Chapter Six: Sins of the Past
A million questions raced through Cass's mind as her mouth hung open. She couldn't believe that Ruby was alive. And sleeping in the New Vegas Medical Clinic.
"What the hell is she doing here?" Cass asked.
"Please try to keep your voice down," Dr. Usanagi replied in a low voice.
She motioned for Cass to follow her, and Cass reluctantly did so. The Followers doctor turned off the light and closed the door. Cass repeated her question at a lower volume.
"What the hell is she doing here?"
"She was brought to Julie Farkas with a headshot wound. Arcade was able to remove the bullet, and when she'd recovered from surgery, was brought here," Dr. Usanagi responded. "However, she has retrograde amnesia."
but Ruby can't remember anything that happened before she was shot in the head. In essence, she has retrograde amnesia," Dr. Usanagi replied. "Shortly after she recovered from surgery, she was brought here."
Damn Ruby, you have the shittiest luck, thought Cass, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. She then removed her fingers from her nose and opened her eyes.
"What does that mean?" she asked.
"It means that Ruby can't remember anything from before she was shot in the head," Dr. Usanagi replied.
Cass's heart sank as her expression fell. "So, she doesn't remember me at all?"
The Followers doctor nodded. "That's correct."
"You know once He finds out, he's going to come here and finish the job, don't you?" Cass said.
"That's what I was hoping to talk to you about," said Dr. Usanagi, wringing her hands together nervously. "I've briefly spoken to Julie, and she says it's not safe for Ruby here anymore. He is still searching for her while he tries to stabilize His regime."
"Right, but how does this involve me again?" Cass asked.
"Julie and I are hoping you could smuggle Ruby as far away from here as possible," Dr. Usanagi answered. "We can't pay you-"
"I'll do it," said Cass.
I can't let Ruby down again, I won't she thought.
Back in Freeside, Jaydon approached The King's School of Impersonation. This gang was typically well-informed about events happening in Freeside.
Hopefully, they won't try fighting me when I talk to them this time, she thought.
As the dark-haired synth grew closer to The King's headquarters, the guards outside the Pre-War building tensed. Their brows knitted together as they crossed their arms over their chests.
Like twin synths, thought Jaydon.
"What do you want?" the redheaded guard asked his gaze hard as steel.
"I came to ask if you've heard any rumors about her," Jaydon replied.
"Who's her?" the blond guard sneered.
Of course, they're going to make things difficult, she thought. Because that's what they do.
Jaydon rolled her eyes. "Ruby. The Courier. Have you heard anything?"
Before either could answer, a dark-haired and darkly dressed man stepped outside. Jaydon braced herself as Pacer stepped in between Jaydon and the guards.
"What's going on out here?" he asked in his usual Elvis accent.
"He has heard rumors about The Courier. I'm here to see if any of you know anything," Jaydon replied.
Personally, she found Pacer nosy, hardheaded, and obnoxious. However, with His reprimand from earlier that day still fresh in her mind, Jaydon did her best to keep her anger in check.
"Well, we haven't heard no word about The Courier," Pacer replied, folding his arms over his chest. "So why don't you skedaddle on back to your master and tell him to buzz off?"
Jaydon closed her eyes and took several deep, calming breaths. When she opened them again, she saw a smug look on Pacer's face.
"Fine, but this won't be the last you hear from Him," she said, before walking away.
This is going to be a long night, thought Jaydon.
Ruby slowly opened her eyes when she heard voices outside her room. Through the tiny window, she saw two female silhouettes.
Dammit what are they saying, she thought.
Cautiously Ruby lifted her head and sat up. She slid onto the floor and crept toward the door. Straining against the sold metallic structure, she listened.
"It'll be difficult, but I can leave tonight," said the brunette woman. "I'll need to get a message to the other members of the caravan before we leave."
"What if He finds out?" Dr. Usanagi asked.
Who the hell is He, Ruby thought. And why is everyone so afraid of him?
"I don't plan on telling them everything, just that I'll be gone for a while," the brunette woman replied.
There was a brief pause. "All right, but hurry. I don't know how much time we'll have."
"I'll be back before you know it," the brunette woman said before walking away.
I feel like I know that woman. But why, Ruby thought.
When she heard Dr. Usanagi reach for the door handle, she hurried back to her cot. Laying down, she closed her eyes as the doctor turned the lights on. Ruby slowly opened her eyes.
"I'm sorry to wake you, Ruby, but I need to give you one last physical examination," Dr. Usanagi said.
"One final exam? Where am I going?" Ruby asked with a raised brow.
"Due to the size of this facility and our lack of supplies, we don't have the time or energy to keep treating you here," the Followers doctor replied. "My friend, Cass, is going to take you somewhere you can receive better, more consistent treatment."
Ruby wasn't sure how much she bought that excuse, but she also wasn't going to argue. She was fed up with lying in bed and all she wanted to do was leave.
"All right," she said.
She sat up and pushed herself off the cot while Dr. Usanagi closed the door. Through the small window, Ruby watched the brunette woman walk away.
"I'm sorry to do this to you, but it's for your own safety," said the Followers doctor.
"I understand," Ruby replied.
After Jaydon's conversation with Pacer, she began questioning other locals. Everyone claimed to know nothing about The Courier.
Just my luck, she thought.
However, she wasn't about to give up yet. She made her way to the Old Mormon Fort, hoping someone there could give her answers.
And if I can't get answers here, I'll check Westside. Though I very much doubt I'll get any genuine assistance there either, thought Jaydon.
As she passed through the second Freeside gate, two small children quickly darted out of her way. Internally, she flinched while externally she kept going. Admittedly, she didn't like having people fear her but she knew while she was working for Him, there was nothing she could do about it.
She soon reached the enormous gates to the Old Mormon Fort and stepped through them. Most of the patients within were asleep and doctors tended to those that weren't. Jaydon walked up to an old, oak desk with two armored and armed security guards.
"I'm here on orders from Him," said Jaydon. "Where's Julie Farkas?"
"She's sleeping," the brunet guard answered.
"Then can you wake her? We need to talk," she said.
The brunet guard sighed, pushing his chair away from the desk. "I'll be back."
Jaydon waited as the brunet guard disappeared inside the building. A few moments later, he returned with a tired Julie Farkas.
"Thanks, Antonio, I'll take care of it," said Julie, before looking to Jaydon. "Hello, how can I help?"
"We need to talk in private," Jaydon said.
"Very well, follow me," Julie replied.
Jaydon followed the Followers doctor through the small, square area and into one of the fort towers. Julie flicked a switch, turning on the dim lights.
"Is this private enough for you?" she asked, with impatience coating her every word.
Don't get snippy with me, this isn't my idea of a good time either, Jaydon thought.
"Yes," she said. "What's the status of The Courier?"
Julie Farkas raised a brow. "That's what you came here to ask me about?"
"He's getting suspicious," Jaydon replied. "There have been rumors that she isn't dead. I've been charged with finding the source of these rumors and taking care of them."
Julie sighed. "I see. Well, in that case, she's out of His reach for the time being."
Jaydon understood why Julie was being vague. While Jaydon had brought The Courier to the Old Mormon Fort, she still reported to Him. And if He knew specifically where she was, he would order Jaydon to kill her again.
"Well, whatever you plan to do, do it soon," she said.
"What are you going to tell Him when he asks what happened to The Courier?" Julie asked.
That is an excellent question, Jaydon thought.
He would be furious to learn that Courier Six was still alive.
"Let me worry about that, you've got bigger problems," Jaydon answered.
"Thank you for protecting us," said Julie.
I'm not doing it for you, I'm doing it for me, Jaydon wanted to say but didn't. She didn't think Julie would understand, and didn't have the energy to explain. Instead, she simply nodded.
"You're welcome," she said. "Don't worry, I can see myself out."
Jaydon opened the door and stepped into the cool, dessert evening. As a light breeze rustled through her hair, she looked out across the numerous tents and patients.
"This is going to be a long night," she muttered.