"Well, isn't this a fun way to start off the day?" James asked sarcastically after hearing the tenth report on Enclave settlement building. Or how Arcade insists it be called "nation-building".
"Nothing's changed in how we build settlements, okay?" James asked, annoyed. "The system is still the same, just safer, better financed and sourced, while yielding better results. Thank you."
Arcade looked down at the folders he had made for James and James realized what this probably meant for Arcade as well.
"Okay, I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. YOu guys put in a lot of work to make all of this happen and really you guys did so much more than anything I could have expected." James relented. "Let's just move on." he sighed. Arcade tossed down the manila folders and then waved a large chalkboard over.
"So now that the Settlement Strategy is over, then I'll briefly explain the current political situation in the Commonwealth." Arcade began. James nodded as he studied the figures.
"Power has been split into factions or as they prefer to be called: 'Houses' with their respective zones representing the area of their influence." James counted them slowly before realizing that the Enclave was omitted from this structure.
"Before you ask, let me explain. Originally, the Enclave had a larger role, however with the stabilization of the wasteland and overall incomes rising. Many new factions rose from the ashes then called for their chance to hold influence. With you gone, they argued that power essentially trickled to other faction leaders making the other factions become proxies of the Enclave. Which resulted in the 51% majority decision in ousting the Enclave as an official voting entity within the Council."
"So what is the Council? I've been hearing a lot about it lately."
"Officially the Council is pretty much the same as the one you and Miss Katherine left behind. The only difference is that some of the players have changed."
"Okay, so correct me if I'm wrong, but the main supporters of the Enclave include: Danse's Brotherhood, The Minutemen, and the Railroad, and Goodneighbor am I correct?"
"Pretty much, yes. Except that since the Institute, or what's left of it is now an Enclave Research facility, the Railroad has been dissolved and split into various Departments. Deacon now heads the Defense Department."
"Deacon?" James asked.
"I know right? Me?! Defense?!" Deacon said amused, as if it was all some sort of joke. "Crazy people, man."
"Right and developing from there is Desdemona's Espionage Department, which tends to sway between sides while Goodneighbor is now officially known as Goodneighbor Estates." Arcade finished.
"You're welcome, kid." Hancock said from the back of the room. James nodded and threw a sarcastic salute his way.
"So four, sometimes five factions back the Enclave. That's not bad." James replied. "So who are the others?"
"Diamond City, to name one." Nick Valentine interjected. "Don't get me wrong, a lot of the cityfolk are pretty happy with what the Enclave's been doing, and so have I to be honest. But the Upper Stands folks aren't too happy that the power is slipping from them every time an power armored patrol waltzes in and spends a fortune just on souvenirs and food. Economy's boomin now, so there's quite a few former Lower Standers up in the Big Leagues. Some people like Governor McDonaugh are not too happy with you changing the statue quo."
"Right. So the Green Giant typically votes against Enclave-allied factions."
"Wait, it's known as the Green Giant in the Council?" James asked.
"Well, there are a lot of names for it." Piper interjected. "But Green is the go-to word to describe Diamond City, since it's a lot shorter to write and to say."
"That's one. Then there's the Gunner's Guild, the Vault-Tec Federation, the Quincy Freemasons, the Salem Settlers, the Glowing Sea Giants, and then finally there's Midas House."
"Whoa, those names are mouthfuls." James responded.
"Yeah, not our choice, believe but it is what it is." Arcade commented before continuing. "A brief history of these factions are the following: The Gunner's Guild was established when more and more small-time Mercenary Companies moved into the Commonwealth after the destruction of the Institute. This led to a huge Merc's War led by a faction of so-called Capital Rangers and the Gunners allied with a Talon Company. This war resulted in a stalemate but somehow left the Gunners in power. They technically hold dominion over their zone but apparently, the two main groups vy for influence in as much area as possible. The Rangers reportedly have taken up shop at Fort Hagen."
"Rangers huh?" James muttered.
"The Vault-Tec Federation is a bit complicated. People began to resettle the Vaults once Enclave patrols merged with Brotherhood ones. This merger led to wider range in coverage of both factions and ultimately led to the demise of Raider gangs in the Commonwealth. However that is just within the territory. Outside of it is still rife with raiders, but we are still left with quite a few gangs, but they're mostly punks and street trash. Nothing too worrisome." Arcade said with a waving motion, as if that would reassure James somehow that gangs aren't dangerous. "Anyways, with vaults virtually resettled, Vault 81 called together a summit and established a coalition of sorts. They only trade with one another and are seemingly extremely xenophobic and snobbish to anyone without a Vault heritage. This attitude is attributed to the arrival of 101 Securities, a merc group that claims to come from the Capital Wasteland. They are also Vault Dwellers."
"Vault 101?" James asked. "Like they say they're from Vault 101?"
"So I hear." Arcade replied.
"I guess, I'm gonna have to have a talk with the Federation then."
"The Federation is the only House that doesn't control continuous amounts of terriory. They opted for side streets that led to one another for trade route purposes but even then, no one ever sees Vault traders so it's hard to tell what they're for. As far as we could tell, all Boston vaults have been inhabited except for Vault 114 which recently was 'cleansed' of Vault Dwellers by some unknown group."
"So is Vault 81 their capital, or their stronghold?" James asked.
"Actually, no, we're constantly hearing about a Vault 88, but no one's ever heard of it. And Enclave records show nothing about a Vault 88." Nate interjected.
"Huh, weird."
"The Quincy Freemasons are band of ghouls. They've created what they claim to be mutant paradise and invite all ghouls to join them in community. Despite creating a city specifically for ghouls however, Wiseman, their leader refuses to reject non-ghoul people from seeking to join the Freemasons. It's strange that this kind of faction would disagree so vehemently with the Enclave, but that's the basic history of this faction." Arcade said, flipping to another page on his clipboard. That was just one page?! James asked, widening his eyes to try to catch a glimpse of Arcade's handwriting before the man continued with the obligatory history lesson.
"The Salem Settlers are these fierce men and women who cleared Salem of its Mirelurk infestation. In fact, every month there is some sort of Mirelurk invasion of that area, but the people are resilient and prefer to fight it off rather than leave. It's actually quite surreal." Arcade reported.
"I've been to one, it's almost like a ritual now. Now only the young men and women who wish to be acknowledged as adults participate with the actual adults watching. It's like a crab on man gladiator match." Deacon said enthusiastically.
"Though primarily a reclusive group, they are also a very aggressive sort. Most of them actually come from farther up north and speak some weird sort of language. No one can understand them, adding to why these settlers seem so shut-off with the rest of the Commonwealth."
"But if they speak the language, how are they a major faction?" James asked.
"Well, this old coot named Barney lived there before the Northerners came to settle and he fought them and the Mirelurks out like some sort of mad-man. Now they see him as their god and send him to the Council Often. Most likely to work out some kind of deal or to deliver some sort of message to the Council, but since he doesn't speak their language either, it's become an awkward situation that a powerful people have something to say that no one understands, so he's left alone on his post as the Salem Settler's representative."
"That's pretty metal." James remarked.
"What's that mean?" Danse asked.
"Forget it." James waved Danse's confusion aside as Arcade moved on.
"The Glowing Sea Giants is a nation of super mutants and is particularly known as the primary haven of remaining pirates and raider gangs." Arcade began. "I got in touch with Hale and he's told me that a few West Coast Super mutants have come over in hopes of scouting new territories for their people to settle."
"Wait, they want to do this peacefully?" James asked, doubtful of the situation.
"Oh yes." Arcade confirmed casually. "The mutants out West are a much older breed, they come from a purer variant of the FEV virus thus retaining their intellect as well as gaining strength and well everything great about being a mutant."
"Wow, mutants that can think. Fawkes! I guess you're not alone anymore!" James called out to his yellow friend in the back of the room.
"Haha! It's about time, my friend!" the yellow giant bellowed in return.
"So that's why there's a place for them in the Council. Also they help to keep the roaming Super Mutant tribes in check around the COmmonwealth, so they're really quite helpful around here. The thing is, they don't like to talk to humans so they send in another human that is close to them to handle negotiations for them."
"Damn, and I really wanted to talk to one of them old mutants to see why they were so different."
"Lastly is Midas House. It's hard to tell what Midas House does exactly. But that has to do with the fact that they claim to be completely isolationalist. Midas House Elites will leave their zone for diplomatic and trade missions, but no settler leaves Midas House territory. There is no known history but there are already stories circulating amongst the children that the Reaper of Midas House snatches away children who don't behave and wander too close to the fog. It's really caused quite the stir around here."
"Sounds like something worth checking out."
"So those are the enemy factions. The Defense and Espionage Department split occurred in order to furhter compartmentalize the information of the Railraod. So no one seeking revenge could harm the Commonwealth. The Defense Department is obviously responsible for defense and ensuring that the military factions of the Commonwealth are regulated and ready for Maxson's return. While Desdemona is supposedly keeping tabs on our friends outside the border."
"Outside the border?" James asked. Arcade nodded gravely and Preston Garvey stood from his seat.
"Mr. Hale revealed to the panel a few months ago that something was coming for the Commonwealth, something that scared him." Preston said.
"There's actually something that scares Hale?"
"Whatever it is, it's close now. Now that three years havve passed, Hale is confident that it's right around the corner and we need to get ready for attack now." Preston revealed.
"And so, just before the Enclave was ousted, the Council decided to task Desdemona with gathering information while Deacon all settlements essentially become defensible strongholds. The zone majors are the strongholds that Deacon focuses on." Arcade stated.
"Majors are basically the major settlements in a zone. For the VTF, it's their vaults. Green's got the Green Giant, Midas House has Midas Castle, and so on and so forth. Each of the majors falls within my jurisdiction so they have a Minuteman garrison stationed there at all times, ready to defense against a potential threat." Deacon said, as if reading from a report like Arcade.
"The Zones systems will start to make sense once you get out there, but each zone has its own laws. What is illegal in the Green Zone may be normal out in Gunner Territory, understand?" Nate added. To which James nodded as he processed all this information at once. It was like they expected him to be this supercomputer that will remember all this and be able to draw on it as he leads the Enclave forward.
"So how are we in terms of military standing?" James asked. Danse stood, sans power armor for once. He was wearing an olive drab Brotherhood Officer uniform not unlike the old Enclave Officer uniform.
"The Brotherhood run various Squire Academies throughout the majors that allow it. As you can guess, we are mostly relegated to Enclave-supportive settlements. The Academies range from six years of age to 18 years which is the Paladin College. The idea is train officers and people fit for officers. These academies are all voluntary and children are not taken from their families. Most participating households come straight from the Air Zone but various other settlements have dedicated their children to a life devoted to protecting the Commonwealth." Danse says just as Nate stands to deliver his portion.
"Opposite the Brotherhood academies are a series of Enclave military schools and academies. The most prestigious being Sigma Academy. Each school and academy are based in practicals so the school is more like a year long journey around all holds. Supportive and non-supportive. The students are admitted based on the results of an aptitude test to determine their most effective positioning within the Enclave military structure before placement and admission into a school. The Enclave Academies are free for participating families and based on volunteers from participating settlements." Nate said as he finished his report.
"The Enclave and Brotherhood have set up this arrangement to incite competition amongst the students from both schools. Nothing like a little competition to give the kids some way to release their pent-up aggressions and anger of living life in the wasteland while also granting them with knowledge on how to save lives and protect them." Boone added.
"Don't forget, killing as well." James said.
"Well, yes." Arcade stammered. "That wasn't the focus, but the graduation requirement from academy and into the ranks of Brotherhood or Enclave result in their ability to complete a headhunting contract outside Commonwealth territory and surviving."
"Excellent." James said. "I don't want child soldiers, let's be clear. No combat training for children, only teens."
"Yes, sir." the three of the them responded before sitting.
"We need to show people there's more to life than just surviving." James said. "And that includes the Academies as well. I mean, we can show them so much more than just combat experience, science, and battle tactics." James looked at Arcade as he spoke, then his eyes flitted to Danse, Nate, and just about everyone involved with the Enclave Academies. "We have a responsibility to show people how to live again. Life in the Vaults may not have been perfect…."
"Yeah, half of them were social experiments." Arcade pitched into the conversation.
"But people down there knew there is more to life than shooting the things that don't work. People knew how to relax and live the easy life." James said. "This faction system that replaced the status quo is definitely a sign that people don't know how to cope without conflict. So we need to show them that."
"I guess the problem I have," MacCready said, finally standing up and fixing his hat as he did. "Is that I don't think we know how to do that ourselves." James realized that for all his idealism, no one in the room knew that either. Life was a constant struggle, a rollar coaster of war and times in-between it. Peace was simply not an option, nor a normal part of their lives.
"That's true." James admitted. "But we owe to every person out there who thinks the Enclave to be their savior. We need to do better than we don't know." MacCready seemed satisfied with the answer and sat back down. The room was silent. No one knew how to proceed.
"Is there anyone who actually knows what peace is like?" Boone asked. All eyes were directed towards Nate. Nate smiled but never moved from his resting lean against a file cabinet.
"I wish I could claim to know what it's like, but I'm just a synth guys." Nate said with a smile. "I can remember times that the real Nate had, but really, I don't even know if those memories are real. I just know that the Institute made me to be an assassin. A soldier. And that's the only natural responses I have programmed into me."
"Great, so no one's got an answer." MacCready said gruffly as he leaned back into his reclining chair and struggled to muffle a yawn. "What's next? I'm starting to think peace is impossible."
James thought hard, why did he have an obsession with doing better? Why did he need for the Commonwealth to change to benefit everyone living in it? Then he looked at Marie. Who, during the entire length of the conversation had fallen asleep on a couch near a water dispenser with a comic resting over her face. James glanced at it and realized that it was titled: "The Legend of the Lone Wanderer: Into the Depths of Vault 111!".
"We need to find Katherine." James murmured. Arcade leaned forward, apparently he hadn't heard what James had said. "I wasn't the first to wake from the simulation, was i?"
A cold chill filled the room. Awkward glances and scowls began to replace the bored expssions every person in the room had. Even Nate was now visibly vexed. The lit cigarette in his fingers suddenly combusted into dust, indicating that it had moved so suddenly that the burnt paper had no choice but to dissolve into the air.
"What happened to Katherine?" James asked. Arcade stepped forward first.
"We located her pod long before we found yours." He said, uncomfortable and holding back a stammer. "But it was empty."
"Empty?" James asked, now very interested in how the rest of the narrative would go. "Were there any records?"
"None." Arcade responded. "I checked all Institute networks, even looked at 'Father's' Terminal back in the man's office. No word on why she was forced into the simulation, where she was was, or how she escaped. Only a message left for you."
"A message?" James asked. "What did it say?"
"It's a warning." Arcade said. "We don't really understand why it is necessary."
"What did it say?"
"She's coming for you." Arcade responded. James leaned back into his seat, perplexed as to why Father would warn James about Katherine in this way.
"And that's all it said?"
"Yes. We even asked Nick to do a little detective work for us." Arcade responded.
"Little?" Nick protested. "I searched half the goddamn Commonwealth looking for her. She was my friend too!"
"We all helped." MacCready said, his hat tipped so low that it appeared to hide his face. "No traces at all."
"It was like she never existed." Danse added.
"I guess it's up to me then." James noted as he leaned forward and began flipping through manila folders. "So," he said before looking up. "What's next?"