Chapter 494 - Long Grip

Afton raises a brow at Glados, "The Tunnellers are that close?" he asks, not having expected them to get that far.

"Correct, but your assumption is not. The organism designated: Tunnelers, primarily travel via an extensive tunnel system, Dr. Borous has been studying a few samples and organisms, and has found that the hives they live within have strict hierarchies, meaning these are likely an exiled group." Glados explains.​​

Afton slowly nods, "So we don't have to worry about an imminent attack? Cool... Are the Cyberdogs winning?" he asks.

"The Cyberdog units have an overwhelming numerical advantage, as well as a tactical one. Unit designated: Gabe, is the one currently leading the patrol."

Afton snorts to himself, "The Tunnelers tried to fight the patrol while Gabe was around? What, are they stupid or something?"

"Negative. The most likely explanation is that their poor eyesight allowed them to mistake Gabe as a weaker animal, such as a Bighorner."

"Well, they deserve to get their shit rocked then... How're Tamia, Veronica, and Anja doing?" he asks while resting his cocktail on top of the drone for a laugh, of course, Shani pales at this but is ignored by both man and AI.

"I am currently receiving the schematics for the Pre-war bomber, most is too heavily damaged to be legible, but perhaps the Brain-Bag's can piece something together..."

Afton nods, "Good." before lounging back into his chair and enjoying the sunshine... Though, Glados' drone hadn't left yet, meaning there was something else she needed to address... He flips his sunglasses up and glances at her, "Something wrong?... Have the Thought Implants been tested yet?"

"Indeed, but their results have been 'mind-numbing... In the sense that every subject's head has exploded. Rather I felt it important to update you on a different developing situation, the Think Tank has been receiving transmissions from somewhere you would be particularly interested in... A place called the Sierra Madre."

Afton, upon hearing this spits out his drink while Shani squeaks and slowly retreats upon hearing 'Thought Implants'. She's either ignored or not noticed however, allowing her to slip away back to the dorms.

"You've found Christine!?" he exclaims, "Well? Where is it? I'm gonna go down there and kick the shit outta Elijah and bring Christine back in one go!"

"I advise you not to do that, Creator." Glados states, causing a shiver to run up his spine. He remembers the phrase 'I can't let you do that' from another AI...

"Why not?" he asks simply, his tone demanding an explanation.

"Because, by my calculations, the signal itself seems to be a trap. It is being projected from the Mojave, but its source is elsewhere. I advise you send a robot instead, to spring the trap and not risk yourself." Glados explains, allowing Afton to relax and not worry about a potential 'Skynet' situation.

Afton nods, "Alright... Send a scout to check out the signal, update me immediately if you find something.

"Affirmative." the AI confirms before leaving the same way the drone entered.

Afton releases a sigh and slumps into the chair, wondering where his maid had gotten off to...

"*Bzztch!* Afton, an NCR messenger has arrived at Novac's gates... They're requesting you, what do you want us to do?*Bzztch*" Daisy's voice comes through the Pipboy on his arm.

He scowls and throws his half-drunk cocktail at a nearby wall which shatters the glass before picking up the radio. "Can I not get five minutes to myself, god damn!"

"*Bzztch!* I can send them away if you like, it's not as if you need to be here to hear the message... But they seem rather insistent on it.*Bzztch*" Daisy explains.

He releases a long sigh, "No... I'll be there in like, five to ten minutes." he states as he gets up, he's currently dressed in swimming trunks and a Hawaiian shirt, not exactly formal attire, but Afton's too tired to care at this point... Though, he does make sure to bring his Fallen Ranger Sequoia just in case.

Four minutes later a lightning bolt strikes the teleportation point at Novac, allowing Afton to job over to the wall still in his 'beach attire'. He's sent weird looks by the residents of Novac, but he ignores them and gets to his destination.

On the wall he finds Daisy standing with crossed arms with another man he wasn't familiar with. "Afton, you're here..." she states before jumping slightly and gesturing at the man in lab coat, "This is my... Friend, Arcade Gannon." she explains.

Afton raises a brow but shakes the man's hand regardless, the man becoming confused at Afton's uncovered plant arm. "Er, nice to meet you, Arcade."

The man nods, "Likewise, nice to finally meet the man who's technically employing me." he adds with a smile.

"I'm employing you?... Oh, the Doctor Tamia brought over?" Afton asks.

Arcade nods, "The very same, I have to thank you for allowing my research to continue, without your help I would have never discovered the laxative properties of fermented barrel cactus."

...

"Ok?" Afton offers, not knowing whether he should be angry about unknowingly funding literal 'shit' research.

Arcade shakes his head, "Don't look at me like that, despite its somewhat humourous name, laxatives save lives. Never know when an idiot will shove something poisonous down their gullets that need to be removed." he explains.

Afton shrugs, "I'll take your word on it, er, keep up the good work..." he says before turning to Daisy, "Where's this 'messanger' then?"

Daisy gestures over the wall at the single, plain-looking man who's sitting under the shade of the wall.

"Oi! This ain't spa! If you're gonna use my shadows you better pay for it!" Afton sarcastically shouts down, surprising the man who seemed to have been dozing off.

"My apologies! Ah, you're Afton Parker!? I come with a message!... If you would allow me up to hand it to you-" he's cut off as Afton's arm literally stretches to him and snatches the letter out of his hand, shocking the man and a few of the people on the wall itself.

"Thanks! Now bugger off before I set the turrets on you!" Afton says before looking down at the letter, ignoring the disbelieving looks of those around him.