A Voice from the Dark (MT)

The Swiss Air Force is indeed watching from the skies but they're busy using deathclaws for target practice.

EDIT:

Certain private citizens take an interest in this fight. As a show of support for the Legion, the Maronis, a noble family in Sicily, recruits a force of around 7,000 volunteers to fight for the Legion, including a small air wing of twelve Dassault Mirage 2000 multirole fighters and two dozen T-90 main battle tanks.

Official Swiss government position is that if those guys are killed, it's on them and the government will take no action against the Enclave or the Legion or whoever. They also make note that the Swiss Air Force does not use the Dassault Mirage 2000 to avoid any misunderstanding.

Hew doesn't interfere with the war, besides the logistics and commercial investment in New Vegas and the Legion promised before. The government does however watch the tactical movements of both factions from a distance.

The Swiss addition does help quite a bit. The Enclave have Vertibirds, and that threat was just cut down by the Swiss aircraft.

Enclave troops seem to hold the Legion at the Texas/New Mexico border, which causes the Legion to pull back a bit from there and focus more on Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma next. Those three fall rather quickly with no major locations to defend. Once again, the civilians that had been loyal to the Enclave, began fighting with the Legion once it was clear that Aisha was dead.

Texas posed a problem though. The Enclave just doesn't want to lose such a strategic position. The Legion begins tearing down from Oklahoma, spreading propaganda about the Enclaves losses further north and the death of Aisha. The locals are wary at first, but once they realise the truth of it, they begin fighting against the Enclave as well. El Paso falls to the Legion, then San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Eventually, the Enclave is split in two. Mexico, which the Enclave is spread out thinly there, and the rest of the US to the East.

Quite a few Enclave soldiers surrendered and defected to the Legion as the only thing keeping them loyal to the Enclave was Aisha.

Texas was a major victory for the Enclave and served to increase morale among the troops. New camps were built along the Texas/Mexico border, complete with sniper nests nearby to shoot at Enclave soldiers attempting to cross the border. Almost ten thousand soldiers in Mexico lay down arms for the Enclave and picked them back up for the Legion, turning on their fellow soldiers.

The balance of power is starting to shift in what was once America.

Beginning military totals:
Enclave - 600,000
Legion - 80,000
New Vegas - 4000

Losses to this point:
Enclave - 150,000 (includes defectors)
Legion - 12,000
New Vegas - 800

Current totals:
Enclave - 450,000
Legion - 96,000 (They got the defectors)
New Vegas - 3,200

Some in Hew are beginning to pressure the government to act on the Enclave but they decline in favor of armed neutrality. However, a group of expressive minded people have gathered in Hew to lend the Legion some indirect assistance in the form of a radio broadcasting station known as Freedom's Voice Radio. It is primarily funded by various industrialists in Hew, but the government has given the project some secret support by sending in equipment to prevent jamming. A sample broadcast:

"Greeting to the free people of America. You are listening to Freedom's Voice Radio, the radio station dedicated to the distribution of knowledge to all corners of America. Listen not to the lies of the Enclave, every minute they are being beaten back by the forces of the Legion. The oppressive regime with two once great champions find themselves leaderless and vulnerable. The only thing stopping yourselves from claiming the freedom that should be yours is you. The people of America hold all the cards in the game, and should you rebel for your freedom, there will be no one to stop you. Join the Legion or create your own rebel army. It matters not. If you can bring yourselves to fight for your freedom, the Enclave will fall! State by state, city by city, let us rid America of the tyrants who dare to oppress it's people. Spread the message. Tell everyone about our broadcasts. Freedom should come first, no matter what stands before it."

The air wing is used primarily to take down Enclave vertibirds. The shortest range of any of the air-to-air missiles the Mirages have is 15 kilometers; the longest is 60 km. They also have a few air-to-ground missiles, including the AS-30L (minimum range 3 km, maximum range 11 km with a 529 lb Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive warhead).

With a mini-carrier, 1000 of the Maroni troops acting as marines hit Enclave-controlled coastal cities, though they will consult the Legion for targets they need taken down. One attractive target: Adams Air Force Base. The rest go where the Legion needs them to be.

So far, only one T-90 has been knocked out and 200 losses sustained.

The broadcast from Hew is heard by many in Enclave territory. The Northeastern territory begins to fight back against the Enclave. They'd only heard rumors of what was going on, but now that it has been confirmed, the civilians and even some defecting soldiers begin to fight against the Enclave in the name of the Legion.

The Legion, unaware of the fighting in the northeast, begins to push east again, though this time along the Gulf coast. Louisiana falls easily enough with nothing to defend but the coast line. New Orleans was destroyed long ago by hurricanes and the fact that it was below sea level anyway. No one has tried to rebuild it. The rest of the states fall quickly with even more defection than deaths occurring. Georgia is the last, oddly enough. Florida turned to the Legion before the Legionaries even arrived. Within two weeks after taking Texas, the rest of the Gulf coast states belonged to the Legion as well as the Northeastern former United States, with the exception of what belongs to Hew, down to the original Capital Wasteland. Enclave soldiers seem to have gathered in that location and are defending it like no other location. It's almost a desperation move.

For the most part, the Legion lets the Swiss do what they wish in the fighting with one restriction. Any land they take is taken for the Legion. Caesar himself agrees that Adams Air Force Base is a serious threat. He also makes mention of Raven Rock being the true capital of the Enclave and likely where Eden is located. However, Raven Rock is an underground bunker.

Texas, however, is proving to be a problem. With Enclave soldiers reaching the border, the Legion has had to fall back several times. El Paso was lost to the Enclave, though retaken. The Texas/Mexico border is in constant fluctuation. Even with the Enclave defectors in Texas and Mexico, the Enclave soldiers do not seem ready to give up.

New Vegas soldiers decide to focus their efforts on the border with Mexico. Not just Texas, but New Mexico, Arizona, and California. To their surprise, the California border is already being defended by what was left of the New California Republic. The old NCR is rather quick to throw in with New Vegas rather than be left to fight alone.

With the go ahead from Caesar, those twelve planes bomb Adams Air Force base, making a few trips back to reload bombs and missiles. Following that aerial assault on Adams Air Force base, the remaining Swiss infantry make a play for Raven Rock, supported by tanks and aircraft.

(OOC: Pass.)

Raven Rock is the most heavily defended Enclave location, so it's going to be difficult. Sure, the tanks and aircraft will help, but these soldiers have big guns, missiles, and even mini nukes and they don't seem to be afraid to use them.

The Legion continues on their campaign finding more and more support as they head more north now. they do have maps of where Hew is located, so they try not to cross over borders. They might accidentally do so, but they don't attack anyone not in Enclave armor.

At the area around Raven Rock, a Vertibird swoops in flying Legion colors and not Enclave colors. It's the only different one. The vertibird also made several calls to Swiss troops to 'please don't shoot us down!'. The vertibird lands and Arcade of all people hops out. He's got several grenades in a box and heads to whoever is in charge. "I haven't tested them, but if they work like I hope they do, they're EMP grenades. It'll completely disable the power armor." He sets the box down. "I figured Raven Rock was a good testing place for it. Either it'll work, or it'll give a good bang. Either way, the Enclave will come down hurting."

The Swiss troops there are hanging around as far outside the range of the Enclaves big guns as possible, waiting for the aircraft to soften up Raven Rock. Upon hearing that Enclave troops would be using mini-nukes, the Swiss aircraft retaliate by hitting any missile launch sites and anti-aircraft guns from kilometers away.

They'd use the biggest weapon they have, Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (ASMP), a tactical nuclear cruise missile, except that it has a minimum payload 7.14 times that of the Nagasaki bomb, which would mean their own troops would be wiped out and they'd be prosecuted for war crimes by the Swiss government.

After a three days of bombing, they launch the assault, 40mm EMP grenades launched from M320 grenade launchers and armor piercing rounds blazing.

Those EMP grenades work. The Enclave soldiers caught outside can't use their power armor and have to fight without the protection. Those that were inside the Raven Rock bunker, however, are protected from the EMP. Eden is still alive and kicking, so to speak.

The Legion troops start to show up at Raven Rock after working their way up the coast to the DC area. The Legate is among these troops. He doesn't bother to discuss tactics with the Swiss. Instead, he orders his troops to go for a full out assault, both backing up the Swiss and filling in where they need to.

Raven rock is effectively surrounded. The Legion uses nothing that EMPs will hurt, so they start hurling Arcade's EMP grenades. Some of them work, some don't. The ones that work as EMPs disable the power armor. The ones that don't, explode so violently that the shrapnel pierces the power armor.

While there are a few pockets of the Enclave left in the continental United States, the Legion now controls most of what had been Enclave territory. Many of the Enclave civilians turned to the Legion unaware of the fact that the Legion are slavers. So far, however, no civilian has been captured as a slave.

Though they lost another 400 or so men on the way and another three tanks, Maroni's troops make it to the entrance of Raven Rock, where they camp out and blast anybody who tries to come out while the two in charge, Pino and Umberto Maroni, Salvatore's sons, await orders from the Legate.

Once it's clear that the Enclave has truly lost this war, the remaining Enclave soldiers in Mexico and Central America pretty much surrender. There's a few that form a resistance, but it most likely will not last long. Those who used to be Enclave citizens are now counting themselves among the Legion. Anyone who remains loyal to the Enclave either flees or hides themselves in a different town.

At Raven Rock, now that the only remaining Enclave in the area are either hiding or holed up in Raven Rock, the order from the Legate is 'hold position and wait'. Uhh, okay. The Legion is even a little confused at this, but they're also backing up the Swiss in killing anyone that comes out of the bunker.

Well, it becomes clear later on when Caesar himself shows up. He's not in his usual armor, but rather battle armor. Within an hour, a new order is passed down. 'Storm the bunker'. The legionaries do so with the Legate and Caesar behind them. Oddly enough, Caesar didn't get to where he was just by luck. He's obviously had to prove how good he is, though the Praetorians and Legionaries are protecting him, even going as far as taking a laser hit or bullet that might have hit Caesar instead.

The Enclave is strong in number here, but between the Legion and Swiss, they are outnumbered. It won't take long and it doesn't. Within an hour, Raven Rock has fallen. However, once the Administrative area is located and the President's office unlocked, there's no one there. Not even the robotic body. While they're all there, a self-destruct alarm begins to sound. The large computer outside of the office announces, with the voice of Eden, that the auto destruct system is now activated and there's a five minute countdown.

Those of the Legion don't question it. They run. They don't explain why, but any ally they pass is told to "Get the fuck out!" or "It's all gonna blow!". Hopefully they listen and follow.

After the countdown, Raven Rock explodes on the inside and a jet of fire leaves the entrance. Anyone in it's path would be roasted and a few Legionaries are. The ground also rumbles and even shakes a little. Caesar and the Legate are both out of it's path and on the ground. They were among the last to leave the bunker and survive.

Previous totals:
Enclave - 450,000
Legion - 96,000
New Vegas - 3,200

Losses:
Enclave - 400,000 (includes defectors)
Legion - 28,000
New Vegas - 400

Final Tally:
Enclave - 50,000 (scattered)
Legion - 374,000 (Again, they got the defectors)
New Vegas - 2,800

(OOC: For the record, I'd always planned on the Enclave falling hard due to how oppressive they were. Fallout: New Vegas just gave me the factions I needed to do it. )

Now that the war is nearing to an end, Gsso. Roald offers to host a meeting in Hew for the creation of a peace treaty. Transportation will be provided.

The High Priest Radon dispatches a message that Bismouth would be willing to provide competent and impartial mediation during the creation of the treaty if the parties involved so desire.

(OOC: Nothing much to say here, really. Just another hundred losses in the storming of Raven Rock, I guess.)

Upon receiving the transmissions, Caesar is called away to make the decision. The nations are contacted and everything is agreed upon, however, no representative from the Enclave will be allowed. This will be between all nations except the Enclave. They've effectively been wiped out by this point anyway. Eden is apparently destroyed and with Aisha and Jericho gone, the Enclave government is gone.

For good measure, Caesar contacts Alanda and Alexia and offers for them to join the peace talks. Yes, they've been monitoring the situation and, surprisingly, they accept the offer. Caesar is someone they don't know and they're curious as to whether or not peace is attainable with him. The Enclave, no, it wasn't. The Legion? They don't know. However, since Caesar contacted them, it's possible.

Oh, and it would be fairly clear at this point that Enclave troops taken captive are being turned into slaves or killed. One or the other. No Enclave civilian that joined with the Legion has had this treatment though. They've been accepted as a civilian in the Legion. The Legion's numbers have swelled so much during this that it may seem that slavery isn't necessary on the same scale. Instead, the current numbers are doing well enough.

(OOC: Anyone want to respond or do the meeting?)

(OOC: Is that everyone, then?)

A message is sent out to all delegates with the coordinates of the Central Airport at Hew, and transports go out to pick up delegates as neccesary. Each delegate is greeted by a modest looking man in circular glasses and a Municipal officer uniform with a unique black beret. He seems to be very mild-mannered, but has a voice of command.

"Greetings, esteemed delegates. Welcome to the City of Hew. I am General Richard Tardis, and I escort you to the Generalissimo's secure meeting chamber. Please, follow."

The Alanda and Alexian representative arrives on her own. Al'cia D'mitt waits for the other delegates, truly curious about meeting the one from the Legion.

From the Legion, Caesar himself attends.

From New Vegas, Tex shows up.

At least the Legion and New Vegas seem to be able to get along. For now at least.

Bismouth sends the High Priest Helium to generally lurk.

(OOC: Yes, you did. Bolded and changed color where it happened. I wasn't specific, but all transmissions were responded to. )

Rutianas wrote:

Upon receiving the transmissions, Caesar is called away to make the decision. The nations are contacted and everything is agreed upon, however, no representative from the Enclave will be allowed. This will be between all nations except the Enclave. They've effectively been wiped out by this point anyway. Eden is apparently destroyed and with Aisha and Jericho gone, the Enclave government is gone.

(OOC: OK, I edited my post. We're sending someone to lurk then )

(OOC: OK, then. Waiting on Panzer if he wants to send anyone.)

(OOC: Not sending anyone.)