Chapter 84: Healthy Confrontations
The lizard charged him once more. The fighter weaved around the strikes, pummeling the beast's jaw for every overextension. Launching itself over the fighter, the beast snapped as the fighter rolled away from its grasp. Overshooting once again, the lizard pushed forward as the fighter got back to his feet and climbed atop the lizard, using its spine as rungs on a ladder as he wrapped his arm around the beast's neck.
"…SAY UNCLE!" Lionel demanded as Davy was brought to the ground, gasping for air.
Watching the fight unfold, Ronny cheered her brother while Petey complained about his timidity. Andrea just sat still, clutching the Moonstick with all her might.
"THAT'S IT, DAVY, POWER THROUGH!" Ronny cheered.
"FALL ON YOUR BACK! THAT'LL GET HIM OFF!" Petey heckled.
By the time the comment registered to Davy, Lionel had already repositioned himself to avoid the brunt of the action, hanging off the lizard like a necktie. As the last of the air in his lungs was expended, Davy began to tap on his arm. As he collapsed onto the ground, Lionel eventually released his grip from the lizard's neck. "Man, you almost had me there a few times," Lionel grinned, his sportsmanship driving him to compliment any opponent who pushed him, even (especially) those who tried to kill him. He kissed the lizard on the top of its head. "Haven't had a fight like that in ages!"
"Glad to… help…" Davy wheezed.
"Davy gets to play with the fun human," Petey welched. "And we're stuck here with the boring one," he glared down at Andrea, who once again refused to acknowledge him. They had spent most of their travelling time together either dragging her along at Lionel's insistence or keeping her under Ronny's watch, where she only huddled up and refused to speak, barely eating whatever they provided her.
Petey began poking Andrea on the side of her head. "…DO SOMETHING!"
Andrea was transported mentally back to Shi-Frisco. Her recent film, "Of Bears and Bulls," had been a smash hit, her first leading role where she remained fully clothed throughout the feature. Her handler at the CIB stationed her at Vegas, where she was to play the role of a socialite enjoying a vacation on someone else's caps. That evening, a group of three winged dragons burst into her hotel room and threatened to abduct her, only for an idiot riding atop a bighorner to arrive, drawing out his wooden sword and pledging to defend her in the name of the Moon.
"…C'mon. Do something. Please?" Petey kept pestering. "…Make a joke. Cry. Breed. Anything?"
"Oh, man, that was one hell of a workout," Lionel announced as he toweled off himself with his jacket. "I could go another round. You two, Teeth and Tiny, either of you guys want to go?"
Ronny and Petey looked to one another, then to Davy as he fell on his back in exhaustion. The human male was enthusiastic and a lot of fun, but he was a bit much. The only reason they hadn't eaten him yet was because they knew he wouldn't go quietly, and they didn't want to risk any injuries before they found their nascent brother. That and the fact that something about the stick the female was now carrying did something to negate their usual appetite. For the first time in a long while, all of the lizards, even Petey, were content.
"…I know," Lionel grinned as he looked down on Andrea. "You're going to help me burn off some of this energy," he chuckled darkly as he grabbed her.
As Davy got back to his feet, he trotted up to his siblings as he rubbed his neck. "…He's strong. Real strong. I think we might get some use out of him once we find Sonny."
Petey looked at his brother. "You really think he can kill him?"
"Sonny hasn't met a human who ever really scared him. The only one he ever feared was Papa and anything bigger than he was, like the snake or that gecko."
"Don't remind me," Ronny shuddered. They had lost many littermates in their battle against the fire-breathing beast. Were it not for Papa and his ability to weather the onslaught, their pack would have been destroyed entirely. Still, it was that incident that encouraged the three siblings to work as a pack going forward, lest they be picked off by other predators or hunters, much like the one staring them down from his scope.
"Well, whether or not he can win, having someone who can challenge Sonny is something we cannot discount. At this point, I don't care if it's a fellow lizard or a human, the sooner Sonny dies the better for all of us. We cannot expect someone like the armored cowman to handle it on our behalf."
"Who's the armored cowman?" Lionel asked as he did another pushup, the huddled Andrea riding his back as a weight.
"Another human mammal creature that gave us even more trouble than you," Davy explained. "He actually took on all three of us before we were driven off by the hound-riders."
"WHAT?!" Lionel fell to the ground as he lost his traction, Andrea rolling off as she landed on her side, her egg-like posture unbroken. "You mean… someone already fought a deathclaw in hand-to-hand combat?"
"More like hand-to-claw, but yes," Ronny nodded, reluctantly. "Wasn't much of a fight, but he was kicking Petey's ass something fierce."
"Nuh-uh," Petey shook his head. "He just got lucky and caught me off guard."
"You were the one who started the fight in the first place!" Davy shot back.
As the three lizards began their argument, Lionel stood there in tears. His prized accolade, the one he spent his entire life dreaming about and training for, had already been taken from him without his knowledge. The first human to beat a deathclaw into submission, and someone out here had already beaten him to that punch.
Then he realized something. There was someone out there who was, finally, as strong as he was. Someone who could take on an apex predator and come out victorious. He now had a new dream. He would meet this man, confront him, and challenge him to the greatest fight the wasteland had ever seen.
"…Mandi, I don't know who this armored cowman is, but I make this vow," he said as he rested his foot on her shoulder. "…That man is someone I have to meet. I need to see this man for myself, compare my size to his. Stand next to him at the urinal. Then, when all is said and done, I will finally understand what it means to be strong."
"…MY NAME'S ANDREA, YOU IDIOT!" Andrea finally shrieked as she threw off his foot from her shoulder. "OH MY GOD, IHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOU-" she screamed as she began throwing windmilling punches at Lionel's arms.
"Hey, guys, look!" Ronny announced to her brothers. "The female is trying to kill Lionel!"
"Cool!" Davy and Petey crowed in unison as they surrounded the two humans. "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!" the lizards began to chant as Andrea kept slapping at an increasingly confused Lionel's arms. Some distance away, the sniper watched the event unfold.
"…Anything to report?" Arcade asked as he knelt beside the sniper.
"…I have no freaking idea where to even begin," Boone confessed.
Barabbas sat before the woman as she relayed her information. Having traveled this far out, the contingent of the Legios Amazonia that struck out westward had endured no small amount of hardship. In addition to having fled from the 4th Legion, they had been continually menaced by the wildlife, local banditry, and the elements. The commander, Bea, estimated that about twenty percent of her unit had perished, all things considered, leaving her with roughly three hundred or so warriors still able to fight. Although the Amazons tended to travel light, they were nearing the end of their supplies and needed to dip into the combined stocks of the AEG/Liberty Clans to continue to be combat-operable.
"I shall confer your requests to Major Wallace and Sovereign Larain," Falco noted.
Bea nodded. "I am thankful, my masters. Tell me, of what condition is the Oracle in?"
Falco, for a brief but key moment, hesitated in his answer. "She's dead," Barabbas stated, bluntly.
Bea looked up to her new Caesar. "The Oracle passed?!"
"She was murdered, having left your care," Barabbas continued. "I buried her some many miles back. And we've no time for a proper ceremony."
"…I see," Bea replied, softly. She drew out her gladius and angled it over her stomach.
"BELAY THAT ACTION!" Falco screamed in panic as Barabbas watched on, impassively.
"The Oracle has died under my watch. I was the captain of her personal guard. The failure is mine," Bea responded through her grit.
"It wasn't your fault! It wasn't anyone's fault!" Falco pleaded. "Barabbas, Caesar, tell her it was beyond her control."
Barabbas just stared down at the female warrior commander. "…Don't kill yourself until I give the order. So sayth Caesar," he finally ordered as he stood up and walked away. Falco took a moment to commend Bea and informed her to get some water as soon as possible before striding after Barabbas.
"I would've hoped you'd have enough sense to appreciate the good fortune that has just fallen upon us," Falco hissed at his commander.
"Didn't mean to disappoint you again," Barabbas replied, unconcerned.
"Having proper soldiers of Caesar marching under your banner will legitimize your claim to the throne," Falco pressed. "Taking care of them should be our top priority."
"And taking care of my mother should have been theirs. Tartarus below, looking after my sister should have been theirs," Barabbas growled.
Falco listened to his superior, understood the true issue, and exhaled. "…I understand your bitterness about the current situation, but our only priority is Dallas. These women can help us retake your birthright."
"And they are welcome to it," Barabbas replied, sullenly and under his breath.
Falco immediately got out in front of Barabbas, glaring at him. Barabbas awaited another strike or scolding from his lieutenant. Instead, the old warrior sighed as he took off his helmet, holding it under his shoulder as he looked up at his commander.
"…Considering our circumstances, I understand that you see me as a subordinate first and a friend a distant second, so I must humbly ask you if you would do be the courtesy of dispensing our rank and allow us to speak as equals?"
"…Permission granted," Barabbas acquiesced.
"I get it. You'd rather spend your time with Pariah and Kyra. And I also get that more than that, you hate Dallas. I know I pretend otherwise, but it's obvious to me and I imagine most of the riders," Falco began. Barabbas tried to walk away, only to be intercepted by Falco once more. "And before you get offended, I'll have you know that I understand. You resent going on campaign, your duties, the responsibilities you never asked for, and putting your and others lives on the line for a city you despise, I get it. While as your second I am bound to admonish you, as your friend, I understand," Falco nodded.
"…The sad fate of this is that you are the only one who can really end this civil war before it starts. While not all will back Scorpio, leaving him unchecked will only bring about suffering, at home and abroad. I'm sure Sabine and Tashe have taken steps to protect themselves, but every day I'm out here I fear for them," Falco continued, for the first time all trip bringing up his wife and her servant, the closest thing he had to a family back home.
"I ask you to go back east for their sake, Barabbas. For theirs and countless others who will be marked by a bloody and senseless war that will destroy any possibility of the Legion achieving something good and meaningful. I know you have little respect for our history, and there is assuredly plenty to deride about our past. But it is our past, regardless of how much we chose to honor or scorn it. And regardless, we are fast approaching a crossroads," Falco kept on.
"If Scorpio's coup is successful, the only thing guaranteed is more bloodshed. And the only thing that can prevent that is you defeating that boy, be it on the battlefield or by some other means I cannot foresee. And if nothing else, I need you to ascend on the throne, if only for that purpose," Falco's voice hardened. Barabbas just stared past him, blankly. "…After that, though, what you choose to do and how you enact it will be your own," Falco eventually confessed. Barabbas's eyes snapped right back to his second.
"What do you mean?" Barabbas asked.
"If, hypothetically, your first order of business was determining your successor and, upon consolidating your decision, you abstain from the throne, that would be, if nothing else, justifiable," Falco continued.
"…Are you saying what I think you're saying," Barabbas continued.
"Keeping Scorpio off the throne and choosing a worthy successor to it is the bare minimum of your obligations to Imperial Dallas. More than that no one can ask of you," Falco relented. "And whatever your decision, I will help you every step of the way, my son."
"…Thank you, Falco," Barabbas said, overwhelmed by the unconditional support of the closest thing he ever really had for a friend. "…I just really-"
"HOWEVER!" Falco snapped. "…I must warn you. If you are thinking about volunteering me for the job, I will refuse you here and now, and you can consider whatever friendship that exists between us over," he said, his eyes hard and uncompromising.
"O-of course," Barabbas stammered. "I would do no such thing, I assure you," he said as he mentally crossed out the very first name on his list of "Replacement Caesars."
"And I imagine most of the tribunes and veteran commanders would feel the same way," Falco continued. "Caesar Lanius frequently told the lot of us the differences between ruling and commanding, and how much he hated the first and missed the second. I very much doubt it is an uncommon sentiment."
"I understand and agree," Barabbas nodded as he crossed out more and more names.
"And if you install a Senator-" Falco started to say.
"DEAR MARS, NO!" Barabbas cried in exasperation. "What do you take me for?!"
Falco looked up before breaking a small smile. "Just wanted to see if you were paying attention."
Barabbas took Falco's helm from under his arms and placed it back onto his head. "Somehow your friendship threatens to be far more stressful than your service, Falco," Barabbas stated.
"I mean, if the absolute worst comes to worst, the most viable option I can think of is installing one of your own as the heir. Granted it might take two decades or so, but who knows, maybe they'll somehow be a genius at an early age?"
"…Are you mocking me, Falco?" Barabbas asked his second, sternly.
"Just going over all possibilities," Falco bowed his head, avoiding eye contact.
"Next you'll be telling me to find a princess," Barabbas snorted.
"The only one I know is Rosa, and I think we both agree that particular ship has sailed," Falco replied. This statement finally got a laugh out of Barabbas. "Still so insightful in your old age," Caesar heckled. "I mean, if you don't want to live with her, you just have to marry her and perform your conjugal duties as you feel are necessary," Falco added. The sound of Barabbas retching finally broke the older centurion as they both finally shared a laugh.
Elsewhere, Bea watched as her sisters awaited their water rations. This new army, dissolute as they were, and despite how resentful that they now had to further strain their supplies, passed on what little water they could offer without complaint. A small part of Bea resented having to depend on California for charity but couldn't help but be grateful that Caesar had found trustworthy allies. After all the suffering she had endured at the hands of the 4th Legion and their infernal allies, every rifle they could point against the upcoming onslaught was a welcome one.
One of the Liberty Clanners had heard an army of women had just entered their camp, and made it his mission to, in his words, "rizz up the Texas honeys and give them the best ride outside of one of those dogs the other dudes got." While most were content to ignore him, more than a few of her girls pulled weapons on him, their gratitude for the hospitality of this "AEG" the only thing staying their hands. The clanner, Matty his name apparently was, took it as evidence of his supreme charm.
"Excuse me," a new voice spoke to her. Bea turned to see a tanned-skinned woman waiting before her with a draught of water. Offering it to the Amazon, Bea wordlessly took it and guzzled a fair amount of it, leaving enough for the other woman to have her fill.
"Are you one of these Clanners?" Bea asked.
"No, I'm with… I mean, I was with… I came out here with Barabbas," Kyra explained. "You're an Amazon, like Hypatia, right? You worked for the Oracle?"
"…I did," Bea answered, her shame evident.
"Can I ask you something?" Kyra began. "I want to know about the other girls in Fort Wrath."
"Barabbas's harem?" Bea asked.
"Yes. With Scorpio, I was just curious about…" Kyra wanted to press forward but was clearly terrified about whatever answer Bea would have in store for her.
"…By order of the Oracle herself, members of Caesar Barabbas's harem were taken to various sanctuaries dotted throughout the greater Dallas area. The ultimate plan of the moves was to surrender the women under the custody of Tribune Aleron and his allies."
"And did they make it?" Kyra asked, hopefully.
"…The Legios Amazonia is an espionage unit, first and foremost. With most of the Frumentarii stationed to the north and south, I have the utmost faith in my sisters that they protected the mighty Caesar's breeding stock," Bea thought with a sense of open derision.
"They're good girls," Kyra shot back, hating the thought of someone seeing her friends like Misty and Estelle so lowly.
"…I know," Bea confessed. "…The war hasn't been going in our favor," she explained, indicating the Amazons as a whole. "Any unit stationed near Laredo who didn't make it to the east has likely been destroyed. Scorpio has no interest in prisoners, and if even half of the Legios Amazonia is intact I would consider that a miracle."
Kyra looked on with tears in her eyes at the broken-down warrior. Bea stretched herself to her limits, only to watch as a group of women that she effectively saw as her family was slowly and surely wiped out. Kyra thought of her own people and couldn't help but empathize with the woman. She placed her hand onto hers. "…I'm so sorry."
"…As much as it pains me to say, though, I hope they're safe or I hope they're dead," Bea finally said.
"…I understand," Kyra nodded as a dark-haired woman wordlessly approached the loudmouthed Liberty Clanner, silently flirting with him as her actual silent partner began pouring something onto a rag.
Scorpio rested on his cot, having just now found enough time to relax. Lighting a candle by his nightstand, the uncrowned Caesar pulled out the drawer beneath it as he fished out his book. Grabbing the wine bottle in his other hand, he uncorked it as he began to read.
Their pursuit of the Grand Slut's army of bitches had been largely fruitless. Every now and then a handful of holdouts would launch a delaying attack and kills some of his velites but eventually they would be ridden down and consumed by his cavalry. The only reason he knew he was even going in the right direction was finding the odd body in the desert, having expired from their inability to gather supplies while on the run. Once he defeated this rogue sect, he'd then locate Barabbas and exterminate him at his leisure. He even had his chariot set with a nice pike through which Barabbas could witness Scorpio's ultimate triumph upon their return home.
All that being said, what good was having a large army if he couldn't delegate? Having handed command over to Tyrus and Jefferson, Scorpio was going to enjoy the first period of free time he had to be truly alone. Cheslie and May Lin weren't as much fun to play with as they had been, resigned to their future as they were. Scorpio was somewhat surprised at how melancholic he was about his broken toys, but he'd assuredly find some new ones. Perhaps not the Oracle, Mars forbid someone put another mutant in that rancid womb of hers. No, his thoughts drifted to the one who got away, the one who begged Barabbas to take her as far away from the man who dispatched her mewling tribe. Either that or the alleged daughter of the "Hostis Publicus" that Lanius told him about before his… untimely expiration. An interesting little morsel and an opportunity for a little retribution for all the humiliation the Caesars endured at the damnable dam. And then there was the possibility of getting his hands on Barabbas's lovely little sister…
As he paid little heed to the baying cavalry hounds, he opened his book and picked up where he left off. The RMX had given him many gifts over the course of their partnership, but rare items such as mint-condition books were a market unto themselves. While Scorpio was never much one for dissolute literature, with this particular author he had found a kindred spirit. As he thumbed through the pages of 120 Days of Sodom, he took equal parts satisfaction as well as inspiration throughout the anthology.
"Sir, your presence is requested!" his sentry called out from outside his tent.
"I'm busy!" Scorpio snapped. "Talk to Tyrus!"
"Sir, we have a delegation that really wants to talk to you," the sentry continued, nervously.
Slamming his book close, Scorpio got up from his cot and strolled over to the entryway, grabbing his halberd as he fumed. "You paltry little pleb, if this matter could be resolved without disturbing me, I will have you gelded and feed you your own-" he stopped as he opened his tent flaps and stood before a jet-black lizard who stared back at him with its only eye.
Scorpio immediately and martially spun his polearm before him as the lizard staggered back a little. Its rider, however, held on tight as he brought his mount to a relative heel. "Revelacion, please, you're startling our host," Nemesio coaxed as Sawney turned away to hiss at the baying hounds. Confused, Scorpio turned to his sentry, only to find the terrified soldier held hostage as a man with piercing blue eyes held a knife to the soldier's throat. "To be guarded by such a rank amateur, how the mighty Legion has fallen," the man teased with a smile. Scorpio twirled around his polearm, swiping at the neck of the intruder. Vulpes ducked away right before the cut, letting his hostage's head tumble onto the ground, following the rest of the body.
"I must confess that I approve," Vulpes grinned. "Such failure is fit only for one such punishment."
"…Quite," Scorpio replied as he eyes the stranger nervously. The two stared at one another until Vulpes finally sheathed his knife. "…So, you're the young consul I've heard so much about?"
"It would appear so. To whom am I addressing?" Scorpio asked.
"I answer to Vulpes Inculta," the synth announced.
"Nonsense. Vulpes would be just another geezer taking up space and waiting to die. Who are you really?" Scorpio asked.
"…Someone who shares a mutual acquaintance. I believe you are quite familiar with one "Abacus," are you not?"
Scorpio nodded while internally seething. Of course, this was yet another display of subterfuge and mind games courtesy of the RMX leadership. Abacus was useful, doubtlessly, but Abacus also frayed his nerves. He had no idea how or where they received a lookalike of the most infamous of the Frumentarii, nor any idea as to what ends they wished to take this emulation of one of his idols, but Scorpio did not make it this far by questioning his suppliers.
Elsewhere, at the bottom of the camp, legionaries nervously milled around the priests as they stood steadfast, some at the ready and others in deep prayer to their nihilistic deities. They had suddenly appeared before the horizon and marched into camp unannounced and unmolested, largely due to the shock of their sudden arrival. As the perimeter was guarded by fresher and newer recruits, the sight of the heavily armed and fearless priests rattled most of them, with a few who kept their wits leaving to collect the veterans or the armored soldiers of their ally.
Valerius stormed through the ranks of the recruits as he barked out curses and threats. "YOU LET THEM WALK RIGHT INTO OUR CAMP, PENETRATING OUR LINES THIS DEEP?! IF I WERE IN COMMAND, THE LOT OF YOU WOULD BE DISEMBOWLED FOR SUCH SHAMELESS INCOMPETENCE! I SWEAR I WILL REDUCE ALL RATIONS FOR THE LOT OF YOU FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, SUCH AN EMBARRASSING DISPLAY OF-"
Jefferson then arrived, flanked by his dark-armored paladins. Wordlessly, he motioned to the priests that his men had prepared some accommodations for them and that Scorpio and their leaders had reached an agreement. "Welcome to the Legion," Jefferson announced as the priests blessed him and walked past Valerius, ignoring him. One of them was so brazen as to shoulder-check the centurion as he walked past.
"WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" Valerius shrieked at the disrespect. The gunner stared right at him. "…WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!" the centurion demanded to know.
"Nothing," Cade answered.
"…Are you mocking me?" Valerius growled.
"I didn't stutter," Cade replied as he and his eyebot kept with the rest of the priests, much to the rage of the angry young centurion.
Standing atop the hill at the center of the camp, Scorpio stood with Vulpes and Nemesio, who along with the latter's mount watched as the priests began to integrate themselves within the 4th Legion's camp under the assistance and watchful eye of Jefferson's Detroiter Chapter. Vulpes and Scorpio kept darting their eyes towards one another, unsure of whether or not to regard the other as a friend or foe. Sawney was wondering whether or not the hounds were going to stop yapping, as his presence seemed to agitate the hounds even more than it did the people, which was an unusual experience for the reptile. Nemesio beamed in pride as he watched the masses of humanity, twisted as they were, brought together for a singular purpose. To wage war against the rest of the world, the holiest calling imaginable.