Chapter 582 - Robo-Chop

The NCR wasn't the only faction buzzing about last nights recent events, even Mr House had quickly jockeyed on their airwaves. Of course, his own personal sensors had picked up the massive disturbance caused by both the impact sight of Camp Forlorn Hope, but also from Helios One.

The last time this had happened he'd chalked it up to a coincidence, but now it was confirmed that Helios One was connected to Bulwark's orbital weapon in some way.... Not that he was worried that it'd be used against him, he trusted Afton, Bulwark, and their ability to keep such technology out of unworthy hands​ ​

Obviously, he'd need to find out why such an attack was required, but he was sure there'd be a 'relatively' reasonable explanation for it... If there is such a thing for basically dropping a nuke on thousands of people.

Honestly, he was basically ready to try and claim the Mojave as his own, all that was required now was for the NCR and Legion to start fighting... And for one last boost of power to send his initial detachment of Securitrons into the Dam to power the rest.

Most of his army was still connected to Hoover Dam, and required a large surge of energy to make them all operable. So he'd need to get Tamia, and maybe some other Bulwark insurgents if they were willing, to infiltrate Hoover Dam during the battle and gain access to the mainframe.

He already had a preprepared virus that would take control of the entire facility once introduced. So, all he needed to do now was wait for his 'partner' to return, and wait for the War for the Mojave to begin.

Elsewhere :

Afton stretches himself out as he walks out of the Think Tank, languidly ignoring the various 'snap, crackle, and pops' his bones make as he does so. He strolls in the vague direction of the firing range while giving a long yawn, thinking that he probably shouldn't have slept in so long...

He could hear gunfire in the distance, so hopefully he'd find something interesting to take his mind off of, you know, the thousands of deaths he'd caused at Camp Forlorn Hope. Fortunately, he was quickly distracted by the sight once he reaches his destination...

A familiar face was currently firing a large number of weapons from the wide selection placed before him... Karl seemed to be getting very familiar with his new limbs, and judging by the accuracy on the targets, he hadn't gotten rusty either.

"Yo, Karl! I thought you were going to be taking it easy for a bit longer!?" he calls out, ignoring all the safety precautions and simply strolling straight into the firing range...

Karl unloads the rest of his ammunition from the Marksman rifle he was using before setting it down and turning around, grinning slightly as he clasps Afton's arm, "I intended to... But since you want to start blowin' shit up, seems like I gotta pick up some slack." he drawls.

Afton shrugs, "They asked for it, doming Daisy like that... Her funeral should be starting some time tomorrow if you're interested. You weren't as close with her as Boone or I were."

Karl nods, "Course I'll go, bring my kid and my kid's kid 'swell, give 'em some proper perspective on how bad things can get if we let em." he says with crossed arms.

Afton crooks a brow at him, "After all they've been through, you sure they don't already know that?"

Karl chuckles but shakes his head, "I know, but they're getting too comfortable here. Caroline might never forget what happened, but Carlos wasn't even aware of what was goin' on. Easier to keep 'em straight than to try and pick up the pieces, if you know what I'm gettin' at."

"I suppose... Wonder if this'll be the same if I ever have kids. Honestly, I've faced down Deathclaws, Supermutants, Zombie-plants, Nukes, Armies, and more, yet fatherhood is what scars me the most..." Afton sheepishly admits while scratching the back of his head.

Karl just shakes his head and gives Afton a firm 'closed-fist pat' with his Cybernetic arm. "Right, enough of this borin' talk. You wanna help me test out this new arm? Personally can't make heads or tails myself."

"Shouldn't Glados or Dala have explained it to you?" Afton asks with exasperation.

Karl shrugs, "Naw, I just walked out as they were talkin'... I mean, if they work they work... Didn't think I'd need a damn instruction manual."

Afton palms his face but turns around regardless, slowly headed towards a lower area of the firing range that held a melee practice area. Karl follows without a word and the two end up in a large underground octagon with a slightly padded floor. It wouldn't do much to stop anything serious, but it might make slamming your skull against the floor less deadly.

"Alright, let's see about your arm." Afton mutters while looking Karl's left arm over, quickly finding a small hidden button on the inside of the forearm, a hard place to knock or hit the b button accidentally.

*Shiik!*

As soon as the button is pressed a panel opens up in Karl's arm as his hand and fingers fold back. After that's done, a medium-sized Saturnite blade flicks out and locks in place, ready for combat... Obviously, like most Saturnite blades Afton and his forces have in use, it'd as close to monomolecular as you can get.

Such a blade was fantastic at cutting, but still wasn't a match for Afton's Ultra Chainsword... His Perks just made it too powerful to change up, but for others it was more based on preference. Still, judging by the way Karl was standing, he had no idea on how to actually use that thing, his stance looking something like how you were supposed to hold a knife, as opposed to a 'sword' which would be a more apt description of the blade.