We're getting close to Hidden Valley. Max has been very quiet this whole time. I'm wondering if it's because he's upset about leaving his family. I didn't want to pry, but he's beginning to worry me. I walk beside him and look at him, his eyes filled with worry.
"You alright? You've been pretty quiet." I say.
"Huh?" He says like I'm snapping him out of thought, "oh yea. Everything's good." He says.
"No it isn't. You're never quiet. What's up?" I ask him concerned.
He sighs shakily, "well," he starts, "Cass is pregnant."
My jaw almost drops to the ground, then I smile and slap him on the back.
"Congrats man! That's awesome!" I say.
"Yea but, what if I don't come back this time." He asks worriedly.
"What?" I say.
"I mean I know I was confident back there yesterday. And I usually am. But what if." He says.
"Max," I say, "I'm not going to let anything happen. You have a family to go home to. I'm giving you my word that I've got your back." I tell him seriously.
He sighs, "okay."
"Do you trust me?" I ask him.
"Yes." He says looking me in the eyes.
I nod, "then alright. You got nothing to worry about. We'll beat the enclave and be home in time for you baby to be born." I tell him.
He nods and we keep walking.
"Kinda hope it's a girl." Max says smiling.
"Really?" I say.
He nods, "I want one of each. I think the dynamic would be cool. Course I'm happy for anything, but I hope it's a girl more."
I nod smiling too, "that would be cool. How far along is Cass?" I ask him.
"She said she only thinks about a month." Max says.
I nod, "don't worry. She'll be okay. We can send for the brotherhood to set up an embassy there once we're strong enough to defend that area." I say.
He shakes his head, "the NCR has an embassy there behind the saloon already. They have patrols in and out all the time. That's why you don't see a lot of them. They're constantly on watch."
I nod, "then they'll be fine. Don't worry okay?" I say.
"Okay." He says.
We start walking through Hidden Valley until we get to the bunker. We head inside and down the steps, through the various hallways until we get to the main chamber. We walk through and report to Elder McNamara.
"Reporting sir." We both say as we salute.
"At ease. Tell me what you found." He states.
"Sir, the Legion is not an option. They're working for the Enclave, and their spies are everywhere. They grow stonger every day. Their camp is south. A town called Needles. Their Ceasar is the possible son or mentee of Ceasar the first, and intends on raiding the Mojave soon." I say.
"I have additional information sir." Max says.
"Proceed."
"Their forces are far more advanced than we thought. What skin used to be exposed before the second battle for Hoover Dam has now been upgraded to reinforced leather wrapped in chainmail. Their swords are stacked Damascus steel, making them harder and sharper. They use the same steel to make shields and as far as actual confrontations, they're getting good at shield walls. They've build catapults to use against larger forces and troop marches. They also train in guerrilla tactics, using sabotage and stealth as their main tactics. They no longer just throw bodies at their enemy. They're growing and becoming more intelligent defensive fighters." Max says.
The Elder nods his head.
"But," Max says, "all hope is not lost."
"Go on." The Elder says.
"We have an offer from Mr.House I was supposed to negotiate with you." He says.
"The same one who employed you to take out our chapter? How am I supposed to negotiate with that?" The Elder says growing angry.
"Yes, but I know him well. I've worked with him for many years now. I know he isn't lying. He has no reason to." Max explains.
The Elder sighs, "I suppose I have no good choice, our time is running out. What's his offer?" He asks.
"In exchange for complete sovereignty and immunity, he will donate 10,000 Securitrons to help fight the Enclave." Max says.
The Elders eyes widen, "that could be enough to turn the tide." He says.
Max nods, "he has many more. Enough that this won't even put a dent in his numbers. To him, the Enclave is a threat. If he lets them live, they will take everything he has. He knows that allying with you is his best option."
The Elder is silent for a moment, mulling over our offer in his mind. Finally, he nods, "we don't have much choice. If we refuse, the war is almost certainly lost. Tell him I accept. The brotherhood will not touch the strip from now until the end of time unless provoked. Nor will any of our brothers or sisters step foot in that sinful place. There is nothing of interest there."
Max smiles, "very well sir. I'll tell him we accept right away."
The Elder nods, "very well. Take time to rest and stock up on supplies before you head out. And Knight, I'd like to see you privately. Sentinel, you're dismissed." He says to me.
I nod and salute, "Ad Victoriam Elder."
He salutes back, "Ad Victoriam Sentinel."
I walk out of the great room and back to the barracks we were first given. I wonder what Max is being held back for. I hope it isn't anything bad.
It's been a while since I've been back. The Spartans must think I've been killed. When I walk in, everyone is surprised to see me in one piece.
Wade walks up to me and smiles shaking my hand.
"Good to see you back Sentinel." He says.
"Good to be back Paladin. So, what'd I miss?" I ask.
"Well," Cade starts, "We've been put in charge for hand selecting current members and new recruits for the Spartans." She says.
"Yeah, and so far, we have four. They've been doing well, but we'll see how much progress they've made when the War starts." Masters says.
I nod, "any new recruits?" I ask.
"Oh yea, plenty. We had to clear out another bunker to make room. I think we've gotten fifty so far, and the numbers keep pouring in." Wade says.
Kennedy nods, "they're doing well. The common census as of now is that they're tired of the NCR not doing anything about the Enclave and their raids and annexation of the north. They want to fight."
"They better keep that attitude." Shire says grumpily.
I nod, "good. So recruits are doing well. What about supplies?" I ask.
"We've been able to work out deals with some caravans and we've established an embassy at Camp Maccaran. They'll be helping us too." Wade says.
"Well, you guys have been busy." I say.
Wade nods, "with every day that passes by, we grow stronger. The NCR will provide vertibirds and more soldiers to help fight. Now we just need to keep training the recruits."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Max and I were able to secure 10,000 more troops." I say.
"10,000?!" Wade says and everyone looks at me in surprise.
I nod, "yea, something called Securitrons?" I say.
Their eyes all somehow widen even more, "how did you manage that?" Shire asks.
I look at them confused, "what, is that good or something?"
"Uh, yea." Wade says, "We've been asking around and doing research and recon of the area. Securitrons are extremely powerful robots. They could decimate a town in the matter of seconds if they wanted. They're equipped with rocket launchers, laser gatlings, and miniguns."
I widen my eyes, "no shit. Well, thats incredible then. I just figured they were some sort of Mr.Gutsy that they had out here."
"Nope, this could turn the tide. But we have to be strategic. We have to plan this out right. What about the legion?" Wade asks.
I shake my head, "they're with the Enclave."
"Damn. Well, doesn't matter. We've got enough forces to put up a good fight. Now we just need to train, do more recon on the Enclave, and then coordinate our attack." Cade says.
I nod, "then lets get to it."
Wade nods, "perfect timing then, we were just about to head out to train."
We all leave the room and I follow them to the training area. Most of my team stays breaks off and goes to a different section, but wade motions for me to follow him. We reach a room where a gun range is set up. Wade stops and turns to me.
"These are new recruits. They are separated from the older members retraining so they can get more one on one time. The spartans train in the field more. That's where the rest of the team went. Feel free to observe these guys and correct any of them if you'd like." Wade says.
"Listen up!" Wade says.
They all stop shooting and turn to look at him.
"This is Sentinel Rogers. She will be helping with your training from time to time. This may be the last time you ever see a Sentinel again so pick her brain. Learn from her. We're going to war, so it's in your best intrest that you do." Wade tells them.
"Yes sir!" They all respond.
Recruits are clumsily finding their way around their plasma or laser rifles, stumbling to reload and fire again. They flinch and miss their target and jerk the trigger. I walk behind them and quietly observe. One guy looks almost scared to shoot. I walk up behind him and watch him for a second.
"It won't bit you know." I tell him.
"Wh-what?" He says nervously.
"The rifle. It won't bite you."
"Yes ma'am." He says.
"Just relax. You are the one in control of the rifle. Not the other way around. The only thing pulling that trigger is you. Okay?" I say calmly.
He nods.
"Now, look down your sights. Take a deep breath. Pull the trigger, slow steady squeeze, and let me watch you." I say.
He takes a deep breath, puts his finger on the trigger and right before he pulls the trigger, not steadily squeezing it, he pushes into the rifle throwing his shot off target.
"I know what you're doing." I say surely.
"What's that?" He asks.
"You're leaning in right before you pull the trigger. You're anticipating the recoil. Don't anticipate, the recoil is going to kick you no matter what. Let it do it's thing. Absorb it through your body and into the floor. All you gotta do is keep your eye on the target, inhale, and at the bottom of the exhale, squeeze the trigger. Don't jerk it." I say.
He nods and tries again. This time, he hits the target, but still leans into the shot, throwing it off once again. He looks frustrated as he lowers the rifle. I take his rifle from him and take the energy cell out and give it back to him.
"There." I say.
He looks at the rifle then back at me, "I don't understand."
"All I want you to do is look at the target, focus and slow steady squeeze that trigger." I tell him.
"What's that gonna do?" He asks.
"You'll see." I tell him.
He shakes his head and tries again. He does all the right steps, squeezing the trigger this time like I told him, but this time he got to see what his body was doing without the added stress of watching the target at the same time. The look of realization hits him when he notices the lean into the shot when he pulls the trigger.
"Man, that is awful." He says chuckling.
"Yup. Practice that for a while, I'll come back in a bit to check your progress." I say and stand to walk away.
"But ma'am, my energy cell-" he says.
"You won't be needing it for a while." I say tossing it in the air and catching it on the way down.
I walk back over to Wade and we stand and watch him click the trigger again and again, his lean slowly going away as he becomes more aware of it.
"Yup, I think he'll be fine." Wade says smirking.
I scoff and we continue watching the recruits stumble their way through training. We've got a ways to go still.