Most days at the Institute where boring and monotonous, scientists worked on their experiments as synths patrolled the halls but today was different, Stormtroopers roamed the halls instead of the Gen-2 synths who were nowhere to be found. Everyone knew of Father and Nora's disagreements and the transfer of control of the Stormtrooper Corps was hardly subtle, tension was building and today it would all come to a head. Today the Institutes board of directors were meeting to discuss the current state of the Commonwealth.

Shaun was making progress in getting the board to extend an olive branch to the Marines when Nora and two Stormtroopers walked into the room.

"Mother, can this wait for later? This is a very important meeting." Shaun asked in annoyance.

"Hmm, no Shaun I don't think it can. Look outside and tell me what you see." Shaun turned in his seat and looked out the window into the atrium and saw a battalion of Stormtroopers armed with riot gear formed up below.

"What is the meaning of this!?" Shaun hissed as Nora smirked.

"You've been very disobedient of your mother Shaun, so now I'm going to take away your playthings."

"Troopers arrest her!" Shaun orders the troopers accompanying Nora but they ignore his command.

"Ha ha, you may have official control of my Stormtroopers by their loyal to me." Nora taunts as Director Ayo rises from his seat to confront her.

"A1-13 Initiate factory rese…" He begins but Nora quickly draws her pistol and fires a bullet through his head, shocking the other board members.

"Anyone else want try? No? Good. Troopers please escort my son and his friends to their quarters."

"This will not stand mother, your insane!" Shaun yells as the troopers restrained him.

"Perhaps, but remember everything that I do is to protect you. If you won't let me do it willingly then I will do it by force." Nora explains as her Stormtroopers escort the board out of the conference room. She then turned to the communications station and initiated a broadcast throughout the Institute.

"Attention Institute personnel, this is Nora Anderson speaking. The Director has just been, ah, relieved of his position. As you all know my Stormtroopers and I are tasked with the security and defense of the Institute and the director's recent actions of meddling in the Commonwealth's affairs have jeopardized the security of the Institute. As such I have taken it upon myself to relieve him and assume control of his station. Rest assured the former director and his board remain unharmed and there should be no need for alarm. My Stormtroopers will ensure that this transition remains peaceful. That is all, thank you for your time."

To say that the residents of the Institute were unhappy with the news of Nora's takeover would be an understatement. Shortly after her broadcast riots broke out across the Institute as the human population and those synths who did not share Nora's views fought against the Stormtroopers. The riots lasted throughout the night as the Stormtroopers cut their way through the Institute, detaining anyone they came across and putting down those who resisted. When the fires finally died the next day many of the Institutes older humans and synths lay dead in the halls while those who had surrendered where sent back to work under armed guard.

The riots didn't concern Nora however; she saw it more as cleaning house. Disposing of those who would resist her had only secured her new position as commander of the Institute. With Shaun out of the way she was free to finally engage the Commonwealths forces with the full might of the Institute and she immediately dispatched her Stormtroopers to secure the border settlements. It was the beginning of the end for the Commonwealth as one by one their settlements burned and their heroes where pushed back.

Or so it would have seemed. Shaun had planned for this day and tasked X6-88 to return to the surface and deliver a device that would allow his father and his allies a way into the Institute. As soon as the riots had begun X6 had made his escape to the surface, but not having time to initiate a precise teleport he had ended up arriving deep behind enemy lines. No doubt Nora would notice his absence at the Institute and would order her Troopers to shoot him on sight. This didn't faze him though, he would still accomplish his mission and deliver Shaun's package, it would just take a little longer than he had planned for. Hopefully Ryan and his friends could hold out long enough for X6 to make the delivery.