Chapter 1: A Rough Start

Authors Note: I've been a Fallout mode and decided to write a new story. I thank you all for your oc's and hope you stick around for the fun.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fallout.

I finished skinning the gecko that has been harassing our Brahmin. After I bagged it I loaded my dad's repeater before heading back inside our small house. We lived in the outskirts of New Vegas. Our house was settled on some rich soil, perfect for farming and livestock.

We sold most of our product to the kings and NCR troops, since they have their hands full with the Legionnaires. It was a perfect set up. It was just me, my mom and dad working the land and making caps. As long as we had each other and the NCR looking out for us, we had nothing to fear. I stepped onto then porch of our house.

"Hey dad, I finished off the rest of the gecko." I called out through the screen door. He stepped out in his wearing his blue shirt and black overalls, topped off with his favorite rattan cowboy hat. He walked over to me and smiled.

"Good work son." He chuckled as he rubbed his hand through my messy black hair. "Now we got free dinner and some skins to sell. We're going to make a killing at Vegas."

"Can we go to the strip afterwards?" I asked eagerly. My dad gave me a skeptical look, I guess not. "Why not?"

"Your mom will have my ass if I let you-"

His face fell. I was confused for a moment before he came out with his hunting rifle.

"Get inside and lock the door boy." He ordered. I never saw dad like this. I assumed it was a raider attack, but it was far worse.

"Legion?" I turned and saw a pack of men cladded in red. My eyes widened when I saw a man waving a flag with a symbol of a yellow bull. I was pulled back by the collar of my shirt and hauled up the porch.

"Get the fuck inside boy!" My father shouted. I was thrown inside as he slammed the door from outside. My mother walked up to me and helped me up.

"What's wrong?" She asked. I quickly ran over to the door and locked it from the inside before walking to the window. I hid behind the curtains as my dad confronted the group of legionnaires. I kept the repeater ready.

"Can I help you folks?" My dad asked. I saw his fingers tap the grip of his rifle repeatedly. A man with a wolf helmet smiled and stood up to my father. The group had a few men with machetes and knives, while some were armed with submachine guns and hunting rifles. My heart was pounding something fierce as the man stood with his hands behind his back.

"Hello, I am Atlas Reyes." My dad grips his rifle tighter. I slowly poke my rifle out and lay the barrel on the windowsill. Out of the corner of my eye I see my mom ready dad's lever action shotgun. I look back outside and see the man talking to dad some more.

"We understand that you serve the bear your cattle and offer them shelter when they pass." He said in a venomous tone.

"They pay us for the cattle and for the rooms and we sell it a cheap price." My father assured. "What we do on our land is our own business."

"Well it is no longer your land, Caesar now owns these lands."

"Since when?" My father asked.

"Since I and my brothers slewed the troops guarding your farm." He grinned as he pulled out his gladius. He swiped a red cloth down the blade. The sick bastard was threating my dad and enjoying every minute of it. "Now, we have a new proposition for you. You and your son shall give your cattle to us, then you will pledge your allegiance to the Legion."

"And my wife?" My dad snarled. My mother cocked the shotgun. The man's teeth shined as bright as his knife.

"I think we both know what is to come of her."

My dad went to point his rifle at him, but Atlas was too fast and kicked him in the center of his chest. My father landed against the door, his head made a small hole right through the bottom of the door.

I fired at my repeater and hit Atlas in his chest. He fell back as the rest of his men became alerted and drew their blades and guns. I cocked the rifle and shot a nearby grunt aiming his rifle at me. My dad quickly grabbed his rifle and fired a round into the head of a recruit.

My mom rushed over to the door and unlocked it, dad barged in and mom fired off a few shots from her shotgun. I aimed my gun out and fired at another grunt wielding a spear. He went down, but not before his spear flew through the window and grazed my cheek.

I jumped back, dropping my rifle outside and clutched my wounded cheek trying to sustain the blood. My mother ran over to me and pressed a rag against my bleeding cheek.

"Are you okay?" She screeched.

"No, I'm freaking bleeding." I grunted. I was about to stand up, but my mother quickly pushed me back down onto the floor when bullets started flying through the walls. They destroyed our furniture and family photos and before in could even look her in the eye, my mother.

Her brains flew out of her skull and she fell to the floor dead. Dad soon followed when a Molotov cocktail flew through the window and broke open on him. He was instantly engulfed in flames screaming and rolling around in pain for a minute before falling silent.

"DAD!" I screamed, crawling over to his side. I watched his face melt and his features disappear. The door was kicked open. Atlas walked in unharmed from the bullet, his armor was thicker than it looked.

"Well, it appears your father's arrogance and stubborn pride has cost him and his wife their lives." He mused. A light shined in my eyes, his machete was shining the sunlight directly into my eyes. "See where fools pride leads you."

I was enraged, so enraged that I ignored the burning sensation of my father's hot rifle in my hands. I aimed down the sights. My eyes were still blurry from the damn reflective light, but I had his head in sight. He raised his machete and I fired. I heard the sound of metal being struck followed by a loud scream as Atlas fell to the ground. His hands were clutching his left eye and his men were so busy tending to him they didn't see me slip out the back.

I ran as fast as I could, as far as I cold. Before I knew it, it was night time and I had taken refuge in an abandoned farm. When it all started to sink in my hands were stinging just from the exposure to the air and my cheek was sticky with blood. I had some caps on me. I would have to find a doctor soon.

But before that I had to do one thing, I cried.

My whole life was over, there was nothing for me. My parents were gone and I didn't even have a body to bury, or a shovel to dig a hole. My house and farm was gone as was my cattle and money. Those bastards had probably raided my house and took all my clothes and money, so I was officially broke.

I only had my hunting knife, my baseball hat and a pocket full of caps. I was alone, but my life was still ongoing. It was at that point where I had found my crossroad. I could just give up and let either the legion or fiends or any other blood thirsty monster find me, or I could keep walking.

I could just keep walking and walking until death found me, or until my feet gave away. That's when I remember I still had my locket. I pulled it from my neck and opened it. My mother and father stood side by side smiling. Even in this screwed up world, my dad never gave up, and neither would I.

I fastened my hat on my head, drew my knife with my less burned hand and walked. New Vegas was still a couple miles away and the wasteland critters love coming out at night.

(Five years later)

It was another hot one as I walked down the barren wasteland. I was heading over to Goodsprings to see if anyone needed help with well…anything really. I only had about two hundred caps on me and because of my nearsightedness I walked right into a gecko nest so my ammo was pretty scarce.

I wiped a bead of sweat from my cheek and felt the familiar scar on my cheek. It healed, but a thin line was still noticeable. My hands were another story. I kept my fingerless gloves on most of the time so I wouldn't have to see the chapped flesh, way too many bad memories.

I was broken from my thoughts when I heard gunfire from over the hills. I drew my repeater and marched up the hill and kneeled down at the top. Some NCR troops were going at it pretty hard with some Powder Gangers. Not surprised since there were only four rangers and seven gangers, who were armed with explosives no less.

There was this one trooper who was armed with a service rifle taking a couple out one by one. He almost had them, but he was having trouble with the two hiding behind the corner of a rocky slope. I could see one getting ready to light a stick of dynamite. Sparks flew from the fuse as I focused on him, took a deep breath and fired.

I struck the little bastards hand and watched as the small group freaked out before being silenced by the loud explosion. A smug grin was spread across my face as I slid down the hill. I walked over to the last remaining troop and he aimed his rifle at me.

"Whoa, settle down there chief." I warned as I held my hands up in defense. "I'm a friend."

"Sorry," He said before putting his rifle down. "We were scouting the area for Legion troops when we encountered these little bastards. Nice shot by the way."

"Yeah, don't mention it." I said, I stuck out my hand. "I'm Drake." He looked me up and down for a moment before grabbing my hand.

"Noah, Noah Bagby." He introduced. "I am a ranger for the NCR. I mostly work as an enforcer."

"I am a wanderer I work for whoever pays." I said.

"That's it?" He asked. "Seems pointless there's nothing out there but trouble."

"Well I tried the normal life, but then it was all taken from me." I retort, dragging my finger over my scar. I watched as he lit up a cigarette and shook his head.

"Sorry."

"Besides, hiding out in one place and making me a target and holding up in a large building isn't what I call safe." I can see he is starting to get pissed. "Especially since I hear that the Legion is planning on taking the dam."

"It's better than being alone with no place to call home." I narrowed my eyes at him as he loaded a clip into his rifle before walking over to me. "Thanks for the help, but I have to get back to the dam." He stomped off before I stopped him. Something didn't seem right.

"Wait, why the hell are you all the way out here?" I asked. "The damn is about a two day walk back from here. The only things out here are the Powder Gangers and Great Kahns."

"Yes, but we have information that either faction might be allying with the Legion." Noah stated. "We need to be prepared."

"Whatever you say chief, it's been a privilege." I turned to take my leave, before coming face to face with a horde of Legionnaires. The leader who was wearing a fox hat stood before Noah and me.

"Leaving so soon, but we just got to know you."

I was soon struck in the back of my head and everything went black.

'Hey…'

A voice echoed around me.

'Hey…'

I tried to open my eyes, but they felt so heavy. I heard noises of rock and gravel being stomped on before being kicked in the waist.

I look up and the first thing that I noticed was it was night time. I was no longer in that canyon, but now in a small hallow area. Torches lit the place up as a few legion guards were harassing Noah, who was now covered in blood and had a nasty black eye.

I tried to go help the poor bastard, but soon found myself restrained by a set of ropes. The man above me chuckled.

"You should have just let that mongrel die." The man sneered. "But you petty wanderers can never just mind your own business. Hell, you will do anything for a simple cap wouldn't you, your greed knows no bounds."

"Yeah, just like you and your fucking wrath!" I snapped. That earned me a back hand across the face.

"Soon, you and all you petty vermin will feel the wrath of Caesar and soon you will be saved from you misguided views." He turned to Noah. "And you, you shall feel the heat of the burning sun as we put you to the cross at the crack of dawn."

After spitting on him he and a few of his men left us, leaving two men to guard us. Their backs were turned and they were far enough for us to whisper to one another.

"Are you still breathing?" I asked.

"What do you care?" He spat out blood, not even glancing at me. "If you hadn't gotten me so wound up, I wouldn't have been distracted and taken hostage by these Legion bastards."

"Yeah, instead your remains would be nibbled on by the wasteland critters." I snapped back. "Now look, we may not like each other, but I guarantee neither one of us likes these legion fucks." He let out a heavy sigh and nodded his head.

"You have a plan?"

I looked around at our surroundings and they were not good. Our hands were tied with rope around and fastened to a post. Our weapons were gone along with most of our clothes. I kicked around and felt my razor rub up against my ankle. Those dumb bastards must have forgotten to check my entire person. If I could just reach the damn thing we might have a chance of escaping.

"Psst, hey up here."

I looked up at the edge of the upper wall of the small ditch we were held in and saw a man in his mid-thirties like Noah. His blonde hair shined from the torches and I could make out his grey eyes.

"You guys need a hand?" He asked.

"Michael?" Noah asked. The man gave Noah a puzzled look before looking surprised.

"Noah, holy shit." He whispered as he quietly hopped down. "I ain't seen you since Bitter Springs. How the hell are you?"

"Are you seriously asking that question?" Noah asked rhetorically.

"Right, sorry." He said. "You guys have a knife or something?"

"My left ankle."

He quickly crouched down at my feet and removed the razor from my sock. He flicked the blade out and cut through my binds and did the same for Noah. The three of us stayed low to the ground.

"How the hell did you end up here?" Noah asks.

"Later, for now we take out these little bastards and get the hell out of dodge." Michael said as he handed me back my razor and grabbed a large rock.

We slowly and quietly moved over to the two guards. I looked over at Michael and he mouthed the count down.

'Three…two…one…go.'

I reached around the guard's neck and swiftly slit his throat while Michael bashed the others head in with the rock. They only thing they were armed with were machetes and they were the recruit blades.

"Okay, if we're gonna do this we need to be quick and quiet." Michael said. He looked over at me. "What's your name?"

"Drake." I said.

"Nice to meet you." He said. "Okay, we are at the Fort, the Legion's stronghold. I've been here for a couple of days now and I know where the exit is in this place. We just have to go straight through the camp, stick to the shadows and will be fine."

"Easier said than done." Noah said. I handed him a machete while Michael peeked around the corner.

"Don't worry about it. Caesar is giving a bullshit speech at his tent, so there are only a few guards." He reassured us. "Just follow me and do what I say and we'll get out of this. Now, let's go."

We stayed as low to the ground as we could. Michael was right half of the troops were up at Caesar's tent listening to his rants, so the security isn't so tight. We made our way down a small hill and around what looked like an arena.

We were about to make our way out the second wall of this hell hole when we suddenly heard snickering and laughing. We crept around the corner to see a couple of young Legionaries throwing rotten vegetables at a big guy chained to a post with a bag over his head.

"I can't wait to stick this dumb bastard to the cross." The young one snickered as he threw a tomato at the captives head.

"Keep it up you little bastards, you better hope I don't get out or I'll bash your brains in like I did your stupid fucking friends." The man chuckled. My two new found companions were about to leave, but I grabbed Michael's arm.

"We can't leave him." I stated. He gave me a look.

"What the hell are you talking about?" He snaps. "We can slip by without them noticing and we don't even know this guys, he could be a fiend or a raider for all we know."

"Did you hear what they said; this guy kills Legion for fun." I stated. "We could use him to get out."

"Ugh, if we get caught I'll kill you first." Noah grunted. I nodded and we slowly made our way around the arena and behind the recruits.

Noah and I slowly crept behind them and cut their throats. Michael ran over to the captive and pulled off his hood to reveal his messy red hair. He looked at Michael confused for a moment before looking at the dead recruits.

"Huh, they always say recruits don't last a day with the legion." He chuckled. "I don't know you guys, but I owe you one."

"Great we're trying to leave as of now." I explained as Michael cut his restraints.

"Okay, but I am not leaving until I help that girl in the tent over there." He pointed at a small tent over at the top of the hill. Noah let out another grunt.

"Relax, we still have time." I stated. "We need to be quick."

"Don't worry." He said as he picked up a large rock. "This will be fast."

He rushed up the hill and we soon followed him. Before we could come up with a plan he rushed inside. We heard the sounds of struggling before it was drowned out by the sounds of sick cracking.

I looked inside and almost vomited when I saw the man standing over the broken bloodied carcass of a Legion officer. I looked over at the girl who was stripped down to her bra and panties, tears were streaming down her eyes as I walked over to her.

"I rocked his freaking world." He chuckled. I think he was expecting us to laugh, but we didn't pay any attention. I was focused on the girl.

"Are you okay?" I asked. She didn't respond so I had to shake her a little. "Hey, are you okay?"

She looks over at me and nods her head. I slowly help her up to her feet and the man from before comes over with her bag.

"T-That's my satchel." She muttered. "They took my equipment over to their stockpile."

"Do you have any weapons?" I asked.

She reached inside and pulled out a .357 revolver and a couple of grenades. She pointed over at the corner and my eyes widened when I saw a hunting rifle.

"It isn't much, it's just stuff I found and was hoping to sell." She said. I checked the gun and there were only three bullets inside. Michael was examining the rifle as well. It had a full clip, but no additional ammo.

"Well it's better than what we had before." Noah said. "You still any good with that rifle Mike?"

"Like you even have to ask." He chuckled. The red head took the grenades.

"I can handle the explosives." The man said.

I covered her with a blanket and she draped a blanket over herself and grabbed a knife.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"S-Skye Raven." She said.

"I'm Zachary Zana." The red head introduced. "Now let's get the hell out of here."

"Yeah, I'm with this guy." Noah agreed.

We slowly slipped out of the tent and down the hill towards the exit. Two guards were standing in front of the entrance until Noah and Zachary took them down silently. We still had a ways to go from the main compound though.

"Okay, we go down this slope and sneak past those tents and we can steal that boat and get the hell out of here." Michael explained.

"Sounds like a great plan." A familiar voice said from behind us. I turned and saw the same man who knocked me unconscious, followed by a few legion troops. He pointed a 9mm at Michael's head. "Drop you weapons."

I tapped Michael's waist and his eye glanced down at my revolver. He nodded in understanding and dropped to his knees. The man smiled in satisfaction. The smile soon faded when Michael bent down and I quick draw my gun. The tree troops went down and Michael fired his rifle at a few remaining troops.

Zachary threw a grenade towards a small group of troops coming towards us. They were knocked back and crippled by the explosion and we ran like hell, but were soon cut off by another group of legion.

"This way." Skye shouted. We all followed her to the edge of a cliff puzzled as to why she had led us there. "Jump!"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I shouted.

She jumped off the cliff and into the water, with no other options Zachary jumped after throwing his last grenade and so did the rest of us. The wind was knocked out of me when I smacked into the water and the swirling around was making me worse. It wasn't long before I lost consciousness.