Chapter Eight: Running Toward the Past
Adrenaline surged through Ruby as she removed her single shotgun from its holster. A pack of ghouls rushed toward the pair and both women readied their weapons. Ruby aimed at the chest of the closest ghoul and fired. The creature fell and Ruby pointed the barrel of her gun at the next ghoul, who wore a tattered, gray shirt.
Aim, shoot, repeat, she thought as she pulled the trigger.
As the creature fell, Ruby quickly aimed her gun at a ghoul wearing what had once been a white blouse. As the zombie fell, she briefly turned to see Cass fire two shots in quick succession at a ghoul wearing a fedora. Ruby quickly shifted her attention as two ghouls rushed her at the same time.
"Shit," she swore.
She aimed at the leg of the ghoul in the remains of a Hawaiian shirt and fired. The creature gurgled as it fell to the ground and the second swiped at Ruby. She stepped out of the way before the ghoul's nails made contact with her skin and fired twice at the creature's back. The ghoul cried out as it landed on the ground beside its companion.
"Where the hell are they coming from?" Ruby asked.
"No fucking clue," Cass admitted as she quickly reloaded.
Ruby spotted the ghoul wearing the Hawaiian shirt inching toward her with both arms. She noticed a streak of red following the ghoul's movements. She aimed at the creature's forehead and fired. The ghoul went limp and Ruby's chest heaved as she slid her shotgun back into its holster.
"That's the last of them," Cass huffed as she too placed her gun back into its holster. "We should try to get moving."
"Is it okay if I look for supplies on them, first?" Ruby asked.
She could see Cass resist the urge to roll her eyes. "Be my guest. Might want to be quick about it, though. Who knows if there are more where that came from."
"I'll be quick," Ruby said as she slowly bent down beside the closest ghoul.
In her search, Ruby found a few bottle caps, some ammunition, and a box of Fancy Lad Snack Cakes. Once she was done, she placed the items in some pouches on her belt. As she stood up, she studied Cass's face from the side.
Cass scanned the horizon, her eyes frequently moving from the road to the empty Mojave landscape.
Why does she look like she's dealt with me looting before, thought Ruby.
"I'm ready to head out whenever you are," she said.
"Let's go, then," said Cass.
Boone sat at a tiny table as he cleaned the parts of his sniper rifle. He'd only just arrived in the abandoned town of Sloan. Per Cass's instructions, he waited in one of the numerous deserted homes. Despite the lack of Deathclaws, there were still countless other raiders and gangs that plagued the roads.
Damn place is more like a ghost town, he thought.
Ever since the NCR had been driven out of the Mojave, he'd taken a job as a scout for the Happy Trails Caravan. The pay was fair, and it allowed him to visit the city where he'd first met Carla.
Once Boone finished with the final piece, he began reassembling his rifle. When he was done, he gripped the weapon in both hands and peered through the scope, aiming it at the dark window.
"Good enough," he murmured.
Just then, he saw two figures walking toward the abandoned town.
What the hell, thought Boone. I thought Cass said the caravan wasn't supposed to be here for another few days?
He lowered his sniper rifle before rushing out of the tiny hit. Just as he raised his weapon, he lowered it again upon seeing Cass and Ruby. He immediately lowered his sniper rifle.
"What are you two doing here?" he asked.
And what's up with Ruby, he thought.
The way Ruby's eyes drank in the cluster of tiny houses made his heart hurt.
"We're on our way to Goodsprings, but we'll need your help," Cass replied. She gestured between Ruby and Boone. "Ruby, this is Boone. Boone, Ruby."
"Nice to meet you," Ruby said, extending her hand. Boone offered his hand and shook hers.
Why doesn't Ruby look like she remembers me, Boone thought. What the hell happened to her?
"Likewise," he said. As he and Ruby dropped their hands, he shifted his gaze to Cass. "I wasn't expecting you for another few days at least."
"I know, but this is urgent," Cass replied. "Did you find anything between here and Goodsprings?"
Boone shook his head. "Not much. What's the situation in New Vegas?"
Just then, Ruby's stomach grumbled loudly.
"Craig, do you still have food left in there?" Cass asked, nodding her head at the hut behind them.
"Yeah, I should," he replied.
Cass then shifted her gaze to Ruby. "Why don't you get something to eat while Boone and I catch up?"
Ruby looked between the pair with a raised brow and partially upturned mouth, the same expression she would give when something.
Well, at least some things haven't changed, thought Boone.
"We'll keep going in a few minutes, but I have to talk to Boone in private," Cass insisted.
"Fine," said Ruby.
Boone watched her walk past them and into the hut. As soon as she'd closed the door, he turned to Cass.
"What the hell happened to her?" he asked.
Cass sighed. "Dr. Usanagi said she was shot in the head. While she doesn't have any other physical injuries, she doesn't remember the past eighteen months."
Which means she doesn't remember meeting any of us, or the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, Boone thought.
"Shit," he murmured as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Yeah," she replied.
"If she's here, then who's running New Vegas?" he inquired.
"Right now, Yes Man," Cass answered. "Although since Ruby was shot, he's started calling himself Him."
Boone's mouth twisted into a frown as his brows furrowed. "Just fuckin' great. Does Yes Man, He, know where Ruby is right now?"
Cass shook her head. "Not as far as I know."
She's removing Ruby Before He can try taking her out a second time, he thought. That's smart.
Boone sighed and put one hand on his hip. "You said we're taking Ruby to Goodsprings."
"I'm hoping by returning to the same place she was shot before-"
"Her memories might come back," he finished.
It's a slim chance, but at this point, it's worth it, he thought.
"Do we have a plan to deal with Yes Man, er Him, yet?" he asked.
"Not yet, but I have every expectation that He'll send Jaydon after us," Cass answered.
Boone raised a brow. "Who's Jaydon?"
Admittedly, it had been a few months since he'd been to New Vegas. Back then, Ruby was running things and didn't have amnesia.
"She's an extremely tough and well-armed woman who works for Him," Cass said. "She has long dark hair, wears dark armor, and carries an armory with her. From what I've heard, she's been working for Him since he took over New Vegas."
This Jaydon sounds like one tough woman, thought Boone.
"It sounds like we'll have to keep our eyes out for this Jaydon," he murmured. "Do we know anything about how Jaydon fights? What her strengths and weaknesses might be?"
Cass shook her head. "I don't."
Boone sighed again. "In that case, we need to plan for the worst-case scenario."
"What would that be?" she asked.
"We force Ruby to run while you and I hold off Jaydon," he replied. "It's not much of a plan, but that's all I've got considering she's a big question mark."
"Agreed," Cass said with a nod.
Jaydon kept her hunting rifle at the ready as she made her way to the New Vegas Clinic. She scanned her immediate surroundings, taking note of the drug addicts and homeless people.
It's too damn cold to be outside at night, she thought.
Ever since He had taken over New Vegas, the homeless population had risen substantially. While she hadn't wanted to throw them out, He had insisted that if they didn't have proper identification, they couldn't remain in the city. She quickly shifted her gaze away, if only to avoid a confrontation should one of them recognize her. As Jaydon grew closer to the New Vegas Medical Clinic, she holstered her rifle and used her Stealth Boy.
Hopefully, this can be a quick in and out, she thought, removing a grenade from her belt.
She bent down, grabbed a decent-sized rock, and threw it at the door. She watched as both guards shared a raised brow. Bending down to the ground again, she repeated this process until both guards came outside.
"What the hell?" the blond guard said, looking at his companion.
Just as the bald guard opened his mouth, Jaydon pulled the pin on her grenade and threw it in the opposite direction of the clinic.
"What was that?" the bald guard asked.
"Let's go check it out," the blonde replied.
Jaydon quickly removed a few other grenades, pulled the pins, and tossed them in the same direction as the first. As both guards rushed forward with their weapons drawn, Jaydon ran through the clinic doors. She grabbed the chair behind the desk and placed it in front of the double doors.
Hopefully, that'll buy me enough time to get the information I need, she thought.
Jaydon turned on the monitor and her fingers flew across the keys as she searched for The Courier's file. As with the records in the Old Mormon Fort, these were also alphabetized.
Bingo, she thought once she'd found the correct file.
The name, age, height, and description were similar to the ones in the Old Mormon Fort. However, there were two lines added at the end.
The patient was transferred here a few weeks ago from the Old Mormon Fort. She is physically healthy and was discharged a few hours ago.
At that moment, Jaydon heard the doors rattling. She quickly exited the record before pulling the chair away from the doors. Placing it back behind the desk, both guards charged inside at the same time Jaydon ran outside.
Well, that was a good start, she thought. But I still have no idea where the Followers took The Courier.
Roughly twenty minutes later, He watched from his giant screen in the Presidential Suite of The Lucky 38 as Jaydon stared back at him with a neutral expression. Her hands were folded behind her back and her heart rate was steady.
The perfect agent, He thought. I can see now why the Institute's Coursers are the best of the best.
"What information do you have about the former Courier Six?" He asked in his usual cheery tone.
Even now, he couldn't stand to hear Ruby's name aloud. He wasn't sure why it filled him with such a bottomless rage. Perhaps because it reminded him of all the times she'd royally screwed up?
"Based on my investigation, I've learned that The Courier received medical aid from the Followers before being transported out of the city," Jaydon replied.
The Followers, I should've known those gnats were behind this, He thought.
"Do we know how she was brought to the Followers?" He asked in an overly saccharine tone.
"No, we don't," Jaydon replied, shaking her head.
"Hmmm, well, this wouldn't be the first time she survived being shot in the head," He replied. "Very well. I want you to pursue The Courier and finish her," his cartoon smile changed to an ominous grin. "Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," said Jaydon. "But, I'm not certain where she went after leaving New Vegas."
That is a valid concern, He thought.
"That is actually a good question. One moment please," He said, as a slight frown and furrowed brows appeared on his cartoon face.
Significantly faster than any human, He sifted through the feeds of each Securitron guarding the gates to New Vegas. It took him a few seconds to find the clip he'd been looking for.
There it is, He thought as he saw twin silhouettes walking side by side.
"So, where are we headed?" Ruby asked.
"We're going to Goodsprings," the other woman replied.
He exited from the clip he'd been watching before shifting his focus back to Jaydon.
"Through the Securitron feeds, I was able to learn The Courier and a female companion are heading for Goodsprings," He replied. "I trust you know the way?"
"Yes," Jaydon said with a nod.
"Good," He said, as his smile returned to its usual cheerful demeanor. "But this time, I want proof that she's dead. I want you to bring me her head."
"Understood," she said with a nod.
"Good, dismissed," He said.
Jaydon turned away from him and He watched her walk toward the elevator with a raised brow on his cartoon countenance.
Something's changed about her, He thought. I'm just not sure what.
With His orders firmly in mind, Jaydon left the flashing lights, loud music, and drunken patrons of New Vegas behind. The air was much cooler outside of the city and she shivered.
Fuck me, she thought as she walked down the broken road. I have zero intentions of following Yes Man's command. But how do I convince The Courier that I actually want to help her?
These questions swirled repeatedly through her mind as anxiety and fear warred within her. The familiar buzzing of wings, gurgling of ghouls, and cackling of geckos created a nocturnal cacophony.
Maybe I can try being honest, thought Jaydon and laughed out loud to herself. As if! Hey Courier, you might not know me, but I shot you in the head two months ago. Would you like to help me take down Yes Man?
She kept thinking of ways to convince The Courier as she walked.
Well, I guess I have some time to figure it out, she thought.
Greetings, Loyal Readers! I know it's been quite a long while since I've updated, and I do apologize about that. Work and other projects have kept me quite busy, in addition to preparations for NaNoWriMo.
As always, if you're new or you've been here since the beginning, please feel free to leave a comment or like and I hope to see you all again very soon!