"Get her in the bed! We need to strap her arms down. Where the fuck is Gannon!?"
"He's on his way. We only just caught him before-"
"C-RON KN-AS SHUGG'S THARANAK."
"Strap her fucking arms do-"
.
.
They're after something. She's after something. I don't... I don't know what it is.
.
.
"What the hell happened to her?"
"She reacted to James. Either she has latent Psyker physiology or his abilities latched-"
"UG-QUALTOTH THARANAKI SYHA'N."
"What is she saying?"
"I don't know. Every time I try and bring her out of whatever this is, it just makes it worse. Get more bandages, now!"
"Christ... that's her blood?!"
.
.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't... didn't know. I didn't mean for this to happen.
.
.
"PH'NGLUI MGLW'NAFH UG-QUALTOTH RA'LEIHA WGAH'NAGL FHTAGN. PH'NGLUI MGLW'NAFH UG-QUALTOTH RA'LEIHA WGAH'NAGL FHTAGN."
"She keeps repeating that phrase... Ug-gualthoth..."
"Gannon get your head out of those fucking words and focus! WE ARE LOSING HER."
"GOF'NN VULGTLAGLN N'GHFT'FHALMA. KADISHTU. KADISHTU. KAD... ISH..."
"Don't you fucking quit on me now! Gannon-"
"On it. Clear!"
.
.
They're coming, but you have time. She's methodical - cautious. She won't attack until she is at her strongest, and you're at your weakest. Get ready. Get them ready. Veron- -ica-
.
.
"The headgear seems to be helping."
"I should have thought of it sooner."
"What about James?"
"He's dead."
"Oh... I'm sorry."
.
-don't have- -they don't- -know-
.
.
"Denn tells me you probably can't hear me, but he can twist for all I care. Can't see it hurting anything in any-case... so figured I'd come down and pay you a visit, just like we did for Gannon not too long ago. ... Never thought I'd have a one-sided conversation with you. Can't say I care for it much... Hey, remember the lake above the dam? The mirelurks there have to be eating something, right? Stands to reason it could be-"
.
.
-save- -them-
.
.
"I have to do it, Veronica. What you experienced... would break you... if I let it. If I wake you up now, your mind would shatter, and I would never be able to put it back together again. I need to remove whatever James did to you. I need to save you. I'm... I'm sorry. I wish that there was another way."
.
.
Save him.
.
.
.
Well, it's been about a year since I started this story. During that time we've barely moved forward a few days, but the time jumps do make the story seem a lot longer than it is (in universe time wise). There's been a bit of a lull writing wise, and I apologize for that. Getting some stuff handled, or doing my best to. No promises to update more often, but I am going to get the story out... eventually.
These last three chapters mark the end of the first section. It's been kind of odd, starting with such a climactic battle, but that's where the story of an independent New Vegas begins. Obsidian did a wonderful job with the game and I hope this story has done the source material justice.
The story started as, and continues to be, a form of therapy. Because of that, certain sections will be more difficult for me to get a handle on, and I apologize for that. As to why I'm posting something meant as therapy to fanfiction... I don't rightly know. I guess I feel somebody needs to read it, and thanks for doing so.