Ulysses

"America sleeps. And until it's dead, I carry it. Just like I carried you. More than hope. Belief."

- Ulysses

Ulysses is a courier and a mysterious man seeking to forge a new nation based on Old World America. He was once hired by the Mojave Express in 2281 as one of seven hired by Victor to carry strange packages to the Strip North Gate, Ulysses was originally supposed to deliver the Platinum Chip - a task left to the Courier after Ulysses' mysterious disappearance.

Background
Ulysses was once a successful bighorner rancher at Wolfhorn ranch, but he recently abandoned his Ranch and is now nowhere to be seen. He abandoned his farm in order to find a way to reawaken America, the old world. In his journeys he reached the Big MT, where he sought answers from the think tanks and knowledge of the Divide in the meteorological station. During his stay he met Father Elijah, to whom he mentioned the legend of the Sierra Madre, inspiring the old Elder to seek it out.

He also rescued Knight Christine Royce of the Circle of Steel, from the Y-17 medical facility. While he nursed her to health following her traumatizing experiences at the hands of the automated medical facility, he discussed philosophy and the failure of modern civilizations (the NCR and the Caesar's Legion) to create a true future. Shortly before she regained full health, he returned to the Dome and finally pried answers from Dr Klein about what makes nations, and what ends them. With this knowledge in hand, he set out for the Divide.

While passing through the Mojave, Ulysses took on a job as a courier with the Mojave Express at Primm. He was to deliver the Platinum Chip, but when he saw a certain name down next on the list, he asked Johnson Nash if the Courier's name was for real, as if he'd expected the Courier to be dead. Nash informed him that the Courier was still kicking. Ulysses then abandoned the job, walking out of the office remarking only "Let Courier Six carry the package".

At some point before the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, Ulysses contacts the Courier via radio transmission, promising to explain the incident in Primm in exchange for one final job. Depending on how Dead Money ended, the ending slides say that word would eventually reach both Christine and Dog of some sort of a battle in the future. The battle is said to take place at the Divide, "beneath the torn skies and the old world flag", between the two couriers, "each carrying a message for the other".

In the Patient log: Y-17, Ulysses discusses with Christine Royce his plans to meet with the Courier in the Divide, to let them see what happened, let them "sink their feet in Old World ash." Ulysses believes the Old World to be "sleeping" in the Divide, and this is likely his main interest in the area. In fact, the main reasons he came to the Big Empty were to visit the meteorological station, as the Divide is plagued with violent storms; and to learn from the intelligent, long-lived members of the Think Tank what makes a nation, which was, according to Doctor Mobius, a dangerous question. Both of these sources of information likely further his goals to 'awaken' his America.

Strangely enough, the concept art of Ulysses costume shows him covered in tribal markings, and an 'Egyptian Eye' pointed out; Ulysses believes in America, which isn't really a tribe. However, he refers to the Brotherhood of Steel as a tribe, not a faction, which is the modern way of referring to a group. He has a strange way of looking at things, which makes Ulysses all the more interesting.

Allegiance
Joshua Graham comments that when he heard a courier was coming, he had expected it to be someone else, implying it to be Ulysses. He says that he had heard stories of one of the Frumentarii traveling as a courier and stalking the land in search of enemies of Caesar, although he says that he finds it unlikely that he would associate himself with a Caravan. However, Ulysses mentions in his Patient log: Y-17 conversation with Christine Royce that he finds both the Legion and the NCR unfit as future leaders for the New World. This could mean that Ulysses has become disillusioned with the Legion or that he could've posed as one or was or still is actually one to learn about the Legion. An image was released of a concept art of Ulysses, which portrayed his outfit and three capes; One with the Old World Flag, another with the NCR Bear and the last with the Legion Bull, suggesting that his allegiance may vary between the three depending on the Couriers actions. This could mean that his allegiance is the opposite of the Couriers, meaning if they are with the NCR, Ulysses is with the legion (and vice-versa) and if they are with neither and are Independent (with Yes Man) or aligned with House, Ulysses is neutral, aligned with his own flag.

Appearances
Ulysses was planned to appear in Fallout: New Vegas as a permanent companion, but was ultimately cut from the final game. He is referenced repeatedly in Dead Money, and in two of the characters' endings, his appearance in a future add-on has been confirmed. Ulysses is also mentioned by Joshua Graham in Honest Hearts, who claims he may work for Caesar. His voice appears on two holotapes in Old World Blues and The Old World Blues location Ulysses' Point references his stay there. He is the main focus of Lonesome Road.

Behind the scenes

 * Ulysses is derived from Ulixes, the Latin name for Odysseus. Odysseus was a Greek king who was most famous for his epic voyage, as well as being known for his cunning and deceit.
 * Ulysses was originally supposed to be a companion in Fallout: New Vegas, but was cut from the final version of the game and now only appears in the playing cards that came with the Collector's Edition. According to Chris Avellone, "he [...] was a complicated character in terms of some of the hooks into the storyline".
 * Ulysses' Old World Symbol appears on many doors and objects in "Old World Blues".
 * In "Old World Blues", Dr. Klein(?) mentions that Ulysses came and questioned them about another courier, and how he "had not found the right one". He then asked a question that Klein found too "dangerous", which brought Dr. Klein to delete his memory of the incident.
 * It is strange that Ulysses is hinted to be a Frumentarii when he claims there is no future with the NCR or Caesar's Legion and how both are only obsessed.