Chapter 43: The Mercenaries Released

Date: November 3, 2277

After a week of rest and laying low, Victor was ready to proceed with his next phase. The Wasteland had quieted after the recent raids, and it was time to expand his influence through more covert methods. The raiders, now fully implanted with neural chips and memory overrides, were prepped for their new identities. They were no longer mindless, savage raiders—they were operatives, molded into a mercenary team, loyal only to Victor.

Victor stood in his hidden lab, observing NIM as it prepared to release the raiders. The four, now renamed Alpha 1 through Alpha 4, stood at attention, geared up with weapons, ammunition, and essentials for survival. Each of them was armed with advanced nano-sized surveillance equipment, designed to be planted discreetly around key locations and targets of interest. With them, four Assault Bots stood by, hulking mechanical companions that would provide firepower and support in the field.

"NIM, finalize their objectives," Victor ordered.

"Objective set: Alphas team will operate as mercenaries for hire. Investigate faction power dynamics and plant surveillance equipment as directed. Initial target: Megaton,"NIM responded.

Victor stepped forward and looked at each of the raiders. Their eyes were vacant, controlled, but they were ready to follow his commands. "You will gather information on Megaton's defenses, its leadership, and its economy. Pay attention to the movements of Sheriff Simms and any unusual activity. You are mercenaries now—blend in, gain trust, and do your jobs."

The four raiders nodded in unison, their neural chips ensuring their obedience. Victor tapped his Pip-Boy, pulling up a map of the Wasteland with the key locations marked. Megaton was their first stop. With its proximity to Vault 101 and the power it held in the region, it was the ideal place to begin gathering intelligence.

Later That Day: Wasteland Release

The door to the hidden exit of Vault 101 slid open, revealing the desolate expanse of the Wasteland beyond. The Alphas, flanked by their Assault Bots, marched into the ruins, their neural chips guiding them toward their destination. Victor watched from his lab through a live feed provided by the surveillance bots. The Alphas moved with military precision, a stark contrast to the disorganized chaos they had been as raiders.

Their first target was Megaton, a sprawling settlement fortified with scrap metal walls and guarded by an ever-watchful Sheriff Simms. As they moved toward the town, their orders were clear: gather intelligence, plant surveillance equipment, and do it all without drawing too much attention.

The Alphas spread out, each with their Assault Bot close by for protection. The tiny surveillance drones were carefully hidden along the outskirts of Megaton, embedding themselves into the walls, rooftops, and even in the trading caravans that moved in and out of the town. The bots would provide Victor with a constant stream of information—movements, conversations, and interactions—all without ever being noticed.

Alpha 1 approached the town's entrance, its Assault Bot trailing just behind. The guards at the gate paid no attention to the pair; mercenaries were common enough in the Wasteland, and they blended in seamlessly. They walked through the gates without a hitch, their equipment hidden under their ragged clothes and gear.

Inside Megaton, the Alphas split up, each with a specific task. Alpha 2 made their way to the bar, Moriarty's Saloon, to gather local gossip and feel out potential employers. Alpha 3 moved toward Crater Supply, where Moira Brown operated, planting a surveillance device among the scrap piles in her shop. Alpha 4 roamed the streets, scouting out potential weaknesses in Megaton's defenses and taking note of the guard rotations.

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Back at the Lab:

Victor watched the feed from his Pip-Boy, receiving real-time updates from the tiny drones and cameras. Every movement in Megaton was being recorded, from the guards' patrol routes to conversations between settlers. This operation was working perfectly—Megaton had no idea they were being watched.

NIM's voice interrupted Victor's thoughts. "Surveillance devices planted successfully. Alpha team has integrated with Megaton's population. Awaiting further instructions."

Victor smirked, satisfied with the results so far. "Let them gather intelligence for now. We need to know how strong Megaton really is and what their vulnerabilities are. Keep monitoring the feeds."

He turned his attention to the next phase of the plan. The Alphas would continue their work in Megaton, but after that, they would be sent to other key locations in the Wasteland. They would infiltrate raider camps, Brotherhood of Steel outposts, even the Enclave if they could get close enough. Information was power, and Victor was determined to have more of it than anyone else.

For now, though, Megaton was their primary focus. There was much to learn, and Victor was patient. Soon enough, he would know every secret that Megaton held.

The Wasteland

Alpha 1 and its Assault Bot had made their way to Sheriff Simms' office, planting a small surveillance drone in a dark corner of the room. It would listen in on every conversation the Sheriff had, giving Victor insight into the security of Megaton and its leadership.

As the Alphas completed their tasks, they moved through the town unnoticed, just another group of wandering mercenaries. No one suspected the truth—that they were under the watch of a master manipulator, gathering information that could eventually bring wasteland to its knees.

Victor's network was growing, and with the Alphas in place, he was one step closer to expanding his control over the Wasteland. Megaton was just the beginning. Soon, no faction would be safe from his watchful eye.