Chapter 14
Honey, I'm Home!
As I walked out of the Lucky 38, Boone was waiting for me. The Cass and Veronica apparently gone to see the sights. Seeing the stern look on my face, Boone seemed curious but was understanding enough not to ask what was going on with me. I walked past him and he began to follow suit.
"We now have a base of operations in which to use to figure this whole thing out. When we all have a chance I want to have a group meeting inside the Lucky 38's High Roller Suite." I said with my head turned towards Boone as he was walking behind me but steadily catching up to match my pace.
"Sounds good. Where are we going now? Or should I stay behind and wait at the High Roller Suite?" said Boone
"Come along if you like. I figured out the source of my problem. The NCR has been infiltrated by the Legion. Apparently this Chip that we are looking for is more than just a shiny piece of casino plastic. But my name and delivery route were compromised by Ambassador Crocker of the NCR Embassy. That is who gave up my name and delivery route. That's how Benny and the Great Khans were able to ambush me and nearly kill me."
"Stop. None of this is making any sense. What does the NCR have to do with a Mojave Express Courier? What makes this Chip so bad? What happened in that casino?"
Looking around the strip to make sure that no one was paying attention to us, I told Boone my entire story. He listened and did not mutter a word until everything was over.
"So you're Ghost Unit? Makes sense. I don't know many couriers that can throw a knife or shoot a rifle like you can. All that training couldn't have prepared you for the ambush. And I understand keeping your identity a secret. Its safe with me. If Crocker thinks you're dead, we need to show up and kick his teeth in. Nothing is worse than a traitor. What's the plan to take down Benny? You know they won't let us in the casinos with weapons, unless we smuggle some. Even then it will just be small arms."
"I don't know yet. I say we all meet together in the High Roller Suite inside the Lucky 38 after I deal with Crocker." I said continuing my walk towards the embassy.
It had been many months since I had been to the Strip to report to Crocker. He was the only contact I had in the Mojave to report to my superiors. Crocker never seemed the type to have much courage but he was NCR. Firing a gun inside the embassy would be a death sentence so I only have two options, use my knife or scare him into giving me all the information he has on the Legion and use it to my advantage. Talking it over with Boone, we decided that the best option would be to get information about the Legion.
As we entered the embassy the receptionist, Liza, asked us if we needed to any help. Telling her that we needed to see Ambassador Crocker right away and that it concerned the safety of the NCR, we were allowed to go back to his office immediately. As we approached the office, Boone took the lead and opened the door.
"Well hello do come in, what can I….." Crocker started then nearly fell out of his chair when he saw me enter the room.
Boone made quick to bar the door, while I pulled my 10mm pistol from its holster and aimed it at Crocker's head. Moving closer to the shaking ambassador I said, "Raise any alarms and I'll have a second reason to blow your head off you little chicken shit."
"Mathis you don…." said Crocker who was cut off by the butt of my pistol smacking the side of his jaw, nearly sending him onto the floor.
"You talk, when I say you can talk, traitor."
Nodding his head. I walked around the side of his desk. I motioned for Boone to walk over. When he approached, Boone put his right boot into the chest of Crocker, who fell backwards in his chair and onto the floor. Moving quickly, Boone picked the ambassador up and placed him in a modified choke hold. Crocker was able to breathe but unable to scream. Pulling my knife and sticking it to Crocker's throat, I looked him straight in the eye.
"I'm going to ask you a few questions and go through your computer. If I think you are lying or if you try to call for help, Boone will start by breaking your ribs. If you continue to lie, we'll see how well my aim is when I throw my knife here." I said turning around to cypher through files in his computer. There were various files over supply issues and a couple containing investigations I had completed prior to the Chip delivery. There was a file that did cross my eye labeled "Helios One" and another labeled "Project Brimstone". I began looking at the files trying to find anything that might tie the NCR being corrupted by the Legion. Helios One, which is a large tower structure that provides power to much of the structures in the Mojave. At its base are many satellite dishes surrounding the structure, and it is located close to Novac. According to the NCR files, Helios One contained information about a supposed super weapon tied to the large tower. The weapon is tied into the power grid of the tower. The weapon was code named ARCHIMEDES. The plan was to use the facility as a last resort should the NCR lost the battle of Hoover Dam. The only problem was that they could not find the proper tool for a guidance system.
Project Brimstone, was the development of a super soldier that could withstand any type of pain without slowing him down. The project so far had devastating results as subjects were dying when exposed to heavy amounts of FEV and drugs. According to the files, the NCR was trying to recreate a version of an old Enclave Commander named Frank Horrigan. Horrigan had been exposed to large amounts of FEV. Instead of dying, he mutated into a super mutant but was used by the Enclave. It take a heavy explosion and decapitation to stop Horrigan in his tracks. The thought of one man being that powerful sent chills down my spine. If Caesar got information from either of these projects, it could mean the end of life as we know it.
Turning back to Crocker, "Well that was some interesting reading. Tell me Crocker, when you sold me out to the Legion, did they learn about Helios One or Brimstone?"
Squeaking out his response through the chokehold still being held by Boone, "No….. they don't know…... anything about it…... yet."
"Yet? Tell me Crocker, what do they know?"
"That officer of theirs, Vuli or Vupes? Whatever his name is, threatened to cut me limb to limb if I didn't tell him about any secret NCR plans in the area. Since Helios One and Brimstone were way too important, I had give him something. He told me that there is more than one agent within the NCR that could cover up my death. Which lead me to believe that some are here in the Embassy."
"Vulpes was here? Shit." I said
"Yes, when I mentioned your name, he acted like it was exactly what he wanted to hear. He said that if he wanted anything else, he would be returning. I don't know what else to do Mathis. According to my records, you are dead."
"Well Vulpes knows I'm still alive but he may not know yet that I have been here nor that you've seen me. Keep me dead in the records."
"Should this be discovered, you will be disavowed and discharged Mathis."
"That is a risk I'm willing to take at this point. If Vulpes really is using you for information, he may return soon. We can use that as a chance to get rid of him once and for all." I said
"Mathis, if he does return, we don't need to be in here. We need to be watching the place. and if we are going after Vulpes, we will need help." said Boone.
Looking at Crocker, who had managed to wet himself out of fear in this interrogation,"Boone, let him go. I don't think he's stupid enough to call for help at this point right Crocker?"
"R..right Mathis. Is there anything I can do to make up for what I did?" said Crocker
Thinking about his offer, I gave Boone a smirk. "Actually Crocker, there are two things you can do. First I need you to wait here in case Vulpes comes back and keep his attention long enough for Boone and I to get back in here and confront him. Don't worry we will have eyes on the Embassy."
"What if he comes in ready to kill me?"
"We will try to be right behind him, but its a risk we will have to take. Besides he's the type that toys with his victims before killing him."
"What do you mean?" asked Crocker.
I proceeded to tell him what had happened to the town of Novac. I told him that although I had no idea how long Vulpes had let the "lottery" occur, he had left no survivors.
Crocker, eyes now filled with fear, "Oh my God! That's horrible! That sick son of a bitch!" said Crocker "What is the second favor that you need?"
"I need to catch a man inside the Tops casino. Only problem is that there aren't any weapons allowed inside. That's where you come in. I need four handguns smuggled into the Tops casino." I said
"Mathis what you are asking is nearly impossible! Security at the Tops is crazy! The Chairmen keep an eye on every guest that walks into the casino!"
"Crocker, cut the bullshit. I know that you have eyes in each casino on the strip and you have means for getting things inside that your spies need. So I'm going to say this nicely once again but this time with an incentive, get four handguns inside the Tops or maybe I just let Vulpes have his way with you and catch him at a later date."
"Fine! Fine! You'll get the guns. I can't promise you Sequoias or .44 Magnums but I will have something inside. Give me a day. Talk to the bartender ask him for his best bottle of whiskey with four shot glasses. He'll respond with your package location." said Crocker
"That's more like it Crocker." Looking at Boone, "Come on Boone. We need to get the girls and have a meeting. We have a lot to discuss."
"What if Vulpes comes back while all of you are at the Tops?" asked Crocker
Standing in the doorway of Crocker's office, "Crocker, you weaseled your way out once, I'm sure you will think of something until we can make it to you."
"That's not very reassuring." said Crocker
"Use that 9mm you have strapped under the desk. But if you shoot like you lie, you might as well sit there and take it." said Boone
As we were leaving, I popped my head back into Crocker's office, "Oh and Crocker, one more thing. Should you fail in delivering the goods to the Tops, I have more than one way to catch a fox. This one is just a convenience."