Join the War Machine is the second main quest of the Raider Alliance arc in Fallout: New California.
Walkthrough[]
Starting the Raid[]
If one decides to join the raiders (or play along until a chance to escape) at the end of Hell's Gate, Join The War Machine starts. The first objective is to meet Johnathan Nos on the vertibird platform above the main mine to go on a raid against the New California Republic. Talk to him after listening to his short speech. He will allow one human companion to be brought along; take Johnny Matheson if he is available, as he is the only companion willing to join the raiders. ALPHA and B-6-RK, if they are repaired, can also be brought along.
If one wants to join the NCR instead, several options exist. If opting for a stealthy exit, the quest Cards Under the Table can be started by talking to Wilson Wilco, located right outside the mine cavern. If combat is not a concern, trying to steal the vertibird parked near the machine hangar or running for the main gate will turn the raiders hostile and start Escape Athens-Tec Mine. Alternatively, freeing Kira Mann during Kira's Quest, detonating the companions' slave collars from Casio Aralias' terminal, or otherwise committing crimes against the Raiders will also turn them hostile and start the quest.
Battle on Interstate 15[]
During the vertibird ride, Nos will instruct one to kill Captain Less Jameson. The actual quest objective is to kill both Captain Jameson and Ranger Kerry Vargas. Killing those two people puts the player character firmly in the Raider quest line (and/or the Enclave quest line if previously chosen to join them). If Cards Under the Table is active, it will fail when one of them is killed.
Exiting the vertibird will deposit the player character on the Raider-controlled north side of the I-138 - I-15 beltway. The side quest Waters at Her Feet can be started here by talking to Atl Irepani, who is kneeling at a Madre shrine nearby. Captain Jameson is located far to the south behind a large wrecked trailer truck, and Ranger Vargas is on a bridge to the east. Jameson is guarded by a large number of NCR troopers, and carries the unique Lee Enfield 3.
If Cards Under the Table is active, the NCR troops will not immediately be hostile, allowing the player character to choose whether or not to defect. This can be done by running to Ranger Vargas and assisting her against the raiders, which will fail Join The War Machine and complete Waters at Her Feet.
After killing the NCR commanders, return to Nos. He will order the player character to head to the Euripides Power Relay Station and secure it to power Athens-Tec Mine.
Euripides Power Relay Station[]
Go to the power station and help Kieva Nanjima defend it from a large horde of Infected Savages and their savage super mutant leaders. With high science, a pair of turrets can be turned on to aid the player. One can also lay mines on the relay station staircase. Afterwards, turn the power back on (the electric switch at the large generator in the middle.) Note the Infantry Robmibo collectible nearby. After the power is on, The Revanchist quest can be started by convincing Kieva to ally with Intelligence 7+ or Charisma 5+. Complimenting her blade will also prompt her to reward a rusted leather-wrapped katana in full condition. Finally, return to Nos.
California Tribe[]
The next objective is to kill Chieftain Raz O'oga of the California Tribe in Xiabula and bring his head to Elsdragon. The valley outside Xiabula is guarded by many infected savages and a few California Tribe warriors, including A'goo. When further approaching Xiabula, Ben Kurtz may be encountered if he was told to escape on his own during Cards Under the Table, and warns that he will fight the player character if they intend to harm the tribe. He can be fought, or convinced to stand down by promising to spare him or with The Revanchist perk. O'oga will initiate dialogue upon approaching and bid the player to talk to him instead of fighting. He can optionally give some background on the player character's origins, as well as their mother Orrika. Finally, there are several options:
- The chief will volunteer to die to save his tribe, hand over the ceremonial tribal axe, and kneel for the player character to execute him. He can then be convinced for the tribe to be enslaved by Elsdragon with Strength or Charisma 9+, or let them go free.
- With The Revanchist perk and Intelligence 6+, the tribe can be spared by taking the head of A'goo, the chieftain's brother, who was most likely killed on the way into Xiabula, and using it to fool Elsdragon. Failing this check means that the player will be forced to execute O'oga.
- With Perception 6+, O'oga can be convinced to kill his son O'ogason and hand over his and A'goo's heads. Failing this check will turn the whole tribe hostile.
Otherwise, the tribe must be fought in combat.
Return to Elsdragon[]
Once a head is brought to Elsdragon, he will free the player character (even if they were previously already freed by selling Kira Mann to him.) If the tribe was enslaved, Elsdragon can be told of this and will award 5000 Athens-Tec gold. Then the choice of becoming a raider or walking away is laid out.
Choosing to walk away will turn every raider in the mine hostile, and you must fight your way out. If The Revanchist quest and/or Waters At Her Feet are active, they will fail. Fighting your way out will activate the Wild Card quest. Choosing to join the raiders will start the next quest, Battle in the Deep. If the player's previously confiscated gear was not recovered during Hell's Gate, a message will pop up showing that it has been stored in a locker in the Athens-Tec Mine barracks, and will become available for use.
Notes[]
The side quest Carrion becomes available after returning to Nos from the Euripides Power Relay Station.