"Ah, David, you're finally back," Arcade said, adjusting his glasses. "I didn't hear you two come in last night."
"And it's great to see you too." Cass smiled.
David thought he and Cass could sneak back into his presidential suite in the Lucky 38, without House or his friends noticing. When the elevator came up, Arcade was sat in the hallway on his own. David checked his suite's rooms for other life. The suite was empty and barren of all of his companions.
"Arcade, where are the others?"
"They're out gambling. Vegas does that to people. I don't know where they are."
David leant on the door outside the elevator and lit a cigarette and started smoking. "Did they say when they'll be back?"
Arcade chuckled. "I'm not their watcher, David, 'kay? They'll be back, I'm sure." Cass sat by him. "Where did you two go off to last night anyway?"
"We went back out for more drinks. Woke up at King's Improv… together."
"Something like that would happen." Arcade sighed. "Why do I feel like we do not see eye to eye? Getting the cold shoulder over here, David. Everyone just goes off without me, not sensing the friendship over here."
"Don't be glum, dude. The night was still young; we had to go out."
"Isn't it always, luv?"
"Oh my, you're both drunk. I'll get you a bed and some water," Arcade chuckled. "Seriously, though. Are you two still hungover? You should get some water and take a seat; you look shattered."
David took his last smoke and finished his cigarette, rubbing the butt on the nearest table. This time he forgot to dub it out on his chest plate. "I would love to have a glass of water, now that I have to take care of myself properly. Not sure what I should do about my drinking and smoking, though." He may not be entirely super like the day before, but he damn well won't let it get to him.
"What were you two up to last night, besides drinking?"
"I actually cannot remember all the details. There's a funny story about that actually."
"We eloped last night!" Cass said abruptly, flashing Arcade her wedding ring excitingly. The ring was fine quality gold.
"That's one way to put it briefly, thank you, Cass."
Arcade took off his glasses and cleaned them, double-checking that he saw clearly. The wedding ring was the real deal. Genuine. "Oh, my. Uhm, congratulations! I'm happy for the both of you," he said, with decent forced excitement. "I wish you the best."
"The King married us. A nice big happy family, in its complicated ways, of course."
"A small gift is in order. In your room, by the double bed, is a footlocker, some weapons and ammo are inside. As the owner they're all yours, I guess. I took the liberty of not looking inside."
"I appreciate it, Arcade. I'll take a look-see."
The footlocker at the bottom of the king-sized bed had some weapons stashed inside in mint condition, two rifles and an energy rifle. Firstly was a .308, five-round, scoped, bolt-action rifle - similar to Boone's. Secondly, a 5mm, thirty-round, automatic carbine – not unlike the one the M4A1 he used to use, though not as potent. Lastly, the energy rifle - battery-operated laser rifle, powered by microfusion cells or some brand of nuclear batteries. At the very bottom was some ammo for each of them. Must have belonged to Benny before he accidentally lost his torso.
David took a different approach than the usual one-man army charade; he felt like a leadership role than playing things solo, now that he has a group backing him up. He left behind the Browning HP Sunny gave him and the M16 to swap for the hunting rifle and carbine.
The weapons felt heavier than usual, only on account of him being significantly weaker as a human, albeit more prepared. Fair trade-off, now that he has friends to carry some of his extra weight to compensate.
Seconds later, the elevator stopped at the suite outside, he slung the Carbine and the Hunting rifle on his back and left to see who just arrived. With the laser rifle in hand, David wanted a particular Brotherhood member to have the pleasure of using it. Felt too sci-fi to use energy weapons.
At the elevator were Boone and Veronica. She gave David no warning and hugged him at first sight. "David! Happy to see you."
"I heard you were both out gambling," David muttered, softly repelling Veronica's arms around his neck.
"I was at first," Boone grumbled. "She followed me."
"It was my first time."
"She wouldn't take no for an answer. Beginner's luck," Boone grumbled again. He walked around the room and leant on the nearest wall, in defeat. He wasn't telling the full story.
"Really now? Made any caps?"
"Four hundred," Boone said, quickly, trying not to draw any more attention.
"That's pretty good. Why do you look like you lost a bet?"
"Could've made more but Veronica got us kicked out. Only she'd walk in with a hundred and leave with over ten thousand. Just when I was getting warmed up, and then we get kicked out. Typical."
Cass smiled and chuckled. "No shit, really? Outrageous!"
"I was on a mean streak, and one of the managers were all like, 'you're getting too lucky around here' and asked me to leave. I carried on for another few games, and after I broke ten grand, they kicked me out. I still had the money, so I didn't care."
"Before you do anything I have something for you," David said, shyly. He showed Veronica the laser rifle. "I'm sure you know how to use it being from the Brotherhood 'n' all."
Veronica clapped. "A laser rifle! For me?"
"I don't understand energy weapons. Not my forte."
Veronica felt and examined the laser rifle in a rude and otherwise sexual manner. "The Brotherhood doesn't let me use energy weapons as much as they used to."
Cass narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
"They say I tend to put them where they don't belong… under the category of gross misuse. I don't use them as a weapon that much, so to speak. I'm not that shy about it, but it can be fun with a girlfriend."
"Didn't take you for the one to switch teams," Cass said, "I'll be sure to keep my eye on you unless you pay for the first round. I'm tellin' ya now that if I catch you humping my leg and I'll kick you off. 'Kay?"
"Don't worry about me, Cass; I play for both teams."
Boone groaned. "What are these 'teams' we're talking about?"
"Let's just leave it as sexual innuendo and move on. Yeah?"
"Veronica's bi," Arcade suddenly said.
David choked. "I'm not sure if I needed to hear all about that jibber-jabber." He cleared his throat, easing and otherwise diverting the topic. "Before we head out to Cassidy Caravan's wreckage, Cass and I have an announcement to make." He placed his arm over Cass' shoulder and held her firmly. "We got married last night! Say hello to my new wife, guys," he announced with joy.
Boone smirked. "Nice one."
Veronica clapped her hands repeatedly and with excitingly. "This is so exciting; I'm so happy for you two. Congratulations!"
"You both seem to be a perfect match." David and Cass began to make out. "Very compatible," Arcade muttered, cleaning his glasses. "We moving back out anytime soon? The excitement is killing me."
"Yeah. It's not too far. I hope. So we're leaving now to make time."
The five all left Freeside within minutes, past the stores, children and the grim residents. Heaving the large metal door at the north with a loud creak, outside the entrance was a nearby weapon factory, more of a military barracks on the inside, the entrance was prohibited. The guards glared at anyone who came close, literally unmoving and just watched everything like hawks.
Outside the factory was a bulletproof kiosk, inside the vendor was a robot. Thoroughly checking out the Gun Runners' stock and wares, it was all expensive. Ranging from WWII Thompsons and Colt 1911s to modern automatics and heavy weapons.
The ammunition was just as expensive also, special ammo like armour piercing, hollow points, slugs, explosive, incendiary and even EMP. Weapon attachments from, scopes, magazines, laser sights and silencers were hard to ignore.
Gun Runners had their fair share of armours, not as good as David's, still high quality, though. In mint condition, most of their combat armour sets were as expensive as seven thousand caps, as durable and resistant as his. Then there was an orange brand of combat armour, Sierra Madre, only a fraction of the price at only a petty thousand each.
It was like a candy store for adults. A grim thought came to be. However, no money equals no new toys. David couldn't buy anything. All he had left to do there was to repair his armour on the workbench outside. The last time he skipped a remedy between fights almost cost his life.
It was after the stop David asked Cass for directions to her wreckage, she used his Pip-Boy's map functions almost as good as he does. Near REPCONN Headquarters, nearby the Grub 'n' gulp, right in the middle of the Mojave. Her caravan was very close.
General Redfield was alone again in his office within Hoover Dam, where he spends all of his days working. Colonel Moore urgently rushed to his office with urgent news revolving around a rumour that has, unfortunately, came true after years of speculating. She caught him mid-paperwork and barged through the shutter door.
"General, I need a word."
"Close the door then. Let's talk."
Moore closed the metal door behind her and pulled up a seat at Redfield's desk. "I'm sorry to intrude like this, but I have something you need to know." She left the paperwork on his desk for him to read. They were sightings of an individual in Legion armour that was seen roaming the Mojave recently, spying on N.C.R. settlements.
"Cassandra, stand firm and tell me straight. Is it bad?"
Moore frowned. "Yes. His presence has our men worried."
"Dammit," he muttered.
"It gets worse. The Legion has a new legate. I have the sightings to prove it."
"Fucking hell! A new legate? Already?!" Redfield slid the paperwork littering his desk to one side and stood up quickly to bore into the details. "Please tell me you have a name?"
"Someone by the name of Lanius."
"Lanius?!" He slams his hands on his desk. "Legate-freakin'-Lanius?! Tell me you're joking!"
Moore was paralysed in fear over his sudden rage. "No…" she stuttered. "I'm telling you the truth."
Redfield collapsed back into his chair. "Jesus has forsaken me again."
"General? Is there something you're not telling me?" she said, leaning towards him. "If anything is bothering you, you can tell me," she said, softly.
"Only the obvious facts like the N.C.R. is doomed."
"Why? Lanius is just a rumour! It's probably just some Legion big talk. These sightings are probably not even related-"
"The Enclave was a rumour, the Sierra Madre legend was a rumour, and the Burned Man was a rumour. I've seen them all. Why is Lanius any different? Having that monster as the Legion's new legate means a new battle. A new battle for Hoover Dam."
"We did this once before we can do it again. As long as we all have the N.C.R. Council, we will beat them when they come knocking."
"What chance do we have against Lanius? Lanius' infamous reputation reaches as far as the Commonwealth, that was twenty-four years ago! I hoped he was just a legend this time, but he's here as the Legion's new legate! Doesn't sound like a rumour anymore! It's over."
"That's what you said about the Malpais Legate. Remember? You doubted your actions, but we all stood by them and won."
"Did we really win Moore? Was the cost we paid worth it? The people we lost? The resources spent? I remember. But the stories of this monster, something stronger than man – a behemoth, serving as a God of war. He worked with the Institute; he survived the Commonwealth and the Capital. The odds are gravely stacked against us at an all-new high. He's superior to his predecessor in every way."
"You'll make the right choice, I know you. I'm always here for you." She smiled and placed her hand over his tensed ones. Redfield was getting stressed with the constant work, and she never liked it, but if he didn't do it, no one would. He deserved a break.
"We got to make battle plans."
"If you're so sure then I'll assemble the council first thing tomorrow morning."
"Until then, I'll be taking a short trip; there's something I need to do for myself." He withdrew his hands and got ready to leave his office; ready at the shutter door with his back to his confidant.
Moore saddened with despair. "Again? Now?"
Redfield sighed. "As much as I'd like to be with you I need to pay a visit to the Think Tank. When the second battle is coming our way with Legate Lanius leading the charge, I need to step up my game. I barely beat the Malpais Legate; I'll be damned if I'm going out this early." He left his office without another word.
"We will win, Edward," Moore said to herself, "Things always get worse before they get better."