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A/Comment: Hi! Just a little side note! Although Jake will not be going to other worlds, He may stay go to 'Marvel' Zombies World.
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Day 23 - 1410 Hours / 2:10 PM – Fort Hope (Sanctuary Hills) - Jake Pesonal Home
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Jake's Updated HUD:
'Summoned Soldiers: 327/520'
'Summoned Combat Nikkes: 1/190'
'Summoned Vehicles: 57/230'
'Summoned Combat Robots: 33/100'
'Summoned Civilian Nikkes: 80/130'
'Vehicles Made: 21/¿Infinity?'
'Power Armor Made: 12/¿Infinity?'
'Exo-Skeletons Armor Made: 7/¿Infinity?'
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Jake walked home to his Personal Home, He wasn't tired but… He was mentally tired… He was running about the Boston Commonwealth trying to save anyone he could, He didn't even help Nora find Nick… Just a Five-Man Squad of Delta Forces.
And he had planned on helping Nora with that… Not just sent a Squad to help…
Jake opened the front door of his home, forgetting that Luara was on his back. Though she just gently shifted herself so as not to hit the door or the door frame. Jake was to far gone in his own mind to even feel her shifting on his back.
The heavy reinforced door of the Maxis residence hissed shut, Sealing out the gritty, radioactive wind of the Commonwealth. For a moment, Jake simply leaned his forehead against the cool metal, the hum of his internal MCDF Military System flickering slightly in his peripheral vision.
The weight on his back shifted as Laura Kinney (X-23) hopped down with the silent, Predatory grace of a cat. Despite her small stature, Her presence was grounding—a living reminder of the lives he was now responsible for.
"You're leaking stress, Jake…" Laura remarked, Her voice low and raspy. Her green eyes tracked the way his shoulders slumped. "Your heart rate is elevated, and your scent... it's bitter. Like old coffee and adrenaline."
Jake managed a weary half-smile, running a hand through his short, spiky blonde hair. "It's been a long day, Laura. I feel like I'm playing a game of chess where the board keeps expanding. I sent some of the Delta boys to help Nora find Nick, but part of me feels like I should be there. Like I'm neglecting the 'main' path for the sake of rebuilding the 'United States'."
As they moved into the living area, the air-conditioned atmosphere—a luxury almost unheard of in the wasteland—greeted them. The interior was a blend of pre-war comfort and high-tech command center.
"Welcome back, Commander." A voice chirped. A small, holographic figure flickered into existence on the coffee table. Neo, The AI assistant, stood there with her heterochromatic eyes sparkling—one pink, one brown. She did a playful little twirl, Her Neapolitan-themed hair shifting with the motion. "I've updated the logistics kits for the Epsilon-1 units at the North gate. Also, You look like something a Deathclaw coughed up. Extremely un-Commander-like."
"Thanks, Neo. Always appreciate the honesty." Jake sighed, Dropping into a heavy leather armchair.
From the kitchen area, Twilight Sparkle emerged. In this world, She wasn't the purple alicorn he remembered from stories, but a strikingly beautiful woman in a form-fitting Nikke tactical suit. Her navy-blue hair with its magenta streaks was pulled back into a practical but elegant ponytail. She held a digital tablet in one hand and a steaming mug in the other.
"He's right to be tired, Neo." Twilight said, Her violet eyes softening as she handed the mug to Jake. "You've summoned over three hundred soldiers in less than a month, Jake. You're managing a Field Army's logistics with the staff of a small company. You need to utilize the new arrivals."
She gestured toward the tactical map projected on the wall. "The Black Widow is already coordinating with MSOC, And Zatanna is... well, she's 'magically' organizing the warehouse. But they need direction. The Commonwealth is noticing us. The Brotherhood, the Institute... they see a fortress rising in Sanctuary, and they're getting curious."
Jake took a sip of the drink—real tea, Another perk of his system. "Well… If The Institute starts moving aggressively launch the Jammer Missiles." He said to Twi, He was becoming a powerhouse, but the mental toll was rising. He had the strength of a General, But the heart of a man who just wanted to make sure everyone got home safe.
"What's the status of the Delta squad?" Jake asked, His voice regaining some of its command tone.
"They've made contact with Nora near Park Street Station." Twilight reported, Her expression turning professional. "They're preparing to breach Vault 114 to retrieve the detective. But we have other matters. Piper Wright is outside the gate again, demanding an interview about the 'Army of Super-Models & High-Tech Soldiers' appearing in Sanctuary. And Sarah Lyons is waiting in the briefing room; She wants to talk about MCDF's stance on the Brotherhood of Steel's recent scouting flights."
Jake leaned back, The Quick Fix perk pulsing faintly in his veins, helping his physical fatigue, but his mind was still racing. The MCDF was no longer a secret project—it was a nation-state in the making.
Jake took another long sip of the tea, The warmth spreading through his chest. As the Quick Fix perk worked in the background, A subtle golden hum seemed to settle his nerves, though it couldn't erase the sheer volume of data flooding his mind. He looked up at the holographic display Neo was projected over the coffee table, Watching the real-time movement of MCDF patrols around the perimeter of Sanctuary.
"Jammer missiles are on standby, Commander." Twilight said, Her voice steady & reassuring. She tapped a few commands into her tablet, Syncing the data with the Minutemen Air Corps defense grid. "But jamming the Institute is a temporary fix. They're scientists; They'll adapt. We need a long-term strategy for their teleportation signatures."
Laura, Who had been leaning against the wall near the door, crossed her arms. Her eyes remained fixed on the window, Watching the shadows of MTF Epsilon-1 soldiers moving past. "The one called Sarah Lyons... She smells like old iron and discipline. She's been pacing in the briefing room for twenty minutes. She doesn't like being kept waiting."
"She's a Sentinel, Laura. Waiting isn't in her job description…" Jake muttered, Rubbing his eyes. He glanced at his HUD again.
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Jake's HUD:
'Summoned Soldiers: 327/520'
'Summoned Vehicles: 57/230'
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He was building an army, But every person he brought into this world was a soul he had to feed, house, and protect. The weight of it felt heavier than any Rucksack he'd ever carried. He looked at Neo, Who was now sitting on the edge of the tea tray, swinging her legs.
"Neo, Give me the 'Too-long-didn't-read' version of the gate situation." Jake requested.
Neo smirked, Her heterochromatic eyes flashing. "Easy-peasy. Piper is currently trying to bribe a Marine Raider guard with a 'sweetroll' and a promise of a front-page feature for an interview with you. Sarah Lyons is staring a hole through the wall in the briefing room, probably imagining it's a Mutie's head. And Nora? Your Delta boys report they've reached the entrance of Vault 114. They're waiting for your word to breach or if you want to join the party."
Jake sighed, The fatigue was still there, but his Strong Will was starting to kick back in. He couldn't stay hidden in his house forever. "Tell the Delta Squad with Nora, They have the green light. But, We won't be going." Jack said to Neo.
Jake stood up, The exhaustion that had weighed on his bones moments ago now countered by the sharp focus of a man with a plan. He looked at Twilight, Who was already adjusting her tactical HUD to relay his orders.
"Neo, Tell the Delta Squad to initiate the breach. Tell them to prioritize Nick Valentine's safety & keep Nora out of the line of fire. If they need heavy support retracting after, They have an AH-64 Apache on standby for a danger-close gun run outside the station." Jake commanded, His voice firming up.
"Twilight, Keep Sarah Lyons in the briefing room for another thirty minutes. Offer her some of that pre-war coffee we synthesized. I need to handle our 'Public Relations' mini problem first."
Twilight nodded, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips. "She won't like the wait, But she'll love the coffee. I'll make sure she's comfortable."
Jake stepped out of the reinforced front door, The afternoon sun of the Commonwealth catching the blonde spikes of his hair. Laura followed a few paces behind, Her eyes scanning the rooftops where MTF Epsilon-1 marksmen were perched with suppressed MCX Spear-22s.
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Day 23 - 1444 Hours / 2:44 PM – Fort Hope (Sanctuary Hills) - East-Southern Bridge
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As they reached the East-Southern bridge of Sanctuary, The scene was exactly as Neo had described. A Marine Raider in full tactical gear—looking more like a Tier-1 operator than a post-apocalyptic soldier—stood like a statue at the gate. Piper Wright was pacing in front of him, her red leather coat flapping in the wind, a notepad clutched in her hand.
"Come on, Tan! I just want five minutes! The people of Diamond City have a right to know if a new army is planning to annex the Great Green Jewel!" Piper was saying, Her voice a mix of frustration & professional curiosity.
"Piper..." Jake called out, His voice projecting a calm authority that immediately drew her attention.
"Well, If it isn't the man of the hour! Or should I say, the General of the Sanctuary?" Piper skipped toward him, her blue eyes wide with excitement. "Jake Maxis! I've heard stories, But looking at this place... they don't do it justice. Who are these people? Where did you get this tech?"
Jake took a deep breath, smoothing out his tactical vest. His charismatic persona, that natural gravity that made people want to follow him—or at least listen. Beside him, Laura stood like a silent shadow, her presence a sharp contrast to his approachable demeanor.
"Piper, Take a breath…" Jake said with a disarming, affable smile. "The 'Great Green Jewel' is safe. We aren't here to annex anyone. We're here to reform order."
Piper stopped, Her pen hovering over her notebook. She looked him up & down, Her investigative instincts screaming. "Reform order? Blue, you've got more hardware here than the Brotherhood of Steel & more 'Pretty Faces' in uniform than a pre-war recruitment poster. The people are scared. They see the tanks, they see the vertibirds... they want to know who Jake Maxis really is."
"I'm just a man who grew tired of seeing the Commonwealth burn." Jake replied smoothly, His Unbreakable Will keeping his pulse steady. He gestured for the Marine Raider to open the gate. "How about a tour? On the record. But keep the questions to what you see, not where it came from. Logistics are... a trade secret."
Jake led Piper through the main thoroughfare of Sanctuary, That was renamed Fort Hope a long time ago. He purposefully guided her past some Nurses & Doctors Civilian Nikkes who were on break or helping to repair a pre-war home. To Piper's eyes, They looked like remarkably healthy, well-coordinated settlers.
"Who are they?" Piper asked, Gesturing to a group of women effortlessly moving heavy crates of MREs. "They don't look like they've missed a meal in a decade."
"The MCDF has its own recruitment & training pipeline." Jake explained, Technically not lying. "We prioritize health & education. If you want a future, You need people who are capable of building it."
He showed her the Medical Clinic, Where Combat Medics were using advanced trauma kits to treat a group of weary wastelanders who had recently arrived from a raider-threatened farm. He let her see the discipline of the Ground Infantry during their drills—not the specialized MTF units, But the standard soldiers. He was selling the image of a professional, Benevolent military force.
"You're looking for a story, Piper? Here it is: The Minutemen didn't die at Quincy. They evolved." Jake said, Stopping near the statue in the center of the town. "We're recruiting. Anyone with a steady hand & a desire to see a safe Commonwealth has a place here. Tell your readers that. Tell them Sanctuary is a beacon."
Piper looked at him, Skeptical but clearly impressed. "The 'New Minutemen' huh? It's a hell of a headline, Blue. I'll give you that."
Once Piper was escorted back across the bridge with a bag of real apples & a notebook full of 'safe' quotes, Jake's expression shifted. The affable smile vanished, replaced by the cold, calculating gaze of a Commander.
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Day 23 - 1522 Hours / 3:22 PM – Fort Hope (Sanctuary Hills) - East-Southern Bridge
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Jake turned and headed toward the Northern Motor Pool. The air here was different—thick with the smell of diesel, ionized air, and the rhythmic clank of heavy machinery. This was the heart of the MCDF's kinetic power.
Standing atop a concrete barricade was Felicity Smoak, Her red glasses reflecting the holographic schematics hovering before her. She was surrounded by a dozen Combat Engineers & a team of Mechanized Infantry crews.
"Felicity, Status report." Jake called out as he approached.
"Oh! Jake! You're just in time for the 'Metal Symphony'." Felicity chirped, Her fingers dancing across a mobile terminal. "We just finished the initialization on the new arrivals. And by 'Just Finished', I mean I had to rewrite the targeting uplink three times because the Commonwealth's magnetic interference is a nightmare. Seriously, How does anyone use a compass out here?"
Jake looked past her to the line of armored behemoths. Three newly made M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks sat idling, their turbines producing a low, predatory whine. Their Tusk III reactive armor kits looked formidable, Painted in a matte woodland-digital camouflage.
"The Abrams are integrated into the Team Link." Felicity continued, Her tone shifting to a mix of expert technical pride & nervous energy. "Huh… I guess, She figured out how to put it into the tanks… I did tell her about the Military System, And with her intelligence she could help me with it." Jake thought to himself.
"I've also finished the deployment of the ADATS (Air Defense Anti-Tank System) units on the surrounding hills. If the Brotherhood tries to bring the Prydwen over our airspace, These things will paint them before they even clear the Boston airport. It's a dual-purpose laser-guided system, Jake. Mach 3+ missiles. Very 'stay-out-of-my-yard'."
Jake walked up to the lead tank, The M1A2 SEPv3, and placed a hand on the cold steel of its hull.
"And the Jammer arrays?" Jake asked.
"Active!" Felicity replied, Pointing to a series of tall, inconspicuous pillars hidden among the Three-Story Apartment. "If anything tries to teleport within a two-mile radius, They're going to find themselves redirected into the middle of the Atlantic... or just scrambled into atoms. The Institute won't be 'Zipping' in for a surprise visit anytime soon."
Jake looked out over his fortress. He had the PR to bring in the people, And the steel to keep them safe. The MCDF was no longer just a project; It was an apex predator in the Commonwealth.
"Great work, Felicity!" Jake said firmly. "Tell the crews to stay on high alert. The more we grow, the more the world will try to prune us."
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Jake's New Settlement HUD:
'Current Defense Rating: 4,500'
'Air Supremacy Status: Localized (Minutemen Controlled Areas)'
'Settlement Happiness: 85% (Rising)'
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A/Comment: Hello! I realize this is a short chapter, But I intentionally kept it brief.
Additionally, Someone mentioned that I described my main character ('MC') as "Smart," but in reality, he's not particularly intelligent—probably around an average IQ of 90 or 100.