[u][b]Legion War Camp: 30 Miles from the Colorado River, Legio I Arizona, Legio X Colorado, Legio IV Zion - Morning[/b][/u] Amid a peaceful valley in Arizona, war-drums filled the air emanating from a Legion war-camp at the center of the valley. Heavily guarded makeshift fortifications, the sounds of thousands of training men, and rows upon rows of hide tents was testament to the gathering strength of Caesar's Legion, with three full legions marshaled already at this single camp: some 15,000 soldiers. And many more camps to be found spread out among the lands that Caesar held. At the center of this camp stood a large tent, adorned with hides, red bull banners, shields, and various accouterments of war. It was, in some respects, a deceivingly simple structure, especially when compared to those whom it gave shelter to. Inside the awning a small gathering of Legion commanders gathered around a simple wooden table on which was laid a great map of the American southwest and surrounding territories. The men huddled about the table, listening to a man wearing a a hood made from the skin of a coyote. Around them, the backdrop of the camp was filled with various treasures, armors, weapons, animals furs and skins, and other items that had been forcibly taken or presented as tribute during Caesar's conquests. Some of it was symbolic: a jar of salt from the salt flats of northern Utah, the hide of a chieftain's dog taken from Denver, a great vase containing water from the Rio-grande...symbols of triumph and the extent of Caesar's domain. The soldiers huddled around the table however paid no mind to the splendors around them. Instead, they listened intently to the words of Caesar's chief Frumentarii as he gave his report. One which could alter the course of their history. One man, in particular wearing nothing but simple crimson garb of an off-duty Legionary, listened with an intensity and interest that was all-too common of him when dealing with matters of such gravitas, "You are sure of this report Vulpes?" The man asked. "There can be no doubt mighty Caesar," Vulpes's fingers drew imaginary lines on the worn map, down the length of California, "My frumentarii have reported that the NCR is mobilizing, and its impossible to completely conceal the movement of a nation of a million profligates. Troops are marshaling and supplies are being shipped daily to the east on a scale that can only mean an attack is imminent. I believe they intend to invade Legion territory within the next few days." Silence followed from the gathered men for several seconds, before Lucius, Caesar of The Legion, gave his commands, "Very well then. All of you know the plan. We have drilled it for years now in preparation for this very day. I have no doubt each and every one of you will give your utmost in service to The Legion and father Mars." "Sir," one of the commanders reported, "I've already dispatched messengers to the east." "Good. And send word immediately to Legatus Aurelius. Tell him to bring the third, eighth, and thirteenth legions west with all possible speed. With the combined might of the Legatus's armies, we will crush The NCR and send their army scattering to the desert sands. Legio invicta!" At these words, the assembled officers stood up and at attention before their Caesar, and clasped a fist to their breasts. "Legio invicta!" They shouted in reply. "Dismissed." Caesar said finally, and the officers began filing out of the tent and dispersing about the camp. Vulpes, however, remained. "I am not the one to question the mighty Caesar Lucius," Vulpes began, in his usual soft and almost sing-song tone, "But if war is your intention. Then why humor the profligates? Why attend this meeting at all?" "Come now Vulpes, getting cold feet are we?" Lucius laughed, and gave the frumentarii a slap on the back. "Hmm. You misunderstand me. I have no reservations with traveling into the profligates lands. I've done it many times and this..Vegas, well, I know it all too well. I only wish to know why you'd choose to even entertain the notion of discussion..." "Because I don't intend to make the mistakes of Edward," Lucius replied sternly, "The Legion is not just the army of one man, it is a nation on the world stage. And so we must treat it as so." As Lucius finished his sentence, he saw the tent flap open and a figure slip inside. A brown haired woman in a white and gold dress in the Legion style entered and gave him a smile. Lucius's eyes lit up. "That's a very grand notion," Vulpes had started to say, forming his response to Lucius's statement, "But consider that...." "Ssh sh," Lucius said mockingly to his old friend, "Later you may nag me Vulpes. Leave me be for the moment. Make yourself ready to travel." Vulpes then noticed the woman standing at the front of the tent, sighed, and then saluted his Caesar before leaving the tent. Once alone, Lucius took the woman in his arms and stroked her hair lovingly as they stood in an embrace, "Do you have to go?" Hannah asked, in a pleading tone, "Vegas seems so far away and..." "Yes," Lucius interrupted, "I must," He tilted up Hannah's head and kissed her before continuing, "But I will return to you as quickly as I can. I promise you that." "Unharmed?" "Unharmed?" Lucius laughed, "My love I will have Vulpes with me. The man can sniff trouble from a league away, much to my annoyance sometimes. I am in no safer hands." Hannah nodded anxiously and then placed something in her husbands hands. A small leather bound book, "I know you will not read it," she said softly, but please....carry it with you all the same." Lucius grinned as he took his wife's own copy of scripture, and the kissed her on the forehead, "I will." ---------------------------- Exiting his tent, bedecked in his armor and helmet and followed out by Hannah, Lucius made his way towards a group of well armed Praetorians mounted atop fine New Mexican steeds with Vulpes at their head. He swiftly mounted his horse and took the reigns, giving one last look towards his beloved, "Keep watch for me until I return," He said and turned his steed around and began riding out of the camp at a gallop followed closely by his retinue of bodyguards. The hoofs of the horses kicked up a cloud of dust as they went and Hannah followed the shrinking cloud until she couldn't see it anymore against the horizon. ---------------------------- [u][b]Sometime later- New Vegas [/b][/u] Caesar's entrance into New Vegas caused quite a stir as he rode down the streets of Freeside with his horses and men, and all the panoply of The Legion. Before the gates of the strip, they dismounted and some of the Praetorians were left to guard the horses while Lucius, Vulpes, and the others entered into the strip and towards the location that they'd been invited to: a place called 'The Ultra Luxe'. Lucius had to admit, that the building was splendid, and the tales of Vegas's famed wealth had not exaggerated the opulence on display here. Certainly, he could at least understand why Edward Sallow had expended so much effort trying to conquer it. The Legion group made their way inside The Ultra Luxe and left their weapons with the door keeper, before entering The Gourmand and taking their seats. By Lucius's own orders, no announcement was made, and no big fanfare given to his arrival. Lucius simply sat, declined the offer of a glass of wine offered to him by one of the servers, and asked for water instead. Vuples meanwhile, declined all food and drink, and simply brooded next to his Caesar. Watching the rest of the delegates intently as they began to arrive....