"I have every settlement west of 81 asking where their Minutemen are.", Preston stated.
The colonels had been gathered at the Castle. The representatives of the communities had attempted a council meeting. But somehow, Radio Freedom did not seem to perform to his usual efficiency in coordination. And in the obviously hectic recall he probably was not going to return to that standard exactly just yet.
"And I have the tip of the spear cut from the shaft.", the General responded. "This situation calls for a bit more brutality than diplomacy. And I would very much like that directed outward."
She took a breath.
"The column I managed to create, minus the force laying siege to Vault 75, is on parade past the communities. After one witnesses a Minutemen mobilization first hand, Radio Freedom's going to coordinate a trip to the Castle for them to meet. Hopefully, that will help to take the sting out of WRVR."
"Where are they parading to?", Shaw asked. "Or is it just more propaganda and they'll be reassigned to the settlements once they show themselves to Vault 88?"
The General shook her head. "We don't have resources for show anymore. Brutality - remember?
"To break the siege on Egret Tours Marina, we're going to have to punch a hole in the surrounding forces. We get the most profit from that punched hole being WRVR itself. It shuts up Red Eye and it helps to secure the river so we can melt the enemy on the bridge cutting the Marina off."
Preston nodded. "But reclaiming WRVR's going to be no easy task. Every time territory has changed hands in this conflict has been become of some favor of fortune and luck for one side or the other."
"And that's why she's not reclaiming it.", Brandis stated, having read the General correctly.
"Hole, Preston.", the General confirmed. "We aren't taking WRVR back from the Gunners.
"The force on parade is headed here, to the Coast Guard Pier. The territory we're going to take is one that we should have set up shop earlier but didn't because of a lack of a workshop and it being a super mutant encampment. So instead of attempting to maintain a civilian presence, for the time being we're just going to use it as a bombing site.
"WRVR is in a direct line of site. If the Gunners want a fight, we can retreat faster than they can advance thanks to our APCs and they can fight the super mutants stationed there. When they leave us alone rather than take casualties fighting a force that isn't us when no one's paying them, we're going to set up artillery. Which will be in point blank range. Of WRVR.
"And blow the entire thing off the map. Red Eye and all."
Preston stood up. "But they have hostages. The actors that stage the Silver Shroud shows..."
The General's WRAPAROUND GOGGLES glared at him. "Red Eye and all."
"But...", Preston attempted to protest. The faces around him were silent. The man slowly settled back down into his chair.
"So first, Brandis.", the General continued. "Head back to Fort Hagen. Your expertise has been away for far too long.
"Shaw: figure out how much material we're going to have to supply from the settlements just to keep the column fed.
"Preston: I need you to sell this offensive to the settlements. They have to see this as a potential sacrifice that is made on the backs of heroes. Even the taking the time to exterminate the super mutants instead of moving directly on WRVR. Even the demands that are now being placed on Curie's command.
"Do you have misgivings about that colonel?"
Preston gaped at her. Of course he had misgivings. The Minutemen were on the way to taking back the wasteland, not blowing chunks of it up. But this was nearly executing civilians. Granted, a very few that were being used as human shields specifically so the General's orders could be curtailed. It didn't look like she was being moved either.
"I'll try to reassure them.", he said.
"Good.", the General accepted.
"What do you wish I to contribute to this endeavor.", the Admiral rasped out.
"Pack a couple of boats with medical treatment for the rescue of survivors.", the General instructed.
Preston looked back up at her.
She continued without changing the beat. "If MacCready and his men have a chance, they're already ordered to take it. If the actors can not be freed by the time the artillery rains down on the building, then hopefully they'll be enough targeting at that range where we can steer clear of the hostages. In that case, MacCready's team will just have to make due with sorting them out from the rubble.
"Long story short, be there with prepared medical help when we call."
The General stood. "If everyone knows their jobs, I have a column to lead. And maybe MacCready's leash to hold a little tighter."
"Before you go.", the ever disguised Desdemona interrupted. "I've been hearing a few rumors."
The General nodded. "If it's just rumors, I'm going to have to ask a for a clear room."
The others looked to each other, nodded in return and left.
"So what have you been hearing?", she challenged.
"Nothing definite, mind you.", the Railroad's colonel cautioned. "But you do see how the Commonwealth's most powerful forces are draining themselves against each other."
"And like any organization, a house divided cannot stand. So someone could be thinking about making a move that they think either won't be noticed or is too small fry for either us or the Gunners to care about.
"Unless you're talking about an external threat.", she surmised.
Desdemona kind of shrugged. "We have ears through the caravans. Sometimes even farther. News is traveling."
"To where?", the General demanded.
"Where else? The Capital Wastes. Home of the Brotherhood of Steel. A force that has been undefeated for two hundred years. Except for/"
"The Institute or the Minutemen, depending on how one wants to look at it. And even without the Institute serving on the front or back line, that's not how tales get told. With the Institute as one of our communities, we're one and the same. And very publicly weakening by the day in this civil war."
Desdemona overtook the conversation. "And if someone wanted to take advantage of an opportunity, and only had their invasion force but none of their home force exhausted, one might see this as an opportunity. But only an opportunity...if one was thinking clearly, and not filled with thoughts of 'redeeming the honor of the corps' or simple revenge. If one were to consider the destruction of a flagship and highest ranking member humiliating."
"Desdemona.", the General commanded. "I can't be concerned with the theoretical right now. I need...need, need, need for you to get me something concrete. If you can get me just one Brotherhood of Steel agent. Even if it's just a corpse in uniform with something dated after the sinking of the Prydwin."
"You know, this could prove to be more important than information about the Gunners. Despite the stunt they just pulled.", the operative warned.
The General's eyes remained hidden behind expressionless windows of polymer. "Believe me. I know."
