Chapter 240 - Outside Perspective

Sergeant Robert J. Hess was his name, and he'd always prided himself on completing the mission, no-matter-what. He'd just been told by the Office of Science and Industry, or OSI, to go hunt down some sort of genetic anomaly that could prove dangerous to the rest of the world. Not only the NCR, but the Legion too.

They'd put such a big emphasis on capturing them though which had him scratching his head. If the target was so essential to eliminate, why not just blast it to high-heavens?​​

Of course, once he was given the name and information of the target he was quickly started to have second thoughts on accepting such a mission. Afton 'bloody' Parker, one of the next up and coming scariest men to meet in the wasteland.

He hadn't been around long but rumours of his exploits had reached both the higherups in the NCR, as well as the Legion judging by how many inquiries about his loyalties there had been. The Legion's spies at work no doubt.

Course, the NCR did their best to claim Parker as their own, but the higherups were almost constantly bickering about what rank, title, or reward to give him to stay in his good graces. Though, this mission he'd just received seemed like a complete 180... He sighs as he reads the target info brief.

[Afton Parker]

Affiliation : Unknown, Former-Powder-Ganger, Currently works as NCR Merc.

Origin : Unknown, likely the Mojave.

Age : Counterfeit licence states 22 Yrs old, is likely 18-20.

Appearance : 6.1ft, scraggly black hair, hazel eyes, rough stubble, tanned skin, wears unmarked recon armour that he keeps in pristine condition, wears a Pipboy, and his right arm has been cut from the elbow-down.

Allies/Potential threats : Former-Ranger Craig Boone, Former-Ranger Karl Martin, The Kings, Primm, Novac, Aerotech Office Park, Captain Greggory Parker, First Sargeant Astor, Mojave Outpost, Ranger Brock Jackson.

Personality : Calm, relaxed, and jovial most of the time, has been observed to have almost psychotic bouts of violence (Mental instability?). Dislikes Slavers, Rapists, and Fiends in general. Will not hesitate to end a potential threat permanently, is likely to interrogate for information first before however.

Weaponry : Has an Anti-Material Rifle almost always strapped to his back, commonly uses a 5.56mm pistol, and a customised .357 revolver. Has a bandoleer holding a plasma pistol and sawed-off shotgun. Has various knives equipped on his belt, boot, etc. Is known to use explosives, practise EXTREME caution!

Armour : Simple recon armour, no headwear, backpack may provide some amount of defence (Attempt to strike elsewhere as it may hold explosives).

Combat abilities : Afton Parker is known to be extremely proficient in all kinds of combat, is known to be one of the fastest shooters in the Mojave so it is advised that you not engage in a frontal assault. Is deadly proficient with their Anti-Material Rifle, however this may not be the case any longer after losing their arm.

Has been observed to use distraction tactics to gain an advantage in combat, this has likely been learned from Former-Ranger Karl Martin (his own file has been included with this report).

Target is extremely agile, has incredible reaction speed, and has been observed to be incredibly durable. They also seem to have a high pain tolerance (Severing their own arm and fighting immediately afterwards with seemingly no trouble).

Target seems to have no qualms about employing tactics that may very well be considered war crimes (Boobytrapping enemy corpses, executing surrendered enemies, making liberal use of traps).

Speculative : Some reports claim to have seen target deflect bullets with guns and knives, this is likely to be an exaggeration but needed to be noted nonetheless.

Speculative : Target seems to possess an uncanny ability to repair and repurpose damaged objects (Psyker abilities?)

Additional information : Target is currently undergoing a state of rapid evolution, boosting their body's ability to heal wounds, granting extra strength, making them incredibly resistant to radiation, and granting them strength when introduced to radioactive material.

Owns a motorcycle called 'Dirt-Bird', that the target seems extremely proficient in operating.

Threat Rating : 9/10 (Extreme Prejudice is necessary to subdue)

Robert sighs to himself as he puts down the file, this was his eleventh time rereading it, he'd been sitting at the entrance of this Vault for days now and their target still had not shown up... As reluctant as he was to actually try and capture Afton Parker, he was ordered to so he'd complete the job.

He had many plans set up to try and deal with the strengths of the target, but the one he reckoned was most likely to work was the bait in and rush. The target was known to be a strong melee combatant, but with only one arm he and his soldiers would easily overwhelm him.

He would have sent scouts to watch for Afton Parker's approach, but that wouldn't have worked due to them driving a vehicle. If anything it would put him and his men at a disadvantage as his scouts wouldn't be able to assist in the capture.

Of course, the mission debrief had wanted us to go undercover as raiders. They apparently didn't want any association with the attack should Afton Parker somehow eliminate them. He was about to go over the plan once more with his team when he hears a voice that causes his body to freeze up... "Hello!"

...

Robert slowly turns around to face the person who'd just greeted them, and begins trembling when he locks eyes with them... Afton Parker was in the middle of their camp and making conversation with them, people who could very well be called 'betrayers', and 'dishonourable'... Yet, all Robert could feel in this moment was dread...

Afton Parker wasn't stupid, what was the likelihood that a band of raiders or travellers would make camp directly in the path of the Vault he needed to reach? Not very high. It was fortunate the target was known to err on the side of caution when it came to engaging in combat, never firing first when there was a chance of the opposition being innocent.

Unfortunately, luck didn't seem to be on Roberts side as the target immediately started questioning them. He freezes when he hears the opponents words, "All of you, every single one are wearing standard-issue NCR military boots, some even looks brand-spankin' new..."

Robert looks down and to his horror, he'd somehow forgotten to have his men change their footwear... Fuck.