Chapter Text
June 14, 2104
A few of the newer initiates joined us on our training exercise this morning. They were mostly from the group selected from the hopefuls this spring. I guess they seem nice enough. Nervous but eager, like every other group of recruits I've seen come in.
It feels weird not to be the "newbie" anymore, but I'll do my best to help them get a good start. Rahmani's been concerned with our low numbers and has been arguing with Shin regarding the lack of initiates accepted over the last six months. She thinks he's being too picky about the recruits, but he's complained about her selection too. Many of her picks turned out to be Foundation settlers wanting easy handouts since their settlement has been dealing with overcrowding for the last few months.
Personally, I'm concerned about some of my fellow seventy-sixers. Most of the ones that have joined up are decent people, but they wander too much. They're constantly coming and going whenever we have our backs turned, it makes me nervous that we'll be left shorthanded the next time we have a super mutant attack at the fort.
June 20, 2104
I've been having nightmares again, nearly every night this week. My sleep has been fairly consistent for the last year, so it's concerning. Dr. Hardy came by this afternoon to check on his protege who joined up recently, and I requested a check up. He suggested limiting my sugar intake before bed. Our rations aren't exactly sugary, I guess I'll try to limit what pre-war extras I've been grabbing for snacks?
June 23, 2104
I'm pooped.
A number of us just came back from running a multi-day operation for Initiate Dodge. He sent us to the Arktos biome labs to deal with a group of super mutants that somehow developed the ability to cloak themselves and the only fatal attacks were with the stab of a knife or the punch of a powerfist.
It was way past dinner time when we made it back to the fort, having spent the last three miles watching the sun retreat behind the western hills. Forget dinner, we were coated in a thick layer of dust and ready to pass out in our bunks. A group of recruits was training outside with the Knight.
I stopped to watch them for a minute. There were about fifteen of them, all practicing a defensive technique he'd just shown them. At all levels of understanding, some were performing it just fine and others needed to review the motions step by step. I must have been watching for several minutes when I caught something strange out of the corner of my eye.
I looked over to see a young blonde standing rigid as her partner yanked her backwards by her ponytail, nearly pulling the poor woman to the ground.
Shin zoomed over and separated the two. The male initiate puffed up his chest and began arguing with him, but clearly he'd underestimated the Knight.
"Your method could have easily given Initiate Dickinson a concussion. If I see you try that again, you're done for, Jackson!" He hissed before launching into a rant about not treating your fellow soldier like a training dummy.
Listening to him berate the initiate for a half hour gave me an uncomfortably warm feeling in the pit of my stomach. I don't know what in the fuck was up with that, but I'm writing it down so I'll stop thinking about it.
Oh God, maybe I should just burn this diary already?
July 7, 2104
Today we cleaned out a few mutant camps between the Fort and Monongah village. Nothing out of the ordinary happened and we walked away without so much as a scratch. We had plenty of time to scavenge through a handful of neighborhood homes blocked off by the camps.
Breaking off into a pair with Initiate Ryland, we set out to look for tech, technical spare parts, and consumables remaining in a yellow house. Valdez suspected that some of the houses close to the village were once home to scientists working on the Atlas project before the bombs, and potentially contained goodies.
Ryland went down to the basement while I went upstairs to the bedrooms. The first room I searched was the master bedroom. Nearly nothing of interest, it had probably been picked over at least once or twice before. Empty jewelry boxes, a threadbare mattress, and smashed family photos. The walk-in closet wasn't much help either, although I spied several lab coats on the floor.
I did snag a sundress, left hanging clean and pristine in a garment bag. One of the wives must have just put it away for the year when the bombs dropped.
Next door was a bedroom belonging to a mother of one of the women. It was fairly plain, but I did side-eye the overly detailed crucifix above the headboard. I wanted to leave, but something told me to check her closet. Maybe the scientist had something stored away in a place the military would probably avoid searching?
The closet was overflowing with worn out dress suits in every color known to man. I carefully shoved them out of my way with a cane that I'd found beside the bed. Underneath I found a tattered basket in the closet, filled with random scrap cloth and wound balls of yarn. It all looked to be well preserved by the pounds of clothes that had fallen off of the hangers over the years.
Below them was something shiny. I pulled it out of the pile and almost fell over.
It was a crochet hook!
I've not seen any since my set was stolen in a raid by blood eagles a few years ago. Digging through the basket I found 5 other hooks of various sizes, all in working condition. After looking at the hooks and all the different skeins of yarn, I realized that there was a lot of potential for new projects here. I've not crocheted since I left the vault. Maybe when the temperatures start cooling down I'll start working on making the kids new hats? I definitely remember them wearing caps that were patched over multiple times. Plus pretty much anyone could use a nice thick scarf, especially with the winds we get up in the Divide.
Then Ryland called up from the basement, where he'd found boxes of daily atmospheric readings from the laser testing days. While there's no desire to restart the project, the data could give Odessa a better outlook on the progression of the experiments.
It was a successful trip, between the hooks, yarn, and the records. Although the other pairs found physical pieces of equipment from ATLAS, Odessa was grateful for the documents we collected.
Plus, I found a super cute sundress!
July 27, 2104
I need to check in with Dr. Hardy when he comes around again. I've cut my sugar intake down to whatever's in the rations, but I'm still having nightmares.
July 30, 2104
Spending the night at camp northwest of the Red Rocket Mega Stop. Today was the first day of a four-day patrol along 66 east and 63 north. Overall, it's been quiet. A caravan or two pass through every few hours.
That damn insult bot walked by and spared none of us. I've not seen it in a few months, and I'm pretty sure it's just as lame as the last time. Luckily, it didn't give me the same comment about my family being dead. That time I spent several dozen rounds on that fucker. I'm thoroughly surprised no one's used it as a target for a nuke yet.
The others have made good company- at least some of the time. Jackson keeps to herself but cracks a good joke once in a while, and Cameron has a tendency to stare out into space a lot when no one is directly talking to them. Haines and Warner are generally friendly when they're not busy making goo goo eyes at each other. Those two really should just go take a 45 minute walk, get whatever out of their systems and come back. I don't want to deal with a middle of the night raid, and have one or both of them fighting Blood Eagles in the nude.
The sky is looking pretty clear tonight, so we're gonna have to be on high alert for any signs of trouble. I think I might've heard a merchant casually talking about seeing a scorchbeast to the south.
August 9, 2104
God, it's hot out. I'm supposed to be disassembling munitions we've recently collected, but it's so goddamn hot in the fort I can't get anything done. The facility wasn't built to handle so many bodies coming and going. Improving the ventilation system is one of a hundred things on Odessa's to-do list, and leadership had to tell some of the other initiates to stop bothering her about it.
I grabbed my supplies and went to an isolated workbench in the shade outside. The usual hovering bodies were elsewhere, probably trying to find a pond to jump in. Earlier, Rahmani'd ordered a hold on training for the next few days until conditions improve. Shin would've normally fought her on that, but he's been just as affected by the heat as the rest of us. He's probably glad to have the initiates and hopefuls out of his way for a bit.
Stripping my suit down to my waist, I tried getting comfy on the workbench stool. The damn things are always off balance, whether it's because they're missing a pad at the bottom of one of the legs or if the metal leg itself is warped somewhat after years of abuse. If I'm about to be deconstructing ammunition, which has the potential to blow up in my face if I'm not careful, I want to make sure I'm stable and comfortable.
So I took a few moments to get myself situated. I'd even unboxed a few dozen 10mm rounds to begin emptying, when a fly started buzzing around my face. Swatting at it only made it more dedicated to getting a nip of my blood. Fearing a misstep with the gunpowder, I stood up and drew the bastard away from the table.
Then the nuclear missile warning system went off on my pipboy and I about threw the damn stool off the mountain. Another asshole decided to take a crack at the Monongah mine- as if this would finally be the one to crack it open.
I'm sure that place is cursed. I've heard a number of other initiates complain about feeling watched whenever their patrol passes by in the days after it takes another direct strike. With how the area is unofficially avoided even three or four days after a strike, I suspect Rahmani isn't taking any chances with it.
Growing up, we heard a lot of stories about the wilderness and what it does to people. I can't say I'm a believer, but I think something is going on over there, supernatural or something explainable.
I think the radiation will have cleared by nightfall, so I might try to sneak out to the observatory roof when it cools down later.There's going to be a full moon tonight and I've not had a chance to sit out and enjoy one in a year or more. Hopefully, everyone will be in their bunks or out on guard duty, and it'll be quiet.
August 12, 2104
So, today was interesting…
I'd just come back from a successful scrap run. I came home with several buckets full of sheet metal and rubber, a few boxes of screws, a few armor scraps, and a junk gatling laser. There's two gatling lasers in the armory, but one has been out of commission for the last few months because the mirrors in one or more barrels need to be replaced.
Sitting at an otherwise empty bench, I was in the middle of trying to remove the lock from the first barrel, but I couldn't figure out how to disconnect the barrel from the frame. That's when Daniel came in, huffing about something on the armory log. Not surprising, most of us have a hard time keeping to his very thorough organization of our stock.
I went back to the piece of junk in front of me, and muttered under my breath about wanting to strip the damn thing down with my plasma cutter.
"That's because you're doing it wrong. Here, unclip this." He said, before pulling up a stool beside me and swiftly removed a clamp from the gatling's frame.
After almost twenty years in the brotherhood, taking apart energy weaponry is probably second nature to him. We were only taught about basic guns and melee weapons in the Vault, the instructors weren't expecting us to have access to much else. Odessa told me that laser weaponry was still in its infancy when the war happened. Few groups had extensive knowledge of how lasers worked.
He grabbed a small screwdriver from the desktop tool box and began pointing out where there was a series of hidden latches protecting various connectors. My attention vaporized the instant I felt him lean in, his arm and thigh flush against mine. His voice softened as he explained the function of various components. I was desperate to mentally get back to what he was saying and doing in front of me, but then I felt his thigh flex.
Christ, I became lightheaded just from him sitting against me and speaking quietly in my ear. I mentally smacked myself. What was I, fifteen?
Of course my traitorous brain ran with it. What would he do if I inched closer to him? Would he push me away? What if he let me and I suddenly needed to grab a screw from the tabletop drawer? Would he shove me away if I "accidentally" brushed him with my bottom? How high would he jump if I leaned back and gave him a lingering peck on the cheek?
Throughout the endeavor, his thigh continued to rub against mine, and our hands brushed. His warm touch was a welcome relief from the cool draft that had started to permeate the Fort as the night was beginning to settle in. It was surprising to see how he didn't flinch away from me, he's not the type to touch someone unless it's necessary for whatever reason. His voice sounded tired, so it's possible he wasn't even thinking about much beyond the weapon on the workbench in front of us.
Truthfully, I struggled to keep myself from leaning into him. The room was so still and quiet aside from the sound of him- I can't recall the last time I was in physical contact with someone for comfort.
Safe to say, I was disappointed when his demonstration was suddenly over and the heavy gun had been completely disassembled.
August 13, 2104
At nearly twenty-one-hundred hours, Daniel Shin stood over his ongoing list of armor repairs submitted by the soldiers under his direction. It had been a long day, one where he was busy enough that he couldn't leave Fort Atlas's armory for much more than using the restroom before yet another initiate would ask him about borrowing something from their supply or the status on a weapon repair. Such initiates usually could not be found when the time actually came to work on said weapon. It was a thankless job, and he was overdue to lock up and retire for the night when he heard his name being called.
Silently groaning, the knight looked up to see Scribe Valdez open the armory door.
"Oh hey, I wasn't sure if you were still up." She said cheerfully.
"I'm in the middle of locking up for the night. Do you need something?" He asked bluntly, setting his clipboard aside and folding his arms.
If it had been anyone less than the chapter's one scribe, Daniel would have told them to go away. While he found her less than helpful in the ongoing conflict with Rahmani, he still respected the young woman for her abilities and dedication to the Order.
"Sorry about that- it can wait another day. I actually came by last night, when Celia was in here with you but you two looked like you were having a moment, I didn't wa-"
"What do you mean, a 'moment'?" He scowled.
"All I'm saying is that you two looked cozy working on that gatling laser together."
"I'm going to pretend you didn't just imply that I was being affectionate with my subordinate."
"I've never seen an initiate or anyone so comfortable with you- what I'm trying to say is that you two looked good together. She's asked me about you a few times. It's pretty obvious that she likes you a lot- And I know for a fact you bring her on all of your missions away from the fort."
Daniel ran a hand over his face. "She's one of the most competent initiates we have. Her firing accuracy is impeccable, her reports are well detailed, the younger initiates look up-" He paused when he noticed she was grinning at him. "With all of the super mutant attacks and managing whatever tasks are left over, I don't have time for anything else. I've dedicated my life to the order. I can't let distractions-"
"Ohh, so you think she's a distraction?" "I-I don't have time for semantics! Now, can I help you or are you just here to bother me?"
The young scientist quietly giggled as he scowled and stomped off towards the other side of the armory, seemingly interested in a closed storage locker.
"Life is short. Don't forget that, Shin." She called after him.
After that chat with Odessa, the knight made sure to reduce the amount of missions he brought her on, and increased the amount of time she spent out on patrol. Then, one night he had a dream where she caught him palming himself in bed.
"You look lonely over there, Sir. Do you want some help with that?" She asked coyly, leaning on the door of his room.
She was wearing a short silk robe- its color nearly matching her honey-gold eyes. It was beyond an inappropriate garb to be worn or even stored in the fort. Had anyone spotted her on her way there?
"I'm never lonely with you around. Come here, Lia." He commanded.
She sauntered over and perched herself on the side of his bed, the shifting of her robe revealing her lovely thighs. He couldn't believe it when she leaned over and immediately went to work, gently stroking over his clothes length with one hand and unzipping his suit with her other.
"I've been thinking about this all day. When I'm practicing with my war glaive, I wonder what it would be like to have my hands wrapped around your cock." She hummed sweetly, wetting her hand with her saliva before shoving it down the front of his underwear.
It sounded beyond ridiculous, but he was so lost in the feeling of her hand wrapped around his cock that he couldn't be bothered to reprimand himself. When it became too much, he nudged her hand away and pulled her onto his lap. With one arm wrapped around her waist to keep her steady, he used the other to tug the robe's belt loose and expose her breasts to the air. Goosebumps erupted on her skin as he explored one of her breasts with his tongue, testing the other with his free hand.
Her chest flushed and she squealed when his tongue circled her nipple. Such abrupt, primitive sounds from an otherwise chatty woman.
"It's a shame, your suit does a good job at hiding these." He grunted, marking his point by grabbing a handful of each breast and jiggling it. "...But I think it's better that no one else gets a good look at them."
Growing more flustered with each new ministration, Celia squirmed on his lap. She reached between them and whipped his cock out.
"I-I need to have you in me, now!" She cried.
Daniel kissed her as she bounced on his cock, groaning with each down thrust. How he'd fantasized about having her like this after that day, when he'd shown her how to properly take that gatling laser apart. She smelled damn good, felt so soft, and he'd had to rely on muscle memory during most of the dismantling because he was too busy willing his erection away. She was his subordinate- maybe the closest thing to a friend he's had since Connor. It was wrong of him to have such filthy thoughts about her. But now she was fucking herself on his cock and he was in heaven.
Beginning to spasm, she chanted his name.
"That's right, Lia, I'm the only one who can make you this wet." He whispered into her ear between placing kisses on her jaw, holding her close with one hand and circling her clit with a finger on the other.
Dark wavy locks bouncing, sweat dripping down between her breasts, and a moaning mess. Lia was beautiful, generous, and all too happy to be cumming on him. It was a picture he would give up all of his caps to see again. The initiate slammed her hips down onto his as he began to twitch erratically, pressing herself to him as close as possible when she felt him spend himself inside her. With a final cry, she wrapped her arms around his back and burrowed her nose into the crook of his neck.
He awoke with a start. Squinting around his room, the darkness betrayed any sense of time. Finally catching a glimpse of his alarm clock, it was still too early to rise. He ran a palm over his face and sighed.
It was as good as any time to reinforce his self-discipline, and there's no better way to do that than waking up with a cold shower and running a few miles before the rest of the fort awoke for the day.