Chapter 76 “Not exactly fair on the rest of the world."

Rosie paced, frantically trying to restore a connection to the atomic bomb. “The link’s dead.” Rosie felt pressure like never before. She tried to find a solution. “I’ll set it off manually.” They looked at her with shock. “I’ll fly in and out, plenty of time.” She called the Velo remotely.

“You’ll need cover.” John volunteered without hesitation.

They kept walking till they reached a clearing big enough. The Velo appeared shortly after, kicking up dust and smoke. “We’ll be right back.” Rosie tried to break the tension. As they walked towards the aircraft, the door slid open. “Virgil?!”

“Problem with the bomb right?” He lit a cigarette, already knowing the answer. “You’ll need my help.” He understood the technology in a way she didn’t.

“Get it done and get back to town.” John knew better than to argue.

It took a few minutes to reach the buried bomb. Rosie set the bird into a hover, turning her seat round to slide down the rope. Suddenly Virgil leant forward, sliding a pencil into the buckle of her seat belt and breaking it off. She couldn’t undo it.

“Hell of a design flaw.” Virgil seemed amused. Rosie looked at him, incredulous. Utterly baffled as to why he’d done this. “Rosie.” He used her name for the first time, a deep sadness in his voice. “Remote detention was never going to work. I took too many rads, back in the Vau...that fucking place. I don’t have long. I won’t go…” He looked scared of that even now. “If anyone’s going to burn my forest down, it’s going to be me.”

“What about Suzette?” She pleaded, trying to get free.

“I’ll see her again. You too, if you watch that temper of yours.” He seemed certain. “You...you’ll watch out for my boy, won’t you?” He asked.

“Always.” Rosie answered instantly.

“Here.” He tossed her a pack of cigarettes, handwriting on the back. “That’ll get you access to Blake Technical satellite. I'm sure you'll put it to good use. Try not to bring it down over a city.” He shook his head with amusement. “If we’d met a century ago, you and me would have ruled the world Red. I'm glad we met when we did.” He hit the button, opening the hatch in the floor.

“Thank you Virgil, for everything.” Rosie saw that meant something to him. He nodded, picked up his bag, and slid down the rope.

Virgil landed in the forest with a bump. A lot less impressive than he'd imagined. He waited for the sneering and mocking voices. None came.

He took the folding shovel from his bag and started digging. The products of science run amok were all around. Pitiful creatures, dim and full of rage. Virgil said a prayer for them. As one of the mutants noticed him, he starting saying one for himself.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” Virgil armed the weapon of mass destruction. “I will fear no evil.” He slid his prosthetic arm into the modified Sentry bot cannon. “For thou art with me.” He stood tall before the horror and fired.

The cannon kicked, tearing the mutant apart. “Thy rod and thy staff comfort me.” The sound drew more of them. He sprayed a wide arc, finding strength in the words he’d once hated. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” He reloaded waiting for another target as the noise receded. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

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“Burton.” He didn’t hear the voice he knew, not at first. “Burton.” He turned from the quiet forest and saw her.

“Clara…” He looked away from her. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.”

“Like what?” She took his hand. As he glanced down, he saw his hand. No longer bearing the mark of Cain. “It’s time to go, Burton. Your work is done now. It's time to rest.” He followed her into the trees he’d planted. A peace he had never known in his heart.

Rosie touched down outside Shadowtown. The breaking dawn showing the carnage. Bodies ringed the town. Dead on three out of the four sides. The only movement outside the north gate.

She touched down and found Charlie waiting. Paul and John with her. Paul looked better, still gaunt and sitting in the motorised chair Wallace built.

“Report.” Charlie looked concerned.

“Virgil’s got it handled.” She saw that it hurt John.

“How long?” Sara asked, clean streaks from tears in the blood and grease on her face.

“Any time now.” Rosie made her best guess. Then a second sun rose in the west.

A great orange dome bloomed like the sun. Silent for an instant, then met with a ferocious, roaring boom. The shockwave shattered glass, floored trees, shook the very earth beneath her feet. It seemed to last for minutes. As things quietened down, Rosie saw the telltale mushroom cloud of an atomic bomb. It climbed higher than the Tower, lingering in the sky like an oil painting.

The Brotherhood of Steel had won a hard fought victory. Worthy of note in the as yet unwritten history of the wastes. Yet it came at a terrible cost. Three hundred sworn knights had taken to the field of battle. Less than a third remained. The savagery of the Abomination left few wounded.

A flurry of activity passed. The Vertibirds went out first, carrying the wounded not well enough to make the long journey to the Vault. Next went the scouts, heading north. And finally dozens of knights. Rosie watched as every single knight that passed gave John a nod.

In the distance, a figure raised his arm. Others just like him at his side. Rosie waved back, wondering what the Shrikes would find to occupy themselves.

Then it was just them. Charlie and Paul pulled her aside. “Matt’s going to make it, but he can’t be moved.” Charlie looked relieved. “Paul and I have been talking. We’re out.” The lump in Charlie’s throat stopped her talking.

“We’re going back home, to my home. You and John have a place there, if you want.” Paul picked up on something Charlie hadn’t.

“Thanks, but I want, I’ve never been able to go my own way before. I know I wouldn’t be able to do that without everything you’ve taught me. I need to figure out how to go my own way.” Rosie had thought about it for days. Ever since she figured out John wouldn’t be able to leave.

“I’m not letting you go running off alone.” Charlie reacted angrily, the way she always did when upset. Paul held her hand.

“She will not be alone.” Janey spoke up. “I am sorry Charlie, but I can no longer guarantee your safety.”

“Can you guarantee hers?” Charlie asked.

“Yes.” Janey gave a very imprecise answer.

“Well that’s good enough for me.” Charlie softened, seeing she could do little to stop her.

Rosie grabbed her pack from the Velo. She handed Paul a roll of papers. “I didn’t get a chance to fabricate it. Can’t say you’ll be going dancing, but it’ll help.” Paul leafed through the designs for a walking frame.

“Thank you.” Paul pulled her in for a hug. “I get it. She will too, when she calms down.” His approval meant a great deal to Rosie.

“Can’t say I like this.” Charlie forced a smile. “Not exactly fair on the rest of the world to turn you loose.” She made a joke that brought a smile to Rosie’s face.

“I have thought about it. I’ll come visit.” Rosie wanted to set her mind at ease, knowing Paul needed her more than she did.

“You need back up, you call.” Charlie saw how little that helped.

“I know. I’m not going to look for trouble.” She knew it meant a more cautious approach.

“We both know that’s a lie. Just don’t pick a fight you can’t win. Given who trained you, I’m sure that’ll keep you entertained.” Charlie meant Brandon.

“I was trained by the best.” Rosie made sure Charlie knew she meant her.

She said goodbye to her family, knowing it was the right decision.