[color=00aeef][u]Followers Holotape Archives, Maximum Security Clearance.[/u][/color]

[u]
Jakobov, A. April, 2282. [/u]

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“This is Andrei Jakobov, Camp McCarran. Opening case file on Patient X, an NCR private admitted to infirmary three days ago. Patient symptoms consistent with pneumonia. 

“I’m worried about the patient’s outlook. He’s deteriorating slowly but steadily. Based on interview and previous medical file, this is a young and healthy soldier.

“The NCR hasn’t left me much in the way of supplies. The Fiends cleared this place of any useful chems. Unrest in Vegas is occupying the top brass’ attention. Most of the Followers left the camp during the riots. I’m one of the few remaining here. We’ve had little news.

“I asked the patient about his previous whereabouts and was fobbed off. NCR medical and military personnel were also cagey. They’re usually helpful. Everyone insists the Fiends probably left some pathogen behind in the camp, maybe even deliberately. Evidence of heavy drug use was present everywhere in the camp when I got here… it’s likely many of the Fiends suffer from immune suppression, making them vulnerable to long-term opportunistic infection. Given their high mortality and short life expectancies, and constant exposure to deadly combat, they don’t seem to have developed anything beyond basic medical care. 

“I suppose with their lack of concern for hygiene, the Fiends would make an ideal population for new pathogens to emerge from… but the NCR cleared Camp McCarran almost three months ago. I haven’t seen any sign of unusual illness, until this young man, three days ago. Something doesn’t add up.

“Given the respiratory symptoms, this could be an airborne illness. Patient X was placed in the corner of the infirmary reserved for respiratory diseases. We are attempting to ventilate the room, and medical staff have followed my requests to practice containment measures. It’s impossible to quarantine in a camp like this, though. The troops were celebrating day and night after retaking the camp. Then news came back about the Freeside riots. Were there actual riots? We don't know how many civilians or soldiers were killed. Some of the troops are angry and confused. They’ve been arguing with each other. Morale is low. 

“The last thing anyone gives a shit about is locking down the hospital bay, even if we could. I tried not to push the issue too much. A lot of Followers were involved in the riots. That’s what I’ve gathered, anyway. No one tells me anything, but the uniforms have their own lines of communication. I’ve seen groups of soldiers giving me funny looks once or twice, and breaking off their conversations when I get near. I don’t think they want to take orders from me. 

“I just hope no one blames me if this kid dies. All I can do is lower his fever for now and try to ease the cough enough for him to breathe. I’ve been trying to borrow imaging equipment from those assholes at the OSI, but Hildern is saying no just to spite me.

"I’m trying to impress upon him that I need to know what I’m dealing with. The more I emphasise how dangerous an airborne pathogen could be, the more he shuts me down. He’s been avoiding me for days. I’m going to speak to Angela… Dr Williams, again. I can see she wants to help, but Hildern has her under his thumb.

"Oh well. Service to one's fellow man is life's highest calling and all that. Jakobov out."

[i]Playback ends[/i]