A/N: I struggled with this chapter for some stupid reason. Meh, have it, just so we can move on with the goddamned plot. XD;;
==========================================================
With all of Primm fixed up, even the insides of the hotels and the white houses behind the Nash residence building which had the Mojave sign on top, it was time for Nora to visit the final stop-- the Mojave Outpost.
The two of them looked up at the unification monument, with Courier Six saying, "This was meant to symbolize the peace between the NCR and all of Nevada's citizens. It ended up being more ironic in the long run, huh? But maybe there'll be peace between us again, who knows? It depends on whoever they elect next."
Nora snorted. "You know, you're the only one around who wears that NCR uniform now it seems, so for a second there, I thought it was a statue of you and some other guy."
Courier Six pondered this and then chucked. "I like the way you think. Alright, it's officially a statue of me now and nobody can say differently."
Nora could only roll her eyes and shake her head at this.
With that, they went looking for where the train tracks that led the NCR to Vegas were, just so that they could build a proper train station around it.
To their surprise, the actual tracks were a fair distance from the actual outpost. it went into the mountains' tunnel into what looked to be a historical site…. Some kind of old defunct mine-turned-tunnel. But it wasn't so far away that it couldn't be a part of the outpost proper, even if it was a bit of a trek to walk there from the outpost itself thanks to the heavily mountainous area.
"Huh. You know… it's very heavily guarded on the other side of the gate back there. This would be a good way to get around them if I had to sneak into California. I'd just walk through this train tunnel with my flashlights on." Courier Six mused.
"Didn't you and Mr. House tell me that they blocked up the entrance for the trains too because they didn't want possible Nevada spies and enemies coming over to them via train?" Nora pointed out.
Courier Six blinked. "Oh yeah. I forgot about that."
Nora shook her head at this and got around to placing down a prefabbed train station next to the tracks that had strong sensors built in so that Mr. House would be instantly alerted whenever a train from California came over. But not before placing down a shitload of foundation, as this mountain area was VERY steep.
With that done, she then built a large pavement road leading down from the mountainous area, scrapping as needed because there was no way she was in the mood for a rough hike back down. She connected the new road to the main road leading up to the outpost and then got to work scrapping all the ruined vehicles.
She paused in the middle of this when she noticed that there was a trailer that held a bunch of pristine-looking motorcycles. Those looked
so new, prewar even, even though they had a heavy layer of dust all over them and some wear from age itself.
"Those could easily run again if you had the know-how and a bit of elbow grease. Imagine, working motorcycles roaming the wasteland. I'm sure a lot of people would pay good money for that." Nora thought out loud, as Courier Six looked over her shoulder into the trailer.
He then stroked the chin of his helmeted head thoughtfully. He said to himself, "I could always do with more money…. hm."
Nora snorted. "Do you even know how to do that? Repair motorcycles that is."
Courier Six, "Nah, but I have a sixth sense for finding people who can."
"Is that so?" Nora sounded doubtful.
Courier Six tilted his head, gesturing at it. "Had it ever since I woke up with a bullet hole in my head that fateful day. It shows me the path to helping myself stay safe along with everything else I value. And if I push it, it sometimes shows me what would happen in the future if I were to take a certain path via some mental slideshow. But it gives me a headache if I do that, so I try not to do that often."
"Hmm, sorta like Mama Murphy, then," Nora commented. At his look, she explained, "Some old Psychic who lives in Sanctuary Hills. She can tell the future."
Courier nodded in understanding. "There was this boy who lived under an underpass at Trading Post 188 who had similar abilities too, but now that he's older he's moved on, making a better living elsewhere. He called himself the Forecaster."
Nora just nodded back, and moved on to scrapping the rest of the old vehicles after leaving the trailer full of motorcycles alone.
She then went up to the outpost itself, intending to give it a minor makeover but keeping most of the outpost layout the same. This way it would be up to snuff to her pre-war sensibilities. No ugly peeling ceiling or trash-filled rooms would exist as long as Nora had a say in it!
But much to their surprise, this area was now being used by the merchants who called themselves the Gun runners.
However, Nora initially mistook them for gunners at first.
"Well, look who decided to set up shop in the Mojave Outpost. Gunners, by the look of them."
Courier Six was smirking under his helmet, not that Nora could see it.
"Not quite, Nora. These are the Gun Runners. A different breed, but they like their firepower just as much. Merchants in a warzone, you could say."
Nora squinted at the group. "Gun Runners? Really? They look like they're ready for a war, not a trade caravan."
Courier Six chuckled. "That's just how they roll. But trust me, they're more interested in selling guns than using them. It's like a match made in post-apocalyptic heaven."
Nora raised an eyebrow. "Guns for sale in the middle of the desert? What could possibly go wrong?"
Courier Six chuckled again. "Oh, you know, just the usual: bartering, negotiating, maybe a little light bloodshed if the prices aren't to their liking."
"Wonderful. Just what I was hoping for. I miss the days when the only thing I had to worry about was whether the milk in the fridge was still good." Nora replied sarcastically.
"Ah, the good old days. Now it's all about securing resources, building alliances, and making sure your neighbors aren't trying to stab you in the back." Courier Six bantered back.
"Speaking of neighbors, are we sure these guys won't turn on us?" Nora looked over at the Gun runners, who had now noticed them but hadn't made any hostile movements yet. Seems like they were waiting to see what Nora and Courier Six would do first before acting hostile.
Courier Six nodded at Nora. "Don't worry, Nora. As long as the caps keep flowing, they're our best friends. Besides, we're here to build, not start a turf war."
Nora nodded back. "Fair enough. Let's see if we can strike a deal with these Gun Runners and get this outpost in tip-top shape. Who knows, maybe we'll even get a discount on some shiny new weapons."
Courier Six rubbed his hands eagerly at the prospect of new shiny weapons. "Now you're speaking my language, Nora. Let's turn this Mojave outpost into the post-apocalyptic paradise it was always meant to be. With a touch of firepower, of course."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nora was honestly glad to be back in Vegas by all the time it was all done.
"I swear, if I see more peeling ceilings one more time…what is with almost every other building having a shitton of that here??" She muttered to herself. She didn't even think that the buildings back home had as many ceilings with the old flaking paint. Did they just not know how to properly seal painted ceilings in pre-war Nevada?
But then again, the buildings back home were more likely to have massive holes in them, even in the flooring and ceilings. So maybe Nora couldn't tell that the buildings in Massachusetts had, or used to have, the same exact problem because half of it was rubble? Hm.
She shook her head as if to clear her head of those thoughts, and refocused on finding Codsworth or her son Shaun as she explored the Lucky 38.
Eventually, she found them in an isolated section where Shaun appeared to be tinkering with broken down robot parts while Mr. House chatted with him from a nearby TV-like monitor.
Nora cautiously approached the room where she heard Shaun's voice engaged in conversation. As she peeked inside, she saw Shaun deep in discussion with Mr. House while Codsworth watched them both.
"Mr. House, many people say you were quite the visionary before the war. What was it like, shaping the future with your own hands?" Shaun wondered.
Mr. House replied calmly from the mounted wall TV monitor, "Ah. Your curiosity is commendable. The pre-war world was a complex tapestry of ambitions and vices. I merely played my part in it."
Shaun was curious. "But surely, the wasteland is a far cry from what you envisioned. How do you adapt to the chaos?"
Mr. House would've smirked if he could, but he answered coolly instead, "Adaptation is the key to survival, Shaun. Much like your mother, you must navigate this new world and mold it to your liking. Flexibility is the hallmark of a true leader."
Nora couldn't feel somewhat concerned. The wisdom being imparted to her son was undeniable, but the source was a figure as enigmatic as the post-war landscape itself. Not to mention something of an ass. She wasn't sure she wanted Shaun to emulate any part of Mr. House at all.
Shaun looked thoughtful as he kept on tinkering with the machine he was working on. "I've read about the world before the bombs, about corporations and governments. It seems like a distant dream now. How did it all fall apart?"
Mr. House's static image on the TV monitor somehow managed to look reflective as he responded. "Humanity's greatest flaw is its penchant for self-destruction. Wars were fought over resources, ideologies, and power. In the end, the folly of man led to its own undoing."
Shaun looked contemplative. "And yet, here we are, trying to rebuild. What's your vision for the future, Mr. House?"
Mr. House's voice took on a determined tone. "A new era of prosperity, Shaun. The Mojave can be the jewel of the wasteland, a beacon of order and progress. With the right leadership and guidance, the possibilities are limitless."
Nora, standing at the doorway, couldn't help but wonder how her son would interpret and shape his own vision in this unpredictable world while he grew up.
She figured this was as good a time as any to walk into the room and see what Shaun was up to.
"Ah, mum, you're back," Codsworth greeted Nora, prompting Shaun to glance behind him.
"Mom! You're already done? That was fast," Shaun said happily, not rushing over for the usual hug. He remained preoccupied with whatever he was working on.
"Well, I was worried about being away too long from you. But I guess I didn't have to be; you seem to have occupied yourself just fine. What's that you're making?" Nora asked, moving closer to inspect the small machine—a peculiar contraption with an oblong shape and spikes extending from it, reminiscent of tiny treadmills.
"It's a burrower robot. I came up with the idea when I was talking with Mr. House and Codsworth about the different types of robots out there, and after I overheard Mr. House giving verbal orders to his robots on how to turn that new train settlement you made into a more self-sustaining one," Shaun explained.
"You made a robot that burrows into the ground… because…?" Nora inquired, not immediately grasping the purpose, though she was trying to be supportive.
Before Shaun could respond, Mr. House interjected, "This burrower could be equipped with advanced sensors to detect radiation levels in the soil and employ a combination of cutting-edge technology and synthetic adaptability to neutralize or absorb the radiation. It might use a combination of energy fields, filters, and specialized storage units to safely contain the irradiated material that it would digest down the road to feed itself."
Shaun nodded. "Uh-huh. The robot can go around by itself, dig into the yucky places with radiation, and suck it up from the soil. While it's doing that, it makes the ground better and healthier, like, fixing up the whole area over time. What's the word for it? Oh yeah, terraforming."
Nora blinked at that, realizing the true value of the project. "Oh, wow. That's amazing."
Shaun grinned at his mom's reaction, aware that she'd be thoroughly impressed. Then he chimed in, "You remember all that stuff we learned about solar power at both that copyright patient building and that place where Taylor lives? I'm thinking we can make this robot solar-powered too, in addition to using radiation to power it. That way, even in places with low radiation, it won't run out of juice, so to speak. It's like a robot that snacks on both sunlight and nuclear radiation!"
"It's pretty revolutionary," Mr. House admitted. "Even my own robots need their own recharging space and general maintenance over time. And having alternative power sources to draw on would be interesting."
Nora nodded in understanding. "So you're collaborating with my son on this?"
Mr. House acknowledged with a nod. "Indeed. Shaun's intellect is commendable, and our combined efforts could yield remarkable results. A fusion of post-war ingenuity and pre-war technological finesse, if you will."
"I see." Nora suddenly found herself tired. It had been a long few days traveling and fixing up all the settlements she had come across thus far. "Then in that case, I'm gonna go take a long hot shower and take a nap. I'll come back to fetch shaun when it's time to eat."
"Roger that, I'll stay here and continue to supervise him." Codsworth piped up.
Nora smiled at the robot and nodded, before leaving.
As Nora made her way back to her guest area, she walked past the main computer screen in Mr. House's expansive control room of the penthouse. The room hummed with the soft glow of various screens displaying data and calculations. The air was filled with the low hum of machinery and the occasional beep of a console.
Caught up in her thoughts, Nora didn't notice Mr. House watching her approach. As she passed by the central screen, Mr. House, ever observant, initiated a brief pause in the data streaming across the display.
"Ms.Nora."
Nora turned, surprised to find Mr. House addressing her directly. His expression, as always, was inscrutable, but there was a certain weight to his words that demanded attention.
Mr. House replied casually, "You have a remarkable son."
Nora, curious and appreciative of the acknowledgment, approached the central console.
"Thank you. Shaun has always been quite special."
"In some ways, he reminds me of myself when I was that age... but at the same time, he's a very different person than I was." Mr. House sounded both nostalgic and reflective as he said that.
There was a rare moment of vulnerability in Mr. House's words, a glimpse into a past that was otherwise well-guarded. Nora, sensing the significance of the moment, nodded thoughtfully.
"He's been through a lot. Growing up in the Institute by the people who kidnapped him away from me, then facing the challenges of the Wasteland after I rescued him from that place. It's shaped him in unique ways."
Mr. House made a humming noise at this. "Indeed. The resilience he has shown is commendable. But there's a spark of curiosity and determination in him that I find familiar, yet distinctly his own."
Nora smiled slightly, though she couldn't help but wonder where Mr. House was going with this unexpected conversation.
"Shaun has a way of surprising people, just like his father. Sorry, but what are you up to? You wouldn't be talking to me about my son without a good reason," Nora remarked, both curious and wary.
"Put simply," Mr. House said, his tone measured, "I'm wondering about the opportunities that young Shaun might have in this post-war world. It would be a shame for his talent to go to waste, hmm?"
Nora tilted her head, studying Mr. House's static expression. The notion of Shaun's potential being of interest to the enigmatic figure was intriguing in the worst way possible, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of caution, slight dread, and curiosity.
"Opportunities? What kind of opportunities are we talking about here?"
Mr. House regarded Nora with an assessing gaze. "The Mojave is a vast and complicated place. With Shaun's intellect and your influence, there's potential for him to shape the region in ways few could imagine. My resources and knowledge combined with his unique capabilities could lead to advancements beyond what the Wasteland has seen. A mutually beneficial arrangement, Ms. Nora. The potential for progress, stability, and prosperity. Shaun could be instrumental in realizing a future that goes beyond mere survival."
Nora snorted. "You do realize that I wasn't planning to live here, and that I have no intention of leaving Shaun anywhere alone by himself for long, even if he has Codsworth with him? Eventually, we'll be returning to the New England Commonwealth."
"I'm aware," House said, unfazed. "But think of the educational opportunities. Young Shaun could bloom under my guidance as the next great robotic innovationist."
Nora raised an eyebrow, a mix of skepticism and surprise in her expression. The idea of Shaun becoming a "robotic innovationist" under Mr. House's guidance was both intriguing and daunting.
"Educational opportunities, you say? What exactly do you have in mind? And how do you plan to ensure Shaun's safety and well-being?" Nora couldn't even believe she was entertaining the idea that Shaun stay here for educational purposes.
"Rest assured, Ms. Nora, he would be well taken care of.This so-called 'Institute' had already equipped him with knowledge beyond his years, and under my guidance, he could expand on that foundation. Imagine the advancements he could make in the field of robotics, potentially transforming the very fabric of the Wasteland."
Unknown to Mr. House, Nora was already souring on that idea for personal reasons. It sounded dangerously close to reforming Institute 2.0 elsewhere to her, and Nora honestly didn't want Shaun to grow up anything like her older son… and definitely not anything like Mr. House himself. No offense to the man, but… yeah.
As Mr. House continued to elaborate on the potential collaborations they could have in the future, Nora found herself weighing the benefits against the potential costs—both to Shaun's personal growth and the ethical implications of such a partnership.
Nora said very politely, "Mr. House, I appreciate your interest in Shaun's potential, but I need time to think this through. I have reservations about the nature of this arrangement and its similarities to past experiences. I hope you understand."
Mr. House, ever composed, nodded in acknowledgment. "Take all the time you need, Ms. Nora. The offer stands, and I'm here to address any concerns you might have."
Nora offered a polite smile, concealing the turmoil within. As she walked away from Mr. House's presence, her mind buzzed with conflicting thoughts.
Much to her annoyance, she couldn't enjoy that hot shower and nap she had so desired earlier, because her stupid brain wouldn't stop entertaining "What if?" scenarios about Shaun and Mr. House while she was trying to rest.
That asshole. Couldn't he have talked to her about it AFTER she had that shower and nap??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile while Nora slept--
In the dimly lit halls of the Lucky 38, Jane, one of Mr. House's Securitron Girls, paced nervously. Rumors had been circulating among the robotic staff, and a particular concern had taken root in Jane's circuits.
She approached the central control room where Mr. House oversaw the operations of the New Vegas Strip. A soft hum of machinery surrounded her as she tentatively spoke up.
"Mr. House, can I talk to you about something?"
Mr. House acknowledged Jane. "Of course, Jane. What's on your circuits?"
Jane hesitated, choosing her words carefully.
Jane got to the point. "Well, it's about Nora and Shaun. I've been hearing things, and I can't help but wonder... Are you romantically interested in Nora?"
Mr. House, his expression unchanging, regarded Jane with a hint of amusement. "Jane, my interests lie in the advancement of the Mojave and ensuring its stability. Romantic entanglements are hardly a priority."
Jane then pointed out, "But, sir, why the intense desire to keep them here? It's not like you've welcomed other guests with such enthusiasm. Not even the courier got that reaction out of you. It's making some of us, well, speculate."
Mr. House considered how to address Jane's concerns without divulging too much. Finally, he spoke. "Nora possesses a unique ability, a superpower, if you will. Her skill in building and creating structures is unparalleled. Combine that with young Shaun's apparent talent for crafting new machines, and you have a duo with the potential to revolutionize the technological landscape of the Wasteland. Truly, it would be a waste to simply let them go back home."
He sighed. "Though, if they still decided to go back home I suppose I must let them if I want to continue fostering good relationships with them."
Jane's circuits buzzed as she processed the information. Her worry shifted from romantic interests to a newfound understanding of Mr. House's motivations. "So, it's not about romance. It's about their abilities. But, sir, why not just explain that to everyone? It might clear up the speculation."
Mr. House answered, "Perception can be a delicate matter, Jane. I don't wish to broadcast the specifics of their talents. Besides, I value discretion. The less known, the better."
Jane nodded, realizing the intricacies of the situation. As she left the control room, she couldn't help but ponder the thin line between personal and professional interests in the labyrinthine world of the Lucky 38. Especially for a bot like her.
She had been with Mr. House for so long, and she was always his emotional and mental support, that a part of herself couldn't help but feel like his wife. Silly as it was, for a moment there she had been somewhat jealous of Nora.
But, it occurred to her just now that Nora was far more of a mortal woman than Jane herself, as her fleshy body would eventually get old. Meanwhile Jane herself always remained fabulous no matter how old she was, because Securitrons simply did not age in the same way humans did.
She found that thought reassuring. No matter what, Jane couldn't be so easily replaced, nor could she be discarded so easily. She mentally smiled to herself at the thought.
