"This...this" Anyone could here the old nervousness creeping into his voice as it came through the radio. But he managed to keep the self-esteem he earned in his timber.
"This is Travis 'Lonely' Miles of Diamond City Radio. I have interrupted our current broadcasting to warn anyone headed to Diamond City to not do that. The main gate has been shut off. And the Wall, the Green Protector, is keeping everyone out. Or at least Diamond City Security is assuring me of that at that moment.
"It looks like the recent drop in super mutant activity wasn't just a by product of the Institute's cool down. A vast mobilization, a great number, a...well a whole lot of them are right outside our Wall. You heard me right, ladies and gentlemen across the Commonwealth: Diamond City is under siege by super mutants.
"Diamond City has held out before. I hope, for my sake as well as everyone else', that she will again."
The General glared at Radio Freedom. "Why am I hearing about this over the goddamned civilian radio?"
"McDonough/"
She cut him off at the name. "McDonough was still operating on his pre-surrender, anti-Minutemen programming that kept him from getting caught for so long. So while we're set up in Vault 81 and Goodneighbor, Home Base in Diamond City is still unmanned. And therefore, we don't have any presence on the ground there.
"Dammit.", she punched a fist into her hand.
"What are we going to do?"
"Shut up. That's what you're going to do.", she called out to a voice she didn't care to check.
"Radio Freedom. You carry the news on Minutemen Radio. Add in that anyone who is a resident of Diamond City should travel to the nearest Minutemen settlement until further instructions. After I get off the CB, you start checking in with Sherrifs to see what the outcome of that instruction is. Just because someone shows up doesn't mean that they really are from the Gem of the Commonwealth. I don't want a raider getting smart."
She turned to the gathering delegates. "Zeke, Roxxy. Get in your armors and head back to your garage. If you see someone in need, thanks in advance. But you need to yield the road to the Minutemen right now."
"Right on Daddy-O.", Zeke replied and took off running with Roxxy.
"Geneva, Piper. You're guests of the Castle until this is over. But Piper, it's important that you hear this. I know you're going to want to report every detail you can muster. And I know you can handle yourself. But for the love of the Commonwealth, don't get in the way."
"The rest of you, I'll have an APC meet you at the main gate. Get any thing you brought with you and meet it there. The Castle is a combat command center right now and no real place for civilians. Yes, that includes all of you no matter what you've seen in the 'wealth. New World Order."
The Institute representative interrupted her. "I'll make other arrangements for my party?"
The General off handedly glared at her and agreed. "Use my office."
Then she picked up the CB radio. "This is Castle Actual to Colonel Brandis. This is Castle Actual to Colonel Brandis."
"Fort Hagen Hangar to Castle Actual, please stand by. Over."
"Fort Hagen Hangar, we read you loud and clear. Hurry. Over."
After a moment, "General, this is Brandis. What's this about? The Forge make a move or something? Over."
"Do you have Diamond City Radio, or even Minutemen Radio down there? Over."
"Turn that up.", was heard in the background. "This is for real? Not a drill? Over."
"This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill. Over."
"Alright, alright.", Brandis caught his breath. "Look, I can start ordering crews to Hangman's Alley/"
"Negative. Repeat, do not order crews to downtown yet. Over."
"Acknowledged. But General, why?
Over."
"We don't have any intel besides that broadcast. I need the one whirlybird we got sent in half circle, north of Diamond City, to the Castle. Have it stop at Oberland Station, Grey Garden, um...Country Crossing and then Norhadgen Beach before coming here. It has orders to collect food first and then water from those settlements. And have it leave room for two Minutemen, over."
"That's asking a lot for one whirlybird, General. Over."
"Fine. Grey Garden, Country Crossing and then the Castle. I need room for two Minutemen and gear when it gets here. Over."
"Yes, General. Over and out."
Then she turned to the Castle at large. "Alright, you Minutemen. I need a volunteer for the second stupidest move in the mission to break the siege of Diamond City!"
