Bab 75: Clash of titans
I have 2 more chapters ready to be uploaded and one half finished, the same as last time twelve comments of what you like or don't like about the story and I will upload the following until I run out of stock.
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"Miss Sheila, to what do I owe the honor of having the leader of one of the Legion's most loyal tributaries take the time to visit me personally?" I said, offering her a calm smile as I observed her. Sheila, the leader of Pecos Colony, looked back at me with a mixture of respect and awe.
"Legate Gaius," she began, her tone firm yet respectful. "It's not customary for me to leave my lands, but the situation warrants it. Under our service to the Legion, our herds have grown considerably thanks to the eradication of natural predators and bandits who once endangered our food production. That's why I've come to discuss the possibility of acquiring lands that once belonged to Las Granjas. I understand these lands are untended and, while fertile, they're at risk of desertification without proper management."
I held silent for a moment, processing her request. Las Granjas, once thriving, now lay barren and underutilized since their previous owners were forcibly relocated. Much of that workforce was now employed on my lands, bolstering food production for my own tribe.
"Indeed, Miss Sheila, those lands remain idle, but the Legion has plans for that area," I replied, maintaining a tone that was both cordial and firm. "In the future, those lands will serve to resettle veteran legionaries. Lord Caesar, in his infinite wisdom, intends to retire his faithful soldiers by granting them that for which they have fought so arduously. I fear it will not be possible to sell those lands to you."
A smile crossed my face as I spoke, though I knew my response would not please Sheila. The leader of Pecos was astute, but she also understood the Legion's priorities. She maintained her composure, though I noticed a slight glimmer of frustration in her eyes.
"I understand, Legate Gaius," she replied in a controlled voice. "Those lands will serve Caesar's veterans well, but I trust the Legion will also seek ways to support those who have been loyal from the beginning. Pecos has given everything it has and will continue to do so."
Her insistence was subtle yet clear. Sheila wanted to ensure that Pecos was not left behind. Additional lands would have bolstered her resources, but she knew when to yield.
"Certainly, Pecos Colony's support has been significant," I began, meeting her gaze with a slight nod of approval. "Therefore, I could make a small exception for you, Miss Sheila. I might offer you the use of those lands for, let's say, a renewable decade. The resettlement of legionaries will take time and be a slow process. There is no sense in leaving such fertile lands unused in the meantime. Your loyal tribe may use them to allow your brahmin herds to continue thriving."
I paused, noting the subtle spark of interest in Sheila's eyes.
"Naturally," I continued, smiling, "the price will be very reasonable for you."
Sheila couldn't hide a faint smile. She knew she had achieved what she wanted, or at least a part of it.
"Thank you, Legate Gaius. Your generosity will not go unnoticed in Pecos, I assure you. We will make good use of those lands while they remain available."
"I trust you will," I replied, inclining my head slightly. "The prosperity of Pecos Colony is also the prosperity of the Legion. And as long as we continue working together, our bonds will only grow stronger."
Sheila nodded, and our conversation ended on a cordial note. We both understood the importance of the agreement. Though temporary, it meant stability for Pecos while ensuring the Legion continued to benefit from those lands as it prepared them for the future use of veterans.
Several months had passed, and most of my plans were well underway. The new power armor prototypes were in full production, and thanks to the complete reorganization of our industry, McKinley had achieved an impressive milestone: nearly one hundred power armor units produced each month. This exponential increase in manufacturing provided us with an unprecedented advantage. The most veteran and capable soldiers were beginning to receive these new models, advancing the Legion toward a more powerful and lethal mechanized force than ever before.
Meanwhile, the studies with the FEV progressed at a staggering pace. We had moved beyond theory and into experimental trials with animals. The results were varied—sometimes promising, other times chilling. In some rabbits, genetic manipulation through the FEV had yielded unexpected results: notably accelerated regeneration and muscle growth that far exceeded what a normal body could withstand.
However, not all experiments were successes. In several cases, the animals' cells mutated uncontrollably. What initially appeared to be a healing process soon transformed into a nightmare: cells dividing unchecked, producing grotesque and massive growths. The rabbits exhibiting these characteristics did not survive long, dying horrifically from the internal pressure their bodies could no longer withstand.
The potential of the FEV was clear, but so were the risks. If the virus could be controlled, it would be the perfect tool to create a legion of super-soldiers. But it was far from stable.
"These results are promising, but we need more tests," I reflected as I reviewed the data. "We need to better understand how to prevent cellular degeneration and how to stabilize accelerated growth without it spiraling out of control."
The experimentation with the FEV would continue, and I had no plans to stop until I had something truly functional. I couldn't afford catastrophic errors when it came time to use it on human soldiers within the Legion. The consequences of a field failure would be unimaginable.
As I was preparing a new modification of the virus to better control the rampant mitosis, I was interrupted by one of my legionaries, who knocked at the doors of my laboratory.
"Legate, you have an urgent radio message," the legionary informed me as I stepped out of the virus containment zone.
"New orders, most likely. I've been idle since the disturbances," I replied, changing into fresh clothes.
The legionary merely nodded as we walked to the long-range radio station that kept us connected to the orders of Lord Caesar. I assumed Lucius would likely ask me to handle some nearby issue in the south, perhaps to destroy or construct something as required.
"Gaius," I heard Caesar's voice resonate through the radio, unmistakable in its authority.
"Lord Caesar," I responded immediately, instinctively inclining my head even though I knew he couldn't see me. "To what do I owe the honor of receiving orders from the very son of Mars?"
The pause that followed set me on alert, as it always did when Caesar spoke in that measured, calculated tone. "I've noticed your successes, Gaius… and particularly that 'staged' uprising you allowed." His voice wasn't harsh, but there was a cutting edge to it. "Vulpes has informed me in full detail how you allowed the situation to spiral out of control just to appear as the heroic savior."
"However," Caesar continued, his tone slightly more relaxed now, though still imbued with implacable authority, "according to reports, after the 'uprising,' the Cult of Mars has spread like wildfire through Mexicanorum. So, despite your… approach, your plan has borne suitable fruits."
I felt a slight tension lift, though I knew I was still under scrutiny.
"Good," Caesar proceeded, "considering that your forces currently lack a clear enemy in Mexicanorum, I order you to return to Hoover Dam and begin the necessary preparations to drive the NCR from the Mojave and secure New Vegas."
The order was clear and precise, but what followed drew my attention even further.
"Continue with those preparations until Lanius returns. According to his last report, he has already broken through the defenses of the city of robots and is merely securing territories before returning for the campaign."
"At your command, Lord Caesar. I will mobilize my entire legion northward. However, what shall I do regarding the governance of the southern province? While matters are calm, leaving behind a governor is essential to maintaining the loyalty of our tributaries and preventing unity among them," I said respectfully, anticipating his direction.
Caesar, in his firm and authoritative tone, responded without delay. "Indeed. Choose one of your own, the one you deem most fit to govern and continue the system you've implemented in the south."
"Immediately, Lord Caesar. I will leave an experienced centurion to oversee the area, someone trustworthy. Additionally, before departing north, I will initiate a recruitment drive for urban legionaries to maintain public order. This will prevent any notions of freedom among the people in the absence of my legion," I responded, understanding the importance of leaving no power vacuums that might be exploited.
Caesar said no more, a silent approval of my plan. Stability in Mexicanorum was paramount, and I could not allow the southern province to splinter in my absence. Control had to be absolute, both militarily and ideologically. With an experienced centurion at the helm and a fresh cadre of urban legionaries to reinforce surveillance, I would ensure that the south did not descend into chaos while we prepared for the assault on the Mojave.
Among my best officers, Cato was undoubtedly the most suited for the task. He had consistently managed my legion's logistics, and his calm under pressure made him stand out in high-risk situations. In a province that demanded both balance and control, Cato could efficiently handle the tributaries and maintain stability while the Legion mobilized northward.
I briefly considered placing Todd in charge but dismissed the thought almost instantly. While Todd was valuable in many ways, I had no doubt he would exploit the opportunity to twist the situation to his advantage. Todd had a knack for maneuvering on the edges of authority, and with the Legion focused on the northern front, it would be unwise to entrust him with such a critical province. He might divert resources or attempt to consolidate his own power while the rest of us fought.
Cato, on the other hand, was loyal and predictable. I knew he would follow my directives to the letter and keep both profligates and tributaries in check, without attempting to benefit personally. With him in command, Mexicanorum would remain firmly under the Legion's control.
I headed to the radio and tuned to Cato's frequency. "Cato, prepare yourself. You have a new assignment. I need you to take control of the southern province of Mexicanorum while I mobilize our forces north. Your mission is to maintain order, continue recruiting urban legionaries, and ensure the tributaries remain aligned. There is to be no deviation."
Cato's response came quickly, as expected. "At your command, Legate Gaius. I'll keep everything running smoothly."
With Cato in charge of the south and the urban legionary recruitment assured, I could focus all my attention on the northern campaign. Hoover Dam and New Vegas awaited us.
Gathering the legion took a few days, assembling nearly twenty thousand legionaries who had accumulated under my command, and we began our journey north on the railway we had labored so long to complete. The journey was efficient, with all the equipment necessary for the campaign transported with us—tanks, vehicles, crates of weapons, boxes of ammunition, much of my FEV laboratory, and hundreds of power armor units filled the trains that would carry us to our destination.
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