"War. War never changes.
"Since the dawn of human kind, when our ancestors first discovered the killing power of rock and bone, blood has been spilled in the name of everything: from God to justice to simple, psychotic rage.
"In the year 2077, after millennia of armed conflict, the destructive nature of man could sustain itself no longer. The world was plunged into an abyss of nuclear fire and radiation.
"But it was not, as some had predicted, the end of the world. Instead, the apocalypse was simply the prologue to another bloody chapter of human history. For man had succeeded in destroying the world – but war, war never changes.
The lab was in fairly good shape, as far as post war conditions allowed. There wasn't much rubble, and most of the computers were in optimal conditions, instead of just one or two of them. A young man sat at one terminal, cataloging information about the radscorpion cadaver next to him, occasionally poking at the dissected body. His brown hair is combed neatly, the lab coat hanging on his frame nearly pristine.
Nearby, a woman with raven haired tied in a bun prods at a plant, inspecting the fruit hanging from it. She occasionally types a note or observation in the terminal next to her. She pulls off one of the fruit, setting it in a dissection tray.
A black woman in a red robe dashed into the room, a smile on her face. Checking the room to make sure both scientists are here, she stops just inside the door. "We're going east!" She proclaims loudly.
The two scientists stop at hearing the exclamation, exchanging glances before looking at the robed woman. "I'm sorry, Catherine. What was that?" The male scientist asked carefully.
Catherine's grin grew wider as she got ready to explain. "Elder Lyons is taking an expedition out to Washington D.C. We're hoping to find a treasure trove of technology. The Pentagon alone should have plenty of tech that was never even put to use."
The female scientist leaned forward, looking over her computer terminal. "So, you're leaving us?"
"Pfft." The robed woman held back a laugh. "As if you could get rid of me that easily." She stood up straight, putting on an air of authority. "James, Madison. As Elder Lyons Scribe, I have been tasked with putting together a science team we can trust, given that we will only have nominal support from the main branch. Alongside Scribe Rothschild as our preeminent expert on Vault Tec Technology and Scribe Jameson to handle communications, I have deigned it necessary to take along a botanist and biologist to help ensure the health and well being of the expedition."
"We're going east?" James and Madison said in unison.
"Yes!" Catherine practically bounced. "Haven't you been listening? Get together what you can carry, we're supposed to leave in the morning, and we can't suffer any delays."
James stood up, taking a step towards Catherine. "Are you sure this isn't something you want to keep in house. I know how some of the Elders can get."
Catherine laughed as she turned to leave the room. "Please. What's the worst that can happen?"