Fallout 4: Angel's Pip-Boy Diary #12 · 9:32pm Dec 15th, 2015
art by JollyOldCinema
One problem with posting these APBD blogs as often as I have been is that I will eventually run out of things to say in this opening part. 
I present the next installment of Angel's Pip-Boy Diary after the break. Please enjoy. 
(And of course, if interest in this diary wanes, please let me know. As I said before, I want to put this content out regularly enough for readers to enjoy, but I don't want to spam my fans if they grow uninterested.)
Angel's Pip-Boy Diary
Days 25 - 26
Day 25 – Pre-Dawn
November 17, 2287On my way to Back Street Apparel, I witnessed raiders attacking a feral ghoul neighborhood. They were slaughtered. I barely managed to climb to a safe spot on a remaining wall of what had once been a home. From there, I was able to take out the ghouls and clear the area.
I didn’t get much farther when the night erupted with the sound of heavy gunfire. I realize in retrospect than any sane woman would have dove for safety and hid. Instead, I ran towards the sounds, intent on discerning who was fighting, and help out whichever side was the good guys. (Or barring that, the least despicable.) I am a Minuteman now, and a soldier in the Brotherhood. I’m even a leader in the former. This is my duty. Cowering in a Pulowski Shelter would not be.
When I came across bodies hung on meat-hooks, I knew I had found a raider den. But to my surprise, the gunfire was coming from elsewhere. After shuddering in revulsion and forcing last night’s dinner to remain where it was, I marked that place on my Pip-Boy map. That sort of behavior is horrific. I vowed that once the more immediate situation was dealt with, I was going to go back and have words with those raiders. Or, more likely, bullets.
It only took a few minutes to find the firefight: supermutants were exchanging fire with a group of armed and armored folks who turn out to have been members of Diamond City Security. My travels have apparently brought me within jogging distance of the place.
I rushed into the scene from behind the supermutant’s fortifications, killing three of them before they could properly respond. The security patrol called me “their kind of gal.”
The supermutants are ungodly strong, but seem relatively poor shots. They use planks of wood as melee weapons, ones that look like they were torn from the sides of houses. But the worst part is the horrifying blood, gore and viscera aesthetic that they decorate with. The word “appalling” doesn’t come close to describing the scene. What are they killing… and how many… to get such huge bags of pulped, bloody meat? Needless to say, I didn’t keep down my dinner.
I’m headed back to that raider den. They need to be dealt with. But I can’t pretend dead bodies on hooks has quite the same punch as it did a few hours ago.
Day 25 – Late Evening
November 17, 2287I’ve spent nearly the entire day in a death dance with the raiders of Back Street Apparel. There were a lot more of them, and the were a lot better armed, than I had expected. I cannot help but cringe at how many I am killing to protect so few. Even if raiders make it easy to justify, the rivers of blood are beginning to make me physically ill.
First, however, I took down the Hangman’s Alley gang. (Of course. What other name would they choose for the place?) I claim that little back alley of hell as my own.
I know that I have other homesteads in need of a lot of attention, but building a settlement within reach of Diamond City seems like too good an idea to pass up.
The walk to Back Street Apparel was much longer than I remember. My feet were crying out “are we there yet” like children in the back seat of a family car. (And now I am nearly crying, remembering that Nate and I will never hear a young Shaun whining in the back seat of our Corvega… oh damn.)
…Give me a moment to compose myself. Okay…
A few notes: On the way to Back Street Apparel, I noticed a boat crashed into a drawbridge. That looked like something to explore later.
I found a toy model of a Protectron in a Vault-Tec party-trap lunchbox someone had left in the back of a truck.
And my Pip-Boy picked up a radio broadcast from Rex Goodman. The man claims that supermutants have him held prisoner on Trinity Tower. However, I don’t think that’s actually true. The broadcast sounded fake, theatrical. My first impression was that I was catching part of a radio play. I’ll get Preston’s thoughts on it later, but right now, we don’t need the distraction.
I left Preston outside of Back Street Apparel. I wanted him guarding my back in case some of the raiders that operate here were on their way back from harassing farmers. At least, that was the reason that I told him. It is also true that I prefer to take a more stealthy and cautious approach to places like this. It might take me several hours to clear out a small nest – I am constantly hiding until they believe I have fled, then moving in for a sneak attack – but I prefer to avoid getting shot or beaten up as much as possible. Employing such stealth tactics while working with a partner (whether man, robot or dog) never seems to work out. I must be the most patient woman left in the post-apocalypic Commonwealth.
Back Street Apparel treated me to particularly horrible raiders and their sick raider stories. But they were tactically smarter raiders than I’d dealt with before. They had bright lights strategically placed to make stealthy movement extremely difficult. It was actually impressive.
I took down their leader with a grenade and a well-placed bottlecap mine.
For the last hour, I’ve been scavenging everything and creating a stash to come back to for everything I cannot carry. And I will be coming back. There is a safe in here that is a little too tough for me to crack. I’m confident that I’ll be able to get it with a bit more practice and honing of my skills. I’m not quite as good as I used to be, but I’m getting there.
I also found an issue of Grognak and the naked snow women. Nate used to love Grognak comics. It’s not hard to see why.
Day 26 – Morning
November 18, 2287I’m backed into a corner; the stimpacks I just took are working achingly slow. Maybe going solo was a mistake.
I didn’t make Hubris before midnight. Along the way, I stumbled across yet another raider nest, this one with duo of “legendary” raiders. Yes, humans with that weird mutation (or whatever it is) are a thing. And naturally, people with that sort of advantage over others decide to pursue a life of banditry. Because, as a general rule, humans suck.
It was a hard fight. Probably would have been easier if Preston hadn’t rushed in like he did. I had to use some of my medical supplies to survive. But ultimately, we lived and they didn’t. Victory was ours. Ad Victorium.
As we neared the location for Hubris Comics, we came across HalluciGen, Inc. It was clear from the forward barricades that at some point the place had been fortified. I noted HalluciGen as yet another in the list of places to look into later, along with the Beantown Brewery, the crashed boat, and a bunch of other places that I have probably forgotten.
Currently, I am in Hubris Comics. And I want to note that, God, I hate those creepy monkey things.
I thought Nate would be so incredibly jealous. More likely, he’d be deeply depressed at seeing what has become of this place.
The dead body outside the front door was a bad sign. I decided to give Preston all he could carry and sent him back to Hangman’s Alley. I am finding that working with others does not often mesh well with my stealth approach. He will be in the area if I need to call upon him later. But for now, I’ve decided to tackle this ghoul’s nest alone.
A decision which has lead me to crouching in this corner, trembling, holding my shotgun and wishing Stimpacks worked a lot faster.
New Perk: Lone Wanderer Rank 1
Day 26 – Afternoon
November 18, 2287A few notes: I fond a scavenger’s note complaining about “collectors”. I could empathize just a little. But really, Nate’s collecting of several comics, particularly Grognak, made it really easy to find that perfect gift for him before Christmas. Ironically, I probably would have come here in about a week (minus two hundred and ten years) as part of my “Black Friday” shopping.
There is plenty here for the post-apocalyptic comic aficionado. I’ve found several comics, as well as a vintage Silver Shroud photo. The terminals here are filled with the drama surrounding the Silver Shroud television premiere. Yet another pang of loss that stabs directly into my heart. I was looking forward to that show.
Nate was a Grognak fan. I was more into Silver Shroud. More specifically, I loved the Mistress of Mystery. She was such a great character.
So, of course, Hubris horribly miscast her. Connie was totally wrong for the role. Maybe it is better that I never got to see the show. I suspect now that it would have been a terrible disappointment. Instead, I get to enjoy my fantasies about the masterpiece that the show could have been.
I have to navigate this place carefully. There are so many holes in the floor.
I’m planning to loot the place after I get rid of all of these ghouls. Being without a companion is forcing me to be more selective in my scavenging. No more grabbing every empty bottle and dirty ashtray, or collecting every coffee cup and other piece of garbage.
So far, this has been one long games of cat and heavily-armed mouse. I’ve already encountered three “legendary” feral ghoul stalkers. (I blew one of them into an open elevator shaft.) But I think I’ve just about reached the top…
What the holy… oh forget civilized expressions, what the fuck is that!?
It sees me. Run! Run, run, run, run, run… hide, hide, hide.
Okay…
Okay…
Glowing green radioactive super-ghoul of doom! I’m fighting a villain straight out of a Grognak comic.
I hope I have enough mines.
Day 26 – Sunset
November 18, 2287That was one heck of a battle. I fought like a coward. I have absolutely no problem with that. None at all.
The view from the roof of Hubris Comics is quite nice. I’m going to sit here and enjoy it while I heal and the Radaway bleeds off all the radiation my body has accumulated. I wish I still had some purified water with me. Well, time for a Nuka break.
As a side note, I now possess Grognak’s axe and I’m dressed in a very high-quality Grognak costume. It is official: Nate would be jealous. There are also other things he’d be. This isn’t the first time I’ve dressed like this. Although those other times were in private. And usually, Nate was the one who played Grognak.
art by Brisineo
Swag
I did not know there was a comic there! Time to go plundering again!
I'm curious, any new mods you recommend?
We suggest getting the ammo crafting mod, it adds more immersion.
Definatly go to Swan's pond.....it has good loot.
I love that last image! Definitely a game of hoarding if you want to enjoy all the things Fallout 4 has to offer.
Seems like Angel is learning the Pro's and Con's of both traveling with and without a companion though the Commonwealth. Can't wait to see how she reacts to the other companions.
Well, then.
3620748
Y u do dis?
3620806 what? I'm just saying it's got good loot. Lots of rads there though.
Those last lines managed to blend humor and sorrow in a perfect bittersweet blend. The whole thing is great, but the emotion you packed in there really shone through.
Also, that art at the end is just hilarious.
3620837
I'll concede on that point. And the notes tell an interesting story, too.
3620958 poor ed.
I said before that it seemed unlikely as I found myself actually looking forward to these, and it seems even less likely now.
The only thing I don't like is that I have to hold myself back when you say some thing that is incredibly ironic due to a future quest or place. I refuse to provide spoilers. Just imagine me squirming every time you mention a place or character that even has a chance of being seen again. But don't let that stop you from writing about them!
Go to the Goodneighbor area (north-east of Diamond City) and turn on your radio, you can listen in on a whole Silver Shroud radio episode!
Ok, Angel looks like a female Harry Potter.
There. I said it.
Running across interesting places while on my way to an actual objective has been both frustraing and rewarding. Choosing whether to come back later or put off a quest to check someplace out, it's a tough decision, sometimes. What do you tend to do?
Oh, and that comment about watching your step in Hubris? I'm assuming that means you fell a few times?
awesome
key word usually.
vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/meme/images/7/71/If-you-know-what-I-mean-mr-bean-meme.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120709172447&path-prefix=es
Agreed.
I love the weapon choice for the super glowing mutant ghoul of doom. Highly approve of double barrel shotguns and mines.
That last picture pretty much sums me up while playing Boarder Lands.
and they
(might as well for typos)
I am enjoying reading this a lot as well, I get around to reading it when I can for the whole diary post.
I think we all agree to hate those evil monkey toys, who seem only wanting to harm us.
I'm just waiting to experience Fallout 4 myself before reading up on yours.
First time I saw those creepy monkeys in action was in a dark tunnel someplace, cant remember name, I walked by it, my nerves on high alert so seeing some loot near a convenient area after fighting some ghouls and I was frightened out of my wits when that things eyes light up, I didn't stop shooting my gun till I needed to reload when I started shooting, FNAF really got me scared of jump scares.
Love this diary! I won't be able to play FO4 for a long time anyway, so this is a very enjoyable tour and only makes the wait nicer. It also offers a better role-playing experience than the actual game I'll wager ;)
Please do go on!
Err, you should probably decide whether you prefer "not to get shot" or "to avoid getting shot" – not both at the same time.
As for the final image, I thought Homage was providing LittlePip with all the screws she could handle?
I've just realized something.
LittlePip is an OC. But she feels, at least to me, like an actual Canon character. She never felt like a fan-made being. She's become so prevalent that, unlike most OC's, everyone in the fandom knows her, like twilight, or rarity.
Is this offensive? I really hope it isn't.