Adam was not tired yet but knew it was too late for something labor intensive, so instead he focused on fixing all the computers in the Vault that were long overdue for a wipe. Most needed just that, a clean wipe of all broken strings of code. A few others, however, needed a bit more work to get functional again. However nothing took him too long. Altogether he was at this for a few hours but by the time 3am rolled around he had finally finished making every single computer in the vault usable. And there was more than enough that if anyone wanted their own computer, it could be taken freely. Though of course he wouldn't just hand them out willy nilly, but the option was there.
Regardless he finally started to feel tired again so he took the opportunity to get some sleep.
The next day rolled around and Adam began to feel a bit anxious. Every second that went by meant that they were that much closer to losing the opportunity to unite with War's forces and take down Pestilence. However during breakfast Adam spoke with Mira about his worries and she assured him that, while Pestilence was undoubtedly winning, War's forces were holding their ground well enough that they would not lose anytime soon. Not unless something unexpected occurs. So with that in mind Adam decided to put it out of his mind for the time being and focus on the next project he desperately has been wanting to finish. The Sentry Bot.
Adam grabbed Eric again and pulled him into the workshop and then decided the best way to figure out what was wrong was to turn it on. Besides, this model was more archaic, Its coding could not be accessed unless the model was on. A design flaw, to be sure, but that's yet another reason the Mark I was replaced.
However Adam was not taking any chances. This thing was a military powerhouse back when it was used, eventually it got replaced but that is no reason for it to end up in a scrapyard. There had to be something wrong with it. Whether that was hardware or software…
In order to prevent it from possibly killing either of them, Adam, with Eric's help, disconnected both of the Sentry bot's arms from its torso. The arms were too heavy for even Adam to carry alone. With Eric's help it could be done, however it was far simpler, and better for future proofing, to build a rig with chains to hold up the arms instead of having to carry them. Then, with one last measure, he used some chain to tie up its legs to prevent it from walking off without orders.
Finally, with the robot disarmed, literally, and Adam reasonably certain all safety precautions were taken that he could think of, he took a look at the battery to make sure it still worked or if it needed replacement. Surprisingly, it still had a charge. More than that it was still fully functional, if a bit rusted on some of the contact points, but that could be cleaned easily enough. Replacing the battery would have been the hardest part so this was quite lucky.
With the power sorted out and cleaned he finally booted the system up and watched as the eyes of the Sentry bot, that had laid dormant this whole time, lit up red.
"Sentry Bot, online. Scanning for enemies." The sentry bot said, within moments of waking up. Oh, this was bad. That was not supposed to be the first thing it did. Right? The one thing Adam did note, though, was that just like the Sentry Bot Mark II, the Mark I had a deep synthesized voice that was incredibly intimidating even to him. It sounded like it was the most uncaring and unfeeling voice that the programmers could find. And it worked.
"Targets found. Two organic signatures located. Proceeding to exterminate." The sentry bot said as it shifted its weight as if it was about to tear apart Eric with its tribarrel laser gatling gun. Of course, it was disconnected. So nothing happened. Luckily.
"Error, weapons systems disengaged, switching to alternative actions." It said before its back vent port began to spew fire. "Error, core reaction temperature too low for cascade failure. Switching to melee" It continued as it then tried to walk forward only to stop after a second finding its legs chained up to be an effective means to stop it.
"Error, obstruction found in path. Computational assessment. Disengagement from targets. Requesting assistance." It said, now seeming less intimidating and almost sad. Of course its monotone never wavered so it could not be heard in its intonation, just its words. The robot was so thoroughly beaten that it was asking for help. Pitiable, honestly.
"This is Sergeant Adam Baxter, 33rd Infantry Division Alaskan command. I order you to stand down, Sentry Bot." Adam said, with an authority to his tone, trying to use the same trick he used on Rae to get it to calm down. After all, even if it was disarmed and unable to move, it might still find a way to be dangerous. He needed to access its back port to access its internal computer to check the programming that was obviously wrong. However it was just below its vent, if it chose to vent fire he could get burned badly.
"Checking database." The sentry bot said in response, turning silent for a few moments. "Error, unit has no records for an Adam Baxter in US Army Database. If this is in error please file an M29 to the officer in charge." It said back as if it was an automated messaging system.
Okay, fine it wants to make things more challenging? He can play dirty too.
"Eric, grab that towel over there that we were using to wipe the grease off our hands and hand it here." Adam said to him now. Eric looked confused and then did as he was told, handing Adam the towel. Adam quickly threw the towel over the face of the Sentry bot, completely covering its eyes.
"Targets lost. Scanning for target acquisition." It said almost immediately. Adam put a finger to his lips and looked at Eric, signalling him to remain quiet. "Targets not found. Conclusion. Targets neutralized. Objective cleared. Scanning for new targets… Targets not found, scanning for new targets… targets not found. Returning to status 'all clear' until new target verification data can be acquired." It said, having a whole monologue with itself before finally stopping altogether and going quiet.
Adam quietly snuck around to its back, opened its access port and then plugged his Pip-boy in. In order to let them work he added a single 0 in its binary to turn its target acquisition off at all times so they were no longer in danger. Thank goodness the AI of the Mark I was so basic. A simple cloth over its head was enough to stop this fearsome war machine. Of course there was no way to take advantage of this in a normal scenario, but Adam had heard that in firefights the Mark I would lose target tracking in a smokescreen and revert to a standby mode. He figured covering its eyes with a towel would do the same thing. Luckily he was right. No wonder this model got pushed out by the Mark II. A Mark II is a dogged hunter, it would not have stopped its aggression until it either confirmed its target was dead or it was ordered to do so.
Adam let off a loud sigh as soon as he pulled off his simple coding trick, now comfortable to speak in the sentry bot's presence since, as far as it was aware, it no longer looked for targets under any circumstances.
"Did that just… work?" Eric asked, equally impressed and in disbelief.
"Yes." Adam chuckled softly. "Mark I's am I right?" He grinned and then stared at the robot now standing placidly in the center of the room. He spared a glance over to Sgt. Fyre who was floating in the corner waiting for orders while he failed to notice Eric staring at him.
"Hey Adam…" Eric began, slowly. "What was that about the Alaskan Command?" He said with a suspicious tone. Adam turned to him with a look of shock. Shit, did he just fumble that? What an error! He was so caught up in making this sentry bot listen to him he tried a trick he only used in the company of those who he told his secret to! What a major blunder. The question now was… what was he going to tell him?