316. Raider Ambush near Minutemen Plaza

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As Sico stepped out of the infirmary and into the cool evening air, he took a moment to let the quiet of the Castle settle over him.

Three days had passed, and the Castle was a fortress once again, its defenses reinforced and its soldiers ready. Sico stood in the courtyard with Robert, Sarah, and the recruits as they prepared for the return journey to Minutemen Plaza. The sky above was tinged with the first hues of dawn, the sun barely visible beyond the distant horizon, casting a soft, golden light over the ancient stone walls.

The recruits, though tired from the past week's relentless schedule, moved with a newfound sense of purpose. Their movements were quicker, more assured. They had been through grueling fieldwork, faced the harsh realities of the Commonwealth, and had come out stronger for it. Now, they were gearing up for what would be their next challenge: the return to Minutemen Plaza, where they would be integrated into the regular forces.

Sico couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he watched them. A week ago, they were green, uncertain of their place in this world. Now, they were Minutemen. They had grown, matured, and proven themselves capable. But this was just the beginning. Their journey would truly begin once they returned to the Plaza, and Sico knew the road ahead would be no easier. But he was confident that they were ready.

Robert approached, his gear strapped tightly to his back, a rifle slung over his shoulder. "Commander, everything's set," he said, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "The outpost is up and running, and Ronnie's traps are in place. The Castle's as defensible as it's ever been. No one's getting the drop on us again."

Sico nodded, glancing toward the Castle's outer walls. The fortifications had been heavily reinforced, with sandbags, metal plating, and watchtowers providing clear sightlines in every direction. The traps Ronnie had set would ensure that any attackers approaching from the north or west would find themselves caught in a deadly maze of tripwires and mines. Raiders, Gunners, or anyone else foolish enough to challenge the Minutemen here would pay the price.

"Good work, Robert," Sico said, clasping his second-in-command on the shoulder. "You and Ronnie did a hell of a job. The Castle's in good hands now."

Robert gave a modest nod. "Just doing what needed to be done. Ronnie's still double-checking the traps one last time, but she'll be back before we head out."

Sico glanced over to where Sarah was standing, checking the recruits' medical supplies one last time. She had worked tirelessly over the past week, making sure that no injuries were left untreated and that everyone was fit for the journey. The Castle's makeshift infirmary had been a constant hub of activity, and Sico knew that without her, several of the recruits wouldn't be in the shape they were now.

As if sensing his gaze, Sarah looked up and caught his eye. She gave a small nod, signaling that everything was in order. Sico felt a wave of relief wash over him. Sarah's diligence meant that the recruits were in good health, and they wouldn't be slowed down by any lingering injuries or complications.

"Everything's packed and ready," Sarah said as she approached Sico and Robert. "The recruits have their medkits, and I've made sure they've all got enough supplies to last the trip."

"Good," Sico replied, his tone serious but appreciative. "We'll need to move fast. The Commonwealth isn't getting any safer."

Sarah nodded in agreement. "We'll be ready."

As the three of them stood together, Sico took a moment to look around the Castle. This place had become more than just a fort—it was a symbol of the Minutemen's resilience. Despite the constant threats from raiders, Gunners, and the dangers of the wasteland, the Castle had stood firm. And with the new outposts and traps, it was even stronger now. Sico knew that when they left for Minutemen Plaza, they could do so with confidence that the Castle would hold.

Just then, Ronnie appeared from the far side of the courtyard, her boots kicking up dust as she walked toward them. She wore her usual no-nonsense expression, but there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"Everything's locked down tight," she reported without preamble. "The traps are set, and the watchtowers are manned. Anyone who tries to sneak up on us is gonna have a bad day."

Sico grinned. "Good to hear, Ronnie. Thanks for your work on this."

Ronnie shrugged, though there was a hint of pride in her voice. "It's what I do."

Sico glanced over at the recruits, who were finishing up their preparations. They were checking their gear, making sure their rifles were secure, and adjusting their packs. The energy in the air was one of quiet anticipation. They had been through a lot over the past week, but now it was time to return to the Plaza, where their real training would begin.

"All right," Sico called out, raising his voice so the recruits could hear him. "Listen up!"

The recruits stopped what they were doing and turned to face him, standing at attention. Their faces were serious, focused. They had come a long way, and Sico could see the determination in their eyes.

"We're heading back to Minutemen Plaza," Sico began, his voice firm and steady. "You've done good work here. The Castle's defenses are stronger because of you, and the Commonwealth is a little safer because of your efforts. But this is just the beginning. When we get back to the Plaza, you'll be joining the regular patrols, and you'll be expected to hold your own. The work doesn't stop here. It only gets harder from now on."

He paused, letting his words sink in. The recruits stood silent, their attention unwavering.

"But I believe in you," Sico continued. "You've shown me that you're capable, that you're willing to put in the work to protect the Commonwealth. When we get back to the Plaza, you'll be Minutemen in every sense of the word. Stay sharp, stay focused, and we'll get through this together."

The recruits nodded in unison, their expressions resolute.

"Now, gather your gear and get ready to move out," Sico ordered. "We've got a long journey ahead of us."

The recruits immediately set to work, shouldering their packs and securing their rifles. There was no hesitation in their movements—they knew what needed to be done.

As they finished preparing, Sico turned to Robert and Sarah. "Everything's set?"

Robert gave a curt nod. "We're ready."

"Let's move, then," Sico said, turning toward the Castle's main gate.

The group made their way through the fortified walls, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the courtyard. The journey ahead would be long, but Sico knew that they were ready. The Commonwealth was a dangerous place, but with the Castle secured and the recruits by his side, Sico felt a renewed sense of purpose.

As they passed through the Castle gates and into the open wasteland, Sico fell into step beside Robert and Sarah. The recruits marched behind them, their faces set with determination. Ronnie look at them from the Castle, her sharp eyes look at them until they left her sight.

The path back to Minutemen Plaza would take them through familiar terrain, but the Commonwealth was never predictable. Raiders, mutated creatures, and the ever-present threat of the Gunners loomed over every journey. Sico's hand rested on the grip of his rifle, ready for anything.

The group moved in silence for the first few hours, the only sound being the crunch of their boots on the dusty ground. The recruits had learned the value of staying quiet in the wasteland—it was often the difference between life and death.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the heat began to beat down on them. Sico wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, glancing back at the recruits. Despite the heat, they kept pace, their focus unbroken.

They passed through a stretch of ruined buildings, their crumbling walls a reminder of the Commonwealth's long-faded glory. Sico's eyes scanned the windows and doorways, ever watchful for any sign of movement. But the area seemed quiet, at least for now.

By midday, they stopped for a brief rest, taking shelter in the shade of a partially collapsed overpass. The recruits sat down, grateful for the break, while Sarah passed out water and rations.

As they ate, Sico took a moment to assess their surroundings. The journey had been uneventful so far, but he knew better than to let his guard down. The Commonwealth had a way of lulling you into a false sense of security, only to strike when you least expected it.

Robert sat down beside him, his rifle resting across his lap. "Quiet so far," he commented, his eyes scanning the horizon.

"Too quiet," Sico muttered, his instincts on high alert. "Keep your eyes open. We're still a long way from the Plaza."

Robert nodded, his expression serious. He knew as well as Sico did that the Commonwealth could turn deadly in an instant.

After a few more minutes of rest, Sico stood and signaled for the group to get ready to move out. The recruits quickly gathered their gear and fell back into formation, their movements efficient and disciplined.

As the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, casting an orange glow over the wasteland, Minutemen Plaza was finally within sight. The towering radio mast and the familiar outlines of the Plaza's fortified walls provided a sense of relief to the recruits. After days of hard travel, the end was near.

But Sico's instincts nagged at him. The road had been too quiet. They had encountered no raiders or no creatures. It was as if the Commonwealth had gone eerily silent. Sico's hand hovered over his rifle's grip as they approached a stretch of open ground leading to the Plaza.

Just as the gates of the Plaza were within a couple of miles, the faint sound of movement caught Sico's attention. It was subtle, a rustling from the ruins off to the side. His eyes narrowed, scanning the horizon. Something was wrong.

Before he could react, a hail of gunfire erupted from the dilapidated buildings on their flank, sending the recruits scrambling for cover. Bullets kicked up dust and debris around them as the unmistakable war cries of raiders filled the air.

"AMBUSH!" Sico shouted, ducking behind a piece of concrete rubble as gunfire peppered the area. The recruits, though startled, quickly reacted, dropping to the ground and finding whatever cover they could. Their training over the past week had conditioned them to respond under pressure, but this was their first real fight. Sico could see the tension in their eyes as they struggled to control their breathing.

Robert was already in action, rifle up and scanning for targets. "They've got us pinned down on the right!" he called out over the gunfire.

Sico peeked around his cover, assessing the situation. The raiders weren't well organized, but they had the high ground and plenty of cover. There were at least a dozen of them, spread out across the ruins, firing sporadically but enough to keep the recruits pinned.

"We've got to push them back," Sico growled, the frustration building in him. "This close to the Plaza, they've got to be desperate. No sane raider would risk a fight this close to our base unless they were starving or out of options."

He thought quickly. The raiders weren't highly trained, but desperation made them dangerous. Sico needed to keep the recruits from panicking and getting overwhelmed. His mind raced through their options.

"Robert, Sarah," Sico called out, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I need you two to lead the recruits. Split them into teams and return fire. Focus on keeping them pinned down."

Robert nodded, crouched low as he moved back to the recruits. Sarah, her face focused and calm despite the situation, quickly joined him. Together, they rallied the recruits, dividing them into smaller groups. They began to return fire, their shots controlled and precise, but it was clear that their inexperience in a real firefight was showing.

Sico, meanwhile, was already thinking ahead. The raiders didn't seem like the usual rabble. This attack was poorly timed and poorly planned. What was driving them to take on a force so close to the Plaza? Desperation was the only answer. These raiders had nothing left to lose.

As Sico crawled to a new piece of cover, his thoughts raced. The raiders weren't just attacking for fun—they were after supplies. The Commonwealth had been hit hard lately, food and water becoming scarcer by the day. These raiders might be starving, willing to risk everything for a chance to grab whatever the Minutemen had on them.

He glanced toward Robert, who had positioned himself and his group behind a half-collapsed wall, firing controlled bursts at the raiders in the ruins. The recruits were doing their best, but they were still too green for this kind of fight. Sico needed to end this quickly.

"Robert!" Sico yelled over the gunfire. "Flank them! Take Sarah and half the recruits and swing around their left side. We'll keep them distracted from here."

Robert's eyes widened for a moment, understanding the risk involved. But he nodded, his trust in Sico unwavering. He motioned to Sarah and a handful of recruits, and they began to move, ducking low as they maneuvered through the rubble.

As they moved into position, Sico focused on the raiders, keeping their attention centered on his side of the battlefield. He and the remaining recruits kept up a steady stream of fire, making sure the raiders stayed pinned down, unaware of the flanking maneuver.

The raiders were reckless, popping up from cover without any real plan, their shots wild and erratic. Sico knew they wouldn't hold out long if they were hit from both sides.

Moments later, the sound of gunfire erupted from the left side as Robert and Sarah's group opened up on the raiders. Taken by surprise, the raiders scrambled, their disorganized defense falling apart. Several of them were cut down in the crossfire, while others hesitated, unsure of where the next shot would come from.

"Push forward!" Sico commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. The recruits on his side moved with renewed confidence, advancing carefully as they laid down suppressing fire. Sico moved with them, his rifle barking as he took out a raider who had made the mistake of poking his head up.

The tide of the battle quickly shifted. With Robert and Sarah's group closing in from the left and Sico's team pushing forward from the front, the raiders found themselves trapped. One by one, they either fell to the Minutemen's fire or tried to flee, only to be cut down as they ran.

After what felt like an eternity, the gunfire finally ceased. The last of the raiders had either been killed or driven off, leaving the area eerily quiet once again. Sico stood up from his cover, scanning the battlefield for any remaining threats.

"All clear," Robert called out from the left side, his voice steady despite the tension of the fight.

Sico gave a nod, breathing a sigh of relief. "Good work," he said, loud enough for all the recruits to hear. "You handled yourselves well."

The recruits, though shaken, seemed to stand a little taller at his words. They had been through their second real battle, and while they had made mistakes, they had come out on top.

As Sarah moved among the group, checking for injuries, Sico took a moment to look over the bodies of the fallen raiders. They were ragged, their gear mismatched and in poor condition. Their faces were gaunt, their eyes hollow.

Desperation. Just as he had suspected. These raiders had been starving, driven to attack out of sheer necessity. Sico felt a pang of pity for them, but it was quickly overshadowed by the knowledge that in the Commonwealth, mercy could get you killed.

Sico turned back to the group. "We're not far from the Plaza now," he said, his voice firm but calm. "Let's get moving before anything else decides to attack us."

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.

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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: -