While the majority of the NCR force attacked the Mojave Outpost, it was not the only location that was under attack. Far smaller groups yet determined NCR soldiers and Rangers attacked from other locations from the north-west and essentially any opening the could find into the Mojave, having some degree of success in fighting against Nova Roma's more isolated outposts. However, with the well armed Legionaries fortifying their outposts with turrets and sniper's focusing on their command structure, the NCR found themselves overwhelmed quickly once their officers were killed and had suffered a lack of numbers to retreat, forcing them to retreat. Back at the Mojave outpost, things were going exceptionally well for Nova Roma. Roughly 30 Legionaries had fallen after the NCR used their Ranger's accuracy with a rifle to snipe at their opponent while moving towards their outpost. It was troublesome for Nova Roma to simply hold off 20,000 NCR, but the NCR under-estimated the Legion. Machine-gun turrets positioned on cliff-faces and one in the wall of Nova-Roma's defence wall simply obliterated their frontlines, while artillery-fire was concentrated in the most dense areas of their forces. This, combined with the Legion moving towards the Republic with their superior weaponry, tactics and overall deadlier force, the NCR lost thousands of their own quickly. Damien stood on a wall, watching the progress of the battle at hand, occasionally picking off a Ranger sniper with his rifle when any got in their sights. With tanks now arriving in Vegas, he could have considered using them against his former nation, but only if they still persisted against the Mojave Outpost. He wanted to use them instead for taking very important locations, such as Shady Sands, The Hub, Boneyard and what he believed was the most important, Navarro. Damien watched as they began to advance like mindless drones on their commanders behalf, only to watch them get mowed down by weaponfire or get slashed by the Legion's swords. After about half an hour, the NCR began to retreat, having suffered a casualty rate of 91%. The Legion barely lost anything over 5%. With a victory at the Mojave Outpost, and other victories in the doorway to the Mojave, the Legion mobilized and advanced into California with their invasion force of 200,000 fully trained Legionaries under the command of 20 Centurions each. Damien himself commanded his own Legion, and was going to head straight to Jacob's home and fill his end of the bargain.
Jacob had taken up shop in the same place in his attack, waiting for someone to retreat or advance through the area. If anyone, Roman or NCR, tried to mess with his ranch, they would pay for it in blood, namely a bullet to the head. He watched as the night began to fall as the first defeated NCR troopers trudged past his ranch. This would be the first of the couple thousand survivors that night, and before Damien arrived, 100 NCR troops who made the mistake of trying to steal one of his Brahmin for a ride or meat laid dead around his ranch.
The Legion mowed down any sort of NCR resistance they came across as they moved into California in several directions, the major path of action being led by Damien heading towards Shady Sands. With the seemingly enormous army heading towards their major cities, Damien had the objective to kill every last NCR official with Lucky, just as John would have wanted. However, he still had to make a stop before Shady Sands. Arriving two hours after the NCR’s defeat, Damien and his own personal Legion arrived at Jacob’s ranch. A thousand of them went into the ranch itself, the remainder setting up a temporary campsite across the highway and using the wreckage as cover from possible NCR resistance. Alongside his Legion, Damien had also used the resources to help turn Jacob’s ranch into a fully fledged town, but currently had enough supplies to house at least 500 people. Damien, still dressed in full armour, went to Jacob with two Vivorum Umbras at his side and handed over Jacob a document. A copy of John’s will. “This should be more than enough.” Damien replied, ignoring the bodies, knowing that all of them were trespassers in some form. “I hope this satisfies your needs. It’s the least I could do.”
Jacob nodded to Damien before opening the will slowly, reading over it, eyes widening a bit as he read his part, "'e...'e wants to leave...10,000,000 denarii to me..." He whispered, "that there's a lot of money...and...somethin' about his "duster and weapons, Lucky after Imperator Nero completes his mission with it."
Damien nodded. "I can provide you with the denarii immediately; I’ll get word to a courier to deliver the package." Damien then looked at the horizon beyond him, thinking about something before he turned back to face Jacob. "We will be leaving before dawn tomorrow; we'll help clear the bodies. Once California is taken, construction of your own town will begin. Until then, we’ll help clear the bodies of these trespassers. Centurion Vitus will be taking command of the main force, I’m going to Shady Sands. “He said before placing his hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “Your father would be very proud of you, keep up the good work.” He said before he began to walk away from the Ranch, looking at the Vivoum Umbras nearby him. Taking out Lucky and pulling out what appeared to be a water canteen, except that it contained John’s own blood, Damien dipped every single bullet in the red liquid. As he was just heading down the highway, many more came to his side as the sun began to set. It was exactly what was going to happen in the plan he made back in Vegas, and the vow he made to his fallen friend. “We’re ending this tonight.”
Jacob ended up helping the Legionaires clear out the bodies and calming his Brahmin, treating them to some dinner for their help. He then sent most of them along the way, asking a few to stay as just a little extra protection (mainly company, and also for news on the Romans progress on taking NCR)
Imperator Nero stood with roughly thirty of the best of the Vivroum Umbras outside of Shady Sands, travelling into the obsidian night as they soon slipped right into the town without problems. The streets were seemingly devoid of all life with barely no lights were turned on across the town, working in the Legions favour. Once they stood in the centre of the town, five of them went to the Barracks to jam any doors shut. Damien and the others however, went across to discover that many of John’s enemies were inside of the town hall, still awake at 2 in the morning arguing over politics of the NCR. Damien surprised them by bursting down the door and before they could react, killed everybody in the room with Lucky. Every single round hitting its target in the head. Once done, their bodies were taken to the centre of town and crucified. On the other side of Shady Sands, the infamous Vivorum Umbras had made their way inside of the barracks through a weak opening left by an ignorant guard. Once inside, the doors of the sleeping quarters and all buildings inside of the military camp were jammed shut and before long, were set upon the flames of hell. Many had woken up to smell the smoke as the alarms went off, crawling at the door like animals. But it was already too late, their screams and the screaming of others being the last thing many of them they ever heard. All other guards inside the camp were killed with silenced weaponry, leaving the camp a deserted ruin. As soon as they had arrived, they had vanished as if they never existed. Many had awoken when they realised the flames, almost all of them being terrified at what they had witnessed. President Oliver was not in Shady Sands, but he was one of the very few, if not the only individual that Damien had left. The war could have ended just like that, but he knew that Oliver, being stubborn as he was, would endure. Nearby the huge line of crosses was a message to all of those still wanting to fight a war. It simply stated. “Do you see what we see?”
Jacob chatted with the Legionaires, one named Julius, the other Gaius. Apparently; one had come all the way from some tribe in Minnesota while the other was from one of Nova Roma's limited holdings in Mexico. They seemed to be not able to remember much of their old life, but they both agreed Nova Roma provided a much better life. Their talking made Jacob realize that Nova Roma was far different from Caesar's Legion, which the NCR government said they were just like, just a bit more diplomatic. And that thoroughly impressed Jacob, but then the Legionaires added that they feared that Damien was far more military minded than John, and might bring back the absolute total war, or at least parts of it, of the days of Caesar's Legion.
After the destruction of almost all of the NCR’s government and their foolish idea to attack Nova Roma, the NCR began to falter and lost a colossal amount of support in their war-effort. Roughly the entire eastern half of the republic, mostly made up of farmers and smaller yet strategic towns, wished to be assimilated into Nova Roma because of the NCR’s corruption in government and wanting for a higher quality of life. With Nero accepting, half of the war was already done. However, with his first actions as the Imperator being to start a war under the wishes of his dying friend, John. Damien felt that this is not how he should be remembered for after his own passing. The image of a power-hungry tyrant flooded his mind, reminding the leader of...him. Of Edward Sallow. Once the word was gathered that Shady Sands had surrendered, Damien went to speak on a makeshift stage, with television cameras recording him live. With Nova Roma having pre-war long-range television sensors repaired, a luxury that was formerly available in very-few cities, Damien’s message to Oliver would be heard across the entire nation with the speech also being broadcast on radio. Temporarily switching his armour to his suit, he was televised live. Once he was on the air, Damien spoke clearly. “Good evening, Nova Roma and to the New California Republic. This is Imperator Nero Octavian Caesar. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of the everyday routine, the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as anybody. But, I have grave matters to address you of today. Yesterday, at 1:32pm outside of the Mojave Outpost between the border of Nova Roma and the New California Republic, the Republic had declared war against Nova Roma. To protect the best interests of Nova Roma and of the people, I had to irrationally act on short notice to protect the nation. Any previous negotiations that me and our government have tried to make had only ended in failure, and in one case, an failed assassination attempt by NCR Veteran Rangers. I fear that despite me having to spend my first few days under your Imperator being forced to declare war against the Republic, I personally wish that this does not change your perception of me. I’ve never wanted to declare war against the Republic...” Damien continued to speak about what he personal feelings towards the people of Nova Roma, feeling that he was seen as a tyrant to many. News about the war continued to spread until Damien came to the climax of his speech, where the impact of the speech really hit the crowd. “President Oliver of the New California Republic. I wish for you to put an end to this ridiculous war immediately. You have sent your own people to die. This war does not have to result in further bloodshed, I wish for you to understand. Nova Roma has been providing you with fresh water from Lake Mead, electricity from Hoover Dam, and we have helped reconstruct many of your cities. Unless you don’t act in ending this war now, I will have no choice but to restrict the NCR’s access of these resources. Sending your own soldiers to fight a pointless war, causing grief across their families, children would grow up never having the opportunity to know whom their mother or father was. Please, Oliver. End this war now. This is your Imperator, signing off.” Once the camera’s went off, Damien sighed deeply. However, once he went off the stage, all of the Legionaries that attended to see him gave him a standing ovation as they cheered loudly. Civilians were also present to see the speech. The camera crew even joined in the applause. This seemed to cheer Damien up. His people seemed to love him, despite that they felt abit misguided. Damien had revealed to the entire nation who he really was.
Jacob looked around the dusty ranch of his, mulling something Gaius had let slip after a drink too many, enjoying having a moment never allowed in active service, that should word of his being the son of the recently deceased Augustus Caesar, the people may demand him be put on the throne as it was "what was right and made sense, being his son and all", and that Damien would have to hide him, to make him disappear to avoid that, even if he didn't realize it yet. One of Jacob's Brahmin noticed him and trotted over, one of its two heads pushing against his hand to be petting, "Atta girl, Betty...." He muttered as he petted her heads, looking out to the I-15 stretching in either direction, "Ah'm just a Brahmin rancher...Ah could never lead a nation...'ell, prolly gonna pressed just managin' tha town,.." He muttered go himself.
With relations with his own nation greatly improved, Damien had swapped back to his armour. If Oliver had refused the only opportunity to end the war right there and then, the already crippled NCR would be outraged at their president, alongside many in Nova Roma itself. Oliver, not already being crushed by a currently short yet vicious war, was starting to fight against wide-spread revolts in the Boneyard and New Arroyo. Eastern California, now apart of Nova Roma, had already began to experience development beyond the likes anything they had ever seen or dreamed of. Vault City and Reno, alongside the entirety of all territory towards Oregon, was starting to be rebuilt while also experiencing the luxuries of Nova Roma’s rule. This split the NCR directly in two, one half being the bear, the other being the bull. A couple hours after his speech, Damien was sitting down next to a group of Centurion officers at a table, discussing about their own lives until a messenger arrived to them with a letter. Damien already had a bad feeling about what it was about and who it could have been from. It was a letter from Oliver, stating that it would “Go down fighting” against Nova Roma. Damien looked concerned about the letter, while the other Centurions became furious. Damien stood upwards as he turned around to them. “Send word about Oliver’s rejection to Vegas, this is bound to spread like wild-fire.” Damien replied. “We have given him a chance for peace, and he wants’ to make his last stand of glory before he is silenced entirely. His reputation is absolutely ruined, many of his own people are beginning to see our nation as a better alternative then the corruption the bear suffered. If he survives, and that is a big ‘If’, he shall be locked in prison for the remainder of his days. Now...I believe that we should hold our defences, the NCR is going to fight like a cornered animal now that they have nothing to lose.” The Imperator replied as his Centurion’s nodded as they ran off to send the news, talking to other officers and speaking to them across the newly constructed phone-line. Damien had one thing that he had to deal with however, the identity of Jacob Trueman. He already had a plan to deal with Jacob’s reaction to the people, if they were to find out who his father was. He had to pay him another visit at his Ranch and help him discuss the means of his identity. What Damien had in mind was to change his last name, which would fool many, but if it came to a certain point, he might have to relocate him entirely. Killing him was out of the question.
(Alright) With the rejection of ending the war, the NCR was experiencing a major internal revolution across seemingly every city and town that they still controlled. The revolutionaries claimed that the government was corrupt beyond redemption, and that Nova Roma deserved to take it's place. The revolution was fierce, but nowhere more so than what remained of Los Angeles, the Boneyard. Entire NCR camps and gathering places were overrun by 'The People', and it currently left 2,000 killed on both sides. The NCR, at least it's glory and image as a democratic nation based on old world values, was no more. A pale and seemingly almost autocratic nation led by President Oliver took it's place. Meanwhile, Damien was traveling down the Legion controlled area of I-15 in the back of a truck, escorted closely by several vehicles. He had to see Jacob and speak to him about his identity, it was his last stop before he returned to Vegas.
Jacob worked alongside some Legionaires as they built another house, wiping the sweat off his brow and taking a swig of water. They had already finished one house, were setting the walls for 2 others, and now they were working on a new one, and the Legionaires hardly broke a sweat despite the merciless sun, "No wonder y'all can rebuild places so dang fast." He observed, "Y'all like some kinda buildin' machine!"
Arriving on the horizon several minutes later, Damien and his company arrived not long after due to the crazy speed of their vehicles. Stepping off the back of the truck, he went back to Jacob and his small company of Legionaries, as the first foundations of a small town were being set up. Damien looked concerned, ordering his praetorian guard to remain back in the truck. He did this out of the ability that only Damien is allowed to know this secret, and nobody ever should. "Jacob, I need to speak to you. It's urgent." Damien said as he walked towards him, noticing the Legionaries saluting him before returning to work.
Jacob raised an eyebrow, "Yea? What is it?" He asked going over to Damien, and after distancing themselves from the Legionaires, "Is it about the fact mah pa was tha Imperator of y'all's nation? Worried that mah identity might get out and lead ta rebellion to put me in charge?"
"No...wait...yes." Damien replied, raising an eyebrow. "Yes...that. How did yo-, never mind. I was also heading back to Vegas, and I just wanted to see the progress being made here. I'm just cautious about your identity, that is all. A rebellion would be disastrous to the the entire nation, and I honestly do know what to expect if it were to happen. It might happen tomorrow, it might happen thirty years from now. I'll never know."
"Well, trust me, if a rebellion starts ta break out, put meh on the TV and radio, they'll see Ah ain't mah pa right quite. Ah'm just a Brahmin rancher with no dreams beyond this here town. Ya have my word."
