Raul and Axel walked into the penthouse.

The air smelt of liquor and coyote tobacco smoke.

Raul said, "This is your casino. You're our leader. Don't be afraid."

Axel walked into Boone and Veronica's room, where he found Veronica playing with some of the toys he left her; two toy cars, one Nuka-Cola truck, three teddy bears, and two Dinky the T-Rex toys. She was still such a kid in some ways.

Veronica was completely unaware of Axel's presence.

Veronica said to herself, "I'm so lonely. Raul's always in the casino drinking, Boone never wants to talk or play. Where's Axel? It's been two months today since he left."

Axel finally decided to speak up and said, "I can't get much closer, V."

Veronica turned around at the sound of the familiar voice and said, "Axel!"

Veronica got up and hugged Axel.

Veronica asked, "How have you been?"

Axel said, "Pretty good, Veronica. How are things with the Followers?"

Veronica said, "Very good. Healing the sick, teaching the poor, what's not to love?"

Axel knew he was going to have to ask, so he asked, "Is Boone around?"

Veronica nodded and about then, Boone walked in.

Boone looked upset and said, "Hey.

Axel said, "Veronica, Boone, get your gear. It's time to go raiding."

Boone cracked one of his half-smiles and said, "Anything's better than staying here."

Boone grabbed his reinforced leather armor and his rifle. Veronica put her toys away and grabbed her homemade gecko leather armor. Axel remembered how he helped Veronica skin the geckos and fire-tan their hides, back before they found Boone and Raul.

They all walked down the road to the gate of New Vegas. The gang walked down the road of Freeside, towards the east gate.

When they passed one of the buildings near Mick and Ralph's, a poor kid walked up to Veronica and asked, "M'am, could you spare some food?"

Veronica had sympathy for the starving boy and pulled two cans of Cram out of her shoulder bag, saying, "I wish I could do more, but go into the Old Mormon Fort. The Followers could probably help you."

The boy took the cans and said, "You're the first one that gave me something in days. May God bless you."

Axel, Raul, and Boone all noticed and Axel was smiling.

Boone suddenly shouted, "Veronica! Kid! Get down!"

Veronica and the kid ducked.

Boone took aim at the threat…

Caesar's Legion.