The Enclave and Vault 13: A Tale of Kidnapping, Experimentation, and a Stolen Future
The Enclave’s interaction with Vault 13 is a pivotal and sinister event in the Fallout universe, showcasing their ruthless pursuit of power and their disregard for human life. In short, the Enclave raided Vault 13 on May 16, 2242, kidnapping all its inhabitants to use them as test subjects in their twisted experiments. This act, violent and unprovoked, fundamentally altered the course of the Wasteland and cemented the Enclave’s reputation as a tyrannical force.
The Raid on Vault 13: A Violent Awakening
The Calm Before the Storm
Before the Enclave arrived, Vault 13 was a thriving, albeit isolated, community. Designed as a control vault, its inhabitants were deliberately kept in isolation far beyond the intended timeframe of the original Vault-Tec experiment. This isolation made them a unique and valuable resource in the eyes of the Enclave. The Vault Dwellers, unaware of the dangers lurking outside, lived in relative peace, adhering to the social structure and routines established generations ago. This peace was shattered abruptly and violently.
The Enclave’s Assault
On May 16, 2242, less than a day after the vault doors were opened, two Enclave verti-assault squads descended upon Vault 13. They killed three Vault dwellers who were “resisting capture,” and stormed the Vault, kidnapping all the inhabitants. This initial act of violence set the tone for the Enclave’s occupation. The Enclave troops, heavily armed and armored, offered no negotiation and showed no mercy. The survivors were swiftly rounded up and transported to the Enclave’s oil rig base, a remote and heavily fortified platform far from the mainland.
The Cover-Up: Intelligent Deathclaws Unleashed
To mask their involvement and eliminate any potential evidence, the Enclave engaged in a macabre cleanup operation. On May 17, 2241, a pack of intelligent deathclaws was deployed to the now-empty Vault by Enclave animal handlers. This ensured that any potential investigators would be met with deadly resistance and would likely attribute the vault’s abandonment to the creatures, rather than the Enclave’s intervention. It was a cold, calculated move designed to obfuscate their actions and maintain their secrecy.
Experimentation and the Fate of the Vault Dwellers
Upon arrival at the Enclave’s oil rig, the Vault 13 dwellers were subjected to a series of inhumane experiments. The Enclave, obsessed with genetic purity and determined to eradicate mutation, saw the dwellers as pristine samples. As those within Vault 13 had not been exposed to the radiation of the surface for very long at all, they were the best subjects that the Enclave had ever found. The Vault 13 dwellers’ genetic structure had to be extensively tested. The Enclave hoped that it could reveal a vulnerability within them.
Fallout 2: The Revelation and Aftermath
The truth about the Enclave’s abduction and the Vault dwellers’ fate is revealed in Fallout 2. The Chosen One, the protagonist, is tasked with finding the Garden of Eden Creation Kit (GECK) and discovers that Vault 13 is mysteriously empty. Further investigation leads to the discovery of the Enclave’s involvement and the horrifying experiments conducted on the dwellers. Some Vault Dwellers survived the ordeal, their experience a brutal lesson in the Enclave’s cruelty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Enclave and Vault 13
1. Why did the Enclave target Vault 13 specifically?
The Enclave targeted Vault 13 because it was a control vault whose inhabitants had been isolated for an extended period. This isolation made them valuable as test subjects for the Enclave’s experiments on genetic purity.
2. What were the Enclave’s ultimate goals in Fallout 2?
The Enclave’s primary goal in Fallout 2 was to release a toxic airborne F.E.V. (Forced Evolutionary Virus) strain designed to kill all “near-humans” (i.e., those with any level of mutation) in North America, effectively cleansing the continent for their exclusive repopulation.
3. How evil were the Enclave in the Fallout Universe?
The Enclave are considered one of the most evil factions in the Fallout universe due to their genocidal plans, their unwavering belief in their own superiority, and their willingness to use extreme violence to achieve their goals.
4. What was the Enclave’s connection to Deathclaws?
The Enclave had a pre-war research project to develop intelligent Deathclaws for combat purposes. In Fallout 2, it’s discovered that some of these Deathclaws escaped and formed their own intelligent community.
5. Did any Vault 13 dwellers survive the Enclave’s experiments?
Yes, some Vault 13 dwellers did survive the Enclave’s experiments, although the exact number is never specified. Their experiences were undoubtedly traumatic and life-altering.
6. How did the Chosen One discover the Enclave’s involvement with Vault 13?
The Chosen One uncovers the Enclave’s involvement through various clues, including recovered logs, encounters with escaped Enclave personnel, and ultimately by infiltrating the Enclave’s oil rig base.
7. Why is the Enclave so hated by other Wasteland factions?
The Enclave is hated for their extreme ideologies, their desire to eradicate mutated humans, and their tendency to use overwhelming force to dominate the Wasteland. Their actions are seen as a direct threat to the survival of almost everyone outside their ranks.
8. What happened to the Enclave after the events of Fallout 2?
The Enclave suffered a significant defeat at the end of Fallout 2 when the Chosen One destroyed their oil rig base. However, remnants of the Enclave survived and continued to operate in various parts of the Wasteland, as seen in Fallout 3 and Fallout 76.
9. Could you ever join the Enclave in Fallout 2?
No, you could never “join” the Enclave in Fallout 2. You can only infiltrate their ranks to disrupt their plans from within. The Enclave considered themselves to be the sole legitimate authority and did not accept outsiders.
10. Were the Vaults actually designed to save humanity?
The Vaults were presented as havens designed to preserve humanity during a nuclear war. However, most vaults were social experiments. They were meant to test a myriad of societal and psychological conditions when presented with a closed and limited ecosystem.
11. What role did Frank Horrigan play in the Enclave?
Frank Horrigan was a unique and terrifying Enclave soldier. He was exposed to the Forced Evolutionary Virus, transforming him into a formidable super soldier. Horrigan served as the Enclave’s primary enforcer and was a significant antagonist in Fallout 2.
12. Is the Enclave the same as the Brotherhood of Steel?
No, the Enclave and the Brotherhood of Steel are distinct factions with different ideologies and goals. While both utilize power armor and advanced technology, the Enclave represents the remnants of the pre-war US government, while the Brotherhood is a technological cult focused on preserving advanced technology.
13. Did the Enclave have a presence on the East Coast?
Yes, a significant contingent of the Enclave established a base of operations in the Capital Wasteland (Washington D.C.) in Fallout 3. They sought to purify the water supply and re-establish their control over the region.
14. Who led the Enclave forces in Fallout 3?
In Fallout 3, the Enclave forces in the Capital Wasteland were initially led by President John Henry Eden, an AI construct residing in Raven Rock. Later, Colonel Augustus Autumn assumed command after Eden’s demise.
15. What makes the Enclave a compelling antagonist in the Fallout series?
The Enclave are compelling antagonists because they represent a perversion of American ideals. They combine advanced technology with a distorted sense of patriotism, making them both formidable and morally reprehensible. Their existence challenges the player’s notions of right and wrong and forces them to confront the consequences of unchecked power and misguided ideologies.
The story of the Enclave and Vault 13 is a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of preserving humanity in the face of adversity. It’s a core element of the Fallout lore that continues to resonate with players today.
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