Daybreak over the castle was always a special moment, if anyone ever really thought about it long enough, or even cared. The silence that reined as the last dregs of darkness was driven away, and the truly horrible creatures slunk back to their caves full of whatever unfortunate creature that decided it was smart to travel at night. Most people were just moving along, still buried under the layers of heavy black cloaks that were probably used as extra padding for their blankets earlier. Almost shapeless masses that, if not for the whispers of the clothing and slight crunch of soil under well-worn boots, would be as silent as the grave. The fresh morning air still had that little nip from the night, and Nuclear winter only compounded on the cold Boston air. That's still a constant even after all the earth has been through.

But the truly special moment, if one ventured to the patio chairs and umbrella covered table upon the cleared stone ramparts, was the morning sunrise. If somebody wanted to almost forget about all the shit they go through on a day-to-day basis, they come to the table. If anyone in the Castle was picked at random by a weary traveler, and asked where one could find a place like that here, they would point to that table. Because when you sit down, a crisp and clear, radiation free beer or Nuka-Cola in hand, and watch that sunset rising over Boston Harbor sparkling of the waves? You'll never see anything more beautiful like it, and that feeling of peace tends to stay with you, until you find an excuse to come back just to do it again.

Of course, one has to be awake enough to even stand up to be there when the sun comes up, and Cait, was not that person.
"Who th' Fuck turned on tha' light?' Cait groaned out from somewhere under the pile of blankets piled even bigger than a Yao Guai.

Unfortunately, her equally crabby roommate Piper, decided that today was her weekly 'I'm a sassy reporter, watch as my mouth gets me in trouble again' day, and unwisely snapped out. "It's called the Sun, Cait, and I hate it as much as you do. Frankly I liked looking at you better in the darkness anyway, where I couldn't see your pitiful tan."
Cait couldn't resist sending a verbal jab back at Piper, as she moved the piles of blankets and cracked one eye open. "Oh, that's adorable. Has it been to long since your 'Blue' gave you something better to think about? Worried he decided to stop and pay Magnolia a visit before coming back home? She is quite pretty you know."

Piper couldn't even find words, just sat on her bed gaping at Cait, absolutely flabbergasted. It's not too often a reporter is speechless, especially Piper. Then her brain finally processed what was just said, and she started sputtering protest. "How did you….… what…...…am I… No! Nononononono…We're not even dating yet, and why should I care who Blue sees? He's a single man, he should get to choose who he wants. Blue deserves all the happiness in the world, and I'm not even right for him and not perfect like he probably wants and deserves…." She finally trailed off once she realized she was rambling, blushing harder and redder than a Laser shot.
Cait just smirked in triumph, and said a one-word question, "Yet?"

Silence fell while Piper went over everything she just said, before she found her mistake. She let out a small "Eep" of terror before deeming a comeback was required to salvage what was left of her dignity. Before even thinking Piper yelled "At least I didn't sleep with half the raiders on this side of the coast!" Even as she was saying that, she knew that was a much lower blow then what was deserved.

Cait's expression darkened considerably, before leaping out of her bed toward Piper, ready to finish off what many have tried to do over the years and kick her little ass. And for the perhaps second time in her life, Piper felt fear.

-Outside-

Jonathan, the middle-aged Minuteman that ran the Radio Freedom Broadcasting Building in the center of the Compound was just announcing, "Good morning Commonwealth, your listening to Minuteman radio. We have some news on the massive explosion that rocked Boston at Twelve last night coming very soon, just stay tuned a little while longer."
With that done he sat back in his chair and sipped on his ice-cold Nuka-Cola from his cooler. Contemplated all that is about to happen soon. The way the wind is blowing, he was soon to become one of the best known people in the wasteland, his voice reaching every Minutemen and relaying orders. He also thought of how great his new 'home' was. It was one of the few structures in the courtyard, and was made of concrete resembling an old prewar military bunker. The puny and undefended old wooden supports were gone, and in its place a defensible building that could be sealed in a crisis, while still able to broadcast. Not to mention how warm it was inside now, with the cold wind off his back and face. He was easily the safest person in the whole Fortress. If anyone even managed to get past those new thirty-foot-tall and twelve foot-thick walls the general had built to replace the crumbled and broken sections, he was still behind another line of defense. There was only two ways in to the courtyard of the Castle, and the heavy wooden and iron gates could be shut as quick as flipping a switch.

Suddenly, he jumped as static erupted from his radio, before a tinny voice of The General said "Jonathan, just updating you that were are only thirty minutes out, so let everyone know to expect our arrival."

"Understood sir, we await your arrival. Castle out." He replied, before cutting the transmission. He then used the intercom system and relayed the message, to many cheers and fanfare. The Castle residents suddenly had an extra bustle in their step, trying to get more chores done so they could watch the victorious procession enter the castle. They wanted to be there to see the people that saved them from almost certain kidnapping and a grisly death at the hands of madmen. Johnathan took a deep breath and just mused on the past few days, how quickly things were moving. He only hoped it would all turn out for the best. Then again, he thought, the General would accept nothing less.

-Outskirts of Castle-

While on the way back, Nate had made a point of picked up a few scattered teams of Minutemen, until they easily numbered 30 strong. The General knew they could travel faster together, and it was a substantial show of force to anyone thinking they might be weaker after the attack. Even the dumbest and most suicidal super mutant would think twice before going anywhere near them. Didn't mean they didn't still try though. But the real reason was all about intimidation. Only two other groups could muster any organization such as this, and one is just a group of souped up glorified raiders.

When Nate finally emerged from the buildings close to the blown-out Coffee shop, he was surprised at how many people were lined up waiting for the groups return. With him leading in front, and Preston a short step back on his right, they led the large group of militiamen up to the throng of people cheering wildly. The marching formation finally broke apart, as many of the volunteer soldiers embraced their family members whom had waited anxiously for their arrival.

The, fortunately, very small number of people who lost someone spent the time weeping quietly near the back of the crowd, consoled by everyone around them. There were also those who looked over anxiously for their relatives when they were told they indeed made it out, but may not have made it back yet. The crowd was also swelled by the many well wishers who were informed of the operation by connections in the Ranks, and Nate realized that the news was going to break all across the commonwealth like wildfire. He needed to draft an official statement to release to Travis and Jonathan on the radio stations, such as to dispel rumors and speculation on the events that transpired in the belly of the beast.
Meanwhile, he just smiled and waved, even stopping to have short conversations with people. He made extra effort to make himself seem approachable, and nobody was ever hurt from being nice he'd always say. He knew just what to say and when to say it, and tried his hardest to be modest when people heaped praise on him, deferring it to his men instead.

Once he had bid the most recent well-wisher goodbye, he led the party through to the courtyard and climbed the stairs up a recently repaired stage. Minutemen flags waved over his head on both sides, and some old patriotic curtains hung from the front of the stage. He waited silently for a while, while others shuffled in and quieted down. When everyone's attention was on him, he spread his arms in a welcoming and questioning manner and began in a warm voice, "So where's the after-party at?" Whatever tension that may have been stirring during the short wait instantly dissipated, and they all shared a short laugh.
Shaking his head and laughing lightly, he waved at the crowd gathered beneath him. "Welcome everyone, I thank you all for finding the time to listen to me speak. You may or may not have heard, but unless some of you gotten lost and just wound up here, I'm assuming you all know what I'm about to talk about. For those who actually did wind up here, I'll explain it to you. A couple of days ago, the Castle was attacked by none other then the Institute." A couple of gasps rang out from those who didn't know. "It failed spectacularly thanks to our heavy turret grid, and we didn't even sustain an injury, unless you count Stewart's stubbed toe when he leapt out of bed too fast. I would be shocked if he didn't whine about it near you at one point."
Near the back a man called out in a fake whiny voice "That sucker STILL hurts!" To much more laughter now they were all comfortable listening to Nate. "But jokes aside" He continued, "We were fortunate to not suffer any losses. Turrets are replaceable with parts, I can't replace my brothers in arms. I'd would sacrifice all the spare parts in the world to keep my men alive." He paused for a moment to maximize the impact his words had on the crowd. "After the attack, we declared war upon the Institute. We worked against them, but had not engaged in open hostilities up until that day. Everywhere across the Commonwealth Minutemen got the order. 'Exterminate every last Institute synth you see, the Institute had declared war on the Commonwealth'. Secret Operations and Field Experiments they were running were instantly shut down thanks to our Intel. Aside from the few that managed to escape, or those we have yet to learn about, almost every single Institute operation on the surface was eradicated. The only ones left were the Institute themselves. I gained access to the facility, which was underneath the Old CIT building the entire time, and let the rest of the army in. What actually happened inside is mostly confidential, but we blew up the Nuclear reactor they were constantly bragging about on Dimond City Radio. Set the detonator, and retreated to a safe distance to watch to fireworks.

Those of you who know me understand I value human life. In this day and age, we all should. I may not have enjoyed blowing up their home, necessary as it was. But when you try to kill my family, and my friends, there is no place in the world I will not personally travel to in order for vengeance. I can guarantee you, that I am not the only one in this crowd tonight who has no problems promising that. The Minutemen SHALL not stand by, as people enforce their dominion over technology to subjugate good, honest and hardworking people like you. The Minutemen WILL not stand by as terrorists kidnap, experiment, and murder our loved ones. The Minutemen DO not stand by, when these insurgents come blowing down our doors expecting us to just roll over and let them trample all over us. When have we EVER sat back and let this world shit on our ways of life? Never. We are survivors! We have fought Deathclaws, Yaoi Gui, Stingwings and even the land itself to try and just survive! We aren't even Living yet. Living is when you are happy with your place in life. Living is when you can let your children out to play with no fear of something horrible happening. Living is when you can sit back after a long day, open a cold beer, and finally say 'I made it'. THAT is what really living is.

Then, when I'm old and frail, and your children are all grown up living happy lives with kids of their own. When their kids have no idea what a monster even is anymore, aside from the ghost stories told, that's when I'll be able to finally sit back and say, 'I made it'.

I will not rest until that future is realized, and I hope all you gathered here today will be standing right next to me, looking out at this new world we created together.

For the Minutemen, For the Commonwealth, and for the Future!" he finally ended, before he walked off the stage, heading towards his quarters. Moods were running high, and people lost to despair were finally revitalized. Cheers rang out, and people clapped each other on the back in their excitement.

Then, Nate suddenly hopped back up on the stage, with one last important thing to say, "Also, let's all go get drunk off our asses later, tonight we celebrate the New World! And before you decide not to come... I'm buying." The crowd went absolutely wild at that statement, before beginning the chant of, "General, General, General" in celebration. Nate was swarmed as he walked down the steps, surrounded by people with nothing but adoration and reverence for this Hero walking among them.

Hey peeps! You got through another chapter, yay for you! I'm surprised anyone might actually want to keep reading, but hey, I'm not complaining. If you liked, please drop a comment, or follow if you might like where this is heading. I always have ideas running through my head, but I'm certainly not an English major. That and I'm never that good at longer stories. I prefer to read, not write, but I figured I might as well give it a shot. Thanks again!