As the group approached, Six couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation at the lackluster defenses. The NCR had been at war with the Legion for years, yet they still insisted on half-measures. If the Legion actually wanted to take this position, they'd have done it before sundown.
Boone, walking beside him, seemed to share the sentiment, his sharp eyes scanning the area with a quiet disapproval. His hand rested near his rifle, a habitual gesture from years of training. Rebecca was less impressed, scoffing under her breath.
"Seriously? This is what they call a blockade?"
She muttered.
Before Six could respond, one of the NCR Rangers approached. His thick-plated armor clanked slightly as he walked, and the massive beard under his helmet did little to hide the scowl on his face. He adjusted the ridiculous hat that came with his uniform before addressing them.
"You the sniper I called for?"
He asked, his eyes landing on Boone, taking note of the 1st Recon beret.
"Yeah."
Boone replied flatly.
"Former-1st Recon."
The Ranger, who introduced himself as Milo, nodded before glancing over the rest of the group.
"Who're the rest of you?"
Six shrugged.
"Just mercs and Boone's spotter."
Milo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You the guys that cleaned out the NCR Correctional Facility?"
Boone cut in before Six could answer.
"We're not here to chat. What's the job?"
Milo grunted, clearly not fond of being rushed, but relented. He gestured down the steep hill toward the valley below.
"Nelson's down there. Full of Legion troops. The brass can't spare enough men to take it back, so for now, we hold the line."
He crossed his arms.
"That's not why I called you, though."
Six raised a brow.
"Then why did you call us?"
Milo let out a slow breath.
"Legion's got some of our boys strung up on crosses. They're torturing them, making my men watch."
His fists clenched.
"The women… they're already gone. No saving them. But the men? They're still alive. Barely."
Boone stiffened slightly. Six knew what was coming before the Ranger even said it.
"You want us to put them down."
Boone stated grimly.
Milo nodded.
"I've seen what happens to prisoners that the Legion decides to keep alive. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."
His tone was heavy, but firm.
"We can't risk a rescue. A sniper team, though… You two can end their suffering."
Six exhaled through his nose, barely remembering this grim little quest from his time wandering the game before everything changed.
The NCR wouldn't want their own men handling something like this—too much resentment afterward. But an outsider? They could disappear once the job was done.
Boone didn't hesitate.
"We'll start in less than an hour."
Milo looked relieved.
"Good. There's a ridge overlooking the whole town—perfect vantage point. Once you're done, get out fast. Legion'll be on alert."
As they made their way up the rocky terrain, Boone spoke up.
"I'm not mercy killing the NCR troopers till I have no other choice. I'm taking as many of those red animals as I can first, than I'll complete the mission."
just shooting the guys."
Six smirked.
"Yeah, figured as much."
Boone settled into position first, lying prone with his rifle barrel barely poking over the ridge. His helmet's Factsphere Sensor whirred softly as it scanned the valley below, marking targets, wind speeds, distances—everything he needed to make each shot count.
Nelson was a pit. Dirty, crumbling, full of Legion scum. Crops left to rot, trash scattered everywhere. The town wasn't a settlement anymore—it was a war camp.
Boone's visor locked onto a Legionary barking orders. Dead Sea. The bastard in charge.
Six crouched beside him.
"Start with the Legion. Let's make some noise before we do the mercy kills."
Boone's rare grin appeared. He loaded his Varis rifle.
BANG!
A Legionary's head exploded, spraying blood over his comrades.
Dead Sea spun around, searching for the source.
BANG!
Another one down.
The NCR soldiers on the crosses started to cry—some in joy, some in fear. But they knew what was happening. Someone had come for them.
And if the Legion hadn't figured it out yet…
They would soon.
BANG!
Another Legionary's head snapped back, his body crumpling lifelessly to the dirt. The town erupted into chaos as the Legion soldiers scrambled for cover, barking orders in Latin as they tried to locate the shooter.
Boone remained calm, his breathing even as he reloaded his rifle. His visor's readouts provided him with everything he needed—wind speed, distance, enemy positions. It was almost too easy.
Raul kept his own Factsphere Sensor on the battlefield, feeding Boone targets with a measured tone.
"Boone. Three-man patrol by the south gate. They're scrambling."
BANG!
One dropped before he could reach cover. The other two sprinted faster, but it was futile.
BANG!
The second fell mid-stride, tumbling over his own momentum.
The third made it behind a crate, peeking out, trying to get a bead on the sniper's location. Raul smirked.
"Right side of the crate. Dumbass is exposing his shoulder."
BANG!
The Legionair slumped over, his body twitching before going still.
Below them, Dead Sea's expression darkened. He was no fool—he knew this wasn't just a random sniper taking potshots. This was a rescue operation.
Six turned to Roger, who was watching with an amused grin.
"Old man, you want in on this, or you just here for the show?"
Roger chuckled, cracking his knuckles.
"Ah, it's been a while since I've seen a proper battle like this. But..."
He shrugged.
"I'll let the kid have his fun. For now."
Rebecca, leaning on her own rifle, rolled her eyes.
"Show-offs."
Six glanced at Boone.
"Think we softened them up enough?"
Boone took a moment before nodding.
"Time to finish it."
Boone had just eliminated ten out of the twenty Legion soldiers, and spotted four dozen more men running towards their spot with their mongrels following them.
With the Legionary camp already on the move towards their position, Six ran to intercept them with a Scottish claymore Maser Vibration Sword in his hand.