Book 2 Chapter 26: Two Lies and a Truth

Book 2 Chapter 26: Two Lies and a Truth

It wasnt much longer until the warehouse and the surrounding area were occupied by Remnant and STAR forces. The civilians were escorted out of the city along with the equipment, which I noticed had a lot more protection than the personnel did. While everyone was moved to safety, or debriefed, I stayed off to the side and out of the way. I got some stares, but for the most part everyone seemed to be aware of who I was, or too frightened of me to question my presence.

While I waited I took some time to think. As I saw it, the Remnants now owed me two suits of power armor, a complete restock of my ammo, a new shotgun, hundreds of Patriot Points, four or so lasguns, and a meeting with their cabinet. That wasnt to mention the two grenades Mercy owed me, and the rounds Id need back from Leah once she returned my gun. I considered going through the compound and doing some looting as well, but I decided against it. I doubted they had much of value that the Remnants werent expecting to get back at some point anyway. Besides which the sight of a deadman picking through shattered houses may cause some people to overreact.

Thinking about it, I realized I hadnt seen a single deadman among those in the Republic. That made my teeth itch and I began picking at them as I considered the grim implications of that along with everything else Id encountered in my brief visit.

Trying to take my mind off of it for a moment, I pulled up my notificaitons.

Congratulations Citizen! You have earned a rank in Long guns! Good job exercising your 2nd amendment rights!

Excellent work Marshall! Youve successfully performed a secondary goal of your job Combat! Youve earned 60 Patriot Points!

Congratulations Citizen! You have earned a rank in Melee Weapons! From Bowie knives to Picketts charge, the US may have been too advanced for swords, but its spilled blood for freedom!

Excellent work Marshall! Youve successfully performed a secondary goal of your job Combat! Youve earned 60 Patriot Points!

Congratulations Citizen! You have earned a rank in Pistol! Good job exercising your 2nd amendment rights!

Congratulations Citizen! You have earned a rank in loading/unloading! Even the statue of liberty was shipped here one piece at a time!

Those were some modest gains. I guessed that I received the rank in loading/unloading from when Id moved the metal crates to block the door. The multiple rewards for Combat were a welcome surprise as well. It seemed thered been enough of a gap between skirmishes that I was able to gain the points for it twice. Id have to remember that possibility in the future, though I doubted Id ever have a combat situation convenient enough to allow me to take full advantage of it.

After I was done dismissing the notifications Id received and completing my mental inventory of what I had and was owed, a man in a suit of power armor approached.

Your presence has been requested by the Cabinet. said a soft, slightly distorted voice through the helmet.

I stood, placing my hat back onto my head and adjusting the pistol on my hip. Where are Leah and Mercy? I asked.

Mercy is with our medics. Leah is being debriefed ahead of you.

I nodded and followed him. As we walked I took note of burned down buildings, ongoing negotiations with people holed up in small bunkers throughout the city, and a large number of prisoners being moved at gunpoint to different parts of the city. The resistance was very fierce considering how thoroughly the Remnant and STAR forces had managed to penetrate into the city. The citizens of the Republic seemed to fight with more tenacity rather than less, the heavier their casualties and the more clearly their battle was a lost one.

Outside the city walls I saw a row of heavily defended tents that matched the ones Id seen when Id first watched the Cabinet descend in their droppods. I was led to the largest of them, and the soldier guarding me paused.

Please wait here.

I nodded, surprised by the please, and watched as the soldier walked in. The sounds of battle were muffling things, but I could hear voices inside through the thin canvas walls of the tent, and knew that things were getting heated.

-a DIRECT ORDER to stand down. Instead of listening, you went off and recruited an asset on what easily couldve been a suicide mission to save another asset. I have never before questioned your competence. You and Graves were the first to land, and paid a heavy price for it, but you seem intent on ruining any of that good will.

I recognized the one speaking as Masters. He had the kind of voice that you couldnt help, but turn your full attention to.

I smiled and took a small page from my notebook where Id written everything down, tearing it out.

Ill take it, said Slate.

I handed it to her and she looked at it for a few moments, unable to hide a grimace.

Problem? I asked.

She looked up at me, then at Masters, then shook her head. No.

LIE

Well have this all to you right away The power armor may take longer.

Have it taken to Potts, to the care of Julian.

I saw Masters and Matthews exchange a glance, but they said nothing.

Youll do it? I asked, looking for a yes or no.

He hesitated. Yes.

TRUTH

I nodded satisfied. I had only one more thing I wanted to ask each of you. The agreement with Potts. You leave them be, do not attack them, and assist their undertakers. I want to hear each of you say youll honor that agreement.

Is this some type of waster thing? asked Adams with a sour expression. Should we cut open our palms and swear a blood oath while were at it?

I slid my hand down to the knife handle on my waist. We can if youd like.

Masters held up a hand and smiled. We will honor the agreement to leave Potts alone and allow their undertakers to take any deadman children they desire, and we will prohibit the persecution of deadmen exactly as we have agreed to.

TRUTH.

The others hesitated, until Masters looked in their direction. They all repeated what he said, or at least the jist of it, and all of them came up as telling the truth.

That was all I needed. I expect the rest of my payment before I leave.

Curtis nodded. The rest of it will not be an issue. Ill have someone find it and give it to you.

I nodded, and tipped my hat to them, before turning and walking out of the tent. They had all been telling the truth according to my ability, and there was no indication that they had the ability to mask from it like Leah had. In spite of that though, my teeth were itching in a way that told me there was something else going on.