For the months that passed, Ray followed the Ranger and Gaia to New Vegas, where he parted with them. At that point he became a sort of gun-for-hire. He didn't shoot people, he did tasks that others thought were menial; courier jobs, fetch, et cetera. He heard the denizens talking of 'The Patriots', and wondered who they were. He just finished a courier run to Primm, and thought he'd investigate the Patriots. After a few days of walking, he found himself standing outside the Patriot compound. He stood in awe, waiting for someone to open the gate.