"Hey guys, it's starting!" Lisa started, breaking me and Beth from our thoughts as we got up from the chairs we were sitting in and jogged across the room to where Lisa was sitting, tuning in the radios she had to the correct frequency. I had been down here with the two girls for the past 20 minutes, waiting for the 'Pacific North-West Station' to start broadcasting. Before this, me and Chris had just finished a trade deal with the followers, trading two of the three spare autodocs we had found in the bunker's storage in exchange for 3 forklifts and most of the construction materials that they had. While we were there, we had also formed a mutual defence treaty, in case either of us got attacked.
Standing next to Lisa, I look at the various radios she had, hearing a small, yet catchy intro for about 10 seconds, which was then replaced by a voice.
"Good morning to the Pacific Northwest. This is K.O speaking, bringing you your weekly coverage of all of the big things happening in the Pacific northwest!
So to start with, it has been confirmed that the slavers who attacked Malo were from Spokania. That, along with reports of their patrols being seen as far as Walla Walla and the outskirts of New Coulee, means that they're expanding their operations, which is not good at all. So a word of advice for those of you who think you live far enough away from them to not be affected by them, well you better think twice and prepare just in case.
Also, one more thing before I drop this subject. The slavers there have put up a bounty for some vault dwellers, 1,500 caps for each one I've heard. Don't do it. Don't let these slavers use you as pawns. Sorry if it sounds like I'm quoting James here, but I still mean it. Just doing it will help them ruin further lives and destroy settlements.
Speaking of settlements, more have been popping up in the eastern Washington state, particularly in the north and south. Most of these new settlers are refugees, whether they're escaping from the NCR, slavers, whatever is up north in Canada, the small war over near the Cascades between the locals and the enclave, or a few who have managed to escape from the west."
Thinking about it, I realised that in a way, we fit into this category too, since we were driven out of the vault by the slavers. As I thought about this, K.O continued on with his news broadcast
"Now on to that war itself. While initially being pushed back, the local super mutants are now holding the Enclave back and have even recaptured Wenatchee, with help from the newly assembled Royal-Coulee militia. However, it's now become a standstill, as artillery in the Enclave stronghold of Ellensburg is keeping the mutant/militia coalition from advancing further, James and I will keep you informed on the conflict in latter broadcasts.
On another note, tensions have been mounting in the Tri-cities region, as the New Kennewick assembly accuses the Richland government of sabotage and attempts to infiltrate the city. Furthermore, they claim that they've hired groups of mercenaries and raiders to attack Kennewick caravans. Richland's governor, Ronald Nix, denies this, saying that these claims were false, and that if these accusations continue, then it could lead to further tensions and even conflict. The Pasco council and Tri-Cities Enterprises refused to comment on the situation.
Now on to the west. As I've told you before, it's in a constant state of war between the brotherhood of steel, along with it's allies, fighting against the Enclave. For much of the war, it's just been at a stalemate, with each side either bogged down or making very small victories. However, that changed recently as the brotherhood of steel went on the offensive within the past week, pushing the Enclave out of the downtown Seattle area, and breaking their naval siege on the Seattle port and Whidbey island, in coordination with the resistance to the south and the Puget nation in the sea.
While exact losses are unknown, it is speculated by Elder Stan that Enclave casualties could very well be in the hundreds, and that's not including their naval losses either, where they lost most of their fleet, which was originally made up of numerous repurposed fishing boats, some old national guard patrol craft, and a few yachts, most of which is now either at the bottom of the Puget sound sea floor or in the hands of the brotherhood-resistance-Puget coalition.
To finish up my report is news from down south in the now NCR Oregon. While normally there would be a sort of uneasy peace whenever a new region was annexed by the NCR, it's different down in Oregon today. Some of my sources down there are saying that there's a buildup of military troops, vehicles, and supplies near major routes leading into Washington. While I'm not a major strategist, it's pretty easy to tell that they're not content with Oregon. I'm not sure when they're going to push in, but it looks like they're bringing out everything they have. Exact numbers or dates aren't confirmed, but from what it looks like, they'll move out within a few months, and their relative strength hasn't been this high since the Mojave, and even then, there might be more this time.
Well that's all I have for now folks, this is K.O signing out, stay safe people."
The radio then cut out into static, which was quickly stopped when Alice turned off the radio. We stood there for a few moments in shocked silence at all the news, before something unexpected ended it.
"FIFTEEN HUNDRED CAPS! ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I'M AT LEAST WORTH TWO THOUSAND! WHAT A LOAD OF BULL-" the voice was then muted as a door slam could be heard a couple levels up. After looking at each other for a moment, Beth started giggling, which soon spread to me and Lisa, and before we knew what happened we were having the biggest laugh we've ever had since a prank gone wrong in the vault a few months ago.
After a few minutes, we had finally gained back enough control to start talking normally. "Well, I wasn't expecting that." Lisa said first, trying to hold down some giggling. "I think that was John too." Beth added, getting up from the ground where she had collapsed when she was laughing. "Definitely Max" I said as I got the remaining laughter down before going back to a more serious mode. "Now, we've learned a lot of things from that broadcast, like that apparently we're worth quite a bit of money and that Washington is on the brink of total war...". Saying this got both of their full attentions, stopping what little laughter there was left and bringing on a more serious look. "This means that we're going to have to be more careful, which I think we should start off by fully securing the area around Republic and maybe wear something other than vault clothing from time to time." As I say this I start looking at my pipboy, looking at various status updates involving the robots and various projects. "Lisa, I know that you already have a lot to do as it is, but can you come with me to prepare some of the robots for an expedition up north to the farms and Malo?" After seeing her nod, I start to get up, only to have one of my arms grabbed. Turning back, I see that it's Beth who grabbed my arm, a look of worry on her face. "What are you doing Billy?" She asked, keeping her steel-like grip on my arm as I responded "We need to make sure that there's no threats nearby the town, we can't afford to be attacked right now, what if the slavers are nearby?"
After seeing her determination waver, a gently, yet sternly, remove my arm from her grip. "Don't worry, we'll be back." I say with a smile as I leave the room, following Lisa.
30 minutes later
I waited in the back of one of the army trucks we had gotten from the bunker and Richard and Lisa finished preparing the militia and robots respectfully. We had with us four trucks and three humvees, with two of the trucks carrying soldiers and equipment and the other two carrying the 6 assaultrons and 10 protectrons that we were bringing. We were also bringing 8 mister Gutsies and a sentry bot, which were able to keep up with the vehicles. Along with the robots were the 14 men coming with us on the mission, 6 of which were new arrivals. Two of them were also survivors of the Malo attack, with the other four being part of a group of settlers from the north heading to New Coulee who decided to stay with us instead, bringing the total population of Republic to 69 people.
"Alright, let's go!" I heard Richard yell, followed by the engines of the vehicles start up. I looked at the 6 other militia members inside of the truck. Among them I saw Roy, holding his shotgun, and Alice at the very front, messing with the UAV that we were bringing. I also, knew that Richard and John were in the other militia-carrying truck, with John wearing his T-45d power armor. While he was barely trained with it, I hoped that by letting him wear it, he would not only get used to the suit faster, but also scare off anyone who would try to attack.
Looking back out, I saw the sentry bot and a humvee behind us, taking up the rear of the convoy and being flanked by two mister Gutsies. Beyond them I could see Republic in the increasing distance, seeing all of the activity that had been going on there. Between all of the available resources and the coordination from myself, Beth, Lisa, U-12, and George, we've been able to more properly secure the town. The Hospital and Rob Co complexes were fully secured and walled off, with work being made to wall off the warehouses at the edge of town already underway. We hopped to store our bulk supplies, like food and construction material, there. There were also plans to eventually wall off the entire town, but to do that would require a higher population and more materials for the wall. With the deal made with the followers, the amount of materials needed as dropped by a large percent, and the two forklifts will be valuable in making the wall.
I'm pulled from my thoughts by a voice on the radio inside the truck, telling us that a vehicle was approaching. 'Speaking of the followers, here they are now.' I thought with a smirk as I feel our truck momentarily slow down as it let's the followers vehicle pull into the convoy ahead of it. We had planned the mission to Malo with them, and they decided to bring some people with us to help with security and to treat any wounded.
I quickly looked out and see the vehicle. It was an old Red cross van, although I could see through the windows that it held a decent amount of medical equipment and personnel. Guarding the vehicle were two motorcycles, each with two people on, with the ones on the back hold aks. I gave them a little wave before getting back into the truck, sitting down and putting on my CTH helmet before getting myself into a comfortable position for the trip ahead.
1 hour later
"2 minutes until we arrive at Malo, suit up and get ready!" the radio blared, sparking a flurry of activity as people started checking their weapons and putting on armor. I quickly sat up and looked leaned out of the back of the truck, looking past it and the convoy to the town of Malo.
Or what was left of it.
Half of the buildings in the town were in ruins or rubble, with only a few of them looking like they were untouched. The walls surrounding the town had several breaches in them, and the only guard towers remaining looked like they could easily collapse. As we parked up next to an old red rocket gas station near the smashed open gate to the town, I saw several bodies lying in the street ahead. "Alright everyone, let's get moving. Lisa, I want you and a couple of protectrons to go to the red rocket gas station and send up the UAV. Everyone else, on me!" I yelled into the truck, getting a bunch of 'yeahs!' and 'oorahs!' from them as they started to get onto the truck, each of them carrying either a combat shotgun, m4 carbine, or laser rifle. As I and the others jogged to the other trucks, I could see some of the militia members loading off the robots, while others were standing around Richard and the lady who was leading the followers, called Sheila. She was also the follower women we had found at the farms when they were attacked.
"Alright everyone ready?" I asked, receiving nods and more 'yeahs' from everyone. "Let's go see what those slavers left behind." With that, I started jogging towards the gate, hearing the pounding footsteps of people behind me.
25 minutes later
"So what have we found?" I asked Richard and Sheila, as we were sitting at a table inside of a former bar inside of the town. "Besides some raiders in one of the houses and an occasional bit of loot, nothing." Richard said, giving me a neutral look. "I can't say I'm surprised, considering that most of the population is either dead, enslaved, or with us." Sheila also added, looking at me with a slightly sorrowful face.
Before anything could be said however, the radios that Richard and I had on Squawked to life, letting us hear the panicked voice of Lisa on the other end. "Guys! We have a problem! The UAV picked up a lot vehicles coming toward us from the east. They look like the slaver/mercenary vehicles we saw at the vault!" At this, all 3 of us jumped out, running outside of the bar. We saw that we weren't the only ones who heard the message, as we heard yelling from many guards scrambling toward the walls, assigning robots to the breaches, and bringing the vehicles in from outside. Richard then spoke into his radio, asking Lisa about details involving the new threat. She replied almost immediately with a slightly calmer voice.
"There's a giant bus, heavily armored and with what looked like machine gun turrets on the top. It looks like it's filled with people as well, probably about 30-40. There's also two old transport trucks, likely carrying more troops. Escorting them are three armored pickup trucks, each with a machine gun on the back. Finally, there's about a dozen motorcycles with them, each carrying two people. They're about 10 minutes away."
After a quick moment of thinking, I take my radio and respond. "Alright Lisa, I want you to move everything back inside the town, but try to keep watch on the slavers and give us any updates on them." After a quick 'yes' from her, I turn to Richard "Richard, I want you to get in contact with the bunker and the followers and let them both know what's happening. Also, I would like you to keep a direct connection with the bunker up." I tell him.
As I start to run toward one of the trucks to get extra ammo for the fight, I hear Richard yell "Alright, but what do you have planned?". I turn back to him and yell "I'll tell you when you get that radio connection up!" before running to the truck.