TLW had been tasked with overseeing the establishment of the first factory. He had decided that a distillation and brewery factory was the best option for the project, and for two simple reasons. First, high-proof alcohol would not only serve as a steady source of anaesthesia and disinfectant, but also provide alcohol that could be sold or used as a morale booster. The first reports from the farms indicated that the harvest of corn was above expectations, and both grains, potatoes, and other crops could be used in alcohol production. Second, they had an endless supply of fresh water.
TLW had arranged for a Vertibird to fly him to a specific destination. Though he wasn't aware of any nearby breweries, there was a location not far from Arlington and the Library that might work: the Nuka-Cola plant. The trip took only ten minutes, and soon the plant was in view. The Vertibird circled the area before landing outside. TLW disembarked and inspected the surroundings. It wasn't far from Capitol, and there were still roads leading back. However, the area hadn't been fully cleared, and his Geiger counter was ticking. The remains of an Enclave encampment still littered the site, with patrols passing by only a few times a month. Nevertheless, it was the only place with the capacity and equipment they needed. Given that TLW had full authority to act, he made a radio call.
Four hours later, three Vertibirds arrived, bringing with them 25 Steels. The soldiers quickly organized themselves and began clearing the plant. TLW waited inside one of the Vertibirds, the distant sound of laser fire reaching his ears. Forty minutes later, the Steels returned, declaring the plant secure. In the past, the operation might have resulted in casualties, but the Steels had become highly efficient at clearing out ruins.
As they departed, another fleet of Vertibirds landed, this time carrying workers in Hazmat suits along with cleaning equipment. A tent camp was quickly set up, complete with a decontamination arch and generators. A perimeter of around 50 soldiers was established around the factory. Over the next few days, dead ghouls, radroaches, and destroyed robots were hauled out while the area was systematically cleaned. The Nuka-Cola Quantum was drained from the floor, and the rubble was cleared away. Within three days, the area was no longer radioactive, and the site was pristine.
TLW stood outside as two engineers from the army corps emerged from the plant.
"Is it possible?" TLW asked.
"It's possible," one of the engineers replied. "The damage can be repaired with the right parts. If we have the ingredients, we can brew a large amount of beer. The distillery will have more limited capacity, but it's workable. There are separate production areas for different products. However, there are some roadblocks."
"Such as?" TLW asked.
"We need to lay water pipes from the basin to here. The brewery requires a large amount of water. Second, we need a reliable power source. Third, acquiring glass will need to be a continuous effort. After that, we'll need to sift through our scrap metal to find the right pieces. The problem with the brewery is that it's missing fermenting equipment. We can repurpose something from other sites and build it, but it will take time."
"How long?" TLW asked.
"If everything goes according to plan, hopefully six months."
"Then let it be so. Send me a list of everything you need, and I'll sign it," TLW ordered.
The engineer nodded in approval. TLW walked toward the waiting Vertibird. He had been on-site for three days and was in desperate need of a shower. As for the timeline, the farmers' harvest was still months away, so there was no immediate rush.
As the Vertibird took off on its way back to the Capitol, TLW gazed at the distant lights and asked the pilot to turn around toward Megaton. It had been over a year since he had last been there.
Much had changed in Megaton, much like the rest of the Wasteland. The back walls had been removed to allow for expansion, and though the gate remained, a larger checkpoint had been established, with a few roadhouses now standing outside. The city had also expanded, with houses stretching further out from the crater. A new helipad had been built in front of the entrance, now used for Vertibird landings. TLW stepped out and instructed the pilot to return to the Capitol. As he walked through the stalls outside the gate, he noticed that it was open, with a steady stream of people coming and going.
The giant bomb had long since been removed, and the space in the center had been paved and now featured a fountain. The stairs leading up had been upgraded as well, now made of flat concrete stones. From the top, where the wall once stood, the street extended into a new square, with houses surrounding it. Two Regulators stood on patrol, keeping watch. In the distance, a new radio antenna stood tall, improving communication with the Capitol.
When TLW opened the door to his house, Mr. Wadsworth greeted him. "Master, so good to see you!" the robot said. "I've been cleaning and keeping your house tidy." TLW thanked him and made his way upstairs to his bed. There, he had the best sleep he'd had in a long time.
TLW woke early the next morning, the sounds of construction work pulling him from sleep. He could hear workers shouting to each other as they built foundations for new houses and expanded plumbing around the area. The materials they were using had been salvaged from the vast piles of scrap that still littered the Wasteland.
"Good morning! Are you staying inside today?" Mr. Wadsworth asked.
"No, I'm heading to the Capitol," TLW replied as he walked out.
Megaton had come a long way since its early days. He passed through the plaza, down the stairs where the nuclear bomb once stood, and out through the gates. It was still early, and the stalls hadn't opened yet, leaving only the regular guards and a few early risers outside. A small group of five soldiers from the engineering battalion were also out, scouting the area to determine the best place to continue the roadwork. The problem was that the main roads from before the Great War were about two kilometers away, through rough terrain. However, they could twist the road up north through the hill and connect it there.
TLW decided to take the long walk north to check on Springvale. The trip took thirty minutes through muddy terrain and steep hills. If the road was paved, it would cut the walking time in half. As he approached the old road, he caught sight of the ruins of Springvale. There were more soldiers there, along with many construction workers. Most of the old houses had been torn down, except for a few that were still habitable. The Red Rocket station remained, as did the Holy Light Monastery, though its purpose had changed. TLW had previously convinced the monks to stop their attempts at turning people into ghouls. Now, they focused on charity work, distributing food and water. The Third Link kept an eye on them to ensure they didn't hand out irradiated materials.
Plans for Springvale had already been set. A group of fifty soldiers would settle there to secure the roads and keep an eye on Vault 101. Since the last incident, TLW had been banned from the vault for good, and that posed a problem. As electricity demand continued to grow, the power from the Citadel and Rivet City's sources would eventually run out. The nuclear reactor at Vault 101 would have been a perfect solution for many more years, but that was a problem for another time. For now, workers were laying the foundations for new houses. These would be the first houses built according to the guidelines of the old generation, though it was still an experimental process. It was one thing to read old manuals, but another entirely to gain firsthand experience. The only way to gain that experience was by building.
TLW turned and began walking back toward the Capitol. His path would take him past the old barn house that stood between Megaton and the Super-Duper Mart. The silo had already been replaced, but the house itself was gone. In its place, three tents had been set up around a campsite, with a group of people huddled together, looking at drawings and arguing among themselves. TLW guessed they were discussing the plans for an inn, or perhaps a barn. This location was ideal for a bed and breakfast for travelers who arrived too early for Megaton but too late for the Capitol area. TLW figured he'd find out soon enough what the final decision would be.
Another three hours passed, and TLW finally spotted the Super-Duper Mart in the distance. Once cleared of raiders, it had now been incorporated into the town of Greyditch and was set to become a future auction site for Brahmin cattle. The bridge nearby was being upgraded, with the engineering corps paving the road and reinforcing the foundations. The old highway bridge was scheduled to be torn down. Hovering several meters above them, it seemed unnecessary to rebuild it, and without the technology to do so, controlled explosions had already brought parts of it down, salvaging the concrete for other uses. A few pillars still remained standing.
The building plans had yet to include the large former office building located just ten minutes from the Super-Duper Mart. However, the cattle owners needed spaces to discuss business and sleep away from their farms. There had already been interest from various entrepreneurs to eventually build new hotels. TLW turned left as he neared the Mart and crossed the bridge. This structure was vital, as it connected Greyditch to the main areas of the Capital Wasteland.
Suddenly, the peaceful sounds of jackhammers and drills were interrupted by a piercing noise that resembled a Vertibird in the distance. TLW scanned the horizon and spotted one of the Vertibirds, disappearing from sight as it headed south.