Project: Far Harbor Chapter 3

AN1: Sorry for delays new job is kicking my butt in keeping me busy! Lots to learn and all that, but here's chapter 3! R&R please!

==The Next Day – 11AM – Cushing Island==

"..Land ahoy!" Cried the lookout Mr. Handy robot up in the crow's nest of the fusion powered and sailing equipped ship USS Constitution.

Echoed a second later by the Navigator robot near the radar dish at the bow of the ship. "..Confirmed Captain! Cushing Island with Fort Levett off our port bow!" it said.

"..Look lively then lads! No telling what these rebellious, Canadian communist sympathizers, may be up too these days! All hands man your stations and prep all weapons for an attack!" Captain Ironsides said.

Nora who had moved up onto the deck as the last of the orders had been bellowed out peered out into the late morning fog where Cushing Island with the pre-war Fort Levett once home to a US Marine supply depot and shipping naval base sat. Faint wisps of smoke showed likely someone was on the island. Perhaps Canadian or American descendants from the pre-war times. Memories of the Resource Wars during her service from 2063 in Alaska, and the first efforts to annex Canada in 2066 and 2067, to protecting the vital Alaskan oil pipeline. It had all begun the slippery slope to the Great War in time.

Shaking her head a bit, she continued to peer out over the nearby island, further memories coming to the surface. She remembered being part of those efforts in annexing Canada, culling rioters and rebellions from harming the pipeline itself in early 2072, which was the final spark to fully annex and absorb what became referred to as 'Little America' by many in the United States, to later putting down a rebellion outside Edmonton in late 2072, and more. She could only imagine now after almost 200 years how their oddly gained 'freedom' from the United States's control might be taken, not to mention seeing the old pre-war American flag flying from the Constitution may see them received. Ironside's own declaration was the final straw to make her consider speaking up before things might get out of hand. "..Captain!" Nora said striding over with Glory not far behind her.

The large imposing battle robot of Captain Ironsides turned on its treads. "..Ah General. A fine timing you have. We are just about to prepare the long boats for a shore party! I shall assume you will wish to be the first to declare America's return to these northern lands? If so, it is an honor I shall not deny you per your command position of the Continental Army!" it said.

"..You're partly correct, Captain. I did want to be among the first to go ashore. So I thank you for that. But there is another matter we should I think discuss. Since the war we do not know if the Canadian or Native Indian tribes in this region have laid claim to the land here. While this may have once been American territory and military property, no active forces have laid such claims to the Canadian country and this installation for well over 200 years now. We should I think treat this more diplomatically, rather then go in more offensively." she said.

"..Hmm, I perhaps disagree with this course of action. But I shall bow before them per your rank for matters pertaining to land operations. So be it then, we shall let peace have a chance by your command, but yet remain alert for treachery.." Ironsides replied.

"..Thank you Captain." Nora said turning to Glory. "..Glory, the first party ashore is gonna be you, Piper, Desdemona and me." Turning back to Ironsides, "..The second long boat we'll keep on hand here for any rescue needs or other matters once signaled. We'll keep in contact by radio units on our usual encoded military bands.."

Getting nods of acceptance from all concerned, Nora moved to get her own things, while Glory went to get Piper and the others. Having a few moments again to herself standing by reworked PT-Boat readying to be deployed, Nora tried to spy any signs of life through the telescope in her hands. Turning it slowly she found much of the island had been leveled flat, probably by a near miss bomb, but return of nature did see some brush along the shore and inner island. The main area with the naval base seemed intact, and as she peered closer small barrel fires with roasting meat of some kind did show some kind of sign of life. Personal haphazard knickknacks and scavenged armor and weapons also showed at least a fair sized group was present. Putting the telescope down, she turned to the Navigator, "..Any chance we've picked up any radio traffic from the island?" Nora asked.

"..Negative, General. Not a peep.." it replied.

"..Pity. On one hand I hate going in unannounced, but on another I feel like we'll be walking into a possible ambush.." she reflected.

Getting no reply by the Navigator, Nora turned to where Glory, Desdemona, and Piper were coming up. "..All set?" she asked.

"..As we'll ever be, Piper has some trade goods we can spare, perhaps for barter or good will.." Glory said. "..I've for now left Song behind, but Honor shall be at my side, as will a fine machete. Desdemona will have a standard combat rifle and 10mm pistol, with Piper rounding out armaments with her own 10mm pistol and the Thompson SMG she calls spray and prey.."

"..Sounds good, I'll be carrying Deliverer, two fragmentation grenades, and another automatic combat rifle. Hopefully, its not too intimidating to whoever is on the island. In either case just to recap we're trying a peaceful approach here first. Once we have permission, or in the worse case the locals are subdued, we'll proceed inside the base to try to find the main computer core. Where Desdemona and if needed Tinker Tom will dig up any information on Project Far Harbor or this Vault Atlantis somewhere up North. Questions?" She asked.

Getting shakes of the head 'no'. Nora boarded the PT-boat and let it be lowered into the water firing up the engine she took a breath and set a course for the nearby island and naval base, hopefully the worse they would find were some pre-war ghouls who weren't feral. Because, while she agreed they had to do what they had to do for their own cause, she really didn't want to repeat history. Murmuring a prayer of hope and forgiveness Nora finished their course plotting and gunned the engine.

AN2: R&R please! Sorry for the shortness but my new job is kicking my butt!