POV Rio
Hancock arrives at the Castle just before noon. My first question is how he can come with us.
"Heh, well, now that Goodneighbor is an ally of the Minutemen, no gangs are willing to try anything. Heck, most gangs have outright fled Northern Boston and gone either towards Diamond City or into the Northeastern Commonwealth. As for the repairs, most of it is already done. I'm not needed for much anymore. Which meant it was time to take a break from Goodneighbor. Sigh. Honestly, the whole war with Marowski was a mess, and I need some time away from Goodnieghbor so the people don't start thinkin' I'm a tyrant. Or rather to avoid me becoming one," Hancock says.
"I suppose that makes sense, but what about defenses? Even if some gangs are unwilling, it doesn't mean nobody will," I caution.
"Don't worry about that. I got some new recruits that can keep the peace while I'm out. That and my niece is handling things while I'm gone," Hancock says.
"Niece? You have a niece since when?" I ask, genuinely confused.
"Huh? Ohhhh? Yeah, I guess I never said that she was my niece. But it's Fahrenheit. And no, before you ask, she isn't McDonough's daughter. She is from our mother's side of the family. The last of that side of the family, so I took her in when I heard what happened to our Cousin," Hancock says.
"Wait? Fahrenheit, the woman always with you. Uses a Minigun?" I ask.
He nods and laughs. Everyone else seems just as confused as me.
"Which brings me to how long I can stick with you guys. As much as I would love to stick with you guys forever, I can't stay out of Goodneighbor forever. I got maybe a couple of months before I have to return," Hancock says.
"Sigh. Well, can't say I am not disappointed, but I understand. You've got to look after Goodneighbor," I reply with an understanding tone.
"Thanks for understanding. So what's the plan?" Hancock asks.
"I've heard the Robots have taken over the Navy. We're going to investigate," I reply.
Everyone looks at me like I am crazy, but I refuse to explain further. I lead them to a boat, and we take it to the USS Constitution. Before making landfall, I give everyone an ID Card to get us all new identities for the Robots to scan. The USS Constitution was an old pre-war Wooden Sailing Ship that someone decided to install rocket engines onto. The ship was stuck on top of an old bank, and all I could say to that was, It is impressive, it has lasted this long without falling apart.
"Scanning. Scanning. Accessing pre-war records. Records found. We are glad to have you here, General Rio and company. The Captain is awaiting you on the deck. Please use the rear elevator, sir," the Lookout says while saluting me.
"Adease, Lookout, thank you for your service," I respond.
We get on the elevator, which is a spare wooden boat with a small motor in it, allowing it to ascend and descend at the press of a red button. Everyone was a bit confused, but they just went with it. I could spot several issues with the structure of the ship, but I could repair that before we "launched the ship". As we ascend, I hear over the intercom Captain Ironsides' speech.
"This is the Captain speaking. We're taking on a distinguished General. Clear the berth. Disable defenses. Make way," Ironsides says nothing more.
We get to the top, and we see the Captain of the ship, which is a Sentry Bot.
"The General has arrived. Been too long since we've seen the Congressional Army. I am Captain Ironsides, commander of the USS Constitution. You visit this fine vessel in trying times. Becalmed these long years on her airy perch. Damn you, Weatherby Savings and Loan! I spit at you! What vexes me most is my inability to assist in the war effort. My gun decks have naught but mole rats and ne'er-do-wells as targets. Enough pleasantries. The Constitution has systems that need repairs to carry out its mission," Ironsides says.
"What do you need?" I ask.
"I thank you for offering. Consult with the Bosun and Mr. Navigator. They will relay your instructions. Dismissed," Ironsides responds.
I nod, and we first talk with the Navigator as he is closest. But as we are doing that, the ship comes under attack.
"Look lively, lads. Scavengers approach! General, man the cannons. Kill them only as a last resort. A few warning shots usually suffice to scare that rabble off," Ironsides orders.
Normally, as a General, I would outrank him, but technically, a Captain of a ship in the Navy outranks everyone in certain circumstances. They could even ignore an order from the President in certain circumstances. So I manned the cannons and got ready to operate the broadsides. The fight wasn't that crazy. It seemed like there weren't many scavengers attacking the ship, but that didn't mean I would go easy on them.
"The cannons are ready! Fire at will!" Ironsides orders.
BOOM x 12
The cannonballs are launched and cause massive damage to the area, and seem to cause the Scavengers to run away.
"They've struck their colors. Well done, men," Ironsides praises.
"Scavenger threat eliminated. Damage assessment will commence after this unit has completed scheduled duties," the Navigator reports.
We take this time to talk with the Navigator.
"Guidance system offline. Multiple errors diagnosed. First error: Guidance Chip stolen. This unit requires its return. Stolen by human scavengers. Scavengers. Reclaim chip at scavenger's forward recon station. Captain has approved a bounty for its return. Lethal force is prohibited unless absolutely necessary," states the Navigator.
"Done," I respond before having everyone wait on the ship.
I fly into the sky and drop onto the roof of the Scavengers' base. Then I focus on what I am looking for and find it in a cabinet. With delicate telekinesis I slowly float it out of the cabinet and through a hole in the wall. After I have it I fly back to the USS Constitution.
"Ahoy, General. Chip recovered. Dispensing bounty. Diagnostics report one error remaining. Guidance Radar's transmitter is non-functional. Requires replacement," the Navigator states.
"What's wrong with the transmitter?" I ask.
"Diagnostic inconclusive. No functioning Mr. Handys available for detailed analysis. Acquire Poseidon Radar Transmitter at specified map coordinates," the Navigator replies.
"Let me fix it for you," I say while walking over to the Radar.
The fix was easy to do, and I even improved its effectiveness with a few spare parts I always carry around.
"Ahoy, General. Guidance system fully functioning. Bounty dispensed. It is required you commence dialogue with the Bosun. Sir," states the Navigator.
I nod, and I head to the lower decks.
"Your very presence does this humble unit a great honor. My programming would find it amiss if I did not also interject. Long live the captain!" says the Bosun with lots of gusto.
"What's the mission?" I ask.
"Our last marine expedition valiantly returned with much-needed supplies. Including replacement power cables, sir. Alas, with my severe lack of appendages, I find myself unequal to the task of repairing the cables myself," the Bosun says.
"I'll get it done," I reply.
"My anxiety emulators are lightening by the microsecond. Once you have resolved this matter, I beseech you to return to me to accept my undying gratitude," the Bosun says with great excitement.
I do one better for the ship and fix numerous issues I spotted. Fixing numerous wiring issues. Improving the generators. Fixing several of the robots and also maybe editing their programming a bit. Fixing holes in the walls and floor. Fixing the firing mechanisms for many of the cannons. Then, once I am sure everything is in the best condition I can get it to, I restart the generator and restore power to the ship. It wasn't enough to get the rockets on, but it was enough to restore most machines in the ship.
BRRRRMMM
I double-checked if there were any issues before confirming everything was working as intended. So I returned to the Bosun.
"Power flows firm and steady. And not just that, but I detect that many other problems with the ship have been fixed and, dare I say, improved. I would applaud you, but, alas, I cannot due to my lack of clapping instruments. But huzzah, sir, huzzah!" yells the Bosun with glee.
"Well, you're very welcome, Bosun," I reply.
"You are too kind. I require no further assistance. The Captain requests your presence on the bridge. I am sure he intends to rest further laurels upon you. Again, well done," the Bosun says.
I nod and head back to the topside and talk with Captain Ironsides.
"I find I must reward your considerable efforts with a final labor. We stand but a hair's breadth away from embarking on our sacred mission," Ironsides says with glee.
"I was happy to help," I reply.
"I would expect nothing less. The ship requires Turbopump Bearings from a nearby factory. It will undoubtedly be a dangerous mission. But I have faith you will succeed," Ironsides responds.
I agree, but before I leave, I decide to finish my repairs of the robots as well as the reprogramming. The only one I didn't mess with was Captain Ironsides, as he was not damaged, and as such, I had no excuse to fix him. As for the FLL3 turbopump bearings he requested? I didn't need to get another one as I already had one. Or at least the parts to make one. So I went to the lower deck and into the Captain's Quarters to install the pump. While I was there, I grabbed the U.S. Covert Operations Manual Issue #2, Urban Camouflage from the table. It made me slightly more stealthy which was nice. Then I head back to the deck.
"Trim the power on the starboard bow. Steady as she goes, Mr. Navigator. Luck willing, at long last we'll set sail. And our hero of the hour is to thank. You've earned a double share, sir. Well done," Ironsides compliments.
"You're welcome," I respond.
"You are truly worthy, sir, of witnessing our maiden voyage. Our twin NX-42 rockets will alight and unmoor us from this dreaded Savings and Loan. The Constitution will launch into the heavens and, after gently landing in the ocean. Then we take our rightful place as defenders of the Atlantic," Ironsides explains.
"Ambitious," I comment.
"As they say, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. One task remains us, we need to power up the auxiliary generator to commence our voyage. Might you do the honors, General Rio?" Ironsides asks.
"Sure," I reply.
"Mr. Navigator, put her through her paces. We need to-" Ironsides says, but is interrupted by the sounds of gunfire.
"Those motherless curs. Prepare to broadside. Defend the Constitution until our last breath!" screams Ironsides.
The Scavengers came back with a larger group this time, but it was still only 26, which might seem like a lot, but with our firepower, it wasn't nearly enough. As soon as enough come into range, I used the Broadsides to blast holes through the area. Some were Solid Shot, but some were Grapshot, which in either case mangled anyone who got hit. Arms and legs flew off, and the screams of those who managed to survive were enough to scare some away. But as the cannons were reloading, the Scavengers got bold and used an RPG to attack us. I dodge the blast fine, but Ironsides and the ship took the hit. The ship was fine as it wasn't that powerful, and I had added a magic shield to lessen the damage. But Ironsides took a decent amount of damage. We kept shooting, and unlike previous groups I had fought, these Scavengers fled when they lost over 75% of their numbers.
Once the dust had settled, 21 Scavengers lay dead, and 4 robots had taken quite a bit of damage. I used this chance to fix them and edit Captain Ironsides' programming. It wasn't that much, just had him come under the command of the Minutemen. I also edited the navigation computer to make sure they made it to the ocean instead of another building. Once I was sure everything was in order, I few over to the Auxiliary Generator and got ready to throw the switch. Everyone else was on the ship since this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Mr. Navigator, slowly throttle the engines. Keep idling those engines. Ahoy, General. We're ready for our auxiliary power," Ironsides says over the intercom.
I throw the switch.
"Power nominal. Excellent. Commencing final countdown. Three... Two... One... Mr. Navigator, light the engines. Dreaded Savings and Loan, we shall be moored no longer," Ironsides says.
VROOOOOOOOMMMMM
The rockets ignite, and the ship gets airborne.
"We are away! One point to starboard! Yes, yes," Ironsides orders.
The ship avoids the skyscrapers and travels through Northern Boston before crashing into the Boston Harbor. Our final landing spot is not far from the Castle. Which was thanks to my edits to the navigation equipment.
"Huzzah! We have landed safely in the Atlantic. All crew status report!" Ironsides says while the ship slowly makes its way towards the Castle.
"Fort Independence spotted making course for port," the Navigator responded.
When we get to the Castle, Ronnie Shaw, Curie, and Preston all look at us with flabbergasted faces.
"Did... Did you fly a ship?" Ronnie asks.
"Yes, yes, we did," I reply.
"Aren't you a little old to be flying ships around?" Preston says jokingly.
"Yes, yes, we are," I reply with a smile.
We sort out the ship, and the quest completes. Captain Ironsides is inducted into the new Minutemen Navy, and I am given a cool hat alongside a portable Cannon called the Broadsider. And I became Idolized by the USS Constitution crew, giving me the First Mate perk. It boosted damage with Explosives by 15% and the Broadsider or any other Cannon by 30%. Overall, it was a great perk that had wide uses. The cannon boost was a bit niche, but that was fine since Explosives were plentiful. Overall, it was a fantastic day.
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Author's Note:
A little change, as I am sure many of you are aware. I figured it would make sense for a sufficiently Intelligent player to make it so the ship could actually make it to the ocean. Especially since this quest is one of the very few, if not only, quests in the base game where you can use stats to bypass parts of the quest. Now, admittedly, I am not sure how useful an old sailing ship is in the post-apocalypse since other boats still work if you give them fuel. Also, the name of this chapter is based on an old Nicolas Cage movie. As for the IDs that Rio made, I figured it would be easy to make since Rio has an extensive collection of old ID badges and their data. Then he can easily edit some old records or make a new ID for himself and his friends. Also, yes, I finished the chapter with a Phineas and Ferb reference. Until next time, Ciao.