Chapter 397 - An Offer You Could Probably Refuse?

"Y-yes, I have it... But what makes it worth so much? Even if it were made from pure platinum it still wouldn't be as valuable..." Tamia asks, pulling out the chip and closely examining it.

"Minerals, materials, everything pales in comparison to what is truly on that Chip... Knowledge, and technology. While gold might be valuable to most people, there is a reason why the Brotherhood of Steel exists and are so powerful. In this day and age where mysteries of the old world are one bunker away from discovery, knowledge is valued above all.​​

Consider this, what would happen to the value of gold should someone develop a method of synthesizing it?" Mr House asks.

"The price would plummet." she automatically responds, as if it weren't even worth considering.

"Indeed. But think, even now, after millenniums of discovery, the wheel is still in use. Currency can change value, possessions can change value, but knowledge? Knowledge is eternal."

"Where are you going with this?" Tamia asks, wondering what he was trying to prove.

Mr House pauses at her question before finally answering, "Your contract with me is over, I'm willing to pay you to quadruple the number of caps for your effort in completing your duties in returning the chip. Four-thousands caps... But, I am hoping that won't be the end of our business relationship... Indeed, I wish to improve it to a... partnership of sorts."

"Partnership?" Tamia mutters, the words sounding weird on her tongue.

"Yes, a relationship between equals, not one above the other. I offer you a place at my side, as my voice in the Mojave. As you can see, I am not currently able to personally exert myself in public, but with you... We could achieve much." he explains.

Tamia raises a brow, "What would this involve?" she questions, wondering where the catch would be.

"I do not wish to hire mercenaries for the tasks I need completed. I have witnessed your effectiveness, and I have been impressed by your competence. Should you agree, I would be willing to illuminate my plans for the future, and my intentions for the Mojave as a whole... You don't believe I'd save this desert wasteland from complete nuclear annihilation on a whim, did you?...

The only thing I require from you is loyalty... My Securitrons are already useful in defending, protecting, and maintaining. But I need someone for more delicate tasks. Of course, any hired gun could be paid to do it, but they're more likely to run off with the money before actually doing what I asked."

"And you want me to do it for you instead? What's in it for me?"

"Aside from the obvious monetary benefits, you would receive full access to the Lucky 38, the luxury apartments, lavish living and gorgeous view that would not be beaten by any other property in the world. And there's also the power and authority the position would offer, the ability to choose who you speak to, who's worth what, and who deserves their place. Any ordinary person would have jumped at this opportunity, but I understand, we are alike, cautious at any offer that seems too good to be true...

Know this, I am not forcing you to accept anything. It is merely an offer, and while I would think you a fool for refusing, I would accept the loss nonetheless." Mr Houes explains.

Tamia taps her foot on the floor while considering the offer. She wasn't an incredibly materialistic person, the thing she valued the most was actually freedom. She wondered if that feeling was the reason why she became a courier in the first place... House's offer seemed generous, but that was only at face value, she still had no idea what tasks he actually wanted completed... For all she knew, he'd ask her to assassinate the president of the NCR or something.

Regardless if she was going to accept or not, she'd need to know what she was getting into before agreeing to anything. "Before I accept, what tasks would you have me doing?"

"It depends on how the situation changes, but if you must know, the first task would involve you infiltrating The Fort where the Legion is currently stationed."

...

Well, looks like House really did want her to start assassinating officials...

"And you want me to kill Caesar?" she asks, disbelief clear in her voice.

"Hah! Of course not! Besides, even if you did manage to kill that barbaric buffoon, his armies would hardly leave the Mojave alone... Indeed, he'd become a martyr instead, making them all the more hungry for this territory. No, I would need you to take that chip to a hidden underground bunker where I had valuable tech placed before the war."

"And you think Caesar is just gonna let me waltz in and enter the facility?"

"No. By my calculations, the Legion will have sent someone to meet with you concerning your entry into the Lucky 38. Regardless of your thoughts on the strip, it is considered a 'big deal' that you've been allowed entry. I have no doubts that Caesar wishes to meet with you... Your entry into the Fort would be the simplest part, getting back out? Difficult.

The activation of the facility under the Fort would feel like an earthquake occurring under their feet. No doubt it'd attract their ire, forcing you to sneak or fight your way out."

"And you think I'd be able to fight off or sneak past an entire army of Legionaries?" she asks, feeling as if he was expecting her to run in and die for him.

"To be honest, I have no idea... It is a risk I admit, should you fail, the Platinum Chip would be lost to me forever, and all of my plans that hinge on it would fail spectacularly. That is why I am willing to fund whatever you feel is necessary to complete the task." Mr House says, again causing Tamia to gape at him.