The Fallout WastelandBoard

The Detrius of Yesterday
"In 20 years, I'll have reignited the high-technology sector," House had proudly proclaimed to the Courier. Even for a man as near-robotic and determined as Mr. House, Veronica had always thought this a little improbable - even the NCR barely had the broad scientific understanding capable of producing the electronics engineers for creating and sustaining high technology sectors. And this was aside from the lack of rare earth metals and manufacturing capability necessary to produce it once it had been designed.

Then again, the Mojave wasn't necessarily that poor in such materials - they were just buried underground, shaped into the form of the Vaults, sitting like safety deposit boxes just waiting to be opened. If anyone was going to be building spaceships, it would need the materials from the vaults to do so, spaceships of a sort they were themselves.

Veronica wasn't planning on building spaceships - yet, anyway - but she did need the resources from the vaults for her ambitious self-sufficiency projects. The materials could go towards making the life of the average Mojave citizen better, instead of rotting away under the earth, contaminating the substrata and the water tables. Indeed, decommissioning the vaults was rather necessary for the long-term health of the Mojave. Four of the vaults along the outer rim would be decommissioned - Vault 34, Vault 22, Vault 11, and Vault 19. She wanted to decommission Vault 3, but it was currently serving as a homeless shelter and there was no other place to put the residents without substantial investment into the surrounding infrastructure - something which she was not at a point yet to do.

The facilities to scrap and process the materials from the vaults would be massive and hopefully provide a large amount of jobs for the local area - further helping to lift the residents of the Mojave from the poverty House (and the local environment) had inflicted upon them.
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4 Landfills under construction in the Mojave, completion on RL Apr. 17

Santiago AU wrote:

Veronica notes that she really needs to invite Crocker inside for a cup of tea at some point - with everything else she's had her hands full with, it's slipped her mind more than once. A reply is written and delivered by Arcade the next day:

"To Ambassador Crocker, as the representative of the NCR,

This letter serves as an expression of interest in your proposal. Pending consultation with my allies in the Pact, I have no doubt we would be happy to assist you in the endeavor of peace.

I would, under other circumstances, offer myself as a mediator, however, I and the Brotherhood did not part under amicable terms, and my personal involvement would be likely to inflame matters. As such I will have to confer with the New Canaanites on the matter; I am sure, however, that they will be more than amicable, and indeed, they are much more experienced in matters of mediation than I.

My regards to President Honeyfield.

Respectfully,

Veronica Santangelo, Chairwoman of the Mojave Governing Coalition and Proprietress of the New Vegas Strip"

(OOC: If you feel like skipping some dialogue, the New Canaanites will say yes and send a mediation team)

I would accept the assistance of any assistance. Though we would ask that the discussing be held within the New Vegas Embasy for the period.

Empire Confederation wrote:

I would accept the assistance of any assistance. Though we would ask that the discussing be held within the New Vegas Embasy for the period.

“That is agreeable, though that begs the question as to whether you are negotiating with the Mojave chapter - or the Brotherhood as a whole. New Canaan has informed me that they would be willing to travel as far as Shady Sands for the talks if need be.”

Empire Confederation wrote:

"That sound like a wonderful start professor, I can assure you the senate and President would gladly agree to such a deal. Sadly, the sea is a vast expanse and the only other state we know of that had been looking to open the two seas was the Texans. Many were excited of the idea but the fact no one has been to the sues canal has left a question of how much a expense the endeavor would be."

"I am please to hear it!" Oleri says, "As for your comment about the Canal, we are aware of its state. Last I heard, a Swiss Airfleet was on its way to repair the structure and once more link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We have been working with Texas to map and survey the site so we are aware of the damage and what is likley needed for repairs. We have a surface navy as well which is set to be delivering supplies once the air fleet has made sure the area is fully secured. You would be welcome to make use of the site once it comes online."

Knights of Old
Before the fall of the bombs and the start of the Great War, the world was on the edge of a new age of military technology. Lasers, holograms, and robotics all were technologies that the world sought to bring to the table to tip the balance of power in the favor of one nation or another. However, these technologies were all brushed aside by a single American innovation: Power Armor. Operated by a single man and run by a nuclear engine, a small group of these suits could present the same amount of power as a tank at a fraction of the cost and materials. It was an innovation that would have revolutionized warfare if not for the Great War. Since then, Power Armor has been a staple of the American wasteland. While it is primarily used by the Brotherhood of Steel, other wasteland powers like the NCR and Minutemen have dabbled in the technology hoping to make use of its immense power. However, Europe lacked this vital piece of equipment and when the Swiss forces in the New World first laid their eyes on it, they quickly realized how important the technology was. T-45 and T-51 power armor was sent back to the Confederation for study and the University of Zurich began making prototypes of their own suits with varying success. Eventually, they created the first Swiss Made Power Armor - the PA-01.

Based on the design of the T-45, the PA-01 suffers from a number of issues as the first of its kind. To simply and streamline the design process, the complex helmet was replaced with a large bullet resistant dome that offered a much better field of view at the expense of protection. The hydraulic system of the suit, usually located in the back section, was placed along the top portion of the suit to allow for ease of access for the user as the American designs require the user to exit the suit if it is damaged in battle. Unfortunately, the size of the system restricted the visibility near the shoulders of the suit. While the suit was deemed capable of combat, it was viewed as a bit of a step down from the T-45 as it sacrificed protection for usability and maintenance. While it would be accepted by the Swiss Military, it would not be put into production. Instead, the follow up suit design, the PA-02 would be selected as the primary Power Armor variant for the Swiss Armed Forces.

The PA-02, nicknamed ‘Valaris’, took the lessons from the PA-01 and improved upon the design. The suit did sacrifice some of the heavier armor seen in the T-51, however, it was replaced by lightweight ceramic-composite plating which was lighter allowing for improved movement. Servos, actuators, and the hydraulic system were and reduced in size while keeping the same output and the bulky over top section of hydraulics was once more moved to the back of the suit. The shoulders, back, wrists, and waist plates were fitted with modular clams allowing for future expansions and improvements to the armor to be made without having to conduct a complete rework of the design. Lastly, the helmet of the suit completely scrapped the original bubble design of the PA-01 and followed suit with the T-51 having a narrow visor surrounded by armor plating. The helmet also came standard with an air filtration system, modal sections on both sides for lights and sensors, and direct commlink access to Swiss radio and computer systems. The suit was a step up in every aspect to the PA-01 and was considered to be equal to the American T-51 due to this. However, the staff in Zurich were not quite done.

The PA-02 program began making preparations for module improvements to the armor system, better known in the former US as mods. Lights, sensors, armor layering, even jetpacks were now being researched by the University. However, the Army was not willing to wait for the development of these systems. With the completion of the Panama Canal in the New World, there was now a very real possibility that Swiss Forces could see combat with Power Armor and needed to field their own. PA-02 production was approved by the Federal Assembly and training to operate the armored suit began in the Special Forces units. This in tandem with the new Vertibird program meant that the Swiss Military was now on an equal playing field with any of the powers rising in the American wasteland.

----------------------------
125 Lines of PA-02 “Valaris” in Production
20 Lines of VB-01 Vertibirds in Production

The Moonsund Lands wrote:

snip

(Due to Icing, we are wrapping this up a bit unconventionally)

After a few days of festivities, introductions, and closed door meetings, the members of the Moonsund delegation were brought back to the Ritom where they were given a farewell from the members of the Swiss government. The airship would then take off and return to Riga where it would rejoin the Baltic Airfleet and disembark its cargo of passengers. Overall, the reception of the Baltic visitors in Switzerland had been a positive one and the government looked forward to establishing closer ties with the Federation in the future on issues such as trade and military affairs thanks to the new port access in Genoa.

Helvetica Rules the Waves

Across the history of Switzerland, the idea of a Navy had been dismissed as impossible. The alpine nation had never ventured beyond its mountain borders, nor did it see the need to project power using naval force to parts of the world that had no bearing on the Swiss People. However, with the advent of the Great War and the subsequent destruction of the world, the Swiss government had to readdress this idea. The lost knowledge across the Swiss Plateau that had been preserved an expanded upon needed a mode of transport across the vast reaches of the world. While the Airfleet had been quite able when it came to exploration, mapping, and first contact, it lacked the ability to have staying power in a region, provide large scale transport, and act as a military asset capable of projecting power. All three of these needs could be addressed by a practical blue water navy, so when Genoa was settled and the dockyards constructed, work on the Swiss Fleet began.

While many of the designs need work and several of the ships have seen several ‘accidents’ occur during their operations, progress on the fleet has been steady. The Lake Geneva class guided missile destroyers have been preforming well in tests across the Mediterranean and outside of Panama, though power issues still plague the class due to its underpowered gas turbine. The ships lack a high speed, maneuver poorly, and have had difficulties handling in harsh weather conditions as well, causing the ship class to be reduced from the original 24 vessels to only 18. For the time being, the ships will serve as the mainstay of the Swiss Navy until a new design which is built from the lessons of the Lake Geneva can be created. However, while it lacks handling and speed, it more than makes up for in weapons as the missile and railgun systems of the ship make them some of the deadliest vessels on the planet. However, a lack of understanding on underwater and surface warfare led to the massive oversight of missing the installation of depth charges and torpedo tubes, another flaw that will be rectified in future vessels.

While the Lake Geneva class has flaws, the Helvetica Class seems to be performing well. Based on the hull design of an American escort carrier, the amphibious assault ship preformed well during its testing trials. The two vessels currently in service, SCN Helvetica and SCN Genoa, have shown promise during their testing in the Med and the recent landing test using new VB-01s have proven the ability of the ships to fulfill their primary function. Additionally, their Cold Fusion Reactors have prevented similar power issues seen on the Lake Geneva destroyers. While their speed is still low due to poor propeller design and the ships handling leaves much to be desired, the ships overall quality is a step up from the Navy’s destroyers.

With the mainstays of the fleet now established, the Swiss Confederation has authorized the deployment of the 2nd Fleet to the New World to act as the naval defense force for the Panama Canal to keep the area free of piracy. Six destroyers and the SCN Helvetica departed from Genoa this morning, bringing with them what VB-01s and PA-02s had rolled off the production line to bolster the assault ship’s complement. The vessels will be conducting anti-piracy operations in Gulf of San Blas and the Gulf of Mosquitoes in the Atlantic as well as the Gulf of Panama in the Pacific. Each Gulf will host two destroyers with the SCN Helvetica rotating between each of the destroyer squadrons to provide air support and additional scouting assistance. The operations will include the sinking of pirate vessels, the destruction of pirate ports and hideouts, and the escort of trade ships to and from the Panama Canal. The ships are expected to be bolstered by additional vessels in the coming days as the remaining six Lake Geneva destroyers are set to launch soon.

*Swiss 2nd Fleet departs for Panama*

Panama’s Revival

With the recent arrival of additional Swiss forces in Panama thanks to the 2nd Fleet and the 1st Air Squadron, the Panama Canal Zone was quickly becoming one of the most secure locations in the wasteland. Further, the deployment of forces from the New California Republic on the Pacific Side of the locks only helped reinforce this fact. With security guaranteed and the local sea lanes now receiving direct protection on the sea and sky, discussion about the Panama Canal in the surrounding region witched from rumors and hearsay to a blatant fact. Traffic at the canal only increased with the new arrivals and connects made by merchants on both sides of Panama ensured that the flow of ships through the canal would remain constant. The ruins of both Colon and Panama City began to fill with new markets, houses, and supporting infrastructure. While the ruins operated under the Swiss Canal Administration, they were effectively independent city-states under Swiss Protection. The two towns in addition to the Swiss created and funded New Providence on Lake Gatun had caused the population of the zone to skyrocket. Panama was once more a hub of trade and civilization in the middle of the jungle as it had been in the pre-war era.

The Red Cross and SDF’s efforts to create a proper city within New Providence had seem some success and the settlement was slowly growing and becoming a permanent location. Running water and a sewage system had been established, communal housing had been built, and even a few small shops had opened their doors. However, the agency had been unable to address both New Providence and the new city states. To aid the development and address heath concerns, the Red Cross authorized Operation Mercy. The two hospital ships and two new roll-on roll-off transport vessels would be sent to the cities to act as temporary housing and medical facilities. All four vessels were slated to be completed in a week and their use would be able to relieve the majority of the stress on the new cities while the supporting infrastructure was re-established. The Red Cross presented the plan to the leadership of Colon and Panama City who accepted the offer and began drafting plans to help relocate their citizens to the ships while the SDF and Swiss Army helped the city clear roads, repair buildings, and prepare the cities for future expansions based on population growth projections.

However, while all of this was occurring, the Swiss encountered something that they had no experience with: Super Mutants. A few of the creatures had come down from Texas and California and had arrived in Panama with a few of the settlers. The creatures evoked fear from the majority of the locals along with the ghouls who would sometimes accompany them. Due to this, the majority of the Ghouls and all of the Super Mutants had been forced out of the settlements and had created their own small town just south of New Providence along the Panama Canal Railroad. The unnamed town was unofficially known as ‘Greenburg’ by the locals thanks to the Super Mutants and the Red Cross soon deployed a team to offer aid to the Mutants and Ghouls. While at first there was some discomfort, the Swiss soon realized that while these creatures may have a troubled past, for the moment they simply wanted to fins a place to live in peace. However, due to the new knowledge needed to treat and care for Super Mutant and Ghoul physiology, the Red Cross began forwarding requests to send research teams to help them develop medicines for the two groups to headquarters back in Geneva.

*Swiss Anti-Piracy Operations have secured the three water tiles directly next to Panama, Colon and Panama City have been resettled (+18,250 pop), preparation for Operation Mercy is now underway, Red Cross begins Biology 7 Research 100/1500.*

Mutant Studies - Greenskins
From the Research Log of Dr. Richard Thoss:
“After residing with the mutants for a few days and comparing notes on mutations from studies in Europeans humans and animals, we have been able to confirm that this mutation is unlike anything that we have seen. While Super Mutants have similar radiation resistant qualities that were found in ghouls, they appeared to be unaffected by the flow of time in a negative way like their necrotic cousins. Faster, stronger, and more resilient than normal humans, the Super Mutants represent a major evolutionary step in our species. However, their sterility and a lack of intelligence present in some holds them back as a species. Most of them posses intelligence similar to that of a developing child, though a select few seem equal to that of normal humans. The more intelligent Super Mutants call them the ‘Second Generation’ and have told us that during their creation, something went wrong. When we pressed them about this ‘creation’ they made notion to some ‘Master’ who created them for an army. This Master has been gone for a while, but his mutant army has remained, looking for a new purpose.

In a way, I pity them. They have all of this strength and power, but due to past action they can never fit in with the normal settlements of North America. Further, their inability to procreate means that they cannot create a traditional lasting culture. They are creatures who have no present, nor a future. Super Mutants are a potent threat to those they deem as enemies and have proven in the past that when united they can be a deadly force. For this reason, I am recommending that HQ provide further resources to us so that we can give the Super Mutants a direction, and a peaceful one at that. Maybe if we give them some sight of a future, we can prevent any more violence and let them create a better image of themselves to the rest of the wasteland. It may be just wishful thinking, but then again it was wishful thinking that led to the Confederation itself.

In the meantime, I will keep asking them about this ‘creation’ process. The more intelligent ones are mum on the matter and the Second Generation just says it was ’the green stuff’, whatever that means. Maybe some of the Ghouls have a better idea of what happened to them….

End log”

With numerous factories opening their floors to the senate's dollar. Large orders of guns, trucks, armor, and a small pair of trainer aircraft for the soon to open air academy were placed down. People are getting work in the thousands which has already begun to spread more pay through the economy. With more work, more caps changing hands, making people spend and earn more, giving the Revenue service more taxes. While a good chunk of the attention was being put upon the army for a possible expansion. The background infrastructure was put up as well.
Farms, Factories and a massive investment into the salvage industry had begun to feed the ever expanding industrial furnace expanding in the southern california. With the power of Hoover dam and the opening plants in California itself some smaller factories had simply turned to providing refurbished or homemade household goods. While small, the budding consumerism would begin to bring another small part of civilization through california.

Production:
6x Mack NO 7
6x Willys M38
12x Armored Fatigues
4x Service Rifle
2x Sniper Rifle
4X Sterling SMG
2x CSAA .357
3x Boeing-Stearman Model 75
8x NCR Shock Trooper Armor
24x Browning Hi Power

Construction: 1,280,000
2x upgrades for small shipyards-60,000
20x Farms-200,000
20x Junkyards- 400,000
32x Scrap Heaps to Junkyards-320,000
3x Large Factories-300,000

Santiago AU wrote:

“That is agreeable, though that begs the question as to whether you are negotiating with the Mojave chapter - or the Brotherhood as a whole. New Canaan has informed me that they would be willing to travel as far as Shady Sands for the talks if need be.”

"The current administration dose not feel as a brotherhood group would be verry welcome in Shady Sands at the moment. A independent third party such as New Vegas would allow both parties to be mroe comfortable durign talks."

The Arthurian Brotherhood wrote:

"I am please to hear it!" Oleri says, "As for your comment about the Canal, we are aware of its state. Last I heard, a Swiss Airfleet was on its way to repair the structure and once more link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We have been working with Texas to map and survey the site so we are aware of the damage and what is likley needed for repairs. We have a surface navy as well which is set to be delivering supplies once the air fleet has made sure the area is fully secured. You would be welcome to make use of the site once it comes online."

While the talk with the Swiss was long, the ending agreement was possibly one that would be happily reported through The NCR. The confederation was while advanced far more agreeable than the folks that Made up the enclave or the brotherhood. To the point they were more akin to the followers with their Red Cross and their friendly demeanor. The first agreement between the two states even went with congressional approval with the purchase of a number of guns and fatigues form the confederacy's market. Along with some of the more thankful agreement with both states assisting with each others current scientific efforts. With the Swiss being given the older Naval air station in San Fransisco Bay for their help and a number of technical papers were given over as well.

90,000 caps/ 225,000 NCR Dollars and basing rights for NAS Almadea traded for 60x Bofors 75mm Model 1934, 2,000x Armored Flatigues, 100X Tec Docs

While the NCR was caught up in the finishing of nuclear research and plans for Diablo Canyon. The Desserts pact expansion into Northern Utah and its resources there had put a concern under the Senate and army officers that had read what reports could be gathered. The boomers had been originally just an isolationist tribe that used heavy armaments to keep outsiders out. Though thanks to the courier thay now held a strategic bomber and reportedly got a second thanks to vegas. Along with the funds and caps to build an official pilot academy. Now plenty of officers were trying to figure out how to intercept or counter a possible fleet of possible aircraft that the army has never countered. Its reveal during the Second battle had left plenty of show on the power of an operational bomber. Now the OSI got their next project in the forms of the early forms of jets and turboprop engined fighters. What records were held showed that the larger aircraft had specific counter aircraft that were designed and used. Though it would be costly a number of backroom planners had been pushing for the understanding of the aircraft for possible operations and planning. Considering the number of pre-war examples scattered around california it would be just a matter of time till the research would be complete.

Engineering 5 Under research

With a number of issues always passing through Bruce's head. The small rest that the Inaugural California Baseball League game was for one a part he could step away from the politics of the senate. What was once a small group of people pushing for the leagues formation got the funds and now a number of baseball teams and fields have sprung up though the cities of the NCR. Dodger Field was the opening game, with the Native Boneyard Angles team facing off against Dayglow's Radiums. Benign in one of the renovated boxes siting the field was open and starting the game. Unfortunately for the man another well dressed mayor slid into the empty seat beside him.

Mayor Shawn Howard had been probably the most popular mayor in the town's history. Obsessed with the old world the clean and organized man could never be found outside of a deep blue suit. Despite being only a mayor he was influential enough in the senate that his clique held a decent enough minority just behind Senator Murphy and what remained of the Warhawks still looking for a new leader. “Good to see you Bruce, glad to see some part of America back again” and an unfortunate soul suffering from Old World Blues. What was a joke for some was an obsession for others. Always looking for parts of old america which died in nuclear fire that could be resurrected from the irradiated corpse of the old massive eagle that the two-headed bear now resides.” You here to cheer on the Angles or the Radiums”

“Neither actually, just hear for a good game, though i may be partial for the New Reno Aces vs the Junktown Dogs” was Bruces reply “Though i hope both team put up a good game, would be good for the people to have some more enjoyment”

“That it is Bruce, though i may be presumptuous if i talk a small bit of policy while were here” Shawn hapily said with a smile on his face.

Bruce’s singh and sip of the beer in hand was the quiet response he had “ I was hoping to avoid work for the next hour or so shawn. Considering the fact im trying to organize peace talks along with the finishing of our new agreement with the Swiss i would hope you could leave me for the day at least”

“Well unfortunately the march of progress is endless bruce, and i have heard rumors of your upcoming talks with the Followers that some have been complaining about”

“I would have thought a progressive man like you didn't have an issue with them, but then again you left them in your younger years didn't you” Which was a real kicker for those in the know. After the turning of people like Edward Sallow some the people in the know view people who leave the followers with almost more suspicion than its members. The fact a smart man like Howard left after being raised in it left many questions that usually gets attributed to his obsession. “And those talks will be private until the meeting shawn so due keep some mind to that” bruce reminded the man.

“I was homing my plan would actually help along your meeting, considering the number of doctors and teachers that fill their ranks” shawn simply replied “I know you have scene the proposal in the senate that got stopped by some of your compatriots”

“And you want an organisation outside of the OSI’s control, while I agree with the proposal its independence could raise issues. The warhawks are already calling it another anarchist group and your past has not help the issue”

“Senator Kegan proposed it”

“And everyone knows he works for you, don't act innocent in this shawn”

The teams had finally taken the field, with the first pitch leading the angles to take a base and the game to keep playing before the two.

“A university like the followers' Medical university would be a giant gain, I agree, but leaving it independent of the Office of Science and Industry would simply breed resentment towards another technical house that they need to fight for resources for. Not to mention the caps would be enough to build another division or three factories.” bruce simply stated. And it would be costly, plenty of more technical minded people existed in the NCR. Putting them all in one place to teach others would be a massive boat to the fact that centralised education would offer instead of the common apprenticeships that kept the growth small.

“We can tie it in with Murphy’s education plan as well, I know there are those in your camp that would break ranks if something like that went forward. Put our togethers and with minor support we can push it through.”Shawn said, taking abiotic of the food he had brought with him as he watched as one player slid into the home base. A smile came to his face as the Radiums scored the first point in the game.

And murphys plan of just throwing money to form a whole new department to start schools and education was done if not the fact his camp and the followers would be the vast majority of teachers to fill the new jobs.

“You want to give a win to murphy, you both hate each other?” bruce quietly stated. Murphy’s build anew and Howards bring back the old left, both butting heads like longhorns every time.

“I heard that dear new vegas are looking to break ground in education, and some old friends in the followers are telling me there is someone asking a lot of questions for a simple researcher out at Old Mormon. The kind that includes guards and power stations "Shawn said back quietly “Diablo canyon keps my lights on just as much as the Boneyard. And there are quite the number that would not like for it to be traced back to any members”

“And here I thought she would have abandoned her old family's thoughts on sharing. Though maybe its just that she should be the only one sharing.” Bruce watched as the third strike was hit on and the Radiums took to the field as Angles flooded back in. “I talk with the followers before my decision shawn, now let me watch the game in peace”

Mutant Studies – Ghouls
From the Research Log of Dr. Richard Thoss:

“As expected, the Ghouls here in the New World are similar to those back in Europe. Necrosis, the loss of cognitive abilities over time, and the apparent endless lifespan all appear to be the same. However, it appears that there is a larger amount of variety in comparison to their European cousins, particularly with Ghouls of the feral type. There apparently is a type of Ghoul known as a ‘glowing one’ which does not just absorb radiation, but emit radiation as well. We have yet to see Ghouls around the plateau do anything similar to this, however ghoulification itself still remains poorly understood. I was able to compare notes with one of the Ghoul doctors who had come to Panama, apparently, he had worked in a hospital in the former American occupied Mexico. The ghouls goes by ‘Killian’ and has been researching the ghoulification process for over two centuries. Most of his notes back up the records of the Red Cross where we know that exposure to radiation in a certain extreme dosage leads to ghoulification and social isolation leads to ghouls becoming feral, however, he did present an interesting theory on the ghoulification process.

With all of the radiation present in the pre-war world we would have expected to have records of a number of ghouls in the past starting with the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, yet there are only a handful of records indicating that would be the case and most occur just before the Great War. Due to this, Dr. Killian proposed the idea that there was an additional new factor at play that led to the creation of ghouls, beyond just radiation. It could explain why there is a difference in variation between European and American Ghouls if so. However, he remains unsure about what exactly the factor could be. I proposed genetics, but apparently he has seen entire towns ghoulify from radiation, meaning that if the factor was genetic there would be far more pre-war records of ghouls. It can’t be environmental either as if that was the case Europe would have no ghouls due to the distances between it and North America. That also rules out flora and fauna as well.

Killian suggested that it could have been something that was a byproduct of human activity, something that was almost a pollutant that was present globally but had more of a presence in America. While this theory sounds plausible, the issue is nailing down what that byproduct could be. Most of the products made right before the Great War are the same chemically as the produce made at the turn of the century. There are a few items that could fit the bill such as some more addictive chems, however, they were not produced in bulk, nor would there be a way to provide them to every single citizen. Ultimately, the theory holds some weight based on prior evidence, but is speculative until Killian is able to nail down a more conclusive cause other then just a ‘factor’. However, I will be forwarding his research to HQ for further study.

End Log."

Research: Chemistry 7 - 1,500/1,500 -> Chemistry 8 - 0/2,000

The Devil’s Brigade: A Change of Plans II
The relative ease (though immense expense) of which it was to acquire power armor from various wasteland merchants both shocked and inspired Veronica simultaneously. It was shocking that there was so much of it out there, beyond the Brotherhood’s control, or heck even beyond the control of the NCR that had also taken an interest in the technology. Even after buying 20 whole suits, Cassidy had informed her after the arrival that her contacts had offered her 20 more for the same price.

Veronica gladly forked over the caps to purchase 20 more, as she was now inspired to add to the Devil’s Brigade even more members. She was already ready to form 4 additional squads, enough for a whole company of rapid response air assault forces; if she could keep buying power armor, she could even perhaps outfit an entire actual brigade with the things.

In fact at this point the only limiting factor was additional vertibird to carry the assault forces. She would have to scour the regional airports that they hadn’t yet touched for more of them, if they hopefully existed. Even then, she might have to resort to manufacturing them - not a terrible proposition, considering she still had huge slums needing jobs, but a tremendous outlay of caps and materials.

Still, who was she to talk, spending 700,000 caps on power armor? If only she could also manufacture the power armor…
—————————————————————————
20 suits of T-51b power armor purchased from the market, arrival on April 6

General Carl Duval
Panama Canal Zone – Fort Davis
Commanding Officer's Log
08-15-2289

Subject: Panama Industrial Zone and Task Force Establishment

I just received a new batch of orders that have both concerned and relieved me. The Panama Canal is to receive a major industrial district, being designated as the Panama Industrial Zone, to help with the upkeep of the site and the expansion of the urban centers around the Canal. The site will include scrapyards, factories, and dockyards to generate income for the local economy, provide income, solve logistics issues for the military, and entice further settlement of the region. This accompanied by the new oil facilities we have constructed on the site will ensure that our military forces will not be dependent on the Swiss homeland for supplies, essentially creating a bastion of Switzerland here in the New World. That is the part I take issue with. We originally came to this area to help get the local economy running to improve regional stability, now we are creating the equivalent of a colony and deploying the majority of the Navy to this region. I don’t know what the top brass has in mind for Panama, but it has seemed to evolve from a repair mission to a full-blown military fortress and sprawling city. I only hope that they know what they are doing, and the locals don’t see us as a threat. I have a feeling I will be making a few calls to some local factions to calm some nerves.

Speaking of calling, the Humpback has begun the process of laying cable across the Atlantic to provide Bern with a constant connection with us. While it will take a few weeks for the vessel to reach us, the line reaching from Maderia to Genoa has already been laid and communication between the sites has been constant since completion. I would very much enjoy having access to the homeland here in Panama. Apparently, the government has plans to reach out to other wasteland powers here in the New World and offer them connections to the network. If so, it would be a return to the era of direct communication and likely improve diplomacy in the New World. I have a feeling that will be an effort that will be directed through the Canal, so more work for me.

Now, as for the last update I have, the Alpine is on her way. The Navy is in a major restricting because of her, now our defense fleet has been labeled as a Task Force. So, the newly formed Task Force 1 will be the new name for our defensive fleet and the fleet coming with the Alpine will be designated Task Force 2 will be our offensive fleet. Apparently, the Navy wants to use the Alpine to clear the area on the Pacific Coast of pirates to give us clear access to the NCR and our new base there. Apparently, Destroyer Squadron 3 is tagging along with the Alpine to take possession of the new Navy Base we purchased from the NCR. Nine DDGs and a battlecruiser against fleets of scrap pirate ships. I almost feel bad for them. On the upside, my men will have quite a bit more betting in the near future.

*Begun construction of Factories, Dockyards, Farms, and Scrapyards in Panama, upgrading airbase and concrete fortresses in Panama. Cable laying operations have started. Swiss Navy deployed anti-piracy forces between the Panama Canal and NCR*

tag: Empire Confederation

Amata I: Peace on the Homefront

The beautiful days had grown tiring for Amata. She sat in her desk by the window, looking out to the yard of her home, grass growing in patches, finally greenery has returned to the Capital Wasteland with the onset of fresh water in the Potomac, some new saplings that would one day become mighty trees have sprouted up. The Springvale community was one built from the ground up by the Vault 101 residents when they finally made the decision to leave the Vault and settle the outside world. Many didn't venture far and chose to stay with Amata and rebuild the ruins around the town of Springvale.

It was a prime location, had fresh water access for all and for growing food, and close access to the nearby Megaton which was an endless source of travelers and traders. And they still had Vault 101 in case of emergencies, although much of it lay abandoned and without maintenance, having been long stripped clean by the Brotherhood. The homes of the community were nice, especially by Wasteland standards. She should be grateful for all she has, but Amata can't shake off the feelings that she deserves none of it. All the sunny smiles of her neighbors, the beautiful skies and grass, none of it makes her feel happy anymore. Once it had, when she was around. But now, those memories seemed painful. Even so, Amata's mind wanders to her old memories of her closest friend, known to many as the Lone Wanderer.

She knew the Lone Wanderer's true name, something many in the Wastes no longer know. The few who once knew have mostly moved on with their lives, others who knew have passed on or moved far away to some other corner of the Wastes. The Lone Wanderer, in the past decade, had faded into legend, especially after. . .Amata tried to shake the thoughts off. The Lone Wanderer stood by her, even when she rejected her from returning to Vault 101. The Lone Wanderer convinced Amata to open up the Vault and let the residents choose to build a new world on the outside. Those early years of opening up and rebuilding Springvale with the Lone Wanderer were some of Amata's best days. Reconciling with her closest friend and building something new, especially after the pain caused by her father, it just. . .felt right. But after the Lone Wanderer's disappearance. . .supposed disappearance, she thought to herself, things weren't the same.

The Brotherhood patrols became much more frequent, an almost constant presence in the community and Wasteland. Whenever Amata stepped outside, Brotherhood soldiers were always present in the community, and elsewhere across the Capital Wasteland. Many enjoyed the sense of security and peace, but to Amata it increasingly reminded her of the old Vault Security that worked for her father, always watching. The feeling of security had long faded for Amata, replaced by an eerie feeling of dread. These patrols around Springvale only seemed to increase after the Lone Wanderer disappeared, to Amata, it seemed something was very deeply wrong. But there was little she could do about it.

She got up from her desk, shaking off her thoughts, and walked outside. The air was fresh, or much fresher than it had been years ago. The grass was continuing to grow, it was weak but getting stronger each year. She looked to the right down the street of the neighborhood. Not many people were out, but she saw the Brotherhood soldiers at the end of the road, talking with one another. When one turned to look at her, she looked away and walked to her mailbox, opening it, expecting nothing as usual. But this time, there was an envelope. She took it out and looked at it to see the sender,

Mr. FC
Starboard Section Apt. 511
Rivet City, District 2

She knew the acronym of the sender and quickly put the envelope in her pocket. She turned to see the Brotherhood soldier, still watching. She turned and headed back in her home, with a smile on her face for the first time in weeks.

Brotherhood of Steel I: The Salvation Initiative

The Brotherhood of Steel is humanity's last chance at salvation. If the Brotherhood falls, so does humanity. All the work the Brotherhood has done to ensure humanity's survival will be lost. When Elder Maxson rose to power, his first action was creation of the Salvation Initiative; a wide spanning project designed to develop plans to ensure the survival and long-term prosperity of the Brotherhood, and by extension, humanity. The Salvation Initiative has already seen great success, having completely secured the Capital Wasteland and built upon the success of Project Purity, the Capital Wasteland now stands as a self-sufficient region with enough clean food and water to feed its inhabitants.

But Brotherhood Scribes have also found a glaring issue; the Brotherhood's consumption of resources to maintain its standing force, including the power-hungry Prydwen is completely insufficient. According to preliminary analysis, the Brotherhood could face completely annihilation within only a few years following their current trajectory. Thus, the Salvation Initiative has now shifted goals. The Capital Wasteland is no longer a priority, but rather, other territories where more resources that could sustain the Brotherhood have become a primary focus. While long-range missions such as to the Commonwealth have not been heard from, many closer ranging missions, including to the nearby Baltimore, have come up with far more positive prospects. Elder Maxson has already ordered the Prydwen to begin traveling to Baltimore to begin an extended campaign to seize the territories and the resources it could provide.

In the Capital Wasteland, the Brotherhood has taken new measures, including the seizure of several Pre-War factories, having started the process of completely gutting the facilities for resources in preparation for future plans for industrial centers. The biggest effort by the Brotherhood so far has been the downsizing of their main military force. 50% of their standing military forces have been dismissed from direct duty. 10% have been made into "Captains" of the newly established "Lyons Pride", named after the former group led by Sarah Lyons. These Captains will be responsible for deputizing locals to help maintain law and order while only using minimal resources such as conventional recovered arms. Their uniforms are modified from the Brotherhood's Knight attire, now red, with an black overcoat and old combat helmets refurbished in black color with the Brotherhood's insignia in the center, blood red. Deputized locals will have to gather their own supplies to be Deputies, but will all be provided with Brotherhood badges to assert their authority.

The remaining 10% have been assigned to civilian duty, such as engineers, doctors, researchers, and more across the Capital Wasteland to help with internal projects to maintain the high level of development the landscape has seen over the past decade. Beyond saving resources, there was another pivotal objective this initiative has completed: the steady development of a cult of personality in the Capital Wasteland around Elder Maxson. As the efforts from the Brotherhood increased among locals, their loyalty and growing obsession over Arthur Maxson has proved useful to the Brotherhood. With the new initiatives, the cult of personality will only spread. Elder Maxson, while having no care for the obsession people have over him, others in the Brotherhood push ahead with the effort, rumors have even circulated that the increase in Circle of Steel presence from the West Coast has had to do with the push for more recognition of Maxson's efforts in the Wasteland, but those simply remain rumors among the highest ranking Brotherhood members.

Mutant Studies - Nightkin
From the Research Log of Dr. Richard Thoss:

I recently had a meeting with General Duval about our newest refugees in Greenburg as they are….different from their cousins. Three days ago, a new batch of mutant and ghoul refugees came through the Pacific Side of the Canal and with them were a group of Super Mutants who were different from the rest. They have greyish skin and seemed frantic upon arrival in Greenburg. A few even threatened one of the shops that the ghouls had set up. They seem prone to anger, violent, and generally far more aggressive compared to other mutants. It turned out that these mutants were special, part of the ‘Master’s’ elite guard. I still have very little data on this Master beyond some scant details, but apparently, he was like a god to the Nightkin. They existed to serve and protect him, and they were his shock troops and personal guard. However, they extensively used stealthy boys, some sort of American technology based upon the Chinese stealth armor technology, which had some unexpected effects. They all suffer from schizophrenia as a result of the radiation the device would emit when worn. It also appears to be responsible for the gray coloration of their skin. The few ghoul caretakers that arrived with them promised to keep them out of trouble, but there have already been twelve incidents since their arrival.

Due to this, I had no choice but to bring the matter to General Duval who has decided that Greenburg’s Nightkin population needs to be quarantined until their aggression can be reduced at the very least. While the Ghouls seem to have appreciated this, many Super Mutants have expressed dissatisfaction with this choice. A few even joined the Nightkin in their isolation as a form of protest. We have Red Cross teams with them, hoping to develop something to help the creatures or at the very least try and understand how exactly this happened considering the resilient Super Mutant biology. Still, I hate that we had to isolate them. They come here seeking aid, and we lock them up like animals. We don’t really have a choice, but that does not make the matter any better.

I need to examine the origin of these Super Mutants and their Master once more. If I can understand how they were created, maybe I can find a way to help them. Perhaps I should stop looking at the mutants for answers and see if the population knows anything. Perhaps the NCR forces in Amador would be able to shed some light on the idea. The Nightkin Mutants did come from California after all.

Reverend Obadiah, pt. 1
It isn't just in the north that New Canaan's missionaries have been busy. While Joshua Graham was attempting to minister to the tribes of the Grand Canyon, another New Canaanite headed east, to attain a similarly legendary stature among the tribes there. This man was known as Reverend Obadiah, a New Canaanite whose story in many ways paralleled that of Joshua Graham - though he never had the misfortune of associating with an egomaniac.

From the start, Obadiah's mission was different from Joshua's. Where Graham had gone to preach and to study the languages of the Grand Canyon tribes, Obadiah was a cartographer, whose primary mission was exploration of the Rockies for the purposes of further missionary work. He was to explore the founts of the Colorado, and explore along the old mountain roads - Highway 50, Interstate 70, Highway 491 - and chronicle the tribes and the societies he came across. Armed only with a stick and his faith in God, he set out around the same time as Joshua did. His expedition, though, almost ended in disaster when a wrong step sent him tumbling down a hill, breaking his leg. Somehow, he managed to avoid getting attacked by geckos or yao guai in the two days it took the local tribe to find him and nurse him back to health.

The tribe had no name for themselves, so Obadiah called them the Steamwater Tribe, after the hot springs of their home at Glenwood Springs. While he recovered, he preached to them, managing to make a handful of converts despite difficulties learning the local language. A young tribal woman, known as Moksa-Be, volunteered to watch over him when he proposed to leave, to keep him "from being clumsy again where the Steamwaters could not heal him." Obadiah was troubled by the thought of traveling alone with a young woman but was overcome by her insistence.

Moksa-Be proved to be a valuable companion for Obadiah's job, however. Her father had been a wide-ranging trader, and she'd often accompanied him on his trips to trade with the other tribes. She was very knowledgeable about the layout of the land and knew all the local dialects, an invaluable skill for someone who hadn't paid much attention in his linguistics class at the Tabernacle. Moksa-Be introduced him to all the tribes living near the Colorado-Utah border - and a few additionally in the interior.

Maxon II: Culhwch ac Olwen, Part I

Maxson stood at the helm of the observation deck, watching below as the scarred landscape of the Wasteland moves beneath him. In the distance, he sees the ruins of the Baltimore skyline. Like so many other cities, Baltimore had once stood as a proud monument to the possibilities of humanity. And, in a way, it still is a reminder of human possibility. Human's destructive possibility. But now, the Brotherhood was arriving, the Knights in shining armor to save humanity. Like they once saved the people of the Capital Wasteland, so too shall Baltimore be saved.

Maxson quickly glanced over the scouting reports from earlier missions into Baltimore. All reports indicated the areas outside of the city were surprisingly sparse sparing a few communities and one large slaving stronghold to the northwest that will have to be dealt with extreme force. The city itself was not impacted as heavily by nuclear warheads as Washington, D.C. but still suffered significant damage. The Super Mutant problem of the Capital Wasteland seems to not have had much affect on Baltimore, besides the usual mutated hostile lifeforms, the only major threat in the city seems to be a quite large group of Raiders, known to the locals as the "Powder Boys" that have made a base at an old munitions factory. These Powder Boys seems to use scare tactics to get "tributes" and resources from locals that they use to produce ammunition for weapons for them to confront other survivors, starting the whole cycle over. An abomination of humanity, they will be the first targets of the Brotherhood.

Many of the survivor communities in Baltimore are strained and all despise the Powder Boys, but from early scout groups, some of these survivors have been skeptical of the Brotherhood. Mainly the Fell's Point community, a self-sufficient community descended from members of the NAACP, have taken skepticism of the Brotherhood, early scout groups reported the Brotherhood's militaristic nature perturbed many of the residents who wanted very little to do with the Brotherhood. Another skeptical group, a religious organization known as the "Association of God", seemed to react in an aggressive manner, telling the Brotherhood scouts to "F*ck off" and "Mind your own business!" But after further interactions, they seemed more willing to open up. Their religious nature will make them a finnicky group to deal with.

The best ally the Brotherhood has found so far in Baltimore is the New Hopkins Center, a medical-oriented organization that provides medical care and relief for many in the region. While peaceful in thought, in practice the New Hopkins Peacekeepers help protect the Hopkins Doctors who make relief missions across the Maryland Wasteland and even to further communities in Pennsylvania. The Brotherhood had encountered Hopkins Doctors in the Capital Wasteland before and good word has spread between the factions. Being the Brotherhood's strongest tie to the region, Maxson orders the Brotherhood to head to the Hopkins Hospital to dock the Prydwen. The Brotherhood's Baltimore Campaign was ready to begin.