This is sort of an interlude until the next big chapter, which concerns the White Glove Society.
On the other hand, headshots!
The Strip
Being accosted by a Legion spy while on the way to the Ultra-Luxe was not exactly what Veronica had in mind for the morning, but if they were on their way to shut down a bunch of maybe-cannibals, she supposed that the weirdness quota for the day hadn't been met yet. So the world clearly had to make up for it.
Meda didn't seem to know what to make of the man in the suit at first, looking down at her stolen mercenary outfit awkwardly for a second or two, before shrugging to herself and finally deigning to listen.
"The eyes of the mighty Caesar are upon you. He admires your accomplishments, and bestows upon you the exceptional gift of his Mark." The Frumentarius crossed his arms. "Your crimes against the Legion, including the death of the fearless Vulpes Inculta, are hereby forgiven. Caesar will not extend this mercy again."
Meda's expression was carefully blank, though she seemed to be fiddling with something in her pocket. Veronica was debating whether or not to bite down on her left fist to keep from laughing. This guy was so lucky Boone and Arcade and Cass were still in the Lucky 38, trying to find their weapons for the latest excursion.
The man went on, "My lord requires your presence at his camp, at Fortification Hill. His Mark will guarantee your safe-conduct throughout our lands."
After a while, the courier nodded and said, "Tell Caesar I accept his invitation."
Boone would have dropped dead of apoplexy.
Alerio seemed satisfied. "Seek Caesar by way of Cottonwood Cove. There will be a boatman waiting for your arrival."
Veronica thought, Boone's head is going to explode when he hears this, never mind the aneurysm.
Meda smiled. "I see… By the way, Alerio, Caesar says he forgives me about the whole killing Vulpes thing, right?"
"Yes." Alerio replied, one eyebrow raised.
"I have to ask," Meda began slowly, having finally retrieved a lump of red cloth from her pocket. "What in hell made you think that was a one-time thing?" With a flick of her wrist, she snapped the fabric open to reveal a First Recon beret and put it on her head.
A quarter of a second later, Alerio's head exploded when Boone's new rifle gave a sharp crack.
Meda grinned, even as the Securitrons started to swarm over the apparent homicide victim. "Well, turns out that the old signal still works."
When Veronica asked later, Boone said that there was no way he was forgetting a signal like that, even if he never explained why.
Veronica shrugged, chalking it up as yet another Boone-ism, and they all strode into the Ultra-Luxe for a rather strange night.