Scene #4338: Courser Encounter Pt. 1

Owner	Pose
Rory White	With almost a week of work in place, the Weston Water Treatment Plant's looking spiffier than it has in decades. Robots, needing neither food or rest, have been working non-stop at scrubbing down the exterior and scouring the interior. The gunk and the grime are being scrubbed out within an inch of the facility's life by small drones that deploy controlled nanoswarms as they manuever through the pipes and construct new filters at strategic junctions. Other drones tear the faces off of walls to replace power wiring. Still more are tasked with hauling all Biological Anything out of the pump room. Someone might like those Mirelurk corpses and their eggs... but the nests are being scraped away and the muck carted out! A small garbage pile's forming outside on a hill, atop a huge tarp. Rory White's currently on the facility's roof, attention split a half-dozen ways even as she works on designing a solar panel layout and defense measures...
Kyle Katarn	Kyle's been hanging around to help with security purposes. He's got some electrobinoculars while he sits up on the roof with Rory, and he scans out at the streets bellow in search of possible troublemakers. The Force helps with sniffing out any activity that comes along. "Way too quiet out here. Would've figured some raiders or mutants would be trying to break our stuff by now." he muses.
Danse	Word gets around fast in the Commonwealth. That's probably the reason for so many raider attacks at promising targets, among even worse horrors, and some of the cause of many 'successful' settlements remaining low key in their operations. Basically, when you get big, people notice. Even the great green jewel, Diamond City, had its growing pains in the early days, with supermutant attacks ever common. Suffice it to say, this kind of project would have been noticed, and security will continue being a concern, for the immediate future. Kyle and the others would have likely seen some humanoid shapes in the hills and brush in the immediate vicinity, perhaps casing the place out, but not making approaches just yet. They were the standard raider types of the Commonwealth, dressed in improvised armor of whatever durable junk they could cobble onto their leather strapping. Hard to mistake them for anything else. The other factor of this, is that word also gets around to the more peaceful people of the Commonwealth. The ones that just want to make a fresh start, or to do something productive with their lives. Security, clean water, food -- all of those things go a long way, when you've had none of any. With that in mind, a trio of apparent humans begins to approach on the long road there. They seem wary of their surroundings with every step, sometimes taking a moment to extra-cautiously peer around a rock, or approach of a derelict bus. They don't carry themselves like raiders, certainly, and they're dressed lighter and more simply, complete with two of the three wearing patched up pre-war clothing. They look desperate, or they wouldn't be approaching the cleanest thing they've ever seen. Through binoculars, Kyle might see their expressions sour slightly, as they see that most of the robots are doing most of the projects. Nonetheless, if not stopped, they'll continue their approach, and the man in front of their little band cups his calloused hands to his mouth, and calls, "Don't shoot! We're not raiders, we just want work!" "And a place to sleep," a woman reminds him. "Yeah, that!" The third, a young woman, doesn't speak up immediately, instead huddling close behind, and averting her eyes from the relative pristine that the treatment plant has become. "We brought our own seed crops, and everything. It's all we have...please."
Rory White	"My guess is they aren't sure what to make of anyone repairing a place to such standards... or the presence of robot types they've never seen before! Not that the Super Mutants would care." Rory White posits confidently. "Thank you again for standing watch, Mr. Katarn. Hard to imagine any place could be this dangerous... and most of the danger isn't even awful weather!" She spares him a gentle, rather genuine smile, turning her head his way! But the next moment she's frowning... or rather, the smile just sort of melts to neutral nothing. Perimeter sensors mounted stealthily in dead trees also alert Rory White to the approaching settlers. It takes her a few moments to calculate a response. "Then you've come to the right place!" She shouts back... with the advantage of actually having a speaker instead of vocal chords. "(A bit earlier than anticipated, though.)" She asides quietly to Kyle... then finishes yelling back, "The robots will not harm you!" "... what do you think, Mr. Katarn? I hear the Jedi can sense things ordinary people cannot. Either way, we should head to ground level to meet them..." And in her case, she's not using the elevator. Instead, she hops down the building side, making a few stops on external pipes and other footholds to keep her speed down. It's just a BIIIIIIIT more athletic than anyone dressed like her would be capable of...
Kyle Katarn	Kyle shrugs a shoulder. "Probably not, but a tech savvy raider or two could get some use out of this place." He does offer a smile to Rory when she thanks him, "No problem, kiddo. Guess I've gotten attached to this place, for being what it is and all." Then he notices the visitors, his gaze turning down at them. "Dunno, they seem genuine enough. But if they want to try anything, they'll probably want us down there anyways." He points out calmly, using the Force while he follows Rory down, slowing his fall through the Force as well while he gets a good read on the scavengers. "We're heading on down, don't go anywhere!" He calls out through a mic in his headset, producing a grappling hook to help him slowly descend.
Danse	It's just as they'd heard. These aren't the usual people they're accustomed to in the Commonwealth. There's just a tinge of worry still involved, but they also look relieved that they even got a response. The reassurance that the robots aren't harmful is also appreciated, given the haywire ones usually found guarding ruined office buildings and facilities. "A-alright, we'll stay right here." For their part, the prospective settlers don't seem to be making any aggressive moves, even if they are armed with improvised guns the likes would have become familiar to both Rory and Kyle by now: Constructed of whatever 'close enough' materials could be found to roughly approximate a gun shape. An artform passed down from even before the war, after the government crack downs. That passive nature continues even as the two Elites presumably approach. The man in front gives a warm smile, and introduces himself, "The name's Jack. And this is my wife, Anita." The woman, just into her middle age, gives a nod of her head at that, and takes a sack off of her back to unfurl it. Inside are what look like enormous, mutated berries. What the locals call 'mutfruit' -- enough there to both feed them for a while and replant. "When the raiders attacked the old farm," she explains, "This is what we were able to take with us. I...would be lying if it was our first choice to come here, but we had no where else. Think of this as yours, too, for accepting us." The man now known as Jack glances back to the younger woman, "She joined us on the way...she's scarcely spoken, so don't really know her story." He adds sadly, "Most of us have had bad luck, that much is universal." She does remain silent for a few more moments, before suddenly rushing up to Rory, and practically throwing herself at her feet, "Please! My brother hurt his leg, and I had to come alone. We have to go get him, before something finds him!" For what it's worth, she does seem to be truthful, and the other two settlers give a glance of pity. Another all too common story out in the wastes. "Where was this?" "It was at the Red Rocket station..." Jack winces, "That's raider territory."
Kyle Katarn	Kyle slows his descent as he's within falling distance, and he lands to the ground with a thud. "Hey, I'm Kyle. Rory and I have been providing overwatch on this place since we helped fix it up a week or so ago." Handshakes are passed out, and the Jedi gives the scavengers a once over. The woman's story does get Kyle into action mode, and he looks to Rory. "Think you can help handle the others if I go to get her brother?" He asks.
Rory White	Rory White does indeed approach at a good pace! But along the way she answers Kyle. "And they'd be far better equipped." "Jack and Anita!" The bluenette makes her best smile upon getting near and hearing the story, even going so far as to bow her had some when she introduces herself. "And my name is Rory. What's going on here isn't normal for the Commonwealth, so a little wariness is understandable. The full explanation's best heard when seated though... and I'm sure you could use a place to rest before--" And then the news from HELL breaks out! Shock and worry flickers on the scientists' synthetic face, her eyes quite wide! "What... why didn't you at least tell these two?! ... the Red Rocket, let's see..." She pulls out what looks like a smartphone, showing an overhead view of the Commonwealth. Her map. She's figured it's better than seemingly doing impossible things in her head in front of people! Rory crouches down and puts a hand on the woman's shoulder. The gesture's almost an afterthought, it comes a bit late. Physical signs of sympathy aren't natural to her instincts! "That's not too far away. How long ago was this? I'll get the medical supplies... Mr. Katarn here should be able to handle anything short of a Super Mutant army, we should be okay traveling the wastes..." But she looks at the three settlers with some worry. And Kyle offers a good solution. Rory digs around in a pocket and hands him... a Stimpak? One of the local medical solutions. "This was in one of the bathrooms. There aren't many, but it should help with the leg."
Danse	The young woman seems to catch her breath, after just a moment. How long had she been holding all of that in? "I just...," she seems to be thinking of how to even put it. "Jack and Anita, have been kind to me, but...they're no stronger than I am. I didn't want them to get involved, if it became trouble." She glances toward them, seemingly heartfelt in this. Anita might be mouthing 'oh honey' and would probably give a hug, if not for the current personal distance. "You, though...I've heard, that you're strong. You even cleared the greenskins from this place--so..." She gives a shake of her head, "L-Lindsie." She says it again a bit more strongly, "My name is Lindsie. Sorry. It was a day or so." Jack gives a nod of his own head, as though mentally double-checking. "Even if it's dangerous," she continues, "I'm coming with you. We have a thing in our family, that you never ask someone to do something you aren't willing to do, yourself. And...if something has happened, I want to know." She gives a glance at the stimpack probably passing between Rory and Kyle, and seems to give a nod of her head. Those pre-war devices are still in fairly common use. 'Doctor in an auto-syringe.' The dehydration is a kicker, but that won't be a problem...if they can get her brother to the safety of this place. With that, presumably, the journey to the Red Rocket gets underway. It's relatively uneventful; as Kyle had said only a bit earlier, way too quiet. There are, however, signs of inhabitation in the labyrinth of dilapidated houses nearby. Smoke from bonfires of the raider camps burn, serving purposes perhaps better left unknown. It's quite possible to reach the Red Rocket while still skirting their territory, however -- it's on the very fringes of it. The local fauna, like feral dogs, can also sometimes be seen, but they seem to know better than to mess with Kyle, instinctively, offering only low warning growls but otherwise sticking to their own territory. The Red Rocket station, itself, soon comes into sight, though all seems still there, at first, besides the cawing of the crows perched across the half-collapsed sign, and the flapping of their wings. Hopefully they're just resting there, and it's not a bad sign.
Kyle Katarn	Kyle nabs the stimpack, and he produces a device called an Ecto, something Rory had handed him beforehand. The Ecto will provide him with his directions, and the Jedi nods to Lindsie. "Alright, stay behind me and run if I tell you." He says calmly, then takes off. Only holding his pace back to allow Lindsie to catch up, Kyle draws his blaster pistol and keeps alert on the way, covering his corners and alleyways as he goes. "Stay close, low, and quiet. We're not alone out here." He says calmly, crouching as he approaches the station, hiding behind cover he motions for Lindsie to also use.
Rory White	"Good luck! If your brother lives, we WILL bring him back!" Rory vows. She's POSITIVE Kyle can handle any raiders that crop up. Or strange beasts. Or even Super Mutants. Unseen, her processing's split in numerous directions right now. The robotic cleaning efforts continue, heedless of the family emergency. On the outside of the building, five spider-like drones the size of large dogs scrub away dirt and grime, ripe out rotted chunks of building materials and grind it down for reconstruction. They're also applying a new coat of protective paint. On the inside, four-legged robots continue rearranging furniture and hauling junk around. Smaller models of the things outside move from wall to wall, using sonics and lidar to thoroughly scan through the walls and map all wiring and pipes.
Danse	It's almost a tragedy that someone that looks barely into their twenties seems so accustomed to doing just as instructed. She seems an adept sneak, presenting a low profile as she follows behind Kyle through the broken down streets, and not quite losing her nerve even at the few dangers presented. Despite a few glances at the 'Ecto', she never truly loses her focus, either, instead having that pipe pistol clutched in her hands, just in case. Despite that, it still visibly trembles, if the force user were to truly squint at it long enough. "We're close now," she says. "He's the only family I have left, practically raised me. If something happened..." It sounds as though she would blame herself. Yet, she mustn't think that way. Maybe the quiet of this particular day had remained so, and he is still hidden inside. With the station approached, she gives another nod of her head, and stays close and partially hidden nearby, close to the old lighted sign with ridiculously hyperinflated coolant (not gas) prices. "He was in the back office area," she provides, "I tried to bar the door as best I could." If Kyle enters the station, he finds the only resistance being relatively freshly disturbed dust, and an enormous, mutated roach that honestly isn't going to be much of a threat to him, in any case. It seems more intent on nibbling some nearby garbage. He'd also find the back area behind the counter, just as Lindsie had described it, a few crates haphazardly placed against the door. There's no sound coming from inside, but, well...if you were in this predicament, with known raiders nearby, would you call out and give away your position? The crates are heavy for a human, but not for an Elite, especially that can levitate things. Back at the water treatment plant, Jack and Anita seem to be settling in. They try not to let on about it at first, but Jack eventually gives a sigh, as they sort through their few worldly possessions. "That poor girl. Way too many stories like hers. I hope her brother's okay..." Anita places a supportive hand on his shoulder, "Jack, we should start helping out. I'm sure they're both in good hands." "Yeah..." Anita does wonder, directly, to Rory, however, "What kind of robots are these? The General Atomics and RobCo models are still pretty common to see, but these are...strange." Almost ALIEN.
Kyle Katarn	"I know how it is to have people close to me in peril, believe me." Despite the tense situation, Kyle remains reassuring, giving Lindsie a pat on the shoulder as he continues to the station. When he heads inside, he raises his blaster and fires upon the roach twice, then heads to the back office door. He reaches over, the Force focused in his hands, and he begins to move the crates one by one. Something about this feels off to Kyle, but right now lives are at stake.
Rory White	Rory smiles and opens her mouth, ready to speak- but pauses briefly, considering. Before she continues she folds both hands together, having followed the pair back towards the building. Indeed, these robots are very different. Unlike the RobCo and General Atomics models, the 'Creepies' hard at work outside and 'Cases' have FAR leaner builds than the bulky, clumsy-seeming Protectrons or the hard, sharp edges of the Mr. Handy series and their many articulated limbs. The engineering is remarkably thin and seamless, with externals that are largely free of joints that could pinch errant fingers off and hard edges. Nor do they appear to be made of metal. Most of the exterior lacks that particular gleam. These creamy-white models appear to be made of some sort of durable carbon-based materials. Resultingly, they're incredibly light. Sensors aren't glaringly obvious - the wall-crawlies' sensors aren't nearly as apparent as a Handy's eyes. They're slightly recessed and shielded within the frame... "Well. I have no reason or desire to lie, other than not shocking you into a panic." She states rather oddly. "Kyle and I and the others you've perhaps heard of aren't from the Commonwealth. We are not even native to this Earth... at least not this specific Earth. If you've heard the phrase 'parallel dimension' before, that is where I'm from. Except the great war that devastated that dimenion's Earth was waged by different nations and backed by different companies. Our Earth is even less hospitable than these radioactive wastelands, if you can believe it.... so people traveled into space to survive. I represent a group of scientists and researchers from those communities, and when I saw what a sorry state this place was in... I felt I had to do SOMETHING to help rebuild!" That's quite a heck of a lot to say. It might be apparent that she doesn't need to take any breaths between sentences, too. But she does pause briefly to check on some projects... and smile in what she hopes is a comforting manner at the couple! "Once cleanup and basic reconstruction's complete, I hoped to work on defenses and manufacturing. If more come, this could be a settlement as successful as Diamond City, and as well-equipped as a Vault... if not better! A fine start to cleaning up the neighborhood."
Danse	It would soon become obvious, why it all felt so off. But for the moment, the mission comes before all those terrible force feelings of dread. The wooden crates are fairly ease to remove, a few even disintegrating into sawdust in their last gasps from how old and unmaintained they were. The barricade wouldn't have held raiders out for long, in any case. The door that was behind all of that mess is unlocked, and entering inside, there is indeed a man, looking a few years senior of Lindsie and dressed in patched up jeans and a greaser jacket, perched back against the wall inside. Despite the splint that was tied and attempted on his leg, he still grimaces as he tries to press himself further back against it, and holds a switchblade knife out at arm's length. His intensity soon fades into confusion, though. Kyle looks...not at all like he was expecting. "You ain't a raider," he says, perhaps in hope, more than simply stating fact. He sweeps aside some of the dirty water and packaged food his sister had left, and tries to stand up, before collapsing in a pained pile, "Nnngh...DAMN IT. But...wait, did Lindsie send you? Is she safe?" "Yes, she is," comes yet another, chillingly calm voice from the direction of the garage, before a figure rounds the corner. Bill, the injured man, is suddenly on edge again, as he sees not only the distinctive clothing the figure is wearing, but the fact that also with him, held in one arm, is his sister, Lindsie. "That's...the Institute! Bastard, let her go!" "Bill," she calls, trying to wrest free from the grasp of this longcoated man -- a man whose expression is impossibly neutral and hard to read, and whose features almost seem too perfect, save the diagonal scar etched across his face. Even that seems to have been accepted as a matter of aesthetic sense, rather than a disfigurement. "Our intelligence did not fail us. It was easy to arrange this meeting by playing to your sympathies, just as predicted." That is when two other figures make their presence known, beginning to enter through the garage as well as the service door of the Red Rocket station. They are obviously machines -- plastic 'skin' approximating a human appearance, bolted onto metal frames. None of them make aggressive gestures, yet. They seem to be only back up singers for the other man's attempt at intimidation. The injured man doesn't seem to be in on the conspiracy, though, "What the hell are you talking about? What do you want with my sister? We...we don't want any trouble, just let her go and leave us alone! Leave us ALL alone!" If he had two good legs, he'd add another scar to that cold, smug face. Jack and Anita seem to take the news of aliens being real in stride. There were certainly rumors, already, and actually meeting Rory had seemed to back up some of it as-is. Some of it does still go over their heads, but they get the gist of it. "Well, that explains it," Jack adds. "Hard to believe that anybody of this world would want to try what you're doing." Anita seems to be a bit more interested in the tech side of things, if her curiosity over the robots was any indication. That also allows her to give a bit of history of her own, "Space, that would have been nice... In the old times, they'd just begun to reach the other planets. There was even a local company that had developed a nuclear engine for a crewed mission to Mars. Wonder whatever happened to it. Probably gone to rust, now." She gives a pitiful sigh.
Kyle Katarn	As Kyle knocks the crates aside, he swoops into action as he hands Bill the stimpack. "Take this, should get you on your feet. I'm Kyle, your sister told me you were in trouble and needed-" Oh shit. "LINDSIE!" Kyle calls out as he rushes from the station, just in time to be greeted by the Synths, and there's something off about the most human looking man. Kyle can't sense anything about this guy. It's like he's more machine than man, twisted and evil as a mockery of the human form. It sends a shiver up his spine, and Kyle immediately points his blaster at the Synths. "Let her go, right now or there will be trouble!" He demands, "I'm the one you want, aren't I? Let these people out of this, and we can settle things without anybody getting hurt." Diplomacy at gunpoint, that's Kyle Katarn for you.
Rory White	THAT claim has Rory frowning quickly. It's a simple, childish expression from someone who's found it difficult to handle expressions period. Someone for whom expression is not natural. Not unlike that man Kyle just encountered, in a way. Just better socialized. "I suppose if trying it invited raiders and Super Mutants constantly, most would lose hope." The bluenette in white robes agrees in a sad voice. "... measures will need to be taken to keep them VERY far away..." Her attention goes to full alert for two reasons in the next moment, eyes wide and a mixture of delight and horror warring on her face. Before she speaks though, she freezes up expressionlessly and looks skyward, focusing. That looks... very odd. Now Rory's lips press together into a fine line. "It seems the mysterious Institute everyone is so scared of might need to be added to that list. There's a chance Mr. Katarn and Leslie just encountered Institute agents. Will keep you updated!" All she can do is shake her head and keep analyzing her Microphone feed from the Ecto... "ArcJet Systems and the XMB Booster engine! I know exactly the building and hardware you're speaking of. We had to go salvaging there a short time ago. The rocket's still there, but I wouldn't try a launch anytime soon... you've grown up around technology then, Anita? Education is in short supply for the wastes. I'm glad to see someone takes measures to learn!"
Danse	The man, or is he, in a longcoat that's the apparent leader, takes a few moments. Maybe he's enjoying this, on some level? Though more likely, he's just watching it unfold analytically. Regardless, another point in favor of machine is that, even as Kyle draws his blaster, he doesn't so much as flinch as he simply stares it down. "It seems you have misjudged the situation, on partial information," he continues, by way of explanation. "The one you call Lindsie is, in actuality, unit designator K3-47. It seems that the memory implantation process was quite vivid, in her case. She actually began to believe it." Lindsie simply freezes, for a moment, in what can only be a deeply-rooted fear that chills her very blood. "S-stop, that can't be true! I remember everything, growing up, mom and dad!" Bill has, by now, been able to half-crawl out to the doorways by propping himself up against the walls. He has that same chilled-to-the-bone look, as though he suddenly isn't certain of what to believe. He simply stands there in stunned silence. The Courser, with no satisfaction in his voice, continues even further, "She was due for retrieval to correct the issue...however, what you say is true. It is you that I ultimately seek. Her situation and location were merely convenient." He gives a glance back to the two more obviously synthetic beings, that lower their weapons, and he releases his princess grip(tm) on Lindsie. Despite being shaken, she scrambles to get behind Kyle, and rejoin her brother. The brother that, for the moment, is in too much mental disarray to truly feel the pain in his leg. "You are going to give me answers," the Courser says, with certainty. "Who are you? What are your intentions in the Commonwealth? The more you volunteer, if avoiding conflict is your goal, the more likely it succeeds." If Kyle doesn't bargain in good faith, he still holds the ultimate trump card here, even if the Jedi doesn't realize it. Synth recalls are still somewhat of a mystery to the average wastelander, much less an outsider. ... "The Institute," Jack wonders? "It's hard to tell where the rumors end and the truth begins. I mean, nobody can say they aren't real. You see those metal skeletons of theirs skulking around places, sometimes. I just steer clear. If they're involved, though...you tell Kyle to be safe over there." Anita similarly looks worried, but as she finishes unpacking her things and getting used to her surroundings, it seems the distraction of talking about the engine mentioned just moments earlier. She does look a bit sheepish, for a moment, but gives a nod of her head. "When I was a child, we lived close to a pre-war library. So many of the books had already turned into dust, of course, but there was still plenty to find. One of the terminals was still working, too. There wasn't really much for a youngster to do, so I just absorbed myself in that. ...didn't seem like it'd ever do much good, though." Maybe, with all of this, she can finally put some of it to work.
Kyle Katarn	Kyle blinks. No, it's impossible, Kyle didn't notice anything out of the ordinary with Lindsie before. The Force reaches within her, trying to keep her calm while Kyle speaks with the Courser. "If I say so, you leave her alone. THat's the deal. Break it, and I put a blaster bolt in your head." He says coldly, before he lowers the pistol slightly. "My name is Commander Kyle Katarn, of New Republic Special Forces intelligence branch and ally to the Union. I'm here not on assignment from either organization, but my own accord after running into the Brotherhood of Steel. My aims are of no harm to the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, but to ensure the prosperity of its citizens...if you can call the scavengers that anyways." Beat. He glances to Bill and Lindsie. "No offense, sorry." Shrug. "Anyway, that's all you're getting. Back off, or you will be made to back off." He's really not in any mood to play around, nor is he gonna take the chance that Courser is gonna let these people go so easily.
Rory White	"This is Rory White of the Argonauts, acting supervisor for Weston Water Treatment Plant. Is there some reason you saw a need for deception and taking hostages, whether staged or claimed, when walking in the front door and asking these questions would suffice?" Rory's voice comes across Kyle's Ecto. It's almost as cold as the Courser's at the moment, though more from focus and disdain than actually suppressed emotions. "Because if you are telling the truth about Lindsie and possibly her brother, from one Artificial General Intelligence to what sounds like another, the Institute's basic methods are immediately earning my maximum disapproval. Yet fully concluding anything now would be in haste. Please explain further on the matter of K3-47 to hopefully avoid a misunderstanding. ... I am sorry, Lindsie." Of course, back in Rory's 'meatspace' she's looking briefly distracted, as the wave of emotions left her very focused. But she was listening, and comes out of what looks like a momentary mental funk to answer fast. "He knows." She assures Jack. "Ah... then I'm sure you'll soon have much, MUCH more to be learning about, Anita!" But keeping so many topics going at once is proving difficult. The blue-haired woman's shoulders sag and she's beginning to grimace. "I already dislike this Institute. They seem to be treating fully self-aware and emotional machines as mere property they can reprogram at a whim. just who ARE they...?"
Danse	As inscrutable as the Courser may be to Kyle's vision or even the force, that passively blank expression on his own face almost seems like it's reaching deeply. It's the analytical look of one that, despite being conditioned to feel nothing except which is related to his job strongly, nonetheless perfectly understands the dynamics going on with organic flesh beings. Friggin' androids, bridging that uncanny valley gap. "Very well," he says, seemingly satisfied, though it's spoken so blandly that it can be hard to tell. "I will inform my superiors of this information. They may have further questions, but this is all I was specifically tasked to gather." However, since he is a Courser, he couldn't simply leave it at that. After a beat, he adds with indifference, "If I find you have been untruthful to me--" He was probably about to make a very specific threat, no doubt, when Rory's voice interrupts. His lips still, at that, with machine-like hesitation. "Theatrics are not my forte. I took advantage of the situation to begin the negotiations with the best possible position. It turns out it was unnecessary." He makes zero apologies, however. It served his purposes and got results, after all. "I am X5-31, Rory White. Consider me your contact point with the Institute, until other arrangements prove suitable." Since the cat is out of the bag, as it were, and she had already served whatever purpose the Institute had for her, X5 glances toward Lindsie, or...the thing convinced she is Lindsie. "K3-47 is one of our monitors. The person she believes herself to be was already dead." He further adds, with not even a tinge of regret or subterfuge, "Speaking falsehoods would not serve my purposes. This is a simple fact." While the Courser and his Gen 2 lackies had not fired any physical shots, they had caused some damage, all the same. Lindsie by now has made her way over to her brother, Bill. "Bill...thank god you're okay!" After having time to recover from his stupor, he briskly pushes her away. "Bill!?" "It's true, isn't it!? My real sister is dead, you're...a thing!" "No, I swear it isn't!" X5 turns his head, as Bill goes to draw his knife...but hesitates, before simply drawing his hand up to his forehead, "What am I going to do!?" The Courser, his purposes having been fulfilled, turns to leave, unless prevented from doing so. -- Jack and Anita both look identically clueless, on the topic of the Institute. Certainly there were the rumors. Anita has a somewhat educated guess, though, "The name has always struck me the most. They seem to be related to the old Commonwealth Institute of Technology. But...the campus has been abandoned since before even my grandparents' time, so they can't be coming from there." Jack scratches his chin lightly, already seeming to be eyeing the grounds of the water plant for where it would be good for planting. The good thing about all that organic sludge that was in here before is that it's left the ground really rich. That much he can tell. On the main topic, though, he offers, "They're like ghosts. People say they just appear in places, nobody seeing them enter or leave. It's pretty weird. Maybe they've all got Stealthboys."
Rory White	"Understood." Is Rory's brief and curt reply. "Agreed, it was unnecessary. It's apparent to me you are a highly trained field operative, and mostly eschew emotion. Few others in this group will understand you this well. I advise against approaching any of them like this. Estimating over 90 percent chance you will be fired at." One more thing comes across the Ecto's speaker. This time with more sympathy in Rory's voice. "Mr. Katarn, please make sure the two of them make it back here? This will be dreadfully difficult to sort out." The 'real' Rory White's face is now a mask of agony, it's slowly shifted to that the longer she spoke the Courser. "The Institute of Technology? ... Sounds like a very likely prospect! Though I still have no idea what they WANT... seemingly they want to make contact. ... guessing all of the strange technology I've been moving in has them concerned. I wonder who else is taking notice that I didn't expect... I'm sorry, Jack, Anita! This place just became slightly less safe. We'll have to work extra hard to be on guard. Still far better off than most places though. I'm going to step up operations. Can't afford to be caught unprepared..."
Danse	There is some hesitation, as things simmer, then simply turn into a stomach-churning, emotional trainwreck. When Rory asks Kyle to bring them both back to sort this out, though, some realization finally begins to settle in for Lindsie. She pauses, biting her lip, then says simply, "No." Bill actually turns back to her at this, as she continues what she was saying soon after, "I don't know yet, if it's true. But...I can't take that chance. No matter if we're actually related or not, I still love Bill as my brother. So...if I am one of those things, a Synth, they would be watching us, through me. I can't take that chance." "Linds--" Bill has to stop himself, since it's still been too soon, "What are you going to do, then?" "I've heard of some people that deal with this kind of thing. Maybe they'll be able to tell me for certain. I'll...I'll figure something out. I'm sorry, Bill." Lindsie turns to leave, still clutching that shakey hand holding the pipe pistol. As she goes, though he stops short of calling for her to stop and come with him, Bill still has that misty look in his eyes. "--hey...uhm, if you can...de-activate whatever that is." He stumbles in his words, "I'm alone in the world, now, so..." She seems to get the idea of what he's trying to say, and she calls back, just a trace of brave cheer for once this evening, "Let's hope, then." With that, Lindsie slips away, leaving Bill to be recovered for the settlement, instead. Hey, lose one settler, gain another. It's all the same, right?