Chapter 398 - Scrooge McHouse

"Whatever funds?" Tamia parrots, "Like, 'Whatever' funds?"

"I said what I mean, and I mean what I said." Mr House states, "The task I need you to complete is of the utmost importance, perhaps even more so than finding the chip in the first place. That said, I will be watching your spending, I am not one to throw away money and the same should be said for whomever I decide to partner with."​​

Tamia smirks, "So no blackjack and hookers?" she jokes.

"I understand your jest, but blackjack and hookers would be readily available to you should you accept my terms." House explains.

Tamia gives an uncomfortable laugh before recomposing herself, "Even with unlimited spending though, I still don't think I'd be able to get in and out of the Fort... I think I'd need an army or something..."

"I know it seems like an indomitable task, but the benefits for completing it will be immeasurable, you have my word on that... It seems I'll need to persuade you further. Do you know what my goals are?"

Tamia shrugs her shoulders, "Rebuild New Vegas to Prewar standards?"

"Yes, and no." House says before continuing, "You are correct in my wish to restore things to their previous condition, but I also wish to change much... The old world is gone, and while I miss the comforts it provided, I am also grateful for the opportunity the apocalypse has provided... I wish to remake the Mojave, and indeed, the world into my own image.

No corrupt politicians, government officials, and trigger-happy foreign states to cause another war. No separate factions all under one roof attempting to gain power, no stifling of technological innovation and discovery... Give me twenty years, and I'll get technological development back to where it was, fifty and I'll have men back on the moon.

Do you see? My ambition is not for personal gain, or a petty desire for power. It is for the uplifting of all mankind, to raise them above the barbaric squabbling for resources and arbitrary wars... To you it may sound strange, but answer me honestly... Do you think you could trust the other factions to have even considered the future? Not just rebuilding what's left of America, enslaving everything they see, or indeed, hiding away any technology deemed 'too dangerous'... I mean, the future."

Tamia considers his words and slowly shakes her head, he was right, she had seen what each faction sought. The NCR was as corrupt as they come, and their methods would eventually fail, just like what happened before the great war.

The Legion definitely wasn't any better. They were like a wood-chipper, absorbing territory and converting the people who resided there into barbaric soldiers. Every piece of land their claimed was worse off than before, desolated by poverty, starvation, and violence. She didn't know what would happen once they run out of enemies to fight, would they turn inwards and fight themselves, or simply peter out and disappear.

The only large faction she'd not really 'met' during her time in the Mojave was the Brotherhood of Steel... Sure, Veronica supposedly belonged to them, but when she spoke of them Tamia could tell she was less than a 'ideal member'.

Tamia herself didn't think technology was inherently dangerous (with some exceptions such as Nuclear Bombs), it was the person using it that truly mattered.

The only negative she could see with Mr Houses explanation was the fact he would essentially become a dictator. He could decide what happens, who lives, and who dies. Not that she thought he'd start committing genocide or something, but this was the first time meeting the man, so her opinion on him wasn't all that reliable.

She looks up at the screen depicting House and slowly nods, "I think I understand what you're saying, but, do you really think you can do anything to change it?"

"I do." Mr House says with certainty, "I've been planning for this before the great war even started. My calculations extend almost a hundred years into the future. But, everything hinges on now, or to be more specific, you. You are the one who can assist me in making the world a better place."

...

"I don't know what advantages you think you have against the NCR and the Legion, but I think neither of them have the best interest of the Mojave at heart... You know what? Fuck it, I accept." she states, deciding to just go with her gut for now and see where it leads.

"Good. Very good... You already know what is required, so I'll leave further explanation for when you actually reach the facility under the Fort. I still have some form of communication there where I'll be able to assist you... For now, let me fulfil my end of the bargain. Jane, be a dear take our guest down to the vault, and bring a rucksack with you." he pauses, "And Tamia, it is a pleasure doing business with you."

Tamia nods, "You too, House." she says before following the Securitron to the elevator. Once there she's led down past the ground floor and into some sort of underground vault. It didn't look like a Vault-tec vault, but instead just like a blank metal wall... Though, upon approaching it she could hear many mechanisms working behind the scene.

After a couple moments of waiting, the vault doors slowly slid open, revealing a long hallway with many lockboxes decorating the walls. Though, this isn't what draws Tamia's attention... No, that'd belong to the large pit that is illuminated at the end of the hall.

Tamia approaches it with Jane following and looks over the edge, spotting a ladder leading down into what could only be described as a sea of bottle caps.

"Impressed? Robert always loved old cartoons, reminds him of better times he says. We also have a gold pit hidden nearby, but you only have access to this." Jane explains as she rolls up behind Tamia.