Craig Boone walked along the strip that night, feeling drunk, yet calm. He and the courier had won the battle for hoover damn, and thus secured the mojave for the New california republic. Boone and the courier were offered places in the NCR military as officers. The courier accepted, but boone declined, as much as he supported the republics cause, he could not bring himself to rejoin the army which caused him so much trauma long ago. The courier, who stood by boone and helped him overcome his trauma and depression, left to join the military as a leading officer. To boone he was his best friend, one who he could depend on and would lay down his life for him, and he in return, would be willing to do the same.

It was arround 11pm and boone was walking down the strip from the tops casino, drunk and calm. NCR military police were patrolling the strip, watching and maintaining order. Boone staggered down the street and towards the vault 21 hotel. With the neon lights pulsing around him, boone felt relieved as he walked into the buildng. Vault 21 was a pre war nucleur shelter, which had been converted by its inhabitents into a hotel for the tourists to the strip. Boone had a hotel room there for the time being, but he knew that soon he would have to leave. He staggered down to the hotels recreation area and collapsed into one of the chairs in the common area. Around him, people were talking and smoking, having a good time and relaxing. NCR troopers on leave would be in here, getting drunk at the bar and trying to flirt with some of the tourists. Boone looked around, but one thing caught his eye. An Ncr trooper was talking to one of the women, flirting, and she was returning his feelings as far as he knew. It reminded boone of when he met his wife whilst he was on leave from the army. Boones wife was now dead, leaving boone a widow, which sent him into depression for a while. All cured now but some things still haunt had left the military but chose to remain in vegas, as he could not bear himself to leave the city of lights he met his wife. He went to his hotel room and sat on the bed, And rubbed his face, tired and sleepy. He led down and went to sleep.

"BZZZZZZZ!" the intercom to his room went, and woke boone up.

"Mister Boone? im buzzing you in regards to your wake up call you ordered? and to remind you that you are checking out today." said a female voice over the comm.

Boone rubbed his eyes and yawned, and walked over the the comm.

"thank you, yeah il be checked out by mid-day" he yawned into the comm.

Boone shuffled over to the sofa and sat down to think. He had to do somthing with his life. He couldnt rejoin the army, and he couldnt bring himself to leave vegas. He knew what he would do now,He stood up and walked over to wardrobe and opened both doors. Inside, hung a suit of leather armour, A black shirt with a leather breastplate, pauldrons and leather enforced cargo jeans. A large belt with pockets and compartments for all ammo and supplies, Complete with good hard boots with a slot for a knife and fingerless gloves. Boone put on the armour, and turned towards the bedside table, and opened it. inside was his pistol, he took it out, and admired it. The courier had left it to him as a present, as it was his first gun and meant alot to him. Boone swung it round on his finger, in a wild west coda style of showmanship, and holstered it. Boone took a deep breath and reached under the bed. He pulled out a long black case. He picked it up and placed it on the bed, Flipped the catches and opened the lid slowly. Inside was boones treasured possesion, His rifle. It was a scoped hunting rifle, all glossy and shining. On the butt of the weapon boone had enscribed the words "Death to dictators",Expressing his hatred for the republics enemy, caesars legion.

Boone pulled a duffel bag out from under the bed and filled it with food and supplies from the hotels fridge. He didnt have much food availiable, a few cans of pork and beans, two steaks, a box of fancy lads cakes, some mac and cheese and a few mutfruits, thankfully, he found a few beers in the back filled up his water canteen from the sink and attatched it onto his belt. He then attached a strap to his rifle and slung it onto his shoulder, slid a knife into his boot, and put the duffel bag onto his back. He walked out of the room and through the reception area, throwing a bag of caps onto the desk and walking out the door. He walked along the strip, people moved to avoid him, but merely through the fear of his attire and weaponry. Boone was now a wanderer, like his friend before him. He would go where he was needed and help out who he could, letting go of his past and thinking selflessly. He headed towards the strips north gate, An MP officer was keeping a close eye on him, again, because of the fact he was armed. He took a deep breath and looked behind him at the bustling strip

"iv tried to start again twice now." he said to himself. "third times the charm." and walked out, into freeside.