Shaun

Shaun (2076-2287), dubbed the Father by the Institute, is the son of the Sole Survivor and active director of the Institute in 2287.

Background
Born to future Sole Survivor and their spouse Nate/Nora, a family still living the American Dream as late as 2077, Shaun was barely a year old when nuclear fire buried America in a radioactive tomb. Taken to safety in Vault 111 and placed in cryonic suspension, Shaun was preserved as an infant for decades. It all changed with the coming of the 23rd century, as the Institute hit a snag with its organic synth project and needed uncorrupted, pre-War DNA. The sleeping child, sheltered by the rock and metal of the Vault, was the perfect donor. In 2227, he was liberated from his parents by Conrad Kellogg, a gunshot severing him from his old life and ushering into a new one.

After providing samples, Shaun was adopted by the Institute as one of its own members. He proved himself to be a talented pupil, easily capable of mastering the sciences the Institute held in high regard and eventually came to hold the position of Director. Called Father, due to him effectively ushering in the third generation of synths with his DNA, he became privy to all the secrets of the Institute. Including the survival of one of his parents. Until then, the now adult Shaun paid little mind to his parents, as he never really knew them. But now, knowing of their existence, he released them - both as a way to meet them and to learn how they would deal with the wasteland, as a method for understanding himself. And, perhaps, to give their surviving parent closure, by setting up a confrontation with Kellogg.

He is focused on preserving the Institute for centuries to come and advancing its agenda. As a member of the organization and its leader, he firmly believes that there's no future for humanity on the surface, with the only real option being continued dwelling underground. Unlike Morlocks, he intends to enable it by providing limitless energy to the underground metropolis, through the ancient CIT reactor that was kept dormant since the Great War.

The Institute holds Father in high regard, in no small part due to the appearance of a stoic, stable leader he maintains and a diplomatic face he puts on when settling down issues that arise between Institute divisions. However influential and charismatic he is, Shaun cannot escape biology. Although many knew he was under Dean Volkert's care, few were privy to the fact that Shaun is suffering from an aggressive form of cancer, one that the Institute cannot treat despite countless attempts and experimental treatments. To maintain continuity of governnance, Shaun intends to name his surviving parent as Director once he passes, to provide it with a capable leader. Scientists are a dime a dozen, after all, but true, capable leaders are quite the opposite. The Sole Survivor: "Can you tell me more about this reactor?" Shaun: "Certainly. It was originally built for the Commonwealth Institute of Technology before the war, but was only for testing. Over the years we've advanced the technology, made a great many improvements, and are finally nearly ready to activate it. The reactor is close to ready, but recent tests have determined we have a few tasks ahead of us. Thus, we come to Phase Three. And to how you will help." Justin Ayo: "Sir?" Shaun: "Yes, Doctor Ayo. Previously we would rely on Kellogg for above ground operations, yes? Well, he is gone. While I am not overly fond of putting my own father/mother in harm's way, he/she has proven more than capable of handling himself/herself." Justin Ayo: "Yes, but..." Shaun: "This is not a matter for debate. Now, there is one more subject that requires discussion." Clayton Holdren: "I don't know that this is the time..." Shaun: "Doctor Holdren, it is time. Please. As I'm sure several of you are already aware, I have been under Doctor Volkert's care for some time. I'm sorry, this is... difficult for me. Our best efforts have failed. Every experimental treatment we could devise has been unsuccessful. I'm... I'm sorry to say I am dying." Madison Li: "What?!" Justin Ayo: "You can't be serious!" Shaun: "Please, everyone. Please! I am sorry. This is not how I'd wanted to tell you, but we're running out of time. The only thing that matters now is continuing the Institute's work. It will be all right, I assure you." The Sole Survivor: "You're dying?" Shaun: "I'm afraid so. A very aggressive form of cancer. Believe me when I say we've done everything we can. We can talk more later. Right now, the future of the Institute is at stake. The Institute cannot survive without leadership. The Directorate must continue to govern with the best interests of all in mind. The Institute cannot survive without leadership. The Directorate must continue to govern with the best interests of all in mind. To that end, I am naming my father/mother as my successor." Clayton Holdren: "Oh, boy." Justin Ayo: "You can't be serious!" Allie Filmore: "Really?" Madison Li: "Seems a poor choice." Justin Ayo: "How can you possibly justify this? He/She isn't one of us... he/she isn't even a scientist!" Shaun: "Ignoring your borderline-insubordinate tone, I will simply say this. The Institute has enough scientists. What it needs is a leader. I believe my father/mother has already proven himself/herself more than capable in that regard. That will conclude this meeting. Thank you." (Shaun's, Justin Ayo's, Clayton Holdren's, Allie Filmore's and Madison Li's dialogue)

Quests

 * Shaun is the head of the Institute and can induct the player into its ranks - and starts all of its main quests. It's possible to be permanently barred from the Institute from the outset, by refusing to side with the Institute at the end of Institutionalized.

Appearances
Shaun appears only in Fallout 4.