened things up.” Last time John had arrived security had been lax. His instinct and training taught him to punish them with a mock attack, but he’d thought better of it. If it'd been as bad this time, Crixus would have insisted on it, and rightly so.

“Yeah, story is we found this place, but it's radioactive below. Even got a rigged counter.” Grant ushered them in.

“Smart. But what about…” John trailed off as he saw none of the four guards were wearing pipboys. “Real smart.”

“Rick’s idea, he’s on his way.” Grant beckoned him closer. “So how is it out there?”

“Takes some getting used to, it’s not easy, but it’s real Grant.” John couldn’t tell if Grant wanted to leave.

“You remember Janey right?” Grant asked.

“Yeah.” John knew who Grant meant. The girl Rosie punched as a teenager for sitting on his lap.

“Me and her are together, she’s pregnant.” Grant looked happy, but undercut with worry. “Reckon I like the idea of my kid growing up in the sunshine.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to help Grant. You deserve it, both of you.” John felt the pressure of someone else’s hope. “I need to get things in place, but six months from now you, your family, will live free.” John thought about the tasks ahead. “I just need you to hold on a little longer.”

“I will.” Grant turned as the lift arrived. “Thank you John.” Grant put out his hand and John shook it. He’d never been all that close to Grant. A few years older than him, and loud. Now John found himself prepared to do anything to help him.

The lift door opened and Beverly made straight for Rick. “You must be Rick. I’m Beverly, this is my husband Frank.”

“Hello.” Rick seemed taken aback, as well as tired and stressed by his role as de facto Overseer. “We’ll talk in my office, please.” Rick motioned to the lift. John saw Crixus tense and stepped next to him.

“I’ll secure the cargo, cover our exfil.” John used code to tell him Beverly was safe, and realised he just tried to order a knight far his senior.

“I’m good.” Crixus forced a smile.

“We’re not going that deep, it’s not that bad.” John lied, trying to ease his friend's nerves and his own.