About this image

With night time quickly approaching, time was of the essence for Cole. After leaving the 188 trading post, the duo continued heading north,towards the strip. Fortunately resistance was minimal, until they reached Freeside that is.

“Keep your guard up and your weapon ready, there people here ain’t exactly the friendliest bunch.” Cole informs Claire as they make their way through the town. Beggars and drug addicts filled the streets, merchants shouted in an attempt for people to come and buy their products, and of course, the Kings did their best to maintain order. With the entrance to the Strip in sight, the sun was beginning to set in the Mojave, and Cole knew that muggers always came out at night. Keeping his newly found rifle close, he continues heading for the entrance when suddenly out of the corner of his eye he sees three men charging at him and Claire, knives in hand. Without hesitation Cole quickly turns and begins shooting at the men, successfully connecting two shots to the torso of one, his body dropping to the ground with a distinctive “thud”. Claire was quick to follow his example, shooting at the men and managing to take down one herself. At this point the third man was so frightened he simply gave up and began running the other way in fear, however Cole showed no mercy for his enemies, and shot the man in the leg, and let him be.

“You’re just going to let him suffer?” Claire asks in an infuriated tone.

“He was going to kill us, do not pity him in anyway. He’ll die soon enough, don’t worry.” Cole replies with the best reassuring tone he could perform. Claire does nothing but take a second look at the man, who at this point was on the ground, holding his wounded leg and shouting out in pain. Now within reach of the gates, Cole prepares himself for how he will get Claire through the gates and into the marvelous strip. The Securitrons recognized him, but not Claire. As they approached, Cole holstered his weapon, telling Claire to do the same.

“Halt. Submit your credit check, or present a valid passport before entering the strip. Violators will be shot.” Came the automated voice of the securitron.

“She’s with me, no need to worry.” Cole says, hoping the plan would work.

“A credit check or valid passport is required before entry to the Strip." The Securitron replies. Cole lets out a sigh before trying again.

“She’s a valuable assistant of mine; Mr. House agreed I could bring anyone I needed onto the Strip.” Cole says in a bluff, hoping this time they’ll be allowed access.

“Confirmed. Thank you for visiting the New Vegas Strip.” The securitron replies. Cole stands in awe for a moment, surprised it worked. However this does not last long, and the two walk past the guards and through the gates into the Strip.

The first thing Claire does is take in the scene. The lights, the music, the drunken gamblers wandering around. It truly was a sign of something amazing to her, and she was thrilled to finally lay eyes on the pre-war city.

“Wow, this place is better than I imagined!” She says, smiling from ear to ear. Cole couldn’t help but crack a small smile of his own.

“Yeah, here she is, the Strip in all her glory. Come on, wait until you see the hotel rooms they have here.” Six says to her, watching as her face lights up even more in excitement.

Heading towards the Tops, Claire can’t reframe from looking around at everything, she was truly shocked at how beautiful it was, as she had never seen anything like it. Walking into the Tops casino, Cole noted the darkness laying itself across the sky like a blanket, and the full moon in which accompanied it. Once inside, the two walked past security and towards the elevator, Claire noting the gamblers and henchmen that covered the casino floor. Once inside the elevator, Cole presses the button to the top floor, where the presidential suite was located. After killing Benny, Cole took the room from him as a reward to himself, and he’s been loving it ever since.

As the doors opened, Claire steps out and looks around the room, shocked at the niceness of the room. She didn’t even know people lived in such nice conditions until now, and the thought of experiencing such a luxury was enough to keep her smiling. She immediately began walking throughout the suite, taking a glance at everything in the room, particularly the shower and running water.

“This is incredible! And this is all yours?” She says after returning to the living room, where she found Cole sitting on the couch smoking a cigarette.

“Yep, yours truly. Nice little pick up I gathered after doing some favors for the owners.” Using his cover up story, he had no doubt she would believe it. Cole didn’t trust Claire enough to tell her what happened to the man who shot him, not yet anyway.

“Take a shower and come find me when you’re done. We’ve got plans for tonight.” Cole says, extinguishing his cigarette and standing up from the couch.

“Where are we going? Claire says with a raise eyebrow. Deep down she wanted nothing but to relax after a long day of traveling, however she knew she was in Cole’s company, and as such followed his orders.

“Ultra Luxe, the casino right across the street. NCR believes the owners are hiding something, and want me to see if I can find any clues that will tell them exactly what that might be. And you’re going to help me.” Cole says, now heading to his bedroom. Claire responds with a simple nod before following his order and heading to the bathroom, and taking a shower.

She rejoiced in the comfort, not having a steady source to shower with since her days in the NCR. She felt rejuvenated, stepping out and wrapping a towel around herself, she heads to Cole’s bedroom to find him standing in nothing but his boxers.

“I’m- I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.” She says after quickly backing out of the doorway, Cole hadn’t even noticed her.

“Its fine, I was just about to get changed. Here, I have something for you to wear.” He heads over to a dresser and pulls out a black dress with hints of red throughout. He heads to the door and hands it to her. She takes a glance over it before turning her attention to him.

“Gotta dress professionally, we are on the strip after all.” He says with a small smirk. “Besides, you’re my date for the party, can’t have you under-dressed.” He lets out a chuckle, Claire returning with a smile.

Cole heads back into his room, closing the door behind him as Claire heads into the living room to get changed into her dress. Once done she heads to the bathroom and begins drying her hair, and once finished, begins styling it for the evening. Once she is done she exits the bathroom to find Cole standing there in a formal dark blue suit.

“So…how do I look?” Claire says to him with another smile,Cole hesitates for a moment, standing there in awe before coming back to realization.

“Great.” He replies, returning the smile. “You uh, you ready? Party started not too long ago.”

“Yep, ready whenever you are.” Claire says, walking alongside him to the elevator, and out of the front doors of the Tops.

Heading across the street, Cole noticed a crier for a local newspaper standing just outside the Tops, alongside a few drunk NCR soldiers stumbling on the sidewalk. He couldn’t help but simply laugh. Entering the Ultra Luxe, Claire was unsure of what to expect, and the greeting they received was one she definitely did not expect. Men dressed in suits accompanied by strange masks stood by the door, frisking any visitors of weapons. Once the two had been searched, Claire continues to walk beside Cole until eventually they find themselves in “The Gourmand”, the local restaurant at the casino. Walking through the doors, Cole pulled two small slips of paper from his pocket and handed them to the man at the door.

“Ah, welcome. Please, sit wherever you like, and help yourself to a drink. The food shall be out shortly.” The greeter says to the two with a friendly, yet somewhat creepy smile.

“Thank you.” Cole says with a nod and heads towards the dining area.

“So, now what?” Claire asks her companion, looking around at the other guests in the room.

“Just follow my lead, and do what I say. You ready?” Hes says, looking over at her. Claire nods her head back at him.

“Ready.”