Chapter 64
Athos lay on his bed in the newly constructed medical tent. The structure had been erected overnight to accommodate the large number of wounded that had returned from Zion. Care was being delivered around the clock to the most injured men. Fifteen had returned. Fifteen out of nearly three hundred Legionaries. Shockingly most of the command team had made it back.
His wounds would heal in time. The break to his lower leg wasn't suspected of being too bad and Seekra was able to splint it to the best of her ability. Only time would tell if it would have lasting effects to his gait. To his surprise, it was breathing that hurt the most. He was forced to take shallow breaths to try and alleviate any discomfort. A sneeze or a cough was horrible to endure, and he felt nauseous after every acute bodily task.
He glanced over at Reed lying on his side in the bed next to him and Wendigo directly across. Reed would likely be able to return to simple tasks within the week, but Wendigo would be in this bed for many weeks to come on account of his broken legs. Fortunately, like Athos, the breaks didn't seem too severe. Wendigo believed it was the mud at the bottom of the canyon that helped cushion part of his fall when he went over the edge.
Across the medical tent, Seekra was tending to her two sons, Alexus and Dead Sea. They had come away with only minor injuries but Seekra had insisted they remain in the tent likely more for her comfort than theirs.
Those two boys, Athos thought, had proven to be heroes time and time again. While not their father biologically, he felt tremendous pride in them. To him, they were his sons and he'd let it be known.
Colt suddenly manifested in the tent opening and waded around the beds until he was at the foot of Athos's bed. Athos noted how Colt seemed to be the luckiest of all. He'd barely come away from the entire ordeal with anything more than a few nasty cuts and bruises. According to him, he'd gotten lucky when he went over the edge, catching himself on some tree roots and holding onto the side of the cliff for dear life before he was able to ascend back up and rejoin the other survivors.
Before Colt could get a word out Athos spoke up.
"How's the Legate?"
Colt grimaced.
"It's not good," he admitted. "The Auto Doc is an impressive machine, but diagnostics reveal that his wounds aren't healing well enough to stave off infection. He's been septic most of the time and there are talks that amputating his arm and leg may be the only thing that will save him."
Athos was in shock.
"Would he survive such a procedure?" he asked.
Colt shrugged almost dismissively.
"That seems to be the question. What does he stand a better chance at surviving?" he answered.
Athos felt his body go heavy as he sunk deeper into his own bed.
"Still no sign of Hecate, huh?" he asked.
Colt shook his head and said,
"She's got a good head start. We won't hear of any success of tracking the Hounds and Daughters for quite some time."
None of this was good news, Athos thought.
The silence built for a few seconds before Athos spoke again.
"Colt?" he began. "How did this happen? How could she have executed this plan without us catching on? Did you not suspect a thing the entire time you were with her?"
Colt looked as though he'd just been punched in the gut.
"This isn't my fault," he barked back defensively. "If anyone should have seen it coming, it was the Legate. He was fucking her this whole time. Maybe if he'd thought more with his head and less with his dick, then he probably would have caught on to her playing us all for fools," he spat bitterly. "Your brother wasn't exactly a big help either. Rushing off to The Strip every chance he gets. Where was he the whole time when this shit was going down? No one knows, he sure as hell doesn't tell us, his own men!"
Athos wanted to reach across the bed and strangle the insolence out of the Frumentarius.
"Watch your tongue or I might just cut it from that flapping jaw of yours," he warned in the most threatening tone he could muster.
Colt sighed and said,
"I'm sorry ... this is all just ... it's frustrating," he admitted.
"I get it, but talking like that is a great way to get yourself burned alive around here," Athos warned.
"You're right," Colt groaned.
"Keep that sentiment to yourself if you know what's good for you, got it?" Athos cautioned.
"Got it."
Back in the Legate's tent, Aramis toiled over reports strewn about his bed. Beneath the blanket of papers, Joshua lay unconscious as a result of sepsis. He'd taken a turn for the worst shortly after returning to The Fort. Aramis refused to leave his side. She'd conduct her work right here until he was well enough for her worry to subside.
Seekra had been kind enough to bring Aramis her meals each time Seekra came to check on Joshua and change anything that needed changing.
There had to be something she was missing. How could Hecate have pulled this whole thing off without any of them figuring it out? They'd been so careful. They always suspected something could happen but this ... this was a disaster. Caesar was furious but it was hard to tell where his fury was most directed at. Aramis did her best to wear much of the blame to allow Joshua and the other Centurions some leniency. She knew punishment was coming, it had to be. There was no way such a flop would go unanswered by his wrath. Part of her hoped they'd suffered enough. Joshua was fighting for his life and the others would never really be the same both physically and mentally. Still, it was wishful thinking that judgement wouldn't come.
"Commander?" a voice called from beyond the tent. It was Vulpes. His voice sounding calm and empathetic.
"What?" she bit back, perhaps sharper than she should have.
"May I enter?" he asked.
She was silent for a moment.
"Sure," she called out.
Vulpes stepped in immediately, his eyes falling on all the papers scattered over the top of the Legate's resting body.
"Is there anything I can do?" he asked.
Aramis sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"I can't figure this out," she admitted.
"I've read every synopsis of what took place out in Zion and the days spent in Ouroboros. None of it tells me where to begin piecing together the betrayal," she admitted.
Without hesitation, Vulpes grabbed a small stool and placed it next to her. He picked up a piece of paper off the bed and read it carefully.
"I'm missing something," Aramis mumbled as she rubbed her face with her hands in exhaustion. "According to Centurion Athos, the Legate seemed concerned that certain ways were blocked by landslides. Given the heavy amount of rain, this was not unusual but according to Athos, the Legate seemed suspicious of such coincidence. I think it's safe to say, knowing what we do now, that those landslides were created on purpose to direct the battlegroup along a distinct path. The question being, how did they know we would go those ways unless someone's been watching our movement in the area?"
"I don't see how she alone could have come up with all this," Vulpes said.
Aramis sat up straight.
"Because she didn't plan this alone," Aramis snarled, her mind instantly falling to Tanis Dexterra of the NCR Intelligence Unit.
FUCK, Aramis thought. She'd told Dex about the Hounds and Daughters when they'd been in Gomorrah. She'd thought he'd be interested in destroying the tribe, it never crossed her mind that he may offer Hecate a better deal than Caesar had. Hecate was now working with the NCR and Dex had been the one who helped her plan this entire uprising.
Aramis had been outplayed, again. All this had been her fault, every single part of it. She stood up and gathered the papers off the Legate.
"What? What do you know?" Vulpes asked.
"I have to go back to the Strip," Aramis said, her tone harsh and direct. Her mind was focused on confronting Dex. He'd gone too far. Too many were dead. He'd nearly caused the death of everyone close to her.
"Commander," Vulpes' voice pleaded. "Caesar needs you here ... we need you here. Between us ... the men feel you've been ... a little preoccupied with other things. Look I get it, you're the Commander ... you don't have to justify your actions and I know whatever you've been working on must be really important, but Caesar still plans on going through with this attack before the year is over and I can't keep covering for your absences."
Aramis looked at him for a second. He was right and she was acting with emotion and not intellect. She was letting down her men. She'd been letting them down for a long time, they just didn't know to what extent her treachery went. The damage was done, Hecate had betrayed them. She'd sprung her trap and now was the time to gain back some of the footings the Legion had lost. Aramis was needed here. She needed to help rebuild. Chasing Dex around The Strip wouldn't do anyone any good at the moment. Her time to confront him would come but for now, she had to be here.
Aramis nodded and sat back down. She looked to the comatose Legate and let out a deep exhale. She promised to stay by his side, and she wouldn't break that promise.
"All right. "Let's start going through what we know," Aramis said.
XXX
That night, Aramis, Vulpes, Lucius, Shaka, Ticker and Argo were called to Caesar's Tent to formulate a new plan to take the Hoover Dam.
In the strategy room, they stood around a large table with a map of the area.
There was no discussion of what had happened with the Hounds and Daughters and no mention of Hecate. Maybe it had been Caesar's attempt to pretend it never happened so as to suppress his rage over the entire situation. Regardless of why it never came up, Aramis was glad about it.
"The NCR has fortified the dam with two more regiments," Caesar said calmly. "And scouts report more garrisons, forts and outposts being set up all across the west side of the Colorado."
He leaned over the map and examined each known NCR location.
"Every day, more of my army arrives and soon we'll be ready to attack the dam. In the meantime, I want small groups led by a single Decanus harassing the enemy constantly to keep their morale low. Keep it vicious, keep it frequent and most of all succeed. Failure is something I won't tolerate in these weeks leading up to the most decisive battle in the history of my conquest."
No one spoke. Caesar's word was the only thing that mattered and if he had a plan, that was the only plan.
"Centurions Ticker and Shaka will select the Decanii to lead these missions. Argo, I expect your men to keep conducting Recces and man our own Observation Posts. Once Centurions Reed, Athos and Wendigo are cleared medically, they will provide further assistance to each of you," Caesar ordered.
The men nodded as he addressed them.
"The Frumentarii will continue their work gathering intel. I want to know everything, no matter how insignificant it may seem," Caesar said.
"I will report everything directly to you," Aramis affirmed. "But I do have a request," she added.
All eyes were suddenly on her.
"The Frumentarii number seven, with myself included. With the planned operations and requirement for greater intel, we'll need more personnel. Would you grant me more men?" she asked.
Caesar scratched the stubble on his chin.
"Poach whoever you want. Give me the names by tomorrow and I'll see it done," he agreed.
Aramis nodded respectfully.
There was a pause before Caesar spoke again.
"Furthermore, the Centuries will all be reshuffled to help bolster the men we lost in Zion," Caesar added.
This of course made sense. Wendigo, Athos and Reed had lost nearly all their men. The loss had been devastating, especially for Athos who'd spent so many years dedicated to making his Centuria the strongest in the entire Legion.
With the plans in motion, Caesar leaned back off the table and stood up straight.
"I will say it one more time. If any of you fail me, I will bury you in the sand up to your head and let the fire ants eat away at your face … and only when you beg for death will I have you dug up and sent off into the wastes, blind and in agony to let the world reclaim you as it sees fit," Caesar warned.
No one moved. No one spoke.
The declaration had been made.
XXX
Aramis returned to the Legate's tent just as Seekra was finishing changing the dressings and bandages on his abdominal wound. Aramis could tell by the grim look on her face the prognosis wasn't good.
Aramis did her best to stand up straight and wear an expression of strength and resiliency, why? She didn't know. It was only Seekra after all and Seekra knew every emotion Aramis was feeling, she must have known.
"We're doing everything we can," Seekra promised, and Aramis knew this to be true. "Talk to him. It may not seem like he can hear you, but I believe they can," she added. Aramis felt a tear form in her eye and instantly felt ashamed by it. Regardless, she sat down on the small stool next to Joshua Graham. Seekra placed a soft gentle hand on her shoulder, gave a light tap of comfort, then left.
He looked so relaxed lying there in his comatose state, but Aramis knew a war was raging inside his body where the outcome would decide whether he lived or died. She took his hand in hers and gripped it delicately, unable to look him in the face as she formed her words.
"I've lost count how many times we've found ourselves in this position … how many times we've clung to hope that the other will be okay. So many injuries. So many scars. Every one of them leaving something permanent." Aramis spoke plainly as she examined each of his wounds, careful not to touch them and risk any further contamination. There was a long silence before she spoke again. "Josh … I really fucked up. This is all my fault. Everything that's happened to you is all my fault," she said as disgrace consumed her. "I'm so sorry." Aramis squeezed his hand tightly yearning for him to squeeze back … but he didn't. "I promise I'll find Hecate, and she will pay for her betrayal. I'll chase her to the furthest ends of this wasteland. I'll let every man in the Legion use her body however they see fit. I'll have the Hounds and Daughter's crucified. I'll burn Ouroboros to the ground and when it's nothing but ash we'll leave Hecate's mutilated body in her cursed land to rot."
Suddenly a figure appeared in the opening of the tent but before Aramis could make out his form he spoke.
"Such bold promises," Caesar declared.
Aramis stood up quickly and crossed her arm over her chest in respect.
"Promises I expect you to keep," he added as he strode up to the end of the Legate's bed and eyed the man intriguingly.
"Is there something I can do for you, Sir?" Aramis enquired respectfully.
"As a matter of fact, there is," he said as his attention turned sour with a furrowed brow and partial scowl.
"We need to gain the power back. Too many of my Legionaries have been wiped out. Before we attempt to take the dam, we need to even the playing field a bit," he told her. "Aramis, you've been a bit of a disappointment lately. Distracted and at times, a bit of a ghost. You've served me your entire life and I've been patient with your … diverted attention. If I wanted to, I'd have your own men torture you to find out what's really going on, but I'll give you this last chance. Prove your competence or I will have you replaced. It's that simple," he told her bluntly.
Aramis was stunned but she hid any appearance of such emotion under a mask of bravado.
"I've granted your request for more men … get me results," he said before his face turned even more severe. "Now get out. The Legate wouldn't want to see the face of a failure when he woke up."
With that Aramis hurried out of the Legate's tent in complete disbelief at what just happened. Never had Caesar shown such disdain for her leadership or actions but she knew she deserved every bit of his wrath and more. The message was clear. She had to fix things, or it would be her life that would be forfeited.
A small cooking fire blazed in the blackness that expanded out into the Mojave Wasteland. Strips of hare meat sizzled on the makeshift grill as the trace amounts of fat dripped down and met the licking flames. Athos sat on a large rock, feeling the warmth of the fire on his face and hands.
In the distance, bright green eyes illuminated in the darkness. Athos watched in silence as the eyes darted back and forth, never taking its gaze away from him. The yips and cackles that pierced the night told Athos this creature was merely a coyote hoping to scavenge some of the Centurions' meal.
The small creature manifested in the soft light of the campfire. Emboldened by hunger it came forward, drawing closer to hare cooking on the fire. Athos watched the animal come closer. He could tell right away that she was a female and that she was likely nursing young nearby given the state of her underbelly. She was thin and ragged looking. If Ares were here, he'd have chased her off before she'd ever been able to come this close, but his loyal dog remained in The Fort with Seekra.
"You're the only company I have out here," Athos mumbled as he reached with a long metal skewer and picked up a strip of the meat from the fire. Without a second thought, he tossed the meat in her direction and watched as she pounced on it and scooped it up in her mouth. She glanced at him for a single second before dashing off, disappearing back into the shadows.
"You're welcome," Athos grumbled as he selected another piece of cooked meat for himself and scarfed it back. It was bland and would likely do little to satiate him but out here, game was somewhat plentiful for those who knew how to get it, so starvation was not a concern.
Way out in the distance was Camp Searchlight, an NCR Camp dedicated to communications and logistics according to Aramis's intelligence. It was a sizable garrison that she and Vulpes pegged as a key foothold for the NCR within the Wasteland. Because of this, he was stuck all by himself at a newly established raiding camp while his men continually harassed the supply lines coming in and out of the NCR Camp.
Another hour ticked away as Athos silently watched the flames burn away at what remained of his scavenged firewood. Slowly, the muffled sounds of heavy feet on loose sand could be heard making their way to Athos's location.
"It's me," came the familiar voice of Vulpes as his face appeared in the faint light of the fire.
"Welcome back," Athos greeted as the Frumentarii Second in Command took a seat beside across the fire and outstretched his hands to feel the warmth of the flames. "Was it exciting out there?" he asked his tone heavy with sarcasm.
"We've managed to put a halt to nearly all incoming and outgoing supply lines to the camp," Vulpes informed him, better yet, Von successfully infiltrated the last group of reinforcements permitted in the camp."
Athos gave a few nods of approval and asked,
"How are the new bodies working out?"
"Good so far. Your brother chose the best man out of each Centuria for this type of work. I suspect the Centurions weren't too pleased about him plucking their top Legionaries, but their talents were wasted in the common ranks," Vulpes said with no expression on his face even as he uttered the, "no offence," at the end of his statement.
Athos merely shrugged.
The two men sat both seeming to enjoy the silence and warmth of the fire.
"How's the leg?" Vulpes asked.
"Better by the day," Athos answered honestly. It was true that his leg was on the mend. Zion had been three weeks ago but Athos had managed to recover quickly. Maybe it had been too soon to be out here assisting on missions but sitting back in The Fort all day sulking was getting him nowhere. He promised Seekra he would take it slow and easy and that was exactly what he was doing. His job was to sit in camp and vet reports coming in.
"Have you gotten much sleep tonight?" Vulpes broke through.
Athos looked up and shook his head.
"Go, I'll cover off the rest of the morning," Vulpes offered.
"You sure?" Athos asked.
"Yeah."
Athos wasn't about to play tough. He was exhausted and bored. If Vulpes was going to offer to stay up, let him. Athos strolled to his impromptu lean-to and settled in for a couple of hours rest.
XXX
Athos was woken violently by a loud crack followed by the complete collapse of his tent.
"The fuck?!" he called out in the hazy light of dawn as he dragged himself out from under the debris of tarps, wood and metal.
Beyond, he could hear the sound of laughter erupting from several nearby parties and when he finally came free, he saw Vulpes shoulder to shoulder with his sister, Aramis. She was clad in her black motorcycle armour and her head adorned with the dog skull unique to her appearance as Commander but also served its sentimental purpose.
"What are you doing here?" Athos asked, forgetting to be mad about the prank.
"Caesar wants results, I'm here to ensure he gets them," she said with a smirk.
It was then that Athos saw Von standing nearby. Initially, Athos was startled by Von's appearance. He wasn't dressed in his usual Frumentarii outfit, in fact, he was dressed like an NCR Trooper. Athos had nearly forgotten that Von had successfully infiltrated a small group of NCR recruits destined for Camp Searchlight. By being the "lone survivor" of a Legion Raid and assuming the identity of another slain Trooper that had been so mangled that no positive ID could be made, Von and been accepted graciously into the NCR ranks.
There were six other men, in the gaggle of Legionaries around the small fire, two of whom Athos knew only by name and accomplishments.
The first was Cato. Once a Decanus with Wendigo, Cato survived Hecate's betrayal. For his bravery, determination and simply for just surviving, Aramis had selected him to fill a spot as a Frumentarius. It also helped that he was one of the best explosive experts in the Legion. Cato had a grizzled look about him. His light tan face was aged by years roaming the wasteland. He had a trimmed beard and dark eyes. He covered his head with a faded green bandana.
Next to him was Alerio. The youngest of Aramis's new recruits. Alerio had been Lion's suggestion. Barely out of the recruit rank, Alerio was somewhat small and slender but demonstrated he could be clever and cunning much like Aramis had been. Alerio still had much to prove but he'd come this far on potential. He had very light skin, light brown wavy hair and facial features that actually made him appear younger than he actually was.
The other four men were Legionary recruits, likely a simple entourage to act as bullet catchers should the more important Frumentarii get in a scuffle.
Aramis took a knee by the dwindling fire and said,
"Vulpes tells me you've been managing all the raids in these parts based on his intel."
"It's good intel. My men are getting things done," Athos affirmed.
Aramis smirked.
"It's time we up our game," she said. "Caesar intends on making Cottonwood Cove a staging hub for our forces crossing the Colorado. Searchlight is too close in proximity and could pose a threat if left unchecked. I want it removed off the face of the map," she concluded.
Athos couldn't help but smile. He enjoyed watching his sister when she was at her most ruthless.
"Many of my men are green, but they've been itching for a real battle since we got here," he offered.
Aramis shook her head.
"I won't risk new, untested men with such an important task no matter how confident their leader is," she said.
This didn't upset Athos. Aramis had a point and when it came to strategy, he knew to trust her, even if she had been doubting herself as of late.
"What about the supply lines we keep hitting?" Vulpes spoke up. "We've been simply destroying everything thanks to Cato's bombs, but what if we took them for ourselves?"
Aramis raised an inquisitive brow. Clearly, she liked this idea.
"You have Centurion Athos and his men to assist you. See it done. Intercept those supply lines and get them to Cottonwood Cove. From there, I'll see to it the goods get to where they need to be," Aramis concluded.
The men were grinning as Vulpes stood, crossed his fist over his chest and nodded to his Commander.
XXX
And so, it was for the next few weeks Vulpes studied the supply lines coming to and from the camp. It didn't take long for him to commit them to memory and devise his strategy for taking each one out. Soon the small raiding camp was full of NCR supplies that Athos's men escorted from their post to the small hub at Cottonwood Cove.
Reports from Von, still embedded with the NCR told everyone that the plan was working and that the NCR's senior staff were getting increasingly flustered and worried. Morale was low and desertion was becoming more common in the ranks.
Vulpes couldn't have been more pleased with the success so far but it didn't take long before the caravans trying to get to the camp dwindled likely due to the fact that no one wanted to risk getting caught by the Legion. Soon the raiding parties started to return empty-handed.
Von still reported that tensions were running high in Searchlight as supplies dwindled and news that fewer shipments weren't being sent to them to offset the losses.
It was when Aramis returned after just four weeks, Athos knew it was time to up the ante.
Once again, the same group as before gathered around the fire at the Raid Camp that had grown quite a bit since she'd last been here.
"Caesar is satisfied with how the mission played out," she began. "From the intel Vulpes has sent me, I believe the camp is weak and now is the time to mount our final assault."
Finally, Athos thought. Time for him and his men to go in there and wipe them out his way.
"I want something hasty and decisive with minimal casualties on our side. Something like that would please Caesar," Aramis added.
Athos shrunk down a little. Fuck. He knew she wouldn't let him, and his men roll into the camp and slaughter everyone. There was too much risk in losing too many Legionaries.
Suddenly Vulpes perked up.
"The fuel rods," he said.
Aramis grinned ear to ear and Athos wondered if the two of them were speaking in a language only they understood.
"Vulpes, Athos, with me," she ordered as she led the two men off to put some distance between them and the others huddled around the fire.
"Vulpes, tell Athos what we know," Aramis said.
Vulpes turned to Athos and said,
"There are trucks marked with the radioactive symbol parked at the fire station in Searchlight. Von learned that these trucks contain spent nuclear fuel rods. If we can get a small team to those trucks and release the material, Searchlight would be overcome by lethal levels of radiation."
Athos's mouth fell open. Well, that was one way to snuff your enemy.
"Can it be done?" he questioned. "Do we know that it would be enough to kill them all?"
"Based on what Von has told us, we think it is," Aramis said. "Cato helped confirm it."
Athos didn't know what to say so he said nothing. He wanted this to work.
"Oh … and get Von out. He shouldn't be there when we unleash that monster," Aramis ordered.
Vulpes nodded and said,
"I'll send a team in for his extraction and a team in to unseal the fuel casks."
Aramis paced for a moment
"Not a word about this to the other men until you're ready to go. Whoever you pick to open those trucks … they won't be coming back. Whatever you do, don't tell them that this is a suicide mission. We can't have them hesitate to sacrifice themselves when their time to act comes," she added.
Athos and Vulpes nodded collectively. It was a harsh tactic but a necessary one.
"See it done," she said looking directly to Vulpes and with that, she turned and went back to the fire to rejoin the others who looked on with intense curiosity.
Athos and Vulpes exchanged their own look between them. Vulpes was had a sly grin plastered on his face. If this worked, surely Vulpes would go down in Legion history as the man who killed hundreds at the expense of two or three.
XXX
The three Legionaries had been selected by Athos. All of them recruits with less than two years in the Legion. They were expendable. Vulpes gave the men their brief, providing all the details of how to enter the camp, where to go, what to look for and how to open the casks. Athos heard him assure the men that if they were quick and quiet that they would make it out of Searchlight without any complications. This was a lie, but it kept the men calm and focused on the task.
That night Athos, Vulpes and Von, who'd snuck out of Searchlight that very evening, stood on the sea container that acted as a kind of mini HQ for the Raid Camp watching the three Recruits make their way towards Camp Searchlight. With one pair of night vision goggles between them, they took turns watching the Recruits cross the wasteland and enter the camp without any opposition. So far so good, Athos thought. The first clue that things had gone wrong would be an alarm followed by an immediate stand to where the who camp would be on alert. As the minutes ticked by, the silence continued.
"Where's your brother?" Von asked. "Doesn't he want to watch this?"
"No idea," Athos said, surprised he didn't even realize Aramis was absent.
"He's in his tent. Told me to tell him how things went," Vulpes said.
Athos thought this was strange, but he didn't press the subject. If Aramis didn't want to be here and watch, that was her decision.
"They should be there by now," Von said impatiently.
"Hopefully the instructions were clear enough," Vulpes added.
"They got this," Athos assured them both. "Hey, are we far enough away?" Athos suddenly asked.
"You're asking this now?" Von teased.
"Yeah, I am," Athos hissed with a smirk.
"The material will be contained to the camp for the most part," Vulpes answered.
"According to documents I managed to see, the NCR did a threat analysis on what would happen if all the containers were opened or "spontaneously" detonated. Contamination would be restricted within the camp, that's why it was picked in the first place. Searchlight is well protected by hills that block the westerly winds. They almost made this too easy for us," Von added.
Knowing that actually made Athos feel more at ease with the whole plan.
The men continued to engage in idle chat as time went by. It had been nearly two hours since the Recruits disappeared from view and the three men watching were getting nervous.
"What if they were caught?" Von asked.
"They weren't," Athos tried to assure them though he had no idea what was taking so long.
It looked as though Vulpes was about to speak when there came a loud siren from across the Wasteland, directly from Camp Searchlight.
"Fuck! They've been caught!" Von announced.
"No …" Vulpes mumbled. "They succeeded … look!"
Athos took his turn with the binoculars and could see little figures running out of Searchlight. None of them made it far as they seemed to stop, collapse to the ground, crawl then lie still.
"Ha!" he just about screamed! "They fucking did it!"
The men were joyous at the success of the mission, though it would prove impossible for them to know just how well it had worked in that moment. They'd have to wait for reports they could intercept before they'd know the full scale of the disaster they'd caused for the NCR.
"I'll go to tell my brother," Athos announced as he clapped Vulpes on the shoulder. "It was a great plan. Well done … both of you," he added and nodded to Von. He climbed off the sea can and hurried to Aramis's tiny tent.
"We did it!" he announced as he pulled back the flap to see Aramis sitting perfectly upright, pale and unmoving. At his words she seemed to snap out of her daze.
"What?" she muttered.
"The casks were opened. We did it!" Athos affirmed.
The colour in Aramis's face returned and she sighed.
"Oh, thank fuck," she mumbled.
"You all right?" Athos asked noting her obvious anxiety.
Aramis sighed.
"Caesar was going to have me executed if the Frumentarii … if I … didn't deliver on a deciding successful mission," she told him.
"Whoa, and you're just telling me this?!" he snapped.
"It was my burden to carry. I didn't want you to stress like me," she tried.
Athos was furious, but he understood.
"Will this be enough?" he asked, his tone serious.
"It should … if things went as well as we hope they did," she answered as she grabbed her small rucksack and began packing up her things.
"When do you think we'll know?" he asked.
"I intend to find out right now," she said with a smirk.
The Strip was as busy as ever with gamblers, prostitutes, travellers, just about every kind of person a shithole like this would attract like a beacon.
Aramis entered the Vault 21 Hotel and just about jumped out of her skin when she heard the shriek of,
"Adeline!"
Sarah was on her in a second, embracing the Legionary in a tight hug and kissing her on the cheek.
Aramis smirked and hugged her back, though not nearly as exuberantly.
"You're back!" Sarah called out with such warmth it made Aramis wince.
"Just for the day," Aramis said kindly. "I wanted to surprise Tanis."
Sarah looked positively jubilant.
"You look great!" Sarah said kindly looking Aramis up and down.
Aramis had come in simple travellers' clothes. A pair of tight cargo pants, hiking boots and a fitted button up collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up over her elbows. Her 9mm was concealed in its holster beneath her shirt, tucked carefully into her waistband. This was The Strip after all, and she took personal security seriously.
"Thanks," Aramis said pleasantly. "Think you can get him for me?" Aramis added.
"Absolutely!" she exclaimed and hurried to the phone. "What should I say?"
"Just tell him I'm here," Aramis said plainly.
Sarah's grin was ear to ear as she picked up the phone.
"This is Sarah at the Vault 21 Hotel looking to speak with Tanis Dexterra," she said into the receiver. There was a pause. "Authorization number?" she asked apparently to the voice on the other end. "I'm a friend. I have important news for him!" There was another long pause. "This is priority intel for his ears only. Are you going to patch me through or not?" she hissed.
Aramis was surprised by Sarah's sudden change in attitude.
Another pause.
"Thank you!" Sarah's voice turned chirper again.
And another pause.
"Tanis!" she yelled into the phone. "Get over here now! Someone is here to see you!"
Silence once more.
"I don't want to ruin the surprise! Just get over here!" Sarah demanded and with that she hung up the phone.
Aramis was a little startled and said,
"You didn't even tell him it was me."
"Best to keep it a surprise," Sarah teased.
The plan worked because in a few short minutes the hotel door slid open and Tanis Dexterra, Chief of the NCR Intelligence Unit stood in the doorway, his face flushed from rushing.
His eyes locked on Aramis's but with Sarah right here, there was nothing he could do.
Or so she thought.
He came at her like a charging Deathclaw, his face so screwed up with rage that instinctively Aramis drew the 9mm and pointed it right at him.
Sarah shrieked with terror.
Dex stopped mid stride.
"I thought you to would be happy to see each other!" Sarah screamed.
"Oh, we are," Aramis said in a flat one.
Dex was panting heavily, his cold eyes locked on hers.
Aramis kept the gun raised.
"We just have some important matters to get off our chest first," Aramis added as she tilted her head slightly and gave Dex a twisted smirk.
"Put the gun away," he snapped as he stood up straight, appearing to relax.
Aramis only lowered it.
"Can we have a room please?" Aramis asked, now looking to Sarah but careful to still have Dex in her sight.
Sarah stood with her mouth open.
"I … ugh … are you sure?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
"We'll be just fine," Aramis assured her.
Sarah went behind her desk, retrieved a key card and with a shaky hand, gave it to Aramis.
"Thanks," Aramis said kindly before turning to Dex. "After you," she said.
"Dex?" Sarah probed.
"It's fine Sarah. Just business. Not a word to anyone," he ordered.
Sarah nodded but her face was full of terror.
Aramis and Dex descended deep into the hotel. Neither spoke until they came to the door of the room. It opened when Aramis slid the key in and they both stepped in.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here?!" Dex snapped.
With gun still in hand but kept at her side Aramis answered.
"You conspired with Hecate, didn't you?!" she yelled back.
Dex fell silent.
"You helped her kill hundreds of us! You nearly killed my own brother! Everyone important to me!" she continued letting her anger out like a violet storm.
"And Searchlight?! What was that? Payback?!" Dex spat. "I had friends there too!"
"Damn right it was payback! You helped that psycho drop a canyon on us! Because of you Caesar threatened to crucify me! He still might! I had to come up with something and Searchlight was the collateral," Aramis hissed.
"You're a part of a maniacal slave army that threatens everything I value. It's my job to stop you even if it means turning your allies against you. If people you care about get caught in the crosshairs, well … that's war for you," he bit back.
Aramis paced about the room, seething with resentment. That's when she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders. She turned her head sharply to see Dex looking at her, but nothing in his face looked threatening, so the gun remained at her side.
"The plan had been for the rockslides to either force your forces to turn back or block you from massing on time to launch your attack on the dam. I didn't expect her to drop the canyon on your brother or the others," he told her. "For that, I'm sorry if people you care about got hurt."
Aramis felt somewhat at ease.
"Well, it worked. We couldn't mass our forces because there were no forces to mass," she admitted.
There was another drawn out silence before she spoke again.
"How bad was Searchlight?" she asked.
"Caesar should be giving you a medal, not crucifying you," he told her candidly.
This should have been good news, and it was, but she could tell he was just as much pained by Searchlight as she was about Zion.
"What if Sarah or Cleo had been there, Aramis? Or Casper or me? Is everyone acceptable collateral to you? There are good people in the NCR; hard working people just trying to make this shitty world something they can live in without fear or pain. You've met some of them. The NCR is the good in all this. We just want peace in the Mojave. We want our citizens to feel they can live in a place of freedom and safety. We enforce certain rules because it brings structure and order to a place of lawlessness and degradation. We don't enslave, we don't raid, we don't force our will down the throats of our subjects and expect them to blindly obey … and we don't crucify our leaders when they fail," he said as he held her a little more firmly.
Aramis was silent for a while, before she offered him her terms.
"Give up the dam," she muttered.
"What?"
"Have your Highers pull their forces from the Hoover Dam. Give it up. It's not worth what's coming," she told him. "You have to give up the dam and leave the Mojave and take your citizens with you. Go east. Go as far east as you can where Caesar can't reach you. It's your only chance," she tried.
"We can't just give up the dam. It powers everything around here. Without it we wouldn't be able to hold onto any of our control. It's our major bargaining chip. Mr. House would be running things his way and frankly I'm not sure that's much better than Caesar. As for the NCR leaving the Mojave … you have a better chance of convincing the Brotherhood of Steel to share tech with the world," he replied.
"Caesar plans on taking it and he doesn't have the same value of human life as the NCR. He will throw man after man at you until there is nothing left of anyone … and then he will win … and he will rebuild. And you'll have all died for nothing," Aramis countered.
"We won't … we can't give up the dam, and we can't leave," Dex reiterated.
Aramis sighed and said,
"Then we fight."
She pulled away from him and moved for the door.
"Aramis, you don't have to be on that side. You're here. You can choose not to go back. Help the NCR defeat Caesar. I can't promise we'll get everyone you care about out, but at least it's the first step towards some kind of retribution for what that man has done to you," he offered.
Aramis stopped and pondered his offer.
If Caesar won, the Legion would have everything. Absolute power and control. There would be no force left to oppose them. No, not the Legion, Caesar. Caesar would have full control and power over everything. This is what she'd lived for, after all. This was her purpose. She was to serve her master and guarantee him victory over all his enemies. Once that was achieved … then what? Would it be over? Would the fighting stop? She honestly didn't know. What she did know was that eventually she would amount to one of few possible fates. Perhaps in time she'd be killed in battle or fail Caesar one too many times and he'd have her killed and replaced. Doubtful was any chance of "retirement" where she'd be left to live out her life as she saw fit. A Legionary was meant to serve and when they were done serving, they were no longer useful and thus, not worth keeping alive. It was that simple.
"It's not time yet," was all she could say.
Dex remained in place looking disappointed.
Before she left, she had to know one thing. It was the only reason she'd come here.
"Dex?" she inquired.
"Yeah?"
"How many did we kill in Searchlight?"
Dex's expression turned even more wounded.
"One hundred and eighty-nine in the first day. Another sixty-four within the following three days … and frankly the number keeps climbing by the day as the sick succumb to their illnesses and injuries. For the survivors … their fate will likely be worse than death," he answered honestly.
There was a long pause between them both before it was his turn to ask.
"And Zion?"
"Two hundred and ninety-one," she said truthfully.
"Seems about even," he said.
She nodded and said,
"Yup, seems about even."
With that she left the Hotel to return to The Fort with the intel she hoped would be enough to save her.
XXX
News of Camp Searchlight spread through The Fort like a swarm of bloatflies. Vulpes, Athos and Von had returned with the news the day before Aramis had arrived with her own intel on the climbing total of casualties.
In Caesar's tent, she stood before her ruler wondering if the news she brought him would keep her alive. Beside her, Athos and Vulpes stood ready to receive his judgement on the mission.
"Over two hundred and fifty confirmed dead in Searchlight," she said. "The number is increasing daily. The levels of radiation in the camp reached critical within seconds," she informed them all.
"Further to that," Vulpes went on. "There are reports that the attack has caused ghoulification of those who were on the fringes. They didn't receive enough radiation to die, but enough to change them on a molecular level."
"At just the cost of three Recruits, we delt a devastating blow to the NCR. Vulpes's plan was a complete success," Aramis confirmed.
Vulpes shot her a questioning glance.
While Aramis had assisted in motivating her men, it was Vulpes who'd delivered the victory and she intended him to get the credit.
"Levels of radiation are critical in the camp and surrounding area. There's no way they will be able to oppose us from there," Athos added.
"Not to mention the fact that we've crippled their logistical branch," Aramis added.
While they spoke, Caesar stood on the opposite side of the table taking in every detail. When they were done delivering their report he leaned over the table and eyed each one of them carefully.
"Get a hot meal each of you. Athos, tomorrow you'll lead the men in training. All the men. You're acting in the Legate's place until he is strong enough to return," he began.
With this news Aramis perked up. Was the Legate awake?
"Aramis, I expect you and your man here to assist me in the weeks to come with planning my assault on the dam. The Legate is still bed ridden but you assist him personally to ensure he is a part of these plans," Caesar added.
It was difficult for Aramis to concentrate on anything more Caesar had to say. Joshua was awake. He was going to make it!
"You're all dismissed," Caesar finally uttered and the three of them left the tent.
"Commander?" Vulpes inquired the moment they left the tent.
"I'll see you later," Athos said like he knew Aramis's mind was on one thing and one thing only.
Aramis looked to Vulpes impatiently, but she wouldn't brush off her second in command.
"Hm?" was her response.
"You didn't have to give me the credit for Searchlight," he told her. "It was a joint operation."
Aramis smirked.
"No Vulpes, you were thinking like a true tactician every step of the way and because of your ingenuity, we pulled off a very successful attack. It may not have seemed like it, but Caesar was thrilled with the outcome," she told him.
"I want you to know," Vulpes went on. "About what I said awhile back ... your men value your leadership. We know how much risk you take and that you're on the front lines with us every day. I know I've never said it but thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I know I didn't make it easy at the start, but you brought me to where I am now, and I appreciate it. For that, you will always have my loyalty," he assured her.
It was a touching moment. She put a hand on the young man's shoulder and gave him a respectful nod. It was as affectionate as it got in the Legion between the men.
"Get that hot meal, you deserve it," she said with a smirk and watched as he disappeared in the sea of tents.
With her mind back on track she made her way across Fortification Hill to the Legate's modest tent. Without announcing herself she let herself in and saw the startled face of Joshua Graham. He was thin and sickly looking but most importantly he was awake and alive.
"Aramis," he said almost breathlessly.
Before she knew it, she was across the small space, at his side and she was leaning down and kissing him with such longing that it made her skin sizzle.
His hand reached up and held her face, keeping her there in that moment with him. When they finally did break apart, she sat on the bed next to him, her hand gripping his tightly.
"I wouldn't have left your side if Caesar hadn't ordered me to," she told him.
Joshua smirked and said,
"Yeah, he told me what he'd done to motivate you. I guess it worked. I heard about Searchlight."
"Nothing but a glowing green mess," she said with a faint smile.
She leaned in and kissed him again and examined his body more in depth.
"Everything is there. No amputations required," he said with enthusiasm.
"I'm just so glad you're okay," she said when she pulled away. "I really didn't know if you were going to make it. You were so sick … and your wounds."
"Healing … and apparently I'm infection free," he assured her. "Thank the Father for Seekra and Caesar's Auto Doc."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there. I should have been there," Aramis mumbled.
"I'm grateful you weren't there. We were so lucky that we made it back, but if something had happened to you … I don't know what I would have done," he said.
There was another brief kiss and Aramis said,
"Caesar has ordered me to assist you to ensure you're a part of the plans for the attack on the Hoover Dam," she said.
"Oh, has he? My own personal assistant, eh?" he teased as he reached for her and prodded at her exposed skin through her armour.
"Assistant, not slave," she teased with a smile as she tried to fend off his hands without laughing and drawing attention to the actions taking place inside the tent. Back in Flagstaff they had a cabin with thick walls, but here in The Fort, in this paper-thin tent, they had to be careful. "He's put Athos in change of training up the men in your place … it's only temporary … until you're fit to take back command," she added.
Joshua stopped and looked serious for a moment.
"I need to get back out there," he said sternly.
"You need to rest," Aramis instructed.
"At times like this, none of us can look weak. With God on my side, I can handle things," he said.
"You don't have anything left to prove to the men," Aramis tried. "Have faith in Athos."
"It's not about a lack of faith in Athos. The Legion is about to mount the largest attack on its most formidable adversary. I need to be a part of this."
Aramis understood exactly what he was feeling and knew it was pointless to argue with him.
"Help me to my feet," he ordered.
"Your bones are barely healed," she pleaded.
"Aramis," he said in a curt tone.
With a heavy sigh Aramis stood up and held out her hands. He grasped her wrists tightly as she did his and together, they got him to his feet.
"Are you sure you want the men to see you like this?" she asked.
"I thought you said I have nothing to prove," he uttered.
Aramis resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"See?" he said with a smirk as he stood with his full body weight. Before Aramis could react, he took a step forward and suddenly he yelped in pain and collapsed. Fortunately, Aramis was ready and caught him before he crumpled to the floor.
"Easy," she begged. "You're not ready. Just give it time."
Joshua looked embarrassed and ashamed as he recoiled back into his bed.
Aramis sat down beside him and stroked his forearm. Sweat collected on his brow with each heavy breath he took.
"I promise I'll help you through this, give it time and every day we'll progress a little bit more," she commented.
"That's not good enough," he groaned.
"You're lucky to be alive. You are back with us … with me … it has to be good enough," Aramis said, her tone becoming slightly fiercer.
Joshua looked her in the eye and sighed with a nod. After a few seconds he seemed to collect himself as his face hardened and he sat up straight.
"Get me an updated map," he ordered. "Let's plan this attack."
A/N – So I tried my hardest to find a timeline for the Camp Searchlight attack. Nothing was conclusive whether it was before or after the first battle for the Hoover Dam. I decided to put the occurrence at this time. If anyone knows better, I hope you can forgive me if I'm wrong. The battle is coming! Honestly expect it could take me awhile to pump out the next few chapters. I want to get it right and there's so much to consider.
Haha, Humancyrax you're not riding me at all! That's a solid idea and I actually edited this chapter after reading your review to incorporate the idea. It's subtle, but it's in there. I really wanted to flesh out Joshua's courage and strength in the last chapter. I'm thrilled you saw that.
I tried to stay true to the 'canon' of Hecate and that she was the only one to really evade Caesar's rule to the very end, Xcom-anders. From what I read, the Hounds and Daughters were never assimilated and Hecate was able to stay in power. She certainly dealt a crushing blow to Caesar's forces and I'm certain it will affect the first battle for the Hoover Dam. Just how? We'll have to wait and see. ;)
Thank you to everyone else for the wonderful comments. Even if the guests are unnamed, I love seeing the kindness and support you offer. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter!