Chapter 148 - Info-Merchant

Once the 'harrowing' authoritarian encounter had finished the group was left to their own devices once again. They were currently at the bottom of the highway overpass, ontop of it Afton could see a couple make-shift shacks that'd been constructed up there.

Afton personally wanted to take a look around and see if there was any interesting pre-war tech lying around. Though, judging by how the NCR reacted to Dirt-Bird, he imagined that they'd 'requisitioned' anything dangerous... Perhaps there was some kind of black market operating here though?​​

A few people walked up to them and started asking about Dirt-Bird, where they got it, who built it, how'd they got it working, etc. Afton just waved them all off with non-committal answers as he simply couldn't be bothered to deal with them right now.

Certainly, that female engineer that'd offered her 'services' in return for allowing her to take a peek at the bike's internal components was tempting. But Afton (mostly) knew better than to accept random propositions like that. Last thing he wanted was to catch some flesh-eating mutated STD. He shivers slightly at the thought of it.

"Karl, could you sell off our access ammunition? I wanna take a look around for tech... And don't forget to sell the Necter as well." Afton asks, the former-ranger nodding and hefting a chock-full backpack before walking away.

"Any jobs for me your highness?" Boone asks sarcastically.

Afton shrugs, "Well, could you keep an eye on the bike until one of us comes back? I'd rather not leave it alone... Especially around here." he states, glancing towards some NCR soldiers.

"Whatever. Just don't take too long, I need to do some maintenance on... Wait, nevermind." he mutters after looking over his Hunting Rifle. The dirty, scuffed wood had somehow regained its vibrance and durability, the metal of the gun lacking any of the old scratches it'd gained in the past... "Did one of you swap out my gun?" he asks, an angry tone to his voice.

Aton shakes his head, "No, and I know Karl wouldn't try it either. He treats his revolver the same as you treat your rifle." he says, not wanting to reveal his more supernatural abilities... He'd wanted all his companion's gear to be top quality, but he'd somehow inadvertently removed any history from Boone's rifle. His [Mechanicus] perk was doing what it says, Afton just hadn't thought of the consequences of randomly repairing everything.

"Hmm... Whatever, go do your shopping, I'll wait here." he says, still glaring at his rifle as if it was hiding the mysteries of the universe.

Afton nods at him, picks up his backpack and start walking up to the top of the overpass. He keeps an eye on his surroundings and everyone who passes him, he wouldn't be surprised if someone tried to pickpocket him while he was distracted.

At the top he could see a few shacks selling various foods, drinks, etc. At the end of the bridge there seemed to be a female selling weaponry, but he'd take a closer look later. He wasn't in a rush or anything.

Looking over the edge of the overpass he could see what should be the main market place. Stalls had been set up selling various random things. It looked almost like a bazaar if he were honest. The overpass provided good enough shade for people to sit around all day and sell their wares.

Afton took a seat in one shack that seemed to be some kind of bar? Though, judging by the smell they were selling some food too.

The man behind the bar had short brown hair with a traders outfit. He wipes a glass clean with a dirty cloth and placed it in-front of Afton, "Welcome to the 188 Slop & Shop. Like our slogan says, 'It's better than nothing', can't imagine why you'd come here though, if I had a fancy motor like that I'd drive right around this place." he says jokingly.

"You saw that huh?" Afton says quietly.

The smirk on the man's face made it clear how amusing he found Afton's earlier predicament. "Usually the soldiers around here keep to themselves, don't know why they'd take such a keen interest in your vehicle. Haven't seen the NCR military trucks since that ambush by the Legion." he shrugs.

"Wait, the NCR have vehicles?" Afton asks, wondering how he'd not heard about this before...

The man nods, "Yeah, mostly use them to transport troops and supplies from California. Been hiding 'em in Camp McCarren after the Legion managed to destroy one though. Probably scared the others would get blown up too."

That would make sense... Vehicles were a luxury after the Great War, and only the Brotherhood of Steel could toss some away as if it were nothing. Regular ground vehicles were a rarity though, the Brotherhood mostly had Vertibirds. This was mainly due to the fact that all places that contained vehicles and could resist nuclear annihilated were owned by the military, making it incredibly unlikely for a working civilian vehicle to be around in this era.

Afton was about to order a drink when he realised he hadn't introduced himself, "Ah, name's Afton Parker by the way."

The man nods, "I know, heard it from some customers, you're talk of the outpost you know? I'm Samuel Kerr, I set up this here Trading Post with my daughter."

That raises a brow, "You set this place up? I thought it was an NCR made outpost?"

Samuel shakes his head, "This place just took over what Boulder City used to do after the Legion destroyed it. I just built a shack here to feed those poor bastards coming from California to try their luck in New Vegas... Most visit my shop twice, once with pockets stuffed with caps, and once heading back to California penniless." he says with a smirk.

"Must be good business then, you get both sides of the extreme. One has enough caps to throw around while the other desperately need enough supplies to return to California without starving. You're smarter than you look."

Samuel laughs, "And you're tougher than you look. Don't think I haven't heard about what you've done to the Powder Gangers and the Legion. Surprised you haven't got a couple o' red assassins following you wherever you go."