Chapter Four: Robert Joseph MacCready
Author's note: It being a videogame and all, it can't have every possible name recorded, I know this. But when you can romance a character in less than a few in-game days without your name even coming up, it becomes really noticeable. Also, our poor Malcolm is still bad at introducing himself.
-start chapter-
Maelstrom was strong armed into going to the Third Rail Bar by Hancock, and in tow was a reluctant Nick Valentine. He had changed out of the Silver Shroud costume and was again traveling incognito as a drifter/settler.
Malcolm had broken away from John and Nick to let them catch up and snuck off into the back VIP lounge.
That's when Malcolm met Robert Joseph MacCready, and had an interesting encounter with some Gunners.
They seemed to be hassling MacCready, and he seemed to be really tensely trying to avoid getting in a fight. Trying to make himself seem as intimidating as possible.
His posture and tone practically screaming 'won't go down without a fight'. For all that he had squared his shoulders and stood straight backed, he was still only about 5' 4" and was probably only just north of 130 pounds of wiry muscle.
Malcolm, not wanting the confrontation to result in blows, decided to even the odds. He helpfully stood between the two Gunners and the lone sniper, angled more towards MacCready's side.
He didn't say anything, choosing instead just to loom menacingly. Using his advanced height and build to his full advantage.
The Gunners eyed him warily and both muttered expletives under their collective breaths as they stormed out of the bar.
Malcolm turned to MacCready, "You alright?"
MacCready huffed, "I had that handled, but thanks anyway. Look: if your looking for a friend, or to preach to someone about Atom, you got the wrong guy; but if your looking to hire an extra gun, I'm your man."
Malcolm considered for a moment, "How much do you charge?"
"250 caps, upfront. No haggling ."
"Everything's negotiable, hows about 200 caps?"
"Alright fine. You talked me into it… how can I be sure this won't end with you putting a bullet in my back?"
"You only have my word, as I only have yours."
MacCready nodded, "Well then, that's alright. You've hired yourself an extra gun, boss. You point, I shoot."
'Shit.' Malcolm belatedly realized, two days later, and after a few raider attacks dealt with, and a few feral ghouls dispatched, 'I didn't introduce myself to MacCready, why am I so bad at this?'
MacCready had opened up about his time with the Gunners and needing help with Fentlock and Barnes, and of course Malcolm helped him.
MacCready didn't seem to believe his good fortune, "Man, boss thanks for helping me, that ought to get the Gunner's off my back." Then MacCready gave back the 200 cap hiring fee, to make them even, because he didn't like debts.
"Glad I could help," Malcolm said, secretly wondering exactly how someone introduces themselves to somebody that they had already been traveling with for two days. Why is he still so bad at this?
Well...when they first met, he'd said he wasn't looking for a friend. So that's why it didn't make sense to introduce… Who was he kidding, he was just horrible at this.
Then Malcolm learned about Duncan's illness , and the next thing they knew they were storming Med-Tec. Searching for the cure, finding the cure.
MacCready was over the moon when Malcolm handed him the cure, he looked absolutely floored. He asked, with voice still tinged with awe, "Last favor, promise. Help me get this to Daisy over in Goodneighbor. With her caravan connections, she's the only one I trust to get this to Duncan in time."
They blazed a trail to Goodneighbor, and got the medicine underway.
"This has been a crazy few days boss, I...I don't even know how I'll ever begin to repay you."
"You don't have to, I'm just glad to have helped."
"How...how are you for real?" He hummed thoughtfully, "At least… Let me give you this, because I always settle my debts."
He handed Malcolm a little carved and painted toy soldier, and was told the sad story about Lucy. How he'd told her he was a soldier, and how she'd carved it for him.
He told Malcolm how he, Duncan, and Lucy had been attacked, and how he had only managed to barely get away with Duncan when the ferals got the drop on them.
"Don't lose it, okay?"
"I'll be sure to keep it safe."
MacCready chuckled, "I'll stick with you as long as you'll have me boss; have your back."
Malcolm shrugged, "Well...I've got to stop by my home base, and sure could use the company."
"Oh absolutely boss, count me in."
It was when they were first in view of Sanctuary, when MacCready took in the completed fortifications and watchtowers off in the distance through his binoculars, "Wow, you live there? Pretty sweet digs."
MacCready lowered his binoculars and they continued towards Sanctuary.
Malcolm nodded, "It has been built up rather well, over the last month."
MacCready chuckled, "Yeah I heard tell that the Minutemen's new General lives here, and I believe it...did you know he took back Fort Hagen? Or 'The Castle' as it's better known, which was the Minutemen's old home base."
"I know that, yeah."
"Man, have you met the General? Because, I heard he was really something… they call him General Storm, I think…Which is such an awesome name."
Malcolm chuckled, "Conjures a certain image I suppose," Malcolm agreed, thinking that maybe MacCready might not actually register that he was the General if he introduced himself by his actual name. Aloud, he continued, "General 'Storm' Germaine, yeah, you could say I'm familiar with 'im."
"No way," he surveills Malcolm's face, "You actually do know him. Wow, you have to introduce me!" MacCready was practically bouncing with excitement, "Maybe he might even give me a job stationed at one of those watchtowers!"
"Good place to station a skilled sharpshooter." Malcolm nodded.
"You…" MacCready paused, "You'll put in a good word for me?"
"If you're serious about wanting the job, It's as good as yours." Malcolm chuckles, "Consider yourself introduced to the General too."
"Wow...you really mean that. Like, really actually. You must be on really good terms with the General?"
Malcolm was prevented from responding by a happy shout from the camp, "Mr. Garvey, Code One Eleven ! I repeat, Code One Eleven!"
MacCready turned to Malcolm, "That a good thing?"
"Yep, you'll see."
Preston came running out of the gate, "Glad to see you," he called out happily as he ran up to Malcolm, he indicated MacCready with a tilt of his head, "Who's your friend?"
Malcolm smiled, "Robert Joseph MacCready, self-taught sniper. Perfect candidate for a watchtower position."
Preston gave MacCready a considerate look, "Nice to meet you, I'm Preston Garvey, the General's second-in-command."
MacCready grinned, "Wow, what a greeting. Next thing I know, I'll be meeting with the General himself!" MacCready laughed nervously, "Probably should get washed up, make the best first impression...why are you looking at me like that?"
Preston snickered, "Malcolm, you… still?"
"WHAT. I told you, I am just, hopeless. It was two days after I started traveling with him before I even realized."
MacCready looked back and forth between them, "Realized what?"
Preston looked at Malcolm, "You want to tell him now?"
MacCready sighed, "Tell me what?"
Malcolm took in a deep breath, "Hi, I'm General Maelstrom Germaine."
MacCready gasped, "You… YOU'RE." MacCready seemed struck speechless.
Preston chuckled, "General, I got to say, I sort of really love the reactions you get. Never learn to properly introduce yourself, this is absolutely priceless."
-end chapter-
Authors note: Malcolm will get around to introducing himself properly in the future, but he's not going to always to be believed, poor kid.