War war never changes...

The Courier with the assistance of Yes-Man was able to kick both the Legion and the NCR out of Hoover Dam, and with Mr.House out of the way, New Vegas's independence was secured. Chaos swiftly followed suit, both in the streets of vegas and in the Mojave as a whole. Rampant fighting among people was a daily occurrence, because of this the Courier diverted some of his Securitron army to Vegas and its surrounding areas. The Courier tried to fix tensions among the people and although he was able to convince most that his plans for independence were the best choice for the future, some still doubt him and his capability of controlling and protecting an entire region.

10 years after the event, large dust storms would fall upon the region, covering the Mojave in darkness. Reports of small settlements becoming vacant became too often of an occurrence during this time. It wouldn't be long until the reason for the sudden disappearances of people would show itself. All over the Mojave tunnelers would pop up and attacked anything insight causing mass panic among the people of Vegas. The first place to fall to the beasts would be Goodsprings, then Hidden Valley. The Courier would retreat to Big Mountain to find a way to get rid of this threat, as he was away many other places fell to the hoards of tunnelers. The tunnelers would continue their trek towards Vegas as they took down many towns in the process.

2 Months after the initial outbreak

The Courier circled the Sink central intelligence unit for what seemed to be the 5th time now. The large round table had the map of the Mojave glowing blue on its screens surface as red markers popped up around the towns that had fallen to the ongoing threat known as the tunnelers. Most of the inhabited locations towards the West had already fallen. The man kept circling the unit as he tried to think of anything to wipe out these beasts, yet anything he had attempted so far failed. He and the scientist of Big Mountain tried to modify the Sonic Emitter that Loyal had given him to see if they could modify it to work on tunnelers instead of ants. Sadly even though the test of 185 decibels and up usually was able to kill the pests, that would only work in an enclosed space, If they tried to just have it in the open the sound wouldn't do anything unless a tunneller was right next to the device emitting the frequency.

Next, they would attempt to see if enough radiation could kill one of them, none of the tests succeeded. Then they attempted to see if they could blind the damn things so that at least killing them would be a bit easier, but due to the large dust storms currently enveloping the region, any kind of bright light wouldn't affect the tunnelers.

They would try numerous amounts of tests on the tunnelers they were able to capture, each one either failing or wouldn't work when applied to the Mojave's current condition. Hell! they even tried testing on the Cloud residue that the Courier had collected from the Sierra Madre, but the only way that would work would be for him to infect the entire region! As he continues to walk a certain voice alerted their presence through a nearby intercom.

"Courier! We may have been able to find the answer to your dilemma, come to the Think Tank so we may discuss." The voice of Doctor Klein yelled through the intercom, seems like he forgot to lower his voice modules volume... The Courier quickly raced towards the main room of the Think Tank and soon met with the other scientists. Each of the scientists turned their monitors towards him, the one with the dark blue glowing tank spoke first.

"Ah you arrived, like I said we may have found the answer to the tunneler problem-" the brain in the jar hovered towards a table and picked up an object with all three of its claws then presented the strange device "- this here is our problem solver! This has taken us weeks to create so don't break it with your weird finger penises!"

The device in question was as big as a Protectron's torso, it was shaped like a box, on its sides were radioactive symbols with wires poking out and on what was assumed to be the face of the object were buttons, switches, and a keypad. The Courier looked quizzically at the thing, not wanting to touch the mysterious box due to the symbols but did so anyway holding it in both hands. Luckily his Pip-boys Geiger counter didn't pick up any radiation.

"So... What does it do?" The Courier said as he hefted the box. Before Dr.Klien could start explaining Dr.0 chimed in.

"That device your holding there is what we like to call the T-31136 i-" Another voice chimed in through the large monitor hanging above the entrance, as the static subsided the voice of Mobius came through.

"pah! The T-31136? What kind of name is that! I thought we agreed we'd call it the TUNNELLER-BEGONE DETONATOR! That is a much better name than-"

"enough! For fuck sakes just tell me what this thing does!" The Courier yelled at the scientists. The box was causing lots of strain to his back even with his synthetic spine. He placed it down on the ground before something breaks.

The scientists of the Think Tank turned their monitors back to him, this time Dr. Borous chimed in. " That device at your feet will cause an explosion that will exterminate the strange creatures. BOOOOM! TUNNERLERS GONE."

"What! That's idiotic! Why the hell would an explosion from this thing-" The Courier pointed towards the box "-get rid of the tunnelers!" The Courier said, getting more frustrated as this conversation continues. Static chimed in and this time Dala started to speak.

"Well... As Dr.Borous said, it causes an explosion but unlike ones from simple grenades or mini-nukes, it's more like an explosion from a pre-war Bunker Buster, the explosion should be so large that it will put a massive dent in the tunneler's current state. The explosion will also cause the tunnels of these creatures to be buried, crushing the things into the ground within the 50-mile radius. If our notes are correct the bright flash would scare off any leftover tunnelers and be blinded into a retreat." When she finished her explanation the Courier's expression looked even more frustrated and confused.

"Are you kidding me?! That's the best you have, do you know how many lives that will cost! How much constructional damage that would cause!" The Courier became furious at the scientist, but before he could continue he was cut off by Klein.

"Courier, we understand that your caring for the Mojave may blind your judgment, but we have run countless calculations on this matter. Its either now or never, if our projections are correct the Mojave will be overrun in 2 weeks and after that time they would have reproduced so much that there'd be too many even for you to handle. 2 weeks alone is not enough time to find a less destructive way of dealing with them."

They both looked back at the device, the Courier contemplated for a moment, he began to speak but nothing came out. If they were right then he couldn't wait any longer, might as well get any survivors out while there's any at all. Sighing to himself he began walking towards the Sink room.

"Jesus... Alright, if this is our final option we need to prepare-" the Courier turned his head back to the scientist "- I'm going to set up a warning signal so that we can get any survivors out." He continued on his path "God I hope this works."

The Courier leaned on the Sinks balcony as he looked down at the crater below called Big Mountain. For the past few hours, he's been thinking about this new plan and how to execute it. The Courier sighed and pushed himself up off the railing and looked through his pack, the pack was pretty full due to the massive device in it with his other items. He pulled out his helmet, an old riot ranger helmet with a partially fixed visor and a bullet hole on the cap with 'Benny was here' engraved next to it, and he also pulled out a pistol-shaped device that he liked to call the Transportal Ponder. He equipped the helmet and made sure to have the clasps connecting it to his armor were in place, then aimed his transportation device towards the sky and pulled the trigger.

He was ingulfed an electrifying blue light and appeared on the steps to the Lucky 38. When the bright light subsided he found himself to be in the presence of some survivors that decided to make camp in the Strip, each one looked towards him with rage. If it wasn't for the Securitrons he was sure that they would have attacked him there and then. One of the survivors came up to him, it was hard to make out the details of the person's appearance through the visor but from what he could tell they had long hair and wore some sort of leather armor.

"Well look who it is! The Courier who turned his tail and ran while we had to sit here while these things fucking tore this place to shit!" The survivor yelled at him, her voice was ghoulish, sounded like she had a build-up of phlegm. She stopped at the second step of the 38.

"Listen I know that the tunnelers have overturned Vegas since I've left but while I was away I've been trying to find a way to stop this, and I have." As the Courier said this the survivors gained a look of surprise, the one who approached him looked unconvinced.

"Is that so? Well, then what's your solution to our pest problem." She said as she backed up a bit.

"Well... none of you will like this. The only solution is this nuclear device, I've tried and tried but there's no other way!." The survivors stayed silent for a bit and then they all started to yell at him and made their approach, only stopping when the Securitrons came to the Couriers side.

They all yelled "You fucker!" and "We should've known you'd kill us!" the Courier reluctantly turned his back and walked inside as the Securitrons protected the entrance. As he entered he was greeted by 2 other securitrons next to the elevator, as he walked up they said the usual "Hello sir" and nothing else. Courier walked into the elevator and went to the Penthouse floor, as he waited he looked at his pip-boy to make sure he had everything he needed. The elevator dinged and the door opened. As he entered he was greeted by a floating metal orb that he called E-de.

"heh I miss you too pal," The Courier said as he patted it on its side, he continued towards a large monitor that had a flickering screen with a smiley face on it " Yes-Man! I need you to send out a message through all frequencies that are still active." He said as he passed 2 more of his companions he left here, both of them looked on in confusion.

"Six! Your back!" A man by the name of Arcade Gannon called out, he wore his Followers of the Apocolypse coat. Next to Raul.

The Courier turned back towards the 2 "Hey guys... Wheres the others? He said as he waited for Yes-Man to respond. The screen continued to flicker, ever since the NCR attacked the generators Yes-Man has been on the frits even with a new power source.

"Well boss Rex is in the Presidential Sweet with Veronica and señora Cassidy is in the Lounge. That's beside the point, whats brought you back? Did you find the solution to the tunnelers? Or are you just here to gather whats yours and disappear again." He said with a hint of anger, Six couldn't blame him.

Six stared at the floor before explaining. "I have found a solution, but neither of you will like it." He began to tell his plans and about the nuclear device, Arcade was the first to respond.

"What!? You can't be serious, there's got to be some other way to get rid of them! This cant be our only option" Arcade fumed at him while Raul stared on with fear and concern.

"I don't want to be rude boss but are you insane! Has perdido tus canicas!" Raul yelled, Six stopped them before the could go on.

"I understand that you two are against this and I understand why. Believe me when I say this but I've tried to find another way but this is our best shot. I-" Yes-Man interrupted.

"Ah hello, Six! Glad to see you aga-in" The screens flickering increased "What message would y-ou like for me to broadcast?" Yes-Man said in his usual cheerful voice.

"I need you to broadcast this holotape, put it on a loop." A holotape loader popped up allowing Six to place his message inside. Once inside the loader closed and he checked his Pip-boy and played the Radio New-Vegas broadcast, and sure enough, his warning for all survivors to flee the Mojave, anyone within the Strip and Freeside will be escorted far away from the detonation site and the tunnelers. He turned back towards his companions.

"I need you two to get the others and once all of you are together I need you to huddle up and use this-" He hands Arcade the Transportal Ponder "- press the trigger and it will transport you to Big Mountain," He said with obvious sorrow.

"What about you? How are you going to get out?" Arcade said still slightly mad about this whole ordeal.

"I won't..." He walks towards the elevator leaving everyone in the room surprised at the response. He entered the elevator and pressed the button to the basement before the door closed he heard Arcade yell something he couldn't understand. Once the door reopened he was in the basement, exiting he went to the center of the room and took off his pack and took out the explosive. Placing the large device on the ground he flicked the switches and entered the passcode, he prepared himself for the oncoming blast until he heard rumbling. The sound stopped briefly until 2 tunnelers tunneled into the room, both of them saw and ran towards Six. Six tried to enter the code quickly but before he could finish one of them tackled him and tore into the vest piece of his armor making a large dent in the process. He pushed it off and instead of fighting he went to finish the code, while he did this one of them went to bite his arm.

Using his other arm he was able to complete the passcode and went to punch the tunneler. One hit to the nose easily got it off his arm, he could hear the insides of the device activating and his life flashed before his eyes at that very moment. From his time in Vault 18 to his time in the Mojave. The device had activated and all he could hope was that some survivors escaped along with his companions. He and the tunnelers were engulfed in bright light and things went to black.

Author's Note

Welcome to my first story on this site! Any and all criticism is good criticism so please leave any in the comments so I may get better at creating stories and chapters.