Fallout: South the Mason [IC Thread]

[Holy Lykos]

Libertad, Igualdad, Victoria

Xiuhcoatl observed the fields surrounding Mac Allen through her rusted, ancient binoculars. Empty farmlands with rotting corpses. Cultists warriors lying dead in ditches on the sides of roads. Scarcely any human movement could be seen outside of the walls of Mac Allen Temple. Chalked bodies laid alongside brightly feathered and painted ones of her own warriors. A gruesome sight indeed. Blood and bile, broken weapons and broken men filling fields.

The cult was hurting after over two months of Aztlan campaigns against them over the winter. This had been the first main direct engagement, an assault on the periphery compound of the Despot. A surprise one, with the despots superior numbers in the region being cut down to enough of a manageable number over the last few months that the Aztlaners now could begin properly sieging the settlement. They had already, in fact, been working to keep proper supplies out of the region and break off any extant trade routes. Local tribes and peoples were being propagandized and convinced their time of liberation would soon be at hand, and many Allenians were proving more than happy to join them. By Mictlan, some were even making a migration back towards Aztlaner territory.

But how long could the Despot keep up the defensive in the case of a siege? The Aztlaner forces moved fast enough to avoid most of the fire, and kept to the scrubland just outside of Mac Allen itself. Many of the nearer farms were already deserting and more even threatened revolt. Jaguar spies inside the walls were giving similar stories from the uninitiated inside the town. It simply couldn't last. An empire built on oppression, even a small one such as this, would crumble when true liberty reared its glory, like the sun banishing the evil of the night.

As Xiuhcoatl watched, a gate cracked open. Several dozen men poured out before it slammed shut. A sortie? Most likely, it reminded her of the smaller scale raider strongholds only made large. The Huetlahtoani raised up one hand as she watched. The party was coming her way. Right into the hidden body of the Aztlaner force. Were they trying to find out their location? As the soldiers tread closer and closer and closer, Xiuhcoatl would wait.

And wait.

When they crossed an invisible boundary line Xiuhcoatl gestured towards them, as if chopping the air in two. Bows twanged and guns cracked and atlatl creaked as a barrage of missiles reduced yet another party of the Cultists to yet more worm food. Only one managed to avoid being hit and scramble his way back for the town with weapons abandoned and lungs raw from screaming in fear. One volley and it was over. A few distant shots rung out towards the woods but nothing came of it. The Aztlaners were simply too well hidden and too far away.

Xiuhcoatl was confident she could be back to her people within two more months. Without food, the city would eventually crumble. And she could return as promised with the Despot's head on her spear or himself alive in chains. Him and his whole council. They would make a good example, indeed...

[Absolon-7]

Freeburg, January

Lieutenant Dawson had been the man chosen to help eliminate the New Nuka Breakers. From what he had read in the report, they were survivors from the punitive expedition an entire year earlier since they were not in camp at the time. His job was to take his 8th platoon and destroy them and in doing so the Freeburg Confederation would be taken under the Despotate's wing. And from their recent attack on Freeburg itself, it was estimated that they had anywhere from sixty to eighty men among them. It was a pain in the ass assignment but an assignment nonetheless. In fact, he had a plan on how to deal with them and not put his men in danger. He had not thought of it all the way through but he did have it set in stone that it would involve radscorpion venom, lots of it. Half of his men were out socweirn the nearby hills and bushland for radscoprions for his plan and by God the New Nuka Breakers where in for a world of hurt.

Harlandale District, San Antonio Proper

Starting in the new year of 2253, the San Antonio Minister of Security had decided to ramp up security since as it had been several months since they had learned of the existence of Caesar's Legion it also meant that the reverse must have also been true. It was not confirmed so the amount of resources that would be put into counter-intelligence operations were not as extensive as it could be but it would be start. The most prominent would the dispatch of several pairs of Secret Police into the more rundown areas of San Antonio. While San Antonio was in general an incredibly safe location it did have a few hotpsots for crime, particularly Harlendale. The abodes of several ex-felons and suspected criminals would be covertly searched by the Secret Police and several bounties were put up for known criminal that had eluded capture. The Minister had also hired an outsider to help the investigation as the Minister had taken a liking to the fellow. Accompanying him would be two veteran Secret Policemen with both having two decades of experience in their career.

[Skyhawk347]

[REDACTED], San Antonio


THE FOLLOWING TRANSCRIPT OBTAINED FROM THE FILES OF THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNAL SPECIAL TASK GROUP
CLASSIFICATION: Level Five

LOCATION: Safehouse 22
TIME AND DATE: [REDACTED], 2253; 2321 HRS

(Sound of door opening, two sets of footsteps enter)

Minister of Security: “Ah, Mr. Jacob Anderson, I presume? Please, take a seat.”

(Creaking of furniture)

Minister of Security: “A refreshment, Mr. Anderson? I have here a pre-war whiskey that has aged... superbly.”

Jacob Anderson: “I’d rather you just tell me what you want. Your friend here says it’s too sensitive to go through the usual channels so I’m guessing this is important, mister...?”

MS: “Ah, apologies. I have been watching you for some time, Mr. Anderson. So closely in fact, that I have forgotten we have not actually met. ...Yes. Introductions are in order. I am afraid I cannot give you my name. But I can tell you what I do. To put it simply, I am the Minister of Security for this city.”

JA: (Growls) “All this time, I thought you wanted to talk business. Instead, you had me dragged here so you could kill me?”

MS: “Oh, but you have it all wrong, Mr. Anderson; you can stop reaching for that pistol hidden in your duster. We allowed you to keep that, Mr. Anderson. I feared that you might have fled if we did not give you a sense of... security.”

JA: (Grunt; soft shuffling of clothing)

MS: “Regardless, the fact is... that I do wish to hire you, Mr. Anderson. Yes. You see, you could provide an excellent service to us. The role of the Secret Police is not merely chasing down dissidents. It involves protecting the people from threats they know nothing about, and ensuring they continue to know nothing about it. But occasionally the task is so large that we cannot accomplish it alone. In those cases, we have been willing to hire exceptional individuals such as yourself.”

JA: “So what exactly is this...‘service’?”

MS: “San Antonio has been infiltrated. Spies belonging a group of slavers known as Caesar’s Legion have wormed their way into our city. I assume you have heard of the Legion?”

JA: “Yeah. Bunch of slavers and butchers from the sound of it.”

MS: “Precisely. We are certain that whatever the motivation of these spies, it is not a peaceful one. We must eliminate them.”

JA: “And that’s where I come in?”

MS: “Yes. You are a known mercenary in eastern Texas, Mr. Anderson, but San Antonio and likely the Legion, are unaware of you. You also possess... an ethical flexibility that I find would prove useful. And frankly, the fact that you are a freelance makes you all the more a suitable candidate.”

JA: “Meaning if I get caught and the Legion comes knocking, it’s easier for you to deny all knowledge of me.”

MS: “Yes, unfortunately such is the nature of your task. If you are captured, we will deny all knowledge of this meeting and the arrangement we proposed to you, and there will be no attempt to retrieve you. But we are prepared to offer you a large sum for each Frumentarii. 300 caps for every corpse, double if there is any intelligence you might recover. But you must have some sort of proof that each one is a spy. We cannot have you going around operating on mere gut feeling.”

JA: “300 caps? Can’t say no to that.”

MS: “Excellent. You will have two other agents assigned to assist you however they can. Both have decades of experience, and can be trusted. Agent Jackal here shall fill you in on the particulars. Welcome aboard, Mr. Anderson.”

[Holy Lykos]

Sic Semper Tyrannis

Now, deep into February, the war against the Despot of Mac Allen was over. Yesterday, the Despot and his remaining Zealot loyalists found themselves embattled in the Temple of Justice, an old-world cathedral to some long dead faith with spires and a bell tower, what he had been ruling out of for these many years. The less devout of the cultists had finally broken, and sided with the increasingly hostile populace to open the gates to the settlement. A signal to the Aztlaners was all it needed to send thousands of warriors streaming into the now open city. Three months of siege and the final melee would be over in a day. Xiuhcoatl would staff the gates in and out of the city with her own spearmen, preventing horse or riders from getting out save through any hidden portcullis or unnoticed break in the wall.

The fighting ended up lasting long into the twilight. Loyalists were scattered through the city and many had already barricaded themselves within old ruined buildings and the fortresses of the Despot, but the sheer press the public revolt and Aztlaners backing it broke them all, one at a time. Brutal fighting would ensue every time a 'fort' was broken into and often only stopped once the Zealots lay dead in their own black blood. Broken bodies and blood soaked gravel and pavement spread through the city with the throng of warriors, both foreign and rebel, as the mass pushed for the Temple in City Center. Aztlaners found it hard to see effects of their siege on the city itself. It was in such a poor state, slums and run-down old-world structures with shaky shacks of metal and wood hidden among them, it was obvious the Despots had been bleeding the land and people dry for as long as they had been ruling. The Aztlaners were only driven to higher levels of furor from the abjectly poor conditions around them, even considering the wastes that spread across the Continent. This was worse than even the brutal Cartels beyond the Desert.

The worst part of war was often the butchery that fighting could descend into, but Xiuhcoatl and her lieutenants did the best they could to keep their people from committing any atrocities. It was a known fact of Xiuhcoatl's leadership and by extension the whole of Aztlan's that any Aztlaner found pillaging, let alone forcing themselves on anyone, would have any freedoms stripped from them and become outcast or worse. Aztlan kept to its principles. And to ravage another people went against their ideas of egalitarianism so harshly it must be punished. Many Aztlaners were so repulsed by such acts they would often take it on themselves to slay the person committing such an atrocity themselves(which of course created an entirely different situation to be dealt with legally), and offer support for any affected persons in returning to dwellings safely.

And when the final siege on the Temple itself came, it was Xiuhcoatl herself who lead the charge and helped batter down the gate. The inside was far more opulent than the slum-like city they had just fought through. The decadent temple was clothed in gold and jewels and soft fabrics, festooned in christian idolatry and images of the Despot himself elevated above Hueyzotzin as a second coming, only infuriated the Aztlaner attackers more. Such blasphemous behavior, to elevate oneself to a Teotl! It would not stand.

As the last of the Zealots fell, Xiuhcoatl came upon the Despot himself cowering at the highest point. An unimpressive, portly man, Xiuhcoatl could not bear to hear his pleading and lies for more than a moment. The Despot was silenced with blood and steel, once and for all.

Mac Allen had been liberated. It had neither been a pretty war, nor a short one for the Aztlaners, but they would have new allies, and more people.


Prisoners were being transported back towards Laredo for trial and sentencing. Those who Xiuhcoatl hadn't already judged as having too heinous of crimes against humanity to let live longer than the day. People were streaming back too. Mac Allen was devastated by war, and its people had been clumped together in a single place so long they couldn't wait to see even the settlements barely a three days journey away. To meet their new allies and liberators. To find a new home.

Xiuhcoatl went with them. She needed rest after the stress of war. One of the other tribal leaders, the Zacatecas Tlahtoani, had volunteered and was staying behind to act as a governor for the administration of the region. A good man, and righteous, in Xiuhcoatl's eyes. He would be just and do his best to convince the impoverished people to come with them. The tens of thousands of lives in the region might come with the exodus as a result. Until then, better use of farmland and stripping of resources from the region would pool more supplies and equipment among the Aztlaners

Alongside this, Xiuhcoatl had learned of the threat of the Legion when she had asked for an update of politics beyond their borders. The Sanantonians had agreed to trade, with no real reply from the Commonwealth. No matter. With the population of the Zapata-Laredo region almost fully under their wing and willing to join the Aztlaners, by the time they migrated it would be a mighty host, a moving city and not just a small town. The third of the year since they had arrived had been good to the Aztlaners, all said.

But now it was time for celebration and rest, when their military returned home to Laredo.

[Theyra]

Quincy, Missouri
The situation in Quincy would not go unnoticed and small temporary Legion was formed in order to deal with the civilians that have taken local government hostage. While the opinions of these civilians might have been allowed before. The moment they killed Roman troops and took people hostage. Their are now labeled traitors of the Republic and their would be no negotiating with them. More so with the threat of them killing the hostages if their demands are not met. Small group of Praetorians stealthy infiltrated the town while a team of “negotiators” were talking to the leader of the traitors. Once the Praetorians and the legion were in position. The Praetorians made their move of securing the hostages. The guards stood little chance against the special forces and once the hostages were safe. The legion was sent in against the traitors and the “negotiators” quickly revealed themselves as armed Frumentarii. They quickly subdued the leaders and without them or their hostages. The traitors surrendered with minimal bloodshed on either side. Soon the traitors own trials would begin and


Azltan Territory

Saturio, Candidus and Rusonia after realizing that their target was no longer in San Antonio and finding a lead on where he was. Had arrived in Laredo to begin their searched for Nathaniel. They were quick to find a hostel to stay at and where ready to begin their search for Nathaniel in earnest. The trio deciding on splitting up in order to find their target faster and once he was found. Then the trio go together and have chat with this foreign spy. The Frumentarii will get its answer to who this spy works for and hopefully, there will be no bloodshed on the matter.

[Ralnis]

The doors to the wall open to Roman Legion in the reinforced trenches and solid wall of Hopkinsville. The Cultists and Pact forces were moving left and right in unison. Each of the Cultist did their task like a robot, showed no emotion and prayed near the chaplain who was preaching about the Mothman, their idol and spirit to watch them in battle as they saw the New Romans looked at them but did not care as they knew their faith was alien, but it was theirs.

A man with military uniform that resemble pre-war America but with the Cultist banner instead of the America flag on his shoulder saluted the Legate.

"Legate," he said in a West Virginia accent," my name Commander Jockeni, I was expectin' your arrival, let's get your forces debriefed and see if we can help these people."

Legate Conner Malchus was wearing military uniform that was a mix between a pre-war general uniform and roman-styled armor. He saluted Commander Jockeni as well, "Nice to meet the man I will be working with and I am Legate Malchus". "I got the Cult's message and came south as fast as I could". Malchus held back showing the discomfort of helping a Cult but, as Malchus knew. "Now let's get this debriefing underway time needs to be on our side".

The Commander nod and gave him the situation. "So as our colonel had said, we have given the Pact our blessing to launch their Winter Offensive, trying to play with the idea that the Republic forces aren't cut out for a winter campaign. The Hopkins Brigade got 'bout 800 infantry and 400 cavalry. They attacking the Second Regiment behind their lines. Now there's about 4000 of them right at the city borders. However that's why we got you here. Now I have bout 300 Holy Guard ready to support you in your needs but the rest are arming for the strike at Bowling Green with the main forces we have there, number a total 3-4000 or so."

He points at the map," the attack will have to be on the same day, hit them with enough pressure for the Republic to pull back and burn a trail all the way towards Nashville. Now I know there's around 12,000 Tennessee boys in this region, so knocking out one, or even both, should hit them were it hurts and open the way for Nashville. "
He looks at the Legate," my forces are yours to command, just tell us where to hit and we'll do what we can when we strike."

Malchus stroked his beard and examined the map. "A coordinated strike and I get to deal with the bigger group". Malchus stood there thinking and looked at Jockeni, "I like it and we have more numbers with the 1st Army Group". "Though we should be smart about this since Tennessee is defending here". "What do you know about their defenses?

"As far as I know, they have trenches, minefields, but carry a lot of artillery then any one army should ever have. One thing that could be of worth is that they could have snipers in trees, patrols, machine gun nests, and a defensive wall around the city." The Commander pointed out.

" However, the Pact have been harassing their supplies from the behind, wanting us to give the go ahead for our second wave. Which happens to be you Legate."

"Yes and one thing that we should put our artillery to use against theirs". "I will have my men set up our mortars and start soften them up before we go in". "While they are trained for another tasks, I can have my Praetorian snipers support us as well". "Once our bombardment is done, I will give the green light for the second wave". "Once then we need to identity targets like snipers, machine guns nests and others". "We must respond with motor strikes and acculturate sniper fire in turn". "Do you have any thoughts about this plan?"

The Commander shook his head," nah, we just need to make sure that the offense goes simultaneous and we can push the Republic out."

With that in mind, the combined assault began two days from the meeting. The Romans pushed into Hopkinsville while the Cultists attack Bowling Green, both giving support to the Pact forces and each putting pressure on the Regiments before they had a chance to react.