10 of Spades

“
She's my g-g-goddamn partner. See, we work in pairs. We spot for each other. W-watch each other's backs. Nobody wanted to w-work with me. They said I was too green. But Betsy volunteered. Shit, you don't even know how big a d-d-deal that is.

”— 10 of Spades on his failure to protect Corporal Betsy
"**10 of Spades**" is the youngest member of 1st Recon Alpha Team stationed at Camp McCarran in *Fallout: New Vegas*.

## Background

The young, stuttering 10 of Spades was born on a farm in the core territories, which meant that he trained with a rifle since he was a wee lad (his father said he started when he was just 3 years old). He was good enough at shooting to land a prestigious spot on the Alpha Team around 2280, tremendously improving his shooting in just a year. He originally wanted to be called *Ace of Spades*, but Lieutenant Gorobets said no... At least not until he got a few confirmed kills. 10 expects to be promoted to Jack in short order, though he's going to skip Queen for obvious reasons.

10 of Spades is partnered with Corporal Betsy, a veteran sharpshooter who volunteered for the spot after everyone else refused to put his hands in the life of a new recruit. On one of his first assignments, the pair was ambushed by Cook-Cook's group of fiends. 10 of Spades was knocked out early in the fight, something he cannot forgive himself for, as his partner was then raped by the Fiend leader and left for dead.

If asked about how to help Corporal Betsy he will recommend Doctor Usanagi, who helped him with his stuttering.

## Interactions with the player character

### Quests

* I Don't Hurt Anymore: 10 of Spades offers one of several ways through which Betsy can be persuaded to seek treatment.
* Three-Card Bounty: 10 of Spades participates in the hunt when the team moves to help out with the Fiends. After Three-Card Bounty, he moves together with the entire 1st Recon Alpha Team to Camp Forlorn Hope.
	+ Note: They travel south of Camp McCarran, east through Allied Technologies Offices, southeast just outside of Black Mountain, east through the El Dorado Dry Lake, southeast near to the Cazador Nest, and then through the north entrance of the Camp Forlorn Hope. The hazards along the way can and will kill them. Waiting several days or fast traveling will rapidly move them along the way and ensure their survival.

### Other interactions

* The player can mock his stuttering. Understandably, 10 will refuse to speak to them afterwards, unless they apologize.
* 10 of Spades will comment on the deaths of Driver Nephi, Cook-Cook, Betsy, and Gorobets.

## Notable quotes

* "[Why do you think you let Betsy down?] She's my g-g-goddamn partner. See, we work in pairs. We spot for each other. W-watch each other's backs. Nobody wanted to w-work with me. They said I was too green. But Betsy volunteered. Shit, you don't even know how big a d-d-deal that is. "
* "" (If Corporal Betsy dies.)
* "If Lieutenant Corobets dies."
* "How 'bout you get out of my f-f-face? I'm First Recon. I don't need to t-take shit from civvies." (If the Courier makes fun of 10 of Spades' stutter and does not apologize.)
* "" (PARAMETERS PLEASE)

* "" (PARAMETERS PLEASE)
* "" (After 1st Recon was brought along to take out Driver Nephi and one of the other squad members gets the kill-shot.)
* "" (After 1st Recon was brought along to take out Driver Nephi and he gets the kill-shot.)
* "" (Once Cook-Cook is killed.)

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## Appearances

10 of Spades appears only in *Fallout: New Vegas*.

## References

1. ↑ The Courier: *"How long have you been a sharpshooter?"*
10 of Spades: *"Shit. Long as I can r-r-remember. Had a rifle in my hand since I was three, that's what my dad always says. "*
(10 of Spades' dialogue)
2. ↑ The Courier: *"When did you enlist in the military?"*
10 of Spades: *""*
(10 of Spades' dialogue)
3. ↑ The Courier: *"Ten of Spades. Where did you get that name?"*
10 of Spades: *" It's okay, though. I get a few more k-k-kills under my belt, he'll move me up to Jack. Jack of Spades. Sounds better, right? I keep at it, eventually I'll make it to Ace. Think I'll skip Queen, though."*
(10 of Spades' dialogue)
4. ↑ The Courier: *"I heard about what happened to Corporal Betsy."*
10 of Spades: *""*
The Courier: *"Tell me what happened."*
10 of Spades: *"It was m-my fault. See... I was kn-knocked out when it happened. That b-big guy sneaked up on us. I let B-Betsy down."*
The Courier: *"Why do you think you let Betsy down?"*
10 of Spades: *"She's my g-g-goddamn partner. See, we work in pairs. We spot for each other. W-watch each other's backs. Nobody wanted to w-work with me. They said I was too green. But Betsy volunteered. Shit, you don't even know how big a d-d-deal that is. "*
(10 of Spades' dialogue)
5. ↑ The Courier: *"If you were unconscious, how could you have done anything?"*
**10 of Spades**: *" That shit was my fault. I don't want to talk about it anymore, all right?"*
(10 of Spades' dialogue)
6. ↑ The Courier: *"I'm trying to convince Corporal Betsy to go see a doctor. Any ideas?"*
10 of Spades: *"Oh, b-b-because of what that fuck Cook-Cook did? W-well, it's n-not the same thing, but D-Doc  helped me with my s-s-stuttering. The d-doc has a c-clinic north of here. Can't m-m-miss it. You should t-talk to Bitter-Root, too. He's b-been to see the doc, too."*
(10 of Spades' dialogue)