League of Legends: FALLOUT

by FakeDaVinci

Three Wasteland Legends will meet each other, either by faith or destiny, and travel together on a new road to the unknown where they somehow end up in a new world within a new realm. The new world of RuneTerra. Its inhabitants will meet and learn from the three Wanderers about these famous words. War, War Never Changes.

6. Once Again We Wander

Chapter 6 Once Again We Wander…

…

October 27, 2290 (Earth Date)

Iunius (June) 27, 3027 A.R. (After Rune Wars)

TSC HQ Archipelago Islands/Codename: New Elysium, Runeterra

Fourteen days. A total of fourteen days has passed since their arrival onto this strange, alien planet. The entire crew of the Retribution have been busy in establishing their HQ on the central island of the Archipelago Islands. But first, they needed a good area in the large central island or in one of the six surrounding archipelago islands where they can build a secret dockyard to house the Retribution and secretly hide it in case the natives ever found out about the islands. The Retribution is their only ship with the hyperdrive engine to take them home and they are not going to risk unveiling its existence to this alien world in which could possibly lead to conflicts with factions whom may want possession of the spaceship and its technology. And Dante is not going to risk the only hope that is capable of bringing his crew and soldiers back home to Earth.

First, the TSC and its allies needed to do some exploration and reconnaissance of the archipelago islands. They spent the first week gathering intel on each island. Their objectives were mapping each island, locating mineral resources, capturing the islands' wildlife, gathering the islands' vegetation, and marking the marine life within the ocean areas surrounding the islands. Needless to say, the exploration was pretty much exciting and amazing for the Retribution crew and the three wanderers that it eased their anxiety about the war back home.

The large island, including the six surrounding archipelago islands, had so many amazing insects, animals, and vegetation not seen back from Earth. Sure there were pictures, textbooks, documentary holotapes, and Valkyrie flight visits to the Pacific and Caribbean islands like Hawaii, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico that somehow remained untouched from the Great War nukes with their vegetation and wildlife still intact, including the civilians whom adapted and survived after the nuclear armageddon. But this was an alien planet with its own species of fauna and flora with a high possibility of the planet's natives to be different, sentient races with their own civilization.

The insects, animals, and vegetation that were captured and collected into special Zeta energy shield cages and Zeta-alloy containers were completely different and strange due to their sizes, physical structure, and colored features of their pigments, feathers, scales, and fur that is not recorded in the pre-war Earth biology documents. This proves that they are definitely on an alien planet and it excited the TSC scientists such as Curie. Plus, Curie did a quick scan on the collected biological life of the islands' wildlife and vegetation and found no single traces of radiation or mutation in their genes. Even Dante, Theo, and Nate did the same with their Pip-boy Z's and the results were the same. This baffled and excited the scientists since they are getting the opportunity to study natural biology on an alien planet that has been contaminated by radiation. This brought more curiosity to the wanderers wondering what kind of amazing surprises and secrets that this world's main continents and islands could have that they have never seen or heard before.

While the TSC scientists gathered and studied the island's natural faunas and floras in their assembled laboratory made up of Zeta office pods on the beach near the main camp, the wanderers gathered their commanding officers, chief engineer, head technician, lead scientist, and their companions to discuss their next objectives in the Retribution's meeting room.

…

The meeting room was located in the stern of the carrier, right next to the war room and below the bridge. The room had bright, fluorescent lights installed on the edges between the walls and floors and between the walls and ceiling to illuminate the room. In the center was a long, rectangle shaped table made out of Zeta-alloy with Zeta-architect designs and glowing blue lights on the edges. It also has a holographic projector in the middle to present holo-images during meetings. There are multiple Zeta chairs with comfortable black cushions placed around the table that are currently being occupied by the people in the meeting.

Dante sat at the head of the table with the slide door behind him with Theo sitting on his right and Nate on his left. Cooper sat on his hinds on the floor next to Dante on his right with Rex doing the same on Theo's right side. ED-E floated next to Theo near his head with Codsworth hovering next to Nate on his left.

Sitting on the chairs were Blackguard Captain Thompson, Retribution Captain Henry Gibson, XO Lieutenant Ned William, TSC Marine Colonel Phil Brian, TSC Army Colonel Jack Sawyer, Thunderfist Captain Jose Philips, TSC Power Armor Captain Teresa Moria, TSC Valkyrie Wing Commander Gabby Eun-ji, Minutemen Colonel Zachory Don, TSC Head Engineer Nicholas Newman, and TSC Head Technician Mike Erwin. Additional people in the meeting are Dr. Mobius, Curie, Jack Cabot, Nick Valentine, Super Mutant Major Tuff Bass-Turd, Alpha Deathclaw Captain Zack, and 2nd Gen Synth Commander Z6-09.

Captain Thompson had his Blackguard helmet and black beret removed to show he is a Caucasian with short blond-hair and is combed back with some of the line bangs dangling on the sides of his face. His eyes are light blue but show experience of hard battles and years of service as a Thunderfist before he was selected as a Blackguard officer. Thomas had been serving the TSC since its founding and is a former Enclave soldier whom respects and holds admiration for Dante as his leader since he led many victories and brought the U.S. from the ashes. The man also had implants that increased his strength, reflexes, perception, agility, endurance, cell regeneration, and reconstructed his bone structure with adamantium.

Both Captain Gibson and Lieutenant William have bandages wrapped around their heads with casts for Gibson's left arm and Williams right leg even though the medical bay contained the Zeta healing arcs and Auto-Docs to heal their injuries instantly. The reason was due to many crew members with near-death injuries, mostly the engineers with serious 3rd degree burns and loss of limbs from the explosions, had to be focused first to prevent any more death casualties while the crew members with less injuries were bandaged or treated with stimpacks. Nobody complained about this since it was a standard procedure for the medics to treat the near death patients first with the healing arcs and Auto-Docs. Both commanding officers of the Retribution were briefed of the situation by Dante in their medic beds before the meeting and they were shocked that they somehow jumped into an alien planet with no coordinates to get back to Earth. Both were showing signs of anxiety and fear of not being able to return home to their families and not be able to be there to defend the United States from the Brotherhood. But with Dante's charismatic skills, he was able to lift up their morale and ease their worries assuring that they will find a way to return to Earth and have faith that the TSC and their allies will fight and defend the United States during their absence.

TSC Marine Colonel Phil Brian is the current commander of the TSC Marines that were stationed on the Retribution for security. He is an African American descendant of the vault dwellers of Vault 76 and an Appalachian (West Virginian) with a spirit of American patriotism. Back home, the citizens of the New State of West Virginia view the TSC as heroes when they came in 2283 to help defend their settlements from the Scorched Plague and then wiping it out completely with their advance alien technology before re-terraforming the region and rebuilding the towns and the capital city, Charleston. The TSC's heroism inspired a young adult Brian to enlist in their organization as a cadet officer before graduating from the TSC military academy in Washington D.C. as a 2nd Lieutenant in the TSC Marines. His bravery and leadership in the battles during the Dixie Campaign granted him fast promotions making him one of the youngest officers to achieve a Colonel rank at age 28. Brian's black hair is in a military buzz cut style with green eyes and has the standard TSC implants that boosts his immune systems, higher agility, greater endurance, and slow regenerating wounds. He is currently wearing the standard black TSC Marine combat armor over a grey TSC Marine BDU with a TSC black officer cap on his head.

TSC Army Colonel Jack Sawyer is the current commander of the Retribution's TSC Ground Forces of Army soldiers, tanks, armored vehicles, and mobile transports. Sawyer is a veteran of the Iron Brotherhood-TSC War, the Dixie Wars, and the Battle of Detroit whom is known to focus his strategies in targeting the enemy's command HQ to bring them all down in one swoop. He was once a ghoul with a pre-war U.S. Army military background during his services overseas in China and Alaska in which brought the TSC's attention as an opportunity to recruit the veteran from the Pre-war Era in 2280. After achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant, he was awarded to receive the anti-ghoulification cure and is currently a cured Caucasian human with restored grey hair but is buzz shaved all the way to his scalp with his face still narrowed and strong jawed despite being at the age of 256 with dark green eyes and restored, smooth skin. He has standard TSC implants similar to Colonel Brian and is wearing the black BDU of a TSC officer with standard grey heavy combat armor over his uniform. He has his black TSC officer beret resting on the meeting table.

Thunderfist Captain Jose Philips is a 27-year-old Hispanic descent with short black hair and brown eyes since he took off his Thunderfist helmet and red beret and set them on the table while still wearing his Thunderfist power combat armor. He is a veteran of the Battle of Detroit and took part in missions in New York City in sabotaging, taking over outposts, and assassinating leaders of the Rikers, Rioters, Cleaners, and the LMB. His successes led him to train and command his own company size unit of Thunderfists and take on special covert missions against the Voodoo occults in New Orleans, the Children of Atom zealots in Maine, and the pirates in Miami. Right now he is currently the commander of the TSC Thunderfist that were assigned to the Retribution.

TSC Power Armor Captain Teresa Moria is the female commander of the Retribution's TSC Power Armored Units. She has short, spiky black hair that is dyed dark crimson red and her tanned skin shows her Latina ancestry with her eyes colored grey. Her 28-year-old body has the natural curves of a supermodel with TSC genetic implants that increased her strength, endurance, and agility that made her muscular with a noticeable six pack and balanced with superhuman reflexes and flexibility. She even has TSC implants that has regenerative healing and immunity to most deadly diseases and poisons. The most notable part of her body is her E-cup breasts that is kept underneath her black TSC tank top with her TSC holotag worn around her neck. The rest of her outfit were black and grey baggy camo pants with multiple pockets which is kept up with a belt with pouches and a TSC PPPP01 sidearm in her right holster. Her footwear are black combat boots with the pants bottom edges tucked in. She is a veteran of the Dixie Wars, the Battle of Detroit, the Skirmish Wall Battles between Texas and Mexico, and the Miami battles against the pirate raiders. She joined the TSC in 2281 after the TSC came and liberated her home settlement within the ruins of Jacksonville in Florida from the pirate raiders as their action inspired her with a resolve to become part of the effort to restore law and order and protect the innocent wastelanders from the brutal tyranny of Raiders and Super Mutants.

TSC Wing Commander Gabby Eun-ji is the female commander of the Retribution's TSC Valkyries and Stingray fighters. She is a 34-year-old Asian descent from the Korean side with short straight black hair reaching down to her neck with pale skin that is nearly white and light blue eyes. Her body is curved and slim with B-cup breasts kept underneath her TSC flight suit. Over her flight suit she wore a black TSC officer jacket with her rank on the right chest with the TSC insignia on the shoulders. She has TSC implants that gave her higher endurance and strength to withstand the powerful G-force and greater perception to detect incoming enemy fighters with her own instinct while flying her Valkyrie. Eun-ji is also a veteran from the Brotherhood Iron-TSC War, the Dixie Wars, the Battle of Detroit, and the Skirmish Wall Battles.

Minuteman Colonel Zachory Don is the commander of the Minutemen units whom were assigned to the Retribution and is placed as temporary second-in-command under Nate O'Connor since he is the General of the Minutemen. Don is a 36-year-old Caucasian with a long line of American ancestry that dates back all the way to the British colonization of America. He has short curly brown hair with grey eyes that show his years of experiencing the Wasteland horrors as a 1st lieutenant in the Old Commonwealth Minutemen. Don left the Old Minutemen with his squad during their decline when he became disgusted and disappointed with the commanders fighting over the leadership after General Becket's death and losing their HQ, the Castle. He didn't want to leave, but he cared for the lives of his men and women under his command than risking them getting killed by taking unreasonable suicide missions from one of the incompetent officers. He spent his days with his old squad mates as Diamond City security guards and was heartbroken when he heard about the Quincy Massacre and the Old Minutemen's downfall from a merchant trader. But then, hope and faith returned to his soul when he heard about the Sole Survivor's deeds of helping settlements in rescuing hostages from Raiders, eliminating ghouls or Super Mutants threatening the settlements, and defending the settlements from Raiders or Gunners. Once he heard of Nate O'Connor's success in leading the remaining Minutemen with Preston Garvey to retake the Castle, he immediately convinced his squad mates to re-join the Minutemen and see if this new leader is capable of restoring the Minutemen as he promised. Needless to say, the defeat of the Institute, retaking Quincy, defeating the Nuka-World Raiders, and pushing the Gunners out of the Commonwealth solidified Nate as a true leader of the Minutemen that lead Don swearing his own oath that he will follow Nate without question, even if he has to march straight into hell. This goes the same for the TSC leader, Dante, when the TSC came to the Commonwealth in their prototype spaceship, the Prometheus, to help defeat the Institute, train the Minutemen into a proper military organization, terraform the region, and rebuild the old towns and the city of Boston back to their pre-war prime.

TSC Head Engineer Nicholas Newman is the head engineer of the Retribution. He is a former Enclave and has been in the TSC since its founding as one of the top brilliant engineers in Dr. Nylus' Department of Science in developing the Thunderfist Power Combat Armor Mk I and took part in the repairs and renovation of the alien Zeta underwater city of Poseidonis to function as the TSC's own capital city. He was also the one whom took time to design the architecture of the Apollo District by combining the Pre-War Art Deco and Zeta architect designs for the futuristic shopping mall. Newman is a 40-year-old Caucasian with short blond hair that is spiked but combed back in a style almost similar as Dante's. He has eyeglasses with frameless lenses over his blue eyes and a Pip-Boy Z of his own on his left arm wrist to carry his research data, project designs, and notes at all times for security. He wears a TSC version of the Institute head division lab coat with the lower waist area and the right sleeve colored blue and the rest white with the TSC insignia on both shoulders.

TSC Head Technician Mike Erwin is the head technician of the Retribution. Erwin is a Caucasian in his mid-30s with short red hair in a comb over style, eyes with green iris, and small amounts of freckles over his nose and cheeks. His outfit consists of the standard TSC black radiation suit but with the purple glass visor helmet removed and resting on the table. The suit is modified with ballistic fiber for protection from firearms and zetanite filament fiber to boost the suit's radiation resistant that blocks all radiation particles with increased energy resistance. He is a member of the Followers of the Apocalypse whom was requested by the TSC to take part in the operating and maintenance of the carrier due to his skills of reverse engineering Pre-war technology and restoring Pre-War technology for use in fields of medicine, agriculture, utilities, security, and infrastructure. His reputation in helping settlements to improve their lives with his technical skills was known throughout New California and the Mojave before the TSC made contact with the Followers in New Vegas. Erwin has always idolized the TSC when he heard about their efforts in rebuilding the cities and re-terraforming the lands in the East Coast from his superiors. He made every effort to assist in the rebuilding progress when the Followers moved their HQ to the restored Department of Education building in Washington D.C. until his skills and achievements eventually caught the TSC's attention. After finishing in his assignment with his team in getting the power plants restored in the Commonwealth to light up the city of Boston, he was shocked to meet the famous Otto Marcus, the head technician of the Olympus mothership and a former Enclave technician. Otto Marcus was impressed with Erwin's technical skills that he made recommendations for Erwin to be the Retribution's head technician to maintain the carrier's Z-fusion reactor and came to Erwin to grant him the invitation for the position. Needless to say, Erwin immediately accepted the position without hesitation since it was a life-time opportunity to work on a spaceship that he can be a part of in bringing humanity to the stars once more.

Super Mutant Major Tuff Bass-Turd is the commander of the TSC Super Mutant units that were assigned to the Retribution. Tuff claims to be one of the original Mariposa Super Mutants from the Master's Army back in New California and has traveled east with his surviving band to escape the Brotherhood and the NCR from extermination after the Master was defeated with the Cathedral of the Children of the Cathedral destroyed in 2162. For over 50 years Tuff and his Super Mutant brothers raided settlements and Raider hideouts for survival to replenish their food, water, ammo, and weapons or….just for the fun and thrill of battle and bloodshed as always. After leaving a long trail of blood and flames of destruction as they headed east, Tuff and his brothers managed to reach the Old State of Michigan in the outskirt city ruins of Detroit in 2213. The area around Detroit was under anarchy with Motor Raider factions battling each other for dominance and territorial gains with the use of pre-war vehicles modified or rebuilt with scavenged metal for armor and mounted with military weapons. Tuff and his Super Mutant brothers saw this area as a great opportunity to partake in a 'never-ending' battle until they perish since fighting has been their life, all they know, and what they were created to do. Plus, they are lost and have no master to serve or fight for but they would rather go down fighting than die like dying Brahmins.

For 60 years, Tuff and his Super Mutant faction in Detroit battled the Motor Raider factions and gained a reputation as one of the most powerful faction in the region that rivals the other major Motor Raiders naming themselves the Tuff Hulks. However, the top Motor Raiders had enough of Tuff and his Super Mutants raiding their territories that they somehow manage to put away their hatred and rivalry and form a temporary alliance to take out the Tuff Hulks. The Tuff Hulks last stand was at an old Pre-War Chryslus Motors Automobile factory northwest of Detroit as the Raider Motors overpowered the Super Mutants with their heavy weapons on their mounted vehicles, mobile artillery from ruined U.S. Army bases, and combined numbers that increased their manpower with increased support from multiple Raider Power Armor units. Only Tuff Bass-Turd managed to survive the attack while the rest of his Super Mutant brethren were slaughtered with extreme prejudice. Tuff retreated to a large crater located northwest from the battle where the town of Pontiac used to be located before a Chinese ICBM wiped it off the map. The aftermath of the nuclear detonation covered the area with large sea masses of radiation making the environment deadly to any humans with many known dangerous mutants such as Deathclaws and Radscorpions roaming the glowing area. A perfect place for an FEV, rad-resistant mutant like Tuff Bass-Turd to hideout from the Raiders and recover from his injuries. Tuff spent 8 years hiding in a cave located on the north side wall of the crater in which its catacombs led into the remains of Pontiac's ruined sewer system where he converted it into his own underground base. His base was filled with his stash of medical supplies, weapons, ammo, food, and radiated or purified water that he stole from the Raiders throughout his years of conducting guerilla warfare on the Raiders that the Motor Raider leaders placed a huge bounty of 50,000 caps on his head in which increased from his starting bounty of 1,000 caps.

It was in 2281 when Tuff was surprised to see a lone human wearing a black coat over an officer uniform with an officer peaked cap headwear name Dante Abram enter his underground home indicating that he came to the Pontiac Crater with no HAZMAT suits, Power Armor, or Rad-X to protect himself from the extreme radiation. Tuff couldn't understand how a 'weak' and 'puny' human like Dante was able to survive the harsh radiation environment outside his home without mutating into a ghoul or dying from radiation poisoning like he always saw many times in his life. He listened to this 'Dante' human and learned that he wanted to meet the infamous Super Mutant whom managed to dealt so many damages to the Motor Raiders and wanted to recruit Tuff Bass-Turd in his preparation for war to take the city of Detroit and claim the factories for the TSC to rebuild the American country. Tuff couldn't help but snarl in anger at the audacity of the human demanding him to help him in his war since Tuff would rather follow a leader whom is stronger and powerful than a himself than listen to orders from a 'weaker being' like Dante. Tuff was surprised as Dante kept a smirk on his face who proposed a fist fight duel in the center of the radiated crater until one of them falls in exhaustion or is knocked out. Tuff snorted in amusement and accepted the challenge feeling confident that he can take him on since he was a human and couldn't possibly last in a radioactive environment nor could Dante survive a fast, heavy punch from a Super Mutant that is powerful enough to break a thick wooden wall. But that all change as soon as they reached the crater's center with Dante taking off his coat and cap and hung them on a nearby rusted steel rebar before both took their stances facing each other. In just a few seconds, both charged each other with their fists flying.

The fight ended in just only an hour. Tuff was lying on the ground on his back with a shocked look on his face gazing at the green radioactive clouds in the sky with sunlight hardly piercing its rays through the contaminated gas. He couldn't believe it. Beaten by a mere human whom moved fast enough to dodge his fast punches, able to stand against his punches, and had enough strength to actually punch or kick Tuff with enough force to send him flying a few inches in the air. His face and body were covered in dark green bruises with red blood coming out of his cut lips and nostrils. He even has a bruised swelling over his bruised left eye that he could only see through his right eye. Tuff was even more shocked as Dante kneeled next to him and applied stimpacks to his injuries while keeping his smile on his face looking at him. With the duel settled, Dante stood up and gave him his hand in which Tuff took and the human pulled him up easily without much effort. Tuff then made his vow to follow Dante's command and has thereby recognized him as his leader whom has proven to be more 'powerful' and 'stronger' than Tuff and shall fight for the TSC as promised.

Now, Tuff stands in the meeting room of the Retribution leaning back on the metal wall on Dante's left while his arms are folded across his chest. Instead of the usual rags and scrap metal armor that the common Super Mutants wear, Tuff Bass-Turd wears a TSC black tight T-shirt and grey cargo pants with large black boots specially designed for Super Mutants. He is also wearing his own unique TSC black X-01 Power Armor with its design and size similar as the Power Armor worn by the legendary Enclave Secret Service Agent (and an Ultra Super Mutant), Frank Horrigan. The armor has the TSC symbol on the left side of his pauldron plate and the major rank insignia on his right. Tuff had his intimidating X-01 helmet similar to Horrigan's design with red eye lenses and black tubes around the head connected to the mouth respirator settled on a Zeta metal table on his left.

The huge towering Deathclaw (Fallout 4 Deathclaw design) whom is sitting on its haunches on Dante's right while sharpening its 12-inch-long, razor sharp claws with a large Zeta-alloy nail file is Alpha Deathclaw Captain Zach. Zach is an Intelligent Deathclaw whom is the commander of the TSC Intelligent Deathclaw units assigned to the Retribution. Zach is a unique Alpha Deathclaw with black scaled hide and red stripes around his back and tail with grey hide around the chest and belly. Large spikes potrude from his hunchback area and the two horns on his head spread forward and up symbolizing his rank as an Alpha. However, the most noticeable battle scar is that his left horn was lost during his first battle in Houston, Texas against a Super Mutant Behemoth. The lost horn is replaced with a special Zeta-alloy prosthetic horn attached in which is a gift from the TSC for his strength and victory in which he wears with great pride and earned him respect and honor among his Deathclaw kins. Zach is born from the Gruthar Pack (pack name in honor of their old deathclaw leader, Gruthar) that lives in one of the TSC recognized Deathclaw habitats in Texas within the rocky mountain caves within the restored Sam Houston National Forest. Zach's Deathclaw pack are descendants of the survived Intelligent Deathclaws whom managed to escape the Enclave Deathclaw genocide lead by Frank Horrigan in Vault 13 in 2242. The surviving Intelligient Deathclaws then vanished into the Wasteland heading east in hopes to find a new place to live in peace and for their pack to thrive again. Many of the Intelligient Deathclaws settled in the Midwest Wasteland before the Brotherhood came by airship from the West. Others wandered past the Wastelands of Arizona and New Mexico before reaching and settling in Texas or headed further into the Old Southern States to settle. For 40 years since the massacre, the Gruthar Pack try to remain themselves hidden by distancing themselves from the human settlements due to their fearful reputation of being the most dreadful mutant monsters that slaughter anything with their deadly claws on sight for food. The rocky mountain caves in the burnt remains of the Sam Houston National Forest was the perfect area to hide and blend into the environment to take out any hostile humans whom intend to annihilate their nests. Plus, the area had plenty of mutated pre-war animals for food like Rad Stags, Radscorpions, Geckos, and Bighorns. That all changed when the TSC arrived in 2283 with General Autumn leading the TSC 3rd Expeditionary Force. The Gruthar Pack feared for their lives when this TSC came and started wiping out every Raider and Super Mutant factions in the region that they believe the TSC would come for them next. However, the TSC Supreme Commander, Dante Abram, came and negotiated with the Gruthar Pack Alpha leader to recognize their nesting area as their rightful habitat, recognize as new sentient species, treated as equal citizens, and granted opportunity to join the TSC as soldiers of their own free will. Zach was a young Deathclaw at the time and he joined the TSC in hopes that he can help both humans and Deathclaws to be able to co-exist by fighting by their side. Zach's service in the TSC military had gained him respect among the humans, ghouls, Super Mutants, and Deathclaws for his strength and bravery in the battlefield and one of the first Deathclaws to gain an officer rank all the way up to Captain. Zach felt proud of himself to be able to achieve on what their old leader, Gruthar, had hoped to achieve: co-existence, equality, and recognition.

The final officer among the leadership is an Institute 2nd Generation Synth, Commander Z6-09, commander of the TSC Robot Battalion assigned to the Retribution. Z6-09 (zee-six-oh-nine) is like every other Synth android built in the Institute but with additional features and mass modification upgrades with the use of the TSC Zeta technology. Unlike the standard Institute 2nd Gen Synths, Z6-09's A.I. has its limits removed in order to function as almost as a 3rd Gen Synth but with a robotic dialogue and machine personality. Z6 is a special prototype commander Synth in order to see if it is possible to grant 'promotions' for the Synth androids as they improve their calculations and fast-thinking in strategy and tactics when leading their own robotic soldiers during their service. A commander type Synth leading a unit with human or meta-human soldiers is still under debate by the TSC leaders but put under hold until they get results from Z6's efforts and achievements. Z6 is also a veteran in the TSC military ground forces and has proven his developing leadership and battle strategy and tactic skills to be above expectations in which had led to many TSC victories in the Gunner War and missions in New York City and around the countryside of Maine against the hostile religious fanatics of the Children of Atom. Z6's physical appearance is similar as every standard 2nd Gen Synth but with the plastic artificial skin upgraded with TSC nano-dermal armor for protection against gunfire, adamantium alloy added to reinforce his skeletal structure to improve his strength and damage resistance, and TSC auto-repair nanites are added to repair any damages on Z6's body and restore their functions. Z6 also has night vision, heat vision, and a scanner mod installed into his optical sensors with his eyes glowing light blue instead of the usual bright yellow like other Synths. Z6 wears a TSC version of the Institute jumper suit in which is colored black with the TSC insignia on the right chest with a star underneath signifying his rank as a commander. Z6 wears the black version of the Heavy Synth Armor set with his helmet off and resting on the table in which is designed to cover his face and is designed almost like a skull.

With all the important people of the Retribution and the companions gathered in the meeting room, they can now discuss their next course of action. Dante is the first to speak.

"Well, now that everyone is here we can now discuss our next objectives," he said as he tapped onto the holopad that is hovering over the table in front of him. The holographic projector in the middle of the table changed the TSC insignia to unveil a 3D holo-map of the archipelago islands they are on.

"First off, just to remind everyone of our current situation, we are trapped and stuck on this alien world with no star map data to know which part of the universe we are in and our carrier is heavily damage from the nuclear missile. Until we can repair the carrier and figure out our current location, we are stuck here for the time being. Curie, Mobius. What can you tell us about these archipelago islands we are currently on?" said Dante.

Curie used her tablet she is holding in her hands to unveil the detail vegetation, fauna, and geography of the archipelago islands on the holographic projector. They can see images of strange species of the plants and animals, both land and marine, that are not recognized from their pre-war biological books or the current mutated species on Earth. Their physical appearances of their pigment colors and extra limbs or organs made them more mystical and alien to everyone in the room.

"From what my teams can gather from their explorations on each island, the plants and faunas are like nothing we have ever seen before. They don't even match from any of our pre-war records nor the current mutated species the Department of Biology and the Followers have been studying. For example, this bird we manage to capture for study is different from the tropical birds back on Earth," replied Curie as she tapped on her tablet to show an image of a large bird in a Zeta energy cage. The bird looked like a large toucan bird that is almost similar to the simple toucans of Central and South America. However, this toucan had dark blue feathers with cyan blue dots over the folded wings and its large beak is colored red with end colored yellow with the talons colored black. What made the bird stranger and mystical is that the eyes were light blue and are glowing along with its cyan dots on its feathered wings.

"Is that toucan bird glowing? Is it irradiated?" asked Colonel Sawyer with a concern tone.

Mobius immediately answered Sawyer's question in his robotic voice. "Indeed. It is glowing. Almost like the irradiated mammals in the Wastelands like the irradiated wolves or deer stags when dosed with huge amounts of radiation. However, this glowing bird is strangely not emitting any known radioactive particles."

Everyone looked at the Think Tank robot with confusion and wonder. Everyone in the room is already aware of the basic knowledge that anything that glows in the dark is considered radioactive. Especially since they have seen many mutated animals that glowed brightly such as an Irradiated Deathclaw or an Irradiated Brahmin during their time when the Wasteland was still hostile before the TSC was formed. But hearing that the odd blue glowing toucan-like bird is not irradiated made it sound unbelievable.

"Can you elaborate the reason why this bird is not irradiated despite glowing blue?" asked Colonel Brian.

"Yes, Colonel," said Mobius as he used one of his energy beams from his main robot body to connect to the holo-pad in front of Curie on the table. He then showed the biological image of the strange toucan-like bird with graphs and diagrams that measured and analyzed the particles of the strange energy emitted from the bird.

"This is the data collected by the Retribution scientists whom are experts of nuclear physics and radiation. As you know, radiation emits particles known as alpha, beta, and gamma particles. However, the particles being emitted from this aviation specimen doesn't match any of those radioactive particles, including neutrons. In fact, these particles are actually harmless to the organic molecules of our bodies," replied Mobius with excitement in his robotic voice.

"So this energy is harmless?" asked Dante with a raised eyebrow in curiosity as he rested his elbows on the table and his hands folded in front of his face.

"Yes, Sir. But I still think this energy may have large influence to the evolution development to this archipelago's environment in which also affected the evolution of the faunas. Dr. Curie here has claimed to have detected the same energy among the samples of the floras and faunas when she was studying them in her lab," said Mobius.

Dante turned to Curie. "Is that true, Dr. Curie?"

Curie smiled and replied. "Yes sir. I must say it has kept many of my team members so busy that we hardly slept at all due to our excitement and enthusiasm to learn more of this world. My…the adrenaline feeling was so….euphoric. I can now understand why so many scientists of the past love this feeling of discovery. To learn so much that we have known before. In fact, my human heart has not stopped pumping at this so much excitement!" she explained with a large smile and twinkles in her eyes. Everyone couldn't help but stare at her with sweatdrops on their heads feeling awkward at her expression.

Curie looked around the meeting room and blushed with embarrassment. "Oh. I'm sorry everyone. It's just that this is a new human feeling that I have never experienced even though I have been this Synth body for a long time since the mind transfer."

"It's fine, Curie. Just focus on explaining about this energy on how it is safe and why it is affecting the evolution of the islands' environment and creatures," said Nate with calming tone to reassure her mood. Curie nodded getting her head cleared before clearing her throat.

"Yes. Ahem. As I was about to say, the energy emitted from the floras and faunas are somehow not harming any of the nearby organic molecules of the islands' floras and faunas, including the marine life," said Curie as she tapped more on her tablet's screen to change the images on the holographic projector to multiple images of the islands' plants and faunas, in which are mostly birds with the usual lizard, crab, fish, or insects. Another image showed the basic information of deadly radioactive particles on how they harm the human body's organic molecules.

"As you know, radioactive particles are known to destroy or mutate the organic molecules of our body parts and even the DNA structures. However, the samples of the glowing floras and faunas that are gathered from the northwest island were analyzed with our advanced microscopes and Zeta analysis equipment that reveal that the energy particles are not destroying the molecules but are being absorbed and are enhancing the molecular structures," explained Curie as everyone in the room watched the holographic recording of the strange blue energy particle being absorbed by the organic molecules and spreading through the molecular structure. Data graphs, calcuations, and measurements began to appears next the images. Dante, being the expert in medical science and the human body thanks to his father, analyzed the data and his eyes widen in what he is reading.

"Curie! Is that data true?! The energy is enhancing the faunas to be stronger and faster than what they once are?!" yelled Dante as he stood up with shock with everyone staring at their leader with bewilderment and confusion at his outburst.

Curie nodded with a serious expression. "Yes, Commander. This energy is actually enhancing the muscles, skeletal, cardio, immunity, and the rest of the body parts of the animals. Even their senses are also enhanced. I even scanned their brains only to discover that their brain cells are more active than a regular wild animal. I believe they may become more aware and sentient as the energy enhances their brain cells," she replied.

Dante slumped down into his chair as he shook his head trying to process what he just heard. Everyone in the room were surprised on what they just heard from Curie's biological explanation of the strange energy affecting the faunas. Dante looked at Curie again with a harden expression, "Is this energy also making the plants sentient as well?"

"No, Commander. The energy seems to only affects the regular plants such as the flowers, leaves, and trees to glow in different unique colors during the night in which I admit is making the scenery quite mystic and enchanting. Even the floras that produces strange kinds of fruits are also glowing but are not harmful to the body, only enhancing in unique ways like containing more vitamins and nutrients in which can possibly boost our body's endurance, immunity, and cell functions faster than the normal speed," says Curie.

"Interesting. And which of the archipelago islands is this energy located and affecting the fauna and flora?" asked Theo. Jack Cabot immediately answered the question.

"I can answer that one, General West," said Cabot as he tapped onto his own tablet to show the map of the island located northeast of the main island. Cabot then pinpointed the northern area of the island where a rocky mountain is located and surrounded by multiple jungle vegetation with some of the vegetation growing on the mountain's rocky surface.

"When Curie and Mobius informed of the strange energy radiating from the faunas and floras that were collected from this island, I immediately used a Vertibird to fly over and scan the landscape of this island to locate the same energy. The scanner picked up the same energy wavelength on that rocky mountain in which I believe may have some cave systems where the energy source is located and spreading all over the island. In order for any of us to explore that mountain, I recommend modifying our HAZMATs and Power Armor with Zeta energy shields to protect a selected team from the strange energy's particles since we don't know how it will affect our bodies," explained Cabot.

Dante and everyone in the meeting were quite as they processed Cabot's explanation. Dante then spoke on how they will proceed on the discovery.

"Alright. We will have a team sorted to be sent out and locate that energy source. Plus, we can make plans to construct bases and labs to properly study that energy source. But that will be put on hold for now until we can get the Retribution in a secure area and get the HQ base set up on the main island. For now, that island will be off limits to all personal until further notice. The energy particles may be harmless but I don't want any of our people suddenly shooting fireballs or flying all of a sudden due to its influence to DNA enhancement or sudden mutation. Is that clear?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Now, what else is there about the islands?" asked Dante.

Head Engineer Newman immediately responded. "I have some more information sir. It concerns the geology, mineral resources, and geography of the islands," he replied with enthusiasm. Dante nodded to him as a signal for him to proceed.

Newman tapped onto the glowing holo-pad in front of him on the meeting table to change the images of the holographic projector to show his team's discovery. The images unveil the archipelago islands' mineral deposits, geography, and geology in which caught everyone's attention since there seems to be huge deposits of different elements in which are known to be used in construction and technology production. The images also showed larger deposits within the oceans and bays surrounding the islands, including petroleum oil deposits.

"As you can see, our Zeta drones and Valkyries scanned this entire archipelago and has detected huge amounts of mineral deposits in different locations on certain islands and within the oceans surrounding the islands. But most of the valuable deposits are located on this rocky island in the southeast of the main island. What we looking at is a gigantic mother lode of rich raw minerals and ores that have been left untouched for possibly thousands of years!" said Newman with excitement in his voice. No one could blame him since this many deposits would be considered a huge treasure trove to any pre-war mining corporations to strip mine, refine, process, and sell in the market for unbelievable amounts of profits.

Nate rubbed his chin with his right hand with a raised eyebrow as he gazed at the images on the holo-projector with fascination. As an engineer from the pre-war times, he can tell that this amount of resources will be beneficial in the long run for the construction of important buildings and infrastructure on the archipelago islands, including replenishment of their ammunitions and build or repair their vehicles, armor, and weapons. Nate then turned to Newman.

"Amazing. Can you explain and describe what kind of deposits and how much can these deposits last before they are completely strip mined?"

"Yes, sir," said Newman as he tapped onto his tablet multiple times to unveil what the deposits are on the 3D holographic image of the islands.

"As I said before, most of the mineral deposits are located in this rocky island in the southeast of the main island in which has less vegetation growing on its surface. Our scanners have also detected some elements of sulfur near the surface at the southern part of the island but no seismic activities. This means that this island is an extinct volcano," explained Newman.

That caught the attention of Nate, Dante, and Theo. As you know, Nate has the highest stat points of Intelligence in his SPECIAL measurement, meaning that Nate has did some research and studies on minerals and geology to locate raw materials as part of his engineering reports for his college major. If this southeast island was indeed once a volcano island, then the island should contain cooled magma containing large amounts of mineral deposits such as gold, diamonds, aluminum, lead, nickel, zinc, silver, sulfur, and copper. But Newman had more information on the former volcano island.

"The areas surrounding the dead volcano should contain large deposits of aluminum, copper, zinc, diamonds, gold, silver, and nickel that are formed by the volcano's cooled magma and igneous rocks that are identified as felsic, mafic, layered intrusion, hydrothermal fluids, and porphyry. Suffice to say, the deposits can last us for about 200 years since the volcano has been active hundreds of years ago before it became extinct. Furthermore, scanners unveiled that the northern parts of this island contain mountain regions with other igneous deposits containing elements of iron, tin, beryllium, chromium, lead, tungsten, cobalt, mercury, uranium, and more! I have never seen a single island containing so many mineral resources in my life!" explained Newman with confidence and excitement.

Besides the mutants, everyone couldn't believe that they are all sitting on an archipelago that contains deposits in which would be considered be the mother lode of all elements instead of a treasure trove of natural minerals. This would be considered a historical moment of discovery and fortune for them all. But survival and getting back home to partake in the war between the U.S. and the Brotherhood is their most concern than the wealth they are standing and sitting on.

"Incredible. It's like this island has all the materials we need to begin construction," said Captain Thomas with awe.

"Indeed. Definitely a mother lode of raw minerals that could have boosted the economy back home even though it is an archipelago," said Captain Gibson in agreement.

"Are there other resources and raw materials on the other islands, Newman?" asked Commander Eun-ji with curiosity.

"Oh-ho-ho! Definitely! So much more! The northern island has lots of deposits of sand, quartz, limestone, clay, and gravel that are perfect for glass production and construction materials. The northwestern island doesn't have mineral deposits but the ground surface and soils look perfect for agriculture farming and biological research. The southwestern island seems to have deposits of natural gases within the bogs and swamps that contain methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and helium. Plus, there are huge deposits of coal and oil around the southern area of that island which can last up to 150 years. The southern island has mostly deposits that are half the amount as the deposits of the southeastern island, but there are also large deposits of saltpeter around the ledges of these small mountains located on the western side of the island. Additionally, I have detected other raw deposits in the ocean floors and bays around the archipelago," said Newman with more excitement as though he found so many lego brick pieces that are enough for him to build so many lego cities or towns based on his imagination and innovation. Newman tapped multiple times on his tablet screen to unveil more locations of raw materials on the other islands and within the ocean and bays on 3D holographic map.

"I had some of the Zeta Alien drones go underwater to scan the ocean floors and the bays surrounding the islands. I do admit, the coral reefs and marine life are quite exotic, beautiful, and captivating with the sun light refracting through the water surface providing an underwater paradise scenery. But what I discovered through the scans of the drones are massive deposits of polymetallic nodules, manganese crusts, and sulfide deposits. Another motherlode of iron, tin, lead, zinc, titanium, manganese, copper, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum, platinum, gold, silver, and even some gemstones in which are mostly diamonds! All underwater!" said Newman as he tapped his tablet to show all the deposits located in the deepest parts of the ocean that surrounds the archipelago. The images also unveil most of the sedimentary minerals and polymetallic nodules near the northern islands were the depths are about 1,000 to 2,500 meters.

Curie pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. She wanted to use some of the drones to study the underwater marine life to gather samples of the coral reefs, shells, fossils, and capture some of the creatures for study. "I wanted to study more of those ocean creatures. But nooooo. He had to take all of them to scan the entire the islands and bays for 'resources' for our survival sake. Pft. I'm sure he had enough to do his part and I could have used some of the drones to study more of those wondrous sea animals," thought Curie as she glared at Newman without anyone noticing. Nate, Theo, and Dante noticed her glare on Newman but kept quiet.

"Although, I hope he doesn't suggest to mine those coral reefs and the bays for the mineral deposits. That will harm the underwater environments and kill or force the sea creatures to leave the area before I can study them. Hopefully, I can have the time to set up an aquarium or a closed ecological system before he starts his digging," thought Cure with anxiety.

"However, as much as I would like to mine these rich minerals, we do not have the facilities nor equipment to conduct deep sea mining. I suggest we put these underwater deposits on reserve since we can just focus on the mining on the island surfaces to gather the resources we need," replied Newman.

Curie relaxed with relief and made plans in her head on how she can preserve and study the marine life before Newman starts his deep sea mining operations. Or at least she hopes he can make plans to mine the resources without harming the alien marine life since they have advance mining equipment built with the technologies combined from the Olympus, Big MT, and the Institute. Plus, she remembered a few years ago that the TSC designed new mining equipment that can extract the mineral deposits without harming the landscapes or the restored natural life.

Newman then showed more images on the 3-D holo-projection of the archipelago's large central island with a large mountain in the middle.

"Furthermore, the scanners also detected large amounts of iron ores, bauxite, saltpeter, coal, and limestone within and around this central island's main mountain. Its ledges and slopes contain layers of sedimentary and metamorphic minerals. But here is the greater news. I found a large cave entrance next to the lake in the southern part of the central island in which its tunnels go deep inside the mountain and it is large enough to house the Retribution," he explained.

Everyone looked at the holo-images of the main mountain in which is measured to be up to 6,254 meters high with the base at ground level which is measured to be around 11,657 meters in diameter. The images showed different parts of the mountain where the deposits of the mentioned resources are located with the last image showing the large cave opening in front of the large, crystal-sparkle lake in which is about 1,180 meters in diameter by shoreline and a blue river flowed south from the lake towards the ocean bay. The opening of the cave looked like the mountain's large, wide mouth opening to show its stalagmites, stalactites, columns, and flowstones as though they are teeth with the entire large space and tunnels going deep inside the mountain. The rocky structures surrounding the cave opening were covered in multiple jungle vegetation of vines, flowered bushes, acacia, and palm trees. Adding to the beautiful scenery was a large, sparkly waterfall flowing down on the left side of the cave opening pouring into the lake. It was definitely large enough to fit the Retribution inside since the data showed that the mouth of the cave is 600 meters in length and 200 meters in height. A perfect place to hide the carrier from the world's natives once they built the dockyard inside and cover the entrance with a camouflaged, entrance door.

"Good work, Newman. Are there any wildlife faunas habiting inside that cave?" asked Dante.

"No, Commander. The drones detected no alien mammal life habiting that cave and the rest of the cave systems and I made sure the drones have mapped the entire cave system. However, the drones did detect some kind of bird species that look like some type of flamingos wading or standing within the lake."

Newman then increased the holo-images focused on the lake to unveil a large colony of birds in the lake. The birds almost look like the physical structure and behavior of the common flamingos back from Pre-War Earth in Florida or the Bahamas, but these were completely different. Each of the birds had their own different colors and texture designs of their feathers with unique beak shapes but are similar due to their lengths. Many of the flamingo-like birds are also taller at a height of 7 to 8 feet and have larger bodies than the common flamingos while others look to be at their normal size. They can also see some of the birds on the shores that are tending or feeding their young fluffy chicks that look very adorable and cute. (The colorful flamingo-like birds are based on the huge colorful birds from the Dreamwork movie: The Road to El Dorado)

"They look like huge flamingos with colorful feathers. Are they aggressive?" asked Teresa Moria with wonder and captivation in her eyes on the colorful birds. "Plus, those little chicks are so cute! I hope I can pet and hold them! Eeee!" thought Moria with an inside girly excitement despite being a legendary, hardcore Power Armor commander with large kill streaks and destruction in her records.

"No. But the birds were curious with the drones when they came near them. Some just gently pecked on the drones but they just continued their own business. I suggest we just leave them be and just leave to Dr. Curie and her scientists to study them," said Newman. Curie was happy that Newman recommended her to handle the birds since she finds them fascinating and wondrous. She couldn't wait to study those birds and hopes that she can pet one of those cute chicks as well. However, her happiness was short-lived when she heard the sounds of a mouth salivating and a tongue licking coming from a certain Alpha Deathclaw in the room.

"No, Zach! You are not eating those birds!" yelled Curie as she looked at Captain Zach with an angry and stern expression as though she is scolding a child. Everyone jumped at her outburst and they turned to look at Zach whom was standing tall and looking at the holo-images of the birds with a hungry expression and drools coming through between his sharp teeth. Zach turned to look at Curie with an annoyed look.

"Oh come on, Doctor! I'm a predator and my pack likes to hunt their meal than just purchasing the meat from those so called su-per-mar-kets. It makes the meat taste better! Plus, those birds look delicious! Probably better than those chi-ken meats!" complained Zach as he looked at those birds again with predator eyes.

"I said no! Those are native birds of this alien planet and we don't know what their meat can do to your bodies if you consume them! That goes for you too, Major Tuff Bass-Turd!" yelled Curie with fury as she also glared at the Super-Mutant commander. Tuff had a grin on his face while licking his lips as he looked at the holo-images of the birds with a curious expression of feeling peckish for some meat. He glared at the Synth doctor when he heard her words.

"Bah! It's just a bunch of birds taking a bath! Besides, I agree with Zach and my fellow brothers are eager to hunt for some meat to roast with some good ole' Old World barbecue and steak sauces! Hunted meat tastes better than that crap they call meat stored in those frozen lockers!" said Tuff as Zach grinned with the mutant since he is supporting him. Curie and Moria glared at the mutants as they didn't like the idea of those beautiful flamingo-like birds being eaten by Super Mutants and Deathclaws. Tuff, Zach, and Curie began to shout each other about hunting the alien wildlife.

Dante, Theo, Nate and everyone else in the room stared with blank expressions as they witness the argument between Curie, Tuff, and Zach. Even though there is still plenty of meat in the ship's cargo in which are stored in Zeta sealed-freezer crates to keep the meat fresh, the Deathclaws and the Super Mutants prefer to hunt wild meat than consuming the prepared-cut meat. This is due to their old instincts to experience the thrills and adrenaline of hunting whether by strategic chase to corner the prey or capture by trapping. Then they relax by feasting on their prize game in which helps to relieve their excitement of the hunt and grant them the satisfaction of a tasty meal that fills up their bellies. Theo understands this since he has been a hunter during his Courier years in the Mojave and became a well-known cook for creating delicious cuisines from the meats of the mutated animals he hunted. Also, the military chefs on the ship may be skilled enough to make delicious cuisines from the stored meat that can satisfy the two mutant species, hunted meat is still known to be more delicious than the supermarket meat even during the Pre-War days. For Dante and Nate, they just hunted and cook the mutant animal meat for survival in their own respective Wastelands.

As the three continue to argue, Dante stood up to seize their comments since it is holding up the meeting. "Alright! All three of you, shut up at once!" he yelled. Curie, Tuff, and Zach immediately became silent as they looked at their Supreme Commander.

"The native faunas on this planet will be left alone and will not be consumed for food until Curie has analyzed and confirmed that they are safe to be eaten. But I also don't want to harm the ecosystem and cause a sudden de-population of the species while we are here setting up our HQ or hunting the wildlife to keep our food stockpiles full. As I said before, I don't want anyone suddenly breathing fire from their mouths or mutating because of the consumption of the alien fauna meat. For now, Curie will be in charge of all wildlife and biological related species on the islands until she has granted clearance to hunt any of the faunas for a certain time period given. Is that clear Tuff and Zach?" said Dante with a stern look. Curie smiled in victory as she made a smirk expression at the two mutants as they growled in defeat.

"..Hrrmmm…Yes…Sir.." mumbled Tuff.

"….Fine…"mumble Zach.

But Dante was not satisfied since he knew they would try to have a taste of the alien wildlife while no one is looking. So he made a different approach. An intimidating one.

"IS. THAT. CLEAR?!" yelled Dante as he stood up with his brown eyes suddenly glowing blue as he gave an angry expression with his teeth gritting. Everyone froze in their seats or from their own standing positions as they knew what that glowing eye is by rumor and gossip among the TSC officers and soldiers. Except Theo and Nate are unfazed by the scary display since they already know what Dante's special skill is, but it is classified. For Tuff and Zach, they rather not be disciplined by that powerful perk of his like 'last time' when they disobeyed his order.

"Y-y-y-yes Sir! Crystal Sir!" screamed Tuff as he didn't want to be "punished" from the commander's ability.

"S-s-sorry Sir! I understand! My pack will not hunt the wildlife unless permitted!" yelled Zach as he would rather fight a Mirelurk Queen or a Florida Gatorclaw (mutant from Fallout Miami mod) than face Dante's wrath.

Dante's expression became calm but stern as he nodded and sat back down. "Good. Now Newman. As you were," replied Dante.

"Yes, Commander. As I was saying, I have mapped the entire cave systems for additional facilities to build within the mountain for our HQ with possibilities to expand the dockyard. I also have already made plans to set up the facilities to start the mining and production operations for the necessary materials to build up the dockyard inside the cave," explained Newman.

"How long will it take to construct the facilities, mine and produce the materials, and construct the dockyard?" asked Theo.

Newman typed onto his tablet to show the estimated time of completion for each objective on the holographic projection. It also showed his architect and infrastructure plans of the facilities with roads connected to the mining sites and processing plants with a bridge connecting the southeastern island to the main central island. Also, the facilities will be powered by a small power plant station that houses a spare Z-fusion generator with power lines connected from the station to transmission towers built along the roads and along the bridge road to transfer the required energy.

"It will take about ten to eleven days to set up a mining and a processing facility on the southeast ledge of the central mountain and two of each facility on the southeastern island. Plus, we will need to set up a road with a bridge that connects both of the islands in order to transport the materials quickly by vehicles to the cavern in which will take about 2 to 3 days. I also recommend we move the Retribution to the lake and beach it next to the cavern opening so that we can use the factory built inside the carrier to produce the parts for the construction. The factory has a matter transformation device from Big MT in which will be beneficial to increase the production rate. Plus, I'm sure the birds won't mind a huge ship moving into their favorite wading pool as long as we don't harm them. Anyway, the mining and production operation will take about 20 to 30 hours to mine, transport, process, and forge the first amount of factory-produced parts to begin the dockyard construction. Finally, the construction of the dockyard will be completed at around 2 to 3 weeks depending on our construction speed with the construction drones, engineers, workers, vehicles, and equipment. This also includes the production and delivery rates of the materials," explained Newman.

"That will have to do. Newman, get started on setting up the mining facilities and processing plants to gather resources at your chosen areas. Commander Eun-ji will assist with her Valkyries to move the Retribution to the lake by tractor beams. Once your engineers start mining and gathering the ores, have the drones and spare engineers to construct the roads and the bridge to have the materials gathered at the Retribution's new location. I expect the construction operation to progress at a scheduled pace. Is that clear?" said Dante with a straight face of a commander.

Newman stood from his chair and saluted. "Yes, Sir. I will start immediately once this meeting is over."

Once he sat back down, Dante started the next subject. "On the next subject is the damage report on the Retribution. Erwin, what's your report of our carrier?"

Head Technician Mike Erwin tapped his tablet to change the 3-D holographic images to show the holographic structure of the Retribution. The areas marked red are the two gravity drivers underneath the bow section and the left rear engine thruster with multiple breaches in the left side of the stern. Three of the six generators within the engine section in which is next to the Z-fusion reactor section are marked red as well signifying either heavily damage or automatically shut down. Areas marked yellow are the carrier's armaments, intact right rear engine thruster, intact antigravity propulsion drives, the teleporter, and the shield generator in which are signified as intact but are unable to function due to loss of power. The rest of the holographic structure of the carrier are colored light blue.

"As you can see, the Retribution took heavy damage from the nuclear missile and the fighters that rammed into the antigravity drives during the attack. The nuclear explosion has caused multiple breaches in the stern and left sides of the rear section and has damaged the entire left rear engine. We need to build an entire new left rear engine to replace the destroyed one since it is too extensive to repair. The right rear engine is still intact but the central engine may need some repairs and parts replaced since it took some damage from the explosions. The explosion has also caused major damages to two of the six generators with only one generator that has its internal circuitry fried but still intact and can be repaired easily. Those two generators also need to be replaced with new ones as well. That also goes for the two antigravity propulsions underneath the bow section. We also need to repair the electrical circuitry and computers that have either short circuited or exploded during the combat. Finally, the requirement to produce lots of new Zeta and Saturnite alloys to replace the damaged alloys among the armored sections and structures where the damages are located. She is not going to be flying anytime soon," explained Erwin.

"Define not anytime soon? What is your approximation for the Retribution to be fully repaired and able to fly into space once more?" asked the Retribution commander, Captain Gibson, with a serious tone.

Erwin checked his tablet again and tapped the screen again to show the approximate time for the Retribution's full repair on the holographic projector. "My best approximation will be about….one and a half years," said Erwin whom had a nervous tone since he was dropping the bad news of how long they might be staying in this alien world while there is a war going on back home.

"One and a half years!?" cried Minutemen Colonel Don, "Why is it going to take that long?! Don't we have the robots and the alien technology to repair the starship in only a few months?!"

Erwin groaned in annoyance from the Don's yelling. "Yes, we do have the robots and the alien technology to fully repair the Retribution, but it will still take longer due to the requirements to mine and process the materials and produce the parts."

"He is right," agreed Newman. "The reason we were able to build those starships is because we had multiple facilities all over the TSC-controlled territories in America with each designing, experimenting, and building their own assigned parts of the starships. For example, the REPCONN facilities were responsible for the designing and testing of the Zeta XM-V propulsion engines, Big MT had new facilities that are in charge of the molecular material production of the Zeta and Saturnite alloys, and the Institute facilities were able to design more advanced computers combining their technology with the Zeta's for more advanced controls, communications, and navigations. Since we are going to have only a few, the repairs will take a long time until the Retribution is set to fly once more."

Colonel Don groaned. Even some of the other human officers were sighing or growling in disappointment since they will have to inform their soldiers and officers under their command the bad news that they will be stuck on this alien planet much longer. Many have families, loved ones, and friends back home and no doubt they are worried. Anything could be happening with the war going on. Even though they are mostly living in the Southern or Eastern States farther away from the Wall were the major battles will mostly take place, the attack on Washington D.C. during the Great War Memorial Day was proof that the Brotherhood has the capability to attack deep into the U.S. territories.

Dante sighed seeing the expressions of his officers. He spoke with his charismatic skill. "Listen, everyone. I know our men, women, and fellow meta-humans are worried for their loved ones, friends, and families back home due to the war with possibly getting killed by an air raid or another nuke attack. But have faith on our comrades and commanders. As I said from my speech, I made sure to make all preparations in case we are unable to carry out our duties due to our situation. I have every confidence that they can hold out and possibly claim victories even without our guidance."

Everyone stared at him and gave expressions of small smiles with their spirits lifted up by Dante's words. Dante smiled back and turned to Head Technician Erwin. "Erwin, is there anything else for you to report?"

"Let's see…Oh yeah! The Z-3 Hyperdrive Engine is still intact despite being near the explosions and fires since the entire section for the hyperdrive is protected by thick Zeta alloy walls. It should be able to function properly once the power is restored. Although…" said Newman as he looked at his tablet more closely.

Everyone stared at the head technician as he was about to say something more. Dante, Theo, and Nate narrowed their eyes with suspicion.

"Is there anything else, Head Technician Erwin?" asked Nate.

"Wellll….I think I may….. have found the reason why the Retribution…. jumped into this planet instead of the Atlantic Ocean…. back on Earth,…sirs," says Erwin as a sweat drop begin to flow down the side of his head with his voice in a nervous tone. Everyone stared at Erwin in shock as they listened to what he just said.

"What?! Explain," demanded Dante. But Erwin kept mumbling since he was having a hard time on how he should explain the mess they are in. One certain "brain in a jar" cyborg got irritated with impatience and immediately used his psionic telekinesis to seize Erwin's tablet to look at the data and information. "Oh, give me that boy!" Mobius yelled through his speakers.

"Hey, man!" cried the surpised head technician.

Mobius held the tablet in front of his two monitors that serve as his eyes as he scanned the tablet's holo-screen. A few seconds later, Mobius slumped and groaned in irritation.

"Oh..my..bloody..cerebellum. That idiot, buffoon of all clumsiness...Sir! That stupid, so-called teleporter physic expert, Plishkin, is responsible for all this!" yelled Mobius as he shook his robot body in anger.

Dante had a hardened expression with narrowed eyes as he heard that name. The name of the clumsy scientist whom served in the TSC after defecting the Enclave with Hardin and his company. Dante had a bad experience with Plishkin when he convinced Dante in trying out the large Zeta Teleporter in the Olympus Mothership to experience of teleporting from the spaceship to the Earth's surface to test its practical use to teleport armed forces and cargoes to the surface at a faster pace. But what he experienced were multiples of miss-teleportation to different locations such as the Deathclaw Sanctuary in the Capital Wasteland, the Earth's atmosphere and almost died in hitting the ground before teleporting to another location, and finally outside a mountain cave where he could swear he was in some kind of medieval, fantasy world due to the large city with a large tower made of masonry and stone in the distance (Elder Scrolls – Imperial City, Cyrodil, Tamriel). My god he almost got killed. All because of the "Sandcroomie" crystal getting knocked off the huge teleporter during the teleporting process and accidently teleported to the Deathclaw Sanctuary.

But what came next was the worst. He somehow got turned into a female version of himself when he was able to get teleported back into the Olympus. That was the weirdest and most disturbing moment he ever experienced in his life. And he can still remember it. Long, straight black hair that felt like silk and reached down to his lower back. Smooth, unblemished white skin that glowed under the artificial lights. Beautiful chocolate brown eyes with enchanting eyelashes. Pretty set of natural pink lips on the face. Slender arms with pretty, delicate fingers on the small hands. A very slim waist with a smooth flat stomach. Long, beautiful legs that all women would envy. A captivating mid-size rear that kept swaying side-to-side every time he walks. But the worst of all was the feeling of the extra weight of those large, soft F-size breasts connected to his chest that kept bouncing every time he moved. Especially when he felt a very important part of his manly pride missing between his legs that felt empty. Dante shivered remembering that experience, especially when he saw Plishkin and the teleporter staff members, both male and female, blushed in seeing Dante in his beautiful female version that he had to relieve his anger and frustration by punching Plishkin hard leaving him with a purple left eye and broken glasses. Once he was back to normal by re-materializing through the teleportation process, Dante threatened Plishkin and everyone in the teleporter chamber that they "forget" about what had happened and never speak to anyone about it otherwise he will personally commence a "sex-change operation" on each of them while they are asleep. He can since he learned surgery from his dad and became an expert surgeon once he boosted his medical knowledge and skills up to 100% during his time in the Capital Wasteland. Everyone in the room swore to him their oath of secrecy for the sake of their manhood and womanhood.

"What…did that…idiot…do…this time?" asked Dante through clenched teeth as he knew he is not going to like what he wants to hear.

"It says here in the tablet data that the….uh…Hyper..chrono…sphere…Ugh that man and his ridiculous sci-fi names…Ehm. Uh…the Hyperchronosphere was placed backwards in the Z-3 Hyperdrive Engine's main internal core. Therefore, when we punched in the coordinates to jump over the Atlantic Ocean, the Hyperchronosphere misinterpreted the coordinates and ended up causing an error in the engine's computer system to jump the carrier into the hyperspace tunnel and traveled in a random direction until it opened a new tear in an unknown part of space that led the carrier to jump right into an unknown system that is not within any Pre-War space system documents. Which is directly in this planet's atmosphere," explained Mobius with irritation in his robotic voice due to Plishkin's little mishap.

Dante's eyes twitched at what he just heard. "And why was the Hyperchronosphere placed backwards in the internal core?" he asks.

"Hmmm." Said Jack Cabot as he tapped his chin. "If I remember correctly. Mobius, Plishkin, and I were testing the energy output and functions of the Hyperchronosphere after we removed it from the internal core and placed on a Zeta analysis pedestal. While looking at our data screens, Plishkin wanted to scan the physical structure of the Hyperchronosphere in hopes to reverse-engineer the marvelous Zeta crystal for mass production. We refused since we didn't want him to do it alone but we agreed since he kept on insisting with unbelievable persistent like a whining child. So we agreed and let him take it to his own workbench for his project but we also reminded him to place the Hyperchronosphere back into the hyperdrive's internal core after he was done with it. I believe he said that he was just going to be quick since he wanted leave the Retribution for the Memorial festivities in the Mall. He was quite excited to partake in the holiday."

"That's right. And I remember him saying that he wanted to get there fast as possible in order to win a…uuh…a..rare…Captain Cosmo prize-something…at a game stall for his collection. Is that right?" said Mobius.

"Y-yes. I believe that was what Plishkin said," replied Cabot confirming what Mobius said.

"So let me get this straight…we're stuck here because Plishkin accidently placed the Hyperchronosphere backwards into the hyperdrive internal core…due to his excitement and anxiety…to possibly win …a rare..Pre-War…Captain Cosmo prize?" asked Dante as he gritted his teeth with growing anger and irritation.

Mobius and Cabot looked at each other before looking at Dante's face with nervous expressions. "Yes…Sir", both replied.

Dante growled. "When we get back to Earth I am going to make sure his entire collection gets locked up in a Zeta vault on the Olympus for a year!" he thought with his eyes glowing blue once more. If Dante knows one thing about collectors, they hate losing their precious, horded items that they have carefully preserved and organized on the shelves as though they are valuable treasures for display. Heck, Dante himself is a collector of Pre-War books, comics, and magazines that he kept preserved in plastic protectors and other Pre-War toys, action figures, and models that he found during his wanderings. Even Theo and Nate have their own Pre-War collection that are similar as Dante's.

Dante breathed slowly to calm himself and cleared his throat. "Well…what happened has already happened. We must focus on our current situation to get the ship repaired, find out where we are, and get back home to fight against the Brotherhood," he said. Everyone nodded but they also share Dante's anger since Plishkin is responsible for getting them into this mess.

Dante turned back to Erwin whom managed to snatch back his tablet from Mobius. "Erwin, are there any other repairs required for the Retribution?"

"No, Sir," replied Erwin as he scanned his tablet. "That should be all for my report."

Dante nodded. "Now that our objectives are cleared. There is the most important matter at hand. The coordinates to get back to Earth. Mobius, Cabot. What are your suggestions?"

"Sigh. Sir, that is the most challenging and the real problem in getting back home," said Cabot as he pushed his glasses up. "Since we have traveled randomly through the hyperspace tunnel, we ended up in an unknown system with no data or knowledge of where we are located. I even checked the databanks containing the Pre-War USSA (United States Space Administration) data logs, photos, and star charts collected from the space probes, satellite telescopes, and advanced observatory telescopes. None of the data matches the system and the planet we are currently on."

"He is right," said Mobius agreeing with Cabot. "Since we don't know where we are, we need to scan and map the star systems, planets, nebulas, and cosmos seen from this planet in order to analyze and calculate where we are. We still have the data from the Z-3 Hyperdrive Engine but it is mostly corrupted and encrypted due to the error of misinterpreting the jump coordinates. We may have to do it all from scratch by building our own satellite telescopes and observatories if possible in order to map the stars and cosmos. This may be the only way in order to locate the Milky Way Galaxy or the Sol System."

Captain Gibson then spoke, "Can't we just use the same coordinates to jump back to Earth if we set the Hyperchronosphere properly in the internal core?"

"No. no. no. no. As I said before, the Hyperchronosphere misinterpret the previous jump coordinates when it was placed backwards that caused an error in the engine's computer system. This led us to travel randomly through the hyperspace tunnel with no proper guidance and just randomly jumped into an unknown system. With the data corrupted from Z-3 Hyperdrive Engine we cannot properly analyze how far we have traveled in light years and how many solar systems or galaxies we possibly passed. Therefore, we will not be able to punch in the correct coordinates to travel back to the point of origin. Plus, using the same coordinates will only jump the carrier to another part of this world as it was intended to do back on Earth," explained Mobius.

"So what we need to do is build some satellite telescopes or an observatory in order to map the stars from scratch in hopes to locate Earth?! That's probably going to take years! Possibly a decade by doing it here ourselves!" cried the XO Lieutenant William.

"Probably more than a decade. It could also take us centuries to solve this. I'm sorry but this part of space is unknown to us and we don't know how long we will be stuck here without the proper coordinates," said Mobius with his monitor eyes looking sad and looking down until they perked up with digital eyes widening showing an expression that he has thought of something.

"Unless….." said Mobius.

"Unless, what?" asked Theo.

Mobius used his psionic energy beam to change the images of the holographic projection to unveil the map of the world. The areas where the dim lights of the villages, towns, and cities are located on the three continents are marked with a red triangle to pinpoint their location.

"We could try to make contact with the locals in this world. Based on the sizes of those lights within the planet's shadows we saw on the images from our orbiting Valkyries, some of them may be huge cities with possibilities of scientists or astronomers of their own. This would mean that the natives may have libraries or archives keeping records of their studies of the stars and astronomy. I suggest we send a team of diplomats to visit the towns and cities in hopes to negotiate to have a look at their records containing star charts they may have recorded throughout their years of mapping the cosmos," said Mobius.

Mobius's suggestion seems good, but it has too many flaws and consequences. For one thing, they are the aliens to the locals of this planet and the TSC does not know what type of culture or society the locals have. The natives' civilization level could be either tribal, ancient, or medieval with less chances of them being industrial or almost modern. There is also the matter of what type of government the natives formed and how the natives will react to the TSC's democratic type government. Finally, there is the matter of the communication in which is the most important when forming a diplomacy with foreign countries – the language barrier. No language leads to confusion, misunderstandings, rising tensions, and, eventually, conflicts. The TSC does not need one here right now.

Dante sighed. "Your suggestion is a good one. But we do not have intel on the culture, society, government type, ideals, religion, and civilization level of these locals. The locals would no doubt be physically different since we can't expect them to be humans like us and we would be considered aliens and strange to them. Most importantly, we don't speak the same languages in which is considered a barrier for any proper communications between two species."

"Umm, sir?" said Curie as she just remembered something concerning the language barrier. Dante turned to her. "Yes, Dr. Curie?"

"Didn't the TSC Department of Science and the Department of Biology collaborated together in developing a device with an advance program to translate the Zeta Alien language both vocal and written?" she asks with curiosity.

Dante raised an eyebrow. "If I say yes, then I assume that you are thinking that we could use the same device to crack the native's language. Am I right?"

Curie nodded. "Yes sir. This device could be beneficial to us for our diplomatic talks with the factions of this world. What I suggest is that we equip the SIA's cloaking Eyebots with the translator device and deploy them to the nearby lands for recon and intel gathering. We can use them to monitor the native's conversations to gain samples of their languages for the device to crack and translate it for us. We could then use the data to teach ourselves the language and even understand their language in written form."

Nate was curious about the Eyebots. He never expected one of the TSCs newly improved Pre-war robots that are mostly used by Seraphs Intellegience for espionage are stored in the Retribution. "We have the TSC Seraph Eyebots on this carrier? Why and how many do we have?"

"They were requested for preparations for the hyperdrive jump test to Mars," stated Captain Gibson after he raised his hand. "We believe that the Retribution should at least have some advance recon robots for planetary surface recon and in case if the Zeta Aliens made any bases on any of the planets in our Solar System ever since the discovery of the underwater city, Poseidon. As of now, we have a total of twelve Seraph Eyebots all stored in their container pods in the cargo hold."

"Where do you suggest we send those Eyebots?" asked Dante whom has become interested with Curie's suggestion.

Curie smiled and changed the holographic projection to show the map of the 3 main continents and the nearby islands of this alien world. Areas marked with red triangles are the continental archipelago in the northeast, the archipelago islands near the entrance of the sea enclosed by the north and south continents, and the isthmus connecting the north and southern continent.

"I would suggest these three locations since they are the closest lands to our archipelago islands even though we are about 4,500 miles east from this island continent. This island continent seems to be brimming with lots of the strange energy that is almost similar as the one on the northeast island of this archipelago with some artificial lights indicating that there are towns and villages built in selected areas. The archipelago islands are within an area of deep waters that are somehow filled with large marine creatures that are strangely larger than the Humpback whale. There also seems to be a large city harbor built on the largest island next to a cove. Finally, this isthmus somehow has the largest artificial light seen in space. This could be a large coastal trade city for commercial ships and is the rich center of this world's worldwide trade," explained Curie.

Everyone looked at the map and the three areas chosen for recon and intel gathering. Wing Commander Eun-ji then spoke. "If we are going to deploy those Eyebots, then I guess I would be gathering my pilots to fly three cloaked Valkyries for this mission, correct?"

Curie nodded. "Yes. We just recon and scan the vegetation and fauna life of these regions and locate as much of the towns, villages, and cities as possible. From there, we just have the cloaked Eyebots to observe and listen to the conversations of this worlds natives while recording their vocal languages for our TSC translation devices to analyze and interpret their language. It will also be a great opportunity to see what kind of a society, culture, and civilization they have."

Everyone in the meeting looked at the map as they listened to Curie's suggestion on getting intel of this world's natives. Dante looked at the map for a while before replying.

"This is good suggestion Curie, even though you are a scientist of the TSC Biology Department," he says before he looks at everyone in the meeting room. "Does anyone have any objections to this plan? Speak now if you have any alternatives."

Everyone shook their heads.

"Very well. Curie, I approve of this plan. Commander Wing Eun-jie."

Eun-ji stood up and saluted Dante. "Sir!"

"Gather any available Valkyrie pilots whom you deem fit for this recon mission. We will make plans and discuss the details with Curie on how this mission shall proceed and what the objectives shall be," Dante said.

"Sir! I shall get right on it after this meeting," she replied and made another salute before sitting back down.

"Now our final discussion. What are our armaments for our soldiers?" said Dante.

TSC Army Colonel Sawyer spoke first as he read his report on his tablet holo-screen. "According to our logistics, we have ten Mammoth tanks, fifteen Patton tanks, twenty Chimera tanks, twenty Stryker APCs, twenty Bradley IFVs, fifteen Humvees, and twenty-five Utility Trucks. Our weapons in the storage and armory contain the XM-586 Assault Rifles, CC21C8 Assault Shotguns, SMGR21 Submachine Guns, SR19HD Anti-Material Sniper Rifles, TFR-X Tactical Flamer Rifles, TIR-X Tactical Incinerator Rifles, CZ53 Miniguns, Z5 Frag Grenades, ZGM-98 Missile Launchers, X99 10mm Pistols, Z3 Frag Mines, Zeta Disintegrator Rifles (Alien Disintegrators), and Zeta Atomizer Pistols (Alien Atomizers). There are also other explosives such as C-4 Plastic Explosives, M18A1 Claymores, Flash Grenades, Smoke Grenades, Z10 Alien Grenades, Z9 Alien Mines, Pulse Mines, Pulse Grenades, Cryo Mines, and Cryo Grenades. Enough to arm our Army soldiers with plenty of ammunitions in which would last us for a long time as long as we don't start a war. There are also lots of spare combat armors and BDUs for the TSC Army in the armory as well."

TSC Thunderfist Captain Philips was next. "My Army Elites are equipped with the best weapons made from the TSC. They consist of 600A H.E.A.R. Rifles, 600ASW H.E.S.W. Support Weapons, LRS02 Hybrid Gauss Rifles, VT-191 Alien Shotguns, MEGL2761 Grenade Launchers, Z10 Alien Grenades, Flash Grenades, CSA135 Boreas Pistols, Zeta Alien Disintegrator Rifles, Zeta Alien Atomizer Pistols, and Zeta Alien Gatling Guns for the Thunderfist. There are also twenty-five spares of the Thunderfist version of the Power Combat Armor in one of the secured vaults of the armory. Plus, the Razorback heavy troopers are armed with Miniguns, Alien Gatling Guns, MEGLs, and the H.E.S.W. Support Weapons while the Erebus Stealth Snipers have the SR19HD Anti-Material Sniper Rifle as their primary weapon with the Boreas Pistols as their side arms."

TSC Marine Colonel Brian spoke his report. "My space jarheads are armed and fully ready with their MAR21J9 Marine Assault Rifles, MAC21C9 Marine Assault Carbines, LSW19 Marine Light Support Weapons, Z7 Plasma Grenades, Z75 Plasma Mines, MG21C9 Marine Machine Guns, and MSA372 Acolyte Marine Side Arms. There are also Commando mods for the MAC21C9s and the MAR21J9. We just need to know what to shoot and kill, Sir! We also have plenty of spare Marine Combat Armor and BDUs in the armory or storage"

TSC Power Armor Captain Moria reported her soldiers' armaments. "My fellow metal men and women are armed with the HB01 T.H.O.R. PPC Grenade Launchers, APAS521 Tesla Throwers, HGL624 Rail Cannons, TC7 Tesla Cannons, Zeta Alien Gatling Guns, PPPP01 Personal Particle Projection Pistols, CZ53 Miniguns, and the M42 Fat Mans. For close combat, we have the Super Sledge (Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas version) and the Proton Axes. We also have the standard Zeta Alien Disintegrator Rifles, Zeta Alien Blaster Pistols, Lasers (rifle, pistol, tri-beam, rechargers, gatling, RCW, and LAER) and Plasma weapons (rifle, pistol, multiplas, defender, caster, and gatling) for the Tesla Power Armor units. Finally, some units with the Hellfire Power Armor are equipped with the Flamer (Fallout 4) and the Incinerator (Fallout New Vegas) along with the heavier version of the Incinerator. We have two spares of Power Armor of each type all secured in their frame stations in the Maintenance and Repair Section near the armory."

"My fellow Minutemen are armed with the same weapons as the rest of the TSC armed forces, including the units with low tier Power Armors and with Marine Armor," said Minutemen Colonel Don. "However, we are still training for the use of the Fat Mans, the Tesla Cannons, and the Rail Cannons and we are not armed with any of the Zeta Alien weapons."

"Hmph," grunted Major Tuff Bass-Turd. "My brothers are armed with anything heavy, powerful, and explosive. Grenade Launchers, Support Weapons, Rail Cannons, Incinerators, Miniguns, Fatmans, and different types of Gatling Guns (Alien, Laser, or Plasma) are our favorites. For crushing puny skulls, we are also using the Super Sledges and Proton Axes. Spare clothing and parts for our armor are kept in storage."

TSC Black Guard Captain Thomas made his report. "My Black Guards are armed with similar weapons as the Thunderfists and will make do with what we have in the logistics," he states with a simple sentence.

TSC Wing Commander Eun-jin states her report. "My Air Force consists of twenty-five Valkyries, twenty Stingray Fighters, fifteen Utility Vertibirds, and thirty Vertibird Gunships. Weapons for the pilots consists of the Boreas Pistol as our sidearm and the XM-586 Assault Rifle as our primary weapon. Our supplies and extra outfits are within logistic storage."

Finally, TSC Robot Battalion Commander Z6-09's report is the last one. "My fellow mechanized infantries are all armed with their respective standard weapons. For the 2nd Gen Synths, they are armed with the standard Institute energy weapons or the TSC Army weapons. Spare weapons and Synth armor are placed within the armory or storages. The Synth soldiers are all on standby and awaiting orders."

TSC Deathclaw Captain Zach didn't need to make his report since his fellow kin are more used to close combat and never have picked up a weapon with their clawed appendages. Their sharp talons and fingernails are enough for them to cut down their enemies.

"Alright. Everyone knows what our next objectives are. Officers, unload all cargos, equipment, robots, and vehicles from the Retribution and set up temporary warehouses, storages, depots, and garages next to the main camp to store them. The fighters and Vertibirds will remain inside the carrier with only a few taken out and placed near the camp for the preparation for the recon mission. Once they are unloaded, the Valkyries will move the Retribution to the designated area in the lake near the construction site. I want the dockyard finished and this ship secured as soon as possible. This meeting is adjourned. Dismissed," said Dante.

As everyone left to do their part, Detective Nick Valentine waited until everyone left while leaving the wanderers whom were still in their seats with ED-E, Codsworth, and the dogs still remaining as they were. Once the slide doors closed, Nick began to talk for the first time since he hasn't spoken during the meeting.

"So fellas. What should I do while I am stuck here with you guys?" he asked as he pulled out a cigarette from a pack and lit it up for a smoke. Even Theo was starting to light up another cigar from his container.

"Well. I guess you could assist with the exploration on the nearby islands. We can have you commissioned as an honorable TSC volunteer soldier to provide security for the scientists since you have experience with guns and fighting mutants while traveling with me throughout the Commonwealth and investigating Far Harbor," said Nate as he felt sorry for his friend since he was busy setting the new Detective Agency in Boston. Now Nick's co-workers and managers will have to form and run the business without him until they are able to get the coordinates to return to Earth.

"Sigh. Alright. Guess I can make myself useful as an extra security for the science teams," said Nick as he blew out some nicotine smoke from his artificial mouth. "But I hope you guys can provide us all some entertainment soon in case we ever get bored during break times and socializing. The soldiers and crew members would no doubt crack up mentally if we don't provide something to distract them from anxiety and depression. I would recommend a building or area that can provide alcohol, cigarettes, T.V., books, music, billiards, or card games to ease their minds and relax. Heck. Maybe let some of them swim in the ocean or relax in the lagoons. This place does fit to be as islands of paradise. Even a nice beach barbecue could keep our morale up high. Am I right?"

"I agree with Nick here," says Codsworth. "We should make sure that our men and women have a source of entertainment and relaxation. It is important to keep their minds clear and at ease as they find some way to socialize while having fun. Otherwise, we may end up with a large group of upsetting soldiers whom may riot, or worse mutiny despite the respect they have for you three."

Dante, Theo, and Nate were silence as they processed what they just heard. Entertainments for the soldiers and crew such as a bar, gyms, bistros, cafes, restaurants, night clubs, beach parties, and gaming facilities are important to ease their minds after work or to recover their fatigue and stress from a mission or battle. All this was provided throughout the New United States, Olympus, and Poseidon for the TSC soldiers and civilians to enjoy life for as long as they have. Heck, they even set up the VR pods in rebuilt civilian entertainment centers that were once used for training U.S. soldiers at a faster pace during the Pre-war days were reprogrammed by the TSC technicians to run video games simulations. The VR gaming pods immediately became popular among the citizens with list of video games such as the "Liberation of Anchorage", "Call of Duty: WWII", "Adventures of Grognak", "Silver Shroud: Dark Days of Boston", "Vault Boy Adventure", and "Alien Invasion".

"We'll keep that in mind. But for now we will focus on the dockyard and then we need to start building the HQ, barracks, and important facilities to secure ourselves on this world. Then, we will think about constructing entertainment centers for our men and women," says Dante.

Nick nodded. "Alright. I guess it can wait since all of this construction can keep us all busy for a while."

"Now that everything is settled, let's get to work. Hopefully the Eyebots will find something interesting about the natives of this world once they return with the Valkyries," says Dante as everyone filed out until the room was empty. Little do they know that they are about to

get a shocking discovery from the Eyebots' recordings in what this world has in store for them.

…

November 4, 2290 (Earth Date)

Julian (July) 21, 3027 A.R. (After Rune Wars)

TSC HQ Archipelago Islands/Codename: New Elysium, Runeterra

Since the meeting, work has been non-stop for the crew and soldiers of the Retribution. Every engineer and technician were working together to set up the planned facilities to start the mining and processing of the precious materials to forge the parts needed to construct the dockyard inside the mountain cavern. The mining and processing facilities were designed with the same architect as studied from the Pre-war ruins of other mining facilities, especially with sliding doors, steelwork statues, and bright lighting. Only difference is some Zeta architect were added to the Pre-war Deco Art style for the lobbies, offices, and lounging areas to make them more attractive and welcoming with some potted bushes and flowers collected from the islands' vegetation to add the tough up. Damn Newman and his pride for his "engineering artwork". The industrial areas of the facilities were built with steel and titanium alloys with equipment installed to gather the mineral ores and molecularly extract the minerals from the ores before they are shipped by the TSC utility trucks to the Retribution to forge the minerals into the steel and titanium alloy parts. As for the Retribution, it was moved by 6 Valkyries with their tractor beams to lift and carry the carrier before settling it at the northern edge of the lake. The rainbow flamingo-like birds were spooked at the huge ship when it appeared at their habitat, but they settled down and occasionally flew around the ship. Some began to rest on its surface or peck the armor out of curiosity. This way, the carrier's factory can forge the parts by manipulating the material's molecular structure near the cave opening and speed up the construction.

For the roads, they were built by clearing away some of the trees with the mined materials used to create the pavement and the asphalt layer. The roads were constructed as a modern highway road with six lanes and street lights on both sides. The trees were not cut down, but pulled out of the ground by TSC Zeta drones with their tractor beams with the assists of the Eyebots loosening the soils with their pulse weapons. The trees were then placed into special steel pots filled with fresh soil next to Curie's makeshift lab for study at the beach which was set up with Pre-war office pods that were upgraded with TSC tech. The steel bridge was built quickly with steel alloys to connect the highway road from the central island to the southeastern island and its design is a tied arch steel bridge with six lanes. All of this construction of the road infrastructure was done fast in just 2 days thanks to the construction drones and the engineers working non-stop with schedule shifts, even the Super Mutants voluntarily assisted by doing the heavy liftings since they got nothing better to do. Newman has managed to keep up the schedule as promised.

While the dockyard was being constructed, Wing Commander Eun-jie had sent out three cloaked Valkyries to their assigned recon objections. Their mission is to deploy the SIA Eyebots and have the flying cloaked robots to observe and record the natives of this world. Most importantly, they are required to listen to their conversations and begin process of translating the languages as much as possible for future diplomacy.

It was only a few days since the Valkyries left a few hours after the meeting ended. Only for them to suddenly return and quickly land near the main camp. The pilots exiting their space crafts had expressions of shock as they rushed to find their leaders while carrying the Eyebots in their arms or leading them as they floated behind the pilots. Boy what a surprise they have on what they have discovered for the three wanderers. A discovery that will bring curiosity and resolve for Dante, Theo, and Nate…to wander once again.

…

Flashback: Valkyrie Recon Discovery

10 days ago

October 31, 2290 (Earth Date)

Julian (July) 11, 3027 A.R. (After Rune Wars)

TSC HQ Archipelago Islands/Codename: New Elysium, Runeterra

Dante, Theo, and Nate were observing the dockyards construction inside a large canopy tent while reading the daily reports on a large table. Newman was explaining how far they are in completing the construction with a large holo-screen floating behind him showing the blueprint design of the dockyard. Black Guards surrounded the tent with Codsworth making some delicious expresso coffee near a table filled with beverages and snacks for the wanderers with Cooper and Rex sitting down on their haunches next to their respective masters. ED-E was busy playing around with the nearby colored flamingo-like birds in which Curie decided to call them Arcus Flamingos ('arcus' - Latin for 'Rainbow').

As they were reading and listening to the reports, they heard a commotion outside the tent. "Please! We need to see the Commander! It's urgent!"

"The Supreme Commander and the other two generals are in a meeting right now! You have to wait until they are finished!"

"It can't wait! Please! We need to inform Commander Abram that we have made a huge discovery from the Eyebots we deployed for the reconnaissance mission!"

As soon as the three wanderers heard the word 'Eyebot', they knew it had to be the Valkyrian pilots that were sent out for the recon mission. They immediately got up from their chairs and exited the tent with Newman, Rex, Cooper, and Codsworth following. Outside, they see Captain Thompson and another Black Guard blocking the six Valkyrian pilots whom are holding the Eyebots under their arms with four of them floating next to them. Standing in the front of the pilots was the same pilot, Santiago, whom discovered the world they jumped into wasn't theirs. Next to him was his wingman, Feng, whom is holding two of the Eyebots in her arms while breathing heavily as though she ran a marathon. The wanderers noticed that Santiago and the other pilots are in the same condition as her.

"If they were rushing back here in a hurry, then their discovery from their recon mission must have be important that it has shocked them greatly," thought Dante as he stepped forward. "At ease, soldiers. Let them through."

The Captain Thompson and the Black Guards stood down and let Santiago to pass them along with the other pilots. Santiago was panting as he steadied his breath for more control before he let go of the Eyebots to let them float next to him so that he can salute his leader properly. "Sir! 1st Lietenant Santiago. Commander of the Reaper Squad!" he shouted while still trying to breath properly.

"At ease," said Dante as he put his right hand Santiago's right shoulder to steady the pilot. "Now catch your breath for a few moments until all of you have calmed down. Then tell me what happened during your recon mission."

Santiago was taking his time to get his breathing under control. After he moments, he was able to steady his beating heart and get better control of his lungs. But before he could report what their findings were, a TSC Humvee was speeding towards their direction with the occasional honking to alert nearby soldiers, engineers, robots, and alien flamingos to clear away. It hit the brakes hard and made a sharp turn that made it slide along the sand until it halted near the pilots whom flinched from the sudden vehicle's appearance. The driver's door opened up and out came a very stern and angry Wing Commander Eun-ji as she glared at her pilots.

"Just what is the meaning of this, Lieutenant?! I just heard from my second-in-command that you guys just came back early from the mission's schedule extraction and ran off with the Eyebots towards the Commander's position! Explain yourselves or I will have you all grounded and placed in the brig for a month with cleaning duties!" she yelled clearly not happy with the unprofessional actions of her best squadron under her command. Especially in front of their leaders.

Before Santiago can explain, Dante intervened. "Settle down, Wing Commander Eun-ji. It's fine. I am sure they have a good reason of their actions and I am willing to see what the Eyebots have recorded in their databanks," he said as he turned towards Black Guard Captain Thompson. "Captain, go inform the officers and civilian leaders for an emergency meeting in the Retribution. Tell them it concerns the recon mission with the pilots' sudden early extraction."

"Yes Sir!" said Captain Thompson as he stood straight and saluted his leader and ordered two of his Black Guards to follow as they went off to inform the other officers and leaders.

"Lieutenant Santiago. Warrant Officer Feng. Bring the Eyebots and your pilots with us to the meeting. We will hear what you have just found from your reconnaissance," he said as started walking to the Retribution nearby with Newman following since their construction meeting is now cancelled.

Eun-ji walked besides Santiago and Feng and gave them a harsh glare. "You are lucky this time that the Commander is willing to overlook you actions. But don't think you will be lucky the second time you do something like this again. Understood?" she says with a whisper. Santiago and Feng had a small sweatdrop flowing down the side of their heads as they nodded to their commanding officer. "Yes mam," they both said.

…

It took about an hour for all of the officers, scientists, and engineers to arrive at the meeting room in the Retribution. Even Nick Valentine was invited as well. Cooper, Rex, ED-E, and Codsworth remained outside the carrier to wait. Once they have all settled in, Mobius and Erwin plugged the Eyebots to the 3-D holographic projector in the middle of the meeting table. Then Erwin used his holo-screen tablet to start playing the recordings in twelve different video images on the holo-projection. What everyone was watching were surprised to see what the natives of this planet look like in the recordings.

"Lieutenant Santiago," said Wing Commander Eun-ji. "Are those people…humans?"

Santiago looked at the images and nodded. "Yes mam. Me and my fellow pilots were quite shocked when we saw what they look like on the Valkyrian computer screens that were connected to the Eyebots' cameras. We confirmed all three chosen locations have the same species as shown from the Eyebots. All humans."

Mobius was very intrigued but mostly confused. "But how…I thought Earth was the only planet as the homeworld of humanity? How is this possible?"

Dante, Theo, and Nate were speechless as well. They never expected to find more humans on another planet. Silence was only heard in the room since nobody could explain how there could be humans on an alien world. However, Curie came up with a sudden hypothesis.

"I am not sure if my hypothesis is possible but…it could be that this planet during its formation when the first animal life started to appear, a different species of primates appeared and for thousands of years through their own trait paths of evolution different from Earth's they miraculously formed this world's own race of humans. And it looks like they have built their own civilizations with their own unique culture and societies," said Curie as she gazed at this world's humans with wonder and fascination. She wanted to study and learn about their history if given the chance even though she was focused on studying the Arcus Flamingos, the mysterious energy from the northeastern island, and the marine life in the lagoons and oceans.

"That's not only the most shocking, mam. When our Eyebots began to record their conversations we detected some of the dialects and words almost similar to our world's languages based on what our computers were able to analyze. Hell, this location where the isthmus is located has a coastal trade city that is filled with civilians whom can speak English but with accents and dialects similar to British English or Transatlantic American accent. We don't know how this is possible," said Santiago as he showed the language and dialects of the archipelago continent similar to the Asian languages such as Korean, Japanese, and Chinese with the archipelago tropical islands filled with multiple dialects similar to Scandinavian, Arabic, Greek and English with some Latin within the words.

"Unbelievable….," said Curie as she couldn't believe her suggested plan actually brought so many results. The ability of communicating with the natives for diplomacy can actually be possible. She really wanted to speak to these people in a peaceful and friendly method so she can learn as much as she can about their way of life and this world.

Right now everyone was curious and fascinated with the people they are seeing in the images. Mostly what outfits they are wearing, the architect of their city buildings, and the environments surrounding the natives.

Taking a closer look at some of the images, everyone can see four of the twelve recordings were showing a port city built within a bay that is surrounded by straits that look treacherous and cliffs that tower like mountains. The city was nestled within the tropical archipelago island that is northeast of the southern continent. Closer looker at the city they can see the houses and businesses were built with scavenged or stolen materials since the architect buildings look like pieces from broken hulls of ships that belong to galleons, longships, galleys, sloops, brigs, and frigates with some built with pieces of repurposed masonry for structure support, chimneys, or additional luxurious exterior design. Obviously the denizens lacked any natural resources on their archipelago islands for construction so their only option is scavenging, stealing, or using their own ships they traveled in. The city stretches from the bays and stack up around the slopes and sides of the mountainous cliffs with some built nearly at the peaks. They can also see a huge stone overpass looming over the piers of the main harbor and a large stone temple with a huge masonic dome built on the tip of a large cliff overlooking the bay in which looks ancient but kept maintained and preserved through time. It was hard to notice but they can see closely that the city has the main infrastructure of the stone, cobbled streets and carved stairs that travel up the cliffs to different districts with wooden signs hanging from nearby buildings or a gas lighted street lamp serving as street signs. Scaffold walkways and wooden, rope bridges connect between buildings and cliffs of different sections and establishments of the city that overlook the canals, inlets, and waterfalls. There are also ropes and riggings connected to different buildings with pulleys and cranes holding ropes with hooks indicating that they used hoist heavy cargo from the wharfs to the higher sections of the cliff. They can also see multiple gondolas around the cliffs transporting goods and cargos on rust-worn rails around the city and across the islands of the archipelago. Some of the gondolas also have cannons installed on their platforms.

Establishments within the docks and wharfs include residential buildings with single or two-story wooden homes or simple shacks and markets that are selling fish or foreign foods and goods (stolen most likely from merchant ships). The market stalls showed merchants selling fruits, vegetables, alcohol, sugar, spices, and meats with some shops or stalls producing and selling accessories, clothing, armor, and weapons. The weapons they can see that many of the denizens are carrying are swords that look like cutlasses, odd-looking muzzle pistols or rifles, and unique harpoons or hunting spears. Going further into the city and to the middle levels known as uptowns are filled with entertainments due to hearing laughter and singing among the men and women that act like drunken sailors enjoying a night of fun within buildings such as the taverns, inns, large hotels, gambling dens, auctions, brothels, and some that look like a theater. Homes in this level are a bit larger or are built on top of the business establishments. The higher levels contain the more luxurious mansions built with masonic materials with enough space to establish gardens of exotic looking plants. These mansions also seem to have flags or banners with unique insignias indicating those districts belong to the richest and powerful crime lords of the city. The only source of lighting of the port city is either torches, oil lanterns, and lighted dim candles. There are also lighted candles within dark colored alcohol bottles and are hung up within netted ropes giving out a unique glowing atmosphere for the city during night time.

The main harbor of a large bay was covered in mists and occasional fogs with lots of wooden ships docked at the wharfs or anchored in the bay. They can also see huge amounts of crude and poorly built buoys floating in the bay's waters with some attached with bells, sign boards, or large lanterns, but are unsure why so many are made by the denizens. Small boats are seen rowing around the bays with some rowing into the canals with their cargo covered in tarmac, others fishing with their own makeshift fishing poles, the rest were rowing to nearby anchored ships trying to sell their goods to the sailors stationed on the vessels. What amazed and shocked everyone is that they can see multiple shark fins all over the surface of the main bay's water in which the boatmen, fisher men, sailors, and criminals mostly ignore indicating that it has always been a common sight for all of them.

This city, Bilgewater, reminded everyone in the meeting of the crude architect of wasteland settlements that were built by wastelanders and settlers with scavenged materials of wood, junk, and scrap metal. But somehow, the artisans and engineers whom built the city out of scavenged parts of ships and whatever masonry material they can get had made it more attractive and cultural in its own way. It was as if it was to attract nearby civilian ships and trade vessels to stop by the port city even though it is mostly a slum filled with criminals waiting to cut open their throats for their purses once they step onto the wooden docks. It was as though the city is seducing foreigners of limitless… ."opportunities" to gain wealth and power.

What Sawyer notice about the denizens is that they were dressed in outfits belonging to 17th to 18th century era sailors, whale hunters, and ship captains. Some had tattoos that look tribal-like while others have their own designs on their arms, chests, bellies, shaved heads, or faces. Others were wearing accessories such as jewelries made from gold and silver with gem or from bone parts like a sharp tooth from a sea marine predator while others have piercings on their faces or ears. Hell, some have their own hairstyles with some that have beads attached to their braided hairs or some with large beards that they tie with a ribbon at the end. Occasionally, they can see some of the denizens have primitive prosthetics like a metal hook for a hand or a wooden peg leg for a foot. These Bilgewater people remind Sawyer of some certain criminals that he saw from books and movies focused on the infamous cutthroats and sea thieves of the Caribbean during his childhood fascination.

"Are those people pirates? And is that their base of operations?" asked Sawyer as he narrowed his eyes at them. Pirates are seen as equal as Raiders among the TSC and innocent settlers. Even Moria seem to glare at the port city denizens since she has a bad history with the Raider Pirates of Miami when they have tyrannically ruled over her settlement in Jacksonville. She has killed many Wasteland pirates when she joined to the TSC and during the sieges in Miami and she enjoyed killing every last one of them whenever she got the chance.

Feng shook her head. "Not entirely sir. From what we are able to gather from the Eyebots recordings by listening to the conversations of this port city's denizens, the place is called Bilgewater and it is located on the archipelago tropical island that they call the Serpent Isles. What worse is that it is a haven of the worst and dangerous criminals of man. Put it simply, it is filled with outcasts, gangsters, kingpins, corrupted merchants, thieves, con artists, smugglers, exiles, crime lords, bounty hunters, and, most of all, pirates. Heck, every worst criminal from different parts of the world have come to this place to avoid justice from the law while other travelers come to avoid past debts or prosecution."

Santiago continued from where Feng left off. "From what we can understand, Bilgewater has become home to many of the visiting travelers whom made the place their home despite the dangers and hazards of the place. These people claim it is a place of opportunity to start a new beginning regardless of their past and backgrounds and a chance to exploit power and wealth. With so many people coming in and making Bilgewater their home, the districts in the mid and lower levels have become slums with some of the residents have miraculously able to form families with kids. However, due to the dangers and hazards of this place, many parents are killed from murder, accidents, serpent-hunting, or crime-related activities which has led to increase numbers of orphans whom are forced to survive by stealing or join one of the gangs or pirates. Although the city is lawless with no regulations in trade and no police force, Bilgewater is divided with different factions ruling different sections of the city indicating that the city's government is a gang syndicate type."

"Sigh. Great. A city filled with pirates and criminals," said Moria as she did like to see another city under control by pirates or criminals. She had enough of seeing them back at Miami on planet Earth. "This is not what we needed while we are marooned on this planet."

Many officers in the room agreed with her. Others stayed neutral, including Dante, Theo, and Nate.

"So what factions control this port city of cutthroats and brigands?" asked Dante with curiosity.

Santiago changed the images to show the denizen factions of Bilgewater. "The first of these factions are called dock gangs and they rule different sections of the harbors through racketeering, force protection, prostitution, gun running, drug trade, and smuggling. Many of them also have their own ships for pirating trade routes of merchant ships or set off to hunt sea creatures in the ocean. The second factions are called serpent-hunters. They are well respected among the denizens due to their hunt of giant sea creatures in which is obviously the city's main food source. They have their own ships and crew with equipment that look like large harpoon cannons and are fired with huge amounts of gunpowder."

Everyone looked at the screens astonished but confused as they watched these serpent-hunters walk among the docks with the denizens paying their respects to these sea killers by waving or cheering them as they boarded their ships. They wonder why they call these people 'serpent'-hunters instead of whalemen (hunters whom practice whaling – hunting whales) or fishermen. Many of them, both male and female, were muscular with scars over their face and bodies while carrying their main weapons on their backs in which are mostly serrated swords, heavy cleavers, large harpoon guns, spears, and an odd-looking but deadly fishing hook that is large as a cannonball. How odd for such hunters to carry such deadly weapons, it was as though they are trying to catch 'gigantic' fishes. Theo couldn't help but feel as though he wanted know how these hunters have managed to catch large sea creatures since he is a hunter himself even though he hunted only on land and most of his prized kills were mutated creatures in the Mojave. He is suddenly feeling this adrenaline with the curiosity to try hunting in the sea with these hunters as a new challenge for himself. For now, he is going to put his feelings on hold. Theo then notice something on one of the docksides that look like rows of large warehouse buildings with multiple cranes and multiple chimneys on their roofs bellowing large amounts of smoke. The strangest part is that there are stone ramps that angle from the large buildings' openings towards the bay.

"Are those buildings part of their industrial section? Quite impressive to have their own shipyard for a criminal-filled port city," said Theo with wonder and curiosity.

Santiago and Feng looked at each other looking nervous and pale before looking back at the officers and their leaders. Santiago began to speak, "Umm..sir. Those are not shipyards. The Bilgewater denizens actually call them slaughter sheds and that section is called the Slaughter Docks."

That caught everyone's attention. Curie was the most shocked. "Slaughter Docks?! They are actually hunting and slaughtering whales for food and their body parts to be sold in the market?! How dare those barbarians do this!" she cried with anger. She considered whales such as the humpback whales the most beautiful and valued creatures of planet Earth ever since she saw the old holo-tape recordings documenting said creatures.

"Actually, Dr. Curie. They are not hunting whales or dolphins, or even fish," said Feng as she tapped her holo-screen tablet to bring images closer to the carving bays and the inner parts of the slaughter sheds. Everybody gasped in shock. Curie was mostly shocked. Dante and Nate were flabbergasted. Theo's eyes were widened as he felt intimidated and mesmerized by what he is seeing that he never saw before. He now really wanted to go to Bilgewater and learn how to hunt like these serpent-hunters.

"Are…those…sea monsters?!" yelled Jack Cabot as he was staring hard at the carcass of the creatures that he considered should be only in myths and legends. The dead sea creatures that are being hoisted by hooks and cranes and are being carved by the butchers were largest and longest sea predators that none of them have ever seen before! Some look like serpents in which fact they are while others look like regular fish that are the size of whales but with large, gashing teeth in their mouths and huge eyes that look intimidating despite being dead. The TSC and the wanderers may have fought mutated monsters such as Mirelurk Queens or Deathclaws, but what they are seeing could only be described as legendary monsters of the deep in which no doubt must be deadlier in the sea than what the TSC have faced on land.

"Yes Dr. Cabot. They are. And you wouldn't believe what the locals of Bilgewater call these monsters!" said Santiago as he stared at the screen with horror even though he has seen it so many times. He pressed his holo-screen tablet to get a closer to one of the carcass that look like a giant serpent with a set of octopus-like tentacles around the mouth with two pairs of eyes surrounding a larger one at the center of the forehead. "The people of Bilgewater call this creature the Kraken!"

"The Kraken?! As in…the legendary Kraken from seafaring folklore?!" yelled Curie as she is still trying to process what she is seeing and hearing.

Santiago shook his head. "No doctor. This Kraken is actually a smaller size from the original and they call it a Krakenwyrm. This would be considered a youngling that is growing. From what we can guess, the Kraken is actually a giant sea serpent that is about the size and length of an aircraft carrier that can swallow an entire galleon whole! Hell, take a look at this one!" Santiago switched the image of the Krakenwyrm to a familiar creature that has ten tentacles and a large triangular head with two huge eyes on the side. The creature was hoisted by a large wooden crane as the butchers continue to carve the beast for its meat and oil with thirteen harpoons still pierced on its head. "No doubt that is a giant squid and its body length is 12 feet from tentacles to head and the size is about 4.5 feet! What's frightening is that there are so many pods of these giant squids in the ocean. We even listened among the Bilgewater serpent-hunters in the taverns whom are always boasting in their search of the greatest prizes of all, the legendary Leviathans!"

Everyone were silent. Many in the room have read of the old Pre-war legends of monster of the deep with curiosity but have dismiss them as stories of fiction. But hearing that this world has these legendary sea monsters is very frightening and these Bilgewater people, despite being criminals and pirates, are brave and daring enough to hunt them for fame and glory. Tuff, Zach, Theo, Dante, Nate, and the rest of the military officers couldn't help but respect these hunters for risking their lives to kill these beasts and provide food for the city's denizens.

"There's more," said Feng as she continued the report for Santiago on Bilgewater. "These sea monsters actually infest the sea known as the Guardian's Sea that surrounds Bilgewater and it is said to be under constant attack by the same sea monsters. Which is why these serpent-hunters are always out catching their prizes. Hell, I won't be surprised that this is the reason why this crime-haven port was never taken out by naval powers from the countries in this world."

It was shocking and fascinating at the same time to learn about this pirate haven. Heck, there was once many pirate havens such as Tortuga and Port Royal in the Caribbean Islands during the Pirate Era in the late 17th century to the early 18th century. The most famous pirate haven during that era was Nassau and it was said that the island became a gathering of the most wanted buccaneers where they plan to form a Republic of Pirates. This included Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet, 'Calico' Jack Rackham, Mary Read, and Anne Bonny. But in 1718 the Royal Navy of the British Empire intervened and demanded the pirates to disband and end their piracy in exchange of pardons for their crimes of piracy with Nassau under British occupation and control. Some accepted, but others mostly rejected and continued their piracy. They were then hunted and hanged, including Stede Bonnet, Mary Read, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack, while others were immediately eliminated like Blackbeard. Bilgewater would be considered lucky to have lasted a long time since no other foreign powers have manage to take it out.

"So what other factions control this city?" asked Theo as he seems to be really interested of this port city.

Feng continued. "The last and most powerful faction would be considered the pirates and most of them own their own ships, docks, and warehouses in the bay with some living in the mansions in the upper levels. They even form alliances with the dock gangs and serpent-hunters in which added their ships to the pirates' fleets and increasing their influence and power. However, from what we understand the pirates are constantly battling each other for the territories of Bilgewater."

That brought a curiosity to everyone.

"They are at war with each other? Why?" asked Nate as he knew pirates wouldn't just attack each other for no reason. Unless it involved wealth, power, or influence.

Feng tapped her holo-screen tablet to show recordings in the holographic projection of sections of Bilgewater with pirate factions battling each other with their cutlasses, exchanging bullets with their muskets, and blowing up their rival's buildings with their portable hand-cannons or gunpowder bombs. There is also a video recording of a dock gang snatching an unsuspecting member of a rival gang and dragging into an alley where they murder the gang member in cold blood before lynching it at a nearby lamp post. But one image showed an old wanted poster on the side of dock house that is made of old parchment and drawn with black ink. The drawing on the poster was an old, muscular man in his 40s. The man had a large face with dark eyebrows, large eyes within the skull, noticeable cheekbones, a large nose, and his hairstyle is in a long ponytail with the sides shaved but leaving the top hair in a small mohawk. The rest of his lower face was covered with a large mustache and a huge beard that goes down to his upper chest and the end is tied with silver bead. The rest of the picture showed his upper chest area where it obviously showed he is wearing some kind of a captain's coat fit for a pirate captain.

"This man is known as Gangplank. Known to the Bilgewater denizens as the Saltwater Scourge and the former Pirate King of Bilgewater," said Feng.

"Former? As in…he's dead?" asked Dante as he narrowed his eyes at the picture of the Pirate King along with Nate while Theo glared hard at the picture. Theo couldn't help but feel as though he should be wary of this man and be prepared to fight this man in case he ever meets him. The same feeling when he prepared himself to face the infamous Lanius Legate of Caesar's Legion during the Second Battle of Hoover Dam.

Santiago began to speak. "That's what they claim to say. Many of denizens claimed that they witnessed his ship, the Dead Pool, exploded while he was still on it. The man was the reason he was able to keep the peace around Bilgewater and prevented the factions from killing each other. With him gone a huge power vacuum has occurred in which has inspired the pirates, the gangs, and the hunters to fight each other for control of the city. Although, there is one pirate crew that is considered the most powerful in Bilgewater and is slowly restoring order to the city."

Santiago changed the images to show a ship in the harbor with the words Syren on the bow's sides near the ropes that are attached to the dropped anchors. They can see multiple sailors and brigands walking around the ship or guarding the wharfs and docksides surrounding the ship whom are obviously pirates. "These pirates of the ship, the Syren, is under the command of a bounty hunter now turned pirate known as Miss Fortune. We didn't get to have a glimpse of her and she doesn't seem to be on board since we checked the captain's cabin in the stern through the glass windows. All we know from the pirates, gangsters, and dockworkers is that she is some very captivating female with red hair and is known to be armed with two large pistols that she is known to have used to take out or capture her bounty targets. Plus, she is known among the denizens to be responsible for the Dead Pool's explosion and the death of Gangplank. We don't know for what reason. They claim it was for power grab or revenge for a past action Gangplank committed on Miss Fortune. Since his death, she has been on a killing spree in taking out Gangplank's officers and allied gang leaders while slowly establishing herself as the new ruler of Bilgewater."

Dante and Nate gazed at the picture of Gangplank and they could tell that this person is not only a deadly man with cold eyes and a black heart, but a tough bastard to take out. Even Theo is thinking the same thoughts as his two wandering friends. His gut instinct is telling him that the man may be alive and in hiding, recovering his strength and preparing to retake his 'throne'. Hell, if Theo can survive a bullet to a head, then this Gangplank fellow looks strong enough to survive an explosion. Theo will have to find out more about Bilgewater's current stability, who Miss Fortune is, and more information on Gangplank later.

"Is there anything else about Bilgewater?" asked Dante. "No sir. That is all we can get about this city," said Feng. Dante nodded.

"Alright. For the second objective location, what can you tell us about this continental archipelago north of the Serpent Isles?"asked Dante as he is curious along with the everyone else.

Feng then shrunk the recording video images of Bilgewater in the 3-D holographic projection and then enlarged the four image recordings of the island continent's landscapes, the towns, the villages, and the natives. What everyone saw on the images was mesmerizing and enchanting.

"This, commander, is the continental island nation of Ionia. A land filled with….oh…to be hostest…it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The land is filled with wondrous and captivating floras and faunas with the people whom somehow built a civilization that has adapted to live alongside Ionia's nature," said Feng as she sighed enjoying what she is seeing on the images.

Definitely what Feng said, Ionia was truly beautiful. Wondrous and mysterious. A land worthy of exploration for its beauty of strange but amazing floras and faunas that have never been seen before by the members of the TSC and the three wanderers. The images unveiled a beautiful land filled with nature and floras of multiple blooming colors, multiple trees of mysterious blooming pink flowers with petals dropping and scattering with the wind, and mountains with white peaks.

There was more. The floras of this Ionia are not recognized among the Earth's list of floras even though there are grasses, leafed trees, and the usual oaks and pines almost similar as the ones from Earth. There were thin fragile-looking trees with white barks and thin branches. The trunks of the trees seem to have grown in different angles and look like there were bent in different directions with the branches curled, twisted, or pointing straight in the upward or downward direction. What made them more captivating is that the leaves and flowers grown on the branches have their pigments in different colors such as blue, orange, red, purple, pink, and gold that they almost look like they are glowing underneath the sunlight or moonlight. There even some amazing flowers with ones that are so large that it looked like you have to lift it with both of your hands with others that are illuminating providing natural lighting during nighttime. Even the coastal areas and mountain regions have their own unique beauty with so many colorful floras with mystical but wondrous faunas habiting the area. The faunas themselves were beautiful and majestic in their own way. They can see colorful feathered birds flying with monkey-like features flying over the regions, a herd of goat-like buffalos roaming a grassland, a deer-like creature with feathers over the body with red antlers and silver mane over the head, and so many colorful and wondrous marine life in the rivers and coastal regions. Ionia is truly a land of Eden in its own way. It was so peaceful and harmonic.

What came next that brought more attention to this beautiful land was the natives' civilization. Closer look at the images showed that most of the civilization built on this Eden-like land are town-size cities, villages, and farmlands. The architect of Ionia look so purely natural and graceful since their homes look like they are built around the trees using them as the basic support structure for the roofing and walls without the need of uprooting or cutting them down. There were even arches over walkways in large gardens and large ornate buildings on hills or cliff sides that look like temples or shrines built in the same method as the houses without harming the natural environment. To Newman, it fascinated and amazed him that these people manage to construct their homes without even harming a single living flora or disrupt the natural habitats of the fauna. Even Curie was captivated with their building method and their way of life. It was as though they built a society that reflect the ethereal beauty of the land they live in.

The Ionian farmlands look like any regular farmlands during the ancient or medieval era. But these farmlands had the homes and farm buildings built in the same method as the other architect buildings all over the land. All adapted in order to live alongside all manner of flora and fauna. What caught the everyone's attention of the farmlands is that the farmers are gathering grain crops that are colored red instead of the usual tan or yellow, vegetables that look like Asian radish or potatoes but are different in sizes and pigment colors, and fruits from beautiful, enchanting trees. There are also some farms in the coastal regions, rivers, or lakes that obviously gather fish, crabs, and shrimp that are different from the ones back on Earth. One for example is that one of the species of crabs is colored yellow and are larger than the Earth's red crabs.

Finally, the natives shown in the holographic images caught everyone's attention, mostly Dante, and everyone is surprised. The natives' physical features look like Asians due to their ethnic features such as their straight black hairs, dark eyes, and slitting eye shapes. Most have light skin color while others are more tanned. While most of the natives have black hair, others sometimes have white, dark brown, red, or blond hair color. Their clothing that look like robes and tunics with sashes seem to be made from their land's natural flora cotton or from different animal hides that come in various shapes, sizes, coloring, and designs with rich patterns that obviously was inspired by the surrounding nature. The clothing and accessories worn by these natives obviously identifies their social standings. The ones wearing clothing with rich patterns and accessories, with large ornate decorative headdresses and shoulder pauldrons have a higher standing that their occupation could be priests, politicians, merchants, or teachers. The ones wearing the clothing that are more earthy and practical have lower standing and are mostly farmers, artisans, fishermen, and craftsmen. They can also see that some of them have unique tattoos on their faces, chests, arms, and backs with unique symbols or animals drawn on their skins in which they see some look like serpent-like dragons.

"Beautiful…" whispered Dante as he never seen such an Eden-like place in his life. It was unique. Mysterious. Enchanting. He wanted to see, touch, smell, and hear the nature of that beautiful land. He wanted to wander and explore that place.

"Oh my…" said Moria as she gazed at the images with a hypnotic expression.

"Amazing!" cried Erwin. No doubt the Followers of the Apocalypse would want to visit a place so beautiful and peaceful like Ionia.

"Truly spectacular," said Eun-ji as she stared with a small smile and half lidded eyes captivated with the images.

"Must be the most peaceful place on this planet," said Nate as he too was fascinated with the beautiful land. Even Theo couldn't help but agree with everyone since he had not seen a beautiful land like this. It was far greater and more harmonic than the survived valley of Zion in Utah where he visited and met Joshua Graham, the Burned Man, whom guards that land with his tribe known as the Dead Horses.

"There's something you should also know," said Feng as change the images to show the Ionian farmers, fishermen, and merchants using familiar tools, boats, and carts for their occupation that look unusual. "We had the Eyebots get a bit closer to the tools and transports they are using and you will not believe the materials they used to create them. Scans indicate that the tools and farming equipment are crafted from dead or fallen tree branches and roped together with a metal head in various shapes such as a ploe, pitchfork, shovel, spears, knife, or cleavers. They even use the same materials to make kitchen pans and pots along with utensils. Their boats and carts are also made out of the same dead or fallen branches and vines. This proves that these Ionians love and care for their land so much that they do not wish to see anything harm to its natural beauty."

That got the attention of Newman and Erwin. As fellow engineer and technicians, they couldn't help but become curious on how such tools and equipment could be crafted and used by such people that they wanted to try and built the same products with the same material.

"Huh. Talk about recycling dead wood for better use than just firewood. Those wood must be very low ductility and highly tough for them to use as tools and equipment. I must say, I'm impressed," said Newman.

"There's something I also need to inform everyone. Due to the large landmass of this continental size archipelago nation, we were only able to recon most of the southwestern part of the main island along with two nearby islands near the southwest coastal region. But lucky for us the main island had most of the Ionian population meaning more settlements than the other islands. According to the conversations between the Ionians, the area we recon is actually a province in which they named Navori and it spans the western half of the main Ionian island," said Feng as she showed the beautifal landscapes, enchanting gardens, multiple villages and farmlands, and the Ionians farming or socializing in their villages.

Dante caught her sentence on what she said about the region being a province. "You said this Navori region is a province, is that right?" he asked curious of what type of government the Ionians have.

"Yes sir. But it is not what you exactly think. From what we can gather from the villages in the Navori province is that there is no any type of state or provincial government that is similar to the ones back on Earth. Each village or province seems to have their own regional government similar to a county administration in which they call the Council of Elders with members consisting of the eldest men or women in the village. By the looks of it, Ionia doesn't seem to have a united, central government of their own," explained Feng.

Now that was a concern. A nation with no central government and is ruled by multiple regional governments with their governing authority only limited to their respective settlements or province is a nation that is doomed to fail. A central government not only leads or rules an entire nation, but also makes the final decision when giving out orders, fighting wars, or solving a crisis. This leads all the state or provincial governments to take action and do as what the central government has ordered. Without a central government, the nation will be divided and the regional leaders will make their own decisions that benefit their own regions or settlements and not the entire nation. With no way to coordinate properly nor any interest to work together, they are vulnerable to foreign invasions that can threaten their way of life. Also, if there is no central government then the Ionians do not have their own united military force but possibly just militia forces whom are volunteers or draftees of their respective settlements with a couple of trained warriors from monasteries or temples to assist them from dangerous predators or hostile foreign invaders.

Even though the Ionians are peaceful with each other and live in harmony, the elder council can only act if it concerns their own people since they were raised and born in their own respective territories and have sworn to govern for their sake only. Plus, a government council ruled only by the eldest members of the region obviously shows that the people believe that the oldest are the more experienced and wisest to handle the politics of judicial, legislative, and executive to run their province. However, that isn't always true as even elder people can still make mistakes as younger people do. Even elders, no matter how wise they are known or claim to be, can be conservative, radical, or rational in their own way in which can affect their province or the entire country.

"No central government, huh? Is there a reason why they have not formed one?" asked Dante. Even Nate and Theo are curious as well wondering why there is no king or a central government to lead the people.

Santiago steps forward and continues the report for Feng. "There might be but….we weren't sure…if the Ionians were serious on….what they were saying during their….socializing…conversations," he said while suddenly showing a nervous tone in his sentence. Dante, Theo, and Nate noticed that immediately.

"Could you elaborate and explain immediately, Lieutenant Santiago?" ordered Eun-ji as she did not like her subordinates stuttering in front of their leaders.

"Well…the reason the Ionians never formed a centralized government and united the provinces is..because…uhm…they..were…busy….trying…to..uuhh..enlighten..themselves…uuh..in..order…to…live..in…harmony…and…uumm…balance..with…the…magic..of..their lands…through meditation and…body movement," said Santiago whom is having a hard time saying the word 'magic' in his sentence as though it was impossible for such a thing to exist. But everyone caught every word Santiago said and they were all confused with the word 'magic' in his sentence as he tried to avoid eye contact with everyone. Even Feng seem to do the same along with the other Valkyrian pilots.

"Pardon me, but did you just say…magic?" asked Jack Cabot. As the director of the TSC's secret Department of Paranormal Anomalies, he has heard of that word many times among his peers and scientists whom named the unknown energies emitted from ancient relics collected from different parts of Earth. Although he preferred a scientific word than a fantasy word, like mana or arcadian energy, but the word was stuck to being used so he just went along with it. But hearing from Santiago that the Ionians are trying to be enlightened with magic was a shocking development to the paranormal scientist.

"Yes, sir," said Feng taking over for the nervous Santiago. "The Ionians are actually a spiritual people whom are practicing to enlighten themselves with the lands that they claim is filled with magic. They do this by meditation, ceremonial dancing, temple rituals, and body movements that look like martial art. Because of this practice, they form beliefs and ideals on preserving the balance of life and magic, being peaceful, retain order, and avoid violence. They remain neutral from the world's affairs and have no interest of waging wars but they welcome foreigners for trade and those whom wish to seek peace or enlightment. This probably why they see no reason to form a central government with a united military of their own. They just want to live in peace."

Feng changed the images to show the Ionian's multiple methods in practicing their enlightment to live alongside with the magic and nature of the lands. They can see a group of people in the gardens or forests meditating with an elder teacher as they chanted or hummed in concentration while relaxing and being peaceful. Another image showed a couple of female dancers dancing in the middle of a village center with musicians playing in the background as the surrounding residents clapped and cheered. Priests and priestesses were praying and chanting inside the temples in front of relics. The last one showed a group of people in a stone courtyard practicing their movements at the same time in which obviously look like martial art. It reminded Dante of the Chinese martial arts known as tai chi and kung fu. He studied and trained himself the art during his time as Supreme Commander to build up his unarmed skills and learned kenjutsu and other Japanese martial arts involving weapons under the teachings from his friend and samurai from the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan, Toshiro Kago. "I wonder what he is doing now. He mostly lives on the Olympus but he always disappears most of the time and wanders somewhere else. He appears next to me whenever I am in battle on Earth. Or sometimes found in Poseidonis eating at a sushi restaurant in the Japanese district," thought Dante as he remembered his old samurai companion. He always wonders if Kago has ninja skills besides being a samurai.

Dante heard everyone gasps in the room that brought him out of his thoughts and refocused on what made everyone surprised. He saw that everyone had their eyes widen with some jaws opened with their eyes directed at the 3-D holographic projection. He followed their gaze and he couldn't help but widen his eyes on what he is seeing on the images. The images showed brightly glowing blue particles the size of flower petals appearing from the ground and nearby floras and started floating around the Ionians. It was like tiny spirits are being gathered to show their peace and gratitude to the people for their love of the land's nature and beauty. The Ionians were spreading their arms out and relaxing as they welcomed the magical spirits among them to show their peaceful greetings. Many of the Ionians glowed a bit as the particles lightly touched their bodies as though granting them their blessings with their magic. After a few minutes, the particles returned back to where they originated and everyone began to peacefully disperse showing that their enlightment sessions have ended. Silence remained in the meeting room as he everyone still held their shocked expressions at the images besides the Valkyrian pilots.

Mobius is the first to speak. "Did that…just..happened, Lieutenant?" he asked.

Santiago gazed at everyone in the room as they slowly turn their heads to look at him for confirmation. "Yes, Dr. Mobius. That did happen. We don't how or why…we can only confirm that Ionia is a land of beauty, peace, and magic with real spirits living among them. We even had our Eyebots to scan the flora, fauna, and the natives with a special Zeta radiation detector and what we found is that they are emitting an unknown energy that is almost similar as the one on the northeastern island but different."

"Really?!" cried Jack Cabot as he was astonished to learn that there are more regions of this world emitting the same energy besides the one on the northeastern island. "Have the Ionians show any signs of mutation or anything strange?" Curie asked with excited curiosity as she wanted to know what affects this 'magic' had on the Ionian humans. Mobius also looked eager to know what this magic can do.

Santiago shook his head. "No, Dr. Curie. We found nothing else at all. The Ionians look normal with no signs of showing any super powers or strange abilities."

Curie was disappointed. Even Jack Cabot and Mobius look slumped as they wanted to see if this Ionian 'magic' can grant these people the abilities to shoot out fireballs, manipulate the air, or bend light with their hands or feet. "Hmph," thought Mobius. "I was hoping that these Ionians could use such magic. Or at least craft a weapon that can use magic. That would be wondrous and spectacular to see."

Santiago continued his report. "But we did notice another group of humans occupying some lands and islands southeast of Navori," he says and that got everyone's attention as they listened with curiosity. "However, they don't look like Ionians due to their physical features. We saw that they are heavily armored and equipped with steel weapons such as swords, shields, spears, crossbows, axes, maces, and halberds."

He changed the images to show lands with some areas barren as though a great battle happened due to signs of obvious man-made destruction of burnt landscapes and tree remains with rusted or broken weapons left on the fields. Remains of burnt and destroyed Ionian villages and settlements were shown with obvious signs of the houses and shrines raided. But the most interesting sights were the stone fortresses that are not Ionian architect along with some stone outposts build nearby with large bloody red tents set up in the compounds. The banners and flags flying over these obvious military fortifications were colored red and in the center was their golden insignia shaped of an intimidating war helmet with two axe-shaped horns on the side.

Inside these forts, they can see soldiers wearing different designs of armor carrying different types of weapons along with hardly any uniformity in their ranks. Some are fully armored covering their entire bodies while wielding heavy sword and shields. Others carried axes, war hammers, maces, spears, and halberds. Some wore lighter armor or leather with their weapons consisting of bows and arrows or crossbows. They can also see some of the soldiers wearing no armor on the upper body or only left the upper arms and shoulders exposed. Others wore black uniforms with armor pauldrons, others wore long black coats, some had red kilts around their waist or over their groin, and a few heavily armored soldiers wore red capes indicating their ranks as high ranking officers. In the courtyards where the horse stalls are located, they can see some of them riding heavily armored stallions making both rider and the steed intimidating. The way they see it, the aesthetic armor design and the red and black colors of their clothing seems to be the only way the TSC can identify these soldiers in case they come into conflict.

A closer look, the images showed the physical features of these legion-like soldiers as almost related to the Earth's European Caucasian race. There were some that have brown skin, black hair, and physical features similar to Earth's African Americans as well. The TSC military officers and the wanderers can tell that most of these soldiers are no doubt veterans of war due to some wearing eyepatches, a finger or two are missing on one of their hands, and the multiple scars that could be seen all over their faces, heads, arms, and chests.

Theo narrowed his eyes as he looked at these soldiers. They reminded him of Caesar's Legion whom he fought at the Second Battle of Hoover Dam and drove them out of the Mojave. Except these knightly legionnaires accept women in their ranks and commands and they seem to treat everyone with equal acceptance depending on their strength, skills, and deeds.

"Who are these people? I can see that they are not Ionians and they seem to remind me of the legionnaire soldiers of the Roman Empire?" said Nate as he also glared at the soldiers as his gut feelings were telling him that they are not to be trusted.

Santiago stood straight. "Sir. From what we can gather from the conversations between these soldiers, their meetings, and talks among the nearby Ionians, these people call themselves Noxians. They are from an expansionist empire known as the Noxus Empire and the Ionians are very hostile with these people. The reason is because these Noxians were once at war with Ionia after they invaded the islands of Fae'lor and Bahrl before they invaded the main province, Navori, twelve years ago."

Whole room was silent before Dante spoke.

"Once at war? By the looks of it the Noxians seem better equipped, well-trained, and have lots of veterans among their ranks. Did the Ionains somehow manage to defeat and halt their advance?"

"Yes sir. From what we can gather from the old campaign maps and journals kept in the Noxian commanders' offices that the Eyebots managed to scan and record the boasting words from the Ionian and Noxian veterans whom fought in the war, the Noxians sent in spies known as warmasons to gather intel on Ionia and their strategic targets by disguising themselves as merchants. Once enough intel was gathered, the Noxians launched their invasion and managed to land their troops on the island of Fae'lor where they overran the Ionian fortress on the western side of the island. They then used the fortress as an FOB and a strategic dock for their navy before taking over the rest of Fae'lor by 1capturing all the settlements. They then split their forces in a 'divide and conquer' strategy in order to conquer the nearby island of Bahrl while the rest of the main forces aimed for the Navori province in which is the location of the most sacred magical region known as the heart of Ionia, the Placidium of Navori. It was there that the Ionians made their stand and somehow, by miracle, a young girl named Xan Irelia led the defense with her revolutionary forces and used her magical dancing knives to repel the Noxians and turn the tide of the war," said Feng.

The wanderers raised their eyebrows while everyone else is silent. It was hard to imagine that a young girl somehow managed to defend a sacred place called the Placidium with her magical dancing knives while leading her militia-strength Ionian resistance to repel the better-equipped and battle-hardened Noxians. But after what they saw on the video recordings of the Ionians being able to summon the spirits and magic of the land, it has to be a possibility. Everyone in the room wish that they could see the final stand at the Placidium where the young girl known as Xan Irelia turn the tide of the war by cutting down the Noxian soldiers with her magical knives as she led the epic charge. It would have been quite a scenery for them all to see in which could have been amazing, even to Dante, Theo, and Nate.

However, the most confusing part of the report is that the Noxians seem to have managed to keep their presence and occupation on the Ionian lands even though they were push back all the way to the southwest coastal regions of Navori. They can also see that the Noxians still hold Fae'lor and the western part of Bahrl. It was quite confusing and curious at the same time. Major Tuff Bass-Turd decided to speak in his own curiosity.

"Hey, Valkyrian pilot. How come these I-oh-ni-ens didn't continue to fight the Nocs-us and free the rest of their lands? I doubt they will just let them stay since they have destroyed and burnt down so much of their homes and lands."

Santiago tapped his holo-screen tablet to show new images of Ionian families, elders, young wives, and children mourning, praying, and singing next to some burial grounds and grave mounds that are underneath a large pink, blossom tree. Monks and priests stood by making prayers and chanting to give the dead peace and safety path to the afterlife. Other images showed a large group of adult Ionians, both young and old, with some whom are young enough to still be teens wearing outfits that look like warrior armor and helmets made out of the dead Ionian branches. Underneath the armor they wore the casual Ionic tunic with a sash around their waist. Some wore a clothing that wraps around their head like a hood while also covering their lower face. Their wooden helmets that are shaped like the Asian kabuto helmets or wooden oval-shaped hats that looks similar to the Asian bamboo conical hat. This group were armed with the weapons that are once used by the farmers with some armed with proper weapons like knives, swords, or axes. They were all cheering and raising their weapons high as they listened to an old male Ionian whom is wearing full armor and raising a sword that looks like a katana. The leading Ionian warrior was speaking to his warriors in a central square of a village on a raised platform.

"The reason they didn't continue is because the Ionian-Noxian war ended after Xan Irelia led the victory at the Battle of Dalu Bay and took down an important Noxian commander, Admiral Duqal. The strangest movement of the Noxus is that they pulled out most of their forces out of Ionia and returned back home leaving a few legions to preserve their presence in Ionia. However, the war costed the Ionians so many lives that they didn't have the resolve and possibly not enough manpower to retake the rest of the lands. It was said among the Ionians that Irelia left the resistance to help rebuild the lands destroyed by Noxus and something about seeking peace within herself and pray for those under her command whom fell in battle. This led most of the resistance members to disband as well and return home to restore their lands," explained Santiago.

Dante could understand their pain, even Irelia's. He lost many TSC soldiers and officers throughout many campaigns during his time as the TSC's Supreme Commander. It was never easy seeing so many young recruits die in their first battle no matter how hard they train or give them the best armor and weapons to fight. War never changes. It never does. Nate and Theo also share Dante's thoughts.

"Those Ionians in armor and cheering. Who are they?" asked Colonel Sawyer as he didn't like the way the Ionians were cheering as they listened to their leader's speech. They were acting a bit….radical in his view.

"Those are the remaining resistant fighters from the Ionian-Noxian War. They call themselves the Navori Brotherhood and they have become some kind of an ultra-national group with goals of militarizing Ionia's magic and creating a unified, single nation to take their vengeance on Noxus. They are using extreme tactics to force the pacifist Ionians to join their cause by threatening them with death if they refuse in which they see as treason. They are also fighting skirmish wars with the Noxians still occupying the Ionian territories with some of their members sent out to assassinate Irelia whom they see as a traitor for leaving the resistance, even though she was their leader and is seen as a hero among the populace. It seems a civil war has erupted between the Brotherhood and the pacifist Ionians," said Santiago.

That did sit well with everyone in the room. An extremist group like the Navori Brotherhood is more like a terrorist organization in their view. And this Brotherhood is obviously doing what it takes to get their revenge on Noxus just to appease their anger and hatred. Dante is concerned that this Navori Brotherhood might try to do something crazy and life threatening, like attack foreign visitors or merchants whom are not Noxians and have nothing to do with the war. This Brotherhood may not care at all and just see that all foreigners are a threat and that they want them to learn to fear their nation.

"About the Noxus Empire, where is their country located?" asked Theo.

"We believe that their nation might be located on the eastern part of the northern continent," said Feng as she pointed at the holographic map with the three continents of this world shown. "It is very close to the central island of Ionia and it is the perfect area for the Noxus to launch their invasion on Ionia. Plus, their capital may be located somewhere around the east coast."

"Alright. We will find out more on Noxus at a later time. Is there anything else on Ionia?" asked Dante.

"No, commander. That is all the intel we were able to gather."

"Very good. Now for the third location of the recon mission. You said there is a coastal city on the isthmus that is connected between the north and south continents, correct?"

Feng nodded. "That is correct. And if I have to compare to the nations and cities of Bilgewater, Ionia, and Noxus, this coastal city is the most advance metropolis I have ever seen. In fact, they might be the most advance civilization on this planet that focuses on technological advancement!"

That got attention of all the scientists and engineers in the meeting, including Nate since he is an engineer from the Pre-War times and lived in the city of Boston where the Commonwealth Institute of Technology was located with a reputation for their research and advancement in America's technological innovation. Hearing that this coastal city might be this world's leading advancement in technological development was truly something amazing to hear. Nate then decided to speak.

"Interesting. Can you tell us the name of this city? Especially a detailed report on their technology and culture?"

"Yes, General. I believe Santiago here can start," said Feng and Santiago began to tap his tablet to switch images of Ionia to images of a metropolis coastal city located in the isthmus.

Needless to say, it was a very huge city that must have expanded over time with a huge population that grew with the city's expansion of up to hundreds of thousands. They can see the architect of the city built with masonry bricks, hewn stone, chamfered timber, polished marble, and tiled rooftops with the exterior embellished with metal latticework, bronze facings, and shimmering lead glass windows and sunroofs. The entrances and windows are elaborated with fine detailed artwork and ornamented that when the sun shines on the surface it looked like it was glittering in gold, silver, or bronze. Even some of the buildings have fluted towers that are also elaborated and ornamented with inlaid gold and silver that reach for the skies. It almost reminded everyone of the architect designs from the Italian Renaissance. They can also see additional features of the city's architect in which look like elaborate mechanical machines built around the exteriors of the city's buildings and among the streetscapes with steam occasionally spewing out of the pistons and the sounds of the gears and cogs moving with clicking sounds that made the city have a cultural atmosphere of the combination of Steampunk and Clockwork. Despite the machinery spewing white steam, the city environment was clean with hardly any signs of pollution in which impressed the everyone and mostly Curie, Newman, Erwin, and the three wanderers.

What's impressive is that the city is built on top of towering cliffs in which overlooks the ocean and the seas on both sides. But what made the city more attractive is the colossal structure that is built on the man-made canal that cuts through the isthmus with the city buildings built around the structure and on different levels. It looked like a huge dam at first since it was holding a higher water level on the west side, but then they notice a huge funicular system with a total of six lanes in the center where they can see ships are being carried in large bucket-like platforms filled with water with one ascending and the other descending to counterbalance each other. On both sides of the funicular system there are large golden gates at the entrances to block any ships from using the funicular platforms when closing, right now they are currently opened with ships lined up taking turns to use the funicular to pass through the isthmus. Outside the golden gates are large sections of quaysides and wharfs for the ships to dock and load or unload their cargo. They can see the docks and nearby markets are bustling with the city's denizens, sailors, and merchants with different physical features, speaking multiple accents, and wearing their own cultural clothing. It wasn't just a coastal city, it is an international mercantile trading hub that relies its wealth through tax trade, passage fee, and commercial of merchant ships through a canal that the city controls. Just like the Panama Canal in Panama during the Pre-War times.

"This, everyone, is the city of Piltover. A thriving coastal metropolis that is known as the City of Progress. According to the recon done by the Eyebots, this city's power and influence is on the rise due to their commerce of merchant ships and the forward thinking of their engineers and scientists. Those huge structures that is built onto the main sea route are actually their sea-gates with a funicular system built in the center to transport the merchant ships on both sides and they call them the Sun Gates. From what we can gather from the conversations, the Sun Gates are Piltover' main source of wealth that gave rise of their unprecedented boom in their city's growth. Plus, we have gained more intel from among the chatters of the merchants, sailors, and denizens in the docks and the recon photos of the cartography maps taken within the captain cabins of those ships. The intel provided us the names of the north and south continents including the lands and countries within those continents," Feng explained.

Everyone was silent as they gaze at the beautiful metropolis and listened to Feng's report. Nate was showing the most interest of the city besides Newman, Erwin, Cabot, and Mobius due to the advance technological machinery they can see on the Sun Gates and among the city sections of Piltover. They wanted to know how advance these Piltovers are and what inventions they have created that has become common of their daily lives. Even the military officers, including Tuff Bass-Turd and Zach, are interested what kind of military this city may have and how advance their weapons are. They are excited with hope to see what a Steampunk/Clockwork weapon looks like, including their vehicles and air planes. They are about to learn more from the reports.

"Excellent. For now, we will review the maps and the intel concerning the two continents later after the meeting. Continue your report on this city, Piltover," said Dante.

Santiago took over for Feng and had the images zoom into the city showing important districts, streets, and buildings of Piltover. The first image showed the northern part of the city with a large district filled rows of large mansions with their unique Art Deco architect with surrounding compounds that have large buildings that look like workshops. Each of the large homes has a unique sigil on the entrances, gates, and banners hanging outside their buildings indicating their family crest with most of the compound buildings nearby also branded with the same sigils. They can also see the area is heavily guarded with men and women wearing armor that looks like combat armor but carried sheathed swords, shields, and spears. They can also see some of them carrying advance looking rifles that fires bolt arrows and pistols with a glowing glass container behind the gun barrel. Each of the security guards are wearing uniforms of their respective family's color whom they are serving with a helmet or cap as their headwear.

"This district within northern Piltover is the Bluewind Court," says Santiago. "It is the residential area of large mansions that houses the most influential and wealthiest individuals of the city. According to the Piltover citizens, this is where the families of mercantile clans live with most of those compounds under their ownership and funding. We had a closer look at those compounds and found out that those are workshops, labs, and research facilities for their technological developments and inventions."

More images showed the inside of some of those elaborate workshops and needless to say, it was impressive and amazing despite how less advance they are compared to the TSC's research facilities such as the secret Erebus Base and Big MT. They can see large machines running with gears and cogs as steam are let out from the pistons or tubes with men and women wearing white coats or mechanic jumpsuits with overalls checking its functions, tuning its parts, or writing down notes on the parchments attached to their metal clipboards with fountain pens golden quills. They can also see that these people have some odd looking tools or equipment attached to their gauntlets, googles, and helmets. Another image was showing a workshop with the engineers researching, designing, and testing clockwork machines and measurement equipment that look like they run with gears and cogs with glass tubes or large spherical glass bulbs containing sparkling filaments connected to the machines.

"Hmph. How obsolete. They still use those fountain pens in which are used for nothing but to sign important documents or to display as an expensive decorative accessory for an elaborate office," says Mobius. "And look at those old aged papers on their clipboards! Their freaking parchments! I thought they have the flat, white clear modern papers!

"Yes. I do agree," says Jack Cabot. "I do have some of those pens back in my family home that dates all the way back to the 19th century. But they are just now decorations on the oak desk while I use the common ballpoint pens for my notes. And are those golden quills? They couldn't be made of pure gold…are they?"

"Alright. Enough you two, let us continue the meeting. Lieutenant, please continue," says Dante.

Santiago nodded. "From what we can gather among these engineers, these people are funded by the same mercantile clans of Bluewind Court in researching and inventing new technologies to further advance Piltover. Further recon of these researchers have led us to discover that their main research and technology is called Hextech. And these engineers and researchers whom invent or build these Hextech technologies are called artificers and some of them have apprentas as their assistants and students."

That caught everyone's attention. Hextech. It sounded strange but unique at the same time. Nate, Mobius, Jack Cabot, Newman, Erwin, and Curie are curious on what kind of technology Hextech is and what is its power source. They mostly think it is some kind of unique technology powered by steam. But they are about to be wrong and get a huge surprise on what its true power source.

"Hextech?" asks Nate. "What is this Hextech and how does it work?"

Curie also had her own question. "Could you also explain why they call these engineers artificers and their assistants apprentas?"

Santiago held a straight face as he tapped his tablet to show more images of the Hextech technology. One image showed an old artificer in a white robe-like coat with brown pants and black dress shoes hunched over a workbench tinkering and re-adjusting the parts of a set of huge gauntlets that are bigger than a gorilla's huge hand. The gauntlets had a glowing blue crystal on the back just below the knuckles that seems to power the gauntlet. Another image showed a workshop with an artificers and an apprentas working on a one wheeled vehicle with built in seat, controls, and lighting. The third image showed an exterior of one of the buildings in the Bluewind Court where they can see an ornamental lamp post attached to the building and it is glowing brightly blue in the dark background. The final image showed a station filled with numerous elaborate glass tubes that go up to the ceiling or floor with some Piltover citizens putting message canisters into one of their openings and are immediately vacuumed into the tubes to be sent to its destination.

"From what we can get among the conversations between the artificers and the apprentas, Hextech is a newly emergent fusion of magic and technology to create inventions that they call artifice or artifacts. These artifacts that they call harness the magical power contained within those crystals that they call Hextech crystals and are considered extremely rare among the Piltovers. We observed the functions of these Hextech crystals in their workshops and confirm that they are their power source for their technology with amazing feats such as powering machines to creating beams of light capable of cutting the strongest steel. They claim that the artifacts can be wielded by anyone and not just those few with a natural aptitude for arcane magic. However, the crafting of these Hextech artifacts are closely guarded secret that the clans make sure that only one artificer works on the same methodology. They treat these Hextech inventions as unspoken beauty of creation from an artist. Hence, the reason why they call those engineers, artificers, is because they craft inventions that uses magic as a power source and the apprentas are actually their students learning how to become artificers themselves," explained Santiago.

Everyone was astounded. A technology that fuses with magic as a power source. Truly, it is something out of a fantasy and sci fi novel or comic that everyone could never thought would be real or possible. But here it is. A city dedicated to the research and development of magic technology instead of technology that uses nuclear atoms, fossil fuels, or renewable energy as a power source. Mobius, Cabot, Curie, Erwin, and Newman wanted to go to Piltover and study this amazing technology. Even Nate wanted to go too!

But there was something that concerned Dante, Theo, and Nate. From what Santiago explained, the Piltovers guard their 'crafting method' of their inventions and the Hextech crystals are 'rare' among the Piltovers despite the huge amount of funding from the mercantile clans. It sounded odd for an advance city to rely on so many craftsmen and artisans to produce this many inventions. The three wanderers have learned from Mr. House and from history books on American Inventions that once an invention is created it is then patented to protect it from copyrights and have the rights to produce and sell the invention. That's how the inventors made their fortune such as Thomas Edison, Samuel Morse, Alexander Graham Bell, and so many others. But these Piltover clan families and their artificers don't seem to have any intention to sell the inventions but to use it for themselves in order to guard their secrets. Do they not have any laws on copyrights or have any patent offices?

"Umm…Lieutenant. Do these mercantile clans sell mass produced versions of the Hextech artifacts? And why do they treat these inventions like priceless treasures?" asked Theo with curiosity. When the scientists and engineers caught his question, they wondered the same thing as well.

Santiago sighed. "Sir. To be honest. We checked all over the city in hopes to find shops that sell these inventions but found nothing but cafes, bistros, supper clubs, theatres, residential, banks, markets, shops, and a zoo. We even searched all over the docks and wharfs and re-checked the entire Bluewind Court. But we discovered something during our search. The Piltovers do not have… a… single …factory… nor a single mass production facitlity in their city! Not even assembly lines! All of their inventions are hand crafted! They don't even sell those inventions at all! That's why they don't have shops that sell them!"

Everyone in the room were silent. The engineers and scientists were shocked to hear that. Even Dante, Theo, and Nate had their eyes widen with their mouths opened. They couldn't believe that an advance city like Piltover has no factories or mass production facilities. They expect these people to be in the Age of Industry! And yet, they are still using obsolete methods to produce the Hextech technology.

Santiago had more. "And that's not all! Those Hextech crystals are considered rare because their vein deposits are mined from the southern continent in places known as the Shurima desert and the Kumungu jungle. Those areas are considered hostile and dangerous, but the merchant clans are putting a lot of money to get those crystals no matter cost. Which is another reason why they are not mass produced because their source of power is very limited. Plus, the merchant clans are never concerned of throwing their money around because the trade commerce from the Sun Gates is pouring in all the money to their coffers to replenish their losses and giving them nearly unlimited wealth. We didn't understand why they are getting all those gold coins with none being sent to the city's government as tax collection until we made more reconnaissance. The merchant family clans are not just business families and investors; they are the government of Piltover!"

That caught everyone's attention. The mercantile family clans are Piltover's government? This could only mean one thing.

"Lietenant," says Dante. "Are you saying that this city is under some kind of an oligarchy? Like an aristocratic oligarchy?"

Santiago nodded. Even Feng and the other pilots nodded in agreement. That was not a good thing for everyone in the TSC. An oligarchy-type government is not really popular due to their bad history of tyranny, relying on public obedience or oppression to exist. To put it simply in definition, an oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people distinguished by nobility, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control. Plus, the states are often controlled by families who typically pass their influence from one generation to the next.

However, the citizens of Piltover and the foreign visitors seem to be treated equally and fairly with no signs of being prejudiced or oppressed. They can see that they are all more focused on the trade business, living the luxurious social life, and progressing their technological advantage. Even though the clans seem to flaunt their wealth with their funding of constructing elaborate buildings and ornamental streetscapes, the city is a nice place to visit since everyone is treating each other as equals. But that doesn't mean all of the family members of the mercantile clans are good. Some may have their secret intentions that can negatively affect the society and lives of the city's civilians.

"Do we know how many of these ruling clans are? Including their family names?" asked Captain Gibson.

Santiago nodded.

"Yes. There are a total of nine ruling clans that rule Piltover. The clans are Arvino, Cadwalder, Ferros, Giopara, Holloran, Medarda, Morichi, and Torek. We hardly see any of the family members of each clan since they are mostly in their homes or the workshops and we can't seem to locate a government building where they may conduct meetings or execute their political duties that are legislation, executive, and judicial. This could mean that the union of these mercantile clans is so loose that they may be competing each other on the Hextech developments by going so far as to send out their spies to steal each other's schematics or convince some of their artificers to join their side through bribery or blackmail."

Now that was even worse. A government with members secretly backstabbing, spying, or exploiting each other for power or wealth is a government that usually falls apart. This could lead the members to develop unnecessary rivalry towards each other

"Is there anything else on the city of Piltover?" Dante asks.

"Yes, Sir. We learned that the mercantile clans have formed and fund a police force of their own to maintain law and order in Piltover. They call them Wardens," says Santiago. He changed the images to show a large building in a different section of northern Piltover. It had a large golden crest of Piltover which consists of a gear in the background with a heavy pendulum on the front. The golden crest was big enough for everyone in the district to see. Underneath the city's insignia was a large elaborate sign made of gold with carved words that was in perfect English: "The Hall of Law". There were men and women wearing uniforms with blue jackets with waist belt, light blue checkered trousers, black boots, black leather gloves, and blue helmet-shaped police caps. They can see that they are mostly equipped with shock batons made with hextech while others carried odd looking pistols or rifles with one or two of the weapons that look like hextech.

"Wardens?" said Colonel Don. "What kind of people calls their own police force wardens? Isn't that a title for the ones whom are in charge of running prisons?"

"We don't know, Colonel Don. But that's what the Piltovers call them," says Feng as she also wonders they call them wardens.

"There's more. They have a special task group that is similar to the police SWAT teams back in our world. They actually call them SWAT Wardens," says Santiago as he pulled up an image of the heavily armored Wardens whom are currently in the Hall of Law's armory checking and maintaining their weapons and equipment. They wore the darker blue and black version of the Warden uniforms and some of them wore berets instead of helmets while others wore a protective metal mask with goggles. Over their uniforms they wore some type of heavy combat armor that covers the entire torso and a waist belt filled with multiple leather pouches. Some wore more armor that consists of pauldrons for shoulders, greave armor for arms, and leg armor that covers the thighs all the way to the shins. They can even see some large steel-alloyed riot shields on some of the shelves or being carried by some of the SWAT Wardens. However, the weapons they SWAT Wardens were checking were a bit odd. Including the ammunition that is stored on their thigh pouches.

"Those weapons…are they air pressure guns? And are those arrow bolts in their ammo pouches?" asked Black Guard Captain Thomas as he was surprised to see a special task group of Piltover's law enforcement using inadequate weapons.

"Yes. Those are called pneumatic gas bolt rifles with a pumping handle underneath the barrel to pump air pressure into the gun to fire the loaded bolt arrow," says Feng.

"Where are their automatic assault weapons? They may have intimidating armor but this is just pathetic! Can those gas pressurized rifles even penetrate armor?!" yelled Captain Thomas as he felt insulted that these so call Piltover SWAT Wardens are the 'special' tactics group to deal with dangerous assignments. Even Dante, Theo, and Nate seem to agree along with everyone in the room.

Santiago answered immediately. "We were able to follow some of the SWAT Wardens to the firing range and the bolts seem to be strong enough to penetrate leather and steel armor. The Eyebots manage to scan the bolts and their speed when fired and found out that the bolts are made of steel alloys and can travel up to 120 m/s, less than a third of the speed of our bullets. As for the automatic weapons, they don't have a single gunpowder based firearms nor a single automatic weapon. Not even a shotgun or a sniper rifle!"

That was a shock to everyone. No gunpowder based weapons. Not even assault weapons. Even Thunderfist Captain Philips is shocked to see these SWAT Wardens not using any familiar weapons like the submachine guns, automatic assault guns, or a sniper rifle. Hell, they don't even see any secondary weapons like pistols on their belts. But he did see some other SWAT Wardens checking different odd-looking pistols and other objects that almost look like grenades on a work table.

"Those weapons on the workbench. What are those supposed to be? And is that a grenade?" asked Captain Philips.

Feng looked at the image to see what he is looking at before answering. "The pistols on the workbench are the rare hextech pistols while the others are called static shock guns, something similar to a taser or a stun gun. And for the explosive-looking object, yes, that is a grenade. But not a frag, flash, or smoke grenade. It's actually a spring grenade."

"Excuse me? A spring grenade? What the heck is a spring grenade?" asked Theo as he is confused of hearing such a grenade. Even Dante and Nate seem confused along with everyone else.

Feng replied, "It's some kind of a grenade that is non-explosive but it bursts out pellets by springs inside the grenade at random directions. Possibly to subdue criminals non-lethally."

"Pellets? No frags? Are they serious?" says Captain Philips in disappointment on the SWAT Wardens arsenal.

"What kind of criminals are they dealing with in Piltover? Troublesome teens or angry mobs with sticks and stones? I hardly see how the Piltover Wardens have managed to keep law and order with these equipment," says Dante as he couldn't believe these types of police officers could be considered 'wimps' and 'greenhorns' compared to his country's hardcore police and SWAT whom are armed and equipped with the best and deadly weapons and armor from the TSC armaments to preserve law and order. Especially if any Raider or Super Mutant dares to attack on of the settlements near the Wall, the United States police and SWAT will be ready to fight.

"Well, commander, we managed to find out what kind of criminals the Wardens are handling by having two of the Eyebots record and scan their prison cells in the building," said Santiago as he changed the images to show the prison cells with thick steel doors that are locked with bolts and a padlock. Some have extra bolts and padlocks and reinforced alloys. Not really impressive for an advance society in the eyes of the TSC.

Inside the cells, they can see the prisoners look really different compared to the Piltover civilians. Instead of well-dressed and clean men and women, these prisoners are filthy, covered in soot, pale skin, shaggy or punk-like hairstyles, and hardly have any personal hygiene as though they never showered for a long time. Their clothing looked ragged or outlandish that they look like they got them from the garbage in the alleys or charity donations. It was obvious that these people live in the slums of poverty and rely on criminal acts to survive such as pickpocketing, stealing, smuggling, or worse, assassination. Surprisingly, there are some young children within the prison cells as well. The male prisoners wore clothing consisting of large coats, robes, torn gloves, ragged shirts both long and short sleeves, stained boots, pants with holes around the knees, and some even wore hats or goggles. Others wore scarfs, overalls, or different Steampunk style clothing with multiple belts, pouches, buttons, or buckles to hold everything together. The female prisoners wore their own Steampunk style of long sleeve shirts with a coat or robes that almost look like casual dresses but colored gray, brown, green, or black. The long clothing reaches around the knees and their feminine legs are covered in trousers or stockings and tucked into high-heeled boots or shoes that they can easily run in without tripping. Their long hair is usually tucked underneath a headwear, tied into a bun, or cut short. But the most noticeable feature of these prisoners are their strange prosthetics that have combination features of Dieselpunk, Biopunk, and Steampunk all together. Most of these mechanical prosthetics have replaced their arms or legs with the metal structure that make up their new limbs that seem to be made of copper, brass, or bronze while others seem to have the steel alloys that seem to be considered rare among them. There are even tubes or unique hydraulic systems to move the limbs with the tubes connected to a glass container on the torso, shoulder, or back in which is filled with a strange, bubbling green chemical that seems to act as a fuel source for the prosthetics. Others have some kind of breathing filters over their mouths connected to the chemical container, a metal helmet covering their heads, or large loupes or goggles covering their eyes.

"From what we can gather from listening to the Wardens' conversations and their files on their desks, these criminals are from a place called Zaun. They label them as Chem-Punks, Chem-Thugs, and Shimmer Traffickers. We don't know what shimmer is but we can assume it is some kind of drug that is being smuggled into Piltover," explained Santiago as everyone stared at the new Zaun criminals. Needless to say, they were quite an interesting bunch with their Steampunk and Dieselpunk style outfits. But they are hardly in any way intimidating nor threatening compared to the Raiders, Super Mutants, Psychopaths, Cannibals, Tribals, Swamp Folks, Religious Zealots, and Mercenaries of the Wasteland.

"These are the criminals threatening the peace of Piltover?" says Detective Valentine whom has been quite throughout the entire meeting. "Hmph! They don't look like any of the worse criminals I've met during my Pre-War days. Nothing compared to El Chapo Guzman, Frank Lucas, Charles Manson, 'Dr. Death' Shipman, and, my old nemesis, Eddie Winter."

"Yeah. I agree with you Nick," says Nate with confidence since he worked with Nick Valentine on his cases, including the one case where they traveled to Far Harbor and encountered the worst mutants and religious fanatics of the Children of Atom on the island near Maine. But Nick wondered something about the origins of these prisoners.

"By the way, where is this place called Zaun? Is it another city of criminals like Bilgewater but closer to Piltover?" asked Nick.

"Yes, Detective. But the location of Zaun is actually underneath Piltover within a canyon in the southern part of the coastal city," explains Santiago as he tapped his holo-screen tablet to show a huge canyon that threads through the southern Piltover all the way to the ocean in the east. Deep within the canyons they can see an undercity district made of ironworks and glass compared to Piltover's marble and masonry architect. It was like staring at a dark mirror version of Piltover. They can see that the entire city below was built with structures crafted out of lattice ironwork and held together with rivets and bolts. The metal material looked like it was forged or wrought from scavenged scrap metals discarded as trash, most likely from Piltover. They can see glowing lights that burn within bolted sconces on the building exterior serving as their own street lights with creative use of colored glass to make the city more enchanting and attractive in its own way.

"This is the city of Zaun, known to the people of Piltover and the civilians living in that canyon as the City of Iron and Glass. Not only is this city filled with the same criminals as the one back at the Warden's Hall of Law in their cells, it is actually an urbanized environment that has a huge amounts of toxic pollution spewed from the factories in the deeper levels. Scans from the Eyebots unveiled waste pools, toxic wastes, polluted smog, and a deadly fog originating from deeper in the canyons that is well known to the Piltovers and Zaunites as the Zaun Gray. I don't know how these people are able to live in such a deadly environment."

"My God…" said Curie quietly as she saw images of the most horrific, polluted city that she has ever seen.

"So much toxic clouds…" says Erwin as he was horrified of such place could exist even though he has visited many Wasteland city ruins filled radiation from the atom bombs.

"That's not all," replies Feng talking over for Santiago for speaking. "We heard among the Piltovers from the Eyebots that Zaun has its own black markets located in the deep levels of the city. There are also confirmations of some infamous inventors and former clan artificers have moved into this underground city due to the restrictions in Piltover that prevents their attempts to push the boundaries of their development on dangerous hextech or unorthodox research. It seems like Zaun welcomes all dangerous research despite the hazard risks in which may also have something to do with this huge amount of pollution."

"Hmmm," said Mobius. "I must say…I'm impressed that they would take the risks in their research in the name of knowledge and science. Almost like me!"

Theo glared at the Think Tank crackpot.

"You mean…almost like you and your colleagues at Big MT. Don't try to make friends with these Zaun inventors if they prove to be a bit…radical," says Theo with a stern tone. Mobius made shrugged motion with his monitors not bothered by Theo's expression.

"Are the Piltover mercantile clans trying to solve this pollution problem? How come the Wardens have not gone down to put law and order in that district?" asked Dante wondering why such a place that reminds him of the toxic and polluted ruined city of Pittsburgh that was once known as the Pitt under Ashur's rule.

"Commander. The Piltover ruling clans do not govern that place," says Feng. "That place is considered a foreign city underneath Piltover even though they are closely related. Both the Zaunites and the Piltovers consider each other different by rivalry, cultural development, and ideals of progress. Even the Wardens are restricted from entering that it makes it a perfect place for criminals to escape to as a safe zone from the law. My guess is that the pollution in Zaun is not considered a responsibility to the clan rulers since it was not caused by their workshops or laboratories. Therefore, they have no interest in funding any solutions or research in cleaning the toxic spill-offs and the deadly smog."

Dante had his eyes narrowed after hearing that. Even Nate, Theo, and Nick Valentine did not like that an underbelly city like Zaun is a safe zone for the criminals to escape to from the law. It sounded outrageous and inconceivable that this city is run by criminals besides Bilgewater. With a safe zone like that, they know the Zaunite criminals will continue to practice their smuggling, thievery, and fraud operations in Piltover no matter how many times they get arrested. There is also the concern of the pollution that is no doubt poisoning the civilians living in that iron city and is shortening their lives. If the black smog from the factories and the chemical spill-offs from exploded labs continue to pollute the canyon depth, no doubt in a matter of time Zaun will soon be covered in thick toxic clouds that it will become impossible to clean it out for the next hundreds of years. And there is a possibility that pollution could spread into Piltover no matter how high they are from the toxic source. Pollution back in Earth's Pre-War days were hardly a concern and industrial companies made every attempts to silence environmentalists from sending evidence to the news network, even going far as to assassinate them by making it look like an accident. With hardly any public awareness to the pollution build-ups, consequences led to chemical spills, carbon smog, irradiated lakes, toxic-infested lands, and worst of all, mutations on both animals and humans. Examples are the Toxic Valley of the Appalachia and Lake Quannapowitt of the Commonwealth.

"There is more," added Santiago as he wanted to inform what they have on Zaun. "From what we were able to gather from the conversations between the Zaunites and the Piltovers, Zaun is actually ruled by industrial owners known as Chem-Barons. They are like the Oil-Barons from Earth but their industrial production are those green chemical substances that we saw powering the imprisoned Zaunites' prosthetics. We also heard that not only are they factory owners, they also own businesses and lands around Zaun along with ownership of resources that they monopolize and sell. They protect their territories and operations with the same Chem-Gangs and Vigilnauts while hiring assassins to attack or sabotage their rivals' businesses making these Chem-Barons some sort of mob bosses of Zaun. However, we are unable to get any of their names since they rule different sections of Zaun and are hardly seen in the open."

"Mob bosses huh? I guess these Chem-Barons rule in a loose alliance forming some kind of an industrial oligarchy?" says Dante not liking those titles of these so called factory owners whom run Zaun. They remind him of the industrial owners during the Industrial Revolution in the history books he read about whom hire workers with no concerns of their safety, health, or treatment. He wouldn't be surprised that these Chem-barons use orphan children so that they don't need to pay any wages while they continue to make much profits as possible. And if the Chem-Barons are like the mob bosses of the Victorian era, then it was obvious why the city of Zaun has not fallen under anarchy. These Chem-barons have their own army of Zaunite Chem-Thugs to keep their own law and order under control in their respective areas of Zaun.

"Yes, sir," said Santiago.

"Is there any more intel on this polluted city?" asked Nate.

Santiago shook his head. "No sir. We were unable to gather more due to the smog and this Zaun Gray covering the entire city. Our Eyebots' cloaking was being interfered by the chemical particles within the Gray's clouds that they almost got exposed and discovered by the Piltovers and Zaunites. We were able to get visual recordings of the two levels of Zaun. The first one is called the Promenade Level where the wealthy individuals of Zaun gather to shop, dine, and trade with Piltovers whom visit to purchase the cheaper Zaun products. It is considered the entertainment and commercial zone where it exists alongside the lower districts of Piltover. We don't know what this huge tower that is built from the canyon's depth all the way up to the surface is used for but it seems important to both Zaun and Piltover. The second level is called the Entresol Level. This is where the black markets and the Chem-Barons' businesses are conducted in which are usually entertainments, eating establishments, workshops, trading posts, clubs, and brothels. For the last level it is called the Sump Level and it is known to be the slums and the most hazardous level that we suspect that is where the Chem-Barons' factories and labs are located. Other than that, that is all we have on Zaun."

The meeting room is silent as they processed everything reported from Santiago and Feng. It was a lot of information gathered from the three selected locations. So much information that everyone needed the time to think about what they have learned and how they now view this world. Dante, Theo, and Nate are the most affected. What they saw were new locations to explore. Yes, they learned a lot from the Eyebots' reconnaissance, but they need to know more if they are going to find a way to get back home. And to do that, they need to go and visit those locations and interact with the people to get more information.

Dante then suddenly felt something in his heart and mind. A feeling he had not felt in a long time. He remembered the adrenaline and excitement when he left Vault 101. He felt scared, nervous, unsure of what he will find outside the vault when he escaped 13 years ago. When he exited the cave, he saw the Capital Wasteland. It was horrifying to see a dead land with the ruined city of D.C. in the distance. But then, he felt excited. Happiness. Most of all, freedom. The excitement to explore and discover. It was the same feeling when he went out to explore the Pitt and Point Lookout. Learning new history of the lands, discovering new things he never seen, and meeting new people whom either become his friends or enemies.

This was his chance. A chance to once again to explore this alien world. To once again to take up the 101 jumpsuit and wander once more.

Dante looked at Theo. Theo looked at Dante. Both knew they were thinking the same idea and are feeling that same excitement to wander once more.

Dante and Theo turned to Nate. Nate gazed at Dante and Theo. Nate nodded confirming his friends that he was feeling the urge to do the same. Wander this world and discover.

Dante and Theo nodded back at Nate. It was decided. They will wander the world. Explore the three locations. Then they will eventually explore the entire world and learn its name. In time, they will find a way to return back home and partake in the war against the Brotherhood of Steel. Hopefully they will be able to make it in time or at least be able to communicate with them.

Dante stood up from his chair. Everyone in the room looked at their leader.

"Lieutenant Santiago. Warrant Officer Feng. Thank you for the report. All of you and your Valkyrian squadron are dismissed. Leave your reports here and get some R&R until further notice," says Dante as he saluted the pilots. The Reaper Squadron saluted back and exited the meeting room.

Dante remained standing before he took a deep breath.

"Everyone. It seems this new intel has changed everything. We have civilizations nearby with their own society and culture that can be our allies or our enemies. We don't know how they will react to a futuristic people with capabilities to travel into space since they have never seen it be done before. For all we know, these people most likely believe that only gods or deities have the abilities to fly or travel towards the stars and other worlds. We can be worshiped mistakenly as god's messengers, or heretics for our tech and ideals goes against their belief. Worse, we could be labeled as space demons or something."

That would have been a laugh for everyone, but they can tell Dante is serious in his words due to his relaxed tone and expressionless face.

"But we do need to visit these locations and find out if we can get any information concerning star charts and astronomy related info to find our way home," said Curie in a matter of fact tone.

"Correct Dr. Curie. Which is why the TSC shall remain hidden and kept secret from the natives of this world. We may be over 4,500 miles from the Ionian continental islands, but I do not want to risk our existence and location become known. We are still building our base on this archipelago and I want to make sure it is operational with enough defenses to keep us all alive and prevent any possible hostiles from landing on our territory," said Dante.

"Therefore," he continues, "It is my best of wisdom that I, Dante Abram, including my fellow commanders, Theo West and Nate O'Connor, shall be the ones to explore and interact with these people ourselves to see if we can find the information ourselves. Just like what we have always done during our wandering days."

Everyone was silent as many of the officers and civilians have widened eyes and concerned expressions. Dante, Theo, and Nate knew that these people wouldn't want them to wander around an alien world without some soldiers for protection. They were their leaders. Most importantly, they believe Dante is the rightful person to become the new president of the United States and they couldn't afford to lose him. Black Guard Captain Thompson was the first to object as he stood up immediately.

"Sir! I must object!" he cried. "What you propose is unnecessary. We can just send out some scouts to spy on these natives and prepare diplomatic teams to negotiate with them. Your life is importance to us all!"

"I have to agree with Captain Thompson, Commander," said Captain Gibson, "we can't afford to lose you at all. That also goes for General West and General O'Connor. We need all of you to lead us once we get back to Earth to fight the Brotherhood and save the United States!"

Dante sighed. Theo grumbled. Nate just remained quiet.

"Gentlemen. I am aware of your concerns," said Dante with confidence and using his charismatic skills once more. "But I have made my decision and I will do what is necessary for our survival. Plus, I do not intend to get killed nor die on this world. I have a niece and a family awaiting for me back home just as my fellow soldiers have their loved ones waiting for their return as well."

"I agree with Grand Admiral Dante Abram. I support his plan and I don't intend to get killed while I wander this world," said Theo with a large grin on his face.

"Neither will I die as well. I plan to get back home to my son as well and whatever dangers this world has will not stop me from doing so," said Nate with a determined expression filled with his own resolution.

Dante turned to Captain Gibson. "Furthermore, Captain Gibson, as of this moment you are my second-in-command and you will be in charge of the operations here while we are gone. Your mission is to see the completion of this base and getting it operational as soon as possible once the Retribution is secured."

Gibson gasped with widen eyes. He immediately calmed his expression and nodded to his leader in acknowledgement. Being a temporary second-in-command to the leader of the TSC is an honor for any officer, especially since it's Dante Abram himself.

Dante turned to Erwin and Newman. "You two will be in charge of completing the dockyards and continue gathering resources to build up the base on the archipelago. You will also work with the military officers and scientists with plans to expand the base with additional facilities and accomadations that are beneficial to us all. Can I count on you two?"

Both Erwin and Newman nodded with determination. They are confident that they will get the job done.

Theo turned to Curie. "While we are exploring, we'll try to gather some blood and tissue samples from the faunas including plant seeds and samples of floras for you to study and research. Will that be alright?"

Curie nodded. "Yes. I will also see if we can set up an agricultural facility and a bio-dome on the northwest island for food production and flora research."

"We can also collect some samples of technology or strange magic from these locations and send them by Valkyries for Dr. Cabot and Dr. Mobius to study," said Nate as Cabot and Mobius immediately agreed without hesitation.

Dante turned to Wing Commander Eun-ji. "Eun-ji. Since we will be mapping the cities and lands with our Pip-Boy Zs, I want you to have some Valkyries fly up and launch a satellite into orbit. We can also use it to establish subspace communications with HQ during our wanderings."

Eun-ji saluted. "Yes, sir. I can get right on it."

"As for all of the military personals, I want all of you to focus on keeping your men trained to keep them combat ready. We may have the technological advantage and experience, but the natives still outnumber us and can overrun us once we use up our last bullet and energy cell. Is that understood?" said Dante as all the commanding officers in the room nodded their heads in confirmation. "All right, are there any other concerns or questions?"

Nick Valentine raised his hand. "Yes Nick?"

"I wish to accompany Nate in his wandering travel. I know I am a Synth and I might stand out but I think a can still pass as a human with pale skin and weird eyes. Besides, I rather not stay here and do boring guard duty since I want in on the action as well," says Nick as he was showing that he is not backing down and is determined to go no matter what.

"I'm fine with it. It will be just like old times during our wanderings," says Nate. Dante shrugged and decided to let Nick go.

"Alright. We will first learn the languages and have a translation program into our Pip-Boys so that we are able to communicate with the locals and be able to read their writings. The departure will begin in ten days from now. Everyone is dismissed."

Everyone began to file out of the meeting room. Leaving Dante, Theo, Nate, and Nick alone in the room.

"Well guys. Here we go again," says Dante.

"Yuup. Let's see what this world has to offer. I'm quite excited to do this again," replies Theo with an exciting grin.

"Hmmm. I hope it all goes well, but I have to admit. I haven't been this eager since I ended my wanderings to rebuilt the Commonwealth. You ready for this Nick?" says Nate. Nick turned to Nate and the Detective sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be."

They all got up and left the room to prepare for the day of their departure. The departure for the three wanderers to adventure once more. And a destiny awaits these three…As they wander once more…

End Flashback

...

(Present)

November 4, 2290 (Earth Date)

Julian (July) 21, 3027 A.R. (After Rune Wars)

TSC HQ Archipelago Islands/Codename: New Elysium, Runeterra

It had been ten days since that day. During the week, Dante, Theo, and Nate studied the languages they manage to acquire from the Eyebots' translation program, Gibson took over to command the operations for overseeing the completion of the dockyard and look up further plans for building their central HQ and expanding the base. Eun-ji had another Valkyrian squadron, the Harpy Squad, to carry one of the Retribution's orbital satellite up into space and position it into the planet's orbit. The satellite was built with Pre-war technology but upgraded with Zeta technology to easily scan the planet for minerals, atmosphere gases, weather behavior, lifesigns, and environment type. It even has a Zeta subspace communication that can connect to the wanderers' Pip-boy Z's in order to help them map and highlight important locations. Although, Newman made a suggestion to install a Z-molecular transportalponder relay (Ugh, Plishkin and his stupid names for technological devices) to give the Dante, Theo, and Nate the ability to teleport in any parts of the alien world with their Pip-boy Zs, but that will have to be done later for now since they only have the blueprint of its prototype design. Plus, it is actually Plishkin's design and he left it in his work table where he was analyzing the Hyperchronosphere before he left for the festival and this time Dante does not actually trust in Plishkin's invention until Newman and Erwin have confirmed that it is safe and works properly.

It was now morning with the sun coming up from the east. Dante was in his temporary room in the Retribution that big enough for a leader and it was next to the Gibson's captain cabin. He was changing from his Supreme Commander outfit to his old Lone Wanderer outfit, the famous Armored Vault 101 jumpsuit with the Regulator Duster over it. Completing his outfit is the famous Shady Hat for headwear and his Lucky Shades to cover his eyes. After putting on his outfit he dematerialized the commander outfit into his Pip-Boy Z before he pressed the screen and the holographic mainscreen appeared. He selected the ITEMS tab and the WEAPONS subtab and chose the Xuanlong Assault Rifle, the Terrible Shotgun, a unique Katana, and the Blackhawk. The Xuanlong was his long time favorite assault weapon even though it was a Chinese Type 93 origin and used in the Great War against the U.S. But its modifications done by the dead mercenary, Prime, made it deadly enough to kill so many Raiders, Super Mutants, Enclave soldiers, Feral Ghouls, and the Zeta Aliens during his wanderings. The Terrible Shotgun was a modified combat shotgun that he managed to bargain from the Raider merchant, Smiling Jack, for his life after he slaughtered all of the Raiders at Evergreen Mills. The Blackhawk .44 scoped magnum was a gift from Old Lady Agatha after getting her the Soil Stradivarius violin in Vault 92 along with a sheet music book and he treasured it since it was modified and belonged to her long passed husband. The katana was a special sword that he forged himself with the guidance of Toshiro Kago in which he practiced and trained with Kago. The sword was made with Zeta alloy to have a high durable body with the sharp edges coated with Cosmic alloy that gave its ability to cut through tough steel alloys while the handle and guard were made with the same Zeta alloy with gold coating and the grip was wrapped in black cloth wrapping. He named the sword, the Cosmo Masamune. He placed the Xuanlong and the Shotgun onto his back holsters with the Blackhawk into his right hip holster and the Cosmo Masamune sheathed on his left hip. Additionally, he placed four 5.56 assault mags, three 12 gauge shotgun drums, and six .44 magnum speed reloaders into his belt pouches along with four frag grenades and four flashbangs. Dante finished his preparations by having a TSC black modular military backpack filled with TSC MREs, a water canteen, chocolates, Z-stimpacks, Z-Radaway, Rad-Z pills, and three bottles of Nuka-Cola (his favorite). There is even a rolled up sleeping bag on top in case he had to sleep outdoors like he did last time during his wanderings.

He picked up his backback and strapped it on, making sure his weapons are also secured. He nodded in satisfaction. "Right then. It's time."

He exited his room through the sliding door where his trusty canine was waiting. Cooper gave him his sad puppy dog eyes and whimpered. Dante knew what it was but he couldn't. He bent down on one knee and petted his faithful dog. "Sorry, boy. Noth this time. This world is unknow and I need to do this alone for know. When I gain more information on this world, I will take with me next time. Is that alright?"

Cooper barked and licked him on his right cheek. Dante smiled and laughed as he petted Cooper's head once more before getting up to walk out of the carrier. Cooper followed.

...

Theo was in his large tent within the main camp. He liked to sleep in outdoors many times whenever he got tired of sleeping inside and wanted to experience the nice feeling of sleeping underneath the stars and breathing the natural air. It reminded him of his old home and family, the Red Stone Tribe.

Right now he was changing out of his LAS-009 Army General overcoat and replaced it with his famous Elite Riot Gear that he acquired from the Divide during his self-quest to learn about himself and his connection to the place. But he kept the Elite Riot Gear Helmet in his Pip-Boy Z while keeping his Desperado Hat and his sunglasses on since those are his trademark outfit. Plus, he loves his black hat. He dematerialized his overcoat into his Pip-Boy and put on his riot gear. This way it made him look like a mercenary or traveler when he starts his wandering. He opened up his Pip-Boy Z holographic screen and selected the WEAPONS subtab in the ITEMS tab to materialize his trademark weapons: the All-American Marksman Carbine, the Riot Shotgun, the Blood-Nap Bowie Knife, the Light in Shining Darkness .45 Pistol, and the Maria 9mm Pistonl. The All-American carbine was a special modified marksman carbine that he found in the feral ghoul-infested Vault 34 in the armory where huge stockpiles of Pre-war military weapons were kept that he managed to acquire after wiping out the ghouls that stood in his way to the 'treasure'. It was his favorite carbine rifle besides the Assault Carbine (M16 Assault Rifle). The Riot Shotgun was a special automatic shotgun he bought from the New Vegas Gun Runners and he loved how it can shoot out 12 gauge bullets at a faster rate to kill powerful enemies quickly without the need of pumping. The Blood-Nap was another weapon he acquired from the Divide and he admired how strong and sharp its edges are despite being neglected for over 200 years since the Great War. He had made use of it during his close-combat fighting and it served him well in make his enemies bleed furiously after a slice from the Blood-Nap. His LISD .45 pistol was a gift from his fellow companion, Joshua Graham AKA: the Burned Man, after helping him save the Zion Valley from the White Leg Tribe and he has treasured it by killing many Legion soldiers all over the Mojave and during the Second Battle of Hoover Dam. The Maria was a pistol he took from Benny after he killed him in the Caesar's Legion fighting pit at the Fort just so he can grant Benny an honorable death instead of crucifixition. He kept the pistol because it served as a reminder of how it changed his life on the night he was shot in the head that lead him to decide the fate of the Mojave. He strapped the All-American and the Riot Shotgun onto his back holsters with the LISD .45 Pistol on his right hip holster and the Maria on his left. On his belt pouches, he inserted four 5.56 cargine mags, three 12 gauge shotgun drums, four .45 mags, and four 9 mm mags along with four frag grenades and four flashbangs. He also strapped on a desert camo TSC modular military backpack filled with TSC MREs, his Vault 13 water canteen, chocolates, Sunset Sasperilla, Z-stimpacks, Z-Radaways, Rad-Z pills, a small cigar box of Sunset San Francisco cigars, and a flask of Cass's Moonshine. He loves his alcohol and smoke.

"Hmmm. Alright. Looks like I have everything," said Theo as he made secondary check-ups on his supplies.

As Theo left his tent, he was surprised to see ED-E suddenly moving up to his face that he nearly flinched. ED-E made some tantrum beeping noices as the Eyebot bounced up and down and shook itself. Theo gave a blank expression at the floating robot.

"Haaah," sighed Theo. "Listen ED-E. I can't bring you along this time. We don't know how those people will react to a floating robot like you. For all I know, they will shoot you as soon as they see you and I don't want to have a hard time putting you back together if that happens. Your my friend and it will pain me to lose you."

ED-E made more beepings as it looked down as though ashamed of itself. It looked back at Theo and more beeps.

"Yes, ED-E. When I am able to grasp the situation and learn more about these people, I will think about bringing you along. Just like what we always do. Okay?"

ED-E made happy beeps as it bounced left and right in excitement. A barking was heard as Theo turned his head to the right to see Rex looking up at him sitting on his haunches with a tilted head. Theo walked up to his cyborg canine companion and petted his head around the brain dome.

"Rex. I am going to need you to stay here as well. This also concerns how the natives will react to a dog with machine parts and I promise your master, the King, that I will look out for you. Will stay here and watch over the place with ED-E?"

Rex looked down with a whimper but looked up at him with confirmed bark. Theo smiled and petted him one more time before heading towards the three Valkyries nearby. Rex and ED-E followed him.

...

The last wanderer, Nate, was getting himself ready for his journey as well. Nate was inside one of the officers' quarters in the Retribution where he was staying and sleeping during his stay on this alien world. Cogsworth was assisting in packing his supplies in his backpack while he changed his outfit.

He materialized his old Vault 111 jumpsuit that he wore when he first stepped into Vault 111 with his family during the Great War. It was modified with Shielded Lining due to his skill in Engineering and was further upgraded with the TSC ballistic weaved fibers MkX that improved resistance against firearms, energy weapons, and radiation. He treasured the jumpsuit since it served him well throughout his wanderings. He placed on his Sturdy Combat Armor that was from his collection of armor within his Pip-Boy Z in which he managed to scavenge or loot during his wanderings. Nate heavily upgraded this armor, including his Light and Heavy Combat Armor, with Polymer materials to increase its durability against firearms, explosives, and energy weapons. He manage to increase its durability by replacing the Polymer with light weight Zeta Polymer Material as the new armor platings, courtesy of the TSC. He kept the Zeta Polymer Combat Helmet in his Pip-Boy Z since he had a different outfit in mind to cover his armor. He then materialized a black Detective Trench Coat and a black Fedora Hat with the coat's size and sleeves big enough to cover his armor and jumpsuit and long enough to down to his calves halfway. After putting on his hat he put a pair of Patrolman Sunglasses to complete his look in which could make him look incospicous among the natives.

Nate opened up his Pip-Boy's holographic mainscreen and selected the weapons from the WEAPONS subtab. The weapons he chosed to carry are the Silver Submachine Gun, Kellog's Pistol, and the Deliverer. The Silver Submachine Gun is a modified submachine gun he acquired from Kent Connolly to use during their quest to eliminate the criminals around Goodneighbor with Nate dressed up as the Silver Shroud and using the Silver submachine gun to kill them and leaving a Silver Shroud calling card in order to inspire a hero among the innocent people. This all lead to killing most of the gang leaders with John Hancock assisting Nate, as the Silver Shroud, to save Kent whom got captured and held hostage by the ringleader of the gangs, Sinjin, at the Milton General Hospital where Sinjin and Nate had a 'final showdown'. Kellog's Pistol is a modified .44 magnum revolver that once belonged to Conrad "Connie" Kellog, the Institute's mercenary operative whom is responsible for kidnapping his biological son, Shaun, and killing his wife, Nora. Nate kept the gun as a reminder for why Kellog did it all since he managed to look into Kellog's memories through the Memory Den's memory loungers by connecting his cybernetic brain augmenter to the lounger's main computer. The Deliverer is a modified semi-automatic pistol that was once used by Pre-War U.S. agents of the Defense Intelligience Agency (Fallout version of CIA). It was given by his Railroad companion, Deacon, during their mission at the Switchboard in order to obtain Carrington's prototype Stealth Boy. The "hand cannon" had been a useful weapon to take out alot of enemies due to its firepower, high accuracy, and silenced shots. Nate strapped his submachine gun onto his back and place the Deliverer on his right hip holster with Kellog's .44 magnum in his left hip holster. He made sure to place three .45 submachine gun drums, four 10 mm mags, and six .44 magnum speed reloaders in his belt pouches along with four frag grenades and four flashbangs in leg pouches. For nonlethal close combat, he placed a Zeta Alien Shock Baton on his right thigh holster in which he can attack with or without the shock taser on to knock out or stun his enemies. He made sure to acquire a gray TSC modular military backpack for his trusty robot Mr. Handy, Cogsworth, to pack it with MRE's, a water canteen, chocolate, Z-stimpacks, Z-Radaways, Rad-Z pills, and three bottles of Gwinnet Ale (his favorite beer). He couldn't help but shake his head as he watch the robot packed additional supplies for him like a razor, shave cream, soap, two TSC towels, TSC mouthwash, PJs, two pairs of TSC black socks, two pairs of boxers, hairbrush, and a container of TSC breath mints in the extra pockets of his backpack.

Nate double-checked his supplies and equipment while making sure his trench coat is covering his armor greatly. He hoped the civilians at the place he was going to doesn't mind him walking with weapons since he wasn't sure what their laws are concerning on carrying weapons. He is going to have to go in and find out by asking. He felt Cogsworth use a lint roller to remove any tiny fiber debris and dust on his coat.

"Well, Sir. I hope you are ready. It has been a while since you have done any of your wanderings. Especially since you are about to meet new people on an alien planet even though they are humans," says Codsworth finishing cleaning Nate's coat.

"I know Codsworth. But it has to be done. Otherwise we will not be able to get back home for the war. And we to get back for Shaun. For now, can you stay here and watch the fort for now?" said Nate with a feeling of nervous excitement that he is going to wander again but at the same time worried for his Synth son, Shaun.

"Don't worry, Nate Sir! I can just help around the island while you are gone. I am sure they can have something of use for me like moving beach rocks or trimming the palm trees around the place. By Joe! I can also help serve some lovely tropical fruit juice in a coconut shell!" said Cogsworth with some odd resolution as part of his programming to cheer up his master's morale.

Nate smiled and was happy for his robot. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. Let's get going then."

Cogsworth helped strapped his backpack on and followed him out of his room as Nate walked out of the Retribution. Nick Valentine was waiting outside his room. He was leaning against the metal with his back while his arms were crossed. He had his own backpack on with his own supplies. "Most likely TSC cigarettes and oil for his lighter," thought Nate.

"Ready?" asked Nick. Nate nodded.

"Yes."

They both walked out together with Cogsworth following to see them off.

...

All the soldiers, crewmembers, mutants, officers, engineers, scientists, doctors, and robots stood at an attention and saluted on both sides of a path from the carrier as the three wanderers walked towards the three Valkyries parked near the edge of beach right next to the main camp. Their companions staying behind near the hanger opening as they watched with near sadness as their masters walked towards the spacecrafts that will take them to the assigned locations they chose to go to wander. Dante walked in the center with Theo at his left and Nate at his right. Nick walked alongsides Nate's right. The sun slowly rising from the east as the rays hit the surface of the Valkyries brimming and sparkling the spacecrafts.

Each wanderers went to their respective crafts. As they walked underneath the crafts the wanderers turned around and saluted their fellow soldiers and crewmembers of the Retribution. All of the men and women cried, "Good Luck Commanders! We wish you well!". Then they lowered salutes and stood at attention. The wanderers lowered their salute and the Valkyries opened up their tractor beams underneath to lift up their commanders and Nick into their respective crafts. Once the wanderers and Nick strapped themselves in their seats, the Valkyries slowly hummed their engines and hovered off the sandy ground. Then they lifted up their landing pads and turned around to their own directions as they blasted away immediately. One headed southwest, the second headed straight west, and the third headed north west.

Everyone watched as the Valkyries disappeared over the horizon until they can no longer be seen.

The three wanderers once again are heading towards the unknown for new adventures. And a destiny awaits these three…As they wander once more…

---

PHEW! This was the longest chapter I have ever done. So much effort was put in since January 27th. Sorry about that. I was busy with my college studies for my mechanical engineering and the final exams for spring 2019. Even during my summer break, it took me a long time since my final exams in the 2nd week of May to research Runeterra and the current conflicts happening in Ionia, Bilgewater, Piltover, and Zaun. That also includes the factions within those locations and whom are the leaders and bosses ruling them.

As for Dante's special perk when his eyes glowed blue when he got angry at Tuff and Zach, let's just say it is something related to the Fallout's Psionic abilities. Research it on Fallout wiki, it explains alot. I will make a flashback on how Dante got that perk. Here's a hint: Point Lookout - Dr. Calvert's psychic research. Also, due to his high intelligience his wisdom and willpower are very strong. So this ability will come in use for Dante when dealing with enemies whom use magic involving hypnotism, seduction, mental control, fear, intimidation, etc.

As of right now, our three wandering heroes are off. Just to give the heads up, Dante will be wandering the lands of Ionia, Theo will explore the Guardian's Sea and face the pirates of Bilgewater, and Nate, with Nick Valentine, will explore both Piltover and Zaun to learn of their social statuses, solve crimes, and use their TSC technology to help out. Expect fight, battles, and negotiation talks with the Navori Brotherhood, hostile Vastaya tribes, Order of Shadow warriors, Noxian soldiers, Pirates, Sea monsters, Chem-thugs, Chem-gangs, Chem-Barons, Wardens, and even Champions. Also, there will be death...and romance with ideal female LOL Champion pairings for the three wanderers. I will try to update the next chapter as soon as I can. Right now, I will be taking a break from the writing to relax. See you soon and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

PS: Sorry about the upload. I don't know what happened. Still I hope you enjoy this chapter.