In a flash of lightning, the Director materialized in the chamber of the Molecular Relay Room. As her vision cleared, she saw that she was surrounded by the entire directorate. She looked from the hardened, saddened faces of each of them to the next. "There's no way I can convince you I'm in a hurry and will address your concerns at a more convenient time?"

Dr. Ayo corrected her. "The Institute's been making strides under your...influence. We've managed to find and recruit two outsiders of our standards in a matter of months. The one previous to that was Dr. Li a decade ago. We've taken in every scrap of Brotherhood of Steel technology from the airport without any interference from the wastelanders. The Railroad has been a thorn in our side for years and now serves us. Even our generator is finally online. And the possibility of true, strong A.B. is finally open to us."

"Huh?", the Director asked.

"Artificial Behavior.", the Head of Robotics explained. "It's amazing. I keep forgetting you're not a scientist with the way you think. Your predictive problem solving is leaps beyond baseline."

"Okay...", the woman acknowledged. "So what are you all doing here?"

"Offering our help. Actively.", Dr. Filmore answered. "Considering the situation that was just broadcast, it's easy to guess that you were going to molecular relay from wherever you were to Fort Independence. Rather than cut into the response time with a formal meeting of the directorate, we've decided to get your thoughts here. It's not like you can offer the technical guidance to oversee our completing your directives anyway."

"Alright then.", the Director stated.

Binet offered. "We can start ramping up synth production at any time. Due to the moratorium, we even have a back stock of construction materials. Coupled with our pre-existing plans to increase output when the generator came online, we can send as many troops into battle against these Gunners as are needed."

"No.", their leader stopped.

"I don't understand.", Madison stated.

"The Commonwealth has had too many easy victories. They need to understand that wars are actually hard won. If we bail them out now, then they'll come to believe that is the way of the world. Yes, they will ignore the squalor they live in. Yes, even with the ruins of a greater civilization surrounding them. In the Bhagavad Gita, it is said that the greatest illusion in the world is that people think that they will live forever no matter how many people just like them die around them everyday."

The Director continued. "We can't afford that. Remain victorious - sure. Of course, I intend to defeat the Gunners. But it has to be in a way that the Commonwealth doesn't ever see a cowboy riding over the horizon to save the day. Comparing the number of deaths that's going to cause to the number of deaths when the Commonwealth is truly lost because it can't actually defend itself shows that there is only one option. And that's to orchestrate the Commonwealth's defense with Commonwealth resources.

"So, sure: produce some more of the LASER MUSKET remakes. But any resources you thought were going to this fight need to go into either defending the Institute in case I'm very badly misjudging the situation, or researching the technology that is going to redefine mankind."

Dr. Ayo took a breath. "If you believe that wise, Director."

The Director snapped her fingers. "There is one thing you that I need done. Can you produce type 2s that can do precision technical work with some sort of on board library? I'll need a crew of them."

The head of Robotics shook his head. "If one of us was directing the work, possibly. But your grammar implies that you're going to be leading them on a project yourself. For that kind of interpretive language parsing, self-directive behavior, applied knowledge base...You can't do that without mark 3s.

"What would you even need them for?"

The Director frowned. "I'm lifting the ban on mark 3 production for the fulfillment of this and this alone. Program them to follow orders without question, even for explanation. And if their memories of post-manufacture events can't be easily recovered, that would be a bonus."

Dr. Ayo raised his hand. "Alright, really. What would you even need them for?"

The Director shook her head. "I need you to not ask. I have a backup plan in mind if casualties mount to high. But I can't tell you. For the sake of the Institute. Yes, I know no one is going to tell it to anyone outside of the Institute. But if by some dark miracle the Railroad still has a leak or even looking back through the annals of history: I can't tell you.

"If you truly trust me, just get them built and keep them shut down until I come for them."

The scientists exchanged looks. "Of course, Director.", Binet answered.

"Thank you.", the Director replied. "Now clear the chamber. I've got to get to the Castle asap."