Hello! This is Gearman here after another long ass break between chapter updates. Sorry for not updating sooner, but life and recovery from medical crap do that to you. I've been seriously working on an actual Novel these last few months (thanks to the help of an amazing writing server), and this fic has gone by the way side. I still have every intention of finishing this story (There is an endgame of sorts trust me! (Seriously)) and I've been toying with the idea of going back and editing the past chapters.

Now, I'm sure you've probably noticed that sometimes my grammar, spelling, pacing, and consistency isn't always the best. Looking back at the older chapters I seriously regret not rereading and fixing the obvious errors that I only noticed once I post the chapter for you guys to read. Honestly, I love this fic more then most of my writing projects. It's supposed to be a redemption story of how I went from the absolute sin against god that is UUTS OG to actually being a some what decent writer. So, if anyone's still around reading this I'd like to thank you for your support and solicit any and all reviews.

What have you liked about UUTS?

What didn't you like?

I'm always willing to hear constructive criticism, and I'd love to improve my self with your guys' help.

With love and appreciation,

Gearman.

?

One week later:

Veronica sat at Rex's, no, her desk and looked over the stack of papers sitting on the desktop. Each was a bullet in the gun she was shooting her best friend in the back with. She'd pushed the official transfer of power off as long as she could, but today was the day they needed to be officially filed before the Mojave council met to ratify the change. Necessity aside, Veronica felt horrible at how this had all played out. Especially with Alena in the hospital, this felt like even more of a stab in the back then it was.

"This is for his own good," Veronica told herself as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She almost jumped out of her seat when she opened her eyes and found Rex sitting across from her in a guest chair. He looked horrible, his already thin features were practically gaunt and his dark grey eyes sunken back into his skull. Red five o clock shadow covered his face and any semblance of his usual aloof nature was gone. Veronica shivered as she stared into his eyes that practically glowed with equal parts fury and grief. This was a man whose child had been brutalized, an animal who failed to defend his young, a man she was about to politically cripple.

"Rex," His eyes focused on her and in them she couldn't see a drop of warmth "Thank you for coming. How's Alena doing? Is she adjusting to the arm okay?"

"She's..." Rex paused for a moment as his eyes flicked down to the papers on the desktop and then up to Veronica "Doing as well as can be expected. The doctors managed to fix most of the internal damage and heal them quick with surgery grade stimpaks, but the nerves in her shoulder were frayed badly during the assault. Luckily the artificial nerve tissue from the arm is picking up the slack even if it will zap her with feedback until she calibrates it through use. She'll be out of the hospital in a week if she's strong enough, and lucky for me I have a live in doctor at home."

"That's good to hear," Veronica offered Rex a smile only for it to die on her lips as he stared at her coldly "Anyway, we've still got her attackers locked down in the Coffin. They've been trying to dig their way out since we locked them down there, but we've kept them contained well enough. Thought Keeper Wrail has been kind enough to allow us to send a communication regarding Trenzia's groups' actions to the Ascendancy, but it will take some time until we can expect a response."

"In the meantime the red bitch and her gaggle can rot for all I care," Rex's voice dripped with venom at the mention of the Asari "Thanks for the information, I dont suppose I'll be privy to things of this nature after I sign those papers, eh?"

"No, you wont," Veronica sighed and turned the stack of papers around to face Rex "Listen, I know you hate me for this Rex, but this job is killing you. How many times have you almost died in the last year? How many all nighters have you pulled working on paperwork, council work, or just worrying about things you cant control? Face it Rex, this job was killing you and you know it. Transferring your full power to me lifts all that weight from your shoulders and gives you more free time to spend with Alena and Jack. Besides, once your vacation is done and you speak at the Dam's re-dedication you will officially be made the Director of the Big Empty and have full control of the council seat that comes with the job."

"Oh, isnt that nice of you to give me a seat with no voting power and only functions to provide context and advice on science or engineering matters," Rex flipped open his metal wrist and pulled out a ball point pin "Don't bother with the foreplay, just fuck me over so I can go back to taking care of my daughter."

"Rex it isn't like that," Veronica watched him quickly start working through the stack of documents "We can't expect you to keep killing yourself for the Mojave. I know that you hold the burden of power like it's some sacred wound, but you dont need to do that anymore. You're not a monster that needs to work himself to death and you're not going to play out whatever fantasy of redemption you think killing yourself for the Mojave will net you.

"You know Veronica," Rex slashed the last required signature onto the final document and put the pen back into his arm as he stood "I dont hate you for this, I will never hate you for anything because you are quite possibly the best friend that I have. There are no words for the love and respect that I feel for you with every fiber of my being, but there is a word for what you're doing here. Naive."

Veronica winced at the acid in his tone.

"What prey tell do you think this looks like to the NCR?" Rex asked as pressed his black metal fingers into the desk "The tabloids will be eating this up here in the Mojave, but imagine what this bit of news will ignite over the mountains. Every slack jawed warmonger and brainwashed idiot will be slobbering at the thought of how weak this makes us look. You're taking power while I'm in recovery and my daughter is hospitalized, Veronica. The NCR's practically in a slow moving coup with Voorhees getting more and more popular by the day, and this will only help him. Regardless of however good your intentions might be, this little grab for power is going to harm the Mojave's sense of security and order just from an optics standpoint."

"I already have plans for that," Veronica looked up into Rex's eyes and found that their was more sadness then anger now "Once these papers are signed and the council votes to ratify the change in leadership I'll be holding a press conference and shortly after distribute a prepared brief for every town and regional council. By the end of the week, every man, woman, and child in the Mojave will know exactly why I've assumed power the way I have."

"I dont give a damn about the "official" reasoning," Rex shook his head "Not a single person out there will ever fully take that at face value. Even if they do, there will always be the shred of an idea in the back of their mind that will fuel speculation into just why the fucking legend got ousted by his second in command and fucking bureaucrats. The common people will speculate and rumor monger until it starts rotting the edges of the Mojave, and then you've got the power players. Merchants, gun runners, couriers, and politicians all spreading their own take on the shit show to garner support or fuck with their enemies. You have no idea the can of worms you're about to open."

"I know what I'm doing Rex," Veronica calmly arranged the papers into a stack and slipped them into an envelope "Right now I'm overseeing the expedition to what remains of the Svalbard seed vault, a dozen public works projects, handling diplomacy with scattered tribes and communities up north, and on top of that, all of your work load. So, I think I'm very much aware of what I'm getting into thank you. Now if there's nothing else, I imagine you want to get back to Alena, so thank you very much for taking the time to come see me and I hope we can put this behind us and spend some time together later."

"My schedules open so stop by anytime," Rex gave her a half assed salute and slipped out the entrance to her office silently.

"I miss when I could track him by the smell of smoke," Veronica mumbled as she leaned back into her chair.

/

Two weeks later:

Shepard sat in her suite watching the neon lights of New Vegas fade as the true light of dawn slowly washed the life out of the city. She stirred cream into her coffee and debated dropping in some more sugar against the bitterness of the Mojave's strong coffee. Her door opened and Shepard turned to see Tali, Miranda, and Jack standing in front of her desk. Miranda had her usual quiet competence bleeding into her posture while Jack looked exhausted and haggard. Tali for her part just looked sleepy.

"Miranda, give me a report on your findings," Shepard put her coffee down and watched as Miranda slapped down six different news papers with half of them outraged over the change in power and the other half celebrating it.

"Veronica's seizure of permanent power is being supported by a large voting bloc on the Mojave council led by one Sylas Regier,"Miranda explained "The same Sylas Regier that owns a sizable chunk of every newspaper printing pro Veronica head lines."

"The voting bloc has a majority?" Shepard scratched her chin.

"No, they control a little over a third of the votes but the contingent batting for Rex controls less than a third themselves and the independents, mainly this Buxton twat and his cronies, have abstained from voting for or against Veronica," Shepard noted Miranda casting a look to Jack at the swear but continued when the other woman didn't react "As it stands, there is no major force from within the council to stop this permanent transition of power. Rex has been named the Director of the Big Empty but as long as he's officially sequestered to R&R he has no actual authority over any resources or personnel."

"All of his access codes and official lines of communication have been cut off too," Jack said shaking her head "Anything not related to the Big Empty or its infrastructure has been locked down and Rex is pretty sure there's a team of techs who's sole job is to keep him locked out of the system."

"How is Rex doing?" Tali placed a hand on Jack's shoulder "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, I've been helping Alena get used to her arm when she can stand to move, but Rex..." Jack sighed and looked at Shepard "He's running himself ragged taking care of Alena, she's out of the woods but the girl's still beat to hell and when she's not awake Rex is going crazy cooped up in his house. He cant go out side without getting mobbed by reporters or civilians and wont take Veronica's calls. It's driving him nuts over what happened to Alena and what Veronica's done. Frankly Shepard, he's spiraling right now and I have no idea how to help him."

"Listen," Shepard stood and stepped forward around the desk to place a hand on Jack's shoulder "I want you to go back to Rex and tell him that he has my support and that if he needs anything just ask for it. That goes for you too Jack, anything you need, you just ask and I swear to you that I and the rest of the crew will be there. The both of you have friends who are more then willing to help."

"Thanks girl scout," Jack offered a small smile "That, actually means a lot, thank you."

"Anytime Jack," Shepard patted Jack on the arm and turned to Miranda "How's the Mojave at large dealing with this?"

"Most of the general populace is spitting venom at any mention of Veronica, but several of the more well to do seem to be being placated by the bloc of leaders backing her up on the Mojave Council," Miranda explained "Slowly the vitriol is being replaced with complacency as the weeks tick by and Rex is still sequestered away taking care of his daughter. Regardless of the perceived back stab, the Mojave is chugging on ahead quite smoothly. The council is continuing the policies it started under Rex and are still committed to the deal regarding the Normandy and her crew, but Shepard I dont like where this is going."

"Yeah, I dont like the idea of this Regier suddenly becoming a king maker," Shepard patted Jack on the shoulder and looked to Miranda "What I like even less is Veronica refusing to meet with me beyond a five minute talk. Something is going on and I want to know what. Miranda, I dont care what tricks and methods you have to use, but get us some solid information on what's happening inside the council."

"I've been developing a few contacts who handle most of the correspondence in the Mojave bureaucracy already, and it wont take long to exploit an access point in their system," Miranda brought up her omni tool and transferred something to Shepard's private terminal "Before I head out, that's all of the intel I could dredge up on the new Aliens in town. Just as with everything else, it seems Veronica has muddied any solid avenues to contact or learn anything about our friends."

"Tali," Shepard leaned against her desk and eyed the Quarian "Any progress on the device?"

"Um well yes, but you wont like it," Tali adjusted her head set slightly and cleared her throat "Most of the device itself is actually in pristine condition from what I can tell, but as I've reported before the central matrix crystal that seems to both be the power source and central control is damaged on a molecular level."

"You were right saying that I wouldn't like it," Shepard shook her head "What does this mean for our prospects of getting home?"

"Sounds like we're up shit creek without a paddle," Jack chuckled darkly.

"Actually no, well maybe yes, but also maybe no," Tali shook her head and sighed before continuing "With the weapons study, the Normandy's construction, and the dream visor projects both Mordin and I have been more and more dependent our lab partner, Felicia Evergreen. Even without us full time we've made a few breakthroughs as of late. As we've gotten a better understanding of the underlying physics and mechanics of the device that actually allows it to operate. We've gone down a rabbit hole of an entirely new branch of physics and mathematics as we've studied the device. It's had poor Felicia in front of chalk boards and note books for months now as we try to essentially build a nuclear weapon with nothing but a wrench."

"Felicia?" Jack raised an eyebrow "Isn't that the mousy chick who ran into me the first day at Big Mt?"

"Yes, she spends most of her time locked away in a converted supply closet devouring text books and databases on physics and mathematics," Tali tapped her omni tool and a holo display of hundreds of minimized pages of thickly scrawled equations and notes "Thanks to her efforts on the theoretical end we're close to something. If we can crack the underlying physics of how the device operates we might be able to replicate its ability to travel between universes."

"Would we be able to determine the point in time we came back to?" Shepard poured Jack a mug of coffee and handed it to her.

"Felicia believes that it's theoretically possible to slip linearity to arrive at the exact moment we left our universe for this one," Tali tapped some commands into her omni tool and the notes expand to a small drawing of a wormhole "While it would probably take decades to actually learn to control this ability to travel non linearly what we've worked out so far is that our first "jump" created a unique extra dimensional structure in our universe and this one. Imagine it like a scar in space time where our unstable worm hole collapsed creating a unique signature in both universes that we could theoretically hone in on and return the exact moment we left. Unfortunately due to the theoretical instability of this scar, the moment we used it to make a jump the unique circumstances of its existence would be thrown into disarray."

"What exactly would disarray entail in this situation?" Shepard asked.

"Well," Tali nervously tapped her wrist before replying "If we dont find a way to stabilize the resulting trans universal bridge then a miniature black hole could form at both scars due to their entangled nature."

"I assume you're working on a way to avoid this?" Shepard's blood ran cold at the thought of New Vegas being devoured by a literal heart of darkness.

"We are," Tali assured them "We've got EDI crunching our big numbers and quadruple checking our work when she isn't busy with her work on rebuilding the Normandy. Also, once we start building our own device we'll be able to test hypotheses and theories in a controlled environment."

"You're going to build your own device?" Shepard and Jack asked at the same time.

"Yes, due to the alien nature of the device we dont want to attempt to use it and accidentally give a command we're not expecting," Tali swiped her Omni tool and the display changed to dozens of crude drawings and schematics "Surprisingly enough, most of the components save for the core are similar to particle and energy manipulation technologies from both Universes. Just miniaturized and made incredibly efficient as well as precise. Once we crack the necessary equations needed to understand Multiversal physics it will only be a matter of some clever engineering and repairing or obtaining another core for us to get something up and running."

"Another core?" Jack asked "Are they selling those at the parts shop now?"

"No," Tali rolled her eyes "Reximus revealed that he and his synth army were sent here by a future version of an organization called the Institute in his world. From Penelope's testimony about her child hood in the institute we think that this universe's version of the device exists in their vaults. If that theory is correct and the device has a working core we might be able to transplant it into our device and use it to power our trip home along with any return trips."

"Hm, a bit of clever engineering..." Jack chewed on her lip for a moment "Anyway I can get a copy off those notes? Rex is going crazy and a project like this could be just what he needs to distract for a few hours a day."

"Please do," Tali tapped a button and transferred the data and note archive to Jack's omni tool "Another set of eyes working through the data and double checking work never hurt anyone."

Jack's pocket buzzed and she pulled out the little data slate that housed her Omni tool.

"Thank you Tali," Jack nodded at the Quarian "This will stop him from chewing his own arms off while he's stuck at home."

"Alright," Shepard processed all Tali had said and sighed deeply "Tali I want you back in the Big Empty as soon as possible, partially to keep working but also to start working in some back doors in case we need to get around any future restrictions. While you're at it, see just how many techs and departments are actually loyal to Rex and friendly to us. I'd like to know we have somewhere to fall back to if things get dicey."

"Can do Shepard," Tali turned to leave but stopped and turned back around "if it isn't too much to ask Shepard, if you do manage to make any headway with Veronica would it be possible for us to have some access to the Shard representatives? I noticed that the Quarians dont have to wear face masks even on an alien planet, and any data I could get from them would prove priceless to the Fleet."

"Oh god Tali," Shepard said smacking her forehead "I've been so caught up these last few weeks I didn't even think about that. Of course, when I get Veronica to sit down and talk to me the first thing on my list will be negotiating a chance to meet with the Shard representatives."

"Thank you Shepard you have no idea what this means," Tali nodded to both Shepard and jack before quickly leaving the suite.

"Fuck me," Shepard groaned once the door shut behind Tali "What next? Trans dimensional gnomes? I never thought I'd say it but I miss the simplicity of the Reaper apocalypse."

"You're telling me," Jack's voice was more then a bit bitter as she sat next to Shepard "Life always has to get more complicated dosent it? Just once I'd like it to simplify just one fucking bit."

"We're in the wrong line of work sister," Shepard leaned back on the desk "Maybe I should retire and farm beets or something out of the way. Pretty simplistic life, I wonder what Thane would look like in overalls?"

"We can bitch about it all we like," Jack clicked her coffee mug against Shepard's "All those pain in the ass complications brought us right here through it all, and you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Ooh, you're the one supplying pearls of motivation now are you?" Shepard smirked.

"What can I say Girl scout?" Jack returned the smirk and flipped her off "Your goodie two shoes nature is rubbing off on me."

/

Alena sat in a cushy recliner wrapped in one of her father's fluffiest bath robes as she watched one of the movies Mr. Joker had lent her father. Most of her bruised body was still sore even three weeks after she was attacked but Alena had slowly figured out how to sit and breathe without agitating her healing ribs. It helped that Penelope, Her Father, and Mara were almost always around to dote on her and help her move if she needed it. The only really bad thing about the whole situation was that Mara ate all the popcorn every time they watched a movie together. It wasn't even her fault, Mara seemingly had the absent minded ability to clean out an entire bowl of popcorn as she was transfixed by the movie. Though considering all that had happened to her, Alena was just happy she wasn't hurting anymore even if Mara was being a big pig.

"Who do you think is the killer?" Mara spoke through a mouth full of popcorn "I think it's the little boy."

"I dont know," Alena rolled her eyes "It's not like it matters anyway, aren't they all in some bald man's head?"

"Alena?" Penelope appeared in the doorway of the living room and offered a smile "There are some people here to see you. One of them is supposedly a classmate of yours."

"Who?" Mara and Alena asked together.

"A boy named Dak," Penelope raised an eyebrow as both Alena and Mara's eyes bulged "I assume that's a problem?"

"Why is that stupid idiot here?" Mara hopped up off the couch and grabbed the closest blunt object which in this case was a discarded wrench.

"His grandfather is the defacto head of the Turncoat legion's government and is here visiting fath...Rex," Penelope coughed and continued "His brother is insisting that he's see the both of you. Also, calling someone both stupid and an idiot is a bit redundant."

"This a trick," Mara insisted as she hefted the wrench towards the door "He has the gall to come here and attack you in your own home. Let me at him."

"As entertaining as that would be," Penelope deftly grabbed the wrench and twisted the small girl around to pluck it from her hand "I'm pretty sure he's here on a peaceful mission of diplomacy, but it's your decision Alena."

"Um," Alena considered the situation and nodded at her kind of sister "As long as he uh behaves I think it would be fine."

"Alright, I'll send them in," Penelope smiled at Alena before turning to Mara "I trust I can leave her care to you while I'm working downstairs?"

"Of course!" Mara insisted as she eyed the wrench in Penelope's hand "Are you sure I can't have a weapon just in case?"

"I don't think bashing someone's head in will help anyone," Penelope tapped Mara on the forehead and looked up at Alena "I just have to finish compiling a few gene analyses for study, are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm alright Penelope," Alena tried to give her a reassuring smile but her chest twinged with pain and she only managed a grimace "Really, it's okay."

"Alright," Penelope shot one last doubtful look at Mara and left the living room.

A few minutes later Dak and an older boy probably around nineteen came up the spiral staircase. Dak seemed more nervous and embarrassed as his brother pushed him towards the two girls. Gone was his usual air of prideful antagonism, instead he seemed to be incredibly uncomfortable as he held some kind of cookie tin in his white knuckled hands. Mara grinned from ear to ear as she watched the boy awkwardly fidget in place, but Alena just felt bad for the boy. Even though he was a hateful little idiot she could see that he was incredibly embarrassed by being here.

"Dak," Dak's older brother chided "Tell them what you have to say and give Alena here the gift you made for her."

"Alena and Mara," Dak began speaking and Alena was surprised to for once he wasn't glaring at her "I haven't been very honorable in how I've acted lately. My grandpa says that it is easier to extend a hand to help a person up then it is to extend a foot to kick them down, so I, uh, made you these little pastries as a peace offering."

Dak stepped forward and handed Alena the tin and when she opened them her nose was filled with the smell of sweet buns.

"They're our mother's recipe," Dak's brother stepped forward and offered his hand to Alena "I am Fin, son of Hera and grandson to Vein, I'd like to apologies personally for the dishonorable acts my younger brother's been assaulting you with. I know you may find it hard to believe, but Dak was truly sorry to hear that you were injured and felt that you could use something tasty to help you feel better."

"Dak made these?" Mara scooted over and plunged her face into the tin to inhale deeply "Funny, they dont smell like poison."

"They're not poison!" Dak crossed his arms and tried to look anywhere besides the two girls "I made them just like mother makes them, and mother never puts poison in them, Stupid!"

"How about I poison your teeth with my fist you little..." Mara jumped forward but stopped when Alena reached forward with her mechanical arm and grabbed her shirt.

"Mara sit down please," Alena winced as her freshly installed arm whirred and tensed with her untrained use of it and she turned to Dak "You really made these yourself? They smell delicious."

"Yeah, I did," Dak straightened and smiled at the compliment "Mother made these for Fin or me whenever we got hurt or sick, so I thought that maybe you'd like some after losing your…."

Dak trailed off and blushed as he realized he had been staring at Alena's metal arm.

"Anyway," Dak coughed as his brother raised an eyebrow at him "I know we dont get along much at school, but I've had a lot of fun going against the both of you. When I heard you got hurt really bad I suddenly though of how boring school was going to be without you there and I, uh, thought I'd give you something to help you feel better."

"Thank you Dak," Alena said putting the lid back on the tin and offering her arm to Dak "Would you wanna sign my arm? My Father and family along with some friends have already signed it, but there's still space for your name."

"Why'd you have people sign it?" Dak asked as he looked over the names scrawled across the smooth black metal "Isn't that a little weird?"

"Not really, Miss Shepard says people sign casts and stuff where she's from and I thought it would be kind of cool if it had some fun signatures," Alena felt her face get a little warmer "Anyway, my father's got two arms like these and it's a really cool arm that will be really useful when I get used to it. It's not like it's my eyes or something..."

Alena realized she didn't have her goggles on and that Dak was looking her directly in the eye.

"Dak actually thinks your eyes are pretty," Fin grinned as his little brother turned beet red and turned on him to shoot a glare at his brother "Always mentions them when he's recapping his daily ass kicking you two dish out."

"Shut up Fin!" Dak growled at his brother before turning back to Alena to extend his hand "Look, I hope you enjoy the pastries and get better, so how about we make peace with me signing your arm? At least until you're back to being healthy, because you know, I dont want to uh war against an injured combatant."

"Uh, sure," Alena grabbed a marker from the table and handed it to Dak "Let's call it signing a treaty."

"That makes sense," Dak nodded with determination and scrawled his name on the metal arm in a jagged hand "There we go, so uh, enjoy the buns and I'll see you in school."

Dak gave Alena an awkward salute before quickly making a hurried exit from the room.

"Oh the machinations of stupid boys," Fin chuckled and gave both girls a bow "Ladies, I'll be on my way to make sure the little idiot dosent hurt himself. I sincerely hope you heal quickly and fully miss Alena, and to you miss Mara I hope you keep Dak on his toes until she recovers. Both of you have a good day."

"Oh you can be sure that I will keep him on his toes," Mara threatened as she grabbed a sweet bun and took a bite "Oh! These are really good!"

"When I see my mother again I'll tell her you like the recipe," Fin chuckled and gave a wave before leaving the girls to the buns.

"That was a weird interaction," Mara munched on the rest of her bun before grabbing two more "Tasty, yet also very weird."

"Yeah," Alena said taking one of the buns and took a bite as she considered the conversation "Dak's still an ass though."

"Totally," Mara said stuffing another bun into her mouth "An ass that can bake apparently."

/

"You're sure my grandsons will be alright?" Vein asked Rex from across the workbench as Rex poured two glasses of scotch "From what Dak tells me your daughter and her little friend are quite the adversaries."

"She's not as bloodthirsty as I am fortunately," Rex clinked his glass against Vein's before downing the slug in one gulp "I fear the day she realizes what she can do with that mind of hers and a smidge of malice."

The two sat around a workbench in Rex's workshop, Vein barely fitting on a work stool and Rex haggard and unshaven standing behind the cluttered work table.

"That's the curse of every parent," Vein counseled as he sipped at his scotch "To forever foster and fear the potential of our children and their children as they discover it themselves."

"A lovely platitude to be sure," Rex's voice was tinged with bitterness as he gulped down another slug of liquor "Besides teenage diplomacy what brings you to my workshop, Vein?"

"I came to offer my well wishes to a friend and ally," Vein raised his glass and Rex topped him off "As well as make clear that the Turncoat Legion as your people call us stand behind the Courier. All of the clan heads have thrown their support your personal claim to rule the Mojave and await your word if you need more tangible support."

"I thought you and yours were ready to put down your swords and take up the plow?" Rex put his glass on the table and leaned forward.

"We are," Vein assured him "Though there are a number of us, mostly grey beards like myself, that have an instinct for such tumultuous transitions of power. If you require trustworthy men with the skill to protect your interests in a defensive or offensive manner. Know this, you have friends outside of miss Santangelo's power my friend. Friends that will act if you just give the word."

"As much as I'm touched by your loyalty," Rex made to pour himself another glass but stopped himself "Veronica's seizure of power is entirely legal going by the rules I helped write, so while your offer of support is appreciated it is certainly unneeded."

"Hm, what's the game here Courier?" Vein clacked his glass onto the work bench and raised a thick grey eyebrow "A war brews on the eastern front with daggers stabbing through the shadows at the very heart of the Mojave and you simply allow your second in command to blunt your power? I for one don't believe that the legendary Courier, the man who toppled the legion twice, would simply allow his second in command to seize his powers at the very moment when it would most benefit the NCR."

"Fate has a way of fucking you when you think you've got an ace up your sleeve and your sphincter unclenched," Rex said as he stowed the scotch beneath the work table "Like most bad things in my life, I'll chock up recent events to the legendary bad luck I carry with me like a stone in my boot. You're offer is appreciated and filed away under something to consider, but I don't need any one's help just yet."

"Yet?" Vein asked as his grandsons came down the stairs.

"Oh me oh my," Rex winked at the old soldier "It was a slip of the tongue, probably from the scotch."

"Grandfather," Vein's youngest grandson hurried to Vein's side and tugged at the big man's sleeve "Can we go? I gave her the buns so can we please go."

"Dak, I'm in the middle of talking business with the Courier," Vein chided his grandson before looking up at Rex "Though I suppose we've come to an understanding, haven't we?"

"I believe we have," Rex nodded and turned his gaze on Dak "Aren't you the one my daughter beats up?"

"She dosent..." Dak began.

"I believe the tiny one beats him while your daughter assaults him at range," Vein let out a rumbling laugh "She's as much a worthy opponent as her father it seems. Isn't that right, Dak?"

"I let her and Mara win," Dak rolled his eyes but Rex could see the blush blooming on his cheeks "Cant have them thinking I'm too great after all."

"Regardless of your master plan Dak," Rex chuckled at the fidgeting boy "I appreciate that you took the time to come over here and see her. A familiar face that's not blood related to her probably cheered her up. Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Dak looked up at Rex and nodded before Vein patted him on the head.

"Not as refined as your brother Dak, but I think you're well on your way to becoming a good man," Vein chuckled as he stood "I think we'll be on our way before the teleporter terminals get too crowded. Tell your daughter that I'm rooting for her recovery and expect to see me to come after another glass of this scotch sometime soon."

"Of course Vein, I'm always here ready to help a friend," Rex waved at the old man and grandsons as they left the workshop.

As soon as they were out the door he collapsed into a chair and sighed into his hands.

"That went well."

Rex looked up to see Penelope leaning against the entryway to her work area.

"Thanks, I'm half way decent at this whole diplomacy thing," Rex smiled at the woman who was and wasn't his daughter "Vein's an asset and a good man from what I can tell. How's Alena doing?"

"She's healing quickly and soundly, but that's to be expected from someone with our unique genetic make up," Penelope stretched and stepped out into his work shop "Speaking of which, I've completed the latest analysis."

"Oh?"

"Yes, cross referencing Jame's notes and journals I'm slowly figuring it out," Penelope pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes and sat down across from Rex "Your genome is totally unique and it's made up of a triple helix designed and then refined by your father. That much you already knew, and I'm still working on the long term effects but I've found some very interesting things hidden in Alena and I's DNA. It seems that whether by design or fluke you transfer almost all of your altered genes into your offspring, into a single intact helix to combine with our mothers, with a vast majority being unexpressed, but we still get the fringe benefits of the alteration. Just to a lesser and more random effect."

"Which would explain why both you and Alena are naturally intelligent and perceptive," Rex mulled over her words for a moment "It also explains how Alena has my aim and you have my steady hands. Good work Penelope, I knew it was the right call putting you in charge of this."

"Thank you," Penelope beamed at the praise tapped the table with her fingernails "Father, this could mean amazing things if I could crack the process and figure out how to express the genes that were transferred at conception. I might be able to unlock eyes like Alena's or some of the other more drastic alterations like a rapid healing factor or even quicker reflexes."

"Penelope..." Rex's words caught in his throat "You just called me..."

"Oh!" Penelope tensed and grabbed onto the edge of the table to push herself up and away "Slip of the tongue. I really have to get to work on these analysis before I go and check up on Alena."

"Of course Penelope," Rex nodded at the woman as he retreated back to her work area "I understand completely. Go and get your work done."

"How nice must that have felt?"

Rex looked over his shoulder and found the other Mirada standing behind him with her arms crossed.

"Slip of the tongue," Rex shook his head and pulled out a set of schematics "It's been a bit stressful lately and it's not like I look exactly like Reximus or anything."

"Admit it," The alternate version of his dead wife chided as she planted her elbows on the workbench "Your heart skipped a beat when she called you father."

"Go away," Rex scribbled and sketched over the schematic of a reinforced sniper rifle.

"No." Mirada said as she rested her head on her hands and stared at the door to Penelope's clean room "I like it here. Reximus always kept his work shop far too orderly. Like the rest of the institute, he kept his work space sterile and lifeless, as if having a little clutter would kill him. Here though, there's a chaos that only comes with actual honest to god work. Penelope grew up in sterile hallways and work spaces with not a tool out of place and an army of synths keeping everything spotless. This is a good environment for her."

"I'm glad you approve, but please leave me alone," Rex shot Mirada a withering look before rolling up the schematics and sealing them in a parchment tube "I don't have the patience for any of you today."

"Of course Rex," Mirada patted him on the shoulder "We're all here if you need us."

She disappeared leaving Rex alone as he stood and walked over to the small hot plate on a far table.

"That's kind of the problem Mirada," Rex sighed as he balanced the tube on the hot plate and pressed a button sending it away in a blast of orange.

?

Roxanne stalked down the street as a thunderstorm churned and crackled above her. It was strange, looking down the streets that usually filled up as the sun set were now nearly empty as the storm moved over the city. The ghosts of neon light painted the pavement in eerie colors creating seas of twilight between the street lights as she walked. She'd never spent much time off the Strip in her go round, but Roxanne could see the appeal of this strange twilight just off the Strip. There was something calming about walking just out of reach of the loud lights and sounds of the city's core, as if she was watching the storm churn a sea from the safety of a dim living room.

"I can see why you love this town Rex," she said to the shadows as she walked towards her destination "Pity I was blind to it on my run."

"This place was always quite something doll."

Roxanne turned around and saw Benny standing in the eerie glow of the Strip.

"How long has it been since I killed you?" Roxanne rolled her eyes as she started back down the street "Go away Benny, I don't need you disturbing my evening."

"Of course you do baby-doll," Benny walked beside her clicking open his lighter to light up a cigarette "Who else but me could be your escort? I am just as much a ghost of this B-E-A-utifal city as I am a ghost rattling around in that pretty little head of yours. Honestly, I like what he's done with the place your fink of a brother."

"Are you the Benny I killed or the Benny he killed?" Roxanne asked as they stepped down the street.

"I'm yours baby," Benny winked at her "One hundred percent."

"Oh joy," Roxanne muttered as they came to a stop across the street from a nondescript building "Is there a reason for why you're out and about?"

"Those of us who are privy to what goes on in that head of yours think this is a bad idea baby," Benny looked serious for a moment as he stared at building "Trust me on this baby doll, you need to turn around and walk away. This is a bad bet to throw your money on, a lost cause, a three legged horse, whatever metaphor you prefer baby, but please don't put yourself through this."

"Did my mother put you up to this?" Roxanne asked.

Benny didn't answer because he was gone when she looked in his direction.

Roxanne sighed and crossed the street just as the sky ripped open and unleashed a downpour of rain onto New Vegas. Roxanne ducked beneath the awning over the door and hit the small buzzer hidden beneath the mail box, and waited for the magnetic locks in the door to click open before she pushed through. There were six armed guards and a small woman wearing a doctor's coat. Three of the guards had their weapons on her the moment she stepped through the door while the other three calmly manned their station in the living room of the small house. When she showed them the badge Rex had forged for her they lowered their weapons and the doctor cleared her throat.

"Miss Craster," the doctor stepped forward and offered her hand "Dr. Alice Carroll, technically neither you nor your brother should have access to the patient, but we wont tell if you wont."

"Glad to hear you're willing to break the rules a bit," Roxanne shook the woman's hand and smiled despite the small slip of paper that was pressed into her palm "How's the patient these days?"

"Well, it's not just a single patient to be honest," Dr. Carroll bit her lip and gestured for Roxanne to follow "It appears that the fracturing of Rose's personality is far more severe than we originally thought."

"What do you mean?" Roxanne narrowed her eyes and snuck a look at the note pressed to her palm and read out: V knows. "There are more personalities rolling around in her head?"

"Yes, it seems that all of the personalities were spawned from her trauma at Reximus' hand near the same time," The Doctor explained as they walked down the fortified hallway "Artemis is a protector personality created to defend Rose from pain, and we believed that she was the only alter in Rose's system. Without the benefit of the drug that kept the Artemis alter in control and Rose's resurgent control over her memory and mind two other Alters have resurfaced. One is Delilah, she's another Protector personality, albeit one more concerned with actual protection and care rather then viciousness. The fourth personality is Rhea, and from what she's described she's the planner of the personalities working even when Artemis was dominant to keep the system organized."

"Great, the more the merrier I guess," Roxanne sighed as they stepped into the observation room and looked at the small room Rose called her own.

Roxanne stopped in her tracks the moment she saw Rose sitting at the small desk tucked away in the corner of the room. Rose was busy clipping sheets of colored paper into strips and folding them into little figures. Her short red hair was tied back into a ponytail and her thin body was draped in a floral print sundress that was two sizes two big for her. She was different from the Rose Roxanne had left for Rex to raise. Leaner and more muscled, like a great cat lounging about in the sun, but there was that same fragile grace that Rose had carried since she was a child. Numbness pulsed through her veins like ice water as she thought of what her actions had done to this universe's version of Rose.

Her Rose.

Dead because of me.

"Is that her in there or an Alter?" Roxanne shook her head and let out a breath through her nose.

"No, that's Rhea," Dr. Carroll checked a schedule on the observation controls "She has a knack for arts and crafts. Practically all she does when she's fronting. Luckily, Rose has been fronting more and more now that she's becoming fully aware of the other alters."

"I'm going in there," Roxanne walked down the entrance hall without waiting for the doctor to say anything.

Luckily for the doctor, Roxanne found the door unlocked and stepped into the cozy little room drawing Rose's gaze to her. Roxanne's heart broke the moment she looked into those eyes, and she almost turned around right then. They looked at each other for what could have been an eternity or a moment and Roxanne drank in the copy of her sister's every detail. She was just like the Rose she left behind in the frozen north all those years ago, but there was a wariness to this Rose's eyes as she looked up into Roxanne's. A soft calculation that betrayed any attempts at presenting a calm almost aloof presence.

"Good evening," she said politely "If you're looking for Rose she's inside at the moment."

"I was looking for Rose," Roxanne walked forward and sat on the bed before leaning forward "But I think I'd like to speak to you, Rhea."

"Oh," Rhea curled her lips and hid her face to hide the small smile on her lips "I'm hardly the one you want to talk to. I just keep things tidy and make my little paper things. Not much to talk about really."

"I disagree," Roxanne threaded her fingers together "My name is Roxanne Craster. I'm Rex's twin sister and technically your older sister."

"Oh, but Rex dosent..." Rhea's eyes vibrated for a split second before she blinked and coughed "You must be from another universe, because we never had an older..."

"You did, but a mistake I made wrote pretty much every Roxanne out of the omniversal script," Roxanne rolled her eyes as Rhea stared at her blankly "Trust me, it's a long story, but I very much am Rex's twin sister. Just another member of the sad broken things that call themselves Crasters these days."

"We're broken yes," Rhea reached forward and patted Roxanne's hand "But we're only sad if we let ourselves be."

"So," Roxanne smiled and patted Rhea's hand "The doc tells me you're the organizer. Tell me about that."

"Oh well, it's mostly just keeping the system working when we're all in the Space," Rhea looked away as Roxanne stared at her "The Space is where we go when we're not fronting, Rose spent a lot of her time there when Artemis was in control, but she was kind of asleep while Delilah and I kept the place tidy. Well, I was keeping the place tidy while Delilah punched the wall and tried to copy whatever Artemis was learning. Artemis never knew it, but even when she was in power I kept her thoughts nice and organized for her."

"So, Artemis is in the Space right now?"

"Yes," Rhea shivered slightly and shook her head "You sound...familiar. Anyway, Artemis dosent front that often because Delilah and I keep her down most of the time. Rose is getting strong enough to do it herself, but with our help Artemis only comes out when we want her to."

"Rex is working on something to help you," Roxanne said "Well, he's got someone working on something to help you three with getting rid of Artemis for good."

"Thank you," Rhea patted Roxanne on the arm "But we don't want to get rid of Artemis."

"What?"

"She's a part of us," Rhea said not looking Roxanne in the eyes "Artemis is just as much Rose as Delilah and I are. She was made by Reximus' torture and resentment, sharpened into a weapon until the only pleasure she could feel was from inflicting that pain on others. We can help her, and with time maybe dull those teeth of hers."

"That's a bit optimistic no?" Roxanne asked.

"When you've been beaten as low as we have simply raising your head is optimistic Roxanne," Rhea said "We're going to fight to save Artemis from what Reximus turned her into, and fight to get better ourselves. One day, maybe someday soon, the four of us can go outside in the sunlight. Together."

Roxanne stared at the woman who was an aspect of Rose and couldn't stop her lips from curling into a smile.

"I swear to god we Crasters are too stubborn for our own good."

/

Thought Seeker Wrail watched the storm wash over New Vegas from the main office of the small embassy they'd been allowed to take over on the Strip. It had once been the embassy for the nation to the west, but in recent years it had become a secondary office for the Mojave government. Wrail didn't mind, her best work had been done in reconfigured buildings and make shift shelters. She watched the storm rage in the sky, a bit homesick for Tuchanka and the truly majestic thunder storms of her youth, and looked out across the street at a huddled form sitting in the shelter of a front porch awning.

"Out enjoying the storm as well, Mr. Craster?" Wrail muttered as the light of the door opening cast the figure in shadow while another yanked him inside.

"Thought Keeper."

Wrail turned to find none other then Captain Tiburtion standing in her door way.

"Captain!" Wrail said clapping her hands "What brings you planet-side during a storm like this?"

"The locals finally convinced me this city was secure enough to allow for your envoy and my crew to move about freely." The captain explained "By the time my checks were through this storm was already brewing and I hate ascending in a storm. So, here I am stuck on the ground coming to check on you."

"I'm overjoyed to hear that you value me enough to check up on me." Wrail said "How goes the efforts towards restoring the relay?"

"They go." the captain said as she collapsed into a chair "I woke three work crews from stasis to check on Santangelo's claims and what do you know, there is a relay in a moon off all things. We've manage to tunnel down far enough to detect the thing's operation frequency, but it will be around a month until we can test fire it. One good activation should shake the ice around to snowflakes, and after that we can get some actual assistance from the council."

"Exciting developments!" Wrail wrung her hands together "I might actually taste some good Krogan food sometime this year if we get that relay working."

"Any word on the Asari?" The captain asked.

"From what I've gleaned as of late our very pompous acquaintances are safely contained with no interaction beyond food and supply being teleported in." Wrail explained "I wonder how mad Trenzia is going trapped with only her "tools" to keep her company?"

"Five credits that she's either murdered them out of boredom or screwed them into foaming catatonia." the captain said. "Actually, she probably did both come to think of it."

"Yes, she never was the patient." Wrail said as she looked out across the storm "I suppose you'll be asking me about what I think of the little power schism opening up in the Mojave."

"Santangelo seems trust worthy enough and from what I've heard about this Courier and his recent injuries I can see the logic in removing him from such a stressful position." The captain said bluntly "Though I suppose you and your enlightened perspective have a different view on the matter, so why don't you enlighten me."

"I've been pouring through our observation data and what I've observed here on the ground," Wrail said as she looked out on the stormy street "Do you remember when I told you of the pieces on the game board? All of the data I've absorbed the last few weeks have given me an inkling of the components of a grand strategy. A strategy so nefarious in its scope that I doubt many of the people caught in its grip even know that they're part of it. Honestly, if it works this mad gamble might just be the finest bit of manipulation I've ever seen."

"My question is who is pulling the strings of this master manipulation?" Nao asked.

"Who's embassy are we standing in my dear captain?"

?