James fixed his tie as he road the monorail into New Vegas. Nathan had insisted that he wear a tux back into the city. Though unsure of Nathan's intentions, James grudgingly replied thought he had to admit, he looked great in a suit. Evidenced by the wandering eyes of a few NCR officers and even some members of the Upper Class- Ultra Luxe. James flashed a grin at one cute gambler in particular as the rail doors opened. He stepped out quickly and ran into Lt. Morales, who wore a streamlined Enclave dress uniform. Hastily fashioned from a spare tux of Nathan's in the Lucky 38.
"Morning, sir." Morales chirped, following James as he passed the young officer with a short nod.
"Any news from the front lines?" James asked abruptly. Morales quickly shifted his Pip-Boy screen before reading off the screen.
James had just learned that the Brotherhood imitated a purge along the inside of the CPG territory. The south had just been cleared of raiders and various other wasteland creatures. This left the Minutemen exhausted and stretched thin when the Brotherhood began a massive ground push from South up.
Strange tactic on Maxson's part, as Maxson usually relied on the speed of his vertibirds for quick movements through enemy territory. As far as James could tell, the Enclave fighter fleet managed to slow the Brotherhood until reinforcements could arrive. This materialized in the form of the newly formed Alpha Company. This company of over 500 Enclave troopers are fully trained professional soldiers equipped with the new X-02 Mk. II Power Armor. The Troopers mostly came from the Capital and originally planned to enter the ranks of the Brotherhood. However, when Maxson left, this dream was crushed leaving many of the soldier's with resentments against the man.
According to Brandis, Alpha Company was the finest group of soldiers he had ever contributed to train. This was because Arcade's friend Cass had also helped to train the upstart recruits. Their individual brand of drill sergeant mentality and Trial by Fire mentalities led to cooperation and collaboration. Alpha is the first achievement of the new Enclave. Arcade hoped they would serve well alongside Preston's Minutemen.
Morales looked up from the Pip-Boy as James leaned against the brick wall of the monorail station. James nodded and gestured for Morales to follow. James slipped his hands into his pockets, a habit he had now just developed when deep in though. Safety and security in New Vegas (of all places) had begun to affect him.
Morales, while a capable assistant, was inexperienced. He was not fit for his rank as officer, yet also not fit for combat. Morales, as far as James could tell, was a genius. The young officer planned and executed countless Pride Operations leading many in the Pride referring to him as the Calculator.
James frowned as he looked up at the Tops Casino. Benny's place. James strode forward and took a key from his pocket. It held a small toy 9mm pistol, covered in silver paint. A tiny inscription on the weapon labeled it to be Maria. James unlocked the casino and opened the doors.
The hall was quiet, dark and dusty. Just as James had figured, the casino had been closed for years. The Tops was being renovated by a local construction company. The entire top half was destroyed and the foundation for the new place had been established. Raising the amount of floors to eighty five. However as Benny had left, caps ran out and the construction company abandoned the project.
James rubbed his chin as he stared at a broken ad stand talking about some group called the "Rad Pack".
"Morales, does the Enclave Archives have anything on safe houses, vaults, or anything of the like?" James asked.
"Checking now, boss." Morales said. He paused. "Eden says there's a couple vaults still untouched with a few safe houses all around the Mojave." James chuckled, impressed with power and the connections the Enclave had before becoming the weakened, sad organization to test him in D.C.
"Send out the call." James said suddenly.
"What call?" Nathan asked, appearing from the shadows, Ultra Luxe, cane in hand while dressed in a jet black tux. A top hat sat angled slightly on his head as he trailed along at least three groupies from the luxurious casino.
"I've been rebuilding the Enclave." James said. Nathan's expesssion was unreadable but something in his smile led James to believe he was annoyed.
"I know." Nathan replied. "I was at Quincy, remember?"
"Only for a short time." James retorted. He paused to think and remembered Nathan appearing and disappearing during the Quincy ordeal. "Why were you at Quincy?" Nathan's smiled remained fixed on his face when Nathan whispered to the girls that trailed him. They groaned and left him, shooting some air kisses at him or begging him to follow. Nathan tossed aside the Ultra-Luxe cane and stepped into the light.
"I need something done." Nathan said.
"And what's that?" Nathan tossed a silver coin at James. James caught it as it glinted in midair.
"That there's the Platinum Chip. Go to Fortification Hill. Find the Weather Station. I'll meet you there." Nathan said before walking towards the door. James grabbed his arm.
"Why do I need to go there?"
"Just do it." Nathan insisted before walking out.
"Sir? The call's gone out. Eden's already getting some pings out there."
"Gather them in the Tops." James said. "We have a lot of work to do."