176. Clearing the Yangtze

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Inside, the air was cool and stale, filled with the scent of metal and the faint, lingering odor of seawater. The interior was dimly lit by emergency lights that still functioned, casting long shadows along the narrow corridors. The hum of the submarine's dormant systems added to the eerie atmosphere, a ghost ship waiting to be brought back to life.

Sico led the way to the control room, where they had last met Captain Zao. The Captain was already there, awaiting their arrival with an expectant look on his face. His eyes briefly scanned the hazmat suits and equipment, a nod of approval showing his satisfaction with their preparedness.

Zao: "Welcome back. I see you are ready to proceed. We should start by assessing the reactor area to address the radiation leak first. Safety must be our priority."

Sico agreed, his voice echoing slightly in the cramped space.

Sico: "Agreed, Captain. Let's assess the situation with the reactor. We'll need to secure it before we can proceed with installing the new dampening coil."

Mel, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward, ready with his tools and instruments.

Mel: "I've brought radiation detectors and repair equipment. I'll lead the assessment of the reactor area to determine the best way to contain the leak and reduce the radiation levels."

Captain Zao listened intently to Mel's plan regarding the reactor but held up a hand, signaling a pause before they could proceed.

Zao: "Yes, securing the reactor is crucial, but there is another immediate issue we must address first. As I mentioned yesterday, we need to clear the area of my former crewmates. They have turned feral, and they roam the living quarters and engine room—areas we need access to for further repairs and to retrieve the engine room key."

Sico nodded, understanding the gravity and sensitivity of the situation.

Sico: "We prepared for this. We have the team and equipment to handle it as humanely as possible. Our priority is to secure the key and make the submarine safe for everyone working here."

Zao's expression was somber, his eyes reflecting a mix of pain and resolve as he thought about his crew.

Zao: "Thank you, Sico. These were men and women I served with, trusted with my life. It is difficult to think of them in this state. I trust you to handle this with the respect and seriousness it deserves."

Sico assured Zao with a firm nod.

Sico organized the teams with precision, ensuring everyone understood their roles and the delicate nature of the task ahead.

Sico: "Mel, I need you and the tech and mechanic teams to stay here with Captain Zao. Set up a temporary command station and be ready to move once we've secured the area. Your safety is paramount, so don't proceed until we give the all-clear."

Mel nodded, acknowledging the importance of caution, while his team began unpacking their equipment, preparing to respond as soon as the way was cleared.

Mel: "Understood, Sico. We'll be ready to act as soon as you've secured the area. Just give us the word."

Turning to Preston, Robert, and the selected militia, Sico issued his final instructions before they ventured into the more hazardous sections of the submarine.

Sico adjusted his gear and checked his own weapon before addressing Preston, Robert, and the militia team, his voice firm and clear in the cramped confines of the submarine.

Sico: "Everyone, follow me and stay alert. Ensure your weapons are ready, but remember, we're using non-lethal force wherever possible. Our aim is to neutralize threats without causing unnecessary harm. We need to secure the area swiftly and safely."

Preston, ever vigilant and focused, checked his equipment one last time, his demeanor serious as he prepared to face the challenge ahead.

Preston: "Weapons ready, safeties off when we enter. Everyone keep tight and watch each other's backs. We move on Sico's lead."

Robert, handling additional tactical gear, distributed the last of the non-lethal weapons to the team. He nodded to Sico, signaling that the team was ready to proceed.

Robert: "All set here. Let's do this right, for the Captain Zao."

But before he went in, Sico who fully aware of the gravity and sensitivity required for their next actions, prepared his team. He paused to address Captain Zao one last time before they departed, ensuring there were no misunderstandings regarding their difficult task.

Sico: "Captain Zao, we're about to clear the living quarters and engine room. We will encounter your former crew. Do we have your permission to neutralize them if necessary? We aim to do so as humanely as possible."

Zao's expression was somber, a mix of resolve and deep sorrow etching his features. He took a moment, his voice heavy with emotion when he finally spoke.

Zao: "Yes, you have my permission. These are no longer the men and women I knew—they suffer, trapped in a state they never chose. Freeing them from this torment is a mercy. I... I am sorry, but I cannot join you. It is beyond my strength to face them now."

Sico placed a hand on Zao's shoulder, offering a silent show of support and understanding.

Sico: "We understand, Captain. We'll handle this with the greatest respect for their service and your feelings."

Sico, understanding the painful burden this placed on Zao, gave a solemn nod, his voice steady with resolve.

Sico: "Captain, how many of your crew remained aboard? We need to know exactly what we're facing to handle this situation with the care and respect it demands."

Zao, looking down momentarily before meeting Sico's gaze, responded with a heavy heart.

Zao: "Thirty souls, including my first mate. All of them were loyal and brave to the end. Please, put them out of their misery. It's the only kindness we can offer them now."

Sico signaled his team, preparing them for the task ahead. His voice was clear and firm, instilling a sense of duty and compassion as they readied themselves to enter the more dangerous parts of the submarine.

Sico: "We have thirty feral ghouls to deal with—thirty once-valiant sailors who deserve our respect even in this. Let's prepare ourselves mentally and physically for this."

As Sico and his team geared up, Captain Zao provided one more crucial piece of information to aid their mission. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, worn notebook, flipping it open to reveal a series of codes and notes written in a meticulous hand.

Zao: "Before you proceed, you'll need this. It's the password for the terminal beside the door that leads to the engine room and living quarters. The door is secured to prevent any... unintended exits from that part of the submarine."

He handed the notebook to Sico, who took it carefully, nodding his understanding.

Sico: "Thank you, Captain. We'll use this to access the area and ensure that your crew is dealt with respectfully."

Zao's expression was a mix of gratitude and sorrow as he watched Sico prepare to lead his team into the depths of the Yangtze.

Zao: "The password for the terminal is 'HonorBound'. It was chosen to remind us of our duty and commitment. I believe it's fitting, given your mission today."

With the password in hand, Sico turned to his team, signaling them to ready their equipment and check their protective gear one last time. The team moved towards the terminal beside the sealed door, the atmosphere tense but resolute.

Preston input the password into the terminal, and after a brief moment, the door's heavy locks disengaged with a deep, echoing thud, signifying their path forward was now open.

Sico: "Let's move forward with caution. Keep your eyes open and watch each other's backs."

After they go in, they closed the door so that there no ghouls run to the other side of the door. With the door securely closed behind them, Sico and his team found themselves in a dimly lit corridor that led deeper into the submarine.

The air was thick with the musty smell of decay and old metal, a palpable reminder of the submarine's long dormancy and the tragic fate of its crew. The corridor stretched ahead, lined with sealed hatches and pipes running along the ceiling, humming faintly with the residual energy of the submarine's systems.

Sico paused, allowing each team member a moment to check their equipment. He watched closely as they adjusted their hazmat suits, ensuring no breach in the protective layer that would expose them to the high radiation levels reported by Zao. The click and clack of magazines being checked and firearms being secured broke the silence, each sound sharp and definitive.

Preston, who was leading one of the sub-teams, double-checked his rifle before addressing the group.

Preston: "Remember, these were people once. We're here to give them peace, nothing else. Aim to incapacitate and neutralize the threat quickly. We're not here to suffer losses."

The team nodded, each member mentally preparing for the confrontation. The mood was somber; they were not just clearing a hazard, they were laying to rest the remnants of a lost crew who had once manned the Yangtze.

Robert, tasked with the rear guard, watched the sealed door behind them intently. He then turned to look ahead, his hand resting on his sidearm.

Robert: "All clear from the back. Let's keep it tight and move slowly. Check your corners."

As Sico's team moved through the submarine, they approached the cafeteria, a likely gathering place and, therefore, a potential hotspot for feral ghoul activity. The door creaked ominously as they pushed it open, revealing a scene of chaos frozen in time. Tables were overturned, utensils scattered, and the remnants of long-abandoned meals decayed beyond recognition.

The first ghoul lunged from the shadows with a startling ferocity, its movements erratic but deadly. The team reacted quickly, with the sharp crack of a rifle echoing through the metal confines as they neutralized the threat. More ghouls, attracted by the noise, stumbled into the dim light of the cafeteria, their groans unsettlingly human.

The team worked methodically, covering each other as they moved deeper into the room. Each ghoul was dealt with swiftly, the Minutemen's training evident in their efficiency and the somber respect they showed for the creatures these people had once been.

With the cafeteria cleared, Sico signaled to continue the mission. They approached a staircase that descended into the deeper levels of the submarine—towards the living quarters. The air grew colder and the smell of decay stronger as they descended, the dim lighting from their flashlights casting long, haunting shadows against the walls.

The living quarters were a labyrinth of narrow corridors and small rooms, each potentially hiding more feral ghouls. As they entered, the sheer number of ghouls became apparent. It was clear this area had been heavily populated, and many of the crew had sought refuge here, only to succumb to their affliction.

The encounter was intense, with ghouls emerging from every room and corridor. The team maintained a tight formation, moving back-to-back as they methodically cleared each section. The sound of gunfire was almost constant, punctuated by the heavy breathing of the team members and the thuds of fallen ghouls.

Throughout the ordeal, Sico kept a close eye on his team, ensuring everyone stayed focused and no one was left behind. They communicated mostly with hand signals, the noise making verbal commands difficult.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the living quarters began to quiet down. The last of the ghouls were dealt with, and the team paused to regroup, checking their radiation meters and ammo supplies. The atmosphere was heavy, each member processing the grim task they had just undertaken.

Once the immediate threat seemed subdued in the living quarters, Sico turned to Preston, his voice firm as he issued new orders to ensure the area was thoroughly secured before they proceeded further.

Sico: "Preston, take a few of the militia and double-check every room. We need to be absolutely sure we've cleared all the ghouls before we move on. It's essential we don't get surprised while we're dealing with the engine room."

Preston nodded, signaling to a small group of militia members to follow him. They meticulously began to sweep through the living quarters again, checking each small room and dark corner with their weapons ready, ensuring no ghoul was left behind. The silence of the now empty corridors contrasted starkly with the chaos of the battle just minutes before.

Meanwhile, Sico, along with two other militia members, made their way towards the engine room. The heavy door to the engine room loomed ahead, its reinforced structure a barrier between them and their final objective—the key held by Zao's first mate, now a feral ghoul.

As they approached, Sico paused, signaling his team to prepare for what might be a difficult confrontation. He knew this ghoul was not just any crew member; it was once a person Zao had trusted implicitly, and its current state was a tragedy.

Sico: "Ready your weapons, but remember, we're here to retrieve the key as quickly as possible."

The door to the engine room creaked open, revealing the shadowy interior, filled with the hum of dormant machinery and the faint, eerie glow of warning lights still operative. They stepped inside, their lights scanning the vast space.

It didn't take long before they found the first mate, or what had once been him. The ghoul was near the main console, its movements sluggish, yet still presenting a clear danger. The key was visible, hanging from a lanyard around its neck.

With a swift, coordinated effort, they managed to kill the ghoul without significant struggle, then they retrieving the key.

Sico secured the key, his expression somber.

Sico: "Let's return this to Captain Zao and get to work on the reactor. It's time to bring the Yangtze back to life, safely and respectfully."

With the key in their possession, the team made their way back to the control room to update Zao and begin the critical work of repairing the reactor, a significant step toward their goal of revitalizing the submarine.

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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: -