304. Training More Soldiers

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With that, the meeting ended, and his team dispersed to begin their tasks. As the room emptied out, Sico returned to the map, tracing the lines of their territory with his finger. The Commonwealth was a dangerous place, but for the first time in a long while, it felt like they had a real chance to make it safe again. If they could hold out a little longer, if they could recruit just a few more fighters, the Minutemen might just be able to turn the tide. But deep down, Sico knew the hardest days were still ahead.

The next day, Sico awoke to the sound of early morning drills echoing across the courtyard of Minutemen Plaza. The air was crisp, and the sun had barely begun to rise, casting long shadows across the settlement. The recruits were already hard at work, their grunts of exertion and the rhythmic thudding of boots on the ground signaling that Cait had wasted no time putting them through their paces.

As Sico walked towards the training area, he saw the new batch of recruits lined up in rows, running sprints across the muddy field. They were a mix of young men and women, some barely out of their teens, others older with more seasoned looks in their eyes. All of them wore a rough assortment of leather armor and mismatched gear, the best they could scavenge from the wasteland. Their faces were flushed with exertion, sweat dripping down their foreheads as they pushed themselves to keep up with Cait's gruff shouts.

"Move it! Move it!" Cait barked, her Irish accent sharp and unyielding. "You think raiders are gonna give ya a break if you're slow? Get those legs movin' or you'll be dead before you even fire a shot!"

Sico couldn't help but smile slightly as he approached. Cait had a way of bringing out the best in people—through sheer force of will and an uncompromising attitude. She didn't coddle the recruits, but she didn't break them either. That balance was one of the reasons Sico had entrusted her with training the new Minutemen.

He came to a stop near the edge of the field, his arms crossed as he watched Cait push the recruits harder. Next to him, Albert stood with a clipboard, quietly observing and making notes. Albert always had an eye for the details, ensuring that Cait's fiery style of training was complemented with proper structure and discipline.

"How's it going?" Sico asked Albert without taking his eyes off the recruits.

Albert adjusted his glasses and gave a nod of approval. "They're coming along well, considering most of them haven't had any formal training before. Cait's been pushing their physical limits for the past few days. Hand-to-hand combat and firearms training start later today."

Sico glanced at the recruits again. Some were clearly struggling, panting heavily as they tried to keep pace, while others were managing to hold their own. Regardless of where they stood, Sico knew they'd come a long way from the frightened settlers they'd been just weeks ago. But he also knew that running drills was only the beginning.

"They've got heart," Sico said. "But will they be ready when the time comes to fight?"

Albert looked over his clipboard before answering. "We're not there yet, but they're getting better every day. Cait's training is toughening them up, and we've been working on building their teamwork too. They'll need to rely on each other when things get rough."

As if on cue, Cait called out for the recruits to stop running and form a line. The panting group shuffled into position, some of them doubling over to catch their breath.

"Alright, ye lot," Cait said, pacing in front of them like a drill sergeant. "You've done yer sprints, now let's see if you can actually fight. Hand-to-hand combat is next, so pair up."

The recruits looked at each other uncertainly for a moment before they began to pair off. Sico noticed that a few of them were clearly hesitant, their movements sluggish as they tried to shake off their exhaustion. Others seemed more confident, squaring up with their partners and preparing to spar.

Cait walked between the pairs, offering sharp critiques and pushing them to engage with more intensity. "No holdin' back! If you're afraid of hurtin' your partner, ye won't last five seconds in a real fight! Get in there and show me what ye got!"

Sico watched as the recruits began their sparring. It wasn't pretty. There were awkward movements, wild swings, and plenty of grappling on the ground as they tried to overpower one another. But slowly, Sico saw improvements. Some recruits were starting to use proper technique, planting their feet firmly and throwing punches with purpose. Others were learning how to defend, blocking strikes and countering with quick jabs.

One recruit in particular, a wiry young man named Connor, was catching Sico's attention. Despite his smaller stature, Connor moved with agility, ducking under his opponent's clumsy punches and delivering a solid strike to the ribs. His opponent stumbled back, surprised by the hit.

"Nice work, Connor," Cait called out with approval. "Keep that up and ye'll be ready in no time."

Connor gave a quick nod, clearly pleased with the praise, but he didn't lose focus. He squared up again, keeping his stance low and ready to dodge the next attack.

Sico made a mental note of Connor's performance, knowing that recruits like him—those who showed promise early on—could be groomed into effective soldiers with the right guidance. But he also knew that raw skill wasn't enough. They'd need mental fortitude, the ability to keep their cool under pressure, and most importantly, they'd need to trust their fellow Minutemen when things got tough.

After several more rounds of sparring, Cait called an end to the hand-to-hand session. The recruits were battered and bruised, but there was a sense of pride among them. They had survived another day of Cait's grueling training, and that was no small feat.

"Good work, all of ye," Cait said, her voice slightly softer now. "Yer gettin' better, but don't get cocky. There's still a long way to go before any of ye are ready to face what's out there."

Sico stepped forward, catching the attention of the recruits. "Listen up," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "What Cait said is true. You've made progress, and you should be proud of that. But the Commonwealth is a dangerous place, and the people out there—raiders, super mutants, gunners—they're not going to go easy on you just because you're new to this."

The recruits listened intently, their faces serious as Sico spoke.

"When the time comes, you'll be fighting not just for yourselves, but for every settler out there who's counting on the Minutemen to protect them. That means you need to be strong, you need to be smart, and you need to work together. None of you can do this alone."

Sico paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing. "In the days ahead, you'll be tested. Cait and Albert will push you harder than they have before, and you'll face challenges you didn't expect. But if you stick with it, if you trust in the training, you'll be ready when the time comes."

He looked each of the recruits in the eyes, making sure they understood the gravity of what he was saying. "We're not just building an army here. We're building a future—a future where the Commonwealth is safe for everyone. And that starts with each of you."

There was a murmur of agreement from the recruits, and Sico could see a renewed sense of determination in their eyes. They were tired, bruised, and sore, but they were still standing. That was the most important thing.

Satisfied with their response, Sico turned to Cait. "Let's move on to the shooting drills."

Cait nodded and gestured for the recruits to follow her to the makeshift firing range set up at the edge of Minutemen Plaza. It wasn't much—just a few targets made from scrap metal and wood—but it was enough to teach the recruits the basics of shooting.

As they lined up with their weapons, Cait gave them a quick rundown of what she expected. "First rule of gunfightin': don't miss. Second rule: don't panic. Ye keep yer cool, aim steady, and shoot when ye've got a clear shot. Don't waste bullets, and don't try to be a hero."

The recruits took their positions, some of them handling their rifles awkwardly, others with more confidence. Sico and Cait walked up and down the line, offering tips and correcting their stances. The crack of gunfire soon filled the air as the recruits practiced, their shots hitting—or missing—the targets with varying degrees of success.

Sico kept a close eye on them, watching for signs of improvement. There were still plenty of mistakes—jerky trigger pulls, bad posture—but some of the recruits were starting to get the hang of it. With time, they'd become more accurate, more disciplined.

By the time the sun had fully risen, the recruits were exhausted but noticeably better than when they'd started. Sico knew there was still a lot of work to be done, but seeing the progress they'd made gave him hope.

The sun hung high over Minutemen Plaza as Sico continued to watch over the recruits, their training now transitioning into more advanced drills. Cait had been pushing them through every phase—fitness, hand-to-hand combat, and now shooting practice—but Sico knew that pushing the recruits too far could be just as dangerous as not pushing them hard enough. With raiders and super mutants looming as a constant threat, they needed strong, capable fighters, but they also needed healthy, injury-free soldiers who could sustain the rigors of long-term combat.

As Sico strolled past the recruits, occasionally offering advice or words of encouragement, he saw that Cait was relentless, as usual. She was pacing up and down the firing range, shouting corrections and motivating them with her no-nonsense attitude.

"Connor, don't jerk the trigger! Keep it steady or you'll end up shootin' the sky!" Cait barked, her eyes narrowing on the wiry young man she had praised earlier.

Connor, who had been doing well in hand-to-hand combat, still struggled with his aim. His shoulders were too tense, and his shots were erratic, missing the target by a wide margin. Sico approached him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Relax," Sico said, his voice steady and calm, in contrast to Cait's more forceful approach. "Take a deep breath before you pull the trigger. Don't fight the recoil. Let the weapon do its job."

Connor nodded, visibly calming under Sico's guidance. He adjusted his grip, took a deep breath, and fired again. This time, the bullet hit the target, albeit slightly off-center, but it was a marked improvement from his previous attempts. Connor turned to Sico with a small smile of satisfaction.

"Better," Sico said, patting him on the back. "Keep practicing, and you'll get there."

As the recruits continued their shooting drills, Sico noticed the fatigue starting to set in. Many of them were pushing themselves hard, but their posture and movements had become sluggish, a clear sign of exhaustion. They were putting everything they had into the training, and while their determination was commendable, Sico knew it was time to make sure none of them were suffering from hidden injuries or pushing themselves too far.

He signaled to Cait and Albert to ease up on the drills for the moment. Cait gave a begrudging nod, clearly not one to go easy on the recruits, but she understood Sico's concern. "Alright, take five!" she shouted, and the recruits, grateful for the short reprieve, lowered their weapons and began to stretch or sit down to catch their breath.

Sico pulled out his Pip-Boy and tapped in a message to Jenny, the team's medic. She had been busy checking in on the supply routes, but Sico wanted her to examine the recruits and make sure their bodies were holding up after days of intense training.

Within minutes, Jenny appeared, her medical satchel slung over her shoulder and her expression as no-nonsense as ever. She was efficient and thorough, qualities that had made her indispensable to the Minutemen. As she approached, Sico met her halfway.

"Jenny, I need you to do a full check on the recruits," Sico said, gesturing toward the resting group. "They've been pushing themselves hard, and I want to make sure there aren't any injuries we're missing. The last thing we need is someone breaking down in the field because of a strain or a hidden injury."

Jenny nodded, already moving toward the recruits. "I'll take care of it, General. I'll check for any signs of overexertion, sprains, or anything more serious. Give me a bit of time."

Sico watched as Jenny moved from recruit to recruit, checking pulses, inspecting joints, and asking each of them questions about any pain or discomfort. Her movements were quick but meticulous, and the recruits seemed to respect her authority as she examined them. Jenny had a reputation for being tough but fair, and no one wanted to find themselves on the wrong side of her medical advice.

As she worked, Sico took the opportunity to mingle with some of the recruits, offering encouragement and advice where needed. A young woman named Tara was rubbing her shoulder, grimacing as she flexed it after the shooting drills.

"Shoulder bothering you?" Sico asked, kneeling down beside her.

Tara nodded, wincing slightly. "Yeah. I think I might've pulled something when I was trying to steady my rifle earlier. It's been stiff ever since."

Sico frowned, concerned. "You should have spoken up sooner. Let Jenny take a look at that. No use making it worse by trying to push through the pain."

Tara nodded reluctantly, clearly not wanting to appear weak in front of her fellow recruits. But Sico had learned the hard way that trying to tough out an injury only led to worse problems down the line.

A few moments later, Jenny made her way to Tara, inspecting her shoulder and applying a bit of pressure to the joint.

"Looks like a mild strain," Jenny said, her voice clinical but reassuring. "You'll need to rest it for the rest of the day and ice it when you can. No more shooting for you today. I'll wrap it to keep it from getting worse."

Tara looked disappointed but nodded, accepting Jenny's advice. As Jenny wrapped her shoulder with a bandage, Sico knelt beside the recruit once more.

"It's better to rest now than to push yourself and make it worse," Sico said. "We need you in good shape for the days ahead. Don't worry, you'll be back in action soon enough."

Tara managed a small smile. "Thanks, General. I'll take it easy."

Satisfied that Jenny had things under control, Sico continued to oversee the training from a distance. He knew that training new recruits was never a straightforward process. Some of them would rise to the challenge and become reliable soldiers, while others might struggle, either due to physical limitations or mental blocks. But every recruit counted, especially in times like these, where every able-bodied fighter could make the difference between victory and defeat.

After some time, Jenny returned to Sico's side, wiping her hands with a cloth after finishing her rounds.

"Mostly minor stuff," Jenny reported. "A couple of muscle strains, some fatigue, but nothing serious. I've advised a few of them to take it easy for the rest of the day, and I'll keep an eye on their recovery."

Sico nodded, relieved that there were no major injuries. "Good. Thanks, Jenny. We can't afford to lose anyone right now, especially not when things are heating up with the raiders."

Jenny gave a firm nod, then added, "Just make sure they don't overdo it tomorrow. They've still got a long way to go, but they'll need time to recover too."

"I'll keep that in mind," Sico promised, his gaze drifting back to the recruits as they slowly resumed their drills. Despite their fatigue, he could see the determination in their eyes. They were tired, bruised, and sore, but they were still fighting, still pushing themselves to get better.

As Sico stood there, overseeing the training, he knew that the Minutemen's future rested on these recruits. They weren't ready yet—not by a long shot—but with time, training, and the right guidance, they could become the soldiers the Commonwealth desperately needed. And when the time came, Sico would be ready to lead them into battle.

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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: -