Fallout 4: War and Pursuance

Chapter Eight: Settlement Trouble

Night has fallen in the Commonwealth. The night was very cold. The wind blew slowly, hitting the skin of the group of Minutemen. Nate follows the group in the T-45 power armor. Dogmeat follows him from behind. As they finally crossed the bridge into Sanctuary Hills, Nate hears a beep. He notices his fusion core is out of juice. Nate steps out of the power armor, knowing it's now useless. He sets the minigun down next to it and walks over to Preston Garvey.

"Hey Preston," said Nate.

"Hey Nate," he said. "I'm glad you decided to join us. I should have listened to Mama Murphy all along. Pretty nice place she's found for us. I think we could settle down here, make it a place to call home. What do you think?"

"Yeah, it's a great place to set up a settlement," said Nate. "I use to live here...before the War..."

"What do you mean?" asked Preston. "Before what war? Wait....are you saying...?"

"Yeah," said Nate. "I'm pre-war. I lived here two hundred years ago. I took shelter in Vault 111, and I was put into a cryo pod. Frozen for that long...until I woke up earlier today."

"Damn...just like those old pre-war ghouls..."

"Ghouls?" Nate asked.

"They're humans from before the War," Preston explained. "They survived the bombs, but their skin decomposed, making them look like zombies. Now another type of ghouls are those who are mindless zombie-like creatures. We call them Feral Ghouls."

"Wow," said Nate. "I never thought I'd be the only person who survived and lived long to be here right now."

"Now about the Vault you came from...did anyone else come out with you?"

"No one else," said Nate. "Except for my son...somebody took him away while I was still trapped. Do you happen to cross anyone with a baby?"

"Damn, I'm sorry," said Preston. "But...no, I haven't. I'll definitely keep my eye out for him."

"Thank you, Preston," said Nate. He took a deep breath. "Now, about helping you out..."

"Oh, right," said Preston. "If we're gonna stay here, we're gonna have to gather up the resources to rebuild this neighborhood. Hate to ask you at a moment like this, but do you think you can do me a favor?"

"Sure," said Nate. "I'll help. What needs to be done?"

"I've got word that a settlement needs our help," said Preston. "They're still hoping there are Minutemen out there somewhere. The only chance to start rebuilding the Minutemen is to show people that they can count on us when they need us. Trouble is, I've got my hands full here with the others. Do you think you could go help out the settlement?"

"I'd be glad to help," said Nate. "It's as good as done." Preston smiled.

"That's fantastic," he said. "The Minutemen could use more people like you. By the way, if you ever want to help out around here at all, talk to Sturges. I'm sure he'd be glad for all the help he can get."

"I'll keep that in mind," smiled Nate. "Thanks for your help, Preston."

"I should be the one thanking you for saving our butts back there," said Preston. "If you ever need any help, you'll know where to find me. Oh, almost forgot, let me mark the location for that settlement."

Preston marks the location on Nate's Pip-Boy, then leaves into the neighborhood. Dogmeat looks up at Nate and whimpers. He looks down at him.

"What's wrong, buddy?" he asked. "Are you hungry?"

"WOOF!" said Dogmeat. Nate takes that as a yes.