Though, his relationship with Boone was a weird one. The man had a lot of baggage and probably need some mental trauma counselling. Not that he'd ever accept such a thing mind you, he was too proud and stubborn to accept that he needed help.

Hopefully once Boone got friendlier with him and Karl the man would open up to them about his problems... Only then would he be on the path to recovery... ​​

Yeah, he probably wouldn't be taking the [Spray and Pray] Perk, even if it did have its uses, he likely wouldn't ever make use of them. Instead it would be better off to just put points in something like [Intense Training] or another of the lower level Perks.

...

Hmm, thinking about it more clearly, if this Doctor Usanagi had the capability to create the Monocyte Breeder Implant, then wouldn't she be able to create the other easier ones? The one's that increased a human's base stats to a higher degree... If she did then wouldn't they increase one's S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats?

He was still unsure at whether or not maxing out a stat would provide a Perk, but if it followed the trend the skillpoints had set then it probably would. The Perk given would likely be much more powerful as well judging by how difficult it was to raise the S.P.E.C.I.A.L stat.

Going into [Intense Training] he looked over his two stats that could potentially reach 10 after gaining an Implant, Strength and Agility.

He wasn't sure which of these would give the best benefits. Obviously, if he was just going with his current fighting style then Agility would be the best bet... But he couldn't just think of the stats themselves... He needed to consider what potential Perk he would gain...

When he maxed out his Guns skill he got [John Wick Style], a Perk that allows him to even the playing field even when heavily outnumbered.

When he maxed out Speech he got [Spies Guise], a Perk that tricked people into revealing more than they usually would.

And when he got Medicine to 100 he got [Miracle Maker] a Perk that'd save his life once a week....

The trend set by these was rather random, but in the end, did correlate with their respective skill... So, if he upgraded Agility to the max, what would he get?

Would he become more flexible? Get a superpower? Get faster? It was painfully irritating to be in the dark about it if he were honest.

What would he gain if he maxed out strength? He doubted it'd just make him stronger otherwise that stat itself would become rather pointless.

Afton shakes his head after a moment, he needed to treat the potential Perks as if they'd be useless. There wasn't really a point putting all his hopes on the Perk when the stats were useful on their own.

In the end he used [Intense Training] to put another point into Agility, putting it at 9.

And with that, time resumed. Afton managed to hold the same expression he had before time got stopped as knowledge about stealth made its way into his mind.

Just before Ranger Morales is handed off to someone else so the Sergeant could discuss their pay, the man gave them a grateful look, "All jokes aside... You saved my life today, if there's anything I can do to repay you, just say the word."

The Sergeant ignores the man's heartfelt words and hands him off to one of his soldiers, "Get him comfortable, I'll radio in for an NCR doctor to check him over to make sure he's fit for travel." he looks to Afton, "No disrespect meant, it's just proper procedure considering you aren't licensed by the NCR."

Afton shrugs, "None taken. Now, we were going to discuss our pay, right?" he says, causing the Sergeant to sigh.

"Yes..."

It's funny really, the Sergeant was so desperate for the group's help, but when it finally came time to pay up he was reluctant... Should've expected it, this is what most mercenaries experience right? Getting short-changed after completing the job.

Maybe Afton should start writing up contracts to prevent anyone from backing out... Though, the terms of which would need to be specified. He couldn't very well write up a contract in the middle of a gunfight though, could he? If they found themselves in another situation like this it'd be the same result regardless...

Hmm, maybe next time they should make them squirm for a while longer to make sure they knew the severity of the situation, but even then they still might try to cheat them.

Afton sighs, whatever, atleast their reputation would spread from this. Even if the caps were not worth the effort. He distributes the caps between the group, only getting 150 caps each due to the stingy Sergeant.

"I'll tell you again, I'm sorry if the pay isn't what you thought. I don't earn much and the NCR frowns on using mercenaries... Aside from bounty hunters of course...

Afton just shrugs, "Tell that to my starving family, I'd like you to look Tiny Tim in the eye and tell him he won't be eating today." he retorts and starts walking back to where the bodies of the Fiends lay.

Karl and Boone catch up with him and the former can't control his chuckling anymore, "Tiny Tim? Where'd you come up with that, kid?"

"Oh, you haven't met my starving disabled son yet? Shame, I think you'd like him." Afton jokes, "I'll be sure to mention him in any conversations that require it." he adds just before the group splits up and starts looting the corpses of the Fiends.

Karl goes over and looks around for any more traps, disarming the one's he finds. There're a couple mines and some more bear traps, all of which he stores in his backpack.

While Afton was stripping a dirty male Fiend clean of his clothes a notification pops up in the corner of his vision.

[NCR REP Increased! : Liked]

Hm, atleast they didn't come away from this with nothing... Even if the loot from the Fiends bodies was worth more than what the Sergeant had paid them.