Chapter Ten
Clank was alone. He dropped Sven and Conrad off at Bunker Hill little over half an hour ago and now he was heading towards the Boston Airport. The closer he got the more Brotherhood soldiers and outposts he saw. He was stopped several times and asked his business, he would say he wish to speak with the BoS commanders about a business opportunity. They'd always look at each other and search his buggy and would find nothing. He actually half joked if he could just get a guest pass on third time he was stopped. Eventually her reached the Boston Airport, or the Brotherhood embassy, depending on how you saw things. The town outside of the airport was still in ruin and half sunk, not once had they tried to fix things up. He quickly stopped at the entrance, like always a guard greeted him. "What is your business here waster?"
"I come seeking to speak with the Commanders and leaders of the Brotherhood. I have a business opportunity that I think they'd be interested in."
"Alright I'll bite what is it?"
"To travel across the sea and survey the old world. As well as collecting tech and materials to bring back. We have the ship, some of a crew, it just needs a lot of repairs to the hull and a replacement of the blade." Clank said. The guard had a face mask on and yet he was sure interest had overtaken him
"Alright wait here." Clank watched as he moved to a ham radio put off to the side and spoke into it. Clank could hear what he had to say. "Hey I got a guy here, and I think you'll be interested in what he has to say. Is the payroll guys here. What's his thing? Oh he wants to travel the ocean, claims got the boat just needs some stuff, so is quartermaster here? Huh, he wants to talk to him. Yes sir. Alright follow me."
Clank sat in the Vertibird as it took him up to the Prydwen. He was disappointed that he couldn't enjoy the view or the ride as this was his first time in the helicopter but he was glad he wasn't told to fuck off first second he mentioned he had a business opportunity. They somewhat took him seriously. The vertibird docked with the Prydwen and when it was complete Clank and the soldier got out, waiting from them was a african american man. He wore a nice uniform which must of meant he was in charge because the BoS, plus the soldier escorting Clank stopped in his tracks and saluted the."Captain Kells?! What are you doing here sir."
"I heard over the radio, someone came to the Prydwen, my ship, wishing to discuss a huge business opportunity with the leaders. And if our reports are correct we know this man."
"Wait what?" Clank said.
"Never mind that, Elder Maxson has requested us in the viewing room and he sent me to fetch you. You're dismissed soldier, head back to your post."
"Sir yes sir." The soldier headed back into the Vertibird and went down towards the airport."
"Follow me." Kells said walking towards a door at the end of the catwalk, Clank ran up to catch up with him, staying a step behind him. Never next.
"I wish to thank you. For listening."
"Don't thank us yet. Elder Maxson is constantly barraged by offers of third parties wishing to be funded by the Brotherhood."
"Really? Is it that common?"
"Well yes, most never get past the the quartermaster, and few ever gain the interest of Maxson himself."
"How many have gotten funded so far."
"Three, but none have ever tried to cross the sea. Closes was a expedition into Canada."
"How did that turn out?"
"They were wiped out by Polar Ursa."
"Huh?"
"Think of the Yao guai of the Capital wasteland, but bigger and more angry. And snow grey fur. Did bring back the location of an old military base, huge place. Buried under snow so we decided it better to hold off on exploring it. Point is that you gained his interest. Something only a handful of people have ever accomplished." Kells lead Clank further into the ship until they reached the observation room of the Prydwen. In there Arthur Maxson himself waited, as well as a woman who never left her power armor frame and another man, white, a bit fat.
"Hello." Arthur never turned around, he kept looking out the window. His eyes gazed upon the Commonwealth. "When I heard about a scavenger with a business opportunity over one of the channels I was dismissive of it, but when they added 'he wished to cross the sea' that sparked interest. Sailing, even boats aren't high on the Brotherhoods agenda. As you can tell. They're primitive and rarely seen major upgrades. And yet nothing more has been so important to human exploration. We know little of the ruins of the United States, there could be threats everywhere and we never know about them. Even if they were only a hundred miles away. So what makes you think we should look across the sea?"
"Simple, we don't know what out there. There could be more groups like the Institute, those who play with the FEV with reckless abandonment, making things like damn synths or super mutants." Arthur Maxson head actually picked up and he turned around to look at Clank.
"I suppose that true. But even then that's halfway across the world."
"So? If you learned that a mad man in Germany was planning to create a race of genetically modified organisms to become the master race wouldn't you try to stop them. Even if you were in China? These things threaten us all. Plus if no ones there atleast you can take the tech from the dead and not risk a lengthy war."
"The United states was easily the most advanced country in world, with only China second. And we're at I doubt you'll be going to China anytime soon." It was the woman, the one in the power frame spoke with annoyed look on her face.
"Well that is true it should also to noted that corrupt politicians wishing to line their own pockets sold tech and weapons to others who could afford it. Sometimes it was governments, sometimes it was crime families."
"And you know this for certain?" the claimed.
"While me and my friend Malice were trying to find away to translate something, several Pre-war ghouls who used to have government positions and mentioned that every so often a crate of weapons, sometimes assault rifles, sometimes laser weapons would be ship of to Europe or South America and in return they'd get gold bars, platinum. Even one claimed they got drugs in return. Going off that atleast once some advance tech was traded, something you'd rather no one else got their hands on. Now I must ask you something. Captain Kells mentioned you knew me?"
"Hmm, we heard rumors that a small group of people were fixing an old cargo ship, the Northern star. Do not worry, we only surveyed you and saw you had nothing of value and were not a risk to the settlement of Warwick homestead. They, or atleast one person thought you were a group of raiders wishing to become pirates. Obviously that man was an idiot but we had to check."
"Of course that makes sense."
"What can we say, we rather not let one of the bandit kingdoms have access to a ship of such caliber." Kells said.
"So let's get it in the open, you know most of the crew is ghouls then."
"Yes." That seemed to cause some displeasure among the Brotherhood. None said anything but their faces indicated they themselves were not too pleased.
"Is that a problem? Will that effect anything?"
"No, but I wanted to hear it from you. You are free to wander the ship while I speak with Captain Kells, Ingram and Proctor Teagan. Now leave." Clank did not argue he left for the closest bar on the ship. No one seemed to care, they were all busy with their usual work, so when he reached the bar he order himself a shot of whisky. He sat quietly and breathed slowly, he showed no fear or sense of nervousness but truthfully, everything was riding on this. They atleast need sponsor and apart of him feared that Malice, Sven and himself failed. He downed his shot of whisky in a single gulp and ordered another.
"Well I'll be." Clank turned around and saw the BoS soldier he met back in Diamond city, Vark was his name. He wasn't in his armor or uniform but civilian clothes. He seemed surprised at the presence of Clank. He went up to him and sat down next to Clank. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I have business with your leaders I wished to discuss."
"Wait that was you?"
"Huh?"
"Some guy over the radio mentioned a waster coming up in a buggy wishing to discuss business, asking for the Brotherhood to finance an expedition to the old world."
"Word travels fast."
"Of course, not much to do here while Maxson talks with the Minutemen. Most action we get is repelling a raider horde down by the border every month. The only downside to a more stable Commonwealth, less action to see. Then again some of the more, experienced vets don't mind it."
"Well that's good."
"Eh the younger kids don't like it." He shook his and ordered a drink. "So shouldn't you be talking with Maxson?"
"I just did."
"And."
"I'm waiting for their response."
"That could take awhile, each one of the higher ups will give their opinion but ultimately its Maxson's call."
"Got to ask, does he have full control. You know what I mean right?"
"If you mean that he's a dictator, then no. He holds great sway, true but theoretical he can be denied. But still, its really only him you have to please. Tell you what though it does sound interesting, I won't lie. I'd sign up for it."
"Thank you."
"So where's your girlfriend?"
"Malice is speaking with General Davison."
"Really?" Vark raised an eyebrow.
"To be fair I'd doubt she'd like it here."
"Dislikes the Brotherhood?"
"You could say that." Clank saw Vark smirk and shake his head.
"If that's the case then I won't blame her. Not everyone likes us, just glad she's not a raider shooting. I'll take insults a hundred percent of the time." The two then drank and spoke to one another, Vark was pleasant company but that soon ended. A couple of recruits pasted by and spoke of how they just saw General Davison coming aboard the ship followed by Preston Garvey and some woman. A woman who matched Malice's appearance. Clank jumped up from his seat, and ran out of the bar. Trying to make his way towards the catwalk, so he'd be able to meet up with Malice. As we ran down the halls of the ship he passed the observation room, in it Maxson and his people were standing, speaking to someone. General Davison.
"Good to see you Maxson."
"And you too. I see you brought a guest."
"Yeah, he had just spoke earlier, a business proposition. I have a feeling you know what it's about."
"Yes, I had just spoke with a man name Clank, guess I should-"
"I'm here." Clank walked into the room. He breathed slowly as walked in, his arms were behind his back, and he stood up straight.
"Good." Maxson said. "After a quick discussion we've decided to help fund your expedition. Most of my advisors agree it is something to look into."
"And I having spoken with your friend agree. The Minutemen will help fund this trip as well." Clank could only smile, Malice walked up to him and high fived him.
"You seemed to have a silver tongue." she said.
"So do you."
"Either way, we'll enter a new talks. Of what we want, and of what you'll need."
"I'm sure you won't need any over site." The General said. "But I will, I'm sure we'll be keeping an eye over your shoulders making sure you're not spending too much money on what we don't need."
"We won't spend a single cap on something we don't need." Clank promised.
"Really other than what discussed we just need a crew, mercs, scientists, meds, vets, trackers, hunters and engineers. But me and Clank can do that on our own. We can set up a recruitment station and get the word out."
"Well that goods." General said.
"Yes, and since I guess we're all here let's start talking." Clank let a grin, as he and Malice sat down with everyone else. He was sure the new talks were going to last a while, from everything from budget, to the supplies and who giving who and what. This was only the first step on a long road. Hammering out deals was not what he wanted to do but to reach one dream, one must travel a road of hazards and pitfalls.
A/N Sorry if this chapter is a bit rushed sounding and stuff but now is the official start of the SYOC, I should be summiting the SYOC form by now. So as I said, I'll be taking a break of sorts so I can write a few chapters. As I write this I got 4 main, and a side. I need 6 more, what I would like is a female ex raider, and a super mutant chef. If I don't get them then no biggie. Anyways peace.