Chapter 486 - Legio Peccator

Word of Caesar's return had spread throughout the Legion, much to the Empire's relief. Once it was known that he had been saved, all the Centurions, Legates, and other important individuals immediately leave their posts to go and meet their leader.

Obviously, he did not return to the Fort, as that place was deemed unsafe and unsuitable for the Great Caesar, especially since he'd been captured from there in the first place... Instead, he was taken to an encampment miles west of the Colorado, and was heavily, heavily reinforced compared to the Fort.​​

This was to make up for their failure at protecting Caesar last time from those despicable mercenaries now calling themselves 'Bulwark'...

Caesar was currently sitting on a throne within a large war tent, Augustus was standing at his side as Legates and Centurions enter and kneel before him. The only people who weren't present were the one's in charge of taking care of the Empire, those like Legate Lanius.

Caesar's eyes linger on Vulpes Inculta as the man silently enters and kneels next to the others, "Vulpes, stand." he commands, a scowl on his face.

Vulpes Inculta, knowing he was in trouble, stands and immediately starts speaking, hoping to alleviate some of Caesar's anger, "It is a joy for us all that you have returned, my liege. It shames me that I was not able to save you sooner, the pain, humiliation, and torment those barbaric mercenaries put you through must have been terrible." he smiles graciously.

Caesar scowls and slams his fist onto the armrest of his throne before pointing an accusatory finger at the man, "You simpering whelp, did you really think I'd believe such verbal diarrhoea!? You thought yourself above the task of retrieving me from our enemies, instead, sending Augustus Aquarius into what you assumed was a trap, endangering a valuable commander of the Legion all to save your own skin." he spits.

"Great Caesar I never mean-" Vulpe starts but is cut off.

"You will shut your filthy mouth while I am speaking, do you Understand!? The only reason I haven't had you dragged outside, set alight and thrown into a canyon is because you still have your uses. Even with your numerous failures concerning your schemes and even my safety, you are still useful... Consider this your last chance, Vulpes, fail me one more time and I promise every inch of pain and agony I can grant unto you. Do you understand!?"

Vulpes quickly nods and presses his forehead to the floor, feeling a sort of deja vu... Vulpes was honestly expecting two things from this meeting. Either he's executed, or let off completely... This compromise surprised him somewhat.

In recent months Caesar had become more passive and delegated much of his responsibilities. Less brutal in his punishments, now it seems his recent encounter with Afton Parker had put the fire back in him. Vulpes didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing... Caesar would now act like he used to, but that also put Vulpes at risk of an agonizing demise... He mentally shakes his head and returns to kneeling beside the others in the room.

Caesar sits up straight and scours the crowd with his gaze, "Cicero Tullius, what changes have been made to make sure a disaster like what happened at the Fort does not happen again?" he asks and a man with a heavily scarred face stands.

"We have ten thousand men in this encampment alone my liege, our defences are still being constructed, but the walls will be so thick that even a tank would not breach it at full speed. We have set up turrets at all entry points that will be permanently manned to prevent surprise attacks. Every person that enters and exits the encampment will have their identity checked, through tags, passcodes, and member lists." the man explains.

Caesar slowly nods, "That will do, for now, concentrate on completing our defences... If we cannot protect ourselves from a small group's assault then what chance do we have at taking the Mojave!?... Surge, militibus meis." he commands, and everyone stands to attention, "Take this as our second chance, if such events as happened recently occur again then our campaign is finished, along with our future. The future of you, your children, and your children's children. All of our future's hinge on your success, remember this when you start to falter." he states before waving them all off, "Nam Legion!"

""""""Ad Caesarem!"""""" the crowd shouts in response before they all march out with a spring in their steps.

Caesar slumps slightly and looks at Augustus who's still standing at the side, "Do you believe our defences will be enough to fend off Afton Parker and his 'Bulwark?'"

Augustus thinks for a moment before slowly shaking his head, "Those machines he had at his side during the trade looked more powerful than those I have seen before... He also seems able to reproduce that Power armour of his, which is the biggest threat to us currently... Given enough time, I believe he would be able to create an army more powerful than even the Brotherhood of Steel." he cautiously states, hoping to not offend Caesar.

Caesar nods, "My thoughts exactly... We have enough men, but our equipment is lacking compared to him... Of course, our laws against technology do no help us in this regard, but we need something to combat him... Even if we triumph over the NCR, he will still be there, waiting in the Mojave for us." he says with a slight shiver.

Augustus bites the inside of his cheek as he goes to speak, his words alone risking his health. "Then perhaps we should... Alter the law slightly, my liege? Our fights with the Brotherhood of Steel have left us with quite the arsenal, but all are forbidden from using it... Perhaps now is the time we create a 'special unit' for just such an occasion?"

...

Caesar is silent for a while, but eventually he slowly nods, "I think the situation demands something like this... Very well, Augustus, I put you in command of the Legio peccator, a unit given special permission to use advanced technology." he states.

Augustus nods, "It would be an hour my liege."