Chapter 9: The Wild Card
There was an awkward silence between the two. Chloe waited patiently on one couch while Benny seemed to be in deep thought across from her on the other sofa. There were glasses of wine for them, but Chloe knew she had enough already from downstairs. She already felt tipsy, thanks to Veronica. She was exhausted now, especially when she realized it was already after midnight, on top of all the stress she got herself in.
She still knew it would be best to stay cautious around Benny, even if they were working together. She hoped her intuition would come through and explain why she was going through with any of this, either it be Mr. House or Benny. Mr. House had yet to show her a reason to trust him, and until he did, it looked as though she was going to have to place uncertain trust into the man who shot her in the head.
Benny sighed, rubbing his fingers along his hair and leaning back on the sofa. He snapped the lid on his lighter open and shut for a few moments, until he was able to gather his thoughts into words. "My brother made a good point to me. When we first met, I didn't even treat you like a human being. I was so bent on getting the Platinum Chip that I didn't care who you were, gorgeous face or not. Even though I made sure the Khans dug you a decent grave, it didn't bother me as much as it should have. I ain't no saint. I've killed lots of people since the tribe days and even up until now as chief. But you…it felt wrong, and I still went through with it anyways to get the Chip. Now here's karma biting me in the ass, dig? I don't blame you for not trusting me. I wouldn't if I were in your shoes. But I seriously think we can help each other. You are here for a reason after all, babe. I sincerely want to make it up to you. So, what I am really trying to say is…I'm sorry."
She knew well enough that he meant it. Still, the uncertainty remained. Chloe was quiet for a few moments, studying Benny. She slowly nodded her head at him. A silent gesture to accept his apology.
Benny seemed relieved. He leaned forward, studying her while taking a drink of his wine. "So tell me, pussycat. What's your story? Where did you come from?"
Chloe lowered her gaze at the mention of the tender subject. "It's kinda a long story."
Benny was lighting a cigarette now. As he put his lighter away, he talked with the lit cigarette still between his lips. "I got all night, baby."
"Those will kill you, ya know," Chloe sighed, shaking her head.
"Eh, so will a Deathclaw or Yao Guai or any other thing out in the Wasteland," Benny chuckled, taking a drag.
Chloe decided to get comfortable on the sofa if she was going to tell her story. It hurt to start it, but as she got into it, she felt better letting it all out. Benny remained curious the whole time. She told him everything she could think of that was important, from New Reno, Dad, Shadow, Jacob, the incident at Falling Rock, everything. It went on for a little over an hour, until she was sure she covered what she thought would work.
"Baby, this might sound odd, but I did run into you boyfriend near Camp Golf. He was looking for you."
Chloe was surprised. "You sure?"
"Yeah, dark hair, blue eyes. There was a cut on his cheek, and he wore a mercenary outfit. He mentioned your name and a dog named Shadow."
"That is him! I wonder why he followed me. I told him I didn't want to go east. Maybe he decided against it too. I guess I will have to go search for him when I have the time."
"I'm sorry to hear about your father and everything else you had to go through, baby. It makes me feel even more like a fink knowing I just made things worse."
Chloe twitched her lips. "It's fine. I'm handling it a lot better than I thought I would."
She scratched at her bandage from insecurity. Her light touch didn't take much to tear it enough to fall open. She gathered up the useless bandages, feeling along her scalp to see if she could feel the damage. Benny got to his feet, walking over to her. He pulled her to her feet, taking the bandages from her to toss away in a nearby trash bin. He led her to the bathroom, where they entered so she could look in the mirror.
On the hairline above her left eye, the scar was very much visible, and slightly came down onto her forehead just a bit. She had a thin area of hair, probably from the shot itself and from Doc Mitchell cleaning it up. It wasn't infected and was no longer bruised. Chloe had to force her bangs over so they would cover it. She was lucky it wasn't worse than that.
"You do have a thick skull," Benny said, cupping her face with one hand and smoothing his other over the scar gently. "You hardly have any damage. The bullet didn't scatter, but it didn't even pass all the way through."
Chloe reached into her pocket, pulling out the bullet that Doc Mitchell had retrieved from her skull. Benny took it curiously to look at it before handing it back over, their bodies remaining only inches apart.
"Doc Mitchell was surprised too. I just had a few minor side effects while it was healing, so I was definitely lucky."
"You're more than lucky, baby. Maybe you should try your hand at some gambling," Benny chuckled.
She smiled as they walked out of the bathroom together back into the living room of the suite. Just as they were nearing the sofas, and Chloe was thinking it was about time to leave to get back to the Lucky 38 and rest, the phone on a stand near the bar started going off. Benny glanced at Chloe for a moment, and then went to answer it. Chloe waited patiently, making sure to watch Benny closely.
"What's the haps?" Benny asked into the phone. There was a pause as he listened to the person on the other side. Chloe assumed it was Swank. "You don't say? Alright, we'll be right down."
Benny hung up the phone, turning to Chloe with a look that perked her interest. She walked around the sofa to approach him curiously.
"What's happening?"
"A bear flag boy is down in my lobby looking for you. Says a couple of your friends by the names of Craig Boone and Rose something Cassidy are in the jailhouse down by the NCR Embassy."
"What? I leave them alone for a couple of hours and they get themselves thrown in jail?" Chloe sighed, rubbing her brow. "Well, at least I know better not to blame Boone. I'm sure Cass got them into this situation."
"I'm sure he is here to collect their bail from you," Benny said, opening the front door for her.
Chloe passed him, pausing only to let Benny lock his door and get in line with her to head down to the front lobby. It was easy to spot the three NCR soldiers waiting near the front entrance of the Tops. Swank and Martin were hanging around, waiting for them to show up. The lead NCR soldier seemed to spot her right away just as they were reaching the group.
"Chloe Maye?" he inquired.
"That's me."
"Thank you. I'm Lieutenant Harnes, ma'am. I am here because two of your friends, a Mr. Craig Boone, and a Miss Rose of Sharon Cassidy have wound up in the jailhouse because of a disruption at Gomorrah. Those two, along with four Viper gang members have been arrested on the account. I hear they are lucky, however, because it was reported that the Omertas killed three Vipers just before the fight was broken up. Anyways, they sent me to find you saying that you could pay their bail. Their bail is set at five hundred caps each."
"I don't have a thousand caps! I was barely able to get through the Gate and that's only because we had a VIP pass! I can't pay that! I'm sure they didn't start the fight. How can you arrest them if they were acting out of defense? That isn't right!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Maye, but if you do not pay their bail, then they will have to serve their sentence, which is eight days."
"I can't believe this. Can I go talk to them?" Chloe asked.
"Of course."
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Benny said, holding up a palm. "How much did you need?"
"A thousand," Harnes answered simply.
Benny turned to his older brother. "Well, you heard the cat, dig? Give him a grand of caps, pronto!"
Swank nodded, glancing at Chloe before heading around the other side of the front desk to gather the money. Chloe started shaking her head at Benny, who quickly started syncing head nods to her head shakes.
"No, no, you can't."
"But I just did, babe! Stop fretting. It's the least I can do for you, pussycat. We're working together now, aren't we?"
She watched Swank come back over, handing a sack of caps. "I know, but-"
"It takes two to tango, pussycat," Benny chuckled at her, and then he quickly turned to the NCR soldier. "Is that enough, bear boy?"
"Yes, thank you. I am very sorry about the inconvenience, but it is just a part in the treaty we signed with Mr. House. We even punish our own soldiers this way, and that is the only reason Boone is still in his cell."
Benny rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure you're sorry." The Chairmen leader then turned to Chloe. "Don't you worry about a thing, baby. The Ben-Man's got your back. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."
He kissed her scar, and then turned and left on his own. Chloe stared after him for a moment, before following the NCR soldiers out of the Tops Hotel and Casino to head for the NCR Embassy and jailhouse.
Chloe shook her head at the sight in the jailhouse. Cass and Boone were in different cells, with a soldier sitting at a desk doing paperwork watching over them and the rest of the Vipers. Boone was venting in the corner, glaring across his cell at Cass, who was busy playing with a small, red bouncy ball. The few Vipers that were in their own cells were moaning and groaning. There was one with a busted nose with blood all over his face.
"Mr. Boone, Miss Cassidy, you two are free to go. Miss Maye had your bail paid for," Lieutenant Harnes said after nodding to the NCR guard.
The NCR guard moved to unlock their cells. Boone was up on his feet, ready to get out of there. Cass put her ball up and walked over to the door. She grinned at Chloe, waving at her.
"I knew you would come through for us!"
"It's her fault before you ask," Boone grumbled.
Cass glared at the sniper. "Fuck, will you just let it go? I said I was sorry."
Chloe sighed, though she couldn't help the smile as her two friends came over to her. Harnes nodded to her as the NCR guard slid the now empty cells closed once more.
"I'm sorry things turned out this way. Just remember to stay out of trouble next time."
He turned and left, leaving Chloe to shake her head at Boone and Cass. They went to leave, receiving dirty glares from the Vipers. Cass tapped on the cell with the Viper that had a busted nose. She had a smug smile on her face and waved at him.
"I hope your mother will still love you after this, cuz you were fucking hideous before I popped you in the face, now it's even worse."
He ran at the cell, yelling a nasty name at the caravan woman. Cass stepped just a few inches back, allowing the Viper to slam into the bars and yell at her. Her grin only seemed to widen, and she was about to say more when the NCR guard snapped at them.
"Hey, stop antagonizing the prisoners! Get out of here, will ya?"
Boone grabbed Cass by the arm, dragging her out of there with Chloe picking up the heel. Once outside the jailhouse, the three headed back to the Lucky 38. On their stroll, Chloe wanted to know the story on what happened, so Boone and Cass told her in between various bickering between them.
"So, how were you able to bail us out? Boone and I know better that you had enough caps! What did you do, show him your boobs?"
"I think her standards are a bit higher than yours, Cass," Boone snorted.
"No one asked you!"
"Alright, you two! Sheesh! Actually, Benny paid the bail for me."
Cass gave her a wild look. "The asshole you were supposed to kill because he shot you in the face?"
"Yep. Him."
"Why didn't you kill his ass? C'mon, let's go to Tops so you can finish the job!"
"No!"
They paused, looking surprised. Boone didn't show it as much, but his eyebrow sure did raise curiously at her outburst. Cass was suspicious. She glared over at the flashing neon signs outside the Tops back to Chloe.
"Oh my God, you slept with him, didn't you?"
"W-what? I did not, Cass! We only talked!"
"Why the hell would you want to sit down and talk with the guy who shot you in the head and left you for dead? Please explain it to me."
"She does have a point," Boone mumbled, studying Chloe closely.
Chloe heaved a long sigh. She rubbed her forehead in thought, trying to think of her words carefully. It frustrated her, because she really didn't know herself.
"I…I really don't know."
"That's just great," Cass said, tossing her arms. "You know how much danger you put yourself in? He could've killed you, Chloe! And if he is acting like a gentleman it is just to pull you in. Don't fall for his tricks, his nickname is the Fox remember?"
"I know, it's just-"
"I'm gonna go in there and give that bastard a piece of my mind!"
Cass started storming that way, but Boone quickly caught her arm and pulled her back. "Bad idea."
"Look, I'm not a kid! I know how to take care of myself. Just…let me handle my business with Benny. If I get my ass killed, then you can go kill him for me. Alright?"
Cass and Boone seemed unsure, but both of them finally nodded slowly at her. After a moment of awkward silence, with drunken soldiers and rowdy gamblers walking all over the main street of the Strip, the three headed back to the Lucky 38 to get some rest. All the while, Chloe's mind was pulsing with thoughts on what she was going to do.
Chloe was not surprised that House had no new information for her the following morning. He refused to give her anything she could rely on. The photo of him on the monitor screen stared at her just as seriously as the last time. In the end, Chloe ended up making up the story that she was pretending to get close to Benny to get the Platinum Chip back. A way she explained to him as being safer, as well as sneakier. Mr. House didn't sound too thrilled of her taking on the more subtle approach to seduce Benny and get the Chip, only because he would have to wait longer, but he didn't object. She could only hope that he believed her story as well.
This also led her to tell House to make sure and hide the fact that he knows what Benny is up to. Chloe wanted to get Benny to go to the meeting tonight between House and the Three Families, so she could get a better perspective on what she was dealing with. The Las Vegas Boulevard Building held the monorail for NCR soldiers to have a quick way to go back and forth between the Strip and Camp McCarran without having to go through Freeside. It was where the Families held their meetings because not only was it on neutral ground, but the surrounding NCR soldiers and Securitrons on watch would further keep the risk of a fight breaking out.
Before she left, House had one last thing to say to her. A Securitron brought up a box of old Pre-War devices that were small, slick and looked like a phone. Chloe had no idea what they were until House explained to her on screen.
"These are cellular devices, cell phones. A wireless form of the average telephone you see in the Wasteland. They were common before the Great War as a way to keep in contact with people. Since you and your friends are working for me now, I thought it would be a good idea to have my Securitrons fix some of the towers all over New Vegas to allow you to use these, if ever you and your friends need to split up. This will help you be able to call them if you need anything. Now, there is one here for each of your friends with their own numbers already installed on the device. Please use them wisely."
Needless to say, Chloe was surprised. She thanked the autocrat for his gift and left to go give each of the others their own cell phone. Everyone but Rex and ED-E received one, though Chloe figured the cyber-dog and robot would be sticking with her most of the time anyway. Victor and Raul were nice enough to show them how the cell phones worked. Lily was just giddy over it, as Chloe assumed the small, sleek wireless phone brought back many human memories for the Nightkin. The courier was also afraid the Nightkin was going to crush her cell phone in those giant fists of hers.
They all had lunch down in the lounge on the first floor of the Lucky 38, laughing and in no hurry to head out to do their own things. Chloe made sure to tell them that if they were going to go to the Tops that Benny was off limits so she could deal with him. It seemed mostly everyone wanted to check out the Ultra-Luxe today. Chloe made sure to remind Cass that until they made more money, getting thrown in jail meant staying in jail. Chloe told Cass and Boone that she was lucky that Benny even paid for them to get out.
"If you are trying to get me to go into the Tops and thank him then you're out of your fucking mind, hussy!" Cass snapped.
"You're not allowed within ten miles of Benny because I know you too well."
Cass chuckled. "Alright, alright. Fine. If it makes you feel better, I think I am gonna head out of the city to go search for some caravans that were supposedly ambushed and destroyed like mine was. I want to go check them out, see if I can find any clues."
Chloe was surprised. "Alone?"
"Oh, don't give me that look, Chloe. I'll be fine. I like how you act like the mother of this group yet you are the youngest one here."
"Don't listen to her, boss. At least you act your age," Raul chuckled. The ghoul had a toothy grin on his face as Cass glared at him.
Veronica had snorted to cover up some chuckles, right into her spoonful of beans. Cass was finished with her meal, and was getting up to leave. She checked her weapons and supplies before she headed for the door.
"Alright, I'm gone. Call me on the stupid shell phone if you need me."
"It's a cell phone," Raul corrected.
"Whatever!"
The caravan driver left the VIP lounge downstairs to the open first floor. The few Securitrons guarding the main floor casino watched Cass as she went to the front door and left. The closing of the door echoed across the whole first floor, and even rattled a crooked picture hanging on the wall in the VIP lounge. Bing Crosby was playing on the nearby radio, but soon the mysterious radio voice, Mr. New Vegas, was talking about various news across the Mojave Wasteland. Chloe glanced to the silent Boone.
He heaved a sigh, getting up and finishing his bottled water. "You owe me big time for this."
"I'll make it up to you, I promise! Take ED-E with you!"
The Eyebot beeped upon hearing its name, gliding over to Chloe with interest. Chloe told ED-E to go with Boone and to listen to his orders. The robot made a noise that made it sound disappointed or sad, so Chloe patted ED-E on its face and watched it follow Boone to go after Cass.
Chloe looked around the first floor of the Lucky 38. The lighting was dim for a casino. She could tell it had been devoid of life since before the war. House and the Securitrons may have taken great care of the unique casino and hotel, but the cool, empty atmosphere was enough to almost unsettle Chloe. It almost seemed the place was haunted. Before the radio had been turned on, the place had given off such a disturbing echo, as if this place was forever frozen in time.
Chloe turned to Veronica, Raul, and Lily. "So, all three of you are going to the Ultra-Luxe?"
"Of course!" Veronica exclaimed. "We'll let you know how it is! I hear it is really, really fancy!"
"But they wear those creepy masks. Something not right about that," Raul added.
"It's just for theatrical purposes! We had the same kind of masks in our vault for acts we would put together!" Lily said hoarsely.
Chloe patted Rex on the head, just behind his brain case. "You ready, boy?"
"Ruff!"
"Good luck with Benny, alright? Try not to fall for his charm too fast!"
Chloe glared at the snickering Veronica. Veronica cleaned up their leftovers to throw away in the nearby trash bin. The old Mexican ghoul was up on his feet next, scratching his head and walking over to her.
"Be careful, alright boss? I'm with you no matter what you decide, just be sure to remember that Benny is dangerous. He's like a rattler in a pit…you are gonna have to step very lightly."
Chloe smiled softly, nodding at the ghoul and hugging him. "Thanks, Raul. Keep Veronica out of trouble."
"Hey! I happen to be a Brotherhood Scribe! I don't need watched over!"
Chloe was grabbed from behind and crushed to Lily's chest. "Be careful, pumpkin! Leo and I are gonna go with Veronica and Raul! If I find out that you've been hurt by that evil man, then Leo and I might just have to destroy and kill everyone!" Chloe laughed nervously after she was put back down, waving her arms and shaking her head. "No, no! That won't be needed! I'll be fine, Grandma!"
"I'm just gonna run upstairs to grab some stuff! Hold on! Good luck, Chloe!" Veronica said, heading for the elevator down from the VIP lounge.
"Thanks!"
"She can take her time. These old bones are in no hurry," Raul sighed.
Chloe and Rex headed out on their own. Outside on the main street of the Strip, the blazing hot sun was beating down already. The neon lights of the city were off from the daylight, making Vegas look not near as colorful as what it was at night. It was still just as crowded with travelers coming in, gamblers roaming about, along with NCR soldiers and Securitrons. Rex trotted at her side, panting from the heat. His ears and eyes were scanning all around them in utmost curiosity. His tail slightly wagged, though he seemed more like he was just looking out for trouble. They made their way towards the Tops.
Chloe thought she spotted a familiar face in the crowd. As she watched to see if she could catch a better glimpse, she wasn't watching where she was walking and slammed right into another person. She stumbled back a bit, but easily caught herself. The man she had bumped into wore a light gray suit very similar to the Chairmen, but she could easily tell he was not from their brood. A dark fedora was on his head, covering his brown hair. He gave her a glare with his icy green eyes.
"You need to watch where you're walking, girlie," he stated, tone thick with venom.
He was definitely not a Chairman with those looks and tone. Seeing as how he was heading for Gomorrah, Chloe figured out he was an Omerta, or at least an Omerta thug. She glared at the man just as Rex started to growl lowly, baring white teeth. His eyes never left the man.
"Excuse me? Who are you? It was just a simple accident."
The man snorted contemptuously. "Nero Omerta, chief of our original tribe, the Slither Kin, and owner of Gomorrah. And who are you, girlie?"
Oh great…
If Benny was the Fox of the Strip, then Chloe must have been facing the Wolf. There was something she did not like about him at all. It wasn't because of the way they bumped into each other or the way he was treating her. She saw real malice there in those eyes. There was intelligence there, but also a flare of something wild.
"Chloe. Chloe Maye."
"Wait a minute. Aren't you that broad that went into the Lucky 38 to see Not-At-Home?"
"Not-At-Home? Oh, you must mean House. Yeah, that's me."
Nero got a sly grin on his handsome face. "So, what's the top dog like?"
Chloe shrugged, trying to avoid saying much. "I didn't see him in the flesh and blood. Sorry. He showed himself to me on a monitor screen like he does with the Securitrons."
"Why ain't I surprised?" Nero snorted, folding his arms. "So tell me, doll face, why did you go to the Tops when you could've had a better time at my place?"
Chloe bit her tongue, faking a smile. "I had business with Benny."
She was aware that Rex was still growling with bared teeth. She tried to hush the cyber-dog, but he remained transfixed on the Omerta chief. Nero chuckled lowly, presumably at her words.
"Business, eh? And you're heading right back there again? Well run along then, girlie. Have fun hanging with a bunch of losers who think they are cool."
He slipped past her, avoiding Rex and heading for Gomorrah. Chloe watched Nero go, settling once Rex stopped growling. Sighing, she praised her dog and they continued on their way to the Tops.
When she entered into the hotel and casino, she was greeted by Swank. Chloe wondered if Rex was going to growl at anyone else. Shadow had been protective of her also, and could often smell people's deception. There were a few times the pit bull growled or bit someone who Chloe and her father had thought they could trust. They had come to know when to trust the dog if he growled at a stranger that came off as friendly or nonthreatening. Chloe hoped that Rex's little stunt with Nero meant that he would do the same. It made her wonder if he would growl at Benny or any of the Chairmen.
"Hello baby! Good to see ya!"
Chloe smiled warmly at Swank's charm. "Hey Swank! How are you doing?"
"Swell, baby, swell! And lookie what you got here! Hello Rex 'ol boy!"
Rex was wagging his tail like crazy, trotting up to Swank to get some petting. Swank bent down to pet the cyber-dog. Chloe smiled, relieved at Rex's laid-back, happy demeanor right now.
"You know him huh?"
Swank chuckled. "Yeah, the King's dog. We used to be in the same tribe. I went to visit him in Freeside a few times, and he had Rex with him. What're you doing with him?"
"The King gave him to me after I helped him get Rex a new brain. It was very sweet of him."
"Well, I am glad to here that, doll! Rex has needed a new brain for awhile. I'm glad you found him one!" Swank stood back up as Rex came back over to Chloe's side. "So, I take it you are here to see Benny again, hey?"
Chloe nodded.
"Go ahead and head up to his suite. He just went that way. I'll page him and let him know you are on your way up."
"Thanks, Swank!"
"No problem, doll!"
Chloe and Rex headed to the back of the casino floor, passing by many gamblers, NCR soldiers, and Chairmen. She took the elevator up to the thirteenth floor with the cyber-dog then stepped out when the doors dinged open. She paused outside the double doors to his suite, glancing down at Rex and wondering what he would do. She didn't want Benny to just up and shoot Rex or her if he decided to growl at his presence. Taking a deep breath, and making sure she was ready, she knocked on one of the double doors.
"It's open!"
She cautiously entered with Rex into the suite. Benny was sitting at his bar on one of the bar stools flipping through some paperwork. He glanced at her, and then his eyes went straight down to Rex, who started sniffing around curiously. The Chairmen leader put his paperwork aside, and slid off of the bar stool to come and greet her.
"I didn't know I allowed pets in my casino."
Chloe looked from Rex to Benny. "It should be no problem, considering you shot me in the head, right?"
"Sure, pussycat. And of course it is no problem seeing as it's 'ol Brain."
Benny whistled, which caused Rex to perk up quickly. His tail started wagging and the dog came straight to Benny. Benny petted the cyber-dog, who sat down and thumped his tail eagerly on the floor.
Chloe couldn't understand if she was surprised or not that her dog was not growling like he had with Nero. She looked to Benny, slightly smiling. "Brain?"
"That's what I call him. I know his name is Rex, dig? So, what are you doing with Joseph's dog anyway?"
"Joseph?"
"The King. I figured you two's were on a first name basis if ya had his dog. Guess I was wrong!"
"Well, he gave Rex to me after I helped him get Rex a new brain. So, he's mine now. It was very kind of the King to do that."
Benny stood up, studying her curiously while letting the cyber-dog go to sniff out the place. Benny chuckled, turning to go back over to the bar. "Joseph wouldn't just give Brain away to anyone. He must know you're a very special gal."
Chloe slightly rolled her eyes, knowing Benny was probably trying to charm her with his words already, and she hadn't been in the room for five minutes. She followed the chief over to the bar, glancing at Rex to see that the dog looked content in the suite.
"I made up a story to tell House to throw him off for now. Hopefully, he believed it. I told him I was trying to seduce you to get the Platinum Chip."
Benny smirked at her. "Baby, I dig the way you think. We could role-play if you really want to convince him, hey?"
Chloe heaved a sigh, slightly glaring at him and putting her hands on her hips. "Focus. Now, I told him you had no idea that he was on to you. This will enable us to go to the meeting tonight between the Families and House."
Benny looked disappointed, maybe even a little annoyed. "Pussycat, I got myself outta that very same meeting just so I wouldn't have to deal with those losers. It's just a session where we can all tell each other how much we hate each other. We ain't gonna miss anything important."
"I want to see how the Three Families act around each other. Do you want my help or not?"
"Alright, alright. I get it."
Chloe nodded, reveling in her small victory. "Good, then we are going to the meeting."
"You drive a hard bargain, babe. But really, all you're gonna get from that meeting is a big fat headache, dig?"
"I'll remember that. Has Yes Man come up with anything new yet?"
Benny shrugged, digging out some Nuka-Colas from the refrigerator for them to drink. "Yes and no." He popped the caps open with a knife and handed her one.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean just that. He hasn't figured out a way to help us take care of House for good, but he finished decrypting many files so now we know exactly where to take the Chip."
"Where are we taking the Chip?"
"Beneath an old substation at Fortification Hill."
She choked on the cold Nuka-Cola he had given her. "The Fort? Why there? And why are you acting as though it isn't a big deal? That's where Caesar is located for crying out loud!"
Benny chuckled. "It'll be tough, baby. I ain't denying that. But I have already figured out a plan to sneak our way through."
"Sneak through a camp full of Legion soldiers? I'm dying to hear it," Chloe sighed, sitting down next to him at the bar. "Is this where your plan to kill me ends? You gonna find a way to expose me to Caesar?"
"Ouch," he said, smirking. "Baby, I thought we've been through this? I ain't gonna expose you. What, are you scared or something?"
Chloe lowered her eyes to the cold Nuka-Cola she was holding in her hands. "I've just had bad experiences with the Legion, that's all."
"Who hasn't?" Benny asked. There was a long moment of silence between them until the Chairmen leader turned to the courier. "Do ya really think your father is still alive?"
Chloe shrugged. "It's just kinda fishy on how everything went down at Falling Rock. It makes no sense on why they would take him when he was going to bleed out anyway. I highly doubt they would save him, but why would they take him?"
"What baffles me is why they went all the way to New Reno. Sounds like your father was stood up, baby. Do you think he could've been hiding something from you?"
Chloe flinched, slightly glaring at Benny. "My father wouldn't keep anything from me. It would be hard to anyway, we were always with each other."
"Well, I will tell you this, pussycat," Benny sighed, tossing Rex a piece of jerky. "If the Legion does decide to keep any men as slaves, it is just to use them as gladiators in the ring."
"Gladiators?" Chloe grunted.
"Fancy word for slave fighting, dig? It's like dog fighting, only worse. They can put them up against other male slaves and bet for the winner, or even throw in some wild animals. They have to kill to survive, and have to survive to maybe have a chance of being set free. Though, knowing that bastard Caesar, I doubt he'll let any winner have it."
"That's sick."
"It is, and I can't think of one person who would disagree. Caesar's Legion is the worst of the worst. And I can say this easily, even though we used to scalp people for giggles."
They got to their feet, Benny walking over to Rex to pet the cyber-dog while Chloe hesitated near the bar, taking in his words.
"I would hate to see what would happen if the Legion took over Hoover Dam. The Strip would be destroyed, along with everything else. The NCR is not much better, but they at least keep the Legion at bay. Hopefully, the Platinum Chip and House's little plan to clean everyone's clocks will prove to work."
Chloe took a few steps closer to Benny and Rex, but stopped. "Do you think the Legion would destroy the Strip?"
Benny chuckled at her, shaking his head. "Nah, just spruce it up with a crucifixion here and there. Come closer so I can step on you, babe."
She gave him a look. "That's not what I meant. I'm thinking they would turn it into another large fort, not tear it all down. I don't think they will gamble and keep all the neon lights, but you know they wouldn't just burn the Strip to the ground."
They decided to head into Benny's workshop to speak to Yes Man. The smiling Securitron waved at them happily in greeting. Rex barked at the robot, trotting over to sniff him curiously.
"Hello again! Chloe, you are looking very pretty today!" Yes Man exclaimed.
Chloe couldn't help but to smile at the Securitron's ever upbeat tone. "Thanks, Yes Man."
"Anything new since last night?" Benny asked.
"No siree! I've been decrypting Mr. House's signals for hours, and still no new information! I was hoping I could find some more information before you guys leave for Fortification Hill, but I do say that it seems that Mr. House has become much quieter lately. But seeing as how we are going to exploit Mr. House to gain control of the entire Strip, I wouldn't worry about it too much!" Yes Man paused in his happy words for a moment, the smiling face on his screen never moving. "Did I just say exploit? Wow, that isn't a very nice word."
Chloe bit her lip. I have no idea why I am getting myself into this mess, but I hope it's for a good reason…
Benny turned to her, a sly smile forming on his handsome face. "You know what the three of us are? We are the wild card, hey? House won't know what hit him 'til it's too late!"
"Wild cards that are gonna end up dead," Chloe said, crossing her arms.
Benny shook his head at her. "Baby, don't worry. I'm not done riggin' the odds for us. I won't roll the dice until that happens, hey?"
Benny, Chloe, and Rex left Yes Man to go back into the front of the suite. They sat down on the sofas opposite each other. "Pussycat, the meeting starts in a few hours. Let's go find you something formal!"
"Huh? Oh no, I don't do dresses and all that. I think I will be fine in my jeans and shirt and boots."
"You sure you wanna meet the other Families dressed like a mercenary?"
"I already met Nero. I highly doubt he is the kind of man I would want to dress up for."
Benny winced. "Oh, do I feel sorry for you, babe. He's the kind of guy I wouldn't wanna cross paths with in a dark alley if I were you."
"So I've noticed. Rex didn't like him at all."
Benny nodded. "Sure. For good reason. You know anything on the Slither Kin?"
Chloe shook her head.
"They had a nasty way of tricking people into their camps to kill them and take their stuff. They even took some as slaves. Some of those prostitutes you see hanging around their casino are good examples of that. Nero was the chief of that tribe, but really they aren't much farther from their roots even now. They replace their women constantly. Why? Because they drug them 'til their dead and I also hear they sell and trade women throughout the country."
"Then why don't they act like they are scared or anything? I'm sure the other prostitutes would know what was going on as well."
Benny leaned back on the sofa. "That's because Nero brainwashes them. He even uses the women from his own tribe, which goes to show you how much he actually gives a damn for anyone else. For you, honey, I would stay on his bad side. If you even get a feeling he becomes interested in you, that is when you need to be very careful."
Chloe felt sick inside. "I'll…remember that." She then looked at him curiously. "Speaking of which, where are all the women from your tribe? You haven't told me your story. Maybe now's a good time."
"That's a long story, pussycat."
"You said we had a few hours before the meeting. Should be long enough then."
Benny heaved a sigh, crossing one of his legs and rocking his foot up and down for a moment as he thought. Rex laid down by Chloe's feet, looking comfortable enough to take a nap. He withdrew a cigarette from the pack on the table and lit it.
"We were once called the Boot Riders, silly name, but that's how we rolled the Mojave, dig? On our feet. We were one of the few nomadic tribes around, and one of the most dangerous, so hardly anyone trifled with us. At one time Swank's father Sinatra ruled the tribe, then my father Cash took over. Swank and I share the same mother, as you already know. We had a sister too, well, my only full sister, his half-sister, younger than me by a few years. When I was a fifteen, many years after Cash had ruled, this guy named Bingo took over. He killed our mother in the process. We had many battles with the Great Khans and the Slither Kin, hence why we all hate each other so much, dig? So, by the time I was twenty that was when House first sent a Securitron to us. We were east of the ruins then, and we knocked it flat instantly. The next day, twenty rolled up, so we listened. House offered us everything that a tribe never gets…food, water, shelter, medical treatment. In turn we would run his business and defend the city. Most of the tribe thought we should say no, but I thought it was the best idea ever. I knew we had the panache to pull this off, but it all came down to the chief's decision. Of course, Bingo wanted to stay nomadic. Since I was quick to counter his reasons on why we should go with the offer, he was quick to challenge me to the knife for leadership. So, I took the challenge and killed him. And that's how I made chief. Even though I won the duel, some of the tribe thought I was still too young, even though I was Cash's son, especially the women. So almost all the women and older men and children of the tribe left on their own while the younger generation men and a few of the women and few of the older men stayed behind with me. House gave us the Tops to renovate, and gave us all suits, told us we were the Chairmen now. I told the others, the shoes fit, Ta-Ta to the old ways baby. Of course, old habits die hard, and of course it was our luck that he brought in Nero and his filthy pack of rats from Slither Kin to be our neighbors. I heard not long after we had finished renovating the Tops that the rest of our tribe had been wiped out by the Legion. So, now it's only us."
Chloe was surprised. "That's quite a story."
"It was a rough life, but what life isn't out in the Mojave Wasteland? The important thing is that my tribe's well taken care of and we're all happy now."
"I'm sorry to hear about your mother."
Benny shrugged, carefully hiding his emotions. "I got my revenge when I let 'ol Bingo bleed out slowly. He thought he was so tough, but really he was so slow. It was harder to accept her death than Cash's. A tribe leader is obligated to defend the tribe at all costs and so his death was a given against Bingo. However, our mother was innocent, and Bingo killed her for no reason at all, only because he had despised Sinatra and Cash."
"What happened to your sister? Did she leave with the others?"
Benny flinched, tensing a little. Chloe thought she had struck something within him, and began to think she had went too far.
"Nah, she came with us. But...she...disappeared."
Again, the suite was enveloped in silence after Benny's story. Chloe took a moment to let it all sink in. Benny checked the time across from her.
"I better head down to the main floor and take care of some business before the meeting."
Chloe got to her feet with him. "Yeah, I should go check on my friends. I'll meet you in the front lobby before we head over there."
Benny nodded. "Alright, baby. Swank will be comin' with us. I'll see you then."
Chloe got Rex up and they headed out of the Tops to go check on the others and get ready for the meeting between the Three Families in the LVB Building. For some reason, Benny's story was stuck in her head, making her want to think that he wasn't as bad as he came out to be on the surface.
A/N: I meant for this chapter to go all the way through the meeting, but realized it was already long enough. That's alright though, I think it will help out with the next chapter! So it seems that Benny and Chloe are slowly getting acquainted with working with each other! The meeting with the Three Families will prove to be very interesting...maybe even dangerous lol. I know Nero doesn't wear a fedora in the game, but I figured since he was outside, he may have just put one on lol. And so I decided to have the King's real name as Joseph. Is it a good fit? Lol, I hope! And I know Arcade hasn't been in for a couple of chapters, but don't worry he will be back lol! I'm thinking everyone will really like next chapter! ;) Thanks for reading and reviewing peeps! Ya'll are awesome!
A/N2: This chapter has been updated! Feb 2018