The General closed the hatch after her as she climbed down the ladder. "Where's Colonel Brandis?", she asked the room.

"Two levels down, showing Jack how to check for plumbing leaks.", a Minuteman responded. "This way, ma'am."

The soldier then led her down a hall where a blockage once stood. Deep within the river bank, she eventually found the aging man.

"General.", Brandis saluted.

"Colonel.", she replied. "How many men did you have to use to dig up this much of the facility?"

"Funny story.", he informed. "We only found two major blockages. So while I nearly tasked half the total mobile force, with regular switch outs of crews to keep Colonel Shaw busy, we didn't need quite so many. On the other hand, since we're probably leaving men here to run the place after we leave for Fort Hagen Hangar..."

"It all works out.", the General nodded. "How long until we're operational?"

"We've already tested positive.", Brandis continued. "The blockage upstairs kept everything out that may have damaged or deteriorated any of the actual machinery. And since the lock is powered by water pressure and current flow, the facility is online as long as there's a river to manage.

"I already sent our two functional APCs full of men to clear the river blockage at Cutler Bend. Your gi...Sheriff Curie is prepping to accept her first ship at Egret Tours Marina."

The General nodded. "That is...really ahead of schedule. Fine work, Colonel.

"Have you and Admiral Zao spoken of who's command the lock is going to be under?"

"Yep.", Brandis affirmed.

"And?", the General prodded.

"A lot of nope and a side of don't know.", he explained. "We can reach him from the communication room. I'll take you."

The General walked along side him. Even though Minutmen were working to arrange what had been found, and therefore scavenged, from the facility they hurried out of her way as she past.

"Your men are some hard core vets, General.", Brandis filled the silence.

She turned her head toward him. "How so?"

"I gathered men at random for this op.", he told. "As soon as word spread that you had something you wanted done, I was neck deep in volunteers. Due to the crew switch outs, I've seen most of them. Not one hesitated to be the first to hop down a dark hole in an unknown location. They love hard work. Not many are too stupid to get the workings of this place once its explained to them. They're looking forward to taking Fort Hagen Hangar and more. Only thing that seemed to bother them is looking like they're letting down a buddy."

The General nodded and spoke softly. "I understand. The raiders love rock quarries for some reason. Before we had artillery set up, I shot a flare for back up. That's how I got the first four dead of my command. Not one of them took a single step back, even when injured, even after the first three fell.

"That's why I'm so adamant about avoiding casualties, Colonel Brandis. Yes, it's going to happen. And yes, I'm going to order it. But not any time soon or for want, if I can help it."

The two entered a cage near the top of the facility. "Get the Yangtze on the line.", Brandis told the Minuteman manning the ham radio.

As the woman operated the device, he turned to the General. "Oh yeah. Once word was that you were on the look out for these, nearly every crew that switched out with an original dragged one of these in. Communication with the Castle says Ronnie's gotten one from every crew that came from us her way. So far, we can reach the two APCs, the Yangtze & the Castle."

"That's good.", the General stated. "But we're going to need all of them. And more. I want one in every settlement and aboard every ship and APC in the Minutemen. I'm going to need more for offices elsewhere as well. I don't even know if there are that many left functioning in the Commonwealth. But considering the remaining radios that haven't lost power and are still able to pick up Diamond City Radio wherever they are, here's hoping."

"General?", the Minuteman interrupted. "Yangtze's on the buzzer."

"That's 'horn', Minuteman.", Brandis corrected.

The woman looked confused. "But it doesn't sound like a horn, it sounds like...You know what? Yes, sir. Horn, sir."

The General raised an eyebrow at the Colonel, alluding to his previous assessment. "I said, they were vets. Never said they weren't a bit country.", Brandis objected.

She took the microphone the woman offered. "This is the General. To whom am I speaking? Over."

"Yangtze, Actual. Over.", Zao replied through the speaker. His soft voice was clear enough to decipher in the hardened room.

"I'm told you and Brandis have talked a lot about stationing men at this lock and said nothing. Over."

"Yes. Over.", the Admiral agreed. "Considering that it is a stable emplacement that won't be directly under motor pool, it seemed...ill served for Brandis to have his men stationed there on a permanent basis. In the other hand, I have no authority to emplace sailors on shore. Over."

"I see what you mean.", the General stated. "I'm going to have Brandis keep a crew here to hang tight and run the place for a while. I'll talk with Colonel Garvey. He'll be able to get men to replace the ones stationed here so they can get mobile again. After they train up their replacements. Over."

"That is more than acceptable, General. Over.", Zao.

"How are your men coming? Over.", she asked.

"I am in agreement with Colonel Brandis.", the ghoul replied. "The Minutemen ranks are filled with those strong of heart and calm of head. I had expected to build discipline with polishing my Yangtze. Instead, the work is done. I had expected my lessons on the nature of the water to fall on deaf ears. Instead I have had 'the best' students."

The General interrupted. "The best students? Over."

"Yes.", the admiral affirmed. "An average student will do what is asked of them, if it is not too difficult. A bad student loves seeing a new knowledge but never practices it. The best student understands that every teacher they have was a student just like the student is now and had to go through all the things the teacher is putting them through now. Every one of the Minutemen you have sent me, may never have a ship like my Yangtze but will have the soul of a sailor.

"And a sailor they will be soon. We are already seeking out one of the many ships adrift. Looking for the one most suited to the possibly shallow waters of the marshes and rivers of the Commonwealth. I am surprised to expect that you will have a ship to test the lock by the time Colonel Brandis has taken Fort Hagen Hangar. Over."

"That means a lot, Admiral.", the General replied. "On their way here, they should find a possibly wrecked ship with two APCs aboard. It shouldn't be manned but it could be occupied by raiders. Is that something your men will be able to handle? Over."

Zao confirmed. "Fighting enemies of the Commonwealth is not something you have reason to doubt of these men. I will see to it that they understand how to board a vessel at sea. Over."

"Thanks again, Admiral. Over and out.", the General ended.

"As for you Brandis.", the General turned. "Let's see about cleaning up here. I have more than a few power armor rigs to turn over to your crews, and I need APCs to do that."