POV Rio
We arrived at the Military Checkpoint just south of Natick Banks, and we found a barely intact set of T-45 Power Armor. After adding it to my inventory, it was still not in the best shape, as it was no longer a full suit. I was missing the Left and Right Arms as well as the helmet. Due to missing half the suit, I decided to leave it in my inventory.
After the checkpoint, we moved North to Natick Banks. There wasn't anything left living in the town as a group of Raiders wiped out the Settlers, then a group of Super Mutants wiped out the Raiders, and then finally a family of Deathclaws ate everyone here. There used to be another group of Raiders a bit farther north, but they had abandoned their base a while ago, from what I could tell. Also, thankfully, the Deathclaws from the two different families didn't fight.
I looted the town for whatever remained, but it wasn't much. That was until I went below the Church and found a box of what are labeled as Holy Frag Grenades. At first, I thought it was a funny joke, but then I realized they were actually enchanted. If what I could tell was right, they could do some ridiculous amounts of damage to those who are evil-aligned or corrupted.
'I will save these for a rainy day.'
The only sad part was that I couldn't replicate them. They require the powers of a holy magic caster to bless them during their creation. I couldn't become a Cleric or a Paladin to meet these requirements, so I just saved them for now. It was possible I could find someone who met the requirements later. After that, most of the other loot was just ammo and a few healing items. I did find something that I knew was important to Nick. It was the Eddie Winter Holotape #4.
"Can I... Can I have that?" Nick asks a little nervously.
"Of course," I respond and hand him the holotape.
"Thanks. I know you might be curious, but... just give me some time and I will tell you," Nick responds.
I tell him there is no rush, and we move on. I feed the Deathclaws so they will continue to help us. We used their help to clear out several areas. The Deathclaws did so with few losses. With their help, we cleared out Poseidon Reservoir, Greater Mass Blood Clinic, Boston Mayoral Shelter, Fort Hagen, Fiddler's Green Trailer Estates, and the outside portion of Fort Hagen Satellite Array. Some areas would normally be impossible for them to help with, but with some elbow grease and a little magic, we made it work.
Poseidon Reservoir was easy; there were not many ferals there. Loot was mediocre, but the access to another power station was welcome. The Greater Mass Blood Clinic was a treasure trove of prewar medical equipment and data. I even managed to collect a few gallons of preserved blood. Normally, it would have been long since expired, but my inventory saved me again, and the blood was restored as it had been in a closed-off refrigerated room. Fort Hagen was a mess for the Synths stationed there. They may have barricaded the doors, but the Deathclaws just blasted through those. Kellogg may not have been present, but at least a Courser was. I never knew a Courser could show such fear before. The courser was tough and managed to kill a Deathclaw before being taken out, but that was only because he used the narrow hallways to his advantage.
The outside area of the Fort Hagen Satellite Array was also straightforward. The Rust Devils at first just kept sending robots and men to fight, but when they realized they were fighting a small army of Deathclaws, they wisely hid underground and refused to come out. I wanted to lead the Deathclaws down to deal with them, but the garage access was buried under a lot of soil. So I left them alive for now. Fiddler's Green Trailer Estates was also really easy. There were as many as 50 ferals, but they were all annihilated by the Deathclaws.
The other place we cleared out was the Boston Mayoral Shelter. It was a bit of a tight fit through the hallways and corridors, but the end result was basically the same as Fort Hagen. The Shelter even had a Courser. Didn't save them then, wouldn't save them now. I was very tempted to lead the Deathclaws then further North, but I felt they had helped me plenty, and they were also getting really full from all the meat I had been feeding them. Basically, any dead bodies were given to the Deathclaws, and then I sent them back to their new home in Natick Banks. It seemed that the two families decided to join together and form their own larger family. I made sure to send word out about avoiding Natick Banks for most people. The Minutemen would be fine as they are now classified as allies of the Deathclaws.
As for loot, I got a really nice amount. First were the two sets of T-60 Power Armor. Both were in good condition. Piper and Cait were wearing both. One of the suits was in fantastic condition and was fully upgraded with Army Paint.
Then, for Perk Magazines, I got the following. Massachusetts Surgical Journal Issue #8, Cryo-Technology: Haven or Tomb! It increased my outgoing Limb Damage by another 2%. Next was Live & Love Issue #12, The Secretary Charmer, which boosted my XP gain from persuading women by 25%. Niche but nice. Next was Guns and Bullets, Lasers & Hunting: Acceptable Overkill, which increased Ballistic Critical Damage by 5%. Then it was U.S. Covert Operations Manual Issue #6, Squeaky Floorboard Sudden Death, which improved stealth. Then it was Astoundingly Awesome Tales Issue #6, My Brain and I... (A Twisted Love Tale), which increased my health regen by 1 point of health per minute. Lastly, it was RobCo Fun! Issue #9, Pipfall, which gave me the game of the same title.
In addition to Perk Magazines, I found the Energy Weapons Bobblehead. It gave me +25% critical damage with energy weapons and 15 more Skill Points. The Bobblehead Read: Why shoot bullets when you've got a Bass Cannon?
As for other loot, it was pretty great. I got 27 Fusion Cores. Thousands more rounds of ammo. I also got plenty of guns to go with that ammo. Plentiful Stimpaks, Chems, and Alcohol. I also got plenty of Robot Scrap, which I didn't leave for the Rust Devils. Instead, I transported it to Fort Hagen, where I set it up in a crate to be picked up by any available units. The other massive boon was the numerous old vehicles that could be salvaged or even repaired. I was not sure if I would, as the Tanks and APCs were decent, but without usable roads, they would be difficult to use effectively. For the time being, I just set them in the same place so they could be easily retrieved later.
After cleaning up the area, we had two choices. We could attack the Rust Devils and finish them off, or I could head North like I originally planned. In the end, I chose to head North. The Rust Devils were ready for an attack, and they had a few sets of Power Armor I wanted but didn't have the space to take with me. To the North were a couple of places I wanted to deal with. The first was the Federal Ration Stockpile. From the reports I recieved, the Raiders don't have much. An agent of M.I.M.I.C. has infiltrated a group of Super Mutants led by a Behemoth. There was another Behemoth, but the feral horde killed it with enough bites. The remaining horde was then placed over the old Railroad HQ, making it so Kellogg couldn't escape.
'Though honestly, he might be able to if he risks it. There are perhaps 200 or so ferals remaining, and Kellogg likely has a few dozen Synths. If he forced a breakout, then perhaps he could succeed.'
Of course, that was merely speculation, and in practice, it would be tough to pull it off. For one, the only way they could get out is via an elevator, which can hold a maximum of maybe 8 Synths before they lose mobility. And once the fight started, the others would get drawn in.
As such, the Federal Ration Stockpile had around 60 Raiders, including their leader. From there, I intended to head a bit farther North to deal with the few Raiders hiding at Walden Pond. As for the Super Mutants, we would use the usual strategy of getting them to fight our other enemies. There weren't many Super Mutants, only around 30, but with the Behemoth leading the way, they could get some good results, and then we could finish off the weakened Behemoth.
We watched from a distance as the Raiders and Super Mutants attacked each other. Once the outside was clear and the smaller variety of mutants went inside, I lined up a shot at the Behemoth's head and took a deep breath, and then halfway through releasing it, I pulled the trigger. The bullet flew true and pierced the eye of the Behemoth. Of course, this wasn't enough to kill it, even with increased damage and a crit. But the shot caused the Behemoth to go crazy and start swinging around at an invisible enemy while shielding its head. Two more bullets were shot, and both hit their mark. The first shot blasted a hole in his arm, while the second was right behind the first. The second shot used the new hole in the Behemoth's arm to strike at his face again. This shot removed his other eye. It was also another crit, which was lucky as it was enough damage to kill the Behemoth.
Thud
The behemoth fell, and I could see that no one came to investigate. The Raiders were too busy fighting for their lives, while the Super Mutants were too angry to care. The Super Mutants fought valiantly, but they couldn't do that much thanks to some traps and turrets. By the time the final Super Mutant went down, 17 Raiders remained.
"Okay, the Super Mutants are all dead. You three will head from the front while Dogmeat and I use the back entrance. This should be easy enough," I say to everyone.
They all nod, and I grab Dogmeat before flying to the back entrance hidden in an old chapel. We took the hatch to the escape tunnel, and I got set up with a heavy machine gun. The gun was a WH-Mk. 22, it was looted from the enemies that ambushed us. It had a large ballistic shield attached and fired 50 caliber rounds. I thought it would be more than enough to hold this hallway. Dogmeat was here for moral support and to avoid anyone trying to sneak up on us. And lastly, in case they manage to get close somehow.
I spot the others beginning their attack, and the Raiders panic at seeing three heavily armed and armored enemies in Power Armor. They try to resist, but it's pointless, and then they begin to fall back. I see Red Tourette sending some guys to the back entrance, which is surprisingly smart of her.
BRRRT
I open fire and annihilate the Raiders coming my way. Red Tourette hears this and then opens a crate. Inside is something I find very interesting. Inside the crate is what looks like a set of T-45 Power Armor. However, it is far too small and doesn't seem to have any Power Armor Frame to go with it. Red Tourette pauses before having a nearby Raider put it on. The Raider was fairly buff, and he was using a Super Sledge. By the time the Raider put on the armor, the other Raiders had sealed the door, but they weren't going to last much longer. There were only 6 Raiders left, not including Red Tourette.
Red Tourette orders all the others to get behind the Raider with the Super Sledge, and then they rush at me. I respond with bullets, but the Raider in front actually withstands the attacks and starts to close the distance. Dogmeat sees this and jumps at the enemy. This pushes the Raider just far back enough that I have a clear sight on the other Raiders. They get blasted to pieces, but I don't see Red Tourette with the. She decided to wait and see. I have to focus on the Raider in armor as Dogmeat is struggling to deal with him. I aim my gun at him and use telekinesis to try to release his helmet. It takes a moment, but I figure out the lock, and with a click, the helmet comes off. The man's eyes go wide, but it's too late to respond as more bullets come his way, obliterating his skull.
Thud
With a loud thud, he hits the ground, and I also hear the doors being blasted open. Red Tourette sees this and raises her hands in surrender.
"I surrender! Don't shoot!" Red Tourette says with a panic in her tone.
The others come in, and I throw them some rope. Nick takes it and ties her up. I wasn't going to spare her, but we needed info and to avoid taking risks. Once she was tied up, I put away my weapon and entered. Cait and Piper were sent to guard the two entrances to the base. Nick was sent with Dogmeat to collect any loot they could. I question Red Tourette and don't learn much. She had no idea who started the Raider army, who was leading it, or how many escaped. As such, she wasn't of much help. She must have realized that I wasn't going to let her go as she made a request.
"Kill Tower Tom and his boys at the old Beantown Brewery. And if possible, save my sister, if she is even alive," Red Tourette requests.
"I can do the first, but the second is impossible. Your sister is dead and has been for a while. But I imagine you already knew that deep down," I respond.
"Sigh. Yeah, you're right. I kinda knew they did something to her. The letters she sent weren't right. But... I didn't want to admit she was gone. I know I did some terrible things. But please grant me that final request. Avenge my sister. Please," Red Tourette begs with tears rolling down her face.
"I will," I respond before firing a bullet through her skull, killing her.
We loot the place and come away with nearly one ton of food and water. The other loot was also decent enough. Some more ammo, guns, and stimpaks. I also got another issue of the U.S. Covert Operations Manual Perk Magazine. We also found 2 Mini-Nukes. The unique Power Armor was the real prize, as from what little info the Radiers had, it was a prototype of the T-45 that was originally sent out to war. This model was called the T-45X, and it was a non-powered version that could be worn by almost anyone. It gave more flexibility, but at the cost of protection. It was okay, but it was a far cry from the T-45 Power Armor you would otherwise use. However, it still provided good protection for its weight.
After looting the place, it was now nighttime, and we decided to take a break, hoping that if there were any other Raider stragglers, they would show up so we could eliminate them.
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Author's Note:
The T-45X is based on the Power Armor seen in games prior to Fallout 4. The Holy Frag Grenades are a double reference in this case, as they are based on a weapon from Fallout New Vegas, and those are based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Until next time, Ciao.