The chaos of the ambush had died down & my body had freed itself from the grasp of adrenaline, that's when I noticed the Pip-Boy was picking up a new & strong radio signal. The broadcast was a call for help by a man held captive by super mutants at Trinity Tower.
A burning feeling in my chest told me that I couldn't leave abandon this man. The location where he was being held was close by, practically across the street from the library. I reasoned that the super mutants I had just faced must be of the same force as the ones holding this man.
I could see something fall from the towering building when I approached. A man in camo-gear crashed hard into the concrete. Most likely a Gunner. But was it execution or suicide?
Fear of heights or vertigo has never been an issue for me but facing off against giant green bodybuilders armed with guns & planks & even chunks of concrete on rebar within a crumbling skyscraper made my stomach churn. I found some peace in that I at least fought inside a power armor & would I fall off it made me at least have a chance at survival. And I'm thankful that Ada had the arm containing a laser rifle still attached to it.
The man was Rex Goodman, radio actor & fan of old theater. He had come willingly, seeking the super mutants, with hopes that reciting Shakespeare's works would sway them from violence. Mr. Goodman had a surprise for me. A super mutant called "Strong" was locked in with him & happy to fight against his own kind.
Lines from "Mack Beth" had convinced Strong that we humans held the secret of increased strength & had decided that in search of said power to temporarily ally with us. Frankly, at this point I felt too warped by this world to be able to tell who was the bigger idiot. Myself included.
Another radio message was broadcasted on the same wavelength Mr. Goodman had used in the cell. It was a member of "Recon Squad Gladius" of the Brotherhood of Steel that requested support over in Cambridge. Somehow this woman had learned of my recent exploit against the super mutants & practically ordered me to be their reinforcements. Climbing Trinity Tower was an ordeal & surely visible for miles, especially from a vertibird. I was only happy to oblige!
As I write this log I realize that the burning feeling in my chest & stomach churning hasn't been an effect of my conscience but actual physical symptoms. When I started writing it was only serious heartburn but now my entire stomach aches & it feels like parts of my innards are cramping. Me not having slept in close to 48 hours is also probably adding to it. So I shall finish this & focus on getting a moment’s rest.
Patrick Donahue, Survivor
