บท 72: Ever Evolving

-------------------------

If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.

Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.

I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.

-------------------------------

A thorn had been removed from our side: the Free Fighters no longer existed, and with them, any trace of their culture of resistance. They had been wiped off the face of the earth, and along with them, any memory of opposition in northern Mexico disappeared. With this victory, I not only consolidated the Legion's power, but I also tested the edge of our new weapons. The tanks, freshly rolled out from the factories, along with vehicle-mounted artillery—thanks to Todd and his relentless search through his family's ancient archives—proved their worth on the battlefield.

It was a flawlessly executed operation that not only eliminated the Free Fighters but also demonstrated the efficiency and might of our war machine. Every step, every advance, was calculated with precision. The frumentarii gave us the strategic advantage, anticipating the enemy's every move, while the centurions flawlessly coordinated the mechanized assaults. This battle showcased the evolution of the Legion: we were no longer just an unstoppable infantry force but a fully modernized war machine, adapted to the technologies we now possess.

The mission in Mexicanorum was, for the time being, complete. All that remained was to wait for the final death of that robotic "god" to the south, a technological titan whose systems failed more and more each day. Its fall would open the door to regions rich in advanced technology, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. We knew that with the collapse of that robotic deity, the entire region would be left vulnerable, and the Legion would be ready to seize those territories and absorb their resources, just as we had always done.

There were already signs of the inevitable: a slow but steady migration of citizens from the south toward our lands. People were fleeing the technological collapse that threatened to leave them without sustenance. They sought the stability and security that only the Legion, under Caesar's rule, could offer.

The Free Fighters, for their part, had done well to eliminate the narcos from their territories. They even managed to take down one of the region's largest and most powerful cartels, proving they had the numbers and determination to resist. However, what they lacked was the necessary armament to drive out the Legion. Although they were capable and passionate warriors, their equipment was insufficient to penetrate our power armor. Only their best soldiers, equipped with rare and more advanced weapons, posed a real threat. But those few warriors were quickly picked off by our snipers, leaving them with no chance to turn the tide of battle.

This lack of proper equipment sealed their fate, and the Free Fighters, like so many other resistances before them, were wiped from the map, proving once again that the technological and strategic might of the Legion was insurmountable.

The most significant growth was seen in Caesarea Mexicanorum, which absorbed nearly all the migrating population fleeing the ruins of the territories controlled by the robotic god and other collapsed regions. The city quickly became the logistical epicenter of the area, a vital node connecting the Legion's growing influence to the south. Its growth was no accident; it was perfectly positioned, connected to Flagstaff by a large highway serving as the main artery for transporting resources, people, and supplies.

Furthermore, expansion plans included the construction of railway lines, something that would greatly accelerate the flow of troops, slaves, and goods between the various provinces of the Legion. Once the railway work was complete, Caesarea Mexicanorum would not only be a logistical hub but also the industrial heart of the Legion's southern territories.

Civilian factories, which once provided basic goods to the local population, had expanded to meet the growing demand. With the constant flow of migrants, the production of food, clothing, and basic tools increased by the day. The abundance of factories ensured that the city and its surroundings could be self-sufficient, serving both the inhabitants and the new slaves arriving to fuel the Legion's war machine.

Caesarea Mexicanorum was transforming into a vibrant and bustling city, a symbol of the Legion's growing power in the south.

Finally, after months of campaign, my presence was no longer required anywhere, as everything was managed by my centurions and the frumentarii, who took charge of eliminating local resistances and wiping out the last narco enclaves in our territory. We had an extensive amount of intelligence on their hideouts and drug labs.

A quick remote briefing with McKinley updated me on the progress in my settlement during my absence. They had successfully established the cold fusion power plant, allowing us to sell electricity to all the Legion's tributary territories—a constant source of income that increased our control over allied regions. The harvests were abundant, with every inch of the valley under cultivation. This, combined with the vast slave population under McKinley's supervision, ensured that every resource was exploited to the fullest.

Interestingly, McKinley had begun releasing thousands of slaves—not as an act of mercy, but as part of a more calculated strategy. By freeing them, she turned them into economic slaves, dependent on the benefits of my settlement, which meant lower maintenance costs and, at the same time, an expansion of the internal market. Now, those same people were in a position to buy what we produced, generating more demand and circulating wealth back into our coffers.

On the other hand, the deal with Todd and the Texan arms manufacturers continued to benefit us. They handled the production of low-caliber weapons, keeping full employment within the Texas Arms Association, which kept them satisfied and their pockets full. Meanwhile, I retained control over the lucrative ammunition market, which, though not as profitable as selling complete weapons, provided a steady income, not subject to the fluctuations that could affect the arms market.

With the profits generated from agriculture and construction, we easily covered the operational costs. This allowed us to transform former weapons factories into mass production plants for power armor. The factories that once produced rifles and machine guns were converted into a far more sophisticated industrial network capable of manufacturing power armor on an exponential scale. New foundries and refineries were established to process the necessary metals, specialized factories for servo production were built, and assembly complexes, partially automated, accelerated the production process.

It was time to take the next step. The improvements to West-Tek's power armor had been valuable, but it was necessary to create something entirely new—a technology that not only met the current demands of warfare but surpassed them in every aspect.

With the discoveries obtained from Vault 0, the portable cold fusion generators from Diana, and the advanced engineering of the Brotherhood of Steel, I had all the pieces necessary to build something unique. But while we possessed the knowledge and resources, the production cost of each of these new power armors would be a considerable limitation. Even for a nation with the Legion's resources, manufacturing each of these war machines would require a massive investment.

The Centurion Power Armor model, reserved for the Legion's officers, would be much more than just combat armor. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, it included a tactical interface in the visor that projected real-time battlefield maps, connecting centurions to the theater of war. Integrated field radios allowed these officers to command their troops effectively and swiftly, maximizing the Legion's capabilities. Every battle could be orchestrated with precision, with maneuvers calculated in mere seconds.

The Legionary Model, in contrast to the Centurion, was designed specifically for front-line combat. It didn't have the same tactical enhancements or advanced interface as the officers' armor, but its purpose was clear: to give every Legionary on the battlefield an overwhelming advantage in both combat and rapid maneuvers.

This model was slightly less armored but compensated with more servos, significantly boosting the user's strength and agility. Powered by portable cold fusion generators, Legionaries equipped with this armor could move with a speed and dexterity that outpaced any other troops in open combat, allowing them to execute devastating attacks and easily flank the enemy.

Even when compared to my own modified power armor, the Legionary Model proved superior in every aspect. The material alloys allowed us to increase the protection of the armor without compromising the mobility of the Legionaries. Now, with the portable cold fusion generators developed at The Nursery, weight was no longer a limitation. This allowed for additional layers of armor to be added, preparing them to withstand armor-piercing rounds, explosions, and even radiation that would be lethal within seconds. The servos in the armor ensured that users could move with the same agility as before, but with far greater protection.

With this advancement, we could take things even further. The models we were developing would surpass anything that had come before, even the best versions from West-Tek or the Brotherhood of Steel.

I spent entire weeks perfecting the power armor prototypes, fine-tuning every detail until I found the most ergonomic and efficient design. The primary goal was to ensure that all the pieces could be mass-produced without complications, allowing my growing Legion to be equipped with the best possible gear when the time came.

Although my attention was focused on the technology of the power armor—partly because it was more tangible and practical—I couldn't help but think of the challenges posed by the EFV. The experiments with the virus had proven to be incredibly difficult to control. Every time we made progress, a new obstacle would arise, reminding me of how dangerous it was to meddle with biology at that level. Modifying the DNA of a human being was a monumental task, and any mistake could result in catastrophe.

For that reason, while I didn't yet have full control over the EFV, I preferred to channel my energy into developing technology that could be deployed immediately. Power armor was a safe bet—an investment in the Legion's military power that would bear fruit in future campaigns.

As I focused on governance, reports arrived constantly. The Legion was advancing, cleansing Caesar's lands of anything that posed a threat or obstacle. Every day brought news of frumentarii reporting the elimination of some plague of radioactive insects, giant ants infesting villages, or nests of deathclaws to the south that had to be eradicated before they became a greater problem. The drug cartels continued to fall, one after another, crucified as public examples of what awaited those who defied Caesar's will. Each report detailed precisely how the Legion's forces executed their orders, purging every corner of the territory.

However, the constant migration from the south brought its own challenges. While the influx of working hands was welcomed, as the province bore a heavy burden with vital shipments to Flagstaff, it also meant problems. More people always brought more conflicts: fights over food, disputes over housing, or simply rivalries between migrating clans. Though the province didn't face a true shortage of resources, social tensions were inevitable.

Public order was maintained by the urban Legionaries I had established, but it was clear that the peace was fragile, held together by the firm hand of the Legion and the fear inspired by punishments. But even with these measures in place, people always found reasons to fight, even when everything seemed to be in order. It was human nature—to seek conflict, even in times of stability. Yet, as the saying goes, chaos is a ladder of opportunities.

-------------------------------

Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.

I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.