|
Upon hearing of the terrors that lurked outside of the depot, now simply called Haven, Lawson ordered a large increase in Haven’s Defenses, and set the depot into a strict state of lockdown. Unless given explicit authorization, no civilian, or Outsiders as they are called, were permitted in. However, the need for spare-parts and food continued to plague Haven, until once again, in 2048, regular expeditions into the wasteland began. These expeditions eventually lowered in the amount of heavy weapons and vests due to lack of equipment, leaving most with decaying rifles and maintained uniforms. After several expeditions, some of them returned with reports of sites containing pre-flash tech which could potentially be salvaged and restored.
Eventually in 2051, Colonel Lawson along with several of the base’s higher ranks decided upon two new objectives for the expeditions. The first one, being that any pre-flash tech, primarily military equipment, if salvageable, should be returned to Haven and added to its still growing inventory. The second objective, taking the highest of importance, was the immediate decommissioning of any weaponry, pre-flash or post that had the potential to create mass destruction. To assure this would never happen, all weapons of this caliber were to be decommissioned, with their parts destroyed or scattered. No one, not even the members of Haven were permitted to use weapons that could spark another Flash. These weapons range from Chemical to in-tact nuclear warheads.
In 2056, an expedition to Southern Florida proved tragic, as all but one member were shot down. However, the reasons behind the shooting were far different from a simple bandit attack. Up until recently, contact with the USCPF had been minimal, as the West Coast USCPF tend to keep to themselves. However, in this instance, the Second Southern California Expedition, or Simple 2SC, ran-into the USCPF while searching around a pre-war US Naval Dock. The USCPF believed the group to be nothing but scavengers in stolen USCPF attire, and promptly opened fire, killing all but two. One of the two survivors eventually succumbed to her injuries on the return trip. The incident would be referred back to as the 2SC Incident.
Upon hearing the news, it was deemed that any contact with wasteland factions, friendly or not, was to be as minimal as possible. Reports of the USCPF’s growing strength had been circling Haven since the late 2040’s, though it is still believed to this day the faction is just a want-to-be US government and army, probably formed from the remnants of the US Government. Contact with the USCPF would become almost unheard of, while trading for food and other supplies relied heavily on wasteland merchants. It was in 2057, almost a year after the incident with the USCPF, Haven’s staff, along with Lawson, eventually decided to become their own faction in the wastes. It took several months, but after a final joint-meeting, the title “The Mechanical Enclave” was chosen. The name, taking from both the group’s heritage of being a detachment of the US Army’s Mechanical Corps, and the fact they were an enclave, surrounded by savage wasteland dwellers and bickering factions. After the name was chosen, the logo, the gear and lightning bolt, was chosen. The base quickly destroyed any remnants of the old US, and replaced it with their own insignia.
As time drew on, Haven’s defenses only bolstered, with new pieces such as machine guns, mortars, and even a few artillery pieces were recovered on expeditions (with the Artillery pieces being found locally). To bolster their ranks, expeditions were now allowed to bring back a maximum of four potential members. These members had to excel in either engineering of any sort, or combat. Expeditions still pressed on, and the Mechanical Enclave’s population plateaued at around 350 members.
In 2066, a serious concern had befallen the Mechanical Enclave. Their weapons, dating back to before the Flash, had been decaying despite of their best attempts at repairing and maintaining them. It was clear a new source of weapons was to be acquired. It was by chance that a returning expedition form the Midwest had found a small group of DECorp Mercenaries, who told them the company was still in production. Most were shocked that a pre-war company had survived after all this time, yet they were quick to find a supply outlet. After convincing several of the higher-ups, DECorp began a trade system with the Mechanical Enclave after several representatives, disguised as USCPF officials, and persuaded them. As DECorp’s weapons came into Haven, stockpiled tech that had collected after 20 years was exchanged for the weapons. The majority of weapons acquired were the post-war produced TSR. Based on the same design as the pre-war TSR.
It was in 2069 that the first instance of Heavy Infantry Armor was discovered inside a small military compound in Southeastern California. This Armor, now rusted, still proved useful. It was returned to the base to be use by those in charge of keeping the base safe. Prior to this, the most any of the Mechanical Enclave wore was a Tier-1 combat Vest. Though still in rarity, the Combat Vest has been growing in numbers, and was issued to those guarding the expeditions, or Combatants as they have been called.
In 2072, at the age of 87, Ward Lawson passed on from old age, stating his children, followed by theirs and so-forth, shall inherit the leading position of the Mechanical Enclave. Through time, Grant Lawson has now become the leader. Re-organizing the ranks to loosely off that of the roman Legion.
In 2101, the furthest expedition yet had been put into action. Though mainly a scouting op, an expedition of twelve were sent to what remained of Pearl Harbor to salvage what potentially remained of the US’s Western Fleet. They remained until 2103, and returned with several pre-flash artifacts including guidance chips, weaponry, and stories of the USMC’s Remnants and their escape from Osaka.
In 2096, following the Atlanta Crisis, word reached the Mechanical Enclave of the war between the USCPF, and the CDF on the Eastern Seaboard. With these two factions at war, locating pre-flash artifacts and technology would be easier, since it could be acquired on the battlefields, long after the battle took place. Not only that, but very few expeditions had made it that Far East. With the hope of a large turnout, in 2104, a scouting operation to New Atlanta and Savana. Since then, two other expeditions have visited the region. Currently, the Third Georgian Expedition is exploring near the border of PRT and the US, where many pre-war sites can be found. They primarily use the sewer network to cross between the borders. |