บท 571: Quickness
"We're going to decide how we destroy the Brotherhood."
...
"What!?" Veronica exclaims after a shock finally wears off.
Afton shrugs, "Well, we'll destroy the Mojave chapter at least. First things first though, let's see what my spies have to say." he says while gesturing at the holographic table in front of them, it's light ripple slightly before it displays a series of pages, all of which seemed to be some sort of report.
It's rather long and extensive, as you'd expect from spies, but all in all, there were only a few important points.
The first was the NCR's continued attempts to covertly turn the public against Bulwark, they did this using variety of strategies, primarily rumours from their undercover agents, reporting on fake crimes Bulwark has supposedly committed, and by public statements from the NCR themselves. Their attempts were so-so though, mainly due to the public's awareness of how bias NCR news is, as well as the rather large amount of resentment against them.
While yes, they were a better alternative to the Legion. Most people in the Mojave would rather neither be present at all, as both were oppressive foreign forces at the end of the day, regardless of their intentions.
The second point of the report were the large numbers of reinforcements that'd been dispatched to the Mojave in response of the Legion's own mustering. Ambassador Crocker was very, very worried about it, and has assisted General Oliver in getting more troops to the front lines
Third was the fact the investigation requested by Ambassador Crocker against Macka Bree concerning the unauthorised experimentation of prisoners and humans was accepted but not... This was due to the fact that the investigation was handed off to General Poacher, who was well known to be working with Macka Bree...So it was unlikely anything would be uncovered at all. Ambassador Crocker was rightly furious at this, but there was literally nothing he could do... He'd have to petition for more support at congress if he wanted anything done, but that'd involve leaving the Mojave which was teetering on the edge of war...
Forth was the fact the NCR fully intended to go to war with Bulwark due to the recent attack near Jacobstown. The spies weren't able to uncover how the NCR would move, as that was handed off to someone else, but it was a certainty an attack would be occurring.
Fifth and most relevant to what Afton was hoping to hear, was the fact among the reinforcements coming to the Mojave were three mobile artillery systems. What were they intended to be used for? Well, their first mission on the books was to assist in the eradication of the Brotherhood of Steel... Once that was accomplished, they'd be shipped to Hoover Dam where they'd assist in the defence of the incredibly important strategic location. They were set to arrive in around two weeks, which gave Afton plenty of time to plan on how to deal with them.
Afton chuckles, "You know, you guys getting captured didn't really matter in the end... I'd have had to do something before those reinforcements got here, and I doubt Hardin would've reacted any different. Though, I would ideally like to get my hands on those mobile artillery machines..." he admits.
Miles sighs and looks at his feet, "I'm not really sure how to feel about this Afton, I mean, I know Hardin's lost it, but... Does it have to be destroyed?"
"Yes..." he states before raising a hand to stop the trio's objections, "Just be pragmatic about this, the Chapter has been dying ever since it arrived in the Mojave, that was only accelerated after what happened at Helios. Bulwark will take its place and be more effective for it, we'll try to recruit those willing, but for everyone else?... They'll be on their own." he states.
"So that's it? Their only options are to bend the knee to you, flee into the desert, or stay and be murdered by the NCR?" Christine questions with a hard look.
Afton shrugs, "Don't act like I'm not giving them choices. If they can follow Hardin with a smile on their faces then they can follow me instead... I'm not being callous, there just isn't anything else I can really do for them without going out of my way. I'd essentially be misappropriating Bulwark funds for my own ends, which sets a bad president... Kinda like Hardin when you think about it." he says, trying to convince them.
"Is there really nothing we can do? I know many good people who would refuse your offer. I don't think they deserve to die for their firm principles..." Miles asks, but is clearly not hopeful.
Afton shakes his head, "I'm sorry, but no... I mean, I can allow you to try and convince them, and I'm willing to offer a place in the department that'd handle the research, acquisition, and containment of technology, but that's all. Don't forget that I have loved ones among them as well, friends and acquaintances, but it's up to them whether or not they wish to accept my offer."
Miles just slowly nods at him, there wasn't all that much he could do to try and change Afton's mind. They both knew some simply wouldn't be swayed no matter what they were offered, so it would be useless to consider. "There will be a fight... How are you going to handle it?" he asks.
Afton shrugs again, "How else? An army of robots." he smirks, finally getting a chance to put his new forces into action. Of course, they wouldn't be going all out, if the Brotherhood didn't surrender he'd simply go in there himself and subdue them.
Once the Brotherhood was dealt with, he'd use some spare sets of Power armour as 'scarecrows' and dummies to make the NCR believe the base was still operational... Once they set up their artillery machines to attack, he'd swoop in and steal them. Oh, yes. He was looking forward to it.
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บท 572: Disarming Presence
Two days later :
Hardin was absolutely furious, how dare that boy walk in and so brazenly attack them!? It'd taken half a day for his people to dig him out of the rubble, and hours after that to splint up his injured arms... His Power armour had protected him for the most part, but his limbs had been bent and twisted at their joints in horrific ways, leaving him like this... Without his arms and having an assistant spoon food into his mouth.
He leans forwards while trying to get a spoonful of the weak-porridge when someone runs into the room, their feet squeaking as their shoes grind to a halt on the concrete floor. "Elder! He's back!"
*PPFFFFTT!*
Hardin spits out his food and receives a hidden glare from the women he'd just covered in it. "WHAT!?"
"Afton Parker! He's back, and he's brought friends!"
Hardin pushes himself out of bed and leaves the room, disregarding his injuries and even his armour as he goes to take a look. He arrives at the wall where many Brotherhood members were quietly whispering to one another about what to do, and eventually part ways like the red sea once Hardin arrived.
Once on the wall, he looks down and spots Afton a good distance away... He was standing there in full Bulwark Power armour with three other people. His friends were setting up strange machines nearby, but no one had any idea what there were...
Hardin was in a similar situation, not having even an inkling over what their purpose was... Were they bombs perhaps? Or maybe turrets?...
He shakes his head, in the end, it doesn't matter. "PARKER! YOU WILL LEAVE MY TERRITORY, OR WE WILL SHOOT YOU DOWN LIKE THE DOG YOU ARE!" he roars, finally drawing Afton's attention.
He was holding his helmet at his side with a smug smirk, "Do you really think you have the capabilities for that? Seems like you got lucky and survived the last time, I'll warn you now though, if you don't surrender... You'll die for sure." he states.
Hardin growls before regaining his composure, his face relaxing as he laughs at Afton's face, "Hah! You may have escaped last time, but you and your friends are no match against the might of the Brotherhood! Surrender now and I might postpone your execution!"
...
Afton looks a bit put out at Hardin's words, and the elder feels as if he'd made a small victory from that alone... Atleast, until Afton begins to speak...
"Er, you were supposed to say, 'You want what army'... And then I'd spread my arms like this-"
*CRACK!*
Hundreds of lightning bolts fire from the sky behind him in between the boundaries of the machines that'd been set up, kicking up dust and almost blinding the Brotherhood members that were watching.
"Summon my army, and you'd surrender." Afton explains, the dust clearing and revealing his 'army'...
What did Afton's army consist of exactly? Well... For starters, there were around fifty Cyberdogs on the outskirts, as well as one-hundred strange-looking Sentry-bots with blue-tinted metal plating... Those in the know would recognise it as Saturnite, and those 'even more in the know' would recognise the Sentry-bots as the Ultimo-Bot that had been guarding the Big Mt artillery sight...
The Ultimo-Bot's were larger, stronger variants of ordinary Sentry-Bots. With considerably higher firepower, durability, and processing power. Not to mention the pre-installed military tactics and strategies each came with.
They aren't what draws the most attention however... That would belong to the two figures standing directly behind Afton... Deathclaws! Two large, black Deathclaws! Each were armoured with that blue-tinted metal again, and looked larger than the average Deathclaw you'd see in the wasteland. Unlike the rest of their kind, they seemed completely tamed as well! Deferring completely to Afton despite their wish to attack immediately.
Veronica, Christine, and Miles who were standing next to him clearly hadn't been expecting this either, and were barely holding back from firing upon the Deathclaws themselves...
Hardin's eyes almost bulge out of their sockets at this display of power... If the act of teleporting large amounts of troops wasn't enough, the troops themselves were enough to cause even the larger factions to pause in fear. He isn't even able to find his voice until Afton starts speaking again.
"Well!? Now that you guys have seen my army, I'll ask again. Surrender. I am not a cruel person, so I won't kill you like Hardin has been threatening to do to me... But the Mojave Chapter of the Brotherhood will end today... Before that though, I'd like to make an offer, to those of you who see the faults in your leadership and can think for yourselves... Join me, and we'll fulfil the duties the Brotherhood purports to serve in their stead."
...
Afton releases a sigh at the lack of reaction... Obviously, he hadn't expected many to jump ship now, as they'd likely be fired upon by their friends for it, but he was hoping at least a few would have the courage... Whatever he'd just have to find those willing after they surrender.
Hardin steps forwards, almost foaming at the mouth as he shouts, "NEVER! I'D RATHER DIE THAN SURRENDER TO YOU, BOY! YOU DESERVE NOTHING! NOT THE STRENGTH YOU HAVE, NOT THE ARMY, AND NOT THE ALLIES! I WILL TAKE THEM ALL AWAY!... BROTHERHOOD! ATTAAAACCCK!"
Thus, the battle starts... And quickly ends as Afton's troops decimate the forces of the Brotherhood... It's fortunate the Brotherhood wore Power armour, otherwise they'd have all been instantly killed when struck by his Deathclaws or Cyberdogs combined sonic attacks... Afton did his best to knock them unconscious as well to prevent them from getting killed in the fight as well...
They certainly hadn't been expecting him to leap onto the wall and start punching people unconscious... Nor had they expected his first punch to completely blow Hardin's head clean off... The man was literally 'armless' and wasn't even able to shout an insult as his head exploded into red mist...
That act alone had a large portion of the Brotherhood surrender, but a few of the more zealous were still unwilling to lose... Unfortunately, this led to a few dying at the hands of his Deathclaws, but the casualties were remarkably low considering the ferocious battle that'd occurred.
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