Chapter 29: A Mess of Blues

A knock was heard on Ambassador Crocker's door. He looked up and saw the courier, smiling at her. He waved her in, barely noticing the expression on her face until she sat down. The woman looked like she had bad news. He sighed and rubbed his hands on his face. Then he began to talk.

"I trust you have something to report concerning the Freeside situation?" he asked.

The girl took her time to talk. Ambassador Crocker saw her fidgeting. "The King won't deal with the NCR."

This knowledge seemed to pain her. "That's most unfortunate. In this circumstance I've been instructed to send you along to Colonel Moore over at Hoover Dam for further orders. The Colonel will likely send you back to Freeside with a squad of armed men, for all the good that will do."

"Sending NCR soldiers into Freeside would be a bad idea," said Raven.

"I completely agree," he replied. "Even if a riot didn't immediately break out, a line will have been crossed, and we'll have made that many more enemies. I suggest you speak to Colonel Hsu over at Camp McCarran. He's much more level-headed about this sort of thing. He's also in a better position to bargain with the people of Freeside, seeing as how's he in charge of water and power distribution in the area. Still, I'm only mentioning it as an option. My official orders are to direct you to Colonel Moore. Godspeed."

The girl nodded and got up from her chair. "I appreciate the help, Ambassador."

"Miss Wagner," he said. "Is there something bothering you about this?"

"Well..."

Raven left the office practically in tears. This did not bode well for the King. What was she going to do? Raven had to think of something. She knew her best bet for a peaceful resolution was to go to Colonel Hsu. Based on the Ambassador's recommendation, it was definitely a better choice to go to him than to this 'Colonel Moore' person. Raven walked down the Strip with her hands in her pockets, kicking at a stray tin can along the way. This really sucked. There was no reason for her to doubt the Ambassador's word, but still, he was NCR. Raven didn't really trust them as much as she could have, but she knew they were doing the best they could. Raven began to make her way through the Strip to the gates, then through Freeside. She walked as fast as she could past the King's place, and went to the entrance of Freeside. She exited out into the Mojave Wasteland and made her way to Camp McCarran. She asked around for Colonel Hsu and was directed to his office. She knocked on his door and the door opened shortly after. An asian looking man in an army beret and NCR armor stood before her. He looked her up and down, his brow crinkling with confusion.

"I'm usually good with faces, but I don't think I've seen you here before. What brings you to Camp McCarran?"

"Ambassador Crocker said to come see you about the situation with the Kings in Freeside." said Raven.

"Ah, that." He said, and motioned her inside. "I'm surprised he didn't send you to Colonel Moore. That'd be her jurisdiction."

Raven walked in and ran a hand over her face. "He said those were his official orders, but suggested seeing you anyway."

"Because he's looking to avoid a bloodbath. I get it. He knows me." the Colonel chuckled a little. "All right. Moore's not gonna like it. But that's for Crocker to worry about. Go to the leader of the Kings and tell him that I'll make sure Freeside gets more water, power, and food as long as the violence there stops."

Raven's jaw dropped. "Just like that? Really?"

"You have my word."

Raven really liked this man. She had a sudden urge to hug him to death but decided against it. "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate this." and she ran out the door. She had to hurry.

The King sighed as he scratched Rex's neck. He was sitting in the stage room watching one of his Kings performed, but the King felt that he couldn't concentrate. Perhaps he should have considered Raven's proposal more carefully. He didn't like putting her in a bad position, but...still, he had to stick to his guns. He didn't really like the NCR or their current tactics about dealing with Freeside. Sure, they had their moments where they were really good, but as far as Freeside went, they were treating it like no good slum. Freeside may have been a slum, but it was his neighborhood. He didn't like the total lack of respect for his neck of the woods. Suddenly there was a commotion in the other room and Rex barked in that direction. The King sighed, wondering if Pacer had tried to charge someone to see him again. Suddenly NCR soldiers burst into the room, guns aimed at every King in the room. The King stood up angrily.

"What the hell? What is the meaning of this?" he asked loudly.

One soldier took a step forward. "You're to stay here until our representative arrives! That's an order!"

The King slammed a fist on his table. "What representative? What is going on?"

No one answered his questions, but it was shortly after that Raven ran into the room out of breath. The King widened his eyes in shock as she looked around the room. "What the hell is going on here?" she asked. "You guys weren't supposed to show up before me!"

The King just stared at Raven. Was she responsible for this? He took a step toward her. "Okay. I need some answers, now. These guys just barged in here and said they were under orders to keep me here until you arrived. I'm about five seconds away from telling my men to take them down, so speak fast."

"I've been..." Raven bent over, really out of breath. The King was worried that she might collapse. "...I've...been...instructed...to offer you...more resources... in exchange..." she stood back up, wiping her brow. "...in exchange for your word that...the violence stops."

The King blinked. "That...that sounds fair. And all I have to do is try to tone down the attacks on the Squatters, you say?"

"King, that's all you have to-"

She was interrupted by Pacer. "This is bullshit! Why are we even talkin' about dealing with these guys?"

The King turned to Pacer. "This isn't really a good time to have this discussion."

"Wrong! This is exactly the right time," yelled Pacer. "I'm about to prevent you from making a huge mistake."

"Pace, don't do this," the King pleaded. "I won't stand with you if you do."

"Then I stand on my own, just like I always have, " said Pacer. "Just like a King should."

Suddenly Pacer pulled out his pistol and aimed his gun at the King. Rex growled and cowered. The King held up his hands. "Pace, what the hell are you doing?"

"I didn't want it to come to this, old friend, but I'm relieving you of your title as the King. I'm the new King now."

Just when Pacer was about to pull the trigger, a bullet grazed his arm and he dropped the gun. Raven cocked her repeater and shot Pacer in the leg. The King watched as Pacer went down on his knees. Pacer reached for his pistol and aimed it at Raven. Raven pulled the trigger on her rifle and shot Pacer in the head. The man fell to the floor lifeless and the King watched in a mixture of relief and horror. His best friend was now dead, but Raven had just saved the King's life. Raven lowered her rifle and looked at the King with a frown. The King could tell from the guilt on her face that she was deeply saddened by all this. He couldn't really fault her at this point, but the King was not exactly happy with her at the moment.

The King turned to the NCR officers next. "Tell your superiors that I accept your terms. Now everyone get out." The NCR soldiers nodded and began to thin out, along with the rest of the Kings. Rex stayed in his place by the table and Raven began to walk out when the King stopped her. "Except you, woman. You stay put."

Raven cringed and stopped where she was. When everyone had left except the King and herself, Raven turned back around to look at him. "Are you going to be ok?" she asked.

"I...I can't believe Pace is gone," said the King. "He was always right here, you know? Always crackin' me up with some story or another..." He sat down in a chair and held his head in his hands.

He felt Raven's presence get close to him and he felt a hand on his shoulder. "...I'm sorry it came to this, King. Really, I...I don't know what to say."

The King sat up and looked up at her. "You saved my life, you know. I'm grateful for that...but..." he sighed, shaking his head. "You're going to have to give me some time alone right now. I need time to...to deal with this."

"I understand." The girl kissed the King on his forehead, then turned and walked out of the room. Rex whimpered as she left.