Chapter 42 A good story attached to his name

John leant out of the open Vertibird cabin, scanning the ground below. Rosie sat in the pilot’s seat, reading a book for most of the flight to impress Grimm. “I see them, on your three.” He saw Styx and Acheron break cover from the treeline.

Rosie touched down in the clearing. Acheron took the gunner seat on one side, scoped rifle at the ready. Styx all but pushed John aside, taking the opposite side. Seconds later they were airborne again.

The sun started to set as they touched down near the lighthouse. Rosie led them to Brandon, standing over the modelled map. “Brothers.” He greeted them warmly.

“First, new business.” Brandon started an informal briefing. “We have strong reason to believe there’s an Apparition loose in our a o.” Styx looked to Acheron, then they both looked to Grimm.

“A mutant with the mind of a man.” Grimm’s expression didn’t change. “They’re rare.”

“And exceptionally dangerous.” Brandon stepped over the map, pointing with a golf club. “Through our cover as the Baron we made drops of precursor here. That deal fell through, and we believe Recon took out the crew.” The mention of Brandon’s old unit sent out a ripple of confused glances. “Recon are on to this ’Jones’ and have made moves to keep that in house.” Brandon’s gaze fell to the model of the outpost. “Their motive remains unclear.” He became lost in thought.

“What’s the plan, Boss?” Grimm asked, unflinching in his commitment.

“As of now, you all work for the Baron. The armour is downstairs, you’ll all take a picture with it. Should open a few doors in low places. We play the Baron into the top spot by weakening the opposition. We make him indispensable and wait for Jones to reach out.” Brandon tore himself from the map and the threats it held. “But those are tomorrow’s problems. Tonight we celebrate.”

Grimm lingered as Rosie led them down. Paul and Matt greeted them. Rosie introduced Janey, terrifying Styx and impressing Acheron.

John sat on the curved couch in the basement, enjoying a cocktail Janey mixed. “Attention!” John heard Grimm bark an order from the door behind him. He shot to his feet and snapped to attention, as he’d been trained.

“Stand easy.” John heard a voice he hadn’t expected to hear.

“Sara!” His military discipline melted away as he strode over and embraced her.

“As you were.” Sara wiped a tear away and straightened her fatigues. “Report, Knight Blake.”

“Fed and fighting fit sir.” He gave an answer he knew she’d like. Valkyrie and Crixus followed her into the basement bringing everyone together.

After greetings and introductions, Janey served cocktails while Paul held court. “So I’m sitting there right, in this damn suit those two dreamt up. And it’s uncomfortable.”

“It’s not uncomfortable.” Matt defended his work creating the menacing Baron’s armour.

“And it stinks.” Paul added, ignoring the interruption.

“It doesn't stink.” Brandon chipped in.

“And I’m not allowed to move so it preserves the…” Paul clicked his fingers trying to find the word.

“Mystique!” Matt and Brandon yelled together.

“So anyway, I’m sitting there listening to these bitching wastrels go on and on. Ten percent of this for a cut of that. And I am so bored. I start thinking about what I’ve got for lunch, what I’m going to make for dinner. Then I hear it.” Paul stamped his foot repeatedly. “Power armour.”

“The door gets flung open," Paul continued. "In walks this busted up T-51. Dragging, and I shit you not, a Deathclaw. Near enough blown clean in half. The strange thing was though, I kept looking at the guy, thinking I’m sure I know him.” Paul’s story had everyone’s attention. John squirmed in his seat.

“Next thing I know, this guy starts yelling at Don Sal. He grabs him, shoves his head in the thing’s mouth and slams it on the ground! Then it hits me, it’s Rosie’s fucking boyfriend.” A raucous laugh went up from the group. Sara punched him in the arm repeatedly. The way she did when he’d done something good.

“I taught him everything he knows.” Sara boasted, her face lit up like she hadn’t laughed in weeks.

“That ain’t even the best part. I put him under ‘the protection of the Baron.’” Paul struck a mocking tone. “He drags that thing out of there, starts selling the meat. Then buys every slave there.” The laughter shifted to a quiet moment of respect. Matt shook his hand. Grimm raised his glass. John pushed down the lump in his throat, moved by the idea he had a good story attached to his name. As did everyone else in the room.

“Tastes like burnt rubber.” John added, bringing back the laughter.

“Brothers.” Brandon stood, getting everyone’s attention. “An old friend reminded me that I have been remiss in my duties. Too much time outside the wire I suppose. So I shall put things right. Aspirant Rosie Powell, Major Charlotte Briggs. Front and centre.”

“Sir.” Charlie’s formal manner made Rosie follow along.

"This woman is your aspirant. You have been responsible for teaching her our ways. You would stand before me now and ask she be called Brother?” Brandon repeated the words John had heard but once before. She’d missed him taking the oath, now he could be here for hers.

“I would.” Charlie answered, unblinking in her resolve.

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“You would stand ready at her side and face whatever may come?”

“I would.”

“You would ask her to trust you with her life, as you trust her with yours?”

“I would.”

“Is there another who would second this woman?”

“I would.” John shot up, proud to do so.

“Knight Blake, an honour indeed to be seconded by a slayer of great beasts such as yourself.” Brandon had a sly grin, but the compliment rang true. “You would stand shoulder to shoulder with this woman on the field of battle?”

“Rosie’s been a fighter her whole life.” He tried not to catch her eye but couldn’t help it. He managed to keep his voice from breaking, knowing Rosie had to stay strong. “Nowhere I’d rather be than at her side.”

“Are there any others who would stand ready beside this woman?” One by one everyone stood for Rosie, starting with her team.

“Rosie Powell, are you prepared to take the oath of a knight?” Brandon held her gaze.

“I am.”

“Are you prepared to hold the chain that binds and follow the lawful orders of your commanders?”

“I am.”

“Are you prepared to purge this world of the horrors brought forth by science left unchecked? To bring light where there is darkness, to bring hope where there is fear?”

“I am.”

“Kneel.”

Brandon extended his arm without looking. Charlie placed the handle of Rosie’s seventeenth century katana in it. The blade sang as Brandon drew it. He pressed it to Rosie’s shoulders in turn. “Under my authority as sentinel and commander of this unit, I hereby grant you the rank of captain. Arise, Scout Captain Rosie Powell of the Brotherhood of Steel. Ad Victoriam.” He held the sword flat for her to take.

“Ad Victoriam.” Rosie stood and took the sword, to the sound of cheering and applause.

They ate and drank, toasting to Rosie’s oath and their engagement. Styx handed out business cards, drawing amusement and disbelief in equal measure. Sara complained about the incessant paperwork and drudgery of running the outpost. One by one they went to the far side of the room with Brandon to get a picture with the Baron’s armour. As Sara got up, John gave Rosie a look and they followed.

“You need serious help.” Sara teased Brandon as she inspected the bone and metal armour.

“Its bite is significantly worse than its bark, I assure you.” Brandon checked the camera on the tripod. John gave Rosie a nudge.

“Listen, I wanted to ask you something, for the wedding. I want to ask if you’d give me…” Rosie had baulked at the term when Louisa mentioned it. “Would you walk me down the aisle?”

“Of course.” Brandon put a hand on her shoulder, melting her nerves away. John took a deep breath, and readied his question.

“Sara, I know I wouldn’t be standing here without you, and everything you did.” He raised his hand to stop her playing it off. “I want you to be my best man.” John thought Brandon had half expected Rosie to ask him, Sara hadn’t expected it all.

“I…” Sara took a second. “It would be my honour.”

“There’s something else, my great grandfather and his wife will be there.” John had debated whether to tell her at all.

“Great grandfather?!” Sara laughed. “He must be a hundred…” The smile vanished from her face. “Filth.”

“There are many things I’m grateful your father taught you. That word is not among them.” Brandon scolded her, and not for the first time. “My people will conduct themselves in a manner becoming of senior officers. You have my word.” Brandon didn’t take his eyes from Sara.

“He’s family.” John held no illusions about Sara’s attitude, but he knew what family meant to them both.

“Family is all that matters.” She gave him a nod.

“Let’s get a picture.” Brandon turned the camera away from the Baron's armour. He started to fiddle with the buttons, then something occurred to him. He walked over putting his arms around Rosie and Sara both. “Take the picture.” He tapped Rosie on the shoulder. In less than a blink of an eye, Rosie pressed the button on the camera. And made it back in time to be in the picture.

“Brothers.” Brandon stood. “There’s something you should see. Valkyrie, blindfold.” He tossed her a bandanna.

“Kinky.” She tied it over her head, keeping it above her eyes till they were outside.

Rosie led them to the Velo. Val insisted John carry her. He put her down and stepped back. “Hello beautiful.” Valkyrie removed the blindfold and fell in love at first sight. “What’s your name?” She ran her fingers along the sharp angles of the low and sleek aircraft. “Thrust vectored engines.” She gasped as she ducked under the stub wing and teardrop engine housing.

“Want to take her up?” Rosie opened the sliding doors remotely. Val dove in before they fully opened. Rosie poked her head in, answering the few questions Val asked about controls and instrument displays.

“I’m ready, you getting in or what?” Valkyrie started the engines.

Mere seconds after leaving the ground, Valkyrie tilted the engines. The Velo shot forward, rattling the lighthouse. Sudden acceleration pinned Rosie into her seat. The padding swelled, compressing her legs to keep her from blacking out. The Velocibird arced back into a near vertical climb, performing like an instrument in the hands of a virtuoso.

The shuddering air frame became still as Valkyrie cut the engines at the peak of their ascent. “You can scream, I won’t tell!” She shrieked with delight as the moment of weightlessness passed. The nose tipped down and they began to plummet.

The engines roared into life, driving them even faster downwards. Valkyrie wrestled control back from gravity, stealing the speed for herself. Visible pressure waves distorted the air outside the cabin. Everything became silent. “Supersonic!” Her voice became the only sound before Valkyrie eased the throttle back.

Inverted flight, loops, barrel rolls. Valkyrie executed them all effortlessly, shrieking with delight the whole time. She brought the Velo down outside the lighthouse, only tilting the engines up at the last possible moment. Rosie found her teeth chattering and her knees like jelly as she got out, the adrenaline wearing off. Valkyrie got out and yawned.

“Did you hear it?!” Valkyrie demanded as everyone approached.

“Hear what?” Sara answered, seeming genuinely unsure.

“The sonic boom that’s what! You must have heard it.” Valkyrie started to get worked up, getting only blank stares in return. Rosie knew this game, and knew how to win it.

“Janey, what does the telemetry say?” Rosie smiled as the red light began to blink.

“Readings indicate a top speed of seven hundred eighty two point five miles per hour. Producing a sonic boom of one hundred and ten decibels.” Janey’s data made Valkyrie jump and start throwing punches in the air. “This also exceeds the stated top speed in the field manual.”

“I’m in love.” Val slumped to the ground and yawned. The exertion catching up with her, still not taking her eyes from the Velo.

"Wait..." John said as they headed in. "You weren't really a captain." He looked at her wide eyed. "You gave me so many orders!" Everyone laughed, although it took John a moment.