POV Rio
After launching the Nuke, my estimates were spot on, and the entire horde, minus a few very lucky survivors, were vaporized. I wasn't too worried about radiation, as the radiation would only be dangerous for at most a couple of weeks. But before we left, Hancock came to talk with me.
"So, seems you know how to hold your own. I'd had my doubts when we first hit the road," Hancock says with a smirk.
"Oh really?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.
"Hah, yeah, I mean, I heard tales of your skills, but seeing them in person is different. It's just real rare these days, find someone who's not just willing to take things the way they're handed to them. Too many good folks not willing to get their hands dirty and too many assholes taking advantage of it. Look at what happened to Diamond City. Before that synth took over, it was a half-decent place to live. A little stricter than I usually go for, but not terrible. I thought he and I had a pretty happy childhood. But then he decides he's gonna try and get elected with his anti-Ghoul crusade - 'Mankind for McDonough.' Before ya know it, you got families with kids lining up to drag folks they called 'neighbor' out of their homes and throw 'em to the ruins," Hancock says with anger.
"They just betrayed them? Just like that?" I asked, a little shocked.
"There'd always been a pretty big gulf between the folks living in the stands and folks down on the field. That fake ran on it because he thought enough of those Upper Stands assholes would vote for him. Guess he was right. I remember storming into his office above the stands after the inauguration speech. He was just standing there, staring out the window, watching as the city turned on the Ghouls. He didn't even look at me, just said: I did it, John. It's finally mine. Should have killed him right there, but I don't think it would have changed anything. Instead, I pleaded with him, begged him to call it off. He said he couldn't. He had nothing against the Ghouls. He was just carrying out the will of the people. And he couldn't betray the voters. And then he smiled. That hideous, fucking mile-long smile. He never smiled like that when we were kids. I didn't even recognize him. In hindsight, that should have clued me in," Hancock says with some self-loathing.
"You couldn't have known. Even the most observant people have their blind spots," I reply with an understanding tone.
"Guess that all makes sense now, knowing that he was with the Institute, but honestly, I think I'm more angry now. I mean, where do I draw the line? Was the guy I grew up with the amoral piece of trash who gave the Ghouls the boot, or was that just some Synth makin' a play for the city? Have I been hatin' the guy all these years for nothin'? Almost makes me wish I didn't know. At the time, though, I just couldn't wait to get away from him and his whole damn constituency," Hancock said with some sadness.
"I know it won't make you feel any better, but it wasn't your brother who won that mayor's seat. He had already been replaced by then," I say, trying to comfort him.
"No, you're wrong, it makes it a little easier to stomach. It means that my brother was who I remembered from our childhood. Not some piece of trash. I still wasn't a Ghoul at this point, so I didn't have to leave, but I couldn't bring myself to stay in that cesspool after that. I'd been sneakin' off to Goodneighbor for years to get decent chems, so I knew the safe routes. I managed to track down a couple of the families, lead 'em there, but most couldn't get used to the Goodneighbor lifestyle. I brought them food for a couple of weeks, but after a while, they just disappeared. Folks in Diamond City signed their death warrants, and all the good people were willing to just sit by and watch. I felt like I was the only one who saw how screwed up things truly were, who couldn't just pretend things were fine. Still feel that way... or I did. Until I met you. I know I run my mouth, but having someone who sees the world for what it is and is willing to do something about it. It's meant a lot to me. I feel damn lucky to have you as a friend," Hancock said, starting out sad and ending with a more satisfied tone.
"You're a good man, Hancock. Not perfect, but then again, who is? You helped those people when you didn't have to. Never forget that," I reply.
"Well, thanks for hearing me out. You probably weren't looking for a history lesson, were ya? You wanna hit the road?" Hancock offers.
We go our separate ways, but I don't go far before Deacon comes out of his hiding hole and approaches.
"I was wondering why you were hiding," I comment.
"Well, I didn't want to interrupt the heart-to-heart. And figured since we are speaking about our feelings, I would give my peace," Deacon says.
"Okay, you got my attention," I say, expecting him to start spouting some lies.
"So, this is usually the part where I would make up some far-fetched lie to teach you a lesson about life and how others will lie to you. But honestly, you don't need my advice. We both know I have been watching you for a while. I have been keeping a tab on you and the Mintuemen since you arrived at Vault 81. I've seen what you and the Mintuemen could do, and I will admit that at first I thought that it was another fool trying to rebuild a broken faction that never really did much, but then... You didn't fail. You kept going. You weren't some power-hungry fool, or some idealist with no idea how the world works. You are a realist and pragmatist, but you stubbornly protect your friends and allies. Even when it isn't necessary," Deacon says.
"Thanks for the compliment?" I say with some confusion.
"It's a compliment. But more to what I am getting at. You've built a group that has a real chance at rebuilding. And with the knowledge that you won't age, it means they will have strong leadership, possibly forever. That's not something I can say about the Railraod. Look, I will be the first to admit that even if the Railroad had all the manpower in the world, we were never going to beat the Institute. They were too far beyond us. We didn't have the faintest idea how to stop the Institute. And now that they are gone, we are... lost. Part of the reason I came with you was to have time to think. The Railroad is a great group of people, but... we aren't built for rebuilding. We would never be able to actually help the Commonwealth after our mission was over. And now... that mission is over. Maybe not complete, but in all practicality, it is," Deacon says while taking a seat.
"Why tell me all this?" I ask.
"Honestly, even I don't know. Maybe I am just venting, or maybe this is all a lie to lower your guard. Or maybe I'm looking for advice. The Railroad has been my life for a long time. And now I am at a crossroads. Some want to go to Acadia to help protect the Synths there. Others are tired and ready to return to normal life. We lost a lot of good people over the years. We've also done some pretty messed-up stuff. We fought for Synths, but in the process, we often ignored others who were enslaved. I won't pretend that we could save everyone. We can barely protect ourselves, but it doesn't mean that we should've just ignored it. But you... You've actually done things to stop these things. You have that power. And damn it, you got the will to do it as well. I guess what I am getting at is that I hope you avoid the same mistakes we made and help others with the power you have. I know you already have, but... I dunno. You can just ignore me. I'm rambling anyway," Deacon says.
"You don't have to worry. I won't let this power corrupt me. A famous quote I will never forget goes like this: 'With great power comes great responsibility." I reply.
"Huh? With great power comes great responsibility? That actually makes a lot of sense. But I have been talking your ear off enough; we should get back on schedule," Deacon responds and gets up to leave.
"Hey Deacon?" I say.
"Yeah?" Deacon responds.
"The Railroad wasn't wrong to not lend aid. How can you save someone else if you yourself need saving? That will only make the problem worse. Because then you can't help anyone," I say confidently.
Deacon took my words and thought about them before leaving.
"Huh, maybe... maybe," Deacon whispers.
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Author's Note:
So Deacon was being somewhat honest in that conversation. He might have been trying to lead Rio in a direction, but the sentiment was fairly honest. I made this discussion because I thought that the first two Affinity Dialogues don't make as much sense as Deacon gives them to teach the player different things. The only one I think is mostly true is the final Affinity Dialogue. And in case it wasn't clear, yes, Deacon was spying on Rio for a while, but Rio didn't do anything about it, as it was unnecessary. Until next time, Ciao.