The neon lights of the Tops casino in New Vegas cast their vibrant hues across the polished floors as three men strode in, their appearance a stark contrast to the sharply dressed patrons around them. Covered in dust and grime, they sported leather jackets adorned with armor over their shirts, and each carried an arsenal of weaponry that drew immediate attention in the otherwise weapon-free establishment.
A Tops casino guard, hand resting on his holster, approached them with a stern expression. "Weapons are strictly prohibited on the Strip, gents," he warned. "Not sure why the Securitrons didn't intervene, but we'll rectify that."
One of the men, his face bearing the telltale signs of a ghoul, responded in a cool tone, "We're not regulars up here, but you should know who we are."
The guard narrowed his gaze. "EONV, huh? Got some trouble in the casino that needs fixing?"
A sandy-haired man among the trio, his locks matted with dust, shook his head. "No trouble. We just need to have a word with Swank. Are you fine with that?"
"Fine," the guard grunted. "He's at the counter."
Making their way to the counter, the men approached Swank, who regarded them with a calm demeanor. "I take it you're EONV. Let's see your authorization," he requested.
In response, the men laid their badges on the counter, the gleam of the metal contrasting sharply with their rugged appearance. Bathed in the neon glow of the Tops, the badges displayed pertinent information for each member of the trio.
The ghoul, known as Charles Wendellheim House, carried the weight of his lineage on his haggard features. Despite his appearance, everyone recognized him as the son of Robert Edwin House, the sole proprietor of New Vegas. His badge bore the title of leader of the EONV—Enforcers Of New Vegas—a position that commanded respect and authority.
The man with sandy hair, Karl Smith, presented a striking contrast between his disheveled appearance in the casino and the polished image captured in his badge. His picture depicted a well-dressed man, one who could easily pass for a regular patron of the Strip.
Joseph Martin, the final member of the trio, possessed a stoic demeanor that was captured in the stern expression of his badge photo. His swarthy skin and dark hair stood out against the backdrop, emphasizing his formidable presence among the group.
After Swank finished reviewing the badges, he looked up with a cordial tone. "Well, gents, do you need any assistance with anything?"
With a subtle whisper, Charles conveyed their purpose. "Benny stole something of value from Mr. House. We would appreciate it if you escorted us to his suite."
"Sure, I've got the key. Let's do this," Swank agreed readily.
As they made their way to the elevator leading to Benny's suite, Charles noticed the whispers circulating among the patrons. He could tell they were gossiping, some even expressing fear and concern, prompting some of them to involve the Securitrons. However, upon the securitrons telling the patrons of the EONV, most people seemed to calm down, however some of the patrons had in their expressions a hint of fear that something had gone wrong at the tops.
As the elevator ascended, they reached Benny's suite on the 2nd floor, the 4th room along the corridor.
Securitrons and Tops guards patrolled the area. Swank knocked on Benny's door for a few seconds, receiving no response before using the key. Immediately upon entering, he was shot dead.
The deafening shot reverberated through Charles' ears, accompanied by the acrid stench of Benny's pistol.
Securitrons and Tops guards rushed to the scene, but Joseph halted them with a playful tone. "EONV's got this. Stay in your positions. We'll holler if we need assistance."
With the guards held back, Benny yelled, "You EONV bastards came after me, huh? Let's make a deal. I'll give you the damn platinum chip if you let me go. Also I have my Securitron right here, and I'll even tell you who helped me make it—a Followers of the Apocalypse scientist named Emily Ortal. We were planning to use it to take control of House's network, but I guess that plan's scrapped now that you caught am I free to go?"
Charles deliberated, "Let me think about it. The Securitrons and Tops guards will keep watch on you so don't think about doing anything stupid."
He signaled for them to guard the door and whispered to his companions, "What do you think we should do?"
Joseph advocated, "Kill him now. Even if his Securitron retaliates, it's better to deal with this threat immediately. We need to show New Vegas exacts justice on its enemies."
Karl countered, "What threat, Joseph? He's powerless without his resources. It'd be better justice if he fled Vegas and lost all his wealth."
"Alright, I've decided. We'll let him go for now, but I'll instruct Ash to eliminate him. Any objections?" Charles concluded, met with unanimous agreement as they shook their heads.
Charles gave the Securitrons and tops guards a thumbs up and whispered, "You can go now," and after they stepped aside from the door.
Facing Benny with Joseph aiming a sawed-off shotgun at Benny's Securitron and Karl pointing his lever-action rifle at Benny, Charles spoke firmly, "Okay, Benny, you're free to go. But I'm giving you two days. If my people still see you here after that, you're dead."
"Got it. Also, here's the platinum chip," Benny replied, handing it over.
"Alright, get out of my sight now," Charles ordered.
"Ok just let me quickly deactivate my securitron." said Benny
Benny quickly deactivated his Securitron and made his exit, with the suite's door seeming to close on its own with the force of his departure.
Turning to his companions, Charles directed, "Joseph, Karl, I'll handle Benny's suite. Go deal with Swank's body and inform the Tops guards to assist you, understood?"
"Got it, sir," Joseph and Karl affirmed before departing.
Alone in Benny's suite, Charles contacted Ashley on his pipboy. "Hey Ash, we need Benny eliminated. Put a bounty on him for the IONV agents."
"Alright, obliged, Charles. The Intelligence of New Vegas has your back," Ashley replied.
Disconnecting his pipboy, Charles searched Benny's suite but found nothing of value. He then turned his attention to the Securitron left behind by Benny.
He saw that the hardware of it was the same as normal securitrons so he investigated the software instead.
Turning on the buttons for the Securitron, the software illuminated, and it spoke in a cheerful voice, "Hello, I'm Yes Man, and my program is to hack House's network. I can answer any questions you have regarding Benny's plan or just anything I know because that's my program."
In a composed voice, Charles responded, "Okay, then who helped program you?"
"Emily Ortal, that's it, pretty much," the Securitron replied.
Charles shut off the Securitron and called Iris on his pipboy, sounding flustered he said.,"Hey love, Benny tried to make this damn Securitron to hack Dad's network. But it can literally answer any of your questions, so just try probing it for answers."
"Okay, love. I'll do that. Damn, can't wait to see this idiot Benny's genius plan." Iris replied.
"Yeah, thanks. It just pisses me off how this parasite can make a machine like this and threaten us. We are the strongest power in this wasteland, and Dad is the savior of the wasteland. He saved me and the USA from the Reds, and he'll save us now!" Charles vented.
"I understand, Charles. Now I have to deal with the Securitron. Can't waste any time," Iris replied, ready to take on the task.
In a pleasant tone, Charles said, "Yeah, yeah. Thanks for listening to my rant, Iris."
"Anytime, love," Iris replied, laughing.
"Also, Iris, ask the Securitron where Emily Ortal is. The Securitron said she helped work on him, so I need to know," Charles instructed.
"Got it," Iris responded.
After a brief pause, Iris spoke again. "Okay, it says this Emily Ortal person is a Followers scientist. She should probably be in the Followers camp near Freeside. If not, check other areas associated with the Followers of the Apocalypse. And yeah, I will tell you Benny's plan later. I'll ask the securitron about that now," she added.
"You're the best, love. Thanks," Charles expressed his gratitude.
"Anytime. Okay, now do your thing," Iris replied before disconnecting from Charles' pip-boy.
Afterward, Charles exited the room and returned to the first floor of the casino. There was still some chaos among the patrons, but the Securitrons were effectively calming them down.
Stepping outside, Charles was greeted by the Strip. The glitz and glamor of the neon lights of the Tops faded, revealing the Ultra-Luxe in front, which dazzled even more. Walking further, he encountered the Gomorrah casino. The air around the casino reeked of degeneracy and chems, and to the right of it stood Charles' home, the Lucky 38, which was closed to the public.
Leaving the gate of the Strip, Charles entered Freeside, the poorer area of New Vegas, heavily guarded by Securitrons. The stench of Freeside assaulted his senses as he passed through.
Near the gate stood the Freeside Security Agency, established by Robert House but now dilapidated. Venturing into outer Freeside, Charles encountered numerous districts and territories.
Freeside comprised two regions: inner Freeside, closer to the Strip and under firm Securitron dominance, and outer Freeside, controlled by various gangs, each carving out their own territories.
Having called Mr. House to send Securitrons his way to deal with Emily Ortal, Charles felt secure in outer Freeside. Eventually, he reached the Followers of the Apocalypse camp.
Outside, chem addicts lurked, some attempting to approach Charles, but Securitrons intervened, urging them to move along. Charles entered the camp and was met by a female ghoul guard.
"Strip people, huh? Got business?" she inquired.
"Yeah, we need to find the Followers scientist Emily Ortal," Charles replied plainly.
"She's here. Why do you need her?" the guard questioned.
"New Vegas business," Charles stated.
"Alright, I'll bring her," the guard conceded.
When Emily Ortal arrived, she asked, "Do you need anything?"
Without hesitation, Charles shot her with his single-action revolver, then holstered it. Immediately, guards and Securitrons pointed their weapons at Charles, scientists rushing to their camps for safety, except for one—Julia Farkas, the camp's leader.
"You EONV bastard, why would you go in and shoot my people like that?" Farkas demanded angrily.
In a composed voice, Charles replied, "She sought to undermine our rule in the Strip."
"In what way? You're giving me lots of reasons to just blast you here and now," Farkas retorted.
"That's Strip business, and if you want to blast us, we have more firepower here. If you think you can kill me, go ahead, but my Securitrons will butcher you," Charles warned.
"Fine, then leave now," Farkas conceded, her anger evident.