[HEADING=1]Chapter XXXIII - Treasure Hunt[/HEADING]
After doing Head of State, we return to Rivet City in order to do another side quest. If there's an ongoing theme between these two sidequests, is the focus on history I guess?
It'd be a pain in the ass if the bridge had to be opened every time you went into Rivet City. Why does fast travel take you here though...?
So we need to go to the Capitol Preservation Society in Rivet City. Why would this exist when people have much more important thigns to worry about? I don't know.
For once, this place isn't loaded in a seperate cell.
So apparently this guy has his own museum in Rivet City. I doubt many people actually visit this place, since all it comes down to is some planes hanging from the ceilings and some posters everywhere. (Posters that you could just as easily find littering the ruins of DC.)
But he isn't here now. Damn it.
There he is. He almost has the same exact face as Zimmer. Eerie.
What kind of name is Abraham Washington?
"Abraham Washington's the name... curator of this little slice of American History."
"Yes, it's an interesting collection indeed."
"Ah, a fellow scholar I see!"
How many scholars could there be in the Capital Wasteland?
"Each of the documents in this room tells a small but important story about the history of the United States of America. Unfortunately, the greatest prize of all is missing from the collection."
"All right, I'll bite. Which document is missing?"
It's like your character is aware of all the obvious quest hooks.
"In 1776, the Second Judgemental Congress got together and adopted a document drafted by none other than Thomas Jefferson himself."
You know, you'd think there would be more sidequests involving you scouring ruins of famous buildings and finding artifacts, but this is the only one other than Head of State.
"It was the day the United States of America earned its name and secured its place in history. This magnificent achievement took form in the Declaration of Independence."
"If you want me to retrieve the Declaration, all you have to do is ask."
"Oh, would you? It would mean so much to me and the Society's collection here."
"I'd love to be a part of history, and bring you the Declaration."
You'd think someone would have taken the Declaration by now. I mean, maybe the Enclave would want to retrieve it for some reason, they're weird like that.
"Excellent! You won't regret it, I promise you! Imagine, you are taking part in another chapter of American History. I envy you."
Well, he's the one who doesn't have to fight through a horde of super mutants to get to the declaration.
"You can find the Declaration of Independence in the ruins of the National Archives."
I think using the word "ruins" is redundant in this game.
"Can you show me how to get to the National Archives on my map?"
"In the D.C. Ruins you'll find the National Archives. Or what's left of it anyway. The building should contain the document in a protective glass case. Be careful, the place is swarming with Super Mutants."
Of course it'd be swarming with Super Mutants. What part of DC isn't infested with them.
"Here, let me pinpoint it's location for you."
So we're off to the warzone that is the Mall. And since it's been awhile, the Super Mutants respawned. Awesome.
So now we fast travel to the Museum of History, we'll be checking Underworld out next update.
And we'll visit the Capitol Building too. Eventually. (Not part of a quest though.)
Lots of super mutants respawn, and fighting them feels like a waste of ammo.
No matter how much ammo I have, it's never enough. I'm sure you don't want to see the multiple repetitive encounters we had with super mutants along the way.
The National Archives are further back into the Mall. Not quite so close to the Capitol (Is it Capital or Capitol, I can never get it right.) Building.
The building looks rather ominous on the outside...
Like with all the buildings in the Mall, it's got an interesting layout. I still standby my opinion of the areas in The Mall being the best designed ones in the game. It helps that they don't overuse the tileset...
And like all of the buildings in the Mall, it's filled with Super Mutants. They're like rats.
Super Sledges aren't very useful for us right now, but the super mutants can destroy us with one.
Dogmeat continues to be very useful to us.
Dying like that would suck...
We should probably put points into sneak...
The Chinese Assault rifle is pretty effective at close range, not the most sneaky of weapons of course.
Eventually, we wander into the main part of the building. Someone is already there, they call us over and tell us to hurry.
She isn't very happy about the little fight we got into with the super mutants as we entered. It isn't our fault, they attacked us first.
A bunch of super mutants come stumbling out the door. Dogmeat runs over all the mines on his way over to fight the super mutants, but it hardly puts a dent in his health.
You more have to worry about Sydney getting killed.
You fight a couple of waves of them...
"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself."
"Well, with what I do for a living, you need to be."
I never would have thought scouring old ruins for artifacts would require much combat. I mean, why would anyone be in these ruins anyways?
"Sorry, I'm being a complete asshole. I'm Sydney. It's good to meet a fellow relic hunter."
"What do you mean "follow relic hunter"?
These lines of dialogue don't really make much sense if you accidentally find Sydney here before even going to Rivet City. (In my first playthrough, I came in here right after the Museum of Technology and I thought Sydney was a permanent companion.)
"Come on... you and I both know this is wehre the Declaration of Independence is stashed... no need to be coy about it."
But you see, treasure hunter is but one of our many professions and skills.
"Good old Abraham Washington sent you on the same suicide mission he sent me on."
Now that you think of it, that guy is kind of a dick.
"Only problem is, you're not going to get it without my help."
"Who's stupid enough to shell out of a bunch of caps for a scrap of paper?"
"Like I said, Abraham Washington, that's who. He's got plenty of caps and all kinds of valuables for trade."
How has he gotten all of these caps? The economy in this world is utterly bizarre.
"The guy lives over in Rivet City: runs some sort of museum there. He buys all sorts of junk like this."
Again, we already know this.
"Bring the Declaration back with me and we split the reward right down the middle. How's that grab ya?"
Now we can do one of three things here:
-Agree to help her (Sane option)
-Tell her you'll find it on your own (Stupid option)
-Kill her (Psychotic option)
Sense we aren't stupid or psychotic, let's help her out. (She does a ton of damage but has very little health compared to other companions.)
"Sure, let's team up."
"Smart move."
This is probably the first companion character you'll run into if you're just following the main story arc, but surprisingly she isn't a permanent companion. Once you get the Declaration, she retires.
"Okay, the Declaration is secured in the Archive Strongroom underground. There's a concealed cargo lift right here in the center of the rotunda. I've spent a few days hacking the lock with my remote terminal."
I didn't realize that you have to use her computer to access it, so it took me a good 10 minutes of aimlessly searching this room to find out. >>
"When you're ready, punch in the password and let's get going."
This room has a hole in the wall that looks down over where we just were.
After searching around aimlessly for about 10 minutes, I finally realize you're supposed to use the terminal to open up the passageway.
The passageway is just a slightly elevated tile on the floor. I assume it's an elevator? Whats it's purpose for being here...
So now we go down to the lower levels of the building, which are pretty much the same tunnels used in the side areas in the metro tunnels. It's boring down here.
There's a voice going over the intercom talking. Interesting...
There are a ton of sentry bots in this area, and they gun down Sydney almost instantly if they attack here, so you have to have Dogmeat tank for you.
They have missles too...
After many, many, many encounters with robots, we come to this room.
Oh look, we find the Bill of Rights... This should get us some extra cash. (100 caps.)
The turrets can ambush you if you go into the little room with the safe in it. They can be really annoying because they kill Sydney really quickly. In fact, Sydney is really frail and she's worth keeping alive. (Later she sells weapons and ammo.)
There is a shit ton of energy weapons ammo in here.
We find the Magna Carta in here too. For some reason. I get that it's an important document and all, but what is it doing in an American museum?
Eventually we come across a robot in a powdered wig...
As if the endless streams of annoying, damage spongy robots wasn't enough.
"But I have not yet begun to fight! I cannot allow you to steal our freedom!"
Oh come on, you're one of those junk robots that I can kill in two shots.
"The Declaration must remain here! It is our symbol of hope, the one thing that cries out "We are a free nation"!"
"[Intellgience] You must be Button Gwinnett, second signer of the Declaration!"
Wait, what?! I know I complained before about the higher INT speech options being stupid, but this is the complete opposite. I assume the education system in Vault 101 was quite detailed?
"Then my reputation precedes me. Good. That should make you well aware that I am not to be trifled with and that my loyalty to the States is leendary. I know your fighting prowess far exceeds my own, but I will still duel you to the death if I must!"
Can't we just tip him over?
"What will it be then? Rapiers? Pistols at dawn? Out with it!"
"That's quite brave of you. To potentially sacrifice your life over a document."
"This is no mere document, madam. This is the doctrine laid down by my fellow members of the Second Continental Congress."
I assume the robot is some tour guide robot gone horribly, horribly wrong?
"It absolves us of the tyranny of King George the Third of Great Britain. It is perhaps the greatest symbol of this free nation."
"You do realize that it's about 500 years later, don't you?"
"Petty lies and deceit may be the way of Great Britain's crown, but I will not succumb to such tomfoolery. Since it appears you wish to resolve this without bloodshed, may I suggest you stand down and surrdender? I can promise that you will be treated well; in a manner accustomed to any member of the Royal Army."
I'm sure Bethesda's cliff notes version of the Revolutionary War is facsinating and all, but this is wearing thin.
"There's more to this than you realize, Button."
"Please explain, but I warn you, I am well versed on the tactics of the underhanded Redcoat spy. You'd do well to remember that."
"[Speech, 87%] I'm Thomas Jefferson and I've returned to liberate the Declaration."
That's why I murdered all the guards outside to get in here.
"[SUCCESS] Saints alive! It is both an honor and a privilege, sir. I was hoping this day would arrive. I hope these fortifications are up to your high standards, sir. All of my men await your command to push and retake the Capital!"
Retake the Capital? Hmm, I suppose it would be too awesome for this game to have an option of letting you take your robot army onto the streets and wipe out all the super mutants?
"May I ask where you intend to bring the document?"
"It will be carried to our new President, Abraham Washington."
Oh I get it, ha ha ha...
...
"A new president? So, the Stars and Stripes truly are forever. All hail the red, white and blue! Does... does this mean the War is over? Have we won?"
"Yes, Button. We won!"
You can keep "in character" or you can just break it off right here. I don't know what happens if you break character here.
"It's over? Amen to that. Then I suppose my posting here at the fort is complete. I think you said it best when you said: "We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. It has been both an honor and a privilege to serve in the army of the United States. What are your final orders?"
"Stand down, and honorably relinquish your post. You've earned a rest."
"Coming from you, that means all the world to me. It's been an honor and a privilege to serve my country."
Okay, this is just getting silly now. I can bear with the androids with emotions, but this is just a regular museum robot. I really don't get robots in Fallout in general though.
"It's time for me to take a long-needed rest. I think you'll find that the rest of my men are long-due for the same."
Uhh... His "men" were all killed by us. Let's not mention that.
"I hereby relinquish command and control of this fortification to you."
This means absolutely nothing by the way, just that we can get the Declaration.
"Good luck to you, Mr. Jefferson... and give Sally my regards."
Christ that was a long conversation for such an inconsequential character.
You get to get your own powdered wig if you'd like. There is a ton of energy weapons ammo in the drawers in the room.
There we go, the Declaration of Independance.
For a quick way out, you can go through this room. It implies that there were different predessecors to this robot.
And now we come back out over here. Back to Rivet City!
Let's wake up the old guy and get our reward.
We sell him The Bill of Rights and the Magna Carta for about 100 caps each. Oh the irony...
"Sydney and I have the Declaration of Independance."
"Oh my lord, I never expected... I mean, I am utterly shocked!"
You actually came back alive! Well, 20th times the charm.
"You two have earned your places in the annals of American History, yes indeed. You will be remembered for this great day! I will award Sydney's promised bounty to her personally. No need to worry yourself about that. Enjoy your reward, my friend. You've earned it."
That reward specifically being a Railway Rifle schematic, and nothing else. If Sydney dies or you refuse to help her, you get 400 caps too, big deal.
The Railway Rifle is awesome, I'm definitely making that once I get a chance.
Let's talk to Sydney before finishing the update...
Woah, what is wrong with her eyes!?
"You know, I think I've had my fill of Wasteland roaming and picking through ruined buildings for a while. I'm just gonna kick back and spend my caps... but thanks for asking. Look me up in Underworld if you ever need me. I usually hang there since the Ghouls don't hit on me all the time."
Underworld, eh? I think that's where we are going next...
By the way, Sydney has an unmarked sidequest that lets you get her SMG. It's a good SMG, but there isn't much to the quest anyway, and we'll probably pick up what need for it on our way through another sidequest.
So, that's it for Stealing Independance. Next time, let's check out that Underworld place everyone is talking about.
It'd be a pain in the ass if the bridge had to be opened every time you went into Rivet City. Why does fast travel take you here though...?
So we need to go to the Capitol Preservation Society in Rivet City. Why would this exist when people have much more important thigns to worry about? I don't know.
For once, this place isn't loaded in a seperate cell.
So apparently this guy has his own museum in Rivet City. I doubt many people actually visit this place, since all it comes down to is some planes hanging from the ceilings and some posters everywhere. (Posters that you could just as easily find littering the ruins of DC.)
But he isn't here now. Damn it.
There he is. He almost has the same exact face as Zimmer. Eerie.
What kind of name is Abraham Washington?
"Abraham Washington's the name... curator of this little slice of American History."
"Yes, it's an interesting collection indeed."
"Ah, a fellow scholar I see!"
How many scholars could there be in the Capital Wasteland?
"Each of the documents in this room tells a small but important story about the history of the United States of America. Unfortunately, the greatest prize of all is missing from the collection."
"All right, I'll bite. Which document is missing?"
It's like your character is aware of all the obvious quest hooks.
"In 1776, the Second Judgemental Congress got together and adopted a document drafted by none other than Thomas Jefferson himself."
You know, you'd think there would be more sidequests involving you scouring ruins of famous buildings and finding artifacts, but this is the only one other than Head of State.
"It was the day the United States of America earned its name and secured its place in history. This magnificent achievement took form in the Declaration of Independence."
"If you want me to retrieve the Declaration, all you have to do is ask."
"Oh, would you? It would mean so much to me and the Society's collection here."
"I'd love to be a part of history, and bring you the Declaration."
You'd think someone would have taken the Declaration by now. I mean, maybe the Enclave would want to retrieve it for some reason, they're weird like that.
"Excellent! You won't regret it, I promise you! Imagine, you are taking part in another chapter of American History. I envy you."
Well, he's the one who doesn't have to fight through a horde of super mutants to get to the declaration.
"You can find the Declaration of Independence in the ruins of the National Archives."
I think using the word "ruins" is redundant in this game.
"Can you show me how to get to the National Archives on my map?"
"In the D.C. Ruins you'll find the National Archives. Or what's left of it anyway. The building should contain the document in a protective glass case. Be careful, the place is swarming with Super Mutants."
Of course it'd be swarming with Super Mutants. What part of DC isn't infested with them.
"Here, let me pinpoint it's location for you."
So we're off to the warzone that is the Mall. And since it's been awhile, the Super Mutants respawned. Awesome.
So now we fast travel to the Museum of History, we'll be checking Underworld out next update.
And we'll visit the Capitol Building too. Eventually. (Not part of a quest though.)
Lots of super mutants respawn, and fighting them feels like a waste of ammo.
No matter how much ammo I have, it's never enough. I'm sure you don't want to see the multiple repetitive encounters we had with super mutants along the way.
The National Archives are further back into the Mall. Not quite so close to the Capitol (Is it Capital or Capitol, I can never get it right.) Building.
The building looks rather ominous on the outside...
Like with all the buildings in the Mall, it's got an interesting layout. I still standby my opinion of the areas in The Mall being the best designed ones in the game. It helps that they don't overuse the tileset...
And like all of the buildings in the Mall, it's filled with Super Mutants. They're like rats.
Super Sledges aren't very useful for us right now, but the super mutants can destroy us with one.
Dogmeat continues to be very useful to us.
Dying like that would suck...
We should probably put points into sneak...
The Chinese Assault rifle is pretty effective at close range, not the most sneaky of weapons of course.
Eventually, we wander into the main part of the building. Someone is already there, they call us over and tell us to hurry.
She isn't very happy about the little fight we got into with the super mutants as we entered. It isn't our fault, they attacked us first.
A bunch of super mutants come stumbling out the door. Dogmeat runs over all the mines on his way over to fight the super mutants, but it hardly puts a dent in his health.
You more have to worry about Sydney getting killed.
You fight a couple of waves of them...
"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself."
"Well, with what I do for a living, you need to be."
I never would have thought scouring old ruins for artifacts would require much combat. I mean, why would anyone be in these ruins anyways?
"Sorry, I'm being a complete asshole. I'm Sydney. It's good to meet a fellow relic hunter."
"What do you mean "follow relic hunter"?
These lines of dialogue don't really make much sense if you accidentally find Sydney here before even going to Rivet City. (In my first playthrough, I came in here right after the Museum of Technology and I thought Sydney was a permanent companion.)
"Come on... you and I both know this is wehre the Declaration of Independence is stashed... no need to be coy about it."
But you see, treasure hunter is but one of our many professions and skills.
"Good old Abraham Washington sent you on the same suicide mission he sent me on."
Now that you think of it, that guy is kind of a dick.
"Only problem is, you're not going to get it without my help."
"Who's stupid enough to shell out of a bunch of caps for a scrap of paper?"
"Like I said, Abraham Washington, that's who. He's got plenty of caps and all kinds of valuables for trade."
How has he gotten all of these caps? The economy in this world is utterly bizarre.
"The guy lives over in Rivet City: runs some sort of museum there. He buys all sorts of junk like this."
Again, we already know this.
"Bring the Declaration back with me and we split the reward right down the middle. How's that grab ya?"
Now we can do one of three things here:
-Agree to help her (Sane option)
-Tell her you'll find it on your own (Stupid option)
-Kill her (Psychotic option)
Sense we aren't stupid or psychotic, let's help her out. (She does a ton of damage but has very little health compared to other companions.)
"Sure, let's team up."
"Smart move."
This is probably the first companion character you'll run into if you're just following the main story arc, but surprisingly she isn't a permanent companion. Once you get the Declaration, she retires.
"Okay, the Declaration is secured in the Archive Strongroom underground. There's a concealed cargo lift right here in the center of the rotunda. I've spent a few days hacking the lock with my remote terminal."
I didn't realize that you have to use her computer to access it, so it took me a good 10 minutes of aimlessly searching this room to find out. >>
"When you're ready, punch in the password and let's get going."
This room has a hole in the wall that looks down over where we just were.
After searching around aimlessly for about 10 minutes, I finally realize you're supposed to use the terminal to open up the passageway.
The passageway is just a slightly elevated tile on the floor. I assume it's an elevator? Whats it's purpose for being here...
So now we go down to the lower levels of the building, which are pretty much the same tunnels used in the side areas in the metro tunnels. It's boring down here.
There's a voice going over the intercom talking. Interesting...
There are a ton of sentry bots in this area, and they gun down Sydney almost instantly if they attack here, so you have to have Dogmeat tank for you.
They have missles too...
After many, many, many encounters with robots, we come to this room.
Oh look, we find the Bill of Rights... This should get us some extra cash. (100 caps.)
The turrets can ambush you if you go into the little room with the safe in it. They can be really annoying because they kill Sydney really quickly. In fact, Sydney is really frail and she's worth keeping alive. (Later she sells weapons and ammo.)
There is a shit ton of energy weapons ammo in here.
We find the Magna Carta in here too. For some reason. I get that it's an important document and all, but what is it doing in an American museum?
Eventually we come across a robot in a powdered wig...
As if the endless streams of annoying, damage spongy robots wasn't enough.
"But I have not yet begun to fight! I cannot allow you to steal our freedom!"
Oh come on, you're one of those junk robots that I can kill in two shots.
"The Declaration must remain here! It is our symbol of hope, the one thing that cries out "We are a free nation"!"
"[Intellgience] You must be Button Gwinnett, second signer of the Declaration!"
Wait, what?! I know I complained before about the higher INT speech options being stupid, but this is the complete opposite. I assume the education system in Vault 101 was quite detailed?
"Then my reputation precedes me. Good. That should make you well aware that I am not to be trifled with and that my loyalty to the States is leendary. I know your fighting prowess far exceeds my own, but I will still duel you to the death if I must!"
Can't we just tip him over?
"What will it be then? Rapiers? Pistols at dawn? Out with it!"
"That's quite brave of you. To potentially sacrifice your life over a document."
"This is no mere document, madam. This is the doctrine laid down by my fellow members of the Second Continental Congress."
I assume the robot is some tour guide robot gone horribly, horribly wrong?
"It absolves us of the tyranny of King George the Third of Great Britain. It is perhaps the greatest symbol of this free nation."
"You do realize that it's about 500 years later, don't you?"
"Petty lies and deceit may be the way of Great Britain's crown, but I will not succumb to such tomfoolery. Since it appears you wish to resolve this without bloodshed, may I suggest you stand down and surrdender? I can promise that you will be treated well; in a manner accustomed to any member of the Royal Army."
I'm sure Bethesda's cliff notes version of the Revolutionary War is facsinating and all, but this is wearing thin.
"There's more to this than you realize, Button."
"Please explain, but I warn you, I am well versed on the tactics of the underhanded Redcoat spy. You'd do well to remember that."
"[Speech, 87%] I'm Thomas Jefferson and I've returned to liberate the Declaration."
That's why I murdered all the guards outside to get in here.
"[SUCCESS] Saints alive! It is both an honor and a privilege, sir. I was hoping this day would arrive. I hope these fortifications are up to your high standards, sir. All of my men await your command to push and retake the Capital!"
Retake the Capital? Hmm, I suppose it would be too awesome for this game to have an option of letting you take your robot army onto the streets and wipe out all the super mutants?
"May I ask where you intend to bring the document?"
"It will be carried to our new President, Abraham Washington."
Oh I get it, ha ha ha...
...
"A new president? So, the Stars and Stripes truly are forever. All hail the red, white and blue! Does... does this mean the War is over? Have we won?"
"Yes, Button. We won!"
You can keep "in character" or you can just break it off right here. I don't know what happens if you break character here.
"It's over? Amen to that. Then I suppose my posting here at the fort is complete. I think you said it best when you said: "We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. It has been both an honor and a privilege to serve in the army of the United States. What are your final orders?"
"Stand down, and honorably relinquish your post. You've earned a rest."
"Coming from you, that means all the world to me. It's been an honor and a privilege to serve my country."
Okay, this is just getting silly now. I can bear with the androids with emotions, but this is just a regular museum robot. I really don't get robots in Fallout in general though.
"It's time for me to take a long-needed rest. I think you'll find that the rest of my men are long-due for the same."
Uhh... His "men" were all killed by us. Let's not mention that.
"I hereby relinquish command and control of this fortification to you."
This means absolutely nothing by the way, just that we can get the Declaration.
"Good luck to you, Mr. Jefferson... and give Sally my regards."
Christ that was a long conversation for such an inconsequential character.
You get to get your own powdered wig if you'd like. There is a ton of energy weapons ammo in the drawers in the room.
There we go, the Declaration of Independance.
For a quick way out, you can go through this room. It implies that there were different predessecors to this robot.
And now we come back out over here. Back to Rivet City!
Let's wake up the old guy and get our reward.
We sell him The Bill of Rights and the Magna Carta for about 100 caps each. Oh the irony...
"Sydney and I have the Declaration of Independance."
"Oh my lord, I never expected... I mean, I am utterly shocked!"
You actually came back alive! Well, 20th times the charm.
"You two have earned your places in the annals of American History, yes indeed. You will be remembered for this great day! I will award Sydney's promised bounty to her personally. No need to worry yourself about that. Enjoy your reward, my friend. You've earned it."
That reward specifically being a Railway Rifle schematic, and nothing else. If Sydney dies or you refuse to help her, you get 400 caps too, big deal.
The Railway Rifle is awesome, I'm definitely making that once I get a chance.
Let's talk to Sydney before finishing the update...
Woah, what is wrong with her eyes!?
"You know, I think I've had my fill of Wasteland roaming and picking through ruined buildings for a while. I'm just gonna kick back and spend my caps... but thanks for asking. Look me up in Underworld if you ever need me. I usually hang there since the Ghouls don't hit on me all the time."
Underworld, eh? I think that's where we are going next...
By the way, Sydney has an unmarked sidequest that lets you get her SMG. It's a good SMG, but there isn't much to the quest anyway, and we'll probably pick up what need for it on our way through another sidequest.
So, that's it for Stealing Independance. Next time, let's check out that Underworld place everyone is talking about.
What did you guys think of Lonesome Road, for those who played it?
Edit: Also, are you guys going to get the Gun Runners Arsenal and Courier's Stash DLC's that are coming out next week?
