Chapter 151 - Sneering Schemes

Somewhere within a large red tent sat a man wearing a skinned wolf's head and modified sportswear. The desk in front of him was littered with reports from all across the Mojave. Unit movement, NCR plans, maps detailing NCR bases and vital places that could potentially be sabotaged, there were even simple rumours that'd be sent to him.

Vulpes Inculta was a stickler for knowledge. If someone died in the wasteland, he wanted to be the first to know about it. If the NCR suddenly decided they wanted to add another pocket to their uniforms, he wanted to know about it. If an NCR soldier started eating too much fibre than his diet required, he wanted to know about it.​​

Of course, there was a good reason for his almost obsessive attention to detail. He was the Legion's foremost strategic planner, the schemes he had lead were some of the most successful that'd ever been conducted in the red empire. Sure, he was insulted, belittled, and sometimes even attacked for his methods, but he saw all that as meaningly. All that mattered was the outcome, the means he used to get there were paltry afterwards.

The Legion conducted itself in the same manner as the long-dead Roman empire had, all under Caesers direction of course. Honour, and front-on brute force were favoured compared to how he conducted his men. This was likely why the great Caesar himself took an interest with him.

While the others of his group wanted his head for disobeying his captain, sneaking through enemies lines, and capturing the enemy chieftain, Caesar saw potential.

And now here he was, in an outpost deep within NCR territory looking through a mountain of paperwork. Usually he'd see this as fine, but his Legionaries weren't the brightest bunch and their reports left much to be desired... He was sure some were even struggling to write. He hoped they wouldn't go looking to the locals for help in creating their reports, otherwise he'd have them strapped to a cross and executed.

Atleast the job wasn't boring though. The back and forth of battle between two superpowers would always be exciting, regardless on whether or not the Legion was winning. Though, lately there have been some issues he's been struggling to deal with.

Some mercenaries have recently made a name for themselves. Now, Vulpes Inculta wouldn't even pay attention to this sort of dishonourable ruffian unless he had plans to send them on a suicide mission. But the group of three had definitely caught his eye.

All the effort he'd gone through to secure Nelson from the NCR, and two people cut down a huge portion of their camp. Sure, the Legion wasn't known for its expert marksman, but he'd have thought atleast one stray bullet would've caught one... But no, his reports stated that the people responsible came out with not one injury... Not a single one! Either these two were incredibly lucky, gods among men, or had been planning this assault for days, even weeks.

Using explosives to dislodge rocks and create a rockslide? Vulpes Inculta had send many Legionaries to inspect that area just to prevent that kind of thing from happening. He knew that the NCR wouldn't dare do it in-case they injured the hostages they kept in Nelson, but it was still a threat he needed to keep an eye on.

And then here comes two random mercenaries, throwing a couple sticks of dynamite and blammo, rockslide wipes out a significant portion of his troops.

The worst thing about this situation? He'd already met these intruding fools! In Nipton, they were the people he'd requested to spread fear among the Mojave. Perhaps his overeagerness to induce despair in the NCR had come back to bite him. Though, these mercenaries hadn't given any indication that they were particularly attached to either side.

It was highly likely that they were only accepted jobs from the NCR due to the fact that they were the ones that controlled the region, and thus the caps. He wondered how many caps it'd take for him to gain their allegiance... Having people as skilled as that would open up many new avenues for him and his plots, perhaps dealing real damage to the New Vegas strip would be a possibility.

He looked down at his desk and rifled through the papers to find the latest report on their movements, eventually finding some information that caused his eyes to widen... The mercenaries were more capable than he'd first expected, even able to acquire a pre-war vehicle.

Vulpes Inculta silently sneers, he wished he was able to get one of those for himself. Of course, the Legion would destroy as soon as they saw it due to their primitive mindsets. He understood why Caesar wanted to limit the use of technology but it still caused many, many problems for himself.

"Legionary?!" he calls out, a couple men wearing red quickly entering the tent before standing to attention.

"Sir?"

"Here are the latest reports on some people I've taken an interest in. I need you to find and approach them while undercover, offer the mercenaries a substantial reward should they enter the services of the Legion. Be cautious, they are extremely dangerous individuals and their loyalties are still unknown." Vulpes Inculta quickly states while pushing some papers towards them.

These were some of the more intelligent Legionaries he had at his disposal, they'd know what to do even if he just handed them the reports... But, he needed this to succeed no matter what, so he'd personally tell them what he needed.

The two nod and are about to leave the room, but Vulpes calls out to them. "I will remind you, while their past actions have negatively affected the Legion, you will show them the utmost respect. Not just for your safety against them, but against me. If I hear that your actions cause them to refuse my offer... You will be punished." he says, causing the Legionaries to audibly swallow their saliva. They'd seen what happens to people who displease him before, and they had no wish to experience it for themselves.

Once they leave Vulpes Inculta slumps back into his chair, "Hopefully those imbeciles won't botch this up.