Chapter 526 - Verti-Fuked

Elijah frowns as he listens to the group go to sleep, it seems as if his initial fears had been realised... That malfunction when the group first met Dean wasn't a malfunction at all. This became apparent when the same thing happened when the group met Christine...

This could mean a few things, but the direst of all the options would be that the signals were blocked while his collars were modified... This would also be the reason why that damned ghoul wasn't afraid of his ire any longer. What was there to fear when the collar was ruined and dog was dead?​​

Elijah knew it was only a matter of time before the group retreated to their Vertibird and escaped, leaving along with any chance of him gaining the treasure he so desired. Fortunately, he'd considered this eventuality. He sneers to himself as he changes the monitor view to the plaza where the Vertibird had landed, using the controls to fan the Cloud into it.

He watches with rapt attention as the Cloud envelopes the vehicle, and after an hour or so, he allows the Cloud to leave the area. Upon looking at the Vertibird again, he smirks at the rusted, melted, and utterly ruined sight of the Vertibird.

The outside might look potentially repairable, but Elijah knew the machinery and internal components had been completely ruined... It was nothing more than scrap metal shaped like a Vertibird now...

Now that the group had no way to escape, his plans could continue. He may have failed the last time he attempted to breach the Casino due to the unexpected traps laid by it's former owner, but now he knew what was needed.

Elsewhere :

The next day Afton's eyes flutter open as he awakens from his sleep, his gaze immediately looking towards the barricade that had gone unmolested during the night. He releases a sigh at the fact everyone was still alive and well before getting to his feet.

He glances at Christine, Veronica, and Anja who were still sleeping somewhat peacefully, somewhat due to Christine's occasional shudders and twitches. He checks the time with his Pipboy and finds that it's around 9AM... He hadn't checked what time it was yesterday, but this was probably a good time to get moving.

He claps his hands, his gauntlets clinking and ringing out, awakening the group... Dean shudders with a start, immediately pointing his revolver at Afton before lowering it once he realises where he was.

It takes around ten minutes for everyone to get ready to move, Christine equipping her assassins armour that they'd found yesterday. Veronica had helped wipe the blood from her face, yet she still looked terrible. Her bald head covered in so many scars that it'd be a wonder if she was able to grow any hair at all.

Regardless, they could try and heal her once they escaped the Sierra Madre... Afton was somewhat curious about what the treasure was, but he'd rather get out and save Christine than potentially lose her looking for Elijah and the treasure.

Veronica gave Christine her Plasma pistol as the group starting backtracking through the Medical District, Veronica still assisting Anja due to her blindness.

"Alright, we're heading back to the fountain where we landed... I don't want to stay long enough for Elijah to trap us or fuck us-" Afton starts, but is stopped when Christine claps her hand to get his attention and rapidly shakes her head.

...

"You don't want to leave?" Afton questions with a raised brow.

Christine nods, dragging her thumb across her neck while gesturing at the collar, indicating that she still wanted to kill Elijah.

Afton sighs, "We can always come back, right now the most important thing is to make sure you're safe. I think Veronica will agree that your vendetta can wait, one we're home we can outfit you in the best equipment we have, we'll even come with you to hunt Elijah." he states, but his words don't seem to convince her much.

Veronica grabs Christine's shoulder, "Look, we know that you want revenge, we do too, but running in headfirst will get you and all of us hurt. Do you want to make getting Anja treatment harder just for Elijah!? Is he really worth that much?"

...

Christine looks down at the floor, her hand trailing along her throat as her expression gradually changes to one of hate and rage. She nods adamantly, twirling the plasma pistol on her finger, ready to fight.

Afton upon seeing this releases a long sigh, he's about to speak but Anja starts first, "Sir, don't mind me... I can wait, if Christine feels like Elijah is a bigger priority then I can wait..." she says, a small smile on her lips.

Christine upon hearing this looks surprised, her eyes wide as her top lip quivers slightly... She looks to the floor once again before looking to Afton, shaking her head and gesturing at Anja.

"Er, does that mean you want to leave or kill Elijah? For the latter nod twice." he says, confused at her meaning.

Christine shakes her head and nods once, meaning she wants to leave, a dramatic change compared to her earlier intentions. Seems like Anja's heartfelt words had reached her... Huh, and Afton thought he was the one with maxed out Speech...

Dean shrugs, "Looks like you're leaving." he states, continuing to lead the group back outside the Medical District and towards the plaza where they landed.

The group cautiously makes their way over the rooftops, eventually reaching the plaza where they'd landed the Vertibird... Unfortunately, despite the lack of Ghosts, something seems to have happened to the Vertibird...

Afton facepalms with a hand resting against his helmet, "The Cloud... The Cloud fucked my Vertibird! I hadn't even named it and it still got destroyed! What the fuck!!" he exclaims, wondering why the world hated his vehicles so much. Maybe he should name the next vehicle 'Definitely Going to Die-Bird', maybe then it'd be spared from the world's wrath.