Snowflake in the Sand

Chapter 10

Winter had never thought that the nights in the dessert could get so cold comparable to the unbearable she now felt as if she was back in her mansion in Atlas. But the feeling of cold did not only come from the empty sand that she stood on, she had been feeling cold from the moment her eyes landed on the barren waste that was what Six called Hopeville, but the inhabitants of Primm had a different name for it. The Divide.

A crack in the land where giant explosion had broken out not so long ago, Six had said nothing for the rest of the trip back to the small town. A quiet promise that he would be back before sunrise escaped his lips as he walked towards the night. Winter was too numb to try to dissuade him and so she took refuge on the Bison Steve Hotel. But sleep did not come from her, the image of the red dust and the screams of those trapped down on the Divide made sleep impossible. And now here she was on the rooftop of the hotel looking at the sky.

For the first time in her stay on the Mojave she was alone and a part of her was glad, Six was great company but she just wanted to think about her situation for a while, assess the situation.

"Weiss… I remember that I told you once to never let fear take complete control; I guess your big sister needs to listen to herself" Winter said as her hands shook slightly as she reached for a bottle of water. There were many times that she had powered though her emotions on the Mojave but this was her breaking point, this finally opened her eyes. War had devoured her mind and the cold sweat that she ahd felt in the divide returned in full force.

Home was so far way and it felt so alien to think of a world not covered on the fire of nuclear armagedon. She started to feel like it was a dream, her past life nothing but a daydream.

Winter was surrounded by humanity and their sins and yet it was nothing like home, it felt overwhelming and the only people that knew where Mr. House and Courier Six and the latter one was the only that cared how she felt. But he had been shown his own demons and he was not all there right now, she saw his eyes when they were walking back, she had only seen eyes like that once and it was with Ozpin.

Iron Wood might had the look of a man that had seen too much but only the headmaster had a haunted look of quiet acceptance at sins past. Six had that and she didn't understand why, he had no recollection of anything there so the only reason she could think of why Courier Six looked so haunted was because his mind refused to acknowledge something that deep on his subconscious was a fact. Who he had lost she could only wonder but deep down she knew the answer, he had lost everything and everyone, he was blank slate and by definition of some people on Remnant barely human. But she was just thinking of Six to distract herself from what she was really feeling, she kept thinking on the mission and those around her to not see inside because inside was the little girl who had just stumbled onto her parent yelling at each other. The reason she decided to become a soldier was not just a way to prove to herself and her father that she was not just another pawn but because deep down she did not want to be around the problem that was her family life, but here there was no way to run. Only forward.

Winter didn't know how long she stayed up there but she did feel herself dosing off around the time that the moon was on its shiniest, sparing one las look at her surroundings she saw the shadowy figure of a man wearing the ugliest blue pajamas on the world and small smile made its way into her lips. He did return and that was enough for her now and with the voice in her head quiet for now she returned to one of the rooms in the hotel ready to get at least some hours of rest.

Winter was woken up by the sound of a gentle knock on the door, moving quickly she made her way towards the door and opened it lightly "Hello, I made some food I managed to boil some eggs, don't ask me what species I don't know either and I really don't want to think about it" Six said with a small smile as Winter opened the door fully.

"You okay?" Winter said as she looked at him up and down, he looked surprisingly clean and he even shaved but the dark rings under his eyes told her the entire story she needed to hear. Six was powering though just like she was, ignoring the fear and anxiety of the unknown to keep on moving.

"I think I am, I really don't have an idea… but I'm glad that I took that long walk in the dessert it helped me clear out some of my thoughts; by the way I have something for you, I will be in the dinner when you're ready"

Winter gave him a small nod as she returned to her hotel room and gathered her things, the room itself was barely passable accommodations but she could not be picky. It had a bed and water so she was thankful for that, but she swore she heard things crawl on the walls and the other rooms. Now fully prepared for the day she walked downstairs and found Six eating out of a can with a small bag next to him, Winter grabbed a nearby chair and sat next to him. Six handed her a small plate with a normal looking hardboiled egg, Winter started to eat as she waited for the surprise.

"I found a prison yesterday as I walked" Six said as he put down his now empty can "And there I found something for you" a PipBoy was placed on the table they were eating.

Winter grabbed the PipBoy carefully and passed her hand over the clean screen, as if wanting to see what would happen she placed it on and the screen came to life quickly. She was greeted by the friendly face of the Vault Boy as her stats started to display, she felt some a amusement as it said she was no longer well rested. She had gone through worse before back in boot camp, she could still work with only a few hours of sleep.

"I figured you would need something like it sooner or later but they are quite difficult to find, maybe I should have checked out that Vault Hotel or whatever it was called but you have one now and that's all that matters" the courier said as Winter looked through the different menus on her screen. The specialist looked at her notes and when she found nothing she noed that she could write on them, it gave her an idea for later.

"Thank you Six, I mean it" Winter replied with a smile as she stood up and looked at how the new PipBoy looked on her, hoping to lighten the mood she gave a twirl and looked at Six "How does it look?"

"Well you can't make perfection better but it certainly doesn't look bad on you if you ask me" Six said with a grin making Winter let out a small chuckle. It lifted her spirits a bit to see him better, in the back of her mind she was worried about getting attached but for now she would not let it bother her.

The duo exited the decrepit hotel and started to walk Six stopping to speak to some people from the Mojave Express, Winter waited on the outskirts of the small town, enjoying the morning sun, she felt someone join her but paid them no mind, if they tried anything she would knock them out. But the robbery or violence never came instead a faint smell of smoke reached her nose.

"You know, it will kill you in the long run" Winter said as the rays illuminated the path they needed to take to reach this "Caesar", according to her Pipboy if they didn't stop they could reach it by lunch, but it was never that easy in the Mojave she had learned. Raiders were far too abundant and the creatures made it even worse.

"Lady if smoking kills me then I would consider that a fine way to go" the voice of a stern man said, Winter turned to lok at him and her eyes widened when she saw the outfit of a Powder Ganger. Noticing this he raised his hands "Easy there, I'm not one of them if that's what you're thinking your friend saved me from their base back in that prison"

"Six, saved you? If you wanted to thank him you should just speak to him not me, he is far more approachable" Winter said not fully trusting him, her hand resting on her sword. But the man shook his head "No mam I do not wish to speak to him, I came here with a warning, I have lived a long life as a sheriff and I have seen every person under the sun. From righteous heroes to scum that don't deserve anything but a bullet between the eyes… and your friend over there is shaping up to be something quite scary"

Winter glared "What are you talking about?"

"You didn't saw him enter that prison, he was brutal and if it weren't for his computer I am quite sure he would have killed me, he is not a bad person far from it if he was he wouldn't have gotten me a pardon from the NCR, but he is balancing a difficult life. Keep an eye on him girl, not everyone can just look at the NCR and tell them they are wrong" and with that the man left the shining sheriff badge on his chest catching the sun. Six gave him a wave and the old man tipped his hat towards him, Winter looked at her companion and noted how his boots were stained with a color that she could not quite make out was it blood or was it mud. She was happier not thinking about it and with everything set the walk to cottonwood cove began.

The sun seemed to be less unbearable as her stay on the Mojave extended, but what surprised her the most was the few run ins they had with raiders, only some Jackals had decided to attack them. But their long walk went smoothly for the most part, that was until they reached camp searchlight and the air around them turned green, Winter hear her Geiger counter start to beep and she knew that their pleasant long walk was at an end. The smell in the air was a horrible mix of sulfur and rotten flesh, the dust that moved in the area made it hard to see as well and Winter wondered just what had happened here.

"This doesn't look good" Winter muttered towards her companion but a rush of air and snarl made her jump back. Six was on the ground tackled by a large ghoul dressed in the regalia of the NCR. Acting quickly winter beheaded the creature, not noticing that other two ghouls ran towards them. Winter was thrown back as one of the ghouls rammed its fist against her ribcage, but her aura stopped most of the, but the kick to the spine was another story.

Winter shook her head to rid herself of the pain as her aura shattered and she cursed out loud, how where these decrepit creatures so strong? Six had recovered and shot at the duo. "They set us up, that coordinated attack they did is not how feral ghouls work"

Winter formed glyphs around her and changed sword stance "If they are coordinated, we will respond in kind, Six blind them"

Six threw a grenade at their feet throwing them back and adding more dust to the air, Winter used her glyphs to throw them into the air and slash them, Six waited for one of them to drop to smash his head in. green blood oozed from the ghoul.

"Well that's a little bit gross" Six said as he shook his fist, only for a large splash of it to hit him in the face as Winter removed the arm of the other one. Six let out a sigh but he didn't had time to complain, the ghoul winter was fighting started to glow.

"Oh shit" Six said as he swapped to a shotgun and tried to cripple the ghoul, Winter confused as to why the ghoul started to glow decided to try to finish it off quickly. Six saw that and cursed as he loaded a beanbag round.

Winter gasped as she felt the blast push her away from the target, Winter stared at Six in confusion wondering if he had gone insane but the ghoul answered her, its skin started to crack and then ooze, taking the hint she jumped out of the way just in time as the creature exploded into a gory mess.

Winter coughed at horrible smell and her eyes widened in disbelief as the creature stood still for a second before growling at them, its organs hung from its ribcage and all of its skin was missing leaving a glowing green monster of muscle and bone ready to attack.

Six aimed again ready to blow the head off its shoulders, but from the side of the creature multiple shots destroyed it before it could attack them again Winter cursed and jumped next to him, ready to face a new opponent.

"Easy there, we're here to help Courier Six" an NCR soldier said as he raised his hands. Six dropped his weapon and Winter let out the breath she was holding, then she turned to glare at Six. He gulped nervously and before he could explain he received a slap across the face "SAY SOMETHING! Not just shoot me!" Winter yelled.

"Noted" Six said as he rubbed his cheek ignoring the fuming Winter he turned to the the small platoon "Thanks for the save"

"Don't mention, we ran as soon as he heard trouble thought the legion finally had the balls to see what they here" the NCR soldier said angrily, Six raised an eyebrow.

"The legion did this Mr.…?"

"First Sargent Astor sir and yes they did. This town was one of the main bases of operations before the second battle of Hoover Damn but the Legion hit us before we could truly reinforce this position. They hit our supplies and made tensions rise amongst troops and in all the confusion, they detonated the nuclear remains that where here. So many died and all for nothing, me and my squad keep an eye on things but those bastards never came to see their work"

"Sounds like them, isn't it dangerous for you to be here, so close to them?" Six asked as he handed a stimpak to Winter. Sargent Astor shook his head.

"No, the only issue here is the ghouls. They were once our comrades and we failed them, so the least we can do is guard their grave and make sure that if the legion does come back"

Winter looked at him sadly "But is leaving them like this" she gestured at the mess of blood and gore next to her "a good thing, they are not feral but they are not sane either"

"We know mam, we tried to bring them back but their minds are shattered they think everything near them is an enemy… and we don't have the heart to put them down, so we wanted to ask if you know…"

Six nodded "Sure, I need to do something here just answer me one thing how do you know my name" Winter turned to lok at the NCR but they didn't look as if they had slipped up, instead they looked quite pleased that the topic was brought up.

"We have been informed to be on the lookout for you sir, you are now considered an ally of the NCR… if you meet Ambassador Crocker that is, he extends an invitation to meet him in the embassy on the strip"

Six nodded as he turned towards cottonwood cove "Sure, I will drop by I just need to do some stuff first, if you could let him now that I accept his invitation I would be grateful"

The sergeant gave him a nod "Will do, if you excuse us we need to continue our patrol" the platoon mobilized and once they were out of sight Six spoke up "You're quiet Winter, everything ok?"

"Yes, only wondering some things let's just meet the slavers and get out of here as quickly as possible" Winter lied as she looked just how close they were to their destination, Six gave her a nod and they started their decent towards the land of Caesar.

What surprised Winter the most was just how clean and orderly everything looked, there was no creatures around and the roads where marked, but in the distance she saw the price that came with. People where crucified their blood staining the ground bellow, Winter felt anger rise to her throat as she saw a young woman squirm in agony as her last moments on earth where spent as a demonstration of power by the legion.

Six shook his head at the sight but said nothing, he needed to keep his composure on legion land, they where wolves and the pounced when they felt blood. Winter touched his shoulder and moved her head towards a lone legionnaire stationed nearby, getting the message Six walked towards him a let out a whistle.

The Legionnaire quickly reacted as he drew his weapon but Six raised his hands showing he meant no harm, that didn't stop the machete wielding man to approach them with bloodlust on his eyes.

"What business do you have here degenerate?" the legionnaire asqued his disgust for them obvious, but Winter felt his glare linger on her for much longer than it did on her companion.

"We were invited" Six said simply as he showed the small piece of metal that held so much weight, the attitude of the legionairre quickly changed as he took a step bak in shock "You have the mark of Caesar? Then you must be the one Cursor Lucullus was waiting for he await you at the docks, but we are watching you"

Six gave him a nod and the duo ventured deeper into the legion camp, Winter saw them glare at her the most but they kept their hatred to themselves, the will of their master more important than anything else. But it did not stop the murmurs and threaths. They spoke to themselves saying how good she would look with a salve collar on her neck and how they wanted to crucify Six and let him rot under the sun. "Charming fellows aren't they" she muttered to which Six replied with a chuckle.

The river finally came to view, the water was sickly green color and Winter knew that it she took a drink from it the only thing on her diet for the near future would radaway. Cursor Lucullus was not what she expected he was a plain man with a neutral frown on his face. He did refuse to acknowledge her and turned to Six "Ave, are you ready to head up river"

"Sure, let's get this over with" Six said as he boarded the small raft and gestured Winter to sit next to him, as she sat down she saw Lucullus shake his head at her, but he said nothing. "Stay still dissolute you shake the raft too much"

"Dissolute?" Winter asked, Lucullus nodded as he pushed the raft away from the docks and their trip began, Lucullus at first looked like he didn't want to tlk to her but he finally relented.

"Everyone who has not been reached by the light of the legion is a dissolute, especially women. They are weaker and not as smart as men and yet the dissolutes insist on giving them control, their role is to bear children and secure the future of our race"

Winter raised an eyebrow at the comment, she had hear the spiel before. Never quite so bluntly but one did not reach her rank without angering some of the less charming fellows on the Atlas military.

"I would say that you're wrong but arguing with you will not change your stance and you can't change mine, so instead of fighting over your insecurities why don't you tell me what can we expect when we reach the Fort" Winter said, Lucullus glared harshly at her but focused his attention on the rowing.

"Your weapons will be confiscated and you will be brought before the mighty Caesar himself. The conqueror of eighty-seven tribes, the son of Mars incarnate he guides us towards victory and soon he will claim all of the land touched by the two headed Bear, so I recommend that you be on your best behavior if you don't want to be put on a cross for his entertainment"

The Fort was more imposing than what she thought, the skied themselves seemed to redden in honor of the bull, the marching legionaries paying them no mind. Their weapons were quickly confiscated and a guide was provided so they could walk directly to Caesar. Winter discreetly looked around and felt her ire rise quickly as she saw children no older than ten being trained and indoctrinated by brutes who cared only for results, the women forced to carry things around like mules their eyes connecting with her for a brief moment with the quiet plea for freedom.

She wanted so badly to reach out to them, to free them and comfort them with promises that everything was going to be fine, but it would be a lie and she would die trying or even worse join them. The feeling if impotence made her dig her nails unto her skin, her aura preventing any damage.

"Caesar awaits, if you make any sudden movement we will kill you" the guide said as they reached a large tent. The golden symbol on top of it was ostentatious and it made it clear that this was not a simple tent. As they entered Winter's eyes focused on a throne made of spikes and cloth a display of power and confidance, but she was not so prepared for the mighty Caesar to look so… tired.

He was imposing in his armor, that much was true and his eyes bore into them the moment they stepped inside his tent. But there was something wrong with him, something that she could not quite put to words. But it didn't matter what mattered was getting out of here alive.

"So I finally get to meet the courier who has done so much in so little time, that's why I called you here is it not? I mean a man nearly kills you and your response is to track him down across the Mojave then you kill him on his own casino and get away with it. But the most interesting to me, you waltz into the lucky thirty eight like someone left you a key and something happens to Mr. House's robots. When you want to do something you get it done… I like that, the question is; are you ready to serve?"

Six felt cold sweat run down his back, so Caesar was pretty well informed. His eyes where everywhere in the Mojave it seemed, nto wanting to disrespect the leader of the machete-wielding fanatics Six smiled at Caesar.

"How may I serve your legion Caesar" the courier said making sure to pronounce Caesar the way the people of the legion did. Vulpes who was at Caesar side gave a nod of approval as Caesar himself smirked "I like the servile attitude keep it up, the time is fast approaching for my legion to take Hoover Damn a shatter the NCR, what you see now is only a small fraction of the force that is to come. But before Legate Lanius arrives there must be some preparations, starting here down on the weather station there is a machine that has the same symbol as this" Caesar said as he showed him the platinum chip, Winter's eyes widened at that. Some legionnaire most have ran ahead of them with their equipment.

"I want you to take this platinum chip and destroy whatever is inside of there, am I clear?" Caesar said, his tone not leaving room for argument. Six looked at Winter, as if they were thinking the decision. It was simply a ruse, they needed to go down there and activate whatever Mr. House needed but it gave their story more credit.

"We will do as you ask"

"Good, take this fucking Platinum chip with you and don't return until everything down there is destroyed, goodbye" Caesar said as he turned to speak to Vulpes, but Winter needed to say something.

"Caesar, a moment if you would"

Vulpes was the first to react slapping Weiss across the face, her aura protecting her but she was surprised by the way it crackled. These people where not to be messed with "Hold you tongue woman, how dare speak to the mighty Caesar in such a way"

Caesar raised his hand and Vulpes returned to his post, the leader of the legion eyed her not with lust or hatred as his subordinates did but as if he was dissecting her "You are not from a round here, I know of you, speak but make it briefly"

"Why… why make the legion, I don't understand"

Caesar raised an eyebrow amused at the question while Vulpes and the praetorians stared at her as if she had gone mad "I will put it in a way you could understand, this world died. When the slate was cleaned the NCR took advantage and its stagnant ideology will lead humanity once again to ruin once it collapses. I knew something had to be done a power to crush them and bring humanity back to glory no matter how brutal it looked to outsiders. Stability over all, the legion is the solution to humanity and only I can lead them. Leave before I order my praetorians to hack you to pieces for my entertainment"

Winter maintained a neutral expression but gave a soft bow, before leaving the presence of Caesar. the walk to the weather station was quiet, but she breathed a sigh of relief as their weapon were placed on their hands once again.

"Caesar has allowed your weapons to be returned to you, do not waste this privilege" the guards informed them, Six said nothing as he moved towards the small station. With a grin he inserted the platinum chip on the slot that matched its size and a small tuned to the underground was uncovered. The tunel led them to a large monitor where Mr. House's picture greeted them.

"Just on schedule, down here you will find quite the surprise. Stored underneath Caesar's nose is his downfall" Mr. House said as the lights flickered on and the map on their PipBoys updated.

"The securitrons on the Strip are but a fraction of the orginal number I had originally commissioned, here is how we will change the game"

Winter would never get used to the penthouse of the Lucky thirty-eight, it was otherworldly and it felt artificial. But she was glad it was not Caesar's tent. Their business on his land were short and after some smooth lies and false promises they had left as soon as they arrived. But the images that she ahd seen there would never leave her mind, this world needed change. At first she just wanted to go back home but now she wanted to help those who needed it.

"Thanks to both of you, the future of mankind is looking brighter than ever. I have made little progress on getting information on how to reach your home Winter but I assure you I am looking at all the data possible. But for now there is much thinking that must be done, I need to plan every possible scenario so for now, feel free to go on a trip or see the world" Mr. House said as a securitrons handed a large bag of caps to Six.

Nodding the duo made their way down to their room, as Six fidlded with his PipBoy.

For a moment Winter wondered what he was doing but noticing that she was curious he showed her his screen "You remember how I said that there was a trip organized by the Happy trails Caravan? Looks like i have time to take the job"

Winter gave him a smile "I see, I think I will… I really don't know what to do. I will probably just stay here and read"

"That sounds… boring, do you want to tag along its still probably going to be boring but beats staying locked up in here" Six said as he headed towards his bed. Winter looked at his retreating form "I will think about it"

Winter's Log 1, Subject: Courier Six

I do not know how long it has been since that portal brought me to the Mojave but I figured that it would be a good idea to keep down a log of important data for further cataloging once I get home, if I get home. I think it is fitting that I start this catalog of information with the first person I met on the "Wasteland" as they call it here. He has become my companion for lack of a better word. We both share the same goals and we work for the same boss. I am glad he is on my side; he is as lost as I sometimes am, which brings me some comfort. But he is not a saint, he defnitly did something on his past and even now he tends to lean towards a more violent approach. But I think he just needs companionship to help him. But for now that's all the information I deem important to write down.

A/N: We are headed to Sion. I wanted to thank everyone for the kind comments and suggestions they really make me happy. I noticed that a lot of the questions where if I was going to cover all the DLC and yes I will. This is the entire New Vegas experience and the DLC are quite probably the most fun DLC on fallout history. Next chapter soon, if I don't get distracted with some mods. See you soon!