Fallout:Pyrrhic Victory (IC)

[North America Inc]

"The Unity will bring about the master race. Master! Master! One able to survive, or even thrive, in the wasteland. As long as there are differences, we will tear ourselves apart fighting each other. We need one race. Race! Race! One goal. Goal! Goal! One people . . . to move forward to our destiny. Destiny."- the Master

LORE

In the year 2162, the Vault Dweller entered the Cathedral and confronted the Master. In the original timeline, the Vault Dweller was able to defeat the Master and prevented the spread of the Super Mutant race across the South West. But what if he failed? What if a single bullet from a Gatling turret was to change the course of history? What if the Vault Dweller died and the Master lived.

However, even in death the Vault Dweller proved to be a thorn on the Master's side. His vast army of Super Mutants had been cut short, and worst of all the Vault Dweller was able to wake up the Brotherhood of Steel and help them realize how much a threat the Master was to the rest of the wasteland. To that end, the Brotherhood declared war on the Master to contain him and prevent his acquisition of the Boneyard. The Brotherhood matched the sheer strength of the Super Mutants with their power armor and energy weapons, but this was not to be a short war, for twenty years the battle lines would rarely change as it became a battle of attrition. For a time it would appear that the Southwest was to evolve into a state of perpetual war but surprisingly once again the actions of the Vault Dweller would eventually turn the tide of battle. Sandy Sands, a small city before the Vault Dweller arrived would eventually form into the New California Republic. So in 2186, the newly formed NCR joined the war on the Brotherhood's side and shifted the tide of battle. Bringing new men, new cars, and fresh supplies the Master was eventually forced, for a time, to surrender and the NCR-BOS alliance confined the Super Mutant menace to a few segments inside California and in the process save the Boneyard. However the Master was not defeated and hid inside the fortresses of the Cathedral and Mariposa, waiting for a time to strike.

The right time was to come fifty years later with the arrival of the Enclave and the vast fleets of Vertibirds that would come with them. For the last 150 years they watched from the safety of their oil rig, waiting for the right time to strike, and so in 2140 their power armored units began to land in Northern California to reclaim ‘America”. With the Mariposa Military Base firmly under the Master's control, the Enclave however was never truly able to develop the Mutant Contagion that they always dreamed of. Instead they were forced into conventional warfare with the towns and villages inside Northern California. With no Chosen One to oppose them, the NCR and BOS too busy with containing the Master, and the towns to divided amongst themselves, the Enclave blitzed across Northern California with little opposition. The arrival of the Enclave in Northern California caused a shift in the balance of power in the Southwest. The NCR and Brotherhood had very little troops to spare to prevent the spread of the Enclave, but they had no choice. So unsurprisingly when the NCR deployed garrisons and the Brotherhood deployed Paladins to fight the Enclave, Super Mutants began to pour out of the Cathedral and Mariposa with the sole focus on conquering the Southwest. All there was no real alliance between the Master and the Enclave, they tended to avoid each other in order to first destroy their common enemy.

By the spring of 2248, the situation was dire in the Southwest, as the Boneyard and Vault City fell to the Master and the Enclave respectively. So began the ‘Evacuation’ when thousands of people from California began fleeing east specifically the Mojave in order to escape the armies of two juggernauts. It was during this time the Brotherhood of Steel began to slowly reason that for the time being they had to retreat in order to ensure their survival. Geographically, the Brotherhood’s Headquarters at Lost Hills was a natural buffer between the Master and Shady Sands, the Capital of the NCR. The Brotherhood realized that if the pressure from the Master was to continue that they’re lines would collapse and be the end of their Order as they knew it. So despite the numerous pledges from High Command that they made towards the Republic, the BOS secretly gathered their things from Lost Hills and the frontlines and simply fled. They left California and fled to the Mojave and met up with the local chapter there. The Brotherhood would survive, the Republic would not. An uncoordinated large scale attack by both the Enclave and the Master crushed the remnants of the NCR army, with the NCR command to shocked by the Brotherhood’s desertion to make any meaningful defense strategy. California was now solely divided by the Enclave and Unity.
Of course these two groups didn’t exactly plan to coexist with each other, and each planned the other group’s demise. As the Enclave focused on Oregon and Washington, while the Master focused on Mexico and Baja, with Nevada being the greatest area of contention. For the next thirty years both groups relations went from bad to worse, each conquering territories to use the resources for the eventual war. But then Enclave Scouts and Unity Spies discovered the Mojave Desert and the crown jewel of the wasteland… New Vegas.

As Enclave Vertibirds flew over New Vegas, Mr. House and his Securetrons woke up, a large army that Mr. House had correctly predicted arrived. New Vegas lit up and House’s army of robots rolled across the streets of Vegas, cracking down on the tribes who now called Vegas their home. So as Enclave scouts started to land on Vegas, Mr. House was there to meet them. However as the Enclave entered New Vegas, Unity discovered the Hoover Damn… and the Legion. As the Enclave and the Master fought the NCR and Brotherhood, a man from the Boneyard was making a new empire in Arizona and Colorado. His name was Caesar, and he had created one of the largest armies based off the Roman Empire of old. Denver was his New Rome, and his vast caravans of ‘chariots’ had helped him secure 87 tribes of the Midwest. So as the Super Mutants approached the Damn, they were caught off guard by the largest Raider Groups they have ever seen. Both wanted the Damn, and thus in the field of battle they gathered in the fields of Boulder City the armies met. They clashed each other without even who the other side was. The Damn would provide the Master to create more bases similar to Mariposa with the electricity and the Legion needed it for them to evolve into something more than a Raider Group. The causalities was massive as Behemoths clashed with Diesel, and eventually one group proved victorious: the Enclave. Mr. House secured a temporary alliance with the Enclave and the Enclave secretly airlifted troop to the damn in order to provide electricity to Vegas and Northern California. The Master and the Legion retreated back South West of Las Vegas and Fortification Fort respectively. They felt cheated they wanted the damn back, the Enclave wanted to secure the Mojave for themselves, Mr. House wanted the Mojave and the Damn for himself, the Brotherhood wanted to be left alone, and other groups wanted the Mojave for their own reasons. A cold war soon developed between the three major factions, with each group careful not to start a war until they are ready for it. In this very dangerous time, it would be the independent factions that would shape the future. All three major factions were all in par with each other, they needed the other smaller factions in order for the Mojave to be theirs. Or in an unlikely possibility, maybe the Mojave would unite and kick the invaders out of their homeland. But how likely is that?

OOC: Make sure you have done the Confirmation APP before you post.

OOC Link: http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=351570

[Fascist Russian Empire]

Goodsprings

For a very brief moment, a quiet ringing filled the nighttime air of Goodsprings, as a bullet from the silenced pistol of Chauncey, the White Glove assassin sent to procure the Platinum chip, made contact with the courier who was carrying it, hitting the courier straight in the head. This was followed by a second silenced gunshot, as Chauncey followed up the first with a shot to the courier's heart, just to make sure he was really dead. After all, Mortimer didn't want any witnesses; if House found out about their plot to overthrow him, it would mean bad news for the White Glove Society.

"Alright, let's go ahead and bury him; don't want anybody to find the body. The sooner we finish cleaning up the evidence, the sooner we can get back to the Strip." Chauncey said to the handful of hired guns that had been hired to help carry out the mission. The dead courier was quickly buried in the Goodsprings cemetery, all the evidence that the White Gloves had ever been there being quickly covered up; if anyone found out about what they were doing, their asses would be served at the next annual banquet. The courier dealt with and the Platinum chip taken, the band of assassins quickly proceeded to load up in their fancy pre-war sports car, and start the drive back to the Strip.

The White Glove Society had been planning their assassination and coup against Mister House for months now, and the Platinum chip was the key to taking over Vegas. They had gone through hell and back to track down the Courier and get the chip; of course, though, with the kind of contacts the Society has, it was inevitable that they would find the chip eventually. They had put a lot of money, planning, time, and effort into preparing their plot against House, gathering all kinds of materials and people to help with their takeover; hackers and other science type people, in particular. The Society had been working closely with a few members of the Followers of the Apocalypse, who helped the Society hack into House's data networks, un-encrypt his information, and even help find the courier's whereabouts, in exchange for monetary support for the Followers and other benefits.

The first stage of the plan, the recovery of the Platinum chip, had gone flawlessly; Chancey and his band of hired guns had done an excellent job in pursuing and eliminating Courier Six, and retrieving his package. The next stage of the plan would be a bit...trickier. Next, they needed to figure out a way to get inside the Lucky 38 casino, and assassinate Mister House. This would be a lot more complicated than just shooting a courier in the head; the general idea was to use the Followers' expertise to hack into the Lucky 38's security systems, remotely open the casino's doors, and use reprogrammed securitrons to neutralize the casino's security, if they couldn't remotely take control of them as well. Of course, it would be easiest if House would just invite someone into his casino, somebody who could then be hired to assassinate him, but that wasn't likely to happen, unfortunately; the Lucky 38's doors hadn't been opened in centuries, House wasn't likely to change that now.

Once House was out of the picture, then the White Glove Society would use House's security network to take control of his securitrons, giving the Society an army to secure all of Vegas for themselves. The other Two Families would be forced to swear fealty to the Society, and give a hefty cut of their income up, and, with their robot soldiers, proceed to drive the Enclave out of Vegas; if all went well, the annexation of Freeside would also be an eventual goal. Forging an alliance with Caesar's Legion to cement their independence and consolidate their hold over Vegas would also be a very pressing matter, but forming official alliances could wait until House was dead and the Society had control of his securitrons. It was unlikely Caesar would honor any deal that acknowledged the Society's dominance of Vegas, and Caesar would likely end up turning on the Society, but, well, the Society had the platinum chip, which would upgrade every single securitron on the Strip, making them thrice as effective at killing. Let's just say that killer robots with missiles and slaves with machetes don't mix well; the Society would be ready to deal with Caesar when the time came.

The Ultra-Luxe

"Any word as to our arrangement?" Mortimer said to Emily, the Society's resident Follower scientist, looking up from his desk.

"I finished reprogramming that securitron for you, sir." Emily said to Mortimer. She had already reprogrammed one securitron, to hack into House's data networks and find out information such as the location of the chip, but the White Glove Society kept her around, to reprogram securitrons for more aggressive purposes. Since the Society didn't have the firepower needed to secure the Lucky 38 by themselves, the idea was to use a handful of reprogrammed securitrons, controlled from the Ultra-Luxe, to attack the Lucky 38 when they managed to open its doors, the extra firepower likely going a long way to neutralize House's security. Of course, it was a pretty difficult process to successfully reprogram the robots, so Emily had only managed to reprogram a single securitron to help in the eventual fight to take the Lucky 38. Still, the White Glove Society had plenty of money and resources at their beckon call; if Emily couldn't manage to get enough securitrons online to get the job done, they had enough money to hire mercenaries, if it came to that.

"Splendid, splendid; this will go a long way towards helping our cause. You've been a valuable asset to the White Glove Society; keep up the good work. It's only a matter of time before our plans come to fruition, at this rate." Mortimer responded.

"Well, I just hope that House's death will help the Followers; getting our hands on some of his technology could mean big things for us, and be of tremendous help in our quest to help the people of New Vegas." Emily said.

"Of course; as I've promised, the Followers will get access to any of Mister House's information they want, after he's taken care of, of course. Until then, monetary reimbursement for your effort will have to suffice." Mortimer said.

"Right, well, I should probably get back to work. I'll come back to you when I've made more progress." Emily said, going back to resume her hacking work.

[Cybraxia]

Joe
Boulder City

---

"Last Round!"

Joe took a gulp of his beer before responding to the bartender by slamming a dozen caps onto the bar. "One more!"

"Kid, you've had enough, scram!"

The two began to argue, not that the other people in the bar noticed. At this time of night, they weren't going to walk home.

Outside, a red helmeted man leaned against the wall. Not too far off were a convoy of three trucks. Two technicals, and a tow truck.

[Plzen]

Old Boulder Bar, 4 Sveavägen, District Norden
Central Municipality, International Settlement, Boulder City

Captain Sundström was spending her evening half-drunk in the Old Boulder Bar, as was typical of her. Curiously, she never got completely drunk, even after drinking down her 5th cup. Perhaps it had something to do with the watered-down beer of the Old Boulder Bar.

"Captain Sundström!"

"Whaaaaat?"

A uniformed soldier - bearing the traditional white and sky-blue uniforms of the Norden District Militia - entered and saluted.

"Your presence is requested at the City Hall in forty minutes."

"On whose order?"

"The request was filed by the Supreme Council."

Carol Sundström groaned. She may have effective control of the Settlement, but appearances were still appearances. She couldn't afford to appear as if she was ignoring the democratically-elected Council. She turned to the barkeep.

"How much do I owe?"

"3.25 krona."

"How much do I owe, in bottlecaps?"

The Captain was good at extortion. From her many trips across the Mojave wastelands, she had a considerable stash of bottle caps. Certainly enough to pay her daily expenses. On the other hand, as a mere Captain in the Settlement Army, her income in terms of the Settlement Crown was pitiful at best. The biggest drawback of the army, really, was that the pay was unreasonably low.

"...thirteen, let's say," replied the barkeep.

She quickly paid her bill, and headed for City Hall.

[Ralnis]

Nelis AFB

In Vegas, the Rules have always been against their people. However, when the world was flushed into the damn toilet. The rules have changed.

- Francis E. Dec Esquire's speech to the Horrors before deploying into New Vegas

The Horrors of the Empire, the Empire's own dark protectors and knights against the Legion in New Mexico and to protect the cultures of the tribes that were inside their home. The jet black warriors in red tri-set monitors had made their way to their forward base of operations in the north of the glowing lights of the Strip. It was difficult to sit into the ruined base with vertabirds and a stockpile of weapons but there was no comfort than just a good bed, some nuka-cola, or even a nice tribal painting in Santa Fe made by Neo-Buddhist.

Not many really cared as they wore their power armor and re-primed the howitzer and started to send out the spies across New Vegas and the strip that had been feeding information to the Empire as the cold war has been going on. The power armor of the Horrors was in some ways more advance than the BoS but fell short against the Enclave. The armor was light and made for guerrilla warfare against the Legion when they established the Empire. Some of them had head set radios in order to increase their effectiveness for things like night-ops.

The leader of the Horrors was the General Chuck Jones, who had started to worry about the state of Vegas and decided that the special forces should start on being active than just observers and forcing the Empire's claim on Vegas and his start was trying to gather the needs to start their march against the Big 3 by finding out just who is worth the alliance and who is worth killing. The spies had done work and now the dossiers have been compiled and something just made a big impact.

A radio had made its contact to a large array in the AFB that connects with the spies and scouts across the Mojave.
" 1-3-4-8-11-3-4-5-6-7 stop" The numbers came in that told what agent was talking and the message was being relayed through Morse into this message.

Gunshot sounds near Goodsprings. Confirmed one dead body and one parcel missing, someone beat us to the hit.
Message form Twenty-dash-seven. Enclave have pressed into Strip, increasing pressure on the spies and will be making contact with Families. Vegas Signs and the Vault near the Strip have been made contact in order to increase influence on the Strip for future operations. *stop^

Vault 34 has been found with a large community of gun crazies, interests have been noted for the Empire. A prison off the south of Goodsprings have been occupied by some warrior clans, good be worthwhile. Found a group that calls themselves the Desert Rangers seem to be anti-Legion. Good for us in that case. Empire is making contact and trade with settlements such as Westside, Freeside, Sloan, and Primm. May suggest sending Horrors to start making influential moves and deals against the Enclave and try to increase support for the Empire. *stop*

The General was feeling mixed when to see what the current information was gathered but the job needed to be done. He sent letters to the Empire in New Mexico and started to send out the Horrors to Westside, Freeside, Sloan, and Primm in order to start making their own campagins and deals with the leadership with trade to start working on getting support and trade for New Mexico. Letters and interactions were sent to Vault 34 about ideas of starting a major gun trade from the Mojave and east to Tajos and into Texas. One was sent to the warrior clans for employment and an alliance for the gun trade. One was sent to the Desert Rangers for a trade of food and raw materials as well of being part in the gun trade they can set up.

To: Gun Runners of Vault 34

We are the Gunthanes of Tajos, major gunsmiths of the Empire of the Dark Sunset and even into Texas. We had heard that you were a major gun suppliers and makers in the Mojave and we would like to make one of the biggest investments in our community but it could help both Vegas, you , and us in entirely. We would like to start a gun trade with you and into our Empire. We have more than a few Mojave-native settlements who are interested in trading with us and making this into a large gun trade will help both of us. What do you say? You want to make some caps?

To: Mandalorian Clans

We are the Gunthanes of Tajos and we are looking for people to secure an alliance and trade with our Empire for we are looking of settling up a large gun trade in Mojave. Of course there is jobs for your Clans in order to make sure that there is payment since the Mojave is getting hotter by the moment. You will be paid in caps but if you want to do something more than we are always looking for mercs for the Empire.

To:Desert Rangers

We are the Gunthanes of Tajos and part of the Empire of the Dark Sunset. We have heard that you are anti-Legion and wanted to protect Mojave well, we are looking for trade in order to build a large gun trade from your region and into ours. It could help with trying to bring the Legion down and we are always looking for more foodstuffs and raw materials for building convoys and such.

It was good that the Gunthanes were willing to make such a large gun trade into New Vegas as it will be one of the many steps into getting the local support against the Big 3. It was of course a big move as they are starting to make their moves in order to start getting trade into the Mojave in order to get some caps running through.

[The Krogan]

Mandalore, Jack Gordon
Mandalorian Base camp, old NCR correctional facility

The Mandalore brought his personnel vehicle to a stop just outside the entrance gates to the old NCR correctional facility that he had had turned into the main base camp of the Clans in this area. When they had first found the facility the place had been in serious need of repair; most of it's defenses were weak to say the lest, the buildings were dilapidated, and the area as a whole was indefensible. Mandalore had changed that though the moment he deemed the area base camp, the Clan's people immediately began working on turning the place into a fortress and the project was nearly complete. The watch towers had been reinforced with whatever they could scavenge from the waste land, the fences had been repaired for the most part, and sandbag fortifications surrounded the compound; with the buildings inside still under repair, but "livable" in. There wasn't enough room inside the compound for everyone to live in at once though, so he had had a second fortified encampment constructed just outside the gates to help house his people, along with several surrounding outposts to do both that and watch for threats.

Pausing for a second to take it all in, the Mandalore shut off the engine and exited the vehicle, and upon walking back to the trunk, popped it open and withdrew a particularly ripe smelling sack with several flies buzzing around it. As he walked towards the gate, one of his top lieutenants, Logar, approached with a note in hand,

"Mandalore sir, just got a message from some Gunthanes of Tajos group, seems like they want to set up some kind of alliance and trade between the Clan's and themselves," Logar said, while Jack wordlessly took the letter and read it over. After folding up the letter and putting it in his pocket, Mandalore tossed the bag to Logar and said,

"Task a patrol with collecting the contract money on these raiders, I'll write a response to these Gunthanes about meeting for talks", And with that said, the Mandalore made his way towards his personnel quarters to write the letter.

To: Gunthanes of Tajos
From: Mandalore

The Clan's are interested in what you have to say, designate a meeting place for us to talk in person and we'll see where things go from there.

[Clavkova]

The Tops


Jacob Moretti sat around a large oak table, followed by another 6 men in suits. 2 guards in suits stood at the door of the conference room on the top floor of the business level. The floor was heavily guarded, Moretti made sure that. Everyone had a drink next to them, and waitresses topped up glasses as they spoke. Only the most trusted and loyal to Moretti came to these meetings. Jacob waved his hand to signal he wanted the staff to leave. The staff left, with the 2 guards leaving and closing the door behind them.


Moretti: "So, My associates, as we all know we've made strives into the gun businesses here on the strip. We'eve managed to kit most of our boys out with automatic rifles, which should now pose a significant risk to those who now threaten our order."

The men lift up drinks towards Moretti, in a celebration.

Moretti:" Tommy Valcone, head of our gun running businesses outside of New Vegas, was kind enough to offer the Van Graffs a deal. Tommy?"

Tommy: "Thank you Don Moretti. As we all know, our businesses,[i] The Run Gunners, has been manufacturing weapons, as well as maintaining weapons. We offered the Van Graffs a very...kind deal, offering to purchase their shop in Freeside for a more than generous sum of money. Unfortunately, Gloria Van Graff has different ideas. Not only did she refuse, she also threatened our messanger that we sent. Very Disrespectful "[/i]

Moretti:" Very Disrespectful indeed. As you all know, Im a man of respect, I give it but I also expect it returned. That is why this...grievance cannot stand. As of now, I have sent my good friend Mr Montaine to....offer...The Van Graffs another deal. It's my belief that this deal will be the last one we will have to make with the Van Graffs. "


Freeside - The Silver Rush.


2 cars pull up outside the Silver Rush in Freesize. The time of day suggests its around 10 at night. Simon, the door man of the Van Graffs, exits the building, turning around the look the door behind him. Frank Montaine looks at the guys in the car "Show time" he says. 6 men exit the 2 cars holding Tommy guns in their hands, They walk up to the front of the Silver rush, With Frank taking point.


Frank Montaine:" Simon Jenson? Tell Gloria that Don Moretti sends his regards."

Frank begins firing several rounds into Simon before he has chance to get his key out the door. Frank clicks 1 the door's open and The other 5 begin shooting through the door and the windows of the building, the glass shattering instantly and the frame of the door blowing into splinters. As the other 5 keep firing, Frank heads back to the car, opening the boot and bringing out a large weapon.

Frank: "Been waiting a long time to use this"

He closes the car boot, walking towards the door of the silver rush with a Fat Man in his hand. The door is now longer none existent. Propping himself into a firing position the other 5 run from the windows back towards the car's.

Frank: "Hey Gloria, you should've taken the fucking money when you had the chance"

Frank launches 1 Fat man mini nuke directly into the middle of the Silver rush. The places explodes in a fireball, launching Franks hat clean off his head, and blowing out the remaining windows on the upper floors. The Fire rages from the Silver Rush, and screams can be heard from within. Frank and the rest run back towards the car's before speeding off. As they drive into the distance, chain reactions can be heard exploding still within the Silver Rush. Frank turns to the guys sat in the back of the car


Frank Montaine: "Rule number 1, never keep your explosives on the front counter."

As they drive away, the silver Rush can be seen in the distance, as a large glowing fireball in the night. Occasionally, faint booms can still be heard as the stock pile of ammo in the Silver Rush explodes.

[Lunas Legion]

Veronica,
Sierra Madre Casino

The Sierra Madre could've been a pretty nice place to live, for the Wasteland at least; clean running water, largely intact buildings, a vast supply of food through the vending machines... In the decade since Elijah and his band of Brotherhood dissidents, including his pupil Veronica, had come to it, it had been transformed greatly.

The only real issue was, well, The Cloud. It was still around, outside the range of the city's ventilation systems; that which hadn't been sucked in had drifted out, forming a great protective sphere of deadly red gas. It also made the Madre a miserable place, under a permanent cloud, but it was quite possibily the best defended place in the Wasteland. Elijah had re-activated the external security systems atop the Villa's wall, laser turrets originally meant to stop trespassing now being used for the city's defence should the enemy get through the Cloud. The Cloud itself was filled with... Other dangers. The few remaining Ghost People, fitted with explosive collars, remained within, acting as barbaric guard dogs, and their traps littered the Cloud. And even if they got through all that, there was still the Madre's holographic security to deal with.

The Cloud was far too dangerous for anyone to pass through bar the Ghost People, so the Madre Brotherhood instead had a long tunnel to move from the Villa to the Wasteland at large. Said tunnel was narrow, barely wide enough for Veronica and her bike to move through it, and also had a hologram emitter at the Villa end. One hologram could hold this tunnel against anything.

She sighed with relief as she hauled the bike out of the tunnel. The Wasteland was gloomy and overcast for once, but not raining. Mounting the bike and kicking the nuclear engine into life, Veronica drove off in the direction of the Mojave. A Holorifle, saturnite power-fist and Madre-issued security armour would be enough protection for her from whatever the Mojave threw at her.

[Cybraxia]

Light Brigade Scavenger Group "Holiday Spirit"
Boulder City

---

Joe hit the ground with a thud as he was thrown out by the bartender. "And stay out you bum! If I see you in here again, I'm gonna-"

"You're gonna what?" The red helmeted man asked, turning to the bartender.

"I uh..." He trailed off, and hurried back inside, never finishing his sentence.

"Stupid asshole! I only had three beers!" Joe propped himself up on one arm.

"You shouldn't have had any. It impairs your judgement." The red helmeted man replied, as he offered his hand to Joe. "Come on, we still need to wait for the others to come."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't even ask me if I'm alright. Thanks. Blues." Joe replied as he accepted the hand.

"You didn't get hurt the last time you got thrown out of a bar."

"Oh, go to hell." Joe dusted himself off.

---

Light Brigade Scout Group "Red"
Road to Nellis AFB

"What did you do?!"

"I didn't do shit!"

"Sarge is gonna kill us!"

They looked at the truck tire again. It was flat, with a few spikes of metal poking out of it. It would take a little bit to repair, but out in the wastes, you can never stay in one place for long. They started at once to repair it.

"Wish Lopez was here." the first man mumbled to himself.

---

Radio Broadcast - Light Brigade

"Good evening once again folks, as before, I'm Doctor Light. I hope you've been enjoying the music so far. Now for some late night news. Sources say that every day, more and more eyes from around the area are turning to the Mojave. In fact, several people claim to have seen outsiders scouting out some of the places. I personally hope that their intentions are good, but you never can be too sure. In this world, there is already too much evil, why not try to change the world for the better? Well, I believe that is all for the night. I'm signing off for now, but the music will continue. The next song on the queue is one of my favorites, 'I Drove All Night'. Good night, and stay safe."

After a short pause, the song began to play.

[Lunas Legion]

Veronica,
Near Nellis AFB

Veronica brought her bike to a stop a short distance away from a pair of guys staring down at a truck tyre, presumably flat. She climbed off, Holorifle on her back, pistol holstered but saturnite power fist on her right hand, and began walking over before she called out. "You seem to be having a bit of a problem boys. Mind letting me have a look, see if it's anything serious?"

[Deramen]

---

---

Mr. House Will See You Now.

---

House Sighed. A light buzz was playing, It was from his Securitrons. He had gotten used to it. A bot of his rushed through the door. House checked the bot name. Victor He sighed.

"Sir! something wrong!" Victor spoke with urgentness. He was shaking so much his bolt loosened.

"What Victor?" called House. He wasn't in the greatest mood, His screen was had a crack, no one noticed. that bugged him a bit.

"Uhh Ahh, The Chip, It was stolen." Victor responded waving his robotic hands into the air. His screen changed to that of a embarrassed cowboy. If it wasn't for the situation at hand he would have looked adorable.

"What? You must be joking!" House laughed strongly but slowly started fading. Victor stood there, dead silent. "My God, You aren't joking?!" House grunted, today of all days this happens?! He ran a program which ran a animation of House rolling his eyes. "who did this? Im quite annoyed."

"So-So-Some guys! they, they took-" Victor stumbled.
"It." House finished. Victor gulped and laughed nervously.

"How would they take it? I had six couriers, five of them with fakes!" House grunted again. "Victor you bumbling bot I should shut you down! But I know better then to do that." House sighed. "Tell The Family's to meet up in The Tops, and its important."

"Okay Boss, im on it!" Victor nodded as best he could and rolled out of the door. The Securitron left. Jane chimed in.

"Honey! whats got ya down?" She changed faces and put on one of a happy woman and crossed her hands.

"Ugh. The Chip was stolen by some thief wanting money and fame I presume." House grumbled. He ran a program that showed his face as annoyed. "Sorry Hun but I gotta get back to work." Jane nodded and went back to dusting the room. House started programming. He would show up but in Securitron form. He managed to backup himself in case something went wrong. He also changed Securitron programming, the ones in The Lucky 38 were changed to kill on sight if they see outsiders. He would go, but he'd bring two Bots with him. For protection if anything.

He wants to meet them so they can send a guy or find hints on who did it.

[Vacif]

Hidden Valley, Delta Bunker
High Elder Maxson

"And so, I hereby lift the lock down, all of you are dismissed, this meeting is adjourned." High elder Maxson said this last part with a bit more force, and with finality, ending any disagreements. The council of elders dispersed, some sighing in relief, and others beaming with glee of the lock down ending, and that the overextended session was over. Jonathan rose from his seat, and made for the door. Joining him was Senior Paladin Hale. "So, how goes training?" he asked his friend.
"Quite well actually, the new close combat doctrine is well received, and merging well with our current combat doctrine." Despite the 16 year age difference, they were good friends. The Senior Paladin was the High Elder's eyes, and ears in the field as he himself could not go out into the field, or be everywhere at once. He answered directly to him. "The initiates are taking to their training better than expected, though some are overeager, and rather trigger happy." reported the Senior Paladin. Maxson nodded, as he took in the report. As they walked down the corridor in silence, a thought came to Hale. "Sir, scouts have reported a group has set up a camp of sorts overlooking the road to Hidden Valley." The Brotherhood leader hummed in though.
"Does this group show any signs of ill-intent?"
"No sir, they don't appear to be. What do you suggest sir?"
"There are numerous alternate paths we can take. Let them be for now, I'm sure we can deal with them if the need arises. Instead, I want you to take a team out to Scorpion Gulch, and clear it out. Take who ever you'd like, and whatever you deem necessary, just bring everyone, and everything back in one piece." ordered the High Elder. "Move out ASAP. I'll be waiting for your report."
"Yes High Elder." with that, the Brotherhood soldier jogged off to assemble a team.

Scorpion Gulch
Senior Paladin Hale
45 minutes later

Hale had decided to take a platoon of soldiers with him. 4 other paladins, 16 knights, and 24 initiates. While the radscorpions weren't raiders, or soldiers, they were a live threat. Some field experience would do them some good. The more experienced paladins, and knights carried Gauss Rifles, they'd take on thee bigger critters like the Giants, while the younger knights, and initiates would take on the rest with laser rifles. Hale didn't want anyone dying, so the men were placed strategically on the high ground. The scorpions could crawl through the sand, but they couldn't burrow through the rock side that he Brotherhood members were camped on. With the platoon in position, the Paladins, and Senior Knights fired their Gauss Rifles, eliminating the foremost threats, followed by a cacophony of laser discharges. The high powered laser beams cut through the tough shell of the scorpions, and sizzled up their insides. Some going as far as becoming ash piles

[Cybraxia]

Veronica,
Near Nellis AFB

Veronica brought her bike to a stop a short distance away from a pair of guys staring down at a truck tyre, presumably flat. She climbed off, Holorifle on her back, pistol holstered but saturnite power fist on her right hand, and began walking over before she called out. "You seem to be having a bit of a problem boys. Mind letting me have a look, see if it's anything serious?"

The one with an orange stripe on him lazily looked over. "Oh yeah, sure, you probably know more about it than we do." The one with the Maroon stripe elbowed him. "OW! Hey what was that for?!"

"We don't even know who she is? For all we know she could be trying to steal our truck!" He briefly looked up at Veronica, "Uh, no offense."

They continued to bicker a bit more, this time where they could only hear each other. Finally, they relented. "Yeah sure, come on over."

[Shadowwell]

Overseer Williams
Overseer Williams, the 5th Overseer since the vault had gone topside, was a heavyset man, but he was by no means weak, he just happened to be suited to administrative duties, rather than those undertaken by his second Jonathan Carver. Right now he was going over the report and such concerning one of the Vaults more lucrative businesses, Gun sales and production. Recently they had also branched into lightweight armor, stronger and more durable than what raiders wear yet nowhere near as strong or heavy as power armor. He was looking over the figures and battle reports, they hadn't clashed with the Enclave or Legion yet, everyone has encountered Super Mutants at one point or another. He finished looking over the papers and left his office to stand at the Balcony overlooking the Town.

The place and high and thick metal walls, there were walkways for the guards and the occasional gun nest just behind the walls for defense. THe town had some bars and hotels, some food places, but most of all gun stores. This town had descendants of those who left the NCR and Brotherhood, along with other organizations. The Overseer then looked at a sign, one of many such signs around the town, it read:

LIST OF RULES/GUIDELINES YOU MUST FOLLOW WHEN HERE
1. Don’t start fights you can’t win. You lose you get sent to the Pit
2. Must pay with caps or barter with items of equal value up front, there are exceptions if you are trusted.
3. You try to swindle us you go to the Pit.
4. You May only carry one weapon on you at any time.
5. All fights are with Melee weapons or unarmed, unless specified.
6. You can only fight in the Pit or specified areas.
The Consequences are as follows:
1st offense: reprimand and a fine.
2nd offense: you lose a finger or other appendage and your weapon.
3rd offense: you must fight in the Pit.

It might seem brutal to outsiders but it was how they kept a form of chaotic order around here. After seeing that everything was fine in their slice of hell he went back up to his office above ground. He sat down behind his desk and thought ‘I wonder what that son of a bitch Carver is doing’. Just after he finished this thought, there was a knock on his door. A scout entered with a message that read:

To: Gun Runners of Vault 34

We are the Gunthanes of Tajos, major gunsmiths of the Empire of the Dark Sunset and even into Texas. We had heard that you were a major gun suppliers and makers in the Mojave and we would like to make one of the biggest investments in our community but it could help both Vegas, you , and us in entirely. We would like to start a gun trade with you and into our Empire. We have more than a few Mojave-native settlements who are interested in trading with us and making this into a large gun trade will help both of us. What do you say? You want to make some caps?

After Reading this Williams made a decision he told the scout to send a message back that read:

To: Gunthanes of Tajos
I am intrigued by your offer and have sent a group of people who should arrive shortly after this message. They will be carrying some of our weaponry and things we sell, for your people to take a look at. Our guns are while not being advanced are more durable and customizable, than most other guns sold throughout the Mojave.
I am Overseer Williams of Vault 34

Gun Runner Compound near the Strip
Jonathan Carver
Carver was at the Warehouse near the strip that they had fortified and are using it. It is being used as one of the few places outside the Vault that they were making weapons. That reason alone was why there were over 50 armed guards in addition to the majority of those that specialized in the manufacturing of the weapons and merchandise.

[Sarejo]

A group of Prime Legionnaries slips carefully through Ranger patrols under the cover of night. The lead man, a Decanus, holds his fist up, signaling to stop, and they all lay down in the sand as a flashlight shines right on the top of the small dune they're behind. It goes away, and the group continues moving. Finally past the border, they reach Coyote Mine, and one of Legionnaries kills he lone guard, just a miner put on duty, to spare Rangers for other duties, and they all slip inside. Once inside it turns into a bloodbath, slaughtering workers left and right, killing around seven of them. The other nine surrendered, and were tied with ropes, and marched through the desert as to avoid more patrols, before finally making it back to a hidden Legion landing zone. They were loaded onto a small barge, and rowed back to The Fort, where they would undergo reeducation to become Legionnarie Recuits. The group celebrated with a toast of brahmin milk to Mars, before heading off to their tents for some well deserved rest.

[Caralia]

Corp. Johann Stren
Johann stood in silence in a small bathroom, quietly marveling at the silence. He was still in full armour, metal skin cloaking him as it had for year after year. He had been trained that way. He was his armour, and his armour was him. All of him. Until days before, he was nothing but a suit of armour, the man within pale and shrouded, barely talking without a microphone or seeing without a visor. He had been indoctrinated from just after birth, taught to follow the Enclave in everything it did. Battle, Conquest and Slaughter. He was not old, He was a young man, barely having crested his 25th birthday. He had no children, no familly to speak of, if he did he couldn't remember them, all he could remember was cold, metallic classrooms and teachers smiling with an uncanny and terrifying grin, as if they knew what they were moulding these men into. How wrong it was.

He joined the army, he had not chosen to, he remembered that now he had the time to, but he had joined, and he had been made to think it was his idea, as if he were taking some great gift from drill seargents as they stomped his back down into the mud. He had been weak and easily altered, a man but not. Then, he entered his armour, and the weapon was placed in it's hand. The armour changed you, he thought, outside of it, most soldiers are simply men, regretfull, tired men. But once you put the armour on them, they were soldiers, they were killers. Unarmoured, they were people, Johann and Marcus and James, in their armour, they were the Enclave. They were tools to be used by those that laughed as they bled to win their victories. The armour had taken what had made them people, and given them that which made them butchers.

They had fought, the men he lived with, in the battle with NCR. It had been a slaughter, for the most part. The NCR offered little resistance, soldiers died with ease, and then came the other orders. The orders to kill the citizens that did not surrender. To break bones, to burn skin and to tear life from bodies. They had done it, all of it, with ease and without faultering, never doubting their own devotion to the cause. It was only now, when the Armour was gone, that they could truly know what had happened, what they had done. Johann pulled the last of his armour away, looking into the Mirror to stare into his own eyes for a moment. He was not the Armour, the Armour was not him. He was not the Enclave. He was Johann Stren.

[Tayner]

-SNIP-

Matt was sleeping in a mine cart that was covered by a tarp when the raiders attacked. Instead of fighting, he just cowered in the metal coffin, but thankfully, the raiders never found him. It was his laziness that saved his life. An hour after the last noise was made, he emerged, hoping there wouldn't be any raiders waiting for him. He quickly realized that this was a legion assault, due to the few number of corpses in the mine. He found the emergency flare gun, ran outside, and fired it. Within minutes a dozen Rangers would be in the mine searching for hostiles, and investigating.

-The Next Day-

Ranger Lawson paced around his office in Searchlight. Many things were on his mind. Mainly the report of a legion raid sitting on his desk. This has been too long. he thought. He summoned two of his finest scouts, both ghouls. He briefed them on their mission.

"Intelligence suggests there is radioactive waste somewhere in or near Cottonwood Cove, and our most recent scout reports of the area around the base say there is a spike of radiation near a truck on the clif of the overlook. Since the scouts weren't equipped for radiation, they couldn't investigate the truck, and recently that has been a low priority."

"What changed?" Asked one of the Rangers.

"Well, Cottonwood Cove has been a major pain in the ass recently, and if what I'm thinking is true, we could get rid of the legion there once and for all. I want you to dump the radiation from the truck onto the camp, and return here."

"And if there isn't any waste?"

"If so, just return here."

---

A few hours later the ghouls approached the truck.

"Yeah, there's definitely something radioactive in there, I already feel nice." One said. They soon picked the lock to the truck gate, and looked at the contents.

"Wow, it's like a slice of heaven." The other said, gazing upon the barrels of green toxic waste. "Here goes nothin'" he said, and they pulled a barrel out from the bottom of the pile, and tossed it at the base. The other barrels would soon come crumbling down, sealing the fate of the legion garrison below. The sniper's nest would carefully observe the camp, making sure no legionnaires survived the toxic waste. As the scouts walked away, a green cloud formed over the camp.

---

To:Desert Rangers

We are the Gunthanes of Tajos and part of the Empire of the Dark Sunset. We have heard that you are anti-Legion and wanted to protect Mojave well, we are looking for trade in order to build a large gun trade from your region and into ours. It could help with trying to bring the Legion down and we are always looking for more foodstuffs and raw materials for building convoys and such.

The letter was delivered to the president in Searchlight, where his current office was, and he went to the post office. They had an old telegram machine, that still worked. One of the workers even took the time to learn Morris code. The president drafted a reply, and sent the telegram to Nellis Airforce Base. Recent scouting reports say a new faction moves there, and it was the most likely the Gunthanes' base.

To: Gunthanes
From: The Desert Rangers

We are glad to hear your offer, but we wish for you to send a delegation to Searchlight so we may discuss the settles of such a trade agreement.

[North America Inc]

Radio Las Vegas

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to our program. This is Mr. New Vegas, and each and every one of you is wonderful in your own special way." Mr. New Vegas said that with his trademark charisma and overly optimistic tone. It didn't matter he was an AI program, his personality and signature voice always brought some small comfort to those who tuned in to his broadcast.

"I've got news for you. Department of the Army spokesmen from Columbia announced the arrival of a new military commander to head Enclave forces in the Mojave. The previous Colonel announced his retirement last week after his ten years of leading Enclave troops in the Mojave. It was announced due to his years of service he will be awarded the Silver Star."

"His replacement was announced to be Colonel Augustus Autumn whose known for his rather stellar career and previous command posts which includes a successful expedition to the Capital Wasteland and the destruction of NCR remnants in Central California. Autumn himself released a statement himself stating", New Vegas went quite to let Autumn to speak for himself "Hello this is Colonel Augustus Autumn of the United States Army. I am proud to be Mojave's first line of defense against the Legion and Unity horde, and wish you would take the time in understanding our mission here. I wish you can see all the good things the Enclave has done for you: from providing fresh water, new clothes, and protection from foreign threats. The Enclave is here to help, and my job is ensure that it gets accomplished. God Bless the Mojave, God Bless the Enclave, God Bless America."

After the Colonel ended his acceptance speech, Mr. New Vegas continued with the story, "Many military analysts including ex-Desert Ranger Samuel Radcliff note the timing of Autumn's new appointment." Vegas cut out for a few second, only to switch towards an interview of said Desert Ranger, " The timing is not fooling anyone. Autumn is known to be tactical genius with the boys at Vault City and him moving down south to the Mojave is showing a shift in priority for the Enclave and its goal of holding the Dam at all costs. Colonel, well ex-Colonel, Matthews was a bureaucrat. Pure and simple. So for them to move Autumn here, well by God, the situation here is worse then I thought. Couple that with the movement of more power armor units and APCs into the area for the past few months, this clearly shows a spike in tension between Unity and the Legion. Particularly the Legion considering their location right across the dam and recent spy rings discovered in New Vegas."

After that rather cynical interview, Mr.New Vegas 'took' back the microphone and did his best to lift the general spirit of his audience. "You know, they say that 'No news is good news,' but I think my program would be awfully dull if that were the case. Well speaking of the Enclave, Press Secretary John Henry Eden has released more 'inspirational quotes' to play on the New Vegas PA system starting tomorrow. Here is an excerpt."

"Hello this is Secretary John Henry Eden" Eden paused as if he was taking a breath, but in reality to sound a little more melodramatic.

"I wanted to have a little chat? Is that alright New Vegas? I'm sure you, like me, love freedom, liberty, and democracy. I'm sure all you want is a simple life where you have a nice house, nice job, and pleasant community. That's what a peace-loving civilian like you and I dream of. Its the Dream. The American Dream."

"However not everyone is a peace loving American and not everyone longs for the American Dream. Did you know, there are those amongst us who would shatter our hopes for peace, order, and security? These radical malcontents don't care about you. They don't care about America! All they care about is fulfilling their own selfish desires. Let's take a tally of these agitators, shall we? There are, of course, the Legion. Those anarchistic raiders who roam the wastes, preying on any and all, stealing, murdering. The Legion is nothing more than ignorant Luddites who hate American Ingenuity and instead wish to trust pagan nonsense. They don't look towards the bright future Barbaric Ideals, not American ideals. The so-called "Brotherhood of Steel." Now, don't be fooled by their pseudo-knightly nonsense or supposed connections to the United States Army. These... power-armored boy scouts are nothing more than common criminals with access to some antiquated technology. Don't be fooled, America. The frighteningly ghouls, what have they done for America? Nothing, the ghouls are merely those who destroyed this great nation. And last but not least, the hideously mutated super mutants that have completely overrun the entire southern portion of the Mojave. They're all around us, I know. I know. But not for long, sweet America. Not for long. Oh no. The Enclave will restore peace, order, and prosperity to this great nation. And those who oppose us will be… removed. Forever. This is John Henry Eden signing off."

Airspace nearing Hoover Dam

You know what's the most annoying thing about a Vertibird, well any helicopter, is the deafening sound of the rotors. To have a conversation would be almost impossible without the use of a headset and even then it can be a struggle. The three next generation of Vertibirds tore through the night sky, edging their way ever so closer to the Hoover Dam. The three VTOLs stayed in a distinct 'V" pattern, standard with traditional convoy formations.

In the center VTOL was Colonel Autumn with two aides discussing plans on the fortification of the Hoover Dam. Although trips on Vertibirds were never particularly enjoyable, Autumn couldn't deny the view, especially with New Vegas in the distance and stark contrast of the cities' lights and pitch black wasteland around it. The Lucky 38 stood out the most as it dwarfed any other building in Vegas, symbolizing a beacon to the wasteland that Vegas was open for business.

"Sire, sir did you get that?" Lt. Briggs asked rather perplexed that the Colonel had seemed to drift off for a few seconds . Of course, Briggs was stationed in the Mojave and thus the iconic image of the Lucky 38 was common place for him. It was nice to see that even people like Autumn can be taken aback by sights like that.

And indeed he was. He was born on the oil rig, a place that kept him safe for the majority of his childhood. It was crowded, cold, and conjested but it was home. Vegas however seemed to be full of life, something that he imagined Pre-War America was like. Vegas was something that the Enclave should strive towards, a city on a hill leading the Wasteland to prosperity. However he had more important matters to attend towards, no time to day dream. "Yes, Lieutenant." His southern accent really accentuated the word 'lieutenant.' "We'll be arriving shortly."

"Actually we'll be arriving now." As if by some miracle, the VTOL began to descend as he finished his sentence. The first two VTOL began to swirl around Autumn's VTOL as if to provide it some protection. Autumn noticed however at they very end of the valley a small glimmer of lights could be seen. Autumn stood up on the VTOL and leaned out of the it to get a clear picture. Wind crashed against his face and one hand held on a rail and the other motioned to the liasion. "Pass me binoculars."

"Sir, you should sit down."

"Briggs..."

"Yes sir." Briggs lifted the binoculars around his neck and handed it to Autumn. Autumn held it out against his eyes and got a clear picture of the situation. It was the Legion's camp waiting for their time to strike, envying the Enclave's crown jewel. Autumn always respected the Legion, unlike his colleagues, as he himself enjoyed reading stories about the Roman Empire.However he had a mission to do, and the Legion was in his way. "Veni, vidi, vici." Autumn murmured to himself.

"What sir?"

"Briggs, the most dangerous game has begun. It will only be a matter of time before the Legion cross the Rubicon."

"Rubicon? That's the Colorado."

Autumn shook his head in amusement, "Lieutenant, you have much to learn."

Autumn took his seat and waited for the VTOL to properly land. On the ground he was greeted by ten Enclave Officers in their nicest uniforms. Most likely to impress their new boss, which only humored Autumn more. The Major who was Col. Matthews second in command was the first to greet Autumn as he stepped out of the VTOL. He saluted Autumn and said, "Welcome to the Mojave. Welcome to the Dam."

Autumn returned the salute and simply replied, "Indeed".

[Plzen]

Las Vegas Strip, 13:30 (day of the murder)

"Whaaaaa?"

Captain Sundström was back in Vegas! And hopelessly confused.

There was a certain chaos and hubbub she didn't see the last time she came to Vegas on one of her quarterly merchant trips. The Strip was almost in chaos, actually.

What was going on? Carol made a mental note to ask the next person she traded with.

She slowly made her way, along with the rest of the 1st Motorised (almost disarmed and mostly weaponless, of course, since the Settlement was not stupid enough to send an armed company into the Strip) to the warehouse managed by the dwellers of Vault... 34 or 37. Who cared? One vault or another... pretentious idiots. But they made good guns. If the International Settlement was ever going to have the military power they needed to secure their place as the strongest settlement in Boulder City, they would need those guns.

The best guns traded at, according to her prior research, 2,500~3,500 bottle caps per. They had 295 soldiers in the Settlement Army. That was... almost a million bottle caps. two hundred and fifty thousand kro... ah... Settlement Crown.

Holy... Cr. 250,000. Imagine what she could do with that money.

Luckily for her, she didn't have to pay for that much. Just one or two companies of well-armed troops were going to be enough to destroy the pathetic villages that dotted Boulder City.

But she did need to buy the weapons.

The company eventually arrived at the warehouse. A Vegas outpost of Vault 34. She knocked.

A response came soon enough.

---

The Aerial Defence Company of the International Settlement noted an Enclave Vertibird flying near their airspace in the direction of Hoover Dam, not many miles away. Was this a prelude to increased Enclave presence in the area? They were not sure.

In any case, the Aerial Defence Company mobilised their forces in preparation of defending their airspace from future incursions. The last thing they wanted to happen was Enclave paratroopers in the Settlement before the Captain was back.

What a pathetic force it was, too. Two old and slightly rusted 40mm cannons. Nobody was even sure whether they still worked. The ADC was more of a symbolic force than an actual one.

[Caralia]

Trade Group to the 188 Trading Post
Matthias and his small squad of similarily armoured soldiers walked, forcing themselves to walk out of step despite years of training. They dragged carried several pallets between them , covered in Vault products and some less useful small arms, an armour, 10mm pistols and Vault Security armour, along with a box full of Vault 11 jump-suits. They hoped to establish good relations with their closest neighbours, to establish their intent to be friendlt, apart from the main Enclave. Matthias purposefully wore plain clothes on the mission, carrying only a single pistol, loaded with hollow point rounds. Force of Habit. His men dressed in their Recon armour, which was normally worn underneath their main armour, making them look a lot less official and terrifying. Some of them had taken an hour or two to adjust to seeing sunlight outside of their Visors and a Vault.

They slowly approached the trade post, walking up along the road, hands away from weapons, peaceful and with Matthias smiling, standing at the front of the small convoy, hair groomed properly, still rather clean and smelling of peppermint and armour oil. He hoped the traders here would be agreeable to him, he needed friends in the waste, not the Enclave or the Legion or the Unity, but allies all the same. For now, time to trade. They had set out early in the morning purposefully, very early. They did not mean to surprise anyone, but they were certainly less likely to come upon anyone recognizing their recon armour.

When they arrived, they dropped off the boxes and sat in the small selection of benches, Matthias approaching a tired looking man leaning on what looked like a rest stop. A menu had been scrawled on the remnants of an old poster, detailing normally unappetizing food. Compared, however, to the food given out by the Enclave to it's soldiers, it was a 5 star meal, the best they'd ever eat. Asides Matthias, who had been invited to a ceremonial meal several years before, eating a luxury meal with some of the higher ups, terrifiedly looking around at his Generals and the men that held his life in their hands. The crates of Vault items, suits and security equipment were set out down in the selling area, examples set out, pristine 10mm pistols, Submachine guns and Security Armour. and several boxes of Pre-War snacks. Some bottle caps had been given to the group in order to submerse themselves with the locals, so Matthias bought the squad some brahmin meat sandwiches that looked mroe grease than bread. That was a good thing, a new thing. Grease and unhealthy food was kept away from the soldiers, so this meal was welcome, and the squad sat on the small concrete sides of the road that made up the trade post, silently eating their sandwiches, having set up so early in the morning so as to get as many customers as possible. They needed more of the local currency, and they certainly didn't need all the Vault's bits and pieces.

[Ralnis]

NCR Correctional Facility

The letters that were responded by the Gunthanes had worked in order to start cementing their place in the gun trade of Vegas. Though the Gunthanes weren't really known. They had at least sent a large caravan with diplomats from the Empire in order to start making their nation publicly known. The caravan was hitched with 2 sets of large trailers with brahmins who made their way with the NCR facility and went up to the gates. " We came from East, we are the Gunthanes and we have sent a letter about trade and an alliance with our Empire. We have a few places to be going in order to start making our trade routes throughout Vegas."

Vault 34

Several Gunthanes who rode on horse back that have saddle bags full of energy and high-quality weapons of both range and melee selection as they rode to the Gunrunners. They wanted to make there connections with the ideas of trade in the Mojave and building a large, expansive gun trade. The delegates started to ride into the community and started to speak with one of the leaders," hey, sorry for coming in your community but we are the Gunthanes from east and we came here to show are goods with yours so we can be able to make our gun trade."

Camp Searchlight

Several Gunthanes came to the Camp of the Desert Rangers and their people as they came to do trade talks and probably make something standing for the Empire in the Mojave since they stood against the Legion and perhaps they can learn more about the Legion's actives here in the Mojave. However, they were here for trade and diplomacy. The Gunthanes rode horseback with the same saddle backs as the ones that were dealing with trade at Vault 34, they were meant to show their wares to the Rangers and to promote the Empire before they go to the places across South Vegas in order to promote trade.

One of them went up to the leader and spoke for the group," hey, we are the Gunthanes of the Empire. We sent a letter to you guys in seeing if we can work out a gun trade. Don't know if you remember but we have a some goods that we can showcase to you and we can try and get down to business."

[Lunas Legion]

Veronica,
Near Nellis AFB

"If I wanted to steal your truck, which by the way I don't, I'd have shot you from... Oh, about 100 paces away. Maybe 200. Not that good a shot myself, always preferred getting up close, but this rifle's pretty accurate." Veronica replied as she walked over, kneeling down by the punctured tyre. "You guys bashed this truck up pretty good. Stupid pre-war tyres and their destructibility. Fortunately, people like me learned how to jury-rig this stuff together long ago, easier to keep our bikes moving."

She walked back over to her bike, pulled out a battered pump and a roll of duct tape, and then walked back to the tyre, kneeling by it as she rolled duct tape across the puncture before tearing the reel away, then sticking the pump into the tyre's valve.

"Of course, it helps if you have a pump. Hard to find intact ones, but they're pretty easy to make if you find the right parts. All our bikes have them."

She pulled the pump out, the tyre reinflated. "Should be fine; not sure how long the tape'll hold up, but eh. What are you guys even doing up this way? Last I heard all that's up here is the Boomers, since Zion and Caanan are big no-go zones."

[Cybraxia]

Light Brigade Scout Group "Red"
Near Nellis AFB
October 31, 2281

---

"Well we were headed to Boulder City to meet up with some friends."

"That's when he ran over something, and that's also ehy Sarge has ME drive."

At this they started to insult each other and bicker again.

[Lunas Legion]

Veronica,
Near Nellis AFB

"Well, you two are quite possibily the two most dysfunctional people I've ever seen driving a truck." Veronica sighed. "Mind if I ask who your friends are? I'm in the Mojave looking for a few paticular things for a few friends and you guys might be able to help."

[Cybraxia]

Scout Group "Red"
Near Nellis AFB
00:58, October 31, 2281

---

"Well, there's Joe. He's pretty hot blooded."

"And a hopeless romantic. There's also 'Blues', who has the most ironic name of anyone. Anyway if you want, you can come with us."