章 162: Change of plans

The group exit Aerotech Office Park and almost immediately notice the stench of burnt flesh... Looking over towards Dirt-Bird there were a couple of smoking corpses next to it. All of which seemed to be 'former' refugees.

...

Afton just shakes his head, "Not my problem... Any of you know where Westside is anyway?" he asks as Karl and Boone step over the smoking corpse.

Boone nods, "Yeah, we should head north though, the other route leads us straight through Fiend territory."

Afton starts up the engine and speeds off all the while following directions from Boone. During the drive they pass by the New Vegas East Gate, Crimson Caravan Company, and the New Vegas Medical Clinic owned by Doctor Usanagi. They don't stop by though as they had more pressing matters to attend to.

Eventually they reach one of the entrances that lead within Westside, fortunately it was big enough for them to slip Dirt-Bird through as Afton wasn't comfortable walking too far from it... Even with the defences he'd added, there were still a few ways of getting around them. The obvious one being to destroy the Protectron laser arms before they could do anything.

Westside itself was a rather weird settlement. There seemed to be many homeless people around, but interspersed in the crowds of people were rich looking individuals. There were a few bars and other shops around, but the main thing that drew Afton's attention were the large vegetable and fruit farms scattered around the place. If he didn't know any better he'd say that this place was responsible for most of New Vegas's food... Aside from what the Brahmin Barons decide to trade them.

The place looked to be self-governed as well, there weren't any NCR soldiers present, but the businesses present here had hired guards and bounty hunters to keep the area peaceful. If Afton were honest, he'd say he preferred this over the NCR... Though, whether that was just because of his bias against the NCR.

Even with the few guards around, the group still stuck out like a sore thumb... People didn't usually walk around armed to teeth with weaponry capable of destroying military vehicles. They tried to ask around for a bit to find where Saint James and Dermot might be, but most people tended to either ignore them, run away, or get ready for a fight.

It was only through Afton's maxed out Speech skill that someone slipped the duo's location as they retreated. Apparently, the two were currently living in the Casa Madrid Apartments, a place notorious for its prostitutes.

It wasn't surprising that two potential kidnappers lived there, nor would Afton be shocked to hear that those that'd been kidnapped were being forced to work there... But that's still to be discovered.

As they approached Afton spotted two black men leaning against a nearby building, both seemed to match Saint James and Dermot's descriptions. Karl and Boone waited nearby as Afton went to approach them, having those two behind him would make the duo less likely to talk.

"Yo." he says simply as he approaches the one known as Saint James.

...

Saint James just gives him a weird look, "Fuck off." he states after deciding that Afton wasn't worth anything.

Afton does his best to look insulted by the man, his anger at them potentially kidnapping people adding to the effect, "Huh? What's your problem? I'm only here to do business."

Dermot steps up next to Saint James and looks at him with interest, "Business eh? What kind of business?"

...

Afton had previously thought over what he'd say, how the conversation would go, and how he would force the duo to accidentally slip up... But before he'd even met them he could feel that there was something off with them. He activated VATS to prevent himself from just shooting them both in their faces and thought about how he actually wanted to go about this.

Afton a couple minute of thinking, he finally decided his plan of action. He deactivated VATS and gave them a calm smile... And proceeded to draw Luck and smack Saint James with it, sending the now unconscious man to the floor.

Dermot quickly tries to draw his own weapon, but Afton was already pointing Lucky at his head. "W-what do you want?"

Afton doesn't take his eyes off of the man and calls for his companions, Karl and Boone walking over while glaring at the duo. "I want you to tell me where the missing people are."

...

"Missing people? I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Afton snorts, "Yeah right, I got information that you two dealt with everyone who went missing."

"That's fuckin' bullshit and you know it. I was nowhere near those refugee's when this happened."

"I never said anything about refugee's." Afton states, the man's slip having revealed everything he needed to know. "Now, you tell me what you know or they'll be sweeping bits of your skull and brain matter off of the floor for weeks."

...

Dermot didn't seem like he was going to answer, his eyes occasionally flicking towards where his gun was. Afton was ready to act as soon as the man reached for his revolver, a bullet piercing his wrist as he reached for it.

"ARRGH! Y-YOU FUCK!"

Afton takes the revolver and passes it to Boone, "You WILL tell me what you know, if you don't I WILL kill you. Do you understand!?"

Dermot gulps his saliva and gives a slow nod, "Y-you'll let me live if I tell you?"

Afton smiles at him, "Of course."

"M-my room... The information is in my room." he states, "Can I go now?"

Afton shakes his head and pushing Dermot forwards, pressing Lucky against the man's back while he encourages the man to lead the way. Boone and Karl pick up Saint James after disarming him of his Power Fist and follow along.

The crowd of people who had gathered to watch the conflict make way for them as they walk through. Some wanted to interfere as they'd had prior dealings with the duo, but the looks on the Afton and the other's faces deterred any 'would-be' heroes for now.