This fic is flowing better than my first so far, it's update time again. Please keep all the reviews/ideas coming guys. They make the pain worth it.
Berzerkoid: Gross it was but that was my plan. Anyone who thinks chemical warfare is humane and a good idea should read something like that first. Yes this does tie in and it's a direct sequel.
Zeref Alemer: I'm enjoying this fic a little more than the first; there's more to work with. I'm definitely finishing it!
Vect the Atoner: Not quite but it is a derivative of the Cloud. The cyborgs stole the plans from the Big Empty's central files. I always resolve Boone's quest in the game if I team up with him and I don't recall the officer responsible ever being named in that situation. I suppose this is just one possible scenario but I try to make it believable.
oddliver: nice idea and I'll keep it in mind. The war is certainly going to be bloody...but Jaden is about to get a little more help...
sgtranglin: Yes I know the one to which you're referring; I did get some inspiration from Red Slayer and his fic is among my favourites. Don't read it unless you have a strong stomach though!
eaglescorch: Don't worry, I'm certainly not quitting while I'm on a roll!
Well back to the fic and btw elmo, you were right in your last review! The horror of Vault 66 has crossed the continent but so has its mortal enemy...
Near Vault 34
Ironically it was the Dark Phantom who discovered the bodies of Anders and Reynolds an hour later. He guessed the state of the bodies would confuse the locals but he knew what had gone down here. One look at the condition of the victims was enough for him. He was pondering what to do next when he received a call through the handheld radio on his belt.
"Yes? You're still in Novac? All right stay there I'll come to you." The Phantom chose his next words carefully just in case anyone was listening in. "They're here all right. The locals don't have any idea yet. Alright stay there, I'm coming."
He activated his stealth field again and started southwest. If this was any indication his old enemies were almost ready to move and time was running out...
Patriot camp
"What the fuck happened out there?" Oliver was asking for about the twentieth time. Precise information from the north had been sporadic but it was clear that all the party he'd sent was gone and the raid had failed.
"We don't know, sir," Stevens, another of his NCR Lieutenants, replied weakly. "We've heard nothing at all since they left."
"An entire squad can't just disappear!" Oliver retorted.
"Impossible or not, they are missing," Stevens reiterated. "Perhaps they are dead or taken prisoner, what does it matter since it's pretty clear we didn't succeed."
"Anything else to say besides the goddamned obvious?" Oliver snapped.
"Well only a suggestion but try calling Cronus or the local radio. Maybe they have something."
Oliver turned on Radio New Vegas first and wasn't prepared for the shock as he got Jaden's voice halfway through an announcement.
"...with this cowardly and devastating attack the Patriots have crossed the line. Any hope they had for negotiations has died along with those innocent refugees on that caravan! Accordingly the New Vegas government is now offering bounties for anyone in Patriot uniform killed; 500 caps each. In addition the Van Graffs are now official enemies of the New Vegas Alliance. All trade with them is prohibited. If any of their goods enter New Vegas territory they will be seized. If any members of their family enter then they are legitimate targets at 20000 caps a head. As for the craven coward who leads this terrorist army, 'General' Oliver, he is now considered nothing more than trash to be collected: 50000 caps is now being offered for him in any condition!"
Oliver's mouth dropped open in horror. How could everything have deteriorated so badly in less than a day? It had all started well, his people choking off the Courier's trade caravans and would have run the nascent nation into the ground before too long. Now nearly half of his force was dead, his support from home had been yanked and there were sizable bounties on his head and those of his men.
Although Oliver hated the Courier with a passion he had to admit this was an inspired move on his part. His followers' loyalty would be tested enough knowing they had prices on their heads and it would make other wastelanders and mercs think twice about joining him. The reward for him was an even bigger problem. It was so rich even the most loyal man around would be tempted to try and collect on it. How the hell the Courier had found him out was beyond him, perhaps one of his men had turned? Well the cause was of no importance, all that mattered was the result which wasn't that good.
Suddenly he developed a searing headache as the magnitude of his problems became clear. He had less than six days of supplies and only half of his group left; nothing like enough to even dent Jaden's New Vegas Alliance forces. He had only one other hope.
He switched the radio's frequency and tried to raise Omar Cronus. He'd come through with the goods and help before and he sure as hell needed him now.
The Hub-NCR
"Yes, I heard the situation...It's not my fault General, I didn't prepare those canisters, did I? They came from the Van Graffs; we both put our trust in them."
'Omar Cronus', aka cyborg leader Omicron, was calmly smiling as he lied through his teeth to the almost hysterical general. Rho had arrived to bring him the good news from Vegas so he was up to date and had been expecting this panic call.
"Are you saying they betrayed us?" Oliver ranted.
"I'd say they used us. Gloria's younger sister used an amateur hit team to try and eliminate the Courier and suffice it to say it didn't end well; for them and her that is. I daresay they expected you to hit a military base or the Courier himself instead of a civilian caravan so instead of the knockout gas we get lethal toxin."
"So now what? We didn't take any hostages and that little bastard's put a price on MY head! He's increased his patrols too, my men can't even sneak out of this valley without tripping over those robots of his. You must send more help!"
Omicron sniggered. "You'll find there's surprisingly little I must do General. I'm just a private contractor, a middleman, an arranger. I'm certainly not a miracle worker and since your support has recently been cut off I see no way you can afford my services anymore."
"Wait! You can't just cut me off and leave me stranded like this!" Oliver screamed.
"I think you'll find that I can. You have Vertibirds, do you not? I suggest you use them and come home. From where I sit you can't win now; your little gambit has failed. Withdraw and try again some other time. I'll still be here when you have the caps. Goodbye." Omicron disconnected and cut Oliver off in mid-rant.
"About time we disposed of that fool," A coldly smiling Rho entered the office just in time to hear the angry radio exchange.
Omicron returned the smile. "Very true. You did well in New Vegas, Rho. I just heard from the editor of the NCR Times, he was most impressed with your pictures. He'll run the full story in the morning; should do the NCR no end of damage and with its own people too. Now all we have to do is sit back, watch things play out and wait for the good news. I'm certain the Imperator will be very pleased."
"With both of us," Rho smugly agreed."I'd better stay hidden in the back in case we get visitors."
Omicron nodded in approval. In truth he couldn't wait until he could leave and dispose of his fake face as well. He hadn't fought a good battle in some time. Still, with what was coming he knew he wouldn't have much longer to wait.
NCR embassy-the Strip: 6 hours later
Of all people Crocker never expected to be visited by Craig Boone, much less have an official diplomatic meeting with him. Crocker guessed this would be another difficult meeting.
"Is Jaden otherwise engaged?" It didn't help that he put his foot in it on the first question.
"Unfortunately yes. He's still comforting the survivors of the last Patriot raid," Boone snarled. "He still had 3 kids to see when I left."
Without further ado he angrily tossed several photographs of the victims on Crocker's desk.
"Oh my god!" Crocker had difficulty controlling his stomach when he saw them.
"I thought the NCR had banned the use of all chemical and biological weapons, Ambassador," Boone was almost shaking in anger as he dropped one of the used shells onto the desk along with copies of the dossier Vulpes had given Jaden. "So how the fuck do you explain all this?"
"I can't!" Crocker said weakly. "You know that this would have no official sanction and..."
"Explain that to those kids or Jaden's government, I'm sure they'll be impressed!" Boone let the sarcasm drip from his every word. "I'm here to give you a heads up: expect big trouble ahead. If you've got any shares in the Van Graffs or anything owned by General Oliver, then cash up fast because the stock's about to crash!"
With that he strode out to meet up with Ashley at the door leaving a dismayed Crocker behind looking at the evidence. The shell was certainly of Van Graff manufacture, it had their logos all over it. He got sicker still as he read through the file and put his head in his hands. He knew the involvement of the Van Graffs and Oliver precluded the possibility of the NCR getting away with its reputation intact. Whether the Patriots were wiped out or not Jaden's government would certainly demand some reprisal and, from where he stood, Crocker didn't see any way Jaden could avoid granting that; he was politically trapped.
He quickly began writing another urgent dispatch home but he had a real bad feeling that any action now was too little too late.
Lucky 38 Penthouse
"Jaden!" A worried Dr Usanagi and Veronica were waiting for him as he came out of the elevator along with Cass, Arcade and Raul.
"Sorry Doc but the session will have to wait," Jaden had gone past the grieving stage and was now in complete fury. After helping Julie Farkas and the Followers with the young survivors he'd ended up giving them the third floor of the 38 as a temporary counselling centre until something could be worked out. He'd then gone straight on to an emergency cabinet meeting in the cocktail lounge with the heads of the three families and the King and from there to Radio New Vegas to deliver their latest decisions; namely open bounties and full warfare on the Patriots.
"That bad, huh?" Veronica hadn't seen Jaden as riled as this.
"If you'd been there Veronica, you wouldn't be asking that," Jaden replied coldly.
"Now what?" Cass asked.
"Now the gloves come off," Jaden promised. "Oliver and the Van Graffs have crossed the line and we start answering them now. I've got to go to Nellis to enlist the Boomers and check progress on a back project I've got going. If it works...General wait and see won't have to much longer! Yes Man, send the deployment signal to the Securitrons and have them move south."
Raul was starting to worry too. "Can we do anything else, boss? You shouldn't push yourself too hard."
"Don't worry, there's a bed where I'm going. You won't be left out I promise, keep monitoring the radio here, I might need you tomorrow and if I do I'll send transport."
With that he went back down in the elevator all the way to the lobby to meet up with Boone and Ashley.
"I can't believe you took a risk like that without me," Boone chided Jaden. The others had brought him up to speed on events in Novac.
"With Vulpes? I thought it was worth the risk and I was right. I just wish I could have got to you, I feel like I failed you..."
Boone put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him. "Nothing you could have done. Not in time anyway. I thought you should know; the two Patriots that got away? Scouts found them near Vault 34, both dead."
"How?" Jaden wondered.
"One gutted like a fish and the other had both his hands broken then his neck," Boone seemed confused. "Both had guns and they managed to draw them but it didn't look like they hit anything. No blood or bodies aside from theirs."
"The Dark Phantom?"
Boone shrugged. "Maybe. We can't say for sure. Anyway I sent the Aces south as you wanted. They'll be camping overnight and waiting for us to join them in the morning."
Jaden nodded in approval. "Perfect. Then I need to go and have a talk with the Boomers. I've got a proposition for them."
"I'll head south then with the Enclave Vertibird and join the Aces at their camp. Are you going to be all right getting to us on your own?"
"I survived the Divide on my own," Jaden allowed himself a small smile. "I can handle this. Don't worry so much. One other thing you should know before we start this..."
Jaden passed Boone another piece of paper from Vulpes' dossier. Boone quickly read through it and his eyebrows hardened into a glare. "Is this right? Can we be sure?"
"We can't check up on the raw intel from here but everything else in the file's been right up to now and Vulpes had no reason to lie to us," Jaden reasoned. "It does explain a lot of things; like what happened at Boulder City. I don't know about you but it doesn't surprise me at all."
Boone nodded in agreement. "Then it's time we made good on our oath. I'll meet you at the rendezvous point tomorrow."
"Mind if I tag along?" Ashley spoke up for the first time.
"Why would you want to do that?" Jaden asked cautiously.
"Because I care and I'm as disgusted by this as all of you are!" Ashley shot back with passion. "Because of that greedy fat son of a bitch those poor people are dead and my country's name's going to be dragged through the shit! Give me a chance and I'll cut their names into him!"
Boone nodded. "Sounds good enough to me, right Jaden?"
"Fine, you're in. I'll meet you both at the Aces' camp tomorrow."
Ashley turned to Boone as Jaden walked away and through the gate. "What was that he gave you? Something important?"
"See for yourself."
Ashley sucked in a breath as she read the paper. "I can't believe it!"
"Unfortunately I can," Boone muttered. "I don't exactly want to and I don't put much trust in Legion good faith but Jaden was right. Everything else in that file Vulpes gave us is authentic; scary when you think how far they've infiltrated the NCR."
Ashley nodded. "So now what?"
"What else? We go to the camp and meet up with the Aces. Then tomorrow all sins will be answered for..."
Nellis air base
"You're offering us what?!" Raquel couldn't believe her ears. Nor could Pearl or any of the other Boomers in the hangar. Loyal and Jack's eyes had lit up like it was Christmas morn.
Jaden smiled. "Like I said, I've got some Vertibirds with your name on them if you can make yourselves available tomorrow morning. I'm also going to need that bomber of yours ready to go too. "
"We thought that might be the case with what you gave us today," Loyal reasoned. His blood had chilled when Jaden told him exactly what his militia had brought them. "We made the switch safely with no accidents. But are you sure you want to do this?"
"There's a saying in battle: turnabout is fair play," Jaden said coldly. "I've no other use for it and I can't think of anyone who deserves it more."
"Fair enough," Loyal and the rest of the Boomers had seen the horrific results of the attack on the convoy and weren't for arguing.
"Our people will stand with you tomorrow," Pearl promised. "This offer is too generous to refuse and we can't let what these Patriots have done go unpunished."
"Thank you. Whatever birds we get are yours to keep. All I ask is help protecting our borders when we need it," Jaden smiled warmly. This had gone well.
"That's freely given, child. You've done more for us than we could have ever dreamed."
With a deal firmly in the bag Jaden left the airbase and walked out into the wrecked base barracks that acted as the Boomers' artillery zone. He pulled out what looked like a toy gun but it was, in fact, his way to return to the Big Empty: the Big Mountain Transportalponder. He'd follow up a few things with the Think Tank, stay the night there and join Boone and the Aces first thing in the morning.
Ranger HQ-NCR
"Jesus Christ..." Even the tough Chief Koenig couldn't help but feel ill as he saw the photos Crocker had sent by fast diplomatic courier.
"We're right in the brown stuff now," Hsu warned. "The Patriots have gone too far this time."
All 3 of them knew he was right; one of the worst case scenarios had now come to pass and in the worst possible way. Innocent civilians were dead and at they were from the very same place as the NCR's last PR disaster had happened. Lightning had struck twice; proverbially speaking.
"What about the Corporal?" Moore asked with some concern.
"That's about the only bright spot in this. She's working with the Courier at the moment; he hasn't told his government about her. In this climate it's the most sensible thing he could have done," Koenig mused. "Crocker thinks that we aren't going to get out of this clean, not now. There'll be repercussions after the Alliance is through with Oliver that's for sure and something tells me that won't be long off."
"How's that?" Hsu wondered.
"From what few sources I've got nearly every Securitron is being mobilised and the militia at Camp McCarran is on high alert. Unless my men are missing something big the whole of the New Vegas Alliance military is gearing up for some heavy duty action. If I were to make a guess at this juncture I'd say they know where Oliver and the rest of his Patriots are and they're going for the knockout punch," Koenig looked grim as he said this.
Hsu caught on fast. "And once they're through with that they'll turn their attention to us."
"You think he'll attack us?" Moore asked in alarm.
"He doesn't need to," Koenig reminded them. "All he needs to do is cut us off from Hoover Dam and slap sanctions on us and our economy tips into recession, if not depression. Hanlon's audit made that clear and if he can find all that out so can Jaden Storm."
"Would he really do it given our past relationship?" Hsu was grasping at straws somewhat.
"I would if I were him," Koenig muttered as he looked at the pictures again. "Wouldn't you after something like this? A horrific and unprovoked attack with chemical weapons we shouldn't even have? All done by a militia claiming to fight in our name and secretly backed by one of our trading companies?"
"No doubt on that either I suppose?" Even Moore was starting to sound grim too.
"None. They presented Crocker with one of the shells used in the attack. The Van Graffs' name and manufacturing specs are all over it. Whether our government was involved or not won't make any difference, not to the Alliance government or its people. They'll force the Courier to cut us off even if he doesn't want it himself. You'd best warn the President, tell him there's a storm warning on the way if he'll pardon the expression."
Mojave drive in-early next day
Jaden had risen with the dawn, dressed into his duster, Divide rebreather and headband and teleported back from Big Mountain. After mentally reminding himself to try and fix Klein's volume control next time round he headed east over the hills to meet up with Boone and the Aces who'd camped overnight at an old Legion safe house. He was eagerly awaiting the upcoming battle and for more than one reason.
"Jaden! You made it!" Layla was happy to see their boss knowing his capability on the battlefield.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Jaden smiled grimly as he checked his 12.7mm and strapped a prize modified katana to his belt. "Where are the other Aces?"
"All scouting Searchlight airfield," Boone replied as he and Ashley checked their guns. "We should join them, after taking a little Rad-X."
10 minutes later they were all on a ridge with a clear scope view over the airfield.
"5 Vertibirds in all," Blaine reported. "Only 2 guards and 5 pilots. I guess they didn't expect us to find them. Not many people come out here with the town swimming in radiation."
Ashley snorted. "Typical Oliver arrogance though. 'My plan's perfect, I can wait and see down here all day long and that punk will never find me', feh!"
That caused giggles all round. After the events of the previous day everyone was starting to warm to the 'NCR tough girl' as she'd become known.
"You're sure you want to do this?" Boone wasn't worried about Ashley's capabilities; just the risk of her freezing up at the thought of shooting fellow NCR.
"If I get Oliver in my sights I'll blow his balls off," Ashley growled. "That goes for his men too. They aren't fighting for the republic just themselves. I'll show them what NCR does to traitors!"
"Ok boss, how do you want this done?" Layla asked now that debate was over.
"Clean, nothing fancy. We take them out, we call in the Boomers and then we cut Oliver's escape route," Jaden smiled.
"He's down in the valley?" Riker couldn't believe it.
"He is according to the file. That's why in two hours this area will be swimming in Securitrons. Yes Man's spent the last day moving them down here a few at a time. The militia should be joining them soon after that and once Daisy's dropped off the Boomers she'll be headed to Vegas to pick up Arcade and the others."
"So this is really it?" Chelsea grinned in anticipation.
"Yeah. Today we'll do what should have been done at the dam; finish the Patriots and their joke of a general once and for all. Let's do it!"
"No problem. Ready Boone?" Blaine asked as he aimed his suppressed sniper rifle.
"Ready."
Both aimed at the two guards standing near the old traffic control tower and scored perfect headshots in unison. 2 more shots from Chelsea and Layla disposed of a pair of pilots who saw the guards go down.
By now Riker and Jaden were inside the airfield's fence. Riker, subtle as ever, opened up into another pair of pilots with his minigun. The last one tried to run but ended up fleeing straight into the business end of Jaden's customised katana that pierced his heart and killed him instantly.
"Clear boss," Riker reported three minutes later after checking around and inside the parked Vertibirds.
"Right!" Jaden grabbed his radio. "We're all clear, come on in. These rides need some pilots!"
Daisy wasted no time in parking her Vertibird smoothly alongside and dropped off Loyal, Jack and several other flight suit wearing Boomers.
"There you are, Loyal. 5 of them, all yours!"
Loyal couldn't believe it. "You're the best thing to happen to us in years, Jaden! If there's anything we can ever do..."
"For now get these things airborne and stick around. We'll turn their own toys back on them when the fighting starts."
"Jaden! Check this out!" Layla called from one of the Vertibirds.
Jaden ran over to see what the fuss was about. He didn't have to look long. The back of the Vertibird was piled high with weapon crates. A quick check of the other four revealed they too were full of guns, explosives and grenades.
"Looks like we might have stopped a major offensive," Boone reasoned.
"Airport, this is base camp. Why the hell haven't you guys taken off yet?"
The sudden call over the Vertibird's radio took everyone by surprise. Jaden recovered his wits first and grinned as he got an idea. "Allow me."
"Airport, will you get off your ass and..."
"It's no problem. We're just firing up now," Jaden smoothly lied, hoping they wouldn't pick up on his voice over the radio. He needn't have worried.
"Ok fine. Get going, drop those crates off and get back here fast. General Oliver wants to be long gone from here by the end of today. Over and out."
Jaden snickered as he turned off the radio. "Yeah he'll be long gone by the end of today all right. Just not how he expected! Ok let's get these birds up."
"What about us, boss?" Riker could hardly wait.
"We're going down to Cottonwood overlook. We'll get the best view down the valley from there and we can cut off any scouts. Everyone up for this?"
"Are we ever!" Ashley said what they pretty much all were thinking.
"Then let's go. Oliver goes down today!"
Brotherhood of Steel bunker
Paladin Ramos was starting to wish he was out in the field now that the lockdown had been lifted. Guard duty on the main door, while necessary, was boring in long shifts. Checking the clock he saw the latest patrol was due back anytime; well not strictly a patrol. Knight Torres had gone out on a scout and procurement run.
"Paladin Ramos?"
"Welcome back Torres," Ramos greeted her over the intercom. She was bang on time. "Any problems?"
"Just one," Torres' voice seemed nervy and that wasn't lost on Ramos. "Can you open up?"
"Sure kid, hang on." He quickly switched frequencies. "Get a couple of men up here. We could have a problem at the door."
One minute later two more paladins, armed with gauss rifles, joined him and he released the lock on the door. It opened to reveal a nervous Knight Torres apparently standing alone.
"Are you all right?"
"She's fine. Not a bad hiding place you've got here." The voice had Ramos looking every which way until the Dark Phantom decloaked directly behind Torres.
Ramos and his two escorts raised their rifles instantly. "Identify yourself!"
"With pleasure."
The Phantom tossed an object at Ramos which he caught deftly with his left hand. His eyes bulged in surprise as he looked at it and identified it as one of their holotags.
"Leon Kallan, Paladin Commander, eastern chapter?" Ramos' disbelief quickly disappeared and he snapped into a salute. "Hail...and welcome. It's been awhile since we've seen anyone from another chapter."
"Yes, so I can imagine," the Lone Wanderer replied before turning to Torres. "Sorry about the rough persuasion."
"I don't feel so bad now knowing I was caught by one of our own," Torres sighed in relief. "That'll teach me to be stealthier!"
"Don't worry about it this time; no damage done and I won't tell Hardin if you don't," Ramos reassured her before turning back to Leon. "Now how can we help you?"
"Is your Elder here? I need to speak with him urgently."
Ramos nodded. "Yes he's here. He hardly ever leaves. What's all this about?"
"The future of the Brotherhood...and everything else in this wasteland," Leon replied without a trace of humour. "And we don't have all day!"
