Chapter 400 - Non-Negotiable.

Once both emissaries had left Tamia slumps her shoulders and finally walks towards the group, tossing the large bag of caps on the ground as she sits on a nearby step, holding her head in her hands, "Urgh, when did shit get so complicated?"

"Oh, I don't know... Maybe when you stepped into an ancient casino with an equally ancient supposedly immortal businessman?" Veronica retorts.​​

"Well, when you put it like that, everything would convoluted!" Tamia exclaims, a slight smile on her face.

Afton leans forwards, interjecting himself into the conversation, "So, what did House want?"

...

"Tamia?" he asks again after not receiving an answer.

"Urgghhh. It's complicated... I may or may not have entered a partnership with House." she sheepishly explains.

Afton raises a brow, "Like romantically? I didn't think you were into that... What do you call the opposite of a Couger?" he jokes, laughing at the disgusted look on her face.

"You know what I mean." she pauses, "Look, I'd rather not talk about this in public. I'm honestly still comprehending the conversation, not gonna lie."

"We can talk in the truck then... At least there we won't risk being overheard." Afton states, getting up and picking up his own sack of caps.

The rest of the group nod and follow along as they walk back to Dirt-Hog, occasionally getting glared at by the NCR military police who were involved in the massacre clean up. The Securitrons at the gate seem to defer to Tamia as they group pass, giving Afton a good idea about what'd actually gone down...

Once the group get back, they're greeted by Anja, who gets out of Dirt-Hog which was, again, surrounded by bodies...

"This shit never gets old, huh?" Afton mutters, giving one of the bullet-ridden corpses a nudge with his foot.

"To be fair, this thing is literally like a pile of gold just sitting around alone unguarded... Even if there were bodies scattered around it, a few would still be willing to risk it." Josie adds.

Afton just shakes his head, "Whatever, everyone get in the truck, it's gonna be a little cramped but we need to discuss shit." he states, climbing in the back of Dirt-Hog, followed by everyone else. As he said earlier, it was a little cramped, especially with Dog-meat and ED-E sitting in there with everyone else.

Before Tamia can discuss what'd happened in the Lucky 38 though, Afton speaks first.

"Alright. So before we talk about what you and House had said, I need to tell you and Veronica our plans for the future. This is non-negotiable, and I want you to know before you get involved in shit you don't want to. Cool?" he asks but no one responds.

Afton just nods at the silence, "Cool. Alright, we are planning on breaking into, sieging, or whatever method comes easiest into the Fort-"

"The fuck? Are you trying to kill yourself, Afton?" Veronica suddenly asks, her brows almost reaching her hairline at the incredibly stupid goal he'd just presented... What's worse is the fact no one else seemed even slightly bothered by it, as if they'd known about it all along. Tamia herself was simply gaping at Afton as if he'd explained the meaning of life itself.

"Veronica, just shut for a minute while I explain, alright?... We aren't just trying to break into the Fort for jollies or a prank. We are doing it to find Karl's daughter, an ex-NCR soldier who'd been captured by them. I promised him I'd help when we first met, and I intend to fulfil it. If you two have a problem with it, you can forget about this conversation and part ways... Though, if you ghost me again Veronica we're gonna have problems." he states, semi-sarcastically.

Veronica just looks at Tamia, wondering why her friend looked as if she was considering this... "Don't tell me-"

"I'm in." Tamia states.

...

Afton releases a breath, "Huh, I thought I'd need to persuade you a little more, but, whatever works I guess." he shrugs.

Karl looks at Tamia, "I'm not a guy who'd usually say this, but... Thank you." he says, and everyone there is surprised by the sheer sincerity in his voice.

Tamia blushes slightly, "Don't mention it... Oh, perk up Veronica, this actually helps with what House asked me to do." he says, causing everyone to sit up straight, wanting to hear what a supposedly immortal man wanted with her.

"House wanted this." She says, showing the Platinum Chip, "And he wants me to infiltrate the Fort and use it in an underground facility directly below it..."

...

Afton slaps his knee and bursts into laughter, quickly followed by Karl who also for some reason finds this situation hilarious. "What a fuckin' coincidence eh? Man! I thought you were gonna say the old fart wanting to rule the world or something!" Afton exclaims.

...

The laughter slowly peters out as Tamia stays silent and looks away...

"He isn't trying to conquer the world, right?" Afton asks after a moment...

"Err... I mean, he is, technically? But he explained everything really well and convinced me." Tamia sheepishly says before shrugging.

...

"Huh, what'd he say to convince you?" Veronica asks, knowing Tamia to be a rational enough person to not be persuaded by false promises or outright lies.

"Well, we spoke about the wasteland, prewar, and the future... And basically dismantled everything the big three factions actually stand for. I've never felt more against the NCR, Legion, and Brotherhood than I have now..." she admits, getting weird looks for a few in the group.

"You sure he ain't lying?" Boone asks, Josie nodding in agreement.

Tamia shakes her head, "I'm not really sure, but I believe him. You don't live for two hundred years and become the richest man in the wasteland for nothing. I think you guys would have to speak to him yourselves if you wanted to understand his goals..."

...

Afton just shrugs, "Whatever he wants, I don't really care right now. All that matters is that our goals align for the time being, once we start disagreeing, then we can try and sort out our problems."