The Iron Fangs were in. That was a start. But it wasn't enough.
As we rolled out of their compound, John drove while I studied the holomap, eyes flicking between our next two options The Dustborn Tribe and New Austin. One was a wildcard, the other a political nightmare. Both were necessary.
"Where to?" John asked, gripping the wheel as we bounced over cracked asphalt.
"The Dustborn," I said. "If we get them on board, it'll send a message this fight isn't just about The Republic, it's about everyone."
John grunted "Assuming they don't gut us on sight."
"There's only one way to find out."
~~~The Badlands~~~
The Dustborn didn't live in one place. They moved, following the land, never staying long enough for anyone to pin them down. But we had U-12, and the AI had intercepted their movements days ago. They were camped near the Broken Spires, a jagged rock formation jutting from the desert like the bones of some long-dead beast.
As we approached, the air shimmered with heatwaves. Dustborn sentries on horseback watched us from the cliffs, their weapons trained but not firing. Yet.
We stopped at the base of the Spires. The wind howled through the rocks as more warriors emerged, their faces painted in dark streaks, their armor pieced together from bone, leather, and salvaged metal. One figure stood out, Chief Kael, her piercing yellow eyes locked onto me.
I stepped forward, hands raised "We need to talk."
Kael's voice was cold as steel " The Republic has nothing to say that interests the Dustborn."
"Then listen to me instead," I countered. "The slavers hit us hard, they'll hit others harder, they don't just take prisoners, they burn, they destroy, you know this."
She tilted her head "You think we don't fight them already?"
"You fight small battles," I said "Raids, ambushes, that won't be not enough. We're going after their heart, their stronghold. We're going to break them."
She studied me, silent. The Dustborn didn't trust outsiders, they barely tolerated us. I needed to push harder.
"You know where they keep your captured kin?" I asked.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Blacksite," I said, watching her closely. "We take it, we free them but we need warriors. Fighters who know these lands, who can move without being seen, that's you."
The silence stretched, then Kael raised her spear and pointed it at me. "If you are lying, if this is some ploy to use the Dustborn for The Republic's gain, I will carve the truth from your bones."
I met her gaze. "Then you better hope I'm telling the truth."
She stared for a long moment then she smiled "The Dustborn will ride," she said.
That's two alliances down, One more to go.
~~~New Austin~~~
I hated politics.
New Austin wasn't just a settlement, it was a city, or as close to one as you got in the wasteland. Towering walls, guards in proper uniforms, power running through the streets this place had structure, order. But with that came bureaucracy.
Mayor Hart was waiting for us in her office. Clean, polished, everything about the place felt like a relic from before the war. She sat behind a heavy wooden desk, fingers steepled as she studied me.
"I was wondering when you'd come," she said "I heard about the attack. And now you're gathering an army."
I didn't bother playing games "You already know what I'm asking for."
She sighed "And what exactly does The Republic offer in return?"
I leaned forward "A future where you don't have slavers at your gates, where the Enclave doesn't decide you're next. You think you're safe behind these walls? You're not."
Hart's expression didn't change. "You expect me to send my people into battle based on fear?"
I shook my head "Not fear, Reality, The slavers aren't just raiders anymore, they have backing, they have resources. This is war, and it won't stop at The Republic."
She was quiet, weighing her options. I could see the wheels turning in her mind risks, losses, politics.
Finally, she exhaled. "New Austin will send forces, but I want assurances, after this, The Republic and New Austin will be allies, a mutual pact."
I nodded "Agreed."
She extended her hand, and I took it and now we had an army.
~~~BACK AT THE REPUBLIC BASE~~~
I stood in the war room, the holomap glowing before us , the Red markers were for enemy strongholds, Green for our forces.
John crossed his arms "So, what's the plan?"
I looked at them all John, U-12, Stan, the gathered leaders from the Iron Fangs the Dustborn, and New Austin.
"We hit Blacksite hard and fast," I said. "Before their reinforcements arrive, We go in break their operation, and burn it to the ground."
Voss grinned "Now you're speaking my language."
Kael nodded "The Dustborn will strike from the cliffs."
Hart was less enthusiastic but resolute "New Austin's forces will form the main assault."
Stan placed a hand on the table. "And the Brotherhood will lead the breach."
I took a breath, this was it no turning back.
"Then we move at dawn."
~~~The Next Day~~~
The air was sharp with the scent of gun oil and sweat as our forces gathered outside Republic's gates. Vehicles rumbled to life, dust kicking up as warriors, mercs, and militia prepared for war. The sun barely crested the horizon, casting long shadows over the wasteland, but we didn't have time to admire the view.
I stood near the lead truck, tightening the straps on my armor as John checked the gear. Nearby, Voss and his Iron Fangs loaded heavy weapons, laughing like this was just another payday. The Dustborn sharpened their blades, whispering prayers to whatever spirits they believed in. The New Austin's troops, uniformed and disciplined, moved like a proper army, setting up their formations.
Despite the tension, despite the grim road ahead, there was something in the air a charge, a shared purpose. For once, we weren't just scattered factions fighting our own battles. We were a warband, an army.
I turned to Stan, who was doing his final checks on his knights. His power armor gleamed under the morning light, the Brotherhood's insignia stark against the metal.
"Your people ready?" I asked.
Stan gave a curt nod "We've handled worse."
I exhaled, looking over the assembled forces. This was it, no more planning, no more waiting.
"Mount up!" I shouted.
Engines roared to life, the convoy began to roll forward, kicking up dust as we set out toward Blacksite.
Hours Later ~ The outer Badlands
The wasteland stretched before us, endless and empty, but we knew better. The Blacksite was close, hidden within a maze of cliffs and ravines its a natural fortress. The slavers had chosen well.
I rode in the lead truck with John and U-12. The AI had been processing recon data nonstop since we left, mapping out potential weaknesses.
"This place was a military complex before the war," U-12 said, its synthetic voice crackling through the speakers "Expect automated defenses, reinforced structures, and multiple choke points."
John scoffed. "Great, it's a death trap."
"Only if we go in blind," I said "We hit them hard and fast, before their reinforcements arrive."
Voss's voice crackled over the radio .
"We got movement ahead, Scouts."
I grabbed my binoculars and scanned the horizon and sure enough, a handful of slaver outriders lingered near the canyon entrance, watching us. They didn't attack, didn't even run.
"They know we're coming," I muttered.
"Let 'em watch," John said, revving the engine "It Won't save 'em."
I keyed the radio. "No one fires unless they make a move, we keep moving."
The scouts didn't follow, they didn't need to. They were just eyes for the slavers at the Blacksite, warning them that hell was coming. That was fine by me, let them be afraid.
~~~THE APPROACH TO BLACKSITE~~~
By late afternoon, we reached the final stretch. The cliffs loomed high, jagged and unwelcoming. The only way in was through a narrow canyon a perfect kill zone.
I called for a halt, stepping out of the truck as the leaders gathered around.
Kael crouched beside me, tracing the dirt with her knife. "The canyon is a trap," she said "If we march through, we die."
Stan crossed his arms "Then we don't march through."
Voss knelt, studying the cliffside "There's always another way, we just have to find it."
U-12 chimed in "I am detecting possible side paths along the eastern ridge, it is steep and unstable, but they could provide alternate entry points."
I nodded "Then we split up. Voss, you take your Fangs and New Austin's forces and push through the canyon, we need you to distract the and draw their fire."
Hart didn't look thrilled about that plan, but she didn't argue
"Kael," I continued "Your people take the ridge, we need you to move fast, hit their flanks."
Kael grinned "The Dustborn were made for this."
I turned to Stan "You and I lead the main strike team. Once the fight starts, we move in through the breaches, take out their command structure."
Stan checked his rifle "Works for me."
I looked at them all, one last time "We hit hard, we hit fast, no mercy. We don't stop until this place is nothing but rubble."
They didn't need convincing, they were ready, this was war, and it started now.
The first explosion rocked the canyon as the Iron Fangs and New Austin forces made contact, with gunfire echoing off the cliffs, and the sounds of the battle rising getting louder.
From my position on the ridge, I watched slavers scramble along their defenses, shifting to counter the canyon assault.
"Now!" I ordered the Dustborns
The Dustborn struck like lightning, they moved like ghosts through the rocks, cutting down slavers before they even knew they were there.
I vaulted over a barricade, rifle up. Stan was right behind me, his power armor absorbing rounds as we pushed forward.
"U-12 status?" I called out.
The AI's voice crackled in my earpiece. "Enemy forces are shifting to reinforce the canyon, right now is only your window."
"Then let's take it."
We charged forward.
There were Gunfire, Screams, and The chaos of war, Blacksite was burning.
~~~With the Infiltration Team
As the main assault went on, Billy's infiltration Lisa, Beth, George, Shiela, Chris, Lizzy, and Boxer moved through the shadows, slipping past the chaos. Their mission was clear get inside, find the prisoners, and get them out before the slavers could execute them or use them as hostages.
Chris led the way, his silenced pistol in hand as they crept along the perimeter. Lisa and Beth flanked him, rifles ready, while George and Boxer carried breaching charges for the cell doors, Shiela, and Lizzy kept watch, scanning the area for guards.
As they reached a maintenance hatch near the rear of the compound. U-12 had marked it as an old service entrance, rarely used but still functional. Chris got to work on the lock, his nimble fingers making quick work of the rusted mechanism.
"We're in," he whispered.
They slipped inside, moving down a dimly lit corridor they heard Muffled screams and the clang of metal echoed ahead, the prisoners were close.
Chris signaled, and they moved in pairs. George and Boxer took point, silencing two guards with swift, brutal efficiency. Lisa and Beth covered the rear.
As they neared the cells, the stench of sweat, blood, and despair filled the air. Dozens of prisoners emaciated, broken huddled behind rusted bars.
A guard patrol rounded the corner.
Chris didn't hesitate. He dropped the first with a single shot, Lisa and Beth taking down the rest before they could react.
"Get these doors open," Chris ordered.
George planted a charge on the main lock. "Fire in the hole!" With a muffled explosion, the metal doors blew open.
"You're free!" Beth called out, "Move, now!"
Some prisoners hesitated, too weak or scared to believe it, Lizzy stepped forward. "We don't have time if you can walk, move. If you can't, we'll carry you."
One by one, as they stumbled out, a siren blared, alerting the enemy.
Shiela grabbed her radio. "Billy, we got a problem, an alarm went off and now the enemy is on to us."
As the battle raged on outside, Firing his rifle Billy answered his radio " Copy I'm sending reinforcements to you now" and with that The slavers were closing in, but so was the Republic's army.
Outside, the battle raged, fire and gunfire lighting the night. The war for Blacksite had begun in full, and Billy's team weren't leaving without every last prisoner.