Scorched Detection System

The Scorched Detection System (SDS, aka "Operation Cooldown" ) is an incomplete early warning system developed by the Free States against the Scorched using detectors placed all over Appalachia to pick up their radiation signature.

Background
Although the Free States had heard stories about the Scorched threat but didn't know what to make of it. When the Scorched horde attacked Harpers Ferry in 2086 they initially held out. It wasn't long afterword that the wounded would succumb to the Scorched Plague, deciding then to retreat to their bunkers until they could learn more about the threat. To that end they began working on the Scorched Detection System.

It was Ella Ames who discovered that the Scorched has a unique, albeit weak, radiation signature. With this development Niraj Singh began to develop the idea of an early warning system. After some initial discussion about adding detectors to the surrounding regions so that they would have advanced warnings for an upcoming attack. They reasoned that it would require a greater communications network than they could rig together. Instead they would have to use the existing relay towers for proper coordination, however this would require construction of a communications uplink to pick up and send their own signals. While Niraj Singh would draw up plans, Edward Hayes would put together a team to investigate the relay tower theory, which later turned out to be correct.

Eventually Niraj Singh created a working prototype, with his daughter Abigayle Singh helping figure out the final problems. With this success Raleigh Clay began work on the networking programming. While Abbie was going over what had to be done with the communication, and unintentionally went into a topic that was beyond what Raleigh could comprehend, she unintentionally got Raleigh to realize that he'd need to get in contact with Sam Blackwell again, so they can get his access codes for the satellite connection. As Abbigail lacked the ability to hack into the government satellite systems. Unbeknownst to them the Senator was already deceased, the Enclave assassin murdered him in his office.

With a goal in mind Niraj and Abbie began their work on the System. Although Abbie wouldn't believe it would work right away, she would grow to believe in it, and almost finish it. It was during this time that she would show her intelligence and competence

With the plan in place they sent out scavengers to gather supplies and construct the large amount of detectors needed, among them Edward Hayes. These supply, construction and maintenance missions would continue for him for some time. Due to the uplinks continual damage from the local wildlife it required constant repair. It was however after the death of Terry Lee that the Niraj took a drastic step. He took an Eyebot he found and modified it for automated maintenance purposes.

It was around this time that the development of the system was delayed with their work on the Scorchbeast lures. After the fall of the Brotherhood of Steel on August 18th, 2095, and their warning broadcast, Raleigh gathered Free States members to see what they could salvage from their old stomping ground, Camp Venture. The opportunity to gather resources and intelligence was a boon, as it included the sonic generator technology. Which after some review, Ella Ames came up with an idea. They could use the sound waves to create a trap for the Scorchbeasts. Seeking to disorient it, and ground it long enough for extermination.

Operation
The Scorched Detection System was composed of several security and surveillance systems networked together. The physical components are composed of detectors placed all over Appalachia triggered by motion, once activated Geiger counters verify the radiation specific to the Scorched. That information would then be transmission to the closest relay tower. Each of which in the region was programmed to accept accept the system, barring Top of the World. The communications uplinks are key pieces to the SDS. As these detectors send their signals to the relay towers, and the uplink picks up on this and transmits the data to a satellite, that then relays it back down to Abigayle Singh's computer setup inside her bunker. And any PIP-Boys the Free Sates were commonly using.