Chapter 3 - Fuck the Brotherhood
The Mojave Brotherhood Bunker was a depressing place.
Gabriela Lopez shared House's disdain for their philosophy. What was the point of preserving technology if you weren't going to do anything with it? Well, that was going to end today.
She had befriended a local woman named Veronica who had gotten her into the bunker. She had done her best to act as naive and curious as possible, and in an unguarded moment she had managed to hack into their mainframe and download a complete list of the Brotherhood's current members.
It was all she needed, and she left as quickly as possible.
-tcg-
"When do you plan on striking?" House asked.
"I've written the names down for 4AM tomorrow morning," Gabriela replied. "You'll have the securitrons ready to move in?"
"Of course. The bounty of technology that the Brotherhood possessed cannot be ignored, and it will be of great use to us in our reclamation of the Mojave."
Gabriela nodded and returned to her penthouse suite.
-tcg-
The Brotherhood died in an instant. One moment they were all sleeping or on night shifts; the next every single one of them was dead. The Securitrons wasted no time claiming their treasures for Gabriela.
"This is a goldmine!" Gabriela couldn't hide her excitement. "We should have the whole Mojave under our control in a week with all of this tech!"
"Indeed," House agreed. "Now it can be used by those who actually have a reasonable purpose in life."
As she left the bunker, Gabriela felt a small amount of regret while staring at the lifeless face of Veronica Santangelo's corpse. She was a nice woman, and if she had been loyal to a different cause then she probably would still be here.
But there was no room for pity or mercy when reclaiming the world from the apocalypse. On that, herself and Mr. House were in agreement.
"So," Mr. House began conversationally, "once we're done with the Mojave, where will you go next?"
"I'm going to send some eyebots into Caesar's Legion territory," she replied. "It should take them about two to three months to get the names and faces of every Legion soldier. In the meantime, we can work on bringing civilization back to this shitty desert."
"Gabriela, if there was ever someone who were to outmaneuver me, I am glad it was you."
The warmth in Mr. House made her smile. "Thanks, Robert. I'm honestly really glad you're here. I don't think I'd be able to do with without you."
"What do you mean 'think'? Without my help you'd be dead in a month."
Gabriela laughed. His tone was more amused than angry, and they had slowly become friends as she had implemented her plans. She never thought that would happen, but given how similar their worldviews were it was hardly a surprise.
"Now then," she said seriously. "Let's inventory all of this stuff. Then, we will begin recruiting from Freeside for a Vegas Army to clear the Mojave."
"You think junkies will make good soldiers?" He was skeptical.
"Not at first. We need to train them. But they are lost souls looking for purpose. We will give it to them."
House was silent for a moment before replying. "Let us begin the reclamation of the Mojave, Gabriela!"
"You took the words right out of my mouth!" She grinned.
-tcg-
"So, I'm guessing I haven't disappointed you?"
"You have not," Rem replied. "In fact, this is probably the best Death Note usage I have ever seen. You are rebuilding and reclaiming the world from the dark, and for that I admire you."
"Aww, thanks Rem," she replied, genuinely touched. Then she had an idea. "Hey, have you ever smoked weed before?"
"...I have not," she replied.
"Well that ends today."
Rem ended up finding the experience rather enjoyable.
-tcg-
House is still slightly annoyed at being #2, but his annoyance is tempered by the ridiculous speed with which his plans are being fulfilled.
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