Chapter 9: Defeat

<~The Fort three weeks later~>

Sitting on her haunches in the cage, Applejack heard Fluttershy cry as Orion let out a series of loud grunts from inside the bedroom. It was the sound he normally made when he finished, and it made Applejack cringe every time.

It was the same each night. Orion would drag one of them to the bedroom and rape them. After he was done, he would drag the other to the bedroom and do the same. Applejack had already been used, and she knew she couldn’t do anything since Orion was too strong to fight, and the collars around their necks kept them in check. 

All Applejack and Fluttershy could hope for was he wasn’t in a bad mood after returning from his duties as Praetorian.

Orion stepped out the bedroom, Fluttershy following slowly behind with a sad and hurt look on her face. Tears cut streaks through the dirt on Fluttershy’s face as she cried.

Orion preferred to use her, and he loved to make Applejack hate him for it.

Applejack winced, fighting back her own tears as the memory of Orion holding Fluttershy down in front of the cage as he rapped her. All she could do was yell curses at Orion when Fluttershy began to bawl. He forced Fluttershy on her back while whispering in her ear, having overheard about her father gave him plenty of material to break her down. It made Applejack sick.

Orion opened the cage, and Fluttershy crawled in instantly. It showed that he had them trained to obey like dogs, and it made Applejack’s mind rumble with intense rage, but was quickly replaced by a crushing wave of helplessness and despair. Orion owned them. Nothing could change that now.

Applejack had given up hope Twilight or the others would come. After three weeks of being defiled over and over again, Applejack given up. Her remaining willpower dedicated to protecting Fluttershy.

Fluttershy laid down on the mattress, weeping while curled up in ball. After giving a small grunt, Orion left the room making Applejack glad to be alone, but knowing she failed again, same as every day for the last three weeks.

Still, Orions’ absence was a relief, if a small one, but it allowed her to think about what he would do when he returned. She wasn’t worried about herself, though, but of Fluttershy. No matter how many times Orion used her, she still cried every time.

Applejack had given up on crying after the first few days.

Applejack looked to her friend, who had quickly fallen asleep. Applejack hoped Orion was generous enough to let them outside later on.

<~Camp McCarran, the next day~>

All the NCR soldiers were withdrawn from the month long leave, much to Nolan’s and my disappointment. Though, three weeks was pretty close to a month. We had hit it off quite well since Gomorrah and had rented a room nearly every night in one of the nicer Casinos. We were staying at The Tops when word was spread around that we were needed back at Camp McCarran.

So now I was back at base in what was the parking lot of the airport beside Nolan, waiting for the news. A hastily constructed platform of boxes allowed Colonel Hsu to present himself to the entire platoon as he stood upon it. The group grew quiet when we saw him, waiting to see what he had to say as he gave the entire camp a speech.

Once the murmurs died down and he had gained everyone’s attention, Colonel Hsu coughed to clear his throat, and began to speak, “Men and Women of Third Platoon, I have called you here today to tell you that you are being shipped out to Hoover Dam.”

“Well, fuck,” Nolan said lowly with a shake of his head.

“What?” I asked in a whisper.

“That’s where the bulk of the fighting will happen when Caesar grows a pair and attacks.”

“Oh,” I deadpanned.

We remained silent through the entire boring speech that followed. Most of it was too minor to even pay attention to, and it boiled down to protecting the dam, otherwise Caesar will have our heads on spears.  

After the speech was over, I found Twilight standing near her truck, sipping on a Sunri- no, a Sunset Sarsaparilla. I hadn’t seen her since I went on leave.

When she caught sight of me, she tossed the beverage down and wrapped me in an overly tight hug, to my surprise

“Guess what, Rainbow? I can remember everything!” She nearly yelled excitedly, breaking off from the hug.

“What?” I asked with my mouth hanging open in disbelief. It took me a few more seconds to realize what she said, and I shook out of my initial shock

I could see that Twilight was absolutely ecstatic. Given that she regained her magic, I was giddy with excitement as well as she continued, “I also regained my magic!” she exclaimed through giggles.

Rarity came over to us, from where, I had no clue. Her red beret atop her head made her look like an action hero out of a comic book.

She gave out a hoarse laugh, “Twilight’s only has a little control over magic, the lucky bitch. And yeah, Twilight, grab your armor. We’re both getting transferred to the Dam, along with Pinkie.”

Twilight’s mood changed as she looked at the gauntlet, “If only I could get Fluttershy and Applejack back.”

“Darling, we’ll get them back. If Jamie keeps on helping like he has, then the NCR is sure to win,” Rarity said in her rough, ghoul voice. Twilight sighed, and gave a small smile. Rarity was right, of course, we just had to be patient. But that was the problem, I was never good at that.

<>~<The Fort>~<>

Orion had given Fluttershy and Applejack permission to exit the tent. The first week they spent their entire time in the tent, and the other two weeks he was off and on about letting them go outside.

It all depended on his general mood and if he was satisfied the night before. He usually was. So now, the both of them were spending their free time with the other slaves. With their free time, they were meeting another slave named Siri. Who her master was, was a mystery to the two.

Siri was a black woman, who wore the same drabs as they did. A simple roughspun shirt and skirt made from some very coarse fibers that itched like mad, along with cloth wrappings over their feet. Dirt caked the cloth all three wore, and reeked of sweat. A large red ‘X’ painted on the chests of the rags they wore. A sign of their slavery, as if the tattered and filthy garments weren’t enough.

The three sat together at a picnic table that was in front of the olive green kitchen tent Siri was assigned to. After their introduction to each other a few days prior, it was friendship at first sight.

Applejack and Fluttershy sat on the same side, though Fluttershy was closer to the edge, while Siri sat across from them. Even amongst all the misery and pain the Legion had caused them, Siri and that picnic table was a bastion of normality. A place separate from the horrid world they lived in, that only offered their rape for the pleasure of whoever owned them.

“So, you two doing well,” Siri asked, stuttering when she realized what she said before adding, “Given current circumstances.”

Fluttershy just shook her head while Applejack sighed, “Siri, we’re the personal slaves to a pray-toran guard,” she said, mispronouncing the word as she looked off to the side. Her long blond hair waving as she did. Orion had took her hairbands and hat, “How do you think we’re doin’?” she asked with a heavily sarcastic tone.  

“Yeah, stupid question,” Siri admitted with a long sigh, “You get used to being here after a while, and you forget the new girls aren't as jaded to the abuse.”

Applejack shook her head, feeling sick deep down in her heart that others had grown used to all of this, “And how long have you been here?”

Siri tapped her chin before looking down and shaking her head, “To be honest, I’ve lost track of how long it’s been.”

Fluttershy set her head down on the table. She didn’t say much anymore. All she wanted to do now was sleep and not wake up panicking.

Siri looked at the pink haired girl with a sad look in her worn out eyes. “It’s been hard on her, hasn’t it?” She asked in a whisper as she leaned close to Applejack.

“Orion keeps us in a cage all night, only letting us out-” Applejack stopped abruptly, her expression turning to pure disgust “To do… vile things.”

Siri looked down, “My first child was from a Legion soldier,” Her voice began to quiver, “I-it was a son, they took him from me. I’ve watched him grow from a child… he doesn't even know who I am. To him I’m just another slave.”

Applejack’s heart fell, they were going to force both her and Fluttershy to bear children, only to have them taken. “Monsters,” Applejack whispered with venom, her eyes watering up a bit.

“I wish it weren’t so,” A new voice said from behind Applejack, but she knew who it was.

Jason sat beside her, his crimson uniform clashing miserably with the green-painted wood of the picnic table. “But be careful what you say; the Legion doesn't like when slaves disrespect them.”

“Hey, Jason,” Siri said.

“Hey, Siri,” Jason said back.

Applejack looked back and forth between the two quickly, “You know him?” She asked evenly.

Siri nodded, “Jason was the only one kind to me here.”

“Someone has to be. And Siri, Morris is doing well,” Jason admitted. Siri whispered ‘thank you’ as he got up and walked off. His conscience was screaming at him, seeing these women suffer. He knew he needed to do something… and it would have to be drastic.

Back at the picnic table, Fluttershy had fallen asleep… but it didn’t last. A few minutes of rest and she woke with a jump, interrupting Applejack and Siri’s conversation.

Applejack quickly snapped her vision to Fluttershy when she awoke with a yelp. Both their faces showing fear, but Applejack was quick to recover. She knew Fluttershy had another nightmare and needed to look like she wasn’t afraid. If she wasn’t afraid, Fluttershy would quickly regain her composure.

Applejack knew she couldn’t properly protect Fluttershy, but she sure as Hell would put on a brave face and help her through these tough times.

<>~<Camp McCarran>~<>

The entire platoon began to pack their belongings in heavy cloth duffle bags for the trip to the Dam. I didn’t own much, so all I packed were the things I had when I arrived, plus a few changes of clothing that were issued to me.

Picking up my issued rifle off my former bunk, I slung the duffle over a shoulder. It was gonna be one helluva march to the Dam. Probably at double-time pace as well, if Staff Sergeant Faison has any say in it. Asshole.

Given the heat and the requirement to wear full armor, I’d expected that at least ten or so would fall out of line before we made it to the halfway point. I was ready to accept the challenge.

After checking my rifle to make sure there was a bullet in the chamber and the safety was on, I left the tent for the parking lot. The afternoon sun kissed my face as I took a step outside. I noticed a few others from my platoon were formed up and prepared to march nearby. Faison was off to the side, ramrod straight at parade rest. He was ready to snap to attention at the drop of a hat and call cadence.

Faison was the kind of guy who would make others feel miserable for his own amusement. Case-in-point being the upcoming brutal jog through what I guessed was triple-digit heat while in full combat armor.

As we waited for the rest of the platoon to get ready, I looked around while standing in place. I could see a few other soldiers from different positions, like Twilight from the engineer corps along with two others that she worked with. Rarity was the only member from First Recon to be assigned to the Dam. And Pinkie was the only cook. I hadn’t spoke with her in a while, but I couldn’t break formation. Otherwise Faison would chew me out.

So all I could do was stand and wait.

<>~<The Fort, Caesar's Tent>~<>

Jason stood in front of Caesar himself, the Praetorians sworn to protect the dictator glaring at the former NCR soldier turned Legion with scornful glares.

“What is is that needed my specific audience?” Caesar asked annoyed. He had better things to do than listen to some Legion soldiers complain about any number of trivial things.

“I want to challenge Orion to a fight to the death. If I win, I receive his title and his property,” Jason requested as emotionless and cold hearted as he could.

“Of course,” Caesar said, looking towards Orion, his newest Praetorian, “And why should Orion accept the challenge?”

To make the challenge official, Jason had to get the permission of Caesar. An intimidating feat. For a common soldier to directly ask Caesar to challenge one of his elite...

Jason let a smile break his stone cold features as he looked at Orion, “Because I can kill you in the ring without breaking a sweat… or are you too scared to accept.”

That rubbed Orion the way Jason had planned. Jason could see his face redden in anger, “I accept the terms,” Orion spat out, his voice shallow.

Caesar grumbled in annoyance. This welp came into his tent, and challenged his elite! But Caesar nodded, “If you openly accept to the terms, then I shall permit the fight. You two will meet in the arena. The sooner the better.”

Both Orion and Jason nodded and left the tent, heading for the arena.

<>~<>~<>

Caesar stood in the same spot he had during the fight for Fluttershy and Applejack’s ownership, glaring at the two armed Legion soldiers below. Though this time, the other Legionnaires were absent from the stands, and the bodies were cleared away.

Standing on the dirt that lost its bloodstained appearance, Jason gave a smile as he tightened his grip on the machete. “Still not too late to cower out,” he said, knowing that would only anger the prideful Praetorian.

Orion only responded by letting out a yell and charging, machete held high. Jason patiently waited as Orion closed the gap. A quick sidestep and a slash drew a red, painful line across Orion's side.

Grunting in pain, Orion clutched the wound as crimson liquid stained his fingers red. This weak and lowly soldier had drew his blood… and he would pay for it with his head.

Spinning on a heel, Orion took a few breaths to compose himself. His anger allowed Jason to get a lucky shot off on him like a matador would a raging bull. He surely wouldn’t get another.

Letting go of his side, the two began circling like wolves around prey, sizing each other up. Jason had drew first blood, now it was time to see who would draw last.

Jason sprinted forward, Orion taking a defensive stance with his machete ready to block a swipe. Jason saw this and adjusted at the last second, swiping low at Orion’s ankles. Orion jumped to the side and took a swing of his own, giving Jason a cut to the side like the one he had given him, but much shallower.

They were one to one for hits, it was high time for the real fun to begin.

Facing each other, they began walking in a circle again, seeing who’s patience would hold out the longest.

Minutes of endless circling passed, and the Praetorian caved first. Charging forward, Jason had to duck-and-roll under a machete swipe aimed for his neck, unable to return a swing of his own.

Jason quickly sprung back to his feet as Orion backed off, and they began their circle yet again. One could literally see a path tracked through the sand, dotted by a few drops of blood from both contestants.

For nearly three minutes, they circled, waiting for a moment to strike. Jason noticed Orion beginning to get a bit sluggish from losing blood to the deeper of the their two cuts.

That was his chance, sprinting forward, Orion hesitated just a fraction of a second too long. It was enough time for Jason to land a painful blow right across Orion's arm as he prepared to defend himself.

The surge of pain made Orion scream in rage. Orion managed to land a heavy blow with his fist to Jason’s back before the other soldier could get away, making Jason stumble before Orion landed a slice to the back of his leg as he tumbled, falling to the ground.

Crawling on the ground, one leg near useless, Jason heard Orion approach, ready to deliver a fatal blow.

His mistake.

Jason quickly rolled over, throwing a fistful of sand with his left hand as he thrust his machete with the right, catching Orion just under his ribcage. The angle of the thrust had allowed Jason to stab him all the way to the heart with the rusty blade.

Pulling his blade out, Jason allowed Orion to fall over on his stomach. He was dead within seconds, his blood pooling beneath him on the sandy floor.

“So he did have a heart,” Jason said, chuckling as he realized where the stab landed.

Craning his neck, Jason saw that Caesar was watching him with a smirk, with arms crossed like he was angry. Caesar just simply nodded and left the platform.

Jason managed to get to his feet, dropping the machete and limping heavily as he exited the arena. He only made a few steps before he fell and a single Legionnaire helped him up. It was Morris, Siri’s teenage son. His skin was a lot lighter shade than his mother’s due to his father being white, and his hair was blond.

“The fuck happen with you?” Morris asked in shock as Jason’s blood stained his uniform.

“Watch your mouth, kid… and I just won a fight with Orion,” Jason said, clutching his side. He tried his hardest to look out for Morris when he could.

“I could drop you and let you crawl your way to, Siri,” Morris joked as he shook his head.

“You would leave me, the one who has watched your ass for four years straight, getting you out of countless trouble with others your age?” Jason joked back with a weary smile. It was true; ever since Jason was conscripted into the Legion, he managed to keep Morris out of trouble. Trouble that Morris seemed to always have started.

Chuckling, Morris carried the bloody and battered Jason to the woman he never recognized as his mother. Siri gasped at Jason’s injuries and immediately set to work wrapping the cuts in washed cloth the Legion used as bandages. After she was finished with wrapping his wounds, she gave Jason a few bags of herbal powder to speed the healing of his wounds… and a crutch.

Using the crutch to brace himself, Jason began to hobble back to Caesar’s tent. He had no machete to give to the guard standing in front of the tent’s single entrance flap, since he left it in the arena.

But he did give the lone guard the crutch; there was no need for Lanius to see he was hurt that bad.

Upon entering, Jason saw Caesar oh his throne, both hands on the arm rests.

“Step forward, Praetorian,” Caesar ordered sternly. It took jason a split second to realize Caesar was talking to him, and Jason quickly complied. He kept walking forward until the bald dictator held up a hand, a gesture for him to stop.

Jason didn’t speak as Caesar got up from the throne and stepped towards him. Jason could feel Caesar’s eyes scanning over his wounds as he circled him. Like some sort of predator seeing a quick and easy kill.

“I’ll give you three days rest, no more than that.”

Jason just responded with a quick, “Thank you.”

Caesar didn’t react to his thanks, only returning to his throne to sit, “While you are healing in your private tent, I need to tell you your responsibilities with owning your new slaves.”

Waiting a moment, Caesar continued, “The second battle for the Dam will no doubt end with the deaths of many of our proud Legionaries. So, seeing as how your slaves are exceptionally healthy specimens amongst the rest of the Wasteland rabble, you are to breed them. You yourself have proven to be a worthy Legion soldier, strong enough to take down my newest Praetorian with ease.”

Jason swallowed nervously at that order, not liking it one bit. After letting the news sink in, Caesar smiled, “And if you don’t wish to breed with them, I can always have another take your place.”

“T-that won’t be necessary, Caesar,” Jason told him. All he would have to do is accept to impregnate them, then don't have sex. Simple as that.

“Oh, and Jason,” Caesar said with a wicked grin, “I’ll be expecting them to plump up soon. I would hate to have been lied to. And we both know what happens to liars amongst my ranks.”

Jason remained stoic. though grinding his teeth in anger as his stomach turned in a knot out of fear. Liars were usually crucified and made an example of.

Caesar had Jason right where he wanted him. In his rightful place between dooming the girls he obviously wanted to protect to others, or abandoning his own morals to escape his own punishment. Caesar was a smart man, and he knew how to make those under him suffer.

<>~<>~<>

After retrieving his crutch, Jason limped to his new tent with his head hung low. He didn’t want to have to tell them about the new order, but like any bad thing, it comes all too quickly. He found himself in front of his new tent, already cringing at what he would have to do. Hesitantly, he entered, and he saw Applejack and Fluttershy… naked save for shock collars around their neck.

“Whoa,” Jason said, averting and covering his eyes in surprise and modesty. “Sorry,” he added meekly.

“Don’t be sugarcube. Our master don’t take a liken to us wearin’ clothes,” Applejack said as she made her way to the cage with Fluttershy following her lead.

Upon seeing their destination, Jason jerked his head back, and blurted out, “What are you doing?”

“We’re goin’ tah bed,” Applejack said as she shook her head.

Jason felt sick, Orion had trained them to obey every order, and it disgusted him. He was glad he had put down that monster. Shaking out of his thoughts, his face grew serious as he made a decision.

“Pull the mattress out the cage,” he said with a straight face, “You’re no longer sleeping under lock-and-key every night.”

“Wh-what?” Applejack asked, stuttering as she whipped around to face him.

“I asked Caesar to challenge Orion. I killed him in the arena,” he explained with a sigh. That caught both the girls attention.

Fluttershy then noticed the crutch and bloody bandaging on Jason with an alarmed gasp, rushing over to him.

To his embarrassment, Jason had a naked Fluttershy poking and prodding him, trying to tend to injuries that were already tended to by Siri, repeatedly asking, “Are you hurt?” and things along that line of thought. All the while Jason was protesting her concern for his injuries.

“Don’t struggle, you’ll only make it worse,” Fluttershy kindly ordered as she looked at his side, checking the bandages and making him wince in pain. It was the most Jason heard Fluttershy say in her time here.

“Shy, can ya leave him be?” Applejack requested, “Siri must’ve doctored him up already.”

Jason just nodded and Fluttershy backed off, which he was glad for. He still had no idea how to explain the current situation to them, and having Fluttershy fret over him just made it harder. When Fluttershy backed off to pull the mattress out the cage, Jason motioned with his hand for Applejack to follow him, and she nodded in confirmation.

As she followed behind him, Jason made sure he was well enough away from Fluttershy so he could talk with Applejack privately. He felt that Applejack could take the news better and more bluntly, then pass it on to Fluttershy. He learned their names from the several times he spoke with them. Or at least Applejack.

Taking a deep breath, he let out a sigh, then began to explain, “I’m sorry Applejack, but something went wrong with my plan to rescue you two.”

“What happened?” Applejack asked quickly, her voice wavering with trepidation.

“Caesar must have suspected something from me,”Jason admitted with a sigh, checking over Applejack’s shoulder to look at Fluttershy, still fighting with the mattress, “I’m supposed to breed you, like you’re some animal,” Jason said with a groan, “And if I don’t, I’ll be punished and someone else will… take my place.”

Applejack knew he was telling the truth as gasped at the conclusion, paling slightly. “How can they do that!?” Applejack said loudly before she caught herself, putting a hand over her mouth. Jason flinched at her noisey reaction, and they quickly looked over to Fluttershy. Thankfully, she was oblivious as she finally managed to pull half the mattress out of the cage, and didn’t hear what was said.

Turning back to Applejack, Jason shook his head from side to side, taking a breath and sighing, “Caesar is smart. And his word is law around here. He must have known I wanted to help you two and turned it against me.”

“I appreciate yer honesty… and I thank you for all that you done even without knowin’ us.” Applejack said with a sad smile, then her expression changed one to confused anger, “But… how can I explain this tah Shy?”

“I think it would be best if we both go ahead and tell her,” Jason said truthfully. He also wanted to get it over with as quickly as he could. He was a little uncomfortable around them because, one: the current situation he found himself in, and two: both of them didn’t have a single piece of clothing on them.

“Hey Fluttershy,” Applejack called out. Jason looked over to Fluttershy, who was resting on the mattress, now out of the cage.

“Before you do, can you at least put on some clothes?” Jason asked as his eyes began to drift.

“My mouth is up here,” Applejack deadpanned, glad she could say something and not get punished for it.

Jason quickly looked back up, but he noticed something strange when he was looking, “What was with the apple tattoos?”

Rolling her eyes, Applejack turned to go get her clothes on, “I’ll explain later.”

<>~<>~<>

Within a short while, both Applejack and Fluttershy were dressed, and Jason had helped Applejack explain what Caesar had done.

“I-I don’t know what to do,” Fluttershy said, looking down with a sad sigh, as her thoughts began to conflict. If she were to agree, she would go through all that pain Jason fought to keep her from again. But then again, if she didn’t, then the same man that risked his life for her would face punishment, and they would still go through the pain of someone else forcing themselves on them.

“I-I-I guess I have only one option really,” Fluttershy stated with a shaky voice, “Jason… you risked your life to keep us safe from Orion, and I know what will happen if I accept. I can’t let them hurt you for our sake.”

Applejack nodded, “I won’t be able ta live with myself either. I know full well that you’ve been honest with us, and wouldn’t be lyin’ for your own gain. If Caesar wants me pregnant, than I-I can at least choose someone I trust not to hurt me.”

The words stung at Jason. They trusted him, and he knew it was wrong to be using them like he was to escape punishment. Nodding his head, Jason let the two girls be as he made his way to his new room for the first time.

Upon entering the separate room section, he took one look at the bed, knowing that Orion had used it.

“I’d better burn that with a flamer,” Jason joked to himself, trying to lighten the heavy mood in the air as he moved to the bedside table with a single drawer. Opening it up from curiosity, his search of the drawer revealed a single key sitting in the otherwise empty space. He recognized that was the key to the shock collars.

“Guess on my way to get a few bedrolls I can take those damned collars off.”