I do not own the Fallout series in any form. This is a work of fanfiction.

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Chapter 3: chipping away

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Joshua Graham had been studying maps, reading over troop movements and various documents taken from the Legion. He was working on setting up an ambush to take a Legion camp. It wouldn't be a none alive sort of attack, intentionally leaving some troops alive and escaping to help spread the word. He studied possible escape routes, figuring which ones might be used and alternate routes as well, anticipating that since Caesar no longer doubted his survival, they may change their tactics. Being the former General of the Legion, he still had a healthy knowledge of their operations. Aided by the information he had at his disposal, he was forming a plan that even the Legion couldn't account for.

He made his plans at a campsite he had set up, with a fire nearby in case anyone tried to see what he was planning, he could burn everything if needed. An NCR patrol was coming through the area and saw his camp. They approached, thinking he was another traveler. "What's got you in this neck of nowhere?"

"Catching up on some reading." Graham replied, showing them a prewar book about wilderness survival. "How about yourselves? I take it your fight with the Legion goes well?"

"You can say that. I don't know if you've heard or not, but Nelson was taken back from the Legion."

Graham took that into consideration for his plans. "I did hear something about that on the radio. No survivors?"

"The Legion had some prisoners up on crosses, but some courier cut them loose before just ventilating everything in sight. Including Dead Sea, their commander."

"Ha, well that's good. If I'm not mistaken, Nelson is right next to Camp Forlorn Hope, isn't it?" Graham asked, just to verify his maps.

"Yeah. It's also within reasonable distance to Camp Searchlight." One of the other troopers said.

"I have heard from travelers who have been turned around there by a Sergeant. You have my condolences. I pray that the troops lost may find peace."

One of the troopers became curious about the way Graham was talking. "Are you religious at all?"

"In a manner of speaking. I believe mankind has not handled God's earth the way it should have been."

"Maybe you would know this quote from outside the church." The trooper continued, handing Graham a slip of paper with 'revelations 9:6' written on it.

"Oh yes, I know this one. 'And in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them'. It's as if to say that the ones who want to die will not attain peace."

All of the troopers looked at each other, creeped out by the relevance of the scripture written at the town. "I want to say they've found peace. The same courier who took Nelson went in and put them down, then recovered their dog tags. There was even one trooper who was ghoulified, but she directed him to one of our ranger stations."

Graham thought about it and remembered something from his notes. "Ranger Station Echo, overlooking Cottonwood Cove?"

"How do you know that?"

"A simple look at any map of the area will reveal it. I've never been in there myself, but I've heard of it. Perhaps you can organize something against the Legion there?" Graham asked, trying to throw off their suspicion.

"Might be too risky. Fortification hill is right up the river, so reinforcements are close by."

"Fair point. Plus, I think they may have some higher ranking officials there who might not be so easily felled."

The squad leader looked at the time and decided they needed to move on. "It's been nice chatting, but we've got a patrol to mind."

"Very well. I wish you the best in life and your fight against the Legion."

Once the squad was a reasonable distance from the camp, squad leader spoke up. "That guy knew a little bit too much about our locations and our fight."

"What do you mean?" One of the troopers asked.

"He knew everything about every place we mentioned. There's more to him than just bandages and body armor."

...

In their time familiarizing themselves with the area, the Sierra Madre heist crew went out into the wastes to investigate. Christine went to hidden valley to try and reconnect with the Brotherhood of Steel there, taking Dog and God along with her since Black Mountain was so close by. She knew the password 'the better part of valor' and the door was unlocked. Upon seeing her, Senior Paladin Ramos wondered how she would know that phrase. "I've got to ask. Who are you and how do you know that phrase?"

"If you can't tell by my looks, I don't know what else to tell you."

Ramos looked her up and down. "Scribe?"

"Bingo. Christine Royce. I don't suppose you'd know where I could find Veronica?"

"Last we heard, she was posted up at the 188 Trading post, just North of Novac. She was seen travelling with that Courier."

"So she's made it this far? Good to know. I suppose I should speak with the elder about the upcoming battle for the dam."

Dog and God found Black Mountain to be mostly uninhabited. Save for Neil and a couple of Nightkin. Since the rest of the force had left, their rations at the summit were plentiful enough that they could all eat together. Dog and God thought about taking up residence there after the battle was over.

Dean made his way to the town of Primm, hearing that they had a casino he could gamble at to pass the time. He bought his chips and played the games, making most of his money at the blackjack tables. He strategically lost a few hands, so as to keep winning without being banned from the games.

...

Ulysses went through Westside to purchase food and water, and listen to rumors. He hid his breathing mask in his backpack so as to appear somewhat normal on the outside. He struck up conversation with some of the locals, asking about growing crops and the water supply. In exchange for their knowledge, he showed them how to make Bitter drink. To the chagrin of some of the residents, Bitter drink was a non addictive medicine that was only good for healing.

"Ugh, this stuff is horrible." One resident said, drinking it, then pouring some in a bottle of whiskey and finishing it. "That's more like it."

"This probably shouldn't be used to get drunk with." Ulysses commented, worried that the town's supplies may end up being used in such a way.

"You won't get through to him. I wouldn't worry about it." Klamath Bob said.

"I guess I'm just old world proper like that. I don't really see the need for recreational substances. Maybe when used for medicine, but I doubt that getting ripped on whiskey has a medicinal purpose."

His time at Westside came to a close and Ulysses hit the road again, headed for The Strip. He headed north and then east, going around the North Vegas Square to get to Freeside. Upon arrival, he was greeted by several King's gang members who offered their protection, which he declined. "Thanks, but I think I can handle myself."

"Let us know if you change your mind. We're always here."

Ulysses looked at his map. "The Followers of the Apocalypse are here in Freeside, aren't they?"

"Yeah, right over there."

Ulysses went to Old Mormon Fort, as there was a meeting with Six that was supposed to take place on neutral ground. When he went in, he saw the others from the Sierra Madre waiting. "A familiar face. I see neither Big Mountain nor The Divide could keep you down." Christine called out.

"I take it the locals aren't familiar with the Divide. I've already been offered protection by a gang."

"They do that for everyone. Even me." Six spoke up.

After the typical sound of gunfire from the east gate of Freeside, there was silence as usual. Before too long, a Freeside resident came into Old Mormon Fort, looking tired but relieved. He mentioned something about being ambushed by thugs, but the thugs quickly being dispatched by a lone man. A minute later, Graham walked through the gate and up to the group. Ulysses turned to face him and he approached Graham. "General." Ulysses said.

"Courier." Graham replied.

After a moment of them staring at each other, Dean broke the silence. "Is there something I'm missing?"

"One of them is the former Legate of the Legion. Having faced the glory and defeat of war has steeled him. The other is an inhabitant of The Divide, and has seen unspeakable horrors that would shake you to the core. Even though they've just met, I guarantee they know more about each other than the rest of us do." Six replied.

Graham and Ulysses shook hands and turned to face everyone else. Graham produced a set of plans for everyone to look over. He had written detailed plans, backup plans, marked locations on maps and even readied roles for people if they fit certain criteria. "You made all of these plans by yourself?" Dean asked. "I mean, being a General would've prepared you to do so, I suppose."

"If there are any questions, please ask. I want us to go into the first skirmish fully prepared and hit them hard." Graham responded. "Our first target will be Cottonwood Cove."

"Slavers and savages. The world will be better off without them." Veronica commented.

"I agree. Who are they to assume they can own another being?" Dog and God added. "No earthly power can do that."

Graham looked approvingly at Dog and God. "The day has come that one who is no longer human has a better sense of morality than many people do. I'm glad to have you on this team."

"Likewise. Having people who are knowledgeable of heavy combat is a utility by itself. Having them to lead the fight is even better."

"I've been in contact with the Boomers to the northeast of us. They gave me a radio and old world map coordinates. Looks like they line up with yours well enough." Six commented.

"Boomers?" Graham asked. "By the numbers and designations on the map, I'm assuming... artillery?"

"Exactly. This will make fine practice for the battle at the Dam."

"If I didn't know you were a General, I'd wonder how you came to that conclusion so quickly." Boone added. "By the way, haven't I killed you before?"

"Composite trauma plates. Old world rating of Level V, which came out a few years before the Great War. These can stop an Armor Piercing round fired from any common rifle. The Legion has sent their assassins after me as well, but they never return."

"Okay, so where will I be posted at?" Boone asked.

"Sharpshooter? You'll be posted up at the Sniper's nest here." Graham told him, pointing it out. "It appears to have a crystal clear view of the entire area. You'll be there to pick off any stragglers if they flee this way after the attack begins, but please do not hesitate to engage them. I only request that you wait until the first three shots are fired."

"It's a fair assumption that there will be more than three Legion troops there, so I'll get a chance to take a few myself."

Six handed Boone the Gobi Campaign Scout rifle. "Perhaps this will help."

Boone looked it over and saw 'dead commies' cut into the stock with a number of scratches to count the felled soldiers. "What the hell is a commie?"

"Communist. The US and Communist China were at war before the bombs dropped." Dean answered.

"Consider commies... Like prewar Legion. They claim they are civilizing things while communizing them. They only take from the people and give them nothing in return." Ulysses added.

"I'll add a few notches myself."

Graham pointed to Cottonwood Overlook. "We'll need another rifle posted up here."

Ulysses spoke up. "I've got an Anti Materiel rifle. Carbon fiber parts, suppressor, custom bolt and a match barrel forged from Divide steel."

"If at all possible, sneak in over here. I'll be there as your spotter. This has a good view of the area." Graham pointed to the road leading into the area. "We'll need someone to come up the MSR here. You'll act as a distraction. You'll also need to be neutral to the Legion."

Dean and Raul looked at each other. "What about us, boss? They don't really know me, and I don't think they know him. Plus, two ghouls would probably startle them a bit."

"Good thinking. Come up this road and approach this office. Fake a fight or something. When the legionnaires investigate, Ulysses will open fire. This will likely make their Officer, one Aurelius of Phoenix, to come out. By that time, the third shot will be fired. Mister Boone, if you'd like, you can take him."

"A Legion officer?" He asked.

"A Centurion, I believe."

"I would love to take that shot. I wanna see how well that armor holds up to a jacketed soft point. I'm guessing it won't."

"Courier Six, I'll need you to call in artillery over here in the water. That will likely flush the rest out and get them moving to this point, where everyone will be waiting. The withering fire from the rifles on their flanks will bottleneck them this way. Remember, we aren't killing all of them. We need some of them left alive so they can spread the word. Any questions?"

Dean raised his hand. "When we are fake fighting, what should we do to avoid dying? I can handle a pistol, but I don't know what the can take."

"If you're neutral to the Legion, just hit the ground. That will not only keep you out of the line of fire, it will make the legionaries ignore you."

"How do you know they will ignore us?"

Christine put a hand on Dean's shoulder. "He used to be the general of the Legion. If anyone here is suited to know what they'll do, it's him."

...

Using the cover of night, Boone slipped in to the snipers nest undetected. He readied himself and his rifle and started waiting. "This better work." He whispered to himself.

The Sierra Madre crew took up position and Ulysses used a stealth boy to ensure he could slip past the Legion troops. Along the way, he noticed there weren't any prints in the dirt. He posted up at his assigned position and looked around. "I wonder why he isn't here." He whispered to himself.

"I am here." Graham's voice came from nowhere.

Ulysses looked around and didn't see anyone. "Using a stealth boy as well?"

"No." Graham stood up from under a blanket that was covered in dirt to hide him. "I've been here long enough to make sure this will pan out. No further preparations are needed."

At the time assigned to them, Raul and Dean went down the road, approaching cottonwood cove. Along the way, they saw slaves tied to crosses. "Should we cut them loose?" Dean asked.

"Probably not. At least until the Legion has run away."

A Legion explorer approached them. "Halt. What business do you have here?"

"I was wondering if you had any slaves to buy." Dean asked, going along with the plan. "You see, I am getting old and tired. I'd like someone to do my household chores."

"What the hell, boss?" Raul asked, similarly pretending. "I'm an old mechanic and I don't need slaves."

The explorer signaled Decanus Severus over. "What are you rotten profligates doing here?"

"I was interested in buying slaves. I've got the Caps, name your price."

"Seriously dude, you don't need slaves. Just pay someone to do your chores."

"But I need to continue to pay them. Not the case with slaves."

"It's my understanding that Canyon Runner has already sold the last of our slaves to some courier. Said she had her own collars and left theirs in the pen."

Dean looked around. "What about these ones on the crosses?"

Severus shook his head. "You wouldn't want them. They're worked curs who don't follow orders of their masters."

Raul pushed Dean to begin their fake fight. "Listen dude, you're not buying anyone."

Dean pushed back. "Touch me again and I'll buy you."

The two started grappling with each other, throwing punches and going to the ground. Severus went to step up to them and he was hit with a match hand load bullet from an anti materiel rifle. The bullet passed through him and slammed into the ground on his other side. Ulysses took the second shot, hitting the explorer who was dumbfounded at what he had just seen. Canyon Runner came around and saw the ghouls laying still and the other two laying dead. Another shot came down and passed through him, the last thing he saw being the limited muzzle flash.

Exactly as planned, Aurelius of Phoenix came out of his office. Boone saw him stepping out and putting on his helmet. He drew a bead on him and fired. The shot passed through his helmet, through his head and out the other side. "For Carla." He said as he started drawing on the next Target.

About this time, the whistle of artillery shells cut through the air. The rounds splashed down and detonated, which had the desired effect of waking the rest of the Legion troops and making them start running into the open. Boone took out a few more of them, and he was far enough away that their weapons were out of range. The Legion troops did exactly as Graham said they would and started running for the main road. The handful of them that made it ran right into Six and the others. The legionaries weren't prepared to handle the sight of Dog and God grabbing one and smashing his head.

Everyone else opened fire and took down some more of them, but they went according to plan and let two of them flee. After the battle was over, everyone gathered by the office. Boone went up to see the body of Aurelius of Phoenix. He took off his helmet and looked at it closely. Graham approached and saw this. "I take it that this officer had some significance to you personally."

"My wife was sold to the slavers here. I have a deep hatred for these monsters. He may not have been here at the time, but he's still got his share of guilt."

"I see. I cannot express my sadness for your loss. I can only offer my assurance that many more of them will fall. A good number of them by your hand."

Boone looked at Graham. "How can a man of the cloth speak of death so nonchalantly?"

"I do not enjoy the killing. But when done righteously, it is a chore. Like any other. I have seen the Legion from its beginning. I do not condone slavery. For what they've done to me, to innocent people and God's creation, Caesar will pay."

The group looked up and saw them. "What do you plan to do with the helmet? Trophy?" Dean asked.

"You were their general. What would you do with this?" Boone asked, handing it to Graham.

Graham drew a switchblade and stuck it through the exit hole on the helmet, then jammed it into the door. "This is a message that will show them we can do this any time we want. So close to their main base, they'll know we can strike at their heart. The fact that we let two live, shows our level of restraint."

"What does all of that add up to?" Raul asked.

"Caesar will start to act more on impulse than plan. We'll drive him crazy, with just this helmet stuck to the door." Graham answered.

Soon after, everyone departed and headed for friendly territory.

...

Legion patrols that returned with the two survivors went by cottonwood cove found the area in ruin, with dead legionaries scattered around. They found the helmet of Aurelius of Phoenix pinned to the door and took it down. They used the raft and went to Fortification Hill. They were taken to Caesar's tent. "My Lord. We return with news of cottonwood cove."

The helmet was handed to Caesar who looked at it quietly. "Where did you find this?"

"It was stuck to the door of his office."

Caesar's heart skipped a beat. "Everyone was dead?"

"No, my Lord. Two men were left. Their attackers seemed to have a clear shot at them but didn't take it."

Caesar looked on in silent terror. He knew this was the work of Graham, and knew it was directed at him. "Praetorian guard, kill these worthless men who could not repel a simple attack. Kill the other two for running. I have no place for cowards."

The executions took place in front of everyone else. Caesar returned to his tent, feeling unwell from the recent events. He racked his mind, thinking of what to do. The battle was about to happen, and the thought of an attack happening in his backyard really set him on edge.

He could no longer hide the fact that Graham was alive.

The burned man was alive.

...