บท 184: Fragile Alliance

Emory nods at him, "Sure... I'm willing to go see the King."

Major Kieran gives him a scathing look, but he just returns a nonchalant one back at her. Seems like he either doesn't care what happens to him, or considers the result more important than his life. Either way, this'd be a good first step... Though, all Afton wanted was a damn licence to get through New Vegas!

The NCR took all of the Kings who'd fought with them prisoner as Afton went to speak with the King. Clearly, he'd heard about the commotion and some of what'd occurred. He must've had some men watching the situation for him.

He definitely wasn't happy with Afton for killing a few of his men, even if it was needed to force the rest to surrender. Not was he beaming with joy when Afton made himself the Kings unofficial ambassador with the NCR.

However, the King understood the severity of the situation and would shrug off the rather traitorous actions Afton had used to subdue the conflict. Though, he was very pushy when it came to trying to free the Kings that'd been imprisoned. Afton knew that the NCR would likely not budge on the topic unless he gave them some rather heavy benefits... If the King pulled out all the stops he could probably free everyone but Pacer, that guy was a lost cause...

Plus, if the King tried to free Pacer then it would put his status as under the King's employ in question... One didn't just set free a man who tried to murder your ambassador after all.

The King and Emory both wanted to get the situation sorted out as soon as possible. If anything were left up in the air then the Kings and NCR soldiers in Freeside might just start fighting amongst themselves, making all his effort pointless.

So, just as the sun was beginning to set, the Emory was sitting in one of the Kings office rooms that'd been set up for this meeting specifically. Afton was stood behind the King, just for appearances mind you... He'd not participate in the talks unless he was forced to, he'd not really learned how to do 'politics' nor did he want to. He was a more, 'Kill it yourself' kind of person.

The talks started, Emory immediately inquiring if the situation was as Afton had explained. The King had no choice but to reluctantly nod, telling people that he had difficulties controlling his men must've felt as emasculating as revealing you had E.D...

Afterwards, Emory brought into discussion terms for the prisoners. The King request for all but Pacer to be freed on the ground that they'd been under the assumption that the King had ordered such an attack, Pacer being the one responsible for the ruse.

For this, Emory demanded a small yearly tax from the Kings, 1% of their income a year for some benefits from the NCR, as well as the release of the prisoners.

Now, from what Afton could infer, it wasn't the monetary gain that Emory was aiming for here. Indeed, 1% of the Kings income would be a pittance compared to their daily expenditures in the war against the Legion. No, the point of it was to have some degree of control over the Kings, indirectly putting them under the umbrella of the NCR. Much like the various towns they'd incorporated in the Mojave.

Some back and forth later and the King had no choice but to agree, he valued his men above petty politics and wished to see them freed.

Immediately After this, the King demanded to know what NCR operations were occurring in Freeside. Both the King and Afton was surprised to hear that the NCR were providing rations and other essentials to NCR citizens... Emory said that they would have started giving to everyone had their ambassador not been brutally attacked by Pacer.

Emory then went on to explain the various surveillance operations that were being conducted. One keeping an eye on the Followers of the Apocolypse, this was mainly due to the group previously being part of the NCR and wanting to make sure they were spouting any secrets.

Another included many gangs, making sure the Legion or Fiends weren't trying to make alliances within Freeside to wrest control from them.

The King quietly listened as Emory continued to list them, none seeming to be too invasive and as such, he had no objections to them existing. He knew better than anyone else the threat the Legion and Fiends presented.

All was not over however, due to the King agreeing to be taxed by the NCR, every member would have to become an NCR citizen, that meant acquiring a licence... Afton almost facepalmed when Emory asked for the King's name, and the man responded with 'Elvis Presley'... Had he forgotten his real name or was this just the universe playing tricks on him?

Regardless, the two continued to discuss little things, nitpicking terms of their contract before eventually coming to a conclusion both could agree on. Emory had been writing notes throughout the meeting, it was presumably the terms both had agreed on, he'd probably hand it off to someone else afterwards to get an official contract written out.

With the meeting finally done, Emory stood up and shook hands with the King, again using his left hand to shake... He did the same with Afton afterwards, "Thank you both for your cooperation, hopefully the Kings and the NCR will have a bright future together... Ah, and Afton, would you mind if I posted your name in our database as a reliable mercenary? From what I've heard and seen, you've done significantly more than what was expected of you, we at the NCR could use someone like you."

Afton just raises a brow, "What do you mean?"

"The NCR doesn't usually make use of mercenaries, but when they do they typically send word to those already known to be reliable first. If you agreed, that would include you as well... You'd be given a standard-issue radio so we could contact you for further information and potential jobs.

Afton nods, that sounded more than reasonable. More work and better relations with the NCR could go a long way... Plus, he needed more caps for further implants and weaponry. Not to mention trying to gather information about the ranger that'd killed his mother. "Sure. I'm currently staying in the Atomic Wrangler so send the stuff there... If there's nothing else, I've got places to be." he says, only now realising that Karl and Boone would be waiting for him.

[NCR Reputation increased! : Liked]

He sends a nod to the King and Emory before leaving, he'd get the counterfeit licence from him tomorrow. Right now he was more tired than usual...