บท 568: Waste of Steel
*Crack!*
Afton appears nearby the Brotherhood base with a flash of lightning. He quickly steps out of the smoke and surveys the area, nodding to himself as he determines that the coast is clear... He was suited in Power armour and fully armed, prepared for combat, not just against the Brotherhood, but also the large contingents of NCR that'd occasionally pass through the area.
"Why are you making me do this..." he mutters to himself as he starts making his way towards the new Brotherhood base.
There was a reason he'd come alone, though, the primary one being that he could escape very, ver easily should that be required... He wasn't intending to assault the base now anyway, just determine where Veronica and Christine had gotten off to. If they weren't in the base, then they'd probably been captured by the NCR, he didn't think bandits would be any match for them so that wasn't even a consideration.
Soon enough, mirroring the passage of his companions, he was obstructed by a patrol of Brotherhood members, though, unlike how the girls were treated, these guys looked ready to fire at any movement... The threat of someone wearing Power armour wasn't a joke after all.
"Ha-"
"Shut up. I'm Afton Parker, leader of Bulwark, you guys remember me right? I kicked the shit outta Hardin in front of you." he states, not willing to remove his helmet for obvious reasons.
"Afton!? It's good to see you!" Melissa suddenly says, quickly lowering her weapon and hugging him.
"Melissa. You good?" he asks, conversationally.
She nods, "Y-yeah... You're looking for Veronica and Christine then I'm guessing? They passed through here not long ago."
He nods, "Yeah, I am... You mind escorting me to the base? Consider it a political visit." he says semi-sarcastically.
Melissa nods, and his talk of it being a 'political visit' seems to convince the others who looked very wary of him.
With that, Afton was slowly led towards the new BOS base. To be honest, he wasn't actually sure what he was gonna do once he gets there. It all really depended on Christine he supposed. It was her right to go wherever she wanted, so if she chose to stay here he couldn't really do anything about it... Not without going against his principles...
Of course, what he didn't expect was to be sent away as soon as he got to the gate of the BOS... The guards had apparently not seen Veronica or Christine, which directly contradicted what the patrol said. 'Fortunately', they were willing to inform Elder Hardin of his arrival.
Afton couldn't hold back his scoff at that, like Hardin was going to be 'peaceful' about this. Especially since they'd apparently captured Veronica and Christine, most likely in some vain attempt to coerce him into working with them.
Hardin eventually strolls out of the gate in power armour and with a weapon strapped to his back, he cockily looks Afton up and down before crossing his arms, "Parker. For what reason have you decided to visit us? Want to beg to come back?" he jokes with a low chuckle.
Afton raises a brow and gestures at the former Elder robe rags decorating his armour, "You not figured out how to dress yet? Or are you too scared to be without Power armour you just tried your luck?... Was it my fault?" he mocks 'sincerely'.
Hardin stifles a growl, "What do you want?"
Afton shrugs his shoulders, "I want Veronica and Christine, you know, the people you've captured for no justifiable reason."
...
"The only people we currently have imprisoned are NCR soldiers." he states.
...
"Uh huh... Well, that's not what I heard, so I'll just give you a choice. Give me back my people, or we're going to have problems." he firmly decides. Truthfully, he didn't want to be forced into a conflict with his former friends, but, if they were fine with Hardin's way of leading them, he'd eventually be forced to.
Hardin gives a low laugh and straightens up, his hands clenching and flexing in anticipation. "This won't end like last time. You may be able to beat me, but can you beat an army?"
Afton doesn't back down, cracking his knuckles through his gauntlets, "I should say the same to you. Your puny forces are no match for Bulwark. That's not even speaking about our weaponry, I have half a mind to reduce your base to a smouldering crater."
...
The other BOS members watching this all tense, wondering if they'd really have to help Hardin fight? As much as most wouldn't like to admit it, Bulwark was probably the biggest 'ally' they had. It was a deterrent for the NCR, and aligned well with the BOS's own intentions... Plus, they didn't doubt Afton's words, especially considering what he'd done to Hardin last time.
The duo continued the face-off for a minute or so, until Hardin takes a step back and commands, "Arrest the traitor, I want him beaten and brought before me on his knees!"
With that, most BOS members jump into action, though, there were a few who decided not to act and instead retreat from this place.
"Still having others do your dirty work Hardin? How can someone maintain such an ego while acting like a coward?" Afton mocks as he's surrounded by men with drawn weapons.
Hardin laughs, "Let's see you say that once this is over."
Afton nods, "Alright, I'll play this game... But you won't like the outcome..." he looks around at the other Brotherhood members, "Everyone, I give you this one chance to surrender. I don't want bloodshed, especially not the blood of my family! If you don't lay down your weapons, we will become enemies."
...
A few more Brotherhood members quietly slink away, following the other group who'd departed earlier. After seeing no one else wanting to leave, Afton releases a sigh and nods, "Alright, just remember, you guys asked for this." he says while the light around him suddenly distorts and ripples, Afton vanishing without a trace a moment later.
*Bang! Bang! Pew! Pew!"
A few men fire at where he'd been, but they just strike the ground or make-shift walls of the base instead, "He used a Stealthboy! Find him!" Hardin shouts, and a few members scramble to gather their infrared equipment.
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Niggross
Niggross Ye, the Brotherhood have finally pissed him off...
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บท 569: Smash and Grab
[John Wick Style] is in effect!
While the BOS were running around like headless chickens, Afton was enlarging his plant arm to prepare for an attack... A couple of seconds pass and he's finally formed a giant tentacle from his right arm, with which he twirls and swings at everyone nearby.
The force of the attack is massive and blows many right off of their feet with large indentations in their armour. The Stealthboy affects your entire body, which makes his plant arm invisible as well, which is kinda broken when you think about it...
*Thud!Thud!Thud!Thud!Thud!*
Hardin is launched backwards into the BOS makeshift wall with a large dent in his chest plate, he didn't know what'd just happened but at least he was still alive... Unbeknownst to him, if it weren't for the presence of other BOS soldiers nearby, Afton would have had no problem morphing his attack into a more lethal variant...
Once Afton's attack is over he swings his arm over his head before launching it at the makeshift wall Hardin was temporarily resting against. The tentacle wraps around the top of it, and once it's secure, Afton gives a grunt as he heaves it backwards with maximum effort!
*SQUEEEEEEEEEEEaaaaak!*
The sound of screaming metal eventually reaching Hardin's stunned state, he looks up and notices the structure that's about to fall on him and scrambles to move... Afton spots this though and pulls even harder than before, finally bringing the thing down.
*CLACK!*
*CRAAASH!*
Dust is kicked up over the area as the thing collapses, but Afton is more interested in whether or not Hardin managed to get away... He waits a couple seconds for it to clear slightly, and eventually spots no sign of Hardin.
Afton grins and morphs his arm back to normal before clapping his hands off, "I'd call that a job well done." he mutters as he's stepping through the rubble in an attempt to find the prison Christine and Veronica were being held.
He was still invisible as he looked, so it wasn't accosted by any of the frantic-looking Brotherhood members who were running from place to place, some were even trying to dig Hardin out, but that'd probably take a day or two considering the sheer amount of material he'd been buried under.
Soon enough, he eventually discovers the holding cells. A hastily constructed building made from scrap-metal and poor-quality concrete. Inside he's immediately greeted by many emaciated people sitting listlessly behind bars, most of which wore NCR clothing.
Afton ignores them as he didn't see anyone familiar and marches through the prison while flashes his Power armour's shoulder light into each cell.
NCR troopers, NCR troopers, NCR troopers... Bandit? Another NCR, NCR... Man Hardin had been busy, hadn't he?... He flashes his light into the next cell and widens his eyes, "Miles?" he unconsciously asks before shaking his head and correcting himself, "Miles Stanton?"
The emaciated figure of his childhood friend slowly looks up from the fetal position he was sitting in on the floor. "W-what is it now?" he asks, annoyed.
Afton leans closer to the cell, "It's me, Afton, I've come to rescue my people that Hardin captured... I'm kinda invisible right now, so... I'm not a ghost if that's what you were thinking." He says semi-sarcastically.
"A-Afton?" Miles tentatively mouths, as if tasting the name as he says it. "Honestly didn't think I'd see you again... How are you?"
Afton shakes his head, "No, no. First, let's talk about why you're in here." he says, wanting to know how someone like Miles was imprisoned.
Miles shrugs, "I... I passed out during a patrol, exhaustion had gotten the better of me... Hardin was sending me and Melissa out almost every day, and most nights as well, leaving us with basically no sleep... When I passed out, he slapped me with 'dereliction', 'disobedience', and 'Abetting and aiding the enemy'... We tried to argue it but, Hardin isn't really in his right mind anymore..."
Afton scowls, "Yeah, I could see that... Was your treatment related to your friendship with me perchance? That cunt seems to have a 'hardin' for me."
Miles gives a low chuckle, "Yeah, something like that... Melissa is probably in a similar situation. She visited me yesterday and she looks terrible, it's only a matter of time before she ends up in the opposite cell." he mutters sadly.
Afton sighs and shakes his head, grabbing the bars of Miles' cell and begins bending them. Miles backs up slightly as he spots hear the metal screaming, and soon enough the bars can't take the te stress anymore and simply snap. He does this a couple more times until there's a hole Miles can barely fit through, "Come on, I'm taking you outta here, and once we're back at my place we'll plan on 'fixing' the Chapter...
Miles squints at him, "And how would you 'fix' it?"
Afton shrugs, "I bring an army, take the people willing to abide by my rules, and leave the rest to live as they are... Unless you have any better ideas?"
Miles shakes his head, "No... I think force is required in this situation." he says as he squeezes out of the cell.
Afton nods and grabs Miles arm before continuing through the prison, eventually spotting the people he'd come for... Veronica was sitting on the floor reading a magazine while Christine was trying to dig through the concrete floor with a spoon...
"*Ahem*" Afton coughs into his fist, drawing the attention of the duo... Obviously, they only see Miles due to Afton's invisibility, but they easily recognise him.
"Miles? You look like shit!" Veronica can't help but address.
Miles shrugs, "Yeah, I know..."
"You two in the cell can be quiet until we get back home... I'm gonna have to think of some creative punishments for you." he says as he begins bending the bars.
Veronica pales slightly, "Afton?"
"The one and only... Now both of you crawl out of there, we need to leave before the BOS composes themselves."
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Niggross
Niggross
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