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17.48% Steel Waste / Chapter 124: Best Friend?

Chapter 124: Best Friend?

After Afton had spoken with Boone, he left to find Karl and let him know of the job he'd taken up. The former-ranger had no problems with joining the search for the bastard, probably due to this hitting too close to him. He and Boone had a lot of similarities, the only difference being that Karl was less pragmatic in his choice. Choosing to charge straight into a heavily fortified Legion encampment to save his daughter, as opposed to Boone just ending his wife's suffering.

Afton didn't really think either choice was an incorrect one, both just weren't strong enough to save their loved ones and had to settle for different horrible outcomes. But, hopefully that would change soon.

Regardless, Afton began asking around about Boone, his maxed out Speech skill allowing him to control the conversation and lead it towards his wife. He did this for a number of reasons, the first being that if the perpetrator heard that he was asking around about Boone's wife then they'd either hunker down and make it more difficult to catch them, or flee. Both of which would make it terribly annoying to find them.

The second reason he did this was so that if he was talking to the perpetrator, they wouldn't immediately be on the defensive. Afton would throw in a few negative statements about Carla as bait to see who didn't view her in a good light.

Of course, he'd take a hit to his reputation for it as talking ill of the dead wasn't considered polite, but he'd probably get it back once they executed whoever sold Carla.

Eventually, he somehow found himself in Ranger Andy's house. The man has injured his knee while falling down some stairs. He was the unofficial sheriff of these parts and his recent absence would explain why Ada could start operating with impunity.

He didn't know much but thought Carla was a sweet girl, she'd apparently helped him out a few times due to him getting on in years. Occasionally bringing him snacks while he was on patrol.

Afton couldn't help but feel sorry for her the more he learned, she sounded like a kind person, if a bit confrontational. Most people felt the same, it was only really Manny and a few of his friends that seemed to dislike her. His conversation with the man hadn't gone all that well if he were honest with himself...

*Flashback*

Manny was sitting in the sun on an old-looking lawnchair, a sunset sasparilla in his hands as he relaxed in the sunlight. The man raised his head as he heard someone sit next to him, spotting the new doctor in town pulling up another chair next to him. "Did you need something Doc?"

Afton shakes his head, "Yeah, I've been looking to talk to you about Boone. He saved my life last night after a Powder Ganger ambushed me, looking for some way to repay him." he states.

Manny snorts at this, "Repay him? I'm sure he won't give a shit either way, guy wouldn't know gratitude if it bit him on the ass."

"What do you mean?"

"I served with Boone for many years in the NCR 1st Recon division. We've been through a lot together, and have saved each other's hides more times than I can count... I don't know who owes who what, but I know that you shouldn't throw your buddies away like trash."

"Hm, did he do that to you?" Afton questions.

Manny nods, "Yeah, things haven't been the same since his bitch wife got kidnapped. Know the saying? Bro's before hoe's? Don't think loyalty means much to him since I've got a cock." he spits.

Afton inwardly smirks to himself, "His wife got kidnapped?"

"Yeah, Legion got her apparently... Don't know how they snuck past everyone and knew when Boone'd be on break, but I don't care too much to find out. If you ask me, bitch had it coming."

Afton scratches his chin pensively, it didn't sound like the man had been involved... Usually a liar would try to distance themselves from the crime as much as possible, but Manny didn't seem to care about it, he literally admitted he was glad she got kidnapped, something the person responsible wouldn't likely do.

"From what I've heard about Carla, she seems to have been a loudmouth. Would've liked to get a kick in myself before she got nabbed." Afton states.

Manny chuckles, "Same..." he breathes a long drawn out sigh, "If you ever find who did it, send them my regards."

...

Afton glances at him warily in surprise, "What?"

"You think I wouldn't notice what you're doing around here? Before I joined the 1st Recon I had a psyche evaluation... You talk and act exactly how that guy had, like you were picking my brains for some untold secrets. I don't know what Boone's giving you to do this, but... I feel bad for how I reacted when Boone told me. Not because I give a shit about Carla, but because of how I hurt my best friend."

Afton scowls, "Best friend? If he was your best friend you wouldn't be happy that his wife got taken. As far as I'm concerned, you're just a selfish asshole who got upset his buddy preferred his woman's company. I can see why too... The only reason I haven't capped your ass if because you're some of the only security Novac has." he states before getting up and walking away.

He'd said his piece, the jig was up, his deception had been discovered so he felt no need to hide his true feelings on the matter. From what he could tell, Manny hadn't been responsible for Boone's wife being taken. Not just because of how he had acted, or what he'd said, but because his Perk [Spies Guise] hadn't triggered. He imagined that it would at least activate if the man had something to hide... He'd have to start looking elsewhere for the culprit.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Niggross Niggross

Yeah, it wasn't really explored much in the game, but Manny was a giant asshole... I mean, who's happy that their friends wife gets taken by a group who'll likely rape, torture, and enslave her. That's a big douche bag in my book, almost deserving a bullet to the brain if he wasn't actively being useful.

Hope you like the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!

If you like my content or want to read ahead please go to https://www.p.atreon.com/Nagross, I'd appreciate it.

Chapter 125: Spotted?

Unfortunately, after investigating for a day and a half Afton still hadn't found any leads. He currently had Daisy working on the motorbike so progress on it wouldn't be completely stopped, but he would eventually be needed back to treat patients for Ada...

He was about to go and ask Karl if he'd found anything when a couple NCR soldiers entered town, all wielding service rifles and looking covered in dust. As Afton was the closest person to the entrance of Novac they went over and started asking him questions.

"Excuse me citizen, could you help us for a moment?" one of the squad ask.

Afton gives them the stink-eye for a moment before shrugging, "Depends on what it is."

"We're down from the Nelson blockade, send by Ranger Milo to look for someone."

Afton holds up his hand, "Wait a moment, Nelson blockade?" he asks, having no idea where or what that is.

The soldier he was talking to give him a weird look before pointing East, a town called Nelson down by the Colorado. It's been captured by the Legion and so we've created a blockade to prevent people getting in, and out. As to why we're here? Our commander has gotten word that some former 1st Recon were holed up down here."

Afton raises a brow, "Manny and Boone?" he wonders what they could actually want them for, Boone is likely to attend to anything involving the Legion, but why do the NCR need them? Is the situation truly so bad that they need former-soldiers to reinforce their army? If so, the NCR is fucked.

"If Manny and Boone are the former-1st Recon then yes, could you bring me to see them? We need their help."

Afton doesn't really have a valid objection and just nods, walking over to the Dinosaur and asking the soldiers to wait outside. He heads inside and finds Boone already waiting for him. "Don't be surprised, I could see the squad from a mile away, I'm guessing they want something from me if you're here."

"Yeah, they want to speak to you and Manny for some reason, word's gotten around that two former-1st Recon are staying here... Probably because you won't take that Beret off." Afton says while pointing at Boone's red hat.

"Fine. Let's get this over with."

The duo head downstairs and the soldiers look Boone over, nodding to themselves when they see the insignia on his beret. "Are you Boone?"

"Yeah."

The soldier looks to Afton, "Sir, could you also grab the other one called Manny?"

Afton and Boone shake their heads simultaneously, "That guy's a piece of shit, so no."

"I wouldn't do any job Manny is involved in anyway. So, what do you want?" Boone adds.

"There's a situation down in Nelson we need someone of your... Expertise to deal with. There'll be caps in it since you are no longer actively serving, it might require the other one though... Sniper teams travel in two after all."

...

This was the first Afton had heard of that... His thoughts went back to the NCR sniper who'd killed his mother. He hadn't seen another sniper anywhere near them, but maybe the stress of the battle had made his sight unreliable?...

Boone shakes his head, "I'll do it alone, I refuse to work with Manny." he states.

The soldiers look at one another and shrug, "I'm not sure Ranger Milo will like that. Whatever, all he asked was to bring you to him. Will you accept the job?"

"Anything that lets me shoot at the Legion is good with me." he says.

Afton watches as they tell Boone what he might need to bring while he thinks whether or not he wants to involve himself in this... Caps are involved, and he might get some EXP from it, as well as more positive relations with the NCR.

"Boone, this probably has something to do with sniping right?"

The man turns and gives a small nod, "Yeah."

"Well, since snipers apparently work in teams of two, I'd be able to spot for you. I'd need a split of the reward though so its up to you."

Boone sniffs and rubs his nose, "You know how to spot?"

Afton nods, his Guns skill had included that knowledge thankfully.

"Grab your stuff and get ready then, we're headed for Nelson in thirty minutes. No idea how long we'll be there."

Afton nods and leaves, immediately going to his hotel room where Karl-GHUK! "Karl what the fuck!" he exclaims as he sees the old man in bed with Jeannie.

Karl just blinks at him owlishly and shrugs, "Man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

...

"In our shared room? Are you serious?" he shakes his head, "I'll be gone on a job with Boone in Nelson for a couple days. You keep working on the other job until I get back."

Karl nods before sending a perverted grin at him, "Yeah, yeah... Can you leave? I feel the Shot-Karl cocking again, and its got plenty ammo to spare."

Afton stifles the gag he gets at hearing that and leaves while ignoring Jeannie's blushing face. "Sorry about this dear." she says as he exits the door.

Hmm, he hadn't managed to actually get any supplies... He's got enough weaponry and ammo on him, but he'd need food and water for the journey... Whatever, he'd just buy some from the traders, there was no way he was walking back into that room.

He met Boone and the other soldiers not long after grabbing the supplies. Lucky, That Gun, and his other weapons were strapped on him as if he were planning to fight against an army alone. Who knows, depending on the mission goes that might just be the case.

"Ready to go?" Boone quietly asks.

Afton nods, "Yeah, my partner left me with something that I want to try and forget... Hopefully the long walk will allow me to clear my head..." he mutters.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Niggross Niggross

Karl's a dirty old man... Works faster than Afton does though, you can say that at least...

Hope you bois like the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!

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