Chapter 367 - Solace

With the group finally at their destination, Boone and Karl take everyone else to the motel while Afton goes around treating the injured, first dealing with Daisy's bullet wound and then onto other less significant injuries.

As it happens, Novac still hadn't found a permanent doctor to stay in their town. Sure, a few people had occasionally stopped by to perform some procedures for exorbitant fee's, but no one was wanting, nor willing to stay in the dust bowl of a town.​​

Afton couldn't really blame them though, the place was literally on the front lines of the slowly advancing war between the NCR and Legion. If the recent attack wasn't enough to send some fleeing, he didn't know what would.

The only people who actually remain in this town now are either too stubborn to leave, too cowardly to brave the world out of their comfort zone, or simply have possess too much to leave. Obviously, Manny and Daisy fall into the former category.

Manny was an ex-NCR soldier, so was fairly well versed in warfare, but Daisy was definitely a surprise... Afton had no idea where she'd learned to use a gun, but whoever taught her must be proud.

If things weren't bad enough, Ranger Andy, the only real sheriff the town had, died while leaving to check on his friends in Ranger Station Charlie. Manny had sent a mercenary to check for him and found the place completely destroyed, NCR corpses were strewn about the place with only a single lone Legionary to show who was responsible.

So, the only people left who had some kind of say in the town were Daisy and Manny, and even then, both were unwilling to take up a prominent leadership position. The town was literally falling apart at the seams, and there didn't seem to be anything anyone could do about it.

Afton knew he could probably do something, take control or place himself in charge perhaps? But that wasn't really an option as he had other responsibilities to attend to... Though, it was an interesting thought to make Novac the hub of his operations in the Mojave. Thinking about it further, it was in a good location, close to Hoover Dam, supply lines, Helios One, and New Vegas...

He shakes these thoughts from his head, all of that would be in future if he still wished, for now, he needed everything ready to begin the original reason he came here... The construction of his new vehicle.

Afton, Karl, Anja, Josie, Daisy and Manny were all sitting around a fire as the sun disappeared below the horizon. Boone had decided to take watch as Manny was here instead, and the man looked like he needed rest.

Despite Boone's dislike for him, he still respected his determination to protect the town, even at terrible risk to his own life. So, without another word, he posted himself back at his old spot in what remains of the Dinosaurs mouth.

"So, what brings you back to our little ol paradise?" Daisy asks while roasting some meat on a stick over the fire.

Afton tosses some more wood into the fire, "Some junkie asshole destroyed Dirt-Bird, so I'm back to build her little 'big' sister."

Daisy raises a brow, "Ah? A shame, all that hard work up in flames... I don't know if fixin' up another here would be great though, deary. Those knife-wielding pansies might just sneak a bomb in while we aren't lookin'."

Afton shrugs, "I dare them to try, I'll send them back with the bomb stitched inside them, and a deadman switch held in their mouth." he growls out.

"Er, that's..." Manny mutters before shaking his head, "You guys seem different from last you left... More... Dangerous. I've heard some chatter over the radio but some of it sounded exaggerated... Did you really drop a nuke on some fiends, or was that just regular trooper gossip?"

Karl chuckles but doesn't confirm or deny it "Comes with the job, either you be a threat or get threatened. Anyway, why don't you let us know what's been goin' on since we left?"

Manny nods, "Well, things were alright for a while, better than before even since you helped the NCR take back Nelson. But shit hit the fan when the Legion attacked. Once they retook Nelson, they began attacking every and any caravan coming through the highway, they even destroy Ranger Station Charlie, making even that route dangerous.

The attack you stopped today was a long time coming, we have no supplies, our numbers are down since people fled from the conflict, and the NCR is struggling to hold them back as it is. If you hadn't arrived, I don't think we'd still be standing here today. Or, if we were it'd be in shackles."

"It's good we came then." Josie adds, "Still, I can't believe the NCR would let such a large force assault a settlement like this, their situation must be worse than I thought..."

Afton nods at this, the NCR was incredibly lucky that they'd cleared out the Deathclaws from the Long 15. If they hadn't and the convoy was forced to go through the eastern routes they'd have undoubtedly been captured or destroyed. The army attacking Novac was likely meant to coincide with their capture of the convoy, forcing the NCR to be split upon what they reacted to... Obviously, they didn't react fast enough to the force attacking Novac regardless, so something else must be up.

"You heard anything from the NCR? I'd be surprised if they weren't going to send any more troops to reinforce this place..."

Manny shakes his head with a frown, "Aside from the few troopers that'd retreated from the forward position near Nelson, we've not heard a peep outta them. Feels like they're just letting us fend for ourselves while they focus on something else."

Afton shrugs, "Whatever their reason, me and the others will help protect this place until we leave." after says, his companions nodding in agreement.