There was a sleepy silence around the Presidential Suite of the Lucky 38. The occupants, all of them, were fast asleep. Several empty bottles of liquor littered the pool table, the sofa and the table of the games room. Several empty bottles were also scattered around the kitchen also. In the second bedroom a young Asian woman slept peacefully, her long hair was strewn over her face. In the two beds next to her were another two women. Both blondes and both were fast asleep. The youngest blonde stirred. She rolled over onto her side and slept on. Her blonde hair fell over her face and fluttered as he breathed deeply.
In the main bedroom was another woman. A young Asian woman, she too slept deeply like the other occupants. She was extremely pretty. Her long black hair covered the copper skin of her face. Her round eyes were closed tightly as she slept and her heart shaped mouth was open slightly. Fixed to the wall above her was a vault suit. It was inscribed with the number 101 in yellow on the blue leather. It took pride of place above her large, queen size bed.
The elevator bonged. The doors opened and a securitron with a cowboy face stood in the elevator. It wheeled out into the room and made a beeline for the largest bedroom where the young Asian girl was sleeping.
"Miss Kim," he called. "Miss Kim."
Kim stirred slightly as she heard her name. The robot was quiet before calling her name again.
"Miss Kim," he said once more.
Kim opened her round eyes. Her dark brown pupils dilated as they adjusted to the light. She looked up to see the robot looking over her.
"What is it Victor?" asked Kim.
"Boss is waiting for you upstairs so better hurry," he replied.
He then turned around and made his way to elevator. It bonged as the doors opened. He entered it as the doors closed.
Kim stirred sleepily. She looked over at the repaired alarm clock next to her. It read, '09:00'. She sighed and pulled the covers off of herself. She picked up a white shirt and a pair of slacks. She pulled them on over her underwear and slipped on a pair of boots. Kim made her way to the elevator and pushed the button. As she did so, the second Asian girl exited the second bedroom.
"Going on adventure without me?" she asked.
Kim smiled.
"No Sydney," she replied. "I have to go see the Boss. You guys go have some breakfast. I'll be down soon."
The doors opened. Kim entered the elevator and pressed the button.
The doors opened. Victor stood flanking the elevator as she exited. She walked carefully along the metal balcony that overlooked the home of former Mogul Robert House. She descended the stairs gracefully and approached the large computer screen.
"Ah Miss Kim," he said. "I'm so glad you could see me at such short notice."
"Anything for you Mr. House," she said politely.
"I notice that the Lucky 38's profits are up by a considerable amount," he began. "Over 200% I estimate."
"Yes," said Kim. "It's been a good year this year."
"I can see that putting you in charge was the right decision Miss CEO," he said.
"Thank you Mr. House," replied Kim in the same tone of politeness.
"Although," he said. "We do seem to be going through a lot of alcohol these past few days. You wouldn't happen to know why that is would you?"
Kim blushed.
"Sorry Mr. House," said Kim. "My friends and I were celebrating a successful year."
"I see," he said. "Well it seems that I may have to cut your celebrations short. I have a job for you Miss Kim."
"What is it Mr. House?" asked Kim.
"As I'm sure you know," he began in a business like tone. "The arch rivalry between China and the United States is the sole reason why our world looks like it does today. Perhaps of the former United States had been more accommodating, we could have enjoyed a longer period of prosperity. No matter, I can always pick up from where they never started."
"Your task is very simple," he said. "My sources tell me that just like us, China was also annihilated in the Great War and just like us are currently rebuilding. I want you to take this letter to their head of government, whoever that may be."
A sealed letter slid out of the slid in front of her.
"What does this letter contain?" asked Kim.
"It is a document of allegiance," replied House. "A treaty if you will. If we are ever going to return our world to its former glory we should start by making friends, even with those who we were once enemies with."
"What if the Chinese refuse?" asked Kim.
"They won't," said House. "The terms I have offered are very persuasive. Take this to their capital in Beijing and negotiate with them. If all goes well, you will be the first ambassador of International Relations in almost two centuries."
Kim smiled and took the letter. She turned it in her hands and something occurred to her.
"Mr. House," she began. "China is thousands of miles away. How am I supposed to get there?"
"Don't worry," he said. "I have already thought of that. You will hitch up with a caravan to San Francisco and speak to the Shi. They will provide you with a ship to China. I have arranged it with them, they know you are coming."
Kim nodded.
"I don't feel comfortable going by myself," she said. "I will feel better with someone watching my back."
"Very well," he said. "Take young Sydney with you. She seems pretty capable."
"Very good," said Kim. "Then I will let Cass and Veronica run the Casino in my absence."
"Good," said Mr. House. "Away you go then."
The screen turned black as he signed out. Kim slid the letter in the pocket of her slacks and turned to leave the room. She jogged to the elevator and pressed the button. She entered the elevator and the doors closed, taking her back to the Presidential Suite.
She slammed the letter down on the table of the kitchen. In her absence, her companions had taken it upon themselves to clean up the mess they made the night before. Cass had brewed them all black coffee. Kim leaned against the wall as the others sat at the large table. The smell of Salisbury Steak wafted around the room. Veronica and Sydney tucked into their meal. Cass sat at the table, facing Kim and was thoroughly put out.
"So you're going to leave me here with the Brotherhood girl while you and Sydney go off to China?" asked Cass.
Veronica gave her a look at the 'Brotherhood girl' comment.
"I'm not leaving you here," said Kim. "You and Veronica are going to run the Lucky 38 while I'm away."
"That doesn't answer my question as to why..." began Cass but Sydney cut across her.
"...because you're American," said Sydney. "Me and Kim are both Asian."
"No," argued Cass. "You are American. You were born here."
"Fine," corrected Sydney. "Me and Kim are both Asian, you are Caucasian."
Cass gave a look of confusion.
"Imagine you are the Chinese leader," said Sydney. "200 years ago the Americans invaded your home and blasted your country to ashes. You're not going to be pleased to see someone looking like you coming up to your leader."
"That's just racist," said Cass.
"Maybe so," said Sydney. "But that's how it is."
They were silent for a moment.
"You can come with us as far as San Francisco," said Kim. "But then I need you back to help Veronica."
"Now you're talkin'," said Cass.
Sydney looked at Kim.
"Compromise," said Kim cocking her eyebrows. "All good diplomats need it."
Sydney shook her hair as she turned back to her coffee.
Kim slammed her boot onto the edge of the bed. She pulled it tight and fastened the clips on the side. She then replaced her foot and repeated the process with the other boot. Once her boots were secured she straightened up. She had chosen to dress herself in her White Legs armour, complete with a sash of ammunition pouches. Her boots were black white metal plates at the front fasted with clips. They were also rather scuffed and battered. Kim walked across the room to a display case. She opened it and pulled out her Battle Rifle.
She picked up her gun along with several boxes of shells. She emptied the shells and slid them into the pouches on her sash. She then threw the gun over her back, allowing the leather hoops to hold the gun in place. She picked up the sealed letter and slid it carefully into the pouch on her hip before leaving her bedroom. Sydney emerged at almost the exact same time. She had donned her trademark Winterised Infantry Armour and her Super 10mm SMG.
"Ready to head out?" asked Kim.
"You bet I am," said Cass. Kim and Sydney turned around to see Cass approaching them. She had chosen to wear her trademark cowboy outfit and her Caravan Shotgun had been slung over her back.
"A shotgun, a sniper and a machine gunner." said Kim looking at the chosen weapons of her companions.
"Yeah," replied Sydney. "A whole infantry in a caravan of three."
Cass chuckled as Kim pressed the elevator button.
"Those Raiders had better watch themselves," joked Cass.
The elevator dinged as the doors opened. Kim allowed her companions to enter before she followed them in. The doors closed and the elevator made its way to the Casino.