Prizrak

War Never Changes

Rough Riders, Frontier Corp, Eliza Weaver - Gomorrah, New Vegas, Nevada

Eliza could see a hint of jealousy in Shelby’s eyes. Her first thoughts were to say something to her but now wasn't the time. Eliza had thought about the idea a few times but there wasn't anything between the two of them, and reassuring Shelby of that fact right now would make a scene in front of everyone. So Eliza diverted everyone's attention to their original purpose for being in New Vegas.

She pulled two chairs over to where Aponi and the soldier where sitting. Eliza sat down straddling the back of the chair while she rested her arms over the backrest. The other chair must've been for Shelby but she wasn't sure, she glanced at the soldier by the door expecting him to sit down but he waved her off assuring Shelby that it was intended for her.

Shelby sat down alongside Eliza and crossed her legs so as not to expose herself seeing as how she was still wearing a towel. With everyone seeming to be paying attention Eliza started with the introductions.

“Our initial plans have not changed. We are still here to offer our protective services for Ms. Jackson and her entourage. That will include accompanying them back to Michigan once the company conference is over.”

Eliza took a moment to catch her breath before she continued. Out of the corner of her eye she could still see Shelby giving her that look. Eliza wanted to shrug her shoulders and say something to her but she continued with her briefing.

“We will not be asking Empress Calypso or Ms. Jackson for any payment for this operation. This is a gesture of good faith on our part. We see the Jaded Empire as a great opportunity for us, and hope to plant the seeds of a long lasting relationship with them. Now I want to put this deal on the table now that way we're all on the same page. After this mission is completed we are willing to serve as the personal guard for the Empress and her key staff if you so desire.”

Eliza looked over at Shelby as if those last few words were directed specifically at her. “We'll of course be expecting payment from that point on ward but I'm sure we'll prove ourselves more than worth it in the coming days. Now does anyone have any questions?” Eliza shifted her weight around on the chair, she made the mistake of spreading her legs too wide and now her hips were starting to flare up.

“Yes Ma’am. How can we expect to be utilized during this operation.” It was the man by the door he had turned his attention away from the doorway and instead was focusing on the meeting.

“We're going to be stretched pretty thin for the time being. With team two still in the field we can't provide the security that I would like to right now. So that means we're going to need to focus ourselves on Ms. Jackson and Aponi” Eliza leaned forward ever so slightly towards the young woman trying to hide herself away on the couch. She had a curious expression on her face as if she was trying to make her feel more comfortable. “That is your name isn't it?”

Aponi just looked up ever so slightly and gently nodded her head in agreeance.

“Alright so the three of us are staying here for the time being. With the incident at the Tops I think it's safe to say that Ms. Jackson is the most likely to be targeted at this point. While I would like to attach someone to the Empress I'm going to hedge my bets and say that if anything was going to happen to her it's going to be on the way back to Michigan.” Eliza got up from her chair, pushing it away as she stood up. “If you'll excuse me. I have something to tend to.” No one said anything. They just looked at her with curious eyes, Shelby especially.

Eliza made her way into Shelby's master bathroom off of her bedroom. You could tell that she was in pain from how she was walking but no one wanted to follow her. Especially not her soldiers, they didn't cross that line with Eliza. They made sure to stay out of her business as much as possible.

Standing in the doorway into the bathroom Eliza braced herself against the doorframe with her arm as she unfastened her pants. She then shuffled over to the toilet and dropped them down around her ankles before she sat down. Her breathing was heavy, and as she hung her head over the floor sweat dripped from her brow onto the tile between her legs. Her whole body felt like it was on fire from the inside but she couldn't get any relief. She braced her hand against the wall as she was panting trying anything to recover from this excruciating pain. It was at this point that Shelby entered the bedroom and from where Eliza was at she could see her. She had left the bathroom door wide open, she partially didn't care but she honestly didn't think about it when Shelby came in.

Shelby spotted her as well and for a moment was caught off guard. “Are you okay?”

Eliza's face started to blush from the embarrassment but she was convinced that the pain had a part to play as well. “Fuck, Shelby.” In her voice you could hear her frustration and suffering. “I didn't want this to happen while you were around.”

Shelby came over to Eliza and sat down on the edge of the bathtub. She was a lot more relaxed now than she was before, and she didn't bother to cross her legs. “What's wrong? Don't worry I locked the door when I came in. So no one else is going to barge in on us.”

Eliza just shook her head as she winced from the pain. “I'll be alright this is just something I go through. Give me a few minutes and it'll be like this never happened.”

“Well is there anything I can do for you?” Shelby got up and clasped her hand on Eliza's. They were clammy and covered in sweat.

Eliza looked at Shelby with pain and sorrow in her eyes. “I'll be alright but I just want you to know now what you're getting into. This is just the beginning, everything gets worse for me from here.”

“Ma’am are you alright?” There was a faint knock at the bedroom door followed by the lowered voice of a woman.

“Tell her I'm alright, please.” Shelby was hearing a tone in Eliza's voice she didn't expect, fear. She did as she asked though and went over to the door. When she unlocked it and opened it she found the young woman Eliza was helping earlier standing outside, still favoring her one leg.

Before Shelby could say anything the woman beat her to the punch. “She's in the bathroom isn't she?” She kept a hushed tone so Eliza couldn't hear her.

“Is this common with her? She looks pretty bad.” Shelby kept the same hushed tone as the woman as she wasn't going to miss the opportunity to get any information on Eliza that she could.

“Ya this is an everyday thing with her. There's nothing anyone can do to make it better. It's just another part of the list of shit she has to deal with.” The soldier caught herself and quickly back peddled. “I’m sorry that wasn't my place. If you want answers you'll have to ask her for them. Just let her know that if she wants to shut things down for now we can take it from here.” She wasn't waiting for Shelby to come at her with another line of questions, she walked away from the door and headed back over towards the couch. Shelby closed and locked the bedroom door again and turned her attention back towards Eliza. Now she was standing up from the toilet. Her pants completely off along with her boots, she was holding herself up using the wall with her shirt just covering her underwear. “Can you help me get to the bed? I don't think I can make it.” Shelby wrapped her arms around Eliza and helped her walk to the bed. She could feel that Eliza was much weaker now than she was before and when she got her to the bed she collapsed onto the sheets.

Eliza was in nothing but her panties and a tank top but she was still sweating as she writhed with pain. All she wanted to do at this point was sleep, but the pain made sleeping almost impossible. In an effort to comfort her Shelby laid down with Eliza and held her tightly in her arms. She honestly didn't know what to do but I seemed to help.

Eliza while still in pain had calmed down and started to relax. After a few minutes of Shelby consoling Eliza to the best of her ability she eventually passed out. Shelby took this time to compose herself but when she got out of bed she noticed that Eliza was laying in a small puddle of blood and urine that had trickled down her leg and stained the sheets. Shelby felt a brief rush of panic but the blood had dried and considering how much pain Eliza was in when she was awake Shelby didn't want to disturb her.

A few hours later……


Even while she slept Eliza suffered. Her head was filled with vivid screams of a child and an image of herself holding an infant. Flashes of her playing with a little boy and of that son growing up were intermixed with this horrid symphony of screams. They were not just from a child but from Eliza as well. Flashbacks of her time enslaved and suffering. Her screams of agony as she was slumped against a metal beam, chains holding her hands in place while she was forced to suffer with broken bones.

It all served to be too much and Eliza woke up from the terror into another one. Her body and mind were in a state of panic, her heart was racing as sweat ran down her face and dripped onto her chest. For a moment she caught herself looking for a baby but she stopped once she seen the stain in the sheets. Embarrassed and scared she ran from the bedroom and slumped against the wall in the bathroom. Her sweat mixed with tears as she realized just how weak she was.

War Never Changes

Rough Riders, Frontier Corp - Gomorrah, New Vegas, Nevada

Eliza was quick to enter the main room knowing that if her team seen her exiting Shelby’s bedroom they would grow suspicious of her actions. She looked more composed than before with her dress shirt tucked in and her sleeves rolled up. Her suspenders were now actually holding her pants up and her tie was repositioned to its proper place. Although her blazer was still laying in Shelby’s bedroom.

When her team spotted Eliza their attention snapped towards their commander. “Mam is everything alright?” The man spoke with genuine concern in his voice. His comrade a young woman a little older than Shelby didn’t speak but her facial expression showed that she was just as concerned if not more so.

“Why is there only two of you?” Eliza voice snapped through the air like a bolt of lightning. Her two soldiers were caught off guard and jumped a little. Although the man shot back with precision. Knowing all too well how to deal with Eliza without stepping out of line.

“Mam our second team touched down just before we got here. So I made the decision to send someone to make contact with them. We’ve already gotten authorized entry so I determined that it would be easier for the other team to enter with one of us.”

“That’s great. Things here have the potential for being much worse than we anticipated. So we’ll need all the help we can get.” Eliza appreciated the directness of her soldier. She trained them well, and they knew when and how to speak with her.

Eliza did notice that the other soldier was being quieter than usual. She wasn’t known for speaking too often but even now something wasn’t right. “Is everything alright?” Eliza was looking right at her and could see her the anxiety in her eyes. She stepped towards the woman and placed her hand on her shoulder, choosing not to make a scene she whispered into the womans ear. “What’s bothering you? Do you need a minute?”

A stream of sweat ran down the woman’s forehead and her heart fluttered at Eliza’s touch. “N..n..nothing mam. I..I’m fine. I’m just worried about you is all?

“You look hurt? Did I worry you that much?” Eliza had a clinical gaze about her, something wasn’t right. She knew these two too well for them to keep anything from her. From Eliza’s examination the woman was in pain and she knew exactly why. Eliza directed the man to stand guard by the door while she walked the other soldier towards Shelby’s bedroom. He didn’t say anything he knew what was happening but didn’t want to say anything.

“Ms. Jackson I apologize. We’re going to need a moment.” Eliza had her arm around the woman’s torso wrapping her hand underneath her arm to help her walk. She continued to speak with her but she kept a hushed tone. “Why didn’t you just say something to me?”

“Mam I didn’t want to say anything in front of Ms. Jackson. Plus it flared up when I was coming down the hall. I’m sorry, I should’ve sat this one out.” She was starting to shake and her teeth were lightly chattering from the pain. Her steps were weak and her feet were shuffling across the floor. “I’m starting to feel the hot flash coming on, mam.”

Eliza could feel the woman’s heart begin to race and she knew that she was starting to panic. “Just focus on the breathing. Deep breaths, we’ve dealt with this before. You’ll be alright.” They made it into Shelby’s bedroom away from the rest of the group. Eliza shut the door slightly when they entered, and sat the woman down on the floor. She removed her backpack and let her lay down on the floor, Eliza was sitting down alongside of her digging through her backpack for medical supplies. “Do you know what triggered it this time?”

“No. It’s been happening like this more often. I can’t even sleep now.” The woman felt better now that she was able to lay down on her back but she was still in agonizing pain.

“Is it the nightmares?” Eliza fetched a syringe of Med-X, a sterilizing pad and a bandage from the woman’s backpack.

“Ya..it’s the nightmares. They’re so vivid. It’s like I’m reliving it all over again….”

Eliza put her hand on the woman’s cheek and turned her head to face her. “Don’t think about it alright? Now where’s it hurting? Same place as before?” She didn’t wait for an answer. Eliza unbloused the woman’s boot and pulled her pant leg up past her knee. She was missing her leg from the knee down, at least a natural one. It was replaced with the skeleton of a synthetic leg that allowed her to walk but her brain wouldn’t let her forget the pain she experienced when she lost it. Eliza started searching for a vein and upon finding one cleaned the area with the cleansing pad and injected the Med-X into her leg.

“I’m sorry mam. I shouldn’t be here. How are we going to explain this to Ms. Jackson? She's going to think we're weak.”

Eliza rolled the woman’s pant leg back down and bloused her boot for her. She then knelt down over top of her and looped her arms underneath her armpits and pulled her up to her feet. Now standing the woman was slumped over in Eliza’s arms from the pain. “Don’t worry about her, I’ll take care of it. I just need you back at 100% alright? I’ll keep you with me until we get through this.” Feeling more compassionate now thanks to Shelby than she ever did Eliza rubbed her hand on the womans back. “We take care of eachother you know that. I’ll get you through this.” Eliza couldn’t help but feel the irony in the situation. Just moments ago she was just as weak but she was still too afraid to share that with her unit. “Are you good?”

“Ya, I'm fucking good.” She grimaced through the pain and the woman's natural cocky attitude was coming through.

“Outstanding devil. That's what I want to fucking hear.” Eliza wrapped her arm around the woman again and grabbed her backpack with her free hand. They headed out of the bedroom and into the main part of the suite. Eliza carried the woman over towards Aponi and sat her down alongside of her. The woman laid her head back against the seat and let out a sigh befitting rolling her head over to face her comrade at the door.

He didn't say anything he just gave her a thumbs up and raised his brow, as if to ask if she was okay. She responded back to him with a thumbs up and a crooked smile. He gave one back to her and then acted like it never happened. The woman could feel Aponi alongside of her, she was nervous as hell. She sat herself up in her seat and leaned over to talk to Aponi.

“You're a little jumpy huh kid? I thought you were going to go through that door for us.” She was trying to be nice but she could tell that she was making Aponi uncomfortable.

Aponi didn't say anything she just inched herself further away from the soldier and tried to hide herself. Neither her nor Shelby knew how to act around these new people yet.

War Never Changes

The Jaded Empire – Shelby at The Gomorrah

Joint post between myself and Cobra. I'm posting it in her place. I'll be working on my follow up.

Shelby smiled at Eliza’s nervousness; she stroked the loose hair that had fallen down from Eliza’s bun. She slid her leg up Eliza’s and touched the side of her face, she started to passionately kiss Eliza while her other hand traced her side. “Shelby?” came a quiet voice after an equally quiet knock at the door.

“It’s just Aponi,” Shelby told Eliza before continuing.

Aponi knocked harder and with more urgency, “Shelby,” she knocked harder, “SHELBY.”

“Go away Aponi, “Shelby shook her head, she could see Eliza tense up.

Aponi rapped hard on the door, “Shelby, there are people coming, please let me in, PLEASE.”

“For fucks sake,” Shelby scoffed, she gave Eliza a kiss, “let me send her to her room, just a second.” She got up and walked to the door; it pushed when she opened it and Aponi stumbled inside and quickly shut the door behind, “What the hell Aponi?”

“There are people coming down the hallway,” Aponi’s eyes were wide open, “Something happened earlier and they may be part of tha…” A firm knock came from the door. Shelby nudged Aponi aside and opened it, outside her doorway standing in the hallway were two figures, a man and a woman. They were dressed in desert khaki flight suits with various tactical gear slung over them and they were well armed, although they didn't pose themselves as a threat.

“Hang on,” Shelby said, she shut the door, “Relax kid, sit down,” she told Aponi while she returned to the bedroom to see Eliza was already dressed and was pulling her loose hair back into a bun, “I think your people are her.”

“Ya they’re mine. Anyone else wouldn’t have knocked.” Eliza was tucking her blouse into her trousers while her tie hung loosely from her neck. She was trying to act calm, like she didn’t just literally get caught with her pants down but Shelby knew better. It was scary how good she was at reading Eliza.

Shelby pushed the bedroom door shut halfway and approached Eliza putting her hands on her waist, “I can tell you’re worried, I won’t say anything about this or your name. But, I do want to finish what we started, I feel like we both deserve that,” she squeezed Eliza’s hips, “I guess for the time being we can start discussing where our partnership goes from here.” She gave Eliza a quick kiss and grabbed a towel off the dresser and wrapped herself up as she returned to the door. She looked over at Aponi who sat quietly; she could tell something had happened. She opened the door, “C’mon in. I’m Shelby and that’s Aponi.”

War Never Changes

Rough Riders, Frontier Corp, Eliza Weaver - Gomorrah, New Vegas, Nevada


Feeling only slightly better than before Eliza made an effort to compose herself once more. Honestly she was surprised at the compassion she was getting from Shelby. Everything she thought she knew about her said she should expect otherwise but Eliza expected that she was just being polite to get information from her as well. After all Eliza had an extensive knowledge of her even though they’ve never met until now. Regardless of her intentions Eliza took the time to enjoy her compassion and it helped calm her down a lot more than it probably should. After all this was a military operation, her and her unit are equipped for a fight. She needed to rally her emotions and carry on before her unit arrived, but the way Shelby touched her made her feel so damn good. She knew they would understand if they saw her this way but she needed to straighten up and continue with the mission, but why couldn’t this be the mission. They were here to provide security for the Jaded Empire’s delegation after all and here she was in bed with one of the Empress’s most trusted delegate.

Eliza shivered as Shelby touched her scars, no one's touched her like this before. Not even her former lover. Shelby had a particular way about her, she was erotic but Eliza could tell she was examining her with every stroke of her finger. She was obviously caught off guard by Eliza and her actions and was taking this time to learn as much about her as she could. Although Eliza sensed a serious sense to comfort her, the scars on her back for instance. An awful gift given by a horrible man. “Was his name Fusilier?” It doesn’t matter now anyway. All that did was the fact that Eliza knew the circumstances behind those scars weren’t something that Shelby discussed with anyone. Eliza knew the story but chose not to bring it up, as she ran her hand down Shelby’s back she could feel the suffering in everyone. They were definitely scars from a whip, the way they crisscrossed and intersected, some hadn’t healed before another lash had been added over top of it. She knew that Shelby had suffered but in person it was so much more personal. Eliza felt the deepest sympathy for her, an emotion she didn’t think she could possess for anyone outside of the Corp. It was due to this sudden realization of Shelby’s suffering and the fact that Eliza at least owed her an answer, after all this woman needed to trust her.

When Shelby wrapped her leg around Eliza she could feel her heart skip a few beats. It was one of her favorite things that she nearly forgot she loved. Eliza laid her hand on Shelby’s thigh not intending to grip it too tight but she soon realized that her grip was a lot stronger than she thought.

“I’m sorry. I’m not used to this sort of thing.” Eliza began to gently rub Shelby’s thigh as if she saw her apology as insignificant and was trying to remedy it. “I could lay here forever though.” In a moment of blind desire Eliza started to move her hand underneath Shelby’s thigh but snapped back to her senses and went back to laying it on top of her thigh this time not nearly as firm. “Shit. I’m sorry for that. You’re the first woman I've touched in years. I guess I’m getting a little swept away in it all. Anyway I do owe you some answers. It’s the only right thing to do.” Eliza took a deep breath before she spoke. She was scared, this wasn’t something she did with everyone. This whole situation was completely unexpected. Shelby, the flashback, all of it blindsided Eliza. She didn’t expect any of this to happen but she figured if she was straight with Shelby she could attempt to mend the situation. “My name’s Eliza.” She panicked a little bit. Someone outside of the Corp knows her name now, that scared the shit out of Eliza but she wanted things to be right with Shelby. In an attempt to calm herself down she ran her hand up Shelby’s side. It wasn’t helping she was getting hit with so many emotions at once, it was starting to overwhelm her. So Eliza gently placed Shelby’s leg onto the bed and sat up along the edge of the bed facing away from her.

“I’m sorry Shelby but as much as I like this. I don’t think I can do it.” Those words hung heavy in Eliza’s head. She was willing to walk away from all of this. Shelby, the mission, everything, and for what? She was just running from a part of her she wanted to forget about. As much as she wanted to feel another person’s compassion she was afraid of hurting someone else again. Afraid of failing someone that trusted her. Why though? Eliza was stronger than that. Rarely did she worry about failing her team. So why was she worried about failing Shelby? Her mission was simple enough. Asset protection while dynamic and difficult was an easy job for Eliza and her unit. To them it was a contained chaos, keep everyone in check and watch for outside and inside threats. They’ve done it a thousand times and this time would be no different. Except for Shelby. She added an unknown element, she made Eliza want to feel again. She brought back emotions and events that Eliza wanted to forget, she could relate to her and that meant much more to her than a paycheck. So when Shelby called to her Eliza's mind was already made up.

“Eliza. I can tell you’re holding a lot back. So am I, but something is telling me that if you walk away from this. Whatever is eating away at you isn’t going to stop. So please will you just lay back down? Shelby’s voice carried as much concern as it did demand. Part of her wanted Eliza to stay for her sake as well and she was a little scared that she would leave. That resonated with Eliza, for a moment she felt human again. She had someone that wanted to be with her, and she couldn’t walk away from that. If not for any other reason but for Shelby.

Eliza continued to sit on the edge of the bed for a few moments gathering her thoughts. While she was doing so she began to unbutton her blouse. She was hesitant to do so at first but it was only fair. Shelby laid behind her with nothing on and didn’t seem to care at all. Eliza on the other hand was ashamed of her body. Her scars too emotional, each one a story she wanted to hide away underneath a layer of clothing. She was weak and she knew it. Shelby had endured just as many hardships as Eliza but she didn't seem to be bothered by the marks they left on her body. Eliza wanted to crawl underneath the covers and hide herself away. Too afraid to show herself to Shelby but that something that drew Eliza back into bed, kept her above the covers. She was shivering slightly from anxiety and her skin was covered in goosebumps. She didn't know what to do, what was appropriate. So she covered her chest with her arm and laid next to Shelby, too afraid to make a move.

War Never Changes

Rough Riders, Frontier Unit - New Vegas, Nevada

A faint pulsating tone could barely be heard from inside the pocket of one of the soldiers concealed in the cliffs above New Vegas. Although their senses were in a heightened state as they surveyed their surroundings for possible threats, so even though the beacons tone was faint they still heard it and reached into their pocket to deactivate the device.

They all knew what to do at the sound of that beacon and none of them needed any direction on what to do next. Rising up from their positions the spectral trio effortlessly navigated down the arid rocky slopes of the cliff. Even short a person they still operated in a way that showed they were well bonded to each other.

It wasn't until they got close to the gates of New Vegas that they slowed down and began to speak amongst each other. There was an uneasy banter amongst them that thickened the air around them with tension. As if something was bothering all of them but no one was willing to mention it.

“So do we want to go over the plan before we get to the gates? I don't know about you guys but this whole operation has me jumpy.”

“Jumpy is good. Just make sure you don't lose your cool. This isn't anything we haven't done before.”

“I know that but so far none of this is going the way it was supposed to. Eliza wasn't supposed to signal us this early.”

“So you think something's not square with the boss?”

“Come on we all know something's up with her. She hasn't been right for years. I just don't get why she would lose her cool now. I mean what's the significance of this operation over all the other ones? It's just asset protection.”

“You really think she lost her cool?”

“I don't know for sure but all the pieces are starting to fall into place. She hasn't been right since Oregon. We normally maintain a low profile but now here we are entering an area that the rest of the Riders are probably going to show up at and Eliza is where? Exactly.”

“Let's just focus on the task at hand and if things go south we'll figure it out. Eliza has a reason for everything she does even if it doesn't always make sense to us we still trust her. Otherwise we wouldn't have stayed with her for so long.”

After a few minutes of meandering through the streets they came up to the gates of New Vegas. Even though they were armed and obviously didn't look like tourists they weren't concerned with gaining entry.

One of the soldiers flashed a pass to the securitron and began to speak. “Were part of the Jade Empresses entourage. Special security, we just got called up from reserves.”

The securitron examined the pass and deduced that it was legitimate and after hearing the person speak it promptly replied in its sharp robotic voice.

“There has been an incident at the Tops Hotel and Casino. A member of your delegation. Ms. Shelby Jackson has assaulted the President of the NCR. Ms. Jackson has been placed under room arrest in Gomorrah for the remainder of the summit.”

Using this as an opportunity to interject and further strengthen their case the soldier spoke up again.

“That's why we've been called in. Empress Calypso wanted to maintain a low security presence in order to help bolster her plans of peace and trade but after what happened she requested that we come to ensure her delegations safety.”

The securitron took a moment to respond. Almost as if it were gathering information.

“Very well you are free to enter. Empress Calypso is currently at the Ultra-Luxe. Ms. Jackson is currently in Suite 253 of the Gomorrah. Have a nice day.”

The group was waved through by security and they entered the glistening lights of the Vegas strip.

War Never Changes

Rough Rider’s - New Vegas, Nevada

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.



She was taken aback by the kiss Shelby gave her, the slight tug at her bottom lip sent chills throughout her body. She closed her eyes for a brief moment and attempted to escape into the moment, but she couldn’t. Even in this moment of blind euphoria she was reminded of a time when she was so much younger, when someone tugged her lip like just Shelby did. There was nothing she wanted to remember from that time, to her that’s when her heart turned into the black mass it was today. Shelby was making her feel things she hasn’t felt since then. It hurt her so much to be reminded of that time but part of her wanted to rush out and embrace it, to embrace Shelby as if she was that someone that tugged her lip and combed her hair with their fingers so long ago.

She wanted to feel like she was a that person again, like she could feel anything but pain again. But she wasn’t the young woman she was back then. Now she was a monster. She was a killer, a woman with a gun that didn’t flinch when she pulled the trigger. So why was Shelby making her feel again? She couldn’t remember the figure of the person she once embraced as she cried through the night, the person that loved her regardless of the things she did and regretted. Her mind was a haze of emotions, and her body was in shambles. Regardless of how well she trained and how strong she thought she was her legs were still shaking and she felt like she was going to throw up.

She was knelt down alongside the bed, her knees trembling against the floor as she held her sobbing head between her hands. Inside her a battle of emotions was raging inside her. As if a part of her she forgot was violently clawing it’s way to the surface. Her damaged heart was beating into her throat as tears once thought to have dried out spilled onto the sheets. She closed her eyes again in a desperate attempt to compose herself. In an attempt to shut it all away again and hide from the pain. She felt like her world was collapsing around her. She just wanted all of this to be over so she could forget again.

That part of her she forgot had other plans for her. It fought like hell to wake her up, to free her from the torment she was lost to behind the gates of Tartarus she had locked herself within when she gave up on everything. When she closed her eyes again out of the gnawing darkness she was struck by a vivid recollection of her past. In this moment she was as weak as she was now. Collapsed on the floor, her body cold and trembling. A gun tightly clenched in her weak, clammy hands. She was crying uncontrollably, the gun pressed against the roof of her mouth while her trigger finger shook inside the trigger guard. She couldn’t pull it, couldn’t end it. She could remember that moment like she was living it all over again. She could taste the steel in her mouth, and feel the gun clenched in her chattering teeth. She could feel how she felt then, pathetic and worthless. She had killed so many people without mercy, but in that moment she struggled to end her own life. It was so painful for her to relive this moment, but there was a reason this was the moment her subconscious chose for her to remember.

A young woman gently laid herself down behind her suffering lover, wrapping her arms around her waist, before laying her head alongside hers. She softly whispered into her ear a song that brought back a flood of forgotten memories.

“I’m a princess cut from marble, smoother than a storm
And the scars that mark my body, they’re silver and gold
My blood is a flood of rubies, precious stones
It keeps my veins hot, the fires find a home in me
I move through town, I’m quiet like a fire
And my necklace is of rope, I tie it and untie it…"

In this moment everything was so surreal. She didn’t even feel like she was in Shelby’s room anymore, she had been whisked away from everything that troubled her and was consumed in this moment. She faintly whispered the next verse of the song, like she did in her memory.

"This is the start of how it all ever ends. They used to shout my name, now they whisper it."

Except in the memory the woman that loved her so fiercely was comforting her, she held her with such strength and devotion. She had accepted the fact that her lover was ready to die and was willing to fade out of existence with her. The song was their song, a memory of how it used to be. She missed those times, that woman. Her chest was tightening up as she remembered what happened next. The woman whispered again into her ear, now she was holding the gun with her. Adjusting the angle so it would kill both of them.

“Eliza. I can’t live without you, so if you’re ready so am I. But promise me you’ll take me with you. I don’t want to be alone.”

Eliza dropped the gun onto the ground in an instant, and covered her face in shame as she began to cry harder than she ever did in her life. She could feel the burning in her lungs, she felt then. She could feel everything she felt then, the pain and the shame. Emotions that were all too familiar to her now, but she felt something else an emotion that shot through her body like a bullet and snapped her out of the flashback. It was a rush of adrenaline, like she was with that woman she longed for all over again. Shakily she got up to her feet, balancing herself against the wall. She felt a rush of emotions coming back to her as she remembered who she was so long ago. She was brought back from the edge of the abyss by a woman that cared for nothing else in the world more than her. No amount of wealth could waver that woman's resolve, she was so much stronger than Eliza could ever be. She was willing to die for her even knowing how far Eliza had fallen. She knew Eliza could be fixed even when she thought she was broken beyond repair.

It was the memory of this woman that was driving Eliza crazy. Something in Shelby reminded her of that woman, but she couldn’t be sure if her mind wasn’t just playing tricks on her. So she took the leap for fear that it would all slip away and she would go back to how she was. She ignored everything else that was going on and ran towards Shelby tackling her to the ground and spinning her on her back with terrifying skill. Shelby was just as quick though and had her hand clasped around Eliza’s throat in an attempt to defend herself against the woman that was now straddling her. Eliza effortlessly broke Shelby's grip and embraced her as if she was someone else. It was evident that Eliza had no intentions of hurting Shelby but she obviously lost control of herself to an emotion she hasn’t felt in a long time. Eliza ran her hands through Shelby’s hair and kissed her bottom lip like she did hers, slightly tugging at it as she pulled away. Her tears had yet to dry from her face as she laid her head alongside Shelby’s. She had completely lost her exterior of a cold professional, to reveal a woman obviously hurting and in desperate need of help. Just like the woman she was when she tasted cold steel against her tongue and struggled to end it all.

Eliza tried to compose herself and act tough again, afraid of embarrassing herself but she was being flooded by so many emotions she couldn’t control herself. She started to break down again, crying in Shelby’s arms. Through her torrent emotions Eliza was able to choke out a few words to Shelby.

“I’m so sorry for this Shelby. But will you just hold me please?”

War Never Changes

Rough Rider’s, New Vegas- Nevada


At the abrupt sight of Shelby undressing the woman bit the corner of her lip as it began to quiver. Feeling the urge for something she knew she had to avoid she began to fumble for another cigarette. Once she managed to retrieve one she stood up from her seat while lighting it. At this point sweat was starting to bead on her body, so she carefully removed her blazer while she holding her cigarette in her mouth and mumbled a response to Shelby. “I hope you don’t mind I’m starting to sweat in this thing. I'm not usually one for suits.” Realizing that she broke character the woman laid her blazer down on the chair she was sitting in and moved over to Shelby's bed, in an attempt to hide her lack of composure from her.

As she sat down along the side of the bed with her upper body hunched over her legs. Her hands were trembling as she ran her fingers through her greasy hair, between each puff of acrid smoke she shook ever so slightly as she rushed to compose herself.

“Ms. Jackson I assure you that we’ve nothing to gain...from offending you or your Empress.” She took another long draw from her cigarette and took a brief moment to try and calm herself, as it was becoming apparent that she was getting anxious. “I’m…”

Unable to continue her sentence as the saliva evaporated from her mouth and her voice cracked, she got up and headed to the suites mini-bar to retrieve a bottle of water. Inside the bar was a vast assortment of beverages, including alcohol and in her addled state she could feel the temptation to grab a bottle alcohol and drown her anxiety. Thankfully part of her mind was still fighting her urge and she quickly snapped out of it and grabbed a frigid bottle of water. At this point in time she was starting to look as if she was loosing her composure. Her nicely tucked button up shirt was starting to untuck itself causing the fabric to billow off of her body except for the spots that were starting to stick from the sweat. Her suspenders were unfastened and found themselves dangling past her waist. Her tie was buried underneath her blazer, at least she thought that's where she left it. Even her nicely slicked hair was coming undone. While it was still tied up in a bun her bangs were starting to fall onto her forehead and the nice precision rows of hair were disrupted by her fingers raking through them.

Even while she drained the bottle of water down her arid throat, she couldn’t find the relief she sought. It felt as if there was a thin layer of mucus lining her throat that prevented it from becoming moist again. Sitting back down, this time alongside the bed with her legs spread apart and her knees raised. She retrieved a small device from her pocket, it was no larger than a pen and could be mistaken for one to the untrained eye. On the end was a raised silver button that when pressed receded into the main cylinder, blinked red twice and then went dark. She put the object back into her pocket and wiped the unstinting sweat from her brow, and unbuttoned the first few layers of her shirt. Exposing her chest to be as drenched as her forehead.

“Oh shit, I didn’t think this was going to happen to me again.” Whispering to herself she focused her eyes on the worn carpet of the suite trying to focus on something else and distract her mind. Still sweating she unbuttoned the cuffs of her shirt and rolled her sleeves up. Unable to seek asylum in her own mind she lit another cigarette. With each puff off the acrid smoke she felt both better and worse. As if part of her thrived from it and the other was destroyed by it. Regardless she began to mumble through the cigarette again. “My people should be here in a few hours Ms. Jackson. I apologize for the delay in their arrival but even a small group of armed guards is going to have some difficulties entering the Strip. I assure you that they'll find a way, they always do.” She had slightly composed herself but she was still trembling and her throat was as arid as the Mojave still making it hard for her to speak. "In the meantime. What do you request of me?"

War Never Changes

Rough Riders- New Vegas, Nevada

“Let me be very clear with you Ms. Jackson. You’re an intelligent woman so I expect you to understand the gravity of the situation.” The agent declined the offer of wine and instead retrieved a pack of cigarettes from her waistband, upon lighting one the acrid smell began to fill the room. “I hope you don’t mind. I don’t drink, and I only occasionally indulge myself with the sinful delight of a cigarette.” She shuddered slightly as drew a long puff on the cigarette as if she’d been longing for it for quite awhile. Although she acted proper, something did seem to be off about her, but it was hard to pinpoint what that was. She was quite the character. She was cold and professional for sure and seemed quite knowledgable about the world around her but one couldn’t help but feel like she was hiding something, like all of this was a show.

“I’m sorry Ms. Jackson. I didn’t mean to get distracted from the task at hand.” Quickly composing herself she laid the cigarette down in a nearby ashtray and continued as if nothing was out of place. “You’ll needn’t have to concern yourself with Robert House. Have Calypso contact him and request a change of accommodations if she would like. But one thing I would wholeheartedly suggest is a personal security detail. You came here for peace and diplomacy, for that you’ve earned a great bit of respect from myself and the outfit I represent. Although I hate to admit that war and violence is at all of our doorsteps, and you’ll want to make sure you have the right people standing with you when it comes to yours. Like I said for now my services are free, and will continue to be until you return to your home. If you and Calypso would like I can have a security detail here within the hour. All I need is your approval, nothing more.” The woman finished with speaking for the moment then reached for her still smoldering cigarette and pressed it against her lips taking another intense draw before returning it back to the ashtray.

War Never Changes

Rough Riders- New Vegas, Nevada


Shelby was understandably startled upon discovering that she had an uninvited guest in her suite. After all she had every reason to believe that the NCR would want her “dealt with” after the incident at the Tops, but that wasn’t the case here in fact it was quite the opposite. The woman sitting in Shelby’s suite, legs crossed with no concern for the fact that Shelby was readying herself for another adjusted her posture and interjected Shelby’s preparations with a cold methodical voice.

“Ms. Jackson I’ve not come to waste my time fighting you. I’m here to extend an offer of my services to you and your dearest Empress Calypso.” Without waiting for Shelby to respond the woman continued. “I would recommend that you beseech Robert House for a room change and an upgrade to your security. If he doesn’t want anymore blood to be spilt under his supervision he’ll listen.”

There was a break in her speech so Shelby interjected even though she was still clearly trying to compose herself. “First of all who the hell are you, and how do you know my name!?”

“Easy Ms. Jackson. No matter how obscure or foreign you may think yourself to be, you leave a trace, just like everyone else. Transportation records, people you’ve talked to, guest lists. All I had to do was talk to the right people, but let's not concern ourselves with that right now. Our real concern is that I found you so quickly. I work primarily on my own with a very small circle of confidential assets and I knew where you would be before you left the Great Lakes, and you’re making much more powerful enemies here. Imagine what they can do to you.”

“You still didn’t tell me who you were. Are you just going to gloss over that part?” Shelby was still rather frustrated, such was her nature.

“Yes actually. I am. Who I am is not important. What I can do for you however, makes all the difference in the world.”

“Ya I get it you don’t have to keep telling. You know you’re creepy as hell. Sneaking in here and skulking in the corner. You’re lucky I didn’t shoot you after the day I’ve been having. But here’s an idea for you. How are you going to help me when that House prick has me on room arrest!?”

Ignoring Shelby’s agitation the woman continued with the same level of professionalism she had when she started. It was almost as if she was completely unaffected by the emotional distress of those around her. “You’re resourceful enough to keep yourself alive for the most part. I’d still recommend attaching my own security detail to you and especially Calypso. We’ve both landed in quite the mess here, the threat of an attack is higher now than it’s ever been and I don’t put much faith in the competency of Robert House’s security. Now I’ve been instructed by my handler to provide you my services for the duration of this summit, but if you wish to delve further into the options available to you, here’s our card.

War Never Changes

Rough Rider’s - Nevada, New Vegas


A whirlwind of dust and debris choked the air making visibility difficult for a brief moment until the sharp repetitive whir of the old vertibirds engines started to fade into the desert as it began its ascent, remaining low to the ground as it flew out of sight into the distance. When the dust had faded the landing zone was barren, with the coarse soil of the Mojave being the only thing disturbed by the vertibirds arrival and departure. Appearances can be very deceptive however, for only a few feet away a small group of broken silhouettes figures laid concealed in a shallow wadi.

Once the sound of the vertibirds engines were reduced to a pulsating thump far off into the horizon one of the figures slowly knelt up against the slope of the wadi making sure to minimize their silhouette. With the noise of the vertibird nearly out of range the desert around them was reduced to a serene silence, only to be broken by the very faint shuffling of gear as the rest of the figures rose up from the wadi showing the same care for their discretion as their colleague who rose before them. Now if one was perceptive enough they would barely make out the silhouettes of 4 or 5 people maybe even more, as even the most trained eye could easily lose their silhouettes or be deceived by the arid scrub surrounding them.

Though just as they appeared along the edge of the wadi they disappeared back within its arid banks. Concealed once more the group moved like phantoms along the dusty, bone dry passage. There was a precision to be had in their movements that in and of themselves showed the professionalism and apparent camaraderie possessed by this small group. They did not speak with each other but yet they all appeared to be aware of their destination, and even when the head of the group would make an abrupt turn down an unexpected vein of the wadi the others followed with pinpoint precision, as if every rock, bend, and slope was expected and methodically planned for. Eventually after a few minutes the group stopped as the leader rose their right arm out and in the shape of an L and clasped their open hand into a fist, signalling the group to halt. With this order the group naturally fell into a loose defensive perimeter along the banks of the wadi, scanning the area for potential threats.

From their defensive positions one of the figures, a young woman stripped down from her khaki flight suit and tactical gear and into her underwear. She then removed a slim fitting black suit with a white dress shirt and a scarlet red tie. She had no weapons on her at all once she changed, the only thing she carried with her were documents essential for her entry, an identification card that identified her as a member of the NCR Presidential security detail, and a small pack of “business” cards in her bra strap. Ready to begin the mission she was brought here for the woman headed down into the desert towards the strip. She wasn’t going to wait for an order or direction, she was above the people she was sent here with. They were only along for the ride, she was the real show.

After a few minutes of travelling she was close to the Strip’s gate. As per usual a pair of securitrons were standing watch and checking for passes. She readied her pass from her breast pocket in her blazer and handed it to one of the securitrons. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary she was allowed through without incident, as was to be expected. The person that sent her invested a lot of money into this operation for it all to fail over something so basic. Once inside the glistening streets of the New Vegas Strip the woman headed towards her first target, the Tops casino and the venue Mr. House chose to host his meeting of the powers. With a distinct goal in mind the woman headed down the strip. Not at all being distracted by the glitz and glamor of the many hotels and casinos that made up the strip, after all she was a professional. None of these things interested her, she came here to complete a mission not to indulge herself in the luxuries provided in these glistening palaces.

It wasn’t long until she was at the entrance to the Tops and by the looks of things she was right on time. From the amount of guards outside of the building it was clear that the meeting was still taking place inside. When she approached the door to enter she was stopped by a pair of armed guards who informed her that the Tops wasn’t open to the general public for security concerns and if she wanted to enter then they would need to see some I.D. Of course she was happy to oblige them, she reached into her breast pocket once more and pulled out her I.D allowing the guards to inspect it.

“Sharon Cross, NCR Military, Presidential Security Detail. You’re a hotshot aren’t you? Well We’re going to have to verify this I.D with our superior.” Strictly following procedure as was expected of them, the guard with her I.D started to radio in to his superior when she stopped him.

“Come on guys I get that you’re doing your job but I need to get in there so I can do mine. If you want to pat me down, strip search me. Do whatever you want. I can guarantee you that I’m not a threat, but I can’t guarantee that you guys didn’t let one in already and if President Kimball gets injured or killed then all of our heads are going to roll.” She laid on the charm just enough to let the guards get comfortable. She knew how to get at people and these guards were no different.

“So are you saying we don’t know how to do our jobs?” As anticipated the guards got upset and turned their attention away from verifying the woman's I.D and instead chose to confront her for a slight they felt she committed against them.

“Hey that’s not what I’m saying at all. All I’m trying to say is that we all have a job to do. You guys bust your balls out here in this blistering heat and I appreciate that. Without you guys out here my job would be twice as hard, now I just need you to let me in before my job gets even harder. Now like I said you can search me all you want. I’m not a threat.”

Figuring why the hell not the other guard agreed to search her, he did get a bit overzealous with the searching but like she said they didn’t find anything besides paperwork that did more to strengthen her case than erode it. “You don’t carry a gun?” They weren’t wrong she didn’t have a weapon on her.
“I don’t need one.” Unfazed by the guards gropping she reassumed her calm professional tone.

“Really? You’re either really crazy or really stupid.”

“Who says I can’t be both. Afterall I’ve got to know what I’m doing to keep this job. Now are we good here?” She readjusted her tie and straightened out her blazer as if she already knew the answer and sure enough they let her through. On her way in she jokingly remarked to the guards. “Don’t worry if anything happens I’ll try to save something for you.”

Despite the slow down at the gate she seemed to have been arriving at just the right time. Two of the delegates including her supposed charge were engaged in a fight. Using the chaos and confusion of the situation to her advantage she maneuvered effortlessly through the crowd towards one of her targets. Thankfully the Legion delegate was still inside and his guards were trying to make sense of the chaos. This allowed her to remove a business card from her bra strap and with a well honed slight of hand place it on the guard without him noticing before mixing back into the crowd and towards the door. On her way out she spotted her other target, the delegates from the Jade Empire but they were in the heart of the altercation. Getting close to them would be too risky, that and her friends from outside were coming in to deal with the commotion so it was time for her to move.

Slipping effortlessly through the doors of the Tops and back outside onto the Strip she headed towards the den of vice itself the Gomorrah. She’d done her homework beforehand and knew that Shelby the woman that was currently assaulting the President of the NCR and the close second to the Jaded Empress herself was staying at the Gomorrah in suite 253. From this point on everything should go as expected. Security at the Gomorrah was light and any guards that stopped her were not going to be nearly as motivated to hassle her as the two stooges outside the Tops. She was right the guards at the Gomorrah didn’t even check her I.D. They just checked her for weapons and from that point on she moved unobstructed to suite 253, and before she knew it she was picking the lock on the door and heading inside. She sat down in one of the luxurious chairs in the suite making sure her back was protected and she could see the entrance clearly. The position she ended up in was dimly lit as the lights were not all on and while she waited she retrieved another business card from her bra strap in preparation of Shelby's arrival. On the card it read;

*No Reasonable Offers Refused*
(Anytime, Anywhere)

Rough Riders
2ND PLT, DCO 1st Phantoms
“When you care enough to send the best.”

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