Chương 304: 277. Defence Of Quincy PT.1

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The Gunners would soon arrive, but they would find Quincy a far tougher nut to crack than they anticipated. Sico would make sure of that. As the hours ticked by and the final preparations were completed, Sico steeled himself for the battle to come.

As the final preparations were wrapping up, Sico turned his attention back to Preston. The tension in the air was palpable, and Sico knew they needed every advantage they could get. Intel was crucial, and he had to ensure they weren't caught off guard by the Gunners' arrival.

"Preston," Sico called, catching his second-in-command's attention. "I need you to send out a scout team immediately. We can't afford to be blindsided—our survival depends on knowing the exact moment the Gunners make their move."

Preston nodded, already anticipating the order. "I'll pick the best scouts we've got, General. They'll keep a close eye on all possible approach routes and report back the second they spot any movement."

Sico appreciated Preston's efficiency and his understanding of the gravity of the situation. "Good. Make sure they're equipped with long-range radios. I want constant updates on the Gunners' position. If they see anything—anything at all—I want to know about it immediately."

"I'll see to it personally," Preston assured, his voice steady. He turned to gather the scouts, his mind already racing through the list of the most experienced and reliable Minutemen under his command. Within minutes, Preston had assembled a team of five scouts, each handpicked for their sharp eyes and ability to move quickly and quietly.

"Listen up," Preston addressed the team, his tone firm and authoritative. "You've been selected for this mission because you're the best at what you do. Your job is simple but crucial—find out where the Gunners are, track their movements, and report back as soon as you spot anything. Stay out of sight, don't engage, and keep the communication lines open at all times. Understood?"

The scouts nodded in unison, their expressions serious. They knew the stakes were high, and they were ready to do their part. Each of them quickly double-checked their gear, ensuring their radios were functioning, their weapons were ready, and their camouflage was in place.

Preston watched as the scouts slipped out of Quincy, moving with practiced stealth into the surrounding terrain. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows that would aid them in staying concealed. As they disappeared into the growing darkness, Preston felt a pang of anxiety, but he quickly pushed it aside. These were the best scouts the Minutemen had to offer—if anyone could get the job done, it was them.

Returning to the command center, Preston met Sico's gaze. "The scouts are in position, General. We should start receiving updates soon."

Sico nodded, acknowledging Preston's report. "Good. Now we wait. Keep monitoring the radio channels. The moment we hear from them, we need to be ready to act."

The command center fell into a tense silence, the only sounds the quiet buzz of the radios and the occasional murmur of communication between the Minutemen. Outside, the town was eerily quiet, the residents huddled in their shelters, waiting for the inevitable clash.

Minutes felt like hours as they waited, every second stretching with anticipation. Sico paced the room, his mind running through every possible scenario. The Gunners were a formidable enemy, but Sico was determined not to let Quincy fall. The town's defenses were as strong as they could make them, and every Minuteman was prepared to fight to the last breath.

Finally, the radio crackled to life, breaking the oppressive silence. One of the scouts' voices came through, tense but controlled. "This is Scout Team Bravo. We've got eyes on the Gunners—approaching from the north, east, and west. Estimated strength: over 500 each. They're moving in fast."

Sico immediately stepped forward, taking the radio from Sarah. "Scout Team Bravo, this is Sico. Good work. Continue tracking their movements and keep us updated. We'll be ready."

The scout acknowledged the order, and the radio fell silent once more. Sico turned to Preston, his expression grim but resolute. "It's time. Get everyone to their positions. We've got less than an hour before they're on us."

Preston nodded, already relaying the order through the communication channels. Within moments, the command center was a flurry of activity as officers rushed to deploy their troops. The Minutemen moved quickly and efficiently, taking up their positions along the fortified lines. Heavy weapons were manned, traps were armed, and every soldier readied themselves for the coming onslaught.

Sico stood at the center of the command room, his eyes focused on the maps in front of him. He could hear the distant rumble of the Gunners' advance—like a storm gathering on the horizon. The town's defenses were ready, but the battle ahead would be brutal.

As the final moments of preparation ticked by, Sico grabbed the radio once more. "All units, this is Sico. The Gunners are approaching from the north, east, and west. We're outnumbered, but we're not outmatched. Hold your positions, trust in your training, and fight with everything you've got. Quincy is counting on us. We're the last line of defense—let's make sure it holds."

A chorus of acknowledgments came through the radio, and Sico could feel the determination in every voice. The Minutemen were ready to fight, and they wouldn't go down without a fight.

As the echoes of the Minutemen's affirmations faded from the radio, Sico shifted his attention back to his core team. The weight of the impending battle pressed down on him, but his resolve remained unshaken. He knew his orders had to be clear, concise, and unyielding.

"Preston," Sico said, turning to his second-in-command, "I want you at the front lines. Coordinate the defense and ensure every squad is in position. Keep a close eye on the radio traffic and be ready to adapt if the Gunners try anything unexpected."

Preston gave a curt nod, already heading out the door to oversee the front line defenses. Sico could trust him to keep the Minutemen steady under pressure.

"Sarah," Sico continued, his voice firm, "I need you to manage the supply lines. Make sure our troops have what they need—ammo, stimpaks, anything. And keep the medical teams on standby; we're going to need them soon."

Sarah saluted sharply before rushing out to handle the logistics. She knew the importance of her role, and she wouldn't let the Minutemen down.

"Albert," Sico called out next, catching the attention of his explosives expert, "Get those decoys and traps ready. I want the Gunners disoriented and off-balance the moment they set foot in Quincy. Make sure the mines are set to funnel them into our kill zones."

Albert grinned, his excitement barely contained. "You got it, General. They won't know what hit 'em." He immediately began heading out, ready to turn Quincy into a deadly maze for the Gunners.

"Robert, MacCready," Sico addressed the two snipers, who had been waiting patiently for their orders. "Get to your positions and keep those sniper teams ready. The moment the Gunners' power armor teams make their move, I want their heads in your crosshairs. Take out their leaders and heavy hitters first."

Both men nodded, their expressions deadly serious. Robert adjusted his rifle one last time, and MacCready, ever the professional, checked his scope before they headed out to the high vantage points that offered a clear view of the battlefield.

With his key officers moving into position, Sico allowed himself a brief moment of stillness. He could hear the distant sounds of boots on dirt as the Minutemen took their posts, and the soft clinks of metal as they prepared for the fight of their lives. Quincy's defenses were as ready as they could be. Now, it was a matter of waiting.

The minutes dragged on, the tension growing thicker with each passing second. Sico stood at the command center's window, staring out at the horizon. The sun had fully set by now, and the darkness of the night was broken only by the occasional flicker of torches and lanterns. It was quiet—too quiet. Sico knew the silence wouldn't last.

Then, in the distance, he heard it—the heavy, rhythmic thudding of metal on stone. It was unmistakable. The Gunners were coming, and they were leading with their power armor units.

Sico's heart pounded as he grabbed the radio. "All units, this is Sico. The Gunners' power armor teams are leading the charge. Stand your ground and focus fire on the armor. Snipers, take out their officers and spotters first. We hold the line here—no matter what."

Just as he finished his order, the first of the Gunners' power armor teams emerged from the darkness, their hulking forms illuminated by the dim light of the moon. They moved with terrifying speed and precision, their armor clanking with each step. They were the spearhead of the Gunners' assault, meant to break through the Minutemen's defenses with brute force.

The Minutemen opened fire, their laser muskets, rifles, and turrets blazing into the night. The sharp crack of gunfire mixed with the high-pitched whine of energy weapons filled the air. Bullets pinged off the Gunners' armor, while beams of concentrated light seared through the night sky.

The power armor teams absorbed the initial barrage with a chilling determination, their reinforced suits shrugging off most of the incoming fire. But the Minutemen held their ground, focusing their fire as Sico had ordered. One of the power armor suits staggered as a concentrated volley struck its chest plate, and then it fell, crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.

Sico watched the battle unfold from the command center, his eyes darting from the battlefield to the map and back again. The Gunners were pressing hard, but the Minutemen were holding the line, just as he'd hoped.

"Robert, MacCready," Sico called over the radio, his voice cutting through the chaos, "now's your chance. Take out their leaders."

From their vantage points, Robert and MacCready zeroed in on the Gunners' officers. They could see the telltale signs of command—more ornate armor, gestures that directed the other troops, and the way the soldiers seemed to gravitate around them. In unison, the two snipers squeezed their triggers.

The reports of their rifles echoed through the night, and a moment later, two of the Gunners' officers dropped, their command structure fractured in an instant. The Gunners' advance faltered as confusion spread through their ranks.

But the battle was far from over. More Gunners poured in from the north, east, and west, their numbers seemingly endless. Sico knew they had to hold on. If they could just break the momentum of the Gunners' assault, they might stand a chance.

He picked up the radio once more, his voice steady and resolute. "All units, keep up the pressure. We can't let them regain control. This is our home, and we're not letting them take it. For Quincy!"

The battle raged on, the fate of Quincy hanging in the balance. But Sico knew one thing for sure—they would fight with everything they had. The Minutemen would hold the line, or they would die trying.

The battlefield was a scene of chaos and fury, with both sides locked in a brutal struggle for control. The Minutemen and the Gunners clashed with an intensity that matched the stakes of the battle; each side was determined not to yield.

As the power armor teams pressed their advance, the Minutemen's defensive lines held firm. The air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and scorched metal as laser beams sliced through the darkness, illuminating the battlefield in brief, bright flashes. The Gunners pushed forward relentlessly, their power armor units acting as the spearhead, shrugging off bullets and laser fire alike. But the Minutemen responded with equal ferocity, their resolve unwavering.

Sico could see the battle unfolding from the command center, his eyes darting between the battlefield and the radio, issuing orders to adapt to the shifting tides of war. The Gunners were strong, but the Minutemen fought with a desperate tenacity, knowing that this was their last stand.

On the front lines, Preston moved among the troops, shouting orders and providing support wherever it was needed. He could see the strain on the faces of his men, but he also saw their determination. The Minutemen were fighting with everything they had, and Preston made sure that every squad knew how much depended on them.

The Gunners' assault came in waves, each more intense than the last. Their power armor teams were followed by infantry units that flooded the battlefield, trying to exploit any gaps in the Minutemen's defenses. But the Minutemen held their ground, laying down a withering barrage of fire that cut down the advancing Gunners. The trenches and barricades the Minutemen had erected were proving their worth, forcing the Gunners to fight for every inch of ground.

Albert's traps and explosives played a crucial role in stalling the Gunners' advance. Mines buried beneath the rubble detonated as the Gunners approached, sending shockwaves through their ranks. Decoy positions, rigged with explosives, lured the Gunners into kill zones where the Minutemen could concentrate their fire. Every time the Gunners thought they had broken through, they were met with a new surprise, a fresh wave of resistance.

"Albert, your traps are buying us time," Sico called over the radio, his voice strained but grateful. "Keep them coming. We need every advantage we can get."

Albert's voice crackled back, laced with adrenaline. "Already on it, General. I've got a few more surprises for these bastards."

Meanwhile, Robert and MacCready continued to pick off key targets from their vantage points. Their sniper fire was deadly accurate, each shot finding its mark. The Gunners' officers fell one by one, their command structure crumbling under the relentless precision of the Minutemen snipers. Without clear leadership, the Gunners' infantry began to falter, their advance becoming disorganized.

"Good work, Robert, MacCready," Sico said, acknowledging their efforts. "Keep targeting their leaders. The more chaos we can cause, the better our chances."

Despite the Minutemen's fierce resistance, the Gunners were relentless. More power armor units continued to pour into Quincy, their sheer numbers threatening to overwhelm the defenders. The Minutemen were outnumbered, but they were not outmatched. Every inch of ground the Gunners gained was paid for in blood and metal.

At the center of the battlefield, a particularly fierce battle was raging. A squad of Minutemen had managed to isolate a group of Gunners' power armor units, trapping them in a narrow street lined with makeshift barricades. The power armor troops fired back with their miniguns and flamethrowers, the street turning into a hellish inferno. But the Minutemen fought back with everything they had—grenades, Molotov cocktails, and concentrated fire from every available weapon.

The power armor troops advanced slowly, their heavy suits protecting them from the worst of the Minutemen's fire. But the Minutemen were relentless, refusing to give an inch. They darted between cover, firing at the joints and weak spots of the power armor, exploiting every vulnerability.

One of the power armor suits, heavily damaged and spewing smoke, stumbled forward, its pilot desperately trying to keep it moving. A Minuteman with a rocket launcher took aim and fired, the explosive hitting the power armor square in the chest. The suit exploded in a fiery blast, the pilot inside consumed by the flames.

But even as that power armor unit went down, more were pushing forward. The Minutemen were being pushed to their limits, their defenses buckling under the sheer weight of the Gunners' assault. Sico could see it happening—the front lines were holding, but just barely. The Gunners were closing in, and if the Minutemen couldn't hold them back, Quincy would fall.

"Preston, we need to reinforce the front lines," Sico ordered, his voice tight with urgency. "Send any reserves we have left. We can't let them break through."

Preston's response was immediate. "Copy that, General. I'm sending everyone we've got. We'll hold them, I swear it."

As the reserves moved to reinforce the front lines, the battle reached a fever pitch. The Gunners, sensing that victory was within their grasp, launched a final, all-out assault. They threw everything they had at the Minutemen, hoping to break through and overwhelm the defenders once and for all.

But the Minutemen refused to break. They fought back with a ferocity born of desperation, knowing that this was the moment that would decide the fate of Quincy. Laser muskets fired until their barrels glowed red-hot, grenades and Molotovs exploded among the Gunners, and every able-bodied fighter threw themselves into the fray.

Sico could feel the pressure building, the weight of the battle pressing down on him. The Gunners were close—too close. But he knew that if they could just hold on a little longer, if they could weather this final storm, they might be able to turn the tide.

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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: -