The message that John had delivered across the wastes had convinced many wastelander's, many of them being poor, to allow themselves to side with Nova Roma. Entire town's, including Rivet City opened their doors to Nova Roma without hesitation. Megaton took a little more convincing, with the death of Lucas Simms ensuring that they joined the Legion. Opposition was still around the wasteland, but their threat was almost eliminated entirely due to the training and numerical advantage of the soldiers of Nova Roma. Elsewhere, Paradise Falls went ballistic. The Slavers had turned on themselves to avoid their inevitable death by the Legion, leaving barely anything left for Nova Roma to clean up. Evergreen Mills, while being cleared out by Taylor twice, went into a panic, but not on the scale of Paradise Falls. The Outcasts were quickly falling, many senior officers committing suicide and destroying their leadership. Only a handful remained. Only the Super Mutants remained, dumb and angry as ever, causing trouble for the wastes. It would be their last time doing so however. By the end of the day, three-quarters of the wasteland supported Nova Roma and their offer for peace. Nova Roma was accomplishing what they had promised to do, unlike the Brotherhood had done. While the Brotherhood saved the wasteland from the Enclave and the Super Mutants, all they had really done was buy themselves time to keep the wasteland organized until Nova Roma arrived thirty years later.
A short while later Using a newly arrived Vertibird which was specifically sent for him in a flight of Nova Roma colors painted Vertibirds(newly made from Detroit) to assert their final dominance of the Capitol Wasteland. He flew off to meet Taylor, and offer her something. Stepping off the Vertibird after landing nearby, he greeted her, "Hello Taylor, I'ld like to thank you very much for your help. I have an offer for you; would you like to head back west to the capital of my nation and meet my Praetorius, Damien? I'm quite certain you two would get along quite well. If not, I offer you a chance to be governess of the Maryland Province. If not; I'll offer it to the Commander and Andrew. It's up to you."
"I would be honored to visit your capital, John." Taylor replied, bowing downwards slightly out of respect. "I'm sure that Andrew would like to be the governor of Maryland and Commander Rivera would most likely assist with the rebuilding of DC. They both want to help the world in so many ways. What is this about your commanders, this Damien character?"
"He was the one time enemy of my nation, before it was my nation, when it was no more than a well disciplined slaver army. He killed a great many of them out of righteous vengeance. Then I overthrew the tyranny that preceded me, turned the slaver army into something greater, into what my nation is now. He joined me as my second in command. That was about 13 years ago. Ever since, we have been working tirelessly ever since then to bring a more peaceful rule throughout the world. As you can see, the Capitol Wasteland was our newest target while he stayed back West to oversee ruling back home and hopefully begin a peaceful unification with the New California Republic. We have rebuilt radio and telephone connections across the nation allowing easy communications." John told Taylor, "Getting you west would only take a matter of days, by the way, thanks to train lines."
"Wow...Just...wow." Taylor added in surprise. "I thought it would take at least six months. Your nation never ceases to surprise me, just allow me to gather my belongings and I'll meet you back here in about two hours." (Another time-skip? I'll start the next one)
One week later Damien Winters, also known as Nero Octavius to some in the Legion, stood at an unmarked grave just outside of New Vegas. Several Flowers adorned the desert ground around a simple stone tombstone, but an small statue was placed at the front of the grave. Damien had his arms folded as he was surrounded by five of his own personal bodyguard as he payed his respects to his father, who was killed 13 years ago by Damien in the hardest battle he had ever fought. Damien nodded and muttered something under his breath as he turned around and headed back to the Lucky 38. Placing his sleeveless duster in a display case, Damien now wore a a business suit in the colors of the Legion. His ginger hair now starting to be replaced by gray hairs. Damien was now 51 years old, but still had the physical image of somebody nearly thirty years younger. As he made it onto the Strip, now appearing seemingly greater than it was before the war, he looked over his head to see a Vertibird catch his eye. Damien then looked back at the strip ahead of him and smiled as the doors to the Lucky 38 opened and closed behind him.
The Vertibird landed inside a makeshift hanger inside the Lucky 38 tower, essentially a converted floor. After the hanger doors slid shut to hold out the wind, John opened the door to the Vertibird for Taylor to exit before following her out, "This is the Capitol tower of the entire nation, in the middle of a jewel in the desert. 13 years of stable rule has done wonders for this land." He said proudly, "Now, Damien should be on his way, he knows the Imperial Vertibird too well to let it pass his attention." He explained, "Now, I'm off to the office, I need to send some orders back east so that Legatus Janius knows his orders for dealing with the Pitt." He said before disappearing inside an elevator.
Taylor looked around the hangar, standing and looking around the incredibly well-crafted hangar. Some large banners of Nova Roma hand about to adorn the area, alongside some complex machinery that she only seen at Raven Rock. Just as she was looking around, the sound of a door opening caught her attention to reveal a handsome man in a red suit surrounded by what appeared to be his body guards. Despite a few small scars across his face from a life-time of combat, Damien had the appearance of a movie star. He walked down a small set of steps as his soldiers moved to the steps and stood still, while Damien himself kept walking to Taylor. Taylor felt a vibe about him that she had never felt around other than John. She knew that if she even attempted to attack the Praetorius, he would kill her in seconds, regardless of how good she was in combat. Taylor gulped as Damien stopped directly infront of her. “Damien Winters, Praetorius of Nova Roma. Pleasure to meet you, Ms Bowman.” Damien reached out for a handshake as Taylor responded in kind. Taylor could tell that Damien’s voice had deepened as he had gotten older, seemingly more baritone than when he was younger. “I had heard some stories about you, and I must admit, taking down the Enclave almost single-handedly is a feat worthy of admiration on its own. My late father had done the same thing about fifty years ago here in the West. I see that John has told you about the Legion when you encountered him, has he not?” “Ye-...Yes, Sir.” Taylor managed to get out. Something about Damien seemed to slow her thoughts. “John informed me about you as well. The previous Caesar sent 1,000 of his best against you, and you had managed to help create a new nation. To see that it has reached a size of this is awe-inspiring.” Damien responded with a smile. “Yes, there were problems with the...previous administration. But I respect your compliment, thank you. If what I believe is true from the stories that I have been told, I want you to attack me with everything you got Lone Wanderer. If you manage to land a single blow on me, I will bow down and call you master.” Damien said, lifting his shoulders up and moving them back slightly to adjust his suit, as two of his bodyguard came and removed his coat. Once it was off, Damien cracked his neck slightly as he looked at Taylor. “Alright, now...hit me.” Taylor then rushed towards Damien as she came at him with everything she could, raising her arm back and then moving it forwards to launch a powerful blow. Damien seemingly dodged the move like it was nothing and gently punched her in the stomach. He did not want the guest to become injured. Damien then dodged the fury of blows that Taylor performed against him, blows that would have easily overwhelmed Slavers and her other enemies. But seeing that Taylor had never fought against a Legionnaire, especially Damien, it was different. Damien then blocked another one of Taylor’s attacks as he gripped her hand, looking at how she positioned it. “Barely Ranger level at least. If your reputation is as large as it is back east, you need improvement.” Damien said as he pushed her back, signalling that the small sparing session was over. Damien then went over and took his coat back before placing it on him. “Of course, I’ll be happy to teach you, but we can wait on that. John is likely wishing to see the two of us soon. We can practise another time.” Damien’s guards then followed behind him as Damien looked back and offered his hand to her. “Come, let’s go.” Taylor looked at the man in awe before grabbing his hand as she was led to the elevator. Taylor had never fought against such an opponent, an opponent that could have killed her in a heartbeat.
The door to the elevator opened just as a couple Legionaires were dragging away a well dressed body, a hole in the middle of the head. It was a distinctive wound that Damien would have known where it came from, the one weapon it could have come from; John's favorite pistol, Lucky. As they entered the main room, the guards stepping to the side to let them pass, John was revealed pacing back and forth in front of the great window that ringed the penthouse. "Sorry about that." John said simply upon noticing Damien and Taylor's entrance, "A family leader thought it would be a good idea to question the binding treaty he signed. Those damn Chairmen really don't like following orders. I have made it clear, chems beyond alcohol are not allowed on the Strip!" He shook his head before taking a seat at his very simple throne, which could have easily been mistaken for a more solid wooden chair, "Now, business. Upon ordering Legate Janius to seige the Pitt and wait for Legate Geniivus to come reinforce him with an additional 5 legions so that their power would be overwhelming as to capture the steel mills intact, I recieved word from our embassy in Shady Sands. It appears the elections last month...did not play to our favor. A party of anti-Nova Roma, pro-NCR war hawks have been swept to power on the promise of renewed NCR greatness. They are preparing for war. Mojave Outpost has recorded far increased activity at Long 15 outpost, far more than peaceful supply caravans could generate. Our caravans have also been ordered out of NCR." John stood up slowly, "it was my born duty according to the Enclave to remove the NCR leadership and make them weak...but I just can't do that anymore..." John sighed and shooed the guards out of the room before getting closer to Damien and Taylor, "Damien...I'm dying." He said slowly, "You told me not to lead the attack on Chicago, knowing the Midwestern Brotherhood would fight like a cornered eat and try any means necassary to kill me....I'm sorry I didn't listen." With that, he lifted up his shirt, revealing a convulted mess of fresh scars that wa a mix of bullets, plasma and laser burns, and sharpnel. "There was an ambush as we approached their final strong hold, using those in the Midwestern that still had their power armor. It was an area thought to be secure. They threw everything they had at us, I'm lucky I didn't die right then, only my anti-material rifle saved me and those caught in the ambush. I then apparently passed out, when I awoke, despite my doctors doing everything in their power, they couldn't get all the shrapnel lodged in my chest and stomach. Ever since then, I've been approaching death slowly. Detroit was the last time I had been able to lead from the front. My condition....it worsens everyday. Even the best auto-docs can do nothing, the wounds are already infected." John sighed and placed a hand on Damien's shoulder, "I have a couple weeks left at most, my friend, and when the end comes, when the infection reaches my heart, it will come swiftly. If my fears are correct, the NCR knows of my weakening state and thinks that our nation will crumble without me. I believe that's why they are risking the buildup." John sighed, "Damien. I need you to prove them wrong. Remember, as Praetorius, you are my heir, and don't forget my planned reforms. When the NCR attack comes, and I know one will upon the arrival of news of my death, you have orders to crush them. Unite America once more friend. Unite us all." John then looked over to Taylor, "I don't know why, but I feel you can be trusted. That you can help us on our grand mission." With that, he turned and returned to his throne, resting his head against the back, "L-leave me. I cannot maintain this act any longer." (John plans on using his death to provoke the NCR into attack and give causus Belli to destroy the NCR)
Taylor looked at John as he placed his hand on the shoulder of Damien, noticing that Damien himself was showing absolutely no emotion. The news was very confronting and she knew that Damien had to remain strong about it, he had to be, and it was something that only John would understand about him. Once John had dismissed the two of them, the two of them went down the grand elevator, Damien not saying a word for the entire ride down. Once the two of them were several floors below the main chamber, Damien walked ahead of Taylor and just stopped dead in his tracks. Taylor and the Legionaries around her also seemed to stop their movements to notice the Praetorius before Damien suddenly screamed loudly, his voice alone seemingly shaking the floor around him as the former Californian seemingly punched through a very solid wooden table as it suddenly snapped clean in two. Damien looked at the destroyed table as he then paced around the room slowly. "F**K!!!" Damien yelled before his emotions finally got the better of him as he went towards his chambers in the presidential suite and locked the door behind him. Taylor was left outside with the Legionaries, who now had to clean up the damage of a broken table. Taylor looked at the table, it was easily 10cm thick, and the angry Damien punched through like it was nothing. She took a seat outside of his room and waited until he was ready to come out.
John slipped out of his throne and into his private chambers, taking a seat on his bed. He bent over in pain as his wounds flared up, cursing as his vision clouded from the pain, fumbling as he pulled open his drawer and pulled out a syringe. Stabbing it into his arm, he sighed as his vision cleared and the pain faded, "Med-x...such a wonderful curse..." He muttered as he laid back on his bed, pulling Lucky from his holster and studied his favorite of weapons, "I think I'll leave you to Damien, to put a bullet in the head of President Oliver." He said aloud to himself, "Teach those traitors that even in the afterlife I can hit them."
Taylor sat on a small bench right outside of the door that was Damien's chambers. She had heard no noise from inside, believing that the walls were soundproof. She wondered what was going on inside of the room, and in what felt like a life-time, she got her answer. Damien walked outside of the room and closed the door behind him before looking at Taylor and sitting down next to her. It was obvious that he was upset, but he never knew exactly why. Taylor then reached her arms out and hugged Damien, as the man responded back as he placed his arms around her. The two of them remained quiet until they both began to talk. It turned out that they had a lot in common. (Time-skip a couple of weeks just before John's death?)
(Sure thing) John laid in bed, with Damien and Taylor alone allowed in his room, taking pained, shallow breaths, red lines visible in the areas of his major arteries on his skin, looking at Damien and Taylor through pained eyes, "I...I have on-one..." He grunted out before closing his eyes tight in pain, quickly grabbing a Med-X, his 5th in an hour, and stabbing it in his arm, breathing out a sigh as it dulled the pain slightly, allowing him to talk. Shakingly, he motioned Damien forward, before pressing Lucky into Damien's hands, "I...I beg...I beg of you to shoot me...so that I may die...as I should..." He said shakingly, "Then...dip every bullet,,.in my blood...and shoot every last God damned...NCR...head of command...with them...You are in charge, Damien....What I have been reaching you...for the past 13 years...actually..." John suddenly chuckled, "Today's the 14th...14ty anniversary of Hoover Dam..." He said almost laughing before groaning in pain, "Oooh that hurts..." He moaned, before looking Damien dead in the eye, "Kill me...my friend...kill me as I killed Caesar and use Lucky to kill the NCR...Make them pay for turning on...the peace we gave them..."
Damien felt the cold hands of John press against his own as he took Lucky from John. Damien had a slight tear coming from his eyes, while still retaining serious about the situation. John had already said goodbye to his Elite Shadows, alerting him that John wished to go this way. Damien placed a bullet in the chamber and cocked it. “Ut in vita sua, in morte texere. Nos iterum conveniant in altera vita, John. Honos Fuerit victum latus. Valete" ("Fearless in death as you were in life. We shall meet again in our next life, John. It has been an honour living by your side. Farewell") Damien then looked at John as he slowly raised Lucky and after a small moment, ended his best friends life as the sound echoed across the room, a round hitting it’s mark in his forehead Damien just stood there for a moment until he went over to John’s body and closed his eyes. Once the deed was done, Damien and Taylor left the room where they were greeted by John’s guard. Damien was now crowned the newest Caesar, and he was going to make his orders clear across the entirety of Nova Roma. “Caesar has passed away. His last wish is for me to lead Nova Roma, and for me to fulfil John’s final wish. I want this news to spread across the entirety of the empire, make them know that John did not die in vain.” Damien ordered. “A ceremony of my initiation as the newest Caesar will be conducted later today, so a stage will be constructed on the strip. The NCR is going to take this opportunity to believe that Nova Roma has become weak. Their arrogance believing that they can take Nova Roma down. We shall prove them wrong. They might have fought John before. But they have never fought me. Gentlemen, we are going to war.” (Oh boy...It's going to go down soon.)
(Yes it is my friend, with a few surprises) After Damien's speech and a pledge of loyalty from the Vivorum Umbras and the Praetorian Guard, Umbra Legatus Silvii found his way to Damien and handed him a simple envelope, "Imperator Augustus have me this to give to you upon his death." He said, "Your eyes only." With that, he walked off the prepare the Umbras to secure the coronation area. Inside the envelope was a letter in John's simple handwriting, "Dear old friend of mine, when this war comes, I am all but certain of victory due to superior manpower and raw resources, however, you cannot level the NCR...my son lives there, unaware his father lead the neighboring superpower. He should be just turning 30 by now. Find him please. Also, after your coronation, go to the top of the Lucky 38, the one place I never let you go, you will find all my personal documents, research, and plans for the future there. Good luck, John."
Few hours later The strip was crowded with tens of thousands of people as they gathered within walking distance of the Ultra Luxe casino and the Tops as a stage was constructed as a podium was erected, some large banners of Nova Roma hanging down from the casinos themselves as Damien stood on the stage, some of the major commanding officers of the Legion bowing down to their newest Caesar. They all kneeled around him as they placed the golden circlet around his head, the crowd roaring into applause around him. Nero Octavius Caesar was born. After the festivities, Damien went upstairs to John’s former quarters, the same eerily tone from John’s death still haunting the tone of the room. He looked around the seemingly empty room, finding notes and facts about the empire. Once he had made it to nearby the throne, he discovered what John had left behind for him. Taking a large file of written work, he sat down onto the throne for the very first time. He was going to fulfill John’s work, and so much more...
The book told Damien how John planned on uniting North America during his rule, that all the land north from something his furthest scouts had reported as something called the "Panama Canal". Upon his death, which John had written as hoping that this would happen soon after completion of North American conquest, leaving Damien to fully pacify the continent and prepare for the next stage; the conquest of South America. The book had detailed plans for every step, and guidance in governance for the next five Imperators, whom John hoped would oversee Nova Roma uniting the whole world. He gave special attention to conquering North America however, as that was the land he knew, leaving room for following Imperators to fill with their knowledge. He explained the reasons why certain areas had to be taken (the Northeast for the industry, the southeast and Great Plains for its perfect farming weather, which would support a large population, the Northwest for the lumber and its reletive intact mess, and the Southwest for its developed civilization. Mexico and Central America needed taking for their resources, and Canada for similar reasons. It told Damien how that, in order to keep the populace happy, infrastructure, mass entertainment, local elections, and various "non-destabilizing" rights be granted. It was essentially a guide book that looked at all possibilities that Damien could build his rule as Imperator off of, a final gift from his friend.
Damien studied the book immensely, spending time to himself for a time until researching the specifics that John wanted for the conquest of North America. All land from Nevada onwards to the newly conquered Capital Wasteland was his, with some conquests leading into Florida not long before John’s death. New York would be interesting, wondering what the Legion would encounter there. Europe was also of a high importance. However, he had the rest of his life ahead of him to continue with such a possibility. He had North America to pacify first. He also thought about what John had told him about his child in the NCR, the last remaining independent power in America. His cooperation was required for Damien’s plan to work. Once he was told the truth and placed into safety, Damien would consider California. John wished for him to take California, but his letter also wanted him to leave it alone until he can convince the man to move to “Safety”. If on- “My lord, NCR has been mobilizing on the Long 15. They are advancing slowly towards the Mojave Outpost, they are to arrive by tomorrow afternoon.” An unknown voice announced from a PA system in the room. Damien stood up with as he rose from the throne, looking downwards at the desk below him while pressing a button to sound his response. “Then it appears that they don’t want to waste time then with their glory hunting.” Damien replied coldly. “I want a legion to head towards the Mojave Outpost under the authority of Centurion Gailus and reinforced immediately. I will be arriving later to inspect the outpost.” Damien could have just gone inside the NCR, but an idea came to his mind. Damien was going to send in somebody into California while Nova Roma easily held off the NCR and escort the man out. If it went well, he would fulfill his friend’s wish of a unified North America. And he knew just who to send into California...
