Steel Waste Chapter 184
Advertisement
Emory nods at him, "Sure... I'm willing to go see the King."
Major Kieran gives him a scathing look, but he just returns a nonchalant one back at her. Seems like he either doesn't care what happens to him, or considers the result more important than his life. Either way, this'd be a good first step... Though, all Afton wanted was a damn licence to get through New Vegas!
The NCR took all of the Kings who'd fought with them prisoner as Afton went to speak with the King. Clearly, he'd heard about the commotion and some of what'd occurred. He must've had some men watching the situation for him.
He definitely wasn't happy with Afton for killing a few of his men, even if it was needed to force the rest to surrender. Not was he beaming with joy when Afton made himself the Kings unofficial ambassador with the NCR.
However, the King understood the severity of the situation and would shrug off the rather traitorous actions Afton had used to subdue the conflict. Though, he was very pushy when it came to trying to free the Kings that'd been imprisoned. Afton knew that the NCR would likely not budge on the topic unless he gave them some rather heavy benefits... If the King pulled out all the stops he could probably free everyone but Pacer, that guy was a lost cause...
Plus, if the King tried to free Pacer then it would put his status as under the King's employ in question... One didn't just set free a man who tried to murder your ambassador after all.
The King and Emory both wanted to get the situation sorted out as soon as possible. If anything were left up in the air then the Kings and NCR soldiers in Freeside might just start fighting amongst themselves, making all his effort pointless.
Advertisement
So, just as the sun was beginning to set, the Emory was sitting in one of the Kings office rooms that'd been set up for this meeting specifically. Afton was stood behind the King, just for appearances mind you... He'd not participate in the talks unless he was forced to, he'd not really learned how to do 'politics' nor did he want to. He was a more, 'Kill it yourself' kind of person.
The talks started, Emory immediately inquiring if the situation was as Afton had explained. The King had no choice but to reluctantly nod, telling people that he had difficulties controlling his men must've felt as emasculating as revealing you had E.D...
Afterwards, Emory brought into discussion terms for the prisoners. The King request for all but Pacer to be freed on the ground that they'd been under the assumption that the King had ordered such an attack, Pacer being the one responsible for the ruse.
For this, Emory demanded a small yearly tax from the Kings, 1% of their income a year for some benefits from the NCR, as well as the release of the prisoners.
Now, from what Afton could infer, it wasn't the monetary gain that Emory was aiming for here. Indeed, 1% of the Kings income would be a pittance compared to their daily expenditures in the war against the Legion. No, the point of it was to have some degree of control over the Kings, indirectly putting them under the umbrella of the NCR. Much like the various towns they'd incorporated in the Mojave.
Some back and forth later and the King had no choice but to agree, he valued his men above petty politics and wished to see them freed.
Immediately After this, the King demanded to know what NCR operations were occurring in Freeside. Both the King and Afton was surprised to hear that the NCR were providing rations and other essentials to NCR citizens... Emory said that they would have started giving to everyone had their ambassador not been brutally attacked by Pacer.
Advertisement
Emory then went on to explain the various surveillance operations that were being conducted. One keeping an eye on the Followers of the Apocolypse, this was mainly due to the group previously being part of the NCR and wanting to make sure they were spouting any secrets.
Another included many gangs, making sure the Legion or Fiends weren't trying to make alliances within Freeside to wrest control from them.
The King quietly listened as Emory continued to list them, none seeming to be too invasive and as such, he had no objections to them existing. He knew better than anyone else the threat the Legion and Fiends presented.
All was not over however, due to the King agreeing to be taxed by the NCR, every member would have to become an NCR citizen, that meant acquiring a licence... Afton almost facepalmed when Emory asked for the King's name, and the man responded with 'Elvis Presley'... Had he forgotten his real name or was this just the universe playing tricks on him?
Regardless, the two continued to discuss little things, nitpicking terms of their contract before eventually coming to a conclusion both could agree on. Emory had been writing notes throughout the meeting, it was presumably the terms both had agreed on, he'd probably hand it off to someone else afterwards to get an official contract written out.
With the meeting finally done, Emory stood up and shook hands with the King, again using his left hand to shake... He did the same with Afton afterwards, "Thank you both for your cooperation, hopefully the Kings and the NCR will have a bright future together... Ah, and Afton, would you mind if I posted your name in our database as a reliable mercenary? From what I've heard and seen, you've done significantly more than what was expected of you, we at the NCR could use someone like you."
Afton just raises a brow, "What do you mean?"
"The NCR doesn't usually make use of mercenaries, but when they do they typically send word to those already known to be reliable first. If you agreed, that would include you as well... You'd be given a standard-issue radio so we could contact you for further information and potential jobs.
Afton nods, that sounded more than reasonable. More work and better relations with the NCR could go a long way... Plus, he needed more caps for further implants and weaponry. Not to mention trying to gather information about the ranger that'd killed his mother. "Sure. I'm currently staying in the Atomic Wrangler so send the stuff there... If there's nothing else, I've got places to be." he says, only now realising that Karl and Boone would be waiting for him.
[NCR Reputation increased! : Liked]
He sends a nod to the King and Emory before leaving, he'd get the counterfeit licence from him tomorrow. Right now he was more tired than usual...
Advertisement
- In Serial21 Chapters
I Was Reincarnated as Someone's Mana??
My name is Magnus Karlsson, and by a series of rather unfortunate events that I had absolutely no say in, I was killed and reincarnated. In this story, you will follow Magnus as he tries his very best to survive in a world that's been thrown into chaos, together with the man whose mana he is, Allan Woodsworth. Well, not a man per se, more of a little boy who has no idea what the fuck is going on, but, you know... I'm sure it'll be fine. Nothing bad will happen to the pair. Nope. No abandoned kids here. Anyhow. The world that Magnus has been thrown into is one perversed by the will of a great mage who, three thousand years ago, decided that it would be a great idea to infuse all the people of the earth with so-called "orbs". These magical crystals allow their handler to control and generate mana, which they can then use to become mages. Most barely use them, since the mana cost of doing such a little thing as a fireball spell is absolutely ridiculous. Said mage, Theodore Cromwell, Magnus used his resources to infuse not only humans with orbs, but animals as well, giving rise to what the mage community calls "horrid perversions of nature", but what the common folk calls "monsters". Orbs can be used for much, and it is through orbs that people keep track on their level of mana and such, and destroying the orb of a monster is A, the only way to kill it and B, a good way to absorb extra mana and raise ones level. It is such an orb that Magnus has been tranformed into. ------ To those that care, I'm very sorry about the title, it's just that, well, it's very good to be blunt about isekais like this since people such as myself search precisely for this, so having super-serious names like "The Magnus of the World of Orbs" would turn people wanting a simple and fun isekai off. I hope you give this story a fair chance! ------ Edit: IWRASM now has a deviantart page!!! https://www.deviantart.com/thefunartcorner
8 84 - In Serial70 Chapters
Gokaiku: I Got Reincarnated, But It Wasn't How I Thought It Would Be!!
When Takeru opened his eyes, all he saw was white and there was nothing else, or so he thought. Suddenly, a hoarse voice echoed throughout the white plains, introducing himself as God. And just like any other novels he had read, that "God" offered him a chance to reincarnate. After careful reconsideration, Takeru took the offer and reincarnated into the world of Merusia, but unlike the ones he had read, it was a cheat-free world! Join our main character as he dives into the world of Merusia and experiences an isekai adventure that wasn't quite what he expected. Disclaimer: This story is a novel for me to practice, it has no real plot whatsoever. I want to make this story a heartwarming slice of life one. I wish this would warm your hearts.
8 118 - In Serial54 Chapters
Arcane Universe[AU]
Synopsis: A 100% immersive virtual reality game. Amazing, isn't it? The human inhabitants of the planet Zarkar will pass through a new golden age. Or maybe an age of darkness? It all started... with a simple game and a young boy who lost his way in this world. - - Author message: This novel will be a mix of RPG, cultivation, supernatural abilities and everything you can think of. Maybe a little cliché. Well I'm bored so let's see what comes out of this. I'm not native English, I apologize for the spelling mistakes
8 115 - In Serial56 Chapters
Serendipity | YKH
(n.) finding something good without looking for it. Park Jin Hee experience struggles in her life. She keeps on finding for a reason to stay but once she gave up she found something that changed her life.
8 207 - In Serial12 Chapters
The popular kids
U moved to a new state which is California and u r from New York so u get to a new school with ur older brother Kobe
8 131 - In Serial12 Chapters
The Famed Expert
A family famed for producing some of the finest Warriors and Magus in the continent created an Abomination.Josh, shunned by his family his entire life because of his weak prowess to both Warrior and Magic.Until one day he suddenly gained unimaginable power.
8 161

