Two Legionary soldiers shoved Artyom into a small room filled that was heavily guarded by Praetorians. Caesar was not pleased when he learned that he carried Joshua Graham's pistol as a sidearm, but he thanked whatever god above that he was alive right now. Yet, it was not a total loss as a third Legionary stepped into the small building his bag out. "You have committed a great crime against Caesar, but he is merciful enough for you to carry out his will." Out from his bag, they searched through his belongings, only removing the large amounts of ammo for his sidearm. "Your punishment shall fit the crime and so Caesar has declared that you will only bring this weapon into battle. Nothing else shall be brought into the depths below."
The young man reached out for his magazines and stuffed as much as he could into his pockets as the warrior 'encouraged' him to proceed.
"Go! Caesar does not like laziness unless you wish to be on a cross."
After he finished strapping himself with .45 ACP rounds, Artyom looked to a small console near him and found a slot waiting for him. He reached into his pockets to pull out the Platinum Chip, just to learn that it's designed matched it place it was supposed to be. As he slipped the device into place, a green light appeared on a button, which was to allow access into the underground facility. His thumb activated it as the Legionaries looked around to see the floor reveal a set of stairs down below.
He walked down its steps with the chip in hand as he pulled out A Light Shining in Darkness from his holster and loaded a magazine. The door that locked him out had slid opened while the floor access behind him had trapped him inside the facility. Now he was in Mr. House's most prized possessions and like all treasures, they had their monsters.
Upon entering the room, it was completely empty - save for a white monitor on his right. "My chances of survival have become quite slim at this point." He pondered to himself.
The monitor flickered wildly and grabbed Artyom's attention with a happy face creeping the stalker out. "Hello there." The personalized face greeted. "My name is Yes Man, it's good to meet you Artyom?"
He as surprised. "Wait, how do you know me?"
"Oh, Angelique brought me from Benny's room. Then she inserted my personality into Mr. House's software, allowing me to converse with you. She told me that someone would be here to activate the securitron upgrades." The computer answered.
"Good. Look, tell Angelique I'm in trouble. The Legion found out about me knowing Joshua Graham, so I expect that as soon as I activate the software, I am a dead man."
"No problem. I'll tell her as soon as possible. However, she did inform me about the situation in that bunker."
He raised his eyebrows. "What kind of situation?"
"Angelique cannot deactivate the security measures inside the bunker." That threw a wrench into his plans of getting rid of the Legion threat out of the Mojave. "However, there are three terminals across the hallway where you can deactivate all of them without firing a shot."
"Really? Can you show them to me?"
"Of course, do you have any materials you can write on? I can put up the passcodes?"
There was some hope for him. Instead of dealing with the threats inside of the facility, he could casually walk inside and not worry about the machines attacking him on site. Such was relieving news to him as he holstered his pistol and pulled out his journal and short pencils out. Passcodes appeared on the screen as he wrote them down perfectly and ensuring that they were correct for each terminal. When he was finished, he tightly held onto his journal with joy. "Thank you, Yes Man. I appreciate the assistance."
"I live to serve." The machine acknowledged.
Artyom proceeded into the hallway that led deeper into the facility, but he looked to his right to see slow-moving robots patrolling their designated routes. Yet, they haven't noticed him as he walked to the door across the hallway with silent footsteps as he pressed the door and unlocked access to a room with three terminals on the wall.
When he took control of one terminal, he looked at the keyboard to see the familiar green screen displaying an amalgamation of words and symbols. This terminal had access to the robots patrolling the facility and so he glanced at his notebook and looked for the answer. "Ladna, it's right here." As soon as he brought the selection over to the designated word, he pressed enter and was met with success. He looked for the option to deactivate the patrols of robots, but as soon as the enter key was pressed the mechanical whines of robots in the hallway had stopped patrolling. Then he repeated the process for heavily-armed robots that were too much for him to fight and the results ended in a similar outcome - relief. After he deactivated the turrets, the facility groaned once more with lights brighter than before. The extra power had allowed more electrical juice to flow through the still active location.
He stepped out from the terminal room and slowly explored the facility with his hand resting on his holstered pistol. His activities in deactivating security had allowed the rusty robots to stay dead and unmoving in their tracks. It was creepy in its own right, but he didn't complain as it was better to deal with silence than die to gunfire. To say this place was extensive was an understatement. Several rooms contained generators with coils shocking out with warning signs telling him it was dangerous to enter those rooms.
His exploration was sated when there was one path left into a hallway with directions referring to it as a control room. While he walked through the hallway, window shutters had been raised to show a robotic army in its slumber. It shared the same face as the others on the strip, but they flickered each time he walked by each unit. The idea that House was preparing for this moment kinda scared him as Artyom realized just how close he was to become a powerful ruler in New Vegas.
By the time he arrived in the control room, a red light warmed the room as he approached the consoles attached to the walls. He walked closer to see the buttons and find a small slit for the Platinum Chip. Artyom reached for his pocket and slipped the key into place - unlike the first console station - the reaction to the activation had achieved a level of surprise in such a short time.
A synthetic female voice had spoken. "Downloading Operating System Software to Securitrons."
Silence followed, but only for a moment.
"Scanning user for verification. Remain still."
Red lights appeared all over the Russian as his eyes looked around to see a red field scan through his body before a computer screen and a keyboard came out from the wall in front of him. Various numbers and letters flowed through the system before his face was revealed in one of the panels. Information such as height, weight, and positions under House seemed to be showing up.
"House: Terminated. No known record of a successor. Reinitializing priority of employees."
More information came up with Benny and Angelique's face appearing on the computer.
"Benny: Terminated. Angelique: Questionable Loyalty to NCR. Artyom: Possible? Assessing candidates."
Whatever knowledge this computer had on him had disregarded the other two people as he froze in place.
"Protocol Pandora initialized. Artyom, do accept Mr. House's inheritance?" The computer asked.
Although he was hesitant, his options to escape this place were few and the means were lacking. What would this lead up to? "Yes, I accept."
"Acknowledging. You are the legal owner of the Lucky 38 and New Vegas. Access to private datafiles initiated."
The information on his person had disappeared, but it had been replaced with several files with one being highlighted. Artyom reached for the keyboard as the red lights flickered away and pressed the enter key. A line flowed through several sound waves before he heard Mr. House's voice on the speaker. "If you are hearing this then I am dead or passed away or discovered an untimely fate. Whatever the reasons that may befall me, I am here to congratulate you on locating the Platinum Chip and bringing it to this facility. That is not an easy task, but I digress. The scanner has given you full access to whatever information I have on hand in the days of the apocalypse or life before the apocalypse, but this official succession is to ensure that humanity has a future and that is my dream. You now have the means and the wealth to deal with whatever matters that must be done and have the upgraded army of securitrons to enforce civilization back from the apocalypse. Make poor use of your inheritance - you may as well end up like me. Now I bid you farewell to the endeavors ahead."
When the recording was finished, he became curious about one of the more recent data logs. Once he pressed the enter key once more, Mr. House expressed his thoughts on the matter.
"Large seismic activity has been detected east of Primm. As I understand, there used to be a military installation before the war that spent time on artificial weather. To determine if it is related to the seismic activity requires active personnel sent to this so-called 'Divide' that the NCR uses for a logistical route to hold the Mojave region. However, the lack of NCR reinforcements from that route does suggest a major event had forced them out of the Divide. Did the locals push them out with some great weapons within the region? At this point, I am reaching conjecture, but sending Benny would be risky and I have invested too much time just to lose another employee with potential."
Just what was this Divide? It seemed to pique Artyom's interest and if House found interest in such a location then it must be important. Yet, he couldn't leave the bunker underneath Caesar's Legion. "What can I do? I managed to get an army of robots under my command, but what can I do from here?" Then he realized what he just said and an idea had begun to form a plan.
Artyom's disappearance did not go unnoticed by Cass as she stormed into what was now her new home. When the elevator doors opened, the caravaneer walked out to find Angelique putting on her long coat. "I was looking for you."
The ranger raised her eyebrows. "Then make it quick, I got to go south and help my people against the Legion."
"Where is Artyom?"
Angelique let out a small sigh. "Artyom took the risk to get the Platinum Chip through a Legion camp and activate the upgrade software for the securitrons."
"That's it. You're not worried about his well-being." She confronted him.
"What's this all about? Are you that worried about your boyfriend in danger?"
"Yes, but you didn't even consult with me."
"We're on a time limit, Cass," Angelique replied. "The Legion has an army on our doorstep and you and I both know that the Legion doesn't exactly give flowers and chocolates to women. Had I went there, they would have enslaved me and turned me into a brood mare at this point, but Artyom has a chance that we don't have. Besides, the Legion will need him to go where we he's supposed to be and Yes Man is there to help him out while I'm away."
She crossed her arms. "Alright, you've convinced me that he's alright, but what's with the high-end officers from the Republic doing in the Casino? I know it's not some simple conversation with our armed forces. Are they here to annex the city?"
Her head shook off the suggestion. "No. Ambassador Crocker wanted a decent meeting place where the NCR and the Polis Rangers can properly hold a discussion under closed doors. Since House is dead, this is the best place without some outsider getting involved."
"Polis? You mean Artyom's people."
"Kinda. Turns out the coalition is only as stable as long as the Legion lives. Once the Legion is driven out, that alliance is on a timer and everyone in New Vegas is going to be witnessing a full-blown war between the Russians."
Cass was surprised at what was being revealed. "I'll be damned. Perhaps Artyom wouldn't be caught in the middle. Then again, I've seen the republic take too many places against another's will."
"Likewise." Angelique looked at her Pip-Boy. "I got to go. Say hello to Artyom to my dad when he arrives with the president."
"Hold up, your father is a friend of the president?"
The ranger put on her helmet as its red lights were activated. "Not really. He's a senator back in Shady Sands, but coming to meet up with me when the usual morale booster gets into place." She walked past the caravaneer and left her on the presidential suite.
"I guess the company I keep is too busy to spend some good quality time." She said to herself before making her way towards one of the rooms.
After she unlocked the door, the caravaneer was shocked by the scene before her. The two girls from the Brotherhood of Steel were dressed up and preparing their beauty. Christine was busy switching between different colors of whigs while Veronica started to put makeup on her face. "Finally, both of us can relax without the elder or any of the paladins getting mad at us."
"Are you two going anywhere?"
The duo turned around to find the dirtied caravaneer standing in the room. "Christine and I are going on a date - a proper one. Couldn't get one without some sibling trying to convince me I'm better off kissing him instead."
"I figured you two were close, but I didn't think both of you were that close," Cass commented. "Shit, I mind as well call our little company a circus if we continue to bring more people like this."
A suggestion came from Christine as she settles for a dark brown color. "Why don't you put down that shotgun and go spend some time for yourself. How about the Ultra-Luxe?"
She scoffed at the suggestion. "In case you two haven't noticed, I don't have a dress to wear - much less a clean one."
Veronica put down her makeup and started to walk to one of the cabinets. "Oddly enough, there is an extra dress Artyom's been lugging around ever since we left the Sierra Madre. I thought it might be worth wearing, but I like my white one."
"Look girls, it's a nice idea, but I'm going to be waiting for Artyom when he gets back."
"Then you have more reason to wear one. First, you take a shower then Christine and I can make you pretty before he even knows it was our handy work."
Although the idea was ludicrous to the caravaneer, Cass glanced at the folded dress with a degree of curiosity. Her friends were well-dressed and all those memories of trying to look pretty for the boys just didn't occur to her… until now. "Okay then, show me what you got?"
Antony sipped his bitter drink that night after getting his dogs to finally rest. A slave had managed to feed them with only one slab of meat before they fought each other for something that should have been cut into pieces. Of course, he had to beat the woman, but not enough to kill her - she still had to be used by the other Legionaries. Now his gaze fell upon his dogs sleeping in their kennels as they waited, trained, and prepared for the day to battle for the Mojave. Yet, his drinking also served another purpose - to remind himself of the days when he was still part of the Hangdogs. Memories of better times flowed through his mind before he recalled the moment the Legion threw their dogs into the fires. The poor creatures and their howls still haunted him to this day to help them.
A fellow Legionary approached him. "Ave, true to Caesar." He said. "Antony, how are the dogs?"
When he finished his drink, the dog handler placed his bottle on the ground. "The dogs are fine, but the woman had to be punished. She should have known better, but that is what you'd expect from a recent capture."
"Did you hear about Caesar and that dissolute? Apparently, he still lives."
He understood what he meant by that. "How do you know?"
"The weapon of the New Canaanites was on his person and now he has paid the price." The soldier answered. "Rumor has it, the Praetorians are waiting for him as soon as he leaves the bunker. It's quite something to see Caesar's wrath with your own eyes."
"Do you believe he would permit us to see his death?"
He shook his head. "I doubt it. Ever since Legate Lanius has brought most of our forces across the Colorado River, our commanders want to be very vigilant if the profligates try to attack across the Dam."
Antony slipped out a laugh. "Even with the Russians, I doubt they would want to cross the Dam on such open ground."
The quiet camp was torn asunder by gunfire and screams.
"What's that?"
"I don't know." The man replied. "It's coming from behind Caesar's tent."
The dog handler walked away from his dogs to see the commotion as Legionary soldiers grabbed their weapons. Something dangerous had happened as a sentry in a watchtower pointed in the direction of the attack. "We're under attack! Send wor-" He was cut off when the smoke trail of a warhead shrieked into the tower with wooden and metal debris exploded across the camp.
"By Mars, I'll get the dogs ready. Go help the others!" Antony shouted as he turned his back on the scene. He reached towards the makeshift kennels and started to unlock each cage as his dogs stood up and barked. "Go, help the Legion." Each time he opened their cages, they sprinted out into danger like gun being fired. His ears heard the fighting and the killing slowly make their way towards his position.
When the last dog charged out, he grabbed the worn-out rifle on his back as he stepped out of the kennel. A burst of gunfire was nearby as he heard one of his dog cry out in pain. The Legionary stood his ground when he found himself confronted by several wheeled machines with machine guns for hands and rocket pods for shoulders. Yet, the soulless metal monsters with the mask of mankind were not the only ones standing before him.
A dissolute was waiting for him with a weapon only meant for those who lived in New Canaanite. He don the armor of a Desert Ranger as he walked past the dead dog. However, his back was turned as he approached a fallen Legionary carrying a strange assortment of weapons. If he was the one who was behind this entire attack, then he would pay for it in blood.
Antony raised his rifle and lined up the figure's body before he squeezed the trigger. When the shot came out, the man was knocked back by the impact and had fallen to the ground. Despite catching him off-guard, it was not enough to kill him as he forced himself to stand up. Then the machines turned around and open fired on him. The last thing he ever saw was the flashing of their barrels.
Rose of Sharon Cassidy sat alone on a bench in a fine black dress with red trimmings. As she waited with a bottle of whiskey in hand, she was approached by several men in a light tan pinstriped suits and black ties. One of them whistled at her. "You seem quite pretty for someone sitting on a bench." Then one of the men took a seat beside her.
The caravaneer sipped her whiskey. "I'm waiting for somebody."
"I guess that somebody is going to miss out on a beautiful lady such as yourself. My name is Cachino and these are my men. We're with the Omertas."
"Is that supposed to impress me?" Cass wondered. "If anything, both of you look a little too old to be playing gangster."
He took one step forward. "Careful, with that overthrow of House and his robots, nobody is going to notice three Omertas taking in a bitch who doesn't know her place."
She scoffed at his threat. "I've been to the Sierra Madre and fought alongside Joshua Graham. You're the least people I'm afraid of."
"The Sierra Madre? That place is a legend. What a fucking joke?" Cachino laughed before he leaned forward to confront the caravaneer face to face. "Here's what is going to happen. We're going to bring you into Gomorrah and I'm going to fuck your cunt until you like it."
Her eyes glanced to her right, only to recognize Artyom's armor and an army of securitrons behind him. Unlike the ones seen in the strip, these wore the faces of soldiers. As soon as he noticed her situation, the Russian stormed towards the three men surrounding her. "He's here. Make way for my boyfriend."
The Omertas turned away from her as they found a man standing before him. "Who the fuck are you?"
His accent came out. "My name's Artyom - the man who killed House," Then he looked over his shoulder. "Then got an army of securitrons and killed Caesar in his own tent. Now then, why are there three grown men surrounding my girlfriend?"
Cass let off an evil smirk. "They said something about dragging me into Gomorrah and fucking me silly or something like that."
The blood on Cachino's face was drained as he raised his hands up. "Look pal, I didn't mean no trouble."
Then Artyom's arm rested on his makeshift shotgun. "If I were you, I'd start running before I have to embarrass your boss that I killed you with a shotgun made out of kitchen parts."
"Alright people, let's go."
"Three… two…"
The three Omertas ran off with one of the men swearing at him. "You Russians are fucking crazy!"
He took a seat beside her as his hand reached out for the bottle of whiskey. "I guess I came home on time."
Much as she wanted to laugh, Cass needed to tackle the most obvious statement he had ever stated. "You killed Caesar?"
"Yes." He answered. "I decided to get back at the Legion after what they did to my people at Exhibition. The irony is that they were sitting atop of a military bunker full of an army of securitrons. With their camp gone, those Legion soldiers south of New Vegas are actually stuck there unless they swim across the other side of the river or break out through the frontlines."
"You planned for this?"
"Nyet. I just realized that as soon as I scared the hell of the NCR troops on their side of the dam. Why are you all dressed up?"
Cass pointed out to the white Casino with the sign Ultra-Luxe displayed above its doors. "Veronica and Christine were going on a date and I thought it would be a good time to have some fine dining. My dad would have said I'm being a bit selfish, but a nice dress and a good dinner seem like a good idea. Do you want to join me?"
"Of course, just let me get changed out of this and have some painkillers. My body hurts like hell."
After infiltrating through the Legion lines, Angelique was in their rear. Whatever raiders that were once present in this region had been destroyed by the enemy, leaving a few bands to flee from the largest threat in the Mojave. With them out of the way, she had managed to map out their positions and patrol routes that seemed vital to the war effort. Thankfully, she had received news from Colonel Moore that a ranger and a few Russian stalkers were able to sabotage several of their supplies in the rear - which meant that their main army was at the mercy of logistics. Odd how weeks before that the NCR was on the back foot and had managed to turn the tide against Caesar's Legion.
In the night sky, a blue light was flying overhead - earning her attention when a massive object crashed into the desert south of her position. Just what the hell was that? She brought her plasma rifle to bear, aiming down its sights to see that the object was a satellite that had fallen from orbit. As the smoke cleared, the woman saw an eye twitching from place to place on the broken-down billboard in front of it. Whatever it was, perhaps it may be of some use to the republic.
She reached for her long-range radio and spoke. "All ranger stations, I've located a potential technological location south of Nipton. I'm proceeding to approach it and see what use it has for the republic. End report."
With that said, Angelique put away the radio and stumbled down the hills and brushed past the ghost town for the object in question. As she came closer to inspect it, she was amazed at its sophistication before her hand touched the warm plating of the crashed satellite.
When her fingertips met with the metal, she was gone in a blink of an eye.
Author's Note: I've been at odds with whether I should cover Old World Blues or not, but I believe it would be better not to get into too much detail about the place Angelique is at. However, it will play an important role in the future. Beyond that, it's in spoiler territory.
Aren serathy: The reason why these posts seem so quick is that I forgot about posting them on this site when I had the chance. Most of my story posting is usually updated first on SpaceBattles and this site second. If you really want to keep up with the story, I recommend that you go there instead as I have a few extra stuff that you'd enjoy like NCR reports or little story bits between the Metro and Fallout universes.