(A/N): Different take on a chapter this time. For once, it will not focus on the same people. Now, we give closure to the ones who have departed.
Let the drama commence.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fallout: New Vegas.
Chapter 12: A Matter Of Time
The Following Afternoon- Somewhere In The Eastern Mojave Wasteland
"I guess it was a little unrealistic to think that I could make it all the way there without getting jumped by these guys...especially since my face is basically on a wanted poster,"
Drawing in a heavy breath, I scooted over to the other side of the rock and allowed my body to rest for a few moments.
"The peaceful times weren't destined to last...at least now I know I accomplished the task entrusted to me by the NCR,"
I looked to my satchel, glad that I managed to get the documents to where it needed to go before this happened.
"I wouldn't have thought the Legion was so serious about taking over...even though the NCR has their beliefs of martial rule and everyone abiding by rules...it's a lot better than the anarchist tyranny of Caesar..."
I coughed, spraying blood onto the floor as I removed one of the hands that kept my gunshot wound from bleeding out to hold the high grade stimpack I was given minutes ago.
"This stimpack is all I have to stay alive...and I have no idea if I'm going to make it to Haven..."
My thoughts drifted back to the journey that brought me to this moment...
Earlier That Morning- NCR Headquarters
"You're the one the western post sent?"
I nodded as I showed them the satchel.
"This contains everything about the Legion that we can use to ensure that their plans get hampered," I replied.
The man around the desk took a look at the documents before nodding.
"Excellent work...I'm terribly sorry about what happened to your friends," he said.
I nodded slowly.
"I hope it was worth it...because I lost so many of my traveling companions to those Legionnaires," I said.
"They attacked you?" he asked.
I nodded.
"They captured me and my friends...I managed to escape with the satchel but the rest of my friends weren't so lucky...I don't know if any of them survived," I explained.
The man rose to his feet and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"We will do everything in our power to ensure this tyranny will end...rest assured," he said.
I nodded slowly once more as I took back my bag.
"Where will you go now?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"I've heard of a place called Haven...it's supposed to be a place where anyone can go," I said.
He was about to retort until someone ran inside.
"Captain Wilson! We have a survivor!" said the soldier.
"What's going on?" he asked.
The soldier shook his head.
"She's in really bad shape sir...loads of injuries and such," he explained.
Captain Wilson nodded.
"Can she be saved?" he asked.
"I'm not sure sir...but we can try," replied the soldier.
Wilson put a hand to his chin.
"Get her aid and make sure she's in a good state for me to talk to her in an hour," he ordered.
The soldier gave him a respectful salute as he ran back outside.
"Must be that small band of Legionnaires camped up around the road to this place," he said.
I nodded.
"I encountered them...they tried to kill me," I said.
Wilson nodded.
"Be careful on your way to Haven; those men are relentless killers," he warned.
With a final salute, I left the office to hopefully, make my way to Haven.
Two Hours Later
"SHIT!"
I ran and took cover behind the rocks as they continued to fire at me.
"COME OUT AND FACE US COWARD! REPENT FOR YOUR SINS!"
I took a heavy breath as I leaned out with my laser pistol. I quickly emptied the cell battery, hitting three of the men with two shots each and killing one. I went back into cover and quickly swapped out the dead cell for a new one.
"They must've followed me and waited for me to leave so they could capture me..."
"This is your final warning...I don't particularly feel like killing you and my orders are to take you back to Lord Caesar...but if you irritate me, I will gut you,"
The tone of that man was icy cold and considering the slight gasps of fear I heard right after, he had to be some sort of leader.
I leaned out to take another shot but much to my shock, a man was already in front of me and he kicked the gun out from my hand. He grabbed me by the throat and slammed me against the rock.
"Don't be stupid kid...you're outnumbered and surrounded," he said.
"I'm not telling you shit so forget about it," I snapped back.
The man smiled.
"So...Aidan is it?" he asked.
I did not respond to him as he gave me a hard punch to the stomach, knocking all the air out of my lungs and causing me to groan loudly in pain.
"So you delivered the documents to the NCR...here I was thinking they would send you back with more documents to the western outpost but I suppose not," he said.
He threw me to the ground, pulled out a pistol and shot me in my leg and stomach, causing me to scream in agony. He was about to finish me but he put a hand to his chin before smiling.
"You're in luck...I have a use for you after all now that I think about it..." he said.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a book as well as a necklace.
"You're heading to Haven aren't you? Judging from that map you left in your campsite before we found you," he asked.
I didn't answer him as he threw the items to me.
"If you're going there, give everyone my regards and tell them that they're next if I ever seen them again," he said.
He then held out a hand behind his back.
"Give me a stimpack so he can get back on his feet," he said.
One of the men quickly approached him and handed him a high grade stimpack.
"You can choose to live and take what I gave you back...or you can lay there and bleed out; the choice is yours," he said.
He then tore off what appeared to be a badge on his armor and threw it to me.
"Give them that badge...they'll know who it's from,"
Present Time
I removed the bullet from the wound in my stomach, biting down on a thick piece of cloth to prevent my teeth from going through my tongue from the sheer pain. I then injected some of the stimpack into the afflicted area, watching it heal the wound right before my eyes. I sighed in relief, thankful that the worst of my injuries was taken care of. I then bit back down on the cloth as I removed the bullet in my leg before using more of the stimpack, sealing the wound. I allowed myself to rest a few minutes before getting back onto my feet.
"He didn't kill me...but what's the significance of this necklace, badge and journal?"
Knowing the only way I was going to find out the answer to any of these questions, I secured my bag to my back as I began the journey towards Haven.
Meanwhile- A Small Legion Campsite
"Imperator?"
I turned to see one of my men bowing obediently.
"A moment if you can spare one?" he asked.
I nodded with a smile.
"Speak freely," I replied.
He raised his head.
"I was curious...as to why you spared the man who delivered our stolen plans to the NCR," he asked.
I nodded.
"Sometimes, the greatest way to strike fear into the hearts of our enemies is a show of mercy," I replied.
"I do not understand my lord..." he replied.
I smiled as I approached the covered up bodies of my last two victims.
"Within that journal lies two pictures...each with a memory that's sure to strike fear into the hearts of everyone there," I explained.
"That badge you gave to him...was it from your own time there?" he asked.
I nodded.
"I used to be a prominent member of the community...but I no longer have any ties to that place and that man carries the message that I fully intend on returning there to wipe all of them out," I said.
I looked down at the bodies of Tommy and my second victim...who I found this morning after recruiting a valuable ally to our cause.
Earlier That Morning- Somewhere In The Mojave Wasteland
"I will return in about an hour men, wrap up everything here," I ordered.
My men bowed in obedience as they continued to clear up the campsite. I removed my armor, leaving it with my lieutenant as I donned my jacket and jeans. I decided it would be nice to visit the small bar that was just down the path and rather than to take my entire squad and potentially cause the bar to shut down, I decided to go alone and keep things quiet.
I arrived after about fifteen minutes of walking and much to my surprise, I found a familiar face sitting in one of the booths. Smiling to myself, I approached the bar and ordered a drink as I took a seat at the counter.
"M-Michael?!"
I turned to see none other than one of the very people I used to lived with, Janet Yu.
"Long time no see," I said with a smile.
She seemed rather shocked to see me and despite how much I hated just about any resident of Haven, I decided to play it calmly and play it off as if I were just a wanderer.
"...You're still alive?" she exclaimed.
"Clearly, otherwise I probably wouldn't be here about to drink some whiskey on the rocks," I replied.
She joined me at the counter.
"...How's everything been?" she asked.
"I've been surviving," I replied simply.
She nodded as I noticed that she no longer had Haven's uniform on her. Instead, she was wearing a black jacket with jeans.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Something bad happened...I almost got Jordan killed," she explained.
I could see the guilt in her eyes but the mere mention of Jordan's name made rage boil within me.
"So you decided to leave for a while?" I asked.
She nodded slowly as I saw a golden opportunity to gain an ally.
"Can I be honest with you for a moment?" I asked.
She nodded as I took a generous gulp of my whiskey.
"I'm gonna assume that Jordan did his usual hero thing and you ended up looking like the useless one right?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"Not exactly...he did it for me and he was more than willing to die for my sake...but because of me, he's at New Vegas Strip dying right this very moment," she replied.
I had her explain the entire story to me and I was quite surprised that she warmed up to him; she didn't particularly have a liking for him considering how his kindness tended to show for everyone rather than specifically, which was one of the reasons why I couldn't stand the way he was; his stupid misguided sense of self-righteousness. I was also quite shocked that just the two of them were able to destroy the Tunneler cave when Lord Caesar sent a platoon of men to do the job and they couldn't get it done. Then again...Janet and Jordan were probably the most skilled at survival out of everyone else in the group so I wouldn't put it past them.
"Has it ever occurred to you that he might have befriended you because he took pity on you?" I asked.
Her eyes widened but I raised a hand defensively, asking her to hear me out. She calmed down and took a gulp of beer.
"He's always had his eyes on Lyn...to be fair, she was there long before you were and she already had much more of an impact on his life than you did...it wasn't hard to see the way you were looking at him but he chose her over you, doesn't that make you jealous?" I asked.
She tried to retort but I again raised a hand.
"I will however say that if you were around first, he might've noticed you but by the time you came around to it, he was already waist deep in his feelings for Lyn...which isn't unfair in the least to either of you...because time is completely fair to everyone in this world," I explained.
She let out a heavy breath.
"If there's one thing I'll respect that kid for, it's the way he treats women...though he's a bit indecisive I will admit," I said with a shrug.
"So you think all the kindness he showed me was out of pity?" she asked.
I turned to face her as I started to count off the reasons.
"He suddenly started talking to you about a week after you joined up with Haven...don't you find that even a bit strange considering how many times he was around you and had the chance to?" I asked.
"What do you think caused him to talk to me?" I asked.
"The difficulty you were having with Estelle; she was beginning to feel for Robert and that in turn was affecting your relationship with her...I could tell that she meant a lot to you," I said.
She slowly began to see my made up perspective as I continued to lay the pressure on her mind.
"Did it ever occur to you that you weren't his first choice to go on that mission in the first place?" I guarantee that he chose Lyn or maybe even Caitlin but Mr. House forced him to take you," I said.
She again paused to consider the possibility and I smiled to myself as I saw the doubt building within her.
"I'm sure he saw the way you were looking at him...but he ignored it and chose Lyn over you," I said shrugging.
Her fists clenched.
"Did you intend to return to that place at some point?" I asked.
She nodded.
"I have to go back...at least for Estelle," she replied.
I shook my head.
"It's not worth it...there are much better things you can do with your time and talents," I explained.
"Like what?" she asked.
"Join the Legion," I replied.
She looked at me in disbelief and back away from me, looking as if she thought I was insane. I smiled.
"Why would I join up with those cold-blooded murderers who tried to kill Estelle and I before?" she snapped.
"Because we need people with your talents...you have every reason to hate the world now that everyone else has moved on," I explained.
I finished my whiskey as I raised my hands.
"With The Legion, you can do as you see fit and so long as Lord Caesar approves of your actions, you will be provided for," I said.
Janet looked at the door to see someone come in. Much to my amazement, it was a familiar face who immediately looked at me in fear.
"M-Michael?!" she exclaimed.
I smiled once more as I turned to her.
"Hello Lily," I replied.
She immediately raised a gun to me.
"...You joined the Legion," she said.
I turned to Janet who continued to look on in horror at my secret getting out. I raised my hands defensively.
"I did," I replied.
Lily looked at Janet.
"W-W-What are you doing here?!" she cried.
Janet tried to retort but I immediately closed the distance between Lily and I, knocking the gun out of her hand and putting her in an armbar.
"Let's not escalate this any further shall we?" I said.
She was powerless to stop me as I threw her into the counter, causing the bartender to immediately run into the back and lock the door. I turned to Janet.
"The Legion will never reject you because to them, any free man and woman has a purpose...no rules, no boundaries and most importantly, they do what's necessary to get the job done," I said.
I then grabbed Lily by the arm and yanked her to her feet, smiling rather sadistically at her pain.
"So the two of you left Haven huh? You finally saw it my way," I said.
Lily shook her head.
"I'm going to join the NCR and help put an end to Caesar's Legion," she replied.
I laughed loudly at her petty beliefs.
"Interesting...you actually think that the Legion can be stopped do you?" I asked.
I threw her into a booth before raising my revolver at her while facing Janet.
"The NCR are nothing but a bunch of goody two-shoes shitheads that think order and society is the way to rebuild humanity; they will never do things that have to be done in order to get us on the right track to recovery and for that reason, all NCR soldiers and their aspirants are nothing but weaklings," I snapped.
I clicked the revolver threateningly.
"Do you really think that the NCR has any chance of beating the Legion? Look around you...when was the last time you heard the NCR make a breakthrough against us?" I snapped.
Janet's eyes focused on me as I turned to Lily.
"You're pursuing this because you think that's what your vaporized boyfriend would want you to do right? Well look where it put you," I said with a sadistic smile.
Janet made no move to defend Lily and I smiled; my words appeared to have made a lasting impression.
"Don't listen to him Janet! He's turning you against everyone!" she cried.
I turned to her calmly and shrugged.
"You know where you stand with them; not a single one of them tried to find you after you left New Vegas Strip so it goes to show just how much you mean to them," I said.
My words continued to awaken the rage within her heart and soon, she shook her head at Lily.
"Everything he says is true...no one cares about me," she said.
Smiling once more at Lily at my handiwork, I shrugged.
"Girl's tired of being tied down with attachments...you should know that feeling all too well Lily," I said.
I clicked the gun.
"I for one am glad you came along...because now I can send them all a message and you're gonna help me do it,"
I pulled the trigger, aiming carefully to ensure the message was clear...
Present Time
"Let me know when she wakes up," I ordered.
"I must say my lord...you do have excellent aim with that weapon of yours...to have hit a spot that truly appeared fatal," he said.
I nodded.
"It's about sending a message," I replied.
"I understand my lord...once she awakens, I will let you know," he said.
I nodded his dismissal as the soldier nodded and took his leave. I then smiled.
"Let's see how they handle that message..."
I returned to my duties as I began to mark the map for garrison locations for the Legion. A few minutes later, another one of my men entered the tent and bowed obediently to me.
"My lord, the woman named Janet has returned from her campsite and is ready to depart with us," he said.
I smiled.
"Get ready to return to our outpost to the west," I replied.
He placed his fist on his chest and bowed.
"At once Imperator," he said.
A smile appeared on my face as I thought back to Haven.
"They're going to come running...it's only a matter of time,"