G.A.L.L.O.P.E.R.S: Dead Zone

As Artyom and Hawke entered the large meeting room of the Command Center, they noticed a group of ponies assembled around a large metal table, where a blue colored holographic image was being shown. At the head, was Captain Armor, his long brown coat mostly covering his worn purple and gold armor. Ever since Zero Hour, he had grown a thin beard and his azure mane was a tiny bit over shoulder length. A thin scar ran from the bottom right of his eye to the beginning of his snout.

Next to him was his sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle, her crown/Element of Harmony lay slightly askew on her forehead, stray hairs were sticking out of her normally well-brushed mane. She was dressed in a navy blue turtleneck, which was more practical then her dresses, and a thin belt with four pouches. Across from her was Knight Commander Rainbow Dash, her slightly torn, grey faux leather jacket had iron shoulder pads to protect from Watcher bites or melee blows, coal black reinforced jeans and a utility belt completed her ensemble. The other ponies present a the table were a group of anonymous Rangers, scavengers, or scouts.

With a nudge in the side from Twilight, Shining looked up to see them, a small grin on his face, "Well, well, well, look who finally woke up. Artyom, maybe we should change your code name from "Lone Wolf" to "Sleeping Beauty" this brought out a small round of laughter from the group. Coughing slightly, Shining composed himself. "Ah, now then. Window Washer and Pick Axe spotted ex-Colonel Knight Blade and two Crimson Order soldiers hauling caged Shadows around. Now, I'm sure all of you know what they are?"

A hand was raised in the air by a young Minotaur Ranger, barely in her twenties. "Ah, Corporal Razor, I forgot, you've never been to the surface. A Shadow is a mutate pony or Changeling that has been exposed to high doses of balefire. They can read your thoughts with a touch, and retain a high level of intelligence. While its true a few of them have attacked the surface world colonies, the majority of them wish to make peace with us. Ranger Artyom, you, Knight Commander Rainbow Dash, and Private Shimmer" He pointed a hoof to a female Changeling wearing a kevlar vest, a charcoal grey miner's hat, a Hi-Power semi-automatic Marreta pistol and binoculars were strapped around her waist, before continuing. "You three are two venture topside, see if you can find any clues of Blade's whereabouts." The three saluted.

Shining turned to Artyom, "Now then, since Retribution is still in the workshop, you'll have to see Jacques to get some weaponry and supplies. Good luck." Retribution was an F2000 Griffon made assault rifle, modified with a long barrel, extra mags, adjustable ash wood stock, NV (Night Vision) scope, and motion tracker. It was originally an average rifle used by his mother before Zero Hour, back when she had joined the Royal Army to fend off The Flames of Sombra, a fanatical cult that wished to resurrect King Sombra, and purge the world of his foes through fire. She had kept the rifle hidden away, where she would give it to him when he was old enough, that day had never come. When Artyom had come of age, he got permission to search his home for it. He located and kept it, alongside any mementos from his home. He had just put his Dad's old TV in his room, recorded shows were the only things he could watch, alongside his mom's old video game consoles and games. They helped to fight the crushing boredom and sense of dread in the Metro.

Dash and Shimmer waited for him by the old train as he went to see Jacques. The middle-aged Griffon looked up from his magazine, smirking. "Ah Artyom, going to the surface I see, well, let's see what old Jacques has for you. You'll need this to survive up here." He reached down to his counter, coming back up a few seconds later.

"Ah, the most important piece of gear you'll every need. A gas mask, rebreather, in case you have to go underwater for whatever reason, and a few extra air filters." He said, placing them on the counter, which Artyom picking up and placed into his bag, the rebreather he strapped on. "Next, a simple lighter, you know, if there are some pesky spider-beast webs you need to burn or just for some light. Also, a rechargeable flashlight." Two more items Artyom pocketed. "Night Vision goggles, self explanatory." Artyom pulled these on, pushing them to his forehead, "And finally, lets see, you have your watch, great for seeing how much oxygen your filter has, geiger counter, good, universeal charger, what else do you need, aside from guns? Ah! Medkits." He pulled out two small cases, clawing them to Artyom, who grinning, placed them in his pocket. "Basic medical supplies and rations, and it all comes in a stylish red and orange case. Heh heh heh." He chuckled slightly.

"Thanks Jacques." Artyom said, shaking the talon of the quartermaster, a small smile on his face. With his other arm, the Griffon motioned him to a gun rack.

"Now then, you can only carry three guns. I suggest a long range rifle, medium or short range gun, and a decent sidearm." Jacques smirked, before Zero Hour, he had been a reformed arms dealer on the black market in Prance. He knew weaponry like the back of his talon.

Artyom nodded, looking over the well stocked assortment. "Hmm, oh, this will do nicely." He picked out a Grussian made HK-47 assault rifle, which thankfully had a red dot sight and silencer attached, a polished Remming Ton tactical shotgun customized with a longer barrel, chambered with buckshot rounds, and for a sidearm he chose a simple .32 hoofgun, maybe not the most powerful, but it was compact and its ammo was common.

The three boarded the train, which sped through the darkened tunnel to their destination. After ten minutes of near silence, the train came to a halt, screeching on the tracks. "Well then, as soon as we get to the exit, gas masks on." Dash said, before turning to Artyom, "So, newbie, you ever been to the surface before?" Artyom nodded, frowning at the slight. "Well then, that helps. So, Retribution? Really, yeah the name is cool and all, but not awesome, like Gut Buster here." She rubbed the body of her rifle, smirking.

After a quick walk through a rusted door and a darkened hallway, the only light coming from some barely functioning lights, they had arrived at a long ladder, and began climbing. "Yeah yeah, you two just stare at my sweet flank. There's only one pony that can tap it, that is Fluttershy." Dash smiled at her marefriend's name. The three puled their gas masks on.With a groan, she pulled the lead stallionhole covering the tunnel entrance. The three emerged into a light rain.

Shaking her mane, Dash turned to the two, "Well everypo-er everyone, welcome to the Zone, enjoy your stay and don't feed the Watchers." She had switched when she remembered Shimmer, laughing for a few seconds at her small joke.

With a single motion, she silently ordered the two to move forward while she took to the cloudy skies for reconnaissance.

Shrugging, Artyom and Shimmer trotted through the ashen ground and unkempt weeds, weapons at the ready.

"So, what do you think of Rainbow?" Shimmer asked, who followed him through a murky puddle.

"Hmm, she's alright, a bit egotistical, but she did help save the world a few times." He said, as he picked up some MGRs (Military Grade Rounds), a double barreled Ravager shotgun, frag ammo, a small sack of bits, and a packaged ham and carnation sandwich off a body. He tossed the gun to Shimmer.

As the two entered a large clearing, several automobiles and carriages lay piled in a corner, broken beyond repair, Dash's voiced crackled through their earpieces. "Wait, movement on your right."

The two aimed their weapon at a large amount of grass on an incline as loud growling and shrill cries could be heard. Artyom only said one thing, a touch of fear in his voice.

"Walkers."