The King of Boston

Chapter 8: Making History

Date: October 27, 2287
Time: 10.21 pm
Location: Vault 111 - Sentinel's quarters
Assigned scribe: Scribe initiate Wells

Title: An account of the meeting between Sentinel Thompson of the Golden Pride, and Captain Asher and Sergeant Garvey of the Minutemen.

S-T: I'm sorry for the cold welcome, we don't let people in all that often. My name is Ryan Thompson, Sentinel Ryan Thompson, I organize things around here. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?

C-A: Captain Eric Asher and Sergeant Preston Garvey of the Commonwealth Minutemen. I understand you are the leader of this golden pride? I have never heard of you guys before, since when have you been settled here?

S-T: Delighted to meet you Captain Asher, Sergeant Garvey. I would love to answer your question, and certainly will. But before we get to that, could I offer you a seat, or a glass of bourbon perhaps?

C-A: I don't drink on the job.

S-T: Straight to the point, I like that! Always at the job, like any good soldier.

S-G: Sir, If I may ask. The refugees we escorted have barely eaten these last few days, If you could spare some food and water for them it would be most appreciated.

S-T: I'm ahead of you, I already gave the orders to escort your people to the mess hall, where you may join them shortly. Depending on how this discussion ends of course.

C-A: What do you mean by that?

S-T: We have received information that has brought us to doubt your allegiance to the minutemen you mention. And before you take out the combat knife you have hidden in your boot Mr. Asher, I would like to explain. Thank you. We know it was a volunteer army that desperately tried to "fix" the commonwealth, and we salute you for that, however, we also know that your organization was highly corrupt and worse than that, it has disbanded. Do you understand our reservations?

C-A: Yes, although I can't believe the minutemen have seriously disbanded, where did you hear this Sentinel?

S-T: A trader came by a few days ago, apparently the minutemen have stopped responding to calls for help for nearly a month. From what we heard most groups turned to the gunners, or worse yet raiders.

S-G: Captain Asher, that would explain the situation in Quincy. But were we really the last group of loyalists?

C-A: I can't imagine the others turning to raiders. But we know some of them turned to the gunners. If I ever come across Clint again I'll not be held accountable for my actions.

S-T: Quincy, Clint? Could you please explain, I'm not entirely sure what you are talking about.

C-A: Have you not heard of the Quincy Massacre? Granted we are the only survivors I know of, but surely someone else must have told you by now.

S-T: I'm afraid not. What happened?

S-G: We were with Colonel Hollis' group. The gunners were attacking Quincy and its people asked for the minutemen's help. We were the only ones that came, and now that you say the minutemen disbanded, I understand why. The other groups turned their backs on us, on us and the folk in Quincy. Only a few of us got out alive. Colonel Hollis was dead,so Asher and I ended up in charge of the survivors as the last remaining officers. We lead the refugees north, away from Quincy but we never found a safe place to settle. One disaster after another... If not for your men, I doubt we would have left Concord alive.

S-T: I'm sorry to hear that... How many survived?

C-A: Around twenty, most of them made it to Lexington before we were beset upon by the ghouls...

S-T: But what about the other settlements, there are other settlements between here and Quincy, right?

C-A: They sent us away, afraid of retribution from the gunners.

S-G: Afraid, and greedy, they wouldn't even spare supplies...

S-T: I don't know what to say, except that I'll make sure that during your stay here we'll make sure you and your people are well taken care off. We have had our fair share of difficulties on our trip from DC to the Commonwealth. In my experience, even the shortest moment of respite will help a long way.

C-A: Indeed it will. However while I don't plan on staying very long myself, I would like to ask if you would allow the refugees to take shelter in the nearby town; Sanctuary Hills I believe it is called? The location is easily defendable, offers shelter and a decent amount of basic resources from what I saw as we walked through earlier. It would be a good place for them to settle down.

S-T: We have no interest in the town, so as far as we are concerned the town is yours. In actual fact I can see it being profitable for the both of us if a larger settlement would grow in Sanctuary. The trade would certainly be welcome here.

C-A: Speaking of trade I noticed you have access to purified water, would you be willing to either share or trade it?

S-T: You have a good pair of eyes captain, It won't be a problem, as long as your people use it for personal consumption we would love to supply you for free. It was one of the principles of the man we once served that all inhabitants of the wasteland should have access to clean water. It is one of the main reasons we set up the purifier. We're actually already supplying another settlement downstream, it's a small farming community called Abernathy's farm, are you familiar? They would probably be ready to provide you with some of their crops.

S-G: So Blake's still around, it has been a while since I was stationed here. We should give them a visit captain, Blake has always been sympathetic to our cause.

C-A: I was actually planning a quick tour of the neighbouring settlements already, we can only hope they are still willing to trust the minutemen after the silence.

S-T: That seems like a good idea, if you wish we could provide a few soldiers for your journey. The man I spoke of earlier had principles very similar to the ones the minutemen followed and we would be delighted to help you back on your feet.

C-A: No, but thank you for the offer. I think it would be better if it were just the two of us, Preston has been stationed nearby and some of the locals might remember him. Trust is what we need and I'm afraid your soldiers might scare away the help we need.

S-T: You make a fair point captain, would you allow us to station a few men in sanctuary while you are gone, the area is rampant with raiders and I can easily imagine they would see an upstart settlement as a ripe opportunity for plunder, I can't stand those leeches. And I won't have them murdering people at our doorstep.

C-A: That would be much appreciated. Could you have them ready by next week? We'll have to help the refugees get settled first, before I can even think of leaving.

S-T: Your wish is my desire. I'll get them ready.