Alrighty, I got me some news. One. I had to split this chapter into two parts. It's because this one is around 9.5k words and these are usually 7k. If you're wondering why not just make this one longer. It's because of number two. I'm going to take a little while to upload another chapter. I'm going to work on another fanfic that I have been neglecting. Don't worry I'm not planning on spending a whole month in it. I'm just going to take turns in uploading chapters and I want to take advantage of my time off. Gosh, I wish I had a separate message board so I don't have to leave these author note in the chapter.

Chapter 5- Broken hearts Part 1

Lt. Itami bit into a ration bar. It was chewy. He did long for a day where he did get a hot meal, but he was on another convoy, escorting refugees. This time though they are going to the city of Italica. They told us we would only need to drop them off near it, so we don't have to worry about being in a combat situation.

Tuka did make a friend, he thinks. It's a magical girl or mage, at least that's what she calls herself, her name is Lele. A nice girl, but a bit too distant to get a proper idea of who she is. Though Itami Believes that she's a good girl, well other than the fact she dresses in a hazmat suit everytime she moves outside of the base. Other than that she's fine.

His Humvee came to a sudden stop and his head was flung forward. Smacking the dashboard of his vehicle. His skull was throbbing.

"Hey guys, tell me when you're going to stop". He rose his head to see smoke. Lots of it. A walled city seemed to be under siege by an army. An army he doesn't recognize. They were in tatters and are completely disorganized. Their battle gear doesn't match one another and the weapons varied on the battalion they formed.

He turned to his Sargent. "Hey, Kuribayashi do you think those are the deserter bandits?"

The jeeps occupants jumped at the comment. "What are you saying commander."

"I Think what I am saying is that we need to make sure these people are safe." Kuribayashi just stared at him, smiled and gave a nod.

"Alright everyone let's move out and get ready for some heavy fighting! Remember to check your fire, there are natives in the vicinity." A hail of confirmations responded to his orders.

He just wishes he hasn't gone over his head. Then he heard crows.

[City of Italica]

Princess Pina was still waking as she walked down the cities blocks. The news was given that they spotted something unusual heading their way. Some say it's a great green rhino or some horseless carriage. Both of them are equally moronic, but she can't dismiss it as an enemy ruse.

It's been two days now and they are already nearly broken. The bandit army was just so large. She's never seen anything like it. Their fanatical screams and mad suicidal charges on their wall is just something else. Then again, if they are who she suspect they are, then she might understand.

The battle at the two gates was devastating. The bulkhead of the largest armies ever sent by the Empire has swept away like if they were nats gnawing at the tail of a mighty griffon. An image cultivated by the people traveling to Italica for refuge. Their faces of awe and humility telling more than their words.

The men in green are being spoken of with an air of gratitude. Anyone talking about them always speaks of their kind approach and constant deeds of heroism, are a staple of them. They also speak of their mighty steeds of metal and staffs of fire. Entire formations of bandits and empire soldiers turn tail, at the mere mention of their presence. Only other battle mages and overwhelming numbers can score a minor victory with major losses at their side.

The second gate, however, is a different story. People speak of demons made of metal and great elephants that shoot balls of lightning from their trunks are spoken of. The ruthlessness of their conquest is known by all the local people. On how, if you see a man with bulbous glowing green eyes, then he is the harbinger of your enslavement. Constant tales of them appearing out of nowhere and forcing the village to comply. Then to never hear of them, other than, form travelers who were able to run as fast as possible to the nearest walled settlement.

Something about that made her a bit nervous. They know next to nothing about the enemy at the 2nd gate.

She wouldn't admit to anyone, but if she had to cross blades with any of them, it would be the men in green. It wasn't any a feeling of outright hatred, She did want them defeated at the feet of the empire. But she has to feel in the deep part of her gut, telling her that the demons of the 2nd gate, are ones that you don't want to fight against and lose. Whatever mortal men can inflict on her must pale in comparison to any monster from the hell realm.

She put that thought in the back of her mind when she stopped at the city gate. Her mentor and old friend, Gray was waiting for her at the doors entrance. He saluted and spoke. "Princess Pina, it's good to see you. We will need your input in this situation."

"Oh, is there something my old mentor can't decipher on his own," Pina said playfully.

"It's good to see you in high spirits princess. It will heighten the morale of the men seeing your chipper mood." The knight said, attempting to make the mood lighter at the wall. "No, we have a group of refugees attempting to take refuge in the city."

"Well turn them away, they won't be safer here than out there. We also don't have any supplies to feed them either." The princess said without missing a beat.

She knew she sounded cold, but at times like these, people needed to make sacrifices.

"No my lady, it's not about them. They have, a special escort."

Pina raised an eyebrow at that. "What kind of escort?"

"A mage, an elf, and Rory Mercury." Grey Co Aldo said deadpan

"What! Then why are they still out there? Invite them in and we can ask The Apostle of Emroy for aid!" Pina said with an ecstatic tone.

"There is also one more thing you might find, disturbing." The knight attempted to say with as much care as possible.

The Princess just took a step back, wondering what kind problem this is. Then she heard a knock and in a broken accent. "Umm, hello. Is anyone still there. We are still waiting."

Pina just turns to look at the door. She knew that voice must have belonged to a foreigner. Not many of them are near except for two types of them. Both are dangerous, but only one of them can be negotiated with. She slowly walked to the door's peephole and placed her hand on the handle.

Slowly she opens it to see the uninterested eyes of a man in green. She quickly closed the small peephole and placed her back to it. Her heart was racing.

"Hey! I saw you. You can't pretend that I'm not here." The man screamed.

Pina knew they were no match against the bandits, even if her knights arrived soon. If there was any chance of surviving, then she'll need these people as allies! The princess thought as she swung the doors open.

"Welcome everyone!" She said as she felt a large bump.

Everyone with the man in green was looking at her. She had a confused face, she didn't know why they were looking at her like that. Then she noticed that the man in green waste there with them. Her eyes widen at the realization. She turned her head to the right and as she thought, the man in green was there. Completely knocked out.

A young voice spoke out. "My, My. That's quite the welcome." Pina saw it was Rory who spoke and wondered if she was able to salvage this.

[Speaking of salvaging things. Courier and friends.]

The beast glided through the air with more grace than its form said was capable of. The courier has seen many different kind monsters. He's seen a super mutant deathclaw the size of buildings. He's seen a swarm of blood mosquitoes lift up a Brahmin and suck it dry in a second. He's seen a robot giant crush a jet carrier. Hell, he's even a super mutant behemoth use a battleship cannon as a rifle. That was a nightmare.

This dragon, on the other hand, is a freaking dream. With the application of Enclave technology, we could for a lack of a better term, get a dragon pet and best friend. Also maybe a killing machine, but let's be honest here, he's most likely going to name her love muffin and play fetch with her as soon he can get a branch or a full on tree.

The great red giant made another barrel roll in the air.

The courier continued to observe the dragon for another minute until he got a confirmation. "Lucy here, we have the jeep in position to distract the big ass lizard. I have to say, do you really think we can pierce its scales."

I gave a smirk to that comment. "If a gauss rifle with overcharged cells can't hurt it, then I royally fucked up."

Lucy was still not convinced of my plan. "Fine, if we can crack it's hind, then what. We will still have one big ass dragon on us."

Her worry was understandable, but she is missing one thing. "We don't need to kill it you know. Unlike the monsters of the waste, it's brain is completely free of any form of tumors that would impede its judgment. So unlike the wooden critters of our home, this thing has a sense of self-preservation."

"Then all we need is one moment of danger for the beast to fly," Lucy asked inquisitively.

"Yup, that's the jig."

A massive roar shook everything around me. I raised my head to see the massive monster breathing in. My heart started pounding in my chest. "Alright, Raul! Slam that pedal to the floor and RIDE!"

"Boss that isn't good for the vehicle and on it!" After that, I started to hear the hum of the fission engine revving up.

The metal box on wheels started to jump out of the forest it was hiding in. Causing the Dragon to take notice. It unleashed the torrent of flame towards the armored vehicle. The superheated breath washed over the machine and envelope it in an inferno. The Humvee jumped out with a coat of black soot covering it. It was still running but it was noticeably janky in its movement. Lucky the Humvee armor can resist limited plasma fire and that plating let it survive the dragon's breath.

Then one of the doors swung open to reveal the rookie in his limber power armor. With agility that no man can achieve without any form of augmentation, the rookie jumped onto the trunk and moved towards the tri-barreled gun. He took a tube and started to apply it to the machine.

He was using the limited aline goo that I bought from 101. It's stupidly useful and I love the crap out of it.

Another gust of fire nearly hit them again, but Raul seems to be quite talented in operating the truck. Hell, I bet he's good with the fact he older than the war. He must have plenty of experience and familiarize with the machine to become a talented driver. Finally, that old ghoul doesn't need to complain to him, about always walking everywhere.

The rookie was still on the back and finishing up with the application of the goo and properly mounted the gun. Avoiding a tail swipe from the dragon the 50 cals. Rounds started to pepper the beast. The machine gun bullets were doing minimal damage to the beast. I was about to tell the rookie to aim for the eye's until he started to do it himself.

The rounds got closer to their target until the dragon started to thrash its wings. The gust of wind was able to throw off the aim of the rookie. The relentless bashing of the gust of wind ensured the rookie's continued misses.

This was when I knew to take aim.

The beast wouldn't notice little old me when there is a very annoying target in front of it. I hefted my gauss rifle and aimed it. I steadied my breathing and steadied my arms. The radical of the scope slowly made it towards of the shoulder of the wing. My best bet of the dragons lightest armored body part.

As I zeroed in on the joint, I gently squeeze the trigger and saw the projectile be violently thrown out by the weapons magnetic coils.

I couldn't even blink as the 2mm EC bullet made contact. With a thundering impact, it split the dragon's scales and made a bloody crater. Forcing it to stay on the ground for an extended period of time. I aimed once more and fired at its chest. Once again it penetrated, but not with the same notable crater.

The Monstrous dragon started to fail around madly. Obviously in pain. My team on the Humvee decided to capitalize on this opening and fired towards the hole I made for them. Any rounds making impact anywhere near the wound started to shake of few loose scales.

The beast reared up for a swipe towards the armored vehicle and I fired towards the offending limb. The miniature bullet once again made impact, creating another notable wound on it.

The massive dragon seems to notice it's decreasing health and started to move away from the fight. It's base instincts are telling it to run. With one of its wings, notable damaged it made a gambit. With a single exaggerated movement, it swung its wing. Creating an overwhelming gust of wind that nearly overturned the truck. With its split-second opening, it used its powerful legs to run. It trampled trees and any wildlife in its way. Leaving an easily traceable road of breadcrumbs.

I took a few pot shots to make sure it's properly scared. When the Dragon running away with its tail between its legs. I lowered my gauss rifle. Then I radioed in. "Alright guys, get to the area we penetrated its scales and find DNA samples. With enough elbow grease and know how. We will have my very own fire-breathing deathclaw with wings."

"Aye, boss do you really think adopting a dragon, as a pet. I mean, what about ED-E." I hail of angry beeps followed up that commitment.

"Raul, we all know ED-E is equal to us and yes I do. I mean can you blame me. I love lizards, no matter how dangerous."

"Look, guys, we can talk about this later. Right now were late and in need to get back to the base. Now please let's collect those blood samples and scales. If 101 catches us late she's going to go full drill sergeant on our asses."

They didn't argue anymore, due to our collective fear of 101 and her relentless exercise punishments. It only took us around fifteen minutes to get everything in order. We moved towards the village we were protecting and they gave us their loyalty.

But for now, I got a future date with an awesome dragon. So, Today is a good day.

[Second Gate- Hanger]

101 was absolutely giddy! The massive Robo scorpions modified from Big M. data banks. It took them about three years to design and build theses robot tanks. These are the very beast of the beast. Every little tidbit and every screw was placed, with through calculations. The material used to make them are from the earth's nearly depleted crust. Digging up alloys and harvested Helion 4. The pilot was a single human hook into it the same way one would hook themselves into power armor.

The thing was armored with the perfect balance of saturnite. To give it unparalleled defense and light armor for its size. It's speed and maneuverability wasn't something to scoff at either. Its legs were a cross design of scorpion legs for multi-terrain and the treads of a sentry bot, giving it speed. Thanks to having eight of these attached to the war machine, they have improved upon the tank's biggest weakness. It's treads. No longer did they need to worry about a stray missile to the tanks treads, making the machine into a glorified torrent. Its legs were fantastically durable and capable of moving with only three of them active. It was truly a juggernaut.

Its weapons were nothing to scoff at either.

Its main gun was an atomic laser tail cannon, capable of melting through feet of reinforced steel and capable of releasing a concentrated EMP blast. Thanks to the weapons being designed like a tail, it has a remarkable reaction time. Capable of snapping to 180-degree angle in a split second. It is slightly less armored, but it is still a beast of a weapon. Its pincers are either close quarters melee weapons, or you could replace them with twin linked 50mm autocannons. Which is the option she picked? For anti-personnel option, it had a 12.7mm machine gun on its head.

And it all handled like a dream. Thanks to technology from DC. They used a hybrid simulation to have the pilot operate it like it was his own body and thanks to the fission generator, the exact same kind that liberty prime used. It had plenty of power to operate with.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her secretary. "Ma'am!" The boy nearly screams as he sluggishly saluted.

101 could only sigh. "Boy get into form properly and for the love of god temper your voice. You're acting as if you found a nest of blowflies in your arse. Now, out with it. Why did you disturb my me time."

"Ah, yes. General Vauban wishes to let you know that we will need 6 very soon and that you should get him geared up. We also got note that Liberty prime is carrying the package. He is said to arrive here in a matter of hours, he's being escorted by a battalion of BOS and a pack or 6's special pets."

101 just raised an eyebrow at that. "Pets? Boy."

"I don't know the detail, only that they were nicknamed batch 13."

101 could only facepalm at that. 6 had to be a lizard lover, did he. So much so that he accepted a "gift" from 111, to grow intelligent deathclaws She honestly didn't know what to think of it. In one hand, they might have made the wastelands greatest threat. On the other, they might have made a solution to their number one pest problem. It all was a headache, but as long the courier didn't make them bigger and stronger and for the love of god, breath fire. They would be peachy.

"Fine, about his gear. Where should I tell him to get his new gear and what kind is it?"

"Right ma'am."

[four hours later- In the meeting room.]

"You're late" Said 101 with venom in her voice.

The courier could only stiffen up. He had very few options because if he slipped up, he'd be getting one of 101 famous lectures. she stared into my soul until she burned a hole into it. I felt guilty. As if he skipped out on the monthly harvest for my parent's farm, wasting half the crops and now we have to send grandma into insanity institute because we couldn't afford that old folk home. Man, he should have taken that lecture.

I raised my hands in defeat. "Fine! I won't let it happen again."

"Good, now down to business." She stepped back and general Vauban stepped forwards."

"Alright gentlemen, it's about time we made our first grand assault." The man pressed a couple of buttons on the terminal in front of us and a hologram of a city appeared in front of us.

I smiled at our progress. Around dozens of settlements have our icon on the lucky 38 on top of it. Our goal was not just reached but exceeded. We had plenty of territories to give to 111 and enough to create a small nation state if we wanted.

"The city of Italica has is under attack by a raider force. Scouts say that the enemy is making serious headway. I'm going, to be honest here. These guys are cumps at best and target practice at worst. If we were to assault this city now, the people would be grateful and the enemy is target practice. Which is why I'm proposing an invasion of the city known as Italica."

101 looked at him. "What about the men in green, unlike the cumps you described they have guns and pretty big ones. What about them."

General Vauban just smiled. "Well, I do what I do best. Faint ignorance and plead our case of liberation. I mean, I am pretty good at it as well."

101 just looked him with a bit of suspicion "Well, why should I trust you in this. I say we assault the capital. That way we can gain control of the entire empire."

The General cleared his throat. "I am an ex-auxiliary general of Caesar's Legion. From experience, I can say we would be overextending ourselves if we went to the capital. Now, if we went to the city nearby us, then we would have plenty of lands and have the troops to hold it."

101 just frowned. "Caesar's Legion? Aren't they the band of slavers, rapist, and murders that terrorized the western border of New Vegas?"

The general raised his hands in defense. "Hey, I know what Caesar has done is terrible, but he did make his territory safe. He didn't go along and did it with sheer brawn. He needed brain as well. The Romans were famous in persuading native in fighting for them. Caesar was all about copying them. I am one of those natives, I used a bit of charm in persuading native culture's in joining the legion."

The Ruler of the Capital looked at me. She had a look on her. One of her famous faces, that could rip information out of a corrupt politician. Only one word came out of her lips. "Explain"

I strained up and took a crossed armed posture. "If you think I recruited a murderous raider as a general for this. Then you're wrong. General Vauban is a man who works for least of two evils. When he came to me, he did it because he knew the legions days were numbered and no longer needed go exist. He's been doing what he's been doing for his entire life. Rebuilding society."

"Ah, I guess he would be an expert in conquering new lands and integrating their culture into ours. I will respect his destinations for now, but you and I will have a talk about his past employment."

"Well ma'am, I do hope that you respect my choice of deployment. We will be copying 111 settlement response. Which means heavy use of quick deployment of infantry and heavy weapon emplacements. The troops being led by you and the courier will be buying time for the heavy armor to arrive. There will be use of verti-birds and alien craft to deploy fifteen squads of the regular ground stompers. Though, I do hope to send in the mechanized infantry as a spearhead. I just need your permission to scramble the troopers and BOS mobile Armor. "

101 smiled. "I'll be sure my boys soften up the LZ. I do have to ask about any possible artillery support. I do believe some of my paladins have mortars on their heavy rigs."

"Where equipping the Verti-birds with Rockets. They should be loaded with sixty each. With a good spread, they should be able to clear a nice patch for our boys to land."

101 wasn't fully convinced yet. "Have our pilots trained in these."

"This will be there first use in deployment, but they have scored quite high in the simulation. As long they don't face an opponent with any form of AA, which the enemy has none of. They should be fine."

"Alright, one last thing and we will have our courier friend, equipped with his new gear." I smiled at that. I felt almost naked without my assassin suit. So I'm glad that they finally repaired it, or replace it.

"If it's about the Men in green, then that's what our heavy armor is there for. Anything they have, no matter how alien to us, won't survive one of your plasma cannons in the face."

"That's not it General. I should let you know that we got a convoy with a few special packets with it. We have a nuclear bomb from megaton that is still active. I decided to bring it here as extra muscle. I should let you know we have no real vehicle that can safely transport it, except one. If push comes to shove. Then be sure that you will have the support of Liberty Prime behind you."

My eyes widen at that. 101 has only a few tells when she's dead serious in doing something. She'll sometimes just announce it in front of everyone. She'll lead a spearhead assault when she hates you. When she wants something done and she needs it to send a message, she'll bring out the multi-ton fighting machine for liberty, Liberty Prime himself.

I had to say something about it. "Dang girl, you must love the view here, because the last time you sent out the crusader of Democracy, was when the enclave made a last-ditch attempt in assassinating you, ten years ago."

"The trees are a nice shade of green and I do hope that the faction of the same color frees the power of the Atom. Which I'm surprised that you're not worried about it."

I cocked my head at that. "I know why you brought it. It's the purpose of every weapon of mass destruction. It's a deterrent. We'll have it loaded on a bomber, piloted by a boomer, ready to go on a moment's notice. I have an understanding of flashy toys. I'm a fan of them."

"Yeah you are, aren't you. I should let you know that your, deathclaws have arrived."

I jumped in excitement. I have raised them to be the best deep infiltration units and the best friend a wasteland could ever wish for. "Hell Yeah! Where are they! I bet Smiles wants his tummy rubs right about now."

"6, Why in the hell would you rub the stomach of a beast who wants you in its stomach and why in the hell would you name one of them smiles.." 101 said with a bit of sarcasm in her voice.

"Well, Smiles is always happy and has his tongue out slobbering over everything. Plus when he ever talks about anything all he ever wants to do is make people smile. Heck, he has this peek a boo trick where he makes babies laugh uncontrollably."

"You let them near babies!" Both the general and 101 screamed in unison."

"Look, they are smart kids and I haven't had them actually hurt anything yet. I just want them here as an intimating bodyguard and maybe some light scouting. This is mainly a test run for their abilities"

Vauban ran out the tent. He was probably worried that my deathclaws are running a muck. He'd be sorely disappointed though, they are angle in rough leathery skin. 101, on the other hand, was pinching the bridge of her nose. "You know what, I don't care anymore, we need to get you geared up, let's go."

"Alright," I said in a happy tone. I should be too because my arms are getting a bit chilly in this coat.

[2nd Gate-Armory]

My entire team was in here alongside me, being armed and ready for the next confrontation. Lucy had her Bozar and tribal armored, Rookie had his light rig power armor, with his trusty chainsaw machete and a plasma pistol. First time I've seen the guy with a ranged weapon. Most likely it's the first time he'll actually need one. Raul had his six-shooter and his mechanic suit. ED-E just floated near me. Ready at all times. In front of me was 101 with a box filled with all of my new goodies.

101 open the lid and started pulling out a white chest piece. "111 wanted me to tell you he made this just for you."

I nearly had a spasm when I saw the green and black suit being pulled out of the box. "Well, 6, what do you think about stealth suit 3.0."

I had to stop myself from jumping up and down and squealing like an Elvis fangirl. "Is, is my favorite suit A.I. on board?"

101 reach for the metallic collar of the suit and pressed a button. A sweet, electronic voice came through. "All programs are running at peak efficiency, all of the suits functions are operating with no notable malfunctions. The suit is filled with all critical medical supplies. A suit is at peak efficiency. I'm ready to help you snea- *electronic gasp* I thought you forgot about me!"

I had to hold back a tear. Today has been so wonderful! "Computerised, Utility, technical, intelligence, enforcer! I missed you so much, ED-E has been such a pessimistic Debbie downer ever since your, um. Death."

Lucy stuck her head out of her locker and looked at me? "What kind of name is that!? Wait, is that an abbreviation?"

"Yup," I said in a cheery tone.

"So you named you deadly stealth suit-"

"C.U.T.I.E," I said cutting her off.

"... Please don't name any future children of yours. I'll feel way to bad for them if you do."

I gave her a small frown. Then Cutie spoke. "Hello! I'm glad that you didn't forget me, I always wondered why, if it was because I didn't perform as well as you expected, then don't fear. I have received a few upgrades in software and hardware. I will no longer disappoint."

"No cutie. It wasn't your fault. I just ran into some bad luck and I lost you." Flashes of the battle of hoover dam raced in my mind. Remembering being caught on fire and the sensation of burning flesh. The memory of the battle still felt fresh. It was a place where he lost a lot of friends, but he'll keep coping. He always does.

"Mister master? You have lost interest in this conversation. Felt like you forgotten me again."

"What no, I'm just remembering old memories."

Lucy chimed in once again. "Mister Master? Please don't tell me your that kind of person. Oh for the love God! Please tell me calling you boss wasn't a fetish for you!"

I gave her a look that crossed embarrassed and annoyed. "No to both of those. That's just what she calls me. She doesn't accept numbers or titles as names."

101 seem to finally break and interrupted the conversation. "Look, your suit or AI can tell you the rest. I'm off to ready the troops. Get ready and armed in the hanger by 0300."

The woman left the room as quickly as she could. I knew it was because she hated being around me. I believe she has a stick up her ass. I turned and looked at my team of four, five if you included ED-E.

Lucy walked up to me and leaned in. She whispered to me. "Hey before we go, do you mind telling if you found a pendant. I can't find it in my locker."

"Oh, the quartermaster clears and restocks lockers every week or so. You can't get to him by today. The guy probably off beyond the gate now. He'd be back in a day or two. We can get your pendant then."

"Oh, alright. Then let's get going." She turned to go, but I stopped her.

"What's up with the long face?"

"IT's just a good luck charm, that's all."

I looked at her and studied her expressions. She obviously was lying. The thing means something to her. I didn't want to pry but we can't have her distracted. "Hey, if it's important, then maybe we should look for it."

She looked at me with surprised eyes. "No, no it's fine. I'm just not used having it on me during a fight. I can still go at my 100%, don't you worry."

I smiled and grabbed all American from the weapon locker. "Well, I'll hold you to it. Don't worry, by tomorrow I'll help you get it back."

She bumped her fist together "Then let's go and get yourself a new shiny city."

[City of Italica]

Lt. Itami was running low on mags. He counted one spare mag and one-half empty in his rifle. The fight is starting to look bleak.

He called for support yesterday and headquarter told him they are scrambling air support. Their ETA was in thirty minutes. The problem he has with this is that they might not hold for that long. The citizens are breaking and the walls are being crawled over by hostiles. He needs them out there and not inside the city. If they do, then they will need to clear them out in CQC. That won't be a pretty sight.

The sound of tearing flesh and the giddy laughter caught his attention. The gothic lolita that followed them is quite handy with her axe.

The girl has the largest kill count of the whole group and she's showing no signs of slowing down. Kuribayashi was following her examples and is engaging the bandits in hand to hand combat. His fellow squadmate was giving them covering fire. The rest of this squad was spread out throughout the wall. Laying supporting fire in the mass of bandits.

Lele showed how useful she is be helping them with spells. Entire waves were pushed back with her weird explosive balls. Tuka supported her friend and summon spirits and revitalized the mage. It also knocked out a few bandits into unconsciousness.

Itami was pretty beat, but he has hope. They might be able to hold, he has doubts about the conscripted civilians and how long they can keep their nerve. If they break, then that means the bandits can just storm right in. completely ignoring them if they wanted. He just hopes that his reinforcements get here soon.

Then he heard the whirling blades of a helicopter. He raised his head from his rifle and saw in the distance, a bunch of silhouettes of copters. Not the ones he's used to. These ones… Well, they looked weird. They had dual rotary blades and were bumpy? Well, they look round in an old fashion way.

These weren't theirs.

If not then who? These guys might have a form of helicopter, but they act as if they never seen one before. It's very unlikely that the case then. Then he started thinking. People say there is a migration of demons coming out of a second gate. Scouts say that they didn't find anything of the sort, but what if these guys were trying to hide.

Then a third faction that is modernized could hide from them somehow. If that's true and the civilians call these guys demons, then he doesn't like what these could be like.

[Verti-birds]

The courier once again felt the thrumming of the bird. He had the all American ready at his chest and the 9mm Maria at his hip. A simple combat knife he found in a kharns grave was holstered at his right shoulder. A cowl adorns his head. It's colors matched his suit. "Hey, cutie. What's the extra feature you got in this suit?"

A shy voice responded. "For one I have far more computing power. If you require any assistance in hack or any task that requires intelligence. Your pip-boy is far more effective with me assisting you. That way people can't ignore me, while they were shot at. Oh, I feel like I'm blushing already with them looking at me."

"You don't have checks cutie."

"Right. Well, you can also expect me keeping you fighting a bit longer. I can automatically inject you with any medical drug you need and even a few combat drugs are available. Please don't go crazy with that feature. I don't want you to overdose and leave me."

"I'm a cyborg, cutie. It's hard to do that with me."

"Which is what makes you stand out mister master. Oh, since Louie notices that you like being in the waste for extended periods of time, he added nanobots that can help me repair myself. All you have to do is put some scrap in my nanobot container and poof. I'm good as new."

"Who in the hell is Louie?"

"That's the real name of the man named 111. He seemed very hesitant to tell me that. I don't understand why."

I burst out laughing like a maniac. I had tears running down my face at the revelation of the name, of the worlds coldest man. He personally took over the boogeyman operation in Boston and killed his own son and his name is Louie! I noticed the occupants in the verti-bird staring at me and soon I got a transmission from 101. "What the hell is going on in there. I've been told by your team that you're going crazy!"

"111's real name is Louie!"

101 attempted to hide her laughter but cracks formed in her hardass nature. "Pffft! I don't understand why that's so *chuckling* funny to you. Louie is a respectable name of a cold, calculating, ruthless leader. A guy who has a title so well known that it strike free into the local raider. *chuckles* Now stop acting childish and get ready for the drop."

I heard the pilot speak out. "ETA in one minute. Get ready to go in hot!"

The radio tuned in and I heard the battle cries of the brotherhood knights and paladins. Their noble roars in latin dominated our radio. They contain promises of a swift victory, a bright future for the waste and glory for their elder. I had to see them fighting this hoard of men.

I moved forward to the cockpit of the bird. There was a single pilot as this vehicle only needed the one. I was able to glimpse the landing. Great plumes of dirt flew into the sky, obscuring the men. They were just outside the bandit army, only the rear turned to see what was going on. The rest was to busy assaulting their target. A couple just turned and ran in the other direction. They must have been survivors of skirmishes with our faction. I saw a few of them charge. Completely unaware who they were fighting. They also were the larger kind as well. Easily reaching the height of the knight in heavy rig power armor.

To everyone, it looked like a regular knight standing amongst armored titans. Oh, how funny it is to me. Because in truth, the reverse is right.

I saw 101 reaching the shoulder height of her heavier troops. The light rig didn't increase the user's hight as it's model didn't use the power armor frame. The woman let out the command to fire reach everyone's radio. The knights aimed the new 50 cals. Miniguns they were given and let out a wall of lead that shredded the charging men. The Paladins aimed their arm-mounted plasma guns and fired miniature suns into the swarm. Easily melting through armor and leaving massive chucks in flesh. The Verti-birds unleashed a swarm of rockets, into the main swarm of men. The pilots did a good job in spreading the fire equally into the crowd. Then again, I can see room for improvement.

At this point the enemy force noticed us. I can bet you that the commanders are not the ones who fought us. How do I know? They ordered a counter-attack us. Their troops politely lined up and started charging. Our weapons punch through their shield like if they were paper. Scores of men died in the hail of lead and plasma. It was difficult to miss, to the point where the enemy force noticed and just simply started charging.

It was a hell of a sight. Something I haven't seen since Caesar's legion.

The knights and paladins were cutting them down by the dozen, but these are just too many in number to be beaten in rage. They will need our support in order to avoid that. That's when I felt my bird touchdown. I gave a grin and grabbed All American. "Alright people, target practice. Oh, and if you feel wezy mowing down other humans like dogs, then remember this. These people think raping and enslaving people is Okay! Now let's boogie!"

I jumped out with my rifle and moved to the front. I stood next to a paladin with dual mounted plasma gun, strapped to his arm. The paladin just kept on firing.

He crouched in a fire position and readied himself. He saw other verti-birds unleash their contingent of vegas swords and marines. They quickly started setting up the fallback gun emplacements. They had a mix of incinerators and machine gun emplacements. He had his men equipped with laser rifles and riot shotguns. The lasers will have the advantage in ammo, giving each soldier two thousand shots each. A great advantage of energy weapons it the ability to stock up on high capacity energy cells. The riot shotguns are either loaded with slugs, for long-range combat eight gage shells.

I turned and saw one more verti-bird. It's doors swung open and unleashed three deathclaws. They were equipped with stealth boy and unique camo cloaks. They gracefully leaped out and roared a bone-shaking roar. I turned and saw the bandits stumble for a second. Buying my teams to set up their guns. What good and smart kids, I should reward them for that later. They gave me a nod and swiftly charged into the distance, activating their stealth boy in the process.

They will be relaying information of the enemy position and waiting for me to give the order to attack.

I turned and aimed the All American. I sighted my first target and then I squeezed the trigger. The guys head turned into a haze of red mist. I aimed for my second and repeated the action. I did this over again until they started closing the gap. I stood up and sound the tactical retreat.

"Alright, fall back and let our gunners get some kills!"

101 chimed in. "Delay that order! Charge in and engage in hand to hand combat!"

"What the hell are you doing! You cannot go off and play fantasy!"

"We've spotted the enemy starting to charge through the city gate. We need to move in and take them while they are still clustered together! To do that we need to push through this wave!"

"What!... Alright." I had an idea, but it's going to be a bit risky. "Get the heavy weapons on the verti birds. Move ahead of us and land on the walls and set them up there. Then fed them off. If they start swarming on you then cover them in napalm or fill them with lead."

A roar of confirmations hailed me. I didn't go with them. Instead, I moved with 101. I moved forward and aimed my rifle. I spat out rounds into the crowd. Always hitting the ones to close for comfort, always checking my aim for friendly fire.

When I saw the brotherhood soldiers march forward, I stayed back. I kept on firing on anyone who looks like the pack a punch. The power armored knight kept moving forward, never letting up on their fire. The Paladins flanked them covering the blind spots of their comrades. 101 was using her unique plasma rifle melting entire parts of the body.

The verti-birds flew over us, flying towards the walls and firing side-mounted miniguns into the crowd.

Then I saw the Brotherhood soldiers charge. They charged through the devastated counter assault and fired at the remaining survivors. I stood up and ran to catch up with the rest of the troopers. While I saw the birds unload the marines and vegas soldiers. They moved quickly to set up their guns and fired their rifle and shotguns to anyone who got close.

The sounds of miniguns resume and I saw the brotherhood soldiers open fire at a distance, towards the mass of men. It wasn't difficult to achieve a kill. They were all funneling into the gate of the city and tightly pack themselves.

I heard 101 screams. "Ready the motors!"

The paladins stepped forward and hunched forward, exposing the 25mm motor on their backs. They took the opportunity to let their plasma guns cool down at this moment and I gust of steam vent out.

101 gave the order to fire and simple thumps where heard. The air screeched as the grenades sailed through them. I waited a few seconds until I saw green explosions. Dozens of them met home and scattered the invaders. Their grouped formation amplifying the damage the guns did to them.

I just stood there, not bothering to fire my gun. This fight was already over. The gun crews were on the wall and unleashing everything they had on the remaining bandits. I also notice other troopers aiming at the other end.

They must be firing at the ones who got in.

Then I notice him. A man in green cloths and maybe combat armor too? I don't know, I've never seen a pattern like theirs. I then notice it was my first time seeing one of them in the flesh. I was… underwhelmed. I was expecting something more… advance? Or something like power armor that looked sleek and space age. Oh more like giant robots you can pilot and fly with giant jetpacks and the can also have laser swords. I should implant that idea into the brains. Who knows they might be able to pull it off.

A second green soldier joins him. A girl at the height of her, but he could be wrong. The new faction seems to always use adults in their recruits, but they never met them face to face until today.

The female one said something to the male one and she made some motions to her. She shook her head and ran back where she came from. The guy I'm assuming is the leader spotted me.

He observed me and I did the same in turn. I made as many observations as possible of the guy. All he got was that he wore green. Well damn. He's doing this for nothing.

He snapped into action when he heard screaming. The remaining bandits were charging at them. Most likely to get away from the battle and into the forest, quite a run but one that's in their best interests.

I just starting aiming my rifle and starting firing. Taking down any of them getting near, until one of them charged me on the side.

[The wall of the city.]

Itami saw the man in the weird combat suit jab his combat knife into another bandit. He was in awe of this guy's skill. He moved and weave through battlefield like some sort action hero form those American movies. Yet the guy was difficult to notice. If it wasn't for the massive green explosion, he would have missed him altogether. The guy had a talent for killing in all sort of ways.

Whoever these guys are, they are making short work of the army that was just here. First a massive wave of rockets and then a hail of minigun fire. They also have weird green bolts that melt people and maybe lasers? He doesn't know. All he does know is that these guys arrived just in time.

When he saw their chopper move towards the wall he knew it would only cause pointless bloodshed. These guys probably would have shot them on the spot if they didn't find a proper spot to hunker down.

Then they just started cleaning up. Taking out the bulk of the remaining force and just are taking care of the aftermath.

He saw him get jumped by a dude with a sword, the green guy just moved nearly in a blur and he swiped with his knife. The swordman neck exploded in spray of blood and the green guy just switched to his rifle. Itami noticed a group of fifteen or so charge the green guy. He just aimed his rifle and fired. Itami noticed that the weapon must have been a sort of marksman rifle with the way it fire.

Then his eyes widen at the sight.

The Green guy fired his rifle as fast as he could. Normally this would look like a soldier losing trigger discipline, but this was different. The guy fired his gun and every shot found a mark. It wasn't as if they were body shots either. They were all headshots. The bandits found themselves being gun down quickly and started trying moving directly, in an attempt to dodge the bullets. It didn't work. The guy kept on fire as quickly as he normally did and the bandits kept falling with craters in their skulls.

Over a dozen bodies laid in front of him, taken down by marksmanship and agility. He continued to watch the guy shoot and stab until the last remaining bandits ran.

He just stood there until there was silence. The fight against the bandits was over. All was left was to meet these guy and learn what they want. He had ordered a shot only if shot at order to his guys. As long as we can open up negotiations, they might be able to end this peacefully.

"Oh my, He's quite the piece of work." An axe-wielding goth lolita said.

"Yeah, he's quite scary. I've never seen someone with that kind of reactions. Well as long we don't provoke them, we can probably make an alliance."

"Hmmm, well that not true."

I gave her a look. "What do you mean."

"That man in the green and black suit. He's quite faithful. I can smell the blood and the sight of all of his conquered victims."

Itami looked at her with wide eyes "Rory what are you thin-"

Rory the reaper just jumped down screaming "Emroy needs to meet such a devoted follower!"

"Rory!" Scream Itami in vain.

The little reaper was charging towards a force he doesn't understand. He doesn't know if he can even help the girl. He would be opening fire on a neutral third party. As a squad commander he doesn't have the authority to give, but what Mercury told him made him wonder. She said the guy killed a lot of people but from the look of it, the reason could be because he was just doing his job.

He saw demi-goddess landed with an enthusiastic giggle. She started to sprint with superhuman speed. It only took seconds for her to reach the man and ready her axe. Once again he saw him raise his rifle with surprising agility and fired. The bullets didn't hit the goddess as they were deflected by her axe. It didn't stop the man from unloading his clip. It was futile, he couldn't connect a single shot and the girl was nearly ready to swing her axe.

Then a blur of desert camo and the flash of green lighting interrupted them.

It was another guy in the heavy armor, but he was far more form-fitting and smaller. There was fewer plate on him and he held both a weird pistol and a hand-held chainsaw. The guy interrupted Rory from her attempt at killing the guy in green, with his gun. He fired a green ball of energy that nearly impacted the girl.

The newcomer just fired at Rory, letting loose with his gun, but met with the same results as his friend. There was one difference though. Every time his bolts made contact with Rory's weapon, it just splashes on it instead of deflecting. The guy continued to shoot at the goddess without stopping, then Rory charged. She seemed to have enough and is moving in to kill the interloper.

She could get the chance as a rifle round connected with her leg. Itami had a bit of trouble making it out, but he thinks it hit her ankle. He grimaced at the injury, he's never experienced one before, but he knows that an injury like that can easily cripple them. It's to the testament of Rory's healing factor that it only slowed her down.

The two took this opportunity to lay it on her.

They fired simultaneously at Rory and at different angle. Ensuring that they always landed a hit. Itami gritted his teeth. He wants to help Rory, but she has no right to. These guys are just defending themselves against an unprovoked attack.

He still didn't like it, so much that he didn't realize that his rifle was rising. Slowly the rifle was primed and aimed towards the head of the suited man. But at the last moment, he stopped. He noticed that the firing stopped. Rory was on the floor covered in blood and filled with chard craters.

They lowered their guns and walked towards Rory in attempt to get a closer look. He saw them study here bleeding corpse. They thought she was finally dead… No. She wasn't.

The wounds on the goddess started to rapidly heal and she slowly got up. Only to be gunned down again. They stopped when she stopped moving again and once again she raised from the ground. This time a squad of those heavily armored guys joined in and Rory fell again. This time though, they didn't stop.

They were fully convicted of killing her and he couldn't take it anymore. Itami gave the order. He gives a damn about orders anymore!

"Kuribayashi! Get the Humvees to aim at their guys on the wall and open fire. Anyone else grabs AP rounds and missile launchers and fire at their armored infantry!"

"Wha- Why?" Asked his Sargent Kuribayashi.

"Just do it!" Itami screamed.

He aimed his rifle and fired at the green man. The round nearly hit him, but somehow the green man noticed him and was able to move out of the way. He just fired at them, only caring to grab their attention and hoping to draw attention away from Rory.

It worked as most of the fire was now aimed at him. He ducked down pinned. His radio came to life.

A gruff old voice came through. "Permission to open fire on the unknown force."

His reinforcements had finally come. "Aim for the ones in heavy armor!"

"Roger." was all that was given and the sound of blaring guns dominated the air.

[Italica Fields]

The Courier was pissed. He had an open window to meet the green guys before any diplomats got their hands on them and a weird regenerating little girl starting her axe towards me. Then their verti-birds started firing on them. How in the hell did he provoke them! He saw them watch the girl reform from plasma blast and they found it weird that they defended themselves! Well, fuck them.

He saw the choppers open fire on the knights and paladins and nearly shredded them. Thanks to the armor upgrade they were able to withstand a small amount of sustain fire, most of them were able to get out of the way, but a few unlucky knights were too slow. Lucky the retaliation was swift. Plasma guns melted their hauls easily enough, but the miniguns were having trouble.

Lucky for them, 101 had an idea. "Knights! Aime for their tails and bring their birds down."

The brotherhood soldiers followed her commands without hesitation and aimed at the tails of these machines. There must have been an effect because they started laying off. They had to concentrate all their fire on the birds, which leads to the question. Where are there heavy weapons teams? I was about to radio in when I got a transmission. "Were under fire here and suffered heavy losses!" It was lucy.

"Is it the green people?" I asked

"Yes, those bastards got the drop on us, we were planning on joining you in taking down that freak of nature when suddenly they open fire! We need back up!"

I had to make a choice here. All I had left to send in were the verti-birds and he needed them to help them against the enemy air force. He did have the deathclaws. He didn't want to expose them to the bloodshed, but he didn't hesitate. "Smiles, Rosebud, and Pearly whites go help the troopers." A Roar of confirmations was all that I was given and the thundering of their charge.

They would have to retreat very soon. Once they open up a hole in their defenses they will need to run. He just isn't very confident in this plan though. We definitely can hit harder, but these guys came in numbers and the heavy armor won't get here in a few minute to relieve them. The entire task force sent here is being decimated and it was all that girl's fault and her stupid healing powers. Oh, wait.

*giggles* "Oh my, is this one fine day."

I turned and I saw rookie standing in front of me, chain machete in one hand and a plasma pistol in the other. Guarding me against the immortal girl with the big ass axe. Oh, fuck my luck.