Chapter 146 - Becoming A (Shitty) Kryptonian.

Afton wasn't sure what was the best choice... Picking [Explorer] to enable him to essentially gain Google Maps +++, or picking [Solar Powered], making him a Kryptonian Lite...

"Whatever, I can always get the other next time." he mutters as he selects [Solar Powered] and clicks confirm.​​

Afton Parker

Level : 20

S.P.E.C.I.A.L :

Strength : 8

Perception : 7

Endurance : 7

Charisma : 4

Intelligence : 6

Agility : 8

Luck : 4

Skills :

Barter : 21

Energy Weapons : 55

Explosives : 20

Guns : 100

Lockpick : 10

Medicine : 91

Melee Weapons : 100

Repair : 100

Science : 50

Sneak : 23

Speech : 100

Survival : 30

Unarmed : 33

Perks :

[Trigger Discipline], [Heavy Handed], [Rapid Reload], [Torture Techniques], [Educated], [John Wick Style], [Toughness], [Stonewall], [Sniper], [Bug Stomper], [Lord Death v1], [Spies Guise], [Quick Draw], [Adamantium Skeleton], [Ranger Tactics], [Ranger Targeting], [Ranger Awareness], [Mechanicus], [Jury Rigging], [SuperHot Block], [Solar Powered]

Companion Perks :

[Old Wisdom]

[Spotter]

He doubles checks his status after time resumes and drops back into his sleeping bag again, trying to somehow force himself asleep through the excitement of gaining new abilities.

The next day Afton was woken up by a completely unperturbed Boone. The sniper obviously wasn't bothered by the fact neither had slept the usually required seven hours... "There better be a good reason for ruining my beauty sleep." he growls semi-sarcastically as he rubs the dust from his eyes.

Boone shrugs, "The mercs are planning to enter the vault soon, thought you might wanna know."

...

Yeah, it was probably best he get up and see the group off. Plus, it was best to get moving early. In a world where dangers were around every corner, waking up at sunrise and going to sleep at dusk. His sleep schedule in the Brotherhood had been a bit weird as the time of day didn't really matter when you were underground. Not to mention the fact that the only time people left was during the night.

Something he noticed once he was awake though was the fact that his skin felt... Different. Warm? Small blemishes and marks had all but disappeared from him, and any skin in contact with the sun felt revitalised... As if he'd just been through an expensive spar a couple times. Not to mention the fact he felt like he could wrestle with a super mutant and actually win. God, [Solar Powdered] was a good Perk.

After swishing some purified water around his mouth and brushing his teeth Afton walked over to Mark who'd been organising everyone for their expedition. To be honest, watching a professional mercenary group prepare for a job was rather eye-opening. Everyone seemed to have a designated job, medics, trappers, spotters, etc. It made his band of rando's look rather pathetic in comparison... Even if Afton was sure he'd be able to take them.

Mark finally spots him and grins in his direction, "Finally awake? Didn't think you were one of those..." he trails off.

"One of those?" Afton parrots, wanting him to elaborate.

Mark shakes his head, "Nevermind. Anyway, me and my boys're about to enter the vault... Anything we should look out for once we're inside?"

"You heard the horror stories too huh?" he asks with a smirk, getting a nod in return, "Well, this vault is pretty mundane compared to the rest. There was a shit ton of traps set up down there so I'd be careful, can never know if you'd gotten all of them or not. There might also be some leftover giant rats, but they're fairly easy to handle... Oh, and the lowest level is flooded with irradiated water so don't bother down there." he explains.

Mark had taken out a small booklet and started writing notes into as he'd been speaking, Afton was almost impressed by his attentiveness. "Hm, thanks for the info... You'd be surprised how unwilling people are to speak with you once you've made enemies with the wrong people. I'd advise you stay in the Caravans good books, that or ignore them entirely... Up to you." the man says before turning towards his group, "Alright guys, Jones, Martie, I want you at the front looking for traps. Rest of you do your jobs and we'll get back in one piece."

The group enters the cave and shuts the door behind them, Mark sending one last wave at them as he disappears inside.

The trio don't immediately leave though, Karl just stands there looking at the door with a contemplative expression. "Have to say, never thought I'd run into a friendly merc... Past experiences wit them as a Ranger taught me to shoot first and ask questions later." he admits.

Afton shrugs, "He seems like a nice guy, but it could just be a facade hiding another self-serving animal. Whatever, let's get moving, we've got some ammo to pawn off, aswell as that leftover Ant Necter you're hoarding, Karl." he say pointedly, causing the old man to blush slightly.

"Can't you let an old timer enjoy his retirement?" he retorts.

Afton shakes his head, "Not with an untested, addictive drug. Once we've saved your daughter, killed my grudge, and fucked Caesar is every way possible, then you can go do something stupid and self destructive." he says semi-sarcastically.

"Sounds like a plan to me." Boone says with the side with a small grin.

Karl slumps his shoulders slightly, "Fine, we'll sell the highly addictive ant anus powder, happy?"

"Yep." Afton says, popping the P as he starts packing up his sleeping bag in preparation for hitting the road again.

Karl sits behind him and Boone is scowling as he's back in the sidecar. Afton gives them both an amused look before starting the engine. "So, any of oyu know what's up this road? I personally have no idea."

"Trading Post 188, a hotspot of activity for NCR military as well as its citizens. Being between New Vegas and the only route that leads to California makes it an incredibly valuable location. The placements of Ranger Stations are partly because of this spot imparticular." Boone says, still clearly not happy with sitting in a sidecar.

Afton hums to himself, "Think any retired Rangers might be staying there?" he asks with a growing grin.

Boone shrugs, "It's not a place you usually make camp, its close enough to New Vegas and the other towns to make setting up a proper settlement not worth the effort. Good for trading though, NCR used to keep an even closer eye on it when the Brotherhood of Steel was around, scavengers usually like to sell technology there..."

Karl glances at Afton knowingly but he just shakes his head, "Why would people sell technology there and not in New Vegas?" he asks.

"Probably because the sale of technology is heavily taxed there, not only by the NCR, but by Mr House as well. The man seems to take particular interest to any pre-war tech that passes through his city."

Afton nods, "Maybe we'll find something interesting there then." he says, kicking up the stand and rapidly accelerating towards the highway. Excited at the prospect of some cool pre-war tech... He may have left, but steel clearly runs through his veins.