I grinned and swayed side to side excitedly as the truck rambled down the road I was actively repairing and molding towards Vegas, "Bright light city gonna set my soul, gonna set my soul on fire!"

T'Preea leaned over the seat and laughed, "Got a whole lot of money that's ready to burn, so get those stakes up higher!"

The two of us paused and looked expectantly back over our shoulders at Meirune who was sitting in the back of the truck's large cab. The deathclaw stared at us and shook his head.

"I'm not singing," Meirune rumbled.

"Spoil sport," Serena sighed as she leaned back in her seat. "Honestly, Meirune, if you weren't going to sing or have some fun on this trip, why bother even coming?"

"Someone has to watch over Caesar while the rest of you are busy enjoying yourselves," Meirune protested.

"And I supposed we're just here for show?" Eric asked as he and the rest of the Praetorian guard looked at the grumpy deathclaw.

Meirune snorted, "The moment she allows it, the lot of you will be off participating in the frivolity as well. Don't deny it."

"He shouldn't deny it," I said as I turned in my seat to look at Meirune. "And you should loosen up. Mr. House runs a tight ship and, apart from the obvious loan sharking and corruption, New Vegas is a pretty safe place. Besides, just having you around will make everyone think three or four times about trying anything with us, Meirune. Just try to have some fun while we're there."

Meirune stared at me as I gave him the brightest smile I could muster. He sighed and finally relented, "Very well, Caesar. For you, I will try to… have fun…"

"Good! I'll start the song over again so you can sing your part!" I exclaimed.

Meirune sighed and the truck continued down the road. We had stopped the Legion forces about half an hour out from the Strip so that we wouldn't look like a threat to New Vegas. Only a handful of vehicles came with us to the city so that we could allow some troops a little downtime while I met with Mr. House. I wanted to work out a deal with him about the Legion coming in to enjoy Vegas' many amenities. There were other things we would need to discuss as well, but it was a chance to let our collective hair down for a while, which was something we hadn't been able to do since the time I had stopped at my old home.

The convoy moved into a single file line as we approached the northern entrance. There were men stationed above a rope and plank bridge that connected two grated watch towers. The men were calm enough not to aim their weapons, but their concern was obvious. So long as we didn't show aggression, the name of the game was congeniality. All guests were welcome in New Vegas so long as you didn't cause trouble.

A securitron approached our lead truck, its green screen face displaying a cartoonish smiling face, "Hello! And welcome to New Vegas! That's a mighty large convoy you're traveling with! What's your business here?"

"We are escorting Merida Orodum, Caesar of the Legion," the driver replied. "She requests a meeting with Mr. House and lodging for the men with us."

"One moment while I process your request!" the securitron said with an overly cheerful tone. There was an awkwardly long pause as the securitron simply stood there. After a minute, its face turned into a happy expression, "Good news! Your party's stay is being comped by Mr. House himself! Please see your way to the Lucky 38! You will be shown to your rooms, given credit for the casino, and Mr. House will meet with you tonight after dinner! Thank you for choosing New Vegas and enjoy your stay!"

The securitron moved away from the truck and the gates to the city opened up. We drove into the city and I couldn't help but squeal with delight. Fluorescent lights and decorations were everywhere! The bustling streets parted quickly for the trucks to move by. Apart from larger Legion functions, I hadn't seen so many people in a single place at one time since coming to this world. The vendors were out in droves, dotting the sidewalks in front of hotels, casinos, brothels, and other entertainment industries. Securitrons patrolled the Strip to keep order while men in clean suits seemed to slip through the crowd using their influence or wealth alone.

One curious thing I noticed was a considerable NCR presence. In fact, for as many securitrons were on the Strip, there were a number of NCR patrols as well. In fact, while in the game the NCR had an embassy in the game, it looked they had become a part of Vegas' overall ecosystem. This change was unexpected but not exactly unwelcome. If the NCR had a larger presence here than it had in the game, it meant that there should be higher ranked members here that I could possibly begin talks with.

We pulled into the circular entrance of The Lucky 38, a massive tower of lights and steel, a magnificent gleaming spire in the middle of a desert wasteland. Even among the glitz and glamor of New Vegas, The Lucky 38 stood out like a jewel. As we parked at the main entrance, I couldn't help but notice that The Lucky 38 was not only clean and bustling, but manned by humans instead of securitrons. This was different than it had been in the game where things had been in the game, where the casino was slowly being eaten away by weather and the ever encroaching steps of time. I would have to ask about how this change had occurred if I had the opportunity. Bellhops in red jackets and clean black pants opened the doors for us. Serena and T'Preea stepped out first.

One of the bellhops smiled at Serena, "Welcome to The Lucky 38 Miss Orodum! We're happy to have you!"

Serena laughed and shook her head, "Sorry, kid. I'm not Merida."

"Me either," T'Preea chuckled as the bellhop looked at her.

The Praetorian guard filed out next, creating a secure circle around my door. Eric helped the bellhop move back several steps before one of the other guards opened the door so that I could exit the truck.

I stepped out of the vehicle and smiled up at the bellhop, "That would be me."

The bellhop stared down at me, unsure if I was being serious or not. An older man with slicked back white hair, a spruce mustache, and a finely pressed black suit stepped forward. He moved the bellhop aside and cleared his throat, "Miss Orodum, welcome to The Lucky 38. I apologize for my man's lack of courtesy. My name is Mister Ponce, and I am the Concierge here. If there's anything you need, please feel free to contact me day or night and I will ensure that we will do our very best to make you and yours as comfortable as possible."

I smiled up at Ponce, "Thank you very much, Mister Ponce. There are actually three things you could do for me right now that would make things much easier during our stay here."

Ponce smiled, whether it was genuine or not I couldn't tell. He was a professional through and through, "Of course, Miss. What can we do for you?"

"First, one of my companions isn't human," I began to explain, "and before he gets out of the back of the truck, I would appreciate it if you sent word for your security to stand down. He looks threatening, but he's more well behaved than most of my human soldiers."

Ponce's professionalism didn't so much as crack as he nodded, "Of course, Miss." He grabbed a walky-talky hanging from his belt and called over it, "Attention all staff. Our guests have a non-human member among them. Please be advised that no action should be taken against the-"

The back of the truck opened up and Meirune stepped out, stretching after being confined in the back of the vehicle's cab for so long, then standing to his full height of thirteen feet.

"Deathclaw that will be moving around the facilities for the duration of our guest's stay," Ponce finished flawlessly. He stared at Meirune, considering the sheer size of him for several moments before he looked at me, "Will your compatriot need anything else?"

I nodded, "Those would be the two other things I mentioned. First, he'll need four beds. Bring them to my room, please. He'll be staying with me."

"Very good, Miss," Ponce replied then shooed two bellhops away to get started on the task. "And the other thing?"

I leaned forward and Ponce leaned down so that I could whisper in his ear, "I would appreciate it if the staff wouldn't stare at him. He doesn't like it. I understand you can't stop the other guests, but if you could at least pass the word along to the staff, I would appreciate it."

Ponce chuckled and nodded, "Not to worry, Miss. I will ensure that they behave accordingly. And you don't have to worry about other guests. Mr. House has announced that during your stay, The Lucky 38 is to be at your personal disposal. No other guests will be allowed entrance."

I couldn't hide my surprise, "Won't that hurt his revenue stream? I don't want to cause him any burden."

Ponce shook his head, "I was told that this is a unique favor he is offering out of respect for you and your work. Word has reached New Vegas of your efforts and Mr. House knew it would only be a matter of time till you arrived. Apparently he has been eagerly awaiting your visit."

I smiled at that thought. Perhaps this wouldn't be as tricky as I thought.

Mr. Ponce motioned for us to follow him, "Mr. House has insisted that you stay in the finest suites The Lucky 38 has to offer and has granted you the entire top floor for your personal use. Your companions will have the use of the other suites and floors of the hotel section."

"It would seem Mr House has thought of everything," I chuckled as I followed Ponce, and everyone else fell in behind us.

"All but the deathclaw, it would appear," Ponce chuckled jovially.

"Ah, about that," I pointed out, "his name is Meirune. I would appreciate it if the staff could address him properly."

"I will make sure of it," Ponce replied.

We were brought to our rooms and left alone to make ourselves comfortable. While our clothes and supplies were brought up, Eric and the Praetorian Guard worked with the casino's security to sweep the building, plan out evacuation routes, and ensure that we would be safe during our stay. A group of handymen came in and took an hour to weld together a reinforced bed for Meirune. Once the building was secured and everything was situated, I allowed the soldiers we brought to go enjoy the casino and shows that were going. Malpaius ensured that they didn't leave The Lucky 38 and reminded them that they could drink, but drugs were off the table.

"So why does Meirune get to stay with you, but the rest of us don't?" T'Preea asked as we sat down to dinner. "I wanted to stay in the best suite too, you know."

"Meirune is already uncomfortable enough just being here," I explained as I watched the band play in the empty dining hall that had been cleared out for us. "Letting him stay with me is so he'll be more comfortable and won't be so anxious."

"And I doubt any of the staff want to be the one to give him a morning wake-up call if he were in his own room," Serena snickered to herself.

"That's a good point," T'Preea chuckled. "I'm surprised we got such a warm welcome. I figured we would meet some resistance."

"Casinos are all about risk assessment," Eric said. "They see a massive army headed their way with airships, hundreds of vehicles, and more soldiers than the population of their entire city, and they figure rolling out the red carpet is a better approach to interacting with us than being antagonistic."

"And if what Mr. Ponce said was true, and word has reached them about the Legion's exploits, then they understand what happens to anyone who chooses to oppose us through military means," Meirune added. "Better to err on the side of caution."

"Do you think he's preparing to hand New Vegas over without a fight?" Serena asked me.

I shrugged, "Mr. House is a shrewd businessman," I replied. "He had the forethought to preserve himself before the Great War and has kept the lights on in New Vegas for hundreds of years. I'm sure he sees which way the wind is blowing, but he'll want to benefit somehow from our takeover of the territory."

"What do you think he'll ask for?" T'Preea asked curiously.

"He'll want to keep control over the city, for sure," Serena said matter-of-factly.

I nodded in agreement, "Most certainly. He'll probably push for governorship as well."

"Will you grant it?" Serena asked.

"The governorship?" I hummed. "Perhaps. But he's a CEO from a time when businesses had driven the world to the very brink of world war, with practices that incentivized the murder of their competition, and the indoctrination and outright poisoning of the general public with their waste disposal or lack of safety standards. Giving him too much power might only encourage him to return to that mindset. I'll have to see where his mind is at after so long."

"Do you think he'll try and negotiate for more?" T'Preea hummed as the first course of our meal was brought out.

"He's a person in a position of power," I chuckled. "I'd be disappointed if he didn't."

We spent the next house enjoying dinner. The conversation was kept light, with little mention more mentioned about Legion affairs. Instead we talked about memories, shows we wanted to see while we were here, and danced a bit to the music. It was probably the might light hearted meal we'd had in all the time I'd been in this world. It brought a strange sense of normalcy to be in a dining hall with clean, solid walls, running lights, and a live band that T'Preea, Serena, and I hadn't experienced in two lifetimes now.

It was surreal spending an evening in a place that looked like it hadn't been touched by time or the war. It made me wonder how many people who frequented these halls actually understood how lucky they were to be able to live in a place where life wasn't a constant struggle of life and death. While I had managed to make life easier for my family and friends, those early days were still difficult. We'd struggled for fresh vegetables, having to preserve and conserve what we could when we could. I had been able to create more fertile ground but I hadn't been able to force the vegetables to grow faster. Even the mirelurk farm I'd created was really only possible because of my abilities and would have been too dangerous to try to create otherwise.

Here in The Lucky 38, food was plentiful, clean water was guaranteed, and things like turn down service were not just commonplace, but expected. I couldn't help but find myself envying other people for the first time in hundreds of years.

When we were finished with dinner, I returned to our suite with Meirune. Ponce was waiting for me at the door to the suite.

"Ms. Orodum," Ponce smiled, "Mr. House is ready to speak with you. Would you like to go to the penthouse now or would you prefer to change into something else?"

I looked up at Ponce and smiled, "Tell Mr. House that I will arrive in about half an hour. I'd like to change and prepare myself for the meeting."

"Very good, Ms.," Ponce nodded. He motioned to the far end of the hall, "When you are ready, simply go to the elevator and I will unlock its ability to go to the penthouse at your convenience."

I smiled, "Thank you, Ponce."

Meirune and I entered the suite and I took time to prepare myself. I spent several minutes with Meirune, relaxing and discussing important details to go over with House.

I changed out of my clothes and into an elegant, black Balenciada evening dress that exuded both elegance and sophistication. The dress hugged my body in all the right places, accentuating my figure. The low cut back added a daring touch, revealing just enough skin while maintaining a sense of chic allure. The neckline was elegantly designed, and balanced the daring back with a modest front. I was willing to bet that House hadn't seen an actual human woman in person in hundreds of years, and I wasn't above using my appearance to give me even the slightest advantage in the upcoming conversation.

Once I was ready, I left the suite and made my way down the hall to the elevator. I took a deep breath to prepare myself, then pressed the button that would take me to the penthouse.