Boone, Cass, Lyannah nor William were seen inside or outside of Hoover Dam, what was worse was the fact there was nothing remotely fun to do to pass the time anywhere here. With the barracks empty David went back to bed for a quick rest, Cass was already there lying down. She was tired and as bored as hell as David was, and to top it all off she was just as lost as he was to boot. She noticed him before he could speak.

Cass frowned. "Hi."

"Hey. You alright?"

"Yeah… Why wouldn't I be? I'm at Hoover Dam. That's great."

"Yeah, it is. Where're the others at?"

Cass sighed again. "Can't find Boone. Six and his bitch are outside the visitor centre."

"Still don't like Lyannah, huh?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she jokingly said, forcing out a smile.

David sits on the bed by Cass. "We spoke last night; they're both pretty sound."

"Sound? Is that some jargon from your time?"

"Means they're rather cool. Sorry, my old captain used that term." Cass exclaims. "Lyannah, like me, isn't from this time period."

"Really now?" Cass muttered under her breath, "Everyone's not from around here like it's cool or something."

"Believe me, that novelty has worn right off. Like me, Lyannah was taken from her world, from some planet or something called Nirn. Said she comes from a place called Skyrim."

Cass sits up in disbelief. "Get out…"

"Yeah. She has it worse than I do… Ironically she takes the situation better."

"Doesn't mean I'll go easy on her, but I'll cut her some slack, 'kay?"

"That would be dandy, thanks. Don't cut her too much, though," David smiled. "Seeing you fight her this way in my honour kinda builds up my ego. Makes me feel hot."

"I'm happy with that. Just don't go asking for a threesome. Not with her at least, need some level of trust in my lovers."

David held his chest playfully. "Now you're just making me hotter, Cass. I'm going mad over here all of a sudden."

Cass smiled. "That sounds like my cue," she purred. "Let's feel some heat."

Cass held David's shoulders and placed a light kiss on his lips; the subtle hint gave David the moment to consort his wife, in which he thinks. David and Cass got closer, far beyond kissing, they both went as far to feel and grope each other's body.

With David on top sexual intercourse was almost certain, the heat fuelled by the groping and kissing David was going supernova. The same couldn't be said for Cass' behalf. David saw that Cass wasn't fully at the moment to properly carry on, which was very odd. No lip biting or enthusiasm. No matter how much she wanted it she just couldn't force herself, and neither could he as they stared awkwardly at each other with David mounting her. It was getting awkward.

"You're not feeling it? Are you Cass?"

"Would you be offended if I said yes?"

"No, why would I? Whatever makes you happy makes me happy."

Cass frowns. "Thank God. For a minute there I thought I'd have to do something I didn't feel like. Sorry luv, just not feeling it right now. Can you please roll off me?"

Cass soon slid David off her in the least insensitive way. Lying down side-by-side, Cass never felt so not-in-the-mood before, while David and his ego felt so dumbfounded by the soiled moment his face went into deep shock. Turned off completely.

"I thought I was in the mood but…" She sighed.

"Pride… dying. Ego… flat-lining. Fading to black…"

Cass huffed. "Maybe next time, honey."

"That's fine with me. You know I'm always here for your needs."

"I just feel rather sick, to be honest."

David sat up behind her. "How sick?"

"Where do I start?" Cass sat up. "I must've thrown up three times in the last two days, my feet are killing me, and today I'm just so fucking tired. And this headache is pissin' me off!"

"I'm sorry, I wish there were something I could do to make you feel better… other than sex."

"I'll keep that in mind if anything turns up." Cass shifts her body to the side of the bed.

David reaches for his sack and takes out a bottle of whiskey. "How about a drink?"

"Now you're talking." Cass took the whiskey from David and opened it, but then after a smell, she handed it back to him. "I don't actually feel like having a drink."

David has dumbfounded again. His wife turned down a drink. "Wow… You really are sick."

"I know. I wouldn't mind a drink, but something is keeping me from even touching the stuff. I feel weird and dirty." Cass paused and suddenly vomits on the floor. Chunks of her last meal were heaved all over the floor, brown and yellow paste and everything. Repugnant stuff. A brown pile of mush.

"Cass?!"

Cass covered her mouth with unsurprising shock and dribbled between her fingers. "Are you kiddin' me? Not again!" she growled.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Beats me. Just some stupid shit, I guess."

"Never seen this in you. Cass… are you…" Cass glares at him instantly with a mean glare. "Never mind."

"I don't know what you're implying, and I don't want to know." Cass laid down on the bed in a strop. "I just want to rest before the meeting."

"What meeting?"

Cass yawned. "With the generals, to make battle plans for tomorrow or something like that."

"When?"

"In the evening, somewhere," Cass tirelessly mumbled.

"The work… I'll be back; I need to get someone to clean up the floor."

"Thanks. I can always count on you." Cass fell to sleep without a sound after her last word.

Ahh, the married life is never easy. Later that day, long time into the late evening when the bitter darkness fell across the Mojave, a soldier came by the barracks and asked David and Cass to report to the war room. Apparently, the generals wanted all agents and their parties. With bated breath, David held Cass' hand and followed the soldier to the war room.

The moderately sized office was fitted with a large wall of monitors and terminals in the far back, opposite the entrance. General Redfield, Colonel Moore and General Lee Oliver were looking over a large table with an interactive map of the Mojave Wasteland, Capital Wasteland and even the Commonwealth. It was more like a battle map with all key locations and forces. They all relentlessly poked and swiped at the map like it was their prey.

General Oliver wore an elegant tan N.C.R. duster with badges, purple hearts and other medals. He was in his late thirties with the experienced prestige of authority. There weren't any N.C.R. members in sight; the mood was quite calm and silent.

At the door by David was Boone, Cass and William leaving Lyannah leaning against the back wall near the shutter door. She wasn't even allied with the N.C.R. so she could care less about them as much as they cared about her. The silence was broken when the five stood by the battle map. Though both of the generals and Moore noticed them, they never took their eyes off the map for a second. Always watched the map.

"General Oliver. Agent Haydock and Wesker are here."

Oliver sternly glares at William and David's group. "You lot took your time getting here; I was getting the impression you were sitting this one out."

"It's my first week, sir," David said sheepishly.

Oliver scoffed. "I'm willing to let that slide Agent Wesker but still... Both of you are here, and that's all that matters. We're all here to make some plans for tomorrow's battle. With two agents in service, things will be a bit different this time around.

"How different?" William asked.

"This time we'll be the one attacking their base of operations. Redfield has made a few calls to our allies and will set a garrison here at the Dam tomorrow."

"We're attacking them?"

Oliver became offended. "Our men look up to you, Six; they need to see you in action."

"William, your track record stretches as far as the Capital, even until now you still leave quite a name for yourself," Redfield added, rearing his head up with his equal. "Are you absolutely sure about your choice?"

"Does the N.C.R. spy on me or something?"

Oliver and Redfield had stared at each other before Oliver found his voice. "We cannot answer that question, only that the N.C.R Council keeps an eye on VIPs like yourself and Agent Wesker, and even your lady friend over there. N.C.R. does it all the time when it's necessary."

"I don't like this idea."

Redfield glared at Oliver. "Oliver… I was to lead the attack to the Legate's Camp. You're not suggesting that these five will fight their way to Legate Lanius are you?"

"That is what I'm suggesting, Redfield." Oliver met Redfield's glare with a stare of his own. "Be reasonable here; you barely survived the last battle against the Malpais Legate. If Legate Lanius is half the monster, you take him for there is no chance in hell I'm letting you face him under any circumstances. I don't want to make the same mistake twice."

Redfield stood firmly in disappointment. "Just say it out loud, Oliver. You're not thinking about letting me into the fray any time soon. Tell me I'm wrong."

"You're getting too old for this line of work, and… we cannot afford to lose you, Redfield. You're too important to the N.C.R., maybe more so than Kimbal. Your service is too valuable to us. That's why I need you here in the war room. Defend of necessary."

Redfield stopped using the interactive map and faced General Oliver with a firm stance. He wasn't willing to just sit on his ass all day because of his health. His eyes bored into Oliver's. "You're keeping me in here?"

"If the N.C.R. is gonna pull through this I need you here with Moore and I."

"Oh, Generals?" William politely said, hoping to divert their attention. Redfield silences him with a quick curl of his hand. After a quick look at his gloved hands, he waved his hand once at Oliver. "You don't need me in the war room," he said with a slow movement of the hand.

"What?"

Redfield waved his hand slowly again in front of Oliver. "You don't need me in the war room," he repeated slowly.

"Whatever you're trying to do stop it."

Either the ability to manipulate people is beyond my weakened state or Oliver isn't like the weak-minded types of people I surround myself with. Redfield stared at his hands. "I apologise, but is the situation that bad? What are you not telling me?"

Oliver hesitated and sighs. "I've been getting talk of Legion sightings in the Capital and the Commonwealth."

"And no one told me why!?"

"We're at war, Redfield. The Legion is marching to all our settlements inside and outside our boundaries. We only just got concerns from the larger settlements, Rivet City, Diamond City, Goodneighbour and Megaton, they're all fearing the worst. Not even the vaults out there are safe."

"This is inconceivable!"

Moore slowly turned to Oliver. "How long have you been hiding this?"

"That is irrelevant. This is based on new information, not wholly concrete but there's more at stake than the Dam."

"I'll stay here then, don't expect me to like it." Redfield reluctantly continues to use the interactive map. "At least they're stretching their forces thin all over. We can't be expecting much in terms of numbers."

"Thank you, Redfield. We'll sure as hell be a lot more successful with you around here. We can turn the war in our favour."

"And just like that, I'm in the middle of another operation, fucking hell. It's Operation: Raccoon City all over again."

"Raccoon City?"

"My hometown back in 1998. We'll talk about it later, Colonel..."

Oliver went back to addressing David and William. "I apologise for that Agents. We had some difficulties to iron out. Now, where were we…?"

"How about I lead the charge?" David blurted with no second thought. Winging it seemed like a good idea.

"You are a valid option. Redfield?"

Redfield inspects interactive map. "That might just work, maybe even more so than Haydock."

"That's all I needed to hear. As far as we know, there is only one person with frontline and leadership experience, and that is Agent Wesker." He sternly addressed, "Agent Wesker, will you lead the charge?"

"Absolutely."

Oliver finally breaks a smile, one that could nearly crack his face. "In your armour, we can't have you on the sidelines; we need someone to project some more force."

"I have just the thing. Some heavy ordinance is in order."

"How heavy are we talking?"

"Power armour."

"That's not enough…"

"Heavy power armour."

"I like it."

"Are you planning on using David here as a meat shield?" William asked out of the kindness of his heart. Can't let David get too hurt out there on their behalf.

"This power armour is the best in its category. Safety is guaranteed."

"What about the support?"

"That would be you four. Agent Wesker will lead and take the punishment while the rest of you dish it out. Questions?"

"What kind of opposition will we expect? And what about reinforcements?" Lyannah asked, finally, from the back of the room.

"Good question. You'll be expecting your general Legionary forces, no numbers are exact," Oliver said, with a surprised expression, "only they outnumber us two-to-one. As for reinforcements, there will be a squad of rangers waiting for your signal to attack the Legate's Camp. Plus anyone else alive up there, they'll move on with you and follow your example."

"We can handle whatever they throw at us."

Oliver smile widens. "I like your attitude, madam. You see Redfield; this is the attitude I expect from all of our soldiers. I want to see more of that."

"That's quite a compliment, Oliver. Need more capable people like her no doubt. Still, with the right people, we might rinse this war for keeps this time around."

"There's no doubt in my mind that these five will fit the bill perfectly, all thanks to you." He looks to Redfield. "The N.C.R. put all their trust in you since day one, I don't know how you do it, but no one has ever doubted your advice. What's the secret?"

"Too many years of experience."

"The N.C.R. owes you a royal debt, Redfield. It will be paid." He tugs his shoulder. "Listen… there's one more thing. The battle will most likely happen very early in the morning tomorrow; I suggest you get your affairs in order and prepare yourselves for war as soon as possible."

"This'll be the last battle for everyone, one way or another. I just hope to Christ that we get through this war without too many casualties; we lost too much to the Legion already."

"We have to make sure the N.C.R. wins, by ANY means necessary."

"You'll get no arguments from me. You heard the man, get yourselves ready for tomorrow. Agent Wesker, report to my office. You'll need an upgrade before you steamroll our advances."

"Loud and clear," David stammered, leaving the war room.

"I am trusting you four to support Agent Wesker here; he'll lead the charge and will take the heat for you all. I'm trusting you four to be his sword and spear."

"This goes against everything I'm trained for, sir."

Cass peered over her shoulder to Boone. "Not the only one here, Boone."

"Discretion is the better part of valour, speak up if there are any objections to that. No? Good. Teamwork gets shit done! You'd be more inclined to support each other with the connections you share."

"Probably shouldn't but my rifle is up for it."

"I second that Boone," Cass grinned.

"If David doesn't mind the heat I'll do everything I can."

"I'll follow their examples," Lyannah muttered with a bored look stretching across her face.

"That's all we ask for. Dismissed." William, Lyannah, Boone and Cass all leave the war room. They talked amongst themselves and then it started to fade away. Oliver took off his cap, it showed off his balding hair and stressed hazel eyes. He was getting too old for this shit.

"I trust we covered everything?" Redfield asked.

"Only for today. Tomorrow I need you here."

"I know. I'll suit up Agent Wesker and get him ready for tomorrow."

"If you're taking him to your private vault please make it quick."

"I will sir. Don't you worry about that."

"I hope we're doing the right thing."

"Aren't we always Oliver?" Moore added. "We know what's best for the Mojave."

"Not just the Mojave, the future of mankind everywhere..."

"If Lanius wants war, I'll give him war…"