Chapter 7: Among the Trenches

At the once abandoned military complex known formerly as F.E Warrens Air Force Base, now serving as a stronghold for the Mojave Union and the Outcasts. The night air crackled with the sounds of distant gunfire, explosions, energy weapons firing, and screeching of the Scorched Swarm beginning to slowly cease. Shinji stepped out of the battlements, observing the battle continuing with Micah beside him. He stared down at the battlefield using night vision binoculars to see Scorched Swarm falling back in the holes they emerged from, glancing at vertibirds as he heard the sounds of them in the air. They dropped down mini nukes, aiming directly at the holes as they were closed by the explosive impact of the nukes. Micah also checked with a night vision scope from a sniper rifle he borrowed, overseeing the battle at hand. He saw some soldiers fighting back at the Scorched while others were evacuating those that were wounded in the battlefield.

"How long do you think that'll hold them from breaching this time?" Micah asked

"Long enough to prep for another counterattack." Shinji replied. "My people in the Big MT sent in some bullets filled and laced with ultracite. Turns out these bastards have an intense aversion to it."

"Right... what is Ultracite? I don't think I heard of it."

What is Ultracite in the Fallout universe?

Ultracite is a rare and highly potent mineral that was discovered in Appalachia before the Great War." Shinji stated. "It's a post-war element that has unique properties, particularly in enhancing energy output and defensive capabilities in things such as power armor. The Brotherhood of Steel and other factions from Appalachia sought Ultracite for its strategic importance in developing advanced technologies and weaponry. Being linked to the Scorchbeasts and the emergence of the Scorched Plague, making it a central element in the extermination efforts against the Scorched."

"When was this?"

"Over 25 years after the Great War." Shinji said to the wanderer of the east. "It was seemingly taken care of in 2103 after the people of Appalachia were inoculated to prevent infection of the Scorched Plague."

"And now we have this new and evolved version of the Scorched Plague. Damn things are like a swarm of locusts by how many times they try to break through." Micah commented with his arms folded. "That think tank of yours get back to you on what they could find out?"

Shinji shook his head. "They said they needed to do some more tests."

"Arcade and the Followers should be able to help." Veronica said, walking by them as she faced the two. "McNamara send in a few scribes to offer assistance."

"Veronica, has the Brotherhood of Steel ever send an expeditionary force into Appalachia?" Shinji asked

"In the 2100s." Veronica responded. "Paladin Rahmini, Knight Shin, and Scribe Torres to name a few."

Micah glanced at Veronica. "How about an Elder?"

Veronica shrugged her shoulder. "Dunno." she replied. "Maybe they had an elder with them or sent one in after the trip. Speaking of which..." Veronica turned to Micah. "You were with Ostrich, you asked him about the Scorched?"

Micah nodded. "I did. You know what I know and then there's..."

"What?"

"Prosper." Veronica and Micah turned to Shinji. "Ostrich said he was a former NCR scientist. A geneticist. He's the likely suspect to have done something to the Scorched Plague."

"Question is why. What does he gain from it?"

Before either Shinji or Micah could respond, they suddenly hear one of the guards.

"Hey, you! Hold it!"

All three head down to see what the commotion was about. They see a squad of armed soldiers, with Boone present along with the surviving members of 1st Recon. Their weapons were trained a ghoul in leather armor and dark clothing, a ghoul with a shotgun that had a drum magazine. Upon first glance, Micah smiled as he saw who the ghoul was and walked over to him.

"I'll be damned. Charon, I wasn't expecting you to come find me." he said, patting the ghoul on the shoulder

"I recall telling you that I would not leave you out of my sight as par our contract."

Micah chuckled. "One contract I terminated and set you free."

"Uh..." Micah and Charon turned to Veronica. "Not to interrupt their budding conversation, but do you plan on introducing us?"

"Right." Micah pointed his thumb at Charon. "This is Charon. He was my bodyguard after I purchase him from his boss."

"A slave?" Boone asked, keeping his eyes fixed on Charon

"Former slave." Micah corrected

"And where's his old boss now?" Shinji spoke

"I said goodbye." Charon answered, bluntly as Shinji, Veronica, and Boone glanced at each other before staring at the ghoul. "It was a touching moment."

Veronica raised an eyebrow as her hand was on her hip. "You killed him, didn't you?" she asked the ghoul

"Yes." Charon answered

"Okay, then."

"That begs the question, what are you doing here?" Micah asked, turning his ghoul companion from his days as the Lone Wanderer. "It can't be just to find me."

"It is a lead your wife found out."

"Amata?"

"The Mojave Union isn't the group dealing with these Scorched. The NCR have been taking hits recently."

"NCR? They don't have any territory in Wyoming." Boone said. "They must have took the opportunity while we were occupied with the Scorched Swarm."

"Shit." Shinji muttered. "That complicate things. If the New California Republic encounters the Scorched, we're going to have another problem on our hands."

"I noticed a battle going on in the northeast. Can I assume that's your forces engaging this enemy."

"That's not our side. Everyone, move out!" Shinji ordered. "Boone, you and the rest of 1st Recon take Archer and Hammer company over that sector. I'm getting the big guns."

"On it!" Boone assembled all of Archer and Hammer company as they departed with Shinji, Micah, and Veronica. Humvees and trucks rolled out of the entrance and onto the road as their destination was the battle on the northeast.

A semi-barren but desolate landscape sprawled beneath a stormy sky, the rain drops hitting the ground and soldiers wearing their helmets. The blackened remains of twisted trees stand as lifeless monuments. The ground trembled as holes erupted suddenly, with the Scorched crawling out and emerging into battle. In the distance, a massive swarm of Scorched mutants approached outside the trenches as NCR troopers rained heavy machine gunfire on them. Their bodies are writhing, corrupted by the hive-mind. The air crackled with tension and sounds of all form of weaponry being heard amid the battlefield. Commander Hargrave was a man in his 40s, and acting leader of the 105th battalion regiment. Rugged and battle-hardened as an NCR veteran, he surveyed the horizon through binoculars. Behind him, he noticed a regiment of Mojave Union soldiers, clad in reinforced combat armor lined with unknown plating, prepare for the onslaught. Instead, the Mojave Union soldiers moved past the NCR troops and engaged the Scorched in an intense firefight. Heavy vehicles of the Union drove by opening fire and barricaded between the makeshift bunkers form a perimeter around a field command station. Among the troopers were the misfit squad, four of which were who trained by the Courier himself to improve their efficiency.

"Hold the line. Do not let those things breach the perimeter." Boone ordered. "Sgt. Wells. Get that Ultracite ready and unleash hell on these bastards."

The radio crackled as a response comes from Sergeant Wells, positioned on the east flank.

"Copy that, Commander. Ultracite laced rounds locked and loaded." Wells responded on the comm radio

A mechanical hum grows louder as a squad of HEAVY GUNNERS load Ultracite-laced bullets into rotary miniguns and light machine guns. Brotherhood of Steel Knights and Outcast Defenders reigned fire using their Gatling lasers. Snipers in elevated positions attach glowing Ultracite .45 govt bullets to their anti-materiel rifles as they took shots at Scorched emerging from the holes they came out of in the field.

"Fire at will." Hargrave commanded in a steely tone. "Mojave Union are allies for now, troops. Help them put these bastards down."

The battlefield erupted on the east flank. The Ultracite-laced rounds streak through the air, glowing with an eerie blue hue. They pierce through the corrupted flesh of the Scorched mutants. Some of the monsters convulse violently, the Ultracite destabilizing the parasitic influence of the swarm.

Wells commanded a heavy artillery battery. The soldiers loaded massive Ultracite shells into their howitzers, aiming the trajectory of where to launch the shells. With a deafening roar, the cannons launch, detonating amid the Swarm with bursts of blue flame. The shockwave rippled, disintegrating Scorched monstrosities in seconds. Micah took temporary command of the artillery battery while Wells went to assemble a fireteam to hit the Scorched that emerged from their holes.

Sgt. Wells led a four men team into the battlefield. "Keep firing! They're faltering!" he said, yelling as he opened fire

But the Swarm adapts. Beetle-like Scorched Insects, larger than a man, surge forward, using fallen bodies as cover. One lunges at a Union soldier, pinning him down. Before it can strike, a jetpack-clad Protector in power armor armed with an Ultracite-tipped Fatman mini-nuke launcher rocketed in to obliterating the creature. Commander Bell watched grimly as the Swarm's intelligent coordination becomes apparent. Until the arrival of more forces as mini nukes were launched at the holes the Scorched burrowed from, enclosing them completely.

"Deploy the Hellfire teams." the commander ordered on the comm radio

A squad of Hellfire soldiers, donning Ultracite-fueled power armor, marches into the fray. Their flamethrowers unleash torrents of blue flame, incinerating clusters of Scorched mutants. The swarm screeches in agony, Ultracite-infused flames purging the parasites from their hosts.

Despite the losses, the Scorched Swarm's hive mind rallies. The ground erupts as twisted, colossal Scorchbeast Titans emerge, wings tearing through the smoke-filled sky.

"Goddamn monsters." Hargrave muttered under his breath in a whisper before turning to the Courier. "On one hand, I was half expecting you and your people to shoot us down. But on the other hand, glad you didn't."

"You got 10 seconds to explain why you're here."

Suddenly, The Scorched Titans bellowed out of the ground as their guttural cries shaking the air. A Scorchbeast swooped low, unleashing a devastating sonic blast that crumbles the Mojave Union's defensive fortifications. Soldiers are thrown back, some clutching their ears as blood trickled down.

"Hellfire unit, focus on the Titans!" Commander Hargrave ordered on the radio. "Keep those flamers hot!" he turned to his platoon. "The rest of you have one side suppressing fire while the other half covers our flank!"

"Commander."

"You'll have your questions answered, Courier. For now, we got other problems on our hands."

The Hellfire squads turn their Ultracite flamers toward the monstrous beasts, streams of azure fire licking across the armored wings of the Titans. The Ultracite burns through the corrupted flesh, leaving behind glowing embers. Sgt. Wells spotted one of the Titans charging toward the artillery line.

"Target lock on that thing!" he said with urgency. "Load an Ultracite shell!"

A massive howitzer swiveled as the shell is chambered with a metallic clank. Wells watched as the Titan opens its maw, preparing another attack.

"Fire!" Sgt. Wells ordered

The shell launched, cutting through the air after being fired. It impacted on the Titan's chest, detonating in a violent burst of blue light. The beast roared in pain, staggering as Ultracite energy sears through its body. Blackened ichor sprayed across the ruined battlefield as a barrage of mini-nukes hit the rest of the invading Swarm, engulfed in small nuclear fire. After the explosion of mini-nukes fading away into a silence as only the fires of the battlefield were heard along with the howling wind. In the distance, sleek NCR vertibirds scream across the sky, unleashing volleys of Ultracite-tipped missiles. Explosions rip through the swarm, sending chunks of corrupted flesh scattering. The soldiers cheer, their determination unbroken. The battle for Wyoming no longer raging on, for now at least. Ultracite weapons proving the Mojave Union's resilience against the Evolved Scorched Swarm with the New California Republic's help.

Hargrave turned to the Courier. "We're holding, but those bastards won't stay down for long. Whatever they say, they've been causing nothing but trouble for us ever since."

"Commander, it's time for that explanation." Shinji said, folded his arm and keeping a steely glance at the NCR commander in charge of the 105th regiment

"And you deserve it after today." Hargrave replied

Back at F.E Warrens Air Force Base, Shinji and his entourage of companions present were in the war room. Micah and Charon leaned by the wall, watching them speak. The Lone Wanderer himself could tell that the Courier and leader of the Mojave Union did not take the NCR marching forces on his territory. According to the conversation, there was a treaty given to Colonels Hsu and Moore along with General Oliver after the second battle of Hoover Dam. It forbade the New California Republic from entering its armed forces into any of the territories belonging to the Mojave Union. The Legion would hear of what went down with the NCR after the terms were heard through their spies, keeping both the New California Republic and Mojave Union at bay. For nearly six years, this has held up the terms of the arrangement until recently.

"While your assistance has been appreciated in this, courier, we prefer if your nation and the NCR joined together." Hargrave spoke

"Out of the question." Shinji responded. "I made myself perfectly clear that the Mojave Union will not in any way integrate with the New California Republic."

"That would be true if you currently weren't doing with a problem on your own." Hargrave countered. "Especially one we happen to run into, recently."

"My answer is no. Now, tell me why you're here."

Boone crossed his arms, staring at the NCR commander. "You owe us that much of an explanation."

Hargrave sighed as he pulled out a letter, handing it to the Courier. "We were sent here by Colonel Hsu and Chief Hanlon on a classified mission." he stated as Shinji opened the letter and read it. "Last month, the NCR sent out a scouting team for a reconnaissance mission. Asset retrieval, captured or killed."

"You know about Vic Prosper."

"One of the smartest minds the NCR has, gone rogue. The SIA has been tailing his location ever since he defected from the New California Republic."

"SIA?" Shinji turned to Boone and Veronica. "Either of you know what the hell that is?"

"Nope. First time I've heard of it."

"Secret Intelligence Agency. Federal and domestic agency serving the NCR. One of them sponsor me and Manny for 1st Recon while we enlisted."

"How long have the SIA been tailing Prosper?"

"That's what we tried to find out. But the scouting team went down at someplace in the East called..."

"Appalachia." Micah concluded

"How did you-"

"Lucky guess." Shinji interjected, nonchalantly as not to let information. "When is the last time you heard back from this scouting team?"

"In the Midwestern territories." Hargrave stated. "Specifically, Chicago."

All five glance at each other before turning to Hargrave. "Could you just give us 5 minutes?" Veronica asked, before turning to Boone as he looked at Shinji who nodded in response. "Boone here will get your men settle while we have a chat."

Micah glanced at Charon. "Go with him."

Charon nodded and replied. "I will return shortly."

The ghoul bodyguard of the Lone Wanderer followed Boone and Hargrave out the door, leaving only Shinji, Micah, and Veronica. Shinji turned to Veronica who appeared to be withholding information that must have something to do with Chicago.

"Now that Hargrave is gone..." he trailed glancing at said man in the hallway, before turning back to Veronica. "Spill it."

"90 years ago, the Brotherhood of Steel send forces to track and hunt down super mutants after the Vault Dweller's fight with the Master." Veronica explained. "Airships were constructed as they headed east, assessing the super mutant threat. But they got hit by some storm before the survivors crashed near the outskirts of Chicago. So, they formed a new chapter and recruited locals. Humans, ghouls, and even super mutants were among the ranks in a war against some super computer."

"Meaning the scouting team was caught by the Brotherhood of Steel there." Micah deduced

"Last I heard the Brotherhood there is a small detachment." Veronica stated. "But I could be wrong and their numbers may have grown up a bit since then."

"This means we're going to Chicago, then?"

"Looks like it from here." Shinji replied as Charon made his way back

"Can I speak to you about Amata?"

"What about Amata- Wait a minute..." Micah raised an eyebrow at Charon. "Where the hell is she right now?"

"Advance! Press on the attack!" Dominus commanded with absolute authority in his voice

The sky is painted in blood-red hues as the sun sank behind the crumbling skyline of what once remained of pre-war Houston. Fires smolder in the distance. The battlefield stretched out between rusted-out cars, shattered buildings, and cracked asphalt overgrown with twisted but irradiated vines. A war horn bellowed in a deep, guttural sound that reverberates through the ruined city. The Legion stood in tight formations, gladius machetes and loyal Praetorian guards armed with nothing but ballistic fists at the ready beside Dominus. Among them was the Daughters of Hecate as their faces were painted with eerie war markings, gripping their makeshift spears, knives, and light weaponry such as 10mm pistols and sub-machine guns. Across the battlefield, the Nerospiridium mutants emerge from the shadows as their howling and shrieking could be heard in the distance from the battle. Fauns and Satyrs were wielding crude bone clubs and axes, along with rusted firearms at the Legionaries as they easily shot down one-by-one. Minotaurs heft scrap-metal axes, miniguns, and rebar clubs. Above them, Harpies circle the battlefield as they glided in the air waiting to strike. A tense silence hangs in the air. Legate Octavius, clad in segmented power armor modified after raiding a military armory in the Legion's brutalist fashion, raised his bumper-made sword.

His voice, raw and commanding, cuts through the hush. "Slay them in the name of Mars! No mutant leaves this field alive!"

The Legion roared in unison. Then, a thunderous boom echo throughout the battlefield as the Legionaries and their high-ranking commanders turned their attention to the source of the sound. The Minotaurs charge, shaking the ground with each pounding step as they led the first assault with Fauns and Satyrs right behind them. The Legion responded with a hail of gunfire antique rifles, salvaged laser weapons, and jury-rigged explosives. A Minotaur takes three bullets to the chest but keeps coming, only to be impaled by a sharpened steel pike wielded by a Daughter of Hecate preistess. She snarled and drove the weapon deeper, twisting as the beast collapsed after spewing blood with small traces of black chunks inside the blood. Harpies dive from above, their talons extended, shrieking like banshees. Legionaries raise their shields, catching the attacks before slashing upward with gladii while other legionaries and top-leading Decanus shot them down one-by-one. One Harpy grabs a soldier and lifts him high into the air only for a Daughter to hurl a firebomb in the Harpy's direction, engulfing the mutant in flame. It screeches and crashes into a wrecked bus. In the chaos, a Faun charged as its eyes wild with radiation-fueled madness, pounces on a Legionnaire and rips into his throat with a makeshift blade. Another soldier stabbed the mutant through the back with a serrated dagger, yanking it free as the Faun collapsed and convulsed in death.

Vexillarius saw a massive Minotaur carve through a group of Legionaries like wheat before a scythe, only for Lanius to impale his two-handed blade. He brought the mutant before its knees and beheaded it, as the head rolled off its body. gripped his gladius and stride forward, undaunted by Lanius's resolve and brutality as Vexillarius rallied the Legionaries in battle. The Satyr mutant swung a blow that would shatter bones but Dominus ducked and countered with a brutal slash to the knee, severing tendons before plunging his blade into its heart. The Minotaur roared in intense pain before Dominus drove his sword through its skull. The tide begins to turn. A Daughter of Hecate, her voice thick with ancient incantations, crushed a small effigy in her hand suddenly, sickly green fire erupted from the bottle she held in the palm of her hand. She flung it at a charging Satyr, setting its fur ablaze. The creature wailed in agony as it burned to death. As the remaining mutants see their leaders fall, their morale shatters. The Harpies retreat into the smoke-filled sky, shrieking in frustration. The surviving Fauns and Satyrs flee into the ruins, only to be run down by Legionnaires on makeshift motorcycles, their machetes hacking through flesh. Icarus, bloodied but victorious, surveys the battlefield. Piles of mutant corpses litter the ground, their foul blood seeping into the cracked pavement. A Daughter of Hecate approaches, her eyes gleaming in the firelight.

"The spirits demand more blood, sisters!" Selene rallying her fellow Daughters of Hecate, with their Hounds protecting them and holding the line. "There will be no satisfactory until we salt this land with their bones."

"Icarus. Rally your men to corral them."

Icarus nods grimly. He raises his sword high. "Burn the bodies. Let the crows feast on this filth."

The warriors cheer. Fires rise once more, consuming the dead in a hellish blaze as the Legion and the Daughters of Hecate march forward into the darkness, their war unending. With Lanius at the charge slashing off heads of Nerospiridium, the Legion had gained victory in reclaiming part of Texas this day. After the battle, Legionaries celebrated through feasts and fist fights. Slaves delivered cups and food for the new Caesar's entourage along with the Daughters of Hecate and High Priestess Selene enjoy the festivities, aside from the silent glares from some of the Legion. No more so than Lanius, but judging from what Dominus noticed that the battle earlier have eased his bloodlust, albeit slightly. He motioned the slaves to leave as two Legionaries dragged a woman into his tent with the other high-ranking Legionaries. All eyes were on the mysterious woman, as she was brought to her knees before the son of Caesar.

"How interesting. A vault dweller." Selene spoke with certain curiosity, lifting her chin to get a look at her. "Pretty thing."

"Who do we have here?" Dominus lifted her chin up, staring at her before glancing at the pip-boy. "A vault dweller?"

"Nonsense. She's not wearing a vault jumpsuit." Decimus

"Could have simply just threw it away elsewhere." Vulpes said. "Hide among the slaves in plain sight."

"Speak, woman." a legionary demanded as she remained silent. He responded with a backhand fist. "I said speak!"

"We will have a talk with one of these vaults on infiltrating our fortress." Lanius said. "Send a detachment to-" he was instantly cut off by the son of Caesar

"Wait!" All eyes turned to Dominus. "While she is a vault dweller, she is not from the Lone Star Wasteland." he said, with his hands on her pip-boy as he tinkered with it

"What makes you so certain?"

"I am a good judge of character. Also, a pip-boy could reveal their point of origin based on the Vaults they reside from. And so much more along the way." he knelt down next to the woman. "So, Amata... care to tell me why you have come here?"