Silus

Silus is a centurion of Caesar's Legion, captured during battle and brought to Camp McCarran in 2281.

Background
An exceptional member of the Legion, Silus is unique not in bravery, but in his insight and intelligence, as despite Legion indoctrination, he has managed to retain freedom of thought and skills of critical observation. He earned the rank of centurion through bravery and devotion, serving Caesar unquestioningly for years. Among many, he and his men wiped out countless NCR patrols to allow Legion operatives to move freely, while Silus himself once charged a group of men armed with firearms, brandishing just a knife. They were the ones scared.

He was not blind to Caesar's degenerating health, or his own worth. Before his last mission, he waited for three days until his leader's headache subsided, despite the time-critical nature of his assignment. The delay resulted in Silus' centuria being ambushed and routed by the NCR. His defeat, along with his own observations of Caesar and the Legion led him to believe that Caesar is slowly losing his faculties and the ability to lead. As such, while his men were opening their jugulars around him, he refused to slit his throat to avoid capture. He refused to throw away all he worked so hard to accomplish, for a megalomaniacal self-appointed dictator. He was captured by the NCR and brought to McCarran for interrogation. He is as unwilling to share his secrets with the NCR as he is to slash his throat open. He apparently finds pleasure in antagonizing his captors. In particular, he enjoys taunting Lt. Carrie Boyd about how much he would like to see her in a slave collar. Carrie Boyd: "Long time, no see, Silus." Silus: "Lieutenant. I was just thinking about you." Carrie Boyd: "That so?" Silus: "I was. I was just thinking about that pretty neck of yours." Carrie Boyd: "How sweet." Silus: "I was thinking about how it would look with a Legion slave collar on it." Carrie Boyd: "I'll pass." Silus: "Do you know what I love about our slave collars, Lieutenant?" Carrie Boyd: "If you love them, maybe you should try one on." Silus: "I love how tightly they fit. I train my men to make sure the slaves' flesh bulges a bit around the top and bottom. Know why?" Carrie Boyd: "It's all the rage in fashion circles." Silus: "Not quite. If you fit it just right, their body never gets used to the feeling of wearing it. It cuts in just enough when they swallow or turn their head to remind them who they belong to. And it's that constant reminder that keeps them docile." Carrie Boyd: "In that case, maybe you'd better save the collar you were going to give me." Silus: "Oh? For whom?" Carrie Boyd: "For a friend of mine you're about to meet. My friend isn't very docile." Silus: "And who is this friend of yours?" Carrie Boyd: "You know all the rules the NCR instituted to protect enemy prisoners of war?" Silus: "Of course." Carrie Boyd: "My friend doesn't. Oh, and Silus? If you resist at all, I'll personally blow your brains out." Carrie Boyd: "Come on in. He's all yours. I'll be back in a bit to see how you're getting along. And I'll need you to surrender your weapons before you go in. You can pick them up from the locker on your way out." (Silus and Carrie Boyd's dialogue)

Silus recognized Captain Ronald Curtis upon being brought into the base, having met him years earlier during the latter's Frumentarii training. He did not know his current name, but he remembered that his intelligence has often reached Silus' century, allowing him to strike at the NCR.

While Lt. Boyd tries, in vain, to pry some useful information from him, Silus continues to believe that he is still a loyal officer of the Legion, as he refused to kill one of its greatest soldiers (himself) and did not divulge even the slightest bit of information.

Quests
Silus Treatment: Silus is held captive in Camp McCarran, and the NCR is attempting to interrogate him. He will not give information to the NCR, and interrogator Carrie Boyd is looking for help. She informs the player character that the NCR does not allow torture of prisoners. They can suggest a truth serum, beating the prisoner, or calling him names. Silus may also be freed, resulting in a few special dialogue lines from Caesar.

Other interactions
Silus has a low intelligence dialogue option, though it's limited to a single line.

Appearances
Silus appears only in Fallout: New Vegas.

Behind the scenes
Silus literally means "snub-nosed" in Latin.

Bugs
Several of Silus' lines contain "[?]" in the subtitles.