The NCR Embassy

Madeline considered her options. She believed she would go to the New California Republic's embassy on the Strip. The NCR seemed to be a major civilizing power in the area. They had some semblance of a government and tentative security, though Madeline knew the wastes were anything but safe.

She proceeded to the NCR's Embassy. The NCR embassy was actually a compound with two separate buildings. A building devoted to MPs and then the embassy itself. She was given a number of lurid looks from the MPs on guard, but they let her by. At what served as the reception desk was a pretty looking blonde with shortly cut hair. She looked tired as she looked up at Madeline.

"Yes?" she said, eyeing Madeline speculatively "Can I help you?"

"Ummm Yes," Madeline said not sure why she was even here "I need to talk to...the ambassador."

"Mr. Crocker?" the secretary said "Do you have an appointment? Miss....?"

"Miss Blackwater...Well no, but its very important--about vault tech." Madeline tried to add emphasis to her case.

"Just a moment." she flipped a switch and paged into the ambassador's office before continuing. "Mr. Crocker, there is a woman here--a Miss Blackwater-- to see you. Something about vault tech?"

"When is my next appointment?" a voice game through the metallic box in response.

"In about a half hour you have a delegate from the Kings." she said.

"Vault tech? Send her in Ms. O'Malley." the gruff voice said after a pause. The secretary shot Madeline a contemptuous look.

"Yes Mr. Crocker, she will be right there." She flipped the intercom off "Mr. Crocker will see you now, just this way to my right."

Madeline sauntered down the hall, trying to figure out what she would even do--how could they even help?

She entered a spacious office in which there was a large wooden desk a terminal and an older black man clothed in a well worn suit and tie, behind the desk rummaging through some paperwork. Two chairs sat in front of the desk.

"Interested in politics? Vault tech? Well grab a seat and get comfortable." the black man--Ambassador Crocker said as he eyed Madeline like a younger man would.

"Thank you Ambassador." Madeline said as she sat down.

"How can I help you today...Miss...Black...-"

"Blackwater." Madeline finished his sentence.

"Yes, Miss Blackwater...How can I help you." He eyed her vault suit. Madeline wasn't quite sure if it was entirely academic.

"I believe you can. I am in search of a piece of Vault technology known as a ERMA or Electromagnetic Motion Refiner Array. It seems the NCR is the most likely to know of such kinds of technology and might be able to give certain access to a...citizen of the NCR."

"Now what would someone like you want with a piece of Vault tech like that? You are in a vault suit." He eyed her again, spending extra long on the contours of her breasts, before continuing "Is this because you are from a vault?"

"I'd rather not say. Not yet at least." Madeline said dodging the question. She didn't want to give the NCR any reason to go and take her home. It had remained secret this long--no need to risk revealing her home.

"Well Miss Blackwater I don't quite know what you expect me to do. I cannot just conjure this...Er Erma thing you asked about." He said leaning back and holding his hands out.

"I don't expect you to just give me the item--but rather...I was wondering if there was any information you could give me concerning any...vaults in the NCR." Madeline said what was she doing?

"Hmmmm that not information we just give out...Security you know." He said with a frown. "The Brotherhood of steel robs vaults like grave robbers will rob a fresh grave. Most Vault Tech this side of the Colorado is pretty much in someone's control...but there are some folks who might have such a piece of technology."

"Who?" Madeline said eagerly.

"Miss Blackwater," Ambassador Crocker said "I can't just GIVE you that kind of information. Though...I could perhaps work out a deal of some sort."

"What kind of a deal?" Madeline said eyeing the Ambassador. He was a man...and older man but still a man.