When Mr. House was given what was due, he permitted the group within the Lucky 38 to celebrate their victory and have a break for several days. Although the party was limited to four people, there was enough alcohol to forget the wasteland outside of the casino's walls. With the exception to the room Mr. House resided in, most of the casino was at the pleasure of the four who enjoyed their time exploring the place that was now their new home. One could say they had reached heaven and could drink away their thoughts. Two people found the opportunity to finally embrace one another with or without a parent's blessing.

Artyom awoke from his slumber as he heard the ringing from his watch. After he deactivated the alarm, he sat up from his bed and found his body resting well after much recuperation from the wasteland. This morning was supposed to be a meeting with his new boss after accepting the caps he offered from his securitrons. Then he looked to his left and found his love resting quietly on her side. If he ever found Sukhoi, the young man would have a hard time trying to explain this to his step-father. For the first time, he understood love and how to love someone.

Now was not the time to think about such matters as he slipped out of bed and quietly changed into his clothes and slipped on his armored vest. Trying not to make a sound while changing was just as challenging as trying to sneak past ghost people. Once he finished with his clothes, he grabbed the auto pistol that was gifted by Joshua, the pneumatic weapon, and the Kalashnikov - which Benny was quick to return in exchange for his life. With his equipment ready and his helmet strapped on, he was about to walk to the elevator. Yet, the young man realized he needed to do one last act out of the goodness of his heart. He walked up to a sleeping Cass and kissed her on the cheek. "Good morning, Rose." Then he walked out the room and made his way towards the elevator.

The doors opened as a yawning courier stretched her arms upward. "Morning, Arty. I hope you had some good sleep. House has a job for us."

When he slipped in and leaned against the wall, he crossed his arms. "You're early. Mind telling me if anything happened before I woke up."

"Yeah, I got some news. Turns out your people are working alongside the NCR and have located a Brotherhood of Steel hideout." Angelique answered as she pulled out her plasma gun and checked it's ammo. "Got to say, they're leaving quite an impression on the Mojave."

"What are they doing to the Brotherhood of Steel?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "The guy on the radio said that the NCR and the Russians are going to propose a truce with the Brotherhood of Steel. I'm surprised given their history with the Republic."

"They had a history?" He asked. Was it just as bad as the Red Line-Hansa war when he was back in the Metro.

"War. Turns out the Brotherhood of Steel didn't like the NCR having too much technology and so they declared war on them out of ideological reasons." Angelique answered. "The NCR was winning most of the time before those tin men gave us a bloody nose by fucking with our economy out of spite. The last time we had active fighting was the Battle of Helios One - which we won, again. Turns out power armor and ideology don't matter when it comes to numbers."

Artyom smiled at the history. "Reminds me a lot about home when Hansa and the Red Line went to war. Both gave each other decisive blows, but neither won the war. Simply an armistice to prepare for their next conflict should their interests clash again."

"I forget, your people lived in tunnels. How would you even be able to fight in them?"

"I often wonder the same. I've met people who did participate in the conflict, mostly soldiers protecting their traders, but their stories often resulted with a lot of bodies trying to overrun entire barricades by numbers alone."

"Reminds me of the Legion sometimes. I heard from some veterans from the Battle of Hoover Dam that the Legion sends waves of soldiers regardless if they're getting picked off by snipers or machine guns."

"Interesting conversation that we have. Hopefully, the Legion will make the same mistake twice." Artyom commented.

"Don't be so optimistic, there are people in the Legion who can adapt. Not all of them, but some of them are dangerous enough to cause some trouble behind the lines."

"They certainly won't last against any of the factions in the Metro."

She glanced over at him. "What makes you so sure?"

"Passports. If you don't have proper documentation and demand entrance to a place full of soldiers, guards will have no qualms of shooting you. There are some people out there who would allow them in for a price, but it's a rare occurrence."

When the elevator doors slid open, Angelique stepped out. "We can talk about our wastelands later. House is certainly expecting us." The duo walked out and made their way to meet with their employer as Securitrons patrolled the surrounding locations. "Good morning, Mr. House. I hope you had a pleasant evening."

The digital picture of the man was displayed on screen as the tone of his voice was enough to tell that he was satisfied. "Your celebration shouldn't have taken this long, but given that both of you were shot in the head and took days to dispose of Benny and retrieve what was mine I allowed it to happen. Such exemptions are not normally extended such as the previous employee of mine; however, we are wasting much time discussing about your vacation." He said. "As of right now I have several missions for both of you. Angelique, I want you to go to Red Rock Canyon and speak with the Khans. Although the tribe is hostile to outsiders, I am sure they will listen to someone who may repay what had occurred at Bitter Springs."

"You want to recruit them?" She wondered. "How could they be so helpful?"

"An excellent question. If New Vegas is to survive in these times, we must all work together to survive. The Great Khans will see the potential of working for me and perhaps they might enjoy the liberties of my protection once my plan for the Mojave goes into effect." He explained. "However, the NCR intends to see them out and I want to be sure if they are looking to other interested parties. If they do exist - deal with them. Otherwise, you may as well eliminate the entire tribe."

The courier expressed her surprise. "Hold up, you're giving me the option to eliminate or recruit the Great Khans? You just said that you wanted them to work for you."

"Based on my calculations, the Great Khans still believe in a form of autonomy, but they are no longer needed in such times. At the same time, it's difficult not to see their potential of serving my city. I leave these options up to you. One way or another, they need to be under control or gone."

"I… understand. I'll see if I can convince them to become loyal to you if possible."

"Good. I shall be awaiting the results." With the conversation finished, Artyom felt the attention fall towards him. "Artyom, there is a matter I need you to take care of and I might repay you by dealing with the Van Graffs that have troubled your… companion."

The young man raised his head up high and tall for what to come. "What task will you have me do?"

"South of New Vegas, the Brotherhood of Steel is holed up in Hidden Valley and the NCR is coming there while your fellow Russian people broker negotiations with these ludicrous people. I need you to go there."

"What will you have me do?" Artyom asked. Curious about the details of his mission.

"The Brotherhood of Steel is an organization that needs to die, but I know you are just one man who is not capable of the job. However, the NCR is. What I really want you to do is sow distrust between the NCR and the Brotherhood - where their hostilities will continue with the exhaustion of the republic's forces and the possible elimination of the techno-cult." The way Mr. House spoke about the Brotherhood of Steel had made him wonder. Why does he sound like he hated them so much. "Is there a problem?"

"No, but I am curious what you have against the Brotherhood?"

"Simple, they are an organization that simply hoards technology for themselves - specifically ones that put people in the grave. Such a group that fills itself like they are the knights of the apocalypse must go as they provide no productive future for humanity unless it is themselves. Even then, the NCR seems like a better alternative than these people."

"Surely the Brotherhood might not all be that bad."

"Don't tell me you bought into their naive lies of knighthood and goodness. It certainly did not save them when the NCR had more troops than they had power armor. They. Must. Die." The tone of anger through the speakers was enough for Artyom to understand that he carried such hatred for these people. Since Veronica and Christine were also part of the Brotherhood, he would find himself at odds with what to do. If he did as he was told, the idea of betraying the people he worked with before might have its consequences. Yet, he was offering a way to deal with the Van Graffs in a way that Cass wouldn't have imagined. "Have you come to a decision?"

Realizing his employer noticed his indecisiveness, Artyom made the decision to accept what was given to him. "You said that the NCR was going to negotiate with them. What why would they do that if they're complete enemies."

"To send troops elsewhere. The NCR and your people have recently taken back one of the Legion's positions on this side of the river." He stated in detail. "I find that problematic that if they do win this war against the Legion through a temporary alliance, their interests might turn their full attention to my city. A breakdown of negotiations might not be possible with the NCR trying to exterminate those rats where they truly belong. If you do this, your friend will find herself as a secretary and oversee the caravans needed to this city without a worry in the world."

"I will do it." He stated. "Just give me some time to plan."

"Don't take too long, time is of the essence. Both of you are dismissed."

When the stalker and the courier returned to the elevator, Artyom began to think about who was capable of negotiating between factions. It couldn't be the Polis Rangers, could it? However, his discomfort did not go unnoticed when Angelique voiced her concerns. "You look nervous, is this the first time you had a mission by yourself?"

He acknowledged with a nod. "No, it's something else. Have you ever had a moment where you admired a particular group of people and you're being tasked to go against them."

"Yeah, I do." She realized. "You know these people?"

"To some extent, yes." Artyom stated. "The Polis Rangers are the Metro's peacekeepers and the Council's greatest soldiers."

"If it discomforts you, I could do it."

He shook his head. "No, I won't let you do it."

"You're going to do what House asks?"

What could he do? Although he endured the horrors of the Sierra Madre and the bloodshed throughout Zion, Artyom had his intentions clearly laid out before him. However, this situation was a rock in a hard place. Whatever he would do, there would be consequences for undermining Hunter's people or defying House's orders. He was forced to choose. "It depends. I might simply arrive at the negotiations table and watch from the sidelines."

"If that is the case, then that makes two of us."

"It does?"

"I know you haven't been around these parts long enough, but my loyalty to the NCR is still there. It has its faults, no doubt about that, but I don't really trust that guy. There is something important on that Platinum Chip and I intend to find out."

The young man couldn't help, but laugh. "Here we are, two people about to betray our employer."

"It's going to be awhile until we return to this place and I recommend staying away from the Lucky 38 until I know what's behind this chip." Stated Angelique. "This place may be nice and all, but we're going to need a meeting place that is away from House's securitrons."

"Do you have any ideas? I still don't have a good map of the area."

"Yeah, get some piece of paper. I'll write it down."

Artyom immediately reached for his clipboard where is important papers lie. Once he brought it out, he found the map that was given to him by Khan. The strangest thing he saw was that it no longer mapped the Metro, but the Mojave Desert.

"Woah, where did you get a map like that?" She asked.

"I bartered for it."

"Then that is a very well-drawn map." Her finger pointed at a small patch of land that was surrounded by mountainous terrain. "That is Hidden Valley, I'm sure Veronica and Christine are among the Brotherhood if they are there. You'll have to find out." Then she traced her finger over to a location near a lake. "There is Camp Golf. It's an NCR base that you will have to cross on open land just to get to it, but House won't be able to send anyone there without raising suspicion. I'll go tell Pavel and Cass to go there as well, just in case he does get any ideas."

Hidden Valley - the last refuge for the Brotherhood of Steel of the Chapter Mojave - was now found by the NCR and their allies. Veronica looked around to see the dozens of NCR soldiers surrounding her family's home whether it be the standard issued uniform or the salvaged NCR power armor. They were cornered and it would be a hard fight if negotiations came to shooting. She stood alongside her power armored brothers and sisters who carried their energy weapons with pride.

Although her family disliked the scribe's relationship with the Circle of Steel assassin, they became tolerant after hearing the horrors that she had been through. It often surprised the remains of the Mojave Chapter that the outsiders committed themselves to keeping dangerous technology out of the hands of men - including their former member - Father Elijah. It seem like everything was falling apart after all of these years.

With the NCR now present, Veronica crossed her arms and observed her potential foes. The Battle of Helios One had left a bad taste in the Brotherhood and she couldn't blame her family for wanting blood. However, the situation changed when an entourage of people walked past the confrontation in uniforms she had only seen on a different person. Among them was an NCR representative - a woman whose look was the scorn of a nightstalker.

They were immediately confronted by one of the paladins who staunchly stood in their way. "You don't look like NCR." He began. "Who are you?"

Almost all of them were wearing masks as one of the men turned his gaze upon him. "We're Polis Rangers - peacekeepers." The stranger replied in a Russian accent. "Now move aside, your elder is waiting."

The paladin ignored him as he stared down the man from his height; however, Veronica started to intervene on his behalf out of common sense. "Hardin, let him through. Don't worry about them, I'll make sure these kids walk in line."

One of the men behind the stranger had laughed. "Wow, she has a sense of humor."

"I'm born with it." She admitted as Paladin Hardin stepped aside to let the negotiations team through.

Veronica led the way into the bunkers, passing by the secured checkpoints filled with hallways made up of armed scribes or Paladins. As she continued going deeper into the system, the scribe looked over her shoulder to see the Russians take off their helmets and get rid of their masks. "Damn, it's hot in here. Does anybody even put in the AC in here?"

Another one of the men - someone far older and harsher in tone had spoken up. "Quick talking Uhlman. We're overseeing the negotiations and we don't have time for your comments or bad jokes. Besides, I'm sure everyone here would shoot themselves rather than listen to you."

"Have some fun Colonel Miller. We've been invited by our esteemed hosts into their humble home. What's wrong with admiring the interior decoration."

She couldn't help, but smile. "Thank you, we've been adjusting the lighting just for this very occasion."

The expressed his annoyance. "Great, there is another who share's Uhlman's sense of humor."

Then the party began to make their way into the bunker, only to arrive in the command room. Power armored guards stood behind a single man who sat in a chair at the center of the circular room. His seat was elevated compared to where his guest stood. The older man was pleasantly surprised to find her amongst the group. "Veronica, thank you for escorting our… guests into the right place. Why don't you stand aside while I discuss with this…" He turned his full attention towards the NCR officer standing before him.

She was quick to reply. "Colonel Moore, elder, my name is Colonel Moore." Then she glanced towards the Russian soldiers that escorted her. "Miller, do you think you can make sure Elder McNamara doesn't shoot me while I'm talking?"

Uhlman spoke up. "If we can keep a Nazi and a communist in one room without letting them blow each other's heads off, I think we can handle this."

The Russian colonel looked to his soldier with a glare before he answered. "Not the way I would put it, but our experience in making sure a friendly discussion between peoples can happen without violence. Rangers, disperse." Without question, eight Polis Rangers walked out from the congested hallway and into the presence of Elder McNamara with their weapons drawn.

Veronica watched from the sidelines while her superior gestured his hand out to the NCR officer. "You may begin."

Colonel Moore glanced around and placed her hands behind her back. "Allow me to be honest, I would have ordered my soldiers to kill your people on sight as soon as I found out this place existed. However, I have orders from the top to speak with your people."

"Very well then, what brings the NCR in my command room?"

"We're here to negotiate a cease-fire and perhaps a temporary alliance with your chapter." She answered. "Both of us know that Caesar's Legion is powerful and should they win this next battle, the Mojave would be in their control. Neither of us are in position to hold back the tide of soldiers that jackass can bring."

"Interesting. The NCR is here to ask an alliance out of convenience. I would accept, but in order for this treaty to be enacted there must be something for us in return."

"Name it."

"Your troops are carrying power armor that the NCR has salvaged after the Battle of Helios One. The Brotherhood of Steel would appreciate it if you returned them into our hands."

"You want us to hand over our equipment?" Moore wondered. "What will makes you think I can trust you and not worry about your chapter attacking us in the back?"

"Because we will be fighting mutants and criminals on the I-15 and Highway 95." He answered. "As I understand, the NCR has logistical problems trying to supply its troops. Perhaps my Paladins can make it easier for your men."

Watching the entire scenario was interesting for Veronica as she simply wondered what could happen with a single sentence. Could so much blood be erased by a single treaty? Her attention to the negotiations was gone when she saw Christine gesture her hand out to leave the room. Rather than interrupt the meeting, the Brotherhood scribe walked past the Russian soldiers with their foreign weapon designs. They often reminded her of Artyom in that armor when he and Pavel came to the rescue.

By the time she was in the hallways and away from the talking, Christine spoke her mind. "Artyom is back."

They stopped in the darkness as she stared at her. "Wait, he's alive?"

The assassin nodded her head. "I came to check how things are going with Hardin, but Artyom showed up and talked to me."

"What's wrong?"

"He says that he was sent there by House, but he's warning us that House has plans. Wants us to go to Camp Golf and talk with him there." Christine answered.

"Well, so much for our vacation." Veronica replied.