Chapter 444: 410. Trading some Corps for Pre War Tech
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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.
The sun climbed higher as Sico made his way toward the Scavenging Department. The building was little more than a patched-up garage at the southern end of Sanctuary, but it hummed with life. Scavengers came and went, their arms full of scrap metal, wires, and other bits of pre-war debris. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was vital. Without the scavengers, Sanctuary's progress would grind to a halt.
Hancock was leaning casually against the open garage door, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His signature tri-corner hat tilted back slightly, and his weathered face lit up when he saw Sico approach.
"Well, if it isn't the man of the hour," Hancock greeted, taking a long drag and exhaling a plume of smoke. "What brings you to my little corner of paradise, General?"
Sico smirked at the ghoul's characteristic swagger. "Got a job for you, Hancock. One that's right up your alley."
Hancock raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "You don't say. Lay it on me."
Sico pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket—the list Mel and Albert had given him. He handed it to Hancock, who took it with exaggerated flair, unfolding it slowly.
"What am I looking at here?" Hancock asked, scanning the list.
"Components," Sico explained. "Mel and Albert are working on some tech that could give us an edge—things like an Arc Launcher to take down robots and a stealth field generator for recon. But to make it happen, they need specific parts. High-quality wiring, rare metals, pre-war circuitry. You know, the kind of stuff your team is great at finding."
Hancock nodded thoughtfully, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Alright, I see where this is going. You want my scavengers to prioritize this stuff."
"Exactly," Sico said. "The sooner we get them what they need, the sooner we can roll out these new defenses. It's not just for Sanctuary—it's for every settlement depending on us."
Hancock tapped the paper against his palm, his grin returning. "You got it, boss. I'll make sure the team knows this is top priority. We've got a run planned for tomorrow, heading out toward Lexington and Concord. Those places are crawling with old-world junk—if it's out there, we'll find it."
"Good," Sico said, relief evident in his tone. "What about manpower? Do you have enough people to handle this and your regular runs?"
Hancock chuckled, flicking the ash from his cigarette. "We're a scrappy bunch, but yeah, we could use a few more hands. You bring me someone who knows the difference between a capacitor and a soda can, and I'll put 'em to work."
"I'll see what I can do," Sico promised. "In the meantime, make sure your team stays safe. If you run into trouble, pull back. No scavenged tech is worth losing people over."
Hancock nodded, his gaze steady. "You know me, General. I might look like I don't give a damn, but I take care of my people. They know the drill—stay sharp, stay alive."
Sico clapped Hancock on the shoulder, a rare gesture of camaraderie. "I trust you, Hancock. That's why I'm counting on you for this."
Hancock's grin widened. "Don't worry, Sico. You'll get your shiny doodads. And when you do, I expect a front-row seat to see what they can do."
"You'll get it," Sico said, turning to leave. "Keep me updated."
As Sico walked away, he felt a flicker of hope. The scavengers were some of the toughest and most resourceful people in Sanctuary, and with Hancock at the helm, he knew they wouldn't let him down.
---
The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings, decisions, and planning. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Sico found himself standing on the edge of Sanctuary, staring out at the darkening landscape. The Commonwealth was vast, dangerous, and unpredictable, but in moments like this, he could almost believe they were making a difference.
He thought about the people who depended on him—Jenny and her farmhands, Mel and Albert in the lab, Hancock and his scavengers. They all had their roles to play, their own burdens to bear. And then there was Sico, the one holding it all together. The responsibility was immense, but he wouldn't trade it for anything.
Because at the end of the day, this wasn't just about survival. It was about building a future worth fighting for.
With a deep breath, Sico turned back toward Sanctuary. The night was quiet, but his mind was anything but. There was always more to do, more to plan, more to hope for.
The morning light painted Sanctuary in soft hues of gold as Sico made his way to the bustling marketplace. The settlement had come alive with the chatter of traders and residents, the clang of tools, and the smell of freshly baked bread from the communal kitchen. Today was a big day—several traders had rolled into town overnight, their brahmin caravans loaded with goods. It was the perfect opportunity to barter for the supplies they desperately needed.
Jenny was already waiting for him by the market's edge, her auburn hair tied back in a practical braid. She carried herself with a quiet confidence that belied her years of experience managing Sanctuary's agricultural efforts. Her sharp eyes scanned the rows of stalls as she clutched a leather-bound ledger, likely filled with inventory notes and trade records.
"Morning, General," Jenny greeted with a warm smile. "Looks like we've got a good turnout today. Hopefully, some of these traders have what we're looking for."
"Morning, Jenny," Sico replied, nodding toward the crowded market. "Let's make the most of it. We've got a lot on our plate—Mel and Albert need pre-war tech, and Hancock's scavengers can't do it all alone. But we'll also need seeds, ammunition, and stimpaks if we can swing it."
Jenny tilted her head thoughtfully. "It's a tall order, but we've got plenty of crops to trade. Fresh vegetables and brahmin milk fetch a good price out here. I think we can make it work."
Together, they stepped into the throng of activity, weaving between traders shouting their wares and settlers haggling over prices. The market was a patchwork of colors and smells, with stalls draped in faded tarps displaying everything from scrap metal to handmade jewelry. The air buzzed with energy, and Sico couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride. Sanctuary had become more than a settlement—it was a hub of trade and cooperation.
---
Their first stop was at a stall run by a grizzled old trader named Buck. His brahmin chewed lazily at a bundle of hay while Buck gestured at a table covered in an assortment of pre-war odds and ends.
"Well, if it isn't the General himself," Buck said, his voice rough but friendly. "What can I do for you today?"
"We're looking for tech," Sico said, cutting straight to the point. "High-quality wiring, rare metals, circuit boards—anything that might have come from a military facility or a robotics factory."
Buck scratched his chin, eyeing the items on his table. "I might have a few things that fit the bill. Got some circuit boards from a Mr. Handy I found rusting away near Lexington, and this here is a fusion converter—still works, far as I can tell. But it won't come cheap."
Jenny stepped forward, her tone calm and businesslike. "What are you looking for in trade?"
Buck's eyes flicked to her. "Fresh produce, mostly. Meat, too, if you've got it. My caravan's been eating canned beans for weeks."
"We can do that," Jenny replied, glancing at her ledger. "How about three bushels of carrots, a crate of potatoes, and two jugs of brahmin milk?"
Buck's face lit up. "Now that's what I call a deal. You've got yourself some tech, lady."
Sico nodded approvingly. "We'll have the supplies brought over to your caravan by the end of the day. Pleasure doing business, Buck."
---
The next stall was run by a young woman named Clara, whose table was covered in medicinal supplies. Rows of stimpaks, blood packs, and RadAway lined the shelves behind her, and her easy smile brightened when she saw Sico approach.
"General!" she called out. "Looking to restock your med kits?"
"You read my mind," Sico said. "We've got wounded in Sanctuary who could use more stimpaks, and RadAway is always in demand. What do you need in return?"
"Depends on how much you're looking for," Clara replied. "Stimpaks and RadAway don't come cheap, but I could use ammunition—.308 rounds, if you've got them. And maybe some corn or mutfruit."
Jenny consulted her ledger. "We've got plenty of corn and mutfruit to spare, and we can part with some .308 rounds. How many stimpaks and RadAway are we talking?"
Clara did some quick mental math. "Five stimpaks, two RadAway. Fair trade?"
Jenny nodded. "Fair."
As they shook hands to seal the deal, Clara leaned in slightly toward Sico. "Word's been going around that Sanctuary's got some big plans in the works. You building an army or something?"
"Something like that," Sico replied cryptically. "Stick around, and you'll see for yourself."
---
By mid-morning, they had visited nearly every stall in the market. They'd secured enough pre-war tech to give Mel and Albert a solid head start, along with a steady supply of seeds and medical supplies. The ammunition stockpile had taken a small hit, but Sico knew it was worth it. Sanctuary's survival depended on preparation, and they were making progress.
As they wrapped up the last of their trades, Jenny turned to Sico, her expression thoughtful. "You know, General, this kind of cooperation—it's what makes Sanctuary special. People trust us because we're fair, because we look out for them. You've built something good here."
Sico shrugged, though her words struck a chord. "I didn't do it alone. It's the people—like you, Mel, Hancock—who make this place work. I'm just trying to hold it all together."
Jenny smiled. "Well, you're doing a damn good job."
Before Sico could respond, a voice called out behind them. "General! Got a minute?"
He turned to see Preston Garvey jogging toward him, his Minutemen hat slightly askew. His face was serious, but there was a spark of hope in his eyes.
"What's up, Preston?" Sico asked.
"We just got word from a scout," Preston said. "There's a cache of supplies hidden in an old military bunker near Natick. Could be exactly what we need—high-grade tech, weapons, maybe even medical supplies. But it's in ghoul territory."
Sico's mind raced. A military bunker could be a goldmine, but ghouls were no joke. Still, the potential rewards outweighed the risks.
"Get a team together," Sico said decisively. "We'll head out at first light tomorrow."
Preston nodded. "I'll make it happen."
As Preston disappeared into the crowd, Sico turned back to Jenny. "Looks like we've got our next mission."
Jenny raised an eyebrow. "You're going yourself?"
"Of course," Sico said. "I can't ask people to take risks I'm not willing to take myself."
She shook her head, a wry smile on her lips. "Just don't get yourself killed, General. Sanctuary needs you."
Sico smirked. "Don't worry, Jenny. I've got no plans to check out early."
As the sun climbed higher and the market began to wind down, Sico felt a renewed sense of purpose. The Commonwealth was a dangerous place, but with people like Jenny, Hancock, Preston, and the rest of Sanctuary at his side, he knew they had a fighting chance.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. Together, they were building something worth fighting for—something worth living for. And that, Sico thought, was what it was all about.
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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:-