[color=ed1c24][u][b]Legate Aurelius - Brotherhood Command Operations Center[/b][/u][/color]


Alongside the Paladin-General, Legate Aurelius of Phoenix watched the feed from the Brotherhood’s device as it soared high above the scene of carnage below. It was destruction and death untold, Mars above..it was nothing less than total devastation: a type not seen since the likes of the Great Fire that had scourged the earth at the command of the God of War. Aurelius was torn between feelings of satisfaction at seeing his enemies so thoroughly burned and purified, and dread at understanding how woefully unprepared The Legion would be if such an action would ever be turned against them. He could tell Paladin-Wilson was facing the same sort of conundrum, understanding that the Western Brotherhood fought with them only at the behest of a likely desire to see their own ambitions realized. What happened when and if the Cult was defeated, and the shield of civilization cast aside by all...would those that held it instead take up new quarrels and disagreements between them? That distinct possibility weighed heavily on both their minds. 

Here and now however, Aurelius would no longer question Lucius’s desire to see The Legion embrace the world beyond instead of shunning it. Here was ample proof that to ignore the world was to invite ruination. The Legion would have to embrace the new if it wished to survive, and The Brotherhood might just be willing and able to help them along that path. Aurelius was now determined more than ever to secure that alliance’s future, and in turn, The Legion’s.  

"Legate", Wilson said, "You had recommended earlier that we resume the march on Columbus without waiting for the Western Order's ground troops to arrive. In light of the effects the Scourge of Columbus is having on the enemy, I believe this to be the best course of action. I propose we resume the advance Eastward immediately."

Aurelius nodded, “To that end I’ve already sent Legion Explorers ahead to scout the way alongside a vanguard of Recruits to clear a path for the army’s swift advance. They’ll scout out lines of advance and any chokepoints, garrison forward positions, and engage enemy forces only when practical.”

"Also", Wilson added, "We can fly additional troops into Dayton to reinforce the troops from the Southern column who have moved up there from Cincinnati." 

“Very good. I will elect to provide a cohort of Legionaries to be deployed alongside Brotherhood troops should you wish it. However, understandably I will focus efforts on my legions’ drive to the east in force.” 

[color=00aeef][u][b]Lancer-Sergeant Robert Kyle[/b][/u][/color]

Robert breathed a sigh of relief as the vertibird maneuvered into formation over the airfield. He’d never before had to perform a rocket-assisted takeoff. He’d almost requested that he’d be replaced as a pilot in this operation, in lieu of perhaps a more experienced Midwestern counterpart.  That was until Lancer-Paladin Morgan had reassured him and moreover placed such unwavering faith in his abilities that Robert’s confidence had been renewed. He was glad it had worked out that way, he wanted to show that his former Order did not train poor verti-pilots, or cowards for that matter. And that he could be as adaptable as any of his Brothers and Sister in the Midwestern ranks. He wanted to carry Maxson’s banner high and proud, if only in spirit. Morgan had helped him achieve that, and he’d be eternally grateful for the Squadron Commander’s trust. 

Robert looked out across the open sky as the vertibirds turned Northeast to follow their flight-path to Detroit. The danger ahead weighed on his mind, and the thought of what was to come...well...it unnerved him. He didn’t want to think how many of the men and women that made up this operation would die. Of course he understood that he could very well be among them. But if that was the case then so be it. At least he’d go down in service of something greater than himself. He’d outlived too many of his Brothers and Sisters already. 

As he exhaled a heavy sigh, Robert felt a gnawing sensation come crawling in from the back of his mind. Something wasn’t right. 

A scene flashed across his memory. A man in a white coat...and himself hooked up to some horrifying chair, implants or needles embedded into his spinal column. 

Robert shook his head, trying to get the terrifying image out of his thoughts. 

“Are you alright?” His co-pilot looked at him, mildly concerned. 

“Nothing. Just about sneezed,” Robert chuckled. The co-pilot laughed. The thought….memory...whatever it had been. Faded as quickly as it had come. Robert soon couldn’t even recall what exactly he’d seen, but the feeling of unease did not disappear so easily. 

[color=ed1c24][u]Santa Fe - Capital of The Legion[/u][/color]

Lucius sat at his desk inside his palace pouring over the reports that had come flooding in, both from Legate Aurelius in the east, and the situation in Utah. The Khan Empire, much to his frustration, seemed unable to stem the tide of raiders that now roamed unchecked and unchallenged up and down the old pre-war highways. Salt Lake City had been sacked and tribal raiders seemed to be moving south, perhaps intent on crossing into Legion territory. He’d already dispatched the Tenth Legion to reinforce the Third Legion stationed in the Utah province, but his hope was the Gaius Tranquillus could hold New Ravenna long enough for them to arrive in force. Gaius was a cunning leader, and an experienced commander. Typical of the Legion, his appointment as Military Governor had been earned through meritorious service, not political dealing. Whatever his faith in the abilities of the Governor however, the rapid deterioration of The Khanate’s control over its own territory meant only one thing: The Great Khan had greatly inflated his strength and obfuscated the fractured nature of his state, even more than he’d previously thought. 

Lucius had no illusions that the Khans were ever as strong or united as they’d claimed to be, or that they’d be able to stop the tide of a Western Brotherhood or even NCR advance. But he’d counted on the Khanate as at least a reliable buffer state to the North. One that, while they’d been at odds in the past, he’d worked carefully and prudently to rebuild relations with since he’d been elevated to the crimson. The Khan’s failure to safeguard one of the richest and most populous cities under his control was an utter disgrace that now severed that last shred of hope Lucius had in counting on a strong allied state to his north. The fact that Lucius had even defended the Khan at the Santa Fe convention only served to infuriate him more. Lucius now looked the fool for having placed faith in an erstwhile ally turned collapsing nation-state. He knew he had taken a gamble with the Khanate and perhaps been overly optimistic about their chances to regain control, but it had been one he had been willing to risk if it meant ensuring future stability. A strong and friendly Khanate would have been immensely beneficial to him. 

Still perhaps this turn of events could be salvaged in some way. Khan controlled Northern Utah had close ties with the Legion, and the New Canaanite presence in parts of it meant that they could count on at least some form of influence in dictating its future. He had not married Hannah because she was a New Canaanite or because she might provide political leverage with them, he’d married her because he’d fallen in love: something that had once been so foreign to him under Sallow. Yet he could not help but feel some measure of satisfaction in knowing that her presence meant a great deal to the New Canaanite people, and so long as she remained his wife and the mother of his children: the New Canaanite would prove a useful friend to his Legion. Aside from that, while the Khanate might have questionable political stability, none could deny that the warriors of the Great Khan were fearsome and skilled in equal measure. For some time now they’d served as auxiliaries in his legions in various campaigns, including the recent war with the NCR. They’d proved their worth time and time again on the battlefield. Perhaps the offer of steady pay, slaves, and lands of their own within Legion territory might tempt these foreign auxiliaries into loyal Legion vassals, from which he could draw a strong core of future legionaries from. If the Khanate collapsed fully, there would be no shortage of such wayward warriors in search of a banner to fight under.   

He furrowed his brow then at the next thought that popped into his mind. One which he knew would make things complicated,
 
[i]Gladstone. [/i]

Lucius sat back in his chair in contemplative thought. There was little doubt The Western Brotherhood leader had the same designs on Khanate territory, he’d made that abundantly clear at the Convention: even advocating for outright war to capture as much of the Khan’s territory as he could. He’d have to move carefully if he wished to intercept his supposed ally and prevent everything simply falling into Gladstone’s hands. Part of him hoped he could trust Gladstone as he trusted Barnaky, and worry little if the Khans did fall under Western Brotherhood sway. But the other part of him suspected that Gladstone had ambitions and plans that far outstripped his current means. He’d seen that sort of look many times before: in the eyes of Edward Sallow. 

Lucius sighed, at the very least things in the east appeared to be progressing well. Aurelius had sent back news of Indianapolis’ swift capture, and the intent for the Brotherhood and Legion combined force to continue its push east. Aurelius was a rare commander: someone who, if given half the men and forces thought needed to take an objective, would do so without question and without hesitation. He, simply put, found a way to do what needed to be done, even when others might stamp their feet and think it impossible.

So he had given The Legate double the men he himself had thought required. With the eastern flank secured by his Midwestern Allies, the eastern legions were at Aurelius’s disposal. Lucius had utmost faith in his greatest general, and furthermore with the famed Vulpes Inculta at his side: so much was possible. Lucius knew too well however that the enemy they faced would not go down quietly: the end of the Cult would be a horrendous, blasphemous shriek of a death cry. 

Caesar Lucius stood up and walked over to the window, observing the modest palace gardens below him, gardens that were tended dutifully by his wife and her handmaidens as a sort of hobby. The flowers there were lovely, perhaps not as grand as might be found in Vegas or even the NCR, but they contained a sort of wild beauty that was harnessed into something equal parts exotic and comforting. His Legion had come far indeed, farther than even Sallow had planned. Yet there was still much to do. As his wife tended the gardens below, he too had been tending the Legion, carefully growing its influence and power, and ensuring it would have deep roots to weather any coming storm. Sallow had laid its foundations, but neglected the structure above, caring not for what happened if he died and caused it all to come crumbling down. Lucius would build a Legion to last the ages. Joining the fight to defeat the Cult was one of many such ways he’d planned to make that happen.  

The other was closer and more dear to him. He caught sight of Hannah, his wife, walking amongst the gardens as he knew she loved to do this time of day. She was beginning to show clear signs of her pregnancy, and she’d taken to wearing looser, more comfortable clothing as her belly began to grow. Soon the announcement would be made, and all would know that she was pregnant with his heir. The doctor, her personal physician and a New Canaanite besides, had assured them that she carried a boy. Lucius had been relieved at that. If he'd had only girls, he'd had fought for them to rule in his place, but he knew such a radical change for The Legion would be difficult indeed. A boy made things much simpler. Provided the child survived, he would have an heir to his Empire. A clear line of succession: the start of a dynasty. 

Lucius smiled. A strong future for his family, and his people.