We Are Legion
Cass and Lucas stood in place - mortified. Cass, in particular, was filled with a mixture of unadulterated anger and fear. While Lucas was shocked at the gruesome display around them, he initially struggled to find the words to say.
"What kind of "lessons" did you teach? It's only evident that you massacred this town! No one deserves the fate you bestowed upon these people!"
Vulpes scoffed at the courier's scolding, "Oh, but that's where you're wrong, friend. Nipton was nothing more than a den of degeneracy, addiction, and whoring. These degenerates had it coming."
Both courier and compatriot clenched their fists in rage, but neither would make it out alive if they were to attempt to avenge Nipton.
"So ya answered degeneracy with torture?," Cass blurted.
"You may call it torture, but I call it purification. The Mojave is plagued with lowlives and unclean habits. The Legion simply aims to bring purity and cleanliness to the region."
"So what, you're gonna fix everyone up on a cross? All in the name of purity?" Lucas asked; his anger manifested in his tone.
"No, not everyone. The able-bodied will be fit with slave collars and perform the menial duties of the legion. Others will be crucified, and some will fight to the death for our amusement. Any profligate troops, NCR, or otherwise will be crushed under Caesar's heel. Perhaps those who remain will remain to serve."
Lucas took note of Vulpes' pronunciation of "Caesar" with a hard 'C'.
"Do ya really think your precious Legion will see to that? That they can defeat the republic?" asked a defiant Cass.
"Truly, you overestimate the strength of your
precious NCR. The Republic will fall at the Dam as justice will be served. That hive of scum and villainy known as 'Vegas' will be ruled under the thumb of the mighty Caesar. With that, I bid you vale."
The two watched as the Legion garrison departed from Nipton. Lucas fought the urge to open fire, but rationalized that he would require much more ammunition.
"H-how c-c-could th-those bast-t-t-ards," Cass was choking up, "r-radio in what we d-discovered n-now."
Swiftly, Lucas grabbed his radio and began dialing it to Ghost's frequency.
"Ranger Ghost, do you copy? I repeat, do you copy?"
"This is Ranger Ghost, come in, Lucas, over.," the NCR sniper responded.
"I have a status report on Nipton, and let's just say it's worse than you'd expected, over."
"What's the situation? Over."
"The Legion sacked the town. Everyone is deceased. Most were crucified. Over."
Silence.
"Ghost, do you copy? Over."
"Yeah, this is far worse than we could have imagined. The Legion this far west of the river; now this is worrisome. Over."
"Is there anything other way I may assist? Over."
"Since you asked, would you mind making your way to Camp Forlorn Hope? It's due east of the town of Novac. They've been hit hard after the Legion took control of the nearby town of Nelson. Over."
"I'll make it a point to stop there. Over and out."
Lucas tucked the radio back into his bag and caught a glimpse of Cass sitting up against a rundown shop. Her hat was covering her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. The courier took a seat to the left of his new friend and put his arm around her.
"Hey, I know how distressing this must be for you; I hope you know that I'll never let anything like this happen to you or anyone else, you understand.," he whispered to her softly.
"I-I-I c-c-c-an't believe i-it!," she sputtered, "w-why c-couldn't the NCR s-s-st-stopped this?!"
'Maybe because they're full of incompetents." Lucas thought to himself.
"Well, with the roads being blocked at the time and being short-handed, there wasn't much they could've done."
"B-but the o-outpost isn't too far from h-here!"
"I know, but the NCR didn't expect the Legion to come this far across the river. Besides, they had to keep caravaneers like yourself safe first and foremost. " he smiled at her reassuringly.
Both stood up as Lucas pulled her into a hug.
"You'll be okay, I promise, as does ED-E."
ED-E beeped affirmingly.
"Thanks, fellers, you're too kind. Now, enough of this sentimental shit, we should be heading towards Novac, right?" Cass asked as she wiped her tears.
Lucas checked his Pip-Boy and took notice of the distance between Nipton and Novac.
"Actually, we should settle in until the morning. I don't wanna get caught in an ambush during the night. Hell, after what we just witnessed, I think we need some rest."
"I say we bunk in the gift shop for the night. Just the three of us and that Boxcars fella." Cass suggested with a half-smile.
"Sounds like our only option at this point," Lucas chuckled.
It was a bit uncomfortable listening to Boxcars rant about wanting to "fucking OD" but aside from that the duo got plenty of rest until the next morning.
"So head to Novac first or save the Powder Gangers?" Cass asked the courier.
"Novac, I need to resupply before I go play, hero," he responded, "are you two ready to roll?"
ED-E beeped.
"Only if you are." A reply came from Cass.
"Then let's hit the road!"
Aside from a couple amateur ambushes set up by some Vipers, the three companions faced little setbacks en route to Novac. That is, until they spotted a five man squad of legionaries wating to ambush a small caravan heading north.
"Shit, a legion ambush!" Cass shouted in a whisper, "three behind the billboard and two behind the boulder."
Lucas readied his service rifle.
"I see 'em, and it looks like that caravan is heading right towards 'em!"
The three amigos wasted no time in catching up with the caravan.
"Wait!," Cass shouted, which caught the attention of the merchant and his two guards, "you're walking into a legion ambush!"
"What? Are you sure?," the merchant fearfully asked.
"Just look!," Cass pointed towards the advancing legionaries.
All five of them leaped behind boulders as the legion troops opened fire.
ED-E ,in the meantime, managed to reduce one of their assailants to ashes.
The caravan guards peeked from behind cover, and before they got any shots off, their heads were reduced to red paste.
"No, damn it!," cried the merchant.
"Stay put, we got you covered!" Lucas ordered to the lone merchant.
Cass and Courier advanced on the position of the legionaries. A well-timed shot from Cass took one of their head's clean off.
An advancing legionaire charged Lucas with his machete, but Lucas smashed the legionarie's face with the butt of his rifle. He proceeded to aim, said rifle under his attacker's chin, and pulled the trigger. Within seconds, Cass and ED-E killed the last two standing.
"My God, I cannot thank you guys enough!" The merchant thanked the trio.
"Are ya gonna be safe traveling by yourself?," a concerned Cass asked, "you've got a hefty target on your back now that your guards are dead."
"Shit, well, if I can make it to Novac in one piece, I could regroup with another caravan. Until then, I'm screwed."
"We can escort you," offered Lucas, "we're heading there anyway."
"Yeah, we're more than capable bodyguards, as you can tell," Cass added.
"I'll happily take you two up on that offer." The merchant smiled, "How much for your services?"
"Free of charge," Lucas replied.
"Man, aren't you two a couple of angels! Thank you so much!"
The remainder of the trek to Novac was peaceful. Lucas took in the humble little town whose namesake came from the broken 'no vacancy' sign, which sat in front of the town's motel.
"Man, that's so cool." Lucas awed at the giant green dinosaur, "I wonder if we can go inside?"
"Why, of course you can!," a familiar voice shouted, "well butter my butt and call me a biscuit; if it ain't my friend from Goodsprings!"
"Victor!," an excited Lucas beamed, "what are you doing in Novac?"
"Oh, I've just happened to come through here on my way to New Vegas, same as you, I reckon."
"Say, I could always use an extra gun at my side."
"No can do, partner. I'm on a schedule, but if I see you along the way, then I'll give you my regards."
A dejected Lucas slumped his shoulders in disappointment.
"I s'pose we should rent a room for the night. I imagine we'll be in town for a while. " Cass nudged Lucas towards the Dino-Dee-Lite lobby, "who or what was that?"
"Oh, that's Victor, the robot who dug me out of my grave after being shot in the head. Why do you ask?"
"I... I have SO many questions."
"I have SO many answers. For now let's rent a couple of rooms."
Cass felt heartbroken when Lucas said "a couple rooms" as she had developed a crush on her new friend. Them, along with ED-E, entered the motel lobby and were greeted by an older lady. Her glasses sat low on the bridge of her nose, and her hair was in a disheveled ponytail.
"My, I haven't seen you two -" she took notice of ED-E, "three before, are you new in town?"
"Yes Ma'am, we are." A pleasant Lucas asked, "I was wondering if you had two rooms for rent?"
"I'm sorry dearie, but I've only got one last room available."
A grin crept on Cass's face.
"Alright, we'll take it. How much?"
"50 caps per night."
Lucas grimaced at the price but handed over 100 caps for two nights. The trio made their way to their room. It only had a queen sized bed, two chairs, a television set (which doesn't work), a dresser, a safe, a wardrobe cabinet, and a bathroom.
"Nice place, I reckon." Cass said in approval.
"Yeah not bad at all. I suppose I'll let you take the bed while we're here. I don't mind sleeping in a chair." Lucas stated.
Cass shrugged, "it's whatever."
After settling in to their temporary home; the gang walked up to the Dino-Dee-Lite gift shop. Lucas traded in some of his old gear for a some food, ammo, and a futuristic looking handgun he named "That Gun."
Just as they were about to leave the shop; gunfire was heard and they rushed out on to the sniper's nest. A man wearing a mercenary outfit with a red beret was opening fire.
He took notice of the three and gestured out in front of the town; where a small platoon of legion forces had amassed.
"Do me a favor and alert the town! Go!" the man commanded
They sprinted around town going door to door shouting "the legion is coming!" half the town came out with their own weapons; while the other half stayed locked inside their homes.
An NCR ranger, another man in a red beret, a couple ranchers and an older gentleman took to the frontlines. Lucas and company helped fend off the legion forces in a firefight that lasted roughly an hour.
The sniper in the dinosaur came down to thank them as did the other residents. Noticeably absent was the other beret wearing man.
"Thank you for helping back there. Had you not come along; Novac would've been Legion territory now. Oh, I'm Manny by the way, Manny Vargas." He shook Lucas and Cass's hands.
"Don't mention it. It was the least we could do. I'm Lucas Matthews, this is my friend Cass, and my brobot ED-E.," Lucas introduced, "by chance did you happen to see a man in a checkered suit pass through here?"
"I did, why do you ask?"
"He has something of mine."
"You mean that chip? Man, that thing has bad luck written all over it."
"You're preaching to the choir." Lucas said with a chuckle.
"Maybe if you help me, then I'll tell you where he went?" Manny inquired.
"Depends on what needs to be done."
Manny went on to explain how ghouls were trickling from the nearby Repconn test site into Novac. Upon further questioning he told Lucas and company about Boone and his wife which piqued Lucas's interest.
"So a man's wife gets abducted in the middle of the night; and he suspects someone in town sold her to the legion?" an intrigued courier asked, "and you're more concerned about ghouls wandering into town?"
"Well, I've tried helping Boone but he refuses my aid. I turned my focus on protecting my town from the outside. I can't play sheriff in the meantime." Manny elaborated.
"We'll see what we can do."
A/N:
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review or ask me any questions! Personally, this chapter was a bit boring for me to write. Once this story reaches The Strip it'll really start to pick up. I have massive plans for how the story ends.