So, this chapter would have been posted earlier...but I revised it and revised it...hopefully I've caught all the errors. But even if it hasn't, I have faith that this chapter will be riveting enough. It's a long one...so brace yourself.
Cass tapped the bar, "Shot of whiskey, please."
"That all for you, sweetheart?" The bartender asked.
Cass nodded.
The bartender reached under the bar and withdrew a shot glass, then turned to the shelves behind him. He eyed the selection before finally settling on a bottle and poured her shot. He brought it to her and leaned across the bar.
"What brings you to the Tops?"
She downed the shot in a single, swift drink. "Another, please."
The bartender eyed her sympathetically.
"Getting wasted isn't going to make your problems go away, ya know…"
"Another."
With a sigh he filled her glass.
"Leave the bottle."
"Suit yourself, kid." He sat the bottle down and wandered down the bar, serving other customers.
Cass downed her tenth…twelfth?...shot of the night.
"Hey, baby doll. You owe me a drink."
Cass turned to a man in a red pinstripe suit. "Why?"
"When I saw you, I dropped mine."
"Save your words, ass hole," Cass spat at the man. "I'm in no mood to be hit on."
He sat at the bar next to her.
"Whoa, baby," he grinned. "Don't be so quick to judge. I've no ill intent. What I meant was…the last time I saw a woman drink like that, she needed a friend to talk to."
"I have enough friends, thank you very much."
"Do you? Cause I don't see any." The man tapped the bar and the bartender shuffled over to him.
"What can I get you?"
"Scotch, on the rocks. And get the young lady here something to snack on..."
"I can take care of myself."
"I'm sure you can, baby cakes. But free is always good, you dig?"
Cass shrugged.
"Anything in particular? Let me guess…you're a trail mix kinda girl…"
Cass shrugged.
"You have trail blazer written all over you, sweetheart."
She fought back a smile.
"Hop to it, daddy-o. I'm not getting any younger."
The bartender poured his drink and scurried off.
"So what's on your mind, doll? Gotta be some reason you're knocking back enough hard alcohol to power a Repconn rocket."
Cass felt a lump gathering in her throat…the more she thought about him the more she wanted to punish him. To punish herself. "I'd really rather not talk about it."
"Some would be cool-cat treating you wrong? Pretty thing like you…you'll kick back. Ain't nothin' in the world slow you down."
Again, she shrugged.
"I've never had much luck on that playing field either, ya know?" The man took a breath. "Hell, last swing I had was with some broad I had working on a piece of tech I have stowed away. We'd done a bit of drinking, see? She regretted it soon after…"
Cass frowned. "I get drunk enough, I don't care who I end up in bed with."
"That an invitation, sweetheart? Cause a man would have to be insane to turn down that face. If I had a cap every time I saw someone as beautiful as you, I'd have one cap."
Cass smiled despite herself. The man had a certain swagger about him…even if we was an insufferable ass.
The bartender returned with the trail mix, sitting it before Cass. She picked through it.
"So tell me…is this conversation going to go anywhere or am I going to have to lie to my boys?"
She awoke in a room she didn't recognize next to a man she could barely remember meeting. He smiled at her, genuinely, and pulled the cover up over her. "Can I get you anything, doll?"
"What time is it?"
"Almost three…you were pretty out of it. Seriously though…anything at all? Breakfast in bed? I own the joint…so the sky's the limit."
"You…own the joint?"
The man smiled. "Yeah, love." He stood and made his way to a nearby set of wardrobes and pulled out a suit…a white and black checkered suit.
Cass felt her stomach sink. "Oh…shit." She scrambled to her feet. "I have somewhere I have to be…"
The man smiled at her. "Please. Allow me the pleasure of walking you out."
Six stretched out and watched the matron of the Thorn dress herself. He found himself admiring her beauty all over again.
"In a rush?" He gave the bed next to him a pat.
Red Lucy smiled. "The Thorn waits for no one, Hunter."
"Not even for me?"
"Not even for you," She cooed. "You can see yourself out, can't you?"
"I think I can manage. We'll have to do this again sometime."
Red Lucy chuckled softly. "You were good, Hunter. But I never bed the same beast twice…" She slipped the weathered duster over her shoulders. "On the dresser...the camouflaged shotgun? Consider it a parting gift. Farewell, Hunter."
Six raised a brow as the woman left him in the room. "Well…" he muttered under his breath. "That's what it feels like to be on the other side of that fence." His mouth curled into a frown. "Hm…"
Outside the Thorn, the sun was rising into the sky…it was still early. He began the long trek back to McCarran…no sense in walking to Vegas when McCarran had a perfectly good monorail.
It was late in the afternoon before he was back on the Strip. With a yawn, he wandered out onto the balcony of the Vegas Boulevard Station. He found himself looking at the Tops…"Kinda looks like a…big…toilet bowl…" he thought out loud.
He began down the station stairs and towards the Lucky 38…something caught his eye. Coming out of the Tops at a leisure stroll was a familiar face.
"Fancy meeting you here," a distinct English accent filled the air.
"Dean," Six smiled. "Made it to Vegas in one piece, I see."
"Yeah…not all it's chalked up to be. Pre-war…this place…" Dean laughed. "You wouldn't believe."
"I'll take your word for it. What brings you to the Strip?"
"Used to have my name in lights…a star on the walk of fame. Time to recapture some of that glory…"
"I take it you're an act at the Tops now?
"An? No. The act, old chap."
"I'm looking to make a name at the Tops myself…as soon as the big cheese gets back, I aim to negotiate my contract."
"Gets back? Cheeky bastard watched my act the other night. Gave the theater director hell."
"Is that so?" Six thoughtfully stroked his chin.
"Well, if you'll excuse me old boy…I'm headed to the Gomorrah."
Six raised a brow.
"I still have…needs." Dean cast him a wry grin, slipped his shades on and sauntered towards the Gomorrah.
Though he had to admit he could have gone without that image, he decided to set his sights on the Tops. Six briskly walked towards the casino. He casually pushed the door open and stepped inside. Swank greeted him with a plastic smile. "Hey hey!" Swank pushed past the door guards to personally welcome Six into the casino. "How's it swinging, daddy-o?"
"Cut the shit," Six spat. "I know he…"
Then he saw him. Benny…trotting around the stairs, flame under his arm. A flame that Six recognized…
Cass.
"Mother…" Six started towards Benny. Swank attempted to step between them.
"Whoa whoa! I'm gonna have to confisca…"
But Six pushed him aside, sending him toppling over the counter.
Benny's eyes widened when he saw Six approaching.
"What in the goddamn…" Benny's arm fell off of Cass and he slinked behind his armed guards. "We gotta problem boys!"
Six stepped towards him, index finger jabbing the air in front of him.
"You and I are going to have some words…"
Cass's stomach coiled…she wasn't sure who he was talking to…Six wasn't sure who he was talking to either. The tension was thick between them…not a soul on the planet couldn't feel it.
Benny broke the uncomfortable silence. "Hello! Let's keep this on the groove, baby…real smooth like. The guy that went into the Lucky 38…that was you?"
Six's eyes were ablaze. He didn't answer.
"How are you even still standing?"
"Let's chalk it up to luck."
"Luck is for losers, baby…someone pulled the strings. House?"
Again, Six held his tongue.
"So House was on me from the word 'Go'?" Benny cursed under his breath. "I thought I was flying under the old man's radar…"
"He wants the chip, Benny."
"Ease off the gas, pally. Possession is nine-tenths of the law! The chip belongs in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing with it."
Six shrugged. "I couldn't give a rat's ass about the chip, Benny. I want you dead."
Benny smiled. "Baby, you didn't come here for vengeance! Else you'd be shooting already! You came to get clued in!"
"No," Six shook his head. "I'm pretty certain I came to mount your head on my wall."
"Please, listen pal. This is how it is…See these men? They're called body guards…and everyone one of them is packing. Me too…" Benny pulled open his jacket, flashing a familiar silver pistol. "So baby makes five. Add to that every Chairman in this joint is armed…I don't care how lucky you are, you're not going to walk out of here alive."
"That might be the case…but I'd get a shot off on you before they took me down. And, unlike you, I won't miss."
"I hit what I was aiming for…looks like you had some brains to spare. Anyway…you've got a crazy drop on me here baby, that's for sure. If killing me is what you came for…this would be the time to do it. But baby…" Benny opened his arms wide. "You'd be disappointing me."
Six found his hand resting on his magnum.
Benny's smile turned into a frown. "Look…I don't want to have to play the bad guy here. Honestly…I'll sleep much better at night knowing you're alive. I felt bad about that…I really did…" He withdrew his 9mm and buried under Cass's chin. "But I gotta plan…see? And I'm not about to let some blood-thirsty mongrel sink this ship."
Six scowled. "Leave her out of this…this is between you and me."
"I can't do that baby, and you know it. There's a lot at stake here…a lot of angles to this caper, and complexities a plenty. But the comps are sweet and there is plenty enough for the both of us. What say you and me cash out? Go somewhere more private like…hell, I'll comp you the presidential suite. Give you a taste of the VIP lifestyle. Any questions you got…I'm the man with the plan, baby."
"What?"
"You heard me. You help me and before long the Chairmen will rule all of Vegas, dig? And we'll have the muscle to back it up. You'll get a sweet juicy cut of the action. I could use a man like you…for special missions, you dig? And I'd take this deal quick…" Benny pressed the pistol hard against her throat. "Cause it's not gonna be on the table long, and it's certainly better than the alternative."
Six let out a long breath, he was practically boiling. Finally he spoke, "What'd you have in mind?"
"Jackpot, baby! I knew we'd see eye to eye! Let's take this to the presidential suite. But…uh…first," he nodded to Swank. "Confiscate his weapons."
Benny and his goons escorted Six and Cass to the presidential suite. Benny stopped at the elevator. "Now look…I'm going to mosey around here for a bit. Make it like everything is business-as-usual. Then I'll head on up and we'll have a chat…"
Three of the armed guards nudged Six and Cass onto the elevator. It shut with a ding behind them. Benny turned to the remaining guard. "Listen…go get yourself a burp gun. Silenced, right? When I'm out of here, you put that cat on his back. For good."
They found themselves in a locked bedroom within the presidential suite. Six paced the floor back and forth.
Cass sat quietly on the bed.
"What the hell were you doing here? With him of all people?"
Cass swallowed. "I didn't know…"
"What? That he was the one who fucking shot me? Was he going to send you to finish the fucking job?"
"No…"
"So what? You just saw him in the club and decided he'd be a good fuck?"
"No…"
"Please then. Enlighten me! Tell me what the fuck you were thinking!"
"I wasn't…"
"You're goddamn right you weren't. He could have fucking killed you out there! They're probably going to kill us…I could have put an end to all of this!"
Cass felt herself snap. "And then what?! You heard him. Those men would have mowed you down on the spot!"
"But this would have been over!"
"Is that what you want? Fuck the rest of the world as long as your goddamn quest for vengeance is fucking fulfilled!" Her breathing became erratic, bordering sobs. "Who gives a shit about everyone else, right?"
Six shook his head. "You know I'm not…"
"Bullshit! What the hell are you turning into? Huh? Where the hell is this hostility coming from?" Cass threw her arms up. "It sure as hell wasn't there when I met you at the Outpost! Or was it? Was it just some big fucking ploy?"
"No…I…"
"Got nothing to say now?" Cass scowled, shaking her head. "Fuck you, Six! I'm done!" She sat back on the bed, head buried in her palms. "I'm done."
Six wanted to reach out to her…but something caught his attention. Outside he heard the distinct, muffled sound of silenced gunfire. He stepped towards the door…a pool of blood seeped under it.
He reached for the knob…
It opened. One of Benny's guards stood with a silenced .22 sub-machinegun. Six instinctively stepped back, blocking Cass from view.
"You have naught to fear, courier."
Six eyed the man carefully.
"I am Alerio…of Ceasar's Legion."
"I'm supposed to be happy about that?"
"Yes. To show gratitude to the mighty Caesar for bestowing upon you the exceptional gift of his mark would be wise. My Lord requires your presence at his camp."
"I've got no interest…"
"Actually, you do. The man that you seek, Benny…has fled the Strip. And is likely making haste for Caesar's camp as we speak."
"Why the hell would he be going there?"
Alerio grinned. "The chip. There are two places that share the engraving. One is the Lucky 38…the other is a terminal in my Lord's camp on Fortification Hill."
"Aren't you Benny's guard? Why are you telling me this?"
"The mighty eyes of Caesar have been on you for a long time. I was instructed to await your arrival on the Strip…to ensure your safety, if necessary."
"And my gear?"
"I've made the necessary arrangements to have it returned to you…Seek a man calling himself Mr. Holdout near the Gomorrah. He has your gear."
Six quietly grasped Cass's hand, hesitantly leading her around the strange man. When they were on the elevator, Cass spoke.
"What are you going to do now?"
"First, I'm getting you the hell away from that Legion fuck…then I'm going after Benny."
Cass swallowed. "What will you do when you find him?"
"Whatever I have to."
"By order of Caesar, all visitors must disarm and relinquish contraband upon entry into Fortification Hill."
"…I was invited here."
"If you come in peace, then there is no reason to remain armed. You will not be harmed unless Caesar wills it."
Six quietly tucked his magnum into is trousers, under his duster. Then reached the gatekeeper his rifle and holorifle.
"All alcohol and chems – including stims – are strictly forbidden on the premises."
"You're kidding? I'm not carrying alcohol, and I don't use chems…but I need my stims. I suffered massive head trauma a while back."
"You're the courier that was shot by the profligate at Goodsprings?"
"The same."
"I know not why Caesar would wish to speak with a whelp who allowed himself to be so seriously wounded. I will allow you this exception. Be warned, you may be blessed with Caesar's mark…but if you attempt to share your medicine with anyone in the fort, you will be crucified."
"Understood."
"Caesar awaits you in his tent. Dale Barton will show you the way. You will be permitted to leave only after you speak with Caesar. Your belongings will be returned to you once you depart."
Six nodded to the man and turned to who he presumed to be Dale. The cheerful mustached man smiled at him. "Please, follow me."
Six fell into line behind him.
"So, you're the visitor the Legionnaires have been anticipating?" Dale began, "What brings you to Fortification Hill?"
"Came to speak with Caesar…"
"Ah. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him. Crossed paths with his Legate a while back."
"Legate?"
"Yeah, his second-in-command. Lanius is his name. The encounter was…unpleasant to say the least."
"Why's that?"
"He killed one of my pack brahmin simply because it was in his way."
"You're a trader? Part of the Crimson Caravan?"
"No, sir. I'm an independent trader out from Arizona."
"Do you do a lot of trading with the Legion?"
"They're my best customers. As long as you don't try to sell chems or alcohol in their territory, they'll treat you fair. Keep their roads protected, a helluva lot better than the NCR do. Most of the time I don't even have to travel with guards. And your profits are yours. They don't tax. That's Caesar's tent…" Dale pointed towards a tent in the middle of the encampment.
"Thanks for the escort, Mr. Barton."
"Please," Dale tipped his hat. "Call me Dale."
"So. Here we are. I finally get to meet the courier who's accomplished so much…caused quite a stir up on the Strip. You're ambitious, aren't you?"
"I guess you could say that."
"And you've directed those ambitions towards helping the NCR. Now you stand before me…a man feared for good reason…after assisting my enemy? Are you stupid?"
Six narrowed his eyes. "You guaranteed my safety."
"And you believed that? Really? Really? Because now I'm going to have my Praetorian hack you to pieces with their machetes for my amusement."
Six felt his hand sliding towards his pistol.
Caesar abruptly started laughing. Hard enough to bring tears to his eyes. He turned to an aged man with salt and pepper hair and a matching beard standing at his side. "Did you see his face?" Then, back to Six. "Relax. I'm fucking with you. Do you know why I summoned you here?"
"I have no clue."
"A man nearly kills you…and your response is to track him across the entire breadth of the Mojave? You arrive on the strip…waltz into the Lucky 38 – which has been closed to the public for as long as anyone can remember – like someone left you a key under the doormat. You find this dog, Benny…and he flees the strip, whimpering like a little pup? Tail between his legs…" Caesar smiled. "When you set your mind to something, you get results. I like that."
Six didn't respond.
"So, Six…" Caesar paused, "That is what you call yourself?"
"Yes."
"Here is what I'm prepared to offer you…Benny's life."
"And what do you want in exchange?"
Caesar smiled. "You have access to the Lucky 38. The time is fast approaching when my Legion will assault the great dam. Before that happens, I want House knocked out of the game. It seems to me that you're the only one who can make that happen."
"Why would I do that?"
"Simple…Benny is my prisoner…and I won't let you deal with him until you've dealt with me. But I'm not an unreasonable man. Let's just say that you also have an interest in House's death."
Six narrowed his brow, slightly tilting his head to the side.
"When I take the Dam, New Vegas will fall soon afterwards. Vegas will become the capital of my territory…transforming the Legion from a nomadic, mobile army into a standing military force that protects its citizens, and the power of its dictator. Undoubtedly, I'll need men of particular…talent. Power. Wealth. You do this for me, and I'll see to it that you and yours are taken care of for the rest of your days."
Six cast his eyes to the ground, then brought them back up and met Caesar's gaze. "You have a deal."
"Excellent. Now…as a show of good faith…what would you have me do with this piece of shit?" He motioned towards Benny. "A duel, perhaps? Maybe you'd like to just execute him?"
Six turned his sights on Benny. "Your gatekeeper…he mentioned something about crucifixion."
Caesar smiled.
"Don't do that, baby!" Benny pleaded. "Not crucifixion! I could be up there days before they finally do me in!"
"Well?"
Six didn't skip a beat. "Do it."
"Make it happen men."
"I want this crucifixion to be special…plant him overlooking the lake. So I can have a look from time to time."
Caesar responded with a light nod. "It will be so." The aged man at Caesar's side grabbed Benny by his collar and proceeded to drag him out of Caesar's tent. Caesar fell in line behind him. "Please, walk with me."
Six followed suit.
"I have to hand it to him. He was determined…used some kind of old world stealth device to get across the river in a legion longboat."
"A stealth boy?"
Caesar shrugged. "Your reliance on technology is a weakness. I have eyes and ears all over the Mojave. And they function well enough without stealth fields. And they don't get caught. The device…ultimately failed him, ran out of juice once he got here. But he was a clever little shit. Dressed up like a Legionary."
"How'd he get caught?"
"That's the funny thing. See…he went through all the trouble to disguise himself, but he didn't change his hairstyle. To go through all that effort…and fail because of vanity…" Caesar laughed.
"Do you have any idea why he came to the fort?"
Caesar reached into a pocket and withdrew the platinum chip. "He was carrying this. Any idea what it is?"
"No, but I know that it'll get me an audience with House."
Caesar placed the chip into Six's hand.
"It shares an engraving with a set of doors in an old building here within the Fort. Benny tried to sell me a story about the chip's purpose…but Lucius," He motioned to the man dragging Benny along the rocky path. "He has a way of coaxing the truth out of captives."
"So Benny told you what it was for?"
"More or less. And my bet is that it has something to do with that bunker. There are a set of doors in that bunker…they can't be blasted, drilled, or pried open. I know because, all of that, I've tried. My bet is that this is the key."
"And what's down there?"
"Take care of House. When you get back, we'll find out."
Lucius began to tie Benny to a cross – Benny sobbed and begged for mercy the entire time. Another man began digging a hole, precariously close to the edge. Lucius grabbed a hammer and a set of railroad spikes.
"No!" Six objected. He turned to Caesar. "I don't want to risk him bleeding to death or dying from infection. I want him up there for a long time. Keep the son of a bitch hydrated and fed."
Caesar smiled wide. "You are a sick fuck, aren't you?" He turned to Lucius, "You heard the man. Tie him to it."
Lucius did as he was told.
"So…Caesar's Legion. That's an interesting name…"
"Imperial Rome was the model for the Legion. I chose it because it was foreign…alien. I'd seen what had become of the NCR's attempts to emulate the culture of pre-war America. Corruption and infighting. Rome, on the other hand, was a highly militarized autocracy that effectively integrated the foreign cultures it conquered. Dedicating its citizens to something higher than themselves…to the very idea of Rome itself. In Rome I found a template for a society with the ability and desire to survive. One that could prevent mankind from destroying itself again by establishing a new Pax Romana."
"…A Pax what?"
"Romana…" Caesar sighed. "It's a nationalist, imperialist, totalitarian, homogenous culture that obliterates the identity of every group it conquers. A society that focuses on long-term stability. The individual has no value beyond his utility to the state, whether as an instrument of war or production."
"Right…" Six shrugged. "Politics must not be my thing."
"Then it'll serve us well that I'm leading the Legion and not you."
"You say you absorb societies, is that what you did with the tribes you've conquered in Arizona?"
"And in parts of Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico."
"What makes you think you can take on the NCR?"
"The NCR's demise is inevitable. It's Hegelian Dialectics."
"…What?"
Caesar grimaced. "It's a philosophical theory…the kind you might encounter if you took the time to pick up a book now and then."
"I'll pass, thanks."
"How can I put this basically enough? The fundamental premise is to view history as a sequence of dialectical conflicts…with each beginning with a proposition – or thesis if you will – which inherently contains its opposite, or antithesis. The resolution of the conflict between those two components creates a synthesis…leaving behind common ideas and elements of each society, while eliminating the flaws."
"If the Legion is the thesis…the NCR is the antithesis."
"Right. The NCR has all of the problems of the ancient Roman Republic. Greed, corruption, infighting, extreme bureaucracy…and, just as with the ancient republic, it is only natural that a military force should rise to conquer and transform the NCR into a military dictatorship."
"Synthesizing your cultures."
"Yes."
"But what if one of the elements left behind is the desire for a democracy? Elected leadership as to avoid oppression?"
"You think democracies eliminate oppression?" Caesar laughed. "Did you know that Tandi was president 52 years? Or that her father preceded her? Does that sound like a democracy to you? Because it sounds like a hereditary dictatorship to me. No, the people don't want to elect a leader."
"But wasn't she voted in?"
"Only because the council didn't dare oppose her. She was far too popular…she had the love of her people. It wouldn't have mattered if she'd been opposed, she'd retained her power. And as soon as she was gone, as soon as a true 'democracy' could be establish, the snakes reared their ugly heads. Democracy isn't the NCR's strength…it's their weakness. Officials are corrupt – accepting bribes from brahmin barons and landowners. Despite the detriment it causes their citizens. It's a society of high ranking officials comprising a loose conglomerate of individuals that look after themselves. No one cares about the greater good."
"And that's what you aim for? The greater good?"
Caesar gave a single, slow nod. "Exactly. The NCR is the most powerful foe my Legion has faced…and its also the only foe to which I am ideologically opposed. When I have taken New Vegas…when I have absorbed the NCR into the ranks of my Legion, we will see the end of corruption."
"Or the beginning of a long struggle for power by those who would have it for themselves. Even if you aim for the greatest good for your citizens, your heirs may not."
Caesar frowned. "One bridge at a time, courier." He nodded towards Benny. "For your viewing pleasure…maybe you want to talk to him?"
"That, I do." Six made his way to Benny.
"Try not to smile too wide, baby. You might break your face."
"It is a rather amusing situation."
"How about we have them string you up, and see if you still think so? How'd your meet and greet with baldie go?"
"He wants me to kill Mr. House."
"Why am I not surprised? So you're going to turn the Strip over to the Legion?"
"Maybe."
Benny laughed. "Might want to wait and get that little flame of yours to safety. Legion goes rolling in…the things I done to her are going to seem like a walk in the park."
Six's smile faded. "What did you say?"
"You heard me, fat cat. I made her moan six ways to Sunday. It's a good thing you had me strung up here…only thing to do now is recollect. And I reckon the only thing I'm going to be thinking about is making that fiery piece scream my name."
Six curled his hands into a fist. "You know, it's not too late for me to change my mind about crucifixion. I could kill you here and now."
Benny laughed. "You have me quaking in my boots. Those my choices? Slow death or execution? You can use my pistol, baby."
Six cast a glance over the cliff face. "Drowning's an option too…"
Benny's eyes widened. Six walked around behind the cross and delivered two fierce kicks into the wooden tie. The cross rocked forward. A surge of laughter bellowed from Caesar's lungs. He kicked again…nothing. He reared back for another, and a hand caught his shoulder. He turned to face a large, imposing man in golden armor and an ornate helmet.
"Amicus…" He extended a large blade. "Use this."
Six gratefully took the blade and wedged it under the cross. With all of his might he pushed the blade to the ground – the cross rocked from its position and toppled over the cliff. Six peered over the edge, listening to Benny's screams, until he heard a splash. Then, he turned back to the man…"Thanks."
The man nodded then turned his attention to Caesar. They conversed quietly for a moment, then Caesar turned his gaze upon Six.
"You have quite the temper. Benny's demise must give you a great deal of satisfaction…there's nothing like spilling the blood of an enemy. When House has been eliminated, come back to see me."
Boone and Raul waited on a raft in Lake Mead. They drifted quietly next to a long sunken ship.
"This is taking too long…"
"Boss says to wait."
Boone frowned. Then he heard it…the scream of a man as he plummeted down the cliff, a massive splash as the water parted.
"That's our cue…" Boone dove into the water.
Alright. We'll be taking a break from A Courier's tale for a while to start on Through Hardships and Sorrows! The prologue will be posted around Tuesday (hopefully). For those of you concerned with Six jumping from the main quest line to tackle Zion...I have an explanation for it. It will be revealed in the prologue, as we wrap up some loose strings.
On a side note, I played through quite a bit of the game today...getting dialogue, and thinking up ideas as to where I wanted to story to go. I've always had a mostly utilitarian ethic...so I really sympathize with Caesar. Yet, pretty much every time I play, I've trivially sided with the NCR or gone for Independence. I played through for Caesar once before, and once for House, but I never really paid attention to them. Now that I have...I have to say that I really agree with a lot of House's ideals. And even Caesar's goals are noble. It really is an ends vs means thing with him. Interesting stuff.
That's all for now. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I really like the way it turned out. Ciao.