Ex-Sentinel Albert Cole's pov (aka Lone Wanderer)

Everyone eyed the 101 on my back cautiously as I walked through Diamond City. The guards would stiffen as I passed, as if I were wearing my nigh-indestructible prototype Winterized T-51b. A girl waved a paper to me.

"Heya mister! You new here?"

The fact that this little girl wasn't intimidated by me brought a smile to my face.

"Yeah, I am."

I don't know why but this girl reminded me of the first time I met Sarah's junior-scribe protégé, Arthur Maxson. He was intimidated by me when we first met but he had warmed up to me before-

Before Sarah died.

"Whatcha got there kid?"

"Publick Occurrences! Finest paper in the Commonwealth, Vault dweller! Say, where are you from, mister?"

"D.C."

"That's cool! Here! It's free for newcomers!"

"Nice kid, hey Charon!" I shouted back to the ghoul catching up with me down the steps, "You want a paper?"

"No thanks, boss."

I squinted past him.

"What?"

At that moment a large group of ash, mud and blood covered people started half-running, half-falling down the steps of the stairs. The town was quickly filled with maimed, wounded and dead... the people carrying them either hadn't realized it or refused to accept it. Maybe they wanted them buried here, I had no clue.

"Sanctuary has been taken. Taken by the Enclave!" Someone shrieked.

My face was a flat line but my mind flittered back to Col. Augustus Autumn and the moment my father died. Run, he said, as the hairs on his head fell off right before my eyes. Nothing but glass and radiation separating me from my dying father. After all I had done to find him he died right in front of me.

Heh, a friend of mine once said, "I hope you never figure out what it's like to have your father die right in front of you." It was like foreshadowing in a book. Back in the present a woman in a red trench coat tugged a boy along and then swallowed the paper girl in an embrace. Not even caring about the mud caked to her.

"Piper?! What's happening?!"

"It's a long story, Nat. Look, can you and Shaun go inside?"

The mud caked boy hiding behind Piper was looking at the ground, clearly traumatized. I watched as more and more wounded were getting dragged in and Nat began to stare. Piper guided her eyes into hers.

"Can you do that sis?"

Nat nodded and did as her sister bid her. I watched as Piper retreated to a bench and got into the fetal position. Burying her head in her arms. After a moment of reflection and assessment I ordered, "Charon, have Fawkes get more caps after you get food and drinks for all these people. I will offer assistance to the doc."

3rd person pov

Diamond City became awash with refugees. Guards were helping carry the weak and weary, families were keening, children meandered around asking where their family was and in the middle of all this a stranger leant a generous helping hand. Charon, after wasting a few words at the noodle stand went to Vadim.

"I need to make an order." Charon was never the polite or charismatic type.

"Oh no," Vadim said, "we don't serve your kind here."

Charon merely scowled, growling out, "Fine, smoothskin."

"VAAADIIIMMM!"

The bartender laughed, "I kid! I kid! What did you need friend?"

"Enough food and drink for a hundred refugees."

The bar got deathly quiet and Rose stopped sweeping, exclaiming, "What?"

"I'll give whoever helps me hand out all this crap all 1,000 cap tips."

"YEEEEFIIIIMM!! You better get up here right now brother!"

"I'll get Travis!" Rose cried.

That motivated them. Soon the whole town was helping, some refugees were from Sanctuary and others were from supply caravans attacked by the same foe. The ex-Sentinel made a good first impression on the citizens of Diamond City. Piper sat at the bench and never moved her eyes away from the entrance, waiting for the General to return.

Despite the town coming together, several important people were still missing. Nick had disappeared unannounced a few days ago, leaving an odd note behind. Cait, Howler, and Ashman had been separated from the main group and pushed towards an odd radio signal. While others on the squad were doing things completely different, although oblivious to the threat facing the Commonwealth.

And one of them was Roger Nix, codenamed: Noir...