Chance
Chapter 13: Options
Cade was gone for a couple of hours, leaving Roulette and MacCready alone to their own devices. The pair talked about their recent experiences, joking, and mostly just avoiding mentioning what neither of them desired to speak about. Eventually, the Knight-captain returned, with Elder Maxson following close behind. The atmosphere in the room became tense almost as soon as the imposing man stepped in, standing at the foot of the bed, clasping his hands behind his back. Time almost seemed to come to a stop as he towered over the edge of the bed, coldly eyeing Roulette.
"Knight-captain Cade has informed me that you wish to discuss leaving the Brotherhood of Steel," Maxson stated, in his gruff voice and usual stern tone.
"Yeah, that's right," Roulette answered, being sure to keep her eyes fixed on the man before her. She wasn't about to let the events of last night scare her into submission.
"Very well. If the Knight-captain and your civilian friend would step out for a moment, we can discuss the options," the Elder informed.
With that, Cade left the room, with MacCready following behind him. Soon, the Elder and Roulette were the only two in the room, and a moment of heavy silence went by before either of them spoke.
"You are intending to leave the Brotherhood entirely, is that correct?" Maxson questioned, being the first to say anything in the midst of the silence.
"Yes," Roulette bluntly replied.
Maxson nodded a bit, "There are options to go about this," he told her.
"Options?"
"You could completely leave the Brotherhood as is, or, we could work out a sort of, compromise."
"As if I would want to make a deal with you."
"I'll ask you to hear me out. This could end up beneficial to both of us."
"Fine, I'm listening," Rou mumbled as she sat up a bit, crossing her arms over her chest.
"First, I need some information. Last night, I couldn't help but notice the tattoos on your arm. I assume they have a connection to what you've been up to outside of the Brotherhood?"
"That's right. What does it matter in this, though?"
"I had one of the med go out and ask around about prominent figures in the area. The name 'Roulette' came up a number of times in the report."
"I have a reputation. What about it?" Roulette couldn't see where this was going, what did people knowing her name have to do with her leaving the Brotherhood?
"The Brotherhood could benefit from having one with such influence," Maxson went on, making his way from where he was at the foot of the bed around to the side to stand next to Roulette.
Rou kept her gaze fixed on the Elder. "How could you benefit from someone who gets paid to do other people's dirty work?" she questioned.
"As of recently, we have had reports of several members deserting the Brotherhood and actively working against our forces. Standard protocols call for the termination of these individuals."
"So, basically you want me to do my usual job and take these guys out?"
"Yes. Sending out our men to do this would waste our resources, and could cost time, men, and equipment. Having you go about the task would pose less of a risk."
"So, you're saying I'm disposable?" Roulette questioned, finding it only the smallest bit surprising that the man would see one such as herself as disposable in this type of situation, especially following the events of last night.
"In a way. I would not say that you are fully disposable, but losing you to a task such as this would not have the same weight," Maxson told her.
After a moment, Rou responded. "I suppose the offer could work out, so long as you follow the way I do business," she said. The girl sat up straighter, intending to have Maxson play be her rules this round. If she was going to be working for these guys, she was going to make sure she got something out of it. She wasn't a sympathizer for their cause, nor was she a charity, after all.
Maxson arched an eyebrow in question at this, "And what would that entail?"
"For one, I'd be able to turn down a job. If something interfered with another contract, I would go about whichever is more of a priority. Just because you're mister high-and-mighty doesn't mean you'll get special treatment," Roulette told him. "And I expect to be paid for these little escapades. This is my livelihood, after all."
Maxson exhaled through his nose, long and slow. This girl seemed to know now much he, and the rest of the Brotherhood, could use someone like herself behind the scenes. More than that, she obviously had a system in place, and would never think to deviate from her routine. The Brotherhood would just be another client to her. A high-profile client, but a client all the same.
"It would seem I have some thinking to do on the matter," Maxson finally stated, after remaining silent for a moment. The Elder wasn't going to agree to this right away, what sort of leader would he be if he gave into demands like these in a heartbeat?
"It sure looks it," Roulette replied. If he needed this stuff done as badly as he implied, he'd have no other option than to agree to her terms. As far as she could tell, as of right now, she held all the cards. Maxson almost didn't have a choice as he gave a nod, turned on his heel, and left the room. He had a decision to make, after all.