Chương 348: 317. Sowing for the Future

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With that, the group reformed and continued their march toward Minutemen Plaza. The recruits were more subdued now, the reality of what they had just been through settling in. But they were stronger for it, and Sico knew that this experience would serve them well in the days to come.

As the group drew closer to Minutemen Plaza, the sight of its towering walls brought a wave of relief. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the wasteland, but the Plaza stood firm against the encroaching darkness. It was more than just a fort; it was a symbol of order and hope amidst the chaos of the Commonwealth. For Sico and his recruits, it represented safety after days of grueling travel and the intensity of the ambush they'd just survived.

Sico's eyes scanned the perimeter as they approached, spotting the silhouettes of guards patrolling the walls. These men and women, hardened by countless battles, kept the Plaza secure. Their presence was reassuring, but Sico's mind was still racing from the earlier attack. The raid had been desperate, yes, but it was a stark reminder that nowhere in the Commonwealth was truly safe, not even a stone's throw from Minutemen headquarters.

As the group neared the front gate, one of the sentries on the wall spotted them and signaled to the others. The gate creaked open, its reinforced metal frame scraping against the concrete. Two Minutemen guards stood ready, rifles slung over their shoulders, their expressions relaxing as they recognized Sico at the front of the returning party.

"Commander!" one of the guards called out, his voice filled with a mix of respect and relief. "Good to see you made it back!"

Sico offered a brief nod in return, his mind still sharp from the earlier firefight. "Good to be back. Had a little trouble on the way in," he said, motioning to the recruits who were still on edge from the ambush. Their movements were slower now, weighed down by the exhaustion that came after the adrenaline had worn off.

"We saw some of the smoke from that direction," the second guard added, his eyes drifting to the recruits. "Glad you handled it."

Sico gave a grim smile. "Raiders, desperate for supplies. We took care of them, but we've got some injuries." His voice carried the weight of responsibility, knowing that while they had won the fight, the danger never truly disappeared.

The guard nodded and motioned for them to pass through. As they entered Minutemen Plaza, the hustle and bustle of activity within the courtyard brought a sense of normalcy. Patrols moved in and out, messengers hurried with orders, and workers reinforced the defenses along the walls. Despite the earlier attack, life here continued with a calm efficiency.

Sico led the group deeper into the Plaza, heading for the central courtyard where they would disband. The recruits marched behind him, their faces tired but filled with a new sense of accomplishment. They had made it through their first ambush, and although it had been rough, they were still standing.

When they finally reached the center of the courtyard, Sico turned to face the recruits. They halted, their postures straightening despite their fatigue, waiting for his words.

"You all did well out there," Sico began, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of pride. "I know that fight wasn't easy. Some of you are injured, and we're all tired, but you handled yourselves like Minutemen. You kept your heads, and we came out on top."

The recruits stood silent, absorbing his words. For many of them, this was the first real taste of combat, the first time they had faced death so directly. Their training had prepared them for this, but there was no substitute for the real thing. Sico could see it in their eyes—the shift from raw recruits to something more. They were becoming soldiers.

"But this is just the start," Sico continued. "You've proven yourselves capable, but the Commonwealth is far from safe. There will be more fights, more challenges ahead. But if you stick together, if you keep your focus, you'll be ready for whatever comes next."

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. The recruits, though weary, stood a little taller. They had earned his respect, and that meant something.

"Take the rest of the day to rest and recover," Sico ordered, his tone softening slightly. "You've earned it. Dismissed."

The recruits nodded in unison, a few exchanging glances of relief before they began to disperse. Some headed toward the barracks, eager for rest, while others sought out quiet corners to reflect on what they had just been through. The tension that had gripped them during the ambush was slowly unwinding, replaced by a sense of accomplishment.

As the recruits left, Sico turned to Sarah, who had been quietly checking on the wounded. She had been a steady presence throughout the ambush, her calm demeanor helping keep the recruits from panicking in the heat of battle.

"Sarah," Sico said, walking over to her. "Make sure anyone who's injured gets checked again. We've still got some walking wounded."

Sarah, her medical bag slung over her shoulder, nodded briskly. "I've already taken note of a few who need more attention. I'll take them to the infirmary and do a full assessment."

Sico trusted her completely. Throughout the journey, she had been the backbone of the group, ensuring that everyone remained in fighting condition. Without her, several of the recruits might not have made it back.

"Good. Let me know if anyone needs more than basic treatment," Sico said, glancing over at the injured recruits. A few were limping, their wounds not life-threatening but still requiring attention. "And thanks for everything out there. You kept a lot of them going."

Sarah gave him a small, appreciative smile. "Just doing my job. They did well for their first real fight."

Sico nodded. "They did. But they wouldn't have gotten this far without you."

Without another word, Sarah moved toward the group of injured recruits, her voice calm and authoritative as she guided them toward the infirmary. The recruits followed her, some wincing from their injuries but all trusting in her care.

As they disappeared from view, Sico stood in the now quieter courtyard, taking a deep breath. The adrenaline from the fight had worn off, and the exhaustion of the journey was beginning to settle into his bones. But there was still work to be done. Always work to be done.

Robert appeared beside him, his rifle slung over his shoulder, his expression calm but observant. "We got lucky out there," he said, his tone low so as not to alarm the remaining recruits.

"Yeah," Sico agreed. "They were desperate. That made them dangerous, but also sloppy. If they'd been more organized, things could've gone differently."

Robert glanced around the courtyard, watching as the recruits filed away. "You think we'll see more of that? Raiders getting desperate, I mean."

Sico thought for a moment. The Commonwealth had always been harsh, but lately, things had felt even more strained. Resources were dwindling, and the various factions vying for control of the region were growing bolder. Desperation was becoming more common.

"I think we will," Sico said finally. "And not just raiders. Everyone's running low on supplies. It's only a matter of time before things really start to unravel."

Robert nodded, his gaze distant as he considered Sico's words. "Guess we'll have to be ready."

Sico gave him a grim smile. "We always are."

With the recruits now resting and the injured receiving treatment, Sico allowed himself a brief moment to relax. Minutemen Plaza was safe, for now, and the Castle was secure. But the Commonwealth never stayed quiet for long, and Sico knew that the next threat was always just over the horizon.

But for now, they had made it back. And that was enough.

The sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the courtyard as Sico and Robert stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, knowing that their fight to protect the Commonwealth was far from over.

As the last of the recruits limped off toward the barracks and the rest of the courtyard settled into its usual rhythm, Sico allowed himself a brief moment of stillness. He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on his shoulders. The ambush, though successful in their defense, had only reinforced the gnawing feeling he'd had for weeks: the Commonwealth was running out of time.

Supplies, particularly food, were dwindling across the region. The occasional scavenged haul or salvaged shipment wasn't going to sustain the Minutemen or the settlements they protected for much longer. While Sanctuary's large farm provided some relief, it was clear that it wouldn't be enough to keep their ever-expanding network of settlements fed and healthy. The Commonwealth needed more. And as much as Sico hated to admit it, they needed to become more self-sufficient.

With a heavy sigh, Sico made his way toward the infirmary. His mind raced with plans and concerns, but one thought stood out clearly: they needed to start farming near Minutemen Plaza. The land around the Plaza was fertile enough, and with the right setup, they could grow enough food to stabilize their own supplies and even help the nearby settlements. It wouldn't be easy, but nothing in the Commonwealth ever was.

He pushed open the wooden door to the infirmary, the faint smell of antiseptic hitting him as he entered. The infirmary was a small but well-organized space, with rows of cots lining the walls and shelves filled with medical supplies, some scavenged, some homegrown. It wasn't a state-of-the-art facility by any means, but Jenny had turned it into something functional—more than functional, really. Her presence had saved countless lives, and Sico was grateful to have her on their side.

Inside, Jenny was moving between the cots, checking on the recruits who had been injured during the ambush. Her face was calm, but her movements were precise, efficient. She was a healer, but she had the focus of someone who had seen too much of the Commonwealth's harsh reality. She didn't waste time with pleasantries or small talk, not when lives were on the line.

Sico waited until she finished bandaging the arm of one of the recruits before approaching her.

"Jenny," he called out softly, not wanting to disrupt her work but knowing they needed to talk. "When you've got a minute, I need to discuss something with you."

Jenny glanced up from her patient, her expression serious but not unkind. She gave a quick nod, finished tying off the bandage, and then straightened up to face him.

"Sico," she greeted him, wiping her hands on her apron. "What's on your mind? Those recruits hold up alright? No major injuries?"

Sico gave a curt nod. "They'll be fine, thanks to you. A few cuts, some scrapes. Nothing life-threatening, but they were lucky. Raiders hit us about two miles out from the Plaza."

Jenny frowned slightly, her brow furrowing as she processed the news. "Raiders this close to the Plaza? That's concerning. Desperate?"

"Very," Sico replied, his voice heavy with the weight of what he had seen. "Desperation's making people do stupid things. And that's what I want to talk to you about."

Jenny raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"We're running out of food," Sico began, getting straight to the point. "Sanctuary's farm helps, but it's not enough to feed all the Minutemen settlements across the Commonwealth. I don't think it's sustainable long-term, not with how things are going."

Jenny crossed her arms, listening carefully. "I've heard similar concerns from some of the settlers who've come through here recently. Crops are failing in some places, and they're relying more on hunting and scavenging. But the wildlife's becoming scarce, and the radstorms aren't helping."

"Exactly," Sico said, his voice low but firm. "We need to start growing food closer to the Plaza. The land here is decent, not as fertile as Sanctuary's, but we could make it work with the right setup. We need to create a farm, a big one, something that can provide stable food for us and the settlements around us. It'll take time, and resources, but I think it's our best shot at survival."

Jenny was silent for a moment, considering his words. Sico could see the wheels turning in her mind as she weighed the logistics of what he was proposing.

"You're right," she finally said, her voice calm but firm. "If we don't start growing our own food, we're going to be in serious trouble. And you're not wrong about Sanctuary's farm—it's great for them, but the Commonwealth's too big. We need something more local, something sustainable."

Sico felt a wave of relief wash over him at her agreement. "I knew you'd see it the same way. The land just outside the walls would be a good start. We could clear it, set up irrigation if we can find the materials. We've got the manpower, but I'll need your expertise on what to plant, what'll survive out here."

Jenny nodded, already moving into problem-solving mode. "We'll need crops that are hardy, resistant to the radiation and the unpredictable weather. Corn's always a good option, maybe some mutfruit, too. It's not the most nutritious, but it's something that can survive the soil here."

Sico listened intently, trusting Jenny's knowledge. She had spent years studying the Commonwealth's environment, learning what could and couldn't grow in the harsh, irradiated wasteland. If anyone could make a farm work here, it was her.

"We can start small," she continued, "focus on getting a few staple crops going. Once we have something stable, we can expand. We'll need to keep a close eye on it, though. Raiders, ghouls, even just the weather—it could all wipe us out if we're not careful."

"I know," Sico agreed. "We'll set up guards, keep a patrol schedule around the perimeter of the farm. We'll have to keep the crops protected, but we've handled worse before."

Jenny gave him a small, approving smile. "You're thinking ahead, as usual. It won't be easy, but I think we can make it work. It's a good plan, Sico. We can't rely on scavenging forever. If we're going to survive, we need to start growing our own food."

Sico nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "I'll get started on it as soon as we can. We'll need to clear the land, gather materials for irrigation, and get some of the settlers involved. They'll be more than willing to help if it means more food on their tables."

"I'll talk to some of the settlers who've been working with the crops in Sanctuary," Jenny offered. "They might have some tips on how to get things going here. Plus, I'll start putting together a list of what we'll need in terms of seeds, tools, and fertilizer."

"Thanks, Jenny," Sico said sincerely. "I knew I could count on you."

She gave him a nod, her expression softening slightly. "We're all in this together, Sico. We've got to keep thinking ahead if we're going to make it through whatever's coming next."

Sico couldn't help but agree. The Commonwealth was unforgiving, and its challenges seemed to grow by the day. But with people like Jenny by his side, and the recruits who were slowly becoming soldiers, he had hope that they could carve out something better, something sustainable.

As Jenny moved back to tend to the injured recruits, Sico stood in the doorway for a moment, watching her work. The seeds of a new future were being planted, not just in the soil outside the Plaza, but in the minds of those who called this place home.

With a final nod to himself, Sico turned and headed back out into the courtyard, already beginning to plan the next steps in his mind. The Commonwealth wasn't going to get any easier, but for now, they had a plan. And that was a good start.

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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: -