475. Building Defenses Around the Big Gate

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With that, the three of them got to work, shaping the future of Diamond City one patrol route at a time.

The lanterns flickered overhead, casting long shadows across the old Mayor's office as the three of them sat around the table, finalizing the patrol schedules. The discussion had taken longer than expected, but there was no room for half-measures anymore. If Diamond City was going to be a beacon of civilization in the Commonwealth, it needed more than just walls—it needed structure, discipline, and people willing to fight for it.

Preston scratched his chin as he reviewed the roster one last time. "Alright, so we've got teams rotating every four hours, two-man patrols for the market, residential district, and all the main access points. We'll double the night shifts and mix in some veteran Minutemen so the new recruits don't get in over their heads."

Sarah nodded, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. "That should work, but we'll need to keep an eye on them, make sure no one starts slacking. I don't want to find out some idiot fell asleep on duty when we've got raiders sneaking in through the alleys."

Sico smirked. "That's why we're doing this. No more lazy guards, no more 'business as usual.' From now on, Diamond City actually earns the security it brags about." He tapped his fingers on the map, looking thoughtful. "That covers the patrols, but there's something else I want to talk about."

Preston and Sarah exchanged glances before looking at him.

Sico exhaled and leaned forward. "We need to reinforce the defenses at the main gate."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "You're talking about the big, fancy, 'nothing-gets-through' door?"

Sico nodded. "Yeah. That door is solid, sure. It can be sealed shut with a switch when an enemy is approaching. But that's not enough. If something serious comes our way—say, a well-organized raider gang, super mutants, or worse—we don't just want to rely on shutting the door and hoping for the best."

Preston stroked his beard. "You're thinking of building extra defenses?"

"Exactly," Sico said. "I want to ask Sturges and his team to build a proper watchtower right in front of the gate. Maybe even extend the defenses outward a bit, so we've got an actual kill zone rather than just a single point of entry."

Sarah whistled. "Now that's the kind of thinking I like."

Sico continued, "We can add some elevated firing positions, sandbag barricades, maybe even some automated turrets if we can get our hands on the parts. The way I see it, Diamond City's always been too reliant on its walls. That's a mistake. We need layers of defense, not just one giant metal door keeping trouble out."

Preston nodded, clearly warming up to the idea. "We can't just play defense anymore. We've gotta be ready to fight back if something big comes knocking."

Sico glanced at the map again. "Exactly. And while we're at it, I'd like to see if we can improve the lighting around the outer perimeter. If something is moving out there at night, I want our people to see it before it gets close."

Sarah grinned. "I'm liking this plan more and more."

"Good," Sico said, standing up. "Then let's pay Sturges a visit."

The trio made their way out of the Mayor's office and through the quieting streets of Diamond City. Most of the city was settling in for the night, but a few people were still lingering around the market, finishing late trades or enjoying a final drink before curfew. The warm glow of lanterns and makeshift neon signs gave the city an almost peaceful look—almost.

They found Sturges near the entrance to Diamond City, working on a generator with a couple of his engineers. He looked up as they approached, wiping grease from his hands onto his worn-out overalls.

"Well, if it ain't the big boss himself," Sturges said with a grin. "What can I do for ya, Sico?"

Sico returned the grin. "I've got a job for you. A big one."

Sturges raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Lay it on me."

Sico gestured toward the massive metal gate that separated Diamond City from the outside world. "I want a watchtower built right in front of that thing. Something solid, with multiple firing positions and some reinforced barricades around the entrance."

Sturges let out a low whistle. "Now that's an idea. You're thinking of turning the front gate into a real stronghold?"

"Exactly," Sico said. "Right now, if something attacks, all we can do is close the door and hope they get bored. I don't like those odds. I want an outer perimeter that lets us fight back before trouble gets too close."

Preston crossed his arms. "We're thinking elevated platforms, sandbags, maybe some automated turrets if we can scavenge enough parts."

Sturges scratched his head, already mentally calculating the work. "Turrets might be tricky, but I think we can swing it if we hit the right places for salvage. As for the watchtower, that's doable. Might take a week or two, but I can get some solid scaffolding up fast enough."

Sico nodded. "Good. I also want better lighting out here. No more blind spots at night."

Sturges grinned. "You're really going all-in on this, huh?"

Sico smirked. "I don't do things halfway."

Sturges chuckled. "Alright, boss. Consider it done. I'll round up the boys and get started first thing in the morning."

Sarah clapped Sturges on the shoulder. "You keep impressing me, Sturges. Keep this up, and we might just have to start calling you General Sturges."

Sturges laughed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm happy just building things that don't fall apart."

Sico shook his hand. "Thanks, Sturges. This is gonna make a hell of a difference."

With that settled, the three of them made their way back toward the Minutemen office, feeling the weight of responsibility settling onto their shoulders.

Back at the command center, Sico poured himself a drink—just a small one. He wasn't much of a drinker, but after a long day like this, a little whiskey never hurt. He offered a bottle to Preston and Sarah, who both took a swig before setting it down on the table.

Sarah sighed. "So, when do you think we'll see results?"

Sico stared at the map on the wall, tracing his fingers over the marked locations of threats. "Soon. The patrols start tomorrow, the training continues, and the defenses are getting built. We'll see changes in a few weeks, but I'd say we'll really feel the difference in a couple of months."

Preston nodded. "And what happens if the city doesn't appreciate it? If they decide they don't like the Minutemen taking charge?"

Sico smirked. "Then they can learn the hard way what it means to be unprepared."

Sarah grinned. "I like the way you think."

Sico leaned back in his chair, exhaling. The Commonwealth wasn't going to fix itself. But with every step they took—every patrol, every new recruit, every barricade reinforced—they were making a difference.

The sun had barely crested over the crumbling skyline of Boston when Sico stepped outside the Diamond City gates, the crisp morning air biting at his skin. The previous night had been long, but productive. With patrol schedules set, defenses planned, and the Minutemen's presence growing stronger by the day, Diamond City was finally starting to look like a place worth defending.

He took a deep breath, letting the scent of metal, dust, and oil fill his lungs as he surveyed the scene before him. Sturges and his crew were already hard at work, their hammers ringing against steel, the grind of saws cutting through old-world scrap echoing across the Commonwealth. The watchtower was beginning to take shape, its foundation sturdy, beams of reinforced metal rising from the ground like the bones of some great mechanical beast.

Sico smirked. Damn, these guys work fast.

Sturges, standing atop a makeshift scaffold, was barking orders at his crew while welding a metal support beam into place. Sparks flew in bright arcs, momentarily illuminating his grease-streaked face. He noticed Sico watching and waved him over.

"You're up early, boss," Sturges called down, his voice carrying over the sound of clanking metal. "Couldn't sleep or just eager to see my handiwork?"

Sico chuckled, stepping closer. "Little of both. Figured I'd check in and see how things are coming along."

Sturges wiped his forehead with a rag, smearing dirt across his brow. "Well, you're lookin' at the finest piece of fortification this side of the Charles River. We got the main supports in place, scaffolding's almost done, and we'll be reinforcing it with sandbags and some salvaged steel plates from an old train yard I found last week. Should hold up against anything short of a Deathclaw deciding to pay us a visit."

Sico nodded approvingly, running a hand along one of the thick steel beams. "Looks solid. But I want more than just walls and platforms. We need firepower."

Sturges raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You got something particular in mind?"

Sico crossed his arms. "Machine guns. Same as we set up in Sanctuary. I want one mounted on each tower. If anyone—or anything—tries to force their way in, I want them met with a wall of lead before they even get close."

Sturges let out a low whistle. "Now you're talking. Ain't gonna be easy finding enough parts to set 'em up, but we can scavenge. Plenty of old military checkpoints still have some goodies if we know where to look."

Sico smirked. "You leave the logistics to me. Just make sure the towers are sturdy enough to handle the recoil."

Sturges clapped him on the shoulder. "You got it, boss. Give me a few days, and we'll have Diamond City looking like the most fortified damn place in the Commonwealth."

Sico took a step back, watching as the workers continued their task. He could already picture it—the towers standing tall, guards stationed above, scanning the wasteland with sharp eyes, machine guns at the ready. No more blind spots. No more easy targets. Anyone thinking Diamond City was ripe for the taking would be in for a nasty surprise.

Sarah appeared beside him, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "You're really going all in on this, huh?"

Sico glanced at her. "Damn right. We're not just keeping raiders out—we're sending a message. Diamond City isn't some safe haven for people to hide behind walls. It's a fortress. A stronghold. And anyone who thinks they can just waltz in here and take what they want is gonna find out the hard way that they're dead wrong."

Sarah smirked. "I like it. But you realize this means people are gonna start looking at you differently. This isn't just about security anymore. You're making a statement. Some folks might not like that."

Sico sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I know. But I don't give a damn. Someone has to step up. If McDonough had done his job right in the first place, we wouldn't be cleaning up his mess."

Sarah chuckled. "You keep talking like this, people might start calling you Mayor Sico."

Sico groaned. "Let's not get carried away."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Too late. Anyway, I'll go check on the night patrols and make sure they're adjusting to the new shifts. Try not to work Sturges to death, yeah?"

Sico chuckled, shaking his head. "I try too," he said, his voice carrying an easy laugh. "But you know how it is—good workers always find a way to make themselves invaluable."

Sarah smirked. "Don't let him hear you say that, or he'll start demanding extra rations."

"Wouldn't blame him," Sico said, watching Sturges give orders to his crew with the energy of a man who lived for this kind of work. "He's earned it."

Sarah nodded. "Yeah, I'll give him that." Then she gave Sico a pointed look. "Just don't forget to take care of yourself too. No point in making this city strong if you're too damn exhausted to enjoy it."

Sico waved her off. "I'll be fine. You worry too much."

Sarah rolled her eyes but didn't argue. She gave him a casual salute before turning to head off toward the Minutemen's barracks, leaving him alone with the sound of hammering metal and the murmur of workers trading jokes and instructions.

Sico turned his attention back to Sturges, who was now inspecting a steel plate being hoisted up onto the tower's framework. He made his way over, stepping carefully around scattered tools and crates of supplies.

"Alright," Sturges said as he saw Sico approaching again. "If you want those machine guns up top, we're gonna need more than just a solid platform. The recoil's no joke, and if we don't reinforce the mounts properly, the whole damn thing could shake itself loose after a few bursts."

Sico crossed his arms. "So what do you need?"

Sturges wiped his hands on his already dirty overalls, thinking for a second. "First off, extra bracing for the towers. I'll have the boys weld some additional supports in place. We'll also need some proper mounting brackets—probably gonna have to scavenge those. Gun runners and old military outposts are our best bet. You know anyone in Goodneighbor or Bunker Hill who might have some?"

Sico nodded. "I can ask around. Worst case, we send a team out to find what we need."

"Sounds like a plan," Sturges said, rubbing his chin. "And since we're talking about firepower, any thoughts on extra ammo stockpiles? No point in mounting heavy guns if we run dry after the first firefight."

Sico exhaled through his nose. "I'll talk to our suppliers, see if we can up our shipments. If not, we start reloading our own."

Sturges grinned. "Now you're thinking like a proper warlord."

Sico smirked. "Call it whatever you want. I just don't want us caught with our pants down when trouble comes knocking."

"Smart," Sturges said, nodding approvingly. "Alright, I'll get the boys working on the reinforcements. You figure out the supply side."

Sico clapped him on the shoulder. "Will do."

He turned and made his way back toward the heart of Diamond City, his mind already running through the list of contacts he could tap for supplies. This was going to take more than just manpower—it was going to take resources, planning, and a hell of a lot of work.

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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:-