Steel Waste Chapter 501
Advertisement
Afton leaves the audience to ruminate on his words for a moment before bringing their attention back to him. He looks to Crocker with an apologetic expression, "My apologies, I may have spoken 'from the heart' far too much... I haven't even spoken about Bulwark, so allow me to illuminate you all." he says, turning and grinning down at everyone.
"Most of you will already be equating Bulwark to the Brotherhood of Steel, this in my view is indisputably wrong. Allow me to explain, the Brotherhood of Steel's goal is to control technology and stop anything dangerous from getting into the hands of those they see as undeserving. Of course, who they classify as 'undeserving' varies from Chapter to Chapter.
For the most part, I agree with their goals, but not the way they achieve them! Unregulated development of technology is what caused the Great War in the first place, so stopping anyone else from creating more weapons of destruction should be agreed upon by everyone! Everyone here now has to live with the results of our forefather's foolishness, what else can we do but learn from their mistakes to build a better tomorrow?...
Bulwark will work differently from how the Brotherhood of Steel operates. We will gather technology, and regulate what kinds are allowed to be developed and experimented on. BUT! We will seek to promote technological innovation among the Wasteland, helping humanity forward without the blatant self-interest of the Brotherhood, or indeed the NCR.
Water purifiers, more efficient farming, renewable energy, and so much more are at our fingertips! Each of these technologies could be provided to everyone if each faction stopped their wars. We have the resources to help one another, yet we continue to fight over power, weapons, and technology...
I do not blame the common people for this! I blame the officials, the politicians, the generals, and the leaders of these countries that would rather enrich the corrupt and selfish than help their common man!
Advertisement
Bulwark will work towards a better future, without the blatant racism displayed by all parties." Afton glances at Crocker, "America loves to boast about its civil rights, but what I see happening to Ghouls and Intelligent Supermutants is remarkably similar to what happened to African Americans! You won't let them participate in the rest of the military? Enter the New Vegas strip? Or even bring people guilty of committing hate crimes to justice!?" he looks at the crowd, "As always, America and its derived countries wear their hypocrisy on their sleeves, all the while boasting about their greatness..."
Afton shakes his head, "How can you expect your presidents to be unbiased and uncorrupt when their presidential campaigns cost more than the job would provide over fifty terms!?... And let's not even mention the NCR's treatment of independent towns! The town of Novac that Bulwark now protects was facing destruction from the Legion, yet the NCR elected to let them die and be enslaved! However, when the town saw this and stopped paying taxes, they certainly saw the need to send troops then!..."
Afton releases a long sigh, "I'd like to end on this thought... Each of you should think about what would make your life better, what you desire, and what you hope for the future... Now think on whether or not that could be achieved with how other countries are being run, on how rotten to the core they are... Thank you for listening." he says demurely while bowing his head.
After he ends his speech the crowd claps, though, it seems like a similar response to what Crocker had received. Meaning his words hadn't won over as many as he'd like. Still, getting people to question the intentions of those that are supposed to serve them was bound to bring some to his side.
Advertisement
Crocker looks over to Afton with a strange look about him, "It seems I was wrong about you Mr Parker... I thought you'd know how to play the 'game'." he states ambiguously.
Afton inwardly smirks and raises a brow at the ambassador, "What do you mean Crocker? Do you mean the game that politicians like to play with one another while they're supposed to be solving issues concerning the people? It's quite telling that it's called the 'game', isn't it?." he says.
Crocker barely hides his scowl, "We were supposed to be giving speeches, not attacking one another if you recall?" he sighs, "I should have expected this from a murderer."
"Oh yeah-" Afton goes to retort but is interrupted by Dr. Helmsley coughing into his fist, "Pardon, but this is a Peace Agreement, correct?" the man asks, and upon seeing Crocker nod he continues, "Then perhaps we should stop insulting one another and start talking terms of such an agreement?"
Crocker again nods, "Very well..." he pulls out a stack of papers from under the podium and taps them a couple of times to get them properly aligned. "With our speeches finished, we will now be discussing terms with which an agreement of peace can be reached. Unless you think otherwise, I'd like to begin." he looks at Afton for any indication of objection.
Upon seeing none, Crocker begins, "First order of business would be to rectify crimes and mistakes committed by each group... We at the NCR wish to be recompensed for the deaths of Veteran Ranger Emory Emmerich, and Major Lowell Thompson Jr." he states.
Afton immediately scoffs at this, "Excuse me? What proof do you have that Bulwark was responsible for their deaths?" he asks, doing his best to sound outraged.
Crocker glares at him, "Everyone well knows that you are the one that committed those murders, so don't deny it! If we are to negotiate peace we must be honest about our shortcomings!" he exclaims.
Afton scowls, "I'll compensate you if you can present any ounce of evidence that I am responsible." he states absolutely.
"Months ago the Legion broadcasted to the whole of the Mojave that you worked with them to assassinate members of our military! It makes sense as you were in the area when these deaths happened, and you have a motive to seek revenge!" Crocker retorts.
Advertisement
- In Serial44 Chapters
RPG Immortal
Over the years, humanity spread its fingers over the surface of Earth. They left nothing untouched. Now, they can only build upward, leaving behind the poor and unfortunate to struggle on the forgotten ground below. Once a person from those upper areas who lived in bliss during his youth, Sigmarus Grayson gradually lost everything and was banished to the streets below. Eight years into his suffering, he discovers a briefcase holding the item that will change his life forever. Thus begins the journey of the RPG Immortal.
8 150 - In Serial28 Chapters
A Glimmer in the Dark
A world begins anew after an eon of recovery and regrowth had passed. The inhabitants of the world simply continue with the lives they lead with little care for the origin of their situations and of their home.Yet they will soon discover that the period of regrowth and renewal does not stop for anyone or anything.
8 128 - In Serial25 Chapters
The Swordmaster and the New God
People have always called me an optimist, someone who always sees what could be, instead of what is. I had always believed that doing the right thing was important and that I was doing my part one task at a time, starting at my school, Kobe High. One day, however, I, Kazuma Sato, and my best friend Austin Huber got teleported to another world. There, an angel spun a wheel to choose our class so we could help defeat the demon lord, and I got a never seen before class; god. Will we survive in the new fantasy world, where not all is as it seems, or will the secrets and true reason that we were summoned consume us?
8 165 - In Serial14 Chapters
One Last Mission - The Hunt For Siregar
The Sequel to One Last Mission.Having received his assignment from the Emperor, Zack Assegaf heads off to lead his troops into battle against the pro-coup forces and their leader, the renegade Field-Marshal Dzhokhar Siregar. Meanwhile, he's also been assigned to work alongside Jude Chiang, the mysterious Biro Keamanan Negara Director, with whom he had just developed a rivalry.Yet there is more going on than meets the eye, for Assegaf and Chiang had in fact crossed paths during the Civil War, fighting side-by-side against a gauntlet of dangerous threats in what seemed like a lifetime ago. Now thrust together once more, both men will be forced to face their past, as they struggle against a formidable enemy which threatens even their combined might...
8 195 - In Serial6 Chapters
Didalam Dunia Raja Iblis
'Berpindah ke dunia lain' Beberapa orang mungkin berpikir jika mereka akan bertemu dengan dewa atau orang yang memanggilnya. Tapi, kali ini berbeda... Bagaimana jika yang memanggil adalah Raja Iblis, yang dengan sengaja menantang manusia dari Bumi...
8 166 - In Serial91 Chapters
Amber Foundation
Joseph Zheng never expected to embark on any grand adventures, but when a sarcophagus left behind by his late grandma strands him across the multiverse, he doesn’t have much choice in the matter. He'll need whatever help he can get if he wants to return to Earth in one piece, even if that means accepting the deal offered by the bizarre and powerful magician Wakeling: Joseph will work for her guild, the Amber Foundation, and in exchange, they'll help him return home. A simple transaction, until Joseph has to race pirates for plunder aboard an abandoned space station, or fight for his life against other guilds, or complete any number of impossible tasks he would never do back home. But if he wants to see Earth again, he'll have to survive long enough to find his place in the multiverse. **** Updates Saturdays. Cover is by @PenPeaches on Twitter.
8 178

