Chương 368: 337. Building Sentinel Prototype PT.3

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As they approached the heart of Sanctuary, Sico allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction. The road ahead was still long and dangerous, but with the Sentinel project nearing completion and the potential of jamming the Institute's teleportation, the Minutemen were slowly but surely gaining the upper hand.

One and a half weeks has pass, the sun hung low in the sky as Sico made his way toward the newly established science lab testing field on the outskirts of Sanctuary. The settlement, as always, bustled with activity, but there was a growing sense of anticipation in the air. Rumors of the near-completion of the Sentinel had spread through the ranks of the Minutemen, raising spirits as everyone knew the project could be a game-changer in their war against both the Brotherhood of Steel and the Institute.

Sico had stayed busy over the past week and a half, coordinating supply runs, securing settlements, and maintaining the fragile ceasefire with the Brotherhood. But the Sentinel project had always been in the back of his mind. He knew the Minutemen needed a technological edge if they were to stand any chance in this ongoing war, and the T-34 Sentinel tank was that edge. It wasn't just a vehicle; it was a symbol of hope and defiance.

As he approached the testing field, the noise of machinery filled the air. The area had been cleared and reinforced to handle the testing of the massive prototype. Large steel barricades surrounded the field, and several Minutemen engineers and technicians were scattered around the area, running checks on the equipment. In the middle of it all stood the towering figure of the Sentinel itself.

The tank was an imposing sight—larger than anything Sico had ever seen before. Its thick armor gleamed under the fading sunlight, and its massive cannon seemed to promise destruction to anyone foolish enough to stand in its way. The treads were reinforced with additional plating, and the turret was outfitted with advanced sensors and targeting systems scavenged from pre-war military tech. Even from a distance, the Sentinel exuded raw power.

Standing on a raised platform beside the Sentinel was Mel, dressed in his usual grease-stained coveralls, clipboard in hand. He was barking orders at his team, directing them as they made the final adjustments to the tank's systems. Several technicians swarmed around the base of the tank, working on the exposed circuitry and mechanical components.

Sico approached the platform, catching Mel's eye as he climbed up. The engineer looked tired but excited, his eyes glinting with the kind of enthusiasm that only came from working on a breakthrough project. He waved as Sico drew closer, a wide grin on his face.

"General! Good to see you," Mel greeted, wiping his hands on a rag before turning to face the tank. "You came at just the right time. We're almost ready to roll this beast out for field testing."

Sico glanced up at the Sentinel, his eyes tracing the lines of the tank's reinforced hull. The modifications were extensive, and he could see where Mel's team had gone above and beyond to ensure it was more than just a tank—it was a fortress on treads.

"How's it looking?" Sico asked, crossing his arms as he surveyed the work being done. "Are we close to being ready for the test?"

Mel nodded, his grin widening as he gestured to the tank. "We're real close, General. Just putting on a few finishing touches now. The engine's purring like a kitten, and we've run diagnostics on all the systems. Cannon's been calibrated, the armor's holding up perfectly, and the targeting systems are synced. All that's left is to finish up a couple of wiring connections and calibrate the power systems. Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours."

Sico raised an eyebrow, impressed by how quickly the team had progressed. "That's faster than I expected. You've outdone yourself, Mel."

Mel chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "What can I say? I've got a damn good team. And we've been working non-stop since you gave us the go-ahead. Everyone here knows how important this is. If the Sentinel works the way we think it will, it's going to change everything."

Sico stepped closer to the tank, running his hand along the cool metal of the hull. The Sentinel was massive, its sheer size dwarfing the standard pre-war tanks that had once rolled through the streets of the Commonwealth. But it wasn't just the size that impressed him—it was the craftsmanship. Every plate of armor, every weld, every component had been meticulously assembled. This was a labor of love and survival, built by the hands of people who knew they were fighting for the future of the Commonwealth.

"The Brotherhood's going to have a hard time going up against this thing," Sico said, his voice thoughtful as he imagined the Sentinel charging across a battlefield. "And the Institute… they won't know what hit them."

Mel's expression turned more serious as he nodded in agreement. "That's the idea. The Brotherhood's got the firepower, but the Sentinel's got them beat on durability. This thing can take a hit from their energy weapons and keep moving. And as for the Institute… well, we're still working on the EM field device, but once we've got that in place, their teleporting synths won't be able to just pop in and out of our bases. They'll have to deal with us face to face."

Sico nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him. The EM field device would be the next major project after the Sentinel was completed, but for now, the tank itself would be a game-changer. Having something this powerful on their side would boost morale and give the Minutemen the confidence they needed to take the fight to their enemies.

"How long before we can do the field test?" Sico asked, glancing at Mel.

Mel checked his clipboard, his eyes scanning the notes and schedules. "We'll be ready by tomorrow morning. I want to run a couple more system checks tonight, just to be safe, but by first light, we should be good to go."

Sico gave a curt nod. "Good. I want to be here for the test. We'll need to see how she handles in real combat conditions."

"You'll be impressed, General," Mel said confidently, stepping closer to the tank and patting its armored side. "This baby's going to change the course of the war."

As they spoke, one of the technicians approached, a wiry young man with an oil-streaked face and a wrench in hand. He gave Sico a quick salute before turning to Mel.

"Sir, we've finished the wiring on the power conduits. Everything's linked up. We're running the final diagnostics now."

Mel nodded approvingly. "Good work, Davis. Keep me updated if you run into any issues."

The technician nodded and hurried back to the others, leaving Sico and Mel to continue their conversation.

"So," Mel said, leaning against the railing of the platform, "what's the plan after the Sentinel's ready? You planning to deploy it right away, or are we keeping it in reserve for now?"

Sico took a moment to consider the question. The Brotherhood was still holding back thanks to the ceasefire, but there was no telling how long that would last. Meanwhile, the Institute remained as elusive as ever, their synths and teleportation technology making them a constant threat. The Minutemen had made progress, but the war was far from over.

"I want to keep the Sentinel close for now," Sico replied, his voice measured. "We'll run the test and make sure everything's functioning at full capacity. After that, I want it stationed here in Sanctuary until we're ready for a major offensive. The Brotherhood and the Institute are both unpredictable, and I don't want to move too soon."

Mel nodded, understanding the strategy. "Makes sense. Once the EM field device is up and running, we'll be able to protect our bases from Institute infiltration. But until then, keeping the Sentinel here gives us a strong defensive option if things go south."

"Exactly," Sico said. "We can't afford to rush into anything. We need to be smart about how we use the Sentinel. It's not just a weapon—it's a symbol of what the Minutemen can achieve. We've come a long way since we started rebuilding, but there's still a lot of work to do."

Mel clapped Sico on the shoulder, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Well, whatever happens next, we'll be ready. The Sentinel's going to make sure of that."

Sico returned the grin, feeling a renewed sense of determination. The Sentinel was almost complete, and with it, the Minutemen would finally have the firepower they needed to stand against their enemies. The war was far from over, but for the first time in a long time, Sico felt like they had a fighting chance.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the testing field, Sico turned to Mel one last time.

"Keep me updated on the final checks. I'll be here first thing in the morning for the test."

"You got it, General," Mel replied with a confident nod. "We'll be ready."

With that, Sico turned and made his way back toward the heart of Sanctuary, his thoughts already on the coming day. The field test would be the first step toward something greater—a chance to finally turn the tide in their favor. The Sentinel was almost ready, and with it, the Commonwealth had a fighting chance for survival.

The next morning, the dawn was just breaking over the horizon as Sico made his way back to the testing field. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly turned earth and the faint metallic tang of machinery. As he approached, he saw the large figure of the Sentinel looming ahead, bathed in the soft glow of the morning light. It looked every bit as imposing as it had the previous day, and the anticipation in the air was palpable.

Mel and his team were already bustling around the tank, making last-minute preparations for the field test. The makeshift science lab had been converted into a command post, with technicians stationed at terminals and engineers moving between stations, double-checking readings. It was a controlled chaos, but one that spoke to the thoroughness of the operation.

Sico strode toward the raised platform where Mel was standing, clipboard in hand and shouting orders to his team. The engineer spotted Sico approaching and raised a hand in greeting, his usual grin spreading across his face.

"Morning, General!" Mel called out as Sico climbed up onto the platform. "You're just in time. We're about to start the test."

Sico gave Mel a nod, his eyes flicking over to the Sentinel. The tank looked ready—its massive treads dug into the dirt of the testing field, and the heavy cannon was angled slightly upward as if preparing to unleash devastation. This was the moment they had all been working toward.

"How's everything looking?" Sico asked, his tone businesslike but edged with excitement.

"We're good to go," Mel replied confidently. "The crew's already inside the Sentinel, and we've run through the pre-test diagnostics. Everything's green across the board. We're starting in a few minutes—just waiting on a final systems check."

Sico glanced toward the Sentinel, noting the crew members stationed around it, ready to monitor every detail of the test. "What's the plan for the test run?"

Mel tapped his clipboard as he explained. "We're going to run the Sentinel through a basic series of maneuvers first—start with movement, test the treads and suspension, then move on to the weapon systems. Once that's done, we'll push the engine and targeting systems a bit harder. We want to see how it handles under stress, but we're not going to push it to the breaking point just yet."

Sico nodded, satisfied with the plan. "Good. Let's see what she's capable of."

Mel turned toward the team, raising his hand in a signal. "Alright, people! Let's get this show on the road. Start the test!"

The technicians scrambled into action, their hands moving over consoles as they relayed commands to the crew inside the Sentinel. A few moments later, the ground seemed to rumble as the engine of the massive tank roared to life. The sound was deep and powerful, vibrating through the air like the growl of some mechanical beast.

Sico and Mel watched intently as the Sentinel began to move. The massive treads rolled forward, churning up the dirt beneath them as the tank slowly began its first pass across the testing field. The crew inside was reporting back over the comms, their voices crackling over the loudspeakers.

"Engine's running stable. Treads are gripping the terrain well," one of the crew members reported. "All systems nominal so far."

Mel glanced at Sico with a satisfied nod. "Looking good. The terrain here's pretty uneven, but the treads are handling it like a champ."

The Sentinel continued to lumber across the field, picking up speed as it moved through its maneuvers. The suspension seemed to be holding up well, even as the tank rolled over dips and bumps in the ground. The turret rotated smoothly as the crew tested the targeting system, and the cannon was raised and lowered in controlled movements. Everything appeared to be running like clockwork.

But then, just as the Sentinel began its third pass across the field, something changed. The low, steady hum of the engine suddenly sputtered, and a thin trail of smoke began to rise from the rear of the tank. The crew inside immediately radioed in.

"Uh, command, we're getting a warning light here. Engine temp's spiking. Looks like there's an issue with the coolant system."

Mel's brow furrowed as he listened, and his attention snapped to the growing plume of smoke coming from the back of the Sentinel. "Shut it down! Shut it down now!"

The crew inside complied, and the Sentinel came to a grinding halt. The engine died with a low groan, and the smoke thickened, billowing out from the rear vents. Mel cursed under his breath, already moving to climb down from the platform. Sico followed close behind, his eyes narrowing as he watched the smoke pour out from the engine compartment.

"We need to check it out," Mel muttered, already directing his team toward the tank. "Could be a coolant leak or a busted fuel line. Something's definitely gone wrong with the engine system."

The team of engineers rushed to the Sentinel, prying open the rear access panels to investigate the source of the smoke. Sico and Mel approached the tank, watching as the engineers worked frantically to assess the situation. Tools clanged against metal, and the smell of burning oil filled the air as the crew dug deeper into the engine compartment.

After a tense few minutes, one of the lead engineers waved Mel over. "We found the issue, sir. It's a problem with the coolant pump. Looks like it malfunctioned and caused the engine to overheat. We'll need to replace the pump and flush the system before we can run the test again."

Mel sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Damn it. We should've caught that in the pre-test diagnostics."

Sico placed a hand on Mel's shoulder, offering a steadying presence. "It's fine, Mel. This is why we run tests. Better to catch the problem now than in the middle of a battle."

Mel nodded, though his frustration was clear. "Yeah, I just hate that we're going to lose time fixing it. But you're right. We'll get the pump replaced and run the test again once it's ready. Shouldn't take more than a day or two to get it sorted."

Sico surveyed the smoking tank, then turned back to Mel with a calm but firm tone. "Take the time you need. I don't want any shortcuts on this. The Sentinel needs to be perfect when we roll it out for real."

Mel gave a resolute nod. "You got it, General. We'll get it fixed, and next time, she'll be ready to go."

With that, the engineers continued their work on the Sentinel, dismantling parts of the engine as they began the process of replacing the coolant pump. Sico stood back, watching them work and feeling a mixture of disappointment and relief. The test hadn't gone as smoothly as he'd hoped, but at least they'd caught the problem early.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows over the testing field, Sico turned to Mel one last time. "Keep me updated on the repairs. Once the tank's ready, we'll run the test again."

Mel wiped his hands on his coveralls, nodding with determination. "You got it. We'll have her up and running in no time."

Sico gave him a firm nod before heading back toward the center of Sanctuary, his mind already planning their next steps. The Sentinel wasn't ready yet, but they were getting closer. And when it finally rolled out, it would be 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: -