Foundation

Star Paladin Cross had explained it to Ellen back at Project Purity. They were calling it the Lyons Doctrine. The Brotherhood of Steel’s goal in the Capital Wasteland was what it had always been: the preservation of humanity as a whole through the reclamation and development of pre-War technology. The Outcasts chose to focus exclusively on technological reclamation, and withdrew themselves from interaction with local communities rather than expend resources on individuals who might not survive anyway. Those under Lyons’ command, however, were expected to take a different tack. Protecting the people of the Capital Wasteland was central to the Lyons Doctrine. Humanity’s future could only be assured through superior technology, it was true- man was not by nature suited to survival in the Wasteland environment- but without the people of the Wastes, the quest for the knowledge of the pre-War world was useless. That implied that the Brotherhood would rebuild humanity’s future alone- and that, according to Lyons, made them no more and no better than a second Enclave. It was only with the assistance of the people of the Wastes that the Brotherhood could continue its primary mission. They would never be able to build the future alone.

So he had sent out messengers and made deals, with Rivet City and with Megaton and with Canterbury and even with the Republic of Dave. Protection wherever possible from mutants and raiders, and safe water enough for everyone’s use, in exchange for supplies and support, and openness to recruiting. The war with the Enclave had hurt the Brotherhood badly, but they could still hold their heads up well enough to impress. That was why Ellen had been taken out of the Pride and assigned to Paladin Tristan’s command, and why Paladin Tristan had stationed her in Megaton. The city had protected itself pretty well to date, but an official Brotherhood presence spoke to its importance in the Wasteland’s future. The town had Brahmin, and good scavengers and hunters, and Moira Brown- oh, yes, Elder Lyons had read the Wasteland Survival Guide and spotted her section on salvaging robotic technology. That wasn’t something the Brotherhood could afford to pass up. But if they wanted access to Moira and what she knew, they needed to have Megaton on their side.

Ellen really wasn’t planning on complaining. Officially, her duties required her to meet the Rivet City water caravans once a week at the Super-Duper Mart and make absolutely sure the water reached Megaton safely. Any workable technology or historical records she could acquire from the town or its environs and bring back to the Citadel was also a priority, along with assisting in the city’s defense wherever necessary. Beyond that, until otherwise ordered, she was free to pursue whatever experiments or patrols she felt would advance the Brotherhood’s mission.

Not, she knew, the way soldiering used to be done before the War. Voodoo would probably have some kind of disbelieving comment about it when she told him. But that was before the War. Things were different then. Even Elder Lyons was feeling his way through unfamiliar territory now.