Chapitre 410: 377. Day of the Tournament PT.1
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Together, they wandered back into the heart of the bazaar, the day's light fading into a warm, golden hue. There was still work to be done, but for the first time in a long time, Sico felt like they were truly moving in the right direction. Tomorrow's tournament would be more than just a game—it would be a celebration of everything they'd worked so hard to build.
The next day, Sanctuary came alive with a vibrant energy that could be felt in every corner of the settlement. The air buzzed with anticipation as people from all over the Commonwealth poured in to witness the long-awaited soccer tournament. Children ran through the streets, their laughter blending with the chatter of traders and settlers. Banners fluttered in the gentle breeze, some hand-painted with slogans of encouragement for the teams competing. The field, freshly prepared, stood at the heart of it all, surrounded by rows of makeshift seating crafted from salvaged materials.
Sico stood near the tournament grounds, clipboard in hand, surveying the scene with a mix of pride and determination. Sanctuary had never seen such a large gathering before, and while the cheerful atmosphere was infectious, it was also a logistical challenge. Keeping the peace and ensuring everyone's safety was no small task.
"Preston! Sarah!" Sico called out, spotting the pair near a group of Minutemen who were gearing up for patrol. Preston Garvey, strode over with his usual steady demeanor, while Sarah Lyon followed closely behind.
"General," Preston greeted with a nod. "Everything looks good so far. People are settling in, and the teams are warming up. What's the plan for security?"
Sico flipped through his notes, tapping his pen against the clipboard. "We've got a lot of ground to cover, and with this many people, we can't take any chances. I want thirty patrol teams, each with three Minutemen. Spread them out across Sanctuary—focus on the main entrances, the bazaar, and the tournament grounds. Keep an eye out for anything unusual."
Sarah crossed her arms, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "Do we have enough people for that? It's a big area to cover."
"We do," Sico assured her. "And if we rotate shifts, we'll keep everyone fresh. I also want a few pairs stationed on higher ground—watchtowers, rooftops, anywhere they can get a good vantage point. If anything looks off, they signal immediately."
Preston nodded in approval. "Solid plan, General. I'll get the teams organized."
Sico handed him a map of Sanctuary, marked with key patrol zones. "Make sure each team has a whistle or some other way to alert us if they spot trouble. And remind them—no unnecessary confrontations. We're here to keep the peace, not start fights."
Preston took the map and headed off to relay the orders, while Sarah lingered, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"What's on your mind?" Sico asked.
"Just thinking about the crowd," she said. "With this many people, tensions can flare up over something as small as a bad trade deal or a spilled drink. We'll need more than just patrols—we need a presence that reminds people we're here to help, not just police."
"You're right," Sico agreed. "Make sure our people are approachable. Have them mingle, talk to folks, answer questions. If we can build trust, we'll prevent problems before they start."
Sarah gave a curt nod, her respect for the General evident in her demeanor. "I'll pass it along."
As she walked off to join the other Minutemen, Sico took a deep breath, letting his gaze sweep over the bustling settlement. Despite the challenges, there was something undeniably uplifting about the scene. Families were gathered, traders were thriving, and the sense of community was stronger than ever. This was exactly what he'd been fighting for.
---
As the morning gave way to midday, the tournament kicked off with a cheer that echoed across Sanctuary. The first match pitted a team of settlers from Abernathy Farm against a scrappy group of caravan guards from Bunker Hill. The makeshift bleachers were packed with spectators, their enthusiasm infectious as they shouted and clapped for every goal, block, and near miss.
Sico moved through the crowd, keeping an eye on everything while also taking moments to enjoy the spectacle. He stopped by the bazaar, where the vendors were doing brisk business. A young girl ran past him, clutching a homemade flag with her team's emblem scrawled in bright red paint. Nearby, a group of scavengers debated the price of a set of pre-war tools, their banter lighthearted.
"General!" a voice called out, cutting through the din. Sico turned to see Sturges waving him over from a food stand. "Got time for a quick bite? The brahmin steak lady's back, and she's got stew today!"
Sico laughed but shook his head. "Maybe later. Right now, I've got to make sure everything's running smoothly."
"Suit yourself," Sturges said with a shrug, though his grin showed he understood. "Just don't forget to eat at some point, alright?"
"I won't," Sico promised, already moving toward the next checkpoint.
---
By mid-afternoon, the tournament was in full swing. The cheers from the crowd grew louder with each match, and the energy was electric. Sico met with Preston and Sarah near the main gate, where a group of patrols was gathering for a shift change.
"Any issues so far?" Sico asked.
"Nothing major," Preston reported. "A couple of heated arguments at the bazaar, but our people stepped in before they escalated. No sign of raiders or troublemakers."
Sarah chimed in, her tone confident. "The patrols are doing their job. People feel safe, and that's keeping the mood positive."
"Good," Sico said. "Let's keep it that way. The tournament's drawing a lot of attention, and we don't want to give anyone a reason to think Sanctuary isn't secure."
As they spoke, a distant cheer erupted from the soccer field, followed by the sound of a whistle signaling the end of a match. The crowd's excitement was palpable, and even Sico felt a swell of pride. This wasn't just a game—it was a symbol of what the Commonwealth could achieve when people came together.
The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the soccer field as the fifth match of the day got underway. The energy in the air was undeniable—settlers cheered, traders took short breaks to catch glimpses of the action, and children darted around, playing their own impromptu games on the sidelines.
Sico, clipboard tucked under his arm, found himself drawn to the field. This match promised to be a spirited one: Diamond City versus Goodneighbor. Two major Commonwealth hubs, each with their own flavor of grit and personality, were squaring off in what felt less like a soccer game and more like a clash of cultures.
He weaved his way through the crowd, the cheers growing louder as he neared the bleachers. As his eyes scanned for an open seat, he spotted two familiar faces seated together under a patched-up awning: Hancock, the perpetually grinning ghoul mayor of Goodneighbor, and Piper Wright, Diamond City's fiery reporter-turned-Minuteman. Both were engrossed in the game, their faces animated with every near miss and close call.
"Mind if I join you?" Sico called out as he approached, already climbing the makeshift steps to their row.
Piper turned first, her wide smile lighting up her face. "Sico! Of course, take a seat! You're just in time—Goodneighbor's about to eat dust."
Hancock leaned back in his seat, his trademark tricorn hat tipped slightly as he raised an eyebrow at Piper. "Them's fightin' words, Wright. My boys are gonna take this one, just you watch. We've got heart, and heart always wins."
Sico chuckled as he eased into the seat between them. "Let me guess," he said, glancing at each of them. "Piper, you're backing Diamond City. Hancock, Goodneighbor's got your vote."
"Obviously," Piper said, nudging Sico with her elbow. "Diamond City's the home team, after all. And let's be honest, their defense is solid. I mean, look at Carter over there!" She pointed at the field, where a lean young man in a faded Diamond City jersey expertly intercepted a pass. "No way Goodneighbor's getting past him."
"Pfft," Hancock scoffed, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. "Defense is nice and all, but it won't win you a match. You need flair, creativity. And that's all Goodneighbor, baby. Check out my man Finn up front—he's a damn artist with the ball."
Sico leaned forward, watching as Finn, a wiry player with a mop of red hair, weaved past two defenders with surprising finesse before narrowly missing a shot on goal. The crowd groaned, then cheered in encouragement.
"I'll admit," Sico said with a grin, "Goodneighbor's got some moves. But Diamond City's holding their ground pretty well."
"You're just trying to stay neutral," Piper teased, poking him in the ribs. "C'mon, Sico, pick a side. Who are you rooting for?"
"Yeah, General," Hancock chimed in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You can't sit on the fence forever. Commonwealth politics, sure, but not soccer."
Sico laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll root for… a good match. How's that?"
"Cop-out," Piper said with a smirk, though she didn't press further.
---
The game unfolded in an exhilarating back-and-forth. Goodneighbor's scrappy, unpredictable playstyle kept Diamond City's defenders on their toes, while Diamond City's disciplined teamwork ensured the game stayed tight. The crowd was a mix of cheers, boos, and laughter, creating a cacophony that perfectly captured the Commonwealth's rough-edged spirit.
As the second half kicked off, Hancock leaned toward Sico, his voice lower but still light. "You know, it's moments like these that remind me why we're all fighting so damn hard. Look around, man. This—" he gestured broadly to the field and the crowd—"this is the Commonwealth at its best. No raiders, no mutants, just people being people."
Sico nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's why we do what we do. To build something worth protecting."
Piper, overhearing, added, "And to give folks a reason to keep hoping. It's easy to forget, but events like this? They mean everything to the people out there." She gestured to the stands, where settlers of all ages were cheering their hearts out.
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden roar from the crowd. Finn had scored, breaking the 1-1 tie in Goodneighbor's favor. Hancock shot to his feet, punching the air triumphantly.
"Woo! That's my boy!" he shouted, his gravelly voice cutting through the noise.
Piper groaned, slumping in her seat. "Ugh, I can't believe it. C'mon, Diamond City, don't let me down!"
Sico chuckled at their antics, enjoying the rare moment of levity. He glanced around, taking in the faces of settlers who, for once, weren't weighed down by worry or fear. Even if just for today, Sanctuary was a place of joy.
---
The game pressed on, with Diamond City rallying for an equalizer. Piper was on the edge of her seat, gripping Sico's arm in anticipation, while Hancock leaned forward, his eyes locked on the ball. The intensity of the match seemed to draw the entire crowd together, their collective gasps and cheers creating a rhythm all its own.
Then, with only minutes left on the clock, Diamond City's Carter executed a brilliant play, sprinting down the field and delivering a powerful shot that soared past Goodneighbor's goalie. The crowd erupted, Piper jumping to her feet with a triumphant yell.
"YES! I knew they could do it!" she shouted, beaming at Sico.
Hancock, for his part, let out an exaggerated groan, sinking dramatically into his chair. "Alright, fine. Props to Diamond City. But don't get too comfortable, Wright—this ain't over yet."
Sico grinned, caught up in their friendly rivalry. "Looks like we've got ourselves a nail-biter."
The final minutes were a blur of action, the players giving it their all. In the end, the match concluded in a draw, both teams earning a well-deserved round of applause from the crowd. Piper and Hancock exchanged a good-natured handshake, their smiles showing that the outcome, win or lose, wasn't what mattered most.
---
As the crowd began to disperse, Sico stood and stretched, his muscles stiff from sitting so long. Piper and Hancock lingered beside him, the camaraderie between them palpable.
"Thanks for joining us, Sico," Piper said. "It's nice to see you take a break every once in a while."
"Yeah," Hancock added, clapping Sico on the back. "You're always running around, keeping the Commonwealth from falling apart. Good to see you kick back, even if just for a bit."
Sico smiled, the warmth of their words settling over him. "It was worth it. Thanks for letting me crash your little rivalry."
"Anytime," Piper said with a wink. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to find Nat. She's probably running around somewhere, waving a Diamond City flag."
"And I've got to go console my team," Hancock said with mock seriousness. "They'll need some proper Goodneighbor-style pep talks after this."
As they departed, Sico took a moment to soak in the scene. The day wasn't over, and there was still plenty to do, but for now, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the fruits of their hard work. This was what the Minutemen stood for—bringing people together, creating moments of unity, and building a future worth fighting for.
________________________________________________
• 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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