If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
___________________________
Sico gave a small, appreciative nod before turning his attention back to his men. The dead would be honored. The wounded would be cared for. And tomorrow, they would begin preparing for the next fight because there would always be a next fight. But for now, just for tonight, they had won.
Sico stood amidst the smoldering ruins of Diamond City, his mind racing as he took in the devastation around him. The fires still burned in pockets, casting an eerie orange glow over the shattered buildings and debris-strewn streets. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and the faint metallic tang of blood. The battle was over, but the work was far from done.
He turned to Sarah and Piper, who stood nearby, their faces streaked with soot and exhaustion. Despite the weariness in their eyes, they were ready to follow his orders.
"Sarah, Piper," Sico began, his voice firm but calm. "I need you to gather a small group of soldiers—ones who aren't wounded—and round up the civilians. Get them to a safe area, somewhere that wasn't hit too hard by the fighting. Make sure they have food, water, and medical supplies. We need to keep them out of harm's way while we clean up this mess."
Sarah nodded, her expression serious. "Understood. We'll find a secure location and get them settled."
Piper adjusted her cap, her sharp eyes scanning the area. "I'll make sure they know what's going on. They've been through enough—they deserve some reassurance."
Sico gave them a small nod of appreciation. "Good. Keep me updated if you run into any issues."
As Sarah and Piper moved off to carry out their task, Sico turned to Preston, who was helping a wounded soldier to his feet.
"Preston," Sico called, his voice cutting through the noise of the aftermath.
Preston looked up, his face grim but determined. "What do you need, General?"
"Gather some soldiers and get to work putting out these fires," Sico said, gesturing to the flames still licking at the remains of buildings. "We can't let them spread. Use whatever water you can find—buckets, hoses, anything. If we don't get this under control, we'll lose even more of the city."
Preston nodded, his jaw tightening. "We'll handle it. I'll make sure the fires are out before they can do any more damage."
Sico clapped him on the shoulder, his tone firm. "Good man. Let me know if you need more hands."
With Preston on the task, Sico turned his attention to Hancock, who was leaning against a crumbling wall, his hat tilted low over his eyes. Despite his casual demeanor, Sico knew Hancock was as committed as anyone to protecting Diamond City.
"Hancock," Sico said, his voice carrying a note of urgency.
Hancock straightened, his sharp eyes meeting Sico's. "What's the plan, boss?"
"I need you to take a group of soldiers and patrol the area," Sico said, his tone serious. "We've got to make sure there aren't any stragglers—synths, raiders, anyone who might try to take advantage of the chaos. Keep an eye out for any signs of trouble."
Hancock smirked, though there was no humor in it. "You got it. I'll make sure no one sneaks in while we're cleaning up."
Sico gave him a small nod. "Stay sharp. We can't afford any surprises."
As Hancock moved off to gather his patrol, Sico turned to Robert and MacCready, who were standing nearby, their weapons slung over their shoulders. The Commandos had been instrumental in the battle, and Sico knew he could count on them to handle this next task.
"Robert, MacCready," Sico said, his voice low but commanding. "Take the Commandos who aren't wounded and secure the perimeter. I don't want any raiders or scavengers getting anywhere near this city while we're vulnerable. Set up checkpoints and keep a close eye on the surrounding area. If you see anything suspicious, deal with it."
Robert nodded, his expression resolute. "We'll make sure the perimeter is locked down. No one's getting through without us knowing."
MacCready adjusted his rifle, his tone dry but determined. "And if they try, they'll regret it."
Sico gave them a small, appreciative nod. "Good. Keep me updated if anything changes."
With his orders given, Sico took a moment to survey the scene around him. The city was in ruins, but it was still standing. The people were shaken, but they were alive. And as long as they were alive, there was hope.
---
Sarah and Piper moved quickly through the streets, their small group of soldiers following close behind. The civilians were scattered, many of them huddled in the remains of their homes or hiding in the shadows of crumbling buildings.
"We need to find a safe area," Sarah said, her voice low as she scanned the surroundings. "Somewhere that wasn't hit too hard."
Piper nodded, her sharp eyes catching sight of a relatively intact building near the edge of the city. "Over there," she said, pointing. "That warehouse looks like it's still standing. It's big enough to hold everyone, and it's far enough from the fires."
Sarah followed her gaze, her expression thoughtful. "Good call. Let's get everyone inside."
They moved through the streets, calling out to the civilians and directing them toward the warehouse. Some were hesitant, their faces filled with fear and uncertainty, but Sarah and Piper's calm, reassuring presence helped ease their worries.
"It's okay," Piper said, her voice gentle as she helped an elderly woman to her feet. "You're safe now. We're going to take care of you."
The woman nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude as she allowed Piper to guide her toward the warehouse.
As the civilians began to gather inside, Sarah and Piper worked to organize them, ensuring that everyone had a place to sit and access to food and water. The soldiers under their command helped distribute supplies, their presence a comforting reminder that they were not alone.
"We'll keep you safe," Sarah promised, her voice firm as she addressed the group. "Just stay here until we've secured the city."
The civilians nodded, their expressions a mix of relief and exhaustion. For now, they were safe, and that was enough.
---
Preston and his team worked tirelessly to put out the fires, their faces streaked with soot and sweat as they hauled buckets of water and directed hoses toward the flames. The heat was intense, the air thick with smoke, but they didn't falter.
"Keep it up!" Preston shouted, his voice hoarse from the effort. "We can't let these fires spread!"
The soldiers under his command moved with determination, their faces set with grim resolve. They knew the stakes—if the fires weren't contained, the entire city could be lost.
As the flames began to die down, Preston allowed himself a small sigh of relief. They were making progress, but there was still much work to be done.
---
Hancock led his patrol through the streets, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement. The city was eerily quiet, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by an unsettling stillness.
"Stay sharp," Hancock said, his voice low as he addressed his team. "We're not out of the woods yet."
The soldiers nodded, their weapons at the ready as they moved through the city. They encountered a few stragglers—raiders and scavengers who had tried to take advantage of the chaos—but Hancock and his team dealt with them swiftly and decisively.
"No one's getting through," Hancock muttered, his tone dark as he kicked aside the body of a fallen raider. "Not on my watch."
---
Robert and MacCready led the Commandos to the edge of the city, their movements precise and deliberate as they set up checkpoints and secured the perimeter. The Commandos were a disciplined group, their training evident in the way they moved and communicated.
"Keep your eyes open," Robert said, his voice firm as he addressed the group. "We don't know what's out there, but we're not taking any chances."
MacCready adjusted his rifle, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "If anyone tries to get close, they'll regret it."
The Commandos nodded, their expressions resolute as they took up their positions. They knew the importance of their task—if the perimeter wasn't secure, the city would be vulnerable to attack.
---
As the night wore on, Sico took a moment to himself, leaning against a crumbling wall as he surveyed the city. The fires were mostly out, the civilians were safe, and the perimeter was secure. But the cost had been high.
He thought of the soldiers who had fallen, their faces flashing in his mind. They had fought bravely, giving their lives to protect Diamond City. Their sacrifice would not be forgotten.
Sico exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening as he pushed himself away from the wall. There was still much work to be done, but for now, they had won.
Sico ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair, the weight of the battle still pressing down on him, but he pushed it aside. There was no time to dwell—there was still work to do. The fires were nearly out, the perimeter was secure, and the wounded were being treated, but Diamond City was in ruins. People had lost their homes, their families, their livelihoods. If they were going to make it through this, they needed help.
With that in mind, he made his way through the war-torn streets toward the warehouse where Sarah and Piper had gathered the civilians. As he walked, he passed by soldiers treating the wounded, some lying on makeshift stretchers, others sitting against broken walls, clutching bandaged wounds. The air was thick with pain and exhaustion, but there was also resilience. They had survived.
When he reached the warehouse, he found Sarah kneeling beside a young boy who couldn't have been older than ten. His face was streaked with dirt, his eyes hollow from shock. Sarah was speaking softly to him, offering a piece of bread, her other hand resting gently on his shoulder.
Piper, meanwhile, was near the entrance, talking to a group of scared civilians—men, women, and children, all huddled together, their eyes darting around in fear. She had an arm around an elderly woman, offering quiet reassurances.
Sico paused for a moment, taking it all in. Despite the chaos, despite everything they had been through, these two were still doing everything they could to help. It was a small but powerful reminder of why they fought—to protect people like this.
He took a deep breath and approached. "Piper," he called, and she turned, her expression immediately shifting from concern to relief at seeing him.
"You look like hell," she said, giving him a tired smirk.
He let out a dry chuckle. "I feel like it, too." His expression grew serious. "Listen, I need you to take some soldiers and a couple of trucks back to Sanctuary. We need more supplies—food, medicine, building materials—whatever you can load up."
Piper straightened, already nodding. "Yeah, makes sense. People here are running on fumes, and I doubt we've got enough to last more than a couple of days."
"There's more," Sico continued. "Bring Sturges and his team. We need them here. Diamond City is… well, it's barely standing. If we don't start rebuilding now, it won't survive the next attack."
Piper whistled, looking around at the crumbling buildings and makeshift shelters. "Yeah, you're not wrong. Sturges will have his hands full, but if anyone can patch this place up, it's him." She tilted her head. "How many soldiers do you want me to take?"
Sico considered it for a moment. "Take at least a dozen. Raiders and scavengers are bound to be lurking outside the city, waiting for an opportunity. If they see a supply run moving through the Wasteland, they might try something."
Piper cracked her knuckles. "I'll make sure they don't. We'll be back as soon as we can."
He placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a brief but genuine look of appreciation. "Thanks, Piper. I know you're exhausted, but—"
She waved him off. "Don't even start. This isn't about me, it's about them." She motioned toward the civilians. "I'll get the supplies and Sturges. Just make sure the place doesn't fall apart while I'm gone."
Sico smirked. "No promises."
With that, Piper turned, calling out to a few nearby soldiers and getting things in motion. Within minutes, a group of Minutemen were gathering, checking their weapons and loading up into the trucks that had miraculously survived the battle.
Sico turned to Sarah next, who had just finished helping the young boy to his feet. She rubbed at her tired eyes and gave him a questioning look. "What's next?"
"We need a headcount," Sico said. "How many civilians made it? How many are wounded?"
Sarah exhaled, glancing around. "From what I've gathered, we have around two hundred civilians here, but that's not counting the ones still hiding in the ruins. A lot of them are scared to come out. As for the wounded, it's bad. Most of them need medical attention fast. The few doctors we have are already overwhelmed."
Sico clenched his jaw. "We'll get them help. Once Piper gets back with the supplies, we'll set up a proper infirmary." He turned, scanning the group of civilians. "Are there any leaders among them? People they trust?"
Sarah nodded. "Mayor McDonough is dead, but there are a few folks stepping up to keep order. Ellie Perkins, the secretary from Valentine's Detective Agency, has been helping calm people down. Then there's Abbott—the guy who used to paint the Wall. He's been keeping people organized."
"Good," Sico said. "We need them. Gather them up, tell them we need to start organizing—food distribution, medical care, security. I don't want this turning into a free-for-all."
Sarah nodded and moved to get to work.
Sico took a deep breath and looked around again. The weight of leadership pressed down on him, but he shoved his exhaustion aside. The battle was over, but the real fight—the fight to rebuild—was just beginning.
**---**
As the night deepened, Diamond City remained a husk of its former self, but there was movement. The fires were almost entirely out, patrols were sweeping the streets, and makeshift aid stations had been set up. The Minutemen worked tirelessly, moving through the rubble, helping civilians, and treating the wounded.
Hancock returned from his patrol, leaning against a broken lamp post as he watched the city slowly come back to life. "You know," he mused, lighting up a cigarette, "I didn't think I'd live to see the day Diamond City needed to be rebuilt. Feels weird."
Sico sat down on a chunk of broken concrete, letting out a long breath. "Yeah. It's gonna take time."
Hancock exhaled a puff of smoke. "Good thing we've got time, then."
Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the silence of survivors, of men who had seen too much but still had work to do.
Then, the sound of engines cut through the night.
Sico stood, his rifle instinctively coming up, but a second later, he relaxed.
It was Piper and her convoy, rolling back into Diamond City. The headlights of the trucks cut through the darkness, and as they stopped, Sturges hopped out of the lead vehicle, taking in the destruction with wide eyes.
"Damn," he muttered, pushing his goggles onto his forehead. "You weren't kidding when you said you needed me."
Sico grinned tiredly. "Think you can fix it?"
Sturges let out a low whistle. "It's gonna take a hell of a lot of work, but… yeah. We'll fix it."
Hope sparked in Sico's chest for the first time in what felt like days. They had won the battle. Now, they were going to rebuild.
________________________________________________
• 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:-