ALL NOVEL Chapter 89: Peace talks?
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Hours passed slowly, and after a brief rest, the time finally came. The sun rose as we prepared at the agreed location. It was a neutral zone, meticulously secured by both sides. The number of men allowed on each side had been negotiated, yet the tension was palpable.
We had agreed upon a vantage point where we could observe the city of Vegas and its surrounding defenses, ensuring they would see the weak points.
General Lee Oliver arrived first, accompanied by an imposing contingent of NCR soldiers. His troops wore heavy reinforced armor, adaptations of power armor but stripped of the systems that made them truly functional, turning them into mere heavy but resilient shells. Alongside them, the veteran Rangers formed a tight line, their vigilant gazes and rifles ever-ready.
I arrived shortly after, leading my own veterans—men clad in fully operational power armor, adapted to the Legion's needs. Each step they took caused the ground to tremble beneath them. Their weapons and stances made it clear they were prepared for any eventuality.
"General Oliver," I said as I approached, maintaining a formal yet firm tone. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the man commanding the enemy I've faced these past days. I appreciate you accepting this meeting." I inclined my head slightly, my helmet reflecting the last light of the day.
Oliver studied me closely, his expression stern yet curious. Finally, he spoke in a dry tone. "Won't you remove your helmet, Legate Gaius? It seems you're afraid to show your face."
I smirked behind the visor, letting my tone carry a hint of sarcasm. "I prefer not to, General. The Rangers are renowned for their sniper prowess, and I like keeping my brain where it belongs—inside my skull. Thank you for your concern."
Some of my men stifled quiet laughter, while the Rangers barely moved a muscle. Oliver scowled, clearly annoyed but unwilling to let it distract him. His gaze shifted from me to the men behind me, examining the power armor with evident interest.
"I suppose this isn't just a friendly chat," he replied, crossing his arms as he stepped forward. "What is it you really want, Gaius? You know as well as I do that this war won't end with words."
I nodded, my voice growing more serious. "True. But every great game has a prelude, General. In this case, I want to ensure we both understand who has the advantage." My words echoed in the tense silence as my men stood still as statues, their eyes fixed on the Rangers.
I stepped closer, meeting General Oliver's gaze, though my helmet concealed any emotion I might have shown. My tone was calm, but every word was calculated to convey authority and confidence.
"My offer is simple, General Oliver. Lord Caesar wishes to end this conflict. Too much blood has already been spilled, and our objectives in the Mojave have been achieved. We have no desire to engage in a prolonged, grinding war with the Bear. We have claimed what is rightfully ours, as the annexation of the Nevada Rangers was, frankly, a dishonorable move by your Republic. War was our only response."
I paused, letting my words sink in, observing his hardened face as he tried to decipher my intentions.
"However, peace is now possible." My tone grew firmer. "All we ask is that you abandon the Mojave. Surrender. Lay down your arms and your men. I will personally ensure that all NCR citizens under our control will be returned... after a suitable monetary payment for their return."
The silence that followed was so heavy it could have been cut with a knife. The men behind me remained like statues of steel, while the NCR Rangers exchanged nervous glances. I could see Oliver processing every word, calculating his response.
General Oliver let out a dry laugh, filled with disdain. "Do you really take me for a fool, Legate? Do you honestly believe I'd accept your terms? We all know what happens to those who fall into the hands of the Legion. If we surrender, all that awaits us are chains and whips. The Legion's word is worth no more than the sand beneath our feet."
I stood still, letting his outburst of fury fade before replying. When I did, my tone was icy, devoid of emotion.
"General Oliver, I suggest you carefully consider your response." I took a step closer to him, my gaze locked on his hardened face. "New Vegas will be the tomb of your forces. Your men are wounded, exhausted, and barely have the supplies to withstand another offensive. Each passing day weakens your position further."
I paused, watching as his eyes flickered, though he tried to maintain his composure. My voice dropped a tone, laced with severity. "I am offering you an honorable way out, General. A chance to avoid the inevitable massacre. If you reject my offer, your men will die here, alongside you. But if you accept, you can join the four officers we've captured during this campaign. They've been treated with respect and lived to tell their tales."
Oliver gritted his teeth, clearly torn between his pride and logic. "An honorable way out?" he retorted with a sneer. "Your words are sweet, Legate, but they're laced with poison. The Legion leaves no survivors, only ashes and chains. I won't let my people go down in history as cowards who knelt before Caesar."
I inclined my head slightly, acknowledging his bravery, even knowing it was futile. "History will not remember your resistance as bravery, but as stubbornness, General. Yet I respect your decision, even if it is a death sentence for you and your men. I will regret that your pride will be all that remains of the NCR in the Mojave."
Silence filled the air once more as Oliver stared at me, his fists clenched and his lips pressed tightly together. I knew his options were limited, but I also knew his pride would never allow him to accept my terms.
Finally, he turned on his heels, his Rangers following in tight formation as he marched back to his camp. As they disappeared into the distance, I turned to my men, their posture as firm as ever.
"Prepare yourselves," I said quietly. "The NCR has chosen to die in their own ashes."
I returned to the camp, followed by my men, leaving the meeting zone behind. The stars began to emerge, but the desert air was heavy with tension, as if the very sands could sense the conflict looming on the horizon. As I entered my tent, I saw him.
Lanius was there, waiting, standing like a menacing statue. His gaze, dark and relentless, regarded me like a predator sizing up its prey. His voice resonated with severity, each word brimming with judgment.
"I heard you went to speak soft words to General Oliver." His tone was cold, like freshly sharpened steel. "And it seems you return empty-handed… Furthermore, I've noticed a glaring lack of preparation among your forces. Your reliance on technology is weakening your men. There are sectors without proper trenches, and barely a few hundred defending the NCR's most direct escape route to their cities. A flaw even a recruit could spot."
I slowly removed my helmet, letting my smile challenge his accusation. "Oh, come now, Legate Lanius. You know as well as I that I'd never leave a sector weak… unless that weakness was deliberate."
Lanius narrowed his eyes, the hardness in his face giving way to a spark of curiosity. "A trap?" His tone shifted, no longer severe but analytical. "You're offering the illusion of an error, a chance at victory… only to crush that hope with something greater, aren't you?"
I nodded slowly, savoring the moment. "Exactly." I gestured, inviting him to follow. "Come with me, Legate. I want to show you something."
I led him out of the tent and to the edge of the camp. The night was cold, but the horizon of hills was illuminated by the faint lights of our positions. I extended an arm, pointing to the shadows rising in the distance.
"There, in those hills, I have one hundred and ninety-three artillery pieces fully prepared. Cannons and howitzers, ready to fire on my command. Additionally, we have thousands of mortars with enough ammunition to turn New Vegas into a smoking crater if necessary."
I paused, letting Lanius process what I was saying. Then I continued, my tone now more calculated. "But my true objective is this: if General Oliver sees a weak point in our defenses, he'll think I made a mistake. That my confidence blinded me. Then, he'll concentrate all his forces on breaking through that 'undefended' route, convinced he can escape the encirclement."
I turned to Lanius, finding his gaze fixed on me. "When he does, he'll abandon his fortified positions in the city. He'll fully expose himself on open terrain, an area without natural cover. And at that moment, the artillery and mortars will rain down on them like an unrelenting storm. There will be no retreat, no survivors."
Lanius crossed his arms, nodding slowly as his gaze returned to the horizon. "Clever." His voice carried a tone of restrained respect. "So you leave the door open only to slam the fist tighter. A risky strategy, but effective… if Oliver falls for your trap."
"He will," I assured him with confidence. "The NCR's pride always leads them to overestimate their capabilities. And when they do, we won't just win the battle, Legate—we will obliterate their army in the Mojave."
Lanius remained silent for a moment longer before responding, his tone low but resolute. "For the sake of the Legion, I hope you're right. Because if you fail, Gaius, Caesar will show you no mercy. Nor will I."
I met his gaze with the calm of someone who knows they are in control. "There will be no failure, Legate. This is not just a trap. It is the end of the Bear in the Mojave."
As I returned to my tent, a familiar sound broke into my thoughts. The communicator built into my power armor began transmitting static before a distressed voice cut through.
"Legate Gaius… the profligates are attacking us… with everything they have. Rangers, NCR heavy troopers, and large amounts of infantry are hitting our positions. They're focusing on the eastern flank, exactly where the defenses are weakest."
A grin spread across my face, growing into a laugh. "It seems the Bear has fallen into the trap! Ha, ha, ha, ha…" My laughter echoed through the channel, a mix of mockery and satisfaction. "How easy it is to manipulate the desperate. All it takes is to give them a sliver of hope, and they'll do exactly what you want." I said, looking at Lanius.
I pressed the communicator on my helmet and responded calmly, masking my emotion under a firm tone. "Hold the line bravely. Maintain your positions at all costs." My voice hardened as I gave the crucial instructions. "Listen carefully: hold for fifteen minutes. After that, begin to give ground—but do so slowly, in an orderly fashion. You must appear desperate, but remain in control. Do not break ranks."
As I spoke, my eyes lifted to the hills in the distance, where our artillery was poised to unleash hell. The plan was in motion. The enemy was exactly where I wanted them. This was the beginning of the end for the NCR army in the Mojave.
I closed the communication and turned to one of my officers, who was watching me with respect. "Ensure all batteries are ready for the first volley. There will be no room for error. I want every shell and every projectile to hit its target."
The officer nodded and left at a brisk pace, the echo of his boots fading into the night. I knew the next hour would determine the fate of this battle.
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I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.