Liberator just stared at the amount of work needed to clean up Independence let alone repair it. Everyone could see the gears and cogs turning in his head.
"We split up into three groups. Star Fox y'all clear out the courtyard. Cody Preston, you're with me we clear out the halls barracks, and kitchen. Everyone else focus on clearing the artillery turrets and ledges. Await further orders when you're done."
A bunch of hatchlings were left. The eggs would shake, and the hatchlings would burst out nipping at shins. Cody stabbed them with his bayonet while Preston crushed them under his boots. One thing he noticed was Cody took no joy in killing the hatchlings. Usually, when he was killing an enemy the boy would laugh like he was on a playground. Yet in Cody's eyes, he saw numbness. They continued to the barracks where one full-grown mirelurk was trapped by the jammed doors. Liberator kicked the doors in wrestling the mirelurk. With a feral roar, Liberator grabbed the monster by its face. The mirelurk screamed in pain as if begging for the ghoul to stop. Liberator didn't he kept on slowly pulling harder and harder. With a gnarly snap and crunch the creature's face tore off. Green blood sprayed on him like a water hose.
All three gagged from the vile stench. "Everyone grab a shovel I'm gonna wash this off. Preston, you're in charge till I finish."
He marched to the shore going for a swim.
Everyone else continued shoveling the nests out. Sturges had an idea.
"We can use the mud from all these nests as compost for a garden we got plenty of seeds we brought with us."
Sturges got to work on gardening. Liberator though still soaking wet rejoined the cleaning effort. It took a few hours to shovel out all the mud nests. In total twenty-one nests were found and cleared.
Liberator gathered everyone. "Excellent work I know y'all are tired, but I do not suggest sleeping on moldy mattresses so get out your bedrolls the barracks should be aired out now. I'm going to get all the mattresses and use boiling water and bleach. Now help me tear down all these dead vines."
Tired as everyone was, they appreciated how Liberator pulled his own weight and then some rather than just barking out orders. They were going to have to wait until tomorrow to finish clearing the vines. Liberator finished cleaning out the stove and used the vines brought to him as fuel and kindling. The stove gradually heated up. Next to it was one of the larger mattresses he poured the water and bleach mixture. Mold and years of grime began to wash away onto the floor. He did this for the duration of the night. Laying it near the stove to dry. He waited for the stove to do its job. When it dried, he put it back on the frame. He grabbed one of the smaller mattresses from the barracks and repeated the process three more times. Sunlight peered through the holes in the bricked windows.
He grunted, shoving more vine into the stove. The flames roared hot again. He pulled out an old chest inside was his spice rack. He reached into his old army pack finding several cans of cram. Now using two pans, one for browning the cram and the other for the eggs. Minutemen and Settlers awoke to the smell of the aroma coming from the kitchen.
"Morning hope y'all are hungry I got dozens of these eggs."
Preston pulled up a chair. He took a bite clearly enjoying the food. "I haven't had anything this good in years."
More lined up excited to eat freshly made breakfast instead of rations. Vera and the Star Fox team were stuck drinking vitamin paste through straws in their suits. A few Minutemen opted to help with the dishes leaving Liberator to speak with Vera.
"Vera that suit will fail eventually if you're going to live here you need to adapt."
He handed her a couple of red and yellow capsules. Along with a few IV packs filled with orange liquid.
"These here are Rad-X it boosts your body's immune system against radiation I want you to take two a day if you show symptoms of radiation poisoning, we'll double it to four. The IVs are Radaway it works by bonding to radioactive particles in your system but be careful it has a powerful diuretic effect, so you'll be sprinting for the throne."
Her ears folded clearly, nervous. "Well, it will help Corneria understand how well we could adapt here but by staying I can help your troops learn about local diseases and further knowledge about your planet Fallout."
Liberator scratched his neck. "Um our planet's name is Earth, but I'll give you Cornerians credit your name for it isn't inaccurate we got rads galore."
Vera gave a brave smile. "I'm going to get this suit off call me if you need me."
Cody slung his M16 on his back. He snuck out while everyone else was distracted to kill a Raider scout.
Fox saw the other Minutemen helping Liberator clear out the rubble blocking the entrance to the tunnels. It took a while but eventually, the entrance was clear. The vulpine could tell the General was nervous and hesitant.
"What's wrong is something down there?"
Liberator sighed. "There is down in the tunnels is Sarge our old sentry bot he was decommissioned due to corrupted programming knowing my old friend General McGann he reactivated Sarge to keep the armory safe. I tried to rescue him, but that Queen made sure I didn't. What I'm saying is if we try to take him out, he will mow us down if we win, he'll set off his two nuclear fusion cores taking out the fort and us with it. Not to mention several mines and a turret waiting as well."
Slippy smiled. "No worries, guys I got hacking darts. Is there anything else to note?"
The Old Ghoul looked at his feet. "Possibly several mines and a turret or two knowing McGann. The tunnels were the last place I saw him run to. Said something about protecting the arsenal. It's not just Sarge I'm afraid to face it's Mcgann."
Fox patted his back. "We got your back."
The two wood and steel doors opened with an eerie groan. The lights flickered but lit the tunnels well. On the right wall was the Minutemen emblem. The trio stepped forward a mine began to beep. The Old Ghoul just shrugged while Fox and Slippy took cover behind him. He smirked as he pressed a small button on the mine disabling it.
The two looked in confusion at Liberator while he chuckled. "Yeah, these old frag mines have two settings one is set on a timer that explodes in a few seconds but if you press the button twice it explodes immediately. Well, let's move on."
To the left of them was a storage space full of old crates. To the right of them were storage shelves with seven bags of cement and ten cannonballs. Ahead lay another mine again Liberator disarmed it and took it with him. He carefully explored around, picking up four more mines. They went further and a turret started up but was shot by Fox before it could fire a single shot. They went around the collapsed part of the tunnels. The rusty shelves on their left mostly contained junk except for a Laser Musket, a few fusion cells, and some pre-war food. Up ahead lay old Sarge. The trio hid behind the wall near the entrance. Slippy heard a beeping sound he accidentally triggered a mine. Liberator shoved the toad out of the way landing on the mine disarming it.
"MOVEMENT DETECTED. SENTRY BOT DESIGNATED SARGE POWERING UP ERRORROR FI FILE CORRUPTION DETECTED ENGAGING DEFENCE PROTOCOLS."
Liberator stood firm firing with his 44s. 5.56 rounds from both of Sarge's miniguns slammed into him. He continued firing. Slippy fired his dart into Sarge shutting the old Sentry down.
Fox and Slippy kept Liberator from falling.
He vomited putrid blood onto the dirt and stone floor. The Old Ghoul let out a frustrated growl he stood up on his own before flashing a bloody smile. "Can't kill what's already dead."
He looked at the terminal. "Already know this one United We Stand."
The door unlocked and opened with a click. His focus now fell upon General Mcgann. His old protégé and best friend lay dead in front of him, his body perfectly preserved if not a little discolored. He turned his attention to the wine-stained terminal.
User General McGann signed in.
[User Logs]
[Attacked in the night]
Last night at 0200 I was woken by a crash that shook the whole castle. LT. Foster reported that some huge creature had breached the western wall. I sent him to radio for reinforcements, while I used the tunnels to lock down the armory. Shortly after that, a second crash caved in the only exit from the tunnel. The only thing I can think of large enough to do that kind of damage is a Behemoth and if Super Mutants have taken the courtyard, I can't risk the artillery falling into their hands. All I can do for now is set up defenses and wait for someone to dig me out.
[Bolstered my position]
It's now clear we must have lost the battle. I've heard something pounding on the armory door, but the walls will fall in before that door gives way. In case they attempted to clear the rubble from my quarters I've set up all the defenses that were left down here. I don't like to think about Super Mutants using our artillery against helpless settlements. I'm running low on water, but I still hope that the survivors will regroup and mount a counterattack in time.
[Final entry]
This will likely be my final entry. My supplies have all run out and I've given up hope that rescue is coming. The only thing left is an old case of wine I found. I know it will only make the dehydration worse but at this point, I'd rather my fate with a toast.
General McGann
Commonwealth Minutemen
Fox and Slippy heard Liberator curse himself under his breath the things he said to himself were hateful that it was his own fault that the Minutemen had fallen apart and that so many innocents had died.
The Old Ghoul tried not to cry regret overwhelmed him with all his failures hitting him harder than any physical strike ever could.
"I'm sorry sir I'm sorry."
Fox rubbed Liberator's arm getting his attention. "It's not your fault we saw how massive and tough that thing was if we came across it my team would have to use the Landmaster to take it out in a ground battle. In the air, it would have taken several charge shots to bring it down. Maybe even a smart bomb or two."
His ears folded not knowing what to say until another question popped into his mind.
"How close were you two?"
Liberator let out a bitter chuckle. "Close? I was there when he was born. I've watched so many loved ones being born and dying. That's the curse with being a ghoul. The thing is I wasn't there for McGann. He was many things a braggart at times envious boastful stubborn as a mule, however he was compassionate his troops were his pride and joy he was selfless as they come. He'd bend over backwards to help others even got his hands dirty working hard to get them better equipment. He learned from me and built upon it. Despite being envious at times he never let it get to him. I just wish I could have been there for him in his final moments to die when someone is with you it makes it easier but to die alone that's hard."
The Old Ghoul walked up the stairs into the armory pressing a big red button which opened the massive hydraulic door. It creaked, screeched, and groaned but slowly it opened letting sunlight into the west bastion for the first time in almost half a century. The armory was filled with supplies mines laser muskets grenades fusion cells even a fat man. What Liberator valued most lay on the table. Schematics for the 12-inch mortars. Next to them were all the parts needed gears barrels cement levers everything.
He handed the schematics to Slippy and walked down to get McGann carrying him out of the tunnel his rescue had come forty-seven years too late. Minutemen and Settlers grabbed their shovels digging a grave for McGann. When Liberator wasn't looking, they took measurements for him and McGann already planning to help The Ghoul General heal. There were no materials for a coffin, so his body was wrapped in a blanket.
Liberator turned to Preston. "Preston, do you know how to play Taps?"
The Colonel shook his head. "I'm sorry sir I don't. Hate to break it to you, but many pre-war songs have been forgotten save for those on holotapes."
Cody answered. "I do sir Daddy taught me when he gave last rights and eulogies to fallen Minutemen."
The young boy reached into his knapsack retrieving his fife. He began playing Taps. Everyone noticed his hands were covered in fresh blood, but he ignored it and continued playing.
Three Minutemen armed with Laser Muskets did the three-gun salute as the Minutemen flag was carefully draped over McGann.
*Crank* *Boom* *Crank* *Boom*
The flag was to be carefully taken off and folded into a tri shape roughly reminiscent of the Thirteen Folds of Old Glory. Liberator gave the eulogy.
"I know none of you met McGann but you doing this means so much to me to put it short McGann and Becker were the last two Generals who knew what the Minutemen are fighting for. We are fighting for our freedom, our people, and our future. I know we lost many brothers and sisters along the way, but we must also be thankful for those we still have and the new ones we gained. If it wasn't for our new friends here..."
He gestured to the Star Fox team. "We would have gotten our teeth kicked in even worse. We owe our thanks to them. McGann thought we were fighting Super Mutants instead it was the Mirelurk Queen but it's because of him the armory is safe and thanks to Slippy and Fox old Sarge didn't go off in two mushroom clouds. The point is we owe debts to our friends both old and new."
Liberator nodded and McGann's body was lowered while several Minutemen began burying him. The old ghoul stepped down and went back into the tunnels. He found his old army trunk inside his old fatigues and combat helmet. He picked it up beat the dust out of it and put it on. When he stepped out, he was no longer in his tattered militia uniform or worn out under armor glove but instead clad in his army fatigues and helmet. There the tapes read "U.S Army George H. Washington."
He gave his order. "Y'all take off for tonight I'm going to build some mortars with the parts we have along with the parts I can salvage I should be able to set up four maybe five whatever we can't salvage we'll throw into the scrap pile tomorrow."
Krystal paid no mind to what he was saying instead she followed Cody who didn't notice her. She could sense voices in his head arguing, threatening, berating him without rest. He looked left to right dragging the Raider scout's body into the ocean current.
Back on Corneria.
Evan's armor clanked with each step he took. Its polished steel shined in the mall's lighting. The chemo wrecked his body despite being sick and in immense pain, he insisted he escort Katt and Farah. The two girls grew increasingly worried for Evan. He had trouble keeping his footing with his armor doing it's best to hold him upright. He didn't walk per say but rather shambled. He looked through his visor at the Cornerian architecture. It was so sleek and beautiful well maintained, unlike Quincy. His teeth began to grind in anger.
"Those Gunners and the traitor took my home I must put my plan into action soon or it will be too late."
His brooding was interrupted when something small grabbed his leg he looked down, it was Thomas. The pup was smiling wide-eyed and tail wagging at the speed of light. Not far behind was Mayah who was chasing after Thomas. Evan picked the pup up guarding him from his annoyed mother. He stared through his visor eyes narrowing looking for any signs of hostility.
What he didn't know was that all three of the furred women could sense his paranoia. Mayah's muzzle frowned.
"Evan, you need help I know you're protective of Thomas I'm annoyed with him not angry as for you I'm scared your heartbeat isn't right your breathing is laborious and strained."
Evan swallowed. "I can't hide nothing from them how do they know?"
He took a defensive stance. Mayah knew it was a bluff, she knew the rookie was scared. Without fear or hesitation, she walked over her paw gently squeezing his armored hand. His stance softened.
Mayah turned to Katt and Farah. "Katt let's meet at your apartment and Evan Thomas deserves the truth. For the few days you've been here your condition has worsened. You can't even walk properly you shamble and stumble."
They met back at Katt's apartment. Evan kneeled before them slowly and carefully they removed his helmet as it hissed and depressurized the smell of chemo and cancer slammed into them like a hovertrain. Large clumps of his brown hair fell onto the floor. Farah opened the valve on his back while Mayah caught him. Without his armor, he could not stand. He was gently laid out on the couch. The girls brought Thomas into the kitchen talking about Evan and his condition ready to call the hospital. Evan heard this with a second wind desperate for freedom. He shambled and climbed back into his armor. Picked up his minigun and ammo backpack. They heard this and sprinted back into the living room.
"EVAN!" Shouted all four.
He put on his helmet jumping out of the twenty-story balcony. He landed in a crater without a scratch bolting off into the night.