Chapter Four: Suspicious Delivery
Cass, Rob, Jeremy, and Tommy made their way to the Old Mormon Fort. Rob, Jeremy, and Tommy carried the crates of medicine. Cass kept one hand on her holster, just in case. Luckily, they reached the fort without incident.
When they arrived, Cass noticed almost all the beds were full. The patients that were able to, sat outside the tents. Pained groans drifted from some of the patients. Doctors flitted from tent to tent, administering what aid they could.
Cass and her group stopped in front of an oak desk where two armed guards sat. One of the guards, a blonde woman, looked up at the group.
"We're with the Happy Trails Caravan," said Cass. "We're here to deliver our shipment of medical supplies."
Just then, Julie Farkas walked up to the desk.
"They're here for our regular shipment," she said to the guards, before turning her head to the side. "Doctor Sama, Doctor Wilson, can we get some help over here?"
A tan-skinned and dark-haired doctor rushed over to Cass and her group. Cass turned to look at Rob.
"Can you help them for a minute?" she asked. "I need to talk to Julie."
Rob nodded. "We'll get it done."
With that, Rob, Tommy, and Jeremy followed Doctors Sama and Wilson toward the first tent on the right.
Cass then shifted her gaze to Julie. "We need to talk."
Julie's usually bright brown eyes turned somber, and she nodded once. "Follow me," she said.
Ruby slowly opened her eyes and sat up. She searched the dark room full of empty cots and IV machines. A bright green light emanated from her Pip-Boy, providing the only light in the room.
The door to the room was closed, but Ruby heard footsteps approaching. Just then, an Asian doctor opened the door and turned on the light. Ruby shielded her eyes, slowly adjusting to the bright room.
"Sorry about that," said Dr. Usanagi. "I just came in to check up on you. How are you feeling today?"
"Same as yesterday, Doc. Nothing hurts," Ruby replied with a shrug.
Dr. Usanagi nodded, adding some notes to her clipboard. Her gaze moved back to the dark-haired woman.
"I'm going to try something different today," said Dr. Usanagi. She moved toward the counter on the left side of the room and put down her clipboard. She opened one of the cupboards above and pulled out a cardboard box. Placing the box on the counter, she removed a blue and yellow vault suit with the number thirteen on the back. There was a leather pad over the left shoulder and a metallic pad with a leather covering on the right. "Do you remember this?"
Ruby leaned forward, squinting as she examined the vault suit. It looked vaguely familiar, but she wasn't sure why.
"Well, it's a vault suit. But I'm not sure who would've worn it," she admitted.
Dr. Usanagi sighed and folded up the vault suit before placing it back in the box. "Well, it was worth a try. Please let us know if you need anything. Anything at all."
"I will, thanks doc," Ruby replied.
"You're welcome," Dr. Usanagi said, before turning off the lights and leaving the room once more.
Ruby leaned back against her pillow.
Why the hell can't I remember anything, she thought.
Cass stood in Julie Farkas's room, looking between Julie Farkas and Arcade Gannon. Once Cass had asked to speak with Julie, she had requested Arcade Gannon's presence. The three had quickly made their way to Julie Farkas's room within the fort, before locking the door.
"Now, does someone want to tell me what the hell happened to Ruby?" Cass asked, looking between the two.
Julie and Arcade shared a concerned look.
What the hell are they worried about, the brunette thought.
"As I'm sure you've probably noticed, New Vegas is under new management," Julie began.
"Yeah, The Courier," Cass responded.
While she hadn't been particularly pleased with the turn of events at The Second Battle of Hoover Dam, she also hadn't argued with Ruby over them. By Cass's count, Ruby had beaten three more armies than anyone else that day. Or ever, for that matter.
"Not anymore," said Arcade, shaking his head.
"Then who's in charge of Vegas?" Cass asked, her patience growing thin. "And what does it have to do with Ruby?"
Julie's gaze flicked to the door, before quickly moving back to Cass.
"If you really want to know, then we'll need you to do us a favor," Julie finally replied. "We have a clinic just outside the city, and they're desperately low on supplies. We were hoping you would deliver the remainder of the medicine you brought to that clinic."
Crossing her arms over her chest, Cass studied the pair. She knew neither but she also knew they were hiding something.
"All right," she said. "I'll do it."
"Thank you," said Julie, looking relieved. "Have you ever been to this clinic before?"
"Yeah, I know where it is," Cass said with a nod.
"If our business here is finished, we should really attend to our patients," said Arcade, pushing his glasses further up his nose.
"You're right," Julie agreed with a nervous expression.
With that, the three of them walked toward the door. Cass watched as Julie swiftly unlocked the door before both Julie and Arcade rushed to tents on opposite sides of the fort.
What the hell are you two hiding, thought Cass with a raised brow.
Hello Again, Fellow Readers! As you may have noticed, I edited and reposted Chapter Two (see the author's note for that chapter for more details). While I know it's been awhile since I've updated, I also didn't want to rush these next few chapters (hence the edit of Chapter Two). I actually have chapters five through seven written, but it will take time to edit those.
In the meantime, if you feel so inclined, please feel free to leave a comment or a like! They're the best paycheck I have!