Chapter One

Vault 111

November 20, 2287

12:00 p.m.

Cold was all he could feel as the cryogenic tube he was stuck in malfunctioned and he slowly regained his senses. Several minutes passed before he was able to summon the energy to push the door open and clumsily fall to the metal ground below. As he began to catch his breath all his thoughts began to race through his mind. He remembered the war he fought in, all the Chinese he killed, he remembered Vault Tec and the promise that he and his family would be safe during the event the bombs fell. He shakily made his way to his feet and saw his wife Nora dead inside of her cryogenic tube.

"Nora my sweet sweet Nora, I will find the son of a bitch who did this to you and make him pay" he said between sobs.

His son Shaun was also on his mind he was ripped from Nora's arms at some point before he ended up refrozen as he watched the Mercenary take his son. He made his way to what was left of a bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror his dark skin looked untouched, he now had a beard, and his hazel eyes burned for vengeance, he was going to make that mercenary regret messing with the family of former army ranger Antoine J. Cook. After scavenging the vault for anything of use Antoine located a glock 20 ten millimeter pistol and an extra magazine of ammunition.Antoine steeled his resolve and made his way to the vault door and after collecting a pip boy, he opened the vault door and was taken back by the world he saw. Knowing the bombs were launched and seeing the after effects were two different things that he wasn't ready for, but he didn't have time to mourn the world he once knew. He needed to find food and shelter for the night so he decided to make his way to his old neighborhood Sanctuary Hills. Walking down a dirt road Antoine runs into a man he looked extremely filthy and was wearing what looked like leather armor and seemed to be twitching slightly.

"Hey buddy are you alright" Antoine asked.

"I will be once you hand over your caps" the leather armor man stated.

Without any hesitation the leather armor wearing man aimed what looked like some form of crude pipe weaponry and fired at Antoine who took cover the second the gun was drawn.

"Woah what the fuck man stop shooting" Antoine yelled from behind a tree.

"I don't even have any fucking caps" Antoine yelled.

"Sorry buddy it's just business us Raiders need to eat and I can sell your clothes once you're dead" the raider stated.

Understanding the situation he was in Antoine waited patiently behind the cover of the tree until the raider needed to reload and just like he did during his time in the war he lined his shot up and pulled the trigger as the raiders' head exploded.

"One shot one kill some things never change" he said to himself.

Checking the now dead raider he found some bottle caps which he could only assume were currency now and stripped the man of his leather armor as he continued down the road. His blue and yellow vault suit now sporting brown leather that covered his torso, arms, and legs. Holstering his gun into his holster that he also took from the raider he continued down the path to his old neighborhood with more questions than he had answers.

Sanctuary Hills

November 20, 2287

12:20 p.m

Walking into the cul de sac that was once Sanctuary Hills Antoine surveyed the destroyed houses but also looked hopeful when he saw his old home was still standing. He heard movement as he approached his pre war home and aimed his pistol at lightning speed only to see his robotic butler Codsworth.

"Master Cook I……I can't believe it you're alive does this mean the misses and young Shaun are alright as well" Codsworth inquired.

"I'm sorry Codsworth Nora didn't survive and I don't have any idea where Shaun is" Antoine confessed re holstering his gun.

"Fear not sir I'm sure you will find him" Codsworth states in his cheerful British accent.

"Codsworth how long have you been here" Antoine asked curiously.

"Give or take two hundred years sir the initial impact of the bombs may have knocked some of my sensors out of whack so I'm not as precise as I would normally be, but roughly two hundred years give or take"

"I can't believe I've been frozen for so long what can you tell me about the world now"

Codsworth began explaining about the structure of the commonwealth giving Antoine a few city locations as well as explaining the new currency system as well as the rules or lack thereof in this new world.

"Codsworth how much of the house survived the explosion"

"Well sir structural integrity is fine there are a few holes in the walls and roof that need patching and a good portion of your items survived as well"

Antoine thanked the butler and slowly made his way into what was left of his home. It all seemed so familiar yet so alien to him making his way past Shaun's room his small crib still remained and even though it was slightly charred a teddy bear was sitting inside the crib. Not wanting to spill anymore tears Antoine made his way into his old bedroom and removed some of the floorboards under his bed and was shocked to see his survival bag survived. Slowly unzipping it he was met with his black 1911 pistol, army fatigues, pre war combat armor, his combat knife, and m4 carbine rifle. Codsworth decided to make his presence known "sir what are you going to do next?"

"I'm going to clean these guns and then we're going to rebuild Sanctuary as our base of operations after that I'm going to take on the Commonwealth and find my son" Antoine stated with determination.

Concord

May 15, 2287

4:30 p.m

Some people have bad days, but for Preston Garvey it's been a terrible couple of weeks. After the Minutemen fell during the Quincey Massacre he took what little survivors that were left and attempted to flee to Jamaica Plains. Unfortunately after escaping the Gunners that decimated Quincey a gang of raiders were hot on their trail and killed some of the survivors. After that disaster his next move was to settle on Lexington, but luck was still not on his side as it had been over run with ghouls after that their last option was a place called Sanctuary Hills and Preston was down to five survivors. Currently the group made it to Concord so close to their goal when the raider gang finally caught up to them Johnny one of Preston's Minutemen died holding the gang off so the group could escape into a museum, with ammo running low Preston was slowly falling into despair as he was the last remaining Minuteman alive for how much longer he didn't know. He turned to the civilians that traveled with him the entire journey and the people he was trying to save one or the smartest men he ever met Sturges, a kind old woman who had visions while under the influence of drugs Mama Murphy, and the married couple who lost their son at Quincey Jun and Marcy Long. Then now bitter wife of Jun stared at Preston anger and fear evident in her eyes "so what's the goddamn plan now huh where are the Minutemen now huh they couldn't save my son then and they won't save us now."

"Marcy that's not fair and you know it" Sturges stated.

"Not fair what's not fair is my son is dead because the goddamn Minutemen imploded that son of a bitch Clint betrayed the Minutemen and sold Quincy out to the Gunners" Marcy yelled.

Preston didn't have the time to listen to anymore arguing as he opened a window and fired his laser musket trying to suppress the raiders who were trying to break down the door to get into the museum. While Preston was laying down fire he saw another man walking over he had dark skin the same as him and wore what looked like combat armor over pre war army fatigues before Preston could yell for help the man raised a finger to his mouth motioning for Preston to remain quiet. The man crept up behind a raider and slit his throat before shooting two more with his 1911 pistol. Preston was in absolute shock but laid down cover fire for the man who appeared to be assisting them as the unknown man made his way into the museum. Preston heard gunfire from what sounded like an automatic rifle as well as several shouts and yells until it was silent. No one made a sound as they heard footsteps approaching the door followed by a knock "I'm going to go assume you're not raiders and would appreciate if you let me in" the mysterious man said. Preston slowly removed the barricade that blocked the door and came face to face with his savior. He was tall easily six foot with a full beard and wearing combat armor strapped over army fatigues with a large combat knife sheathed on his belt along with a pistol and a rifle strapped to his back.

"Thank you very much for saving us I'm Preston Garvey the last of the Minutemen" He said extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you I'm Antoine Cook friends call me AJ, what's the Minutemen" Antoine replied shaking his hand.

Before the conversation could go any further several bullets began to riddle the building.

"Hey Antoine do you have enough ammunition to get rid of an entire raider gang" Preston asked.

"I can guarantee I could kill them all I can't promise there won't be casualties as I can't guard your people and kill those raiders at the same time" Antoine replied.

"I have an idea if you can pick that lock on the roof there is a downed chopper with a set of power armor and a minigun up there if you can get to that I'm sure it would be a piece of cake" Sturges explained.

Antoine prepared to head to the roof when the elderly woman grabbed him "you're the man out of time searching for a loved one."

"How how did you know that" Antoine asked.

"The sight gives me tiny glimpses into the future" Mama Murphy explained.

"She's just crazy her sight is nothing more than chem fueled hallucinations" Marcy yelled.

"Her sight is what got us this far" Preston countered.

"Listen my boy the mercenary you've been searching for has been to Diamond City you will find answers there and be careful something evil is near us angry from all the commotion and it ain't no raider" Mama Murphy continued.

"Is my son Shaun in Diamond City too" Antoine asked.

"Sorry son the sight drains a lot out of me I need to rest" Mama Murphy countered sitting down in a nearby chair.

Antoine made a mental note to follow up more about this Diamond City all he learned from Codsworth is that it's a major trading hub and had become one of the largest settlements in the Commonwealth. Making his way to the roof Antoine saw the downed chopper that had a suit of T-45 power armor waiting for someone to take it for a ride. Picking the lock on the ammunition box Antoine found just what he needed a fusion core which would power the suit he hoped it still had some juice left in it. Plugging the fusion core into the back of the suit Antoine twisted the wheel on the back as the suit opened. Taking a deep breath Antoine leaves his assault rifle near the door as he steps inside the suit as it closes and locks with him inside of it. The heads up display or HUD lights up as Antoine checks over the suits condition "fusion core at eighty five percent, power armor is seventy percent functional, and what appears to be some light damage to the left arm not bad at all" he thought to himself. Ripping the mini gun off of the fallen helicopter Antoine jumped to the ground below a loud thump was heard as the heavy suit made contact with the ground. Antoine began opening fire on the raiders as the mini gun tore them to shreds. Antoine stood there listening out for anymore raiders when he heard screams at first he thought it was raiders he may have hit until he saw them running toward him. It all made sense to him when he heard a ferocious inhuman growl and saw what could only be described as a demonic lizard. It looked like a mutated lizard it had long sharp claws, black scale like skin, and horns protruded from its head. On raider was yelling "deathclaw" before it savagely impaled him and he died bleeding out.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT" Antoine yelled out loud before he began firing at it with his minigun. The mighty beast charged absorbing bullets before it tackled Antoine to the ground. It's mighty claw slashed him and Antoine was thankful he was wearing power armor considering the slash caused major damage to the suit. The deathclaws' claw was still stuck inside the suit as Antoine did the only thing he could he opened the suit and tumbled out of the back. Preston was watching the whole thing and began firing his laser musket at the deathclaw who was unfazed by the energy attack. Antoine picked that time to rush it with ducking a claw as he got right under it placing his 1911 under is chin and repediatly pulled the trigger emptying the magazine into its jaw. The deathclaw slumped to the ground dead as Antoine relaxed some he reloaded his pistol as he went back inside the museum to speak with Preston.

"Well that was something glad I took that power armor" Antoine states reholstering his rifle.

"That was some quick thinking do you have any training" Preston asked.

"I served in the war against the Chinese I'm a former army ranger" Antoine stated.

"Wait again the Chinese that was over two hundred years ago are you saying you're from before the bombs fell" Preston asked in shock.

"Correct it's a long story maybe I can explain it to you in the walk to wherever you're going I don't mind escorting you."

"We're heading to Sanctuary Hills it's not too far from here if I'm not mistaken."

"You're in luck that's where I used to live before the bombs fell I've spent the last six months rebuilding what I could with my robotic butler Codsworth."

Preston was more and more confused, but he was grateful that he may have just met the best chance he had at reforming the Minutemen. Antoine decided to hop back into the damaged power armor he explained he wanted to try to repair it back at Sanctuary Hills and it made a good deterrent for any raider they may meet along their travels.

Red Rocket Truckstop

May 15, 2287

6:45 p.m

The sun was setting and Antoine suggested they stop and rest for the night instead of traveling in the dark. His new traveling companions were very hesitant to stop until they saw what he turned the former Red Rocket Truckstop. The damaged chain fence was now fully repaired and surrounded the perimeter. The windows were not reinforced with metal bars keeping both people and creatures out and to finish it off the door had been replaced with a heavy metal door that now had a hand scanner attached to it. As they approached it there was a subtle rumbling and Antoine stopped them.

"Wait here a second I need to deactivate the turrets."

"Preston what's the plan" Sturges asked once Antoine went inside.

"What do you mean" Preston asked confused.

"This guy is pre war trained and had the knowledge to reinforce Red Rocket in under six months he's the best chance you have of rebuilding the Minutemen what are you waiting for" Sturges asked.

"Yeah Preston what are you waiting for" Antoine replied light heartedly.

Both Sturges and Preston jumped having not heard Antoine come back.

"I won't be apart of anything I don't know about,but I'm sure Preston will explain it to me for now let's go inside."

Everyone followed Antoine as he closed the heavy door behind him and reactivated the turrets. Antoine relaxed some as he looked at all the new faces. "That room over there used to be a garage it's yours to use there should be some mattresses in there as well." Antoine walked away for a bit and came back with some mole rat chops and purified water giving it all to his weary travel companions. He looked and Sturges and answered his unspoken question "I was able to get the generator here running so the microwave and fridge works here and as for the water I keep a few spares here majority of it comes from Sanctuary Hills were I've got a water purifier running." With that question answered everyone began eating and quickly found the weeks of travel caught up to them as everyone besides Preston made their way to bed. Antoine motioned for Preston to follow him up to the roof, waiting for them were two lawn chairs, a bottle of whisky, and two glasses.

"So Preston I think I have a pretty good idea of the kind of person you are, but please tell me more about you."

"Not much to tell I joined the Minutemen at seventeen and never looked back I served directly under Colonial Hollis. Things were good for sometime the height of the Minutemen was when we drove off a horde of super mutants that tried to attack Diamond City, but things didn't stay good the Minutemen were betrayed and add in the in fighting after Hollis died and well we just imploded."

"I see tell me Preston why do you want to reform the Minutemen if things ended so poorly?"

"You've seen what happened to use with those raiders if you hadn't come along we would be dead that's why I want to resurrect the Minutemen the people of the Commonwealth need to be protected."

"I understand where you're coming from considering I served my country for the better part of a decade."

"Actually about that can you tell me more about yourself Antoine?"

"Please Preston I like to think we've become friends call me AJ."

"Alright AJ what have you been doing since you well woke up out of your vault?"

"Well to be honest not too much I've mostly been gathering supplies with my robotic butler as we've spent the last six months fortifying Sanctuary. He also gave me a small list of settlements, but other than that the only thing of interest I've done is take out a couple raiders that used to attack people along this road."

"Antoine I mean AJ I know we've only known each other for a short time, but with You're combat experience I would be honored if you would join the Minutemen and become its General."

"Preston I'm not so sure that's a good idea and before you sulk let me finish. I'm going to be traveling a lot trying to find information about my son I wouldn't always be around to make decisions, but what I can do for you is become your Colonel I can train the first six men you find and make them an elite team of killers able to accomplish any mission."

"I think you would fit the role as General better Preston, but I would happily accept being your right hand man as well as the leader of your best Minutemen Strike team."

"I accept your offer and might I say welcome to the Minutemen Colonel Antoine Cook, and you will have access to all the resources the Minutemen can offer to help find your son."

Preston and Antoine shook hands looking forward to a promising partnership the duo each filled their glasses with whisky and had a toast to the reformation of the Minutemen.

Red Rocket Truckstop

May 16, 2287

8:30 a.m

The Concord survivors were ready to move out as soon as the sun came up, but to their surprise Antoine took his time getting ready. When questioned he explained between being in the army and having a newborn son he wasn't used to sleeping past six in the morning so he cherishes his sleep more now that he is able to do so. Antoine was the last to leave out as he reset the turrets and locked the heavy door behind him. Preston wanted to wait until they made it to Sanctuary Hills before telling the others of his plan for the Minutemen as well as the fact Antoine agreed to join. The walk from Red Rocket to Sanctuary was short and uneventful and the Concord survivors were shocked to see the settlement was surrounded by a wooden wall that was reinforced with metal. Antoine walked to the front of the gate and slid it open motioning for the others to follow. They were amazed at the pre war houses that had been reinforced as well as turrets near the entrance.

"You did all of this yourself AJ" Preston asked in shock.

"Well Codsworth helped with a lot of material gathering as well as melting down some of the metal, but yeah this wasn't too bad hardest part was getting the wall up" AJ replied with a smile.

Antoine pointed out three houses he had reinforced and were liveable once more. Preston had no issue sharing a home with Sturges and Mama Murphy so that the Longs could have their own home. After everyone got settled Preston felt it was time to make his intentions known.

"Can I have everyone's attention I know it's been rough for us these last few months, but now that we have a safe place to call home I want to announce officially the reformation of the Minutemen."

"I…..I want to be the first to enlist Preston I know it's what Kyle would have wanted" the depressed father Jun added surprising everyone.

"NO I REFUSE TO LET YOU WALK TO YOUR DEATH BECAUSE OF THE MINUTEMEN" Marcy yelled.

She froze as stiff as a board when she felt Antoine's knife rested on her neck.

"I know what you're thinking I didn't hear him move, I didn't hear the knife come out the holster,and most importantly I never saw him move from his spot. Now I can't speak for the Minutemen before me, but this time they will be trained by me I don't know what you know about the pre war military but an army ranger isn't just something you get you have to work your ass off. I lead special operations units, carried out what would be considered suicidal missions, and I came back home so Mrs. Long I want you to understand that your husband will be trained by the best."

Everyone was taking a back by that revelation, but Preston as this information was already known to him.

"We have our Minutemen trainer, now Sturges I would be honored if you would be the mechanical genius behind the Minutemen" Preston stated.

"I would be honored" Sturges replied proudly.

"Looks like we have a plan gentlemen so I want to head to Diamond City to find clues about my son, but before that I'm going to recruit at least ten Minutemen to start our first squadron" Antoine stated.

"No offense AJ, but who can you recruit you haven't even been in the Commonwealth for more than six months" Preston added confused.

As if on cue a brahmin pulled in the mutated two headed cow had a load of supplies tied to him with a female trader walking next to it.

"Hey Carla how are you I trust you haven't run into any more raiders this way" Antoine said with a smile.

"Ya damn right I haven't after you took care of the ones near Red Rocket how have you been AJ I see you have guest" Carla questioned.

"Umm how do you two know each other" Jun asked.

"He saved my life when some raiders tried to rob me to repay his kindness I gave him some supplies on the house which he put to good use look at this place it gets better each time I visit" Carla replied.

"Hey Carla you said you're from Bunker Hill right" AJ asked.

"Yes I am and I hit every settlement in between here and there why" Carla asked.

"Well if possible I could use one more favor Preston and I are reforming the Minutemen and I will be serving as Colonel and training them personally I was wondering if you could spread the word that we're recruiting" AJ asked nervously.

"After what you did for me you want me to help you find more people so you can turn them into people like you instead of more raiders you bet your ass I will help you and you know what if you really can get this Minutemen thing off the ground you have the full support of Trashcan Carla" she added with enthusiasm.

"Alright after we get our first ten recruits basic training will begin and last ten weeks then I will see where everyone is from there the Minutemen will rise again" Antoine replied with enthusiasm.