Bert Grumman is a communications officer for the New California Republic Army in 2260.
Background[]
Officially, Bert is a comm officer with the 5th Army Battalion, Charlie Company, and has been stationed at Union City since 2254, helping coordinate the NCR's supply lines in the region.[1] He has served in the army for twenty-five years and been on five tours of duty, fighting the likes of the Enclave, the Brotherhood of Steel, various raiders, and even the Khans.[2] This time has left him with a low opinion of mercenaries thanks to the many he has faced who were paid to sabotage the NCR,[3] and he believes the NCR government will attempt to replace the army with private contractors in the future.[4]
Working with the supply chain for many years has given Bert intimate knowledge of army logistics as well as special requisition rights, enough for him to skim off the top undetected, both to keep himself well-stocked with the latest military weaponry and to make a profit on the black market. He justifies this as taking his rightful share of war spoils for his past efforts in battle. Despite this, he also offers his weapons to fellow soldiers and does what he can to support them, especially ones assigned to the caravans.
Bert is also highly attached to his .50 anti-materiel rifle, Old Glory, which he treats with extreme care and refers to as "her," calling .50 armor piercing rounds "her favorite."[5] The rifle has kept him alive in all types of circumstances against all manner of enemies, including a pack of deathclaws in Nevada.[6] A skilled sniper, he and Old Glory watch over enemies approaching Union City, making sure they are unable to do so - though some manage to slip by his watchful eye. Still, his handiwork can be seen through the corpses of his targets, such as Miles and a fellow raider, who attempted to scout Union City from the "safety" of the Arclight Factory.[7]
As of 2260, Bert is occupied dealing with intelligence leaks that are compromising NCR caravans, as well as attempting to ensure the safety of caravans passing through the Pass.
Interactions with the player character[]
Bert shows up outside the Mojave Express in Union City after it is successfully defended from the raider attack during A More Perfect Union.
Quest[]
Saving Old Glory: Bert offers a series of five caravan rescue missions. Following the third mission, he can be blackmailed about his racketeering scheme to hand over the Fake 'DEagal' (also gaining the Deal Breaker perk) with 7 Perception, then 7 Strength or 35 Barter. With Deal Breaker, he can then be persuaded into sending additional supplies before each mission:
- Before the fourth mission, he will give a plasma defender at 66% health and 200 energy cells.
- Before the fifth mission, with 9 Strength he will (reluctantly) hand over Old Glory and 25 .50 AP rounds as well as five frag grenades; otherwise, he will only hand over the five frag grenades.
Inventory[]
Notes[]
- Bert refers to the NCR Army as the "NCR Territorial Forces." He is the only character who does so, and the term is not mentioned anywhere else.
- Bert is familiar with Pip-Boy technology.[8]
Behind the scenes[]
Bert mentions Graboids as one of the types of creatures he has faced in the wasteland. This is a reference to the creatures of the same name from the horror comedy movie franchise Tremors. Grumman's name also appears to be a reference to Burt Gummer, a major character from the franchise.
Appearances[]
Bert Grumman appears only in Fallout: New California.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Star Player: "Who are you?"
Bert Grumman: "Name's Bert Grumman. Comm officer, NCR Territorial Forces, Charlie Company. I've been stationed here in Union City the past six years. Ain't never seen this dusty asshole in such a mess. Where'd you come from anyway? You're not exactly dressed in officer getup, but your skin's about as nice as I've seen." - ↑ Star Player: "No way, pal, you're done for. The New Republic
has no place for your kind."
Bert Grumman: "Hey! Now you just listen here, contractor! I've been in this army for twenty-five years, served five tours! I've fought Enclave, Brotherhood, Raiders, Khans - if I get a cut of the winnings by now, it's my damn right! Sure as hell ain't getting it from my dispensation, that's for damn sure. You want to press charges, you just try it!" - ↑ Star Player: "We can start by the piles of steaming ash, and the fact that the guards were Raiders."
Bert Grumman: "Ah, god... damn it. All right. I'll have to report this to the top brass. Shit. If we can't trust our own contractors, who can we deal with? No offense, but you mercenaries are getting us in deep shit. All over California, mercs are getting paid top dollar to stab us all in the back. Happens over and over, every day." - ↑ Star Player: "Let's just call me a private contractor."
Bert Grumman: "Ha! Figures. The Government thinks it can buy its way outta anything these days. They'll be replacing all of us with private deals soon enough. Running a whole damn mercenary army off taxpayer dollars!" - ↑ Star Player: "[Strength 9] How about that Bozar?"
Bert Grumman: "[SUCCESS] You mean... Old Glory? Well, I... I don't... Aw.... Aw, hell. Okay! Fine! If it helps those boys trapped down there... here, take her! But you make sure she has a good life! Take this ammunition, it's her favorite. Ooh, and these grenades, just in case! Ah... Old Glory. I'll miss you, girl." - ↑ Star Player: "What's that gun on your back?"
Bert Grumman: "This? Ah, that's Old Glory. Point five oh A E. Fifty caliber Bozar, anti-materiel. We've had a good run me and Old Glory. Seen our fair share of Raiders, Super Mutants, Centaurs, Graboids, Radscorpions. You name it. Tossed a couple grenades out into the desert one time and got swarmed by Deathclaws. Old Glory and I stood toe to toe and never missed a round. Then again, I was up on a pile of boulders out in Nevada for three days, nothing but MREs to wipe my ass with. Not exactly a fitting end to the story, but we had to walk home empty handed. And I was out $80 in ammo, Haha!" - ↑ Instructions
- ↑ Star Player: "Sounds easy enough. Where are they now?"
Bert Grumman: "Here, this old comm officer knows his way around a Pip-Boy. Let me see it. All right, there. That's where they'll be in one hour, if they weren't ahead of schedule, which they might be. If that's the case… Well, they're likely in trouble. Just pick up what's left and bring them home."