I do not own Fallout at all. As for the characters, they can die at any moment in this story. So don't be mad if a character you love dies. If you want to know what happened before, I recommend you read Fallout: South Carolina. This story is the sequel story to that one.
GUNFIRE AT CLOVER! OUR REPUBLIC IS AT WAR!
On a calm day in the wasteland, Carolina Republican soldiers stationed at the Settlement of Clover came under fire by Enemy Soldiers disguised as Raiders from the Post-War Government called the Charlotte Imperium. The Garrison of Clover took cover in trenches and exchanged fire with the Attacking forces. After the lines were almost breached by two Charlotte Imperium Sentry Bots, President John Bertrand led a small wing of Vertibirds with reinforcements to the Settlement and using heavy weapons were able to take the bots down, but not before brave Clover citizens were killed by their rockets and three soldiers of our Army were lost; Private Benjamin Harris, Corporal Heather Miller, and Private Danny Valendez. Here at the Charleston Gazette give our condolences to their families. When this reporter arrived at Clover to speak to the President about the Charlotte Imperium's Blatant disrespect of our Republic he said, "I have the full support of Congress to commence this war and that we will be victorious."(A.N.: This is my attempt at a news article for what happens at Clover in the Story. You'll see more of these in future chapters.)
John stared at the Newspaper he got from Charleston. As he read the article about the battle, he was approached by Harold who said, "Mr. President, Killian and the other Super Mutants are here." John nodded his head and put the Newspaper down as he stood up and said, "The battle's made the front page." John walked out as Harold read the paper. John smiled as Killian and his Super Mutants were waiting for him. John shook Killian's hand and said, "Good to have you here Killian." Killian nodded his head and said, "Killian promised Super Mutants help, we keep promise." John nodded his head and said, "Good, have those who came to grab their heavy weapons of choice and cover the flanks. We got Brotherhood of Steel members setting up there, you're reinforcing them."
Killian nodded his head and the Super Mutants split up. John then got approached by the Engineers and they told him that the Sentry Bot's list of friendlies had been updated." John nodded his head and said, "Good, keep him at the front, I fear that man may come back." The engineers nodded their heads and went to get the Sentry bot moved to the trench line. John then looked around at the trenches and defense lines before hearing a voice line he was all too familiar with.
"Engaging target!" Was the familiar voice line. When John turned to look, he was shocked and shouted, "ASSAULTRONS!" That was when SB-1998 said, "Alert: hostile detected. Lethal force authorized for all units." He then used his Chain gun and began to fire on the approaching Assaultrons. Many Assaultrons that were charging took the hits and fell to his Chaingun. Soldiers from the Carolina Republican Army soldiers got into their spots and opened fire with their Assault Rifles and Laser Rifles while engineers kept the Heavy machine gun turrets stocked with Ammo. John also used his Gauss Rifle and fired it at several Assaultrons, shutting them down. John knelt down and called for a Radioman.
"Here you are Mr. President!" Shouted a radio man as Laser Beams shot over their heads. John contacted the Vertibirds and ordered the miniguns to fire on the Assaultrons. The Vertibirds took off and flew to attack the Assaultrons. Those in the minigun seats turned their miniguns and pulled the triggers, the barrels began spinning before opening fire on the Assaultrons, several being taken out from the barrage of Bullets. When some lost their legs, they began crawling to the line. Some Carolina Republican Army Soldiers pulled out super sledges modded with Stun packs while some pulled out machetes before smashing those Assaultrons who got close enough.
"FAT MANS NOW!" Shouted John as he pulled out his own Machete and smashed into an Assaultron's head. Five men armed with fatmans walked onto the rooftops of nearby buildings and after taking aim, pulled the triggers. Soon five Mini nukes flew out and struck the highway right as a new wave of Assaultrons crossed it. John then saw that one of his men was killed, so he picked up the Machine gun that the soldier was manning and gunned down more Assaultrons. After a hard battle, there were no more Assaultrons charging at them. John was panting before he shouted, "Check your ammo!" The Men nodded and got to work before John looked at Captain Allen and told him, "Get me casualty counts." Captain Allen nodded his head and went off. John looked at the sheer number of Assaultrons in front of him.
Later, John was told that they lost 10 people with another 12 suffering injuries. John sighed before looking at the two prisoners and asked, "Where did your Emperor get all these Assaultrons?" The older Prisoner told John that there was a Robco Facility that the Emperor got up and running. John nodded his head and said, "Well we just set them back a good few months." John then asked the two that if he were to let them go back to the enemy camp, if they would be his spies. The older man was thinking about it but the younger man said, "Are you crazy?! If he finds out we're spies, he'll kill my mother!" John told the younger one that he would make sure that he would not find out.
"Son… the President is giving us an out of the Charlotte Imperium. As much as I love your mother, we can't be living in fear all the time." The Father told his son. The son then said, "But dad… he'd kill mom if he does find out." John saw that the son loved his parents, it reminded him of himself and his parents. He then said, "I know how you feel. Before I was president, I lost my parents to raiders. You would do anything to keep your mom alive, well I'd do anything to get both my parents back. I would give anything to bring them back, but I can't. I promise that I will do all in my power to get her and make sure she's safe." The son looked conflicted, but the dad said, "If you swear on your life to get her out, then I'll work with you." John nodded his head. The Son then said, "Well… I guess I have no choice." John looked at Captain Allen and nodded his head.
Captain Allen nodded his head and untied the two. John handed them both assault rifles taken from dead army soldiers before he said, "Go, we'll get in contact soon." The son and Father nodded their heads and got out of the trenches to head towards the Charlotte Imperium Main Camp, the defense of Clover was a victory for the Carolina Republic, and John was happy with that. As the weeks went on, the Charlotte Imperium kept trying to push south and west, but the Carolina Republic stopped them at every turn. John was coordinating when he got word that there were now reports from his spies that the Enclave remnant made an alliance with the Charlotte Imperium.
"This isn't good. With the Enclave Remnants help, they could possibly push hard." Harold said to John, to which replied, "I know, which is why we need to take the city soon." That was when an Engineer ran to them and said, "MR. PRESIDENT! WE FOUND SOMETHING!" Following the Engineer, he led them to a Pre-War Military convoy with SIAD-BG-type howitzers. John smiled and said, "These will do nicely, think you can get them set up to bombard the enemy capital?" The engineers told him that it would take time but it might be possible. John told them that they needed to get to work before Killian walked up to him and said, "Super Mutants from North come and want to speak to man who nice to Super Mutants." John nodded his head and followed Killian to the new Super Mutants.
When John saw them, there were 10, one walked up to him and said, "Greetings, my name is Fawkes." John was honestly shocked at the Super Mutant. He then asked Fawkes how he was able to talk like a normal Human. Fawkes told him, "I may be a Super Mutant, but I'm able to keep my violent impulses in check. I wasn't always like this, I was a member of a Vault called Vault 87." John was again shocked and said, "You're from a Vault?" Fawkes nodded his head and said that he was one of the Original Vault Dwellers. John's shock was clearly not being hidden. Harold saw it and asked, "You ok?"
"He… original… 87… nice… meet you." John said before slapping himself hard. He then said, "Fawkes here is one of the Original Vault 87 dwellers. Mr. Fawkes, it's an honor to meet you." Fawkes smiled and said, "A pleasure as well. I heard that a Post-War Government welcomed Super Mutants south of the Capital Wasteland, so I came down this way. I met up with other Super Mutants and we came down here. As we came here, we lost Super Mutants to this government called Charlotte Imperium." John smiled and said, "Looks like we have a common enemy, Fawkes."
"So it would seem, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So I talked it over with the other Super Mutants, would you let us live in your Republic if we help you take down the Charlotte Imperium?" John smiled, nodded his head, and said, "Of course. Welcome to the Carolina Republic. Killian will show you to any who wish to fight where to get weapons."
At the Carolina Republic Weapons depot, the Quartermaster saw Killian and said, "Hey Killian, what can I do for you today." Killian smiled and said, "Hello Quartermaster Belvez. I bring new Super Mutant to help war effort." Fawkes introduced himself to Belvez, who was shocked and said, "Never met a well mannered Super Mutant before." Fawkes nodded his head and said, "You're not the only one. I was told that those who wished to help could get weapons here?" Belvez nodded his head and showed them all the weapons from Assault Rifles to miniguns. Fawkes smiled and said, "Impressive. I'm sure the others will have picked their weapons, as I have a Gatling Laser."
"I see, and it's most impressive." Quartermaster Belvez said to Fawkes. Fawkes thanked him and the other Super Mutants picked their weapon of choice as a Vertibird flew overhead. John saw that it was one of Rebecca's Brotherhood of Steel Vertibirds so when he arrived, he was greeted by Rebecca who he shared a hug with before he asked her, "What's up Rebecca?" Rebecca smiled and told John, "We found something I think you may like." When John asked what it was, several Rockets struck their defense lines. The Charlotte Imperium had begun their attack. John hopped into his Power Armor and ran to the front lines. He may be the president, but like the First United States President, he was the commander-in-Chief of the Carolina Republic Armed Forces. Grabbing a Minigun, he opened fire on Charlotte Imperium soldiers rushing at his lines.
"FAWKES! TAKE SUPER MUTANTS AND COVER RIGHT FLANK!" Killian shouted to Fawkes. Fawkes nodded his head and led his Super Mutants there. Arriving at the Right flank, he saw that the Carolina Republican Army was being pushed back. Manning his Gatling Laser, Fawkes said, "Come my brothers! Let's help our new allies!" The other Super Mutants nodded and opened fire at the Charlotte Imperium soldiers with their Assault Rifles, Combat Rifles, Combat Shotguns, Double-Barrel Shotguns, some even had Pipe Rifles. Back with John, he kept firing at the Charlotte Imperium soldiers as Rebecca reached him firing her Laser Pistol. When she got to him, John asked Rebecca, "So what was that you wanted to tell me?!" Rebecca smirked and said, "Just wait!" John was confused before Rockets were heard, soon he watched Charlotte Imperium soldiers get blown up right as he looked up and saw them.
"Are… are those…" John asked as he looked in the direction the rockets came from. Rebecca nodded her head and said, "Yup, we found Jet fighters." Then several Jet fighters flew over the lines and dropped bombs modified by the Brotherhood of Steel Scribes and Engineers to remain attached until the pilot flipped a switch from his cockpit. John laughed happily as he watched the Jet Fighters rain hell on the Charlotte Imperium soldiers. The Carolinian Republic Soldiers all cheered at the sight. John smiled too before shouting, "Alright that's enough men! Refortify the line and let's see to the wounded. Restock on Ammo if you are low!" The men nodded their heads and soon heard someone crying out in pain. John heard it too and it was from among the dead bodies of the Charlotte Imperium soldiers.
"Medic!" John called out for. When one Medic arrived, he and John walked out and searched for who was in pain. They soon found the person in pain, a Charlotte Imperium soldier. He couldn't look any older than 18. Approaching the injured lad, they saw that his leg was caught in one of the explosions from the Jet Fighters. Getting out of his Power Armor, John walked over and knelt down. He told the boy, "We're here to help. It's going to be ok." the Charlotte Imperium soldier whimpered as the Medic treated his leg injury.
"Ok, I stopped the bleeding, we need to get him on the table if we're going to save his life Mr. President." the medic said with haste. John nodded his head, got back into his Power Armor and carried the boy to the medical Tent, where as he was being operated on, Carolina Republican soldiers stood on guard watching the enemy soldier. John went to his temporary quarters and after getting out of his Power Armor, he removed the Fusion Core out of it to make sure no one would get far with it and sat on his bed. Rubbing the back of his head, John heard a knock on the door and said, "Enter."
When the door opened, it was Rebecca. John smiled and said, "That was quite a surprise you had for me Rebecca, Jet Fighters. Where did you find them?" Rebecca sat in the seat in the room and said, "We found them at the old Shaw Air Force Base near that city the New Spartans deemed too spooky for them. A whole squadron's worth too." John smiled more and said, "Good, That's good to hear. We can use them in this war for the Carolinas. I fear that Emperor Onimaru may have some kind of trick up his sleeve that the Jet Fighters can counter." Rebecca nodded her head in agreement. Soon Harold joined them and said, "The lad you brought with the medic is doing ok, he had to lose just above his knee down for his left leg."
"Damn, but other than that he's ok?" John asked Harold, who nodded his head. John sighed in relief before standing up and said, "I'm going to see him." At the medical tent, the Charlotte Imperium Soldier who lost his leg was getting death glares from the injured Carolina Republican soldiers as John came in with Harold and Rebecca behind him. The soldiers saluted their president as he saluted them back and checked on the lad that lost his leg. The Charlotte Imperium Soldier sat up and asked, "What's going to happen to me now?" John told him that since he was a prisoner of war that if his emperor was willing to end it quickly and accept defeat that the soldier would be sent back to the Charlotte Imperium.
"NO!" Shouted the Charlotte Imperium Soldier. John soon realized that Emperor Onimaru had to have controlled his army through fear. John then told the kid, "It's ok, once we deal with them you can go home without fear." The boy gave a soft smile and thanked John for that. Back in the Charlotte Imperium camp, Onimaru grumbled at the loss he suffered again when the Enclave Remnant leaders walked in. Onimaru looked at them and said, "Where was the air support you promised me?!" The General told Onimaru that he promised support, not any specific form of support. He then said, "Besides the long enemy of the Enclave, the Brotherhood of Steel, had found a new weapon that the false Republic could use."
"So? You have Tech right? Find a way to Shoot them down!" Shouted Onimaru. The General then told Onimaru, "You forget we came to you about this alliance. We can easily leave you to him." Onimaru growled and slammed his fist into the table and growled. The General then said to Onimaru, "I assure you sir we will win this war against your southern counterpart, just keep your cool or we will keep it cool for you." Onimaru glared at him before they began hearing explosions. Onimaru walked out and saw that Artillery shells were being launched at them from the Carolina Republic lines. Soon the Jet Fighters flew overhead and dropped bombs on the supply station of the enemy camp.
"SON OF A BITCH!" Shouted Onimaru before grabbing his Gatling Laser and opened fire at the Jet fighters, they dodged as best they could, but one got hit in his wing and had to eject from the cockpit after turning his fighter to crash right into the Munitions depot for the Charlotte Imperium. That was when John arrived with Vertibirds and dropped down with other Power Armor wearing soldiers armed with Laser guns modded with a short barrel, a sharpshooter's grip, a scope, and a beam focuser, opened fire at the shocked Charlotte Imperium Soldiers. Onimaru growled and charged at John. John Readied to fight as he pulled out his Machete before Onimaru swung his Katana. The two dueled as shots rang out around them in their respective suits of armor. John stepped backwards to dodge a swing from Onimaru before slamming his Machete into Onimaru's arm armor with enough force that it broke. Onimaru stumbled backwards before they continued to fight. John then punched Onimaru in his gut before kicking him away. John then used the Jetpack mod and flew forward. Slamming into Onimaru, his machete went straight through his stomach. Onimaru had dropped his Katanas when John got him in his stomach, he soon coughed up some blood as he backed up and fell onto his ass.
"You… may have killed me… but… I'll be back… I'll get… my revenge." Onimaru said as he coughed up more blood. John took a shotgun from a dead Charlotte Imperium soldier and loaded two shotgun shells into the barrels and put the ends to his face before John told him, "Highly unlikely." Then he pulled the trigger and both shells fired and the buckshot blew Onimaru's face apart. The Charlotte Imperium soldiers around saw their Emperor dead, some cheered, others fell to their knees and cried. The Carolina Republican soldiers looked at each other while keeping their weapons aimed at any who would try something.
John was then approached by Onimaru's generals appeared and walked to John. his Machete still dripping with blood, John was ready to kill more, but he watched the generals kneel to him, as did the rest of the Charlotte Imperium army. John looked at Harold who had just walked up to him and he told him, "Get a count of the wounded and dead." Harold nodded his head and from a distant Vertibird flying away, the Enclave Remnant General sat in his seat, knowing that the alliance with Onimaru was a waste of resources.
The next morning, John led his army marching into Charlotte, the crowd watched with admiration or horror as their streets now had a Foreign Military marching in their streets. Arriving at the imperial house, John was escorted to the house of leadership. Walking in, he saw many of the leaders had collars on them. The general then told those gathered, "Our Emperor has fallen in Battle. Our foe, the Carolina Republic, occupies the city. Our army is at their mercy. I suggest we make this peace talk easy for us all. We all know Emperor Onimaru used fear and terror to bully us and we have now gained our freedom. I give you the leader of the Carolina Republic, President John Bertrand."
John walked to the podium and put speech cards down before he looked at the gathered and said to them, "I wished I had not shed so much blood. But the emperor attacked us first which led to this war. I killed the emperor myself, I was on the front lines. I treated the captured imperial soldiers with respect. These three can testify to that." John motioned for three men to walk to him, it was the son and Father he let go and the young man who lost his leg. John then said, "These three I treated as normal citizens, not enemies. I showed respect to them and they welcomed my help. The son and father pair were prisoners when I found out about the attacks, I gave them water and let them go on their way. The lad, no more than 18 years old, was caught in an explosion from Jet Fighters we had. Yes we have Jet Fighters. I had him patched up and cared for as the war went on. All prisoners we've taken are being treated with respect. Because to earn respect you must be willing to give it."
Zoey and Claire watched John give his speech to the Imperial house. Afterwards they signed the Treaty of Clover on the 16th of May, 2312. The Conditions of the treaty were; The Charlotte Imperium dissolves and any settlement who wished to join the Carolina Republic could. The City of Charlotte was to be under Carolina Republic Occupation until integrated into the republic, all slaves in the Imperium were to be set free immediately. All settlements must now add Carolina Republic Tax Rates for prices. All military facilities are to be turned over to the Carolina Republican Army.
Many soldiers and commanding officers felt the treaty was unjust and did not recognize it, so they reformed all available forces into the Charlotte Imperium Remnants, though they were a non threat as many of the Charlotte Imperium's army were forced into the war and were happy to not be a part of it. Three months later, the last pocket of resistance was forced to surrender. The War of the Carolinas was finally over.