Chapter 188: Chapter 183

It turned out that not every problem could be solved by the application of more ordnance. Especially if the usual barrage of rockets and heavy caliber rounds didn’t so much as knock back the incoming unwanted visitors. The Boomers of Nellis Air Force Base were forced for the first time to consider that there were more than just barbarians outside their walls.

 

Fortunately, the armored figures did not care for hostilities, even after being subjected to direct bombardment for several minutes already. Then, a lance of white light tore through the howitzers with a precision that caused no collateral casualties. It also was an effective message for the Boomers to stop shooting.

 

“By order of Sev, we’ve come to talk,” one of the invincible figures announced aloud as they continued marching towards the base. “If you still persist in continuing senseless hostilities, we will gladly enforce peace through power.”

 

And so the Boomers found out about the highly advanced Nexus Severalty.

 

Elder Pearl and some of the adults greeted the armored delegation, and received a simple offer: Allow the Nexus entry and some time to persuade them into becoming part of the growing state, or be free to remain independent, so long as they respected Nexus borders.

 

“The Nexus is willing to leave your people be, so long as you abide by the same neutrality,” the Nexus squad leader, Rebecca, stated. “However, if you agree to join us, you are eligible to be relocated to a new village, with better amenities and infrastructure. Or if you prefer to stay, the Nexus will commence an upgrade of your existing facilities to bring it up to Nexus standards.”

 

“And what is Nexus standards?” Raquel, the Master-at-Arms asked skeptically.

 

Rebecca answered by first removing her helmet, scowling a little as she breathed in the desert air, and then took a slow, deep breath. “Sev’s vision, Sev’s purpose,” she muttered, and in a flash drew a crystal dagger and slashed her own throat with it. 

 

Even as the horrified Boomers rocked back and shouted, Rebecca just closed her eyes tightly as another soldier drew a funny looking pistol which bathed the bleeding out soldier in white light. The Boomer’s shock grew as the spurting wound of the Nexus woman closed up before their eyes, and Rebecca turned aside to spit out a wad of blood before putting her helmet back on.

 

“That’s part of Nexus standards,” she retorted drily. “Restores limbs, teeth and such. Also, we got a genuine panacea against practically any disease, venom and rad-symptoms.” Rebecca’s expression behind her visor became more serious, taking on a kind of fervor. “The Nexus ensures that its people are liberated from the desperation of simply surviving. You do not have to worry about starvation, disease or security. You will have comfortable homes, and access to education, luxuries and leisures. You will work because you want to, you will find a purpose beyond just making it to the next day.”

 

Heavy silence fell after the proclamation, and the Boomers exchanged glances amongst themselves. Elder Pearl cleared her throat before she posed a question. “And what is demanded from the people who join the Nexus Severalty?”

 

“Adherence to Nexus laws,” Rebecca replied immediately. “Sev cares not for forced accolades. He only asks for a minimum decency from his people.”

 

“If we refuse, you will truly leave us alone?”

 

The Nexus soldiers nodded together. “You will not be the first nor the last to remain outside Nexus borders as it expands around you. We will, of course, leave your water access to Lake Mead alone.” Rebecca smirked a little as she voiced the last sentence, and the Boomers exchanged worried looks again at their clear vulnerability.

 

“Could we be given some time to come to a decision?” Elder Pearl ventured, earning a nod from the Nexus soldiers.

 

“As a gesture of goodwill, we will be dropping off some resources for your perusal.”

 

The Boomers did not have much time to discuss, as soon their eyes were drawn to the skies where a squadron of sharp angled aircraft descended and came to hover just outside their base. With them were a small cloud of writhing metal and red eyes, and the Nexus’ monstrous robots flew towards Rebecca and the other soldiers to drop off crates.

 

Even as they gawped, none of the Boomers failed to notice the amused smirks from the armored men and women of the Nexus. Rebecca gestured to the crates beside her, and then to the hovering planes that had landed and were opening their rear ramps. “Spare parts that should meet your settlement’s needs, along with MREs, water, mattresses and clothes.”

 

Several heavy ordnance rolled out of the aircraft, dragged by the tentacled robots. They were larger than the ancient pieces the Boomers had. “Oh, we’re also willing to donate a portion of our obsolete equipment.” 

 

You are reading story Uncommon Wealth at novel35.com

Obsolete?

 

“I suggest you tell us where you want them so we can place them for you. They’re a bit too heavy to be just dragged around.”

 

The Boomers did not make use of the donations. They quickly came to a decision and collectively took the offer to be relocated to a new, greener settlement out east.

 

*****

 

Trepidation flitted through the residents of Jacobstown as a small band of armored men and women visited them. Thankfully, tensions did not peak, though Marcus still opted for caution and went out to greet the much fabled Nexus people by himself. The other super mutants and nightkin practically froze in place, fixing their eyes on the newcomers reaching the town gates and awaiting any signs of action.

 

“Hello there,” one of the Nexus soldiers greeted amiably with a wave of his hands. “We only wish to talk with the people in charge?”

 

Marcus nodded stiffly in return, unable to fully relax despite the soldiers’ unthreatening posture. “I am Marcus, mayor of Jacobstown. What can I do for you?”

 

The meeting that followed was surprisingly friendly, though the sense of danger never left Marcus or the other super mutants. The young soldiers of the Nexus were casual and rather easygoing in their attitude, if not in their speech, though they took their roles as a peaceful diplomatic party seriously enough.

 

“We’ve heard rumors about your town, and Sev hopes that peaceful relations can be established.” The squad leader, Kyle, spoke with an authority beyond his years, and even with the visor obscuring his view Marcus could make out the almost fanatical confidence from the young man.

 

“While that is welcome news, I have to ask, what does ‘peaceful relations’ entail?” Would Jacobstown be walled off and forced into isolation? Would the Nexus forcefully recruit the super mutants and nightkin into its forces?

 

Kyle gave a single nod before shattering Marcus’ pessimistic expectations. “The Nexus is willing to offer the surrounding area around Mount Charleston for Jacobstown to grow into. Those lands would be cleansed of radiation and other threats first, of course. We can also provide you new herd stocks, and renovations to your existing infrastructure if you are open to the idea.”

 

Marcus could not help the niggling doubt at the back of his head. “And what does the Nexus gain from this?”

 

“Many of us, Sev included, are curious as to whether the concept of Jacobstown is viable,” the soldier bluntly said. “We lose little in letting you continue as you are, and Sev is also open to discussing the possibility of diverting future super mutants over to Jacobstown for rehabilitation.”

 

They talked some more, with Marcus finding out more of the Nexus’ puzzling intentions and Kyle mostly inquiring about Jacobstown’s needs that they might be able to help with. It didn’t take long for the issue of the nightkin to be brought up.

 

“We’ve only started studying on the…prisoners we captured,” Kyle remarked with some tact. “But I’m sure the appropriate resources can be provided to look into the matter. It’s beneficial to both of us to ensure that your people are in their best, lucid condition.”

 

The meeting went far better than Marcus had initially expected. The Nexus Severalty was more than happy to help Jacobstown prosper as a protectorate state. 

 

“We won’t pretend to offer integration, because it’s understood that fully ‘peaceful’ super mutants like yourselves are the exception, not the rule,” Kyle had helpfully explained. “Filtering every single super mutant we come across to fulfill Nexus laws might tax our resources too much.”

 

It was understandable, and Marcus appreciated the honesty. It suited the super mutant mayor fine, considering everything else, especially with the assurances that the NCR were pulling back to newly defined borders. Some convincing was required with the others, the nightkin in particular, but it seemed that Jacobstown might very well be entering a new peaceful age.

---

Author's notes: So, after thinking over it for a while now, I'll probably be done with Uncommon Wealth once I wrap up the Mojave arc and some other bits.

 

You can find story with these keywords: Uncommon Wealth, Read Uncommon Wealth, Uncommon Wealth novel, Uncommon Wealth book, Uncommon Wealth story, Uncommon Wealth full, Uncommon Wealth Latest Chapter