Fallout Equestria: The Ranger of Seamane

Chapter 28 – Buried Past

“Somethings are best left buried.”

        I woke up to Rose laying atop of me, and she was nibbling on my ear. It wasn't a bad way to wake up compared to the past few days. Yesterday Foresight had spent most of the day flipping through cameras and doing something with his pipbuck. Anabel for her part had been doing pretty much the same thing. Rose and myself made ourselves scarce and enjoyed the down time in a warm and secure place. As such I had taken my time making a list of every spare part I could take from here, fixing up everyone's gear, and getting rather coated in grease, dust, my own blood, and rust.

        For the most part I was working on making weapon repair kits as well as armor repair kits. After all we, or rather I, ran through armor rather quickly and needed to patch up my equipment fairly frequently. I also was making a kit of replacement parts for the turrets so Anabel could quickly repair them if they got damaged in a fight. To do that I had to do a lot of stripping down of the turrets I had shut down or destroyed to get to the valuable and rare targeting talismans. Also I now could change them to using nine millimeter rounds instead of ten millimeter rounds which was good as we now had a rather large supply of nine's.

        I was sewing up a few holes as well as putting in a Kevlar lining into my lab coat when the intercom began to beep. I blinked at it in confusion a few times before I got up and answered it.

        “Hello?” I asked before realizing it was likely Foresight calling to let me know they were starting the briefing soon. “How long.”

        “Fifteen minutes, Foresight figured it would be best to give you a bit of time to put away whatever you were working on.” Anabel replied.

        “Alright, be up there in a little bit.” I said before turning to pack up my coat and sewing supplies so I could work on it while the briefing was going.

        After getting washed up I had headed up to broadcasting where Foresight had told us to meet up in the morning before I headed down to the maintenance level. Upon my arrival I discovered that he had found several chalk boards and pieces of chalk. I was impressed with the detail he managed of some facilities blueprints with just his mouth to draw. I then facehoofed at the realization he probably had Anabel draw for him since she was holding the chalk. I also yelped in pain as I landed against a wall from the force of my powerhoof assisted facehoof.

        “Wrong hoof.” Anabel said dryly without even looking at me.

        “I'm still getting used to it.” I muttered as I go back to my hooves and climbed out of the dent in the wall.

        “Are you alight?” Rose called out from where she was seated on a swiveling chair, swiveling.

        “Yeah, I'm just fine, I only put a dent in the wall.” I coughed as I got to my hooves and walked into the broadcasting room.

        “Good, because this is going to take a while and if you are concussed during it... Well I hate wasting my breath.” Foresight explained as he got out a collapsible pointer stick from somewhere.

        Rose turned a swivel chair next to her for me and motioned me over to take a seat with her. I did and waited for Foresight to begin his briefing. As I waited I pulled out my sewing supplies as well as my coat and Kevlar lining for it and began the process of sewing in the rest of it. Foresight didn't seem to mind as I did have a clipboard on hoof with paper so I could write down notes.

        “Alright, first some background on the facility we are going to be breaking into.” Foresight said as Anabel moved a chalkboard in front of the others. “This facility was left alone for a hundred and eighty years and relatively intact when I first visited it. The second time I visited it the place ended up in it's present state.”

        At this Anabel changed chalkboards to reflect sever damage to the facilities floors. From the looks of it this was just a interpretation of what they could see being damaged from the camera's and not Foresight's pipbuck automap function.

        “This damage was the result of a fight between Steel Rangers and the things that inhabited the facility.” Foresight explained. “It cost the lives of a lot of Rangers.”

        I nodded as he pointed to one monitor that was still on and showed the outside of the underground facility where there were bodies of Rangers in their damaged power armor laying in view on one of the lower floors.

        “Because of the lose of life we retreated back to our citadel, unfortunately while we were attempting to secure this facility something had caused our Elder to have our citadel locked down.” Foresight continued. “Due to this we could not return and with the majority of our forces dead thanks to the assault on the facility we were not in shape to set ourselves up anywhere.”

        I raised a hoof and Foresight took note of me doing so. “Yes, Moonlight?”

        “Okay, so then this is about securing the facility or what? I mean that is nice to hear why you are out here, but, wouldn't it be more prudent to break into your former citadel?” I asked.

        He just looked at me and nodded. “That is the second stage of my proposed operation. First we go back into that facility so we can acquire some resources that we will need. Most of it is stuff I doubt we could ever buy or survived outside of sheltered and remote research facilities like this one.”

        “Alright, continue.” I said as I set my hoof down on the table.

        “So entry to this facility will not be difficult, we can go in through the roof as it was explosively removed twenty years ago.” Foresight explained as he turned back to the chalkboards. “Once we get near this place we will have to be as quiet and low profile as possible. Once inside the destruction should allow us more freedom to move into the lower levels that I couldn't access when scouting the place.”

        That made sense, it was kind of easy to get past security doors when the wall next to them had a huge hole in it.

        “What was encountered before by my fellow Steel Rangers were hardened sentry bots, however with our military ID's we were able to bypass those at first. Then something, I am still uncertain as of what it was to this day, triggered them to attack us as well as activating all of the security systems that had been in standby mode. In order to exit we had to blow the roof.” Foresight continued as the monitor showed some rather nasty looking turrets and beefed up sentry bots inside the remains of the facility.

        “Unfortunately I don't know how big the place its beyond what we can see with the camera's.” Foresight concluded.

        “Okay, so we are breaking in to this facility to grab some items. Can we have a explanation of the items we need so at very least if we see them we know to grab them?” I asked as I finished sewing in the Kevlar to the coat tails of the lab coat.

        “Right, what we are after is,” Foresight started before Anabel changed the chalkboards for him, “is this.”

        The chalkboard showed some sort of drill.

        “And the purpose of that is?” I asked wondering why we would need a drill when we could easily blast through a wall.

        “It is silent so it won't alert anyone we are breaking in, as well as a explosion would trigger security and probably cause everypony inside the Citadel to think a earthquake was hitting them. Or possibly make them think something is attempting to force its way in to kill them or loot the place.” Foresight replied.

        “Okay, so why do we have to break into your old Citadel.” I asked wondering why we needed to break into a place that was locked down for the past twenty years.

        “Because for the past three years they have put out a distress signal, we couldn't open the front door. Two months ago the signal went dead.” Foresight explained. “If they are all dead I need to know.”

        “This is about closure.” I said looking at Foresight.

        “To a degree, as well as procedure.” Foresight replied. “The Steel Rangers here were never disbanded, there are a good number of us scattered about the region divided into teams, for the most part.”

        “Except for you, let me guess, acting Star Paladin?” I asked.

        “Yes, and if things have gone how I expect they have within the Citadel... I will be the Elder of the Steel Rangers in this part of Equestria. However, a change like this would likely force my hand into dispatching the remaining Rangers to reinforce other chapters out there instead of getting our forces bolstered. I would have to officially, or at least effectively, disband this chapter.” Foresight explained.

        “So... what are you going to do, wouldn't it be better to not do this and keep those who are still under your command under your command?” I asked, wondering if this was out of pride or pressure.

        “There isn't a option not to do this. I met with the heads of several chapters of Steel Rangers about this thanks to our trip North, they will not aid us, so it is up to me to prove my chapter is worthy of continuing. However...” He trailed off looking frustrated.

        “However, they will take your Rangers away no matter what the outcome is.” I finished for him.

        “Correct, they gave me a deadline. One way or another the Steel Rangers of Seamane are done for. It is just a question now of what will happen to me.” Foresight said looking at me.

        “So this is out of honor.” I asked looking at him.

        “If I can pull this off at very least I will retain some autonomy and buy some time to keep my Rangers from dispersing to the other chapters.” Foresight said. “And the other chapters need them, more than they let on.”

        “Genetics?” I asked.

        “Exactly, the Steel Rangers aren't the most open organization as you all probably already know. We recruit internally, well more of everyone born from a Steel Ranger is expected and forced to be a Steel Ranger. Some become Scribes some become Knights. However, just like stables we have a small genetic pool from each chapter due to being isolated for so long. Now that most chapters have come to the surface we have begun exchanges to prevent further genetic problems.” Foresight explained.

        “And since the remnants of the Rangers of Seamane are so small it is more reasonable to break them up and send them to other chapters to bolster their genetic stock instead of the other way around. You have too few for a proper rotation of Rangers.” I concluded.

        “Correct, no matter what my chapter is done for. So it comes down to what will be done with a acting Star Paladin. If I find that the Citadel is dead there is a chance in a few years I will be made Elder recognized by the rest of the chapters and allowed to reform the Steel Rangers here. When I do anypony from the other chapters will be free to join me. I would get my Rangers back, my friends.” Foresight continued on. “So that is why we need to do this, or I need to do this.”

        “Count us in.” I said, Rose nodding in agreement. “I am going to be blunt as to why. If you have your own army in a few years it will give me another ally in Seamane, a very well armed and trained ally. While it may mean you can't be with us on adventures and missions, it is better to have an army than a single well trained soldier, no matter how good they are, it is easier to replace a squad of half decently trained ponies than it is to replace a super soldier.”

        “At least you are upfront with wanting to use me later.” Foresight laughed.

        “Somepony else used you and your Rangers before?” I asked looking at him, curious now.

        “Yes, you know him well enough to know he is a bit of a snake.” Foresight sighed. “Aegis.”

        “Really, let me guess, he made a gambit to get his own mercenary force through aiding you when your Citadel got locked down right after most of your Ranger's were lost.” I said.

        “Yeah, that isn't all of it though. He broke them into teams, you met one of them, Nobel Team.” Foresight said as he put away the pointer. “He made certain to keep me from being with anyone to prevent them from bonding more with me. He also has made certain to keep all of them alive, so I am thankful to him for that, but, he is running of more the region than he shows.”

        “So he is one of the players in this game for Seamane...” I muttered. “He is using me and it would seem you as well. Though to what end I would guess to be that of cementing an alliance with those who would be in power if they succeeded at changing the status quo.”

        “At least he has faith in us having a chance at succeeding.” Foresight said as he cracked a smile.

        “Or is hedging his bets, that or the loss of Oakmare screwed things up more than we thought it did for him.” I said with the wave of my hoof.

        “Whatever the case, he pretty much has you, your father, and myself in his pocket for the time being. Lets hope that he doesn't plan to screw us over later.” Foresight said as he looked back at the layout for the facility he had on the chalkboard.

        “Yeah, but, I think if we pull off your mission we will have a good number of loyal rangers to back us up.” I smiled.

        “I believe so too, as well as likely the support of other chapters, so long as there is incentive to aid us.” Foresight said now sitting at the makeshift briefing table.

        “Alright, now, for this facility, you said you scouted it before, what did you find the first time?” I asked wanting to pull away from far future planning and focus on the present.

        “Well, I made it through the first two levels of the place, again, military ID gave me a good bit of access. Most of the place's data seemed to have been wiped clean, I did find a few audio logs and physical notes left behind, letters half finished and such.” Foresight explained. “They were dated a few days after the end had come.”

        “Interesting, anything of particular note?” I asked.

        “Two things; first, Seamane apparently didn't get hit until a day after everywhere else; second, something called Operation: Stardust. Operation: Stardust apparently is why everything was wiped clean.” Foresight explained as I frowned.

        “Stardust, wasn't that the name of the Governor-General of Seamane?” I asked.

        “Indeed it is.” Foresight replied. “We seem to have stumbled into a two century old mystery haven't we?”

        I nodded as I pulled out the keycard I was given in Hoofington. “I am betting this is going to lead us to more answers as well when we get to Fort Stonehoof.”

        “Where did you get this?” Foresight asked staring at the card, as Rose put down an identical one, I blinked at her in confusion. “Why do you two have these?”

        “Because somepony is manipulating things.” I swore as I realized Rose and myself had been both told the same thing in Hoofington by that mysterious stallion.

        “Do you know what these are?” Foresight asked.

        “Keycards of some sort.” I replied.

        Foresight put down a third keycard. “They are key cards that operate off of your personal magical field, I found one when I first entered that facility, Research Station Twenty Three. These give high level clearance to the place. We have all three of the cards.”

        “All three? Wait, don't tell me this place has a door that requires three key cards to activate it.” I muttered as I put my face in my hooves.

        “It does, do you think this is also part of somepony's plan to manipulate us?” Foresight asked.

        “This? I don't think so, no, I think they likely wanted whatever happened to your Rangers to happen to us, not having all the keycards triggering security to go after us or worse.” I explained as I tapped my own card with my left hoof. “No, I think if anything it was to test me in particular, somepony out there has plans, plans involving me and my original idea of tackling the powers that be. I imagine their goals are close to mine, but, the outcome is drastically different.”

        “Well intentioned villains.” Foresight muttered as he put his keycard away.

        “I think they are called well intentioned extremists, but, yes very likely in this case we are siding with somepony who is not so good.” I sighed.

        “You sound like this is a terrible thing, you have more ponies on your side of things in Seamane. What could possibly be bad about that?” Rose asked.

        “What they do once I have won is my worry. Just because you win, doesn't mean the outcome you want will happen. Like if I fought Red Eye back in the Everfree and killed him, would it get rid of his forces, push slavers out of Seamane? No, it wouldn't, what would it do, likely little other than increase the number of caps for my head.” I explained.

        “Whatever the situation is in reality we need to focus on the second step of my mission.” Foresight said as he pulled out his pointer again. Anabel switched the chalkboards to show The Citadel. “This was my home, it is not unlike the bunker you hid in while in Manehattan after Stable Twenty Three, though far larger.”

        “Wait, quick question what was the name of the research station?” I asked as he mentioned Stable Twenty Three.

        “Research Station Twenty Three.” Foresight repeated for me, slightly confused.

        “My lucky number!” I spat, “anyways, continue on.”

        Foresight raised an eyebrow, “I trust that you will explain later.”

        I nodded, “once you finish the briefing.”

        “Alright, moving along. The Citadel is both above and below ground. The aboveground portion was built after we came out of hiding for defense. As of right now there is a band of Raider sitting on it. They took out the defenses through sheer attrition against the automated systems that were left online when the chapter retreated underground.” Foresight explained as he showed the layout of the surface portion of The Citadel. “Now, I have gone there a few times in the past, even recently, and the front door is still unmarred. It seems that our hiding of the entrance to the bunker has worked well enough in the meantime.”

        “Alright, so we have raiders up top, what sort of defenses will we see if the place is still as it was before the lock down?” I asked, wanting to know how many death spewing targets there were likely to be.

        “Well we had two hundred armed ponies before the lockdown and turrets at every intersection.” Foresight explained as he showed the multiple and expansive levels of the bunker portion of The Citadel. “So, a fair bit, now, if the distress signal stopped either they lost power, which means they are by now dead from lack of oxygen, or something has happened and they don't want anypony trying to get to them due to things ended up going badly.”

        “Alright, well... this briefing is far shorter than I expected, though the maps are very helpful.” I said as I leaned back finishing the sleeves of my coat.

        “I am sorry I don't have more information to give, but, well...” Foresight trailed off looking back at the drawings as if trying to think if he could remember anything more.

        “Don't worry about it Foresight.” I said as I mulled over the information. “Mind if I recap just to make certain I understand exactly what we are going up against with both phases of this mission?”

        “No, go ahead, it might make me remember anything I have forgotten.” Foresight answered.

        So with that I went over our mission again. It was really simple in the end, though, it was dangerous with the heavy duty kill bots. Beyond the facility I was worried about The Citadel's defenses once we breached the front door. We were basically breaking into a stable, full of potentially heavily armed and xenophobic ponies. I morbidly hoped they were dead and we just had to turn off security, I highly doubted it would be that easy.

        “Moonlight, what do you think is our proper course of action for going through the Research Station?” Rose asked with her brow furrowed.

        “Stick together and sneak. Shoot only once we are shot at. Just like Foresight said to do the other day. Go in quiet, but, loaded for bear.” I replied.

        “That is the plan, and Moonlight, about Stable Twenty Three, do you care to explain?” Foresight asked.

        “Right... I should explain that place.” I sighed. I launched into explaining what happened in that stable barring no detail, the day wore on as I went on and on. In the end I tied it back to the current situation with: “and so since I turned twenty three things have gone badly, and one of the worst situations I have been in was stable twenty three, call me superstitious, but, I don't think this place is going to be any better.”

        “I think you are just being paranoid on that front.” Foresight said. “However, if it makes you more cautious while we are going in there I don't mind.”

        “I am with Foresight on this one, Moonlight. I rather have you jumping at shadows than oblivious to a monster.” Anabel commented.

        “I have to agree with both of them.” Rose said. “Even after hearing about that place again in full detail.”

        “Good, now I don't feel embarrassed about being paranoid.” I said while nodding.

        “Which is why you need to take that needle out of your foreleg.” Rose said.

        “Yes... that is starting to hurt.” I muttered as I looked down at the heavy duty sewing needed that was stuck in my foreleg. “Anypony care to help?”

        With the removal of the needle from my foreleg we broke off and headed our separate ways after grabbing a copy of the auto map of the research station from Foresight. I returned to the maintenance level and resumed work on sorting out parts and repairing everything I could. I figured it was best to be in tip top shape as we were likely going into some heavy fighting. Though something nagged at me from the back of my mind about the facility we were to hit.

        “Why would there still be functional security there?” I muttered as I replaced the damaged leg guards for my armor with improvised ones. “I mean... from the sounds of it the place was cleared out, was physical removal of the security the last thing to do?”

        I frowned as I test fitted the armor on my right foreleg. “Well it would make sense if it was post apocalypse, they would want the security there to guard them while they finished up the job then take it with them upon leaving.”

        I winced as a sliver of metal cut my skin as I put another part of the armor on. “Damn it...”

        I pulled off the piece of armor and patched myself up. “So... likely we would need some way to get into the system and put our tags as being allowed in the place.”

        I turned my attention back to the armor and looked for the sliver that cut me. “But... if they erased everything on the top... It is going to be hard fighting until we get to the lower areas.”

        I found the sliver and heated it to be malleable again. “So that means somewhere lower must still have intact computers to continue giving information to security.”

        I hammered the glowing metal with my powerhoof to take care of the sliver of metal and reshape the metal to fit better. “So, there has to be something of worth, information wise, in that place along with some hardware. They cleared likely whatever was related to Operation Stardust, took equipment for survival, and sealed the place up.”

        I let the armor cool and worked on another piece of armor. “So, likely there is some toys left for us. However, likely no food, water, or survival supplies.”

        I tested another piece to find it a bit loose and began to rework it to fit more securely. “So, really we at very least are getting Foresight's tool, and some good information, as well as some more combat experience that will help when it comes to Fort Stonehoof.”

        I nodded in agreement with myself and turned my full focus on the process of reforging my armor. While I would like to have returned to wearing light armor I had to keep with the heavy side of medium armor due to how much punishment regularly came my way. If I ever did come across something that was light and as protective as much of the medium weight armor I was working with I would take it in heartbeat. Sadly though, that would likely not be the case until we got to Stonehoof as likely that place had a lot of nice toys locked away.

        A number of hours had passed by the time I had finished what I was working on. My mind was exhausted with figuring out how to set up my armor as well as fixing some rather damaged bits of electronics for spare parts. I let out a content sigh feeling that now I would likely be able to keep my insides inside for our next few fights, more so with us fighting security robots again. Those things would likely be packing a mix of magical energy weapons, flamers, miniguns, and missile or rocket launchers. They also would have a fair bit of armor that was upgraded along with their sensors as this was a military facility that we were diving into.

        There was also that matter of we had a lot of distance to cover to even get into the place. However, though the diligent watching of Foresight and Anabel we had found a few safe places to hunker down if need be. They had also had found no sight of any Cazadors, so for now we were safe from those monstrosities.

        I tapped the back of my head against the side of the workbench I had been using for my work. I relaxed as I felt the nice cool metal against my pounding head. The coolness helped relieve the headache I had ended up getting. I pushed myself up and laid myself over the bench enjoying the cool metal against my fur, it felt nice after spending so many hours working with hot metal in the cramp room. I let out a content sigh as I rested.

        I had managed to pack away spare parts for the turrets for Anabel, I had gotten a great deal of fire springs for all of our weapons thanks to the variety of turrets here. I had managed to patch up everyone's armor as well as reinforce Rose's and my own armor. My lab coat would continue to help blending into the snow that lay on the fields between us and the research station. Since I had stitched in some heavy Kevlar my lab coat was now far heavier than it had been. I didn't mind as on it's own it gave decent protection to me without limiting my movement like my modified combat barding did.

        My combat barding I had further reinforced with metal over the bits of ceramic plating that it already had. To fix the various cracks and rents in the armor I had filled the gap between my metal plates with Kevlar and Wonderglue. Everything fit nicely, I had full mobility for the most part in the combat armor, but, if I needed true free mobility I had the lab coat to fall back on. Combat barding was as it was intended for when I knew we would be getting shot at. I would only use my lab coat alone when in towns, even then, only if I was going to be in the town for a while.

        I nuzzled the built in vice on the worktable, enjoying the feeling of it against my face. Nine hours of work was done, our briefing completed, and now all that was needed was a good nights sleep.

        “Moonlight, why are you molesting the workbench?” Foresight asked from behind me.

        I blushed slightly, then shook my head. “Sorry, been working in here for the past nine hours and a good chunk of the time I have had to heat metal to the point I could hammer it into form with my iron hoof.”

        “That is actually a rather good reason to be laying on the workbench.” Foresight laughed.

        “So what did you come to my lair for?” I asked as I moved off the cool workbench to look at my guest.

        “Just checking on you, wanted to make certain you didn't hurt yourself while working.” Foresight replied.

        “Oh, eh, not really, couple of points I got poked by the replacement parts as I fitted them, nothing some bandages couldn't stop.” I answered as I sat down then drank some water from my canteen.

        “Well that is good. So are we all set to go in the morning?” Foresight asked, joining me in the room and sitting down as well.

        “Should be, just need a good nights sleep is all.” I replied.

        Foresight nodded as he looked over his repaired barding. “This is actually pretty good work, I guess you weren't kidding about learning all those skills in Saint Clover.”

        “Why would I lie about that? What do you think I am some sort of special operative?” I laughed as I shook my head.

        “No, maybe, sort of?” Foresight answered. “You are rather adept at on site procurement as well as stealth and self sufficiency.”

        I giggled. “I think that goes for everypony who spends more than a week in the wasteland. I mean look at scavengers, they have to do everything based on on site procurement as well as having to be highly stealthy and self sufficient. If they weren't they would die, get caught, or run out of caps.”

        “So what are you? A scavenger who is out to do more than make a few caps?” Foresight asked.

        “I would think by now you would know the answer to that. Look at me, I am leading a small group of rather well trained individuals on a mission to get answers and really in the end essentially conquer the region.” I answered. “To what end? To just make tomorrow better than today.”

        Foresight smiled looking at me. “Your answer keeps changing in what words you use.”

        “Because otherwise it would just be copied words and that is boring.” I replied.

        “What you don't want to just give the same answer over and over when I ask you the same question?” Foresight said as he smirked at me.

        “No I don't, Star Paladin.” I replied, smirking at Foresight now.

        “Point taken, Ranger.” Foresight replied.

        “Are we really doing this, Steel Ranger?” I asked.

        “I don't know, how many more titles can you think up for me, Commander?” Foresight countered.

        “I don't know, how about you... Dammit” I cursed as I couldn't figure out another title for him to call him by.

        “That was a sadly short game, Boss.” Foresight laughed.

        “Oh shut up.” I huffed. “Anyways, did Anabel give you stock of her spark grenades and mines?”

        “Oh, right, business.” Foresight hummed. “Yeah, she is going to hand out three spark grenades to each of us, she is going to keep the rest of the spark explosives on herself, more of an issue of that is her main line of defense.”

        “Alright, that is good enough for me. I doubt we will find any spark weaponry in the place, I would figure that would be something on the high priority to take over industrial tools.” I replied.

        “Well, there is likely a lot of industrial equipment lying in that facility. So if we can get to where industrial equipment is I would bet there are auto axes you can use to open the robots there up like nothing. I would also wager there being thermal lances if any armor was being developed there, Zebra's tended to enjoy using those to punch through power armor.” Foresight said as he pulled on his barding.

        “I well alright then, lets hope it isn't too hard to find some nice toys for dealing with security. I also hope we can get some industrial strength gas masks that fit for all of use as well.” I added.

        “Why would we need gas masks?” Foresight asked as he secured his helmet on his side.

        “Because who knows what we are going to face going into the Steel Ranger citadel as well as the sealed areas of Fort Stonehoof.” I replied as I pulled on my lab coat now that I had cooled off.

        Foresight nodded in agreement. “Yes, that would be a good thing to keep our eyes out for. Now as for when we get to the station, we aren't splitting up until after we get through the security door. Once through, lets break into two groups, you and Rose as one team, Anabel and myself for the other.”

        “Sounds good, we will decide who goes where once we know what lies on the other side of that door.” I said as I gathered the gear and readied to carry it upstairs.

        “Are you planning to carry those up the stairs?” Foresight asked.

        “Yes? It isn't like there is a elevator down here.” I answered as I turned to look back at him.

        “Yes there is.” Foresight replied as the wall opened and revealed the elevator.

        “Oh...” I frowned then shook my mane and carried everything into the elevator and waited for Foresight to join me. He hit the button for the ground floor and we ascended. I noticed this time it didn't accelerate or decelerate as fast as last time. “Did you do something to the elevator?”

        “I reset it, somepony had changed it to go far faster than it should.” Foresight answered, I facehoofed with my left fore hoof.

        “Why didn't I think of that at any of the other towers...” I muttered and shook my head again. “Well whatever, lets unload all of this before I go up to broadcasting.”

        “Sounds like a plan.” Foresight said as the door opened to the ground floor.

        We hefted out the equipment and I bid the two goodnight before rising to the broadcasting floor. When the doors opened I found Rose fast asleep.

        “I guess maybe I was at it for too long.” I whispered to myself as I smiled at her. I pulled off my equipment and laid down beside her and let myself drift off.

Footnote: No new level, no new perks, no new anything from a metagame perspective. Once again, if you want experience go kill something lord of death mountain.