Republics of Dust | Fallout RP | Alt-Timeline | IC

[Waztaskio]

REPUBLICS OF DUST | CHAPTER I

---

In October of 2077, nuclear war broke out across the globe. Civilizations that had been building and building for years, destroyed in the blink of an eye in atomic fire. Some survivors blamed China for finally causing the nuclear war humanity finds itself in, with others blaming themselves for engaging in war in the first place. The United States of America was fractured, with pockets of civilization scattered over the vast regions of what used to be the greatest nation on earth. Years later, these pockets of civilization came together in various regions of the ruins of the once great nation to build a new life. What they didn't count on however, was how different humanity can really be when born on opposite sides of a border. Will you serve humanity and help it rebuild? Or will you enslave and conquer. The world is yours, but you must always remember the simplest truth known always to mankind. No matter what side you take and what battles you fight, war...war never changes.

OOC: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=399365

---

McConnell Air Force Base

"Now testing Eyebot Documentary Narrative Assistant. Say hello ED-NA." An eyebot would begin to transmit back to the man, as he would continue. "Begin recording ED-NA. You and I have a lot to document." The eyebot would begin to make robotic noises again, as the man would sit in a chair and eye the eyebot on his desk. "Enclave Personal Documentation Log One, Doctor Rockwell. A famous man from the backwind times used to say two things in this world are infinite. The universe being one of them and human stupidity being the other. And according to him, he wasn't entirely sure about the universe. This opinionated statement was spoken by one of the top scientist of his decade in a time far before me. Interestingly enough, the inventions of this same man making these same statements, is the reason that the Wasteland even exist. The irony of human stupidity I guess, but who am I to judge. On the eastern regions of the world laid a country by the name of India. The current status of which.." Rockwell paused, scratching his chin for a second. He knew exactly what became of India, but documenting it on his personal journal was not something he wished to do. In the event of some unfortunate accident leaving Rockwell dead, he did not wish for these memoirs to draw increased speculation then he had already. Being from where he was and how he came to be, he didn't wish for those stories to reach anyone in the post-apocalyptic world that he couldn't trust. As he stayed silent, he looked back to his eyebot before choosing to proceed.

"Is unconfirmed, but old satellite footage suggest the entire landscape is decimated. A lot of people in India were either Buddhist or another religion known as Hinduism. However, something interesting about Buddhism was the idea that human beings could be reincarnated into another life after death, depending on the deeds in which they engaged in before hand. I personally don't believe in reincarnation into another life, however I do believe your current life can be reincarnated into different paths in which you have full control. Humanity is a stubborn species, but one that continues to adapt and endure trying times. It's no wonder how even after 200 years, new groups and civilizations have sprung up across the Wasteland to try and carve out an existence. As for me, my origins in the conflicts of the wasteland would astound anyone who heard it. And hence why I chose never to tell it, at least willingly at this point in time. Falling back on the buddhism discussion, in an old life I used to lead armies in the name of a patriotic cause. At the time, it was all I imagined my life to be, but unforeseen circumstances forced me to adapt a new life in the various sciences of our time. Every time I walk into our labs here, I truly believe the other scientists are just baffaled by the theories and explanations I come up with that only later prove to be true. Maybe they think I found a cheat sheet, or know a lot more then I let on. While these may not be entirely false, it's fun to entertain their stories and maybe that lead to my reputation around this place being one of mystery." A knock was soon heard on his door, "Doctor Rockwell. We need you in the lab!"

Doctor Rockwell simply smiled, as he shouted back. "Alright, I'll head down in a second!" Rockwell continued back to his eyebot after shouting, "Well, I guess duty calls. Not sure what the point of me doing these logs, but maybe I can instill some knowledge into whoever may come across this if I no longer can function to keep this knowledge safe. It'll serve as my personal and professional archive, and one that will be a closely guarded secret. So if someone managed to find these, I hope you're ready for all that will be inscribed within. Doctor Rockwell, closing out narrative." Doctor Rockwell soon stood up, grabbing coat as he proceeded to the lab within the base.

[New Minahasa]

Vault 122

Activities were booming lately in Vault 122, home of the men of Concord. Engineers worked on their pre-war tech and weaponry, scientists on their scientific projects, and the military as protection. Everyone in the vault were dedicated and talented people, as the vault was supposed to hold, and each of them was expected to work or suffer the consequences. The vault itself was significantly larger than most vaults, but it wasn't supposed to hold more people but resources, pre-war vehicles and weaponry. It had its own hangars for fielding numbers of vertibirds and ground vehicles, too, one of the reasons which made the vault special. Above the hangars was the vault door, huge as it was the only exit for the vertibirds. Elevators were also made to carry the people up to the outside world. Everyone in the vault, if married, was expected to give birth to one child only while in the vault to avoid over capacity. But now, as centuries have passed, their numbers grew and grew. They knew they needed to expand. Their first move was to secure the AFB above them, and move some of their people to occupy it. But to keep the vault's secrecy, the people above were dressed as regular wastelanders, and the soldiers equipped with rugged combat armours found by their patrol teams in the wastes. Checkpoints and barricades were also placed around the AFB, and shacks made of metal scraps erected to disguise the place as a normal town.

Next, they sent out teams and squads to recover pre-war military bases and installations across the states and man them. Most of the bases were either destroyed or already occupied by wastelanders, but some were successfully recovered. The Concord didn't want to reveal themselves, yet, so they weren't planning to bother the wastelanders. Any trespassers would be shot-on-sight if caught inside the bases by the soldiers manning them. Three major bases were made: Sierra Army Depot, the Western base; Fort Sill, the Midwestern base; Fort Drum, the Eastern base. Each bases were given codenames according to their respective regions: W for Western, MW for Midwest, and E for Eastern. All of the bases and outposts made by the Concord were connected with radios, and supply lines were made between the major ones. Each of three major bases were under the responsibility of their respective generals, tasked by President Cannon, the leader of the Concord.

President Cannon had just returned to the vault after visiting the three major bases, accompanied by his elite company of bodyguards called the Iron Star. The people greeted and saluted him on his way in. Much of the people admired him of his efficiency and prowess, but a handful some only noticed his tyranny, although they knew best not to dispute him. "Welcome back, Mr. President," said the Secretary of Defense, saluting him on his way in. "Thank you, Gerald. But aren't you supposed to be in your office? What's the matter?," asked the president. "Sir, I need to talk to you in private," replied Gerald. He was holding a scroll of paper in his hand. The president sighed. He was exhausted, but the matters of Concord must come first. He dismissed his guards in the office, leaving only him and the SecDef. "Spit 'em out. What is it?," asked the president. The SecDef unscrolled the paper on the table in front of him. It was a map of the United States. He pointed onto a small red mark somewhere in California. "Sir, our scouts have reported a pre-war military base in California. It was called the Mariposa Military Base. From their description, they found traces of what seemed to be," he paused. They both exchanged eye-contact. "It's okay. Just say it," said the president. "Forced Evolutionary Virus, sir," he answered. The president was shocked. A pre-war miracle surviving the apocalypse. Could it be true? Eitherway, it was still worth to investigate. "If this was true, we must act at once. Call Doctor Rockwell to my office immediately," ordered the president. The SecDef quickly walked outside of the office to pass the order to a guard.

[Waztaskio]

---

McConnell Air Force Base

"A little of that here, and there." Doctor Rockwell was working on an experimental formula, as a small poof of smoke up from the concoction and was removed from the burner. It took around twenty seconds for the boiling to soon stop, and the weird brownish liquid was placed in the refrigerator to be cooled. As he did that, he was approached by some men of the garrison. "Doctor Rockwell, the President has requested your presence." When most other people around base heard of the president calling them, they either responded with glee in order to be talking to such a powerful man, or with fear that they were talking to such a powerful man. Rockwell however knew better. He had seen things he could not immediately understand, and the horrors of actions that one cannot fully read about and have a clear understanding of it unless they were there to witness it first hand. So it was no surprise when he was ordered to see the president, that he gave a simple blank expression to the guard and merely began to make his way towards the entrance to Vault 122 without a word. As he crossed over the old cratered runways of the Air Force Base, he looked around at the crews and the security the base had begun to adapt. It gave him a feeling of "home," and the only true feeling of one since the Great War. The air to him had grown stale, but the sounds of metal clinking and being fixed or used gave him a rather calm feeling as he approached the entrance of Vault 122.

"State your purpose." The entrance to Vault 122 had heavy security, as it lead to the deep inner workings of the organization. Most of the higher up personnel and their families were denied exit from the Vault once the surface teams started setting up shop in the Air Force Base due to security concerns. Doctor Rockwell was considered a rather high individual in terms of his status, but decided that he would force the Concord to grant him a special clearance to stay topside with the men rather then underground with the leadership. Due to his highly secretive nature, he didn't make a lot of friends in the slightest, however he still felt a connection with the soldiers and workers that brought him much comfort that he could not get from underground. The only reason Rockwell had been one of the only people allowed to receive such a special clearance was simply due to the fact that even if he would have been denied, he would have still done it anyway. And to show unity in the Concord and not infighting, the leadership decided he would be allowed to stay topside and even built his own personal lab there. A lab, which not a single soul in the entire concord has been able to enter or be allowed to enter. "Call from the president. Otherwise I would not be down here." Doctor Rockwell showed the appropriate credentials as the guards soon allowed him to pass.

As he walked through the vault, he looked onto the walls that were plastered with propaganda. Things like "Rebuilding America, Now." To "The Wasteland is merely a new frontier. So let's colonize." The posters may not have explicitly stated either of these, but it gave off that feeling. As his boots clanked on the metal floor with every step, he soon reached the office in which the president ran the CoS. The secretary was the first to inform the president of his arrival, as he made his way inside. Saluting a higher officer was something soldiers and officers were required to do, however he was no longer an officer. Merely a scientist. In fact, on his data file he typed into the CoS system when he first arrived, references him as never having served in a combat zone or had any sort of combat training. Both of which was a flat out line due to being the general over Anchorage, and commanding the 32nd Mechanized in China. A past, in which he has told no-one on the surface of earth. "Mr. President, you summoned me." Rockwell merely crossed his arms, as he awaited to hear what the president requested of him.

[Pasong Tirad]

Of All The Mornings He Could Land In

Mama's Bed and Breakfast, Waldron Center Neighborhood, Waldron Island

"For nearly two-hundred years, Waldron has survived in the cool, foggy breeze of this apocalyptic winter that seems to last forever." Mama Liway recites this in front of the mirror. She had memorized this entire speech last night, ready for her opening remarks later today.

"A bit dramatic, don't you think?" pipes in Mama Chase, as supportive a wife as you can get in Waldron.

"Oh please," Mama Liway reacts, "and those idiots from Point Disney talking about how they were 'the eyes of Waldron' wasn't being dramatic?"

"I never said they weren't being dramatic, but I am saying you are." Mama Liway scowls at her direction. "There's going to be a fight. It's your job to-"

"I know what my job is, love."

"I know. I'm sorry. All I'm saying is you know that the island is divided on this. Going dramatic may not be a good idea. Maybe try lifting the mood with a joke."

"I'm not good with those."

"Try."

Mama Liway gets her revolver from the top shelf on the cabinet, strapping it into its holster on her belt. "Have all the Neighborhoods been informed?"

"Of course. Our boy's a good runner."

"Yeah but Jake likes to slack off sometimes, you know that."

"This is too important. He's not a baby anymore, Lee," Mama Chase retorts as she goes to the mirror in their room to brush her hair. Mama Liway went back into bed, seemingly tired.

"What do you think we should do?" she asks.

"I am not the Mama of this island. You are. Where's the brush?" she asks as she looks through the drawers.

"You are my wife. You're everybody's Mama because I say so. It's on that chair, are you blind? So what do you think we should do?"

The room goes quiet. These start-of-the-day conversations are their bread and butter. Mama Liway trusts nobod more than she trusts her wife, who is currently brushing her hair by the mirror. "Don't forget to clean your gun."

"I already did it last night."

After a while, Mama Chase puts down the brush and lies down in bed next to her wife, a tiny glimpse of the sun catching their faces in the tolerable weather of the early morning. "I am not from Waldron-"

"Shut up. You are as much Waldron as I am."

"No, I'm not. Neither the salt nor the sea are part of my blood and Waldron definitely isn't. My brother and I and Jake, if you recall, are the newest members of this island. You know where I come from, Lee. You and everybody else knows. Your Papa made quite a fuss trying to get the Neighborhoods to trust us." Mama Liway goes quiet, counting the cracks in their ceiling.

"You know if I try and talk in that meeting, somebody is going to berate me for not even being from Waldron," says Mama Chase. "You know how these meetings go, Lee. I don't know what it is with you people from Waldron, but everybody is as aggressive as a cornered Radstag."

"Whatever decision we make, we're fucked." Mama Liway gets up from the bed and puts on her overcoat. "Either we die in Waldron or out there. The outcome's all the same and people are going to vote the way their people want them to vote. I don't know what you think you know about Waldron, but we are always a step away from shooting each other."

"You're better off than the rest of the mainland. You know where I'm from. Squabbling tribes, ghouls, super mutants and the occasional large raider party. We haven't had those in years."

"Well. The representatives will be arriving in an hour or so. Let's go."

"No, no, no. I'm sitting this one out. Besides, Gab's sick and somebody needs to take over his watch."

"That's what the kids are here for-"

"The kids need to learn how to do this. They're going to be leading one day."

"Gab isn't your brother-"

"I may not be from Waldron, but this is my family too and he is most definitely my brother. Besides, you've got two brothers. If you don't want me taking Gab, I can always go for Jessy."

"I am going to hit you in the head with this revolver one day."

"I love you," Mama Chase says, kissing Mama Liway and then heading out the door to go over today's schedule with their son.

"I love you too, bitch," Mama Liway shouts at Mama Chase's turned back, who in turn raises her middle finger at Mama Liway as she goes down to the ground floor, where, after a while, she can be heard shouting: "Jenny?!"

A rush of steps is suddenly heard, and the daughter of Jessy and his wife Aly, Jenny, is seen landing on the top steps and attempting to both catch her breath and speak.

"Whoa, breathe, child. Chase! Get Jessy or Aly over here! What is it? Is it the meeting?"

"Meeting... fine, but... Seversons Neighborhood... not going... man... man..."

Mama Liway braced herself. She knew what was coming at the end of that sentence, but she was hoping to whatever was out there that this just doesn't come true.

"Man found!"

"Shit." It was all Mama Liway could say. The last people to wander into Waldron - her adopted son, her wife and her wife's brother - caused such an uproar that it almost led to all-out conflict had it not been for the leadership of her father, Papa Laz. "Chase!" she shouts from the stairs, hopefully getting her wife on the ground floor to hear her.

"What?!" Mama Chase replies. "I can't find Jessy or Ali! They must be outside preparing for the meeting."

"Go with Jessy and Ali!" she shouts as she goes down the stairs, with Jenny following, dazed and still trying to catch her breath. "Stall the reps! I'm going with Jenny to Seversons. Tell Jake to follow along if he can."

"What's going on?!" Chase demands as Mama Liway reaches the ground floor.

"Jenny says they found a man in Seversons," Mama Liway exclaims, checking her revolver if she has enough ammo. "I'm going to try and see what the hell is going on. Jenny, go drink some water and then follow me. I'm going to run for Seversons."

"That's like a mile away!"

"Then I better go now. Tell Jake to follow if he can." And with that, she's out the door with Jenny following a minute after. Mama Chase just stood there, thinking who knows what.

"It had to be today. It just had to be today."

---

Seversons Neighborhood

The cell isn't really much of a cell. It looks more like a room because it really is a room. The owners of the house never thought they would have to use this room again, but this morning, they did. A man with a thick, fur coat washed up on shore that morning with a laser rifle, a weapon they know and have but have never had enough ammunition to actually use them regularly. They took off the man's clothes, hung them up on a wire outside the house and tied him to a bed with a decent mattress. He's yet to wake up, but he's about to get a taste of Waldron because Earl, local head of Seversons Neighborhood, can barely keep out the dozen men and women of his neighborhood from storming into the house and taking the "dirty fuckin' mainlander," as they call him, and chopping his body up and throwing it into the sea.

Already, rumors are circulating about the origin of the man they never even saw. The rumors range from him being a mainlander from Seattle, a Canadian raider, to a Chinese communist spy (how the tales of the Chinese still survive in Waldron, nobody knows and nobody seems to just stop talking about it). Already, Earl is just about ready to give up and give in to the mob outside.

[New Minahasa]

Vault 122

"Yes. Yes I did, Doctor Rockwell. From what I've heard, you've been very useful in the vault. You've done much good for us, for the Concord, and that I highly respect. I know you're a capable man, so I must task you with something. Keep in mind that this project could prove to be highly useful for our cause, and I do not expect you to fail. Now, you may have heard or read a book somewhere about the Forced Evolutionary Virus? F.E.V? That rings any bells? Anyway, our scouts have recently reported traces of it in a pre-war military base. Here, specifically," the president moved his finger across the map on the table, landing it on a spot with a red mark, somewhere in California it seemed. "Your first objective is to gather your best scientists to help you with this project. We'll need the best of the best in this. Once you've done, report back to me and we'll send you right away to the base with a company of soldiers. I'll need you to tamper with this virus, and report back to me everything you found within it. Does it still work? And if it does, what potentials could it have stored for such a long time? And what are the consequences of using it? Well, now that you've been given your briefing, you may continue. Do not let us down, Doctor Rockwell," commanded the president. He kept a steady and calm posture the entire time, but held serious eye-contact with the man. He knew if this project worked out, it would hasten the Concord's cause greatly. He only hoped that Rockwell would succeed.

[Waztaskio]

---

Vault 122

The Forced Evolutionary Virus. The green gunk that seemed to produce human beings with maximum strength like a super soldier, but taking their intelligence to an all-time low. Autumn had been around various areas of the wasteland to see the mutants produced from that gunk and he knew that it could be a very powerful weapon for someone who could manage to weaponize it the way it was intended. Maybe that's why the president called for him to head an expedition to the base, as maybe he intended to weaponize the F.E.V. and give the Concord an edge over the Wasteland. "Yes, Mr. President. I shall prepare a team immediately." After being dismissed from the presidents office, he began to wonder about his team. He only made a few friends, with one being his assigned lab assistant Julia. And that relationship had to be built over years, and she eventually began to accept his mysterious nature while maintaining good relations with him. She was obviously going to be his first choice for the expedition, but knew he should at least have a team of five. Meaning he needed at least three more people. As he made it back to his personal lab, he proceeded to pull up some files on various scientist working in the facility. He obviously was going to need candidates that were good with biology. Biochemist and Microbiologists specifically, but someone good with biology was going to be needed. Now Rockwell was already good with the subject, having spent most of his time researching everything he could on biology and chemistry. He had recently began reading information on physics, but knew that would take a while.

As he searched the files, he came across a few names that he noted down. A Doctor Speker, Doctor Roger, and Doctor Quin. He chose these names, as throughout his search they were well known for their loyalty and lack of any disciplinary record that Rockwell could find. This meant that they would most likely keep their findings a secret, with little risk of a defection of sensitive information. He soon compiled his report, as he reported back to the president two hours later with his list. After receiving the approval, orders were sent out to the doctors to prepare equipment for an expedition of unknown length, in a place far away from their current location. A team of soldiers were also being assembled, prepared to defend the team against any threats they came across. All in all, when the teams were fully assembled. The expedition comprised of a total of sixty people. Five of those sixty were scientist, and the rest were military. They were all loaded onto a Vertibird transport, as they soon departed to the west coast. The funniest thing about the whole operation, was Rockwell...never said a word.

[Shaochun]

(Note: All text in italics are in Chinese)

Qianting Cun
People's Republic of Changjiang

"Hello and good morning Changjiang, I have breaking news for everyone tonight! Changjiang People's Liberation Army soldiers recently captured several raiders from the brutal raider group operating near Anchorage. The raiders have been detained for attempting to infiltrate the walls an-" blared a radio, before Zhu turned it off as heavy snowstorm raged outside. The time was nearly 1 am. Zhu, the bartender at a bar in Qianting Cun was frequented by the residents. He may not have been a ghoul himself, however a decedent from a Chinese soldier who was not turned into a ghoul. Zhu fiddled with his pistol as a soldier came in, quickly placing his gun on the table. He didn't expect customers this late at night and with that kind of storm outside. The ghoul smiled at him as he walked in.

"Zhu, the usual please." he said before taking a seat. Zhu nodded, poured a glass of whiskey and shoved it over to the soldier who passed him several notes. The notes were the Changjiang Yuan, Pre-War Chinese Yuan taken aboard by the sailors and had been used ever since, alongside a few notes attempting to copy those notes made more recently. In the small bank at Qianting Cun, there was a service to convert Yuan to caps for trading uses outside of Changjiang. The exchange rate was 10 Changjiang Yuan to a single cap. Not the best exchange rate, considering Changjiang was the only place that accepted the Yuan with the exception of some merchants in Alaska. "Thank you." said Zhu, as he placed the money in the cash register alongside some caps.

"So, any news?" Zhu asked the soldier. The soldier nodded. "Raiders have been trying to breach our walls recently, they've been harassing the PLA nearly every day now. It's quite certain they don't like ghouls." said the soldier, sipping his drink. His assault rifle was slung around his back beside the belt that carried a grenade and a pistol. "How's the old man?" asked the soldier. "He's quite sick. He keeps refusing modern medication and instead asks Doctor Li for traditional treatments," replied Zhu. "Ah, I hope he gets well soon." replied the soldier.

"Anyways, I heard Wu's broadcasting tonight. He says you guys managed to capture two raiders?" said Zhu. The elderly ghoul nodded. "Yes, we had a battle with about ten or so raiders, the groups near Anchorage. They were lightly armed and carrying explosives and tried to sneak past the walls. Of course, the CPLA noticed and we were dragged into a firefight. Yuling got herself injured, but other than that we're fine. Most of the raiders were killed, a few escaped and two were captured. They kept screaming about how we'll all die for this or something, and Captian Jia's taken them in for detaining. We should hear from them in the morning, but my guess is they were trying to blow the walls so those damned raiders can get in." said the soldier.

"Good thing we defeated those raiders. If not, who knows what could have happened. Glory to the CPLA!" said Zhu, offering a toast to the soldier. Then, they drank, happily through the cold night.

[New Minahasa]

Vault 122

A report from the Concord's scout teams had just came in to the president's office. It was supposed to arrive simultaneously with the report of the F.E.V's discovery, but was halted a few days. In the report was listed every known nations and organizations, as well as neutral towns and settlements found across the states. What interested President Cannon the most was the United Republic of Texas, a nation large enough to rival the Concord with their sheer numbers. But what worried him the most was Texas' close proximity with the vault. He was aware that sooner or later someone would eventually discover the presence of the vault, either by Texas or other nations. Though the might of the Concord's highly advanced military could still be a force to be reckoned with, it was no surprise that quantity also matters. The issue of limited manpower had been long discussed between the president and the heads of each of Concord's divisions. The Research and Development Division of Concord, an engineer division, had suggested something called "Project Sentry". Basically, they were trying to build copies of the pre-war Sentry bots to use as "manpower". Unfortunately, the project was halted due to limited source of power, specifically electricity, to activate the robots. Luckily, the recent report had also listed within it every working power plants found by the scout teams.

Hoover Dam was what really caught the president's attention. In the report, it was described as "one of the largest dams we've ever seen" by the scout teams. It was also stated to be empty and there were no evidence whatsoever of people living there. Though there were no additional reports on whether or not the dam was still working, a shot to repair it was worth it. But still, even with the dam in their hands, Texas was still a threat to them. A new start! The thought of it quickly crossed the president's mind. The dam could prove to be a great new start for the Concord, it being a strategic and valuable position, as well as being in close proximity with California, where large numbers of oil refineries were once present. Without any more doubts, the president soon announced his decree. The headquarters of the Concord would be moved to the dam. All of the vault citizens, all of the resources and tech present within the vault were to follow as well. The military would be the first to be sent, to ensure the place was protected before the resources and citizens were sent in. As for the vault itself was still valuable, and instead was made another hidden base of the Concord. The information would be sent across all of the Concord's controlled bases and outposts, and to Concord personnels.

[Pasong Tirad]

The Wider World
Seversons Neighborhood, Waldron Island

Mama Liway didn't seem at all fazed by the mile-long run from Waldron Center. Jenny, however, could barely keep standing. "Keep up, Jenny!" Mama Liway shouts, oblivious to Jenny's current state.

"I'll... catch up!" she can barely shout this. Mama Liway didn't even hear her, as she ran straight to Earl's house, right into the arms of the mob outside his door.

"Mama! Let's just kill him already!"
"He's probably a scout for raiders!"
"Is he Chinese?"
"We're all Chinese here, you idiot!"
"Maybe he's Viet!"

"Everybody!" Mama Liway shouts from Earl's porch, "calm down! Don't go thinking none of this spy crap because I'm not having any of it! We're going to find out who he is and in the meantime, you can stay here and wait for my announcement or you can go back to your homes. Everything's going to be fine!"

That little "speech" did little to placate the mob, as they continued shouting their demands and accusations even as Mama Liway was welcomed into Earl's home. "Has he talked?" she asks, hand quivering nervously around her revolver.

"No, Mama," Earl responds. "The arrogant, racist son of a bitch wants to talk to the boss. He's in there. You should take this." He hands her the laser rifle the man was using. "Its fusion cell is still full. I'd suggest not using it on the man."

"We're not going to kill him," Mama Liway responds, taking the rifle and holstering it on her back. "Make sure your people don't barge in here and lynch the man."

The man was able to move around the "cell" himself, Earl seemingly having removed the man's restraints, perhaps as a way to get him to talk. He's a middle-aged man of a slightly heavy build. He's taken to wearing his pants and top, but his fur coat is lying on the mattress. "So," the man says in a deep voice. "You're the boss of this place?"

"Yes, I am," Mama Liway says from the grills on the door. "And who the hell are you?"

"Now is that any way to talk to a guest? Well, I suppose if you're harboring communists, decency is out the window, eh?"

"Those are my people and they are certainly not communists. Now if you don't want the mob outside to chop you up into tiny little pieces, you're going to talk."

"Ha! You don't scare me, woman. If you knew my people, you would be scared. We can take your fucking little island and blow it into a thousand tiny pieces. We'll take your communist little-"

"The name is Liway. My people call me Mama and you're about to meet them. Earl!"

Earl promptly opened the door, aimed his gun at the man's face and marched him outside into the arms of the mob, who immediately formed a circle around the man. He would run around and would immediately get punched in the face, or get jabbed by a rifle butt in the chest. The mob is up in arms, shouting in joy at the sight of torturing the intruder. The circle moved in closer and closer and every time it did, the man would get a swift kick, a punch, a jab, a slap, get spit on, get dirt and sand thrown at his wounds. His screams can barely be heard above the rowdy mob. "That's enough!" Mama Liway shouts, and her voice is heard as clearly as a gunshot a mile away. The mob widens their circle and in the middle of it is the man, beaten, dirty and bloody, but still seemingly coherent. She leans down to whisper into the man's ear.

"Welcome to Waldron, you racist fuck. Now, obviously, we can't send you back to your people in pieces because, well, you might actually have nukes. But I do hope that you understand who we are here in Waldron. You see, before the Great War two-hundred years ago, this island was run by... immigrants. You have the Chinese here, the Viets somewhere else. Filipinos, Arabs, Persians, Kurds, Indians, whatever the hell have you. The bombs have fallen, America and all civilization is dead so what time are you from that you think my people, these 'Chinese scum,' won't shred you to pieces? You think you're some fucking king that you can threaten my people?!" She's gone out into a shout, everybody around her is reveling in a mixture of awe and fear. "Now. We'll put you on a large piece of wood, we'll give you back your clothes and maybe some water if we're feeling extra generous. Go back to the mainland and tell your people to stay the fuck away from Waldron because we are ready for you and for whatever the hell you have going for you." The cheers roar, and people don't even take turns throwing insults and kicking more dirt and sand at the man, who promptly goes to his knees, chest held high in defiant anger. Mama Liway, in turn, takes out her revolver, fires a round in the air, which quiets the crowd around her, and places the still burning tip of the barrel on the man's temple. He screams in agony, but he keeps his forehead where it is. Defiant to the end.

"Say one more word that doesn't tell me who you are of where you're from and I'll send you back to the mainland without a head."

"I'm not from the mainland," he can barely say it, and so it was reduced to a whisper only Mama Liway could hear. "I'm from San Juan Island. Be proud of your... diversity or whatever the fuck it is, but your world is just so so small, innit? They know I'm here and we're coming. We're going to take your men and feed their heads to deathclaws! We'll-"

Bang. The man's body falls to the floor, his face still in a rage and oblivious to his sudden death. The people surrounding Mama Liway back away at the sound of the gunshot and are left dumbfounded and silent. Mama Liway hands the rifle to one of the residents and starts walking away. "Burn the body," Mama Liway says, without a sign of remorse or even the slightest hint of emotion either in her expression or her voice. She goes to Earl, who she whispers to: "Your people can stay if they don't feel safe, but I need you at the Town Hall meeting. Now."

"What did he say?" Earl asks, visibly terrified at Mama Liway's show of terror.

"He's not from the mainland," she whispers. If there was still some semblance of color on Earl's face, all that was gone now upon hearing her words. He knows what those words mean. "Our world's getting bigger, Earl. I need all the Neighborhoods to be represented. We have more to talk about." She walks away just as her son Jake, and Jenny are able to come up to her to see what had happened. Jenny is just too tired to even focus on anything but Jake is visibly shocked to see a dead body.

"Mama Lee? What-" he tries to stammer an accurate response but comes up with nothing.

"We have to go back. I'll explain everything later, honey," she says, attempting to placate her son but also avoiding answering what just happened. "Jenny! You can stay if you need to catch your breath, but I need you at that meeting. Come to the Town Hall in an hour. Earl! We have to go now." She starts off walking back to the Town Hall and just as she's leaving, she shouts: "Burn the body! Destroy that laser rifle!"

"But Mama-" starts the man holding the laser rifle, a resident who is visibly shocked.

"Destroy it."

"Yes, Mama."

[Monarchy of Japanada]

Alica Raleigh, Michigan, Ronto outskirts

Alica pulled her revolver out of her jacket pocket as she pushed herself to the side, behind a brick wall as a man on the other side with an [Semiautomatic] assault rifle fired at her. She waited for the man to get closer, hearing his subtle footsteps as he carefully inched near. Alica drew her machete, jumping out at the man and slamming the massive knife into his neck, now he was dead, but his friends wouldn't be any less happy, and his last words [A loud shriek] would give away her position. Scanning her surroundings, she scurried to the building's door and busted through it with her shoulder and breaking its hinges, sending the door onto the ground. "C'mout from 'ere!" one would say with a gravelly voice and a pipe pistol in his hand.

There was minutes of stalling, the idiotic raiders throwing insults and threats at Alica, all talk no action, not yet at least. Alica sighed, her breath becoming visible under the cold. Grabbing her shotgun, Alica aimed it out the door blasting in between the eyes off one of the assailants. This proved to be a rather..bad decision. The windows above her smashed, sending shards of glass down, poking into her neck and flying onto the floor in front of her. Gunfire erupted, bullets spraying into the room. Alica laid on her side, pulling the door onto her as a shield. The bullets stop coming as a man wearing just beige jeans, one leather shoulder pad, a small bit of grey cotton fabric covering only the chest substituting for a shirt and a gas mask entered.

Taking out a lead pipe, he smashed it against the door, doing an easy job crushing it with three smashes. He grabbed the door and threw it away, now the two other surviving raiders aiming guns at the now defenseless Alica. Grabbing her machete, the raider threw it away before she could take a hit at him. The man smiled, not that he could be seen from under her mask. Staring down at her, he would plump down onto her chest, chuckling as he wrapped his legs around her head and put his hand onto the helpless woman's chest, rubbing it gleefully. The other raiders watching felt a slight bit awkward but nevertheless kept their fingers on their gun's triggers.

The raider threw off his mask, allowing his face to be seen which was beaming with joy. He moved his hand down a bit and unbuttoned Alica's jeans the slightest bit, but not before his fun was over, forever. A bullet flew into the side of his head from afar sending blood everywhere, including his comrades who turned to face the sound of the bullet firing. In the distance they saw a man with a red uniform and a campaign hat aiming a sniper rifle at the duo. One ran, but the other rushed forward, ducking down, under a car to avoid being hit by sniper fire.

The other raider was stopped quite easily, a bullet to the leg, quickly crippled it, leaving him to have to hop to safety, wherever that would be, he wouldn't last that long. Alica hopped up, grabbing her machete from outside of the building and hastily left the scene, stopping to hit the limping raider in the back of the head, knocking the asshole out cold, the ghouls will probably get him before he wakes. Alica bent down to check his belongings, other than a pistol, a bottle of dirty water and a crappy shank there was nothing with any sort of value, and so she left his stuff with em. Her next destination was..well..unclear. Texas was the biggest place she hadn't been to before, but it was quite far.

[Waztaskio]

---

Mariposa Military Base

"Approaching drop zone, possible unfriendlies present on the surface. Prepare for combat." The men had been travelling across the skies of the wasteland to Mariposa for a few hours, before the pilot announced they had arrived. After doing a dust run over the base, the pilot spotted movement of what could be described as a super mutant standing guard outside the base. Considering the information Rockwell knew about super mutants from extensive study, if they were guarding a particular area it was most likely valuable to them in some way. And if the site indeed housed the F.E.V. that Rockwell had never personally been able to test, but knew about it's properties. The base may prove to be useful to the cause. Due to the size of the expedition, four Vertibirds had to be requisitioned for the expedition with one carrying the science team and escorts, two carrying soldiers, and the last carrying vital science equipment and supplies. As this was Rockwells expedition, was he was given an honorary title of Colonel within the military to command the soldiers as he saw fit during the expedition but was mostly to leave it to the NCO's and Captain Jerry. The Vertibirds carrying the soldiers landed first, with the soldiers storming off the vertibird towards the base, opening fire on the super mutants at the entrance to the base. The battle only lasted a minute, with no causalities to the concord soldiers and the deaths of five mutants. It was at this time that Rockwells Vertibird had landed, and he was met by Captain Jerry who greeted him with a salute.

"Colonel, we have secured the outer perimeter of the base and are ready to proceed inside." Rockwell would nod, opening his mouth for the first time since the expedition began. "Be cautious captain. The Super Mutants are in there, and if they were guarding the outside, there are most certainly more within the complex. Don't take any unnecessary actions." Captain Jerry would salute, "Yes, Colonel. We'll begin at once." The captain soon proceeded away from Rockwell, who was left with his scientist and a small squad of six soldiers for protection. Rockwell stood at the entrance of the base, seeing the remainder of his force prepare to enter the base. "I sure hope this goes well." Rockwells assistant Julie said, as she stood on his right shoulder holding a small clipboard. Rockwell didn't answer, merely observing as the soldiers marched into the base in an organized march. He could only hope the mutants hadn't dugged in, and that it was merely a loose operation of something. However, what happened at this point was up to Captain Jerry.

---

Captain Jerry's Perspective

"God, that guy creeps me out." Captain Jerry said to himself referring to his new Colonel, as he lead his men into the base. The base layout had been downloaded before the expedition, giving the team a map of what the installation looked like to prevent them from getting lost. The base appeared to be powered down, with noises of rats and various other wasteland creatures who seem to have nested in various areas. "Keep a tight formation boys, and your weapon at the low port at all times." Captain Jerry had been dressed in Power Armor, carrying his plasma rifle and plasma pistol which was standard issue among concord soldiers. With his plasma rifle in hand, he lead his troops from the front as they lined hallways. Eventually after not running into significant barriers on the first floor, they managed to find the main control console for the base and restore power completely. This allowed the soldiers to proceed to the lift, taking them to the second level of the base in which voices were heard.

As the lift reached the second floor, immediately bullets from various rifle began to impound the lift doors from conventional weapons. The concord troops managed to fire back at the aggressors, killing four super mutants and caused the rest to temporarily fall back, while some of the soldiers including Captain Jerry got into defensive positions. Currently, everyone seemed to be in tact, with only minor dents in parts of their armor from the barrage. "They got low yield submachine guns, and assault rifles. Your armor was built for that. This isn't much of a challenge." Captain Jerry, looked down the sites of his plasma rifle to see the mutants have not yet returned and motioned for the team to move up. As they did, a three mutants carrying powerfist, emerged from the corner and crushed three of the soldiers sent to scout around the corner. "Shit, open up!" Shots from the groups plasma rifles soon began to be sent into the mutants. The first two were quickly taken out, with the third being able to send a powerful punch into another private, severely injuring him before collapsing to his death. "Get that private some medical attention, the rest with me!" As the team continued deeper inside the second floor, they came across six more mutants who attempted to shoot into the concord armor who were quickly killed, allowing the soldiers to proceed to level three while leaving six men behind on the second level to ensure no surprises.

As the men arrived on the third level, they were greeted with a heavy barrage of tunnel fighting. This time the mutants were not only equipped with old US service rifles, but also laser rifles which proved to be a challenge. On top of this, there were super mutants that seemed to be able to take more shots from plasma then others and required a dedicated effort to take them down before they could cause anymore damage then what they did. Fighting was ruff, and twelve soldiers were killed, with an additional ten being wounded and escorted upstairs by the time the fighting was over. This left only forty three members of the team left, as they proceeded down to the VATS level. Before they did though, they managed to find that the mutants were holding wastelanders hostage in the prison section of the base, and counted a total of twenty prisoners who seemed to be very distraught about being taken. Ignoring them, the team proceeded down to the lower levels. "No more surprises, we're going down in teams of six. This way, if the first team gets into combat right when they proceed down, the next can know what to expect and act accordingly. Will also allow more maneuvering room." Jerry soon picked six soldiers to head the first team, with him as the leader and made his way down first.

As the team arrived and stepped off the lift, it was rather quiet. They soon proceeded down the hall, wear a faint green shadow was cast upon the walls with a room ahead that appeared to be glowing green. "That may be our target. Eyes up, watch for any hostiles." As the team moved along the walls, they were soon joined by another team behind them as they approached the targets. "RPG!" One of the privates called out, as the men soon ducked onto the floor, watching a rocket smash into a wall behind them, causing an explosion. At the end of the hall, one could see a super mutant loading another rocket into the chamber. "Oh hell no, rush this thing!" The squad began to double time it to the room, firing their rifles towards the mutant who seemed to be withstanding the damage. Another rocket was fired, killing two of the next team sent down and injuring three who happened to be close to the wall in which the ordnance exploded. After a couple more plasma shots, Jerry proceeded to rush towards the mutant and football tackle him onto the ground to prevent him from firing another shot. The mutant and the captain rolled along the floor, striking blows to each other before Jerry managed to snap it's neck, ending the super mutants life. As the captain got up and looked down, he was soon approached by one of his NCO's. "Captain, the base is now secure. I would also like to report, that this goo may indeed by the legendary Forced Evolutionary Virus we were sent here for. Shall I inform the Colonel?" The captain would nod, "Yes. And ensure all our wounded receive proper treatment. I'll wait for the Colonel to send an official report to the president later." The NCO acknowledged the order, as he proceeded out to inform the team to begin moving into the base. Mariposa was now secured, but a good amount of casualties were indeed taken. The captain could only hope for the Colonel to note this in some fashion within his report.

[Democratic East-Asia]

Lexington, 2241

Dear Martha,

It's been nearly 2 months since we departed from the Central Bunker and left for former Lexington, and I have to say that it's definitely a different world up here. A lack of plant life and the sight of ruined infrastructure has become a daily occurrence, and I dare to say it'll take over a hundred years for things to recover even to the slightest, and hundreds more to fully rebuild. In all of this madness and destruction, me and the others have witnessed a number of disturbing things. Just yesterday while I was studying the remains of a pre-war car, a pack of dog-sized mutated mole rats ambushed me from behind. I was lucky that my suit of T-60 power armor easily repelled them (not to mention Henry shot them off with his pistol), but the experience was definitely not one I want to happen again. Who would've known that mole rats were both carnivorous and huge? We've been in Lexington for awhile, and the survivors around have been courteous enough. Some were quite receptive when we offered medical supplies and spare ammunition. It's not all fun and games though. Raider attacks are common, and the others and I have made ourselves rather distinguished among the civilians as "protectors of the people". Funny, seeing how those words would normally be something you'd expect from communist propoganda. As of now, we're still going around and inspecting damages and post-war wildlife. I hope to return soon.

Love,

Your Husband Arnold.

Arnold Notelli placed down the notebook he had in hand and looked out from the broken window of his temporary "home" towards the horizon. The desolate hills and ruined landscapes of Kentucky stretched for miles on end, the unfortunate result of the great war. Arnold's great grandparents had been workers of FTI, and were among the lucky thousand who made it to Central before the bombs fell. Like most of Central's inhabitants, Notelli had lived his entire life in relative luxury (by post-war standards) and safety, and had never needed to worry about lacking food or about dangerous wildlife. It was in stark contrast to the conditions of those above, and adjusting to the wasteland proved somewhat hard. Notelli missed the comforts of air conditioning and freshly grown produce, but such was life in post-war America. He had given some of his rations to the locals, whom had taken them with the upmost gratitude.

Picking up his heavily modified plasma rifle and putting on his helmet, Notelli walked out of his shelter and onto the cracked up and dry streets of Lexington. The weather was slightly cooler than it had been before the Great War, largely due to the vast amounts of ash thrown up into the atmosphere from the detonations of thousands of nuclear weapons. As Notelli trudged through the streets of Lexington, a series of gunshots rang out from a nearby building.

"Notelli! We got armed hostiles! They're all over the place!" Yelled Marcus Flemming, the scouting expedition's leader and Notelli's commanding officer. Surely enough, a gang of raiders had been spotted by Flemming, and they were quick to open fire upon him after "communications" broke down, although it was doubtful said communications involved anything other than a series of curses and threats. As Notelli broke into a sprint towards his commander's position, one raider raised what appeared to be a rocket launcher.

"Holy shit!" Notelli yelled before jumping to the ground in quick succession, barely avoiding the incoming rocket. The shock of the explosion could be felt from his position, and Notelli was pretty sure he would've been badly hurt without his armor. As there was no time to lose, Notelli grabbed his plasma rifle and sent a quick shot into the chest of the raider, melting a large hole and killing the man instantly. He noticed that Flemming wasn't using the minigun he was assigned with, rather, Flemming was utilizing whatever junk weapons he picked up raiders that were already dead. Might of been ammo issues, but it was a fact that Flemming had at least 1000 rounds.

"Commander! Why aren't you using your issued minigun?!" Notelli asked through his intercoms. Another 2 raiders were downed, but it seemed there were at least a dozen more.

"It would be a waste of ammunition to use it on these fools." Flemming reported back while taking potshots with a lever action rifle he had retrieved. "Their own weapons work just as well, seeing that none of them are wearing anything classifiable as armor."

Notelli was about to respond when another explosion rocked the surroundings. Another raider had picked up that damn rocket launcher while Notelli wasn't paying attention. Damn it, he thought as he shot yet another burst towards the new raider. The raiders continued to fire for a number of minutes, but began retreating as their own losses mounted. Another day in the wasteland, another group of vagabonds dead. As Notelli continued on with his daily tasks of monitoring the post-war city, things at home were stirring up.

Central, 2241

And with another touch of his fingers, a fat red bird was launched from its slingshot towards a mass of blocks and pigs. Liam Cheng was wasting far too much time playing computer based games, and as of now was lagging of schedule. Everyone else in his engineering division was involved one way or another in building a post-war self designed combat truck, which they planned to complete by the end of the week.

"Cheng, what are you doing?" Cheng's advisor Johnson asked from a few yards away. Cheng jumped in surprise, and nearly shattered his data slate while doing so. "You might want to wait till lunch time to play on that. Come on, just because you finished your part of the design doesn't mean you get to take time off."

"But sir, I've already completed my assigned work. There is no reason keep me here." Cheng protested.

Johnson wasn't amused. "Cheng, we both know that you're more than capable of working an extra hour. Everything is easy for you, and I understand that, but that doesn't mean you get to slack off while everyone else is working their asses off. Now get back to work. I'll cut you a deal and let you leave 2 hours early."

It was no use arguing with Johnson, that old metalhead didn't give two shits about whether or not your feelings were hurt, but he was reasonable. Cheng turned off the game program he was using and went back to the design folder. "Alright, but tomorrow I'm taking the day off."

"Fine, but get me those plans done by four. I'll see you then." Johnson adjusted his glasses and left the room. Damn, it was rather boring doing the same things every day, well they weren't the same, but everything seemed too damn simple for Cheng. The new truck they were making was partially based on pre-war designs, but modified for greater protection and engine power. They'd already screwed up two times, but with the bunker operating at 1/6 capacity, there were more than enough resources to use. With luck, it would by the Technocratic State's first functioning vehicle.

[New Minahasa]

Hoover Dam

The large number of vertibirds flew over Hoover Dam, arriving on top of it. Fortunately, the roads were large enough for the vertibirds to land on. Others landed on top of a flat hill near the dam. The president and his elite company of Iron Star were to arrive at first. The soldiers quickly secured the perimeter of the dam before they proceeded to search the dam thoroughly. Cannon was amazed by the magnificence of the dam as he trod his way through. It was truely a great place to behold. The place itself had been long abandoned by whomever used to dwell there. They were lucky no one had touched the dam before they did. President Cannon made his way inside what appeared to be the heart of the dam, a large corridor with a room at the end which would become the president's office. The dam was separated by two: the lower levels which contained all of the power plants, and the upper levels which contained the offices, rooms for the dam's workers, and the visitor center where the entrance is located. Several numbers of large concrete towers were present on top of the dam, suitable for overlooking the whole area and the tall rocky hills which surround the dam.

The Research and Development teams filled the power plants, each trying to study the place and repairing it. The head of the division, Dr. Liana Curtis met with the president in his office. "Doctor Liana, take a seat," said the president. She scanned the office before she took a seat in front of the president. "I'm sure you know why I've called you here into my office, don't you? Now that we have the dam under our control, soon we will have enough power and electricity to power even a whole city. Project Sentry must be resumed, Doctor Liana. These robots are critical to the Concord's cause," said the president. "Mr. President, I'm aware that this project is needed for the Concord. We've had this discussion a long time ago, and now with enough energy to power those robots, it won't be long before we're able to activate them. There's still one last loose end, though. This dam had been untouched for a very long time, and we're afraid that the power plants might not be working. We only need a few weeks to repair them, and this dam can be restored once again. I ensure you, Mr. President, just a few weeks," stated the doctor. "One month, Doctor. I'll give you one month to bring this dam back into full power. The Concord depends on you," the president raised his index finger up, indicating one. "One month will do, Mr. President. Thank you very much," she said before she shook hands with the president and left the office.

The president was relieved now that the project had been revived. But still, a few robots wouldn't ensure victory in battle. If only the Concord could field hundreds or thousands of robots, it would be a game changer. Unfortunately their resources were still limited, and prototypes of the robots still had to be made and ensured to be working properly before more could be built. The president sent a message to his generals stationed at the three Concord's major bases, codename "Trident", to start a recruiting program. "The Concord forces would campaign in nearby towns and settlements, offering protection and help in exchange of capable men to be made into Concord soldiers, and settlements to be branded as Concord's property. The residents were also to be made into Concord's citizens, and responsible for paying a 10% tax of their monthly salary to the government. Any types of resistance shall be neutralized by the might of the Concord forces."

The Trident; Western, Midwestern, and Eastern

The message was quickly broadcasted among the Concord's generals, and the progam was soon conducted. Forces of Concord marched into small towns and settlements, those which were reportedly under raider attacks or having low food sustenance. Much of the settlements were found in the West Coast, primarily California, where large cities and communities would soon stumble upon Concord, each having their own different opinion on the towering men in power armours. Most of the settlements and towns were turned into Concord's, their whilst a few stubborn some decided to fight back and foolishly attack the Concord forces, and soon found themselves exterminated into piles of goo and ash. In only two weeks, a large amount of men ranging from age 17-30 were already brought into the bases, volunteers numbering about 200, soon to be made into Concord soldiers. As recruits and privates, the men wouldn't be given power armour training until they've reached higher ranks, or proven to be reliable and trustworthy. Instead, the men were given combat armours, painted dark-green and white stars on the chestplate and shoulder pads, marking them as Concord soldiers.

[Intermountain States]

Ronald Gardner: "Howdy folks, and welcome to Lone Star Radio, your source of news and entertainment. This is your host, Ronald Gardner and we hope you all continue to listen to our radio. Here are our stories.

"First in our sports news, the undefeated AM Sharecroppers won the Texas Bowl after their 3 point victory over the Houston Brahmins. Congratulation to all for an excellent season."

"In the news of politics, the Senate approved President Robert Jackson's plan for expansion into new Mexico and Oklahoma. Both President Robert Jackson and Chancellor John Yee stated that the country will benefit from additional land to Texas in terms of farming and trade. Opposition Leader David Grant voiced his concern to the call for expansion, in his response to the President's State of the Republic speech."

David Grant: "We still have some domestic policies to focus on such as ensuring a safe route for everyone. We cannot be using some of our manpower in expansion right now."

Robert Gardner: "Folks, you've been kind enough to listen to this radio so I'm giving you all a special treat. A classical pre-war song from a native to Texas, here's Buddy Holly and The Crickets' That'll Be the Day."

Camp Hanson
Texas-Oklahoma Border, United Republic of Texas

It wasn't even 6 in the morning until the morning bell rang. "Wake up you maggots. I want everyone to show up at the central area with your fatigue on and your equipment in place!" A voice of a gruff officer can be heard outside of the barrack. Ian Kim wiped his eyes as he got up from his bed as all the other men stuggled to get up. It took them a few while but Ian's barrackmates managed to get all dressed up and lined up at the quad in combat gears. After inspections from the company commanders, Major David Lemay walked to the company.

"Rattlesnack Company, due to Lone Star wanting colonization efforts in New Mexico and Oklahoma, the high command wants this company to work with the Rangers to find habitable areas for our coming settlers" the Major said. "You are also expected to find settlements to work with in finding habitable zones."

"Uh sir, do we know any safe settlements in Oklahoma?" Corporal Terrance Lombardi asked.

"We don't. Which is why the high command is counting on this company and a Ranger platoon to find the settlements," Lemay said. "The Rangers have already crossed the border and had set up an outpost across the border in Marietta. You are to meet up with the Rangers, understood?"

"Yes sir," the soldiers responded.

"Form into your squad," the company commanders said. Ian looked at his squad.

"You know the drill," he said. "Follow me."

"Sarge," Private Norman Kruger asked. "Can you guarantee the squad's safety?"

"No promise," Ian responded as the company mobilized.

[Waztaskio]

---

Mariposa Military Base

Doctor Rockwell proceeded quietly into the base, watching as the soldiers transported the wounded upstairs to the medbay and taking the dead soldiers upstairs to receive an on-site burial. The super mutants, were soon rounded up and dragged outside before being lit on fire. The causalities they took for this best was rather high, but acceptable to Rockwell in face of the mission he was presented with. Captain Jerry had informed him that seventeen soldiers had died during the assault, with fourteen receiving medical treatment for the wounds sustained during combat. As Rockwell proceeded down the hallway, he took note of the humans within the cells. They looked malnourished, and judging by the smell didn't seem like they had managed to get a bath or shower in a while. They're clothes were mostly old rags, that appeared to be taped together. As Rockwell noted this, he was soon flanked by his assistant. "What do you think they were doing here?" Referring to the captives, Julie merely watched Rockwell who seemed unphased by the question as he continued to the Vats room. "I have a few ideas, but right now I have a more important mission." As Rockwell proceeded to the Vats room, he walked across the catwalk towards the computers.

The smell in the room was one of old socks, and chemicals mixed together into some strange concoction. Fumes from the various vats of liquid goo, only irritated the nose of Rockwell due to the smell and soon he had to retreat back out of the room to retrieve his science outfit to ensure a steady stream of clean filtered oxygen, while also keeping the fumes out of his eyelids. As Rockwell made his way back into the room, the other scientists were already beginning to set up their lab equipment and begin their own tests. Rockwell merely allowed them, seeing no harm in them trying to personally witness the effects of the goo and continued to the central database computer in the center. As he reached it, it prompted him for a password to log on. "Hum, old password long forgotten. Good thing I know how to hack." He began to hack into the computer, pulling up a list of possible options for the password as he began a process of crossing out all answers it couldn't be. On his second try, he managed to crack the password which gave him access to the entire database of Mariposa. Security logs, Maintenance logs, Research logs, Prisoner database, etc were all presented as options on the screen. He proceeded to click on research logs, as he read up on the various logs and data submitted by the pre-war scientists on the F.E.V., documenting important information onto a notepad to later write his report. He spent an hour writing down information and reading, before Captain Jerry made his way down to the Colonel.

"Colonel Rockwell, we have secured the base. I have posted a security detachment outside on the perimeter and we are preparing defenses. The automated turrets of the base seem to have been destroyed, possibly by the mutants. However, we were able to secure the armory which had two functional sentry bots we could use on the perimeter." Rockwell looked up and nodded, which signalled the captain to leave. After Rockwell finished his documentation, he proceeded back upstairs and out of Mariposa to his Vertibird, to begin transmitting his information back to the president.

Code: Select all

THIS DOCUMENT IS CLASSIFIED AS TOP SECRET; ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO THIS FILE OR IT'S CONTENTS WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONCORD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
================================================================================================================
SUBJECT: MARIPOSA EXPEDITION
CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL: PRESIDENT CANNON
AUTHORIZING AUTHORITY: DOCTOR CALVIN ROCKWELL
================================================================================================================

Doctor Rockwell has arrived at the Mariposa Military Base in California as ordered, along with his research team. Upon arrival to the Mariposa Base, "Super Mutants," as they are known across the wasteland have appeared to have taken refuge within the confines of the base. Captain Jerry, second in command to honorary Colonel Rockwell personally oversaw the capture of the base. Upon clearing, a total of seventeen soldiers were killed, the names of which will be disclosed later in this document with an additional fourteen wounded. We are pleased to report that the base is now fully secured, and we have indeed stumbled upon the pre-war project known as the "Forced Evolutionary Virus," which is an offshoot of the Pan-Immunity Virion Project which had the stated goal of eradicating New Plague which was prevalent at the time before the Great War. F.E.V. is a shifting-absorptive megavirus with a protein sheath reinforced by ionized hydrogen that makes it immune to irradiation. It is pre-programmed with specific introns of genetic information for the species of the infected/inoculated specimen. The FEV works by copying the host cell's DNA, like RNA, and placing them into exons that are then re-introduced into the host's cells alongside the pre-programmed introns. What makes the FEV unique is that it utilizes a recursive genetic code that allows it to repeat its genetic copying and insertion infinitely.

This virus appears to be the source of super mutants in the Wasteland, while decreasing their intelligence to a below average level. According to research logs, when the F.E.V. is administered to animal subjects the effects are as follows from the following documentation log;

Test on lab animals are at a near 100% success rate. Size and muscle density increase approximately 60%, and the potential intelligence increase by 200%. Effects upon human subjects remain unknown; although they are theoretically promising.

With this information, and from the data we gathered from the post-apocalyptic world. We can determine that somehow the effects of the F.E.V. seem to be counter in it's effects in humans then it was in animals. We are currently unsure of why this is, and more research would have to be dedicated into the virus to determine the causes and possible solutions. Also, due to observations made during the capture of the base. We can say that we personally believe the virus is still in working order, and is still responsible for mutations. For this initial report, things appear to be promising, but a more dedicated research effort would have to be considered in order to unlock all possible options from this virus. We shall begin running tests in order to formulate theories on why the virus does not have the same effects observed in animals, but overall this report is much more complete then we originally thought it could be. We shall be awaiting further instructions on what you would like us to do with this information.

Signed ---- Doctor Calvin Rockwell.

After the report was typed, it was transmitted back to base with appropriate encryption codes. Only the President would be able to direct actions to take at this point. The only thing Rockwells team was now concerned about, is why the effects on humans are different from the promising effects on animals.

[New Minahasa]

Hoover Dam

Weeks had passed in the dam. Dr. Liana and her team had successfully repaired the power plants, and electricity was once again restored. The dam released a loud noise as it began to work, and the whole Concord people cheered. The people had been living in the dam without electricity for weeks, and there were talks of unrest that reached the president's ears, saying that they should've stayed in the vault. But now, as light returned to the dam, people could finally continue their daily activities. Dr. Liana and her team had been preparing for a demonstration for their prototype copy of the pre-war Sentry bots. The road on Hoover Dam was wide enough for the demonstration, and was prepared days before by Dr. Liana and her team. One of the robot prototypes was brought out with a few metal plates for target practice. President Cannon along with the other high-ranked Concord personnels were invited to see the demonstration.

"Welcome, Mr. President. I'm glad to personally inform you that our project is nearly complete. We only need to show you this little demonstration, have a few more modifications, and the robots will be directed under the military," said Doctor Liana. "Thank you, Doctor. You've served the Concord well with this project. Now please, let us continue," replied Cannon. She nodded in agreement, and signalled her subordinates to activate the robot. "We call our robots the "DIM-1A Starbots", or just Starbots. They are programmed to have a defensive system, meaning that they will not engage unless threatened. But, we have also programmed them to have an aggressive mode where the AI will take over and attack non-Concord personnels. They identify Concord personnels by their badges, so it is highly recommended for all of our soldiers to ALWAYS wear their own assigned Concord badges when near these robots. Now, this lone robot here was personally programmed to have a manual attack button for the purposes of this demonstration. We will re-program it to the AI like the others after this, of course," explained Liana.

She signalled her subordinate to activate the robot's weapons. "Each Starbot is equipped with a Gatling laser and Missile launcher, making them effective against close-range and long-range targets," explained Liana. She signalled her subordinates once again. They activated the Starbot's Gatling laser, devastating the metal plates in mere seconds. Then, the Missile launcher. It was shot into the air, exploding after reaching hundreds of meters in the air. "That's all for today. Once again, thank you for coming, Mr. President. We'll contact you in three days when the work is finally completed." Cannon shook hands with Liana before departing.

President Cannon was met with an encrypted message from the Mariposa Military Base when he returned to his office. After decoding the whole message, it was revealed to be from Doctor Rockwell. He made haste to transmit another encrypted message back to Doctor Rockwell as a reply.

Code: Select all

THIS DOCUMENT IS CLASSIFIED AS TOP SECRET; ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO THIS FILE OR IT'S CONTENTS WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONCORD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
================================================================================================================
SUBJECT: MARIPOSA EXPEDITION
CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL: DOCTOR CALVIN ROCKWELL
AUTHORIZING AUTHORITY: PRESIDENT OTTO CANNON
================================================================================================================

It is now said that the message has arrived within safe hands in the base. The message has been read carefully by President Cannon and reacted upon wisely. With this, the President hereby declares that Doctor Calvin Rockwell and his team has been given the clearance and the authority to continue their research. All of the experimentations, along with the experimental subjects, if any, and the end results, must be informed back to President Cannon. Failure to comply will result poorly. Any sorts of funding and additional manpower will be provided by the government. That said, all mishaps and accidents that took place within the conducted experiments are NOT under the government's insurance, and the government shall NOT take responsible. Good luck, gentlemen.

Signed ---- President Otto Cannon.

[Intermountain States]

West of the Texan-New Mexican Border

According to the high commands, New Mexico was suppose to be a cakewalk. The state has no unified government nor are there any militaristic presence. In fact, that was one of the main reasons for Texas to consider expansion to Oklahoma and New Mexico: lack of unified governments and paramilitary organizations in Oklahoma and New Mexico to offer any major resistance.

Of course, even if New Mexico has no paramilitary groups or a unified government in some shape or form, the territory still have raiders and slavers to deal with and Fox Company dealt with plenty. However, no one notified them about the Super Mutants and the squad sent out to scout a empty campsite uncovered a nasty surprise.

"I'm gonna put lead in the guy who claimed to have scouted New Mexico!" Private Jimmy Fitzgerald shouted as the soldier took cover behind rocks and old cars. "How the fuck did he not notice the damn Mutants?" He shouted through the sound of bullets whizzed through the air.

"Complaining about it isn't going to help," Sergeant Rick Jung responded before switching to AP rounds and shot a Super Mutant in the head with his carbine. The mutant goes down with the head splattered but more mutants appear. Some of the soldiers were hit by Mutant fires and instantly went down.

"Where the fuck is reinforcement?" Private Lindsay Thompson yelled before firing off a burst from her rifle.

"Stand your ground!" Jung shouted through the chaos. "We have to hold out as long as we can!"

"Eat lead you mutie freaks!" Private Hank Burns yelled as he fired his light machine gun. A mutant was hit by an explosive device and the soldiers noticed the trail coming from the side.

"That sounds like reinforcement," Fitzgerald said. The men turned and saw other soldiers of Fox Company entering the battle. Some of the mutants focused their attention on the reinforcements and some begin to rush at the support. In quick response, soldiers armed with grenade launchers got into the front of the line, crouched down, and fired at the mutants while the soldiers behind the grenadiers begin to let their rifles loose.

The explosions and the overwhelming firepower caught the super mutants and some of the surviving mutant begin to flee while the soldiers continue to fire at the mutants. Captain Oscar Gordon met up with Sergeant Jung.

"We apologize for taking too long," Gordon said. "What's the casualty status for your team?"

"Three dead and 2 wounded, sir," Jung replied. "The campsite seems big enough for this company but with the mutant ambush, I'm not too sure if this place is safe for us to use."

"Our men have been walking for quite a while," Gordon replied. "I'll have men take up guard duties in the night. Your men should take a rest while the medics patch the wounded up, you guys earned it."

"Yes sir," Jung said.

[Waztaskio]

---

Mariposa Military Base

After receiving the transmission from the president, Rockwell began coming up with new tests in order to try and solve the mystery of why the F.E.V. does not produce the desired results on humans. He thought it maybe had something to do with certain imbalances in humanity itself, which could prove to be a huge problem if correct. If he wasn't, then maybe the virus was not well suited to be merged with a human subject. The tests were soon to be run, but Rockwell didn't take much interest in the project and left a majority of the actual work to his team with a blank check to use any necessary resource to complete the mission, exempting any of the staff. While the staff were busy doing their research, Rockwell had his own mission as he wandered out into the outter security perimeter. Back inside the base, he gave word that he needed to go for a walk outside the base to clear his head and denied an escort. This would usually be suspicious for any scientist or member of the concord to do, but when it came to Rockwell he was known for doing this often and would not be stopped. As he proceeded a decent distance away where he was clear, he sighed as he proceeded to look down within his shirt at a hidden neckless. A neckless he told nobody about, and one that was well hidden underneath all of his clothes that nobody noticed he was wearing one. Open shining the neckless up at the sky, a beam of light began to lift him up from the ground above and soon he found himself on the bridge of a spacecraft.

As he exited the teleporter, he was greeted by Colonel Hartigan. "Welcome Captain Chase. I hope you bring good news." Colonel Hartigan had been made Commodore of the alien ship in the absence of Chase, in order to administrate and rule when Chase could not personally be around to oversee. On the ship, everyone had a task and everyone ensured to keep themselves busy learning new wonders and studying what they could until such a time could come where humanity needed the vast resources of knowledge needed to rebuild. "Maybe. Is the Dream Chaser program finished?" The Colonel nodded, as they begin to make their way to the research labs and stood infront of a computer screen with strange helmets mounted to it. "Just insert the individuals coordinates, and DNA into the system and it will lock onto the brainwaves of that individual." As the system began to be primed, Chase sighed. This would be the first test run of this system, and he only could hope with the knowledge on the ship, he perfected the system. After recieving the thumbs up from the Colonel, he soon proceeded to place on a helmet which soon transmitted him into a pitch black place, with him standing on absolutely nothing, in front of a man who seemed to be very confused.

---

Otto Cannon's Dream

As Cannon would dream, he would see a figure approaching him in concord style clothing. He couldn't see very clearly, due to the darkness of the room and could only make out the silhouette a figure who somehow managed to appear in front of him, despite being what seemed like a mile away. His face was now clear, showing the face of General Chase in his concord gear, crossing his arms to Cannon. "Mr. President, there is a lot to show. We must not dally." Chase would grab the hand of the president and proceed to walk him into a door that happened to appear behind them that flashed pure white. Upon going through the door, Chase released the president and motioned for him to look away from Chase and towards something in the distance. In the distance, showed the battlefields of Anchorage, Alaska in 2077. The president, despite being outside in his night gear, didn't feel cold or temperature that Alaska was famously known for having and merely watched as the scene unraveled in front of him. Men and women, of the United States Armed Forces engaged in open combat against the Chinese invaders. Artillery could be seen and heard all around the president, as American troops who were hit flew into the air as they fell to the ground, blood seeping out of the wounds. Gunshots and T-45b units would be seen engaged in fierce combat, but still failing to breach the offensive.

The President would begin to step closer to the battlefield, seeing the face of Chinese General Jingwei with his unique sword appear in his path. Before the president could react, Jingwei would insert the blade deep inside the presidents stomach as he soon released his grip on the handle and faded into the battlefield that suddenly began to fade out from the presidents vision and disappear. As the president was on his knees, he would soon be lifted up to his feet by two power armored T-51b soldiers and come face to face of American General Chase, who began to remove the blade from the presidents stomach with ease and somehow magically heal the wound. As the president looked at the general, Rockwell would appear next to him as they both would mirror the same stance of crossing their arms, staring the president down. Rockwell would begin to morph into Chase, wearing the same uniform with the exact same features, and would merge fully into one figure still staring down the president. "Mr. President, I believe I have shown you the first lesson I wish to teach you. Never overestimate your power. Because you never know who you are in the presence of, and who you are in the presence of. And no, this isn't just a hallucination. And no, this won't be the last you'll be seeing of me." The room soon began to fade with the figure of General Chase/Rockwell fading out into blackness as the president attempted to give chase to ask questions, but soon it was too late. And only a faint voice could be heard, "Chase the Rockwell....Chase the Mirror...Ask the questions..." With that, the president would soon wake up in a cold sweat in his bed.

---

Mothership Zeta

"Wow, it worked." The colonel said. As Chase soon began to exit the VR, he sighed. Was the president smart enough to see what he was trying to get him to see? Would he listen? These were questions that would soon be answered within the coming days. Rockwell would see how the president reacts to the revelations, and judge how to proceed accordingly. If in the case he reacts negatively, Rockwell can simply claim the president has gone insane and Rockwell had nothing to do with his dream. But if he reacted in a confused or positive way, then maybe...just maybe...Rockwell could show him more.

[Pasong Tirad]

Ripping Off The Band-Aid
Mama's Bed and Breakfast, Waldron Center

The room used to be the reception hall of the Bed and Breakfast. It's the largest indoor room anywhere in Waldron Center. It's packed to the brim, and the representatives of every Neighborhood group up, sitting wherever they could: on chairs, couches, tabletops, windowsills, the floor. Mama Liway is standing by the stairway near the center of the room, wherein all the people in the hall are geographically centered. The rest of Mama Liway's family are on the balcony at the second floor looking down into the whole group of Waldronmen. Mama Chase, as expected, is absent. When Mama Liway stood up at that staircase, the room fell silent. Waldron has no code, it has no basic set of rules nor is any kind of law actually enforced

"Because you all have to know this, I'm just going to say it: yes, Seversons Neighborhood did find a man on their shore." The room kept quiet. No sudden buzz of murmuring. They already knew. "But he wasn't a mainlander." And that brought the whispers. Mama Liway dreaded this, but she had to say it. Like ripping off a band-aid, she had to do it quick. "The man was from San Juan Island."

"WHAT?!"
"BULLSHIT!"
"WE'RE DEAD!"

And a dozen other different bursts of outrage. The people from Seversons Neighborhood most of all. "Why didn't you tell us right away?! This is fucked up, Mama Liway!" Mama Liway just let them go. It took a minute and everybody was just screaming at each other - not without cause. The last time somebody washed up on the shores of Waldron, Mama Liway ended up marrying her and adopting her son, which didn't sit well at all with most of Waldron.

Once everybody calmed down, Mama Liway went on to speak. "If we try and argue about this, it will take us forever to make a decision. So, I just want it to be put to a vote right away-" and before she was cut off "- because we have been talking about this for months. Do you understand me? Months! This is an immediate concern. That main said that they knew we were here and that they will be coming for him-"

"Then let's just give him back! We don't need to be drawn into this!" somebody shouted, with the praise and applause of many.

"They might be just as bad as 'dem mainlanders! If we give him back they'll just come back again and again!" somebody retorted, with the praise and applause of many more. "We should just kill him-"

"You can't do that," Mama Liway said. "Because I already did it." This got many to shout in an uproar, and the fighting spread throughout the town hall.

"We have a tradition for our law!"
"Damn tradition!"

"Mama did the right thing!"
"Mama killed someone without a fair-"
"Nothing's fair here!"

"You brought war to Waldron!"

"War is coming to Waldron whether you like it or not!" Mama Liway shouted, silencing the rest of the town hall. "This has to be decided upon now and this has to be a majority. If we decide to stay in Waldron, then every effort we have will be to defending our island. If we decide to attack in any way, those who dissent will be allowed to remain here in Waldron in order to defend it and that is final. So, Waldron, what's it going to be?"

---

The Waldronmen were allowed a recess to decide amongst themselves what they would vote. Each neighborhood gathered its representatives, and arguments and talking were all about. The people from Seversons, however, stayed inside. They already knew, and they waited in peace as the Waldronmen returned to the town hall after exhaustive debates, ready to vote.

"Point Disney votes to remain in Waldron!"
"Mountain Roads votes to attack!"
"North Bay votes to attack San Juan Island!"
"Point Hammond votes to remain!"
"Mouatt votes to fight!"
"Fishery Point votes to stay!"
"Seversons votes to kill every single fucker from San Juan!"
"Sandy Point votes to defend our own borders!"
"Mail Bay votes to keep our island safe!"
"North Limberry votes for a preemptive attack!"

The disappointment of the room was audible but not surprising. They all knew where they stood on this issue and the arrival of the man from San Juan only helped entrench the divisions on the island to an even greater degree. Mama Liway knew this was going to happen. She looked to her family on the balcony, to Mama Chase who simply nodded at her. She would agree with whatever her wife decided.

She looked at Jake, her adopted son. He considers her a mother as much as Mama Chase. He's been with her for nearly a decade now and he's taken to him. He just shrugged. He didn't know what to do. He was sixteen. How could he know?

The rest of her family was just as confused. One last look at Mama Chase, and her face egged her on. "Like ripping off a band-aid," she must have been thinking.

"We fight." There was only silence in the room, a tense silence that no knife or laser rifle or mini nuke could cut. "Those who elected to stay will be working towards the defense of the island. Patrols will now keep watch on our coasts every second of every day. Each neighborhood will be responsible for defending their shores. Fishery Point's boats will work on patrolling our shores and my family here at Waldron Center will take over the defensive needs of Fishery Point should they request it. For those who elected to fight, get whatever arms you have in your neighborhood. If you're lacking in guns or any ammunition, seek help from other neighborhoods. Mouatt Neighborhood's boats will take us there. You all have over twenty-four hours to prepare. At midnight tomorrow, we meet at Mouatt Neighborhood. At 2 a.m. afterwards, we set sail for San Juan. Remember that this is a preemptive attack and nothing more. Our targets are armed men and women, military targets. We'll take whatever guns and ammunition we can take and carry. Civilians will be spared as long as they keep their heads down and don't fight back. Hopefully by noon two days from now, we'll be back here and we'll all be safe.

Mama Liway just stared at Mama Chase. They were both responsible for all of this. All of Waldron was responsible. Everything that affects Waldron is a collective responsibility that they all have to bear - be it a positive or negative. Now, Waldronmen are going to die and they have to deal with it. The battle lines have been drawn. Waldron is now on the warpath.

[Jahe Davmwoem]

Inside Base Utopia, Lab C

Overseer Hao Huan of the research division walked into the labs of Base Utopia. Anywhere else in the wastes, he doubted that he would survive. The hatred of the Chinese was fanatical. But before the bombs fell, the Arch-Guardian in his search to preserve humanity took into consideration ALL of humanity. Even across the ocean in the world no other american would consider, China. Hao knew war was coming, and leapt on the opportunity for safety. Even if the Utopian project failed, they would have a bunker and a mountain separating them from the outside. But Utopia was alive and well. And Hao was glad for it. Perhaps humanity had a chance.

His mind went back to the present, with the lab. The glass bottles in complete order, filled with chemicals of a variety of colors. The humming supercomputers, which had a direct wire link to the largest library in the world. All of it, somehow, united in a harmonious way worthy of the name Utopia. It all blended perfect with the classical radio, playing into his radio headset.

He walked up to a scientist with a silver band around his chest, showing that he was a project leader. He seemed pretty proud of himself, and Hao wanted to see what was going on.

"Project leader." Hao said plainly, while removing his radio headset.

"Overseer Huan, what gives me the honor of speaking to you?" He replied, the pride in his voice evident.

"I saw you working, and you seemed pretty proud of it. What is this you are working on, I don't remember seeing any records of it." Hao was curious, but he had to make sure Utopia's supplies was not being wasted in some science project.

"You know who we kept losing mountain men to frostbite, right?" He paused and looked at Hao, who gave him a small nod of conformation. "Well, I developed a chemical that will warm you back up. It stimulates blood flow, allowing the body to gradually warm itself back up. Here, feel my arm. I just tried it on myself, pretty warm, right?"

Hao reached out his hand, and felt his arm. It was pretty warm. Sure, this chemical could have plenty of uses, but its creator had been reckless. "Congratulations, project leader. It does appear to work. But we need to speak, alone." He lead him to a nice little side room, with chairs and a sofa, and paintings. One of the many division break rooms. Hao sighed, and spoke. "I hate to say all of this to you, but you were extremely reckless in your process. First of all, you used Utopian materials on a project which you did not register."

"I am sorr...." The scientist started to stammer, but Hao just held up his hand.

"No, you listen right now. You can speak once I am done. So you used Utopian materials on a project you did not register with central command, or even tell me about. Then you worked on this, rather than your own assigned project. And you foolishly injected yourself with it. What if it was a failure? I may be arranging your funeral rather than speaking to you right now." Hao paused, making sure it all sank into this scientist. "Now you can speak."

"I am... am sorry about this, overseer. I was not thinking when I injected myself. Nor did I think of registering the project. But I wasted no time. I only worked on it during my daily meal break. Look at the timetable, it is my break right now."

Hao walked to a computer, and typed in his overseer password. He looked into the timetables, and saw the man was telling the truth. "Alright, I think you were reckless, but this will be very useful to us. We will pass it out to any outgoing mountain men. I think a warning will suffice this time. Do not repeat any of your mistakes. If you want to have a pet project, fine by me. Just tell me. So, what do you want to call this stuff?"

"I like... Liquid Fire."

"Childish, but it works. It will get the point across to any potential user." He began typing into the timetable. He glanced back at the scientist. "I just reassigned you for today. You are to spend the rest of your day making this Liquid Fire up. I want enough vials to give to all the mountain men. Understand?"

"Yes, overseer." He scrambled to get to his work.

[Zepplien]

Neo Fransisco, United Protectorate of Vault Tec
The proud clapping of a thousand citizens rang through the finest city in the United Protectorate, even Overseer-Chairwoman Shi was among the people in a private booth overlooking the parade grounds, offering a small wave as the proud soldiers of Neo Fransisco marched past with their rifles snapped tightly against their shoulders, the commander twirling their ceremonial Chinese Officer's Sword and putting it under their arm as they saluted. They were joined by several small detachments of soldiers, most notably the dark goggled snipers of Vault 42, and the aggressive movement of the powered armored bulk emblazoned with what would be the old flag of the United States but for the white E where the stars should be. The parade was even graced with the armoured car of the Chem Guilds from Neo Jose, a large machine gun operating out of the sunroof of the old car, the raider offering a half assed salute to the Overseer-Chairwoman. The display of the armed might of the United Protectorate though, it was a good display for the citizenry to remind them that the UPVT was still a force to be feared even when not engaging in an Age of Expansion. The people were happy, they were in line, and all was well, what more could people wish for?

The parade wasn't overly long, the last unit of Vault 9 Security Officers passing the crowds and returning to their temporary barracks after only a scant ninety minutes. The people of Neo Fransisco returned to their lives, several talking about the amazing look of their soldier's power armour, or the blue and yellow uniforms of their Security Forces. A young woman from Vault 53, along with the rest of her contingent was given free reign to explore the Upland city. She did have to step out of her power armour of course, taking a few lurching steps as she got used to her much shorter stride, but recovering quickly even as cold salty air blew across the bay and hit her blue jumpsuit. She walked past the many houses and small shops that Neo Fransisco held so close, her eyes scanning the impressive skyline that held towers that must have reached up over 15 stories! The century of prosperity had always shown in Neo Fransisco, they had truly become the greatest of the upland cities. While her eyes focused on the engineering of the skyline, her nose carried her to a place called 'Ping's House of Beef' that sat on the properly named Market Street.

A small bell rang as she entered the small eatery, the owner's voice calling "Be with you in one mo-" his eyes raising from what he was cooking to see her blue jumpsuit and his eyes suddenly filling with fear, shoving the pan aside to grab her a menu "Forgive the wait!" the older Chinese man asked, bowing deeply to the young woman. A waitress quickly moved two people from their seats to a smaller booth to let this young engineer sit down, a few raised words in Chinese exchanged until the blue and gold was seen, then all was understood. Rebeca, named for one of the founders of the UPVT, was confused by all this behavior, she had spent her life deep within Vault 53, and the ways of the uplanders were strange to her. She sat at the table, looking over the menu as she was asked what she wanted to drink. She smiled up at the kind waitress as she asked for two bottles of Nuka-cola, the bottles brought to her quickly with the caps popped off, and the bottles ice cold still. She tasted it, it was normal cola, nice and refreshing, the best drink in the UPVT. She heard that the bottling plant would soon be opening another line, using long lost designs for cherry Nuka cola.

She looked over the menu a few times, eventually deciding on a sweet and spicy noodle bowl with beef. She gave her order to the waitress, who brought it to the old man behind the grill, the man putting her order on almost instantly. She turned to her pip boy, looking over the latest news she downloaded, apparently New Reno agreed to new trade deals and to allow them to use the Long 80 to contact Vault 8, an expedition being planned for next month to contact them. The bowl was set in front of her, the young techie giving a nod of thanks before grabbing her chopsticks and devouring the supplied food. She kept reading, the C.E.O. of Nova Technitus in Santo Rosa had taken out an ad looking for adventurers to protect a salvage team heading to Maraposa Military Base, looking to scrounge up some old world weaponry or armour. Rebeca glanced down from her Pip-boy at last, grabbing a bite of beef and noodles with her chopsticks. It was good! It was really good in fact, she would have to come her more often once she left the Vault, well, if the Overseer let her leave the Vault. She pushed the thought from her mind as she gobbled down her noodles, setting the bowl aside when she was done. She finished off the first bottle of Nuka Cola by the time the bill arrived, ten caps, not too much, but not exactly cheap either. She reached into her wallet, pulling out a blue bill with gold writing with the number 10 in all four corners. While they may have kept the name, they now used their gold reserves to back the billed unit of 'cap' currency. She took out a few cap coins, and left them on the table before leaving the small establishment. She would have to go see the sights before her time was up in the beautiful city!

[The Twelve Isles]

The Swamps Call To Some

The River Boat Trading Post, Mississippi Border, New Start Republic



There was an uncomfortable heat in the air. All around the people on the River Boat Trading Post could hear the sounds of cicada's and mosquito's, buzzing around their heads and seeming to add to the humidity, so that it felt like the very atmosphere was pressing down on the moonshiner's, jet cooks, smuggler's and all other manner of shady folk who made up the populace of the New Start Republic. In the distance one could see a plantation, stretching up along the river, using the water to grow cotton. For a long time, most had assumed that the cotton had died with the war, but after the war with Nor'Leans, the army's of New Start had discovered preserved seeds in a long abandoned vault, being worshiped by the cults and fanatic's that made up the now flooded city's populace. The Council had ordered that they seize if, figuring that it would help to legitimize the image of the Republic to the Yankee's that they traded with in St Louis and Chicago. It hadn't, they factions up north had soon realized that the New Starter's had just hidden their jet and psycho in the crop, so that the traders up north could distribute it. But, there were still uses for the cash crop, and many had been talking of taking the harvest's west to trade with the Texans. The two nation's had been neighbor's for some time, but they had never interacted in any official manor, likely due to the difference's in their objectives. But, there was considerable activity concerning the new crop nonetheless on the River Boat. The Council itself had gathered many of the trader's, as well as mercenary's and soldiers to protect them. (Though in all honesty, they probably wouldn't need it. Murdering one another was one of the favored pass time's among the traders, who in all actuality were smugglers who would kill for a shiny belt buckle.)

Many of the Families had been getting itchy to, hoping to capitalize on the beginning of summer and the end of the cold radioactive rain's that winter brought to go fight war. In all actuality it was the Council itself that had led to these talks, with the conversation's about trying to reach out to theirs western neighbors in Texas. Now, the Families in Shreveport, Monroe and Vicksburg had been talking about trying to secure a military alliance with the Texan's, and then marching together north to attack an outpost from some unknown faction in Oklahoma. But, their idea's of war had been dashed against the wall when the other Families all voted in a unanimous no, leaving the norther Families the minority vote and losing their chances to go to war. But, the idea of reaching out to the Texan's was well liked, and so many had been gathering cotton. Hence the current power that the River Boat Trading Post had. Normally, it was used to ship Jet north, but with its proximity to the plantation it had been re-purposed. Many of the trader's had been gathered by the government, and taught how to drive brahmin for the past week, before they would be sent out in a long convoy, laden with the white, fluffy plant and some varying chem's to try and sweeten the deal.

Today was the day the convoy would be sent out. It was going to be a long trek, but hopefully one that would open up a new ally, something that the New Start Republic could definitely do with. They were feeling the pressure from some raiders, as well as an upswing in paranoia as more and more nations had made contact, revealing that the Bayou Wasteland was in fact not alone in the world, and was surrounded by many other, large factions.

As the brahmin set out, they kicked up dust that stretched off into the sky, like a smoke train from a damaged plane. The tree's leaned over the convoy, stretching down like angry protector's. They were mostly gray and dead, like skeleton's of what the area once looked like. But the moss has somehow survived, and still hung low, occasionally brushing over the helmeted heads of soldiers and mercenary's, or knocking baseball caps and old pre war stetson's off of people's heads. A few were tribal's from Nor'Leans, and they rubbed their many charm's and necklaces to try and guard against evil spirits in the area. The rest watched them in quiet fascination. The Nor Leanean Tribal's were new to the Republic, but they had integrated well despite the viscous wars fought between the two side's. They had begun to open trade in the Caribbean, much to the pleasure of the Council, and there was even talk of allowing the Tribal's to elect a Council Member to join the family's, and have a say in the happenings of the nation.

The other's were an odd hodgepodge of hard men and women. Being a New Start trader meant that many weren't going to like you, and as a result almost all of them carried guns, and wore armor. It gave them the look of a raider band, but they were far from it. They killed raider's for breakfast, and took a sick pleasure in pissing on the graves of their enemy's. The soldiers with them wore faded green uniforms from before the war, carrying laser musket's, shotgun's, pipe rifles, and any other kind of gun they could get their hands on. One of them even had a muzzle loader, built from scrap found lying around. Tow marched in Powered Armor, clanking as they walked. On the chest's was painted in big red letters, NSR for New Start Republic, but they had added in their own art as well. Mickey Mouse was painted on the helmet of one, and one the helmet of the other was a crocodile etched into the metal. They both wore New Start flag's around their shoulder's, billowing out like blue cape's. One of them even had a necklace that was made up of ear's, finger's, teeth, and even the dick of a now deceased enemy.

And so, after a week and and a half of walking, it was these fine individual's who arrived at Texas, looking like a band of savage's planning to loot pillage and murder. One could hear from the center of the group as an impromptu band played from the back of a brahmin cart, singing a dark, twisted song that seemed to never end. A beer bottle stretched out into the sky from the convoy, arching in the air and landing with a crash a little ways off, while the trader's tried to shoot it before it hit the ground. As they came to a halt in front of the Texan border outpost, a man stepped forward, carrying a letter signed by the Council. He was Jimmy Barrow, one of the less well know trader's but who had gained a considerable amount of respect within that subculture. He handed the paper over to the guards, who looked on at the group who had just approached them with looks between fear and amusement.

"We come bearing trade good's," said Jimmy with a crooked smile. His voice was thin and reedy, and he wore an old cowboy hat with the brim ripped on the left, pinned up on the cap with a safety pin. He wore old rat toed boot's, that had clearly once been a deep red but were now so faded and worn that they seemed a dark grey, the bottoms a light dusty color from the dirt. Over a white cotton shirt that was becoming thin and ragged he wore a bullet proof vest, with many tidbit's and the like pinned to it. His hair was a dark auburn, and it stuck out from his hat like straw. On his waist was his two prize posessions, and old nickel plated Colt 45 pistol, and on his belt a large silver belt buckle, with a jade green crocodile in the center. He had once been mugged by a man in St Louis when he was north trading who wanted his belt buckle. Jimmy had in turn beaten the man near death with a bar stool. "Cotton, water, weapons, and if your of the inclination any chem you could ever want."

(The Convoy's Marching Song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2k4OjS ... umBG_YxoYa)

[New Minahasa]

Hoover Dam

Cannon woke up in the middle of the night, awakened from his deep sleep by what seemed to be a dream. A bad one, to be truth. But it didn't feel like just a normal nightmare for Cannon. He stared at the wall for a full minute, trying to memorize everything he saw in the dream. The oddest part of the dream was the presence of an American general which seemed to be Doctor Rockwell himself. It was probably his mind playing mind-tricks with him, he thought. He went to bed once again, but he couldn't sleep as the thought haunted him the entire night. He had to find answers. "Chase the Rockwell..." was the only thing that stuck in his mind the next morning as he went up. Desperate, he ordered his men to bring Doctor Rockwell back to the base, and lead him directly to Cannon's office.

Doctor Liana and her team had set up a large corridor in the lower levels of the dam as the headquarters for the Research and Development division of the Concord, which also frequently served as their own workshop due to the broadness of the corridor. It was the last day for her and her team to prepare the Starbots, and officially conclude the project as a success. They only had to do a few more tests to ensure the efficiency of the Starbots before they could be delivered to the Concord's military, most likely to act as guards and patrols due to their low numbers. The sheer ferocity and size of the robots themselves were menacing, standing up to two and a half meters high and fully equipped with lasers and missile launchers.

"Audio log number seventy five. This might be the last of our logs, as this will be the final test before we grant the full control of the Starbots to the military. Now, to the report. A few days ago, we've effectively demonstrated the capability of the Starbots to the President, which also served us as an unofficial test. The result satisfied us and the President as the weapons proved to be working decently. The next day, our team has successfully programmed the defense and offense mechanism within the Starbots. The "Defense Mode" is activated when they or any nearby Concord personnels are attacked. The Starbots will act against the aggressors and exterminate them with extreme efficiency. This was proven when we put a Starbot inside a room full of mutated animals, some type of coyote with the head of a snake identified as "Nightstalkers", caught from nearby areas. From our scouts' report, these beasts are considered by many as one of the most dangerous animals in Nevada. Without a doubt, the Starbot evaporated ALL of them in mere seconds with its advanced weaponry.

The next is the "Offense Mode". As the name suggests, the Starbots will automatically attack any non-Concord personnels when spotted on sight. Yesterday, we've managed to transport a Starbot into a Nightstalker cave accompanied by a squad of our men as a test. We've received a report that the Nightstalkers have been attacking Concord citizens, and thought it would be perfect to send in the Starbot. It was successful when the squad returned safely with the Starbot still in working order. Finally, the Starbots can be delivered to the mlitary. It is now safe to say that Project Sentry is a success. sighs. I really could use some rest. This is Doctor Liana, signing out."

[Ulls]

Newton,
Border of the Empire

Newton was the border of the Empire. A settlement that used to have frequently raids before they had the Minutemen came in. Now they are the focal point for a scouting force of 20 that were going to the Republic of Worcester. They were one of the few places that were civilized in the state and was able to carve out their own pretender faction. The Empire wanted to see what the faction was about and see if they were worth the risk of war.

The scouts themselves were Imperial professionals. As per their doctrine, they will be giving a light assortment of weapons and armor. Their transport will be one Brahmin wagon full of good so that they can be disguised as traders. They knew that they will be a target for tribes and raider bands but the weapons developed by the Institute will be able to help them fight them off. Should take them a few days for the trip but that isn't the entirely important on the Imperial agenda today.

Rust Devil Garage,
Boston, Imperial Capital

The garage held a handful of IFVs and for three years the Empire has been trying to restore for their use. For some time they have been trying to figure out what works and what doesn't but now they were able to turn on the power to one and were able to flip on the lights. The engine still had no fuel to get it moving. Many Imperial technicians have been thinking on ways of getting the IFV working. Some have even said to just take out the combustible tank and just put a steam one instead. This idea of course is meeting a lot of opposition for steam is inefficient to move something so heavy.

However, some have started to look to the fusion cells and fission batteries to an answer as an alternative for an engine that could be of some use. It was something new to them but since they only have very similar fields of study that they could get from Pre-war text, the Empire's own technological underground society will have to lend a hand for this endeavor to come to fruition.

[Waztaskio]

---

Hoover Dam

Doctor Rockwell was in the middle of mapping out for himself the structure of the Forced Evolutionary Virus within Mariposa with the rest of his team, before being approached by Captain Jerry. The conversation between the two was brief, with the captain informing the Colonel that he was being transferred to Hoover Dam which only earned a sigh from Rockwell. He thought at first maybe it was some new division head trying to show his authority, but when the order was passed to Rockwell directly, he could see the signature was that of President Cannon. "Seems he may be on to something," Rockwell said within his mind and simply nodding to the captain who then escorted him to a waiting Vertibird to fly to Hoover Dam. In the air, he began to check his past messages from the division that were deemed low to medium priority. He had learned from his messages that the command center of the Concord had been fully moved to Hoover Dam and that the restoration process had gone splendidly over the past month. The move to Rockwell was sudden, but he was sure the president must have had his reasons. Not long after reviewing the reports, did the Vertibird land on the road above the Dam and he proceeded to log off the terminal as the door opened.

"Doctor Rockwell, please follow me." A standard concord trooper said, as the Doctor followed behind him. Inside the lobby, he could see that security was almost as tight as it was back inside the Vault. Guard stations, patrols, even some sentries were set up in various areas to defend the Dam from an assault. As they continued, Rockwell was surprised how the internal structure was mostly still intact even from his standpoint. He would've imagined the dam to have worn down over the years and collapsed, but it seems to have persevered. Pre-War engineering seems to have been building things to last a lot longer then he thought was possible. Eventually they reached the new office of the Concord president, as the trooper proceeded inside to inform that Doctor Rockwell had arrived and he soon made his way inside and faced the president. "You rang, Mr. President?" Rockwell stood as stone as he could, mimicking the exact stance he showed the president in the dream world, hoping that it would give him flashbacks or some reaction to see it again exactly.