The Fate of the Mojave Brotherhood

Sarah stared down at the dark haired woman with disbelief. Her home?! The audacity of this scavenger to call this sacred place her home…

But then, Sarah contemplated another possibility. "Show me your left arm."

Veronica seemed to have a panicked and confused look on her face, and when she didn't move, Sarah pointed the gauss rifle directly at her head. "Show me your left arm!"

Veronica closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After slowly removing her right hand from her power fist, she pulled down the sleeve of her cloak…revealing the tattoo of the Brotherhood of Steel.

Sarah's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the emblem, and she blinked twice to make sure it wasn't an illusion.

"So what happens now?" Veronica asked. "Do you just kill me, or turn me over to the NCR?"

Much to Veronica's surprise, Sarah responded by placing her rifle on the ground. The Sentinel removed the armor plating on her left arm; revealing the same tattoo. "My name is Sarah Lyons, Sentinel of the Eastern Chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel."

Veronica's eyes widened, and she nearly burst into tears.

Sarah smiled as she offered her hand and helped the young woman up. To Sarah's surprise, Veronica threw her arms around her. After realizing the Sentinel was not returning the gesture, Veronica quickly stepped back and tried to compose herself.

"Oh…I'm sorry. Sorry, Sentinel ummm…" she presented an awkward salute, "...Ad Victorium."

Sarah returned the salute - and tried her best to contain her smirk. "At ease."

"I just…wow! I'd never imagined I'd ever find anyone else…especially from another chapter. Oh my gosh! Is your friend okay?"

Marcus made his way over to them. "I'm fine. That's a hell of a right hook you got there."

"This is Marcus, Star Paladine of our chapter."

Veronica saluted again. "Veronica Santangelo. Brotherhood Scribe and professional scrounger."

Marcus shook her hand. "Nice to meet you. I hope I never get on your bad side."

His little quib about the situation seemed to help Veronica to relax.

"We thought this place had been abandoned."

"Well, it's made to look that way. We use it from time to time as a safehouse while on missions. Oh, where are my manners! Come in…sit down." She led them into the small room where she had set up camp. "Sorry about the mess. I have some pork n' beans if you're hungry."

Sarah sat down at a metal table with a bunsen burner and small computer on it. "That won't be necessary. We'd actually like a sitrep on what's been happening out here."

After clearing a few things off another chair, Veronica sat down and opened a can of pork n' beans. "Well, I hope you don't mind if I eat. I'm starving." She shoveled a large spoonful into her mouth. "Mmmm! Say what you want about the old world [slurp]...they knew how to cook."

As the scribe continued to devour her meal, Sarah was getting visibly annoyed. Making it worse was the fact that Marcus was sitting next to her giggling at the whole scene.

The Sentinel loudly cleared her throat. "Scribe! Your report?"

Veronica quickly swallowed her current mouthful. "Well…let me see. I think there's about two-hundred eighty-five of us, give or take. We have a few safehouses like this one, but all of us are hold up in a bunker in Hidden Valley."

Two-hundred and eighty-five, Sarah thought. It wasn't great, but it was more than they thought they'd find out here. "Who is your Elder?"

"Before the war with the NCR it was Father Elijah. But…he disappeared after the battle of Helios One. Now our Elder is Mcnamara."

Marcus leaned forward. "What is Helios One?"

Veronica let out a tired sigh. It was clear the memory was a bitter one. "Well, it's a solar power station in the middle of the Mojave. But to us…it was Armageddon." She took the last bite of her pork n' beans and placed the can on the table. "After the NCR had defeated our chapters out West they came here looking for resources. They were quick to occupy Hoover Dam, but we still held Helios One. For years we fought a guerrilla war against the NCR, and we made life very difficult for them out here. But then, in 2276, they launched Operation Sunburst and attacked Helios One.

"They sent wave after wave of troopers at us. It didn't matter how many we killed. One-hundred. Two-hundred. A thousand more would be coming over the hill. I remember our guns were overheating so bad that some of them literally melted down!"

She shook her head. "We…the Paladines begged Elijah to order a withdrawal, but he wouldn't listen. He was convinced that Helios One held some terrible secret weapon that the NCR must not have. He was determined to hold it…no matter the cost."

There was a long pause, and once again the bunker was as silent as a tomb. It was clear the memories of the terrible day the Mojave Brotherhood fell were getting to the young scribe, and she needed a moment to compose herself. Sarah and Marcus sat in silent horror as she continued.

"By the time it was over, half of our order and most of the veterans were dead…and Father Elijah was gone. Mcnamara assumed command and ordered a retreat back to Hidden Valley…and we've been there ever since."

When Veronica had finished her story, Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and turned to Sarah, looking for her reaction. The Sentinel was as stoic and professional as she could be. Even after all this time her ability to keep calm at times still left Marcus in awe.

"Well…" Sarah began, "...you survived, and that's all that's important. Now we have to figure out how to help all of you to stay that way."

"Have you heard anything about the other chapters out West?"

Veronica shook her head. "Sorry, but that information's classified waaaay above my paygrade. For that you'll have to speak to the Elder."

Sarah stood up. "Then you'll take us to Hidden Valley at once."

"Ummm…" Veronica stammered as she stood up. "...well you see ummm…I can't. Not right now, anyway."

Sarah's eyes burned into her. "And why not?"

"Well because - I'm still on mission. You see I still have to check in with our scout near camp Forlorn Hope, which is North of here. After that I still have to go to the Followers of the Apocalypse outside of New Vegas for medical supplies."

Marcus' eyes shot open. "The Followers of the Apocalypse are here?"

Veronica nodded. "Yes. They're set up inside the old Mormon Fort in Freeside. That's the slums outside of New Vegas. There's a doctor there named Arcade. Nice guy…kinda nerdy…but he always hooks me up with the good stuff."

Marcus could tell that Sarah was getting impatient and quickly pulled her aside. "Sentinel. A word."

They walked just out of ear shot from Veronica. "I think we should let her go, and we'll meet her at this Mormon Fort."

"Marcus, you heard what she said! We have to meet up with the rest of the chapter now before it's…"

"It sounds like the chapter is well dug in and secure. They've been holed up for what…almost ten years? I don't think another few days will matter."

Sarah rolled her eyes and sighed but Marcus continued. "We need to get to Vegas and find out what Benny and House are up to. And besides, if we walk out of here with her, how are we going to explain it to the others?"

Sarah looked over at the Scribe, who flashed her a nervous smile.

"We don't know how Boone or Cass will react when we tell them we're Brotherhood, so until we figure that out I think we should separate for now."

It didn't take long for Sarah to see the logic in his argument. Marcus' ability to convince people was one of the things she loved about him…but sometimes…it annoyed her as well. "Alright. We'll do it your way."

Sarah turned and approached Veronica. "Okay Scribe, continue with your mission. We'll meet you at the Mormon Fort in two days. Will that be enough time?"

Veronica nodded. "Plenty."

"Good." Sarah said. "Wait ten minutes after we've left before you head out. There are people traveling with us who do not know we're Brotherhood."

A look of shock appeared on Veronica's face, but she quickly composed herself. "Gotchya! I mean…yes, Sentinel." She presented a salute.

Sarah returned her salute, but Marcus only chuckled. "Relax, Veronica." He slapped her on the shoulder. "We're not as formal as you might think."

Veronica seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "That's good to know. As you can see, military bearing is not my strongest suit."

Marcus and Sarah made their way out of the bunker and were immediately met by an annoyed Cass. "Bout time you two finished sightseeing! We've got a problem."

She led them over to the rest of the group and stood next to ED-E. "We got bored waiting and asked if this bucket of bolts could pick up Radio New Vegas. While we were listening, a news broadcast cut in."

Without having to be told, ED-E replayed the broadcast. "This is Mr. New Vegas with a breaking news story from the occupied town of Nelson. Legion forces have threatened to begin crucifying their prisoners one at a time, unless NCR forces lift their siege of the town. They further stated if the NCR launches an attack or attempts a rescue, the prisoners will be executed on the spot. There has been no comment from the NCR on the matter. In other news…"

The broadcast stopped, and Boone stepped forward. "Nelson's only a few clicks from here, and we have a little more than an hour before midnight. I've seen these crucifixions. No one deserves to die like that - especially a soldier. I know you've already done a lot for me, but I'm going to do whatever I have to do." His head lowered for a moment, and his voice seemed to crack. "Even if it means putting those poor bastards out of their misery with my rifle."

The image of the crucified residents of Nipton flashed into Marcus' mind, and he balled his fists. Sarah on the other hand seemed unmoved by the whole thing.

Before either of them could speak, Cass stepped next to Boone. "I'm going with him."

Marcus turned to Follows-Chalk. "What do you think?"

The tribal looked over at Cass and Boone, then back to Marcus. "I think they are our friends, and we should help them."

Lily let out a low growl. "Leo wants to chop those bad Legion men…and I agree with him."

Even Dogmeat seemed to bark an affirmative.

Marcus turned to Sarah, who had not said a word. He knew at that moment she had no sympathy for the NCR. "Excuse us for a moment." He said to the others before leading Sarah out of ear shot. "Listen, I know what you're feeling…"

"Then you shouldn't ask what I think you're about to ask me!"

"But we can't just sit back and do nothing."

"After what the NCR has done they're lucky I'm planning to do nothing."

"If we do nothing, those troopers will die."

"Let them die!"

Sarah immediately regretted the outburst. "I'm…I'm sorry."

Marcus took a deep breath. He knew she didn't mean it - mostly. "Sarah…making peace with the NCR maybe our only chance of saving the Brotherhood. You heard what Veronica said. We can't beat them. By helping to rescue these soldiers, we could use it as a gesture of goodwill when the time comes to approach the NCR. And…it will go a long way with earning Cass and Boone's trust."

Sarah stared into his brown eyes, the same eyes she had fallen in love with. She knew Marcus was sincere and (no matter how much she hated it) that he was right. "Okay…but I'm doing this for the mission…and for you. Nothing more."

Marcus breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

Nelson…

One hour later, Marcus and his companions had made it to the outskirts of the occupied town of Nelson. From the barricades set up by the NCR troopers they could hear the screams of their comrades as they were nailed to telephone poles in the center of town. While some of the more green soldiers squirmed at the awful sounds, the veterans had murder in their eyes. At one point Ranger Milo, who was in charge of the siege force, had to stop one of his troopers from running down there in a mad attempt to kill every Legionary in sight.

The veteran Ranger was expecting reinforcements, or at least some instructions from HQ. Instead what arrived was Courier Six and his companions. Seeing no other option, the Ranger agreed to accept Marcus' offer to rescue the troopers - which would allow his men to storm Nelson and retake it.

Milo opened up his field map of the town. "There's two guard towers here, and here. Our boys are in the center of town here, near the Legion barracks over here. Their forces are dug in but spread thin. Figure your best entry points are this side road here to the north, and to the south behind the gas station."

Marcus studied the map. "Boone, could you take out the guards in both of these towers?"

Craig looked at the map and then took a quick lay of the land. "Should be no problem from those rocks up there. Unfortunately without a suppressed rifle it'll wake up the whole camp."

"I have just the thing for that." Milo said. He turned and opened up a footlocker and removed a desert camouflage painted .308 sniper rifle with a suppressor. "This rifle…well…it belonged to my best sniper. He…died covering our retreat from Nelson."

The Ranger was visibly choked up as he stared at the rifle. "His name was Nick Irving…a ghoul who fought in the Gobi Desert Campaign during World War Three. I wouldn't give this rifle to just anyone; but seeing that you were once 1st Recon…I figure it'll be in good hands."

He handed it to Boone, and the sniper held the antique rifle as if it were a child. "Thank you. I'll bring it back…you have my word."

Milo nodded. "To be frank, I don't see how you're going to pull this off. Even if you manage to slip past the Legion patrols, you still have to cut down four crucified troopers, without killing them, and then carry them out without being seen." The Ranger shook his head. "If it were up to me…I'd just shoot those poor bastards and put them out of their misery."

"No!"

Boone's outburst caught everyone off guard. "No. We'll do it his way."

Marcus looked back to Milo. "We'll only do that as a last resort, Ranger. As for carrying them out, that's why she's going with us." He pointed at Lily, and the Nightkin flashed the Ranger a tooth filled grin.

"If that's how you want to play it. As soon as you're clear, my men are moving in. As you can imagine…they're itch'n for a fight."

"Thank you, Ranger."

Marcus studied the map while everyone gathered around him. "Follows-Chalk, you and I will enter here from the north. Once we take out those two guards we'll make our way to where the prisoners are. Sarah, you and Lily enter from the south once Boone takes out the guards in the towers. Now Lily, you have to be quiet and move just like you did when you had the stealth boy, remember?"

Lily nodded. "Oh yes, dearie. Grandma will be as quiet as a mouse."

"That goes for Leo, too. No chopping."

The Nightkin let out a low growl. "Leo doesn't like that…but he'll stay quiet."

Marcus gave a cautious nod. He knew if Lily was unable to keep "Leo" in check, the entire plan would fall apart.

"What about me?" Cass chimed in.

"Sorry Cass, but you're not exactly the quiet type. You'll stay here with ED-E and Dogmeat."

"Now that's bullshit…"

"It's alright, Cass." Boone interjected. "I could use a spotter." He presented her with a set of night vision binoculars. "You still remember how, right?"

Cass sighed…and reluctantly took the binoculars. "I remember how boring it is! Fine, fine."

Marcus let out a small sigh of relief. "Good. ED-E, you tell Moira the moment Boone takes out the guards in the tower, then you charge in with the NCR troopers."

ED-E beeped an affirmative.

Marcus folded the map. "Okay. Good luck everyone."

Boone adjusted the sights on his newly acquired rifle. "Let me know when the guard in the north tower is facing away from his friend in the other tower."

Kneeling next to him was Cass, and it was clear she was still not happy with her assignment. "Yeah, yeah." She looked through her binoculars, and waited for the proper moment. "Now!"

Boone took a breath, exhaled halfway, then squeezed the trigger. The guard's head snapped back violently as the .308 bullet sailed through it. "First tango down."

He took aim at the guard in the north and fired. "Second tango down."

Cass was impressed. "I see you haven't lost your touch."

Boone turned to ED-E. "Send the signal - we're a go."

ED-E sent the signal to Moira, and the avatar appeared on Marcus' PIPBOY. "We're ready, Marcus."

The Lone Wanderer whispered into his ear pieces. "Sarah move in."

Sarah acknowledged and both teams silently moved towards their objectives. Marcus snuck up behind the first of two sentries guarding the entrance and snapped his neck in one clean motion.

The other sentry barely had time to realize what had just happened when one of Follows-Chalk's arrows pierced his throat. Instead of sounding the alarm, all he could manage were a few gurgling noises before falling down dead.

Marcus and Follows-Chalk entered the town unnoticed. On the south side, Sarah and Lily were halfway to the center of Nelson when they stumbled upon a lone Legionary coming out of one of the cabins. Before he knew it, the Nightkin's arms grabbed him and she pressed his face into her massive chest. He struggled for air but it was no use, and he was dead in seconds.

Marcus and his companion were close to the area where the hostages were when a noise from above caused them to freeze and look up. Standing on the roof of a house on their right was a Legionary, aiming his rifle at the intruders. Panic filled Marcus as he expected the sentry to fire the weapon, alerting the entire town to their presence.

Half a second later the Legionary's head seemed to explode into a pink mist, and his body fell down into the dirt.

Boone quickly chambered another round. "You should've seen that one."

Cass gritted her teeth. 'Give me a break, will ya! I haven't done this shit since we were kids! It was boring then, and it's boring now…"

"Shhhh, quiet!"

Cass grunted under her breath and continued to scan the area.

In the center of town was a square wooden platform, and at each corner was a trooper or Ranger nailed to a cross. The two Legionaries guarding them passed the time by taunting their captives, and took bets on how long it would take each of them to die. They never saw Sarah or Marcus approach from the shadows and slice their throats open.

Marcus quickly scanned the first trooper. "How is he, Moira?"

"Not too good. We need to get them out of here now!"

Wasting no time he handed a set of bolt cutters Ranger Milo had supplied them to Lily. "Okay Lily, just like we showed you."

The Nightkin went to work snapping the nails between the trooper's extremities and the cross. It was soon clear that trying to stop the wounded and traumatized troopers from screaming was the biggest challenge. One by one they were each carefully laid down on the ground.

"Okay that's it." Marcus said. "Lily, pick up those two and we'll carry the others."

"Ah, Marcus." Moira said. "You only need to carry one. The other is dead."

Marcus cursed under his breath. "Alright. Follows-Chalk, grab his other arm. Sarah, you cover us. You ready, soldier?"

The weak trooper seemed to find new strength and lifted his head. "Just get the fuck out of here!"

"Hey what the hell's going on…"

The two Legionaries stopped dead in their tracks. For a brief moment they couldn't believe what they were seeing, but then one of them cried out. "PROFLIGATES!"

Sarah drew her plasma pistol and fired, turning both of them to goo. Too late, they could hear shouting and doors slamming open.

Marcus knew the time was up. "Moira, send the message to ED-E: Attack. Attack now!" He and Follows-Chalk hoisted the trooper up on his wounded feet and headed off behind Lily, with Sarah following and firing away with her pistol.

Boone cursed and stood up. "Shit! They're blown!" He took aim and fired, killing a Legionary coming out of the barracks door.

A moment later ED-E began blaring his heroic music (the signal for Ranger Milo to order the assault) and charged down the hill.

The Ranger stood up. "Alright boys, let's wipe em out!"

The troopers and Rangers charged down towards Nelson, screaming and roaring at the top of their lungs.

Cass stood up, and the scene through her binoculars was utter chaos. She watched as Lily steamrolled through three Legion soldiers foolish enough to get in her way. Boone continued to take out any Legionary who was trying to stop the rescue party. She watched as the NCR troopers broke down the main gate with ED-E in front, blasting away with his lazer. She didn't start breathing again until she saw Marcus and the others clear the gate and were out of danger.

Cass threw her hat up in the air. "YEEHAAA! Sonofabitch, they made it!"

That night, the town of Nelson was liberated, and the news went through the Mojave like a sandstorm.

Boulder City…

Benny sat at the bar staring at the chip. He still couldn't believe how something so small could contain so much power and potential. Even after that annoying securitron explained it to him, he still couldn't wrap his head around it. Still, it didn't matter. All that mattered is what it could do…and that it was his!

Mr. "High and Mighty" House thought by making Benny boss of the Tops that it would curb his appetite for power and respect. How little he knew. Had it not been for the damn robots, he and the other families would be running Vegas. After all, it was their birthright. They're ancestors survived the nuclear holocaust while he was safe and sound in his ivory tower.

It was no secret that he kept the families at each other's throats. The last thing House wanted was for them to unite against him. That will all change once he gets to Vegas with this chip. First he'll take out the bosses of the other two families, then he'll take out House himself.

A commotion from the other side of the bar got his attention. The two Khans who had accompanied him were getting rowdy as usual.

Benny let out a sigh and finished his drink. Time to cut them loose, he said. And on his way out, he'll give a tip to the local NCR detachment in the town.

After all, that's what a good citizen would do.

Note: Sorry for the wait, guys. I hope this was worth it. Before anyone says anything, yes I know in the video game you cannot make the gobi campaign rifle suppressed, but hey, it's fanfiction, right? I'm not sure how to incorporate the Sierra Modrae into the story just yet, but I'll think of something. Hope you enjoy where this story is going.