Chapter Nine
Clank, Malice, Sven and Conrad all rode in Dune Rider, neither was it comfortable or easy but neither did anyone complain. Even Conrad kept silent as he was strapped to the back. They traveled to the Castle, the main operation center of the Minutemen and it away its capital. There wasn't much sign of life on the road towards it, not until they came towards the town just outside of the base. New Quincy, as some called the town, officially though it had no name, merly another part of South Boston. They kept going until Dune Rider stopped just outside of Andrew station. A few guards were watching the Buggy pull up but said nothing. Malice then proceed to climb out and as she did Clank grabbed her arm, she stopped for a moment. "Good luck in there. Win or lose, doesn't matter. All I can ask is that you try." He said.
"Thanks. And I will. I promise." She smiled. "Drive safe ok?"
"Will do." Clank then procided to drive away and Malice waved goodbye. As he went out of site she turned around and looked at New Quincy. The towns origins were like any other. A large group of pre-war building, mostly intact. People needing a place to stay. There weren't many walls and that was on purpose. It was meant to be a testament of the Minutemen, of how even they don't need walls to protect a settlement anymore. Granted Andrew station was heavily protect itself, though incase of an attack the old subway was to be a emergency shelter for the settlers here. Malice started to make her way into town. Minutemen, and their families walked about. Children played in the street while women hang their laundry on wires, between their homes and soldiers walked with their weapons strapped to their backed. She remember hearing about this place before it became New Quincy. The town once housed a couple raider gang and a small super mutant infestation. That was cleared out pretty fast once the Minutemen set up shop again in the Castle but they didn't start to live in the town just yet. As Davison influence grew many recruits left for the Castle to be stationed here, atleast until they were needed but it became more than that. Whole families were brought trying to stay behind the Castle's well protected walls and as one can guess they were soon reaching maximum capacity. To combat this Davison opted for the Minutemen to clear out the town and erect a few walls around a couple of homes, to house the families and over flow of recruits in training. But even that didn't last long, more people came to the Castle, more families were brought and soon the entire town was claimed as a new settlement. New Quincy, in honor of old Quincy, the Minutemen's greatest failure. But unlike old Quincy they learned from their mistakes and were more united than ever, plus the overpass that watched the town had a small vanguard of minutemen to keep watch incase the Gunners of Old Quincy decided to attack, and incase they took the overpass, rumor said that explosive charges were in place to take it down so they couldn't have it or use it and slaughter the town so mercilessly. Never again.
Malice could only admired the town as she passed the homes. She was greeted by many settlers who said 'Hello' and 'Good day' and she said them right back. She kept walking until she reached Ivan's. The Diner was repaired and the broken sign was put in the middle becoming the new name of the shop. Inside a waitress was serving a couple of traders lunch, passed that were a bunch merchant stalls, selling various things to the soldiers who went into town for patrol, or just to visit with their families. Pasted them was the Castle itself. The fort was huge and impressive. The once ruined walls were repaired to its former glory with the sole exception of new gate being added. Malice took a deep breath and walked towards the gate. As she drew closer she stopped just short of the two guard towers. In each was Minutemen, one was a black woman and the other was an asian male. They looked down at Malice, the black woman leaning over the rails.
"Hello. Fine afternoon we're having." Malice said to the two guards.
"Hello, what do you need?" The man asked.
"And before you ask, all recruits are to report to County Crossing, and go to the National guard training yard. You sign up there and get straight to training. As requested by the General, we have enough recruits training here as is." The black woman said.
"I'm not here for recruitment, I have business I wish to discuss with the General."
"Merchant?" the man asked.
"No not quite. I'd like him to help finance something. I'd just need a few moments of his time."
"Look lady, he's busy. From the talks with the Brotherhood and Railroad, directing the troops and talking with all the large settlements about setting up an actual government. So head off and take your-"
"Alright well I'm sure the Brotherhood would like to finance our expedition to the old world and if the rumors are true. Vast wealth of tech and material, untouched by human hands should be there waiting at the ports." Malice turned around and slowly walked away. "Three...two...one...fuck."
"Wait." A feminine voice yelled. Malice turned around, trying not to smile but a grin was still ever present on her face.
"What was this about traveling to the 'Old World'?"
"Long story short, a friend of mine, colleague, is repairing a cargo ship. We just need help, someone to finance things. That's why I'm asking for General Davison's help." Malice explained.
"She could be lying." The man said, a little too loud.
"True but what she saying is interesting."
"Fair. Do you have a name?" The man asked.
"Names Malice." The second she said her name aloud the woman face lit up.
"Wait do you know Sargent Asher?" The woman asked.
"Yeah, actually. I fixed her laser musket for her. And couple other things. She here?"
"No, she's stationed at Sanctuary Hills last I heard. But she spoke of this talented girl, fixed her musket and even made it more powerful. Took her only ten minutes, a diamond and a foot of copper wire."
"Yeah that was fun. We were pinned down by a group of super mutants in an old jewelers, and it was an emerald not a diamond. Makes the laser shots green." Malice smiled. "It's hell of a story but it takes three shots of whisky to tell it right. I'd love to tell it to you guys sometime."
"Alright, Asher's a friend of mine actually. Tell you what, I'll let you in and see if I can get you a few minutes with Davison. No promise he'll listen. Now we're going to have to pat you down and take all of your weapons."
"Pat away. Didn't bring any." The man and woman played a quick game of rock, paper scissors, with the girl losing as she play rock. She rolled her eyes and climbed down from her tower, Malice waiting for her. Malice's arms to her head, and legs spread out. The woman did a quick frisk, patting every part of her body. Putting her hands into her pocket.
"She clear."
"Told yeah." Malice said.
"Alright stick close and don't wander off, alright? This will be quick."
"Yes ma'am." The woman motioned for Malice to follow behind her. They came up to the newly constructed gate and Malice could only watch in awe as the woman waved at the men up top and saw the Castle gate open up. It was sort of like a garage door, metal shutters went up and the path into the castle was accessible. They went into the courtyard. A older woman off to the side was yelling at some young recruits while they all stood at attention. But she had no time to admire it, they walked into the old forts halls, stopping at a wooden door. The woman knocked on said door and took a step back. When the door open first thing Malice saw was a younger black man. Preston Garvey.
"Can I help you?" Garvey asked.
"This woman came to the gate, she claimed to have a business proposition. Talking about crossing the ocean. Thought maybe Davison would be interested to see what she would have to say."
"I'm sorry the General-"
"It's quite alright. Let her in." A calm, almost soothing voice spoke.
"General?"
"Preston, after two months of the Brotherhood of steel, and everyone yelling at one another I could use something to distract me. Besides aren't you a little curious what she has to say?"
"I guess."
"I'll let you be then General." The woman gave a quick salute and wandered off, Malice walked up towards the General's desk. She stood waiting to be seated.
"Please, have a seat." Malice then took a seat. She stuck out her hand and smiled as he shook her hand..
"Malice, it's a pleasure to meet you sir."
"Albert Davison, likewise. So, tell me about this business proposition you have."
"To put it simply I need your help. Me and my friend Clank are fixing up an old cargo ship, the Northern star. We have started to run out on caps and running low on materials. Granted we have all the steel we'll ever need but we need manpower and other resources. And I think you could be a huge help to us."
"Alright, where is your friend? This Clank?"
"He's on route to attempt to speak with the Brotherhood for the same reason, as well as Sven the old captain of the ship is going to Bunker Hill to speak with the merchants there. I apologize if this offends you. I mean no offense."
"Sven?"
"We struck a deal with the surviving crew of the Northern star. If they help us fix the ship, we'll eventually take them back home to Norway."
"How many crew members do you have."
"Eighteen, us included, but they're not engineers, they're sailors. Who can't even speak english. My best guess at our current rate it will take ten years. With your help we can cut the time down by years, and I think you'd be interested because. Who knows what we can find." Davison nodded to each of Malice word, but she could see it in his eyes that he wasn't interested. "I know this seems crazy but it's also the chance of the lifetime, we just need caps, men and materials."
"I'm sorry, as much as I'd love to help fund your project we can't spare our people or supplies. Sorry this was for nothing."
"Wait-"
"Ms Malice-"
"Can't you see this is the greatest opportunity to help people, learn from others. I can finally help people out in the world and not some lab under the ruins of CIT."
"You're from the Institute?" Davison, even Preston Garvey who seemed a little dismissive of the idea first started to show a renewed interest.
"Yes, I was born in the Institute. My mother and father were mechanical engineers, mechanics you could say. Not bio engineers who worked on the FEV virus help making those damn green skins, or those who made the synths. They took apart advance tech the Institute found and help put things back together, get them working. It wasn't glamorous but they loved it, and they gave that same love to me. I was a bit like my friend Clank, more ways than one but that's not here or there at the moment. I never fit in, I like building machines and fixing them, the super science never really interested me and I never saw the surface as a hellhole but as a world to explore and learn from. Those in the Institute look down on the surface, thought of you all as subhuman, something to be controlled and I disagreed. I thought we should work together, not let a single man decide, we each have a voice. I was out spoken but I was mocked for my views and one day I had enough and left. Few leave the Institute and the most that do run, and I was no different. So seven years ago I set the transporter to take me as far as away as possible and I ran east, for two years I wander. I wasn't blind. I studied the wasteland back home and was rather prepared. In away I fit in more here then back there. I drank, fuck, built to my heart's content. Never stayed in one place too long, just incase they came after me but never did. So I decided to come back about five years ago, and I met Clank at a bar fixing an old toaster. Couldn't figure it just out and I helped him. We became fast friends and we traveled around, living out in this old buggy he rigged up. Before setting up shop in Salem two years ago."
"Interesting story, wish I had popcorn." Preston said with a sly grin.
"Let her speak. Though popcorn would be nice. Haha."
"I'll be frank, the Northern star isn't my idea but Clank's. He's always wanted to travel the world, see it and help it. He got the wander lust from his mother, who like me left the Institute, she desired to learn and discover out in the field then be in a lab. She was only sixteen when she left, and she fell in love with a Caravaner. From what Clank told me she got pregnant not soon after. When she was recalled they told her she'd have to abort the child but she refused which ended up getting her blacklisted, letting her stay on the surface. When Clank was born she taught him everything about fixing machinery and the history of the world."
"Hell of a woman. Wish I could meet her. Sounds like someone we would need." Davison said.
"Same, she died about four years before I met clank. They came, took her body and left. I have no love for the Institute and I thought the synth program was evil in many ways. Freewill was present in those beings and they treated them like slaves, and taking people from their beds! I hated that the most, Clank has no love for them either and we harbor no ill will towards you for what you did. I rather respect you for it. So what I'm getting at is, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I understand but don't you want to know what's out there? There could be a nation that can help us, maybe there's nothing left but ferals and a few sane ghouls but we'll never know if we don't try. And if you say no that won't stop us, well ask more and more. Work ourselves to the bone to finance this expedition. But I promise you if you help sponsor us we can bring back-anything you want." Davison leaned back, a huge grin on his face.
"Alright I'll admit that was interesting and making it more personal did help. Alright, I'm willing send some caps, materials and engineers your way. If you do finish we can't spare people to go with you but we can spare people to help you, if that makes sense." Davison explained.
"So that's a deal?"
"Well I am going to send a few men to investigate the ship and have then report back before I can officially sponsor you, but if it does look promising. We just ask that you write everything down, so we can see if we can go back for anything that can help us here. "
"Thank you."
"But of course, I'd open a bottle of brandy to celebrate but something tells me I'm going to get a headache from Max soon about this."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh don't worry about. I'm sure you'll find out soon enough. You mentioned that your friend was heading to speak with the Brotherhood?"
"Yeah. He should be arriving at the airport any minute now."
"Well I was going to travel to the Prydwen myself for the closing of yearly talks. Took a bit longer then expect this year. Should have only lasted a month, but ended up lasting two. Guessed you got pretty lucky. I can take you with me if you like."
"Actually that would be nice. I'd be able to meet up with Clank and not have to wait for him." Davison got up from his desk and left for the door, Preston followed and Malice was behind him.