Hey everyone, once again I'm sorry for the long delay in uploading this chapter. I had a hard time with the characters conversing with each other and trying to capture their personalities. This chapter has been the most difficult for me to write so far. And since I didn't want to keep you all waiting, I decided to split this chapter into two parts.
I also regret to tell you that I won't be able to update my stories for a while, or at least not as quickly. Work has become a killer. We are backed up on orders, especially some large ones from Arizona and Ohio, and we are now working 10 hrs a day just to keep up.
Finally, I have some good news, I've been playing Fallout New Vegas again and finally added all the downloadable content especially Old World Blues and the Lonesome Road.
Also, an Anonymous reviewer pointed out a mistake concerning Tali and Mike's talk about AI. I've fixed it by removing the paragraph in ch. 6 since ch. 10's chat between Mike and Tali's on AI is more involved and detailed.
One would think that someone from another universe, one where humanity has advanced technology and space flight capabilities would still be in shock to find themselves in this universe where humanity was less advanced and has no space flight, especially considering they are at least a hundred years further in the future. However, Shepard did not seem at all like that to Mike. Shepard seemed to take it all in as if it were natural, like he regularly traveled to parallel universes. Mike could not say the same for his companions however. From what he had learned, Shepard's Earth was a cultural oddity to the alien species: a wonder that many wished to see, despite humanities mixed reputation. Added to the fact that humanity did not completely allow the alien species unlimited access to Earth, which was completely understandable, Mike guessed that this was Tali's and Garrus's first time visiting humanities home world, albeit the wrong one. So were Shepard was quiet, Tali and Garrus were a different story.
"So the Earth in our universe and the one here have the exact same timelines up until the twenty seventies?" questioned Tali who was walking beside Shepard and looking over at Mike.
Mike shrugged, "If what Shepard told me was correct then yes."
Garrus spoke this time, walking up next to him, "Then the Great War happened. A conflict between… who was it?"
"The United States of America and China. At least near the beginning. History has been a little less detailed. Not many people were writing the events down with such a conflict going on." Mike took a breath and continued, "It started when China invaded Alaska and captured the city of Anchorage. They held it for a while until the United States liberated it form the communists. The United States then launched a retaliatory attack against China. The war was becoming costly and Canada, which had been annexed to the US, had rebel groups who weren't really aiding by giving resources. The US took extreme measures and took the resources by force. At some point, someone launched a missile; I think it was the rebels. Well when the Chinese saw this, they launched their own missiles. The US responded by nuking China. Middle Eastern countries attack various others. Many European countries aided the US, but in the end… well it got out of hand. Within two hours the war was over and the world was forever changed."
Mike had explained this before to them back during their first meeting, but had not gone into much detail as he had just done.
"I have been meaning to ask you this before Mike," spoke up Tali, "The robots you have here, like the one that accompanied you on our first visit. Are there more like it and the securitrons?" She waved back at the securitron that had been with them since they had left of their trip.
Mike gave a small smile, "Well of course. There are many robots. Most are like the ones you've met. AI are around but not very common, almost rare actually but…" he noticed the way Tali stared at him. He could not be sure considering she wore that suit and face plate but from the way her eyes widened, he guessed she was shocked, "What? Did I say something? Your not afraid of robots are you? If I remember correctly, you guys had robots with you."
"Why did you not tell me earlier? You have AI here? I need to be aware of such threats!" Tali's voice had a tone of nervousness and anger, which confused Mike.
"Why are you afraid of AI?" questioned Mike.
"I'm a quarian," she explained as if that were an obvious reason.
Mike was even more confused. Everyone in Shepard's group seemed completely fine with the fact that there were robots here, but not so with AI. AI are like any other robot, just smarter and more interesting. "Oh sure, that explains everything," replied Mike sarcastically, "Sorry for completely missing the fact that you are a quarian which should have obviously answered all my questions." Mike knew he must have taken it a little too far for Shepard stepped in front of him, anger etched across is face.
"Watch you tone there Mike! There is no reason for you to go off at her like that!"
Mike flinched in surprise from the reaction his remark had caused in Shepard. Quickly he understood that he had overstepped his boundaries and offended Shepard, however his protective over Tali was more than just a commander's concern for his crew, it was something much more. Either they were close friends, which was very possible, or lovers, which also could be possible. While the idea of a human and alien being intimately involved seemed incomprehensible to him. He guessed that from their world, such a thing was not seen as such. Just another thing about parallel universes that Mike still could not get his mind wrapped around.
"I'm sorry," replied Mike, "I didn't mean any offense. Growing up on a world like this, people tend to be more… how would one say… I'm not sure of the word but people tend to be a little ruder in their conversations. We don't follow the formal and polite forms of conduct. To live in a harsh environment, one has to adept and become like the environment." Mike gave a simple shrug as he turned away, "I know it's not much of an excuse but… well." He gestured helplessly with his hands.
The silence that followed lasted only a few moments before Boone, who had been quiet since the beginning of their trip, broke it, "We should probably get moving. The sooner that we are all done with this task, the better I'm sure we will all feel."
Everyone silently agreed with him and continued down the crumbling road.
"So how did you come to be acquainted with Mike?" Miranda asked. The woman was leaning against a wall, arms crossed over her chest, as she regarded Raul with an emotionless expression.
"Oh, you know, the usual. Finding myself in a dire situation with no hope of getting out then saved by helpful stranger who opens a door." Raul knew that he could have said his answer a little more clearly, but why do that and ruin the fun in messing with this woman.
"So Mike saved you from imprisonment? Why would he do that?"
Raul shrugged, "I guessing he was just being helpful to an old man. Respecting his elders, all like a good young man." Actually, Raul himself did not know why Mike had freed him for he had never asked. He doubted that Mike had traveled all the way to Black Mountain just to save his wrinkly old ass. Most likely, Mike had originally traveled there for another reason and only later learned about him.
"And after he freed you, he made you come along with him?" Miranda's expression had not changed, still remaining empty of emotions.
"Now you are making Mike sound like a slave driver or task master. No Senora. I volunteered to follow him. Actually I literally insisted that he take me along."
"And why would you do that if I might ask?"
Raul allowed a slight grin to appear on his face, "With my new freedom came a new form of imprisonment. While I could go where I wanted now, I also couldn't. I may not look it but I'm old. Over two hundred years old and despite that fact that the world is a nuclear wasteland, things still change." Raul felt sorrow overcome as he spoke the next words, "I would have had a hard time finding a place to gain acceptance, serenity, and happiness. Mike may have not been the one to grant me those things, but he has made my life feel like it has a meaning."
"Another question-" Began Miranda, seemingly untouched by the revelation of his deepest feelings.
"I knew there would be." Interrupted Raul with a sigh.
"How did Mike come in control this building?" One would have to have a lot of influence and power to obtain such."
"Oh sure Mike has power and influence. A lot of both actually. Being friends with various groups and group leaders, in and around New Vegas, tends to give one such merits senora. Senora… Senorita, are you married? I'm not sure what to call you." That last question was really unnecessary really except to act as a distraction so he could change the subject while he prepared a better response to t he next question Miranda was sure to ask.
"What's it to you?" Questioned Miranda, a barely noticeable scowl forming on her face.
"Just wondering. I like to address people with a proper title. It's not as if I am asking if you are available. Trust me, we have completely different and conflicting personalities."
"So what groups back Mike?" Asked Miranda, seemingly unfazed by his response.
"Now that's a big one there. Who supports Mike, and I am betting you want to know about the groups in detail as well right?" Raul had stumbled upon an idea; A way to delay answering more of this woman's questions and buy himself time to find a way out of this interrogation. If she wanted to know about the groups, he would have to explain their histories and ideologies, which would take a long time to discuss. "To begin, we have to talk about the first three groups who first supported him. The casinos."
Tali had begun to grow tired of looking at the desolation around her. Seeing Earth like this reminded her of Tuchanka when they had one to deal with Mordin's old assistant and Grunt's rite. So she had begun thinking about what tech there was on this Earth. From some examination, as well as information provided by Mike, she deduced that humanity here had a mixture of technology, some more advanced that what anyone had back in their universe. Humanity had obviously been experimenting with genetics, artificial intelligence, and laser and plasma weaponry. The genetics and artificial intelligence was not unknown, but laser and plasma weaponry were. However, much of the population did not have access to those weapons and therefore had been forced to use conventional firearms, which most species in their universe used before discovering the mass relays and prothean ruins.
One such device, which she had not seen another of in this world, was the thing on Mike's left arm. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before and the first thing that came, when trying to guess what it was, was an omni-tool. She wanted to ask Mike, but the tense conversation between the two parties a while ago was still fresh in her mind and she did not want to begin another such complication. However, as the seconds dragged by, her curiosity got the better of her. Approaching hesitantly to fall into step beside him, on his left, she cleared her throat, "So what it that on your arm?"
He seemed surprised at her presence and, after only a second's delay, he replied, "You mean my Pip-Boy 3000?" He held up the device in front of her face for a brief moment before pulling it back, "It's a unique little device that does a myriad of tasks. I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have it."
Tali continued to watch as Mike brought the device in front of his face and began turning a dial, "It has radio capabilities, can upload and download data, serve as a map, monitors my body condition and health, acts like a journal and well." He waved his hand in an odd motion, "Just various things."
'A lot better than an omni-tool,' thought Tali. "It's pretty bulky and looks heavy. Why do you always have it on?"
"Because it's a troublesome process to take off, plus it's not all that heavy really."
She canted her head at this, "What do you mean by troublesome? Can you just slip it off?"
He seemed to give her an amused smile and replied, "Not really. The thing isn't like a watch. The Pip-Boy is attached to me, so it can register my health. To take it off requires time and pain; something that I would like to avoid is much of as possible. Pain that is. I experience enough on a daily basis as it is."
In that last sentence, Tali heard Mike's tone change, sounding fatigued and overwhelmed. She had heard that tone before when she spoke to Shepard Whenever a mission went bad, like Virmire, and Shepard spoke about if, she heard that same exact tone in his voice just like what was in Mike's, a feeling of depression and helplessness, "If it's not too-" began Tali before Boone interrupted her.
"Legion soldiers on our right!"
Behind the cool façade she had on her face, Miranda fumed in frustration as the ghoul went on explaining about some group called the Brotherhood of Steel. The ghoul was deliberately wasting time by handing her trivial information. But why the delay? Mike would not be back for several hours or more. She had to respect the ghoul for his tact though. However, respect was a lot different than appreciation and she did not appreciate how the ghoul was answering her questions.
She of course could not ask the direct questions that she wanted to for, in doing so, it would give the ghoul a reason to suspect her and, in her mind, give him the feeling of pride in that he had won against her; and Miranda did not like letting people get the better of her.
"-so now a days, the Brotherhood of Steel patrols parts of the Mojave, helping to keep the roads safe. Though they tend to be a bit more aggressive than the NCR when the meet people with advanced weaponry. I personally-" Miranda suddenly saw an opportunity to take control of the situation.
"Hold on. This Brotherhood now does the job that once was the responsibility of the NCR? Why is that?" Miranda caught the expression on the ghoul's face, one of surprise and slight nervousness, and inwardly praised herself.
"Well yeah. The NCR have gone back to their home states, leaving the roads and highways unpatrolled. Now even though Caesar's Legion no longer has a presence in the Mojave, the various raider tribes still tend to cause the caravaneers and travelers trouble."
"So why did the NCR and Legion retreat back to their territories?" Miranda noticed the ghoul sigh, unsure if from fatigue or irritation.
"Hoover Dam. The battle of Hoover Dam."