I apologize. I was kind of frustrated with this chapter, juggling idea to idea on how to proceed. So in order to make up lost time, I'll give you a much larger chapter

To those who were kind enough to review thank you.

Long Live Warhammer40K: Wait and see!

BTS: I don't plan on disappointing.

TEN10X: Good advice is always appreciated.

Annabeth-1person-fan: Here you go.

Josh: I hope these two chapters fuel your interest.

Disclaimer: Again, not mine. I own only Marcus, and any other original characters that will eventually show up in this story.

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Beneficial Consequences

Outside the remains of the Jefferson Memorial, the sounds of battle had died away, only to be replaced by a background noise that grew more intense with every passing moment. The remainder of Brotherhood and Enclave soldiers who moments ago were locked in mortal combat soon found themselves deafened by the growing crescendo of the water. Even Liberty Prime, a machine whose sole purpose was for battle, ceased its war making for a moment to assess this new factor in the environment.

Then without warning it was silent, a false silence that promised that a far greater cacophony of noise would certainly come.

It did.

With a mighty roar that defied generations of contamination, disease, and pestilence, the waters of life flowed at last. Thousands upon thousands of gallons of fresh water were pumped from the Jefferson Memorial, irrevocably changing the environment within Washington DC, and ensuring the survival of future generations of humanity. In the weeks to come, plants would begin to grow along the edges of the Potomac. In just a few years, Farmers would use the fresh water to grow crops to support the growing population of the Capital Wasteland. And the wasteland itself would slowly over the centuries begin to fade away, and a new world would finally arise from the ashes of the old.

For most who realized the significance of the moment, they let themselves ponder of the future, of the change the purifier's activation would bring. For three other individuals, (a loyal canine, a Brotherhood Sentinel, and a scholarly super mutant) the future was the farthest thing on their minds. Ensuring the survival of the man who had sacrificed everything for that that future was their primary concern.

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Fawkes was the first one out of the Memorial, followed closely by Sarah Lyons and Dogmeat. The super mutant carried, with little difficulty, the armored figure of Marcus Dawn, determined to save his life.

"Medic!" was the first word out of Sentinel Lyons's mouth, her entire being demanding to find a way to save Dawn's life, though she knew the chances of saving someone so heavily radiated were close to nil. She had lost far too many men today however, and was not willing to let Marcus die without a fight.

As for Dogmeat, he kept close to his master, quiet but for the occasional whimper.

Fawkes gently set Marcus on the ground, where he was quickly attended to by one of the Brotherhoods surviving medics.

Not far from where the group was centered, the dozen or so surviving Enclave soldiers prepared to board their remaining two vertibirds when one soldier noted the cluster of figures on near the entrance. He turned and tapped his superior officer on the shoulder.

"Colonel Autumn?"

When Autumn looked at him in askance, the soldier pointed, and after a moment of study, the Colonel recognized the figure on the beach. Though his face gave away nothing, the Colonel debated internally for a moment, before making a decision that he knew might one day regret.

He turned to the soldier who addressed him. "Tell the pilot on the other bird to head to the delta base. We'll catch up with them later."

Then without waiting too see the soldiers reaction, Colonel Augustus Autumn began walking down the ramp towards the individuals whom he had been fully prepared to kill just a few minutes ago.

Meanwhile the medic, an older knight named Marek, offered a grim prognosis. "Were not going to be able to save him here. If he's going to have any chance at all, we need to keep him stable and isolated, which means we need to get him to the Citadel."

The medic gave a frustrated sigh,

"He's not going to survive the journey back however. Technically he should be dead already, but his body seems to be regenerating somehow, but unless we get him back to base fast he will not survive."

A familiar accented voice interrupted any orders Sarah Lyons was about to bark.

"I may be able to help you there"

Sarah was the first to draw her rifle and was quickly followed by every other surviving member of the Lyons' Pride. Dogmeat bared his fangs at the silver haired colonel. Only Fawkes committed no threatening action, but a super mutant does not require weapons or even a threatening posture to look intimidating. His stare was enough.

In response Autumn only lifted his hands, showing no weapons, but a syringe with a red liquid. He continued speaking, his tone giving no indication of fear.

"I have in my hand a highly advanced version of radaway and stimpak . Injecting into Dawn's neck will give him a much better chance of survival. One of these was used last month to save my own life. I'm also willing to have him taken to the remains of the Pentagon via vertibird. Or you could shoot me, damage the medicine, and my men will either avenge me or leave, giving him no chance at all. So, what are you going to do?"

The Brotherhood members paused, and looked to Sarah for guidance.

Sarah Lyons was not a person who enjoyed receiving ultimatums. Before she could say anything however, Marcus began convulsing.

The medic immediatley dropped back to his patient, cursing his lack of attention to his charge. "He's going into cardiac arrest!"

"God Dammit!" Sarah cursed, an immediately rushed to Autumn, who, after recieving a quick "You'll live" surrendered the syringne.

Sarah quickly closed the distance between her and Marcus, and injected the red liquid into the convulsing man's neck. The convulsions ceased immediately, and was replaced by stable, if ragged, breathing.

Masking her relief with her trademark disclipine, Sarah began barking orders "Fawkes get him onto the Vertibird, Knight Marek" pointing at the medic "Your going with me on the 'bird, just in case he relapses. The rest of you, gather any wounded and head back to the Citadel. We'll be waiting"

She then turned and gave Autumn a glare that promised retribution at any hint of betrayal, and began running to the 'bird. The Colonel said nothing but followed close behind.

On the brief trip to the Citadel, Sarah Lyons asked one question and recieved one answer.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because that dying man on the ground convinced me from throwing my life away and the lives of my men. No other reason"

Nothing else was said.

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The Brotherhood sentries were understandably reluctant to allow an enemy gunship to land in the heart of their Citadel, but the biting reprimands made by the Sentinel were enough to prevent the vertibird from being shot down.

Once the 'bird landed, Marcus Dawn was quickly loaded onto a stretcher and rushed to the infirmary. No sooner had he left the ship did its pilot begin the ascent. Sarah looked at the rising vertibird, and caught Autumn looking down at her. He yelled over sound of the rotor blades.

"If he wakes up, tell him the I owe him nothing now! Remember!"

Sarah nodded, and the bird ascended and quickly dissapeared into the distance.

Sarah Lyons, Sentinel of the Brotherhood of Steel, suddenly felt very tired, and promptly sat back on the nearest wall.

The battle was over, and the fate of Marcus Dawn was out of her hands.

But deep in her bones, she knew, despite the victories of today, greater challenges would continue to arise.

With a sigh, she sat up and immedietly made a beeline for her father.

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I should have another chapter soon, hopefully by tommorow. Older Fallout fans should appreciate it.