Bab 40: Can't find Range Finder...
Afton sighed to himself, he couldn't tell anyone about this... Not even Veronica, the person who was literally working on fixing the weapon of mass destruction. If Elder Elijah found out that she, or he knew about its true purpose, he'd undoubtedly have them executed to keep the secret safe.
He didn't knew whether he wanted Elijah to get the weapon working or not, sure it'd probably keep the NCR away from them for the time being, but they'd be permanently surrounded and stuck within Helios One... They'd probably try to starve them out by denying them access to supplies.
The Elder didn't strike Afton as the most sane man either, who knew if he'd turn the weapon upon the Chapter itself, wishing to keep the power for himself.
The only boon to the situation was the fact that there seemed to be one vital component missing... The weapon required a range finder, one that had a unique signature and couldn't be replicated... One that the Elder was currently searching for.
If Afton had to guess, one of the raiders that managed to escape were probably carrying it on their person... From its description they most likely thought it was a flash light or children's toy due to the large glowing "Poseidon Energy" logo on it.
Regardless, he needed to get out of here now, he'd almost forgotten that he had a time limit. He returned everything to its original location, even the sticky note with the password written on it.
Once done he quickly dashed through the halls to get out of the underground facility, he wasn't actually supposed to be down here as only certain Scribes were given access... Hopefully he was able to make it out unnoticed.
There were more Scribes than before, most probably returned after hearing half of the Elder's speech. He'd just reached the doors leading out when the door in-front of him opened, revealing a Scribe who just started at him blankly.
It was Susan Royce, Christine's mother... She looked at him in confusion for a moment before the sounds of steps from behind her caused her eyes to widen. "Quick, hide!" she quickly whispered, her eyes looking towards a utility cupboard at the side
Afton quickly climbed inside it as he heard who was behind her...
"Scribe Royce, what's the hold up?" the Elder's familiar gruff asks.
"Nothing sir, I was just making sure all the Scribes were attending to their duties properly... My apologies for holding you up." she says, stepping to the side to allow him past.
"I almost forgot to ask... How are you getting on Scribe, without your daughter I mean." he asks the strange question, neither Susan nor Afton knew why he was interested, as he showed no interest in Christine or them previously.
"I-er... I am struggling with my loss Elder, I don't know if it was something I did or could have prevented." she says noncommittally, not wishing to discuss this with someone she was so unfamiliar with.
"Hmph, well, don't let it distract you from your work Scribe. I understand it will effect you but what's done is done, time to forget the betrayer and continue your duties for the Chapter." the Elder says before leaving.
Afton felt like he could sense Susan's rapidly rising anger from here, once he knew the Elder was out of sight he walked up and escorted the woman out of the facility before she could march up and slap the man. "Ignore him Susan, he's an idiot and doesn't understand what "emotions" are." he says, trying to placate her.
She forcibly calmed herself down before looking at him, "I just don't understand what he problem is! Why would he ask something like that!? Why is he even interested?"
"Well, if the "rumours" are to be believed, Christine had a close relationship with Veronica, his apprentice... Maybe that's the reason?" he remarks, not sure if he was right or wrong.
Susan slowly nods before getting serious once again, "What were you doing down there Afton?" he asks.
"Uh-errrr... I was, exploring?" he says, taking from her expression she didn't believe him in the slightest and continuing, "Exploring.... Technology! Yes, I felt that I wasn't learning fast enough and decided to visit you guys down here, to learn what you were actually doing."
...
Susan just shakes her head, "If you don't want to tell me that's fine Afton, just don't do it again or I might not be able to save you next time... You know how strict the Codex is about preserving technology. If you'd gotten caught you might just be exiled..." she says, trailing off as she thinks of her "unofficially" exiled daughter.
"Don't worry Susan, I'll make the same promise to you as I made to Veronica... I'll find Christine one day, once I do you can give her an earful for ditching us without even giving a proper goodbye." he says with a grin.
Susan smiles and ruffles his hair, "I'm sure you will Afton, just try not to get yourself killed doing something stupid, kay?"
He nods and quickly leaves, he may be outside the facility but he'd rather not be anywhere near it right now, in-case the Elder notices something amiss.
Afton returns to his quarters and flops onto his bed, wondering what he was going to do about ARCHIMEDES, and the fact it wasn't ready to deal with the NCR... Elder Elijah kept promising the Chapter that he'd be able to repel them, but without the Range finder used to operate the orbital laser, that plan wouldn't work at all.
He jumped out of bed and immediately headed to the firing range, deciding that practising his marksmanship was more productive than just idling around in bed with just his thoughts.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Niggross
Niggross Hope you bois enjoyed the chap, if I missed anything please let me know.
If you like my content or want to read ahead please go to https://www.p.atreon.com/Nagross, I'd appreciate it.
Bab 41: Poor Chess Master
Afton was sitting in class as Doran went over some advanced mathematics, he could feel himself slowly drifting to sleep as the subject was just as boring as he remembered... Fortunately, or unfortunately, something had come to disrupt them.
The metal door to the room slides open and a Knight wearing scout armour and covered in blood leans heavily against the frame, "The NCR, they're coming! Thousands of them" he exclaims, before leaving and shouting the same thing to others in the facility.
...
It took everyone a moment to process what he'd actually said, but once everyone understood the young Initiates were on the verge of chaos. Were it not for Doran who immediately took charge of the situation, he had no doubt they'd be running to their parents.
"INITIATES! All of you! Come with me, quickly! Ignore your study material!" he says as he briskly walks out of the class.
Afton follows closely behind next to Sandra, both knew where they were heading, but neither knew if everyone was ready for it yet...
Members of the Brotherhood were frantically making their way through the halls, everyone wielding some kind of weapon. All wearing a determined expression.
The class reached the armoury where thirty people were already waiting, the person manning it quickly passing out weaponry and ammunition. The Initiates were among the last to receive their weapons as they didn't have any official duty of specialised purpose yet.
Afton grabbed a laser rifle as he was most familiar with it, he'd not yet had a chance to try the Gauss Rifle, and he didn't think he'd be able to properly use a Gatling laser either. Sandra mimicked him and grabbed her own, shoving some microfusion cells in her pockets in-case she needs extra.
"Is this really happening... Are we really going to do this?" she asks, her voice shuddering slightly in fear.
Afton frowns, "It is, this is war Sandra, the best we can do is to try and stay alive." he states as Doran begins to address them.
"It's been an honour to teach you all thus far, but now we must part ways... Go to the Knight workshop and await your orders Initiates, do not disobey them as it could mean the life or death of the Chapter." he says before jogging out of the room, probably having other duties to attend to.
Afton doesn't waste time and immediately starts marching towards the workshop, his discombobulated classmates following him like lost ducklings.
When they reached the workshop they were greeted by a familiar sight, Senior Knight Ramos was already there trying to calm the younger Initiates which included Miles and Melissa. When he saw their group he gestured for them all to line up before him.
They stepped into formation and gave a brief Brotherhood salute which caused the man to nod at them, he looks at a piece of paper and glances around the room, starting to speak just as an older group of Initiates arrive. "Seems that everyone is here and accounted for then, I'd say it's a good thing they decided to attack while you were all having your classes, but obviously the situation is not so good." he says sheepishly.
"I've already received reports from our scouts, the ones who made it out alive at least... The NCR has thousands of troops heading our way, I have no doubt that they will eventually surround us and begin to siege the facility... We built many defences while we've been staying here, but I don't think the security turrets will last a few minutes against their firepower.
The Elder has already commanded us to hold the position, whether or not your think he's correct is irrelevant, we must follow the chain of command. If I see any disobey his orders I will have no choice but to punish you depending on the severity... This, could potentially mean execution." he states, causing some of the Initiates eyes to widen.
Ramos then gives a seventeen-year-old Initiate named Hugh Mungus the superior position of everyone in-case he is no longer able to command them. Once that's done they're all lead towards the back of the building where the back entrances are.
The large room is filled with metal walkways which lead to the second floor, many Knights and a few Paladins were already gathered in Power armour to wait for the NCR when they eventually get inside.
Ramos places all the Initiates on key positions on the walkway so they were able to easily fire upon any NCR that came through, all without putting their allies at risk if an Initiate wasn't all that great a shot.
Afton imagined that similar formations to this were placed all other Helios One, they weren't able to defend the outside due to its terrible positioning and lack of cover, so their best bet was to wait for the NCR to come through and annihilate them with superior firepower.
The intercom buzzed to life and allowed the Elder's voice to echo throughout the eerily silent halls of Helios One. Everyone was almost completely silent as they awaited the enemy, the tension only being broken by the Elder's voice.
"We will defend this facility until the last man, we cannot allow those bureaucratic slaves to gain access to what is held here, if they do the entire Brotherhood, not just our Chapter could be at risk. Remember the Codex, remember your training, and remember your friends and families who'll be lost should you fall." he states, it sounded less charismatic and more like a scheming dictator trying he best to hold onto power...
The Knight and Paladin's below them slammed their fists on their chest, the metal of their Power armour colliding to make a large reverberating sound, "FOR THE BROTHERHOOD!" they shout, adrenaline pumping through their bodies as they psyched themselves up.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
Niggross
Niggross
Oooohhhh, the battle's starting...
Hope you guys liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know.
Status Power Mingguan
200+ Peringkat
Power 
9 Power
stone 
Komentar Paragraf