331. Discussion on a New Weapon

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Next, he needed to meet with the engineers and set the wheels in motion. The T-34, or as Sico was already thinking of naming it, the "Sentinel",would soon be rolling out across the Commonwealth, bringing hope and protection to the people once more.

Sico left his office with a sense of purpose, the blueprint for the T-34—now called the "Sentinel"—tucked securely under his arm. His footsteps echoed through the corridors of Minutemen Plaza as he made his way to the parking area, where the Minutemen's engineers were hard at work. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the courtyard, illuminating the lines of trucks and Humvees parked in neat rows, some of which had been scavenged from the remnants of pre-war military convoys.

As Sico approached, he saw a group of engineers gathered around one of the trucks. They were deep in discussion, their hands stained with grease as they inspected the vehicle's engine. The low hum of conversation mixed with the clanking of tools and the occasional spark of a welding torch.

One of the engineers, a tall, lean man named Hank, looked up and noticed Sico approaching. He wiped his hands on a rag and gave a quick nod of acknowledgment. "Boss," he greeted, his voice gruff but respectful.

"Hank," Sico replied with a small smile. "How's the work going?"

Hank shrugged, gesturing to the Humvee in front of him. "Well, we've managed to get a few of these old beauties up and running again. This one just needed a new alternator. A couple of the trucks are still giving us trouble, though. Parts are hard to come by, and we've had to get creative with the repairs."

Sico nodded, understanding the challenges the engineers faced. The Commonwealth wasn't exactly overflowing with resources, and scavenging for parts had become a way of life. But that was part of why he was here.

"I've got something I want to run by you and the team," Sico said, tapping the blueprint tube under his arm.

Hank raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What's that you've got there?"

Sico motioned for the group of engineers to gather around as he unrolled the blueprint on the hood of the truck. The detailed drawing of the T-34's design spread out before them, its angular hull, wide tracks, and powerful turret clearly depicted.

The engineers leaned in, their eyes scanning the blueprint with interest. Hank scratched his chin thoughtfully while another engineer, a middle-aged woman named Lisa, adjusted her glasses for a closer look.

"This," Sico began, "is the next step in making sure the Minutemen can defend the Commonwealth. It's a tank, based on something from my… past experiences. We're calling it the 'Sentinel.' It's not as advanced as the Brotherhood's tech, but it's durable, reliable, and easy to produce. With the right materials, we can build these at multiple settlements and give ourselves a serious edge."

Lisa squinted at the diagram. "A tank, huh? Looks like a solid design… But I don't know, boss. This is a whole different beast compared to what we've been working on. We've gotten good at patching up trucks and Humvees, but this? This is a tank."

Hank crossed his arms and gave a low whistle. "I'm with Lisa on this one. Don't get me wrong, it's a damn fine idea, and this blueprint looks like you've thought of everything—armor, engine, gun, even the tracks. But building something like this from scratch? That's out of our league."

Sico's expression didn't waver. He had anticipated their concerns. The engineers here were capable, but they were used to repairing and modifying existing vehicles, not constructing something as complex as a tank from the ground up. Still, he needed their feedback.

"Look," Sico said, pointing to specific sections of the blueprint, "I've simplified the design as much as possible. We'll be using scrap metal and salvaged parts from all over the Commonwealth. I'm not asking for a tank as advanced as what the Brotherhood uses—just something that can take a hit and keep moving. We don't need perfection, just something that can get the job done."

Hank rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at Lisa and the other engineers. "It's not that we don't want to help, Sico. It's just… we're not equipped for this. Maybe if we had more experience working with this kind of tech, or if we had better tools, we could give it a shot. But right now, we're struggling just to keep the trucks operational. A tank? That's a whole different level."

Lisa nodded in agreement, her brow furrowed in thought. "We could try, but it's going to take a lot longer than you're probably hoping for. And there's no guarantee it'll work the way you want it to. If we're going to build something like this, we need more expertise—someone who's familiar with designing vehicles from the ground up."

Sico considered their words carefully. They were right. The engineers here were talented, but building a tank required a different set of skills—skills they didn't have on hand. But that didn't mean all hope was lost.

"Who would you recommend?" Sico asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it from them.

Hank exchanged a glance with Lisa before responding. "I'd say you should head back to Sanctuary and talk to Mel. He's been running the science and engineering division there, and if anyone can help you with something like this, it's him. He's got a team of tech specialists who've been working on everything from weapons systems to power generators. If anyone can build a tank, it's those guys."

Sico nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. Mel had been with the Minutemen for a while now, and his expertise in advanced technology and engineering had already proven invaluable. If anyone could bring the Sentinel to life, it would be him.

"Good thinking, Hank," Sico said, rolling up the blueprint once more. "I'll head to Sanctuary and meet with Mel. In the meantime, keep working on the vehicles here. We'll need every truck and Humvee we can get once the fighting starts up again."

Hank saluted, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Will do, boss. Good luck with that tank. If anyone can make it happen, it's you."

Sico returned the salute with a nod, then turned and began making his way toward the gate leading out of Minutemen Plaza. His mind was already racing with ideas for how to approach Mel and his team. The Sentinel was just the beginning, but it was a crucial step in giving the Minutemen the tools they needed to protect the Commonwealth from the Brotherhood, the Institute, and whatever else might come their way.

The sun was setting over the Commonwealth as Sico saddled up on a nearby Humvee, the engine roaring to life beneath him. Sanctuary wasn't far, but he needed to move quickly. Time was not on their side, and every moment spent preparing was another moment the enemy could be regrouping.

As he sped away from Minutemen Plaza, the wind rushing past him, Sico's thoughts returned to the Sentinel. He could already envision it—rolling through the streets of the Commonwealth, its presence a symbol of hope and strength. With Mel's help, it wouldn't be long before that vision became a reality.

***

The ride to Sanctuary was brief but filled with the low hum of Sico's determination. He arrived as the last light of day was slipping below the horizon, the settlement's lights glowing warmly in the distance. Sanctuary had grown considerably since the early days of the Minutemen's resurgence. What had once been a humble settlement was now a fortified hub of activity, with engineers, scientists, and soldiers working side by side to build a future for the Commonwealth.

Sico parked the Humvee near the entrance and made his way to the science labs, where he knew Mel would be. The lab was a sprawling complex on the outskirts of Sanctuary, built into a repurposed pre-war building that had been restored and upgraded. Inside, the hum of machinery and the clatter of tools echoed through the halls as technicians and scientists worked on various projects.

Sico found Mel in one of the back rooms, hunched over a workbench cluttered with parts and schematics. The older man was deep in concentration, tinkering with what looked like a modified laser rifle. His thick glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, and his gray hair was disheveled from hours of work.

"Mel," Sico called, stepping into the room.

Mel looked up, his eyes widening with surprise. "Sico! Didn't expect to see you here this late. What brings you to the lab?"

Sico placed the blueprint tube on the table and unrolled it, revealing the design of the Sentinel. "I need your help, Mel. We're going to build this."

Mel's eyes widened as he studied the blueprint, his fingers tracing the lines of the tank's design. After a long moment of silence, a slow grin spread across his face.

"Well, now," he said, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "This… this is something special."

Sico crossed his arms, a determined look on his face. "Can you do it?"

Mel grinned wider, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Can we do it? Oh, Sico, you're going to have your tank." And with that, the wheels were set in motion.

Mel continued to study the blueprint, his eyes dancing over the lines with the precision and focus of a man who had spent his entire life working on mechanical and technological marvels. He turned the blueprint this way and that, occasionally muttering to himself or adjusting his glasses. After several long minutes, he looked up at Sico, who was standing across the table, arms crossed, waiting for the verdict.

"Alright," Mel said, his tone now serious. "Before we even talk about where we can make this thing, we've got to break down the materials and resources needed. A tank like this—especially if you want it to be functional and durable in the Commonwealth's wasteland—requires a very specific set of components. It's not impossible, but we need to be smart about how we gather and use what we've got."

Sico nodded, stepping closer to the workbench where Mel had laid out the blueprint. "I've tried to keep the design as straightforward as possible, using salvaged materials and focusing on what we already know how to work with. But we'll need a clear list of everything required and figure out if we've got enough on hand—or if we need to start scavenging."

Mel rolled up his sleeves and grabbed a marker, pulling over a nearby whiteboard. He quickly sketched out the rough categories of materials and resources they would need to build the Sentinel tank prototype:

1. Armor and Hull:

- Material: Hardened steel or a suitable alternative.

- Quantity: Lots of it—enough to make the hull and the turret.

- Source: Pre-war cars, buildings, and any scrap metal we can melt down and reshape.

"We've got plenty of scrap metal lying around in the settlements," Mel said, tapping the marker against the whiteboard. "The challenge is finding enough high-quality steel to ensure the armor's effective without making the tank too heavy. I'll talk to the metalworkers in Sanctuary and Starlight. If we can get the furnaces hot enough, we should be able to refine enough steel for at least one prototype."

Sico thought for a moment. "What about the old military convoys? The ones scattered across the Commonwealth. They've been picked over, but there might still be some usable armor plating we can scavenge."

Mel nodded. "Good idea. I'll send a few teams to check those wrecks. Might save us some time on refining if we can use pre-formed steel plates."

2. Engine and Power Source:

- **Material: Hybrid engine components (fusion cores for emergency power, diesel for standard use).

- Quantity: One engine with backup power options.

- Source: Salvaged engines from military vehicles, fusion cores from settlements, and scavenged machinery.

"The engine's going to be the tricky part," Mel continued. "We've got a few pre-war diesel engines in working order, but they're old and not designed for something like this. Fusion cores are in short supply, and we can't rely on them entirely—too expensive and rare to power every vehicle. But if we use a hybrid approach, it should work. Fusion cores as a backup when diesel runs dry."

Sico leaned forward, tapping the engine section of the blueprint. "If we have to, we can prioritize one over the other, depending on what we can salvage. But I'd like to keep it flexible. The Commonwealth's a mess—one day you might find fuel, the next day it's fusion cores."

Mel jotted down a few notes. "I'll get our mechanics working on retrofitting one of the old engines. If we combine parts from a few different sources, we should be able to create a functioning hybrid system."

3. Tracks and Suspension:

- Material: Reinforced metal for the tracks, and durable components for the Christie suspension system.

- Quantity: Enough for wide tracks capable of handling Commonwealth terrain.

- Source: Scavenged parts from trucks, Humvees, and pre-war machinery.

"Tracks shouldn't be too much of a problem," Mel said, writing down more notes. "We've got enough scavenged metal to put together some reinforced tracks. The suspension will need to be sturdy enough to handle rubble and rough terrain, so we'll need to make sure the parts are durable."

Sico glanced over at the rows of Humvees and trucks outside. "What about using parts from those? They're not tanks, but they've been holding up on the Commonwealth's roads so far."

"Exactly what I was thinking," Mel said, nodding. "We'll need to sacrifice a few vehicles to get the parts, but we can build the suspension system out of that. It'll make the Sentinel capable of crossing rough terrain and debris fields, which will be vital."

4. Weaponry (Main Gun and Secondary Weapons):

- Material: Cannons, artillery shells, possible integration of energy weapons.

- Quantity: One 76mm or 85mm cannon for the main gun, and optional laser or plasma secondary weapon.

- Source: Old artillery found in military bunkers, scavenged munitions, energy weapon components from the Institute and Brotherhood tech.

"The main gun is going to be a challenge," Mel said, frowning slightly. "A 76mm cannon like the one in your blueprint isn't something we've just got lying around. But we've scavenged a few old artillery pieces from military bunkers over the years. They're in bad shape, but with some work, we could retrofit one of them to fit the turret."

Sico considered the possibility. "And what about the secondary weapons? Laser or plasma tech could give us an edge against synths and Brotherhood armor. Any chance we could integrate that?"

Mel grinned. "Now you're talking my language. We've got some Institute laser components lying around, and a couple of Brotherhood power armor targeting systems we scavenged. I could probably rig up a secondary laser cannon as a backup weapon—nothing fancy, but it'd get the job done."

5. Electronics and Targeting Systems:

- Material: Scavenged electronics, optics, and sensors from old-world tech.

- Quantity: Enough for basic targeting systems and communication gear.

- Source: Broken Institute synth parts, Brotherhood tech, and old-world electronics.

"Electronics and targeting systems are going to be important," Mel continued. "We've got access to some old-world tech and parts we've salvaged from synths and Brotherhood power armor. If we can integrate some of those into the Sentinel, it'll make targeting much more accurate. Might even give us an edge in long-range engagements."

Sico nodded, running a hand over his chin. "Alright. So we've got a rough idea of what we need. But do we have enough of this material on hand to build the prototype?"

Mel leaned back, considering the question. "We've got enough for most of it, but we'll still need to scavenge some key components—especially for the main gun and the electronics. And the steel for the armor… it's going to take some time to refine enough of it."

Sico straightened up, his mind already racing. "Alright, then here's the plan. I'll send out a few scavenging teams to hit the military wrecks and scavenge any parts we can find. Meanwhile, you and your team start assembling what we've got here. Prioritize the hull and suspension. I want to see something moving as soon as possible, even if it's just a frame."

Mel grinned, pushing his glasses up again. "You got it, Sico. We'll start tonight. If everything goes smoothly, we could have a prototype rolling within a few weeks. The Sentinel will be ready."

Sico gave a determined nod. The pieces were falling into place. With the engineers at Sanctuary working on the prototype and scavenging teams combing the Commonwealth for parts, it wouldn't be long before the Sentinel was ready for battle.

"Good work, Mel," Sico said, clapping the older man on the shoulder. "Let's get this done. The Commonwealth's counting on us."

As he left the lab, Sico felt a surge of energy. The Sentinel would soon be rolling across the wasteland, a symbol of hope and defiance. The Brotherhood, the Institute—they would all learn that the Minutemen were a force to be reckoned with.

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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: -