[u][b]Highway 3 Bridge[/b][/u]

"That's incredible," Robert said, with a mixture of awe and surprise, "I'm glad to see the Midwestern Chapter has fared far better than we did. Whatever our differences, at least we might both be considered Brothers-in-arms, and its good to know that at least one chapter has found success."

"I appreciate that", Harkness replied, "Many Brothers and Sisters, especially in the West, don't understand that the world has changed since the days of Maxon, we can't go on like we had before. We have to either adapt or die. We chose to adapt, something many have not forgiven us for. The Western Elders ignored the suffering of the Wastelanders around them until it was too late, the result of their error was to be driven from the Order's very birthplace into exile in Oregon by the NCR. We haven't had contact with your Order for some time, but I understand Elder Lyons came to a similar conclusion as we did....it's a pity that his successor, Maxon, didn't seem to agree. I'm sure our leaders will be interested to hear...a moment please.", Harkness was interrupted by a incoming message.

"Yes, my Lord, the charges are set", Harkness said, clearly communicating with someone over the radio, "We were only waiting for Brother Murphy to deliver Brother Kyle and the others. I understand...we will be ready for them."

"We need to move", Harkness said to Kyle as he picked up the pace, "The enemy has figured out what we are up to, and there is a strong force heading here to try to stop us."   

As the pair jogged towards the end of the bridge, Harkness began issuing orders for the battle to come. Once they reached the other end of the bridge, Harkness did a roll call to ensure that all squads were present, and then gave the order to hold fire, except for Delta, spread out in a skirmish line, until the supports were blown. They then took up their positions and waited...but not for long. Soon, a sizeable force of Raiders, at their head a scrawny, robed, old woman, pushed down the road and onto the bridge. Delta squad began to fire, picking off Raiders with each volley, but that seemed to only spur them to advance faster. Harkness watched, waiting grimly for the center of the column to move into the kill zone. Once the Raiders were committed irrevocably, Harkness raised the detonator and thumbed the safety off. 

"Fire in the hole!", Harkness called out, then pushed the fire button.  The charges below the bridge detonated and the entire structure began to collapse into the river in spectacular fashion. eliminating the bulk of the enemy force at a stroke. The Raiders behind her cowered at the blast, but the crazy old woman kept moving forward, babbling crazy talk. 

"Weapons free", Harkness called out on his radio, "Light 'em up, but try not to waste that old crone!"

Now, Harkness's entire force opened fire upon the trapped and decimated enemy, who began dropping like flies in the crossfire. 

"BE AWARE, SLAVES OF STEEL!" the old woman screeched as she strode forward, heedless of the carnage around her, "SERFS OF A BRAIN IN A JAR! FOR WE CAN KNOW NO FEAR! IT WHAT SLUMBERS UNDER DUNWHICH WILL AWAKE! AND IT SHALL FIND A REALM UNITED IN ITS WORSHIP! I HAVE SPOKEN THE NAME THAT BURNS!"

A laser beam stabbed into her shoulder, causing her to fall, but then she staggered to her feet and began to move forward again. 

Now only a couple yards from Harkness and his command squad, she looked at them and pointed. glaring at the group. "THERE IS NO SALVATION FOR ANY OF YOU! UG-QUALTOTH WILL FEAST ON YOUR SOUL, AND CHEW ON YOUR SPIRIT..." It was then, that suddenly fear appeared on her withered face, and she stopped to scream. "S..souless Abomination..w..what is that thing...." 

Stumbling backwards, she began to crawl away. Harkness looked to where she had been looking, finding it was at the very spout where Brother Kyle, who looked a bit astonished himself, stood, his laser rifle at the ready. Harkness turned his attention back to the woman and spat out an order, two solders sprung forward, one grabbing her arms so she could not detonate any suicide charge, the other roughly frisking her. 

"No bomb, sir", the second solder said, then none too gently picked up the struggling woman, and carried her to the rear, still shrieking nonsense about her "god" and "souless ones".

"Search her more closely, and put a gag on her", Harkness instructed, "I don't want to listen to her bullshit all the way back to base." The fighting on this side of the river now over, he called another roll call. the squad leaders reported all troops accounted for, and one casualty, a soldier in Delta squad had been hit by a armor piercing rocket. His suit had saved him, but he was badly hurt and needed CASEVAC, which Harkness called in for. After receiving their reply, Harkness went back to the unit channel. 

"Form a skirmish line along the riverbank and prepare to provide suppressive fire...", Harkness said, ".....the surprise package is en route...ETA 10 minutes."  

"Surprise package?" Robert replied with unease as he gripped the laser rifle he'd be given tightly, "What sort of surprise are we talking about here?"

"Some new playmates for these people the Scribes came up with", Harkness said, "Basically, small robots optimized for underwater deployment. They want to see how well they can keep them from trying to repair the bridge or cross by boat....as well as how they adapt to their deployment. Harassment, at this stage of the development cycle....they'll help to remind the enemy that we're coming back one day and making them think about whether they really want to be here when we do."