บท 379: 348. Discussion About Nora's Intel

If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!

Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12

___________________________

But with his team beside him, Sico felt a surge of confidence. Together, they would find a way to stop the Institute, even if it meant challenging an enemy that seemed untouchable. The Commonwealth depended on it, and Sico was ready to lead them into whatever lay ahead.

Nora took a deep breath, her expression growing more intense. "Before we jump in, I need to make something clear. The Institute is keeping a close watch on the Mass Fusion building. If they sense any unusual activity from us—especially the Minutemen or even the Brotherhood—heading toward it, they won't hesitate to teleport synths in for reinforcement. They're prepared to protect that agitator at all costs. A direct approach could be… disastrous."

Sico glanced around the table, watching as his team absorbed her warning. He could see the apprehension in their eyes, but also the spark of resolve. This was no ordinary mission; it was a chess game, and one wrong move could spell disaster.

He nodded slowly, acknowledging Nora's insight. "You're right, Nora. A frontal assault would be too risky. We need subtlety, not brute force. Perhaps it would be wiser to send in a small, inconspicuous patrol—a team that could look like they're just passing by. They could scout the area and monitor any movement from the Institute, without raising suspicion."

Nora leaned back, visibly relieved that Sico was willing to approach this delicately. "That could work. They wouldn't be expecting anyone to just… wander by. It would give us the advantage of gathering information without tipping them off."

Preston leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "We have a few reliable scouts who could handle that. They're well-trained and know how to stay out of sight. If they're just patrolling, the Institute might not notice anything unusual."

Mel nodded in agreement. "And if they do spot something, they could signal us. It's better than charging in and risking an all-out battle. This way, we stay a step ahead without setting off any alarms."

Piper, who had been listening intently, added, "And if we do it right, maybe they'll underestimate us. They might not think we're capable of a full-scale operation if we seem passive."

Sico crossed his arms, his gaze steady as he considered their suggestions. "Exactly. Let's play to our strengths. We know the Commonwealth better than the Institute does, and we can use that knowledge to outmaneuver them. I want our scouts to get as much intel as possible on the Institute's movements around Mass Fusion—any sign of their synths, patrols, or even just supply shipments. Anything that can give us an edge."

Albert, ever the strategist, spoke up. "And if they do go for the agitator, we'll have time to mobilize our forces in a more targeted way. We could ambush them when they least expect it, rather than attacking head-on."

Nora nodded, a flicker of relief in her eyes. "Thank you, Sico. This is the right move. I'll keep monitoring things from my end and try to pick up on any changes in the Institute's plans. If they're making any moves toward the agitator, I'll make sure you know."

Sico looked around at his team, feeling a swell of pride. Each of them was dedicated, ready to do whatever it took to protect the Commonwealth. And with Nora's insights, he knew they stood a fighting chance.

"Then it's settled," he said. "Preston, I'll leave the patrol arrangements to you. Select a small, discreet team—people you trust implicitly. We need their eyes on that building, but we can't afford to draw attention. The moment they see any sign of Institute activity, they should report back. No heroics."

Preston gave a firm nod. "Understood, General. I'll put together a team tonight and brief them on the importance of staying under the radar."

Sico turned to Piper. "Piper, I want you to prepare some background reports for the patrols. If they need cover stories, I want them to know every detail. They'll need to look like they're simply passing by, or maybe on a supply run. Make sure they know the area well enough to avoid suspicion."

Piper's eyes sparkled with determination. "You got it, Sico. I'll give them all the information they need to blend in."

As the team continued strategizing, the plan began to take shape. They discussed contingencies, signals, and protocols for extraction, preparing for every possible outcome. Sico knew that this kind of operation required precision and patience. The Institute was a formidable adversary, and they had to play this carefully if they wanted any chance of success.

Sico took a deep breath and looked around the room, feeling the weight of this mission settling heavily on his shoulders. His team's initial anxiety had dissipated with the solid formation of their plan, replaced by a quiet resolve that resonated in each of their eyes. They understood the risks, the potential consequences of even the smallest mistake. But there was also hope, and that hope was fueled by the promise of what they could achieve if they succeeded in acquiring the beryllium agitator.

After a long moment, he spoke, his voice steady but carrying an unmistakable edge of excitement. "If we get the beryllium agitator before the Institute or the Brotherhood, we're not just gaining a strategic advantage. We're securing a future for the Commonwealth. With this device, we'd be able to generate power on a scale that none of the factions in the region have even come close to achieving."

The room fell silent as each person processed the weight of his words. Preston, Piper, Nora, and Mel exchanged glances, realizing just how much the agitator could change their standing in the Commonwealth. This wasn't just a device; it was the foundation of something much bigger. Sico continued, "Imagine what this means for us, for Sanctuary, and for every settlement under our protection. With the power the beryllium agitator provides, we can ensure a stable supply that would allow the Commonwealth to flourish. We're talking about running entire towns, creating secure strongholds, and giving our people access to resources that have been nothing but dreams until now."

Mel leaned forward, his eyes lighting up with excitement as he absorbed Sico's vision. He was the Minutemen's expert in engineering and technology, and Sico could see the gears turning in his head, visualizing what they could build with this new power source. "General, if the agitator really is that powerful, it could completely transform how we power our settlements," Mel began, his voice gaining energy. "We wouldn't just be able to run Sanctuary off it… we'd be looking at enough power to supply the entire town, maybe even double what we're getting from our fusion core generators."

He gestured excitedly, already envisioning the possibilities. "Think about it—no more rationing power between defenses and water purification. We'd be able to operate at full capacity. Turrets, lights, water pumps, you name it. And not just that—imagine expanding the network, connecting other settlements under a unified power grid. They'd finally be able to see a real, sustainable future."

Preston's eyes widened, and he gave an approving nod, understanding what this meant from a tactical perspective. "If we could guarantee that kind of power, every settlement would be better defended and more efficient. People would start rallying to the Minutemen's banner more than ever, knowing we're giving them something no one else can provide."

Sico could see that Mel's enthusiasm was infectious. Even Nora, who had been reserved earlier, now looked intrigued, her brow furrowed as she thought through the ramifications. Mel continued, clearly captivated by the possibilities. "And that's not even the end of it, General. If we have power like that… we could start up the RobCo Sales & Service Center's robot factory."

At the mention of the factory, everyone's attention shifted to Mel. He was practically beaming, fully immersed in the vision he was crafting. "The RobCo Sales & Service Center is a massive asset that we're only scraping the surface of right now. Sure, Isabel—The Mechanist—is there, doing her best with what limited power we have. She's got robots running recon and defense for us, and she's doing great work. But imagine if she had the beryllium agitator to draw from. We'd be looking at a full-scale manufacturing operation, producing robots around the clock, from Mister Handies to Assaultrons."

Piper let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "You're telling me we'd be able to churn out Minutemen robots, like… our own personal army?"

Mel nodded, an eager grin spreading across his face. "Exactly. Isabel would be able to automate entire divisions. Instead of relying on human patrols and risking lives on every mission, we could deploy specialized robots, each equipped with the latest upgrades. With enough power, we wouldn't have to worry about maintaining fuel or conserving resources. These bots would be a constant, reliable force across the Commonwealth."

Sico listened, a faint smile crossing his face as he realized how this technology would reshape the Minutemen's reach and power. "Mel's right. With the agitator, we'd be able to take advantage of everything Isabel's building. We'd have the manpower—and machine power—to secure settlements, patrol borders, and fend off threats before they ever reached our people."

Nora, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Sico, if you manage to pull this off, you'll be changing the entire balance of power in the Commonwealth. The Institute and the Brotherhood won't just sit back and let us keep the agitator. They'll throw everything they have at us once they realize what we've done. We'll need to be ready to defend ourselves in ways we haven't had to before."

Sico met her gaze with a serious expression. "I understand that, Nora. But we can't let fear hold us back. If we don't take this chance, it'll go to the Brotherhood or the Institute, and they'll use it for their own agendas. The Commonwealth will never see that power. They'll never benefit from it."

Nora nodded, seeming to accept the logic, but her concern was clear. "Then we need to be careful about this mission. We're not just stealing a piece of tech; we're claiming a future. And if we succeed, we'll need to be prepared for what comes next."

Sico's gaze hardened. "We will be. I don't plan on letting anyone take this from us once it's ours."

Preston, ever the pragmatist, spoke up. "If we're serious about this, we need to start thinking about the defense grid now. If we're going to install the agitator, we'll need to reinforce Sanctuary and the settlements around it. The Brotherhood has Vertibirds, and the Institute has synths they can deploy anywhere, anytime. We need to counter that."

Mel's mind was racing. "Preston's right. If we can tap into the agitator, we'll have the power to create an automated defense network. We could set up turrets that would rival anything the Brotherhood's got. Laser turrets, missile launchers, electromagnetic barriers—the possibilities are endless."

Piper jumped in, a gleam in her eye. "And think about the morale boost this will give our people. Knowing we're not just fighting to survive, but actually moving forward… That's something worth rallying around."

Sico gave her a nod, appreciating her perspective. "Exactly. This isn't just about power; it's about giving people hope. Showing them that the Minutemen aren't just a last line of defense, but a real force for change."

Mel's voice grew more intense, his excitement nearly palpable. "And with the RobCo factory producing bots, we can extend the power of the agitator even further. We'd be creating an entire infrastructure. Imagine if each settlement had its own squad of robots for protection and maintenance. They'd be practically self-sufficient."

Nora added, "And with that level of self-sufficiency, people will feel safer staying in their settlements. They won't feel the need to run or hide at the first sign of danger. It's about stability, security… and a real sense of community."

Sico held up a hand, his voice gentle but firm, bringing everyone's thoughts back to the present. "You're all absolutely right. There's so much we could accomplish with the agitator. The potential is enormous, and what it could mean for the Commonwealth is beyond what we've ever dreamed." He paused, glancing at each team member, making sure his words settled in. "But that's for later. Right now, our priority is the mission in front of us."

He turned to Preston, Piper, Nora, and Mel, a subtle determination in his gaze. "First, we need to secure the agitator without drawing attention. The Institute has eyes everywhere, and if they even get a hint of what we're after, they'll be on us faster than we can blink. We can't afford to tip them off or alert the Brotherhood either. So, we need to keep a low profile around the Mass Fusion building."

Preston nodded, already shifting his mindset back to strategy. "We'll set up patrols around the building, just enough to monitor activity but not so many that we look suspicious. If anyone from the Institute or Brotherhood comes sniffing around, we'll be ready, but we'll keep our presence subtle."

Mel chimed in, "I can set up some recon devices nearby, something small and discrete. They'll give us an early warning system without being obvious. We'll know who's coming and going without raising any red flags."

Piper gave a determined smile. "I'll keep an eye on the rumor mill and see if I can pick up any intel. If the Institute starts talking about new tech or if the Brotherhood's planning something big, we'll hear about it."

Sico gave each of them a nod of appreciation. "Good. Let's stay vigilant and stick to the plan. Our goal is to slip in, secure the agitator, and get out without anyone realizing what we're up to. If we can manage that, we'll be one step closer to securing a future where the Commonwealth doesn't have to live in fear."

Nora looked at him with a serious expression. "We'll make sure to keep things quiet, Sico. No unnecessary risks, and everyone stays sharp."

Sico's voice softened, but there was an edge of resolve. "Thank you, Nora. Thank all of you. This isn't just about us—it's about the people we're fighting for. Let's do this right and give them a future they can believe in."

With one last nod to his team, Sico turned, knowing they were ready. The Commonwealth's future depended on this mission, and they wouldn't let it slip through their fingers.

________________________________________________

• 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: -