Another chapter only a day and one half since the last. Consider it my attempt of trying to make up for lost time. Please remember to leave a review if you have something you like to point out or anything else. Let me also stress that patience is a virtue and it is the core of a good story. In time any questions you have will be answered, but until that time you must wait.
Now, Enjoy.
Dust and Ashes
The city below glowed like warm fire and was filled with life. The last orange rays of the sun's sharp light bounced from various points all around the city as the sky slowly grew darker and darker. Walker stared down over his city, his head firmly pressed against the cool evening glass of the suite, his home, overlooking the bustling city of New Vegas from the Lucky 38. He continued to watch from his darkened room and part of him marveled at how far the city had come over the past few years. Cranes reached towards the heavens with their projects slowly catching up in attempt to dominate the sky. People of all types walked around proudly with a purpose knowing that they were all part of something the world had not seen in centuries. He even gazed upon light moving quickly through the newly paved roads stretching far and wide. These lights caught his eyes more than all else for they were signs of what had been reclaimed from the memories of a long dead America: Cars. Through all his travels he had never seen anything more of a car than a rust buckets of examples strewn about everywhere, like tombstones marking graves unknown. These cars all came from one of House's newest factories and more and more appeared every day, cheap enough for the average person to buy and wanted by everyone. These were luxuries that ten years ago people could only dream about, and now it was becoming an average occurrence amongst all of their lives. But it was what these vehicles allowed that was so important. Goods and products were able to be easily moved throughout the various settlements in the Mojave belonging to the new nation that had come to be known as Vegas.
Medicine, building materials, knowledge in the form of books and computers, food, weapons and so much more spread across the lands like a plague, only that all who came in contact benefited from it greatly. Casting his eyes away from the city and further into the distance he saw little yellow and white dots of civilization coming to life in the darkening world. Those people would go throughout the night without fear of a raider attack, a siege of bandits, or anything that once commonly marked the night of this land so few years before. Casting his eyes back to his city he looked and found the embassy of the New California Republic. He could barely make out the guards patrolling the area and standing in their positions. He smirked inwardly at the thought of frustration those officials felt seeing the prosperity of the city in a likes of which they could only wish to reproduce in so little time. Every day they protested for trading agreements so they could lay their hands upon what splendors Vegas had brought back to life. House allowed some trade, such as medicines and basic necessities, but he refused for the time to allow the trade of more high end technology or even vehicles, at least until a time where Vegas had properly established itself, becoming less and less of a possible target for the NCR. In truth if the NCR and Vegas went to war this very moment, while the losses would be heavy, Walker knew that Vegas would come out on top. But of course in terms of potential trade, in the long run war or any serious conflict would do harm to Vegas economically and more so in lives. Until the time that House felt necessary, the good people of the NCR would just have to wait. True, they could go through more illegitimate sources but those markets could never provide the level of goods that a formal trade agreement would and while House never restricted what people could do or sell of property they rightfully paid for, most, if not all, knew that by letting the NCR wait and become more dependent of Vegas for certain goods, their lives would be much simpler, and of course more wealthy.
On most nights these thoughts would bring a smile to Walkers lips and pride in his heart, but alas, tonight was no such night. His body and mind were filled with pain and misery. This misery partially stemmed from the contents he held in his left hand. It was a one page report from Doctor Usanagi. When he got it the day before he did not move for an hour, staring at it the entire time. For him it the failure of his last hope. Medical technology had come far over the past few years and with the help of the Mountain, there was nearly nothing that could not be cured. There were of course exceptions, some who could not be help because of how severe or sometimes strange their case may be. One such exception was Cass. His wife of five years was close to death, her heart giving away more and more every day. He was told it was more than that, that it was her entire body that suffered and pained from disease not caught, but given through her genes by a father she so greatly admired. Simply fixing the heart would not and could not solve the issue. Again and again he was told that if she could just hold on a few more years something could be done. House had brought together one of the most experienced staffs ever assembled, made up of the greatest minds of the medical world in and out of Vegas. He had devoted huge fortunes already in attempt to help his friend and his wife. While House to many came off as cold and calculating as a machine, to his friends he did whatever he could to help, sacrifice any and all resources. Walker was moved by his employers actions, but that small measure of joy did little to overcome the grief he felt for what was almost sure to come. There were other courses of actions to be taken that would allow her to live, but these actions, which were mostly suggested by Big Mountain, involved Cass casting aside her humanity. When he told her that they could do this, that they could save her this way she stared him hard in the eye, unflinching. She refused to give up her humanity, to become more machine than person. To never be able to hold a child or her husband. In her eyes her salvation meant turning into a monster, and she would have none of it.
So Walker pressed on, looking for more alternatives. He sent men and women out looking for a unknown answer. All of them had come back empty handed, their eyes filled with sadness and sorrow as they personally told Walker that they failed in their mission. He never held it against them truly, never would, but in the moment fear and anger took him and in his mind, if not to their faces, he cursed them all. This moment of hatred naturally passed, but the fear remained. He was hopeful that something would turn up, some experimental technology but his letter he held in his right hand told him it was not possible. Not only that but that Cass' condition had deteriorated and she now only had a couple weeks at best. But it in his right hand, a letter held the hopes of salvation, and potentially greater pain.
He had received this letter only a moment ago. The courier had been from the Mojave Express and knowing who the letter was for is was delivered as quickly as possible. He held it in his hand, his hand that trembled just a little, in hopes of something real and fear that it was a waste and what it would cost him. As he stood at the window, lost in thoughts he heard a door open, sliding gently on a rug underneath it giving a warm scratching sound.
"What wrong, John," asked Cass as she came from their bedroom. Walker tuned to look at her, sadness screaming within at her condition. She had lost weight, her figure was small and frail. Her skin was pale, lacking of nearly any color. She moved slowly towards him as he moved quickly to her. She held by her side a wooden cane that made a soft click every time it touched the floor in resonance with every other step. The letters fell from his hands as he went to her. It tore him up inside to see her like this, once so filled with life and now waiting to simply die. Tears pounded at his eyes but he refused to give in. He needed to be strong, to be as clear headed as possible.
He reached her and held her close, enveloping her in a great yet gentle hug. She was cold to his touch and did his to warm her. "I got a letter..." he said after a moment gesturing to the fallen paper behind them. It was old paper, but while it was worn and brittle with age the writing upon it was fresh, recently done. "It's from Boone."
She met his eyes, her eyebrows up in surprise. "We haven't seen him in months," she said. "Is he alright?" Worry was etched into her voice and as weak as it already sounded he was worried it might be too much for her.
"He's fine. He.." He cut off, head and eyes darting down quickly to look at the floor.
"He what?" said Cass putting her hand on his chin and bringing his head up to look at her. "Tell me John."
"He said he may have found a cure. But, but we would have to travel there to get it. He said he couldn't say where it was, not in a letter. But he said it would take a couple of weeks to get there and back."
Cass moved over to one of the plush chairs that were in the room and fell almost gracefully onto it. She held up her hands to her face and began crying, tears rolling down her hands and chin, quiet sobs filling the silence of the room. "You can't go," she said through her hands and tears and sobs.
He knelled down to her and gently removed his hands away from her face looking intensely into her now puffy red eyes. "If there is even the smallest chance," he began. "If there is a way to help you, even if it just gives us a few months it's worth it. I have to try. You can't leave me Cass." His voice cracked at the last part, the thought of losing her bring a couple of tears to his eye then slowing rolling down his cheeks.
"I am dying, John. I don't have much time. If you go, if you're gone a couple of weeks, I may not be here when you get back. This might be all the time we have left. Please John, don't go."
Her words cut him like a knife. She was right in every regard. If this trip took too long then he would be gone while she stayed here and passed. Part of him knew this, knew that as bad as she was they did not have much time. Knew that the time he would spend away might be the last moments on Earth and that they should do everything in their power to enjoy those days knowing they would never hold each other again. But the irrational part of him, the part of him filled with fear of a world without her, of a world that he had done so much to improve solely for her to live a long and healthy life would be to dark. The part of him that saw his wife as the most important thing on this world refused to let a chance that could bring her back to health and life go unanswered.
With a fire or purpose burning wildly and fiercely in his eyes he made his decision. "I'm going Cass. Look at me," he said as she turned away. "I will save you. We will make it through this, together and we will continue to build this city into a beacon of light not just for us, but for all of humanity. I will not let you die."
Cass saw his will, as strong as steel, and knew she could not change his mind. She knew that even if she did, he would only live to regret not doing it. He would regret it to such a level that it would most likely take his life, not soon, but eventually one way or another. She abandoned her own whims, desires, what she saw as her being selfish and agreed to let him go, for his sake not hers. They stayed together all night, crying, hugging and kissing. The clock whirled by as time drained away like water over a drain. Finally the time came, the morning sun's vibrant rays pierced the darkness of the world signaling a new day. She watched Walker as he moved about, getting himself ready. Finally they both stood at the door, each holding an embrace neither ever wanted to leave, but knowing it must end. As he looked at her for the last time he turned and left the room, onwards to his next journey to unknown parts. She let him go for his sake, not hers. He went foolishly believing it was for her sake, not his. He knew better later, when he had lost everything, that in her last moments he had reveled in selfishness. He walked out the door creating upon himself the biggest regret of his life, the start of a pain so immense he could not begin comprehend.
Memories of his past threatened to take Walker from his blissful nothingness he was experiencing. He was numb and cold and he wanted to stay that way. He joyfully longed for his current state, not wanting to experience his pain that though to time was very old, to him as fresh as new. He rejoiced in this blank void he was in, free of that pain, free of his position, free of the world. But as what usually happens, the horrors and worries of the world began to seep their way into his empty bliss.
As he rose back into consciousness, he did so unwilling but still it came. He was uncomfortable lying on his side on a rough surface. He could feel jabs of what felt like small and sharp rocks beneath him. Before opening his eyes he noticed a dim light penetrating his eye lids and was grateful that at least he would not be shrouded in darkness. He thoughts strayed to his last thoughts. His rescuers turned out to be the wrong sort of people and anger fluttered to life within him when he thought of what they did the Cobalt, torturing the wounded man then executing as though he was a rabid dog. Their lack of care at what they did placed them as a dangerous enemy that could easily execute a defenseless man. Finally, after a few moments he opened his eyes. While the light was not nearly as bright here as he witnessed earlier, it still stung his eyes for a second. He was on his right side facing a wall that was once white, only now covered with scorches and cracks. He attempted to move his arms and legs but they were bound, his legs together and his arms behind his back. His neck was stiff and he spent a second working it, popping out the kinks that had developed within.
"Look like our companion is finally awake," said a male voice behind him, starling Walker who barely prevented himself from jumping from being spooked. He rolled over onto his back away from the wall, his muscles grateful for the change of position, and looked to where the voice had come from. He eyed three figures across the room, each a small distance away from each other. They were bound like him only they were also bound to the ground in front of them most likely to keep them from moving around too much, or to each other. He looked at them for a long second before speaking.
"Wow," was what he said, his voice filled with genuine amusement and astonishment. The three figures were vastly different and while he had seen many strange things along his travels, few things came close to what he was seeing now. To the very left sat a very ugly individual. Walker guessed that it was a man, or at least male, and hoped something that ugly was not a woman. It stared intently at him without amusement, but with hatred. More importantly it stared at him with not two but four eyes, giving the taunting term all new relevance. Walker's gaze moved to the right towards the second person sitting in the room. This one he also guessed as a man and thankfully only had two eyes and looked upon him with bored all the while. This one was not as hideous as the first but reminded Walker of a bizarre lizard or pictures he had seen of dinosaurs of ancient times. As he moved his gaze again to the right his eyes opened a little wider. A blue woman sat there. It was a woman clearly, and Walker looked over the fact of how different she was and realized she was beautiful. Something gnawed deep inside, a hunger a civilized man repressed as he did then, but still he held her in his eyes for another second, mesmerized by the sight. Memories, painful ones at that, flashed through his mind and he dropped his gaze from the woman as guilt slammed into him like a thunderstorm. The amusement at the trio he held left his eyes and he went to grimmer thoughts pertaining to his current situation.
"An interesting word to use," said the blue girl referring to his first word spoken, her own eyes lit with amusement. "Care to explain?"
He looked up at her and the other two. "Well to tell you the truth I have never seen mutations have quite such an effect on people before. Y'all must have got into something bad." No jest or easy manner rode along his voice. He knew what horrors plagued the world and what they could do to people. He felt regret at seeing these three so horrendously scarred and disfigured, even the blue girl although she suffered less than the others.
"You miserable piece of human filth!" shouted four eyes with spit fly from his mouth as he jumped from his position towards Walker only to struggle and fall to his side. The blue girl gave a warm laugh at the site of the mutant falling and struggling, which was quite funny for Walker to watch.
"Quite Tavar," said the lizard looking one in the middle towards four eyes. "We don't need the guards coming back." His voice rang with authority but it did not stop Tavar.
"You be quite you sniveling Turian," said Tavar angrily. "I refused to be addressed in such a way by a species little better than a human." The turian eyes bore into Tavar as he said this.
"Let it go Saren," said the blue girl. "It's not worth it now." With that the turian, Saren, calmed down and regained his previous composure. Walker looked at the whole thing confused. He could not even begin to comprehend what was in store for him.
"Please refrain from calling us mutants, human," said the blue girl. "It is not a very good term coming from anyone." She gave a slight pause before continuing." Allow me to introduce myself. I am Liara T'Soni of the Asari. To my right is Saren Arterius of the Turian and to his right is Tavar Craznek, leader of our research group. We are here, or perhaps I should say were here, to study Prothean effects on your technology and culture. Now, who are you?"
"You're wasting your breath on this foul creature, Asari," said Tavar.
Walker ignored the comment and addressed Liara before she could respond herself. "I am John Walker of Vegas, or more to the point the city of New Vegas." Pride swelled in his chest while thinking of his city, a city that had achieved so much.
"New Vegas, you say?" asked Liara with interest. "Are there many of you here?"
"Here?" asked Walker. "Are we in New Vegas now?" Worry made its way into his mind. He did not at all like the condition of this building and hoped the city was not too damaged. In truth he was in a state of un-willful ignorance and desperate to be removed of it.
Liara gave a nod to his question and waited for her question's answer. "Last time I checked there was a thriving population in the city," said Walker. With a more somber tone he continued. "What's going on here?"
"Stupid human," said Tavar. "No one, human or otherwise, has lived here since we leveled this pathetic excuse for a city over twenty years ago."
Walker looked from Tavar to the others as if looking for hope that the man was telling a bad joke. Saren looked at him, no emotion in his eyes. He turned to Liara and he saw sadness in her eyes before she looked away. "I don't understand," he said desperately. "What... What year is it?"
"According to your calendar," began the Asari. "Today's date would be August 17th, 2488."
"Oh my God," said Walker letting his head fall back against the wall with a solid thud. "Almost two hundred years... How is this possible."
The trio opposite of him left him alone in silence for a few moments as Walker's eyes were wide with near shock staring up at the ceiling. His head shook slightly from side to side in disbelief. All the while he became more worried about the state of his nation amid this new and from what he saw. Vegas was all he had left in the world, he was its guardian and had devoted his life to such. If what this bastard Tavar said was true, what would he do. Furthermore what were these people. Were they just mutants that had adopted their own names. Perhaps they come from another part of the world. Did they really destroy New Vegas. What about her people. So many question. Slowly through these minutes he pulled himself backed together. His sleep had left his mind feeling off and took this time to get it going proper again. He could not afford to let himself come undone by his emotions, let them control him, not again.
While the courier pulled himself together the trio watched in silence, studying their new companion. Each thought along the same line about the curiosity. How could he now know what had transpired to this city. Was he an idiot or was there some other explanation. Liara noticed that he had talked differently from other humans she had encountered. He had what she would call an older dialect, not as refined as many she had come across. Could it be that he was from this planet's past, sleeping all the while in these tombs while his city expanded only to have crumbled. She knew a fair amount about the history of humanity and by what he said it had been two hundred years for him. This would place him right when humanity began expanding and rebuilding what was lost during their world war that washed to planet in nuclear fire hundreds of years ago.
"Does he look familiar to you?" asked Saren.
"She turned to look at him. "No I have never seen him before."
"Think of the statue we passed by when we were brought here," Saren said.
She thought about it. Thought about how most of their team minus the three of them were wiped out by the ones now holding them. She remembered being knocked unconscios only to wake up as she was pushed from a vehicle along with Saren and Tavan and forced to march towards the building they were now under. It was one of the few buildings still standing in the city and had already been swept clean by Citadel teams years ago, or at least she thought it had before she had seen this facility which must have been hidden far underneath. But she remembered in front of the building a statue standing proudly. It was in the dead of night when they were escorted in but she remembered it. It was made of something strong and stood strong for it. She remembered the what it said in the human's native tongue: The Courier. She also remembered the face of the statue. The same face that was sitting across from her now.
"Are you the Courier?" she asked. He looked from the ceiling towards her meeting her eye. His eyes bore right into her. There was a wildness in those brown eyes, and she glimpsed at his will, fierce and cold. Gone was the amusement that had been there before. Gone was the sadness that had replaced the amusement. Now all that remained were the eyes of a man strong and cold, ready to do what needed to be done.
"I am," he said simply.
"Strange," said Saren. "You were a hero to the people of this city in your time, but according to your histories you died a long time ago." Saren was just as smart as Liara, if and different ways, and it did not surprise her that he had studied humanity to such detail before embarking on their mission to the Sol System.
"You are right," said Walker with a ominous tone. "But that is neither here nor there. Is it true what you have told me, about the fate of this city."
"Not just this city, but your entire world among the others you had spread out to in the recent past," said Tavar. The fool glowed with pride at telling Walker the fate of humanity. "Humanity is nothing more than a parasitic and foolish life form that now only survives little where it does because of our charity. But if it was up to me I would wipe all of you away. We batarians would have to, if not for your saviors the Asari." He gestured his head over to Liara. Walker stared at Tavar with no emotion, hatred or anger of any kind, but it was that that caused Tavar to inwardly shiver and while he would not show it, the gaze gave him fear.
"Now, our captures are human, correct?" asked Walker.
"Correct," said Liara.
"Why are they holding y'all here?"
We have only been here for a few hours a best. We don't know what they want but I imagine that whatever it is it will do us no good."
"Do you know who they are?" asked Walker.
"I believe they call themselves the Enclave," said Saren with contempt in his voice.
A realization clicked in Walker's head. He remembered the circle of stars on the armor. They lacked the capital E but they were that of the Enclave. He was surprised he did not see it earlier, although his head had been a fog at the time. "Interesting," was all he said.
"What is?" asked Tavar almost in a nice sort of way.
"The Enclave were wiped out even before my time by the NCR and Brotherhood. It's interesting to see this isn't the case. I take it they are unfamiliar to you."
"We have only read about them in your histories," said Liara. "Before today that was all we knew of them, and that was vague. What can you tell us about them?"
"That we should do our best to get out of here," said Walker calmly. "And if what you said is true, I would also like a reason why I should not kill all of you."
"Why you..." started Tavar as Saren gave a deep laugh.
"Because they like you little better than they like us," said Liara, "And if we work together it greatly improves our chances." She eyed Walker for a long second, her heart beating quickly. By his eyes she knew that he could kill them. She did not think that he would enjoy it but after how that fool of a Batarian told him things, she could see him doing in.
"Agreed," said Walker after a moment of thought. "And ideas?"
"Yes," said Liara to Tavar's and Saren's surprise. "On the back of my neck is a chip that, suppresses certain abilities of mine. If you can remove that, since you are free to move around and we are not, I think we have a shot."
"Are you sure that will work," said Saren. "Biotics don't work well against that armor."
"If the next time they come to us they do what they did to me last time, it should work," said Liara.
Walker had no clue what bionics or her abilities were but he kept his mouth shut. He wondered what she meant by what they did last time. He looked at her and noticed her clothes. She wore no armor like Saren and they looked liked Tavar's, very streamlined and efficient. But he noticed where they were rips and stretch marks in her cloths along her waist line and his blood boiled. These were monster indeed to do that to a woman. He would take enjoyment out of killing them.
"How do I remove this chip. Won't it hurt you?"
"It is only partially in my flesh and will do no real damage some simple bandaging won't fix up," she said. "The how does not matter, only that you get it done."
Walker gave her a nod and began scooting away from his wall towards her. He did so on his bottom using his legs bound to one another to pull him along. Slowly but surely he made his way over to her coming in between Saren and Liara."I think I can try and pull it off," he said as he forced himself to rise. It was difficult for him to balance once he was up. His legs were strapped together at three different places along his legs, including his ankles. He had to go into a half crouch as he felt for the chip. The smooth cold metal greeted his fingers as they began to graze across the small chip. It was only around an inch by an inch. It was also very thin and there was no space between it and the skin. He soon realized it would be nearly impossible to get them off with his hands. He gave a sigh.
"Please hurry Walker," said Liara. "If they come in when we're like this we won't get another chance." Her voice was calm, but he could feel her worry underneath, worry of what will happen to her when the guards come again.
"I can't get it with my hands," said Walker. He thought for a second before dropping down to his knees facing her back. "How badly do you want this off?"
"Very badly," she responded.
"You have to promise not to scream," he said. "You'll want to but you can't. I can't think of another way and we don't have much luxury."
"What are you going to do?" she said anxiously. Trying to look back towards him.
"Head straight," he said. "This is going to hurt."
He put his face towards her neck and she felt is warm breath on her exposed skin. Fear danced in her eyes and fluttered in her stomach. Not only was he about to do something she did not think she would enjoy, she also did not know this stranger who she guessed would have little reason to like any of them.
"Whatever you do, don't scream," he said sternly.
She agreed and she heard him take a breath. She felt him touch the back of her neck with a sharp pressure. Just as she realized what he was doing he bit into her neck, not too deep to cause permanent injury, but deep enough to cover the chip. She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood and he drew back tugging at the chip and her skin. It was painful, and it was in a sensitive location but she did not utter a sound. Finally she heard a wet pop and he feel back and away from her taking the chip with him. She heard him spit it to the ground with disgust. She also felt her power course through her system, giving her much needed confidence for their situation.
"Well that went easier than expected," said Walker to the stunned looks of both Saren and Tavar. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you taste horrible." Liara laughed in spite of herself and Saren even cracked a quick grin. Tavar just sat their un-amused. "Luckily you aren't bleeding too much," he said continuing. "Now if you don't mind I am going to wipe my new lipstick off on your back. We can't let the guards getting suspicious." He took a few moments and she felt him wiping his mouth on her clothes until he was satisfied. He scooted around to her front. "How do I look?" he asked.
"Better than I feel," she said receiving a sympathetic grin form him in return.
"Strange," he started. "I have never seen anyone with purple blood before. If it were blue I would guess you are from France, or whatever France may have become after the war, but I couldn't even begin to guess where you hail from." He looked at her longing for an answer.
"We are not from Earth, Walker," she said, her voice low. She did not know how he would take it.
"So what, all of y'all are aliens then," he said and laughed until he realized that none of the others were joining in on the joke. Liara was somber looking as one could be. "You aren't are you?" Disbelief and desperation were in his voice.
"All three of us come from different systems all over the galaxy," she began. "We are, to you, alien as alien can be. We belong to the Citadel, a union of most species of the galaxy for the greater good." The last words felt hollow on her tongue as she said them. "All three of us are each part of three great factions that bring stability to this world." She did not believe the words that came out of her mouth, but her position, or more precisely the position of her mother, required her to say such things.
"Not all of us Asari," chimed in Tavar in a smug manner. "True your species and mine belong to the Citadel and even the Council, but turians had their embassy revoked and lost their position on the Council after their wonderful screw up. Speaking of the Council human," said Tavar to Walker. "You might find it interesting that we gained our seat by coming to the rescue and crushing your pathetic little civilization." He have a deep life and Walker nudged towards him in a threatening matter. "Bring it on, you little primate. I can take you on even tied down." Suddenly Liara flashed blue following Tavar and Walker watched with joy as Tavar's head was thrown back into the wall behind him, knocking him cold.
"Thank you for removing that chip," said Liara. "It has proved most helpful."
"Indeed," said Saren in joyful agreement. "Now I would suggest that you return back to your side of the wall, so as not to raise suspicion when we receive our visitors." Walker took his advice and scooted back towards the wall.
"How long do we have to wait..." he started before being interupted by the door of the room sliding apart. Two soldiers, soldiers of the Enclave, walked in. One carried a small metal box that reflected the light in the room like a mirror.
"Well it looks like our little sleeping beauty is awake," said the one holding he box. His faceplate became transparent revealing the same man beneath who saved him earlier. "And do we have a surprise for you." Suddenly his helmet shifted and quickly began to fall into itself and eventually disappeared into the armor. Behind it stood an average looking man. Blue eyes with brown hair, and he looked that whatever he was about to do he would enjoy.
"What's the surprise?" asked Walker keeping his voice neutral.
The man crouched in front of him and put the box on the floor. His gloves went the same way as his helmet and disappeared into his armor. He then opened the box and took out a small chip, similar to the one he pulled off Liara. He understood why he had removed his gloves seeing as how it would be too hard to handle properly otherwise.
"This little baby is what we call a control," said the man. "You see we put this into the back of your neck and it allows us to, well control you. You do something we like and you are rewarded with a wonderful wave of euphoria. You do something we don't like and, well let's just say it isn't pleasant. So if you will lean forward we can get this started."
"Of course," said Walker. The man was surprised to see such an obiendiant reaction but soon began moving his hand to Walker's more exposed neck. Just as he got close enough Walker jerked his head towards the man's hands and sent the chip flying to the ground, sliding smoothly a few feet before stopping. Walker gave the man a smile.
The man smiled in return as he pulled back his right hand. His glove came out covering once again. Then quickly and efficiently he backhanded Walker on the side of his face sending him down to the ground with the strong taste of blood in his mouth. "That was not very polite," said the man and proceeded opposite of the direction Walker had gone to retrieve the chip.
As Walker stayed at his spot on the floor he eyed Liara through the stars in his eyes. There in front of her stood the other soldier. "Here we are again so soon, eh," said the other soldier. "I hope you will still give a good fight," he said with a whimsical laugh. "We made sure no one would be able to hear anything we do outside of this room, so go ahead and scream as loud as you like." His helmet and gloves proceeded to retract into his armor. "Now let's get you out of some of those binding so we can have so fun."
Walker's blood boiled at the sight and anger roared within him, but there was little he could do. The blue eyed soldier came back to him, chip and hand. "All right let's try this again," he said. Walker felt fear while gazing at the chip. But just as he began reaching closer he was enveloped by a blue energy field. Walker watch with amazement as he was yanked back and slammed into the other guard. Both went down with a thump and both were gratefully unconscious. Then Walker saw the same blue field envelope his bindings as well as Saren's and Liara's and watched them snap apart. He painfully stood up and moved quickly towards the two fallen guards and grabbed one of their pistols at their side along with a rifle. The weapons were amazing, far beyond anything Walker had ever seen. Both were black and felt solid but not too heavy as to not wield effectively even without power armor. He quickly brought up his pipboy and looked for the marker. Luckily he was even closer than before. He looked at this local map and saw that fortunately he was not just off the main area he was in earlier, but down a hallway not in direct line of sight from the hallway. He also was glad to see the marker continued away from the main area so he would hopefully be able to avoid any guards.
"Well we are done with the easy part," said Saren.
"Now what?" asked Liara glancing at both Walker and Saren.
"Well I would advise grabbing those two guns and getting yourselves out of here," said Walker. "Hopefully we will see each other again."
"And where are you going?" asked Saren as he made his way to the weapons, tossing the pistol to Liara and keeping the Rifle for himself.
"I don't really know," started Walker. "There's a marker on my pipboy that wasn't there before, so I guess where ever that leads. I think it might have been left intentionally."
"Want some company?" asked Saren. "We don't really have anywhere we have to be anytime soon." Liara nodded in agreement.
"As long as you follow my lead you can follow all day," said Walker. He glanced down at Tavar. "But what about your friend?"
"That bastard hid behind others when we were attacked," said Saren. "He didn't even try to fight, just surrendered as those better than him died around him. I don't think he deserves to come along."
"We can't just leave him here," said Liara.
"Sympathy for the devil of the batarain all of a sudden, Liara?" asked Saren.
"He knows too much about our operation here," she said. "We can't let them get anything that could hurt us."
"Any chance of him cooperating nicely?" asked Walker.
"No," said Liara and Saren at the same time.
"I guess we have no choice," said Saren. He moved to the Batarian putting his rifle on the ground and his hands around his neck. He began to squeeze as the Batarian opened his eyes. Panic and fear radiated from him. He tried to speak but nothing but a guttural sound came out. Soon the deed was done and the Batarian became still. Saren stood up and Walker knew he did not enjoy what he had just done. Liara went to put a hand on his shoulder and soon both came to stand by Walker.
"Now we just have to figure out how to open the door," said Liara moving off to inspect the door. "I overheard they are locked with a genetic encryption but I think they used an override from their armor. Let's check and see if they have anything on them. I rather not blow open the door."
Upon hearing this Walker walked over to the door and slid his hand over the panel just as he had done previously. The door parted open, more to the surprise of the others than to him. He quickly positioned his rifle and checked the hallway seeing it was all clear. "Shall we?" he asked and they began to make their journey into the bowels of the complex.
They traveled on for about thirty minutes, soon leaving the reassuring light of the Enclave and their camp. Walker activated each door and closed it behind them. They did not talk but simply followed the marker. Walker realized that the marker was actually a set of way points guiding them through the complex. They went in all directions, all the while going a few stories downward. The light from the pipboy was all the light they had in the dark recesses of the building. Finally they came upon one more door. A marker stood on the other side and Walker knew they had reached their destination. He was relieved that they had made their journey in peace, with no sign of Enclave or ghoul. They reached the door and Walker activated it just like the others. This one took a few seconds longer to open and Walker thought that perhaps their last door was broken. Finally it opened revealing itself to be much thicker than the others. They all stepped inside and the door closed automatically behind them. The room was dark but it was much larger than the hallway. He raised his wrist to give the light more reach and realized that the room was in much better condition.
No scorch marks were present and not a single crack lined the wall. The room was circular and he noticed what he guessed was the center, a circular platform similar to the last one was there. He approached it and climbed the few stairs to the top. On the other end was a tube, similar to the one he awoke from, but larger and more complex. He knew what it was as he approached and he hoped he was wrong.
Saren and Liara walked close behind him as he approached. The light of the pipboy reflected dully of the tube and as he came closer his fear was realized. There in the tube laid a body that was partially decomposed and long dead. He placed both hand on the tube and let his head fall.
"Who's this?" asked Liara.
"This," said Walker. "This was Robert House, the leader and founder of Vegas." Silence met his words. It was strange but he felt comfortable with these two. It was strange because their people, if not them personally, were responsible for this. But even thought he believed what they said, he still felt he could trust them, it was a very strong instinct.
Suddenly light over head came to life filling the room with a hard white light. It blinded the trio momentarily and Walker looked frantically thinking that the Enclave had caught up with them. He realized they were still alone and was confused as to why the lights suddenly came alive. He turned around and looked at the wall opposite of where they entered. It was a monitor, similar to those House had used in many years gone. A long crack split down the middle, the only damage to the white room. It looked out of place in the room, archaic even. But then it glowed green with energy and there before him was the face of Robert House.
"I have been waiting, Courier," he said from the screen.
Walker glanced back towards the stasis tube. "But how?"
"I am afraid that you are most likely right in your earlier assumption, Courier," said House. "I am not your employer, not fully anyway, but a copy of him. I was left here to wait for you."
"I don't understand," said Walker.
"A great deal of time has passed since you last walked this Earth," began House. "Humanity rose high. We spread from this planet and onward into the void of space, seeking new worlds and new homes. We repaired this world to its former glory, wiping away the damage we had cause by our hand. We found interesting wonders and exciting revelation. Then we met those who would chain us. We fought and we fell, we fell hard." Silence filled the room. "You must listen to me Courier. The enemy that has invaded these halls are approaching and searching for you. There is much I wish I could tell you but we do not have the time. There is more yet I could not tell you, my memory has been damaged when humanity was wiped from this planet. I do not know what hope there is out there but I know there is you. I believe that you can make a difference. I hope we are not to late though I don't know why we would be. So much I don't know. But beyond this door below me there is a way out, you must go through it. That is all I know. Beyond it lies a world where I can no longer help you. You must find your way. But before that, will the turian and asari please step back?"
They did so and the edges of the platform opened up. The floor underneath Walker glowed and he felt himself lifted into the air. The arms approached him and began place pieces of armor upon his chest and legs. Then to rings were place on either side of his pipboy on his left arm and another piece was place around his right wrist, similar in size to the pipboy. Then the arms retracted back to the floor. He still was suspended as the dark pieces of armor came to life upon him. A black warm liquid like material spread from the pieces and came to cover his whole body. After this he was placed down onto the floor. He moved a little and found the armor to be very flexible. He wondered how much protection it could offer him, especially where only the thin layer covered which was most of his body. It fit like his own skin.
"What kind of armor is this House?" asked the Courier.
"I... I do not know. I can only remember that it was meant for you, when you woke up. Too much of my memory has been corrupted over the past years. But I know it is powerful. Do not let it fall into the wrong hands."
A loud bang came from the other side of the door. "Hurry, you must leave."
The trio made their way to the exit. Walker waved his hand in front of it but nothing happened. "House, the door is not opening," yelled Walker.
"They seem to have over ridden the doors somehow. You will have to open it up yourself if you are to survive. I must leave you now. I have to activate the lab's self destruct and it will require all my attention.
"You can't just leave us here," shouted Liara.
"The enemy cannot have what is within these walls, asari," said House. "I must make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands and I have waited long enough for all of you to reach me. It is up to you three to survive, I have done all I can, you have five minutes. Goodbye, Courier." Then House's voice and image disappeared.
With an explosion the door burst free and fell to the floor. Green plasma erupted from the entry way as the Enclave soldier began their attack. Walker and his companions took what little shelter the platform could off and began firing back.
"Can any of you get that door open?" Walker shouted over the firestorm.
"I should be able to," yelled back Liara.
"Then get to it," shouted Saren. "We'll cover you."
Liara left the pair and darted towards the exit door, and quickly began work on the panel. Walker and Saren continued to fire away, green plasma racing from their guns to meet their attackers. The attackers had little cover and they managed to down a few. A few moments stretched like hours. Walker worried if they would have enough time. Finally Liara shouted that she was done and he heard the doors open amid the firestorm. Saren took a look back just as a bolt of plasma slammed into his shoulder sending him to the floor.
"Liara, come get him," screamed Walker. She did so quickly and pulled him and his weapon passed the door into the darkness. He followed staying low and continuing to fire on the enemy. Finally he made it to the door and with a prayer swiped his hand across the panel and was relieved to see the door close.
He turned around to Liara and Saren and saw them in the glow of his pipboy. Saren was unconscious so he hoisted him onto his soldier and was surprised at how easy it was, which he attributed to the suit.
"We have to hurry," said Liara rifle in hand. She turned and preceded down the hallway. As they ran along they passed through doors that automatically closed behind them and Walker was glad to see these had not been corrupted as well. Finally they reached a circular stair case and began climbing as quickly as they could manage. At the top was another door as a hatch. He activated the panel and it unlocked allowing Liara to push it open. They stepped out and were greeted by the most horrible sky Walker had ever seen.
He knew it was daylight but he could only just tell. Dark grey and green clouds were think over head. Ash rained down from them and covered the landscape. Before him stood the remains of New Vegas. They had stepped out into the sewer but there was not much sewer left and much was open to the sky. They easily manage to get out onto the street level where Walker's home greeted him.
Buildings were smashed around him, few stood more than ten stories only to have jagged edges towards the tops where they had broken. Rubble on a nearly unimaginable scale marked the land. Ash and sand blew hard in the wind. The streets were cracked and vehicles littered the ground. He was surprised he could breath in all of this, but he bet that it would not be wise to do so for long. Finally he turned behind him and saw the statue of himself. Strong and defiant against the woes of the world. He immediately hated it.
But behind the statue stood the Lucky 38. He marveled at it. It still stood and in good condition. It was the only building around for miles and he wondered how it had survived. Of course House would never let his crown jewel be beaten down, not if he could help it. But then he saw figures running from the entry way, Black figures. They were organized and were closing the gap quickly.
"Liara," he said turning to her. He hander her Saren and was surprised at how easily she handled him, much stronger than she looked. "You have to go. I think I can buy us enough time but you have to go now." His voice firm with authority.
"Why," she asked. "You barely know us, why sacrifice your life."
"What else am I to do?" He gave her a push and she began running the opposite way. He knew she did not want to, but someone had to get out of this mess alive, even if it was an alien.
There were about twenty or so coming to him and after taking cover behind his statue he began to fire. He took down one and then another, their bodies falling hard after a few impacts. But still there were too many and would soon have him surrounded. One rounded the corner opposite of him and Walker jumped to meet him, surprised at his own speed. He grabbed the soldier and flung him around, right into another soldier. Another one came and he dropped to a knee as a bolt flied overhead and unleashed a couple round of his own taking that one down. He felt himself thrown forward as one of the soldiers fired into his back. He barely felt a burn as he went forward but his gun flew from his hands. He was breathing heavy and he guessed it was due to the atmosphere as well as the excitement. He turned over and got up and realized that those remained now stood in front of him weapons raised and pointed at him. Their backs were towards the Lucky 38 and he gazed from them to it. It was not a bad way to die he mused, but only for a second. Then anger took over him. Anger at these Enclave bastards for their action. Anger that while he slept the world burned and anger that he was about to die, like a helpless child with nothing he could do. Then he felt the stir of energy, energy totally unfamiliar to him. It radiated into his body and across from the suit. He could not describe what he felt, but almost like an instinctual reaction waved his right arm in front of him in a quick swipe. As he did this the enemy opened fire, weapon fire bathed him but he hardly felt it. As his hand opened fully towards the enemy he felt a great wave pass through him, his armor for just a split second was alive with purple lightning streaking across his arms and chest. A surge of energy exploded from his body, throwing him back nearly knocking him over. But while the waved only slightly knocked him back it did more to his firing enemies. They were flung into the air and into the Lucky 38 with such force they busted right through.
He brought his had to him and marveled for a moment. He then felt a rumble deep underground and remembered the bomb. He turned and ran as fast as he could. Beneath him the ground quaked and split open. Fire in hot steams of death exploded into the air. Suddenly his suit changed and a helmet formed on his head, rising like those of the Enclave soldiers. He could immediately breathe easier and the loud moan of the land was lessened to his ears. He turned and looked over his soldier and came to a dead stop. Explosion rippled all behind him. Then they rose up into the 38 exploding with, shattering anything it could. With a groan, the tower gave way and quickly lunged to the ground. As it hit the ground and sent up a cloud of ash and debris another explosion tore through, this one the biggest yet. It encompassed all of the 38 and the statue still standing tall. Its energy hit him like a wave and he felt the ground roll and him being thrown from the air. Remarkably his suit absorbed most of the impact and he was relieved of feeling too much pain. He tumbled in the air away from the explosion and managed to turned around facing the ground. Below him squatted Liara with Saren in her arms, sheltering behind a large piece of rubble. Her eyes we big as could be as she watch him fly through the air. Their eyes met and he gave her a wink before he began his decent. He only hoped that the fall would not hurt too much and braced himself thoroughly.
