Book 2 Chapter 2: Pilgrim

Book 2 Chapter 2: Pilgrim

It made sense that the man who came across The Cut would be a fellow deadman. The radiation in that area alone would cause any human who got near it to have their skin melt off. Leah, and Matthews led me out of the tent and through the camp. We arrived at a tent that was guarded by roughly a dozen STAR soldiers. Leah gave them a nod and one of them pulled the tent flap aside to let us in.

Inside was a small medical cot, a few chairs, and a small table. A man in a white coat sat on a chair next to the medical cot, on which rested a deadman. He had large bandages wrapped around his chest and stomach, and his breathing was ragged. He smelled both familiar and different from the deadmen Id met in the past. There was the usual dirt smell, and irradiated tinge, but beneath that was something sickly sweet I didnt recognize. It may have been the rot of the wounds, but I wasnt quite sure.

The man in the white coat looked up at us. He suddenly took a turn for the worse. I tried to treat his wounds, and he seemed to stabilize, but Im not sure how much longer he has. Hes also grown less coherent.

I moved toward the doctor and gestured for him to stand and move, then I sat next to the deadman. His eyes were yellow and half lidded, and his breathing was labored.

I leaned closer. Can you answer some questions?

His eyes drifted up to me and widened. A ChosenParadise. I mustve been so close, he whispered. His voice was raspy and I could see dried blood on his teeth and chin.

How did you get here? How did you cross the cut?

He suddenly shot up and grabbed me, bringing his mouth close to my ear. Through the forest of teeth, across the metal wastes, walk without rhythm as you cross the abyss, they will notice you otherwise, the black sand whispers and seeks flame, do not give it what it wants. Follow this path and you will find paradise.

I listened carefully as he spoke, resisting the urge to push him off as he grabbed me. His manner of speech reminded me of the way the Kaijin would sometimes speak in riddles and metaphors. I knew directions when I heard them and I immediately pressed them into my memory.

When he was done speaking, the man fell back into the cot, and began convulsing. I stood up and got out of the way so that the doctor could get to him, and moved to stand next to Leah and Matthews.

Interesting that he doesnt seem to have the same level of regenerative abilities that you exhibit, said Matthews, watching the scene unfold dispassionately.

I clenched my teeth a bit. I wasnt surprised that she knew, I had already assumed Leah wouldve told her leaders everything about me, Potts, and anything else theyd asked, but I still found it grating. Were all built differently. Its more impressive that he made it across The Cut without it. Did he have any weapons on him when he was found?

Leah nodded. A spear, knife, and a well worn rifle.

Its not completely active. Were not sure why, but only the lowest levels are functioning. Dozens of jobs and abilities are locked without the higher levels online.

And these higher levels will give you more control? The idea of that made me very hesitant to help.

She shook her head. No. Not until we earn them. If the system had gone fully online right away when it was meant to, wed have been able to sweep up whatever we wanted, now it would be available to anyone, wed have some advantage, but it would be limited. Still, we think its our best chance. Everyones best chance.

I adjusted my hat, sliding my fingers across the brim. What would be in it for me? For Potts?

What would you want? Were not exactly in a great position to negotiate. As far as I know youre the only person who could possibly get across the Cut.

I smiled, showing my teeth and eyeballing one of the armored remnant soldiers standing nearby. I can think of a few things, and Im sure that Potts can too. Is there any way you can have an agreement drafted that we can alter?

She nodded. We can.

Get me that for now, and set aside a suit of power armor, at least to start.

I watched some calculations play out behind her eyes before she nodded. Fine. Ill get the document for you.

I nodded, satisfied for now. In truth, I'd always planned on making an attempt to cross the Cut. Id collected maps from the other side, learned what I could from those whod gone close to it before, and generally yearned to see something more, but it had always been something out of reach. With my new class, my new abilities, and experiences things were different now, I felt like I had the strength to make the crossing. If I could guarantee myself some extra loot and some benefits for Potts for doing a job I wanted to anyway, all the better.

When do you think youll be able to start? She asked.

Ill need to wrap some things up in Horde territory. Dealing with the Widows would probably take priority, then getting the agreement to Potts. Ill also need more information from the rest of you. Knowing where the Pilgrim was found for instance may help me plot my route.

She nodded. Understood. Ill get that document now, and then Graves and I can transport you back to the outside of Jasper. Ill leave you a way to contact us.

Having all my demands and requests met so easily was a little jarring to me. It made how important this was to the Remnants all the more clear, which made me all the more suspicious. Still, this was a situation in which I had all the power. Id be working alone, entering the bunker alone, and whatever happened or didnt happen would be up to me to explain. Their desperation put all the odds in my favor.