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36.1% Steel Waste / Chapter 256: Parting Words

Chương 256: Parting Words

Now stood outside Vault 22 Afton sighs and looks up at the sky, only now noticing just how long they'd been inside that jungle hell.

"W-what now?" Anja asks from the side, still holding Keely up.

Afton sighs but breaks out into a cough halfway in... "Now? I'm going to try my luck with Doctor Usanagi... We can get Keely's legs checked out while we're there." he says, and neither Keely nor Anja can see any reason to disagree.

The group head down the canyon passage that'd lead to Vault 22 and spot Dirt-Bird sitting just where they'd left it, looking no worse for wear. He brushes some dust that'd gathered on the driver's seat and starts the engine as Anja places Keely in the sidecar. Afterwards she sits behind him and holds onto his waist as they drive off.

Though, as soon as they leave the canyon passage they are greeted with something unusual... The camp where the NCR had been waiting to ambush them previously was stripped bare, tents, bodies, and anything else that could lead people to beliéve the NCR had been here had vanished.

If Afton had to guess then he'd say that someone was trying to cover up their involvement here. Probably Dr Hildern or whoever else ordered the ambush. He shakes his head, regardless it doesn't matter now.

The group drove up to the highway and past Klaus's house, they drove until the night came but Afton didn't stop. He hadn't slept in days but wasn't willing to give the infection more time to fester. The faster he got to Doctor Usanagi the faster he'd be cured.

Keely was already passed out in the sidecar, but both Anja and Afton were running on fumes. His coughing was becoming increasingly more common, and his complexion was paling further, beginning to resemble what Mark had looked like before he died.

The group arrived outside Doctor Usanagi's clinic just as the sun was starting to rise... Unfortunately, upon Afton trying to open the door he found that it had been locked. The only reason he could imagine for this would be that they were entirely too early, a shame they didn't have another way to contract the doctor.

Afton wheezes slightly and parks Dirt-Bird next to the building before sitting against the wall weakly. Black veins were becoming more apparent on his pale skin now, even his bloodshot eyes were beginning to darken as the infection progressed. The blood vessels contained within them turning as black as his veins.

Exhaustion eventually caught up with him and he slowly passed out against the wall...

...

...

He was slowly awakened by something prodding him in the cheek, opening his eyes he was greeted by the familiar face of Doctor Usanagi. "Doc." he wheezes out.

"Mr Parker, I'd ask how the implant was treating you were you not in this horrible state... What happened to you?" she inquires.

"A mission, got infected by a fungus... Think you can help me?" he asks, though was not feeling very hopeful in this moment.

The doctor shrugs, "Let's get you inside and I'll see what I can do." she says, nodding over to the security guards Afton hadn't noticed accompanying her. They lift him up and carry him inside, he glances towards Dirt-Bird and spots that both Anja and Keely were still asleep...

He's brought into the clinic and placed on top of the surgical table, afterwards Doctor Usanagi's proceeds to conduct a number of tests on him. Blood tests, a biopsy of his flesh, and a physical check-up.

Afton waits for half an hour or so when Doctor Usanagi comes back in holding a clipboard and wearing a grim look. "What's the word?"

...

The doctor clears her throat and gives him a sad look, "You are dying Mr Parker, and I don't think there's anything I can do to prevent it. This fungus you've been infected with has already infested your bloodstream, and I can see signs of it somehow highjacking your heart. It hasn't interfered with the organ's functions yet, and I have no idea if it will eventually... I had a word with your... Ghoul friends." she says distastefully before continuing,

"They explained the basics of the fungus, and I have to say, this is the first time I've heard of something so apocalyptically dangerous. I've already attempted every antiviral agent I possess on the fungus samples in your blood, but nothing works... I'd advise you say your farewells to your loved ones, write a will, and toss yourself in an incinerator to prevent anyone else catching this affliction."

Afton raises a brow at her incredibly harsh observation, "That's quite the prescription doc... Are you sure nothing will work? Perhaps blood transfusions and extensive surgery to clear my system out?" he almost pleads.

She shakes her head, "The fungus has already embedded itself in your veins and organs. We'd have to literally implant your consciousness into another body to save you, something I don't think is actually possible. You have my condolences."

...

Afton slowly nods, "I see... Thank you for your time anyway doc... If you don't mind I've got places to be." he says, wheezing slightly as he gets off of the surgical table and weakly walks out of the clinic.

Anja and Keely were sitting in the reception, but only Anja follows him out for obvious reasons. "Bad news then, sir?"

Afton nods at her, he couldn't really think of any other way to save himself... He doubted his [Miracle Maker] Perk would actually be able to save him, even if it wasn't recharging from his last use of it. The Perk worked by healing a lethal injury dealt to him, but would that help against an infection? Sure, if the fungus causes his heart to stop then it'd bring him back to life, but he'd still probably be infected.

Truly, he had no idea what he was going to do now... He was determined to live, so throwing himself into an incinerator like Usanagi had advised was out of the question... Hm, he thought for a moment and his eyes widened as he remembered the scrap metal he'd found in the 188 trading post. Perhaps that was the answer? If nothing else, he'd be able to kill those responsible for the scam with his last breath. Though, there was one thing that added some degree of legitimacy to it... The quest relating to it.

[Midnight Free Medical Procedure! : Recieve your reward for finding the super-secret key!]

"You could say that..." He says before pointing at the backpack strapped over her shoulders, "Take that and sell all the loot we collected, afterwards go find Karl and Boone... Tell them I'll be away for a while, continue as we had been... If I don't return in two months then consider me dead. Alright?"

Anja nods, "Yes... Sir..." she says mournfully, there wasn't much she could do for him... At least she'd be able to complete his last orders. Even if he perished, she was determined to work off her debt to him, whether that be to his companions or in other indirect methods.


SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
Niggross Niggross

Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!

If you like my content or want to read ahead please go to https://www.p.atreon.com/Nagross, I'd appreciate it.

next chapter

Chương 257: Sickness

After giving his 'last' parting words he hops back onto Dirt-Bird checks his Pipboy for the location of the Mojave Drive-in. Fortunately, his [Explorer] Perk easily gave him the ability to find it. Though, unfortunately, it was located all the way in Nipton.

If he didn't have Dirt-Bird he'd likely perish on the way there, even still he didn't know if he'd last long enough to complete the journey. He takes one last glance at Anja before starting the engine and driving off.

He was slightly worried about whether or not she'd make it to Karl and Boone, the NCR had already sent an ambush after him, so it wouldn't be out of character to send another for her to silence any potential witnesses.

He sighs and shakes his head, whatever will happen was out of his hands now. He could only hope that his companions would continue the work they were doing and wait for his return... IF, he returned.

After a day of driving, he soon arrived at the 188 trading post. He parked his vehicle next to the Slop and Shop before sitting down at one of the bar stools with a wheeze. He was getting weaker, he knew it was only matter of time before the virus overtook him.

Samuel walks into the shack through the backdoor and begins talking without looking at him, "Welcome to the Slop and Shop, what can I do for you-WAH! My God! Is that you Afton?" he suddenly exclaims after seeing the state he was in.

Afton weakly nods, "Save the questions, I jus need a drink and a meal." he says, tossing some caps onto the bar.

"You look like someone who's been attacked by a vampire and is half-way from turning..." Samuel says as he places purified water on the bar, along with some canned beans.

Afton snorts but ends up breaking into a cough, "I wish. Trust me, you don't want to know."

Samuel continues to try and get some information out of his, but Afton just takes the food and water away and slumps beside Dirt-Bird to get some rest.

The night quickly passes, but not without issue... Afton was awoken covered in cold-sweat more than once. Nightmares of excruciating pain and being conscious as he was turned into a Spore Carrier threatened to break his mind.

Feeling more tired than before he'd slept, he gets back on the road, this time headed to Novac, halfway through the drive Afton noticed that every time he coughed, a small number of Spores would be released, as if he had bad breath in an old cartoon.

Not willing to risk any spread of the fungus he covers his face with enough rags to suffocate someone. He'd need to burn it once he was either cured or about to die, but there wasn't much else he could do about it.

Soon enough he was nearing Novac... But honestly, he didn't want to face anyone there right now, not just because he didn't want to worry them with his almost unavoidable death, but because he didn't wish to risk spreading the fungus to them.

So, he took the first path on the right, cruising towards one of the shortcuts through the canyon. On his Pipboy he could see that an NCR Ranger Station was located there, so it should be empty of any bandits and brigands.

Night was about to fall as he spotted Ranger Station Charlie, but was confused when he saw thick plumes of black smoke coming from within. Unless Rangers were trying to communicate via smoke signals, it was obvious something wrong was occurring...

Were the situation different, Afton would be willing to check it out, but he honestly didn't think he was strong enough to handle more than a small group of thieves right now, let alone a potential military force.

Shaking his head, he drove past the station, ignoring the sounds of gunfire, and shouts of terror and pain.

Once the sun had finally set he made camp next to the canyon cliff-face, if any creatures came near then Dirt-Bird would take care of them...

The night passes but laser fire awakens Aftons from his uncomfortable slumber. He forces his eyes open and spots some Gecko's getting blasted to ashes by Dirt-Bird... Apparently, they'd come too close and the bike had swiftly reacted.

He groans and he gets to his feet, his vision was slowly blurring, he hadn't noticed it before, but now everything looked pretty fuzzy... It was difficult to focus on something a few meters away. Not only that, but he felt like a Xenomorph was trying to burrow its way out of his chest.

He sucked in a breath but began to cough, it felt like his lungs were restricted and only had 30% their usual capacity... He glanced down at his hands and noticed they were covered in black veins, not only that, but his reaction time was shot... It took half a second for his hand to respond and clench like he wanted them to...

"A-almost there." he mutters to himself, smacking himself on the chest a couple times and coughing heavily as a result, wrenching out a heavy amount of black blood.

Not willing to wait for his condition to worsen any further, he gets atop of Dirt-Bird and rapidly begins driving towards Nipton... He could barely see where he was going, so he was less driving and more retracing his steps.

Soon enough he reached the burnt town but didn't stop to reminisce, turning left the first chance he got and headed towards the Mojave Drive-in.

Afton almost had to press his face against his Pipboy to see where he was going, but soon enough he arrived at the Mojave Drive-in... And was immediately struck by the impression that he'd been scammed...

There was nothing here! Just a load of derelict vehicles from before the war... Wait, no that's not right. In the middle of the clearing he spotted black smoke rising from something in a small crater...

He fell off Dirt-Bird and crawled towards it after finding his legs not responding. His eyes had gotten to the point of almost complete blindness, so he traced his hands over the object, finding it to be some sort of satellite?

"Well... This is it... I guess." Afton mutters weakly to himself, no longer having the strength to move. He didn't think his adventure through this world would end like this... His last thoughts were on Veronica, Christine, and his parents as he finally passed out atop the satellite. Thoughts of burning his body not even crossing his mind.


SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
Niggross Niggross

Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!

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