Chapter 550 - Cassanova

Afton releases a long sigh as he gets out of his armour, immediately taking off his Stealth suit and taking a looong shower. He'd spent almost a week in the Sierra Madre, and he certainly felt like it. Feeling as if he had inches of dirt, dust, and Cloud residue coating his skin. Of course, this was just an exaggeration, but that didn't make it feel any less true.

After thirty minutes scrubbing his skin raw, he walks over to couch and slumps into it, glancing at Blind Diode Jefferson (The Sink Jukebox) and requesting something quiet and slow. As he's relaxing on the couch, he looks up at the ceiling and calls out, "Glados! Give me an update, what's been happening in my absence?"​​

The ceiling opens up and allows a Drone to fly down next to him, "Your extended excursion was unexpected, but not unprepared for. I took the liberty of continuing the projects you already had working. Scorpion-Man had been allowed out of his cell after a psychological evaluation and loyalty test... But not before being chipped with the intention chip, which was altered from the thought chip at your behest."

Afton crosses his arms and nods, "Good. Wouldn't want any more heads exploding because they thought of the word 'escape', the fact it activated even when they had no intention to escape was kinda stupid... Anyway, how is our resident superhero getting on?"

"Scorpion-Man has remained distant from other people in Big Mt, this is likely caused by your insinuation that he is radioactive and causes sickness to those he is around. Other than that, I have taken the liberty to start his field and combat training..." she states, her words trailing off as if waiting for him to retract that decision.

Afton nods, "Good. That guy is talented and could be useful... Maybe we could partner him with Anja once we fix her sight... Considering she'd immune to radiation, that could actually work." he mutters rubbing his chin, "How are the various Cybernetic projects going by the way?" he asks.

"With the influx of... Volunteers, we have been able to quickly advance our understanding over cybernetics, their integration with nerves and muscles, and reducing the chance of the subject's body from rejecting it. Limb Cybernetics are almost entirely complete, only needing small adjustments and customization to each subject, however, intricate machinery such as hands, and organs are still being developed." she explains.

"Hmm... Have you begun preparing Karl for new legs?" he asks.

"No. I have been waiting for your permission, it is not my place to decide the fate of your workers." she states.

He shrugs at that, appreciating her diligence in respecting his position yet not really caring either way. "Well, you have my permission now, inform Karl that we have developed a way for him to regain his legs, explain the whole process to him while you're at it."

"Affirmative."

"Anything else?" Afton asks as some Spiderbots skitter into the room, an ice-cold glass of whisky perilously balanced on their backs. He picks it up and takes a sip before setting it back down on the robots, using them as a makeshift stand.

"We have received correspondence from our spy designated: Cass."

Afton raises brow, "Oh? She's finally gotten in contact then?"

"Affirmative, would you like me to play the Holotape?"

"Please." he says, and Cass's voice immediately starts speaking from the drone.

"Er, hey... It's Cass... I'm not really all that sure about using this 'spy shit', but I think I know how it works?... Anyway, I've finally set myself up in New California, their capital Shady Sands to be specific. I don't want to boast but I've got myself a nice little place to myself now, it's very different from owning a Caravan but... Nice in its own way.

Ugh, I keep forgetting this ain't a social call... *Ahem*, the journey was relatively peaceful, the squadron of robots and Cyberdogs you sent to accompany me scared off any creatures from approaching... That didn't stop a few groups of raiders, but they were annihilated with relative ease... Their presence did cause a bit of trouble when we finally reached an NCR city, but this was quickly resolved as the NCR are one of the primary creators of Cyberdogs, so they just chalked it up to me getting a good deal.

The luxury clothing store has been properly set up, and we've already received number of requests from the higher rung of society, though, no one 'important' as of yet. Regardless, I've had the tailor robots stitch the recording devices into the suits, you'll probably be receiving information from them around about the time this Holotape gets to you. Yeah, your lightning teleportation technology still scares the shit outta me." she sheepishly adds before continuing.

"Additionally, I have been hearing a lot of information about you. The capital seems to regard you as a threat equal to the Brotherhood of Steel, I've compiled a list of the rumours in the other Holodisk, but I'll tell you a few of the more interesting ones right now;

'Afton Parker is a mutant capable of mind control and other supernatural abilities. Uses his supernatural talents, he's been slowly gaining control over the civilians of the Mojave, slowly turning them against the NCR and Democracy itself.' Yeah, not all the convincing, but enough to get the idiots riled up.

Next is 'After a disastrous loss in a debate against Ambassador Crocker, Afton Parker summoned a monster to distract from his humiliating defeat, afterwards pinning the attack on the NCR to save face.' this one is a bit more believable for people who haven't met you, Crocker has a glowing reputation here, so that one has gained a bit of traction.

Last of the interesting ones is 'Afton Parker has stumbled upon alien technology and is using it to form his own faction, one based on authoritarian doctrine, and aiming to crown himself emperor of mankind.' To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if this one was true..." she admits semi-sarcastically.

"Oh, there is also one saying that 'Afton Parker is gay and wishes to execute all women to promote his lifestyle of sodomy and boy-love...'" she snorts and bursts into laughter, "Hahahah! Just kidding... Well, not about the rumour, just of it gaining attention or validity, I for one know it's not true, I distinctly remember your hands wandering when we were kicking the crap outta each other, you horn dog!... Anyway, that's all for this Holotape, read the others when you have time, Cass out, peace!"