Two snipers waited at a gas station for their meeting. Ever since Boone had officially returned to military service, he found himself in the company of the Russian sniper who just so happened to be a daughter of an important officer. Both of them were in Novac just to continue providing a defense for the locals in case the Legion dared to make an attack on the town.

The NCR sniper scanned the surrounding area, only to see sand and gravel. However, he noted several figures approaching Novac from the North. "They are here." He said.

Then Anna took the lead with her anti-material rifle in hand. "Let's go meet them."

When the two groups found themselves on the edge of town, Boone noted the red berets and the symbol of the unit he fought with. "Snipers. It's good to find good company, once again." Yet, they were not all NCR snipers. One of them was a man who wore strange gloves made out of animal skins. "Who are you?"

"He's a communist sniper." She commented. "I've seen their sort before. Been awhile since I've encountered his sort."

The stranger seemed to be offended by her. "My name is Timur Glazkov. I've been sent alongside Lieutenant Gorobets as goodwill between peoples from my superiors within the Red Line." He replied. "While our comrades are busy staring down the Legion on their side of the Colorado River, it is our duty to cut down their operations south of Novac."

Boone wouldn't consider this moment for sadistic pleasure, but the orders from command to hunt down the soldiers of Caesar's Legion made him smile. Long had he waited for his time to whittle their numbers through small cuts. He had every good reason to mercilessly kill them without remorse. "It means we get to kill the Legion."

The NCR lieutenant stepped forward. "Essentially. News of what happened to Camp Lamplight and Nipton have reached the republic. A large number of Legion agents and slavers have been operating throughout the vicinity that we even lost one of our ranger stations nearby. Command wants them to pay and we will oblige by being the last thing they will ever see. Now we are hunting down Legionnaires, but this serves another purpose. The enemy has a location on this side of the Colorado that they are operating from and we need to drain those men in keeping that place unguarded."

Anna spoke her thoughts. "Is there going to be a major operation in the future?"

He nodded his head. "Yes. There is going to be a joint operation by both the NCR and the Russians to deal with them. We just have to become a thorn in their side for the time being."

"How about military supplies? There is so much we can do until we run out of ammo."

Timur was quick to reply. "The Hanseatic League is going to turn the defunct ranger station into a supply zone for our sake. All we just need to do is kill the enemy."

"So when do we start?"

"Right now."

When the Fiends were destroyed, Simon and Petrovich were now jobless. The lack of a threat had only made their prospects of employment even worse now that they were no longer needed. However, a certain NCR scientist had sent them to a place called Vault 22. Despite their economic situation and their loot of equipment from dead Fiends, they regretted their decision to accept the job.

Petrovich unleashed the fury of his flamethrower within the caverns while Simon swept an entire area with a newly-acquired shotgun he had looted off a dead Fiend. Both wearing gas masks out of fear of what would happen if they were exposed to the creatures that surrounded them. "If I had known that we would be fighting dead people and fucking plants, I would have said no."

"Quit your complaining and burn these fuckers." Simon cried out. "Let's just get this over with and pray to god they have showers in New Vegas."

The human-like creatures lunged after them, but they were cut down by the firepower they carried as their corpses were littered across the ground. Their numbers immediately died in droves as the duo breathed quickly and scanned the caverns with their weapons at the ready. As the fires died down, both turned on their flashlights to see battle they had fought there. "This better be the last of them."

"Don't be so sure. There seems to be a lot of things going around here."

To their surprise, they heard a voice call out to them. "Hello? Is anybody there?"

"Petrovich, do you hear that?"

"Da." The flamethrower replied as their flashlights scanned the place. "Is that a survivor?"

Their lights looked around - hoping to find whether the person did survive this place. Then they saw a horrific sight of a flayed woman approaching them in a white blouse while a duffle bag was hanging from her shoulder. "Never would I think that I'd see someone other than myself. I take it that Dr. Hildern sent both of you."

"How do you know?" Simon wondered.

"You know those bodies you've been fighting. They're the remains of the others he's sent. You're not the first people he has sent."

"Yeah, your friend told us about it. We didn't think much until now. Who are you?"

"Angela. She's a sweet soul." The woman commented. Then she shook her head and walked closer to the Russians. "My name is Dr. Keely - I'm a field researcher for the NCR. I got to say, you're not from around here."

Simon lowered his combat shotgun and nodded his head. "Yeah, we get that a lot. My name's Simon and my friend with the flamethrower is Petrovich."

"Well, I've been here longer than you and I have determined that whatever research was here needs to be destroyed. It's too dangerous to be used by the NCR as the researchers became infected based on the terminals throughout the Vault."

"I agree. Is there a way we can stop this?"

"Yes." Keely answered. "Before I was trapped in these caverns, I located a place where these fungal spores were seeping out. This is the same stuff that infected the people living here, but the source is in the same level as the data room. First, let's get to the elevator. I have something that might kill the spores."

Petrovich was quick to move ahead. "Let me clear the way. There might be some more in the grass."

The party slowly left the dark caverns, only to return to the remains of human civilization. However, the stalker ahead was burning the plants that littered the hallways of the vault. Some spots contained a creature or two, but most of these invasive lifeforms found themselves incinerated to a blackened crisp. When they arrived at the elevator, Keely rushed forward to the control panel. "Give me a second."

The Russians turned around to see whether there was anything else coming out to kill them. Simon hated to admit it, but fighting mantises was terrifying than they appear. The fact that they would fly at him with quick reflexes made it difficult for him to bring up his shotgun. Thankfully, the noises when they first arrive were no longer there to discomfort him.

A bright light flashed above them, expressing the elevator's status to the stalkers. "It's working."

When the group reached the second floor, Keely led them into a room with a terminal on a table alongside a bandolier of grenades. "Is that what we need?"

"Yes. However, I need to ask you something."

"What would that be?" Simon wondered.

"Allow me to destroy the data. I know Hildern promised both of you some wealth, but no amount of caps should be paid for this kind of research. It is too dangerous to let it loose if someone screws this all up." She explained. "I know your jobs are on the line, but for the sake of humanity would you do this?"

Petrovich set his flamethrower down. "Sure. Fighting these fuckers are a pain in the ass to deal with."

His partner was taken aback by his quick decision. "Hey, you didn't let me consider this as well."

"You saw what happened down there. The amount of bullshit both of us had to go through. Shit, I went through half of my inventory to burn those hallways."

"We also need money."

Keely spoke up. "Don't worry about the money. I have my connections in the OSI. I'm sure we can find a way to repay you for dealing with this matter."

"See." Assured Petrovich. "Something good might come out of this."

The ghoul grabbed the grenades and handed it over to him. "The detonation should kill the spores, but for the sake of humanity this information needs to be destroyed."

Simon let out a small breath and shook his head. "Alright, you've made your point." He said, grabbing the grenades. "Let's go burn some vegetables."

Artyom trekked into the wasteland with his auto pistol holstered by his hip. His head encased by the helmet that once belonged to another. It's green eyes were the only feature that allowed him to see the world. Still, it was a pity he had to leave behind the armor. Hopefully, his head wouldn't take any gunfire alongside every part of his body.

The stalker did not travel alone as his doctor followed him. "As your doctor, would it be better for you to stay and rest instead? It also might be easier to monitor your life signs."

They followed the road into the outskirts of New Vegas, their arrival earned the attention of the guards there. However, they lowered their weapons when Artyom raised his empty hands. "While I would listen to you, my meeting with some people in Camp Golf is priority."

"Is it related to you angering Mr. House?" He wondered.

The Russian let out a chuckled. "Yep. We're going to plan on how to get rid of him. Change things up a bit."

"I really don't see why it's so funny to you. People might suffer if you do change the leadership." Arcade replied. "Why do you care about New Vegas? It's not like you're from around here."

"You're right, I'm not from around here, but I don't really have anything else left." Artyom explained as he walked up a path to a side of a cliff. "This place - New Vegas - just seems like a good place to settle down and possibly start a life if I'm going to be honest to you."

He was surprised by his reaction. "You're thinking about settling down in a place where raiders roam the desert and villages get cut down by mutants? That is somewhat disturbing."

"I've been living in tunnels for twenty years, I'll be damned if I go back in the Metro - even if I'm going to be leaving Moscow behind. That's why I need to go to this meeting. If I can make life a bit easier for myself, maybe I might make it easier on everyone else."

The doctor stood beside him with his hands on his hips. "Now I remember why I decided not to leave the city. I miss the times when I didn't have to walk."

Artyom looked around the corner of his eye to see a weapon holstered underneath Arcade's lab coat. "For a doctor, you seem well-armed."

He was taken aback by the observation and immediately hid his weapon underneath his lab coat. "Oh, it's nothing. I found it off of a dead guy before I joined the followers. He seemed to carry a whole arsenal of energy weapons. Decided to keep one for myself."

The strange presence of the Dark Ones echoed into his mind. 'He doesn't speak the truth… he's nervous… haunted past… like yours…'

The stalker let his Tihar hang from his neck. "You're afraid to tell me. Don't worry, I'm not from around here - so whatever secret you have is safe with me."

Dr. Gannon stared at him. "You could tell?" His hand reaching for his energy pistol. "How?"

"Remember the Dark Ones? They can read into people's thoughts and they're telling me you're afraid to talk about it." He answered. "Don't worry, I have my skeletons too… enough to damn me if my fellow Exhibitionists knew."

His hand slowly moved away from his weapon and let it hide underneath the shade of his lab coat. "Artyom, I need you to promise me that you won't tell anybody about what I'm going to tell you."

"Why is that?" He wondered.

"If you told someone important, they might stir someone else to come after me and my family. I've been running and hiding for my entire life simply because I'm a relative."

Artyom had to give him an assurance. "I swear to you on a stalker's honor, I won't tell this to anyone."

Arcade nodded his head and expressed a deep breath. "A long time ago, my father and my family used to work with these people called the Enclave - they used to be the descendents of the pre-war government officials. However, they were at war with the New California Republic and lost their base of operations. Those who survived the defeat would try to live new lives under the republic, but I heard some went east to find a new place to establish a government." The doctor explained. "Those found out would find themselves arrested by the NCR or hunted down."

After what he had learned, he had a responsibility to this man - to do everything he could not to get him arrested by the NCR. Never had he thought the republic would do this to people. The only other people he could think of were the refugees who fled the Red Line or the Fourth Reich. The best he could do is earn this man's trust and avoid any mention of this to Angelique. Things would become bad if he let out a single word about this doctor. "Alright, I guess not all of the skeletons in our closets are equal, but I will do everything I can not to mention a whimper of this to anyone."

"Perhaps you shouldn't have asked." He replied.

"It would have been better, but there is nothing we can do. At the very least, I can trust you not to shoot me in the back."

"You have a strange sense of humor."

"Mind you, the first person I partnered up with was a stalker who was in debt."

Gunfire drew their attention away from the conversation as cries echoed below the cliffs. "What the hell?" Looking down below the cliffside, the two travellers stumbled upon a firefight of two people running into a small shack beside a barn. However, they were being chased by dirty armed strangers, who were shooting at them. "Raiders. It looks like the remains of the Viper Gang." He added.

Artyom crouched down from his position and started adding air pressure to his weapon. "Let's get rid of them and be on our way. Doctor, I want you to be behind those rocks on their right flank. I'm going to sneak behind them and cut them down from the rear."

Arcade's hand grabbed onto his wrist. "You are injured. Unless you have a supply of stimpacks, you're not ready for combat."

The mere mention of the medicine made him curious as he took his bag off his back and started unzipping it. "In fact, I do have a supply. I just was unsure how to use them properly so I kept them in my backpack."

The doctor crouched beside him as they searched within to find the syringes. "Damn, it looks like you have enough for an entire platoon. Let me give you a few and you'll be on your way. It might help heal your wounds."

"Really?" He wondered, curious about the medical knowledge from this man.

"Yes. Believe me." He grabbed one of the stimpacks and looked at him. "Take off the armor, I'm going to inject this in you."

Roller - the leader of the Scorpion raiders growled in anger. "You fuckers are going have it! First, we're going to kill your husband and then we're going to have a sweet time with that pretty little wife of yours!" Then he grabbed his revolver and aimed it at the window. "Steve, get your men into the barn and fuck'em in the ass. We'll keep an eye on those bastards from here."

He looked to his left to see the dozens of men circumvent the defenders' line of sight with batons and lead pipes in hand. Then he pulled the trigger to keep their sights on him and the rest of his men only. His bullet shattered the window beside the door as he heard the delicious screams of a woman in terror.

The destruction of the Fiends and their power had let their group thrive as members flocked to their gang to avoid reprisals from NCR troopers who had endured their gruesome firefights or the foreign soldiers who were well-armed to the teeth. He couldn't blame them. It was one thing to fight constables and hired guns, but it was a completely different matter when it came to soldiers. The remaining Fiends who joined his outfit had enough experience to teach his men about tactics despite their usage for their variety of poisons they had with them.

In fact, one of them gave him this gun before he sold her sorry ass to the Legion. Jacobs had expressed an idea of offering service to Caesar's boys in hopes of earning their support and making the Mojave their own. He knew they had a contract when they gave them a large purse of bottlecaps in exchange for their willingness to fight the NCR. Well, he wasn't going to fight the NCR at the moment. More like establish a base and raid off the travelers nearby.

What was supposed to be an easy grab of land had changed when he heard one of his men scream from behind his back. "Fuck, he killed half of us already!"

Roller looked over his shoulder to see what was happening, only to see several bodies of his people lying on the ground. Blood seeped into the sand as his group was cut down by his strange rifle. It didn't give out a gunshot, but quick air thumps as ten men were already cut down by their assailant. Yet, this stranger was different from the assortment of gunmen he fought before. A follower was behind him with an energy pistol in hand, melting those who drew their guns on him, but the man the doctor was trailing was a desert ranger. "Shit, shit, shit." He swore to himself as he pulled back the hammer. Yet, his reaction was slow when he looked around at his gang, only to see himself as the survivor thanks to these two. "I'll see that both of you die for that-"

The leader's attempt to fire back was outmatched by the desert ranger as he drew a strange pistol from his holster and fired away. With each shot, his body fell back with a pain echoing through his entire body. Roller took a good look at his body, only to find himself wounded, but the last he would see of the mortal world was a doctor and the ranger it his green eyes staring into his soul.

What had occurred in the vault was finished. The spores were burned away by the explosion as two stalkers and a ghoul walked out of door in the shape of a gear. Simon felt relief as he took off his gas mask and welcomed the sun above. "Petrovich, I'll see if I can buy you a new flamethrower when we get back. I promise."

His friend laughed. "Lucky for you. I'm done lugging that thing around. Those stranger weapons that shoot lasers and plasma look like a good deal."

Simon was quick to turn his attention on the ghoul that accompanied them. "I know this is no longer my place to speak, but what are you going to do?"

The woman with the torn skin stole a quick glance from him. "I'm going to give your employer complete hell for sending you in. Be thankful that none of you contracted the spores."

"I know I am." Commented Petrovich. "Shit, I'm not inclined to go into any of these vaults ever again."

"So this is where both of you been hiding all of this time?"

The stalkers were quick to look around, only to find a woman with white hair approach her from the bushes. "Who the hell are you?" Simon demanded.

"You don't remember me? Well, I do." She added, revealing her albino form while underneath her cowgirl outfit. "My name is Ranger Ghost - NCR Ranger - both of you had caught the attention of my superiors and they're thinking about making use of your scavenging skills for later."

"Why?"

"I'll brief you on the way." Her gaze looked at the scientist. "I know you work for the OSI or something close enough, but I won't get in your way. In fact, I'll accompany you along the way. So what happened inside the vault?"

"Something terrible." She answered. "I'm going to tell the NCR that this place does not benefit the republic in any way. More like a threat we need to burn down as soon as possible."

"I agree." Petrovich spoke. "Fighting plant people is not fun."

Simon looked around, but he noticed something slowly creeping up from behind Ghost's back. He drew his shotgun and pulled the woman towards him as he fired buckshot through the vegetation. A mantis corpse exploded when it's body flew across the sands, flickering with life. "I hate those fucking things."

Ghost looked at her would-be attacker. "Fuck me, is that what goes on in the vault?"

"Yep, now let's get the hell out of here. I'm already hating the color green by this point."

Boats full of Legionnaires arrived at Cottonwood Cove under the flag of the bull. Legate Lanius had been given new orders to lead a detachment from the west of the Colorado and give an opening for the dissolute who would bring down the profligates and their flag of the bear. The priestesses of mars had blessed him this day to kill those who dared to walk in their path. None would we spared by his wrath. However, he had been told not to be so careless about those who would fall underneath the Legion.

Caesar commanded him to take the town of Novac until the dissolute arrives with the key to victory. Whatever this key was, it better be important. Thoughts flowed through his mind about how the town would respond to the attack, but then he realized the possibility of the NCR's response. They would send troops to force them out, which would mean a glorious battle would await.

He stood high and tall from the command post, watching as his soldiers grabbed their guns for the offensive to come. Little did he know about a figure standing watching him from afar.

Author's Note: This chapter was a slugfest. Hopefully, I make sure that the next few chapters become very interesting indeed.