Chapter 537 - Gala Event

His small jaunt through the Salida del Sol was far easier now that he didn't have to worry about Veronica or Dean. That said, he had fallen through a couple of weakened rooftops due to his speed and momentum... Fortunately, no one was around to see that, otherwise he might have to silence them...

Soon enough he reaches the church where the bell tower is located. He looks over the rooftop at it and frowns at the cloud enveloping the place... The entire ground floor was covered and most likely full of the deadly substance...​​

Still, it wasn't like he couldn't deal with this. He fires out a Plant Whip and attaches it to the bell tower, taking a run-up before leaping off of the roof and pulling himself towards it. He's pulled through the air towards the bell tower but accidentally catches too much speed...

*CRASH!*

Once he hits the wall of the belltower he goes clean through the wall, leaving a flailing humanoid shape if himself... He tumbles as he forces himself to stop, eventually skidding to a halt in a grimy dark room with a ladder at one side leading all the way to the top of the tower.

There weren't any Ghosts around, probably due to the fact you needed to climb another ladder just to get to this point...

Afton stands and rolls his shoulders while taking a glance at the wall he'd crashed through. "Eh, I'm, sure the owner of this place will take care of that..." he jokes to himself, and afterwards begins scaling the ladder.

Once at the top he's given the best view of the Sierra Madre town he'd ever seen... He could see everything from here... The Puesta del Sol, Salida del Sol, Medical District, and even the Police Station. He focuses on where his various companions were located... Christine and Anja, Dean and Veronica... Each area still looks relatively free from the Cloud, which put him somewhat at ease.

"Alright... Better do what I came here for..." he mutters while turning to face the switch which looks in the direction of the Sierra Madre Casino. He turns on his radio and speaks into it to confirm that everyone was ready, "I'm about to start the Gala Event... Everyone ready?"

"*Bzztch* We're ready here, just waiting for the light show.*Bzztch!*" Deans voice says through his collar.

"*Bzztch* Ready, Sir. *Bzztch!*" Anja confirms for the both of them, Christine obviously not able to talk.

"Alright... Let's do it!" he exclaims while pressing the big red button on the panel.

*DOOOOoooong! DOOOOoooonnngggg!*

The bell above him begins chiming, releasing loud, slow *dongs* every couple of seconds or so-

*BAAAANG!*

Afton jumps slightly, changing his focus from the bell to the Casino, which had thousands of fireworks going off right now. It honestly felt like a New Years Eve Celebration, but all contained within this single fireworks display.

From the tower he could already see the vast groups of Ghosts slowly shambling towards the Casino, no doubt attracted by the cacophony occurring nearby. Honestly, their sheer numbers were kind of frightening... He'd already killed hundreds of them, but the light produced by the fireworks occasionally reveals the many shadowy walking corpses...

He shakes his head and looks back at where his companions are, deciding it would be best to head towards Dean and Veronica first. They were the most exposed and could help with moving Anja and Christine if something obstructs them. "I'm moving to collect you all, try and stay out of sight while the Ghosts are migrating." he states before jumping out of the bell tower window and using his Plant Arm to soften the impact.

Half an hour later and Afton arrives back at where Veronica and Dean were located... From the rooftop, he could see a couple Ghosts bashing their heads against the locked gate where the duo was waiting for him... Apparently, they'd not managed to avoid all attention.

He jumps down and cuts the Ghosts to pieces, tossing their individuals parts far away from each other before looking through the gate, "Yo!"

"You're back... Good job with the Bell Tower, thought it would take you far longer if I am honest." Dean admits as they open the gate and step out.

Afton shrugs, "Getting you guys cleared here was harder than the tower."

Veronica puts her helmet on and steps out, giving Afton a light punch to his shoulder, "Stop jabbering and let's go get the others."

The group climb back to the rooftops and begin moving again, following the route they took to get here from the Switching Station.

Soon enough they arrive back at where Christine and Anja were waiting... Unfortunately, it seems as if something had occurred during their absence, Christine's crossed arms, straight posture, and accusatory expression said it all...

Afton rubs the back of his helmet, "Er, did something happen?" he asks, glancing at Anja.

Anja nods, "Elijah told Christine about us, or you, to be specific, sir." she states sheepishly.

"Ah..." Afton mutters in realisation.

Christine nods, tapping her collar twice and jabbing a finger at Afton and Veronica's chest plates, afterwards pointing at the Bulwark insignia's printed across them.

"She thinks you betrayed the Brotherhood." Anja adds, hoping to get this misunderstanding sorted so they can get moving. It was difficult to maintain her composure with her new disability and the loud sounds of the Gala Event starting.

Afton scoffs and Veronica takes her helmet off, "Christine, we didn't abandon the Brotherhood, they abandoned us! Do you know that it was Elder McNamara that took Elijah's place after Helios One?" she asks and Christine nods.

She'd occasionally gotten updates about the Mojave chapter while she was training in the Circle of Steel... Though, nothing specific obviously. As far as she was concerned, the Mojave chapter was still hiding underground with McNamara leading them, she was conflicted about it, but wasn't sure what could be done due to the Mojave's current political climate.