Forward
After I completed FNV for the final time, completing every possible ending, I began to consider Caesar's state of affairs. Caesar left Flagstaff for twenty seven years, ruling the Legion from Fortification Hill. During that time, what was happening in the fledgling empire he left behind. And after he died, what became of it?
Finally I sat down and cobbled together a simple idea, which then grew into a grand one. Here we will follow the adventures of a Legionnaire of New Rome, ruled by the new Caesar, Augustus. I won't spoil what is to come, but the Legion has come a long way from the Nomadic tribe of warriors it used to be…
During the story, you will see various * marks. This signifies that it is a part of the story I feel requires more explanation, and if you go down to the bottom of the page, you will see a section called "Authors Notes" where I will indeed explain things.
Prologue
The Courier arrived from the west in the early hours of the morning. It had taken him a month to escape the NCR Ranger squads tasked with hunting fleeing Legionaries, and executing them. Finally, he arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Capital of the Legion...
Or at least, it was.
He approached the west gate, and called for the guards to open the gate. The gates lowered, the creak of the wenches unusually loud in the silence of the night. It landed on the ground with a dull thunk, and the Courier hurried inside. He was met by the Duty Centurion in charge of the gate, who held out his hand for the message the Courier carried. It was one of Caesar's usual scrolls, bearing his sigil of the Bull. Now relived of his burden, the Courier leaned against the wall and sank to the ground, his face in his hands.
The Centurion stared curiously at the Courier, before shrugging and turning to headquarters. While Caesar was away from Flagstaff, a Legate was in command of the Legions eastern forces and charged with policing the area of raiders and dissidents. The Centurion considered him a good man, unlike Legate Lanius in the west. Legate Augustus cared for his soldiers, and did not needlessly throw them into death. When Augustus ordered his Legion into battle, they went with the knowledge that they would come out alive. That confidence alone made a major impact in battle.
As he walked through the streets of Flagstaff, he watched the men of the Legion walk about. Each one of them was nearly a slave, but none of them cared about that. For Caesar, they would lay down their lives. Because Caesar was the Son of Mars, the one who would reshape the world as Mars saw fit.
The Centurion arrived at the Legates Headquarters, a Pre-War building called a Library. The Legate had moved his office here two years ago, and had amused himself reading the histories of past military victories from the Pre-War era. He pushed open the door, and walked up to the central desk. It was circular, and sat four Legion couriers. When they weren't delivering messages across Legion Territory, they acted as the Legate's Scribes, delivering messages across the camps, and organizing Troops and Supplies to be sent to Legion garrisons.
One of the Couriers looked up as the door opened, and greeted the Centurion.
"Is the Legate in his office?" The Centurion asked, holding up the sealed Scroll.
"Yes Centurion, he's just reading on of his books." The Courier replied, returning to his paperwork. "You can go in, Caesar's Scrolls get priority."
The Centurion thanked the Courier and moved past the central desk towards the back of the Library. He knocked on the door and waited for the Legate to finish his page, as he usually did before answering the door. This time however, it took several minutes before the Legates voice was heard.
The Centurion opened the door quietly, and stood at attention in front of the Legate. The Legate finally turned the last page of his book and looked up at the Centurion.
"Oh, hello Decimus. Come with another watch log for me to look over?"*
"No sir, we have received a message from Fortification Hill. Caesar has sent word to us."
"Well then, please read me the words of our Dear Caesar."
The Centurion paused for a moment as he heard the sarcasm in the Legates voice. That wasn't normal, as the Legate usually laid much praise on Caesar. However, he did not wish to anger his Legate, so he broke the seal on the scroll and began to read aloud.
"These are the words of Lucius, Head of the Praetorian Guard of Caesar. The second battle of Hoover Dam has begun and ended. Caesar has fallen. Lanius has fallen. I will soon follow them. Mars has forsaken the Legion this day, and I find myself in command of the last remnants of the Legionaries. As I write these words, the NCR forces are attempting to breach the gates of Fortification Hill, and soon they will succeed. Before I lead the last of my men into battle, I name Legate Augustus the new Caesar, as is my right as Caesar's heir.
Farewell Legion."
The Centurion stared at the scroll again, rereading the words to make sure he had seen them correctly. The Legate stared at the Centurion, his face blank. Finally, he closed his book and set it on the desk. The Centurion looked at it, trying to make out the words on the spine. Finally, he deciphered what it said and mumbled,
"The History of the Roman Empire…"
The Legate stood, and made for the door.
"Come, Centurion," He said in a grave tone, "There is much work to be done…"
(*Authors note: Legion Watch logs recorded the comings and goings of merchants, to check whether they were getting to other settlements, or being raided by bandits. Legionaries were then sent out to deal with said bandits.)
