626 Politicking

The real Caesar watches with wide eyes as his clone commits suicide after announcing the death of the Legion. He robotically turns to face Afton, the man who'd orchestrated all of this. He grits his teeth hard enough to bleed from his gums and trembles from the sheer rage he was experiencing. "I do not think any words could describe the hate I feel for you. I would be willing to castrate myself, just for a chance to take my revenge... You... You've destroyed everything I've worked for..."

Afton chuckles, ignoring Caesar's cold-rage, "Hahaha! Did you see that? You blew your own brains out!" he wipes a stray tear from his eye, "Man... I wonder how the Legion will react to that... I do know one thing though... Your legacy, it's ruined... Even if the Legion survives this, and I don't end up destroying it eventually. You will always be remembered as that crazy founder who blew his brains out after begging for forgiveness." he states with crossed arms.

Caesar just continues to glare at Afton, not willing to give him an inch. This was the only control Caesar had anymore... He doubted he'd even be able to commit suicide without Afton or one of his subordinates interfering...

To be honest, he felt helpless. His cancer was getting worse, causing him agonizing migraines almost every second of the day which stopped him from thinking straight. He was confined in this small cell all day every day, with minimal contact from the outside world... The only people he really spoke to was that robot called Glados, which continually mocked him at every moment, or Afton, who'd bring along the worst news with him.

Shaking his head and trying to restrain himself from crying, screaming, going berserk, or whatever else his fractured mind was tempted to do. He simply slumps back into his bed and refuses to look at Afton, not replying to his questions, not even acknowledging his existed. He'd just wait here to die, spiting Afton in the process.

Afton upon seeing Caesar not engaging with him anymore just shrugs his shoulders and stands, "Alright. Guess the old man has had enough and gotten grumpy. I get it... Oh, by the way, I don't know who did it, but someone decided to drop a couple nukes in the East... Just wanted to let you know." he says before closing the cell door and leaving.

Once Afton leaves Caesar to his own devices, he decides to take a small break and see everyone's reaction to the battle was... He kicks his feet up in the Sink and turns the radio on, turning it to Mr New Vegas station.

"*Bzztch!*nd would you have it, we've received many called from hundreds of viewers around the Mojave, giving their own two cents-er, two caps, to the recent battle that took place over at the Hoover Dam... Reports have been rather... Unreliable. But from official reports, it seems that neither the NCR, nor the Legion managed to take the Dam... But first, let's hear some thoughts from our listeners... Oh, you're on the air, Mr. Easy Pete was it?"

"Yeah, yeah, that's what they call me... Listen, those o' you that're worried about who won, or who lost. If yall're so scared of the outcome, why not just leave the Mojave for a more peaceful life. I can tell ya' that I thought about it myself more times than I'd like'ta admit." the older man says.

"I think we can all agree to that kind of thought Mr. Easy Pete, but a great many of our listeners have families and careers that keep them here. What would you say to them?" Mr. New Vegas politely retorts.

"Well, I'll just tell it how it is. If the NCR won that fight, you'll be fine, except for those taxes that'll pick ya' pockets... As for the Legion? You best run, they'll enslave your wife and daughters, force your husbands and sons into their armies... And that's the best-case scenario, see..." the man gravely states.

"Hm, a worrisome prediction, Mr. Easy Pete. Oh, apologies but we've just received an update from a reliable source that... Our own Mr. House along with the new faction known as Bulwark had worked together to take control of the Hoover Dam? Oh! We're receiving a call from the very man himself! Ladies and gentlemen, this will be the first time ever that anyone has had the chance to interview Mr. House!" Mr. New Vegas excitedly says, only causing Afton to laugh.

Mr. New Vegas was a creation of Mr House, an AI radio host. Most weren't aware of its origins, and it made sure not to outwardly address its bias either, so as to make it seem like Mr. New Vegas was a reliable, unbias distributor of news among the Mojave.

"Hello?" Mr. House's familiar voice asks over the radio.

"Yes! Mr. House, you are live on air. I extend to you the warmest welcome the Mojave has to offer... And while I have so many questions I want to ask, I think it would be best if we stuck to the topic at hand... What are your thoughts on the situation over at the Hoover Dam, and are the reports of your involvement true?"

Mr. House lets out a charming chuckle, "Well Mr. New Vegas, I am both happy and saddened to inform you that yes, I was forced to take action during the Battle of Hoover Dam, as some have coined it... For what reason was I required to act? Well, I stumbled across many unfortunate underhanded dealings committed by the NCR, who had been planning to subvert and take control of New Vegas, which as you know, is my personal and private property."