บท 34: Sundered

Afton was in the midst of a knife fight with Christine, Veronic wasn't present as the Elder had called her away, again. He stabbed at her stomach but didn't fear injury her, she was a lot more skilful than he was, and their armoured clothing protected against any half-hearted strikes.

She backed away and performed a snap kick at his hand as she did so, it'd surprised him and knocked his knife into the air which put him at her mercy. She leapt forwards and punched at him, forcing him to lean back to avoid the strike, this was what she wanted however as she plucked his twirling knife from the air, leaving him defenceless.

"You got me" he says with a sign, showing his palms.

Christine would usually shoot a smug smile his way after winning, but lately she seemed... Subdued? Both Afton and Veronica had noticed it, but they'd not broached the subject yet as neither had any idea what it may be.

The two girls relationship was going excellently, and somehow no one had learned of what they were doing... Perhaps the excuse that they were just training him was enough? Regardless, now that he and Christine was alone he'd take the chance to ask what was bothering her.

"Christine? You've seemed pretty down lately, is something wrong?" he asks, giving her the most sincere smile he could muster.

She halts upon hearing this, chewing the inside of her cheek before shaking her head, "No... Nothing is wrong, I'm just worried that you'll never beat me or Veronica."

Now, Afton wasn't the greatest at social interaction, but it was obvious she'd deflected his question... He wanted to think she'd tell him if it was important, but he was starting to doubt that'd happen. "I know that's not true Christine, me and Veronica have both noticed it. You can't hide anything from us, no matter how much you train yourself."

"Its nothing Afton, I'm just not used to living above ground, the things that are happening around us with the NCR is worrying me.. The Elder-" she frowns as she almost spits his name, "Doesn't seem to care what happens to all of us, as long as he gets his hands on whatever secrets this place holds." she quickly says, and he could see she was sincere in her wish to leave this facility, as well as her hatred for the Elder.

"I'm worried too Christine, but you need to remember Veronica and I have got your back... I... I think both of us would give our lives for you, just remember that we'll always hear you out, no matter what it is that's bothering you." he says in a low tone, he didn't know if their inevitable conflict with the NCR was the cause of her worries, but if she refused to tell him then all he could do is offer to help whenever she needed it.

Christine finally showed a true smile at his rather emotional statement, giving him a warm hug that seemed to last forever before shoving the knife back into his hand. "Alright, enough of that, I'm going to see if I can get you to finally beat Veronica, so prepare yourself." she drops into a low stance with an almost sadistic grin.

As always, Afton had been keeping a close eye on the happening in the Mojave, reading every report he could get his hands on. The end was nearing, the NCR had set up a large force in the airport near New Vegas and called it Camp McCarran. It was an almost perfect place to secure their position in New Vegas as it was near enough where they could easily reinforce it, as well as protect the farms surrounding the bustling city.

If that was all they'd done it would've been relatively fine, sure they were setting up a strategic point that would probably be used to destroy them at Helios One, but it'd not be the end quite yet... Except that wasn't all, one of the Rangers that'd been loitering around Helios One had done something unforgivable.

They'd fired upon a patrol coming back with supplies from the Gibson scrap yard, four Knights and two Initiates were dead. Afton didn't know whether he should feel guilty that he was thankful no one he was close to was killed.

Unfortunately, one of the Knights killed had been Bert Stanton, Miles father. His friend had been shocked and heartbroken upon hearing the news, immediately breaking down into tears as his mother comforted him even though she was hurting as much as he was.

This was the spark that started the conflict between the Mojave Chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel and the NCR. They'd not stand for having one of their own brutally killed without even a warning. Almost everyone was enraged at the attack and beckoned Elder Elijah to allow them to mount a counter-attack, Paladin Hardin was at the head of these talks.

Elder Elijah refused though! He commanded them to focus on Helios One and to not engage the NCR. He didn't seem to care that this would endanger anyone who went out for supplies or the parts that were required to repair the bloody facility.

Most of the Chapter now truly resented the man, he kept making promises that Helios One would be their crowning achievement and that they'd retaliate against the NCR after they'd fixed it. But his honeyed words fell on deaf ears...

They couldn't refuse the mans orders, as the Codex strictly prohibited them from disobeying orders, but it didn't mean they couldn't argue with him at every turn.

Head Paladin Mcnamara had started sending out Patrols of Paladins and Knights in Power armour to protect those transporting materials to the base. There hadn't been another attack yet, but that was probably due to the Rangers not being able to find any easy targets like last time.