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From An Interview With Sarah Lyons

One thing about Elder Lyons, my father, that helped endear him to many, and infuriated a few, was his dislike of sitting at his desk for any length of time.  Certainly, he would use his office when necessary, but a great many of his decisions and interactions were not conducted there but in virtually any open space within the Citadel.

I asked him once about this habit, and he said that spending time out of the office was good exercise, kept him mindful of his responsibilities to the Brotherhood AND encouraged others to think for themselves regarding minor matters.  He was somehow ALWAYS locateable for important messages or meetings, far less so for non-essential matters.  Indeed, it was something of a right-of-passage for certain Initiates, who would be taken aside and given an "important message" to be 'immediately delivered into the Elder's hands, and none other'.  These individuals were then observed as to how well they handled the situation.  This seemingly simple task usually became a severe test of resolve, endurance and intelligence for most.

On that particular evening, my father was standing in the central yard, watching the newest Initiates filing indoors for dinner.

"Ahhhh!  There you are, Sentinel," he cheerfully greeted me as if it was I who had been the missing person, a favourite game of his.  "I was observing our newest trainees.  Definite promise there, I believe ... "

His voice was pitched to carry well.  Despite the weariness of their day's training, all the Initiates present noticeably straightened and picked up their marching.

"Elder," my voice was for just his ears.  "We need to discuss Paladin Monash's report from Tec-Vault, and the implications."

My father watched as the doors closed on the last of the Initiates, then nodded.  "We should.  Your thoughts, Sentinel?"

I found myself shaking my head.  "I-I am unsure what to think.  Monash's secret findings lack detail, naturally, but to THINK that an alien ... "  My eyes shifted up to the sky, where the stars were just starting to come out.  Only one of those points of light was, I knew now, an alien spacecraft manned by humans, some from the here and now, others from times past.  " ... With what we know now, can we still trust her?"

"How can we not?  Commander Walker kept certain FACTS from us but NOT, however, any of the benefits.  The components traded to us for Liberty Prime, the intelligence regularly provided to us from this ... Zeta, the technical assistance provided by her Tec-Vault allies, the aid her own people give ours in the field.  I do note that, in the same report, Paladin Monash also has only praise for all that the Tec-Vault people do to improve our technology and battle the Enclave.  That he discovered that they had some secrets should be no surprise.  After all, we keep secrets from them."

" ... All true, Elder.  But-"

"What has Star Paladin Cross had to say?"

"On this, not a thing.  She HAS been instrumental in coordinating both groups in field operations - she is held in such high regard here, of course, and it seems the Ghosts have also come to respect her counsel ... "

"There is no one as honourable as our Star Paladin, and her very long association with the Walker family has undoubtedly opened her mind to many possibilities.  But I believe that if anything she learned was essential for us to know, then she would tell us.  Otherwise, all secrets learned, or provided in trust, are safe with Cross.  She has told us nothing, and so I am oddly reassured by that."

We watched the sky together.  "So, what now?"

"As I understand the latest report, our Commander Walker has just returned to the Capital Wasteland with a large group of refugees from The Pitt.  She probably has much on her mind.  There are many matters we need to discuss with her, but they will have to wait  ... "

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Apologies for the delay.  Firefox, which I usually have a very high opinion of as a browser, chose to go totally wahoonie-shaped in the last few days.  Hopefully back to normal now.

I quite like the Lyonses.  As I understand it, the Brotherhood of Steel tends to make a not-so-good showing in certain other times and places, but what the Elder and his daughter set out to make of the DC Chapter is a strong move in the right direction, IMO.

Looking back, the Elder comes off a tad 'Zen Master'-ish here, but nothing too jarring (I hope).  :)