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The room remained tense, but there was a quiet determination in everyone's eyes. They knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but they had no choice but to walk it.
Sico took a deep breath, then turned to Preston. "You and Sturges need to head back to Sanctuary. Take a half team of Minutemen soldiers and Sturges team with you and start prepping quietly. Reinforce defenses, stockpile weapons, but make it look routine—like we're just making sure the settlements are self-sufficient."
Preston nodded, already running through logistics in his mind. "We'll keep it low-key. Move supplies in smaller batches, rotate out guards at different times so it doesn't look suspicious. I'll make sure people know to stay quiet about it."
Sturges cracked his knuckles. "I'll start working on setting up backup power sources and extra turrets in case we get hit hard. Might even be able to whip up something to jam the Institute's teleportation signals, at least for a little while."
"That'd be a game changer," MacCready muttered. "Last thing we need is them dropping Synths in the middle of the Castle or Sanctuary."
Sico gave a firm nod. "Do what you can. Just keep it under the radar." He then turned to Sarah, Robert, and MacCready. "You three stay here. Keep training the Diamond City guards for another two days. We need them sharp, just in case. If the Institute pulls anything, we need them ready to hold their own."
Sarah smirked. "Two days? Give me one and they'll be breaking down doors like they were born for it."
Robert chuckled. "I'll believe it when I see it."
MacCready shrugged. "I'll make sure they know how to actually hit their targets. No offense, but some of those guards couldn't shoot the broad side of a Brahmin."
Sico smirked but quickly grew serious again. "Good. Keep an eye on them. If any of them start acting strange, report it immediately. We can't afford to let a Synth slip in unnoticed."
Sarah, Robert, and MacCready exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
Sico then turned to Piper, who had been listening intently. "I need you to start pushing more propaganda for Danny. We need to make sure his credibility is rock solid so when the time comes, he can step up as mayor of Diamond City."
Piper grinned. "You want me to work my magic, huh?"
"You're the best at what you do," Sico replied. "We need people to trust him. If Diamond City's leadership is on our side, that's one less front we have to worry about."
Piper tapped her chin, already scheming. "I can start writing articles about how Danny's been stepping up, making smart decisions, actually listening to people."
"Just don't push too hard," Sico warned. "If we make it too obvious, people might get suspicious."
Piper winked. "Relax, Blue. I know how to plant an idea without shoving it down people's throats."
Sico took a step back, glancing around at everyone in the room. They were a ragtag group, but they were strong. They had survived everything the Commonwealth had thrown at them, and now they were preparing to take on the Institute itself.
"We all know what's at stake," he said. "We do this right, we have a shot at winning. We screw up, and the Institute wipes us off the map. So let's be smart, let's be careful, and let's be ready."
A heavy silence followed, then one by one, they nodded. They had their orders. It was time to get to work.
Sico took one last look at the faces around the room. Determination, exhaustion, and a hint of fear were written all over them, but that was to be expected. They were standing on the edge of a war, one that wouldn't be won easily. He exhaled slowly before giving a final nod.
"Alright," he said, straightening up. "Let's get started. We all know what we have to do, so let's not waste any more time. Nora, keep us updated on anything new from the Institute. The more we know, the better we can prepare."
Nora, who had been quiet for most of the meeting, finally nodded. "I will. But the moment I sense they're getting suspicious, I'm pulling out. I'm not taking any risks."
"Good," Sico said. "We can't afford to lose you."
With that, the meeting was adjourned. One by one, the group dispersed, each heading off to carry out their assignments. Preston and Sturges gathered their team, already discussing the logistics of their return to Sanctuary. Sarah, Robert, and MacCready lingered for a moment, likely planning how to make the Diamond City guards into a real fighting force. Piper scribbled notes in her journal, already thinking of the best way to spin her next article.
Sico, however, didn't leave right away. His gaze drifted to Nora, who was slipping on her coat, preparing to leave.
"Nora," he called softly.
She paused at the doorway, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. She didn't turn right away, but when she did, there was something weary in her expression—something distant.
Sico walked up beside her, lowering his voice. "How are you holding up?"
She let out a small breath through her nose, shaking her head. "That's a loaded question."
"I know," Sico admitted. "But I also know this isn't easy for you."
Nora's shoulders tensed slightly. She stared at the floor for a moment before finally meeting his gaze. "I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. Angry? Heartbroken? Guilty?" She swallowed hard. "It's my son, Sico. My own son. And I'm working against him."
Sico stayed silent, letting her speak.
"When I first found out he was alive, I thought—no, I *hoped*—that we could be a family again," she continued, her voice cracking slightly. "That we could fix things. That I could be his mother. But he doesn't want that. He doesn't *need* me. He's so... devoted to the Institute. So convinced that they're the future. And now, I'm the enemy."
She clenched her fists, her breath shaky. "How the hell do you fight your own child?"
Sico sighed, running a hand through his hair. He wasn't sure there was a right answer to that.
"You fight because you have to," he said finally. "Because the Institute isn't just some neutral party. They're taking people, replacing them, experimenting on them. They see anyone outside their walls as expendable. If we let them win, there won't be a Commonwealth left to save."
"I know that," she whispered. "But knowing doesn't make it any easier."
"It won't," Sico admitted. "But you're not alone in this. We've got your back."
Nora gave a weak, bitter smile. "I appreciate that, Sico. I do. But at the end of the day, if it comes down to a fight between us and him…" She trailed off, her expression darkening. "I just hope I can live with myself when it's over."
Sico didn't push her further. She had enough weighing on her already.
"If you ever need to talk," he said, "you know where to find me."
Nora nodded, then exhaled sharply, like she was trying to shake off the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I should go. Before they start wondering where I am."
"Be careful," Sico told her.
"I always am," she said. But there was something hollow in her voice.
With that, she turned and disappeared into the streets of Diamond City, leaving Sico standing there, watching her go.
He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. He had no idea how this was all going to end, but one thing was certain—none of them would come out of it unchanged.
Sico was still staring at the spot where Nora had disappeared into the night when he heard footsteps approaching behind him. He didn't have to turn to know who it was.
Sarah and Preston stopped a few feet away, their faces a mix of concern and exhaustion.
"How's she doing?" Sarah asked first, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Preston sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "She looked… not great."
Sico let out a slow breath, shaking his head. "She's holding it together, but barely. She's trying to do what's right, but it's killing her inside."
Sarah frowned. "I can't even imagine what that must feel like. Having to go up against your own kid? Knowing you might have to be the one to—" She cut herself off, as if saying the words out loud would make them real.
"She doesn't want to think about it," Sico said. "And honestly, I don't blame her."
Preston nodded. "It's a shitty situation, no two ways about it." He sighed, glancing down the street where Nora had disappeared. "She's strong, but even the strongest people have a breaking point."
Sico met his gaze. "I know. That's why we have to be there for her."
Sarah looked between them, then let out a deep breath. "Well, let's just hope it doesn't come to that. Maybe, just maybe, we can end this without her having to make that choice."
Sico didn't say anything. He wanted to believe that was possible, but deep down, he knew better.
After a few moments of silence, Preston cleared his throat. "Alright, well, we should get moving. We've got a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it."
Sarah gave Sico a look. "You gonna be okay?"
Sico smirked slightly. "Worried about me, Sarah?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot, but yeah. A little."
Sico chuckled, but it faded quickly. "I'll be fine." He straightened up. "Come on, we've got a war to prepare for."
With that, the three of them parted ways, heading off to do what needed to be done.
Sico stood near the edge of the Diamond City training grounds, watching as Sarah, Robert, and MacCready worked the guards hard. The air was filled with the sounds of grunts, gunfire, and the occasional frustrated shout.
Sarah was putting a group through close-quarters drills, forcing them to react fast, adapt, and move efficiently in tight spaces. Robert was running them through a combat scenario, making them work as a team instead of just individuals. MacCready was barking at a few of the newer recruits, forcing them to tighten their shooting stances.
Sico had to admit, they were making progress. But was it enough?
"Hey," Piper's voice cut through his thoughts as she walked up beside him, arms crossed. "Figured I'd find you here."
Sico glanced at her. "Checking in?"
Piper smirked. "Something like that." She looked out at the training field. "They're getting better."
"They'll need to be," Sico muttered.
Piper was quiet for a moment. "You ever think about what happens after all this? After the Institute?"
Sico let out a slow breath. "If we win, you mean?"
"Yeah."
He was silent for a moment, watching as a recruit stumbled, then quickly recovered. "Haven't thought that far ahead."
Piper studied him. "You should."
Sico sighed. "Right now, I'm just focused on making sure we get there."
Piper nodded, but something in her expression said she wasn't entirely satisfied with that answer.
As Sico stood there, watching the recruits push themselves under Sarah, Robert, and MacCready's relentless training, he heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind. Turning slightly, he saw Preston and Sturges walking toward him, both looking like they had been discussing something serious.
Preston was the first to speak. "Sico, we're heading back to Sanctuary. We'll be taking half of the Minutemen soldiers and Sturges' team with us."
Sico nodded, already expecting this. They couldn't keep all their forces in Diamond City for too long—Sanctuary needed to remain strong. If the Institute decided to retaliate, they'd need a safe fallback point, one they could reinforce and defend.
"How many are you taking?" Sico asked, glancing between them.
"One hundred and Fifty men," Preston replied. "Enough to keep things running smoothly back home, but not so many that we weaken the effort here."
"And we've got three trucks and two Humvees," Sturges added, rubbing his hands together. "Took a while to get 'em all up and running, but they're solid. We can transport supplies faster now, and if we need to move people in a hurry, we've got options."
Sico nodded approvingly. Vehicles were a game-changer in the wasteland—mobility meant survival.
"What about defenses?" Sico asked.
Preston gave a slight smile. "You know me. Sanctuary's our home, and I'm not about to let anything happen to it. We've reinforced the walls, set up more turrets, and posted lookouts around the clock. Sturges even rigged up some extra surprises in case anyone gets too close."
Sturges chuckled. "Let's just say, if the Institute decides to poke their heads in, they're gonna get a real nasty welcome."
Sico smirked slightly but didn't lose sight of the bigger picture. "Good. But keep your eyes open. We still don't know when or how the Institute will strike. If they catch wind of what we're planning, they might hit us before we're ready."
"Don't worry, we'll be ready," Preston assured him.
There was a brief silence as the weight of everything settled between them. Sico took a deep breath, looking out at the training grounds once more. They were all preparing for a war, and there was no turning back now.
After a moment, he turned back to them. "Alright. Get back to Sanctuary safe. If anything happens, send word immediately."
Preston nodded. "You got it. And Sico?"
"Yeah?"
"Watch your back."
Sico smirked. "Always do."
With that, Preston and Sturges turned, heading toward the waiting convoy. The trucks rumbled to life, dust kicking up as engines roared in the dimming light. One by one, they pulled away, disappearing down the ruined roads leading back to Sanctuary.
Sico exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. He knew they were doing the right thing, but that didn't make it any easier. The fight was coming, and they had to be ready.
As the last of the vehicles disappeared from view, he turned back toward the training grounds. There was still work to do.
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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:-