So after spending about 12k caps on implants, I feel that I should experiment with my new 9 luck, and head to the strip. But when I go to open the gate, it says key required? What is this? I've been in the strip hundreds of times, done many of the quests involved and now I can't access it? What do I do?

Its a glitch. Kill one of the robot guards and they should have a key. But do it ever so quietly and as quickly as you can.

Uhh. Okay. Silenced sniper rifle from the opposite end of freeside will work?

i dunno, i still have the feeling that theres some sort of ESP going on in bethesda games. but, save and then try it. if it doesnt work reload the save.