Feat. [@Lo Pellegrino] & [@Hank]

A quick sweep. Whatever Owen thought of the paladin, it was an apt description. They landed several yards left of the structure itself. Between them and the building there was an old, rusted over fence, some sandbags, and a low walls designed to protect people from falling into the river rather than deterring intruders. Behind all of it was, of course, the river. There was a ramp as well as stairs leading down onto the pier, though they’d need to get closer to see more.

Rubbing his temples, the scribe turned to Patty. “I can’t do this,” he groaned. “Paladin Moss just abandoned McDowell. How are we supposed to just move on from that?”

Grimshaw appeared around the corner before the knight could answer. Owen didn’t know the initiate as well, but it was too late. He’s been too careless with his volume and she’d undoubtedly heard.

Hearing the Scribe’s words put a moment’s hesitation in Laura’s footsteps -- not because she disagreed with them, but because she was surprised to hear someone else voice the same feelings. Laura glanced between Algarin and Knight Brown as she stepped up to them, hesitated some more, and decided to speak her mind. “I don’t know. I was hoping you guys could tell me,” she muttered.

Patty shook her head and kept an eye out around the building - part to make sure it was clear of danger and part to keep an eye out for Moss or eavesdroppers. 

“You don’t move on from losing a brother,” she said, “It’s something that sticks with you, and it should stick with you. We shouldn’t have left as soon as we did. Even if McDowell was a lost cause we could’ve at least fought. When we were in the bird I almost had the shot on those fucking deathclaws before we took off.”

She took a long, deep breath and reflected on the scene that had just played out hours earlier. McDowell was surrounded by raiders, ghouls, and finally by two deathclaws. It was a gruesome scene to behold: he was a Goliath who struggled against man, beast, and machine before the wastes consumed him. She knew the situation was hopeless. What could they have done - realistically? He was so far away from the rest of the team, over-extended and undersupported. He shouldn’t have been out there solo. 

Patty knew the dangers of going alone. She was rudely reminded of that lesson herself that morning when she was bogged down in a mass of ghoulified bodies. It was her pride, her need to prove that knights rose to the occasion that put her out in front. If it weren’t for Dr. Kinsley’s bravery, she could’ve as well been KIA as well. They all could have. That was the point of a Brotherhood - you had to be able to rely on your brothers to get the job done. McDowell didn’t have that. 

“Why was McDowell alone?” Patty asked aloud, the question was clearly meant for Initiate Grimshaw, “What were his orders?”

Brow raised, the scribe pursed his lips. “It’s hard to imagine, but maybe knowing what the hell happened back there would give this whole thing some color,” Owen conceded. He scanned the area before waving a hand. “Mind filling us in?”

"Sure," Laura said. "When we first crashed near the warehouse the Paladin ordered McDowell and myself to reconnoiter the interior. We discovered an underground tunnel that led to a cave where we saw those Deathclaws, and what looked to be their Super Mutant masters." She paused briefly to let those words sink in. "We collapsed the tunnel and returned topside when Estevez radioed for backup. Raiders were attacking the Paladin and himself. Ultimately the plan was that McDowell would distract the raiders and draw the enemy sniper's fire while Estevez and myself were to hunt him down."

Laura held up her new rifle again, unable to repress the pride she felt. "That was a success. That's when Chowder and the ferals arrived, however. I returned to the warehouse with him to deliver the doctor's message to Paladin Moss. McDowell remained outside, on his own initiative," she explained. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She didn't want to throw their comrade under the bus but she also wanted to rationalize what had happened… and she had to be truthful. 

"You should know that there was something wrong with the Knight-Sergeant's armor ever since the crash. I don't know if it was a core or a servo problem or whatever, but he had to fight to get it to move the whole time." Laura paused again and looked at Patty and Owen in turn. "He never mentioned this to the Paladin." She bit her lip. "But Moss knew what was down there. He knew what was coming up. I told him myself. I think that's why he ordered the lift off." 

Owen blinked. “Okay, not sure what to make of the underground mutant and deathclaw thing. The situation was definitely more complicated than I thought,” he admitted, rubbing a finger against the stubble on his chin. “But it still sounds like Moss left McDowell behind. I think Patty’s right. We could’ve done more and, hell, who’s to say this won’t happen again?”

“It’s a lesson learned,” Patty said, “The wasteland is damn near as ruthless as a teacher can get, but she teaches nonetheless. From now on we can’t afford anyone going off solo and acting the hero.” 

Patty looked between the two of them and shook her head, “It’s a damn shame what happened to McDowell, but we have to learn from his mistakes. If you need something, speak up, alright? We have to stick close to our brothers. We can’t afford another casualty. If you need me for anything, let me know, I’ve got your backs.”

Patty glanced around the courtyard of the Coast Guard building, taking it in fully for the first time since beginning the patrol. A few rusted out, prewar vehicles sat long-vacant in the parking lot. Patty glanced inside their hollow interiors. It was hard to imagine now how one of these could have ever run. Inside one sat a skeleton, held together by some unknown force, frozen in a moment in time like a fly in amber. Atop its off-white dome sat a dusty hat, white, with a black band around the base. On the band were written the words “Coast Guard.”

Patty reached into the car and took the hat from atop the former Coast Guard serviceman, dusted it off with her hand and raised it towards the other two, “Coast Guard. Pretty neat, huh?” 

“You should talk to Paladin Moss,” Owen suggested, for the first time seeing Patty as [i]Knight Brown[/i]. “He might listen to you. Not just because of your experience, but you get it. Knight’s don’t just wear armor and pull the trigger. They represent something. I see that. He must see it. Maybe it’ll remind him.”

Patty sighed, her attempt to create a moment of levity didn't seem to take hold. She nodded to Owen and acquiesced.

"I'll try to get him alone and talk to him," she said.

Forcing a smile, the scribe looked over the river. Followed its flow a while before turning toward the building. “I don’t see anything off here. Curious what they found inside though. I could go for a beer right about now.”

Laura was relieved to know that it seemed that her comrades were determined to be people that she could count on. If it was just Moss that was so cold and ruthless and the rest of them watched their backs, she felt that they would be alright. “Me too,” she said and smiled at Owen. “Let’s go and report to the others.”