Chapter 1 - The Messenger (Non-Sexual Content)

“Sir!” Echoed the messenger's voice as he rushed through the halls of Camp Golf’s resort. “Sir!” He huffed once more, quickly coming to a stop in Chief Hanlon’s doorway.


Peering up from his papers that he leaned over, the ranger spoke. “Catch your breath there, soldier. You're free to pass out, but I'd rather you gave me your information first.”


The messenger gasped a few breaths, then looked once more into the chief's face. “I got a couple reports back from the privates we sent to look for that Legion camp, and, uh… Well, you're not gonna believe this.”


“Don’t keep me on edge. Did they find the Legion?” Hanlon inquired.


“Well… They found the camp, but no Legion.”


The ranger straightened himself out to look into the messenger’s eyes. “Did they find anything of use, then?”


“Well… No, not really.”


“Next time don't worry about being in such a rush, then.” He said with a sigh. “Thank you, you're dismissed.”


“But sir, you have to read this. You won't believe it.”


“You can't just summarize the damn thing?”


“No, sir. There's no way I could ever describe this.”









Coughing up sand and getting sunburnt isn’t the way most would prefer to spend their Friday morning. About the only thing enjoyable about it was being able to vent over it, to just kick back and bitch about it with a good friend. Unfortunately, officers of the New California Republic weren’t exactly ecstatic about their subordinates doing much aside from pacing around in the cruel desert of the Mojave.


Such were the burdens that plagued the duo of NCR privates as they marched through the grains that were the blood of the desert. Out here, all one could do was to sweat and slog forward. But more important matters laid on the line that focusing on the misery the wasteland bestowed.


“Okay, for real, where the fuck is this camp? Are we as moronic as I feel right now?” Cooper inquired. “I don't think Caesar's Legion is that good as being stealthy. I mean, I saw Nipton.”


“What about all those ambushes they stage on us? I feel like they just appear out of nowhere every damn night.” Kara replied. “But, to answer your question, yeah. I think we may just be total dumbasses. How long are we gonna have to search?”


A heavy sigh escaped Cooper. “Hopefully soon, I'm tired of command giving all of us shit for not single handedly taking out Caesar alone. They act like we don't do anything useful.”


“Trust me, I hear you. But for now, let's just keep searching for these fuckers. I bet that hill will give us a good vantage.” Kara said optimistically. With that, they ascended the rocky mound, the sand shifting underneath their boots, until they stood at the top.


“Oh shit, get down!” Kara whispered, promptly followed by Cooper dropping to the ground with a small puff of earth. Just beyond their hill lay a small Legion encampment, flush with the red of their flag. Yet, it rapidly became clear that this was not the typical Legion camp, and the NCR soldiers arose perplexed at the sight of mayhem before them.


“Just what in the fuck happened here?” Cooper exclaimed. Before them lay the torn remains of an annihilated installation, cloth and wood scattered in pieces at every step. Not a soul disturbed the darkening sky, the only movement being that of the tattered banners.


“It looks like someone dropped a few tons of bombs on 'em. Let's see if we can find anything worthwhile, keep your guard up.” Kara said, leveling her service rifle.


They slowly stalked through the debris that likely had once resembled an intimidating outpost, now home to none except the tentative soldiers. Inch by inch they investigated the entirety of the camp, yet no life stirred, nor did anything of use for the two come to light. Finally, they came to a halt at the highest point within the settlement, overlooking the destruction encircling them.


“I suppose this should be a good sign, but I'm still freaked out. There's not a single body here, would they really have just moved on? Just like that?” Kara wondered aloud.


“Well, one way or another… they must have. Let's just get the hell out of here, I don't like this.” Cooper responded. 


The two descended the overlook, coming to a stop as they reached where they'd started. An eerie silence hushed them, their senses grasping for anything to latch onto, a single sound or bit of movement. No such luck was in the store for either of them.


“Come on, let's get back to Camp Golf. Hopefully the rangers will take a turn patrolling next time.” Kara joked.


“Yeah, maybe in my fucking dreams. I'd like to just be able to rest for half a damn day.”


Suddenly, the ground began to lightly shake, and a beat of sorts filled the air. The couple searched their surroundings, rifles readied for the first sight of a Legionary. Yet, no crimson cloaked warrior peeked out from the desolate sands, nor did a single shot ring out, and the two lowered their weapons.


Without warning, two massive figures burst out from behind the dunes. Before either of the privates could react, they were swept up in the clutches of the giant monstrosities, squirming and shouting in a frenzied attempt for escape or aid.


Kara writhed frantically, simply hoping to lay her eyes on whatever creature now held her. Before her towered a deathclaw, its glistening fangs and curved horns adorning its reptilian head. Its milky eyes stared right back into her face, deep growls exiting the maw of the beast.


Likewise, Cooper's captor firmly clutched him, claws tight against his skin as he froze in fear. It was evident that there would be little chance for any kind of a getaway - not one that involved survival. Both deathclaws began to stomp away, still clenching their prey as they left the razed Legion settlement.


Through the arid Badlands they lumbered, their colossal forms swaying through the desert. They approached a shadowed cave entrance, a dank scent emanating from its depths. As though phasing through a portal, they descended into the dark, into the cool, moist caverns below. For the NCR privates, this tranquil abode threatened much malice.


Eventually, the deathclaws separated as a split came within the tunnels. Kara and Cooper met eyes, for what they believed to be one last time. Then, with that, they lost sight of one another.


