Abandoned Hotel terminal entries

A transcription of **terminal entries** found in the Abandoned Hotel.

## Computer

Welcome, Lord Mayor Emperor Wallace. You are looking dashing today, if I do say so myself.

### Log 1

Damn thing. I keep losing all my journal entries. How are people going to make a dramatic holovid retelling of my life if there are no records of it? I guess it will have to skip over my time as a Bighorner Breeder. Now THAT was a story.

Anyway, what's happened since I've become mayor? Well, crime is down a hundred percent! Granted we only had one criminal, and he skipped town when we found out he was the one who was tipping Bighorners. Still, that's a success in my book.

### Log 2

One of the Bighorners died, but she was old and we were gonna eat her anyway. A window got broken, but that was just the wind. I found a dead body, but it was just some guy with spears sticking out of his back, nothing interesting.

You know, when I gook this job and beat out a literal corpse for the position of mayor (note to self, retype that story later), I thought there was going to be more action. High noon gunfights and desperate battles, like in the holovids. Instead, I have to do boring things like "balance the budget" and "distribute rations". Why the hell would the mayor do any of that crap!? That's poor people work!

### Log 3

Some folks calling themselves the NCR just rolled in. They had Vertibirds with guns, Gunbirds. Anyhow, they had the biggest arsenal I had ever seen, so naturally I decided to go to war with them. At least that was the plan until some old guy named Blackthorne came up to me and asked if his men could "secure" the town. Naturally, I said yes, on the condition that I could make my own flag. So now they control the town, with my flag above it all. Am I a good diplomat or what?

My secretary Alvin has told me this is a bad idea, he thinks the NCR being here is going to make the town a target. Good. This town could use some action, and the NCR are going to provide it, I guarantee it. Plus, now that they're running things, I don't have to do that boring mayor crap anymore. It's a win win, and in this case, both of the wins go to me.

### Log 4

Well, crap. The NCR have done exactly the opposite of what I wanted them to. I thought they were going to turn us into a ragtag militia and fight some bad guys, but nooooooo. Instead, they defend us from guys in skirts. I repeat, guys in skirts. Apparently down south these "Legion" weirdos are a big deal. If that's the case, then the NCR must be a nation of pussies.

I fired a few warning shots into the air, trying to get the NCR boys riled up. They just took my gun away and locked me in my office for the day, they didn't even punch me or anything. Like I said, pussies.

Oh, and Alvin is gone, guess he's really afraid of guys in skirts.

### Log 5

I've done it, I've found a way to finally make this place exciting! I met a guy today named Caldius or something like that. It's in this funny talking thing called "Latin", least that's what the guy said it was. He said he was a big shot from a holovid studio called "Frumentarii"! He's looking to shoot a western holovid, and he wants to use Bright Town as a set!

All I have to do is convince the NCR to leave and his guys will just waltz right in and shoot the vid. This is going to be easier than me inadvertently killing the last mayor and winning the election by default. I hope I get to pick the name of the vid. It's going to be something cool, like "Omega Rider" or "Hard Justice".

#### Log 1

I can't get rid of the profligate's messages. I knew he was an idiot, but this... this is negative intelligence. How did he stay alive long enough to become MAYOR!?

We've taken complete control of the town. Nero and his men have returned with the heads of the NCR force as promised, and the one I interrogated is dead. In addition, the meager militia formed to fight us has been annihilated, its leader died on the cross two hours ago. Those we didn't kill have been fitted with collars and enslaved. The women are being prepped for transport to a breeding camp. The men and children will stay here and help convert the town into a defensible position before the majority of them are also sent to Ostia.

If it were up to me, we would burn the town to the ground and be done with it, but Edmund says that Bright Town must be held at all costs. He forgets my past, I know their tactics, and I know that they will not let our actions here stand without a fight. All I can do now is prepare.

#### Log 2

A minor rebellion amongst the slaves broke out. About twelve of them used rocks to trigger their collars and kill themselves. We prevented the rest from taking their lives, but we lost the prime stock. All that's left now are the degenerates. Servitus will not accept this rabble. I've informed Edmund of this fact, but he demands that I waste time and resources on bringing these whelps to Ostia. Imbecile. It's men like him that keep up from winning this war.

#### Log 3

The NCR have begun their advance. I saw the glint of their sniper's scope in the morning. They haven't begun any attack, which means they're studying us. They're waiting for their chance to strike, trying to avoid another Bitter Springs by only aiming at the Legionnaires. It's what I would do in their situation.

If Edmund or one of the Scavs was in command, their plan might have worked, but I know their tactics, their ethics. I know how to make their worst nightmare come to pass.

#### Log 4

It's done. The slaves have been given their orders, and if any of them deviate from the plan, their collars will detonate. Most of my force has already begun the trek back to Ostia, we'll be gone by the morning. Edmund will be displeased by the loss of the slaves, but I don't care. He is a fool, I surpass him in every way, and after today, Valerius will see that.

If you are reading this, Parker, I would like to thank you. None of this would be possible without your help.

Callidus.