Walk the wasteland long enough and anyone will gather a few scars. Gecko bites, laser burns, scorpion stings. The little scars make for a nice talk at parties, but some scars are so deep, so big that they end up defining a person for the rest of their lives. You see a man burned head-to-toe and he keeps on walking, or someone with their face torn off who refuses to lie down - That's a person who has more important things to do than tell you their story over a bottle of nuka cola.
When Caesar and his Legion came upon the Hoover Dam in 2277, he knew that it was his destiny to march his army across the Colorado river just as the first Caesar had crossed another river two thousands years before. Unlike the original Caesar, this new Caesar found himself facing a foe that would not yield at the mere sight of an approaching army. The New California Republic was just as determined to hold that dam as the Legion was to take it.
"I still questioned why would Caesar needs Hoover Dam for, is it part of his conquest, or a tool to power electricity that powered up Vegas?" Fang asked as it does felt strange for Caesar trying to claim the dam.
"I think its sorta both honestly. Caesar sees the NCR as worthy foes and threats in his conquest, the Legion may have the numbers, but not the firearms, weapons, and armors that the NCR has. The Legion has adapted to use modern firearms, but is strictly rare and only access to highly ranking Legion members." Dobermann responded to her student's question.
"Plus the NCR also has the numbers, medical supplies, and better technology in their disposal. Two armies facing each other to death, how unoriginal." W sighed and lean back in her seat.
"In my eyes, I don't think Nevada is safe under either factions control. House clearly shows he favors his city more than the outside world, NCR wants annex Nevada into their control, whether the people like it or not, and we all know what the Legion wants with the region." Nearl explains as regardless that the NCR were the best outcome in the future of Nevada, she doesn't like the corruption, greed, and dark road the NCR is heading into.
"What about the Brotherhood of Steel? Do you think they also want to take control over Nevada as well?" Plume asked as she think the Mojave Chapter of the Brotherhood, could be a possible faction to take over the region.
"The West Coast Brotherhood of Steel are isolationist. They collect technology for their own purposes, and if they find any advanced technology, they would immediately destroy or collect to prevent the second coming of Armageddon." Kal'tsit answered that one, as her opinion towards the West Coast BoS hadn't changed in the slightest.
"While the East Coast Brotherhood under Elder Lyons' control, he allows outsiders to join into their ranks and expand his forces, though with the absence of the Outcasts as a whole. The Outcast aims to complete their original goals and dream to march back to the Lost Hills, with technology they recovered during their expedition." Doctor replied his thoughts and give a quick nod at the East Coast BoS.
When the battle came, Caesar's legate made several mistakes in the command of his forces. A combination of overzealousness and righteousness made the Legion an easy victim for a trap laid by the NCR, and the resulting debacle put an end to the Legion's march West. Now they wait on the far bank of the Colorado river, rebuilding their army with fresh slaves taken from the fiercest tribes East of the dam, looking for a way to send the NCR running in earnest terror.
The man who led them to their catastrophic defeat had been Caesar's first General. At the time he went by the Malpais Legate, but he was once known as Joshua Graham, one of Caesar's oldest friends. Like all men, Caesar feared the unknown, and placed his trust in the people he knew best. Malpais Legate might have been the person best qualified to lead the assault and simply fell victim to a cunning ploy by the NCR commanders.
"So this is when Joshua wasn't burned yet." Kal'tsit took note of Joshua previous appearance in the logs.
"Oh~ He's quite handsome individual, don't you think?" Utage shoulder rub Jessica, who was seated next to her.
Jessica didn't say anything, but she stares at Joshua Graham, his eyes held that he knew what he was doing, but stayed by Caesar's side before his betrayal. Calm, confident, and perhaps ruthless underneath.
Dobermann ponders a bit if she should tried to get Joshua Graham to teach her students. His previous occupations aside, his skills, knowledge, and history could help Rhodes Island to the fullest. He could be good a benefit for this organization and helping them against their fellow enemies.
"Joshua Graham, Joshua Graham, Joshua Graham... He seems to be a very interesting character, but somehow I don't feel like he will be someone that I can relate to..." Nearl grumble as she leans back, and slouching in her chair.
"Well, we'll see. We were taught to learn from our mistakes, and Joshua Graham certainly made many of them." Utage replied in a flat tone, as she then looks at the old man, trying to figure out what kind of person he was.
"Don't get your panties in the bunch, I think we're about to see the downfall of Mr. Graham here." W shrugs her shoulders uncaring about the log.
"Or maybe Caesar was unable to see the limits in his old friend's abilities, and should have led the charge himself. Either way, Malpais Legate was punished for his failure in the worst way the Legion could find. Burned alive and thrown into the Grand Canyon. Even if Graham managed to survive, he'd be disfigured and in agony for the rest of his life."
"The next time that the Legion sets out to take that dam, they'll need a new Legate in command of their army. They'll need someone who can stir genuine fear in the hearts of the NCR troops. And they already have the perfect candidate.
"How sad, Joshua was punished by his friend from leading the troops into a trap." Suzuran mutters as she watched the bad men throwing Joshua into the Grand Canyon.
"I wonder if Joshua will ever come back? He was a good guy, and I'm sure he learned from his mistakes. If he did, he would surely be a valuable asset for us. I hope that he's safe and well, wherever he is." Amiya smiles a bit for Joshua.
"You seem to care about him a lot, Amiya." Kal'tsit asks curiously as she watches the log.
"It's just unfortunate that Joshua was caught off guard, because he really would have been a great addition to our organization. But he was dealt a terrible hand in life. He may not have always made the right decisions, but everyone makes mistakes in their youth. It's only natural."
"Everyone makes mistakes in their youth" Kal'tsit repeated to herself as she sits back in her chair, and thinking about her own mistake.
"If I were him, I would've done everything differently." W sigh and thinks about what the Legion could've done instead of being set up by the NCR. "But it takes courage to admit to yourself when you're wrong. Caesar had plenty of opportunities to correct his ways, and chose not too. That's just how he was."
"Caesar is a special case. He's as stubborn as a mule, and proud as a peacock. He's not interested in changing unless he feels threatened by something bigger than himself. Someone like Joshua Graham could have helped him see that there are some things worth fighting for more than others," Amiya answers the question as she grips onto her chair. She was staring intently at Joshua, hoping that he survived whatever happened to him after that day.
"Joshua Graham ended his career with defeat and disfigurement, but his replacement joined the Legion through the same path. Radiation, mutations, cybernetics, these can all create monsters, but the one they call The Monster of the East is just a man."
"He was not created by science, but by rage. Like all those who were assimilated into the Legion, he once went by another name, although that name is lost to history. He was the greatest warrior of the Hidebark tribe to the East. His brute strength and massive size put him on the path of the warrior at a young age and by the time he was an adult he had become the most feared man in his tribe. He was their defender, and the neighboring tribes learned to avoid the Hidebark territory."
"When the Legion first arrived, they quickly discovered that any soldiers who entered Hidebark lands would be slaughtered by a giant swordsman who left behind a trail of bodies cleaved by a massive blade. The Legion named this unseen terror "Lanius" the Latin word for butcher."
"Lanius?" Amiya couldn't help but be terrified on seeing the massive man slaughtering the legionaries with brute strength alone.
"Latin word meaning "Butcher" huh? Sounds kinda awesome, now that I think about it." W was a bit impressed on seeing the gruesome display by Lanius.
"His size and strength could be a problem to us, but thankfully we have the number advantage and technology at our disposal, should we ever encounter this "Butcher" our selves... though I pray we never have to." Kal'tsit wrote down a reminder in her notes on increasing the base with more firepower.
12F wrote down some documents and brief history about the Hidebark tribe, while he can't condone such behavior from Lanius, he can at least appreciate he wasn't born within the Legion at the very least. Though he doubts Lanius shares his opinion on the matter.
"There are very few tales of the Hidebarks that do not center around Lanius. A clan of savages whose only remarkable feat is that they survived for two hundred years after the bombs fell. As Lanius grew to manhood, the tribe in turn grew to depend on him too much. With a terrifying champion to fight their battles for them, the Hidebarks became soft and weak over time."
"Their chieftains needed neither wisdom, nor might to flourish, so long as Lanius was there to protect them."
"That is highly irresponsible, relying on a single warrior to fight battles for you isn't going to help them in the long run." Nearl added as she couldn't fathom the Hidebark chieftains, for growing lazy and become dependent for Lanius to help their battles all the time.
"From the looks of it, Lanius shares your opinion on this one, Maria." Zofia points over to Lanius face showing disgust at his tribe, "He clearly feels like he was born in a wrong tribe, or at the very least doesn't appreciate how weak and soft his tribe has gotten over the years."
"Surely, there has to be other warriors beside Lanius to help defend their tribe? It can't just be Lanius alone trying to defend his home, against Caesar's Legion." Fang asked instructor Dobermann her thoughts.
"Agreed. While Lanius' strength and skill is impressive, we shouldn't rely solely on his prowess. There must be more capable fighters in the Hidebark tribe. Dobermann replied and agreeing with her student.
"When the Legion arrived looking for new tribes to enslave, the chieftain of the Hidebarks feared that this was a threat not even Lanius could defeat, and the tribesmen chose to surrender to Caesar, rather than face death in battle."
"It was a weakling's gamble that gained them nothing. Although Caesar accepted their surrender, Lanius considered it a betrayal that the leaders of his tribe would prefer the many deaths of a coward over a single valiant moment on the battlefield. He killed them himself as the Legion watched."
"Although Lanius was capable of bringing down sixteen men single-handedly, he barely survived. His strength impressed Caesar, and he was offered a place of honor in the Legion. With his respect for his own tribe gone, he accepted on a condition that he will be allowed to exterminate the remaining warriors of the Hidebarks."
"How cruel, killing his remaining family members over a not dying in battle like warriors." Nearl shook her head in disappointment, her training and histories when she was a knight, it was better to die in battle rather than runaway like cowards.
"Margaret..." Zofia couldn't help but place a hand onto her niece's shoulder, as Maria went over to her sister and hugs her tightly.
"So this is when Lanius first joined the legion? He had to kill the remaining warriors of his tribe, in order to become Caesar's second?" Doctor mutters as he puts his chin on his right hand.
"Indeed. Lanius considers this an act of betrayal of his tribe for surrendering over dying like warriors, so he now considers his own tribe dead to him and will be their executioner." 12F frowned as it looks like another tribe has been lost into history books within the Legion's document page.
"I wonder what would happened if somehow the Legion surrender? What would he do if those dumbasses actually did?" W randomly said as this is just a What if? to her.
"Caesar would rather slit his own throat over surrendering to a backwater tribal, who he had spent decades on building rounding up slaves from different tribes, only to lose half of his army to this man?" Kal'tsit giving her cent into this pointless discussion W made.
"The history and identity of the clan has been erased by the Legion, and they are now known only as one of 86 tribes that were "United" by Caesar. A footnote in a scroll lying at the bottom of a chest in Caesar's tent. The women of the Hidebarks have been scattered throughout the Legion as slaves, and the boys are now grown into soldiers of the Legion."
"The men of the Hidebark clan? Only one remains. Lanius, The Monster of the East."
"Lanius has no love for the Legion. They employ deceit and trickery when assimilating new tribes, and Lanius is a man of very direct methods. He is loyal to Caesar himself though, and values the opportunity to prove his honor with each new tribe he conquers in Caesar's name."
"Since he joined the Legion, he has led them to victories against 19 other tribes, and the NCR would be fools to think that Lanius won't lead the charge at the next battle of Hoover Dam."
"Well then, I guess we'll have to wait until the Legion decides to attack Hoover Dam again. With Lanius leading in charge, the NCR is going to face a battle more harder and tougher than the first one." Doctor said as he knew Caesar isn't an idiot on not letting Lanius taking charge on the battle, the emperor has to be kept guarded up in his little hill of solitude while his men are just expendable soldiers, and the other legionaries can just breed slaves bringing more men into the army.
Amiya nodded her head agreeing with the Doctor. "We should increase our base should Rhodes Island find itself in the middle of the war. That'll be concerning and we'll be targeted by both NCR and the Legion."
"Yes, I agree. I'm sure Caesar will want to take our resources for himself. We need to prepare for the worst." Kal'tsit agrees with the plan.
"If we have to choose between the NCR and the Legion, I'd say it's best to stay out of it. Let both factions tear itself apart, while we pick the pieces and safe the people of Nevada in the process." W said as she was giving looks from every operators in the room.
"You're right, we don't have to get involved in this mess. If the NCR falls, then the Legion will have free reign over the state. And if the Legion wins, well... I doubt it'll be anything good for us. At the very least, we should focus on pouring more resources onto Rhodes Island." Kal'tsit nods as she agrees with W's opinion.
"And we have to keep our eyes on the Legion, especially Caesar. He may look like a buffoon, but he's a cunning bastard who knows how to play the game. He's a dangerous man, and I wouldn't put it past him to use us as pawns in his games." Amiya added as she shakes her head at Caesar's tactics.
"I see that you all are worried about Caesar. But let me tell you something: Caesar is a fool who thinks he's smarter than everyone else, but that's about where his intelligence ends. He's a man who does whatever he wants without regard for anyone else. He cares only about the power that comes from being Emperor, and he uses that power to gain more and more wealth and land. When Caesar dies, he will leave behind nothing but chaos and ruin." Kal'tsit sighs as she was already tired on hearing about the Legion's history.
"I think the Legion would still carry out "Caesar's will" fighting in Hoover Dam. As to them without Caesar guidance or wisdom, the leadership would go to Lanius since he's Caesar's second and successor, and if he's in charge of the Legion he'll continue on with the assault either way." Dobermann added as IF Caesar does die, his army will still carry out their mission on taking over Hoover Dam and New Vegas.
"As long as Caesar lives, the Legion will remain a force to be reckoned with." Fang agreed with her teacher's words.
"Should Caesar fall, then Lanius will most likely assume command of the Legion, and the NCR would be wise to avoid conflict with the Legion at all costs." Doctor added as he can't believe the Legion could survive without Caesar.
"Doctor, why do you sound bitter for a moment? You know that Caesar is just a man playing god?" Amiya asked with a worried expression in her eyes.
"No, I am not bitter. Caesar is a man who thinks he is a god, and that is what makes him a dangerous man. Should Caesar die, the legion will be thrown into disarray and chaos. No man is capable of filling Caesar's shoes. Not even Lanius. He is a man who believes he is above all others, and that is a trait that cannot be taught. It is a part of his nature."
"A man who thinks he is a god, is a man we can't trust." W said bluntly.
"Indeed. Caesar is a man who doesn't care for his men, and that is exactly why they follow him blindly. In his mind, his men are nothing more than tools for him to use. He sees them as expendable, and he treats them accordingly." Kal'tsit adds as she too agrees with W's opinion.
"In this case, Caesar's men are going to be a liability in battle." 12F added as she was nodding along with the rest of the operators.
"They will be no match for Lanius. He is a man who values his honor, and would rather die than abandon it. Even if Caesar were to die, the legion would be in turmoil and confusion. Their leadership is in flux, and they are unsure which direction they should go in." Dobermann spoke as she agrees with 12F on this one.
"Like I said Caesar isn't a god, emperor, or whatever else he think he is. If he can bleed, he can die. Simple as that." Doctor added in a cold tone, he usually wasn't like this but for Caesar, the Legion, and Lanius? He will make an exception for this one...
"Then we must be ready to defend ourselves from Caesar's men if we somehow stubble in that world. For now, we must focus on preparing Rhodes Island for war. We should start stockpiling weapons and supplies in preparation for the next coming battle." Amiya says getting every operators in the room to agree with her.
Doctor and Kal'tsit smiles at Amiya, who is starting to look more like a leader than a child, yes Amiya is still young and still has lots to learn. But she is the future of Rhodes Island, and they'll be right beside her till the very end.
"Lanius wears a suit of armor crafted by the finest blacksmiths in Caesar's army. It isn't powered by a microfusion pack like the Brotherhood's power armor. No, Lanius carried the full weight of that metal himself. No hydraulics, no gadgets, just a man fueled by a lust for battle."
"He wields The Blade of the East. A few of the Super Mutants took to tearing the bumpers off pre-war cars, and hammering them into sword blades. That's fine for a giant gray beast hopped up in Stealth Boy rad, but a man like Lanius needs a more refined weapon. The legion forged for him a massive sword with old-world craftsmanship that is every bit as devastating as modern tech - when the right hands.
"Lanius can cut an armored Ranger in half with one blow, and knock a supermutant right off its feet. Legion frumentarii even claims that he can run it straight through a Brotherhood of Steel paladin in full power armor."
The Knightly sisters (and Niece) couldn't help but sweat as it drops down from their foreheads, as they watched Lanius running towards a lone BoS paladin patrolling the area, only to turn around when Lanius thrusting his blade straight into the poor paladin's chest.
"That's how Lanius fights. Fast, brutal and deadly. He's a man who knows how to handle his sword, and he'll be able to bring the Legion to victory if we ever have to fight them." Doctor stares directly at Lanius, the man has certainly earned his name on being a Monster, alright.
"Lanius's seems to possessed powerful strength if a mere sword was able to shred a power armor from the Brotherhood." Kal'tsit gritted her teeth seeing Lanius's strength on display, she doubted Lanius could shred through their armors in his world, but she's gonna have to make a few phone calls after this log is over.
"When Lanius killed the leaders of his tribe, his face was disfigured in the fight - or at least that's what some in the Legion say. He never appears without his helmet, and his personal servants are all blind, so there's no telling what the Legion is hiding behind the mask. That, of course, is Caesar's goal - to make a new general an enigma."
"Something made all the more fearsome by the mere fact that it is unseen."
"Well, Caesar got his wish on making his new general a force not to be messed with." Blaze was a chainsaw loving girl, but even she wouldn't dare getting face to face with Lanius in person, she would soon runaway than even attempt to fight the masked enigma.
"With the Legion, we'll be facing a man who will stop at nothing to win, and he'll be backed up by a whole army of men who share that same conviction. They're not going to give up until they've won or lost. And they'll do whatever it takes to ensure they win. There are no rules for the Legion." Doctor adds as he shakes his head in disgust at Caesar's army.
"So, you're saying we should avoid any confrontation with Caesar's army?" Amiya asks Doctor.
"Yes, we should avoid conflict with Caesar's army at all cost. And if we ever find ourselves in a fight with Caesar's forces, then we should be prepared for the worst. We need to be ready for anything." Doctor nods as he agrees with Amiya's question.
"But we need to keep our eyes peeled on Caesar. He may appear weak and harmless, but he's a dangerous man who will do anything to achieve his goals." Kal'tsit adds as she shakes her head at Caesar's tactics.
"There's one thing I want to ask you all: What do we do if Caesar gets the upper hand on us?" W asked as she looked at each operator in the room. "What if he decides to take Rhodes Island for himself?
"Then Caesar will enslave every females in this very room. Yourself included, W." Doctor reply as he got a middle finger from W.
"Still... we need to prepare ourselves for the worst, should things gone south..." Amiya trails off as she tries to think of something to say.
"We'll keep our eyes open and ears sharpened, and we'll stay vigilant. Caesar is a man who likes to toy with his enemies, and that means that he'll try to lull us into complacency. If we can recognize his tricks, then we can outsmart him." Dobermann said as she looks at the operators in the room.
"If we can get Caesar to underestimate us, then we'll be able to strike back before he can react." Noir added as he nods in agreement with Dobermann's plan.
"I'd like to add something else to your plans," Gavial said as she clears her throat. "I've been thinking about this for some time now, and I believe that the best way to defeat Caesar is to attack him while he's away. His pride will prevent him from leaving his empire unprotected, and that's when we'll strike."
"You mean raid his camp?" Amiya asks as she tilts her head to the side.
"Not quite. Caesar's camp is surrounded by walls, and his soldiers are trained to defend against such attacks. Our only chance of success is to hit him where he's weakest – the heart of the Legion."
"How so?" Amiya asks as she leans forward in her seat.
"I'm talking about the Legion's headquarters on Fortification Hill. Caesar will be busy trying to retake Hoover Dam, and that will leave his army vulnerable to attack. With the Legion weakened, Caesar will be forced to send reinforcements here to shore up his defenses. We'll strike when they're most unprepared and vulnerable."
"And we'll be waiting for Caesar's army to arrive with our own forces already in place."
"Exactly. Once Caesar realizes that the Legion has been attacked, he'll be left with two choices: He can either lead his army to reinforce for Rhodes Island, or he can march on Hoover Dam. Either way, we'll be waiting for him with a surprise attack. Caesar will have no choice but to retreat from Hoover Dam, and that will allow us to take control of the dam and the surrounding areas."
"But what about the NCR? We can't just forget about them, since they would rather continue on keeping Hoover Dam." Liskarm added as she and her team were quietly for the majority all this time.
"It's true that we can't ignore the NCR, but we also shouldn't rely too much on them. We should at the very least work together with the NCR, just for a little while until then? Once Caesar and his Legion are out of the picture, BAM! That's where we turn around and double cross the NCR." said Gavial as she just come up with an amazing idea from nowhere.
"Double crossing the NCR? You sure you don't mean triple-crossing them?" Liskarm reply in confusion.
"Triple-triple-crossing them!" Franka laughed, as she was enjoying herself a lot more than anyone else in the room.
"Franka, please calm yourself." Doctor said as he pats her shoulder.
"Sorry Doc, I was just having a moment there... Anyway, I agree with Gavial, Caesar is a man who enjoys playing with his prey, and we should play right along with him. He is a man who likes to toy with his enemies, and we need to use that to our advantage. If he thinks we're afraid of him, then he'll be less likely to attack us. And if he does attack us anyway, then we'll be ready for him."
"Alright, Franka. I see what you're getting at... But we still need to make sure Caesar doesn't realize we're working with the NCR. I did recall Caesar having spies everywhere in the Mojave? How can we be absolutely sure a spy doesn't leaked this information?" Liskarm ask her partner.
"We'll have to make sure Caesar never finds out about our plans to join forces with the NCR. In order to do that, we'll need to keep the NCR's involvement quiet."
"Doc, you mentioned that Caesar might send reinforcements to Hoover Dam once he realizes that the Legion has been attacked, and that will leave the Legion vulnerable. Can we assume that Caesar will be sending troops to Hoover Dam because of its strategic importance?"
"Yes, Hoover Dam is a key part of the water distribution system in the region. It also holds raw electricity that could powered up the entire Mojave and different states. So far, the NCR is using that water and power to their land in California, leaving New Vegas with little power, while the other parts received no power at all."
"In that case, why didn't the NCR just cut off the water supply to the rest of the Mojave? Or better yet, they could have taken control of the dam itself, and turned Hoover Dam into a power plant for their country." Noir ask Doctor in confusion, as all this talking back and forth is going nowhere.
"You're wrong Noir. The NCR already taken control the Dam, well before the first battle of Hoover Dam, since the Legion lost the first time the NCR managed to get the power within the Dam working again. The NCR used the dam's resources to their advantage, and they're not about to let it go so easily."
"But they're not doing anything with the dam's power, and they haven't done anything with the dam's water since then."
"The NCR might be using some technological devices or radio signals sending powers to their state. Hoover Dam might have lots of power and water, but it also needs a strong radio wave to help boost up morale, and for the NCR to send reinforcements should things get dire." Closure butted her way into this conversation.
"A radio signal boosting morale?" Liskarm asked her fellow operator. "Like what kind of signal?"
"The NCR uses the same frequency that the Brotherhood of Steel uses for their communications. They're using it to send messages to their superiors across the Mojave."
"Why are they using a frequency that belongs to another faction?"
"They probably tweaked it as both Brotherhood and NCR were allies in the past. It might be their own frequency that won't allow the Brotherhood on hearing classified information from being leaked." Doctor explains to Liskarm.
"That's a good point, Doc. Thankfully, we're already ahead of schedule as we already have our own radios here in Rhodes Island. So we have the advantages over both NCR and Legion."
"Let's just hope it'll be enough, I have enough things to worry about should we ever come into contact with either sides." W rubs her forehead as she was tired on this bullshit talk.
"On very rare occasions, people will escape the Legion, and there are few former members who have seen Lanius in person and are willing to speak of him openly. A former Frumentari named Ulysses will talk about Lanius to those who have earned the honor of conversing with him."
"Maybe he's a little overly optimistic, but he thinks that The Monster of the East can be reasoned with. That the next battle between East and West could end with Lanius peacefully parted ways with the NCR's envoy. An unlikely scenario unless the NCR can find a very persuasive representative."
"Ulysses has got to be kidding right? Lanius? The Monster of the East? Reasoned with!?" Franka yelled as she can't believed on what bullshit she just heard. "Are you telling me that a man like Lanius is going to sit down and negotiate with a bunch of stupid ass politicians?"
"Lanius is a monster, A monster who has superhuman strength, wield a sword which can stop both Super Mutants and power armored Brotherhood in one strike, but if what Ulysses said is true... then I think the monster "can" be reason with... with certain right amount of words of course." Doctor taps the side of his masked face, trying to figure out how they can find someone with amount of words to talk Lanius down.
"I think you're underestimating Lanius. He's a man who has killed hundreds of men, and he's capable of killing thousands more if need be." Kal'tsit replies as she looks at Doctor with cold eyes.
"He is a monster, but he's a smart one. He's cunning and ruthless, and he's a man who knows exactly what he wants. And if he wanted something badly enough, then he will do anything to achieve his goals."
"So we need to find someone who can convince Lanius to abandon his plans to conquer the NCR, and we need to do it quickly before he decides to attack us instead."
"I believe we should look for someone who can appeal to Lanius' vanity. Someone who can remind him that he's still a man. We need a man who can show Lanius that he's still human, and that he's capable of making mistakes." Dobermann said as she garnered attention from everyone in the room.
"Do you have any suggestions on who we should approach?" Doctor asks Dobermann.
"I do. You." She pointed towards Doctor. "You have the charisma and the ability to persuade others to follow your orders. I've seen you in action during the war with Reunion. So I think you're our best chance on talking Lanius down."
"Me?" Doctor asks as he tilts his head to the side. "I'm not sure..."
"You have the perfect personality to be a leader and "our "commander of Rhodes Island, and I believe that you're capable on convincing Lanius to give up on his plans. After all, if anyone that can do this is you."
Doctor thought about what Dobermann had said for a long time after that. There was no doubt that he needed to be able to talk Lanius down, but there was also no denying that he wasn't sure about his abilities to do so. And if he failed to convince Lanius, then the Legion will be free to move on Hoover Dam.
"I'll do my best," Doctor says with a sigh, knowing that he's going to be put under a lot of pressure.
"Doctor? Are you sure about this?" Amiya said with worriedness in her eyes, she can't risk sending Doctor to his death should he failed convincing Lanius to step down.
"If we fail to stop Lanius from attacking Hoover Dam, then we will all die. This is a matter of survival for us, Amiya."
"All right, Doc. Do whatever you feel necessary."
"Thank you, but for now let's just finish up with the rest of the logs."
"Ulysses also met Joshua Graham. Against all odds, Graham was resilient enough to survive being set on fire and thrown into the Grand Canyon. After crawling out of the canyon, he traveled East to Utah and lived among the people of his homeland, New Canaan. They were a people of faith - still worshipped one of the Old World gods from before the war, and their ancestors kept that faith alive."
"Among the New Canaanites he began the process of atoning for the atrocities he committed as Malpais Legate. They helped Graham recover from his injuries, and his sins were absolved in their eyes, although he would forever bear his burn scars."
"He might have been content to stay there for the rest of his life, living in peace but rumors of "The Burned Man" reached back to Caesar, and couldn't rest knowing that a potentially dangerous enemy was still kicking."
"He survived." Nearl couldn't help but teared up a bit on seeing Joshua Graham still alive despite his burns. "And by surviving he gained new purpose. With nothing left for him in the Mojave, he decided to return eastward. Back to his home, a place where despite what he has done still accepted him like nothing happened."
"I can't believe he survived that fall... That looked like a big drop." Noir couldn't help but almost raise his mask up, seeing Graham surviving the fall surely made him a badass in his book.
"These New Canaanites? They worshipped gods in their worlds too?" Specter spoke for the first half hour. She was curious and wonders the difference between theirs and the one she worships.
"I'm glad to hear his people welcomed him with open arms instead on sending him away. It took a long time but eventually Joshua paid for his sins on earning forgiveness." Amiya smiles and was glad that Joshua's heart was cleansed from evil.
"Yes, but what about Caesar though? He heard rumors about "The Burned Man" and knew there can only be one person with the exact description. Joshua Graham." Dobermann coldly stated. "How does Caesar react when he learns that Joshua is still alive?"
"The New Canaanites were soon wiped out by a bands of tribals called the White Legs. Ulysses had a hand in that, back when he was still working for the Legion. Neither man seems to hold a grudge over the incident, although it's probably best to keep clear if they ever meet again."
"The White Legs had been sent by the Legion to kill Graham, but that man has a fire burning inside him that just won't go out. Again he survived, and The Burned Man now lives among the tribals in Zion Canyon. There tries to use his knowledge of war to bring peace among the tribes, a well-intended effort, but a reminder of his old life as a ruthless killer."
"I forgot Ulysses had a hand on the White Legs, since he's the reason Graham lost his people." Nearl sighed but despite the circumstances, it would seem both men doesn't held grudge against one another. Although it would be best should the two ever step foot in the same room.
"Zion huh? I wonder what's going on in that area away from the Mojave?" W asked in a bored tone in her voice.
"Well in any case, At least we know the full story on what happened between the White Legs and their reasoning attacking New Canaan. All because of their one target, Joshua Graham." 12F documented as he closed the final chapter he dubbed as "The Siege of New Canaan"
"The Monster of the East and The Burned Man are alike in many ways. Myths that outshine the men beneath their masks. Both are forever scarred by their association with Caesar. Yet Graham has learned to wear his scars with humility, a constant reminder of the monster that he was."
"While Lanius is unable to see the monster that he has become. Until he does, he will remain a valuable tool for Caesar and a force of destruction in the wasteland. The Legion was built by men of ambition, but their origins were that of humility and service."
"It's hard to believe the Legion's founders had their start in an organization that works tirelessly to preserve the light and knowledge in a world that is savaged by nature.
"But that - is a story for another day..."
"Well... that was quite the long one, it seems like we're going to be learning about their world's religion next." Doctor removes the log and replace it with the next one.
"Oh! I would very much going to enjoy this one." Specter is going to enjoy learning more of earth's religion and who the people over there worships.
"Oh boy... I'm not looking forward for this one." W sighs before leaning back in her seat again.
XXX
Hey, so first off I'm sorry that I haven't gone around posting much content for Arknights react to Storyteller for a while. Couple weeks ago I got my first job and I was more focusing on that, since I needed to make money, learned to be more adultlike, and how life works... the usual stuff.
So if you haven't seen it yet, I posted a new story called Arknight: 2033. It's a crossover series between both Metro and Arknights, by Metro I don't mean Metroid, they are completely different brands and don't be confused by either of them. So go check it out if you can pass the time.
So I'll be honest... I haven't played Arknights in a while since my lore within the game has dwindle down. I mostly rely on the wiki for things, too many characters, lores, and timelines whatever. But I'll eventually get back into it... eventually.
Well, that's all I have to say for now. I'm terrible sorry for the long way, and I know this is a long time coming. Thank you all for your patience and I'll see you guys later.