บท 387: 356. Goodneighbor Civil War PT.3
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With the Third Rail secure, Sico gathered his squad, ready to plan their next move. For now, Goodneighbor was safe, but the road ahead would be long and filled with dangers. He steeled himself, knowing that as long as he had loyal comrades by his side, he would face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Sico took a quick survey of the surroundings, noting the weariness but also the determination in his squad's faces. The Third Rail was secure for now, but he understood that their position was precarious. He turned to the group and issued his orders.
"Listen up!" he called out, his voice cutting through the ambient noise of distant firefights and the crackle of nearby fires. "Twenty of you are staying here. Your job is to hold this position with Fahrenheit and Hancock's people. This bar is our stronghold, and we're not giving an inch of ground back to the Iron Wolves or any other gang looking to move in."
The soldiers nodded, rallying to his command as he assigned them specific positions to guard the entrances, exits, and vulnerable points. They all knew the importance of this place, and that holding it could mean the difference between controlling Goodneighbor or losing it completely.
"Fahrenheit, you know this place better than anyone. I'm counting on you to organize and coordinate with my men," Sico continued, looking directly at her.
Fahrenheit cracked a fierce grin and gave a quick nod. "You got it, General. I'll make sure no one gets through. These bastards think they can roll in and take over our turf? They're in for a rude awakening."
Satisfied with the defensive plan, Sico turned to Preston and his remaining soldiers. "The rest of you, with me. We'll regroup at the Old State House once things are settled here. There are still areas of Goodneighbor under threat, and we need to make sure our presence is felt in every corner of this town."
Hancock approached, his face lined with fatigue but his eyes blazing with resolve. "If you hadn't stepped in, Sico, Goodneighbor might have fallen to these thugs. But we've still got work to do. Whoever's pulling the strings behind this attack isn't going to stop until they're forced out of hiding."
Sico looked to Fahrenheit, his expression serious. "Speaking of that, Fahrenheit… do you have any idea who might be behind this? Someone's been stirring the pot, inciting the gangs to rise up and turn on each other. Civil wars don't start without someone lighting the fuse."
Fahrenheit's face darkened, her jaw tightening as she processed the question. "I've heard some rumors," she said, glancing around to ensure that only trusted ears would hear. "There's been talk on the street about a new player trying to muscle into the Commonwealth. Nobody knows their real name or even where they're from, but they call themselves 'The Broker.' Word is, they've got connections—money, weapons, even mercenaries willing to work for anyone who can pay the right price."
"The Broker?" Preston muttered, frowning. "Sounds like trouble. If they're the ones funding the Iron Wolves, then this is just the beginning."
Fahrenheit nodded grimly. "Yeah, and from what I've heard, the Broker doesn't care about ruling a town or taking over territory. This person's got their eyes on chaos. They want the Commonwealth divided, every faction at each other's throats, so no one can stand up to them when they finally reveal themselves."
Sico absorbed the information, a weight settling in his gut. He could see the larger picture forming, a complex web of conflicts that might destabilize not just Goodneighbor but the entire Commonwealth. The Iron Wolves were just pawns, a small part of a grander scheme designed to weaken the Commonwealth's unity.
He turned back to Fahrenheit, his face hardening with determination. "If this Broker wants chaos, then we'll give them something they didn't count on—a united front. Goodneighbor, the Minutemen, Hancock's loyalists… together, we'll push back against anyone looking to exploit this community."
Hancock grinned, a fierce pride shining in his eyes. "Damn right. I don't care who this Broker is—they're about to learn what happens when you mess with Goodneighbor."
Sico glanced around, checking to ensure that each soldier was in position and that Fahrenheit was coordinating the defense as planned. Then he turned to Preston, giving him a nod. "Preston, take some men and start scouting the area around the Third Rail. If there are any remaining pockets of resistance or Iron Wolves trying to regroup, I want them dealt with before they get a chance to retaliate."
"Understood, General," Preston replied, saluting before motioning for his squad to follow.
As Preston and his team departed, Sico focused back on Fahrenheit and Hancock. "If there's one thing I've learned, it's that people like the Broker hide behind others. They're not the ones out here fighting, and that makes them dangerous. Fahrenheit, you said there were rumors. Is there anyone you know who might have more information? Someone who's familiar with the Commonwealth's underground?"
Fahrenheit thought for a moment before nodding slowly. "There's one guy. Name's Smiley Joe. He's a fixer—moves information around, sells intel to the highest bidder. He's not exactly trustworthy, but he's got his ear to the ground. If anyone knows about this Broker, it's him. Problem is, he operates out of Quincy, and getting to him isn't going to be easy because he to far now."
Sico narrowed his eyes, weighing the risk. "Quincy's is our territory, but if Smiley Joe's got the information we need, it might be worth the effort. This Broker isn't going to stop until they've torn the Commonwealth apart, and we need answers if we're going to stop them."
Hancock raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Quincy, huh? That's a long shot, but it sounds like you're the type to go after what you need. If you're thinking about heading there, count me in. I wouldn't miss a trip like that."
Sico looked at Hancock, appreciating his loyalty. "Thanks, Hancock. But first, let's secure Goodneighbor. If we leave now, we'll be giving the Wolves a chance to regroup."
Fahrenheit nodded, determination settling in her gaze. "We'll keep things tight here, General. My people know the importance of this place, and we're ready to defend it with everything we've got."
Sico gave her a firm nod of approval. "Good. Make sure everyone's ready to defend against anything that comes their way. Preston and I will check back once we've scouted the surrounding area, but we need to stay vigilant. Whoever this Broker is, they won't go down easily, and they'll probably send more trouble our way."
Hancock tightened his grip on his revolver, his gaze sharp. "Let them come. They'll see firsthand that Goodneighbor isn't a place for cowards and vultures."
With the defensive setup at the Third Rail secure, Sico gathered the remaining members of his squad, ready to clear the nearby streets and ensure Goodneighbor was truly safe from any lingering Iron Wolves. Fahrenheit and the 20 Minutemen would stay behind to reinforce Hancock's loyalists and protect the Third Rail, making it the heart of their defense.
Sico took a final glance around the fortified Third Rail, his gaze lingering on the soldiers he had left behind with Fahrenheit. The bar had become a symbol, a bastion against the chaos that threatened Goodneighbor. As he stepped into the dim, broken streets of the neighborhood with Hancock, Robert, and the remaining Minutemen at his side, he knew that securing the Third Rail was only the beginning. The Iron Wolves and other gangs weren't going to retreat without a fight.
The streets of Goodneighbor had turned into a battlefield. Smoke rose from the ruins of gutted buildings, the scent of burnt wood and twisted metal hanging heavy in the air. Shattered glass crunched underfoot, and the distant echoes of gunfire served as a reminder of the fierce struggle that was still ongoing. The Iron Wolves had a strong foothold in Goodneighbor, using the narrow alleys and abandoned buildings as cover.
Hancock walked beside Sico, his revolver gleaming in the low light. His face was set in a grim expression, but his eyes sparked with a fierce determination. "Goodneighbor's always been rough around the edges," he murmured, "but these bastards are turning it into a war zone. They don't understand what this place means to the people here."
"Then let's show them," Sico replied firmly, his voice carrying an edge. "We're not just reclaiming buildings; we're showing them that Goodneighbor belongs to its people."
Robert stepped forward, his rifle at the ready, a steady presence by Sico's side. "General, we're ready when you are. The men know the risks, and they're prepared for whatever comes our way."
Sico nodded, giving his men a silent moment to prepare. "Listen up, everyone," he said, raising his voice enough for the squad to hear him over the ambient noise. "This isn't just about taking down a few thugs. This is about sending a message. The Broker may be pulling the strings, but as long as we hold strong, they can't take Goodneighbor. Keep an eye on each other, cover your angles, and don't let them draw you into a trap."
The Minutemen acknowledged his orders, adjusting their gear and weapons. They moved cautiously through the winding streets, sticking to the shadows as they advanced. Sico led the way, keeping his senses sharp and listening for any signs of ambush.
As they reached an intersection, the faint sound of voices reached his ears. Sico raised a fist, signaling for the squad to halt. He glanced over at Robert and nodded toward a nearby building. "Robert, take twenty men and cover our left flank. Hancock and I will go in from the right. We'll flush them out and catch them off guard."
Robert nodded and motioned to two soldiers, and they swiftly positioned themselves near the building's entrance, weapons aimed at the interior. Hancock gave Sico a small nod, a hint of a grin on his face. "You know, I've always liked this approach: a nice little ambush in the middle of their ambush."
"Glad to see you're still in good spirits," Sico replied with a grin of his own.
They moved in together, each step cautious but confident. The Iron Wolves hadn't seen them yet, too busy talking among themselves in a small room within the building. It seemed they were setting up for a larger assault, stacking weapons and gathering supplies.
Sico signaled his men, and they sprang into action. Gunfire erupted as the Minutemen and Hancock's loyalists stormed the building, catching the Iron Wolves completely off guard. The Wolves scrambled for their weapons, but the Minutemen's coordinated assault left them with little chance. In mere moments, the room was cleared, the gang members lying incapacitated on the floor.
Hancock looked around, satisfaction in his gaze. "That's one less hideout for these punks. They won't be stashing supplies here anymore."
Sico nodded, already moving back to the street. "We keep this up, and they'll have nowhere to hide. Let's move."
They advanced further, clearing out several smaller buildings where pockets of Iron Wolves were holding ground. The firefights were intense; these weren't inexperienced raiders but hardened fighters, determined to hold on to what they'd taken. The Minutemen moved in coordinated strikes, sweeping each area clean before advancing to the next. Sico kept a close watch on his men, adjusting their formation and ensuring no one strayed too far from cover. He knew the Iron Wolves would exploit any weakness.
At the edge of a ruined plaza, a group of gang members had entrenched themselves, blocking one of the key streets that led deeper into Goodneighbor. They'd set up makeshift barricades, creating a choke point that forced anyone approaching to move through a narrow alley. Sico crouched behind an overturned cart, studying the setup.
"This could get rough," he murmured to Hancock, who was crouched beside him. "They've got a good vantage point here, and if we rush in, we'll be sitting ducks."
Hancock studied the barricade, a smirk creeping onto his face. "We could always give them a little surprise. There's a back way through that old storefront there." He pointed to a crumbling building to the left. "It'll bring us out right behind them. They'll never see it coming."
Sico nodded, formulating a plan in his head. "Robert, take thirty men and keep their attention on the front. Lay down suppressive fire and keep them pinned. Hancock and I will loop around and hit them from behind."
Robert grinned, eager to get into the thick of it. "You got it, General. We'll keep 'em busy."
As Robert and his squad began firing on the entrenched gang members, Sico led Hancock and a smaller group through the abandoned storefront. They moved swiftly but quietly, their footsteps muffled by the dust-covered floors. Soon, they emerged into a narrow alley that led behind the barricades.
With a nod, Sico signaled his men to move forward. The Iron Wolves were completely focused on the frontal assault, oblivious to the Minutemen approaching from behind. With practiced efficiency, Sico and his squad opened fire, catching the gang members off guard. The surprise attack was devastating, and within moments, the Iron Wolves' position crumbled.
As the last of the gang members fell, Hancock chuckled, reloading his revolver. "Gotta love the classics. Flanking maneuvers never get old."
Sico gave him an approving look. "Good work. We'll use whatever advantage we can get."
They regrouped with Robert's team, checking over their men to ensure no one was injured. Though they'd taken down several pockets of resistance, Sico knew this was just the beginning. The Iron Wolves had too strong a hold on Goodneighbor, and their numbers seemed almost endless.
________________________________________________
• 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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