Fallout Fox Chapter 3 Evan's Diagnosis
Authors Notes: Some feedback would be appreciated I'm still new to this and trying my best I would love some ideas as well. Also, I want to thank Hellfire200 for making the Army Winterized paint mod on Nexus it's inspired by the T-51B Winterized from Fallout 3 that's what Liberator's T51F Is painted with him being a pre-war ghoul and Anchorage Veteran. As for the aircraft in the documentary, the F-66 is made up think of a nuclear-powered F-22 with the B-76 think of a nuclear B-2. Also, you can find the 45 auto pistol grease gun and M1 Garand a WW2 classic, and another one Browning M1918A2 mods on nexus.
The shuttle landed down to pick up the Minutemen and the survivors. The C.D.F soldiers had a large amount of respect and pity for the Minutemen their goals are the same protect people and their freedom. The difference is one has a beautiful planet the other a post-nuclear hell. One has top-of-the-line uniforms and equipment the other tattered old clothes and militia hats. One with blasters and starships the other crude makeshift Luty SMGS laser muskets and pre-war relics. One a professional military the other a citizen's militia.
The Minutemen are soldiers in their own right to them it was no excuse they will protect the people despite these setbacks but first they needed to repair recover and regroup. They need a few days' respite. The Cornerians were more than happy to give them a place to rest. Fay perked up.
She asked, "How about the Minutemen bunk with my family we have a huge mansion and plenty of rooms and beds?"
Liberator replied, "Sounds like a plan."
It was settled that the Minutemen and Quincy survivors would bunk with the Spaniels for a few days and nights to rest.
Krystal spoke up "Let Cody stay on the Great Fox after he heals."
Liberator replied, "It's up to Cody".
Cody said, "with all due respect General I wish to stay behind."
Liberator said, "no Cody you're coming with us you can't fight with a deflated lung hell you can barely walk let alone fight."
Cody knew his General was right while everyone looked at him with worry.
They got on the shuttles before Cody got on Krystal Picked him up to fly with her instead. To everyone's surprise, he wanted to. Truth be told he felt like he owed her his life plus he wanted to learn more about his rescuer.
She carried him into her arwing however something went wrong this time. A shard from one of Cody's ribs further damaged his collapsed lung. He pulled out his rag and began to cough blood into it. He was trying his best to not bleed everywhere but to no avail. As the team flew to the Great Fox Krystal grew increasingly worried. He was bleeding heavily Krystal then used her powers to hold his lung together and stop the bleeding. Needless to say, having one's lungs held together was painful. Cody gritted his teeth and endured. He opened his flask only for Krystal to scold him. He quickly closed it.
They finally made it to the Great Fox as the team landed in the hangar Cody climbed out as the canopy opened. He nearly slipped only for Krystal to pull him back in. Fox got out of his arwing and assisted Krystal in lowering Cody down. Peppy walked up mortified at the sight as blood dripped down Cody's tattered pre-war U.S cadet uniform.
Krystal said, "Fox ready him a bath while I carry him." They took off their hazmat suits and rebreathers. Cody saw Miyu's orange and spotted fur. He saw Fay's white fur and floppy ears. Falco's feathers and Slippy was furless just like him albeit with green skin. He saw Fox's orange and white fur and Krystal's Blue fur.
Mama Murphy's words echoed in his mind "A new father and mother one of orange and one of blue."
He immediately stopped thinking fearing Krystal would try to read his mind little did he know she already did. She knew his deepest desires a desire any young boy would wish for a loving family. She knew how he thought it was selfish for him to wish for such a thing since in his mind the Minutemen are his family. She mentally scoffed angrily at Liberator for introducing him to alcohol and cigars. The beef she had with Liberator is that he treated Cody like a soldier instead of a child then again war is all Cody has ever known all of his memories were of war and death. Maybe Liberator was right maybe all that was left was a soldier and maybe she was in denial the only reason he felt safe when they first met was due to her powers. She and Fox have yet to tie the knot and maybe she was forcing her maternal desires upon Cody.
Meanwhile, Cody jabbed himself with another stimpack further slowing the bleeding. Krystal did what she said she would and carried him. Fox got the bath ready. They first took off his blood and ash covered cloak. Then his M1 Helmet. When they got to his uniform, they noticed it had no buttons left except for the pockets. It was easy to get off but when they took the jacket off, they saw just how emaciated he was. He was downright skeletal. They could even see his damaged ribs along with the shape of his spine. His skin was sickly pale from lack of blood sugar and heavy chem use.
Fox gasped and asked, "How are you alive?"
Cody replied "Prayer stubbornness and chems."
Fox and Krystal just shook their heads Krystal, however, knew he was telling the truth since she looked through his memories, he was fueled more by drugs then nutrients or food. That and how he clung to his faith for dear life. Cody got his worn-out boots off revealing his blistered feet. They gently lowered him into the tub only for the water to turn red and black. While they cleaned him up he knew Krystal read through his memories and was disturbed by it he tried to protect her from the horrors he saw but it was no use. He kept quiet, not comfortable with talking about his past. Meaning Krystal would have to explain to Fox and the others when Cody wasn't around.
By the time they got finished they had to draw three more baths since he was so caked in sweat grime and blood. Cody felt a lot better now he was clean for the first time in three years. It would be a few more hours before they would reach Corneria. Krystal dried Cody off and wrapped him in one of her pink robes. Falco couldn't help but laugh and snicker Cody just uttered a low growl at him in annoyance. Fox gave Cody back his translator. Cody put it back on.
The others however thought he looked cute in a pink robe but also tragic with his condition. His black hair shined since Krystal scrubbed the mud and sweat out of it. With Cody having black hair blood red eyes and sickly pale skin those who were overly superstitious may mistake him for a demon of sorts. The Star Fox team knew the truth and who he really is a battered child soldier trying to save lives and souls.
Cody climbed on the couch and was surprised they had a working tv. He told them how the ones in the Commonwealth don't work and always read "please stand by." He relaxed on the couch.
He asked "Fay can you get my backpack for me please I have something Fox would like."
Fay did get his backpack and complained that it was heavy. Cody opened it and pulled out a heavy pre-war projector with several holotapes. He put one in marked "American Jets." He then put in the projector and inserted a small energy cell. He pointed the projector to the wall.
"Can you turn off the lights?"
"I got it," said Miyu.
It was a pre-war documentary on America's jets.
It then showed the Cold War jets such as the F-4 Phantom for the bomber it showed the B-52 Stratofortress. Once it showed the Grumman F-14 Tomcat Fox's tail went wild it was so large compared to an arwing but so sleek with that twin tail and sweeping wings. Fox looked with awe seeing the sonic boom as the Tomcat tore through the skies it was harsher than in an arwing. Cody had to explain that humanity never had g-diffusers and had to brace the g's and wind resistance alone. The F-14 appeared again with a roar from its engines Fox went nuts seeing his favorite of the bunch again.
Cody however went nuts for the A-10 Thunderbolt 2. Fox wondered why Cody would love such an aircraft that Fox himself considered ugly. His question was answered when he saw the gunfire. BRRRRRRRT the tank was torn to shreds. The documentary then showed the 30mm gatling cannon and cut to a diagram showing how the jet was built around the gun. He saw the ludicrous amount of weapon hardpoints he could see why Cody loved the strike fighter so much. Then it showed the final part "president day aircraft". It showed nuclear power aircraft with nuclear engines. It showed the most sinister-looking fighter he ever saw the F-66 Ominous. It looked evil in a sense a creature of death with its Vanta black body. He saw its bomber counterpart the B-76 Eradicator.
Chills ran through the team's spines. Seeing how advanced humanity was in its weapons before the bombs hit. Slippy theorized if humanity didn't fallen and worked together while having more resources they would have achieved space travel within a few decades it would have been slow, however.
Cody replied "It's impossible too few resources and too much war. We were doomed to destroy ourselves."
Cody yawned painfully worn out and having a deflated lung made it hard to breathe. Now that the documentary was over, they were only a few minutes from Corneria. Pepper's flagship was behind an hour and fifteen minutes. Fox called Pepper to tell Liberator Cody's condition.
Pepper said, "will do Fox get him to the hospital I'll alert Liberator."
Once the Great Fox docked responders were on their way and got Cody on a hover stretcher. They entered an emergency shuttle and were taken immediately to the hospital. When they arrived the wolfess nurse was awestruck by Cody's furless appearance. The good news is Pepper called the staff earlier to let them know an alien boy needed surgery. Cody's translator was taken as they rushed him into surgery meaning he couldn't understand he grew worried but when Krystal stared into him with those green eyes, he felt serenity. They put an anesthesia mask on him finally allowing him to sleep.
Back on Pepper's flagship.
One of the crewmen said, "General Liberator we are pleased to announce Cody is now in the hospital getting the surgery he needs he will be healed in record time best of all we can learn about human biology so we can better treat human injuries and diseases."
Liberator was relieved to know Cody was alive and was getting the help he needs. The Minutemen meanwhile got showers and their outfits washed their gloves and militia hats polished. The C.D.F did their best to make the Minutemen presentable with what they had plus they were always happy to help others, especially future allies. Pepper knew in time the Minutemen would grow. Corneria was looking not for strong allies but rather loyal ones. They've been backstabbed many times but the Commonwealth Minutemen are an exception weak for now but morally strong.
Pepper smiled when Liberator told him his standardization plan for the Minutemen to retool pre-war factories and manufacture proper weapons and uniforms. The plan is to start small than work their way up. Stage one is side arms this will do away with the zip gun pistols Liberator will have Sturges reverse engineer Cody's Colt 1911 chambered in 45ACP. Besides 9mm was near impossible to find in the Commonwealth and the 10mm pistol was a clumsy mess the 1911 rugged reliable and powerful is perfect for the Minutemen's standard sidearm.
Stage two is SMGS Liberator has a lot of WW2 memorabilia hidden away back in the Commonwealth well he is a pre-war war hero. The M3A1 Grease Gun would phase out the Luty giving the Minutemen a proper and safer SMG best of all simple and easy to produce again chambered in 45ACP. The third stage is rifles in particular Liberator has in mind the M1 Garand. Chambered in 30-06 it packs a punch best of all it goes ping.
Stage four is machineguns. For the support machinegun he chose the Browning Automatic Rifle the BAR chambered in 30-06. For medium he chose the M1919 chambered again in 30-06. The biggest goal is to standardized ammunition as currently, everyone had to buy their own and some ammo calibers were downright obscure and near impossible to use let alone practical. Fusion cells in particular were becoming a bitch to find. Bullets on the other hand are much easier to produce fusion cells which to be honest are miniature nuclear reactors. For the heavy machine gun, he chose the legendary Browning M2 50cal AKA the Ma Deuce.
Stage five is uniforms equipment and radios. The M1 helmet would phase out the militia hat and navy-blue uniforms based on U.S pre-war uniforms would phase out the tattered rags the Minutemen were wearing. These uniforms would help give the Minutemen a feeling of unity and he chose navy blue to pay tribute to Washington's Continental Army. The new equipment would include bedrolls backpacks bandoliers canteens mess kits spades. For radios, they would most likely be makeshift at least until they can scavenge some pre-war ones.
Stage six is grenades artillery mines and explosives find a way to manufacture MK2 Pineapple grenades in large amounts. Liberator also has blueprints for a forgotten WW2 Legend the M1 Black Dragon 9.4 inches of raw firepower. For mines, he decided for anti-infantry the bouncing betty mine. For the explosives, he decided on the usual TNT and C4.
Stage seven is mechanization vehicles and power armor. Liberator had his sights on the T-45 sure it wasn't remotely as good as his T-51F but it was simpler and with the right tools easier to produce. Stage eight is to form the C.M.N Commonwealth Minutemen Navy he knows they won't be able to produce vessels so instead, he will restore pre-war relics his hope is to restore the battleship U.S.S Massachusetts in battleship cove. Stage nine is the C.M.A.F Commonwealth Minutemen Air Force. These last three stages however were but a fantasy at this time Liberator theorized it would take them decades to achieve.
Pepper was amazed at how thoroughly he had it planned out he could tell Liberator had a lot of ambition for the Minutemen. He had something the past generals lacked a vision of the future for the Minutemen. He knew they needed to adapt and change if they were going to survive, they can't keep doing the same old things they'd been doing for the past one hundred and seven years. Now that the old leaders are gone and he is General he can now implement his vision after they rest, he will put his plan into action.
When Preston heard the plan, he was happy he finally had a General with a vision for the Minutemen even if it was a very ambitious vision. For now, they rest and get medical help while they're at it. Since then, they finally freed Liberator from his armor, and Sturges has been repairing and maintaining it. Liberator has also gotten a shower and was wrapped in a navy-blue robe gifted to him by Pepper. Pepper's flagship is one hour and fifteen minutes behind the Great Fox
Evan was oiling his Luty SMG cleaning out the mud and dirt in it as well. He just finished cleaning his sidearm it was a 12-gauge double barrel sawn off. As he did so the canine soldiers kept sniffing him for some reason. He got creeped out by this and tried to hide. He meant no harm or ill intent he just wanted to clean his guns. He thought "maybe the smell of the oil bugs them?" He turned on his translator and asked Pepper.
"General is something wrong is it the oil?"
Pepper replied, "No you still have this smell even after you showered it's worrying to us."
Evan replied, "I'll take another and see if that works, I'm done with oiling my guns anyhow."
He undressed once more and scrubbed himself in the shower this time he took a full hour to clean himself got out and redressed. As soon as he stepped out dressed one of the soldiers sniffed him confirming it was still there. Evan rolled his eyes annoyed and continued on his way. They arrived at Corneria fifteen minutes later. When the door of the flagship opened the Minutemen and the survivors walked off escorted by the C.D.F. Pepper assured everyone earlier that the Minutemen and survivors are friends in need of help.
Even with showers and washed clothes the Cornerian people could still tell the Minutemen were from a death world. Their clothes were clean sure but still damaged. Their crude weapons really gave them away. Cornerians had different reactions most had a look of pity and remorse seeing them as poor souls in need of uplifting. What really shocked the Minutemen was the diversity of Cornerian species. There were canines vulpines avians reptiles primates amphibians mammals.
Other Cornerians looked at them with pure fear as some of the Minutemen and Survivors had horrid scars on them the Minutemen especially giving them a battle-hardened appearance. Their weapons being drawn didn't help ease things. When Liberator got his under armor back on and climbed in his Winterized T51F he really freaked some out. Liberator was already 6ft 2in the armor only made him more terrifying. Sturges did his best but without replacement parts there was only so much he could do. It did look a lot better maintained cleaned and polished. Liberator kept his M2 50cal on his back since again he had no ammo for it.
The Minutemen may have escorts but it's still their duty to protect their people. Not to mention it was only been a few days since Quincy so many were still paranoid. Little did the Minutemen know after their respite their paranoia would pay off. Meanwhile Josh was immediately rushed into the same hospital Cody was in. The Minutemen went along with him with Pepper's permission of course.
The C.D.F guards at the hospital were given an explanation by Pepper. Liberator requested permission for his Minutemen to assist the guards. Again, he was given permission. The guards begrudgingly accepted.
One of the guards scoffed "What does crude makeshift citizen's militia know about guarding and saving lives?'
Evan had his translator on and responded: "Hey us Minutemen live in a post-nuclear hell with feral ghoul hordes giant insects mirelurks and FUCKING DEATHCLAWS!"
Evan then showed the guard a black and white photograph of the death claw Krystal killed.
The guard immediately shut up and apologized to Evan.
The guards saw the Minutemen have what they call war eyes hollow haggard staring into the distance sunken sockets the Minutemen checked all the boxes. The guards realized how mentally scarred the Minutemen were and had seen horrid things. Evan apologized for his outburst stating he was tired. In truth, he was feeling very sick and was in denial of it. The guards again sniffed with worried looks on their muzzles.
Evan just took it and gave up. He decided not to grumble and decided to sing. Preston decided to join him he put his laser musket on his back and pulled out his violin. Then Evan sang while Preston played.
Yankee Doodle went to town stuck a feather in his hat and called macaroni.
Yankee Doodle keep it up Yankee Doodle dandy mind the music and the step and with girls be handy.
Father and I went down to camp along with Captain Gooding and there we saw the men boys as thick as hasty pudding.
Yankee doodle keep it up Yankee Doodle dandy mind the music and the step and with the girls be handy.
And there was Captain Washington and gentle folks about him they say he's grown so tarnal proud he will not ride without them.
Yankee Doodle keep it up Yankee Doodle dandy mind the music and the step and let the girls be handy.
As they played a small crowd of Cornerians gathered even the guards began dancing. When they finished the crowd cheered. When they tried to get in the guards stopped dancing and halted them.
"You can't enter with weapons you must leave them here." Preston obliged gave Evan his laser musket and asked him to wait.
Evan saluted "Whatever you need Colonel Garvey."
Preston entered in and they were already giving Josh a cybernetic eye to replace the one that was eaten by ferals. Josh smiled his face was still half-eaten but looked better than before.
Preston then asked, "Where's Cody's room?"
Josh responded, "To the left of mine Colonel."
Preston walked in and found Liberator in the room as well how he got in here armor still on was a mystery to him. There Cody was on a ventilator out like a light. Liberator had a translator fitted into his helmet while also being able to take it out and use it like a normal translator.
The wolfess nurse spoke to him "Well General he is in very bad shape his lung was punctured in several places and this is the first time we operated on a human, especially a child. Please just have him adopted he doesn't need to keep fighting I know a family who would love to take in a child even if he is an alien."
Liberator took off his helmet revealing his ghastly appearance his ghoulish eyes stared into her soul. He then grabbed the translator from his helmet and spoke into it.
"Ma'am that is a horrid idea Cody has never known civilian life and will never know peace war is all he knows and it will be all he ever will know. For the record ma'am, he is no orphan his is no child. He is a soldier he is a Minuteman. He has a family and they are the Commonwealth Minutemen."
Cody was having nightmares about Quincy again he began screaming in his sleep. Liberator shook and woke him up.
"Come on soldier let's get out of here."
The nurse spoke up "Well if you're sure I will discharge him early I've seen you militia types never want to rest."
Cody was discharged as his ribs were healed but his lung was still damaged. Liberator gave him back his gear. Cody got dressed back in his tattered bloodstained cadet uniform cloak and M1 helmet. Krystal couldn't wash his uniform due to it being so worn if she did wash it would deteriorate further.
As they walked out Cody was suffering withdrawal. Once they were further into the city and away from the eyes of the hospital Liberator gave Cody back his flask. Cody immediately drank down a swig. He then lit a cigar not giving a damn about his lung.
Cody spoke, "General part of me feels we are not just here for a vacation."
Liberator replied "Truth is Cody these people need us and we need them their leaders are repeating the same mistakes as ours did they have grown comfortable and stagnant not to mention all the bullshit politics sound familiar? The Cornerian people can't rely on the C.D.F to defend them they must learn the way of the Minutemen."
Liberator put his helmet back on and radioed the Minutemen to regroup on him and Cody. Preston's radio on his leather belt came online.
"Attention all Minutemen form on me."
Preston said, "You heard the General let's move."
All the Minutemen except Josh got out of the hospital. They regrouped in the city looking in awe at the skyscrapers and the fact that Coneria had living grass and trees. There were holograms fountains statues parks and no monsters in sight. It felt strange to them to not have to look over your shoulder all the time but even so they kept their weapons drawn and ready. Fay ran down to them excitedly.
"My family is going to love meeting you, especially my father he is a veteran and quite the history buff he will love to hear the history of the Minutemen.
Soon the rest of Star Fox arrived Krystal scowled at Cody as she saw him smoking. Cody just rolled his eyes annoyed he was thankful but at the same time just wanted to be back home in the Commonwealth killing raiders. Peace felt unnatural to him where is the screaming and wailing where are the bullets and lasers whizzing past him? Where are the piles of bodies and bombed-out ruins?
Both groups followed Fay to her house the gates opened allowing them inside. When Fay rang the doorbell, her parents were greeted by Liberator. Needless to say, they were awestruck by the appearance of his Winterized T51F its polished albeit peeling white paint glistened in the sun his cracked visor shined. The tattered rebreather tubes swung in the wind. Then the smell from Evan caught their noses. Evan rolled his eyes annoyed that was until Mrs. Spaniel began bawling and sobbing.
She worked as a nurse before retiring she knew what that smell was it was often fatal.
She then spoke through tears "Y-you have cancer pancreatic by the smell of it."
Cancer on Corneria was mostly eradicated even to the point where the smell was almost forgotten the Commonwealth however has its special types that are more aggressive and agonizing due to all the radiation and damaged D.N.A. Liberator was hellbent on saving his soldier's life and came up with a plan on the fly.
He said "Evan Sturges and I will get the T-45 from the Museum of Freedom I will repair upgrade and modify it to have various injectors including chemo and radiation. I can buy you time if all else fails we can ghoulify you making you immune."
Evan nodded "thank you General thank you." Evan was terrified but held faith in his General. Other Generals would have given up but not Liberator being over two hundred years old he knew the location of many advanced Pre-war relics he has his own personal lair from the U.S Army full of prototypes medicine included. Another way out would be Cornerian medicine but they must test it first to see how it would react to human cancer, especially Commonwealth variants.
