Chapter 256 - Parting Words

Now stood outside Vault 22 Afton sighs and looks up at the sky, only now noticing just how long they'd been inside that jungle hell.

"W-what now?" Anja asks from the side, still holding Keely up.​​

Afton sighs but breaks out into a cough halfway in... "Now? I'm going to try my luck with Doctor Usanagi... We can get Keely's legs checked out while we're there." he says, and neither Keely nor Anja can see any reason to disagree.

The group head down the canyon passage that'd lead to Vault 22 and spot Dirt-Bird sitting just where they'd left it, looking no worse for wear. He brushes some dust that'd gathered on the driver's seat and starts the engine as Anja places Keely in the sidecar. Afterwards she sits behind him and holds onto his waist as they drive off.

Though, as soon as they leave the canyon passage they are greeted with something unusual... The camp where the NCR had been waiting to ambush them previously was stripped bare, tents, bodies, and anything else that could lead people to beliéve the NCR had been here had vanished.

If Afton had to guess then he'd say that someone was trying to cover up their involvement here. Probably Dr Hildern or whoever else ordered the ambush. He shakes his head, regardless it doesn't matter now.

The group drove up to the highway and past Klaus's house, they drove until the night came but Afton didn't stop. He hadn't slept in days but wasn't willing to give the infection more time to fester. The faster he got to Doctor Usanagi the faster he'd be cured.

Keely was already passed out in the sidecar, but both Anja and Afton were running on fumes. His coughing was becoming increasingly more common, and his complexion was paling further, beginning to resemble what Mark had looked like before he died.

The group arrived outside Doctor Usanagi's clinic just as the sun was starting to rise... Unfortunately, upon Afton trying to open the door he found that it had been locked. The only reason he could imagine for this would be that they were entirely too early, a shame they didn't have another way to contract the doctor.

Afton wheezes slightly and parks Dirt-Bird next to the building before sitting against the wall weakly. Black veins were becoming more apparent on his pale skin now, even his bloodshot eyes were beginning to darken as the infection progressed. The blood vessels contained within them turning as black as his veins.

Exhaustion eventually caught up with him and he slowly passed out against the wall...

...

...

He was slowly awakened by something prodding him in the cheek, opening his eyes he was greeted by the familiar face of Doctor Usanagi. "Doc." he wheezes out.

"Mr Parker, I'd ask how the implant was treating you were you not in this horrible state... What happened to you?" she inquires.

"A mission, got infected by a fungus... Think you can help me?" he asks, though was not feeling very hopeful in this moment.

The doctor shrugs, "Let's get you inside and I'll see what I can do." she says, nodding over to the security guards Afton hadn't noticed accompanying her. They lift him up and carry him inside, he glances towards Dirt-Bird and spots that both Anja and Keely were still asleep...

He's brought into the clinic and placed on top of the surgical table, afterwards Doctor Usanagi's proceeds to conduct a number of tests on him. Blood tests, a biopsy of his flesh, and a physical check-up.

Afton waits for half an hour or so when Doctor Usanagi comes back in holding a clipboard and wearing a grim look. "What's the word?"

...

The doctor clears her throat and gives him a sad look, "You are dying Mr Parker, and I don't think there's anything I can do to prevent it. This fungus you've been infected with has already infested your bloodstream, and I can see signs of it somehow highjacking your heart. It hasn't interfered with the organ's functions yet, and I have no idea if it will eventually... I had a word with your... Ghoul friends." she says distastefully before continuing,

"They explained the basics of the fungus, and I have to say, this is the first time I've heard of something so apocalyptically dangerous. I've already attempted every antiviral agent I possess on the fungus samples in your blood, but nothing works... I'd advise you say your farewells to your loved ones, write a will, and toss yourself in an incinerator to prevent anyone else catching this affliction."

Afton raises a brow at her incredibly harsh observation, "That's quite the prescription doc... Are you sure nothing will work? Perhaps blood transfusions and extensive surgery to clear my system out?" he almost pleads.

She shakes her head, "The fungus has already embedded itself in your veins and organs. We'd have to literally implant your consciousness into another body to save you, something I don't think is actually possible. You have my condolences."

...

Afton slowly nods, "I see... Thank you for your time anyway doc... If you don't mind I've got places to be." he says, wheezing slightly as he gets off of the surgical table and weakly walks out of the clinic.

Anja and Keely were sitting in the reception, but only Anja follows him out for obvious reasons. "Bad news then, sir?"

Afton nods at her, he couldn't really think of any other way to save himself... He doubted his [Miracle Maker] Perk would actually be able to save him, even if it wasn't recharging from his last use of it. The Perk worked by healing a lethal injury dealt to him, but would that help against an infection? Sure, if the fungus causes his heart to stop then it'd bring him back to life, but he'd still probably be infected.

Truly, he had no idea what he was going to do now... He was determined to live, so throwing himself into an incinerator like Usanagi had advised was out of the question... Hm, he thought for a moment and his eyes widened as he remembered the scrap metal he'd found in the 188 trading post. Perhaps that was the answer? If nothing else, he'd be able to kill those responsible for the scam with his last breath. Though, there was one thing that added some degree of legitimacy to it... The quest relating to it.

[Midnight Free Medical Procedure! : Recieve your reward for finding the super-secret key!]

"You could say that..." He says before pointing at the backpack strapped over her shoulders, "Take that and sell all the loot we collected, afterwards go find Karl and Boone... Tell them I'll be away for a while, continue as we had been... If I don't return in two months then consider me dead. Alright?"

Anja nods, "Yes... Sir..." she says mournfully, there wasn't much she could do for him... At least she'd be able to complete his last orders. Even if he perished, she was determined to work off her debt to him, whether that be to his companions or in other indirect methods.