Chapter 482 - Chicken-Caesar

It's been two weeks since Tamia, Veronica, and Anja had left for the Boomers. Afton had been occasionally updated on the happenings, but aside from them helping out around the place and trying to befriend the populace, nothing of interest had really happened.

He on the other hand had been very, very busy. From setting up Mexican-standoff-like negotiations with the Legion, to investigating places he reasoned House would be hiding more robots, and working on various projects with the Think Tank scientist, he'd almost not had any time to even sleep.​​

Fortunately, the Legion was more interested in retrieving Caesar than getting revenge against him. he supposed their fear of further retaliation might have been a factor too. He'd had limited contact with Vulpes Inculta, a man whose skull he dearly wanted to crush, but they'd managed to come to some sort of agreement.

In exchange for Caesar, the Legion would deliver two hundred slaves and an almost egregious amount of supplies. Afton had wanted to get more slaves instead of the supplies, but Glados reasoned that they didn't have the ability to feed them all with their current crop yield. Afton was already feeding the entirety of Novac after all, so they'd need to quickly expand those operations before anything was properly self-sustainable.

Afton was currently standing in what was left of Cottonwood Cove, this was the place the Legion wanted to meet, though, this was mainly due to the fact that there was nowhere else West of the Colorado that they could reach. The NCR had thoroughly blocked most pathways into Mojave, leaving the Legion with only one option... A full-frontal attack on Hoover Dam.

Afton was wearing full Power armour and wielding his Anti-Material Rifle, it's entire clip was composed of Explosive bullets, so he'd be more than ready to sink whatever attempts of betrayal the Legion might try.

Caesar was standing a small distance behind him, he was surrounded by a relatively large group of Robo-Scorpions, Cyberdogs, and Protectrons. All of which were able to be directed by Glados should it be required.

All in all, the forces Afton currently had on hand would be able to fend off a couple hundred Legionaries with ease, though, this all depended on the equipment they brought. He'd shown in the last battle that EMP's didn't 'work' against him, so hopefully he wouldn't need to repair his armour again.

He turns and smiles at Caesar, "Bet you're happy to finally leave the cells, right?"

Caesar scowls, the man slowly regaining his previous confidence and arrogance due to how close he was to freedom. "Your treatment in my prisons will be hundreds of times more humiliating and painful. I promise you this, Parker." he spits.

Afton nods with a smile, "I'll be awaiting it then, try to be a bigger threat this time though, I'd hate for our games to end too quickly." he states, glancing over at the river where large rafts carrying many people could be seen.

After a couple of minutes they dock at the unkept docks and shoreline, the sea of red walking upon the beach and slowly approaching Afton. Strangely, there was no hide nor hair of Vulpes Inculta, which is surprising since he'd thought receiving Caesar's gratitude would be well worth the risk.

Instead of Vulpes Inculta, a smug and arrogant-looking Centurion steps forth, "Ave Caesar!" the man salutes the rather ragged-looking Caesar, who attempts to stand straight in response. Though, due to the various 'operations' performed by Dala, he wasn't in the best state to do anything of the sort.

Afton steps forwards, "Have you brought what I asked for?"

The Centurion scowls but nods regardless, gesturing behind him at the many emaciated people who were pulling supplies onto the beach. "You will receive your slaves, but only after we recover Caesar."

Afton chuckles, raises his fist and clenching it, causing a grinding-metal sound to ring out, "We will do this my way, or the 'hard' way."

The Centurion attempts to stay stoic at the threat, but the flickering of his eyes and increased breathing shows that he was definitely afraid.

Afton lowers his fist and examines the slaves, noticing that a good portion of them were women, children, and heavily scarred men. This was as expected though, the Legion took this chance to get rid of some of their more unwelcome members. Criminals, rebellious slaves, and weak, parentless children.

Most would consider this a loss, but Afton thought differently... He didn't want Legion Slaves, he wanted 'Unwilling Slaves', people who disagreed with the Legion and or sought freedom... That, and Criminals.

Despite everything he'd had to do, and gladly done in the Wasteland, he still had a conscience. He couldn't force himself to allow innocent people to be experimented on, meaning he had to find deserving targets.

Ignoring his current feelings, he looks to the Centurion, "Vulpes too cowardly to come here himself? Che, where's your 'Legion Honour' now?" he mocks.

"Vulpes Inculta is an outlier and does not represent the Legion. His cowardice today will be remembered, as will your fronts against us. Remember this, Parker, as it is the reason you'll die gored on the horns of our empire."

Afton chuckles, "We going with the 'bull' shit now? Alright, I'll take you, your friends, your family, and everyone else in your shitty, barbaric empire to the slaughterhouse. I'll decorate my roads with your crucified bodies, letting the vultures pick you apart while my people watch as the Bull that is your people are slowly, painfully eaten." he states, taking a step forwards and standing menacingly over the Centurion.

*Gulp*

Afton just shakes his head at the fact the man can't even respond, "Whatever, bring me the slaves and you can take your chicken-shit leader."

After half an hour everything is finally moved onto the beach, with the many slaves standing around the supplies as if they were property themselves... Which they technically were. Afton makes sure to check them all over for any hidden bombs or any other devices that the Legion may have tried to slip in... Fortunately, they weren't stupid enough to attempt it, leaving the people as safe as they can be.

Once that was all done Afton just shoves Caesar towards the Centurion, "You guys better get the fuck outta here before I change my mind... Ah, before that... What's your name, Centurion." he asks.

The Centurion turns, "I am Augustus Aquarius, we will meet again in battle, and I will slay you!" he shouts before quickly leaving with the rest of their troops. Afton's uproarious laughter sounding out behind them.