Lone Wanderer

Elder McNamara instructed me to gather reports on the NCR from knights on expedition, and it's not looking good. Overlooking Forlorn Hope, I could see why the camp received such a name. Apart from the dreary, depressing air floating around the camp, I lost 5 rounds of caravan to a damn MP.

I stumbled across a vault hidden at the end of a dry lakebed, and from what I explored, the people here had been 'forced' to vote one of their own to be sacrificed every year. It had gone on until only 5 remained -- I can't imagine their pain. That must have been what, 200 years until they realized the truth? They trusted the threats of an invisible hand over their own morality, not so different from the people of my vault or these fledgling nations in the wasteland. We must each choose our own path and live with the consequences

I was right to think that the Boomers of Nellis would make useful allies in the fight to come. Their heavy artillery packs a punch, and they know how to use it.

They're fellow vault dwellers, and seem to have a deep sense of responsibility over old world technology, especially heavy weaponry. They dream of raising an old bomber plane to the surface, and if they side with House (or at least the NCR) they are an additional card to play.

Despite their usefulness, I do trust them. I am beginning to see the value of benevolent stewardship. Not much, but I'm starting to.

At the end of the day, I did the job I was paid to do - but not just for the money, now. After giving him the chip, it was clear to me that House had the future of Vegas at stake, even if it was for selfish reasons. He protected this city once before and its citizens, and he'll do it once more.

His capitalist dogma is a bit irritating at times, but the guns his securitrons provide will keep the people of New Vegas from being stepped on by the NCR or enslaved by the Legion.

One can only hope that we will prevail in the end.

Veronica was still waiting at the 188 Trading Post, so I figured to let Boone have some more time to himself. Something feels very different since I've come back from the Big MT - I feel more powerful, finally ready to take things on.

I can't say I'm against the NCR, but they definitely can't be trusted to run this city. House? He's an old world danger. This city should belong to the people.

I escaped the Big MT, finally (or rather it's under new management). The brains-in-jars are harmless to the Mojave, but I can see use out of them and the Sink. I think that given enough time, they'll be on the side of hope. Only time will tell, but I plan to return fairly often for some oversight.

On the way back to Novac, I picked up a little robot that goes by the name ED-E. Pretty helpful in terms of letting me know when there's a fight (more and more hunting parties seem to have my name in their bag).

There were quite a few deathclaws near Primm Pass, and a whole brood staying in a cavern nearby. I hadn't been this nervous in years, but I was able to get them all without a scratch (with the help of some stealth boys).

I've been hearing some of my work going around in whispers, "Headless Horseman" they call me. One half being that where I go, death follows. The other half being that I'm the cleanest shot west of the Mississipi - Sam Warrick being my (former) competition back in DC. Shots so fast and accurate they blow the head right off. Not a bad name, when uttered by the wicked.

I think this was my last time fighting a gigantic robotic scorpion, thank you very much. I spent the last day scouring the crater for these personality chips so I can head out of this place.

I can't say I've ever talked to my own brain before, so this was a first. I realize that these scientists are all trapped in their own little bubble and honestly should be kept pacified. I fear to think what else they could do if set loose in the Mojave...

Looks like this mysterious wanderer in the Big MT was "Elijah", part of the Brotherhood of Steel. Now that I think about it, I recall his name being passed around back at Hidden Valley. He was being stalked by a Brotherhood assassin, but also looks to have crossed paths with a courier.

The way it sounds, he wasn't talking about me, because the other courier had mentioned a Sierra Madre. While going around the terminals here I can see quite a bit of their markings.

Whoever has been painting that stars and stripes flag all over the place has actually helped me out quite a bit in finding stashes, so thanks a lot.

X-22 research station looks to be one of the more interesting ones I've found. I can see some of the spore life that I saw back in Vault 22, a promising alternative (or use?) of the GECK but may be hard to haul back east.

I found some of the cleanest water near a hydrothermal plant in the crater. If I could only figure out this technology we could really clean up the water in these wastes. As I meet more people, I start to understand why this was so important to my father.

I've been able to find notes around the Big MT helping me handle the cazadores and nightstalkers. It seems like they're overpopulating the entire crater! How do they and the lobotomites avoid fighting each other so much?

I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful red stones near the northern dome, but I my senses of danger were tingling.

Stopped by The Sink to drop off some of the neat weapons I picked up, but looks like I'll need some rest before taking on the relatively more dangerous northern half of the crater.

I don't know if there's anything left in the minds of these lobotomites, or if I'm just putting them out of their misery. They still seem to have some level of organization -- but the same can be said of those trauma harnesses.

I stumbled across a cave where they had been luring in other unsuspecting lobotomites to cannibalize them, likely at the behest of this insane toaster personality.

I also keep running into that draped stars and stripes spray all over the crater. Was this messenger perhaps anticipating that someone else would come? How long could he or she have been here? And how bad could it have been that the bots needed to erase their memories?

The experiments they were doing here were horrible -- human experimentation on such a scale that even these elites weren't safe from plans within plans.

I picked up a neat little suit from what looked like a mocked up high school. I had to take some (not too difficult tests), but this stealth suit is giving me quite a kick. Fits my skill set I guess.

I still need to find that sonic emitter upgrade if I'm ever going to get out of here.

How long have I been here?? I checked my pip-boy and it's been over a month of lost memories.

These robots are crazy. Who the fuck thought it would be beneficial to merge a coyote with a rattlesnake? A radscorpion with a robot? Not to mention their fanaticism over whatever communism? Sounds just like the people at the vault if I'm being honest.

I got one of the sound samples from X-8 that should help me take down some of the barriers around this crater. As insane as they are, the brains-in-jars can be a bit charming.

What a strange place. It's hard to believe these brains-in-jars were once human -- 200 years really does take a toll on the mind. Between the ones that think they're computers and the absolute pervs, they seem relatively harmless though.

The valley is filled with these so-called "lobotomites," unfortunate victims of previous operations. Besides the killer-bots and mutated dogs, not too bad.

It seems there was another courier and others well-versed in scientific practice that passed through here -- other possible vault dwellers? I've been seeing strange markings around a few of the buildings: a vertical flag of sorts, spray painted onto doors and walls. I can't tell where I've seen them before, though.

THEY TOOK MY ORGANS?

I was scavenging and found a strange satellite that had been the source of a strange radio broadcast. One minute I'm looking at it, and the next I'm in a crater facing a bunch of pre-war brains-in-jars, telling me they put my own brain in one. I don't even know what to say anymore.

Found a neat new toy while heading back to the outpost -- a nightvision sniper rifle. From the looks of that cave, looks like the poor girl didn't need it anymore.

I passed Tomas again, glad to see he was doing well. But I was sad to see that the slaves I freed out of Cottonwood Cove didn't all make it -- damn area is swarming with Legion raiding parties.

By the time I got to the outpost it was nearly midnight, but Cass was up at the bar just as I'd expected. Nearly lost to her in our drinking competition, but I'm a tough nut to crack. She sold the caravan, but didn't seem to want to come with at the moment. Maybe some other day, looks like she needs the break.

West of Hidden Valley, I found one of the lost Brotherhood patrols -- brave men, fighting centaurs out here. The more I hear about the NCR's atrocities the more I'm reminded of the Enclave back in the Capitol. There may be order, but are they any better than any other faction?

I made my way through Black Mountain to get east, but a very amicable super mutant by the name of Neil stopped me, and we talked about Tabitha's broadcasts on top of the mountain. I went up to have a word with her, but looks like she stuck true to her "shoot humans on sight" policy to the end. The mountain is quiet now, but I did have the fortune of meeting a ghoul by the name of Raoul. Came all the way from Mexico City. He's seen a lot.

Anyways, Neil mentioned that he would wait for more super mutants to come and direct them to Jacobstown, then something philosophical. Maybe we aren't so different after all.

By nightfall, I could see the lights of Novac, so I popped my head in to greet a few friendly faces and laid up in my lodgings. I met Old Lady Gibson at the trash heap and mentioned Rex's brain to her. Did not think she had the stomach for that, but I guess I have another brain to choose from! I'm going to head back towards the NCR outpost in the morning to speak with Cass. Hope she budges.