Chapter 343: 312. Mission Accomplished, For Now
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Sico gave her a small nod before stepping back into the morning light. Now that the plan was in motion, it was time to gather the team and send them out into the Commonwealth. It was a dangerous world out there, but the Minutemen had survived worse. And as long as Sico was leading them, they would continue to survive.
The next morning dawned clear and cool, with a crispness in the air that hinted at the coming autumn. The Castle was already buzzing with activity as Sico made his way toward the north gate where Ronnie Shaw had begun gathering the supply team. Today would mark the beginning of their efforts to rebuild, and while the mission ahead was dangerous, it was absolutely necessary. Without the supplies, the Castle wouldn't last through another attack, and the Minutemen could ill afford to lose their foothold.
Sico had spent much of the previous night going over the details of the mission, selecting the personnel, and preparing the trucks. The Castle's small fleet of trucks was a mishmash of salvaged vehicles—some pre-war relics that had been painstakingly restored, others more recent models cobbled together from scavenged parts. They weren't exactly elegant, but they were sturdy and functional, capable of hauling large quantities of supplies back to the Castle.
As Sico approached the gathering area, he spotted Ronnie Shaw barking out orders to the recruits and seasoned Minutemen alike. She had a map spread out across the hood of one of the trucks, pointing out key locations where the team would likely find the supplies they needed.
"Ronnie," Sico called, catching her attention as he reached the group.
Ronnie straightened up, turning to face him. "Commander. We're almost ready to move out. Trucks are fueled, weapons are checked, and the team's gearing up. Just waiting on your go-ahead."
Sico glanced over the group. It was a mixed team, as planned. Some were veteran Minutemen who had fought in countless skirmishes, their faces hardened by experience. Others were new recruits—eager but green, with an intensity in their eyes that spoke of a willingness to prove themselves. Sico knew the stakes were high for these fresh faces. Today's mission would be their first taste of the Commonwealth's brutality.
"Looks good," Sico said with a nod. "Let's get everyone together. I want to give them a rundown of the mission."
Ronnie signaled the team to gather around, and within moments, they were standing in a loose semicircle in front of the trucks. Sico stepped forward, surveying the group. Robert, a seasoned soldier with years of experience in the field, stood near the front. He would be leading the mission. Sico had full confidence in his ability to get the job done and bring the team back safely.
"Alright, listen up," Sico began, his voice carrying over the soft rumble of the trucks' engines. "This is a crucial mission, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it—there's a lot riding on what happens today. The Castle is in rough shape. We took a hard hit from the Gunners, and if we don't get these supplies, we're going to be vulnerable to another attack."
The group remained silent, their eyes fixed on him as he spoke.
"We're looking for four key things on this run: building materials to shore up our defenses, medical supplies for the wounded, food, and water. We need everything we can get our hands on, so we're sending you out with four trucks. They're empty now, but by the time you come back, I expect them to be filled to the brim. Got it?"
There was a murmur of agreement from the group, and Sico continued.
"Robert will be leading this mission. He's one of our best, and he knows the Commonwealth better than most. The team will be a mix of our seasoned Minutemen and newer recruits. This is going to be tough—no two ways about it—but I know each and every one of you is up to the task."
Sico turned his gaze toward Robert, who nodded in acknowledgment. "Robert, you've got the lead on this. I want you to take a route that minimizes risk, but I know that's easier said than done out there. Make sure everyone stays alert. If things get hairy, don't be a hero. Get what you can and get back here in one piece."
Robert, a tall man with a grizzled beard and a calm, confident demeanor, stepped forward. "We'll make it happen, Commander. I'll lead the team through the old highway up north. Less traffic from raiders, but we might run into a few mutants. We'll hit the hospital first, then swing back toward Cambridge to check out the military checkpoint."
Sico gave him a curt nod. "Sounds like a plan. Keep an eye on the Brotherhood if you're heading into Cambridge. We don't want any unnecessary trouble with them."
"Understood," Robert said. "We'll keep our distance."
Sico scanned the rest of the group, locking eyes with each of them in turn. He could see the mix of anticipation and nervousness in the newer recruits. They didn't know what to expect, but they were determined to do their part.
"One last thing," Sico said, his tone softening slightly. "I know this is going to be dangerous, but I want all of you to remember what we're fighting for. The Commonwealth needs the Minutemen, and the Minutemen need each other. Stick together out there, watch each other's backs, and make sure you all come home."
With that, he stepped back and gave the signal for the team to begin loading into the trucks. The air was thick with the sound of metal clanking as they secured their gear—rifles, ammo, packs of basic survival supplies. The trucks, painted in the familiar muted colors of the Minutemen, had been outfitted with reinforced armor plates along the sides and grills, a makeshift defense against whatever the Commonwealth might throw at them.
Sico approached Robert once more as he was climbing into the lead truck. "Good luck out there, Robert. We're counting on you."
Robert gave a short nod, his expression serious. "We'll get it done, Commander. You can count on that."
As the trucks rumbled to life, Sico stepped back, watching as the convoy began to pull out of the Castle's gates. Dust kicked up behind the tires, and the sound of engines echoed off the stone walls as the vehicles disappeared down the road, heading into the unknown.
Ronnie Shaw came up beside Sico, crossing her arms as she watched the trucks fade into the distance. "They'll be alright, Commander. Robert's solid, and the rest of the team's tough enough. It's the Commonwealth we've got to worry about."
Sico nodded, his eyes still on the road. "The Commonwealth never makes anything easy, but we've been through worse."
Ronnie grunted in agreement. "True enough. Still, it's a hell of a risk. Those trucks are going to be prime targets for anyone looking to make a quick score. Raiders, mutants, even the Brotherhood might take a shot at them if they get too close to Cambridge."
"I know," Sico said quietly. "But we don't have a choice. The Castle's on its last legs without those supplies. We need to take the risk."
Ronnie was silent for a moment, then she turned to him. "You've done good by the Minutemen, Sico. Whatever happens out there, we'll keep this place standing. You've got my word on that."
Sico met her gaze, offering a small but genuine smile. "Thanks, Ronnie. I'll hold you to that."
With the supply team on its way and the Castle still a hive of activity, Sico knew there was little to do now but wait. The Commonwealth was a harsh, unpredictable place, but the Minutemen had survived worse. Today, it was about survival, about rebuilding, and about ensuring that the Commonwealth's people had something to hold onto—a future worth fighting for.
As the hours passed, Sico busied himself with the repairs, lending a hand where he could and checking in with the wounded. The sun climbed higher in the sky, the anticipation gnawing at him as he waited for word from the supply team. Every minute felt like an eternity, but Sico knew better than to dwell on what might happen. He had done everything he could. Now, it was up to Robert and the others to bring back what they needed to keep the Castle—and the Minutemen—standing strong.
Because in the Commonwealth, hope wasn't something that came easily. It had to be fought for. And the Minutemen would fight as long as there was breath in their bodies.
Twelve long hours had passed since the supply team had left the Castle. The sun, now beginning its slow descent, cast a golden hue over the fortifications as the Minutemen continued their work. Sico had kept himself busy throughout the day, aiding with repairs and checking in on the medics, but there was no mistaking the tension in the air. Every person in the Castle knew how vital the supply run was to their survival, and with each hour that passed, the unease grew.
Ronnie Shaw had kept a steady eye on the horizon, and by mid-afternoon, Sico found himself joining her at the north wall more than once, scanning the wasteland for any sign of the convoy's return. The Commonwealth was treacherous, and no matter how skilled the team was, there was always the risk that something could go wrong. Raiders, mutants, ghouls, or even the Brotherhood—it didn't matter who. The Castle's enemies were many, and every passing minute brought with it the possibility of bad news.
But just as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the wasteland, a shout came from one of the Minutemen stationed on the wall.
"Commander! Movement on the road—looks like the convoy's coming back!"
Sico's heart leapt at the words, and he quickly made his way to the north gate, where several others had already gathered. The sound of engines rumbled in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. Soon, the familiar shapes of the trucks came into view, their weathered frames kicking up dust as they rolled toward the Castle.
A murmur of relief rippled through the gathered Minutemen. The convoy had made it back. Whether the mission had been a success or not, they were all alive—and that was already a victory in its own right.
Sico stood near the gate as the first truck pulled in, its tires crunching over the gravel. The convoy came to a halt just inside the Castle walls, and one by one, the doors of the trucks opened as the supply team began to disembark. Robert, in the lead truck, was the first out. He stretched his back and rolled his shoulders, exhaustion clear in his movements, but there was a satisfied look on his face.
Sico strode over, his expression one of anticipation as he approached Robert. "How'd it go out there?"
Robert wiped a hand across his forehead, pushing back the brim of his cap before giving a weary grin. "Better than we could've hoped, Commander. We hit the hospital first—just like we planned—and it was crawling with ghouls, but we managed to clear 'em out. Place was mostly picked clean, but we found a stockpile of medical supplies in one of the lower storage rooms. Got enough stimpaks, antiseptics, and blood packs to keep Sarah busy for a while."
Sico's expression brightened at the news. "That's good to hear. We needed those supplies badly."
Robert nodded, then continued, "After the hospital, we made our way toward Cambridge. Ran into a Brotherhood patrol just outside the military checkpoint, but they didn't give us any trouble. Just a lot of staring and muttering into their comms. We gave them a wide berth and managed to scavenge what was left in the checkpoint—mostly building materials and some rations, but it'll go a long way."
Sico felt a wave of relief wash over him. The team had not only made it back, but they'd also managed to secure a decent haul of supplies. "Sounds like you handled it perfectly, Robert. Any issues with the recruits?"
Robert shook his head, glancing over at the younger members of the team as they began unloading the trucks. "They did good, Commander. Held their nerves when things got rough, and no one panicked. Clara and Joe both pulled their weight—especially when we had to clear out the hospital. The new kids… they've got potential."
Sico gave a nod of approval. It was reassuring to hear that the recruits had handled themselves well under pressure. The Commonwealth had a way of hardening people quickly, but it was good to know that, with the right guidance, they could become valuable members of the Minutemen.
"What about losses?" Sico asked, his voice quiet. It was the one question that had been gnawing at him all day. No supply run through the Commonwealth was without its dangers, and it was rare to come back unscathed.
Robert's face grew more somber, but he gave a small shake of his head. "We got lucky this time, Commander. No casualties. A few of the recruits took some hits from the ghouls—scratches, mostly—but nothing life-threatening. We patched 'em up on the way back."
Sico let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "That's good news, Robert. Damn good news."
"Yeah," Robert agreed, his eyes scanning the trucks as the rest of the team worked to unload their haul. "We'll need to keep an eye on the new ones for infection, though. Those ghoul scratches can turn nasty if we're not careful. Sarah's already got them lined up for check-ups."
Sico's gaze followed Robert's to the trucks, where crates of supplies were being unloaded and carried toward the medical station and storage areas. It wasn't much—probably less than they needed—but it was a start. And right now, that was all the Minutemen needed: a chance to keep fighting, to keep holding on.
"Well done, Robert," Sico said, clapping the man on the shoulder. "You and the team did good work today. This'll go a long way toward keeping us standing."
Robert gave a tired smile. "Just doing my part, Commander. We'll be ready for the next run when you give the word."
Sico chuckled softly. "Let's get through this one first. Take a breather—you've earned it."
With that, Sico turned toward the unloading efforts, watching as the crates were carefully moved into the Castle. The relief was palpable among the Minutemen, and for the first time in days, there was a sense of hope in the air. They had what they needed—at least for now. And with that small victory, the Castle could keep going, one step closer to being fully fortified again.
Ronnie Shaw approached Sico, her arms crossed as she surveyed the scene. "Looks like the run went better than expected."
Sico nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah. Robert and the team did great. Medical supplies, food, water, building materials—it's not enough to fix everything, but it'll hold us over."
Ronnie grunted in approval. "That's more than we could've asked for. Now we just need to keep this momentum going."
"We will," Sico said with quiet determination. "One step at a time, Ronnie. The Minutemen are still standing, and as long as we've got that, we'll keep fighting."
As the last of the supplies were unloaded, the Castle seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The Minutemen had weathered another storm, and now, with the resources they'd secured, they could begin rebuilding in earnest. The Commonwealth was still dangerous, still unpredictable, but for the moment, the Castle—and the Minutemen—were safe.
________________________________________________
• 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: -
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