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52.75% Steel Waste / Chapter 374: Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Chapter 374: Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

The completion of Dirt-Hog signalled their departure from Novac. Most of the townsfolk didn't want them to leave, due to safety and the help Afton's group had given them.

Afton was fairly sure they'd be able to hold back a medium-strength Legion assault with the training he, Boone, and Karl had given the townsfolk, but that wouldn't mean much if the Legion came at full force.

It was obvious to most that the NCR didn't care for, or want to defend the town, even if it'd lead to a strategic disadvantage. And now that Novac had refused to pay taxes, the NCR would likely let the town be destroyed and after let NCR settlers take the place. It wouldn't be the first time it'd happened either...

As thanks to Daisy for her continued help and support, he'd left her the Winch truck to do with as she wished... Though, he'd recommended her to armour it up and modify it into a makeshift assault vehicle... She could probably use the winch to drag something else into combat, though, Afton was still unsure at the effectiveness it might have.

Regardless, it was time to head to New Vegas. He still had to assassinate that piece of shit major that led the attack on Helios One, as well as finding Veronica who may or may not even be there. It'd been a couple months since she and Tamia had left gather enough money to enter New Vegas, so hopefully, they'd have made it in.

To be honest, Afton wasn't holding out much hope of keeping his 'neutrality' with the Legion after their defence of Novac. But, if he could gain a little more time so they could plan their attack on the Legion's main base, it'd be well worth it... Besides, he always intended to kill the major, whether or not the Legion asked him to is irrelevant.

So, he sat in the passenger seat of Dirt-Hog as Josie took the wheel. Despite him wanting to drive it, he wanted her to get a proper feel for it... She was responsible for the vehicle after all, that's why he'd invited her into the group.

Karl complained that the back of Dirt-Hog was a bit cramped, especially with ED-E and Dog-meat back there, but he couldn't really complain... Compared to sitting behind Afton on Dirt-Bird, he preferred the cramp, but well air-conditioned cargo hold.

The drive to New Vegas was pretty uneventful. It took a day or two, and they'd been forced to stop at the 188 Trading Post to get some rest. They'd visited the Slop and Shop to visit Samuel and his daughter, and learned that the duo were actually planning on moving back to Primm... Apparently, the conflict with the Legion has been forcing more and more traders to relocate... Add the cleared Long 15 and Primm was ready to become the new trading hotspot of the Mojave.

Of course, Dirt-Hog attracted alloooot of attention. Afton was forced to get a Certification of Ownership for it like he had done Dirt-Bird all those months ago. The NCR soldiers were almost falling over themselves to steal the vehicle however, which forced Afton to 'show' how much he'd appreciated them keeping their hands to themselves...

The fact that he'd broken all the bones in one of the soldier's hands was easily ignored when the context of the situation was given however, so no punishments were given to Afton for his assault on an NCR soldier.

Though, already over the NCR radio he'd received he could hear them speaking of Dirt-Hog... His vehicle was probably one of the best vehicles around America... Of course, the NCR still had a few tanks and other military vehicles back in California, but those had to be kept there to drive off any potential Brotherhood of Steel invasion.

Hopefully, the NCR wouldn't get the stupid idea to 'Commandeer' his vehicle, otherwise he'd definitely be forced to retaliate.

Eventually, the group reached the North gate of Freeside where a small group of King's were waiting and watching with rapt attention.

"My, god, whaddo' we have 'ere? One o' them prewar-war machines?" a King mutters as he unconsciously takes a step back.

Afton opens the door and sticks his head out, waving as he sends a cheeky grin at them, "How you boys doing? Good, I hope?"

"Hahaha! I shoulda known it'd be you drivin' around that contraption. The King has been lookin' for ya, you know?" he says as he approaches.

Another King speaks up, "I'm kinda worried about that ride o' yours... Seems like you could crush a man like a rotten tato'... Them guns up there ain't for show neither, right?" Afton shakes his head and the King continues, "You better keep everything tight and controlled then, wouldn't want a misunderstandin' would we?"

Afton chuckles, "The only misunderstanding that'd be happening in that instance is who you'd have to scrap up off of the road. Let's hope it doesn't come to that though, right?"

The King nods and shrugs, "Not much else I can say to that. I'd steer clear of those soldier boys though, even with things being calmer around here, they're still worried about another terrorist attack. Might just piss themselves and start firing when you roll up in that."

Afton nods, "We'll keep that in mind. Oh, you guys mind opening the gate for us?" he asks and the Kings nod and do so, "Alright, see you guys later." he says, waving at them before shutting the door and continuing.

Josie slowly drives Dirt-Hog down the street of Freeside, causing no small deal of fright to the locals who'd never seen such a big vehicle before. Most hadn't even seen Dirt-Bird in action, let alone the mobile assault vehicle before them.

There was a far greater NCR presence in the slums now than before, but apparently, it still wasn't enough to remove all the drugs, fights, and other illegal shit that goes on in the alleyways.


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 375: Miscommunication

As they get deeper into Freeside Josie notices something happening off the side of the road. An NCR soldier seems to be wrestling with a large fat man. The man himself seems to be on some sort of chem due to his weird and wild movements, but eventually, the soldier brings him to the ground and restrains him.

"Is that guys knee on his neck?" she asks, wondering if that was proper protocol.

Afton looks over and shakes his head, "Neck and shoulder."

"Kneeling on the neck will kill him right?" she mutters while opening the door slightly to air her grievances, however, once she does she can hear the large man wheezing.

"Let... me go... I can't breathe."

"Right, you and the other fifty people who've tried the same thing." the soldier remarks, staying put.

"Hey, he says he can't breath! Give him some room!" Josie says from the car, finally catching their attention.

"Just leave it alone, Josie." Afton sighs.

"Miss, I have to do this for the safety of myself and the public... This man just robbed a family at gunpoint..."

"Well you have disarmed him already, give him some space and wait for the others to arrive." she continues.

The soldier just gives a long sigh and does as she asks, he'd heard of a few soldiers getting thrown in prison on the public's emotion alone. He rearranges his restraint, but this was just what the criminal was looking for. He throws the man off of his back while grabbing the gun from the soldier's holster.

*BANG!*

The man shoots the soldier in the face, but doesn't stop there.

*BANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!*

He unloads the revolver until it gives nothing but clicks... He looks around for anyone else and eventually spots Josie, running towards her to most likely take the vehicle.

Unfortunately for the man...

*DAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA!*

The K9000 had already designated them as an enemy and riddled them with bullets, causing them to fall down to the ground lifelessly.

Josie just watches on in horror, disgusted that her actions had not only killed the soldier, but the criminal as well...

"Alright, we've been here long enough, let's get moving before we're stuck being questioned." Afton urges, not wanting to get caught up in paperwork.

"H-how are you so calm about this?" she asks, a shudder in her voice.

Afton shrugs, "It's just the way things work."

"The Wasteland?" she guesses.

Afton shakes his head, "The world."

The group continue on driving until they reach the Strip North Gate. The Securitrons just stand stock still where they are, but their weapon are pointed directly at the vehicle as if waiting for them to try and breach into New Vegas.

Afton just gets Josie to drive into a vacant area on the right, they'd park the vehicle there and leave it while they're in the strip. They wouldn't have to worry about thieves as the K9000 would be designated to deal with anyone who tried to gain access to it.

The group get out of the truck and head to the gate as Afton looks them all over, "So, I'm guessing the people who have licences are everyone but Anja?"

The group nod and Anja looks sheepish, "Will that be a problem, sir?"

Afton shakes his head, "Not really, we just gotta show that you have enough caps for the strip, which isn't really a problem... Now that I think about it, we still have to collect our bounty from Dhatri, don't we?"

As they approach the gate, the Securitrons bar their entrance... "Display your identification or submit to a credit check... Trespassers will be shot."

The group do as their told, however, when it comes to Anja's turn the Securitron points its weapon at her, "Ghouls may not enter the Strip."

...

"What? Why?" Afton asks in confusion.

"Studies have shown that ghouls are more vicious, unstable, and more prone to violence than regular humans." the Securitron lists off.

...

Afton frowns, "I take it the tests didn't distinguish between regular ghouls and feral ghouls?" he asks with a dull expression, knowing that version of events is most likely to have occurred.

"Ghoul are prohibited, please step aside." the Securitron repeats, apparently not having the processing power or ability to debate Afton on this.

He sighs and glances at Anja, "My bad Anja-"

"No... It's ok, sir. I'll stay behind and protect Dirt-Hog while you're gone." she quietly mutters.

Afton nods but snaps his fingers at Dog-meat, "You stay behind with her boy, get rid of anyone who bothers her or the truck."

*Woof!* The dog barks and walks to Anja's side as she watches them a good distance from the gate.

Without further adieu, the group stroll past the Securitrons and walk into the strip. The gates shut behind them as they are greeted by the sight of the most populace, and well maintained prewar city left in the world.

The strip definitely belonged in Vegas, old and new. With dazzling lights everywhere you look and hundreds or thousands of drunken, dishevelled, or rich folk walking around. There were casino's lining each side of the long road, but most impressive of them all was the Lucky 38, the towering behemoth that almost everyone in the Mojave could see.

It was no wonder the lights from the place at night illuminated areas miles away. The tower itself produced enough light pollution to stop the stars from being visible... It's a shame no one had been allowed inside for centuries, Afton thought the view at the top would be both beautiful and despairing... He couldn't imagine what it could be like for Mr House to look down at the destroyed Wasteland and compare it with what he once knew... If he was indeed the same person that is.

Personally, Afton wasn't all that sure Mr House was still alive. For all they knew it, could be some sort of AI designed to mimic him...


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Niggross Niggross

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

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