Bikers Without Bikes

I had a lot to think about. Dalton had a strange energy about him that made me like the guy, but that conversation made it abundantly clear that he liked the Legion. Despite never meeting the group, he was a supporter of theirs and had all the familiar disdain for Phoenix as Mark, Joshua, and Caesar. He even had the horrible identitarian mind of Decanus Roblesius whose group hatred was focused on the tribals of northern Arizona. However, I was still caught doing errands for both factions, and wondered what would happen if I ended up doing what I said and handing all my Legion intel to the Resistance. Would Mark Dinero, Mr. Kekos, and Dalton turn on me? Though that answer seemed obvious, everyone I met other than Resistance agents made it seem like I had a destiny for the Legion. Maybe they were all correct. I wondered about that until I met Old Man Grevsky, went on my little adventure with him, and even talked with Quinn Andrews.

Grev and I did a lot in a short time, and it all ended in success. The feeling I got when I knew for sure that Gold Canyon was finally safe was better than most highs I ever had. The feeling I got when I heard Quinn's story about all the awfulness before and after the bombs fell, and him finally finding his place at Luke AFB made me hopeful. However, all my work for the Resistance up to this point was only furthering the Legion's goals once I handed Mr. Dinero my notes. It dawned on me that there would be a time very soon that I would have to ultimately make a decision on where my loyalties are. One was obviously more noble than the other, but the thought of power and simple survival can make people do strange things. Getting lost in my thoughts, I went to sleep.

After a couple hours of great sleep in the penthouse bed, I forced myself to wake up, and began getting ready to head out. Dalton woke up just after me and did the same. It was nearing that time, and we left the penthouse with Mark and Mr. Kekos still asleep in the early-morning. The streets of Scottsdale were quiet as I saddled up and headed towards the north. We traveled through the wastes only hearing the galloping of my pona, staying clear of a stumbling horde of ferals, and avoiding caravan traffic heading into Phoenix. On the old highway, the sun was high over the mountains, and soon the large gas station came into view. This was an area of the wastes with little activity given the increasing Legion expansion. Legion territory was still a ways north of the old gas station, but the wastes between it and the edge of the slaver society was desolate. Riding up to the gas station, several figures emerged from the chipping old ruin I slowed to a stop, and a decanus aimed his weapon at us. The decanus approached us followed by the spear or machete wielding legionaries and shouted;

"Best turn back wastelanders! Or end up on a cross!"

I shouted, "Ave, Decanus! True to Caesar! I come as Caesar's servant from the city of Scottsdale!"

We dismounted and the decanus said, "You must be the Frumantarius we were told to await. Forgive me, I was only following security standards."

I responded, "No problem, Decanus. What's the situation?"

Instead of answering, I saw the man's confused expression even through the tinted goggles, helmet, and black facemask. He asked, "Who is this? We were told there would only be one of Caesar's agents?"

Feeling somewhat superior to the "common grunt", I said authoritatively, "Never mind him, he is an extra gun I conscripted, and a loyal follower of Caesar."

The decanus turned his head and asked Dalton, "Is this true?"

Dalton said genuinely as he could, but confused by the way legionaries spoke, "Yes… Decanus… True to Kai-Zar…"

The decanus turned his head and said to me, "He checks out."

The decanus then gave me a short brief on the situation, "Our Lord has ordered us to follow you east into the territory of the dissolute and raiders. Caesar has had similar dealings with them, but they remain somewhat hostile in manner to our Lord. I know you are aware, but you are to contact their leader and ensure their cooperation in the coming siege. Here, take this…"

He handed me a folded piece of paper that was the official proposal of demands from Caesar himself. I still had the letter Mark gave me after the Unification Ceremony as well as the copy before heading to the gas station.

The decanus continued, "The paper details what Caesar expects as well as proposes to our new ally. I suggest you read that before speaking with their leader to have an idea on how to lean them more in our favor… I'm sure I don't need to remind a member of the Frumantarii that failure in the eyes of Caesar is not tolerated."

I pocketed the note and said, "Excellent, Decanus. What should be expected on approach to the Cave Creek fortress?"

He gave a small salute and said, "The raiders used to kill our scouts to the valley, but ceased open engagements when another Frumantarius gave notice of a potential offer from our Lord in the future. He was beheaded, but they recently halted beheadings of our emissaries, and are expecting new word from our Lord in the form of a messenger and contingent of legionaries... Us… I advise caution on approach, and readiness for the worst. We are ready to depart when you say the word."

Somewhat worried about getting beheaded, I threw my nerves aside, and said confidently, "Very good, Decanus. I will lead the way. Have your men follow me in column behind my steed and keep the weapons lowered or on safe."

The decanus gave a salute and formed up his men in two columns behind my pona. Before moving forward, I faintly heard Dalton say under his breath, "Perfect."

Not sure what he was talking about, but I headed east on my pona as the decanus followed with his contubernium. Dalton took the moment to dismount and follow behind me with his laser rifle drawn. He reasoned by saying that someone, "Riding Bitch" would compromise my authority. At that, I agreed. As we went east into the desert, I began noticing sculptures made out of motorcycle and car parts much like the Have-Su tribal totems. From that point, I knew we were in "Atomic Stalker" territory. We approached the fortress of Cave Creek only signified by the mountain at the center of the fortress. Just as a small dust storm began clouding my vision, *CRACK*. A few shots rang out and the formation spread itself out.

I wasn't expecting an ambush or a trap, but I quickly dismounted while Dalton fired his laser rifle into the blinding sands, and the decanus released a burst from his submachinegun at the shadowy figures cloaked in dust. Some of the legionaries dropped their spears and pulled spare sidearms from their belts to fire into the desert. As I poked my head up over the rocks, I noticed ten figures still blurred by the dust running towards us. I shouted to my legionaries, "HOLD FIRE!" and the figures approached slower. The hostiles noticed the cease in gunfire and walked even slower towards us as I shouted through the winds, "WE COME ON BEHALF OF OUR LORD CAESAR!"

The figures got closer, the dust settled, and they became visible. Every raider to emerge from the dust was clad in black leather gear wrapped in chains and patchwork steel pieces welded to their vests. They all had large beards covering their faces, with Mohawks or bald heads, and face tattoos with flame patterns, or sinister objects. The thugs sneered at us with hammers, machetes, chain flails, or bowie knives drawn. One of them with a blue Mohawk, a black beard, fogged road goggles, and a noose tattooed on his forehead stepped towards me.

The raider shouted, "You some of them Legion Boys, huh!?"

I gave a motion at the silent legionaries and Dalton before responding, "Yes, we have business with your leader on behalf of our Lord Caesar!"

He grinned under his goggles, gave a head motion, and said, "Follow us… Boys."