"Cool. Always satisfying. Why don't you do some gambling while Boone and I go for a bit of a walk? My treat." I say passing her all of our caps.
"You are plotting something, I can feel it." Jess said suspicious.
"Maybe? But it won't work if we all leave together and I REALLY want to do it." I said frankly.
"What am I getting dragged into?" Boone asked seriously.
"Legion hunting." I said with a grin.
"Say no more." he said locked in instantly.
"And you can't leave with me because?" Jess pressed.
"Because then word will get back the Caesar that you ordered us to do this. If we leave separately however it'll look like we moved on our own." I said with a cackle.
"Is it just some random legionnaire? Why go through the trouble?" Veronica asked confused.
"It's NOT just some legionnaire, it's Vulpes. One of Caesars most trusted Frumentari. Killing him removes one of Caesars most useful pieces from the board entirely." I say seriously.
"How do you know?" Jess asked with a frown.
"Spotted him on the way in. If I'm not mistaken he is here for you." I lie easily.
"Fine. But we will be talking about what EXACTLY you know and haven't been saying later." Jess said firmly.
"Magic!" I say wiggling my fingers at her.
She glares at me but I ignore that and head back to the front desk to get Boone's weapons back. Once that's done we leave out the front door and the disguised Vulpes stops his approach when he notices that it's just me and Boone and not Jess.
"Did you spot him?" I asked Boone as I lead us away.
"I did. Pinstripe suit with a fedora." he said with a flat expression.
"That's the one. He'll leave the Strip after delivering his message, that's when we strike. Hit him hard and put him down quick. Understood?" I said seriously.
"Understood." he said with his expression hardening.
We left the Strip and once in Freeside moved into ambushing position and waited. Boon climbed up to a barely stable window of the ruined building to the left of the gate and I climbed up to the top of the boarded up building opposite him. We could see into the Strip from these vantage points and spotted Vulpes on his quick pace out of the Strip about thirty minutes later.-
I held up my hand silently signaling Boone to hold fire after Vulpes exited the gate and only once he crossed out of the Securitron checkpoint motioned to open fire. Vulpes tried to run as if instinctively sensing the danger but it was far too late by then as Boone popped his head and I put three rounds myself in his chest for good measure. I motioned for Boone to book it as I myself got up and started sprinting away before anyone could come looking. -
Once I was good and hidden I pulled out a card from my collection and tapped the phial, arcane signet, laser screw driver and one talisman of conviction for a total of four white mana.
"Dawn elemental!" I invoked the card.
The card floated out of my grip and widened as a literally blindingly bright creature floated out of it before the card vanished. It looked like the colors of dawn made into flame and bone with two large glowing wings like a dragons, scythe like "arms" and a wicked looking bone head without eyes.
"Go to the camp of Caesars Legion across the great river and kill everyone there before returning." I commanded with a smile.
The two great glowing wings snapped open and the creature shot into the sky like a second sun rising during mid day and shot away at speeds that I could barely follow.
"Was that wise?" Adam asked with a concerned tone.
"Depends on who you ask. The NCR would say yes, the legion absolutely not and House would also very much disagree with it. But for me? Oh yes. There is a reason I said specifically that camp and not all of the legion. Right now Caesar is massing his forces in a calmish manner but if he dies it will create a power vacuum. More than this it will likely hand off the legion to someone far less manipulative and far more direct. This is important because I want to rearrange the board so we come out on top. Also because I REALLY don't like Caesar and haven't had a chance to use my magic for a while and was itching to. Many birds, one stone." I explained with a grin.
"I see. But why the Dawn elemental? It is not particularly strong." Adam asked curiously as I moved away from that spot.
"Because of it's passive ability. Prevent all damage that would be dealt to Dawn elemental. This effectively means it's unkillable. Do you have any idea how terrifying that is? It's not ridiculously strong sure but it's an enemy that simply can't be put down and won't stop until it's goal is accomplished. If somehow anyone escapes the massacre the terror it will instill will rattle every faction that hears it even if mostly disbelieved." I said seriously.
"I understand. You are building the foundation of your reputation through seemingly unconnected matters that once all connected back to you will elevate you to a nigh unshakable position in the minds of others. Quite the long game you are playing." Adam said sounding impressed.
"Gotta start somewhere. Make no mistake my digital friend, we are in the end game now. The futures I all saw point to this moment as the inevitable spiral nexus that leads to the second battle for Hoover dam. I'm just stirring the pot a little earlier is all." I said still grinning.
"We should quickly make our way back to the others before they worry." Adam suggested.
I nod and start circling the ruins of Freeside until I spotted Boone leaned again the red brick wall of the Old Mormon fort waiting.
"Any trouble getting away?" I asked as I walked up.
"No. The locals didn't bother me as I left." he said flatly.
"I stuck to places out of sight so no one should know I was even there." I say with a nod.