Steel Waste Chapter 550
Advertisement
Afton releases a long sigh as he gets out of his armour, immediately taking off his Stealth suit and taking a looong shower. He'd spent almost a week in the Sierra Madre, and he certainly felt like it. Feeling as if he had inches of dirt, dust, and Cloud residue coating his skin. Of course, this was just an exaggeration, but that didn't make it feel any less true.
After thirty minutes scrubbing his skin raw, he walks over to couch and slumps into it, glancing at Blind Diode Jefferson (The Sink Jukebox) and requesting something quiet and slow. As he's relaxing on the couch, he looks up at the ceiling and calls out, "Glados! Give me an update, what's been happening in my absence?"
The ceiling opens up and allows a Drone to fly down next to him, "Your extended excursion was unexpected, but not unprepared for. I took the liberty of continuing the projects you already had working. Scorpion-Man had been allowed out of his cell after a psychological evaluation and loyalty test... But not before being chipped with the intention chip, which was altered from the thought chip at your behest."
Afton crosses his arms and nods, "Good. Wouldn't want any more heads exploding because they thought of the word 'escape', the fact it activated even when they had no intention to escape was kinda stupid... Anyway, how is our resident superhero getting on?"
"Scorpion-Man has remained distant from other people in Big Mt, this is likely caused by your insinuation that he is radioactive and causes sickness to those he is around. Other than that, I have taken the liberty to start his field and combat training..." she states, her words trailing off as if waiting for him to retract that decision.
Advertisement
Afton nods, "Good. That guy is talented and could be useful... Maybe we could partner him with Anja once we fix her sight... Considering she'd immune to radiation, that could actually work." he mutters rubbing his chin, "How are the various Cybernetic projects going by the way?" he asks.
"With the influx of... Volunteers, we have been able to quickly advance our understanding over cybernetics, their integration with nerves and muscles, and reducing the chance of the subject's body from rejecting it. Limb Cybernetics are almost entirely complete, only needing small adjustments and customization to each subject, however, intricate machinery such as hands, and organs are still being developed." she explains.
"Hmm... Have you begun preparing Karl for new legs?" he asks.
"No. I have been waiting for your permission, it is not my place to decide the fate of your workers." she states.
He shrugs at that, appreciating her diligence in respecting his position yet not really caring either way. "Well, you have my permission now, inform Karl that we have developed a way for him to regain his legs, explain the whole process to him while you're at it."
"Affirmative."
"Anything else?" Afton asks as some Spiderbots skitter into the room, an ice-cold glass of whisky perilously balanced on their backs. He picks it up and takes a sip before setting it back down on the robots, using them as a makeshift stand.
"We have received correspondence from our spy designated: Cass."
Afton raises brow, "Oh? She's finally gotten in contact then?"
"Affirmative, would you like me to play the Holotape?"
"Please." he says, and Cass's voice immediately starts speaking from the drone.
"Er, hey... It's Cass... I'm not really all that sure about using this 'spy shit', but I think I know how it works?... Anyway, I've finally set myself up in New California, their capital Shady Sands to be specific. I don't want to boast but I've got myself a nice little place to myself now, it's very different from owning a Caravan but... Nice in its own way.
Advertisement
Ugh, I keep forgetting this ain't a social call... *Ahem*, the journey was relatively peaceful, the squadron of robots and Cyberdogs you sent to accompany me scared off any creatures from approaching... That didn't stop a few groups of raiders, but they were annihilated with relative ease... Their presence did cause a bit of trouble when we finally reached an NCR city, but this was quickly resolved as the NCR are one of the primary creators of Cyberdogs, so they just chalked it up to me getting a good deal.
The luxury clothing store has been properly set up, and we've already received number of requests from the higher rung of society, though, no one 'important' as of yet. Regardless, I've had the tailor robots stitch the recording devices into the suits, you'll probably be receiving information from them around about the time this Holotape gets to you. Yeah, your lightning teleportation technology still scares the shit outta me." she sheepishly adds before continuing.
"Additionally, I have been hearing a lot of information about you. The capital seems to regard you as a threat equal to the Brotherhood of Steel, I've compiled a list of the rumours in the other Holodisk, but I'll tell you a few of the more interesting ones right now;
'Afton Parker is a mutant capable of mind control and other supernatural abilities. Uses his supernatural talents, he's been slowly gaining control over the civilians of the Mojave, slowly turning them against the NCR and Democracy itself.' Yeah, not all the convincing, but enough to get the idiots riled up.
Next is 'After a disastrous loss in a debate against Ambassador Crocker, Afton Parker summoned a monster to distract from his humiliating defeat, afterwards pinning the attack on the NCR to save face.' this one is a bit more believable for people who haven't met you, Crocker has a glowing reputation here, so that one has gained a bit of traction.
Last of the interesting ones is 'Afton Parker has stumbled upon alien technology and is using it to form his own faction, one based on authoritarian doctrine, and aiming to crown himself emperor of mankind.' To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if this one was true..." she admits semi-sarcastically.
"Oh, there is also one saying that 'Afton Parker is gay and wishes to execute all women to promote his lifestyle of sodomy and boy-love...'" she snorts and bursts into laughter, "Hahahah! Just kidding... Well, not about the rumour, just of it gaining attention or validity, I for one know it's not true, I distinctly remember your hands wandering when we were kicking the crap outta each other, you horn dog!... Anyway, that's all for this Holotape, read the others when you have time, Cass out, peace!"
Advertisement
- In Serial64 Chapters
Lethal Combo (Weapon-Based Martial Arts Adventure)
Quang is a slacker that doesn't have much going for him except for his skills in Chinese kickboxing and his proficiency with a pair of nunchucks. Selene is broke but still manages to overestimate herself. The fact that she's knows Hapkido and how to handle a set of tonfas doesn't help either. Together, they're going to get into a lot of trouble. Just like everyone else in the sweltering West Coast city of Isla Lucrecia, Quang Nghiem is struggling to get by. His family’s business can’t make ends meet, his childhood friend has vanished without a trace and the self-imposed local “Union” threatens to tear down the family restaurant if they can’t pay their dues. Fortunately for him, part-time lifeguard and fellow out-of-practice martial artist Selene Olwagen has nothing better to do and is more than willing to help Quang track down his missing friend. However, there’s more lurking in the shadows of Isla Lucrecia than typical street gangs and criminals. Almost every chapter will have illustrations to accompany it. Heavily inspired by fighting games and classic martial arts films. Expect that kind of tone of going in. Updates twice a week, (mostly) on Wednesday and Saturday. Illustrations and covers were done by Ati: www.instagram.com/serious_ati/ Check out more art of Lethal Combo and my other projects here: www.instagram.com/fgc_checkmate/
8 183 - In Serial9 Chapters
The Adventures of BLUE EAGLE
"Herald City. A great American metropolis, with gleaming towers and bustling streets. Never before has there been a safer place to live and work, because the citizens know that when disaster strikes, they can count on the protection of BLUE EAGLE. Blue Eagle--also known as David Dufraine--was born with incredible strength, powerful eyebeams, superhuman senses, and the amazing ability of flight. Possessing a strong sense of justice, he seeks to protect the city from criminals who prey on the innocent. Having taught these values to his son Jack, who possesses similar abilities, they protect Herald City as Blue Eagle and Switch the Blue Eaglet! Together, the Father-Son Duo wages a war on crazy criminals and notorious ne'er-do-wells, including the powerful perverter of plant life, QUEEN VENUS. These are the adventures of BLUE EAGLE and SWITCH THE BLUE EAGLET." Welcome, everybody! This superhero adventure is a nostalgic return to the good ol' days of the Filmation and Hanna-Barbera superhero cartoons of the 1960s and 70s. With Super Friends, The Adventures of Super Boy, and The Adventures of Batman and The New Adventures of Batman as inspiration, I hope to take you back to the olden days of wacky stories jam-packed with superhero action and excitement! This is actually a leadup of a much larger project I'm working on (which will be played straight, have a darker and more serious tone, and will be a multi-season serialized epic). I've been itching to publish something with my characters for some time, and this 8 episode miniseries just scratches that itch. So while my main series is being written, I hope you find some enjoyment in some good old fashioned superhero fun.
8 197 - In Serial9 Chapters
Artifex
In a world where art has power and power is everything, Thando Nkhosi is an MMA fighter trying to stand out and be somebody. At least, as much as one can among 23 billion other people. Life is generally good under the [High King]. That is, until he and his friends are catapulted into the upper echelons of the Inner Planet Federation by being granted a power that may be a bit too much for them to handle, and given a task that seems impossible. Trying my hand at a hopefully unique LitRPG system. No stats or number crunching though. Kinda scifi, kinda fantasy but scifi elements only really become plot relevant after the first arc. Won't be doom and gloom but will get really dark at times. Updates twice a week at minimum (2-3k words), sometimes more when school decides to let me out of the pillory lol. Inspired by a writing prompt on reddit and WarHammer 40k orks.
8 143 - In Serial7 Chapters
The Second Try at the Cataclysm (Apocolyptic Gamelit)
The last of the world burns around Kal, the last surviving member of humankind. The cataclysm started over twenty years ago, and today humanity lost. Being the last one to die, Kal was given a gift by the gods to go back to the start of it all and change the course of humanity.
8 82 - In Serial11 Chapters
The Adventures of a Reincarnated Rat! (ON HIATUS FOR NOW)
I was a failure at life. I failed at every single thing I did. I even failed at living peacefully. I wonder what did I do wrong? One day I decided to live my life to the fullest! I died in a week or so after that. I was happy though. I knew that I couldn't fail at anything anymore because I was dead. I failed at dying! I actually reaincarnated into a rat! The world I was reincarnated into also seems to have a game-like system. Great...Me, the guy that never played games seriously in his whole life is reincarnated into a world with a game-like system, I mean, what could go wrong? It's not that I will die from a goblin at the first night...right? STORY IS CURRENTLY ON HIATUS BECAUSE AUTHOR IS A DUMBASS THAT ALMOST FAILED HIS CLASSES BECAUSE OF WRITING.
8 160 - In Serial7 Chapters
Greatest Superhero
MC is a chuunibyou and wants to become the greatest superhero. He makes a quite a name for himself but in search for greatest superpower goes to the Himalayas and meditate on a lone peak for years, at the end of the day he achieves something that he even can't explain and then jumps into the boiling lava. He also gets reincarnated into another world where cultivators and magicians go hand in hand.
8 193

