Chapter 616 - Shown-Down

"House." Afton states as he observes the robot approach... Their 'face to face' meeting should have been far more amiable, were it not for the fact that he'd hired Bulwark enemies as mercenaries...

"Parker... You've been well I hope?" he politely replies.

...

The two just stare at one another for a couple seconds, all the while ignoring the still thrashing Drake in Afton's hand. The man even tries to reach for his revolver but finds himself restrained when Afton's plant arm sprouts thick vines that bind him.

...

"Er, guys? Don't we have a war to fight... Or something?" Veronica mutters from the side, not sure what was going on between the two.

Afton nods, "Yeah... But first, I want to know what you intend to do with this lot." he shakes Drake's body for emphasis.

"I intend to use them like the tools I paid for. It's hard to find water in the desert, the same applies to talent. Had someone not eaten up all the good seeds-" the robot turns slightly towards Aftons' group, "I wouldn't have had to resort to mercenaries. Alas, this was all that was available to me at the time, at least, all that had the skillset required... I'm sure once they prove their worth you could forgive any infractions they've made against you?"

Afton chuckles and shakes his head, "They killed many of my people, House. Not to mention their ties with 'Them'... I'd say I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them, but..." he takes a hard look at Drake, "I don't think that statement would hold any weight."

"Then what would you have me do? We're rather low on time, and I'd rather not miss our opportunity to rid the Mojave of those barbaric morons." House states, not 'lying' per se, but not exactly being forthcoming... Especially with Colonel Moore watching from the sideline.

Afton drops Drake and gestures towards the trio, "I want them to pay for their crimes... But, I understand executing people still in your employ wouldn't look good. So, I'll buy their contracts from you... How about that?"

"W-wait! You can't do tha-" Madeleine attempts to say but is cut off by House.

"Agreed." he states, the Securitron turning to them slightly, "If they wished to object, then they should have read the contract they signed beforehand."

Upon hearing this the trio all look panicked, Drake paling once he realises that Afton now owns him in a sense.

Afton gives them a toothy smile, "Don't worry guys, you'll be in 'safe' hands. I promise none of you will die until your contract ends in... When will it end?"

"Three months." House says.

"Three months." Afton conforms.

"Can someone explain what's happening now?" Colonel Moore approaches, turning her radio off as the sounds of bloodcurdling screams, begging for mercy, and death wails ring out through it.

Afton nods and puts his helmet back on, "It's your lucky day Colonel. We've come to rid the Legion from the Dam... Free of charge of course!" he happily says.

...

"Really?" she almost exclaims, remembering the various files stating every way the NCR had attacked Bulwark up until now... Only then remembering that House had been acting suspiciously as of late. She's about to continue questioning them when her radio bursts back to life...

"AAHHHHHHRGGHH! PLEASE STOP! I HAVE A WIFE AND-*SLASH!*"

"RETREAT! THEY'VE TAKEN THE EASTERN PART OF THE DAM! FALL BA-AARGH!"

...

"You'll get rid of those slaver bastards?" Colonel Moore asks once again, with Afton and the rest of his group nodding their heads. "Alright. Just don't try any funny business!" she says, giving them all a free pass.

Afton grins under his helmet and twirls around, pointing at Drake who can't help but flinch in response. "You three! Secure the interior of the Dam and set up an ambush for any Legionary who tries to get inside!"

"W-wait! I thought I said-"

*Ruuuummmbble!!*

The Dam shakes from a sudden explosion, the cause of which seemed to be below their feet inside the Dam itself. Afton just shrugs and ignores her, restating his orders and sending the mercenaries inside to install Mr House's virus.

"The rest of you! Follow my lead!" he commands the Securitrons, leaving his companions to sort themselves out as he begins marching towards the battlefield.

The NCR artillery was still peppering Legion forces that hadn't quite reached the Dam yet, and the two Vertibirds were already flying beside the Dam and firing their weapons at the Legionaries.

The Enclave Vertibird was only outfitted with the typical Minigun... Which made Afton slightly proud to say his tech now easily dwarfed whatever the Enclave had... At least, they did when compared to the Navarro base.

Dirt-Wing was actually outfitted with two turrets... One was a larger tesla rifle, similar to what protected Novac, while the other was an upgraded Gatling laser, which shot out green beams and was far more powerful than any other laser weapon the world had access to.

The Legionaries were confused and horrified when the green beams started assaulting the ranks, each direct hit turning a prominent portion of someone's body to ash. The fate was worse if they managed to survive it as well, as anything not directly hit essentially received horrific burns... Not enough to destroy their pain receptors, but enough to cause debilitating pain. Even nonlethal hits would undoubtedly render someone unconscious or unable to fight.

Afton notices a commotion starting to erupt in the nearby NCR soldiers, but this wasn't caused by him, his companions, and the army of Securitrons... The commotion was due to the fact his army had finally arrived... A couple thousand Ultimo-Bots were now visibly marching over the nearby mountain, following by a sea of Cyberdogs, as well as a few Deathclaws which were led by Gabe.

Needless to say, his army and the Securitrons combined could easily wipe out the Legion... But, he'd have them approach slowly so more of the NCR could be eliminated first... Wouldn't want to give them a chance after all.