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Chapter 5 Mechanical menace.

The Cambridge Police station was bustling with activity while Danse was in recovery. Ashley was examining the makeup of the synth she salvaged from ArcJet. The engineer in her was as giddy as a schoolgirl; eager at the prospect of understanding this new technology. As an engineer before the war, she dreamed of creating new technologies to aid the less fortunate. Her last project was on AI technology; in hindsight, it was probably how she was drafted into the war. What she found was more than intriguing.

The technology was surprisingly basic. The intelligence ran on simple programs and subroutines, and the hardware, while a product of its time, was familiar. What surprised her most was that she designed them; CIT took her program and gave it to military contracts. She couldn't help but smile at the cruel irony.

Just then, the sound of gunfire sounded outside broke her out of her nostalgia. Cobra opened fire on a group of ghouls heading towards them. They fell one by one, with well-placed shots from his combat rifle. Preston was also firing into the swarm with the Institute laser rifle he recovered earlier. His laser musket was powerful, but it couldn't fire in rapid succession. Moaning, she turned back to the machine in front of her before looking up seeing the power armour in front of her.

That fall back at Arcjet crossed her mind. She did all she could for the synth yet her hands were still twitching, a tell-tail sign she was in a mode where she needed to do something involving machines. Picking up her tools she walked over to the suit and she began looking over it. It was well maintained which she was surprised about. But there was some clear stress fractures cross the legs and frame. It Danse was going to use this again then it wouldn't be long until it would fall apart.

But either way it was an easy fix, and simply modified for greater support... if she had the right equipment and tools. Looking around if she used the equipment around her she could get it fixed. She smiled, as all he idea's for modifications came to mind. As she worked the Botherhood scribe came down and saw what Ashley was doing.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Fixing you're friends power armour.” she said not looking at the scribe. “Now before you say anything, if I don't get this thing fixed he'll be of use to no one.”

“But why are you doing it?” she asked.

“When I get working on machines' I just cannot stop. I just need to get busy on something,” a aura around her made the Scribe feel a little off as she backed up a bit.

“Ok but what do you know about power armour?”

“I was an engineer during the war, the one against the Chinese. After I got my frigging Law degree. Life never plays fair, but that's why it's called life.”

“Wait the war? You mean Anchorage?”

“That's the one.” she stopped and looked down to the floor remembering everything that happened up there. “Seems like a whole another life ago, great now I feel old.”

“But the Anchorage war was over 200 years ago.....” she muttered.

“Yep I'm about 227 years old, but I'm not, repeat not including the 200 years onto my age.” Ashley said determined not to be older the she already is, she turned to the scribe with a bit of a smile on her face. “I was in cryo for over 200 years.”

“Cryo? Let me guess Vault-tec?” the scribe said earning a nod from the sole survivor.

“Damn right about that.” just then images of when Shaun was taken from the pod came to mind, she rubbed her forehead absent mindedly feeling a headache coming on. “It's one of the reason's why I'm trying to get to Diamond city as soon as possible..... please I need to be alone.” she said turning back to the power armour.

Feeling an aura about her the Scribe walked back up the stairs. Danse had told her what had happened in the Vault, so she didn't want to force anymore out of her. Outside Cobra had stripped his assault rifle and began to clean it while Preston was keeping an eye out.

“Pres,” Cobra said getting the Minute-man's attention. “This Castle of yours, whe... no if we ever get round to it, would your group have a problem with my group taking up residence as well?”

Preston shook his head. “I doubt it, granted one of two may have some problems with your group. But we've had our fair share of refugees.”

“Fair enough.” Cobra muttered.

OOOOO Sanctuary.

Hawk and Joe were taking inventory on their stockpiles of weapons, food, and other supplies. They estimated about a month's worth, or at least until the traders came. Kai was being treated by the bald woman named Spider, who could be called the medic of Cobra's little band. But she was an absolute bitch given the fact that she hated practically everyone. She cut into the laser burn wound with a knife making the soldier scream in pain.

"Spider, will you cut it out?" Joe yelled. "I'm trying to do inventory."

"Yeah, fine, freak." was all she said.

Hawk then looked up and around. He grabbed his rifle and looked around as he cocked the weapon. Joe stood with pistol in hand.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

But Hawk said nothing, because he couldn't. Rising his gun and looking down the scope. The air fell still, as they could feel the earth moving. Just then...

"TIME TO DIE, FUCKER!" someone yelled and Hawk fired at one of the roofs.

And explosion of blood and grey matter showered the house. Then more came, raiders came wielding pipe weapons and makeshift melee weapons.

"SPIDER, GET THE CIVVIES OUT OF HERE." Joe yelled as he fired his pistol.

From the side of the village a Raider holding a pipe sniper rifle took a position on a roof and took aim. Joe and Hawk took cover behind car as the Spider, Kai and civilians heading into the wood. The sniper took aim at the Ghoul with a smile on his face, steadying his aim as his friends engaged them. In his sights the air almost froze as he pulled the trigger. A .308 round flew through the air and hit Joe in the head. Being a hollow point round, the side of his head became mush as she fell down dead. Hawk looked at him with wide eyes before a round pierced through the car he was taking cover in and hit him in the side.

He grunted before switching his weapon to automatic and fired at the oncoming raiders, he had no chance and he knew it. But his instincts told him to fight till death. From behind several skeletal machines saw and heard the fighting and began to move into the village. Hawk's last stand forced him into a retreat into the wood. But what he didn't notice a grenade that was thrown from one of the Raiders. It exploded next to him, however it was in the water and made him wet when it exploded. In the water however a large stone hit him in the head knocking him out leaving him at the raider's mercy as they began to advance.

All in all there was about 15 Riders in total, here to plunder pillage and rape anything they could get their hands on. But behind them a squad of 8 skeletal machines walked into the village armed with white laser weapons.

“Target aquired.” one of them said.

Fresh water was splashed on Hawk's face making him sit up bolt upright and look around seeing Stuggs and the married couple drag Raider bodies into the middle of the street. Looking to his side Spider looked at him with a concerned face.

“You ok?” she asked uncharacteristicly.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” he said standing up. “Wha...what happened?”

Spider stood up behind him and looked around. “I have no clue we need to call the Commander and now.”

Hawk nodded and picked up his radio. “Hotel-one calling Cobra Charlie-one, do you read?”

“Cobra Charlie one here what's up Hawk?” Cobra said over the radio.

“We've been attacked we need you back here now.”

OOOOO

The group looked around at the dead bodies of the Raiders. Since they wore leather armour it did little for guns. Hawk and Spider worked on getting the bodies into a rows so that they could take what they need from them. But Ashley wasn't talking neither was Cobra as they looked at Joe's dead body. She couldn't hold back her tears as she cried into Cobra's chest. Putting his arm around her, he held her tight, he knew loss just like her. But he had learned to contain it, and become emotionless.

Danse just stood nearby looking at the two of them. "Why cry over a freak?" he asked.

"That, 'freak'." Preston said as he walked passed. "was her old boss and friend."

The powered armoured soldier looked at the Minute man before looking at the two who stood before him. Shaking his head he then walked off muttering something to himself.

After letting her emotions run wild for a few moments Ashley regained control over her emotions and pulled herself together. Moving away from Cobra she looked around, closing her eyes she breathed in and looked around. As she looked she could see her home again, before the bombs. The area looked like it was still not moving, then she remembered there was an APC in the area before the bomb fell.

The area then changed to the devastated area it now was.

"Danse!" she called out as she walked over to the power she left. "I'm gonna need your help." she called.

As the powered armoured soldier followed her Cobra looked at the Raiders. Something was off about them, but he couldn't put his finger on it. While they look like Raider's at the same time they didn't. The armour they wore was odd, while wearing metal armour wasn't uncommon using Robot armour wasn't seen often, especially Raiders.

“Hey Pres.” he called the Minute-man

The trench-coat wearing merc walked up and stood next to the Sword star commander.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Don't these guy's look odd?”

Preston looked at the Raiders, opening his mouth for a moment he closed it again before speaking.

“Their wearing Robot armour.” he muttered.

“Yeah, but why? Raider's don't ware this kind of stuff.”

OOOOO

At a remote location of the Commonwealth, a group of Minute-men walked down a street with supplies in hand. There where four in all each one with a laser musket in hand and a brahmen with packs on them filled with supplies. As they walked the leader stopped in her tracks and looked around, as did the other's. There was a mechanical whine, suddenly a robot jumped out but this one was unlike any robot they had seen before. It's torso was that of a Mr handy model with legs of a protectron. One of it's arms was shaped like an assultron but with a laser for a hand and a clamp for a hand on the other arm.

It charged at them but before it could all of the team fired at it. Each of the lances hit cabling on the machine sending it to the floor. Suddenly two more machines came out, each one looking like they had been made from different robots. These ones jumped at them.

OOOOO

A power suited Ashley with Danse pushed a broken APC into the streets of Sanctuary. It was heavy but since the two had power armour it was easier but still took a long time to move. As soon as it was in the middle of the street Ash got out of her power armour, picked up tool kit and began to work stripping the machine down with help from Sturges. But as soon as they started Preston's radio came on.

“Preston... problem... encountered machines..... robots... look like.... made from other's..... please advise.”

“Say again robots? Institute?” Preston asked.

“Negative, negative.... normal robot's like....the ones you see..... outside..... but mixed.”

There was a lot of static with the channel but he could make out what they where saying. But what they where saying was odd, completely strange. Robots..... mixed robots? All of a sudden Cobra then stated talking into his own radio.

“Echo seven calling Cobra Charlie-one come in!” it said.

“Cobra Charlie-one here Echo seven, what's wrong?” Corba said.

“Cobra listen we where just attacked by some strange robots. Not institute, I repeat not institute!” the man yelled. “They look like some kind of cross between several different robot's.”

The two looked to each other with a knowing look. They had both received communications from their respective groups, strange robots walking around and attacking people. This was no coincidence. As Ashley worked on the APC her pip-boy activated picking up a distress signal, she turned her radio and listened to the message.

“This is an emergency broadcast. Our caravan is under attack by hostile robots. And need some serious help. We're just east of Wattz Consumer Electronics. Anyone in the vicinity can come help, now is the time.

Ada, loop this message.
-Yes, sir.”

“Guy's?” she said looking to the two mercs.

“We got word from our own groups about some hostile robots too.” Cobra said looking at her.

“Best we go and see what the matter is.” Codsworth said coming up. “We may have the wrong message about these robot's but it does no harm to check.”

“Agreed.” Ashley said standing and walking over to the Raiders. “But I have to change my armour.” she muttered, you guys get ready.”

With that she took off her webbing and began looking at the armour of the Raiders. She needed something light, something with enough space to carry her equipment. As she did this Cobra and Preston began looking though the Vault's boxes for ammo medical equipment and food. Danse decided to help the as he had nothing better to do and began to help them selecting stuff to take. Ash knelt down next to one of the raiders who had a metal chest plate on. It was slightly rusted but had a leather belt around it with large pockets, it also had a backpack. Nodding her head she took it off him, after checking the pockets she found a stimpack and 12 .44 rounds before putting it on.

It settled nicely over her chest and wast. The padding on the inside was a mix of cloth and leather making it very comfortable. Looking to another one she saw leather armour on her arm's and legs. She moved over to the body and looked at it, the woman was clearly of Asian decent and was about her side. Despite the metal armour the woman wore, the problem was the fact that they looked too bulky. Her mouth curled slightly, the armour didn't look like it could stop much but allowed for manoeuvrability, and given the size.

She took off the leather leg armour and looked at it. It was in three pieces thigh knee and shin, and the thigh had a pistol holster with two large pouches on either side of it. Nodding the them slide the armour onto her left leg, fastening it tightly before taking off the other leather leg armour and put that on. On the end one she saw the Raider had metal armour arm, it was on the left side. The shoulder pad pointed out while the lower arm had a blade attached to the lower sleeve. Shrugging she took it off and then took off the lower metal section that wasn't connected to the blade before putting it on.

The blade was then under her pip-boy. She waved it around making her simile, if those bastards would get close then she'd chop then in half. Getting quite a bit of stuff together the three guys began to put it in their pouches or pockets. As they did Ashley walked up to them.

“Hey guy's.” she said grabbing their attention. “You think this armour will help?”

The three turned to face her and they dropped whatever they where holding. Ashley stood in front of the wearing her new armour, it hung on her as it was made for her. The metal armour fit her hour glass figure along with the leather armour showing off her just-right plump thighs. She looked unbelievable, the perfect mix of beauty and danger.

“I..err I...” Preston muttered.

“Yeah, I think it suits you.” Cobra said.

Danse said nothing as he just stared at her.

“Ok then, let's get moving.” she said. “Meet you at the bridge.”

She made her way to the bridge with a small smile on her face, as the shock began to ware off the three picked up the items they dropped before following them. Preston however walked over to Hawk.

“Hawk right?” he asked earning a nod from the Sword star merc. “I think it might be best if you and the other take shelter in the Vault. Stay there until we get back, code is 457.”

“Right just need to get the salvage from the raiders first.” he said.

“Ok, just make it quick.” he said before following the other two.

OOOOO

As the sun began to set in the distance the team of six made they way as fast as they could across the countryside to Watts consumer electronics. Ash knew where it was thanks to the signal finder feature on her pip-boy. She wasn't even tired as she ran through the countryside, all those years in the gym taught her how to manage her body. As they moved they saw a broken-down highway in the distance just about half a mile out. It was close and they could reach it in no time. As they approached they could see red and yellow flashes.

“DOGMEAT GO!” she yelled.

The German Shepard then moved up fast barking as he went up. Preston moved off to the side to get a good vantage point while Ash switched her weapon from auto to semi auto. As they got close they could then see four machines that looked like they where made from junk where attacking a blue assaulttron who had a sentry-bot chaingun. With the way things looked the blue machine was protecting a make shift camp. It was the thing they need to be protecting.

“Protect the assulttron.” Ash said as she took aim and fired a rejected protecton model.

Cobra moved up with a combat shotgun in hand and began to tangle with a yellow boxed robot. Dogmeat didn't know what to do, so decide to distract one of the machines taking hold of it's leg. The machine it held had legs of a protection yet it's torso was a Mr handy, it looked down at the dog but before could do anything a red beam hit one of it's eyes causing it to lose sight. Danse charged in sending the machine flying into a car. Ashley milked her trigger slowly hitting a hovering robot who was attacking Cobra.

Preston cranked his laser musket and fired again and again. The robot he was aiming at then fell down as did another then another until only one was left. The blue one. Ashley walked up to it before stooping eyes wide as she looked at the machine in front of her. This was a mix of several different machines and her eyes where engorging of the feast in front of her. Her mind buzzed as she could only imagine the mind who managed to do this.

“My friends...died in the attack. Thank you for assisting. I was certain to meet my end here as well.” it asid in a femle voice.

Ashley just stared at the machine. “May I see how you work?” she asked before a sharp slap at the back of the head taking her out of her fantasy world.

“Sorry about that, I don't know why she did that. Are you ok?” Cobra asked standing next to the sole survivor.

“Physically, the damage is minor, but I am registering sadness and anger at the loss of my friends. It may sound strange coming from a robot but they where my.... family. Again, I thank you for your efforts. I know they would have thanked you as well.” as the assuilttron said that Preston and Danse where looking over one of the robots.

“I'm sorry for your loss.” Ashley said circling the robot.

“My name is Ada. This was the third time this we where attacked by robots like these. Even with the weapon detection upgrades Jackson gave me, I was unable to defend them.”

“Third time?” Cobra asked with his brow raised.

“There must be a reason why they are targeting you.” Ashley said stopping in front of Ada.

“Probability is high that I'm part of the reason. Besides myself Jackson made Turing, Hurtz and Porter. Our in build modifications would be desired pieces of salvage. We knew we ran the risk of encountering more of these hostile robots in we stayed in the Commonwealth. If only we made the decision to leave.”

Ashley shook her head. “You couldn't have known something like this will happen.”

“The probability of attack was high. I should have forced our departure. In recompense I will seek justice for my friends and stop these robots from causing more harm. It's time to uncover the source and confornt their leader: the Mechanist.”

“The Mechanist?” both Ash and Cobra said with Ashley's eyes sparkling while the merc looked at Ada with brow raised.

“What kind of name is that?” Cobra asked.

“He sounds so badass.” Ashley said dreamily.

Cobr looked at her before looking at Ada. “You'll need help if you want to succeed.”

“I'm aware of this. You and your tea have sown willingness to aid others. I ask that you and the other's please assist me in stopping this Mechanist.”

“You got me to count on.” Cobra said.

“I get to meet a her called the mechanist?” Ashley said like a giddy teenager. “I'm so in.”

“Sounds like an interesting job.” Dnase said walking up. “I'm in.”

“These robot's are threatening the Commonwealth.” Preston said looking through the robots. “I'm in too.”

“Same here I want to meet this Mechanist.” Codsworth said.

Dogmeat only barked in response and joy.

“Well looks like we're all in. But I suggest that we have a knight before we continue.” Cobra said.

“Agreed.” Ada said. “You can use the camp, my friends would agree to it.”

“Thank you.” Cobra said before looking at Ashley who seemed to be in a daydreamed daze.

He put his finger on her shoulder and gently pushed her. She fell to the floor without a care as she just stared at the stars with a big smile on her face. The others just looked at her with vacant expressions.

“Err ok.” Danse muttered as he climbed out of his power armour.

He stretched out before making it over to a sleeping bag and fell on it in a mix of exhaustion and his wounds from the previous day.

“I'll take first watch.” Preston said with Cobra nodding as he picked up Ashley and lay her on one of the free sleeping bags. “Is she ok?”

“Of course she is.”Codsworth said as Dogmeat curled up next to his mistress. “Back before the bombs fell, well there was a word going around called nerd. It denoted people who rarely go out and read comics and play fantasy games. Sir told me that Miss Ashley used to go to these conventions with stars in her eyes. I believe the term is 'nerding out'.”

“So she's nerding out?” Cobra asked.

“I believe so sir. Now if you'll please excuse me while I power down.” the Mr handy said before landing softly and pulled his arms in.

The moon shined down on the camp as the sword star Commander fell onto the only free sleeping bag and fell asleep.

OOOOO

Looking at a terminal a shadowy figure looked at the information on their robots. Their eye twitched as they could see several robots who went to find that trader group who sold robot parts. All of them where down, which didn't seem possible. They had sent cybermechs, one of their more powerful robots to take them out. Their fist slammed onto the desk as clicking could be heard.

“So someone is trying to stop me?” they said in a synthesized voice. “Let them try for I am the Mechanist!”

Description
Chapter 5 Mechanical menace.

The Cambridge Police station was bustling with activity while Danse was in recovery. Ashley was examining the makeup of the synth she salvaged from ArcJet. The engineer in her was as giddy as a schoolgirl; eager at the prospect of understanding this new technology. As an engineer before the war, she dreamed of creating new technologies to aid the less fortunate. Her last project was on AI technology; in hindsight, it was probably how she was drafted into the war. What she found was more than intriguing.

The technology was surprisingly basic. The intelligence ran on simple programs and subroutines, and the hardware, while a product of its time, was familiar. What surprised her most was that she designed them; CIT took her program and gave it to military contracts. She couldn't help but smile at the cruel irony.

Just then, the sound of gunfire sounded outside broke her out of her nostalgia. Cobra opened fire on a group of ghouls heading towards them. They fell one by one, with well-placed shots from his combat rifle. Preston was also firing into the swarm with the Institute laser rifle he recovered earlier. His laser musket was powerful, but it couldn't fire in rapid succession. Moaning, she turned back to the machine in front of her before looking up seeing the power armour in front of her.

That fall back at Arcjet crossed her mind. She did all she could for the synth yet her hands were still twitching, a tell-tail sign she was in a mode where she needed to do something involving machines. Picking up her tools she walked over to the suit and she began looking over it. It was well maintained which she was surprised about. But there was some clear stress fractures cross the legs and frame. It Danse was going to use this again then it wouldn't be long until it would fall apart.

But either way it was an easy fix, and simply modified for greater support... if she had the right equipment and tools. Looking around if she used the equipment around her she could get it fixed. She smiled, as all he idea's for modifications came to mind. As she worked the Botherhood scribe came down and saw what Ashley was doing.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Fixing you're friends power armour.” she said not looking at the scribe. “Now before you say anything, if I don't get this thing fixed he'll be of use to no one.”

“But why are you doing it?” she asked.

“When I get working on machines' I just cannot stop. I just need to get busy on something,” a aura around her made the Scribe feel a little off as she backed up a bit.

“Ok but what do you know about power armour?”

“I was an engineer during the war, the one against the Chinese. After I got my frigging Law degree. Life never plays fair, but that's why it's called life.”

“Wait the war? You mean Anchorage?”

“That's the one.” she stopped and looked down to the floor remembering everything that happened up there. “Seems like a whole another life ago, great now I feel old.”

“But the Anchorage war was over 200 years ago.....” she muttered.

“Yep I'm about 227 years old, but I'm not, repeat not including the 200 years onto my age.” Ashley said determined not to be older the she already is, she turned to the scribe with a bit of a smile on her face. “I was in cryo for over 200 years.”

“Cryo? Let me guess Vault-tec?” the scribe said earning a nod from the sole survivor.

“Damn right about that.” just then images of when Shaun was taken from the pod came to mind, she rubbed her forehead absent mindedly feeling a headache coming on. “It's one of the reason's why I'm trying to get to Diamond city as soon as possible..... please I need to be alone.” she said turning back to the power armour.

Feeling an aura about her the Scribe walked back up the stairs. Danse had told her what had happened in the Vault, so she didn't want to force anymore out of her. Outside Cobra had stripped his assault rifle and began to clean it while Preston was keeping an eye out.

“Pres,” Cobra said getting the Minute-man's attention. “This Castle of yours, whe... no if we ever get round to it, would your group have a problem with my group taking up residence as well?”

Preston shook his head. “I doubt it, granted one of two may have some problems with your group. But we've had our fair share of refugees.”

“Fair enough.” Cobra muttered.

OOOOO Sanctuary.

Hawk and Joe were taking inventory on their stockpiles of weapons, food, and other supplies. They estimated about a month's worth, or at least until the traders came. Kai was being treated by the bald woman named Spider, who could be called the medic of Cobra's little band. But she was an absolute bitch given the fact that she hated practically everyone. She cut into the laser burn wound with a knife making the soldier scream in pain.

"Spider, will you cut it out?" Joe yelled. "I'm trying to do inventory."

"Yeah, fine, freak." was all she said.

Hawk then looked up and around. He grabbed his rifle and looked around as he cocked the weapon. Joe stood with pistol in hand.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

But Hawk said nothing, because he couldn't. Rising his gun and looking down the scope. The air fell still, as they could feel the earth moving. Just then...

"TIME TO DIE, FUCKER!" someone yelled and Hawk fired at one of the roofs.

And explosion of blood and grey matter showered the house. Then more came, raiders came wielding pipe weapons and makeshift melee weapons.

"SPIDER, GET THE CIVVIES OUT OF HERE." Joe yelled as he fired his pistol.

From the side of the village a Raider holding a pipe sniper rifle took a position on a roof and took aim. Joe and Hawk took cover behind car as the Spider, Kai and civilians heading into the wood. The sniper took aim at the Ghoul with a smile on his face, steadying his aim as his friends engaged them. In his sights the air almost froze as he pulled the trigger. A .308 round flew through the air and hit Joe in the head. Being a hollow point round, the side of his head became mush as she fell down dead. Hawk looked at him with wide eyes before a round pierced through the car he was taking cover in and hit him in the side.

He grunted before switching his weapon to automatic and fired at the oncoming raiders, he had no chance and he knew it. But his instincts told him to fight till death. From behind several skeletal machines saw and heard the fighting and began to move into the village. Hawk's last stand forced him into a retreat into the wood. But what he didn't notice a grenade that was thrown from one of the Raiders. It exploded next to him, however it was in the water and made him wet when it exploded. In the water however a large stone hit him in the head knocking him out leaving him at the raider's mercy as they began to advance.

All in all there was about 15 Riders in total, here to plunder pillage and rape anything they could get their hands on. But behind them a squad of 8 skeletal machines walked into the village armed with white laser weapons.

“Target aquired.” one of them said.

Fresh water was splashed on Hawk's face making him sit up bolt upright and look around seeing Stuggs and the married couple drag Raider bodies into the middle of the street. Looking to his side Spider looked at him with a concerned face.

“You ok?” she asked uncharacteristicly.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” he said standing up. “Wha...what happened?”

Spider stood up behind him and looked around. “I have no clue we need to call the Commander and now.”

Hawk nodded and picked up his radio. “Hotel-one calling Cobra Charlie-one, do you read?”

“Cobra Charlie one here what's up Hawk?” Cobra said over the radio.

“We've been attacked we need you back here now.”

OOOOO

The group looked around at the dead bodies of the Raiders. Since they wore leather armour it did little for guns. Hawk and Spider worked on getting the bodies into a rows so that they could take what they need from them. But Ashley wasn't talking neither was Cobra as they looked at Joe's dead body. She couldn't hold back her tears as she cried into Cobra's chest. Putting his arm around her, he held her tight, he knew loss just like her. But he had learned to contain it, and become emotionless.

Danse just stood nearby looking at the two of them. "Why cry over a freak?" he asked.

"That, 'freak'." Preston said as he walked passed. "was her old boss and friend."

The powered armoured soldier looked at the Minute man before looking at the two who stood before him. Shaking his head he then walked off muttering something to himself.

After letting her emotions run wild for a few moments Ashley regained control over her emotions and pulled herself together. Moving away from Cobra she looked around, closing her eyes she breathed in and looked around. As she looked she could see her home again, before the bombs. The area looked like it was still not moving, then she remembered there was an APC in the area before the bomb fell.

The area then changed to the devastated area it now was.

"Danse!" she called out as she walked over to the power she left. "I'm gonna need your help." she called.

As the powered armoured soldier followed her Cobra looked at the Raiders. Something was off about them, but he couldn't put his finger on it. While they look like Raider's at the same time they didn't. The armour they wore was odd, while wearing metal armour wasn't uncommon using Robot armour wasn't seen often, especially Raiders.

“Hey Pres.” he called the Minute-man

The trench-coat wearing merc walked up and stood next to the Sword star commander.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Don't these guy's look odd?”

Preston looked at the Raiders, opening his mouth for a moment he closed it again before speaking.

“Their wearing Robot armour.” he muttered.

“Yeah, but why? Raider's don't ware this kind of stuff.”

OOOOO

At a remote location of the Commonwealth, a group of Minute-men walked down a street with supplies in hand. There where four in all each one with a laser musket in hand and a brahmen with packs on them filled with supplies. As they walked the leader stopped in her tracks and looked around, as did the other's. There was a mechanical whine, suddenly a robot jumped out but this one was unlike any robot they had seen before. It's torso was that of a Mr handy model with legs of a protectron. One of it's arms was shaped like an assultron but with a laser for a hand and a clamp for a hand on the other arm.

It charged at them but before it could all of the team fired at it. Each of the lances hit cabling on the machine sending it to the floor. Suddenly two more machines came out, each one looking like they had been made from different robots. These ones jumped at them.

OOOOO

A power suited Ashley with Danse pushed a broken APC into the streets of Sanctuary. It was heavy but since the two had power armour it was easier but still took a long time to move. As soon as it was in the middle of the street Ash got out of her power armour, picked up tool kit and began to work stripping the machine down with help from Sturges. But as soon as they started Preston's radio came on.

“Preston... problem... encountered machines..... robots... look like.... made from other's..... please advise.”

“Say again robots? Institute?” Preston asked.

“Negative, negative.... normal robot's like....the ones you see..... outside..... but mixed.”

There was a lot of static with the channel but he could make out what they where saying. But what they where saying was odd, completely strange. Robots..... mixed robots? All of a sudden Cobra then stated talking into his own radio.

“Echo seven calling Cobra Charlie-one come in!” it said.

“Cobra Charlie-one here Echo seven, what's wrong?” Corba said.

“Cobra listen we where just attacked by some strange robots. Not institute, I repeat not institute!” the man yelled. “They look like some kind of cross between several different robot's.”

The two looked to each other with a knowing look. They had both received communications from their respective groups, strange robots walking around and attacking people. This was no coincidence. As Ashley worked on the APC her pip-boy activated picking up a distress signal, she turned her radio and listened to the message.

“This is an emergency broadcast. Our caravan is under attack by hostile robots. And need some serious help. We're just east of Wattz Consumer Electronics. Anyone in the vicinity can come help, now is the time.

Ada, loop this message.
-Yes, sir.”

“Guy's?” she said looking to the two mercs.

“We got word from our own groups about some hostile robots too.” Cobra said looking at her.

“Best we go and see what the matter is.” Codsworth said coming up. “We may have the wrong message about these robot's but it does no harm to check.”

“Agreed.” Ashley said standing and walking over to the Raiders. “But I have to change my armour.” she muttered, you guys get ready.”

With that she took off her webbing and began looking at the armour of the Raiders. She needed something light, something with enough space to carry her equipment. As she did this Cobra and Preston began looking though the Vault's boxes for ammo medical equipment and food. Danse decided to help the as he had nothing better to do and began to help them selecting stuff to take. Ash knelt down next to one of the raiders who had a metal chest plate on. It was slightly rusted but had a leather belt around it with large pockets, it also had a backpack. Nodding her head she took it off him, after checking the pockets she found a stimpack and 12 .44 rounds before putting it on.

It settled nicely over her chest and wast. The padding on the inside was a mix of cloth and leather making it very comfortable. Looking to another one she saw leather armour on her arm's and legs. She moved over to the body and looked at it, the woman was clearly of Asian decent and was about her side. Despite the metal armour the woman wore, the problem was the fact that they looked too bulky. Her mouth curled slightly, the armour didn't look like it could stop much but allowed for manoeuvrability, and given the size.

She took off the leather leg armour and looked at it. It was in three pieces thigh knee and shin, and the thigh had a pistol holster with two large pouches on either side of it. Nodding the them slide the armour onto her left leg, fastening it tightly before taking off the other leather leg armour and put that on. On the end one she saw the Raider had metal armour arm, it was on the left side. The shoulder pad pointed out while the lower arm had a blade attached to the lower sleeve. Shrugging she took it off and then took off the lower metal section that wasn't connected to the blade before putting it on.

The blade was then under her pip-boy. She waved it around making her simile, if those bastards would get close then she'd chop then in half. Getting quite a bit of stuff together the three guys began to put it in their pouches or pockets. As they did Ashley walked up to them.

“Hey guy's.” she said grabbing their attention. “You think this armour will help?”

The three turned to face her and they dropped whatever they where holding. Ashley stood in front of the wearing her new armour, it hung on her as it was made for her. The metal armour fit her hour glass figure along with the leather armour showing off her just-right plump thighs. She looked unbelievable, the perfect mix of beauty and danger.

“I..err I...” Preston muttered.

“Yeah, I think it suits you.” Cobra said.

Danse said nothing as he just stared at her.

“Ok then, let's get moving.” she said. “Meet you at the bridge.”

She made her way to the bridge with a small smile on her face, as the shock began to ware off the three picked up the items they dropped before following them. Preston however walked over to Hawk.

“Hawk right?” he asked earning a nod from the Sword star merc. “I think it might be best if you and the other take shelter in the Vault. Stay there until we get back, code is 457.”

“Right just need to get the salvage from the raiders first.” he said.

“Ok, just make it quick.” he said before following the other two.

OOOOO

As the sun began to set in the distance the team of six made they way as fast as they could across the countryside to Watts consumer electronics. Ash knew where it was thanks to the signal finder feature on her pip-boy. She wasn't even tired as she ran through the countryside, all those years in the gym taught her how to manage her body. As they moved they saw a broken-down highway in the distance just about half a mile out. It was close and they could reach it in no time. As they approached they could see red and yellow flashes.

“DOGMEAT GO!” she yelled.

The German Shepard then moved up fast barking as he went up. Preston moved off to the side to get a good vantage point while Ash switched her weapon from auto to semi auto. As they got close they could then see four machines that looked like they where made from junk where attacking a blue assaulttron who had a sentry-bot chaingun. With the way things looked the blue machine was protecting a make shift camp. It was the thing they need to be protecting.

“Protect the assulttron.” Ash said as she took aim and fired a rejected protecton model.

Cobra moved up with a combat shotgun in hand and began to tangle with a yellow boxed robot. Dogmeat didn't know what to do, so decide to distract one of the machines taking hold of it's leg. The machine it held had legs of a protection yet it's torso was a Mr handy, it looked down at the dog but before could do anything a red beam hit one of it's eyes causing it to lose sight. Danse charged in sending the machine flying into a car. Ashley milked her trigger slowly hitting a hovering robot who was attacking Cobra.

Preston cranked his laser musket and fired again and again. The robot he was aiming at then fell down as did another then another until only one was left. The blue one. Ashley walked up to it before stooping eyes wide as she looked at the machine in front of her. This was a mix of several different machines and her eyes where engorging of the feast in front of her. Her mind buzzed as she could only imagine the mind who managed to do this.

“My friends...died in the attack. Thank you for assisting. I was certain to meet my end here as well.” it asid in a femle voice.

Ashley just stared at the machine. “May I see how you work?” she asked before a sharp slap at the back of the head taking her out of her fantasy world.

“Sorry about that, I don't know why she did that. Are you ok?” Cobra asked standing next to the sole survivor.

“Physically, the damage is minor, but I am registering sadness and anger at the loss of my friends. It may sound strange coming from a robot but they where my.... family. Again, I thank you for your efforts. I know they would have thanked you as well.” as the assuilttron said that Preston and Danse where looking over one of the robots.

“I'm sorry for your loss.” Ashley said circling the robot.

“My name is Ada. This was the third time this we where attacked by robots like these. Even with the weapon detection upgrades Jackson gave me, I was unable to defend them.”

“Third time?” Cobra asked with his brow raised.

“There must be a reason why they are targeting you.” Ashley said stopping in front of Ada.

“Probability is high that I'm part of the reason. Besides myself Jackson made Turing, Hurtz and Porter. Our in build modifications would be desired pieces of salvage. We knew we ran the risk of encountering more of these hostile robots in we stayed in the Commonwealth. If only we made the decision to leave.”

Ashley shook her head. “You couldn't have known something like this will happen.”

“The probability of attack was high. I should have forced our departure. In recompense I will seek justice for my friends and stop these robots from causing more harm. It's time to uncover the source and confornt their leader: the Mechanist.”

“The Mechanist?” both Ash and Cobra said with Ashley's eyes sparkling while the merc looked at Ada with brow raised.

“What kind of name is that?” Cobra asked.

“He sounds so badass.” Ashley said dreamily.

Cobr looked at her before looking at Ada. “You'll need help if you want to succeed.”

“I'm aware of this. You and your tea have sown willingness to aid others. I ask that you and the other's please assist me in stopping this Mechanist.”

“You got me to count on.” Cobra said.

“I get to meet a her called the mechanist?” Ashley said like a giddy teenager. “I'm so in.”

“Sounds like an interesting job.” Dnase said walking up. “I'm in.”

“These robot's are threatening the Commonwealth.” Preston said looking through the robots. “I'm in too.”

“Same here I want to meet this Mechanist.” Codsworth said.

Dogmeat only barked in response and joy.

“Well looks like we're all in. But I suggest that we have a knight before we continue.” Cobra said.

“Agreed.” Ada said. “You can use the camp, my friends would agree to it.”

“Thank you.” Cobra said before looking at Ashley who seemed to be in a daydreamed daze.

He put his finger on her shoulder and gently pushed her. She fell to the floor without a care as she just stared at the stars with a big smile on her face. The others just looked at her with vacant expressions.

“Err ok.” Danse muttered as he climbed out of his power armour.

He stretched out before making it over to a sleeping bag and fell on it in a mix of exhaustion and his wounds from the previous day.

“I'll take first watch.” Preston said with Cobra nodding as he picked up Ashley and lay her on one of the free sleeping bags. “Is she ok?”

“Of course she is.”Codsworth said as Dogmeat curled up next to his mistress. “Back before the bombs fell, well there was a word going around called nerd. It denoted people who rarely go out and read comics and play fantasy games. Sir told me that Miss Ashley used to go to these conventions with stars in her eyes. I believe the term is 'nerding out'.”

“So she's nerding out?” Cobra asked.

“I believe so sir. Now if you'll please excuse me while I power down.” the Mr handy said before landing softly and pulled his arms in.

The moon shined down on the camp as the sword star Commander fell onto the only free sleeping bag and fell asleep.

OOOOO

Looking at a terminal a shadowy figure looked at the information on their robots. Their eye twitched as they could see several robots who went to find that trader group who sold robot parts. All of them where down, which didn't seem possible. They had sent cybermechs, one of their more powerful robots to take them out. Their fist slammed onto the desk as clicking could be heard.

“So someone is trying to stop me?” they said in a synthesized voice. “Let them try for I am the Mechanist!”