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Part III
- Penthouse of the Lucky 38 –
Willow had been monitoring the situation with the help of YesMan when they heard the boom from the explosion down from the Central Strip. She felt neither vibration nor movement in the building and the reinforced massive glass windows remained still. Mr House had built The Lucky 38 to withstand nuclear war so a low yield explosion was nothing to this remarkable structure.
“What was that?” she asked wide eyed, her voice twinged with a tremor of fear.
“Unhh...just a second Ms.Willow....”
YesMans’ image rolled and flicked on the massive screen for a moment.
“Ok...it appears that was a second bomber who has detonated a device in front of The Tops. I’m downloading the video tracks from the Securitrons that were in the area. Two are offline at the moment but their auto repair systems have kicked in and they’ll be functional very soon. Unfortunately though... unnhh...well... many of the people caught in the blast radius don’t have an auto repair capacity... umm...they won’t be getting up...” he trailed off with a sad tone.
Willow stared at the screen in horror then rushed over to the windows at oversaw that section of the strip and looked down. She could see the smoke and flicker of flames from her vantage point but very little else. She whirled about back to face YesMan.
“Is he ok? Tell me!”
“Yes Ms.Willow, the Courier was not in the lethal radius of the blast of the second device. However from my initial calculations 37 people were and another 22 people are critically injured. I’ve sent alerts out to all Securitrons to lace New Vegas into lockdown and as well have initiated Protocol Alpha.”
Willow blinked uncomprehendingly.
“What is Protocol Alpha YesMan?”
“Oh...right...you didn’t attend that meeting. Note to self: I must remember to send you memo’s....Ok...well Protocol Alpha is a set of plans that the Courier and I have agreed upon if New Vegas ever came under direct attack. All movement in and out of the Strip is suspended and martial law will be enforced by the Securitrons. Our allies in around the Mojave have been alerted that an attack is taking place and...” he stopped as the distant rumble of another explosion washed over the building. It was followed by another one a moment later.
“Oh dear...it seems that two more detonations have occurred to the north of us, specifically in Freeside. Yes...my Securitrons are there now...oh my...” He stopped as the video feed from one of the robots flicked up on one of the smaller screens that were part of the main consol control station.
The front of the Kings building was smashed in and had collapsed into a heap of twisted rubble. Dust and smoke whirled crazily about and was obscuring the video feed image. Willow could see dust covered bloodied figures, many of them Kings, staggering about, some of whom were grievously wounded while others looked baffled and stunned, staring blankly and with incomprehension around them. She could also see bodies on the ground covered in rubble and dust. She choked back an involuntary sob.
YesMans’ happy-face stared down at her from the massive monitor.
“I’m sorry to also report that the other explosion we heard has come from within the Followers compound in the Old Mormon Fort. From my initial scans it looks like causalities there are extremely high,” he noted in an uncharacteristically quiet and subdued tone.
Tears began to fall unchecked down her face.
“So many...why? Why has this happened?”
YesMan remained silent.
“WHY?” she screamed in anguish at the huge screen.
“...computing...” came the brief response.
Print outs then began to spout out of the consol and display lights blazingly flashed while YesMan’s’ mainframe seemed to kick into over-gear.
Willow hung her head down and cried quietly, her body quivering with her choked sobs. She looked up bleary eyed as YesMan spoke.
“Ms.Willow....from my initial calculations and projections I estimate with an 89 percentage point of reliability that these attacks have been coordinated and carried out by members of the Legion as revenge for the death of their leader and their defeat at the second Battle of Hoover Dam. I know that is not much comfort but at least we know now what we are dealing with. I also can say that this is a scenario to which I gave little thought too as it isn’t rational to become a living bomb but now I know this to be the case, I will now make plans to ensure it never happens again.”
Willow nodded silently as she wiped her tear streaked face.
“We...we need to see to the wounded YesMan. Please...what can we do about them?” she asked hoarsely.
“Ahh yes...right...ok well lucky for us The Lucky 38 has a fully equipped medical facility and even better, it appears that the bombers haven’t targeted the new Followers base that Mr Arcade is running over at Vault 3. I must say that I now agree with the Courier when he decided to pay for the clean up that old Vault and hand it over to the Followers, that was some pretty neat and far sighted thinking! At least we’ll have two functional medical facilities on hand now. I’m also sending out a general request for help to our friends across the Mojave. Ms. Pearl of the Boomers has said that they are scrambling an aid flight as we speak. She’s also reported back saying that they destroyed a bombing attempt on their base at Nellis. My Securitron guards outside Dr Unagi’s clinic have also stopped another bomber. Oh....ahh....more good news. The Brotherhood of Steel is reporting in.... they are mobilising rescue efforts and have gone on full alert. Helios One is on lockdown and the automated defence system is now online. Hold on one moment please...processing...” YesMan fell silent as he dealt with the flood of information and reports coming in while at the same time held simultaneous conversations with eight different individuals.
Willow allowed herself a small smile as she dried her tears. She suddenly realised that she was still in her pyjamas and with a frown rushed away up to the bedroom area to change into more appropriate clothing.
As she changed, she paused for a moment and switched back the volume on the radio.
“... with a massive loss of life. Just repeating: terror and tragedy has struck New Vegas today with three bombs exploding resulting with a massive loss of life. Reports are coming in from RNV staff members that are on the scene that The Tops, The Kings base and the Followers compound in Freeside have been hard hit by what appears to be suicide bombers. You are listening to Radio New Vegas, your lifeline in the Mojave Wasteland. I’m Mr New Vegas and I’m always here for you. I’m now going to play a very special and appropriate number for all those who are feeling the pain that’s come out of this terrible situation. Mr Tony Bennett’s song will hopefully ease the heavy hearts of many who are hurting badly right now.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avtDQNxMb2w
2 comments
Good choice of music.
- Penthouse of the Lucky 38 –
Willow had been monitoring the situation with the help of YesMan when they heard the boom from the explosion down from the Central Strip. She felt neither vibration nor movement in the building and the reinforced massive glass windows remained still. Mr House had built The Lucky 38 to withstand nuclear war so a low yield explosion was nothing to this remarkable structure.
“What was that?” she asked wide eyed, her voice twinged with a tremor of fear.
“Unhh...just a second Ms.Willow....”
YesMans’ image rolled and flicked and the massive screen for a moment.
“Ok...it appears that was a second bomber who has detonated a device in front of The Tops. I’m downloading the video tracks from the Securitrons that were in the area. Two are offline at the moment but their auto repair systems have kicked in and they’ll be functional very soon. Unfortunately though... unnhh...well... many of the people caught in the blast radius don’t have an auto repair capacity... umm...they won’t be getting up...” he trailed off with a sad tone.
Willow stared at the screen in horror then rushed over to the windows at oversaw that section of the strip and looked down. She could see the smoke and flicker of flames from her vantage point but very little else. She whirled about back to face YesMan.
“Is he ok? Tell me!”
“Yes Ms.Willow, the Courier was not in the lethal radius of the blast of the second device. However from my initial calculations 37 people were and another 22 people are critically injured. I’ve sent alerts out to all Securitrons to lace New Vegas into lockdown and as well have initiated Protocol Alpha.”
Willow blinked uncomprehendingly.
“What is Protocol Alpha YesMan?”
“Oh...right...you didn’t attend that meeting. Note to self: I must remember to send you memo’s....Ok...well Protocol Alpha is a set of plans that the Courier and I have agreed upon if New Vegas ever came under direct attack. All movement in and out of the Strip is suspended and martial law will be enforced by the Securitrons. Our allies in around the Mojave have been alerted that an attack is taking place and...” he stopped as the distant rumble of another explosion washed over the building. It was followed by another one a moment later.
“Oh dear...it seems that two more detonations have occurred to the north of us, specifically in Freeside. Yes...my Securitrons are there now...oh my...” He stopped as the video feed from one of the robots flicked up on one of the smaller screens that were part of the main consol control station.
The front of the Kings building was smashed in and had collapsed into a heap of twisted rubble. Dust and smoke whirled crazily about and was obscuring the video feed image. Willow could see dust covered bloodied figures, many of them Kings, staggering about, some of whom were grievously wounded while others looked baffled and stunned, staring blankly and with incomprehension around them. She could also see bodies on the ground covered in rubble and dust. She choked back an involuntary sob.
YesMans’ happy-face stared down at her from the massive monitor.
“I’m sorry to also report that the other explosion we heard has come from within the Followers compound in the Old Mormon Fort. From my initial scans it looks like causalities there are extremely high,” he noted in an uncharacteristically quiet and subdued tone.
Tears began to fall unchecked down her face.
“So many...why? Why has this happened?”
YesMan remained silent.
“WHY?” she screamed in anguish at the huge screen.
“...computing...” came the brief response.
Print outs then began to spout out of the consol and display lights blazingly flashed while YesMan’s’ mainframe seemed to kick into over-gear.
Willow hung her head down and cried quietly, her body quivering with her choked sobs. She looked up bleary eyed as YesMan spoke.
“Ms.Willow....from my initial calculations and projections I estimate with an 89 percentage point of reliability that these attacks have been coordinated and carried out by members of the Legion as revenge for the death of their leader and their defeat at the second Battle of Hoover Dam. I know that is not much comfort but at least we know now what we are dealing with. I also can say that this is a scenario to which I gave little thought too as it isn’t rational to become a living bomb but now I know this to be the case, I will now make plans to ensure it never happens again.”
Willow nodded silently as she wiped her tear streaked face.
“We...we need to see to the wounded YesMan. Please...what can we do about them?” she asked hoarsely.
“Ahh yes...right...ok well lucky for us The Lucky 38 has a fully equipped medical facility and even better, it appears that the bombers haven’t targeted the new Followers base that Mr Arcade is running over at Vault 3. I must say that I now agree with the Courier when he decided to pay for the clean up that old Vault and hand it over to the Followers, that was some pretty neat and far sighted thinking! At least we’ll have two functional medical facilities on hand now. I’m also sending out a general request for help to our friends across the Mojave. Ms. Pearl of the Boomers has said that they are scrambling an aid flight as we speak. She’s also reported back saying that they destroyed a bombing attempt on their base at Nellis. My Securitron guards outside Dr Unagi’s clinic have also stopped another bomber. Oh....ahh....more good news. The Brotherhood of Steel is reporting in.... they are mobilising rescue efforts and have gone on full alert. Helios One is on lockdown and the automated defence system is now online. Hold on one moment please...processing...” YesMan fell silent as he dealt with the flood of information and reports coming in while at the same time held simultaneous conversations with eight different individuals.
Willow allowed herself a small smile as she dried her tears. She suddenly realised that she was still in her pyjamas and with a frown rushed away up to the bedroom area to change into more appropriate clothing.
As she changed, she paused for a moment and switched back the volume on the radio.
“... with a massive loss of life. Just repeating: terror and tragedy has struck New Vegas today with three bombs exploding resulting with a massive loss of life. Reports are coming in from RNV staff members that are on the scene that The Tops, The Kings base and the Followers compound in Freeside have been hard hit by what appears to be suicide bombers. You are listening to Radio New Vegas, your lifeline in the Mojave Wasteland. I’m Mr New Vegas and I’m always here for you. I’m now going to play a very special and appropriate number for all those who are feeling the pain that’s come out of this terrible situation. Mr Tony Bennett’s song will hopefully ease the heavy hearts of many who are hurting badly right now.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avtDQNxMb2w