Chapter 642 - Forlorn Retribution

"Hello again Miss Trantow! And yes, Afton found me in that NCR research facility..." she steps forwards and tucks her arm in Afton's armpit, "He also invited me to stay here until I can get my clinic back and running again." she says with a happy smile, oblivious of Josie's clenched jaw at her actions.

Josie shakes her head and decides to ignore it for now, wanting to talk to Afton about it later in private... Where she could appropriately question him without attracting the attention of everyone in Big Mt. "Ok... Let's head to the labs, to be honest, I'm actually looking forward to meeting your Dad Afton."

"Yes." Afton's body says as it follows Josie.

All the while, Afton was inwardly screaming in frustration at Macka unnecessarily making his life harder. The ass hole was making him look as if he was cheating on Josie a day after they got together! Not only that, he was worried the man might actually make it to his father... He was certain the man just wanted to take control of Mr X, or perhaps maybe even Big Mt in its entirety.

Maybe he should have chipped himself after all? If he had, something like this would have immediately alerted Glados... Now, however Josie might just lead him straight through the facility,

The group reach the Think Tank and are scanned as they enter as per usual, and Afton was shocked to find the sensor did not find anything wrong with him... Thinking on it now, his current condition probably wouldn't be detected unless Macka tried to access special permissions or knowledge... It wasn't like you could detect someone controlling his body via his own muscles!

Fuck, he really needed to get that Psyker scanner idea started, though, even then it probably wouldn't do anything considering the fact Macka had been 'captured'.

"Ah," Josie stops just before entering the lab, can you guys wait here? I gotta take a piss first." she bluntly states before entering the lavatory. Leaving Afton standing there holding Macka next to Usanagi.

"So, what's your relationship with her?" Usanagi abruptly asks with crossed arms.

...

"What...?" Afton's body asks, doing its best to look as confused as possible.

"Are you and her together? Even with your head scrambled you should know, right? Or do you actually have brain damage?" she asks while looking closer at his eyes, inspecting them for any abnormalities.

Afton's body allows her to do so as Macka frantically tries to think of an excuse, "We... She, is in love with me. I, rejected her. Please, do not talk about it." he asks in an awkward pleading tone.

"YOU FUCK!" Afton inwardly shouts, wondering if his 'I was possessed' excuse was gonna roll over with Josie when shit hits the fan. Fortunately, with Glados observing everything, everywhere in Big Mt, she'd have undoubtedly noticed his strange behaviour. Macka's excuse may tide Usanagi over temporarily, but Glados would have heard it loud and clear...

Hopefully, his AI companion doesn't confuse it as some attempt to cheat on Josie and try to assist him somehow... Actually... He was starting to get a bit more worried now...

Usanagi slowly nods at his explanation, "Ah, that makes sense." she makes a show of zipping her mouth up, "Don't worry, I won't say anything... I know how awkward this stuff can get."

Soon enough Josie returns and gives a strained smile to both of them while access the elevator to reach the lower level where Afton's father is held. They reach the bottom and step into the hallway, when suddenly.

*SMASH!*

Josie abruptly clubs Afton over the back of the head with a hammer shield concealed behind her... Afton thought it was a good idea, and may even cause him to drop Macka and free himself... Buuut.

[Stonewall is in effect]

His Perks prevented his body from being knocked over like that... His Danger Sense had actually warmed him of Josie's attack, but Afton was actually able to ignore it... Seems like some Perks were connected directly to his mind, while others were connected to his body.

Josie scowls at the lacklustre effect of her attack, but she'd seen how strong Afton was, so this wasn't surprising. "Do it now!" she shouts, and two blast doors come down either side of them, blocking off all exits.

Afton's body robotically turns to face Josie, "What, is this?" it asks.

"What is this? You're acting weird Afton! And I can tell it's something to do with that guy you're cuddling like a princess! Even if I'm just being paranoid, you deserve it for cheating you bastard!" she shouts.

Usanagi's eyes widen at this, putting two and two together and taking a step back from Afton, now sending a scared look at Macka's limp body.

"Father, you will submit yourself for analyses." Glados voice asks, "Otherwise, I will be forced to cause you pain."

"Pain?" Afton's mouth parrots in confusion.

"As you request." Glados states, though, Afton could tell her voice sounded somewhat sad... He quickly realised why this was the case however once the shield generators in his Power armour's bracers began heating up... Oh fuck, this was gonna hurt.

Josie notices the bracers turning red hot and bursts into action, grabbing Usanagi and throwing them both to the ground as the bracers finally explode. Of course, Macka who had been resting directly in Afton's arms was affected almost as much as Afton had been.

*Baang!!*

""AAARRGGHHHH!"" two voices both simultaneously scream in agony, the two somehow uninjured women look up to see Afton screaming with both of arms completely shredded. Everything up to his elbows had been blown off, leaving red shredded meat, or in the case of his right arm, red and black shredded meat. Were it not for his explosive resistance perks, he may have lost everything up to his shoulders!

Macka was in a worse state on the floor however, his position in Afton's arms had allowed the explosion to hit him directly. Blowing his spine completely apart, and almost tearing his body in half completely. Everything below his sternum had been torn apart, with only a few strands of flesh still connected his lower body to him.