Melissa is a Great Khan member camped out near Quarry Junction in the Mojave Wasteland in Fallout: New Vegas.
Background
Melissa is the daughter of Chomps Lewis, who mentions that she takes after her mother, who has passed away.[3] She was not born a Great Khan, but joined them after going through harsh initiation rituals.[4] She and two other Great Khans are awaiting a chems shipment at the Great Khan Encampment above Quarry Junction.[5] Normally, the supplies would be stashed in a quarry machine at Quarry Junction, but because of the deathclaw infestation, she suspects it is still in Sloan and needs help getting it from her contact.[6] While she does not have much to offer, she would be grateful to whoever helps by spreading a good word about them within the Great Khans.[7]
Melissa holds a position of responsibility[8] within the Great Khans, as a scout, and leader of the drug runners.[1][2] She, like the rest of her tribe, is wooed into the alliance with Caesar's Legion. The Courier can inform her that women are not allowed to serve in the Legion and that Karl lied.[8]
Melissa is completely unrelated to Jessup and McMurphy that ambushed the Courier with Benny, and does not know of any other Great Khan gangs as far into NCR territory as she is, nor would she willingly out a fellow Great Khan.[9]
Interactions overview
| Interactions | ||
|---|---|---|
| This character starts quests. | ||
| This character is involved in quests. | ||
Quests
- Don't Make a Beggar of Me: Melissa needs to deliver a shipment of chems, but since she and her crew could not get past the deathclaws, she sends the Courier on the errand.
- Oh My Papa: Melissa is one of four people that Papa Khan will listen to, meaning she can tell him that the alliance between the Great Khans and Caesar's Legion is a bad idea.
Other Interactions
- When the Courier approaches the encampment for the first time, Melissa will immediately engage in a conversation, demanding to know the Courier's business regardless of their reputation with the Great Khans.
Inventory
| Apparel | Weapon | Other items |
|---|---|---|
| Great Khan Soldier Armor | Hunting Rifle Knife |
Random food Steady Purified Water x3 Bottle Cap x85 |
Notes
- During the They Went That-a-Way quest, the Courier can ask if her accompanying Great Khans were with Benny. She will tell them that they were not.[9]
- She is affected by the Sneering Imperialist perk.
- If the Courier is being pursued by a deathclaw and reaches the camp, she does not react to it and will not be harmed, unlike the other two Great Khan members.
- Melissa will comment on the Courier wearing Great Khan clothing.[10]
Quotes
- "Awaiting a delivery, but it's a no-show. I'm guessing that the deathclaws in the quarry have something to do with that."
- "Don't leave a trail."
Appearances
Melissa appears in Fallout: New Vegas.
Behind the scenes
Melissa's New Zealand accent was the result of a miscommunication between Joshua Sawyer and another developer that ignored his instructions for all characters native to the Mojave Wasteland to have American accents. Although Sawyer stated that it was a good performance, the strong accent was unintentional and by the time he heard the voice lines, it was too late to change it.[Dev 1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Courier: "Anything else I should know?"
Melissa: "Don't kill anybody if you don't have to. I'm a scout, and I like to keep a low profile."
(Melissa's dialogue) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Great Khan: "I heard from one of Melissa's runners that that check-coated bastard got thrown out on his ass."
(Generic Great Khan dialogue) - ↑ Courier: "How do you know Melissa?"
Chomps Lewis: "She's my daughter. Takes a little too much after her mother, rest her soul, but she's happy with the Great Khans, and that's enough for me."
(Chomps Lewis/Dialogue) - ↑ Courier: "How did you end up joining the Great Khans?"
Melissa: "It wasn't easy. There's a lot of initiation rituals to go through, and I've got the scars to prove it. But, in the end, I was tough enough to be made a member. Proudest day of my life."
(Melissa's dialogue) - ↑ Courier: "What are you doing up here?"
Melissa: "Awaiting a delivery, but it's a no-show. I'm guessing that the Deathclaws in the quarry have something to do with that."
Courier: "What kind of delivery are you expecting?"
Melissa: "Supplies to make chems. The NCR's the best source since they're hard to come by anywhere else. We don't really use the chems ourselves, just sell them to anybody with the caps. If it ends up hurting the NCR in the process, that's a bonus."
Courier: "Seems like an odd place to pick up a delivery."
Melissa: "The Khans and the NCR don't get along - they prefer to shoot us on sight, even if we're not looking for a fight."
(Melissa's dialogue) - ↑ Courier: "No angle. I just want to help."
Melissa: "Right. All right, here's the deal. I was expecting a shipment of chemicals. It's usually in a suitcase dropped off in one of the big machines up here. Because of the Deathclaws, I have to assume that the suitcase is still in Sloan. Snoop around the place and get it for me."
(Melissa's dialogue) - ↑ Courier: "I got the chems for you."
Melissa: "You actually came through for us. I... didn't expect that. Anyway, the Great Khans pay their debts and don't forget their friends. If you ever come out to Red Rock Canyon, I'll put in a good word for you."
(Melissa's dialogue) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 Courier: "Regis says I should talk to you about speaking against the Great Khans' alliance with Caesar."
Melissa: "You can ask, but why would I do that? Karl's told me all about life in the Legion! He says I've got all the makings of a speculatore."
Courier: "Did he also tell you women aren't permitted to serve in the Legion?"
Melissa: "What? No, he... what do you mean, aren't allowed to serve? Why would he lie about that?"
Courier: "If the Great Khans join the Legion, you'll be sold as a slave. An officer's wife, if you're lucky."
Melissa: "That lying little weasel! I almost fell for it, too! All right, you've got a deal. You can tell Papa I won't support an alliance."
(Melissa's dialogue) - ↑ 9.0 9.1 Courier: "I'm looking for some Great Khans who stole something from me in Goodsprings."
Melissa: "The only Khans this far into NCR territory is me and my crew, and I didn't steal squat from you. Besides, even if some of my gang did steal from you, I wouldn't rat them out. Loyalty actually means something to the Great Khans. As far as I know, it's just me and my crew out here, and if it really was Great Khans who mugged you, they didn't come this way. I'd have seen 'em."
(Melissa's dialogue) - ↑ Melissa: "Nice outfit, but I know you're not one of us. What do you want with the Great Khans?"
(Melissa's dialogue)
- ↑ l1ama: "Is there any particular reason why Melissa in the Great Khan encampment speaks with a New Zealand accent? I know the voice actress is Zoe Bell, but she did a bunch of other voices as well and does a pretty passable American accent for those"
Joshua Sawyer: "I won't name names, but someone ignored an explicit instruction I gave that all characters native to the Mojave Wasteland should have American accents. By the time I heard her recording (in game) it was too late to change it. It was a good performance, it just wasn't what Melissa's accent was supposed to be."
(Joshua Sawyer on Tumblr July 22, 2020)