210 Years through Hell

October 30th 2077

Cambridge, Boston Massachusetts

SSG Michael Daly

1st Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment

US Army

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It's been a week since the bombs dropped. The rads feel they're literally crawling all around underneath Mike's skin. If he wasn't constantly on the move to the Boston Commons he'd probably think he's swelling up and about to explode.

On his way past the Corvega factory, Mike stumbled over his squad mate, Proznanski. Or what's left of him. Before he could leave him behind, he ripped off his tags and stuffed them with the rest of teams tags. With the two vertibird pilots, Flaherty, and Kanawa joining the trip. His squads memory is still around.

The rad storms were thick, but he can see from the nearby police station that he's in the Cambridge vicinity. Picking up the pace he made his way inside the station. The place seems intact. He should be safe for a bit. Hopefully Mike will find some Rad-Away or food. Fuck, he'd crawl across glass for a ballistic weapon.

Ransacking any container or box for anything of use he found a .44 magnum and a full box of rounds. Some MRE's, water and only one dose of Rad-Away. Before draining his amount of rads he filled up his stomach with all the food and water he can find. In the evidence storage room he found a hazmat suit with a cracked visor. Given the storm of rads happening, Mike was confident the owner won't be needing it anymore. Before leaving the station for good, Mike went to loot the armory for anything that can help. Aside from a few more revolvers, he found a standard issue Remington 870 pump action shotgun and an M14 rifle with a mounted long range scope.

He was trained to fight as a power armored soldier which means lots of hits and heavy hitting. So this setup was rather difficult to process. Before suiting up for the rads, Mike noticed some of his hair falling out. He figured by then he'd be puking up blood and bile but he feels fine.

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Finally arriving at his sister's apartment complex he found the building in ruins with corpses all around. Even one Mike noticed with his sister's favorite dress.

Mike fell to his knees and ripped off his helmet. Screaming raw emotion and grief to the green sickly sky. He sat there motionless waiting for the radiation to kill him.

Thirty minutes later and he's still alive.

"Why the fuck am I still alive?" Mike asked. He noticed a sudden change in his throat as he spoke.

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A Purpose Reignited

October 24th 2287

Drumlin Diner, the Commonwealth, Boston Massachusetts

Michael Daly

Prewar Ghoul Army Veteran

No Affiliation

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"Holy shit brother." Nate said as he saw Mike's hands shake with his team's tags in his grip.

"I can barely remember my old life before the bombs. All I know is that the rads turned me into this rather than kill me. On the upside I became a pretty good shot over the years."

"Thats definitely an upside. Before the bombs I was getting ready for the day. Next thing I know I'm racing to Vault 111 the second just before the bombs fell. I woke up this week, I was part of a cryogenic freezing experiment. I was the only survivor. Now here I am, trying to find my infant son. In this completely different Boston."

"Sorry to hear that, brother." Mike said before he swigged a gulp of his canteen of water.

"It's okay. I have a lead on where to find him."

Patrick finally was able to speak his mind on this unusual conversation between two guys in green, "So how the Hell do you two know each other?" Patrick said as he threw out his cigarette.

"We don't… Well not personally.." Nate excused.

"This man was a decorated war hero from the battle of Anchorage, Alaska. Every man worth their salt knew his name. In simpler words… This man was a badass commie killer." Mike boasted in his groggy voice.

Nate actually felt a little good from hearing that. It's rather weird for him to hear those old words from before the war.

"So he's like you prewar ghouls?" Patrick asked.

"Well, good to know some of your kind can still retain their good looks." Wolfgang looked down and up on the lieutenant's gruff self..

"Buddy, don't get any funny ideas." Nate shot down that moment for the chem dealer.

Next to Nate, Mike was actually having a well earned pure belly laugh.

"I haven't been this entertained since the last bar fight in Goodneighbor!" Mike finally stopped laughing and took a swig of his canteen.

"You know, I found your power armor. I managed to replace its fusion core. Still works like a charm." Nate said while pulling out a cigarette with his mouth. Nate looked over at his old army brother in arm. "Want a smoke?" Nate offered.

"Got a light?" Mike asked while pulling out two cigarettes, "I hope you don't mind. At this point, nicotine is nothing compared to everything I've been inhaling."

"Here." Nate left his lighter on the table.

Mike lit both cigarettes in his mouth. Like he said, nicotine is the least of his worries.

"Me and the group I helped. We kept your armor at Sanctuary Hills. I gave it some repairs. Should still work. You could probably help the Minuteman guy over there, and if you're as good of a shot you say, they could use a good sharpshooting hunter."

"That's not a bad idea, but hey… Be sure to visit. I can't remember the last time I met another soldier." Mike stood from his stool, leaving Nate's lighter on the table.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure things are doing okay. For now I gotta get to Diamond City."

"Yeah, cya. Good luck finding your son."

Mike started making his way up the road to Sanctuary Hills.

"Thanks, Mike… Hey Grunt!" Nate shouted before Mike could walk any further.

Nate marched his way forward toward the Prewar soldier.

"This we will defend, brother." Nate said with his posture upright and a salute just as proud. For a moment, he remembered what it was like to be the soldier he was.

Mike stood at attention, and gave the lieutenant a salute. He stayed like that for a moment longer as if he never forgot. He almost broke a tear, and a smile crept under his grotesque skin.

"At ease Staff Sergeant." Nate lowered his salute.

"It's been an honor, lieutenant." Mike said as he resumed his way to Sanctuary Hills. After all his long years of backpacking through the wastelands, he actually felt like a soldier again.

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Crossing the bridge, Mike found Sturges setting up a couple of Machine gun turrets. Once he finished tinkering with the last one he finally looked over to see Mike.

"Hey there, stranger. Here to settle down?" Sturges opened out his hand to the ghoul.

"Nate sent me." Mike responded.

"Well that's good to know… C'mon over I'll introduce you to Preston Garvey." Sturges waved his hand over and Mike soon after followed.

Looking around he saw a couple of girls, Charlie and Kat, running around giggling and having lot's of fun in each other's company.

In the distant he can see Gus, Kat's Sentry Bot patrolling the streets.

Making his away around the corner, Mike saw Charlie's father, Clinton, and Preston Garvey. From the looks of it, he's teaching Clinton to shoot a gun. A laser musket from the looks of it.

"Hey Preston, Nate's brought another one here." Sturges said.

"Thanks, Sturges, I'll take it from here." Preston said, standing from his current posture, "Clinton, fire a few more bottles and take a break. I'm gonna meet our new guest."

"Got it, Garvey." Clinton responded without turning around to acknowledge.

"I'm Preston Garvey, Commonwealth Minutemen. What's your name?"

"I'm Michael Daly. Nate said there was a set of power armor here. Believe it or not, that's suit was mine. May I see it?"

"Are you serious? That was your armor? Wow! The stories you could tell."

Mike chuckled to that last part. "Maybe someday."

"The armor is just over here. C'mon."

"Hey Preston. I got the radio working. I'm hearing a request for the Minutemen at the Tenpines Bluff farm."

"Dammit! I was hoping we'd have more hands before we got a call." Preston hissed in irritation, "Alright… Tell them I'm on my way. Nate can't help us with this."

"Hey… I know I just got here but it sounds like you could use an extra gun. I'd be happy to volunteer."

"Thanks, Mike. Lemme get my gear and we'll head out. Clinton, think you can watch over the place while I'm gone?"

"Don't worry we'll be safe. Count on it." Clinton said with confidence.

"Alright… Mike. You think that power armor of yours can still fit?" Preston asked.

"Only way to find out." Mike said as he went over to his old armor.

"My old friend." Mike put a hand on his old T-45 power armor. A sense of nostalgia coursed through his mind. So many memories came flooding in a mere moment, "Ready to get back into action?"

Mike opened the back hatch and stepped right inside.

Everything he fought to find in the last 210 years was finally found, and it was all hiding in an underground vault, in cryofreezing.

"Thank you Lieutenant Nate." Mike smiled beneath this armor. After all these years, Michael Daly finally feels like the Staff Sergeant he used to be.

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Fun Fact: Staff Sergeant Michael Daly was named after a World War II veteran, Michael J. Daly, a US Medal of Honor Recipient. I did a little digging and his Unit was the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment. I figured if that's the case, why not put SSG Michael Daly in the same unit in this here fanficl?

So yeah this chapter's primary focus was Michael. I'm hoping to write more chapters about him and some other characters. Whether they're canonical or original characters by me. I'll tell you now I have a few original characters up my sleeve. Once I have them planned out, and ready, brace for epicness.

Here's to Creativity!