Chapter Eighty-Two

Former Enclave Base. Outside of the Capital Wasteland.

I found the Colonel hard at work in a room that she had turned into her command centre much like the one in The Citadel, and when I saw her I could see that the Imperial Guard officer was going over a collection of maps as some of her people moved little figures on the tables that were covered in those maps. Nearby vox operators were taking in reports from the field. If not for the fact that some of the red robed people were busy imputing data on locally made computers that had been repurposed for our needs by the Ad-Mech, once the proper rituals and prayers had been performed, I could be forgiven for thinking that I was in a War World 2 movie.

One of the biggest maps was up on the wall and it showed most of North America, the part of the world our operations were focused in. As our understanding of this planet grew symbols were added to the map to show settlements, ruined cities, dangerous areas and other sites of interest. Parts of the map had been coloured in red to show the Legion's land were as the part of the country controlled by the NCR was a blue colour. The map was more than large enough to show New Vegas and the Wasteland around it that was part of Mr House's dominion, or it would be once New Vegas was freed of both the NCR armed forces and the what remained of the Legion.

As I looked around an Imperial officer came over and added a bit of green to the map around the part that showed the capital wasteland. This showed Imperial influence over this world. The work was going well and we were spreading out, our warriors working to secure the lands under Imperial protection, as we purged the mutants, the raider and the monsters.

When it was time for me to leave most of the Imperial Protectorate as it was called would be handed over to The East Coast Brotherhood to police along with the garrisons we'd set up acting to support them. We wouldn't be leaving a lot of troops behind as they'd be too much drain on what little resources the locals had access to, but The Brotherhood would need the support to protect the fortress city the Ad-Mech were going to build over the ashes of DC.

"Lord Captain I received word that you seized Fort Independence from the Brotherhood Outcasts" mentioned the Colonel "I assume that this was due to incident with the cogboy team".

It had seemed to be best to take the Outcast's HQ so that the renegades couldn't organise well enough to be a threat to Imperial operations. They never would have defeated us, but they could have been a hindrance if they'd been left free to attack our patrols or to interfere with operations. As I only had so much in the way of resources to spend on this expedition this could not be allowed to happen.

"I deemed it best to handle the matter in person" I replied "How did it go setting up a garrison in the New Vegas Wasteland?".

If all went to plan the 2nd Regiment would have taken the over the airbase that was home to a group called the Boomers. The NCR would think twice about trying to conquer New Vegas with an Imperial garrison in the area.

"Very well, Lord Captain" said the Colonel "With a foothold in the area we can send out troops to pacify the local gangs and to explore any ruins of interest for their technology".

We'd also be protecting human settlements, either directly by removing threats, or by trading laser weapons with them.

"For now I'll keeping the majority of our forces in the Capital Wasteland" the high ranking Imperial Guard officer let me know "There are so many operations taking place in the area and I need to be here to direct them".

She did seem to have matters here will in hand.

"I think it would be best for me to focus my efforts in the New Vegas area" I said the Colonel "While you handle matters here".

Not all Rogue Traders are military leaders and I'd never proven to be anything special when playing that role, but when it came to making deals and finding methods to obtain profit I made a decent of those things. The wasteland around New Vegas had its troubles, however it was more civilized and could use a lighter touch. Besides someone would need to keep the NCR and Mr House from interfering with our operations out west.

"That seems for the best" agreed the Imperial Guard Officer "We don't want to be stepping on each other's toes".

We could have discussed all of this on the radio and save time as well as fuel, but somethings were better spoken about in person.

"Then I'll head back west" I said "I'll take the Palatine with me for backup".

There were more than enough Brotherhood troops around to act as guides for the guards here in the Capital Wasteland and the 2nd Thrax had more than enough firepower to deal with any problems around here with the battle sister who tended to annoy the other branches of the Imperial military by overly zealous. Since nuns with guns admired me I would have an easier time directing them to some useful purpose than the Colonel would.

"The Palatine asked for a mission for herself and her sister so I sent her on one" the Colonel informed me "She shouldn't be gone for long".

Since there was no rush I could wait for her return.