Fallout 4: Rebirth At Vault 81

Chapter 443: 409. Checking Farm and New Invention



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

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

___________________________

He picked up his pen, his focus shifting back to the paperwork. But as he worked, a plan began to form in the back of his mind—a way to use the agitator as bait to draw the Institute into a trap. If they wanted to play the long game, he was ready. This war wasn't over—not by a long shot. And Sico had every intention of coming out on top.

The air was crisp as Sico stepped outside his office, the morning sun casting a warm glow over Sanctuary. The settlement bustled with activity as settlers went about their daily tasks, reinforcing homes, tending crops, and crafting supplies. Sico took a moment to breathe it in—this sense of progress was hard-earned. But there was always more to do.

After a moment's hesitation, Sico decided to shelve his idea of baiting the Institute. The agitator was important, but there were more immediate concerns that needed his attention. Chief among them was ensuring Sanctuary's farm could keep up with the growing demands of the Minutemen and the Commonwealth's other settlements.

His boots crunched against the dirt path as he made his way to the farm. Jenny, Sanctuary's lead farmer, was likely already knee-deep in the fields, her usual place from sunup to sundown. The thought of Jenny brought a small smile to his face—her tireless dedication to the farm was one of the reasons Sanctuary had become a cornerstone of their movement.

As Sico approached the farm, he could see Jenny crouched near a row of mutfruit plants, carefully inspecting the leaves for pests. She was a tall woman in her mid-thirties, with sun-kissed skin and a no-nonsense demeanor. Her hair was pulled back into a loose braid, strands of it sticking to her face as she worked.

"Morning, Jenny," Sico called, stepping closer.

Jenny straightened, brushing dirt off her hands as she turned to face him. "Morning, General," she replied, her tone warm but with the usual hint of teasing she reserved for Sico. "What brings you out to my little slice of paradise?"

Sico chuckled. "Just checking in. Wanted to see how the farm's doing. Can it keep up with the demands? And do we have enough surplus to trade?"

Jenny placed her hands on her hips, her eyes scanning the fields before them. "We're holding up fine for now," she said thoughtfully. "The soil's rich, and the brahmin manure we've been using as fertilizer is doing wonders. But you know how it is—farming in the Commonwealth isn't exactly predictable. One bad radstorm or a mole rat infestation, and we could be set back weeks."

Sico nodded, his expression serious. "That's why I need to know if we're in a position to trade. The more we can offer other settlements, the stronger our alliances become. And we need those alliances, Jenny—now more than ever."

Jenny sighed, wiping her hands on her pants. "We've got a small surplus of mutfruit and tatos. Corn's been a bit slower to grow this season, but it's coming along. If we're smart about it, we could trade some of what we have without putting ourselves in a tough spot."

"What about water?" Sico asked, his gaze shifting to the water pumps scattered across the farm. "With the purifier up and running, we should have more than enough for Sanctuary. Can we spare any for trading?"

Jenny nodded. "The purifier's been a godsend. We've got enough clean water to meet Sanctuary's needs and then some. I've already started setting aside a portion of it in barrels, just in case you wanted to use it for trade."

Sico smiled, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "You're always one step ahead, Jenny. That's why I trust you to keep this place running."

Jenny waved off the compliment, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "Just doing my part, General. But if you're serious about trading, you'll want to send someone to Diamond City or Bunker Hill to negotiate. They're the best places to offload surplus and pick up what we might need."

Sico rubbed his chin, considering her suggestion. "Good idea. I'll talk to Preston and see who's available to make the trip. But in the meantime, let's focus on expanding the farm. The more we can grow, the better position we'll be in."

Jenny raised an eyebrow. "Expanding, huh? You planning to recruit more settlers to help with that, or are you hoping I'll sprout a few more arms?"

Sico laughed, the sound carrying across the fields. "A little of both, maybe. But seriously, if you need more hands, let me know. We'll make it happen."

Jenny smiled, her usual gruff demeanor softening. "Will do, General. Just don't forget—farming takes time. You can't rush the harvest."

"I know," Sico said, his tone earnest. "But every step we take now gets us closer to a better future. That's worth the effort."

Jenny nodded, her gaze shifting back to the fields. "Well, if you're serious about expanding, I've got a list of supplies we'll need—fertilizer, seeds, tools. You get me those, and I'll make sure this farm can handle whatever the Commonwealth throws at it."

"Consider it done," Sico said, already mentally adding the task to his growing list of priorities. "Thanks, Jenny. Keep up the good work."

As Sico turned to leave, Jenny called after him. "Hey, General."

He paused, glancing back over his shoulder.

"You're doing a good job, you know," she said, her voice quieter. "Not just here, but everywhere. People believe in you. Don't forget that."

Sico smiled, a rare moment of genuine warmth breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. "Thanks, Jenny. That means a lot."

With that, he made his way back toward the center of Sanctuary, his mind already racing with plans. The farm was in good hands, but there was still so much to do—trade routes to establish, defenses to bolster, and allies to rally.

Sico walked back toward the heart of Sanctuary, his boots scuffing softly against the dirt path. The morning sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows from the buildings that marked the rebirth of a once-decimated neighborhood. It wasn't just a settlement anymore; it was a beacon of hope for the Commonwealth. But hope needed more than words—it needed action, preparation, and strength.

The Science Department was housed in one of the sturdier pre-war homes on the settlement's northern edge. The building had been reinforced with scrap metal, thickened walls, and makeshift solar panels that glittered on the roof. Inside, the hum of machines, the clinking of tools, and the murmur of voices painted a picture of innovation and progress.

Mel and Albert had been integral to that progress. Mel, a wiry and quick-thinking tech specialist with an uncanny knack for hacking and machines, had proven himself indispensable since his joining to the Minutemen. Albert, on the other hand, was the Lone Wandererr and the Minutemen special advisor that has a sharp mind for many kind like engineering and a deep respect for pre-war science. Together, they made a formidable team.

Sico pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped into the controlled chaos of the lab. Tables were cluttered with blueprints, wires, and half-assembled devices. The air smelled faintly of soldering metal and ozone. Mel was hunched over a console, his fingers flying across a keyboard, while Albert was meticulously adjusting a piece of machinery that looked suspiciously like a weapon.

"Morning, gentlemen," Sico called out, his voice cutting through the din.

Mel glanced up, grinning. "Ah, the General himself! What brings you to our little den of genius?"

Albert straightened, his posture more reserved but no less welcoming. "General," he greeted with a nod. "I assume you're here for an update?"

"You assume correctly," Sico said, stepping closer to their workstation. "I need to know if you two have cooked up anything new—something that can bolster Sanctuary's defenses or give our soldiers an edge in the field."

Mel leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Well, funny you should ask. We've been working on a couple of things that might interest you."

Albert gestured toward the weapon on the table. "This, for instance, is something we're calling the Arc Launcher. It's a modified energy weapon designed to emit a concentrated burst of electrical energy. Think of it as a long-range stun gun, but with enough power to disable robots, turrets, and even power armor."

Sico's eyebrows raised in interest. "Sounds promising. How's the range?"

"About 50 meters," Albert replied. "We're working on extending that, but it's tricky. The energy disperses too quickly over longer distances."

Mel chimed in. "But don't worry. Even at 50 meters, this thing's a game-changer. Imagine being able to take out an Assaultron before it gets close enough to rip your face off. Pretty sweet, huh?"

Sico nodded, his mind already imagining scenarios where the Arc Launcher could turn the tide of battle. "Good work. What else have you got?"

Mel's grin widened. "Oh, you're gonna love this. We've been playing around with some pre-war tech—specifically, stealth field generators. Albert managed to jury-rig a version that's compact enough to be worn on a belt. It's not perfect, and the field only lasts about 30 seconds, but it's enough to give our soldiers a chance to reposition or evade detection."

Sico's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "A portable stealth field? That could be a lifesaver during recon missions—or ambushes. What's the catch?"

Albert sighed. "The power draw is immense. The prototype requires a specialized fusion cell, and once it's depleted, it takes time to recharge. We're working on improving efficiency, but it's slow going."

"Still," Sico said, "it's a start. Anything else?"

Mel exchanged a glance with Albert, then hesitated. "Well... there's one more thing, but it's still in the early stages."

"Let's hear it," Sico said firmly.

Mel leaned forward, his tone lowering conspiratorially. "We're calling it the Freedom Exosuit. It's not full power armor—more like an enhanced combat harness. It boosts strength and endurance, lets the wearer carry heavier gear, and has a built-in medical injector for stimpaks or Med-X. The idea is to give our soldiers a boost without weighing them down."

Sico's interest was piqued. "And what's the status on that?"

Albert shook his head. "It's nowhere near ready. We've got a prototype, but the power systems are unstable. If the fusion core overloads, well… let's just say the results wouldn't be pretty."

"Understood," Sico said, his tone serious. "But keep working on it. If we can get it operational, it could turn our militia into a real fighting force."

Mel clapped his hands together. "You got it, boss. Just give us the resources and time, and we'll make it happen."

Sico glanced around the lab, his gaze lingering on the various projects in progress. "What do you need from me?"

Albert was the first to speak. "Components. High-quality wiring, rare metals, pre-war circuitry—anything we can salvage from old military installations or high-tech ruins."

"And manpower," Mel added. "We could use a couple more tech-savvy folks to help with assembly and testing. Sanctuary's great, but we're stretched thin."

Sico nodded. "I'll see what I can do. We've got a supply run heading out next week—I'll make sure they prioritize tech salvage. And I'll talk to Preston about recruiting more people with technical skills."

Both men looked relieved, their gratitude evident.

"Thanks, General," Albert said earnestly. "We'll keep pushing forward. Sanctuary's defenses will be stronger than ever."

Sico clapped a hand on Albert's shoulder. "I know you will. Keep me updated on your progress—and let me know the moment you've got something ready for field testing."

Mel gave him a mock salute. "You got it, chief. Now go on, let us geniuses work our magic."

Sico chuckled, shaking his head as he turned to leave. As he stepped back into the sunlight, his mind raced with the possibilities. The Arc Launcher, the stealth field, the Freedom Exosuit—each was a piece of the puzzle, a step toward making the Minutemen a force to be reckoned with.

But for now, there were other matters to attend to. The Commonwealth waited for no one, and Sico knew he had to stay one step ahead if they were to survive. With renewed determination, he set his sights on the next challenge, ready to face whatever came next.

________________________________________________

• 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:-

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.