The Trooper (The Battle for Big Rock City) · 2:24pm Oct 4th, 2016
Cherry remembers working a job as auxiliary sniper to the NCR Army, against the Herd, at Big Rock City. There was a unicorn he went drinking with a lot, in between cross-river skirmishes. Then the Herd surged through the City, and he never saw the unicorn again.
A dream. He's revisited by the spirit of the unicorn, who died in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's counter-charge against the Herd's center.
The Third is ill-equipped for the job, a new unit with its close-combat armor and assault lances, but no firearms. But the NCR is still reeling from the Herd's successful push through Big Rock City. Time is needed to reorganize and reform lines. The 3rd ACR prepares to sacrifice itself...
You crossed the Dam, but we'll deal with you
To Damnation with your leaders, too
You're spreading out, firming up your lines
You'd better stand, 'cause you're out of time
On the center comes our bugle's sound
We gather ranks and set to wheel around
The smell of acrid smoke and horses' breath
We are marching towards our certain death
Sweat in the armor as we break to run
See the Herd arranged beneath the sun
And as we race towards the shield-wall
The screams of pain as my comrades fall
We hurdle bodies that lay on the ground
And the bastards fire another round
We get so near yet so far away
We won't live to fight another day
My lance is down, braced to barrel in
Their rifle-ponies open fire again
A thunder-clap, and then I feel the blow
A burst of rounds take my hooves below
And as I lay here gazing at the sky
My body's numb and my throat is dry
And as I lay forgotten and alone
Without a tear I draw my parting groan...
Half the regiment was lost closing with the Herd's center, where most of its ranged firepower was located. The other half smashed into the enemy ranks with their lances, instantly killing an almost equal number. Hoof-to-hoof fighting broke out, stalling the center and forcing the Herd's wings to curl inward, surrounding the Armored Cavalry.
By the time the rest of the NCR Army was ready to fight, the 3rd ACR had been annihalated to a buck --- but the Herd was thoroughly disorganized. They were slowly forced back across Hoofer Dam, though not in time to prevent the complete burning and looting of Big Rock City.
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