Et Tumor, Brute?
Caesar confesses that he's been experiencing headaches and spacing out a lot. He points out that this has been happening ever since that he has been ordering the Courier around.
Six diagnoses of brain tumor. She points out the symptoms of it and confirms that it is treatable.
Caesar requests from some tools off of a Doctor's Bag and maybe repair the Auto-Doc and asks her to cure his condition as he doesn't know how long he's got.
Six decided to try something out and suggest that the Followers of the Apocalypse will treat him. Caesar allowed it as she points out that she is also one of them. Six asks for a deal: The Followers will cure his brain tumor and in exchange, the Followers of the Apocalypse will not be ousted out of the Mojave and will be allowed to care for refugees as they see fit. Caesar accepted it due to his respect for his former colleagues.
Six ordered Ulysses to inform Julie Farkas as well as Arcade Gannon who was Six's Companion back when she was helping the Followers of the Apocalypse. She also ordered him to have Christine be her companion in his place.
Six arrived at the old Mormon Fort where Julie is expecting her and gestured to her office. Arcade and Christine are already inside.
Julie began the conversation. "Your messenger told us that you want a meeting?"
Six nodded and went straight for the point as always. "I'm want you to be Caesar's physicians."
Julia and Arcade became furious, Six wasn't surprised. Julie shouted. "Absolutely not! Out of the question! We are not going to end up as slaves!"
Six raised an eyebrow at that and said. "Did I say slave? I didn't and I made an agreement with Caesar that you will have your freedom and you're allowed to do your mission. The Legion will not assimilate you and they will stay out of your way."
Arcade demanded. "Do you have proof of that?"
Six replied. "I do. I have a letter, written by Caesar himself."
Julie just scoffed and said. "I think we've heard enough. The door's over there. Use it and leave the Fort."
Six sighed and pointed out. "I'm afraid that you don't have much of a choice."
Julie glared at Six. "Is that a threat?"
Six said nothing but pulled out the letter from her pack and held it out. "Read it."
"Six, if this is-"
"Just read it Farkas!" Six raised her voice, making Arcade jump involuntarily, he remembered the last time Six raised her voice was when Veronica disobeyed her command to tell her when and where is she going. It nearly got her killed by Vipers.
Veronica spent that day without dinner and sat in a corner as punishment.
Julie's eyes went wide at the outburst and then hesitantly take the letter and read it. Arcade looked over her shoulder as she read it. She gave the letter back to Six as she said. "This is Caesar's handwriting. How do I know if he will honor it?"
Six replied. "If he doesn't, I'll make sure to make him honor the agreement. By force if necessary."
Arcade asked. "Are you sure that we won't be slaves as you promised?"
Six answered. "I swear by the Platinum Chip that you won't be slaves."
Arcade can tell that if Six swears by the very package she is supposed to deliver, chances are she meant it. He was with her when she killed Benny and he commented about Caesar's most notorious spy meeting her in the middle of the Strip.
Julie tiredly sighed and asked. "All right, we will go to Caesar and treat his brain tumor. Can you guarantee us safe passage?"
"I can." Six replied then she turned to Christine. "Take this Mark and escort these Followers to Cottonwood Cove. If the Legionnaires ask, tell them that the Followers are going to cure Caesar's sickness. I'll just change and meet you there."
When Christine nodded, Six left the Fort to change to her red dress: Wave. Christine waited while Arcade and Julie pack up medical supplies they'll need for the operation of brain tumor. Christine escorted the two doctors to the long trek to Cottonwood Cove.
Of course, they ran into some trouble along the way: mostly Jackals and Vipers. Arcade used the Q-35 Matter Modulator That Six gave him to kill things while Christine just used her Gauss rifle named YCS/186.
They arrived at Cottonwood Cove where an Explorer asked them. "What are two Followers doing here?"
Christine showed him Six's Mark Of Caesar. "They have been asked by Six to cure Caesar's condition."
The Explorer saw the mark and nodded. He just told the two Followers to behave. Six arrived a minute after the Explorer left then they boarded Cursor Lucullus' boat.
Arcade and Julie felt anxiety knowing that every Legionary is watching them. They just hope that Six will be able to uphold her end of the bargain.
They arrived at the tent where Caesar warmly greeted. "I'm glad you came and I have the Courier to thank for sending you to me. I understand that my former allegiance as a Follower has made you upset but I give you my word that if you succeed removing my tumor, I will allow you to do your mission as you see fit and you will not be disturbed by the Legion."
He went towards his bed and laid there. Julie and Arcade readied their tools for the operation. Six called out to them. "If you guys botch this operation and Caesar dies, consider my promise to you annulled."
Julie said annoyed. "And you'll kill us we know."
Six scoffed and asked, crossing her arms. "Who said it'd be me?" She pointed her thumb at Lucius who crackled his knuckles. Then she said. "If you're lacking anything, talk to me and I'll provide you what you need. Just remove Caesar's brain tumor please."
They nodded and Lucius left the room while Six watched.
Arcade and Julie worked hard knowing that Six is watching. Using the tools needed for surgery, they managed to carefully removed the tumor out of Caesar's brain.
Julie reported to Six. "The brain tumor has been removed. Caesar must rest for a while after the operation."
Arcade asked. "Can we leave yet? We did what you asked."
Six replied. "You guys did great however we must wait for Caesar's word before we leave." The doctors groaned but accepted it. To make up for the waiting, Six suggested training a slave named Siri complete medicine. They accepted because they will have something to do.
After three and a half days, Caesar woke up and sat on his throne, he said to Six. "I thank you for convincing the Followers to treat me despite my actions. I wish to speak to them."
Six nodded and went to Arcade and Julie who finished Siri's training and have them enter the tent. Caesar declared. "You have my gratitude from curing me of my condition. As I promised in my letter, you are permitted to stay in the Mojave and care for people like you do in the past. My Legion will not interfere with the Followers of the Apocalypse."
Julie curtly replied. "Thank you Caesar."
Caesar looked at Arcade and said. "I would like to have a physician who I can ask for checkup for my daily health. Perhaps you would be the one?"
Six sternly told Caesar. "We have a deal. They are to treat you and then go free."
Caesar smoothly pointed out. "Yes but I need a physician who I can somehow turn advice on and look after my health needs."
Six refused. "No. You'd turn them into slaves and I know what you're looking at. I should let you know that Arcade Gannon is also my companion though he doesn't like the company I keep."
Caesar asked. "Can you convince this Arcade to be my physician?"
Six shook her head. "He will refuse because he knows that he will be a SLAVE physician and I'm not allowing any Companion of mine to be a slave. Not for all the gold in the Sierra Madre."
Caesar narrowed his eyes but before he could speak, Six called to Christine and ordered her to have Julie leave and wait for the entrance. Christine tugged on Julie's sleeve and escorted her out, leaving Arcade and Six remaining.
Caesar spoke out. "I don't like your defiant tone with me Courier."
Six shot back. "And I don't like you changing the deal. I promised that they will have their freedom and they will."
Caesar sighed. "Your sentimentality is one that I highly dislike."
Six fired back. "When I was asleep in the Mojave desert, Arcade saved my life by killing the Vipers who thought that they could kill me in my sleep."
Caesar calmly mused. "If this Arcade can defend himself, then I can have a capable bodyguard despite my Praetorians here."
Six shook her head. "You can offer me a high position in your court, I will still not allow you to take Arcade as your slave."
Caesar raised an eyebrow. "Did I say slave? I didn't I assure you that Arcade will be treated well here."
Six snorted, not believing it. "I doubt that your Legionnaires will think the same."
Caesar's temper started to rise. "I want Arcade. You will give him to me."
Six continued refused. "I think not."
Caesar stood up from his throne. "You dare refuse me?! The mighty Caesar!?"
Six snorted. "I do. Arcade's more than just my companion, he's my friend! I'm not letting any friend of mine be your slave no matter how much you spin it!"
Arcade beamed at Six. Never in his wildest dreams did he thought that someone like Six would stand up to a tyrant like Caesar. His hopes rose and felt a fire within him than he felt possible.
Caesar finally had enough. "Enough of this! Praetorians! Seize the Doctor!"
"Arcade, hide!" Six ordered as she pulled out her Orange and Red Lightsabers.
Arcade didn't need to be told twice as he ran to a table and hid there. Six expertly evaded and dodged the Praetorian's punches as she stabbed two men on the torsos and tripped the third and knocked him out with her heel. Lucius was stunned that a woman could best his Praetorians.
Six glared at Caesar. "Be grateful that I set my Lightsabers to low or these Praetorians would've been sliced in half. Will you let Arcade go?"
Caesar growled, accepting defeat from this woman. "Fine. Get him out of my sight. And you owe me an apology for your defiance."
Six cooly replied. "Very well. I apologize for knocking your men out and I apologize for this defiance but I won't apologize for defending Arcade and it will do."
Caesar snarled. "Apology granted."
Six barked at Arcade. "Arcade, get your things and follow me."
Arcade went out of the table he's hiding on and picked up his kit in a rush of excitement. He ran to the Courier and said, without sparing Caesar so much as a glance. "I'm ready."
Six nodded and they left.
After, they left the Fort, the group was midway to Wolfhorn Ranch as Arcade suddenly called to Six. "I need to talk to you about something and it's private." He whispered the last part so that Christine and Julie won't hear it.
Six sensed that it's personal to Arcade so she ordered Christine and Julie to go on without them. "So what is it you want to talk about?" She asked as they walked inside the ranch.
Arcade nervously said. "I shouldn't be saying this because you're a part of the Legion but I feel like I owe you for standing up to Caesar for me. Hopefully what I have can even things between things."
Six was intrigued. "I'm listening."
Arcade explained that he was a part of the Enclave as his father was an officer. He pointed out that he kept in contact with his father's old squadron and he knows their locations. He can gather them together for the upcoming battle for Hoover Dam. Six accepted.
With Arcade's help, Six located Daisy Whitman, Cannibal Johnson, Doctor Henry, Orion Moreno and Judah Kreger and told them that Arcade is gathering the Remnants and they told her the phrase to unlock the bunker where they're going to meet.
Dear old friends, remember Navarro.
They entered and Six told Judah that they will help the Legion take over the Dam. Judah points out that Johnson won't join as he hates the Legion. Six accepts as Judah tells her that he won't turn on them but he won't help.
"We'll be ready. Don't worry." Judah tells Six as she and Arcade leave the room for them to plan.
Once they reached topside, Arcade tells Six. "Uh..now that I have told you my secret, can you do me a favor and don't tell it to Caesar?"
Six nodded. "My lips are sealed. Your secret is safe with me."
Arcade felt relieved as he said. "I hate to ask you of this but I think it's better for me to stay in Freeside and tend to the people."
To his relief, Six accepted it. "As long as you don't get in the Legion's way, I'm fine with that."
Arcade smiled and offered a hand. "Now we're even Courier. Thanks for doing this, bringing them back again. Maybe after all of this is over, we'll see each other again."
Six took his hand and shook it. To her surprise, Arcade also embraced but she let it. Once they released, they went their separate ways.
Back at the old Mormon Fort, if Julie noticed that Arcade is more relaxed and going out more openly, she didn't say it.