Recruits came pouring in some from nearby settlements others homeless drifters. It wasn't long before a familiar face popped up among them Jacqueline Spencer. She bolted to Liberator. The two caught up on what went down, and poor Jacqueline almost broke down crying when she heard what happened to Cody's squad.

Cody himself walked into the courtyard smoking a cigar with MacCready in tow. Liberator called a briefing in his Quarters. "All right y'all today we got some things to address. First, I need a head count raise your hand for a support role."

When they were done, he counted fifty-eight.

"Now raise your hand for a frontline roll."

He counted twenty-three. In total, they have eighty-one volunteers.

"Preston you're in charge get everyone situated Cody, Evan MacCready you're with me we got a gang to clear out in Andrew Station and Super Mutants at Medford Memorial Hospital got word the hospital has a dialysis machine."

Evan crossed his armored arms. "I'm guessing this is the mission concerning me?"

Liberator nodded. "Yep, you're trapped in that armor and don't want to get out we need to buy you more time somehow MacCready considering this your first mission with the Minutemen you and Cody watch our backs and take care of the Raiders how you see fit."

MacCready smirked. "No worries you're working with the best."

MacCready climbed a fire escape onto the roof of an old house and went to town picking off the three Raiders on the roof. Liberator and Evan went for the turret while Cody went for the Raiders and their two attack dogs. With the outside area cleared, Liberator kicked open the two metal doors leading to the subway. They marched into the lobby the Raider's rounds pinging off their armors. Cody gunned down two more attack dogs and while the Raiders were taken out by Liberator and Evan one of the Raiders fell dead on the campfire his body was pulled out before it could burn.

They moved down the stairwell with Liberator disarming the mines and can chimes. Liberator threw a grenade taking out a turret and sending the Raiders into a panic some even getting killed by running into their own mines. Liberator turned to a small hallway a turret spotted him. He threw another grenade; it set off several mines destroying the turret. The group turned their attention to the other tunnels and train sets buried in them. The Raiders made a whole small set of shacks throughout the tunnels. Liberator barged through the rickety shack made of rotted wood stood no chance against a ghoul clad in over half a ton of T-51F. The Raiders panicked but their fight was in vain. Cody went to scavenging finding an ammo box with four shotgun shells and pried open an explosives box finding inside one frag grenade and a molotov.

He spotted a hole in the side of the tunnel leading to another set of tunnels. These were made from brick instead of concrete. He immediately noticed the flammable gas filling the tunnels from a leaking pipe.

Liberator spoke sternly. "Now I want all of us out of here I'm going to rig a timed bomb once that gas line goes this whole place is gonna blow. Back to Independence now."

The small team ran as fast as they could. Liberator rang the alarm bell. "EVERYONE INSIDE THE FORT NOW A GAS LINE IS GOING TO BLOW!"

One minute later the bomb on the gas line went off. The explosion was at least several hundred feet turning a bunch of ruined buildings into a crater. Chancer and what remained of her gang were incinerated in the blast. Cody took no chances and stayed in the Fort's tunnels. Liberator wisely made sure all the pipes were disconnected and shut off since they took the Fort. The explosion destroyed all houses near Fort Independence. The people were grateful they listened to their General. The fire would rage on for days, all the dried brush and rotted ruins made perfect fuel. The people waited for an hour before they were allowed to go back out.

The fire was not heading for them and stayed where it was. Liberator regrouped and headed for Medford.

"Evan still got that Venomian Blaster with you?"

"Yes sir." Answered Evan.

Liberator gave his order. "Set it on high it'll burn through the Greenskin's thick muscle and tissue. Let's keep a steady pace get to it."

During the march, they encountered a Deathclaw butchering a Raider Gang. Liberator planted a large cluster of mines. The Deathclaw went after them while the quartet fled. The mines went off blowing its feet and legs. The last thing the dying beast saw was Liberator shoving the barrel of his M2 down its throat. As they marched on Liberator, was thankful the gas line explosion was contained it was connected to the immediate area and not the Commonwealth as a whole. Even so, the idea that they may not be so lucky next time that either a Raider or unwitting explorer could light a match or fire a shot could set off the entire Commonwealth was not a pleasant thought.

Liberator pried the doors open yet again the gore and smell of Super Mutants hit them. Evan opened fire with his Blaster Rifle, its yellow bolts lighting up the dark interior of the hospital. MacCready sniped down the ones on the upper floors in the lobby. A Suicider attempted to charge them but failed when MacCready sent a 308 between his eyes. Evan charged forward Blaster blazing. He grinded his teeth not just from pain but also hate.

"THATS RIGHT GREENSKINS GO BACK TO HELL WHERE YOU BELONG!"

Cody corrected him. "Evan this is mercy killing the Mutants are often Settlers and Drifters sometimes Raiders all kidnapped by the Insititute who are then twisted with F.E.V brainwashed and sent back to cause death and destruction on the surface."

Evan went silent before asking. "How do you know this? Is that where they keep coming from?"

Cody answered factually and casually. "Back at University Point, they sent Kellog and some Synths to wipe out the people to take some technological research regarding reactors. We beat them back and Liberator destroyed the data. I caught one of their little workers he wasn't a Synth though but a normal human. I tortured him till he told me everything then I killed him shattered his skull open no Synth Component just grey matter."

MacCready threw his two caps in. "Bunch of sick bastards now wonder you have such a vendetta against them. So are the stories true?"

Cody answered while killing another Mutant. "Which ones the ones on Zion or the one about Delilah?"

"Both." Replied MacCready.

"Ok the ones on Zion are true the Insititute Raiders and Gunners all joined forces to wipe us out as for Deliliah no its not true. She claimed I raped her, but I never did I already have nightmares about everyone I hold dear dying or them coming back from the dead blaming me for everything last thing I need is the nightmarish image of Delilah without her clothes."

The boy shuttered then continued his voice slick with sarcasm and sadism. "I did however give her some free facial surgery honestly, I'm proud for a first-time cosmetic surgeon I did a damn good job quite the improvement if I do say so myself. I was about to put her out of everyone's misery, but they pulled me off her then she ran tail between her legs spouting lies and all that. The puppets in Diamond City will believe anything you tell them but the people of Goodneighbor they saw everything they know better."

MacCready understood. "So the story that Goodneighbor tells is true Delilah acted like she owned the place slapped Mary causing you to snap into a protective homicidal rage?"

Cody gave a simple. "Yep."

MacCready stayed silent and kept shooting. The floors were cleared, and they moved down, clearing out more. They found themselves in what used to be an old locker room, blood, and gore painted the floor along with skeletons with bits of flesh remaining. Cody opened an ammo box his eyes lit up.

"General I found four fusion cores."

Liberator grabbed them. "Evan you're gonna need these least after we find out how we're going to remove that current one welded in. Let's keep moving."

They went to an area that was partly collapsed. Where more Mutants met their end including many of their hounds. With Liberator and Evan having their flanks covered by Cody and MacCready they were unstoppable. Only one group of Mutants remained, including their leader, but they locked themselves in the Operating Theater. Cody found the key to it in an old tool case.

Liberator used the terminal activating the lights and music before opening the door. They didn't get so lucky this time the Mutant were prepared. Two Mutant Hounds flanked Cody and MacCready. One would have ended MacCready if it wasn't for Cody. He stabbed them with his bayonet. MacCready withdrew a few steps only to look in horror as another one came for him, but Cody shoved him out of the way almost losing his left arm in the process. The Hound's massive teeth impaled his flesh and crushed his bones. He let out an ear-piercing scream. This caused Liberator to drop everything leaving Evan to finish the job alone. The enraged Ghoul proceeded to brutalize the Hound to death. He looked over to MacCready. Carrying Cody to safety. The battle was over.

While Liberator and MacCready did everything they could for Cody Evan opened the surgery cabinet discovering ten missiles the Mutants were storing. It brightened the mood a little bit, but Liberator was still livid about Cody's arm. They went upstairs and opened the sliding doors leading them to the supply room. Rather than hack the terminal Liberator pulled out a cutting torch on the steel mesh. Inside they found two bottles of Buffout a syringe of Med-X a box of Mentats one bottle of Rad-X and a pack of Radaway.

MacCready and Evan cracked open the shiny metal crates one by one finding vast amounts of Stimpacks bandages and other very sought-after medical supplies. The two opened the last few crates inside what they came for a dialysis machine in pristine condition. The crate that was with it contained the dialysate solution. They headed back home, and it was night by the time they got there. Most cheered but went quiet when they saw Cody's mauled arm. Vera was distraught but had to keep her cool. She made sure her mask and cloak stayed on making it look like lupine form was a very good costume.

Her voice was slightly muffled but there was no hiding the worry in it.

"General I can fix many things but that? I don't have the tools or technology for it. It may heal but he'll end up with another malunion just like his right arm."

Cody took a long drink from his flask. "Ehh whatever long as I can adjust and shoot straight, I really don't give a damn."

Vera growled her ears folded flat. "You wonder why you're in such a state you need to understand there are people who not only worry about you but treasure you. You see yourself as a disposable asset, a worn-out weapon, but to those who love you. You are irreplaceable. If you love Fox Krystal and everyone else, then shape up no more drugs no more carelessness."

She could sense she struck a chord with Cody as he hung his head in shame.

She knelt down to his level. "Cody we all know you've been through many horrible things beyond imagination but the only way you can make things better is to start with yourself. You're in no condition to fight physically or mentally."

Cody's voice filled with resolve. "Vera the Minutemen need me you've seen what I can do despite my said condition. We are already rebuilding. Look at us, we were only fifteen in total now, we're ninety-six. Almost one hundred strong."

He looked at the volunteers, many of them emaciated and sick. "Ok, strong may be overly optimistic but still they have potential."

Vera breathed and took him inside Liberator's quarters where no one could hear them. "You'll be far stronger if you heal unlike you most here haven't been hooked on drugs for three years straight or only get two hours of sleep most nights. So, either you go back to Corneria willingly or I will call Star Fox myself and I'm sure Krystal especially will be keen on your nightly episodes. Every night you have constant nightmares and night terrors, none of us have been able to get proper sleep. Your screaming sends chills down our spines. If the recruits hear it, you'll send them into a panic. I'm not angry at you Cody I'm scared for you."

She opened her small makeup mirror. "Look at your eyes Cody they're completely bloodshot and sunken and don't think I haven't noticed you're constantly in pain from your right arm. Liberator told me what Kellogg did you need to get that malunion fixed and wrist reconstructed. Yet you refused it wanting to get back into the thick of it."

Cody knew she was right. "Alright I'll go but you keep a sharp eye on my General and my people and so help me if you fail them, I will come for you."

Vera raised a brow behind her mask. "Is that it everyone else besides Liberator and you are so stupid and incompetent that you two have to micromanage everything?"

Cody shrugged his shoulders. "Sure seems that way before Liberator became General my Daddy and Hollis seemed to be the only Commanders without their heads up their asses. It was because of corruption petty politics and incompetence that almost got all of us killed and the Commonwealth enslaved. Don't you understand? I know I'm only ten years old yet as Daisy put it best I'm still more of a man than most ever will be. I don't ignore my condition because I think it makes me less of a man I do it because I'm scared that if I'm gone for too long it will all fall apart. That because if I'm not there everyone would die."

Vera hugged him tightly. "Cody what your father did was wrong, but he did the best thing out of a list of options which were all bad. Liberator made it worse piling so much onto you. As for Preston, he needs to start living up to the rank of Colonel cause from what I see you're the real second in command."

Cody just hugged a little tighter.

Liberator walked in no longer in his armor but dressed in normal clothes. He arranged for the shuttle to land on the outskirts of the Commonwealth. He carried Cody all the way there. Sturges Mama Murphy and Evan were set to depart. Sturges objected at first until Liberator told him the plan he was needed for Evan and a secret program that was top priority.

The shuttle landed and Fox stepped out of the ramp clad in his hazmat suit. The two leaders shook hands. "Fox here is the location of the secret weapon."

He handed him a map with the location marked along with an old envelope. "Now Fox don't open that envelope till after you have Cody in either the Hospital's care or Krystal's and have reached this location it's a surprise for him and a much-needed weapon on our end."

Fox was concerned and confused. "Liberator you're normally not like this what's going on?"

Liberator spoke the truth. "Fox y'all can't be there for us every single time you have your own people and planet to worry about. I've been using some of the old Relay Towers to catch signals outside the Commonwealth. For centuries I've been able to catch all sorts of stations. Now each day more signals are just static, the last one I caught before it went off people were screaming. Something is out there, a new threat. I don't know what it is, but I must plan ahead. However, this weapon is more than a weapon but something you Cody can bond over and help him find some solace."

The Old Ghoul gave a gentle smile. "Oh, and when you get the weapon, you're gonna need a bigger shuttle it's a vehicle not a handheld gun that's the only detail I'm giving you till you open that envelope again don't open it till you reach the location."

The shuttle took off and Liberator headed back. Cody was again back at the hospital this time for proper healing. They shattered his right arm and put it back in place fixing the malunion along with reconstrucing his wrist. To the staff's surprise, Cody listened to them and chose to stay until they discharged him.

Liberator back at Independence helped the volunteers learn their chosen roles. Some apprenticed themselves to the metalsmiths and were learning the basics. Others went to learn sewing and tailoring from Marcy. A few went to Jacqueline to study engineering and electrical. He had a hard time training the new troops. Unlike the support roles which all had different split groups he and Preston were alone. Many of the troops had never seen combat besides maybe a skirmish and tussle with Radroaches. Some of them didn't know their right from their left.

Liberator sighed and then saw a figure enter. She sprinted to him. When he realized who it was, he sprinted as well, meeting in a massive hug.

Ronnie Shaw refused to let go for a bit. "Can't believe my Gramps is alive thought you died at Quincy."

Liberator answered. "We almost did but we made it. Long story but I'm glad you came back."

Ronnie laughed a bit. "Well didn't have a reason to come back when Becker got himself killed and the idiots took over. Now that you're the new General I finally have a reason. I must ask what makes you think people want the Minutemen back?"

Liberator replied. "We're the good guys again people are seeing that."

Ronnie smiled. "Well I heard some good things but with these poor recruits I can see you really need my help top it off I hear one of the only veterans you had among you besides Preston is Rick's little war spawn. Where is Cody?"

Liberator told her. "Cody is still alive, but I had to send him away for medical treatment I have some friends who are much better with medicine come let me introduce everyone then we start training."

Training went much better with Ronnie Shaw in charge. The recruits were eager to please and better themselves, but she could tell some of them had been isolated from other people for too long. So, the two decided. She would train them and Liberator would educate them.

The metalsmiths worked in shifts along with their new apprentices working day and night to make more tools hobnails and other things. They were no longer providing much-needed tools and equipment repairs for fifteen people but now ninety-six.

As for Ronnie Shaw, she based a lot of her training on the National Guard setting up a two-week training period for a start, and if things went well increase it to two months. One thing Liberator had to address was their weight or rather lack of. He remembered stories about Cornerian reserves being a little on the husky side but with his own troops, he had the opposite problem. On one ruck march a few of the recruits collapsed from exhaustion and didn't have the strength or stamina. Liberator carried them on his back refusing to leave anyone behind it was clear they had a long way to go before the Minutemen could become a professional military.