The Old Ghoul examined his map. Now marking down locations full of valuable resources and writing a list of what they need. He heard a knock on the doors. "Come in." He said kindly.
Preston walked in. "Am I interrupting anything?"
Liberator smiled. "Of course, not what do you need my dear Colonel?"
Preston put his hands on the table. "Well, sir some of us feel uncertain. We're happy for all you have done for us but we're in a bad spot."
He pointed on the map. "As you already marked down nearby is a small Raider Gang, but they have fewer numbers than even us. They're more of a nuisance. The thing many are worried about is the nearby Greenskins occupying the Gwinnett Brewery and Restaurant."
Liberator just smirked taking a swig of whiskey. "That's the thing Preston we don't play by their rules we force them to play by ours. Cody and I used to deal with them all the time. Get a bunch of mines, bury them then lure em in. Works the same way with Mirelurks. Of course, I need to wait till Cody gets back and we need to make new gear as I stated yesterday."
Preston tapped his fingers nervously. "General I know you and Cody are very close but isn't it cruel to send him out as bait?"
The Old Ghoul shrugged his shoulders. "Well, the apocalypse forced him into war same with all of us. Hell, we fell apart so badly Rick had to form the Youth Battalion cause parents were dying in droves and almost no one wanted an extra mouth to feed with a famine going on. I use Cody as a lure because he is fast and competent, and his child frame makes him hard to catch best of all he can go places no one else can. Continuing our discussion over here is an unfinished building that one we'll strike with our artillery once we get it finished. Speaking of which, I have two steps of my plan for today. The first is to get the artillery done but we need to let the concrete cure for at least a month. I don't fancy the idea of us firing a 12-inch round and having the barrel fly off because we didn't wait for it to dry. However, one thing we can finish today is a forge for our metalsmiths. I already drew the plans last night get em in here."
The Colonel nodded, gathering the three metalsmiths along with Sturges.
Sturges looked at the layout of Independence. "Well boss, the only place I think we can put it is in East Bastion. We got plenty of gunports that were once used for the cannons can be used for the smelter's chimney but what will we use to build it?"
Liberator answered. "The Fort is made of hammered granite. Granite is very heat resistant we don't have enough bricks to rebuild the walls but if with shift through all the rubble, we can find enough intact bricks to build the forge and I know of some pipes in sheet metal in the tunnels that we can build the chimney out of. As for the fuel, we use charcoal, and in emergencies Mr. Handy fuel if you need it to get it hot quickly. I'll help you know your General won't leave you hanging. Let's get started."
Everyone pitched in rummaging through the rubble more than enough bricks were found. Liberator also used some of the destroyed stone to make mortar. Layer by layer the forge took shape. It was small but capable.
They all took a breather now that they were finished. Sturges clasps his hands. "Well, boss we did fine work. We need to wait at least two days for the mortar to dry anything else you have in mind?"
The Old Ghoul turned to his troops. "Well, what do our tanners need?"
One of the tanners answered. "We are running low on salt both for tanning and preserving our food."
Liberator gave an affirmative nod. "Will sea salt work?"
The tanner replied. "Of course, sir it will work just fine."
Liberator fired up his stove. Sturges and the tanners collected buckets of salt water from the shore. As they handed him the buckets, he showed them how to do it.
"Now you want to filter this to get out any unwanted things plankton pre-war microplastics and other not-so-fun critters. I normally like to use a nice cloth. I'll boil the water till it's two-thirds of what it was then drain it out. You don't want to boil it all away or else you'll burn the salt and cause it to stick to the bottom. Believe me, I learned this when I was a teen during one of my reenactments. Funny enough here we our roughing in our Fort like our Colonial Ancestors did."
Overall, even with the hard work, there was a sense of calm and security. No war no gunfire just living life even if it was only for a few days.
On Corneria Cody was out of the hospital this time was no vacation but to get Evan to see some sense. Star Fox accompanied him on his march along with Bill and Husky squad. They stumbled across Evan who palmed his helmet.
"What did I say, Bill? I wanted to be left alone."
Despite his anger and frustration, they knew Evan wouldn't hurt them. His tone changed quickly when Cody started barking orders.
"STAND AT ATTENTION WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!"
The Rookie stood at attention immediately.
Cody continued. "NOW THE GENERAL IS WORRIED ABOUT YOU AND IS NOT HAPPY WITH YOU GOING AWOL! HE SAID AND QUOTE! "TELL EVAN IF HE DOESN'T GET HIS HEAD OUT OF HIS ASS, I'M GOING TO TAN IT TILL HE CAN'T SIT DOWN FOR A YEAR!"
Evan stammered.
"DON'T YOU INTERRUPT ME! YOU HAVE CAUSED EVERYONE A LOT OF WORRY I KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO LOSE A HOME BUT I DID NOT GO AWOL AND DESERT MY POST BECAUSE DADDY DIED AND ZION BURNED, I STAYED WITH THE GENERAL WHEN HE WAS STILL A COMMANDER LOSING YOUR HOME IS NO EXCUSE FOR MAKING EVERYONE FEAR FOR YOUR WELLBEING OR MORE IMPORTANTLY YOUR LIFE! YOU WILL GET BACK TO THE HOSPITAL AND IF YOU DON'T UNFUCK WHAT FEW BRAIN CELLS YOU HAVE LEFT I WILL DO IT FOR YOU!"
Cody heaved slowly catching his breath. Evan kept his weapons with him and joined them while Cody made sure he didn't try to run
Most in the group had no clue Cody had such gumption Krystal did.
Her thoughts wandered. "Rick trained him well. Still, the cost to him was so high. His father forged his brothers and sisters into warriors. Stripped out most of the kit in them. Replaced with discipline and steadfast resolve. Rick wasn't a monster but a scared man. A man who tried to give them a fighting chance is such a demonic world. Still part of me just wants to gently wash away the pain away from Cody. No more war nightmares PTSD just a happy boy with no memory of the atrocities he was forced to witness.
They made it to the shuttle. It was an awkward trip with Evan's pained breathing being heard by all.
Cody briefed them. "Listen Evan I know you're in pain, but I have your back I just need to meet up with Josh."
They landed back at the hospital as the ramp opened the staff looked with awe and empathy. He was rushed in. Realizing he was welded in they drilled a small hole into the armor and frame to examine his skin. A doctor stuck his flashlight near the hole revealing that the frame had melded itself partially to his skin.
When the staff told him they would have to cut him out of it he flat-out refused.
"No, this armor and frame is over two centuries old, it is a relic we can't manufacture. I need its strength without it I can't move."
The doctor shook his head. "At least let me take a blood sample."
Evan gave an affirmative nod.
The blood they drew out was tested and had an alarming amount of waste; his kidneys were shutting down.
Liberator was contacted and briefed on Evan's condition.
A small hologram of him appeared on the communicator. "Cody get Evan back here I need both of you for this mission and the next one after concerns Evan."
Cody answered. "Wilco sir but I need to meet with Josh to improve our standing with the Cornerian people that we need to prepare them for the coming war with Venom."
Liberator replied. "Understood do what must be done before I go you have been officially promoted to Corporal. Liberator out."
Cody and Josh got together to plan their speeches and things needing attention in the Cornerian Senate.
The Senate was now in session and the trio of Minutemen stood before them.
Pepper started the discussions mainly with civilian concerns then on to military matters. He checked his notes.
"I call Ambassador Josh Corporal Cody and Evan for their opinions on the matter. It has come to my attention that the level of complacency in Corneria is unacceptable. However, the Minutemen demonstrated their readiness in the past. Despite Evan's transgressions, his reasons are very noble."
Fredendall was outraged. "Opinions Why from them Evan caused thirty thousand credits worth of damage and Cody is just a mere pup and what about Josh he got half eaten alive by zombies and gets to be an ambassador?"
Pepper growled and raised his teeth. "Need I remind you of your failings? Last time I gave you a fleet you went to chase down a few stragglers leaving Corneria defenseless save for a few picket ships because of your actions many of our people were killed and enslaved. Cody Nathan explain to the Senate on the matter."
Josh went first. "As you all know things have not gone well for the Minutemen and Fredendall it wasn't zombies it was Feral Ghouls and to top it off it was an intelligent Ghoul who saved me my own General saved me. You have what we had a leadership problem. Your troops are excellent some of the finest men and women I have ever met but your leaders are lacking. As for you Pepper, I say you're decent, especially with the massive forces you command both in space and on land. Your total number for the C.D.F. is eighty-three million strong. For the Minutemen both military and civilian we number only fifteen in total. Now for the Commonwealth, I'd have to guess it's well under a thousand not counting Raiders and Gunners. Corporal take it from here."
The young boy took off his helmet letting his long black hair fall he parted it leaving his tattoos for all to see.
"I see an alarming trend among you Cornerians that may lead to your downfall as it has with the old Minutemen. My General, I served under him for three years when he was still a Commander. He taught me all about the Minutemen and our history therefore I shall pass it on to you. Liberator was a Major before the bombs. The old world ended and the new began on October 23rd, 2077. After the bombs fell, he led remnants of the U.S Army to safety some still human others ghoulified. The very first generation of Minutemen. As people came and went born and died new militias began to form. Eventually, we became the Commonwealth Minutemen first coming together to protect Diamond City from a Super Mutant attack in 2180."
The members of the Senate stood silent rapt on Cody's little history lesson.
He continued. "With all the power we gained we wished to form a new government to fully unify the Commonwealth and rebuild. The Commonwealth Provisional Government was formed or for short the C.P.G. Well, you have your own boogieman, that being Andross and his Venomians well we have our own we call them the Insititute. They didn't like the idea of us being free and unified. So, they sent in a synth a synthetic human as their representative He went insane and shot up the place and killed the C.P.G before it could even be founded. The role then fell to General McGann to watch over the Commonwealth. Long story short a Mirelurk Queen broke through Fort Independence. McGann died of dehydration in the tunnels only recently has his body been found and given a proper burial since we took back the Fort."
He took a deep breath, readying himself. "Daddy Rick Mason was a pupil of Liberator. He was always fascinated with the First Great War. It's one of the reasons he built Fort Zion inspired by the impressive defense networks of the Hindenburg line. Things got worse over time but after I was born the Commonwealth took a nosedive. Raiders Mutants Ferals all infested the Commonwealth and things got even worse when the Gunners moved in. Soon many Settlements and Settlers found themselves slaughtered their children barely escaping. No one wanted them so Daddy took a stand with me as his first soldier. We built Zion digging trenches building pillboxes laying razor wire. Zion became a fortified orphanage."
Cody showed a small smile. "We took out the Raiders in Nuka World when Liberator took charge of me and my squad. The people were freed. The first major victory for the Minutemen in years. Liberator decided to stay and became our Papa Ghoul as some called him, he even beefed up Zion beyond what we thought was possible."
His face then turned into a dark scowl. "Once more the Insitute didn't like that, so they sent Kellogg along with a combined horde of Raiders Gunners and Synths."
His voice was raised slightly yet filled with bitter triumph. "Zion took the best of their best chewed them up and spat them back out. We butchered them and they butchered us. Daddy died by Kellogg's hand not even Liberator could stop him. Even with all the death, we won in a final counterattack bayonets fixed. We gave the Commonwealth one last chance, and we are not going to waste it. That's enough for now. Evan, you take this one."
Evan cleared his throat doing his best to not let the pain interfere. "When Quincy came under siege by the Gunners it was the Minutemen specifically Liberator and the Youth Remanent along with Colonel Hollis's group. We had a traitor in our ranks Clint joined the Gunners just like Shears joined Andross. Hollis was executed by Clint and Cody's brother Able laid his life to save us bought me enough time to get Cody out of there while Liberator went full berserker."
A representative spoke up unlike Fredendall, he was kind and polite. "We appreciate learning about your history, and we understand our leadership issues but what else did you want us to take from this?"
Cody answered. "That if you don't learn from our mistakes, you'll end up just like us once at the top of the world then at the bottom of the barrel wondering how the hell you got here. You and your family kids all rummaging through scraps of your ancestors scared and desperate to live just one more day. All while being besieged on all sides being hunted down. You are united but for how long?"
Fredendall growled again. "WHATS YOUR POINT?"
Cody's voice was raised a bit more this time. "My point is the Cornerian people cannot rely on the C.D.F for their protection. They must form their own Minutemen one not divided by petty politics like ours was. One that is united and if needed vengeful. Next time the enemy comes on your doorstep drown them in their own blood and bury them under their own corpses. Make them pay for every life lost and inch of ground. Make them regret the day they were born."
He was then at the point of yelling hatred in his voice pure and unrestrained. "YOU WANT AN END TO THE VENOMIAN PROBLEM? HERES ONE FINISH THEM!"
A concerned senator spoke up. "Are you suggesting omnicide?"
Cody replied. "THATS EXACTLY WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IF IT MUST BE DONE! TIME AND TIME AGAIN YOU HAVE LET YOUR PEOPLE BE GUTTED ENSLAVED ASSAULTED SOME EVEN RAPED! THESE VENOMIANS ARE THE SAME AS THE RAIDERS, GUNNERS, AND SLAVERS BACK IN THE COMMONWEALTH! SO, PEOPLE OF CORNERIA WILL YOU LAY DOWN AND DIE OR WILL YOU MAKE THEM PAY?"
Pepper shook his head. "Cody that's not right its pure evil total extermination just like Andross wished upon us. What is the point of fighting if you become just like them or worse? I know you are embittered but you have a point on some things. I have failed my people and so has their government. Yet I admire that you admit the Minutemen's failings as well. So, I have a proposal for the formation of Cornerian Minutemen and if your forces grow enough have a few of your own troops stationed here. All in favor say I."
A huge majority of the Senate agreed, and it was passed. However, Cody raised a lot of concerns both good and bad. For the first time the people of Corneria heard him speak from the heart and what they heard was pain and hate.
Cody and Evan made their way back to the shuttle. The two Minutemen chatted while Fox and Krystal were especially concerned. Their ears folded flat to their skulls.
They landed in the courtyard where Liberator welcomed them. "Good to see y'all made it safe anything happen?"
Fox was nervous he pulled out his communicator showing a full recording of the senate meeting. While Krystal sensed what was coming the others were shocked and disgusted when Liberator congratulated Cody.
"I must say Cody I'm very proud of you. You spoke the truth of both our failings and there's to top it off you taught them the true nature of war. If you have other such excellent speeches, you could give I'd love to have them broadcast on Radio Freedom."
Cody did his best to find his words. "Thank you, sir, I thought you'd be disappointed."
Liberator laughed. "Oh, Cody I'm proud I should read you some of my favorite speeches from Patton when we got time. However, we have chores to do pest control. Evan, I called you to help us clear out the Greenskins and small Raider Gangs. A little past the Gwinnett Brewery and Restaurant is the South Boston Police Department. A little bit north of it is a small scrapyard full of cars. Best of all most are gutted so when we cut on them, we won't have to worry about them exploding."
Both Minutemen and Star Fox were confused. Fox asked. "Why would you want a bunch of old gutted wrecks to cut on?"
Liberator smiled puffing a cigar. "Because while y'all were gone we built ourselves a small smeltery. Tomorrow the mortar will finish curing and we'll be able to fire it up for the first time. We need steel and with said steel will finally be able to make the parts and equipment we need. With the smelter, we can make ingots which will help us clean out impurities and make the metal easier to work with. Here's the plan we mainly kill the outside guards of the Raiders and Greenskins then we get one of the hollowed-out wrecks from the yard. Evan and I will use our Power Armors to get it into the courtyard then the metalsmiths will start up their cutting torches as for the Star Fox team y'all can join if you wish as they say the more the merrier."
Fox was hesitant but he thought. "If we can help Cody better the Minutemen's situation maybe his heart can heal and soften over time?"
Fox saluted. "We're at your service lead on."
The killing of the Raiders and Super Mutants went along smoothly with the combined force of the Minutemen and Star Fox team along with Liberator in his T-51 and Evan in his T-45 the outside guards stood no chance. They looked around the small piles of cars, most of them being Corvega Blitzs. Evan and Liberator picked up one on top of a pile it still had small bits of its orange paint on its rusted body. They carried it back to the courtyard where the metalsmiths immediately got to work. They opened the hood to their relief the fusion engine was removed long ago. The hood was also the first to go the chrome ornament was taken and saved for later processing. The metalsmiths cut the hood into strips before soaking it in an acid water mix. The very next day the fire in the smeltery was lit and the metal was now rust-free. The bellow blew on the fire raising the heat. The now liquid steel was poured into the molds. Now cool the first ingots fell from the molds now clean and ready to be worked into either tools or weapons.