[u][b]Offut AFB 0715 (6:15 PDT)[/b][/u]

"Three hours ago", the briefing officer said, "One of our cargo planes, returning from a mission to deliver cargo to a contractor in Brownsville, Texas, picked up NCR tactical radio comm traffic in Northern Mexico. This is an alarming development to say the least. It could mean that the NCR is trying to flank the Legion forces and either attack them from behind...or perhaps an attack on the Legion capital in Santa Fe. Needless to say, that will put the NCR into direct confrontation with us." 

Paladin Harris, and his Wingman Paladin Torres both nodded grimly. They were well aware that the elite Brimstone Guards Brigade had been deployed to Santa Fe...for this very contingency.

"The source of the signals is somewhere in Chihuahua, Mexico.", the officer continued. "We've got a tanker en route to Albuquerque, you will rendezvous there to refuel then proceed south into Mexico. Your mission will be to conduct aerial reconnaissance of the target area, then return to report. Intelligence believes that any NCR force will be traveling along either Federal Highway 2 or 10, so start there."

"Sir", asked Paladin Harris, "What are the rules of engagement?"

"Do not engage NCR forces unless fired upon", the officer replied. "With that said, we want them left with no doubt in thier minds that we know they are there...so feel free to be creative." He then added, "Just be careful...your Hellions are the only two we have."   

[u][b]West of El Paso, TX - 7:30 MDT (two hours later)[/b][/u]

The Hellions headed south into Mexico, picking up the old Mexican highway Federal Route 2, and following it about 5000 feet up. Cruising along, they overflew the highway, which was deserted except for a small caravan. After about 10 minutes, they began to approach the ruins of Ascensión, which had been one of the larger towns in the area Pre-War. Beyond it, approaching the town, was a large column moving East down the Highway towards the town. 

"That's gotta be it", Harris said triumphantly to Torres over the com, "Look at the size of that column....there is several thousand men at least!" He then added...I'm making my run.....watch my back." Harris descended to about 500 feet then started the cameras in the recon pod along the center-line of his aircraft and kicked in the afterburner and made his run, speeding over the column just over the speed of sound. Once clear, he banked right then made a second run, this time parallel to the NCR column. As he sped by, he could see the column was thrown into disarray. The then made a run down the other side, once again parallel to the column. He then waggled his wings at the astonished NCR troopers, shut off his camera pod, and proceeded to follow the road again, down the direction the NCR force had come. 

"Well, that certainly got their attention", Torres said with a laugh, "You should have seen them scatter when you flew over them...too funny!"

"That'll make the highlight reel", Harris said with a chuckle, "We'll see if that's all of them then it's back home. Command will want to know about this."