Commando

Prologue

Howling. That is the best word to describe the sound of night in the Capital Wasteland. The wind pushing over the land caused the province to howl. The decimated, once great city of D.C. was reduced to a blackened skeleton by atomic fire. Humankind is a testament to its own foolishness, Humans create weapons, Humans use weapons, and weapons kill Humans. But all was not lost; many Humans took cover from the hell above by stowing away in underground facilities known as Vaults. Vault-Tec, the company that was credited as the American people's greatest hope, commissioned the Vaults and ultimately preserved mankind. Within the Vaults new humans were trained to restore the world when it finally settled. All things needed were provided in the Vaults. Unfortunately our tale doesn't begin in a Vault. About three miles northeast of Vault 101, a lone facility stands, looming over the horizon. Underneath our story begins.

Chapter One

Darkness, standing darkness was all that was visible. Suddenly overhead florescent lights flicker to life. Computer screens light up as they begin booting up. The humming of the automated machines triggers sound censors to activate a Mr. Gutsy in the corner. The robot runs a diagnostic of its operation systems and checks for any hull damage. It then activates it hover module and takes flight. Its bright yellow eye scans the room. "Systems: Functioning within parameters. Damage: Nominal. Power: Copious. Time: 3:30 AM." The robot hovers over to a wall and inserts an arm with an extension plug into a small terminal. The robot hovers in place for a moment, suddenly the wall beside the terminal splits in two and opens, revealing five glass tubes. The tubes have glass doors with sleek metal frames. The glass its self is coated in a thin layer of ice. The robot chimes out again. "Cryogenic Tubes: Intact. Humans: Ready for Awakening." The Mr. Gutsy unit then hovered over to the far right tube and extended his arm to the glass door's frame. Extending his arm again, he unlocks the panel by the handle and uses his small metal fingers to enter the release code. Inside, the tube begins heating and its host undergoes the revival process. The glass becomes clear and a tall man with scraggly red hair stands frozen in place. Mr. Gutsy then goes about unlocking the rest of the pods. Stopping at the third pod, as if taking a moment to enjoy this. He then unlocks a pod to reveal a man with short brown hair. Mr. Gutsy then goes about opening the pods in the same order he unlocked them, and setting the men out on the cold metal floor. Mr. Gutsy was placing the man with brown hair on the floor when he chirped, "Good Morning boy's. Hope you had a good nap." The Gutsy spoke with a different voice and stood stock still as it waited for the men to awaken.

Laying on the floor the man slowly opened his eyes. His reward? Blinding light. He slowly sat up as everything came into view. Four other men were already on their feet and getting their bearings. The man with red hair was kneeling over the newly awakened man. "You alright?" A slow, but steady nod confirmed his state and the other man offered a hand up. He took to his feet and felt his blood settle, putting him in a haze. He shook it off and looked around. It appeared that he was in a laboratory. The white walls and computers were the biggest tip. He glanced over at the three others. "Where am I?" The red head shrugged. "I don't know. In fact, I can't remember anything other than waking up." The man nodded. The Mr. Gutsy unit broke the silence. "Reanimation Process: Complete. Initiating Reeducation process." A small panel on the Robot's Chassis slid open revealing a computer monitor. It flickered to life and caught each man's attention. Upon the screen a man in green military attire sat behind a desk. He was at least fifty or so years old and looked as though he hadn't slept in days. "Good Morning, gentlemen. My name is General Arthur McDouglas of the United States Army. I am sure you are all pretty dizzy right now so I'll try and make this brief. Each of you participated in a Cryogenic Freezing operation. This Project was set into motion, should our country befall Nuclear War and if you are watching this, it means one thing. The United States did in fact suffer a Nuclear War. Each of you are now tasked with one mission, preserving the American Spirit and overall Mankind. This is a lot to take in, I'm sure. But each of you must realize that you are the only ones who can handle this. About this time you are probably wondering why you can't remember taking on this assignment, or anything for that matter. Our scientists say that your memories may be damaged, and that they should restore in time. Though we can't restore your memory, we can give you back your abilities, but first….." The Mr. Gutsy unit turned and pointed a claw at some lockers on the far right wall. "Gather your equipment and weapons. By the way, each of you has been given a new name. They think it'll be better for you that way." The robot turned back and pointed at the man with red hair. "Your name is now officially, Yuri. Its what you requested." The finger pointed to the man with short brown hair. "You are now Viktor." The robot pointed at a taller man with short curly brown hair. "You are to be called Dimitri." The hand again pointed to someone else. A man with long, wild brown hair. "You are now Benito." The hand pointed at the last man. He was rather bulky but about the same height as Viktor. "Hamilton." Viktor chuckled a little on the inside for a reason he wasn't sure of. "Each of you should now gather your belongings and when you are ready, we shall go and restore your combat skills." The machine gestured to a door on the other side of the room, which began to open at the same moment. They all shuffled towards the door ready to see what awaited them.