8
The room was smaller than she expected. Wide enough to walk around the desk, with filing cabinets lined up against the walls. Moriarty had dropped into a large, comfortable leather chair and already had two shot-glasses filled with whiskey. He tapped the top of the desk, his legs crossed, staring at Patience as she entered, Valrie close behind.
The mouth breather turned stood behind Moriarty, arms crossed, the .45 now holstered and an assault rifle strung to his back. The man was young, around twenty, no older than twenty-five, but he had the eyes of an older man. A sharp scar paralleled his left eyebrow and the military grade body armour and fatigues looked battered and well worn on his well muscled body. Patience knew a dangerous man when she saw one.
"Five hundred caps." They were the first words that Moriarty uttered as soon as Patience sat in one of the low chairs opposite the man.
"Go fuck yourself. Five hundred caps, my ass." Valrie drank one of the shots of whiskey before she even sat down. "That's a play and you know it. Don't fuck around. Tell her what you really want for the map."
"I don't recall looking at you when I called my price, Valrie dear." He didn't look at Valrie. His eyes remained upon Patience, finger tap, tap, tapping the desk top. "Five hundred caps."
"What she said." Patience leaned back lifting one foot on to her other knee. "I don't know much about the economy around here, but five hundred sounds deliberately excessive. You want me to refuse. To try and bargain. Come over as desperate."
For the first time, Moriarty looked away, upwards to his companion, or bodyguard. The man didn't move, his eyes blazed at Patience. He did, Patience noticed, flex his fingers. It was slight. A tiny amount. The man was anxious. Impatient. Moriarty returned his eyes to Patience.
"Alright. You're both clever girls." He pushed the remaining full shot glass towards Patience, retrieved the empty one and refilled it from the bottle, downing it with one, swift gulp. "What do you think isn't 'excessive'?"
"How about nothing, you rat faced fuck?" Valrie took the glass in front of Patience and drank the contents, almost throwing the empty glass across the table to Moriarty. He continued to ignore her.
"It's another play. You want me to offer something so you can turn it down and appear offended." With her hands in her lap, relaxed, inoffensive, Patience made a deliberate blink. She wasn't about to allow the man to think he was in a staring contest. "You have an offer in mind, right now, you just want impose your authority in the matter. Like these chairs compared to yours. Yours is big, comfy, high. Ours are low, simple and rough. It's a power thing. If you need props to show how powerful you are, then you don't have as much power as you think."
"Is that right?" The tapping increased in speed and weight.
"It is." Without looking at Moriarty's bodyguard, Patience nodded towards him. "Like him. Big man. Big guns. Crossed arms to impress us with his size. Yet, he's worried. Anxious. He knows I could kill him before his finger itched towards his .45."
The man moved for the first time, arms uncrossing, eyes blazing, face in a grimace. Before his arms had finished uncrossing, Patience's sidearm found itself aimed at his groin. The man froze. Patience's eyes never left Moriarty and the Irishman begin to chuckle, placing a hand on his bodyguard's arm, pushing him back.
"Well, aren't you the cocky little bitch?" He leaned back in his chair, stroking the Van Dyke. "Alright, you win. We cut the bullshit."
"About fucking time." Valrie reached for the whiskey bottle, but Moriarty thwarted her, moving it out of reach. Instead, she took out a cigarette, lit it and blew smoke over the table towards Moriarty.
"You, my fast drawing friend, want to go to Vault-Tec HQ. I want something from Vault-Tec HQ." Again, he refilled the shot glasses, giving Valrie a warning glance. "It's come to my attention that there's information in the Vault-Tec computers that I want, but it can only be accessed by someone with one of those fancy bangles you got there on your arm."
"What kind of information?" Patience had still not holstered her pistol, keeping it aimed at the bodyguard's groin.
"Let me tell you a story." He waved at Patience's pistol, a dismissive gesture, and waited for her to return it to the holster on her hip. "Now, there's a man comes into my lovely establishment. Once a week, every week. Every week, he chooses one of my whores. He prefers Nova, but he's not fussy. Any whore will do. Woman, man, hell, I reckon he'd be fine with the fucking ghoul! So, anyways, this man has a kink. He likes to lick arses. Not the arse-hole. The arse. The buttocks. The crack. Never the arse-hole. Spends an hour doing just that, the weird fucker. Now, I'm a curious man. I like to know things. But I never, ever ask him why he likes licking arses. I never ask."
"Why?" It was Valrie that asked the question, leaning forward.
"I'll tell you why I don't ask." For the first time he gave Valrie more than a glance, eyes boring into her. "Because it's none of my fucking business, is why! Same as it's none of your fucking business why I want that information!"
"That's your price for the map? Access to Vault-Tec computers?" Moriarty's eyes returned to Patience, losing the ire he showed towards Valrie.
"That's my fucking price." He spread his arms in smug triumph. "And it's not a map I'll be giving you, it's a guide."
"Aww, fuck no!" Valrie realised before Patience what Moriarty meant, pointing towards the bodyguard. "You think she's going to trust that fucker?"
"It's either him or nothing." Moriarty sat back in his chair, interlocking his fingers on his stomach. He'd put Patience and Valrie in check, he now waited for the sacrifice or the surrender. "Vincent, show the ladies your warmest smile."
The bodyguard, Vincent, did nothing of the sort. He remained in his cross-armed position, not even the slightest sign of a smile on his face. Patience considered things for a moment. She had no illusions that she could trust Vincent, or, especially, Moriarty. It boiled down to a matter of whether what she needed to do was worth the danger.
She reached over, taking the full shot glass and downed it in one gulp, turning it over and slamming it down upon Moriarty's desk.
"Done." She only hoped she wouldn't come to regret the decision.
"You're listening to the adventures of me, Herbert "Daring" Dashwood, and my stalwart ghoul manservant, Argyle. Today's episode: If you knew Olney, like I know Olney."
"Well, here it is, boss. Old Olney. And I can think of a million places I'd rather be."
"Chin up, Argyle, old chum. We'll put this mystery to bed before lunchtime."
"Are you sure, boss? You've been scratching your head for ten minutes."
"It's this dashed map! I can't seem to make head nor tail of it. What do your ghoulish eyes see?"
"Well, if that building is this building and this building is that building, that puts us in front of this building."
"That's what I like about you, Argyle. Always building to a crescendo."
"That's terrible, boss. Stick to adventuring and leave the comedy to politicians, why don't ya?"
"Rawwwwr!"
"What was that?"
"Nothing to worry about, O' faithful manservant. It's probably just the wind."
"No it ain't, boss. It's a Deathclaw! Shall I use the Deva-Strafer now?"
"Not yet, it only has charge for one good shot. I say ... we run!"
"Great idea, boss!"
"Rawwwwr rawwwwr!"
"It's gaining on us and I don't fancy becoming a ghoul shish kabob!"
"Quick! Into the sewers!"
"Are you sure, boss. Hiding in sewers never goes well for us."
"Nonsense! What's the worst that could happen?"
"Screech clang!"
"Stop right there, surface dwellers!"
"Ghouls! With guns!"
"Geez, boss, talk about out of the frying pan, into the fire!"
"Be sure and tune in next time for another exciting adventure of me, Herbert "Daring" Dashwood and my stalwart ghoul manservant Argyle!"
Patience could tell that Valrie was itching to say something. She did remain silent as they left Moriarty's office, even as the saloon owner offered 'free cock, or pussy, or both' for the rest of the day. Patience didn't even turn him down, feeling the growing anger from Valrie as they left the saloon.
The low-lying mist had dissipated, somewhat, and the paths and trails of Megaton were growing more crowded as they pushed their way down the ramp, passing the Brass Lantern, and then onwards towards the ramp leading to Craterside Supplies. When the crowd eased a little, Valrie grabbed Patience's arm, turning her around.
"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Valrie's eyes maintained a constant movement, ensuring no-one stopped to listen. "I've told you that fucker can't be trusted and still you go right ahead and decide to take his fucking bodyguard with you. You are dumber than a feral ghoul with its ass on fire!"
"It's alright. I can handle Vincent." Somehow, she knew this for a fact. The man had training, that was clear. He was also strong and not stupid, at least, not that stupid. Yet, she knew she could beat him. Knew for certain. "Besides, he won't do anything until he has what Moriarty wants. After that, yeah, he'll probably try something, but I'll be ready.
"Oh! You know that for a fucking fact?" Valrie reached up and rapped her knuckles on Patience's forehead. "Wake up, dumb ass! Moriarty does nothing for free! And don't go thinking that he thinks getting him this 'information' is payment. It is not!"
"I'll be fine!" Patience found it cute that Valrie seemed worried. She may come across as gruff and vulgar, but there was a heart to the woman. "You just go on back to Wintergreen. Make sure he hasn't burned down your store."
Valrie rubbed her chin, walked away a few paces and then turned back. It was obvious she was fighting some kind of dilemma. She tugged at her coat, then adjusted her football helmet. Lifting her finger, she seemed to be about to say something and stopped. Looked both ways at people passing by.
"I'm not going home." Valrie grimaced at Patience's raised eyebrow. "I'm coming with you. God damn it! I can't let you go in there alone with that man's gun-for-hire. And don't think I'm doing it for fucking free! It'll cost you! I don't know what, but you'll pay for it somehow."
"Oh, Valrie! I didn't know you cared." Patience tried to hide the little smile.
"I don't! I'm protecting an investment. I've put a lot of time into you and I don't want it going to waste." Valrie avoided Patience's eyes, looking anywhere else. "I swear, i'll make certain that, if I die following your stupid ass into the Ruins, I'll make sure Wintergreen hunts you down!"
"He'll only forget." Patience couldn't help but chuckle.
Valrie's bravado lessened, a little. She looked up at Patience and shared a wry smile. Patience had only known the woman for a few days, yet she felt they had been friends for much longer. Valrie would never admit to it, this was obvious. Patience got the impression that Valrie had a nomadic sense of friendship. Seeing people only for short amounts of time, moving on. But the older woman was infectious and had a certain dirt charm about her.
"You're arm's blinking." Valrie pointed at the Pip-Boy on Patience's arm. A green light on the screen blinking in a short, slow rhythm.
Lifting her arm, Patience cycled through the options on the Pip-Boy, passing the 'Status', 'VATS', 'Data' and 'Map' options to the blinking 'Radio' option. Selecting that, she saw a new channel, labeled 'Unknown', blinking on the green screen. Raising an eyebrow towards Valrie, she selected the option.
"Oh, hey! Uh, hi!" It was Moira's voice. "I'm hoping this worked and it's Patience listening. If not, sorry, it's all a misunderstanding. If it is Patience, hello! I've been looking through the data I got from your Pip-Boy and you should come see me ... Oh, it's Moira, by the way. From Craterside Supplies. Moira Brown. Uh, see ya soon! Bye, bye, bye-bye, byeee"
The message cut off and the radio option 'Unknown' winked from the screen as if it had never been there. Patience and Valrie looked at each other, bemused. It was clear that Valrie didn't know the Pip-Boy could do that and Patience, for certain, didn't know. Of course, neither of them had much experience with the device. At least, not as far as Patience could remember.
"I think that was Moira." She was being sarcastic, but Valrie seemed as impressed as Patience. Before they began to move towards Craterside Supplies, where they had found themselves summoned, Valrie held Patience's arm. "Don't think we haven't stopped talking about how fucking stupid you're being, by the way."
"Oh, I think you'll find every opportunity to tell me how fucking stupid I am." Patience winked at Valrie, forcing a reluctant smile from the older woman. "Just make sure it's not while we're running away from Super Mutants. I hate distractions."
"Right. That's good. Make it all into a fucking joke. I don't mind." Valrie shrugged her shoulders and continued moving. "I swear, you'll be the fucking death of me!"
Patience grinned as she followed Valrie up the ramp. She knew, and she appreciated, what Valrie was saying. Moriarty was as slimy a person she could recall meeting. If he said the night was dark, she'd stay awake all night, to be certain. She couldn't trust him and, by association, neither could Vincent, but they were mere steps on the way to finding who she was and where she came from.
And, for that, she was more than willing to face a little danger and distrust.
They found Moira, the upper half of her body buried deep into a barrel with a 'Hazardous Waste' sticker on it, the bottom half making frantic kicks in the air, with the occasional upside-down jump. It was obvious the young shopkeeper had found herself stuck.
With more than a little effort, Patience and Valrie managed to extricate Moira, who emerged wearing the thickest of rubber gloves and an ancient gas mask. The lenses for the eyes of the gas mask steamed up and Moira was unable to see her rescuers. In one of her rubber gloved hands, she held a small, empty vial.
"Hey! Thank you! I would have got out. Eventually." She removed the gas mask, revealing her face, pouring with sweat, her hair sticking to her forehead. "Don't worry about the 'Hazardous Waste' thing. I'm sure it's just a precaution. Probably."
"That's why you wore the thick gloves and gas mask, right?" Valrie stepped backwards as Moira stepped forwards. "As a precaution."
"Absolutely!" Moira looked around for somewhere to drop the gas mask. Unable to see a bench, she dropped it beside the barrel and forgot about it immediately. She held up the empty vial. "I'm almost one hundred percent certain that this is no longer active. Well, seventy-five percent. No less than sixty percent certain."
"I quake in fear at your confidence." Patience also stepped away from Moira as the young woman passed by towards a work bench at the other side of the shop. Moira smiled, unaware of the thinly veiled joke. "Nice trick with the radio, by the way."
"That?" Moira waved her rubber gloved hand. "That was nothing. I just isolated the frequency of the two-way communications in your Pip-Boy, created a non-random interference algorithm, piggy-backed onto the signal and implemented a simplex delivery system. By tomorrow we should have two-way radio between us."
"That's ... that's brilliant. Is there anything you can't do?" Moira turned to Patience and gave the question considerable thought.
"Play musical instruments." She turned back to the work bench performing a slow, sad shake of the head. "It's supposed to be just mathematics but I can't, for the life of me, understand a darned thing about it. Maybe one day."
Moira sighed and stared into space for a few seconds before pulling off the rubber gloves and tossing them at her feet. Using, what looked like a long stemmed Q-Tip, Moira swabbed the inside of the small vial, then wiped the swab on a glass slide. With an eye-dropper, she took a small amount of liquid from a test tube, dripped it onto the slide then pressed another glass slide against the first. The sandwiched slide then found its way onto the stage of a microscope.
"Moira! You said we should come see you. Something about data?" Valrie tried to catch Moira's attention as the young woman stared into the eyepiece of the microscope. Valrie raised her voice. "Moira! Jebus fucking Christ. Moira!"
"Hmm?" Moira's perpetual smile and wide-eyed interest in everything, now focussed, once again on Valrie and Patience. "Oh, yeah. Come with me."
Moira picked up the microscope, hesitated, put it down again, hesitated once more and picked it up again. She carried the microscope to the side of the store with the terminal, setting it down at the side. Performing a few taps on the keyboard, slapping the top of the terminal and few more taps, she pointed at the screen.
"We're not all fucking geniuses, genius." Valrie squinted at the screen. "Just tell us what you found."
"Well, this, here, this is a bunch of deleted data from Patience's Pip-Boy. I took a copy of everything. For research purposes, you know." Moira crouched down and pulled out a box from beneath the terminal's desk. Reaching in, she pulled out a thick pile of listing paper and started to sift through the continuous, folded stack. She soon stopped, prodding a finger at a spot on the print-out. "And there. Clear as day."
"Moira, I know you think you're making complete sense, but Valrie and me, we don't have a clue what you mean." Patience saw Moira struggling with how to explain what she had found, looking from Patience to Valrie and back again. "Take it slow. Explain it like you would to the dumbest person you know."
"Umm. Okay." Moira scratched her head and removed a pencil from the messy bun. She used it to point at the listing paper and then the screen. "It appears several times, a bunch of letters, a mnemonic identifier, where 'n' is an integer increasing in value, 'm' stands for 'Modified' and 'FEV' stands for 'Forced Evolution Virus'. ' .n'. Over and over."
"And that's how you fucking explain something to the dumbest person you know?" Valrie crossed her arms, frowning. "Dumb it down. More."
"FEV, Forced Evolution Virus, is what created Super Mutants." Moira looked at Patience, sadness creeping into her eyes. "I think that's what might get injected into you at one of those locations in your Pip-Boy. I think it'll turn you into a Super-Mutant."
Patience stumbled backwards, her mind a whirl. She felt sick. Began to retch. The room span as she tried to make sense of what she had heard. Lifting her arm, she stared at the Pip-Boy and then began to claw at it, pulling at the edges, trying to rip the damned thing from her arm. Valrie moved so fast, Patience didn't even see her. The older woman grabbed Patience in a bear hug, holding her arms to the side and leading her to a chair.
She couldn't turn into one of those monsters. She'd kill herself first.