Aleron Pt I

Mid 2279

The gates to the Fort gave off a loud crash as the heavy steel kicked up a cloud of dust before him. The guards in the entryway stood in rows with their blades held out in salute and even the guards by the counterweights held their fists over their hearts in ceremony to the arrival of Veteran Centurion Aleron. Aleron stood there for a moment longer as the dust settled further before raising his hand in signal for his staff and slaves to follow. Aleron removed his goggles and lowered his bandana as he stepped into the Fort and acknowledged the saluting guards with the nod of his head as he continued on. He followed the path made by slaves entering and leaving the fortress grounds looking up at the row of crosses atop the volcanic rock. Several skeletons decorated those crosses while many more sat vacant and ready for new occupants with the only change since his departure last month being two rotting corpses from recently captured and displayed troopers of the NCR. Aleron continued on without word, passing many patrols and contubernia who all stopped to salute his return to the fortress before going about their ways as he marched forth. Reaching the T in the path, he began to approach the gate down to his command domicile and primary encampment down by the lake but stopped in hesitation before continuing onward. Aleron had a lot on his mind and all of it excellent, so this hesitation sparked an urge in him to detour. Aleron turned around and headed north, up the winding path onto the cliffs and towards the peak of this mountain fortress.

The columns of slaves moving supplies up and down the hill stopped at their guards' orders for the centurion's arrival and the slaves dropped their packs to bow before him as the primes raised their blades at Aleron's passing. Further up the hill he went, past more crosses, and past the group of tents where the boys were assembled. A formation of child soldiers snapped to salute as their instructor raised his blade at Aleron's passing with the echoing sound of the accompanying order. Aleron only nodded in further recognition as he continued up the hill and the legionary instructor gave the order arms to the children. Aleron finally reached the level ground and gate to the inner encampment, the steel gate itself still under construction as over a dozen slaves accompanied by a dozen legionaries continued to work, only stopping when seeing the acting commander of Fortification Hill present himself. The work stopped, all bowed or raised their blades, and Aleron stepped over the flattened gate into the interior camp. Past the rows of crimson tents lining the path, soldiers sharpened their blades on large grindstones and armorers hammered their wares into shape before halting as they all did upon sight of the commander. Centurion Aleron continued towards the center of the camp where yet another construction project was underway, and all the work was stopped once more when Aleron arrived, but still, he marched on. Circling around the construction site of the Fortification Hill Arena, Aleron surveyed the progress as he walked before his focus drifted to the vacant plot atop the peak of Fortification Hill. Aleron recognized the bows and salutes absently as he thought back to the short days when The Burned Man's tent rested atop that peak and the coming day when Caesar's domicile would sit atop it. The workers continued about their business and soldiers proceeded to file past the commander going this way and that with their customary salutes until Aleron found himself at the spot he had in mind.

Aleron placed both of his feet on the rocky cliff overlooking the Dam and many explorer groups sat beneath him in the jagged nooks, too focused on the west with their binoculars and large caliber rifles to notice who was lording over them facing the same direction. Aleron thought again about the days before and after the battle at the Dam, and thought back to the days that the same cliffs he stood upon were occupied by almost 300 soldiers all staring west after such a tremendous defeat. The memories began to surface again as the image of those tragic days, the Burned Man's tent, and the Burned Man's fate dashed across his sight, remembering why he avoided this particular part of the Fort for so long. Aleron finally shook these thoughts and memories out of his mind forcefully by replacing them with memories of what he had passed on the way to this overlook, all those soldiers ready to fight and advance the Legion. Aleron thought back to the slow progress, the steady construction of this fortress, and the arrival of more and more forces on this front in the nearly two years since that defeat. There he remembered the victories, he watched the fall of those California soldiers at Arizona Spillway and the sight of those soldiers in brown scrambling over or even killing one another to board their boats and landing crafts fleeing back west. Aleron had watched the waves of California soldiers crash like a sea against the Legion's Arizona walls to little avail on so many minor occasions since taking this post, each occasion punctuated by yet another glorious Legion victory at places like Bullhead City or Arizona Spillway, and all of it was thanks to Aleron's command, Caesar's credit, and Legion honor.

When Aleron looked out at that old world wall of concrete, he was no longer plagued by memories of those humiliating and sorrowful days, after the first battle. The Legion may not have been as well supplied, as numerous, or had the battlefield record as it did in prior campaigns like New Mexico or Colorado, but at this point, the Mojave campaign had something that was seeming to make up for those other things in Aleron's mind. All the soldiers he passed, all the recent victories, and all the new soldiers flooding into this front from war in the east proved that the Bull could rise from the most humiliating defeats. With word of recent victories throughout the new campaign of terror in the south and word of even more victories in the far east under Caesar and Lanius, the Legion's status in this time spoke for itself when one looked at the fortress atop Fortification Hill. As battered as they were, the Legion continued to rebuild itself just like the ongoing construction of the fort, and the future summed itself up by the little dots moving to and fro across the top of the great Dam. The more victories the Legion won in the south and east, the more soldiers filed into the Mojave Front, the more the Fort expanded, and the more the enemy atop that old world wall sat in place. As Aleron looked out at the enemy on that bridge to the west, he knew the day it would fall to the Bull was still a long ways off, but that day was still getting steadily closer. There was only one question that remained, and that question resurfaced in Aleron's mind when his eyes drifted up from the Dam, above the western cliffs, above the flat empty desert, and landed on the tower shimmering in the heat haze.

Aleron had seen that tower and the city surrounding it from many points across Fortification Hill on countless days and nights and Aleron thought about the night immediately after the defeat at Hoover Dam. He thought of the night in the cell beside Montano and the other centurions and officers arrested after the defeat. Aleron was far too crippled from so many explosions, gunshots, dislocated bones, fractures, and bloodloss to remember much of that night or even the next morning when they were all released to the healing enclosures. The only thing Aleron remembered about the night after the battle was the dim light he saw coming up from the western mountains. Beyond the dust and smoke still hanging in the air after such an enormous battle, Aleron wondered where that light was coming from since the smoke could seemingly block out the moonlight but for some reason couldn't block out that mysterious illumination. His mind went back to the days before the battle, the week of marching up to Hoover Dam, the nights where, when he wasn't battling the cold breeze on the march, he was wondering if anyone else was seeing that mysterious light. He thought back to the nights immediately before the attack, when he was in meeting with the other officers, and when scouts came back from their assessment of Fortification Hill as a possible rally point and thought of their reports about a city of lights. The city's mention seemed stranger than the light it emitted for miles around for some odd reason, but it remained in the back of everyone's mind with the objective and enemy at hand. The land marked on the old world maps and old gas station brochures as "Las Vegas" or "Sin City" was the place Caesar's spies reported in the first days of western mobilization as "New Vegas." As Aleron's mind was swarmed by memories of the first ideas about this Mojave Front and all the mystery those initial reports entailed, his mind returned to the present day and recent years after the battle at Hoover Dam. He had seen that city on so many days since taking charge of this front and even the weeks leading to the Burned Man's execution. Night after night, Aleron found himself captivated by that bright beacon of neon lights sitting alone in the middle of a black desert, and Aleron considered those first days after loss at the Dam, those days when he was healed enough to resume his duty, and how that bright monument affected the soldiers of the Legion.

Aleron remembered the night after he awoke from healing, found Caesar in charge, and learned Graham was in chains. It was the day he first saw that city, the source of those lights. He thought back to the days after Graham's arrest, the lack of orders to carry out, and the horrendously angry demeanor of Lord Caesar. Aleron made his rounds, saw to his forces, and watched each group of soldiers without orders take seats atop the cliff, still looking down at the enemy below. Aleron remembered that first evening he was upwardly mobile, and the moment that afternoon where he learned what his rival had done to assist in his healing. Aleron had been shadowing Montano for most of the afternoon, perhaps unconsciously trying to gather the strength to give proper thanks to Montano and ready himself for the inevitable fight that would somehow lead to. Aleron could not do it, instead, his tailing of Montano in the idle hours on that particular day brought him to the cliffs. There, he joined the masses of legionaries without orders on those cliffs. A thousand eyes watched those California soldiers still repairing their fortifications or moving the dead across the dam top, and Aleron joined them in the mass grief and silent plotting for retribution until it happened. Aleron remembered the second, when the sun had lowered just enough and his curiosity about the mysterious lights was explained by the distant city turning on. Aleron remembered this moment only because of how he noticed that he was the only one whose attention turned to those lights. Aleron's eyes were taken in by the city sparking to life and noticed how it did absolutely nothing to garner the attention of any other soldier. Aleron even looked past the officers he was sitting beside, seeing the silhouette of Montano's helmet and mask and noticing that Montano too didn't even see those incredible city lights when there was still an enemy sitting somewhere in the darkness. The only thing that stopped Aleron from immediately returning his attention back to the Dam was when he saw Caesar and his entourage of praetorians staring out at the bright city from atop the ridge where Graham's tent still sat. Aleron only thought about how that moment was the calmest Lord Caesar had ever been since arresting his Legate after the catastrophic defeat.

Many nights, many weeks, and many months had passed since that first night he saw the illuminated city beyond the great Dam, and although the place continued to capture Aleron's attention on many nights since, this intrigue slowly vanished the longer he was in charge of this front. Not because it was his duty to be more focused on the enemy at hand, but because with each battlefield victory simultaneously came more intelligence about the city's inhabitants, what it stood for, and what those lights represented. Being the acting commander of Fortification Hill for so long made him the liaison between Caesar's spies in the west and Caesar himself who was still campaigning in the far east. As the man charged with determining what was in need of being relayed to Caesar through the Praetor of Flagstaff, Aleron was the most well-informed battlefield commander on the whole front. Not the most informed about Caesar's will and direction or areas of operative focus, but the most informed about why Caesar intended to destroy the enemy atop the dam and cut the power to the bright desert jewel. Aleron could not formulate all that he truly had on his mind and didn't have the time to detail every way in which his thought process may have coincided with Lord Caesar's but the bottom line remained: The more Aleron learned about the city beyond the great Dam, the more pride he felt in his victories, and the more he focused on ensuring that Caesar's plans for this front would be successful.

Aleron concluded that the only way he could do this was to focus on the present and ensure the Legion was in a proper enough place for its leader or Caesar to take the reigns and handle the rest. Aleron was still plagued by so much of the past, but he was still Legion, and although there was a lot of waiting in this long game of preparation, his return from Flagstaff contained news that had yet to be delivered.

When Aleron had taken in enough of the sight before him, he felt the new presence behind him, and spat off the cliff towards the west as he turned to see who he was expecting.

"Centurion Aleron, I heard from my runners you were back. Ave, and True to Caesar. I assumed you would send word immediately about your return."

Aleron looked at the head of the Frumantarii and the group of other agents congregated behind their leader. He glanced back at the Dam and those silent cliffs opposite the bridge and then back at the Frumantarii agents just as the six centurions of the Fort approached him in a loose formation. Aleron remained silent as the commanders approached, led by his subordinate, another veteran centurion of less renown known as "Centurion Septimus"

Before Aleron could reply to the head of the Frumantarii, the man who went by "Vulpes Inculta" or greet the other centurions, Centurion Septimus said on approach,

"Centurion Aleron, I beg you to depart from this cliff. It would be unfortunate if a profligate sharpshooter assassinates you before word from our Praetor in Flagstaff can be relayed."

Aleron thought again about the message he held in his mind, the message that made him approach this overlook to think in the first place, and the message made him feel invincible. As kind a warning as it was, Aleron could only grin at his subordinate and motion for the groups of spies and commanders to join him on the cliff. Aleron turned around to face the great Dam and heard the steps of those he expected take places along the ridge. With Vulpes on his left, and Septimus on his right, the cliffs were lined by all the commanders and spies as their staff soldiers stood idly behind. A long silence ensued as each commander and infiltrator felt the wind on their faces and looked down at the profligates across the Dam top. Aleron could feel the sights of a hundred rifles trained on his person from the soldiers below and sharpshooters in the western cliffs, feeling the grin grow slightly wider while more California soldiers slowly moved to their barricades as word about the line of Legion commanders surveying the west spread.

Without a single word, Aleron heard the Legion forces across the fortress speed up their readying to go down at the first shot that may come his way, and pride washed over Aleron when he could feel the shaking of those profligate soldiers far below. Aleron knew that no shot would come his way, not one at him, or any other of the officials looking down at the Dam. Vulpes and the other spies may have known that no action would occur that day through their intelligence about NCR orders, and although the other centurions knew that in their hearts, the centurions remained wary until they too felt the fear in those California men that shook the whole region. Finally, the winds died, and the soldiers across the Dam began to move ammo to the first barricades in preparation for the assault on Hoover Dam, a battle that only the Legion knew would not happen this day but was undoubtedly coming. At last, Aleron felt his eyes narrow as his insidious smile reached its limit and he knew for sure that the Legion had reached its full power again just by the sight below. Aleron marveled at the power the Bull and its commanders could spread just by their presence, and that was that. Aleron knew it was time to get back to work, and the cue to do so was given by the commander of the Frumantarii who finally asked;

"Shall we go somewhere more private for our meeting, Centurion Aleron?"

Aleron turned his head to Vulpes who then added, "As sure as you are of the profligates' cowardice, I'm certain I speak for all the elite of this fortification when I say that we're eager to hear your news in a more.. 'secluded' environment."

Aleron nodded and the voice of Septimus next to him said, "I agree with the frumantarius, I would hate to spark off the assault on Hoover Dam before Lord Caesar had authorized it."

Aleron faced the west one more time, hearing his subordinates' and brothers' concerns before saying into the wind, "NCR remain far too cowardly to spark off that conflict. Even if they kill me or any one of us now, there's no stopping what's coming..." With memories of his meeting in Flagstaff and the message he was to report to the leaders of this front in mind, he took one last look at the NCR soldiers far below, reveled one more time in the fear their presence alone emitted, and added, "... But I understand your concern. I'd hate to be forced into action by the ill-discipline of a fearful-trembling profligate sharpshooter... Lead the way, Vulpes."

At that, the commanders of Fortification Hill departed from that cliff top and towards the north where a tiny concrete building sat at the very edge of the northernmost part of the interior camp. There was a lot to say about that little building as it was something of a mystery to the soldiers of the Mojave Front since the first days of the Fort's construction, and this section of the camp remained largely unoccupied at this time save for a few supply tents and a small corral for brahmin, but that structure and its purpose was an ongoing investigation.

So, the group of commanders and spies proceeded towards one of the large supply tents where they'd remain undisturbed by other officers and soldiers seeking directives, and they each ordered several of the nearby explorer cliff teams to depart the section. Each officer collected their staff officers and dispatched them to their centuries with orders to serve as acting commanders, as the centurions themselves were not to be disturbed until further notice. Aleron himself had Gabriella and some of the other slaves set up meeting accommodations in the supply tent, and the task was done a minute after the order was issued. Aleron told Gabriella to await his return at his century's encampment down by the lake and remain of use until further order. To his staff officers, he had them take posts around the meeting tent, and when all the commanders were freed up for the meeting, the spies were already waiting, and Aleron lead them inside.

The slaves had set up several boxes and chairs around a large wooden industrial spool being used as a table, and each commander and spy took their seats. The tent remained closed, and the only illumination was from several lanterns on the table and atop the surrounding supply crates. The meeting was by no means a covert one; the seclusion from the rest of the Legion forces at Fortification Hill was only due to their desire to not be disturbed by any other officers. However, every time Aleron had a meeting with the spies who reported to him, it was usually implied that an extra emphasis on seclusion was to be taken into account. After all, Aleron did not know what the spies would report, and although none of them feared infiltrators at the Fort, the words and reports that were meant for Caesar required as few ears or eyes as possible.

Once all were settled in their places, Aleron scanned the room, studied all the faces across the table, and started by asking plainly, "I will take any status updates or reports at this time before we officially begin this meeting..."

Immediately, all of the centurions removed some folder or stack of documents from their personal bags or satchels and slid them towards Centurion Aleron. Most of the frumantarii had similar reports to relay that they kept in front of themselves, and Aleron stacked the centurions' reports before opening the top one marked with the Bull and number of the 92nd. Upon opening the folder and looking through the first pages, he felt Centurion Tarquin's eyes and said, "Speak, Centurion Tarquin" as he read the report.

Centurion Tarquin went on to verbally affirm all that Aleron was reading in the report. Tarquin's report was fairly standard for Aleron, merely outlining scouting work done on the north end of Lake Mead, NCR movements around that area, details about mutant and wildlife threats, and the outcome of skirmishes during recent lake crossings while Aleron was away. After Aleron was done reading and after Tarquin was done speaking the details not mentioned in the reports, Tarquin sat waiting for Aleron's orders about how to proceed. Tarquin was told that he'd have to wait before receiving further instruction and was not given the reason why, as was customary. However, Aleron's immediate turn to the next report said without word that it would have to wait until Aleron explained the outcome of his meeting in Flagstaff. This detail remained on the back of every commander's mind, but was never spoken as Aleron went on checking in with his subordinates.

Down the list Aleron went. Each report was similar to the last, covering different sectors of the Fort's operational jurisdiction, with different details based on what the forces encountered while Aleron was away. Aleron particularly enjoyed these meetings as they reminded him of those similar nights at the Lord Interfector's side. Either way, Aleron took pride in taking on a similar command role even if the titles for such an enormous responsibility weren't bestowed upon him. So, Aleron continued, and the only reports that were slightly different were the report from his second, Centurion Septimus who was in charge of the southernmost reach of the Fort's jurisdiction. Then there was the report from Centurion Roboro who was currently in charge of accounting for new arrivals to the Front as well as the Fort's operational matters.

Roboro's report did not have any mentions of skirmishes or reconnaissance updates, but his verbal and documented reports outlined the number of replenishment legionaries who arrived from the east, which centuries were on standby in the Fort's reserve pool, and who was leading the new arrivals. Aleron almost always caught himself looking unconsciously for Montano's name in the new arrivals list, but as usually, was dragged into new thoughts with each detail he read or heard. The report went on to show the progress of numerous construction projects across the Fort including the arena, the new gate to the interior, the fortification of weak sectors along the walls, as well as various matters pertaining to fortress operating procedures. These operating procedures included accounts of prisoners, how many captures were brought in by which groups, which slaves and profligate soldiers were put on a cross, armory workloads, weapons inventories, how many injured were in the healing enclosures, and what was currently in the food stores.

The last detail had been one of some slight concern for a while. Each time Aleron had one of these meetings in the Fort, the slowly declining food stores were of growing concern. This problem had only accelerated with his month-long trip to Flagstaff and back. Aleron scanned through these reports, seeing the surge in new soldiers along the Front, and saw the situation he was facing down the road if nothing was done about it. Although, Aleron put an immediate halt on Roboro's concerns as the remedy to that problem had just been granted approval during his meeting with the Praetor of Flagstaff. Still, Aleron would have to wait only a few minutes longer before he could quell the concerns of his commanders, so on with the reports he went.

Septimus had much to say about the activities of Legion forces along the south, mostly pertaining to soldier and slave outposts along the roads leading up to the Dam. Aside from the usual mention of a stray patrol that was found mutilated near a place known as "Deathclaw Promontory", there was not much for him to report in regard to changes of activity. Septimus again requested for a backup force to deal with the deathclaw threat down that way, but Aleron was unfortunately forced to deny that request once again due to the hostile terrain leading to that dangerous little nook along the southern river. Also, Aleron knew that the orders he received from Flagstaff would soon alter Septimus' role on the front, but that would be detailed later in a more private meeting. So, the only thing that Aleron could promise in the moment was extra veteran guards along the passes leading to the promontory, and updated orders to the commanders of those southern outposts about what patrol routes were considered off-limits. As basic as the report from Septimus was, it was not scarce in detail about intel from the Legion forces in the far south.

Although Septimus' role overseeing the southern Fortification Hill operations and nearby outposts was rather lacking in actions best suited for another Veteran Centurion, the role of Aleron's second was a unique one in that it was the first and only real point of contact with Caesar's Mojave forces outside the jurisdiction of Fortification Hill. In recent months, Septimus constantly received word from his forces in the south about interactions with the forces currently under Caesar's "Reign of Terror." It was through Septimus that Aleron learned about Caesar's first territory gained west of the river. The news was a shock to Aleron when he learned that a place known as Cottonwood Cove had fallen to Caesar's forces a few months back, and the news originally made Aleron furious. At first, Aleron thought that the place was seized by a rogue Legion century who perhaps took their orders too far. After all, Aleron thought that he was in charge of forces on the Mojave Front, and immediately brought Septimus in demanding an answer. Being in charge of the southern forces of the Mojave Front, it almost instantly became clear that Septimus was equally bewildered by such a report, and so Aleron sent Septimus south to demand an answer about who was in charge of that seemingly unauthorized victory.

It was on that minor investigation that Septimus learned about Centurion Aurelius of Phoenix, who gave all the proof required that he was acting under orders as part of a newly initiated terror campaign. During his time figuring out what was going on down south, Septimus learned that there were about four other Legion Centurions operating in the far south, and also how none of whose names could be disclosed unless permitted by said commander. Centurion Septimus even attended an auction hosted by Caesar's terror force and bought several slaves there before it was reportedly ended by an alleged NCR sniper team that apparently missed the attending officers and hit a pregnant capture. When Septimus returned, Aleron learned that he was no longer directly in charge of the Mojave Front, and since then, Aleron had been receiving regular reports about Legion forces outside his jurisdiction, but forces causing much chaos in the far south and west of the river. In the end, Septimus had a lot to say about those Legion forces west of the river, but none of it held names other than Aurelius, the terror force's apparent "intermediary" between Aleron's Fortification Hill and the activities of the terror campaign.

When the centurions were done, Aleron looked across the table to the Frumantarii agents who'd been sitting there quietly since matters of the Front were largely irrelevant to their individual goals. The duelist had taken all the notes he needed to regarding operational matters, but his secondary role as an intelligence relay required him to report all he knew in relation to matters of the Front before he could accept or disperse new words for Caesar's personal spies. So, Aleron finished looking around the table and stood himself up, each centurion and spy remaining stone-faced as their curiosity about Aleron's message was expecting disclosure. Aleron's anticipated message was simply;

"Our Primus, the Praetor of Flagstaff, Elite Centurion Lord Malleus of Empedrado, has given orders for me to inform you that Lord Caesar is on his way to this Front..."

Everyone in the room narrowed their eyes, and some of them unconsciously adjusted their armor as if ensuring their plates and trophy ornaments were ready to be seen by Caesar at any moment. This was about as much celebration that could be expected from a room full of veteran officers and master spies too disciplined to start whooping and hollering at the news. The only noise of celebration came in the form of a question spoken very cooly by Centurion Septimus;

"How long before we can expect Lord Caesar to lead us to victory?"

Aleron was glad he asked, and replied in equal tone, "That is yet to be determined, Lord Malleus of Empedrado speaks of victory all across the east, and only says that it could still be some time before Lord Caesar arrives at the Fort..."

Before the sadness could take hold of them, Aleron reminded them of what they were facing as he added, "... You all forget how much more work there is to do before our Lord arrives..."

Being brought back to the moment, all the commanders, including the frumantarii agents listened and remembered all the problems they had to deal with as Aleron went on, "... Because it could be a matter of several months, we have plenty of time to address the immediate concerns, and fortunately for you all, I have been authorized the ability to act on behalf of the praetor to address several. However, before doing so..." Aleron looked up to the Frumantarii leader across from him, "Vulpes, Lord Empedrado requires all the intelligence you and your agents have to share, as well as status on any ongoing operations, and the activities of all your agents within the western reach of the Front. That includes all you have on operators as far north as the great Salt Lake, to the Yuma Runoff."

Vulpes originally looked skeptical, but said, "I'm assuming that our Praetor of Flagstaff will be compiling as much intelligence as he can about the west in its entirety before Lord Caesar is done making his tour of the east?..."

Aleron grew a grin and let out a slight scoff in amusement as he replied, "Yes, I believe Lord Empedrado also mentioned something about compiling everything he can while Lord Caesar is rallying everyone and everything in the east.. Am I safe to assume you have an agent in the Flagstaff Palatii as well?"

Vulpes gave his wolflike grin and said, "Nothing out of the ordinary. I merely had a few agents there on respite who may have overheard a few of your meetings with the Praetor. I like to keep in radio contact with many of my agents when such a thing is possible..."

Aleron grinned a bit wider as he said half-seriously, "You're more than welcome to set about your current directives if the content of this meeting doesn't qualify as 'news' to you, Vulpes."

Vulpes too smiled wider, "Nonsense, I still have yet to receive updates from my men beside me. So please, carry on, Centurion."

Aleron looked to each spy, "Soldiers of the frumantarii, go ahead and hand your reports to the fox here..." the spies did so for their chief before looking back to Aleron who said, "Vulpes, I'll expect you to hand-deliver that intel to the Praetor, but I'll also expect you and your men to relay whatever is permitted for me and us lowly centurions to consider as well..."

Vulpes placed his boots on a nearby box and reclined back in his seat gesturing for his spies to begin updating the battlefield commanders on new situations. Going around the table, Aleron met the eyes of the first spy, one who went by "Falx"

Aleron said, "Falx, I must mention that Lord Empedrado admired your work around the profligate camp at 'McCarran' and particularly your work with the fiends. It is my duty to inform you that you have been granted permission to give word to their leader, this 'Motor-Runner' that Lord Caesar is pleased with their continued battery of the forces at McCarran."

Falx immediately asked, "Is this satisfaction from Lord Caesar, or from the Praetor?"

"The Praetor speaks on behalf of Lord Caesar in this matter. Although both he and Lord Caesar remain disgusted by their lack of honor and dependence on drugs, your last reports showed that the 'Fiends' of west Vegas are becoming an increasing burden for the forces at McCarran and Lord Caesar sees that their grovelling nature could be of great use in the coming months... That said, Lord Empedrado asks only that you work more frequently with "Seditio" here to facilitate the regular movement of drugs into fiend territory... Provided Lord Empedrado's directives don't interfere with anything Vulpes requires of you?"

Falx and Seditio met eyes across the table and nodded at one another before Vulpes said calmly, "Not at all, Centurion. Please proceed."

Aleron acknowledged the spymaster and then asked Falx, "Any updates on the fiend situation that might conflict with Lord Empedrado's directives?"

"None at all, Centurion..." said Falx before elaborating, "Between my ongoing work around McCarran and fiend territory, as well as Seditio's surveyal of the Great Khans in Red Rock canyon, it would appear that the two's 'trading arrangements' and hatred of NCR may be showing signs of a perfect mutual alliance with the two groups of degenerates."

Aleron looked to Seditio, "Is this so?"

The spy said, "From what I can tell. Our first outreach to the Khans have been rather limited since my first observances of them, but the Khans have seemingly recovered enough from their massacre in 76 to be something worthy of sacrifice for Caesar. Though they remain in something of a pitiful state, their recovery has only stirred more resentment to NCR that can surely be used by Lord Caesar. All the while, they've been watching our positions grow and grow, and their neutrality to my work could be a sign that an alliance could be formed before our Emperor's arrival."

Aleron took all that in and nodded, "I'll send word to Lord Empedrado about a formal alliance. Although the Khans' traficking of drugs prevents them from auxilia status under normal circumstance, Lord Empedrado has allowed for such a partnership given their potential use against NCR troops along the 15. Still, I ask that you await Lord Empedrado's final decision before any new action transpires..."

Seditio nodded and Aleron stopped for a moment. He caught the eye of Septimus and said, "Septimus, if Lord Empedrado authorizes the alliance, I'll need you to send word to the terror forces down south not to interfere in the Khan's drug trade, understood?

Septimus concurred before Aleron added, "... It could be a while before the decision is made, but don't forget."

Septimus again nodded and acknowledged the command.

Aleron turned back to Siditio and the other spies to wrap up the new west Vegas status, "... Lord Caesar will likely send someone else to act as ambassador if he decides to act on the Khan alliance, so stand by and continue your current work in that territory until I have something more..."

Aleron thought for a second about the potential new alliance and the current friendship between the Khans and Fiends. Then, he and asked both Seditio and Falx, "Should such an alliance happen between us and the Khans. Do you believe their strength and relation with the fiends is enough to raze McCarran?"

Seditio was considering this idea when Falx said plainly, "That's a negative. A combined effort would have the ability to overwhelm the garrison at McCarran but both groups would instantly be destroyed when the NCR forces of the region rally. My current assessment of the Fiends' combat ability or lack thereof is sufficient enough for the role of pest, but I would say to wait on more victories from the southern terror force before the Centurion considers that idea. If the coming months show the dispersal of NCR soldiers away from the Vegas region proper, then the idea could perhaps be considered. But not anytime soon if the Centurion requires my honest assessment..."

Aleron was about to bargain with the raid's possibility or ask for more specifics, but before he could, Falx added "... I should inform the Centurion that I am also under orders to leave McCarran itself alone while Picus works-"

Instantly, Aleron asked, "Wait, who is 'Picus'? This is the first I've heard of him."

Vulpes raised an eyebrow in remembrance and surprise as Falx said, "Picus is a frumantarius sent west before we fought at the Dam. He's currently a captain in the NCR army and his company was just recently moved to McCarran..."

The man paused and Aleron made a note. The conclusion came to Aleron, "So McCarran remains in surveillance only?"

"Outside of Fiend intervention, that is affirmative," said Falx, Seditio, and Vulpes together before Falx added, "We must allow time for Picus to set up there, and I'm already having Aquilae report in with him until he can find another intermediary or two on the Strip."

"Understood..." said Aleron before wrapping up the west vegas operations, "... Vulpes, I'll expect Falx and Seditio to keep me and the Praetor up to date on all matters of the Khans and Fiends while Picus establishes his position and direct communication with Aquilae. Falx, continue to assess the nature and ability of the Fiends and steer them towards further friendship with the Khans until I receive new word. Seditio, continue your operations in conjunction with the Khans' disposition and report any intelligence to Vulpes here in the meantime. Should the Praetor and Lord Caesar decide to extend auxilia options to the Khans, the three of you will be informed. That is all."

Aleron then went on to "Aquilae" who further explained the situation between himself and Picus. Aquilae was the agent in Freeside and on the Strip who reported countless activities happening in that city and all matters related to NCR military operations.

However, it was in the last meeting, that Aleron sought to address the recent news he heard related to the mysterious building atop Fortification Hill. Aleron had been in that little building numerous times and personally oversaw the effort to pry it open and blast it open with dynamite. The strangest thing about the sealed door inside that building was the emblem of an old-world casino called the "Lucky 38," a painted emblem that bizarrely remained intact even after the use of dynamite. Either way, it was through Aquilae that Aleron learned the Lucky 38 was in fact the name of that tower standing tall in the heart of Vegas, and so Aquilae was the go-to for information about that door. However, Aleron tasked Centurion Roboro with a last-ditch effort before leaving for Flagstaff. So, before asking Aquilae for a possible update on the door, Aleron turned to Roboro;

"Centurion Roboro? Was the C4 successful in opening the door in the weather station?"

"That's a negative, Centurion Aleron. Two entire crates of C4 did not even scratch the paint. The shockwave did however kill the six slaves and three legionaries assigned to the task. How the terminal system and building itself remained intact after the blast is yet another mystery."

"Shit..." said Centurion Aleron before saying, "I'll add that to my report, and feel free to pull replenishment from the reserve pool to compensate for your losses..." Aleron was going to ask if putting a Legion Aureus in the mysterious circular slot on the terminal system worked but decided not to even bother as he could already guess the answer. Instead, Aleron turned to Aquilae and asked more as a formality than anything, "On your last visit to the strip, did you happen to learn anything new about that door?"

Just as expected, Aquilae said, "Negative, Centurion. The Lucky 38 remains sealed, and even my outreach to its supposed occupant 'Mr. House' on behalf of Caesar went unheard by him and his mechanical strip occupation force."

Aleron wondered again about the apparent robots overseeing that profligate city on behalf of its reclusive owner, "Mr. House" but the silence has been frustrating not only for Aleron but for the Praetor of Flagstaff as well as Caesar himself. After hearing yet again about Mr. House's disrespect of the Bull's ambassadors and Lord Caesar, Aleron decided it was the last time and said as much as he wrote it down. "Continue reporting every word you hear on the strip... but Lord Empedrado will have to suspend further outreach to Mr. House until further notice..." Aleron continued writing his report for the Praetor and turned the page to the list he'd been ordered to create after continued unsuccessful outreach attempts.

Aleron looked at the top of his list titled "Mojave Examples of Legion Defiance" and wrote down the name "Robert Edwin House." Next to his name, Aleron wrote the sentence he'd been authorized to distribute when the Legion conquered this land, "Crucifixion."

"Shall I offer Mr. House or his servants the threat? Learning he will be displayed on a cross when we take this land rather frequently persuades dissolutes to finally head Caesar's message," said Aquilae.

Aleron looked forward to personally seeing this "Mr. House" die on a cross for his continued defiance of the Bull. Since taking this post, Aleron had heard of Mr. House "showing himself" on only one other occasion, and even that was only said to have occurred through the use of a monitor. From all Aleron knew about Mr. House, what little that was, the man's inclination to consistently hide behind his robotic occupation force and remain hidden left Aleron and many other commanders who heard of him with almost no respect to give. The man apparently in charge of New Vegas was officially deemed a coward by the Legion, and Aleron finally answered Aquilae's question;

"Only if you have the time. But for now, your objectives remain unchanged."

"But what of the weather station in the meantime, Centurion Aleron?" Asked Centurion Roboro on behalf of the rest of the Fortification Hill commanders.

Aleron considered this for a moment before finally concluding with what he'd been instructed to relay by the Praetor should such a lack of progress be made on the mysterious door owned by that far away reclusive dissolute. Aleron said as if reciting an order;

"By order of the Elite Centurion Lord Malleus of Empedrado with approval from Lord Caesar, the building itself is not to be used as a barracks for any Legion personnel, and all efforts to open the door will be halted until further notice. One guard of veteran status or higher will be placed on watch at the door at all times and the interior will be off-limits to all other legionaries or slaves under penalty of death from this point forward. Accompanying this demand, all equipment used in previous attempts to open it will be made ready for the day Caesar takes charge of this fortification, and all methods will be logged for Lord Caesar himself to personally attempt upon his arrival..."

Aleron considered the flat stretch of the Fort near the mystery building, and how the ground before it was currently being underutilized save for the supply tent they were using for this meeting. With the new order just spoken, and after brief consideration of the overall situation at the Fort, Aleron added, "... As to the grounds in this section of the Fort's interior... I suppose a little training ground could be sufficient? And maybe a few tents for veteran contubernia?"

"An excellent use of the space, Centurion Aleron," agreed Centurion Septimus, joined by Roboro saying, "I'll have more C4 placed by the structure for Lord Caesar's later use..." Centurion Tarquin said, "And I'll ensure training dummies set up before the day is out," instantly followed by Centurion Lorica Ferrea adding, "The building will offer excellent shade after an afternoon of training."

Aleron agreed with all of this. Even though the mysterious building and even more mysterious blast proof door on the inside would remain an object of supreme frustration for the current commanders as well as Lord Caesar when he arrives, the grounds around it could at least be used to house a bit more of the Fort's growing occupants and allow for training between raids...

Either way, Aleron went on with the meeting, finishing things off by receiving the recent updates from the remaining two frumantarii. One of them gave updates on intel about some of the local tribes around the vegas area and how NCR has been interacting with them. The only tribe update worthy of mention was one about a group supposedly called the "Boomers" the frumantarius charged with looking into local rumors about them could only conclude that Lord Caesar would likely need to wipe them out. When the frumantarius tricked two Mojave locals into approaching their gates, the frumantarius was able to verify rumors that the tribe held some serious firepower after the locals were erased by multiple explosions believed to have originated from 155mm howitzers. Aleron asked if it was possible for the frumantarius to confirm the caliber of the Boomers' howitzers, but concluded that the particulars of the Boomers' defensive abilities were irrelevant for the time being. And so, Aleron drafted his report for the Praetor suggesting that the tribe remain uncontacted until Caesar could determine how he intended to proceed with them.

The final frumantarius report only outlined certain activities on the north side of the lake. There were few NCR outposts or installations north across the lake, and the unguarded lands remained a prime insertion point for Legion scouts and frumantarii. NCR picked up on this and constructed a few small ranger stations, but even those were said to be relatively useless in preventing Legion operations provided the reconnaissance groups moved with at least some stealth. The only place of interest to Aleron up that way was the reported refugee camp being established in the old home of the Great Khans tribe before they were forced to move west of Vegas. The part that stood out to him was the frumantarius' mention of an increasing amount of refugees being led to that area. Aleron asked for details about the refugees and occupants of the camp, who exactly the refugees were, and the frumantarius said they consisted of people from all over the Mojave, but with an increasing number of them coming from lands in the north and east. From the wild lands in Utah. As the frumantarius spoke, Aleron was under the impression that they were refugees from Lanius' current campaigns in the east, but that idea was put to a halt when he heard the frumantarius say offhandedly to his fellow agents;

"... If I had to guess, I'd say the current refugees are a sign that our brother finally silenced the last of the Burned Man's existence up that way..."

The agents grinned but the centurions were left puzzled by that, including Aleron. Aleron immediately asked, "What does that mean?" as he felt the long-suppressed memories of the Burned Man's end begin to flicker back to life. All of the spies instantly looked to Aleron, remembering he was not one of them and looked to their leader for how to continue. All of them became cool again as Vulpes only said, "I'm sure that Centurion Aleron and you field commanders here have heard the occasional slave story about the 'Burned Man'?"

Aleron and all of the other commanders nodded, remembering their own nights of speculation about whether or not the story they heard was true. Aleron in particular found it hard to believe since he was certain he was one of the only centurions in the room present for the old Legate's end. As Aleron grappled with the impossibility of that story being true in any regard after witnessing the execution firsthand, his mind was completely elsewhere as he found himself saying absently, "Elaborate."

Vulpes replied without change in his tone or voice, "There's just an agent up in Utah who we believe recently put an end to a group of people who may have held the Burned Man's legacy dear. That is all, Centurion..."

The centurions were left thinking, Aleron in particular until Vulpes quelled their thoughts and steered them towards others by adding for the whole group, "... My agent up there speaks of cooperative tribes up there that have been assisting him in the elimination of his targets. Should matters of the north and east continue in such a fashion, I could even quicker absorption of the Utah... But that is for the new Legate, not me at the moment..."

Vulpes trailed off, seeing the new information process in the minds of the simple battlefield centurions. The additional information worked, for what it was worth, and Aleron nodded in acknowledgment, deciding to believe the Fox's insistence about the irrelevance of that faraway Utah operation. Still, Aleron found it somewhat hard to take the word of a man in charge of Caesar's servants who lived their lives in deception atop a bedrock of absolute loyalty to Caesar. But, Aleron also knew it was best not to question any further as the memories of that Burned Man were best left forgotten or in story. Although the memories would remain in the back of his mind and continue to flicker at the odd reminder, Aleron's recent life was more pressing as he concluded this meeting.

The silence between all members present after mention of the Burned Man was ended as Aleron pressed them forward. Glancing at all the frumantarii agents, he took mental account of all they said and how he'd receive more word when Vulpes sent his spies' official reports to Flagstaff for the Praetor to assess.

When it came to the operations of the Fort, Aleron knew his role, as well as the role of the commanders, would change dramatically whenever Lord Caesar arrived to officially take charge. However, despite all the new orders, new updates, and work to do, it was still the time to wait, gather more intelligence about the Mojave, and darken the Legion's shadow over the Dam. The only matter left to be addressed was the supply situation. Aleron quelled the worries of the Fort's other commanders with mention that he'd been granted approval to reach out to several independent traders across Arizona and Legion territory. After ensuring his list of towns left standing in the east was still up to date by the commanders and agents there, that was that. Aleron dismissed the frumantarii agents and other commanders as he followed in their departure. While the spies went to seek means of transportation back into profligate lands and the commanders returned to their units across the Fort, Aleron took his place back on that cliff overlooking the Dam as the sun got lower and lower.

Aleron had done a lot to put the Legion in its current position of power in the two years since the loss at Hoover Dam. However, Caesar was on his way to officially take charge now, and Aleron wondered what his role in this great war would be when the Emperor finally arrived. As the sun finally sat just above the western mountains, Aleron knew that all he could do was continue doing what he could to ensure that the Legion was in the best position possible for the next battle at the Dam... Whenever that would be.