The monorail platform at Camp McCarran was dark except for the torches carried by the Praetorian honor guards as they stood at attention. As the NCR abandoned their posts, they sabotaged every generator they could as well as blowing up their fuel and ammo dumps. The Legion was sorely lacking in ability to fix the few devices that remained, and often had to rely on more primitive forms of illumination.
Vulpes Incultua stood and waited with the Praetorians as he heard the distant rumble of the monorail as it followed the elevated track from the Vegas Strip to the Fort. The monorail had been left intact in the NCR's retreat, although they had left booby traps that had taken the Legion over a week to find and disarm. Now it was used as Caesar's exclusive transport to the Strip where he would go to parley with its reclusive warlord House. Finally with a loud hum the Monorail's two long cars slid into the station and stopped with a jerk. Although still functional, the bullet shaped train had not escaped the ages unscathed. Only jagged shards of glass remained in the windows and the once pneumatic door were permanently jammed open. After a moment Caesar stepped through the door to the platform accompanied by two Praetorians.
"Ave Caesar!" Vulpes announced as he snapped to attention and saluted by striking his chest with his fist. Caesar nodded absently as he waved his guard toward the stairs leading to the former Airport's main terminal. Caesar was not a tall man, but he exuded an air of confidence and authority that demanded attention and respect. Although his white thinning hair showed his advancing age, the harsh angles of his face showed no signs of weakness, unless one knew where to look.
"What brings you here Vulpes?" Caesar demanded, his pupils dilated from the effect of a powerful narcotic.
"I have news to report mighty Caesar, and matters to discuss that cannot wait."
Caesar's eyes narrowed as he regarded Vulpes for a moment. A Legionnaire would have quailed under that gaze, as Caesar's disapproval often meant swift death shortly after. Vulpes stood his ground, returning his master's gaze calmly until Caesar's mouth curved into a sardonic smile.
"It must be important than. Very well Vulpes, I'll hear your report in my office."
"Ave Caesar." Vulpes replied as he lowered his eyes and saluted.
The Praetorians formed a protective square around Caesar as they left the Monorail and entered the terminal. Caesar ignored the legion soldiers who stood at attention as they approached the silent escalators that led to the main entrance. The guards immediately moved into a single-file formation as they descended the steel stairway under the shadow of a pre-war fighter plane suspended from the ceiling as if banking in flight.
Caesar's office located innocuously off the side of the main hall, and two Praetorians immediately took posts to either side of the door and saluted as Caesar entered, then closed it behind Vulpes. The office was bare of all decoration and consisted only of a desk and one chair. Only Caesar sat when he held audiences, and Vulpes stoically stood at attention as he waited for his master to allow him to speak. Caesar took sat down than leaned forward and silently regarding the Frumentarius.
Caesar trusted Vulpes only slightly more than he trusted anyone, but Vulpes had proven to be a master strategist with an instinctive grasp of tactics. Although Caesar took the credit for driving the NCR out of the Mojave, it was Vulpes strategy that had actually made victory possible. The Frumentarius had suggested using infiltrators to create chaos in the NCR's rear while its army was focused on Hoover Dam. The strategy was similar to the one the pre-war empire of Nazi Germany used called 'Blitzkrieg'. It rankled Caesar that he, the historian, hadn't considered it while Vulpes, an unschooled former tribal implemented the manuever from his own intuition.
After staring intently at the impassive Frumentarius, Caesar finally leaned back in his chair.
"What do you have to report?"
"I return with news from the South." Vulpes replied with a deferential nod.
"Nipton has been dealt with?" Caesar snapped. The formal speech patterns the Legion used were used by his command, but as Caesar, he saw little need to use the formalities.
"It has mighty Caesar." Vulpes replied calmly. "Decanus Varis has been executed for his treachery and the garrison decimated."
"Did you make an example of the population?"
"We did. The town was put to the torch and those not beheaded were crucified in sight of any NCR watchers."
"Good work Vulpes." Caesar said with a grim smile. "That'll show the NCR what happens when you fuck with the Legion."
"Indeed mighty Caesar. However the fact that Varis felt he could commit his acts of treachery brings me to the matter I wish to speak to you of."
"Indeed." Caesar said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. To question or criticize Caesar was perilous, and he knew that Vulpes wasn't stupid enough to do so lightly. "What matter is this?"
"I have asked you to consider appearing at the Thorn."
"Ah yes." Caesar replied, still smiling as he leaned forward. "And why do you feel my presence is required at such a spectacle?"
Vulpes weighed his next words carefully. The Frumentarii were the spies and special forces of the Legion and as such were given greater autonomy than other members of the Legion. But as the fate of Legate Joshua Graham had proven, status was no shield from Caesar's wrath.
"Your strategy of establishing the Legion's capital at New Vegas is both brilliant and I believe critical."
"Go on." Caesar ordered as Vulpes paused a moment to gauge his master's reaction.
"The war with the NCR showed not only the strength of the Legion, but also our weakness. We have no trade center or manufacturing ability. In terms of loyalty and training, there is no comparison between the Legion and the NCR, but their logistics and arms made us pay a heavy price for our victories." Vulpes paused as he watched Caesar. He was now verging on criticism of the policies of a man who could have him crucified with a wave of his hand. Caesar regarded Vulpes impassively, than nodded for him to continue.
"Your leadership has raised the Legion from disparate bands of ignorant tribals to the mightiest army on Earth, but many superstitions stay in their hearts. The persistent rumors of the 'burned man' demonstrate this."
"Get to your point Vulpes." Caesar snapped. Vulpes realized that as Caesar often said, he had "Crossed the Rubicon." Either Caesar would listen to what he had to say, or he was writing his own epitaph.
"My point is that the Legion was built on warfare and victories. Without battles to add glory to Caesar, the center of gravity for the Legion is moving to the East."
"What do you mean?" Caesar replied, his voice low and menacing.
"Legate Lanius continues to battle raiders and tribals East of the Colorado. He is adding to his personal myth and the Legion is turning its eyes toward him."
"Lanius would never be stupid enough to turn against me!" Caesar snapped.
"I am not saying that he is." Vulpes replied, keeping his tone empty of inflection. "But his reputation that has been so useful in the East is proving problematic."
"So you're suggesting I have Lanius…removed?"
"No, he is still valuable in enforcing discipline as your personal blade. However, Gaius Magnus in Dry Wells is showing much potential. If Caesar's wisdom requires Lanius' death, than Magnus would be a logical replacement."
"And you think my going to a show in the Thorn would counter this…shift?" Caesar asked, his face stern.
"We must battle perception with perception." Vulpes replied quickly. "It was perception that the battle was lost that broke the NCR army. The spectacles in the Thorn are keeping the warrior spirit of the Legion strong despite the stupefying realities of occupation. The demands of governance have removed you from the minds of the Legion. I am proposing a series of strategic appearances to remind them that it is Caesar who rules. Once again, you will be linked in the Legion's minds with blood and glory, as it should be."
The minutes slowly passed as Caesar stared impassively at Vulpes, and although the Frumentarius kept his stoic posture, sweat began to trickle down his face.
"Perhaps you're right Vulpes." Caesar finally said and Vulpes breathed an inward sigh of relief. "But there is something about this that concerns me."
"Yes mighty Caesar." Vulpes replied stiffening slightly.
"I understand the star attraction of the Thorn is a mutant…woman. My policies on both are very clear and I don't see the advantage in aggrandizing this individual."
"I have been to the Thorn." Vulpes replied quietly. "And assure you that to describe this champion as 'female' is an exaggeration. No woman would look at this, Valeria and see an ideal to aspire to. Also, although clearly not human she is not as monstrous as the beasts we encountered near Black Mountain. She is an aberration, and as such is clearly outside the social order of the Legion. I believe she is no threat to the society you are building here."
"All right Vulpes, I'll consider this plan of yours." Caesar said with a nod, but before Vulpes could salute he added. "Speaking of the Burned Man. Have you received any reports from the White Legs in the Grand Canyon?"
"The White Legs have fragmented." Vulpes replied, silently berating himself for dropping the former Legate's title in Caesar's presence. Then he resigned himself to the fact that it was only a matter of time before Caesar demanded a report. If the time to give it was now, than so be it.
"Fragmented?" Caesar asked as he leaned back with his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Their war chief, Salt-Upon-Wounds, is dead and without his leadership the White Legs have scattered."
"The White Legs wiped out the Mormons at New Canaan!" Caesar exclaimed incredulously. "What in the Canyon could defeat them?"
"Reports are confused." Vulpes replied carefully. "But they agree on several points. The first is that one they called the 'Burned Man' was aiding a tribe called the Sorrows."
"Impossible!" Caesar roared as he slammed his fist down on the desk. "I saw his burning corpse fall into the Grand Canyon!"
"It is what the White Legs claimed, even under more rigorous questioning." Vulpes replied. "All the captives would say was that he was an outsider completely wrapped in bandages."
"So it could have been anyone." Caesar said to himself as he stared at desk. "Not that it matters if word of this gets out." He looked up at Vulpes with a snarl. "I want the White Legs killed. Put this Gaius Magnus on it if he desires my favor. It is time for another lesson of what happens when you fail Caesar!"
"It will be as you command mighty Caesar." Vulpes said as he bowed his head.
"What else did they say?" Caesar demanded.
"The White Legs insisted that the Sorrows had summoned a spirit to protect them, and it was what killed Salt-Upon-Wounds."
"There was something other than this 'Burned Man'?"
"Yes mighty Caesar. Although descriptions vary, they all agree that weapons were useless against it, and it slaughtered their warriors by the dozens before killing their war chief."
"Probably a story they invented to hide their failure. No matter, they failed and their lives are forfeit. Is there anything else Vulpes?"
"No mighty Caesar."
"Then you are dismissed." Caesar said he stood from his desk. Vulpes snapped to attention and saluted but as he turned to leave Caesar spoke from behind him.
"You got a pass on this one Frumentarius, but mention the Burned Man in my presence again I'll have you burned alive."
"Ave Caesar!" Vulpes replied with a salute as he turned and strode to the door as the guards outside opened it to allow him through.
As soon as the door closed Caesar slumped into his chair, holding his head in his hands as pain stabbed through his temples. Even with Med-X coursing through his system, the headaches were getting worse and more frequent. The tumor consuming his brain was clearly spreading, and it was getting harder to hide his affliction. Vulpes report only confirmed that the Legion was beginning to sense weakness in their leader, even if they didn't know the reason. The irony that he was going to die just as his dream of empire about to be realized filled him with rage. His only hope was the promise of a cure that House dangled in front of him like a lure. He hated House with every fiber of his being, but as much as he wanted to destroy the arrogant warlord he had no choice but to play his game by his rules.
The pain finally eased enough to where he could stand. Vulpes needed to be taken down a peg, but the Frumentarius was correct. He had to combat the rumor that he was weakening, and a public appearance at the proper venue was the easiest way to do it. He had fought too hard to get where he was to give it all up. He would get his cure from House, Gaius would crush the rumors of his former Legate's survival, and he would show the Legion and the world who truly ruled New Vegas.