Bab 356: 325. Maintain Neutrality
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The war between the Brotherhood and the Institute was only just beginning, but Sico and the Minutemen were prepared. They would protect their people—no matter what it took.
The next day dawned with a clear sky over the Minutemen Plaza, but the atmosphere remained tense. War was looming on the horizon, and every second mattered. Sico wasted no time and set out to oversee the ongoing projects. First on his agenda was the farm's defense power system—crucial to ensuring that the turret installations would be functional once completed. Wallace, one of the best engineers in the Minutemen, was overseeing the work, and Sico trusted him, but the situation demanded hands-on leadership.
Sico walked through the gates of the Minutemen Plaza, heading toward the farm just outside its perimeter. The farm, a vital food source for the soldiers and nearby settlements, was nestled against a backdrop of repaired pre-war structures and makeshift defenses. The steady hum of machinery filled the air as Wallace and his team worked to fortify the power grid.
"Wallace," Sico called as he approached, his boots crunching on the dirt path. The engineer looked up from his work, his brow slick with sweat, but his hands never stopped moving.
"Morning, General," Wallace greeted, nodding. "We're making progress, but I gotta admit, this system's been giving us trouble. Some of the wiring in these older sections is fried, but I've got the boys running new lines. It'll hold once we're done."
Sico crouched down to inspect the exposed cables, nodding in approval. "How much longer until the turrets can be powered?" he asked, his voice calm but urgent.
"Few more hours, tops," Wallace replied, glancing back at his team. "I've got the first two arrays ready to go once we finish this section. After that, we can start testing the turret systems."
"Good," Sico said. "We can't afford any delays, Wallace. The Brotherhood and the Institute aren't going to wait for us to be ready. We need those turrets up before anything happens."
"I know, I know," Wallace nodded, wiping his brow. "Don't worry, General. I've got it under control."
Satisfied that Wallace had the situation in hand, Sico straightened up. "I'll check back in later. Keep me posted if anything changes."
With that, Sico left the farm behind and made his way back toward the Plaza's training grounds. He could already hear the shouts of soldiers drilling and the metallic clinks of weapons being tested. Preston and Robert MacCready were overseeing the training of the recruits, many of whom would soon graduate into full-fledged soldiers.
As Sico approached, he saw Preston standing with his arms crossed, watching as a group of recruits sparred under MacCready's guidance. The young men and women were fierce, their strikes determined, but some still lacked the precision needed for battle. MacCready, ever the perfectionist, corrected their movements with quick, sharp instructions.
"Not bad, but keep your stance tighter!" MacCready barked at one recruit, showing him how to better defend against an incoming attack. The recruit nodded and adjusted his posture, earning a grunt of approval from MacCready.
Preston noticed Sico's approach and turned to greet him. "Sico, good timing. The recruits are shaping up, but some of them are still rough around the edges. A few more days, and they'll be ready to join the front lines."
Sico nodded, watching the recruits as they fought. "They've come a long way, Preston. With the war heating up, we don't have the luxury of time, but I have faith in you and MacCready. Get them ready, and fast."
Preston nodded in agreement. "They'll be ready when the time comes. We're running them through drills day and night, making sure they know how to handle themselves if things get bad."
Sico turned his gaze toward MacCready, who was now correcting a recruit's rifle grip. The sharpshooter had a keen eye, and Sico trusted his expertise in preparing the troops. They'd need every soldier they could muster, especially if the Brotherhood or the Institute turned their attention toward the Minutemen.
"Keep me updated," Sico said, turning back to Preston. "I'll check in with you both later."
Leaving the training grounds, Sico walked toward the fields outside the Plaza where the crops were growing. Jenny, the chief overseer of the farm, had been managing the agriculture for the Minutemen, ensuring that there was enough food for the soldiers and settlers. She was standing near the rows of crops, her eyes focused on the green stalks stretching toward the sky.
"Jenny," Sico called out as he approached. "How are the crops looking today?"
Jenny turned, offering a warm smile despite the tension in the air. "Sico, good to see you. Crops are coming along nicely, considering everything that's going on. We will had a good yield this season. The corn and melons will be the first ready for harvest, and the tatos are coming in strong."
Sico nodded, relieved to hear some good news amidst the chaos. "That's good to hear. We'll need all the supplies we can get, especially if this war drags on. How are the water supplies? Any issues?"
Jenny shook her head. "No problems so far. We've got enough purified water stored up for the next few weeks, and the irrigation system is running smoothly. As long as the defenses hold, we'll be fine."
Sico glanced around the farm, taking in the sight of the crops swaying gently in the breeze. The farm had become a lifeline for the Minutemen, and if the fighting reached this far, it would be devastating to lose it.
"Keep an eye on things, Jenny," Sico said. "If you notice anything out of the ordinary, I want to know right away. We can't afford any disruptions, not with everything happening."
"Will do, General," Jenny replied with a determined nod.
Sico gave her a brief smile before turning back toward the Plaza. The day was far from over, and there was still much to do. The war between the Brotherhood and the Institute was just beginning, but the Minutemen would be ready for whatever came next. With Sanctuary, the Castle, and the outlying farms and settlements fortified, they had a fighting chance.
As Sico walked back to the command center, his mind was already racing with the next steps. The Commonwealth was depending on them, and he wouldn't let it fall—not while the Minutemen still stood strong.
The sound of whirling rotors pierced the air, cutting through the stillness of the afternoon like a sharp blade. Sico instinctively turned his gaze skyward, and sure enough, three dark shapes appeared on the horizon, growing larger by the second. Brotherhood of Steel Vertibirds—he knew the sound all too well. Their unmistakable silhouette against the clear blue sky sent a ripple of unease through the soldiers nearby, many of whom stopped in their tracks to watch the incoming aircraft.
Sico's jaw tightened. It was no surprise that the Brotherhood would eventually come to them, seeking aid in their war against the Institute. But Sico knew, deep in his gut, that the Minutemen couldn't afford to be drawn into this conflict—not yet. Their mission had always been clear: protect the people of the Commonwealth. And right now, that meant staying neutral and keeping their resources focused on defense, not on getting involved in the Brotherhood's quest for domination or the Institute's shadowy ambitions.
The Vertibirds circled once above the Minutemen Plaza before they began their descent, landing in formation just outside the perimeter near the farm. The roar of the rotors kicked up dust and debris, causing Sico to raise a hand to shield his eyes. His soldiers tensed, weapons gripped a little tighter, but Sico motioned for them to stand down. He knew this wasn't an attack—at least, not yet.
As the rotors slowed and the noise began to die down, the side hatches of the first Vertibird opened with a mechanical hiss. Out stepped a familiar figure, armored in the unmistakable bulk of Brotherhood power armor: Paladin Danse. Sico wasn't surprised; Danse had always been the face of the Brotherhood when it came to dealing with the Minutemen. He was their spokesperson, a man of conviction and discipline, and while Sico had come to respect him in some ways, he also knew that Danse was a zealot for his cause.
Behind Danse, more Brotherhood soldiers emerged from the Vertibirds, each one armored and armed to the teeth. They fanned out, taking up a protective formation around their leader. The Vertibird blades finally came to a full stop, and a tense silence settled over the airfield as Danse made his way toward Sico with heavy, deliberate steps.
Sico stepped forward to meet him, standing tall but keeping his posture neutral. He wasn't here to provoke, but neither was he going to give the Brotherhood the upper hand. His own soldiers watched from the perimeter, ready but not aggressive. It was a delicate balance, but Sico had become adept at walking that line.
"General Sico," Danse called as he approached, his voice booming and authoritative even through the modulated speakers of his helmet. "It's good to see you again. I wish it were under better circumstances."
Sico nodded once, his face unreadable. "Paladin Danse. What brings the Brotherhood to the Minutemen Plaza today?"
Danse removed his helmet, revealing his stern face and sharp eyes. There was a grim determination in his expression, the kind that came from a man convinced of the righteousness of his mission.
"I'm sure you've heard by now," Danse began, his tone grave. "The Institute has escalated their operations. They've become a direct threat not just to the Brotherhood, but to the entire Commonwealth. We've received reports of increased synth activity, and their infiltration squads are becoming more aggressive. It's only a matter of time before their war spills over into every settlement across the region."
Sico remained silent, letting Danse speak, but he already knew where this conversation was headed.
"The Brotherhood of Steel stands ready to eradicate this threat," Danse continued, "but we can't do it alone. We've come to ask for the Minutemen's support. The people of the Commonwealth need to be protected, and together, we can crush the Institute once and for all."
Sico took a deep breath, his mind racing as he weighed his words carefully. He knew that the Brotherhood's offer wasn't just about defeating the Institute—it was about gaining control. The Brotherhood of Steel's philosophy was clear: they saw themselves as the rightful rulers of post-war America, the only ones capable of restoring order and protecting humanity's future. But that future came with a cost, and Sico wasn't willing to let the Commonwealth be caught in the crossfire of another power struggle.
"Paladin," Sico began, his tone measured but firm, "I understand the threat the Institute poses. Believe me, the Minutemen have had our share of run-ins with their synths. But right now, our priority is protecting the people of the Commonwealth—keeping them out of harm's way. We've always stood for neutrality in these faction wars, and for good reason. We can't risk being dragged into a conflict that could destroy the very settlements we're sworn to protect."
Danse's eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tightening. "With all due respect, General, neutrality isn't an option anymore. The Institute won't stop until they've either replaced or enslaved every man, woman, and child in the Commonwealth. The Brotherhood is the only force capable of stopping them—and if we fail, the Minutemen won't have a Commonwealth left to protect."
Sico met his gaze, unflinching. "I understand that. But getting involved in your war with the Institute doesn't guarantee the Commonwealth's safety either. The Brotherhood has its own agenda, and while your fight with the Institute might align with our goals in some areas, it doesn't change the fact that both sides could end up tearing this land apart."
Danse's expression darkened, frustration flickering behind his eyes. "The Brotherhood's agenda is to preserve humanity. Everything we do is for the survival of the species, and right now, that means eliminating the Institute before their abominations overrun us all."
Sico sighed inwardly. He knew Danse believed every word he said, but that didn't change the reality on the ground. The Minutemen were not the Brotherhood, and while Sico had no love for the Institute, he couldn't risk putting his people in the Brotherhood's line of fire either.
"Paladin," Sico said carefully, "the Minutemen will continue to protect the Commonwealth. We'll defend our settlements, we'll help those in need, and we'll fight off any threat that comes our way—Institute or otherwise. But for now, we're staying out of your war."
Danse stared at Sico for a long moment, his face hardening as he processed the refusal. "I hope you understand what's at stake, General. The Institute won't hesitate to destroy you if you stand in their way."
"And if the Brotherhood brings the fight to our doorstep, we'll defend ourselves just the same," Sico replied, his voice steady. "But for now, we have a responsibility to the people of the Commonwealth. And that means staying neutral."
Danse looked like he was about to argue further, but then he closed his mouth, his shoulders stiffening. He replaced his helmet, and when he spoke again, his voice was cold and formal.
"The Brotherhood of Steel will remember this, General. I hope, for your sake, that you don't regret this decision."
With that, Danse turned on his heel and strode back toward the Vertibirds, his soldiers following in formation. Sico watched them go, his heart heavy but resolute. He knew the decision wasn't an easy one, but it was the right one—for now. The Minutemen had to focus on defending their own, and the Commonwealth needed someone who wasn't bound by the agendas of the Brotherhood or the Institute.
As the Vertibirds lifted off and disappeared into the sky, Sico turned back toward the Plaza. There was still much work to be done, and while the war between the Brotherhood and the Institute raged on, the Minutemen would remain steadfast in their mission: protecting the Commonwealth, no matter what came next.
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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: -
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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