Session 54: The Ballad of House Hamilton
General Summary
The session began with Jimbob, Kenny, Jason, Cecile, and Sharos in Colt Maverick Steele's office, beginning an intense negotiation after he admitted to stealing the parts for the secret project from Patriot Manufacturing. They confronted him with the fact that he had been selling weapons to the Crimson Hand, but he justified it as an unfortunate consequence of his integral no questions asked policy. He said he was willing to stop double-dealing, upgrade the Liberators' equipment, and put his full weight behind the CFR. Cecile asked who they needed to kill for the deal to go through, which endeared him to Steele. He said he would need assurances that he wouldn't be reported to the CFR, and he would need the intact head of The Duchess, the mob boss of the Crimson Hand. He explained that their interests were aligned, even if they didn't believe it.
The Brotherhood of Steel and The Red Tide have their own manufacturing base and wouldn't do business with him, leaving only the CFR to buy his wares. He explained that it's not in his interest for the CFR to be wiped out; he wants the war to continue so he can keep making money, hence why he'll be putting his full support behind them. The players were ready to agree, although obviously not fully trusting Steele. He even joked that it was easier than he had expected to make the deal.
Cecile still wanted to be sure, so he probed into Steele's mind, first sensing his relief at the deal going well, then pushing deeper, he found Steele's true motivation is this. As he's implied, he doesn't care about nation or ideology, he's using war profiteering to work towards some goal he believes is much more important.
To sweeten the deal, Steele snaps, and the super mutant cyborg's visor recedes. Jason is immediately hit with a flashback to Operation Inoculum, Chokehold getting ripped apart by those auto turrets. It's like they're seeing a ghost as the miraculously alive Chokehold stares at them emotionless. Steele explains that Chokehold's corpse was recovered by the Minutemen and approved for military testing, eventually selling it to Cyberdyne Technologies, where Steele used it for a different type of testing than intended. With this, the players were ready to make the deal.
Alexander pulled them aside. He was absolutely opposed to the deal. They were making a deal with an open traitor and a vicious opportunist. Wolfe said that as soon as it was beneficial to him, he'd betray them. He said they need to do what they always do, eliminate the threat. They had done shady things before, but for good reasons. It seemed bizarre to him that they had gone on a crusade against mobsters just to make a deal with an arguably worse and more dangerous criminal. Alexander said he joined The Liberators because he thought they were independent operators committed to justice. If this is what they were going to do for personal gain, then he didn't know what he was still doing here. Alexander said that if they turn him in and get the parts back, then Patriot Manufacturing would happily pick up their contract.
The players were split on the decision. Steele pushed further: one if they helped him here, they would have an ally for life. Jimbob laughed, but he continued. He said he doesn't care about nation or ideology, but he does like people, and they've had a fantastic business relationship, so no matter what the players do or who they fight for, Steele will be in their corner, because he likes them too. He said they were exceptional mercs, Jimbob told him to suck their dicks harder, but he continued. They had won every front they were deployed to in under a month; they were exceptional soldiers in need of exceptional weapons, and by his estimation, and by the estimation of both, the minutemen were losing this war; they needed him.
Cyberdyne didn't just sell to The Liberators, but nearly every other PMC in the commonwealth, along with several of the State Militias, meaning taking Steele out would be a massive blow to the war effort. Jimbob spoke to Alexander, they were fighting a war for survival; they could be good guys or the guys who save the nation. Alexander says their the bosses, they make the hard choices, and he's with them.
With it decided, Jason shakes on it and Steele gives them one last gift as a signing bonus. Taffington Water Company is manufacturing one of the most important components for the project, and he found out they have Crimson Hand connections. He tells them they need to find evidence in Taffington Manor to get the minutemen involved, as they were a massive corporation, his or their word alone wasn't enough. Luckily, they were hosting a fundraiser gala the next night. Steele also noted they need to treat carefully at this event, anyone whos anyone will be there and if shit hits the fan there will be massive repercussions.
Jason noticed Blair had gone pale, so as they walked out, he pulled her aside, but she brushed him off, telling him here's not the place. Steele finally told Jason to help himself, but only take as much as he can carry; he has to maintain a bottom line. Jimbob also grabbed a gatling laser for Chokehold. Jason was able to gather enough materials for his next 10 projects, first and foremost, the lever-action laser rifle.
With that, the players went back to Vantage to prepare, however, Blair took point and said they all needed new clothes. Kenny suggested Fallon's Basement in Diamond City, so off they went. While Fallon measured each of them for suits, Blair rigorously coached them on their manners, also noting the need to cover up Cecile's scars.
When the evening of the event came, Blair said she would scout it out herself, and they should meet up there at 7 pm. The players did as ordered and arrived at the sprawling mansion. The sight had once been a whole town called Covenant, but after it was destroyed, the entire plot was used to build the largest dwelling in the nation, Taffington Manor. Affluent guests streamed into the well-lit Manor, some even arriving in functioning cars. The players couldn't find Blair in the crowd. Eventually, they recognized a woman walking towards them to in fact be Blair. She was unrecognizable wearing a fancy dress, done-up hair, and even eyeliner. The party was flabbergasted, Jason especially, as they had never seen her out of the same ratty hoody and jeans.
She took Jason's arm and led the party inside. The mansion's interior was even more resplendent than the outside. A few hundred party guests, all dressed formally, milled about the foyer. The party was snootish, but the accommodations were desirable, with a full bar and waiters distributing champagne. Jimbob and Cecile were stopped at the door for their moonshine and drugs, respectively, but each got off by sharing a bit with the guards.
With that, the team moved in, milling about with the guests and trying to find an opening. The team noticed many eyes on them, along with hearing whispers as they walked past, but they couldn't figure out why. They saw ghoul and even super mutant guests, so Jimbob probably wasn't the reason.
Jimbob went and talked to a pale ghoul whom he thought he recognized. The ghoul turned out to be Senator Wiseman of The Slog, and they had a pleasant conversation about the Eastern Front, although Jimbob didn't reveal he was a Liberator.
Cecile and Kenny start running a scam selling snake oil that, in reality, is just cocaine. Kenny takes some and then demonstrates its effects by effortlessly dodging and weaving between four guards trying to put an end to the solicitation. This wows a small crowd and deters the guards from continuing. It also gets them five potential investors whom they give a pitch to, securing a deal for 15,000 caps for 50% of the company.
Jason and Blair watched on in horror. Jason eventually went to search for a gap in security or a secret passage, but Blair stayed, and after he was finished, Blair grabbed him by the ear and told him to stop his antics before it doomed the entire project and the nation with it.
Jimbob tried to use the commotion to get some guards stationed in a hallway to go after Cecile, giving an opening. He also tries to use a spell to distract them, but it fails, and he backs off, keeping his distance.
Eventually, Blair made her way back to Jason, and they went to try and make a move before things escalated with Cecile and Kenny. They made their way back downstairs but ran into a familiar face on the landing. Senator Bruce Collins, whom Jason had seen earlier and dodged. He recognized Blair, calling her Ms. Hamilton, then put together who Jason was. Collins said Jason was looking well, and said what he's done for mutantkind was a masterstroke, and if he needs anything, to let him know. Jason tried to intuit his meaning through his neutral tone and realised he's being earnest.
He watched as Collins went downstairs and spoke to his assistant, and they both looked at Jason. Jason and Blair continued downstairs, but Jason sensed eyes on his back. He and Blair turned around to see the woman of the hour, the hostess and CEO of Taffington Water Company. Blair stared daggers at her and greeted her as her mother. They met her on the landing as the crowd looked up at the scene playing out.
Genevive Hamilton said her daughter was looking well. She sized up Jason, who lied that he was the owner of a small power armor manufacturer, but Genevive seemed to suspect him. Genevive said that Blair was wasting her potential as a mercenary. Blair retorted that she was helping win the war, but Genevive countered that not every problem could be solved with a pistol. Genevive asked Blair to come speak with her after the party if she had any love left for family. Blair and Jason hurried down the stairs, and Genevive went back up to the overwatching balcony.
Meanwhile, Cecile was cornered by the guards but used a memory modification technique to make the manager think his orders were to watch Cecile, so he did so, becoming his chauffeur.
Genevive called the crowd's attention and gave an impassioned speech on the strength and bravery of the minutemen and the prosperity they have received due to their protection. She rhetorically invited anyone who disagreed with her study so they could be shown just how wrong they are. The team seems to detect a double meaning in this invitation, that it may not be rhetorical but literal. She gave the toast, then went off to her study. On the way, Jimbob made a move, flattering her and introducing himself as a Rockefeller from Appalachia (both of which are true). She asked if he was still in business and looking for investment opportunities in the Commonwealth. He said he was, so she invited him back to her study, and he took her arm.
Blair and Jason finally made their move. Blair gave a signal over the radio to someone, presumably Todd, and then the music switched to Blue Monday by New Order. The couple did what they do best and began to break it down, drawing a crowd and causing others to join in. With some guards gone to guard Ms. Hamilton and more going to investigate the unauthorized music, the way was now open. However, with Jimbob infiltrating and the other two distracted by their scam, there was no one to exploit it, as the rest of the team wouldn't act without orders.
Cecile went to use the restroom, bringing his chauffeur where Kenny could ambush him. Kenny threw him into the door, sending him flying into the bathroom, knocking him unconscious
In Genevive's study, a small group, including Collins, had joined. The study was guarded by at least a dozen guards. Genevive said that knowing one's enemy was the most important aspect of waging war; as such, she had been doing research on the Red Tide. She described the peace, freedom, and security of Red Tide territory. Collins asked rhetorically, what the cost would be, obedience, surveillance, democracy? She retorted, "Safety," pointing out the minutemen's struggle to provide that over the nation's existence. A woman could be heard chuckling at that statement from the corner of the room. Jimbob attempted to grab his earpiece so he could transmit the whole conversation, but someone glanced at him, so he played it off.
She stated that if they were to return to a world of reason, they need a military that's strong and decisive, not an overly idealistic half measure. She went further to point out the hypocrisy of a democracy with one woman pulling all of the strings. The General. She destroyed the town of Covenant, which once stood on the very same ground they did, and when it was revealed to the nation, she was ousted, but still she managed to claw her way back into the position of General. Genevive said Jane was the one pulling the strings, and Piper was just a puppet.
The group streamed out, and Jimbob slipped away to investigate more rooms down the hallway. Meanwhile, Jason and Blair were approached by a tall, pale woman on the dance floor. She invited him over for a drink.
The trio went over to the bar and the woman reached over and grabbed something from the understock. The three drank and the woman and Jason went question for question. It turned out the woman was Lady Albescu, wife of Alexandru, she too was a vampire.
Jason and the woman went question for question, trading information about Alexandru and the anomalous phenomena in the region for information about The Crimson Hand and Taffington Water Company. Lady Albescu tells Jason and Blair that rumor has it the Duchess herself looms over Taffington, and furthermore more the Hamilton children haven't been seen in public for some time.
Once he had snuck away, Jimbob reported in, telling the team that Genevieve was a Red Tide sympathizer or even an agent. Lady Albescu overheard the earpiece with superhuman hearing, she tells Jason he better get to that. Jason tells her Kenny and Cecile could be entertaining, and they part ways. Jason and Blair go to sneak upstairs and meet Jimbob and back him up. Blair said her mom is a "vicious bitch" but she never expected something like this.
The pair ran into Senator Collins on the stairs, and he immediately informs them of the meeting, which earns Jason's trust. Collins tells his assistant Naomi to "get the thing".
Lady Albescu meeted Kenny and Cecile and greeted them, before sniffing, apparently smelling their wares. She asked them if they're down to share, and they agreed so they head off to the bathroom with the unconscious guard, but she didn't seem bothered. The three get ready for action with a few hearty lines. Lady Albescu says, times like these, it's good to have long fingers.
Jimbob continued to snoop in an office, but sensed a psychic intrusion, feeling him out. He tried to counter it but failed. It faded nonetheless, then he countered with his own detect thoughts. He couldn't detect anyone who could've cast the spell but he did detect a group of guards coming his way fast. He hid on the ceiling and obscured the room with a fog cloud. The group of guards came in but couldn't find them. The woman leading them told them to be quiet. At that moment, Jimbob sneezed, but he quickly cast a sleep charm, knocking the whole group out.
Blair, Jason, and the rest of the team save Kenny and Cecile arrived upstairs and secured the prisoners. The woman leading them was none other than Genevive. Blair interrogated her own mother, who claimed The Duchess had Blair's sisters, and the team had to catch her before she escaped. She told them that she was hiding out in the study, the very same room where she had had her meeting earlier. Alexander, Gug, and Jeremy stayed behind to guard the prisoners while Jimbob, Jason, Blair, and the rest went to find the Duchess.
