Chapter 7: Initial Negotiations
"You're not going to be taking the rest of them?" The Courier asked the village elder, who looked at him with a sad expression.
"We will be unable to help them, many of our carriages have been destroyed and they will not survive the journey. We only have so much food that we can pass around, and they will be unable to hunt for themselves." He said, referring to the many women, children, and elderly who were now without a family. "Please forgive us, but we must move on and they will be better in your care." The Courier nodded.
It was very common in the wasteland to abandon children and elderly who were without family, especially in large groups. You have too many mouths to feed and not enough food that you can carry. If you can't hunt for yourself you wouldn't last long. At least in this case, the village elder can take solace in the fact that either the Courier or the JSDF would watch over them.
The area surrounding the dragon was under heavy security by the Ironside Brigade. They were members of A-Troop, 1st Squadron, 25th Cavalry Regiment. The 25th was considered some of the best heavy soldiers in the B.o.S, capable of attacking forces much larger than their own. Their power armor was an older model though, the T-45D, which suited the 25th just fine. They always believed that you could take lack of resources and equipment and turn it into sheer fighting power. They were a group that had their own head up their ass, but in a good way.
"Then I wish you luck old man, hope you guys make it to your destination safely." The Courier nodded to him.
Everyone bid their fair-wells, many of the JSDF were saddened to see their new found friends leave so soon. It was an interesting experience for everyone, and made a lot of good bonds in the process. The petite woman who was now outside of the vehicle (Without her body armor due to the injury she received from the Courier) even shed some tears of sorrow as they left. Her gaze then turned to one of resentment as she looked over towards the Courier. He just kept looking towards the retreating villagers. Clearly she was not very happy about getting shot. The Courier could have apologized, but he really didn't care either way. He did what he had to do in the moment and it doesn't change anything. It will probably just make it easier to kill each other later.
After the villagers were out of sight, it was time for the two units to speak with each other.
"I am Staff Sergeant O-hooligan, and I am the leader of 3rd Platoon." The Squad Leader said to LT. Itami as they exchanged a salute. Even though they were enemies, they still regarded each other as fellow soldiers and kept things civil for now.
"1ST LT. Itami Yoji, acting Captain of 3rd Recon Team." He said back to the man.
"We are on requesting a Parley with the army known as the JSDF, in order to initiate negotiations with you." The Sergeant said. "We are currently escorting delegates who will handle the first talks and we are requesting to be escorted into JSDF territory." His voice was commanding, fitting for a veteran of the old wars between the B.o.S and the NCR.
"I have a hard time believing that Sergeant." Itami said truthfully. "You did try to disarm me and my men." He pointed out.
"We were unsure of how you would react and had to take measures to defend ourselves." He said. "I'm sure you understand LT." Itami nodded.
"When did the Colonel authorize this?" The Courier asked the Sergeant, who immediately adopted a more respectful tone.
"Yes sir, it was Mr. House who proposed the idea however the Colonel agreed to it." He said. "We're joined with members of 1st Ranger Batallion and 1st ID, who are escorting and guarding the Delegates who will make contact with the leaders of the JSDF." He said.
1st Rangers were no joke, the entire Battalion was made up of Veteran Rangers, all of which were the best the NCR had to offer. Even a group of these men could take out a force 5 times larger than their own size. 1st ID (Infantry Division) was simply one of the many divisions in the NCR, most likely made up of regular NCR Infantry soldiers. They no doubt make up the bulk of this little guarding force.
"Where are they?" The Courier asked.
"They're right over that hill sir." The Knight pointed in that direction. "The convoy is waiting, we stopped when we saw that monster and dismounted in order to ensure that it posed no threat to the convoy. We will happily escort you sir, Mr. House expressed that he wanted you there for the negotiations." The Courier nodded.
Itami just stared at the man, how was a simple Courier so highly respected. Itami had assumed that he was a civilian this whole time, but there was no mistaking it. The way the armored soldier stood and spoke to him, it was as if he was an officer. The Courier however did not stand like an officer, he stood relaxed and calm like any other civilian. It was very strange, and to have him come to the negotiations... Just who is this man? With one look he could clearly see that the rest of his men were thinking the same thing. Why is this man, this simple Courier, being shown such great respect?
"Alright." The Courier sighed in annoyance. He looked over at Itami and the others, who were a bit confused by what they were saying since they most likely didn't understand English very well.
"We will escort you only as far as our first line defenses." Itami said to the Sergeant. "However, we will have to wait for confirmation from Command to allow you to proceed any further."
"If your leaders decline, we will expect safe passage away from JSDF controlled territory." The Sergeant affirmed.
"Of course." Itami said. After that was settled, the Sergeant called his men over and they were preparing to move back to the convoy. The Courier stood with the rest of them and kept his distance from the JSDF soldiers.
Everyone looked at the Courier again with surprise. They could all tell by how the Knights moved, that they had a lot of respect for the man. They looked and acted around him much like many of the JSDF did with the Americans that were stationed with them. While the JSDF often got angry at the Americans, they always had a deep respect for them with how they acted and the experiences in war that they carried. These men looked at the Courier as if he was some kind of messiah.
"What do you think of them?" Sergeant Major Kuwahara asked Itami. The rest of the JSDF gathered around them.
"I don't know." Itami said. "When we were first assaulted I took some shots at them. Their armor is like nothing I've seen, even a burst from a 7.62 round isn't enough to get through their armor. The only way to kill them is to hit between the joints. Not only that, but they had such large and powerful weapons, some even had mini-guns. They even managed to take out our tanks with little effort." Itami actually shivered a bit thinking about them.
"Are you ok Sir?" Kurokawa asked.
"I'll be fine." Itami said, though everyone knew it was a lie. Ever since the attack on Arnus Hill, Itami hadn't been acting the same. He would often zone out and block out everything around him. Kurokawa was far from the devastation that happened, most of them were, except Itami. He was on the front lines for both of the major battles, and she could see it was getting to him.
It reminded her a lot of the Americans she would work with. Many of them had this "I don't give a fuck" attitude, like they didn't care about anything. They also just seemed so... hard, like nothing could really phase them. If it wasn't for his uniform, Kurokawa might actually mistake Itami for an American Officer that's been to combat.
"Well, I think they're a bunch of wimps." Kuribayashi said distastefully. "I mean, they need all that armor in order to feel safe? Pathetic, I'm sure our Special Forces could wipe the floor with them."
"You always did have a thing for hard ass men." Pops laughed at his subordinate. She just stuck her tongue out at him and flipped him off.
"...And then, they came out of nowhere and began using this strange magic. There was lighting of red and green that began to hurt the Dragon, it was as if a candle was melting from the flame." The bar maid told her tale to the many patrons, she never grew tired of explaining it over and over again. Everyone around the tavern always listened intently, some even scoffed at the very thought. If these mercenaries, or mages, were as strong as this woman claimed, why have they not been around before?
"I find that hard to believe." Norma said in disbelief. "There is no possible way that a small group of mercenaries can defeat a flame dragon." Everyone present nodded at what he said.
"Perhaps it was a smaller dragon?" Hamilton said.
"Even then, taking down a dragon with only a dozen mages, it is no small feat, that's a certainty." Grey Co Aldo said to his young knights.
"Do you doubt my tales, sir knight?" The bar maid said as she approached the group with their drinks in her tray.
"Of course." Norma said. "I might be able to believe a smaller dragon, but a flame dragon would be too much for a group of men, even mages. You're probably just saying lies to get favors and tips." He said with little tact.
"I would do no such thing, I do have my honor." The bar maid said, her face turning red from both embarrassment and anger.
"I don't know." Hamilton said. "I've been hearing strange rumors lately." She muttered to herself but it was loud enough for the Princess to hear.
"What rumors?" Princess Pinya Co Lada asked.
"Well..." Hamilton stuttered. "I've only heard it in passing, so I didn't really believe it..." She was nervous about speaking about this.
"Speak, what is it?" Pinya said in a commanding yet gentle tone, showing her subordinate that she demands her to answer but is sure to make her feel easy and relaxed.
"There have been rumors about many groups of men going around. Most are wearing armor and clothes the same color of the sand, yet others wear massive suits of plated armor. There have even been some men in green clothes but there is not much of them." She said, this time able to speak with a bit more confidence. "They said that these men in sand colored clothes, and knights, have been attacking and killing the bandits and fallen Allied Army. Groups of them have slaughtered entire armies of bandits. But I haven't really believed such rumors." She looked down, a bit embarrassed about saying that since she knew no one would believe her.
"Oh, that's them alright." The Bar maid said. "They're called the Ensea-ar, and they're trying to protect people from the bandits that have plagued the land since the Allied Army was defeated at Arnus Hill." She smiled at the thought, and blushed a bit as she imagined the hardened men that defended her and the rest of Coda Village.
"And we're to believe a woman who is clearly taken by the mercenaries." Norma said in annoyance. "Clearly her fantasies have blinded her to reality." The Bar maid just stared at him in anger. She huffed and walked away.
"What do you think Grey?" Pinya asked her old mentor.
"For so many people to believe these tales... there is more here than simple fiction." He said confidently. "When scouting, you must always remember that there are truths in every lie, no man can make a believable lie. It must be padded with truth or else the lie will fall apart. Even then, rumors could be a truth that has been changed naturally as it passes from one mouth to the other. Rumors could simply be exaggerated truths." Grey sipped his beer as he pondered the latest bit of information. "It is possible that these mercenaries are a faction of the Allied Kingdoms, that instead of resorting to banditry, decided to defend the people from their fallen brothers. Or it could be the foreign army on Arnus Hill. Until we've seen what is going on, all we can do is speculate." He finished the glass in one last gulp.
Pinya looked on in worry, even fright. Whoever this group was, they are clearly more powerful than you average soldier. Small groups of men, destroying entire armies and even dragons? How was it possible. In a moment like this, Pinya almost wished she was back in the imperial palace and away from whatever madness was ahead of her.
"This is Inoichi Sakura here to bring an update on the current situation on what news has been released beyond the Gate. JSDF officials have been assuring the people that the American like enemy has been contained. However, many soldiers in the JSDF have since been going AWOL since they have returned from the other side, and many more have been transferred out of active duty status due to psychological casualties. According to recent polls, there have not been this much psychological problems since the United States first entered into the Iraqi War in 2003.
Furthermore, Japanese high command has been requesting extra technologies and assistance from the United States, with U.S. service members training and advising JSDF forces. Members of U.S. 1st Group Special Forces have been called on by JSDF Officers to oversee training for high risk operations that are expected to be conducted beyond the Gate, according to our sources.
According to a recent poll, over 40% of the Japanese public have been calling for an end to hostilities and the destruction of the Gate, while an additional 20% are demanding for the Americans to handle the situation. Lt. General Kōichirō Hazama had this to say..."
"While we are calling for the aid of the American government, as well as other NATO allies, this conflict is strictly a Japanese issue. We will not endanger the lives of our allied soldiers, nor will we allow for our own forces to face an enemy without proper training and equipment. Due to our recent defense budgets, the JSDF have never had the ability to create advanced technology for military use, and to do so would take years of legislature and developments. In staying true to our oath to remain as a defensive force only, we are allowing JSDF soldier to be armed and equipped with American weapons and equipment. When the conflict has been settled, every piece of serviceable equipment will be returned to the United States, and the Japanese government will take full responsibility for compensating for any damaged or destroyed equipment. We will be issuing all JSDF forces beyond the Gate with American weapons, body armor, and equipment within the next few days. Most of which are being shipped over from the American bases on Okinawa. However, we will not use these gifts from our allies to engage in any hostile action, unless it is deemed that failiure to do so will result in the loss of Japanese lives, or the lives of our allies."
"This is Inoichi Sakura, signing out."
While the large convoy stayed past the hills, a smaller force went forward and into the recently constructed fortress gate. Itami managed to get permission for the delegates to arrive into JSDF territory, which was met with a bit of excitement from the higher ups. They wanted to put an end to hostilities quickly before things got out of hand.
Itami knew just how fragile the situation was, if Japan had to rely on American troops to fight their battles for them, funding and public recognition of the JSDF would drop, and it would only enhance the protests and civil unrest that was going on in Japan. This was an opportunity to quell issues back home, by negotiating peace it would show the International community that Japan truly wants nothing more than peace, and will avoid violence to do so as well. However, that only depends on how these next few days go.
The Courier was walking next to one of House's Securitrons. Much like Vegas, he is unable to broadcast himself this far from his relay's, so he sent a video message in the form of Victor, the Securitron that dug him up. The JSDF soldiers drove a good distance in front of the convoy, not really getting a good chance to look at anything in the convoy. They wanted to maintain their distance, yet stay close enough in order to signal any JSDF patrols that could attack the convoy.
The small group that was entering the base was made up of a Team of Veteran Rangers, as well as 2 B.o.S Knights and a group of NCR soldiers. Not counting the Courier, the Delegates, and Victor of course.
"Food... Smells... Good..." Came the rough voice of one of the Super Mutants. Since the battle for Hoover Dam, Super Mutants began to integrate themselves into society more and more. They have gained most of the rights of any other NCR citizen and are even allowed to serve in the NCR. The new General saw uses for having a massive and powerful meta-human as a front line soldier. Granted, you'd probably never see a Super Mutant in the Intel field or as a cook, but they made excellent infantry soldiers and could even match the best of the power armored divisions.
"Oh my God." Kuribayashi muttered to herself as she saw a Super Mutant for the first time. All of the other JSDF soldiers just stepped back, probably in a mixture of fear and disgust, as they saw this massive thing walk into the gate. "What the hell is that thing!?" She yelled out and pointed at the Super Mutant.
"What did you... call me Human!?" He yelled back at her, clearly enraged.
"Kelly, calm down." One of the other NCR soldiers told the Mutant and put a hand on its shoulder.
"You got a problem with muties girl?" Another NCR soldier came to his buddies defense and got into Kuribayashi's face.
"No, it's just..." She stuttered back.
"She's not an it, she's a she. Got it." He told her with an angry expression.
"... A she?" Kuribayashi muttered in shock.
"Yea, you best not forget it." He turned away from her.
"Ok, that's enough kid." Pops walked up to her and led her away.
"But..." She tried to protest.
"Best not to anger a Super Mutant." The Courier said. "They're really defensive about the way people talk about them, especially the females. Not easy getting a date when you're 7 feet tall, look like a man on Jet, and can't naturally reproduce." The Courier laughed a bit. "Especially lately during the Mutant Rights Act." He muttered to himself.
After the incident, the remaining soldiers and delegates went further into the base, JSDF soldiers running around while others maintained a low ready position with their rifles, ready to engage and destroy the PA troops if they showed any hostility.
The Courier noticed a strange distinction in how many of the soldiers were armed an equipped. Lt. Itami's weapons and equipment looked uniformed, like it fit his over all appearance. However, many of these soldiers seemed to be armed with different kinds of equipment. While many still had the traditional body armor that Itami had, others had body armor that had square like patterns, some had a green and brown color pallet while others looked almost gray. Many had weapons that looked very similar to the NCR Service Rifle, some even looked like a Marksman Rifle. The vehicles were similar to Itami's vehicles but had significantly more armor. The heavily armored ones were tan in color, though some had a camouflage pattern of green and black.
"Looks like the Officers went through with equipping us with American equipment." Kuribayashi whispered to SGM. Kuwahara.
"Yea, I've never seen a more clusterfuck of an army in my life." He laughed. "I hope we don't have to do formations, I don't think I can handle having so many un-uniformed soldiers." Even in the JSDF, they still have a hatred for having their Military look unprofessional. There is a lot of pride in having all your soldiers looks the same and look perfectly uniform. It's something that the U.S. Military always hated every time they had to change and update their uniforms.
"Itami." Called one of the other Officers that met with the young Lt.
"Yes sir?" Itami asked, fighting the urge to salute his superior Officer since he did not want to give the enemy visual knowledge that the man addressing him was an Officer. Snipers could still be in the area so in a deployment environment it's highly discouraged to salute.
"We've established an area for the Refugees and the PA officials." The Officer said. "It's on the south side of the base, they'll be given the same area however we've used C-wire to separate the two areas." He said.
"Understood." Itami said, moving to inform the rest of their group.
After Itami got his orders he went about moving resources and signing paperwork in order to get the supplies and equipment necessary for the refugees and the PA officials. Since the base was still being build they could only supply the PA officials with tents and cots for sleeping. Each equipment given was thoroughly inspected by members of the NCR Military in order to ensure that there were no recording devices or anything that could be hazardess or sabotaged.
C- wire, a more effective form of Barbed wire that uses razors on metal wire, separated the refugees from the PA. Although members of the PA were not restricted from interacting with the refugees, the JSDF wanted to ensure that the refugees were not abused or harassed by the soldiers. It was a fair precaution since even the NCR recognizes how unprofessional their soldiers could be at times. Although the NCR has greatly increased training and recruitment standards, the wasteland was still a very hard place to live that created less than moral characters.
The first day was spent setting up their tents and mess areas. No one in the three parties interacted with each other, both out of fear and caution. The JSDF did most of the work in setting up the refugee area, but the two armies stayed away from each other.
The Courier was busy cleaning his weapons with a weapons cleaning kit that an NCR soldier lent him. He also volunteered to guard the power armor while the heavy soldiers aided in building up their little area.
"How are you doing sir?" The Courier heard a man say to his left in a synthetic voice. He turned and saw one of the Brotherhood knights walking up to him in armor.
"Paladin." The Courier acknowledged.
"I can take over if you have anything else to do sir." He said.
"I got it Paladin, thanks anyway." The Courier said.
The Paladin stood next to the other power armors, making sure it was in a formation like the rest. He stood straight with his arms slightly parted and the rear of the armor opened up. The young knight stepped out of the armor and made sure to close it. He quickly inspected the power core on the back of the armor, making sure nothing was disconnected or damaged when it was opening.
"It's an honor to meet you again sir." The Paladin said.
"I can't say I recall meeting you." The Courier said honestly.
"I was in Hidden Valley Bunker during the 2nd Battle of Hoover Dam." He said. "You saved my sister during the initial assault. I never got the chance to properly thank you sir." He said.
"You're welcome Paladin." The Courier said with a small smile. "Here." He said, taking out a gold poker chip. "This is a gold chip, it's worth quite a bit in Vegas. You can get past the gate for free and it gives you a free week in a penthouse in one of the Casino's, minus the 38 of course." The Courier tossed it to him.
"Thanks sir." He said honestly.
"You can have up to 5 guests, good for a long week of fun with double dates." The man nodded and left, allowing the Courier to continue cleaning his weapons.
The Courier had no need for the poker chip, he had the Lucky 38 Penthouse and was allowed in for free. House only gave him those as more of a bartering tool.
The Courier placed down his weapons and looked out into the distance, just staring into nothing. Not much to do on a guard shift, he only took the job so that the real soldiers could work without any interference. Guard duty was by far his most hated job. He sighed and continued to wait for the soldiers to finish so someone could properly relieve him.
End Chapter 7
Don't worry, there is not going to be a real peace. I fully intend armed and political conflict between the JSDF and the PA. Also, sorry for the long update, very busy few weeks.