In 1998, when the global thermonuclear war finally happened, the prison was taken over by a group of US Army Engineers and the inmates expelled into the surrounding deserts. The new owners quickly converted the facility to suit their needs and rechristened it Ranger Center. Over the years, members of surrounding survivalist communities were invited to join the Rangers, and the Center grew. By 2087 it was one of the most prosperous settlements in the wastes.