1. Talk with Tinker Tom
2. Upload encrypted message on any Institute terminal
3. Read Patriot’s reply
4. Meet Patriot
5. Follow Liam
6. Talk with Liam
7. Talk to Desdemona
8. Enter report on terminal
9. Talk with PAM
10. Get password for Code Defender
11. Return to Desdemona
12. Give password to Liam Binet
13. Meet with Z1-14
14. Give Z1-14 a day
15. Meet with Z1-14
16. Kill the tunnel guards
17. (Optional) Deposit weapons for rebels
18. Return to Z1-14
19. Continue working with Father
20. Wait for Z1-14 to contact you
21. Meet with Z1-14
22. Warn Desdemona
Locations to Explore
- Old North Church
- The Institute
- Cambridge
- Cambridge Polymer Labs
A True Patriot
Once you complete Main Quest: The Molecular Level—and you worked with the Railroad during that quest—you receive an encoded Holotape from Desdemona that you can use at any Institute terminal to contact the Railroad’s guardian angel, Patriot. Tinker Tom also has some advice before handing you the Network Scanner Holotape.
Network Scanner
Relay into the Institute, and locate any terminal (one example is pictured). Access it, insert the Network Scanner Holotape, then read the reply when it appears.
Patriot sends you an encrypted message requesting your presence at the Advanced Systems maintenance room. Say hello to Liam Binet, who subsequently introduces you to another friend on the inside, the synth Z1-14.
After another chat with Liam, relay back to Desdemona and inform her of your progress.
Laboratory Lockdown
Patriot has a daring rescue plan, but this requires the login credentials for C.I.T.’s original security system, named “Code Defender.” Return to the Railroad HQ, and speak with Desdemona. She points you in the direction of PAM, who offers some advice after you enter the report on her terminal.
It seems a man named Wilfred Bergman worked on the project and has the login credentials you need. Relay down to Cambridge Neighborhood, and enter Cambridge Polymer Labs. After a brief orientation with a robot named Molly, you’re sealed inside this facility in the clean room. That isn’t helpful, but it does begin the Miscellaneous quest at this location. You’re only here to access Bergman’s terminal, though:
In the main mezzanine area (with the upper balcony), fight off the Feral Ghouls and look for the sign for laboratory C3. You enter this laboratory via lab C4. Access lab C5 through the hole in the wall. Get to lab C3 by climbing the “ramp” of ceiling debris, crawling across the ceiling crawlspace, and dropping down the third hole you spot in the floor. Drop in from the collapsed ceiling above.
- (Expert) Or hack the wall terminal to open the lab C3 door.
Access Bergman’s terminal and collect the password. Then return and speak with Desdemona.
Freedom Is Never Given—It Is Won
Back at Railroad HQ, Desdemona informs you of an even more daring rescue operation, but your plans remain unchanged: Relay back to the Institute, hand the login credentials to Patriot (Liam Benet), and then rendezvous with Z1-14.
Is he willing to fight for his freedom? He needs to process this
information. Twenty-four hours later, he has an answer. Sit and wait if you wish.
When you return, Z1-14 tells you many volunteers have joined the cause for freedom, but they require weapons. Optionally deposit any weapons and ammunition into the maintenance locker if you wish to arm the synths in the next fight. Then access a storage area and the elevator down to the tunnels. Repel all Institute-loyal synth guards at the tunnel entrance. Then return to Z1-14 and inform him of your victory. So you don’t raise suspicion, continue to work with Father until you complete the Institute Quest: Powering Up.
After you successfully complete the Institute Quest: Powering Up, you receive a covert message from Z1-14. Journey to your Institute quarters (given to you during Institute Quest: Synth Retention). He tells you of a worrying development regarding the Brotherhood of Steel. Immediately head back to the Railroad HQ. Desdemona is mobilizing the Railroad’s defenses and hands you a weapon that might come in handy for the battle to come. This leads to Railroad Quest: Precipice of War.
Railway Rifle and Ammo