Getting back to Boston by motorcycle proved to be a lot faster than the outward journey, where I went barefoot with a yoke around my neck. Goodneighbor, my sweet neighborhood... On my arrival, I called out one of the security guards:
"Hey you, go see Fahrenheit and tell her that an old friend of hers, Calista, is expecting to meet her in her apartment. I'll give you 50 caps for the service, now go!"
"Right away, ma'am!"

 

 

          Coming home will always bring the same satisfaction: peace of mind. A place where you feel safe and secure, where you've enjoyed some fabulous moments. Evenings spent chatting with Kimy, my love affair with Fahrenheit and Katy's delight when she first saw my Grognak the Barbarian comics... I was happy to be back, and after those few days on the road, I deserved a good shower and to get my hair color back just in time for Fahrenheit to show up.

 

 

          Washing yourself and then finding your old self in the mirror was especially satisfying. I still had a few clothes lying around in the dressing room, a tank top and mustard-colored leggings. It was strange not to have the tattoos on my body anymore; I still had a slight pain caused by Music's laser to remove them.

 

 

          Fahrenheit was sitting at the counter and hailed me:
"A nice face to see! How are you, Calista? Long time no see. I see you haven't lost those habits of yours, strolling around barefoot all the time... Aren't you bothered that people can stare at your feet?"
"Hi Fahrenheit! I'm fine, and for your information, I just got out of the shower. That explains why I'm barefoot. Besides, if you're asking me, you probably don't mind peeking either."
"Ahah, smart as ever, I like that. Listen, I've got a surprise for you. While you were away, I tidied up a few things in your apartment. Go and check the back room."

 

 

            As I made my way to the back room, someone grabbed me from behind. Gentle hands that gave me more pleasure than fear. Next was a voice I hadn't heard in months:
"Surprise! How's my Cali honey? I've missed you!"
"Oh my... Kimy! Is it really you?"
I couldn't believe it. I didn't know if she had actually returned from her researches in the Capital's wastelands. But I knew one thing for sure: I loved having her back...

 

 

            We started making small talk while holding each other. It could have gone on for hours, but Fahrenheit had a rather tight schedule:
"Girls, it's nice to see you catching up again, but let's get down to business. Why do you want to see me, Calista?"
"Right, sorry. I've been through a lot in the last few months, so I'll make this quick. I got enslaved, again. I was held in Libertalia for a long month before being acquired by a slaver known as Queen Isabel."
"Did that bitch trick you? She's been a problem all over Goodneighbor for the past few months, trying to buy Hancock's favors while trading with the Triggermen."
"I'm not surprised, she pulled a similar stunt on some people I used to work with in Diamond City... Anyway, I want revenge and that's why I need you ladies. I aim to destroy this awful place of Libertalia and take care of Isabel myself."
"I like your spirit, always resolute. Let's go to the back room, I might have an idea."

 

 

          Kimy and I followed Fahrenheit down the corridor. She lit herself a cigarette while we admired how she had turned the room around.
"Wow, you've really turned this old room into an armory? I don't know whether to be proud or scared of you."
"Speak for yourself, barefoot girl. You were away and left me here, so I thought I'd make good use of the place. I stocked up on weapons, armor and ammunition. But what we're most interested in here are the explosives we got from the Gunners."

 

 

            "I don't have a plan for you, but I'll tell you something: no matter how many raiders you kill, they'll always come back to their nest. If you destroy it, they'll have no reason to stick around. Here's a remote-controlled Mini Nuke. Put it down properly and Libertalia blows."
"Thanks Fahrenheit, I know how I'll do it. I'll take more explosives and blow up other parts of Libertalia. I even think the boss had direct contact with Queen Isabel. Two birds with one stone. Kimy, please come with me. I could use some help."
"Of course, Cali baby, anything to keep you safe."

 

 

            A few days later, we set off for Libertalia. I was planning to sneak in during the night. Kimy would be my guardian angel, keeping an eye on me:
"Alright Calista, you're all geared up. Stick to the plan, just set the explosives and contact Isabel. I'll look after you and your stuff."
"How kind of you, my friend! I won't be long, everything will go fine. Thanks again for the outfit! Did you purposely omit the footwear?"
"Maybe I did! I remember you were always so keen to work barefoot."
"Yeah, well... Touché."

 

 

          Kimy stayed on the beach, cheering me on. I swam with my diving mask on towards Libertalia. The plan was quite simple: I had three explosive charges and a mini Nuke. I had to place the bombs in key places where they would set off a domino effect. As for the Mini Nuke, I kept it for the boss. I needed to do all this operation undetected. In the middle of the night while the raiders were sleeping, that shouldn't be an issue.

 

 

            My first target was the large cargo ship that served as the raiders' kitchen and barracks. There were no patrols around the ship, so I scaled the hull to climb aboard, right in front of the galley entrance. I felt like a ninja on a redemption mission. Tonight would be an end to all those scumbags. 

 

 

            I put the first explosive in the oven. This stove ran on gas, as did the boat's lights. The spark needed to set off the fireworks lay in my wetsuit: the remote control was linked to all the explosives that I carried along with me. Only two more left to plant.

 

 

            I kept a discreet approach and planted a second explosive in one of the raiders' workshops, among the stranded boats. It was brimming with flammables that would light up the night. Just one more explosive to go. I intended to place it at the bottom of the wrecked freighter where I was the raiders' ticklish slave.

 

 

            I placed the last explosive near an old generator at the lowest section of the freighter. I couldn't proceed through the interior without running into raiders, so I'd better go another way. I remembered that the huge freighter was supported by large cables that kept the upside-down vessel standing. It offered a safer way to reach the top, and I intended to use it to my advantage.

 

 

            En route to the platform, I passed in front of the cages where I had been imprisoned. Surprisingly, someone was inside: a naked man tied to the bars. He didn't deserve to die in an explosion sequence, I had to free him. After picking the door lock, I rushed to untie him.
"Thank you madame... I'm their last prisoner, I thought I was going to die here... I'll find a way to get to the beach."
"Better hurry, Libertalia will blow up soon."

 

 

          The thick cable held the cargo firmly in position. I had to play tightrope walker to reach the Libertalia top. Kimy had chosen the right mission to dispense me with footwear: I had a better grip on the cable in my bare feet. Once at the top, I'd find a way to contact Queen Isabel, then leave my latest gift for the boss.

 

 

            I used the boss's terminal, protected by a password that was easy enough to crack: Slavery. There were files relating the notes and thoughts of Wire, Libertalia's ruler. He had known Queen Isabel for several years, a professional relationship punctuated by some asides where they strayed to fuck. To enjoy their love affair, they occasionally met up at Croup Manor, an abandoned residence around half an hour's walk from here. A perfect place to take care of someone, both literally and figuratively.

 

 

          After sending a message to see Queen Isabel at the manor, pretending to be Wire, I had to take care of him. I knew where his bedroom was, and he slept in it like a baby. I dropped my gift right on top, a Mini Nuke that would propel him into Morpheus' world forever.

 

 

          With everything properly placed, it was time for me to get away from Libertalia. It had been a long time since my last sumptuous plunge into the sea. I deserved another one before I blew up the whole raider stronghold.

 

 

            I climbed back onto a wrecked boat off the Libertalia shore. I took out the remote control and pulled the switch. Several bright light sources flashed at me, accompanied by loud explosions that made a thunderstorm jealous. Go to hell you raiders, no more Libertalia for you! Payback from an escaped slave who regained her identity and was determined to retaliate. Whether there were survivors or not, I didn't give a damn, I had one person left to handle.

 

 

            A couple of hours later, north of Libertalia.
After the fireworks, Kimy and I were reunited. I told her about my ambush to capture Isabel, and she helped me to arrange it. Thanks to her, I had everything I needed to neutralize and tie someone up, all I needed was that person. I had hidden upstairs in the manor waiting for Queen Isabel to arrive. As the night wore on, I saw my former mistress enter the residence.

 

 

          "Wire, are you up there? You'd better be naked already, I had a bad night and I really need to blow off some steam... If you could give me a massage before we get down to business, that would be great. You're not asleep, are you? I swear, if you don't answer me..."

 

 

          "Surprise mistress!"
I kicked the back of Queen Isabel's knee with my bare foot to bring her down. She wasn't expecting to fall into a trap, and quickly fell to the ground, yelling in pain.

 

 

          "Not this time, no."
I drew the syringe Kimy had given me. It contained a powerful sedative that could put anyone to sleep for quite a while. Queen Isabel tried to defend herself, but I blocked her arm and stuck the syringe in her neck.
"You're mine at last. Together, we're going to have a little chat."