To think of it, I might need to do some research about the NCR as I progress this story... But anyways here is chapter 15, and hopefully you all enjoy.

They say:

'You either die a hero, or live long enough to become the villain'

I wonder if that's true...


-New California-

Ignoring the extremely heated temperature, Amanda kept her focus on her terminal as she sat in front of a small table just inside a small tent. To think, she's already drank six purified water and the heat was only making her head even hotter to think that she's had to go here after the NCR.

Though, the news about the Oil Rig and it's hidden cache of X02s proved to be true. And finally, delivering it back to the Commonwealth and onto the airbase, Amanda was so pleased to receive the good news from her engineering staff about the successful progress on the mass production of X02 power armor. And only two days after that good news, she again recieved a much better news that all active and in training human personnel were now fully issued with X02 suits of power armor. Leaving the X01s for the AIs to serve the most basic offense unit possible in line as they also managed to replicate more and more AI chips.

Even better, was the status on recruiting and that her tolerant Enclave gained trust and even the best interests of the people on the Commonwealth. Though, she never really expected that her own units actually didn't had any issue in tolerating the people of the Commonwealth, she was rather surprised unexpectedly that her soldiers, even did it with smiles. Tolerant, friendly smiles. And even the AIs, despite all having the hard-nosed Mr. Gutsy personality, even tolerated non ferals and humans alike. Amanda disliked that, but she agreed on the idea suggested by her Outcast Captain Chuck, which also finally led to the idea of non feral ghoul recruiting.

After finally getting her thoughts altogether, Amanda finally had what she wanted to privately discuss to herself in mind, therefore, she began typing her entry on her private terminal.


:::Welcome to Robco Industries [TM] Termlink:::

- WELCOME TO THE ENCLAVE -

:::Officer's Personal Logs:::

:::LOG 2: Should I Be Worried?:::

Date : September 6

Year : 2287

First attempting on sending out vertibirds to retrieve the cache of X02s was a definite risk, the men and women were all very uneasy, all worrying about being brought to another territory . But I assured them that only the AI personnel shall be deployed for now . I guess they seem to know the word 'FEAR' after all . I honestly didn't expected them to have that, human disadvantage . I feel like that disadvantage may affect their service performances as human beings . . .

But to top it off with good news, we successfully obtained a total amount of 35 X02 suits of power armor transported, via vertibirds, shipped metal cargo containers .

The best news, was the quick mass production of the X02s, I gotta hand it to the science and engineering staffs . Now we we finally have human personnel issued with the X02 prototype as their very own standard service power armors .

Now . . . The bad news . . . The New California Republic indeed had their attention on us . Now, why am I not surprised . . .

Our AI pilots reported sightings of rusted, worn out vertibirds with the NCR insignia tailing them all the way and until they each the edge of the California border . To make it worse, they even followed to the Poseidon Oil Rig only a few days afterwards . The supposed troops to be stationed there became an amount of battalion securing the now fortified Oil Rig instead, just in case .

And on my last day on the airbase back at the Commonwealth, the communications officer sent an online radio frequency via private Enclave communications signal . Stating that nine NCR vertibirds were given permission to land on the Oil Rig as a Colonel of the NCR requested to speak to whoever is in charge on the drilling platform. Rather demanded than requested, said Colonel was demanding the battalion there to surrender the Oil Rig as new 'PROPERTY' of the NCR . If I only happened to be there, I would've personally thrown that bitch off the Oil Rig .

Now, as said from the Oil Rig, they were given a whole month, this whole September, to leave with nothing but their vertibirds to transport to New California . I was told about the last part that our reclaimed Enclave property would automatically belong to the NCR. And MY soldiers to be forced integrated into the NCR or shall be executed . Oh, how my loyal soldiers personally accepted execution instead . . . But they need nothing to worry of anymore, as now that I am here in New California. 5 days in, I had already finished deploying out strategic points .

And thanks to our science and engineering staffs for inventing and issuing us with our very own portable radio satellites, the Enclave's Outcast had been successfully, and silently clearing and disposing off NCR troops as detected from outpost by outpost . Fortunately, based on my calculations, shall the continual success of the Enclave's Outcast presses further on - Not to mention, the Outcast Division recieving impressive numbers of freshly graduated Outcast recruits from the Commonwealth - within the approximate of 10 days, we will soon surround Mexico . And once we corner those that are on the border like mole rats, our missiles on standby and locked on Mexico shall be the small statement to give if Colonel Moore proceeds on what she plans to do with the Poseidon Oil Rig . Let's hope to see if she can stomach to sacrifice the lives of her own people if she still proceeds on threatning to try and get the Oil Rig . And for threatning my soldiers, this is what they get . Fuck the NCR .

Yet. This is not the whole thing that I can do . This is just an example, as an act of keeping my soldiers under MY protection safe . And shall the NCR dare threaten my army or any of my soldiers ever again, AND especially try to demand the Oil Rig be surrendered. . .

I will NOT think twice in annihilating the NCR . . .

*To add the most private part on all this, my men back at the Commonwealth . . . As the status reports kept on going, the reports of my men back home had seemed to rather . . . Become more eco-friendly to all civilians than before .*

Should I be worried . . . ?


"Commander."

Just in time as she finished saving her entry, Amanda turned her head to see an AI unit just outside the tent wating for her with a quick salute.

Amanda stood up and gave a small nod as she walked up to the AI.

"At ease."

"Status report, Ma'am. Our asset has returned from the Mojave."

Amanda gave a crisp nod before dismissing the AI, and there came approaching was the very coat and hat wearing individual that she had long considered person.

-FLASHBACK-

Arranging the making of battalion she's prepared for departure to New California for the just three days.

Standing on a large glassed-screen table, Amanda's green eyes faced down the entire map of the Wasteland of the old America. Marking locations and areas to take up military strategic positions once their arrival to California, Amanda was threatened by the news her communications officer had sent, regarding the NCR threatning to claim the Oil Rig, and to force integrate her battalion stationed there.

It was ever since they made the Oil Rig fully operational again, under the Commonwealth Enclave's name, Amanda began receiving reports of NCR vertibirds routinely flying off the California border and to the pacific, she had came to the conclusion on taking action. Not only her Oil Rig was at stake and the Enclave's most prized treasure yet. But the lives of her soldiers who had willing to choose death if they refuse to surrender the Oil Rig, their tech and weaponry before integrating to the NCR. Amanda figured at first that she had to give at least some last chances for the NCR to turn back from what they're trying to do, until she received a call from the Oil Rig, reporting that the NCR had brought it's own Colonel, giving them a month to leave the Oil Rig with nothing but vertibirds to fly over and integrate into the NCR.

"Commander."

Hearing a human personnel in full suit of X02 power armor, Amanda turned her head and responded.

"At ease."

The soldier nodded and stepped in and responded.

"We have a trespasser outside at the main entrance, wishing to speak to you. Our guards are on standby. Orders, ma'am?"

Amanda raised a brow. Her head slightly tilted to her side, but her stlne cold face staying visibly the same ever since she left Sanctuary.

"Did they stated their business?"

She finally questioned simply.

"He says his name's Nick Valentine and says he knows you, ma'am."

Amanda frowned for a moment, but then forced a nod with a simple reply.

"Let him through. But tell the guards to have two personnel escorting him on the way here."

"Yes ma'am."

Gaining a quick salute and dismissing the soldier, Amanda gritted her teeth. She didn't wanted to have anything to do with anyone outside of the Enclave, let alone have contact at least.

But after a short while, Amanda saw the very synth detective being escorted by a pair of AI X01s.

"You may return to your posts now. I'll take it from here."

Amanda simply said, and with the AIs dismissed, she turned to Nick who was looking around the wide, clean room filled with advanced computers is both disbelief, and grim. But finally seeing him looking at her, Amanda firmly folded her arms on her chest and began.

"Let me guess. You insisted tracking me here. Told everyone you'll find me and bring me back to them, or you'll have them bringing me back?"

She met a frown on Nick's face before a hardened response.

"They're worried, Amanda. Codsworth's worried. Hell, Piper's worried. But no. I came here alone, and nobody knows where I went. Had to close the agency for a while just in case if I wouldn't come back yet."

"So that's it? That's why you're here?"

Amanda bitterly questioned.

"Not, quite."

Amanda frowned even bitterly with her folded arms firming on her chest.

"You're wasting my time, Nick."

"Augh... Alright. Alright, alright. I'll make it worth your while, seeing you're 'busy' now, I'll make it quick."

She watched as Nick paused shortly with an obviously frustrated sigh before continuing.

"No one will clearly understand you, with this you're doing, Amanda. At least for now when the situation is complicated, I think. They won't understand when their thoughts are blinded by fear. People, after all are afraid of something that they don't understand, or can't understand, so you can't really blame them if they're afraid of what they don't understand that you're doing. And that's were I go in."

Amanda raised a brow. Her narrowing eyes clearly focusing on Nick's.

"I'm here to help you, Amanda. No one would care if a synth is under the Enclave's roof, helping it's Commander, so long it's not the people that trusts that synth, and it's better off to leave an excuse to keep them off the trail."

Amanda huffed before rolling her eyes.

"I don't need your help, Nick. If you ever think so, not a chance."

"Look, Amanda. You need help. Serious help. And I'm here, willing to help you just to understand the main source of reason for all this and why you're doing this."

Amanda gave a challenging expression on her cold face.

"Bad just how would you do that?"

Amanda watched the synth detective frowning and sighing in defeat.

"How would you like to have an asset under your command? That enough as a start to prove that I'm actually willing to help?"

Amanda took a long moment in silence on thinking. Perhaps. But she isn't that stupid.

"And what can you offer?"

She saw Nick flinching back in surprise by her question. And his plastic face clearly showed he was insulted but that stupid determination look of his didn't wore off still. Amanda disliked that.

"So this is how it goes, huh? Alright then... I can offer you my skill on getting information. Any sort of information that you need, or want, by infiltrating any place. At any time, and at anywhere. Just give me name of the person of interest, their location, and then you leave it to me."

Amanda saw Nick's face quickly then changed into a look of disgrace and guilt. But his yellow glowing eyes remained determined to prove himself that he's willing to 'help' her.

Amanda bitterly frowned. She knew it was hitting again. Her weak side was attacking her strong-willed side. She felt pity for this synth. And Amanda hated that

"You don't need to do this. I want this only between me and the Enclave now."

"But you will need an asset. Secretly working under your name. Perhaps, an espionage investigator with the longest privates investigative experience. At least I know I am, seeing I'm clearly based off a pre war cop."

"God dammit, Nick... Why do you have to be this pushy!? You're being like Piper!"

"Piper cares for you, Amanda... She really-"

"I have enough of this bullshit, Nick. Get. To. The. POINT!"

Her furious end on her sentence. Now, the room in silence, Amanda only remained furiously quiet. But hearing Nick sighing deep, she watched as the synth detective gave one, silenced response.

"I want to help you. Amanda... Even if... Augh... Even if it means... Joining you... I'll do it. Just... Let me help you..."

-END OF FLASHBACK-

Seeing the synth detective approaching, Amanda have a small greeting nod.

"And how was your trip to the Mojave?"

She began, and seeing Nick slowly sighing, she got a response.

"I managed to get pass their soldiers. Seeing these people don't know about the Institute and the existence of Synths, they're easy to get ruled out. However, they have securetrons and soldiers on standby. Every corner, on their main headquarters is odd the limits unless you're one of the NCR. But there's an easy way to get most of it's soldiers out all at once, or let's say getting most out of their fortified base. The Hoover Dam is their main weak spot. Seeing that most of their soldiers are crammed on their base, their prized treasure being the water on the Hoover Dam is less secured."

Amanda was pleased about the news, but before she could even say a thing, Nick continued.

"There's thousands of them, Amanda. All cramped on their main nest. And to get the most valuable information about everyone here... It's that everyone is not doing so well. Nobody's thriving that good, as most of the resources goes to the NCR due to their expanding numbers, and because of it, people here had been getting left behind forgotten. As most of the resources, food, water and even the currency they rightfully earn from hard work kept going to the NCR as tax. But I think they're overpricing their tax paying for the people in Mojave to fund for the NCR's needs."

Amanda raised a brow.

"Are you saying that..."

"If you think of it? Yes, Amanda. The NCR aren't doing well in the image as the California's backbone army the more they expand their numbers in their army, the faster their resources run dry. I can say they're still lucky that the water on the Dam doesn't run out, but that's not going to feed the people here forever. Their crops and even their currency had been automatically claimed by the NCR for their army. Leaving the people with whatever leftovers are there. We can safely say that in probably over the next decade or so, everyone here will be famine."

Amanda took a long moment in thought. If the NCR wasn't doing so well, the resources mostly goes to their army, and even the funding, that means not everyone in the Mojave, perhaps even in New California is no longer favored by the NCR's continually expanding army. Which gives her even more reason to terminate the faction. But, Amanda didn't wanted to do that just because she felt bad for the people getting robbed of their rightfully owned resources. She's here to keep her Enclave save and her Oil Rig. So why was she feeling terrible for the people when this wasn't even her territory? Amanda bitterly frowned. She hated that.

"Amanda. For once... I agree on the Enclave. But only once by knowing that good people here aren't thriving well. Hell, I'd still say the Commonwealth is thriving better than here. I'll agree on a conflict with the NCR, but, if our conflict with them is justified, I'll fully support you."

"There's no justice Nick. I'm here because they wanted to force integrate my soldiers to their army, and as well as talking my Oil Rig. I'm here to show these NCR fucks that they don't fuck with the Enclave."

Amanda watched was Nick only sighed.

"You want to help those people. Nick. I can see it on your face."

She simply said, seeing a small frown on Nick's face, she got a response.

"I do. But seeing there's nothing I can do..."

Amanda frowned by his incomplete response.

"You should know that I don't promise, Nick. And I can't guarantee to spare people not involved with the NCR. But... We'll just have see, Nick."

Silence, Amanda wasn't pleased to talk about the people of Mojave. Amanda knew that her main objective was the NCR. Securing a location and use it as leverage to control the situation, changing the tide on her favor.

So focusing on Nick once more, Amanda cleared her throat and began.

"I've been getting rumours that they stopped trade caravans. Is it true?"

She simply asked and got a slow nod in reply from Nick.

"Some caravans obeyed the order, but others didn't. Heard one actually is still pacing in and out of Freeside. A couple of guys, perhaps, group, calling themselves the Kings arranging supply trades secretly, thought I doubt that'll last long. Because from what I've gathered, the NCR has been advancing their numbers out of the Mojave and had been focused getting those numbers flying on their vertibirds to the Commonwealth."

Amanda closed her eyes and grinded her teeth with a bitter frown.

"What else about that?"

"Well, according to the locals on Mojave, words has been passing around that the NCR is attempting to make a peace talk to the people of the Commonwealth. Mainly those on the Commonwealth Provisional Government, or CPG for short. Only thing is, the CPG collapsed just a few years back. And with no one keeping the Commonwealth in line, the NCR wouldn't need any peace talks with anyone else back there, since, their main priority than most is their greed to expand their army, and ignoring the fact that their resources here are running dry because of their continual expanding. Maybe I'm wrong, but maybe not. But one thing is for sure, Amanda. That General Ward, the leader of that old USAF of his ain't enough. Even with all powers of the factions on the Commonwealth combined against thousands of numbers on the NCR. Trust me. No one in the Commonwealth would be stupid enough to fight a cause with thousands of soldiers serving under it. Well, none besides the Minutemen of course. But they're not enough. Even though their weapons are just as similar to the NCR weaponry - Not counting differences of Minutemen laser musket to NCR bolt action rifles - what they'd really need, is a competent leader for them, with excelling military strategic skills."

Amanda only huffed before giving a simple reply.

"If both USAF and the Minutemen can work together, I don't see why not defend the Commonwealth themselves. But that's up to them, because it's not our objective. Our objective, is to hold the life of the people on the Mexico by their necks. Our Intel reports says that 85% percent of the populace there are civilians. While most of their defenses focused on the Hoover Dam on Colorado Springs, their numbers of soldiers are focused on the Mojave. And that's a perfect weak spot, Nick. They've devided themselves, and by that... We will pick them off one by one until we're down to the last NCR base standing."

"Dammit, Amanda. This isn't how it should happen. I'd agree on fighting the NCR but not to use the lives of the innocent here as leverage on the matter!"

"I gave you a heads up, Nick. And told you no promises. No guarantees. You know me fully well now then everyone back on the Commonwealth does, Nick. Once I made up my mind on something, I never turn back."

"Augh... Then how would you like this to proceed, Commander?"

Amanda wore a satisfied smirk on her face before giving a simple reply.

"Simply as said: You'll be briefed by Captain Chuck, and you'll be working with the Outcast on getting the Freeside under our grasps. But don't kill the people there. You're there to talk my mean you're I mean you, Nick. Use your, persuasive tone to get the people there to stay in doors. We're putting Freeside on lockdown, and they wouldn't want to see the end of the calm before the storm. But just in case if you're met with any hostility there, lethal force is authorized."

And with that, Amanda earned a nod from Nick before a dressing him to report to Chuck. Part of Amanda felt bad for getting the synth detective. But she wasn't blaming herself, seeing Nick was trying to understand her schemes for the Enclave. It was Nick's choice. And she was just treating him fair for her loyal service men and women.

But turning to back to her tent to grab her coat, Amanda begets proceed to a bigger tent, as used as the command center.

Upon entering, Amanda was quickly approached by a soldier on X02 with a quick salute.

"Ma'am."

Amanda slightly nodded.

"At ease, soldier."

"Our monthly supplies had arrived, and before our delivery convoys left back for the Commonwealth, we've recieved a message from the airbase, reporting of a discovered chance of mini atomic nukes, our science and engineering staff had already looked onto the nukes, and arecurrently working on reproducing more to add to our firepower and an amount of it shall be delivered to us once done. On a side note, Patriot has sent along a very special package as Commanding Officer only issued power armor blueprints. Our engineering staff here are currently looking into the blueprints, said its some sort of early prototype of power before the Great War."

Amanda gave nod and simply replied.

"I'll look into it later, for now I need to know the status of our progress."

"Aside from our Outcast operations, our progress to surround the Mojave undetected are now 35%. Unfortunately... We will have to deal with a little hardship on a... Bit of a personal issue."

Amanda raised a brow.

"What seems to be the problem?"

"Our AIs had encountered a number of an organized powered armored group with seemingly suspicious weaponry and power armor. Now to begin with, after clearing off a small NCR checkpoint they came across, our AIs were quickly caught on a short firefight, but the assailants resolved into a tactical retreat afterwards. No casualties in our AIs, but reported Enclave issued weaponry were equipped by the assailants. First generation Enclave power armor and weaponry. They've also been seen retrieving wounded NCR personnel after their small encounter, Commander."

Amanda knew she'd come to this moment on thinking about deserters. They were supposed to follow their protocol to regroup and join in the Commonwealth. But as their airbase got more and more remnants, even those in hiding on Alaska and the annexed Canada, Amanda was expecting to see Enclave remnants on the California region. But she never expected them to be under the NCR. But seeing it's due to the force integration, Amanda mentally cursed as she visibly frowned but trying to keep her temper in control, she then gave a reply in cold tone.

"Not to worry. They aren't labeled as deserters. Though, as integrated soldiers on the NCR, they shall be considered as traitors to the Enclave and will be dealt with accordingly."

She meant it. And as she just thought of it, her head was only getting hot, as hot as the damn temperature in this party of the wasteland.

"Ma'am, we've also got a message from the airbase, saying more troops would soon be deployed by Patriot."

"Good. The more troops we get out here... The more we can easily cover NCR ground once the Outcast dealt with every nearing outpost they come nearby. Then, we can start showing these NCR fucks that they picked the wrong fight."

After that, Amanda left the rent and walked over to much larger one as used by their engineering staff.

Upon entering, she was met with various AIs all lined up and waiting for repair, but over at the far back, Amanda saw a strange power armor on a single station, a few engineers currently busying themselves on tooling over the parts as the legs on the frame were still not planted with the platings. On a table nearby was a faceless helmet with a single red-lined visor.

Stepping a but close, Amanda only watched for a bit until one of the staff emmidiately noticed her.

"Oh, Commander! Something we can help you with, ma'am?"

Amanda simply shook her head and responded.

"Not at all. But I was told that a power armor blueprint was recovered from an old military bunker at the Commonwealth along with mini atomic nukes."

"Yes, ma'am. A very ancient power armor blueprint that was not engineered before the battle of Anchorage. Based off the Intel given by Patriot, ma'am."

Amanda have a slow nod, her eyes curiously eyeing the strange power armor. The upper torso was fully down, almost made her think that it was given a Tesla modification as Tesla pipes were implanted on the shoulder plates, the figure itself was also diffrent.

"Hmm... What's the name is the power armor?:

"Patriot didn't said any name, ma'am. But based off what he said, this was supposed to be the power armor to be deployed in Alaska, but was forgotten after the quick invention of the T-51b for the US military."

Amanda was quiet for a moment as she only stared at the power armor in curiosity.

"We've also decided that we will only build one for your personal use. Seeing you're also going out to the field work when the siege on Mojave begins, it would be a perfect opportunity for you to be wearing a different power armor as Commander. Much unique that most of the service power armors."

"Alright. But I'll need to take a look at the blueprints later. That is quite... An interesting power armor design..."

"It sure is, ma'am. Although, it's a nameless one, sadly. But will be ready for use tomorrow I assure you, Commander."

"Very well. I'll have it for field rest myself when it's ready."

"Yes, ma'am."

Amanda took one final good look at the helmet on the table before finally deciding to exit the tent but not before stopping shortly and turning her head over to her shoulder.

"Be sure to add the insignia on the chest piece. And I may have the perfect name for that power armor."

"Yes, Commander. And what would the name be?"

"Liberty Power Armor."

And with that, Amanda left the tent and decided to head back to her office. As much as she hated the heat on this land, she wouldn't deny that she cannot wait to see faces of the NCR once their expanded forces are all wiped out. And on a side note, she had another string to pull once it happens. Amanda smirked as she walked. Knowing that the ego of the large faction would be their downfall, and she would make use of that ego of theirs to manipulate the tide of the conflict the NCR wished to be brought upon the Enclave and themselves.

Although, she never plans to spare a single life in California. She could only imagine how Nick would react once a string is pulled upon the NCR. Amanda was craving to see it fall apart. One way or another.

For the Enclave.


We are still far to the destination of this story. For now, I figured releasing this for a little sample of what's going to happen as part of the opening act so hopefully you all enjoyed it. Next chapter on now on the works, should be up within the next 3 or 4 days depending on the chapter length creation.

Thank you all for reading and hope you all stay tuned for the next chapter.

ripntear