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50.49% Steel Waste / Chapter 358: NCR : Not Really Conspicuous

Chapter 358: NCR : Not Really Conspicuous

Once the group was up and the hung-over Karl was watered, they headed back into Primm and picked up some travel supplies before headed out. They bid farewell to Nash and Meyers and went south along the highway.

Unlike last time Afton had trodden this path, there wasn't an army of giant ants to contend with, allowing them to simply stroll up to the giant NCR range statue. Though, as they were headed up the hill to the outpost, the group noticed that all the debris on the road had been shifted to the side, the broken vehicles, the scrap metal, etc.

Most of the group were still pondering why that was when Josie decided to just tell them. "Well, you can't exactly drive a convoy of trucks through a road filled with garbage. No wonder they moved them... With the other route to California blown to pieces, it had to be done sometime." she explains.

Afton nods in understanding, realising that yeah, without the Divide route the convoy would be forced to head through this outpost... Though, at least they'd have some good news for Ranger Jackson.

Once the group reached the outpost they are greeted by Sgt Kilborn who still seemed to be stationed here... Judging by the black bags under his eyes, he ain't enjoying it neither.

He recognises Afton and Karl and welcomes them in, updating them on the recent news as they walk to the barracks. Apparently, the raids from the Legion had stopped after Nelson was captured, but once the Legion retook it they sent almost triple the number of Legionaries into the Mojave, decimating the settlements near the river.

Afton noticed that Cass wasn't sitting around the bar anymore, and found that she left as soon as the Legion had been temporarily dealt with... Kilborn was worried that she might have gotten caught up in the conflict though. He'd make sure to keep an eye out for her, she was one of the top candidates to join his group after all, plus, they were drinking buddies.

"Yo, Jackson." Afton greets the tired-looking Ranger who was currently slumped over a pile of paperwork.

"Ah... Howdy...!?" he starts upon seeing Afton and Karl, a big grin forming on his face as he gets up and shakes their hands. "Aha? Welcome back to paradise on earth boys, didn't expect you to ever come back if I were honest."

Afton smirks, "Well, we're really just passing by to give you some good news." he pauses, "Remember those Deathclaws north of here?" he asks.

Jackson nods, "Yeah? The big ass nest of 'em tearing anyone who tries to pass to pieces. What about 'em?"

"Yeah, well, they're dead now. The route should be safe enough for a few caravans to pass through... I'd still be careful of the Supermutants on Black Mountain though." Afton explains and chuckles at the ranger's reaction.

Jackson's eyes almost roll out of their sockets as he stares at him, "You what now? If this is a prank, it ain't funny." he states.

Karl shakes his head at the side, "It's true, we took the bounty from Dhatri in Camp McCarren. Stocked up on a bunch of Explosive .50 cal rounds and went to down at a distance. Wasn't so hard really..." he says, receiving funny looks from the rest of the group.

"Weren't you pissin' your pants not wanting to accept the bounty, Karl?" Boone blankly asks.

"Nah, why're you fabricating stories? Anyway, the road should be clear." Karl quickly changes the subject after being called out.

Jackson gives them a brief nod, "Well I don't think you guys could'a come at a better time. The trucks are supposed to be passing back through here today, so if you're telling the truth I can send them north instead of near Legion territory.

*Bwaaaaaaummm!*

The sound of a horn going off in the distance alerts the group, most are ready to pull their weapons and await an assault, but Jackson just waves his hand and calms them all, "Hold your horses, that's just the signal that the convoy has arrived." he says, headed outside as the group follows.

They walk outside and approach the gates looking further south out of the Mojave, and spot a long dust trail being created by five large NCR trucks that seemed to be the same ones that were in Camp McCarren. Or at least, Josie seems to think so.

"If we weren't headed to Novac to fix up a car, I'd have half a mind to leave you guys right now." she says, looking affixed at the trucks as they drove towards them.

"Because you want to drive them, or?" Afton inquires.

"There's no 'or', I just wanna drive one until the tires give out!" she quickly says as the group steps back as the gates open to allow the convoy through.

The trucks stop inside the outpost and a Ranger hops out of the lead vehicle and heads towards Ranger Jackson. "G'day to you Ranger, just pass me the paperwork so we can get through here before some shit can happen." the man asks, seemingly slightly on edge. Though, Afton doesn't blame him, Josie almost got kicked out of the NCR for him accidentally repairing one of the trucks... Afton couldn't imagine how nerve-wracking it would be to drive one. It'd be like a different method of playing Russian roulette...

Afton and Josie begin walking around the convoy to take a look at the vehicles conditions while the others mill around buying supplies, cleaning their weapons, and speaking with the other NCR troopers present.

As they're walking, Afton notices something odd however... One of the NCR troopers he'd seen sitting around the outpost before the convoy had arrived is seemingly examining the vehicles too... Though, the way he's looking around for people lets Afton known he doesn't want to be spotted.

If Afton's Perception wasn't maxed out, he may not have noticed the man either, so he must have some practice at this... Of course, as Afton was keeping a close eye on them, he was easily able to see the small package the man is attempting to stick onto the underside of one of the trucks.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Niggross Niggross

Hope you bois liked 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 359: Sabotage the Saboteur!

Time seemed to slow as he watched the perpetrator attach the package to the underside of the truck... He honestly couldn't care if the truck was destroyed. The loss of the truck would be a massive blow to the NCR, for their overall resources as well as their morale.

The disruption to the supply line would also be incredibly effective in allowing a Legion ambush to successfully tackle them further down the road. Depending on how powerful the explosion is. the entire convoy may be forced to stop, allowing Legionaries to potentially destroy or capture the trucks and resources they hold...

But, that isn't what Afton is concerned about... No. The thing that worried him the most was his seeming 'Double-Agent' status among both sides of the war. The NCR had no idea he working with the Legion, but once they found out they'd probably do their utmost to assassinate him...

If the NCR found out that he had ties with the Legion, and was also present when a bomb was planted on the convoy, fingers would not doubt be pointed at him... If he stopped them though, he could simply say that he was 'their' double-agent, working to gather information and stop Legion plots.

Of course, stopping the sabotage attempt would have many repercussions with his 'handlers' in the Legion. He knew he was in a disadvantaged position due to the information they were holding over his head, and any sign of resistance may just lead to them resorting to drastic measures...

...

He rubs his face, damn. When did this shit get so complicated?...

He has no idea how he wants to go about this, but... Perhaps he could find a solution that'd leave him in the clear? Yeah...

Afton gestures at the truck in the lead, "Man, I wonder where that scuff on its bumper comes from."

"The what!?" Josie exclaims, quickly marching over to examine it as Afton excuses himself.

He briskly walks over to the sabotouer and pats him on the shoulder, causing the man to whip around with a hand resting on his holster, "C-can I do something for you?" he quickly asks in surprise, no doubt wondering if he'd blown his cover.

Despite it still being up in the air as to who the man's loyalties lied with, Afton was almost entirely sure it was the Legion... So, Afton flashes the strange coin with a cross on it. Afton suspiciously looks around before quietly saying "Ave, true to Caesar."

The man blinks at him in surprise before quickly nodding and reciprocated, "Ave, true to Caesar... Who sent you? I was not told I would have assistance during my briefing." he asks.

Afton nods, "Of course you wouldn't, if you were captured my duties would be in jeopardy. Is your task complete?"

The man nods, "It is, as long as their route remains the same, our men should be in position. It will be a devastating blow to our enemies."

"I see, quickly, come with me, my task has encountered some.. Interference." Afton says as he briskly walks away from the convoy, behind a building in a location almost no one seems to visit.

The spy stops and looks at him expectantly, so who was Afton to leave a man hanging... Afton bends down to tie his shoes and draws a knife from the boot, immediately lunging forwards and stabbing the man in the throat, abruptly cutting off the scream in his throat.

He gurgles and tries to push Afton off, but his strength doesn't match even half of Afton's. After a couple more seconds of squirming, the man drops dead and Afton gently lowers his body to the floor, wouldn't be good for someone to hear it and discover the body.

Afton wasn't really sure what to do with the body, burying it would take far too long, people would notice if he burned it, and leaving it here would allow it to be noticed eventually... He shakes his head, whatever, as long as no one links the man's death with himself then there was nothing to worry about.

All that needed doing now was removing the bomb planted under the truck. Fortunately, that would be the easiest part of all this... He activates the Stealthboy and quickly makes his way to the truck, reaching under and disconnecting the bomb and retreating to the toilets before anyone was the wiser.

Once inside he deactivates the Stealthboy and begins examining the bomb, his Max level Explosives Skill allowing him to quickly figure it out. Obviously, the bomb was some kind of plastic explosive, most likely C4. If this amount had been left under the truck, it may have destroyed more than jus the single truck it'd been planted on...

The amount of C4 he currently held in his hand was enough to level a large building if placed correctly. He was quickly able to deactivate the timer mechanism attached to it as well, leaving him with a large amount of usable C4... He wasn't really sure what he'd end up doing with it, but it was better to have it than to not!

Once he double-checks that it isn't activated, he stows it away in his backpack and leaves the bathroom, arriving back where Josie was 'coddling' the truck.

"How's that scuff looking?" he asks from behind her with crossed arms.

"Which one... They're all covered in them! It's as if they're not taking care of them!" she exclaims, apparently having not noticed his momentary absence.

In the end, Jackson lets the Ranger leading the convoy know about the Long 15 having been cleared, but they made sure to radio into Camp McCarren to confirm this... A couple hours later, and everything was checked, allowing the group to travel north and not worry about Legion ambushes.

The convoy leaves and Jackson profusely thanks the group for their services towards the NCR. He even attempts to get them to stay longer, but Afton didn't pay any mind to it. He'd rather get moving before the NCR could discover the spy's corpse, any links between it and them wouldn't be a welcome one.

Most would say that they were walking away with nothing, but that isn't neccecarily true... Atleast, not for Afton.

[NCR Rep gained!]

[NCR Rep : Liked]


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Niggross Niggross

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

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