479. A Different Plan

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The plan came together quickly. Piper would spread the word that something big was happening at the entrance plaza—something people wouldn't want to miss. Sico and Preston would make sure Danny was prepared, giving him the information he needed to hold his own. The Minutemen would be nearby, a quiet but unmistakable presence to ensure things didn't turn ugly.

Sico and Preston didn't waste any time. The moment their plan was set, they made their way to Danny's office—formerly McDonough's office—where the reluctant would-be mayor was going over security reports. The room still smelled like old cigars and stale bureaucracy, but the stacks of papers on Danny's desk were his own mess, not the remnants of the former corrupt mayor.

Danny looked up as they entered, pushing aside a clipboard. "You guys look serious," he said, leaning back in his chair. "What's going on?"

Sico exchanged a glance with Preston before stepping forward. "We have a plan. A way to get people to trust you, to see you as a real leader."

Danny exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know, I appreciate everything you guys are doing, but I'm not sure how much it'll matter. I've been here for years, and people barely know my name. You think one big moment is going to change that?"

Preston nodded. "Not just one moment—one defining stand. We want to put you in a situation where you publicly challenge the upper-class folks running Diamond City from the shadows. Call them out for hoarding supplies, for keeping people struggling while they sit pretty. If you do that, people will listen."

Danny was silent for a long moment. He looked at both of them, then let out a slow breath. "You know, I figured something like this was coming," he admitted. "You guys want me to be mayor. You think I can step up, lead this city."

Sico narrowed his eyes. "You don't think you can?"

Danny hesitated, and then, to their surprise, he shook his head. "I don't know," he said, voice quiet but firm. "Look, I can handle security. If you told me I'd be running Diamond City's security force, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. But mayor?" He let out a dry chuckle. "That's a whole different beast."

Sico and Preston exchanged stunned looks. Of all the things they expected, this wasn't one of them.

"You're serious?" Preston asked. "After everything we've talked about, you're not sure?"

Danny sighed. "I spent years working under McDonough. I saw what the job does to people. It's not just about standing up and making speeches—it's about making decisions that affect everyone. And what if I make the wrong ones? What if I screw up and people get hurt?"

Sico sat down across from him, leaning forward. "Danny, that's what makes you the right choice. You care about the people here. You actually think about the consequences. That's more than I can say for the last guy."

Danny shook his head. "Caring isn't enough. What about experience? What about knowing how to run a city?"

Preston crossed his arms. "McDonough had experience, and look where that got us. Sometimes the best leaders are the ones who never planned to be. You're honest, people respect you, and you actually give a damn. That's more than enough."

Danny looked between them, clearly struggling. "You guys are putting a lot of faith in me," he muttered. "I just don't know if I deserve it."

Sico leaned back, watching him closely. "Alright," he said. "Then let's start with something smaller."

Danny frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You said you'd take the head of security job without question," Sico said. "Fine. Let's make that official. We'll announce that you're stepping up as Diamond City's new head of security. But at the same time, we use this moment to push for change. You don't have to commit to being mayor right now. But you do have to take a stand."

Danny thought about it. "So, I take the security job, make a statement, and see how things go from there?"

Preston nodded. "Exactly. If the people rally behind you, if they start looking to you as a leader, then maybe you'll realize you're the right person for the job."

Danny tapped his fingers against the desk, considering. Then he exhaled sharply. "Alright," he said. "I'll do it. But no promises beyond that."

Sico grinned. "That's all we need."

The Showdown at the City Gate

The next day, the plan was in motion. Word spread fast through the market—Piper made sure of that. By midday, a crowd had gathered near the city gates, murmuring among themselves, wondering what was happening. Some stood on crates to get a better view, while others leaned against market stalls, arms crossed, waiting.

The upper-class citizens of Diamond City—those who lived in the nicer, less crowded parts of town—were also present, though they stood off to the side, watching warily. Some of them whispered to each other, clearly uncomfortable with the whole thing.

And then there was the Minutemen presence.

Sico, Preston, and a handful of Minutemen stood nearby, not in an obvious show of force but just visible enough that anyone thinking of interrupting would reconsider. Their presence was a reminder: this wasn't McDonough's Diamond City anymore.

Danny stood at the front, looking a little tense but determined. He wasn't used to crowds, but he had a job to do.

Piper stood beside him, notepad in hand. "Whenever you're ready," she murmured.

Danny took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Alright, listen up," he called.

The crowd quieted.

"I know a lot of you don't really know me," Danny said. "I've been around, sure, but I've never been the guy making speeches or shaking hands. I was just another security officer, trying to keep people safe."

He paused. "But that's changing today."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"I've been offered the position of head of security for Diamond City," Danny continued. "And I'm taking it. Because this city needs someone who's actually going to protect its people. Not just from raiders, or super mutants, or synths—but from corruption. From the kind of leadership that puts a handful of people above the rest."

The tension in the air thickened. The rich citizens at the edge of the crowd shifted uncomfortably.

"That means things are going to change," Danny went on. "No more stockpiling food and medicine while the rest of the city struggles. No more looking the other way when people get cheated or mistreated just because they aren't rich enough to matter."

Someone in the crowd called out, "And how do we know you won't just end up like McDonough?"

Danny met their gaze. "Because I'm not McDonough," he said firmly. "And I won't be making decisions alone. We're going to do things differently. We're going to start making this city a place where everyone—everyone—has a say."

More murmurs. Some approving, some skeptical. But people were listening.

Then, from the back, a sharp voice cut through the air. "And what if we don't agree with these changes?"

All eyes turned.

A well-dressed man stepped forward—one of the wealthier residents, a merchant who had profited under McDonough's rule. His name was Harlan Finch, and he had been one of McDonough's biggest supporters.

Danny squared his shoulders. "Then you're welcome to leave."

The crowd erupted in whispers.

Harlan's face darkened. "You think you can just change the way this city works? That easy?"

Danny didn't flinch. "I think it's long past time someone tried."

Harlan looked around, waiting for support from his fellow wealthy citizens. Some nodded, but many stayed silent, watching, waiting.

Sico took a step forward, crossing his arms. "If you want to make this difficult," he said, voice calm but firm, "just remember—we're not McDonough's lackeys. The Minutemen are here to make sure things do change. And that means making sure everyone plays fair."

Harlan hesitated.

Danny took the moment to press forward. "This city belongs to everyone, not just a handful of people at the top," he said. "That's the future we're working toward. And I will see it happen."

Silence stretched for a long moment.

Then, slowly, a few people in the crowd started to nod. A few voices murmured agreement. Then, someone clapped. Another joined in. And soon, applause spread through the plaza.

Sico took a step forward, letting the applause settle as he scanned the crowd. His expression was serious, but there was a quiet confidence in his stance. He wasn't just here as an ally to Danny—he was here as a leader. And it was time to make that clear.

"As most of you probably know by now," he began, his voice carrying over the murmuring crowd, "I'm the General of the Minutemen. I'm not just here as an outsider trying to interfere in Diamond City's business. I'm here because this city—our city—needs protection. Real protection. And that's exactly what the Minutemen are here to provide."

The mention of the Minutemen drew mixed reactions. Some in the crowd nodded approvingly, but others looked skeptical. The wounds of the recent battle were still fresh, and not everyone had come to terms with what had happened.

Sico pressed on. "I know there are people here who still have questions about what went down when we took McDonough. So let me set the record straight."

He paused, letting the tension build. Then, with measured clarity, he said, "McDonough was a synth."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the gathered citizens. Some already knew. Others had suspected. But hearing it stated outright—publicly, with no room for doubt—sent a fresh wave of shock through the crowd.

"That's why we removed him," Sico continued. "That's why the Minutemen stepped in. Because Diamond City, whether you realized it or not, was under the control of the Institute for years. McDonough was their puppet. He kept you afraid. He kept you divided. And he made sure that the real power in this city—the people in charge—never had to answer for anything."

Harlan Finch, the wealthy merchant who had challenged Danny moments earlier, scoffed. "And we're just supposed to take your word for it?" he said, folding his arms. "What proof do you have?"

Sico's gaze hardened. "The proof was in the fight that happened right here, in the middle of this city. Do you think the Institute would have sent an army to retrieve McDonough if he was just some corrupt politician? No. They came because we had their man. Because we had evidence that Diamond City had been compromised for years. The moment we took McDonough, the Institute treated it as an act of war."

The weight of those words settled over the crowd. They remembered the battle—the chaos, the gunfire, the sight of Minutemen and Institute forces clashing in the streets. Some had lost loved ones. Others had fought themselves. But for many, this was the first time they were hearing the deeper truth behind what had happened.

Preston stepped forward, adding, "If the Minutemen hadn't stepped in, McDonough would still be here. Still selling you out. Still working in the shadows for the Institute. We made sure that ended. And now, we're making sure this city never falls under their control again."

Danny, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. His voice was steadier this time, more sure of himself. "That's why I'm taking the job as head of security," he said. "Because this city needs someone who isn't afraid to stand up and protect it. Not just from raiders, not just from super mutants, but from the kind of corruption that nearly destroyed it."

Sico nodded. "And that's why the Minutemen are backing Danny. We didn't just choose him at random. We chose him because we believe he's the right man for the job. And because we aren't here to take over. We're here to make sure that Diamond City stands strong—free from Institute influence, free from corruption, and under the protection of the people who actually live here."

Another wave of murmurs. Some of the wealthier citizens still looked uneasy, but there was no mistaking the shift in the atmosphere. More and more people were nodding. More and more were standing with Danny.

Harlan Finch, however, wasn't done. "And what happens when you decide Diamond City isn't doing things the way you want? What happens when the Minutemen start making demands? You expect us to just trust you?"

Sico didn't hesitate. "Trust isn't given. It's earned. And that's exactly what we're here to do." He gestured toward Danny. "That's why we're not forcing a mayor on you. That's why we're not installing some military government. We're giving this city a leader who actually cares about it. A leader who's from here, not some outsider with an agenda."

Danny met Harlan's gaze. "This city's future isn't just up to me," he said. "It's up to all of us. We're done being ruled by people who see us as disposable. From now on, Diamond City belongs to its people."

A beat of silence.

Then, someone in the crowd shouted, "Damn right!"

Another voice: "About time!"

And then, the applause started again—louder this time. More people joined in, until the entire square was alive with it. Even some of the skeptics, the ones who had hesitated before, were clapping now.

Harlan Finch, seeing which way the wind was blowing, scowled but said nothing more.

Piper, who had been taking notes the whole time, grinned. "Hell of a speech," she murmured to Danny.

Danny let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Yeah," he said. "Guess it was."

Sico clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You did good," he said. "Now the real work begins."

Danny nodded. He knew Sico was right. Winning the people over was one thing. Keeping their trust—proving they had made the right choice—was going to be the real challenge.

________________________________________________

• 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:-