Once the meeting ended they left the basement and got into the lobby of the IONV.
The lobby was rather bland, the same as the basement.
Once they got out the group was established.
It was Corporal James with his NCR standard issue service rifle and 9mm pistol the same as private winston.
Charles of course had his laser rifle and single action revolver but Karl had a lever action rifle and Benny's gun Maria which was given to Joseph when Benny was killed, the pistol is painted with the virgin Mary on it.
Joseph had a .45 auto SMG and a small sawed off shotgun.
They were walking to the follower of the apocalypse camp and to fill up time they started talking.
"So you guys are part of the EONV right? How did you get in?"
"Private this is an operation. The muttie doesn't want you to disturb him."
"It's fine corporal but that's classified information anyways so I can't provide that anyway to the Private."
"See, listen to the muttie Winston."
But then Karl interrupted and said "Well it isn't really classified just certain aspects right Charles?"
"Well you know what is and isn't classified but just don't reveal too much ok."
"Well private me and Joseph got recruited to the EONV a few days after Charles was out of action for a classified reason."
"Why was Charles of the EONV out of action? I thought he was recruited the same as you guys."
"Then you need to expand your knowledge of New Vegas then private." said Joseph
"Ok let's end this talk now. This is still a strategic operation." said Charles
"Read my mind muttie." said James
After that conversation they reached the followers of the apocalypse camp.
It was guarded by Beatrix, a ghoul who checked people passing. She is a gun for hire and was hired after Charles, Joseph and Karl were allowed to walk into the followers camp with nobody checking them.
She was a ghoul just like Charles and she knew all about Robert House.
Charles had a feeling that she knew that he was the son of house but she never said it outright.
"EONV huh ok you're allowed in and with NCR, are we in any trouble."
"No, we just need to ask somebody some questions here."
"Ok go on then be Farkas's problem then Charles."
Once they entered the camp Julia Farkas came out to greet them and said "EONV with NCR troops. What do you want, I know it isn't tech you people are always punctual to give it away, it's not supposed to be this early."
"Yeah it's not that. We want to talk to one of your patients here. He was attacked by a gang and he is a NCR tourist." said Charles
"His name?"
Joseph interrupted and said "Listen Farkas just tell us what we want. He's an NCR tourist and was attacked by a gang. How hard could it be?"
"Well that doesn't exactly narrow down the search. There have been a lot of attacks like that happening."
Karl then asked "Have these people said that they have been attacked in the outskirts of securitron patrols?"
"That would be a question to ask them. Frankly I just think that it's just folks dont like the NCR here, no offense to you fine soldiers there."
"None taken." said the private
"Ok well thanks for the info Farkas, just give us the list of people who were NCR tourists and were attacked." said Charles
"Will do" said Julia
"Well what do we do now sir" said James
"Just call me Charles Corporal. ANd to answer your question I guess we are going to have to interrogate everyone that matches that description"
"That's gonna take all day." said the private
"Well, were you guys given a time to report back?" said Karl
"No we weren't sir" said James
"Then it should be fine." said Karl
They had interrogated everybody matching the description on the list and they found the same info that they were attacked in the outskirts of Freeside where the securitrons weren't patrolling.
"Well it seems that these attacks are happening in the outskirts where you say you barely have any securitrons patrolling." said James
"Well here's my plan." said Charles
"We have the Private and Corporal leading the front while we in the EONV will try to hide our identity in the back, we'll get helmets or something."
"Wait muttie you don't expect us to be leading out in the front without our helmets because I can lead yes but not without our helmets you dont expect me to die for this, and why do you need to cover your faces?"
"No, I'll just ask Farkas for some spare helmets or really anything that will cover our faces because everybody in Freeside can recognize us which will make them just run away if they see us. We need to send a message with bodies not by a bunch of cowards."
It was the afternoon after they had questioned everybody.
"Hey Farkas, do you have any spare hats or helmets that can cover our faces?"
"Yeah I have some, let me get it."
She had 3 hats, mostly cowboy-esque. They were very second hand and quite dirty but they were able to cover the faces of Karl, Joseph and Charles so it was good.
After that they were going to the outskirts of Freeside where the securitrons weren't patrolling.
It was a very desolate place. NCR tourists usually bought property there if they weren't wealthy and really wanted to gamble and as a consequence securitrons rarely patrolled it if ever leading to lots of freesiders robbing the place of value.
They were walking around the more shady areas with less people to increase their chances of being attacked.
THe chances of attack were very likely. The NCR were their primary targets from the reports and since they were soldiers it would probably happen soon.
It was still the afternoon but they had attacked them.
They could see around 7 of them attacking them.
They had come from around the corner where they were walking and were attacking them with what seemed like UZIS.
The 3 in the front were shooting at them.
After they had appeared everybody was firing.
The 3 in the front were shot and killed but they had critically injured James and injured Winston in the arm so he got his 9mm pistol. Charles was shot in the leg and was injured but dragged James, Joseph and Karl were relatively uninjured though.
THey moved to cover with the people in the back approaching.
THe gang was shouting
"All we want is your possessions, you were the ones who started firing. Give up and give us your stuff and we will forgive you for having killed the 3 people in our group."
"Your group has been attacking NCR citizens, cease this and we will spare you." said charles
"So it comes to this then okay."
Nobody had moved after the guns were pointed during the talking but then the shooting started again.
The rifles from Charles, Karl and WInston were decimating them but the gang threw a grenade.
But it was too late Joseph charged them with his smg and decimated them.
The grenade had landed but everybody was out of the vicinity.
After the fighting had ceased 1 of the gang member was injured with the last surrendering.
"Winston take James to the nearest medical facility, we'll take care of this guy." said Joseph
"Got it sir."
The injured gang member was on the ground and the other one was standing up surrendering and said
"Alright, alright don't kill us, we surrender. What do you want?"
"First of all, who are you working for the Kings or are you something else." said Charles
"We don't know. Somebody just randomly came up to me and asked me a series of questions and if we wanted to commit ourselves to Freeside."
"And what were these questions." said Karl
"Well mostly if we want the NCR out and if we would kill the NCR for freedom."
"And where do you get your info from." said Karl
"Dead drops mostly. Listen if you're thinking you can find out the base of operations you cant. THis is a very secretive organization that… Wait your the EONV ghoul. How did I not realize oh shit dont kill me please."
"Continue your sentence or I guarantee you will be killed." said Charles
The gang member caught his breath and with fear said "You can't find they're too organized and secretive, not even you guys can find them."
"Karl guard these guys. Me and Joseph are gonna have a little chat in private."
"Boss we need to kill these guys we can't just let them go." said Joseph
"But we need to send a message, killing them isn't gonna send that big of a message."
"Well what is your suggestion boss." said Joseph
Charles got out his knife and gave it to Joseph and said
"You know what to do. Bring them to where people can hear him scream though."
Joseph with a smirk on his face said
"Will do boss, will very much do."
Karl seeing the knife in hand on Joseph and whispered to Charles
"Where do you want them boss."
"The most dense area where the most people are."
"Is this the right choice, boss? WHy not just let them go as a sign of good faith, we already killed most of them so that should make them fear us enough?"
"They need to know that they are still in House's Vegas, if we let them go what happens Karl. We will look weak, they will all just surrender. No we need to send a message that yes we are fair and being fair comes with a price."
"Alright boss i'll bring them then." said Karl
THey had brought the gang members to where the people were and they asked
"What are you doing?"
There was no response then they started looking frightened and then the screaming happened Joseph carved the lucky 38 symbol into the 1st gang member the other one was frightened and injured then his time came and the screaming only got louder.
The NCR tourists were gathering outside and cheering them on.
The lucky 38 symbol had been the identifying factor for an EONV and IONV on the badge.
Mr. New Vegas had announced it when it first appeared for the EONV and IONV. The badge just had the exclusive lucky 38 symbol on it which could not be replicated.
After the scalping finished Charles announced to the people.
" I am an EONV member, same as my friends here."
THey showed their badges and threw their helmets.
"To those who are unwelcoming to you know that is not all of us. You have come here for a service and we provide it but people like this seek to deny you that. Know that is what happens when you come in the way of the people."
The crowd was cheering.
"I will let these people go but know they will be scorned for who they are and let their bosses piss themselves also."
The applause was so thunderous that is all you could hear in freeside.
They came out to Charles but he told them he had to check on his NCR friend so the crowd dispersed after that.
They also tried going after the gang members but Charles said that they will be punished if anybody attacks them.
The helmets that they threw on the ground had people racing to get it and Charles told them to stop and the people who had caught it could get it.
After going in the hospital Charles saw Winston and asked
"Your arm doing any better private."
"It's light nothing majors sir but what about your leg do you need to get that checked out?"
"No, it's fine, trust me. Anyways, how is James holding up?"
"Doc said he is gonna make it, he just needs time to recover, anyways I need a drink after all this Atomic Wrangler if you're interested sir?"
"Remember to just call me Charles and did the corporal approve of this?"
"I thought of looking after him but the doc said he has got this plus the corporal said I should get a break and not worry about him so I am guilty about it but it has been a long day and I need to wind down."
"Ok got it. Anyways I will catch up with you later. Karl, Joseph if you want to go accompany the private."
"Will do." said both Joseph and Karl
Charles then called House and informed him on the situation in the restroom.
"How is the situation son." said House
"We don't know what group these people are part of yet so I carved the lucky 38 logo on their forehead. The mob loved it, typical sheep. ANyways to protect this place from future incursions father I recommend you program Vegas to inform on the situation here and tell people to be prepared if they are here. Send in some of the IONV here and we can petition the NCR to send some troops here."
"We will refrain from sending in NCR troops for now; it will make New Vegas look weak and unsafe, driving tourism down."
"Well that's pretty much it then i'm gonna call Iris now."
"Hey my love, how was the mission today?"
"Stressful Iris bunch of fucking rabble same old same old."
"Hmm yes, hey Charles just slow it down a bit who knows what could happen. In short terms just stay safe ok I love you."
"Love you too Iris."
The walk to the atomic wrangler was slow and quiet.
There James Garett greeted him and said
"Ahh Charles you want the same meal, your friends are here also let me show you the way."
"Thanks James, how is Francine."
"Oh you know sis is still handling the profits boring stuff."
"You mean fun stuff."
James was laughing then he walked Charles over to the group.
"Charles, you're here. We are just talking about Corporal James" said Winston
"Yeah I hope he's doing ok." said Charles
"If he seems rude his closest friend back in the republic turned feral so he's just wary of ghouls is all."
"Yes well I wish him my best." said Charles
"ANyways tell me about you guys." said Winston
"Most of it is classified but you start Joseph just don't reveal too much ha ha." said Charles
Before they were talked James Garett brought out Charles food of a brahmin steak and Nuka Cola
"If you were wondering, all of your food is on the house. Perks of being part of the EONV our stalwart defenders of New Vegas" said James
"A nuka cola, you sure you don't want no alcohol after that long day." said Winston
"You dont know much about ghouls do you, we dont drink." said Charles
"ANyways let me talk." said Joseph
"Yeah so I was born to your typical Freeside family and I always liked fighting so the only way to really fight legally is to join the freeside security agency then the EONV."
"And for me I had a normal birth really and joined the freeside security agency then the EONV because I thought with my skills it was best suited to help freeside."
"And you Charles, tell me about the pre war times." said WInston
"It was so beautiful I had a wife and my father was there but then I had a meeting for my pre war job and my wife was sick and my father was there and then you know…"
"I'm sorry Charles." said Winston
"Don't sweat it, anyways tell me about yourself and the Corporal." said Charles
"Yeah so my family was really hit by the brotherhood war after they destroyed the gold reserves. We lost pretty much everything and lost lots of our farmland by brahmin barons after the war so joining the military was the only option for me. Don't tell James I told you this but he lost he was a trader but the unsafe roads back in the republic hurt him in that they were raided too much by mostly raiders so he joined the military also. MIlitary's the only option for us and other desperate people."
After finishing their meal Joseph and Karl left but before Charles left the private asked
"I have a bit of a personal question I may ask."
"Ask away and we will see."
"How did you keep going after the war, it must have been hell for you?"
"I am focused on creating a better future. You can't change the past but you can change the future. I haven't forgotten my past. I remember it and learn from it but I don't let it consume me as so many people do. ANyways I have to submit a report to the freeside security agency so I will be going adieu."
"What does adieu mean sir?"
"You will know soon enough."