The First Step

October 24, 2287

Preston was appreciably straight to the point—thankfully—about what he wanted. There was a settlement not far from Sanctuary Hills and he was requesting I be the one to aid them as his proxy. I wasn't fond of the idea, to be perfectly honest. It wasn't my fight what the minutemen stand for, this wasn't my world, afterall—not anymore. But by the same token I couldn't just turn a blind eye. Even before Gabriel blew his trumpet and Armageddon was put into full swing, I was never a fan of not helping someone.

So I told him "I'm your guy." and agreed, grabbing my laser musket then left Sanctuary for the settlement known as Tennpines Bluff. Preparing my laser musket and pistol, I was off for this settlement in dire need of support.

Hearing Preston tell me as I departed "Good luck."

I traversed the wastes for Tennpines Bluff all I could think was am I going to need it?

I found my way to the settlement with little snags during my adventure. Left to my thoughts for the most part. Wondering of this Diamond City which Preston had mentioned. It sounded intriguing—I was eager to see what a city would look like in the apocalypse, to see if it was anything like the one which I came across the Minuteman. But first I needed to help the settlers. So I doubled my pace to reach them, coming across some more radroaches and some other abominations against God wrought by the fallout, and found the settlement within the hour.

It was small. So small that I questioned if it could even be considered a settlement. There was a single, small shanty abode with a cooking station near the steps of the entrance and a few pieces of cropping to the back of it which the husband and his tomboyish wife had been working on when I arrived. Seeing me, the man of the house dropped his hoe and approached me cautiously.

"Can I help you, stranger?"

I proceeded to introduce myself as "Hal Rokitansky." extending a hand forward for a handshake. The man refused. So I retracted my appendage. "You requested assistance from the minutemen."

"Just you?" the wife raised a brow curiously.

I shrugged. Assuring them "I'm all you'll need."

"I doubt that." the husband muttered. "How's one wastelander supposed to take on a small army of raiders."

I was a little disappointed, I must confess. And was not shy in voicing it, as I asked them "That's it?"

"Yes." the wife told me. "They've been harassing us for the past week and yesterday they paid us a visit." Crossing her arms, seeming more frustrated than she could fully convey. "Said that they'd be back in two days to collect what we owe them."

That was all I needed to hear.

"You wouldn't happen to know where they hold up by any chance?"

"Yeah." the husband told me. "The coverage assembly plant. One of them mentioned it when they thought I wasn't listening."

Nodding, I departed with a step back. "Consider them taken care of."

"We'll see." the wife scoffed.

I had a feeling the situation was more than I was aware of. If I had to guess: they had been let down before, or one too many times. In this new world hardship seemed to be a norm. I planned on not being as big of a disappointment.

The assembly plant was not that hard of a lead to follow. I remember it well from before the bombs dropped. It was in Lexington. Nora and I would see it sometimes when we visited this city on a few occasions. The state of the derelict city was just as disheartening as Concord. Some of the road bridges had collapsed, buildings were in disrepair, and other monstorcities could be found. I considered checking out the local buildings for resources to use but was wary of any possible monstrosities dwelling within, so I traversed the city and headed straight for the assembly plant.

I treaded carefully. Creeping toward it to survey the entrance, there was a makeshift turret not unlike the one which I had seen Sturges and the other preparing to defend Sanctuary. As well as a pair of Raiders walking before the entrance.

Leveling the laser musket I took out the turret with a single shot.

The Raiders were quick to hear this. I heard one of them say "The hell?" before they caught a glimpse of me. I didn't have time to crank the rifle so I drew my pistol instead and opened fire on them as they raised their weapons and fired at the waist level. I lucked out. They were no more decent crackshots than the one I dispatched at the museum.

Dying groans were all that I had to listen to when the shooting was concluded. It was easy enough to do in hindsight—these raiders showed me back in Concord there is no reasoning with their kind, only death would remedy their ailment. So I felt not the slightest inkling of remorse for what I had not. Not then, and certainly not now.

Cranking the laser musket in my hands I made my way toward the door. On the way I made a stop. Kicking one of the men I dropped. Checking to ensure that he and his buddy who fell from the upper level were truly dead. Then I crept into the building. Scuttling through the first room, a small lobby.

It was quiet. So quiet I could hear the chatter of more raiders ahead. I progressed forward, hoping to sneak closer to them as if I was some master thief when I felt something thin (a wire) collide with my right leg and then a chiming toy on the nearby desk began banging its symbols together and then BANG I was knocked to the floor by an explosion. (Thankfully it was just me). As I fumbled on the floor I cursed my own short sightedness, realizing I set off a crude trip wire. Hearing the rushing footfalls of the raiders who were approaching to investigate. By the time they entered my pistol was drawn.

I fired upon them. One was killed, the second was left bleeding on the ground. He begged for his life. I remember that I hesitated at that moment. I was still pretty naive back then, hopeful about the world. The scum noticed my hesitation and reached for my gun. Seizing it by the barrel, and in my attempt to regain control of the weapon I ended up pulling the trigger.

He was dead and I was left with blood on me. I didn't have much time to dwell on it (though I confess I felt a little bad about it—he wasn't armed , after all) as I heard the commotion from further inside.

"Guess we've got company." I heard one of them say.

Retrieving my laser musket I pressed forward. Firing upon the raiders who were armed with more of those crudely fashioned rifles and pistols. Finding an elevator and stairs leading upward, I chose to use the stairs as it seemed the smarter move.

Eventually finding my way to the assembly plant. The ones there had failed to notice me, but I noticed them and a small computer. I tinkered with it, finding there was a security tron inactivated. I decided to put it to use. Getting lucky with hacking the computer—making use of my basic training—I activated the secruitron and siced it on them. Creeping back to the stairs and watching the droid going to town on the lot of 'em.

Firing upon them with laser shot, as well as encouraging them to disperse until it was taken down, itself.

It didn't get them but enough to make it a fair fight.

Rising I surveyed the aftermath. It was brought down by a lucky shot. That lucky shooter was thankfully not so good when he fired upon me. The bullet missed my head by an inch. I ducked behind cover.

"I don't know who you are, " I heard the survivor gloat, "But you made a big mistake."

We'll see.

"Jared isn't going to leave this sitting down."

Charging a double, I brought him down with a single shot. And was left standing among the dead satisfied.

I went through the remainder of the facility. Taking out every single damn raider I could find. I didn't know who Jared was. But I was sure I got him.

Boy was I wrong.

I then left to give the settlers of Tennnpines Bluff the good news.