"What would you suggest we do about the NCR soldiers?", Starved dog asked Dead Sea.
"It is Caesar's will that we hold this position, not advance", Dead Sea answered.
Starved dog nodded with a grunt. "Explorers have spotted a ranger near by", Starve dog said, "He may try and free those newly crucified or lead an attack on our position in retribution. We need to attack them before they have a chance."
When they arrived at Nelson Starved dog had taken command. His first order was to break the limbs of the troopers Dead Sea had crucified just hours before there arrival so that any rescue mission by the NCR would be futile. It was obvious this had both further terrified and enraged many of the enemy.
"You may out rank me, but I have served as a decanus for five years and it would be wise to heed my advise.", Dead Sea said, "We can not risk wasting our men and resources assaulting their position."
"I'm not saying saying we should destroy them entirely, but simply cripple them further", Starved dog said.
"What are you saying?", Dead Sea asked.
"We must cut the head off the snake".
...
Several of the recruits practiced using their firearms. Some used recently looted service rifles while others used more common legion guns. They practiced their marksman ship by shooting at ah old Brahmin skull that was stuck on a post.
Several of the recruits were obviously not used to guns yet, still more accustomed to throwing spears. There was one recruit, however, who was obviously used to handling a gun. He kept performing simple tricks with his cowboy repeater. He made the rifle do many different flips in his hands before bragging about his own skill to the others who seemed saddened by his constant jokes at them.
"What do you think you are doing?", Julius asked the show off harshly as he and Burning ant walked toward them.
"Showing these idiots how to properly use a rifle", the recruit defended.
"Properly use a rifle?", Juliuss asked sarcastically.
Burning ant looked to the other recruits as he pointed at the one, "this fool will get you all killed if you shoot like him."
"I know how to shoot!", The recruit defended.
"Show us then", Julius challenged.
The recruit reloaded his rifle and aimed at the target. He fired, a direct hit. He chambered another round.
"Stop stop stop", Julius said as he took the rifle from the recruit.
"What?!", The recruit demanded, "I hit it perfectly!"
Julius gave the rifle over to Burning ant. "Show them how it's done."
Burning ant moved to where the recruit was, bushed him out of the way and aimed at the target. He fired, a direct hit just like the recruit. Unlike the recruit, however, he didn't lower the rifle to chamber a new round, but lowered the lever as he kept it planted firmly in his shoulder. He fired again, direct hit. He fired round after round till it was empty.
When he was done he shoved the rifle at the recruit who took it without complaint.
"Always keep the sights on target. You can show off all you want, but that just means you'll meet Mars sooner.", Burning ant said.
Their lesson was cut short by Titas approaching them.
"Starved dog says he has a plan for us tonight", he told them, "He said he'd explain it to us when we see him.
...
That night Burning ant, Julius, and Starved dog rubbed black ash from the tires on their arms and legs. Titas had dark enough skill that he didn't need to. They tied black bandanas around their faces and wore grey tunics with no armor. They took only blades for weapons.
Burning ant gave a prayer to Mars before they left Nelson.
The four black figures snuck though the night silently and descended on the NCR camp like wolves.
...
Tech Sergeant Reyes woke up with a sore back and a pounding head ach.
'God... What happened last night?', she wondered as she realized she was lying on her back but was sitting with her back against a wall. Had she been drinking with Stone again?
She opened her eyes. She was in a house? There were several large shelves full of books and a bed which for some reason she was laying on.
She tried to stand but couldn't. She looked down to realize her arms and legs were tied.
That's when she started putting things together. She remembered going to bed last night before waking up here. She'd been kidnapped.
She knew their was only one group who would kidnap a trooper. She felt tears in her eyes.
''God help me!", She prayed desperately as tears poured down her face.
She had watched as the legion crucified the troopers in view of Forlorn hope. Maybe, crucifixion would be merciful compared to getting in enslaved. Maybe if she was really lucky they'd just behead her.
'No', she told herself, 'The NCR would save me. Major Polati and her friends would save me. I just have to hold out!'
She told herself this again. Don't loose hope. They'll come for you. It will be alright. She was a soldier, she wasn't supposed to be scared.
Hours seem to pass as she sat there uncomfortably.
Finally, the door to the outside opened. In walked a legionary. He wore the stupid looking feathers on his helmet. Reyes couldn't remember exactly but she was pretty sure that meant they were pretty much equal to a corporal.
He slammed the door behind him and walked toward her.
"Profligate", he said as he knelt down to be equal height to her. He pulled out a can of cram and a spoon. He opened the can and got a big scoop of the meat like substance. "Eat", he said as he held the spoon up to her mouth.
She opened her mouth and let him still the food in. As soon as he took the spoon out of her mouth, she started chewing. The taste sent a shiver down her spine.
She spat it in his face.
"FUCK YOU!", she shouted in his face. She was a soldier, she wouldn't go quietly.
His bandana and goggles were now covered in cram.
He said nothing as he looked back at her.
Then, without warning, he grabbed her by the hair and forced her to stand up. He slung her harshly over his shoulder and carried her outside.
The bright sun hurt her eyes as they tried to adjust. He carried to what seemed like the edge of Nelson. He threw her on the ground in front of a legion banner.
"WHAT?", She shouted at him with all the courage and athority she could muster.
The decanus said nothing. He only stood there with his arms crossed, looking up at the top of the banner.
She followed his gaze. Her heart sunk.
A head was stuck to the spike at the top of the banner.
It was Major Polatli.
They'd took his head and stuck on a Pike for all to see.
Then she saw the others. There were three more banners two the left of Major Polatli's.
Docter Richards.
Ranger Milo.
Quartermaster Mayes.
They'd killed them all. She looked away as best she could. She couldn't stand to look at them anymore. She felt like she would throw up.
When she looked away she saw what the heads would have been staring at were they alive. She saw camp Forlorn Hope. Several figures were looking at them from there.
She hoped a sniper would take her out like ranger Milo had told them about him trying to do with the crusified in Nelson.
The legionary grabbed her by the hair and dragged her away back toward the house as she screamed for help until her throat was too sore to speak.
(Please critique and review)