Fallout RP- Systematic Annihilation

East bound(Gabe's story pt1) / Trouble in broken hills pt2

~Gabe looked to the ranger; and then the child "My story.... Havent had to tell that one in a long time.... Well... I was bourn in adytum... My father was a carivan driver; when he was home, he worked with the Blades; who -if you know your history; would eventually overthrow the Regulators... The regulators were; an opressive ottocrasy; that claimed to protect the adytum'ers; but they only exploited their labor. When I came to age; I spent most of my time at the fallowers of the apocalyps Cathedral / Library. I am still a fallower though. I spent my time there learning to read; from the vast ammount of litriture that they had scavenged from the waistes. I was still too young to understand the suffering that the regulators had brought uppon adytum. but one day... One day this all changed. My oldest brother was caught squirreling caps... He was exicuted in the middle of adytum; he was called a treasonus dog. They told my mother and father that he had planned to assist raiders from the west, infiltrate the protective walls of adytum- but Richard had shown me the stash of caps. I didnt tell my mother; bechause I feared for all of our lives- I didnt tell my father; bechause it was an unspoken truth. This enraged me- I had to find a vent. I then focused all of my attention to manual labor. I tilled the fields from dawn until dusk - time and time again- and sometimes from dawn to dawn. *chudkles* I remember - one season - the fields were all tilled and sewn so early- nothing grew... needless to say - I felt like shit. On my 16th birthday - I went with my father on my first carivan drive- to Junktown - thats where I bought my first gun. a 10mm Automatic. I carried that gun everywhere I went. I even slept with it under my matress- loaded... Saftey on - ofcorse. I eventually began to train with the fallowers of the appocalyps in a few forms of martial arts- one agressive- the other defincive. I learned to brawl there- which is the most common form of martial arts... and I learned Koga. Koga- Is The most effective defincive martial art known. Pressurepoints- easy brake points in an opponates appendages- all that good stuff. After this - I joined up with the blades - but It wasnt for long- before I went on my last carivan drive with my father. we were heading up- we lost our way - Overshot the hub. When we lost hope- we were ambushed by supermuties. Nightkin to be exact. all I remember was a minigun burst- I ducked behind a brahmin - I got picked up - a mutie threw me.... and- I woke up In a cell. I blacked out- and when I woke up - I...was... a mutie. " Gabe then halted his story- as they continued thru the waistes - remaining silent.~

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~Ryan waited as the cloister of humanoids approached- as the lumbering giants that were the super-mutant minors approached. The five represented the bulk of the force- armed with mutie-sized pickaxes and shovels - the mine foreman had ordered the minors to create breast plates from leather straps, climbing rope; and 3/4 inch iron plate, so if the past repeated its self in an exponantial form ; they would be able to fight more efficiantly. the foreman had finally arrived He had recovered his armor that he had recieved in the masters army- he had dawned the 174lbs of steel plate. In his left hand, an Avenger Mini-gun. This weapon suited him well. They waited as the humanoids approached. ryan readied the winchestor citykiller combatshotgun - the humanoids were well within earshot- they looked like town' folk - but traveling in the night? " STOP!" he shouted- they didnt respond "STOP WHERE YOU ARE! OR WE WILL FIRE!" as the townsfolk continued - sprinting twards the town "STOP OR WE WILL SHOOT TO KILL!" as the cityfolk ignored-them - only 20 feet from the fince - Ryan took aim at the closest of the insane humanoids - and squeezed the trigger- nailing him in the general chest- area - he stumbled- and continued- gabe then switched to automatic- by this time- the rest of the fire-arm baring townsfolk had began firing their weapons. the first 6 of the humanoids had been very-well perferated- though 3 still stood. Ryan then aimed for the head of the leader- though his in-experiance with the weapon was very visable- he squeezed the trigger- not brasing for the recoil - he un-intentionally heald the trigger- spitting 6 shells before he let off the trigger. the first cloister had been eleminated- though- two was heard- but not seen. Ryan heard screams from the residential district- fallowed by hissing- and gargeled screams. "RESIDENTIAL AREA! NOW!" ryan ordered the militia- as the muties went first- rusihing into the streets- and sprinting twards the residential area. The cloister had formed in the streets- looking for prey. Ryan fallowed the muties very closely- as they charged into melee combat. These combatants were armed with sticks, rocks, and pieces of iron. Ryan took knee- and began to reload his weapon frantically- as the muties engaged in brutal melee combat with the opposition. ~
 
((Please don't make such leaps and bounds with Alex. He's a very important character to the universe. He was too young to have worked on teh original Armor, but he did design the other Two. His father, however, would have worked with Eldon. He's an evil fucker. Besides, if he can fight his dad fr 10 years, the Brotherhood would take a while to kill him.))
"I can get you five nuclear missiles within a year. All of them French," Alex said, not looking at them. They all stared at him.
"Five?"
"French?"
"The Enclave has been establishing itself as a worldwide operation. They have bases in Alaska, Mexico, Canada, China, France, and Liberia, or what's left of those places. While they're not in contact with each other very well, they have the means to keep a small nuclear arsenal running. Of course they're only in France, with one in east China."
"A year?"
"Only a matter of convincing the French Enclave to move one across the sea. They have all the means to move them: By VertiBird, ship, or combination. Swim one into one of the Poseidon Oil Rigs in the Gulf and fly it to Navarro, then get someone to whack teh Enclave and pick the nuke up. After capturing Technicians, of course. Enclave scientists are particularly cowardly and unloyal, myself excluded. Well, formerly excluded. Anyway, building a nuclear device wouldn't be too hard for me, either. The Master didn't steal his nuke, he built it. In the Cathedral. The only reason nobody's noticed is because the uranium is all buried under teh ruins, which had a lot of lead. A few weeks of digging and you have your enriched uranium. With previous preparation, you can have yourself a bomb in one to two months. Although if someone tried, I would have to kill them. I agree with the Brotherhood; We can't bring more nukes into this world. There are other kinds of WMDs."
The others stared at him.
"You're serious?"
"I am. It's only a matter of knowing where to look."
The Brother shook his head.
"You really need to be killed, you know that, right?"
"Beezalebub has but a devil aside for me, just like he did for my father. Jack may believe in second chances, but I blew mine. I had second chances. I have been judged and weighed. All I can do is hand mankind the bandages for the wounds I have made before I die."
 
Ramses listened intently to the mutant's story and was intrigued by the information. The Regulators had been an autocratic group in the Bone Yard, but they had been dealt with the blades and this was a hundred or so years before Ramses had ever been born. No one really cared that mutants and ghouls were ripe with old world knowledge, it was that short sighted bigotry of people in Vault City and the other xenophobics that kept this world back.

"Interesting tale, Gabe. Very interesting. I can tell you have seen much. *sigh*. A pity your kind is dying out... Well my father was a Ranger from the east. I lived in the Bone Yard as well as Junk Town. Born and raised a child of the frontier and a merc by trade. It seems one can make a good living turning lead into gold and I have no qualms, especially when it comes to thinning out the scum.

NCR is a joke. After Tandi passes on, it will only be a matter of time before it devolves into civil war. Most likely with the Brotherhood of Steel who stay on their steel asses, hording tech and allowing threats like the Enclave to pass through." There was checked bitterness in Ramses' voice, "The Brotherhood deserve to perish just as NCR does. If we can't learn from our mistakes then there is no need for any of them. I have done fine living by my code."

Ramses checked a compass to make sure that they were still on track. What he saw ahead and Gabe saw it to was a carvan rolling along. It was a well armed and manned caravan.

"It seems with the infected menace, caravans are more well armed. Interesting. Do you have anything to barter?"
 
"What does it feel like..."

(Just a note about the newer Fusion Power Armor: It is very new, only about 5 years old and was created and refined by Jarl, you know the blue nightlight of a ghoul that is always at Valice's side. Eldon and Alex both had hands in the other Armors' creations but this model has not been seen by anyone outside the Glow... yet.
Also, one more note: There are currently no Enclave forces in Navarro. I do agree with you Uziel that the Enclave in the Glow do have ways of contacting other Enclave units around the globe since they're spread out in many different countries. This is the only area where 'redemption' exists, and the other Enclave units around the world do not know about Valice's personal war on life, some of them may not even approve of his actions.)

Jack walked a few hundred feet from the group and pulled out one of his serum delivery systems, which was really just a fancy syringe that injects the liquid at a higher speed sending the flow through the blood stream much faster than a conventional syringe.

He placed the piece up to his jugular and pressed the inject trigger. Liquid fire shot through his veins and he dropped to his knees in agony, not letting out a sound, he suffered in silence clenching his teeth.

He was so concentrated on the overwhelming pain that he couldn't hear someone approach from behind.

"I misjudged you." Stark's voice cut through the waves of pain, "You fight to keep your humanity. Most people just let it seep away."

Jack took a deep breath and forced himself speak, "It's all I have left..."

Jack took another deep breath and stood up, the pain had not yet subsided and he turned toward Stark.

Stark let out a laugh, "Well look at the tough guy here, all juiced up and ready to roll, huh!"

Jack walked up to him, "Don't you have anything better to do than pester me." He said jokingly.

Stark's smile faded and there was a pause, "What's it feel like?"

Jack was quiet for a moment seeming to choose his words carefully, "Like your worst fear knocking on your door, waiting for you to open up and let it in."

Stark thought about it for a moment, Jack walked back to the group Amy smiling at him as he entered the group of allies. Stark thought about Jack's words for a moment and believed that he had finally gained some understanding of Jack Graves, he was just a man, a man who was afraid...
 
Wild Blue Yonder

"Hey," said Amy when Jack returned, "how are you doing?"

"Better now, thanks," said Jack. "How are you holding up?"

"I'll survive. It won't be the same without Mongo around, but I'm not alone now that I've got you guys."

"It's good to have you on our team," said Eldon. "Even though Mongo killed me back at Devil's Canyon, I'm sorry we lost him. From what I've heard he really helped out in New Reno."

Jack took hold of Amy's hand. "I want you to know," he said, "I really appreciate what you did for us in the Desperado. I'd be dead now if it weren't for you."

"You're quite welcome," said Amy. "I'm so sorry I hurt you before. If only we could have met under different circumstances..."

"I forgive you for that, Amy. It's not too late. We can start over."

Amy smiled awkwardly and seemed about to say something when Garret came up to the group. "The VertiChicks are all prepped and ready to go," he said. "Let's get this show on the road. We need to reach Vault City without delay!"

"We'll talk later," said Jack, patting Amy's hand. Everyone piled into the VertiChicks, and they took off.

As the Vertichicks made their way rapidly over the terrain to the north, Stark looked out the window of his VertiChick. "I can't believe it," he said. "All my life it seemed like nothing could endanger Vault City. I sure hope we get home in time and can stop the Enclave."

"We beat them before," said Eldon, "and that was without the Brotherhood's help. With these guys on our side, we can really put the hurt on them. Plus, the Enclave won't be expecting the Steel Knights to be helping us, or for Vault City to be ready for the attack."

"I sure hope you're right. If Vault City is destroyed..."

"I know the feeling. I've lost a bunch of homes. Not all of them were destroyed, but Bakersfield was, in the War. It was the only home I'd ever known. Then all those years in the Vault, getting this radioactive makeover, and finally emerging and building Necropolis on the ruins. I'd gotten used to living there, but then the Master's mutant army showed up on our doorstep. They made some sort of deal with Set, whom I never could stand. I just knew something bad was going to happen, so I got out of there right fast. Found out later that the mutants trashed the place in retaliation for their aid to the Vault Dweller in retrieving the Vault's water chip."

"I can't even imagine what it must have been like to live through the War. I've seen action, but I've never really known a true war. And now one is coming right at my home. Even if we win, a lot of people are going to die."

"That's war for you, all right. General Sherman had it right: War is all hell. But like Winston Churchill said, when you're going through hell, keep going."

In another VertiChick, Rachel and Amy sat in the passenger compartment. "Thanks for everything you've done for me and my family," said Rachel.

"Hey, no problem," said Amy. "That's what friends are for."

"You've always done good work for Family Wright. I wish you'd reconsider joining us. We could sure use you, especially now. I'd be honored to call you my sister."

"We've been through this before, Rachel. I'll gladly help you out on a freelance basis, but joining up...it's just not me. Besides, we've got bigger fish to fry right now. The Enclave has to pay." Amy clenched her fists for a second, then sighed. "I'm glad to have you with us."

"I'm glad to be with you, Amy. All of you guys are great. Tell me, what's the deal with you and Jack? Are you two ex-lovers or something?"

"What? No, actually I...I was hunting him. When I first took the job, I thought he was just a coldblooded killer. There were some things about the situation that didn't make sense, though, so I captured him alive to get the truth out of him." Amy exhaled. "I hurt him real bad, Rachel. I'm so ashamed of what I did to him. After he confessed everything to me and I learned that the Mordinos were working with the Enclave, it changed everything."

"You care for him, I can tell. I think he cares for you too."

"I didn't think it would ever be possible, no matter what I did to make it up to him. I still did what I could, though. He's starting to warm up to me. I hope we can be friends now."

"And maybe more than friends?" Amy blushed. "You're in love, aren't you?"

"I...I just don't know. I can't risk falling in love again. I lose everyone I care about."

"Honey, if you refuse to act on your feelings then you've lost him already."

"Rachel, you know he's infected. He's got the serum, but what happens if he runs out of it and I have to...I just couldn't do that. Not again, not after Dave."

"I know you don't want your heart broken again, but if you really love him you'll put him first. Can't you see how lonely he is? He needs someone to be there with him. He needs to know that, God forbid, he has someone he can count on to pull the trigger if it comes to that."

"I'm just so confused. I need time to think."

"Don't wait too long. Life's too short for that."
 
Evil approaches from the south...

(I don't have alot of time to post anything big right now, but I thought I would contribute something small until tomorrow.)

Thirty plus vertibirds hovered slowly over the advancing upgraded tanks and trucks transporting the Enclave army on a collision coarse with Vault City.

Valice sat in one of the heavily armored trucks, he sat in the back with a man in Fusion Power Armor, the armor was black with orange lights seeming to pulsate from the joints throughout the body of the suit. The outer design of the armor was not unlike normal Advanced Power Armor. Except that it was smaller and gave the wearer much better freedom of movement. Valice had several of the men wearing the armor trained in stealth tactics. He would send them while the assault commenced. He called the unit the 'Shinobi' unit after a pre-war video game that one of his scientists scavenged from the wastes years ago and repaired.

They studied maps of Vault city brought by Enclave spies within. They weren't completely sure of Vault city's overall defenses but they had a quite accurate account of what they were up against.

Valice estimated that they would reach the city within three days.
 
Caravan encounter / Trouble in Broken hills pt3

~ Gabe looked to the ranger; and then the child " I suppose I could trade... Let me approach first. If these are the regulars from broken hills, exporting; or importing- they'le recognise me- and... hopefully- not perferate us."


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Meanwhile - In broken hills

~The entire town had been awaken by the gunfire- and melee combat in the streets. Some had come to aid the militia - others exited their homes- and ran - taking cover in the mines. ryan griped his shotgun - and took knee. The ghoul; who had no previous experiance in combat; had proven to be quite adept at CQC with an automatic shotgun. he pointed the shotgun at one of the infected- and squeezed the trigger- sending buckshot thru the humanoid's neck and skull. as the weapon's blowback re-racked the bolt- he had already aquired another target. he squeezed the trigger- Discharging the weapon into the chest of an infectee- who was only 6 feet away. the Manstopping round blew thrugh the toreso - and shattered a spinal colum. the creature was dieing- but didnt relent; Crawling twards a new target- his skull was crushed by the foot of a lumbering supermutant. As he aquired new targets- the number of the infected attackers dwendled. soon - there was nothing left to shoot. ryan looked to the twisted corpses of the infected. He took a moment to controll his breathing. the break in the frey was noticed by all - slowly- people began to exit the mines. Ryan turned to the militia. There had only been two losses to the militia ranks; thanks mostly to the miners; who took the brunt of the melee combat. he then began to adress his militia; and the town's people that surrounded; looking at the carnage that was strewn across the streets.
"This sould serve as a wakeup call too all who thought that maria's death was an isolated incident. These....Things - Wish to invade our homes. Take our lives. We did not provok these things; They are the agressor! This serves as yet another wakeup call... We need weapons...Armor...and More capable fighters. i will go with the next caravan to the NCR... There! We will perchase arms, Armor, and Ammo. We Willnot Be definceless... Citizens; return to your homes- Militia - Return to PT dutie- If any of you spot anything... Discharge your weapon three-times into the air... and we' will assist. We Will Protect! Broken Hills!"
 
The Best Defense

Major Halle Richter sat in the pilot's seat of the lead Vertibird, her Fusion Power Armor polished to perfection. She wished she could fly at maximum speed, but she had to keep pace with the ground forces below. She glanced over at her co-pilot. "What's our ETA to Vault City?" she asked.

The co-pilot checked the instruments. "65 hours, ma'am," he replied.

Richter rubbed her hands. "I can't wait. I've spent a long time perfecting our attack plan. Those Vaulties will never know what hit 'em."

<center>* * *</center>
The VertiChicks set down in a canyon a short distance south of Vault City and the pilots and passengers disembarked. Garret picked out a small group of Knights. "Stay here and watch the machines," he ordered. "Camouflage them so they're not visible from the air, and maintain radio silence. I'll be in touch." He led the rest of the group up a winding trail to ground level, and they proceeded north.

Before long, they reached the gates of Vault City. Laser turrets gleamed in the afternoon sun just inside the walls. They were effective against ordinary desert raiders, but Stark wondered if they would be enough against the Enclave. He walked up to the guards. "These folks are with me," he said. "Let us in."

"Yes, Sergeant," said one of the men. "Good to see you back." He got on the intercom.

"Thank you, soldier. It's good to be back." The gate slowly slid open, and Stark led the visitors through it and across the courtyard. The people there stared in awe as the Steel Knights and odd assortment of companions marched past. When they had gone by and entered the city proper, one of the observers hastily made his way to the outhouse and shut the door. He took out a radio and extended the antenna.

<center>* * *</center>
The defense planning meeting in Council Hall's conference room was a veritable Who's Who of Vault City. First Citizen Harold sat at the head of the long table. There weren't enough seats for everyone, so the newcomers had to stand around the room. "Here's the situation," said Harold. "An Enclave army is on its way here to kill us all and destroy Vault City. With your help we stand a fighting chance, though it will still take a miracle to prevail. I'm open to suggestions."

"First Citizen," said Valerie, "I recommend evacuating the civilians and any equipment not required for the defense of Vault City to the safety of the Vault. Anything left outside probably won't still be there afterwards even if we win."

"Agreed, Captain. You'll arrange that. If Enclave troops get too close to the Vault, we'll have to seal the door just in case. We could retreat there ourselves as a last resort, but I don't like the idea. We'd be trapped in there, and it would be a piece of cake for the Enclave to collapse the entrance and block us in. That Vault would become our tomb."

"We'd better cut off Vault City from the outside world as soon as possible," said Sergeant Stark. "After we tell the civilians, any of them who wish to leave should do so post haste. They and everyone in that tent city outside of town should be sent northeast to Gecko or, better still, west to Modoc. Then the gate should be shut to everyone not involved in Vault City's defense. We can then plant a minefield around the city's perimeter and post warning signs beyond it telling everyone to turn back."

"A good thought," said Garret, "but the infected are likely to be the first wave of attackers. They'll trip the mines before the Enclave forces even get there. Still, it'll help thin out their ranks."

Harold nodded. "Make it so. Garret, what can the Brotherhood bring to the fight?"

"We have several VertiChicks concealed outside the city. That'll have to do for an air force. The Enclave will no doubt bring numerous Vertibirds. While our aircraft are more maneuverable and are smaller targets, they're no match for Vertibirds in toe-to-toe fighting and we'll surely be outnumbered. Still, if we use hit and run tactics we'll be able to down some of them with the help of the laser turrets. We parked in a canyon a few miles south of town. The Enclave shouldn't be expecting us to have them."

"I know how we can best hit them," said Angus. "We can wait for their Vertibirds to pass by our position before we launch. When they begin their attack run their attention will be focused on that, and they might not see us coming up behind them until we hit them."

"Unfortunately," said Ben, "that's still going to be a suicide mission. All of the VertiChicks will be shot down in the end, and the pilots either killed or, if they manage to punch out in time, out of the fight."

"I volunteer, sir. I'm the best pilot we've got. You need me up there."

Ben lowered his head. "I know. I just wish there were a way we could fly the VertiChicks and still be here."

"Maybe there is," said Eldon. "I could rig up a remote control interface for the VertiChicks. Your pilots can fly them in combat and still be safe in the command center, ready to engage the Enclave ground forces."

"That would help us out immensely!" said Garret. "Our guys are the only thing we have that comes even close to what the Enclave will throw at us. We need as many boots as we can get on the ground. That's where the battle will ultimately be decided."

"That sounds like a plan," said Harold. "Eldon, I want you in the command center too. You'll assume manual control of the laser turrets along with the Vault City guards. If there are any technical problems, I'll need you there to fix them."

"Let me guess," said Eldon. "I'm too important to send into battle, right? Where have I heard that before?"

"Frankly, you are too important. I know you want to get into the action. Don't worry, though, the battle will surely come to you. Dr. Myron, you're also too important. I want you in the medical lab on the Vault's first level. The wounded will be brought to you, and your job will be to make sure they get back in the fight as soon as possible. I'll place the medical staff under your command."

"What about my research?" asked Myron.

"Continue with it as long as it doesn't interfere with your preparations for the battle. Also, make a copy of everything you've got and put it on a holodisk. I'll have it sent west with a trusted courier to the Brotherhood's bunker in the Den...just in case. The courier will leave among the evacuees, pretending to be one of them. Get the analysis of that antigen from New Reno done before you do anything else and include it with the rest of your research notes. That's vital to finding a cure for Redemption. Any other ideas?"
 
((Aye, I know Navarro is abondoned, but the rest of the Enclave would think they retook it if they bluff.))
Alex walked in on the Council, tailed by the Brother.
"I do. Allow me to lead the battle personally. I have more command experience than anyone else alive on this planet, plus I'm immune to Redemption. There isn't a single Encave soldier, or army for that matter, that could kill me, and I would be able to inflict massive casualties on them myself. And if my efforts are in vain and Vault City is about to be destroyed," Alex said. He revealed his mutated arm underneath his cloak, which had a very tight tournacet wrapped around it. His arm was pulsing at the area of contact, "I can destroy their entire army. But it would destroy me in the process if I remove this. The FEV would completely mutate my body and I would completely wipe them out, but it would cause me to become as insane as my father was, and within a week it would consume my brain and I would eventually die, which, for me, is worse than being infected with Redemption. And if I win, I will be tried by the Brotherhood and Vault City for my crimes. Either way, it's likely that I am to die."
 
The caravan had gear to exchange, men and women guards keeping an eye on the mutant with the child and the Ranger in urban camouflage. Ramses bought himself a pack of .223 FMJ rounds as well as some medical supplies.

One guard spat at the ground as Ramses passed him by, not caring how tough the man may have thought himself to be.

"I got all I need," He handed the boy a stuffed iguana as a treat, "You ready Gabe?"
 
Planning, "The big fat kill"

(I have been pretty busy lately guys so I haven't been able to post, I know things are starting to really heat up so I will post whenever I can.)

Jack looked at Alex and shook his head, "You haven't been involved with the Enclave for quite some time, you don't know what abominations Valice has cooked up, I won't let you sacrifice yourself in such a way. We need you, not just for this battle but also in curing 'Redemption'."

Alex didn't reply.

Eldon looked over all those who crowded the room, political figures of Vault City, soldiers, civilians who have significant ties to the communities of the city. This reminded Eldon of another time in history.

"So history does repeat itself." Eldon said to no one in particular, everyone in the room was in silence anyways and heard every word. The ghoul realized everyone looking at him curiously and went into explanation. "This situation reminds me of something that happened in Texas in the late 1800s. The Alamo. Hunnerds' of people surrounded by a mexican army fought for days defending the place."

"What happened?" One woman asked.

Harold knew the story, so did Alex, grim looks swept their faces.

Eldon took a deep breath, "They fought to the last."

Everyone went silent yet again, and Jack patted Eldon Storch on the shoulder.

"Fuck 'em then, if it comes to that it comes to that!" Stark announced, "But I'll tell you one thing, we're gonna' make sure that they regret ever messin' with Vault City!"

Stark's confidant tone raised everyone's spirits a bit, just enough to raise everyone's heads from the dumps.

"We have no time to waste," he looked to the people who were the appointed voices of many city communities, "Start asking people to volunteer for a city militia, we're gonna' need all the spare soldiers we can get. Stark, you get the men to start fortifying positions around the city and especially we are gonna' need snipers all over tha' damned walls." Stark nodded and quickly made his leave of the room.

Harold grinned, "Stark's right, fuck 'em! They think they can come to our home and try to clear us out. We have worked to hard to let this place die. Lets get this show on the road, we got ourselves a battle to win!"

****


One of the many Enclave spies had relayed information to one of Valice's trusted soldiers. Valice knew that Vault City would be ready for them, and he wouldn't have it any other way. It had been a long time since Valice had been excited, and his excitement was reaching an all time high. He couldn't wait for the battle, he longed for it.

The Enclave army was had attracted several thousand infected people, "More cannon fodder," Valice always said when he noticed more join them on their steady trek across the wastes. His control over them was telepathic in nature, not even he knew how he gained this skill. When he issued a command, they complied no matter what the command entailed. He once had an infected human willingly submerge its head in radioactive waste, and it did so without any fight or argument. Strange he thought, but he wasn't going to deny this particularly useful skill. Not in the least.

They were a third of the way to Vault City and close to what Valice referred to as, "The big fat kill."
 
Civil Defense

"That's my boy," said Senior Concilmember Stark as he watched his son march out, pride evident in his voice.

Harold nodded. "You sure raised that one right."

The senior councilmember brushed back his grey hair. "I just had another idea. Let's electrify the perimeter fence. When the infected masses get there, they'll be in for quite a shock!"

"That's a great idea!" Valerie said. "I'll get right on it." She rushed out.

"Can Gecko send us any help?" asked the elder Stark.

"I've still got some friends there," said Harold. "I can contact them by radio, and they can be here in a couple of days. Lenny can also help Dr. Myron out in the medical lab."

In the city square, Stark started to organize the willing Citizens into a militia. Rachel, Amy, and some of the Citizens with exceptional marksmanship volunteered as snipers. Eldon collected some parts from storage in the Vault, then joined Garret, Ben, and Angus as they headed out of the city gates to the south. After a short hike, they reached the canyon, where Garret filled in his brethren on the plan.

Eldon took out his parts and tools, entered the cockpit of one of the VertiChicks, and began tinkering. About an hour later, he emerged. "This one's all wired up," he said. "Now that I've got it down, the others should go faster. Then all of us can be on the ground in Vault City when the action starts."

"How will this work, exactly?" asked Garret.

"It's similar to how the old 21st century UAV's operated. I'll install the appropriate hardware and software when we get back to VC. I can rig up controls to simulate the ones in the cockpit using their video game entertainment systems. It'll be like a flight simulator, except you'll be flying real aircraft with real weapons...all from the ground, of course. I'll use a complex encryption algorithm for all transmissions to and from the craft. By the time anyone could break the codes, the battle would be long over. I'll also boost the signal strength in case the Enclave tries to jam communications, using a variable frequency. These, folks, are our ace in the hole."

"Just because you'll be flying by remote control," said Garret, "it doesn't mean you can take unnecessary risks or pull any daredevil stunts." He glanced at Angus. "You won't be lost if your VertiChick gets shot down, but these are a finite resource and we need them in the air for as long as possible. We need to knock as many Vertibirds out of the sky as we can before we go down."

"Be aggressive," said Ben, "but careful. That goes for the ground battle, too. Angus, I want you in the rear for that."

"But-" he started.

"That's an order, Initiate. Let those of us with more battlefield experience take the lead on this, so you can live long enough to get some yourself."

Angus grumbled and went over to Eldon as he worked on the second VertiChick. "Are you as sick of being held back as I am?" he asked.

Eldon shrugged. "We'll both see plenty of action when the time comes," he said. "I've champed at the bit myself a few times. I wanted to join in on the war against China, but the work I did developing Power Armor was more important than anything I could have done on the battlefield. Without my team's efforts, you wouldn't have that shiny suit. We each serve in our own capacity."

"But I've been trained to fight! I should be out in the front lines! Ben's always keeping me back."

"My guess is he thinks your training is incomplete, and he's trying to keep you safe. When you become a full-fledged Knight, I'm sure you'll get more fighting than you dreamed of."

"Yeah, once I'm a Knight...I know Ben's only trying to protect me, but it still irks me sometimes."

"He's trained you well. There's a lot more you can learn from him. You may not always agree with your elders, but you have to respect them. Of course, I do kind of have a vested interest in that point of view, seeing as I'm about two centuries your senior."
 
A kiss to build a dream on...

Jack had left the council meeting and was sitting in the courtyard, he was fashioning a crude sword from some sharpened dura-steel that he had scavenged. He knew that the Enclave soldiers would be impervious to the blade, but it would come in handy against any close encounters with the infected. Plus, he always liked the thought of having a back up weapon that couldn't run out of bullets. Jack wrapped some grip tape and rubber around the smaller end of the blade and melted it to the steel with the old zippo lighter that he carried with him. It made a decent handle and was padded enough so that the sharp steel underneath would not cut his hands.

Jack found some rubber tubing and strapped the blade to his back, he sat down and took his shot of serum. For a long moment Amy didn't approach him, she waited until he had recovered from the shot.

"So what's the story with that thing?" She asked motioning towards his back.

"I like to keep it close... For close encounters." He replied. She sat down next to him with a laugh.

"So where are you positioned." Amy asked.

"Right behind the front gate."

"You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. You?"

"Sure, so long as I can keep my eye on you." Amy replied.

Jack was quiet, "Thanks... But, I don't-"

He couldn't continue his sentence, Amy had forced his face into hers and gave him a long kiss. After it was over she stood up and began walking away only to turn around and say, "Watch your back, Jack." Then she walked off with a smile.

Jack thought hard for a moment, every woman he had ever been with had tried to kill him, including Amy at one point. Any time a woman seemed to come on to him it was because she had something to gain from it. Jack shrugged that paranoid thought off and sighed.

"Women..."
 
Redding, Oh Redding.

~As they placed distance between themselves, and the caravan, a dessolate, dark aumbiance had settled in - something in gabe's gut told him that all was not well in the town of redding. He looked to the ranger, and then charly- still devouering the iguana on a stick - he seemed not affected by the fact that his parrents had been devouered before his own eyes, only days ago. The dark ranger seemed quiet enough

"So - Whats your story?"
~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mean While - in the NCR

~Tandi lay in her bed- The frail woman was only a stones throw from death. She still had the reignes of the NCR- firmly grasped in her withered, pale hands. As one of the NCR Rangers walked into the town hall. A 5,9, Fair skined man- clad in combat armor- in his other hand, a FNFAL. His hair was short, and brown, and eyes green. - clentched in his hand, was a piece of light brown paper- a comunicae - as he walked thru - he was stopped by the fore-guard
- a short man, dressed in brown combat armor - he was roughly 5,11. his hair was a light blond- his skin was dark.

(Frank The Foreguard) Tandi's Busy, Quintin
(Quintin the NCR Ranger) ...Listen Frank - Redding's Gone...
(Frank the Foreguard) What?!
(Quintin the NCR Ranger) Redding got hit...By the infected...
(Frank The Foreguard) How the hell?!
(Quintin the NCR Ranger) I know...
(Frank the Foreguard) When did this happen?!
(Quintin the NCR Ranger) I just got the communicae, The first incursion was after sun set, yesterday...
(Frank the Foreguard) My god... But how?
(Quintin the Ranger) They didnt stand a chance...
(Frank the Foreguard) What about our senteies?
(Quintin the Ranger) well... Jacobs was the sender of the communicae...
(Frank The Foreguard) Let me see that...

~Quintin hands frank the communicae

*** Sender : Specialist Hank Jacobs
Subject : Redding's gone...


Message : NCR Ranger Jacobs - Redding is gone. I mannaged to organize a small evacuation- but. we could only evacuate 14. Redding was hit shortly after sundown by a large group of "Infected" as most call them. Scairy thing, is they hit us- to the east- heading from the west. We held up in the malimute for aslong as we could. Though - we couldnt hold it- so - we ran... Were' heading to Vault City. The only secure place, besides the NCR.

***End***

(Fread the Foreguard) Sweet...Jesus.... Tell me that this is a joke...
(Quintin the NCR Ranger) ...I wouldnt think about joking about that..
(Fread the Foreguard) Jesus... I'll alert tandi - You need to show that communicae to the brotherhood consolate down town....
(Quintin the NCR Ranger) Yes... I'll do that....
 
The Ranger looked ahead, "Me, Gabe? I am just a man trying to make his way in the world. I have been prisoners, body guard, mercenary and currently... Ranger." The Ranger kept an eye in the horizon, he was trying to see any tell tale signs of wolves or any wasteland flora or fauna that desired to make a meal of the group.

"My father and mom raised me in the wastes, I have lived in town from town. I have killed bad people and some good people along the way. A lot of things Gabe I have been in such a short time. Not much to say, is that the less you know the better for you and the boy. Once you're in Redding, my part will be done and we part in peace and good will." And with that the Range had been silent.
 
Calm Before the Storm

Vice President Considine, having come from President Tandi's bedside, had just been briefed by Frank about the destruction of Redding. The white-haired man of sixty had been assuming many of the ailing President's duties since she fell ill, and would have to take over the rest of them once she ultimately passed on. The bags under his eyes were proof that he hadn't slept in days.

"Grim tidings," he said. "Grim tidings indeed, first from the south and now from the north. And grim tidings right here as well, with our beloved President of so many years in such ill health. Yet we must not give in to despair. No, now more than ever the NCR must remain strong! The next time Congress is in session, I shall ask them to authorize the creation of an Army of the Republic. It will take a few weeks to gather Congress here, of course."

"But, Mr. Vice President," said Frank, "such a proposal would face strong opposition. And wouldn't such a move be seen as a provocation by the separatists?"

"I believe I can muster enough votes for the bill to pass. And if we do not do this, the secessionists will see it as weakness and be tempted to attack. Forming an army is the best way to prevent a civil war. I will continue negotiations while we do so. Earl Drake is a reasonable, honorable man. I think we can smooth over our disagreements. I will not allow this Republic which has stood for a hundred years to be split in two."

<center>* * *</center>
The company of ghouls carrying an assortment of weapons marched southwest from Gecko towards Vault City. "I still don't like the idea of leaving Gecko defenseless," said Wooz, the bartender.

"Defenseless?!" said Lenny. "If Vault City falls, do you think Gecko has any chance of holding? If you'd rather go back home and play Tragic, you're welcome to turn back."

"It is in our best interests to aid Vault City," said Gordon. "Separately we have no chance to stop the Enclave. Together we may be able to blunt their attack. We must draw a line at Vault City, and hold it at all costs. Greed, as you see, is good." He fingered the ankh hanging from his neck. The Brain was counting on him to protect his power base and prevent the Enclave from dominating the world first. Renewal hung in the balance.

<center>* * *</center>
Sergeant Stark returned to the barracks. It had been a long day organizing Vault City's defense. Many Citizens had volunteered, but he had had less luck with the people living in the courtyard and the tents outside of town. That changed when Harold offered Citizenship to everyone who joined the militia and helped defend Vault City, but he was still disturbed by how many people fled town to the west.

When he entered the barracks, he heard a woman softly crying. Walking further in, he saw Rachel sitting hunched on a bunk bed and sobbing, her face buried in her hands. "Need a shoulder to cry on?" he asked.

Rachel looked up, startled. "Oh!" she said. "Nobody was supposed to see that..."

"Hey, it's okay. After everything you've been through, you're entitled to a good cry."

Rachel sniffled and wiped her face. "Thanks. I just can't believe it. I've lost my father and several of my brothers and cousins, all in one day. We may be joining them soon, too."

"Would it cheer you up if I made another pass at you?"

"That wouldn't exactly be appropriate, seeing as you're my sergeant and all."

"Nobody's ever accused me of being appropriate before."

"Well, I do appreciate the sentiment." Rachel gave Stark an appraising look. "You know, Family Wright could use some fresh blood."

"Hold on a minute! I wasn't offering to make any commitments! I was just hoping to have some fun."

"That sort of fun I'm reserving for the man I marry."

"I'm a lifelong bachelor, baby. But this is the first time I've ever been tempted to change my mind."

Rachel giggled. "If you really want to court me, you're going to have to wait in line. My cousin Wilbur keeps thinking he'll be the one to marry me, for starters. And there's a certain sleazeball named Johnny Bishop who would probably make me a widow within days of my wedding."

"We've got a whole Enclave army bearing down on our position! Why would I be scared of some two-bit punk?"

"To the Enclave, we're just gnats. They'll swat us if we get in the way, but they don't really think of us as a threat. When the Bishops want someone dead, they take it real personal-like, and they have quite a long reach. It's different when someone is specifically targeting you. And Johnny Bishop may be many things, but two-bit isn't one of them. He and his mother rule New Reno...for now. And they're a lot smarter than people give them credit for. Maybe one day things will be different - but not today."

"I'd take the chance. You're worth the risk, Rachel."

"Perhaps, but I wouldn't take that kind of chance with your life. I like you too much for that."

<center>* * *</center>
Eldon stood up from the computer terminal in Vault City's command center and brushed off his hands. "The first unit's all ready," he said, handing Benjamin Kent a video game controller. "I wouldn't recommend actually launching her yet, or the Enclave's forward scouts or radar could see her. Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. But you can do a systems check, and I've linked up the controller to a combat flight simulator so you guys can get some practice."

Ben examined the controller. "This may take some getting used to," he said.

"Well, you've got a little time. There's some online documentation you may be interested in. The controller's motion-sensitive, too. When you roll it to the left, so does your aircraft. It can also do pitch and yaw. I think you'll find it very intuitive. These babies first saw wide use way back in 2006 when some new game consoles were released, and by the time I was born they were standard. I grew up on these things and can teach you the basics."

"Ooh," said Angus. "Me first! Me first!"

Ben rolled his eyes. "Patience, Initiate. We'll all get a chance. Yes, you can and should go first, considering your piloting skills."

"I'll set up the others while you do that," said Eldon. "They should all be ready by the morning."
 
Imminent darkness...

Rex sat in the large truck near Valice, Rex was his second in command during this operation and for good reason, he was one of the few super mutants in the world that had custom made Fusion Power Armor, he stood out like a molerat in a group of pig rats.
Rex looked over his enhanced pip boy which was tracking their journey to Vault City, he looked at Valice and smiled underneath his helmet, "We should arrive by mid-day tomorrow."

Valice instantly perked up, this ride bored him, he wanted to bring chaos. He didn't want to sit on a truck any longer and the fact that his boredom would soon be replaced with the agonized screams of his victims made him as close as he had ever been to 'happy'.

Mid-day... What a perfect time to start the slaughter he thought.

****

Jack practiced swordplay in the courtyard away from anyone that could get hit by the whirling sharp dura-steel. He looked up to Amy's sniping post on the front wall, she looked back at him and smiled, then moved her gaze back to the wasteland.
Jack looked around at everyone scrambling to prepare for the worst, he watched the fear and determination to survive skyrocket the effectiveness of those involved with the defense of the city. He expected that all of them would make themselves worth ten men each when the battle finally began, this was their home. Not his.
In watching those that he allied himself with, Jack gained a better will to fight, and so he made a promise to himself. He would fight and die with these people, at this moment nothing else in his life mattered. He looked back at Amy, not even love. He had to stay focused.
Amy suddenly began yelling, "We got scouts on the cliffs!!" Jack quickly ran to the ladder leading up the wall to Amy's position.
He stood next to her and followed her gaze with his eyes. She handed him the binoculars she was looking through and he looked to the cliffs. He could see three bodies in Advanced Power Armor observing the city.

"Those are the same cliffs I watched you leave Vault city from when I was tracking you, they have a pretty good vantage point of the terrain but I doubt that they can see anything over the wall." Amy looked to Jack who was still watching the Enclave scouts.

"They want us to see them." Jack realized.

"Some kind of psyche out tactic I reckon." Amy replied. "So people that see em' know that they aren't going away."

Jack lowered the binoculars and met Amy's eyes. "We have to stay focused." He said feeling himself want to move in. He could see the same in her eyes. They stared at each other for a long moment before Jack stood up and slowly walked away from her.
Amy sighed and closed her eyes, she knew he was right. They couldn't let their feelings for one another effect their work or cloud their judgement during the battle. They couldn't let such a thing get in the way.
Can love bloom on the battlefield? Amy didn't know, she wasn't sure she wanted to find out. She needed to keep her mind on what was most important.
 
Eastward bound / Trouble in brokenhills / redding oh redding

(XD - I think will go standard para now )

Gabe to the ranger, continued his steady pace, into the east. The minigun clenched tightly in his meaty, chartruse hand.

"Information about ones past isnt harmfull - though - ignorance of the past can be devistating. So... you were raised in the waistes? " as gabe continued, "That would be an interesting childhood"

As Charley chimed in "I lived in the waistes!"

Gabe smirked- and continued his steady pace twards redding- as the caravan tracks- seemed to converge from the alter direction - though the wastland winds had erroted the imprints in the slightly irradiated dust. Gabe then commented "Were close- maby a mile away..."

* * * Meanwhile - In the waistes, south of broken hills * * *

Ryan had since assembled a small, lightly armed caravan, to procure firearms from the merchants of the NCR. The lightly armed caravan was consisted of two brahmine, the usual home-made brahmin powered wagon, three caravan guards and ryan - who had assumed the role of caravan driver. They were armed with an assortment of shotguns, and SMG's. The best that they could muster.

Ryan looked to one of the guards- a salty, large framed man, in his late 60's. he wore a suit of leather arm - his head was shaven bald, though the tips of his grey hair were visable on his scalp. in his hand, as a P90c. a thick, bushey beard covered his jaw, and grey mostache covered his upper lip. The man's complection was dark - 100 years ago, he would have been called latino - but political correctness died, as did so many, when the bombs fell.

Ryan then spoke- directing a question to the man

"I Havent seen you arround broken hills... Never caught your name.."

The man then looked up - and responded in his raspy voice

"Dulton"

Ryan was perplexed by dulton's bi-sylobic answer

"The name's Ryan; How long have you been in broken hills?"

Dulton looked down shortly, and then back up - responding

"Two weeks."

Ryan paused for a moment- but then responded

"So.. you were there when-?"

Dulton cut ryan off

"Listen; Ghoul- Cut the fucking Chit-Chat"

Ryan was perplexed by his statement

"What-?"

Dulton than interjected

"You dont get it- The brahmin make enough noise- We dont need your mindless blather. If you think that the numbers your "Militia" fought in broken hills... Is a simple drop in the ocean. The last thing we need - is you - with your mindless chatter- attracting the attention of those things...."

Ryan was shocked- but he knew that dulton was right.

"Oh..."

The caravan continued south.


* * * And - In the NCR * * *

Quintin, the ranger- had approached the Brotherhood Knight, that stood infront of the small building. he approached the stockey man - he wore metal armor- though - this was advanced- it was precision milled, and crafted, by superior brotherhood machinery.
On the right shoulder, the brotherhood symbol was stamped. His hair was light, eyes were brown - he was musculer -his face had one identifyable scar, that stretched from his left tear duct, to his left ear.
 
First Blood

In the command center on level 3 of the Vault, Harold listened as the report came in on the radio. "We've got three Enclave scouts on the cliffside overlooking Vault City in Sector 27. Eldon, zoom in on them but hold your fire for now."

Eldon Storch used his computer terminal to rotate the laser turret under his control until he could see the Enclave soldiers on the monitor, then zoomed in close. "Here you go," he said.

Harold eyed them. "I'd like to take them out, but with their armor our initial attack wouldn't kill them. They could just take cover, shoot up a few stims, and stay out of our line of fire."

"Maybe we're looking at this the wrong way. Instead of shooting them, why not knock them off the cliff? Falling that far would kill anyone, Advanced Power Armor or no."

"Okay, you've got me interested. How do you propose to do it?"

Eldon lowered the camera slightly and focused on the cliff edge under the Enclave soldiers' feet. "See how that outcropping they're standing on juts out? If we fired all the laser turrets on that side of Vault City in an arc here-" Eldon drew an invisible line with his finger on the monitor, "and sustained it for a few seconds, that ledge will come falling down, bad guys and all!"

Harold's eyes twinkled. "Sounds like a plan. Let's do it!"

<center>* * *</center>
One of the Enclave scouts on the cliffside saw the laser turrets swiveling in their direction. "***Zzzzzttt*** They're going to open up on us! ***Zzzzzttt***" he shouted.

"***Zzzzzttt*** They're probably just trying to rattle us," said a second trooper. The laser turrets fired in unison, burning through the cliff a short distance beneath them. "Either their aim's off, or they missed on purpose to spook us, like I said. ***Zzzzzttt***"

There was a loud crack, and the ground beneath the soldiers shifted and slid off the cliff, carrying them to their deaths.

<center>* * *</center>
Amy watched the demise of the Enclave scouts through her needler rifle's scope. "Yeah!" she cheered. Still, she knew that these three soldiers were only a tiny fraction of the Enclave's total forces, and the rest of them would not go down so easily.

Amy gazed down at Jack again and smiled at him. Her mind wandered for a moment, then she snapped out of it. Focus, Amy, focus, she thought, returning her attention to the landmine-peppered no man's land outside the city. She couldn't afford to be distracted, not now.

<center>* * *</center>
Major Halle Richter leaned back in her seat, the Vertibird's autopilot guiding its flight. Tomorrow she would finally see some action. She and the other pilots under her command would still have to wait until after the infected army softened up Vault City's defenders, but then their chance would come. She had gone over the attack run in her head dozens of times, planning for every contingency. She was ready. She was psyched. But for now, she needed to get some rest while she could. Tomorrow was going to be a very busy day.

"Oh, yes," she said. "They'd better swing the gates of Valhalla wide open, because a whole lot of people will be passing through them."
 
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