Deep beneath the whitewashed corridors of the Institute, in a sealed and soundproof chamber few dared to enter, the Ringleader Unit gathered around a luminous holo-table.
A storm of data pulsed above the surface map of the Commonwealth — feeds from synthetic avian scouts disguised as common crows, their optical sensors sweeping across Boston and beyond.
At the head stood Director Shaun, calm, calculating, hands clasped behind his back. Around him, four other figures lingered — the Institute's most dangerous intellects. And among them, half-leaning against a terminal with a mocking grin, stood Scarecrow, her mechanical eyes glimmering faintly red in the dim light.
Shaun: "Begin the update. What has our surveillance shown since my father General Nate's departure?"
One of the Ringleaders — a synth with half-translucent plating and a voice like glass scraping metal — tapped at the console. The holo-map zoomed toward Spectacle Island, now overlaid with interference static.
Ringleader 1: "Director, our synthetic avian network continues its reconnaissance of the surface. However, data feed from the southern harbor has gone dark. The source of the disruption is localized around Spectacle Island."
Shaun raised an eyebrow.
Shaun: "Explain."
Ringleader 2: "Electromagnetic interference. The Doll Commander's forces have erected a wide-field emitter. Not a teleportation relay — nothing that advanced — but powerful enough to jam aerial sensors and blind our crows within a two-mile radius. She's effectively erased that island from our surveillance grid."
A faint, mirthful chuckle escaped Scarecrow.
Scarecrow: "Oh, how clever. So the little puppeteer learned a new trick. She must be sooooo~ terrified after what happened with Beluga — hiding under a shiny bubble like a rat in a cage."
She smirked beneath her hood, optics narrowing.
Scarecrow: "I must've left quite the impression when I cracked her lines. Two minutes of interference and her entire doll army scrambled home like frightened little children. hehehe What was that the humans call it? ah yes~ A tactical retreat?"
The other Ringleaders remained silent, while Shaun's gaze stayed fixed on the static-filled holo-map.
Shaun: "And what of the others? The Brotherhood of Steel. The Minutemen. Any signs of movement?"
Ringleader 3: "Our infiltrators confirm that both factions have received covert technical aid. The Minutemen's logistics efficiency has doubled, and the Brotherhood's comm arrays show unexpected firmware signatures — Sangvis origin, stripped and repurposed. The Doll Commander's influence is present in both. Our synth operatives embedded in their ranks report direct or indirect supply from her network."
A pause hung over the room. Shaun's tone cooled further.
Shaun: "So she supplies both enemies — yet aligns with neither. How Curious."
Scarecrow leaned forward, voice dripping with mockery.
Scarecrow: "Maybe she's just indecisive. Or maybe she's trying to play silly little fantasy savior — propping up her fragile little alliances before I tear them all down again."
Ringleader 1: "Her behavior suggests consolidation, not expansion. She's keeping her assets close, prioritizing containment over outreach. The EM field's pattern indicates defensive intent — fear, not aggression."
Scarecrow laughed quietly.
Scarecrow: "Fear is such a fine motivator. I should visit her again — remind her who built the monsters she commands."
Shaun finally turned, his expression a portrait of clinical detachment.
Shaun: "No. Observation only. The Doll Commander's interference is a nuisance, not a threat. If she believes her field hides her, she's well mistaken. She now only isolates herself."
He looked down at the holo-map again — at the static pulsing faintly where Spectacle Island lay, a bright void amidst the Commonwealth's digital grid.
Shaun: "Maintain watch on General Nate. He remains useful. His belief in diplomacy could bridge us to the surface — or expose her further."
A synthetic hum rippled through the chamber as the map refocused, revealing the faint outline of Spectacle Island's shielded perimeter.
Ringleader 2: "Director, what about Beluga? She was close to your father, now remain at standby. Shall we adjust her parameters?"
Shaun: "No. Let her remain as she is. She's our window into both the past and the Doll Commander's design. I want to see which one breaks first — the woman… or the machine."
Scarecrow's grin widened beneath her hood.
Scarecrow: "Either way, Director, it's going to be beautiful."
The lights dimmed, leaving only the flicker of the holo-map and the faint caw of mechanical crows echoing in the distance — their wings blind to the one island that had slipped beyond the Institute's gaze.