Renewing a Nation

A Fallout 3 Fanfiction

Quest Added: Rebuild the Nation

Disclaimer: I don't own any aspect of Fallout or its affiliates.

Summary: With his conquests of the Capital Wasteland coming to an end, the Lone Wanderer (Daniel) had decided to settle down in any way he can in his 'luxury' apartment in Megaton. He is quickly called out of retirement by the Brotherhood of Steel to aid in the mass reconstruction effort for the Wasteland. Follows a very high karma Lone Wanderer. Romance: Lone Wanderer/Sarah Lyons.

Description of the Lone Wanderer (Daniel): Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Tan complexion. Small wave hair style.

A Note from the Author: Thanks for all the reviews! As always, I'll go ahead and answer the questions and concerns that go along with each chapter. I understand why there are so many questions. Fallout is an rpg, so things can turn out so many different ways! Ok. The first question/concern brought up was the "rush" issue. One reviewer said that he/she felt really awkward at the end. If any of you felt awkward in the end because you thought it was "rushed" or the plot just in general made you feel awkward. Congratulations…you're finally starting to feel what I want you to feel. Their whole forced romance thing at the beginning is supposed to feel awkward at the beginning. It gets better as the story goes on. For those of you who think Sarah is a bit OOC, I promise you that things become clearer. One of my very good reviewers that I see as a major influence commented on the 'bumbling school girl' that Sarah has become. To this I say check her dialogue at the ending points of Broken Steel. You can tell by the way she speaks that she has a lot hidden under her armor (not that way, perverts!) She wants to be herself, but her career, her honor, and her missions really repress her. She really wants to find love, I deduced that. Lastly, don't get so nit-picky with the vault population numbers. I'm not out to make Fallout 4! So, without further ado, please read, review, and enjoy my creation.

P.S.: Thanks to carnax for reminding me that Sarah is only 26! Gosh, I just never seemed to do the math. The general consensus, I guess in my understanding, was that she was 30. My bad, and thanks again!

Here we go:

Chapter 4

About twenty minutes later, her heart began to race as she heard the door open. Daniel casually walked inside, shut the door, and removed his hat. "Sarah?" He asked.

She nearly jumped. "Yeah?" She replied looking at him trying to keep herself from blushing.

He smiled. "We need to talk." He said sitting pulling his rolling chair next to her desk, a mere three feet separating the two.

Sarah sighed. "Look…my father…" She began.

"Your father is a very wise man." Daniel interjected. "He told me that marrying you would end up being a good thing both politically and socially. Why? He didn't really explain. He also said that it's a wonderful thing when two heroes find love together." He said and smiled.

Sarah laughed. "My father would say that. He's so poetic sometimes. Especially when I was young; he would tell me these weird anticdotes that took me years to understand."

Daniel smiled at her and looked down.

"Something wrong?" Sarah asked.

"Well it depends on how you look at it in your perspective. I've already come to terms with the fact that I do love you. I'm really not ashamed to admit it. The way you looked at me when I was in the Purifier chamber, I just knew then and there that you were the one for me. I don't really care if you're seven years older than me; it's just irrelevant to me. You saved my life at Adams Air Force Base and I'll never forget that. Yes, Sarah. I love you." Daniel said looking at her square in the eyes.

The first time she heard him say "I do love you," it shocked her to the core. It shocked her so much that she was left speechless, which to her, meant she was vulnerable. As she sat speechless, she felt ashamed. Why would the fearless leader of the Lyon's Pride not be able to say anything? But the second time Daniel said I love you, it really hit home. Then something magical happened; Sarah Lyons's heart melted when Daniel leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. She closed her eyes and kissed back. Between kisses, she muttered, "God, I love you too."

It had been nearly a month since that first kiss. Sarah and Daniel began to 'date' behind closed doors, away from the other Knights. Sarah had told him that she didn't want their relationship status to become public at all. Not only would this jeopardize her honor amongst other BoS members, but it may make her look weak. Daniel respected her wishes as best he could. Their 'dates' were simple conversations in either Daniel or Sarah's personal quarters.

In the month that followed the first kiss, the reconstruction project was in full swing. Scribe Rothschild had finally finished his air cleaner for eradiating the air of the D.C. area. A small company of Knights were dispatched to keep post at the power plant to the northwest area. One issue that Daniel easily solved was the material issue. Paladin Tristan complained that he lacked the resources to create the vast miles of water pipeline that the project required. With a simple radio conversation with Wernher, newly appointed 'governor' of Pittsburg, Daniel was easily able to get an order for the pipeline that was required. Apparently, ever since Daniel liberated the slaves of the Pitt, the people and the business there had never been better. Demand for steel in other areas attempting to reconstruct went through the roof.

Apparently Wernher hired over three thousand vault dwellers right out of the vault near Pittsburg to work for 'pay' in the newly reactivated and repaired steel mills. He encouraged Daniel to stop by sometime. Apparently all the slaves of the Pitt dedicated a statue of him that stands right near the old 'Mill.' Wernher also enquired if the rumors were true that Daniel was going to reinstate paper and coin as the new currency. Daniel confirmed it and Wernher seemed quite happy we would be able to get rid of the stockpiles of bottle caps he was forced to guard.

Along with water pipeline, Wernher also encouraged sewer lines for the 'continuance of sanitary conditions and public health.' Daniel agreed and Wernher jotted down the order for the miles and miles of pipe. Daniel was also surprised to hear that Wernher made electrical line. "Hell yes! Half of Pittsburg is back to using light bulbs again!" He commented. So Daniel called off Paladin Tristan's plan of repairing downed, most likely corroded, wiring in favor of new, covered, high voltage wire. Just before the conversation ended, Wernher commented that the people want to see the Lone Wanderer. He said if you gave any command, they would blindly follow. Flattered, Daniel thanked Wernher for his help and ended the transmission. Wernher guaranteed delivery in one week for the wire, and three for the pipeline.

In the month that followed their kiss, Daniel and Sarah had successfully created a plan for a worker's fort for protection of them and their families as they worked to reconstruct. The city could hold a maximum of 8,000 people comfortably with a set of barracks for troops guarding the walls and towers that surrounded it. The site for the town was set to be on the location of the Super-Duper Mart. The plan was to tear down the raider's reclusive hideout to make way for the town. The only trouble was the initial manpower needed to build the city. The city needed to be built first before Daniel could coax vault dwellers and hermit Wastelanders out of hiding. The Brotherhood had around 100 men to spare for manual labor, but other than that, they were it. Daniel, with permission of Elder Lyons, initiated an emergency council meeting. He gave the idea of hiring ghouls and willing Wastelanders to build the project. Paladin Cross and Tristan flat out refused immediately. This truly upset Daniel and made him outburst at the two.

"You bigots! Why do you hate those people so much? They're just people like you and I. Poor, unfortunate people that didn't make it into a vault. They're not monsters. They're just people. They didn't ask to become what they became. The feral ghouls have tainted you. I know each and every one of you know the difference between a regular ghoul and a feral ghoul…" Daniel's speech went on for quite some time. In the end he made Cross and Tristan look like fools.

"Your comments are very convincing, Head Paladin, but I'm not sure the rest of the Wasteland agrees." Elder Lyons pointed out.

"Just permit them to work for us, and I'll make sure the Wasteland views them as heroes." Daniel said, and walked out of the chambers.

With that, Daniel made the trip to the Underworld to speak with Winthrop.

"You're fuckin' crazy. No way are we gonna wanna come outta here to help the Brotherhood. Listen, kid. Our respect for ya has no end, but those Steel assholes would shoot us on sight." Winthrop said to Daniel as they sat drinking a beer.

"No, my friend. I've taken care of that. I've even convinced Lyons to sign a sort of 'civil rights' agreement for the ghouls. You're just the same as us, Winthrop. I respect you, and they will too. I mean think about it. You're going to play a major part in the reconstruction of the country. People will look up to you." Daniel said.

"Eh…maybe. If you got the caps, my friend, then we've got the time." Winthrop said standing.

Daniel laughed and shook Winthrop's hand. "Someday soon, we're going to have everyone turn their stupid bottle caps in for new, real money." Daniel said.

Winthrop was surprised. "You got gold to back it up, kid?"

"Yeah. Fort Knox is fine." Daniel replied.

"Very nice. Well gimme a week, and I'll radio you to give you numbers."

One week to the day later, Winthrop radioed Brotherhood HQ. "Underworld to Brotherhood! Winthrop, mayor of Underworld speaking."

Daniel quickly took the message. Winthrop was very shocked. Nearly all Underworld signed up to aid the construction effort, provided they be guaranteed a place to stay in the fort, as well as a daily wage. Daniel was even more shocked to learn that the total number of enlisted men and woman was 1263. Winthrop said they would be making the migration from Underwood to the Citadel tomorrow. Apparently they all were eager to get out of the Underworld and see the sun again as well as to work.

With the issue of labor out of the way, he now focused on the supplies that were to be arriving in another week or two. He told Wernher that Brotherhood Vertiberds would be arriving to rush back the shipment.

Scribe Rothschild had flipped the switch of the air cleaner the week that Daniel spoke to Wernher and seemed to be working quite well. The wind no longer stung the cheeks, and many people were claiming the air was already easier to breathe. He was also able to begin the final works on reconstructing Liberty Prime. Thanks to Daniel's scavenging for parts in the past, Scribe Rothschild and his team were now able to focus on finishing him up. Not only would Prime be used as a defense, he would also serve as a great way to clear downed buildings and to move rubble.

Sadly, the morning Sarah was supposed to meet the workers at the work site for a briefing and to begin work, she fell ill. "Definitely something I ate, Daniel" She affirmed. Daniel, although worried that she was sick, was confident she would be just fine. So, he had to go and address the workers themselves.

By the time he got to the site, under guard by the Lyon's Pride, he was led to a high ledge and given a megaphone. As soon as the workers caught sight of Daniel on the ledge above them, they strangely enough began to clap and cheer. "It's our leader!" many cried. This made Daniel feel awkward. 'These people really do look up to me.'

"Good morning, everyone!" Daniel said over the megaphone. All the cheering subsided and all 1263 workers, some carrying shovels and picks, some even carrying pistols and rifles, focused on their hero.

"Welcome to the sight of Fort Jefferson! This will begin the construction of yours and over 7000 others' home for many years to come! I personally encourage you, not to cut corners. The harder you work, the longer this fort will stand for your children, and your children's children. Now, the first thing I ask you is to step up to one of the twelve tables here, speak with one of our Brotherhood Knights, he or she will issue you two blue jumpsuits. We understand that many of you do not have many changes of clothes, so these jumpsuits will be very useful in keeping yourselves clean. Secondly! Make sure you sign your name on the ledger at each table. This is essential for your payment! If you cannot write, one of our Brotherhood knights will write your name down; simply just tell them your name. When work has ceased for the day, you will be escorted back to Underworld under protective guard. Those of you who brought rifles, we encourage you to 'stack' them in tripods near the guard's posts. When you sign up, you will be handed a work pass with a letter on it. When you have finished with all of this, find the officers holding up the letter you are assigned. You will work from there. Ummm…I believe that's it." Daniel explained. Then one more encouraging phrase came to mind.

"God save the United States!" He yelled over the megaphone. This brought the crowd of ghouls into a roar of cheers. "Daniel! Daniel! Daniel!" They cried.

In a matter of three hours, all the workers were registered, dressed in jumpsuits, and in formation with their lettered leader. Ground breaking had begun.

About half way through the work day, Daniel, from Sarah's intended office in a tent nearby, radioed in to the Citadel and gave a report to Elder Lyons himself. Afterwards, he went out to walk the grounds.

Everyone was at work. A large group of ghouls and about a dozen Protectrons were working to knock down the Super Duper Mart. The Brotherhood had driven out all the raiders that morning. Another group was digging the foundations for the wall that would soon be built. Another was digging to prepare the laying of concrete. Another small group of 'educated' ghouls with a few scribes, were looking over plans for piping and electric lines. The activity never ceased.

"We can do this." Daniel said to himself.

Thanks for reading! Remember to leave a review! Positive, constructive, points are always appreciated, my friends!