Morning came. When Cody awoke, he found himself still in Krystal's embrace. He gently tried to free himself and not wake her up only for her grip to gently tighten. Fox was already up drinking coffee and Slippy was cooking breakfast. The vulpine walked over and saw Cody wide awake trapped in his blue-furred prison. He tried his best to hold his laughter.

Fox booped him on the nose. "You wake her you take her."

Krystal was only pretending to be asleep. She rose up and flicked Fox on the nose.

He jumped. "Ouch, what was that for?"

Krystal snickered. "You wake her you take her well you got her."

Cody grabbed his clothes. "If you excuse me, I'm going to get dressed."

In less than a minute he was already back in his dry-rotted cadet uniform and cloak. He collected his M16 and M1911 along with ammo and magazines. He couldn't help but give a smile as he held each one attentively, field stripping and cleaning. The blood stains from his scarred hands and years of battle forever stained the wood on both his rifle and sidearm. He carefully oiled the pieces not wanting to cause an even bigger mess nor waste a single precious drop. He finished putting them back together.

He scrubbed his cleaning rags trying to get the gun gunk out of them. Then hung them to dry. With the sink clean he made his way to the hangar knowing how awful his clothes smelled he didn't want to make them lose their appetite. He couldn't help but stare in awe at the Arwings. It reminded him of stories Liberator taught him. Stories of ancient birds of prey first being made from wood and fabric then of aluminum and steel all the way to titanium and saturnite breaking well passed the supersonic barrier. He grew ever deeper lost in thought. He felt a longing.

Fox walked behind him gently. The vulpine couldn't help but look with sadness towards Cody. Remembering the ruins in which they met and how far humanity had fallen once they could touch the stars now; they can't even touch the skies of their homeworld. Space travel was taken for granted by his fellow Cornerians but to their new Minutemen friends it was the most wonderous thing.

He gently put a paw on the boy's shoulder. "You ok kit?"

Cody snapped out of his trance. "Just thinking. Was there anything you need?"

He cleared his throat. "Krystal showed me her memories from yesterday you gave poor Thomas quite a scare."

Cody sighed. "I know I don't want him to lose his family."

Fox's ears folded worried. "I know what it's like to lose a family. My mother Vixy was killed by a car bomb from Andross. My father James was betrayed by Pigma and shot down over Venom Peppy escaped and told me everything. At that point all I wanted was vengeance. So, I formed a new Star Fox team. Once we took Andross out I felt empty. Work became slow since Andross was defeated, and Falco left. The Great Fox fell into disrepair. Pepper gave us a call about a planet called Sauria. It is known to some as the Dinosaur Planet."

Cody looked puzzled. "No offense sir but I have no clue what a dinosaur is."

Fox coughed. "Well, to keep it short when I saved Sauria I saved Krystal she was trapped in um a crystal not kidding. I thought we were going our separate ways she chose to join, and Falco came back. With her help, I slowly healed. I got the Great Fox overhauled. Another year later Fay and Miyu joined. The point is I lost a family but gained a new one."

Cody shrugged his shoulders taking a swig from his flask. "Ehh no point in it for me. The only things I need is for God to have my back my fellow Minutemen at my side and the enemy at the front what more could I ever want? I got Liberator, he's both my General and grandfather. Preston is both a Colonel and a big brother, Evan is like a little brother, poor newbie is still out of his depth. I always had a family not just in the Youth Battalion but the Commonwealth Minutemen itself. I lost Daddy, lost all my brothers and sisters, lost my closest brother Able. I'm not planning on losing any more of my fellow Minutemen. With Liberator at the helm, we will win the war for the Commonwealth. Anyone who dares attack its people better pray to God for mercy for I have none left. When we get back the screams of Raiders Gunners and the Institute will echo across the Commonwealth."

Fox was disturbed by the pure hatred for the enemy radiating off Cody. "Was your father ever that ruthless?"

Cody shook his head. "No Daddy was the kindest man alive. When more and more kids in the Commonwealth escaped Raider attacks unlike their parents, he took them in he couldn't protect or raise them all by himself, so he trained them. The more experienced and mature became sort of like NCOs while the younger and novice were Enlisted. I was more of a Corporal. I preferred taking Able and a small squad doing hit-and-runs. Should have seen what we pulled off when Liberator led us on that mission to Nuka World took no casualties and to top it off got the gangs to kill each other then we mopped up the rest. All Daddy ever wanted was for the wars to stop. For the Battalion he wanted them one day to be adopted. That day never came. You know the rest. As for my ruthlessness I learned it from Liberator he's been fighting for America since before the bombs fell. Daddy was too defensive you don't win a war by taking hits you win it by dishing it out ten times more."

Fox sighed. "You must be careful Cody if you let such hatred consume you, you'll destroy both yourself and your unit."

Cody didn't answer. He went back to the kitchen and ate by himself. The team couldn't help feeling disturbed; they could see the bloodlust in his eyes. He didn't hurt anyone, but they could tell he was getting stir-crazy. They sent him back with Liberator to stretch his legs. Most of the Minutemen enjoyed their little Cornerian vacation. Liberator told stories of America's past glory Preston taught others about the Minutemen Evan continued to spend time with Fay who then invited Kat to the mall with them. Mama Murphy and Krystal started to meditate together. Josh got his cybernetics and learned to walk again.

A few days went by and their Cornerian vacation was over. Most were sad to leave but Cody was more restless than ever while a few were ordered to stay.

Liberator turned to his troops. "Alright, Evan you stay here with the Spaniels and be on your best behavior watch over them and slaughter any who would dare hurt them and keep getting your treatments."

"Nathan you will be staying as well your emaciated even by Commonwealth standards."

"Josh you will be our ambassador make a good impression and be honest. Let the people know what we stand for. If possible, get us some recruits. Y'all have your orders did I make myself clear?"

"SIR YES SIR!" shouted all three in unison.

"WAIT WAIT!" A familiar voice pleaded. It was Vera.

Her black fur was messy and unkempt. It was clear she was in a hurry.

Liberator ran up. "Vera, what happened?"

The wolfess caught her breath. "I wish to join the Minutemen sir. Corneria has all sorts of medical staff and equipment you don't please if one of my friends died because I wasn't there, I would never forgive myself."

Liberator was puzzled. "You only known us for a few days. Yet you wish to leave your home?"

Vera was resolute. "Look if there is anywhere, I can make a difference it's with the Minutemen. Please, you need help. Medics and surgeons here are a dime a dozen but where you're from their worth more than their weight in gold. Let me play a part in putting your world back together."

Liberator smiled and shook her paw. "Welcome aboard."

Everyone went back to the Great Fox and headed back for Earth. While in warp space Slippy showed Liberator how to use the comm system and to locate radio signals with it.

Fox spun around bored in his chair. "So do you have a place in mind to set up?"

Liberator grunted. "Ideal place for me would be Fort Independence our old HQ but we're not ready to take on a Mirelurk Queen. Forty-seven years ago, it broke through our defenses. General Mcgann went missing artillery was destroyed. We fought bravely but nothing we had could punch through her carapace. Damn beast swatted me into the air like a toy. I landed on the shore of the lake. Ronnie Shaw saved my life. She banged on my visor waking me up. I don't know if us ghouls can drown but I don't wish to test that theory."

He turned to his troops. "I did come up with another idea for a new HQ how would y'all like to live on a warship?"

Both Minutemen and Settlers were taken aback. Preston spoke up. "What do you mean sir?"

Liberator smirked lighting a cigar and taking a hit before passing it to Cody. "Since Slippy helped me with the comms, one stood out to me. It's a signal of a U.S. Navy warship. So, if we score small it could be a destroyer or escort but if we score big, we could be rocking a battleship. Granted it will most likely be filled with ferals but I'd rather clean out a thousand ferals before taking on Queen Bitch again."

Fox raised a brow. "Why a warship last I checked you were originally heading for Sanctuary Hills?"

The old ghoul replied. "Well for one the artillery would be very useful plus if the Commonwealth is a lost cause we can take in all the refugees as crew and find a new place to settle. Now it's a last resort but the Commonwealth is getting more dangerous every day. Always have a backup plan. Another major benefit is we can outfit it with nets and cranes to catch huge amounts of fish. So here's the plan we go check it out if y'all think it's not worth it once we investigate then we will go for Sanctuary."

Slippy grew excited. "I can't wait to explore a warship I'll get the shuttle ready."

Liberator laughed. "Hey, have this for helping me it's a photograph of my baby USS Texas saw her when I was a teen. She's the Last Dreadnought."

Both groups crowded in the Shuttle and headed for the source of the signal.

Fox briefed them. "We're going to stay above the storm till we reach the ship. Hang tight."

They reached low supersonic speeds. The radiation in the upper atmosphere was thick forcing Slippy to divert more power to the shields. When they hit sea level it wasn't any better, the radiated fog was just as thick. They slowed down to a crawl. Skippy scanned the nearby ship hidden in the fog.

Slippy was shocked. "The ship's shafts are still turning. Scanners show that the main engines have long been deactivated but the electric motors are directly connected to four generators of some kind. Multiple compartments across the ship have been flooded and sealed off. Her systems are still functioning even though they show signs of heavy wear. Their radar right now is searching."

Through the fog, the ship finally appeared. She was covered in rust yet, as Slippy said, was still operational. She passed through a ghost of her former self. The American flag still flew but was heavily tattered. Liberator counted nine sixteen-inch guns. Her dual mount five-inch guns seemed to stare at them. The shuttle still cloaked moved to examine the ship in better detail. Her railing was crumbling away and many of her smaller AA guns were reduced to blobs of rust. They moved to the front of the ship. The rust marks on the bow along with what paint remained made it look like a jagged gaping maw. Her bridge was horribly corroded. The thinner metal was crumbling into jagged sheets and most of the windows were broken. Her conning tower though was still intact. On top her radar dish still spun very slowly. Much like the other thin metal slowly crumbling. Even so, it still emitted a weak radar beam.

The old ghoul rubbed his chin. "From what I can tell she is a South Dakota class. This ship is not inhabited by ferals, no feral could have maintained a ship this long at sea. Take us to the stern if anything happens to me y'all take care of each other."

Peppy carefully landed the shuttle on the stern the old battleship groaned under its weight. The Star Fox team made sure their hazmat suits were sealed. Liberator marched off the landing ramp. He opened the nearest hatch armed with his 44s. The lights were on but flickered. The floor was slick worn away from constant walking to bare shiny metal. To his surprise, even though the paint was peeling, there was very little rust all things considered. The wires above swayed and sparked. Every step he took the bowls of the ship groaned. He stopped when he felt a gun barrel pressed against his back.

A voice said. "What are you doing here?"

The voice was that of a ghoul but sounded younger.

Another figure held a rifle at him. When it stepped forward it was revealed to be a ghoul sailor. His uniform was very worn held together with ropes and patches on the legs and sleeves. Liberator knew he was a pre-war ghoul just like him. So, he stated his name and unit.

"I am George Hood Washington former Commander of the..."

He was interrupted by the sailor's laughter. "Wait are you the George Hood Washington, the one our Captain told us stories about? What are you doing here?"

Liberator answered. "Looking for a new headquarters and home for my troops. I wish to parlay with your Captain."

The sailor motioned. "Hey, he's a guest lower your weapon."

Liberator turned around seeing a small ghoul child holding an M2 Carbine. The poor General was confused, the ship wasn't just full of normal ghouls but ghoulified children.

He motioned to those in the shuttle. The other sailors greeted them with open arms cooing with wonder. Often mentioning they haven't had quests in so long. They were led through the ship. The awkward list didn't make things any better. It was a winding path of slick floors worn steps and hallways some leaking. It took a while, but they finally made it to the corroding bridge. Liberator went into the conning tower.

The captain was apprehensive, his back still facing them. He turned around both his and Liberator's eyes met. Both stared as their eyes grew wide.

"Charlie." Said Liberator. Both ghouls hugged tightly with Charlie crying.

"You two know each other? Asked Fox.

Liberator answered. "Know each other? Charlie was my babysitter preacher and Sunday school teacher. He also helped us chase out China's navy when we pushed them out of Anchorage."

Charlie retorted. "Yeah, and this stubborn mule wanted to join the military so bad he lied to his parents lied about his age and I had to bail his unit out with shore bombardments in the final push."

Liberator sighed, seeing confused and angry glares from both groups. "Ok, I got to explain myself. I told my parents I was going on a vacation instead I joined for the Anchorage front at sixteen and lied about my age so I could kill commies. What I didn't know is Charlie rejoined the Navy at eighty-one years old cause the Navy was so desperate for manpower. He was chef on his last deployment and due to seniority, he became a captain."

The two ghouls glared at each other before hugging again.

Liberator continued. "So, I'd reckon this rusted tub is what's left of Massachusetts?"

Charlie scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, this two-century cruise has not been kind to Big Mamie. Nor the crew me or the little ones. I'll keep it short. When our tour was over, and Massachusetts went back to her home state the higher-ups decided the best way to raise warbands was to do a Halloween cruise for the kids so the adults could have their more...distasteful party. Yeah, we were glorified babysitters for a several-day cruise. On the twenty-seventh, the bombs fell. Mamie's armor protected us enough to keep our faculties but did not save us from ghoulification. When we went back to port the parents that were alive were all ferals. We escorted the kids back inside the ship had to put the parents down. Been stuck with us ever since. We call them the powder monkeys. Well, that's all past now for the present said you were looking for a new HQ well here she is Big Mamie is at your disposal."

Liberator rolled out a map. "So, Charlie do the sixteen-inch batteries still function?"

"Of course, how else do you think we hunt down radwhales?" Answered Charlie.

Liberator smirked at his troops. "Well, boys looks like we're taking out Queen Bitch after all. Oh, how rude of me, I need to introduce you to our new friends, the Star Fox team. Charlie meet Fox Mccloud, Krystal Falco Lombardi Fay Spaniel Miyu Lynx Slippy Toad, and Peppy Hare. Now here are my Minutemen. Preston Garvey my second in command. Now this little murder machine is Cody Mason, my most loyal soldier albeit also my most bloodthirsty. This is Vera Eclipse our newest recruit and medic."

Charlie shook hands and paws. He could tell the Star Fox team were aliens but said nothing of it.

The two ghouls got their maps and navigation instruments but stopped when they heard a screeching groan and a splash. One of the Minutemen ran back up to the bridge.

"General the shuttle fell off the stern."

The Star Fox team grumbled Falco took it the hardest. He slapped Slippy. The poor toad's lip hit against the hazmat suit causing it to bleed.

"DAMN, IT SLIPPY YOU FORGOT TO USE THE MAGNETIC CLAMPS AGAIN!"

Fox reprehended Falco.

"You're on janitorial duty for a year Falco do that again and I'll have your pay cut."

However, it wasn't enough for Cody. He ran up to Falco pulling down on the suit's collar punching hard against his beak. Forcing Liberator to pull him off.

Charlie snapped at both. "Children take it outside if you must if not cease this fight at once. Now we have a fort to retake and a militia to rebuild."

Cody looked down at his bleeding and broken knuckles Falco's beak came off much better in the engagement. He said nothing downing another swig from his flask while Vera bandaged his hands.

Liberator turned to Slippy. "Go down to the engine room and see if they'd be willing to teach you more about the ship if that's ok with Charlie."

The Captain gave a supportive smile. "Of course, it'd be no trouble the lads at the engine deck get rather lonely they can drone on for hours about all her systems and go have a chat."

Charlie and Liberator plotted a course for Fort Independence.

The Ghoul General put down his pencil. "Well at our current speed of twenty-four knots, we'll arrive at Independence in eleven hours."

Slippy learned more than a lot about the ship from the engineers. When he learned all, he could he moved on to the gun crews and technicians who complained about how far gone the fire control was. They had to dial in everything by hand each turret aiming individually using the coincidental and stereoscopical rangefinders. He noted everything in his log.

Cody stayed outside wandering the upper deck enjoying the breeze and the spray of the sea. Reflecting on what he said to Fox and Thomas. He thought. " I know so much is wrong with me I want the madness to stop but this madness is all I know it's all I deserve."

Fox and Krystal found themselves in one of the bunk rooms where they saw an ancient bloodstain on the wall along with a small shrine filled with toys and pictures. A sailor noticed their grief-stricken state.

He spoke. "Hey, happens to all ghouls eventually. Fifty years after the bombs fell my brother Theodore found himself growling more and more. He remembered what our parents turned into. Shot himself in the head one night. It still hurts but at least he didn't go feral.

Fox looked at him. The ghoul appeared to be of teenage stature. "What's your name son?"

The sailor answered. "Wally sir it was nice to meet you Mr. Mccloud you as well Mrs. Krystal. I'd love to chat but one of the bulkheads is leaking again."

When it grew late, everyone retired to the spare bunks. They were ten miles away from the shore when they were awakened by the ship stopping. Slippy deployed a drone he was working on modified with a high-pitched speaker. The drone was a blur. It emitted a horrific pitch causing all the mirelurks even the hatchings, to burst out of their shell. The Queen got up with a roar chasing the drone and she followed it into some abandoned ruins. Everyone couldn't help but notice all nine sixteen-inch guns were now aiming for the mirelurks.

Fox raised a brow underneath his visor. "Um, Charlie shouldn't one shell be enough."

Liberator cackled. "It's insurance, Fox. Too many times someone didn't check if it was dead. Besides, as we say in Texas no kill like overkill."

Everyone went inside lest they'd be killed by the sheer pressure of a full broadside. Fay deployed her drone to record. All guns fired at the same time shaking the entire ship causing it to groan. The shells hit their mark. The mirelurks and their mighty Queen were now all replaced by craters. Charlie steered the ship, getting as close as he could without beaching it. Both teams swam to shore.

Liberator opened the two massive doors he jumped with joy so happy to have his home back. That joy was soon dampened when he saw how filthy and damaged the fort was serious work was needed.