Atlantic Ocean, 2281. The Enclave submarine surged through radioactive waves at full speed, carrying the last reserve of pure F.E.V.-2 still known to exist. Above the storm, Brotherhood Vertibird Talon-1 matched its course. Static filled the radio. “If you understood what Phase II really is,” Commander Stahl said calmly, “you would help us protect it.” “Negative,” Paladin John replied. “Mutants are not humanity's future... and you are living proof of that, Commander Stahl.” A long silence followed. “How do you know my name?!” “Your name came from SUNAR.” Neither man spoke again. Then the submarine fired. The deck gun flashed through rain and darkness. A shell tore across the sky, missing the Vertibird's main rotor by less than a meter. Paladin John rolled the aircraft hard to starboard. Weapons free. The rotary cannon opened fire. Streams of armor-piercing rounds slammed into the submarine's hull. Steel plates ruptured. Antennas disappeared in showers of sparks. One burst struck near the aft ballast systems. For several seconds the submarine continued forward. Then it began to sink. Commander Stahl gave no final transmission. No surrender. No warning. Only silence. The Atlantic swallowed the vessel whole. Down into darkness it descended, carrying its cargo, its crew, and the final dreams of the Enclave. The ocean closed above it. The Brotherhood never recovered the wreck. No signal ever emerged from the depths again. And with the loss of that submarine, the Enclave disappeared from the world forever.
