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The sound of typing on a keyboard can be heard in a well-lit laboratory. Sitting in a chair in front of a large computer was a somewhat heavy-set man in a lab coat, looking over long strings of data.
"Hmm, disappointing, I will have to get rid of subject XKB-003. A shame, they have been showing promising results," The scientist says to himself.
The man's musing was interrupted by the sound of an automatic door opening. Through it walked a shorter man in a green military outfit. He carried himself with nervous energy.
"What is so important that you needed to interrupt my research, Snively?" asked the scientist.
"Sorry, sir, but I bring bad news. The Origin Specimen has escaped," Snively reported nervously.
That statement caused the scientist to freeze and then slowly turn his chair around.
"What did you just say?" said the scientist in a low and threatening tone.
"Gulp. The Origin Specimen escaped. It killed its handler and stole his badge. Then it used the badge to escape," Snively said with a nervous sweat.
"What were those guards doing? Is that not what we pay them for?" the scientist says with a scowl.
"They... They um... They were all killed," Snively said.
The scientist grips his chair tightly, and his face gets very red.
"THOSE IMBECILES! They can't be trusted to do even the simplest of tasks! This is a terrible time for this to happen. Sigh. But fine. Where is the specimen?" the scientist asks while calming himself down.
"We... We don't know. It removed its tracker just outside the facility. The last estimated direction of its travel is North," Snively says quietly.
"THAT DAMN STUPID CREATURE! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON IT!" the scientist screams in rage. Snively cowers in fear, but despite the scientist creaming in rage, he never strikes Snively.
The scientist takes a deep breath and then calms down a bit.
"Thank you for letting me know, but for now, we will have to let that stupid beast have some freedom for now. We don't have the resources to reclaim them right now. Just get back to work and make sure to oversee the security. It's clear we can't count on those imbeciles to keep things secure," the scientist says with an annoyed tone.
"Yes, uncle!" Snively says with a salute.
Snively quickly leaves, and the scientist turns back around.
"I don't know why I even bother sticking around anymore," says the scientist.
"Probably because we fund your research," says a new man in a black military coat.
"Ah, Colonel Lorenz. To what do I owe the pleasure of your unannounced visit?" comments the scientist with displeasure clear in his voice.
"The General has called for a meeting. You are required to attend. I presume you completed the investigation?" Lornez says with no respect.
"Yes, yes. I have completed the analysis of the events in Boston. Now I best not leave General Condor waiting," the scientist says while getting out of his chair.
They walk to the meeting and take their seats.
"Let's start this meeting with the intelligence," General Condor says.
"Ehem, the Gunners have declared war on us. Their forces are on their way to this facility as we speak. Our informants estimate around 86 hours before they begin their assault. As we stand, we have no chance at holding this facility. They are estimated to be over a thousand strong. We have 114 members at this facility. I recommend a full withdrawal," Lorenz states calmly.
"A retreat? You suggest we run from some filthy mutants? Have you no honor?" suggested a member at the meeting.
"I suggest a strategic withdrawal to avoid fighting in an unfavorable position. This facility is well built, but it was not designed to fend off a major offensive, as it was expected that the hostile conditions of the Glowing Sea would protect us. That is not the case for the Gunners. They are prepared to enter the Glowing Sea to destroy us. I suggest we fall back to Fort Drum," Lorenz stated with an unbothered tone.
"Hmm, first let me hear from Dr. Ivo. What have you learned from your investigation?" General Condor asked Dr. Ivo, the scientist.
"My investigation has concluded that it is highly probable that the Enclave was responsible for the Boston incident," Dr. Ivo said.
"You can't be serious?" stated one member.
"Are you senile? No one would authorize an attack like that," commented another.
Before anyone else spoke up, the General put up his hand to silence everyone.
"What makes you think this?" Condor asked.
"Many things. For starters, we have the means. From my research, the horde was created using a device that could attract the ferals from an entire region of Boston. I have done limited research into this myself and can say for certain that the level of research and equipment would be out of the reach of almost every group out there, save a few. The Institute could perhaps develop something like this but they have little motive to do so. The Brotherhood of Steel has the equipment, but they are both not present in the Commonwealth, and they have no motive to do something like this. Which leaves The Enclave. We have the technology, the talent, and most importantly, the motive," Dr. Ivo says with a serious look.
"What motive could we possibly have?" asked one member.
"We have a history of attempting to wipe out large groups of wastelanders through technological and biological means. Most members of the Enclave see outsiders as filth needing to be purged. This kind of weapon would fit perfectly with our ideology. It has a lot of upsides. It uses little in the way of manpower, ammo, and supplies. It clears out a large area of hostiles with almost no chance of losses on our side. But this isn't the only reason I think it was a member of the Enclave responsible," Dr. Ivo stated.
"Elaborate," Condor ordered.
"Beyond those, there were the numerous eyewitnesses who stated they saw soldiers in Enclave armor attacking from an Enclave Vertibird. The descriptions were too similar and accurate to be misconceptions. I have taken the data and combined it with some footage some of our spy cameras caught, and I can confirm that they both look and act like Enclave members. The Vertibird was the specific model we used and had the proper insignia. Furthermore more our radars picked them up, and most damning of all, they were broadcasting the proper identification codes. I don't think I need to elaborate why all these can't be a coincidence. The amount of resources and time it would take to pull off a stunt like this to frame the Enclave would be prohibitively expensive. The device they used alone would cause numerous issues," Dr. Ivo says, and then continues.
"The only slight chips in this story would be the lack of reports of any looting done by the Enclave. But this can be explained away as either this being a weapons test or they had gotten what they wanted while the horde was distracting everyone. The other chip would be the lack of an attack on the settlement of Goodneighbor. However, that can be explained away due to the large population of non-feral ghouls that live there. I have proven that non-feral ghouls can emit a brainwave that can cloak non-ghouls near them. That and the control of a horde of that size would be loose to say the least. As long as one stayed quiet and hid underground or in a building, then one could feasibly avoid a horde like this. Ferals are not that observant, and the fog makes it easier to hide from the Enclave members flying in the Vertibird. So for those reasons, I must conclude that it is highly probable, and if not guaranteed, that this was done by the Enclave in one way or another. Likely a rogue element if I had to guess," Dr Ivo concludes.
Several people started arguing, but that ended with the General.
"Enough, whether or not this was done by us doesn't matter; what does matter is that the Gunners think we did it. And there is no negotiation we can do at this point. The horde ended up killing the Gunners' leader's younger brother. And further, they lost another outpost due to a supposed Encalve attack. We are at war whether we want to or not. And based on our intelligence, I agree that withdrawing from this facility is the best choice. However, I agree we can't let the Gunners take this facility without a fight. We will withdraw all troops from the Commonwealth and retreat to Fort Drum. Automated defenses will be activated, and I am sure Dr. Ivo has some experiments he was waiting to test out," Condor says.
"Indeed, I have several that could use live testing. I would like to be able to record every detail we can from the tests. I have created a device that should draw in the local inhabitants of the area. XKB-005 can be used, but I warn that I have... less control than I would prefer. But it should perform incredibly against the Gunners," Dr. Ivo offers.
"I can also ensure the automated defenses are ready to stall the Gunners. Then, when they get inside, we can activate the self-destruct. That will ensure that they lose more than they gain. If anything, it should buy us some time to prepare a defense should the Gunners try and pursue us," Lorenz commented.
"That will do for now. I want everyone to get ready to leave in the next 24 hours. I also expect this facility to be ready for an attack in the next 48 hours. Any questions?" Condor asked.
Everyone left the room one by one and went to perform their duties.
Somewhere else, far away...
An office with dim lighting contained several strange items. In the office was a desk with a woman at it studying a large helmet. As she was studying the helmet, the doors opened and in came a man in a sharp military uniform. He had white hair and looked to be quite old, which is uncommon to see in the wasteland.
"Ma'am, I have the report you requested," the man stated while standing at attention.
"At ease, Colonel Winter," the woman responded.
The file was handed to the woman, and she started to read it.
"Was there anything else, Colonel?" the woman asked while continuing to read the report.
"Yes, ma'am, the Gunners have declared war on the Enclave, and it is likely they won't survive," Winter stated.
"Sigh. What has James done now?" replied the woman.
"The Enclave may have used a weapon that could control a massive horde of ferals. This led to the death of many Gunners, including the younger brother of Grand General August," Winter replied.
That caused the woman to pause and look up at Winter.
"Hmm, I know General Condor quite well, and I can say that he is many things, but cautious would be one of his greatest strengths. I don't believe he would ever agree to follow in the same footsteps as the delusional leadership before him," the woman responded.
Winter gave the full report, and that caused the woman to ponder for a while.
"Hmm, I can agree that all the evidence points towards Enclave involvement, but I believe that they are being used to weaken each other. The question becomes who would benefit the most," the woman muses.
The woman looks back at the helmet and decides to let it be for now.
"Hmm, it seems the target is quite interesting. Their behaviour is indicative of the previous examples. Send out Alpha Team. I want to test the subject. They should observe him first and then eliminate him if possible," the woman orders.
"Yes, ma'am!" Winter replies.
Once the man left, the woman looked over the report again.
[Target: Rio
Origin: Unknown
Race: Unknown Mutant Variety
Powers: Probable Magic and/or Psychic abilities, Firearm Expertise, Flight, Long Range Vision, Possible Danger Sense, or Future Sight, Engineering Proficiency, Item/Structure Creation, Animal Control, Creature Creation, Healing Factor
Position: Leader of Minutemen
Allies: Atom Cats, Minutemen, Vault 81, Mayor Hancock, The Slog
Enemies: Raiders, Enclave, Gunners, Brotherhood of Steel...
Danger Level: Level 2 (AN: Levels are treated like DEFCON Levels, meaning 1 is the worst and 5 is the least severe.)
Other Notes: Created structures are seemingly indestructible. Has created a Vertibird or perhaps salvaged one of an unknown variety. Has access to many strange and unknown powers. Suggested to approach with extreme caution. Some reports of possible mind control or manipulation have been reported, but are unsubstantiated. Suggest the use of Death Pills should anyone be captured. Pending Destined One classification. Recommend immediate extermination. ]