New Vegas Congress
Across the brightly lit city of New Vegas, all eyes were focused on the broadcast playing on the screens of the many Securitrons, a record of the day’s earlier events. Already people were enthusiastically discussing what this congregation meant for the future of New Vegas, and with it, the entire Mojave. But one thing was clear. Vegas would not only survive; it would thrive, becoming a regional powerhouse strong enough to resist attacks of any side. Under the guidance of the Courier, nothing could stop Vegas and its Congress.
“Thank you for arriving, everyone.” the Courier had opened his address to the nine representatives seated before him. “May we all recognise- Mother-At-Arms Pearl of the Boomers, Elder McNamara of the Brotherhood Of Steel, Papa Khan of the Great Khans, Cachino of the Omertas, Swank of the Chairmen, Marjorie of the White Glove Society, Julie Farkas of the Followers Of The Apocalypse, the King of The Kings, and Marcus of Jacobstown.”
“With the NCR kicked back to the Mojave Outpost-” a small smirk was visible on the faces of Elder McNamara and Papa Khan- “and the Legion running back to Arizona, Vegas is finally ready to begin building itself as an independent nation-state. No NCR, no Legion, no House. No gods, no masters. All of you and the factions you represent have a vested interest in the future of New Vegas, so today, my sycophant-” the Courier gestured to the Securitron next to him, which stared at the Congress with its unfazed permanent smile, “and I will decide on the answers to any questions you may have.”
Surprisingly, the first person to voice their concerns was the King. “Courier, you’re a King, one of us, and you know that we don’t want any authority. We just want to do our own thing. What sort of control is your new New Vegas going to involve, and what does this mean for Freeside? Also, where do the Kings fit in in all this?”
“Thank you for your question, King. Yes Man, would you mind giving me a copy of Printout #7? The one you made for the legal structure of New Vegas? Thank you.” said the Courier. “Alright, let me see… ah, yes. The law should always allow for free and fair competition. This means keeping your autonomy, while keeping everything fair, so… no more Orris incidents, nor any of whatever the Crimson Caravan and the Van Graffs were doing.” He passed the printout to the King. “I think you’ll find everything in there amenable. And about the part where the Kings will act in place of the NCR’s police in Freeside and Vegas, as well as the other urban areas of the Mojave… I trust you’ll be fine with that role? I mean, the Kings have already been performing that role plenty in Freeside, and I’ve seen your men take down the thugs that plague it.”
The King scanned through the printout, murmuring and nodding. “Well, Courier, you solve our problems once again. Pace might not be the happiest about it, but I think the Kings will be proud to serve in New Vegas. We’re with you, Courier.”
“Well, if the King is done, I have an objection to raise.” Julie Farkas spoke up. “Why is the Brotherhood still on this council? They ruthlessly massacred everyone at one of our outposts. They’re… a bunch of mentally unstable techno-fetishists. They can’t really be helping to decide the future of Vegas!”
“Ah. That incident. Our deepest apologies. That was caused by a rogue group of Paladins. I assure you, they are not at all representative of the entire chapter, and I have since taken measures to ensure it will not happen again. As for not trusting us, I can understand why. But we are trying to change. A certain member of ours leaving helped us realise we had to. And, of course, I’m sure the Courier will help us find our way into the future, and watch over us to make sure we don’t revert to the days of raiding caravans for pre-War technology.”
“Alright, but we’re only working with you because we trust the Courier’s judgment. Not yours. And,” Julie continued, turning to the Courier, “what happens… after you’re gone? Who runs Vegas then? You don’t really have a clear form of succession set up.”
“Thank you, Julie.” the Courier responded. “But I assure you, I am not dying anytime soon. And I’m not talking about only the enhancements I’ve received in the Mojave. I’m not going to reveal all my secrets, but let’s just say I truly understand the meaning of Old World Blues. As for my successor, that will be selected by my sycophant here, if he sees it appropriate to name one. Anything else?”
“Just one more thing.” said Julie. “What do you want the Followers to do now? You had a plan for the Kings… what about us?”
“Yes Man? Printout #14, please. Ah, yes… The Followers Of The Apocalypse shall be given the territory and resources to expand their medical operations across New Vegas, and also act as scientists and researchers, occupying Camp McCarran. There’s already a deposit of research material and pre-War technology I’ve asked Arcade Gannon to bring there. The Brotherhood will also send over a few Scribes and Knights, and two Boomers, Jack and Janet, will also be there. I think you’ll like this. Anything else you need to know is in here.” the Courier responded, passing over the printout in his hand. “Right, who’s next?”
“What about us?” Elder McNamara asked. “The Kings and the Followers have their new roles, and I’m sure you have a job for every faction in the Mojave. Your Securitron army is more than capable of protecting Vegas, so we won’t be needed for that. We also aren’t going to be raiding caravans anymore, and we won’t just be hiding in our bunker, so what did you have in mind for the Brotherhood?”
“Well, Hardin might not like this all that much, but I want you to help protect caravans and ensure internal security in Vegas. I also need the Brotherhood to help clear out the local wildlife- I know a certain group of Deathclaws in Quarry Junction that would be better off at the end of a Gauss rifle. I also need technicians to help operate locations such as HELIOS One and Hoover Dam. All of this should help New Vegas develop- protecting caravans and clearing out wildlife and raiders should help trade flow through Vegas once again, and since the NCR took their technicians with them when they left, I need a group skilled with technology for this task.”
“I understand. We’ll do our best, Courier. And for what it’s worth, I’m glad you chose to involve us in building Vegas.” the Elder responded, all while Yes Man rolled over to hand him a printout.
“Well, anything for the Families? Just so you know, I’m pretty sure we’re all very happy managing our casinos.” Cachino said.
“Nothing major. Business as usual. A small cut of the profits every day, of course. Just keep bringing the tourists and their money to Vegas, and with enough money we can clear out the Freeside slums and expand your resorts even further. I think you’ll be fine with that, so… Yes Man, Printout #16, please.” The Courier passed three copies of the printout to the three representatives. “Oh, and, of course… no invading the Strip, trying to seize control of Vegas, or cannibalism. I don’t think I need to remind you of what happened to the last people who tried. Next.”
“Well, child,” Pearl said, “how can help build Vegas? I don’t think the Boomers are quite ready to be integrated into the rest of Vegas yet, but we’d still like to contribute and protect our independence.”
“While the Securitrons are a formidable force on their own, having air support really helped at Hoover Dam. There are a lot of old planes that were at Camp McCarran; I think if we send them over, the Boomers could help us build a proper air force. We’d have the air advantage, and no-one would dare threaten us again with that. You should have seen the look on General Oliver’s face when I suggested to him that you could fly west, towards the NCR heartlands. At the same time, bringing in members of the Followers and Brotherhood could go a long way, while tying the Boomers closer to the rest of Vegas. Would you be fine with that?”
“Yes, I think that would be alright. You know, your visit really changed our tribe, as did you bringing in Janet. We’d be happy to help.” Pearl said, taking a printout from Yes Man as she did.
“Well? What do you propose?” asked Papa Khan. “We can’t really be warriors much longer, what with your Securitron army, the Brotherhood acting as security, and the Kings as the police. Really, all our tribe is make and deliver chems to the Mojave and beyond. What could we even do?”
“Well, there have been developments you might not have been aware of. Your suppliers, Jack and Diane? I taught them a few things. They’re not just making Psycho and Jet now; they’re making more helpful chems too, like Super Stimpaks and Hydra. And about that network of runners? Well, I know a guy called Johnson Nash, who might need independent Couriers who can move a lot faster than caravans. How about it? Controlled chems sales, and a new generation of Couriers. Papa, you trusted me enough to name me your heir. Believe me, I’m doing what’s in the Khans’ best interests.”
“Alright, cub. Seems you were right about moving forward.” Papa Khan agreed, taking his printout.
“Well, this has been a long time coming.” Marcus said, turning to the assembled Congress. “I know there’s a lot of distrust between humans and us mutants. So far, we’ve stayed in Jacobstown away from most humans. Mutants across the wasteland, from places like Black Mountain, have slowly been trickling into Jacobstown, and I’d like to keep things that way. Just like the Boomers, I know we won’t be able to integrate with the rest of the Mojave easily, but I want that to happen one day. What I want- no, what I demand is that at least legally, mutants are given equal status to humans. Is that fair?”
“Yes, I’d say it’s fair. For Jacobstown, I’d simply like you to open trade and be welcoming of any visitors. You are also to work with the rest of the Congress to see that mutants’ rights are protected. Please take this printout here, too.”
“Right, is that everything major? Good. Feel free to discuss with your fellow Congress members the details of your plans. If you have any questions, ask me in private. Thank you, everyone. Viva New Vegas!”
As the Lucky 38 continued to shine, the sun rose across the eastern horizon and the moon sank below the west. For New Vegas, it was the dawn of a new era.