The Freedom Trail and Building the Signal Interceptor in Fallout 4 Episode 12 – Molecular Level
Watch Fallout 4 Gameplay Walkthrough Episode 12: The Freedom Trail & Building The Signal Interceptor | 4K 60FPS PC Ultra Graphics
Episode 12 of our Fallout 4 walkthrough picks up right after the events of Hunter/Hunted. We wake up and speak with Doctor Amari in Goodneighbor. She examines the Courser Chip we recovered but admits she cannot decrypt Institute technology herself. Amari points us toward the Railroad, the underground faction known for dealing with synths and advanced Institute hardware. This kicks off the main quest The Molecular Level and forces us to follow the Freedom Trail across Boston while deciding which major faction will help us build the device that can finally get us inside the Institute.
The episode covers the full Freedom Trail path, the discovery of Railroad HQ beneath Old North Church, the decision to refuse risking our life for a synth, the return to Virgil, and the choice to side with the Brotherhood of Steel for construction of the Signal Interceptor. By the end we have every major component built and powered, ready for the next episode where we finally step through and meet Shaun.
Following the Freedom Trail and Clearing the Massachusetts State House
After speaking with Amari we head out and begin tracking the red brick Freedom Trail that winds through downtown Boston. The trail leads us into the ruined Massachusetts State House, a location packed with Mirelurks in the lower levels. We fight our way through the flooded and collapsed interior, activate a terminal that unlocks a security door, and immediately trigger the appearance of a full Mirelurk Queen boss. The Queen is a tough fight in the tight underground space, using acid spit and heavy melee attacks while spawning additional hatchlings. Once she is down we continue clearing the remaining Mirelurks and then push upstairs into the raider-occupied sections of the State House. After wiping out the raiders and looting the area we exit and resume following the red brick line.
Outside we keep moving along the Freedom Trail, fighting Super Mutants and more raiders that have set up camps and ambushes along the route. The path eventually brings us to the Old North Church in the North End. Inside the church we clear a large number of Feral Ghouls that have taken over the main hall and the catacombs below. At the bottom of the crypt we find the Freedom Trail ring puzzle on the wall. Spinning the outer ring and confirming each letter to spell the word RAILROAD opens the hidden door that leads into Railroad HQ.
- Lore Fact: The Freedom Trail is a real pre-War tourist path that connected historic sites from the American Revolution. In Fallout 4 the Railroad has cleverly turned the surviving markers into a coded system that only those who carefully follow the trail can solve, keeping their headquarters hidden from both the Institute and less observant wastelanders.
Meeting the Railroad and Decoding the Courser Chip
Inside the hidden chamber we meet Desdemona, the leader of the Railroad. After a short conversation she allows us into the main headquarters. We hand the Courser Chip over to Tinker Tom, the faction’s eccentric tech specialist. Tom works on the chip and successfully deciphers the data we need. When Desdemona presses us about the Railroad’s cause and asks whether we are willing to risk our life for a synth, we refuse. With the decoded information in hand we leave Railroad HQ and cut straight to Virgil’s cave in the Glowing Sea to discuss the next step.
Virgil explains that the only way into the Institute is to build a Signal Interceptor that can hijack a teleportation signal. He provides the plans but makes it clear that constructing the device will require serious technical help and rare components. At this point we choose to seek assistance from the Brotherhood of Steel rather than the Railroad or the Minutemen.
Joining Forces with Elder Maxson and Proctor Ingram
We travel to the Prydwen and speak with Elder Maxson about Virgil’s plans. Maxson is interested in any technology that can locate and strike at the Institute. He directs us to Proctor Ingram, the Brotherhood’s expert on advanced engineering and power armor systems. Ingram reviews the schematics and agrees to help oversee construction of the Signal Interceptor. She gives us the first set of requirements and sends us out to begin gathering materials and building the initial components.
We start by constructing the Reflector Platform at the chosen build site. Once that is in place we return to Ingram for the next list of parts. Because we already have a Sensor Module on hand we are able to build the Relay Dish without an extra scavenging trip. The remaining rare components still need to be located in the Commonwealth.
Scavenging the Military Grade Circuit Board and Biometric Scanner
Our first scavenging run takes us to the National Guard Training Yard. The location is heavily infested with Feral Ghouls. We clear the interior buildings and outdoor areas, locate the Military Grade Circuit Board needed for the Molecular Beam Emitter, and extract it. From there we head to Medford Memorial Hospital, another high-threat location packed with Super Mutants. After fighting through multiple floors of mutants we recover the Biometric Scanner required for the Control Console.
With both rare components secured we return to the build site. We construct the Control Console and the Molecular Beam Emitter, then connect everything with wiring and generate enough power to bring the full Signal Interceptor online. The completed device sits ready for activation.
Powering the Signal Interceptor and Reporting to Maxson
Once the Signal Interceptor is fully built and powered we speak with Elder Maxson again to confirm that the Brotherhood is prepared for the next phase. Maxson gives his approval and the episode ends with the teleporter ready for use. The following episode will begin with a final conversation with Proctor Ingram before we step onto the platform, activate the Signal Interceptor, and finally teleport into the Institute to come face to face with Shaun.
This episode of the Fallout 4 walkthrough covers the entire Freedom Trail sequence, the discovery of Railroad HQ, the decoding of the Courser Chip, the decision to work with the Brotherhood of Steel, and the complete construction of the Signal Interceptor. Everything is now in place for the long-awaited entry into the Institute.
