Danse

Paladin Danse (Brotherhood registration DN-407P, Synth designation M7-97) is a Brotherhood of Steel paladin and potential companion of the Sole Survivor, found at the Cambridge Police Station in 2287.

Background
The Paladin in charge of recon squad Gladius, Danse is a level-headed, competent field commander who does not take foolish risks - though his caution and tactical thinking were outmatched by the savagery of the Commonwealth in recent weeks. After taking devastating losses, Danse's squad is hanging on by a thread. However, Danse remains dedicated to the Brotherhood's objectives. By the time the Survivor meets him, his priority is finding a way to contact command.

Brotherhood career
When asked about his past, Danse will explain that he was born in the Capital Wasteland and a childhood spent picking through the ruins and selling scrap, culminating in him settling in Rivet City and opening a junk stand.

There, Danse met another trader named Cutler at the City.The two got along well, watched each other's backs and kept each other out of trouble. When the Brotherhood came through on a recruiting run, they both felt like it was the best chance for making something out of themselves, so they joined up, staying together as the closest of friends. Danse was sponsored by Paladin Krieg, who kept riding him hard from the very beginning. A model soldier, zealous, loyal, and brave to a fault, he singled Danse out for one reason: he saw the spark of potential that signaled potential greatness.The Sole Survivor: "Does it have anything to do with the Brotherhood?" Danse: "I wouldn't necessarily say that. This isn't a formal meeting. I... simply want to clear the air. I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot when we first met and I feel like I owe you an apology. Expecting you to embrace the standards of the Brotherhood without having a history with us was unfair. And given that you've adjusted so well to our beliefs, I don't think I needed to push so hard." The Sole Survivor: "So there is a human being under all of that power armor after all." Danse: "Sometimes I need a reminder, but yes... there is. When I was an Initiate, my sponsor was Paladin Krieg. Toughest squad leader I ever served with. He was a model soldier, embodying the values every trainee was striving to achieve. Fiercely loyal, secure in his beliefs and brave to a fault. From the moment I was assigned to his squad I was singled out... it felt like he was pushing me harder than the rest of the team. I fought by his side for years and we had some seriously close calls, but he never explained to me why I was treated that way." The Sole Survivor: "It sounds like he was trying to motivate you." Danse: "If he was, I never got a chance to ask. After I was promoted to Paladin and I had moved on to my own squad, I received word that Krieg was killed at Adams Air Force Base. The news was like being kicked in the stomach. I mean, I'd lost some of my brothers and sisters before, but his death... well, it really got to me. It's taken me a long time to realize it, but the reason Krieg was so tough on me is the same reason I'm so tough on you. It's because I believe in you and I don't want to see any of your potential go to waste." The Sole Survivor: "Well, it took you long enough to notice." Danse: "What can I say? Maybe I'm becoming more like Krieg than I realized. Well, I've said what I had to say and I hope that it meant something to you. I... trust you'll keep this in confidence of course. Some of that information was of a personal nature, and well, I'd like to keep it that way." (Danse's dialogue)

Although Paladin Krieg fell in battle in 2277, fighting for Adams Air Force Base, his ideals lived on in Danse, who pursued his career in the Brotherhood with unparalleled vigor. Unfortunately, Cutler did not live to see Danse's success. In 2283, a year into their posting onto the newly-launched Prydwen, Cutler disappeared on a scouting mission. Danse tracked him down to a lair of super mutants, where he was half-way through a horrific mutation, exposed to FEV the mutants acquired from some unknown source. Danse did what he was trained to do - what Cutler wanted him to do.

Danse redoubled his efforts, climbing the ranks of the Brotherhood of Steel. However, while he met many good, honest, even heroic soldiers, he never risked opening himself up again. He simply did not want to go through the agony of losing a friend again. Despite keeping others at arm's length, Danse eventually became one of the most trusted and capable field commanders in the Brotherhood. Due to his achievements, Elder Arthur Maxson assigned him as the head of recon squad Gladius, sent to the Commonwealth in late 2286 for a tech recovery operation, following in the footsteps of the lost recon squad Artemis. Nobody expected that it would become another turning point in the Brotherhood's history.

Commonwealth mission
After months of travel, the squad crossed the borders of the Commonwealth in January 2287. Their first encounter with the locals resulted in Knight Keane's armor being totaled and losing supplies, but the raiders were repulsed with no loss of life. They set up operations at the Cambridge Police Station around February, exploiting its excellent position and defensive capabilities.

Their first major operation was targeted at the Corvega assembly plant near Lexington. A sweep and retrieve operation would be hampered by the large raider presence by Dawes, which led to Danse ordering a breach. The mission went south fast, as they were intercepted by raiders on approach, with Knight Worwick wounded by the initial attack. During the retreat to Lexington, Knight Brach stepped on a landmine and despite the valiant efforts of Scribe Haylen, he died of his wounds. Two days later, Knight Worwick was euthanized on Danse's orders, as he was paralyzed and suffering from internal bleeding. Scribe Haylen obeyed the order without question. Further operations were carried out more cautiously, though casualties mounted. In July, Knight-Sergeant Dawes was killed during a recon run of Fort Strong and the Boston Airport. All of these incidents may have contributed to Danse's troubles sleeping and the possibility of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Yet even with the casualties mounting, Gladius was about to happen upon its greatest find: unusual energy readings on an extreme high-band spectrum frequency, unlikely to be pre-War in origin. October was the turning point, as they attempted to triangulate the signal and track it down. Their attempts to contact Scabbard with their findings were hampered by a super mutant rocket attack that damaged the high gain antenna at the Police Station. Something had to be done. Danse focused on recovering the long range signal transmitter from the nearby ArcJet Systems, so that they could inform the Brotherhood and brings its wrath down on the enemies of man in the Commonwealth.

Homecoming
However, unbeknownst to Danse, the war for the Commonwealth is far more personal for him than other Brotherhood soldiers. Danse's memories of life as a child in the Capital Wasteland are actually fake, implants created for the purpose of letting him blend in with the people of Rivet City. Danse is actually a synth under the designation of M7-97, marked by the Institute as a runaway. His genetic code remains on record with the Institute, and if that information is acquired by the Brotherhood - say, if the Sole Survivor provides the Brotherhood with a network dump containing the synth genetic database - then both the Brotherhood and the good Paladin would suffer a crisis. Not only would a high ranking officer be revealed as a synth and a potential infiltrator, but the carefully cultivated persona of the ideal soldier that Danse spent a lifetime working on would suddenly crumble. It'd be enough to make Danse want to die to uphold the Brotherhood's ideals - but, perhaps, there would be a way to avert this? <!--

I'm glad you had greater ambitions than just selling junk. Once I saw what the Brotherhood had to offer, there was no comparison. Anyway, about a year after we were posted to the Prydwen, Cutler vanished on a scouting op. It took some convincing, but I was able to persuade my CO to let me assemble a squad and search for him. It took almost three weeks, but we tracked his team down to a Super Mutant hive. Those wretched abominations had slaughtered everyone but Cutler. He should have been so lucky. The mutant bastards used their FEV to change him into one of their own kind. He wasn't Cutler anymore. I had to... it was my duty to... put him down."''

Are you sure there wasn't anything you could do to change him back? The FEV effect is irreversible. There was nothing anyone could do.

You did the right thing. It's what I was taught. I don't know if it was right. Ever since Cutler died, I've seen other soldiers come and go. Some were brave, some were honest... hell, some were even downright heroic. But I'd never consider any of them to be a good friend, a friend like Cutler was... until now. It's a good feeling, but it frightens me all the same. Having a bond with someone then losing them... it changes you. I don't want to go through that again.

I thought we worked well as a team. Agreed. It's a refreshing change to work with a civilian who can follow orders properly. That being said, I believe we have two important matters to discuss. First and foremost, if you'll hand me the Deep Range Transmitter, I'd like to compensate you for your assistance during this operation. I think you'll find this weapon useful. It's my own personal modification of the standard Brotherhood Laser Rifle. May it serve you well in battle. That isn't necessary. I insist you keep it. The Brotherhood believes in paying all of its debts. Now... as far as the second matter goes, I wanted to make you a proposal. We had a lot thrown at us back there. Our op could have ended in disaster, but you kept your cool and handled it like a soldier. There's no doubt in my mind that you've got what it takes. The way I see it, you've got a choice. You could spend the rest of your life wandering from place to place, trading an extra hand for a meager reward. Or, you could join the Brotherhood of Steel and make your mark on the world. What would be expected of me if I joined? You'd be under my command, and I'd expect you to follow orders. No more mercenary work... this is the real thing. You'd have access to advanced military weapons, as well as your own personal suit of Power Armor. Most importantly, you'd have the Brotherhood at your back... ready to spill its own blood to keep you alive. Offer still stands. Can we count on you? I'd be honored to join. That's what I wanted to hear. Meet me back at the police station, and we'll discuss the details.}}

Danse: "Good, you're back. Haylen, Rhys...it's time to welcome our newest recruit to the recon team. He/She shows a lot of promise, and with the proper guidance, I think he/she has the potential of becoming one of the best." The Sole Survivor: "Recon, eh? So what are we looking for?" Haylen: "Don't worry about it, talk to Rhys and I after we're done here and we'll explain everything." {{Color|Gray|Rhys: "{{Tooltip|So you decided to stay, huh? I expected you to take your payment and run.|Irritated}}" The Sole Survivor: "You upset that I'm staying?" {{Color|Gray|Rhys: "{{Tooltip|Maybe. Got enough trouble stomping muties and ferals... I don't need something else to worry about.|Irritated}}"}} Danse: ''"{{Tooltip|Rhys, that's enough. Like it or not, you're going to have to learn to work together.|Angry}} {{Tooltip|And you, you need to understand what it means to be a part of the Brotherhood.|Irritated}} {{Tooltip|We're not soldiers of fortune. We're an army and we've dedicated our lives to uphold a strict code of ethics.|re-record / Confident}} {{Tooltip|If you intend to stay within our ranks, you need to obey our tenets without question.|Confident}}" The Sole Survivor: "Don't worry, I've spent time in the military." Danse: "{{Tooltip|Perfect. Then there's no need to give you a long lecture, so I'll get right to the point. I only ask for two things from anyone under my command. Honesty and respect. You fall in line, you stay in line. I give you an order, and you follow it. It's as simple as that.|Confident}} {{Tooltip|Now, before I release you to Haylen and Rhys for your assignments, there's one last order of business. From this moment forward, I'm granting you the rank of Initiate.|MARK FOR RE-RECORD / Confident}} {{Tooltip|This is only a training rank... I'm not premitted to grant ranks any higher than that.|Confident}} Why can't you promote me beyond Initiate? {{Tooltip|Only an Elder can promote you beyond Initiate.|Confident}} {{Tooltip|After we get the transmitter up and running, I'll call in and see what I can do.|MARK FOR RE-RECORD / Confident}} Thank you. {{Tooltip|Thanks aren't necessary. Just continue excelling at your duties, soldier.|Friendly}} BoS200Haylen: Ad Victoriam, Initiate. BoS200Rhys: He doesn't even know what that means, Haylen. {{Tooltip|"Ad Victoriam" means "To Victory." In our eyes, defeat is unacceptable because we're fighting for the future of mankind. Our rallying cry is more powerful than any weapon you could ever carry. Remember that. Now... I need you to report to Haylen or Rhys for your next assignment. Dismissed, soldier.|Confident}}

Don't you need to keep it? This isn't the only weapon at my disposal. {{Tooltip|Brotherhood soldiers always carry a backup.|RE-RECORD PLEASE}} Now... as far as the second matter goes, I wanted to make you a proposal. We had a lot thrown at us back there. Our op could have ended in disaster, but you kept your cool and handled it like a soldier. There's no doubt in my mind that you've got what it takes. The way I see it, you've got a choice. You could spend the rest of your life wandering from place to place, trading an extra hand for a meager reward. Or, you could join the Brotherhood of Steel and make your mark on the world.

Smoother? I thought we did fine. That sweep was sloppy. We were caught unprepared more than once, which is unacceptable. However, your extra gun gave us the edge we needed. I'm not certain I could have accomplished the mission alone.

I don't need an evaluation. Accepting constructive criticism is the best way to improve ourselves both physically and mentally. However, this doesn't diminish your role in the operation. Without your assistance, it could have been in jeopardy. That being said, I believe we have two important matters to discuss. First and foremost, if you'll hand me the Deep Range Transmitter, I'd like to compensate you for your assistance during this operation. I think you'll find this weapon useful. It's my own personal modification of the standard Brotherhood Laser Rifle. May it serve you well in battle. -->

Quests

 * Fire Support: Danse is first encountered by the player fighting a desperate defense against a throng of feral ghouls attacking the station.
 * Call to Arms: After thanking the player for their aid, Danse will ask for the player's help in infiltrating ArcJet Systems to recover a crucial part for their transmitter.
 * Semper Invicta: Once the deep range transmitter is recovered, Danse will offer the player a position in the Brotherhood and bestow the rank of Initiate, unlocking repeateable quests from Haylen and Rhys.
 * Shadow of Steel: Danse will escort the player to the Prydwen to meet Elder Arthur Maxson. After this quest, he becomes a permanent companion.
 * Blind Betrayal: As the Institute seeks to cripple the Brotherhood, Danse is revealed to be a synth - and Elder Maxson orders his execution. Struggling to reconcile his belief in the Brotherhood with his status as a synth, Danse flees into the wilds of the Commonwealth. The Elder asks the player to track the rogue Paladin down and execute him. The player can decide to let him live, without compromising their position in the Brotherhood, but condemning Danse to life as a fugitive.

Other interactions

 * Danse starts the Brotherhood questline, through the Fire Support and Call to Arms quests. After that, he bestows the rank of Initiate upon the Survivor, unlocking further quests, like Lost Patrol. He is also a companion character.
 * Gaining influence with Danse is fairly easy. He will react very positively to the player crafting high level modifications for their weapons and his affinity will improve every time the player steps into a higher level suit of power armor. He also likes it when the player follows orders, especially those given by Elder Maxson.
 * Blind Betrayal must be completed before gaining maximum influence and the Know Your Enemy companion perk.
 * Losing influence can be difficult to achieve, but every drop will be severe, such as when the player displays a lack of professionalism or murders innocents without cause.

Behind the scenes

 * There are leftover voice files in the archives that suggest the player was once able to become the Elder of the Eastern Division, following Blind Betrayal. This was scrapped very early on, as no trace of these files exist in Danse's dialogue.

Appearances
Paladin Danse appears only in Fallout 4.