Chapter 13

The House Always Wins

After the meeting with my companions, I checked my clock on my Pip-Boy. The time was 8am. The sun was now up and shining. I made my way back to the rock in which I left my leather armor which was now dry. Taking it off the rocks and gathering it up, I made my way over to my supplies and collected my hunting rifle. I walked back over to the army supply truck and spoke with the vendor.

"Ah welcome back! Glad to see those clothes fit you!" she said

"Thanks again" I said handing her my leather armor and presenting her with my dirt and and dust ridden hunting rifle. "Got anything to clean this with?"

"Can't say that I do but I just recently received a shipment of marksman carbines in great shape and a ton of 5.56mm ammo if you're interested in a trade. Now it doesn't have the range your rifle has but its pretty close and you will still have a scope but the range will be limited compared to the hunting rifle, but not by much."

"I'll take it." I said handing her my hunting rifle and all my .308 ammunition. In return she gave me the gun she promised and 200 rounds of 5.56 ammunition. The gun was in great shape and was easy to carry. I left the supply truck and made my way back over to the area in which our group was meeting. Boone saw my new rifle and gave me a smirk.

"Sometimes the sniper game isn't right for everyone. But that's a decent Marksman Carbine."

"Well I figured things can be better handled now if anything gets close to us. Not to mention it has a decent range to it. Its no hunting rifle but it gets the job done."

We packed up our supplies. Cass bought a few days worth of water and food for the group and had Veronica help her divide it between all of our packs. By 11am, we resumed our trip to the Strip. As usual there wasn't much talking amongst the group since we were not trying to draw attention to ourselves. Veronica appeared to be disappointed at the notion that as travelling companions, conversations were kept to a minimum.

"Geez, do any of you not know how to pass time on a long trip?" said Veronica

"We do but we mostly keep to ourselves. Also we try to avoid drawing unwanted attention in our direction." I said

"So its just silence while you guys walk? Well this is no fun. Why not discuss what makes you guys tick? I mean if we are going to be travelling together, why not get to know each other more?" Veronica said

"I don't see a problem in that, but Boone and Cass aren't the type that like to share their feelings. If you haven't noticed, when it comes to Boone there are two types of people, those that he looks at and those he watches behind a scope. Cass will talk after she has had a few shots of whiskey but not when she is sober." I said

"And what about you Mathis?" she asked

"What do you mean? I'm just a guy trying to figure out why I was shot and left for dead."

"That's it? But what exactly makes a guy come after you and take your package? What were you carrying that was so important?"

"Well that's what I want to find out. The package was just a platinum colored chip from the Lucky 38, which has been closed up for a very long time."

"Hmm that is odd." Veronica said, "But let's say all this ends tomorrow, what is the plan for you afterwards? Settle down? Maybe have a couple of kids?"

"Actually with everything I've seen so far in my travels here, there is no way I would bring a kid into this world. No I think I may start my own way of protecting those out in the wastes. Don't get me wrong there are some people out there doing the right thing but its just not enough. I think that more could be done. Like maybe a police force or something I don't know."

"Seems like you thought a lot about this Mathis. Where exactly would you set up operation?"

"There is an old police station not too far from Primm that I cleared Jackals out of about a week or so ago. It was still in good shape. Could start there."

As we approached an area filled with farms and abandoned homes, we passed an NCR patrol and they directed us to the Freeside gates. They told us we would need a passport to get into the Strip or at least proof of a credit check. The Strip isn't just for everyone.

We walked into Freeside and were immediately greeted by a few of its inhabitants looking to be hired out as guides or bodyguards to get us through the town. We managed to make our way past them after continuously denying their services. Freeside was obviously a rundown city. It had not fared well in the time after the war. It gave the appearance of an outcast society. Locals that were honest tried to sell everything they could, some even tried to sell themselves just to make ends meet. Thugs lurked around each corner looking to pounce on the unsuspecting traveller, although they were smart enough to see that four well-armed companions ought to be left alone. As we entered the final stretch of the town, we saw a massive gate guarded by at least five Securitrons. As we edged closer, the Securitron closest to us rolled toward us.

"Submit to a credit check or present your passports." It said

"How many caps do we need for the credit check?" I asked the robot

"2,000 caps are required for entrance into the Strip per individual processed." it said

"I see. Hold on just a moment." I said

"Please return when you have the necessary caps or passport" the robot rolled back to its station.

"How much do you guys have? I only have 240 caps." I said

"I don't have any caps at the moment. I was going to ask one of you to buy me a drink later, Mathis." said Cass

"I've got a little over 500." said Boone

"I have a small trick up my sleeve." said Veronica

"What do you mean, Veronica?" I asked

"Oh just a little something to get us passed the Securitrons at no extra charge." she said

"Really, well let's see what you got." I said exchanging skeptical looks with Cass.

Veronica walked back over to the Securitron and was prompted for the credit check once again. She spoke to the Securitron but giving it an override code. The Securitron's face changed to a screen of numbers then immediately back to its policeman face once again.

"Thank you for processing your credit checks. You may all move along. Enjoy your stay at the Strip."

As we passed the Securitrons and through the gate, Cass and I both had the look of shock on our faces. Even Boone managed to have an eyebrow cocked.

"Not bad kid." said Boone to Veronica.

We entered the Strip and I was stopped by Victor, the Securitron that dragged my near lifeless body out of the ground and brought me to Doc Mitchell.

"Howdy podnuh! Glad you can make it to the Strip! When you get a chance, come on over to the Lucky 38 here behind me and meet Mr. House!"

Looking behind Victor, I saw the casino with a shut gate and Securitrons posted on either side. "Um Victor, just how am I supposed to get inside? The gate is shut."

"No worries partner, the gate will open when you approach. But your friends will need to wait outside here. Only one invite available at the moment."

Looking back at my companions, I said "Why don't you guys get a look around, I'll be back in a moment."

They didn't seem to mind but Boone was suspicious of the whole thing. I could tell he was thinking that this was all a trap. I made my way up to the casino as the gates slid back revealing the door and looked back at Boone, he was still there watching me walk to the door. He gave a small shake to his head indicating to me that I shouldn't go into the mysterious building. As I opened the door I was greeted by silence, the low lighting in the building, and two more Securitrons guarding the elevator in the center of the room. Suddenly I felt the hair on the back of my neck begin to rise. Should this be a trap, I would not have much of a chance. Resting my right hand cautiously on the handle of my 10mm pistol, I moved to toward the elevator. The faceless, resting Securitrons seemed to be staring directly into my soul. As a habit I tried to familiarize myself with the surrounding area. The rest of the room was filled with empty bars, chairs, games, and cashier booths. Everything was covered in a light layer of dust and had seen a bit of wear. The air was stale. I slowly approached the elevator, and the Securitron closest to the elevator door came to life. Victor's cowboy-like face appeared.

"Howdy partner! Ready to go see Mr. House? You'll find him in the Penthouse."

"Yeah I guess I am."

Victor's face went through some changes and shortly after the elevator doors opened and I stepped inside. I turned and looked back at Victor, his face had already changed back into the standard classic policeman. The doors closed and the elevator slowly made its way to the top floor.

The elevator eventually reached the penthouse level and I walked out to find a complete opposite look to that of the casino. The room was well lit with both natural and manmade lighting. There were windows surrounding the penthouse overlooking the strip and the Mojave Wasteland. I stepped into the room only to be greeted by several more Securitrons. I realized then that I was on a balcony overlooking the rest of the room and made my way down the stairs. Nothing in the room indicated that there was any form of life other than myself in the room. No one had touched the furniture in many years, but there wasn't any sign of dust or ruin either. Someone had intentionally kept the room clean, no doubt the work of the Securitrons. As I made my way through the room I found a full bar that was still completely stocked.

"When you have finished looking around, please join us in the next room." said a strange voice coming from a loud overhead speaker.

Not wanting to anger my host who apparently saved my life and has been awaiting my arrival for quite some time now. I made my way into the next room only to find a few more Securitrons and a large monitor. Upon making my way into the center of the room, the monitor began to flicker to life. Suddenly, an image of a large face of a middle-aged man with a mustache and slick hair appeared on the monitor.

"I am so glad to finally make your acquaintance. I am Mr. House. I control everything around the Strip and much of what goes on in the Mojave. I know that you may have questions that you would like answered but that will all come in due time but for now I would like to know is what you know so far about the Platinum Chip. By now you I trust you have figured out that it was more than just any normal chip that you pick up from any casino. This chip controls the very means to control New Vegas. With the Platinum Chip alone can do is to upgrade my Securitrons and give me better control of not only the Strip but the entire Mojave Wasteland itself." said Mr. House

"SO…... " I said skeptically, "You mean to tell me that I was carrying the key to the most powerful weapon in the Mojave and you had it delivered by a single courier? I'm sorry but what would make you think that it could be done without an ambush? I nearly died! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful that your Securitron pulled me out of that graveyard, but something isn't adding up here Mr. House."

"I'm sorry but I needed to keep the identity of the Chip a secret. And I didn't employ a single courier, I employed six. One of which couriers happened to be an undercover agent for the NCR. With your file, I thought that you had a high chance for success of delivery. Mr. Mathis, although you are very capable it seems that I made a miscalculation in Benny's ability to find the Chip." said Mr. House

"Wait, you know what I am and yet you still had me working the delivery of the Chip?"

"I'm not opposed to working with the NCR when need arises Mr. Mathis, but I see them as the lesser of two evils in my game. With your help, I can use the Chip to upgrade the Securitrons, and rid New Vegas of the Legion once and for all. Of course on the completion of this I will use this means to drive the NCR out of the Mojave. I have the resources to help you get the job done, and although I wish to be rid of the NCR, by helping me you and your friends could live quite comfortably for the rest of your days. All I ask is that you recover the Platinum Chip from Benny and bring it to me."

"Okay what is it that Benny wants with the Chip?"

"As far as I know there is nothing he can do with the Chip other than to keep me from upgrading the Securitrons. There is no way possible that he could use it against me as my systems are impenetrable. But I do have intelligance that he plans to sell the Chip to the Legion in exchange for control of the Strip once they try to overthrow me and the NCR."

"How did you know who I was?"

"My dear boy, as I have said before, I control everything on the Strip. I know anything that goes on here. Especially when a corrupt NCR embassador gives up the identity of an operative to save his own skin. Mathis you must know that he believes that you are dead. Once your identity was given to the Legion, they offered to make Benny a deal. If he was to bring them the Chip, they would offer himself and the other tribes outside the Strip an opportunity to take control of the Strip. But what they don't realize is that the Legion cares only for one thing, Caesar."

"I'll be back with that Chip then. I amy have to make a pit stop by the NCR offices here on the Strip." Angry. All I could think about was putting a bullet hole through Crocker's little head. It was Crocker that gave me up and nearly had me killed. Vulpes was right, the NCR had been infiltrated and corrupted by the Legion. Even if we managed to stop them here in Vegas, the Legion still had a foothold inside the NCR. I saw now the truth in what Vulpes was telling me before. This was the beginning of the end for the NCR.

"Good, but please remember that the Chip is your number one priority as of this moment."

With that I made my way back up the stairs and to the elevator doors. I was boiling with anger. I don't know which is worse, having a computer know-it-all tell me how my identity was given away or that a little chicken shit gave me up to save his own ass. I grit my teeth hard enough to cause my jaw muscles to begin to lock up. my hand made its way to the 10mm pistol in the holster. I was ready to shoot every last robot in this room then shoot my way out of this casino and takeover the Strip. I was stopped by a familiar voice coming from the Securitron nearest the elevator.

"Howdy partner! I got some good news! You've been comped the High Roller suite! Even your buddies are welcome to join and use it as your own clubhouse! But the Penthouse floor is off limits to anyone but yourself! Take it easy partner and good luck finding that chip!"

I now had a base of operations in which myself and team could use to plan against Benny to get that chip. But something felt wrong about helping House. Although his intentions to rid the land of the Legion and then send the NCR away seemed good, I got the feeling that there was more to his plan than something so simple. But I now had two people that needed to pay for my death, Benny and Crocker.