章 413: 380. Day of the Tournament PT.4

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As the three of them stood together, watching the fading light, Sico felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road ahead would be long and fraught with challenges, but with people like Preston and Sarah by his side, he knew they could face anything. Together, they were building more than just a settlement—they were building a future.

The sun was barely over the horizon when the final day of the tournament and bazaar began to stir Sanctuary. The air was crisp, filled with a mix of excitement and bittersweet anticipation as settlers, traders, and visitors prepared for the culmination of the past few days' festivities. The soccer tournament had drawn crowds larger than anyone had expected, and today promised to be the most intense yet, with the semi-finals, the third-place match, and the championship game all set to take place.

Sico made his way toward the soccer field, where early risers were already securing their spots on the bleachers. The energy was palpable, a buzzing undercurrent of chatter and laughter that seemed to ripple through the settlement. As he approached, he spotted Hancock and Piper waving him over to a prime spot in the stands.

Hancock, clad in his usual flamboyant attire, lounged casually on the bench, exuding his signature devil-may-care attitude. Piper, always energetic, was bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet, her notebook clutched in one hand. She looked ready to both cheer and report on the day's events simultaneously.

"Morning, boss," Hancock drawled as Sico climbed up to join them. "Ready for some Commonwealth-grade sports action?"

Sico grinned, settling onto the bench beside him. "Morning, Hancock. Morning, Piper. Can't miss this. Minutemen versus Diamond City in the semis—this one's going to be intense."

Piper nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, definitely! I mean, I'm rooting for both sides, but if I'm being honest…" She leaned in conspiratorially. "I kind of want Diamond City to take this one. They've been the underdogs since the start."

Hancock scoffed, his expression darkening theatrically. "Bah, Diamond City. They had no problem crushing Goodneighbor in the first round. Smug bastards. I'm all in for the Minutemen."

Sico chuckled, shaking his head. "Guess that makes me the tiebreaker. I'm with the Minutemen all the way. They've worked hard for this, and it's about time they showed everyone what they're made of."

---

The teams were already warming up on the field, their movements sharp and deliberate as they prepared for what promised to be a grueling match. The Minutemen squad, clad in their distinctive blue-and-yellow jerseys, looked focused and determined. Across from them, the Diamond City team was just as sharp, their red-and-white uniforms a stark contrast against the green of the field.

As the crowd continued to swell, a loud cheer erupted when Preston appeared at the edge of the field, clipboard in hand, barking last-minute instructions to his players. His presence seemed to rally the Minutemen, who responded with a collective shout of affirmation.

"Preston's taking this seriously," Piper noted, scribbling something in her notebook. "He's got that 'war hero' look about him."

"Good," Hancock said, leaning forward. "Diamond City's going down."

The referee, a settler who had volunteered for the job, blew the whistle to signal the start of the match. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as the players took their positions. Sico felt his pulse quicken, the atmosphere infectious.

The game began at a blistering pace. The Diamond City team was quick, their passes sharp and precise as they pressed into Minutemen territory. But the Minutemen were no slouches, their defense holding strong as they worked to intercept the ball and launch counterattacks.

"Come on, Minutemen!" Hancock shouted, his voice cutting through the noise. "Show 'em what you've got!"

Piper, ever the journalist, alternated between cheering and taking notes. "Diamond City's got a solid midfield," she observed. "But the Minutemen's defense is like a wall. This is going to be close."

The first half was a nail-biter, with both teams coming close to scoring but ultimately being denied by skilled goalkeeping and last-ditch tackles. The crowd was on edge, roaring with every near-miss and groaning with every lost opportunity.

During a brief break in play, Sico leaned back and glanced at his companions. "Think we'll see a winner in regulation?"

Hancock shrugged, a sly grin on his face. "If the Minutemen keep playing like this, they've got a real shot. But Diamond City's no pushover."

Piper nodded. "It might come down to a lucky break—or penalties."

---

The second half was even more intense, with both teams throwing everything they had into the game. The Minutemen finally broke the deadlock with a stunning goal, their striker slipping past two defenders and firing a shot that left the Diamond City goalkeeper sprawling in the dirt.

The crowd erupted into cheers, Hancock jumping to his feet with a triumphant yell. "That's what I'm talking about! Minutemen, baby!"

Piper laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, that was a great goal. I'll give you that."

But Diamond City wasn't done. They rallied in the final minutes, launching wave after wave of attacks. Their persistence paid off when a corner kick led to a powerful header that sailed past the Minutemen goalkeeper and into the net.

The score was tied, and the tension was palpable as the clock ticked down. Both teams fought desperately for the winning goal, but as the final whistle blew, the score remained locked at 1-1.

"Penalties it is," Piper said, her tone both excited and nervous. "This could go either way."

---

The penalty shootout was a spectacle unto itself, each kick met with deafening cheers or groans from the crowd. The Minutemen goalkeeper was the hero of the day, saving two crucial shots to secure a 4-3 victory.

The stands erupted into chaos as Minutemen supporters celebrated wildly. Hancock was practically dancing, his grin wider than Sico had ever seen it. "Hell yeah! That's how you do it!"

Even Piper couldn't hide her excitement, clapping enthusiastically. "Alright, I'll admit it—that was impressive. They deserved that win."

Sico smiled, his chest swelling with pride. The Minutemen had done it. They were through to the finals.

---

As the crowd began to disperse, Sico turned to Hancock and Piper. "What do you say we grab some food before the next semi final match? I could use a break after that rollercoaster."

"Absolutely," Hancock said, already on his feet. "Let's find something good."

"Lead the way," Piper said, tucking her notebook into her bag.

The trio made their way back to the bazaar, the air still buzzing with the energy of the match. As they wandered among the stalls, the anticipation for the championship game lingered in the background, a steady hum that promised even greater thrills to come.

The warm midday sun bathed Sanctuary in a golden glow as Sico, Hancock, and Piper wandered through the bazaar in search of a well-deserved meal. The adrenaline from the Minutemen's nail-biting semi-final victory still coursed through them, but their growling stomachs reminded them it was time to refuel.

The trio eventually found themselves at a bustling food stall, where the tantalizing aroma of grilled Brahmin steak wafted through the air. Behind the counter, a cheerful cook skillfully flipped steaks on a sizzling griddle while handing out plates to eager customers.

"We'll take three Brahmin steaks," Sico said, stepping up to the counter.

"And don't forget the sides," Hancock added, pointing to a sign advertising freshly pressed mutfruit juice and Blamco Mac & Cheese.

"Coming right up," the cook replied, his hands moving deftly to prepare their order.

As they waited, Piper pulled out her notebook, scribbling down notes with one hand while gesturing animatedly with the other. "You know, this tournament has been great for morale. People are smiling, trading, and actually enjoying themselves for once. This could make a fantastic headline—'Sanctuary's Soccer Tournament Brings Hope to the Commonwealth.' What do you think?"

Hancock chuckled, leaning against the counter. "Catchy, Piper. But maybe add a bit more flair, like, 'Minutemen Kick Commonwealth Despair to the Curb.' You know, give it some punch."

Piper rolled her eyes but laughed. "I'll consider it."

When their food was ready, Sico handed over a few caps, and they each took their plates, the hearty smell of the freshly grilled steak making their mouths water. Hancock took a long sip of his mutfruit juice, smacking his lips in satisfaction. "Now this hits the spot. Good call, boss."

Sico smiled, balancing his plate and drink. "You can't go wrong with Brahmin steak. Let's head back before the next match starts."

---

By the time they returned to the bleachers, the crowd had grown once again, settling in for the second semi-final match: Quincy versus Starlight Drive-In. The teams were already on the field warming up, their colorful jerseys contrasting sharply against the green grass.

Sico took his seat and dug into his food, content to simply watch the game unfold. Hancock and Piper, however, were already engaged in a spirited debate.

"No way Quincy's losing this," Hancock said confidently, pointing his fork at Piper. "They've got power, speed, and the best damn striker in the Commonwealth. Easy win."

Piper raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "You're underestimating Starlight. They've been scrappy and unpredictable this entire tournament. I wouldn't count them out."

"Care to put your caps where your mouth is, Piper?" Hancock challenged, leaning closer with a gleam in his eye.

Piper smirked, crossing her arms. "Alright, you're on. Ten caps says Starlight takes this."

"Make it fifteen," Hancock shot back, extending a hand.

"Deal," Piper said, shaking it firmly.

Sico laughed, shaking his head as he cut into his steak. "You two are ridiculous. Let's just enjoy the match, huh?"

---

The game kicked off with Quincy immediately dominating possession, their sharp passes and well-coordinated plays putting Starlight on the back foot. Hancock grinned smugly, nudging Piper. "Told you. Quincy's got this."

But Starlight was nothing if not resilient. Their defense held firm, and a quick counterattack nearly resulted in a goal, the ball narrowly missing the top corner. Piper punched the air triumphantly. "See? Scrappy and unpredictable!"

The match continued at a frenetic pace, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for control. Quincy's striker unleashed a powerful shot that smashed against the crossbar, eliciting groans from their supporters. Moments later, Starlight's winger danced past two defenders, only to have their shot blocked by a diving save from Quincy's goalkeeper.

Sico found himself thoroughly engrossed, his earlier resolve to remain impartial forgotten as he cheered along with the crowd. He glanced at his companions, amused by their contrasting reactions—Hancock was practically perched on the edge of his seat, while Piper alternated between shouting encouragement and jotting down notes.

As the first half drew to a close, the score remained 0-0, but the tension was electric. Settlers around them were already debating who would come out on top, their voices blending into a cacophony of excitement.

---

During the halftime break, Sico leaned back in his seat, taking a sip of his mutfruit juice. "Alright, I'll admit it—this match is turning out to be better than I expected. Both teams are giving it their all."

Piper nodded, her notebook resting on her lap. "Exactly. Starlight's grit versus Quincy's polish—it's a classic underdog story in the making."

Hancock scoffed, waving his empty juice bottle dismissively. "Underdogs are overrated. Quincy's just biding their time. Watch—they're gonna come out swinging in the second half."

When the teams returned to the field, it was clear both sides were determined to break the deadlock. Quincy came close with a curling shot that forced Starlight's goalkeeper into a spectacular save. But Starlight responded with a lightning-fast counterattack, their striker weaving through Quincy's defense before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

The crowd erupted, half cheering wildly while the other half groaned in frustration. Piper leapt to her feet, pumping her fist. "Yes! Starlight takes the lead!"

Hancock glared at her, muttering under his breath. "It's not over yet, Piper. Don't start celebrating too soon."

Quincy, stung by the goal, doubled down on their efforts, launching wave after wave of attacks. Their persistence paid off when a corner kick led to a chaotic scramble in the box, and the ball was eventually bundled over the line. The equalizer sent their supporters into a frenzy, and even Hancock couldn't resist a triumphant cheer.

The final minutes were a whirlwind of near-misses and desperate tackles, with both teams pushing for the winning goal. But as the referee blew the whistle, the score remained tied, forcing the match into extra time.

---

The tension in the air was almost unbearable as the players returned to the field for the additional thirty minutes. Both teams were visibly exhausted, their movements slower but no less determined.

Starlight struck first in extra time, their striker pouncing on a defensive error to fire a low shot past the goalkeeper. Piper's cheers rang out loudly, drawing amused looks from the surrounding crowd. "That's what I'm talking about! Never count out the underdogs!"

But Quincy wasn't finished. In the dying moments of the match, their star midfielder unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the box, the ball sailing into the top corner to equalize once again.

Hancock whooped, slapping Sico on the back. "See? That's Quincy for you! Pure class."

With no further goals, the match went to penalties, much to the crowd's delight. The shootout was a nerve-wracking affair, each kick met with gasps and cheers. In the end, it was Starlight who emerged victorious, their goalkeeper making a heroic save to secure a 5-4 win.

Piper turned to Hancock with a triumphant grin, holding out her hand. "Fifteen caps, please."

Grumbling, Hancock fished the caps out of his pocket and handed them over. "Don't spend it all in one place, Piper."

Sico laughed, shaking his head at their antics. "That was one hell of a match. Starlight earned that win."

---

As the crowd began to disperse, Sico leaned back in his seat, savoring the moment. The championship game was just hours away, and the buzz of anticipation was already building. For now, though, he was content to sit back, enjoy the company of his friends, and soak in the atmosphere of a community coming together to celebrate something bigger than themselves.

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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:-