Fallout Equestria: The Ranger of Seamane

Chapter 21: Dead Mares Tell No Tales

“Alright, you can fill me in later.”

“Do you know how much I hate snow?” I muttered as we took shelter inside Mixers, the music and large number of ponies making the place lively and warm. Something I was very much not opposed to at the moment. The music was thrumming and I could only conclude that the mash of sounds was more fitting for somepony hyped up on Dash or Mint-al's, maybe both, probably both.

        I received a press of weight to my side from Rose as she drank down one of the local flavors of alcohol. I had decided to pass on drinking tonight in fear of doing something without forethought, something I was doing frightfully often as of late. We were also in here due to I could have the ballistic mask off, and the bouncer called me a class act. I also gave him some caps for letting us in as well.

        While back in town we had hit up the traders and managed to get me some better barding, though, better barding was in the form of half of a suit of combat barding and half of what remained of some leather barding. As for ammunition, we had managed to get a bit of ammo for my revolvers and a bit for the assault carbine. Apparently while I was away from Flank somepony had bought up all of the ammo for my energy weapons as well as my shotgun. We also managed to find me some new saddlebags. For the time being I had broken down my weapons that I didn't have ammo for as they would just get in my way, same with the custom battle saddle. Unfortunately my landing had also damaged the battle rifle I had gotten in from the Manehattan armory from so long ago and for now was worthless as its firing pin was destroyed. I had stripped off its scope and managed to jury rig the scope onto the assault carbine so at least I still had a way to do long range combat when I flipped the fire selector to single instead of burst.

        “Rose, could you please take it easy on the drugs and drinks.” I whispered into Rose's ear as she took another shot of something. I couldn't tell what all she had done since we got here, all I knew was I at least finally got another solid meal in me and was now properly hydrated again. I was also feeling quite warm and glad to have only worn the duster. I regarded the duster again, the edges of it were frayed and burnt from the explosion and I had to sew up a few patches, I was also sporting a few new scars across my body. Of course I was also feeling the downside of abusing my body both physically and chemically.

        “Relax dear, after all that is just what I am doing.” Rose finally answered as she put a hoof around me and let out a content sigh. “I just wanted to relax after the past couple of days. Hoofington is hell, just as you said.”

        I let out a sigh as I leaned into her, she was right, Hoofington had been hell, and was hell. I was glad we were leaving tomorrow. Upon getting to Flank Ruby had managed to set up an exchange between her and the Society for the gold. I hadn't been part of the talks due to my wanting to continue playing dead for however long I could get away with it. However, I was told we would be handing off the gold at a drop site somewhere. For some reason Ruby was being more hush than usual about this. Then again, I seemed to have a bad habit for things going south around me so I guessed she wanted to minimize that.

        “You're thinking too much again, I can tell when you do that.” Rose chided in her drug and alcohol fueled state. “You should stop and relax with me, or I’ll make you. Well I will later anyways.”

        “Right, relax, it is why we are in Mixers in the first place...” I sighed as Rose rested against me more. I closed my eyes, the music fading away as I let myself calm down.

        I woke up to the distinct lack of music, or other ponies, beyond Rose's quiet breathing over my ear. I opened my eyes to see, well nothing. We were in complete darkness, I blinked a few times then moved to turn on my pipbuck lamp. Instead I received the cool press of a gun's barrel against the side of my head.

        “Well, fuck...” I muttered.

        With that I let my legs rest against the cool floor as I waited for whatever would happen next.

        It took a few minutes and the appearance of some device glowing faintly as well as humming softly before my captor appeared. He was strangely a very plain looking earth stallion with a weathered look. His hair was held back with a dark green bandana. He himself was of brown coat and mane, though slightly different colors. From what I saw on him was loose fatigue with some sort of skintight black suit below. He caught me staring at him and approached after removing a hoof from his right ear.

        “So-” I managed before a bright light was shone in my eyes blinding me, I flailed at the sudden light.

        “You don't get to ask questions. Now sit tight while I finish setting things up.” He commanded, I meekly nodded. It was another few minutes until he returned, my only knowledge of his reappearance the clearing of his throat.

        “You have caught the eye of a good number of parties, and you really seem to lack any subtly in your actions.” The stallion chuckled. “Still, no one seems to know who you are working for… So, who are you working with?”

        I blinked a few times trying to comprehend what was going on.

        “I... Well, I'm not aligned with anypony if that is what you are asking.” I answered, my brain still running slower than I was comfortable with in a situation like this.

        “Really, so you aren't allied with anypony who is working against Red Eye?” He asked, though far more neutral than I expected. “I find that hard to believe, you seem set on changing power structures, but for whose benefit?”

        “Everypony, well except those I have to kill or dethrone.” I answered, the light was starting to give me a dull headache.

        “Really now? That is a rather noble sentiment.” He laughed as I felt a hoof grab my right foreleg.

        “You know that doesn't actually work right?” I chuckled as I assumed he was preparing to try to use pain to make me tell the 'truth'.

        He just gave a soft chuckle as he removed the hoof without hurting me. I felt something sitting in it and saw my dog tags.

        “Okay, so you were looking though my information while you had us knocked out, what is your point?” I asked, then received a punch to the face. “Ow...”

        “Just returning them. No questions unless I say you can ask them.” The stallion replied. “Now then, who are you aiming to take down first?”

        “Slate, he is working with Red Eye, or was at least and is the biggest force poised to change how things are. Stop what is going to cause change soonest then work from there is the plan.” I explained as I put my dog tags back on and gently rubbed where I got hit. “After him, maybe retaking Oakmare, push Red Eye out as much as possible. First his allies, then his forces. Harder to fight when nopony has your back.”

        He just laughed, not at me, but, just laughed jovially. I raised an eyebrow and waited, preferring to not get hit again. I could learn after all, just took me being at a disadvantage, or hit, shot, exploded, stabbed, nearly killed, that sort of thing to do so. I also wasn't going to try any magic, I felt a slight weight around the base of my horn and figured it was a inhibitor, because beyond that this stallion had taken all of the precautions you would for taking someone captive. Funny how I knew what those were now...

        “Well, at least I can give you that you’re smart, though you lack in wisdom. So who are you going to get to back your little revolution?” He asked with a smile that I could barely make out.

        “Anypony I can. I mean so long as you don't do things worse than Red Eye, I don't really have qualms with who I ally with at this time. Then again... I haven't really thought much about it. Why, are you looking to join?” I asked and winched as I anticipated the punch that never came.

        “Well, at least you are flexible, smart mare.” He finally said. “Now then, I noticed you have enough caps to fund a small war, I am guessing you are going to hire mercenaries?”

        “Yes, even if all they end up being for is to keep anyplace from falling.” I let out a sigh realizing how useless mercenaries most likely would be. Most mercenaries by now would be in the employ of Red Eye, the rest wanting to wait it out or stick to something safer. Why would anyone sign onto a contract if they wouldn’t get to spend the reward? “But... Now that I think about it, most likely they would refuse, or are already in contract with somepony else.”

        “If you don't think you can get the pony power for your fight, maybe try something a bit more... asymmetrical.” He offered. “Why not look into Fort Stronghoof, I know you’re planning to go past it, your plans are kind of easy to see after all.”

        I frowned at this. Fort Stronghoof was right next to the Seamane blast zone, then again, I had been within the Manehattan blast zone and was more or less alright still. I winced again as I felt the unpleasant additional feelings the use of Hydra brought with it.

        “Here, take this with you. It should help once you get in.” He said giving me some sort of plastic card. I saw no markings on it, but, in my hooves I could feel the texture of it having pits and falls.

        “Thank you, uh right no questioning you...” I muttered as I slipped the card into a pocket inside of my duster.

        “You learn quick, and you don't forget. Good, then listen to this.” He said then I felt something stick into me, I looked down to see a dart sticking out of my chest. “Don't tell anypony this happened, for your own safety. Nopony would believe you if you did anyways.”

        I felt the darkness take me as my body became heavy.

        I came too and we were back in Mixers, just as we had been before I had passed out.

        “Was all that just a dream?” I whispered to myself checking for the card, to my relief and chagrin I found it just where I had put it. “Great, more ponies using me...”

        “Were you saying something?” Rose asked, waking up as well. I looked around to see things still in full swing.

        “Nothing, just decided to tag on a extra stop in Seamane, Fort Stronghoof. The military fort that was near Ministry walk.” I explained as I let my hoof drop away from my pocket.

        “Isn't that right next to the blast zone?” Rose asked as she stifled a yawn.

        “Yeah, but, if there is any chance of getting some good equipment it would be there.” I explained.

        “Wouldn't everything by now be looted, by ghouls and ponies with too much curiosity?”

        “Maybe, but, I doubt everything, it was a base for the military, I bet there are still some locked doors somewhere within it.” I said, doubting the likelihood, but, I had been not so politely told to go there.

        “Well lets worry about what we find there once we get there. Mean time, how about we head back to our room.” Rose suggested and I gave her a nod.

        Come morning I wasn't well rested, though I was warm. Quickly we had struck out into the wasteland heading towards the Society. The exchange went off without a hitch and we had a mound of caps. Ruby however didn't seem forthwith on what the split would be once we got the caps. I didn't say anything. I was going to wait until we were back to Tenpony, if she wanted to pull anything there she could. At least with Manehattan I had friends, middle of the wasteland would be troublesome if Ruby decided to abandon us. Or shoot me.

        As it was, my death stayed around for only a day out of the Hoof. Apparently Homage thought that would be enough time to get ponies to scatter. She had been wrong, at least when it came to wings of gryphons. Also, she could have waited for until after we passed Fillydelphia. As it was I had to sparingly use my ammo when a fight arose, though this did help in improving my skill with my sword.

        I grappled the gryphon as they made another strafing run, while I was light compared to them I was also not trying to hold weapons in my talons, I had magic for that. As such I got on the back of the gryphon before they knew what was happening and put a round through their skull. I proceeded to grab their wings in my magic and use the momentum of us to take down the gryphon that was currently engaging Foresight. These gryphons were learning our group layout and knew how to counter some of us. Mostly they knew how to keep Foresight from bringing his signature quad machine gun battle saddle into the fight.

        As I slammed into the gryphon I heard the chainsaw knife dig into the corpse I had been riding, the sudden change in momentum as the corpse stopped threw me off and into the snow. I heard through the snow the discharge of Foresight's machine guns and after a few moments I was yanked out of the snow to see a gryphon. I politely burned her face off and kicked her smoking body to the side. I then surveyed the battlefield to find the fight was over now.

        “Good job Moonlight, you just fried the one who betrayed the rest of her wing.” Foresight shouted as he ran up towards me.

        “What good is a gryphon who doesn't respect the contract.” I retorted as I went to looting what I could, I received a swift two legged buck to my side and felt a rib crack as I sailed through the air.

        “You fucking idiot!” He shouted at me. “If you keep killing without looking nopony is going to be left to help you!”

        I slowly got back to my hooves and stared at Foresight as I shook the snow out of my mane. Time stretched out as we stared at one another. He had a point, if I was more focused I could have seen if she was a blue or red mark on E.F.S. However, I never checked. I started to sigh then winced as I felt a pain run through me from my ribs, then I heard the resounding report of a rifle echo off of the snow drifts as I fell over. I saw a shield of magic carrying the colors of Ruby and Rose form as Foresight rushed off and Topaz dragged me to what little cover there was.

        I realized something was off, if a sniper had the time to line up a shot while we stood still, why my chest, why not my head? Why injure me instead of outright kill. Another thing that just didn't add up. Another thing for manipulating us, manipulating me, to what end I had no idea.

        “Shit, I don't know if healing potions will be enough to fix her shoulder.” Topaz rambled as he worked to patch me up.

        “What do you mean fix?” I croaked, noticing now how bad I was feeling, as well as the lack of feeling in my right foreleg. “Why can't I feel my right foreleg?”

        “Because, right now it is hanging on by...” He looked me in the eyes, startled by something. “How are you not out cold?”

        “Your guess is as good as mine.” I answered, my voice far shakier than I expected to hear. “I am guessing large caliber, lot of blood loss and tissue missing.”

        “How... Whatever, if you can think that clearly you can help me fix you up.” Topaz finished, I gave a nod.

        It took a few minutes before we had patched up my shoulder enough to stitch it shut. It had also taken another dose of hydra to get enough tissue to be there to stitch it shut. As things were now I was covered in bandages across my barrel and one around my head to keep the cut on my forehead from bleeding into my eyes. Rose was also carrying me, I wasn't about to walk on a leg that we had just barely managed to save, for now. I also couldn't feel a thing with how much Med-X we had to put in my system.

        “Rose, just think of me as a battle saddle. Point me where to shoot or throw a fireball and I will.” I said, feeling my throat still feeling off.

        “I'll remember that. Do you think you will be able to walk anytime soon?” Rose asked.

        “Doubtful, probably won't be until we are in Tenpony, this is something we need a medical facility for.” I explained not expecting to really even still have my leg after Topaz explained how it looked to me. He had refused to let me turn my head to even see my ruined shoulder. I was also hoping we could keep from having to amputate it as the only place I knew to get a replacement from was Fillydelphia, and that was unfortunately not an option unless I could make up with Red Eye. “I will just be happy if I can feel my hoof tomorrow.”

        “I am just glad you still have it, would be hard to be a hero if you were missing a leg.” Rose sighed, her breath fogging my vision. “How about you let yourself drift off, even if you can still pull a trigger, I rather you rested. I am surprised you didn’t go into shock or bleed out as it was.”

        “Yeah, and that is a good idea. Toss me somewhere safe if anyone starts shooting at us again.” I muttered, glad I couldn't feel the nasty side effects of Hydra within me. “Promise me one thing Rose. If the fighting starts up, make it your top priority to staying alive. If I get caught or captured, well, I seem to be worth more alive than dead so chances are I will find a way to escape, eventually.”

        “Yeah, right... I'll keep that in mind.” Rose muttered as my eyes slid shut.

        I woke up to a great deal of pain in my shoulder, cold along my left side, and the sound of fire crackling. I opened my eyes to see I was laying next to a campfire, across from me was Foresight, looking worse for wear. I closed my eyes again not wanting to see the glare he was giving me.

        “I know you're awake, Moonlight.” Foresight grunted.

        “So?” I asked, the question lingering in the air between us as the fire kept quietly popping as it burned.

        “So, you were right about the gryphon. They value honoring the contract over anything else, if they’re a mercenary, she didn't. I doubt she would have stuck around the past two days. She probably would have taken off with you as soon as she could, offered to carry you or fly you to Tenpony then she would be long gone before we could stop her.” Foresight explained, his voice more flat than usual. “But, my point still stands, you need training to control yourself in combat, you aren't a raider, you aren't a simple psychopath. I also don't think you want to be either.”

        I nodded as I pushed myself back into Rose's warm embrace.

        “Wait, two days? I... I should eat something, badly need to eat something actually” I grimaced as my body realized my brain was working again and could be told needs. I shifted and saw the red stains on the bandages covering my shoulder, I closed my eyes for a moment as the pain washed over me. When I opened my eyes again I was still laying against Rose, but, my body said a bit of time had passed. I checked the time read out to see I had passed out for a while like my body told me.

        “Awake again?” Ruby quietly asked.

        “Yeah, seems turning my neck too far was too much pain for me. Need to eat and drink though.” I mumbled as I dug out food and a syringe of Med-X.

        “Still hurts that much?” Ruby asked, I nodded as I gave myself a shot of Med-X, I sighed in relief as the painkiller kicked in immediately.

        “Better, anything of note while we been going?” I asked before digging into my food.

        “Not much, couple of firefights, Rose has been worried about you. Glad that you had those notes about healing magic, they have been helpful.” Ruby whispered, taking a drink of water as she shifted slightly to put another piece of wood on the now low fire.

        I swallowed my food down, feeling a little worse for having eaten.

        “Hopefully nothing too bad then. Then again Rose probably would get the spells down better than myself. She seems to have a knack for magic.” I mused before digging in again.

        “Not really, and she seems to be okay with it. Not as flexible as you.” Ruby explained. “As for the fights, it has been rough as always. Foresight has been... frustrated since you got hurt, and you were correct, he doesn’t like being wrong.”

        “Heat of the fight makes you stupid.” I said with a twirl of my left hoof then I hung my head. “Ugh, I hate this.”

        “Hm, what?” Ruby asked.

        “Being hurt, uh, more of, I feel useless. I should be fighting with you, not be like your Tenpony passengers.” I laughed.

        “Far from it, they run off, panic, scream, and ruin the seats.” Ruby laughed. “You soak up bullets, slaughter enemies, and carry the world on your shoulders if you have to. You are more like the gold that I had you carry if we are going by cargo we have carried.”

        “Soft, not very reactive, heavy, and to some considered worth more than anything else?” I mused looking at Rose’s sleeping form. “I would agree with the first and last of that.”

        “As would I, though, I think Rose might also say heavy.” Ruby teased as the fresh wood popped some more.

        “Well... yeah, I do tend to carry far too much on me all the time.” I sighed remembering I had lost a fair bit of stuff in the explosion several days ago. “Though a bit less than I was now. I guess that is a good thing as all that extra stuff won't be slowing us down as much as it would have.”

        “Don't worry about it, we're just happy you are still alive. I have to admit, you seem tougher than I would expect, hay you are tougher than when we first met. I mean I saw you after you got blown up, but, seeing it in person. You have come a long, long way from our caravan trip.” Ruby chuckled a smile firmly planted on her face.

        I nodded quietly as I continued eating and drinking, the fire popping quietly as time dragged on.

        “So, any less worried about me turning?” I asked as I finished what food I could stomach.

        “A little, you seem to be paying a little more mind to what is going on around you. Though, not much, but, knowing the problem is the first step.” Ruby commented twirling her hoof, mimicking my own gesture.

        “Hmm... still going to talk to Helping Hoof, well after he does what he can for my leg. I really hope he can fix it.” I bit back as pain lanced through my leg as Rose shifted slightly. “Say, have you managed to keep the wound clean?”

        “Changing bandages every few hours and washing it with medical alcohol. Is that good enough?” Ruby asked.

        “Hopefully... Hopefully I don't have a bum leg from this.” I carefully turned my neck to look at the wound. “Going to be hell of a scar though.”

        “You got that right, will it be an issue that you are healing now. Scar tissue messing with the muscle?” Ruby frowned.

        “Don't know, too tired to think. Maybe, don't know how bad it actually got messed up.” I let out a sigh as I moved my right hoof a little. “Did Foresight get the sniper?”

        “And then some.” Ruby yawned. “You got lucky that they were using armor piercing rounds, hate to see what would be left of you if they used hollow points. Apparently they thought you would be better armored.”

        “Ha! Well just my luck my armor got destroyed and that some how ends up saving my life.” I chuckled. “My luck, it is something else isn't it?”

        “Yeah, it is. But, hey, when you luck runs out you seem to just make your own.” Ruby chuckled as the wood popped more. The time continued to stretch on as I lay there slowly becoming aware of the fact we were resting in a cave of some sort. I let out a content sigh and smiled softly as I lay against Rose and let myself slip into sleep.

        I woke up to ashes. I shuddered in the cold as I lay somewhere I didn't anticipate waking up at.

        The Manehattan Balefire Crater.

        I listened to my pipbuck clicking angrily and felt a great sensation of wrongness wash over me. As the feeling washed over me it felt the wound to my shoulder was crawling and full of something wiggling. I cried out in agony as I felt blood spill out of my shoulder and looked at it to see something that would never leave my mind.

The wound of my shoulder had turned into a fanged mouth with a eye imbedded in it.

 I grabbed the knife strapped to my right foreleg in my mouth and began the painful and horrific process of cutting out the mutated flesh of my shoulder wound. As I did I fought against the fact I could feel the pain, and see through the eye itself. The mutated flesh wasn't a separate life form, it was me.

        I woke again, my shoulder mostly healed now, I pulled out a RadAway and sucked it down.

        “Well, I guess considering my state as a mutant this was a better call than magic.” I muttered as I examined the patch of missing coat on my shoulder. “Creative, though risky... They must be set up somewhere to keep an eye over me.”

        I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath of the cool air.

        “Well now, what do I have with me?” I asked aloud as I checked over myself, then remembering my pipbuck brought up the inventory manager.

        I only got a moment of overview before I rolled and spun to face the approaching hoof steps. To my amazement, it wasn't anypony I knew, nor did they have any weapons drawn.

        “What are you doing here, this crater is only for mutants and abominations.” I hissed, the tag of the pony staying blue.

        “Nothing of your concern. Now leave before you draw the attention of something.” The pony said as they walked by me in a radiation suit.

        I blinked, I was of no concern? I laughed and walked the opposite direction that the pony was going.

        “Just be careful, alicorns and ghouls love this place.” I called back as I walked towards the nearest building.

        “Why do you think I am here.” Is all he said as I made my way out of the crater. I chuckled as I did, then I realized something that bothered me.

        As I entered the building I took stock of my inventory. It wasn't much, I had my knife on my right foreleg, I had a belt of ammo on me, and This Gun. I looked myself over to find I had some additional patches of coat missing.

        “They wouldn't have left me out here on my own with just this...” I muttered to myself quickly checking for more bars on my E.F.S. I saw nothing. “Dammit, I probably should have some memory of what was going on. Maybe being so hurt put too much strain on me to remember..”

        I began scavenging for anything of use in the ruined building only to turn up a lab coat. I frowned as I looked at it, I didn't know what this place had been pre war, but, it had been some sort of scientific or medical angle. If it was medical I probably could find some supplies, if it was scientific... Well I could probably get some caps from the junk here. I heard something shift and drew This Gun and slide behind a desk.

        I waited, standing tense, This Gun floating silently next to me ready to fire as time dragged on. However, no further sound or markings of presence came. I moved This Gun to my mouth just in case. I had too many times been jumped now to let down my guard while alone. Not when I was thinking clearly at least.

        'Just jumpy I guess, then again, wasteland paranoia has kept us alive so far, when we aren't some how berserking through foes.' I thought to myself as I continued to check each desk, a few caps were my reward as well as a old sparkle cola, kept cool by the cold weather. The drink was refreshing and made me realize how dehydrated I must have been. When I came to an open floor I grabbed some snow in the now empty sparkle cola bottle and heated it for some warm water.

        'Still, something feels off about this. I have been moving slowly on purpose. Why wouldn't they have found me by now. Rose has my tag and...' I checked the date, 'they should be in town as well. Maybe they didn't drop me here after talking to Helping Hoof. Something must have happened'

        Eventually I finished tossing the place and sat on the roof getting my bearings, while I didn't need to thanks to the map and navigation functions of my pipbuck it still was a good and old habit to have. I saw a nearby streak of smoke and decided that was where I would go for now. Fire usually meant life of things that weren't natural predators. Then again, it could be raiders, but, fire would be nice and warm, even if the decorations were unsettling, and I had to kill the current tenants.

        I walked calmly through the streets of Manehattan, the snow not bothering me as much as it had last time. I was fortunate to have the lab coat, though, it wasn't very water resistant, thankfully, it was snowing, not raining. As with my first trip through Manehattan the cold was keeping most ponies indoors and thus away from me. The lack of shooting at me made it so that it took no time to get to my targeted building and I found it easy to get into. After a bit of exploring I found that the fire had been one that was built hours ago for someone trying to warm up before moving along.

        I picked through the building and stopped when I saw something familiar. I sat on my haunches as my heart started to race. This building was the one I had been held in, that I had...

        “Calm down Moonlight...” I whispered to myself.

        I kept an eye on my E.F.S. as I walked though this place again. Often I stopped and shuddered remembering things that had happened. However, my anger didn't spike, no, something worse, I often broke down crying. I had wanted to trash this place, burn it to the ground, blast its supports and topple the building. I didn't want to be at the mercy of a place. I could handle a pony having control of a situation over myself, because I could, with work, change that. A place holding power over me, a thing using my own memories against me... it wasn't fair.

        I let out a half laugh half sob. “Of course it isn't fair, that is why we want to change the wasteland.”

        I continued wandering through the building, wincing where I recognized spots. I also got to see the true aftermath of my rescue. The bodies weren't here anymore, but, the bullet holes and blood stains remained. Finally I came to the closet I had been held in. I just sat in it, quietly remembering all that happened. Then I heard something take a step onto the floor I was on. With that I attempted to banish my emotions, or at least seal them away behind a door for later. From there I focused my thoughts and I slide into cover, my heart racing, remembering what these walls had witnessed, the eerie similarity of the sound of the steps coming closer to what I had heard so many times before. I pulled out This Gun, the rational part of me reminding me that this place no longer held my former captors, and that, whoever or whatever this was I had to find out before I shot.

        I leaned around the corner in time to see a gryphon looking the other way.

        “Freeze, I have you in my sights.” I ordered, my voice hard as the concrete around us.

        “Hey, I’m just looking for a place to get out of the cold. I can spare some food if you will let me stay.” She replied, not moving other than to sit and put her talons clearly in the air for me to see, still facing away from me.

        “The rest of your wing?” I asked, remembering gryphons generally stuck in squads.

        “Don't have one.” She replied, unmoving and being a good captive.

        “Besides getting out of the cold, what is a lone gryphon doing here?” I pressed as I took a few steps closer.

        “Was coming back from Arbu, they have some good meat down there and I can easily trade with them. They tend to not shoot first.” She replied as I relaxed.

        “Alright then, what weapons do you have on you and where.” I asked as I stood as close as I felt comfortable being to her. She started to laugh.

        “I think it would take a while. How about you just relax, plus everything I have on me would blow us both up at this range.” She chuckled and I winced at the idea she had only explosives on her.

        “I think that is a bit foolish, to only go around with explosives. Shouldn't you have, you know, something for fighting inside?” I asked as we kept our distance from one another, more than I initially had due to her seeming love of explosives, which once I saw her from the front I could see was frightening. “Do you have any tactical grenades?”

        “A few, good tactic is smoke or stun, back up, and blast, that or,” She spread her wings and smiled.

        “Not a half bad plan, though, problematic if you get cornered while underground.” I teased as the tension in me eased a little closing my eyes for a moment.

        “You're far too much of a trusting pony.” She laughed.

        “What do you-” I opened my eyes to see the gryphon was inches away with her talons next to my throat. “Oh... Please tell me you are just trying to prove a point.”

        “I am.” She chuckled and offered her talon to me.

        “Moonlight.” I said as I set my hoof gently in her talon, she shook without digging into my skin.

        “You really are far too trusting.” She laughed as she sat and I fanned the fire with my magic. “I know of you, and now I know who you are.”

        “Thinking of the price on my head? Do you really want to see why it is still on my head?” I laughed darkly as the fire turned blue.

        “No, if I wanted to retire maybe, still, no, I am not going to try. I have better things to do than die.” She yawned, I blinked as she did.

        “To be honest, I really didn't expect that. Wait, do you have a contract?” I asked a thought coming to mind.

        “No, and by principle I don't do contracts, don't want to get tied down. Too often they require you to keep moving on instead of looting some place, or spending time in a interesting prewar facility.” She smiled at me. “Why, you wanted to hire me?”

        “As well as to get an idea as to what kind of... person you are.” I said.

        “Well you know my enjoyment of explosives. You got to see how silent I can be with not noticing my putting my talons to your throat.” She smiled, almost warmly, gryphons were hard to properly read.

        “Well, what do you like to do with your free time, seeing as you are not contract bound?” I asked as she offered me some meat, I took it and ate it without thinking. “This doesn't taste like anything I have had before.”

        “Rad-gator, or something like that. For what I like to do, scavenge, look for intact prewar facilities. Have a decent knack at handling what is in them.” She grinned as she drew out a grey brown block of something.

        “So you’re good at picking locks as well. That would make sense, gryphons have some dexterity with their talons after all.” I said before looking at the block she took out closer.

        “Or, you can just carefully blast them open.” She chuckled as she placed the plastic explosives in her bags.

        “Carefully being the keyword.” I muttered.

        “Well yeah, don't want to blow up what you're stealing, or a talon.” She said with a wave of her right hand.

        “Hmm... Well though you don't go for contracts, how about a offer of travel companions who will possibly take you to a few interesting places?” I offered with a smile, she would be useful with dealing with Fort Stronghoof as well as Ministry Row.

        “What sort of interesting places?” She asked, her features showing I peaked her interests.

        “Fort Stronghoof, and Ministry Row in Seamane.” I explained. “Probably a good number of doors left unopened thanks to the radiation and now the gangs.”

        “Radiation is for wimps, gangs are easy to take care of from the air.” She laughed. “I guess it couldn't hurt to tag along, just know, if I get bored I will take off without any warning.”

        “Hey, I was just offering a chance to go somewhere different with some ponies who will watch your back.” I smiled offering a hoof to her, she took it and shook firmly.

        “Not everyday I get the offer to loot ministry facilities and a fort. Anabel is the name.” Anabel smiled.

        “Well then, hate to impose something on my new traveling companion, but, do you think that you could fly me to Tenpony? The rest of our companions should be there, and I still need some more medical help.” I explained, I looked her over to see she should be strong enough of a flier to do it.

        “Maybe, remember though, relations with companions is a two way street. Not just caps, but, favors, trust, and security.” Anabel explained as she eyed me.

        “What do you have in mind?” I asked, suddenly feeling uncomfortable, my mind conjuring up things I wished it wouldn't, things relating to this place.

        “Give me your pipbuck.” She finally said, I blinked in absolute confusion.

        “I don't have the tools to take it off at the moment, but, fine. Once we get to Colt I will give it to you. My tools are all back there.” I explained, she nodded.

        “Alright, get on my back.” Anabel said as she lay low on the floor.

        “I'll keep an eye out for any would be attackers.” I said as I climbed onto her back, looping a strap over my right hoof. “Just be quick, and I will pay you back for the entry fee.”

        “Just no messing with my bags, I don't think either of us want to experience a balefire egg going off.” Anabel laughed.

        My coat stood up on end as I carefully adjusted myself on her back.

        “Why are you carrying a balefire egg?” I asked as Anabel stood and began to make her way to one of the open levels.

        “Just in case, you never know when you will need a little extra punch.” Anabel laughed.

        “I hate to see what something needing a little extra punch is in your opinion, given your love of explosives.” I retorted as she pulled us into the air with her strong wings.

        “Thankfully, I haven't seen anything needing one yet, still, I keep it and my launcher for it around. Because, you never know what monstrosity you might find. I think you might know that better than I do given the worn look you have about you.” Anabel called back as the wind started to whip up as she sped up.

        I checked my pipbuck for Rose's tag to only find the data for her tag was completely erased.

        “Something happened, and I feel like I am being played by somepony.” I muttered to myself as I marked Tenpony on my map having a navigation marker pop up in my vision. It was unnecessary as we would be there in minutes, but, I had learned the hard way, never leave navigation up to chance.

        “What do you mean being played by somepony?” Anabel asked as she banked between a few larger buildings.

        “The data for my marefriend's pipbuck has been erased from my pipbuck. Hell, waking up in the crater with barely any supplies feels planned.” I answered as Anabel slowed down. “I’m also missing the past few days of my memory, either I was comatose or they were removed.”

        “Well you were going to Tenpony right? Hopefully they just went on ahead of you and somehow this was planned.” Anabel offered as she brought us down outside the entrance of Tenpony.

        “Hopefully, worst case I use a few friends I have here to find them.” I stated as I hopped off her back and headed to the door. “Like I said earlier, going to need to borrow some caps to get us in.”

        “Right,” Anabel said and handed me her bag of caps. “Here you go.”

        It didn't take long to get inside, and once in I made my way straight to Helping Hoof. If they had gotten here, or we had made some plans while here I figured he would know. One thing I did like was the lack of anypony giving me or Anabel odd looks. I had been a tiny bit worried that a gryphon would draw unwanted attention or possibly hostility. Instead I realized the tendency for gryphons to follow strict rules and laws would make them trustable in the eyes of Tenpony. Made sense to me after all, who would want to let something in that was unpredictable.

        “Hey Helping Hoof, think you could lend me some help, I can work off the cost by helping around here until Rose shows up.” I asked as I walked into the clinic. I paused at what I saw, Tenpony security was here and pointing guns at me. “I'll just come again later...” I said as I started to back up.

        “This is not much of a warm welcome, Moonlight.” Anabel whispered to me as we backed up, she suddenly stopped and I backed into her chest.

        “Stay right there you two.” I heard one of the security ponies command. “Detain the unicorn, keep an eye on the gryphon.”

        “Anabel, while this is going on, see if you can get in touch with Homage, top floor, she has access to the MASEBS systems. Tell her I sent you.” I whispered. “I surrender, I will comply with your orders.”

        “Alright, have to admit, already far more exciting than usual.” Anabel said as she sat down and held her talons in the air as security came for me.

        “Welcome to my party.” I laughed. “It is always more exciting than it should be.”

        A while later Helping Hoof finished talking to me, while I sat behind bars in security. Apparently during my missing days I had become more unstable and Ruby had ended up having me sedated and rushed here. Once here they did what they could, wiped some memories, and apparently had to cut out some nasty things from my insides. Once they had gotten me more stable, which apparently had required a fair bit of work, they realized the only way to properly get me healed quickly was the crater. I apparently decided to do something rather stupid and irradiated myself then teleported myself to the crater. Which explained why I had what I had. The lack of Rose's data and the fire in that building was a plan devised to test how sane I was afterwords. Apparently I didn't trust even myself while I had been sane.

        “So I teleported from here, all the way out to the crater?” I asked, still astounded by the fact I could even pull off such a feat, Helping Hoof just nodded. “Damn, well, whatever all we did it seems to have worked. Though it wasn't fun going back there...”

        “I understand, but, you marked what building to put the fire in, I don't think you knew then that it was the same one. You just said that it was in a good place that at very least was warmer than the rest of the neighboring ruins.” Helping Hoof explained. “I am glad that your shoulder healed as well as it did, though, I need to do some tests on you after your mention of that mutation you had sprouted.”

        I shuddered as I remembered waking up to my most recent mutation. “It would be a good idea, rather not start randomly spawning teeth and eyes all over. I am guessing I also performed a memory spell after I teleported, it is the only reason I would have such a clean cut gap in my memory.” I posited and Helping Hoof nodded as well. “I was really that unstable when we got here?”

        “Foresight had to keep close with a powerhoof. He did have to use it a few times on you. Though it is not the way I prefer to keep control of my patients, it was the only option to keep you under control by the time you got here. Giving you more sedatives would have most likely killed you.” Helping Hoof replied. “As it is, it seems your regenerative abilities are slowly growing. I don't know the cause of this unless you keep exposing yourself to some source of taint.”

        I frowned thinking about what all I had encountered that might have held taint in it. “Does Hydra have taint in it?”

        “A fair bit, I am guessing you had to use some while in Hoofington.” Helping Hoof asked, I just nodded. “That then would likely be the cause, do what you can to avoid using it in the future. While you can regenerate after becoming heavily irradiated, the Hydra still is damaging your natural healing as well as giving you further random mutations from taint exposure.”

        “Well, good thing I am not going back to Hoofington for a long time if I can help it. Outside of there I don't have to worry about running through my healing potions so quickly.” I said with a sigh. “So what now, Doc?”

        “Now, you get some rest. We are going to have you held here overnight for observation. After that the final decision on how to proceed will be made.” Helping Hoof explained. “Sorry, but, you are a bit too dangerous when you get manic to let loose on Tenpony unsupervised or supervised for that matter.”

        “Alright, hopefully see you in the morning.” I replied before letting out a yawn. I watched him go as my mind duly noted that most likely far more had happened in those few days before we got to Tenpony that caused massive worry. For the needed use of power hooves to keep me in check, that was something else.

        I lay on the 'bed' that was within my cell and chuckled slightly remembering how the situation was similar to when I went to Friendship City. Though, there I had known what was going on from the moment I walked in the doors of the place. As it was, I was just glad to be back somewhere remotely safe. Tenpony most likely wouldn't sell me out to Red Eye, their laws opposing his slavery and banditry. Still though even with whatever we had done to try to stem my violent streak it in all likelihood hadn't stuck thanks to the memory erasing. Then again, I wasn't an expert in that field so who knows maybe memory spells just block your ability to recall it. Whatever the case was, I was safe, warm, and mostly healed. I guessed that for now time was what would have to heal the rest of my physical wounds, my psychological ones might heal eventually.

        I let out another sigh as I closed my eyes thinking back to what was to come next. We would probably soon be headed back to Colt, once there we would part ways with Ruby and Topaz at least. Foresight would probably be heading with us into the Unbound and Anabel would be as well if she stuck with us. I had a feeling it was more likely that Foresight would leave my company. Whatever had happened had ended up putting me on his bad side. Or, maybe, he would keep with us, but, avoid talking to me as much as possible.

        I frowned as I realized I might have a conflict of interests within my little party that I had formed. Foresight was a Steel Ranger, somepony who would try to grab every bit of prewar tech not nailed down and seal it away in some vault. At least that was my assumption of what the furthest he would go to being. On the other hoof I had a freelance gryphon who admittedly loved pre war technology and had a taste for exploding things. In a fight between the two I would wager that Anabel would win, seeing as five point fifty six rounds didn't kill somepony as fast as a balefire egg or a rocket to the face.

        “Hopefully it won't come to that.” I muttered to the quiet detainment room. “I also hope Anabel has gotten in touch with Rose, best they start getting to know one another as quickly as possible...”

        I tapped away through the various files recorded on my pipbuck to kill time, I was unfortunately not very tired. This also meant I was quickly getting bored with waiting for morning. So searching through my files I went to see if there was anything of interest. Sadly there really wasn't anything useful. With I sigh I dropped my left foreleg back onto the bed that I was laying on. Soon everything on my pipbuck would be Anabel's and useless to me. She would probably learn about stable twenty three, though, I hoped she would decide not to try to dig up the place. Hopefully she would ask me about it first before trying to find it.

        I rested my muzzle on my crossed forelegs as my thoughts turned back to Seamane. We would be going through the Unbound with hopefully Foresight and Anabel in tow. The high explosives and high volume of weapon fire from the two would hopefully cut through any native wildlife we encountered. I was also going to let my companions pull us off in whatever direction they wanted to go once the tower was dealt with. I kind of didn't want to go into Fort Stronghoof that quickly. There was a reason why that stallion gave me a key to the place and told me to open long shut doors. If he and whoever he was working with hadn't done it themselves by now I could only imagine that there was something bad locked away there. Why send someone else to open a door you wanted open unless you knew what was on the other side.

        Or maybe I was simply overthinking things and they wanted me to have what was there due to my goal of shifting the powers in play around the region benefited them. Once again, it looked like somepony was using me as a pawn in their game.

        “When do I get to become a player instead of a piece.” I muttered as I started to scowl. “Always somepony is using me as a piece in their plans, their operations. I am not a pawn. Or am I?”

        I stopped at that thought. A pawn was something numerous and weak, yet vital and could become the most powerful piece on the board if ignored. Though I failed at being ignored at the moment it seemed those who counted me as their pawn had yet to let me get taken out. I frowned again as I realized the chess metaphor broke down horribly due to the large number of players in this game. A two player game for a metaphor just simply didn't cut it. However, it still more or less fit. Then again I felt maybe my earlier thoughts of this as a massive card game was right, though now I felt I hadn't a clue what the right metaphor was. Too many players, too many unknowns, too little information, too little to call my own. No allies, only those making use of us, no not of us, of me. I had my friends, companions, and acquaintances who would do what I asked so long as it wasn't too much, but, unlike those I was against I had no sort of true force. I was just a loud disruption, a eye sore, a bloatsprite in the middle of hellhound territory. I could sting and annoy, I couldn't kill or topple, I could fly and distract, keep out of reach and slowly chip away, but, eventually something would get me or I would get careless.

        I knew I couldn't afford to be careless, carelessness is what caused my troubles in Hoofington, it caused me to walk into a minefield. Carelessness caused me to have this warped horn of mine, to have almost cost me my magic for good. Carelessness caused me to go through Canterlot instead of following the right set of tracks to New Appleloosa. I was quite simply been careless and it had cost me sanity, looks, and many times a great deal of my blood.

        Carelessness was not a virtue though, it was just an aspect of who I was.

        Too trusting of others, a branch of carelessness that would cause more problems if I kept it.

        I had to be relentless, unwavering, and persistent if I wanted to stay alive and accomplish anything. I had to remember not to be reckless, to be cold and calculating. While maintaining courage to do what was needed and right, to deal out justice to those who violate the basic laws of life. But, I had to be careful in doing so, not to stir up further forces that could remove me from the board, or subvert me.

        “I kind of wish I wasn't so smart, then I wouldn't have to tangle with thinking about all this stuff.” I sighed feeling a depressive mood fall over me. “Oh well, somepony would end up dealing with it and I would probably feel guilty that I couldn't handle it on my own.”

        It was true it would be nice not having to worry about all that stuff, but, it was far too late for that. Maybe if I hadn't had my head up in the clouds and made a declaration of war upon Red Eye and his faction I could just skirt around the whole thing and have a easier life. Then again, what would the point of a easier life be? Go and have 'fun' adventures through the wasteland with friends, digging into prewar facilities, running from slavers, kicking the flank of raiders and gangs from here to the moon? Yeah that would have been fun, uncovering old world mysteries and ignoring the plight of the world. But, the wasteland always wants attention and would eventually get us. No it was better to do this now, to stand up and fight the wasteland toe to toe. Call it out and bring it low. If nopony ever fought it what would be the point of random adventuring, the world wouldn't be any better.

        “Or maybe that is just the part of me that wants justice just can't see the simple fun of it all being worthwhile in the end.” I sighed as I rolled onto my back and stretched out. “Or maybe I am just too self conscious about things to just cut loose and have fun to that extent.”

        I frowned as I remembered what had caused this all, that simple little encounter with a slaver in the depths of Saint Clover. From there I had been kicked out to maintain order within the Saint Clover.

        “Maintain order. Maintain order of being passive consumers, letting those who don't have the luxury of the walls of Saint Clover to protect them worry about the wastelands threats. Whoever made the call can't just be trying to keep everypony in Saint Clover passive to the world, unless they quietly have sided with Red Eye...” I bit my lip to suppress another frustrated sigh. “So what, everypony in control of forces in Seamane are all siding with Red Eye? The slavers of Oakmare, Slate and his Hydra's, so what about the gangs. Would they support Red Eye, or would they fight him?”

        I grimaced at the idea of what I might have to do to gain the trust of the gangs of Seamane.

        “Well I did say that anypony who isn't like Red Eye or worse I would ally with...” I muttered. “Guess I have more work to do once we hit that last tower in Seamane...”

        I gazed at the ceiling of my cell, at the place where a light fixture once had been, though, now removed for obvious reasons.

        “Who should I try to talk to first then?” I asked aloud pondering who of the gangs would be most approachable with the idea of a alliance. “Though, I doubt it is going to be easy, after all I have no large force that they can see coming to their aid in the time of their need. This is going to get messy.”

        With that I closed my eyes trying to sleep or at least meditate.

        Footnote: Experience to next level at 36%