Chapter 362 - Tough Path

By the time Afton and Cass were done dealing with the Legionaries, the whole camp must've heard it. The usual screams that were heard from the tent were the all too familiar feminine ones, but instead cowardly male ones.

That, and the couple shots Afton'd fired made everyone else all too aware that there was an enemy present. As Afton was shaking off the blood and bone fragments that'd gotten stuck to his fists, Nyx was quickly alerting him to the situation outside.​​

"Thirteen hostiles ousid-"

*BOOM!*

"Ten hostiles outside." she corrects after the explosion occurs.

Afton smirks, "At least Boone is getting some use out of the unused Explosive ammo they hadn't used on the Deathclaws." he mutters before turning to Cass, "Long time no see Cass, I'd make small-talk but this isn't the time, nor place for it. Are you still good to fight?" he asks.

Cass still appears to be glaring at the Legionary corpses, she swings the Proton axe at the body formerly known as Julius a couple more times before looking at him and nodding, "Give me a gun so I can show my appreciation for their hospitality. Mojave style." she states, tossing the axe back to Afton who quickly deactivates and stows it away.

Afton gestures at his armoury, "Any preferences?"

"A shotgun."

Afton nods and tosses her his Sawed-off shotgun, along with a handful of shells. Afterwards, he looks around the room at the hostages one last time before turning his attention to the enemies that were apparently getting closer. He wasn't sure what to do with them, so he'd decide after all teh Legionaries had been dealt with.

"Stay here a moment Cass, they have our position locked down, and I wouldn't ignore the possibility of them just shooting up the tent and everyone inside..." he says and Cass gives him a hard look but allows his decision anyway.

Afton approaches the entrance of the tarp and suddenly shouts, "I SURRENDER!"

...

"Afton what the fu-"

"Quiet Cass, it's all according to plan... I AM COMING OUT! DON'T SHOOT!" he yells, slowly lifting up the cloth entrance of the tarp and stepping outside, coming face to face with around ten Legionaries.

Most seem unaware of Boone's presence, despite the fact he'd already killed a couple of them, but a few that were scanning the surroundings knew something was up.

To be honest, Afton wasn't even sure if the Legionaries would allow him to 'surrender' as the rules of war weren't exactly their concern. Regardless, he hadn't been riddled with bullets yet, which meant they wanted to capture him, most likely for questioning.

"KEEP YOUR HANDS UP, SCUM! DOMINICUS! DISARM HIM!" one Legionary yells, pointing a dirty-looking hunting rifle at Afton.

"Any enemies I don't see Nyx? he quietly asks his AI.

"More hostiles detected, but are too far to detect their number." she quickly replies.

Afton nods at this, with her upgraded sensors that meant that they wouldn't be a threat to him for a while. One of the Legionaries slowly walks towards Afton to try and disarm him of all his weaponry. Afton had other plans, however.

He scans the Legionaries and notes the ones paying less attention to him and more on their surroundings. He makes it look as if he was finding his arms to heavy to hold up before abruptly drawing his revolvers.

His draw speed was so fast that most hadn't even realised weapons were being pointed back at them. The [Quick Draw] Perk combined with his maxed out Agility and Perception is the only thing that allowed this feat of inhuman proportions to be performed.

*BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!*

Bullets start flying from his weapons, killing three Legionaries before they start firing back in return. However, as soon as Afton started firing, Boone also joins the fight.

*BOOM!*

An explosion shakes the area as four Legionaries are caught up in it, arms and legs flying off as other brutal injuries cover them. This distraction is enough to shake the aim of the Legionaries enough that Afton doesn't even have to dodge to avoid them, allowing him to continue firing his weapons until no hostile remains.

He scans the Legionaries bodies and doesn't see any still alive, he gives a brief wave to Boone as thanks before spinning his revolvers back into their holsters. "Fuck, that was cool."

"And really god-damned stupid." Cass scolds as she steps out of the tent.

Afton shrugs, "Just let me enjoy this, will you? Anyway, there's still some Legionaries remaining, wanna come deal with 'em?"

Cass nods, "I haven't gotten my pound of flesh yet, so even if you wanted to you wouldn't stop me from comin'." she states.

The two patrol around, following the direction where the remaining Legionaries should be. Most seem to be quickly trying to return to camp, as to why they were gone? Afton really had no idea. Though judging by the fact Anja was sneaking around not too far away, he could imagine the situation.

It doesn't take long to clear up the rest of the Legionaries, Afton's group simply had better training, equipment, tactics, and information. The enemy didn't stand a chance, all getting utterly annihilated without managing to do a lick of damage.

Afterwards, Afton, Boone, Anja, and Cass all meet up back in the main tent where the captives were being held, finding most of them already standing and unbound, having apparently freed themselves.

Afton crosses his arms as he looks at them all, Anja and Boone sending cautious looks at him while remembering his words before starting the job...

Afton didn't really have any idea what to do with them, sure he'd considered executing them all, but that was probably a bad idea for everyone involved. Boone would definitely refuse, and so would Cass, he couldn't free them as they were aware of who saved them...

"Afton, you're not thinking-..." Boone stops before finishing, not wanting to distress the captives.

...

He rubs his face, "Damn, why can't shit just be simple and easy." he mutters before addressing the group, "Look. I know all of you have experienced something utterly vile and torturous, but I cannot allow you to rejoin the rest of the Mojave. Our identity is incredibly sensitive, and if anyone got word of what'd happened here, me and my entire group would be at risk..." he states, the captives now looking slightly pale at where this was going.