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Sico let himself smile as Danny stood there, overwhelmed by the support. He knew it wouldn't be easy—governing never was, because he experience it first hand. But with proper guidance, Danny will be a good Mayor for Diamond City.
The crowd's cheers still echoed through the streets, their voices shaking the very foundations of Diamond City. Danny stood at the center of it all, looking around, his face a mixture of awe and confusion. He was no politician or mayor—just a man who had spent his life guarding these walls. But now, the people had chosen him. He had no choice but to step up.
He took a deep breath, raising both hands. "Alright, alright, settle down!" he called out, his voice carrying over the noise.
Slowly, the crowd's excitement dulled to a murmur, then silence. People leaned in, eager to hear what their new mayor had to say.
Danny squared his shoulders. "First off, I—uh—I just wanna say… I wasn't expecting this," he admitted, letting out a short, nervous laugh. "I've spent years keeping this city safe, but I never thought I'd be running it. So, thank you. I'll do my best to not let you down."
A few voices cheered, but most waited. They wanted to hear more.
Danny's expression hardened slightly, and he continued. "But I need to make something clear. Just because we got rid of Hartwell and his cronies, doesn't mean things are gonna change overnight. And that brings me to something I know a lot of you were hoping I'd say differently."
The crowd tension change.
"The tax policy stays."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the people. Some groaned. Others crossed their arms, clearly unhappy. But Danny held up a hand.
"I know, I know. None of us liked what those bastards were doing with our money. But we still need caps to keep this city running. That means keeping the tax policy in place—for now." His voice was firm, steady. "The difference is, this time, it won't be lining some greedy councilman's pockets. It'll be used to actually help this city."
Piper nodded approvingly. Sico remained quiet, watching the crowd's reaction carefully.
Danny let the tension settle before moving on. "There's one more thing we need to talk about. Something big."
The people were listening now.
Danny took a deep breath. "I've been talking to Sico—General of the Minutemen. He's been working hard to rebuild the Commonwealth, to bring some order back to this wasteland. And he made me an offer."
He looked at Sico, who gave him a small nod.
Danny turned back to the people. "Diamond City is going to join the Minutemen."
That sent another wave of murmurs through the crowd, this time louder. People exchanged uncertain glances and whole some looked ready to protest then there others who look please with what Danny said.
Danny raised his voice before anyone could start shouting. "But before anyone gets the wrong idea—this doesn't mean Minutemen soldiers will be marching into our streets. This city is gonna be a special jurisdiction under the Minutemen, meaning we still run our own affairs. We'll keep our own laws, and more importantly, we keep our own army—the Diamond City Guards."
That caught people's attention.
"There won't be Minutemen troops stationed here," Danny continued. "No one's coming in to take over. We'll still be our own city, but we won't be alone anymore. We'll have the backing of the most organized force in the Commonwealth. If raiders, super mutants, the Brotherhood, or even the Institute ever decide to come knocking, we'll have allies ready to help us."
This time, the reaction was different. People weren't just murmuring in uncertainty anymore. The idea of Diamond City standing strong, but with the Minutemen as a safety net—it was something many had never dared to hope for.
One man in the crowd, an older merchant, stepped forward. "And what's the catch?"
Danny nodded. "Good question. The catch is that we play fair. We open trade with other Minutemen-protected settlements. We keep our doors open to those who want to live here, so long as they're willing to work and contribute. We don't become an isolated island anymore—we become part of something bigger."
A woman near the front folded her arms. "And what if we don't want that?"
Danny gave her a look. "Then tell me—what's the alternative? You think we can stay the same forever? The world's changing, whether we like it or not. If we don't adapt, we'll end up just like those corrupt councilmen—desperate to hold on to something that doesn't work anymore."
Silence fell over the crowd. He had a point, and they knew it.
Sico finally stepped forward. "The Minutemen aren't here to control Diamond City," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We don't want to take over your homes or change the way you live. We want to make sure the people here are safe. That's all."
Danny nodded. "So that's the deal. We keep our independence, we keep our guards, and we get the Minutemen's support when we need it. If that's a deal you can accept, then we move forward. If not—" He took a breath. "Well, then I guess I won't be mayor for long."
A heavy silence followed.
Then, one voice spoke up. "I say we do it."
Heads turned. The speaker was a grizzled man in a patched leather coat, one of the city's hunters. "I've seen what the Minutemen can do. I saw them drive off a raider gang that had been harassing a settlement for years. We could use allies like that."
A woman stepped forward. "Better than being alone out here. If it means keeping our kids safe, I'm for it."
One by one, people started speaking up, voicing their support. Some were hesitant, others more enthusiastic, but the tide was turning.
Finally, a loud voice cut through the crowd. "So what are we waiting for? Let's get to work!"
Cheers erupted again, this time not just for Danny, but for Diamond City's future.
Danny let out a breath, shaking his head with a small chuckle. He turned to Sico. "Well, looks like you got yourself another ally."
Sico smirked. "And you just became the leader of the most important city in the Commonwealth."
Danny groaned. "Great. No pressure."
Piper clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, Mayor Sullivan. You've got good people around you. We'll figure it out."
Danny let out a deep breath, letting the weight of his new title settle in for just a moment. Then, he grinned.
"Well, hell," he said, looking around at the people of Diamond City. "If this ain't a reason to celebrate, I don't know what is."
Piper raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that, Mayor Sullivan?"
Sico crossed his arms. "You know what happens when you tell people to start celebrating, right?"
Danny chuckled. "Yeah, I do. And I say let 'em have it." He turned to the crowd, raising his arms. "Diamond City! Tonight, we celebrate! Not just 'cause I somehow ended up as mayor, but because for the first time in years, this city is free of corruption!"
A fresh wave of cheers erupted, this time fueled by genuine relief. The people of Diamond City had spent too long under the thumb of self-serving councilmen and corrupt leadership. Tonight, they could breathe with easy and taste freedom.
Danny smirked, letting the excitement build before throwing in the kicker. "And since we're celebrating…" He paused for dramatic effect, glancing at Piper and Sico, who both gave him knowing looks. "Drinks and food are on the city's tab tonight!"
The crowd went wild. People whistled, clapped, and even started hugging each other. The air buzzed with newfound energy, and for the first time in a long time, Diamond City felt alive.
Geneva, who had been standing just behind Danny, suddenly stepped up beside him. She leaned in close, lowering her voice but making sure he could hear the edge in it.
"Really?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You do realize the city doesn't have that many caps, right?"
Danny turned to her with an easygoing smirk. "Oh, I know." He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder toward the Upper Stand's. "But if you take a look inside the homes of the scumbags we locked up today, I'd bet you'll find a whole lot of caps just lying around." He shrugged. "Confiscate it. Use it for the city's tab. The people deserve it."
Geneva's mouth opened slightly, as if she wanted to argue, but then she shut it again. She studied Danny for a moment, then sighed, shaking her head. "Well… I can't say that's not poetic justice."
Danny grinned. "Now you're getting it."
With that settled, the real party began.
Vendors started handing out food, some reluctantly at first, but when word spread that it was being paid for with caps taken from the former corrupt council members, the hesitation faded. People drank, laughed, and for the first time in years, a real sense of community returned to Diamond City.
Danny wandered through the celebration, shaking hands, accepting slaps on the back, and listening to the people's thoughts. Some were excited about the Minutemen alliance, others still wary. But overall, the mood was positive.
Piper, meanwhile, had pulled out her notepad and was jotting down notes, likely preparing to write an article about the city's shift in leadership. She caught Danny's eye and smirked. "So, how's it feel, Mayor?"
Danny snorted. "Like I walked into a job I didn't apply for."
She laughed. "That's politics for ya."
As the night wore on, Danny found himself sitting at a table with Sico, Piper, and a few of the city guards who were off duty at the Dugout Inn.
Sico raised a bottle of beer. "To Diamond City. And to its new mayor—may he not screw it up."
Danny chuckled, clinking his bottle against Sico's. "No promises."
They drank, the city alive around them.
As Danny leaned back in his chair, soaking in the atmosphere of a city that—for the first time in a long time—felt free, a familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Ah! There you are, my new favorite customers!"
Vadim Bobrov, owner of the Dugout Inn, strutted over with a wide grin, balancing a tray stacked high with steaming plates of food. His ever-present energy was in full swing, his thick accent carrying over the sound of the celebration outside.
"You have done something incredible today, my friends!" Vadim declared as he plopped the plates down in front of them. "You, Danny, have freed this city from those greedy, slimy bastards. And you, Sico, you have helped make Diamond City strong again!" He gestured wildly with his hands, nearly knocking over a bottle of beer on the table. "For this, you eat! And you eat for free! You have earned it!"
Danny eyed the plates—crispy brahmin steaks, roasted mirelurk, fresh-baked bread (a rare sight in the Commonwealth), and even a few bottles of his best vodka. His stomach growled at the sight of it all. "Vadim, you sure about this?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "This is a lot of food."
Vadim scoffed, waving a hand. "Bah! What kind of host would I be if I did not feed the heroes of Diamond City?" He clapped a hand on Danny's shoulder, nearly knocking him forward. "Besides, tonight is a night for celebration! And when people celebrate, they drink! So do not worry about Vadim—business will be very good tonight!"
Piper laughed, grabbing a piece of bread. "Can't argue with that logic."
Sico nodded his thanks and dug into his steak. Sico doesn't said thanks, but the way he nodded in approval after his first bite said enough.
Danny, though, hesitated for just a moment. As much as he was enjoying the moment, he looked around at the bar—at the guards laughing over drinks, at the citizens swapping stories of what they'd do now that the corrupt council was gone. This city had been through so much. It had survived threats from raiders, super mutants, and even the Institute's shadow. But now, it was about to step into something even bigger—a future tied to the Minutemen, to rebuilding the Commonwealth.
Could he really do this? Could he really lead?
He felt a nudge at his arm.
"Hey," Piper said, her expression softer than usual. "You okay? You're staring off like you just realized you actually have to do paperwork now."
Danny snorted. "Hell, don't remind me."
"Seriously, though." She leaned in a little. "You did good today. I mean it. I know you didn't want this job, but… people trust you, Danny. That's rare around here."
He exhaled slowly, glancing around again. People did trust him. Maybe for the first time in his life, he had huge responsibility.
Danny looked at Sico, who was listening to a guard talk about a skirmish out near Lexington. The Minutemen General wasn't just a soldier—he was a leader. He had taken a broken force and turned it into something real, something people could believe in. Maybe Danny wasn't quite there yet, but he could learn.
He picked up his drink and raised it.
"Alright, listen up," he said, getting the table's attention. "To Diamond City—to a fresh start. And to figuring all this mayor crap out as we go."
Sico smirked, raising his bottle. "That's the only way to do it."
The table clinked their drinks together, and for the first time since all this started, Danny let himself relax.
The city was safe, with the future was uncertain, but at least for tonight, Diamond City had something it hadn't had in years. That is freedom from those who control them from behind the scenes, and Sico believe that the city will be more prosperous under Danny as the mayor.
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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:-