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Chapter 4: She's a Demon, She's a Devil, She's a Doll

Seeing Nora freeze up, the synth steps back slowly while raising her hands and softly says, "I won't hurt you. See my hands are empty and I'm moving away. Your dog knows I'm cool, see his tail is wagging."

Dogmeat barks happily once and returns to ripping up the teddy bear he got from who knows where.

Nora winces and the pain reminds her that if they wanted her dead, they could have just left her. "Sorry about that, "Nora rasps, "You just startled me. My name is Nora Wyatts. And you are?"

The synth goes through the motions of releasing a sigh of relief and takes off its wide-brimmed hat. Covering its bald head, is a braided handkerchief as if attempting to imitate a hair style. It sits down on the other side of the fire, laying its hat on the ground next to it. In the fire's light Nora notices that what she first took as a 2nd Gen synth was something different. Well, there were some similarities, but the differences outnumbered them. The most obvious being that its shape was rather feminine, and it is wearing a dusty tan uniform. The synth (?) smiles and says, "Well that was a much better reaction than I was expecting. No screaming, no attempts to shoot me. Its a rather refreshing change of pace. Oh my name is Rosa De La Vega, at your service Miss. Wyatts"

Nora rubs her head, feeling the bandages wrapped around it. "I must be dreaming again, "she mutters, "This time it's about a female Nick."

"No, I pretty sure you're not dreaming. That broken leg and cracked skull seems awful real to me, "Rosa says and then tilts her head, "What do you mean by 'female Nick'?"

"Nick is complicated, for me at least, "Nora answers but then suddenly grabs the side of her head as she gasps in pain.

"Shit! I'm going to go over there to take a look. Please don't freak out, "Rosa says as she stands up and walks around the fire. Once there, she kneels down next to Nora and pulls the hand away from the injured woman's head. Using the flashlight she checks how the woman's eyes react. "That bump to the head must be worse than I thought, "Rosa says as she turns off the light, "You need a real doctor or at least someone with more stimpaks. I already used the two you had on you and I don't have any. Do you know a place I can take you where they won't try to shoot us on sight?"

Nora tries to use the pip-boy to pull up the map, she just couldn't see straight through the pain. She hands her arm over to the Rosa and says, "If we are anywhere near where you found me, the best bet would be the Castle. You should be able to find it using the map on my...my…" Nora's eyes close as she falls to the side. Then there was only dreamless darkness.

(The Castle)

This time it was the sounds of annoying fiddle music that Radio Freedom insisted on playing. Nora opens her eyes and sees sunlight shining through a window not far from her head. She turns her head and sees a currently unattended clinic stand. "The Castle, "Nora rasps to the empty space above her, "Thanks Rosa."

"You're welcome, "Rosa says walking around the corner carrying a pair cans of purified water and being followed by an armed minuteman. She opens one of the cans and hands it to Nora who sits up to gratefully accept it. As Nora is sipping the much needed drink, Rosa places the other can on the table next to the bed and says, "But if you're really grateful, tell these guys I'm the one who patched you up before bringing you here."

"General, "the guard speaks up, "I'm under orders to keep an eye on the synth. Even if it appears friendly at the moment, we can't take any chances."

Nora gets that look in her eyes and is about to say something when a more familiar minuteman shows up. "Thank goodness you're finally awake, General, "Preston says.

Nora holds a hand and says, "I don't care what settlement needs my help, I'm taking the day off. Send a squad or something in my place."

The guard's mouth twitches as if fighting not to react and says nothing.

"I'm aware of that, General, "Preston deadpans and then shakes his head, "I was going to ask if you would like to confirm or deny the synth's claims."

"I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for her, "Nora answers truthfully. She adds, "I understand the need to keep an eye on her while she's here, but could you please make it a little less overbearing?"

Preston gives the guard a nod, who then salutes and walks away. He then turns his attention back to Nora, "You're the General. Besides, Valentine and Hancock just arrived. Your new friend will have to deal with them if she causes you any trouble."

(About 10 minutes later)

"What were you thinking?! "Nick growls as he kneels down on the floor next to the bed, "Going out like that all by yourself. When you went off without me, I thought you were gonna take Preston or at least Hancock with you!"

Rosa had stepped back and lowered her head to hide her face with the brim of her hat once the two showed up. She leans against the edge of the stone wall, listening.

"I had Dogmeat with me.."

"Dogmeat might be the smartest and greatest mutt in the world, but there are some things he just can't handle, "Nick was about to go on ranting, when Hancock places a hand on the old synth's shoulder. The ghoul says, "Let it rest, Nicky. The doc did a great job patching her up but she's still hurting." The ghoul then smirks, "You can spank her in private once she's back on her feet. Who knows, you two might enjoy it."

Nora's face turns immediately red at this accidental reminder of why she decided to travel alone. As would have Nick's eyes if there was any justice in the world. He rises up and takes hold of Hancock's shirt. He growls, "I don't need or appreciate your cockamamie innuendos, Hancock!"

"And I'm the one they're worried about causing trouble, "Rosa's few words stops the fight before it could really begin. She lights up a cigarette and takes a drag before saying firmly, "Why don't we all go outside for some fresh air and let Nora here get some needed rest."

"Just who the blazes are you?" Nick demands but then steps back when the woman looks at him directly in the eyes, revealing that she wasn't human or a ghoul.

"That's funny, "The strange female answered as she stood up straight and pointed the lit cigarette at Nick, "I was about to ask you the same damn question. See ya' later, Nora. I'll be lighting a candle for ya'." The female then walks down the hall to the nearest exit.

Hancock steps over to Nora to lean down and pats her hand gently, "Yeah, you get some rest and let those meds fix you up. Don't be afraid to let the doc know if you need any pain killers, ya' hear. I'll just be outside. Come on, Nick." Hancock takes hold of Nick's upper arm as if to pull him away.

Nick's sighs sadly and says, "Sorry. I...really do hope you get to feeling better." The synth turns to walk away. Nora reaches out and calls his name softly, but he just ignores her.

Once they were outside and out of Nora's line of sight, Hancock turns pushes Nick into the nearest wall. "What the fuck was that?!"he demands, "Nora is hurting and you treat her like a piece of shit!? What gives?"

"None of your damn business, "Nick growls as he pushes Hancock away, "Its a private matter between Nora and me, no one else."

"Well fuck you, Nick, "Hancock glares at him, "If this private matter is the reason Nora ended up getting hurt, I'm making it my business!"

Nick growls as he tries to walk past the ghoul but then notices that fembot watching them with some amusement. Grateful for the new target, he calls out, "And what's your story?"

"I would like to know that as well, "Preston walks over to join them. Pointedly looks around at the gathering crowd, "Why don't we head off to the General's office and talk, like civilized people."

(General's Office/Chambers)

Preston pours himself and Hancock a shot of whiskey before walking toward the table in the middle of the room. He hands Hancock his drink before taking his seat at the table. Preston takes a sip after he sits down and as he is placing the shot glass down, he starts, "Now before anything else, I want to make it known that if either you two can't behave yourselves while the General is recovering I will have you removed. I don't care what she says, she needs her rest. Is that clear?"

Hancock leans back, crosses his arm and looks at Nick with a smirk while he says, "Fine by me, but I don't know about the rust bucket."

Nick just growls, "Understood."

"Now that's out of the way, "Preston then focuses in on the mysterious newcomer, "Now Miss. De La Vega was it? What can you tell us about yourself and why you are here?"

The female robot chuckles as she pulls out a small flask from one of her pockets. "Kinda rude not to offer me a drink like you did him, "she says and adds while unscrewing the cap of the flask, "But it's probably better to drink my own stuff. You want some Mr. Valentine, likely the best tasting coolant you've ever had."

"Ah...no thanks, "Nick answers as if a little confused by the offer.

"Suit yourself, "Rosa shrugs before taking a sip and replacing the cap. As she lays the flask on the table, she begins, "Let's see, where to start?"

"How about what are you and where you came from, "Nick suggests.

Rosa scratches the side of her head and says, "Yeah that would be nice to know. Well I'm what we call back home a Legacy. And by home I mean Fort Dallas which is a rather large central settlement in what was northeastern Texas. There I normally work as a ranger, patrolling the smaller outer settlements."

"What the hell is a Legacy?" Nick asks at the same time as Preston says, "Why would a Texas ranger be doing in the Commonwealth?"

"Let me answer the Legacy question, which may lead into why I'm here. Ok, the shortest answer is that before the war, there was research being done to copy or record a living person's mind. They're memories, emotions and so on. One place that this research was being done was the University of Texas-Arkansas. Those memories once download into an android form, like the one you see before you, are call Legacies. For they are the legacies of those people who were scanned, "She explains and then focuses in on Nick, "If you don't mind me asking before going on. Does this ring any bells, Mr. Valentine?"

If it was possible for him, he would have gone pale from the shock but he answers, "You could say that. Uh...just how many of these Legacies are there?"

"Counting me, 46 but if my guess is true that might change to 47. Please answer the question."

"Humph! Yeah, it kinda lines up to my story but I'm no Legacy. I'm a synth, my body is 100% Institute made."

Rosa closes her eyes and asks, "Were there any other memories downloaded to …"

"Not that I'm aware of, "Nick drawled, "When I..escaped the place got pretty messed up I believe. My memory of what happen is kinda missing some important or I should say all parts. However, from what I was told they thought the experiment was a failure cause I kept fighting them...What does it matter?"

"So it likely they never knew they succeeded, "Rosa mutters to herself and then shakes her head, "That also means it'll be almost impossible to find the other CIT scans. Damn it."

"So you think that those eggheads were trying to make their own version of you Legacies? Why?" Hancock asks.

"So much has been lost since the bombs fell. Not just lives or society, but skills and knowledge. A good portion of the scans included well respected scientists, proven military leaders...what would happen if a group like the Institute got those type of minds working for them?"

"Wait, wait...then why would they try use a police detective's brain?" Nick asks.

"I dunno, "Rosa shrugs and then winces at a thought, "They may have considered that type personality the most expendable and didn't want to risk damaging good ones until they figured out how to get the process to work. No offense. My personality happens to come from an over inquisitive college kid who just happened to match some needed data points or something."

"So, you're here looking for those brain scans things? "Preston asks.

"That's one of the reasons why I'm here, "She admits and then rubs the back of her neck, "The other is to try to keep an eye on the Brotherhood of Steel. Fort Dallas is currently in what some might consider a bit of cold war with them. They've tried attacking us a few times ranting that the Legacies are the spawn of the Devil or something. Each time, we've fought them off. Even captured one of their smaller airships last time and with it made a few good runs into their territory. Now they leave us alone and in return we do the same, as we glare angrily at each other through a border fence. With that in mind, my question is why are they here in Boston? From what I heard, they claimed they were only here to defend the good people from the Institute, or some such propaganda laced story. Yet the Institute has been destroyed months ago. Why haven't they left?"

Present taps his fingers on the table as he says, "I've been wondering that myself and have had people assigned specifically to observe them. They're either trying to to strip most of the old would tech from the local factories or they're looking for something. Perhaps both."

"Sheesh, "Rosa leans her head back and adds, "With their hard-on for old tech, it could be almost anything. Well is there anything else you would like to know?"

Preston stands up and holds out his hand towards Rosa as he says, "No, I believe that's all I need. Thank you for your cooperation."

Rosa stands and returns the handshake with a smile. "No thank-you for not blowing my fool head off. If your interested, I should be able to pass a word or two to the higher ups back home about an info exchange or setting up more a secure trade line. Our tech for your resources, might be a big win for both areas."

"Now that's something I might be interested in, "Hancock leans forward, "Good-neighbor is always looking for a good bargain and we're not afraid to take a few risks or get our hands dirty."

"Does sound promising, "Preston muses, "I'll bring it up to those with better minds than mine and get back to you. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my duties. Feel free to continue using the office."

As Preston walks out of the office, Hancock and Nick start to move as if to leave as well. "Mr. Valentine, "the fembot speaks up, "If you wouldn't mine, I would like to speak with you a little more. If you prefer, your friend is welcomed to stay."

Hancock shakes his head, "If this chat is what I think it is, I'll leave you two alone and go check on Sunshine." He waves as he walks out the door and closes it.

Valentine lights up a cigarette as he leans back into his chair, "You wanted to talk?"

"Dunno why but this is feeling a little awkward, "She says as she sits back down and pulls out her own cigarette before she continues, "Now don't take offense, but how long have you been stuck with that body?"

Nick huffs as he figures it was too much work to remain so angry over nothing and answers, "It's been about 80 years give or take. Why?"

A concern looks appears on her face as she continues to probe, "Have you been experiencing any memory issues or getting stuck in loops for lack of a better term?"

"Yes, my memory banks are basically full to the brim if that is what you are really asking. I've been told that may cause some issues."

"Mr. Valentine, I would like to make you an offer, "she says as she leans forward and laces her fingers in front of her on the table, "I would like to hire your services as a detective. Help me find out what really happened to the CIT brain scans or better yet find them. I know this may take a long time and its possible that its a mystery may never be solved. In return, I'll arrange for a stipend to cover costs as well as an upgrade using the excuse that it'll better enable you with the investigation."

Nick pauses just before staring at the Legacy and then asks, "What do you mean by an upgrade?