"Hey, who are you?", The NCR trooper guard Camp McCarran's from entrance asked. It was hard to tell who it was because it was nearly midnight.
"Just another trooper", The figure said.
The trooper finally remembered he had a good damn flashlight. He turned it on and looked at the stranger. He was definitely wearing trooper armor. Then he finally was able to see the man's face. Nearly half of it was covered in burn scars, and every where was covered in either bruises or goose eggs.
"What happened to you?", The trooper asked.
"I've had a tough week", The man deadpanned.
"Yeah go on in. You might want to check up with a medic."
The man walked in trying to hide his slight limp.
The camp was quiet. Most of the soldiers had retired for the night. Troopers on night patrol kept a sharp eye out for any danger but ignored the new arrival.
A few soldiers sat around a small fire and sipped at their beers.
"Can I sit here?", The man asked them after walking over.
They all looked at him. Two were caught off guard by his bruised and burned face but the other three who sat around the fire shrugged of the man's appearance.
"Yeah sure", a female trooper said happily, "my name's Ellan. Haven't seen you around here before."
The man sat down on one of the chairs. The man looked at the red haired woman, "Just got transferred."
"Where from?", One the other soldiers spoke up. He was one of the two who had been shocked by his face.
"From one shit hole to another", the man said.
"Amen to that!", Ellan chuckled as she offered him a beer.
"I don't drink beer."
"What are you one of those legion fucks?", Another male soldier asked as he laughed at his own joke.
"Beer is for lightweights."
"Oh, okay Mr. 'I only drink hard stuff"', Ellan said as she slugged him playfully in the shoulder, "if you don't mind me asking how'd you get the burn scar?"
"Fire gecko."
"Mean bastards", the laughing soldier added, "how'd you get them bruises."
"Got in a fight. Got my ass beat."
"Damn. Who was it?"
"A ranger woman."
"DAMN! You must some kinda king of the dumbasses!"
The others drank and joked with each other as the man just sat there and occasionally put in his two cents.
"So I heard they finally caught one of those legion bastards", the man asked.
"Damn right", Ellan said with pride, "I heard he was captured at bitter springs when the legion attacked and took the place."
"They should just hang that bastard", the quietest of the original five soldiers said with venomous in his words.
"Tim lost some friends in a legion ambush a while back", Ellan explained.
"So you want revenge?"
"Damn right!", Tim spat, "I'm gonna kill every last legion fuck I can."
"So that's why you keep fighting?", The man asked.
"Fuck yes!"
The soldier stood up. "You're a coward", he growled, "nothing but a greedy coward."
Tim stood up too, "how fucking dare you!"
"You fight for yourself. Nothing else. You're a shallow excuse for a soldier."
"Fuck you!", Tim barked as he swung at the other man.
He blocked the punch with ease before delivering a hard left hook to Tim's temple.
"You should fight...", The man began but paused. Looking for words. "You should fight because you owe a debt and with every breath you take it gets even greater. The only way to pay it back is to fight like hell until you can't move anymore! And with your last worthless breath you can die knowing you've finally paid your debt!"
"Hey", Ellan stepped between them, "let's calm it down here. Some of us have had a bit too much to drink and some not enough."
"Thanks for the company", the man said as he walked away.
...
He walked until he found the correct place after asking for directions. He looked at the door to the interrogation room currently being guarded by a corporal.
"I'm supposed to take over guard duty", the man told him.
"What? I wasn't told anything about this?", The corporal said in surprise.
"Well I got my orders."
"And I got mine."
"Fucking bureaucracy.", The man sighed, "maybe we should go and ask the lieutenant?"
"I'm not allowed to let anyone in."
The man sighed tiredly, "Why? YouYthink im a spy or something? How bout I give you my rifle and I go in first?"
The corporal thought it over, "Yeah. Alright."
He gave the corporal his rifle who quickly slung it over his back. They walked into the room together.
"Ma'-", the corporal started but never finished as the man stabbed him in the neck with a combat knife!
MP Carrie Boyd turned around quickly to the noise, but was immediately tackled to the ground by the man before he stabbed her through the throat.
The man saw what was on the other side of the glass. He kicked open the door where the legionary was being held.
"Burning ant!", He shouted as he rushed over.
Burning ant was almost unrecognizable. His fingernails were all gone along with most of his teeth. His fingers bent and turned in ways finger never should. His face was covered in bruises and cuts. Blood covered the floor beneath the seat he was strapped to.
"It's me! It's sSarved dog", he told Burnng ant.
Burning ant looked up at him with tears in his eyes. He didn't say a word, but let out a groan of pure pain.
Starved dog cut the restaints and tried to pick Burning ant up.
Burning ant moaned in agony as he was carried a few feet.
"Please...", He managed to say in no more than a whisper, "put me down."
Starved dog collapsed to the ground with his back leaning against the wall as he cradled Burning ant in his arms.
"I... I... didn't... talk."
"I know", Starved dog said, "You're strong."
"E-Everything hurts...", Burning ant choked out.
"You'll be okay. I'm gonna get you back home."
He tried to lift him again.
Burning ant howled in pain.
They collapsed to the floor again.
"K-kill me...", Burning ant begged with tears in his eyes.
"No... You'll be fine."
"Please... Just... Kill me. It hurts... Everything hurts..."
"Please no", Starved dog begged.
"Please."
Starved dog put the blade of the combat knife to Burning ant's throat.
Starved dog whispered in his ear, "You will dine at Mars's table, brother."
The knife was sharp and the cut was fast and deep.
Starved dog held him as he bled out.