Chapter 17
A Ghost and a Fox
"You have got to be kidding me, right? You truly believe that we will make it out of here alive?" said Gannon
"One way or another." I said
"Given the fact that I have dealt with Caesar personally, I don't see that happening."
"Yeah but given his position, he can't afford to turn me down. He would look like a fool in front of his Legion. To challenge a man like that, he has no choice but to accept or be cast down."
"Unless he decides to make an example of opposing him. Then what's the plan?"
"Well I've been shot in the head once, guess you got to die of something."
Two Legion soldiers walked into the tent as we just finished talking, the both look at us as we stand up and show them our hands for them to see we aren't carrying a weapon of any kind.
"You! Ghost! Caesar will see you, now that you are awake." the one on the right said. "Scientist, he will see you also. You are both to come with us. No speaking until Caesar himself gives you permission to speak."
We both nodded our heads and made our way out of the tent. From the looks of the Fort, the NCR was in trouble. There were hundreds of troops, all training constantly. There was even an arena that was in place so that up and coming soldiers would prove themselves by fighting slaves or captives to the death. The Fort itself was desolate. The ground was dry and there was no source of water. The air was thick of blood, sweat, and death. The area was built surrounding a large hill. On the top of the hill was a large tent. Caesar's tent.
The soldier's led us up to the tent and stood next to the entrance, where they left us. Another soldier, this one bearing no mask and a different uniform, one that was those of the Praetorian guards, those who personally guarded Caesar, led us inside. The tent appeared to comprised of three sections. The entrance area housed a guard, wearing the same type of uniform as the one now escorting us, and a mongrel dog on each side. As we walked by, the animals sniffed at us, growled, then licked there teeth. They were waiting at the second for their human masters to let them grab us. I saw Gannon flinch as we passed them.
As we walked into the second section, the "throne room", we saw several of the same Praetorian guards. There were at least six of them. Two were located at the entrance, one on each side of the room, and one on each side of the throne. In the corner of the room sat Benny on his knees with his hands bound behind him. One of the throne guards was easily recognizable, Vulpes. He smiled as we approached the throne, which was menacing in its appearance with large tusks sticking off of the back of the chair and what appeared to be blood on one of the tusks. Caesar was seated on his throne and looked exactly as I had seen him in my nightmare. He looked at Gannon and then slowly shifted his gaze towards me as we approached the throne and stopped three feet from him.
Looking at Gannon, Caesar said, "I have brought you here scientist to answer for the condition of the Ghost, how is he faring?"
"He is rested and healthy, Caesar." said Gannon looking down at the floor
Looking at me, "Ah, so Ghost of the Mojave, what do you think of our might here? Surely you don't think you stand a chance of defeating us."
"You believe that I am still with the NCR. They believe I am dead. As I see it, I serve no one." I said
"That will change my boy, you shall soon see." said Caesar
"You summoned me?" I asked
"Yes I did. See I have use for you. As I understand from Benny here, you have acquired the Platinum Chip he seeked to bargain with us. Though we have searched your things and did not find it on you. So I will ask of its whereabouts."
"I don't know where the Chip is, I gave it to someone. I am unaware of their location."
"That does not bode well for you, Mathis. If you don't have the Chip, then you are of no use to me. You have been quite the threat to my troops however. Vulpes describes you quite deadly in combat and a worthy combatant. It's a shame you didn't join me as you could have risen to the level of Praetoriate by now."
"I believe that we share different morals Caesar. Being a Ghost, I follow a directive not orders. I follow my own rules. Although with the shiny armor the Praetoriates wear as well as the shiny sunglasses, they still answer to you. I don't play nice with authority."
Laughing and appearing to be amused at my statement, Caesar said, "Oh do you now? Well I offer this join me and I will make you a powerful and wealthy man. Or is it freedom you desire? I can make sure you have a life of peace after I take over the Mojave. What say you, Mathis?"
"How about I prove my power, and my friend and I walk out of here and we meet on the battlefield another day."
"Are you challenging me Mathis? After I have shown you the hospitality of my Fort?"
"Not at all. I am however appealing to your sense of honor."
"Well then who do you challenge? And if you wish for your friend Gannon to accompany you, there must be a second challenge."
"Fine. My first challenge I choose…" I said looking around the room and thought of a way out, "my first opponent shall be Benny!"
"Fine, I have no further use for him. Who shall be your second?" he asked
"The only man that I find worthy of a challenge other than Caesar himself."
"And that would be?"
Turning my head and looking directly into Vulpes' burning eyes as he knew the answer as well. "Vulpes Inculta!"
"Very well. Guards see to it that fighting gear is brought to my tent by the slaves. Have two suits of leather brought in for Mathis and Benny. Also bring them machetes as well." said Caesar "You shall prove your worth in close combat, Ghost."
A Praetoriate left the tent and soon returned with a slave accompanying him. As the slave moved at a quick pace, the guards were quick to push and kick the poor man. As he made his way to the center of the throne room, he gave Benny and I each a machete that appeared worn but still very sharp, and a suit of leather armor that was torn, most likely from previous fighters being killed while wearing them. As I was given the suit of armor, I removed the rags that Caesar's men had given me and put the armor on. It was quite obvious that the previous owner had died a brutal death as the armor was blood stained and ripped at the abdomen level. The armor smelled of blood and stank of entrails. I knew I needed to get out of this soon or I was going to be sick.
I walked to one side of the tent, which was to the left of Caesar, to ready myself and to be on my guard in case Vulpes decided to try anything. After about 10 minutes, a very nervous and shaking Benny appeared in front of me in his own leather armor and machete. I held mine at the ready as did Benny.
"Gentlemen, this will be a fight to the death. It will continue until one or both of you no longer have a beating heart. Am I understood?" announced Caesar from his throne
We each nodded our heads
"Alright, BEGIN!"
Benny went crazy and began to run straight for me. It was clear that he knew nothing of fighting with in close combat and was going for anything he could. As he approached me I readied myself. As Benny got within striking distance, I quickly stepped aside and brought my machete to his throat and was finished in one slice. As Benny passed me, I turned and brought the blade though his back and into his heart making sure to kill him instantly.
The former leader of the Chairmen fell to the ground, bleeding out as Caesar stood and seemed pleased by the display of carnage in his tent.
"Ah, very good Mathis! Finishing him off fast so that you may have the energy to face a true opponent! I admire that!"
I turned and gave him a disgusted look, but I quickly readied myself as I saw Vulpes walking towards his side of the tent. He had his Ripper in his hand. I knew immediately that this was going to be the toughest battle I had ever fought. Looking across the tent at Vulpes, he wore the most evil grin on his face.
"Combatants ready yourselves!" said Caesar, "BEGIN!"
We slowly made a circle around the center of the tent. Vulpes was trying to study my technique as I was doing the same. Slowly but surely we began to close the gap separating us. As we got closer, I felt my heart begin to pound faster and harder. The nervous tension just continued to build as the adrenaline flowed through me. Then as we got within two feet from each other, we both struck at the same time. My machete just barely stopped the chain of the Ripper. As we stood there with the blades locked together, Vulpes pressed his blade further, hoping to push me back.
"Give up, Mathis. You can't hope to beat me hear. You are nothing compared to everything Caesar has taught me. Submit now and I will make your death quick and painless." said Vulpes "I can see the fear in your eyes. Your eyes scream like a child seeking its comfort from a mother it can't hope to find."
"Shut up!" I said
Holding my machete in my right hand, I was able to gain the leverage to bring the blades down to the left and smash Vulpes' face with my right elbow. He staggered back a little as I pressed him for attack. Vulpes raised his blade just in time as I struck him. I pulled back and struck again. Vulpes countered with a defensive parry and countered with a strike at me. This time as our blades crossed, my machete snapped in half as the chain of his Ripper broke and wrapped around my blade. We both dropped our weapons and fought hand-to-hand. Vulpes attempted a left hook which I diverted and brought my left knee into his abdomen. He absorbed the blow with his armor and tried to elbow me in the temple which I blocked with my forearm. I caught his left arm and twisted it. Just as I was about to snap his limb, he reversed the twist by using a reverse somersault. He then used his right hand and hit me in the jaw. I staggered backwards a few steps and quickly regained my footing only to see Vulpes pressing his attack. I was barely able to stop another right hand. As Vulpes drew himself in, I hit him in the nose with a headbutt which staggered him back a few feet. I then followed this up by running and drop-kicking him in the chest, sending the man to the ground.
As Vulpes hit the ground, I saw him rollover and scurry over towards Benny's corpse. He managed to make it to the machete. I began to run towards him. Vulpes was beginning to get up and turn around. He managed to get himself into a ready stance but didn't expect me to drop and slide into his legs. As my feet hit his right leg, I could feel the bones snap. Vulpes dropped the blade and fell to the ground in pain, I caught the blade and sliced for his neck.