บท 72: The law won.
*Flashback*
The NCR squadron had immediately headed for the black plume of smoke they'd spotted off in the distance. This had to caused by the people they were looking for, and Sergeant Volkman was more than enthusiastic to get moving towards it.
However, as soon as they reached a position where they could see the destroyed caravan, they spotted two people who looked like Powder Gangers heading towards the people responsible for destroying it.
Emil could tell they weren't all that friendly just the way they walked, it was slow and precise, as if they were anticipating a fight. This was fine though, both men were wearing NCRCF prison clothes, the trademark blue jacket was easy to spot from a distance.
They seemed to be talking with each other, the older man with the Stenton cowboy hat walking past and surveying the seen. The younger one wearing some sort of metal plated leathers with the NCRCF jacket tied around his waist following cautiously.
Some of the recruits around Emil almost jumped out of their skin when a loud gunshot went off, the older man had quickly turned and put a bullet in one of the Gang member's chests before striking another with the pistol itself.
A gunfight broke out and he was impressed to see that the duo who'd originally approached had managed to kill the four Powder Gangers without sustaining any injuries. The younger one was firing a Laser pistol and Revolver simultaneously and seemed well versed in hand to hand combat.
Shaking the thoughts from his head, he knew it was time to apprehend them, he'd have liked to kill those raiding scum himself, but this way he didn't have to risk any of his men, something he appreciated greatly.
*Flashback end*
The NCR soldiers recovered everything from the destroyed caravan, along with the civilian's corpses before making their way towards the encampment outside Primm.
Afton felt incredibly uncomfortable to be unarmed and without any means to defend himself, he knew the NCR had laws that prevented them from executing or even torturing prisoners, so he was relatively safe...
In all honesty, an NCR prisoner was probably safer than your average civilian, the prison guards would act as protection and the prison would act as thick walls between you and the wasteland. It'd be a pretty good deal if Afton didn't care about his freedom.
Of course, he thought it was incredibly stupid to waste so many resources on criminals, he had every intention of taking advantage of them and eventually gaining his freedom. He didn't know what they knew about him, he'd killed a few NCR soldiers during his time with the Powder Gangers, so hopefully they pinned those murders on someone else.
He'd checked his reputation with the NCR, and it was slightly below average, the reason for this was the fact he was a Powder Ganger, but they had no crimes to his name so he should be alright... Karl however, was a different story.
Everyone in the NCRCF knew him, he was calm and efficient when doing jobs, no doubt his reputation had spread to the NCR, especially since he had apparently been one of them at some point. They'd know his appearance, name, and the crimes he'd originally been imprisoned for.
The journey to the encampment wasn't all that difficult, the road used to have heavy traffic, and any threats would have been eliminated by the NCR as they passed through earlier. Afton was surprised to find that Primm held a humungous roller coaster.
He knew it was broken, but was impressed that it'd survived this long... He vaguely remembered stories of roller coasters falling apart while people were riding them. This one here had literally been hit by nukes and was still standing.
From what the Powder Gangers in the NCRCF had told him, the town was famous for its Vicky and Vance casino. He didn't know much about the duo it was dedicated to, but from what he'd heard they were basically just a discount Bonnie and Clyde.
The town itself was an average size and must've held at least one hundred people, you'd think with a town this size the Powder Gangers would have many opportunities to gain supplies, but this was not the case.
Most caravans came from the south where an NCR outpost was located. Nothing really came from the north anymore due to the Deathclaw infestation, the only other places of note were Sloan, Goodsprings, and the NCRCF, all of which had nothing, or weren't willing to trade.
The NCR had Afton and Karl follow them closely as there were mines scattered all around the area, judging by the black mark left on the ground nearby, they'd forgotten to mention that to someone previously.
The encampment itself just looked like a bunch of military tents scattered around the ruins of some buildings. Some NCR soldiers milled about but stopped what they were doing to watch the two prisoners that'd just been brought in.
Someone entered the biggest tent here and a man with a stern face, green beret, and cleaner armour that the rest of the soldiers stepped before them. "I am Lieutenant Hayes, 5th Battalion, 1st Company. Are these the men who've been raiding civilian caravans?" he asks looking to Emil.
He shrugs, "From what I saw, no. These men killed the ones who'd just raided a caravan, they're wearing Powder Ganger clothes though so better to bring 'em in to be sure."
Lieutenant Hayes slowly nods but squints at Karl, "Do I know you?" he asks.
Karl frowns and shakes his head, "No, son. First time I've seen you in my god-damn life." he states, Afton could tell from his limited time with Karl that he was lying... The man only ever seem this concerned about keeping his own secrets, that or dealing with people who break his rules, Tommy being one such example.
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บท 73: Wistful Despair
Hayes just shrugs at Karl and continues, "What're your names, I'd suggest you not lie as we'll find out eventually anyway." he adds.
Afton glances to Karl to see what he'd say, he was the former-NCR so he'd know best what they were capable of.
"Karl Martin." he says after a moment of hesitation.
Lieutenant Hayes frowns at this, "Hm, you sound familiar, but that can wait for now... Name?" he asks looking at Afton.
"Afton Parker." he states, hoping they'd not do a full body search and find his Brotherhood of Steel Holotags, that'd definitely put him in the shit.
Hayes nods and glances at a nearby soldier, "Radio in those names and see if anything come up. Also, have someone prepare some holding cells at the outpost..." he looks contemplative for a moment before continuing, "They might take a while to arrive as the situation is fragile."
Afton didn't know what the man meant but fragile, hopefully they wouldn't be raided by Deathclaws while he was imprisoned by these guys.
Hayes looks over at Emil, "Handcuff them to the steel railings nearby, make sure they're out of the sun and have adequate food and water. I'll be back for them in a couple hours." he says before leaving.
The duo doesn't really have any other options, they're lead to some large metal railing and handcuffed, afterwards the NCR soldiers build a primitive tent out of scrap metal to shield them from the suns rays.
Afton sighs and sits on the concrete below, resting his head against the metal bar, "Youknow, I never would have thought I'd find myself on the wrong side of the law. It's stupid to try fight against the government, even if you're correct in doing so." he mutters, not speaking to anyone imparticular.
"I know kid, you just got caught up in a bad crowd... Maybe they'll let you out early for good behaviour, then you'd be able to put your skills to work. Not many Doctors or Mechanics in the Mojave, always could use a couple more." Karl says, looking as equally put out as Afton was at the situation.
"I don't know... I can't really see myself just fixing things or people for the rest of my life, I thought things would be different around here... Thought that might've been the reason I was taken to 'this' place." Afton admits.
"Suit yourself, most would do anything to learn what you know, the life of a Merc is a short one. The rush never stops, but it dulls with time." he explains.
"Any chance you cant use your 'former-NCR' identity to help us out?" Afton asks, causing the man to scowl.
"No, I don't think that would go over well." he says somberly.
"Why?" Afton pushes, having nothing better to do than pick the man's brain.
"Son, do you know what a Ranger is?" he asks while staring at the blue sky.
"Elite NCR special forces that're only deployed in dire circumstances, you're telling me you were one of them?" he frowns, the memory of a Ranger shooting his mother flashing in his mind
Karl slowly nods, "Yeah... The only people that hate a rogue ranger more than the Legion is the NCR. They train us to do the impossible, to be impossible. One day Caeser'll be minding his own business in that great fort of his when *bam*, a bullet rockets through the bastards skull... Course, this hasn't happened yet, but its only a matter of time."
"You went rogue then? Against the NCR?" Afton asks.
Karl shakes his head, "Its... It's a long story..."
Afton shrugs and pulls on his cuffs, causing them to rattle against the metal railing, "I've got all day."
...
"I have a daughter." he starts, Afton's eyes dimming as he knew where this was likely going. He hadn't said it in past tense meaning she was still alive, but it clearly still pained the man to say it. "Spitting image of her mother, bless her soul. She wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and joined the NCR as soon as she was old enough. Got trained well, was a good shot and a damn good fighter, Spitfire they used to call her, used to run into combat like a bat' outta hell." Karl mutters, a small smile on his face as he reminisces.
"But, no matter how good a fighter you are, if given dog-shit orders and sent on a suicide mission you'll end up like the rest. I personally told command that there was a high chance of the Legion attacking their convoy, but they didn't listen, thought I was just being overprotective for my daughter... Fuckers, of course I was worried, I knew an attack was coming." he growled, expressing twisting at the thought.
"The attack came, and her convoy was wiped out, she wasn't killed though... I heard that the higher-ups continued with their mission, refusing to listen to my warning. I arrived just as the Legion was leading the female soldiers away, all connected by chains that were attached to collars around their necks. Youknow, the Legion treat women like cattle, only difference is they don't eat 'em."
"I saw my daughter there with the others, bruises covering her face but a hard look in her eye... She'd defy them, and she'd pay for it." he shudders and clasps his hands together, "I couldn't... I couldn't let them take my little girl, so I went against orders and followed them, my partner left to report that I'd gone AWOL... I followed them to Cottonwood Cove, the place where they sent their slaves over the Colorado to become slaves.
I was a Ranger, but I hadn't been equipped with good enough weaponry to fight the whole place, my initial mission was just to report what happened to the convoy. Only had Sequoia, some bullets, and grenades."
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