At around midnight, Veronica Santangelo watched as the Courier was dragged out of his room and interrogated. He was more stubborn than before, which only meant more time Ant had to break him. She remembered when she had travelled with the Courier. She didn't know he was like this. He seemed nicer. He even got her a dress. Of Course, she had left after finding out he had wiped out the bunker. Still, she did remember the nice guy who helped her out, and his robotic dog. Rex the Cyber dog was in her chamber now. She didn't want him being put down or decommissioned and sedated with the others, so she'd take care of him.
"How many Securitrons does Mr House have?"
The Courier had become more resistant since he realised most of the new questions featured Mr House and his weaknesses. Maybe he knew what they were planning. It didn't matter, Ant would dispose of him afterwards, and the Brotherhood would be rid of a menace. Veronica felt guilty of herself for thinking of that. Then she felt angry at herself for feeling guilt.
The Courier spat a bloody gob of spit in Ross' eye, and chuckled. The Courier smiled as Ross snarled. Veronica had seen that smile many times before, but now it had a menacing edge to it. She shouldn't even be watching him. She turned and walked off to her room.
The Courier had long realised his position was hopeless. But he had learnt something through the questions: The Brotherhood of Steel was planning to wipe out Mr House and capture the Strip. So he kept silent. It was painful, but he liked to think it was one last act of bravery. Ant was gleeful, pacing the room while holding a new tool, a flamer.
"What's the status of the Sharecropper farms?"
"Ant is looking pretty eager. Might as well let him use his toys."
"I think he's right. He…" Ant started.
Ross stepped back and slapped Ant.
"You will refer to me as Sir! I am your superior, and you will stop talking during the interrogation."
Ant flashed him a look of pure hatred, but it was only a brief look.
"Yes, Sir."
"Next question. What is the status of the new plane Mr House used in the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, and where is its hanger?"
"Hey, Ant." The Courier said.
Ant looked up.
"If you help me out of these ropes, we can capture all the paladins here and give you free rein of what to do with them."
Ant smiled at that, but he shook his head.
"You're on your own." He said. "Can I use the Flamer now?"
Ross put his hands on his head and groaned.
"Burn him up. Five Seconds of heat should loosen his tongue up." He said, looking at the Courier.
Ant stepped forward and fired the flamer. Flames surrounded the Courier, and he let out a scream. He writhed in his chair, and eventually the heat stopped. He panted, and looked at Ross.
"Next question." Ross said.
"That's it?" Ant said. "He doesn't even have many burn marks! Give me a full minute."
"Ant, shut your goddamn mouth before I put the barrel of a blaster in it. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir."
The Courier struggled against the ropes, and noticed the fires had snapped a few of them. Not enough to be noticeable, but enough to escape.
"Name Mr House's Lieutenants."
The Courier faked a gasp, and coughed, before whispering something.
"What?" Ross said.
The Courier wheezed, and Ross leaned in closer.
"Give me the names."
The Courier grabbed Ross and hurled him to the ground. He grabbed Ross' laser pistol out of his holster and aimed it at his head.
"Don't move." Ant said, aiming the Flamer.
"Let me ask you something, Ant. Do you really want to risk getting shot to safe Ross? He's a useless pawn in the grand scheme of things. I'll make you a deal. You can have Ross. Do whatever you want to him. All I want is to leave."
Ant frowned, lowering his weapon.
"How can I trust you?"
"Why would I lie?"
Ant put down the Flamer.
"Deal?" He said, looking down at Ross with a smile.
"Not yet. I need information. Where's my stuff?"
"Control Centre."
"How many people here?"
Ant paused, and started counting aloud.
"Nine. Two Squads of six with one killed by a death claw, and two in this room. Oh, and the Witness. The Scribe."
"Veronica. That's all I need to know."
The Courier wondered what he should do. Should he betray Ant, or let Ross have an incredibly painful death. The Courier sighed, and quickly aimed his pistol and fired, blowing off Ant's head. Then, he aimed at Ross and killed him as well. He was about to head to the control centre when he realised he needed back-up. With that, he headed to the bedrooms.
There was a single guard guarding the bedroom, and she wasn't even wearing a helmet. She had a cigarette clenched between her teeth. The Courier simply fired a laser through the side of her head, and took her weapon, a laser rifle. He took her keys, and opened the first bedroom. It was empty. The Second was his cell, and inside was Greg.
"I need your help. We're taking over the facility."
Greg chuckled.
"Freedom! I owe you a great deal, Courier."
He turned around and opened the next cell. Inside was a man, with a trimmed beard and light brown hair.
"Gary?" He asked. "Gary! GARY!"
Gary ran out of the cell, and the Courier grabbed him.
"I need your help. We're taking over the facility."
"Gary." He said, nodding in agreement.
Or perhaps nodding at the fact he had just insulted and was now about to try murder the Courier. The Courier couldn't tell, but he gave him the laser pistol anyway. He opened the next cell, and was greeted by Boone sitting next to a ghoul. Boone was wearing a jumpsuit, and for the first time in years had no sunglasses or beret. The Ghoul, Hank, was also in a jumpsuit.
"Good to see you." Boone said, showing the slightest trace of a smile.
"This the Courier?" Hank asked.
"Yeah." Boone said.
"It's a pleasure. I'm Hank."
"What's the plan?" Boone asked.
"We'll storm the Command Centre and get our stuff back. Then, we hunt down anyone left."
"Got it."
"Let's burn this place down and blow up the ashes." Hank said, smiling.
The Courier opened the last two cells. One was empty, the other held a young man in a suit clenching a knife.
"Stay back, Savages!" He screamed.
"It's OK. I'm here to help." The Courier said.
"LIAR! You're going to eat my brains! You all are! One of you is a zombie, one's an ogre, and the other three are murderers."
"He won't be any good in a fight." Hank said. "Let him be."
The Courier shrugged, and closed the door. Then, he headed towards the Command Centre.
