286. Preparation on Attacking Gunner Plaza

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The radio broadcast had sent a message to every corner of the Commonwealth—and beyond. Now, it was time for Sico to prove that he was worthy of the trust that had been placed in him.

The next morning, the sun had barely begun to rise over the Commonwealth, casting its first light across the rugged landscape, when the call went out for a high-level meeting at the Minutemen's headquarters. The air was crisp, a slight chill hinting at the coming of winter, but inside the walls of the Castle, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation. The battle for Quincy had been a hard-fought victory, and now it was time to take the fight back to the Gunners.

Sico, freshly appointed as the new General of the Minutemen, stood at the head of a long, sturdy wooden table inside the Castle's meeting room. Around him sat some of the most influential figures in the Commonwealth: Hancock, Magnolia, Albert, Sarah, Preston, Piper, Sturges, Mel, Robert, MacCready, Jenny, and, of course, Nora. Each of them had played a key role in the recent defense against the Gunners, and now they were here to hear Sico's plan for their next move.

The room was dimly lit, the light filtering through cracks in the ancient stone walls. Maps, tactical charts, and hand-drawn blueprints of various strongholds dotted the table, and the sound of quiet murmurs and rustling paper filled the space as the group waited for the meeting to begin.

Sico, his expression resolute, stepped forward and addressed the room. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice," he began, his voice steady and confident. "We've just repelled a significant attack on Quincy. The Gunners underestimated us, and they paid the price for it. But we can't afford to be complacent. They'll regroup, and they'll try again. This time, we need to hit them where it hurts."

He pointed to a large, detailed map of the Commonwealth pinned on the wall behind him. His finger landed on Gunner Plaza—a fortified, multi-story structure southwest of Quincy, the central hub of Gunner operations.

"Gunner Plaza," he said, his tone firm. "This is the heart of their operations, their command center. From here, they coordinate attacks, manage supplies, and control the mercenary forces that terrorize the Commonwealth. If we're going to put a stop to their threat once and for all, we need to strike at the core."

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. Preston Garvey, always quick to take charge, leaned forward, his face serious. "It's a tough nut to crack, General," he said. "They've got heavy defenses—turrets, guards, even some heavy artillery. But… if we can take it, it would be a massive blow to their organization."

Sico nodded. "Exactly. That's why we can't go in half-heartedly. We need to be smart about this, plan every move down to the smallest detail. Here's my proposal."

He gestured to the map, outlining a series of positions surrounding Gunner Plaza. "We're going to hit them from three directions. A small, elite strike team, the Commandos—led by me and Robert—will approach from the south. We'll use the cover of the surrounding ruins to get as close as possible without being detected. Meanwhile, another team will create a diversion to the east—setting off explosives, firing from a distance to draw their attention away from the main assault. A third group will come from the north, cutting off any potential escape routes and stopping reinforcements from reaching them."

Nora nodded, catching on to the plan quickly. "Divide and conquer," she murmured approvingly. "Keep them off-balance, make them spread their forces thin."

Sico continued, his voice gaining momentum. "Once we breach their perimeter, the priority is to secure the upper floors where their command center is located. That's where they'll be the most fortified, but it's also where we'll hit them hardest. Preston, I'll need you to take the north team and handle reinforcements. Sarah and Albert, you'll be in charge of the diversion to the east. Keep them distracted as long as possible but pull back once the main assault begins."

Albert gave a nod of affirmation. "We'll make sure they're looking the other way when you move in."

"MacCready," Sico continued, turning to the seasoned sharpshooter, "I need you on overwatch. Get to a high vantage point and provide cover for our teams as they move in. Pick off their spotters, turret operators, anyone who looks like a commander."

MacCready grinned, tapping his rifle. "You got it, General. They won't know what hit 'em."

Sico paused, looking around the room, gauging their reactions. "The key to this operation is speed and precision. We need to be in and out before they have time to regroup or call in reinforcements from other locations. That means communication is vital. Mel, Sturges—I need you two working on setting up a secure radio channel. We can't afford any breakdowns in our coordination."

Sturges nodded, his mind already working through the technical details. "I've got some old military encryption codes that should do the trick. We'll keep the channel clear."

Sico's gaze moved to Piper. "Piper, your role is just as important. I need you to be our voice. You're going to broadcast live updates once we start, rally the Commonwealth. Let them know what we're doing and why. If people know we're taking the fight to the Gunners, they'll be more likely to support us, maybe even join us."

Piper nodded, her expression serious. "You can count on me, Sico. I'll make sure the whole Commonwealth knows what's happening."

Lastly, Sico looked at Nora, who had been quietly assessing the plan. "Nora, you'll be with me on the strike team. We'll need your combat experience and tactical skills. Your insight will be invaluable."

Nora smiled, a fierce determination in her eyes. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, Sico. Let's finish what we started."

Sico took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of the moment. "This is going to be dangerous. I'm not going to lie to you. But if we succeed, we'll cripple the Gunners' operations for good. We've got a chance to bring real peace and security to the Commonwealth, and that's a chance worth fighting for."

Sico took a moment to let the gravity of his words settle over the room. He could see the resolve in each person's eyes—every one of them understood the importance of this mission, the risks, and the stakes. The Gunners had been a scourge on the Commonwealth for too long, terrorizing settlements, raiding caravans, and preying on the weak. It was time to put an end to it, once and for all.

Sico turned his attention to Jenny, a woman with an air of competence and calm even in the direst of situations. She had a reputation for being methodical, detail-oriented, and level-headed, qualities that had served the Minutemen well in the past.

"Jenny," Sico began, his voice firm, "I'm putting you in charge of our supplies. This mission will be fast and intense, and we need to make sure every team has exactly what they need—no more, no less. We can't afford any mistakes."

Jenny gave a sharp nod, already anticipating what Sico would need. "I'll start inventory immediately. We'll need to prioritize munitions—ammo for all types of firearms, explosives for the breaching teams, and enough medical supplies to treat any wounded we might have during or after the assault. I'll make sure we have enough stimpaks, bandages, and RadAway to deal with radiation exposure if we encounter any hot zones near the Plaza."

Sico nodded in agreement. "Good. Make sure to coordinate with Magnolia on that. I want the supplies divided into three caches: one for the main strike team, one for the diversion team, and one for the reinforcements. The caches should be portable enough that they can be moved quickly if we need to adapt to a change in the situation."

Jenny pulled out a small notebook and began making quick notes. "Understood, General. I'll set up supply points along the approach routes as well, in case any teams need to resupply during the operation."

"Perfect," Sico replied, appreciating Jenny's foresight. "And if you need extra hands, pull them from the reserve units. This needs to be a priority."

Jenny gave another nod. "I'll have everything ready to go in twelve hours, tops. We won't be caught short."

Satisfied, Sico shifted his focus to Sturges, who had been quietly leaning over the maps, tracing possible routes and noting potential hazards. He was a jack-of-all-trades and one of the best engineers in the Commonwealth—a man who could fix, modify, or build just about anything. Next to him sat Mel, his ever-reliable counterpart when it came to radio communications, robotics, and electronics.

"Sturges," Sico said, turning to him. "While you're setting up the secure radio channel with Mel, I also need you to handle our transportation. We'll need trucks and Humvees to move our teams quickly and efficiently. The Gunners will be watching the roads, so these vehicles have to be in top shape—fast, durable, and capable of withstanding some serious fire."

Sturges looked up, a gleam of excitement in his eyes at the challenge. "You got it, General. I've already got a few ideas on how to reinforce the vehicles. I'll start with the Humvees—they'll be our best bet for getting in and out fast. I can modify their armor plating to give them extra protection against small arms fire, and I'll rig the trucks with extra fuel tanks so we don't have to worry about running out of juice in the middle of the mission."

"Perfect," Sico agreed. "I also want you to add some gun mounts on the trucks. We'll need a couple of heavy machine guns to keep the Gunners at bay during the initial push. Make sure the vehicles are equipped with onboard radios, too. We need clear communication at all times, no matter what happens."

Sturges nodded eagerly. "I'll get to work on that right away. I'll start by scavenging parts from the old army vehicles we've got in storage. Might even be able to rig up a few surprises for the Gunners."

"That's what I like to hear," Sico replied with a smile. "Make sure Mel helps you out once the radio encryption is set up. We can't afford any delays."

Mel gave a thumbs up from across the table, his fingers already itching to get to work. "Don't worry, General. I've got some old pre-war equipment that should do the trick. We'll make sure the Gunners can't intercept our communications."

Sico nodded his approval. "Alright, everyone, you have your orders. We need to move fast. This operation is going to require every bit of coordination we can muster. I want to be on the road by tomorrow morning, before the Gunners have a chance to recover from the beating we gave them at Quincy."

As the meeting began to break up, each person hurried to their assigned tasks, Sico's mind was already turning over the details, running through every possible scenario, every potential outcome. He knew that this was the moment that could change everything for the Commonwealth. If they succeeded, the Minutemen would be stronger than ever, a force to be reckoned with. If they failed… he shook his head, refusing to entertain the thought.

Nora approached him quietly as the room emptied, a soft smile on her lips. "You did well, Sico," she said. "They trust you. We trust you."

Sico nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "Thanks, Nora. I just hope I'm making the right call."

Nora placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "You are. We've faced worse odds and come out on top. The Gunners don't stand a chance."

Sico took a deep breath, finding strength in her words. "I hope so. We need to show them that the Commonwealth isn't theirs to terrorize anymore."

Nora nodded. "We will. Together."

---

The next few hours flew by in a flurry of activity. The Sanctuary was alive with the sounds of preparations—tools clanging, boots stomping, and the hum of machinery. Sturges and Mel were hard at work in the makeshift garage, stripping parts from old vehicles, patching up weak points, and installing makeshift armor plates on the Humvees and trucks. Sturges occasionally shouted out orders to his team of mechanics, making sure every detail was perfect.

Mel worked alongside him, tuning the radios, setting up encryption, and testing frequencies. Occasionally, he would stop to help Sturges weld a piece of metal or reconnect a wire, but his focus never wavered from the delicate balance of setting up a secure and reliable communication network.

Jenny, meanwhile, was in the storage depot, organizing supplies. She had created a detailed list of everything they needed: ammo crates, medical kits, food rations, water canisters, and more. She directed the Minutemen volunteers with precision, ensuring each item was counted, inspected, and loaded into the appropriate supply crates. As she moved around, she checked and double-checked everything, making sure there was no room for error.

Magnolia, keeping her ear to the ground, moved between the supply depot and the makeshift garage, ensuring that the vehicles Sturges and Mel were preparing were equipped with all the necessary supplies and fuel. She coordinated with Jenny to make sure that every item on the supply list was accounted for and ready for deployment.

"How are the vehicles coming along, Magnolia?" Sico asked, as he joined her in the garage, his expression focused.

"Sturges and Mel are doing a great job," she replied. "We're almost done with the Humvees, and the trucks should be ready soon. We've also managed to salvage a few extra sets of tires and spare parts, just in case. If anything goes wrong, we'll be ready."

"Good thinking," Sico acknowledged. "We can't afford any breakdowns on the way in or out. Keep me updated on their progress."

Magnolia nodded and returned to her work, a sense of purpose driving her every movement.

Sico took a moment to survey the scene. The Minutemen were working like a well-oiled machine, each person contributing to the larger effort. It was moments like this that reminded him why he had agreed to become their General—to see people working together for a common cause, united by a shared goal.

As the preparations continued, Sico could feel the anticipation building. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the Castle. The air was thick with a sense of purpose, a determination that flowed through every person present.

---

Hours later, the Sanctuary was bathed in the soft glow of lanterns as the last light of day faded away. The Humvees and trucks were lined up, engines idling, ready for the mission ahead. The Minutemen gathered around, their faces illuminated by the dim lights. Sico stood before them, his heart steady, his mind clear.

He raised his voice, addressing the gathered crowd. "Tomorrow, we take the fight to the Gunners. We fight for the Commonwealth, for our homes, and for the future we want to build. Let's show them what it means to be a Minuteman!"

A cheer went up from the crowd, voices raised in unity, fists clenched in determination. The Gunners had underestimated them once; they would not make that mistake again.

As the cheers died down, Sico looked around at his comrades, his friends, and knew that whatever happened tomorrow, they would face it together. They would fight for the Commonwealth, for the people who believed in them, and for the chance at a better future.

Tomorrow, they would make their stand. Tomorrow, they would show the Gunners what it meant to cross the Minutemen. And tomorrow , the Commonwealth would see the dawn of a new era—one forged in fire, but defined by hope.

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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: -