Chapter 1

In the wilderness of Appalachia, a group of armed soldiers scour the woods. The insignia of the Brotherhood of Steel resonated in their chest plate, as they scout the woods warily and staying the course on their mission. The Appalachia wasteland had a way of stretching out to travelers, the ruins of old civilization casting long shadows of the once scorched earth when the bomb fell in the Great War. The Brotherhood of Steel squadron was led by a Paladin Regis, who was a veteran of many during his time in the Brotherhood. The squad ventured into the unknown, armed to the teeth toward their destination. The rest followed four of their brethren wearing standard issued power armor of the Brotherhood, Regis included as they headed to a reported abandoned research facility that had the locals tense. The Free State Confederacy of Virginia had lost word from a small group of Responders that were unresponsive while investigating the facility. Tribes such as the Bogfoots, Hand of Shiva, and the Greenleafs stay away from the facility out of fear of 'spirits and demons' lurking about.

"Stay on alert, Machete squad. We could encounter feral ghouls or perhaps even super mutants in this facility." Paladin Regis advised his squad

"The locals are just fretting over nothing. We've checked this place seven years ago." Knight Shaw replied in annoyance. "It's just some damn rotters hoarding inside. Nothing more, Initiate."

"Better to check it out, right?" the Initiate asked. "If this place has people rattled, better to look and see what's going on here."

Regis nodded. "Agreed, Elena. All of you, be on your guard."

As the squad delved deeper into the abandoned facility, they encountered eerie signs of strange bioluminescent markings on the ground and mutated wildlife behaving unusually. The mutated wildlife acted erratic before turning into a petrified state and died as complete husks. Undeterred, the Brotherhood pressed on, their power armor-clad soldiers moving with the precision of a well-trained military machine.

"What happened here?" Elena asked, cautiously approaching one of the petrified corpse

"Stay clear, Initiate." Regis ordered. "We have no idea what we're dealing with."

"Didn't the Enclave stay in Appalachia before we fully arrived here?" Knight Shaw queried to Paladin Regis

"Official record goes that were experimenting on mutated pygmy bats. These rats with wings became the Scorchbeasts that plagued this land."

Shaw scoffed. "Those freaks of nature perished over 180 years due to some vault dwellers. They weren't that difficult to begin with." he said as Regis observed the area valiantly

"And a splinter faction from the Enclave if you believe the old rumors." Elena added

"Those rumors are false, Initiate. Don't pay attention to-" Shaw stopped mid sentence when Regis held his hand, signaling a halt

The Brotherhood squadron had their weapons trained on the direction of the disturbance, finger on the trigger for whatever danger that laid ahead. A lone figure stepped out of the shadows with an unnatural chattering followed ahead, the figure's appearance causing the squadron to look with a mix of disgust and horror. The figure was nothing more but a hybrid of mutated human and insect. It stared at them when Paladin Regis wait for it to make the first move on them, his answer being a screeching roar as it ran toward them before Reigus turned the mutant creature into a pile of ash.

"Was that a Scorched?"

"It would appear so, and it looks like they have evolved." they hear the blood cluttering screech of the Scorched ahead as luminescent light brightened in their direction. "To arms, Brothers and sisters! To arms!"

Suddenly, a relentless onslaught of mutated creatures, their bodies twisted by an unknown force. The Scorched attacked with coordinated precision in their kamikaze style charge, unlike any feral creature the Brotherhood had faced before. The squad fought valiantly, but the Scorched Swarm overwhelmed them with sheer numbers and surprisingly strategic intelligence. One by one, Brotherhood soldiers fell as their power armor no match for the mutated strength of the Scorched. As the battle raged on, Paladin Regis fought desperately to keep the squadron together, but the relentless assault took its toll on his men. The last remaining survivor, a young Brotherhood initiate named Elena, fought bravely alongside Regis.

In the chaos of the battle, Elena found herself isolated from the squad. Surrounded by the Scorched, she fought with unyielding determination to fend off the mutant monstrosities. Overwhelmed by the sheer force of the mutated onslaught, she nearly succumbed to the inevitable as one of the Scorched rushed its way toward her. In a moment of desperation, Knight Shaw appeared out of nowhere and pushed her aside as the Scorched infected him with their biologically twisted essence via mutant parasite. The infection spread through Shaw's body, his mind becoming entwined with the mutant hive mind. His power armor flickered with an eerie glow as the last remnants of his humanity began to fade away. Glowing parasitic worms spouted on his neck, turning completely still into a stone like matter. Now part of this Scorched plague, he turned against what remained of his former comrades, becoming an instrument of the very threat they sought to eradicate. Paladin Regis, battered and bruised, witnessed the transformation of one of his squad's last survivors, leaving only him and Initiate Elena. Initiate Elena was able to wound the infected Knight Shaw, it weakly trying to crawl her with the intent to either assimilate or kill. Her hands shaking as her weapon shook along with her, leaving Paladin Regis to walk ahead of her and put down the infected Knight he considered his friend.

"They're... they're all..." Regis heard Elena say to both her horror along with his own as another one of their brethren began to turn into one of the Scorched. "Paladin Regis. Paladin Regis, sir! What do we do? What do we do?"

The heart-wrenching reality struck him—this new breed of Scorched had claimed not only his comrades but also the one soldier he had fought throughout his years until the end. With a heavy heart, Regis activated his distress beacon in the form of a flare. This flare was a yellow flare calling for reinforcements and warning the Brotherhood about the emerging threat in Appalachia. Regis knew what the color of the flare meant: bombardment. As the sound of approaching Vertibirds echoed in the distance from afar, follow by more of the familial screeching of the Scorched. Paladin Regis took one last look at the mutated landscape. The Scorched Swarm had claimed their toll, and the wasteland's horrors had become more insidious than ever before.

"Ad victoriam, Initiate."

Elena gulped and nodded. "Ad Victoriam, sir."

Both Paladin and Initiate make their final stand, activating security turrets to be hostile toward their enemies as the Scorched arose out of the facility. The turrets open fire with bullets and beams of hard light at the mutated horde. Elena and Regis fought with all their valor and commitment to the cause that many Brotherhood of Steel brethren were obligated to the beliefs of, fought against the onslaught. Through their own volition, they repel the incoming Scorched. Once the turrets were destroyed by the Scorched, Regis and Elena gave it their all to hold them back further from leaving the facility. Suddenly, Elena was shot multiple times by a Scorched attacker, leaving Regis to avenge her death. Regis was brought down by a precised shot from one of the Scorched, having him kneel on one leg while he continued firing his laser rifle. Regis took one last glance to see the vertibirds arrive, meaning the bombardment was about to begin. His laser rifle out of ammo as he closed his eyes, awaiting the inevitable to come as the vertibirds bombard the area and facility. The area along with the facility itself went into a fiery blaze, everything burnt to the ground and facility itself crumbled into nothing but rubble and smoke.

"Command. This is Falcon 3-3, reporting." the Lancer pilot said. "Bombardment has been released. The hot zone has been demolished. Mutant hostile encampment eliminated. Any immediate orders?"

"Standby until confirmation, Falcon 3-3."

"Standing by." the Lancer pilot replied as he and his co pilot look down at the view of the scorched area of the bombardment. All of a sudden, they saw the debris from the facility move. They narrow their eyes at the sudden disturbance, only for something large to spout out from the ground. The pilots quickly glance at each other before. "I'm getting back in touch with command."

Suddenly, a large beast resembling a mutated giant pygmy bat burst out of the ground and gave off a loud screech that could echo throughout the Mojave. Its eyes stared at the vertibird in view, as it prepared to take off with its wings. With one swift, big flap from its wings, the bat ga

"Holy shit! Command, we-" the co-pilot was when the mutant bat brought down the vertibird, crashing it into the ground as both lancer pilots were dead

Things had changed in the Mojave since the second battle at Hoover Dam, a battle which would determine the fate of the Mojave wasteland and New Vegas itself. Fighting for control of one of the greatest societies were two major factions, the expansive New California Republic and the imperialistic slaver empire of Caesar's Legion. The enigmatic and entrepreneurial Mr. House was the third party in maintaining control of the Dam, a king setting the chessboard for the grand prize. And so far, both Bull and Bear were in a stalemate over Hoover Dam which House moved every chess piece to gain one step closer to his agenda. What House did expect his final pawn in his sleeve to only getting the upper hand on the NCR and Legion, but what he didn't expect was to be duped in the process. A simple courier by the name of Shinji Marko became the single most decisive factor to determinate the fate of the entire Mojave wasteland after removing Mr. House from the conflict. Amassing an army of robots, tribes, and a BOS chapter in the Mojave, the army the Courier created became a coalition that even House could not lead. With the Courier's skills honed throughout his many adventures, he formed friends and followers that were earned through nothing but his will. All to shape up one battle plan that would give him victory over the dam.

To claim the Mojave as his nation, he temporarily aligned himself with the NCR to combat the Legion at the dam. Went from forcing Legate Lanius to concede defeat, to having General Oliver to shamefully retreat all NCR forces out of the Mojave if they value their lives. Days after the anarchy settled into the wasteland along with Legion and NCR returning back to their respective lands, a new nation was formed: the Mojave Union. Using technology from the Big MT and remaining arsenal from the Divide sent over to the Union, the Courier grew his army. Earning a partnership with the Gun Runners and caravan business regarding the new head of Crimson Caravan, the Mojave nation had a steady supply income due to the new arrangements. The reputation of the Mojave Union gained attraction from anyone in and outside of Vegas, especially for those who had no homes or wanted to escape slavery from the Legion's control. One of the Mojave Union's major accomplishment involved acquiring Utah from the Legion, using a tribe reformed from the White Legs. Shinji named them White Tails as a way of reformation for those who seek to atone, or exile those who wanted no part into Wyoming where the Great Khans reside. What the Legion lost in Utah, they gained in Oklahoma and half of Texas to reasons only the Legion themselves know. The NCR on the other hand, claimed territories in Oregon, Montana, half of Idaho and the state of Washington. The Mojave union itself covered most of Wyoming, Utah, along with the other half of Idaho and the entirely of Nevada except for New Reno.

For his nation, Shinji had an arsenal of supplies, technology such as the roboscorpions from Big MT, and enough gold from the Sierrra Madre to fund his empire. He made use of the lobotomites by having them act as bodyguards for the Courier and his companions, using the transferred brains from the Marked Men. A committee was also formed after the start of the Mojave Union, each from different sections of the Mojave wasteland. The council committee itself consisted of the King, leader of the Kings in Freeside. Marcus represented the super mutant community of Jacobstown, while Elder McNamara represented the Brotherhood of Steel. Julie Farkas represented the Followers of the Apocalypse as Regis was representing the Great Khan while the majority of them were in Wyoming. Cachino of the Omertas, Swank of the Chairmen, and Marjorie of the White Glove Society as the trio represent the Vegas families on the strip. And lastly Judah Kreger of the Enclave remnants as nothing more than a military advisor, with some such as Orion Merino, Daisy Whitman and Cannibal Johnson training recruits of the Mojave Union's military.

Currently, the Courier himself was in a training room where two of the Lobotomite bodyguards were present in one of his sessions on a training mat. The Lobotomite duo were using bo staves while Shinji used two staves, as he blocked one of the blows before doing the same with the next blow make close to him. Shinji attempt to make the quick strike but it was blocked by one of the Lobotomite guards, leaving him to duck his head from the other Lobotomite's attack. The two guards traded blows with Shinji, with the Courier blocking every attack made possible. One of the Lobotomite guard's attack hit him on his side in the lower abdomen before another was made across the leg, kneeing him down. Shinji quickly rolled around behind the two landing a blow across the torso, swiping his leg across the other's feet as the Lobotomite fell.

"Playtime's over." a familiar voice to the Courier said as the Loboto guards stood up and in attention

"You know I wasn't finished yet, Veronica." he said. "And it's called sparring. Training the body as well as the mind."

Veronica put her hand on her hips. "Yeah, well, time to put that mind of yours to use with meeting the committee." she said in a chipper tone

Shinji sighed. "What time is it?"

"5 o'clock on the dot." Veronica replied as Shinji checked the time on his pip-boy. "They're here right now."

Both Shinji and Veronica left the room as they walked over to the meeting. "What am I about to walk into here?" Shinji asked

"I'd rather you know for yourself."

Shinji followed Veronica into the penthouse floor, the very same floor he first met Mr. House back when he was the owner of New Vegas. Now, it was a meeting place for all the representatives of the Mojave Union. All representatives were presented and accorded for as Arcade spotted Shinji and Veronica approaching while he spoke with Kruger. To Shinji's surprise, he noticed Boone and Raul with Arcade. Boone steely composure still remained after he the Courier, following Arcade as they walked toward the leader of the Mojave Union.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here, Boone. Maybe two days later, tops." Shinji said the former NCR 1st Recon sniper. "Is this about the Legion hitting Utah again?"

"I wish it were." Boone said in a grim tone

Arcade spoke next. "We're getting some refugees from Oklahoma. Something has them rattled out of their minds."

"Not to mention we might not have enough space here in the Mojave to take them in, boss." the old ghoul mechanic and former vaquero added. "We can't put them into one of our towns in the Mojave."

"What about one of the vaults?" Shinji queried. "Minus Vault 22, I dealt with so much shit there before I made New Vegas independent."

"Maybe Vault 3 would be best for now." Arcade suggested. "It'll be closer to McCarren, too. Since the majority of Jackals, Vipers, and Scorpions got assimilated in the Legion, they've got emboldened enough to hold their own. Whether it's against us or the NCR."

"Especially since the 80s tribe was wiped out." Boone added. "Legion plays for keeps as always."

"Lanius didn't waste any time, either. But the coercion and the addition of new tribes absorbed into the Legion, has me wondering who's running the show." Raul said. "Think it's that Vulpes guy, boss?"

"I mean he is capable, but this is five steps ahead of his alley." Shinji replied as he heard arguing nearby. "I better get going."

"Break a leg."

"Might break more than a leg."

Shinji walked in the council room to see every representative presented, seeing their postures meant they were waiting impatiently for the Courier to arrive. Elder McNamara remained a distance away from Marcus who represented the super mutant community, while Regis and The King was debating who would be the first to be displeased with Shinji being late for the eight time.

"You're late." McNamara said

"I was doing my daily routine in case you were wondering." Shinji took a seat at the main chair as turned to the committee. "And now that I'm here, who would like to begin?"

"Papa Khan sends his wishes to the Union, and that everything in Wyoming is going smoothly with the Followers help." Regis said, giving Julia Farkas a nod. "There's been tension with the NCR, but it's only been slow and steadfast to say the least."

"NCR hasn't cross the border yet?"

"Not as far as I know." Regis replied. "Or if they have, we haven't been noticing lately. I'll message Papa to keep a look out."

"See that you do. We may as well do the same here in the Mojave and our other territories spread out in the Union." Shinji informed the committee as some of them agreed to the notion of keeping a close eye on anything out of the unusual. "There's also the matter with the Legion. Anything on them as of late?"

"Legion is still trying to take back Utah, but we'll been able to push them back. They might even be emboldened enough to attempt a retake of Nevada." Kreger stated

"They'll certainly try." McNamara said. "There is also the influx of refugees. It is becoming too much of a problem that we may be dealing with overpopulation in the near future."

"So, what are your recommendations?" Shinji asked the committee

"Have the refugees sent over to Idaho and start up with the Union followers build settlements." Marcus suggested. "The wastelands of Idaho are barren and should be enough room for them to start growing crops. Some of my people would be with them to help out with protection."

"That... is not necessary." McNamara said, dismissing the notion. "A Brotherhood of Steel detachment has sent there, already. Hardin will be the Elder in Idaho, to which he's accepted the position."

Shinji turned to McNamara. "Though you said the debate for Elder in one of our states was at an impasse."

"I did. But due to Hardin haranguing me, I figured this would be the best solution." McNamara commented

"Hmm." Shinji turned to the King and the Vegas families. "How are things been going at Freeside and New Vegas strip?"

"Business is still booming as usual. Especially with the Tops." Swank informed the Courier, with a full grin on his face. "That talent you found before the Mojave became independent has been high selling with more tickets being sold."

"Don't get overconfident there, Chairman." Cachino said, in a low retort. "We Omertas pull our weight more than you and the White Gloves when it comes to collecting the dough."

"From some backstabs here and there." Swank muttered

"What was that, you little-"

"Gentlemen, please." Marjorie interrupted the incoming argument between Chairmen and Omerta representatives. "As for the Ultra-Luxe, we have been getting a steady income from our customers and guests."

"Prior to the whole secret cannibal-"

"Enough." Shinji said, ending the sentence before another heated argument could start. "King. How about you in Freeside?"

"We've been getting some squatters and a large number of immigrant refugees from the Legion and NCR territories." King said. "Ain't nothing we could handle for now."

"Not to mention, we've been vetting everyone of them closely in case of spies from both sides." Kreger added

"Julie." said woman turned Shinji. "Anything you want to share?"

"I wanted to discuss the recent influx of refugees. The ones we have from Oklahoma recently arrived with bruises, cut, and lacerations due to the Legion presence there." Julie stated to the committee and the Courier. "But something else has them scared. Especially the child refugees we get."

"Legion abuse?"

"It seems to be worse than that." Julie replied. "They've speak of mutants. When my Followers and I asked if they meant super mutants, they said no." she paused. "They said they were unlike they had ever seen."

Elder McNamara leaned with his hands pressed together. "Did they said where these mutants originate from?" he asked Julie

"Only thing they all said was that the mutants came from the east." Julie said as McNamara stroked his chin

Shinji noticed the BOS elder's expression. "Something you want to add, Elder?"

"A year after the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, the Brotherhood of Steel detachment got in contact with us in the Mojave chapter. Mainly to relay a message for the other Elders regarding the succession for the new Elder."

"Who is..." Shinji trailed off for McNamara to continue

"Unimportant." McNamara said, changing the subject. "What is important is that the reports from the east mention they were at war with a new mutant species, resembling creatures from an old world mythology."

"They got a name?"

"Just one: Nerospiridium." McNamara answered as the committee members looked at each other before looking to Shinji

"We'll have some of our border guards keep an eye just in case if it's these mutants shows up instead of NCR or Legion." he declared

"I'll put in the word." Kreger added, putting some of the committee at ease with the decision

Shinji stood up from his chair. "With that taken care of, meeting adjourned." he said, as the committee members went to their own devices

McNamara walked over to Shinji. "Would be best to send a scout regiment with the Brotherhood to get a view of the situation if this is the Nerospiridium."

"I'll take it under advisement." Shinji turned to see Rose of Sharon Cassidy, better known as Cass behind his shoulder. "Until, then."

McNamara nodded, leaving as he walked past Cass. With the two alone, Shinji walked close to her as his face was an inch closer to her. Cass went in for the kiss, as Shinji kissed back holding her in his arms. Once the committee was gone at the penthouse, Cass and Shinji were the only ones left in the penthouse as they started to make passionate love. The loving reunion lasted a couple of hours with both Shinji and Cass in bed, completely naked and cuddling together. Shinji gave Cass a slow and passionate kiss on the lips.

"Well, I missed you too."

"How's things with the caravans?"

"Going real steady. The trek across California was long as usual."

"NCR give you any trouble on your caravan travels?" Shinji asked, kissing her forehead while she laid her head on his shoulder

"Nothing I couldn't handle. So..." Cass trailed, kissing his cheek. "What's been going on here? I caught you in time after the meeting."

"Refugee influx, finding a place to put them in, and..."

"And?" Cass asked, waiting for him to finish

"Something's got the refugees rattled. It's not Legion, and the worse part it's apparently scarier than the Legion." he stated

"Any idea what it could be that's got the refugees shitting in their pants this bad?" Cass asked

Shinji shook his head. "No clue. I issued for the border guard to keep watch of anything unusual of the dangerous kind."

"You sound worried." Cass commented

"I am." Shinji replied. "Especially when it's some unknown quantity I don't know about."

"Let's not worry about that now."

"Excuse me, sir!" a cheery said interrupted. "Boss!"

Shinji sighed. "What is it, Yes man?"

"One of the Securitrons is down." Yes man informed them of as Shinji and Cass perched up on that response before getting out of bed, putting their clothes back on. "Which is rather odd for something like that to happen. Luckily, I have a security feed of the whole ordeal in my possession right now to tell us what actually happened to it."

"Tell me anything you know on the security feed of that securitron got before it went down." Shinji ordered. "I want to know exactly whatever the hell it was that put it down."

The scorching sun beats down on the desolate landscape of the Mojave Wasteland, the sun setting in just an hour away. Dust swirls in the dry wind across the rugged terrain in Red Rock canyon, revealing a small makeshift town for refugees nestled amid the barren expanse. Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the eerie silence, echoing through the canyons and sending tremors across the earth. The ground quaked as massive wings beat against the air, casting a shadow over the town below. A Securitron and a town guard on watch look up to see something in the sky, a monstrous bat-like creature with leathery wings and glowing eyes. It swooped down from the sky with terrifying speed as its screech pierced the air unleashing a barrage of green flames.

"Get the civilians into safety, now!" A town guard while citizens fled in absolute terror

A building is engulfed in flames as civilians are scrambling in panic, fleeing for their lives as the Scorchbeast rain down destruction upon the town. Buildings crumble and collapse under the force of its onslaught, sending plumes of smoke and debris into the sky. The town's defenses are no match for the ferocity of the Scorchbeast, as Securitrons and town guards attempt to neutralize the rampaging beast with gunfire and laser beams from makeshift barricades. The guard began evacuating the guard into Vault 19 while the town guards and securitrons fend off the beast, but their efforts are futile against its overwhelming power.

With a final roar of triumph, the Scorchbeast unleashed another blast reducing the town guard to smoldering crisps while only the stationed Securitrons remained in an attempt to fend off the mysterious creature. The Scorchbeast took one of the Securitrons in its maw in the air before dropping the robot in a high altitude. Among the chaos, a wastelander looked up to where the mutated giant bat was and narrowed his eyes, unlocking a large briefcase that housed a cannon of sorts. He loaded the cell at the back of the cannon and aimed for the mutant bat. He kept the cannon hunched on his shoulder while he pulled out a 10mm pistol, firing a few shots at the mutated bat monstrosity to catch its attention. The Scorchbeast roared furiously as its glowing eyes glared at the wandering wastelander. The wastelander dropped the pistol and used his free hand to hold the cannon correctly as the Scorchbeast dived first to make its way toward him. He kept his eye on the bat creature, keeping his aim steady and posture still while he waited for the right moment to happen. The Scorchbeast opened its mouth to spew out toxic and radioactive flames, getting more closer at the wanderer's vicinity. With the squeeze of the trigger, the wastelander's cannon fired out a blast of electric energy as it hit the Scorchbeast. The giant bat itself was electrocuted upon impact of the tesla blast as it crashed a mile away inside a small building away from the town. The wastelander walked toward where the beast fell into, loading up another core for the tesla cannon. The Scorchbeast let out a weakly screech and glared menacingly at the mysterious wastelander before being hit again by the blast of the tesla cannon.

"Hold it right here!" a soldier as a squadron arrived, aiming their weapons at the wastelander

"Drop the weapon! And tell us who you are!" another soldier, clearly a superior officer demanded

"Easy, easy." the Wastelander revealed himself to be a dark-skinned man in his late twenties. "My name is Micah Parker, and I'm just a lone wanderer who rolled into town." he introduced