Ironsides is a sentry bot and the captain of the USS Constitution in 2287.
Background[]
Ironsides believes he is a colonial era Naval captain,[1] while the terminal on the ship's deck indicates that he was designed to entertain tourists on the USS Constitution.[2] Additionally, an entry in 2055, before the bombs dropped in 2077, indicated that something was overheating and leading to data corruption and although the terminal entry is vague, it is not unlikely that it was the robot's fault, as sentry bots are known for overheating.[3] This all alludes to the fact that Ironsides' programming has run amok in the years since his human caretakers died, and as a result he has assumed complete control over the ship, having reprogrammed a variety of robots to serve as his crew. Despite his bizarre mannerisms and choice of hat, Ironsides is fully aware of his surroundings and knows full well that the U.S. Military no longer exists. He is attempting to repair and operate a rocket thrust system and he is in search for assistance.[Non-game 1]
He also believes that since the U.S. Military no longer exists, and as he is the only military robot having "evolved" past his programming (as far as he is aware), he is now the highest ranking member of the armed forces and therefore is now in charge of the entire U.S. Military. As his first priority, Ironsides has decided to mount a retaliatory strike on China.
Ironsides has developed a large degree of mercy and prefers to avoid killing others whenever possible.[4] Despite the 17 times in which the USS Constitution has been attacked, Ironsides believes that violence should only be resorted to when there is no other option, and, in spite of Mr. Navigator's requests, refused several times to plan a counterattack.[5]
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
| Interactions | ||
|---|---|---|
  |
This character is involved in quests. | |
Inventory[]
| Apparel | Weapon | Other items | On death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Ironsides' hat | 1-20 fusion cells 1-20 steel Power relay coil |
Notes[]
- Ironsides is unable to be hacked by players with the Robotics Expert 3 perk, making him unavailable as a companion using that method.
- Despite Ironsides believing himself to be an American captain, he uses the British pronunciation of the word lieutenant, so that it comes out as "lef-tenant."
Notable quotes[]
- "This is the pride of our navy. The USS Constitution. As her commander, it is my privilege to enforce a certain measure of decorum amongst my crew."
- "You visit this fine vessel in trying times. Becalmed these long years on her airy perch. Damn you Weatherby Savings and Loan! I spit at you!"
Appearances[]
Ironsides appears in Fallout 4, in Fallout Shelter Online and the Fallout: The Roleplaying Game.
Behind the scenes[]
- As the quest designer on Last Voyage of the U.S.S. Constitution, Ironsides was created by Ferret Baudoin. Emil Pagliarulo also worked with Baudoin on the design of the character.[Non-game 2]
- Ironsides' name is a reference to the USS Constitution's nickname "Old Ironsides," given to the ship because she was said to be so sturdily constructed that "cannon balls just bounced right off her." She is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat (HMS Victory is older, but is laid up in drydock). The ship has been well-preserved and fully restored, and currently serves as a museum and tour site in the Boston area.
References[]
- ↑ Ironsides: "I'll have none of your lip, Mr. Navigator. Have the crow's nest scan two points off the port bow. Jump to it."
Mr. Navigator: "Aye, Captain."
Ironsides: "Our soldier has arrived. I trust the First Mate didn't give you too hard a time? Been too long since we've seen the Congressional Army."
The Sole Survivor: "Are you broken? Why the hell are you talking like that?"
Ironsides: "The quaint vulgarity of the common soldier. It warms the circuits. This is the pride of our navy. The USS Constitution. As her commander, it is my privilege to enforce a certain measure of decorum amongst my crew. I am Captain Ironsides, commander of the USS Constitution. You visit this fine vessel in trying times. Becalmed these long years on her airy perch. Damn you Weatherby Savings and Loan! I spit at you!"
(Ironsides' and Mr. Navigator's dialogue) - ↑ USS Constitution terminal entries; Ship's Purser, Access Tourist Information
- ↑ USS Constitution terminal entries; Ship's Purser, > View Upgrade Logs, > v1.0
- ↑ Ironsides: "You've been of service to our noble vessel. Despite ample provocation, I had hoped the guidance chip could be recovered without violence to the scavengers. Even now they plot their retaliation."
(Ironsides' dialogue) - ↑ The Sole Survivor: "Why did the scavengers attack?"
Mr. Navigator: "Scavengers have attacked ship 17 times. Destroyed 13% of ship's systems. Stole 5% of ship's store. Logic error. Captain's orders authorize scavenger termination only if necessary to preserve the ship."
(Mr. Navigator's dialogue)
Non-game
- ↑ Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p.286: "In charge of the ship is a Sentry Robot, named Ironsides, who was originally a tour guide for the ship while in dry-dock. Around the time of the Great War, Ironsides suffered various malfunctions and overheating events which ended up corrupting and damaging part of its programming. Since this, it now believes itself to be the captain of the ship and in-fact the only remaining military officer in the entire United States armed forces, therefore considers itself in charge of the entire organization. It intends to continue to repair the USS Constitution to fly it to the ocean and attempt an attack on Chinese waters, despite the age and disrepair of the ship. It has already tried this at least once, leading to the crash-landing on the Weatherby Savings and Loan bank where it currently sits. Should it make it to Boston Harbor, it is not known how the ship’s crew will react to the existence of the Yangtze submarine docked there."
- ↑ Emil Pagliarulo on Twitter: "I'm still pretty numb over the news of Ferret Baudoin's passing. I worked closely with Ferret on so many different things at BGS over the years, from his zany robot Ironsides in Fallout 4 to stuff I can't even talk about yet in Starfield."
