Boone's standing by at the Lucky 38 because we're heading straight to BoS bunker right after Cottonwood Cove. If we bring Boone along, he'll go apeshit and kill every single legion in the Fort. Not what I wanted.
Let's drop off ED-E at the Follower's Old Mormon Fort, Freeside.
What are you going to do with it?
First I'm going to pull off whatever log data I can. Then, I'll use some of the tech around here to upgrade its weapons systems. Shouldn't be more than a few days work.
What would you like it for?
I've heard through our channels that it has some research that may be related to Enclave and Poseidon Energy technology. I'd like to get what I can from it and use that data for the good of humanity...ALL of humanity, unlike the Brotherhood.
Sounds fine.
OK, you can take it for a little while.
Old Mormon Fort provides medical services to the poor, and does not charge anything if the patient cannot afford the fee. Something like the Wasteland version of Red Cross. I talked to their leader, Julie Farkas, a doctor who sports a mohawk.
Things seem pretty rough here in Freeside.
More than rough, it's a damn mess. Freeside townies are constantly picking fights with NCR civilians. Thugs and thieves are always looking for a victim, and the local families are just sitting back making caps on the mess. Freeside is in dire need, but no one has been man enough to step up. The Followers can only do so much to stem the tide.
This is where I get sidetracked and forgot that I was supposed to be doing the Boomer's quest.
Is there anything I can do to help?
There is always something needing done. A few souls here in Freeside could be great assets to the community, if they'd kick their addictions. We also need to get a regular supply of medicine organized, but the Crimson Caravan wants too many caps for what we need. Lastly, tensions between the townies and NCR tourists have been going downhill fast lately. A lot of innocent people will get hurt if things blow up.
You said something about helping addicts?
Yes, Old Bill Ronte and Jacob Hoff. They're not going to kick their habits on their own.
Where should I start looking?
In Freeside, the drunks and drug addicts flock in and around the Atomic Wrangler. I'd start there.
I'll see what I can do to help them.
The bums aren't hard to find. During the day they just sit on the roadside begging for alms.
Julies Farkas says you could use some help.
Julies is a saint, but I don't need help. I feel young and strong, as long as I get my chems.
You look pretty bad, Jacob. You should probably stop using chems.
Why stop? I feel great! No worries, my guy will be here soon enough, just wait.
Who's supplying you?
If I had two caps to scrape together I'd buy the materials to make my own, but my damn hands won't stop shaking. This guy named Dixon. Something about him seems sketchy, but I can't stop now. Last time I stopped, I felt like I was going to turn inside out. At this point I'm mostly buying his stuff just so I don't feel sick. Speaking of which, do you have any spare caps?
I ignored his request and approached Dixon, the drug dealer.
Do you know anything about Bill or Jacob?
Yeah, man. Those cats are out of their domes addicted to my shit. They can't get enough. Pretty hilarious to watch.
I need you to stop supplying Bill and Jacob.
Raelly? Aw, you're such a saint. You know what? I might be willing to stop if there is something in it for me.
My speech is too low to convince him.
Maybe some caps could persuade you to leave them alone?
300 caps and I'll stop selling to them. Otherwise, it is just too much fun watching them spiral downward.
Hmm. 300 caps = 300 x 10mm bullets.
Screw that. It'd be a lot cheaper and easier for me to kill you.
Ooo, I always enjoy a good scrap!
Time to clean up this neighborhood.
Problem solved.
So you're back. Got any chems for me yet?
I took care of that dealer. Now you can clean up.
What? I need a fix now!
I want to help you get well, Jacob.
Fine. If you really care so much, then get me some shots of Fixer to calm down these shakes. I'm gonna need at least ten shots to get me through the week. From there the Followers should be able to help.
You can give him 10 Fixers as he requested, or give him a motivational speech to get through it on his own. I don't have the latter option due to low Speech, but Science can provide a third option.
(Science 50) A combination of Fixer, Psyscho, and Buffout would do it in one shot.
Never thought about using that combination before. Should be able to get through this with that.
I handed him over the drugs and he heads over to Old Mormon Fort to detox and rejoin the Followers. That's one down.
Random alley encounters...
There was a corpse in between two dumpsters.
Ooh, look. A body. I really should be going.
The thug leader went hostile and dispatched them handily with my 10mm.
That's Freeside for you.
When not drinking his ass off in the Atomic Wrangler, Bill Ronte is asleep in the abandoned ruins next door on a makeshift bed.
Julie Farkas sent me to help you sober up.
Julie? Ah, I love Julie. She's such a nice lady. One time, I was working on the water pump and she came over, put her hand on my shoulder, and told me I was doing a great job. Great job she says! I just choked up and didn't say nothing. Compliments are so rare these days.
Well, you won't be seeing Dixon anymore.
What the hell? Why? I need alcohol, man! I'm gonna die if I don't get a drink!
You need to kick the habit, Bill. I can help you.
The only way you can help me now is a load of detox chems.
Once again, I used my Scientific knowledge to recommend a cheaper cure.
(Science 50) Regulating decreasing doses of booze with a couple shots of Fixers should do it.
Man, you're one hell of an egghead. If you think it'll work, I'll give it a shot.
I returned to Old Mormon Fort to give her the good news.
I saw them. Thank you so much for helping them. This means a lot to the Followers. You have our thanks. If you need medical supplies, come see me. We should be able to spare a stim or fixer once a day.
After completing that quest, I realized the true reason why I stopped over at Old Mormon Fort. It is this man.
What kind of research?
Oh, you know. Finding alternative treatments for common illnesses and injuries. Stimpaks out of barrel cacti and other fantastic improbabilities. As far as fruitless wastes of time go, it's quite noble in its aims.
What's the goal?
For the past hundred years of so, the Followers have managed to get by using salvaged medical supplies from the Old World. But the side effect of medical success is that more people live longer. Funny how that works. Eventually, we'll run out of hospitals to loot. We need new ways to produce those supplies. Or maybe old ways, if this research goes anywhere.
What kind of illnesses are you trying to deal with?
Cuts, lacerations, broken bones. Infections resulting from all of the above. Common cold, influenza. Take your pick. There are plenty of ways to die out here, and most of them, surprisingly, don't have anything to do with war. Just common human fragility.
You don't sound too enthusiastic about it.
I'm enthusiastic about helping people, but nihil novi sub sole.
Nihi-what?
Oh. Sorry. "There is nothing new under the sun." If agave and mesquite were that miraculous, the locals would have figured it out a few thousand years ago.
Do you know about Caesar?
I don't know anything that the others couldn't tell you. Caesar was one of the Followers. Before my time, of course. He wanted to rebuild the new world in the image of the old. A sad story of good intentions gone bad. In that regard, he's hardly unique. If you set aside his leadership capabilities, extensive knowledge, and ruthless cunning, he's just another jerk who steps on people to get his way.
Why do you do research instead of providing medical assistance?
Not all followers are "people persons". Besides, someone needs to do research. I have no problems with Julie sticking me back here. Out of sight, out of mind. There are worse things one can be, though I do admit, it is a bit boring. Though it has a noble goal, I don't think this research will yield much fruit. No pun intended.
Why don't you come with me?
You've helped the Followers, so you can't be entirely bad. To be honest, I haven't heard anyone say a negative word about you. As long as you keep working to help people around here get a fair shake, sure, I'll lend a hand.
Arcade Gannon gives the Better Healing perk. Stimpaks heal more when he's following you.
What's your opinion on the current situation?
It could be better. If we can find a way to work toward the independence of New Vegas, that would be ideal. But really, as long as you don't help out the Legion, anything's better than that.
Tell me about yourself.
I'm really very boring. You'd get better stories from a Freeside junkie.
You can do better than that.
Oh, all right. I'm thirty-ish. Well, late thirty. I was born..west of here. I was an only child and spent most of my time with my mother. My father died when I was young and I never got over it. Oh...and I like medicine and reading books about failed Pre-War socioeconomic policies. Right now, I'm sure you're asking yourself, "Why hasn't some lucky man scooped this bachelor off his feet?" Like I said, I'm boring.
A lesbian Brotherhood Scribe, and a gay Fellowship Doctor.
Why don't you like talking about yourself?
Some people do. I just...don't. Look, I appreciate that you're trying to be friendly, but I'd just rather not discuss it.
Where did you get your medical training?
The followers taught me everything. Despite our humble abode here in New Vegas, we have great facilities back in the NCR. We may have over-extended ourselves by setting up camp in Freeside, but the people here need help from someone. If not us, who?
How did you join the Followers?
Honestly, it isn't too difficult if you have half a brain and aren't a complete jerk. I wanted to help people and I enjoyed learning, so I signed up. New Vegas is in trouble, so I came out here. if someone doesn't step up and try to help the people here, it's going to end very badly.
Do you always deflect personal questions?
Only to obfuscate my past association with a fascist paramilitary organization. I'm joking, of course. I will deflect personal questions at any opportunity.
Well. That's it, then. Arcade default weapon is a Plasma Defender. Top of the line plasma pistol. It's pretty good. The only way you can get him to equip something else, is to give him a Tri-Laser Rifle or Gauss Rifle. Both consumes too much Microfusion Cell per shot, so it's best to just let him use his default weapon.
