Fallout:
Overthrow
Chapter One:
As Time Passes
Two years ago, a courier rose from the grave and changed the Mojave Wasteland in Nevada. Though she crippled armed forces, the courier was fair and kind-hearted. Through the unforgiving wasteland, she gave people hope by lending a helping hand to whoever she could. She changed lives of many through the Mojave and gave such sadden hearts hope that life can be worth living. The courier, however, made a chilling mistake. Her being naive to the deceitful people of the Mojave caused a drastic change to the New California Republic. She left the Mojave Wasteland, hoping to find a way to change the ruling of New Vegas and help the NCR regain their finances and build their army again.
Though the NCR suffered a serious blow from a heavy mistake, the NCR found the courier innocent of her misfortune with the help of a First Recon soldier. The President of the NCR, Aaron Kimball, removed the courier from their enemy list and hoped to find her since she was the only person that was ever seen entering the Lucky 38 for over two hundred years. The NCR pushed their forces into Utah and Arizona in hopes of recruiting. In Arizona, the NCR came across an independent army that originated in what was known as Luke Air Force Base. They called themselves the Arizona Rangers and were great in numbers. The Arizona Rangers protected the cities of Glendale, Scottsdale and Phoenix. The AR's had even taken control of Flagstaff, which used to be a home to the late Caesar and his torturous Legion army. The AR army had proven themselves to be a great asset to the NCR; however they had not agreed to join forces with the NCR yet but they let the troopers into their land and base.
Two years from climbing the ladder of the NCR, the friend of the courier, a First Recon soldier made his way through the ranks and took the place of the late General Lee Oliver. The NCR troopers respected him greatly for all he has been through in the unfortunate events that happened long ago now in Bitter Springs. President Kimball appreciated the new General much more than that. The former First Recon soldier, not only helped the courier prevent the President's assassination but he also proved to the NCR that the courier was not to blame. The new General assisted President Kimball with many issues that were presented to the NCR; went on missions with his old unit and in his spare time he desperately looked for the courier.
After months of the fall of Caesar, the Legion appointed a new Son of Mars. The new ruler of The Legion was widely known among the warriors for his barbaric battles in the arena that was once held in Flagstaff. The second Legate to Caesar, Lanius, watched over the warrior as though he was a son. Crixus was the name that Lanius had given him a week before he died at the hands of the courier. Crixus was not at the war of the Hoover Dam. He had gone to California to spread word among other Legion that Caesar passed. The Legion, burning with a vision of ancient Romans, rebuilt their empire in the ruins of Tucson, Arizona which was not very far from Luke Air Force Base. There, Crixus was crowned the new Son of Mars and he also taken a Legate named Ilithyia. A woman, who was not treated as a slave but born into The Legion, she was older than the courier that was also born into the Legion. It was rumored that Ilithyia was the daughter to Lanius but there was no proof of such. The Legion only remembered Ilithyia as the woman who greatly envied Sin through cause that everyone had known that Sin was birthed from blood of the first Legate to Caesar, Malpais. Crixus vowed to his Legion that not only would they take New Vegas, but they would take the traitor of the Legion and hang her from the Lucky 38.
During the two years, General Craig Boone had several reporting's of Jacqueline Graham seen around the Wasteland in Mojave and the Sonora Wasteland. It was almost impossible to find her. The First Recon unit investigated areas where there had been sightings but the only thing that was ever found were Legion slavers and empty shells. There were no tracks, no leads, no anything. There had been times when the First Recon unit has found bodies that were not of Legion. It was orders to let General Boone inspect the face of the fallen before burying. None of the dead ever appeared to be Jacqueline. Though the AR had not yet agreed with joining forces with the NCR, they had sent help along with NCR squads. One of them accompanied General Boone's squad. A young man, who dressed in wasteland clothing while he was with the First Recon squad; he also wore a scarf around his neck with the colors of the Arizona flag. Since the young AR had joined their squad, he had actually found tracks of Jacqueline. Unfortunately there were only five or six foot prints and no real direction so far. Though the AR was present at nearly every First Recon scouting, he had shown General Boone that his aim was less than perfect. General Boone accepted the young AR as an apprentice.
The young AR stepped into General Boone's tent. "General."
Boone sighed with annoyance. "Damn it, Grover…" He glared at Grover while setting down his papers. "What?"
Grover knew the glare from his General very well. It was the same glare he had always gotten every time he had missed a target. "We got another shipment in from the AR. Fresh water and food. I signed for it."
Boone stared at him.
Grover started to feel nervous. "And… that's it."
"Get out!" yelled Boone.
Grover held up his hands real quick. "Wait! The shipment contained papers of the courier too." Grover reached behind him, taking a folder out of his bag. "I think we should probably go check Good Springs."
Boone stood, "Good Springs?" He held his hand out for the folders. Grover leaned and handed him the folders. General Boone could remember the last time he was in Good Springs. He had carried Jacqueline there after a deathclaw attack in Sloan. The blood that was on her back was still as clear as day to him. He could almost remember every word that was said in Good Springs.
"Yes sir," said Grover. He folded his arms across his chest. "Maybe we should check it out... From my understanding-"
"I know why," Boone interrupted.
Grover was cautious of saying anything further to his commander. Boone flipped through the folder, looking over the papers. He leaned back in his chair while taking out a small can of snuff. Boone glanced up and still saw Grover standing over his table.
"Why are you still here?" Boone opened the small can.
Grover flinched from his General's bark. "Uh, I'm sorry, sir." The AR walked out of the tent.
Boone wondered if a majority of the AR were as apathetic as Grover; though he knew that Grover probably meant well. Boone slipped a pinch of snuff in his mouth as he browse through the latest news of the courier. A few names he recognized from Good Springs. Sunny Smiles, Trudy, Doctor Mitchell. Out of two years, Boone never thought of checking Good Springs. According to documents recorded by NCR Troopers, there used to be a securitron in Good Springs but as time went on the securitron made a disappearance shortly after the surrender to Mr. House. The documents also contained failed findings of Jacqueline Graham and it also included pictures of the people that were supposedly Jacqueline. Each picture Boone had looked it brought back memories of how convivial he felt; only to find out that each person that he inspected were false. Not to mention the times where he had to check out faces of the dead to make sure none were his friend. For the first few months that really bothered him.
Boone spat into an empty bottle. There was no telling how close they were to finding the courier. President Kimball radioed into General Boone very often to check, discuss arrangements of the AR and to go over finances that the NCR may face in future. On the last page of the documents was a text page of the radio transmission that Mr. House aired every day on the New Vegas radio. Mr. House was also desperately looking for Jacqueline Graham. Thinking about it more and more, how close was the Legion in finding Jacqueline? Boone shivered at the thought of it.
Later in the day, General Boone told a soldier in his squad to keep eye over the tents while he went to Good Springs. Grover followed. Boone didn't mind the company and Grover loved to talk. Grover was probably four years younger than Boone; the General just never thought to ask him. Nor did he ever think to ask if Grover had any family. That was never a concern at the moment for Boone. Grover was a lean young man, his black hair was always kept tightly back in a short tail and it always looked like he needed a shave. The AR presented Grover to the NCR when they had found out that they were trying to track someone. Grover was the best at tracking people and animals. In this case, Boone found fault. There was always fault. It just wasn't fast or good enough for him. Though Grover thought that General Boone was a cold man he always tried to remind himself that there was a lot on Boone's plate. The AR tracker also remembered how appreciative he was with Boone showing him how to aim properly with a rifle. Grover thanked him every time General Boone shown him something.
Grover's mouth twisted in disgust when he heard Boone spit again. Chewing tobacco, that was always a nasty habit to Grover. How gross. He thought. It was probably better than whiskey like he had seen in Boone's tent before; empty bottles, of course.
"Have you been to Good Springs before?" asked Grover.
"Once," was the only reply he had gotten from General Boone.
Grover began chattering away again. Boone didn't know what the hell he was going on about. He didn't know what to find in Good Springs. Good news. Anything would be so much helpful to him. The last Boone remembered of Good Springs were the people. They all seemed to admire Jacqueline. The reports reminded him of Victor; the securitron that discovered Jacqueline out of that shallow grave. Boone wondered if Mr. House sent Victor back into Good Springs, for what? He couldn't think of a reason why Mr. House would do that; maybe to mock the town but even the General thought that was low of Mr. House. Boone heard something drop on the ground. He quickly looked back but Grover was already picking up the holotape off the ground.
Grover held out the tape to him, "Slipped out."
Boone took the tape. He looked at it while rubbing the dirt off the tape with his thumb. "Thanks."
Grover walked beside Boone, "What's on that tape anyway?" he asked curiously. "I always see you listening to it." Grover could see that the tape had sentimental value to General Boone.
Boone inhaled deeply and finally slipped the tape back in his pocket, "Words of a friend."
Grover almost didn't let Boone finish his sentence, "Last words?" Here it comes. Like a child trying to find out what they're getting for their birthday. "Who is it? A woman? What does she look like?" Grover paused then with excitement he said; "Jacqueline?"
Boone rolled his eyes. "Mind your tongue," he spat, "if you're that concerned; yes, it is Jacqueline on this tape."
"I knew it!" Grover began asking so many questions now. Boone didn't have time to answer any of them; Grover instead answered most of his own questions. For some reason Grover reminded Boone a lot of Jacqueline; she loved talking too, maybe not as much as Grover. Boone felt so confused about everything. He remembered two years ago how much he wanted everything to end for him. And then he met Jacqueline; a wounded wastelander who cared and nearly changed everyone. Boone never forgot about Carla; though he tried to push the memory out of his mind, he had somewhat let the feeling go when Jacqueline showed him that bad things don't happen to people all the time. The holotape helped Boone get through his toughest memories late at night.
The people of Good Springs hadn't changed. There were always the regulars coming into the Prospector Saloon; Sunny Smiles, Easy Pete, and even that cheap ass Chet who always tried to get a free drink out of Trudy. Sunny Smiles still guarded the town from Geckos but Trudy always thought that Sunny would take off with caravan merchant, Ringo. Ringo occasionally visited Good Springs but everyone knew that he was only coming to see Sunny Smiles. The town didn't give Sunny a hard time about Ringo, they always hoped that she would stay and help which she has so far. Cheyenne barked happily at Sunny Smiles as she punched in a number to a song. The Prospector Saloon no longer cared to hear the New Vegas radio. They certainly did miss that courier.
Ringo was visiting from Utah. He and Sunny sat closely together at the bar, "All quiet around here tonight, huh Trudy?"
Trudy smirked at Ringo, "I'd rather have it that way then that silliness that happened here a couple of years ago."
Sunny Smiles laughed, "At least we're all alright now. None of them powder gangers come to bother us since that happened."
After a laugh, the bar went silent. Trudy wiped down a shot glass and put it on the counter behind her. All of them knew what the silence was for. The sun was just going down and a couple of years ago they had gotten word of a person buried alive in their graveyard. The silence always happened around this time of night. Trudy looked up at the windows outside and saw two shadows pass by.
"Looks like we have some company coming around tonight," Trudy didn't sound excited.
"Try to be a little nicer to strangers, Trudy," Ringo grinned while pulling Sunny closer to him.
The door opened and closed. Around the corner came the AR first and then his General. Trudy stared at the General for a moment as the two both took a seat in their bar. Sunny Smiles glanced over her shoulder at the booth they were sitting in; she looked back at Trudy and shrugged at her. Trudy walked from behind the counter and slowly over to the booth.
"A bit far from home, ain't you boys?" asked Trudy. She gently placed a hand on Boone's uniform, dusting it off a little, "Especially you, an honor to have you in my saloon, General."
Boone looked up to Trudy, "Oh ma'am." He stood before speaking with her, "You don't recognize me?"
Sunny Smiles and Ringo were both turned around now. Having the General so close to them was a bit intimidating. Sunny Smiles gawked at Boone; she stood and whispered into Trudy's ear from behind her. Boone could see Trudy's expression change to happiness.
"Well now I do!" She sat down beside Grover. "You came a long way. I remember you carrying that little bit here from Sloan one day."
It was almost like a reunion in the Prospector Saloon. Trudy, Sunny Smiles and Ringo sat at the booth with Grover and Boone. Trudy asked a lot of questions about New Vegas and Jacqueline. Boone kindly answered the entire query and clarified what really happened at the Hoover Dam to clear up any rumors that Good Springs had about Jacqueline. The folks of Good Springs didn't pass judgment too far on Jacqueline; they knew that something was wrong when it was announced that the NCR surrendered the dam to Mr. House. Trudy also mentioned that after the battle of Hoover Dam was over that Jacqueline dropped in quite often with gifts for the town but they had not seen the courier for quite some time now. Boone sighed heavily at hearing that from Trudy and Sunny Smiles confirming it.
"General Boone," Grover interrupted the conversation. "What about the securitron that was here?"
"That thing. Victor?" Trudy had a true disgust for that securitron since she had known it to be in Good Springs. "Honey, when Jacqueline came back, she saw the securitron and basically tore it apart."
Sunny Smiles nodded, "Yeah. That's right," she agreed. "When Jacqueline came back to town she had an odd hitch in her step. She treated us just fine though… Victor on the other hand, well, let's just says that she didn't take too kindly to it."
Boone never saw Jacqueline as a person willing to start fights. She must've suffered such guilt over the Hoover Dam and to tear apart one of Mr. House's securitrons just seemed very unlike her. It was two years ago though, surely she had calmed down since then. Still, it was something that Boone really didn't care to hear. He hoped that she had not lost any kind of touch with herself after the war between NCR and Legion. Grover could see that Boone was uncomfortable about that answer.
"Where did Benny try to bury her at?" asked Grover.
Trudy walked over to her bar, "At the Good Springs cemetery here," she came back around with a lit lantern, "There's a water tower right on top of it."
Boone thanked Trudy for the lantern, Grover and he walked out of the bar to explore the Good Springs cemetery. Sunny Smiles came with them to help find the path up to the graveyard. The walk up the hill wasn't much trouble, the only thing they had encountered were coyotes that only growled and never attacked them. The cemetery looked as though no one had touched. Boone remembered coming up here a couple of years, he also remembered seeing the hole that Jacqueline was buried in. The hole was covered up now and it even had a few stones around it, as if someone or something were actually buried there. Boone was uncomfortable looking at it.
Sunny Smiles stood beside Grover, looking at the grave, "Huh… Kinda morbid, isn't it?" She wasn't expecting a response, "Jacqueline came up here and covered the hole up. It seems like she put something in that there grave, but I can't remember now."
With that said, Boone didn't hesitate to start digging up the grave. Grover thought that the General was losing himself for a moment. He remembered seeing General Boone flying off the handle at little things, but that was so long ago. Boone calmed down so much since then. The stress had to have gotten to him tonight. Grover kneeled down beside Boone and helped him take out some of the dirt. Sunny Smiles crouched down beside them but quickly jumped back up to her feet when Boone took a head out of the grave.
"Oh, my word…" Sunny Smiles covered her mouth and nose with her palm.
Grover soon pulled out crimson colored cloth. Boone dropped the head back in the dirt; he glanced over to Grover as he was unraveling the cloth. Empty shells poured into Grover's hand. Boone took the cloth from Grover and one of the shells that had fallen on to the ground beside Grover. Boone stared at the cloth for a moment and ran his hand over it. There was something on it; he scrubbed harder to identify what exactly was there.
"That looks like a Legion symbol on it," said Sunny Smiles.
Boone gripped the cloth, "It is… It's a Legion scarf."
Grover looked at the head in the grave, "You think that's a Legion head in there?"
Boone nodded at the question. He stood and threw the scarf back into the grave. Sunny Smiles held the lantern to Boone as he began looking over the shell.
"I don't know what any of this means," Boone whispered.
Grover picked up the head from the grave, "General…" Grover set the head back into the grave. "This is a fresh kill."
Boone stood quickly as he took the rifle off his back. He scanned the area with his scope and began mumbling to himself, Grover couldn't make out the words clearly yet. It must have been a nervous tick that Boone developed over time. Through his scope, Boone could see Legion bodies lying on the ground, one was still moving. Without a word, Boone slid down the side of the hill. Sunny and Grover followed him the best they could. Boone could hear Grover calling his name but he didn't bother to look back. As they came on to the road, there used to be a small Legion party traveling through here. It had to have happened when Boone and Grover just got into the bar.
Damn it, thought Boone. The pain filled groans of the Legionnaire caught the General's attention. Boone stomped over to him and used his rifle to turn the Legionnaire on to his back. Only flesh wounds, Boone figured as he looked over the struggling man. The blood pouring from the legion's leg told Boone that there was still a bullet inside of him. Perfect, someone to get answers from. When Grover reached his general, Boone immediately ordered him to help carry the Legionnaire back to Doctor Mitchell's home. Sunny Smiles turned back around to wake Doctor Mitchell and to help him spread out his tools for operating; though Grover knew before anything was to be taken out of the Legionnaire, General Boone would do anything to get answers from someone in the legion. He's seen that happen to Legion before.
Carrying the Legionnaire back to Good Springs from the road was amusing to Boone and Grover. The man kept swearing and calling for help but the Legion party that he had been traveling with were either all dead or had taken off with injures. The second choice, Boone couldn't imagine the courier letting a Legionnaire go which made him wonder how this one managed to deceit Jacqueline. When Sunny Smiles had woken Doctor Mitchell she ran out of his home and to the bar. To learn that the Legion were so close to Good Springs shocked Trudy and Ringo, she hoped that it would be the only time that Legion would ever be this close to their small home in the Mojave. Outside, the people in the Prospector Saloon could hear the screaming Legion getting carried through town. Trudy stepped outside just catching a glimpse of Grover passing by the porch of the saloon. Trudy, Sunny Smiles and Ringo decided to follow them up to Doctor Mitchell's home. Doctor Mitchell remembered seeing General Boone two years ago with Jacqueline; he greeted him as they came in. Grover and Boone roughly dropped the Legionnaire on to the operating table.
"Doc Mitchell," Boone held his hand out to him, "Nice to see you again."
"Likewise, friend," he responded while taking General Boone's hand and shaking, "Sorry to hear about the disappearance of your friend. Hope you find her soon."
The Legionnaire was still screaming loudly as they exchanged words. Grover was restraining him on to the table and eventually tying his legs and arms down with the help of Sunny Smiles and Ringo. After being tied down the Legionnaire slowly calmed down, Grover pointed Sunny Smiles and Ringo to the door.
"The General isn't too kind about surviving Legion," said Grover, "You may want to step out of the door when he comes in." Grover heard General Boone call his name; he went into the other room with Doctor Mitchell and Boone.
"The doctor has a HAM radio," said Boone, "Get on it and call our guards. I want them to patrol this area."
"Yes sir." Grover walked over to Doctor Mitchell's desk and began calling into their First Recon unit. Over hearing Boone request this made Trudy feel at ease. Sunny Smiles and Ringo made their way back to the entrance of the home to the doctor where Trudy was standing. After a moment, General Boone walked out towards them, holding a hand out in defense to the women.
"Ladies, I'm gonna have to ask you to return to the saloon," he said. Though they looked offended he soon spoke again, "I wouldn't want any of you to hear anything this Legion has to say. Ringo, please stay here with us."
Ringo stepped into the home, Trudy and Sunny Smiles stepped further back on to the porch as General Boone closed the door. The Legionnaire stared at the ceiling, he wasn't sure what to expect and he still was not clear if that was the General of the NCR or not. He had distinguished the colors that were wrapped around Grover's neck, an AR, the Legionnaire remembered dealing and escaping from them in the past; though it didn't seem to him that he would be able to get away this time. The Son of Mars, Crixus, said to his Legion that any spilling of information would result in a crucifixion but at this point it looked like he was possibly facing torture then death afterwards anyway. The Legionnaire could hear mumbling in the other room, when the talking had stopped he began to feel nervous. Outside, Trudy and Sunny Smiles were just about to make their way back to the Prospector Saloon and then they noticed lights off in the distance. Sunny Smiles reached for a small pair of binoculars in her pocket and took a closer peek at the lights. The NCR First Recon was already on their way to Good Springs.
In the ruins of Tucson the surviving Legion were just coming into their fort. The Legate to Crixus, a small woman with brown wavy hair, a goddess among the field of men, Ilithyia just happened to be passing by, she noticed the Legionnaires carrying a woman in their arms. The woman was tied up and a bag was tied around her head. Ilithyia knew exactly who it was, she grinned wickedly at the thought of what Crixus would order his Legion to do to that foul being, Sin. She hurried towards the home of Crixus to tell him about Sin finally being at their fort. As the Legion came further into the town, the men turned and cheered seeing that Sin was finally captured. All this time of one woman attacking their raiding parties countless times were brought to an end. They couldn't wait to see that traitor hanged or something deliciously worse.
"Sir Crixus," Ilithyia came into Crixus' tent. A muscular man with numerous scars all across his body turned to Ilithyia. Even though she was the Legate to Crixus she still found the Son of Mars incredibly intimidating, "The party is back," Crixus knew it was good news. "They have that awful woman."
"About fucking time," Crixus curled his large hand into a fist; he could feel the victory pulsing through his veins, "Ready everything now. I want a ceremony right now." He roughly ordered to Ilithyia. The Legate hurried out of Crixus' tent and he could hear her announcing the capture of Sin. The Legion's cheer was so loud, Crixus smiled at the pleasing from them. Next, Ilithyia ordered everything to be placed for the execution of Sin.
It was not an hour later that everything started going, crimson warriors everywhere surrounding a bonfire in the center of their new fort. Two Legion warriors were holding on to and holding up Sin. The bag was still tied tightly over her head; they had no trouble with her struggling she had stopped resisting a long time ago anyway. Ilithyia came first out Crixus' tent and then came the Son of Mars. The Legion cheered at his appearance. He looked like one of the ancient gladiators that were dressed in armor of the enemies that he had faced in the arena long ago. Crixus raised his arms loving the attention he was getting from his army. Ilithyia had taken her seat next to Crixus' bone and leather throne a striking resemblance to Caesar's throne.
After the Legion warriors calmed, Crixus then spoke; "Tonight is a glorious night for us all!" His voice boomed through everyone. Ilithyia smiled deviously. "A disgrace to her father, a traitor to us all has finally been brought to us!" His arm extended to the Legion holding Sin up, "Sin Jacqueline Graham. Your execution will consist of what your dog father fell to. You will be burned alive." Crixus enjoyed saying this, "Bring her to me."
The Legion warriors dragged Sin over to Crixus. As they neared, Crixus grabbed Sin by her throat, forcing the warriors to release Sin. A reaction was finally released from the captive; she was gripping at Crixus' large arms while gasping for air. Crixus gripped tighter and placed a hand on top of the bag covering her face, he could feel the wetness of tears on the bag.
"Let's get a look at this foul coward before she dies." Crixus scowled. He ripped the bag off her face. Ilithyia placed her hands over her mouth and glanced at the warriors. The woman Crixus was holding in his large hands was not Sin at all but only a mere black haired woman walking the wasteland. Crixus stared at the woman for a moment and then glared at the soldiers that had brought the mistake into their fort. "This…" He dropped the woman; she was choking and gasping for air, "This is the wrong woman…" The camp was silent. Crixus stormed over to the two Legion, they were both shaking in fear.
"Why do I have the wrong person?" Crixus spoke through gritted teeth. "Can you not tell a difference between red and black?"
One of the Legions that held Sin smattered in attempt to speak. Crixus grabbed the man's throat and tossed him in the roaring bonfire. That was one thing that Ilithyia knew that Crixus always hated; he hated seeing and hearing fear in this crimson warriors. The screams echoed through the camp and they soon had stopped; the remaining Legionnaire shivered at the thought of what may happen to him. The black haired woman stayed curled up tightly on the ground, praying that the Son of Mars would not turn his attention to her.
Crixus shook his head at the remaining one, "Crucify him." He turned back to his tent and stopped, "But let this be a lesson to you all. If you act stupid within my fortress, make me look like a fool… You will hang next to the traitor." He disappeared behind the curtain of his tent. Ilithyia quickly followed him into the tent. Crixus was sitting on this throne, leaning forward and a palm covering over his eyes. The Legate walked silently over to Crixus and placed a soft hand on his warm shoulder. Crixus acknowledged the hand and shrugged it off; embarrassment was the feeling that Ilithyia was getting from Crixus.
"My lord," Ilithyia kneeled down to him, resting her forearms on the top of his knee, "What of the captive?"
Crixus quickly stood making Ilithyia fall on to her rear; she could see his tongue rolling on the side of his mouth. He threw his arms out in frustration, "Take her and throw her into the Phoenix territory line." Crixus went further back in his tent and disappeared behind his throne.
Ilithyia scrambled to her feet and followed after him, "Releasing someone? I don't think that is wise, Cri-"
Crixus grabbed Ilithyia by her throat but he had not begun to squeeze yet, "Do not question me…" He pushed the Legate back by her throat. Ilithyia swallowed hard while resting a hand on her throat. Crixus stared at her then he saw her nod and excuses herself.
As Ilithyia came outside she could hear screams of the Legionnaire that was sentenced to a crucifixion and other of the crimson warriors were already back, tending to their duties around the fort. Ilithyia glanced at the wastelander lying on the ground who was shaking every once and a while. The Legate called for two Legions to help escort herself and the wastelander to the AR boarder. As they had made their way out of the camp, the Legion and the Legate were wrapped in black cloaks and a hood loosely covered over their hand and over their mouths. For the most part, the black haired wastelander was quiet. Why Crixus would ever order her to be sent back to Phoenix was a mystery to Ilithyia; she had always seen Crixus make simple mistakes like this one.
Ringo removed the rag from over the Legion's face and Grover stood back while holding a bucket of water in his hands. The Legion was going through a coughing fit while trying to regain his senses. General Boone had already taken off his shades from a long overdue frustration that the Legion was presenting; that just made Boone enjoy it a little more. He rested his palms against the table and stared down at the Legion who had finally gotten over coughing.
"I'm not gonna ask again…" the General growled, "Did your people capture the person that attacked you?" The Legionnaire spat at the General only to get an instant return of wet snuff from Boone on his face.
"Do it again," ordered Boone.
With that said, Ringo gripped the rag down over the Legionnaire's face.
"Wait, wait, wait!" screamed the Legionnaire.
Ringo lifted the rag. It took a long moment for Legionnaire to finally give in to General Boone's torture.
"We…" He coughed and leaned over the table, sitting at the ground, "We still don't know if it's Sin or not."
Boone grabbed the Legionnaire by his shoulder and forced him back to lay flat on the table, "Elaborate."
"The woman that's been attacking us has black hair-" he coughed violently, "She's accompanied by someone else."
Boone frowned at the information, "Who?"
"I don't know," the Legionnaire whined.
Boone snatched the patch that covered the Legionnaire's bullet wound, without hesitation; he stuck two fingers into the hole and pushed deep against the bullet within the leg. The Legionnaire screamed in violent pain. The General could see the cold sweat breaking out from the Legionnaire. Grover thought that his General was perhaps enjoying causing the pain to the Legion somewhat too much.
"It's a man!" yelled the Legionnaire.
Boone's face tightened in anger and he pushed against the bullet harder, not caring about the blood pouring out on to the floor. "I need more than that." Boone glanced at Ringo. Ringo walked over to the Legionnaire and covered his face again with the rag.
"It's an ex-Legion!" his yell was muffled through the rag. "Crixus ordered his tongue to be cut out for leaking information to the AR."
"Now what of Sin?" Boone questioned.
It didn't take long for him to answer, "She's disappeared." The Legionnaire was panting hard. Grover could see the disappointed look on General Boone's face but he clearly was not done yet.
"About the man," said Boone.
Before the General could continue the Legionnaire was already answering, "He was wounded in the battle, the woman told him to take off."
General Boone glanced at Grover, "Get some people on that road for tracking."
"Yes sir." Grover quickly disappeared out of the room.
Before Doctor Mitchell could enter the room where the Legionnaire was he heard the Legionnaire scream and then it was cut short from the sound of a gunshot. After a long silence, General Boone stepped out of the room; Doctor Mitchell stood a ways in front of him, watching Boone's movement quietly. Boone took a handkerchief from a pocket on his uniform and wiped away some of the blood spots on his face and then wiped his hands; he didn't appear to be too happy with anything at the time.
Boone gazed at Doctor Mitchell, "I'll have my men clean your room, sir…" he walked passed him and then out the door.
Ringo walked into the hall that Doctor Mitchell was standing in, he was uneasy about what had just happened to the Legionnaire. There were always stories about General Boone showing no mercy to the Legion and tonight proved that those stories were right about him. Maybe it made the both of them uneasy about killing a defenseless man or maybe it was the thought of the Legion being this close to their home. As Ringo made his way outside, he was immediately greeted by Sunny Smiles tight hug. Some of the NCR were standing around, guarding the area and they could see in the distance where General Boone, Grover and a few First Recon men were investigating the area where the Legion was attacked.