"Jesus," Layla whispered.
She, Boone, ED-E and the vet rangers from both Delta and Alpha units had made it to other side of the dam and found the path to Lanius' camp. There was little resistance as they came within sight of the area.
A drawbridge led into the camp, surrounded by fences. Outside the gates were crucifixes. Several crucifixes. They were empty, but Layla had to assume the Legion didn't plan on keeping them that way for long.
Layla had felt nothing but pure adrenaline since escaping Vulpes's ambush. No fear or apprehension, just moving and shooting and reloading. She'd occasionally shove a stimpak into Boone or one of the rangers if they got wounded, a few times on herself as well. There was no time to think of how likely it was she was going to die, so she continued on numbly.
But the sight of those crucifixes, waiting to be filled with NCR soldiers, or possibly her and her friends, finally made her feel something: anger.
"Good, no one's looking for us," Ranger Castles said, interrupting her thoughts. "I don't know if it's a trap or something's going on," he continued, "but let's not waste an opportunity to get in. Be quick and quiet," he finished, nodding to Anders, who took point.
They started their quiet approach. Layla pulled her .45 out of her armor. She'd switched to her old 10mm, worried she'd run out of ammunition for the larger gun. Now that she was angry, she felt there'd be a particular satisfaction in reigning destruction on the Legion with the Burned Man's gun.
"What the hell?" Anders cried, looking beyond the gates to the camp.
"Keep it down," Castles hissed. "What is it?"
"Look for yourself."
Layla peeked around Boone, who stood in front of her, and had to keep herself from laughing. The Remnants had joined the party, and it didn't look like the Legion had been prepared for them.
*.*.*
Mags dove into a tent. She needed to get a stim into her leg and reload before the decanus caught up to her. She'd been separated O'Hanaran and Poindexter in the confusion a while back, not long after they'd repelled the group of Legionaries in the medical tent.
The soldier grunted as she jammed the needle of a stimpak into her thigh. She didn't have time to wrap the cut going down her leg. She'd worry about that later.
Getting to her feet, she slid another magazine into her rifle and moved to the tent opening. Just as she began pushing aside the flap with the tip of her rifle, it was ripped open. On the other end was the fucking decanus.
The Legionary rushed at her, swinging a curved blade wildly. Mags stumbled on her still-healing leg and fell on her back. The man standing over her laughed, but she laughed back and shot his stomach open.
Sitting up, she paled as she saw that three others had followed the decanus in. They made their way to her as she got to her feet. She shot one in the face, but the next got within range and swung his spear. She saved her head by deflecting the blow with her rifle, but the gun was knocked out of her hands.
Now she was fucked, and going by the Legionary's sickly smile, he thought the same. He reached for her when a voice rang out from the front of the tent.
"Catch you fuckers at a bad time?"
Both Legionaries turned as Mags caught sight of Chief Hanlon, flanked by two veteran rangers. They shot the two Legionaries before either got the chance to raise their weapons.
"What took you guys so long?" Mags asked. Hanlon laughed.
"They had a little party for us in the resort building. We thought it would be rude to leave without at least saying hello."
She'd figured as much, though she was relieved the rangers had made it out. "Have you seen my men?" she asked.
"This way." Hanlon motioned to the tent flap.
Going back outside, Mags could see the immediate difference in the battle since the rangers showed up. Legionaries were scrambling for cover, most not making it as sharpshooters picked them off. The woman allowed herself a tight grin as she caught sight of Poindexter and O'Hanrahan still on their feet. They were mopping up the last of a group of veteran Legionaries who'd made a stand near the firing range.
With the rangers' aid they finished quickly, and soon the two men ran up to join her.
"We did it," Poindexter said breathlessly as he reached Mags. "And we didn't get killed."
"Thank Jesus it's over," O'Hanrahan added, slinging his rifle over his shoulder.
"Don't get comfortable," said Mags, looking around the camp. "We're on body bag duty."
"Who ordered that?" Poindexter asked, sounding exasperated.
"I did," Mags answered. "Now get moving."
*.*.*
"Your rangers friends aren't as concerned with us as I feared," Judah Kreger said as he and Layla crouched behind a couple crates in Lanius's camp.
"They're not picky when they don't want to be," The Courier answered. "Glad you guys made it."
"We were starting to wonder what happened to you," the old man said, then looked up from his spot and shot an oncoming Legionary.
"We had some setbacks," Layla said, checking over her shoulder. Boone was trying to pick off a sharpshooter from the guard tower. ED-E hovered just behind him, watching for surprise attacks.
"Have you see Lanius?" she asked the enclave captain, who shook his head.
"Not yet, but we haven't been able to get this close to the main camp until now."
"Sniper's down," Boone said as he approached from behind. Layla turned to find him looking at the Remnants, then giving her a disbelieving look. She gave him an innocent smile, then looked up when she heard someone calling to her from further in the camp.
"We'd better go help your ranger friends," Cannibal Johnson said, and Layla looked to where he pointed. Castles and his team were exchanging fire closer to the center of camp with a pack of praetorians and a few centurions.
"We're coming!" she yelled back, checked to make sure Boone and ED-E were following her and moved up to join Johnson and Moreno.
"I don't know why you candy asses have been having so much trouble with these idiots," Moreno said as they approached. Layla was actually fairly certain he'd pointed that at Boone, but the sniper's business scowl remained unchanged as they made their way for the center of the camp.
With their help, Castles and his team were able to repel the attack. The remaining Legionaries retreated back up the hill to regroup, and the camp grew quiet.
Layla took advantage of the lull in the chaos to survey everyone's injuries. They were in good shape, with only a few minor wounds. Layla had been shot in the shoulder, but it didn't seem to have hit anywhere crucial.
"Layla."
She turned to find Doc Henry was beckoning to her. "Let me patch up your side."
"What?" She looked down to find she was bleeding heavily. A decanus had managed to score a hit on her at the dam, and she'd forgotten about it.
They ducked behind a crate with Kreger. Boone and ED-E kept guard while the doctor slapped a self-adhesive bandage on the wound.
Standing, the Courier was about to suggest they try for the hill when she heard a cry.
"There he is!"
Layla turned to see what Anders was yelling about. The tallest Legionary she'd ever seen had appeared on the top of the hill, staring down at them. Lanius had finally joined the battle.
"Jesus, he's big," she sputtered. The man had to be more than seven feet tall and completely made of muscle. Castles and his team were already running up the hill. The Legate pulled a massive blade off his back and, in one swift move, lopped off Presley's head.
Layla shrieked without meaning to, then caught sight of a new batch of Legionaries coming their way from outside the gate.
"Boone, help them," she called to the sniper, who began firing at Lanius. "Remnants, take the new group." The former Enclave members all moved toward the gate as Layla started running for the hill.
By now Lanius had downed Anders, and only Castles was left on his feet. Just as Layla reached the path leading up the hill, the Legate side-stepped the ranger's knife and swung low, cutting off one of Castles's legs. The man fell with a strangled cry. Now that he'd finished with the Rangers, Lanius merely stood at the top of the stairs, staring directly at Layla.
"I would speak with you, Courier," the Legionary boomed. She stopped in her tracks.
"You're not going up there," Boone hissed from her side.
"It'll be okay, just cover me."
"I've already shot him four times," the sniper continued. "I don't think he noticed."
That didn't fill her with confidence, but the man was still just staring at them. She'd been told many times that Lanius was supposed to be all about honor, but she'd also been told he was ruthless.
"It'll be okay. If something happens, just start shooting," Layla said firmly. Boone looked like he was going to argue further, but he scowled and looked away.
Her head spun as she started walking. Think think think, she admonished herself. Half of an idea struck her as she followed the path up the hill; if he had any sense, he'd be worried about an ambush like the one Hanlon had pulled last time. He'd be an idiot if he hadn't learned from Joshua's mistakes. If she could bluff this right, maybe she could make him think there was another trap waiting for him.
Stopping short of his immediate range, Layla felt her stomach ball into a knot. She could see Castles lying just beyond the Legionary.
"You bear the insignia of the Bear, but are not one of her soldiers," Lanius rumbled.
"I'm not in the army," Layla said, trying to ignore how lame she sounded, "but I'm one of them."
"You fight with words, like all the Sunset people, but I wonder if you talk in more than frightened pleas and useless deceptions backed with no strength."
"Strength doesn't only come in direct violence, but you know of that," Layla answered. "If you make the right move here, you might be able to avoid another disaster."
"The tricks of your predecessors are known," Lanius boomed. "But the strength of the Legion will show the West its rightful master. Violence will crush the weak and awaken the strong. Violence has awoken you." Lanius gestured to her. "I can see it on your face, where two bullets left their mark." Layla had to stop from touching her face. He was right; things had changed since Benny had shot her. That didn't matter now.
"The roads leading west are filled with the crucifixes of those who tried to negotiate with us," Lanius continued. "We will move forward and walk the road paved in the bodies of the NCR."
That was it; Layla was done talking. She'd thought of another angle, the main flaw of the Legion: they were built for war. If she convinced him to go back east and strengthen the hold on his lands, he would probably do it. But the temporary victory now would make things far more devastating when they came back, further strengthened. So she did the sensible thing.
"You're not taking this dam, and I'm here to stop you."
Laughter rumbled from the Legate, then he spoke.
"I am glad the two of you came to me," he said, and Layla felt the hair on the back of her neck stand. "We shall see how brave you are when nailed to the walls of Hoover Dam, your bodies facing west so you can watch your world die."
He began pulling the gigantic sword off his back as Layla backpedaled. Bullets pinged off his armor as Boone opened fire, and the Courier retreated down the path to regroup. She barely had time to draw her gun before the legate was on her, swinging.
Layla dove out of the way, barely avoiding getting split in two. Lanius backed off his assault, instead making his way toward Boone as the sniper reloaded.
Layla fired into the Legate's back as he turned away. She was becoming very concerned that the shots she was landing weren't even slowing him down. As he ignored her and continued toward Boone, Layla scrambled to her feet and ran for them.
Holstering her pistol, she pulled the shotgun off her back and fired nearly point-blank into Lanius' back. The Legionary roared and spun around, swinging his blade as he did.
The swing was wild, and only the flat of the blade collided with Layla's side. She flew back from the impact, slamming into a boulder before she hit the ground. She lay on her back a moment, wide eyes staring at the sky as she waited for the shock to wear off. It felt like all her bones had been broken.
Feelings other than pain started coming back to her as she was finally able to breath again. Groaning, she closed her eyes; at least three ribs were definitely broken, she could tell before she even moved.
Just as she started to sit up, she felt a hand at her back helping her up. Opening her eyes again, she found Boone kneeling at her side.
"Can you move? Are you okay?" he asked rapidly.
"Yeah, just knocked the wind out of me," Layla answered. "Where is he?"
"The guy with the gatling laser hit him from behind," the sniper answered. Layla sighed. Moreno had rescued them, and he wasn't going to let her hear the end of it. Standing with Boone's help, she saw ED-E come flying their way, whistling rapidly. Lanius was right behind him.
He brushed by the robot and swung his blade at Boone and Layla. They both managed to skirt away. Layla fired shots that pinged off the man's helmet while Boone readied his rifle. She'd thought the Legate would press his attack toward her, or turn to Boone, but he suddenly moved away from them.
She must have finally hit him somewhere good, as she caught sight of him pulling a packet of healing powder from his armor. Then she saw something flying in their direction. A grenade. It landed close by and exploded before they could scramble away. Boone shielded Layla, taking the brunt of the blast that knocked them both off their feet.
The world spun as Layla tried to get back on her feet. It took her a moment to realize Boone had landed partially on top of her. Crawling out from under him, she felt her stomach twist painfully at his limp, bloodied form.
"Boone?"
He didn't respond, and she reached to check his pulse with a shaking hand.
He was alive. The concussion of the blast had knocked him out. He had a few minor burns, and his head was bleeding, but it looked like he'd avoided any serious injury. She quickly jabbed him with a stimpak, then realized she'd been ignoring Lanius.
The Legate standing a few yards away from her, waiting. The Courier gently lowered Boone's head to the ground, then stood.
"Your champion is defeated, woman," Lanius said, still unmoving. "Submit and I will grant you a swifter death than you deserve."
Layla glowered as she pulled the chainsaw off her back. Brutus jumped to life in her hands, and the legate laughed.
"You are a fool to face me alone," said Lanius.
"And you're not the first Legionary I've killed with this," Layla retorted.
*.*.*
The ghoul - Andy was pretty sure he'd heard his name was Harland - shot the final Legionary square in the eye. The shot echoed in the eerie silence of the courtyard.
"Manny, what's going on?" the ranger shouted up toward the dinosaur's mouth.
"We're clear," the sniper yelled out. "At least for now."
"Keep your eyes open," Andy called back. "I'll send up Jonas in a minute." He cast his eyes around for their night shift sniper. The kid had taken over Boone's job a few months ago, having some experience with a rifle.
He spotted Jonas near the stairs, then frowned when he realized what he was looking at. A small crowd surrounded Ada Straus kneeling over the body of Cliff Briscoe.
Andy approached, and the crowd parted to let him through. Ada looked up when he approached and shook her head slowly. Haversam, who had stayed with the Cliff the whole battle, leaned over and closed the man's eyes.
*.*.*
Arcade knew he was supposed to stay inside with the other doctors. But judging by the sounds coming from outside the tent, things weren't going well. So instead of waiting for the entire Legion army to come down on him, he left to find his companions.
There were Legionaries everywhere. He spotted Cass behind the sandbag barricade near the entrance of the camp and ran for her. Just as Arcade joined her, he heard Veronica cry out nearby.
"Oh shit. Oh fuck ow ow ow!"
"What? What is it?" Cass yelled as she stooped down to reload. The scribe hunched down next to them.
"I've been shot!"
"Join the club, sister. I've got three working so far," Cass muttered.
"It really freaking hurts!"
"I how did it get through your armor?" Cass asked, then popped up and unloaded on the Legionaries still pressing them.
"There are weak spots on the armpits. Ow-fuck that hurts!" the scribe cried. "I don't think I can use my punching arm."
"Well shit." Cass ducked down again. Arcade leaned over to barricade and fired when she did, hoping it would keep them from advancing too fast.
"Where's Raul?" the doctor yelled as he crouched back down. He put a hand to his head, thinking he'd felt a bullet graze his hair. He pulled the hand away, relieved to find no blood.
"He's on the other side of the camp," Cass answered. "Veronica's supposed to be backing him up."
"Sorry, I'm dying!" Veronica cried. She turned to Arcade. "Do you have an extra gun?"
"Yeah." He tossed her his backup laser pistol. Veronica shoved in an energy cell and stood.
"Okay, I'm going back."
"Are you crazy?" Arcade cried, "That way just got swarmed with Legionaries. It's a kill zone!"
"Lily's got my back," Veronica yelled as she started off.
"Lily's here?" Arcade asked.
"Yeah, I think she's a little confused though," Cass replied as she reloaded again. "Keeps calling me Priestess Jain."
That couldn't be good, but it looked like she was getting the job done. As Veronica ran, Legionaries around her suddenly went flying or had huge gashes cut down their chests by an invisible blade.
Focusing on the Legionaries marching toward the front of the medical camp, he paled. There seemed to be more now than before.
"We can't take them all," he said to Cass, who gave him a grim smile.
"You'd better cause enough trouble to make them kill you. The both of us are too pretty for a cross, I'm afraid."
Arcade's stomach dropped at that thought, and he opened fire on the oncoming group. There were about seven coming their way. They were being cautious in their advance, probably on the lookout for whatever invisible trap had killed their comrades.
Something caught the doctor's eye as he leaned back to reload. A new group of five Legionaries headed by a centurion appeared on the rock ridge on the side of the camp, boxing them in. Arcade didn't even get a chance to warn Cass before they opened fire.
Arcade caught a round in the leg, and Cass took another in the side. The woman swore loudly as she turned her gun toward the other group. They were coming too quickly.
"Well, that's it," Arcade said, back pressed to the sandbags. "It's been good working with you."
"Cram it. We're not dead yet," Cass muttered, blowing the head off one of the Legionaries closing in on them.
"I'm glad we're bonding here," the doctor said sourly, shooting into the mass.
The Legionaries coming from the dam had pressed closer as well, and Arcade shot one in the face as he got close enough to try to grab the doctor. There was another to take his place, and Arcade was running low on energy cells.
He caught sight of a man with a super sledge towering over Cass. The Legionary raised his arms to swing, but his head suddenly exploded.
"HEY!" a voice boomed from beyond the medical camp, and Arcade gaped when he saw Layla standing on the crest of the hill leading up to the dam. Boone was at her side, rifle trained on the surrounding Legionaries. He looked singed and bloodied. The Courier looked half crazed; covered in blood with one arm tucked unnaturally against her side, the other holding something. Cass, Arcade, and the Legionaries all stopped to look up at her.
"Your leader is dead. Throw down you weapons or fall on them!" The Courier shouted, then held up the metal object. It took Arcade a moment to realize it was Lanius' helmet, complete with his severed head. The shocked silence was broken by Cass first.
"Mother fucker!"
We will be concluding 'In War, Resolution' on Saturday. After that, there's going to be a two week break. Then, on the 21st, we will be back with 'The Last Frontiersmen.'
Thank you for reading, and double thank you if you review or favorite or add an alert. :D
