Chapter 3

Late September 2281: Lucky 38 Presidential Suite Master Bedroom

"So, carissima, tell me your thoughts on Caesar's Legion."

Penny laughs nervously. "You wanna do this now, while we're both naked and I'm literally on top of you?"

Vulpes chuckles and traces his finger softly along Penny's back as he leans for a peck on her lips. "It is a good time because I am in a good mood."

"And you want to spoil it with an ideological debate?"

"I'm a very tolerant man when it comes to the opinions of dissolutes." His hands stroke Penny's sides softly, slowly making their way towards her stomach.

"Tolerant, you say?"

"Well…more tolerant than many of my peers." His hands stroke her stomach gently.

"Mmm. Well you may have to stop doing that if you want me to think clearly." murmurs Penny as his lips brush her collarbone.

"Do you want me to stop?" Vulpes murmurs seductively against her skin.

"No just…. stay away from the sensitive areas."

"Hmph. I suppose I can restrain myself for now." drawls Vulpes in a mock offensive tone that makes Penny giggle.

"Alright…well. First of all…are the rumors about there being no women allowed in the Legion true?"

"A mere fact of biology, carissima. Women are built more fragile than men and soldiers need to be able to endure rigorous training at a threshold that most women are incapable of withstanding. Present company excluded, or course."

Penny raises an eyebrow. "Is that you trying to butter me up?"

"Not in the least. Based on my reports, you're an incredibly capable soldier and I would be honored to train you as the first female Frumentarius."

"And your master would actually agree to that?"

"You killed Lord Caesar's most elite assassins alone. That has never been done before in the history of the Legion. It's why he sent me to fetch you."

"So…you didn't just come to see me again?" says Penny with a slight pout to her lips.

Vulpes' hands drift to stroke her back as he leans in for a lingering kiss. "A…perk of my assignment, I suppose. I did enjoy our previous encounter a month ago immensely."

"Hmm...I've also heard that there are no female citizens of the Legion…is that also correct?"

"All citizens of the Legion are soldiers."

Penny frowns. "That didn't answer my question. You're skirting around the issue."

"It's…difficult to explain as I don't entirely agree with Lord Caesar on this one issue. It's more reflective of medieval values rather than the values of the Roman Empire of old."

"What are you trying to say, Isaac?"

Vulpes inwardly winces at the use of his birth name and the subject matter being discussed.

"Women…are considered slaves within the Legion to be used for breeding and childcare, but not much else. I personally find this aspect of our society a colossal waste of human resources, but then again, I'm not the one making the rules."

Penny stares at Vulpes in shock. "That's…that's repulsive. And yet you follow this man with utmost loyalty despite this…'difference in opinion'?"

Vulpes nods.

"Why?"

"Because…despite this grand oversight, the world Caesar envisions is one of structure and order, something that the chaos of the Wasteland desperately needs."

"But…isn't the NCR trying to do the same thing?"

Vulpes barks a laugh. "Oh, please! They only grab power for the sake of the luxury of being in power rather than for the good of humanity. It's selfish and repulsive."

"So…how is the Legion different? You still haven't answered my question."

"The NCR thrives on consumerism and keeping the masses addicted to their chems and alcohol, draining them of the wealth they would've had had they not been addicted to their vices."

"So... what you're saying is alcohol and chem use is what's fueling a corrupt and capitalist system?"

"Precisely." Vulpes begins lazily traces circles along Penny's spine.

Penny burrows her face into Vulpes' shoulder and melts at the sensation. "What about your opinions on slavery?" she whispers softly.

"Ah, there it is." Vulpes murmurs, brushing his lips against Penny's forehead.

"What?"

"Are you a student of history, carissima?"

"Somewhat."

"Then you'd know that most of the greatest civilizations were built on the backs of slaves. Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the Ottoman Empire, the United States, and about a dozen others. Their foundation was built by slave labor. Caesar plans on building a civilization that unites the entirety of humanity under one banner and he will need slave labor to do it. A necessary evil for the greater good."

"Now you sound like Nipton massacre Vulpes."

Vulpes raises his eyebrows. "I AM Nipton Massacre Vulpes. Proudly. I suppose I should call you Vault 3 Massacre Penny? Congratulations, by the way."

"Not the same thing. I didn't crucify anyone."

"Oh, so running them through with your katana is more morally acceptable? At least I had several men with me. From what my reports tell me, you conducted the slaughter all on your own with the assistance of one tiny robot."

"They attacked me first!" exclaims Penny in frustration.

"And that makes it right?"

"I don't want to hear about what's right from the man who irradiated Camp Searchlight." Penny props her arms on Vulpes' chest and glares straight into his eyes.

"Nor I from the woman who slaughtered all of the Legion recruits in Techatticup Mine to release two NCR hostages. You're exactly like me, carissima. Maybe even worse." snarls Vulpes, returning the intensity of her glare with his own.

Both moved for each other's mouths a split second from each other with a rough intensity.

Vulpes immediately flipped them over and drove himself into Penny without any preparation, though she was plenty aroused that he was able to push himself all the way in in one swift stroke easily.

It was a hard and fast coupling with each part of the pair fighting for the top. Penny came first though Vulpes wasn't far behind her and they collapsed side-by-side each other, catching their breaths. A draw.

"So…so what does carissima mean?" asks Penny through labored breaths.

"Dearest." whispers Vulpes, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

"You barely know me. I'm a stranger to you."

Vulpes shakes his head. "I've admired you ever since I first read the report about a courier surviving a shot in the head. Meeting you in person only made my admiration stronger."

"Why?"

"Your resilience and resolve. Your drive to live and succeed. It's the very essence of what it means to be human and it is beautiful."

Penny is speechless at his words and only blushes several shades of red because that was quite possibly the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to her in her 25 years of life. She brings her head to Vulpes' chest and allows him to engulf her into his embrace.

"Thank you, Isaac." she whispers.

"Benigne, carissima." he whispers back.

Author's note: I should really just stick to writing porn. This philosophy talk is exhausting. Review and enjoy, folks!