"Do you doubt the abilities of my tribe Vulpes Inculta?" The Artificer King Actus eyed the man who had come to check on his progress, standing up from his seat in the town hall with a raised eyebrow, "We are Caesar's engineers for good reason."

"I do not but I am simply stating that it would have been far more efficient and easier to raze this depraved den of whores and bandits." Inculta's voice was just as cold and lifeless as ever, monotonous enough to be unsettling even to those who had become regular targets of his visits as hidden eyes stared down the Artificer King.

"Perhaps but now we have the NCR were we want them. Should they come they will have to assail our defenses and these new prisoners will surely be killed off in the crossfire. On the flip side, should they fail to come, it will be a sign that the Republic does not have the power or courage or perhaps even kindness to even attempt to defend the people here." Visibly proud, Actus boasted of his plan with outstanding confidence, "At any rate, we will force a battle here and take home some new slaves and resources; Caesar's orders after all. Even if we cannot obtain a military victory here a political victory shall be born." 

With little else to remark, Vulpes Inculta was escorted out by Actus to the entrance of the town hall now being used as a command center. A group of legionary escorts came to the Vulpes's side and with a "Hail Caesar!" the man began his way out of the city as it was being turned into a death trap, careful not to disturb andy pitfalls or landmines on their journey. King Actus on the other hand turned to face the front where trenches were being dug. Slaves towed in rocks and the trailers they once lived in to be used as bunkers. Out in the open was open bait, a cage consisting of captured persons who could not escape but it was more than just them in the middle of a minefield and pitfall traps, several of the slaves were squatting on pressure mines that would explode if they moved ensuring that if the NRC tried to move them, they'd all die.

Even should the defense fail, Actus had already made contingencies and had his son Heorem set up fall back points if not against his will. All that remained was constructing excuses for Caesar should he be questioned for it. With so many degenerate meatsheilds however, Actus had full confidence that even if the NRC sent its entire army at his defenses, he would still grant the Legion victory in the hearts and minds of the people of the Mojave.