Fallout: South the Mason Mk. II IC Thread

[Dragos Bee]

Nathaniel Green

Why did you choose the Texan Commonwealth as the state to infilitrate? The 'Republic of Texas' seems to be the much stronger military power - a crucial part of a hypotethical Anti-Legion alliance. The voice was that of his NCR handler, who was communicating to Nate through the latter's dreams; this was enabled by the 'Navarro Chip' implanted in the young man's brain, a chip that allowed for instant communication when he slept. Now, however, Nathaniel was being questioned, and he knew he had to tell the truth while at the same time keep out bias.

It was because the Texan Commonwealth seemed easier to influence, due to its lower level of social organization, verging on decentralization. Ironically, it is easier to persuade a class of nobles than one autocrat, even if said autocrat gives herself a democratic mask. And yes, the Republic's policy on Ghouls is a factor in my choice; I do not deny that. But the fact remains; the 'Republic of Texas' is harder to influence than the Texan Commonwealth, especially when they wait years to free the slaves they buy. Nathaniel gave his answer. There is also the fact that in a matter of weeks, I managed to infilitrate one of their Universities; something I could not have done in the Republic...

Nathaniel Green - Flashback

Nathaniel had gotten charity from a local church, who had given him food and a decent set of clothes, as well as some of the local currency. Now, he was ready to make his way to the University in Dallas, a University maintained by the local lord from the prosperous tithes from his fief. In his tunic and hose, he made for an imposing figure, especially with his slow and steady stride, a stride that hid his clumsiness. That said, he had to carefully maneuver around any carriages and heavy equipment, which further slowed him down. So, just before he got to the University, it rained briefly, a rare squall that made sure he was drenched when he finally reached the building. Talking to the receptionist, he would say:

"Umm...hello? My name is Nathaniel, and despite my apperance, I am a learned man; literate in several of the Old Languages and a savant in military science. Can I talk with your Dean; note that although due to the recent rains, I will need some time to get my clothes dried out - I can't ask you to give me appropriate attire, could I?" Nathaniel then chuckled. "Either way, I entered the Texan Commonwealth to meet fellow scholars and learned people, and lost much in the way." A partial truth. "So, I would like for you to consider my offer."

As the receptionist's eyes narrowed and she made to call for the guards, Nathaniel decided to demonstrate that he actually did know something, and recited, in English and Latin:

Arms and the man I sing, who first made way,
predestined exile, from the Trojan shore
to Italy, the blest Lavinian strand.
Smitten of storms he was on land and sea
by violence of Heaven, to satisfy
stern Juno's sleepless wrath; and much in war
he suffered, seeking at the last to found
the city, and bring o'er his fathers' gods
to safe abode in Latium; whence arose
the Latin race, old Alba's reverend lords,
and from her hills wide-walled, imperial Rome.

That did the trick; the Receptionist's eyes grew warmer, and she said, "My, my, Virgil's Aeneid! The Dean will be delighted to see someone who can recite it in multiple languages...even as he'd frown on how you make it sound so ordinary. Very well, I'll schedule the next hour."

Nathaniel Green

So, a few verses of Latin and English Poetry and you gained their trust, the NCR handler said. If Moore doesn't already think that you and they are pussies, then she'd think so now. Nevertheless, good work. What have you done since then?

Demonstrated my knowledge by giving a few lectures on military tactics, interspersed with flattery on how their King has a good tactical mind; which he does. I stayed away from any heavy or complicated equipment, as well as glass instruments, which was a bit inconvenient for me. I also wrote about my experiences in the West, keeping out anything sensitive about the NCR, but making much of my experience as a slave. This is one of my writings...

Nathaniel Green - Flashback:

Overnight, a large poster would be put up on a broad just outside the City Square of Dallas, where as many citizens as possible can view it when daylight struck. Though this poster was made up of cheap paper, the writing was in English; understandable yet eloquent. The title on the top of the poster, written in childishly neat letters, was: On the Betrayal of the Twisted Hairs, a True History by Tacitus Secundus.

This detailed, in exquisite detail, the Twisted Hairs' existence and power, their alliance with the First Caesar, and then their betrayal, no less than a few years ago, by the Legion they had expected to share power with. There were graphic descriptions of crucifixions, rapes, torture and enslavement, as well as the destruction of the tribal identity and culture of the Hairs. The last paragraph stated:

Just as the Legion betrayed their own allies, so will they betray anyone who deviates the slightest from their vision. You call yourselves a Monarchy with Nobles and Burghers, yet Caesar the Second - Vulpes - wants all to bow to one person, himself. Your history states that you regard the Romans as a thing of the past except when the Church refers to them, when Caesar himself decrees that there are no such thing as Romans; that his inspiration was the God Mars himself. Good people of Dallas, wake up; Caesar Vulpes, whose Legions have already appeared in the West, is a Heathen Tyrant. Even before that happens, his mind would already be preparing for a world where you are under his boot.

Do not wait to be like the Twisted Hairs. Prepare to defend yourselves.

[Dragos Bee]

Library of Congress/Book Runners

The polluted and irradiated waters of the River Potomac would suddenly become clean and potable; news of this would spread in a matter of days, same for the identities of those responsible - the Library of Congress. Already welcome in the Wasteland for driving out the Enclave, Super Mutants, raiders, and slavers, the Libray of Congress' reputation would skyrocket after this deed became known. Which was all for the best; the Library genuinely wanted to spread security and learning throughout the Wasteland.

Already, it was starting up schools to spread basic literacy and general knowledge all over DC and Baltimore, with wandering lecturers and teachers guarded by Robots accepting as many students as they can take. Civilian technology was being handed out, along with food, water, and medicine. In exchange, all that was wanted was free entry and exit from towns and cities, as well as a purely nominal 'support fee' from the relatively richer settlements.

But at the same time, the Library was also resettling several abandoned but potentially profitable holdings, especially those in fertile land. While its advanced Workshops/Factories were able to meet double its needs, the fact remained; Eleanor Delano Paradise was planning for a future where the Library would be a permanent fixture in DC and Baltimore and even wider areas...

[Ormata]

Quiet Brothers
San Augustine, TX

The city waited.

News had arrived that a President, the President of the Republic of Texas, was coming, and the city waited. News had come from the forward scouts that they were arriving in force, that she had brought soldiers, and that all was quite interesting there. Of course, they never would have been seen. The Quiet Brothers liked to not be seen. The city streets, slightly curving as they were, held no traffic on their pavement; the people had long since gone inside, gone away from the foreigners. The doors were closed, something uncharacteristic to be seen. There was distrust for these foreigners. There was good reason for that. To either side of the broken road were houses, some old and fixed a bit, others huts made from wood or low longhouses, brick chimneys rising just above the thatched roofs. No smoke rose there, either.

Hunters waited in the windows unseen. They liked to not be seen. Barrels, hid under cloth and camo-cloak, jutted from those windows. They were unseen, too, and the wind was still. The Elder disliked how many troops he had to put on-guard in the city, the precautions taken, but they were reasonable precautions. They’d had to remove the mines on the route chosen, after all. The Elder himself waited, waited in his wheelchair with a cloak wrapped about him on the side of the way. To either side was an attendant, a young man and young woman, both unarmed.

He’d heard of the foreigners, of the people to the West. They held slaves, of a sort, there; it was a disgusting practice to be sure, but sadly he was in no position to make demands on the grounds of human kindness. They outnumbered the Quiet Brothers by several dozen times and doubtless could flood the forest with bodies if they wanted. All that protected them was the fact that it was worth more to leave the forest and men inside it than to take it for the simple purpose of the map. There were forests elsewhere, he knew, and those were far more easily taken than any forest he had tread on. The foreigners were fiercely prideful, too, an arrogance and weakness he found depressing. Their position gave them that, and he found it sad. A person needed to be laid low before they understood their position, before they truly understood it.

The scouts had been useful, the Elder had found, and the Texans weren’t hiding. They were far from that, more akin to boastful in their positions, wishing their size to make the impression needed.

And so, the Elder waited.

“What do you suppose the foreigners wish?” The younger man spoke, his voice taut with concern. The answer was somewhat plain, though most certainly not the correct one. His stance, while markedly at ease, was struck with the tightness of form. His muscles did not move. His body did not sway. The man was akin to a rock standing than any person waiting casually.

“Not to declare we’re a part of them. You do not send a President for that,” came Isaac’s response, thin and reedy with age. “They would have sent a courier or soldiers in that case. Doubtful an alliance, either. They have cities with more people than we do all told.” That was true, as well. Their population was that strength of theirs, that ability to roll-over those in their way.

“Then what?”

“Child, I do not know. We’ll see.”

[Xcom Federation]

American Republic

It took time for the Republic to finally clear the streets of new york of super mutants, raiders and slavers. The Republic quickly established itself as a major power in the area. Manhatten island was quickly locked down, APCs were dragged to be stationed on the bridges leading to the island ensuring no one could access the area while the government rebuilds. The raiders and mutants have done a number on many of the once perfectly preserved skyscrapers. Many of them would need extensive work to restore it back to its original form. News of their achievements soon spread across the wasteland.

The power station close to the city was the first to be restored, lights finally came on, several cases of GECKs were also used to terraform the area, its reactor combined with the fusion reactor in the vaults and power station ensured plentiful supplies of energy to the city. For the first time in over 200 years, the gleaming skyline of new york city came back on. Becoming a beacon of hope for the surrounding area. Fertile land also opened up many opportunities for agriculture. Its advanced medical facilities cured the citizens of common deadly diseases. Schools sprang up across the republic, reusing the old schools back in the day. Teaching the wastelanders the concept of democracy, the wonders of the old world and what is deemed acceptable in American society and the skills necessary for society to grow.

Atlas Corporation has already set out establishing itself back into the wasteland, setting up numerous outposts and bases. The water chips now provided clean and plentiful supplies of clean water for the citizens of the Republic. Trade flourished between settlements and the city itself. Security forces quickly expanded into the surrounding areas and cities. A clear line was drawn between the rapidly developing cities and the wasteland. Attracting raiders and criminal elements to the city. Ghouls, however, were not allowed into Manhatten island where most of the humans lived. Many lived across the river in new jersey.

The foundry and automated workshops in the underground bases produced what the republic needed especially new weapons for its troops. But it was clear from the beginning that it would not be enough to sustain a huge county. Expansion towards the eastern section of the republic was slowly put in place careful not to overextend itself.

Fuel became the main source of concern for the Republic, Coal was still common in the surrounding areas and were used to power the regions and some converted into fuel for the republic's vehicles. A small trickle of fuel flowed into the city reserved only for the military vehicles. The millions of cars littering the place were quickly scrapped for parts and materials. Atlas facilities, especially its oil and research facilities in the north were of priority.

The government settled into their new buildings and got to work revitalising the United States. A link to one of their satellites was briefly established and with it brought vital information about the state of the continent. What they saw concerned them greatly. they did not have a full picture but if the images were right. significant developments are happening in the west. What concerned them more was the loss of contact with major US bases in the vicinity, Raven rock was one of the bases that should have survived the blast, but so far they got nothing.

Rumours of a new power in Washington DC was a source of major intrigue as well but so far the Republic does not have the resources necessary to explore so far south. Microchips were also the new focus of the republic, with huge potential over the bulky vacuum tubes, it could open many more options and doors to major developments.

[Ralnis]

Servitos Robotics Facility,
Underneath Taijunta, TX


The sound of machinery and assembly lines were moving in the background of a fully operational factory underneath the earth and far away from the Wasteland. The pre-war facility was continuing the building of their robot army as the spies among Texas were transmitting data back to their leadership. In the deepest part of the facility sat the supercomputer that housed the brain that ran the entire army at speeds that are well beyond any Human can think and even most computers. The cybernetic brains of Eli Howards and the Committee housed underneath the vaultlike bulkheads that are able to defend from all but the heaviest assault.

The blinking lights and the stream of data from sensors are always on and calibrated. The stream of information feed into the minds of the leaders as they make their decisions in seconds without the need to wait for days for a deliberation. Such were the ways of machines and cyborgs as their hybrid minds came up with the final conclusions of the council.

" We will send a token force to drive off the raiders and establish protection to Plata. The eyebots have reported no more than a dozen raiders, they will be pacified and the humans reclaimed." Barnbellow said through the network.

" Of course, but the main objective is to find this RobCo facility that I have found in the files. Though I doubt it's in any working order after 200 years of disrepair and eventual stripping of anything useful for whatever the survivors need in the topside. The eyebots will be sent across the Wasteland to see if there's any sort information that can be pin down." Eli gave note as the data shifted from the current subject to the next one.

" Last thing to say," Barnbellow got the attention of the Committee," the Committee expresses some concern of the continual Android research. Despite the benefits of it, the expense of such advancements are taxing in our resources but-"

" I understand the expenses, especially since the complexity of the assaultron was expensive but it comes to say that the understanding of human-like robotics grows the more we try to mimic our old bodies and in order to try and make more optimized and stronger frames for our Corps to make better soldiers. Now the Committee's urgency is duly noted but we must keep up with the progression until the prototype is ready."

With the orders sent to the rest of the Corps, the eyebots were sent throughout the Wasteland to find any information or even the location of the RobCo facility to help the robot army as a token force were sent to Plata to liberate it from local raiders.

Then there's a detachment of Mister Handys that are sent from the Republic and the Facility to a tribe near the Republic that called itself the Quite Brothers. Some information that they managed to grab was this tribe was recently found and they had possession of weaponry that normal tribals wouldn't have but the data had shown some other rumors that could be chalked as hearsay or an interesting truth. Nevertheless, Eli wanted information on the Quiet Brothers and to make sure that all corners are covered and observations are accurate to make sound judgement when it comes to future decisions.