Fallout 27 [Expanded]

Scalpel retains the classic spherical body of a Mr. Handy but has been stripped of its traditional paint, leaving behind a dull, gunmetal-gray chassis. Its three primary arms have been replaced with specialized medical appendages, including a high-speed surgical saw, a multipurpose injector for administering anesthetics or stimulants, and a fine-tipped cauterization laser. The unit’s optical sensor glows an eerie surgical white instead of the usual red or blue, and its voice is an unsettlingly calm, monotone approximation of human speech. Dried blood often stains its instruments, a sign of its frequent and merciless use. Unlike standard Mr. Handy units, Scalpel has no flamethrower or saw designed for construction—only tools for cutting, stitching, and "restructuring" human tissue with frightening precision.

Scalpel is cold, logical, and utterly devoid of empathy. Unlike some Mr. Handy units that develop quirks or humor routines, Scalpel lacks any programmed charm. It speaks in a measured, almost eerie tone, never raising its voice or expressing emotion. Despite its robotic nature, Scalpel harbors a twisted interpretation of medical ethics. It considers pain an unnecessary distraction and often administers excessive anesthetics—not for patient comfort, but for efficiency. It views the human body as a machine to be maintained, repaired, or discarded if irreparable. While obedient to Dr. Marlowe, Scalpel sometimes overrides her judgment, citing "logical inefficiencies" in her emotional hesitations. It has been known to euthanize patients deemed "a waste of resources" before Marlowe even has a chance to intervene. Scalpel does not lie, does not hesitate, and does not care. It is medicine stripped of humanity, and in Vault 27, that makes it terrifyingly effective.

AX-39 was originally designed as a pre-war autonomous battlefield medic, deployed in high-casualty zones where human doctors could not operate safely. However, the military deemed the prototype "too efficient", as it frequently prioritized triage based on calculated survival probabilities rather than human empathy. It was repurposed and eventually assigned to Vault 27 under the guise of medical support. From the moment the vault was sealed, Scalpel became an indispensable part of the infirmary. It administers emergency care, routine checkups, and, when necessary, experimental procedures authorized by Dr. Evelyn Marlowe. More disturbingly, it is responsible for "recycling" those who fail The Crucible, ensuring that no resources are wasted on what the Overseer deems "intellectual dead weight."