Bab 184: Fragile Alliance
Emory nods at him, "Sure... I'm willing to go see the King."
Major Kieran gives him a scathing look, but he just returns a nonchalant one back at her. Seems like he either doesn't care what happens to him, or considers the result more important than his life. Either way, this'd be a good first step... Though, all Afton wanted was a damn licence to get through New Vegas!
The NCR took all of the Kings who'd fought with them prisoner as Afton went to speak with the King. Clearly, he'd heard about the commotion and some of what'd occurred. He must've had some men watching the situation for him.
He definitely wasn't happy with Afton for killing a few of his men, even if it was needed to force the rest to surrender. Not was he beaming with joy when Afton made himself the Kings unofficial ambassador with the NCR.
However, the King understood the severity of the situation and would shrug off the rather traitorous actions Afton had used to subdue the conflict. Though, he was very pushy when it came to trying to free the Kings that'd been imprisoned. Afton knew that the NCR would likely not budge on the topic unless he gave them some rather heavy benefits... If the King pulled out all the stops he could probably free everyone but Pacer, that guy was a lost cause...
Plus, if the King tried to free Pacer then it would put his status as under the King's employ in question... One didn't just set free a man who tried to murder your ambassador after all.
The King and Emory both wanted to get the situation sorted out as soon as possible. If anything were left up in the air then the Kings and NCR soldiers in Freeside might just start fighting amongst themselves, making all his effort pointless.
So, just as the sun was beginning to set, the Emory was sitting in one of the Kings office rooms that'd been set up for this meeting specifically. Afton was stood behind the King, just for appearances mind you... He'd not participate in the talks unless he was forced to, he'd not really learned how to do 'politics' nor did he want to. He was a more, 'Kill it yourself' kind of person.
The talks started, Emory immediately inquiring if the situation was as Afton had explained. The King had no choice but to reluctantly nod, telling people that he had difficulties controlling his men must've felt as emasculating as revealing you had E.D...
Afterwards, Emory brought into discussion terms for the prisoners. The King request for all but Pacer to be freed on the ground that they'd been under the assumption that the King had ordered such an attack, Pacer being the one responsible for the ruse.
For this, Emory demanded a small yearly tax from the Kings, 1% of their income a year for some benefits from the NCR, as well as the release of the prisoners.
Now, from what Afton could infer, it wasn't the monetary gain that Emory was aiming for here. Indeed, 1% of the Kings income would be a pittance compared to their daily expenditures in the war against the Legion. No, the point of it was to have some degree of control over the Kings, indirectly putting them under the umbrella of the NCR. Much like the various towns they'd incorporated in the Mojave.
Some back and forth later and the King had no choice but to agree, he valued his men above petty politics and wished to see them freed.
Immediately After this, the King demanded to know what NCR operations were occurring in Freeside. Both the King and Afton was surprised to hear that the NCR were providing rations and other essentials to NCR citizens... Emory said that they would have started giving to everyone had their ambassador not been brutally attacked by Pacer.
Emory then went on to explain the various surveillance operations that were being conducted. One keeping an eye on the Followers of the Apocolypse, this was mainly due to the group previously being part of the NCR and wanting to make sure they were spouting any secrets.
Another included many gangs, making sure the Legion or Fiends weren't trying to make alliances within Freeside to wrest control from them.
The King quietly listened as Emory continued to list them, none seeming to be too invasive and as such, he had no objections to them existing. He knew better than anyone else the threat the Legion and Fiends presented.
All was not over however, due to the King agreeing to be taxed by the NCR, every member would have to become an NCR citizen, that meant acquiring a licence... Afton almost facepalmed when Emory asked for the King's name, and the man responded with 'Elvis Presley'... Had he forgotten his real name or was this just the universe playing tricks on him?
Regardless, the two continued to discuss little things, nitpicking terms of their contract before eventually coming to a conclusion both could agree on. Emory had been writing notes throughout the meeting, it was presumably the terms both had agreed on, he'd probably hand it off to someone else afterwards to get an official contract written out.
With the meeting finally done, Emory stood up and shook hands with the King, again using his left hand to shake... He did the same with Afton afterwards, "Thank you both for your cooperation, hopefully the Kings and the NCR will have a bright future together... Ah, and Afton, would you mind if I posted your name in our database as a reliable mercenary? From what I've heard and seen, you've done significantly more than what was expected of you, we at the NCR could use someone like you."
Afton just raises a brow, "What do you mean?"
"The NCR doesn't usually make use of mercenaries, but when they do they typically send word to those already known to be reliable first. If you agreed, that would include you as well... You'd be given a standard-issue radio so we could contact you for further information and potential jobs.
Afton nods, that sounded more than reasonable. More work and better relations with the NCR could go a long way... Plus, he needed more caps for further implants and weaponry. Not to mention trying to gather information about the ranger that'd killed his mother. "Sure. I'm currently staying in the Atomic Wrangler so send the stuff there... If there's nothing else, I've got places to be." he says, only now realising that Karl and Boone would be waiting for him.
[NCR Reputation increased! : Liked]
He sends a nod to the King and Emory before leaving, he'd get the counterfeit licence from him tomorrow. Right now he was more tired than usual...
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Niggross
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Bab 185: Sewage Scrap
[WELCOME TO LEVEL 27!]
Afton received the level up as soon as he left the King's office, he quickly just put all the points into Energy weapons, putting it at 82 and moved on, wanting to get back to see what the others had discovered.
Afton returned to the Atomic Wrangler, parked Dirt-Bird and pushed his way into the establishment, he noticed Karl and Boone sitting at the bar almost immediately and went to sit with them.
"Judging by the fact I don't see Tamia or Veronica, I suppose they weren't in Freeside?" he asks while tapping on the bar table twice and ordering a whisky.
Both turn to look at him and shrug, "I don't know about you kid, but we've had one hell of a day... Still wondering if the smell if the sewer if following me or infused into my clothes..." Karl mutters.
"It's just you." Boone states while taking another swig.
"You guys were in the sewers?" Afton asks, wondering how they'd ended up there.
They nod, "Spotted some Fiends doing business with a gang, following them down into the sewers."
Fiends were in the sewers? Hm, well, atleast it isn't a clown offering red balloons. Afton idly thinks to himself as he muses on the situation. "Find out what they were doing down there?"
"Yeah... Apparently they were trying to dig their way into the blocked off sewers, they made it through but not before the tunnel collapsed behind them, trapping them under Freeside... As you know, the Fiends aren't well-liked around here." Karl states.
"That might be a problem... From what I've seen, the sewers are vast and it took Mr House a huge amount of resources and time to block off all of it... If the Fiends are able to breach one tunnel, then what's stopping them from doing the same to the others? They're already claiming the sewers outside Freeside, so it's only a matter of time before they start trying again... Did any other Fiends know that someone had breached through?" he asks.
Karl shakes his head, "Our interrogated Fiend didn't think so, could be wrong though..."
Afton taps on the table in an erratic pattern, "Let's go check it out again tomorrow, I wanna take a look to see if it's stable... If not then we'll let the Kings deal with it... Regardless, good work guys." he says, raising his whisky and clinking it against their drinks.
Boone downs the drink and looks to him, "So, how'd it go with the Kings?"
Afton smirks at him and is about to reply when James Garret answers for him from behind the bar. "You guys didn't hear?"
"Hear what?"
"This guy stopped a war from happening between the Kings and the NCR. Everyone in Freeside knows about it by now."
"How'd that happen?" Karl asks with curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Well," Afton explains his rather hectic day to them, starting with his beating up all the Kings to reach their leader, taking a job under him, meeting the NCR's 'unofficial' leader in Freeside, then intervening during a conflict and butchering a few Kings to stop it.
James Garret nods, "People are singing a slightly different tune, but you know how rumours are... You got a new nickname though Mr Executioner, at least 'Free Sheriff' doesn't sound as threatening..."
[Title acquired : Free Sheriff]
[Free Sheriff] : Negative Reputation in Freeside is harder to gain, people are more likely to listen to your commands in Freeside.
Afton glances at the new Title and mentally shrugs to himself, he wasn't planning on committing any crimes in Freeside, neither was he planning to rule it with an iron fist, so it'd be basically useless for now. Regardless, he wouldn't sniff at a free reward, especially as he just acted as he usually did.
"Whatever... I don't really care how people think of me, I'm just hoping the King delivers on his promise by tomorrow."
The next day Afton groggily got up... He'd drank the night away with his companions and hobbled back up to his room... From what he remembered at least. Hopefully he hadn't stuck his junior in anything nasty...
He quickly pats the bulge in his cover to make sure it wasn't a person, sighing in relief when he found it was just an air pocket. He quickly gets up, brushes his teeth and washes his face with some purified water before heading downstairs to the main floor of the Casino.
Boone was already up and waiting, so that just left Karl to come down... They played Caravan for an hour to pass the time before the old man finally made it down, sitting a bottle of purified water with a clammy face
"You're finally awake, while it's early I wanna check out those sewers." Afton says, feeling somewhat satisfied at the small grimace from Karl. His endurance had allowed him to drink the man under the table, he never even stood a chance.
Karl just waves at him, "Yeah, yeah... Just quieten down and get moving."
Afton and Boone just give each other amused looks before packing up their Caravan cards and heading out.
A small drive later and the group found themselves standing above the manhole that led down into the dank sewers.
Afton could vaguely hear the sound of thudding coming from it, Boone also noticed it and looked at them warily. "Something's down there..."
"More Fiends I'd bet... Seems like our guy as lyin' after all." Karl surmises.
Afton crouches and listens closer, "I don't know, sounds more rhythmic than Fiends stomping around would be..."
"We better take a look then." Karl says before hefting the manhole up and gesturing inside. "After you princess, you're the one who wanted to be here, so you get first dibs."
Afton just sighs and starts climbing down, his Anti-Material rifle scraping against the shaft-wall behind him. Obviously, whatever was down here would hear him... Hopefully, he'd be able to deal with it before they kill him twice.
He activates his Pipboy light once he reaches the bottom, almost guffawing at what he saw before him... Hundreds of... Robots.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
Niggross
Niggross
Hope you bois liked the chap, let me know if I missed anything. Thanks!
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