Ain't That A Kick In The Head (MT/PMT OPEN)

"I will return to Jacobstown, unless I need to stay to maintain my cover."

Tex shakes his head. "Nah, I think it's safe for you to go back. Just a trip over here for a bit of gambling and all."

Kat heads out for a casino.

(OOC: Will post again later with the raid.)

He stays for the rest of the night before driving back to Jacobstown. When he arrived, he found Doctor Henry's assistant, Veronica Santangelo running and embracing a scarred, bald woman. He walks on as Rex greets him, a female cyberdog following.

The Start:

Sure enough, forty eight hours later, an A&A infiltration team is sent to Tuscon to locate the Penitentiary there. The group of sixteen soldiers, decked out with full stealth suits and Assault Rifles wait until just after nightfall to begin their mission.

Once nightfall comes, the sixteen soldiers don night vision goggles and enter the compound. Slipping past most of the guard, they find one and capture him. Quick questioning reveals that the child is being held on one side and Caesar is on the other. The guard begs them to take him with them as he's loyal to the Legion and would be killed if he were left. The soldier is told to stay where he is and to stay quiet.

Because of the different locations, the team leader decides to split the group in two. One group goes after the child, the other after Caesar.

Group 1:

After the split, eight soldiers head off in search of the child. An alert guard spots the shifting from the stealth suits and opens fire on the group. The guard is gunned down, though one A&A soldier is hit. The remaining seven leave their comrade and keep moving.

Alarms sound through the complex and guards start running through the corridors. Several more guards are gunned down.

The group finally reach the child. A child roughly one year old. One of the group picks up the child, wrapping him in a cloth that acts like a stealth suit. They begin their exit of the compound, heading toward the regroup area.

Group 2:

As the group splits, the team leader takes the group headed for Caesar. The gunshot sounds in the corridor but the team continues forward. When the alarms sound and guards appear, the group has to resort to fighting to make their way through. The corridors here are more confusing than the other group. It takes a few trial and error pathways to find Caesar in his cell. The team leader is stunned by what he sees, though he chooses to use his rifle as a club instead of shooting.

Caesar:

He doesn't hear the gunshots, but the alarms wake him from a light sleep. He sits up immediately alert, able to hear the gunfire that echos off the walls now. When the door to his cell opens, he almost seems hopeful until he sees who it is. All hope drains away, just as the blood drains from his face.

Aisha stands there, pistol in hand. She doesn't say anything as she raises the pistol to aim at Caesar.

Convergence:

Three things happen simultaneously.

1. Aisha is hit from behind.

2. The pistol fires.

3. Caesar is thrown backward against the wall, blood blossoming from his shoulder.

Eight figures fade in, having disrupted their stealth suits. The team leader approaches Aisha, making certain she is unconscious. He binds her hands behind her back, then covers her with a stealth cloth. He motions to one of the other soldiers who takes custody of her. The leader then checks on Caesar. He motions for another soldier, who approaches and performs a brief patch on his shoulder.

Caesar, unlike Aisha, is conscious. He seems to understand that these are not enemies, but they're not his Legion or New Vegas. He doesn't ask though. He's silent while he's tended to. They finally get him up and drape a stealth cloth over him. With help, he's able to escape the compound. and return with the A&A team to the rendezvous point. Once both teams are back, complete with wounded soldier and Legionary guard, the group is airlifted to New Vegas.

They touch down at McCarran and the group heads for the Lucky 38 via underground tunnels. They keep Caesar and child out of view until they're in the tunnels.

Upon arrival at the Lucky 38, Kat is ecstatic to see Caesar and her son, first tending to Caesar as he was injured, then to her son. Even Tex seems somewhat relieved and maybe less angry about the whole thing now that he's seeing Kat and Caesar together. Arcade is just grumpy about the whole thing, but he's being somewhat decent. Word is sent to the Swiss in Jacobstown that Caesar and the boy have been freed.

The second surprise comes when Aisha is dumped on the floor in front of everyone. She's still unconscious. Caesar can't help himself. He provides Aisha with a well placed kick to the back, right where her left kidney is. She gasps, but doesn't wake up.

The Swiss are sent a second message that Aisha is now a Legion captive.

The Result:

Within twenty four hours, the former Legion is aware that Caesar is free and Aisha has been taken captive by the Legion, though locations are not revealed. Those loyal to the Enclave find out about the turn of events and many aren't sure whether to fight, take flight, or just integrate into the Legion.

Another war coming up? It starts to look that way. President Eden attempts to rally the troops, but his support is slowly dropping.

They immediately come over by helicopter to take Aisha away. They take her to Searchlight Airport, cuffed the whole way, and transfer her to a small jet that takes off for Haiti, where she is transferred to a maximum security prison. If she had her Mk III power armor at the time, it's confiscated from her as Swiss military property.

While they were at the Lucky 38, some of the crew took a closer look at Caesar's wounds, as he may never regain use of his arm if it's not properly treated, considering the number of delicate nerves and blood vessels there.

And Caesar was more than cooperative with the treatment. He didn't complain. He was lucky in a way. If that shot had been slightly lower, it would have likely killed him. Once he was treated, Tex actually took him and Kat to a room in the Lucky 38 so Caesar could recover. The child, though, stayed with Tex for a while in the Lucky 38.

They all agree to allow Aisha to be transported and held by the Swiss. She was indeed in her power armor, so it's confiscated.

Jericho is still at large, though without knowing where Aisha is, he can't lead up a rescue team. He's the only rallying point for the Enclave loyal troops at the moment.

They are a bit sad the helmet didn't come included, but hey, it's one suit of expensive Mk III Advanced Power Armor recovered. They hold her until a date for the trial can be established.

Humanitarian groups sigh about yet another war about to break out and make ready for it.

Things actually seem quiet for a bit. Yeah, there's tension, but things remain mostly quiet. Eden is, of course, screaming for action on the part of the Enclave, but they remember how it was the last time Aisha was gone. They obviously don't see Jericho as having the same abilities as Aisha. He's trying though. Rather than all out war, he's engaging in terrorist attacks against the Legion. Is it working? Well the attacks are successful, but they're not having the desired effect. Instead, Jericho is just pissing off the Legion. His fatal mistake comes when, either intentionally or unintentionally, he crosses the New Vegas border and carries out one of his attacks against a group of Legionaries that were coming back from vacation.

Word is sent out from Arcade that the Enclave carried out an attack on New Vegas soil and New Vegas was breaking Neutrality at that moment to officially back the Legion against the Enclave, however, Enclave troops that surrender will not be shot at.

Tex pays a visit to the recovering Caesar and Kat and tells both of them to stay where they are. They're safe in the Lucky 38. After they agree, Tex picks up his sniper rifle and three pistols, which he places two in holsters on a belt and the third gets hidden away. He raises a brow when Arcade shows up with a plasma rifle. After an argument, the two leave together to go on the hunt for Jericho and his group.

Three Enclave soldiers in the city do surrender. They're taken to the NVCF (Old NCRCF, btw) and locked up for now.

Jericho, still unaware of where he is, continues on, not knowing that every step is leading him closer to Tex's expert aim.

Meanwhile, humanitarian groups go out to treat the wounded and displaced on both sides. They will only allow Enclave troops to be taken to NVCF, though.

(OOC: I've opened this up now, so anyone can respond.)

And those are the only ones taken to prison. Those Enclave troops that surrender or are captured in New Vegas territory.

Arcade and Tex study Tex's PipBoy to determine where the best location is to set up to wait for Jericho to wander past. Several more attacks have occurred and they seem to be along a fairly straight line. Yeah, Jericho is that stupid without Aisha. The two decide on a spot for Tex to set up and Arcade goes ahead to lead them into a trap.

Arcade isn't so lucky. When he's spotted, he's shot at. One bullet hits his lower right leg and takes him down. He radios to Tex to let him know what's happened before dragging himself into a cave for shelter.

It's the longest shot Tex will ever have to take. He's got the Enclave soldiers in sight, but he's never managed a shot from this distance before. Ten Enclave soldiers plus Jericho are searching for Arcade.

First shot taken at Jericho. Aim: Head shot. Result: Left thigh. Jericho goes down, but he's not out.

Second shot: Successful. Enclave soldier killed.

Third shot: Missed.

Fourth shot: Successful. Enclave soldier killed.

Fifth shot: Aim: Chest shot. Result: Shoulder hit, soldier down, but not dead.

Sixth shot: Successful. Enclave soldier killed.

That's all he manages to get off before the rest of the soldiers take cover.

Tex calls for back up and Christine shows up with her branch of the Militia. The rest of the Enclave soldiers that are not wounded are rounded up. All alive are sent to the NVCF.

Tex starts the search for Arcade. He tries to contact him through radio, but receives no answer. Fortunately for Arcade, Tex is able to spot the blood trail that leads into the cave. He manages to pull Arcade out and get him to the Old Mormon Fort for treatment in time.

Word is quickly spread that Jericho is now a captive of New Vegas. Tex does request that the Swiss take him off the mainland as well, pending trial.

Once that word hits the Legion, they follow suit and state that Enclave personnel who surrender will not be killed. Since Eden was kind enough to free all slaves, the Legion seems to be sticking with that. They found that they had enough civilians to build an infrastructure and now they don't see the need for slaves. Strange, but true. Those Enclave soldiers who surrender are taken to prisons, but not killed.

The only fighting that's really broken out is in Texas where the Enclave was setting up headquarters. The Enclave is desperately attempting to keep the former state but being pushed back each time until they're in Mexico. The Legion doesn't look like they're going to stop either. This time, it looks like they're going to take this all the way into South America. Those that surrender are allowed to live, even if they'd been fighting previously.

Alanda and Alexia actually contact the Rutians and inform them that Eden survived the last time by hiding in a Rutian satellite and might they block that from happening this time? The Rutians do not respond. They're too busy fighting the Sith to bother with what's going on around here. If they don't block Eden, the effects of that may not be known for quite some time.

They repeat the same process in taking Jericho away. They also swing by NVCF to confiscate all suits of Mk III Advanced Power Armor from any captured or dead Enclave soldiers wearing them.

Those Enclave that are killed that had the power armor on are stripped and the armor handed over to the Swiss. The dead are left to lie where they are.

Caesar, still in New Vegas, is in constant communication with the Legion, though some of the Legion want to view him as a captive of New Vegas. He's quick to dispel that viewpoint though. No member of the Legion is to enter New Vegas with any thought of attack. If they're chasing after Enclave troops, they may cooperate with the New Vegas militia.

Texas is finally abandoned by the Enclave, but they find no solace in Mexico as A&A troops have started moving in south from California. They're finding themselves trapped. Those in South America are beginning to panic as the Legion requests permission to pass peacefully through Panama in order to reach the remainder of the Enclave in South America. Yeah, they're really going all the way this time.

In Texas, the one bunker in old San Antonio is accessed and Eden's computer is found and destroyed. If he managed to escape, it's unknown. The Mexican bunker where he had shown up again and cloned Aisha and Jericho is also found and destroyed.

Having been burned by the Enclave once before and not being in a very forgiving mood, they allow the Legion to pass through Panama. They may offer Enclave scientists work if they can prove that they have committed no war crimes if they are feeling merciful later. If they do offer them that, they stay there. No amscraying back to America.

The majority of the Enclave do actually surrender. They've seen what's happened, but some, who have heard the rumours of the Legion enslaving Enclave personnel, refuse to surrender and keep fighting to their deaths. Those who surrender, are taken to prisons to determine what their parts were in previous wars.

The good thing that's come from this is that Caesar is looking to other nations to see how they would react rather than just killing or enslaving those that surrender. Of course, those guilty of anything may be put in the arena with very unfair odds later.

As usual, they request any Mk III Advanced Power Armor, as well as AER10V2 laser rifles, Q-40 Matter Modulators, and Tesla-Beaton Cannons be confiscated and handed over to the Swiss military.

(OOC: I opted to change it from the AER14 to the AER10V2, a laser rifle with scope built in. The Q-40 is renamed to avoid annoying New Vegas. Image of the AER10V2 in spoiler.)

Spoiler:

The requested items are handed over. Arcade balks a little at the Tesla-Beaton Cannon as he reminds Tex about the prototype they found, even though they didn't take it. For now, they hand them over, though they're likely going to be looking into it. Tex did record the information with his Pipboy. They've got a lot of work to try and find anything about it. Probably won't without outside help.

At the gate to the Strip, the Securitrons appear to go haywire with a small group of what appear to be ordinary wastelanders. A tech comes out to stop the Securitrons to save the wastelanders. No one is killed and the wastelanders are allowed access to the Strip.

Tex is back on the Strip, keeping watch from his perch above the second gate. He's got his rifle with him, though not at the ready. He does spot the new arrivals and watches them as they head toward Gomorrah. He climbs down and heads into the Gomorrah by a rear exit to have a conversation with Big Sal.

The wastelanders are watched while in the casino. Word is sent back to Tex about how they are asking questions about the Lucky 38 as well as asking about the rumours that Caesar was on the Strip. Several locals were willing to talk. The only information they had, however, was that the Lucky 38 was off limits to others. They didn't know anything about Caesar though.

(OOC: Anyone can have a citizen in the Gomorrah and be approached. I'm fine with that.)

The Swiss military officials do allow Tex to have one of each of those, if he wishes, courtesy of the Empress of Italy.

An aide to Henry Gates was taking some down time in the Gomorrah. He's just gambling when he notices those arrivals.

And the aide is approached. "Pardon me. I was wondering if you knew if the Lucky 38 is open for business? We've heard about it, but the rumor is that no one is allowed in or out?" One of them asks.

Another speaks up. "We've also heard that New Vegas has chosen sides in the Legion-Enclave war by housing Caesar here. That'd be something if it were true. Right?"

The third one just shakes his head. "Nah, New Vegas wouldn't pick sides. They're too neutral." He looks at the aide. "What do you think? Does New Vegas hide Caesar? If so, where would they stash him? He's not exactly unrecognisable. Personally, I don't think he's here."

This has pretty much been the same conversation that others have gotten.

Louis Douglass says, "As far as I know, only Mr. Gannon and Mr. Johnson are allowed inside. I don't know anything about Caesar being let in. Why do you want to know?" He looks anxious to get back to his slots.

The first one nods. "Just wondering." He looks toward his group,. "I told you he lied about having been in there! Pay up! Pay up!" Legion coins change hands. "Sorry to bother you."

They all wander off, getting drinks along the way.

He looks at them oddly, not sure if he should tail them or return to his slot machine. He cuts his losses and tries to follow them, out of curiosity.

They don't do anything other than hit every casino in turn performing the same act with others, if it is an act. They're obviously looking for Caesar, but why is the main question.

After a while, Tex shows up next to Louis. "They're persistent." He's noticed the aide attempting to follow the wastelanders. "I'm not sure if they're Legion or Enclave though. If they're Frumentarii, they're hopelessly bad at it. If they're Enclave infiltrators, they're laughable." He shrugs. "I'm betting on Infiltrators. Frumentarii doing this badly would be killed for it upon their return. Though they could be intentionally doing this bad." He sighs.

"I would hope so, if they managed to not notice me following. I'm not a stealthy person. I did see them exchange Legion coin, though. They may have gotten it off some dead Legionaries."

Tex nods. "Yeah, exactly. Though both those coins and caps were accepted during the merger." He shrugs. "If they're Frumentarii, then it's fine for them to know where Caesar is. If they're Infiltrators, not so good if they know." He shrugs. "I think it's time to contact Legate Lucius." He shrugs again. "He'd know if Frumentarii were sent here." He pulls out his radio and relays the message to Arcade, who probably sends off the request.

In South America, it's likely that any remaining Enclave have gone underground. The Legion aren't finding any more. They do find tribals down there and begin to set up camp in order to bring those tribals into the Legion.

He nods.

In South America, the Swiss Empire is not so nice about having been burned once by the Enclave. There is no offer to save them.