Merk

Merk was a criminal leader in the New California Republic during the time of the events surrounding the Chosen One. Though in the grand scheme of the world a small-time crook, the lawful environment of NCR made for little competition, elevating Merk to what was essentially the status of a local crime boss.

Merk's Office
In order to avoid the prying eyes of the vast NCR police force, Merk usually held court in a saloon located in the outer Bazaar area of NCR. The Rawhide Saloon, well-known for its rough clientele, was a frequent haunt of Merk, who used its back room. Gaining access to Merk was not particularly easy, however; crime bosses who have an open-door policy generally do not enjoy a long life, so Merk was accompanied at all times by bodyguards who would bar the casual visitor entry to Merk's "office." However, the right connections - or an impressive show of force - could catch the crime boss's attention. Typically, however, a show of force would involve the participation of the bar's resident tough guy, a super mutant named Lenny; not an easy prospect for most humans.

The NCR Operations
Despite his relative "small fry" status as far as the wasteland would consider him, Merk nevertheless was quite entrepreneurial, and ran many operations in NCR. Perhaps the highest profile was a backroom gambling establishment within the walls of NCR itself. Permission to enter the gambling den had to come from Merk himself, and anyone without the proper pass phrase was turned away.

However, the lawful mindset of NCR's government hampered Merk's efforts to build a criminal empire, leaving him seeking for outside solutions to internal problems.

Enter the Chosen One
Merk's primary annoyance was a Hubologist who set up a small shrine in NCR. Although Merk desperately wanted the missionary eliminated, using one of his own men would only cause a great deal of trouble with the NCR police. Consequently, Merk viewed the Chosen One as the perfect solution: a loner nobody knew, someone who was apparently experienced in killing, and who might be willing to trade services for profit. But there would have to be proof that this independent contractor could handle the job. Proof would be had through Lenny.

Once the Chosen One had proven the ability to handle combat, Merk would provide a quest: Kill Hubologist in NCR for Merk.

The successful completion of this contract would garner three things:
 * A mediocre payment
 * Permission to enter the gambling den in NCR
 * And, unless the job is done surreptitiously, the annoyance of the NCR police