Fallout Equestria: The Ranger of Seamane

Chapter 19 – Doom Train

“But wait, there's more!”

The night's sleep in Chapel had been more restful than I had expected. Granted that restfulness lasted all of ten minutes once we left the town. Apparently somepony in the Reapers had a hard on for us and was waiting for us to leave town before attacking us. While I appreciated their not attacking the town while we slept, it was still annoying that they attacked at all. Part of me wondered if it was due to my bounty they were after me, or it was for having eluded the Flash Fillies the other day. Whatever the case their leader hadn't been to hard to put down, even with the heavy metal armor she wore, few explosive rounds to the head was all she needed.

        “Ruby, we need to get moving soon, longer we stay here the more of them will come!” I shouted over the gunfire, I had to give it to the Reapers, they knew how to suppress us, far more organized than simple raiders.

        “I know! But unless you have a way to get them to stop firing for a bit there is no way for us to break cover and run!” Ruby shouted back as a bit more of our crumbling cover was shot away.

        I gawked as I saw the Reapers leader stand back up, with her head in one piece.

        “The fuck?! Shit, their leader is immortal!” I shouted firing another explosive round into the red striped mare putting her down again for the time being.

        “What?! Shit! Foresight we need a way out now!” Ruby shouted to our entrenched friend on the other side of the street where he was firing back as best as he could with Topaz.

        “Fuck it! Ruby I have a horrible idea that is probably going to get us killed! Everypony pin them down for me!” I ordered as I began building the needed magic to unleash a fire blast that at very least would give us a smoke screen.

        I felt bits and pieces of debris fall on me as I shut my eyes and focused on pouring power into the fire spell much like I had on the rooftop of Tenpony tower. This time though I was going to essentially make it a massive flame thrower instead of a concentrated beam. Though, a heat beam would probably still do the trick if I could spot my targets. As it was, I would be firing this blind and probably setting the block on fire, if it was still flammable after all these years in this drowned hell hole of a ruin.

        It didn't take long for me to reach the point that I felt comfortable that it would give us what we needed in terms of cover. I also already heard a falling off of gunfire as the spell had built, either they knew what was coming, or they didn't like the looks of a pale flame hovering in the street. I let the spell go, releasing the containment matrix to spew forth my spell, the roar was quite like what I imagined a dragons roar to be when breathing fire.

        “Alright lets get moving!” I shouted as I stood up and tossed a grenade into the street where I figured somepony would move to take cover now that my spell had ended. Suffice to say, much of the street was dripping with water and steaming.

        “Right, Foresight, lead on!” Ruby commanded as I quickly patched up Rose who had taken a few hits.

        “This way, keep quiet.” Foresight said as I got Rose on her feet and we quickly headed off towards Flank again, I left the red stripped leader of the Reapers another grenade to prevent her from getting up anytime soon.

        As we made it another few blocks I felt something under the ground shift below my hooves and froze.

        “This is a problem...” I whispered as I took another step and felt the ground shift more under my weight. “Ruby, we have a problem.”

        “What is it, Moonlight?” Ruby asked turning to look at me as I felt the ground around me start to sag.

        “Oh... fuck me.” I managed before I heard something snap and the ground below me plummeted the light of the surface lost on me as I tumbled into the darkness of the underground of Hoofington.

        When I came to I was laying in a cave or tunnel of some sort. Given how I felt I figured I had at least managed to roll instead of bounce this time when I landed. I went to power on the night vision of my helmet to find that the faceplate of it had cracked and fallen off, taking with it my best option for seeing in the total darkness down here.

        “Of course...” I muttered to the darkness, then realized the error in doing so when I heard something move. “I swear this city actively hates me...”

        I rolled onto my hooves and pulled out my lighter as well as my sword. One thing I did know about this situation was I couldn't trust my guns to hit anything, if I couldn't see my target it was pointless to shoot, and with the tiny amount of illumination my lighter would give me, well, it was best to resort to melee combat. Holding the lighter in my magic on one side and my sword on the other I began to check for the closest wall to me. This is when I found I was on some sort of railway, thankfully I didn't have to worry about a train as the city was long dead, but, the rails had to lead somewhere. I also figured I only had one direction as the other was now closed off thanks to my rapid descent.

        I cursed as I tripped over a pit in the flat stone that made up the tunnel and my lighter skidded away into the darkness. I slowly forced myself back up, straining against the weight of the stupid amount of gold that I was carrying. Honestly I should have known carrying so much weight would end up causing something to give out under me. Though I hadn't anticipated a goddesses damned sinkhole to open up and take me. Thankfully I had Rose's pipbuck tag on my E.F.S. to go by, and she would have mine. Hopefully she would see my movement and know I was still alive.

        Unfortunately with the path I was taking I was headed away from Rose, as well as there had yet to be another path to open up to me. I still was on edge about the fact I was hearing things again like in stable twenty three. Also unfortunate was the slight scream of enervation as well as the lack of any bars on my E.F.S. telling me everything was very well dead down here, and if I didn't find a way out I would be another corpse in this nightmare of a city.

        As things were I found corpses, all too familiar corpses. What was worse was now I didn't need my lighter as some ambient light had begun filtering into the the 'station' I had entered. With how dark it was I couldn't tell whether it was green or blue as now things seemed to have become various shades of gray to my eyes. Still though, I had a good sign of a few blue bars, though the direction of them left me with little hope of rescue. They were further down the pit that the station was part of.

        'It seems we are doomed, doesn't it.' I heard the familiar voice of Doubt say from the corner of my mind as I skulked about the station keeping an eye on my medical readouts in case I started experiencing organ failure or worse.

        'Feels like it, though now I feel better as I have something to talk to.' I mentally whispered back, not wanting to chance talking aloud and awaking some nightmare that might sleep here.

        'You’re welcome. Though it is seeming like the only way forward is further into the depths of this place.' Doubt commented, and I had to agree, I had no way of opening any of the heavy doors that lead to additional tracks that would hopefully lead to the surface.

        'I was worried you would conclude that as well.' I sighed, enjoying the company, even if illusionary. 'What do you think of jumping down to the pit instead of the long walk down. Would shave off some time on the descent and keep enervation exposure down.'

        'Let's just hope there isn't a path out that we miss by doing it. We also hope there isn't anything triggered by use of magic, that would be... most unfortunate.' Doubt mused and I had to agree, though, my E.F.S. should pick up anything turning hostile.

        'Hold on to our lunch for me then.' I said as I ran and jumped off the ledge and wrapped myself in my magic and began to glide down keeping an eye for any sort of path out.

        I had to admit, I enjoy gliding while not getting shot at, tackled, or in general harassed. Even with the flight on the back of Bryn while going to Fillydelphia I enjoyed flying a great deal. Here though, everything felt off, and I was certain it was the enervation as well as the creeping sensation of something watching me while I was here. Also the fact that I believed the city itself was trying to kill me.

        As I descended to the bottom of the station I saw various cranes and long abandoned train engines. I guided myself towards one of the more preserved engines, feeling that if I had to bunker up a train engine would do well as a makeshift bunker. I was rewarded for my efforts with not only seeing the source of the blue bars on my E.F.S., but, also a few more corpses. The blue bars were some form of cybernetic or robotic dogs. They thankfully for now paid me no mind and I sighed in relief as I heard the cry of enervation fade away.

        'Glad they don't seem to care about my presence at the moment.' I thought to myself, more to draw out Doubt again to have something to converse with while I took stock of the situation.

        'Very glad that is the case. Might want to pull out the battle rifle as it has a scope to look around.' Doubt offered and I had to agree, it was a sound plan and I did so.

        As I scanned for a possible exit at this level I heard the terrible sound of metal being torn apart and turned my attention to finding the source of it. To my amazement, as well as horror, it was the cyber hounds tearing apart a long abandoned train car and eating the scrap metal. That gave me a idea of how tough they were if I needed to fight them, which I deeply hoped I wouldn't have to, I doubted I could survive a round with just one of them. As it was they seemed to give me no mind and I gave them none myself.

        After a few minutes I found a possible way out, though, I didn't like what would be the likely method of opening it. I was going to have to either drive or crash a train through a door and pray it is the right door. As it was, I was working on seeing if I could get the engine I was in powered up.

        'I know it is a terrible idea, Doubt, but, you haven’t given me a better idea.' I said as I replaced the fuses of the train, I had no clue why the train had so many fuse boxes.

        'It is really the only option at the moment. We don't see any other options.' Doubt responded, she had managed to give me a hallucination of her in real space instead of in head scape.

        'Really now, I thought you were supposed to think at things from a different direction. Or is there just too little information to draw other conclusions from?' I asked, mocking Doubt for her lack of usefulness at the moment, well beyond somepony to talk to.

        'We could just go and leave you alone, well more alone.' Doubt retorted, as I forget she could read my own thoughts as she was part of my thoughts.

        'Fine, sorry, just funny to have you at the disadvantage for once.' I laughed as I finished checking the wiring. 'Well, it should run, I think, not a expert on trains, but, everything is where I think it should be.’ I scratched the back of my head. ‘This is going to be loud as all hell isn't it.'

        'Cover your ears and hope it goes more than ten feet before exploding or something.' Doubt chimed in before vanishing.

        “Right, run away just as things are about to get fun.” I whispered to myself as I reentered the command room of the locomotive, locking the doors behind me. I looked around and mercifully found that many of the panels of the locomotives controls were lit up with life.

        “So, now then I need to figure out what releases the brakes, decouples the cars, and pours on the speed.” I whispered again as I began to read what everything did before taking a seat in the driver's chair. “Doubt, you are right, this is a horrible idea, but, I have always wanted to ride a train, as well as a boat, so to Tartarus with it I will have my fun and escape. Or, like everything seems to do around me, get blown up.”

        I released the brakes, hit the decouplers, and pushed the lever forward to increase speed. I was rewarded with various hissing, pings, and the sound of a groan of metal taking on stress.

        “Well... didn't explode, yet.” I said, appending the yet due to how life has been as of late.

        Then with a lurch the train started forward and I drew my battle rifle to look ahead. Much to my chagrin this was the worst choice I could have made at that moment as the headlights of the train turned on and blinded me.

        I flailed on the floor as I felt the train start to rumble to life as well as hearing the train's long unloved bearings scream for grease.

        “This is going to be a short trip, isn't it.” I asked aloud, already knowing the answer.

        Then I felt a thud resound through the cabin as I scrambled to stand up and drew my sword along with This Gun.

        “They had to notice at some point, didn't they. Damn it, I was hoping for a clean getaway.” I muttered as I loaded armor penetrating rounds into This Gun as I took the safety off of the shotgun on my battle saddle, still loaded with explosive rounds. As I did the window of the door to the cabin shattered and a cyberhound landed within and growled at me.

        “Listen, be a good dog and leave the poor lost mare alone. Your pack needs you and I need to leave here.” I said aloud as the blue bar for the cyberhound stayed blue. “I didn't want to be here, and I am leaving, I just don't have another way out beyond taking the train.”

        As I finished saying this I snapped the Cylinder of This Gun closed and the window next to me shattered.

        “Oh come on, I am just on my way out, just leave me be and you won't die.” I chided at the hounds as a third jumped in and landed on my back.

        “GET OFF ME YOU HYBRID MUTT!” I shouted, praying that until I made the first act of violence they would stay peaceful, yet menacing. I was rewarded with the one on my back pinning me under its immense weight.

        “Great, I am getting arrested by two century old cyber hounds for trespassing on someponys property who is long dead.” I sighed as the more cyber hounds joined me in the cabin, all growling, though not making a move to injure me as I holstered my weapons.

        “Listen, unless the door has opened out of here, this train is going to crash, and probably kill all of us. So I am giving you the chance now to leave and live while I try to leave your masters property.” I stated, not knowing if the cyber hounds even understood me, as it was, I highly doubted it. I was just glad they were more sane than the typical robobrain robot.

        I heard metal outside ripping and tearing, and started to worry if they were attacking the locomotive thinking it captured me and were trying to save me. Or, maybe they were just trying to get the doors open. I wasn't certain as my current view was more or less the metal floor of the drive cabin.

        “Listen, I am commanding you to return to base this instant!” I shouted, trying to be as commanding as I could while having my face pushed into the floor by a metal paw. I heard the scraping of claws on the floor and began to worry that I had just pissed them off.

        A moment later the hound that had been on me had left and I got to my hooves and began to look around me. I was still a good distance away from the door, but, it was starting to open, at a rate that the train should make it through without issue. I looked around me and saw the badge of Carnival Cat laying on the floor.

        “Would have thought you to be back in Colt, well thank you Ms. Cat, you probably just saved my life in time for me to end up some how screwing it up again.” I said as I put the patch back in my saddlebags. “That or maybe they listened to what I said and decided I wasn’t worth mauling to death…”

        I looked forward and smiled as the track I was aimed at would lead me upwards instead of further into the bowels of this damned city. Then I noticed something I didn't like, I in fact was terrified of. There was a horde of ghouls on the other side of the door, most of them were wearing some form of military barding or another.

        “Out of the frying pan...” I muttered to myself.

        'And into the fire.' Doubt finished for me with the same tone of frustration as myself.

        As the train approached I found how to kill the lights on the train in hopes that it would cut down on drawing attention. Unfortunately, once more, and to my greater annoyance there were more than a few ferals in there that still knew how to use a weapon, as well as apparently knew I was here. At least I figured that was why they were calling for me, as well as shooting at the cabin.

        “We smell life... We must consume it...” I heard one as the train began to pass through the crowd that parted before my slow moving train. I swallowed when I heard hoof steps on the metal walkway behind me signaling they had boarded my train.

        “Well, that isn’t totally creepy... Anyways, time to start the party.” I sighed as I drew This gun and my sword as I withdrew to next to the driver's seat in the middle of the cabin once more.

        Both doors were opened by the ghouls easily, even in madness of being feral sliding doors were easy. I gave a telekinetic shove to push the first few back out and into the milling mass that surrounded my train as it slowly ascended.

        “You know, I should have picked a express train. Because I have no time for passengers!” I shouted as a ghoul saw me and began to howl. He received a round to the head which did little more than make a small hole as the armor piercing round passed through him. The shot didn’t even kill the ghoul, just made it wince in pain.

        “Oh come on...” I bemoaned as I switched to That Gun which was still loaded with hollow points. As I did apparently one had managed to get close to me.

        “Give us life!” Shouted one ghoul, their body and voice so destroyed by their state I couldn't tell what they had been in life.

        “Fuck that!” I replied as I swung my sword caving in her or his skull, then they caught on fire. “The fuck?”

        I only had a moment to ponder their sudden immolation as more started to rush me, many trying to bite my unprotected head. I retaliated by returning fire, bucking, and swinging as wildly as I could. Seeing as the train was already moving, all I needed to do was stay alive long enough to find a way to the surface, baring that, use the train to make a path. Knowing how today was going, I probably was going to some how end up doing both. Still though, I was starting to get hurt rather badly by the ghouls, worse was when the military sort showed up and started shooting after I had cleared out the unarmed ones. I had to thank Aegis later for offering up the riot armor, though, I could feel it was already taking one hell of a beating. I also felt a few places where the protection of the armor had already failed completely.

        “Story of my life, isn't it. Well if it wasn’t before, now it is I guess.” I muttered as I ducked behind the metal console that controlled the train while I reloaded.

        “Under authority of the Equestrian Military we are commandeering this train! Surrender now or prepare to fight!” Shouted one of the ghouls, seemingly a bit more sane than the others.

        “Weren’t we already fighting?” I asked, amused at the idea that this wasn’t a battle in progress. “Do you promise that when I stand up you won't shoot me?” I shouted back as I readied my assault carbine, having removed it from its mount on my battle saddle to make it easier to aim in the tight cabin.

        “If you follow our orders you will live to see tomorrow.” Was the reply.

        “Then walk over to me as a sign of cooperation. Right now I have no way of telling if you will follow through on your side of the bargain.” I commanded, hoping that this would at least buy me a free kill. Much to my surprise a ghoul did just as I asked and set his mouth held pistol on the floor, I just blinked up at the glowing ghoul as my pipbuck slowly clicked at me.

        ‘That, that worked for once?! Huh, guess my luck is getting a bit better.’ I laughed in my mind as the commander stood there.

        “And you?” He simply asked, I holstered my weapons and returned the battle saddles bit back to its place at my side. “Good, I take it you were heading to the surface.”

        “Yes, the enervation down here will kill me otherwise, I haven't a clue what it does to ghouls like yourself though.” I stated, still dumbfounded by my luck.

        “Well, I need you to stop the train, even if this ‘enervation’ is slowly killing you we need to get those who are still sane out of here. More so if this ‘enervation’ is lethal to ‘ghouls’ as well. We wish to leave as well.” The buck simply stated, he had trouble with the term ghoul as he came to terms with his not properly being a pony anymore.

        “I don't know how good the brakes still are, but, I’ll try.” I said as I moved to the console and slowed the train to a stand still. “Be fast on loading everypony I don't know how long the brakes will last, or how long the engine will last. It has been two hundred years after all.”

        “Bit longer than I thought.” He said before turning to his allies. “Everypony, gather every sane pony left and load them aboard. We swore an oath in life to Luna that we would protect Equestria until the day we die, and today we will serve even in death.”

        “Tad morbid and dramatic.” I whispered to myself as I began picking through my supplies and tossing out any expired healing potions, which, unfortunately, was quite a few of them. “This is going to be bad if any more major fighting happens...”

        “Do you expect there to be more?” The ghoul soldier asked.

        “Honestly, Hoofington is horrifically filled to the brim with things that bring only death. So, you tell me, was it a fortress or a death trap when rebuilt?” I asked, not really expecting much of an answer.

        “Both, if anything comes up needing authorization leave it to me, even if it has been two hundred years I should still pass the credential checks for most of what is around.” He simply stated.

        “Better than my Ministry of Moral badge that I have.” I sighed as I rummaged around the cabin to see if I could find a map of the underground. “Not mine, found it left in a safe.”

        “What is left of Equestria?” He asked as I found what I was looking for, though, I couldn't understand it really in the flickering light of my lighter.

        “No organized government as far as I have encountered, good number of settlements outside of cities exist to some degree. Many ponies have gone mad with the hopelessness of the wasteland, like the Feral's that you were with.” I explained as I began to find one of the annoyingly possible places we could be as I used my magic to steady and brighten the lighters flame. “To be honest, a large number of ghouls like you are going to need to find other ghouls to shack up with. If we can get to Flank, er, Flanekerton? I think that was the prewar name, we should be able to find some place for you. As it is right now...”

        I trailed off as I felt a vibration start to build in the train.

        “We need to finish loading up everypony, I don't think this train is going to last much longer if it isn't moving.” I finished as I pushed the engine output higher hoping to counter the failing brakes. “Honestly, you could make a good deal of money once you settle down the civilians running a trade caravan. Or as mercenaries.”

        “So the war still rages on?” He asked, I shook my head.

        “No, not that war at least, it is long done. There is a lot to explain that I can do once we have a course laid out. At the moment I need to find out where we are so I can plan where to go.” I frowned, keeping the sigh from coming out that I felt building. “Today is going to be a much longer day than I wanted it to be.”

        “At least you are helping somepony.” He said putting a squishy fore hoof on my shoulder.

        “Yeah, I tend to do that by accident a lot more than by intention. Not to say I don't like helping others, I just seem to stumble across those in need of help more often than going out and finding ponies in need on purpose.” I squinted as I looked ahead hoping to see some sort of signage on the tunnel. “Any of you ever notice some sort of marking as to what tunnel you were hiding in? Because anything would be helpful right now. Also, you have better eyes than I do in this darkness, get your ponies to keep an eye out for obstructions, signage, and threats once we get moving. Because right now I am more blind than a cave fish.”

        “Will do, just keep the train in place until I tell you otherwise, I rather leave as few those with a mind behind as possible.” He said.

        “Good, by the way the name is, Moonlight, though you could just call me Ranger, it is my title.” I said offering a hoof having put away the map for now.

        “Sergeant Heart, at your service ma'am.” Heart said taking my hoof and shaking it gently.

        “Hoofington defense I am assuming?” I asked figuring maybe I could get some information to the doom of this city.

        “Yes, stationed out of Miramare Air Station.” Heart replied seemingly understanding my intent to kill time as he sat down.

        “I hate to ask, but, can you tell me about the end. There is a lot of threats around Hoofington and mysteries as well that maybe a voice from the past could shed light on.” I said, frowning as I knew really that it wasn't my place, or intent now, to try to fix this city, but, damn it I wanted some answers, so Celestia send me to the moon I would have some answers today!

        “There isn't much to say, we were holding the line against the Zebra's when it happened. The Hoofington shield was turned on and the missiles impacted it doing little to nothing. Eventually though, the shield shut off, we tried to move as many civilians as we could to places like the Fluttershy Medical Center, but, Zebra assassin's hit that place so we moved to the tunnels. Not many survived the trip, but, there were others before us who had gone into the tunnels.” Heart answered, though I could feel in his voice he had regret for coming down here.

        “While the shield was active, was there any sort of anomalous scream?” I asked, hoping it would be a yes, proving that it was just starmetal reactors like in twenty three and not something else that could prove to be far, far worse.

        “I don't know, we weren't close enough, we never asked anypony about it.” Heart explained, and saw my defeated look.

        “Damn it, well do you happen to know anything about starmetal?” I asked, maybe I would get lucky.

        “I'm afraid I never heard of it. Sorry Miss Ranger, but, that was probably part of one of projects.” Heart said, and my ears perked up.

        “Projects? Tell me what you know of these projects.” I felt myself possibly on the cusp of something, even if not getting answers about enervation and Hoofington, it might give me a tool against Red Eye, secret military projects turned against an army of slavers or raiders would likely do wonders with my limited numbers.

        “I don't know much, I did happen to see the end result of some heavy duty cybernetics in the field though. It was not pretty.” Heart simply concluded after giving me a very light on information briefing. Most of what he knew was from those few ponies with loose lips during the war, but, never anything definitive, beyond his aforementioned first hand experience.

        “I swear, well let me ask you this. The space program, did it ever work?” I asked, I had a few journals and articles talking about the space program, but, apparently somepony decided to at some point cut out a lot of information on said program.

        “I can personally say, we went to the moon and came back. Regardless of what the papers say or said. We didn't stop going to space afterwards either.” Heart said, he had a smile on his lip less muzzle, which was creepy as you would expect.

        “Well... at least that killed time. Also that is amazing we actually did go to space. Too bad it will be a long time until the world has recovered enough to send somepony else up. Or at least regularly.” I mused, wondering how it was in space compared to our blighted Equis.

        “Sir, we got everypony aboard, figured a simple test of asking if they understood what we were saying was enough for sanity.” One of Heart's ponies said.

        “Alright then, get in position to repel boarders as well as look out for anything that might hamper our movements. The Ranger here needs us to also figure out what tunnel we are in so she can get us topside.” Heart ordered, his ponies nodded and went about figuring out their positioning on the train.

        “All aboard!” I shouted before slowly pushing forward on the throttle and releasing the brakes. I grinned having finally gotten to say 'all aboard'.

        “The world so messed up that this is your first time on a train?” Heart asked.

        “Yeah, and don't bother with trying to get to Canterlot, it is dead. I’ve been through it, anything not killed when the Zebra's set off some sort of alchemical bomb in it, is twisted to the point of turning the place into a nightmarish hell scape. Also, we have alicorns now, don't trust them, they want to do ill for all of ponykind as far as I have found.” I explained to Heart as more bits of information critical to survival in the wasteland came to mind. “Listen, I am going to give you essentially a briefing on the world at the moment, with all of my bias. You can figure out what to tell everypony else when you go your way.”

        “I understand, thank you for not making me have to shoot you by the way.” Heart added as we began to head further into the tunnels in hopes finding a way out.

        For the next few hours I filled Heart in on everything that had happened that I knew of. I made small mention in my own role in the change of events down south, but, mostly I explained who and what not to trust in this new world.

        “That is why you don't go into stables alone, always have back up.” I finished after explaining both enervation as well as the dangers that stables posed, abandoned or worse.

        “It is hard to believe the princesses are dead though.” Heart mournfully said.

        “I understand, I wish it wasn't true, but, they died and that was what caused Canterlot to become accessible to us, as much as it is a terrible idea to go there.” I said slowing the train as we came to another switching station.

        “I will get somepony out to it to see where to go next.” Heart said before I held up a hoof.

        “No, you ponies need to get topside more than I do. Here take the map, if things go bad will I shout what junction this is and you take off.” I said handing Heart the map from my saddlebags. “Sorry for those of yours I killed earlier, I had no way of knowing you weren't ferals.”

        “Don't worry about it, what is a little friendly fire come the apocalypse.” Heart joked, and I was happy he could still be so upbeat after the deluge of depressing information I had given him.

        “Be back faster than Rainbow Dash.” I said as I hopped off the side of the engine and started galloping to the switching station.

        The first thing I noticed was the red light, the second thing I noticed was the appearance of a red bar on my E.F.S. The third thing I noticed was that it really hurts to get shot by lasers. I rolled off to the side as whatever was shooting me failed to track my movement and I wrapped a few bandages over where my charred and cracked skin broke out bleeding.

        “I swear, one of these days I am going to have a suit of armor lasts me more than a month.” I cursed as I tossed a grenade into the room which held the attacker. With the blast of the grenade detonating I saw the light go out and moved into the room. As I had expected it was a robot of some sort. I shoved its remains in the corner as I focused on figuring out which switching station we were at.

        Within a few minutes I has figured out where we were, and that, with luck holding, we would be topside soon, though annoyingly closer to headquarters of the Reapers than I would like. Returning to the engine I asked for the map and started to figure out the best path to take.

        “I would say we get topside as quickly as possible, but, if the Reapers are as bad as you say.” Heart trailed off.

        “Yeah, my thoughts as well. I think what might be best, and would let me know if I was a target or not, to get topside and have your group go up off to Megamart, the ponies there are rather friendly, so long as you don't shoot.” I said, disliking my plan as it ended with me riding this train through the heart of Reaper territory to give them cover.

        “I could spare a few of my ponies to stay with you. I know they wouldn't mind doing it to help protect the civilians.” Heart offered.

        “Sorry, this lonely ranger has to do it this way. You will also need as much firepower as you can until you manage to get away from Hoofington and Fillydelphia. As much as it is a very long trip, I would suggest heading down to Seamane, Colt or Dune City would be a good place to start.”

        “We will do what we can. Just stay safe, don't want to have any more deaths weighing on me than I need to.” Heart finished as we set the train down the line that would take us to the surface soon.

        “Operation Doom Train is a go.” I whispered to myself.

        “You are terrible at naming things, Moonlight.” Heart muttered as he face hoofed.

        “Shush you, at least you aren't riding the damn thing.” I said as I got back into the drivers seat.

        A few hours later we came to the surface and we unloaded everypony besides myself. During this time I also took the opportunity to orientate myself and figure out what way to run once I had to ditch the train.

        “You certain you don't want any of us with you for this?” One of Heart's ponies asked.

        “Hey, you already died once, I think. Not certain how ghoulification works. Either way, if you want to make this up to me, start getting yourself ready for action and down to Seamane. There is a fight brewing down there and I have pretty much just my marefriend and myself for my side of the fight. Wouldn't mind some ponies who are willing to put their neck on the line for me. Though, only after you get those civilians settled in somewhere. I would avoid trying Tenpony tower or the Society, they seem too stuck up for dealing with Ghouls.” I suggested, and gave him a smile. I honestly hadn't realized this could be the beginning of getting some guns on my side that weren't carried by me. Then again, that is only if they felt obligated to fight by my side.

        “Stay alive, Moonlight, we will see what we can do.” The soldier responded and went to join the rest of the ghouls.

        “Going to try my best, even if I do my best to do otherwise.” I muttered, still not liking this plan. “Well, lets get the show on the road.”

        Half an hour into my ride on the train at full speed I had gotten the attention I had been wanting and simultaneously dreading. I slowed the train so my would be attackers could attempt to chase me and board the train.

        “WHO WANTS A RIDE ON THE DOOM TRAIN!” I Shouted as I climbed on top of the locomotive.

        “I do!” Came a feminine voice from behind me.

        “Well then, first things first, price of admission. Why the hay do you want to kill me.” I asked turning to see the familiar red striped mare.

        “Because why the fuck else, you got a bounty on your head and you are a half decent fighter. In short, you are making things a bit less boring tonight.” The Reaper answered with a laugh.

        “Glad you don't have somepony with artillery here then.” I smiled. “Moonlight, the Ranger of Seamane at your service.” I said with a bow.

        “Rampage, here to stomp your ass until it is paste.” Rampage answered.

        “If it were so easy.” I chuckled as I drew my sword and That Gun. “Let's dance.”

        Rampage charged me and managed to follow my attempt to dodge. I should have known better than to let her get close as she seemed quite adept to hoof to hoof combat, while I was far more in the school of ranged combat and running the fuck away. I swung my sword and caught her hind leg and watched as it did nothing except for smolder.

        “I swear this thing makes what I hit catch on fire!” I cursed as I swung my sword again only to receive a power hoof to my face, I felt something break and warm liquid, likely my own blood, run down my muzzle.

        “You really don't know how to fight in close like this do you?” Rampage prodded as she walked up to me where I was attempting to get to my hooves.

        “No, better at shooting and running away. But, I had to get your attention away from those ponies I found.” I coughed and tasted metal, though I figured that was from a wound on my face over something more serious.

        “Blatant loud heroics get you killed, which is a problem for a pony like you.” Rampage chuckled as she sat down on my back, her armor giving her enough weight to defeat my tired self.

        “I noticed. So now what? Feeling sorry for the pathetic and unskilled Ranger of Seamane?” I asked as I lay there feeling my energy begin to leave me.

        “Don't know yet, figured I would let the train derail with us on it, hell of a way to die I have to say.” Rampage laughed.

        It took a moment for me to remember her apparent immortality.

“Right, immortal, well, this is going to suck.” I sighed as I began working on possible ways out of the situation. The best one was use my magic to toss Rampage towards the head of the engine and then dive off the side myself and hope that I could cover enough ground to lose her.

        “Hey, at least it will be interesting. Mint-al?” Rampage offered, I shook my head.

        “No, but, a buck would be nice, maybe a bit of dash. Hell, give me some whiskey.” I said as I continued to run how to make my escape.

        “Oh shit, is this gold?!” Rampage laughed as she opened my saddlebags. “Damn you had all this on you and yet you fought me? You almost deserve to go to Big Daddy instead.”

        “And if I managed to escape and lose you?” I asked as I readied myself for yet another rough landing.

        “Then I will have to drag you to him.” Rampage chuckled as I smiled, finalizing my plan.

        I swiftly wrapped myself in my own magic clamping shut my saddlebags before standing up using my magic to empower myself. I then with my sudden surge of power tossed Rampage off my back and gave her a solid buck as she began to fall.

        “You better hope you can find me!” I shouted as she flew forward and I grabbed my weapons before leaping off the train.

        I should have looked before leaping, because as it was I just managed to do it at one of the few worst moments. I jumped just as a building was coming up and managed to smash myself pretty well against a wall.

        “Oh fuck my luck.” I whimpered as I lay on the second floor of a long abandoned apartment complex. I had managed to make it through a window, only to go through an internal wall, and manage not to hit a support for the building in doing so.

        I brought up my medical read out to give me a rough idea of how fucked up I had just made my body. While I knew I had broken a good number of bones, I had no clue as to bad it was over all. I closed the medical read out a moment later knowing I probably was stuck unless I had a few good healing potions left. I started to dig out my healing potions to find most were to the point I did not want to risk using. I then happened across one thing I really didn't want to use. Two doses of hydra, I knew they would do exactly what I needed, but, I would be weak for a while. Which if Rampage decided to show up again, would probably mean me being out of luck.

        “Fuck it, she is going to find me either way. Real question is if I can make her take a hint...” I sighed and injected both doses of hydra into myself then took a dose of Buck and a shot of Med-X. I eyed the Dash I had on me, as well as the local flavor of Dash known as Sonic Rainboom. “I am so going to kill myself or worse if I stay in Hoofington much longer.”

        With that I headed out, the double dose of Hydra repairing my body far faster than I had expected it to, the Buck and Med-X doing wonders for shrugging off the pain I had been in. Then I heard a loud and painful crash followed shortly by a sizable explosion.

        “That would be the train... Glad I got off of it when I did. Though a bit earlier would have been helpful” I muttered as I rubbed my still aching chest and headed for Chapel. “Hopefully that will slow her down for now.”

        I clicked on the good DJ Pon3 to see if there was anything I should know about happening. There was, unfortunately, nothing really new going on beyond my train ride.

Footnote: Level Up!

New Perk Added: Intense Training (STR): Through everything the wasteland has thrown at you, you have become stronger. May your new found strength aid you in fighting your foes or just in getting that one stubborn lock open. Also get rid of those damn gold bars, they aren’t doing you any favors.

Skill Note: Medicine 100.