Virtual insanity

*A group of Enclave soldiers and a securitron were outside the walls of Vegas, patrolling the border. The securitron glitched, then shut down entirely. Confused and relieved that they don't have to work now, the soldiers rolled the securitron back to Vegas and asked a Sigma soldier for help. After examining the bot, the Sigma soldier spoke into a transceiver,* "House, we've got an issue with unit 17.", *House replied,* "Nothing's wrong with that unit. Are you sure it's malfunctioning?". *"*It's off, not working.". *House checked it again and replied,* "Nothing is... Wait. Calmly and slowly evacuate the area.". *The soldier asked,* "Sir? Something wrong?". *House replied,* "Get out of Vegas, now". *It was too late...*

*The securitron activated, but it was static instead of a soldier's face. It started attacking anyone near it with unusually high firepower. A power-armored soldier lifted a tesla cannon and shot a blast at the securitron, destroying it. However, whatever was in the first one simply transferred to another. House tried to shut down all of the securitrons, but he couldn't. He examined the code, soon recognizing it to be Rob-Co grade, and quite similar to Nova. There was no hope of stopping what was attacking, House knew that for certain.*

*And so begins another bloody, fucked up chapter in the story of New Vegas... Where the city is constantly threatened by destruction, its enemies are either created by the New Order or Rob-Co, and the writer can't think of anything else to do. It's the same damn thing every time. Just like Todd Howard always says,* "It just works.".

### Chapter one:

*(Present day)*

*House said to Damien,* "What the hell is Brandon doing?". *Damien replied,* "Looking for some device that he believes will bring his family back. Thinks it's hidden somewhere in the wastes, when really it's...". *House was curious,* "It's... what?". *Damien got nervous,* "In the basement of the 38...?". *Just then, Damien remembered what it was. The device Michael told Vincent to find. He said,* "I don't know if anyone should 'find' it. The Enclave used it once back in 2284, and it did us good, but we don't know what it's fully capable of in the wrong hands.". *House was outraged,* "HOW MANY TIMES MUST YOU IDIOTS PUT MY CITY IN DANGER?!? Clearly, that message must've been warning us about this very issue, and I think Brandon's the one that causes it. If he gets to the basement, all soldiers are clear to open fire, understand?". *Damien sighed,* "I understand, sir.".

*Vincent was eavesdropping the entire time, and he's not about to let anyone harm Brandon. He risked his own life to help Brandon once, he'll do it again in a heartbeat. Everybody lost someone they loved to the NCR or BoS, but Brandon was one of few who suffered the most. In a hectic search, Vincent located Brandon at an old Enclave base far south of Vegas. He approached Brandon and said,* "I've got some bad news, if your willing to listen." *Brandon replied,* "What are you doin' way out here? You never leave the 38.". *Vincent smiled,* "Your right, but when my friend is in danger, I'd kick open the gates of hell and fight whatever I have to.". *Brandon appreciated that, "*Thanks mate, good to know people like you. So, what's the news you have for me?". *Vincent started,* "Well, good news is, I know the location of the device your looking for. Bad news is, House and the rest of High Command know you're looking for it, and if you go near the device, every Enclave soldier and Securitron is clear to fire at you. I wanted to warn you before you walked into a death trap.". *Brandon asked,* "Where's the device?", "In the Lucky 38 basement. But like I said, if you walk in, you won't walk out.". *Brandon laughed,* "Have they forgotten who I am? Captain Brandon; Sigma squad officer, co-commandin' officer of Enclave forces, leader of squad Omega. And I almost forgot, a former Reaper. Enclave can hit me with all they got, they'll be lucky to even scratch me. And House can't tell them how to kill me, that information is confidential thanks to you. I'm gonna go pay Vegas a quick visit, I suggest you come back with me and make this easier for me by getting rid of security.". *Vincent said quickly,* "One more thing... I know something nobody else knows. The device can't just be activated, it needs a key. And since it's a device of great power, one that can change the future, it obviously needs a key of the same level.". *Brandon replied,* "Don't tell me it's the Chip.". *Vincent said,* "It's the Platinum Chip. Which is in the Courier's pocket, who is currently trapped in Big Mountain. But don't give up yet, there's another way to get it working.". *"*What, is there a copy of the Platinum Chip somewhere?". "Not exactly... But the Chip was virtually copied when Nova was upgraded. She's got everything you need in her head, get her to touch the device and you're in business.".

*Vincent and Brandon headed back to Vegas, not knowing whether or not their suicide mission would work or not. But they would try any way, better than doing nothing...*

### Chapter 2:

*Vincent and Brandon reached the Lucky 38 and were greeted by Victor,* "Well howdy there! Hope you two are havin' a fine day.". *Vincent turned left and went up a set of stairs to a bar. He used the wall mounted terminal and typed a few things in. After a minute, the lights went out. Vincent returned to Brandon and opened the elevator. Brandon asked,* "What'd you do?". *Vincent replied,* "I blinded the 38. Power is down, but the elevator will still work. We have 20 seconds to get to the basement while House is distracted with turning the lights back on. His systems are looped for 3 minutes, so he won't know we're here just yet.". *They took the elevator down to the basement, and were confronted by a dozen soldiers and a few securitrons. The hostile force didn't notice Brandon and Vincent, so they quietly moved to a dark area. Brandon noticed a suit power armor near by and said,* "What are the chances of that? We keepin' this low or am I painting this room red?". *Vincent had a plan,* "Follow me.". *They stood up and walked to the main pathway. unfortunately, what they assumed to be basic soldiers, were actually Sigma. One of the soldiers yelled,* "You two, get out of here. By order of the president, you can't be down here.". *Vincent pulled a small remote out of his pocket and held it in the air for everyone to see,* "Want to say that again? Or will you let us be here?". *The solider said again,* 'Sorry sir, you have to leave.". Vincent replied, "Obey". *He pushed a button, causing the Sigma soldiers to comply whether they wanted to or not. Vincent walked up to the device and took it, he said to the soldiers,* "Don't ever disobey me, understand?". *All the soldiers replied,* "Understood, sir!". *Vincent walked to the elevator and left with Brandon. Brandon was confused and asked,* "How did you...". *Vincent smiled and replied,* "Don't worry about it...".

*Long live the New Order . . .*

## Part 3

*Brandon and Vincent were almost out of Vegas when sirens started blaring. Brandon sighed*, "We either leave or we make a stand.". *Damien walked up, Vincent greeted him,* "Here we stand at the precipice, again.". *Damien replied,* "Don't do this... I don't know what that is, or what's going on, but you do, right?". *Vincent said,* "If this can do the impossible, then I'd rather do the impossible instead of acting treating it like the Brotherhood would. Listen, Damien... I'm sorry... But I have to help Brandon. Stop me, and we're all dying today". *Vincent and Damien both raised a gun at each other, Damien aimed at Vincent's heart and said,* "It doesn't have to go this way.". *Brandon* disappeared*, utilizing a stealth boy. Damien yelled,* "DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!!!". *Vincent smiled, then started laughing incoherently,* "You can't stop him, Damien... You can't stop *us*...". *Vincent finally gave in, and started slaughtering anyone and everyone around him. Once a reaper, always a reaper...*

*Brandon found Nova and quickly explained everything. Nova saw the device and* immediately *backed away from it,* "No... No, no, fuck no. Not again.". *Brandon replied,* "Please, I need you to do this. It's my only chance.". *Nova looked at Brandon with a serious look,* "I won't unlock it. That damn thing can make a world of a difference, and destroy it entirely. Last time it was used, he came here and... and...". *Brandon said,* "He was destroyed, was he not?". *Nova looked to the floor, she started to tear up.* "I did it... I... murdered... my own brother... Enclave made me do it, so I gathered the High Command members in one room, then I locked them in it and set the damn place on fire. They had to call in Damien, Nikolai and Vincent to replace the ones I killed.". *Brandon replied,* "Damn, you really like playin' with fire... If you're afraid he'll come back and you'll have to do it again, trust me when I say you won't have to. House will try to find a way to pacify him if he comes back, alright? Activate the device, for me please...". *Nova sighed, then grabbed the device. It took her 2 minutes, but she got it open and working,* "The note said to only use it in the event of an emergency. I'm not sure this is a good moment, but if you really want to bring your family back, then go ahead.". *Brandon took back the device, and activated it. Nothing seemed to happen at first, then it blasted out a bright, blinding light all throughout Vegas...*

*And the impossible truly happened, again...*

*A securitron rolled by, ignoring everything around it. It went to Vincent and stopped, saluting him. It's face glitched, then remained normal. Vincent tapped the screen, curious of whether or not it was a normal shift, or something different. The face turned to static when he tapped it, then went back to normal a few seconds later. Vincent said,* "System status?". *The securitron replied,* "Adequate, sir. Ready to serve.". *Vincent turned around and walked away, The securitron's face glitched again, remaining static...*