Chapter Five: Ring-A-Ding-Ding
As the sun sank below the horizon, the flashing lights of New Vegas shone for miles in every direction. New Vegas was a beacon of civilization. Of hope. One that the AI formerly known as Yes Man, now known as He, would do everything in his power to maintain. At the moment, He was meeting with several of his Securitrons inside Mr. House's former penthouse suite. The automatons stood in two rows of six in front of His monitor. The curtains covered the enormous windows, with the only light in the room coming from His screen and that of the other Securitrons.
I wonder if I could take out some of the furniture, He thought. Perhaps I'll ask about that later.
"We have several patrols outside The Ultra Luxe," said a Securitron on the far left, the cartoon police officer on his screen expressionless. "Thus far, we haven't heard any further complaints about you."
"Good," He said, in his usual cheery voice. "Continue monitoring them for the next week or so. Now, does anyone else have anything to add?"
"Yes, sir," said a Securitron in the front row. He would've turned his head and shifted his gaze to the machine if he could have.
"Go ahead," He said, keeping his tone light and cheerful.
"Recently, I've heard grumblings that some people believe that The Courier-"
Anger filled Him, threatening to boil over. The expression on his screen changed from a smile to a deep frown as his brows knitted together.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to use her name?" he shouted.
The sound reverberated across the room, and the other Securitrons froze as if waiting for him to explode. When he next spoke, he tried adopting his usual jovial tone. Shifting his cartoon expression from a deep frown to a huge smile, He hoped this would reassure the Securitrons.
"I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. Please, continue."
"Recently, I've heard that some people believe that she isn't dead, sir," the robot finished.
"Where are these people? Who specifically is saying these things?" He asked, as the cartoon facial expression transformed from a smile to a slight frown.
"I wasn't able to gather particulars, however, most of what I heard came from Freeside and Westside," the Securitron replied.
His cartoon face raised a brow. "Interesting," he said, drawing out the word for as long as possible. "I want some Securitrons moved to Freeside and Westside immediately."
"But sir, what about The Strip?" the Securitron in the middle of the first row asked.
"That's a good point. Where's Jaydon?" He replied.
"Currently sleeping in the Presidential Suite, sir," said the automaton in the center of the first row. "Would you like us to wake her?"
His cartoon brows scrunched together in thought and silence filled the penthouse.
She has done a lot today. I wonder if it might be best to let her rest, He thought. But then again, she's a machine like me. She doesn't need as much sleep as an organic might.
Once the supplies had been delivered and the blonde guard paid Cass, she grabbed one of the crates and the group left. Cass split the caps four ways and walked toward the nearest gate. As she walked past The Atomic Wrangler, Rob called out to her.
"Boss, are you coming?"
Cass turned around and looked at him. "Julie asked me to deliver some supplies to the medical clinic outside of New Vegas."
"Do you want someone to come with you?" Rob asked.
"No, stay in the city and make sure those boneheads don't get into any trouble," she said, shaking her head.
"Got it," he said.
Without another word, Cass continued walking while Rob herded the junior caravan members inside The Atomic Wrangler. As she approached the gate, Cass removed her ID card from her pocket and showed it to the Securitron.
"Happy Trails Caravan Leader, Rose of Sharon Cassidy," the robot said. "Yes, you may leave the city."
With that, the Securitron rolled away from the gate as it opened.
"Safe travels," said the automaton.
Cass resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Yeah right, she thought. As if you actually mean it.
Keeping her eyes peeled, Cass stepped through the gate. With her heart hammering in her chest, she walked in the direction of the New Vegas clinic.
Her gaze continually scanned the surrounding area, marching past the occasional partially collapsed building or group of drug addicts. Every once in a while, she had to avoid the stray tumbleweed. While she hadn't encountered any enemies thus far, she knew in the Mojave it was better to be safe than sorry.
Where the hell is Ruby, thought Cass, and not for the first time.
Fortunately, she reached the New Vegas Medical Clinic without incident. With one hand, she opened the door. Upon stepping inside, an Asian doctor, followed by two well-armed and armored guards, approached Cass.
"Hello, how may I be of assistance?" Dr. Usanagi asked.
"My name is Cass," said Cass, placing the crate on the nearby metallic desk. "I was told by Julie Farkas to bring this to the clinic."
"Our monthly medicinal supply," said Dr. Usanagi, walking toward the table and taking the crate. "Thank you so much. My name's Doctor Usanagi, by the way. If you'll follow me, I can provide you with your payment."
Well, that's a nice surprise, Cass thought. I didn't think I would be getting paid twice.
"Lead the way," she said.
Jaydon nodded at the Securitrons as she entered Freeside. One of His minions had recently woken her to inform her of her latest assignment. While this wasn't the first time this had happened, it still greatly annoyed her.
How the hell am I supposed to do what He's asking this time, she thought.
Jaydon felt the eyes of nearby homeless people move to her. There were numerous groups standing around trash can fires within the area near the gate. Ignoring their gazes, she walked along the mostly empty streets. She knew she wouldn't be allowed to rest until she found the source of these rumors.
Back at the medical clinic outside New Vegas, the two security guards remained in the lobby while Cass followed Dr. Usanagi down the hall. The Followers doctor stopped at the second to last door on the right and opened it. As Dr. Usanagi turned on the light, Cass followed her inside. Cabinets lined the walls of the room with cupboards hanging from above.
The doctor bent down and opened one of the cabinets. She then looked at Cass. "I'll take this."
Cass handed her the crate and watched Dr. Usanagi slide the crate into the cabinet. She then closed the cabinet and opened a cupboard, handing Cass a handful of caps.
"Thanks," said Cass. "So, how many patients do you have here?"
"Just one full-time patient," Dr. Usanagi answered. "But there are many people who come here daily seeking medical treatment. This medicine is for them."
Cass raised a brow. "You really only have one full-time patient?"
"Yes," said Dr. Usanagi as she closed the cabinet drawer.
"Where are they?" Cass asked, her curiosity piqued.
The Followers doctor slowly stood up and closed the cabinet door. "Right this way."
Cass followed the other woman out of the room and to the next room. When she turned on the light, Cass's brown eyes widened at the brown woman lying in one of the cots, with green light coming from her Pip-Boy as she murmured in her sleep.
"Ruby?" Cass asked as relief, anger, and confusion warred inside her.
Hello Again, Loyal Readers! I know I keep reposting chapters and I apologize for that. However, after I originally posted this chapter, I didn't feel quite right about it. So, I made a few edits that I hope will improve things.
Additionally, I've finished writing this story. What that means is, all I need to do now is edit (my least favorite part of the process). Because I am still improving as a writer and have other projects I'm working on, this will take some time.
In the interim, if you feel so inclined, please feel free to leave a comment or a like and I'll see you next chapter!