"You're a fucking idiot if you think I'm going to stand for this," Cachino fumed. The Courier massaged her forehead as the man continued yelling. "This little 'merger' of yours is benefiting everyone but me!"

Layla felt her jaw clench. She was starting to suspect the little rat was trying to blackmail her with the percentage increase she'd already given him. Cachino didn't know the other families had received an increase as well. Next to her, she could hear Veronica's powerfist creak. It only made that noise when she was clenching her hand fairly tight.

"All right, Cachino, I've had enough of you," came, surprisingly, from Swank. The Chairman had been patient throughout the entire process and had caused Layla the least amount of trouble. But it looked like even he was about done dealing with the Omerta.

"What are you going to do, little man?" Cachino shot back testily. "She's been giving you everything you want. The way I see it, you're the one with the most to lose if I walk out of here."

"We will all suffer if we don't come to an agreement," Marjorie said stiffly. The White Glove had been pretty easy to deal with, like Swank, but Layla knew she was sick of this mess too.

"Which means you'd better find a way to make me happy," Cachino retorted. Layla felt the last strand of her patience snap as she stood.

"I'm not giving you a signing bonus. I'm not giving you a yearly bonus. And I'm not giving you your own private securitron force. You either sign this agreement right now, or I'm leaving you out of these negotiations. And if you think NCR is going to put up with even half of your shit, you're mistaken."

"You wouldn't-" Cachino started before Layla cut him off.

"Yeah I would, and I'm going to goddamn remind them that the Omertas were planning on bombing the embassy while I do."

He was silent for a moment after that. Layla could almost hear the wheels in his head working to figure out some way to continue this argument.

"Fine, give me the fucking paper," he finally grumbled. Handing it over, Layla nearly wept with joy as the man signed the 'official' negotiation documents. Sneering, he tossed the papers back.

"You're a real bitch, you know that?"

*.*.*

"When this shit is over, I'm going back west and letting the Mojave sort it's own goddamn self out." Layla grumbled as she and Veronica left the elevator.

"Got the Families eating out of your hand yet?" Raul called from the kitchen. Layla stuck her head in the door with a snarl.

"I hope Cachino chokes on his money."

The ghoul laughed as she exited the doorway. She kicked off her heels as she made for her bedroom, not bothering to pick them up as she threw herself onto her bed. That bastard Omerta was the most annoying man in the entire world. She'd rather have tea with Vulpes and Lanius at this point than deal with the prick for another minute.

But it was over. The Three Families and Layla had a plan worked out and signed. Once the fight for the Dam came and went, something that seemed like it was going to be awful soon, she'd officially take their terms to Crocker. He'd go over them, then they'd barter for what terms stayed and what went. Once it was all agreed, he'd send it on to California. Then California would hopefully okay it. Then it would be 'officially' signed here in the Mojave. Then her short and annoying rule of New Vegas would come to an end. Then she'd get drunk and sleep for a month.

That was all assuming she survived the coming battle. If she didn't, she'd left a will in Primm with Mr. Nash naming Cass as her successor in the rule of New Vegas. She hadn't mentioned it to the caravaneer for a variety of reasons; mostly, she didn't want Cass to refuse.

The woman was the best choice Layla could think of. She had years of experience running a business, which was the closest any of the group had to ruling a sovereign nation. She was an NCR citizen, but had no clear political affiliation. Arcade being a Follower would make things ugly; half the government considered the group terrorists. Ditto with Veronica, except nearly everyone in the NCR considered the Brotherhood terrorists. She'd briefly thought about giving it to Boone, but his army background would lead to claims that the whole thing was an NCR plot. Although Layla would have paid good money to fake her own death just to hear Boone's public speeches.

'People of the Mojave… that is all.' She giggled at the thought.

If Cass died as well, Raul was next in line. If all three of them died, then everything went to Marcus. That would be good; the anti-mutant fuckers in California would probably have a stroke.

She briefly thought about putting Marcus first, but didn't want to go through the paperwork again. There was a knock on her door, and she looked up to see Arcade holding her shoes in the doorway.

"I nearly killed myself tripping over these," he said.

"Whoops, sorry," Layla said with a grin as he walked in, dropping the shoes on the coffee table.

"There's something I need to talk to you about…"

"Oh?" Layla felt her stomach flip as she sat up. She'd known for a while now there was something he'd been hiding from her. She hadn't pushed, figuring that tactic wouldn't work on him like it had Boone. The doctor pushed the glasses up his nose as he looked her way.

"I was walking to the 38 this morning when a woman on the street stopped me. She told me that my wife was cheating on me."

"What?" Layla gave him a perplexed look, then a realization dawned on her. She must not have been hiding it very well, because Arcade nodded knowingly as he continued.

"I asked her what she meant, and apparently, the nice woman had seen my 'wife' turn down a man who propositioned her at the Tops, only to see her pick up someone else at the Gomorrah."

"I… well, I haven't been picking people up anywhere," Layla said rapidly. "So I hope you're not suggesting I've been spreading these crazy stories." She nearly sagged in relief. She'd be able to pass the blame on to Cass and get away scot-free-

"Well, the thing is, there was kindly old man who told me a similar story, only his went to the tune of my 'wife' mentioning me by name one minute, then gallivanting around with a, and I quote, 'NCR goon in a beret.'"

Layla bit her lip. Thinking quickly, she got up and ran out of the room.

"Boone!" she cried as she reached the hallway. The sniper leapt out of the rec room, looking ready to kill whatever was threatening her. That was good.

She skittered behind him just as Arcade walked out of her room, looking less than happy. The doctor spotted her as she peeked out from behind the sniper.

"Boone, if you don't let him kill me, I'll triple your pay," Layla said. Arcade was within grabbing distance now.

"Come on, let me wring her neck, just a little," said the doctor. Boone merely crossed his arms over his chest and remained still. Sweet, dependable Boone; he was getting so many snack cakes for this.

"What the hell is going on out here?" she heard as Veronica appeared from the bedroom.

"Veronica did it too!" Layla cried. "She called you 'her little love doctor!'"

"You bitch!" the scribe cried in shock. "You said you had a bad case of 'Arcade-itis' and he had the only cure!'"

"What are you people talking about?" said Raul as he walked in from the kitchen, eating an apple.

"Apparently I'm married to every woman here. I'm just a great dodge for would-be suitors," Arcade groused.

"I don't think Lily's done it," Veronica said, "and I can't believe you ratted me out!"

"You'd have done the same," Layla called back.

"So… how much is she worth to you?" Raul said, and Layla noticed he had a direct line on her. If Boone moved to deflect the ghoul, Arcade could probably reach past him and get her.

"I've got a whole crate of sarsaparilla with your name on it," said the doctor.

"ED-E!" Layla cried. The robot came zooming in. "Audio warfare!"

The robot's speakers crackled to life and began playing 'Something's Gotta Give,' loudly enough to drown out all other sounds in the room.

"Not worth it!" Raul shouted, ducking back into the kitchen to escape the sound. Just as she was about to order a tactical retreat, the elevator door opened, and a securitron rolled in.

"I have a message for 'Layla Granville!'" She barely heard it over the music.

"Hold on, ED-E," she said. It took several seconds for her ears to recover enough to hear the message.

*.*.*

"What on earth happened between you and Colonel Moore?" Ambassador Crocker asked, making Layla's stomach drop. She'd actively taken steps to make sure Moore didn't get in trouble for their 'argument.' The one that ended in the gigantic bruise still healing on the Courier's face. All present (once the Colonel had left) agreed it hadn't happened.

"Um… nothing," she answered lamely. "Why?"

"This just arrived from the dam." He handed the Courier a message. She accepted it, noting it was on clean, high-quality paper.

'Layla Granville,

This is an official request by the New California Republic Rangers for your services as an independent contractor. If interested, report to the Hoover Dam at 1500 on June 2nd, 2282.

Sincerely,

Ranger J. Grant

Colonel Cassandra Moore'

Confused, Layla looked back at Crocker. "I don't get it."

"That is the official form sent to civilians of interest in military operations," the ambassador explained. "They usually only send those as signs of respect to high-level contractors and diplomats from other nations or political groups. It marks you officially in NCR records."

Layla sat back in her chair, feeling a burst of giddiness, and looked over the paper again. The feeling faded quickly; what was Moore angling at? If it were nearly anyone else, she'd think the other woman was trying to get in her good books to keep her from blowing the whistle. But she'd believe Moore had sprouted wings and flown east before she'd think the woman had it in her to ass kiss.

"Do you know what the mission is?" she asked. The paper didn't really go into details. Though that probably made sense, especially if this situation was sensitive or classified. Crocker nodded with a serious look on his face. He seemed to come to some kind of decision, then smiled.

"Technically I'm not supposed to tell you." He shrugged. "But you'll probably find out on your own; The President's visit is the day after they've asked you to report. They want you backing up security."

"Oh," the Courier said, looking at the paper again. "Oh boy."

The next chapter of 'Patriots' will come out on the 16th, then we'll be back to normal Wednesday/Saturday rotation. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, and thank you for reading (and reviewing, favoriting or alerting, if you happen to).

Happy Skyrim day! I'll be picking flowers, hiding from dragons and wishing there was a sniper backing me up!

And happy Veterans Day!