The first thing you do when you see the Freeside for the first time is wonder what's worse: if the "wilderness" or the "civilization".
By that I meant that there was practically no difference. The only one you could find was that people were too poor to attack you with a gun. It was really depressing having to kill those first few loonies. One has to be very desperate to attack a five-person group armed to the teeth. Either that or their relative IQ was under 70. But they were able to hold a knife by the right end, so that was probably not the case.
'Stay clear of the locals, girls. They will rob you, kidnap you or grope you.' I said as the head of the last thug rolled under my foot. 'They've just proven to be as imbeciles as to do that.'
'Let them try groping me, the only one who can do it is Jonas.' Said Jessi, quite loudly.
' .. Jessi .. The whole street heard you. .. Now you're marked as a pervert for life here. .. ' Kelsey laughed at her sister. The moment Kelsey mentioned Jessi's name, I saw Wendy had a strange physical reaction. And then there was the fact that she had called her by name, not "sis" or "sister", as she had done until then. I decided not to focus myself on that, but I'd keep an eye on Wendy's condition, my guts told me something was not right with her.
'Bugger! I wanted to have a place where fucking boys wouldn't bother me. If people here think's I'm easy, stupid kids without hair on their balls will come to try and hit on me!' Jessi said, half complaining, half boasting.
' .. Maybe if you looked like a woman. .. But you look like an armoured bighorn with the combat armour. .. ' Kelsey made fun of Jessi once more.
'You little...!' Jessi started.
' .. I'm the elder. .. ' Kelsey corrected her, laughing.
'You two, stop arguing, you're bothering my love!' Wendy scolded the sisters.
'*Your* love?' Willow intervened. 'Maybe we didn't say it clear enough yesterday. Regarding Jonas, there's "us", "our", "we"... There's no "I". There's no "my". Jessi and Kelsey have been with him even before I met them. They KNOW that if they bother him he'll tell them to shut up. And they'll shut up as if they had no mouths to begin with. That's part of loving someone: knowing that someone. You assume things. He has said nothing, so he isn't bothered by their behaviour.' Willow reprimanded Wendy.
'Sorry, sisters.' Wendy said.
'Indeed, they don't bother me. They rather amuse me, it's like watching two fat babies fight for a toy: clumsy, cute and funny.' I cut their conversation. I had seen again that physical reaction on Wendy when Jessi and Kelsey were mentioned. And then there was the "sisters" thing. First she didn't want to accept them and then she addressed them as "sisters"?
'We aren't fat!' Jessi complained.
It was the moment to check it out. 'Of course not! It was a metaphor, Jessi.' And there it was, as soon as I said "Jessi" there was a sudden spike on her dopamine levels an cardiac rhythm. It was a conditioned response to the name of Jessi? Why? Were there other triggers? Was it because of her trouble accepting the other girls? I knew perfectly well she had some loose screws; jumping into me and tagging along like that proved it more than enough. I also knew she was a very dependant person, and she had fixed her dependency to me. My attention, or even my presence, were like drug to her. A drug she was addicted to. But those reactions were not normal, she didn't show them before going to sleep at night, then again, she was fainting every five minutes.
'In any case, Wendy is right in one thing.' I said.
'Am I?' She asked, very happy. Her physical reaction was smooth. Fast, yes, but natural. When I said "Jessi" before it was a spike, that natural reaction was like a rolling hill.
'Yes, you were.' I said patting her head. The cloud of dopamine around her could nearly be seen with the naked eye. 'They shouldn't fight. This is not the open, We've had plenty of experience in more narrow spaces, but even you know we have to be careful. Also, it's unsightly to see two sisters arguing about something so vane. If you girls do love me, what do you mind other pretenders? Just reject them.'
'We're sorry, Jonas.' They both said at the same time. I petted their heads too, and I could see their clouds of dopamine. They girls really loved me. Me or the "Eye of the Storm". I still had doubts, but I'd have to find out with an indirect approach. Because a direct one would hit the "WE DO LOVE YOU" wall.
'Now, anyone been here before?' I asked.
'I have been to Vegas once' Said Wendy as she hugged my arm. The sisters tried hard not to eye her. Willow knew her bases were secure.
'And how did you get there?' I asked.
'There's a monorail from Camp McCarran. The NCR has direct access.' She answered.
'So that's why the NCR has such a little presence in the Mojave despite their massive budget. They spend most of it in the Strip. Let's go there and kill that bastard.' I said. And we walked towards a door with three securitrons guarding it.
We were about to cross it when an old man came running and held me by the arm. 'Woah! kid! Be careful!'. Half a second after me, a man tried to run through the gate and the securitrons kept firing until he was reduced to a pulp. Literally. The four girls vomited.
'Thank you, old man.' I said to my saviour.
'Name's Old Ben. I gather you want to cross the door, right?' He asked.
'Sure.' I replied.
'You'll need a passport. They're very expensive these days, around twenty thousand caps.' He told me.
'Twenty thousand? You can buy an entire town with that! The people included!' Said Jessi.
'Ha ha, yes, young lady. That serves to deter those who can't afford the high bets in those casinos.' He told Jessi.
'Then how does one get into the Strip these days, if you're not a brahamin baron?' I asked Old Ben.
'My father used to tell me: "To reach the highest heights, climb on the shoulders of the tallest.".' He said.
'It's not exactly easy to see who are the tallest around here.' I said.
'Their boss may not wear a crown, but has earned his name doing good to the community. I bet he has something for you" Old Ben replied.
'Thanks Old Ben.' I said.
'I just would hate to see the ladies turn up like that guy.' He said.
We said our goodbyes to Old Ben and we stopped to talk.
'I didn't understand a word of what Old Ben's father told him.' Jessi admitted.
'Neither did I' Wendy was on the same boat.
'I think I get it, but I got lost on the crown.' Willow got a bit further.
' .. I did understand it. .. But I don't understand how it helps. .. ' Kelsey was a bit confused, too.
'It's rather easy: To "climb on the shoulder of the tallest" means to use those who have power for our own means. So I asked him who has the power. He replied that the one with a crown. And who wears a crown? A king. Have you seen what those thugs with hair gel have on the back of their jackets? You got it: "The Kings". And we passed by a building that had "The king's school of impersonation." In big glowing letters. That, is our next stop.
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| So this was the Freeside |
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| Old Ben |
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| Let's climb to the shoulder of the tallest |
The choice of colours was a chromatic aberration, so they did catch the attention for sure. A thug with so much hair gel on him that you could stick him to the wall and he'd stay put eyed us as we entered.
'If you guys are the kings, there has to be a king of kings.' I said aloud.
One thug came to me with his chest inflated, as if he was a rooster. 'And under what pretext do you call for The King?' He said. He was shorter than me and armed with a 10 mm and a lousy piece of salvaged cloth as protection. I barely held my laughter. If I wished I could make the punk shit himself right there.
But I was feeling generous. 'Because I'm new in town and I'd like to pay my respects to the authority.' I said.
He deflated completely, he was hoping for a confrontation. Fucking midget. 'Go through that door, he's the bored man in front of the stage.' He said.
'Thank you, rooster.' I said. He probably didn't get it, but some of his friends did.
'Look, Rexie! We have guests!' He said to his cyberdog. 'What can The King do for you?'
'I want a favour, so I guess I'll need to pay with another favour. I want a passport to the Strip.' I said.
'...You're lucky. I have to keep this place tidy and clean. Dirty business are no good business. Have you seen the bodyguards at the gate? Good money, honest work... But Orris is making too much. And once they hire him, they never hire another. Find out why and maybe I'll be grateful enough to give you a task that may pay such a favour.' He said.
'Thank you, King.' I said, and left, followed by the girls.
Once we were out of the hall, back at the entrance, Rooster and other two imbeciles stood in our way. 'Maybe The King has given you a task, but who's got the muscle is the law. And we've got muscle to spare, so don't get cocky.' He said. 'And I'm Pacer, not some kind of feathery animal... You... Lizard.' He added in the last second.
'What you are is a jealous kid because mommy is not paying attention only to him. Now, stand aside, I have a fraud to uncover.' I Told him. He tried to punch me but I got his hands. The other five men in the room took their 10 mm out, but they lowered then as soon as they saw four girls pointing at them with guns and rifles, and me pointing the fifth with my repeater. 'We don't want to step on you. We want a favour from The King and we'll pay it. We're not stepping into your turf, so don't get aggressive. Let's behave like civilized people, even if some of us are clearly uncivilized.' I released Pacer's fist and we exited the building.
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| The King's School of Impersoanation |
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| The King |
Orris was a shady character. He had an unkempt beard. He was wearing metal armour, clumsy to move in, instead of the leather ones of his competitors.
'Get me and you'll never want no other!' He proclaimed.
'How much for escorting my group to the Strips's gate?' I asked.
'Usually I'd charge one hundred caps per head. But being the girls such beauties, I'll leave it at three hundred and seventy five.' He replied.
'You're very kind.' Answered Willow. I could have told her amiability was fake even without the helmet.
'Then let's get moving.' I said.
He guided us through the main street as any other bodyguards would do. But midway there he pulled his hand up.
'Hold up, I don't like the face of those goons in front of us, let's take an alternative route.' He said, and we dived into the side streets and alleys. There, he faced four men and shot three times. All the men "died". Orris was a fraud. The men were playing dead.
'Orris, you're going to give us every single cap you have on you.' I said.
'And why should I do that, I just saved you from this thugs.' He replied.
I pulled my repeater and pointed at his nose. 'Because the bullets in here are very real. You shot three times and there are four "dead bodies". Bodies which, by the way, have a pulse, breathe, and are not getting cold by the minute like a real corpse would do. So you're going to hand out the caps if you don't want to get acquainted with real firearms.' I told him.
'Damn! Have!' He gave me eight hundred and seventy nine caps. 'Who is it that wants me out of the business, uh?' He asked.
'Yourself. By gaining too much in a strange manner, you attracted the attention of The King. You're on his blacklist now. I'd flee the site if I was you and try to keep a profile as low as you can, because if he hears of you in the Mojave, wherever you are, his men will find you.' I lied menacing him.
'Shit I'm outta here!' And he dashed away leaving his "dead" buddies there.
'I don't know your names, so you're safe for now. But keep attracting The King's attention and you'll get the same as Orris, or worse. Now scram.' I said, they fled the place in all directions.
Back at the King's School of Impersonation, we passed directly trough the entrance with no more conflicts. We found The King sitting at the same table.
'Orris is a fraud. As soon as I uncovered him, he started to flee.' I half-lied.
'I'll see my boys don't let him into the Freeside ever again.' He replied. 'Well done. Now I feel I can trust you with this... matter. There's been trouble between the locals and the NCR squatters. Some of my boys got hurt last night. Go check then out at the Old Mormon Fort. Maybe the Followers can give you another insight on this that helps you solve the problem.'
'Thank you, King. We're off to the fort.' I said.
'I hope you come back soon with good news.' He replied.
The Old Mormon Fort was a field hospital, guarded by several mercenaries and kept running by four medics. After asking a male one who looked at me as if I was a juicy brahamin steak, we found out that the one who called the shots among the Followers of the Apocalypse was one of the females: Julie Farkas. Ex NCR commando. Tough nut to crack.
Finally, one of the mercs pointed a woman when we asked for Julie Farkas.
'Dr. Farkas?' I asked.
'If your leg isn't out of place, go see Arcade.' She complained. She was Farkas.
'Dr. Farkas, we are here on behalf of The King. He said you had here people who could help clarify what's going on in the Freeside.' Willow told her.
'Now he's taking an interest on it? After so many wounded and several deaths? Look, I don't know if you come from the King or from the fucking Empire State! If you want information, earn it. We need medical supplies. Ask the local big shots like Ralph, at Mick and Ralph, or the Garret Twins, at the Atomic Wrangler. And convince Jacob Hoff and Bill Ronte to sober up and come here. Maybe then I'll let you see my patients.' She said and moved along to check a patient... Who was the Empire State?
Finding Mick and ralph's Shop wasn't hard to do. There was a crier pointing to it and shouting that they sold illegal goods. How can something be illegal without a government?. We interrogated the kid about all the important people on the Freeside. Five caps made him talk a lot.
In any case, we entered the shop. It was an old dusty shop set in a home appliance store from before the war.
'Welcome ladies and gentleman. I'm here to satisfy all your buying needs. Except for guns. That's Mick's territory.' He said with a smile.
'We're not here to buy. We just want to know if you could help supply the Followers.' I said.
'*Sigh* I'd love to.' He wasn't lying. 'But we barely made it by the day. sometimes we can't even pay the crier. Tell Farkas that we're sorry, but we could also use supplies.' He said.
'Sad to hear. I'll be sure to come back. It's rare to see an honest trader lately.' I said.
'How did you know I was telling the truth, I could have easily lied.' He wondered.
'Your body language, temperature, hormonal level and alpha waves were not those of a liar. With that I don't say your goods are honest or that you always are. But this time you were. That's all.' And we left.
Asking around, we found Jacob Hoff laying against a wall, wasted on hydra.
'Jacob?' I approached him.
'Do you have a dose? I'm on withdrawal. This shit is horrible. Tell me you have a dose.' He said.
'Who supplies you?' I asked.
He pointed at a man 'Dixon.' He gasped.
'I'm going to cut your supply, and then you're going back to the Followers.' I told him.
'What? No! I'll have to go through weeks of this shit to get out clean!' He said.
'And your friends have gone through months of shit while you were high, and they'll accompany you through all the process.' I replied.
'.... .... .... Shit. I'm useless. I'm going to the fort.'
I went to Dixon after that.
'You Dixon?' I asked.
'Ya, man! You need a fix? I've got eeeeeeeverything you can ask.' He replied
'Do you supply Jacob Hoff and Bill Ronte?' I asked.
'Ya. Good customers, if you know whatta mean...'
'Stop supplying them.' I said.
'An' why should I do that?' He asked.
I punched him in the face. Broke his nose. Could have killed him. 'I'll ask again: stop supplying them.'
'Aw wight, Man. Jught 'ot 'unk e agai'!' He said with his broken face.
'Let's go see Ronte.' I said as we left.
We found him in a ruined building drinking. he was as drunk as one can get.
'Bill Ronte.' I said.
'Hey! That'sh mah name!' He replied.
I kicked the bottle in his hand. It broke against the wall. 'Sober up.' I said.
'Hey! That wash mah bottle! Whaddya di' that fo'?' He asked.
'Sober up.' I repeated, 'They're waiting you at the Old Mormon Fort.
'What fo'? To geth all thoshe memorriesh back? I want to fogget.' He said, sad.
'Forget Arcade, or Julie? You want to forget them? Because they still care about you.' I said.
'You bring thoshe namesh to meh... You are evil! All right. I'll give it a shot. But if I don't like being shober again, I'll get a bottle and forget. Sweet forgetfulnesh.' He said, and stumbled in the general direction of the fort.
'Time to meet the Garrets.' I said.
The Atomic wrangler was close-by. The brother took care of security, so it was the sister, Francine, who called the shots. She was at the bar.
'Francine Garret, I presume.' I said.
'I don't have the pleasure... skull man.' She said.
'It's my working suit.' I replied. 'We come in behalf of the Followers to ask the community to support their effort.'
'And what would I gain from that?' She asked.
'Your clients wouldn't die off STDs or cirrhosis, so they'd be able to walk in a second time. You'd get their caps, instead of some thug.' I replied.
'Your idea interests me. But you'll have to prove to me you talk business. You have no credentials, so earn them. Grecks, Santiago and Lady Jane owe us money. I'd prefer no one died. But bring me their caps back. Run away with the caps and you're a dead man.' She said.
'Not even all the thugs here would kill me and my girls, but fine, I'll get you the money.' I said. I could see face of frustration she made when she realized I could assault the casino and take everything for myself, but I just didn't want to. She realized who was the tiger and who was the fly.
Gecks was the ugliest ghoul I'd ever seen. But he was a nice guy. Just a bit lazy with his payments. After some minor threats, he gave us even more than what he owed. I didn't want to ruin the poor man, so I gave him the difference back. He was so grateful he could have kissed my shoes.
We found Santiago was a suave man in a business suit.
'Santiago?' I asked.
'Who wants to meet Santiago?' He said in a fake Argentine accent.
'Me. I come from the Garrets. You owe them.' I said.
'Santiago owes nothing. Doesn't have to pay. He's VIP.' He kept the act.
I pointed my .45 at his face. 'Viewing Inside my Pistol, you mean?'
'Woah! Woah! Be careful who you point with that. I usually keep the Santiago act and that's enough... I guess the Garrets are pissed this time. Here, this is what I owe. Just... put that thing away from me.' He was really scared.
'I'm glad we reached a peaceful agreement.' I said as we left.
'Are we hired thugs now?' Asked Wendy.
'More or less. It's for the good of the community. We take from them only what they owe and with as little menace as possible.' I told her.
She hugged my arm. ' If my love says so, I'll be whatever he wants me to be.' She said smiling.
'Jessi, Kelsey, don't you think Wendy is a bit too close to Jonas?' Willow asked.
'Yes, Willow.' The sisters answered together.
And there it was again. When the name of any of the other three girls was spoken, some kind of strange physical response took place.
Wendy released my arm and returned with the others. 'Sorry, sisters, I just wanted to have some skinship with him...' Something was definitely wrong with Wendy.
Lady Jane was the daughter of a brahamin baron that had lost his fortune. She was the rich girl who is poor. I approached her.
'My, I can't see your face, but with that body, honey, you must be really popular.' She said.
'Thanks, Lady Jane. But this body is here to gather what you owe the Garrets.' I said.
'I don't understand why they keep battling about such a measly sum of caps.' She argued.
'Why do you, then? You're the daughter of a brahamin baron, such petty sums should not be a problem for you to pay.' I said.
'Nice body, you've got a silver tongue. All right. I don't want people to think I don't pay my debts.'
She paid in full.
We went back to Francine with the caps.
'Nice work kid, I need you to do another person. But this time I DO want you to kill him. The bastard killed three of our whores. His name is Caleb McCaffery, and he wears a cowboy hat. He's on the strip.' She said.
'As soon as we get into the Strip, we'll take care of him.' I said. And we left.
' .. So, what now? .. We don't have the support of the Garrets for the followers. .. ' Kelsey said.
'We'll have to explain Farkas the situation.' I said.
'I hope she'll listen.' Wendy said.
We found Farkas doing some paperwork inside the tower.
'Do you have my supply line yet? I've seen Jacob and Bill coming back.' She said.
'Ralph can't spare anything, he barely makes it. The Garrets are seduced by the idea, but they want us to do some dirty work first. And we need to go to the Strip for that. And to go to the Strip we need to talk with your patients.' I explained.
'Fine, I get it. I know when things get stuck. They're in the tent #1. Talk to Farris. The older one. He's the less injured one.' She said.
'Thank you Dr. Farkas.' I said.
'Who said I was a doctor?' She replied, smiling.
We went to tent #1 and found Farris sitting on a chair.
'Farris?' I asked.
'That's me, who asks?' He replied.
'My name is Jonas. I came on behalf of The King to investigate what happened to you guys.' I said.
'Well, all I can say is that I had my face shoved into the ground begging for my life for the most part.' He replied.
'I heard the name of one.' Said the youngest one.
'Wayne, lay down, you're not ok yet.' Farris told him.
'I will not die for this, old Farris. I Heard how one called another Lou. And then there was a surname... let me remember... Tenant! Lou Tenant! I hope that helps.' He said.
'More than you can imagine.' I said.
I gathered the girls around me.
'Lou Tenant, or Lieutenant. It was NCR soldiers. We can't go back to the King with just that. It will be an all-out war.' I said.
'Why don't we ask Farkas? She knows the community pretty well, and she's not on either side, so she might know people in both sides.' Said Jessi.
'I'm impressed, Jessi. You thought of that alone? Good girl!' I said as I petted her. Aside from the cloud of dopamine around Jessi, I saw Wendy's dopamine spike as soon as I said Jessi's name.
'Yeah, I'm trying to think more and move less.' She said, blushing.
Let's ask Farkas as Jessi said, it can't hurt to ask.
Farkas was still doing paperwork.
'What have you broken now?' She said.
'Farkas, It seems the attack was done by the NCR military. We don't want to go with this to The King. It would mean war. Do you know someone in the NCR military that is posted here?' I asked.
'I know several. But you probably will want to talk with Elisabeth Kieran. She's the coordinator of the relief effort here in the Freeside. She's on a guarded building, by the old train station. But you'll need a password or they won't let you in. Try the squatters.' She said. She was being helpful as she could see the danger this incomplete information meant to the community she was taking care of.
We had seen a squatter camp behind the fort. As we approached, their ... spokesman came to us.
'Are you NCR citizens?' He asked.
'Do we look like locals to you, fellow bear?' I replied.
'You must be new in town. The locals are a bunch of bastards. They control the water. But there's *hope* near the old train station.' He said, accentuating "hope" as much as he could.
'Thank you. I'll hope for some food then.' I said, and we left.
'We don't know the password yet.' Said Jessi.
' .. Yes, we do .. ' Answered Kelsey.
'And which is it? I don't get it either.' Said Wendy.
'How dense can you two be?' Willow was desperate.
'It's "hope", girls.' Pay attention to the tone.
'Oh.' Said Jessi, understanding at last. I never knew if Wendy understood.
The building was guarded by two trained soldiers dressed as thugs. As soon as we approached, one of them stopped us.
'What is needed to restore the world?' He asked.
'Hope.' I answered.
'Go in, there are rations and water for all the NCR citizens.' He said, and we went in.
'Are you Ellisabeth Kieran?' I asked to the woman that seemed to be coordinating everything.
'Yes, have you come for your rations?' She asked.
'No. I'm investigating an attack on some locals by your troops under The King's orders.' I said.
'The bastard! We sent him an envoy to coordinate the relief effort for all the Freeside and they gave him back barely alive. And now they complain because some boys got rough with the locals!?' She was angered.
'Wait. What? An envoy? The King didn't mention an envoy.'
'Then The King lied to you.' She replied.
'That's impossible. I can see pheromones around people and read their body language in real time with this helmet. He knew nothing of an envoy.' I said.
'Well, we know for a fact that he reached their HQ, so he had to be outside.' She said.
'Someone is stabbing The King in the back.' I said. 'I must ask you to tell your men to stay clear from the Kings for a while. I have to tell this to The King.
'I can't do that. If you want to save your pals, move fast, mind reader!' She said
And indeed I moved fast to The King's School of Impersonation.
Once there, before entering the theatre, Pacer stopped me.
'A bird told me you know about that fucking envoy. It's best if The King doesn't know about this.' He said.
'The king asked me the truth, little peacock. I'll give him all the truth.' I replied.
'Fuck you!' He cussed.
'What have you found out? You've been poking around people for a good while.' The King Could also smell the smoke of the fire on his pants, even if he had not seen it yet.
'It was the NCR military. But there's something more important beneath that fact. Someone is stabbing you on the back. The NCR sent an envoy and your men nearly beat him to death. It's no wonder they're pissed.' I said.
'An envoy? I never received an envoy! What did they sent him for?' He asked.
'They wanted to coordinate the relief effort with you for the whole Freeside, not just the squatters.' I said.
'I'd had agreed immediately if I had found out! Do you know who is betraying me?' He asked.
'Not really, but Pacer seems to be one of them.' I told him.
'Mike!' He called a guy that passed over there. 'Where's Pacer?'
'He just took five new guys and went towards the old train station to practice shooting.' He replied.
I didn't need another word. I ran so fast the girls could not catch up with me.
When I arrived, the only one alive was Pacer, cowering behind a bus stop. I ran to the NCR lines.
'Elisabeth! Stop this madness!!!' I yelled.
'You, King's dog! They attacked us!' She replied.
'They don't represent the will of The King. He never got the envoy, not notice of him. He'll gladly cooperate wit your relief efforts. He has the good of the community in mind.' I told her.
'Is that true?' She asked.
'Want to ask him in person? I promise I'll protect you from anyone, no matter who is their boss.' I said.
'Guys! Go back to your posts. I'm going to do what I should have done to begin with!' She yelled.
'Yes, ma'am!' They all replied as one.
As we were escorting Elisabeth to The King's School of Impersonation, Pacer came in front of us and pointed at us with his 10 mm. It had no bullets, but he didn't know. I did.
'I won't let the NCR take over my home town. You're all invaders! You don't belong here!' He said.
'Pacer. The gun has no bullets.' I said. That deflated him completely. 'Your hatred is misplaced. These people wanted to help the people of the Freeside. If you want to hate someone, hate yourself. Look at the bodies lying around you. Those five young guys were freesiders like you. Is that how you show your love for your home town? Taking kids to the slaughterhouse?' I said. We passed him and left him there, reflecting on his actions. A few seconds later we heard a single shot.
We arrived with Elisabeth, and she was the first to talk.
'I'm Commander Elisabeth Kieran. I'm in charge of the relief effort for the Freeside. I gather you are The King.' She suddenly looked like a soldier.
'Indeed I am. I got word you sent an envoy to talk with me, but my boys treated him badly. I'm truly sorry for that. It would do much good to the peoples of the Freeside, locals and squatters, to count on the relief effort. I'm willing to coordinate things among the locals.' Answered The King.
'I believe you know where my headquarters are. Please, come tomorrow to discuss the details.' Elisabeth offered.
'I'll go alone with Rexie here as proof of my good will.' The king accepted.
'It's been a pleasure, but my men must be agitated after the fight, I must go to calm them down. I'll see you tomorrow.' Elisabeth told him. And left.
'Quite the woman. They have good girls in California. You've solved my problem, and I will solve yours. Tell Ralph that I send you "with my best regards". He'll get you ready for the Strip.' He finally rewarded us.
'Thank you, King.' I replied.
'To friends like you, I prefer if you call me Henry.' He said.
'We'll see each other again, Henry.' I smiled.
When we told Ralph that The King sent me "with his best regards" he turned pale. Then searched among some books and finally took a blank passport. He filled it up for me with a machine and a photo, so I had to take the helmet off. When the ink dried, he gave me a perfect counterfeit passport to the Strip.
'Will it really work?' I asked.
'I've used my own passports several times and I'm still alive.' He replied.
It was time to test it out.
I approached the gate and the securitron came to me.
'Your passport, please.' It said. I showed it to him. 'Pass, please.' And we all went into the Strip.
The casinos were a sight to behold, but there was only one I was interested in: The home of the Chairmen. The Tops. There, Benny awaited.
But business first. Caleb McCaffery was there. I touched his shoulder, he turned back. 'Hey, you crossed the Garrets. Goodbye!' I told him right before putting a .357 through his brains.
Right. Next, Benny.
'Sir, I must ask you to and your company to stash here all the weapons you may carry.' Said the receptionist as we entered.
I didn't want to cause a stir, so I gave him everything... save for the .45 gun. We went in without an incident.
The Tops was a colourful place, with lots of gamblers around, loosing money and smiling because of it. The heights of stupidity the human mind can reach are unattainable.
At the end of a long row of poker, black jack and roulette tables, Benny watched over his turf with his four bodyguards.
'Holly fuck! You're alive!' He said as soon as he saw me, as I approached him without the helmet. 'I thought you died back then!'
'I have a thick skull, Benny.' I replied.
'Now, nice and easy, let's not make a scene...' He said. 'I'm sure you've got plenty of questions. Why don't we go to the Presidential room and I try to solve them, uh?'
'Loose the bodyguards and maybe I'll ponder not killing you.' I replied.
'With what, a peashooter?' He laughed.
'Do you know that your boys are very bad at taking people's weapons? I've got several things bigger than a peashooter on me. So loose the bodyguards. I don't want to have to kill them too.' I replied him.
He got the message. 'Boys, scram.' Then he started walking to an elevator. 'Follow me, he said.
The presidential suite was a big place, and the figure of Benny drinking gin alone at the bar was poetically pathetic. The broken pictures and the scorched walls were a reminder of better times that the Chairmen tried to emulate. He was drinking whiskey. I was wearing my helmet. Clever guy. But there were more indicators than body heat that I could track.
'Now that you and me's got some privacy, I gotta ask - How is it you're still alive?' He asked.
'A securitron dug me up.' I answered.
'House was on to me from the word Go? I thought I was being so clever...' He said. 'Once you were vertical, how'd you track me down?'
'You left a trail.' I said throwing him his lighter.
'To think this was my lucky charm. I guess that's enough scratching around first base. Tell me, which way is the wind gonna blow?' He asked.
'I'm wondering why shouldn't I kill you.' I said.
'You've got a crazy drop on me here, baby, that's for sure. If killing's what you came for, this would be the time.' He started. 'But, baby, you'd be disappointing me. All the trouble you went trough to arrange this shing-ding? Must be something more you're after...?'
'There's a bigger game than you, my gun and I. Tell me about it.' I said.
'You want to swing with the big cats uh? Well, let me put you into perspective, baby. House rebuilt all this place using securitrons, never in person, taught us how to run casinos... and then disappeared. He silence is deafening, baby. The robots come to take his share every month, but that's all we know, baby, because no-one enters the Lucky 38.' He said. 'With the war and all that, House was bound to make a move. He hired seven couriers and I get the one with the thing that he wanted: the Platinum Chip. You see, baby, it's not the chip that's platinum, but what's inside. It's kinda like a holotape, and it has data needed to update the securitrons, give them more of a punch. Problem is, The only places I can read this are at the Lucky 38 and at Cesar's Legion fort.' He explained.
'You wanted a change in management.' I said. 'I've got news for you: you should have stayed on my good side. As a cuorier making a delivery, I can enter the Lucky 38.'
'Like that!? So simple!? This is a ding-ding-ding, baby! You can help me get inside!' He was really happy.
'I'm afraid not, Benny. Like I said, you should have stayed on my good side.' I replied. His face was a poem of fear for a moment as the .45 bullet came close. Then his face was not there at all.
I searched the bastard's belongings and found the chip, the gun he shot me with, some 9 mm ammo and a key to room thirteen zero four.
I gathered the girls to talk to them.
'All right, girls, here's the Storm's core.' I showed them the chip. 'It has the power to make securitrons much more dangerous. Making an army out of them. An army as numerous as Cesar's and as powerful as NCR's. I can see three paths to this, each for a faction, but my guts tell me that we'll find out more if we look at Benny's plans in detail in his room. Questions?'
' .. Why can't we read the data? .. ' Kelsey asked.
'I know of holotape readers, but not casino chip readers.' I answered.
'Does this mean we are in the middle of something very big?' Wendy asked.
'Yes, Wendy. We are in the Eye of the Storm around the Mojave. And Jonas can choose which way the storm goes, and when it moves.' Said Willow.
'Exactly. Though gathering forces, the three factions are at a standstill. We need more information, so let's go check Benny's room. He's bound to have some papers on it there.' I said.
'Fine, let's sniff around!' Said Jessi.
His room was on the thirteenth floor. Clean and tidy, as you'd expect... Well all the clean and tidy a two hundred and four years old hotel suite can be. We were exploring and finding nothing, Until I opened the door and found the jackpot.
'Girls! Come to see this!' I said.
'Why hello! You're not Benny.' It was a securitron with a smiling face.
'No, I'm not.' I replied. 'Benny's dead. I'm your new owner.' I lied.
'That's great! That way we will be able to finally finish Benny's Plan!' It said.
'What's it?-- Oh! A securitron here?' Jessi was the first to arrive. the rest of the girls were also impressed.
'May I ask you... What are you?' I asked.
'Oh! I'm Yes Man, or so did Benny call me. I've been programmed to be helpful and decrypt House's data network transmissions. Do you know he spent three hundred twenty eight thousands four hundred and twelve caps to retrieve the Platinum Chip? Just this year alone! That thing must hold something very important for us securitrons. Oh, I know that because I read it on House's data network.' It said.
'So Benny reprogrammed a hacker and cooperative securitron... He was not as dumb as I thought he was.' I said, holding the chip.
'Now that you have the chip, will you aid House, The Legion? The NCR? Or will you go with Benny's plan?' It asked.
'Benny's plan?' I replied.
'Benny planned to kill House and usurp his "throne" as lord of New Vegas while holding control of the dam.' It said.
'Wait. House's alive? He was already a mature man in 2077!' I was surprised.
'Yes, he seems to have put himself in a state of stasis, and monitors everything through neural connection. At least that's what my decrypted data suggest. With him gone, I'd be transferred to the data computational matrix.' It informed me.
'Take control over Vegas and the what?' Willow asked.
'You choose who gets to stay and who to eradicate You have the Great Khans, The Brotherhood of Steel, the supermutants, the Nellis air force base inhabitants... There's many different people living in what will become your territory. I advice you to get to know them all.' It said.
I was overwhelmed The whole Mojave on my shoulders. I could not let a man like House get the chip. He drove 0 nearly mad and he was crazy enough to remain in stasis over two hundred years while conscious. The Legion was out of the question, and the NCR was composed of good people, but their government wasn't.
'You're right, Yes Man. Wait here until I give you the order through House's data network to go to the Lucky 38. I have many places to visit.' I ordered.
'Of course!' It replied.
'Jonas, are you ok?' Willow was worried. I had the helmet off.
'Yeah, just a bit sick on the number of lives depending on my choices. No matter how, Next comes Zion as I promised. Then I'll venture alone into Sierra Madre and The Divide. Then we'll go wandering the Mojave, helping people, getting to know others. Deciding who will stay, why and at what price. For that I'll take you in groups of two. Five people is too much, being three we'll be more agile. Does it sound good?' I said.
'Zion?' Asked Wendy. 'Sierra Madre? The Divide? What are those?'
'Places, Wendy. Willow will explain it to you later. For now, let's get out of here. Yes Man, don't move until you recieve my signal.' I said.
'Yes!' It answered.
Going out of the Tops, a man in a suit with a familiar face came to us.
'The Caesar is impressed with your achievements. He invites you to his court. All crimes you may have committed against the legion will be forgiven. This mercy won't be extended a second time.' He said.
'I remember you now. You're the pig at Nipton. I may go to see the Caesar, but it won't be what he hopes for.' I said.
'We will be waiting your arrival.' He smiled and left.
'That fucking Bastard! He killed so many at Nipton and he walks free!' Said Jessi.
'That's hypocrisy, Jessi. What do the Vipers think of us? And the powder gangers? That man is a sadist, that's the difference. We kill to achieve a goal. He kills for pleasure, and awaits orders from his Caesar like a hound thirst for blood.' I told her.
' .. Still, he's a piece of walking shit. .. ' Kelsey said.
'Kelsey, that phrase does not suit you.' I observed.
' .. I'm trying to change the mood around myself. .. ' She replied.
'Well, in any case, let's go to---' I started.
'My love, incoming transmission from Dr. Mobius.' Ecks interrupted me.
'Dr. Mobius?' I said.
'He's talking alone?' Wendy asked.
'No, his suit is a computer that talks.' Jessi summed it up.
'Oh.' Answered Wendy.
'Girls... It's sink time.' I said.
'Well, it's late evening, but going bed so soon...' Jessi complained.
' .. Specially on that cramped bed. .. ' Kelsey complained too.
'Are we going to go through the yellow turtle tunnel again?' Wendy asked, worried.
'Come on, girls, it's not so bad. We'll listen the light switches argue!' Willow cheered.
'Ha, ha! That's fun' Jessi laughed.
'You're in for a surprise.' I said as yellow turtles appeared all over.
'The teleporter didn't work right. This isn't the sink.' Said Jessi.
'Nope!' I said. 'But the teleporter worked right.'
'What do you mean?' Willow asked.
'Remember yesterday while you tended to the faint Wendy I was talking to Dr Mobius?' I said.
'Yes.' She replied.
'I asked him in what time could he make this. "Half a day." He said. So I paid him a bunch of mentats and we have a new home.' I said.
'What? Like... Bigger?' Jessi was very happy.
'Yep, each of you have a room, but let's go around and see how our old friends are doing.' I said. I took them to the garden.
'OOOoohhhh yeah! Look who comes to my womb of love.' Said the Bio station.
'Hi, Bio. All good?' I asked.
'Yeah, man. My seeds are bearing fruits! It's sooooo erotic.....' He replied.
'Bio is that garden now?' Willow asked.
'Yep.' I replied. 'And there's more. Follow me, remember the sink?'
'Yes, she was always wanting to clean everything.' Jessi said.
'But now I'll clean you and leave you relaxed.' Said the jacuzzi.
'We have a jacuzzi?' Wendy was confused, this wasn't the old sink.
' .. Where's Central? .. ' Kelsey asked.
'Here, at the core of everything. I'm the fish tank. Holotransmissions will now take place underwater.' Central answered Kelsey's doubts.
'Auto Doc's over the corner, here.' I said showing them where he was.
'Hello, ladies, I'm here to serve... and upgraded. Behind you there's a medical supplies storage. I'll manage it for you.'
'Always helpful. thanks, Doc.' I replied.
'Let's go see my favourite part.' I said, and I took them to the armoury.
'Woah! It's got the ammo and weapons on display! It's like a professional one! And there are benches too!' Said Jessi excited.
'The one at Camp McCarran was bigger, but less varied...' Wendy liked it too.
'It's some good armoury, yep.' Willow liked it, too. 'It even has a bed with a teddy bear.'
' .. What's this? .. ' Asked Kelsey pointing t a terminal.
'I'm Heidi. A new AI created to manage the weapons and ammunitions here in this room.' Heidi answered.
' .. I'm Kelsey. .. I use 9 mm guns. .. ' Kelsey said.
'We have 387 9 mm standard rounds, 176 +P variant and 89 Hollow point.' Heidi answered.
' .. I like her. .. ' Kelsey approved of the armoury too.
'Now let's go see the Kitchen.' I said.
'Kitchen!?' Willow's eyes shined bright.
'You'll have to tame him.' I said as we arrived.
'HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I have four fires! and an oven! AN OVEN! Tremble before my wrath, world.' Said the kitchen.
'Hi, toaster.' Said Willow.
'How did you recognize me!? I'm more powerful now than ever!' The kitchen menaced.
'We're going to make yummy food.' Willow smiled.
' .... to .... conquer the world?' The toaster was confused.
'Why not?' She replied.
'HAHAHAHA! I have my first underling!!' Toaster celebrated. Willow was starting to go weak on the knees in laughter.
Hey, maannn... when will you bring the ladies to me? I'm now all over the house!' Said the jukebox.
' .. You're now a house-wide sound system? .. ' Kelsey asked.
'Yes, pervy girl, and also the alarm system. I hear everything that happens here.' He replied.
' .. So you'll listen when I masturbate. .. I think I like you more now. .. ' Kelsey replied.
'I try to let private matters aside, girl, but if you want me to listen, I love the sound.' He offered.
' .. Please, do so. .. ' She accepted.
'Let's go downstairs to see one of the last of the AIs' I said, and took them downstairs.
As soon as we entered, Muggy's voice scolded us. 'First I clean vomit and now I have to power up everyone else. At least come to visit me from time to time! And leave a mug or two as a "thank you, Muggy", will ya!?''
'Sure thing, big fella.' I said. 'Let's go see your rooms, girls.'
'Yeah, let's!' Willow was pumped up..
I showed the girls their rooms, and they all were happy to have their own spaces.
'Hi girls! I'm Light Switch #1. I'll take care of your lighting needs.' Said Light Switch #1
'I had never had a room for my own! Screamed Jessi jumping on the bed.
' .. I'll need many books to fill the shelve .. ' Kelsey said.
'I like the chair and the armchair. They look antique.' Willow smiled.
'In the NCR I shared my room with twenty other people. This is great, but... where will you sleep?' Wendy asked.
'Upstairs, in the master bedroom' I said, and took the girls to see it.
'Woah! It's bigger than our four rooms combined!' Jessi noted.
'Well, it's for me, and, potentially for whoever spends the night with me.' I smiled.
'And for me too, honey!' Said Light Switch #2
'Yes, 2. You're here too.' I said.
' .. Jessi, make plans on decorating this place. .. We're staying. .. ' Said Kelsey.
'Hey, Kelsey! It's *my* room!' I scolded her.
' .. Yeah, but we're going to spend so many nights together with you in it we could claim it. .. ' She answered.
Wendy grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the sisters. 'What do you intend to do with my Jonas!?' She said.
Willow pulled me away from her. 'He's not yours, Wendy. Get that into your thick and empty skull.'
'Woah! Hey! Calm down, you two. Wendy, go press some ammo. Willow, would you make dinner please? Sisters.... don't break anything.' I said.
'Yeeees.' They all replied and went to do as I said.
Later that night I was in my room, changing clothes when two soft hands started to touch my back.
'I don't love you.' Said Willow, leaning against my back. 'You're a terrible man. A murderer. A polygamous sinner. And you are playing with the Mojave as if it was a toy'.
'I don't love you. You are bossy and obnoxious. You run away from reality and live in a dream painted in pink, where the mountains are cakes and the cazadores are friendly birds.' I replied.
'I don't love you.' We said both at the same time.
I turned around and found her blushing, naked, in my arms.
'But what if...' I said.
'What if what?' She asked.
'What if we allow ourselves not to lie for a second?' I told her. 'What would you say to me?'
'You know it already, silly man.' She replied.
'Sing it for me, little bird.' I said.
'No. Words can not begin to describe it. Watch. Stand there and watch. And then we'll see if my message got through your thick skull.' She smiled. I stood in place. And she danced.
The curves of her body were the sinuous path to Hell by the sweetest sin, meandering and hypnotizing my eyes.
Her hair was the cascade of gold many would like to find, and it's waters swung with her sway like the rainbow follows the rain.
Her skin was the promised land that God had given me to tend and care for. Every inch of her unexplored perfection called my hands like a magnet draws a nail.
She danced. In the silence of my room. She danced for me. Naked. Naked from cloth, naked from thought. She wore her soul over her skin, and it had a message written on it: "I love you".
She finished dancing and turned to talk. But I didn't let her. I just kissed her. She pushed me on the bed and placed her hands on my chest, and while kissing me, she moved up and down my shaft. My mouth and my dick penetrated her in different holes as our hands explored what we had forbid ourselves so long.
Finally, I got tired of being passive and turned over. She squeaked in surprise, but I ignored it. Pinned against the bed, I pumped into her again and again. I did so for what felt the best eternity there can be, but I was ready to burst. I wouldn't hold much longer.
Luckily, she was close too, and she clenched her vagina around my dick in her pre-orgasm. I ejaculated and that triggered her climax. She screamed as if she had found happiness by surprise. She laughed, cried, and collapsed.
after a few minutes, I was moving to get us both comfortably in bed when she stopped me. 'Once more. Do me once more.' She asked. I obliged.
Both on our knees, like rabbits, we moved up and down and I went in and out. She sucked my fingers and I groped her breasts. We did it like animals and we finished spent. I slept with her on top of me.
Toaster woke us all through Jukebox. 'A WORLD CONQUERING BREAKFAST IS READY! MOVE YOUR ASSES, LACKEYS, AND SPREAD MY FIRE!'
'Good morning, love.' Said Willow from top of me.
'Good morning, love.' I replied.
We arrived at the same time than the sisters and Wendy to the kitchen.
Toaster had made bacon and eggs. He may be a psychopath, but sure knew how to cook.
' .. So, yesterday night you finally did it. .. 'Kelsey said.
'Did what?' Asked Wendy.
'How did you know?' Willow inquired.
'Well... I bet Dr. Mobius could hear you scream and moan from his Dome.' Said Jessi.
'Oh, God! It's so embarrassing! Jukebox, did you transmit it?' She hoped it was his fault.
'Nope, girlie. I must say you have quite the lung capacity.' Jukebox defended himself.
The breakfast went on without any more incidents, save for Wendy eyeing Willow and her hiding behind me.
Then Dr Mobius called.
'Hello, little humans!' He said.
'What's up, Mobuis?' I asked.
'When you told me about the project for the safe house, I recalled my experience in the X-13 suit you wear.' He said. 'Look! A bunny!'
'X-13, Doc. Focus.' I told him.
'Yes, yes.... I can't make another X 13 with the tools available, but I have swooped a present for the girls to the crate in your room. They are connected with X-13 and should be able to talk to her and some other minor advantages.' He said. 'Now I must leave you. There's a row of walking mentats parading over the stairs.' And he cut the connection.
We went to check and there were four bags with each girls names.
'Go change, girls. We'll all be stealthy.' I said.
When they came back it was as if they wore nothing at all, but in black. I definitely liked it.
'We're supposed to talk with Ecks now?' Said Willow.
'Do I really have to talk with them, my love?' Said Ecks.
'She calls you "My love"!? The four of them had heard it.
'I can't do anything about it. But don't worry. I'm not into doing high-tech suits. I prefer the people inside them.' I defended myself.
'Ecks, I'll make you know that I'm the only one he has told he loves so far.' Willow put Ecks in her place.
'I know he doesn't say he loves me... but I know he does love me. I check his vitals constantly after all. We don't need words.' Ecks counter attacked.
Willow took my helmet off and kissed me. 'We don't need words either.' She said.
'All right. everybody, stop arguing. Ecks is an AI, she can be very advanced, but her body isn't the kind of body I like my women to have, so don't see her as a threat. Ecks, you are to collaborate and offer tactical and medical assistance through the links to their suits.' I ordered. Everybody calmed down. 'Now, get ready for Zion.' I said, and we all scattered.
When I was in the kitchen I could hear in the hallway how Jessi told Kelsey 'This suits are great! With our juicy bodies he'll fall for us in no time!'
Indeed I was falling for them, but not for their bodies, but for their endless stubbornness.
'Get me and you'll never want no other!' He proclaimed.
'How much for escorting my group to the Strips's gate?' I asked.
'Usually I'd charge one hundred caps per head. But being the girls such beauties, I'll leave it at three hundred and seventy five.' He replied.
'You're very kind.' Answered Willow. I could have told her amiability was fake even without the helmet.
'Then let's get moving.' I said.
He guided us through the main street as any other bodyguards would do. But midway there he pulled his hand up.
'Hold up, I don't like the face of those goons in front of us, let's take an alternative route.' He said, and we dived into the side streets and alleys. There, he faced four men and shot three times. All the men "died". Orris was a fraud. The men were playing dead.
'Orris, you're going to give us every single cap you have on you.' I said.
'And why should I do that, I just saved you from this thugs.' He replied.
I pulled my repeater and pointed at his nose. 'Because the bullets in here are very real. You shot three times and there are four "dead bodies". Bodies which, by the way, have a pulse, breathe, and are not getting cold by the minute like a real corpse would do. So you're going to hand out the caps if you don't want to get acquainted with real firearms.' I told him.
'Damn! Have!' He gave me eight hundred and seventy nine caps. 'Who is it that wants me out of the business, uh?' He asked.
'Yourself. By gaining too much in a strange manner, you attracted the attention of The King. You're on his blacklist now. I'd flee the site if I was you and try to keep a profile as low as you can, because if he hears of you in the Mojave, wherever you are, his men will find you.' I lied menacing him.
'Shit I'm outta here!' And he dashed away leaving his "dead" buddies there.
'I don't know your names, so you're safe for now. But keep attracting The King's attention and you'll get the same as Orris, or worse. Now scram.' I said, they fled the place in all directions.
Back at the King's School of Impersonation, we passed directly trough the entrance with no more conflicts. We found The King sitting at the same table.
'Orris is a fraud. As soon as I uncovered him, he started to flee.' I half-lied.
'I'll see my boys don't let him into the Freeside ever again.' He replied. 'Well done. Now I feel I can trust you with this... matter. There's been trouble between the locals and the NCR squatters. Some of my boys got hurt last night. Go check then out at the Old Mormon Fort. Maybe the Followers can give you another insight on this that helps you solve the problem.'
'Thank you, King. We're off to the fort.' I said.
'I hope you come back soon with good news.' He replied.
 |
| Orris |
 |
| It would have been more believable if he shouted "BANG!" Instead of using blank rounds. |
 |
| The "dead" men |
Finally, one of the mercs pointed a woman when we asked for Julie Farkas.
'Dr. Farkas?' I asked.
'If your leg isn't out of place, go see Arcade.' She complained. She was Farkas.
'Dr. Farkas, we are here on behalf of The King. He said you had here people who could help clarify what's going on in the Freeside.' Willow told her.
'Now he's taking an interest on it? After so many wounded and several deaths? Look, I don't know if you come from the King or from the fucking Empire State! If you want information, earn it. We need medical supplies. Ask the local big shots like Ralph, at Mick and Ralph, or the Garret Twins, at the Atomic Wrangler. And convince Jacob Hoff and Bill Ronte to sober up and come here. Maybe then I'll let you see my patients.' She said and moved along to check a patient... Who was the Empire State?
Finding Mick and ralph's Shop wasn't hard to do. There was a crier pointing to it and shouting that they sold illegal goods. How can something be illegal without a government?. We interrogated the kid about all the important people on the Freeside. Five caps made him talk a lot.
In any case, we entered the shop. It was an old dusty shop set in a home appliance store from before the war.
'Welcome ladies and gentleman. I'm here to satisfy all your buying needs. Except for guns. That's Mick's territory.' He said with a smile.
'We're not here to buy. We just want to know if you could help supply the Followers.' I said.
'*Sigh* I'd love to.' He wasn't lying. 'But we barely made it by the day. sometimes we can't even pay the crier. Tell Farkas that we're sorry, but we could also use supplies.' He said.
'Sad to hear. I'll be sure to come back. It's rare to see an honest trader lately.' I said.
'How did you know I was telling the truth, I could have easily lied.' He wondered.
'Your body language, temperature, hormonal level and alpha waves were not those of a liar. With that I don't say your goods are honest or that you always are. But this time you were. That's all.' And we left.
Asking around, we found Jacob Hoff laying against a wall, wasted on hydra.
'Jacob?' I approached him.
'Do you have a dose? I'm on withdrawal. This shit is horrible. Tell me you have a dose.' He said.
'Who supplies you?' I asked.
He pointed at a man 'Dixon.' He gasped.
'I'm going to cut your supply, and then you're going back to the Followers.' I told him.
'What? No! I'll have to go through weeks of this shit to get out clean!' He said.
'And your friends have gone through months of shit while you were high, and they'll accompany you through all the process.' I replied.
'.... .... .... Shit. I'm useless. I'm going to the fort.'
I went to Dixon after that.
'You Dixon?' I asked.
'Ya, man! You need a fix? I've got eeeeeeeverything you can ask.' He replied
'Do you supply Jacob Hoff and Bill Ronte?' I asked.
'Ya. Good customers, if you know whatta mean...'
'Stop supplying them.' I said.
'An' why should I do that?' He asked.
I punched him in the face. Broke his nose. Could have killed him. 'I'll ask again: stop supplying them.'
'Aw wight, Man. Jught 'ot 'unk e agai'!' He said with his broken face.
'Let's go see Ronte.' I said as we left.
We found him in a ruined building drinking. he was as drunk as one can get.
'Bill Ronte.' I said.
'Hey! That'sh mah name!' He replied.
I kicked the bottle in his hand. It broke against the wall. 'Sober up.' I said.
'Hey! That wash mah bottle! Whaddya di' that fo'?' He asked.
'Sober up.' I repeated, 'They're waiting you at the Old Mormon Fort.
'What fo'? To geth all thoshe memorriesh back? I want to fogget.' He said, sad.
'Forget Arcade, or Julie? You want to forget them? Because they still care about you.' I said.
'You bring thoshe namesh to meh... You are evil! All right. I'll give it a shot. But if I don't like being shober again, I'll get a bottle and forget. Sweet forgetfulnesh.' He said, and stumbled in the general direction of the fort.
'Time to meet the Garrets.' I said.
 |
| Julie Farkas |
 |
| Ralph |
 |
| Bill Ronte |
'Francine Garret, I presume.' I said.
'I don't have the pleasure... skull man.' She said.
'It's my working suit.' I replied. 'We come in behalf of the Followers to ask the community to support their effort.'
'And what would I gain from that?' She asked.
'Your clients wouldn't die off STDs or cirrhosis, so they'd be able to walk in a second time. You'd get their caps, instead of some thug.' I replied.
'Your idea interests me. But you'll have to prove to me you talk business. You have no credentials, so earn them. Grecks, Santiago and Lady Jane owe us money. I'd prefer no one died. But bring me their caps back. Run away with the caps and you're a dead man.' She said.
'Not even all the thugs here would kill me and my girls, but fine, I'll get you the money.' I said. I could see face of frustration she made when she realized I could assault the casino and take everything for myself, but I just didn't want to. She realized who was the tiger and who was the fly.
Gecks was the ugliest ghoul I'd ever seen. But he was a nice guy. Just a bit lazy with his payments. After some minor threats, he gave us even more than what he owed. I didn't want to ruin the poor man, so I gave him the difference back. He was so grateful he could have kissed my shoes.
We found Santiago was a suave man in a business suit.
'Santiago?' I asked.
'Who wants to meet Santiago?' He said in a fake Argentine accent.
'Me. I come from the Garrets. You owe them.' I said.
'Santiago owes nothing. Doesn't have to pay. He's VIP.' He kept the act.
I pointed my .45 at his face. 'Viewing Inside my Pistol, you mean?'
'Woah! Woah! Be careful who you point with that. I usually keep the Santiago act and that's enough... I guess the Garrets are pissed this time. Here, this is what I owe. Just... put that thing away from me.' He was really scared.
'I'm glad we reached a peaceful agreement.' I said as we left.
'Are we hired thugs now?' Asked Wendy.
'More or less. It's for the good of the community. We take from them only what they owe and with as little menace as possible.' I told her.
She hugged my arm. ' If my love says so, I'll be whatever he wants me to be.' She said smiling.
'Jessi, Kelsey, don't you think Wendy is a bit too close to Jonas?' Willow asked.
'Yes, Willow.' The sisters answered together.
And there it was again. When the name of any of the other three girls was spoken, some kind of strange physical response took place.
Wendy released my arm and returned with the others. 'Sorry, sisters, I just wanted to have some skinship with him...' Something was definitely wrong with Wendy.
Lady Jane was the daughter of a brahamin baron that had lost his fortune. She was the rich girl who is poor. I approached her.
'My, I can't see your face, but with that body, honey, you must be really popular.' She said.
'Thanks, Lady Jane. But this body is here to gather what you owe the Garrets.' I said.
'I don't understand why they keep battling about such a measly sum of caps.' She argued.
'Why do you, then? You're the daughter of a brahamin baron, such petty sums should not be a problem for you to pay.' I said.
'Nice body, you've got a silver tongue. All right. I don't want people to think I don't pay my debts.'
She paid in full.
We went back to Francine with the caps.
'Nice work kid, I need you to do another person. But this time I DO want you to kill him. The bastard killed three of our whores. His name is Caleb McCaffery, and he wears a cowboy hat. He's on the strip.' She said.
'As soon as we get into the Strip, we'll take care of him.' I said. And we left.
' .. So, what now? .. We don't have the support of the Garrets for the followers. .. ' Kelsey said.
'We'll have to explain Farkas the situation.' I said.
'I hope she'll listen.' Wendy said.
 |
| Francine Garret |
 |
| Gecks |
 |
| Sanriago |
 |
| Lady Jane wanted to give me more than money, but the girls wouldn't allow it |
'Do you have my supply line yet? I've seen Jacob and Bill coming back.' She said.
'Ralph can't spare anything, he barely makes it. The Garrets are seduced by the idea, but they want us to do some dirty work first. And we need to go to the Strip for that. And to go to the Strip we need to talk with your patients.' I explained.
'Fine, I get it. I know when things get stuck. They're in the tent #1. Talk to Farris. The older one. He's the less injured one.' She said.
'Thank you Dr. Farkas.' I said.
'Who said I was a doctor?' She replied, smiling.
We went to tent #1 and found Farris sitting on a chair.
'Farris?' I asked.
'That's me, who asks?' He replied.
'My name is Jonas. I came on behalf of The King to investigate what happened to you guys.' I said.
'Well, all I can say is that I had my face shoved into the ground begging for my life for the most part.' He replied.
'I heard the name of one.' Said the youngest one.
'Wayne, lay down, you're not ok yet.' Farris told him.
'I will not die for this, old Farris. I Heard how one called another Lou. And then there was a surname... let me remember... Tenant! Lou Tenant! I hope that helps.' He said.
'More than you can imagine.' I said.
I gathered the girls around me.
'Lou Tenant, or Lieutenant. It was NCR soldiers. We can't go back to the King with just that. It will be an all-out war.' I said.
'Why don't we ask Farkas? She knows the community pretty well, and she's not on either side, so she might know people in both sides.' Said Jessi.
'I'm impressed, Jessi. You thought of that alone? Good girl!' I said as I petted her. Aside from the cloud of dopamine around Jessi, I saw Wendy's dopamine spike as soon as I said Jessi's name.
'Yeah, I'm trying to think more and move less.' She said, blushing.
Let's ask Farkas as Jessi said, it can't hurt to ask.
Farkas was still doing paperwork.
'What have you broken now?' She said.
'Farkas, It seems the attack was done by the NCR military. We don't want to go with this to The King. It would mean war. Do you know someone in the NCR military that is posted here?' I asked.
'I know several. But you probably will want to talk with Elisabeth Kieran. She's the coordinator of the relief effort here in the Freeside. She's on a guarded building, by the old train station. But you'll need a password or they won't let you in. Try the squatters.' She said. She was being helpful as she could see the danger this incomplete information meant to the community she was taking care of.
 |
| Farris |
 |
| Wayne |
We had seen a squatter camp behind the fort. As we approached, their ... spokesman came to us.
'Are you NCR citizens?' He asked.
'Do we look like locals to you, fellow bear?' I replied.
'You must be new in town. The locals are a bunch of bastards. They control the water. But there's *hope* near the old train station.' He said, accentuating "hope" as much as he could.
'Thank you. I'll hope for some food then.' I said, and we left.
'We don't know the password yet.' Said Jessi.
' .. Yes, we do .. ' Answered Kelsey.
'And which is it? I don't get it either.' Said Wendy.
'How dense can you two be?' Willow was desperate.
'It's "hope", girls.' Pay attention to the tone.
'Oh.' Said Jessi, understanding at last. I never knew if Wendy understood.
The building was guarded by two trained soldiers dressed as thugs. As soon as we approached, one of them stopped us.
'What is needed to restore the world?' He asked.
'Hope.' I answered.
'Go in, there are rations and water for all the NCR citizens.' He said, and we went in.
'Are you Ellisabeth Kieran?' I asked to the woman that seemed to be coordinating everything.
'Yes, have you come for your rations?' She asked.
'No. I'm investigating an attack on some locals by your troops under The King's orders.' I said.
'The bastard! We sent him an envoy to coordinate the relief effort for all the Freeside and they gave him back barely alive. And now they complain because some boys got rough with the locals!?' She was angered.
'Wait. What? An envoy? The King didn't mention an envoy.'
'Then The King lied to you.' She replied.
'That's impossible. I can see pheromones around people and read their body language in real time with this helmet. He knew nothing of an envoy.' I said.
'Well, we know for a fact that he reached their HQ, so he had to be outside.' She said.
'Someone is stabbing The King in the back.' I said. 'I must ask you to tell your men to stay clear from the Kings for a while. I have to tell this to The King.
'I can't do that. If you want to save your pals, move fast, mind reader!' She said
And indeed I moved fast to The King's School of Impersonation.
 |
| This squatter gave us "hope" |
 |
| The building was perfectly integrated into it's surroundings: every door had to goons guarding it in the Freeside... |
 |
| Elisabeth Kieran |
Once there, before entering the theatre, Pacer stopped me.
'A bird told me you know about that fucking envoy. It's best if The King doesn't know about this.' He said.
'The king asked me the truth, little peacock. I'll give him all the truth.' I replied.
'Fuck you!' He cussed.
'What have you found out? You've been poking around people for a good while.' The King Could also smell the smoke of the fire on his pants, even if he had not seen it yet.
'It was the NCR military. But there's something more important beneath that fact. Someone is stabbing you on the back. The NCR sent an envoy and your men nearly beat him to death. It's no wonder they're pissed.' I said.
'An envoy? I never received an envoy! What did they sent him for?' He asked.
'They wanted to coordinate the relief effort with you for the whole Freeside, not just the squatters.' I said.
'I'd had agreed immediately if I had found out! Do you know who is betraying me?' He asked.
'Not really, but Pacer seems to be one of them.' I told him.
'Mike!' He called a guy that passed over there. 'Where's Pacer?'
'He just took five new guys and went towards the old train station to practice shooting.' He replied.
I didn't need another word. I ran so fast the girls could not catch up with me.
When I arrived, the only one alive was Pacer, cowering behind a bus stop. I ran to the NCR lines.
'Elisabeth! Stop this madness!!!' I yelled.
'You, King's dog! They attacked us!' She replied.
'They don't represent the will of The King. He never got the envoy, not notice of him. He'll gladly cooperate wit your relief efforts. He has the good of the community in mind.' I told her.
'Is that true?' She asked.
'Want to ask him in person? I promise I'll protect you from anyone, no matter who is their boss.' I said.
'Guys! Go back to your posts. I'm going to do what I should have done to begin with!' She yelled.
'Yes, ma'am!' They all replied as one.
 |
| Peacock Pacer trying to hide his mess |
 |
| Pacer had just taken some guys and went for it |
 |
| The King wants to help |
'I won't let the NCR take over my home town. You're all invaders! You don't belong here!' He said.
'Pacer. The gun has no bullets.' I said. That deflated him completely. 'Your hatred is misplaced. These people wanted to help the people of the Freeside. If you want to hate someone, hate yourself. Look at the bodies lying around you. Those five young guys were freesiders like you. Is that how you show your love for your home town? Taking kids to the slaughterhouse?' I said. We passed him and left him there, reflecting on his actions. A few seconds later we heard a single shot.
We arrived with Elisabeth, and she was the first to talk.
'I'm Commander Elisabeth Kieran. I'm in charge of the relief effort for the Freeside. I gather you are The King.' She suddenly looked like a soldier.
'Indeed I am. I got word you sent an envoy to talk with me, but my boys treated him badly. I'm truly sorry for that. It would do much good to the peoples of the Freeside, locals and squatters, to count on the relief effort. I'm willing to coordinate things among the locals.' Answered The King.
'I believe you know where my headquarters are. Please, come tomorrow to discuss the details.' Elisabeth offered.
'I'll go alone with Rexie here as proof of my good will.' The king accepted.
'It's been a pleasure, but my men must be agitated after the fight, I must go to calm them down. I'll see you tomorrow.' Elisabeth told him. And left.
'Quite the woman. They have good girls in California. You've solved my problem, and I will solve yours. Tell Ralph that I send you "with my best regards". He'll get you ready for the Strip.' He finally rewarded us.
'Thank you, King.' I replied.
'To friends like you, I prefer if you call me Henry.' He said.
'We'll see each other again, Henry.' I smiled.
When we told Ralph that The King sent me "with his best regards" he turned pale. Then searched among some books and finally took a blank passport. He filled it up for me with a machine and a photo, so I had to take the helmet off. When the ink dried, he gave me a perfect counterfeit passport to the Strip.
'Will it really work?' I asked.
'I've used my own passports several times and I'm still alive.' He replied.
It was time to test it out.
 |
| He owed me now |
 |
| Ralph had passports |
'Your passport, please.' It said. I showed it to him. 'Pass, please.' And we all went into the Strip.
The casinos were a sight to behold, but there was only one I was interested in: The home of the Chairmen. The Tops. There, Benny awaited.
But business first. Caleb McCaffery was there. I touched his shoulder, he turned back. 'Hey, you crossed the Garrets. Goodbye!' I told him right before putting a .357 through his brains.
Right. Next, Benny.
 |
| To the Strip! |
 |
| The Tops |
 |
| Caleb died |
I didn't want to cause a stir, so I gave him everything... save for the .45 gun. We went in without an incident.
The Tops was a colourful place, with lots of gamblers around, loosing money and smiling because of it. The heights of stupidity the human mind can reach are unattainable.
At the end of a long row of poker, black jack and roulette tables, Benny watched over his turf with his four bodyguards.
'Holly fuck! You're alive!' He said as soon as he saw me, as I approached him without the helmet. 'I thought you died back then!'
'I have a thick skull, Benny.' I replied.
'Now, nice and easy, let's not make a scene...' He said. 'I'm sure you've got plenty of questions. Why don't we go to the Presidential room and I try to solve them, uh?'
'Loose the bodyguards and maybe I'll ponder not killing you.' I replied.
'With what, a peashooter?' He laughed.
'Do you know that your boys are very bad at taking people's weapons? I've got several things bigger than a peashooter on me. So loose the bodyguards. I don't want to have to kill them too.' I replied him.
He got the message. 'Boys, scram.' Then he started walking to an elevator. 'Follow me, he said.
The presidential suite was a big place, and the figure of Benny drinking gin alone at the bar was poetically pathetic. The broken pictures and the scorched walls were a reminder of better times that the Chairmen tried to emulate. He was drinking whiskey. I was wearing my helmet. Clever guy. But there were more indicators than body heat that I could track.
'Now that you and me's got some privacy, I gotta ask - How is it you're still alive?' He asked.
'A securitron dug me up.' I answered.
'House was on to me from the word Go? I thought I was being so clever...' He said. 'Once you were vertical, how'd you track me down?'
'You left a trail.' I said throwing him his lighter.
'To think this was my lucky charm. I guess that's enough scratching around first base. Tell me, which way is the wind gonna blow?' He asked.
'I'm wondering why shouldn't I kill you.' I said.
'You've got a crazy drop on me here, baby, that's for sure. If killing's what you came for, this would be the time.' He started. 'But, baby, you'd be disappointing me. All the trouble you went trough to arrange this shing-ding? Must be something more you're after...?'
'There's a bigger game than you, my gun and I. Tell me about it.' I said.
'You want to swing with the big cats uh? Well, let me put you into perspective, baby. House rebuilt all this place using securitrons, never in person, taught us how to run casinos... and then disappeared. He silence is deafening, baby. The robots come to take his share every month, but that's all we know, baby, because no-one enters the Lucky 38.' He said. 'With the war and all that, House was bound to make a move. He hired seven couriers and I get the one with the thing that he wanted: the Platinum Chip. You see, baby, it's not the chip that's platinum, but what's inside. It's kinda like a holotape, and it has data needed to update the securitrons, give them more of a punch. Problem is, The only places I can read this are at the Lucky 38 and at Cesar's Legion fort.' He explained.
'You wanted a change in management.' I said. 'I've got news for you: you should have stayed on my good side. As a cuorier making a delivery, I can enter the Lucky 38.'
'Like that!? So simple!? This is a ding-ding-ding, baby! You can help me get inside!' He was really happy.
'I'm afraid not, Benny. Like I said, you should have stayed on my good side.' I replied. His face was a poem of fear for a moment as the .45 bullet came close. Then his face was not there at all.
I searched the bastard's belongings and found the chip, the gun he shot me with, some 9 mm ammo and a key to room thirteen zero four.
 |
| I had to sneak my .45 in |
 |
| There he was, my fingers were itching |
 |
| I gave him back the favour. I just didn't miss |
'All right, girls, here's the Storm's core.' I showed them the chip. 'It has the power to make securitrons much more dangerous. Making an army out of them. An army as numerous as Cesar's and as powerful as NCR's. I can see three paths to this, each for a faction, but my guts tell me that we'll find out more if we look at Benny's plans in detail in his room. Questions?'
' .. Why can't we read the data? .. ' Kelsey asked.
'I know of holotape readers, but not casino chip readers.' I answered.
'Does this mean we are in the middle of something very big?' Wendy asked.
'Yes, Wendy. We are in the Eye of the Storm around the Mojave. And Jonas can choose which way the storm goes, and when it moves.' Said Willow.
'Exactly. Though gathering forces, the three factions are at a standstill. We need more information, so let's go check Benny's room. He's bound to have some papers on it there.' I said.
'Fine, let's sniff around!' Said Jessi.
His room was on the thirteenth floor. Clean and tidy, as you'd expect... Well all the clean and tidy a two hundred and four years old hotel suite can be. We were exploring and finding nothing, Until I opened the door and found the jackpot.
'Girls! Come to see this!' I said.
'Why hello! You're not Benny.' It was a securitron with a smiling face.
'No, I'm not.' I replied. 'Benny's dead. I'm your new owner.' I lied.
'That's great! That way we will be able to finally finish Benny's Plan!' It said.
'What's it?-- Oh! A securitron here?' Jessi was the first to arrive. the rest of the girls were also impressed.
'May I ask you... What are you?' I asked.
'Oh! I'm Yes Man, or so did Benny call me. I've been programmed to be helpful and decrypt House's data network transmissions. Do you know he spent three hundred twenty eight thousands four hundred and twelve caps to retrieve the Platinum Chip? Just this year alone! That thing must hold something very important for us securitrons. Oh, I know that because I read it on House's data network.' It said.
'So Benny reprogrammed a hacker and cooperative securitron... He was not as dumb as I thought he was.' I said, holding the chip.
'Now that you have the chip, will you aid House, The Legion? The NCR? Or will you go with Benny's plan?' It asked.
'Benny's plan?' I replied.
'Benny planned to kill House and usurp his "throne" as lord of New Vegas while holding control of the dam.' It said.
'Wait. House's alive? He was already a mature man in 2077!' I was surprised.
'Yes, he seems to have put himself in a state of stasis, and monitors everything through neural connection. At least that's what my decrypted data suggest. With him gone, I'd be transferred to the data computational matrix.' It informed me.
'Take control over Vegas and the what?' Willow asked.
'You choose who gets to stay and who to eradicate You have the Great Khans, The Brotherhood of Steel, the supermutants, the Nellis air force base inhabitants... There's many different people living in what will become your territory. I advice you to get to know them all.' It said.
I was overwhelmed The whole Mojave on my shoulders. I could not let a man like House get the chip. He drove 0 nearly mad and he was crazy enough to remain in stasis over two hundred years while conscious. The Legion was out of the question, and the NCR was composed of good people, but their government wasn't.
'You're right, Yes Man. Wait here until I give you the order through House's data network to go to the Lucky 38. I have many places to visit.' I ordered.
'Of course!' It replied.
'Jonas, are you ok?' Willow was worried. I had the helmet off.
'Yeah, just a bit sick on the number of lives depending on my choices. No matter how, Next comes Zion as I promised. Then I'll venture alone into Sierra Madre and The Divide. Then we'll go wandering the Mojave, helping people, getting to know others. Deciding who will stay, why and at what price. For that I'll take you in groups of two. Five people is too much, being three we'll be more agile. Does it sound good?' I said.
'Zion?' Asked Wendy. 'Sierra Madre? The Divide? What are those?'
'Places, Wendy. Willow will explain it to you later. For now, let's get out of here. Yes Man, don't move until you recieve my signal.' I said.
'Yes!' It answered.
 |
| Let's go check Benny's room |
 |
| The room seemed normal at first glance |
 |
| Yes Man |
'The Caesar is impressed with your achievements. He invites you to his court. All crimes you may have committed against the legion will be forgiven. This mercy won't be extended a second time.' He said.
'I remember you now. You're the pig at Nipton. I may go to see the Caesar, but it won't be what he hopes for.' I said.
'We will be waiting your arrival.' He smiled and left.
'That fucking Bastard! He killed so many at Nipton and he walks free!' Said Jessi.
'That's hypocrisy, Jessi. What do the Vipers think of us? And the powder gangers? That man is a sadist, that's the difference. We kill to achieve a goal. He kills for pleasure, and awaits orders from his Caesar like a hound thirst for blood.' I told her.
' .. Still, he's a piece of walking shit. .. ' Kelsey said.
'Kelsey, that phrase does not suit you.' I observed.
' .. I'm trying to change the mood around myself. .. ' She replied.
'Well, in any case, let's go to---' I started.
'My love, incoming transmission from Dr. Mobius.' Ecks interrupted me.
'Dr. Mobius?' I said.
'He's talking alone?' Wendy asked.
'No, his suit is a computer that talks.' Jessi summed it up.
'Oh.' Answered Wendy.
'Girls... It's sink time.' I said.
'Well, it's late evening, but going bed so soon...' Jessi complained.
' .. Specially on that cramped bed. .. ' Kelsey complained too.
'Are we going to go through the yellow turtle tunnel again?' Wendy asked, worried.
'Come on, girls, it's not so bad. We'll listen the light switches argue!' Willow cheered.
'Ha, ha! That's fun' Jessi laughed.
'You're in for a surprise.' I said as yellow turtles appeared all over.
 |
| Damned Vulpes |
'Nope!' I said. 'But the teleporter worked right.'
'What do you mean?' Willow asked.
'Remember yesterday while you tended to the faint Wendy I was talking to Dr Mobius?' I said.
'Yes.' She replied.
'I asked him in what time could he make this. "Half a day." He said. So I paid him a bunch of mentats and we have a new home.' I said.
'What? Like... Bigger?' Jessi was very happy.
'Yep, each of you have a room, but let's go around and see how our old friends are doing.' I said. I took them to the garden.
'OOOoohhhh yeah! Look who comes to my womb of love.' Said the Bio station.
'Hi, Bio. All good?' I asked.
'Yeah, man. My seeds are bearing fruits! It's sooooo erotic.....' He replied.
'Bio is that garden now?' Willow asked.
'Yep.' I replied. 'And there's more. Follow me, remember the sink?'
'Yes, she was always wanting to clean everything.' Jessi said.
'But now I'll clean you and leave you relaxed.' Said the jacuzzi.
'We have a jacuzzi?' Wendy was confused, this wasn't the old sink.
 |
| Tada! |
 |
| Seeder |
 |
| Sink |
'Here, at the core of everything. I'm the fish tank. Holotransmissions will now take place underwater.' Central answered Kelsey's doubts.
'Auto Doc's over the corner, here.' I said showing them where he was.
'Hello, ladies, I'm here to serve... and upgraded. Behind you there's a medical supplies storage. I'll manage it for you.'
'Always helpful. thanks, Doc.' I replied.
 |
| Central |
 |
| Auto Doc |
 |
| Medical supplies |
'Woah! It's got the ammo and weapons on display! It's like a professional one! And there are benches too!' Said Jessi excited.
'The one at Camp McCarran was bigger, but less varied...' Wendy liked it too.
'It's some good armoury, yep.' Willow liked it, too. 'It even has a bed with a teddy bear.'
' .. What's this? .. ' Asked Kelsey pointing t a terminal.
'I'm Heidi. A new AI created to manage the weapons and ammunitions here in this room.' Heidi answered.
' .. I'm Kelsey. .. I use 9 mm guns. .. ' Kelsey said.
'We have 387 9 mm standard rounds, 176 +P variant and 89 Hollow point.' Heidi answered.
' .. I like her. .. ' Kelsey approved of the armoury too.
 |
| The armoury |
 |
| My weapons on display |
 |
| Heidi |
'Kitchen!?' Willow's eyes shined bright.
'You'll have to tame him.' I said as we arrived.
'HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I have four fires! and an oven! AN OVEN! Tremble before my wrath, world.' Said the kitchen.
'Hi, toaster.' Said Willow.
'How did you recognize me!? I'm more powerful now than ever!' The kitchen menaced.
'We're going to make yummy food.' Willow smiled.
' .... to .... conquer the world?' The toaster was confused.
'Why not?' She replied.
'HAHAHAHA! I have my first underling!!' Toaster celebrated. Willow was starting to go weak on the knees in laughter.
Hey, maannn... when will you bring the ladies to me? I'm now all over the house!' Said the jukebox.
' .. You're now a house-wide sound system? .. ' Kelsey asked.
'Yes, pervy girl, and also the alarm system. I hear everything that happens here.' He replied.
' .. So you'll listen when I masturbate. .. I think I like you more now. .. ' Kelsey replied.
'I try to let private matters aside, girl, but if you want me to listen, I love the sound.' He offered.
' .. Please, do so. .. ' She accepted.
'Let's go downstairs to see one of the last of the AIs' I said, and took them downstairs.
As soon as we entered, Muggy's voice scolded us. 'First I clean vomit and now I have to power up everyone else. At least come to visit me from time to time! And leave a mug or two as a "thank you, Muggy", will ya!?''
'Sure thing, big fella.' I said. 'Let's go see your rooms, girls.'
'Yeah, let's!' Willow was pumped up..
 |
| Toaster |
 |
| Jukebox |
 |
| Muggy |
'Hi girls! I'm Light Switch #1. I'll take care of your lighting needs.' Said Light Switch #1
'I had never had a room for my own! Screamed Jessi jumping on the bed.
' .. I'll need many books to fill the shelve .. ' Kelsey said.
'I like the chair and the armchair. They look antique.' Willow smiled.
'In the NCR I shared my room with twenty other people. This is great, but... where will you sleep?' Wendy asked.
'Upstairs, in the master bedroom' I said, and took the girls to see it.
'Woah! It's bigger than our four rooms combined!' Jessi noted.
'Well, it's for me, and, potentially for whoever spends the night with me.' I smiled.
'And for me too, honey!' Said Light Switch #2
'Yes, 2. You're here too.' I said.
' .. Jessi, make plans on decorating this place. .. We're staying. .. ' Said Kelsey.
'Hey, Kelsey! It's *my* room!' I scolded her.
' .. Yeah, but we're going to spend so many nights together with you in it we could claim it. .. ' She answered.
Wendy grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the sisters. 'What do you intend to do with my Jonas!?' She said.
Willow pulled me away from her. 'He's not yours, Wendy. Get that into your thick and empty skull.'
'Woah! Hey! Calm down, you two. Wendy, go press some ammo. Willow, would you make dinner please? Sisters.... don't break anything.' I said.
'Yeeees.' They all replied and went to do as I said.
 |
| Willow's room |
 |
| Jessi's room |
 |
| Kelsey's room |
 |
| Wendy's room |
 |
| The Master Bedroom |
'I don't love you.' Said Willow, leaning against my back. 'You're a terrible man. A murderer. A polygamous sinner. And you are playing with the Mojave as if it was a toy'.
'I don't love you. You are bossy and obnoxious. You run away from reality and live in a dream painted in pink, where the mountains are cakes and the cazadores are friendly birds.' I replied.
'I don't love you.' We said both at the same time.
I turned around and found her blushing, naked, in my arms.
'But what if...' I said.
'What if what?' She asked.
'What if we allow ourselves not to lie for a second?' I told her. 'What would you say to me?'
'You know it already, silly man.' She replied.
'Sing it for me, little bird.' I said.
'No. Words can not begin to describe it. Watch. Stand there and watch. And then we'll see if my message got through your thick skull.' She smiled. I stood in place. And she danced.
The curves of her body were the sinuous path to Hell by the sweetest sin, meandering and hypnotizing my eyes.
Her hair was the cascade of gold many would like to find, and it's waters swung with her sway like the rainbow follows the rain.
Her skin was the promised land that God had given me to tend and care for. Every inch of her unexplored perfection called my hands like a magnet draws a nail.
She danced. In the silence of my room. She danced for me. Naked. Naked from cloth, naked from thought. She wore her soul over her skin, and it had a message written on it: "I love you".
She finished dancing and turned to talk. But I didn't let her. I just kissed her. She pushed me on the bed and placed her hands on my chest, and while kissing me, she moved up and down my shaft. My mouth and my dick penetrated her in different holes as our hands explored what we had forbid ourselves so long.
Finally, I got tired of being passive and turned over. She squeaked in surprise, but I ignored it. Pinned against the bed, I pumped into her again and again. I did so for what felt the best eternity there can be, but I was ready to burst. I wouldn't hold much longer.
Luckily, she was close too, and she clenched her vagina around my dick in her pre-orgasm. I ejaculated and that triggered her climax. She screamed as if she had found happiness by surprise. She laughed, cried, and collapsed.
after a few minutes, I was moving to get us both comfortably in bed when she stopped me. 'Once more. Do me once more.' She asked. I obliged.
Both on our knees, like rabbits, we moved up and down and I went in and out. She sucked my fingers and I groped her breasts. We did it like animals and we finished spent. I slept with her on top of me.
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| She dance naked, with only her feelings and her skin |
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| She got on top of me |
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| I turned around and took the initiative |
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| "Do me once more." |
'Good morning, love.' Said Willow from top of me.
'Good morning, love.' I replied.
We arrived at the same time than the sisters and Wendy to the kitchen.
Toaster had made bacon and eggs. He may be a psychopath, but sure knew how to cook.
' .. So, yesterday night you finally did it. .. 'Kelsey said.
'Did what?' Asked Wendy.
'How did you know?' Willow inquired.
'Well... I bet Dr. Mobius could hear you scream and moan from his Dome.' Said Jessi.
'Oh, God! It's so embarrassing! Jukebox, did you transmit it?' She hoped it was his fault.
'Nope, girlie. I must say you have quite the lung capacity.' Jukebox defended himself.
The breakfast went on without any more incidents, save for Wendy eyeing Willow and her hiding behind me.
Then Dr Mobius called.
'Hello, little humans!' He said.
'What's up, Mobuis?' I asked.
'When you told me about the project for the safe house, I recalled my experience in the X-13 suit you wear.' He said. 'Look! A bunny!'
'X-13, Doc. Focus.' I told him.
'Yes, yes.... I can't make another X 13 with the tools available, but I have swooped a present for the girls to the crate in your room. They are connected with X-13 and should be able to talk to her and some other minor advantages.' He said. 'Now I must leave you. There's a row of walking mentats parading over the stairs.' And he cut the connection.
We went to check and there were four bags with each girls names.
'Go change, girls. We'll all be stealthy.' I said.
When they came back it was as if they wore nothing at all, but in black. I definitely liked it.
'We're supposed to talk with Ecks now?' Said Willow.
'Do I really have to talk with them, my love?' Said Ecks.
'She calls you "My love"!? The four of them had heard it.
'I can't do anything about it. But don't worry. I'm not into doing high-tech suits. I prefer the people inside them.' I defended myself.
'Ecks, I'll make you know that I'm the only one he has told he loves so far.' Willow put Ecks in her place.
'I know he doesn't say he loves me... but I know he does love me. I check his vitals constantly after all. We don't need words.' Ecks counter attacked.
Willow took my helmet off and kissed me. 'We don't need words either.' She said.
'All right. everybody, stop arguing. Ecks is an AI, she can be very advanced, but her body isn't the kind of body I like my women to have, so don't see her as a threat. Ecks, you are to collaborate and offer tactical and medical assistance through the links to their suits.' I ordered. Everybody calmed down. 'Now, get ready for Zion.' I said, and we all scattered.
When I was in the kitchen I could hear in the hallway how Jessi told Kelsey 'This suits are great! With our juicy bodies he'll fall for us in no time!'
Indeed I was falling for them, but not for their bodies, but for their endless stubbornness.
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| The girls in their new suits |
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| "With our juicy bodies he'll fall for us in no time!" |
