Alright...really long delay. But it turns out things were just getting started. I've been out of town for the last few weeks (actually, I still am). I had a job interview and I'm waiting to hear back from them. Wish me luck, yeah?

In other news, while writing this chapter I decided that Boone deserves a backstory. Or, rather, a retelling of the backstory he already has. It won't be long, but I've started working on a small piece for Boone. It'll be about five chapters or so...and it'll be part of the 18 Karat Run series. It'll be titled "Bullets & Broken Things". I'll diverge to this piece at the end of Chapter 26. I've designed the cover for it and uploaded it to my account on Deviantart. Follow the link on my profile...let me know what you all think of it. I believe it's my favorite cover design yet.

Also, I've uploaded the covers for Anywhere I Wander...so have a look at them too.

I included a little bit of Latin in this chapter...but it's been a long, long time since I took it. And I only took a little bit in High School...so for you Latin buffs...if you see any mistakes, let me know.

And now...what you all came for.

"You'll need to stay off of it," Arcade reached the man a set of crutches. "It's nothing too serious, but nevertheless, until it's healed I'm going to recommend you stay here."

"Here?" Melissa chewed her lower lip. "I'm not sure that's a good idea…this is NCR territory."

Arcade's face turned stern – "No," he objected, a single finger pointed in her direction. "No, it isn't. The fort belongs to the Followers – the NCR has no jurisdiction here."

Melissa smiled at the man – he clearly had distaste for the NCR.

Movement at the tent entrance. "Not interrupting, I trust?"

Arcade turned towards the intruder. It was Graham. Arcade felt his stomach shift – he still wasn't sure what to make of the man. The monster. "Well," he answered. "I am with a patient…Julie's in her quarters. I can send someone to fetch her for you."

"I'm here to speak with you, actually. A pressing matter that deserves your full attention."

Arcade raised a brow.

"I'll wait outside. When you've finished with your patient…" Graham trailed off, letting the tent flap fall behind him. Again, he could feel the eyes of the Followers upon him. Unraveling his bandages, picking him apart. He did his best to ignore them, and waited. A wait that, although short lived, felt like an eternity.

Arcade emerged from the tent, removing a pair of latex surgical gloves. He crumpled them up and tossed them into a nearby trash can. Then, he turned his attention to Graham.

"Salvē, amicus. Me adiuvāre potes?"

"Fortasse. Quid faciam vobis?" Arcade answered.

Graham nodded approvingly. "You speak Latin."

"Well enough. You asked for assistance…what can I do for you?"

"We have confirmation that the woman the Khan spoke of is, indeed, the woman Boone thought it was," Graham said matter-of-factly. "My…" He searched his mind for a moderately appropriate description, "employer intends to rescue her. This is a very delicate matter, as I'm sure you understand. If left to his own devices, he will go in weapons drawn. And likely cost anyone involved their lives."

Arcade scratched his brow and nervously tugged at his glasses. "I'm not sure I can be of much assistance…you'd probably be better off talking with Beatrix." Arcade motioned towards the ghoul standing guard at the gate.

Graham shook his head. "No. No, I believe you're just the man to lend a hand. Tell me Arcade, have you ever been to Cottonwood Cove?"

"Legion!" Ten of Spades whipped his rifle into firing position, bringing it to rest on the approaching group.

Boone's hand was on the barrel of his rifle in an instant, pushing it ground-ward. "No, it's not." He started towards the group.

"How can you be sure?" Sterling asked him, falling into line at his side.

"They're who we're here for," Boone pointed towards the man leading the group. "See the man in the red beret?"

Sterling peered through the scope of his rifle. "That's the man you were with back at McCarran."

"The same." The two groups were closing in on each other.

"You going to explain this situation now?"

"It's a rescue mission – we're going to infiltrate Cottonwood Cove," he pointed to Arcade. "He's the ace up our sleeve."

"Infiltrate the cove?" Manny scoffed at the notion. "That's suicide."

"No," Boone replied flatly. "It's not."

"What the hell is she doing here?" Bitter-Root practically barked. His eyes were on Melissa.

They were apparently within earshot – which surprised Bitter-Root – as Six answered him. "She's with me."

"She's a Khan."

"So were you," Boone countered. "How are we going to do this?"

"Arcade and I will head for the overlook…" Six flipped through the dials on his pip-boy, bringing up the map. "You still have your flare gun?"

Boone rummaged through his pockets. Withdrawing the flare gun, he handed it to Six. "I'll station the squad along this ridge…" he pressed his index finger against the pip-boy's screen. "We'll have a clear view of the settlement from here."

"Don't open fire until I give the signal. I want Cass well out of the way before we take these sons of bitches out"

A couple hours later they were in position – laying flat on the ground near a makeshift shack. Boone scanned the area meticulously. He could see Cass in an enclosed area around the side of one of the buildings. A large group of Legion soldiers gathered around the front – and a Centurion stood above them on the open balcony of a two story-radio station. They began to push their captives out – one at a time, bringing them to the Centurion. He would speak – and the Legionnaires would yell and wave.

His stomach twisted into a knot. For a moment, he felt dizzy. He sat up, burying his face into one palm. Covering his eyes.

Melissa, having noticed his distress, laughed. "Legion too good for your bullets?"

"You shut your mouth," Manny spat at her.

"Or what? You going to kill me up here on this mountain with no one around to see?"

His hand found its way to his sidearm. He found his way to his feet, but didn't draw his weapon. He stared the woman down – she didn't waver. She didn't blink. She didn't even stand.

"Do it if you're going to," She told him, almost nonchalantly.

She called his bluff.

Cursing, Manny returned to the task at hand. Melissa chuckled to herself. With just enough volume to get under Manny's skin. Still, he held his tongue. Biting his lower lip, he laid flat on the ground – watching the Legion below through the scope of his rifle.

But Bitter-Root did not. He was on his feet, pistol drawn. He marched towards her.

A thick crack and Bitter-Root was on the ground, nose bloodied.

Melissa stood over him, her knuckles wet with blood.

Bitter-Root was on his feet again, poised for attack.

"Stand down," Boone commanded, voice cold.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?!" Bitter-Root screamed at the girl.

Melissa laughed, wild-eyed.

"I said stand down," Boone ordered again.

"I don't take orders from you!"

"For this mission, you do. I'm the one in command."

"Like hell you are!"

Manny was up in an instant, arms up – trying to be the voice of reason. "This isn't the time…"

"Fuck you," Bitter-Root scowled at him. Then, back to Boone. "And fuck you and your Khan."

"You got a problem with me, you little cunt?" Melissa spread her arms wide, chest presented. "Take your best shot!"

"A problem? Really?" Bitter-Root half laughed. "You fucking Khans think you can do what you want, go where you want. You fucking sell to the fiends, steal from the NCR…yeah, yeah I've got a problem with you. Every fucking one of you backwards, inbreeding…"

"Shut your goddamn mouth!"

"Quiet," Boone growled. "Both of you…I don't care what your problem with the Khans is" he pointed to Melissa. "But she's with us. And you're not going to lay a damn finger on her. Is that clear?"

"What are you going to do, lover boy?" Bitter-Root stepped forward, shoving Boone's shoulder. Boone took a step back, again his stomach twisted into a knot; his eyes practically burned a hole through the kid standing before him. "Huh?"

Another shove, another step back. He clenched his fists.

The rest of First Recon were up – everything was spinning out of control.

"Jesus, look at his nose…" Betsy's face curled in anger. "Nobody touches First Recon…"

"Just a minute," Sterling stepped in front of Betsy. "He came at her first…"

"What does that fucking matter?"

Melissa felt her knees trembling. Her body full of adrenaline. She wouldn't get out of this alive…not against this many.

But she didn't care. She'd take at least one of these bastards with her.

Bitter-Root turned towards her again – he unsheathed his knife. He took a step forward, but hit the ground – stomach first. Boone had the boy's arm pinned to his lower back with his left hand. His right elbow pressed down against the Bitter-Root's neck, pinning him in place.

Everyone was on their feet now. Raul, Christine, Veronica…

Betsy raised her rifle – directing it towards Boone. In turn, Raul directed his at her. Sterling followed suit – aiming at Raul. Then Melissa leveled her pistol at the old man.

"Drop your weapon," Sterling warned Raul.

"For Christ's sake…" Veronica felt her throat tighten. "…all of you. What the hell are you doing? We need to focus!"

The world around them turned red. Boone cast his eyes to the sky – a bright light. The flare. Lighting up the world above the Overlook. It was starting.

"Ave, true to Caesar."

Arcade locked eyes with the Legionnaire. He cocked his head to the side. "I'd like to procure a few servants."

The Legionnaire smiled. "Then you've arrived just in time. We have fresh stock…more than a few suitable to serve you as you please. Follow me."

Arcade fell into step with the man.

"From where do you hail?" The Legionnaire asked.

"Phoenix," Arcade answered. The first city in Arizona to come to mind.

"Phoenix?" The Legionnaire grinned. "Excellent, amicus! Our Centurion, Aurelius, also hails from Phoenix. Perhaps you two have met?"

"Perhaps," Arcade answered, cursing his luck in the back of his mind.

They followed the road until they came upon a large gathering of men standing before a stone two-story building. Atop the first story, on an open balcony, was who Arcade could only assume to be the man in charge. Aurelius.

Standing next to him was a young girl – perhaps fifteen years of age.

"…untainted by the hands of men! Such a jewel is rare to find and precious indeed!"

A virgin. Arcade grimaced. Around him the rife roars of wicked men filled the air.

"We shall start the bidding at twenty Aureus!"

How much was that? Arcade wasn't sure.

"Twenty!" A man in the back shouted.

"We have twenty!" Aurelius bellowed. "Do we have twenty five?"

"Thirty!"

"We have thirty!"

"Fifty!"

"Fifty!" Aurelius repeated. "Fifty once! Twice! Sold! Severus, kindly deliver this man his prize!"

Severus brought forth the next piece of merchandise. Arcade instantly recognized her. The same cowboy hat, the unmistakable crimson hair. She was bound in shackles and, from the look of it, weak from malnourishment.

"This fiery prize hails from the New California Republic! Tracked and captured by Canyon Runner himself at the behest of the great Caesar!" Aurelius reached out to stroke her cheek, Cass pulled away. Aurelius laughed. "Though impure, her passion is unrivaled! And every lash she takes is a lash against the NCR! We'll start the bidding at fifteen Auereus!"

"Fifteen!"

Again the bidding started. Cass scanned the crowed.

"Twenty-five!"

"Fucking monsters!" She turned to Aurelius, spitting in his face. Aurelius pulled away, wiping his cheek. He grimaced for a moment, then reached out, grabbing a fistful of her hair.

"Thirty!"

Aurelius shoved her to her knees. "Perhaps a demonstration is in order! To foster interest!"

Enough was enough. Arcade pushed through the crowd – when he had reached the front he dropped the gold bar in the sand at his feet. "My offer!" He bellowed. "For the lot."

Aurelius eyed the gold bar, shining in the morning sun. "And where does one come across such a prize?"

"Does it matter?" Arcade asked.

"I suppose…" He said after a moment of silence, "it does not." He grinned. "Sold!" He pushed Cass towards Severus. "However! This buys only the woman."

"And for the rest?"

"This is a business, I cannot simply disregard previous purchases…not for a sum so small."

Arcade swallowed…he retrieved the remaining gold bar from the pouch at his side. He dropped it on the ground with the other.

A wide smile spread across the face of Aurelius. "Done."

Cass, having seen the gold, studied Arcade quietly. She recognized him…but from where?

Severus pushed her towards him. Then the others.

"I don't recognize you," Aurelius said. He was descending the steps, heading for Arcade. "From where do you hail?"

Arcade froze. His mind frantically searching for some exit. "Aurelius!" He practically sang. "You do not recognize a fellow tribesman? I too hail from Pheonix!"

Aurelius raised a brow. "Forgive me…I do not…"

"Of course not! I was a shadow then. Very boring, really…more suited to the life of a Freeside junkie. It took the mighty hands of Caesar to mold me into the man that stands before you today! But isn't such work expected from the son of Mars, himself?" Arcade was bellowing now, proud – jovial. A façade to hide the adrenaline fueled fear that was pumping through his veins. Arcade turned back to the slaves that Six's gold had purchased. "Fall in line, profligates!"

"And where would you take them?" Aurelius asked, curious.

Arcade felt his heart flutter. "Caesar has stationed my men and I near Nipton…a safehouse. Where we await further orders."

"What use have you for these slaves?"

Arcade smiled the most malevolent smile he could conjure. "Entertainment…of course." He gently stroked the arm of the young virgin – who timidly pulled away. Arcade grasped her arm – hard enough to arouse a squeal. "You will do as you're commanded," he growled. He turned back to Aurelius, "If you have nothing else to delay me with?"

Seemingly pleased, Aurelius dismissed Arcade with a wave of his hand. Arcade took leave, his flock following him closely. They started towards the road.

"Amicus!" Aurelius yelled, "...Just a moment." He was walking towards them, Severus at his side – their weapons drawn. He studied Arcade. "Quid sentiendum videatur de diis NCR?"

Arcade laughed. "Victrix causa deis placuit sed victa Caesar."

A long silence. Arcade forced his limbs to remain still. Finally, a smile broke out across the face of Aurelius. "I like you…we must break words one day soon." He lightly tapped Arcade's armor with his blade, still grinning.

A spray of bone fragment and grey matter. Blood soaked Arcade's face. Severus toppled to the ground.

Surprised, Aurelius hit the ground. Grabbing his falling comrade and taking cover under his corpse.

Red filled the sky.

Oh, God.

Six leveled his scope on the Legionnaire's head. He watched the man speak with Arcade. Cass and the other prisoners stood silently at their side.

Arcade smiled.

So did the Legionnaire.

Six let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God…" he muttered under his breath.

Then he saw the Legionnaire lift his blade – a curved blade with a wide head that grew more slender towards its hilt. The blade found its way to Arcade's chest. The man held it to the breastplate of Arcade's stolen armor. He had spoken too soon. Six held his breath – and fired. He missed the man brandishing the blade...but the bullet hit a mark. One of the Legionnaires toppled to the ground, his head exploding in a shower of blood. The rifle's recoil knocked him back a step. His shoulder throbbed in protest. He immediately dropped the rifle, instead withdrawing the flare gun. He fired once into the air. Below him, he saw Arcade and Cass bolting up the hill, the other slaves behind them. The Legion was confused at first – but it didn't take them long to give chase. Six whipped around the truck, his pip-boy crackling at every second. He grasped the lever to release the trucks trailer door…it wouldn't budge.

He could see the Legion gaining fast on the group of escapees. What the fuck is going on? What was Boone doing?

Six withdrew his machete. He wedged it under the door and pushed down hard on the blade. The door groaned, but didn't move.

"Fuck!" He scanned his surroundings…then laid his eyes on the rifle Graham had given to him. He wasted no time in retrieving it – sprinting across the way and back again. His bad leg lightly throbbed in protest. He took aim…not at the Legion following the group, but at the lock on the back of the truck. He braced himself and fired. The lock broke free. Grasping the handle, he threw the door up with all of his might. He was immediately struck by a falling barrel of toxic sludge. It hit him with enough force to send him rolling backwards. He fumbled for composure, digging his hands and feet into the rocky hillside. The stones tore at his flesh. Dizzy and sick from the passing barrels, he was growing weak. When the last of the barrels had passed, he pulled himself to his feet. He turned to the encampment – the remaining Legionnaires were vomiting and collapsing. Then he turned to the fleeing group – a trail of Legion bodies littered the hill. He fumbled with his rifle, searching for Boone's location.

Boone's unit had long since opened fire – picking off the Legion bastards one at a time with impeccable speed and precision.

Where was Cass though? Arcade? The others…he didn't see them.

"Six!"

He turned in the direction of the voice. Cass was rushing across the overlook towards him. A weak smile spread across his face.

She enveloped him in her arms…he reciprocated with a long, thick stream of vomit. Disgorging it across her shirt and jacket.

Startled, she pulled away. Six collapsed, unconscious. "Six!" Cass dropped to her knees, lifting his head.

Laughter. She turned to the approaching Arcade. "Guess he didn't take enough Rad-X…" Arcade lifted Six's pip-boy and flipped through some dials. "Doesn't look like he was exposed too much…should be easy enough to take care of. He'll be fine."

Julie carefully applied fresh – clean – bandages to Graham's arm.

"I'm sorry to have put you in that position," She apologized to Graham. "If I'd had known that he was dangerous…"

Graham held up his free hand. "I'm fine, Julie…I assure you. You may rest easy on the fact that Dixon will not be supplying Freeside with his garbage anymore."

"Still…" Julie twisted her lips into a ball. "I'd preferred that no one got hurt."

Graham sighed. "Sometimes a man must become the very thing he hopes to remove from this world. A necessary evil, I'm afraid."

Julie paused, she gazed into Graham's eyes. "No…no, you don't really believe that, do you?"

"I'd like to see the good in people…but it has been in my experience that few people have good left in them at all."

"I don't think so…I'd like to think there is good in everyone. Sure…" she continued wrapping his arm, "there are times when circumstances call for irrational action. And it might be true that circumstances force us to behave in ways we wouldn't otherwise behave in…but there's hope for everyone."

"Is there?" Graham asked.

Julie could hear the skepticism in his voice. "Yes," she told him firmly. She had finished wrapping his arm, but still grasped his hand. "There's good in everyone too, Joshua."

Graham pressed his lips, and furrowed his brow.

Julie must've sensed it…she squeezed his hand gently. "There's good in you."

Graham raised his hand, gently stroking Julie's cheek. He scooped up her chin, leveling her eyes with his own. "Thank you," he said, sincerely. "For everything you've done for me."

She smiled. "I have to confess…it has not been unselfish of me…"

Graham tilted his head, slightly confused.

"Excuse me…" a meek voice filled the air. Julie turned towards the entrance of her quarters. The source was a blonde woman, clad in a dusty doctor's coat.

"Luria…what brings you to Freeside?"

"It's happened again, Julie…a girl this time. Sixteen years old. Alice Hostetler…she went missing last night, from North Vegas Square…"

"Christ…" Julie sighed. "How many does that make now?"

"She's the fourth one this month…"

Graham made his way to his feet. "Who was the last person she was seen with?"

Luria warily studied Graham, but didn't answer.

"Tell him, Luria…if anyone can help, it's him."

"A ghoul…Andy…uh," She searched her memory. "Scabb. Andy Scabb."

Boone trekked through the camp – his stomach churned, but the Rad-X he'd consumed was serving it's purpose well enough. Bodies were strewn across the camp. Some fatally wounded from the onslaught of gunfire…others, from the radioactive barrels that littered the shoreline. The camp was motionless…bleak. All had been visited by the black hand of death on this morning.

Save one.

Boone could see the man clenching his stomach, vomiting profusely…sporadically. Radiation poisoning.

It was Aurelius. Boone recognized him well…

A grin spread across Boone's face. He made his way across the camp to the man. "NCR," Aurelius barked weakly. "I should have known…such a spineless attack."

Boone shrugged. "Still standing though, aren't we?"

A choked laugh. The man's mouth wet with blood and vomit. "What a way to live…the life of a coward."

"Better than the life of a monster," Boone touted. He kneeled next to the man. "But that's a life you won't have to live with much longer…" He slung his rifle over his shoulder and withdrew his bowie knife. He pressed the tip into the ground and twirled it with malicious intent. "Do you remember a woman…a slave…of course you do…" Boone's smirk faded. "You were standing next to her…auctioning her off when I shot her."

Aurelius smiled wide. "Oh! I remember her…I remember her well."

"She was my wife. She was pregnant with my child…you know what this means for you, don't you?"

"I know…but before I leave this world, I'd have you know what we did to her. Over…and over…and over…as she screamed and begged for mercy. Begged for the sake of her child…and called out your name…Craig."

Boone felt a wave of fury pass over him. He pressed the knife into the man's leg, breaking skin. He twisted it hard and held it in place. Aurelius would have screamed if his lungs would have permitted it…but all he could muster was the sound of weak groaning; rasping breath infused with the thick gurgling sound of a throat flooded with fluid.

Boone removed the blade and thrust it into the ground – then he dug his thumb into the wound, grasping loose flesh and torn muscle. He wrenched and pulled.

More agonized groaning…but the whimpers faded into laughter. "Do what you will…it doesn't matter. As we speak, Caesar moves against the Bear."

"I'm not here on the NCR's behalf…" Boone growled.

"Then it won't matter to you when your President falls."

Boone paused. "What are you talking about?"

Aurelius lifted himself off the ground, but only slightly. His grin spread wide…"Kimball's vertibird is on route to the dam as we speak. He should be arriving soon. It'll be the last speech he ever delivers…"

"You're lying…you wouldn't divulge plans to assassinate the NCR President."

Aurelius relaxed against the ground, still smiling. "Perhaps. But I'm not long for this world…and the Dam is half a day's journey from here. You'd never make it in time to save him anyway…"

The last thing Aurelius felt was the cold steel of Boone's blade.

Alright. I'll read over this again tonight to check for any typos/errors. I'm in a bit of a rush now, I have things I have to do...but I wanted to get this out to you...seeing as I told everyone I'd post it forever and a day ago.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. And I'll see you next time.

Update: The titles have a character limit! This is the first time I've noticed. So I cleverly substituted "Chapter" with "Ch."...does that annoy anyone as much as it annoys me?

Also...again, you might notice a bit of history coming up between Julie and Graham. Don't worry...that will be revealed in The Prodigal Son. A long ways down the road, but I think you'll enjoy what I've got worked out.