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80.85% Fallout:Industrial Baron in Caesar's Legion / Chapter 76: The mojave campaign

Chapter 76: The mojave campaign

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The train journey took us directly north, where we immediately began to prepare all equipment for the Mojave campaign. Time was of the essence. As we organized the tanks, armored vehicles, and weaponry, my men worked tirelessly to ensure everything would be ready for the offensive. The logistics were impeccable, as they always had been under my command, and my legionaries' discipline was evident as they readied themselves for what lay ahead.

The forces led by Lord Caesar had managed to hold off the men of the New California Republic, keeping them at bay, though at a steep cost. The NCR's attacks had been fierce, and many legionary lives had been lost in the defense of Hoover Dam. Yet, the Legion remained relentless, halting every enemy advance. The Mojave lands had not yet fallen, and soon we would be prepared to launch our final assault.

According to the frumentarii, the NCR was desperate. Their attempts to reclaim the Dam were driven by a critical need for water and electricity. Hoover Dam was the lifeline of the NCR's survival in this region, and without it, their ability to feed and supply their population was on the brink of collapse.

As my spies indicated, the president of the NCR was under immense pressure. The water shortages had begun to severely impact his administration, and the need to protect the elites only worsened the situation. The frumentarii reported growing rumors of unrest among ordinary citizens, who were beginning to question why they should suffer while the powerful maintained their water supply for agriculture and industry. This division within the NCR was precisely what we needed to exploit.

I knew time was on our side. While the NCR continued to suffer from scarcity and unrest grew among their population, Hoover Dam would become increasingly vulnerable—not only to direct assaults but because the NCR's internal structure was beginning to unravel under a corrupt leader.

We began unloading the war equipment from the trains. Crates of ammunition, tanks, and power armor units lined the dusty ground, ready to be moved to the front. As my men worked with the precision expected of them, I headed toward the fortifications near Hoover Dam. My intent was to personally assess the situation at the front. It was delicate, and no report could be as reliable as what my own eyes could see.

Upon my arrival, the legionaries defending the positions greeted me with broad smiles and respect. Morale surged whenever high command was present at the front line, and my presence was no exception. However, there was no time for celebrations.

I made my way to the castra, the fortified camp on the opposite shore of the Dam, and began reviewing the field reports. As I scanned the terrain with binoculars, a gunshot cracked through the air. I barely felt it, but the impact was direct—a sniper's shot had struck my power armor helmet. The sound of the projectile bouncing off the metal rang out momentarily, and the remaining centurions, decanus, and legionaries hit the ground immediately, seeking cover.

I, however, remained completely still. Although well-aimed, the shot simply exploded against the power armor I wore. There was no damage to me or the armor. The helmet, reinforced specifically to withstand impacts of that magnitude, performed its function flawlessly.

I raised my rifle and began searching for the fool who dared fire at me. My breathing slowed as I scanned the horizon, my trained eyes moving methodically. It didn't take long.

There he was: the telltale glint of the sniper rifle scope reflecting sunlight—a fatal mistake.

I adjusted my stance, aiming calmly. The sniper had made the gravest of errors: underestimating me. Perhaps he thought he had eliminated me or could hide at a distance.

Wasting no time, I took a deep breath, calmed my heartbeat, and squeezed the trigger. The shot rang out with unerring precision, slicing through the air. My bullet traveled directly toward its target; a flash in the distance marked the sniper's end. His body slumped behind the rock where he'd been hiding.

I holstered the rifle without even a glance back at where the enemy had fallen.

"Ensure there are no more surprises," I ordered as I continued surveying the terrain.

The NCR had heavily fortified the area. I could see fortifications surrounding most of the area, so a direct assault would meet heavy resistance.

As I continued observing the terrain, I noted more details that further complicated the situation: several well-positioned machine gun nests, clearly designed to cover the most obvious approaches, and numerous elevated areas ideal for NCR snipers. Additionally, perfectly aligned trenches, each prepared to withstand a direct assault.

I frowned, studying the defensive layout. "Why are there so many fortifications?" I asked the centurion beside me. "Were they trying to block something?"

The centurion, with a frustrated look, replied in a tired but respectful tone. "The damned cowardly snipers of the Republic, Legate. They've made it nearly impossible to step outside the fort without taking fire. We've been dealing with it for a while now. The only solution we've found is to keep our heads down, wait, and make them attack us instead. That's how we've repelled their advances time and again."

The NCR's tactic was clear: wear down my men with snipers and force us into cover. By keeping the Legion under constant pressure, they hoped to weaken our lines without committing too many resources. However, this approach revealed something else: the NCR was playing defensively, which meant they lacked the resources for a prolonged assault. They were betting everything on those fortifications to buy time, hoping the Legion would make a critical error.

"We can't keep letting them control the field this way," I said, as my mind began formulating solutions. "These snipers are a nuisance we need to eliminate. And those machine guns… there won't be a direct advance until we neutralize those nests."

"Someone know where Vulpes is?" I asked the group of praetorians and centurions surrounding me.

"In the south, Legate. The frumentarii are working on something," a centurion answered.

"Good. Let's get out of here before they get another shot off," I said, heading south in search of the head of the frumentarii.

I traveled south, where I found a legionary encampment in a low area by the Colorado River. The place was full of frumentarii and veterans, many of them equipped with upgraded armor. The steel plating they now wore on their chests, thanks to the steady flow of metal, provided them with considerable protection. They could withstand low-caliber bullets, though I doubted it would stop rifle rounds. Nonetheless, the improvement gave them a tactical edge in the prolonged war that loomed ahead.

I quickly searched for Caesar's eyes and ears and soon found them alongside Malpais, the disgraced Legate. They were clearly planning something, their faces focused on the maps spread before them.

"Centurion Malpais," I greeted the fallen officer with a slight nod of respect. "An honor to see you again."

Malpais looked at me with a mix of contempt and bitterness, his eyes revealing the invisible scars of his fall. "Spare me the platitudes," he growled. "I don't need your pity, Gaius. What brings you here?" he asked, his tone harsh and laden with resentment.

I removed my helmet, keeping my expression neutral, unaffected by his reaction. I knew Malpais's fall had been hard for him, but in the Legion, weakness was not something easily forgiven.

"I've come to coordinate the northern movements," I responded calmly, maintaining formality. "Lord Caesar has given clear orders for the Mojave campaign, and I'm here to ensure everything is in place. It's good to have a veteran officer on board for such matters."

Malpais scoffed, visibly irritated. "'On board.' Is that what they call relegating a man who once commanded entire legions to the shadows?" His voice was filled with frustration. "But I'm not here to discuss my fall. If you've come to give orders or monitor, do it quickly, Gaius. I have no time for your games."

Vulpes observed the exchange in silence, wearing his enigmatic smile as he always did, relishing his role in the shadows.

"I need to know why the NCR is so heavily fortified at Hoover Dam," I inquired, addressing both Vulpes and Malpais, hoping for a clear explanation.

Vulpes was the first to speak, in that calm but meaningful tone. "I suppose information travels slowly south," he said, his smile unwavering. "The NCR attempted a hostile takeover of Hoover Dam a few weeks ago, but they failed. We lost hundreds of legionaries, that's true, but we held the Dam."

"And why are they still fortifying?" I pressed, aware there was more to the story.

"That," Vulpes continued, leaning slightly toward me, "is of little consequence now. The Dam is filled with explosives. If the NCR manages to take it, all they'll get are ruins and rubble. We know they can't afford to lose the resources the Dam provides, but we can't let it fall into their hands either. If they try another takeover, there will be no battle this time… only ashes."

"Did you not use this as an opportunity to counterattack?" I asked, still intrigued by the lack of direct action after the NCR's failed offensive.

"The situation works in our favor," Vulpes replied, his tone calm but laced with satisfaction. "The NCR is clumsy with its logistics, too many security gaps in their supply lines. My frumentarii have been wreaking havoc. The more they fortify their positions near the Dam, the easier it becomes to strike at their weaknesses."

He paused, his smile reappearing. "We're hitting their caravans, eliminating their recruits who barely know where to aim their rifles. Yes, we lost hundreds of our men in the assault, but we also killed many from the NCR. However, in our ambushes, in this war of attrition, we have achieved far more. Their weak logistical presence has cost them thousands of lives in recent months."

I began to see the sense behind Vulpes's strategy. Although the NCR was reinforcing Hoover Dam and the surrounding area, they were neglecting the essentials: their ability to maintain supplies. The more they focused on strengthening defenses at the Dam, the more vulnerable they became on the paths and routes that kept their army sustained.

"There are frumentarii on both paths the NCR uses to supply its army in the Mojave," Malpais said, his tone more composed as he spoke. "Many of our men are infiltrated in their ranks, and we have access to much of their confidential logistics information. This makes our job easier, and we've managed to place the blame for leaks on loyal NCR officers, creating internal mistrust."

I listened carefully as they continued, impressed by the level of detail in the operation. The frumentarii's reach extended farther than I had anticipated.

"If things remain as they are," Malpais went on, his tone more resolute, "when Lanius returns with his vast legion, the NCR's logistics should completely collapse. Their supply lines won't withstand the demand, and we'll easily outnumber them."

I nodded slowly, seeing how the strategy was coming together perfectly. The NCR would not only face the Legion's brute force but also the equally devastating domain of logistics. By cutting off their supplies, wearing down their caravans, and sowing internal discord, they would be weakened long before Lanius launched the final assault.

"It's a brilliant move," I remarked, looking at both Vulpes and Malpais. "When Lanius returns, the NCR will face not only our military might but its own internal collapse. Their troops will be hungry, demoralized, and without the supplies they need to resist us."

"Well, before you interrupted, Legate," Vulpes said, with his calculated tone, "we were planning a new move. Camp Searchlight, one of the NCR's largest bases south of Hoover Dam. They use it to quarter many of their men, and just like in other locations, it has the same security breaches."

He paused, savoring the attention his words had drawn. "Additionally, there's a large amount of radioactive waste stored in the city's fire station. According to my frumentarii, the quantity is enough to be lethal if released. My plan is to send a few of them to release it. If that waste is unleashed, the base will be rendered unusable, and NCR men will die a slow, agonizing death."

Vulpes smiled, his expression Machiavellian, clearly relishing the thought. But before he could continue, I intervened.

"Good plan," I mused, considering what I had just heard, "but it could complicate our own logistics in the future." I knew Vulpes's tactic would be effective, but the area around Camp Searchlight also held strategic value for the Legion. Turning it into a radioactive wasteland would not only destroy NCR forces but also make it difficult for the Legion to use later on. "Perhaps I might suggest an alternative."

Both Vulpes and Malpais looked at me, intrigued to hear my idea.

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CREATORS' THOUGHTS
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Chapter 77: War correspondent

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"Damn, damn, it's scorching here. Are you sure your source is reliable? We're risking a lot by coming here; this area is crawling with psychos, rapists, raiders… or a combination of all three," said the cameraman, visibly nervous as he scanned his surroundings, his hands trembling slightly over the camera.

"I had to pay a lot to get that information. General Oliver is about to launch a covert operation against the Legion, aiming to push the war across the Colorado River. His plan is to force the tyrant's men to abandon Hoover Dam," I replied, moving forward with determined steps through the rocky desert mountains. The sun was merciless on our skin, and sweat trickled down our faces. Two mercenaries followed us in silence, alert to any sign of danger.

"Don't you think we're going too far, Emma? Bribing army officials and filming this... it's completely forbidden," the cameraman continued complaining, lowering his voice as though afraid someone else might hear.

"People deserve to know what's really happening in this war," I retorted, not slowing my pace. "President Kimball keeps promising they'll retake the dam soon while recruiting thousands of young people, but no one knows what's happening to them. Families send their children to the front, but there's no clear news—only propaganda and empty speeches."

We kept moving, the desert heat making the sand beneath our feet feel like embers. Everything was silent—too silent for my liking. I felt the mercenaries' eyes scanning the distance, watching for any potential threat. I knew we were in dangerous territory, an area the Republic preferred to avoid. Rumors of raiders, traitors, and, worst of all, Caesar's henchmen lingered over this region.

"I've heard there was an attempt to break the Legion's line at Hoover Dam, but they managed to keep control. They say it was sheer willpower and the sacrifice of hundreds of their men that did it," I mentioned, my eyes scanning the horizon, looking for any signs of the NCR's lookout points.

"And that's only the beginning," I continued. "More attacks are expected, but something's going on. Ammo shipments disappear, just like recruits. They head to the front but never arrive. No one knows what's happening, and the politicians won't say a word. Could be the work of raider tribes—the Khans, maybe, or other psychopath groups."

"Disappearances?" The cameraman stopped complaining, now looking at me with worry. "Are you saying someone within the NCR is sabotaging the war effort, and the army's doing nothing?"

"That's what it looks like. Something or someone is interfering, and the casualties keep mounting for no apparent reason. General Oliver must be desperate to contain the situation, but the issue lies not just at the front. The disappearances are more than a simple logistical error," I explained as we continued up the hills.

I knew that as we ventured deeper into this zone, we were approaching not only the truth but also danger. Anyone who knew too much became a target, and we were treading ground no NCR journalist dared to tread.

We moved carefully, avoiding any area where NCR patrols or caravans might be, knowing they were rife with lurking raiders. After nearly an hour of effort under the desert's blazing sun, we finally reached a series of hills. From there, we could observe the NCR military camp near the Colorado River in Searchlight.

According to the information I'd bought, this was where a large contingent of soldiers was preparing to cross the river and bring the fight directly to the Legion. As we observed through our binoculars, I realized something was off. There were soldiers, yes, but not as many as I'd expected, and they were almost without heavy equipment. Just a few trucks dotted the camp, but there was no sign of the large vessels supposedly meant to cross the Colorado.

"They probably have the boats closer to the river… but I thought there'd be more soldiers. Thousands were supposed to cross the Colorado today," I muttered in frustration, feeling I might have been deceived.

We were about to continue toward the river when the unmistakable sound of helicopter blades roared in the air from the east. My heart skipped a beat. I quickly raised my binoculars and saw three Vertibirds flying low, almost skimming the ground, approaching swiftly.

"Probably airborne operations," commented the cameraman, a grin of excitement crossing his face as he turned on the camera and began recording.

"Yeah, maybe it's a mission to infiltrate Rangers into Legion territory and then bring in regular soldiers," I said as I watched the aircraft descend slowly.

The Vertibirds landed on the dusty ground, kicking up a cloud of dirt around them. Seizing the moment, I started my narration.

"Good morning, Shady Sands, this is Emma with reliable information. Anonymous NCR sources have told us that General Oliver will soon begin an assault against the Legion in an attempt to move the front away from the heavily fortified Hoover Dam. As you can see behind me…"

But before I could finish, a storm of gunfire erupted in the camp. The sound was deafening, and soldiers' screams filled the air alongside the echo of bullets.

"What the hell?!" the cameraman yelled, lowering his camera, trying to understand what was happening.

Several men descended from the Vertibirds—but they weren't NCR soldiers. They wore heavy power armor, black and red, emblazoned with the unmistakable symbol of Caesar's Legion. One of them bore a standard on his back, fluttering in the wind. Wasting no time, they began firing indiscriminately at the NCR soldiers who had no time to react. It was a massacre.

"It's the Legion! It's them!" I shouted, stepping back, unable to look away from the horror unfolding before us. NCR soldiers fell one by one, unable to defend themselves. The men in power armor moved as if they were unstoppable, annihilating everything in their path. Rifle bullets from the NCR soldiers bounced harmlessly off the steel plates protecting them.

The Vertibirds took off again, leaving a trail of destruction behind. The Legion's men, clad in their power armor, continued to fight with brutal ferocity. Despite the overwhelming numbers of the NCR soldiers, the difference in skill and equipment was glaring.

"Record everything!" I shouted to the cameraman, who was frozen in horror at the sight of the battle. His camera shook, but it continued capturing every second of the brutal onslaught.

The NCR soldiers attempted to use their overwhelming numbers to overtake the legionaries, but Caesar's men were incredibly organized and well-equipped. With flamethrowers and grenade launchers, they obliterated NCR defenses before they could regroup. The NCR's rifle bullets barely scratched the Legion's power armor, and each time a squad tried a coordinated attack, the legionaries responded with overwhelming ferocity, shattering any resistance.

Despite their numbers, the NCR soldiers were disoriented, trapped in their own camp. Explosions and flames covered everything, and the legionaries moved like a small but deadly swarm, taking strategic positions and systematically eliminating any obstacles in their path. Although the NCR outnumbered them by thousands, the Legion's superior technology and the chaos within the camp kept the enemy at bay.

Finally, the NCR soldiers began to reorganize. Despite the chaos and their heavy losses, their sheer numbers started to turn the tide. The legionaries, though lethal, were beginning to be overwhelmed by the wave of soldiers surrounding them. We watched as the NCR troops dug in, forming a tighter circle around the Legion, gradually pushing them toward an inevitable defeat. The numbers finally seemed to be on their side.

"They're doing it!" I whispered, my heart racing. It seemed the NCR was finally gaining control of the situation. The cameraman kept filming, capturing what seemed like the beginning of a victory.

But just as hope began to emerge for the NCR forces, the sky roared again. Vertibirds appeared on the horizon, flying low, their rotors whipping up a whirlwind of dust as they approached.

At the same time, something even more terrifying loomed from the east. Through the dust stirred up by the Vertibirds, we could make out figures moving rapidly in large numbers. Legionaries—many more legionaries.

"Oh my God," I gasped, unable to look away. The NCR soldiers' perimeter around the legionaries was shattered in an instant as the Vertibirds resumed firing their heavy machine guns. The NCR troops, who had barely begun to recover, were once again thrown into chaos.

The reinforcements from the east were not a small group; they were hundreds strong.

The NCR soldiers quickly attempted to regroup around what was left of the camp to defend themselves, but it was already too late. The sight of the legionaries, descending on them in massive numbers like an unstoppable tide, sent panic through their ranks. Many soldiers began to flee, abandoning their positions. The Vertibirds, roaring overhead, became their executioners, mowing down fleeing soldiers with heavy machine gun fire, mercilessly massacring those trying to escape the chaos.

Those who remained trapped inside the camp fared no better. The Legion's reinforcements, having crossed the river, descended upon them like a hammer, annihilating every NCR soldier in their path. The number of legionaries was overwhelming, and the NCR's last attempts at resistance crumbled with each passing second.

"Emma..." the cameraman said, his voice trembling, as he pointed his camera at the battlefield, where chaos continued to unfold.

"What?" I snapped, without tearing my gaze from the carnage in front of us. "Keep filming! This is gold, do you understand? Pure gold!" I shouted in frustration. I knew that while we were witnessing a massacre, this footage would be the key to showing the world what was really happening in this war.

"The mercenaries… they're running," he said, his voice shaky as he gestured toward the men who had been hired to protect us.

The mercenaries, who we had paid handsomely, had abandoned any pretense of bravery. They were fleeing, sprinting in the opposite direction from the battle. It was clear they knew there was no chance of survival if they stayed.

"This can't be happening…" I muttered, watching them scatter like rats. Terror had taken hold of them too. If even these battle-hardened mercenaries were running, it meant there was no hope for the NCR soldiers left behind.

The sound of the Vertibirds thundered again, and their machine guns showed no mercy. Every soldier who ran toward the desert, desperate to save their life, was mowed down by gunfire, their bodies collapsing onto the ground as they tried to escape the massacre. Around the camp, the sand was soaked with blood, and the sky darkened with smoke from fires ignited by the battle.

"What do we do now?" the cameraman asked, the fear in his voice evident, his hands barely holding the camera steady.

"Film everything you can," I ordered, not hesitating, as I watched the legionaries continue their relentless advance toward the buildings where the last NCR strongholds remained. "The fight's moving into the city, which means we can still get better footage. This is what the public needs to see."

The legionaries, tireless in their brutality, charged toward the buildings, breaking down doors and windows with terrifying efficiency. The NCR soldiers still resisting, entrenched inside, knew their time was running out. From our vantage point, we could see the flashes of grenades going off inside the buildings, followed by the tongues of flame from flamethrowers that turned the shelters into death traps.

The legionaries' determination was unbreakable. Nothing seemed to stop them. Though the NCR soldiers tried to defend themselves, firing from windows and makeshift barricades, each line of defense fell one after another. One of the buildings we had been watching was obliterated in minutes. Flames devoured everything in their path, and the screams of the soldiers trapped inside filled the air.

When the gunfire finally ceased, a heavy silence laden with death enveloped the shattered camp. I knew instantly that this was our moment to get out. Staying a second longer would mean becoming the next prey, and I had no intention of ending up as a legionary's plaything. That fate was worse than death.

"It's time to get out of here," I whispered to the cameraman, who nodded quickly, his eyes still wide with terror at what we had just witnessed.

We moved quickly, crouching to avoid being seen, not daring to look back. I knew that if any of the legionaries spotted us, they would have no qualms about dragging us along, and there was no doubt what would happen next. To them, a woman in enemy territory had only one purpose, and I wasn't going to let that be my fate.


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