บท 202: 183. First Disagreement with The Brotherhood

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As the sun beat down on the bustling construction site, Sico couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination. With each passing day, they were one step closer to realizing their vision of a thriving harbor that would benefit the entire Commonwealth.

As Sico oversaw the construction, ensuring that every aspect of the project was progressing smoothly, Nora approached him with an urgent expression on her face.

Nora: "Sico, we've got a situation. The Castle is being visited by the Brotherhood of Steel. Paladin Danse is leading the delegation."

Sico's eyes narrowed with concern. The Brotherhood of Steel's interest in their activities could complicate things, especially with the delicate state of their defenses and ongoing projects.

Sico: "We can't afford any interruptions. Nora, come with me. We need to get to the Yangtze and warn Zao."

Leaving the bustling construction site, Sico and Nora made their way to the dock where the Yangtze was anchored. Zao, always vigilant, noticed their approach and greeted them.

Zao: "Captain Sico, what brings you here in such haste?"

Sico: "Zao, the Brotherhood of Steel is visiting the Castle. We need you to hide the Yangtze underwater until they've left. We can't risk them discovering it."

Zao's expression became serious as he nodded.

Zao: "Understood. I will submerge the Yangtze immediately."

With the Yangtze taken care of, Sico and Nora hurried to find Preston. They found him near the perimeter, coordinating with the militia.

Sico: "Preston, we need you to come with us to the Castle. The Brotherhood of Steel is there, and we need to find out what they want."

Preston, always ready to support his comrades, nodded and quickly issued orders to his second-in-command to maintain the perimeter security in his absence. The three of them then hopped into a Humvee and drove towards the Castle.

As they approached the Castle, the sight of the Brotherhood of Steel soldiers was imposing. Their power armor glinted in the sunlight, and two Vertibirds were parked beside them, their rotors still slowly spinning down. Paladin Danse stood at the forefront, his posture rigid and his expression stern.

Sico, Nora, and Preston exited the Humvee, their faces calm but alert as they approached Paladin Danse.

Sico: "Paladin Danse, it's been a while. What brings the Brotherhood of Steel to the Castle today?"

Danse removed his helmet, revealing a serious expression as he stepped forward. He took a moment to glance around, taking in the bustling activity of the Minutemen and the fortified structure of the Castle.

Paladin Danse: "Sico, Nora, Preston. From our position at Boston Airport, we've observed the Minutemen working on constructing a harbor. This activity has not gone unnoticed by Elder Maxson. He sent me to visit and understand why the Minutemen are building a harbor so close to Brotherhood territory."

Sico, maintaining a calm demeanor, responded with measured words.

Sico: "The harbor project is a strategic initiative to bolster the Commonwealth's trade and defense capabilities. Our goal is to go to another region through the sea."

Nora: "We're also focusing on the betterment of the Commonwealth and ensuring that its people have the resources they need to rebuild. The harbor is a crucial part of that vision."

Danse listened intently, his expression still serious but thoughtful.

Danse: "The Brotherhood's mission is to reclaim and protect technology, and to ensure humanity's survival through strength and knowledge. Elder Maxson is concerned about the proximity of your project to our operations. He wants to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest and that we can work together towards our common goals."

Preston stepped forward, his tone firm yet diplomatic.

Preston: "We understand the Brotherhood's concerns. Our intention is not to encroach on your territory but to provide a vital infrastructure that benefits everyone in the Commonwealth."

Paladin Danse listened to Preston's assurances, his gaze steady. After a moment, he spoke again, addressing the underlying concern of the Brotherhood.

Paladin Danse: "We appreciate your intentions, but there's another matter we need to discuss. If the Minutemen were to discover any pre-war technology, we hope you would be willing to hand it over to the Brotherhood. We would compensate you fairly. Our mission is to recover and protect such technology to prevent it from being misused."

Sico met Danse's gaze, his tone respectful yet firm.

Sico: "With all due respect, Paladin Danse, any pre-war technology we find is intended to serve the Minutemen's mission of protecting the Commonwealth. While we understand the Brotherhood's goal of preventing another catastrophe, our focus is on using whatever resources we find to directly aid and protect the people here. We've seen how technology can be a double-edged sword, and we believe it's crucial to use it wisely to rebuild and defend our communities."

Nora nodded in agreement, adding.

Nora: "The Minutemen's priority is the safety and prosperity of the Commonwealth's people. We can't trust that giving up valuable technology would always align with our goals."

Danse's expression hardened slightly, but he kept his tone even.

Paladin Danse: "Elder Maxson will not be pleased to hear this. Our mission to reclaim technology is based on ensuring that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands and cause more harm. We've seen the devastation misuse can cause, and it's our duty to prevent history from repeating itself."

Preston stepped in, his voice calm but resolute.

Preston: "We understand your perspective, Paladin Danse. However, we also have a duty to ensure that any technology we find directly benefits the people of the Commonwealth. We're willing to discuss specific instances and find ways to cooperate, but blanket agreements aren't feasible for us."

Paladin Danse's jaw tightened as he listened to Preston's words. He took a deep breath, clearly struggling to keep his composure.

Paladin Danse: "I will inform Elder Maxson of your decision. Mark my words, though, the Brotherhood and I are very displeased with the Minutemen's stance on this matter. Our goal is the greater good of humanity, and we believe that reclaiming and controlling technology is a crucial part of that mission."

Nora, unable to hold back her frustration, spoke up.

Nora: "The greater good of humanity? Like hating non-feral ghouls who were once human too? In a world like this, we should be helping each other, no matter the race. But the Brotherhood doesn't seem to care about that. You despise every mutation, even if they're good people trying to survive just like the rest of us."

Danse's eyes flashed with anger, but he held his ground.

Paladin Danse: "The Brotherhood's policies on mutations are meant to protect humanity from the dangers that mutations can bring. We have seen firsthand the destruction that can result from unchecked mutations and misuse of technology. Our actions are guided by our duty to safeguard the future of the human race."

Sico interjected, aiming to diffuse the tension.

Sico: "We understand that the Brotherhood has its principles, and we respect your dedication to your mission. But we must also stay true to our principles. The Commonwealth is filled with people of all kinds who need our protection and support. We believe in a more inclusive approach."

Preston added, his voice steady.

Preston: "Our focus is on rebuilding and protecting the Commonwealth, and that includes everyone who lives here. We believe that cooperation and understanding are the keys to a better future."

Danse took a step back, his expression hardening as he considered their words.

Paladin Danse: "Very well. I will relay your position to Elder Maxson. But understand this: the Brotherhood will not tolerate any actions that we believe endanger humanity. We will be watching closely."

As Paladin Danse turned to leave, Sico called out to him, stopping him in his tracks.

Sico: "Paladin Danse, one more thing. Despite our differences, the Minutemen still hope to maintain good terms with the Brotherhood. We both have a common enemy in the Institute, and we believe that cooperation against such a threat is crucial for the survival of the Commonwealth."

Danse paused, his expression softening slightly as he turned back to face Sico.

Sico: "Please convey our regards to Elder Maxson. Let him know that while we may have differing views on certain matters, our overarching goal remains the same: to protect and ensure the future of humanity."

Paladin Danse nodded, his demeanor somewhat less rigid. "I'll relay your message to Elder Maxson. Let's hope we can find common ground against the Institute. Until then, stay vigilant."

With that, Danse resumed his march towards the waiting Vertibirds. The Minutemen leaders watched as the Brotherhood of Steel soldiers boarded the aircraft, the engines roaring to life once again. The Vertibirds lifted off, climbing into the sky and heading back towards Boston Airport.

As the sound of the departing Vertibirds faded, Sico, Nora, and Preston stood together, reflecting on the encounter.

Nora: "That was intense. But at least we managed to convey our stance without escalating things further."

Preston: "Yeah, let's just hope the Brotherhood can see the value in cooperation against the Institute."

Sico watched the Vertibirds disappear into the distance before turning to face Nora and Preston.

Sico: "We'll need to keep our focus and continue building up our defenses and infrastructure. The Brotherhood might not fully trust us, but we never know what the future holds. After the Institute has been defeated, there's always a possibility we could end up as enemies."

Nora nodded thoughtfully.

Nora: "That's true. We've seen how quickly alliances can shift in this world. We need to be prepared for any eventuality."

Preston crossed his arms, his expression determined.

Preston: "Then let's make sure we're ready. We'll keep strengthening our position and looking out for the people of the Commonwealth. No matter what happens, we'll stand strong."

Sico agreed, feeling a renewed sense of resolve.

Sico: "Exactly. We'll continue our work on the harbor and make sure we have the resources and capabilities to protect our people. Let's get back to it."

The three leaders returned to their tasks with a shared understanding of the challenges that lay ahead.

Sico: "Let's head back to the harbor construction site. We still have a lot of work to do. After we finish building the harbor, we can discuss the Brotherhood matter further."

Nora and Preston nodded in agreement, and the trio headed back to the Humvee. As they drove back to the harbor site, Sico's mind was already racing with thoughts of the tasks ahead. They needed to stay focused and ensure that every detail of the construction was meticulously handled.

Upon arrival, the construction site was buzzing with activity. Workers moved with purpose, and the sound of machinery echoed through the air. Sico, Nora, and Preston immediately got to work, coordinating with the teams and making sure that the project stayed on track.

Sico walked among the workers, offering guidance and encouragement.

Sico: "We're making great progress, everyone. Let's keep up the momentum and push through. We're building something that will make a real difference for the Commonwealth."

Nora oversaw the logistics, ensuring that materials were properly distributed and that each team had what they needed to continue their tasks.

Nora: "Remember, working together is the key. Let's keep things moving smoothly and stay on schedule."

Preston focused on security, coordinating with the militia to maintain a vigilant watch over the site.

Preston: "We need to stay alert. There might someone who have their eyes on us, but our priority is to protect our people and our work here."

By the end of the day, as the sun began to set, the team gathered to review their accomplishments and plan the next steps. Sico addressed the group, his voice filled with determination.

Sico: "We've done incredible work today. Let's keep this momentum going. We're building a future for the Commonwealth, and nothing will stand in our way. We'll discuss the Brotherhood situation once the harbor is complete, but for now, let's focus on our mission."

With a collective nod of agreement, the team dispersed to rest and prepare for another day of hard work. Sico knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but with the dedication and unity of the Minutemen, they could overcome any obstacle.

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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: -