บท 125: Spotted?

Unfortunately, after investigating for a day and a half Afton still hadn't found any leads. He currently had Daisy working on the motorbike so progress on it wouldn't be completely stopped, but he would eventually be needed back to treat patients for Ada...

He was about to go and ask Karl if he'd found anything when a couple NCR soldiers entered town, all wielding service rifles and looking covered in dust. As Afton was the closest person to the entrance of Novac they went over and started asking him questions.

"Excuse me citizen, could you help us for a moment?" one of the squad ask.

Afton gives them the stink-eye for a moment before shrugging, "Depends on what it is."

"We're down from the Nelson blockade, send by Ranger Milo to look for someone."

Afton holds up his hand, "Wait a moment, Nelson blockade?" he asks, having no idea where or what that is.

The soldier he was talking to give him a weird look before pointing East, a town called Nelson down by the Colorado. It's been captured by the Legion and so we've created a blockade to prevent people getting in, and out. As to why we're here? Our commander has gotten word that some former 1st Recon were holed up down here."

Afton raises a brow, "Manny and Boone?" he wonders what they could actually want them for, Boone is likely to attend to anything involving the Legion, but why do the NCR need them? Is the situation truly so bad that they need former-soldiers to reinforce their army? If so, the NCR is fucked.

"If Manny and Boone are the former-1st Recon then yes, could you bring me to see them? We need their help."

Afton doesn't really have a valid objection and just nods, walking over to the Dinosaur and asking the soldiers to wait outside. He heads inside and finds Boone already waiting for him. "Don't be surprised, I could see the squad from a mile away, I'm guessing they want something from me if you're here."

"Yeah, they want to speak to you and Manny for some reason, word's gotten around that two former-1st Recon are staying here... Probably because you won't take that Beret off." Afton says while pointing at Boone's red hat.

"Fine. Let's get this over with."

The duo head downstairs and the soldiers look Boone over, nodding to themselves when they see the insignia on his beret. "Are you Boone?"

"Yeah."

The soldier looks to Afton, "Sir, could you also grab the other one called Manny?"

Afton and Boone shake their heads simultaneously, "That guy's a piece of shit, so no."

"I wouldn't do any job Manny is involved in anyway. So, what do you want?" Boone adds.

"There's a situation down in Nelson we need someone of your... Expertise to deal with. There'll be caps in it since you are no longer actively serving, it might require the other one though... Sniper teams travel in two after all."

...

This was the first Afton had heard of that... His thoughts went back to the NCR sniper who'd killed his mother. He hadn't seen another sniper anywhere near them, but maybe the stress of the battle had made his sight unreliable?...

Boone shakes his head, "I'll do it alone, I refuse to work with Manny." he states.

The soldiers look at one another and shrug, "I'm not sure Ranger Milo will like that. Whatever, all he asked was to bring you to him. Will you accept the job?"

"Anything that lets me shoot at the Legion is good with me." he says.

Afton watches as they tell Boone what he might need to bring while he thinks whether or not he wants to involve himself in this... Caps are involved, and he might get some EXP from it, as well as more positive relations with the NCR.

"Boone, this probably has something to do with sniping right?"

The man turns and gives a small nod, "Yeah."

"Well, since snipers apparently work in teams of two, I'd be able to spot for you. I'd need a split of the reward though so its up to you."

Boone sniffs and rubs his nose, "You know how to spot?"

Afton nods, his Guns skill had included that knowledge thankfully.

"Grab your stuff and get ready then, we're headed for Nelson in thirty minutes. No idea how long we'll be there."

Afton nods and leaves, immediately going to his hotel room where Karl-GHUK! "Karl what the fuck!" he exclaims as he sees the old man in bed with Jeannie.

Karl just blinks at him owlishly and shrugs, "Man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

...

"In our shared room? Are you serious?" he shakes his head, "I'll be gone on a job with Boone in Nelson for a couple days. You keep working on the other job until I get back."

Karl nods before sending a perverted grin at him, "Yeah, yeah... Can you leave? I feel the Shot-Karl cocking again, and its got plenty ammo to spare."

Afton stifles the gag he gets at hearing that and leaves while ignoring Jeannie's blushing face. "Sorry about this dear." she says as he exits the door.

Hmm, he hadn't managed to actually get any supplies... He's got enough weaponry and ammo on him, but he'd need food and water for the journey... Whatever, he'd just buy some from the traders, there was no way he was walking back into that room.

He met Boone and the other soldiers not long after grabbing the supplies. Lucky, That Gun, and his other weapons were strapped on him as if he were planning to fight against an army alone. Who knows, depending on the mission goes that might just be the case.

"Ready to go?" Boone quietly asks.

Afton nods, "Yeah, my partner left me with something that I want to try and forget... Hopefully the long walk will allow me to clear my head..." he mutters.