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78.42% Steel Waste / Chapter 556: Innocent Savages

Chapter 556: Innocent Savages

Doc Henry just shrugs, "I'm old and like to keep busy, this place is quieter than most and provides good research opportunities. I wonder what you are doing here though, we haven't had traders in a while, and you look more like the mercenary type to me."

"You could say that... We're just waiting to talk to Marcus." Tamia says.

Doc Henry slowly nods, "Mhm, hey... Would you mind if I looked your dog over while you wait? It's not anything important, just mild curiosity."

...

Tamia glances at Dogmeat who shakes its head, "Sorry, the mutt knows what it wants." she shrugs, taking a seat and relaxing while waiting for Marcus to arrive.

Doc Henry just sighs and sits back at his terminal, returning to his research.

It takes around thirty minutes for Marcus to finally return, the large mutant popping his head into the room and looking at Tamia. "You wanted to talk in private? Follow me." he states.

The trio + dog, follow Marcus through the resort as he leads them to his room. Again, they pass by many mutants and nightkin who seem very hostile. It's fortunate Marcus seems to have good control over them, otherwise they may have needed to fight their way out.

They enter Marcus' room as the mutant locks the door behind them before taking a seat in a large make-shift chair, "Alright, what's up?" he asks with crossed arms.

"I've been sent by Mr House to see if Jacobstown is willing to make an agreement with New Vegas, specifically, an agreement to help combat the NCR and Legion from the Mojave." she states.

Marcus looks surprised at this, raising a hand to rub his chin while in thought, "Mr House huh?... To be honest, I'm surprised someone like him would be willing to negotiate with mutants at all..."

Tamia shrugs, "Mr House doesn't discriminate against any race, colour, or creed. So long as you aren't a violent bandit, cannibal, or communist, there's a place in New Vegas for everyone. Despite the short time I've known the man, I can se for sure that he is a true blue capitalist. As long as you are non-destructive towards society, he'll defend your rights as sapient beings." she states.

...

Marcus' eyes go wide at this, with his face gaining a look of confusion, hope, and scepticism after thinking about it for a moment. "I'm not sure I can believe your words... I've lived a long time, and this isn't the first time I've heard people proclaim equal treatment while conspiring against us in the background... I have to ask, are these words his, or yours?"

Tamia purses her lips, "They are mine, but I've been given full authority to negotiate on New Vegas's behalf. I'm basically the only ambassador, so I have a bit of sway with Mr House. I understand you are sceptical, but wouldn't it be better to secure an agreement with New Vegas before the war erupts?... I promise you, regardless of the surprises that occur, New Vegas will come out on top." she states with full confidence.

Afton had already made his intention to side with New Vegas in the coming conflict clear to her, it was after the war that he was still on the fence about. He said he wanted to see if House actually stuck to his word before deciding anything concrete... Which was understandable, she agreed with him completely, as if House derelict his duty despite his promises, she'd jump ship as well...

"Say we agree to some sort of alliance, what's in it for us, and what would we have to give in return?" Marcus questions.

"Now? Nothing... But in future you may be drafted to help fight for New Vegas, though, we won't force you onto the front lines if you're worried about it, we already have robots for that. As for what you'll get in return? The ability to live like regular people? Without having to hide away in isolated places like this. A chance for equal treatment?"

Marcus shakes his head, "Meaningless platitudes aren't enough for me to lead my people to war. I've fought before, and I know what horrors await us if your position isn't as strong as you suggest. The constant fighting was the reason I left Black Mountain, yet..." he sighs, "You've fought the NCR in the area, you must've seen the other scouts watching Jacobstown?" he questions.

Boone nods, "Yeah, spotted two groups of them watching the roads."

"They've been harassing us for weeks now. Stopping us from sending out caravans for supplies, killing surrounding wildlife, sometimes even shooting at our Big horner herd. I'm struggling enough as it is keeping the others from running out and slaughtering any human they see, but it's a losing battle... I suspect the Nightkin are already planning to leave, but maybe the others can be saved from destroying themselves... If you want to show your sincerity, try getting rid of some of the NCR encampments in the area,

That'd show the others that not all humans are against us, it might even get the Nightkin back to being 'relatively' civil. It would also show that House truly means to combat the NCR... Don't think I'm unaware of New Vegas' current relationship with them, Camp McCarren is spoken of enough over the radio." he states.

Tamia glances over at Boone and Josie questioningly, she wasn't sure how they'd react to such a request... Sure, they'd defended themselves against the NCR troopers, but actively hunting them down? Yeah, that's another can of worms she wasn't looking forward to opening.

Boone leans back in the chair and looks at the ceiling with crossed arms, "We'll do it... As it is, while they are not technically breaking any NCR laws as Supermutants don't count as civilians, I think a conflict with them is inevitable... Why not spark the war to protect innocents? It'd at least put us on the moral high ground, even if people don't see it that way."


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Niggross Niggross

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

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Chapter 557: Robo-Karl

Afton was currently standing over Karl as the man lied down on a surgery table in nothing but a patients gown. Dala was floating next to him with scalpal, bone saws, and all her other tools ready. Behind them was another table that had two customized Cybernetic legs, and one Cybernetic hand that'd attach to Karl's arm... What was the reason they couldn't simply attack it at the wrist like a regular hand? Well, that'd be the enhancements Afton had added to it...

Karl looks up at Afton while sending sideways glances at Dala, "Er, you sure I can't just have you doing this? That crazy robot makes me uneasy..." he admits.

Afton shakes his head, "Unfortunately not, I need her to help with the operation... I'll make sure she doesn't try to castrate you mid-operation if that helps?"

Karl's eyes bulge from their sockets, "She might do that!?" he exclaims, almost squealing like a little girl.

"OOoooh, is the teddy bear giving me permission?" Dala asks while revving up her sawblade.

Karl pales at the sound of the whirring blade and tries to get up off of the table, but is unceremoniously held down by Afton, "Just calm down, Dala won't lay a finger on you. I just need her to hold the implants still while I install them... Before we start though, you got anything you want me to look at while we're here? I've already looked you over but, the patient knows best." he shrugs.

Karl purses his lips, "You think you could make my fella bigg-"

"No.""Yes" Afton starts but glances at Dala when he hears her reply.

...

"Increasing the size of a human's penis is not a difficult procedure. I simply need to remove it, clone its cells, and stitch the extra-large teddy tube back." she explains.

Karl quickly shakes his head, "Er, nope, no. No thank you... Kid, just put me out before I regret agreeing to this." he pleads to Afton who just nods and sticks him in the arm with an IV bag filled with a concoction of chems meant to knock him out... Afton had considered letting Kalr be conscious for the installation of the implants, but considering they would literally be connecting everything from his pain receptors, to his nerves, to his tendons to them, Karl was probably better off asleep.

Afton looks to Dala, "Alright, let's start on the legs first."

Thus the operation begins, the Cybernetic legs themselves looked sleek and were the familiar light blue/silver colour of Saturnite. They kind of looked like skinny plate leg armour you'd see medieval knights wearing... Truthfully, the design was a coincidence as Afton was just trying to design the most durable and effective limbs possible.

The feet of the legs didn't look like feet, in fact, you could walk around without any boots at all with these, they looked like sabatons. Though, Afton had already designed some footwear that Karl could use if he wanted to keep his implants clean.

Besides their obvious advantage to human legs in durability, they were actually much stronger than Karl's old legs... In fact, they could probably be considered at around super human level... Though, Afton was sure he was still stronger...

Honestly, he'd considered altering himself more, but he didn't know how that'd affect his stats... Would he lose strength if he replaced his limbs? Would his Perks still work? Yeah, not something he was willing to risk. Besides, if he wanted to do that he'd do it via mutations, not Cybernetics.

The operation was fairly difficult... Afton and Dala had basically stripped all the flesh away from Karl's legs in order to get to the nerves, tendons, and ligaments in order to connect them to the Cybernetics... Currently, it was too risky to try a straight neural interface, which is why making Cybernetics operate like they usually do would be the best option.

It was messy, gross, and rather unnerving work, but eventually, they'd properly fitted both legs. Afton examines them for a moment before nodding, applying a stimpack to Karl's thigh to heal it up a bit before beginning to test that they'd done everything correctly... He applies a light current to Karl's legs, and nods in satisfaction at the way the Cybernetic legs trembled.

This meant they were connected properly, and wouldn't have any problems once he woke up... Next was his new left hand though... Again, the hand looked like a gothic metal gauntlet, with segmented, sharp, and pointed fingers with sharp knuckles. The hand actually continues halfway up Karl's forearm, Afton was looking forward to Karl's reaction to it once it was installed...

Unlike the legs, Afton had to individually install the tendons of each finger, making it intricate and difficult work. Fortunately, he'd already performed this procedure on some of the criminal slaves he possesses and was relatively familiar with it.

Soon enough, the hand was installed, and after a couple more checks, Afton was satisfied with it. "Dala, time?"

"The operation took three hours, twenty minutes, and thirty-two seconds, to complete. It is now nine pm." she states.

Afton nods and wipes some sweat from his forehead, "Goodwork... But, you know this won't stop your punishment right?"

Dala nods her chassis. "I am aware... I still do not understand what you find unsatisfactory. My operation on your friend was a partial success."

Afton scowls, "Yeah, and a full success would have made her completely brain dead, so shut your mouth and know your damn place." he spits.

The only reason he hadn't properly punished Dala for Christine's sake yet, was the fake he intended something... Really special. He'd have Christine punish Dala once the robot had pain receptors, otherwise, it'd been like punching a robot... Only causing damage but doing nothing but potentially distressing it.

"You've got projects to continue with, attend to them. Glados, inform Karl's family that the procedure was a success, also, inform me once he'd awake." he states as he takes off his bloody clothing and leaves the room.

"Affirmative."


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Niggross Niggross

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

Also, thanks to my patrons for their support :

ShinAmazake

Chris Lindsey

Kingsprovince

Michael Jarrett

Nazlican Erdem

Tarlock

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