Steel Waste

Afton sighed to himself, he couldn't tell anyone about this... Not even Veronica, the person who was literally working on fixing the weapon of mass destruction. If Elder Elijah found out that she, or he knew about its true purpose, he'd undoubtedly have them executed to keep the secret safe.

He didn't knew whether he wanted Elijah to get the weapon working or not, sure it'd probably keep the NCR away from them for the time being, but they'd be permanently surrounded and stuck within Helios One... They'd probably try to starve them out by denying them access to supplies.​​

The Elder didn't strike Afton as the most sane man either, who knew if he'd turn the weapon upon the Chapter itself, wishing to keep the power for himself.

The only boon to the situation was the fact that there seemed to be one vital component missing... The weapon required a range finder, one that had a unique signature and couldn't be replicated... One that the Elder was currently searching for.

If Afton had to guess, one of the raiders that managed to escape were probably carrying it on their person... From its description they most likely thought it was a flash light or children's toy due to the large glowing "Poseidon Energy" logo on it.

Regardless, he needed to get out of here now, he'd almost forgotten that he had a time limit. He returned everything to its original location, even the sticky note with the password written on it.

Once done he quickly dashed through the halls to get out of the underground facility, he wasn't actually supposed to be down here as only certain Scribes were given access... Hopefully he was able to make it out unnoticed.

There were more Scribes than before, most probably returned after hearing half of the Elder's speech. He'd just reached the doors leading out when the door in-front of him opened, revealing a Scribe who just started at him blankly.

It was Susan Royce, Christine's mother... She looked at him in confusion for a moment before the sounds of steps from behind her caused her eyes to widen. "Quick, hide!" she quickly whispered, her eyes looking towards a utility cupboard at the side

Afton quickly climbed inside it as he heard who was behind her...

"Scribe Royce, what's the hold up?" the Elder's familiar gruff asks.

"Nothing sir, I was just making sure all the Scribes were attending to their duties properly... My apologies for holding you up." she says, stepping to the side to allow him past.

"I almost forgot to ask... How are you getting on Scribe, without your daughter I mean." he asks the strange question, neither Susan nor Afton knew why he was interested, as he showed no interest in Christine or them previously.

"I-er... I am struggling with my loss Elder, I don't know if it was something I did or could have prevented." she says noncommittally, not wishing to discuss this with someone she was so unfamiliar with.

"Hmph, well, don't let it distract you from your work Scribe. I understand it will effect you but what's done is done, time to forget the betrayer and continue your duties for the Chapter." the Elder says before leaving.

Afton felt like he could sense Susan's rapidly rising anger from here, once he knew the Elder was out of sight he walked up and escorted the woman out of the facility before she could march up and slap the man. "Ignore him Susan, he's an idiot and doesn't understand what "emotions" are." he says, trying to placate her.

She forcibly calmed herself down before looking at him, "I just don't understand what he problem is! Why would he ask something like that!? Why is he even interested?"

"Well, if the "rumours" are to be believed, Christine had a close relationship with Veronica, his apprentice... Maybe that's the reason?" he remarks, not sure if he was right or wrong.

Susan slowly nods before getting serious once again, "What were you doing down there Afton?" he asks.

"Uh-errrr... I was, exploring?" he says, taking from her expression she didn't believe him in the slightest and continuing, "Exploring.... Technology! Yes, I felt that I wasn't learning fast enough and decided to visit you guys down here, to learn what you were actually doing."

...

Susan just shakes her head, "If you don't want to tell me that's fine Afton, just don't do it again or I might not be able to save you next time... You know how strict the Codex is about preserving technology. If you'd gotten caught you might just be exiled..." she says, trailing off as she thinks of her "unofficially" exiled daughter.

"Don't worry Susan, I'll make the same promise to you as I made to Veronica... I'll find Christine one day, once I do you can give her an earful for ditching us without even giving a proper goodbye." he says with a grin.

Susan smiles and ruffles his hair, "I'm sure you will Afton, just try not to get yourself killed doing something stupid, kay?"

He nods and quickly leaves, he may be outside the facility but he'd rather not be anywhere near it right now, in-case the Elder notices something amiss.

Afton returns to his quarters and flops onto his bed, wondering what he was going to do about ARCHIMEDES, and the fact it wasn't ready to deal with the NCR... Elder Elijah kept promising the Chapter that he'd be able to repel them, but without the Range finder used to operate the orbital laser, that plan wouldn't work at all.

He jumped out of bed and immediately headed to the firing range, deciding that practising his marksmanship was more productive than just idling around in bed with just his thoughts.