The Mojave

Chapter 2: The Imminent Problem

Drip... Drip... Drip..

Suddenly the water stopped dripping onto the ground from the building. Paul kept his jacket over his head as it was raining lightly. He sat outside an electronics shop that had a large television that was set up to be right up against the glass window to draw customers inside. It was kept on by the store owner however as Paul would sit outside most nights with a small hot cup of coffee and his jacket to stay warm. He would watch the tv as it showed talkshows/the news and whatever was going in the Mojave. Paul used it to check on crime and news but he just liked watching the tv as he had never owned one.

The break was over and the "Late Night Vegas" talkshow was back on as it had the mayor Elias Edson as the guest. Paul edged closer to the store window so he could hear the tv clearer

The show's host welcomed Edson as the crowd applauded the very popular Mayor. Edson smiled and waved before sitting down on a couch as he looked at the host

"One hell of a night huh?" the host laughed a little and said as he smiled to Edson

Edson nodded. "You know.. I'm not just saying this because I'm here now but this has got to be the best talkshow audience I've ever witnessed" He gestured to the crowd as they gave another great big cheer

"Well.. It's great to have you on with us Elias. Obviously with the election coming up in November, you'll be looking to gather as much support as you can."

"Mm..Yeah but i have to say.. I've been around these parts for nearly 11 years now in place of John Norton.. Bless his soul. I never expected to be the Mayor of these great people for so long and I'm grateful for every moment i get to serve them" Elias once again gave a smile as the crowd cheered

"That's definitely true!..and I'm sure most of Vegas will be looking for you to extend your time as the Mayor of our Sacred Land..but let's get into the thick it shall we?"

"Of course" Elias said while looking at the host.

Both men looked very healthy and wealthy. Elias had dark slicked back hair and a short beard that suited him well as the host had dirty blonde hair with lots of gel in it. Paul watched closely to see what exactly they were going to be discussing.

"We both know that.. Crime rates have went up in recent times but not just by percentage. The naked eye could even see that the streets have become more violent and..even scary for some of the locals, why do you think this is?" the host asked Elias as the mood changed...

"Honestly?..." Elias looked to the crowd before looking to the host "I've got to say that it's the rumours of the Ghoul problem down south. When people get scared they get irrational or they're too scared to act. I've seen this first hand as I'm a very hands on type of guy and I've seen a fair bit of action as has most of the Mojave. It's one of the most Notorious regions in all of the Wasteland!. It's a mixtures of problems playing into one another but something we don't want is an influence"

The host tilted his head "An Influence?"

"Precisely. An influence will play on not just anyone's emotions but everyone's emotions especially if it's high in ambiguity. Such as The Vigilante"

Paul got a bad feeling as he continued to watch but he kept silent before hearing water dripping down near him again from above.

"This Vigilante, he helps people though? How could he increase crime rates?"  the host questioned

"Well.. He's a criminal himself. He's breaking the law and not communicating with the police.. I mean for godsakes he leaves calling cards on his victims. Let me tell you something Collin" Elias said as he got a little closer to Collin who was the host

"Last night, That scumbag brutally murdered two men and even went to extreme lengths to leave even more damage on one's face!. This man is a criminal, when that mother saw her son's face bashed in she began to cry just the way you'd expect a mother to cry if they saw their son like that. I had to console her. She's lost her only son now. Can you imagine what it's like to go through something like that?"

Collin shook his head as he couldn't believe it. "That's.. That's just horrible."

"I know..this man has to be stopped. He is a danger to all of us and is a danger to the Mojave as a whole. He will only create more problems for us.. That's the sad truth" Elias frowned as the crowd was silent now.

Paul felt his stomach sink as he looked down at his half empty cup of coffee which was now lukewarm. He gulped and drank it anyway not to waste it. He let out a big sigh as he just couldn't believe this was how he was being painted out to be. Paul looked back at the tv screen and swore to himself that he was going to keep going no matter what. He was going to keep protecting his city no matter how people like the Mayor portrayed him. He got up and looked at the store as he briefly made eye contact with the store owner as the owner slowly looked away. Paul then walked away as the water once again dripped onto the ground from above except now.. It was faster.

We cut away for some time as The Vigilante now stands beside a rundown building.. Observing the nightclub known as Cybers. Paul took a deep breath and began to walk towards the Club as the light showers of rain began to get heavier.

Most people were in the club by now partying and enjoying themselves as it was currently 10:30pm. Paul knocked on the side door as two bouncers opened the door and looked at him

"Heh. You looking to party Vig? 50 caps and I'll make it worth your while" Both of the Bouncers laughed as Paul spoke up. "I'd like to get into the club please"

One of the bouncers smirked "Man.. Get the hell out of here with your fucking.. Narc ass."

Paul suddenly grabbed the man by the arm and flipped him over onto the ground. The other bouncer went to electrocute The Vigilante.

Paul was electrocuted briefly before grabbing the tazer and flipping it and hitting the bouncer in the head as both of the bouncers were now on the ground groaning. "I said please."Paul said before walking deep into the club.

The music was so loud that no one had even noticed the two bouncers get knocked out by the Vigilante. Cybers was a pretty big club and with big clubs.. Comes big security. Paul avoided the main areas of the club as he briefly started to hear commlinks go off as they were reporting a break in of the side door. Paul had to be careful now. He stopped and got to a point where he could see most of the club from above. Some people were jamming out to the music as others were sitting down and enjoying the event but some people were doing what others didn't have the gut to do. Drugs. Paul knew this as this was how shitty this part of Vegas had become he scouted the area before he was hit in the back of the head by something. He winced and turned around to see a huge security guard. He went to strike Paul as Paul would grab the mans forearm and try to kick the guard before both of them would fall over the railing near them and onto the main area of the club as several people gasped in shock. Paul got up quickly and got into position before two other guards charged at Paul. He was somewhat skinny so he managed to duck and tag both of the guards with something as they both went flying into the bar as multiple drinks would spill and crash. Paul shot out his grappler as it would bring many of the glasses and drinks towards him. Paul used it to smash the glasses against one of the guards. The other guard grabbed Paul and began to bear hug him as Paul would wince once again. He grabbed a piece of glass and stabbed it into the man's hand. He turned and hit the guard as hard as he could in his throat, knocking him back and crashing over a table as liquid would spill all over the guard.

Then more guards rushed down as Paul began to get into position before-

"AY! HEY! RELAX!" A young man came down and stopped the guards as they would nod to the man's orders. The man would slowly walk down the stairs and look at The Vigilante. "This is no place to have a fight..especially not a place to throw other people around"

Paul was still in a combat position listening to the man as he would raise his hand to the Vigilante, gesturing him to calm down. "Fightings done. Come on upstairs.. Let's get you a drink." The man said before smiling. Paul would lower his defenses.