Cole sat in the morning dark, waiting for his moment. The Junker's Union had their people specially fashion a scaffolding platform to grant him a place to speak while the reorganization was still ongoing. Today is a good day, a historic one even.

Today is the day where Cole Harper takes his place as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pitt Syndicates. No more James Young and his machinations and political maneuvering. Now, it will be Cole's time in the limelight.

At least, he certainly hoped so. Cole looked up to see the night sky slowly give way to dawn. Outsiders and travelers might find it odd that the people of the Pitt wake themselves so early so something as mundane as a transfer of power but it was a major tradition for the people here.

For former, freed slaves there was nothing as liberating as the idea that your voice has weight and has a right to be heard. That you can decide for yourself what path you wish your community to embark on. The people of the Pitt greatly treasure their democratic traditions in a way that is uncommon to the Wastelands of the region. Cole understood this deeply. After all, he was all too aware of the petty warlord or the raider boss that tended to occupy the neighboring wastelands.

The Pitt is special. This was something that every newcomer knew but only the Old Guard tended to appreciate just how special it was. And now, the great Chief Executive Officer was gone and a new order can rise from the foundations laid by the Lone Wanderer.

The sun was now slowly cresting over the horizon. Cole could hear the crowd slowly murmur more. Bonfires were being lit and the Vanguard watching over the procession were waking from their idle positions, now keenly aware of the waking crowd.

It was time.

Cole threw his yao guai fur coat on and donned a flat cap as he stepped out of the makeshift shelter and into the open square. It was too early and cold for cheers but the crowd began chattering and making some amount of noise. This was encouraging for Cole. He was considered a newcomer to the Pitt but he was one of the few people hand chosen by Young's lieutenant and so had an ear to the meetings behind closed doors. He knew what he had to do to win control over the city.

Cole walked slowly and deliberate up the scaffolding steps. The Junkers were confident in their handiwork but one could not be too careful when walking up ice cold corrugated iron and wood steps. As he did so, Cole noticed the glint of flashlights in the very back of the procession. Brotherhood. A chill phased through him with the realization. The ousting of James Young came at a cost for the independence of the Pitt Council. He would have to answer for that in the coming days, but at least today he could enjoy the fruits of his labor.

After finally arriving at the top, Cole reached down to grab a flare from a prepared bucket. He ignited it and held it high over his head in the same fashion as the Old Vanguard had in their uprising against the slavers.

One by one, flares from designated figures within the crowd lit their own flares in solidarity. Before long, a wash of pink orange light danced with the red orange of the bonfires to create a unique atmosphere intended to recreate the old rallies from the days of the Revolution.

"Workers, Wanderers, and Wastelanders of the Pitt," Cole tried to speak with authority, his voice bellowing across the square. "We stand here today united as one body to consecrate the transition of one leader to the next. I am honored to have been voted into the office. I cannot promise to lead you in the way of James Young nor I will I ever claim to truly replace him. This is a time of change and I intend to lead this city into its full potential as the gateway of the East."

As he spoke, Cole knew he needed to craft his words carefully. He had prepared a statement before but could never come to a final draft that suited the interests of Brotherhood and local advisors. Each faction that came to capture Cole's ears had goals that differed greatly from one another. It was only a matter of time before these differences grew into conflict. It was a challenge but one he felt uniquely confident in handling. First, he needed to placate the masses. Many were still unsatisfied by Young's unceremonial departure and ousting.

"People come here for the chance to make a better life for themselves, for their children. You can see this plainly in the Children's Playground just by the hotel. Their joy and peace is our strength. But even this is not enough." Cole paused and studied the crowd. There was still no strong reaction but he knew his Brotherhood liaisons were listening intently to every word. "Mutants and raiders continue to occupy the wastes just outside of our precious city. We need to take action now to secure a future for our children, to protect their peace, and to ensure that no one can ever put us under their thumb again."

The crowd stirred at the direction of the speech. There had long been open discussion about the old administration's slow, deliberate expansion into the metropolitan wasteland. Many members of the Vanguard had long been advocating for a militant stance towards arming and training a militia to strike first at any threats to the city.

"To do that, we must secure key relationships with regional powers and partner with them. We all know about the Steel Compact that unites the Pitt with the great settlements of the Capital Wasteland. I believe that we can expand an open hand to more friends and partners to better strengthen our position here. As the new Chief Executive Officer, it will be my honor to do just this and more."

A small round of applause answered as Cole collected his thoughts. This was about the expected response. He was pleased that the crowd was at least warm to the idea of change.

"Thank you all for your time and for coming here. Please, enjoy the refreshments provided and funded by our friends at the Tanimura Culinary Co-Operative." Cole wave in the direction of the nearby repurposed office space and watched as the crowd peel away towards the warm rooms and free food. As the mass of people dwindled, Cole slowly sighed and made his way down the platform. He was certainly no electric speaker like James Young but what was coming was necessary. James Young moves too slowly for the world. The time to act is now.

As Cole reached the bottom of the platform, most of the crowd had already lined themselves up for their turn at the food stations. Meanwhile, the Elder of the Brotherhood of Steel himself and a small entourage of troops replaced them. Cole watched around carefully as he approached the Elder. As he did so, he was momentarily blinded by the sun that had now fully risen over the horizon and began its march upwards.

"Elder Maxson, I'm honored to have you here." Cole masked his unease with a forced smile and offered his hand out to the paramilitary commander. Maxson returned the handshake but not the smile.

"The honor is mine, Mr. Harper." Maxson spoke with such authority that Cole felt inclined to stand straight and correct his posture in the presence of the esteemed Elder. Maxson possessed a gravelly and booming voice such that even when he tried to speak quietly one could not help but watch in awe. At least, Cole certainly thought so. "I enjoyed your speech. Frankly, I find it refreshing to see a leader in this part of the Wasteland with the vision to see security as the virtue it is." Cole bowed in appreciation, maintaining a tight small while keeping an eye on the Elder's guards. Maxson seemed to notice. "Sorry, I should have taken this into consideration before approaching you. At ease, men. There is no danger here."

The guards nodded but from what Cole could tell, they had no intention of dropping their guard. Many of the power armored troopers distanced themselves but had their attention turned directly towards the members of the Vanguard who had been keeping watch. To their credit, the Vanguard had recently been more outspoken against Brotherhood involvement in providing security services for the city.

"It really no problem, Elder." Cole replied, recovering his nerve. "What may I do for you?"

"I had wished to speak in private but this really is something that I must discuss sooner rather than later. Are you aware of any strange incursions or energy readings in this city?" Elder Maxson asked.

"Energy readings?" Cole frowned. "No, I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean." Maxson nodded and sighed in response.

"This is precisely what I was worried about. We have reason to believe that there is some form of technology present in the city that poses a major threat to the people of the Pitt. Can we count on your support for a Brotherhood investigation into the matter? Your endorsement can carry a lot of weight and dispel tensions between our troops and your community."

Cole raised his eyebrow as he considered the proposal.

"What exactly does your investigation entail?" Cole asked.

"The Brotherhood will deploy more patrols to investigate and locate the source of these energy readings. We can't tell what it is but the energy levels are consistent with the detonation of a fusion core."

"That is quite the danger." Cole considered the scale of the operation, his current popularity with his votes, and finally, the prospect of explosives lurking around unexplored corners of the city. "I cannot sanction further expansion of the city if I cannot be sure of my peoples' safety."

For the first time since Cole had met Maxson, Elder Maxson smiled.

"I'm glad you see it that way, Mr. Harper. If you would allow us to deploy increased patrols to locate this quickly, I don't see any harm in embedding Initiates with your work crews to provide security and to work alongside them in your city's expansion efforts. I believe we all can make a home of this city and I would rather we co-exist peacefully."

"Yes, yes." Cole rubbed his chin as he thought of the conditions. Having access to trained security personal like the Brotherhood would take pressure off the Vanguard. Cole had an opportunity to expand and to conduct military strikes in the Wasteland. The Brotherhood wouldn't act there without cause so having a free hand in the city allows Cole to deploy the Vanguard elsewhere! "I believe there is much work we can do together, Elder." Cole returned Maxson's smile. "Shall we discuss the particulars in a more hospitable setting?"

"Lead the way." Maxson smiled and gestured towards a Brotherhood tent.