Chapter 3
With a sigh of relief both Logan and Preston sat down on old worn out furniture, inside a building that was run down and sagging on its foundation.
"I can't believe that worked." Preston admitted after a few minutes of silence, a grin slowly spreading over his face.
"Well I honestly wasn't expecting to demolish the whole building. I'm just glad we weren't stuck in there when everything went up in the blast."
Both men looked at each other and laughed. THe fact they had survived such a sucidal plan had them thanking whatever forces-to-be were watching over them. AFter a few minutes of unbridled laughter both men grew silent, still maintaining their jovial attitudes.
"So, now that we survived I would like to ask you something." Preston announced.
"Is that so?" Logan asked, looking at the Minuteman.
"As you know Roy and I are the only two Minutemen left. Well, we were talking earlier and we decided that if you offered to help us with the raiders we would ask you to join the Minutemen." Preston looked at Logan with hopeful eyes before continuing, "we realize you are looking for your son and we want to help. On top of that we both agree that you have way more experience than us in combat, and well it seems like everything else, we were hoping you wouldn't just join but lead the Minutemen."
Logan was blown away by the honesty that Preston. A few moments passed before Logan answered.
"I... Well I'm honored that you think so highly of me, but you don't really even know me? Why would you offer that to me?" Logan asked.
"As I stated before you have experience, but you also are willing to help people you don't even know. Like us, back in Concord. Or the settlers of Tenpines Bluff, you helped by taking out the raiders at the Corvega plant. And besides Mama Murphy said 'you are a great man, destined for greath things.' That's enough for me to stand by."
"I want you to know that I will continue to look for my son," Logan looked at Preston who nodded, "but my wife would kill me if I didn't help those in need. So I agree to join the Minutemen, but I'm not entirely sure about being the leader."
"Well, it's a good thing that I will be by you the whole time... General." Preston smirked at the look Logan had.
Said look included eyes that were wide open and a mouth that hung slack.
"That's... A rather big promotion you gave me." Logan said still in a small amount of shock.
"The leader of the Minutemen has always held the rank of General. And the positive side, of Roy and myself being the only Minutemen left, is there isn't anyone around to argue with us when we say you are the General."
"No kidding." Logan agreed with the dark but rational thought.
Looking at his pipboy's map and the time, Logan was surprised to find that his pipboy was picking up several radio signals. One that caught his eye though was one that was named: Military Frequency AF95. Selecting the the broadcast Logan was met with a females voice.
"-it has sustained casualties, and we are running low on supplies. We are requesting support or evac from Cambridge Police Station."
Logan looked over to Preston and raised an eyebrow.
"Well, we should probably go and help if we can." Logan stated.
"Yes, General." Preston agreed.
"Don't start that, just call me Logan."
Without another word both men started collecting their gear and making their way outside. Logan roughly knew where he was going, having been in Cambridge a time or two before the bombs. It hadn't taken the men too long before they heard the sounds of guns firing and a few explosions.
"We should probably pick up the pace." Logan stated, starting into a light jog.
Following the sounds of the firefight, both men cam to an open area that was littered with ghouls and raiders. The shooting was not taking place here but further up the road, where Logan could see massive amounts of Ferals running to the police station.
"Ferals? Again?" Preston asked.
Logan grunted in reply, before raising in his rifle, "Well, we either go in and see if those are the remaining raiders, or we hang back and let them get overrun. I think we should go in solely for the fact that it seems like raiders wouldn't be talking over the radio."
"I agree, I have never heard a raider asking for help over the radio." Preston responded.
Logan aimed in on the closest Feral finally noticing the barricade that was effectively funneled the walking corpses.
It would seem that we have some tactical thinking individuals, Logan thought.
Logan opened fire on the group.
Paladin Danse reloaded as he saw more and more Ferals pour into the compound. It seemed that the Ferals were never ending, but that didn't stop him from fighting. The Paladin aimed and fired, maintaining control of his laser rifle, and acquiring target after target. Each shot lanced through the air, creating the smell of ozone, and piercing heads and torsos. Shot after shot, and the Ferals kept coming, the bodies starting to build at the entrance, which helped the Paladin as the Ferals began tripping over their fallen.
One feral approached and met its end as the Paladin easily punched through its fragile skull. Another came close and before Paladin Danse could react it's head exploded and its brain matter covered the awestruck Paladin. Looking at the cause of the Ferals demise Danse spotted a man holding a wicked looking rifle, it's whispered shots ending more Ferals, a second man behind him fired a laser rifle he had never seen before.
Danse continued firing on the Ferals, but kept an eye on the two individuals who had entered his complex. The Paladin watched as the first man fired with astounding accuracy, head shots or torsos never a shot anywhere that wouldn't take down the Ferals. He continued to engage but was astounded again at the fluid reload the man did, as said man flicked his hand dislodging the magazine all while maintaining his aim at the entrance, and loaded a magazine his eyes again never leaving where he was aiming. The second man, the one dressed in a duster and carrying a laser rifle, fired periodically. This man would take out the Ferals that were slightly farther out. Fire, crank, fire, crank, the laser rifle wielding man had to turn a crank every time he fired, which slowed down his rate of fire, but for every two shots Danse had to take to down a feral that man only had to shoot once.
This continued until the next time the man ran dry. Before being able to reload the man was attacked by two ghouls. The first one he ducked under the Ferals flailing arms, the second one he kicked its knee, causing the whole leg to bend backwards with a resounding snap. The man pulled out a pistol that had been holstered on his side and fired a round into each of the ghouls heads, before turning and unloading the rest of his magazine into the last remaining ghouls.
The Paladin was met with silence as he looked around for any more hostiles. All that met his eyes were the bodies of over 40 Ferals. His attention was brought back to the two men when he heard the sound of a bolt slamming forward. Looking back at the two men he was met with their stares.
"We appreciate the assistance, civilian. But what's your business here?" Paladin Danse asked the two individuals.
"We heard your broadcast requesting assistance." The, Danse noticed, scarred man answered.
"We thank you for your help, but how did you pick up our-. Ah I see, you have a pipboy."
Danse looked over both men to make sure he didn't miss anything else. The scarred man was wearing the normal civilian clothing, but he had a vest that carried his magazines, on his back he had a backpack. If what Danse could see the backpack had a rifle attached to it.
The second man had a duster and hat with it's side pinned up. In his hand he held the laser rifle. On the second mans back was small pack, nothing unusual about either.
"Yeah..." The scarred man answered reluctantly.
"Are you from a local settlement then?" Danse asked, still trying to get more information out of the individuals.
"Do all these questions really matter? We provided assistance with the Ferals." The scarred man pointed out.
"You make a fair point. If I appear suspicious it's because sense we arrived here in the Commonwealth my team and myself have been under constant fire." Paladin Danse admitted. "If you would continue to help pitching in, we need an extra gun on our side."
"I wouldn't mind helping out, if my companion here doesn't mind." the first man answered before looking at his companion, who nodded affirmation, "But before we both agree I would like to know who you are."
Paladin Danse looked back at the two remaining members of his team before deciding that it would benefit the team if he got these two individuals to help with their next mission, so he decided the truth was the best path to take.
"I am Paladin Danse, of the Brotherhood of Steel. Over there," Danse pointed to the two individuals by the police station entrance, "are Scribe Haylen and Knight Rhys. I would like to know the names of you two."
"I'm Logan," the scarred man answered before turning to his companion and giving him a weird look.
"And I'm Preston." The second man announced.
"Well, Logan, Preston if you would still like to help we are on Recon duty and we are down a man." Danse left out the fact that their supllies were low, he didn't need to admit everything to the two individuals here. "We are trying to get a distress call to our superiors, but our signals too weak to reach them."
"Sir, if I may," Haylen interjected.
"Proceed, Haylen."
"I've modified the radio tower on the roof of the police station. Our signal is still too weak, what we need is something that will boost our signal." Haylen explained to the two men.
"Our target is ArcJet Systems, it contains what we require... A deep range transmitter," explained Danse, "Our mission is to infiltrate ArcJet, secure the transmitter and meet back up here."
The man named Logan, contemplated the mission before looking up at the Paladin.
"I have two questions. First, how far is ArcJet. Second, what opposition are we looking at.
"From our reading on the building it should be just shy of a two kilometers from our current location. As for your second question, there shoudn't be anything more than the automated security. That said, we should be ready for anything." Danse answered.
"Okay, Preston you good to go?" Logan asked.
Danse looked over at the duster clad Preston.
"Yes, sir." Preston answered.
Danse narrowed his eyes slightly, the "yes, sir." Preston gave Logan was a professional courtesy. In Danse's experience that meant these two were not just ordinary wasters, which he picked up on when they entered his facility.
Danse pushed the thought aside for future reference, right now he had two men who knew how to fight, so he wouldn't say no to their help. The Paladin turned and marched to the entrance of the police station, where Haylen and Rhys were.
"Haylen bind his wounds."
"Yes, sir"
"Rhys, once you are one your feet, I need you to do a perimeter sweep."
"I'm on it."
Danse looked over at the two men behind him, "alright, head into the police station and restock, once your ready we will move out."
Both men nodded and followed the Paladin through the worn doors of the station.
Logan looked around the reception area inside the station and noticed an ammo box. Stepping up to it he looked through it to, hopefully, find some 5.56. To his disappointment he found none, what he did find was a few boxes of 10mm and a box of .308, which he grabbed. Logan tossed a few fusion cells to Preston.
"Alright, doc. How am I doing?" Rhys asked Haylen.
"I don't know, your prognosis looks grim. It might just be more humane to take you out back and shoot ya." Haylen joked.
Rhys laughed, "You're all heart, doc."
"Just quit squirming so I can put these bandages on."
Logan walked up to the towering Paladin.
"Danse, we are ready."
"Outstanding. Follow me, and try not to lag behind."
The Paladin donned his helmet before grabbing his laser rifle and moving to the door. Once all three men were outside the station Paladin Danse took lead and started their trek to ArcJet.
They walked for awhile, Paladin Danse explaining why the need for the transmitter was mission essential, and to avoid the Ferals they were going to the outskirts of Cambridge. The trek itself had only stopped twice. Once, to save a merchant and her guards from raiders, who all were very grateful. And the second, because a group of wild dogs decided to try and make a meal out of the three men. Both stops were ended quickly and violently for the opposing force.
Once the group arrived at the front entrance to ArcJet Danse turned to the men.
"Alright we do this quick and quiet, by the book."
"Understood." Logan and Preston answered.
"Outstanding."
The three men entered the rusted and decrepit building. The inside was exactly what would be expected of a post apocalyptic building. Trash and debris littered the floor, the stairs were collapsed, and the Windows were all busted out.
"It was corporations like this that drove the last nail in the coffin for mankind." Danse stated.
Logan looked around, he really couldn't deny that, the Paladin wasn't wrong.
"They exploited technology for their own personal gains, pocketing the money and ignoring the damage they'd done."
Danse led the way through the delipidated building, until they arrived at the security checkpoint. What greeted them were the twisted and destroyed remains of what had once been ArcJet's automated security.
"Look at these wrecks. It appears as through this facilities automated security have already been dealt with."
"I see that. So who did take out the security?" Logan asked to no one in particular.
"These robot were assaulted by Institute synths. If you look at the evidence. There aren't any spent shell casings, and no blood." Danse pointed out.
"Ok now I have two questions. When you say Synths do you mean like robots? What's the difference?" Logan inquired.
"Synths are an abuse of technology, created by the Institute. Abominations meant to improve one humanity."
"Ok, so they are robotic people? And who is the Institute?"
"They were a group of scientists who went underground when the Great War started. For the last few decades they've been littering the Commonwealth with their technological nightmares."
"Roger that. I'll be on the lookout."
"Good, let's continue."
Danse took the lead, making his way throughout the facility. A short time later the group walked into, what Logan assumed, an office. Tables, filing cabinets, paper, pieces of the ceiling, all these things were strewn haphazardly through the room. Logan saw a terminal in the middle of the room and approached the derelict machine.
ARCJET SYSTEMS | ARCNET
PASSWORD REQUIRED
Hooking his pipboy into the universal port Logan began the hacking sequence. A few moments later the terminal beeped and its screen pulled up a few tabs to choose from. Choosing the security door selection, Logan pressed a few more buttons the group was greeted to the sounds of a click and hiss, the security door unlocking and opening.
"Target acquired." a male robotic voice announced.
Logan took only a second to look at, what he assumed was, a synth. The robotic being had grey skin bisected with what looked liked lines. Part of the beings 'skin' had been destroyed as circuits and metal could be seen underneath.
Blue laser impacted around Logan's head as he ducked behind the desk. Preston and Danse returned fire, catching the synths by surprise. Logan popped up from his cover and began gliding to the side, aiming and firing at the Synths. The battle lasted less than a minute, but by the time they were finished the room was even more of a mess.
"Those were synths." Danse stated.
"That was not what I thought they would be." Logan stated.
The group continued through a hole in the wall and into another room that was fille with even more synths.
Logan started firing at the synths as he and Preston moved for cover, Danse taking the attention off them ran forward and grabbed a synth by the head. Squeezing the synths skull collapsed in on itself and sparks flew out of the top. Danse looked for another and fired his laser rifle. Logan and Preston had found cover when they opened more direct fire at the opposing synths. Logan's rounds punctured the pseudo-skin and destroyed internals. Preston's laser fire disintegrated and melted the synths bodies.
After the skirmish Logan set about looking at his remaining ammunition for his assault rifle, what he found caused him to grimace.
"I only have a four more magazines left for my assault rifle." Logan stated.
Danse leaned down and grabbed an Institute rifle, tossing it to Logan.
"They carry the average Fusion Cell." Danse stated as he tossed a few fusion cells to Logan.
Logan tested the weapon. Logan ejected the loaded fusion cell and loaded another, fired a shot off to get a feel for the gun. Satisfied that he would at least be able to shoot at enemies he nodded to his group, and strapped his assault rifle to the other side of his backpack. Danse approached a door and began kicking it open, the door groaned, and with a shriek of metal on metal it burst open.
The group advanced through several corridors, destroyed a few turrets, and marched down a few levels of stairs. Finally the group arrived at the Engin core of ArcJet, only to find that the elevators were powered off.
"Scout the maintenance area for a way to turn the elevators on." Danse pointed to a small passage that led away from the Engine core.
Logan nodded and moved through the maintenance area, Preston trailing behind. It wasn't long before the two came to a powered terminal, browsing the terminal contents Logan found the Auxiliary Power controls. Selecting the power on option Logan was met with the overhead lights flicking on. Not even a second later Logan and Preston hear laser rifle fire coming from the core. A veritable horde of synths were overrunnning Paladin Danse.
"You know, if the power is on, don't you think the engine on that rocket will start up?" Preston questioned.
"We couldn't put his life in that much danger, besides what's the fun in letting the rocket take everything out?" Blue responded.
Preston's lips turned up at the corners slightly before following the General out of the maintenance room.
The ensuing battle was long and cramped. By the end of it the Paladin had considerably more marks on his armor. All three of the men were exhausted as they each crammed into the elevator.
"You think this elevator can hold all of us?" Preston asked.
Logan shrugged, and Danse grunted. The elevator in question had a moment where it wouldn't budge, but after a few groans it began its Ascension.
"zzzft floor." the elevator announced as the group arrived.
Blue lasers were reflected off of Danse's armor as the doors opened. Danse didn't even slow as he entered the room and started shooting down the opposing synths. Preston and Logan started shooting as they moved from the elevator and into a more defensible position. The five synths were whittled down into spare parts in a matter of seconds.
"That should be the last of them." Danse announced. "Fan out and search for the transmitter, hopefully it's still here"
After a few minutes of searching Preston announced to the two men that he had found it.
"Great now we can take this service elevator to the surface." Danse walked over to the elevator and hit the call button.
Another short elevator ride later and the group was met with a setting sun.
"It'll be dark before we arrive at the police station. First, I would like to reward you both," Danse pulled one of the rifles he had attacked to the back of his armor and handed it to Logan, "I sadly don't have another to give out, but I would like to ask you both if you would join the Brotherhood?"
Preston looked over at Logan.
"It would be an honor to join, but I'm currently searching for my son." Logan explained, trying not to upset the Titan, "and I can't stop searching for him. Though if you ever need help again I'll be there."
Danse seemed a little withdrawn, but after Logan explained he was looking for his son Danse seemed to accept his rejection without any hard feelings.
"Though I can't say I'm happy that you won't be joining, I understand. And as for you helping us, if we receive the needed reinforcements then I would like to help you in return." Danse offered, "And know that my offer still stands."
Logan nodded, "If it's alright with you we will still accompany you back to the station. We need to find a place to bunk down for the night, could we stay at the station?"
Danse nodded, and began walking back to the station.
By the time the group arrived at the station it was full on night. All three men were beyond exhausted from all the walking and fighting, as soon as they entered the building and Danse handed Haylen the transmitter Preston and Logan stumbled to a corner and sat against the wall.
"Well General, how was that for the first day on the job?" Preston whispered.
"Well, it definitely wasn't boring."
Both men chuckled lazily before nodding off.