"I've got it right here."
"Great! But... um... the High Elder said you have to give it to me first before you can be let in. Sorry."
"Not a problem, take it."
"This is great! Hang on while I open the door."
"Okay then. Hey, now that I'm part of the Brotherhood can you tell we what you're doing here?"
"Do you know what it could be all about?"
"Uh... I don't know, but uh, I've heard the High Elder arguing with the other Elders."
"Can you guess?"
"Well, some of the Initiates think we're preparing for war. That's why hardly anyone gets in now. I was surprised when the High Elder told me to let you in."
"Alright then. I'll just take the elevator now."
Rob's mouth dropped as the elevator's doors opened. Unlike every other place in the wasteland, the Brotherhood's headquarters was clean, as if an army of maids lived in it. More impressive was the sheer amount of technology contained in one location. Monitors stood in every hallway, telling passersby important information like the time of day or the weather outside. The manufacturing facilities were exceptional, containing every type of tool or machine that Rob had heard of, and several that he hadn't. The computational power of the Brotherhood easily outstripped that of Vault 13.
Vault 13 had only one computer equipped to accept holotape, yet the Brotherhood easily had dozens of machines.
"May I help you?"
"What? Oh, sorry, I'm new here. It's all a bit much to take in."
"If you have any questions, talk to Vree in the main library."
"Okay. Err... wait, who are you?"
"What do the Paladins do here?"
"The Scribes copy the plans for the weapons, the Knights make them, and then the Paladins use those weapons to protect the Brotherhood from harm. Mostly from people who covet our technology, but often times a band of Raiders will sweep through."
"Okay. So if you're the head of the Paladins, does that mean you could teach me some stuff?"
"Stuff? I could teach you to fight... if you had any ability. But I am far to busy. Talk to Talus if you want to learn 'stuff'."
"Ah, you must be the outsider Initiate. Good to meet you. What can I help you with?"
"Well, who is in charge of this place?"
"That would be the High Elder, Maxson. Though the council of Elders is certainly influential too."
"Right. And what are you doing here?"
"I'm the Senior Paladin, Rhombus's right-hand man. Currently I'm stuck running training exercises. We're getting ready for something. Rumours say that a large force is moving up in the north. And with all the missing caravans, we have to ready for anything. You know, playing it safe."
"Speaking of being prepared, where can I get some equipment?"
"Heh. In a hurry are we? As an Initiate you're entitled to a few things. I'll order some combat armour and ammo for you."
"If you haven't noticed, I already have combat armour. Couldn't you get me something more... high-tech instead?"
"Hmm... I don't know. You may have proven yourself as an Initiate but we just don't hand out equipment to outsiders willy-nilly. Um, no offence."
"None taken, but I really need some better firepower."
"Well, there is a little problem I have..."
"What is it?"
"I'd sent an Initiate out to the Hub a while back, but we haven't heard from him. If you can find out what happened to him, I'd be very grateful."
"Okay, I think I can do that for you."
"Good, if you can do that then I'll see what I can get for you."