170. The Monster at The Sea PT.2

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After finalizing their plan for Donny's care, Sico and Nora wrapped up their conversation, each of them feeling a renewed commitment not only to their immediate mission but also to ensuring a safer, more stable future for the boy.

With the conversation concluded, they shifted their focus back to the immediate threat reported near Boston Harbor. They walked out of the quiet corner of the Castle and rejoined the rest of the team, who were making final preparations for their departure to the shipwreck site. The air was tense but focused, as everyone understood the potential dangers of what they might encounter.

Sico checked in with Preston and the assembled teams, reviewing the equipment and supplies. The men and women were equipped with the necessary gear for a reconnaissance and possible engagement, including underwater capabilities in case the investigation required diving near the shipwrecks.

Sico: "Everyone, let's stay sharp and maintain constant communication. Whatever this creature is, we approach with caution, prioritize gathering intel, and engage only if necessary. Our goal is to assess and contain, not provoke."

Preston: "All teams are ready, Sico. We've got the team on standby and the heavy weaponry is distributed among the squads. We're as prepared as we can be for whatever we might find out there."

Nora, taking the lead on the operational logistics, briefed the team on the coordination signals and emergency procedures.

Nora: "Keep your walkie talkie on and your eyes open. If you spot anything unusual, report it immediately. Safety is our top priority, so no heroics. We work as a unit."

The team nodded, their faces set in determined lines as they loaded into the vehicles. The hum of engines filled the air as the convoy set out toward Boston Harbor, the site of the supposed monster sighting.

The journey to the harbor was uneventful, but the closer they got, the more the tension ratcheted up. The waters of Boston Harbor were notoriously treacherous, filled with debris from collapsed infrastructure and the hulks of sunken ships—perfect hiding places for any number of dangers.

Upon arriving at Boston Harbor, the convoy carefully navigated the crumbled streets and debris-laden shoreline, emblematic of the region's tumultuous past. As the vehicles came to a halt, Sico and his team quickly disembarked, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any immediate threats or unusual activity.

The harbor was quiet, eerily so, with the fog rolling in from the sea, adding a layer of mist that cloaked the water and the dilapidated docks. Sico's gaze was drawn to a one-story building that stood relatively intact amidst the ruinous landscape. Its position offered a strategic view of the harbor and the surrounding area, making it an ideal spot for setting up their command center.

Sico: "Let's use that building as our base of operations. It gives us a good vantage point and shelter from the elements. Preston, Nora, let's get inside and set up."

Preston and Nora nodded in agreement, directing the team to secure the building and start transporting the necessary equipment inside. They worked efficiently, clearing out any debris and setting up communication equipment, maps, and surveillance monitors that would allow them to coordinate the operation with precision.

Inside the building, Sico surveyed the layout, deciding on the placement of their central command table and radio setup. The walls were sturdy enough to offer protection, and the windows provided a clear view of the harbor, allowing them to monitor the divers' progress and any activity in the water.

Nora set about establishing a secure communication line back to the Castle and other Minutemen outposts.

Nora: "I'll make sure we have a constant open line. If anything happens, we can immediately call for backup or relay information without delay."

With the command center securely established and fully operational, Sico decided to take a more direct role in the investigation. He called over Preston and Nora to join him in a closer inspection of the area where the creature was allegedly sighted.

Sico: "Preston, Nora, come with me. We need to survey the shipwrecks ourselves. I want to see the area firsthand."

Preston and Nora quickly readied themselves, checking their weapons and communication devices before following Sico out of the command center. They left MacCready and Robert in charge of monitoring the situation from the base, ensuring that any immediate threats or discoveries were communicated through the established channels.

Sico: "MacCready, Robert, keep the fort. If anything changes here or if you get any new information from the divers, let us know immediately."

MacCready: "Roger that, Sico. We'll keep everything under control here."

Robert added a nod of assurance, his eyes scanning the monitors set up around the room.

Sico, Preston, and Nora made their way towards the end of the harbor, walking along the foggy pier towards the shadowy outlines of sunken ships protruding from the murky waters. The fog thickened as they approached, swirling around the broken masts and rusted hulls, creating an almost spectral scene.

As they reached the edge of the water, Sico stopped and scanned the area with a pair of binoculars, trying to spot any unusual movement or signs of the reported creature.

Sico: "Keep your eyes peeled. Whatever that kid saw, it might still be around. Nora, any thoughts on what we're dealing with?"

Nora, her gaze fixed on the darker patches of water swirling around the shipwrecks, pondered the possibilities.

Nora: "It could be anything from a mutated sea creature to something displaced by the war. These waters hide many secrets, Sico. We need to be ready for anything."

Preston checked his rifle, ensuring it was ready for immediate use.

Preston: "I've heard stories of things lurking in these waters, but never anything concrete. Let's hope it's just a wild tale, but if not, we're prepared."

They continued their watch, the silence only broken by the gentle lapping of water against the broken docks and the distant sound of the team communicating back at the command center.

After several tense minutes of observation, a sudden disturbance in the water near one of the larger wrecks caught Sico's attention. He focused the binoculars on the spot, trying to make out any definitive shapes through the mist and choppy water.

Sico: "There! Movement by the stern of the old freighter. See it?"

The moment of tension escalated as something large and obscured by seaweed briefly surfaced near the stern of the sunken freighter. It was an eerie sight, with the creature barely breaking the surface, moving in a manner that suggested it was searching or scanning the area. Sico, Nora, and Preston watched in silent awe and apprehension, their eyes tracking every movement.

Sico, with his binoculars pressed firmly against his eyes, tried to make sense of the shape amidst the fog and the dim light. As he adjusted the focus, he caught a clearer glimpse of the creature's eyes, which reflected an unnatural, almost mechanical light, reminiscent of lenses flickering in the dim light.

Sico: "That's no ordinary creature. Its eyes... they look like lenses, almost mechanical. Could it be some kind of mutated or engineered being?"

Nora, peering through her own binoculars, nodded slowly, her mind racing with the implications of such a discovery.

Nora: "Engineered? That adds a whole new level of complexity. Who or what could have done this, and why here, in these waters?"

Preston, keeping his rifle trained on the spot where the creature had submerged, kept his voice low and steady.

Preston: "Whatever it is, we need to be extremely cautious. It's not behaving like any typical marine animal. We should consider the possibility that it might be guarding something or attracted to something in the wrecks."

Sico lowered his binoculars, thinking through their next move.

Sico: "Let's not jump to any conclusions yet. We need more observations. If it's engineered, it might be territorial or protecting something, as you said, Preston. We should monitor its movements and see if it returns. If it's engineered, understanding its patterns could give us insight into its purpose."

The trio decided to maintain a safe distance, setting up an observation point with a clear view of the area. They communicated their findings to MacCready and Robert back at the command center, instructing them to keep the base on high alert.

Sico nodded thoughtfully at Preston's suggestion, his mind turning over the additional possibility.

Sico: "That's a valid point, Preston. And there's another angle to consider—if it's indeed a pre-war submarine or something similar, there might still be crew members on board. Given the effects of radiation over the decades, they could have turned into ghouls or worse, feral ghouls."

Nora's expression grew concerned as she considered the implications.

Nora: "That would complicate things significantly. Not only could we be dealing with an automated system, but also potentially hostile survivors. We need to be extremely cautious in how we approach this."

Preston agreed, "Exactly, if there are survivors, their mental state after such a long period of isolation, especially if they've undergone ghoulification, could be unpredictable. The ethical considerations are significant—we can't just storm in there."

Sico considered the logistics and potential risks of their next move. He knew they needed a strategy that minimized the risk to their team while allowing them to gather essential information.

Sico: "Given the risks involved, we should try to approach as quietly as possible. I suggest we use a wooden boat and row it to the location where the creature was last seen. That way, we can avoid drawing too much attention, which might provoke whatever is out there."

Nora nodded in agreement, understanding the need for stealth.

Nora: "That sounds wise. A low-tech approach might also prevent triggering any automated defense systems the submarine could still have operational. We need to gather as much information as possible before making any direct contact."

Preston, always focused on the safety of the team, chimed in.

Preston: "I'll arrange for the boat and make sure it's equipped with everything you might need for reconnaissance and emergency retreat if necessary. We'll also have a backup plan in case you need immediate extraction."

Sico: "Good, that's settled then. We'll go at first light tomorrow. It's less likely we'll encounter any aggressive behavior from marine wildlife, and it'll give us the advantage of the early morning light for better visibility."

Nora: "Let's all review the data and maps tonight. We need to be as prepared as possible. Understanding the layout of the shipwrecks and any possible entry points to the submarine will be crucial."

With their plan in place, the team spent the rest of the day preparing, reviewing maps, checking equipment, and setting clear roles and responsibilities for the mission. As they stay at the command center to rest for the night, each knew the importance of the next day's mission and the potential it had to uncover answers about the mysterious sightings in Boston Harbor.

At the break of dawn, the air at Boston Harbor was crisp and slightly misty, the sea calm—a perfect setting for the discreet mission Sico and his team had planned. They gathered at the designated dock, where a simple wooden boat was prepared for their use, equipped with basic oars and essential gear. The morning was quiet, the water's surface glassy and undisturbed, as if the sea itself was holding its breath.

Sico, Nora, Preston, and MacCready stepped into the boat, each taking their designated roles without needing to speak much. The familiarity of their teamwork allowed them to operate efficiently and silently. MacCready and Preston took the oars, given their strength and skill.

Robert, left in charge of the command center, ensured their radio link was secure and monitored, ready to coordinate backup or extraction if needed. He watched through binoculars as the boat gently made its way out of the harbor, blending almost seamlessly with the morning fog.

As they neared the last known sighting location, everyone's senses were heightened. The shipwrecks loomed ahead, eerie skeletons jutting out of the water, their rusted structures offering hiding spots for myriad unseen dangers.

Sico: "Keep your eyes peeled. Whatever this creature is, it's likely not alone, given the environment. Anything could be lurking around these wrecks."

Nora, her binoculars fixed on the shadowy waters, nodded in agreement.

Nora: "We'll need to be extremely cautious. These wrecks could be destabilized, and we don't know the creature's capabilities or behavior."

After about ten minutes of tense navigation through the murky waters around the shipwrecks, the quiet was suddenly broken by a gentle but distinct churning of water nearby. All eyes turned toward the disturbance, where a large, dark shape began to emerge from the depths. As it surfaced, the shape became clearer—it was indeed a submarine, its hull encrusted with barnacles and seaweed, hinting at years, possibly decades, under the water.

Sico, his hand steady on a pair of binoculars, examined the submarine closely. The design was unmistakably pre-war, the kind of military-grade technology that was rumored to have been experimental before the bombs fell.

Sico: "That's a pre-war submarine... it matches the descriptions we found in the military records. This could be a significant discovery."

Nora, equally intrigued and cautious, kept her eyes on the submarine, which now floated ominously quiet near the surface.

Nora: "It doesn't seem to be active, but who knows what's inside. Could this be linked to the creature we're looking for?"

Preston, always prepared for a potential threat, checked his weapon and looked to Sico for direction.

Preston: "Do we approach it? There could be valuable technology inside, not to mention answers about this so-called sea monster."

Sico weighed their options, the implications of approaching the submarine not lost on him.

Sico: "We should approach, but very cautiously. Let's not get too close just yet. We need to assess if it's operational or if it poses any danger."

He then turned to communicate with Robert back at the command center via radio.

Sico: "Robert, we've located a submarine, appears pre-war and matches the type we researched. We're going to approach for a closer inspection. Keep us covered."

Robert: "Copy that, Sico. I'll keep the drone focused on your position for any movement from the sub or surrounding waters."

Slowly, the team rowed closer, their eyes scanning every inch of the submarine for signs of movement or activity. The hull was silent, giving nothing away about what might lie within.

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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: -