Disturbance

Springvale Elementary School

Two days later…

October 22nd

1835hrs

Lieutenant Veronica Lewis

Operation: Soteria. Day Five

At least I have my terminal again

I think it's safe to say we've fully established ourselves here. Word has spread around the neighboring towns that the Army is here, and that the school is where they should go if there's an emergency. Though, I'm not sure what good it'll do. One of the cops mentioned that people are getting weary and disillusioned. Vault-Tec and NORAD have been sounding off drills constantly. Up to three times a week, by some accounts, and there was one yesterday. Turn out at all the local Vaults and other shelters is going down, sort of like a 'Cry Wolf' effect.

We had a turnout of forty five. Out of the expected one hundred and forty eight.

If the real thing happens, who knows how folks will react?

Things are still tense around the world, which, as I type the words, sounds like a colossal understatement. All the news reports on the radio last night were more of the same. That is to say, "Bad.". China is still reeling from the Alaska fiasco, and US units on the mainland are sowing chaos. Europe is in shambles after the Resource Wars, which are technically ongoing. Canada and Mexico hate the US, with good reason. Our military is exhausted and the economy is crumbling. And China and the Soviet Union are on the verge of total collapse. Right now, the planet is a giant tinder box.

To top it off, today's shipment from Base included MOPP gear. If ever there was an omen…

RRRRRRRRRIIIIINNNNGGGGG

The landline on Veronica's desk suddenly began rattling. Not looking away from her terminal, she reached over and clumsily plucked up the receiver.

"US Army Outpost Springvale Elementary." She said, tucking the phone into her shoulder and reaching into a tube of potato chips. "Lieutenant Lewis speaking."

"Lieutenant Lewis. Good. This is Lieutenant Glover. Arlington Police?"

Lewis began crunching through a handful of crisps. "What can I do for you, Sir?"

"I have a pair of officers posted at the Super Duper Mart down the street from you. The Sergeant there has informed me of a crowd that seems to be gathering in the parkin' lot, much like the one we had last week. Most of the people have their faces covered, and a few might be armed. I have more officers on their way, but the presence of soldiers would definitely be a deterrent."

"Okay." Lewis nodded and glanced up at Maitland. She shot a thumbs up at his questioning expression. "Our First Squad can be there in about… ten minutes."

There was a tone of relief in the officer's voice. "Many thanks, Lieutenant." Veronica shook her head.

"It's what we're here for, Sir. Show us en route." She hung up her phone and rose from her seat, only pausing when the Captain spoke up.

"Be careful out there, Lieutenant." Said Maitland. Lewis nodded and powered off her terminal.

"Always, Sir."

The next thing Veronica knew, she was in front of a police Sergeant, wearing her combat armor, a loaned Riot Police helmet, and gas mask on her hip. The squad's radio man, Corporal Simmons, was at her side, allowing use of the AN/PRC-2049 in his backpack.

"They first showed up about… I dunno… twenty minutes ago." The Sergeant, who called himself Wilkes, explained the situation while Veronica relayed details. "The store had to close early because they ran out of, well, everything. This started as a ration line. Now… we have this." He gestured to the crowd of at least one hundred, all civilians from around the area. While she relayed the officer's words to Captain Maitland, Lewis eyed one of the signs in the crowd, which read 'FOOD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WAR'. A sentiment she agreed with.

"I'm not sure if one squad will be enough, Sir." The Lieutenant added. "Then again, the arrival of more may make things worse."

"Copy all, Bravo One." Maitland maintained radio discipline, like always. "Keep the peace. Second squad is standing by, just in case. Over."

"Many thanks, Actual. Bravo One out." Veronica gave the handset back to Simmons, adding a "Stay close to me." Thomas nodded and looked out at the crowd again. More handmade signs and posters were held aloft, scrawled with phrases like 'WE NEED FOOD', and 'WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED'. Some were clutching ration books, which were clearly well worn.

"Sir?" The Corporal got his superior's attention. "If I may… I don't think one squad is enough for this, either."

"I know, Tommy." Lewis sighed. "But we can't escalate. We're here to pacify. More of our guys showing up might be seen as aggressive."

"But not enough will make them think they can overrun us." Simmons pointed out. "Look. There's what? Twenty of them to one of us? We had better odds in Anchorage."

Veronica shrugged. "We also have guns."

"But is anyone here willing to use them?"

The Lieutenant eyed her friend with a serious expression. "We'll all do what we need to do, Corporal."

"Right." Tommy nodded, still not fully convinced. "Just my two cents, Sir."

"Duly noted." Veronica paced towards the line the police had established, which was more of a semicircle around the entrance of the supermarket. She eventually found Sergeant Martinez, at the very front of the line, shoulder to shoulder with a pair of very nervous police officers. "How's it look out there?"

"Not good, Sir." Ash said bluntly. "That pendejo federale over there isn't helping." She gestured to an officer standing on top of his cruiser, addressing the angry crowd with a megaphone.

"By order of Commissioner Hamilton, this gathering must disperse! The last delivery for the day has gone! The next will arrive at the designated time tomorrow morning! We will give you ten minutes to leave the area! After that time, anyone still here will be arrested for trespassing!" Lewis tensed up. One hand reached under her shirt and grasped her dog tags, her thumb rubbing the Star of David she had banded to one of them.

The threat of jail time did not have its desired effect, as many of the protesters became visibly angrier. Veronica eyed her friend.

"Check on your boys." She whispered. "Rounds chambered. Things might get ugly. Do it quietly."

"Ya voy." Martinez glanced at her R91, with its bayonet gleaming, and subtly pulled back the charging handle. Meanwhile, Lewis made her way to the officer with the megaphone. He was about to speak again, but the Lieutenant stopped him.

"May I?"

The man shrugged, handing over the bullhorn. "Be my guest, Lieutenant."

"You okay, Mike?" Ricci asked the man at his side.

Private Michael Greene was the 'Kid' of First Squad, having arrived around the same time as Sullivan. Meaning he was greener than grass, and understandably terrified of the present situation.

He swallowed his nerves, and gave the Corporal a quivering nod.

"Yeah. Fine."

"Everything's gonna to be cool." Being a veteran like the others of First, Joseph knew how to keep a clear head during tense situations like this. He reached out and patted Greene's shoulder. "Just like the Aleutians. You watch my back, I watch yours. Just keep a round chambered, and you'll be good."

Michael nodded again, glancing down at his pristine R91. A pull of the handle revealed an empty chamber, so he pulled it all the way to the rear and locked a round.

Veronica cleared her throat, then squeezed the button.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" She began, waving her free hand over her head. "My name is Veronica! I'm a Soldier of the US Army! My men and I are fresh from Alaska, where we were fighting to end what you're protesting! I sympathize with your cause!" Lewis put her hand over her heart. "We had shortages of everything on the front line! Food! Ammunition! Medicine! Even clothing! We didn't spend all that time up there just to end up against the people we swore to protect! Please! For all our sakes, end this protesting! We don't want to be here any more than you want us to be here! Please, go home! The store will still be here in the morning!"

To Veronica's dismay, many in the crowd became even more irate, but now, their emotions were directed at her men. Directed at her.

"SOLDIERS! GO HOME!" They began to chant. "SOLDIERS! GO HOME!"

"This won't solve anything!" She continued to plead her case, but the megaphone simply wasn't loud enough. To make things worse, a line of protesters began marching forward, to which the police raised their riot shields, and some readied weapons. "No! Bravo Company! Weapons down! Hold your fire!" Several people began to run, with the cops screaming at them to keep back. In all the chaos, a single gunshot rang out.

Veronica's eyes snapped to the source of the sound. Near the center of the ring she saw Private Greene, a horrified expression on his face, and a smoking gun in his hands. On the ground before him was a woman no older than he was, weakly clutching at a bullet wound to her chest.

"No!" Lewis cried. She dropped down from the car and ran towards the woman, unaware of the airborne brick that was about to strike her in the head and plunge the world to darkness.

A/N: I'm not sure what to say here. I just got home after a week long stay in the hospital, so things are still a bit fuzzy.

In the world of Fallout, people have plenty of reasons to note like the US military. (RIP Canada) The entirety of the Army's reserve forces were mobilized by the early 2070's, with many going to 'Little America'.

To whoever added this fic to the community The Absolute Worst Of The Worst, I'm genuinely curious as to why. I'm always seeking to hone my craft and get better at writing, so it's a little disheartening. Any and all criticism is welcome to all of my works, but doing that with no reason given seems a little rude.

In the meantime, work on this fic, and the others I have going on, will continue. Thanks everyone for reading, and see you next time!