บท 631: Taxing prospect
It doesn't take long for Afton to teleport to New Vegas and enter the Lucky 38. The robot named Victor led him inside and brought him up to the penthouse where a large screen with Mr House's face awaited him... Before it, was a small table with a robot called Jane standing silently by it.
"Quite the set-up you've got here... But if I was going to be speaking to a machine anyway, why bother coming here in the first place?" Afton asks with a crooked brow, wondering if House just wanted the home-ground advantage in these negotiations.
The monitor flickers as House begins to speak, "Unfortunately a face-to-face meeting is quite impossible in my current state... But, this is as close to it as you can get, I hope this doesn't sour things." the man says with a 'not-apology'.
Afton just shrugs and sits at the table opposite the large screen. The robot leans forwards with a woman's face flickering on its screen, "Would you like a beverage dear? We've got almost everything in stock." it offers.
"I'll have a... Tea, if you have it." he says, wanting to see how extensive House's stocks truly are... Tea is almost impossible to come by outside of Big Mt, plus, he was still an Englishman, a night of alcohol requires a morning with tea.
The robot agrees and quickly rolls away, presumably towards the kitchen, leaving Afton and House facing one another.
"So, I heard your interview over the radio... Funny how you'd announce something not yet agreed upon." Afton casually states.
"Yes, well, unity leads stability. It was best for everyone to know of our potential partnership in these chaotic times. The NCR have almost completely fled from the Mojave, Camp McCarren is almost empty, and only a few NCR military police have decided to stay in the strip to act as security... Without a warning, a threat, innocents would soon be overrun by rioters, bandits, even wasteland creatures... As you know, I am known only for remaking Las Vegas, and only that... But you? Bulwark and yourself have formed quite the reputation..." House explains, and Afton silently nods in agreement.
Afton wasn't so heartless to disagree with his attempts at protecting the populace... But, he still couldn't let House's actions slide. "I agree, but, you still used our name without permission. Your lucky pre-war laws don't count, otherwise you'd have a number of them slapped on you in a courthouse." he chuckles.
"Yes, well, as fortunate as that is, I believe that's exactly what we should be discussing. Laws." House states, just as Jane wheels back into the room with two drinks.
The robot deposits Afton's tea in front of him while leaving a dirty martini in front of House... Even though he's literally not here right now.
...
Afton squints between it and House, getting a chuckle out of the man. "While I'm not physically present, it is still polite to share a drink with your guest... Do you disagree?"
Afton shakes his head, "No, but isn't the point of that to show that you haven't poisoned the drinks?" he questions.
"Well. Supposedly, but that doesn't matter when one, or both of us are immune to such a thing."
Well, Afton wasn't even going to ask how he knew about that... Either he guessed due to the abilities he'd shown thus far, or he'd picked up some rumours involving his 'mutant' status.
"How about we start with what it would take to form an official alliance between Solphelicity?"
"Urgh, how about we start with why you called it that? It makes me cringe every time I hear someone say it..." Afton mutters.
"Well, that's the reaction I wished for when I chose the name. I believe it will become natural to say once it becomes a household name." Hosue retorts.
"You chose it because it sounds bad?" Afton asks with a dumbfounded expression.
"Indeed. Rule one of advertisement is all publicity is good publicity. People may mock the name, degrade it... But it will be on their tongues nonetheless, continuing to cement Solphelicity's position in the Mojave." the man explains.
...
That made sense? Kinda?... Afton wasn't sure if that rule was real... Otherwise, why not just call your product 'Hitler-Orgasmo-Chocolate-Stalin' or something. That'd definitely get a reaction.
Afton shakes his head, regardless of his reasons, the name wasn't why either of them were here today. "So, what will Bulwark get in return for working with you? To be honest, you don't have all that much to offer, we hold almost space-age technology, a large military, self-reliance..." it was true, House didn't really have much to barter with considering Bulwark's overwhelming superiority.
"Well, New Vegas and the Mojave as a whole has one thing you cannot replace with robots... A pool of talent to pick from the citizenry. That is the first term I'm willing to offer in return for your cooperation in various endeavours I have in mind, the ability to pick talented individuals from the Mojave... With their agreement of course."
That's a good start Afton supposes... Though, if he was really desperate he could just recruit from somewhere else... That would have a problem with loyalty however, if he got people from the Mojave which knew who and what Bulwark was, they'd likely be far better than the alternatives.
"That's fair, but still not enough for what Bulwark is giving in return." Afton states, leaning back in his chair and waiting for House to offer more.
"Indeed... Which is why I'm willing to offer something no one else could possibly claim... Solphelicity will not tax any products you attempt to sell in the Mojave, as opposed to other businesses which will pay a minimum of 15% depending on the type of product."
...
"You know, I hadn't thought about taxes before, but wasn't the NCR hated by the population for ridiculous taxation fees? Are you just gonna try and convince them it's for their own good or something?" Afton questions.
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บท 632: Deal or no deal?
"Well, as unfortunate as it is, taxing the populace is required to form a stable and civil society. I am not a communist, so I will not be giving free handouts to those who wish to abuse and take advantage of the system for their own gains... There will be changes to how the NCR operated however... Only products and income will be taxed, it will also be significantly lower than what the NCR demanded. The taxes will all be used to build infrastructure, as well as maintain and upgrade my Securitron army."
"And your attitude on monopolies?" Afton questions, knowing that no taxes to the business started under Bulwark's name would eventually result in his complete domination of the market, especially with the technology and potential production rate.
House chuckles, "You forget, my business was once regarded a monopoly by my opponents. Monopolies are simply a result of capitalism working as intended... There will be close observation and critique of any monopoly that comes into being... We are both smart enough to know that monopolies generally result in many malicious consumer tactics, corruption, and eventual degradation of society itself...
There is another reason that I would allow you to form a monopoly... I have reason to suspect that you, like me, will not succumb to the passage of time. Preventing those with different intentions from inheriting, and subsequently distorting the businesses that will lay down their roots." House explains, causing Afton to crook at brow at the rather large claim he'd just made.
"Oh? You think I'm immortal?" Afton asks with a small, curious smile.
"Not immortal, unaging. The difference is large but usually misconstrued... In all honesty, I am very interested in seeing what a society run by unaging beings could potentially become. We would be the creators, kingmakers... We would become the 'functional-gods' of the Mojave and its people... I believe a future led under such strict, yet fair rulers would lead to a type of utopia, one which would help humanity evolve from the pitiful state it has put itself in." House declares imperiously.
...
"And what if one of us becomes corrupt?" Afton inquires, quickly spotting the obviously blip in House's plans.
"Then... Humanity's hope for the future belongs to the ashes further nuclear fire would grant... I do not believe humanity in its current state would be able to resist destroying itself again... I have given up much to give it a chance, sacrificing my body, my mind, my feelings, fears, and wants... I have given up all but hope... Afton Parker, tell me honestly... Do you think humanity would be able to rise above its baser instincts without a guiding hand?"
Afton shrugs and easily shakes his head, "No chance. People are out for themselves, and are only willing to be selfless when their own positions are assured. Sure, there are a few outliers who are selfless even despite themselves, but they are quickly taken advantage of and quashed. But you explaining your plans for the future isn't enough to secure Bulwark's cooperation, House." he states, still wanting more.
"Hm, well. Other than the freedom to gather talent, lack of taxing, and the reputation gain our alliance would cause?... How about this... You keep Novac and the land surrounding it, you can have Nelson to so you have direct access to the Colorado river. Its placement would allow it to become an incredibly important trading post, along with the resources the land itself would provide... I believe all of this would be satisfactory." House concludes.
Afton just shakes his head with a large frown, "What do you mean 'You keep Novac'? Novac. Is. Mine. It was never on the table, I will warn you House, do not try to fuck with me on shit like this. Novac has, and will always be mine, regardless of what happens here today." he states.
...
"Very well. Forget Novac, how about a percentage of the energy that Hoover Dam produces? I imagine a technological powerhouse such as Bulwark would appreciate such a thing?" House asks.
"Again, Bulwark is self-sustainable... But, I can think of some projects that might improve with some excess energy lying around. Still, offering something that is more or less useless to me still isn't convincing enough." Afton crosses his arms nad kicks his feet up onto the table, causing House to sigh and Jane's face to switch to an angry-looking one.
"What do you want then, Afton? What could I provide that you would accept?" House finally asks, feeling as if this negotiation wasn't going his way at all. It kind of made sense though when he thought about it, Afton wasn't a businessman, he was simply an inexperienced warlord with far more resources than he should have.
Afton grins, "I want... Complete access to your surveillance and spy network." he states causing House to go silent momentarily.
...
"I thought you and Bulwark had your own network? Why would you wish to gain access to my own?" House asks with worry and mild confusion.
Afton shrugs, "Because knowledge is power and all that... Plus, my guys might've missed something that you picked up. And it would help me set up my own network with the structure you'd already built..."
...
"Is this the thing that will guarantee your cooperation, Afton?" House asks.
Afton nods, "Yeah. Plus everything else, I think that's enough to put us on an even playing field."
...
"I would like to retract the offer of energy from Hoover Dam in return, my information network is worth a considerable sum, and I'd rather have the excess energy to improve the infrastructure of the Mojave... If that's acceptable to you?"
"Sure." Afton says before checking the time on his Pipboy, squinting in embarrassment when he remembers his frantic behaviour in the morning. "Ah, I gotta go... Keep these terms as a cursory agreement, we can hash out more later." he explains as he gets up.
"What might be the rush?" Hosue asks, confused.
Afton grins, "Well, I'm about to lead an army of armoured super mutants into an NCR research facility... Kinda on a tight schedule here." he quickly states before leaving, teleporting back to Big Mt as soon as he's outside.
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