Eventually though, Afton's time in Novac came to an end. The traders Karl had negotiated with had returned at the time they stated, allowing the duo to sell the rest of their loot off. Combine that with the bounty reward for killing Dead Sea as well as the caps he earned treating injuries, and Afton had secured around four thousand caps.
This gave him a total of nine thousand caps altogether, he didn't know if this was enough to truly get what he wanted, as Karl had said that the Gun Runners were notoriously expensive. Regardless, he actually needed to decide what he wanted, but he'd choose once he got there.
The duo were going to leave Novac today, the motorbike had been repaired and he'd promised to allow Daisy to take a spin on it, in return she'd hopefully show him how to actually drive it.
Before he does any of that though, he pulls out the two skill books Karl had found for him, one being from Jeannie's floor safe, the other coming from the REPCONN Test site. They both turn to dust in his grasp and small motes of knowledge make their way into his head.
[+3 Stealth]
[+3 Science]
Afton still hadn't heard back from Boone but he felt as if the man was just holding off until the last minute... Youknow, to be dramatic or something. Shaking his head he quickly makes his way down to Daisy's garage.
The old woman was already standing beside the motorbike with an almost shining expression, he was sure that if she got anymore excited she'd piss herself...
The bike itself was a long metal vehicle that reflected the light from its metal casing. It was higher off the ground that it had been originally and its tires were around thirty percent bigger. This was intentional as it needed to be able to go offroad, the Mojave's highways were nothing more than markers directing you to go, so damaged that they make the deepest potholes blush.
Attached to the bike was a small side cart that was big enough to fit one person comfortably, it had a small glass panel to protect the passenger against winds, but it was small enough in side to allow someone to comfortably shoot from the cart.
"It's a thing of beauty..." Afton mutters, more to himself than anything but Daisy nods regardless.
"It sure is, this baby would make any of those rich boy's back in California and even Nevada so jealous! I heard you're leaving today, so, can I take it out for a spin?" she quickly asks.
Afton nods, "Yeah, I'll be sitting in the side cart though, once you've had your fun I need to learn to ride it... Just the basics, I can't imagine it'd be all that difficult.
Daisy quickly nods and dashes over to the large garage door, unlocking a clip and pushing it upwards, opening the garage to the rest of the world. Afton climbs into the sidecart. He handed her the key that'd be able to start it, he'd personally made it as difficult as possible to unlock this thing without the proper key, many people would love to get their hands on it, so it was the necessary thing to do.
She quickly inserts the key and twists it before pressing the button that'd power on the reactor. It's not like a gasoline engine, it doesn't need to be revved, nor does it make a satisfying noise. It's more comparable to an electric engine.
It gives off a low hum once it activates, it isn't loud per se, but it's noticeable. She kicks up the stand and twists the handle slightly to get it moving. The bike easily shifting forwards like an eager to please horse.
Once they're in the sunlight Afton hops out and closes the garage door before getting back in. Daisy quickly turns the bike and head into town where a long stretch of relatively undamaged road was located. The hum of the bike increased in sound and intensity the faster they went, but it wasn't really annoying, more just an indicator of how hard the reactor was working.
It took a bit for Daisy to get used to driving it, but after thirty minutes she was comfortably doing skids, all the while laughing like a schoolgirl. Eventually, they seem to have gathered an audience, most of the town of Novac had come out to watch them drive around... Many seemed confused as to what they were actually doing, while others marvelled at the fact they'd managed to fix a pre-war vehicle.
Daisy drove towards them and skidded to a stop, causing Afton to bounce around uncomfortably in the sidecart, "Do you really have to do that? I'd bet my legs that it's not good for the tires." he asks.
Daisy shrugs, "Then I'll just have to help fix it up again won't I? Atleast then I'd be able to take it on another spin."
"You don't need to break it for me to let you drive it Daisy, whenever I'm in Novac you can take it around, I just don't know when we'll be back." he says.
Karl walks up to them out of the group of people and crosses his arms, "Damn kid, I knew something was up with how you kept disappearin' never thought you'd do something like this." he mutters.
"It isn't much, just a bit of elbow grease and wallah, she's done."
"You better be nice to Dirt-Bird here." she says pointedly to Karl, "Anyone tries to steal her I want you to put a bullet in them."
Karl raises a brow, "Dirt-Bird?"
Afton sighs at this, "Do you need to insist on that being its name?..."
Daisy slowly nods, not giving any indication she was willing to budge on this. Afton didn't really care either way as naming inanimate objects never seemed necessary to him.
"Fine. Karl have you got everything packed, I wanna leave and make it to our next destination before nightfall."
"Almost, just need to buy some more supplies and we'll be good to go."
Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know.
Afton rests on Dirt-Bird as he waits at the entrance of Novac to wait for Karl to finish doing whatever he needs to do. The old man had made friends with a few people around Novac and presumably wanted to say goodbye before they left. Neither knew when, or even if they'd return to this place, so it was good to say a few words in case you never saw them again.
Afton himself was a little put out that Boone still hadn't spoken to him, the man had watched he and Daisy drive around Novac from the dinosaur, but hadn't given any indication that he was surprised. Though, it was hard to tell from so far away.
A few people approached him to ask questions about injuries and diseases he'd treated, wanting to know if they'd have to do anything further to prevent further risk to themselves. Afton gave whoever asked a hand-written note with all the information they needed to know. They could pay for his services again if they were dead after all.
He could see Karl off in the distance slowly making his way to him, a large empty backpack slung over his shoulder, along with his old .44 Revolver strapped to his hip. "You ready to go?"
Karl nods, "Yeah, you sure you know how to drive this thing though? I'd rather not die from your shit driving."
"There's no trust Karl, it shouldn't be that hard to do... Right?" Afton asks semi-sarcastically, causing Karl to get cold sweat down his back.
Just before they were about to leave, Afton glances behind him as he hears someone walking towards them... Boone. Them and still wearing his dirty white shirt and jeans, scoped hunting rifle slung on his back.
"Wait." he says as he walks up to them.
Afton raises a brow at him, "Don't tell me you want to join now after ghosting me for a couple weeks."
...
"Really." Afton states after hearing the silent acknowledgement.
Boone nods, "I can't stay here. I've tried to make it work but everyone knows that I had something to do with Jeannie disappearing. That with the memories of Carla... I need to get away from here, who better to help me with that than you?"
"What do you think Karl? This doesn't just affect me after all."
Karl shrugs, "From what I've heard you're a hell of a shot, would be good to have you along... You should know that we'll definitely be making enemies out of the Legion though... Maybe even the NCR depending on what Afton here decides to do."
"I know about the Legion but, what's the NCR got to do with it?" Boone asks turning to Afton.
"I'm hunting an NCR ranger that killed my mother, if you've got a problem with that you can stay here." Afton states.
Boone shrugs, "As long as we aren't randomly attacking NCR soldiers then that's fine. Just try to keep the damage confined to your target."
Afton nods and holds out a hand, "If you're fine with all of that, then welcome aboard Boone."
Boone shakes his hand, "Yeah, let's get outta here. Before anyone tries to stop me leaving."
[Craig Boone has granted you the Spotter Perk]
[Spotter] : Enemies highlighted while sights are aimed down or zoomed in.
[Craig Boone has become your companion]
Afton smirks as the notification comes up, the [Spotter] Perk seemed pretty overpowered. If he didn't have VATS it'd be invaluable. As of right now though it was a more or less just an aiming aid due to the fact he could locate any visible enemy while time was frozen in VATS. He wasn't going to say no to a free perk though.
"Alright... Boone you're in the sidecar, we might need you to pick off an enemy so that's the best place for you to be. Karl you're sitting behind me, and no, I'd rather you don't hold my waist. There's a handle behind the seat to keep yourself on the bike." he states.
Karl and Boone are a little reluctant to climb on as their positions were a little emasculating. The sidecar making Boone feel like a child in a booster seat, and Karl like some kind of damsel in distress.
"Why couldn't you just fix up a car kid? I don't think it'd be all that much harder than fixing this thing up."
Afton snorts, "If you wanna have a go repairing one then go ahead. Otherwise stop your complaining when you're riding my bike." he states as he kicks the stand up and starts the engine, causing it to give off a low hum.
In all honesty, Afton was slightly... Very, afraid that he'd immediately crash the motorcycle. How embarrassing would it be to recreate a pre-war motorbike and almost immediately crash it? Not to mention right after the whole town had seen Daisy driving around on it. If she hadn't he could've put it up to a faulty wheel or something.
"LET'S GOO!" Afton musters his courage and accelerates, causing the bike to immediately start moving. It was fortunate Afton had sunglasses, otherwise the wind and dust would be terribly annoying. The other two had eye protection as well so he didn't need to worry either.
"I forgot to ask... Where are we actually going?" Boone asks loudly from the sidecar.
Afton doesn't tear his focus away from the road and just shrugs, "No idea! Just gonna follow the road until we find somewhere to rest for the night. We'll decide tomorrow."
Karl seems like he wants to retort, but the front wheel of the bike hits a relatively large crack in the road, causing the whole thing to bounce. The former-ranger tightly grips the handle, almost shitting his pants as he feels the vehicle shudder beneath him. "Is that supposed to happen kid!?"
Afton laughs, he feels like he's getting the hang of driving Dirt-Bird. "Hahaha! Probably not! But who cares! NITRO!"
Of course, this isn't a video game, so simply shouting 'Nitro' doesn't give it a boost, nor would a nuclear-powered vehicle even be able to use Nitro... Not that Karl or Boone could tell, both were wondering why they were even risking their lives with this crazy bastard in the first place.
Hope you bois liked 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.
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