The team didn't waste any time moving to the Vertibird as the caverns below the space needle started to rupture and cave in from the explosions. Wraith flew in and picked them all up. Feeling a duty in his gut, Andrew had Wraith stop near the Behemoth's corpse and he went inside the ruined building where Phoenix had died. He picked apart the rubble and found Phoenix's destroyed corpse, barely anything left of the poor man. He found what looked like his shoulder after deducing where his head was and picked it apart a little. Wraith called out in the comms but he ignored it as he picked out a small metal chip. Phoenix's Dog tag. He gripped it and went back to the vertibird, getting in with the others and preparing for the ride home. He sat next to archangel again and spoke out to the others, broken and battered from the long fought battle in the city below them. He kept it short and sweet, commending them for their work and their bravery in taking down the Behemoth and for destroying the vault. He held Phoenix's Dog Tag up, showing them the last remains of Phoenix. He promised to give him as proper a burial as he could. The man deserved it.

A rumbling shook the vertibird as a shockwave hit it. Wraith kept it from going down, but Andrew stood and went to the door, he opened it up and saw something that nearly brought a tear to his eye. He stepped aside so the others could see. In the city, the Space Needle, one of the last monuments from the old world, one of the last beacons of the American life, was breaking apart and falling to the ground. After two hundred years, it had finally fallen. The shockwave from the 10,000 ton piece of oldworld metal crashing down onto the earth not only crushed the vault, completing their objective two-fold, but leveling a city block around it and destroying tiny buildings even farther out, sending out a powerful screech of metal on stone. Wraith held the position in the air for a few minutes as they watched the domino pieces cascade around the city, setting off a chain reaction that destroyed undetonated mutant explosives and toppled towers. When it started to calm down a little, Andrew closed the door, and they were on their way home, to Eagle Point.

_____

The reception that awaited them when Aria set down in the frozen, snow covered base. Having barely found the beacons that surrounded the helipad. Advanced Power-armor hellfire clad soldiers were awaiting them, escorting them through the blizzard toward a place that would warm their hearts, a warm yellow light near the heart of the base that they all knew as the Barracks. The guards stopped near the doors however and lead them around the barracks. Their warm beds and soft pillows would have to wait as instead, they were lead to another room near the barracks, past the alluring smell of the freshly made biscuits and steak of victory and to the briefing room. The guards took places next to the door and waited for the squad to step through themselves.

Awaiting them was several unexpected things. The first was the president of the enclave, standing before them, his hair dark gray in color, relatively short, turned up in a small spike near the front, he had a narrow head, a stubble surrounding his pronounced chin. He had a tribal tattoo surrounding his left eye. The eyes themselves were a dark blue color but the way he glared at them...not glared, but perceived them, it was obvious that he had killed hundreds before him. He had the same look in his eyes as bear, terrifying. He did not wear a suit like many other leaders, he instead wore a dark gray set of combat gear with a black laserpistol on both his thighs and on each side of his ribs. The man was serious about personal protection it seemed. He was thin, but the muscles in his arms showed that he was no pushover.

The second thing was what looked like a scientist. with a third arm. He stood there, two of his arms behind his back, patiently awaiting the moment to greet them. The third thing made a couple squadmates reach for their weapons. A fucking deathclaw...in a [url=http://www.theformalshop.net/EbayItems/Fullback%20Vests/NewA6Satin/PeriwinkleEnchantment2500.jpg]Periwinkle Vest?[/url] It was tight, but it fit him nicely. He didn't move to attack or anything, he just stood there, silently, large gloves on his gigantic hands. Calming down, the squad moved into the room fully and saluted the president of the Enclave. [url=http://images.wikia.com/fallout/images/c/c3/Nvdlc02dia_nvdlc02dialogue_0000fb30_3.ogg]His voice was soft, but restrained, it was obvious that there was a military genius behind it.[/url] He spoke directly to them, not making them think that they were lesser than him, nor better, but equal. "Eagle Claw, you have done America proud this day." He approached the group and gripped each of their hands, crushing them with his American brawn. "You have successfully completed your first mission and proved that you have made Project Eagle more than anything I could have ever hoped it could be. In the space of a day, with but nine extremely talented and skilled individuals, you have achieved a substantial victory that would have taken a week for a army of two hundred standard soldiers to replicate. Congratulations...I see however that you are down to eight now...I apologize for your loss. From what I understand, your squadmate, Icarus Rose, Also known as Phoenix, was a dear friend. His death came all too soon. Enjoy the next forty-eight hours, Eagle Claw. Mourn his loss as you see fit and bask in the glory of your victory against tyranny. Upon hearing of his death a few hours ago, I forwarded two very special personnel to join you in Eagle Point. They are of the highest caliber and will be nothing if not a massive asset to our cause."

He backed up and gestured towards the scientist first. "Let me introduce Dimitri Romanov, one of the Enclave's greatest minds. In addition to personal experiments for the betterment of the Enclave, he is also your primary means of receiving augmentation, should you so wish, and power armor research. He is also the figure head in our FEV vaccine project. Should you encounter any individuals in the field that happens to be coated with FEV and starting the transformation into one of the vile supermutants, bring them here and the good professor should be able to help them." The Professor bowed to the squad and spoke. [b]"A pleasure, I am sure. When in the field you may address me as Claw."[/b] Next the president gestured toward the Deathclaw. "This fine creature was the result of the Professor's efforts, please get to know Leinhart Roosevelt. He will be joining you in your next mission as a test run to see how well he handles under extreme duress." Next the Deathclaw stepped toward the group, looming over even Golem, and placed his hand behind his back, bowing elegantly. "A...pleasure to meet you, sirs and madams. I hope to be a great asset to you and the squad, mayhaps one day becoming a more permanent member of the squad. For the sake of a codename on the field, feel free to address me as Scissors. Outside of the field, I will be acting as your quartermaster. When you are ready, find me in the axillary barracks where I will take your weapons and armor. I assure you, I will not damage them with my claws." He backed up and took his place next to the president as he spoke once again.

"Finally, a new squadmate will be here tomorrow morning to give you a medic role. Enjoy your time off, Eagle Claw. You have earned it." With that, the President stepped past them and to his power armor escort to take him back to his Vertibird so he can be off to other parts of the Enclave. Dimitri bowed again and spoke. [b]"You can find me in my lab near the helipad should you require me."[/b] He stepped past the group now, shaking the hands of a couple with his robotic claw, and exited out the door. Things were a little tense in the room because of the deathclaw. Feeling awkward, he stepped past and exited out the door, leaving Eagle Claw to do as they wished. Andrew spoke first. [i] I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to get some grub. Care to join me whisper?"[/i] She looked at him as he stuck out his arm for her to latch onto. She was reluctant, but she shrugged and hooked on and walked with him out the door. The smell of biscuits lingered even in the briefing room.