Community:Fanfiction/Lucky/Chapter 2: Can't We Talk It Over

The following is a work of fanfiction written by Aces, part of the Lucky series.

=Chapter 2= Unbothered by his barbed retort, the Courier tilted their head and motioned broadly at themselves.


 * "Here I am."
 * "A laconic riposte, for once, and I've no time to relish it. A matter has arisen that requires immediate action."
 * "So I've been told - "
 * "Caesar is dead."

The Courier's eyes widened and then narrowed with incredulity, letting the moment hang in the air. House cut the silence impatiently.


 * "News of this reached me three days ago along with an impenitent laundry list of propositions - pleas, really - from their new hierarchy."

The Courier looked past House into the cloudless sky beyond him, letting the implications roll through their mind. House continued.


 * "I need you to meet with this fledgling monarch on my behalf. Quite simple. Present my terms, bring me news of success."

Lost in their own thoughts, half listening, the Courier circled back.


 * "You've known Caesar was dead for three days? Why wait to bring me back if you're in a hurry to seal the deal?"
 * "And let such wanton eagerness tip the scales away from my interests? No, Courier, they can wait and wonder, making your entry on the stage even more grandiose of a moment ... and advantageous for me."
 * "Or piss em off for havin to wait. Who am I meeting with anyway, who is leadin them now?"


 * "The parvenu, Vulpes Inculta, has taken on this mantle. Whatever barbarism he calls his court is held in Laughlin, and you'll be on your way there immediately."

Vulpes. The Courier's face twisted, only slightly, but House noticed.


 * "You've met him?"

The Courier's mind swirled back. 10 years. 15 maybe.


 * "Yeah but its been a long time."


 * "Interactions of which I hope will only serve in your delegations - of which, I gather, you should be off to."


 * "You're sending me in blind. What delegations? Tell me what they want, what I am angling for, if you want me to pull for you, I need basics."

House's impatience was audible.


 * "Insufferable at your best. During Inculta's first days, he has obviously realized the desperation of his situation. He is stuck against a veritable brick wall with the New California Republic on our southern border. It is a tenuous situation that he can't hope to hold. Laughlin is set up as some sort of nouveau capital, hardly fortified. Pretty to look at, but a house of cards, so to speak. One stiff breeze from the NCR? They want protection. And I am keen on providing it."


 * "Just to stick it to the NCR? In exchange for what? Money? Legion doesn't got any, trust me, I've seen."


 * "Not now, no. But I have calculated innumerable times. The potential for wealth is great. The Legion controls vast swaths of land, containing resources of immense value. You are going to inform them that slavery is our drawing point. They want fleets of Securitrons at their beck and call? Then they must operate as a civilized nation. I won't molly-coddle a cowardly, barbaric state where half of their potential workforce is enslaved and barely producing, while the other half is likewise wasted ensuring these individuals continue such menial production. No, this won't do. My terms are clear, and you'll deliver them post haste."

The Courier breathed in deeply.


 * "House. You want me to walk into Legion City and tell new boss he gotta ditch his slaves?"


 * "Indeed. And I intended on you beginning your journey to do so a good 15 minutes ago. Now be off!"

The screen flicked, went dark, and flashed again. "Connection Lost."

The Courier's shoulders drooped, they turned around, trudging towards the elevator. Victor greeting them, cheerily, announcing the destination before the Courier said a word: "Casino Floor!" The doors swung open at the destination level. The hum of the casino wasn't broken by the King's twang or uproarious laughter, they had expected him to be waiting with bated breath for the gossip. The Courier moved to the entrance.

The sun blinded them as the doors opened and the Courier squinted, then frowned. Milly was already waiting at the foot of the stairs. They knew they could not convince her to divert course. It would be a long ride.

The hatch swung open, Milly's voice ringing out, "Climb aboard, Courier!" Sitting on the seat was a sight that made the Courier blink in disbelief. ''House! You sweet son of a bitch!'' they mumbled under their breath, grinning from ear to ear, as they swung up next to a basket full of Fancy Lads, Nachos, and an Ice-Cold Quantum. Milly swung around towards the gate, "Onward to Laughlin!"