Project Cobalt was a military chemical and weapons program, as well as John-Caleb Bradberton's personal initiative to acquire top secret governmental research, specifically the military's LEAP-X (Life Extension And Prolongation) program.
Background[edit]
Negotiations[edit]
The Beverageers employed by John-Caleb Bradberton at Nuka-World were among the leading organic chemists in their field. As part of negotiations with the United States military, Bradberton agreed to transfer oversight of his scientific team and associated security personnel to the Army Research Laboratory's Weapons and Materials Division, under the supervision of General C. Braxton. In exchange, Bradberton requested inclusion in the military's LEAP-X Program.[1]
Following Braxton’s approval of the arrangement, Bradberton formally transferred the team to military control. As a result, Nuka-World’s internal security and maintenance staff were reassigned to support the Beverageer Division’s operations. This reallocation of personnel led to staffing shortages across other sections of the park, impacting operations and upkeep.[2][3]
Research[edit]
As head of the Beverageers, Rex Meacham led the research and development efforts for Project Cobalt, assigning his entire team to the project regardless of their individual preferences.[4][5] After approximately seven months, the team developed a custom isotope, codenamed "Quantum," based on strontium-90.[6] Quantum could be used to weaponize a variety of military equipment, and was also utilized to enhance a suit of Quantum X-01 Power Armor as a proof of concept.[7][8]
Additionally, the team developed a prototype Quantum-based Nuka-Nuke Launcher and Nuka-Nukes. The stable weaponization of Quantum was not finalized until shortly after the Great War.[9][10]
Consumption[edit]
Meacham proposed that the compound could be used in a new soft drink, resulting in the creation of Nuka-Cola Quantum, which exhibited a longer-lasting luminescence compared to earlier products such as Nuka-Cola Quartz and Nuka-Cola Victory.[7] Despite remaining radioactive, complaints from Beverageer Kate Leavitt were disregarded, and production of Nuka-Cola Quantum commenced.[11]
The Nuka-Cola Bottling Plant provided live test subjects for the soft drink. Early trials were fatal, but isotope CE774 caused only mild side effects such as dizziness, leading to the development of the new flavor.[12] Test participants were required to sign waivers releasing the company from liability, and Bradberton sent fruit and cheese baskets as a form of condolence.[13]
The bottling plant at Nuka-World prepared for the mass production of Nuka-Cola Quantum.[14] Promotional efforts included tinting the plant's water supply blue to simulate the appearance of the beverage.[15] Staff informed actors that the beverage could be consumed directly from the river and that its high energy content had bactericidal properties.[16]
Results[edit]
Several pieces of enhanced weapons and armor were created during the course of Project Cobalt, displaying the various uses of Nuka-Cola's strontium-90 isotope:
- Nuka-Nuke Launcher
- Nuka-Nukes
- Nuka Quantum Grenade
- Weaponized Thirst Zapper
- Weaponized Nuka-Cola, Cherry, and Quantum ammo
- Quantum X-01 Power Armor
Appearances[edit]
Project Cobalt is mentioned in the Fallout 4 DLC Nuka-World.
Gallery[edit]
MTG Card which references Project Cobalt
References[edit]
- ↑ Bradberton's Office Terminal Entries; Bradberton's project terminal, 03-17-2076 JCB
- ↑ Bradberton's Office Terminal Entries; Bradberton's terminal, Incoming Mail LBS448NWC
- ↑ Starport Nuka Terminal Entries; manager's terminal, Outbound Communication GH700243
- ↑ World of Refreshment Terminal Entries; Beverageer's terminal, Meacham RMNC-0987113
- ↑ Meacham recording AB27
- ↑ World of Refreshment Terminal Entries; Beverageer's terminal, Compound Q4N7-UM
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bradberton's Office Terminal Entries; Bradberton's project terminal, 10-20-2076 JCB
- ↑ World of Refreshment Terminal Entries; Beverageer's terminal, Compound Q4N7-UM - 0.245
- ↑ Project Cobalt Complete
- ↑ Meacham recording AB42
- ↑ Bradberton's Office Terminal Entries; Bradberton's terminal, Incoming Mail KL332NWC
- ↑ World of Refreshment Terminal Entries; Beverageer's terminal, Meacham RMNC-0987120
- ↑ Bradberton's Office Terminal Entries; Bradberton's terminal, Outgoing Mail JCB800NWC
- ↑ Nuka-World loading screens
- ↑ Nuka-World loading screens
- ↑ World of Refreshment Terminal Entries; Bottling plant staff terminal, grand reopening