Chapter 5: The Case of the Mysterious Cabot Family

[March 2287]

Piper Wright knew her boredom ended when Nick's ghoul friend entered the office.

She reflected on her life right now as the two friends caught up. It still filled her with shame that she had nearly killed Nat - her only family left alive - through neglect because she kept chasing new stories to write. Nevertheless, she was super thankful for Nick getting her head out of her ass and set her straight. 'Granted it cost the custody of Nat but hey, at least I get to visit her weekly!'

"So who's the lovely gal, Nicky?" the ghoul rasped, checking her out. "Whatever happened to the pretty secretary of yours?"

Nick chuckled, shaking his head. "DSec kidnapped her to paperwork, saddling me with the feistiest reporter of the Commonwealth." he joked. "Dee, this is Piper Wright. Piper, meet Deegan, a friend of Pre-War Nick."

"You mean a friend of yours." Deegan corrected, offering his hand. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Wright. Hope this ol' bucket of bolts ain't much of a problem."

"Nah," Piper replied in good humor, smirking. "Old Nicky here's the one keeping me out of trouble."

The ghoul laughed at that. "I like her already, Nick!" he exclaimed, shaking his head.

"So your boss' sister's missing again?" Nick asked, steering back the conversation. Piper immediately brought out a pad and pen, feeling eager to get a story.

Taking a seat in front of Nick's desk, Deegan brought out a piece of folded paper. "I was finishing a job nearby when Jack called me. He asked me to check on his sister, saying Emogene hasn't contacted him since she got to DC a week ago."

"Did you check the records?" Piper asked, writing down the details.

"She arrived alright, spotted in the Colonial Taphouse two days ago." he replied, gesturing to the piece of paper. "Went to their house here and found this."

Grabbing the paper, Piper unfolded it only to frown. "What's a Pillar flyer doing here?" she asked aloud.

Two years ago, Piper heard rumors of a community that lured young men and women with promises of safety and protection. Thinking it was an Institute operation, she tracked it down only to discover a slaver ring that would sell their 'Initiates' as sex slaves. She barely got out alive, warning the three cities about them. The alliance of Diamond City, Bunker Hill, and Goodnieghbor (with the assistance of the Children of Atom) wiped out the ring before it could mount an attempt to flee. 'If there back…'

"What's the Pillar?" Deegan asked, looking confused.

Nick lit his cigar, taking a puff. "Remember that Agua Cult that the Nahant Department busted back in '75? Something like that but worse." he explained, disgust appearing on his face. "All three cities banded together to wipe them out before they could be a problem."

"Hey, read this," Piper began, spotting something behind the paper. "'We know about the serum, give us one case or your sister gets it. Meet us by the old Pillar base before sunset.'"

"Fuck!" Deegam exclaimed, face pale. "How did they know about the serum?"

"What exactly is the serum?" Piper asked, eyes narrowing. "You're not peddling drugs, are you?"

"Dee…" Nick growled, hand slowly moving to his gun.

Dee raised his hands, trying to calm them. "I ain't running drugs, Nick, believe me!" he pleaded, eyes full of worry. "The serum's...it's hard to explain, pal. It's-"

"Edward, do you hear me?" a static-filled voice cut in. Immediately, the ghoul brought out a portable radio out of his bag and started fiddling with the knobs.

"I hear you sir." Deegan answered urgently. "What's the problem?"

"Just checking in. Have you found Emogene?" the voice asked, sighing. "Mother's been quite persistent, if you can understand. Are you still in DC?"

"Yes sir," Deegan replied, frowning. "We got a lead on your sister, sir. She's been kidnapped and they're requesting for a case of serum in exchange."

The voice swore, sounding angry. "Damnit, how did they find out about it?" he exclaimed. "Even if we did, it would be dangerous for them."

"Don't worry sir, I'll think of a way." Dee replied. "I'm actually at my friend's office right now."

"Ah...Detective Nick, if you're hearing this, I bet you have some questions, yes?"

Pursing his lips, Nick took the offered receiver. "Yes sir. I've made it clear though to Dee that I'm not helping him if this serum disrupts the Commonwealth Drug Trade."

Piper agreed with Nick's sentiments. It was a necessary (if not downright essential) cog of the Commonwealth Economy. Any disruption to it would severely destroy the fragile economy the land had. By Atom, almost everyone uses drugs: medical usage, material construction, and recreational consumption. Nobody - even the craziest of raiders - disrupted it for fear of a united Commonwealth.

"Your concerns are well founded, detective." the voice replied, not bothered by the threat. "But do not fret, the serum is only for my family's consumption and I have no dreams of selling it."

Piper and Nick shared a glance. 'Nobody creates a drug and not sell it.' she thought, eyes narrowed. 'We're missing something here...'

"Right…" Nick drawled, clearly unconvinced. "Say I believe you...uh, what's his name, Dee?"

The voice laughed at the question. "Silly of me! I believe I put you at a disadvantage, Detective Nick." he joked, Piper imaging the man smiling. "My name is Jack Cabot and if Edward's to be believed, you know who I am."

Piper has never seen Nick go pale before today. Which was hard given he was Synth. "I'll explain everything once you've freed my sister, detective." Jack replied, sounding amused. "Consider it an added bonus after I pay you for your services."

"We'll find her sir, don't worry." Deegan said, answering for them as Nick just stuttered. "Edwards out."

"The hell Dee?" Nick exclaimed, looking confused. "How the hell are the Cabots still alive?"

Piper raised her hand, having no clue what they're talking about. "Mind filling me in?" she said, pointing to herself. "I have no clue who they are."

# # # # # # # # # #

"You sure they weren't from a home-made vault?" Piper asked, still trying to comprehend the Cabots backstory.

Deegan gave her a flat look. "I lived with them since the bombs fell, Piper."

After he explained the backstory and serum of the Cabots, Deegan and Nick began planning Emogene's rescue mission. Piper, on the other hand, went out to get ammo, medical supplies, armor, and grenades. Thankfully, the caps used came from Deegan's boss so she was a bit happy to splurge a bit. All in all, they were set: Deegan had his Handmade Gauss Rifle and N99 Service Pistol; Nick had his modified Tommy Gun and Python Revolver; and Piper had her scoped Winchester Rifle and a Walter PPK.

"Damn…think they'll be up for an interview, Nick?" Piper asked, feeling hopeful.

The synth snorted at that. "I wouldn't count on it." he replied. "The Cabots were quite secretive even before the bombs fell. I doubt they'll be talkative now."

"Well, that sucks…" Piper muttered, sighing as they neared the amphitheater. Nick raised his fist, motioning them to stop. The detective crouched before the low wall, the two following suit.

"What do your elf eyes see?" Deegan whispered, getting a snort from Nick.

'Must be an inside joke,' Piper thought as Nick spotted the targets for her: three in the amphitheater, two by the field, and Emogene kneeling before them. 'I'll ask Nick later.'

"Remember the plan?" Deegan murmured, jingling the box full of pyscho-filled vials.

Nick and Piper nodded. While Deegam secured Emogene's using the fake serums, Piper would cover the two from afar. If things went downhill, Nick would draw their attention as Deegan dragged the hostage to cover while she laid down fire for them to escape. "Go get her!" she whispered, giving Deegan a thumbs up.

As Deegan walked up to the raiders, Piper scanned the area in case someone jumped the gun. While she wasn't a crack shot like those in Pre-War cowboys, she was confident in her weapon skills. Suddenly, she spotted a Synth smashed its sledge baton on a raider's head, appearing out of the blue. "SYNTHS!" Piper screamed as she fired her rifle, destroying its fake faceplate and making it stumble back.

She ducked for cover, Nick firing as he gave Deegan and Emogene time to run for cover. Popping out of cover, she fired again before someone punch her gut - hard. Falling to the ground, she looked up to see a human in a black coat point a futuristic pistol at her. 'Huh,' she thought, the world slowing down. 'This is how I die.'

Suddenly, coat guy crumpled to the ground as if it's strings were cut. Adrenaline kicking in, Piper scrambled away as she drew her pistol, looking for targets. Spotting an ax-crazy raider running towards her, she unloaded the entire magazine to kill him. As she reloaded, the amphitheatre lit up as a massive group of synths appeared out of nowhere.

"Grenade!"

The synths never stood a chance - the multiple pulse grenades exploding either shut them down or damaged them to a slow death. From the far side, a bunch of heavily armored scavengers came out of the streets, weapons blazing. The remaining raider and Institute stragglers were no match and the fighting soon ended. "Nick?" Piper whispered, her gun at the ready. "We got additional company!"

Their leader, a man in a drifter out with a militia hat, shouldered his makeshift rifle and raised his hands. "Don't worry, we're friendly - like, really friendly!"

"Stand down, Piper!" Nick shouted. "Deacon, ain't you a sight for sore eyes…"

The man, Deacon, removed his hat as he clapped Nick's shoulder. "We were passing through when we stumbled upon you." he replied, smirking. "Hope we didn't ruin your party."

"Do you have a trauma kit?" the gray-haired woman asked as she laid Deegan on the ground. The rest spread out while Nick and Deacon talked. "Ed's wounded - Emogene, in case you're wondering."

Taking off her bag, Piper rummaged and pulled out one. Handing it over, she took the time to inspect their charge. From the way Deegan explained the Cabots, she would have expected a scared lady. Not this one, though: Emogene looked like she was born for the wasteland, especially with her drifter outfit. "You're good at this." she commented as the Cabot quickly patched up Deegan.

Deegan chuckled at the comment. "Living over 400 years gives you a lot of skills." he commented, getting a slap on his wound. "Oi, they know! Jack's going to tell them later."

Emogene huffed while Piper laughed. "A warning would have been nice, Ed." she said, glaring.

Piper merely shook his head in amusement. Looking around, she spotted Nick and Deacon finished their talk. "Hey Nicky, Deacon," she asked, waving at the two. "We moving yet?"

The synth nodded. "Deacon and his friends are going to accompany us until we reach the Cabot's." he replied, crossing his arms. "Can you walk, Dee?"

"I dunno, do I walk with my shoulders?" Deegam snarked, grinning. "Of course I can, bucket head. Help me up, will ya?"

# # # # # # # # # #

Piper always trusted her gut - it had saved her life for years on end, never failing her to warn her of danger. Which was why she knew 'Deacon' and his 'friends' weren't just any scaver that Nick kept on insisting.

By Atom, the way they moved was a dead giveaway - scavers moved quickly, quietly. These guys - they moved with efficiency and determination, moving in a way that reminded Piper of the Minutemen back when she was a kid. Obviously they weren't Gunners and Nick wasn't someone who would work with raiders unless the whole world depended on it.

"We're here," Emogene called out as they reached a street corner. Motioning them to stop, she gave them all a look. "Nobody stepped forward until I said so."

Not wanting to mess with the lady, everyone stayed where they were. Emogene disappeared behind the corner. A few minutes passed before they heard her again. "Alright, you can come over!"

Piper whistled, impressed at the level of defense surrounding the house. A guard tower with two heavy turrets, multiple light turrets hanging by the buildings, and a heavily armed sentry watching over the street, she had no doubt it'll take a lot of raiders to overcome them. "Is that a synth?" one of Deacon's companions asked, surprised and - to Piper's confusion - disgust. "You use synths?"

"Refurbished synths," Emogene replied, patting the synth on the back. "They're basically assualtrons with a human chalice, upgraded programing, and wastelander armor."

"Ria, why don't you take the rest to that church we've been eyeing a few days back?" Deacon said, a fake smile plastered on his face. "I'll catch up with you guys later, need to make sure Nicky here's safe."

The two stared at each other for a second before Ria gave in. "Fine," she grumbled, clearly upset. "Better be there."

"Ria and I have been together since we were kids." Deacon explained, watching his 'team' leave with a nostalgic smile. "Always worries about me every time we separate."

"You two siblings?" Deegan asked, still clutching his wounded shoulder as they entered.

Piper spotted another heavily fortified guard tower with a fully modded sentry bot and two Mr. Handy. Numerous refurbished synths were working around the small farm in front of a picturesque Pre-War house. 'Damn, what is this place?' Piper thought in wonder.

"Not sure, we were together since birth but we never knew our parents." Deacon replied, shrugging.

"Emogene?" a frail voice call out. "Emogene, is that you?"

Emogene sighed while Deegan chuckled. "Yes mother, it's me." she replied, sounding tired.

"Mother wait!" someone called out as an old lady ran towards them.

"My poor, poor, girl!" the old lady exclaimed, hugging and inspecting Emogene. "This is why I told you to stay in the house and leave all the work to the menfolk!"

"It's good to see you, Em." Jack said, Piper connecting his voice to the face. "And thank you as well, everyone…although I heard it was only the detective that would be helping you, Edward."

"Nick here had an assistant while Deacon's crew came to our rescue when we got jumped by synths." Deegan reported.

Understanding appeared in Jack's face. "I see…" he replied, bringing out a pocket watch. "Well, it's almost six so the least we can do for you is give you food and lodging for the night."

"Must we?" the old lady, looking at them with suspicion.

"Yes mother, we wouldn't want the Cabot named sullied because we turned away my rescuers." Emogene quickly replied, slowly leading Mother away. "In fact, one of my rescuers was a field reporter. If we don't..."

"I apologize for my mother," Jack replied, looking sheepish. He looked like some scientist who recently left a vault - a complete contrast to the wasteland-looking Emogene. "She still thinks we Cabots still have power."

"Well, with the amount of firepower you guys have kinda backs it." Deacon chuckled.

Jack snorted. "The only power we have is selling medical supplies to Bunker Hill and drugs to Goodneighbor." he replied, motioning them to follow. "Good thing I had the foresight to make the synths cook a large meal."

"About the synths," Piper began, looking at them. "While they don't look like the Institute syn-woah!"

Piper's jaw dropped as she entered the Cabot house - the whole place looked like something she'd seen in a Picket Fences mag: blue walls untouched by cracks, clear glass windows, clean dustless floor, and a fully intact house. "Holy shit," she heard Deacon mutter, something she could agree with.

"Holy shit indeed, I feel like this is Tardis." Nick agreed, looking around. "You wouldn't be the Doctor?"

"Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey." Jack replied, smirking as Nick laughed. Seeing the confusion, he explained "It was a catchphrase of a famous show before the war."

"Dinner's ready!" Emogene called out as they stepped into the cleanest living room Piper stepped on. "Mother's sleeping, slipped some pills in her soup."

Jack sighed in relief, relieved that their mother wasn't eating with them. "Good," he replied before turning to Piper. "I'll answer your questions once we've eaten, would that suffice?"

Piper's stomach growled, answering the question. Everyone laughed to her embarrassment as they headed for the dinning area. "This is so good!" she exclaimed when they began eating, everyone agreeing.

Once they were done, Jack asked them to move to the living room, sitting in various places. "Now, before I answer your questions Ms. Piper, I would like to ask if Mr. Deacon can keep a secret." he asked, giving the 'scaver' a look.

Deacon merely smirked. "Secrecy is in my blood, Mr. Jack." he replied. "After all, we can help you."

"And how exactly can the Railroad help the Cabots?" Piper cut in, surprising everyone.

It wasn't hard to put the pieces together: the way they handled the Institute synths earlier showed they tangled with them often, their matching uniforms with a small lantern patch was a giveaway, and the comment about the church nearby (which was the Old North Church) were her clues that Deacon and his group were members of the mysterious Railroad.

Instead of surprise, Deacon clapped. "Gotta say, you really earned your reputation, Ms. Piper." he replied, looking back at the others. "Yeah, she's right: I'm part of the Railroad."

"Ain't they a myth?" Jack asked, confused.

Emogene shook her head from the armchair. "They're real, I even got my hands on their recruitment tape." she replied, smirking. "The Old North Church is the end destination, isn't it?"

Deacon nodded, looking impressed. "Damn, you're good."

"Kinda easy for us Pre-War folks, Deacon," Nick replied, giving Deacon a look. "The Freedom Trail is a tourist trap back in the day."

"Oi, I'll have you know I know where the trail ends." Piper exclaimed, puffing her chest out. "That's why I called him out!"

"We can discuss what the Railroad wants with us on a later date." Emogene cut in, ending the discussion before looking at the DC inhabitants. "Now, from what I understand, Jack owes you two a story."

Jack nodded, steeping his fingers as his elbows rested on the armchairs, reminding Piper of a Pre-War photo. "Tell me, Ms. Piper, do you believe in aliens?"

Awesome Notes and Notifications:

Hello, I'm back again!

Apologies for the delay in publishing. Things have been a little...hectic in my private life (READ: publishing a Girls und Panzer fanfic, COVID-19 lockdown, Philippine problems, etc.). Hope everyone's safe for the time being and that you stay safe as well - especially given some of the countries are experiencing socio-political upheval.

Anyway, I'll try to return to my old publishing schedule though it might be difficult given the lockdown has given me writer's block on most of my stories except for the GuP fanfic I'm writing in SpaceBattles right now. I'll be back sometime in August for the next chapter. As for the mod list I'm using for this fic, you can find it later in SpaceBattles under my name (PinoyGamer117).

Stay safe, everyone!

NEXT: The Railroad (Sometime in August 2020)