The Enclave Remnants, now without their old masters, were free to pursue other fields of research besides armaments and technology. Medicine was a welcomed change in focus for what was left of the organization, and with many of the remnants in their older years; the able bodied Dr Arcade Israel Gannon placed himself with the task of finding medical supplies and research notes.
"Now just where the hell am I now?" the blonde doctor sighed for the umpteenth time that day, or what was left of it. He had set out in the early hours of the morning for Helios One, in search of supplies and, any leftover research notes he happened to stumble across would have been a welcomed bounty. But though his efforts were noble and great, his sense of direction was not. And now I'm surrounded by bark scorpions.
With his plasma defender at the ready, a volley of green bolts vaporized two bark-scorpions into goo piles, and par-cooked a third which he finished off with his ripper.
"Phew, nothing I can't handle", breathed the doctor as he ventured further through the gulch.
Arcade jerked his to the side when he heard a multitude of scuffling as four more bark-scorpions and two, possibly more, giant rad scorpions emerged from the cover of the rocks.
"On the other hand, they say that 'Discretion is the better part of valor'" and with the declaration spoken, Arcade holstered his weapon and sprinted through the zigzags of the terrain, silently thanking his father for the genetic passing of long legs. The scuffling of armored, spiny legs was growing quieter, but if the Remnant had learnt anything in his life, it was that: cautious was always better than dead.
The one remainder of the pack of bark-scorpions was rewarded with its persistence by a few bolts of plasma. Arcade savored the small victory, until he looked around and realized how unfamiliar the territory was. He had entered what appeared to be a steel fenced area via a depressed section of fencing which had decided that it just couldn't be bothered anymore.
"Good thing I brought a map, here we go…" Arcade mumbled to himself as he unfolded the parchment which was tucked in the pouch on the side of his wasteland doctor's fatigues. Very suddenly, a vicious gust of wind ripped the paper out of his hands just as he had finished spreading it out. "Annnnd now it's gone" he dead-panned, not bothering to look up to see the precious map parachuting away for new lands.
With a tired and frustrated sigh, Arcade looked up to see sand pelting his glasses, hard. First, the scorpions and now a sandstorm, lady luck must really hate me, but even though I'm Enclave, I swear I don't deserve this.
With his glasses and exposed (and sun-burnt) arms taking abuse from the merciless sands, Arcade reached into his bag and changed into his enclave scientist outfit, complete with an orange plexi-glass helmet. No longer in great discomfort, with his face and arms now covered, the doctor tried to re-trace his steps.
Marching through the sandy hills Arcade almost cried out in happiness when he saw the entrance to a bunker, with its fascia covered in colorful messages of peace protest, this was a god-send. It was past mid-night by the time he found it, but this was where he could finally set up camp, rest, and binge on fancy-lad snacks to make up for the day's abuse.
Strolling down the stairs he found himself in a substantially happier mood at the possibilities the bunker held, These bunkers should be packed with pre-war supplies, maybe if it's big enough the Remnants can even relocate here for the facilities.
With a spring in his step and his hopes renewed, Arcade bound for the inner bunker door as he removed his helmet and cradled it in the corner of his elbow. As he grasped the door's handle it felt stiff in place, and he suspected it was locked, until the door swung open on its own.
