Bab 394: 362. Public Trial For The Broker
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Looking around, Sico knew their work was far from over, but Goodneighbor had proven itself. In these streets, in these people, he saw the strength of a city reborn, ready to face whatever tomorrow might bring.
The next morning, sunlight poured through the cracked, grime-streaked windows of Hancock's office in the Old State House, casting soft beams across the worn wood and faded papers. The room, which had once served as a hub for Goodneighbor's operations, now bore signs of its leaders' tireless efforts. Maps, documents, and notes lay scattered across the desk, marking each victory and setback in the journey to rebuild the city.
Seated around the table were Hancock, Sico, Fahrenheit, Preston Garvey, and Robert. Hancock, with his characteristic slouch and easygoing smirk, leaned back in his chair, a rare glint of focus in his eyes. He gestured to the group, his voice low but determined.
"Alright, folks," he began, looking from one face to the next. "We've come a long way in getting Goodneighbor back on its feet. But there's still one last matter we need to settle, and that's the Broker."
Sico leaned forward, his expression serious. "We've all seen what he's capable of—how he manipulated people, hurt families, and left Goodneighbor vulnerable. If we're going to truly rebuild, we need to show the people that justice is being served. They need to see that actions have consequences."
Preston nodded thoughtfully. "The Minutemen have always believed in giving people a fair trial, even if they're guilty beyond doubt. It's not just about punishing him; it's about showing everyone here that we're committed to a fair and just process. If we hold the trial in public, with the citizens of Goodneighbor present, we can send a strong message that this city will no longer tolerate those who prey on the vulnerable."
Hancock considered this, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "A public trial would give everyone a sense of closure. It's not just about punishment; it's about sending a clear message that we're setting a new standard for what's right and wrong in Goodneighbor." He looked to Fahrenheit. "What do you think?"
Fahrenheit's gaze was sharp, her arms crossed as she spoke. "I don't disagree, but we need to be realistic. The Broker's network may be fractured, but he still has loyal followers who could try to interfere. We can't let him turn this trial into a platform for his own twisted rhetoric. If we're going to make this public, we need to control the situation carefully."
Robert nodded in agreement. "We'll need extra security. If we hold the trial in the open, I'll organize guards at every entry point. No one gets close to the trial area without clearance, and we'll position snipers in high vantage points in case anything goes wrong."
Sico added, "The trial should be as transparent as possible. We'll make sure that the people understand his crimes in full detail. But we need to balance this with security. Any attempt to disrupt the trial could turn the crowd against us or, worse, cause chaos."
Preston leaned forward, his voice steady. "Goodneighbor deserves justice, and so do the people who suffered under the Broker. But if we're going to do this right, we need to make sure that our focus is on giving them the truth, not on vengeance."
Hancock nodded slowly, digesting everything. "Alright, here's what we'll do. We'll set up the trial in the central square—right where everyone can see it. Fahrenheit, I want you and your team stationed around the perimeter to control the crowd. Robert, organize your guards and put snipers in position as backup."
Sico added, "I'll be up front, next to the Broker. If he tries anything, I'll be close enough to stop him."
Hancock grinned at that. "Glad to hear it. Now, the Broker's been good at getting inside people's heads. Let's make sure we have a clear script for how this goes. We don't want him using his words to turn this into a spectacle or twist things in his favor."
The group nodded in agreement, and they spent the next hour laying out a plan for the trial. Each detail was carefully considered—how to address the charges, the order of witnesses, and a contingency plan in case of an emergency. By the time they were finished, they had a solid framework for a trial that would bring justice to the people without compromising Goodneighbor's newfound stability.
As the meeting drew to a close, Hancock stood, looking at each of his companions with a sense of pride and determination. "Tomorrow, we show the people that Goodneighbor's changed. We're not just a refuge anymore—we're a community. And that means standing up for what's right."
The following day dawned bright and clear. A large crowd gathered in the central square, murmurs of anticipation rippling through the air. The tension was palpable, but so was the hope—a hope that Goodneighbor's future would be one of justice and accountability.
Sico, Preston, Hancock, Fahrenheit, and Robert took their positions, standing on a makeshift platform near the front. The Broker, shackled and defiant, was led onto the platform by a pair of guards, his cold gaze sweeping over the assembled townsfolk with a hint of disdain.
Hancock raised his hand to silence the crowd. "People of Goodneighbor," he called out, his voice carrying across the square. "Today, we stand together to confront a man who has brought nothing but suffering to our city. The Broker used our trust against us, sowed fear and discord, and nearly tore us apart. But we're still here, and we're stronger than ever."
Preston stepped forward, his calm, measured tone bringing a sense of gravity to the proceedings. "We're here today not just to punish a man for his crimes, but to set a precedent. Goodneighbor is a place of refuge, of freedom. But with freedom comes responsibility, and today, we're holding the Broker accountable for his actions."
A hush fell over the crowd as Fahrenheit approached, her voice cold and unwavering. "The Broker preyed on Goodneighbor's vulnerable, exploited their trust, and sold them out for his own gain. He nearly destroyed everything we've built here. Today, justice will be served."
Sico's gaze was unyielding as he looked out over the crowd. "This isn't just about one man. It's about ensuring that Goodneighbor stands for something more. We're not just a hiding place anymore. We're a community. And a community defends its own."
Hancock turned to the Broker, his expression hardening. "Broker, you're accused of treason against Goodneighbor and its people. Your actions have put lives at risk and undermined the very foundation of our community. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
The Broker smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Defense? I don't owe you or these people anything. I gave them what they wanted. Freedom without consequence, power without responsibility. You think you're better than me, but you're just as corrupt as I am."
The crowd stirred uncomfortably, but Sico stepped forward, his voice ringing with quiet authority. "Your words have no power here anymore. Goodneighbor is stronger than your lies. We're here because the people chose to stand together, to protect each other from men like you."
The Broker's smile faltered slightly, a flash of doubt crossing his face. Fahrenheit took a step closer, her eyes narrowed. "You tried to use fear and manipulation to control this city. But fear doesn't rule Goodneighbor anymore. The people do."
The crowd murmured in agreement, a sense of unity washing over them. Preston addressed them, his voice calm but firm. "Goodneighbor has always been a place of freedom, but freedom only survives when we protect it. That's what we're doing today."
As the trial continued, the tension in the square thickened. The Broker's twisted smirk faded as the crowd grew louder, their voices rising in anger. A murmur turned into a chant, echoing off the walls of Goodneighbor's central square:
"Execute him! Execute him!"
Their cries grew more fervent, their emotions raw. The people remembered their losses—their loved ones hurt, their homes destroyed, the fear that had gripped them under the Broker's influence. They wanted justice, and more than that, they wanted assurance that he would never have the chance to harm anyone again.
Sico glanced over the crowd, then turned to his companions. Hancock, Fahrenheit, and Robert met his gaze, all nodding in silent agreement. Hancock's smirk was gone, replaced by a look of hardened resolve. Fahrenheit's jaw was set, her cold eyes fixated on the Broker as if daring him to make a final remark. Robert, usually so stoic, now held a glimmer of anger in his eyes—a clear, silent understanding of the justice the people wanted.
But beside them, Preston's expression was one of concern. He raised his hand, trying to bring calm to the clamor.
"People of Goodneighbor!" Preston's voice cut through the air, and the crowd slowly settled. He looked around, meeting their eyes with a calm determination. "I know the Broker's crimes have been unforgivable. But executing him… It's a path we can't turn back from. As the Minutemen, we stand for justice and the value of every life. If we stoop to his level, we risk losing part of ourselves. There's another way to hold him accountable."
The crowd's silence grew tense, some muttering in discontent. Sico, noticing the rising frustration, stepped forward, turning to Preston.
"Preston," Sico began, his tone firm but respectful, "I understand where you're coming from, and I respect your ideals. But Goodneighbor isn't like other settlements. It's been through so much. These people have had to claw their way to survive in a city that's been torn apart by betrayal, violence, and fear. And the Broker—he didn't just hurt individuals. He nearly destroyed the very heart of this city. Letting him live after everything he's done might send the wrong message."
Preston shook his head, his expression unwavering. "I know the pain he's caused, Sico. But mercy isn't about letting him walk free. We can imprison him, make him serve for what he did. It would show that Goodneighbor is stronger because it doesn't give in to revenge. That's a strength we can be proud of."
Sico glanced back at the people of Goodneighbor, their faces a mix of hope and determination. He could see the anguish in their eyes, the scars that ran deep from all the pain they had endured. They had endured horrors under the Broker's reign, and they were ready for closure—for justice that would put their fears to rest.
"Preston," Sico said, softer now, "these people need to feel safe. We can lock him away, but we don't know if that's enough to give them peace of mind. The Broker's reach is deep, his connections wide. There's always a chance he could escape, or his loyalists could find a way to use him. I don't like this either, but some punishments are just… necessary."
Preston's expression wavered as he looked at Sico, hearing the sincerity in his words. "If we execute him, we're choosing cruelty. It's not justice, it's revenge."
Hancock stepped forward, placing a hand on Preston's shoulder. "Sometimes, Preston, the line between justice and revenge is blurry. We don't take this lightly. The people need to see that Goodneighbor won't stand for someone tearing it apart from the inside. The Broker isn't just any criminal—he's a danger to everyone here."
Fahrenheit, her voice cold and resolute, added, "He nearly cost us everything. Goodneighbor isn't just a town; it's a community built by people who had nowhere else to go. He preyed on their desperation, their trust, and left them in ruins. If we let him live, we're risking it all."
Robert crossed his arms, nodding in agreement. "It's not about cruelty. It's about making sure he can never threaten Goodneighbor again. We're doing this for the safety of everyone here."
Preston's shoulders sagged slightly, his gaze drifting back to the people. He saw the raw emotion in their eyes, the fear mixed with a fierce need for justice. He looked back at Sico, Hancock, Fahrenheit, and Robert, seeing the weight of their decisions reflected in their faces. These weren't people eager for violence; they were leaders trying to rebuild a shattered city.
With a deep breath, Preston nodded reluctantly. "If this is what you all believe is best for Goodneighbor… then I'll stand by it. I may not agree, but I respect your decision."
Sico placed a hand on Preston's shoulder, offering a solemn nod of appreciation. "Thank you, Preston. I know this isn't easy, but we're doing what we can to protect our people."
Hancock turned to the crowd, raising his voice. "Goodneighbor, justice has been served. Today, we take a stand for our future. For every life the Broker shattered, for every family he betrayed—we give the people peace."
The crowd erupted in cheers and shouts of gratitude, their voices a powerful surge of unity and resilience. For the first time, Sico saw a spark of hope in their eyes, a sense of closure that had been sorely needed. The Broker, once a shadow over Goodneighbor, would never have the chance to harm its people again.
As the echoes of the crowd's cheers slowly faded, Sico raised his hand, signaling for silence. The people of Goodneighbor, with their expressions a mixture of grim satisfaction and raw emotion, fell quiet, waiting for him to speak. His voice, steady and solemn, carried across the square.
"People of Goodneighbor," Sico began, his gaze moving over the crowd, "this is a moment of justice, a moment to ensure that the harm caused by the Broker can never be repeated. Today, we bring an end to the fear, manipulation, and cruelty he imposed upon this city."
He turned, pointing to the platform behind him, a sturdy scaffold that had been used in the past to deliver justice against those who had threatened the peace of Goodneighbor. "The Broker will be executed by hanging," Sico announced, his tone unwavering. "This will not be an act of revenge but a decisive measure to protect the lives and futures of everyone here."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd, their faces reflecting a blend of somber respect and relief. Hancock stood beside Sico, nodding with a fierce determination. "Goodneighbor isn't just a place," Hancock said, his voice rough yet resolute. "It's our home. And those who seek to tear it down will face the full weight of our justice."
Fahrenheit stepped forward, her icy gaze fixed on the Broker. "This execution isn't just punishment—it's a warning to anyone who dares to betray this city and its people. Goodneighbor is strong, and today, we show just how far we'll go to keep it safe."
Robert added, "The lives the Broker destroyed, the families he tore apart—all of it ends here. We stand united for peace, and sometimes, peace requires hard choices."
Preston remained by their side, his expression troubled but respectful. Though he didn't agree with the decision, he understood its necessity in this moment. He looked out at the crowd and offered a solemn nod, accepting the will of the people he had sworn to protect.
Sico turned to face the Broker, who stood shackled, his once-defiant smirk now replaced with a flicker of fear as he glanced at the scaffold. "The people of Goodneighbor deserve peace," Sico said, his voice filled with finality. "And with this, we take the first step toward building a city free of his shadow."
With that, the crowd let out a unified cheer—an expression not of joy, but of release, as they felt a heavy burden begin to lift from their collective shoulders. Goodneighbor was finally free.
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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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