To Nipton

Madeline and her companions traveled warily. Taking the open in air--even if it was blistering hot. They took care to avoid areas that might threaten to expose them too much. They saw in the distance what looked like a town, a tall billow of smoke arose from it.

As if there was a large bon fire or if a building was on fire. As they approached they were suddenly startled by a man running headlong--nearly running into the group. Everyone jumped and prepared to defend themselves but saw that he bore no weapons, though he did have some kind of body armor on.

Behind his dirty glasses was a near maniacal--no more hysterical look. After realizing he had run into his fellow man he cried out with a shirll laugh.

"I WON! I WON! HA AHA HA!" he nearly cried with excitement. "I won. Number 1. THANK GOD! Oh GOD! I won!"

"Who are you?" Captain Ward demanded, his weapon ready.

"I'm the winner of the fucking lottery." he said holding up a raffle ticket that looked prewar.

"What are you talking about? What lottery?" Dr. Giles asked.

"The only lottery that that matters! You smell that air? FREEEDOM!" the man continued ranting.

"The man is clearly mad." Dr. Giles said.

"Perhaps heat stroke?" Madeline suggested.

"Maybe." Ward snorted "But he has a ticket of some sort."

The man wandered away almost skipping with his apparent new found freedom.

"Lets be sure to stay frosty." Ward said, shouldering his weapon a little bit tighter to his shoulder.

As they approached the town they saw a grim sight. The town of Nipton was mostly in ruin. A large central central building stood out as some kind of municipal building. Several homes were in ashes. A large pyre of what looked like tires was billowing black smoke.

Dotted along the road were a number of what at first looked like squat powerline poles, their arms jutting out. As the party neared they saw that they were not electrical poles--but crosses.

Hanging on the crosses were dead men and women, their hands a bloody mess where nails were driven thru, though some had simply been tied.

"What in the name of God?" Dr. Giles said dumbfounded.

"Who would do something like this?" Ward said looking around frantically.

"WHO INDEED!" a voice yelled from nearby some of the wreckage.

A man walked out in what appeared to be some type of athletic gear but somehow was arrayed in such a way that Madeline might have recalled them from history class. It was oddly familiar. Then Madeline realized this person must have been from this Ceaser's Legion.

The man had a hard face, but was clean shaven save for a light five o'clock shadow barely visible. But atop his head there rested what looked like a wolf. The headgear was unsettling.

"WHO INDEED!" He said stepping forward by himself

The group looked uneasy at the newcomer.

"Who the hell are you and what the hell happened here?" Ward said, his voice tinged with fear and anger. He gripped his rifle tighter.

"Listen profligate, and know." The wolf topped man said "I am Vulpes Inculta, and Nipton was a wicked place, debased and corrupt. It served all comers, so long as they paid. Profligate troops, Powder Gangers, men of the Legion such as myself--the people here didn't care. It was a town of whores.

For a pittance, the town agreed to lead those it had sheltered into a trap. Only when I sprang it did they realize they were caught inside it too."

"You did this!?" Dr. Giles said his face pale with horror.

"Yes." he said frankly.

"You fucking monster." Ward said his fury unbearable. He raised his rifle and suddenly a shot rang out. Maybe Ward was too shaken by the victims of New Testament ****, perhaps he thought the man was alone. Perhaps he was partly scared. In either case he sparked a deadly flame.

The man saw the movement and like a tiger dove. The round seemed to have some effect as a splatter of blood darkened the sand. But just as unexpectedly that he appeared he was in cover and Madeline heard strange voices. Were they speaking Latin?

Out of the tangle of burnt buildings a dozen men dressed in like garb appeared and rushed at Madeline and her companions.