Keep Your Distance

The Stranger

Nothing caught X6-88 off-guard. Designed solely for missions aboveground, his training had stripped him of any emotion and transformed him into a cold-blooded killer. If it weren't for his human-like appearance, he could be a robot. But even he was shocked when a stranger made her way to the Institute.

She walks with her head held high, each step carrying her towards her purpose. Almost as if she owns the place. Father is a few steps behind her, looking slightly off-kilter. They stop in the middle of the floor and the whispers that were so prevalent begin to fade.

"Hello, everyone. I'm sure you've all heard rumors about an 'intruder' in the Institute. I am here to inform you that such rumors are false. The woman who stands before you"—he pauses as she steps forward ever so slightly—"is my mother."

A cacophony of hushed voices fills the giant room. X6-88 stares at Father through his sunglasses, unable to tell if this is a joke. Despite having high intelligence, X6-88 cannot come to a logical conclusion as to how a young lady—maybe late twenties—could possibly have given birth to Father, who was well beyond his twenties.

"I understand how improbable this situation is. How could someone as old as I have a mother younger than I am? But it is the truth. I realize that not all of you will believe me at first. I do not expect you to understand. However, I do ask you to treat her with respect. She is our guest."

"How do we know she can be trusted?" Calls a voice from behind X6-88. A few others 'yeah' in agreement.

"She has undergone serious interrogation conducted by some of our finest minds and promised to aid us in whenever. There is no guarantee that her word is true but from what I have heard, I believe she means what she says." The woman says nothing, only stares straight ahead. "Now if you'll excuse us, there are other matters we have to tend to."

The crowd dispersed as the two head towards Advanced Systems. X6-88 turns in the same direction, playing with the idea of trailing the stranger. Father's trust in her was, to X6-88, a mistake. She made it to the Institute, despite being a human, but her motivation to do so was most likely fueled by revenge or hatred. X6-88 could count on one hand the number of Commonwealth survivors that weren't apprehensive about the Institute and its synths. However, his job was to obey Father's decisions, not to challenge his authority. Which is why the Courser found himself traveling in the opposite direction of the duo, to the Armory. Coursers had the ability to carry their weapons on them but certain items like Stimpaks and Stealth-Boys were kept there.

The sliding door opens soundlessly and as X6-88 steps into the bare room, a cheery 'hello' welcomes him. Had he been allowed to develop emotions like the other synths, he would have returned the greeting. Instead, he merely casts a look in the attendant's direction.

Traveling light was an essential aspect of survival, even though Coursers underwent vigorous strengthening programs to make them powerful and deadly assassins. Their uniforms had plenty of space to store small objects. The back of the heavily modified trench coat was fitted with a compartment that could hold a Stealth-Boy. Backpacks and bags were not only a hazard but also unnecessary.

He approaches the shelves near the wall farthest from the entrance. Some are lined with radiation-free food, others with medical supplies. Retrieval missions take up to a few hours, not days, so food is not needed. Stimpaks, however, are required for combat and X6-88 grabs a handful. And a Stealth-Boy. Invisibility had saved his ass more than once.

He leaves, the synth wishing him well on his mission, which prompts X6-88 to roll his eyes behind his sunglasses. Of course he would do 'well'. Coursers only have one option: success. Failure was not tolerated. Rumors about those who did not complete their task suggest a memory wipe but, like death, failure was an anomaly so there was no validity in such hearsay.

"Excuse me, Unit X6-88," comes a voice from behind, "You are to report to the Synth Retention Bureau immediately."

The command perplexes X6-88. He had already been assigned a mission: Secure the synth, designation B1-97, and return him to the SRB. Was he being reassigned? Impossible. The Bureau made no mistakes; there could not afford it. If not, then what? This was the second time today X6-88 found himself without a reasonable explanation.

Inside the Synth Retention Bureau, Father stands in the center of the room, awaiting X6-88's arrival. Justin Ayo, the temporary fill-in for Zimmer, the founder of the SRB, is by Father's side. Ayo was the last Directorate the newcomer was introduced to. After the final meeting, the woman teleported aboveground, off to run errands for a scientist in BioScience.

X6-88 enters, face expressionless. There was once a time where Father was intimidated by their blank faces and robotic voices. Now their presence was almost a comfort. They were extremely efficient and reliable, completing rigorous tasks with ease. Without them, the Institute's operations would be conducted at a slower pace.

"X6-88, you are aware of our new visitor, correct?" Ayo inquires.

"Yes, sir." He nods.

"Good," he says. "Now I realize that you have already been assigned to recover a runaway. However, I feel that there is a more pressing issue: the visitor." X6-88 agrees silently.

"Which is why," he continues, "you are being reassigned. As of right now, you are to spy on the newcomer and collect Intel on her."

An unusual request, but certainly not unsurprising. Father may have told the others that he trusted her, but it was obvious to X6-88 that he was still uncertain of her position in regards to the Institute.

"Yes, sir," he repeats. He turns to leave but Father interrupts.

"Exercise caution with the girl," he warns. "She is capable of serious destruction. She's already killed a Courser and she will not hesitate to do so again, should she feel threatened." X6-88 raised his eyebrows a millimeter. She killed a Courser, he thinks. Impressive.

"One more thing before you go," Ayo adds, putting a hand on X6-88's shoulder. "Her name is Rose."

"And where would I find her?"

"She was heading to Cambridge Polymer Labs, to look for a chemical," Father answers.

If X6-88 had a choice, he'd choose retrieval. Those jobs required violence, and he was excellent at shooting. Surveillance was mind-numbing. Granted, fighting wasn't very fun—he could do it blindfolded and still emerge victorious—but it trumped spying.

A part of him was slightly intrigued by his new mission. This woman, Rose, was unlike the rest of the 'Wealth residents. She was the first person to ever teleport inside the Institute. There had been those who came close to the Institute's base—the C.I.T. Building—but none had ever stepped foot inside the white walls. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.