"By the authority of the President, this facility is now under United States government control."

The man's voice was authoritative and oh so clearly self-righteous that James had to suppress a grimace, lest he anger the two soldiers flanking the man on either side. "The person in charge is to step forward immediately, and turn over all materials related to this project." He continued, expecting his demands to be met with a smug smile and an ending lilt of his annoying accent.

James opened his mouth to speak, to reject this man's outrageous request that would be desecrating everything his wife stood for, but stopped short when there was the clanking sound of someone hurriedly climbing the steps and his daughter appeared at the clear wall alongside a horrified Doctor Li, confusion clouding her young face. They shared a brief glance as James attempted to give her a reassuring smile, but was then forced to nervously turn his attention back to their 'visitors' when the man cleared his throat impatiently. "I'm afraid that's quite impossible. This is a private project; the Enclave has no authority here. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." James stated bluntly, hoping he was able to hide the fear in his voice. Everyone knew of the Enclave; the remains of the United States government, and their hatred of all that was impure, that was unlike the Old World destroyed when the bombs fell.

"Am I to assume, sir, that you are in charge?" The man queried with a raised eyebrow.

James paused briefly. "Yes… I am responsible for this project." He saw Doctor Li vigorously shaking her head 'no' as he said those words, but he ignored her. Lying wouldn't get him anywhere here- if anything, it would get the others hurt. It would get his daughter hurt.

"Then I repeat, sir," At least he's polite, James thought with an internal chuckle to himself, "that you are hereby instructed to hand over all materials relating to the purifier."

"I'm sorry, but that's-"

"Furthermore, you are to assist Enclave scientists in assuming control of the administration and operation of this facility at once."

"Colonel... " He attempted, "Is it Colonel? I'm sorry, but the facility is not operational. It never has been. I'm afraid you're wasting your time here." He wasn't lying- Project Purity had never been truly operational. They were so close, so close to getting it online when Catherine…. When his daughter was born, and they had to take up residence in Vault 101. He had hoped that current day that, with the assistance of Li and his child, they would finally be able to get it up and running. But there was always roadblocks, it seemed, and the Enclave were posing quite a huge one.

"Sir, this is the last time I am going to repeat myself. Stand down at once, and turn over control of this facility." The colonel's accent thickened as his patience began to wear thin, and the seed of worry in the pit of James's stomach was growing increasingly… well, worrisome.

"Colonel, I assure you that this facility will not function. We have never been able to successfully replicate test results-"

James was cut off by the gunshot, the scream; and the dull thud of the body hitting the metal floor.

He in a panic backpedaled, bumping against the console as he stared aghast at the body of Li's assistant, blood slowly seeping into the pristine white lab coat she wore. James looked from the body to Madison and his daughter, who seemed to be the source of the scream. Madison was pale, staring at the ground and not meeting his gaze. His daughter was clinging to the bulkhead door as if it was the only thing keeping her upright, and James could swear tears were falling down her cheeks.

"I suggest you comply immediately, sir, in order to prevent any more incidents." The colonel passed a meaningful glance at the bulkhead door where James's daughter was staring at the scene in utter horror, eyes pleading for her father to do something, or to at least just stay safe. "Are we clear?"

"Yes, Colonel. I'll do whatever you want; there's no need for more violence." God, give him strength. If this colonel was willing to murder a woman in cold blood, then who knew who else he was willing to do.

"Then you will immediately hand over all materials relating to this project, and aid us in making it operational at once." James swallowed, his apple bobbing, as he fully realized how truly impatient these Enclave were at the moment. Impatient soldiers made for trigger-happy ones, he had learned.

Faced with little other option, he finally relented. "Very well. Give me a few moments to bring the system online." A shout of 'no!' came from outside the rotunda, muffled by the thick glass walls. James sighed as he turned to the console, tapping at the controls. The number pad seemed to glow, beckoning him to just press in those three numbers; 2-1-6, to do what the colonel said and prevent Madison or his daughter, or anyone else from getting hurt.

But he couldn't. The Enclave had something up their Old-World sleeves, and he knew it. Them having control of the Capitol's only potential source of pure water, control of the future of the Wasteland, was a thought he couldn't stand to bear.

"I grow tired of waiting." The colonel snapped, tapping a boot against the metal obnoxiously. James resisted the urge to scowl in response, and kept his attention on the console.

"It'll only be a few more moments." He promised, index finger hovering over the button that would activate the failsafe, that would hopefully prevent the Enclave from being able to take control of Project Purity and all the potential that lay within. "I'm so sorry, Catherine…" James murmured under his breath, saying a silent prayer for his late wife to forgive him, for his child to forgive him. With a deep breath he entered the command, and in an instant the rotunda was shook with a deafening blast. The Geiger counter on his Pip-Boy was clicking madly as the room was flooded with radiation, and James stumbled over to the door with his remaining strength. Behind him, the colonel hit the ground, and his soldiers were struggling.

His daughter was yelling, crying, pounding on the door in a futile attempt to open it, or something, anything. One opened hand lay against the surface of the door, and James, with a weak smile, placed his gloved hand against hers. God, she has grown into a beautiful, intelligent woman… so much like her mother. James regretting having to leave her after all they had been through, after all she has done to find him.

Another explosion shook the rotunda, and there was the hurried yells of soldiers outside. James's strength was fading fast, and he could hear the colonel's dying gasps from behind him. Served the bastard right...

"...run… Run!" The words fell from the father's lips with drops of blood, and within moments James collapsed to meet them. He slumped against the door, the sweet embrace of unconsciousness beckoning and grabbing at his mind. Everything hurt, but there was a sort of… peace in the moment. His daughter was still banging at the door, begging for him to wake up. As the world grew black, he heard Li convincing his daughter to leave, to escape- but behind her voice, behind the clicking of his Geiger, there was another voice.

The voice he knew as that of his love.

'It's alright, James.'

'Catherine…?' He murmured feebly, unable to reach out to where he swore he saw her form, as beautiful as ever, standing beside him. Catherine did not walk closer nor did she take his hand. The specter just shook her head with a smile, turning heel and walking away, leaving James alone in the blackness as it finally consumed him.