ANNOUNCEMENT 003

[intercom_voice]

[Suddenly, like twice before, that tell-tale screeching of feedback rings through the halls before an authoritative, but clearly female voice speaks.]

Hello, students! I see you've all been doing well, and truly taking to heart the lessons you've been learning during your stay at our wonderful facility.

[There's a small pause before she starts up again, an air of amusement to her voice.]

I'm sure you all miss your friends and family very much, but do not fret, because your studies and the lessons you learn here are of the utmost important. Build character, and climb the ladders of success, all of you!

[With one final teeth-wrenching burst of feedback, the announcement ends.]

---

Speak to the Voice
General Mingle

Mingle, have fun, and don't forget to tag your series name!

Comments

[ivantheterrible]

[Ivan hadn't noticed Vulpes approach, and turns his head when he hears him speak.

...Well hello man in a skirt. If only there were a vent nearby. Or an updraft.]

No, why would she do that? It's quite clear she likes to see is squirm. [He narrows his eyes. What was with that thing on his head...?]

[truetocaesar]

Squirm? Only cowards would give an enemy the satisfaction.

[Not that he has any confidence in the campus dwellers' bravery as a whole. The people he's met so far have ranged from quite impressive, to sniveling and worthless.]

She should be the one squirming. It's only a matter of time before somebody discovers her hidden location.

[ivantheterrible]

[Is that a dog? A really big rat? What the hell is that?

Ivan can be found staring quizzically at Vulpes, taking an unusually long time to answer. The longer he looks, the more he leans in to get a better view.]

Hmm...oh, right! ...Yeah. [He tears his eyes away, leaning back.]

When that happens, I'm sure she'll get what she deserves.

[truetocaesar]

[Vulpes isn't pleased with the way this stranger is staring at him rather than responding, and leaning closer isn't the sort of reaction the Legionary is accustomed to from strangers. Fortunately, he snaps out of it.]

Indeed.

[Unable to simply brush off that staring, Vulpes decides to address it.] Did you have a question for me?

[ivantheterrible]

Yes, actually.

[Ivan brings a hand up to his chin, pursing his lips thoughtfully.]

Why are you wearing a dead animal on your head?

[truetocaesar]

[Ah, yes. In this place that is quite a common question. Nonetheless, Vulpes doesn't feel any compelling urge to explain the purpose behind his hood to a complete stranger who sees fit to wear his hair long like a woman's.]

Because it's much more cooperative dead than alive.

[ivantheterrible]

... [Snort! That was actually pretty funny.] A joker, huh? Cute.

[His eyes trails downwards, glancing at Vulpes' skirt before returning to his eyes.] And the skirt?

[truetocaesar]

[Vulpes doesn't crack even the smallest of smiles, despite the fact that he did make a rare joke.]

I would use neither of those words to describe me.

[His lips form a thin line at the question.] I am a member of Caesar's Legion, and this is a standard uniform. We armor ourselves in a manner reminiscent of the Romans of ancient times.

[ivantheterrible]

Well, it's a good thing you're not the one using them then. [In other words, Ivan still stands by what he said.]

Haha, I see... [He's smirking now, looking down at that skirt again with a raised brow.] So where you live...all the men wear skirts?

[This is getting him a little too excited.]

[truetocaesar]

[He narrows his eyes, displeased when Ivan continues to refer to it as a skirt. Ignorant degenerates... Vulpes is constantly reminded about why they all need to either be assimilated, or exterminated.]

Where you live, is it a common practice to insult new acquaintances?

[ivantheterrible]

Hm? [Ivan blinks, looking up again. He seems confused a moment before realizing the implications, and then...smiles.]

Insulting? Oh no, I wasn't trying to insult you~ It's just...not something you see back in Russia.

[truetocaesar]

Russia?

[The name of one of the greatest old world powers distracts him somewhat. He's read about Russia once or twice, but knows next to nothing about it.]

So, you are another from the past. You are the first I have met from that particular location.

[ivantheterrible]

[Ivan internally groans at the fact this man is believing that rubbish too. Forget it, he's not even going to bother arguing it this time.]

Right. And where is this "Caesar's Legion"?

[truetocaesar]

[Vulpes feels he has seen sufficient evidence to give the concept credence. Denying it certainly isn't going to help him.]

We are mainly located east of the Colorado River, in the former United States.

[ivantheterrible]

The former United States? [Well, color him curious.]

[truetocaesar]

Yes. The United States, along with much of the rest of the world, was destroyed following the Great War of 2077. We live in the Wasteland that remained.

[He doesn't know what happened to Russia, but assumes it suffered the same fate.]

[ivantheterrible]

[The US was destroyed? Sounds like good news to Ivan--except, oh wait, much of the rest of the world. Russia was part of the rest of the world...!]

I see... [Ivan quirks a brow as he looks at that skirt again.] I guess that explains how thrown together your uniform looks--ah, no offense~

[He really meant no offense!]

[truetocaesar]

You seem awfully intent on my uniform.

[But yes... the uniforms are made from this and that, including old football gear. The NCR undoubtedly has them beat when it comes to armor, but the Legion has a bonus in the pure intimidation department. All in all, Vulpes is happy enough with his uniform.]

[ivantheterrible]

I'm a military man myself. [Ivan shrugs his shoulders, holding his hands up and out at his sides in a casual manner.] It's only natural~

[truetocaesar]

[Vulpes looks the man up and down, noting his casual looking clothing.]

Is that so?

[He isn't convinced by what he sees.]

What is your name and rank?

[ivantheterrible]

[Pegasus ripped the buttons off his jacket, cut him some slack! Besides, he looks dashing in this outfit, doesn't he~?]

Mmmhm, why, you don't believe me? I'm Major Ivan Raikov of the GRU, and second in command to only the Colonel back home.

[truetocaesar]

You're a Major?

[He knows about the profligate chains of command, and this man does not look like a major to him. He must have done something impressive to earn that rank. Vulpes can't help but wonder what.]

Hm. I am Vulpes Inculta, the greatest of Caesar's Frumentarii.

[ivantheterrible]

That's right.

[Vulpes do you have any idea how many dicks he had to suck to get this rank? And impressive amount! Well, you'll just have to keep on wondering, won't you?]

The pleasure is all mine~ [Ivan extends a hand, smirking.]

[truetocaesar]

[He can only imagine]

[Vulpes doesn't recall expressing any pleasure at this meeting. He ignores the hand; there is no shaking of hands in the Legion, and even if there were, he'd have no desire to do so now.]

I'm sure.

[ivantheterrible]

[No hand shake? Ivan raises a brow, and then decides Americans must be even more uncivilized than previously thought.

He lowers his hand.]

Have you been trapped here long?