God I love messing with people like this (referencing the two cliffhangers in chapters 4 & 6). It's fun.
Speaking of fun I've been playing a video game recently called Void Bastards. Really addictive gameplay and I'd highly recommend it to anyone out there that loves games where you explore various locations, kill some enemies, get items to increase your survivability... and no I'm not talking about the Fallout series. I just now realized how similar they are.
Mandalore the Survivor - Firstly thanks for pointing out my mistake with Jackson and Preston's attack on Corvega, it's been fixed up a bit now. The new companion will show up after Jackson helps out the people at Oberland Station deal with a raider problem at Beantown Brewery. As for your idea that'll be implemented after Kellogg's death. Yeah Tenpines Bluff didn't have much in the way of housing in game did it? If only there was a device that allowed Jackson and co. to build workers to assemble something like that. Too bad there isn't...
As for the radio towers once the Castle is taken back they should be able to get a range out to Nuka-World to call him if there's an emergency, or vice versa. For Mama Murphy according to the game you can give her chems a total of five times before she overdoses, with each one getting stronger. So to that end she'll convince Jackson to give her them... four times and each one will help him ridiculously. And honestly I didn't think of Hancock possibly having an alternative for her and now I'm thinking that the Institute... hoho that's a possibility too.
About the Fallout 3 story... I might get started on that relatively soon. I've got plans for a Bioshock 2 story and some Pokémon ones too. Though if I'm being honest I'll probably end up re-using Jackson's name as the Lone Wanderer's name just because I'm too lazy to come up with another one.
Lastly I did give everyone a fair warning in chapter one that there would be talk of smut and other things like that in here.
Anyway here's where Jackson meets the BoS.
'Thinking'
"Talking"
Fire Support & Call to Arms
October 25th 2287
… at least they wouldn't arrive for some time anyway. After passing the Corvega Assembly Plant Jackson's radio section of his Pip-Boy picked up a Military Frequency. "Automated message repeating. This is Scribe Haylen of Reconnaissance Squad Gladius to any unit in transmission range. Authorization Arx. Ferrum. Nine. Five. Our unit has sustained casualties and we're running low on supplies. We are requesting support or evac from our position at Cambridge Police Station."
Jackson looked at his Pip-boy before looking at Preston, "It's your call General. I'll follow whatever you decide."
Jackson nodded and said, "We should give them a hand. It's the right thing to do after all." The two of them headed down the road at a quicker pace and as they did Jackson noticed something to his right. It looked like a greenhouse stocked with greenery. Jotting down it's rough location the two of them continued on towards Cambridge's College Square. Passing through it with miraculously no ferals knowing about them they could hear the sounds of weapons discharging and the sound of ferals. Guess they now knew where they were.
After Jackson atomized his minigun they headed over to the sound they entered a makeshift barricaded area where a man in power armor said with some anger probably directed at Jackson, "Civilians in the perimeter. Check your fire." After he said this numerous ferals came at them from two directions. Jackson took one side while the rest took the other side. Mowing them down was a simple task for Jackson and after his entire clip of five hundred rounds was empty there were no more Ferals left alive. On the other opening was the same situation and when Jackson atomized his Pip-boy the armored man spoke to him, "We appreciate the assistance, civilian. But what's your business here?"
Jackson shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Just trying to survive out here... like everyone else."
"The way you charged in and engaged those ferals, I find that a bit difficult to believe," the man said, "Are you from a local settlement?"
Jackson pro conned telling him the truth before deciding, "I live at Sanctuary Hills... on the other side of Concord. I'm from Vault 111 originally."
The armored man was surprised to hear Jackson say that, "You're a Vault Dweller? Most people wouldn't admit to such a thing. I appreciate your honesty," he said truthfully before continuing, "If I appear suspicious, it's because our mission here has been difficult. Since the moment we arrived in the Commonwealth, we've been constantly under fire. If you want to continue pitching in, we could use an extra gun on our side."
Jackson wanted to help, but he needed to know what he was getting his neck into, "I'll continue to help, but you owe me an explanation first."
"Very well," the man replied, "I'm Paladin Danse, Brotherhood of Steel. Over there is Scribe Haylen and Knight Rhys," he continued pointing out the two, "We're on recon duty, but I'm down a man and our supplies are running low. I've been trying to send a distress call to my superiors, but the signal's too weak to reach them."
"Sir, if I may?" Scribe Haylen asked him.
"Proceed, Haylen."
"I've modified the radio tower on the roof of the police station, but I'm afraid it just isn't enough," she continued, "What we need is something that will boost the signal."
Danse picked up where she left off, "Our target is ArcJet Systems, and it contains the technology we need... the Deep Range Transmitter. We infiltrate the facility, secure the transmitter and bring it back here. So, what do you say? You willing to lend the Brotherhood of Steel a hand?"
Jackson thought about that, one the one hand he would be going out of his way to help them and that would take time away from finding Shaun. On the other hand though having the Brotherhood of Steel owe him a favor would be useful in helping to find Shaun. "No time to waste. Let's get moving."
"Outstanding," Danse said, "Meet me inside and we'll go over the details."
Nodding Jackson headed over to Preston and quickly whispered in his ear, "See what you can find on the bodies while I deal with the Brotherhood." Preston nodded his head and begun to collect the items on the feral ghouls as Danse ordered Haylen to take Rhys inside the police station to attend to his wounds and to Rhys he said that once he was on his feet again to do a perimeter sweep before heading inside. After Rhys and Haylen headed inside themselves Jackson followed them in. Finding Danse he spoke up, "Paladin Danse?"
"Resupply yourself, then let me know when you're ready to begin," Danse said to Jackson. He headed over to the front desk where a laser rifle lay and took it, atomizing it in his Pip-boy. In addition he took some ammunition for several weapons and a couple of stimpacks. Once he gathered up what he needed, not taking everything, he wasn't a jerk after all, he turned to Danse who had two laser rifles of his own on his back and he said, "You ready to move out?" Upon Jackson nodding his head Danse said, "Outstanding. Follow me and try not to lag behind."
After exiting the building Preston rejoined them quickly putting what he found into Jackson's Pip-boy and the group of three made their way to ArcJet Systems through a back alley. "ArcJet is a short hike to the west," Danse said as they headed there at a light jogging pace, "If we take this road, we should be able to avoid the larger packs of ferals infesting Cambridge."
"Smart," Jackson said. If Danse heard him he didn't comment.
"Traveling this far from the police station is a risk, but getting that transmitter up and running needs to be our top priority. If it was up to me, I'd relocate my team, but Scribe Haylen detected some disturbing energy readings in the area that need to be investigated. We don't know much about them, except that they're short-lived and broadcast on a frequency only obtainable with a high level of technology."
"Sounds like it might be the Institute," Preston said, "They have a high enough level of technology to create synths. It would be possible it was them you're picking up."
"Possibly," Danse said, "Either way we're concerned that whoever or whatever is creating those energy readings might be a potential threat, so it's our job to investigate. It might surprise you to learn that my recon team isn't the first to visit the Commonwealth."
"Really?" Preston asked.
"Over the last seven years, two other teams were sent here by the Brotherhood to gather technology. The first team's mission was a huge success. They came back with crates full of pre-war artifacts and historical documents. The second wasn't so fortunate. Shortly after they arrived, we lost contact with them and they haven't been heard from since." The group took a right turn down the road, "As far as my team goes, we've lost four good men to this godforsaken wasteland. We've been a target from the moment we arrived. But despite our setbacks, I don't intend to give up and head home... or end up missing." Not even a minute later they arrived in front of a large building, "There it is... ArcJet Systems."
"Big place," Jackson said, "Sure to have security all over it."
"There shouldn't be any exterior security, so we'll head in through the front," Danse replied before stopping in front of the door to ArcJet and turning to Jackson, "Listen up. We do this clean and quiet. No heroics and by the book. Understood?"
Jackson couldn't help but draw a parallel between Danse's tone and one of his fathers stories about the army so he decided that it would be best to answer like an army recruit would, "Understood."
"Outstanding," Danse said, "Remember, our primary target is the Deep Range Transmitter. Stay focused and check your fire. I don't want to be hit by stray bullets," he finished up and he headed inside quickly followed by Jackson, who called forth his double barreled shotgun from his Pip-boy, and Preston. Once inside Danse spoke up again as they maneuvered through the facility, "It was corporations like this that put the last nail in the coffin for mankind. They exploited technology for their own gains, pocketing the cash and ignoring the damage they'd done." As they turned a corner they were greeted with several robots, each one destroyed and so Danse spoke up again, "Look at these wrecks. It appears as though the facility's automated security's already been dealt with."
"I take it that this isn't the Brotherhood's handiwork then?" Jackson asked.
"Unfortunately, no," Danse replied, "Look at the evidence," Jackson looked around the room as Danse continued, "There isn't a single spent ammunition casing or drop of blood in sight. These robots were assaulted by Institute synths."
Jackson didn't know how many it synths it took to do this to the robots but regardless this still warranted caution. "I'll be on the lookout."
"Roger that. Let's move out," Danse responded. As they continued down the hallway Danse spoke up again, "This place is a mess, but I still see a few pieces of salvage that the Brotherhood might be interested in. After we're done here I'll have to mark this place for sweep and retrieve."
"What kind of things are you looking for?" Jackson asked.
"Anything related to the technology of the past," Danse replied, "Our scribes should make quick work of a place like this." Jackson pondered an idea in his head but pushed it to the back of his mind for later since Danse had told him that his team were essentially the only ones in the Commonwealth at the moment. Entering a room Danse spoke up again, "Looks like a dead end. See if you can find a way to get that door open. I'm going to reconnoiter the area." Jackson nodded and looked around the room and found a computer on a desk. Hoping onto it he found a way to change a password on a nearby terminal that he hoped would open the door. Writing down the new password, 9YB3N, he exited the computer and headed over to the one closest to the locked door. Once on the new computer he typed in the new password when it asked him for it and selected the 'open door' option. Standing up afterwards Danse spoke up again, "Nice work. Let's get mov..."
Jackson cried out in pain when something hit his right shoulder as Danse yelled out, "Synth ambush! Light 'em up!" Despite Jackson's shoulder feeling like it was on fire he was able to aim and fire his shotgun at the synths destroying two with his two shots while Danse and Preston took care of the other two. Holding his shoulder slightly Danse spoke to him in a concerned manner, "Are you alright?"
"Burns like hell," Jackson replied, "But not as much as when I first got shot. I should be fine in a little while."
"Understood," Danse said as he headed through the door where the synths came from. "We were lucky," Danse said, "These synths already fought the security in the building. They weren't as tough as most synths," he continued heading through a broken part of the wall. Entering the next room Danse yelled out "Multiple synth targets... take 'em down!" as he and the synths opened fire on each other. Ducking down behind part of the broken concrete wall Jackson and Preston opened fire on the synths in the room taking them down fairly quickly after Jackson switched over to his combat rifle. As Danse headed up the stairs after defeating the last synth Jackson quickly grabbed one of the shock batons they were using, a pistol and a rifle and stored them in his Pip-boy for later and followed Danse up the stairs. Heading around the upstairs and picking up another piece of metal armor, this time for his right leg they continued around and down a ramp leading back down where on the other side of a locked door was where they were just a few seconds ago.
"Damn synths have compromised most of the facility," he said as they continued up another set of stairs. At the top of them Danse spoke again, "Remain vigilant... we've got turrets ahead." After the turrets opened fire on them Preston and Jackson took cover and all three opened fire on the turrets destroying them. After the last one had been destroyed Paladin Danse headed through a door to his right at the end of the hallway and Jackson and Preston followed him. Heading downstairs yet again they turned right and kept heading down until they reached a door. "Engine Core's ahead. Should be our final stop," Danse said entering the door. Jackson and Preston followed and when they were close to the engine core room Danse spoke up once again, "Watch your footing... looks like the power's out in this section." Taking his advice to heart Jackson continued forward with him and as they entered the main area Danse said, "Look at this place. Scribes would have a field day in here."
Danse spoke again, "The transmitter should be in the control room at the top of the core but it looks like the elevators are dead. We'll have to keep heading down for now and find a way to get the facility's power back online." Heading down the staircase quickly but carefully they managed to reach the bottom. Once at the bottom Danse spoke up again, "There has to be a power backup system somewhere. Scout the maintenance area off of the main chamber. I'll remain here and watch our backs."
"Alright," Jackson said, "We'll be back." Preston and Jackson headed down the only open door in the area and down the hallway into a room with a window into the one where Danse was. Sitting on a table was a weapon that Jackson didn't know what it was. Storing it and deciding to ask someone later he and Preston headed through a single door to what Jackson guessed was the power room. Popping out a fusion core from a nearby generator Jackson then hopped onto the computer and after hacking into it turned on the power by starting the auxiliary power. Getting off the computer he heard a mechanized voice say that engine power was restored and that the engine was primed and ready to use.
As Jackson neared the door he came through he heard Paladin Danse firing his weapon and rushing to the window he saw Danse and multiple synths engaged in combat and it looked like Danse wasn't doing so well. Unfortunately the double door that Jackson and Preston came in through was locked down and there seemed to be no way to open it. Panic admittedly began to set in with Jackson as it seemed there was nothing he could do until he remembered that his father said the T-60 power armor suits like Danse wore were supposedly good for extreme temperatures and the voice saying that the rocket was ready to fire.
Coming to a rather desperate plan Jackson spoke out, "Oh I hope he'll be alive to tear me a new asshole after this," as he hit the button to fire the engine. After five seconds the engine fired and destroyed every synth in the area and forcing Danse down to his knee. After the engine had fired the doors opened up and Jackson and Preston rushed to Danse's aid. "Oh my god. Are you all right? I'm so sorry it was the only thing I could think of and-" Jackson started and was interrupted by Danse.
"Got... cooked by those flames, but... thanks to my power armor I'm still in one piece. We're fortunate that the rocket engine fired instead of blowing itself apart. The important thing is that we're still alive... and we have a way to get to the transmitter," Danse replied getting back up on his feet, "Now let's call the elevator. The Deep Range Transmitter should be at the top floor this elevator goes to." Jackson nodded and hit the button and when the elevator got to the bottom floor the three of them stepped onto the elevator and took it to the top. Jackson quickly atomized his combat rifle and brought out his shotgun again and when the elevator stopped they headed up the stairs to the left and after heading through a door on their left and around a corner they engaged another group of synths.
As Jackson attempted to take cover behind a piece of machinery one of the synths managed to hit him in his right leg making him stumble and fall while hissing in pain right where he was going to be. This time he jabbed a stimpack into his leg and felt the pain recede rather quickly. Danse and Preston had collectively taken out three synths leaving two left. Once the pain in his leg and the last pain in his arm had left him Jackson rose out of cover and using VATS he managed to score two kill shots on the two remaining synths. After the last one had fallen Jackson got out of cover as Preston did the same and Danse asked him to check the synth bodies for the deep range transmitter. Finding it on one of them, along with a pulse mine, Danse said to him, "Let's get out of here." Heading to the elevator on the opposite side of the room where they came in Danse continued, "We'll take the service elevator to the surface." The three of them got into the elevator and rode as far as it would go. Upon reaching the top floor Danse was the first to step out and said, "The bunker looks clear. Let's move out." They moved through the small bunker and out the door where Danse stopped and spoke to Jackson, "Well, that could have gone smoother, but mission accomplished."
"Smoother? I thought we did fine," Jackson said.
"That sweep was sloppy. We were caught unprepared more than once, which is unacceptable," Danse said though it almost seemed like he was berating himself more than anyone else, "However, your extra gun gave us the edge we needed. I'm not certain I could have accomplished the mission alone."
"I thought we worked well as a team," Jackson told him honestly.
"Agreed. It's a refreshing change to work with a civilian who can follow orders properly," Danse said to him, "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," he said as Jackson handed over the Deep Range Transmitter as Danse handed him a weapon, "I think you'll find this weapon useful. It's my own personal modification of the standard Brotherhood Laser Rifle. I called it 'Righteous Authority'. May it serve you well in battle."
Jackson was a little confused, though now the reason why he had two on his person kinda made sense, "Don't you need to keep it?" he asked.
"This isn't the only weapon at my disposal," Danse explained, "Brotherhood soldiers always carry a backup."
"This isn't necessary you know," Jackson told him.
"I insist you keep it. The Brotherhood believes in paying all of its debts," Danse responded, "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." Jackson could see where this was heading and was already preparing his answer, "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. So what do you say?"
Jackson sighed before speaking, "Honestly? I'm not sure." Shaun was still his number one priority right now. Joining the Brotherhood fully would take time away from that and that was time he couldn't afford.
Preston finally spoke up for the first time since the Cambridge Police Station. "I know the Brotherhood has all the fancy toys, but don't forget about your responsibility to lead the Minutemen," he said just loud enough for Jackson to hear, but not Danse.
Thankfully it seemed Danse was understanding about it, "It's a big decision, so I understand your hesitation. If you decide you want to become one of us, you know where we are. Good luck," he said as he started to walk away heading back to the police station.
Jackson and Preston headed out back on course to Diamond City and as they walked Jackson asked Preston a question, "You were rather quiet during all that."
"The Brotherhood of Steel don't have the best reputation in the wasteland. Not like they used to when they helped the Capital Wasteland with something they called 'Project Purity' to help restore the water. Lately it feels that they are entitled to every significant piece of technology out in the wasteland," Preston explained, "And there have been rumors of them forcing farmers to give crops to the Brotherhood, regardless of whether or not they want to."
"Almost sounds like they could use a change in leadership too," Jackson said making Preston chuckle a bit.
"Anyway, it'll be getting dark soon. We might be able to make it to Oberland Station by nightfall and hopefully they'll be willing to lend us some beds," Preston said. Just then Jackson's Pip-boy received a call from Sanctuary.
It was Sturges on the line this time, "Hey, is Preston with you?" After Preston replied with 'Go ahead Sturges' he continued, "Got word from a trading caravan that a settlement needs the Minutemen's help."
"Which settlement?" Jackson asked.
"Some place called Oberland Station," this made Jackson and Preston look at each other, "According to Cindy's wrist device you two are close to it."
"Yeah we know Sturges," Jackson replied, "And for the record it's called a Pip-boy." After speaking Jackson hung up and turned to Preston and said in his best Zoidberg voice, "That was uncanny."
"Yeah," Preston said to him, "Still we'd better get a move on." Following the same road they came to ArcJet they eventually made their way to an old railroad bridge that led to their destination. Crossing the river and squeezing past some train cars still on the bridge they came to the other side and kept following the tracks past a factory of some kind. Ignoring it for now they followed the tracks and found Oberland Station.
One of the settlers, an African-American woman with very short dark hair, approached Jackson, thankfully this time without their gun drawn, and spoke to him, "Are you the ones from the Minutemen?"
"We are," Preston said, "You sent word with a passing caravan?"
"We did. We're in some real trouble. Maybe you can help," she said to them.
"We'd be glad to help," Jackson said.
"We've been having trouble with this raider gang at the Beantown Brewery. They keep harassing us to no end. We did see a heavily armed group go in there a few days ago but haven't seen or heard from them since," she said.
"And I'm guessing you want us to get rid of them?" Jackson asked. Getting a confirmation from the woman he continued, "We can do that but there's something you can do for us in return." The woman looked at them with wide eyes and sighed before making to remove her top before Jackson stopped her, "Jeez lady wait until I finish speaking before jumping to conclusions like that," he said hiding his eyes out of respect while sporting a blush on his face. The woman blushed a little at her assumption and Jackson continued, "We were just hoping that you'd let us have a couple of beds for the night, that's all."
"Oh... uh..."the woman started still embarrassed about her 'mistake' "there are a couple of beds on the ground floor you're welcome to for the night." Nodding Jackson, who was still blushing slightly, and Preston chose a bed each and quickly fell asleep following their busy day today.
And tomorrow promised to be just as busy.
And there we are, chapter 7. Man having days off from work really leaves time open to write these things down doesn't it.
Also lets see if anyone can guess who or what the New Companion will be. The hint is: They'll be recruited from somewhere between Oberland Station and the river's edge.
And let's not forget my (apparent) calling card, the Zoid:
(V)_(;,;)_(V)
