After that rather lengthy distraction with those Ghouls, we're back on the road. All signs point to Vegas, but Manny told us that the Khans and Benny were holed up in Boulder City. Let's see what's going on there.
There is HELIOS One on the left, but we're holding off on visiting that quite yet.
This road leads straight to Vegas, so at least we're on the right track now. Even if this Benny thing falls through, we can still maybe stop by New Vegas for some gambling.
There is all this run down construction equipment on the side of the road here. Not really sure why it's here.
These guys hide behind the sign to ambush you. As you can guess, it's not very effective.
Continuing down the road and we run into a ton of ants eating a dead brahmin.
We run into this chap sitting at a campfire further down the road. We want to talk to him for a sidequest later, but right now we need to stay on track.
This Boulder City, it's pretty much composed of rubble and maybe 3 standing buildings. Boulder City is also anothe real city, according to the wiki. Oddly enough, gambling is not allowed in the real Boudler City.
Let's chat with this fellow standing by the memorial over there.
"What is this memorial?"
"It commemorates the Battle of Hoover Dam. The rangers lured the best of Caesar's Legion into Boulder City, then blew up the town."
Oh, so that's why it's all... rubble-y.
"The NCR still lost a bunch of troops in the fighting, though. My older brother sacrificed himself so they could evacuate some of the wounded."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't worry about it."
Oh look, a saloon.
Very similar aesthetics to the Goodsprings Saloon in here. There is absolutely nothing of note in this saloon by the way, it's not involved in any sidequests or a nything really. It's pretty much completely empty too.
"Tell me about Boulder City."
"Most of the town is rubble - destroyed during the Battle of Hoover Dam - and the only other thing around here is the concrete mixing yard."
"What's the concrete used for?"
"The NCR has been constructing bunkers up and down the river. From what I've heard, it's a little late for that."
Again, I know I've stated it many times before, but Obsidian did a good job making the world seem at least a little logical.
"Travelers over at the 188 - just up the road - said that the Legion has overrun a couple of towns to the south."
"Where does the concrete come from?"
"Most of the limestone comes from Quarry Junction out west, but I hear some Deathclaws overran the quarry."
Overran doesn't even begin to describe it.
"With no work to be had, all the workers around here have wandered off. I'm the only one left in town."
Figured as much. There's still a few NCR guys in the town though, so he isn't completely alone.
Huh, this building seems to be somewhat still intact.
This is an interesting little area of the game, if only because it's completely unexpected. You would think that the NCR would maybe clean up the area and bury what's left of the soldiers, but nope, guess not.
This is a
loading screen barrier set up to enter the inner part of Boulder City, for some strange reason.
"Can I ask you some questions?"
"Shoot."
"What happened to Boulder City?"
I realize that I've been asking all the NPC's here the same thing, but Boulder City is pretty much completely inconsequential to the rest of the game, gameplay and plot wise, so I'm trying to show as much info about it as possible while it's still relevant.
"Destroyed during the Battle of Hoover Dam a couple of years ago. The town was set up as a trap for Caesar's Legion. The sharpshooters in the Rangers picked off the Legion's veterans from a distance, and the rest of the Legion just rushed on in. Then - boom!"
"Is there anything you can tell me about the Great Khans?"
"They're an outlaw group, primarily trafficking in drugs and other contraband. They usually stay out of NCR territory, though."
"Let's talk about something else."
"All right."
"What's going on with the Great Khans?"
"One of my patrols was on its way back from Novac when it came under fire from the Great Khans. They radioed for reinforcements, but instead of waiting for us, they chased the Khans into the ruins where they were caught in a crossfire. No deaths, but not all of the squad got out."
Of course, this is where we come in.
"The Khans have Private Ackerman and Private Gilbert as hostages."
"These Great Khans might have something of mine - a Platnium Chip."
"Once the Great Khans have been killed or captured, you're welcome to retrieve any property they've taken from you."
"I may be able to negotiate a deal with the Great Khans."
"Normally, I'd turn you down since I have no idea who you are, but considering that the hostages are as good as dead when we attack... All right, I'm going to give you a chance to talk to the Great Khans. Their leader is a man named Jessup."
Jessup?
"If we hear shooting, we'll be coming in, but it'll probably be late for you."
Nah, depending on their weapons, we'll take at least 10 shots before going down if I don't feel like stopping time and using my insta-stimpaks.
"Don't worry about me. I can handle myself in a fight."
Yet these guys still managed to ambush us and shoot us in the head earlier on in the game.
"Good luck."
There are about 3 NCR soldiers on the left, aiming at the Great Khans.
That building is where the Great Khans are hiding out. If we decided to sneak through here, they would be hostile to us by default, but going in there and negotiating allows you to walk right through.
That's some great cover you got there!
This is so satisfying.
"I got better."
Obvious reference to Monty Python and the Holy Grail there. This isn't the only time this game (Or any other game for that matter) reference that movie.
"And here I thought us Great Khans were tough to kill. So, what happens now?"
"Where's the Platnium Chip?"
Why are we after the Platnium Chip? Shouldn't we care more about Benny at this point?
"Don't have it. Benny stole it, right before he stabbed us in the back. He's probably back at the Strip right now, laughing at me."
Well, we should have figured he would be there.
"I want some more answers."
"Yeah? On what?"
"What can you tell me about Benny?"
"He's one of the Chairmen, big shots who run The Tops casino in New Vegas. A friend from the city contacted me with info on a big job. I should've known that the caps were too good to be true, but there was still no way I could pass up the chance."
"What do you know about the Platnium Chip?"
"Just a big, fancy poker chip as far as I know. Don't know why anyone would make on out of platnium, though."
I dunno, platnium is a pretty nice metal. It's shiny, and probably does other cool things that I can't quite remember.
"Why did Benny betray you?"
Does he even need a reason to? It's pretty clear already that the guy is kind of a dick.
"He's a snake, that's why. He owed us the rest of the pay for the job, so maybe he didn't want to pay up."
How exactly did he betray you guys though? Just walk right out on you, or was there a fight or something?
"Let's talk about settling things between you and the NCR."
"What's to negotiate? The NCR backs off, we walk out of here, nobody gets hurt."
"[Speech 45] Free the hostages now, and I'll have the NCR escort you out of their territory?"
"[SUCCEEDED] I can't believe I'm doing this, but all right, the hostages can go."
This is the first major, important speech check you'll get in the game.
"The NCR had better keep their end of the deal, though. Here - a souvenir for you. It's Benny's lighter. Shove it up his ass when you catch up with him."
Will do.
Level up time again, this time points in Lockpick, Repair and Speech. Mostly for skill check purposes, we're still pretty effective with guns even if we're only at 60.
I like me some shotguns.
The hostages run back to the NCR.
"The Great Khans let the hostages go in exchange for their own freedom."
"My hands are tied. I can't go against orders... can I?"
"If you have any integrity, then you'll honor the deal."
"You're right. The Great Khans are free to go."
We're pretty good at this negotiating thing. I kind wish that he ordered the Khans to be killed anyway, as a bit of a twist. I mean, it wasn't one of them magical speech checks.
Yay, more reputation.
Just outside of Boulder City is this area. It's a train station, not much else to note.
Is that... Victor?
Somehow I'm not surprised.
"How did you get here?"
"Just rolling along on my spurs. Looks like I just might make it to New Vegas after all.
Weird to make a detour to Boulder City though.
"You see what happened in there?"
"Yup. Guess it's just down to you and fancy-pants. I wouldn't worry about him - he looked all hat and no cattle if you ask me."
What does that even mean?
"It's good to see you again, Victor."
"Yup, but this is getting a might embarrassing - people are going to start to talk. "
This isn't the only game I've played with an NPC who pretty much follows you around everywhere and says a variation on that exact same line.
Also, obligatory "If this was a BioWare game, there would be a Courier and Victor romance option."
"Did you see Benny come this way?"
"Fancy-pants? No, I ain't seen hide-nor-hair of him since the tussle in Goodsprings. I'm sure he ran back to the soft-living of New Vegas, 'though."
"Goodbye."
"Look me up when you get to New Vegas - I'll buy the first round."
I'm sure we'll be seeing Victor again real soon. We're almost at Vegas anyways.
Well, there's New Vegas. It seems far off, but now we know for sure where Benny is. That Platnium Chip is as good as ours.
