241. The Galactic Zone PT.2

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With renewed focus, the team pressed onward, navigating through the twisted corridors and halls of the Galactic Zone, ever closer to their goal of reclaiming the Star Control mainframe and securing the area once and for all.

The team continued their journey through the Galactic Zone, facing wave after wave of hostile robots. The battle was relentless, but their combined strength and strategy allowed them to push forward. Eventually, they reached a large building at the center of the zone, its imposing structure suggesting it held something important.

"This must be it," Sico said, nodding towards the large glass doors.

They carefully approached and opened the doors, stepping into a grand lobby. Past a display case showcasing the Quantum X-01 power armor, they saw a massive mainframe dominating the back wall. The room was eerily quiet, save for the occasional spark from damaged systems.

As they moved closer, they noticed a human corpse near the mainframe, a Star Core lying beside it. Sico picked up the Star Core, now having a total of five. He carefully examined the mainframe and saw numerous empty panels, each needing a Star Core to function.

"We've got enough to start it up," Sico said, beginning to affix the cores to the panels.

One by one, the Star Cores clicked into place. With each insertion, the mainframe hummed to life, its systems slowly coming online. Once the fifth core was installed, Sico approached the terminal linked to the mainframe. The screen flickered, displaying options for selective shutdown.

Welcome to Star Control Mainframe

Select Shutdown Option:

- Eyebots

- Handies (Frothies & Gutsies)

- Nukatrons

Sico selected Nukatrons, knowing their heavy firepower posed a significant threat.

Shutdown Nukatrons? (Y/N)

He pressed Y, confirming the shutdown. The mainframe processed the command, and a message appeared:

Nukatrons shutdown initiated. Remaining units deactivated permanently.

Sico breathed a sigh of relief, knowing they had neutralized one of the most dangerous threats in the zone. But the terminal also displayed further shutdown options, each requiring more Star Cores to deactivate additional robot types.

"It looks like we'll need a lot more Star Cores to shut down the rest," Sico said, turning to his team. "We've taken out the Nukatrons, but there are still Eyebots and Handies out there. And probably other defenses we haven't seen yet."

Hancock nodded, looking at the terminal screen. "We'll have to keep searching the zone for more Star Cores. Every one we find brings us closer to making this place safe."

MacCready checked his gear, ready for the next phase. "Let's get moving. We've made progress, but there's still a lot of ground to cover."

Sico agreed. "Stay alert and stick together. We know what we're up against now, and we'll find those Star Cores. Let's make this place ours."

With their immediate goal achieved but aware of the work still ahead, the team prepared to delve deeper into the Galactic Zone, determined to find the remaining Star Cores and fully reclaim the area.

Sico saw a map displayed on a nearby terminal, detailing the Galactic Zone sections and buildings:

Galactic Zone Sections:

• ArcJet G-Force

• Blast Off!

• Handy Whirl

• Nuka Rockets

• Spacewalk

• Splashdown

Buildings in the Galactic Zone:

• Nuka-Galaxy

• RobCo Battlezone

• Star Market

• Starlight Interstellar Theater

• Starport Nuka

• Vault-Tec: Among the Stars

Sico pondered the layout, then turned to his team. "We need to cover as much ground as possible. Let's split up. Each of us will lead a group to one of these key areas. Stay alert for hostile robots and keep an eye out for Star Cores."

He divided the team, each leader taking 16 people, where Sico will go to the Nuka-Galaxy, MacCready go to RobCo Battlezone. While Robert went to the Star Market, Hancock will go to Starlight Interstellar Theater and Porter Gage will head to Vault-Tec: Among the Stars

After confirming their plan, they set off. Sico led his group towards Nuka-Galaxy. The journey was tense but manageable, with only a few hostile robots encountered and swiftly dealt with.

Upon arriving at Nuka-Galaxy, they entered the building, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. The interior was dark, with occasional flickers of light from malfunctioning displays and machines.

"Stay close and keep your eyes peeled," Sico instructed his group as they began their search.

They moved methodically through the attraction, eventually discovering seven Star Cores:

1. Boarding Area: Behind a door on the right side, a short distance down the tracks.

2. Large Room with Asteroids: Opposite side from the stairs leading down, in a corridor halfway through, on a console.

3. Basement Corridor: Down the corridor, take the elevator to the basement, enter the next room through the opening left of the elevator, and find the core on a console straight ahead.

4. Rocky Environment: Climb the long set of stairs behind the hidden door. Once back on the ride track, the core is on a console up some stairs directly to the left.

5. Disembarkation Zone: In a console at the end of the ride, near the mannequin wearing the Nuka-Girl rocketsuit, together with a key.

6. Upper Floor Office: Accessible through a door that can be opened with the aforementioned key.

7. Small Control Room: Near the office, with some destroyed protectrons.

With the seven additional Star Cores collected, Sico's group regrouped and prepared to return to the mainframe. The journey back was uneventful, the team moving swiftly and silently, aware that they still had much work ahead.

As they arrived back at the mainframe, Sico installed the seven new Star Cores, bringing their total to twelve. He then accessed the terminal, hoping they now had enough to further neutralize the threats within the Galactic Zone.

Welcome to Star Control Mainframe

Select Shutdown Option:

• Eyebots

• Handies (Frothies & Gutsies)

• Nukatrons (Deactivated)

Sico selected the Handies option, knowing they could be just as dangerous as the Nukatrons.

Shutdown Handies? (Y/N)

He pressed Y, confirming the shutdown. The mainframe processed the command, and a message appeared:

Handies shutdown initiated. Remaining units deactivated permanently.

Sico turned to his team, a sense of accomplishment in his voice. "We've made significant progress. With the Handies and Nukatrons deactivated, we're a step closer to reclaiming the Galactic Zone. But there are still Eyebots and possibly other threats out there."

As Sico and his group finished deactivating the Handies, the other teams began to return, each carrying their own collection of Star Cores and tales of their encounters.

MacCready and his team arrived first, looking worn but triumphant. "We found six Star Cores at the RobCo Battlezone," he reported. "It was a tough fight, but we managed to clear out the hostile robots."

Hancock followed, grinning despite a few new scratches. "We pulled out four Star Cores from the Starlight Interstellar Theater. Had a few close calls with some turrets, but nothing we couldn't handle."

Porter Gage and his group appeared next, visibly tired but satisfied. "Vault-Tec: Among the Stars had six Star Cores. Took a while to navigate through the security systems, but we got what we needed."

Finally, Robert came in, a bit more serious. "The Star Market was a bust. We didn't find anything there. But we did manage to secure three Star Cores from the Splashdown, Spacewalk, and ArcJet G-Force sections."

Sico nodded, impressed by their collective efforts. "Great work, everyone. Let's get these Star Cores installed."

The group gathered around the mainframe, each leader handing over their Star Cores. Sico began installing them, one by one, until all the newly acquired cores were in place. The mainframe now had a total of thirty-one Star Cores.

Sico accessed the terminal again, ready to continue deactivating more threats.

Sico accessed the terminal and saw the options for further control over the rogue robots. Two options stood out:

• Limited Control: With 15 cores installed, they could convert one type of robot to their side.

• Defensive Mode: With 20 cores installed, all rogue robots would become friendly, securing the zone.

Sico didn't hesitate. He selected the Defensive Mode option.

Activate Defensive Mode? (Y/N)

He pressed Y, confirming the command. The mainframe processed the input, and a message appeared:

Defensive Mode activated. All rogue robots will now become friendly. Galactic Zone is secured.

The lights in the room flickered, and a hum resonated through the building as the mainframe sent out the signal. Sico and his team waited, tense, for any sign of change.

After a moment, the terminal displayed another message:

Defensive Mode successful. All robots within the Galactic Zone are now friendly.

Sico turned to his team, a smile spreading across his face. "We've done it. The Galactic Zone is ours, and the robots are now on our side."

The team erupted in cheers, their hard work and determination paying off. The previously hostile robots were now an added layer of security and strength for their forces.

Hancock clapped Sico on the back. "That was a brilliant move. We've got ourselves a robot army now."

MacCready grinned. "I like the sound of that. This place is starting to feel like a real stronghold."

Porter Gage nodded, satisfaction in his eyes. "With the robots on our side, we can focus on fortifying the zone and making it a base of operations."

Robert, ever the strategist, added, "We should start organizing the robots, setting up patrols, and securing the entrances. Make sure nothing slips through."

Sico agreed. "Let's get to work. We need to make sure everything is running smoothly and that the Galactic Zone is truly under our control. We've got a lot of potential here, and with these robots, we can achieve great things."

The team spread out, coordinating their efforts to integrate the robots into their security plans and ensure the Galactic Zone was fully secure. With their newfound robotic allies, they had a powerful advantage and a solid foundation to build upon.

While the others and their new robotic allies secured the Galactic Zone, Sico gathered his core team—MacCready, Robert, Hancock, and Porter Gage. They decided to head to the second floor of Starport Nuka to find a flagpole and solidify their claim over the area.

As they climbed the stairs to the second floor, the atmosphere was one of quiet triumph. The Galactic Zone was theirs, and now it was time to make it official.

"Let's find that flagpole and raise our colors," Sico said, leading the way.

They reached the second floor, where they found a sturdy flagpole. Sico produced an Operators flag from his pack and handed it to MacCready, who deftly attached it to the pole. With a few strong pulls on the rope, the flag was raised, billowing proudly in the artificial light.

"Looks good up there," Hancock said, admiring the sight.

"This makes it official," Sico declared. "The Operators now control three areas, while the Disciples and the Pack each have one. We're in a strong position."

As they turned to leave, Sico's keen eyes caught sight of a Star Core in an Advanced-locked display case nearby.

"We're not done yet," Sico said, pointing to the case. "There's a Star Core in there."

Robert examined the lock. "We'll need the key for this one. Let's see if we can find it."

They searched the area, eventually finding the key on a desk next to the manager's terminal behind an "Employees Only" locked door nearby. Sico used the key to unlock the door, and they quickly located the key for the display case.

Returning to the display case, Sico used the key to unlock it and carefully extracted the Star Core, adding it to their growing collection.

"Every core counts," MacCready said. "Who knows what else we might need them for?"

Sico nodded. "We'll keep searching and gathering whatever we can. For now, let's get back to coordinating our defenses and making sure the Galactic Zone is fully secured."

With the Operators flag proudly flying and the Star Core secured, Sico and his core team made their way back to the mainframe. Once there, Sico affixed the newly acquired Star Core to the mainframe, bringing their total to thirty-one.

The terminal displayed a message:

Total Star Cores: 31 / 35

4 Star Cores missing.

Sico turned to his team. "We're still missing four Star Cores. Let's split up and search the area again. We can't leave any stone unturned."

MacCready, Robert, Hancock, and Porter Gage nodded, spreading out to cover different parts of the Galactic Zone. Sico decided to search outside near Starport Nuka, thinking they might have missed something in their initial sweep.

As Sico approached the area behind Starport Nuka, he noticed a gated-off section marked "Employees Only." He pushed through the gates and made his way past some dumpsters, where he saw the remains of a trader. Among the debris, his eyes caught the faint glint of metal.

Kneeling down, Sico uncovered a Star Core lying next to the trader's remains, along with a copy of SCAV! issue #1. He carefully retrieved the Star Core and the magazine, feeling a sense of accomplishment at the find.

He activated his radio. "I've found another Star Core near Starport Nuka, next to the remains of a trader by the dumpsters."

MacCready's voice crackled back. "Good find, Sico. We'll keep looking around here."

After regrouping, the team reconvened at the mainframe. Sico inserted the newly found Star Core, bringing their total to thirty-two.

"Only three more to go," Hancock said. "We're getting close."

Sico nodded. "Keep searching. We'll find the rest and secure this place completely."

With renewed determination, the team spread out once more, each determined to find the remaining Star Cores and ensure the Galactic Zone was fully under their control.

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• Name: Sico

• Stats :

S: 8,44

P: 7,44

E: 8,44

C: 8,44

I: 9,44

A: 7,45

L: 7

• Skills: advance Mechanic, Science, and Shooting skills, intermediate Medical, Hand to Hand Combat, Lockpicking, Hacking, Persuasion, and Drawing Skills

• Inventory: 53.280 caps, 10mm Pistol, 1500 10mm rounds, 22 mole rats meat, 17 mole rats teeth, 1 fragmentation grenade, 6 stimpak, 1 rad x, 6 fusion core, computer blueprint, modern TV blueprint, camera recorder blueprint, 1 set of combat armor, Automatic Assault Rifle, 1.500 5.56mm rounds, power armor T51 blueprint, Electric Motorcycle blueprint, T-45 power armor, Minigun, 1.000 5mm rounds, Cryolator, 200 cryo cell, Machine Gun Turret Mk1 blueprint, electric car blueprint, Kellogg gun, Righteous Authority, Ashmaker, Furious Power Fist, Full set combat armor blueprint, M240 7.62mm machine guns blueprint, Automatic Assault Rifle blueprint, and Humvee blueprint

• Active Quest: -