Capítulo 44: Road to Disaster
Afton was awoken in the middle of the night as some kind of explosion went off at one of the entrances, he sighs and pulls the pillow over his head... The NCR had not sent anymore troops to their untimely deaths, instead, they'd just been occasionally chucking grenades into the entrances.
Afton had heard of this kind of tactic in the past, exhaust the defenders and keep them on high alert so when you do attack, it'll be significantly easier. The tactics weren't used all that much in the wasteland as superior resources and firepower would usually determine the victor.
He just wanted to run out there and start shooting at them, it was so incredibly annoying to finally fall asleep, only to be awoken by yet another fucking explosion. His parents still hadn't returned to their quarters, which was slightly worrying as they should've been allowed to rest, perhaps they had more important duties to attend to though...
This continued for the next few days, everyone was constantly on high alert as another attack could be coming at any moment, Afton himself had spent most hours of his days straining his eyes at the entrance, carefully listening in-case he caught the sound of charging feet.
He'd met Miles and Melissa in the cafeteria as well, Miles looked relatively ok, if a bit shaken, but Melissa? There were bags under her eyes and it appeared that she'd been crying recently... Not something he'd expect from the usually jovial girl.
Miles had been training and waiting for this day to come, so it wasn't surprising that his first kill hadn't affected him all that much, this was probably also the reason Afton was able to rationalise it so quickly. Whether he intended it or not, his mind had constantly been on the NCR lately, the fact that they'd invade and he'd have to defend himself was obvious.
Melissa wipes her eyes and sniffs before looking at him, "Afton... How are you?" she asks, as she pokes her food with her fork.
"Good... You guys holding up well?"
Miles nods, "Yes, I'm finally able to avenge dad, those bastards will get what's coming to them." he states.
Melissa slowly nods, "Yeah... What Miles said." she says, glancing away at the last moment.
"You don't have to act tough Melissa, what you're being asked to do is awful, you need to understand that someone our age shouldn't have to kill. That's what you're torn up about, right?" he asks.
She nods slightly, "It, it all happened so fast... One moment I was poking Miles arm, the next the doors explode and we're shooting at people... I think I hit some, I had my eyes closed though." she admits shamefully.
Miles places a hand on her shoulder, "You did what you had to do, they came here to kill all of us, how would you feel if you hesitated and they killed me, or your parents?"
Her eyes widened momentarily at this, her expression darkening before she slowly nods. "I..."
"I think you should speak to your parents or someone in the med-bay Melissa, it'll help, trust me." Afton says, giving her a reassuring smile.
She nods and scoops the rest of her food into her mouth before standing, "I'll... I'm going to see my parents." she says before hurriedly leaving.
Afton stands afterwards, "You be safe Miles, try not to get yourself killed." he remarks before heading towards where he'd been stationed. Miles giving him a small nod in reply.
The Chapter didn't really have a plan to survive this... The Elder was occasionally on the intercom to reassure everyone, but it was starting to feel like false promises. He'd not seen Veronica since the conflict started, the Elder was probably working her to exhaustion every day in an attempt to get the ARCHIMEDES weapons operable.
Afton knew that wouldn't happen though, they didn't have the Range Finder, and even if they did, there was still much that needed to be repaired underground. He reckoned most of it was fixed, but as they weren't able to leave to gather materials and components, the repairs have likely halted.
It'd been a week since the siege started, food was beginning to get low, with water being rationed even more so. Things weren't looking good, but a smile came to his face when he finally spotted Veronica in the cafeteria. He was instantly at her side as she slowly ate her food like a sloth, clearly exhausted.
"Veronica! Where have you been!?" he asks, semi-demanding.
"Quiet, eat." she states, not even looking at him.
...
Afton waits at her side as she slowly finishes her bowl of food, once she's done she takes a sip from the bottle of rationed water and looks at him expectantly.
"You alright?" he asks, not liking the weird way she was acting.
Veronica nods, "I am... I've just been working non-stop for days, I've been eating nothing but junk food while doing my best to repair everything the Elder tells me to alone. Feels like he doesn't trust anyone but me." she admits.
"And... What's the Elder going to do about the NCR on our doorstep?"
...
Veronica shakes her head, "I don't know... I think he's starting to lose it, while I work I can hear him muttering about not being able to find something... He's ordered me to open up the walls so he can check if anything is inside them... I'm worried Afton."
"As am I, the only hope we have is if the Elder can make something happen, we're sitting ducks here and are already running out of food. Sooner or later, we're going to have to act." he says with a frown. "Do you honestly believe the Elder can do anything?"
...
"No." Veronica finally says after a moment of silence.
Afton exhales out of his nose and nods, "Then we'll need to find another avenue to get out of this situation... I think I know just the person to talk to." he says, grabbing Veronica's attention.
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Capítulo 45: Abandoned
Afton and Veronica quickly made their way through the facility, neither knew when next they'd be called to their posts, so it was best to get this down as soon as possible.
The area they were headed? The front entrance of Helios One where the more senior Paladins were located. This is the most vulnerable place the NCR are likely to attack, mainly due to the large door and relatively wide area outside with which to shoot from.
Afton ignored everyone else present and headed straight for McNamara, he was sitting upright in a side room still wearing his Power armour, apparently having a quick nap before the next attack began.
Veronica walked up and snapped her fingers a couple times in front of his face, he grumbled after a few before his eyes sprang open, he was about to reach for his gun when he finally noticed who was accosting him. "Wake up sleepy-head." she says with a small smirk.
...
He sighs, "Yes Veronica, for what pleasure do I enjoy your company?" he asks sarcastically.
Afton glances at the shut door behind them and gives the man a determined look, "The Elder is insane, and whatever plan he has devised will fail. We need another strategy otherwise we're all fucked... To be put simply." he explains.
Head Paladin McNamara nods, "Yes, I know." he states.
...
Veronica raises a brow at him, "Then why have you not done anything about it? Sure he's the Elder, but there must be something in the Codex that'd allow you to replace him... Right?"
McNamara shrugs, "There probably is, but I've looked and haven't found any concrete way yet.. Even if I replaced him, it's too late for this facility."
"If you've put this much thought into it, you must have some 'side projects' ready?" Afton asks.
McNamara restrains the smirk appearing on his features before answering, "I've thought the Elder was incompetent when we disregarded orders and headed here instead of the Hoover Dam, as such, I've had years to make my preparations... The Elder didn't notice when supplies and technology were slowly being funnelled off to a Hidden Bunker I'd had some Paladin's secure."
"Yeah, Elijah doesn't bother checking the supply logs... He's only interested in getting the facility to work, I still have no idea what its purpose is." she admits sadly.
"Is the Hidden Bunker close?" Afton asks, wondering if they'd be able to break through the NCR's siege to reach wherever it was.
The Paladin nods, "Behind the facility, there's a small almost hidden canyon path that we can use... The NCR would not dare follow us through it as any who tried would be annihilated, the only problem is we'd have to leave the base to reach it..."
Veronica continues for him, "While being shot at by thousands of soldiers?... Damn."
"It might be our only shot for survival," Afton adds, "Are you sure the NCR wouldn't be able to find the Hidden Bunker?" he asks, worried that they'd just be swapping one doomed base for another.
McNamara nods, "I would've had us heading for it now, but the Elder is still our leader... As long as he's determined to remain here, the Codex dictates that I can't do anything."
"So... We'll just wait until we're all half-starved or shot to death until we move? That's-"
"-Stupid!" Veronica finishes for him. "The Codex is supposed to help guide us and prevent our destruction, but right now its the only thing holding us back!"
"You should quieten down Veronica, it wouldn't do to have the others hear you... I'm a lot more relaxed than they are about the Codex, but don't forget it's still the foundation of the Brotherhood, and our very lives." he scolds.
Just as Veronica is about to retort the Elder's voice echoes through the facility via the Intercom, "Will my forlorn Apprentice return to me? There is drastic and important work still to be done!"
She sighs and looks at the others, "My dear master has need of me... Nolan, just remember, it won't be the Codex responsible for all the deaths that'll undoubtedly happen, it'll be on you for no doing anything to stop it." she states before leaving.
Afton could see the Head Paladin's complexion pale at her words, he knew that McNamara was more 'sensitive' than your average person, taking on responsibility and the guilt that goes along with ti without logic or reason. Clearly her words had affected him.
*BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!*
The sounds of rapid gunshots have both of them standing rapidly, Afton needed to return to his post and McNamara presumably had people to command. He waved to the Paladin before sprinting out, picking up his Laser rifle while hoping nothing too bad had happened.
And so the conflict continued, both sides were posturing proudly, but only one was starting to waver. Food and water stores were running dangerously low, and it was only a matter of time before they were out completely.
Everyone in the Chapter was beginning to have dour expression, it was clear the Elder had no clue what he was doing, nor would the man illuminate them on what his plan was. Resentment had been steadily growing towards the man, his small social inadequacies, breaches of procedure, and lack of leadership had turned almost everyone against him... The only reason they still obeyed is because of the Codex they adhered to almost religiously.
Afton had just gotten to the cafeteria where a commotion was happening. A grizzled old Paladin still wearing his Power armour was holding a tray and looking at the Initiate who was tasked with feeding everyone.
"What do you mean there's nothing left!?" he shouts, causing everyone's eyes to widen.
"Sir, there... There's nothing in stores, we only have a few bottles left, I'm sorry!" the Initiate quickly says, his eyes tearing up as he feels it's his own fault.
Everyone in the cafeteria clearly knew what this meant, Afton left, running towards where McNamara should be and spotting him propping his gun up while aiming towards the entrance to the facility. He taps him on the shoulder and whispers in his ear, "Sir, we're out of food! If we don't do something now we're all dead!" he quickly says.
McNamara stood abruptly, instantly walking towards one of the Intercoms and asking to be connected to the Elder... Eventually getting connected with a panicking sounding Veronica. "The Elder, he's gone! I have no idea where he went!"
...
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