In the small, dark room, the sound of steady breathing echoed softly. The windows had been boarded up, shutting out the outside world. Only the dim glow of two emergency lights illuminated the anxious faces inside.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Everyone immediately gripped their weapons tightly. When the door opened, a panting militiaman stepped in, smiling as he announced, "Everyone in the Brotherhood of Steel is asleep. I even hit a few to wake them up, but nothing worked."
"Action!" Knight, the commander-in-chief, gave a firm order. "We destroy the jammer first, then bring in the reinforcements. Watch out for the automated weapon stations. Don't mess this up. Only restrain non-resisting Brotherhood members—no unnecessary killings."
He turned to Ryan, who was visibly drained, and said, "General Ryan, rest here. We'll call you once everything's done." He then instructed two former investigators to remain and guard the room.
As Knight turned to leave, Ryan grabbed his arm weakly and said, "Try to preserve all their computers and tech. The Brotherhood of Steel are hoarders of knowledge and technology in the wasteland. If we lose it, it may be gone forever."
"Understood. Don't worry about that." Knight placed his power armor helmet back on and exited the room.
Ryan climbed to the second floor, found a cushion, sat cross-legged, and began meditating. Soon, he entered a deep state of calm.
After an unknown amount of time, Ryan emerged from meditation feeling not only fully restored but also more powerful. What would normally take a month to achieve in cultivation had occurred in just one session. But now, his stomach burned with hunger.
He stood, opened the door, and headed downstairs.
The moment the door creaked open, waves of music and laughter poured into the room. Outside, it was still night, but the street was alive with dancing, feasting, and celebration around blazing fires.
Perplexed, Ryan stepped out. Knight approached, smiling, and handed him a glass of two-headed cow's milk. He then shouted to the crowd, "Tonight, we celebrate a huge victory—with zero casualties! All thanks to Wizard Ryan!"
He raised his glass. "To Wizard Ryan!"
The crowd erupted in unison. "To Wizard Ryan!"
Caught in the celebratory spirit, Ryan raised his glass and downed the milk. Knight then led him to a long table where Desdemona and several key leaders sat.
"Thank you so much for your help," Desdemona began. She recapped the day's events: the Brotherhood's automated turrets were swiftly neutralized, the airfield stormed, and the jammer destroyed. Then the Academy used its molecular transmission equipment to beam in reinforcements.
The base was captured without resistance. They secured everything—giant robots, airships, and massive amounts of scientific data and tech.
"We returned to find you sitting still, completely unresponsive. We were worried, but Curie, your robot, confirmed you were okay. So we waited. Then we held our celebration here. We didn't expect you to wake up just in time," Desdemona concluded.
"Sorry for the worry," Ryan said. "Let's enjoy tonight. Everything else can wait for tomorrow."
The party continued into the night with food and laughter. Everyone indulged in the Brotherhood's seized provisions and danced around the fires of victory.
By morning, they returned to the Academy to shape the future of the Federation. After a long discussion, several decisions were finalized.
A unified governing body would be formed. The Academy would become the Federation Research Center and develop first-generation sentient synths to supplement the workforce—Ryan's steam robot was far too bulky for smaller tasks.
The Railroad would become the Federation's Intelligence and Trade Bureau, responsible for surveillance and economic exchanges between settlements.
The militia would function as the Federation's security force, handling threats in the wild and conducting agricultural research through the College's plant lab, working to gradually restore the ecosystem.
The Brotherhood's airfield would become a new settlement. Their tech would go to the Academy. The Prydwen and Bird Helicopter were now Federation property. A new elite force—drawn from all three core organizations—would use these assets to eliminate hostile remnants in the wasteland.
Liberty Supreme, the massive robot, would be stored at the airfield due to energy constraints, acting only in emergencies.
Captured Brotherhood members were sent to the education center on Wonder Island, where efforts would be made to recondition their extreme racism through labor and training.
Three days later, Ryan attended the Federation's founding ceremony at Diamond City. He appointed Preston as the Volunteer leader during his absence.
Just as he was preparing to return to Sanctuary and gather his belongings, Knight and Desdemona arrived with Preston.
"We heard you're leaving?" Knight asked.
Ryan nodded. "Yeah. I've been here a long time. It's time to go home."
Seeing their faces change slightly, he quickly added, "But I'll return often. Maybe even explore more and find ways to help the Federation thrive fully."
Knight, now aware of Ryan's true identity thanks to his wife, replied, "Then I wish you a safe journey. The Federation will always welcome you back."
"Don't worry. I'll come back. There are so many people and things here that matter to me," Ryan said sincerely.
He embraced the three of them, then returned to Sanctuary Villa. After packing a few items, he opened the dimensional portal and stepped through—back into the Tim Hortans grocery store.