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Kkat


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Mar
21st
2016

Fallout 4: Angel's Pip-Boy Diary #25 · 11:34pm Mar 21st, 2016

Welcome back to Angel’s Pip-Boy Diary! :pinkiehappy: I know it’s been a long time since I updated this, so here is an extra-sized entry.

As of this week, I have written over one hundred and twenty pages (over 51K words) of APBD, all covering the first forty-five days of Angel’s adventures in the post-apocalyptic Commonwealth of Fallout 4. I have at least another 60 days worth of gameplay notes taken (and she hasn’t even gotten to The Glowing Sea yet!), so there is plenty more to tell.

I must admit, however, to feeling a bit of fatigue. So these updates are going to become less frequent than they used to be. I wouldn’t want telling Angel’s tale to become a chore. (And likewise, of course, please let me know if you lose interest in reading APBD. If so, I am sure I can find something else to provide in my blog.)

Of course, we all know what the next blog is going to be about. :scootangel:

Angel's Pip-Boy Diary

Day 45

Day 45 – Midnight
December 7, 2287

I can see all my houses from here.

The midnight ride on a vertibird is… breathtaking.

I have flown before. Air travel was commonplace in my former lifetime. But my life now gives me an entirely new appreciation for the experience. Plus, honestly, riding in the open belly of this aircraft – the wind whipping my hair, a mounted minigun replacing my tray table – is quite tangibly different than the divorced safety and comfort of a passenger plane interior. Here, there is no seatbelt, no in-flight movie and no bag of airline peanuts which come with a warning that they may contain nuts.

Seeing the post-apocalyptic remains of my Commonwealth stretched out below and around me like this, I find myself looking for familiar landmarks. Both old ones, like Beacon Hill, and new ones, like my settlement in Hangman’s Alley.

(I know, I should really call it the Minutemen’s settlement. But I founded it, I planned it, I created every blueprint that the Minutemen and settlers have used to build it… plus, I am the General. So I assume the right. Besides, I find calling the settlements that I am helping the Minutemen build “settlements that I am helping the Minutemen build” an annoying mouthful. And it is my diary. I will be verbally lazy if I want to.)

Is that the U.S.S. Constitution? It is still around? And… surprisingly intact. How the heck did it get there?

You can really see the lights of Diamond City from pretty much anywhere. I remember hearing once that the lights from some of the Las Vegas casinos could be seen from space. I wonder if any of them are still standing?

If they are, I suspect they might look something like whatever that thing is out there. From here, it looks like a massive building, lit up by huge floodlights, much like some of the Vegas casinos were. But if that is a building, it must be immense – the size of a tiny mountain. Maybe it is a huge military complex? Multiple buildings, all defensively lit, blurring into one at this distance? I can only imagine the robotic defenses that must be active around that place if it still has power for all those lights! I think that’s someplace I’ll avoid.

Paladin Danse commented about how seeing the battlefield from the air radically changes one’s perception of a battle. I should say that getting a vertibird’s-eye-view of the Commonwealth puts things in a new perspective… and that is at least literally true. However, the ride doesn’t change anything that has been happening, nor does it make me want to rearrange my priorities.

It does give me an even greater appreciation for the technological might of the Brotherhood of Steel though. Power armor is impressive, but I’ve found several suits of it on my own, and even run into raiders wearing it. But these vertibirds really are a unique asset. Paladin Danse noted that with the technological superiority demonstrated by the Institute, we have no idea what weapons they might bring to bear. Hopefully, these vertibirds give the edge that the Brotherhood is counting on.

It is strange and intensely sad to realize that most people in this new Commonwealth will never experience anything like this.

Here comes the Prydwen. All I can say is “wow”.

Day 45 – Early Morning
December 7, 2287

I’m officially in the Brotherhood of Steel now, under the guidance of Paladin Danse. I spoke with Danse, and he admits that he is taking a risk bringing me “into the fold” this quickly. Danse put it plainly: if I screw up, we go down together. The man has gone out on a limb for me, and I’m still riding reservations. I won’t let him down. I owe it to him.

We attended a midnight debriefing with Lancer Captain Kells, then went straight to the observation deck. The Brotherhood had spent the last week getting established, setting up a base at the Boston Airport, and beginning preliminary operations. Now we are ready to move into the next phase of this operation. And that began with Elder Maxson giving a special address.

Elder Maxson’s speech was simple, straightforward and illuminating.

“Beneath the Commonwealth there is a cancer… known as the Institute. A malignant growth that needs to be cut before it infects the surface. They are experimenting with dangerous technologies that could prove the world’s undoing for the second time in recent history. The Institute Scientists have created a weapon that transcends the destructive nature of the atom bomb.”

The speech held the tones of jingoism that Nate and I are all too familiar with. We lived our adult lives and fought for our country to that soundtrack. I am more painfully aware than most of just how devastating the atom bomb was, and how much we lost. Hearing the Institute synths compared to that was offensive. I cannot see these robots as any sort of equivalent threat.

However, as exaggerated as it was, this was not bombastic rhetoric. The Institute is a real and present threat to every other community in the Commonwealth. I’ve seen synths infiltrate even the Gunners. There is rumor that the mayor of Diamond City has been replaced by a synth. If true, the Institute could do great harm to the Commonwealth through control of its largest and best-defended population center. And the potential harm doesn’t stop at what a synth mayor could do.

Infiltrating the Brotherhood of Steel would put a terrifying arsenal at their disposal. One they could use wantonly without direct repercussions. And now that the Brotherhood of Steel are here, there is no doubt in my mind that the Institute will set their sights on us. If they haven’t already.

And the fear and paranoia that the Institute is sewing through their tactics is a plague in itself. Even setting aside the personal evils they have inflicted on my family, there is no denying that the Institute is a cancer, and it does need to be eradicated.

In a private audience, Elder Maxson told me that he cares about the people of the Commonwealth. It is a statement that I suspect is true, if only on an abstract level. He is starting a war to prevent a war. His war won’t decimate the population.

Our purpose here is noble, our method likely necessary. Many times during the war, Nate had to trust in the wisdom and tactical expertise of those above him on the chain of command. He did so even when he couldn’t be certain of the merit or the outcome of those orders. Soldiers are not synths; they do not obey without conscience. They will disobey a clearly illegal or immoral order. But when there is doubt, they trust in the chain of command. As I put my trust in Elder Maxson’s plan, I feel closer to Nate than ever before.

Paladin Danse’s personally recommendation carries a lot of weight, even with the Elder. I have been promoted to Knight and issued my own set of power armor from the Brotherhood. Despite having quite the collection already, this suit has personal significance that the others do not. I didn’t find this one, I earned it. And I am being trusted with it.

I have been turned loose to acclimate myself to the Prydwen. This ship is seriously impressive. And huge. I could spend a couple hours just exploring the airship, getting to know its layout and its people.

I just passed a Knight-Sergeant giving a speech to several young squires, informing them that they were “in enemy territory now.” I was surprised to see such young girls being brought into potential warfare. I was reminded of Rhys, now seeing better how the Brotherhood is really his family. For those born into it, this is all they have ever known.

I hear meowing! The ship has a cat… somewhere. And I am determined to find it.

Day 45 –Morning
December 7, 2287

Kitty found!

She was in the office of Proctor Quilan, the Proctor of “the Order of the Quill” and the man responsible for keeping track of all of the technology and technical documentation that the Brotherhood recovers in the Commonwealth. I’m sure the flux sensor that I reclaimed for Scribe Hayden has already been delivered to his possession.

I have offered to lend a hand with research patrols when my other duties permit, and to keep an eye out for any technical documentation that might be of interest.

I was invited to read a terminal report on the “Rise of Elder Maxson”. I must say that I am very impressed. However, there was one passage that reminded me uncomfortably of Kellogg:

“…assisted, even enhanced, by advanced technology, but still very much human.”

I also took note of a report on Quinlan’s terminal regarding Vault 75. I hadn’t heard of that Vault. It wasn’t as publically advertised as Vault 81 and 114. And now I know why: Vault-Tec was using the facility to experiment on children! Just when I thought I had the lowest possible opinion of the morality of my generation, Vault-Tec once again rises to the challenge of being even more horrific. This revelation paints Vault-Tec like cartoon villains. I have dealt enough with evil people to know that individuals can sink to any level, but it is hard for me to fathom an organization of real people behaving with so little conscience. But then… the Institute appears no better.

I’ve been getting a look around, doing the meet-and-greet. Across from Proctor Quinlan’s office, I met Knight-Captain Cade, the chief medical officer on board. He proceeded to give me a medical exam. I was shocked when he asked if I had sexual relations with any “non-human species”. It is rather revolting that enough wastelanders say “yes” to justify that being a question.

Both Nate and I believed in polyamory, but that is vastly different from being omnisexual. The notion of someone having sex with an ogre’s hound or a brahmin is wretched. I find myself intellectually attracted to Nick Valentine, but not physically. I could understand how someone might, but I hardly believe that robots qualify as “non-human species” any more than a vibrator. (And besides, I highly doubt Nick is built that way. I can’t imagine attempting copulation with him being anything other than painful.) Even accepting Codsworth as a “person”, I don’t accept Mr. Handys as a “species”.

I don’t have the ability to properly contemplate where ghouls would fall into this prospective mess. Ghouls were human, so I would say they don’t qualify as a “non-human” species. However, sex with a feral is not only repulsive but suicidal. Even physical relations with a ghoul… I’m sorry, I try to be open-minded, but… uh… just… moving on.

The quartermaster Teagan was another surprise. I was initially shocked at the idea that soldiers would have to buy our own equipment. However, with reflection, it does make sense. The practice is anti-Red, embracing capitalism’s strengths. I own my equipment, which means I have a better drive to care for it, and I can keep it when I resign.

Teagan is concerned about potential food shortages, and offered me unofficial work strong-arming local farms into “donating” a portion of their crops to the Brotherhood. I told him in the most polite possible way to take a flying jump off the Prydwen. However, I don’t want to see the Brotherhood face a food shortage either, and I am more than happy to do my part to make sure we are well-provisioned, so I am offering to sell him all the extra food produced by my farms that his office can afford. Capitalism at its finest, baby.

Senior Scribe Neriah is working on an alternative to anti-radiation meds. Her research is focused on a new compound for improved radiation resistance designed to temporarily mimic the radiation-adaptation of many of the wasteland’s monsters. I’ve offered to collect samples for her research. I end up fighting off enough monsters every week. It will be good for that effort to go to a greater good beyond my own survival.

Finally, I’ve met the Prydwen’s mechanic, Ingram and got a look at my issued set of power armor. It is pretty basic as far as power armor goes, but I have been given access to an impressive workshop. I will be upgrading the armor as best I can before heading out on my first assignment.

My first assignment with Paladin Danse is to clear the ogres from Fort Strong. The fort apparently houses a supply of mini-nukes. Not only could those be invaluable in the battle against the Institute, but we cannot allow such weapons to remain in the supermutant’s possession.

I am reminded of my first real fight against a fortified enemy force: Corvega. Like there, this will call for a stealth infiltration and swift removal of the threat. And this time, I can’t allow my position to be given away early. Fortunately, I have gotten a lot better at stealth tactics and sniping. If those green monsters start throwing around mini-nukes, power armor isn’t going to be enough to save us.

Day 45 – Noon
December 7, 2287

Danse and I are on our way to Fort Strong. As our Vertibird launched, I noticed what looked to be a firefight raging in the airport below the Prydwen. In reality, I was observing their firing range. The amount of gunfire makes me wonder: does the Brotherhood of Steel have so much ammo to spare? Paladin Danse and his squad sure seemed to have no shortage of it back at the police station. I suspect they have an ammunition forge and have been making their own.

My new power armor is in peak condition. I will be mostly relying on Sweetness except when it is safe to use my laser musket.

Day 45 – Early Afternoon
December 7, 2287

I’m alive!

I’m recording this while the stimpacks are doing their work. In a moment, Danse and I will take out the last of the ogres guarding the ruins around Fort Strong. There are only two or three of them left.

If these supermutants are ogres, then what I just fought was a giant! The supermutant was huge even in comparison to the other ogres. We engaged it from the air; getting on the ground with that thing would have been suicide. It took several minutes to kill. The giant absorbed bullets like a sponge. It didn’t help that I was trying to kill it with the Vertibird’s minigun. What a crappy weapon. It was a fight of aiming the unaimable.

We finally downed the giant, but by then our bird had taken multiple crippling hits from the other ogres. Our pilot tried to make a safe landing…

The Vertibird exploded! With Danse and I still in it!

It is a miracle that we survived. The miracle of power armor. Unfortunately, our pilot wasn’t similarly protected. I found his body and gathered his holotags while Danse held off the ogre horde.

I wonder if we should bury him here, or leave his body for the Brotherhood to retrieve and take back to the airport?

…and I just realized we lost our ride home.

Day 45 – Early Evening
December 7, 2287

There are a lot of radioactive barrels around here. Now that I think of it, I’m often surprised at how many radioactive barrels I find scattered around, often in places they have no right to be. Was my generation really that utterly careless with them? Or, more likely, have ghouls and supermutants been collecting them, transporting them to whatever location they decide to occupy?

We have secured the outskirts and are ready to head into Fort Strong itself. It took a while, but I wanted to be thorough. Especially since we will be walking back. I don’t want the ogres inside getting a wave of reinforcements, and I don’t want to run into any nasty surprises when we leave.

Danse is the first companion that I have had in the Commonwealth who has openly supported my scavenging. My scavenging habit has paid off for the Brotherhood in the form of several technical documents that Proctor Quinlan will definitely appreciate.

Talking with Danse as we picked our way through the ruins around Fort Strong, I learned that his own sponsor was extra hard on him. He actually apologized to me, although I don’t believe he had any need to. He acknowledged that expecting me to embrace the standards of the Brotherhood of Steel without having any history with them was “unfair”.

“It’s because I believe in you. And I don’t want to see any of your potential go to waste.”

I wonder if Nate ever got the same talk?

In we go.

Day 45 – Late Evening
December 7, 2287

Well, this is fun. Listening to ogres argue about their own evolution while we wait for them to separate. Their witless banter so makes up for the smell.

Report Kkat · 1,280 views ·
Comments ( 16 )

I'm still greatly enjoying these diaries, but if you're getting fatigued, by all means, space them out.

Not much to say beyond that. I still haven't played the game, so I don't have quite the same connection to the event as some readers. Still, loving it. :twilightsmile:

You're far more tolerant of the BoS than I was. When Teagan offered me the job of betraying my own settlers for a handful of caps, I decided that I should clearly express my feelings on the matter. I was very annoyed when I found out that wiping out everyone on the Prydwyn wasn't an option at that point in the game.

What do you think of this guy's playthrough? Fist only, no armor/power armor,on survival difficulty.

I know I'm pretty quiet on these things, but I do enjoy reading them. So whenever you put one out, I'll read it. If you want to stop or take a break, go for it.

Yeah, we think she may find the views they have on ghouls (the non feral) and (most) outsiders as being the same as synths or mutants. Though in this case if she brought Nick to the BoS ship, she'll see a lot of hate towards him, or handcock.

3819526 I only played the Brotherhood path through for completionist's sake not long after that particular train got going.

They really did jump right into the xenocide party, didn't they?

You can really see the lights of Diamond City from pretty much anywhere. I remember hearing once that the lights from some of the Las Vegas casinos could be seen from space. I wonder if any of them are still standing?

Heh, yep. They are.
Ya know, I'm positive I've got a screenshot I took of that place. Howabout a quick comparison?
i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa61/chaosdx1/2014-05-06_00001_zpsdi5mvejj.jpg
I think Diamond City's prettier, but that's probably just because of the next-gen hardware and budget.

If they are, I suspect they might look something like whatever that thing is out there. From here, it looks like a massive building, lit up by huge floodlights, much like some of the Vegas casinos were. But if that is a building, it must be immense – the size of a tiny mountain. Maybe it is a huge military complex? Multiple buildings, all defensively lit, blurring into one at this distance? I can only imagine the robotic defenses that must be active around that place if it still has power for all those lights! I think that’s someplace I’ll avoid.

Is that South-West? If so you'll want to avoid that for far crazier reasons.
Speaking of not knowing which direction you're facing, I don't see your compass. Do you crop the images or do you have a way to turn off the HUD? Because that would really help my wasteland photography.

Your allegiances and motivations are very similar to my own. It makes me even more interested in the decisions you will make.

I am reminded of my first real fight against a fortified enemy force: Corvega. Like there, this will call for a stealth infiltration and swift removal of the threat. And this time, I can’t allow my position to be given away early. Fortunately, I have gotten a lot better at stealth tactics and sniping. If those green monsters start throwing around mini-nukes, power armor isn’t going to be enough to save us.

Good luck with that. Shock and Awe is the Brotherhood way.

3819998
Same here. Once I found that killing everyone wasn't an option, I reloaded a previous save and pretended that everything was fine. I even sold them one of my settlements (at a massive loss). And then, after I had given the xenophobic arrogant invading army the victory they wanted, I took great pleasure in exploring all the fun ways the other factions have for wiping them out. The Institute gets points for style, but Railroad was just more fun.

Still following this and finding it highly enjoyable. Haven't played FO4 yet, so to me it actually is you telling a story. Do carry on, but take your time.

3820122 I play on the PC, so I have access to console commands. "TM" (toggle menu) will shut off your H.U.D. for screenshots.

3820406

From here, it looks like a massive building, lit up by huge floodlights, much like some of the Vegas casinos were. But if that is a building, it must be immense – the size of a tiny mountain. Maybe it is a huge military complex? Multiple buildings, all defensively lit, blurring into one at this distance?

Kkat - only ever did that flight myself during the day, and was more focused on the assorted nearby action on the ground, but would that happen to be Fort Hagen?

3820406 Perfect, thanks!

These are great :D I eagerly await the next update.

I can see all my houses from here.

I love this line. :twilightsmile:

I'm still enjoying these pip-boy diary entries so keep them up. Keep them up after you take a break! If you are feeling fatigued from writing them just take a break to enjoy the game. I'm just recently getting out of a long writing break myself, then again it could have been procrastination. :facehoof:

You keep mentioning The Glowing Sea, but I'm interested in her finding the Institute or the Railroad. :rainbowlaugh:

Great blog post, Kkat, can't wait for the next one. :eeyup:

Ah Maxson. I'm not sure how far I would trust him. His dedication to his beliefs and how he talks about Synths makes me think Angel should keep Valentine as far away from him as possible.

That being said, it does seem like Vertibirds handle flung boulders about as well as they handle other super mutant arsenals. Still Angels ride probably handled that fight better then the last Vertibird.

Loving these diaries. As others said, if you're feeling burnt out, don't hesitate to space them out some more.

Though hopefully you'll be interested in writing them until you finish the story. I'd love to see all these diaries collected into an ePUB or PDF file some day! :twilightsheepish:

And since I haven't played a Brotherhood-allied character yet, it's neat to see that story through Angel's eyes. Will be very cool to see how that plays out.

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