Fallout: Wild Horses (Started, Open)

[TheDoctor455]

The Rabbit Hole.

Upon hearing her youngest sister getting a bit embarrassed about her cooking, Vera gently floated over to her rescue.

"Umm..." Vera said examining the food that was oozing out of the bowl, "It doesn't look that bad. I'd like to try some if I could... you know... eat."

The Ball-Bearing Bunny nuzzled her little Mercy. Then she heard the Black Swan talk about her father, disturbed, but not exactly sounding horribly distressed either. The little eyebot floated over to her anyway.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better," she said, trying not to let the memories come back, "My 'dad' got drunk every now and then, and forgot why I was around and took potshots at me with his pulse rifle. As for... what Mercy and I were working on for Tessa..."

Vera turned towards a blank wall and projected the blueprints for the alien device on it.

"From what I can tell," she said, "This thing can cut through power armor, cauterizes every wound it makes, and well... its so advanced that... most people now would think it was run by magic. Which... it could be for all I know. The only catch her is that the would-be wielder has to build it themselves. Umm... but there's nothing there that says Mercy and I can't walk Tessa through it."

Turning her projector off, Vera turned to the Bladed Bunny, "So uh... what do you think? Want to give it a try? Mercy and I already gathered the parts you'd need for it."

 

[Ruedyn]

"When I was a kid, I had used to daydream about running my own restaurant but you sorta have to know how to cook if you wanna open your own restaurant. I thought that maybe since I'm a bit older, I might be a better cook but that stew was worse than what I used to make as a kid."

Markus raised an eyebrow and smiled at this. The fancies of youth, and all that. Markus was used to living on the road, and as a survivalist... well, he could at least prepare a decent meal. He watched as she moved the bowl of grey goop, and moved towards her, as he made an offer.

"If you need help, I suppose I can teach you how to not make this... with time. And effort." Perhaps he was too close, judging by her nervousness again. Why was she so nervous again? Was it something to do with the nudity, the army... or did she like him? The idea had crossed his mind a few times, but he was still a celibate. So long as he was a Legate, no women or men for anyone. He sighed, feeling a bit warmer than before. She was cute...

"Did I hear you right? You've got members of the Legion coming here?"

"Ah. That must be it. Yes, my legion of outcasts is coming here... We'll defeat the knuckle heads then we'll most likely move on." Markus frowned, and put his hand on Mercy's shoulder. "I don't want to go, I think, but I have unfinished business. With Lanius. When he lies dead, I'll decide what I do... Would you or Tessa want to come with? I could use either of your help with this, and you'd both make great legionnaires with a bit of training." Markus backed up a step, dropped his gaze.

"And... I really want you guys to help me. We'd all be dead without each other, I like having you guys around. I'm sure if I wasn't celibate I'd even try for your attention... Despite you being a lot younger than me. Oh well, 'what if's' don't really help me." Markus spoke the last part quickly, beginning to blush. He moved towards the door, but would allow himself to get stopped by her.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Cheyton Streets, near Feral Rabbit territory
High off their serving of Khan justice, the trio of warriors swaggered down the streets like they owned the place (Which, for all intents and purposes, they might as well have). There were a surprising amount of children running around, some playing with knives, others scrambling over heaps of trash that looked fused to the buildings, coated in years of dirt and grime. Coming off the strangely idyllic, wide yards of Lucky Loser Lane, this looked more like the shantytowns dotting Wyoming, only denser and more populated. Old warehouses, a police station, and a grocery store were about the only buildings with more than three feet of alley space between them. Cramped would not do justice to the absolutely constricting roads.

Harland swept off a park bench caked with garbage, leaning back and soaking in the warm sun rays that managed to penetrate between the tight buildings. Ollie and Anna kicked in the door to the market, returning shortly with a handful of Nuka Colas. The sweet rewards for a hard days work. Ollie felt relaxed for the first time in days as he felt the cool, fizzy drink bubble in his throat. He grabbed a handful of trail mix from his pouch, nibbling while he took out his pencil and pad, and quickly drew up a sketch of the supermarket.

Harland looked over at Ollie's paper. "What are you doing?" he asked.

Ollie propped up his quick sketch for Harland and Anna to see. "I was thinking that, if the gang is going to be in Cheyton for a while, we should have a place to hole up and sleep. I mean, we can't expect to stay at the clinic forever. That Grocery store has plenty of sealed food, lots of space in the back room, and only two streets to approach it from. It looks perfect for a home, don't you think?"

Anna nodded in agreement. "He's right, Harl, it would solve our problems for the short term, until we can get in touch with the rest of the Clan out on the plains. Jack could even get his chem still set up again, make a trade with the Clinic for helping our bros. All we'd need to do is- who is that?"

snip

A man with gleaming armor was passing through the streets. It looked recently done, too, real fancy kit for a guy walking around the slums. But that wasn't what had caught Anna's attention. It was the short, straight blade dangling from his hip. It looked way too similar to the swords left lying around the old fort when they had come upon the battle. It was Legion made. Anna pointed it out to Harland and Ollie, and they confirmed it. Legion. They were inside Cheyton already, who knew how close the rest of the army was?

The man looked around the slums, before walking up to one of the decrepit buildings and knocking on the door. Without even waiting for the other two, Harland stood up, pulled out his gun, and started firing. "Come on you Legion fuck! You think you can mess with the Khans and get away with it? You've got another thing coming!"

Ollie and Anna both pulled out their guns as well, firing off shots at the Legionnaire before diving into Harland. They tackled him to the ground and pulled him behind a metal dumpster. "Are you fucking nuts?" said Anna. Ollie kept shooting at the man, trying to pin him. It looked like the Khans were going to collect on another debt sooner than they'd thought.

 

[Ruedyn]

Spoiler: Treb

Name(s): Treb, Centurion Trebonius, Doc Jr.

Appearance: A fairly young man, probably in his mid twenties, Treb stands at 5'9 with a robust build. He has a fair complexion and handsome face, mired somewhat by a large celtic cross tattoo, the center on his right cheekbone, the tattoo stretches from his chin to his forehead, and from his nose to his ear. His brown hair is messy, and rather bedraggled, and he has a rough beard.
His uniform is slightly less standard. He wears a steel breastplate with a red Legion Bull over a Followers coat, and his grey slacks are tucked into his combat boots. He wears knee guards and elbow pads, as well, and he is always seen wearing his thick glasses, for seeing and all that. His weapons are plain enough, a machete gladius from his Dad, and a more impressive bumper sword on his back, the Blade of the West, retrieved from the very Divide itself. Also carries a Marksmen Carbine, but uses it sparingly due to ammo and maintenance, and cause he has a frigging bumper sword.

Skills: Melee Weapons, Medicine, Guns

Perks: Terrifying Presence, Pack Rat, Piercing Strike

Traits: Four Eyes

Treb was a man who didn't really trust his underlings. Sure, Casca was trained and fairly competent, but was also a mute and a bit of an ass. So why would he trust the guy on his own with meeting up with their leader?

The answer is a fairly obvious 'I won't'. He didn't trail the kid too much, but he met up with him as he was leaving Cheyton. Treb had brought the army a bit closer, likely a day away now. All he had to do was trust that Casca could find them and move with them. They would be wearing disguises when they entered, and seek out the Knucklehead base. They were easy to finish off though from what Casca told him they were under orders to do it too.

He moved through the streets, noticing no one approach him. It was probably his natural lack of charm working against him, again. He preferred to be alone at least. Other people got things wrong, and were usually weaker than him. Treb could probably take Lanius on one on one, if he could get close enough.

He found the door matching Casca's drawing, and walked up to it. He gave a quick few knocks, and the door opened in front of him. Virgil stared at him in disbelief, making Treb smile. Unfortunately, the reunion was ruined by some loud asshole with a gun.

"Come on you Legion fuck! You think you can mess with the Khans and get away with it? You've got another thing coming!"

Treb felt a bullet ping off the back of his armor, otherwise all were misses. He turned around slowly, hate in his eye, and growled at the man.

[Terrifying Presence] "I do believe I hear the sound of a death wish!" The bullets whizzed around him, and he drew his big blade, the Western one of course. He tossed his rifle to Markus.

"Here, Legate. Cover me as I do Mar's work!" Markus caught it, and moved into the yard, letting loose a few rounds while Treb charged, yelling at those brave enough to stand against him.

"MARS HAVE MERCY FOR I WILL NOT!" He sprinted towards the dumpster, and turned around the corner, giving a bestial growl at Harland

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Snip

Fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK! The big man with a bigger sword was coming right at them. Anna was holding Harland back, telling him to shoot rather than run out in the open. Ollie was keeping his head down. He'd seen the Legionnaire toss a gun to another man in the doorway, more trouble. What was Harland thinking? He wasn't, of course, and now they had a fight on their hands, in territory they didn't know, against a man who had a sword larger than he was. Fucking brilliant work.

The charging warrior was screaming. "MARS HAVE MERCY FOR I WILL NOT!" He turned the corner of the dumpster, growling at them. [KHAN TRICK] And them promptly got a face full of dirt in his eyes. The three Khans jumped out of the way, firing back at the Legionnaire. His armor was living up to its shine, either that, or the man was just ignoring the bullet holes in his uniform. Whatever the reason, he wasn't slowing down.

There was a small fountain by the storefront. Ollie raced for it. The Legionnaire's buddy in the doorway had started shooting, bullets whizzing past Ollie. The wiry Khan felt them rip past his vest, and he dropped into a slide behind the fountain. Anna and Harland were fleeing the other way, while a Sword with a person attached to it came swinging after them. Ollie had spent his rounds, and had to reload the Governator. His .45 rounds were just plinking off the man's suit. He needed something bigger. Digging into his pocket, he found his treasures: a case of .410 bores. The Governator was suddenly a shotgun you could hold in one hand.

Ollie loaded the shells into the revolver, more shots from the marksman keeping him down. He thought quickly, searching for a way to get their attention on him, not Anna and Harland. The answer came soon enough, "Hey Legion! You get tired on the way here from Laramie? Bet you're just exhausted from fucking yourselves! How raw is your ass after a night like that?"

A little crass, but if that didn't set them off, well, he expected more than a few new holes to sew up in the near future.

 

[Ruedyn]

"Hey Legion! You get tired on the way here from Laramie? Bet you're just exhausted from fucking yourselves! How raw is your ass after a night like that?"

"The hell are you even talking about?" Markus called out, kneeling down and aiming. Trebonius continued his mad charge, he was armored and his glasses took most the dirt. Still, his eyes stung and his glasses got dirty, so slightly impaired. Markus recognized the name, somewhat. These guys were Khans... annoying, traitorous pricks.

"A Khan that won't running away? You must be new!" Markus yelled over his cover, a fence. He ran out of ammo, however, and placed the gun down, drawing his pistol. It was sneaking time. He started moving away, luckily, the people were shooting to much to notice a lull in his activities.

Treb didn't hear a whistle. That meant Markus was going solo, and Treb was free to follow the freeing druggies. He sprinted after them, he was probably in better shape from training and generally healthy lifestyle. He called out after them.

"You shoot, you taunt, and then you run? What cowards are you?! Can't blame you for hating Lanius, but with your help imagine how many would not have died! Friends, family, all still within our reach, but yet you cowardly profligates throw it all away!"

Markus heard his friend's son yelling, and held in his sigh. He was always a silent runner. Ollie wouldn't notice his approach... Hopefully. He quickly and quietly moved to the side of the scared man, pointing his pistol at his head while staying out of arms reach. He was ready to drop him if he made a move that wasn't surrendering.

"I'm faster than you. Empty the gun, raise your hands, and follow me into the house. Hold on." Markus fired a round into the dirt next to Ollie, and Treb stopped. He could catch up, kill the Khan's... but it sounded over. He turned around and started walking back.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Meanwhile, at the Knuckleheads' HQ

Ulysses sat on the previous crime boss's "throne," tapping the floor in front of him with Old Glory, trying to think. Several of his scouts had come in with troubling news. Two members from Legate Virgil's failed Legion had already returned to their master. More were on their way from the sound of it. As much as he had hoped that this was going to be the only development for a while, he knew that it just wasn't going to work out that way. The Legion had always kept careful track of its own. Only two things kept Lanius from trying to bring The Courier of the East back into the fold; thanks to The Sundering of The Divide, most in the Legion believed Ulysses to be dead, and then of course, there was the old scout's own skill at covering his tracks. When he chose to, anyway.

Whatever Markus intended to do with his army of failures and rejects, Ulysses knew it would be moot once The Monster of the East inevitably learned of what was going on in Cheyton, and that he would soon bring the full force of the Bull's charge to the small town. Ulysses did not want to see another potential home destroyed; certainly not while he could still do something about it.

This left the old courier with only a few options.


He had hoped not to have to use them so soon, but, desperate times, desperate measures. Ulysses got up from the 'throne', and dug through the pack of supplies he'd brought with him. Eventually, he found them. The two hologram emitters that he had modified to have a range extending over half of Cheyton. Only two holo-guards, but... it would be enough to catch the Legate's attention. Whether he wished to eradicate this technology, or use it... well, either one would require Lanius to divert his forces towards Vault 74. Might also bring the Hares. Hmm... Rabbit, Bull, all that's missing is the Bear. But, I doubt they are in any position to interfere.

"Stew," Ulysses said, "My new friend; I'm afraid I'm going to make a change in plans. We need to keep the Legion from staying in Cheyton for long. We'll need to draw them away. I'm going to Vault 74 after... setting something in motion that will almost assuredly get Legate Lanius's attention." Ulysses pointed to Cheyton on a nearby map of Wyoming, and traced a safe route on it from the small town all the way to the location of Vault 74, which was to the north-western most corner of the map.

"You will find me there," Ulysses said, turning back to his new super mutant friend, "My path must take me there ahead of everyone else if I am to get there in time to set up a trap for the Bull. If you have trouble... just stick with the Rabbit family. They're... friends of a sort. I would like you to keep them safe. I don't know if they'll trust you at first, but... try to earn it from them. Once you do, they'll stand by you no matter what storms head their way."

To anyone that could claim to know the man well (which was a select few, sadly), there seemed to be a slight change in the tone in his voice, as if... genuine admiration were creeping into it.

With that, Ulysses stepped into a more private room to record two holotapes. One, he set in front of a red scrawl of the Old World Flag, and he set the other in front of a white drawing of the same logo.

Re-entering the main room, Ulysses waited for Stew to leave before continuing. Just in time, as his lieutenants returned to show him the fruits of their labors on... improving their appearance. All of them now wore their hair like he did. All of them wore a leather coat similar to his. And on the back of every coat, was a sloppy, horribly imprecise mockery of the Old World Flag. And then one of them suggested making it the new Knucklehead 'uniform.' That was enough to set Ulysses flying into a rage.

Without another word, he shot two of his 'lts' with his smg, then swung at the rest with Old Glory. He broke a few bones, but almost all of them escaped, and ran straight for the Twisted Hares, screaming in terror the whole way. Ulysses quickly suppressed his rage, and clambered onto the rooftops to find the most viable locations to place the holo-emitters. Both pre-programmed to protect civilians, and bring death to any Legionary that came within their 'view.' He found one such location atop the Keepers' former watchtower in the slums. He left the first there, and turned it on. He left the second one in the middle of the marketplace, in an old man's shop, behind a bunch of other technological wares.

Then, he left Cheyton entirely and headed for Vault 74.

 

[Generic NPC 22]

The Rabbit Hole: The Black Velvetine Rabbit

"From what I can tell," The EyeRabbit said, "This thing can cut through power armor, cauterizes every wound it makes, and well... its so advanced that... most people now would think it was run by magic. Which... it could be for all I know. The only catch her is that the would-be wielder has to build it themselves. Umm... but there's nothing there that says Mercy and I can't walk Tessa through it."

Examining the diagram that Vera displayed on the blank wall, Victoria was more than slightly impressed by the design of weapon that Mercy and her Spherical Sister were proposing for Vicky's dearest little thief although the thought of a weapon that used what appeared to be plasma as a blade was a bit disconcerting if it were to be used by someone unskilled with a blade.

"Hopefully she'll be able to learn to use this thing without severing one of her limbs. I'd like it if you kept Tessa in one piece thank you." The Sultry Neighborhood Undertaker said with a smile as she observed the interaction between The Legionnaire and the Youngest of the Rabbit sisters.

"And... I really want you guys to help me. We'd all be dead without each other, I like having you guys around. I'm sure if I wasn't celibate I'd even try for your attention... Despite you being a lot younger than me. Oh well, 'what if's' don't really help me." She overheard the blushing brute say before as he opened the door to the Rabbit Home.

"(Looks like I'm not the only one that's grown soft because of the Rabbit Family.)" The would-be Rabbit Hunter thought to herself before the sound of gunfire broke through her thoughts.

"The Knuckleheads?!" The Black Velvet Clad Woman exclaimed as she hurried towards the back door and the world beyond. Using her long limbs and a trick that she had learned from her crazed cousin, she used to her forward momentum to swing herself onto the roof of the Rabbit Home and her sniper perch/sun deck and took position to cover Markus and whomever it was that he was assisting.

"I'm faster than you. Empty the gun, raise your hands, and follow me into the house. Hold on." She heard the Markus order as he fired a round into the dirt. To emphasize the man's point, TI(a)MAT spoke and spat a 50 Caliber Armor Piercing Round down range, through a dumpster before causing thick chunk of wall to explode outwards.

"I highly suggest you take the brute's words into consideration. Even if you are able to outrun him, I highly doubt that you would be able to outrun one of my bul-"

*PANG!!!*

The Undertaker's words were interrupted as a bullet ricocheted off of the metal roof where the Sniper was stationed, a bullet that did NOT come from the directions of the Khans that Markus was addressing but instead came from a group of Knuckleheads that were dressed much like the ratfaced bastard, Ulysses.

"Markus! Knuckleheads!" The angered Undertaker called out as she swung her Rifle towards the incoming Ulysses Fan-Club Rejects.

*THWIP!*

TI(a)MAT spoke again, this time with deadly accuracy as the rifle's projectile severed a Knuckleheads' leg right above the knee, the man's momentum carrying him for a few more steps before he fell over grabbing at the stump that used to be a leg.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Snip

Shit, thought Ollie. Marksman had got the drop on him, a gun pointed at his head. He glanced over where he'd last seen Harland and Anna. They had disappeared, and the Legionnaire was returning. Cursing under his breath, Ollie dropped the Governator and hatchet and slowly rose to his feet, hands held up. The marksman kept his pistol on Ollie, keeping him at arms length. The man had an unnerving stare that seemed to pierce Ollie's skin.

"Well shit, thanks for nothing Harl," Ollie said to himself. He glanced at the Legionnaire again, unable to look the scarred man in the face. "What the fuck are you guys doing here? This is Khan territory!"

The marksman nudged Ollie in the back, pushing him towards the house. The swordsman picked up his gun and axe, pocketing them before following his buddy. Then something odd happened. A lady came flying out of the house, swinging herself up onto the rooftop while carrying an enormous rifle.

Snip

Markus! Knuckleheads! called the sniper. Gunfire blazed down the road, and a dozen burly men followed, blasting away at the two Legionnaires. Ollie ducked inside the house, as more gunshots ricocheted past the front door. Inside were two more women and what looked like a floating soccer ball with antennas. So far, Ollie's day seemed to be turning from violent, to stupid, to just plain weird.

 

[Ruedyn]

Markus wasn't surprised by the 50. cal shattering the wall near him. If the bunnies didn't act after all the bullets they'd fired, he'd assume them all deaf. And then his awkward professing of feelings would be ignored, but he doubted that very much. He heard the prisoner speak under his breath, then ask a question.

"What the fuck are you guys doing here? This is Khan territory!"

"Wrong. Right now, you're in Rabbit territory." Markus nudged the man towards the house. "They have full protection of my Legion, remember that before you start firing on us again. Now, you get to be prisoner until your friends show back up, then you leave. If they don't in a weeks time, you will be made an example of."

"Markus! Knuckleheads!"

"... Do they have Ulysses hair-?" Markus turned around, and dove down for his carbine, Treb was close behind. He tossed his ammo to Markus, which he caught and pocketed. Then, Treb turned around, intent on unleashing a bit of stress. He took a bullet to the arm earlier, but he couldn't let himself feel it now. There was still work to bee done.

He sighed and put away his bumper sword. For now, it was Gladius Time. He drew it and pointed it at the enemies in fluid motion. They had weird hair he noticed, before issuing his warning. He began walking towards the group,

"You, Knuckleheads! You have allied yourself with the Lanius! For this crimes, as well as I'm sure SEVERAL others, you have earned your death at the hands of our Legion's greatest Centurion!" He began sprinting, surprisingly swift for someone who carries a bumper sword and pure steel breastplate.

Markus reloaded, and looked down range. He double tapped some guy in the stupid haircut while Treb reached his target, and quickly grabbed his arm, and in one chop removed it. He beat the closest man with his friends arm, before ending it with a gladius to the face.

"Vicky, how many are there?" Markus called back, trying to ignore his friends sons actions.

 

[Souplex]

Same Joe time, same Joe location!
[Lucky Shades]In the reflection of the sunglasses, Joe saw Martin being a traitorous asshole.
[Guns 85] Joe knew enough about sniping to tell when someone was about to take a shot.
[Agility]And he was quick enough to move if Martin did try that.
[Shoot To Wound]He was also prepared to ventilate Martin's limbs if he tried.
"He was just trying to protect me you Monster"
"And you were all attacking because I said you were noisy."
While Joe was fond of brahmin as beasts of burden, to be ranched for their hides and meat, or just as a pet, he was not fond of brahmin shit. This Deathclaw was spewing a copious amount.
It pointed at Martin.
"HE gets it, and you're learning the hard way."
Joe had tried to be civil. He had been unnecessarily civil with Elder Tempson, despite his inconsistent BS about losing people, yet not wanting a similar deal to the Thaler act to keep his settlement populated and employed.
"Don't piss in my ear and tell me it's raining."
[Survival 90/100]Joe was not familiar with the properties of Deathclaw urine. He assumed it was highly caustic or caused humans who inhaled the fumes to hallucinate.
[Persuasion]"You know that's shit. Nobody in the waste opens by trying to negotiate with a Deathclaw. Almost all Deathclaws are hostile, and only the cartoonishly naive would expect one to stand down when asked nicely. The burden of diplomacy will fall on the big spiky monster in this case. When there's a Deathclaw behind you; as a rule it wants you dead. You made no attempt to establish peaceful intent."
Now Joe was kind of curious about Deathclaw urine. This was going to bug him.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Wyoming Wasteland - Somewhere

"Don't piss in my ear and tell me it's raining. You know that's shit. Nobody in the waste opens by trying to negotiate with a Deathclaw. Almost all Deathclaws are hostile, and only the cartoonishly naive would expect one to stand down when asked nicely. The burden of diplomacy will fall on the big spiky monster in this case. When there's a Deathclaw behind you; as a rule it wants you dead. You made no attempt to establish peaceful intent."

You opened fire on it, it wasn't moving towards us, we could have avoided it...

Martin kept his aim on Joe's head.

 

[Generic NPC 22]

The Rabbit Home Rooftop:

"Vicky, how many are there?" The Legionnaire called out as the Pale Undertaker took a look through her scope, counting the number of Knuckleheads that appeared to be charging towards the Rabbit House.

"Twelve!" Victoria McGee responded as she squeezed the trigger on TI(a)MAT once again, sending another of the flesh shredding bullets down range.

"Eleven!" She corrected as she sighted her next victim, a particularly large Knucklehead whose expression bothered the man's would be killer. Something was off about his expression, in fact, something was off about all the expressions on the Knuckleheads that approached the Rabbit Home. These weren't the blood thirsty expressions that she was used to seeing on the approaching fools, these were the expressions of desperate men.

All of a sudden the Knucklehead that Vicky was tracking reached into his jacket and pulled out a white rag, waving it as high in the air as his toned arms could.

"They're surrendering! Tell your friend to back off!" The Relieved Undertaker reported as she continued tracking the remaining Eleven Former Knucklehead Lieutenants, barking out orders towards the group.

"If you want to live, drop all your weapons in teh dumpster next to you and get on your stomachs!" The Sniper-ette ordered as she racked another bullet into TI(a)MAT's chamber, allowing the sound to emphasize her seriousness. Looking at the street, she regarded the dead bodies of the Knuckleheads that had been brought down by her and her rifle, her mind noting that none of the men that she had killed were armed.

"[small]shit.[/small]" The Pale and Darkly dressed woman muttered to herself as she considered the fact that she had just murdered a number of unarmed men.

[hr]

The Rabbit Home:

As the sound of gunfire died down, Mercy found herself staring at the Khan that had entered the house, wondering if he was friend or foe.

"Um. Hi?" She said weakly with her Plasma Pellet Pistol pointed vaguely in his direction and noted the fact that he appeared to be in a very very bad mood as he stared at her, her Bladed Bunny sister Tessa and her Ball Bunny sister Vera. Judging by the way he dressed, the darkness of his skin and the way he held himself, Mercy concluded that the man was a member of the Khans.

Unsure as to whether the Khan in their midst was friendly or not, the Plasma Bunny casually maneuvered herself next to the grass skirt clad Hula Girl and flipped a switch, causing the dummy's eyes to glow bright red as it started tracking Ollie.

 

[FalloutJack]

The hills are alive with the sound of Wyoming!

The Deathclaw appeared to consider Mcgrath for a second, but with the show being on the other foot now, there wasn't much to lose. He decided to give the man a shot, based upon how quickly the Great Khans seemed to change their minds about him. Thus, a meaty slab of Deathclaw arm took hold of Mcgrath's own and hauled him up to his feet. Afterwhich, he had no trouble at all pulling the Robobrain up. He knew that they weren't really in any condition to double-cross him, so that again left Joe the NCR guy.

"Don't piss in my ear and tell me it's raining."

Malkos tilted his head at this.

"You do what now?"

Well, Joe was a doubter in the ability for people to think about talking to Deathclaws...who talk back. It might have sounded even reasonable under normal circumtances, like when he was getting shot at before, but they STOPPED DEAD when he used words. It was probably the most shocking thing of their lives. Based on this, Malkos believed that the normal reaction to a talking Deathclaw is to be stunned for a moment, as though unsure of what to do with that. Why not? It worked an a large group of men!

"The Khans were quicker on the uptake, Ranger. For their troubles, I'm going to leave them alone. You should be shot, but I'm not the one who gets to decide."

He glanced at Martin with a look that he assumed would be recognized as a "He's all yours." look, but it may have just appeared strange to the man. He then turned back to Mcgrath.

"You obviously have brain-power and skill. The Ranger thinks me a simpleton. Would you care to educate a budding scholar?"

Ouch, that was a burn, there. Joe's there impugning his brainpower and he goes and makes reference to his ancestor the scholar, the bright one who just knows better and looks for new experiences. The thing is, Goris was still a Deathclaw, regardless of his education. This sort of day could have happened to him as any other. The only REAL difference was that Malkos found obscuring cloaks to be stuffy.

 

[Ruedyn]

Rabbit Home

"Eleven!"

[sub][sub]"TEN!"[/sub][/sub] Treb called back, sinking his machete into a man left of the guy... waving a white flag. "Oh, surrender... This is awkward." Treb turned to the man who's arm he removed, and held it out for him. He was bleedinng out really quickly...

"Sod it." He dropped the arm and started walking back to his Legate and his... Family? Did he have a family? Treb knew next to nothing about his boss, so it was likely. He waved them inside, as he led the pack of surrendering troops towards the house. This was very likely a trap, so he kept his gladius out, ready and willing to carve through their forces.

Markus got up, and turned back to the sniper. "Vicky, stay up there. This is probably a trojan horse. The hair looks like Ulysses... Think there's a connection?" He slung the rifle on his back, going back to his pistol again. "Eh, regardless, you should interrogate them. I'll check on the Khan."

Markus hurried back inside the house, and found the Khan. A brave guy, at least. The Hula Girl seemed to be possessed, too. He smiled at Mercy, and kept his gun trained on Ollie.

"All right, Khan. Let's start off simple. Your name." Markus was about to move closer, but stopped. "And please keep your hands up at all times. I'm still faster than you."

Outside, Treb had lined them all up, in a neat little line. All on their knees, all with their heads down, at the mercy of Treb and the Undertakeress.

"Knuckleheads, ally of the monster Lanius and Profligates extraordinaire. There are currently ten-" The one with one arm slumped, but still managed to stay up. His breathing was getting ragged, "Of you. Now, I am not a monster. I am a Legionnaire, of Virgil's legion. And the son of a Doctor. Which is why, when I say that all of you, as leaders of your gang, must be made an example of... well, it's out of necessity, not cruelty. Mercenary we can work with, however. So, those of you willing to give up chems, and live a life devoted to improving our wasteland rather than abusing it, I believe we have a place for you. Those of you who do not... Well, our Legion is coming in a day. We brought plenty of lumber. Stay in your positions, think it over, I'll give you all an hour."

Treb turned towards their sniper and spotter. "So, I believe I heard your name was Vicky, right? You can call me Treb. Sorry if the speech got to you, it's kind of a part of the job." Treb rubbed the back of his head. He didn't want to seem a psychopath to the nice lady. Too bad he preferred guys, she seemed like a keeper.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Rabbit Hole
Vera had only just managed to fire off one shot at the Knuckleheads when they suddenly waved a white flag. Their dress made it clear, they were working for Ulysses. But... they all looked injured... as if someone had been clobbering them with a sledgehammer.

"I don't think they work for that man anymore, Markus," she called out to the Legionary, "Ulysses hates it when people copy him. They were probably running away from him."

She turned to the Khan, "Don't you dare hurt my sister or any of my friends. If you do, I will turn you into a pile of goo. Got it?"

She didn't wait to hear his response.

"Wait a minute..." she said as she approached Markus, "Did I hear that right? You have The Legion headed our way? What the hell are you thinking? Are you really stupid enough to think that Lanius won't notice that? And I don't care if you've got an entire army behind you at this point, you're not going anywhere or doing anything else until we've had a little... chat."

[Terrifying Presence] The angry little eyebot primed her plasma pistol, "Understand? We've had a lot we needed to talk about for a while now, and you'd better hope I believe your answers."

 

[Ruedyn]

Markus sighed at the robot. An annoying little thing, not fit for front line combat but so insisting on sacrifice. The plasma pistol made him feel nothing, he would gladly give his life... but he doubted the family would let it go that far.

"Understand? We've had a lot we needed to talk about for a while now, and you'd better hope I believe your answers."

"You know, perhaps we should talk about how you keep sacrificing yourself. You seem to have some cruel parody of emotions, love, sacrifice... hate, apparently." Markus looked the machine in the eye, and dropped his smirk.

"Robots aren't meant to feel these things. They're programmed hunks of metal, made to kill or serve. Sometimes both. So, what makes you uncomfortable about me? Does something about me go against your protocols, do I somehow upset you?"

"I was programmed only with the memories of two very different people," Vera said, the Legate's question apparently stopping the eyebot in her tracks, "On top of the centuries of stored data in this frame. But none of that gave me emotions. My 'father' couldn't program that. No one could. I learned those through experience. Not how to fake them, but to actually have them. I'll admit that at first I only felt a vague kind of self-preservation instinct. But then, I imagine, all human children aren't much different from that at first. But we're getting off track here."

The eyebot paused, seeming to retreat into herself for a moment, as if trying to gather up her fury again. Eventually though, she gave up, and spoke to Markus in a much calmer tone than before, but there was still some hint of loathing in it. She didn't seem to notice that he had drawn his pistol, ready to defend himself the moment she turned hostile again.

"My father," she began again without any hesitation or uncertainty in her voice, "Was a crazed, rarely-sober loner that occasionally forgot why I was hanging around and took potshots at me with his shotgun." She went on, "But he was all I had then. And then some of your people came in and killed him. And my memories of See-sur's camp don't leave me with any better an impression of your kind. Murder, torture, rape, all endorsed by that egomaniacal hypocritical piece of shit you called 'master'. All for his own selfish gain. And here you are, trying to revive The Legion's corpse. Just like Lanius. So tell me, how are you any different from The Monster of the East? How would anyone fare better under your rule over his? Death is all the Legion knows. All it will ever achieve. Why does it deserve to live? Why is it still going when my father, and thousands of others are dead? What has the Legion done to earn its continued existence?"

"Arizona." Markus began, an odd sense of certainty coming from him. "Arizona, a land once ruled by Tribals, and Raiders, doing more rape and murder than the Legion ever could, spreading the cancerous use of drugs through the wasteland, tainting everyone inside. But yet..." Markus cleared his throat and stepped towards the eyebot,

"When the Legion came, we conquered. Slowly at first, but building strength. We ended the Murder, the Rape, the Drugs and brutality. All of it was shrunk down from some men with knowledge and blades."

"Yes, we have brutal methods as well, but compared to the NCR, who enslave their people and don't bother protecting them, we offered security and peace. Do you have ANY idea how many people would sacrifice EVERYTHING for what we offer?! Do you have ANY idea how many people live in constant FEAR of drug addled men, kicking down their door, and ending their family with a gun?! DO YOU HAVE ANY FUCKING CLUE HOW MANY HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES TO IMPROVE THE WASTELAND, ONE CROSS AT A TIME?! COUNTLESS, HUNDREDS, MY BROTHERS AND FAMILY, EVEN MY TRIBE ALL TO MAKE OUR WORLD BETTER FOR OTHERS! A SOB STORY IS NOT ENOUGH TO RUIN PROGRESS, SAFETY, FOR EVERY. LIVING. BEING...! That is our work. That is why we survive, we are a bitter pill... but a necessary one." Markus regained composure quickly, but straightened out regardless.

"Look at Mercy, and Tessa. Neither have family beyond each other, both being forced to take up this desperate life style, against a gang of chem addicts. To me, they are heroes. To some, they are butchers of men some would call brothers, men who have had lives leading up to being on the end of their blades and plasma. The difference is perspective, the men are evil to us and must be destroyed." Markus looked towards the two with bitter remorse in his eyes.

"And we seek to do the same. With some reform, the Legion is the best chance we have at peace and safety, so every person can be safe with families, love and happiness. So I will carry on the work of Virgil, guiding the world. Hopefully to prosperity, but if it leads me to ruin... so be it. So long as I improve the life of someone."

"Cee-sur has no allies, only slaves." Vera growled, her fury returning, "And just what kind of 'reforms' were you going to make, exactly? Less rape? Less torture? Oh, such a high standard you're setting up there. Color me impressed."

The eyebot seemed to spit that last part out.

"And how are you improving anyone's life, when the Legion destroys just about every piece of technology it comes across? Every medical discovery? How are you helping people when you're burning down their homes, and enslaving entire towns? How the fuck does that help anyone? You talk about peace and security, but everywhere The Legion goes, it inevitably brings war with it. Who's to say that the NCR couldn't have managed to get its act together and protect its people if The Legion hadn't invaded? If they'd had more time."

Vera paused again, and when she spoke again, she seemed much calmer again.

"Rome fell. Your entire model for an ideal society is based on the ruins of a failed civilization. I'm not saying the NCR was better in that regard. But at least they didn't rape and pillage their way across the Wastes. You know why the Old World burned? Fighting over resources. Fighting to grab more power for its own sake. Sound familiar?"

"History says, of course. The NCR were doing fine, until a threat arose. Then look what happened... They needed a mailman to save them. They needed the help of a man shot in the head. Look out the window to see where democracy led us, Rome fell but it gave us the basis of a utopia. We just have to try and reach it again. Even if we need to crack an egg or two, I want to live in a world where suffering is RARE. Do you think the corrupt NCR can do it? Do you think the various druglords, like our Khan here can help us achieve it? No. If we trust humanity to do good, humanity will delve deeper into the darkness."

Markus sighed, "You clearly won't listen, previous encounters dictate that you must hate them, yes? Therefore, arguing with you will only lead to circles and frustration. Kill me if you want, I won't change, and I'm more than happy to die for my ideals. I conquer for peace, not for the sake of violence. I have an end. Lanius does not." Markus holstered his pistol and stared at the robot. He would miss Mercy, Tessa, Vicky, Treb... but at least he'd see Doc again. And Aenas, and his brother. He smiled at her plasma.

"History?" she repeated, "Look at The Legion's history. It is almost nothing but rape and pillaging. Tell me, what happened to women under Cee-sur's reign?"

The little eyebot powered down her plasma pistol.

"Doesn't matter, The Legion will eat itself from the inside out. Nothing will change that. If your hypocrite of a dead master is any indication. He believed that history repeated itself in inevitable cycles. His Legion fell. So will yours."

She turned her 'back' on Markus, and started to float away from him.

"That is of course... if you believe in the ideals Cee-ser set for you."

She floated away another few feet, then stopped abruptly, and turned to 'glare' directly at Markus.

"And stay the fuck away from Mercy!"

"Unlikely." Markus said, some disappointment in his eyes. It was mostly masked behind annoyance.

Markus stayed, unfazed by her arguments. He sighed, as he looked back. The blood stained piece of paper, recording all crime in the area.

2 Murders, 1 Rape, No robberies, 3 crucifixions. The best day so far this year! Written by a man who was brutally beaten to death by a new gang of tribals, trying keep order. Those numbers... they gave him faith in himself again.

Even if it imploded, even if he and every last legionnaire died... at least he knew that it could work. He smiled, and sat down beside the door, intent on a nap.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

The Rabbit Den

Snip

Snip

Snip

"Name's Ollie," he said. "Ollie Tempson. And you are? I see a Legion fucker, a floating basketball, and two gals with less brains than those morons outside. Don't you know what the Legion does to women?"

Ollie shook his head. To think that the Local Feds were so incompetent that they couldn't even handle their own law enforcement, and it took the damn Khans to solve all their problems. What were these guys doing inside the town, how did they get in, and who did they think they were, ordering around the Great Khans? If there wasn't a giant army of the Legion shithead's buddies on their way to town, all it would take would be a handful of Khans, a gas tank and a box of matches, and this problem would go up in smoke.

"They're gonna be looking for me, you know. Whatever you want to do, just weigh your options first. You might just call a shitstorm down on yourselves."

Cheyton Streets, in the Company of Khans
"They did what?" said Jack. "You sure you aren't jerking me, Harland? Why would you open a slam-bang without telling anyone?"

"Those Legion pissers are in the city, Papa!" shouted Harland. "What was I supposed to do, let the bastards roam around doing god knows what? No, they kicked us, we kick back!"

"You were supposed to take out Hastings and get back to us," said Melissa, walking up from behind the two arguers. There were about twenty Khans pushing down the street. A show of force to get Ollie back, and enough to handle a fight, if it broke out. Melissa loaded up her Brush Gun, Jack simply lit another smoke. At least he wasn't depressed like yesterday.

Anna came jogging back to the rest of the group. "There's something going on at the house. A bunch of Knuckleheads are out front, with one of the Legion guys. I didn't get close enough to hear what they were saying."

"Legion and Raiders are allied," said Melissa bitterly. "They probably know we're coming. Look sharp."

 

[Ruedyn]

Inside the Rabbit home

"They're gonna be looking for me, you know. Whatever you want to do, just weigh your options first. You might just call a shitstorm down on yourselves."

Markus looked up at the Khan and sighed, rubbing his temple. He stood up again, and sized the guy up, standard Khan look to him... he thought. He wasn't actually too familiar, though he did watch one named Anders being crucified. Not a man of many words, but that might've been the horrific pain.

"We have your personal weapons, and we haven't killed any of you. If you don't mind going through Cheyton unarmed feel free to leave now." Markus helpfully pointed over his shoulder at the door, stepping out of the way. "You protected your friends as they ran. Like it or not, you've managed to earn a bit of my respect. When the Monster of the East's head is on a pike, I'll remember the one brave Khan who protected his friends."

Markus turned and began pacing, musing out loud. "And if the Khan's dropped their drug habits, they'd make a very good ally. They have the enlightened view of female soldiers, they're proven strong... Hm..." Markus shrugged, and turned towards the Khan again.

"Oh, and be sure to tell Trebb I let you go. If you want, he can walk you back to your tribe. Off with you now."

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Markus turned and began pacing, musing out loud. "And if the Khan's dropped their drug habits, they'd make a very good ally. They have the enlightened view of female soldiers, they're proven strong... Hm..."

Ollie laughed out loud at that one. "You're kidding right? Why would we drop our number one source of caps? You really think all we do is push drugs? Sure we do, for the people who want them. What they do with their money is their problem. You might also like to know that we have a sweet deal with the Clinic here in town. They don't get out on the plains much, we do. Salt of the earth Stimpacks and the like, we make 'em and sell 'em."

Ollie sized up the group, all staring at him now. "And just why would we want to side with you? This your personal fan club or something? Not much of an army. And you're still a Legion fucker, ladies allowed or not. The clan doesn't forget shit like what those freaks pulled back in the day. Sometime, you're going to learn that Wyoming is Khan territory. When it comes down to it, this is our land. Settle if you want, hell open a coffee shop, but don't forget for one second that it's only because we allow it. (And considering this place, we might have to change that... he muttered under his breath.)

Ollie hopped up from his seat, pushing past the group like he owned the place. "Fine, I'm going, on one condition: I get my shit back. It's not much of a trusting relationship if you think you're going to send me back out there with your sword buddy and I've got no gun."