[Last Hope] 16 – Updates and more Games

As the chaos of my actions caused a storm of activity throughout the concourse, I stayed in my room and continued to work. Using my extensive knowledge of computers, I began making my own OS using Robert House’s OS as a base, saving me a lot of work while spending some time on the side to create a few simple games that I’d upload to the Network once finished.

Chess, Go, and finally, I was almost finished with the first Half-Life that I felt would hit well with the Scientists of the Institute.

I noticed something else when I finished making DOOM as well: I received experience points for creating the game. 

So, I wanted to see if I could genuinely get a source of XP from making games and obtain another source of XP outside of my daily missions. It wasn’t a lot of XP, mind you, but any XP is good in my book. Though soon I’d have to return to work, so I wouldn’t be able to finish Half-Life for at least another week or two. 

While I was developing my own personal OS, which I planned to use in the future, I addressed some bugs and software issues I found in RobCo’s Operating System and released a network-wide update. These improvements were minimal, with the most notable improvement being an increase in storage capacity, which allowed for the storage of more data. 

Satisfied, I released the update onto the network and then focused on one of the programs I had open.

[Kellogg: Who are you? What is this…thing that showed up on my Terminal?]

[The Specter: It’s a game, my dear Kellogg, something to pass the time or help you relax your mind in its simplicity. As for who I am, think of me as an interested party within the Institute that is looking for a…change in how we do things, you of all people know how those who dwell in the Commonwealth see us.]

[Kellogg: And what’s to stop me from telling the ‘Father’ about you? About this?]

Smiling at his question, I activated my voice synthesizer and sent him a voice message.

[The Specter: Oh Kellogg, don’t be so…foolish, we both know Father is incompetent in matters such as the Wasteland and Leadership as a whole, besides, if you did try and do that, I’d simply kill you and erase all traces of our communications], I smiled as I looked over the access I had to his cybernetics via Father’s Terminal. 

The voice I sent him, while feminine, had a synthetic and eerie, yet ethereal tone to it, something I had specifically crafted to creep out whoever heard it. 

[Kellogg: What do you want?]

[The Specter: Why Kellogg, I want what’s best for Humanity, and you will help me with that]

I knew he was on edge, so I sent a following message to assure him.

[The Specter: Do this for me, and I assure you that I will release you from your contract within the next two decades while giving you an extensive benefits severance package]

Knowing I had him hooked, I waited for his message.

[Kellogg: As if you’d let me go free, I know full well how much control your institute has over the Cybernetics you have me]

[The Specter: If you do not believe my words, Kellogg, then witness my actions, perhaps then you will realize the truth of the matter. Now, are you ready for your first task?] 

It took approximately three minutes before he messaged again.

[Kellogg: Fine. Tell me]

I let a small smile appear on my face at his agreement.

[The Specter: Wonderful! First, I’ll be sending an update to the software of the Gen 1 and 2 Synths under your command, increasing their combat effectiveness by around 46%.]

I informed Kellogg before sending the data package to his Terminal.

[The Specter: Insert this data package into the Synths under your command, and once completed, I want you to go out and eradicate a group of raiders to obtain funds. You will need approximately 4,000 Caps, and outside of that amount, the rest of what you acquire is all yours.]

[Kellogg: Why?]

[The Specter: You will need the caps to obtain the tools necessary for your mission]

[Kellogg: What is my mission, exactly?]

[The Specter: Located in East Boston, is a small shop named RobCo Sales and Service center, beneath this store, lay an entire RobCo factory and assembly line I wish to put to use and need your help in getting it up and running, what you will need for this mission, is a Transceiver from which I can access the Factory’s network and let you in]

And deactivate the likely copious amounts of Pre-war security robots and wall-mounted laser turrets that would shred through him if he even tried entering without the correct I.F.F. on his person. 

Once he got the factory up and running, I could begin manufacturing robots to start developing Boston into what I had planned before. Boston, when compared to other sections of the Wasteland, was relatively stable and well-built, boasting far more people and settlements than usual. 

[Kellogg: Alright. I’ll get on it.]

[The Specter: Thank you for your work, Kellogg. Do let me know how well the Synths perform with their new upgrades!]

…

As soon as Kellogg read the last message sent to him, he received a file that read [Synth Upgrades].

Loading the file onto a Holotape, he walked over to a different Terminal and loaded the Holotape. When they initially provided him with these first- and second-generation synths, they also equipped him with a terminal for diagnostics. However, a Synth had to be connected to the terminal via a plug to run the diagnostics. 

It took a few hours, but eventually all of the Synths under his command were given the so-called upgrades, upgrades Kellogg noticed faintly in effect already. 

The movement of the Synths was more fluid; they seemed to keep track of their surroundings, noting entrances, exits, and small holes in the walls where an enemy could appear at any time, if they made it past the turrets, that is, and react. They were even covering for each other, the Synths working in tandem at inhuman efficiency. 

Though that didn’t seem to be the only upgrade, watching the Synths working together reminded Kellogg of the more experienced and deadly Mercenary teams around the Wasteland that utilized Pre-war military tactics. Though speaking of those Mercenaries...Kellogg noticed that they were becoming more frequent here in the Commonwealth, like something was drawing them here, and it certainly wasn't work, though there was plenty of work to be done and new work constantly appeared, but nothing that would draw so many elite mercenaries.

Shaking his head, Kellogg looked to the Synths and commanded, "Initiate Formation: Spear, follow behind me and keep an eye out for hostiles, we're going hunting."

[A/N: Next chapter will be a Kellogg-only chapter]