Chapter 137 - Dirt-Bird Flies

Eventually though, Afton's time in Novac came to an end. The traders Karl had negotiated with had returned at the time they stated, allowing the duo to sell the rest of their loot off. Combine that with the bounty reward for killing Dead Sea as well as the caps he earned treating injuries, and Afton had secured around four thousand caps.

This gave him a total of nine thousand caps altogether, he didn't know if this was enough to truly get what he wanted, as Karl had said that the Gun Runners were notoriously expensive. Regardless, he actually needed to decide what he wanted, but he'd choose once he got there.​​

The duo were going to leave Novac today, the motorbike had been repaired and he'd promised to allow Daisy to take a spin on it, in return she'd hopefully show him how to actually drive it.

Before he does any of that though, he pulls out the two skill books Karl had found for him, one being from Jeannie's floor safe, the other coming from the REPCONN Test site. They both turn to dust in his grasp and small motes of knowledge make their way into his head.

[+3 Stealth]

[+3 Science]

Afton still hadn't heard back from Boone but he felt as if the man was just holding off until the last minute... Youknow, to be dramatic or something. Shaking his head he quickly makes his way down to Daisy's garage.

The old woman was already standing beside the motorbike with an almost shining expression, he was sure that if she got anymore excited she'd piss herself...

The bike itself was a long metal vehicle that reflected the light from its metal casing. It was higher off the ground that it had been originally and its tires were around thirty percent bigger. This was intentional as it needed to be able to go offroad, the Mojave's highways were nothing more than markers directing you to go, so damaged that they make the deepest potholes blush.

Attached to the bike was a small side cart that was big enough to fit one person comfortably, it had a small glass panel to protect the passenger against winds, but it was small enough in side to allow someone to comfortably shoot from the cart.

"It's a thing of beauty..." Afton mutters, more to himself than anything but Daisy nods regardless.

"It sure is, this baby would make any of those rich boy's back in California and even Nevada so jealous! I heard you're leaving today, so, can I take it out for a spin?" she quickly asks.

Afton nods, "Yeah, I'll be sitting in the side cart though, once you've had your fun I need to learn to ride it... Just the basics, I can't imagine it'd be all that difficult.

Daisy quickly nods and dashes over to the large garage door, unlocking a clip and pushing it upwards, opening the garage to the rest of the world. Afton climbs into the sidecart. He handed her the key that'd be able to start it, he'd personally made it as difficult as possible to unlock this thing without the proper key, many people would love to get their hands on it, so it was the necessary thing to do.

She quickly inserts the key and twists it before pressing the button that'd power on the reactor. It's not like a gasoline engine, it doesn't need to be revved, nor does it make a satisfying noise. It's more comparable to an electric engine.

It gives off a low hum once it activates, it isn't loud per se, but it's noticeable. She kicks up the stand and twists the handle slightly to get it moving. The bike easily shifting forwards like an eager to please horse.

Once they're in the sunlight Afton hops out and closes the garage door before getting back in. Daisy quickly turns the bike and head into town where a long stretch of relatively undamaged road was located. The hum of the bike increased in sound and intensity the faster they went, but it wasn't really annoying, more just an indicator of how hard the reactor was working.

It took a bit for Daisy to get used to driving it, but after thirty minutes she was comfortably doing skids, all the while laughing like a schoolgirl. Eventually, they seem to have gathered an audience, most of the town of Novac had come out to watch them drive around... Many seemed confused as to what they were actually doing, while others marvelled at the fact they'd managed to fix a pre-war vehicle.

Daisy drove towards them and skidded to a stop, causing Afton to bounce around uncomfortably in the sidecart, "Do you really have to do that? I'd bet my legs that it's not good for the tires." he asks.

Daisy shrugs, "Then I'll just have to help fix it up again won't I? Atleast then I'd be able to take it on another spin."

"You don't need to break it for me to let you drive it Daisy, whenever I'm in Novac you can take it around, I just don't know when we'll be back." he says.

Karl walks up to them out of the group of people and crosses his arms, "Damn kid, I knew something was up with how you kept disappearin' never thought you'd do something like this." he mutters.

"It isn't much, just a bit of elbow grease and wallah, she's done."

"You better be nice to Dirt-Bird here." she says pointedly to Karl, "Anyone tries to steal her I want you to put a bullet in them."

Karl raises a brow, "Dirt-Bird?"

Afton sighs at this, "Do you need to insist on that being its name?..."

Daisy slowly nods, not giving any indication she was willing to budge on this. Afton didn't really care either way as naming inanimate objects never seemed necessary to him.

"Fine. Karl have you got everything packed, I wanna leave and make it to our next destination before nightfall."

"Almost, just need to buy some more supplies and we'll be good to go."