Sun reached out and shook the man’s hand. “I have secured the town hall for the most part, nothing should be left alive in there, though explosives may still be armed. For now I have barricaded the entrance’s, the back door can still be accessed though.”

With that the mutant walked away grabbing a dead legion soldier on the way, and heading back to the general store.

Vicktor "Vik" Chills
Vik watched as the two talked and saw that Reed had stuck his hand out as if an agreement was made. I couldnt believe that NCR forces has allied themselves to Mutants. Vik didnt say a word but just stood there to wait on Hale and Reed decision since they were the two highest ranking soldiers out of them three. Vik then spoke out...

"So mutant, What is your name? thats if you have one of course." Vik said while eyeing the Mutie as it began to walk away.

The mutant turned took out an empty Sunset sarsaparilla bottle and sent it rolling to the unknown trooper who had spoken. With a smile he said “take a look at that and try and take a guess.” With that he continued back to the general already busying himself with getting back to the general store and using a small knife to cut up the dead legionaire into pieces of meat and put them into a nearby bucket. By the time Sun had finished he had taken almost all the meat from the arms and legs he quickly used his bumper blade to remove the head and put it into a bucket, and proceeded inside.

Elizabeth Lzzy' Hale
Lzzy looked to right and saw Reed approach, without the mutant. He seemed to have failed in whatever he tried to do. Lzzy backed off from the Centurion as Reed drew near, "After you" she said smiling, gesturing offering the Centurion to him. Reed set at interrogating the Centurion, but it was tough and got nowhere except something abut 'New Land'. Reed stood between the Centurion's injured legs and gave a smirk, the Centurion looked nervous looking towards Lzzy and Chills. Lzzy gave a knowing smirk. This seemed to worry the Centurion more.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked, his voice starting to tremble.

"I'm just going to give you more pain than you already have," replied Reed, "I mean you are useless to Lanius and I mean he would only throw you to the dogs, but I can make a deal. You tell me all you know and "I" will let you live."

"If you didnt know already, I'm dead anyway" replied the Centurion.

"So just give me what we want and "I" will let you live" said Reed, looking down at the Centurion's legs.

"Centurion, If i was you I'll just speak up...What can get worst than both legs broken and being marked for death anyway." piped in Chills.

"Alright alright, Legion forces are making a move against the Mojave Outpost in 4 days...to quickly exterminate you scums, though its suicide we believe in our power and numbers that we will be successful. Once Lanius conquers the Outpost that would be the second fortification hill to operate inside the Mojave." The Centurion replied and explained.


Lzzy raised her eyebrow at the info, yet she wasn't all that surprised, it was the Legion after all. Chills reached for his Radio and reported back to Ranger Jackson. Moments later, a gruff voice made it's presence.

"We need to talk." It was the mutant, it seemed to have come in the directin of the town hall.

"About what?" responded Reed.

"This place is my home, and it seems we have a common enemy. I won’t let skilled raiders, with the sanity of a feral deathclaw come and take it from me. I offer a truce here to work together to stop them from capturing this town."

"Nipton will be under NCR guard and also a base of operation, we wont let them take it back no matter what. But we will accept the Truce, there is no needs to make more enemies than we already have" replied Reed. "Oh by the way great job on handling the legion soldiers." he exclaimed, offering a handshake. The mutant took it.

“I have secured the town hall for the most part, nothing should be left alive in there, though explosives may still be armed. For now I have barricaded the entrances, the back door can still be accessed though.” With that, the mutant grabbed a dead legion body with ease and made his way to the General Store.

"So mutant, What is your name? thats if you have one of course" asked Chills as the mutant walked by him. The mutant took out an empty Sunset Sarsaparilla bottle and sent it rolling to Chills.

"Take a look at that and try and take a guess" the mutant replied, contuinuing on his way.

"Good going Reed, I thought you were crazy trying to deal with that mutie but I guess you got what you wanted in the end. A strong ally indeed" said Lzzy. Her voice lowered, even though the mutant was out of earshot. "Good job it didn't figure out it was you who shot off it's mask, otherwise all of us could have ended up in the meatgrinder."

Zyle Reed
I glanced at the bottle that was rolled to Chills and thought to my self...Is his name Sun? I then looked towards the centurion and gave him a few steampacks to ease the pains off his leg.

"Good going Reed, I thought you were crazy trying to deal with that mutie but I guess you got what you wanted in the end. A strong ally indeed" said Hale. Her voice lowered, "Good job it didn't figure out it was you who shot off it's mask, otherwise all of us could have ended up in the meatgrinder."

I looked towards her and gave a "Too-close look".

"Hahaha, yeeah we would all be dead if it knew i did it" I said with a lowered voice, "But ill just get him another since that one is kinda destroyed" I also said.

The Centurion was dishonored but greatful for the steampacks that was applied, but knew he wasnt a freed man anymore. He looked up at Reed, Chills and Hale and spoke....

"Too bad his influence was too great or i would have joined up with the NCR, You scums are not too bad but it looks like the War is truly far from over." He exclaimed.

Sun went upstairs and began making a legionnaire stew on the oven upstairs, tossing a few vegetables in for flavour. Wasting no time he opened the window, the smell of an odd stew came out of the window. He then went to the refrigerator got some gecko steak and put them on a tray and added some spices, put them in the oven. Then put a pot of vegetables on the other burner and filled it with water. Took out a Nuka-cola and used it to season the gecko steaks just slightly enough to give it a kick.

He wondered then would his legion friend like some legionnaire stew. Either way he figured the soldiers would enjoy the gecko steaks and vegetables.

Character Sheet:

Name: Jeff Torres
Nickname:(optinal)
Gender:M
Age: 30
Race:Caucasian

Height: 5'9"
Eye Color: Brown
Skin Color: white
Hair Style: brown hair, normally lets it grow long and somewhat unkempt in the field, if staying at Hidden Valley or another BoS installation for any length of time, adopts a short military haircut.

Primary Weapon: Gauss Rifle
Secondary Weapon: Police Pistol
Extra-Weapon: Hatchet

Combat Apparel: Combat Armor, sun glasses and old cowboy hat. Is power armor trained, and owns a suit of T-45d armor which he was awarded when he completed his training as an Initiate and was inducted into the Order as a Paladin, but due to the nature of his assignments his suit currently resides in the Hidden Valley Bunker's Armory and is only worn when fighting beside his Brothers and Sisters.

Personality: Friendly but quiet and reserved around people he doesn't know or thinks might have a problem with his affiliation. To friends, and fellow Brothers, he is loyal, hardworking and thoughtful. To his superiors he is methodical, efficient, and reliable. He despises the Legion but feels no particular desire for revenge for the past, though he takes a grim satisfaction in killing Legion when the mission demands it. Due to Raul avenging his mother's murder Jeff likes ghouls and will intervene as appropriate when others...including Brothers...pick on them. This has resulted in a couple of arguments...and one fist-fight..that Elder McNamera finds irritating, but Paladin Hardin is strangely non-committal about. Like most residents of the Mojave, Torres is suspicious of the motives of the NCR government, but finds NCR citizens decent folks for the most part.

Brief History: Born in Colorado in 2270 to Tribals...from a tribe now lost to history except for a few paragraphs in Legion records and only noteworthy now as being the 85th Tribe to fall to the Legion, in a quick Spring campaign in 2276. His father died in the fighting, he and his mother became slaves. His mother caught the eye of Centurion Quintus Felix, whom Caesar had placed in tactical command of the conquest, who purchased her, as Jeff was young and strong, he was spared and selected to begin training as a Legionary. In 2278, as a reward for this and other services Caesar invited Felix to "apply" for a position as one of his Praetorians, which he speedily did in the traditional manner...by calling out and killing the man he wished to replace in a Arena duel. Now a Praetorian, Felix used his new position to try to soften the heart of his still rather unwilling mistress towards him by having her son transferred to the Fort to continue his training so she could see him from time to time.

When the Courier staged his legendary assault on the Fort in 2281, Jeff was one of many children and female slaves rescued from the Fort by the Courier and his companions. However, his mother was not so fortunate...she was murdered by Legionaires as she attempted to flee the Fort for the river landing with him during the assault. Jeff was rescued from the Legionaires by Raul and Cass, who the Courier had left at the river to hold thier escape route open. This event, one of his earliest memories, have left him with a abiding hatred of the Legion and a marked intolerance of people picking on ghouls.

With covert assistance from Hanlon..who appreciated the windfall of intel from Caesar's files..the children and freed slaves were ferried across the Colorado. Most of the women and the children that they claimed as thier own were ultimately evacuated with retreating NCR forces after Hoover Dam and re-settled in the NCR. The children, both boys and girls, who were not claimed by the freed slave women from the Fort were by prior arrangement with Elder McNamera taken to the Brotherhood bunker in Hidden Valley. Once there, they were adopted by individual Knights, Paladins and Scribes and raised as thier own children while being enrolled in the Order as initiates. Armed with multiple and only slightly creative interpretations of precedents in the Codex..helpfully provided by Veronica...Elder McNamera easily overcame resistance to his unconventional method of replacing thier losses from the Helios disaster. In the end, even Paladin Hardin adopted a little girl, Amanda, who grew up to become a fine Scribe that he is immensely proud of.

Adopted by Knight Torres, the Quartermaster, Jeff quickly embraced his new life as a Initiate. Already prepared physically for the rigorous Initiate training regimen by his time as a Legion slave/recruit, he quickly made up the lost ground from the gaps in his education. Felix had allowed him to be taught to read, as a gesture to his mistress, but that was the extent of his formal education under the Legion. Bright, not inclined to scientific or intellectual pursuits but able to understand and apply them when needed, excelling at fieldcraft, a good shot, quick-witted and resourceful, as well as patient and methodical, his instructors saw in him the makings of a excellent scout and encouraged him to seek that path.

Paladin Torres is currently attached to the Patrol Station in Primm, where he is part of a four man section tasked with gathering intel within Primm Station's operational area. The main threats are considered to be Raiders and Legion. While the chances of hostilities with the NCR are considered to be highly unlikely after years of peace it cannot be entirely discounted and the Brotherhood does monitor NCR troop movements and communications.

Jeff Torres


Primm

From a park bench in front of the Vikki & Vance, Paladin Torres sat and watched the El Diablo roller coaster rocket around it's track. Even from here, he could hear the excited screams of the riders as it plunged down the 30 degree grade of the "Monta?a de la Muerte", the climix of this, the only functional roller-coaster within a thousand miles, if not the entire former US or maybe even the world. One thing is for sure, it draws people from all over the Mojave and the NCR to Primm to ride it. Mom, who had just left for Hidden Valley with a caravan a couple hours ago, rode the thing four times, screaming like a little girl the whole way....hardly dignified behavior for a Brotherhood Knight but he wouldn't have missed it for anything. It was good to see her again, and it was good for her to get out of that bunker now and then. Thinking of her reminded him of the package sitting on his lap, a parting gift she gave him when she left. Opening it, he found four boxes of .357 cartridges, not pre-war but Gun Runners branded boxes. Over the load information on each box, however, was a sticker with "158gr. JFP" in mom's handwriting on them. With them was a note, again in mom's handwriting which said simply:

"So that every shot counts. Love, Mom"

"Thoughtful as ever", thought Jeff, "I was just about out of the good stuff, too.".

"Care package from your ma?", Sheriff Meyers said, completely startling Jeff. "Charming woman, by the way...and good at poker too. Took us for 400 caps at the game last night."

"How does he do that?", thought Jeff as he looked to his left to see that Meyers had walked up and sat down next to him on the bench without him even realizing it. Quickly composing himself, Jeff said "Howdy, Sheriff...as a matter of fact it is. Anything I can do for you?"

Meyers grinned at Jeff's reaction to his sudden appearance. He knew he wouldn't have been able to pull that trick on him in the Wasteland, but with 30 years experience of catching lawbreakers of all kinds..and a handy roller coaster full of screaming tourists, it was just possible to do it here given the right conditions. He found such tricks were a useful way to remind folks he was watching without the bravado of his younger days. "As a matter of fact, Jeff...I've been looking for you.", said Meyers. "Edgar called, and asked me to round you up and come see him over the Patrol Office. Something seems to be happening down South, along the 164. I suppose he will want you to go find out just what that is.".

Jeff sighed. "Well, back to work, I guess. Let's go and see what Paladin Hardin wants."

Sun took up the food shortly thereafter, and put it on a large tray along with several plates 2 bowls and some utensils. He then put a sarsaparilla in the bag at his side and put the head of the cooked legionnaire into a small bowl, carried the meal outside to the soldiers, careful to walk slowly as to not lose anything or have the food mix into one another.

Zyle Reed
Outside waiting for the reinforcements from the out post to show, Sun came out with plates and all kinds of meaty foods.

"What you have there Sun?" I asked while looking towards his direction. "It looks and smells pretty good." I also said.

The centurion was just lying there helpless until he saw the mutie walking up...

"GET AWAY FROM ME!!" He exclaimed with struggling startle voice. I then looked towards the Centurion and smirked.

"Meet our good friend Sun, a great ally to us," I said outloud, "If you didnt know Sun here is the one that ended your operation here. I mean who can blaim him, it seems that the legion made operation in a mutants home." I exclaimed. The more Sun came close the better the food was.

Sun went up to the trooper,” nothing much a legionnaire stew, some specially seasoned gecko steaks, a pot of boiled vegetables with a dash of simple wasteland herbs, and a cooked legionnaire head.”
“Don’t worry I cooked the vegetable and the steaks with human consumption in mind, I know of the common human distaste of eating their own”

OOC: Let me know when you guys are on your way back to the outpost

Jeff Torres

Paladin Edgar Hardin looked up from the reports he was reading as the intercom buzzed. "Yes, Brother Andrews?" asked Hardin.

"Sir, Paladin Torres and Sheriff Myers are here to see you.", said Scribe Andrews. "We're also getting more secure traffic from NCRCF.".

"Why does everyone still call it that?", thought Hardin irritably, "The NCR abandoned it twenty years ago after they put down the Powder Gangs." Hardin pushed that thought aside, and merely said "Very well, send them in. And bring me the coms once you've decrypted them".

At that, the door to his office opened and in walked two men. The first was a young, 30ish wiry man with nearly shoulder length brown hair, wearing a Wasteland Wanderer outfit, mirrored sunglasses and a pre-war ball cap and no visible weapon. Following him was a man in his late fifties wearing a grey pre-war business suit. On his suit coat was a Sheriff's badge, and at his side was a 10mm auto in a well-worn leather holster. As the second man walked in he took off his Pre-War hat, dropped it on the edge of Hardin's desk and sat down. The younger man continued to stand until Hardin gestured towards the other chair before his desk.

"Have a seat, Brother Torres", said Hardin. "And is it bright in here or something?"

"Sorry, sir", said Torres as he took off his sunglasses and stuck them in his shirt pocket, then took off his hat. "Too much time out in the Wasteland, I forget my manners."

Meyers decided to change the subject. "I'm curious, Edgar.", Myers said, "What is so important that you cannot say it over Primm's fine phone system? Or am I your errand boy now? Would you like I should go fetch you a ice-cold Sunset Sarsaparilla? It's not like I don't have better things to do." Myers then stared at Hardin and grinned.

"Oh, it's important all right, Will", Hardin said evenly then picked up a clipboard on his desk and tossed it to Meyers. "Read it for yourself...that is assuming a primitive screw-head like yourself can read. As Meyers scanned the message Hardin continued, "I figured you wouldn't want this going out over a Party line and panicking your constituents, was I wrong? And for your information unlike you barbarians I drink Nuka-Cola, thank you.", Hardin then grinned back at him.

"Nipton again?", groaned Meyers. "Don't those psychos ever give up?". He then handed the clipboard to Torres. "Guess where you're going, son."

Elizabeth 'Lzzy' Hale
"Hahaha, yeah we would all be dead if it knew I did it" said reed in a hushed tone. "But I'll just get him another since that one is kinda destroyed."

Lzzy smiled lightly in response. The Centurion, looking up at them all, spoke up, "Too bad his influence was too great or I would have joined up with the NCR, You scums are not too bad but it looks like the War is truly far from over."

"Yeah shame that, would have been told to respect women if you had joined up with the NCR" said Lzzy flatly.

At that moment, the mutant emerged with a bowl of various meat, as it drew closer, Lzzy grimaced at the sight of a human head.

"What you have there Sun?" Reed asked while looking towards the mutant. I figure's that's it's name then "It looks and smells pretty good. Was he being sarcastic?

The centurion's eyes widened as it saw the mutant approached. "GET AWAY FROM ME!!" He exclaimed loudly.

Reed turned to the Centurion and smirked "Meet our good friend Sun, a great ally to us," he said out loud, "If you didnt know Sun here is the one that ended your operation here. I mean who can blaim him, it seems that the legion made operation in a mutant's home."

"Nothing much, a legionnaire stew, some specially seasoned gecko steaks, a pot of boiled vegetables with a dash of simple wasteland herbs, and a cooked legionnaire head. Don’t worry I cooked the vegetable and the steaks with human consumption in mind, I know of the common human distaste of eating their own”

Lzzy sighed with relief, knowing there was something edible. "Chuck me a Gecko steak, I have my own plate" said Lzzy, reaching into her backpack. "What's the ETA on those reinforcements by the way?"

Sun brought the platter over and used a large prong to move a steak over to the female soldiers’ plate. The Legionnaire commander looked in a panic, his face showing deep pain as he tried to inch away from the mutant that had approached. Sun then put some carrots and potato on the plate insists the soldier have some to keep her strength up.

Zyle Reed
"Nothing much, a legionnaire stew, some specially seasoned gecko steaks, a pot of boiled vegetables with a dash of simple wasteland herbs, and a cooked legionnaire head. Don’t worry I cooked the vegetable and the steaks with human consumption in mind, I know of the common human distaste of eating their own” Sun replied.

"Yeah I'll get a Gecko steak, I'm not into the whole eating my own kind thing." I replied.

"Chuck me a Gecko steak, I have my own plate" said Hale while reaching into a bag. "What's the ETA on those reinforcements by the way?" Hale also asked.

"Well they say about 3 hours and its near 2 hours has passed, and Jackson said he sent 10 soldiers." I replied, while moving away from the centurion and sitting down to wait. I also grabbed the gecko steak and began slaughtering it as I was starving.

Sun began serving up the seasoned gecko steaks and vegetables to the troopers. Once that was done He jammed a potato in the legionnaire commander’s mouth to keep him quiet. Then put the platter down took the cooked legionnaire head, pulled the hair off and tossed it to the side and began to eat.

Jacob "Reaper" Grimm

As i arrived at the Mojave outpost, soldiers were on the move, running about and readying for battle. I walked through looking for a competent soldier, trying my best to avoid the black devils. With Coats upon riot armor, the Devil's eyes glowed red making them blur with my hatred for the bull. I did not waver from my path, and my right hand did not loosen from his combat knife. My reflexes were at their best around rangers, because i knew they always arrived and fought back just too late.

I didn't understand why the NCR glorified it's rangers so much. They are sent on missions that don't affect the people, when their skills should be used to help those in need, not what the NCR deems to be most vital. The Ranger stations constantly watch raiders catch slaves and ferry them through cottonwood cove, yet they make no move. How many wastelanders would be free if the Rangers had stopped the Legion? What if they patrolled instead of watching for smoke. However, I turned my attention to the thoughts at hand.

I walked into the Outpost office and found Major Knight. I proceeded to tell him all the details and told him to relay the information to Ranger Jackson. Major Knight looked curious as to why I didn't tell Ranger Jackson myself, so i proceed to head north to set up camp. As i was leaving i saw someone that looked familiar, with her buzzed red hair and cowboy hat, however i turned back around to see if it was her and she was gone.

Zyle Reed
I watched as the group tore into there dinner though i was alreadi finished. I then reached inside my coat pocket and pulled out my radio....

"Ranger Jackson, this is Ranger Reed come in." I said over the radio.

"This Ranger Jackson, go ahead with your report." He replied.

"Tell our boy's dont fire at our good friend Sun, Hes and ally to us. I mean hes a Mutant but an ally, Over." I exclaimed while looking towards Sun with a smirk.

"Copy that Reed, but how in the hell did a mutant get involved?" Jackson asked through the radio.

"Well, Its a long story, i'll tell you when we get back to the outpost once reinforcements arrived." I exclaimed.

OOC...sorry for the length but I'm trying to get in area so you don't have to hold up things on my account.

Jeff Torres

Jeff took the clipboard from Sherrif Meyers and began scanning the messages. The remote tap on Black Mountain's sensor arrays was of great help to the Brotherhood yet again. By the look of it, a NCR patrol was ambushed by Raiders outside of Nipton yesterday. Mojave Station sent a rescue party, which reported they had made contact with Legion and were currently engaging them inside the town and requesting reinforcements. One of the Intelligence reports with it indicated that there was a spike in encrypted traffic between Mojave Station and NCR's Southern Command HQ. The other was a report from the forward Patrol Station South of Primm, indicated that NCR had increased patrols East of Mojave Station and finally there was a message directly to Hardin from Ranger Jackson asking that
travelers heading South from Primm on I-15 be escorted to Mojave Station until further notice.

"It looks like either the NCR has decided to annex Nipton or that first patrol stumbled onto something.", said Jeff. "As the increased radio pvssyr and Jackson's repositioning his patrols came after the fighting not before, I would say it was the latter."

"I agree.", said Hardin. "But we have to be sure. If the NCR wants to reoccupy what's South of the 164 that is of no concern to us...they are welcome to it. But if the Legion is up to something, that is our concern. If the Legion pushes West down the 164, it will only be a matter of time before they come North....here."

Sherrif Meyers stood up and picked up his hat. "There is something I have to do, Edgar...I'm sure you and Jeff have some things to discuss that I shouldn't hear anyhow."

Hardin looked at Meyers and blinked as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He them composed himself and asked cautiously, "What are you going to do, Will?"

"I'm going to go kill a man, Edgar", Meyers said as calmly as if he were ordering a drink, "that's what I'm going to do. A "tourist" blew into town last week that has made my skin crawl ever since I first laid eyes on him....thanks to you I now know why. I'm going over to the Bison Steve and do what the good people of this town pay me to do. I'll send you whatever I find." Meyers then walked to the door and left, closing the door behind him.

Jeff and Hardin stared at each other for several seconds before Jeff finally spoke. "Does he do things like this often, sir?", Jeff asked.

"Once or twice a year", answered Hardin. "Turns out to be right every time. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this fellow turns out to be a frumentarii. But even if he is innocent...it isn't our call. Meyers is the Law in Primm, not the Brotherhood. But back to business. I need you to get down to Nipton ASAP. We need to know what is going on, if the Legion is preparing a offensive we need to know so we can be ready. If they cut I-15, they'll come north at us. If Primm falls the way to Vegas will be wide open, and I doubt we'll be able to get any help from either those clowns House dragooned into running his casinos or the Abomination."

Jeff opened his mouth to say "Yes-Man?", but the look on Hardin's face when he said "abomination" made him think better of it. "I will leave as soon as I retrieve my equipment, sir", Jeff said instead. "What are my Rules of Engagement?".

"As far as Legion and Raiders, weapons free.", said Hardin. "But under no circumstances are you to initiate hostilities with NCR forces. If you find civilians fool enough to be there, help them if you can. Your mission is to find out what the Legion is up to and return and report, no heroics. You can avoid or assist NCR forces in area at your discretion...though if the NCR has taken Nipton the troops there would probably know most of what we need. So you know, I'm increasing patrols South of Primm and in 48 hours I'm sending a reinforced Patrol up the 164 to see if anything bites..keep an eye out for them. You can draw what you need from the Armory. Now go, and Steel be with you!"

"And with you, sir!" Said Jeff, who then left Hardin's office for the bunkroom. Once there, he opened his locker and changed into his combat armor and a battered old cowboy hat. Reloading his .357 DA revolver with JFPs, he then put on a old NCR cloth bandoleer loaded with revolver speedloaders and MF cells. He checked his rucksack to make sure all of his equipment....binoculars, utility knife, utensil set, compass, map case and a fresh notepad + pencil, a small flashlight with red lens for use at night, some spare ammo for both his weapons, some stimpacks and a flask of whisky...were in their places then slung the rucksack and headed for the Armory, where he drew his Gauss Rifle and a multiband radio. With it, he could monitor the usual tactical bands as well as transmit on a secure frequency that it was doubtful the Legion could monitor. As far as NCR, they probably could decrypt it eventually but not in time to interfere with his mission. Verifying the batteries were fully charged, he left the Patrol Station and walked down to I-15 and then began heading South. As he walked under the I-15 underpass, he heard three shots from the direction of the Bison Steve...the first shot was the distinctive deep pop of a 10mm, followed by the higher pitched pop of a 9mm then another 10mm...then silence except for some shouts. "Sounds like Meyers got his man.", thought Jeff has he headed out of Primm down the Long 15.

Reaching Ivanpah Dry Lake at dusk, he left I-15 and began cautiously heading East, staying just close enough to the 164 to be able to observe the road with his binoculars, and avoiding the giant ants that infested the area. Every few minutes he would stop, make sure no ants or raiders were near, then carefully scrutinize the road to his South for movement, moving on once he saw no movement. He did find signs that someone had been through. Near the Nipton rest stop, he found the
corpses of two Raiders...Jackals by the tattoos. Both had been killed with a blade but the bodies had not looted...even their weapons had been left..from the remaining footprints by one individual. "A Ranger, most likely", thought Jeff. Checking the corpses to see if there was anything of interest, he found both had some Legion denarii on them...not old coins with Caesar's face on them, these were recently minted and had Lanius's masked image on them. Latin had not been his strong point in Initiate training, but he knew from intel briefings that Legion coin issues often presaged significant events. "These are new....I'll let the Brainiacs back at the hole see if they can make sense of it. ", Jeff thought as he pulled a cloth out of his rucksack, wrapped up the coins so they would not rattle then stowed them in his rucksack and moved on. Reaching the Eastern edge of the dry lake just before dawn, he began heading Northeast, intending to approach Nipton from the North, determine if possible who is in control of the town, then swing East and see if he could get lucky and bag a Explorer or messenger and get some clues the easy way. "Better to get a lay of the land before trying to make contact with any NCR troops around here.", Jeff thought. Slowly and cautiously Jeff began working his way north of Nipton, looking for a spot where he could observe the town from good cover, and possibly camp.

OOC: read this carefully this might be improtant later


Sun looked at reed with a sad expression “ would not be the first time I have been shot at for nothing more than my appearance” Looking down at the skull he broke it open and proceeded to finish the insides off “ at least I seem to escaped the search of the walking Tin man..... Mercy less thugs that just slaughter everything in their path, then there’s the others that just shoot at you and kill anyone with any technology past your basic pistol. “

“Never did ask your name, what do I call you anyway. Would feel really stupid to say hey soldier lookout in the middle of combat when the legion comes”

OOC: Where's Airbourne Ranger? He seems to have gone AWOL.

IC:

Elizabeth 'Lzzy' Hale

Sun brought the platter over and used a large prong to move a steak over onto Lzzy's plate. He then placed potatoes and carrots on her plate, insisting she eat them to keep her strength up. Not that she was in any need to keep her strength up, but she said nothing, not wishing to offend the mutant. She headed over to a nearby wall and leaned against it and tucked into the meal.

"Well they say about 3 hours and its near 2 hours has passed, and Jackson said he sent 10 soldiers" said Reed

"Right you are" replied Lzzy.

Finishing his meal, Reed reached for his radio and relayed information back to Ranger Jackson. Lzzy, in the meantime, eagerly awaited the reinforcements so she could had back to the Mojave Outpost.

Jeff Torres

From a hill just north of Nipton, Jeff carefully studied the town through his binoculars. Fluttering from a flagpole in front of the Town Hall was a small NCR flag, and he had observed several NCR Rangers, their Elite Veterans by the uniforms, patrolling the streets. That fits what the intercepted messages hinted....a regular patrol was attacked, Jackson sent Rangers to rescue them, and the Rangers found the town occupied by Legion and drove them out. Scanning the usual NCR frequencies, he finally found the one the Rangers were using. He only caught part of their last message, but from the looks of things they were digging in and waiting for reinforcements. All of this was as he expected. What he didn't expect was the occupant of the General Store.....a super mutant. "A mutant? When did the NCR start working with them?, thought Jeff. Satisfied he had learned all he could for the moment, he concealed his rucksack and began the next phase, investigating the
flashes of light he had observed coming from a hill East of Nipton, that began once the sun began to move West. Slowly traveling East, circling Nipton, watching for signs of the Legion, Jeff worked his way towards the light flashes that he was certain were being caused by a Legion Explorer observing the town.

It took most of the afternoon to get in position, but finally he could see them. A pair of Explorers had set up a small camp at the base of a hill about 500 meters East of Nipton. They were fairly good...he had already found and disarmed a land mine and two improvised traps on the path approaching their camp. Their routine was basic, one would go to a covered position at the top of the hill, while the other would stay in camp, doing camp chores, napping, or sitting by the radio, which was turned on but they had not used to transmit so far. After two hours the Explorer in camp would climb the short path up the hill and relieve the other. Quietly moving to the edge of the camp as night came, Jeff waited for them to make their radio check. Jeff decided if that did not occur by 2200, he would make his move after their next shift change.

At 2100, the radio crackled into life.

"Corvus, this is Tigris. Report. Vultus, indices oculi."

"Tigris, this is Corvus. Situation unchanged.", said the Explorer manning the radio. "There are three Profligates and a Mutant in Nipton, they appear to be waiting for reinforcements. Continuing our assignment. Semper fidelis."

"Very well, Corvus", said the voice from the radio. "Be advised, a friend is coming to you with new orders. ETA is three hours. Tigris out."

"Excellent", Jeff thought, "That will have some answers. Hopefully tomorrow's watch word as well".

The Latin phrases, which in English meant something about death and dishonor and loyalty, were a simple means of making sure someone wasn't trying to use the radio to blow smoke up their asses. Knowing the current watch word opened up possibilities.

Jeff waited patiently for the Explorers to make their next change. As 2200 approached, the Explorer in the camp cooked a meal in the stew pot above the campfire, then quickly ate a portion of it. He then checked the stew pot, and walked up the hill path to relieve his comrade. About ten minutes later, his associate came down the path alone. He walked up to the campfire, checked the stew pot, then turned to one of the bedrolls and began rummaging through the pack next to it. Readying his hatchet, Jeff quietly crossed the campsite and swung, burying the hatchet in the back of the Explorer's skull, killing him instantly.

The Explorer collapsed into a heap soundlessly. Leaving the hatchet embedded in the dead Explorer's skull for the moment, Jeff checked the corpse for items of interest, aside from his map case, binoculars and a machete finding only a Egg timer with the bell removed so it would vibrate but not make a loud noise when the timer reached zero. Currently it was set at 110 minutes and ticking away. Jeff put this in one of the pockets of his combat armor. Jeff then examined the pack he had been rummaging though, finding nothing of interest besides more denarii, all of the new minting bearing the image of Lanius. Jeff wrapped these up in rag he found in the Explorer's pack then put them into another pocket of his combat armor. He then took the plate and eating utensils the Explorer had been looking for and set them aside. Removing the Explorer's spare hood from the pack, he closed up the pack and put it back at it's place. He then removed his harchet from the Explorer's skull, wiping it clean with his uniform, then arranged the corpse on the sleeping mat, draping the other hood over his head them then covered the corpse with one of the wool blankets. Placing the plate and utensils by the fire, Jeff slinked back up the path and reactivated the traps and mine so all would seem as normal. Once back to the camp, he checked the egg timer which was now down to 90 minutes. Putting the egg timer away again, Jeff checked the stewpot, lading up some of the stew and cautiously sniffing it, then taking a tiny sip. "Gecko, thank God.", Jeff sighed relievedly then ladled a full plate of stew and sat down to eat it. "You cannot be too careful with these bastards. No point in letting this go to waste", thought Jeff as the last 90 minutes of the other Explorer's life ticked away on the egg timer.

Feeling the timer buzz in his pocket, Jeff prepared for the next, and most dangerous step. Walking cautiously up the path, he climbed the hill to the position where the other Explorer was watching Nipton. Staying low so his prey would not be able to get a good look at him, and keeping an eye open for traps, he moved up until he heard a voice hiss from above him.

"Vultus, indices oculi"

"Semper fidelis", Jeff hissed back.

"Get up here, Marcus", hissed the voice. "More profligates have arrived, I need to report it."

Jeff approached the position where the Explorer was using as a Observation post. It was well chosen, but they had made a fatal mistake. As he moved up beside the Explorer, who had returned to intently watching the town through his binoculars, he lowered the binoculars and began to speak again.

"A whole squad of NCR soldiers arrived about an hour ago, they look like they are digging in, we need....", at this point the Explorer had turned to face him and realized he wasn't Marcus. "Oh, f.uck!" exclaimed the Explorer as he tried to get up and draw his machete, but it was far too late.

Jeff, who already had his hatchet out, was already in mid-swing. As the Explorer had moved, the blade sank deep into his chest instead of his head as Jeff intended. It did not matter, as the wound was fatal. Flopping over onto his back, the Explorer began coughing up blood...both of them knew he only had seconds to live. The Explorer released his grip on his machete, and looked at Jeff and said only one word.

"How?", gasped the dying Legionary.

Jeff kneeled next to him and held up his own binoculars, showing him the dull copper mesh over the lenses. "Your binoculars.", Jeff said quietly.

"S.hit.", said the Explorer as he realized the error he and his friend had made. More blood welled up out of his mouth and then his face lost all expression as he died.

Jeff checked his pulse, confirming he was dead. Removing and cleaning his hatchet, he checked the corpse, this time finding some papers, and a notebook. This Explorer seems to have been the senior of the two, he had a firearm, a beat-up but still functional .357 lever action rifle and about 50 rounds on a leather bandoleer. Taking the papers, notebook, bandoleer and rifle, he made sure the corpse was under cover then retreated back towards the camp to await the messenger.

OOC: The mercenaries are meant to be heavily equipped because they're being fully funded by the casinos to secure victory.


Jacob "Reaper" Grimm

As i had just finished cooking my Fiend Stew, the mercenaries had finally arrived. As soon as i saw them, i knew they were professionals that i could rely on. There was three of them, Two had dressed in reinforced combat armor, with their leader in Reinforced Combat Armor Mk 2. The leader carried a plasma caster and laser rifle, the one two his left was armed with a anti-materiel rifle and a 12.7mm SMG, and the one to his right was armed with a grenade rifle and ballistic fist. These were the men who would help me secure Vegas's gain. The leader then handed me a holodisk, and spoke "Swank said to follow your orders for a battle plan, but if you try and go against what's best for Vegas, we'll finish the job ourselves. Here's the disk the casinos asked me to deliver to you, and we'll take up this unused tent on the right." With that, the men vanished into their tent.

As i listened to the holodisk, it became clear that they wanted to help the NCR but appear as the white knight at the end of the fairy tale, saving the NCR with my three other knights. However, i thought to myself and realized that we should be there from the beginning, unlike the rangers who would probably try and serve as a white knight. I told the mercs that when the time came for the attack we would be in position to repel the Legion.

Jeff Torres

Jeff waited in the shadows for the messenger to arrive. He had briefly considered donning one of the Explorer's uniforms and luring him in close, but decided it would not work. The messenger would likely be a comrade of the others and see through his disguise before he could strike. There is also the possibility the messenger might not be alone. He was going to have to shoot him. Now he wished he had drawn the silenced 10mm from the Armory rather than stick to his revolver, but it was no use crying about it now.

Eventually he heard some rustling from the path leading to the camp, then a voice.

"Vultus, indices oculi", the voice said. When no reply came he repeated the phrase again, this time more insistantly. When no reply still came, a man emerged from the bushes and creeped into the campsite. Rather than a Explorer, this man was dressed in a outfit crudely stitched together from brahmin skins and rags, the sort of thing the poorest Wastelanders wore. A rifle or shotgun of some sort was slung across his back. He was wearing a beat up Stormcatcher hat, and had a long shaggy beard. Slung over his shoulder was a knapsack that looked like it was held together by pure luck. In his left hand he was holding a rock he was winding up to throw at the dead Explorer on the bedroll at the other end of the campsite. But what he held in his right was what piqued Jeff's interest...a 12.7mm automatic with a silencer on it. A Wastelander could eat for a year with what that pistol cost. "A frumentarii", Jeff thought to himself. "this just gets better and better.".

The frumentarii did not throw the rock, though. Instead, he stood up straight and dropped the rock, letting the knapsack's sling slip into his hand and then he spoke.

"Paladin Torres...or should I say Quintus Felix the Younger, come out and face me!", he said aloud. "Otherwise, I'll just drop what you have been waiting for into the fire." He then held the knapsack over the fire to make his point, then spoke again. "I'm alone, let's settle this like men!"

At that, Jeff stood up, and stepped into view from his hiding spot, revolver leveled on the frumentarii. "You knew it was me? I'm impressed.", said Jeff. "I don't believe we have been introduced."

"We haven't, but I know much about you. Your file makes for some interesting reading.", said the frumentarii as he took a step back and let his left arm and the knapsack fall back to his side. "Captured at the age of six, selected for training as a Legionary...your instructors saw you as having great potential, in case you're interested...stolen from us at eleven when the Assassin murdered Caesar and your step-father with him, then given to the Brotherhood of Steel who took you into thier Tribe of profligates. Since then, you've served them well...too well for our liking. Returning to current events, 18 hours ago or so you left Primm even as the Brotherhood increased it's patrols along I-15, and I come here to find our Explorers dead though they made thier last check-in....and as I wasn't shot dead the moment I broke cover, you were the logical choice. The profligates in Nipton don't have the numbers to patrol aggressively."

"Quite right.", said Jeff, keeping to himself that Nipton had been reinforced, something the frumentarii seemed to be unaware of. "It's interesting that you knew I left Primm yesterday."

"Oh, you mean Meyers?", laughed the Frumentarii. "Yes, he found *one* of my brethren and killed him. The Legate has many eyes on Primm, Meyers cannot blind them all..try as he might."

"Before we determine who is walking away from here alive...I've got a question.", said Jeff. "Why hasn't Lanius taken the title of Caesar after all this time?"

"Simple, really.", said the frumentarii. "The Legate is very keen on keeping his word, which is why he rarely gives it, and when the funeral rites were made for Caesar and the Praetorians who fell with him at the hands of the Assassin....he swore an Oath that he would not take Caesar's chair and title until he had fulfilled Caesar's dream of taking the Strip. The Campaign that will fulfill that Oath is just about to begin, not that you'll live to see it".

The frumentarii then tossed the knapsack into the fire then hip-fired two shots at Jeff with his 12.7 pistol, but as Jeff had leaped left when the frumentarii swung the knapsack the shots went wide. Jeff's return fire, however, did not. Two .357 slugs tore into the frumentarii, the first into his chest, the second into his left eye, killing him outright, the third over his head, ricocheting off a rock harmlessly. Leaping towards the fire, Jeff kicked the knapsack out of the fire then upended the pot, still partially full of gecko stew onto it, putting the burning sack out. Jeff then tore the sack open, as he suspected the frumentarii had a stick of dynamite in the bag, the fuze had just started to sputter. Fortunately for Jeff, it had a long fuze. Keeping his head, he pulled the fuze out of the stick and threw it on the ground, silently watching the fuze burn out harmlessly. Jeff checked the frumentarii, he was quite dead. All that was on his body was a necklace with a odd Legion coin with a image of Caesar on one side and a bull on the other hanging from it, a pre-war cigarette lighter, two full magazines for the 12.7 pistol, and a box of 20ga shells for the rusty single barrel shotgun slung across his back. He took everything but the shotgun and it's shells and turned his attention back to the knapsack. The papers inside were singed, and stained with gecko stew, but still legible. The knapsack was ruined, after removing it's contents he threw it into the fire. After reloading his revolver and pocketing the spent casings, he emptied one of the dead Explorer's packs, quickly placed the 12.7mm pistol, lighter, spare magazines, stick of dynamite, the papers from the Explorer and the frumentarii, and the bandoleer of .357 shells inside, sealed it up and put it over his shoulder.

After making sure no one was responding to his shots, he turned his attention to the final task before he left. First, he wrote down the frequency the radio was set to, then turned it off and disconnected the fission battery powering it. Then he carefully opened the casing of the radio partially, gently sliding in a knife from the Explorer's utensil set until he found and disengaged the catch on the booby trap inside. Opening the case, he located the scrambler device inside and wrote down the settings of the switches that controlled it. He then reassembled the radio, replacing the catch and re-arming the small self-destruct charge inside. He then re-connected the battery to the radio and turned it back on. Making sure he had everything, he then flipped the unmarked toggle switch on the radio and quickly moved down the path away from the camp...avoiding the re-armed traps and mine along the trail. He was well away when heard the dull explosion as the ounce of C-4 in the radio blew it into a pile of junk. "Now they won't realize I got the setting on the scrambler and change settings early.", thought Jeff as he cautiously made his way back to his own camp. "I need to look at what I have found and make my report.".