The group was back on the road, speeding down the highway with a cloud of dust behind them. The occasional traveller or trader would look at them in shock and surprise as Dirt-Bird blitzed past them.
Afton didn't know if anyone else had ever recreated pre-war vehicles, but if they had he certainly hadn't heard about it. He hopes people won't get the stupid idea of trying to steal his bike, he can't protect it 24/7, but he can certainly hunt whoever has the balls to try.
The sun on his skin feels more vibrant than before, his [Solar Powered] perk making him able to appreciate it much more than he used to. He wondered how his abilities would progress the further he levelled, and if there was even a cap.
Regardless, an hour after they'd left camp he could see something in the distance. It looked to be a highway overpass but judging by how many people seemed to be congregating around it, it was probably their destination, the 188 Trading Post.
The hum of the engine and cloud of dust behind them had most people turning towards them as they approached. Afton wasn't sure whether he wanted to be the centre of attention or not, but he didn't really have a choice if he were honest. He wasn't going to stop using Dirt-Bird just because people would take notice.
The group of people part like the red sea for them to travel through, but it seems the NCR soldiers didn't appreciation the commotion they were inadvertently creating. A line of soldiers stood in their path with weapons drawn, they seemed to be shouting orders at them but were too far to hear them clearly.
"Fuckin' NCR can't keep their noses outta shit." Afton mutters as he slows down.
The bike stops to a halt a good distance away from the soldiers, Karl, Afton, and Boone all display their hands to pacify the soldier some. It wouldn't be fun to be randomly shot by some trigger happy soldier boy.
"You there, keep your hands where we can see them!" A soldier shouts as they approach.
Afton glowers at them, "You'd think with all we've done for the NCR they'd atleast cut us some slack!? What're you holding us up for?" he asks loudly, making sure the group of civilians can hear him.
"You are on New California Republic territory on an unidentified vehicle without permission. You will cede the vehicle and any other technology you have." they shout, causing Afton to scowl.
Karl scoffs at them, "Huh, is this how you guys operate now? Requisitioning people's property at random?! What makes you any better than the Brotherhood of Steel!?" he says.
"We are mercenaries who've worked for the NCR, is this how you treat people loyal to you? That'd explain why traders prefer the Legion." Afton growls, "This is my property and I will not hand it to you. Radio your superior, unless of course you want a fight?"
The leader of the soldiers gives an unfriendly sneer and pulls out his radio, stepping away to get some degree of privacy as they speak to their superior officer.
Karl looks to Afton warily, "We really going to die on this hill?" he asks.
Afton nods, "Yeah, no government lacky is going to steal from me. If the bike is more important than the loyalties of the one who made it, then the NCR is more stupid than I'd first thought... Plus, it's not like we don't have the public on our side." he says, nodding his head in the direction of the rather angry looking crowd.
They were all traders, and most had come here to sell pre-war technology they'd scavenged. So to have the NCR show up and try to 'requisition' tech from someone for no valid reason means that it might affect them too. Not to mention the fact that rumour of the group's accomplishments had already reached here and New Vegas meant they wouldn't be lacking support.
Indeed, if the NCR arrested mercenaries that'd almost singlehandedly wiped out a Legionary encampment the public would go mad. Even those loyal to the NCR would consider this a complete and utter betrayal... Of course, they could pin the group with false crimes, but that wasn't a possibility in this current situation.
Boone sighs from the sidecar, "I'd rather not gun down my former comrades... But I agree that they're treading a line they shouldn't cross."
The formerly sneering soldiers comes back with a scowl, "You. Are you Afton Parker, Karl Martin, and Craig Boone?" The group nod and the man's scowl only becomes more prominent, "You are free to go once you sign a form to register your vehicle. You will be required to pay two hundred caps for it though, if you lack the money then we'll seize the vehicle."
...
What kind of backwards laws are in play here? They were in the Mojave, a place that had many fucked up roads and even more fucked up pre-war vehicles lying around. Why does the NCR have procedures detailing vehicles? Did they have functioning one's back in California? Why hadn't he heard of this yet?
After a moment of contemplation, Afton reluctantly nods, "Bring the papers here and I'll sign them. I'll want your name too, once I'm in McCarren I'll ask whether this is indeed procedure... And if I find that you are cheating me... Well, you've heard of our past achievements." he states.
The man walks away without having been all that intimidated... Maybe it'd be useful to get [Terryfying Presence] just to scare douchebags he wasn't able to kill yet? It'd certainly help with the challenge that required him to scare people.
After a couple minutes of waiting another soldier comes by with a piece of paper and a pen. The paper looked to be quite old, probably because no one with vehicles ever passed by here? Afton reluctantly signed it and divvied out two-hundred caps before handing them to the man.
They walk away and return after a while with some sort of certification of ownership? It looks like one of those fake diploma's you'd get... But as long as it kept the 'man' off of his back so be it.
Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know.
Once the 'harrowing' authoritarian encounter had finished the group was left to their own devices once again. They were currently at the bottom of the highway overpass, ontop of it Afton could see a couple make-shift shacks that'd been constructed up there.
Afton personally wanted to take a look around and see if there was any interesting pre-war tech lying around. Though, judging by how the NCR reacted to Dirt-Bird, he imagined that they'd 'requisitioned' anything dangerous... Perhaps there was some kind of black market operating here though?
A few people walked up to them and started asking about Dirt-Bird, where they got it, who built it, how'd they got it working, etc. Afton just waved them all off with non-committal answers as he simply couldn't be bothered to deal with them right now.
Certainly, that female engineer that'd offered her 'services' in return for allowing her to take a peek at the bike's internal components was tempting. But Afton (mostly) knew better than to accept random propositions like that. Last thing he wanted was to catch some flesh-eating mutated STD. He shivers slightly at the thought of it.
"Karl, could you sell off our access ammunition? I wanna take a look around for tech... And don't forget to sell the Necter as well." Afton asks, the former-ranger nodding and hefting a chock-full backpack before walking away.
"Any jobs for me your highness?" Boone asks sarcastically.
Afton shrugs, "Well, could you keep an eye on the bike until one of us comes back? I'd rather not leave it alone... Especially around here." he states, glancing towards some NCR soldiers.
"Whatever. Just don't take too long, I need to do some maintenance on... Wait, nevermind." he mutters after looking over his Hunting Rifle. The dirty, scuffed wood had somehow regained its vibrance and durability, the metal of the gun lacking any of the old scratches it'd gained in the past... "Did one of you swap out my gun?" he asks, an angry tone to his voice.
Aton shakes his head, "No, and I know Karl wouldn't try it either. He treats his revolver the same as you treat your rifle." he says, not wanting to reveal his more supernatural abilities... He'd wanted all his companion's gear to be top quality, but he'd somehow inadvertently removed any history from Boone's rifle. His [Mechanicus] perk was doing what it says, Afton just hadn't thought of the consequences of randomly repairing everything.
"Hmm... Whatever, go do your shopping, I'll wait here." he says, still glaring at his rifle as if it was hiding the mysteries of the universe.
Afton nods at him, picks up his backpack and start walking up to the top of the overpass. He keeps an eye on his surroundings and everyone who passes him, he wouldn't be surprised if someone tried to pickpocket him while he was distracted.
At the top he could see a few shacks selling various foods, drinks, etc. At the end of the bridge there seemed to be a female selling weaponry, but he'd take a closer look later. He wasn't in a rush or anything.
Looking over the edge of the overpass he could see what should be the main market place. Stalls had been set up selling various random things. It looked almost like a bazaar if he were honest. The overpass provided good enough shade for people to sit around all day and sell their wares.
Afton took a seat in one shack that seemed to be some kind of bar? Though, judging by the smell they were selling some food too.
The man behind the bar had short brown hair with a traders outfit. He wipes a glass clean with a dirty cloth and placed it in-front of Afton, "Welcome to the 188 Slop & Shop. Like our slogan says, 'It's better than nothing', can't imagine why you'd come here though, if I had a fancy motor like that I'd drive right around this place." he says jokingly.
"You saw that huh?" Afton says quietly.
The smirk on the man's face made it clear how amusing he found Afton's earlier predicament. "Usually the soldiers around here keep to themselves, don't know why they'd take such a keen interest in your vehicle. Haven't seen the NCR military trucks since that ambush by the Legion." he shrugs.
"Wait, the NCR have vehicles?" Afton asks, wondering how he'd not heard about this before...
The man nods, "Yeah, mostly use them to transport troops and supplies from California. Been hiding 'em in Camp McCarren after the Legion managed to destroy one though. Probably scared the others would get blown up too."
That would make sense... Vehicles were a luxury after the Great War, and only the Brotherhood of Steel could toss some away as if it were nothing. Regular ground vehicles were a rarity though, the Brotherhood mostly had Vertibirds. This was mainly due to the fact that all places that contained vehicles and could resist nuclear annihilated were owned by the military, making it incredibly unlikely for a working civilian vehicle to be around in this era.
Afton was about to order a drink when he realised he hadn't introduced himself, "Ah, name's Afton Parker by the way."
The man nods, "I know, heard it from some customers, you're talk of the outpost you know? I'm Samuel Kerr, I set up this here Trading Post with my daughter."
That raises a brow, "You set this place up? I thought it was an NCR made outpost?"
Samuel shakes his head, "This place just took over what Boulder City used to do after the Legion destroyed it. I just built a shack here to feed those poor bastards coming from California to try their luck in New Vegas... Most visit my shop twice, once with pockets stuffed with caps, and once heading back to California penniless." he says with a smirk.
"Must be good business then, you get both sides of the extreme. One has enough caps to throw around while the other desperately need enough supplies to return to California without starving. You're smarter than you look."
Samuel laughs, "And you're tougher than you look. Don't think I haven't heard about what you've done to the Powder Gangers and the Legion. Surprised you haven't got a couple o' red assassins following you wherever you go."
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.
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