Chapter 17, Gomorrah, It'll Be Our Secret.

I opened my eyes to not the familiar sight of my room, but to the sight of a red velvet and gold elevator door. I looked to my right and saw a very fancy elevator button with engravings all over it that had just a button that said "Push" My curiosity got me as I pushed the button and felt the elevator take me up.

"What is going on," I said out loud, "Where even am I?"

I've never seen an environment like this before. I mean the Lucky 38 looks somewhat like this, but not fully. Eventually, the elevator doors opened and I was met with black and white tiles on the floor. Above it was a metal, long window kind of thing with two large circles on the left and right side and one in the middle. Underneath it was a lever flashing red, inviting me to pull it. I pulled the lever and the window opened up revealing the room behind it. I couldn't make out what it all ment, but it looked like a normal house room that was well kept. There was some sort of brown leather bag on the table and what I assume to be lock picking tools of some kind. Strange. I heard some sort of subtle beep to my left and looked down the hallway to see some sort of sign and a light blinking on it. Becoming even more curious, I walked down the hallway and observed the sign and it read at the top "Specimen Location" with options underneath it labled, "Library, Dining Room, Dressing Room, Bathroom, Conservatory, and Bedroom." The Dressing Room option flashed, indicating where the specimen was. Whoever this specimen was, let's find out I guess.

I turned to face the door that automatically opened for me. I continued forward and walked down a dimly lit corridor with wooden boards and metal railings. This is such an odd place to be and I'm still not sure what the significance of this place is. Is this some sort of look into the future? I mean the place looks clean compared to the wasteland and looks somewhat fancy and high tech.I continued forward and was met with another door that a light above turned green letting me in. I walked in and took notice of the red letters on the door saying, "Door must be kept closed at all times." Whatever this specimen is, they must be really dangerous to be having this entire place to themselves with such high security.

As the second door opened, I was met with the same looking place as before, except with a smaller window, a rolling chair, and an old camera? Least that is what I think it is. I pulled the lever and the window opened revealing a woman with black, long hair tied in a ponytail that went well past her shoulders down to her lower back, white long sleeved blue shirt, and light blue dress of some kind. There was a painting of a tower of some kind behind her, but everything looks so hazy, I can't make out what it is. She was inspecting some kind of drawing when she all of a sudden turned around to face me and I got a clear look at her. She had blue eyes, red lipstick on, and her shirt had blue cuffs, a blue and white collar, and some sort of dark blue neck tie tied around it. You know she kind of looks like Elizabeth. Actually, the more she adjustes herself in the mirror and I see her more, she really does. Wait. Is this Elizabeth?

As she starts to adjust her hair, she winces in pain and looks at her pinky. Her pinky on her right hand was noticeably smaller and had some sort of silver thimble covering it. Was it some sort of birth defect? She shook her hand, picked the drawing back up, and showed it to me. I think it's a drawing of the Eiffel Tower and before I could process anything further, she runs to her left and the window starts to close. I then heard a door to the left of me open up and I turned around to see the familiar sight of the sign from before with a light blinking on it. I approached it and the light was flickering on the "Dining Room" indicating where she went. Another door next to me opened up and I walked out of it.

"What is even going on, " I said out loud, "Who is this person and why am I seeing her?"

This can't be Elizabeth because she's not missing her right pinky. Only thing I've noticed about her and a pinky is her fidgeting with it from time to time. But that can mean really anything.

I continued walking down the dimly lit pathway and was met with the same two doors that greeted me to the same room as before this time with a much larger window. I pulled the lever and the window opened, revealing her again. There were some drawings pinned on the wall, but everything was so blurry I couldn't make out what they were. I could make out a painting with a dark blue background on a stand behind the woman. She neatly placed the drawing down on a desk next to her and started to fidget with her pinky almost the same as Elizabeth does. She turned around and placed her hands up, almost like she was trying to rip the painting. Not sure where this is going at all, but I'll humor it. She looked like was struggling to rip it and kept trying to pull as hard as she could. I mean it can't be that hard to tear a painting in half. It's like any other old piece of paper. Before I could say anything else, She finally pulled it apart, but I wasn't met with a torn painting, I was met with some sort of portal that opened up to a cobblestone street and a theater to the right.

Wait what? How did she do that? Only time I've ever seen a portal like that was from that Lutece Device Elizabeth and I used to escape Rapture. And this woman pulled it out of thin air and was able to see a location of her choosing. I could hear music of some sort and the woman tried to walk through the portal, but before she could, a firetruck with its siren blaring came towards her and she quickly closed it. She hung her head, and ran off to the left. The window closed and I could hear the door to my left open, but I was still shocked with what I witnessed. Why am I seeing this? What is going on and who is this?

Finally, getting my composure together, I walked down the corridor and the sign told me she was at the Library. I walked through another door, continued down the hallway, and walked into another, exactly same looking room with another old camera next to me. I pulled the lever and the windows opened, revealing a huge library with a window looking to the outside sky. There was a royal blue drape surrounding it and the woman was looking out the window, observing the sky. This could be an opportunity to approach her and find out who she is before this dream ends.

I made my way out and followed the doors and hallway. However, this time I was met with a door that had a valve to open it manually. I rotated the valve and started to open it, but I could hear wind blowing and the door was quite a struggle to open. Once I finally opened it and got out, I was met by the outside sky and wind blowing extremely hard. I looked over a chain railing and saw nothing below me. I staggered back realizing how high up I was.

"Holy shit," I yell out loud, "All right. I can do this. It's not real. It's just a dream."

I slowly walked forward, trying not to think about how high I was. I slowly made my way up some bronze stairs and pushed a door open to get back inside. I pressed on and another door automatically opened up for me, inviting me to continue further into this unknown place. Eventually, I was met with some sort of golden floor with chains holding it up I assume. Across from me was a door with a green light, welcoming me to open it. As I walked forward, I felt the floor jerk and eventually cave in, with me falling and hitting a railing. I pulled myself up and was eye to eye with the woman, who stared at me with curiosity holding a book. Seeing her up close, she looks exactly like Elizabeth, there was no doubt about that to me now.

I squeezed out the only thing I could, "Elizabeth? Is that you?"

She screamed and I fell backwards, falling off the railing and hitting the floor. Before I could get up, I noticed a book fly towards my face and I blacked out.

I awoke to the familiar sight of the ceiling fan, spinning above me. I rubbed my eyes, trying to get together what I just witnessed. What was that all about? And who was she? I mean she looked exactly like Elizabeth, but with longer hair. But that couldn't be her. This woman was missing a pinky and could open up portals. Elizabeth couldn't do that. So, why did my brain create this? Was this some sort of future maybe? Or was it just a strange dream that didn't mean anything at all? I'll just bookmark this for now.

I grabbed my Pipboy from the nightstand to check the time. 6:40 A.M. I stood up, got out of bed, and made my way to the dresser to get my clothes out. As I was putting my shirt on, I heard a dish drop on a counter in the kitchen. I finished putting it on and made my way to the kitchen to see Elizabeth, all dressed up in her regular attire, trying to put back some plates. She quickly took notice of me walking in.

"Oh. Good morning. I'm sorry did I wake you," she asked, staring at me.

"No. I was putting my shirt on when I heard. Did you take out an extra plate?"

"Yes. When I went to grab one there was another with it," she replied, tucking some hair behind her ear, "Anyway, how did you sleep?"

"Pretty good actually," I responded, still thinking about the dream.

Elizabeth gives off a puzzled look, "You don't sound like you did. Did you have another nightmare, but without the shouting?"

"No. I… had a really… strange dream."

"How strange," she asked.

"You know those dreams you have of someone, but they appear differently?"

"Yeah."

"Pretty much that. And it was really strange how it played out," I answered.

"Huh. Who was it about?"

"It was about…someone I used to know. A girl named Amata," I stated, avoiding the truth.

"Huh. Did she grow up with you in the vault," Elizabeth questioned.

"Yeah. Good friend of mine. She stayed behind while I left the vault to find my dad. Not sure why I was dreaming about her. Haven't in a long time."

"Dreams can be like that. Sometimes you just randomly remember someone in a dream that you haven't seen in a while. Maybe its your way of missing them"

I scratched the back of my head, "Yup. Guess they can be."

"Haven't had the opportunity to visit her," she questioned.

"Well it's a story for another time. But let's just say I doubt I'll get a warm welcome if I return."

"Why? Did you blow someone's room up and then they banished you," she jokingly asked.

I laughed, "No, but you are in the right area about being banished. But we can talk about it later."

Elizabeth nodded, "Hold you to it. Anything on the agenda today? I'd be down to try that Ultra Luxe place. Looks pretty fancy."

"Well, I don't really have anything. But I am curious about something," I reply, taking a seat.

Elizabeth repeats my actions, "What are you curious about?"

"I'd like to know more about who delivered the package that led me to finding Rapture. It could maybe lead somewhere and maybe give more insight as to why they wanted me specifically to find it. With things finally dying down, I have some time to send that message to find out."

"Sounds like a good start. I'll make breakfast while you do that," she states as she stands up.

I stand up as well and make my way back to my room. I sit down at the desk and start up the terminal to contact the Courier Office. I logged in and opened up my email and began to type.

Dear Office,

This is Evan. I hope you are having good business. I have a question I was hoping you could answer. On November 3, I was given a package that two people from your office dropped off for me. They handed it to the robot, Victor and said that it was urgent that I receive it. Only description I have of them is that they looked like they were twins. At your earliest convenience, I would like to know who they are as what the package led to is quite the discovery and would like to know if they would like a report of what I discovered. I hope to hear from you soon.

You know it hadn't occurred to me that maybe those two people who dropped the package off could have been those same two twins I saw at the Strip entrance and with the merchant. I mean it isn't every day you run into two British people that are opposite genders, but are twins. Though I have my doubts if they are the same. They didn't look like they were from around here the times I have seen them. Not only that, but Victor for sure was given this package on the Strip and they didn't have access to it. Which is why, more or less, I don't think they are the same. More than likely a coincidence.

I got up out of my chair and made my way back to the kitchen. I saw that Elizabeth was wrapping up Breakfast and it looked like simple toast and Radscorpion Eggs. She was already eating as I sat down.

"Thank you for fixing this," I stated.

"No problem," she replies, finishing a bite.

"I sent the email, now it's a matter of waiting for a reply."

Elizabeth nodded as she continued to eat.

Once we finished eating, we put our dishes away and as we were leaving, Victor approached us.

"Howdy you two. Hope you slept well after the celebration," his cheerful voice expressed.

"Yes we did. Thank you for asking Victor," Elizabeth replies.

"That's great to hear. Mr. House would like to see you as there have been some issues he would like your help on. He has promised that once these tasks are done, it will be all for now."

"Huh. Well, let's go see what he wants," I replied.

We walked into the elevator and I pushed the button to take us to the Penthouse. Wonder what Mr. House has left over for us. Maybe some simple tasks or some things to wrap up. Whatever they are, let's hope it isn't anything crazy. But this is New Vegas. Anything can happen.

The elevator doors opened and we walked through and down the stairs to greet dear old Mr. House.

"With how things moved leading up to the Battle of Hoover Dam, I did not have time to disclose two final assignments for you two that needed to be resolved. After this, I have more work on my end than yours and will let you know if I need further assistance," Mr. House immediately declares.

"Well, let's get this over with then. What are the two things you need done," I replied.

"Simple and it won't take you far. It concerns the Omertas and their den of vice, Gomorrah.

As the decisive encounter between the bull and the bear concluded yesterday, my concerns about the Omertas have grown. I've never expected loyalty, mind you. A reliably underhanded tribe is just as constant to deal with as one that always run true. But that's just it - lately the Omertas' cooperative silence has been deafening. Not a single complaint? They're up to something. I expected a response from them considering the outcome. But no. Nothing."

"Ok. Consider it done. What about the other assignment?"

"This one is more of an investigation. I have been hearing strange rumors going on at the Ultra Luxe. Not much to go off of. Simply pop your heads in and find out what is going on there. Once that is done, report back to me and this will conclude things for now."

"Alright. Well let's get on with it then," I answered.

We went back into the elevator and I pushed the button to take us down back to the Presidential Suite.

"I hope after these last two things, Mr. House will let us do our own thing. I'm honestly tired of these fetch quests," Elizabeth exclaims as she walks out.

"Couldn't agree with you more. I want to explore New Vegas a bit more and with the dark cloud of the battle gone, he doesn't have much of a reason to bother us with these quests," I acknowledged.

Elizabeth walks into her room, "Yup. I'd like to explore New Vegas more as well. Maybe even check in with Veronica and see how the Brotherhood is doing."

I walk into my room, grab my bag, and put on the rest of my armor. Once that was concluded, I met Elizabeth at the elevator and pushed the button to take us down to the Casino floor. As we waited, I felt Elizabeth hold my hand. I took notice and met with her eyes subtly noticing her pupils dilating as she looked at me. I wondered if my eyes were doing the same thing the longer I stared at her. We were interrupted as the elevator came to a stop, letting us know it was time to go. We walked out of the elevator and made our way across the street to the Gomorrah

Gomorrah is not the kind of place I would like to go to even if I had a ton of free time. To put it bluntly, it's a strip club and I was never really attracted to them even if paid sex is on the table. Sex is something that never has really been on my mind. Closest memory I have of it is when my Dad and I had the bird and the bees talk. He always cautioned me on it and stressed to be careful about who I do it with. Honestly I haven't really had the time to even think about it. Last four years have kept me occupied.

As we opened the doors and entered, a man in a white striped suit, black tie, and brown fedora approached us.

"Hey, no one but Omertas are allowed to carry guns into Gomorrah! Check your weapons with me," he firmly states.

Reluctantly, we hand over our weapons. Strangely, he doesn't pat us down except give Elizabeth the usual, checking out look.

"You'll get these back on your way out," he states, bringing the guns with him.

Inspecting the lobby, there were red curtains and long red cushioned seats throughout the place with a receptionist's desk, and a receptionist ready to speak with us. Approaching the desk, SI noticed she had brown hair, green eyes, and a light blue dress.

"Hello and welcome to Gomorrah. What can I help you with today," she asks.

"Hi. We are representing Mr. House and would like to know if there is anything the Omertas are up to," I replied.

She sighed, "I knew someone would call in that mark soon. What do you want to know?"

"I need to know who to talk to about what's been going on in Gomorrah."

"All I can tell you is to find Cachino. He's the lowest level Lieutenant you're going to be able to talk to. Some of the girls say he's been involved in some shady business the Family wouldn't really like. Ask him about it."

"Know where I can find him?"

"You might find him in the main striper hall in the back. Though he isn't the friendliest man."

Wasn't expecting anyone here to be that way anyway.

I nodded as I walked away and made my way into the main casino area. It looked similar to the Lucky 38's casino area except it had a sort of brazier in the middle of the area surrounded by marble columns wrapped with red lines of cloth like a snake wrapping around its prey. Every Omerta was dressed like the man who took our weapons at the door and all had a pissed off look on their face. Elizabeth and I continued forward, made our way to the back of the casino, and reached the door to the back. As I reached for the knob, a man immediately opened the door. At first glance, he was clearly losing his hair as he had quite the bald spot. He had gray eyes and looked like the rest of the Omertas.

"What the fuck do you want," he demands.

"You Cachino," I questioned.

"Depends on who is asking."

"Well if you are, I hear you've been doing some business on the side," I inquired.

Cachino scowled, "Business? What the fuck do you mean business? You looking to get yourself burned? Now you start talking real clear, and I mean fucking crystal clear, because I'm about to lose my patience.

"I hear you've been dealing with some business that is off limits for the family."

"I don't give half a dick what you've heard. Now get the fuck out of my face before I burn your sorry ass," he responds.

"Now what do we have here," I hear Elizabeth say, behind him.

Cachino turns around, "What. Hey!"

Elizabeth pulled out a small tattered, red journal and started to skim through the pages, "Looks like he's been doing something on the side here Evan."

"Give that back you bitch," he exclaims, trying to grab Elizabeth.

Before I could intervenue to grab him, she quickly moves to the side and trips him, his face hitting the carpet. I quickly walk over, pick him up, and restrain him.

"Okay, listen... That's some dangerous shit you got there. That book could get me killed, if the wrong people see it. Let's talk, what do you both want? What can I do for you?"

"Well first, you can apologize to the lady for your language," I stated.

Elizabeth cracked a smile.

"Ok. I apologize. What else?"

I let him go, "How much is this book worth to you?"

He adjusts himself, "I can pay you for it, of course. I also have some information about the Family's business that you might find interesting. Between you and I we can break up what they're planning, maybe save some lives... Mine included, of course.

"Ok, 100 caps and you help us break up whatever your bosses have planned."

"Oh, here are some caps," he says as he digs into his shirt pocket, brings out 100 caps, and hands them to Elizabeth. She swipes them out of his hand and walks back over to me.

"Now give me the journal."

Elizabeth hands the journal back to him and he quickly grabs it, putting it back in his back pocket.

"Right, there we go. So let me tell you what I know about the Family's business. The Bosses, Big Sal and Nero, have been working for a while on this. They're arming themselves like an army, using this new guy, 'll find him in the Brimstone. They also brought in a specialist named Clanden. At least that's what they introduced him as. Anyway, you'll find him on the suite level."

"What kind of specialist is Clanden," Elizabeth asked.

"I got no fucking idea. They let him have the run of the place though. He seems like a nice guy, but he makes me nervous. He's a little arrogant, but he's too nice. Too open, I've never seen him fucking or gambling. Everyone has a vice, but this guy seems like the Pope."

I chimed in, "What about Troike?"

Cachino hands me a key, "He's a skittish little fucker. Spends half the day pumping his body full of chems and the other half pumping hookers with his willy. He has some kind of connections, so he's able to smuggle huge shipments of weapons into the strip. The bosses got him by the short hairs. We covered up a hooker he killed while flying on some psycho, so he gets us guns in exchange for not ratting."

I put the key in my pocket, "That's all the questions we have for now. We may have more later."

"Okay. You can find me here, or upstairs in my room. I'll let the muscle know you both are friends of mine, that should let you get around a little easier," he states as he walks away.

I turned to Elizabeth, "Nice job getting that journal. Didn't think to pickpocket him like that."

She smiled, "Thank you. It was more of a hunch really."

"Good one nonetheless."

She blushes a bit, "Anyway, you want to split up?"

"I'm not sure. This place, I feel you might need me with you," I said.

Elizabeth walks up and kisses me on the cheek, "I'll be fine. I've been in worse places even before being here in New Vegas. I can handle Clanden if you want to handle Troike."

I rub my cheek, "Ok. Just be careful."

"I will," she replies as she walks away.

I turn around and take notice of the signs pointing to where the Brimstone area is. I follow the signs, down the dimly lit corridors lined with red, velvet carpet until I am met with a locked iron vault door with an Omerta Thug. I show him the key as I insert it and open the door. I walk in and continue down the hall and open the next door. As I opened it, I was met with quite the smell. It smelled vibrant, like some sort of cologne, but also foul like horrible body odor. I can think of a few reasons as to why, but that can be for later.

I walked into the room and there were pillows of different colors and different carpets littered around the place. Most of them were red like the place but some of them were light brown or tan colored. In the center of the room were round shaped beds, fitted with more red sheets. I saw a man walking around, pacing as if his mind was trying to come up with a solution of some sort. As I approached him, I noticed he had a cigarette in his hand, a plain dirty white shirt, black boots, and green cargo pants. He was African American with a short beard and long, brown hair. He took notice of me and stopped walking as I approached him.

"Who are you? I didn't do anything, leave me alone," he states.

"Are you Troike," I asked.

"Who's asking," he questioned.

"Cachino sent me to ask you about some guns."

"I'm looking to help Cachino break up whatever the Bosses are planning."

He staggers back, "Yeah? Well fuck that. The bosses have my number, and I'm a company man while they've got the goods on me."

"Really? Cachino forgot to tell me what they have on you," I expressed.

"I guess if Cachino trusts you I can tell you a little of what happened. It all started with a prostitute in here."

"Tell me what happened with the prostitute," I asked.

He takes a puff from his cigarette, "Oh man, I don't even like to think about it. All that goddamn blood. It was just in the hotel like any other night. I took some chems with the girl I was with, but I never black out. I did this time though. Next thing I knew I woke up and she was lying next to me stabbed dead. There was a knife next to the bed and I was covered in her blood."

"What kind of chems were you doing?"

"That night? Mostly buffout, I like to cut it with a little bit of jet, and wash it down with some whiskey. That was my standard Saturday night."

"How did the family find out about it?"

Troike takes another puff, "When I saw the body I started screaming. Within a few seconds some of their soldiers were in there cleaning up the room. They offered to keep silent about what happened if I agreed to help them get their hands on large quantities of guns, at deep discounts."

"Maybe I can help you out of your contract with the family," I suggested.

"More power to you if you can, but keep me out of it. I've been doing business with Big Sal, so he's going to be your man. You can find him up stairs past the main stripper stage," he answers as he sits down on the bed.

I turn around and make my way out of the Brimstone. As I get back into the main lobby, I hear my Pipboy beep, altering me that an email was sent. I check my Pipboy and see that I received an email from the Courier Office.

Evan,

Thank you for your response and hope all is well. Using the description of the people you provided and looking through our records, we do not have anyone on file that fits what you gave us. Sorry we could not be of more assistance. If we do find anything, we will let you know as soon as possible.

-Courier Office

Well this isn't good. Then whoever dropped this off wanted this to be off the radar for some reason. And their intentions, I could theorize all day. My only lead now at this point is finding those twins and asking them if they delivered it. If that ends up being true, then I only have more questions about it. Were they some of the Doctors from the group that wanted someone to recontinue their research? Or just some curious people that wanted to know more? Did they even know about Elizabeth and want her back for research which is why they were maybe following us? I'm getting ahead of myself and the only way to find out is for me to ask them next time I see them. Right now, let's go talk to Big Sal.