Vulpes' P.O.V.
It took much time, patience, and clever wording to convince Lord Caesar to forgive Delaney. If I sounded too desperate, he'd wonder why, and if I sounded like I didn't care enough, he wouldn't have agreed with me. I told him she was a valuable asset to the legion, and indeed she was. Having someone able to go out into the Mojave and collect data or sabotage a little NCR camp was quite useful, and, let's face it, amusing. Those dogs would never have suspected we'd have a woman doing a bit of dirty work for us.
But did she play such an important role that running away twice and causing more stress to our already sick lord was worth it? I truly wish she'd behave, for her own sake and mine. I was originally the only one trying to subtly convince our lord to bring her back, but it turned out my silver tongue worked on other men. Cursor Lucullus heard word of my attempts at getting her back here, and outwardly stated that he missed her. I was a bit confused and perhaps angry at his statement. My first thought, seemingly coming into my mind like instinct, was something along the lines of, "How dare this dog show such weakness in my lord's legion," However, I was aware of what a chatter box Delaney always was on her way from Cottonwood Cove to the Fort. It's not unlikely that Lucullus misses her considering the fact that perhaps they saw each other as... friends? So, in my mind, I've marked him as forgiven.
I've realized that part of me is disgusted with that thought, that I allowed someone to show weakness right in front of me and I did nothing to punish or strengthen him. The other part of me, though, sensed some sort of correlation. To what, I am not entirely sure.
Oh, of course I am sure. I've much time to think, and I'm always aware of when I am lying to myself. This is an example of that. Yes, I know the correlation, and it's that I feel the same as Lucullus. Usually, I would feel a bit of hate towards myself for not disciplining my mind to stick to one thought, the most important thought depending on the situation. That would especially be the case if I were not allowing myself to be so weak. I've been lacking lately on that, on disciplining myself mentally. Perhaps I should read and just focus on that to ease my mind for a while.
Another man who agreed that we should get Delaney back is a man named Alerio. He was just recently named as a frumentarius.
Now, Alerio is a rather loud person. He enjoys talking and stating his opinions often. The thing is, he is a remarkable fighter and has a very analytical thought process. Normally, I wouldn't have let him join my handpicked frumentarii. But having someone who knows they're under my command and is after the same goal as me sounded like too good of an opportunity to pass up.
"So, what'd Caesar say?" Alerio said as he sat down across from me. I couldn't refrain from scowling at him for talking about the lord in such an impolite manor. Although, it's not necessarily my fault for his lack of understanding formality. I had nothing to do with training and teaching the legionaries, I'd be able to blame whoever his decanus was. I had no time, though. It's likely that I will simply remove his title of frumentarius from him when I've finished using him.
A few legionaries and only two of my frumentarii stood behind him and lined up. They stood straight and tall with gazes averted to the ground. Eventhelegionariesknowwhatrespectis.WhathaveIdone,promotingthismantoafrumentarius?I though to myself. Surely I've only hurt my reputation, and my frumentarii reputation as being a group that's difficult to become a part of.
"Our lord has agreed to give Delaney one more chance. He originally wanted to have her punished, but I recommended we take different measures. Scare tactics, basically. This is where you come in, and a few legionaries that weren't quite up to legion standards." I said, noticing this man and his eyes. He seemed to drift in and out of paying attention to me. It frustrated me to no end. Just...Letitgo,Vulpes.
I handed him a piece of paper and began explaining, "This is the plan, dumbed-down so that even you can understand it."
"Dude, I'm not stupid."
Immediately once the words were finished coming out of his mouth one of my frumentarii men, who I recognized as Adrianus, bashed Alerio in the back of his head with the handle of his machete. The unexpecting Alerio's head smacked off of the table from the impact. He stayed like that for a while, Adrianus and I making eye contact.
"Forgive me, Vulpes sir-"
"If you didn't do it, I would of," I said. Adrianus choked down a smile.
"Learn your place, you irrelevant dog!" Adrianus said while shooting a piercing gaze into Alerio's head.
"How dare you disrespect your leader like that! He should have killed you on the spot!" The other frumentarius said. I wasn't quite sure of that man's name, but surely I'd learn it after this.
Alerio finally lifted his head, and if I were to be completely honest, not laughing right now was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. His eyes seemed hazy and he was clearly dazed. What was really funny was that his nose was gushing blood. There was a small puddle on the table, and it was smudged a bit on the side of his face from how he had his head down. The blood was still falling from his nose, over his mouth, and slowly dripping from his chin.
"As I was saying, that paper explains it all. Alerio, your job along with these men behind you, will start now. You're all dismissed." I said, standing up to leave after them. I had other frumentarii to train.
"Yes, sir," Everyone said, placing a fist to their chest. The stomp of their feet along with their words were in synch. They all began leaving.
Adrianus was sure to be the last one leaving. I walked up behind him and slipped a paper into his hand.
Once training was finished for today, I left to speak to Lord Caesar. He was surprisingly happy to see me.
"Ah, Inculta! Just the man I wanted to see," He said excitingly from his throne. I knelt before him on one knee, my fist to my chest and eyes closed.
"My lord," I said, and went to take my rightful place beside his throne.
Instead, I stood still, staring at the man in my spot.
If his eyes were visible, I know we'd be looking into each other's. It wasn't fair that he could see mine and his mask hid his own.
"Vulpes," a deep, raspy, intimidating, annoying voice said.
"Legatus," I replied in the calmest voice I could. I could already feel my pulse quicken. Not out of fear, of course, but out of hatred. This big oaf never quite thought things through, and then he always seemed to have the nerve to mock me for doing so. I pray to Mars that the day will come where he dies due to something incredibly dull and easy to avoid if thought ahead.
I began to make my way to the other side of Caesar, where Lucius stood. Good,thefartherfromtheoafoverthere,thebetter, I thought to myself as Lucius and I greeted each other.
"Inculta, I was just dismissing Lanius. Lucius and him have something to work out concerning the Battle of Hoover Dam." Lord Caesar said. I looked towards Lucius. Truly, I pitied the man. It must be horrendous having to agree with everything the Legate wants to do.
"Yes, fox, unfortunate timing. For I will not be able to talk right now," the Legate said, walking towards the exit, "I know how much you love to run that mouth of yours."
"Most unfortunate," I said. I've always refused to let my pride in my skills of persuasion and speech to come up in conversation between the Legatus and me. He surely instigates it often, being it that he believes I am not a warrior, just a talker.
The room was silent as everybody's eyes watched the tall man stop a few feet from Lord Caesar and slowly kneel. One knee was bent while a hand went to his chest. He bowed his head and I can only assume that he'd have his eyes closed.
I swear his head turned to me as he stood before finally leaving. I let out a deep sigh once he was gone. That imbecile and his problems with dominance will be the end of the legion once Lord Caesar passes. My head turned to him. Lucius had just left, going into the back of the tent. My Lord seemed to be well. He seemed lively and thoughtful, much like the Caesar I've always known.
"Inculta, I have news that should bring you joy," he said. I walked around to be in front of him as he spoke. My silence as I stood before him allowed for him to continue.
"I'm assuming your men have been sent off on your plan to retrieve Delaney,"
"Yes, that's correct, my Lord," I replied.
"Great. I've been putting thought into the situation about the bunkers beneath us, and just how to get in there." Caesar said, waiting for my reaction. I was shocked, and very pleased. It's been extremely frustrating being able to only wonder what was in there.
"That's great news," I said, ideas of what those unbreakable doors hold making me excited. Caesar let out an enthusiastic laugh.
"Vulpes, you don't have to act overly excited over that. It wasn't even the good news I had planned for you to hear! Listen, Delaney may end up being more useful to us than we originally intended for her to be."
"More than intended?" I asked, my interest now piqued.
"Yes, which means once again a plan of yours will do nothing but help my legion to thrive. Surely you remember the courier we had here quite a while ago? Well, when she said she was leaving to gather supplies, we figured she'd come back. However, it's been more than four months. Time is running out. Hell, the guy she wanted to kill so badly is still here! He'll die of starvation before she gets the chance to decide his fate. I'm sick of feeding him. My point is, Delaney is someone who knows the courier. They're good friends, which is why on Courier Six's first visit here, we had Delaney locked up. She would have freaked if she found out her friend was here. My men can't get to Heidi because she's either with a man of the NCR or just collecting money from them by taking their low level bounties. Delaney, though, likely knows where she is. We get Delaney, we get Heidi. Hence, we get the bunker open."
I was standing with my head down in thought and my hands folded behind me as I listened. This was great news indeed. It's a complete win:win. And Almighty Caesar has been thinking about this for some time.
"Great Caesar is wise," I breathed.
Lord Caesar chuckled, "I'm glad that cheered you up. You seemed more stressed than usual. That's all, Vulpes. Rest, and pray to Mars that the men you sent out are capable of the job."
I nodded. Well, I'm certain that if any were to return it'd be my frumentarii with Delaney. I wasn't sure of the capabilities of the legionaries. And Alerio, as badly as I needed for him to return, I'm not quite sure it'd be a shame if he died out there.
"Thank you, my lord. I certainly hope they return," I bowed my head before turning around to leave.
"Oh, and Vulpes," Caesar called out. I turned, eyebrows raised with curiosity for what else he had to say. I frowned as I saw him struggle to stand from his throne more than he should.
"Just make sure you don't let Lanius bother you,"
Caesar walked to the back of the tent towards his bed. I stood there for a second, not necessarily in shock that he knew of the mini quarrels the Legate and I had. Rather, just that he knew the Legate was trying to get a rise out of me. For the sake of Caesar, and the respect he has shown me, I refuse to let the oaf of a Legatus get the better of me.
Maybe more than a day later I received word that Adrianus had returned. He and I sat in my tent speaking.
"Yes, sir. Everyone was aware of the plan except for Alerio," he stated.
"Excellent," I said, a sigh following the word. It felt good to know that I had trained someone to be capable of doing something correctly and efficiently.
"I'll get your money to you as soon as I can, Adrianus. Your extra work is much appreciated, and will not go unnoticed to me."
"Thank you, Vulpes, sir. But, I'd just like to get this out there, I did this not for the money, but for the legion," he said, beginning to rise.
"You may leave," I told him through a very slight smile. He firmly nodded and proceeded to leave. It's been a while since I've seen true legion spirit like that. It was pleasantly refreshing. I was especially please that he carried out the plan correctly.
Originally, Lord Caesar had sent out assassins with the intention of killing Delaney. They essentially all died at the hands of her and her companions. Then, sometime within the last three to four months, the assassins we sent out were simply supposed to scare her. Many carried notes saying that she was to be brought back ASAP. Yes, we planned for the last few assassin groups to die. Delaney should have searched them, found the note, maybe for her own reasons of curiosity made her way back down to us.
She did not.
The plan for Alerio and the others was to simply track down Delaney, with the obvious help of my frumentarii. He'd then capture her and bring her to us as soon and conveniently as possible. I had considered the analytical mind Alerio had and allowed for him to make some decisions, like by me not specifying precisely how to capture her.
However, Adrianus was to make sure that Alerio stuck to it. Adrianus said Alerio was taking Delaney and her friend to an abandoned shack outside of a town. I suppose it's okay for him to rest up. It's going to be quite annoying for him to drag her back here conscious though, unless she's willing. I suppose that's his problem.
Adrianus had to tell everyone but Alerio of the plan so that when he disappeared, nobody would assume he died. All I wanted to do was make sure Alerio didn't do anything stupid, like kill Delaney in the midst of this all.
I got up and made my way to a wooden dresser. The top was littered with books and magazines. I pulled out some comfortable clothes. Taking off my legion armor felt both good and bad at the end of everyday. It was good because when it dropped to the floor, I could take a deep breath and feel the literal weight being taken off of me. It also took off the weight I carried knowing that I was an important leader with many responsibilities. It felt bad though because that armor was a part of me. It showed my rank, how many I've killed, and my loyalty to the legion. A part of me dropped to the floor with that armor every night.
I let the armor lay on the floor. I grabbed a book I started some time ago that talked about anatomy, specifically of the brain. There was a lot of information on cancer in here, all of it sounding similar to whatever Lord Caesar has been going through. I was only able to read a few pages before I fell asleep with the book in my hands.