The Institute. Underground. Time of day, whatever the engineers set it to. Outside of the Director's office a menagerie of guardsmen, envoys and VIPs milled about, uncertain how or when to interact with each other. Inside there were only three people, among the most important in the Commonwealth. Dr. Madison Li sat at her wide desk with two guests exchanging pleasantries. They were at the advantage of knowing each other well; she had only sparse contact with either.
No grand rows of chairs, no preening underlings or pomp, just a small meeting around a desk. Preston Garvey, acting Minutemen general, wore a simple uniform with no indication of his rank. Paladin Danse, reinstated at his full rank, in simple military fatigues, no rank, no insignia. He looked a much smaller man – synth – outside his towering power armor which Li always thought was an apt metaphor for most Brotherhood soldiers.
"Doctor Li." Garvey nodded. They had met before, during the planning stages of invading this place. He was young, capable and utterly dedicated to his erstwhile general. Danse, rather ironically to the director, was described as bleeding Brotherhood but she had been surprised by his gentle demeanor and charm.
"A pleasure." she answered.
"Well, should we keep minutes?" Danse asked.
"For posterity?"
"I was thinking transparency, actually. My superiors will want a full debrief."
"I see no reason why not." Garvey shrugged.
"I do." Li put up a hand. "Some of what we discuss might be...unpalatable to listening ears. To the general public. I would ask that you report to your superiors of course but keep it confidential."
Danse nodded. "Your input, general?"
"Acting general." Garvey corrected. "I understand the Director's concerns. It would set a bad precedent to release minutes and edit out the sensitive parts or say one thing privately and publicly do another. I agree."
"I think that's unanimous then. Shall we read the agenda?" Li asked.
"Yes ma'am." the military polite Danse said. "We have the so-called Minutemen grenade, the basis of upcoming elections to be popular or electoral and the Wright Committee."
"That's a lot to tackle head on." Preston noted.
"Our friend left quite a bit for us to deal with." Li agreed. "What was your Minutemen's overall reaction to his retirement, Mr. Garvey?"
"Please, just Preston." he smiled winningly. "Honestly? Just shock. He laid down a lot of hits that just kept coming. Then retired? Just like that? As governor of the Sanctuary Hills Territory and Deputy General he and I talked almost daily. I haven't heard from him since the speech. Feels...odd. A lot of people are asking me if he's serious. I keep saying, 'as a graveyard'. I can't say if it's permanent but it has taken a conscious effort to sign my orders 'acting' instead of 'deputy'."
"Seems rather unfair to announce such sweeping changes and then just hop on a plane and leave." Danse observed. "We really should recall him back to active service. This vacation has gone on long enough."
"Is that a motion you're proposing, Paladin?"
"I think so. All in favor of recalling the general immediately?"
"I am against." Preston raised his hand. "That man has been running himself ragged. Maybe six months from now. Give him some time to recuperate and recharge. Maybe we can pull him back in willingly."
"I'm for, obviously." Danse opposed. "He's had weeks. It's time to get back to work."
"You're a hard taskmaster, Paladin."
"I personally sponsored him." Danse said turned his nose up. "No recruit of mine will be found lacking in work ethic."
They turned to her and Madison reflected on the conversation she once had in this very room.
"Doctor?"
"Did either of you see him, directly after the invasion of this place?"
"The next day, sure." Danse nodded. "I was so tired I slept for twelve hours straight."
"Acting general?"
"I was coordinating the surrender. Leading the last few incursions into pockets of synth resistance. Why?"
"Then neither of you spoke with him right after the battle. He was...a broken man. I was ready to cuss him out and be done with this place forever. The hurt in his soul was so great, I don't think any words would have convinced me of his sincerity. It is a terrible thing to have to put down your own child. Let him retire for good if he really wishes. I am against."
The other leaders nodded. "Motion denied. Now, the Minutemen grenade. Relay, whatever you want to call it."
Li was happy to change the subject. "In technical terms it will be an easy retrofit. The synths were kept at a ready state with tags to the grenade active at all times. The units are deployed just like our central relay station. In order to teleport people they have to be ready for demolecularization right at that moment, whatever they're holding or wearing. If you're mid coffee sip, you'll be taken along with the cup."
"The Brotherhood would love to gets its hands on that technology." Danse leaned forward.
"I'm aware of that, Paladin. I'm aware your boss would love to come in and clean this entire place out. Not on my watch, not as long as I'm breathing. The technology is incredibly volatile and incredibly dangerous. How you managed to get in here in the first place without detonating yourselves into paste is a small miracle. I know your order's creed and mission. Part of my terms for accepting this role was that we are not to be put under Maxson's thumb. Our extension of this relay technology is a gesture of goodwill, not an invitation to pilfer centuries of research. Is that clear?"
"Crystal."
"Even these relays are highly complicated and infinitely more dangerous than a typical relay. With five such relays you could summon a heavily armed strike team into any room, any location instantaneously. A civilian outpost, a government cabinet could be destroyed in seconds. I want access tightly controlled and for defense purposes only."
Danse studied her, no doubt trying to figure out how to get the Brotherhood's filthy hands on schematics. "What limitations are you suggesting, Doctor?" Preston asked. "The Minutemen strictly speaking are already a defensive militia."
"I would like...only your highest level officers to have access. And I would like dedicated slots for our use as well."
"C-come again?" he stumbled slightly.
"We can of course use our existing relays for self defense should the need arise. But we can only summon synths. Their greatest asset is their numbers, coursers will be much harder to field and control for defense purposes. We have learned the hard way that dedicated and experienced soldiers are worth many times their number in synths. With a relay in the hands of one of your top officers, perhaps you yourself general, it is conceivable that by having a single Minutemen relay the Institute can summon one of your decision makers. From there, that person can judge if reinforcements are necessary."
"Ah. I see." Preston understood. "You want to be able to tap into the entire Minutemen network if needed."
"It would be a practical benefit to have your people on call." Li acknowledged. "In theory we could drop the full weight of the Minutemen's muskets if we so chose. That itself is an extremely potent deterrent."
"The Brotherhood would like to offer a couple of grenades worth of soldiers for the same purpose, as a reciprocal gesture of goodwill."
"What?" Li blinked.
"You're talking about a dire situation where you need all the help you can get and not in a couple hours but right then. A squad of fully kitted paladins on relay is no insignificant force. No disrespect, our mechanized infantry are worth five times any other combatant around."
"None taken, Danse." Preston held up his hands. "You're probably being modest, it's likely ten to fifteen. We fought side by side at Hammerfall, your troops could have taken the place by yourselves without casualties. Without specialty weapons and training, it's hardly worth even shooting at an angry paladin in T-60. How many synths did you and the general destroy at ArcJet?"
"I don't remember. Dozens. Their gunshots kind of tickle."
"Exactly."
"You realize that means your men will have to be waiting around 24/7, in their armor, ready to go?"
Danse smiled. "We call that a resting state, ma'am. As I said, it is a gesture of goodwill."
"You think Maxson will be okay with that?"
"I speak for the Brotherhood here." Danse crossed his arms. "If I make an agreement, it is binding, and will be honored. The Brotherhood is proud to fight alongside the Minutemen once more."
"All right paladin, I'll bite." Li nodded.
"As for the relay holders, we have 35 settlements and counting out there." Preston started. "We'd like at least one relay in each settlement. The acting general, deputy, quartermaster and Castle commanders should all be equipped as well. The decision makers you were talking about. Is that satisfactory?"
"Who would be holding the relay among the settlements?"
"Typically each has a mayor and a guard captain, all personally chosen by the former general. One would be in charge of that for sure."
"I'd like a list of names and places as well as to personally interview these people."
"I'll have my admin type something up for you."
"I would also like one." Danse spoke up.
"For what purpose?" Li asked.
"Self defense, as you asked. I will carry it myself." Danse offered. "The Brotherhood has declared me unfit for combat duty because of my synth status. I am strictly a liaison, but I travel far and wide in this role. I rarely bring an escort."
"But with a relay in your hand you become one of the most powerful weapons in their arsenal." Li noted. "Do you find that as darkly amusing as I do? The replicated man, cast out of their ranks and judged unfit, yet carrying lightning in his hand?"
Danse smiled. "I am glad you see the incongruity of the situation. They would not dare place me on the Prydwen again but wherever I go they would be aware I have a force multiplier beyond compare."
"Oh, I can almost see the steam coming out of Maxson's ears." Li grinned. "It will be coded for your hand and your hand alone. How delicious. They will have to afford you a respect they can't possibly deny while at the same time biting their tongues about you. I love it."
"You're a shrewd negotiator, Danse." Preston admired. "They chose well."
The synth nodded once in appreciation. "All right. That's settled. Next?"
"Voting system. Electoral or popular." Danse read.
"The old republic – I mean, the really old one of 1776 – was electoral by fear of a tyrant emerging." Preston regaled them. "Not a 2276 problem, I don't think."
"Agreed, though this entire process strikes me as odd." Li admitted. "It must be more familiar to you."
"The former general has democracy in his bones." Preston answered. "It's not an abstract to him, it's not a stop-gap solution. He believes in it with every fiber of his being. This is why I am acting general. I will not, cannot accept the title without a majority vote by Minutemen electors."
"There's just so many questions. So many angles. What about mutants? Synth voters?"
"Problems for a later time." Danse said. "Let us focus on answering this basic one. The Brotherhood has no say in this matter, and I will abstain. We will offer our support and databanks to the provisional government until they can deem whatever place we have in their hierarchy."
"What say you, Preston? I'm out of my element here."
"One person, one vote." he shrugged. "Citizenship will be a powerful drawing factor for those outside looking in. Not only guaranteeing the rights and legal protections of the new republic but getting a vote as well."
"Popular it is." Li finished. "Final item, the so-called Wright Committee."
"His pet project."
"Preliminary thoughts?"
"Brigadier Wright is one of the most respected Minutemen officers we've ever had." Preston approved. "Her leadership and commitment to the cause is no less than my own. Her bravery and personal loyalty to the general are unquestionable."
"The both of us have known her personally for some time." Danse added. "A vote would be hopelessly biased. Since she is seeking to operate in your jurisdiction Director, we will leave the decision to you."
"I see." Li leaned over and pressed a button on her desk. "Send them in."
Into the office came a motley retinue, little cohesion in manner or looks but spearheaded by the presence of the famed reporter. She had a swagger about her, an air of confidence that came off her every motion. The council rose and Danse produced a chair for Piper Wright. She wore a smart and stylish green dress loaded with ballistic weave and a powerful plasma pistol in a holster off her shoulder. Her nails were clean and painted a tasteful jade to match her dress, her hair silken and flowing. Li never had a problem spotting a waster compared to someone who lived underground but this one was hard to tell. She came forward and thrust her hand out, looking Li directly in the eye. They shook and she had a surprisingly strong grip.
"Doctor. I've heard a lot about you."
"Likewise, Ms. Wright. Have a seat."
She did so, oozing aplomb, flanked by her crew. "Is this your team?"
"So far. May I introduce lead investigator Nick Valentine." she swept a hand up behind her.
"Ma'am." the old synth bowed and tipped his hat.
"Another whose reputation precedes them. Charmed."
"My ace information farmers, Deacon, former Railroad agent extraordinaire. John Hancock, former well connected mayor of Goodneighbor. Our man with a long rifle and longer memory, RJ MacCready."
"Quite a collection."
"Our data processor, hired muscle and navigator ADA, our admin Curie." she gestured. A blue robot packing a heavy plasma cannon and a pretty synth tipped their heads. It was an impressive amount of experience and talent standing at attention behind her but it was the final member that piqued Li's interest the most.
"Curie is it? I hear you made a breakthrough with stimpak effectiveness recently."
"Correct, madam." she answered politely.
"Why are you working on this committee instead of working for me?"
"You 'ave not asked, madam, and theez are my friends. I am 'appy to be here with them."
"You wouldn't be trying to poach my team before you agree to my committee, now would you doctor?" Wright smiled.
"You have a unique scientific mind on your staff doing paperwork."
"Investigative analysis!" Wright corrected. "I can do paperwork. A Protectron can do paperwork. Curie is an analyst."
"And what exactly are you proposing to investigate, Ms. Wright?"
"Graft, corruption, crime and abuses of power are all realities of the human condition." Wright steepled her hands on the desk. "This committee was formed to combat them in any way it can."
"And what does this have to do with my Institute?"
"Simple. I am asking for permission to open and persecute any investigations I see fit in your walls. If someone is skimming bio fluid for resale and personal profit, I will track it down. If there's more serious issues like human experimentation, leaking of Institute secrets and the like, I will find that also."
"Ah." Li nodded. "I see. You still don't trust us."
"Frankly Director, the Commonwealth has no reason to. Nate – erm, the general took great pains to save this place from being destroyed outright."
"It is fortunate then, that he was in charge."
"Indeed. But that will not always be the case. We will all die at some point, move on, change our positions. The committee aims to be a safeguard, now and in the future, against just such rash decisions. And when they are made in the heat of the moment, to record and reverse them if possible."
"So you would be the Commonwealth's conscience?"
"More like it's canary in the coal mine. Sometimes just knowing an enemy exists is enough to fight it. Other times it may be this very council that demands someone get to the truth of a matter without the varnish of politics."
"And what proof can you offer of your comptency?"
Wright grinned wide. "Other than my entire career, I thought you might ask for that. I understand your most pressing task is personnel."
"There's a lot of positions to fill." Li conceded. "A lot of returning applicants. With the Institute's existence and location laid bare, everyone capable of operating a microscope wants a job."
"Exactly. Allow us to lighten your load. We will dig into the past of every prospective candidate, former Institute or not, and deliver you a report. Interview them, friends, co-workers, exes. Put them through the ringer."
"Each one?"
"Each one."
"That would take quite a bit off my plate." Li mused. "All right. On a pro-tem basis, you're hired. But afterward I would like an opportunity to discuss employment with your admin."
"Curie is a fully functioning sentient being, that decision will be hers to make."
Li stood. "You have my authorization."
Wright got to her feet and they shook on it. "You are choosing wisely, Director. We will begin immediately."
The reporter turned to face her team. "What are you all standing around for?" she clapped her hands. "We have work to do! On the clock, let's go!"
Li decided she liked this woman already.
