Chapter Text
It was a beautiful photograph, a lush vibrant forest with trees so tall that they grasped at the sky. Bushes, green and rife with fruit grew inside the shade of great trees as creatures skittered along the sway branches; fur full and healthy, free of cancers.
It was like a Lad's Life cover.
General Greer, a man with features like a stone chiseled by the early years of the Enclave’s campaigns could only stare at the images, before looking up with a milky eye to War Secretary Byar. “You can't be serious.”
Byar by contrast was like a paperclip, wiry and tall; built for bureaucracy. He coughed into his hand. “Well, if anyone could manage it.”
The general glared. “You expect me to divert a company to some damn fantasy land? All the while I have Brotherhood flying in from the east and tribals at our western flank. No, I need these men out in the front where they'd actually do good for America, not wasted on some boondoggle Richard's eggheads cooked up.”
The secretary squirmed in his suit, swallowing as the hardened veteran spat out each word. “Be that as it may, I must remind you that it was technically your men that-…well…. Richard is requesting full security for his outpost idea and the President is ordering you to provide it.”
“We're already struggling to maintain control of Mundelein. The 41st company needs relief after dealing with these damned tribals for over a month!”
“General, if the reports are correct”
“What? You expect us to just give these savages American territory, out of the question!”
“It's been decided, General! This wasn't a spur of the moment decision. It's already been decided; reviewed and signed by the President himself. At worst we pull out of this special region and refocus on any losses here.”
The general's eyebrow rose at that. “That's the worst case?”
The secretary sighed, hands on the desk. “General, Richard is talking about a land with clean everything and untapped resources, Peralta and Diffenbacher are already talking about resettlement plans.”
“…We can't abandon America.”
“...General,” Byrar put a hand on Greer’s shoulder, turning him in the direction of the wasteland below, “is this hunk of ruined dirt really worth the lives? America deserves better than this.”
Greer looked back at the images…clean air and crystal clear water aplenty. He imagined his son running between the trunks of those great trees. He couldn't really argue that or any point, and already his mind went to the logistics “They’ll need an engineering platoon with them.” His hand pushed the images to the side revealing the small regional map on his desk. “The vault will serve as a preliminary outpost but if we're talking resettlement we'll need to clear the area on the other side.” He sighed leaning back into his chair head to the ceiling. “We'd be lucky to have the securitrons fit through the gate let alone heavy troopers.”
Byars stood straightening his coat. “I’m sure you'll figure out a plan, General.”
Greer grunted his mind coming up with the next best course as Byars left the office, leaving the image on his desk to glare back at him. It'd be the 31st regiment he decided, its 3rd Recon were the ones that started all this to begin with.
————————————————————
3rd Recon faced the eternal enemy of all armies, holed up in their quarantine rooms isolated from the rest of the 313th Platoon until given the all clear by medical for the last two weeks and only seeing the outside world when scientists in protective gear poked and prodded at them with needles every day at 1200.
Bordom.
Mind numbing, all encompassing boredom.
They'd been given a few bits of entertainment, mostly undamaged intact comics, a few board games but after the initial allure of being able to just sleep and eat without worry; the freedom has lost its appeal. Morale was clinically low as Jericho, always abrasive, grew exponentially worse arguing and fighting whenever the opportunity came. Matthew was getting tired of trying to keep the squad from ripping itself apart.
It was a relief when Lieutenant Turner entered, Mattew instantly shooting to attention followed by Moss, then Jericho. “At ease men.”
“Lieutenant Turner, were we cleared by medical sir?”
The Lieutenant nodded his scarred lip twitching into a smile, hands going to the small of his back. “‘Fraid so men, this little vacation of yours is now officially over.”
“Damn and here I wanted to go soak in the hot tub.” Snickered Jericho only for Moss to smack them in the gut.
The Lieutenant turned back to Matthew disapproval evident in his eyes. “Although maybe you and your men should be sent back to basic.” Matthew tensed, his fist clenching slightly as the two others quieted standing straighter. “Good, now I've come here today to personally inform your squad of our orders.” He paused as the door opened, Sergeant Hilman and Private Baker entering, escorted by a medical researcher, the Lieutenant nodding. “Glad you could make it Sergeant, now that you're all here I suppose congratulations are in order. Your squad are officially the first Americans to set foot on non-irradiated soil.”
The silence that followed was deafening, only the soft hum of the vault's lighting and air circulation the only proof that time still flowed.
The Lieutenant cleared his throat. “It was a shock to me too, regardless the President has approved construction of a scientific outpost in this special region and we the men and women of the 31st Company have been given the honor to act as security and more importantly for you, 3rd Recon, to act as the vanguard for the research staff
Hilman raised a hand and the Lieutenant nodded. “Sir, how much do we know about this…special region?”
“Lead Researcher Thompson assures me that the area is perfectly suitable for human life, perhaps more so than our own dirt ball. The science team has been sending out remote controlled eyebots to do preliminary scans and recon but those metal balls just aren't cutting it for what we need.”
Matthew raised his hand and was acknowledged. “What exactly is needed from us Sir?”
Lieutenant Turner nodded. “Good question, the answer is wholly dependent on the research team. Now that we know you all didn't catch some unknown bug, the 10th Engineering Platoon will begin work on what's been dubbed ‘Liberty Station’. It'll be acting as our initial outpost in the region, your squad will be escorting land surveyors and heading to high interest spots marked by the research team eyebots. Your support will be limited, sentry bots and the 75th Light Calvary will be sent in as heavy fire support but due to lack of satellite imagery, communication infrastructure, and the general terrain if you get in trouble you're expected to bail and report.”
Jericho scoffed. “Sounds like suicide, do we even know what's out there.”
Turner snorted, smirking. “No, but that's why you're going in. Congratulations 3rdecon, your first hike starts at 1400 considering its 1100 that ought to give you enough time to get ready.” The squad blinked or at least Matthew did as he turned waving them off. “Stay safe, I'm expecting some great things.”
Turned left and the squad silent until Moss spoke. “He can’t be fucking serious.”
“Sounded like he was.” Baker replied.
“No there ain't no fucking way, a new world no sat imaging no pip boy map? We're going fucking worst than blind man.”
Hilman snapped her head. “Any other useful insights, or just gonna keep complaining?”
“Sarge you gotta admit this is…its nuts man!” Jericho for once in agreement with Moss spoke his eyes wide and exacerbated.
“Look doesn't matter what I think, we've been given orders,besides,” She shrugged. “Remember how bad that vault in Lincolnshire was?” Matthew shuddered at the memory, the scent of rotted meat bags still vivid in his mind as he instinctively reached for the scar on his arm where a supermutant freak shattered his forearm with a gore covered board as his squad desperately fought off their mutated centaur abominations and hounds. “Can't be worse than that.”
“What if it's not?” Asked Baker, her voice hesitant and quiet. “It's a different world, what if we see some aliens or something.”
“Then we stick together and blow its brains out, same as always.” Replied Hilman as she looked over the squad. “Look, we have a few hours to get some grub then we'll suit up alright.” Jericho, Moss, and Baker agreed to the three leaving as Matthew turned to the now sighing Sergeant. “Jesus fuck.” She whispered rubbing at her head.
“It's…it's crazy.”
Hillman scoffed. “I blame you for this, your idea to go in damn idealist.”
He snorted. “Someone had to, at least, we're off the front for a bit longer.”
“Mm.” She was silent then scratching at her auburn hair. “Guess so, not sure if this is entirely better.”
The overhead intercom clicked on and the two looked up. “Sergeant Hilman, please report to the Overseer's Office.”
She sighed, turning back to Matthew. “Make sure the numbskulls eat and get ready, I want gear on by 1330, got it?”
He nodded. “Got it Sarge.”
She offered a faint smile nodding as she turned. “Thanks Matt, make sure you get grub too.” She said turning out of sight leaving him alone, he let out a breath and made his own way to the atrium quickly spotting the others and proceeding to grab his own tray of rations.
Upon joining them Jerchico, mouth full of Radroach steak spoke. “Shits gonna get us killed.”
“It’s like the front’s exactly a paradise.” Matthew replied, blowing on his vegetable stew.
“Yeah, well, at least I know the Brotherhood ain't some bug eyed freaks.” Jericho scoffed.
“Could be nice, like one of those old Grognak comics.” Baker chirped.
“Considering he's almost killed in all of them, not sure how excited I'd be for that.” Moss answered.
“I’m just saying.”
“Stupid shit.” Jericho spat earning a tossed chunk of stale bread at him as Moss chuckled.
“Asshole.”
Jericho sneered, popping the chunk into his mouth before looking back at Matthew. “Seriously, you can’t be okay with this, were going in blind to fuck knows where.”
“What do you want me to do man? Desert? Disobey command? We got orders and if this place has clean water and air then I don't know about you but sure as hell beats being here.”
“Yeah, but do you know that?” Moss asked.
Matthew shrugged. “I remember breathing clean air and that bird we saw so again I don't know about you but it sure looked a lot better than the wasteland to me.”
Baker nodded. “It was super pretty, kinda like some old fantasy books.”
Matthew pointed his spoon at her. “See, be more like Baker.”
“Sure but those books have dragons and orcs and shit, and I for damn sure ain't no knight.”
“More like the team mascot.” Chuckled Moss earning a death glare.
“Alright alright settle down, look Sarg wants us ready by 1330 so eat your food then get ready to go.” Matthew said, turning to Jericho. “Can you handle that?”
“Fuck off.”
“Good boy.” After lunch they parted for their pre-mission rituals. Be it reading or exercise they all had their own, for Matthew it was looking over his AER9. His rag slowly went over its metallic casing checking each cable connection and the small sight he modified when he'd first been given the rifle upon becoming corporal, his mind focused on the small function checks the rifle had.
Better than the dread of what might come.
As much as he hated it,Jericho had made valid points. Their previous recon missions had been fully supported affairs at the tip of a spear. The moment things went wrong a vertibird could be sent, if that didn't work then the famed powered armored infantry could come and help but that wasn't an option in the special region. They were blind, deaf and mute.
Stumbling in Eden.
The devil is watching.
He sighed, rubbing his eyes, the laser rifle shining and glittering now the intercom clicking on above. “3rd Recon report to the Overseer's Office.” He looked at the clock at 1245. He took a breath steeling himself and made his way up the winding labyrinth that was the vault, linking up with Jericho as he leaned against the overseers’ door.
“‘Bout fucking time.” Jericho spat.
“The others in?”
Jericho shook his head. “Nah, the lovebirds are still fucking around somewhere.” Matthew nodded, looking at the door seeing Hilman speaking with a gaunt older looking man wearing a science coat and id badge. “They've been talking for fucking ages in there.”
“Worried?” Matthew smirked.
“Piss off.” Down the hall the sounds of footsteps getting closer finally became noticeable and Matthew looked up seeing as Baker laughed at something Moss told her, the two's hands nearly brushing together at times as he smiled. Jericho rolled his eyes, gagging as Matthew snorted.
“Glad to see you both made it.”
“Sorry Matt got lost.” Said Moss.
His eyebrow quirked up as he looked at Baker. “Got lost too?”
She shook her head. “No, I was just reading.”
“Right.” He then turned to the door knocking, and with a soft hydraulic whoosh it disappeared into the roof and floor. Hilman turned smiling as she mentally counted them then looked at the scientist.
“3rd Recon present and accounted for Sir.”
“Great!” The man who he now realized was the lead researcher turned looking at the squad and beamed. “Sorry for all the blood draws, we just wanted to make sure there wasn't something airborne that affected you all.”
Before Jericho could speak Hilman nodded. “We understand Sir; can never be too careful.”
“Yes, exactly! Now, I'm sure you're all wondering what we'll be doing?” He turned the window closing as a map opened on a nearby wall, its soft blue glow illuminating the room as he walked over. “So, after your discovery of the gateway my team has been busy doing a local map of the area.” He pointed to a red dot in the center of the map, a half circle topographic map surrounding it. “Mostly done via eyebot we've discovered the gate is actually buried on the side of a mountain overlooking a forest, as of now we've used protectrons to excavated a small road down giving us access to the forest towards what will soon be Liberty station.”
Jericho scoffed. “Thats great, what's that gotta do with us?”
The scientist blinked. “Oh um…right, yes my apologies.” He then cleared his throat and with the press of a button a small dotted red line appeared. “Before we do any construction we need your squad to escort the survey teams to these points where they'll install short range comms and eyebot relay beacons.” He said his fingers pointing to the various corners of the designated perimeter. “
“Will most mapping be done via eyebot?” Asked Baker.
“For now, yes, once we have a more firm idea of the area around the gate we'll be able to fortify along the two mile perimeter around it and expand operations.”
“Are we the only recon team going in?” Asked Matthew.
“Y-yes for now at least, once Liberty Station is constructed your company will be brought in.”
That was a surprise to Matthew and to the others as well.
Hilman coughed. “If I may?”
“O-oh certainly ma'am.”
She nodded, stepping forward. “I know it might sound excessive but as of now the plan past Liberty Station is to do a full colonization of the region, our job is to make sure that's safe to do so.” She pointed at the map. “Liberty Station is just the start, so buckle up we'll be doing plenty of hikes in the near future for the future of America.” She placed her hands on the small of her back. “Any questions?”
Matthew's breath had frozen in his lungs but his mind was racing, this wasn't a simple expedition anymore this was…this was full on colonizing a new world! But what about here? Could they still be Americans if they went to a different planet?
“What about the Brotherhood?”
“Do we get first dibs on land?”
“What about Gurnee?”
Hilman raised a hand. “Great, no questions.” She turned looking at a clock then back at them. “Gear up. The beacons should be ready for transport soon and I want us out the moment they get it?”
Matthew stood frozen blinking humbly.
“Is that understood, 3rdRecon?”
He stood straighter. “Yes, Sargent.” They replied and she sighed.
“Good, get going.”
The squad hesitated but soon enough they moved heading to the armory their gear prepped for them as they donned their flack vests, ammo was issued as were to Matthew's surprise grenades two per member.
Just in case they were told.
He wasn't sure how to feel about that.
Soon they made their way to the all too familiar laboratory, now ablaze with activity as scientists and technicians worked all over. Much to Matthew's surprise there were additional pylons along the walls now, with covered figures looking them over discussing things he had no hope of understanding. A blonde woman in a utility jumpsuit approached Hilman, the two speaking as Hilman nodded, turning to the squad. “3rd, this is Eliza Thorn. We'll be escorting her to Site Alpha today.” She then turned to Thorn, nodding.
The blonde stepped forward. “First things first, thank you all for volunteering to help us guys!” He wanted to correct her but it felt as if it'd be rude to do so. “Today we're going to Site Alpha approximately two and a half miles away from base camp, shouldn't be too bad and I sure feel better knowing me and my guys are protected by you guys.” She smiled at them and Matthew wondered if maybe she was putting up an act or if she was genuinely this upbeat.
Regardless, she went back to her team and Hilman turned to them. “Alright, everyone quick hike through the woods in and out back for dinner, stay sharp stay safe hot, got it?”
“Yes, Sargent.” They replied.
She nodded and soon Thorn was offering a thumbs up. “Alright, survey team is good to go, 3rRecon let's lead the way!”
The intercom clicked on as a red rotating beacon began to spin. “All personnel, be advised for gate transit, stand clear of teleport pylons as personnel cross the trans-dimensional border.”
“Thats us, come on.” And with that Hillman stepped forward followed by her squad, as one by one they disappeared into the black void. The scent of fresh living pine hit his nose once more as they marched into the unknown, guided by the light of the new world in front of them and ushered by the red beacon behind them. Until just as suddenly they emerged, the sun shining down on them as they inhaled fresh clean air.
It felt greedy to breathe so deep, but he couldn't help but do so. The sun so similar to their own felt warm and loving as its gentle ray caressed his face and he let out a breath he didn't know held on to, he looked down and stretched before them was a sea of deep rich green that covered the land as birds flew off as one. He turned happy to know that he wasn't alone here, that he hadn't imagined this all those days ago.
That even someone as brash as Jericho found this land beautiful.
The survey team followed suit and he wondered if their awed expression matched his, one by one they came from the portal and soon the third recon was no longer the first in this new world. “Hell of a view huh?” Hilman asked her,smile warm and bright as she motioned. “Alright we’re burning daylight, let's get moving on.” The path below was rough and hastily made by unthinking machines at the mountain base, the modified protectrons wandered about with whirling buzzsaws and powerful clamps as they fell trees at the end of the path.
“What're they doing?” Asked Baker as a great tree cracked before falling.
“Oh! They were programmed to clear some of the terrain here, the engineers are gonna be following us out to set up tents and start the initial layout for Liberty.” Thorn said with wide green eyes as she took in the forest around them. “God, we might actually be able to feed the whole Enclave with this!”
Jericho snorted. “Good luck with that, gonna hire some dumb fuck to farm out here or something?”
“I might.” Moss said. “Soil must be good to grow all these.”
“Ugh farmboy.”
“Shut up and focus.” Hilman said, turning to Thorn. “Which way?”
“Oh uh relative south west.” She said, looking at a small compass and pointing. “That way, two miles.”
Hilman nodded. “Let's go, keep cool and stay alert, no idea what's in here.”
They trudged on the protectrons offering them their automated farewells as they entered the Black forest, underneath the shade of giants they heard for the first time in their lives. Squirrels skittered about as birds hammered at trees, ants small and miniscule as God intended before the bombs wandered in their great paths all as they slogged on in amazement. “This is…this is amazing.” Whispered Baker.
“Its fucking trees.”
“It's a different planet man.”
“Yeah, well hopefully some bug eyed fucks don’t try to kill us for being here.”
There was a crack in the bushes and as one the squad dropped to their knees, weapons ready, staring back at a deer, its black eyes blinking as its ears flicked the air around it before going on its way.
A doe, one without the horrible nightmare like mutation of its wasteland counterpart.
It was breathtaking.
“Fuck jumping at bullshit.” Mumbled Jericho putting his combat rifle on safe.
“Better jumpy and alive than comfy and dead.” Breathed out Hilman holstering her plasma pistol.
Thorn stared. “T-that's incredible it looks exactly like a prewar deer!”
“So do radstags.” Scoffed Jericho.
“You blind man?”
Matthew rolled his eyes, AER9 still ready. “Come on, we still have a way to go.”
“Sure, whatever.”
They pressed on slightly more confidently, able to appreciate the cool air of the forest. “So Thorn, what's the deal with these beacons huh?” Asked Moss.
“Oh, well we've found that for whatever reason our eyebots keep deactivating after we get too far from the gate, best guess is the internals register themselves out of reach of Enclave sat comms and deactivate. We're hoping to extend the range they can go out to, should help us better map the region than just well…this.”
“Damn Jericho, they think a eyebot is better than you.” Moss snickered out, joined by Baker.
“Ha ha ver-”
Hilman raised a fist and the squad dropped once more. “Does anyone smell that?”
Matthew blinked, closing his eyes and sniffed the air. “Fire sergeant."
She nodded reaching for her binoculars, she then scanned the area before pausing. “Holy…Matt come look at this.” He blinked, depowering his rifle and stepped forward grabbing the binoculars and looking where she pointed.
His breath froze.
In front of them just out of the binocular range was a valley, nestled between two mountains yet in its center a great massive wall of stone. On either side standing proud two gleaming castle fortresses with perfect views of the land below, what looked like caravans headed towards the large central gate as pack animals hauled wagons and carts of unknown type.
“I'm not crazy right corporal?”
He shook his head dumbfounded. “It's a fortress."