8. Blue moon
Blue Moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a pray for
Someone I really could care for
Frank Sinatra
The spherical robot plays its message for the fifth time before Lt. Hayes orders it to stop playing. Luring the Powdergangers into an ambush is an unconventional idea, a tactic not necessarily in his repertoire. On the other hand, the NCR Rangers, back in Boulder City, also ambushed the Legion, definitively deciding the Battle of Hoover Dam. So if he owes explanations to Ranger Jackson of the Mojave Outpost afterwards, he could well justify himself. Wiping out an entire squad of Powdergangers, consequently securing Primm and retrieving that Sheriff Mayers, should give his career a substantial boost. Lt. Hayes sits down. That must involve this courier. Weeks of stalemate, then he shows up and shortly thereafter a robot comes flying in and transmits a proposed solution to this unfavorable stalemate. And knowing the Army of the Republic of New California as Lt. Hayes does, no reinforcements will be arriving anytime soon. The priority is clearly to fight the Legion. No, a better opportunity will not present itself. This isn't about Beagle, and Sheriff Mayers is just a nice perk. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the NCR military strength and decimate the ranks of the Powdergangers. Lt. Hayes instructs the robot to transmit his response. The garrison will participate in the ambush.
ED-E leaves the command tent and flies through the Army's tent city. The curious soldiers dodge the gleaming silver robot and eye it suspiciously. Behind ED-E, Lt. Hayes exits his tent and calls some non-commissioned officers to him. Commands are given and passed down the chain of command. ED-E hears nothing of all this and is already dashing towards the overpass. Undeterred, he buzzes over the ramshackle construction and hidden mines, flying on through the east side of town and approaching the casino Hotel Vikki & Vance. A sad reminder of the glamour and luxury of a civilization gone under. Now nothing more than a bastion of desperate survivors, face to face with the degeneration and barbarism of human nature.
I don't know how many times Johnson Nash tries to explain the rules of Caravan to me. I listen less with each attempt and my thoughts revolve solely around ED-E and the answer he will bring. I begin to understand the impatience with which one can sometimes wait for a courier. I also begin to understand where Primm Slimm gets his bumps. I've only been here two days and regularly have to restrain myself from rewiring his circuits with my 9mm. "At least his hat is reasonably fancy," I think, surprised at how easy I've become to get excited about.
"Mercury!" Johnsson calls me back from my daydreams. "It's your turn! One of your caravans has a value of 31, what does that mean to you?"
I am redeemed by ED-E who comes flying into the casino at that moment. "Always these robots saving my ass at the last second," I think and stand up.
ED-E lets out a greeting beep comes to a stop at our table.
Johnsson turns in his chair, "Let's hear it ED-E!"
"This is Lt. Hayes of the Army of the Republic of New California, 5th Battalion, 1st Company. I have received your message and intend to agree to your proposal. Send the robot to the correctional facility with the message that they will ransom Beagle and Mayers, 16,000 caps will be enough to draw the gang out. Expect our arrival tomorrow morning. The handover is to take place tomorrow at noon, the thugs should not be given an unnecessarily long time to think, let greed guide them. I'm counting on you not to say a word about the NCR. Lt. Hayes, Army of the Republic of New California, 5th Battalion, 1st Company - out."
ED-E helpfully jingles to indicate that the audio log has ended. Johnson Nash and I glance at each other. "So it begins," Nash says meaningfully, and sighs.
"Yeah.", I reply curtly. "We've got a lot of work to do. Let's record a message to the Powdergangers for ED-E and then make some preparations."
Tony knows perfectly well. Tony knows because he has it in his gut. And with his hunch, he knows he's right. He, knows that Sergeant Kilborn was with Rosie last night, and he knows that Kilborn will take her away one day. And then Tony is alone again. Alone with Mister Handy. How can you have a working Mister Handy and still be alone? Tony must be the only genius mechanic who gets no attention from women. Yet he got this machine to work all by himself. The many-armed robot is able to do any household chores automatically, quickly and thoroughly. Tony doesn't understand how this doesn't increase his market value - the woman at his side wouldn't have to lift a finger. But Tony hasn't found her yet. The woman who fills his house with life and his life with love. Tony hasn't found a woman who would answer yes when asked if she wanted to see his Mr. Handy. Mr. New Vegas from the radio always tells how important it is to be loved. Sometimes Tony wants to smash his radio, but he's a mechanic, Tony fixes things. Tony doesn't destroy them.
Tony can't fix Rosie and Rosie can't love Tony. But when Tony can afford Rosie once in a while, it feels like he, Tony is fixed for a moment. And that's better than nothing. Tony hates Mayor Steyn for letting the Powdergangers and Sergeant Kilborn see Rosie. But sometimes Tony gets to see Rosie, for free. Like a few days ago, when he got the old terminal back up and running. Maybe Mr. Fox wants to go to Rosie, too; Mr. Fox spends a lot of time with Mayor Steyn. Maybe Mr. Fox wants to buy the Rosie for good. Tony has heard that such a thing can be done. Slaves can be bought in the East, where the Legion rules. If Tony could buy a woman forever, his troubles would be over. Mr. Fox is supposedly from the East - maybe Tony can ask him.
Sheriff Mayers is sitting in his cell, waiting. He already doesn't know what for. First he waited for the evening, which is now here. Maybe he's waiting for the night, then he can wait for the morning. Maybe he waits for the next meal that is carelessly passed through the bars. Then he can wait for the next meal. Since his confinement, that's been the norm. Whenever Sheriff Mayers waits for something, it's only to wait for the next thing afterwards. He lets out a deep sigh and his gaze roams the cell. His gaze doesn't have to wander for long. Deputy Beagle lies on his cot and sleeps. Where does this guy get such calm and confidence? Is it naiveté? The fact that he previously lived in the comfortable protection of his brother-in-law? Or does Beagle know something Mayers doesn't? The sheriff leans against the wall, eyeing the deputy. Evening light seeps through the window and a cone of light, streaked with the shadow of the bars, falls on Deputy Beagle. He is still wearing his leather armor. Is he posturing for departure, or is he just a lucky bastard and a simpleton? Mayers can't figure out his cellmate and glances toward the barred door as a figure approaches it. The Powdergangers is obviously drunk as a skunk and is holding onto the bars.
"Hu, hu! You pretty ones! You know it yet?" he slurs.
Mayers stays against the wall and remains silent.
"They decided to pay for you! To really pay, and a lot too. And we haven't even made any demands yet, you're two golden boys! They want you tomorrow!" The powder man stops and stares at the ground. Maybe he has forgotten what he wanted to say. Maybe he forgot that he wanted to say anything at all, or who he was talking to in the first place. He takes a few small steps to the side and keeps his balance, thanks to the bars. Or maybe he's just enjoying the cold bars against his forehead.
Mayers decides to remain silent, although he has a whole catalog of questions ready. But the Powdergangers doesn't look like he's the best source of information, in case of doubt Mayers would only provoke him. No, Mayers will instead ask Beagle a few questions when he's awake. A wet clap startles on the sheriff and a translucent gush splashes through the barred door and into the cell. A puddle collects on the floor and spreads throughout the cell. The Powdergangers stirs again and wipes his mouth. He staggers to the back and looks irritatedly through the bars to the inside of the cell, obviously not aware of what he was doing here. Without a word, he leaves Mayers alone with his vomit and a sleeping Deputy Beagle.
The sheriff sits down on his cot and thinks. Tomorrow already? Now that's something else to wait for. "I guess I should sleep it off," Mayers mutters, and lies down.
I look through dirt. My mouth is full of dirt and sand cracks between my teeth. A metallic claw reaches through the layer of pebbles and dirt and encircles my right leg. A second claw grasps my torso and pulls me resolutely and gently from my grave. An electronic whirring accompanies me as I slowly see the light of day. I spit out earth and dirt, cough and spit and try to catch my breath. A spherical robot hovers above me. It wears a hat and a large screen is emblazoned on its front. From there, the angry, distorted face of a cartoonish cowboy flickers at me. My horror seems to trigger a reaction, because immediately a glitch flickers across the screen and the face looks friendly to me, as if changed.
"Do you. Already. Know. The Story of. The Forgetful. Courier? And his. Spectacular. Journey .Through the. Mojave? Old Victor. Had to. Have. A whole. Lot of. Patience."
Another glitch passes over the screen and the face reappears for a second as an angry grimace. Disappointed. Impatient. Angry. The image flickers again and switches back to the good-humored cowboy. Frank Sinatra is playing:
Blue moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a pray for
Someone I really could care for
"Reach for the stars, Mercury!" The robot cheerfully prompts me and I direct my gaze to the night sky. The starry sky above me is full of untouched beauty. In the middle of it a circular light. There shines, in the matte sheen of platinum, a round disk. No blue moon - a poker chip. I straighten up irritated, knock off the dust and look around. The flying robot has disappeared, leaving a single tire track. Next to me, my grave still gapes in the desert floor. Looking in, I see the bodies of Joe Cobb and Trudy, and the disturbingly mutilated body of Cheyenne.
I wake up in a cold sweat and look around frantically. Morning is dawning and I am in my sleeping quarters at Vikki & Vance. Still caught in confusion and disorientation, I fumble in my pocket and instinctively search for the 9mm bullet. My fingers catch hold and I clutch the projectile. Again, a calm and peace surrounds me. My breathing becomes calmer and I notice ED-E hovering next to me, beeping softly. Not too loud so as not to wake the others, I assume. I straighten up and walk slowly through the casino hall. The light of the dawn is already falling through the windows. Shortly, the NCR will arrive here and shortly after - The Powdergangers.
Lt. Hayes routinely orders the soldiers around. Morning has not long dawned, but his 30-man force is already on its feet and making ready to march off. The pioneers have already started clearing the mines on the bridge at daybreak. A shitty job, even as a qualified pioneer. Lt. Hayes establishes the order of march and gives the order to move out. The first company of the Fifth Battalion sets out and crosses the dilapidated overpass in small groups. On the other side, Lt. Hayes establishes a loose formation and the squad moves inland. The soldiers are tense and keep their eyes on the empty windows and deserted alleys even without orders. The general nervousness only subsides when the soldiers see two men standing in front of the Vikki & Vance Casino Hotel with the small robot from yesterday.
Johnson Nash and I see the company approaching, and I have to admit that it certainly makes an impression, thus equipped and in formation. At least in comparison to the tired bunch as which it presented itself to me at first.
"Lt Hayes, Army of the Republic of New California, 1st Company, 5th Battalion. The robot you are carrying leads me to believe that I received the audio log from you?"
"That's right!", I reply, taking the floor. Johnson Nash is here for completeness only. The cooperation with the Army and the consensual bloodbath are making him visibly uncomfortable. I continue, "The militia is in the casino hall, standing by. I suggest that we -"
"Thank you, that's enough!" Lt. Hayes interrupts me with a raised hand, clearly claiming supreme command. A true NCR officer, as he lives and breathes.
"Half of my soldiers will take up position in the abandoned Mojave Express office under the command of Sergeant McGee." The officer points across the street and to an abandoned office, labeled Mojave Express. "The other half will position themselves on the roof of the Vikki & Vance under my direction. Your so-called militia will hide in the casino itself and strike on command. What manpower are you offering?"
I look questioningly at Johnson Nash. He returns my gaze in surprise, then directs it at the big cheese in uniform.
„Well, there's Wilma, Roy, Selma, Harry -"
"How many people are they?", Lt. Hayes interrupts him harshly, visibly unnerved and incredulous at having to ask his question more simply.
"We, um, there's about a dozen of us. Bit more maybe." Nash's face wrinkles again and he starts counting with his fingers.
"Yeah yeah, that'll do as information, now remove yourselves!" Lt Hayes waves it off and turns back to me. "Your robot, can it fight?"
I look to the hovering robot. "Well, we haven't known each other long. ED-E, can you?"
ED-E plays a tinny tune from its speakers. A dramatic fanfare with march-like drums.
"He says yes," I tell LT. Hayes and can't help smirking.
The soldier looks at me with blank eyes and shakes his head. "Do you have any other relevant information, civilian?"
"No, I don't think so," I reply, finding myself back in the seriousness of the situation.
"Fine! You and Nash will meet up with the Powdergangers here on the street and simulate a hostage handover. I say you and Nash because it is your plan and you will appear to the Powdergangers as authentic contacts. The Powdergangers will want to see the caps first, caps that don't exist. You will ask the terrorists to come out with the hostages first. This will not seem unusual to them and will be our signal to open fire. In turn, the noise of battle will be the signal for the militia, all right?"
I nod.
Lt. Hayes turns to Nash, "Do you think Wilma, Roy, Selma, Harry, and Huey, Dewey and Louie can handle this?"
„Duck and Cover! - pun intended!" replies Nash retreating to the casino.
Lt. Hayes maintains his composure and commands his soldiers.
"Sergeant McGee, you heard him! Take your squad and plant yourself on the Mojave Express. We want to get off this road gradually. The rest of you come with me!"
The officer turns away from his company and heads toward the casino hall when he abruptly comes face to face with a protector wearing a cowboy hat.
"Howdy! Partner. Have you. Heard. The Story. Of. Vikki And Vance?"