Once my explanation was over, it was time to get back to business. I rose from the bench and approached the frustrated-looking lieutenant. Before I could say anything, he turned to us and introduced himself as "Lieutenant Monroe". He gave Boone a respectful salute after seeing his red beret.
"We've got a situation with some Great Khans right now," he said. "The brass at McCarran has ordered me to lock down the ruins until it's been resolved."
Great Khans. Benny was seen traveling with some Great Khans. I could only hope that Benny and my Platinum Chip were inside the ruins with them.
"What happened with the Great Khans?" I asked.
"Long story short, one of my patrols coming from Novac came under fire from the Great Khans and chased them into the ruins. No deaths, but the Khans now have two hostages."
"These Great Khans may have something of mine. Would you allow me to negotiate a deal with them?"
The lieutenant paused for a moment, then let out a sigh.
"Normally, I'd turn your down since I have no idea who you are, but considering that you're under the supervision of a First Recon solider and the hostages are as good as dead if we attack…"
I raised an eyebrow at his choice of words, as if I was a child that needed to be 'supervised'.
"All right, I'm going to give you a chance to talk to the Great Khans. Their leader is a man named Jessup. If we hear shooting, we'll be coming in, but it'll probably be too late for you."
I grimaced at his frankness, then assured him, "Don't worry, it won't come to that."
"Good luck, ma'am. And you may want to remove your beret before entering, just as a precaution. You wouldn't want to be mistaken as one of my soldiers."
Boone nodded and reluctantly slid off his beret, revealing that his normally shaved head was starting to grow out.
As I opened the door to the ruins, I patted his back gently and murmured, "There, there. You can put it back on soon."
I laughed as he pushed me inside.
"Watch your step, the rubble is slippery," an NCR soldier said as we headed towards the only standing building in the city.
I could see the hostages, tied up with a nearby Great Khan guarding them. I couldn't help but feel nervous as her wide eyes followed me. Two of them, hiding behind one of those metal benches, whispered to each other as I passed, guns in hand. I sped up my pace and opened to door to their hideout.
Inside, the room was small and dimly lit. Two or three Great Khans were behind what used to be a store's counter, all in a similar black uniform, their weapons pointing in my general direction. I stepped into the light timidly and offered a greeting.
Immediately I heard a gasp and the sound of a gun hitting the floor. One of them, a muscular man with a pointy Mohawk, pointed at me.
"What the hell? I saw Benny shoot you with my own eyes," he said in disbelief. "Listen, we had no idea you were the courier with the chip. And once we saw it was you, it was too late," he continued, rambling. "Really, it's all that jackass Benny's fault. So we're really sorry, all right? Man, how did you survive that?"
One of the men bent over to pick up the gun he dropped. The other one seemed very troubled, his eyes bulging.
I just stared at them, eyebrows raised. "Look, guys, I don't know who you are, but... how do you know me?"
"Are you serious? We've been in the Khans together for five years. I mean, we were, until you decided to leave all of a sudden, then got yourself shot, which I'm sorry about, by the way…"
"WHAT!" I shrieked, startling almost everyone in the room. "Do you mean to tell me that I'm a member of the Great Khans?"
I felt Boone's hand on my shoulder and realized I was hyperventilating. The men looked at me like I was about to explode.
"She lost all of her memories when she got shot," Boone explained. "So she doesn't remember any of you."
I looked at him, and he raised his eyebrows at me in question. Boone was just as surprised as I was.
"I'm sorry," I finally said, taking a deep breath. "This is just a lot to take in."
"You really don't remember anything?" Mohawk guy asked. I shook my head.
"Okay, well, this is fucking crazy, but… I'm Jessup, this is Nate and Gras," he said, gesturing to the two men next to him.
"Nice to meet you," I said, smiling at the awkwardness of the whole situation. "So, do you think you guys could fill me in on what happened these past few months? Why did I become a courier? Why did I leave the Great Khans? Why—?"
Jessup interrupted me quickly, his expression softened. "Look, it's not really our place to tell you… you should go see Papa over in Red Rock. He'll tell you what happened."
"What, why?" I asked, disappointed. I was eager to learn about my life so I could try living it again.
"Just trust me."
"Oh, okay… I guess I should go to Red Rock, then," I said, about to leave. I stopped, remembering something important. "But wait! That's not even why I'm here. Where's my platinum chip?"
"Don't have it. Benny stole it, right before he stabbed us in the back," Jessup said, his eyes narrowed. "He's probably back at the Strip by now, laughing at me."
I sighed. "Sorry. Thanks for everything," I said. "See you around."
I reached over to Jessup without thinking and did a fist-pound and hand-slapping thing.
"Hey, at least you remember our old handshake," he said with a laugh.
I looked at my hand in awe. The memories were still there, they just hadn't been dug out of the grave yet.
"Who's this guy, anyway?" Jessup asked, jerking a thumb towards Boone. "Don't tell me you found a new boyfriend already."
I felt Boone tense beside me.
"This is Boone. He's my…" I paused, unsure. "…friend." I avoided Boone's gaze as I spoke.
"Does that mean I have a boyfriend, too?" I asked, suddenly nervous.
Once again, Jessup's face grew distant and distressed. "Just get to Red Rock," he said. "Here- a gift for you. It's Benny's lighter. Shove it up his ass when you catch up with him."