Crossfire

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@CloseEnough @Gurren1

Brick gave an accepting nod to Aurora's statement.
"So either way you look at things, problem solved. She and I have a few things to talk over while we get set up, so we'll come find you when we're ready, sound good?"

He nodded towards the massive vault door in an effort to get Aurora to follow him towards it.
"I was thinking similar things about the door actually. I figure, with a bit of finesse on the cutting, we could hollow out an entryway while leaving the load-bearing structures in place, allowing us safe access. Now, that's assuming they made this door the same way other vaults are, the sheer size of the thing suggests there could be some variables at play. I guess the last thing to really touch on, is how far back do you figure we should set up from the door?"

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@CloseEnough @Gurren1

Brick nodded in agreement "This is gonna work. It has to. I think for this test run, we should have four people. Chase and someone else to actually hold her up and pull the trigger, you to fire up the Tesla Converter, maybe a fifth to stand by the vault door and let us know if and when we're through and I'll stand alongside her and examine everything that happens, so we don't waste power. I'll note every little click and whine she makes, and figure out if there are any flaws we need to correct before the main event."

He stood upright again and turned to speak with the leader.
"So listen, we wanted to get the weapon set up and give her a quick test run, to ensure its gonna cut all the way through the door" It hurt him deeply to have to refer to Fuago as simply 'the weapon' but he had to appear professional "The only real problem is there's a small chance, and we're talking microscopic here, but there's a chance that as soon as the trigger is pulled, she sets off an atomic explosion that turns everyone within 100 feet or so to ashes, so probably for the best if it's just me, her, and the couple of people we'll need to operate her. We just need a couple volunteers, either from our group or yours"

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@Sohtem@Draconequis@CloseEnough@Gurren1

Brick was standing with arms folded and a fist to his mouth in the classic thinker pose, pondering the best course of action. He noted Aurora shaking the man's hand, then outstretched his own to accept the stranger's greeting.

"Brick"

He heard Reese speaking behind him, so he cocked his head to address the medic.
"Didn't catch a name, but from what I gather he's in charge of this place"

He wandered back over by Aurora and knelt to speak privately with her.
"How's this for a plan? We set up Fuago and give her a quick test run, just to get a sense of her cutting power. And then we take up residence in their workshop for a bit to see what they've got and to crunch some numbers on how long we'd need to run her versus how long we've actually got before she burns out. We'll figure out the best plan that way"

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@CloseEnough@Draconequis@Sohtem

Brick stayed put as Eden and Reese approached the newcomer, just in case. He looked to Chase and Aurora and began his mental plotting of how they were going to operate the beastly laser cannon, all the while keeping a hand near his holster, on the off chance things went south.

"It's bigger than I imagined. The couple of vaults I've seen, like up near home and in the capital wasteland had smaller doors. You think we could get away with cutting our own door out, rather than just melting our way around the whole thing? Cuz I really don't know if we have enough juice to get all the way around that thing, if we do it'll be very close. Think we could take an hour or so to plan it out, maybe do a dry run?"

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@Sohtem @CloseEnough

Brick listened in silence, thinking of a way to nudge things in the direction he wanted, while also avoiding pissing Eden off further. Even though he agreed with Reese's words, he'd saw how efficient Eden was with a blade, and he'd rather keep his head for the foreseeable future.

"She wouldn't be alone" he began, almost meekly "As we speak, my guys are working on fixing up Davenport, building proper walls, and hiring more men to defend her. My shop is going to be a fortress once the work is done. I get that you want her to be safe, and the only way for you to ensure that is if you're there with her, so why don't you? Your work last night speaks for itself. People like you and Chase are exactly who I'd want at my side, who I DO want at my side. You don't have to answer now, it's an open offer. And not to sound guilty-trippy or anything, but I know in my heart this is in Aurora's best interest, so please reconsider"

As his offer hung in the air, Brick knew he wouldn't get an answer right away, so he nodded his head towards the horizon and slowly began walking again towards their destination.

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@Sohtem @CloseEnough

"Gettin' pretty close now huh?" Brick said to no one in particular, shifting the weight of his slung shotgun a little further up his shoulder. He had been keeping the weight solely on his right shoulder through the trip, for fear of re-injuring his left. The sun was beating down overhead, far hotter than Brick was used to, he had even shed his outer layer of clothing and stored it in one of the brahmin's packs.

'Might as well get this out of the way, and hope it doesn't get awkward'

"Hey Aurora" he said "I've got somethin I wanted to talk to you about. I guess it concerns you too Eden. Kind of a business proposition... where do I start? Well, you remember while we were working on Fuago, I told you about the group I work for? The Gun Runners? So, part of my work involves both learning new techniques from local weaponsmiths and passing on my own knowledge. Ever since we began working together, I've been impressed by your skills. You're definitely the closest thing to an expert I've met since coming to the Banks, so I guess what I'm saying is this: after we're all finished with this vault job, how would you like to come back to Davenport and become my apprentice?"

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@CloseEnough @Sohtem

Brick nodded at the doctor "I'll keep from overusing it the next few days. Brace my shotgun on the other shoulder if I have to use her. Thanks doc"
His mind wandered as Reese continued working. He thought about the question he had to ask Aurora, and how he was going to word it. This was gonna take some time.

"Alright girls, next stop, Vault 13"
Chase's voice snapped Brick back to attention. He looked up at the others.
"I guess we're all ready to go?" he asked the group "Just as soon as you're finished Reese"

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

Brick gasped as the rag was pressed against his wounds and winced at the burning sensation.
"Don't be so hard on yourself man, you were shot twice, that's way worse than a couple of scrapes and, well yeah, this is pretty bad" he nodded down towards his shoulder "Honestly, I think it was just shock that kept me going, and then that adrenaline rush from pushing into it. I thought I was gonna pass out from all of it.... Did afterwards. I hardly remember getting home last night"

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@Sohtem

"Yeah, I'll be ok, just feel a little responsible for everything is all" he said to Aurora "I actually have something I want to ask you and I guess, your sister. I mean, we got a long trip ahead, so we can talk about it on the road"

Brick turned his attention back to the doctor "Short and sweet question bud: How was the new barrel? She feel ok? Too short or too long? And how was she treatin you overall? I'd hate to have you going around with inferior work, I want everyone who comes to the Forge to leave satisfied, know what I mean?"
He stopped to roll back his shirt sleeves to reveal the four-inch long tear in his shoulder "As for this, that thing got its claw into my shoulder, that's the major one. I might've made it a bit worse, I jammed the butt of my gun into the gash for an adrenaline burst, keep myself from passing out. It seems clotted up, I don't know if it needs to be patched up or anything. Apart from that, I had a bullet graze my head, just above my right ear, and one of those raiders caught me with a knife, across the back of both forearms" he lifted his arms up to show the cuts "It's skin deep at worst, but I guess its better to get it checked out, than run the risk of infection or something right?"

Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

@Sohtem @CloseEnough

Brick had just finished showing Dante and Vic around the shop and finalizing a few details with Joe. As they spoke, Brick packed up the tools he'd need if Fuago was to break down, a few boxes of ammo for his weapons, and a small supply of food from his personal stores.

"Well gentlemen" he said as he emerged from the workshop and extended a hand "the floor is yours. Treat her well"
"We will" Bullock said, taking the handshake. Brick and Joe exchanged nods, and the weaponsmith headed out.

"Hey everybody" he said, walking up to load his gear onto the brahmin "About ready to go are we?"
"Aurora, sorry for ignoring you back there, my head was a million miles away. Just hit me all at once, people died last night. People I used to see everyday"
"Reese, can I talk to you before we take off? Wanted to ask you about your rifle, and maybe you could take a look at my injuries?"