Chapter Eighteen
Legends of Hope

Darren sat quietly on the medical operating table, allowing the doctor to tend to his wounds. As the doctor stitched him up, mainly his shoulder and chest region, which, from the assault on the Luck 38 and the very recent battle with Ulysses, had undergone several major injuries, including a lot of his skin ripping apart, Darren looked as the soldiers moved about the facility.

They were fortifying this place for future use, a smart move considering it's the home of their enemy, the one who had caused so much damage to the Strip and the surrounding region of the Mojave. With one last clip of the scissors, the doctor had completed his stitching. Darren thanked him and threw his shirt back on. He walked out into the hallway and moved passed everyone, gently of course.

Finally he reached Boone, who was leaning over a table and giving some last minute orders to a few soldiers. As they marched away, Boone turned to face Darren. "Thank you," he said as he extended his hand.

Darren grabbed it and the two shook hands. "It's apart of my job," he replied. "Though I must begin making my way out of here, back to my own home."

Boone held up a hand, "Hold on a moment," he asked. Darren nodded and Boone motioned for him to follow. The two made their way down the hall to a small holding room where Ulysses sat. He was cuffed down and couldn't move. Regardless of that, the sentry guns that were mounted to the walls identified him as an enemy and would fire if he tried anything.

Boone and Darren peaked into the room, Ulysses unphased. They shut the door. "What happens to him is your choice," Boone informed him, "He is, after all, your family."

Darren nodded. "I'm gonna talk to him first. Alone."

Boone nodded and Darren entered the room. He shut the door behind him and stared at the man before sitting across from him. For a moment he didn't know what to say. He had so many questions and wanted all the information he could get. He figured whatever he asked he'd get a straight answer. After all, the fate of Ulysses' life was in his hands. He breathed a small sigh, letting out his breath and leaning back in his chair, getting comfortable.

"If you are going to question me," Ulysses started, "You'll get no where by sitting back."

Darren gave a chuckle. "Why?" he asked. Silence fell on the room as the singular word soaked into their minds. "Why did you have to bring me here and drag me into this mess- into this war?"

Ulysses stared straight into Darren's eyes, never flinching or breaking contact as Darren questioned his motives. In his mind he gave a chuckle. Both Darren and him knew he wouldn't tell him much of anything, if anything at all. "I'll be honest," he started, "I'm not going to tell you anything. Nothing. Everything will be left to you and to you alone." Darren, although not surprised, lowered his head in slight disappointment. "Instead I'll warn you." Ulysses words cut through the air and beat against Darren. He raised a brow and let his expression ask his question; warn me against what?

"If you think this is the end, that this war is over, you are wrong," he explained. "This is merely a taste of things to come. War never changes."

"I promise you something," Darren instantly replied, anger in his tone. "I'm choosing to let you live. I don't want to but I will out of some damn reason I don't understand! But I promise," he leaned forward, "If you ever try anything, I will kill you."

Darren stood and left the room. Boone stood against the wall. "I say let him live. He may be useful in mapping out and colonizing the Divide," Darren said. Before Boone could say anything, Darren walked off down the hall. Boone sighed.

He suddenly felt a hand lightly grab his shoulder. He turned to see Emma, who was also patched up from her battle with Ulysses. The two embraced and held each other tightly. The broke apart. "Let's go talk with Darren."

Boone nodded and the two walked after him. At the end of the hall, watching as the two leave, was Luis. He started walking towards them, hoping to catch up to talk with the two, along with Darren, before he stopped. He looked over and saw the room where Ulysses sat. He, who was dedicated to rebuilding society and New Vegas, wanted, or rather demanded, answers for the chaos Ulysses had brought upon the Mojave.

He hesitated for a moment. He found himself opening the door. He was about to turn and close it but couldn't help himself. He walked in and shut the door. Ulysses was surprised to see him instead of Boone or Emma. "You are a face I don't recognize." Luis ran over and launched his fist into his face. Ulysses fell over onto the floor with a loud thud. Luis sighed and picked him up, placing back in his chair. He then moved to where Darren sat. "Anger, a trait for the weak."

"And killing innocents isn't?" he spat back.

Ulysses shook his head. "No one is innocent. This world is unclean," he explained, "And still, not murder. I use fear. Fear can overcome the greatest of hopes."

Luis shook his head. "Why would you do it?"

"To rebuild the world you must first wipe the old one away."

Oddly enough, Luis understood this concept. He thought on it for a moment. It was true, in order to build something new you had to take the old away and build from scratch. But still, he didn't believe this correct concept was a good reason to wipe out innocent lives.

"Would you like to hear the truth?" Ulysses asked. This really got Luis' attention, who was now leaning forward and ready to receive.

"Truth?" he asked. Ulysses nodded. Luis thought on it for a moment.

"But there is one catch," Ulysses quickly added. Luis raised his head and nodded. "The catch is: you work for me."

Luis lowered his head and breathed a heavy sigh. Working along side a murderous psychopath wasn't something he was cut out for. "What if I say no?"

Darren sat on the edge of the cliff that overlooked the Divide. The sun was setting and it was, actually, a beautiful sight to see the Divide in such a peaceful state. "Mind if I squeeze in?" Darren turned his head to see Cass. He smiled and nodded. She walked over and sat beside him. "So I guess that you're leaving?"

Darren looked at her and nodded. "Yea, I guess so."

Cass nodded and looked out over the Divide. Darren joined her. "Thank you."

"For what?" Darren ask as he turned to her. He met only her lips and the two once again began kissing each other lovingly. As they broke apart they both gave wide smiles. "You're welcome."

"Attention soldier!" a loud voice yelled. Darren and Cass both snapped to see who it was, finding Emma giving a chuckle. The two sighed and stood. Emma walked over and shook Darren's hand. "I thank you as well."

Boone walked over and stood just behind Emma, his hand on her shoulder. "If you ever find yourself needing a vacation, New Vegas is here," he said jokingly.

Darren nodded with a laugh. "Indeed it is." He turned and looked out over the Divide one last time. "I think it's time I go home."

End of story.

A/N: Thank you! So it has been a long time coming. We are here at the end. I hope you enjoyed that little teaser with Luis there at the end. If only we knew what we were getting ourselves into. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. But don't worry. As my profile page says, and as you may know from that teaser, there is more to come in this fic. So stay tuned!