Fallout: Rise Of The Burned Man

Chapter IX

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. [Book of Revelation]

"Hello to all you folks just tuning in, it's Misterrrrr New Vegas here bringing you the latest reports of the battle at Hoover Dam." The radio presenter's voice had maintained some of its bounce and pep, but it was plain to hear that any cheerfulness was rapidly in decline.

Everyone at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside was silent as they clustered around Beatrix's old radio, the sound just clear enough that it didn't dissipate into crackling fuzz every other moment and the volume dial on the machine cranked up to as loud as it would go. Beatrix was sat closest to the set, with the other hired gun at her side and a Follower doctor at the other. Slowly, as more people caught wind of the broadcast, more of the Fort had stopped what they were doing to listen to Mr. New Vegas, many of them with hands pressed against their mouths in worry.

A chair had been dragged out for an invalid King to rest and listen to the broadcast and a few patients who were able had asked that their bedrolls were dragged out onto the main area so they could be in range of the radio. Follows-Chalk stood with Arcade Gannon with his back to the gate, resting a hand on the sandbags which formed the little blockade in which the Mercs usually sat.

Mr. New Vegas's voice was serious and faltering, as though he was only just hearing the news as he said it. "And now the Legion have well and truly entered the Dam and have taken its first wall. There are reports that the Legion have also swarmed from beneath the Dam, entering it from below and leading the first battalion of troops is what appears to be the Courier. Now I don't know if you folks remember, but a while back a Courier got shot in the head in a little ol' town named Goodsprings only to walk right on up again, and now he's leading the advance across the Dam. Who'd have thought it?" Mr. New Vegas said,"Kinda makes you wish he'd stayed put in that grave, don't it folks?" a touch of bitterness crept into his tone and Arcade attempted to exchange looks with Julie Farkas, who ignored him as she fixed her eyes on the radio, clutching a clipboard to her chest.

"And now- yes, I'm being told that the Legion haveentered the visitor centre at Hoover Dam, that is a confirmed report and that movement is being led by the Courier. Outside, Caesar's men led by the Legate himself are following, swarming along the first wall. We aren't getting any news of what's happening inside the building, but the Legate's men have cleared the way through now and hordes of Legion are following through. The NCR have organised a defence now, led by a group of Veteran Rangers," Mr. New Vegas's voice perked up a little from its serious tone, "My, don't you bet they look fancy as hell in their black armour. No sir, one thing I wouldn't want to be on the end of is an NCR Ranger's gun, that's for sure. Still, good to see the boys in black pushing on back."

There was a pause for a few minutes as Mr. New Vegas asked listeners to 'bear with him' a moment as he awaited more news, and Beatrix's old radio abruptly descended into static to moans of disbelief.

"You pick your moments, don't you?" she muttered, banging it with her fist.

"I'm not sure that's the best-" Arcade began but was cut off abruptly as the static grew increasingly loud, then Mr. New Vegas's voice could just be heard underneath it. Beatrix twiddled a dial and it snapped back into clarity.

"...this is a confirmed report. The NCR ranger defence has fallen on the outer wall," Mr. New Vegas announced, straining to make his voice as clear as he could, "I'll repeat that for any listeners who may have skipped a beat there. The NCR rangers on the outer wall have fallen. The Legate has cut through and his men are currently clearing the wall of any surviving troopers. I've got to say ladies and gentlemen, things do look kind of grim for the NCR at Hoover Dam." He paused,"Let's hope things have gone rather smoother on the inside. I'll keep you posted."

There was silence in the Old Mormon Fort as they awaited the next bulletin, the only movement being the bandaging of a wounded leg or the flinch of an invalid as anaesthetic took hold. The people about the radio tried not to move, tried not to breathe as they waited for their presenter to speak again. He hadn't even bothered to put a song on and static hung heavily over the radio air.

"Ladies and gentleman of New Vegas," Mr. New Vegas spoke up at last. "I'm afraid, as of two minutes ago; General Lee Oliver of the NCR was proclaimed to be dead. This has just been confirmed as his body has been hung from the walls of Hoover Dam," his voice cut away into static for the briefest of moments then slipped back, "The Courier has taken claim for this act and on his head he now wears the deceased General's cap. Ladies and gentlemen..." his voice trailed away and this time it wasn't the fault of the radio, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid Hoover Dam has fallen to the Legion." The radio crackled came again as he paused, "And this time I don't think she'll be getting back up."

Julie Farkas's eyes were brimming with tears as her fingers dug into the arm of the mercenary sitting next to her. He didn't pay any attention to this though, his eyes curiously unfocused as he stared at the radio, the voice of Mr. New Vegas washing over them all.

"Ladies and gentleman of the Mojave," he repeated the phrase, "My beautiful, wonderful audience. Thank you for listening. I don't think I've ever said it like that, so I'll say it again. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you. And for the good folk listening out there in New Vegas..." the static cut in again and Beatrix was quick to hit it, her fist darting out like a cat's paw and jabbing Mr. New Vegas back into focus. "...Good luck to you. I've been Mr. New Vegas and you've been beautiful. Good night."

Julie Farkas's tears remained in her eyes, glistening like dew on new leaves. Her fingers were quaking slightly as she released the mercenary whose arm she'd had hold of with an apology, feeling as though she was in a trance as the Followers slowly moved away, moving back to their daily duties to fix the screaming, the wounded and the dying.

Her hands shook as she lifted her water canister to her lips, allowing the purified water to slip past, hoping to dislodge the warm lump in her throat. She could hear Arcade talking, but it wasn't to her, it was to the new medic he was training, Adam. Perhaps she should say something. Perhaps she should get up, and help someone; perhaps she should do something other than sit here, allowing her thoughts to wash over her.

She drank some more water, trying to wash away the thoughts and the bad taste in her mouth. The NCR, the two-headed bear- fallen. She hadn't agreed with everything they'd stood for but how could the Bear fall? How strong was the Legion now that they could push it over?

"Julie!" Arcade exclaimed as the Followers' doctor collapsed, slumping forward in her chair. He rushed to her side, pulling back her head as her eyes struggled to focus on his face, dancing over his features. Her breathing came quickly.

"Arcade-what?" she said, "What's-what-"

Follows-Chalk sniffed at the water canister from which she'd been drinking from, "There is poison in this water. Much poison."

"Julie, Julie look at me," Arcade said, trying to keep her head up, "You're going to be alright, just keep your eyes on me. I'm going to put you into the recovery position, ok? Adam, get Julie some water, over there-"

Arcade noticed her breaths were shorter now and attempted to ignore that fact as he took her pulse. "Julie, come on, tell me your symptoms."

"Arcade. I can feel-my symptoms. They're-not good." She seemed to struggle with the words and frowned as she tried to formulate them her sentences, every word on an outward breath. "Arcade, I'm- so sorry." Her grey eyes struggled to focus on his and he could feel her trembling beneath his hand. "I'm sorry to-leave you here."