Chapitre 465: Brother's in Peril
South of Black Mountain where the Hidden Valley lies sat what used to be an ordinary windy dust bowl... However, no longer is this the case...
Around the various bunkers were many people in Powder armour getting to work on various projects. Walls were still under construction, but what's built combined with the Brotherhood's firepower would most certainly keep all threats out.
Even the army of Supermutants north of the area didn't dare to show their green faces. A small group of scouts had made that mistake before, and now their burnt corpses serve as warning to the rest.
Elder Hardin watches with crossed arms as the area's defences are slowly set up. They'd stripped out all the turrets in the bunkers, functional and broken, and set them up around the place. Anyone or anything that approached without permission would be blasted to kingdom come.
It'd been a couple weeks since the Brotherhood had left the confines of the hidden bunker, and now Hardin was putting his long thought up plans into action.
In only a few short days, they'd gone from isolationist scavengers to a real threat in the Mojave... The NCR had started using the Long 15 as their primary trade route, but not with the Brotherhood's presence they'd managed to capture a number of caravans.
No longer were they forced to scavenge... Instead, they'd be collecting taxes on the road they were protecting from the Super mutants. That, and waging war against their old enemies was inevitable.
There had been a few attacks from the NCR, but they had easily been fended off without casualties on the Brotherhood's end.
Still, despite getting almost everything he'd yearned for years for, one thing niggled in the back of his mind. The traitor, Afton Parker. Indeed, almost everyone in the Chapter had heard of the recent incident involving him, the NCR, and the Legion.
Most were happy that their enemy had taken such crippling damage, and a few even wanted to bring Afton back into the fold, but Hardin didn't belong to either group.
The sting he felt at the memory of being beaten by a boy with no armour was as raw as ever. Were they not in such a perilous position he'd elect to send some Paladins after him, unfortunately, they didn't have the hands to spare for such a task. Add the fact it'd cause Afton's 'friends' to kick up a fuss, it wasn't worth the effort.
Still, Hardin had been alleviating his anger by sending those formerly affiliated with him on particularly dangerous missions. They may have been friends once, but no one disrespects him and gets away with it.
Elsewhere :
Miles and Melissa hide behind cover as bullets impact the boulder they were hiding behind. They'd just be trying to requisition some goods from a Caravan when a group of NCR troopers ambushed them.
Fortunately, they had been wearing their Power armour when it happened, otherwise, both would have acquired a new facial feature in the form of a large hole. The rest of their squad were nearby slowly picking off targets, but this still wasn't what they'd expected from their first official mission out of the bunker...
"Think every mission is gonna be like this from now on?" Miles asks as rock bounces off the top of his helmet.
"Probably... Hardin's become such a hard ass! I'm supposed to be assisting Taggart, but he sends me out with you anyway!" Melissa complains.
Miles just shakes his head, "Look, let's just get through this and we can ask him about it afterwards!" he states before looking around as the firing stops momentarily... Realising the enemy was probably reloading or distracted, he hops over the rock and starts firing with his Gauss Rifle, all the while Melissa was following close behind providing support.
Elsewhere :
It's been a couple days since the 'Capture of Caesar' as people over the radio had been calling it. Afton was currently heading up to the Sink to see how progress on Karl was going. Karl's daughter, Caroline, had woken up yesterday and was slowly but surely recovering, much to the relief of everyone involved.
Obviously, she was having difficulties reintegrating into 'regular' society, if life in Big Mt could be called that. Her time among the Legion had brought a litany of things that she'd need to work through. An example of this would be her unconscious utter subservience towards any man who asks her something.
She's aware of it, but only recognises what done or how she'd acted after the fact. While it might be amusing for pranks, it certainly wasn't for Caroline who became distraught whenever it occurred. It's so bad that it happened even with her son Carlos.
Afton shakes his head at the thought, hopefully Karl would be able to help her. If anyone stood a chance, it'd definitely be him.
Before he reaches his destination however, he spots a notification appearing in his peripheral...
[Stats]
[Perks] : 3
[Mutations]
Apparently, he'd unlocked three Perks without realising it?
After thinking about it for a moment, he realises that yes, he'd forgotten that reaching above 10 in any stat would grant a perk. Last time he'd gotten the Goliath title, not all that exciting, but perhaps the new ones would be?
[For reaching Superhuman levels in Perception, Endurance, and Agility you receive three Perks!]
[Bullet Time] : Once a day time will substantially slow down in response to a threat, this lasts for 10 seconds.
Afton smirks at the Vault boy wearing a trench coat leaning backwards to dodge bullets next to the Perk. As for the Perk? There wasn't all that much to say about it, other than the fact he'd added yet another defensive ability to his arsenal.
[Freeza Style!] : Your endurance had reached Superhuman levels! Allows user to hold their breath for extended periods of time, become resistant to Starvation and Dehydration, pressure, Temperature, and potentially even the void of space.
Hmm, this time the Vault boy was looking strikingly similar to a certain white and purple alien... Afton wondered how effective the Perk actually was, it didn't provide any concrete numbers, which was expected as it was hard to quantify starvation... Plus holding his breath was probably based on his Endurance stat anyway.
[Cat's Agility] : Makes user completely immune to fall damage.
"Gross." he mutters as he spots a Vault boy dressed in incredibly tight looking female leathers... Was it trying to dress up like Catwoman?... Urgh... He shakes his head and turns his attention back to the Perk. Yeah, it's OP.
He could now jump out of a plane and hit the floor like a missile and still be completely fine... In fact, that might be a good strategy in the future. Though, it would become a problem if his allies thought they could do the same...
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Niggross
Niggross Yes, I did forget about the Superhuman perks and yes, I'm embarrassed about it...
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Chapitre 466: Familial Attachments
Afton nods to himself as he inspects the Perks, he pulls up the rest of his status to see just how different everything was.
Afton Parker
Title : [Executioner of the Wastes], [Free Sheriff], [Fiend's Fiend], [Goliath], [Steel Waste], [WellMeaning Disaster]
Level : 51
Points : 0
S.P.E.C.I.A.L :
Strength : 13
Perception : 12
Endurance : 12
Charisma : 7
Intelligence : 9
Agility : 12
Luck : 7
Skills :
Barter : 21
Energy Weapons : 100
Explosives : 100
Guns : 100
Lockpick : 94
Medicine : 100
Melee Weapons : 100
Repair : 100
Science : 100
Sneak : 100
Speech : 100
Survival : 100
Unarmed : 100
Mutations :
[Beauveria mordicana symbioticca] : A mutated strain of a very deadly and infectious fungus. Makes possessor immune to all diseases and poisons, grants +1 End, grants regenerative abilities.
[Beauveria mordicana armamini] : Your right arm has regrown and become stronger than before! +4 DT against damage dealt towards the arm and +20% resistance against being crippled.
[Beauveria mordicana firmissimi anguli] : Enables user to manipulate their arm into a variety of shapes.
Perks :
[Trigger Discipline], [Heavy Handed], [Rapid Reload], [Torture Techniques], [Educated], [John Wick Style], [Toughness], [Stonewall], [Sniper], [Bug Stomper], [Lord Death v3], [Spies Guise], [Quick Draw], [Adamantium Skeleton], [Ranger Tactics], [Ranger Targeting], [Ranger Awareness], [Mechanicus], [Jury Rigging], [SuperHot Block], [Solar Powered], [Miracle Maker], [Unnerving Presence], [Living Anatomy], [Agility Implant], [Masterful Movement], [Blur], [Uncivilized Weapon], [Rad Absorbtion], [Tough Guy], [Nuclear Friendly], [Explorer], [Eureka!], [Atomic!], [Grit], [Alertness], [Abominable v3], [Fight the Power!], [Tremble before me!], [Meltdown], [Explooo-sion!], [Lady Killer], [Big Brained], [Reinforced Spine], [Implant M-5], [Implant C-13], [Impant Y-7], [Cure for the Curious], [Perception Implant], [Endurance Implant], [Danger Sense], [A Pool of Dead], [Charisma Implant], [Intelligence Implant], [Luck Implant], [The Cyber Punk], [Luck of the Draw], [Second Apocalypse], [Stay the Path], [Bullet Time], [Freeza Style!], [Cat's Agility]
Companion Perks :
[Old Wisdom]
[Spotter]
[Persistent Escapee]
[Still Jammn']
[Enhanced Sensors]
[Protagonist]
[A Penchant for Fisting]
Once he reaches the Sink he looks at Meddie but is confused to find the Autodoc empty. Karl wasn't inside it, meaning he'd either died and been disposed of (Which wasn't likely due to the fact Karl's companion Perk was still active), or..."
"He-he-he, I got anotha tune that might suit you fellar" The voice of Blind Diode Jefferson sounds out from the next room as an old jazz song begins playing.
Afton peeks his head around the door and spots Karl sitting in a high tech-looking wheelchair while bobbing his head lightly to the music.
The music abruptly cuts off however as the jukebox seems to spot him, "He-He, seems like you've got a visitor."
Karl looks over his shoulder and spots Afton, he uses a small control panel with his left hand and turns the wheelchair around. "Kid, so you've decided to visit me. About time!"
...
Afton raises a brow, "How long have you been awake? I told Glados to notify me-Ah... My bad." he mutters. Glados had tried to contact him a couple hours ago, but he was too busy working on the Ultra Chainsword to listen... Seems like he'd gotten caught up in work again.
He scratches the back of his head and gives an apologetic smile, "Sorry about that..."
Karl nods and flexes his calf slightly, but looks down in irritation when nothing happens. "Fuckin' shit." he grumbles, "Feels like I've still got both legs..."
...
"Did you just try to kick me?" Afton asks, amused and feeling slightly grim at his friend's state.
Karl leans over and picks up a glass that'd presumably had water in it before throwing it at Afton, "Damn straight I tried to kick you! How is my kid doing!"
"She's fine... Why didn't you go down to see her?" he asks.
Karl gives a mock laugh, "Yeah, you're very funny. How am I gonna get down the stairs in a wheelchair!"
Afton rubs his face, "Karl, you're in one of the most technologically advanced places on earth. You think we can't design a wheelchair that can go down steps?"
...
"No." Karl retorts.
"Thanks for keeping him company Jefferson, for now we're going to visit his kid." Afton waves off as he begins pushing the wheelchair towards the winding staircase.
"Hell no! You tryin' ta kill me kid!? H-hey now! J-just stop!" he pleads as they get closer and closer to the staircase. Even the controls for the wheelchair don't work as Glados disabled them while Afton's pushing.
The wheelchair tilts as it reaches the stairs, Karl closes his eyes and braces himself as he's finally pushed down the stairs... The tumbling and certain death he expects never comes though. He opens his eyes and spots that he and Afton are slowly descending, he looks over and gapes as it spots the many thin legs extended from the wheels that were carrying him. "The fuck kinda madhouse is this place? Legs on wheels? Why?!"
Afton snorts, "Wheels are less energy-intensive than legs. Plus, I think it would look very, very creepy if it only walked around. Add the fact you've only got one hand to control it and shit gets complicated.
Soon enough they reach the bottom of the stairs and head through the Think Tank to get outside. Karl squints as the sun hits his face, but gives a small smile as he spots the apartments in the distance... Already he could see many people milling around, many familiar faces were currently around the pool, Caroline was resting on one of the beach chairs, slowly recovering from her injuries.
People notice as Afton pushes Karl towards them and eventually they reach the pool. "Pool goers, I present to you, Dirt-Karl, replacement of Dirt-Bird and Dirt-Hog." he jokes.
"You better take that back, I've seen what happens to everything you call that! I ain't going near another grenade, I'll tell you that!" Karl sarcastically exclaims as their friends approach.
Boone pats Karl on the shoulder while the other's show their relief at his recovery. Once all of them clear though Caroline steps forwards with Carlos in hand. The boy was still wet from having just gotten out of the pool and he looked pretty timid at actually talking to his grandpa. Their encounter at the Fort didn't really count in his mind.
"I'm so glad you're okay dad..." Caroline leans down and gives a tight hug to Karl, tight enough to even put her stitches at risk of tearing. Karl reciprocates with both arms, even the one currently lacking a hand. "Ah, sweetheart, you know I wouldn't leave you so easily. I ain't goin' nowhere."
She pulls away after a moment and wraps her arm around Carlos, "Dad, I want you to properly meet your Grandson, Carlos."
Karl looks down at Carlos appraisingly, Caroline urges her son forwards, "Come on, say hi to your Grandpa."
"-Hi." to young boy timidly says and Karl grins, resting his hand on the boy's head. "You've been taking care of your mom while I was out, right?"
Carlos nods, "I have!"
Karl ruffles his hair, "Good, otherwise I'd give you a spanking you'd not forget. Remember that."
Afton watches with crossed arms as Karl begins getting reacquainted with his family. Though, his gaze was constantly drawn towards his limbs and the wheelchair... He wonders how far along the various projects working on Cybernetics are, perhaps Karl would get back his legs sooner than anyone thought possible.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS
Niggross
Niggross
Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
200+ Classement
Power Stone 
8 Power
stone 
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