Chapter 2: Welcome to New Cannan

Mathew walked towards Vault 70, its door opened. He searched the floors to see much evidence that the people have left. His hopes of finding a solution in the Vault was dashed away when he saw the state the computers were in. He checked a paper logbook that had begun with how the Vault clothing dispenser ran out after six months and the devout Mormon people had to go without clothes for 2 centuries. After a decade, they had gotten used to this and adapted. When they left the Vault, they headed west to what was once Salt Lake City and left a note about how god shall give mercy to those who give theirs in turn. And so Mathew, who had managed to attain a still working dirt bike, headed to his home.

After a minute of travel, he arrived at a thriving commute of Mormons, armed with revolvers and lever-action rifles. Guarding the tall ruins of Salt Lake City, which had mostly been restored to livable conditions. The city had a wall that was roughly 30 feet high and covered the entire suburban city, with old buildings converted into towers and fortifications. Higher than that were tall stone towers with braisers in them to organize the soldiers in the city.

Mathew was greeted by one of the guards, who was expecting a tribal raider or some decently-equipped mercenary and not some high-tech soldier who looked like he was from the old world. Mathew said he was from the Vault called Vault Phoniex, the men were startled. They let him entered and escorted him to the town hall, which was a massive cathedral made of stone. He passed by both clothed and non-clothed men and woman, the clothed were either between fully dressed or barely covering their privates. Mathew shrugs it off as the Vault's doing, he really didn't care as he is glad the human race managed to survive, their ideology, however, was what worried him.

The population, he guesses, would be 3.5 million considering the wall surrounded most of Salt Lake City. Mostly farmers, but there were also plentiful craftsmen and other workers. He saw many weapons foundry producing solely .45 pistols and .45-70 gov't lever-action rifles, the venerable M1911 and the powerful Winchester 1886. Houses were built to have doors on the outside to keep out the weather, but there were no doors inside and each house is in some way connected to the others, the Mormons really did not care about privacy that much thanks to living conditions in Vault 70. Above the roads were bridges and archways that connected everything to anything. The city was essentially was one large house now.

Inside the cathedral was a massive library on the second floor, while the ground level had pews for praying. He could see a few librarians organizing the books of old, at least a good chunk of knowledge of the old world was still preserved.

He was brought to the leader of their city, a man named Father Macra. The elderly man wore a simple white robe adorned with the cross, he wore no shoes and around his neck was the bible tied to it. He explains to Mathew that New Canaan, the people, have been working hard to spread the Christian faith. Mathew soon learns that they slowly went from Mormonism to Protestantism during the years. Macra asks where did he come from, Mathew replied simply, "The Vault across yours."

Father Macra (pronounced as Mac-ra), wide-eyed along with the guards, began to make the holy cross and kneeled. "We have waited, all these years, for the soldiers of old to aid us in our time of need. Our fathers and their fathers before had proclaimed that when your Vault opens, a mighty army of golden virtue shall protect the people of this world. " He rises from his stance, but the guards still kneel. "Where are the others?" He was puzzled on why only one soldier is here; he heard there were at least 1,000 of them.

Mathew was surprised at what this man said, his army now men of golden virtue? Not even close. "Unfortunately, they are all frozen. I have been assigned to free them from their slumber, for it is my duty. I need to find a Vault, one that is still working."

The man nods. "So it is. We can help you in any way that is needed, but first, you must help us." The man's face went serious. "There is an empire south of here, it is called Caesar's Legion. It plans to invade and destroy our home, turn our men and woman into slaves, the children forced to join their ranks and worst, they crucify any who defied their god. They are fearsome soldiers who would die in the name of their war god called Mars. We have no organized force to fight back, we need your help."

Mathew weighed his options, no matter what, he had to help them. Both in his oath to protect the innocent and the fact that this Leigon would harm his Vault's occupants, dooming his wife and friends. He thought about how to help them; train their men to volley fire for maximising their effects, organizing non-combatants, woman and children, to help the soldiers with logistical matter i.e food and ammunition, he remembers that he saw horses, maybe he can use them as skirmishing units?

Now that he knows his army, he needs to know the enemy's strengths. Father Macra has known the Legion through many travellers and has deduced in detail their way of life. He explains how they fight, what their economy is, their leaders and the ranking structure, everything. This is helped with many refugees in the city adding in the info, some slaves while others were ex-Legion.

Mathew conducted a plan, first, every able body shall be armed with a gun, ageing down until to the 17-year-olds as a militia. He then enlists the help of several horse riders to routinely harras and scout the enemy. Knowing that the lake was too big for the enemy to poison he elected to ignore it for now. He looked out to the horizon to see the standard of the bastardised Roman Empire. He could see that an entire cohort was preparing to attack.

He knew what the Roman Empire was, a much more civilised nation compared to these pretenders. He was just a child back then but was very fascinated by the rich history of Rome, from its military to its customs, he drank it all. He even got a diploma for his efforts, he was such a nerd.

He feels the wind blow his hair, let them come and spill their blood. "First rank! Rise!"

Goris had never met a more holy man in his long life. After greeting him the man asks where did Goris come from as no traveller ever came from the north. Goris explains that he came from New Reno then went east through Caesar Legion seeking a remote place to read an endless amount of books and knowledge. This man, who Goris could now see was covered in bandages, was called Joshua Graham. He had an interesting pistol next to him with wonderful wavy engravings.

Joshua explained earning a .45 pistol was considered a Mormon rite of passage. He says that doing so is to be assigned a duty to protect one's home, which he has since being welcomed back as a prodigal son. Explaining that he never always was a New Canaanite, sometimes a monster.

Goris raises his eyebrow under his robe, his luck stat at a 10 for people not to notice his features. The man continued in saying he joined the Legion decades ago, a lifetime. He explained that after winning victories for the Leigon, it all went downhill at the Battle of Hoover Dam, a powerful relic from the old world. The Dam had been a massive failure on his part for his recklessness, underestimating the Rangers and finally Boulder City. After that Caesar was enraged at this failure in front of the world and punished him severely.

He was covered in pitch and was set aflame, thrown into the Grand Canyon. He was saved, by Deathclaws. They put him out and dragged him to shelter. He does not remember much, he can not forget those intelligent eyes. They cared for him until he had the strength to leave and began a harrowing 3-month journey back to here.

Goris chuckles. The Burned Man looked at him "I know, it's frankly unbelievable even for me."

Goris laughs "Oh, my friend. Those were my kin that saved you." He takes off his robe, startling Joshua who had seen many things, a talking Deathclaw was not one. Goris tells his story now, how his family was slaughtered by Encalve soldiers, how a Chosen One helped him and how he managed to advance his race. After all this, he is proud to be a Deathclaw, one who searches for knowledge and wisdom.

"Well then, you came to the right place." He leads the sheep away from the lake and back to the city. Beyond the city, the sounds of marching and horns began.

"Legionaries! Prepare to advance!" The Centurion yelled as his Centuria began to march forward. He was ordered to breach the city, burn the churches, and find the Burned Man. Marcus was the only one in his platoon that noticed there was a man in Ranger Armour on the wall, was the NCR sending reinforcements?

Then rising from behind the man were New Canaanites armed with lever-action rifles began to volley fire on their position. The bullets however did not hit him, instead, his Centurion was riddled as he fell, leaving the Centuria leaderless. He looked to the standard-bearer but he too was dead. Without a rallying point or a leader, the stubborn Legionaries continued to the walls with climbing ladders. Marcus tripped over a rock and fell, lucky as his compatriots were killed by another volley.

More and more Legionaries kept trying to rush the walls as they return fire. Many men fall from both sides as lead and dynamite sounded out through the battlefield. The path to the city from the south was bottlenecked by the Twin Peaks and

The combined shock that came from the volley fire was enough to disorient the attack that many Legionaries were out of position and were easy pickings for the New Canaanites. They were harassers from the sides with .45 Auto Pistols and dynamite that funnelled the Legion. Marcus crawled towards a large rock near the wall so he can fire his rifle, if he did not they will hang him for abstaining from the battle.

He manages to aim his rifle and fired one shot before being knocked out by a stick of dynamite blowing up the rock, leaving him on his back.

Mathew had been hit in the arm by a shot from close-range, he looks down to see a rock explode and a Legionary lay unconscious. He tells one of the men to take him alive, he needs to question him. He looks to see many dead bodies, what scares him is that no one ran. A doctor patches his arm as chants of "God wills it" rang throughout the streets as people cheered at him and the militia with showers of flowers and rice blessed them.

Father Macra met him in the town square as the people were celebrating. Dances had commenced in high spirits and song as wine and buttered bread were served, Mathew asked for grape juice instead, he disliked alcohol during his childhood. He and Father Macra sat down on a bench, Father Macra thanks Mathew for his help against the Legion, though they will come again.

"I'll count on it." Mathew took a sip of his drink as night fell. The city square, which was roughly 1km wide had many tents and activities scattered about, was almost filled to the brim. Mathew heard more stories of Vegas, of named called House.

"Bloody hell, House still lives?" With all that tech he wouldn't be surprised that he did.

"Yes, and he can help you with your family. He lives in New Vegas, a land of sin. The journey there through Legion lands would be ill-advised without a guide. It will be filled with many enemies, but do not be mistaken that every Legionary is bloodthirsty and cruel. Some were orphans forced into brutal warfare, some born by their slave mothers, some having joined because of their tribe being assimilated. Few have volunteered, few who are bloodthirsty and cruel." Father Macra seriously told. He then turns jovial and joins in on the celebrating and talked to some small children.

Mathew left and went to a converted police building. In one of the cells was the Legionary they captured. He was given proper food and clothing, and a bible at his request. The Legionary was very curious about Christianity, especially that all of their words are in Latin, the language of the Legion. He calls himself Marcus and nothing else, not even his tribal name.

Mathew grabbed his chair and sat outside his cell, Marcus closed the book. The man had dirty brown hair that looked like they needed a comb, his redshirt was made of simple cloth and barely provided any protection from the elements, his brown eyes tired as a result of post-battle exhaustion.

"What do you want, ranger?" Marcus asked him.

"I simply want to know you."

Marcus raised from his bed into a seating position "Really? What would you gain from it? Soon the Dam shall fall and the Legion will slaughter you all."

"Wait, who are you talking about?"

Marcus asked seriously"The bear? Are you not with the NCR?"

Mathew lowered his eyebrows "No. I'm from the nearby Vault."

Marcus scoffed, a Morman? "How would a Mormon like you managed to get that Ranger Armour?"

"I'm from the other Vault." He deadpanned.

"Really? Heh, tell me then, old man, what proof do you have?" Marcus crosses his arms.

Mathew spoke in Latin ("I know of what you follow, and how bastardised it is.") catching Marcus off guard at his fluent Latin.

Mathew states that the Roman Empire was never the harsh dictatorship that Marcus knew, instead, it was a republic that had many great and terrible leaders. At times it can be the benevolent empire, other times a hellhole. He described how slave had some freedom, while they could not their own property they still could freely use their master's, they were allowed to testify against their master for slave mistreatment and abuse, the skilled and educated could buy their freedom, some could become Romans themselves! Something that Marcus finds, interesting.

The Romans also encouraged technology like medicine and aqueducts, which in contrast to Caesar Legion who shuns it, that helped it conquer and civilised the known world. Mathew emphasises that the Roman Empire would die for automatons, it would increase productivity and tremendously help them in combat. The mighty colosseum was one of their greatest achievement where Gladiators and animals fight to the death.

Caesar was right on integrating the tribes, it's that he is doing it too fast and too through. Considering the Roman Empire had the time and the resources to slowly but fairly integrate their conquered tribes into the Roman Empire, showing that they can join as Romans and equals. The Empire was certainly less centralized as the bigger it got, made it easier to govern.

Marcus was silent for a time, then spoke "Where did you learn this from?"

"From school, loved history back then. Now if you please, can you tell what will happen now?" Mathew wanted to make sure there were no surprise attacks and using history he hoped to convince Marcus to tell him.

Marcus sighed, this man was from the old world. On one hand, he will be betraying his Legion, on the other hand, he will gain much knowledge. "If the attack were to fail, the White Legs, a tribe in the west, are to attack at night and slaughter the Mormons." He did have to admit however that this man, was an experienced soldier. For him to arrange a defence this fast, was a hard feat.

"Thank you. I will find some more books for you." Mathew knows that with a bit more knowledge, Marcus might change his ways.

Joshua and Goris entered the city during the battle, they went to a tall public library/church hybrid ran by a sweet old lady who only wore blue jeans. Goris averted his eyes as Joshua led him to a private reading room for peace and quiet, and handed him a library card. "I shall return, we have many things to talk about." Goris nodded as he left, from a window he saw a battle between the Mormons and the Legion, judging by the sounds he heard the Mormons won.

The room had a clean wooden finish to it with 3 connected stone benches with one Square table in the middle. On the walls were beautiful paintings preserved. Light from an overhang lantern shone throughout the room. Goris squeeze into a seat, slightly

Goris began to read some very well kept and well-maintained knowledge, like cooking books. Beef Wellington never looked so savoury.

He would spend hours studying. Soon all forms of philosophy, culture and even science long since forgotten flood his healthy mind, beside him are high towers of books that had his mind soaked in. He had never been so happy in his life, well not unless that involved with his crazy mates.

Joshua returns with lunch, which consisted of wine and buttered bread. They share stories with each other, describing the many tribes and towns they visited.

"There were these Amazons in the far east, led by a council of warrior women. Legate Lanius still has trouble with them and considering Caesar's stance on women, that wasn't going to change soon. I heard stories of them being friendly to a Deathclaw worshipping tribe called the Claws of Droga, named after Droga the sentient Deathclaw. Another member of your race who is like you, but much more bloodthirsty." Joshua had a map in front of him and gestured to the Arkansas and Mississippi regions with their respected symbols, an axe for Arkansas and a claw for Mississippi.

He the route east was a far more different experience than the west. While Caesar is a strategic general, Lanius was a logistical master. Supply lines were more organized, communications like radio were developed because of necessity, there were even rumours of ghouls in the army because of their ability to survive on fewer items. It appears Lanius has seen many things, and learned a few tricks. His expedition east will halt however when he is called for the Dam, Caesar's prize.

The NCR has recently been taking a much more warlike attitude similar to the Legion in the Mojave. They had been sending more Rangers and soldiers to defend the Dam and planing an assault across the river south of it. From what he has learned from the NCR traders here, the Republic has started to boats that the Dam will hold. Joshua chuckled, hubris cost him the battle, soon it will befall them as well.

Goris mentions that he met a tribe on the way here, called the 80s. Their culture is based around engines and makes great use of both motorcycles and muscle cars, makes them extremely fast raiders that the NCR really can't deal with without putting in more resources from the Mojave campaign. Goris also muses that Vault City, New Reno and many other NCR-aligned tribes and towns in the northwest will send both supplies and people if convinced by the Legion threat. One way they can go is through Salt Lake City itself, another is the 80s and White Legs, and finally through NCR territory.

But since Caesar's pride deeply wants the Dam, all the conflict will be in the Mojave excluding a few skirmishes. But if he loses a second time, he will need to go a different route. There would be the northern routes or by sea. Unlike the NCR, the Legion had no proper navy and therefore could not take sea without adequate transports and escorts. The NCR navy, however, had only 3 ships which were only converted Light Cruisers only armed with 10-inch guns. The Legion had to simply acquire transports and invade the Baja California Peninsula.

Joshua and Goris continue to talk about strategy and how there are many factors that can change it.

Entering the library was Mathew looking for Roman books for Marcus to read, he believed in treated POWs humanly. It was very pragmatic to convince your enemy to no longer fight against you and to gain willing intelligence, and if more effort were pushed in, he will fight for you.

He found quite a collection, nearly everything related to Rome was here, there were even a few Gaul, Spartan and Parthian records made by the Romans. He chose a few books about life in Rome. He heads up to a private room only to accidentally intrude on a conversation between a mummy and an oversized lizard.

Mathew takes in a deep breath with no emotion on his face, and screams "WHAT THE FUCK?!"