Time had passed in the tower of the Lucky 38. There was an intricate level of planning by Mr. House, who gave Artyom and Angelique so many options in dealing with Benny. Artyom had to admit, he appreciate his assistance, but unlike Angelique, the only thing he wanted to take from Benny was his Kalashnikov. After that, his fate was free to be in Angelique's hands.

The most direct method of dealing with Benny was to literally draw their arms and immediately cause trouble. Although it appeared to have been an easy idea, Artyom understood that a few seconds of a firefight by his bodyguards and those loyal to him would give him enough time to escape.

Thankfully, there was additional options that could not possibly result in violence. Benny was likely to have bodyguards around him during his view of the casino; however, there was to be two plans that would be acted on. The courier would directly confront Benny in person and might optionally seduce him to his room or bring him someplace 'safe' where they could do business behind closed doors. If things didn't go well and somehow Angelique was dead, he would be the backup plan to get his Kalashnikov out and hand Mr. House what was owed to him.

His head hurt of these elaborate plans, but he could not help and admire the work into it. Plans were necessary for situations like this and to go without any was complete suicide. The young man found himself asking for a cup of mushroom tea; however, he would never have the opportunity as he was going to participate in the young woman's dark intentions.

When the elevator opened, they were back on the bottom level to find Pavel looking through his bags while Cass was sitting in a chair - sipping bottles of whiskey. "You two definitely took your sweet time. How was your first meeting with House?" She asked before taking in the last drops.

Artyom placed his gear into the elevator. "Angelique and I have some unfinished business with the man who shot us. We'll take care of your Van Graffs after I deal with him."

"It looks like I'm going to stay at the Atomic Wrangler for a couple of days, but I don't know if I have enough bottlecaps."

Then the securitron beside the elevator controls had spoken. "Mr. House has sent me a message that he has given your companions permission to use the Lucky 38's presidential suite. No need to walk all of that way into Freeside and it's free with no charge."

Cass raised her eyebrows in surprise. "That's a blessing. I didn't think I'd get the opportunity to wait around in a fancy casino."

Victor's synthetic voice had released a chuckle. "Mr. House always gets the best."

"Alright, I'll be in the suite. Maybe we can properly put away our loot somewhere safe."

The communist officer stood up from his seat. "I share the sentiment. Got to find a place to put all of this gold."

Angelique was quick to catch the stalker's attention. "Artyom, they're likely going to check us for weapons. Let's toss out what we can't use and see whether our pistols can be brought in, but there is one thing we need to do before we enter the Tops."

"What would that be?" He wondered.

An evil smile fell upon her face. "Shopping."

The duo's arrival did not go unnoticed by those in the strip. When they had exited the Lucky 38, hundreds of people were watching the stalker and the courier walk down the steps with awe and wonder. People immediately started asking their questions on what House looked like or what was it like to be in such building. Such questions peppered the duo long enough that they had now words to answer them, but several NCR military policemen arrived to break the people up. What made everything odd was the simple fact that they were not going into a clothings store, but into the NCR's Embassy.

Two dirty people entered the building and trekked through its hallways. Many of them were surprised to see their presence, but Artyom began to question why they were being taken here. "Angelique, why are we here? I thought we were supposed to be shopping."

The courier shrugged her arms. "We should be, but I think I know what's up. It's been awhile since I showed my face around these parts. Only a few people can recognize me in the embassy."

"You know these people?"

She smiled at his question. "More than you could ever imagine. Though I doubt I can keep my cover for so long. It's not like the republic is going to stop sending soldiers here."

The MPs stopped them at the door, only for the head of the group to open it up and speak to a bald and dark-skinned man typing on his terminal. "Ambassador Crocker, this is the person who entered the Lucky 38."

When he stopped typing, he stood up from his seat and turn his gaze in their direction. Yet, the ambassador widened his eyes in shock. "Let both of them in and leave us be."

"Sir, are you sure about that?" The helmeted MP asked.

"Yes, I'm sure of it. I know her." Soon after they MPs let them be, Artyom and Angelique had entered the ambassador's office. He soon gestured his hand over to the two chairs across from his desk. "Why don't both of you take a seat? I know that both of you have had a busy day since you gotten into the strip." Then he took his seat and leaned back in his chair and turned his full attention on the woman in the blue jumpsuit. "The last time you and I last spoke to one another was when you were at the Divide with orders to clear up the spies in the Mojave Express. For the time being, your dad thought you were dead."

Artyom noticed a chuckle escaping from her lips. "It seems that I take several things from my dad."

"So, what brings you to the Strip and why are you not in your Ranger uniform?" Crocker began to ask.

"Sad to say, I lost it in the Divide. I'm not going back there to get it back." She replied. "Somebody who goes by the name of Benny almost put me and Artyom in the ground. Both of us got lucky when the doctor patched us up in Goodsprings and now we're here for payback."

"Ah, it's vengeance." He explained. "Once both of you take care of your personal matter with this Benny, head south of New Vegas and you'll find a cache of NCR equipment for your needs. In the meantime, your father wants you to return back to Shady Sands. He's been worried about your well-being for quite some time."

She shook her head. "Ambassador, you know me. My dad has been preparing me to become a senator ever since I was growing up."

A deep sigh was all he could afford in his voice. "I figured you'd say that, but it would help if you at least went to him and said hello. Alex has been bugging me to make sure you're alright."

"Well, you can tell him right now."

Realizing he was being ignored, Artyom began to speak up. "I think I should leave. This certainly has nothing to do with me."

"Don't worry, I'm leaving as well."

After a couple hours were spent finding good high-quality clothes - a white clean suite for Artyom and a slender blue dress for Angelique, both were walking towards the Tops casino with their weapons hidden away underneath their clothings. It was blessing that the courier and the stalker had enough bottlecaps to pay for these kind of clothes. Before they would enter the doors, Artyom stopped her from going forward with the plan. "Why don't you want to see your own father?" He asked. It was a genuine question, her mysterious background was enough to wonder what kind of company he was in.

Angelique shook her head. "Don't mind that stuff about what Crocker said. It doesn't matter."

"At this point, it does matter. I've been brought to an embassy without my papers, so it does matter who I'm working with."

"What the hell do you know anything about me? It's not like you can understand my position." She replied.

Artyom was quick to bring his own experiences. "I'm the son of a Station Commander. Believe me, I can share that sentiment."

"Really? How can you be so sure about that?"

"Protective father who wants to see his step-son grow up in a safe and suitable environment instead of the dangers of the apocalypse? You're not the only one who has this problem."

She glanced at him with surprise. "Well my father is an important figure within the NCR. Aside from being a politician in Congress, he expected plenty of things from me at the request of my mother's deathbed. So that is where most of my gripes are coming from."

"I see." Came his reply as he walked towards the door and opened it up for her. "If you can tell me that then that is one more reason to trust you after you stole all of my things."

"You still hold that against me?"

"Somewhat, but we'll talk about that after we take care of our business."

After she entered the building, Artyom soon followed. The casino lights were enough to advertise that this place was meant for a party. The sights of games, liquor, and entertainment was enough to express how much people were willing to spend their lives here. He was caught by surprised when Angelique's arm was wrapped around his. "We need to look like a couple here to have a good time. Try to make it believable." The courier explained.

Their attention to the interior detail was gone when a man from the lobby counter had caught their attention. "Good afternoon, if you're here to play some games and win some prizes, watch the show upstairs, or even drink the night away then you've come to the right place." The young man advertised. "Before we let both of you loose, my friends and I have to make sure to take whatever weapons you have. Casino policy."

Two men from behind the counter had walked up to them and began checking their bodies. Artyom did his best to keep a calm mind as he wanted to keep Joshua Graham's pistol on his person without them knowing. When one of the guards was done patting him, he glanced over to the casino greeter. "He's clear." Then the other man was quick to finish up before returning the same response.

"Looks like you both came here unarmed." When the two guards were gone, he leaned forward and grabbed their attention. "A tip of advice from me, if you stumble upon any weapons on your way then don't openly wear them. You hear?"

Angelique smiled at him. "Thank you." She walked up to him and put down a pouch of bottlecaps his way. "We appreciate that. Come on dear, let's have some fun."

As Artyom walked behind her, he could see the greeter chuckling. "Lucky bastard…"

When the duo were finally past the checkpoint, the courier grabbed his attention. "Take a glance to the right, but not too long."

He did as he was told, only to see past the dozens of visitors to find a man in a checkered shirt, guarded by four men in hats. It was clear that they were his bodyguards, but the man's face was immediately recognized by the stalker. What also helped was a familiar voice echoing into his head. 'It is him.' The confirmation from the Dark Ones were clear enough for him to realize that he had the opportunity to take back what was his.

The young woman beside him had initiated the plan. "I'm going to confront him in person, you go find the elevators and sneak into his suite. Before we go, I need you to kiss me."

"What?" Artyom wondered.

"Remember, make this look believable. Now kiss me."

For once in his life, he felt like he was committing one of the most sinful things in life. The reluctance in leaning forward made his heart beat like a drum, but if he was ever going to get his weapon back he needed to cross some lines. By the time his lips met hers, it was only for a moment that he knew there was no going back by the time this happened. "Okay, I'll be making my way. What level is the suite again?"

"Top one."

He walked towards the path that did not appear to have as much traffic as he expected. When he looked to his right, there was an entire hallway of elevator doors with signs informing him they were not working. All except one were operable. Artyom walked calmly on the carpet floor, trying to keep his cover as his fingers began to press the buttons. He would need to be quick to search his assailant's room.

Angelique walked past the casino games and slipped past the ignorant. Her lithe form catching the eyes and whistles of young men. Yet, she didn't want to lose her prize that was the man in his checkered suite. The more she closed the distance, the four bodyguards beside him had taken note of her appearance. Then they began to whisper into Benny's ear. As he smoked his cigarette, he slowly turned around to find a young woman have a hand on her hips. "What in the goddamn…"

The courier couldn't help, but smirk at his shock. "Hello Benny, surprised to find me walking?"

His expression was filled with embarrassment. "How are you still alive? I remember burying you six-feet under."

"You should have aimed better."

"I definitely knew where I was aiming. Either you had the skull thicker than a brahmin or I should have given you another bullet." Benny replied in an arrogant tone. "So now that you're here, the first thing I got to ask is what happens now? Maybe we can talk about this?"

She smiled. "We can, but why don't we do this in private. Particularly without the guards."

"Sure, I'll play your game. As long as things don't have to get hot." Then he glanced at his guards. "Alright boys, you can have your time off. I've got a lady to talk to. Come here, courier."

Angelique did so with reluctance, trying to keep her distance from the four well-dressed bodyguards. Benny reached into his pockets and tossed a ring of keys in her general direction. After she caught it, she became confused. "What's this?"

"You said that you wanted to talk to me in private. Though I do have to ask, are you here to finish what you started."

He didn't know what she intended to do. Perhaps it was better that her ruse remained a secret. "You think I'm here for what happened in Goodsprings? No, I'm doing an errand for somebody who pays."

"Really? Who would that be?"

"That's why I really want to talk to you in private. Business tends to spoil good fun." She answered.

"Follow me, let's hope we've made our peace." As Benny walked away from his bodyguards, the courier followed after him. She was still cautious about those four making a move. Then she turned to her left to find the elevator doors open and the young man take out a pack of cigarettes and gesture her to make her way inside.

When the elevator doors had opened, Angelique was met with a spacious room - enough for three dozen people. "Quite a place you got here."

"This is the Chairman's meeting place. The closest an outsider will get to our heart of operations." He added. "Now that nobody can hear us, where do we begin?"

"Where is the Platinum Chip?"

Benny walked towards the bar on the other side of the room and poured himself a glass of hard liquor. "Simple, right here." Came his answer as he reached down into his pockets and revealed the strange device to the woman. "Looks like House sent you here to take back what's his. I figured, the old coot paid a hefty price just for this little thing."

Then he first question about the strange object had come to her. "What does it do?"

"That's the thing, I don't. All I know is that it is important enough to House and that he of all people needs it. I've tried to put this on many terminals, but it doesn't work."

"So this was the package I was carrying? The one that got me shot."

"Indeed. Sorry that you got caught up in this mess, but I couldn't let House get what he wanted. It seemed like this was the most essential thing to solidify his rule. He told me that this would give him the power to get rid of the Legion and the NCR."

Angelique perked her ears at the mention of the republic. "Enough to stop the Legion and the Republic? Ambassador Crocker is not going to like this."

"Hold up, you're NCR."

She shrugged her shoulders. "More or less. It's personal. Is it that powerful?"

"As a former apprentice of the man himself, he claims it is." Benny commented. "You can't be sure about a man who hides behind faces and monitors. Darling, if you are working for the NCR don't let him have this." Then his hand reached out to the courier.

From what it appeared, he seemed to be handing out the Platinum Chip just like that. Her hand extended outward, only to find this item of major importance pulled away.

"Before I start handing this out to you, there is a condition that needs to be met. It may be the end of both of us, but one thing is certain - we can both walk away from this peacefully or not."

The courier stared at him. "What condition needs to be met?"

"I hand you the Platinum Chip in exchange for my life. Simple enough." Benny stated. "In return, you get to leave the Tops Casino without any resistance and you can come back anytime you want."

What did she just witness? This was the most confusing person she had ever come across. As Benny drank his glass, Angelique was quick to reply. "You're handing it over to me, just like that? You're not going to try and stop me?"

"Babe, I know my odds. Ever since I put a bullet in you, he's been keen on taking my head. I might not live to see what happens after, but I want to be sure that you'll get an opportunity to hit him in the jewels - if he has any."

"You're letting a stranger from the NCR some access to this powerful object and you're not going to object. I find it hard to believe."

The first thing Benny did was laugh. "This is the Strip, if you've been here long enough you wouldn't believe the things you've heard." Then he tossed the Platinum Chip into her hands. "My days are numbered, so good luck."

Angelique glanced into her palm and inspected the strange device. Whatever this chip was, there was something that appears to be attached to this. Whatever this was, she would soon find out."

When Benny had locked his room, the first thing he could do was breathe effortlessly. Seeing the woman walking when she should have died was not something he expected in the Mojave. Then again, neither did he expect to play dress up for an ancient man who lived long before his time. He walked past the chairs and the furniture, going into a place full of secrets that he knew about.

Yet, there was a particular smell in his private place that wasn't supposed to be here. "Why do I smell mushrooms?" He wondered.

A simple click had echoed behind his back. Then he heard a voice with a foreign accent speak to him. "Turn around."

The Chairman turned around with his hands raised, it as best not to anger somebody who snuck into his room. Upon closer look, he recognized the face, but it belonged to a person who he didn't expect. "Hell, it must be my bad luck that you're alive as well."

"Indeed, but let's make this quick before I leave."

"What are you here for? Money?"

"No, I'm here for my Kalashnikov." Came his response. "You currently have it."

Benny raised his eyebrows. "You came to the Tops and hunted me down just so you can get back your gun? Why?"

"Let's just say it was a gift and you stole it." The stranger replied with his autopistol in hand.

"You'll leave as soon as you get your weapon?" He nodded his head. "Damn, I must be having the strangest day of my life. Just give me a second."

Author's Note: Thus ends the confrontation between Benny, the Courier, and Artyom.

randomidiot1816: If you're going to give me HOI4 and CKII tips, PM me.

Paladin Bailey: Thanks for the review.

Another S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Yep.