The bullets and lasers whizzed past as the Securitron led the way, with Charles, Joseph, and Karl following behind, along with a few other agents—including Theodore.
The NCR, agents, and Securitrons were fighting everywhere, but Charles and his group were now focused on clearing a house that had become a kill zone for Legion riflemen.
Charles waved his group away to clear the surrounding area while he and the Securitron entered the house.
Joseph fired at one of the Legionaries from a window, using the roof riflemen's blind spot to avoid return fire, while the Securitron launched a rocket at the enemy. With that area cleared, they continued into the house and found no one else downstairs.
As Charles approached the stairs, expecting resistance, he ordered a rocket to be launched. Once it exploded, he advanced upstairs.
There, he saw three Legionaries huddled together. They quickly spread out, prompting the Securitron to open fire with its SMG while Charles peeked out to shoot with his laser rifle.
Suddenly, one of the Legionaries rushed the Securitron, slamming into it and knocking both it and Charles down, dropping a grenade in the process. Charles scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as he could before the grenade exploded.
After the blast, he held his position, ready for the Legionaries to descend the stairs.
When they came down, Charles swiftly shot all of them.
Then, using his Pip-Boy to contact the Freeside agents, Joseph, and Karl, he said:
"Alright, house is clear now."
"Yup, we've cleared our areas too. Sucks they destroyed the Securitron, though. But why'd they just rush down the stairs after that?" said Karl.
"Guess they wanted to make it a quick battle and didn't have any more grenades to spare. If they'd stayed up, we would've annihilated them with our own grenades, even with the Securitron destroyed, but did you guys notice any traps around here, the securitron didn't activate any" said Charles.
"No, I think we're too early into Legion territory. They haven't reinforced their gains in this area of the city yet—the offensive just started," said Joseph.
"Yeah, that's true," said Charles.
"Alright, so I assume one of us has to secure the building. I'll be the one to do that, but be careful, guys—watch out for any traps or vehicles out there. It's pretty chaotic the deeper you go," said one of the agents.
Approving of the agent's plan, the rest of them left the house to continue on.
Explosions whizzed past them from planes and artillery, and NCR trucks, Two Sun, and Legion bikers were engaged in heavy fighting.
Tactically moving to handle the threats on the NCR line, most of the Legion bikers at the front were dealt with by NCR soldiers, agents, and Securitrons.
Continuing on with the larger group, they marched in tactical formations, clearing each area and checking for traps.
Charles and his group were checking the alleys while the scouts searched for navajo traps. Finding nothing in their section, Charles's group rejoined the main force.
Ahead, there were Legion barricades, so the Securitrons took point with scouts close behind, checking for enemy traps.
Suddenly, a tree came crashing down, but a Securitron quickly launched a rocket, diverting the fall so that it only took down one of their securitrons.
Then Legionaries, Navajo, and ghouls emerged from all directions, launching grenades.
Everyone tried to fall back, but several Securitrons were still destroyed in the blast. The enemies then charged.
The few remaining Securitrons returned fire with rockets and SMGs, but they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies. As the front-line Securitrons fell, the troops could at least keep the enemies distracted and return fire but not completely since the navajo near the trees were engaging in melee combat with them using knives.
Then, once the remaining troops at the front charged, the entire battle shifted to close quarters.
The group was quickly overwhelmed, as the Legionaries, ghouls, and Navajo proved to be highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Despite the commanding officer eventually ordering a retreat, most troops were already falling back under pressure with the legionaries being held off only by the NCR vehicles
Charles and his group retreated to the house they had cleared earlier, while Two Sun bikers caused chaos nearby, held off only by NCR vehicles.
They tried to close the door, but saw a group of other people rushing into the house, so they let in as many as they could before shutting it.
Then a soldier gave out some orders, saying:
"Alright, we'll hold this position until the situation clears. Watch the windows and blast any Legion bastard you see."
Charles was watching the front window while the others were on the roof, checking the back and side windows, or patrolling the house.
Outside, Charles saw some bikers and enemy troops mixed in with friendly forces and NCR trucks, so he helped by firing from his position.
Charles assumed the Legion wouldn't launch any serious offensive after the losses they suffered from the Securitrons and friendly troops. He also knew his team wouldn't renew any offensive either, given the chaos of the close-quarters combat that had just occurred. Still, Charles was satisfied that the enemy had taken heavier casualties, based on what he observed during the battle—but that was to be expected, since those tactics were typical for the Legion.
A few minutes passed until the situation cleared, and the commanding officer shouted for everyone to regroup in the middle. Once they had gathered, he said:
"Alright, it's getting dark out and there's not much Legion activity. I suggest we get some rest. Anyone want to take patrol?"
When no one responded, he added, "Alright then, might as well get the ghoul to stay up."
Charles, angered by the comment, replied, "If you had a ghoul trooper around here, you wouldn't be spouting that ridiculous notion. And who exactly put you in charge? What's your rank? The General made the agents their own unit—not beholden to you guys."
"Alright, now I know who you are—Charles House," the officer said. "It was just a suggestion, sir. But if you want someone else, I can appoint another person. And to answer your question, it's Lieutenant Halder." said the Lieutenant with a hint of fear
"No, I think I'll take patrol," Charles said. "Just wanted to correct the notion you had of us, but I think there should be more people patrolling besides myself."
"Yeah, then I'll have Private McNally and Corporal Turnip with you," said Halder.
Most of the others were eating or lying down.
After a few hours, not much was happening.
Fortifications had been built outside for both the NCR and the Legion. With nothing else going on, Charles called Iris. After a few moments of silence, Iris answered.
"Charles, you there?"
"Yeah. Don't know why I called you—just standing guard and doing nothing right now. Guess I'm just bored and tired."
"Yeah, I understand."
"So, how's the situation back home?"
"Well, we have our enemies mobilizing against McCarran now and we still have those asshats from westside raiding NCR troops and crimson caravan trade"
"Hmm, perhaps they want to try an encirclement. We should be able to deal with it, though, since those fuckers aren't as well-equipped as the Legion—even if those damn Freeside gangsters got their hands on laser rifles. Still, it can't be as bad as it is out here in Boulder City."
"Yeah, I heard. You guys were pushed back in the offensive."
"Yup, pretty much. But I heard they're mobilizing troops to take back Nelson soon."
"Yeah, that's true, so it ain't all bad. But Charles, I wanted to tell you something—your dad was saying he wanted you to quit fighting after the war and start focusing on redeveloping our industry."
Before Iris could continue, Charles cut in.
"Say no more. I'm sick of all this fighting, you know. Just 'cause I was on the road for years doesn't mean I enjoy any of this shit. It's gotten boring, and I feel like I've gotten dumber because of it."
"Didn't develop any street smarts though, Charles?"
"Ha! Street smarts—what a joke that is. But sure, I've picked up some, Iris. Still, I need to go back to my roots."
"Alright then, that's that. But I know you didn't call me just to talk about your new job. You need any nerves calmed, Charles?"
"Not really," said Charles half-heartedly.
"Come on, you didn't call me for nothing, right? I need sleep too, you know."
"Nothing much, seriously. Just wanted to talk with somebody is all. Got boring."
"Sure. Well, if you won't say the words, I will—I love you, Charles, and you'll be fine. You've been kicking this long, you're not going now—not when all the work is just starting. Man, I don't know how many times I've said these same words to you."
"You say it all the time, yet it always hits the same. Anyway, thanks, Iris. But I gotta go now love . Bye."
Then, with the Pip-Boy off, Charles quickly continued patrolling mindlessly alongside the other soldiers.
"Once it started to get to day, Charles and the soldiers woke the rest of the group up."
"Since no further orders were given on radio, they continued patrolling the house, watching for any threats.
Once Charles was up on the roof, however, he saw the Beast of the East, Lanius, near the front lines talking to some troops. Then he went back, and all of a sudden, Lieutenant Halder shouted out the new orders to hold their position with no retreat. Moments later, the Legion charged."