Chapter 171 - Sovereign Trampled

The next day Afton found himself sitting at the Atomic Wranglers bar with his companions. Each had a drink in their hand, all of which were alcoholic... Sure it was technically still morning but the barkeeper ain't gonna complain.

"So, what's the plan for today kid?" Karl asks.​​

Afton shrugs, "I'm not too sure to be honest, I need to find my friend but I have no idea where to start... They might be inside New Vegas for all I know."

"So getting you a licence would be a start, you don't have enough for the straight cap check now anyway." he says snidely.

"Yeah? Well, I'd rather have an Anti-Material rifle on my back than a licence in my pocket. I'll find another way somehow."

James Garret, the barkeep and owner of the Atomic Wrangler decides at this time to interject. "Need a licence for the strip huh? Tough break, if you can't scrounge the caps together then I'd say to check with the Kings," he looks side to side suspiciously, "Guys seem to have a way to counterfeit licences for more than half the price... Or so someone who definitely isn't me heard."

Afton just raises a brow at him, "I thought people like you live for rumours and gossip, why're you getting antsy at revealing this?"

James shakes his head, "If the NCR knew I knew someone who knew the people who knew the guys who counterfeit licences then I'd have my shop raided like that." he snaps his fingers dramatically. "They don't take kindly to people screwing with their protocols and procedures, especially when it concerns money and taxes."

Karl chuckles grimly, "Fuckin' bureaucrats."

James nods, "Fuu-ukin bureaucrat." he drawls.

Deciding to pull the conversation back Afton sits up, "So I'll be checking with the... Crown wearing people." He corrects himself as James glares at him, "Would you two be willing to check around Freeside to make sure they aren't here?"

Karl and Boone shrug, "Sure."

James "Who're you lookin' for anyway?"

"A tanned woman wielding an axe and wearing a vault suit, and another woman with messy black hair, pale skin, small freckles on her cheeks... Probably wields a Power fist." he adds, remembering her stupid obsession with punching things...

James smirks at him, "Heh, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were sweet on her."

Afton just shakes his head, "She's like a big sister to me... And she's not interested in men."

"I was talking about the tanned girl, apparently you're more interested in the fisting girl." he jokes.

Afton sighs, "That aside, you seen them?"

James shrugs, "Personally? No. But... My sister said something about two weird people headed for the strip, that's al I know though."

"Alright... Thanks for the info I guess." he says as he turns towards Karl and Boone, "So, I'll head to the Elvis look-alikes and you guys search around Freeside... Probably best to stay in a group, I've already killed one gang, I doubt they'll be the last."

After the group comes to a consensus they leave the Atomic Wrangler after paying for their drinks... Though, as soon as they step outside the smell of burnt flesh assault them... Again. Seems someone... Or a few people got the bright idea to try and steal Dirt-Bird.. The small pile of corpses next to it really showed just how stupid and desperate the people of this place are.

Fortuantely, James Garret hadn't noticed the pile of smoking corpses outside his door, otherwise he might have had a couple things to say... He doubted many people would be willing to book a room in a place with this in-front of it...

"Right... I'll be taking Dirt-Bird with me, meet back here at nightfall." he says before hopping onto the bike and driving towards the Kings building down the street. He could've just walked there, but he felt it was best to remove themselves from the pile of corpses as soon as possible. Atleast the New Vegas Securitrons didn't intervene and destroy Dirt-Bird.

Afton slowly drives up to the Kings building... It's one of the more well-maintained buildings in the area... Meaning that it hadn't collapsed yet. On the front was a huge sign with the words 'The Kings' plastered across it and backed by a guitar silhouette.

To Afton it resembled an old comedy club, the Kings must've repurposed it as their hideout. The gang apparently controlled most of Freeside, even if there were a few smaller gangs still milling around.

The Kings looked at him warily as he slowly drove to the front of their building, kicking the stand down and stepping off of the bike, too aware that the many men surrounding him were ready to pull their weapons and start firing.

"Chill guys, I'm just here to see the King." he says casually while showing his palms.

"Well that's a funny son, since the King isn't here to see you. Best you went back to wherever you came from, 'specially since you got one of those NCR rifles on your back." one of the greasy-haired men threaten.

Afton just raises a brow at them, NCR rifle on his back? Was he referring to the Anti-Material rifle? He points a thumb at the rifle, "You mean this? I wasn't aware it was so... Well regarded around here."

"Only folk who use them are those fancy smancy ranger boys, so either you one of those, or a prissy rich kid who's compensatin'. Either way, the King doesn't wanna see you, dig?"

"I'm not either, I'm a mercenary. One you should probably know about by now, I tore apart some slaving pedophiles yesterday in Westside, couple weeks ago almost completey destroyed the Powder Gangers, and dealt a huge blow to a Legion military encampment... You sure you wanna mess with me?"

[Unnerving Presence is in effect]

The man took a step back as he felt cold sweat crawl down his spine, he wasn't sure why he was having such a bad reaction to this kid, but he knew shit was gonna get real if he continued...