Veni, Vidi, Vici (WARNING: NSFL, TURN BACK NOW)
On an ordinary day in Fortification Hill in 2281, Caesar picks up the Death Note. Do I need to tell you how awful this is? This isn't worth reading, trust me. AU.
Author's Note: Fuck it. If I'm doing every faction in the Fallout universe at some point, I guess I have to get this thing out of the way.
Why are you here? I warned you off. Oh well, you asked for it. Enjoy the rape and slavery:
Chapter 1 - A Black Book at the Fort
"What is that item, Lucius?"
"I will investigate it at once, Caesar."
"Good."
Caesar was not a fan of unexplained phenomena. The fools of the Legion may have been easily duped by the myth of Mars, but as a trained intellectual he knew far better. Which was why this black book labeled "DEATH NOTE" that had appeared out of nowhere was so strange to him.
"AHHHHH!"
The color instantly drained from Lucius' face after he picked up the Note. He was staring at what looked to be nothing.
"Lucius, what's going on?!" Caesar demanded.
"STAY BACK, ENEMY OF MARS! WE WILL CRUCIFY YOU IF YOU DARE LAY A HAND ON CAESAR!"
"LUCIUS!" Caesar was getting impatient.
"Oh…I see…" He turned to Caesar. "I see a demon in front of me - perhaps one sent by Mars himself. It has instructed me to allow each person in this room to touch this 'Death Note'. That will allow everyone to see…her."
"Her?" Caesar's annoyance was unmistakable. "Mars would not send a woman."
Lucius said nothing else, and instead handed the Death Note to Caesar. After he touched it, his eyes widened, and he quickly instructed Lucius to hand it to everyone else in the room.
-vvv-
"You want to do what?" Rem could not keep the horror from her voice.
"Did Caesar not speak clearly enough?" Vulpes Inculta asked with that unbelievable irritating smugness. "We will cleanse this world of profligates, so that it may be remade in Mars' image."
"Indeed." Caesar's eyes narrowed. "And you will NOT question us."
"Or what?" Rem asked, unafraid. "I am a shinigami. You cannot kill me."
"And you can do nothing to stop us," Vulpes countered. "So I recommend you busy yourself with Caesar's private book collection. Your services are not needed at this time."
"But-"
"Leave, profligate," Caesar interrupted. "We will ignore you if you do not."
With no other options, Rem floated out of the tent with the sinking suspicion that she had just made the worst mistake of her long, long life.
Chapter 2 - The Frumentarii Find Names
ALERIO: I must say, the food here is absolutely marvelous!
WHITE GLOVE SOCIETY CHEF: I'm glad you agree, sir. We here at the White Glove Society pride ourselves on sophistication and class.
ALERIO: Would it be possible for me to learn the name of a chef as talented as you?
CHEF: Certainly, sir. I am Philippe Hollande.
-vvv-
ALERIO: We've got all the names we need.
CAESAR: Including that Courier with Mr. House's special prize?
ALERIO: Indeed.
CAESAR: Good. Start with that bitch, then kill the leaders of each of the three casinos. Once you're done, we move in and annex the strip.
ALERIO: What of Mr. House?
[grin.]
CAESAR: I have plans for him.
-vvv-
Mr. House was panicking. He never panicked, but it seemed the only appropriate emotion at this juncture.
All of the leaders of each of the three casinos had just died. Immediately - with no prior warning or foreseen medical complications - of unforeseen brain aneurysms. The entire Strip was in chaos, and many people were fleeing. The NCR embassy had just been evacuated.
Worst of all, the Courier assigned to deliver the all-important Platinum Chip had been felled by the same type of aneurysm. Now the Chip was in Caesar's hands…and his securitrons had spotted what looked to be the entire Legion army marching on the Strip.
The NCR would not help. Ranger Chief Hanlon had been killed alongside the casino bosses, as if to send a message. And it was a message well received: President Kimball had ordered a "temporary" retreat to Mojave Outpost, something that would have been inconceivable before these unexplained mass deaths.
What do to?
What to DO?
Chapter 3 - The House Flames Out
Author's Note: :'(
MR. HOUSE: You have won.
CAESAR: Oh, you think? What gave you the clue? The fact that I'm sitting inside your fucking penthouse? [To his soldiers:] Tear this place apart as soon as I'm done with this asshole! Not a single piece of technology survives unless it's used to repair my Auto-Doc! And I want my throne in here by tonight!
LUCIUS: As you command, Caesar!
MR. HOUSE: "Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds."
[laughter.]
CAESAR: The destroyer of your world, perhaps. A more pure world will arise from the ashes.
MR. HOUSE: Slavery? Misogyny? Do you truly see that was purity?!
[ignored.]
[grin.]
CAESAR: But first, we need to deal with you.
-vvv-
Mr. House stared at the Legion soldiers in front of his stasis pod. He had been popped out, and he was now guaranteed to die in a year. He felt nothing but misery at his inexplicable failure.
"Please…just kill…me."
Caesar laughed. That sent off alarm bells in his head. Alarm bells that turned out to be understating the case.
-vvv-
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The screams of Robert House could be heard from Freeside and beyond as the gasoline he was covered with was ignited. He died in indescribable agony. His charred corpse remained on the metal cross he was crucified and burned alive on in front of the Lucky 38 for years, as a warning to all who would defy Caesar. It was a warning that was well-heeded.
Though his death was the most painful, others hardly had it easier. The Van Graffs had been compelled by the Death Note to strip naked and crucify one another. Every casino was shut down, and visibly intoxicated people were crucified without hesitation. The women who could not escape were forced into prostitution or married off to soldiers against their will.
The "purification" of New Vegas - rechristened Caesaria after the Legion's overwhelming victory - had begun.
Chapter 4 - Burying the Brotherhood
CAESAR: So, you wish to prove yourself?
BROTHERHOOD DEFECTOR: Yes, my lord. I ask for the opportunity to challenge Ranger Stella in the combat ring to prove my worthiness as a soldier. And as proof of my dedication to our mission, I bring you the Soldier Manifest.
CAESAR: Impressive. Very well, dissolute. You will be given a chance to earn your honor. And those you once called friends will be dealt with as harshly as Mars demands.
BROTHERHOOD DEFECTOR: As you command, my lord.
-vvv-
Veronica's existence was rape.
Every morning, every afternoon, every evening, she was raped in the bed she was chained to, only being allowed a break twice a day to eat and relieve herself. She thought of nothing but death as the dull knives that were the Legion penises penetrated her over and over.
She was so close to escaping this hell. She had cursed herself hundreds of times for deleting her name from the Soldier Manifest out of paranoia. She would have GREATLY preferred to die instantly along with her Brotherhood that was now buried under tons of rubble in Hidden Valley.
But no. She had been outside, and off the Soldier Manifest. And when the Legion soldiers came and swarmed the 188 Trading Post, she had taken over a dozen with her before she was captured. As punishment, she was assigned to the Legion's brothel division.
And so she was raped, constantly and without any chance to rest. She longed for the day when the pain these soldiers inflicted on her would be sufficient to kill her.
After all, if Hell existed, it couldn't possibly be worse than this.
Chapter 5 - The Subjugation of the Mojave
It was a glorious day for Caesar.
The Execution of the Mutants was at hand.
Vulpes Inculta grinned viciously as the last of the ghouls was forced to his knees in front of the El Dorado Substation. After their execution they would be thrown in the substation, which would then be encased in concrete to prevent the use of its heretical Old World technology. It was a fitting end for the abominations.
"Mutants of the Wasteland." He cleared his throat before continuing with his speech. "Today you shall die. And you shall die in a symbol of the Old World that you are a but a poisonous remnant of. As you face your final moments, reflect upon-"
"Would you just shut the fuck up and kill us already?"
Vulpes' eyes narrowed dangerously, and the Legion soldiers with him quickly pointed to the source of the interruption.
"What is your name, abomination?"
"Raul," he replied easily.
"Then why does your shirt say 'Miguel'?"
The ghoul shrugged in an infuriatingly casual manner. "Probably because it belonged to a guy named Miguel."
"Indeed. Well, you may think on him as you are crucified." He nodded to the soldiers, who pulled him out of the crowd.
"You are fucking evil," Raul said as he was hauled off. Vulpes did not dignify that with a response.
"ENOUGH TALK!" Vulpes roared. "PURGE THE HERETICS!"
And so the ghouls of the Mojave who had not managed to escape died.
They were the first of many.
-vvv-
CAESAR: Report on Black Mountain?
ALERIO: It has been cleared, my lord. Deathclaw Promontory is the only area left in the Wasteland with any creatures of notable strength.
CAESAR: Then clear it out at once!
ALERIO: As you command, my lord!
-vvv-
CAESAR: You're a doctor, correct?
ARCADE GANNON: Yes…yes, I am.
CAESAR: You will keep cure me of my ailment. In return, I won't crucify your precious Followers. Deal?
[pause.]
[disgust.]
[acceptance.]
CAESAR: That's what I thought.
-vvv-
Rem drank. Legion soldiers were hypocrites and carried plenty of hidden alcohol in their tents, and she stole some whenever she had the chance. She found she could not live with herself while sober.
Terror. Atrocity. Horror. The words were inadequate to describe what she had unleashed upon the world. And no words she could ever utter would make up for the unfathomable mistake of allowing the Death Note to land in Fortification Hill.
Drinking was also the only way to avoid thinking about the Multiuniversal Afterlife. Sarah was going to make sure she was infamous for this across all realities. And truthfully, she couldn't blame her: she was hard-pressed to think of a more evil and sadistic Death Note owner than Caesar. Not even Stephanie Wong compared.
She couldn't even console herself with the knowledge that he would be shunned after his death, as the infamous Death God was. No, enough loyal Legion soldiers would stay with him for them to create a closed-off afterlife where those they tormented could not reach them.
She downed the entire half-full bottle of whiskey she had with her, and quickly went to look for another.
Chapter 6 - The Death of California
The atmosphere of terror in the Cabinet Room was unmistakable. President Aaron Kimball couldn't blame anyone.
They were politicians. Not…whatever was needed to deal with this atrocity.
"Is there anything we can do to stop them?" The Secretary of Culture asked.
"No," the Secretary of Defense bluntly stated, causing everyone to wince. "Not if they know our names, anyways. The Rangers whose identities were not recorded will continue to strike from the shadows. But…they're coming. And we can't stop them."
President Aaron Kimball started crying, to the shock of everyone in the room. Crying was anathema to his style of governance, but nobody felt it appropriate to rebuke him.
"Activate the Japan Contingency," he ordered.
-vvv-
California's heresy was gloriously purged.
The women who were arrogant enough to consider themselves leaders were assigned to the Legion brothel. Most of the population was enslaved under the watchful eye of Legate Lanius. Technology was eradicated, the scientists crucified in front of their institutions. All in all, two centuries of post-apocalyptic progress were wiped out in the span of two months.
But it was not the end - not quite. A small number of Californians escaped across the sea, their names not publicly recorded (and even a few whose names were known managed to miraculously escape the Death Note). The desolate ruins of what had once been Japan would serve as the birthplace of the Third California Republic.
Nor were they the only faction preparing to fight.
-vvv-
KLEIN: I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE PRIMITIVE MORONS THREATENING OUR LOCATION! WE NEED TO PUT THEM DOWN HARDER THAN THE COMMIES IN ALASKA!
DALA: We should be careful not to act hastily. The Legion is more powerful than any other faction in this new world.
8: [*...] ... [#-!-#] !
BOROUS: We are WELL AWARE of that, 8. And we are ALSO well aware that that primitive "scouting robot" of yours is the reason we know about the Legion. So shut up!
[interruption.]
MOBIUS: It is I, Dr. Mobius! I have come with a proposal for my former colleagues: we must declare a TEMPORARY truce. Note the word TEMPORARY!
0: Just when you think you've seen it all…what's the occasion?
MOBIUS: What do you THINK, fool?! The Legion is coming for us! Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not in a decade…but eventually, they will DOOM US ALL!
KLEIN: And what BRILLIANT solution are you proposing for us, O Wise And Mighty Scientist?
MOBIUS: Simple: We defend ourselves until the time comes to aid the Californians who fled.
DALA: Preposterous! The scouting bot said they went to Japan! We can never reach that far!
0: Now, now…"never" is quite a long time. What if we didn't need to reach them for, say, a few decades?
[thought.]
[thought.]
[thought.]
Chapter 7 - Conquering America
The screams of the Vault 101 dwellers soothed Legate Lanius' ears. He had enjoyed burning them alive. The same death Robert House was forced to face, and the only one befitting those who dared to use the comforts of the Old World to escape the reality of Caesar's glorious vision.
-vvv-
LEGATE LANIUS: Any final words, Sheriff?
SHERIFF LUCAS SIMMS: Fuck you.
LEGATE LANIUS: Duly noted.
[execution.]
-vvv-
CAESAR: Truth be told, I admire what you've built here.
ISHMAEL ASHUR: Then WHY are you killing me and DESTROYING ALL OF IT?!
[laughter.]
CAESAR: You are an intelligent man, Ishmael. But your vision for the future is far too grounded in the past.
ISHMAEL ASHUR: Says the man resurrecting the Roman Empire.
[anger.]
CAESAR: Don't you DARE fucking compare the glory of the Romans to those Old World snakes!
ISHMAEL ASHUR: Or else you'll do what? I'm dead anyways.
CAESAR: Good point. Vulpes?
[execution.]
-vvv-
CAESAR: I want all of this so-called "Diamond City" evacuated. Same deal as usual: women are slaves, men are soldiers. This place better be a fucking training camp in under a month, or someone's head is going to roll!
LUCIUS: At once, my lord!
Chapter 8 - Running Humanity Into The Ground
SHAUN: It is the end.
MADISON LI: Yes.
SHAUN: What did we do wrong?
MADISON LI: Nothing. We did the best we could. But it turns out that gods exist, and they're on Caesar's side.
SHAUN: Perhaps it is better that we will all per-
CAESAR: There you fucking are.
[pause.]
SHAUN: I suppose you're here to kill me.
CAESAR: You catch on quick. Anything you want to say first?
SHAUN: You are the embodiment of Evil. I do not believe in a higher power, but you have proven to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Devil is real. And He is you.
[laughter.]
CAESAR: Well, you certainly know how to wax poetic! Tell you what, I'll kill you and that fucking bitch right away so she doesn't have to get sold into slavery. Sound good.
SHAUN: Fuck…you.
CAESAR: Such foul language! Alright, this is boring. Legate?
[executions.]
…
…
…
[explosion.]
[death of the Old World.]
[birth of the New.]
-vvv-
DiMA: We must flee.
CHASE: But the synths-
DiMA: Are either dead or enslaved. And it appears that the primitive Legion has no way to identify us. They have killed many ordinary humans in a hunt for us. Our presence is no longer a benefit. It is a hindrance.
CHASE: You don't sound good.
[sigh.]
DiMA: Does that surprise you? The Legion disabled the fog devices. Far Harbor is a graveyard, and slavery is humanity's future. How can I be anything but despondent?
CHASE: Well, there's always Japan.
DiMA: Yes, you did well to learn that information. Perhaps we can regroup there. Perhaps we can start anew.
Epilogue: The Nameless Californians
117 years later…
Andarius Duranus was thrilled.
The Day of the Conquest had finally come! The shoreline of what had once been Japan was within sight of the naked eye.
For over a century the New Roman Empire had been relentlessly building on the Legacy of Caesar. The slaves were numerous, the tents ubiquitous and the women nubile. There was nothing a soldier wanted for.
Nothing that is, except for conquest and glory. And these so-called "Nameless" Californians will fall before the might of-
Andarius' thoughts and life were immediately stopped by a crossbow arrow to the head.
-vvv-
DiMA: They are finally here.
NAMELESS CALIFORNIAN: And they will not use the Death Powers to defeat us. We do not have names, and never will. So they must fight us.
CHASE: ALL of us.
DiMA: I abhor fighting, even after all this time. But…the choice is clear. We must defeat the Legion. For the Future!
ALL: FOR THE FUTURE!
And thus the battle for the fate of humanity joined.
-vvv-
RYUK: You gotta stop beating yourself up, Rem!
REM: I can now.
[pause.]
RYUK: Whad'ya mean?
REM: The Legion has finally found a worthy opponent, one that can undo the damage they - I - wrought upon that world. Let us see if they will.
RYUK: No shit? Well I can't wait to watch, then! It's going to be so interesting…
-vvv-
I don't normally end my stories on an ambiguous note, but all of this was so depressing and horrifying that I felt the need to leave the possibility of hope.