"Thank you all for attending this Directorate meeting." Michelle Smith smiled, addressing the heads of the Institute all sat at the oval table; Doctor Holdren from Bioscience, Doctor Li from Advanced Systems, Doctor Ayo from the SRB, and Doctor Filmore from Facilities. She spoke officially and with purpose, years of working to become a lawyer paying off. But she was nervous; these were her first big policy changes after half a year of continuity from Shaun's death to ensure an easy transition. To say that this was an important moment would be a large understatement.
"Of course, Director. We're all eager to hear what you have to say." Doctor Filmore gave her a reassuring smile. Michelle had become very close to her over the past six months. She provided her with a shoulder to cry on after Shaun's passing whilst also keeping her motivated and prepared to help the Institute whenever necessary. She was a brilliant engineer, and a good friend.
"Quite, but let's try to keep this quick if we can." Doctor Ayo spoke up. Michelle disliked Ayo. He was an opportunist, aggressive, unpleasant, and downright rude. She was equally uncomfortable with his use of the SRB as a secret police against the other divisions. She couldn't wait for Doctor Zimmer to return from the Capital Wasteland so Ayo would be relegated again. But for now she preferred to work alongside Doctor Secord when dealing with the SRB, finding her much easier to deal with.
"As you all know, our agreed upon period of continuity decided when I took up this position has elapsed, the period of adaptation is over, and the time has come to outline our new goals for the future of the Institute, and the Commonwealth as a whole." Michelle started in a formal tone, "I have been meeting you individually to check up on what your divisions are up to and I have to say I am extremely impressed. The reactor has allowed for so much more to be accomplished that it's hard to believe this place survived without it. Over the last months I have taken in all of your opinions and all the results of recent studies, and they are most valuable to me." Speaking emotively to try to win support, she moved on to her actual point.
"So here are our goals. Of top priority is putting an end to synth escapes. Despite the Railroad's destruction, synths are still managing to leave. I believe it's clear that someone inside the Institute is aiding them in doing so. Such an act is unacceptable. Synths are Institute property, and must be kept here for the good of us and the Commonwealth. As such, I will be personally helping the SRB in tracking whoever it is who's doing this. Violating our internal security in this way, endangering the Commonwealth and our technology, and displaying such a disregard for loyalty leaves me with no option. They will be exiled for their actions. They will have to live in the hell they've condemned so many synths to." She announced.
"Good," Doctor Ayo smiled, "it's about time this was taken seriously by the Directorate. I have my suspicions on who our culprit is, Director. I look forward to bringing them to justice with you."
Michelle just politely nodded before continuing. "Secondly, as per advice from the Facilities division, the full Gen 3 Synth rollout will be taking place over the next two months. Production of Gen 1 and Gen 2 synths will be drastically cut, and will only be used for jobs too damaging for the Gen 3 synth body to experience and for a cheap cost-effective fighting force when necessary. The remaining excess Gen 1 and 2 synths will be fitted with destructive devices, and will then be organised into bands to aid the Minutemen in ridding the Commonwealth of threats such as raiders, feral ghouls, and mutants."
Doctor Ayo's face quickly dropped. Michelle recognised the look, she'd had it before from him. She had irritated his principles. "Director, I thought we all agreed that the surface was a lost cause. That we need to concentrate on ourselves, and not waste resources on the surface dwellers." He complained. "Besides, what if our technology falls into the wrong hands because of this?"
"I'm glad you raised that point," Michelle did her best to ignore his angry tone, "if our synths do get captured we will remotely destruct them from here by activating their self destructs. With regard to the other point, Doctor Ayo, we now have enough power to keep the Institute going for a millennia. Gen 1 and Gen 2 synths are obsolete technology. We lose little by carrying this policy out, and we gain trust from the people of the Commonwealth. The significance may be lost on you down here, but we can end years of hatred with this. This will make our surface operations less risky as well."
Before Ayo could interrupt again with more protests, Doctor Li spoke up. "I think it's a good idea, Director. Warming up tensions with the Commonwealth is a good thing for both parties. With the Brotherhood and Railroad all but eliminated here, we do have a monopoly on power. It's better to use that to improve relations, not worsen them."
"Thank you, Doctor Li." Michelle gave her colleague a gracious nod and smile for her support. She could see the other division heads warming to her ideas after the vote of confidence.
"Speaking of helping the surface, I suppose that leads us to our conversations, Director?" Doctor Holdren asked.
"It does, thank you, Doctor Holdren. The trial seeds at Warwick Homestead have been a remarkable success. Henceforth, we shall be working with the Minutemen to distribute these seeds to farmers across the Commonwealth. This should help solve the food scarcity on the surface, and Doctor Holdren and I have agreed that it will allow for a lot more data on the modified crops for further agricultural experiments to improve yields, crop resistance, and biodiversity. The synth animal project will also continue, with the goal of creating aquatic synth life for ocean observation." Michelle announced.
Everyone appeared to be in various levels of discomfort with her radical proposals, but Ayo was definitely the most enraged. Helping the Commonwealth was a big change from Shaun's leadership. It was something he and her butted heads over in their conversations before he passed. But it had to be done. She continued before he could interrupt again. "The FEV Lab represents a dark spot in Institute history, but hopefully we can start to clean that up. The lab will be repurposed for curing the super mutant condition. For this effort, Doctor Virgil will be welcomed back to the Institute to head this project, and I expect everyone to treat him with the same respect as before."
Nobody seemed to have any qualms with that last policy, but Michelle noticed Doctor Li had an uncomfortable look. Attributing it to the mention of FEV, she moved on. "And we will continue to recruit the brightest Commonwealth scientists and allow them to work here, expanding our knowledge." She finished. "In summary, our main aims for now are: end synth escapes for good. Complete the full Gen 3 synth rollout, and work alongside the Commonwealth and Minutemen for a brighter future for both of our sides."
Silence for a few seconds.
"Director, what about our people? We have lives here to focus on as well. We all agreed the surface people will die out, it's inevitable. We should be expanding here, not wasting resources up there." Ayo began to argue, raising the tone of his voice.
"Our motto is mankind redefined, is it not, Doctor Ayo? Now you tell me how we can possibly hope to redefine mankind if we cannot even hold onto our own humanity? I know my policies are vastly different to that of Shaun's. It's a difficult change for all of you, but if we want the Institute to be able to prosper in this new world, we have to minimise the risk to our operations on the surface. The most surefire way to do so is to warm opinions to us." Michelle explained. "We have the capability to help save lives here. I've been up there longer than most of you, and I was there before the war as well. We have a duty to help them, or every preventable death that occurs up there is on our hands." She spoke with passion, trying to get them to understand her position. She could see Doctor Li and Doctor Filmore were understanding, Doctor Holdren looked uncomfortable with the topic, but Ayo just sighed and leant forward in his chair.
"I propose we take this to a vote." Ayo retorted.
"Proposal accepted." Michelle shot back, staring him down. He seemed to lose part of his attitude at that, not expecting her to agree to it. "As per rules on Directorate votes, simply raise your hand for the option you agree with. All in favour of my proposals set out at this meeting, raise your hand." She said, looking round the room.
Doctor Filmore raised her hand first. "I have every confidence in your vision for the future, Director." She said as she did so, reassuring her. Doctor Li was next to raise her hand, albeit somewhat less confident as Doctor Filmore. Doctor Ayo was glaring at Doctor Holdren at this point, daring him to raise his hand. Michelle felt sorry for him, all the pressure of the decision weighing on him, the youngest member on the board.
He sighed, raising his hand, though not looking overly certain in his decision. Doctor Ayo leant back in his chair, decidedly angry.
"That concludes the vote," Michelle announced, trying to mask any sense of satisfaction or smugness in her voice, "the majority in favour of my proposals. Does anybody have any other questions?" She paused, but nobody spoke up. "Then let's move on from policy. Doctor Filmore, how are things internally?"
"Well thanks to the reactor, we're better than we've ever been. We've corrected the issue that allowed you to hijack the relay, so we shouldn't be getting any more security breaches from that issue. We've used these last six months to update a lot of the old tech in the walls so it can handle higher power output so hopefully we won't have any power cuts either." Allie gave her report. "Justin has been keeping an eye on things on the surface for us."
"Yes," Ayo affirmed. "Whilst the Brotherhood and Railroad have been significantly defeated, small bands of them still exist in the Commonwealth. At this point they pose no threat to us, but we cannot allow them to reorganise. The Minutemen are retaining their significant presence in many settlements, including at Fort Independence, in the Commonwealth thanks to the Director, however pose no perceivable threat. The SRB is closely monitoring all situations." He reported.
"Thank you." Michelle said briskly, "And, Doctor Holdren, how is the food situation?"
"Crop yield is nominal, and with a high nutrition value. With all the samples you brought me, and hopefully with more data from the modified crops in the Commonwealth, production and yield will only increase from here." He replied, proud of his division's work.
"Thank you, Doctor. If nobody has any more questions, I declare this meeting over. Next scheduled meeting is in a month's time, but I will be routinely checking in with each of you on the progress made towards these goals set out today." Michelle finished. "Best of luck with all your projects. We will make a brighter future. Together."
As each of the division heads filtered out of the room, Michelle went to stand looking outside the window over the Institute. The greenery, the clean water. The simple things that had made her realise as soon as she arrived that it wasn't hopeless, that there was hope for humanity. Earth could be restored one day. Now it was her responsibility to see that through. She missed Shaun, but she had to admit he could've been a better leader. Michelle had already decided to be more transparent and open, more kind, more democratic, and more helpful to the Commonwealth. All of this a massive shift from Shaun's policies.
Their clothes summed it up. Shaun wore his own lab coat. No Institute insignia or colours, as if symbolising how he saw himself as a near dictator of the Institute. Michelle, however, wore her orange division head coat. She saw herself as an equal to the other division leaders, not beyond them. Certainly not more intelligent. Where Shaun commanded, Michelle preferred to guide. A firm hand was needed to steer the Institute towards helping the Commonwealth, but soon she would step back and allow a lot more freedom to carry out research on what each scientist wanted.
"How are you holding up, Director?" A soft voice came from behind. Michelle turned her head and Allie Filmore came into view. Michelle smiled, glad to see her older friend outside of formal meetings.
"I'm doing okay, Allie, thank you," she replied, then sighed. "At least, for the most part I am. Ayo's got me on edge though. I can't help but think he's going to try to undermine my leadership." Michelle brought a hand up and rubbed her temples, clearly somewhat frustrated. "He's too confrontational. It's hard to get the SRB to work alongside other divisions without him kicking up some sort of fuss. Not to mention how he reacted to my plans in the meeting. I understand that these debates are necessary, but I truly believe we should not blatantly disregard the surface. I cannot allow that to happen."
"He's in a very small minority." Allie replied, giving Michelle a reassuring smile. "It's no secret that some of our membership have been critical of the surface and the people who live there. I try to keep an open mind, but even I don't like going up there." She admitted. "Ayo's one of the few radicals who believe we should let them go extinct without intervening. He's managed to teach some Coursers to have this sentiment, but very few others agree."
"Why though?" Michelle questioned, "The people on the surface, well, yes there are many bad people, but those in the settlements. Residents of Diamond City, and the other farms and settlements in the Commonwealth. They're decent people. They need our help. It's inhumane to not intervene. When I broadcast my speech to the Commonwealth," Michelle reminisced, "I promised a better world for all. I want to deliver."
"You have my and Nathan's support, of course." Allie replied, "Doctor Li too, and Doctor Holdren will take a bit of convincing, but he will come around. And about Doctor Ayo, well, he's an opportunistic and arrogant man but hopefully once our synth escape problem is solved, the SRB will be less overworked and understaffed. He might become more agreeable."
Michelle smiled, "Speaking of, I better go meet with Ayo. Start the investigation into the synth escapes fully. Hopefully if I get to the bottom of this, he'll be less difficult." She ran a hand through her brown hair, "thank you, Allie. For everything." She said.
"No problem, Director. Good luck with the investigation." Allie smiled back. The two parted ways, Michelle leaving the meeting room first. She walked down the curved staircase, passing one of the children who lived there. She gave the young girl a friendly smile as she passed, but inwardly she felt slightly ill. Shaun, when he was younger, would've walked these very same steps but with no mother or father to take care of him. Just faceless scientists, and emotionless androids. No wonder he developed the leadership methods that he did. Did he feel as alienated as her growing up as when she first arrived at the Institute? So much lost time, never made up. If only he were still alive-
"Miss, are you okay?" The girl, one of the Thompson twins, asked her, sounding slightly worried. Michelle snapped back to reality, shaking her head.
"Of course, kiddo." She gave her a reassuring look. "I was just- just thinking about Shaun. I miss him a lot, it's going to be hard to fill his shoes as Director."
"I miss Father too, he was always nice to us! He gave us candy when he came to visit mom and dad." The girl, Alice Thompson, she was pretty sure it was, said. To this, Michelle chuckled at this, "I suppose I have some big responsibilities to fill then!" She joked. "See you around, kiddo."
"Goodbye, Miss!" Alice replied, and they parted ways. The rest of the walk to the SRB was uneventful, but she made sure to at least greet everyone she came across on her way. Even just a simple nod of acknowledgement would go a long way to building up trust in her leadership. She didn't want to feel alienated from all of the geniuses anymore.
She just hoped they would accept her leadership as well.