Fallout: Equestria - A Heart of Steel

by Pentagrade

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1 - What It Takes
Chapter 2 - Impenetrable?
Chapter 3 - What 'Lies' Beneath
Chapter 4 - The Hard Truth
Chapter 4.5 - Breach of Guilt
Chapter 1.5 - Another Awakening

Prologue

M.W.T A.M.R.S v3.8

Created by Dr. Redthorn

Drive Mounted
Compiling Data - 100%
Replaying Recovered Audio
Searching for Video Footage

"How far is the objective point, Timber?"

"Hard to say, Sir. The thunderstorm out here is messing with my compass, is yours working?"

----- Video Footage Salvaged - Merging Channels -----

On the screen was a vast expanse of dried, red dirt. Above, just in view from the camera, was a deep void of dark clouds. A thin, lethal looking, red lightning bolt emerged from the bleak, curtained sky and curved back upwards like a surreal form of sea monster lurking in the clouds.

"I doubt it," came a voice from off screen, clearly in awe of the unnatural event occurring above him.

The one known as "Timber" from which the perspective was coming from appeared to ignore the reply as he kept focused, looking at the accurately drawn map strapped to his foreleg. Upon it featured many different lines and symbols. The most prevalent of which was a large, heavily drawn, red ring that encompassed one of many little cogs printed upon its crusty surface, their 'objective point'.

"Well? What do we have to go on here? We have the co-ordinates from Paladin Crane, but we can't even use them because of this weather? And I don't trust that piece of crap to lead us anywhere, I'm more comfortable with my E.F.S!" complained the voice off-screen
.
Timber remained silent as he concentrated on the map in front of him.

"I mean what the hell are we supposed to be looking for out here! I'm supposed to be leading this damn mission, and I don't have a fucking clue!" he ranted on.

Timber appeared to focus on what appeared to be a wrinkle in the paper. He looked up to see a rather large crevice in front of him. He took a double take between the map and the crevice, seemingly getting his bearings as he connected the landmarks.

"Are you even listening to me?!" he shouted, heightening in aggravation

It took him another five seconds to answer

"I think I..."

----- Video Footage Lost -----

A loud clatter of metal and the sounds of a struggle were heard

"YOU DARE IGNORE YOUR SUPERIOR, DO YOU HAVE ANY RESPECT!"

"No... Ah... Sir" His voice quiet as he was taken by surprise

"BULLSHIT! WE HAVE LOST SEVEN KNIGHTS TO THIS HELLHOLE AND WE ARE THE ONLY ONES LEFT!" he raged

"You don't think I knowAAHHHHH!" he attempted to respond before a loud whine of bending metal was heard

"OF COURSE YOU FUCKING KNOW THAT, YOU KILLED ONE OF THEM CARELESSLY! BY REGULATION, YOU SHOULD SHARE THE SAME FATE FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE YOU BASTARD!"

The whining carried on, getting quieter as it met more resistance. But it was cut short by a much larger sound, so loud the microphone could not record it accurately. Instead all that was heard was a hideous, ear raping amount of static and microphone crackle. But it ended as sharply as it came in a deathly silence.

----- A/V Source Corrupted -----

----- Moving to next backup -----

Suddenly the sound of heavy breathing was heard and the heavy galloping of steel clad hooves. The breathing was irregular, taking short raspy breaths, but after every few, a large painful one followed by an unhealthy cough. This carried on for the next few minutes before a loud crumbling sound emerged followed by a yelp and the loud clatter of steel, and a final grunt.

----- Video Footage Salvaged - Merging Channels -----

On screen was a viscous darknes, revealing no detail of where Timber was except for the plume of light coming from the hole above, occasionally emitting a glow of red from the lightning. As the camera feed adjusts to the lower brightness, a mess of dirt and strewn rocks was all that could be seen. The quality of the camera lacked much more than what it had done before, showing small fractures and coloured lines across the screen. Small coughs were heard as he bagan to shuffle but the familiar loud screech returned and he remained still and looked up ever so slowly. All went silent until suddenly a large form poked through the hole above, plugging the light and obscuring it from further observation. Fifthteen seconds passed with complete silence and darkness until finally the form withdrew from the hole slowly, unable to identify what it was.

Timber let out a large wheasy breath and took another few back in. He struggled as he lifted his foreleg revealing most of the map had been torn off leaving only a symbol. A circle with the words "Project 17" embedded arround it. Within the ring was the metal face of a pony with pupiless, green, glowing eyes. He dropped his foreleg heavily with a large clank and his head did the same, looking toward the darkness beyond the pillar of light coming from the hole above. He coughed 3 times more before he said…

“What has this all been for. An entire squad including the Crusader. And for what?”

He sighed staring into the nothingness, admitting defeat as more stones crumbled from the hole emitting more light upon the refuse in front of him. He carried on watching this when he noticed something besides stone and dust. Metal. Steel to be more exact. And printed upon the part of it which was visible, was what he and his lost squad had been looking for all along. The symbol from the map. Project 17.

He began to move slowly, attempting to dislodge the stones that covered his armour. He struggled releasing more coughs and splutters when a large creaking sound of metal was heard behind him. He carried on struggling, appearing to ignore the sound, seemingly filled with adrenaline to finish his goal.

----- Recording interupted - End Of Playback -----

I stood there analysing the footage I received from the dead, armoured, equine I had exterminated in front of me. It left me more and more confused as I walked back through the corridoors which I have come to know as my home. It was silent, all I could hear was the sound of my trotting through the narrow underground corridors. I advanced through the interconnected network of tunnels holding the source of the footage in my anti-gravity field. While I did, I further surmised what I had learned from the footage. I had seen these creatures before. A shape similar to that of an Equus ferus caballus but covered in steel based armour, reinforced with many strengthening properties, as well as bearing an Arcane Matrix, allowing me to see their final moments. They follow a strict military code with a ranking system as well as carrying a high level of honour. Their main goals being to hunt down technological artifacts, which adds up why they are searching here. Most of the creatures that had made it down here into the facility, such as this 'Steel Ranger' as I have come to know them as, did not live long afterwards. Many complications, such as the security system, levels of radiation and chemical poisoning (nicknamed by some of them as 'taint'), and that creatures above have lead to their definate or near demise. It is only I that stood between them and death. And that is where my protocol takes over.

----- Protocol List -----

You are not to harm another living being unless it means breaking Protocols 2 & 3
If on the brink of death, you are to exterminate any living being's on site.
If under threat from another living being, you are permitted to defend your self or other by any means

I emerged into the cubical central atrium of the facility. Within was the same steel panneled walls with a large operating computer at each of the four corners. I placed the black box I received from the deceased creature on the desk of the closest computer in the room. I then moved in front of one of the six large tubes that occupied the center of the room. The tube that encased me only 5 years ago, and stared upon myself.
In the reflection coming from the tempered glass, I saw the face of a being with bright green glowing eyes and a metal face. But it was nowhere near the same as the one I killed only moments ago, but something entirely different. And it leaves the same unanswered question I am forced to bear every operating minute since my initiation…

What. Am. I?

Author's Note

Abriviations -
A.M.R.S - Arcane Matrix Recovery System (possibly pronounced 'amrs as if you were saying hamers without the 'h'.)

Chapter 1 - What It Takes

Author's Note

I have added some more detail since the 6th July, I recommend reading this as it explains the location and Cherry Strudel much better. Thanks to Ecoyli for pointing this out and Thy42 for proof reading

Chapter 1 - What It Takes

FD Imaginations presents:

"Today is the day..."

"Righteous!”

"...my chance to prove myself..."

“Maize!”

"...to prove to everypony, I have what it takes..."

“Sprint!”

"...to become the best of best..."

“Crossword!”

"...A Steel Ranger."

A Heart Of Steel

Chapter 1 - What It Takes

"Crossword! For the second time!" shouted the Paladin at the panel. His helmet was off revealing the turquoise, dreary face half covered by a navy mane, laying it on his hoof, clearly taking pride in his next task, but I didn't care. It was my chance today to go on my first hunt. I will be assigned to a squad today and sent out on my first mission by next week. All my training had been leading up to this, all the trials, protocols and painstaking training exercises. But no longer. It was for real this time, and I will show my worth, despite anypony else's doubts. I took my first step through the tight crowd of other 'knights-to-be', slipping through all their circles and groups. Some turned their heads to look at me with disapproving glares, like I didn't know how they already felt. I knew they all didn't want me here, but I am, and I have every reason to be.

Here in question, was what we initiates called the Watering Hole. Its name was taken from the location the base was set up in, which was a huge crater that was rumoured to have housed a lake long ago. As for why it was said to be a watering hole, it had many stories, to many to recount. The watering hole was one of the bases of the Far South Contingent and was used as a training facility for initiates. I had been in the central hall for the past 2 hours waiting for my name to be called, so I may confirm my entry in the the Knights.

I broke away from the condescending crowd of ponies to lay my eyes on the place that would decide my future, a slightly rusty, scrap-metal desk. Planting both of my fore-hooves on the desk in front of me, I awaited my instructions. Upon the desk was an assortment of paperwork, some in seemingly unorganised piles, some scrawn up into balls and left everywhere else and the floor. The only organised part of the desk was the fixed name tag at the front: Paladin Iron Sight.

"Certification?" He asked monotonously, probably for the hundredth time today

I delved into my saddle bag to retrieve an envelope with a broken seal; it was of a Steel Ranger Helmet with a Gear around it, belonging to the Council of Elders. Within it contained my official certification stating I had passed military induction. I handed this over to the Paladin who dropped it upon his desk. Opening it swiftly, he analysed the document checking everything is in order, but he stopped at something. He closed his head in further to ensure he had read it correctly.

"It says here that you fell just short if passing your self-defence module? Is this correct?" he inquired, showing a slight bit of interest, probably the most he has had all day

"That's... correct" I replied as firmly as possible.

But this got me worried, it only took one stamp, and I would have to redo everything. It was true that I had 'slightly' failed my self-defence, and it is also true that out of everything, that is the most important thing a ranger must know how to do. But what I may have lacked there, I made up for in strategy, leadership, analysis and navigation. Better than anyone the Far South Contingency had ever recruited.

"Hmm... Are you sure you can handle yourself in the field? Last thing we need is someone as achieving as yourself being lost in the wastes, in my opinion you would have made a better scribe." he admitted, showing a slight amount of worry, but I could be wrong.

"I... I... will be fine." beginning to crack from the pressure, his eyes were breaking through my facade. This was as good as over, I tried at least I guess.

Releasing a sigh, he lifted his hoof to the stamp on his right and lifted it above the paper. I shut my eyes, not being able to bear the sight of him crushing my dreams with his red ink.

*Clunk*

"Leave through the room on your right." he commanded, slightly reluctant to give his answer

The bottom of the paper collided with my hoof as he returned the certificate. I slowly opened my eyes, relinquishing a tear as looked upon my decided destiny for the next year.

Green. Pass. I was in?

"You passed me?" shocked at his strange decision

"Yeeeahhh... I'll probably regret it later on, but I can't be bothered to fill out the paperwork for failed initiates." he explained rather selfishly.

But that didn't stop me from forgetting my common sense as I launching myself over the desk, knocking over his already disorganised paperwork, and throwing my hooves around him.

"Ahhh, get off me!" he roared, capturing everyponies attention in the room.

It took me 5 seconds afterwards to realise what I had done and collapsed to the floor in front of him below his desk. I stared up to be greeted by an extremely menacing expression emanating from the Paladin. He poked his head down so he was only millimetres from my muzzle. I could smell the rage in his breath, the shear fury emanating from his eyes and hitting my emotions hard.

"You dare do that again, I won't just reject that certificate, but I will leave you out in the wastes to rot! You hear me?!" he shouted under his breath, maintaining his furiousness, yet preventing the rest of the room from hearing.

"Y... Yes S... Sir." beginning to whimper again from the atmosphere he was creating.

"WELL!? GET MOVING, BEFORE I DO IT!" he screamed in my face. The sudden changes in tone making me slam my head into the desk above me. I then scampered out from under it, snapped up my certificate in my mouth, and galloped through the door on the right.

I dropped my tray onto the table grabbing the attention of my friend, Cherry Strudel. Cherry had a dark cherry coat with her namesake cutie mark. Her mane was naturally curly with streaks of beige and chestnut and had cerise irises. She met my face and then returned to eating her Apple. I sat my flank on the bench and planted my head on my hooves and carried on staring at her. She knew I was waiting for her to speak, but she knew whatever she could say, wouldn't hold off the prevailing argument. She eventually met my face again when she finished the apple and sighed when she saw her efforts to ignore me had failed.

"Nice lump" she commented, pointing out the large swelling below my horn stub from where I hit the table. But I didn't reply, she was dodging the argument, I just maintained my scowl. Eventually after finishing her reconstituted juice, she sighed again

"What do you think I can do?" she said, avoiding my gaze still and looking to her right at the stallion tables.

"Umm, I don't know, how about throwing in a word to get me off the lame border patrol they put me on. You know I wanted to be on a scouting mission, or a hunting mission, or something that would get me out of here, not one that would keep me here." I complained.

"Yeah, I have a say in where each initiate gets put, but they voted unanimously against putting you out into the field. Just be glad I got you a job that gets you outside in power armour, otherwise it would have been canteen work for you after how you tried to romance Iron Sight." she smirked after mentioning his name.

I began to blush, but quickly shook it off. Cherry Strudel, being the star initiate of the Watering Hole was given the unique ability of having a say in job placement for new knights. I was hoping that me being her best friend, she would fight for me to get a good job, but that didn’t happen.

"You knew how much it meant to me getting into the Knights. You can't blame me for showing a little happiness. It’s one of the most important days of my life"

I heard her mutter some sort of comeback under her breath, something to do with my love life.

"Hey, just you remember who got you through that thing with hacking Crusader Mellow's terminal so you could delete that dirt he had on you. You still owe me for that." I argued

"And I held up my side of the bargain, you’re in power armour tomorrow, and without me you wouldn't, what else do you want me to do? Huh?" she shrugged

I sighed; clearly my destiny was going to be taken in baby steps. And I guess border patrol isn't too bad. I would get to be in power armour, and have some more chances to practise firing weapons. Plus it gives me the chance to earn the trust of the governing rangers here at the Watering Hole. And it definitely beats having to spend the next year of my life with Little Miss Cranky Hooves in the canteen; even thinking about it brings premonitions of scrubbing the floor as she pours more of her tasteless slop on the floor. I admit defeat and got stuck into my food, forgetting it had gone cold by wasting my time in that argument. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little more heated and interesting

"In my opinion, the best way to get this job done is to treat everywhere like a blank piece of paper, a huge one. Try to tell your mind that everything here is normal, so then you can better notice anything unusual." my mentor droned on.

"Umm, Hmm." my show of interest was clearly lacking. Heated and interesting my flank! Who was I trying to fool, this is horrifically boring. My mentor's enthusiastic attitude overlooked my disinterest entirely, just as well I guess. Despite the hatred of this job I was now developing, I had to face the facts, this armour was pretty cool. I had been in training armour before as an initiate, but the many of the features were stripped back to allow for errors we may have. We were only equipped with stun weaponry so we could cause little harm to each other or the mentors teaching us. We were taught to use many different weapons however such as grenade launchers, sniper rifles and Gatling guns outside of the armour against targets, but we were also tasked with killing another being, half alive. A ghoul.

It was our final ballistic weapons trial in the self defence module; we were tasked with killing a moving, hostile target. I was pretty skilled in taking down the targets with little ammunition spent; enough to keep up with the average pass level. The initiates in the assessment with me all thought it would just be another moving target that instead of staring at you, fired bullets randomly over the range. We were a surprisingly under-equipped contingency from what I have learned, which made this assumption add up, but we were completely wrong. We were led roughly half a mile from the Range where we arrived at a cage, alone towards the edge of the Watering Hole. It contained a simulated wasteland environment with wreckage, random holes and small bodies of water which we were told to be treated as radioactive. We were instructed that one of us would enter at a time and we would have to defend ourselves from the hostile target. Following our normal order of ability, I went last. The leading rangers went into the small building connected to the cage to monitor us from afar. Up first was top of the class, Cherry Strudel herself. She entered the cage and took cover behind some sky wagon wreckage. At the other end of the cage from here was a small steel shutter where the 'target' would deploy from. We all waited silently, not expecting what would come next. The shutter hit the top of the frame with a loud clack which made a few of us, including me, jump in fright. However nothing emerged, we all uniformly peered around the corner to see inside the doorway, but all that was enclosed within was darkness. But suddenly there was a groan. A deep, quiet groan that sounded painful. I looked to my left to see who made the noise but they all stared between each other asking the exact same question. Then a putrid smell of something rotting reached our muzzles that made us all gag. We returned our gazes to the doorway.

"Is it broken?!" Cherry Strudel shouted from the other end of the cage.

I was about to shout back to her 'I think so' when something emerged from the shutter at last. A dark green leg left the confines of the darkness and made its debut in the cage. We all gasped as it occurred to us that the hostile target was not in fact another cardboard cut-out, but a living target, possibly a raider! But then another foreleg entered the light and I then connected the smell. The second leg had lost all its fur, and was even stripped of flesh in places, revealing the yellow tinged bone beneath. The head then drooped out, revealing its pupil less eyes. It wasn't living at all, it was undead. A large gulp came from the stallion next to me, also beginning to shudder at the sight of the had-been pony. I however did not show or feel any form of fear, as I had in fact read about these beings before. These ponies had been alive but after death had been kept alive by excess amounts of radiation, referred to as Ghouls. Many treated Ghouls as hostile beings but many in fact remain sane of mind, only going feral after a long time after resurrection. This ghoul did not appear to be feral, it was definitely aware of our presence as it had painfully raised its neck to look at us all. It looked to me, much longer than the others. It appeared to want to say something by how its mouth was shuddering, but was unable; it also showed a little sadness in its expression. It then began to meander towards the perimeter of the cage, closer to me. I stayed my ground as my classmates began to back step away from the edge. It stopped with its head pressing at the cage, making no attempt to gnaw away at it or free itself, but stared what appeared to be longingly into my visor. I then began to feel pity for it, it clearly was not feral, it may have been confused as it was unable to talk, but it did not deserve to be locked away here, it was a pony at the end of the day, not a monster. I lifted my hoof from the ground and began to place it on the fence.

BANG

1 inch away from the fence, the entire form of the Ghoul in front of me exploded, knocking me back on to my flank. I look up to see that the Ghoul is no longer there, leaving a few bones strewn across the ground. I was speechless.

"Did I pass!" shouted Cherry from the centre of the cage, reloading her grenade launcher.

"Congratulations, Cherry Strudel, 100% as always." came the voice of our mentor from the intercom

I remained there; shocked at the atrocity she had just committed showing no regret. She had just killed an innocent pony, with no remorse. How could she live with herself, let alone jumping for joy about it?

And you can guess what happened when it came to my turn, I stood there in the cage, a grim feeling down my spine, knowing I would have to kill one. If I didn't, I would fail my entire weapons handling module and doom any chances of me becoming a knight. But at what cost? Was it worth it? To end another life so I could succeed?

I look to my side to see all of my classmates watching eagerly with their helmets off, Cherry smiling at me, lipping to me "You can do it". I was still angry at her for what she had done, but I didn’t let it get to me, I had to focus. Before I could fully make the decision, the shutter opened again for the last time, revealing instantly a yellow pegasus ghoul. It was missing a wing, exposing the conjoining bone but was otherwise fairly unscathed compared to some of the others here. The only other scar I could see was a large strike stretching from behind its neck and up to its right eye, preventing it from opening. It stood there for a few moments as did I, holding my nerve. Maybe I could find some way of knocking it out rather than killing it, possibly fooling the mentors to think that I had killed it. At least its life would then be off my conscience. However I was equipped with dual 50 Cal shotguns which would definitely rip its head off rather than knocking it out. I scanned my surroundings looking for anything I could use, a rock, some debris, anything. But nothing here looks harmless enough to knock it out without killing it; all I could see was jagged pieces of wood and sharp metal. But I then heard the sound of hoof steps. They were quick in pace, and rapidly speeding up. I glanced up and did a double take. The ghoul was galloping right towards me, snarling and flapping its one remaining wing. None of the ghouls we had seen today had done this, but why this one, unless... It was feral!

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I shouted as I panicked and began to run.

I heard gasps from outside the cage as my panic was shared with them. The ghoul stayed hot on my tail as it carried on snapping at me. I didn't know what to do, it may not be able to harm me while in this suit, but that's an absolute guess, plus it was emitting radiation also, which will definitely do me no good as these initiate grade power armour suits had no form of anti-radiation. The sooner I got rid of it, the quicker I’ll be out of the cage, but it was still a living being, it’s just suffering some serious mental problems, it’s still a pony. I carried on contemplating my next move as a galloped away until my hoof was met with some wreckage and I toppled over onto my back. I was dazed by my clumsiness but was soon brought back to attention when the ghoul dived on top of me, landing face to face. It began to bite at my visor, scratching it, I tried to remain calm so I could think of a resolution, but that was before a chip appeared in the visor. I screamed. This was the end of me here. Forget becoming a knight, I was going to become ghoul chowder. I screamed for help for what seemed like ages as the cracks began to stretch across my visor.

BOOM

Everything went black as I was thrown upwards into the air and landed with my armour taking the impact. I opened my eyes and looked at the carcass of my former enemy. I rolled onto my back as help approached me, bringing a stretcher. I drifted between conscience as I was taken to a medical bay, but I later found out that I had passed my module, but not by my own doing, but from one of Cherry's leftover Remote Explosives, which she activated stealthily when she saw me in trouble.

That moment that made me famous around the contingency as the Ghoul Hugger. But it soon turned negative when an investigation found out about Cherry's explosive, so in the end they gave me a pass but not a full one, as well as giving both of us a 3 week long punishment of cleaning the Watering Hole locker rooms, definitely a bit harsh.

Two hours had passed since I had started my second shift on lookout, and it had only just occurred to me that this job really doesn't get any more interesting. All there was to do was look at rocks, dirt, the odd crevice or two and... Oh, and nearly forgot, more rocks. Occasionally a party of knights left or entered the gate, going out to bring order to the wastes and bring back whatever treasure they may find. That's what I found exciting about becoming a knight, we get the best of both worlds, and we help others and hunt down lost technology. That's what I had learned in my orientation and made me 100% set on becoming a knight.

I examined one party returning from their mission. As they walked through the gate, the Crusader at the back looked up at me and nodded. His armour had a long red smear going from the lower left part of his neck down to his left foreleg. I returned the nod but I noticed something drop from his armour. I couldn't get a good look at what it was but I took note of where it was. I looked to my left and right to see nobody, not even my mentor monitoring the gate. Taking the best chance I had while the gate was closed, I sneaked down from the post above the gate and approached the location where the object was. Below me I identified it; it was an electronic key, very rare, only the select few carry these as they are used to access restricted areas of the Contingency. I had seen them before when we had to learn about the various forms of technology used by the Rangers. I picked it up and clipped it to the bar on the side of my neck; I would return it to him when my shift was over. But then as I returned to my post, it got me wondering. Crusaders had a direct influence on the placement of new initiates in the Contingency. Maybe this key could let me get an inside scoop on why I was placed here, because I honestly think Cherry played me here to save her own flank.

It was settled, tonight was Stakeout Night, and hasn’t done one of those in a while. I chuckled at the thought of it, it got me really excited, but I would need some help. And it definitely wasn't going to be Cherry Strudel.

Chapter 2 - Impenetrable?

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3 - What 'Lies' Beneath

Author's Note

Well I didn't manage to get an editor and I'm still looking if anyone is interested, but I couldn't resist another crack at getting this chapter right in some of my recent spare time. This is'nt exiting hiatus sadly, not yet.

I really want to apologise, after reading this chapter through in depth, I didnt realise how many errors there actually was. But I've mowed through what I believe to be nine out of ten of them.

I know I shouldn't be relying on you reading this to mention any errors, but it is always appreciated

Enjoy reading, comment any Q&A's and corrections below
- Flash Deviant

Chapter 3 - What 'Lies' Beneath

A Heart Of Steel

Chapter 3 - What 'Lies' Beneath

They lied when they said this armour was a legacy of engineering, more like a legacy of pain. This thing was digging into my flank and chest so badly I thought I would break some bones eventually. I could barely see out of my visor as it wasn't powered, leaving it tinted a deep black.

What I did know was that I was being pulled along on my cart by two other rangers. I didn't recognise them too well, but from their attitudes, they didn't seem to be Crusaders or anything higher. The one taking the front, Pierce, had what appeared to be a blood red coat with a cutie mark that looked like a bullet with a slip-stream. The other, Gravy, was out of my sight, but had a deep and uneducated voice. Pierce appeared to be taking the lead on all of this, I would have to be more weary of him when making my escape. My view was locked at a 45 degree angle, making it very difficult to get my bearings and figure out where I’m going. This wasn't going to be easy.

"Ugh, how long have we gotta go, I can't see a thing back here?" grunted Gravy

"Another few minutes, it's just round another corner." answered Pierce

I believe somepony must have requested that the armour has to be returned to the armoury, which wasn't a surprise. But that would mean I would be stuck inside there until I was retrieved. The place was designed to be a small replica of a Stable, the hardest place to break into during an invasion if there was to be one, containing a portion of the pride and joy of the contingent. And I certainly wasn't going to be hanging around with Water Talismans and Sprite-bots, no matter how electric the atmosphere may be.

One thing that intrigued me is that it was still the afternoon, and nopony has even attempted to investigate the unusual black-plated power armour that was being lugged through the Watering Hole. I mean, surely there had to be at least one pony who noticed it, I know I would.

Suddenly the cart came to a halt. Pierce dropped the rope onto the floor and walked off, out of my cone of vision with Gravy following his tail soon after.

"What do we d..." Gravy asked but was cut off suddenly

"Quiet. We're not supposed to be here remember." hushed Pierce.

Interesting. I'm sure if they are recovering something for the armoury under orders, they are within their right to be here. Where else would they put me that was restricted? I heard the sound of a shutter. The sound was prolonged and very quiet as the two of them attempted to maintain their stealth. Strange. The armoury door was like four-foot thick, it made a much more powerful noise than that, and it can only be opened by the on-duty guard.

But forgetting that, this was as good a moment as any to start my escape. Their eyes would be off me and I assume I'd have a direct line of escape from here. I used my teeth to push the release button on the mouth grip of the helmet as well as pushing my left hind hoof into the emergency pressure plate below it to trigger a manual release. I kept pushing into both of them as hard as I could but to no avail, possibly a bit tough being as it's quite old. Beads of sweat began to develop as my jaw muscles began to give up. I stopped and let out a breath just to see that Pierce had returned to pick up the rope. Time was running out, and I’m past being stealthy. I attempted stomp on the button instead which emitted a clanking noise, but it was drowned out by the wheels of the cart rolling on the ground. But among all the noise, no audible, unlocking clicks. Pierce dropped the rope and escaped my vision again. I tried with all my might thrusting my leg once more and following it through, until I heard a loud clack. Finally. But the armour still wouldn't budge.

BASH!

Oh no. That was the shutter.

I had been standing suspended in this armour for what had been hours. There were no lights, giving me nothing to examine in my limited field of view, the visor just made the dark... darker. I had attempted to start the armour up, but I didn't even get a spark. I went through every possible way to start it up as I was sure it wasn't broken, it was in such a good condition that it was impossible. Bar the releases I guess. I was stuck like this. The armour wouldn't start, the release mechanism was jammed, and nopony was likely to attempt to put the armour on as it was vintage and obsolete.

What felt like hours later, I heard the sound of a door opening in front of me, about a metre or two away. My eyes were bathed in light, and damn did I miss it already, despite them burning in their sockets for the first ten seconds. The sound of hoof steps approached until I saw the figure. A beige unicorn stallion with black frizzy mane the stretched down his neck. He was wearing a utility barding with various electrical tools and wires sticking out of it. One of the repair ponies we had acquired from one of the stables just at the border of Equestria most likely. From what I heard, a team of knights rescued them from a ghoul attack and have been a valuable asset to the Watering Hole since, performing maintenance around the place. He appeared to give me the once over and reached into one of his pockets with his magic and revealed a power jack. He attached one end to his Pip-buck and and put the other end into one of the ports in the side of my neck. My visor sparked up suddenly with a little battery symbol, revealing the power armour in fact was completely drained. The repair pony also recognised this I guess as he produced a great sigh.

"I'm soooo not in the mood for recharging this armour, as well as reconfiguring it," he complains, throwing his head to the ceiling.

"Pfft, tomorrow's work, I can find an excuse for Harrow." and he threw the extra pockets strapped to his barding on the floor below and left, leaving the light on.

Ok, so the armour does function just fine, but there is no power to actually release the locks or power up, and the manual release is jammed. Completely stranded. I begin to scream and shuffle in frustration for a few minutes. Surprisingly nopony heard me as the door remained firmly shut. I take a look at the equipment the repair pony left. I saw plenty of different length wires, jacks, screwdrivers, a small crowbar and... A spark battery. With a power jack and that spark battery, I should be able to charge the armour just enough to get out. But there was no physical way to do it. That repair pony can just flick the stuff around with his magic, which was a skill I had to sacrifice to be able to choose to do Knight training. But hey, I had plenty of time, I guess it was worth some pathetic shot. I had used some very basic forms of magic as a filly but only in the forms of levitation, very appropriate right about now. I began to focus, I hardly expected much to happen as I had no horn from which to emit my magic.

3 minutes of focus and nothing happened, not even a glow from above. I carried on further, almost thinking I might be able to discover some sort of trippy dimension at the back of mind or something as I heard some weird resonating hum. It grew louder and louder as my concentration carried on further. I decided to give up after a few more minutes but was unable. I was lost in shear concentration and couldn't find a way out. I then heard the lamp lighting the room beginning to flicker and buzz violently, and similar sounds came from different areas around me, including the floor where the spark battery was. Suddenly a powerful chill swept across my brain and down my spine just as a huge booming sound of lightning sounded throughout the room. My eyes shot open just to see lots of electric bolts darting across the room towards me. I shut my eyes out of fear and screamed yet again.

I stood there suspended by the armour still, eyes clenched shut. I peeped one of my eyes, surprised I was not in searing pain. What the buck did I just do? Did I do that? No that's impossible. I could only levitate tiny things as a filly, how could a hornless unicorn create some sort of... EMP... from her stub? Then in my series of questions, my visor once again lit up, but not with a battery symbol or another error. A start-up prompt? How is 'that' possible? I'm getting overwhelmed with developments here. The suit was drained and surely that EMP would have frazzled the last of whatever was left inside it. But... didn't those electric... things... come to me? And I clearly didn't conduct it. So the armour must have. I charged up my armour with some sort of electricity... magnet... using magic. Without a horn...

Serial Crack was glued to his terminal, hoping for a good sign that Crossword was still breathing and not caught. Last he needed was somepony, his friend... his 'best' friend, following in his footsteps. However he had to tip his hat to the ingenuity she had to hide in the armour, there couldn't of been another way out of that pickle. But that didn't draw from the fact she was in danger. Over the past two hours his ecstasy had diminished to guilt. He never wanted this for Crossword, he shouldn't of allowed her to encourage him, nothing good will come of this.

Upon his terminal screen was a radar, displaying all the Steel Rangers activated power armour in its radius, which covered most of the Watering Hole. The radar was linked to the large antenna sat upon the roof of the building. It was used for long distance radio broadcasts, but was also very good at detecting energy crystals, the ones in power armour specifically. He had his hopes that the Mark III had a unique gem contained within it due to its different architecture. This gem will show up differently on the radar to the other readings, revealing Crosswords location. But to his dismay, nothing had appeared yet that matched the specs. No readings in the armoury, just the usual guard outside it. The command building didn't appear to have much going on. Harrow was in his office, A couple of senior paladins on the floor below, and an assortment of crusaders on the floors stretching to the ground. Around its base, was a perimeter fence, making the front the only accessible entrance. Occasionally a knight entered, occasionally one left, like clockwork.

But... that didn't look like clockwork. Two signatures within the perimeter fence, at the back of the building. That's not normally accessible by anypony. The two knights made slow progress around the building within the perimeter for a few minutes until stopping at the rear. What could they possibly be doing there? The pair didn't budge for a moment, but the whole thing got more peculiar when they disappeared suddenly. It must be a glitch or something. Only way that could happen is if their armour powered down or they entered a room that was cloaked or something, which was absurd being as nopony out there would have that sort of technology.

I pondered on this further, watching as the same two signatures reappeared a minute or so later and leave the perimeter. It must be some sort of glitch developing from my make-shift setup, but despite it making no sense, it was just to unusual. And coincidental. Two knights came to pick up that armour. The armour that Star Paladin Hard Harrow wanted, not the Elder, or the Armour. It may just be a simple delegation, but he had always struck me as somepony with something up hidden his magazine. The fact that he always left unannounced was not the suspicious part, it's the way he goes about it. One day he'll be here, the next he would be gone, leaving even Cucumber Salad in the dark I have heard. I was never much of a trusting pony, but I smelled a rat. There might have been a possibility he is retrieving this armour unofficially, but for what purpose would he need it.

Suddenly I heard a large boom. It didn't sound like a bomb mind you, but more like some kind of pulse. Like a sonic boom I guess. Soon after hearing it, my entire dorm was left in darkness, my terminal abruptly left on a black screen.

What just happened?

"Evacuation now, everypony! I want all of you standing in front of your dorms ASAP!" shouted a clearly senior figure of the Watering Hole

Shit. I was hoping this day would never come, but sadly this was one of the few things that would mean me having to leave the safety of my den. I did have a contingency however for if an evacuation was initiated...

Star Paladin Hard Harrow looked down upon the Watering Hole from the emergency assembly point halfway up the crater. He was in deep though. How could such as damn simple job like this end up in shambles. I was looking after the most insignificant part of the whole Contingent, who in their right mind would attack here when there was a Head Quarters with much more equipment they could go for. Damn these fucking recruits, they don't have a hope in Tartarus to become true Steel Rangers.

Images of his last mission, the mission that ruined his life, came back to haunt him again. It was guaranteed to be a success, but I was given the worst team I could ever imagine. They blamed me for getting them all killed when it was clearly down to their ability. So here I am, in a place training more lousy recruits, to apparently make me learn from 'my' mistake. Those memories pinched a nerve every single time. I kicked my bare hoof to the ground, cracking what was beneath it. Fucking Cucumber Salad and his ideas. He should have just stripped me of my rank.

"Sir!" saluted a Paladin who approached him from behind

He returned from his angered thoughts and kept his gaze upon the Watering Hole

"You better have some reassuring news for me, 'cus I'm blowing a gasket here" he replied, remaining calm but visibly twitching with inner rage.

"From what our searches tell us, there wasn't a bomb at all. It appears that some sort of EMP went off near the main generator outside the Command Building. The engineers are working on restoring power, they say it will be a few hours. Otherwise, no damage has been inflicted, zero casualties.... Sir." reported the Paladin.

There was a long stretch of time where Hard Harrow spoke nothing, remained still, even his twitch was absent. A warm, dusty draught passed the pair of them, leaving the young Paladin slightly nervous. He was warned that bringing a report to Harrow never went smoothly. Suddenly Harrow turned to face him with a blank face.

"Get everypony back inside as soon as power is restored, I need to go back and check something." commanded the Star Paladin. He then returned his gaze to the Watering Hole and began to walk down the crater.

"But... Sir! I forgot! Cucumber Salad, he wants a report from ..." he pressed, but immediately regretted his words as Harrow stopped, his left hoof in mid-air.

He turned head to the Paladin, his face striking an incalculable amount of fear into his bones. Just when the face reduced his confidence to nothing, he changed his direction, approaching the Paladin who was now collapsed before him. He shoved his face in front of him and asked simply...

"I. Will report to him. When I. See. Fit." Harrow told the Paladin simply. Spelling the words out to him so he understood, his left eye twitching constantly as he stared at him with a deranged look.

"Of... course..." replied the Paladin, shuddering in fear of him.

"Of course. WHAT!" he blasted, the power of his voice literally throwing the frightened Paladin back.

"Of... C...c...course... Sir" the Paladin struggled the get the words out.

Harrow's mouth began to peak at the edges, smirking at the whelp he had made of the newly promoted Paladin.

"Good," he spat. Raising his head and resuming his path towards the base.

"Pleasure meeting you, newbie." he chuckled sinisterly, leaving the Paladin emotionally destroyed, lying in the dirt, staring at a hole in the hard rock crater, the same shape as a pony hoof.

I peered round the corner of the doorway to see the entire population of the Command Building leaving in file, following the instruction of two Senior Paladins standing either side of the doors. A siren had been blaring for the past 10 minutes, ever since that EMP went off. This entire espionage thing has been blown out of proportion here. I just wanted to get something off a terminal, now everypony in the Watering Hole was being evacuated. I don’t see a good ending to this. I messed up big time here.

However, this was a great opportunity. The electric devices in the Watering Hole appear to be down completely except for power armour apparently. They must think it's some sort of attack or something. But on the brighter side of things, there would nothing preventing me from getting to the bottom floor. I just had to bide my time, I’ll review my great escape and alibi when I achieve my mission. I retract my steel-clad head behind the frame of door. It's probably best I keep this on now, especially as it's working. I held back a squee as it dawned upon me what I was actually wearing and operating. This was gong to be fun.

After the ghost cleared about 10 minutes later, I slowly made my way out of what was apparently a secure repair bay, with an unlocked door. Scouting around the the seemingly empty main floor, I was happy to say that the command building was completely empty. Locating the route to the stairs, I literally skipped (or at least what would pass as skipping while in power armour) like a filly through the hallways towards them. No defences to worry about, no guards to hide myself from and no cameras to dodge. The armour really did show its worth being extremely light compared to the standard model and providing a night vision feature so I can find my way in the dark. It easily let me travel down the stairs two at a time with a slight jump. I passed all the office doors which were jammed open, all of which being empty to my relief. Inside them was the same, uniform sort of layout. Occasionally there were a pair of desks when the office was shared, but the decor down here was very bleak. Compared the the dorms anyway.

Reaching the bottom floor I counted each of the doors. It was number seven on the left hoof side. 1, 3, 5, and 7... There it was, wide open. I stepped in to see the format was identical to all the others on this floor and the two above me. An iron desk with a terminal embedded into it. A couple of paper filing trays, pen pot, the sort of stuff you would expect to see in a office I guess. I took my position at the terminal and plugged it in to my suit to power it up.

My prayers were answered finding the terminal unlocked when I placed the key in a slot behind the keyboard, opening up a bunch of random files. The terminals across the building appeared to sync with each other, sharing notes with each other. All of them appeared to have dates, so I sifted through until I found the same day as my entry into the knights. Nothing there, just a list of random names and such. The day before had more files, a mission list, armour distribution tables, and a job assignment roster. Bingo. Checking through I look at the title.

Entry Knights Job Assignment Roster
Rangers attending:

Elder Cucumber Salad
Star Paladin Hard Harrow
Senior Paladin Pearl Barley
Crusader Mellow

- Initiate Cherry Strudel

Right, so now I know exactly who was responsible, but I need more. I flicked through, seeing if somepony was writing minutes for the meeting, until I found a video. It was filmed. A monitor was located across the room in the wall, I moved over to it and attempted to do some crazy yoga position to plug both peripherals into my suit. I had more than enough power to do it thanks to that EMP. The monitor flipped on with a spark from the socket and played the clip until it came to my assessment...

"Ok, next Initiate, Crossword." announced Pearl Barley.

"Nope, deny it. She is trouble, will never be fit for duty.. Personally I think she should be put in the Scribes Roster if we have to do something with her." retorted Mallow

"On what grounds? Sound like this Initiate did something pretty bad to earn such a bad reputation from you?" questioned the Elder

"Where do I start," replied Mellow rolling his eyes with a snarky tone

"Hacking in to my personal terminal, aiding and abetting this Initiate here to cheat on her exam, and most importantly, nearly got herself killed in the Cage by a ghoul, never attempting to fire, just running away like a coward. She is a danger to herself and others, and I can be vouched for by the staff teaching her I’m sure."

"Well we already disputed the case of the hacking and found the evidence inconclusive. As for her abilities, I see your point. I'm going over her file now and there does appear to be a strong fault in her ability to shoot and kill. Her accuracy and skill with a weapon is satisfactory however, just the killing part from what I can see." Cucumber analysed

"And don't you think that that small fault in her file, is actually a big part in being a knight? What sort of Knight can't kill!?" shouted the Crusader, bashing his hoof on the table.

"I second that." stated Harrow, his head to the ceiling with a lack of interest in the conversation.

"If I may, Sir" spoke up Cherry

"Go ahead." he accepted

All eyes in the room were now on her, even Harrow left one eye staring at her.

"I can vouch that she would be a great Knight. I've known her since we both joined the programme together. She has a decent skill with weaponry, more importantly in how they work, exceeding my skills in that area admittedly. She may not be able to follow through a kill, but I think she needs more time. She was and still is an avid reader, which meant she wasn't really involved with all the extra stuff to do with target practise. I believe if we gave her the chance, she would be a valuable asset to any team. Highly knowledgeable, skilled and her single most powerful aspect. Determination. So strong, some would call it obsession." spoke Cherry, giving a very heartfelt speech from what I could see, her face showed very strong emotions as she spoke each word.

There was silence as everyone thought through what was said, with the exception of Harrow who seemed to fall asleep halfway through the speech. Mellow appeared to glare at her when Cherry returned his gaze, smirking a little.

"I see that her file supports all of what you say," acknowledges Cucumber

"It appears that she would make an invaluable scribe, but the problem with scribes is that they are unskilled in the field, making them a risk in the wastelands. Being as she is capable of showing the base skills needed of a knight, and the knowledge of a scribe, it makes her very promising in my eyes. But the issue of the killing is still there. Sadly I agree with Mellow, despite how strongly you feel on this Cherry."

"I concur," Pearl Barley spoke up.

"I do think she would fit in well with the Knights, with the correct applied practise. If we keep her out of the field for now, and say, put her on a safer job, one that would be very hard to mess up. I think she would gather that experience easily within a year or so. She is a very rare individual I must say, to lose her would be a great loss."

"What sort of job did you have in mind?" asked the Elder

"Possibly some local sweeps of the crater, border patrol? Nothing to intensive or risky. Most she will find out there is a stray Bloodwing or something. If we have some more capable Knights with her, the peer pressure will kick in soon enough." suggested Pearl

"I don't know, sweeps recently have uncovered some pretty dangerous hazards, I’ve only put senior knights on the job recently just in case, isn't that right?" questioned Cucumber, nudging Hard Harrow who was snoring next to him.

He woke loudly, nearly falling off his chair.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... I put them on the sweep..." he moaned, not happy about being awoken.

"Hmm... Border Patrol is a possibility. I like the sound of that, she can practise her aim, even take a shot at some of those pests we have. Kill two pegasi with one stone." the Elder brainstormed, beginning to warm up to the idea

"You can't be serious, your actually considering this train wreck?" complained Mellow

"Yes, and if you have a problem with my personal decision in this matter, you can hand over your key, your armour and you can kick you own flank out of here, is that clear?" threatened the Elder quite sharply.

Mellow grumbled slightly but kept his mouth shut.

"Alright then Cherry. I will accept her to Border Patrol, but nothing more, at least until we see an improvement. However, if you truly feel she will fit in to the knights, I need something from you to prove your words are honest." the room returning their gaze back upon her.

"What did you have in mind, Sir." returned Cherry, her voice showed a slight tremble.

"We have had a very important mission going now for a very long time. I have sent countless numbers of parties on it, but none never have returned. However after the last attempt, I left it a little while. Admittedly the parties I sent were a little under skilled for what I see now as a very specialised task. We were considering... looking at some of the talent we have here now... putting you on this mission." the Elder explained.

"How many parties have failed, are they still alive?" inquired Cherry, she wore a look of fear upon her.

"Five parties to date. We have no information to tell us they are alive or deceased, missing in action is all we can say." he answered

"I'm not sure, is there something else I can do?" pleaded Cherry

"No. This is your promise. I highly doubt that this time we'll fail, we have great ponies on this mission this time, I'll be damned to see none of you return, empty saddled or with the objective. So are you in?" the Elder passed over a piece of paper with a pen.

Cherry took them both and examined the details upon what she must have considered a waiver of sorts. The pen held in her mouth was trembling as she began to relinquish a tear. Pearl took notice of this and went around the table to comfort her.

"I can really see you care for your friend, but we don’t live in a world of friends, we live in a harsh world where we must think of ourselves more than others. I'm sure we can find another way of getting Crossword into the knights in a few years time when she grows up a bit but..."

"I promised her. I don't break promises." she interrupted

"Well. I'm leading this mission, and I personally selected everyone on it, including you. I've watched you become a very strong pony from when you first began training, I watched all of you, and I only choose the best of the best."

Cherry looks up to her, giving her a very confused face.

"I believe in the team, and we sure as hell are coming back. Having you, Cherry Strudel, on the team will only make our chances of success greater." complemented Pearl

Pearl placed a hoof on her back and then made her way back to her seat. Cherry sniffed up the last of her tears, and placed the pen on the paper. After signing the waiver, she kicked it back across the table to the Elder.

"Very good, I'll put you on Pearl's roster and Crossword on the Border. I suggest you go back to your dorm and cool off a bit, thank you for you help in the meeting so far Cherry." said the Elder, again showing a little emotion for her.

Cherry spoke nothing as she got up from her seat and left the room.

The video clip was reaching it's end as they all began to leave the room, Pearl leaving last just when...

"Pearl? Just a minute." requested Cucumber

"Sure. What did you need, Sir?" the Paladin replied

"How sure are you that you and this team can wrap up this mission once and for all? I have made enough tries at this and lost enough Rangers to make me question if this is worth it?" he questioned

"I am just a desperate to find out what it holds out there as you are. Clearly if the past attempts failed consistently, it must be well protected, and extremely important. The Ministry wouldn't have placed something unimportant out there in the Bale-lands, it has to be of worth to us." convinced Pearl

"As long as your certain. The mystery of Project 17 has gone on long enough." the Elder said in a half relieved, half regretful manner before making his exit.

Chapter 4 - The Hard Truth

A Heart Of Steel

Chapter 4 - The Hard Truth

Damn was I wrong, I got everything seriously wrong. She really 'did' try her best to get me through to the Knights. And even though she didn't get me all the way, she made a big sacrifice from how it sounded to me.

Project 17? Where have I heard that before. It was connected to the Ministry of Wartime Technology according to Pearl Barley. Possibly it was a part of same system as Project 2, the Mark III Power Armour I was wearing now. That must mean they had a whole line of 'Projects' they were working on that were kept secret, as I've only seen reference to the first two. Project 1 was the original incarnation of the Power Armour which was modified eventually into the standard model used today. Was Project 17 another variation of Power Armour? That must mean there are seventeen different types of Power Armour out there for the taking, and the one the Elder was aiming for must have been extra important. Where did they say it was again... the Bale-lands. No wonder nopony has returned.

The Bale-lands was the region further south of us. It is in the middle of no-ponies land between Equestria and the zebra homeland, Zebrica. It gets it's name due to the rumours that Zebras used it as a testing ground for Balefire explosives and weaponry, poisoning everything around it. It must have been an accident putting the base there, as nopony would have set up a base there in a place as unforgiving as that. Depending on when these 'Projects' were setup, they might have done it before the first tests were started maybe. Those poor ponies... They couldn't of stood a chance.

The full extents of the damage from those Balefire experiments have never been seen in pony let alone documented. So I can't imagine what peril those previous Rangers had to go through to get to Project 17. Cherry put her life on the line for me, I would never of imagined she would do that for anypony. Let alone me...

A tear rolled from my eye. This wasn't good enough, I don't want to be a knight like this. She shouldn't have to get herself killed for me, I don't deserve that at all. Unplugging myself from wall screen, I looked to the screen I checked through more of the files listed there. A few files after the video was the main copy of the roster containing all of the details of where each promoted Initiate would go. Among the roster were entries for Cherry Strudel and me:

Name - Cherry Strudel
Gender - Mare
Specialty - Tactical Offence
Position - Knight in Command - Project 17

Name - Crossword
Gender - Mare
Speciality - Knowledgeable
Position - Border Watch

Urrgh. I wish they gave me a better specialty name than that, no imagination. Looking up and down the list, the other entries had cooler names like Munitions Expert, Physical Combat Specialist... Toaster Repair Pony... Okay maybe it wasn't that bad then. But I couldn't resist. I backspaced out my original specialty and replaced it with: Technical Advisor

Much better. Wait.... I can edit this. I face-hooved, realising I could change things, possibly for the better. I just needed to change Cherry's position to something else. I began to replace her position when I realised something. Both Pearl Barley and the Elder are expecting her on that mission, her absence would cause an investigation for sure. I guess she's locked in to this thing now... But she shouldn't have to do it without her friend. I moved to 'my' roster entry. I can't change mine either, they would definitely think something is up if they saw I was on that mission, I'm surely not considered the "best of the best" by Pearl Barley. However... I'm sure I could make myself look like it.

I jumped around the file system making new entries, academic notes and physical exercise results, all for a new knight joining the Watering Hole. A knight called... Shadow... Step? I'm not good at this naming stuff, but I guess since I've got this armour now, it's accurate at least. Agile, camouflaged and quiet, works for me I guess. Plus if it looked like I was transfered, it would look like the armour was mine personally. But then I ran into a obstruction... My voice. I could still be recognised if they were to hear me speak. Unless I didnt.

I remember a pony in my younger training class had a speach impediment that allowed him to get off of many of the more gruelling excersises that we were put through. Luna I envied him so much, but he did end up on cafeteria permanently. I guess lazyness doesn't pay off forever. But I did take a page from his... very empty work book. I listed on my profile that I was mute, it was simple to pull off and it would prevent anypony from finding out my true self. I also gave myself grades rivalling Cherry Strudel's, guaranteeing my ponysona would be justified on the mission. Now all that was left is to clear the missing link. I deleted my entry from the job roster, replacing it with this:

Name - Shadow Step
Gender - Stallion
Specialty - Stealth Expert
Position - Knight - Project 17

That should do it. I thought it would be safe to pretend I was a stallion just to clear up any coincidences if they were to arise. Chances are some smart alec will make a connection from my disappearance and the appearance of Shadow Step. Plus how hard could it be? As long as I kept to the fact I couldn't talk, nothing I could do could give away I wasn't who I actually am, at least until the Bale-lands maybe. I've never truly had much of an interest in stallions. From my experiences with them, they just shout at and criticise you for being a mare. Many of them still believe being a knight is stallions job, but they are a dying group now. Serial was never like that I guess, one of the few exceptions. I've seen other mares have relationships with them, but I don't see it, at least for me. Love doesn't interest me, I'm way too focused all the time to care about that. Things like this were 'way' more interesting.

Suddenly I heard the sound of trotting down the stairs just up the hallway outside. Shit. They're coming back into the building from the looks of it. I quickly unplugged everything from the console and left the electronic key on the desk in its rightful place. Moving behind the door swiftly and propping myself against the wall on two hooves, I escaped the sight of another pony walking in...

Peering thought the crack between the door and the filing cabinet next to me I saw the stallion had a black coat with visible red scars across his body, even covering his unrecognisable cutie mark. His mane was short and unkempt. It appeared to be a deep red but showed some signs of going grey and even missing in places. He scanned the room appearing as though he was looking for something. His face then came into view as he moved from the right side to the left side of the room. Once I saw the scar stretching from his mutilated ear to this mouth, I knew who it was. It was Hard Harrow, but what was he doing here, surely his office was upstairs. He lifted his hoof to look at his PipBuck, squinting at the display and grunting

"Urgh, why isn't this crap working! It's clearly not here!" he shouts in frustration. He bashes the PipBuck against the door, forcing the solid metal slab millimetres from my face, the door stop preventing it from going any further.

He moves away from the door and approaches the desk, examining the papers. He spots the key and moves his hoof to it. Busted. I'm out of here. Emerging from behind the door slowly, I leave the room as quietly as possible. I place my fore hooves gently upon the floor and stretch around the door as much as the armour would allow. I successfully leave the doorway and enter the hall, beginning a brisk trot to the stairs.

"Why would he leave his key in here. He would have needed it to get out... WAIT A MINUTE!" exclaimed Harrow.

I was up two steps just when Harrow slides out of the office spotting me.

"You thieving little cunt! Don't you fucking move!" commanded the furious looking Star Paladin. I stood there with my front left hoof hovering above the third step, looking to him from across the hallway. His face carried the famed 'Hard Harrow Twitch of Death' which he fired at me, staring me up and down. He was wearing his off duty uniform and holstering some form of pistol. His stance showed he was prepared to charge at me any moment.

"Where. Did you get that!?" he attempted to shout, but it ended up raspy, probably from shock or something. I did not reply to him, despite being caught, I still had my identity relatively hidden from him. I still stood a chance of getting out of this, possibly scot-free.

"Tell me!" He tried again, but despite being threatened by a high ranking superior, I kept my cool. I had the upper hand here. Although it shouldn't really come to this, I was clearly better equipped than him, and quicker as well.

He then took a large step forward, staying low to the ground so he could easily attempt to dodge anything I fired at him. I reversed and climbed another step of the staircase to keep my distance.

"I said don't move!" he screamed again, reclaiming his voice apparently

It must have been this point that I went from wetting myself with fear, to finding this slightly amusing. Experimentally, I moved a few steps back, which to my amusement, made Harrow back track with a growl. I tilted my head to the side and lifted my hoof and waved it to the side, the overall gesture saying "Oh please". He then began to bear his teeth, growing even more furious. I wonder if he had a limit?

"You think your so tough in that suit?" he asked mockingly. I nodded vigorously, sniggering quietly.

He reached to his holster to take his weapon. Ok then, he's going for that approach, now where is 'my' weapon. I push the button with my teeth that I guessed armed the weapons system. I was met with a new, red heads up display with targeting features littering my vision, featuring E.F.S and S.A.T.S. The magical energy rifles on either side of my armour make a whirring sound as they charged up.

"Hmm... You could do that. If you wanted to be disintegrated completely by this?" He spoke before he drew a magical energy pistol. Well that is something you don't see every day. Those types of pistols were not standard issue from the armoury, it must be a personal one of his.

But seriously! Disintegrated? By that? That thing couldn't even disintegrate regular power armour completely, let alone this power armour with it's plating. He's clearly bluffing thinking I don't know my weapons. But I'll play along for now. I tilt my head to the side again which makes him grin.

"Oh? You don't recognise this?" he asks, mocking surprise. I shake my head to him slowly.

"Of course you don't, it's one of kind. Never has a magical energy weapon been engineered to its finest, it's body is a work of art itself..." He went one about it. It did have a rather unique body from the ones I've seen pictured in books. But he was clearly trying to fool the wrong sort of pony. I could see the standard M.W.T branding on the base nonetheless, indicating it was still the same architecture and power as all the rest of the other energy pistols.

While he carried on glorifying, I initiated my S.A.T.S and targeted the butt of the weapon. Hopefully this would disarm him as well as debilitate him, allowing me enough time to escape without harming him. Locked on, I fired a low energy shot from my left holstered energy rifle. It was a perfect shot, the force knocking the pistol from his mouth, melting the butt slightly, and even knocking Harrow back onto his rump. He released a loud groan, surprised at the sudden shots fired. Ticking all but one of the boxes, I began to sprint upstairs.

Fourth Floor... Galloping as fast as I could. I still couldn't understand why I wasn't wetting myself with fear or something. Third Floor... Taking down a Star Paladin was treason to its highest degree, even if it wasn't lethal. Second Floor... But out of the many Star Paladins I've heard of from stories, he was hardly worth his title. First Floor... But one thing I really did notice when I picked him off. Ground Floor... I had never felt so alive!

I burst out of the front doors of the Command Building and took cover behind a planning room outside. Taking a look around both corners, it still appeared that the Watering Hole was evacuated. No sign of anypony, not even a scouting patrol. I must still be ahead of them... Perfect. The best place to go right now would be Serial's dorm. Wait... Crap!

I left my cover and galloped to Serial's dorm building. Because of me, Serial might be in big trouble. He never leaves his room, not just because he's technically not allowed, but he's a dead pony walking if he does. I bash the door down of the dorm building and head to the last junction of hallways, taking a left and reaching his door.

"Serial! You in there?!" I shout desperately, knocking on the door violently to the correct beat. But I hear nothing from inside. I reach for the doorknob just for the sake of trying, only to find his door unlocked. I deep ache develops in my chest with it reaching up my throat. I take a deep breath.

'He's smart, he wouldn't let anything happen to him'. I push the door open slowly. Peeking through I see the door to the kitchen, which looks normal and intact. Pushing the door open wide I step through, revealing the central room... Oh Celestia!

"NOOO!" I screamed. I rush into the room and reach the sofa, knocking the coffee table to the left side of the room. In front of me was the body of Serial Crack, but in a very sorry state. I activate my E.F.S to confirm the worst, no signal... He was gone. I drop my head and begin to sob. I see a knife below me that must have been used to kill him. I sat there in front of the sofa, multiple emotions going through my head. Anguish, rage and... Guilt. I caused this. I exposed him to whoever did this. Why didn't I just stay on the border. This would never have hap-

The front door slammed behind me and I jumped up enabling my weapons, ready for a firefight. I turn around to see the unbelievable.

"You know the rules, Crossword," Serial scolds her. "Keep the door closed."

My eyes widen as I quickly do a double take between the apparent fake body and the real one talking to me now.

"Bu-bu-but how?" I stammered, my chest beginning to have some sort of war being waged within it.

He walks into the room and collects the coffee table with the assistance of his magic.

"Well I've always thought that eventually something would happen that would mean I would need to leave the dorm. And obviously that would be the end of me. So using some spare textiles, food packaging and other scrap that ends up here, I made a dummy. So I hide, they come in and see me dead. Seems simp-AAHHHH!" Serial collapsed beneath me as reach to hug him.

"I-thought-you-were-dead-and-I-caused-it-because-I-started-the-evacuation-with-an-EMP-thing-with-my-horn-and-I-was-chased-by-Hard-Harrow-and-shot-a-pistol-out-of-his-mouth-and-it-was," I take a huge breath and was about to resume when I started hear some painful groans below me. I completely forgot the shear amount of weight I had.

"Ahh, Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!" I leap off of the navy unicorn and reach down to lift him back on his hooves.

"It's. Umph. Fine," Serial places a hoof on his neck, a look of pain across his face. "I thought I was going to end up like that dummy."

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" I asked, a little worry still in my throat.

"Nah, I'm good. I'm not a wrinkly yet," Serial attempted to joke. "But I didn't get a word you said to me earlier. Let's take a sit down, I'll make some drinks while you take off that armour."

Serial gives me a look up and down, producing a facial expression of awe, before trotting to the kitchen.

After half an hour, I had explained my entire experience inside the armour, the Command Building, the EMP, the video, Project 17 and Hard Harrow. Serial didn't interject throughout my story, taking everything in. He took another sip from his mug before saying a word.

"So then, your very lucky." stated Serial before taking another sip. I gave him a confused look.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, forgetting the fact your on this mission now, I'll get to that. But the fact you can still use your magic. That's a very rare skill. I've heard of only one unicorn that was able to do a spell with his horn removed, and that was just levitation." He nodded as he spoke, impressed with my apparent discovery.

"But I'm not even sure that was me, I mean it's impossible for magic to work with technology at that sort of level... Isn't it?" I questioned myself. It's something I've never quite considered. I mean magic can be used to interact with a terminal, like a keyboard and stuff. But to actually effect technology like an EMP was a weird thought.

"Well I wouldn't say it's impossible. Magic should never really be considered to have a limit. I guess we never have researched magic much, at least I'm not aware of the Rangers doing it. But magic can do incredible things if you put the right amount of training into it." Serial lectures.

"But I don't have a horn. Explain how that's possible." I point to the stub on my head where my horn used to be.

"I guess that's true, but it's quite the coincidence that the room you were in was not far at all from the Watering Hole's Power Array." He argued

"Wait. Really!" that set me back. Maybe it was possible.

"And this 'Project 17' thing, very interesting. I've not heard of any of these Projects. But you say that the Black Power Armour was part of Project 2. It would make sense that they started doing more 'Power Armour' based experiments. Must have been really wrapped under covers though if they didn't even name them." Serial put a hoof to his chin.

"Well. The Elder seemed very keen on getting his hooves on whatever it is. So much that's he was willing to risk those other Rangers on it." I added

"You sure it was a good move? Putting your self on that mission sounds really sketchy, let alone the fact you'll have to fake your identity. How are you going to be able to pull that off?" criticised the unicorn.

"Well I had a few ideas in my head. But I was hoping you could help me with that?" I put a hoof behind my head. I've really asked so much of him today, I should hardly expect him to say-

"Yeah, sure." he accepted. He met my surprised face after looking through some documents on the floor.

"Err... Well then. What did you have in mind?" I questioned.

Serial Crack lifted a map of the Watering Hole from the corner of his room and placed it on the table. He retrieved a pen and circled a few places upon it. He then retrieved a blank piece of paper and jotted down a list of seemingly random objects.

"Let's work with this alias you have made for yourself, Shadow Step." he looks to me with that grin he had earlier today. Looks like I've turned on 'that' part of his brain again. What was I in for?

Crusader Milkshake had had quite the day. As he strolled down the hallway to the bottom floor of the Command Building, he recapped how his squad took down five Bloodwings on one patrol, getting a recommendation for a promotion, and having to handle his first evacuation. He was pretty tired, but he had to do one last thing.

All the security doors were still jammed open from that power surge so there was no need for his key. He was lucky as well as he appeared to have lost it somewhere, possibly around when he returned to the base. He remembered nodding to that new knight on the border, remembering how he was there once at the start of his time as a knight also. He approached his office on the bottom floor when he noticed something. His office door was the only one open on this floor. Maybe he just forgot to close it when he left this morning.

He enters the room and takes off his armour, leaving it in the corner. Sighing with relief from his restraints he turned to look to his desk when he jumped out of his fur.

"Hello there," spoke Hard Harrow. He sat in the Crusader's chair, a magical energy pistol lying next to him and an electronic key hanging on his hoof. "Missing something?"

"S-s-sir, I wasn't expecting you." stuttered the bright yellow pony.

"Of course you weren't, I just came down here to try and find something of mine." The Paladin put a lot of emphasis on the 'mine'.

"I'm afraid I don't understand, Sir. I can't imagine how any of your property would have ended up down here." explained Milkshake

Hard Harrow snorted a single laugh.

"A very common answer... for a LIAR!" Harrow's voice broke suddenly at the end into a shout. "You don't think I'd figure out your filthy little plot to take 'my' armour?"

The Crusader's face became very confused.

"I don't understand what you mean, Sir?" he insisted

Hard Harrow slammed him to the ground. He face seething with rage and bearing his teeth.

"You filthy, fucking thief. I've already figured you out, there's no point in lying. Now tell me where the armour is!" he demanded

"I-I don't know wh-what you mean? What armour? Mine is over there in the corn-AHHH!" wailed Milkshake as Harrow jammed his hoof into his snout.

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" he yelled

"I don't know!" the crusader cried, breaking into tears.

Hard Harrow sighed. "Pathetic, I guess 'this' should motivate you."

A bright white glow was then emitted that made the Crusader squint for a moment. When he looked again, he saw the magical energy pistol pointed to his face, enveloped in a white haze. He gasped in fright as he looked past the firearms to see a bewildering sight. He was levitating the gun, without a horn.

"Now then, Milkshake. Tell me where the fucking armour is, or I'll turn you into dust," he asked calmly, setting each word out, trying to make it easier to understand.

"I-err... May know where it, well." His eyes darted about, both confused at what was going on and trying to think of something he could say.

"Yes? Go on?" the Paladin encouraged. He pressed the pistol further into his face.

"Erm... I think I saw... S-something outside before I came in... It l-looked unusual." suggested Milkshake

Hard Harrow's eyes narrowed. "What colour was it?"

"Steel, of course... Right?" confirmed the Crusader, a tear leaving his eye.

The Star Paladin sighed. "Wrong answer." He charged the weapon and fired just before Milkshake could scream, rendering him into ashes.

He rose from the remains and holstered his weapon. Looking to his PipBuck, he attempted to locate the armour again. Nothing. NOTHING! He slammed the PipBuck to the ground, creating yet another small dent in its casing.

"I WANT THAT ARMOUR! ARGGHHHH!" Hard Harrow flipped the office table in frustration, littering the floor with paperwork and knocking the terminal over, smashing it's screen. Turning to the chair, he picked up the electronic key and hung it on the hook at the front of the door and closed it behind him.

Advancing up the stairs, he calmed himself and rethought his plan. Despite the failure this time in retrieving the armour, he wouldn't stop there, he 'couldn't' stop there. Clearly there was a pony out there that knew their stuff. They knew how to operate the armour, they could identify energy weapons, those are skills that are very rare. It was just a matter of finding out which pony in this hole had them. He could pick out quite a few names that could be the culprit, but he couldn't act on it. Not with the Elder breathing down his back at least.

He looked down to his energy pistol in its holster. The Star Paladin was getting fed up of answering to that prissy scumbag. But this time, he wasn't going to stand for it. This armour is essential for his plans. And anything that gets in his way, would end up with the same fate as that Crusader. Levitating his pistol again and cocking it, he looked to his PipBuck, acquiring the location of the Cucumber Salad. Perfect. Lounging in his office. He wouldn't see this coming, not in the slightest. He laughed maniacally as he took the 'long way' round the building, heading for the top floor, the Elder's Office.

Chapter 4.5 - Breach of Guilt

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 1.5 - Another Awakening

MacintOS v0.81

Start-up Sequence Initiated

Beginning Boot-time scan

File System Check : [OK]
External Integrity : [OK]
Spell Matrix Performance : [OK]
Internal Component Check : WARNING
Motor Status : [OK]
External Controller : [ERROR]
= No Controller detected at station
= Defaulting to A.I
Artificial Intelligence Status : [OK]
Protocol Verification : [OK]
S.A.T.S : [OK]
E.F.S : [WARNING]
Differentiation capacitor not detected, disabling self-defence and hostile combat systems for safety
Power Supply Efficiency : 99.9% [OK]

Retrieving System data

Device : Project 17 - "Delta"
Manufacturer : Ministry of Wartime Technology - Experimental Department
Days since launch : 1946
Users registered : [DATABASE NOT FOUND]

Start-up complete

Activating A.I

I was in hybernation mode from last night as I was beginning to overheat due to the base's Air Conditioning failing, but I can now hear the fans working once again, but also I could hear something else. As soon as my visuals activate, I see a large rat in front of me. However this rat appeared to be mutated, developing sharp long fangs, similar to a prehistoric creature I had researched called a Sabre-toothed Tiger. Its fur, rather than the normal brown to black scheme, was tinged dark green; its eyes were still black but had pinprick red dots in the centre. I immediately seized it in my Anti-Gravity Field before it could run away, but when I began to lift myself up, the mutant rat emitted a high pitch squeal, unusual to its species. Following this, five more rats of a regular variety escaped from a panel on my side carrying various parts with them in their fangs, and scurried off into the tunnels.

I looked at my readout and saw that a vital part of my Eyes Forward Sparkle was missing among the parts they stole, disabling my combat systems. Without it, I could not fulfil my protocols and protect the base as well as myself. It was of vital importance to regain those parts, so I immediately gave chance after them still keeping the mutant rat in my field. Using the barely functional E.F.S, I could track their positions in the tunnels and look for ways to intercept them. But it looks like they are making all the right turns, knowing where to go exactly that would prevent me from catching them. But they encroached upon a dead end, giving me a chance.

I slid into the opening and looked upon the sandstone wall that ended this tunnel. At its bottom were the five rats reering at the wall, trying to find a way through, impossibly. My entire weapons array was disabled due to the capacitor one of the rat has in its possession, so exterminating them is not an option. I could use my Anti-Gravity Field to just enclose them, but it would mean me losing the one I had in my grasp now, which was reluctantly not an option either. I looked to my environment to see if there was anything in the vicinity I could use to my advantage, but sadly the tunnel ended with solid smooth sandstone with the walls and ceiling showing no exploitable devices or suitable debris. This meant resorting to my final option, and while it has a 78.2% chance of working, its costs were great, but so was the loss of this capacitor.

Two years back, while researching the experiments that were being undertaken at Project 17, a strange experiment was undertaken, nicknamed "Overwing". Its purpose was to reconstruct the already existing Power Armour created by the Ministry of Wartime Technology and worn by Steel Rangers, with the ability to take flight. The need came so that those on the ground could combat any future threats from the Grand Pegasus Enclave. While there were never any recordings of a serious attack from the Enclave in the databanks available to me, the experiment went ahead anyway. The outcome was inconclusive due to many complications with the engineering, as well as a a number of issues arrising from within the Ministry of Awesome, who's engineers were contributing towards the experiment. But yet after researching it, I found that remnants of its code, both original and modified, were found in my system. I may be ill practised as I have no room to test the Overwing here, but I know that its turbines can be fully controlled, giving me my only option.

The plan would be to use the Overwing turbines to produce a reverse air flow strong enough to keep the rats in the tunnel, and also drag them close enough for me to manually terminate them. The catch to this plan would be the use of my one non-renewable fuel source, diesel. The crude-oil based chemical contained inside me is the only volume I have found after my explorations of the base, meaning once it is used; I won't be able to use the Overwing again. I calculate, taking into account the amount of revolutions needed to create the necessary air flow and the 10 metre distance I will need to pull the rats, that my fuel tank will be depleted by 25%.

I deliberated this for exactly half a minute when the mutant rat emitted another loud shriek. This echoed down the tunnel, reaching the rats who immediately upon hearing it, began to act. They charged. This needed a different strategy. They were advancing along the tunnel towards me at an increasing pace, beginning to squeak in a seemingly aggressive way. Using the Overwing was now out of the picture, but then it occurred to me. The entire time I was chasing these rats, I was aware that they were a neutral party, stealing parts, but unarmed. This meant that my E.F.S would not have targeted them as hostile, but now that they are in a hostile like stance, charging towards me, they must be hostile.

I didn’t need a differentiation capacitor to see this, not any longer.

Bypassing Security

Weapons Array Activated

E.F.S Fully Functional

I locked targets on all of the rats now at 5 metres from me. Choosing the cleanest method of eliminating them, I open up my left side panel and reveal my Mark 2 - Incinerator. Powering up the Magical Energy Beam, I set the entire tunnel alight

I sat in the Library of Project 17. An oval room surrounded wall to wall with bookshelves roughly six metres high. In the centre, I was sat at one of five desks, this one being the grand central one made of ivory wood. In front of me was my current project that I had worked on since I had become bored of my normal scheduled functions, maintenance, cleaning and scavenging. Instead it's a book. But this book was not finished. It was started by a significant member of the scientists based here at one time, named Dr Redthorn. Dr. Redthorn was responsible for work on the central experiments here in the base. He had his name written across many things here, from programs to books, a whole library of them. When I first discovered the Library, it allowed me to research much of the basic knowledge I now have in my personal databanks, but when I finally reached the last bookshelf, I noticed all the books were either blank or partly finished. One book took my interest in particular, titled "A Guide to the Species of Equis". The book was unfinished, but contained various entries of different creatures found across the lands above. I learned what I could but the empty pages left me with a new directive, to fill in any pages that Dr. Redthorn missed or could not fill. He had already made detailed entries on the base species so far, many of the new entries I had made are mutations of those. I had tried to use the book to identify what I was exactly, however none of the entries seemed to match any of my capabilities. None of the books in the library did.

The mutant rat sat in a small cage on the desk. I had created the cage from strewn metal bars I had found on the way back from the incinerated area. It squealed constantly, begging for freedom from his imprisonment. However I was not done with him, I needed to sketch an accurate drawing of it first, then a detailed log of its defining features as well as any biological abilities it may have. Often or not, these mutated creatures had some very fascinating abilities. Once I found a bat, extremely mutated and violent. It was no match for my Incinerator at close range but I managed to recover a fairly intact carcass. Unlike the regular bats haunting the lower levels of the base, these had developed a taste for blood of any type, such as the rats and other creatures that find their way in. They also developed into incredible sizes compared to their genetic parents making them a force to reckon with if confronted.

I remembered while drawing the sketch that this rat appeared to have some form of control over the other regular rats. Rats by nature do not have a hive mind or a dominant rat; they often grouped or went solo, making this rat very unique indeed. It didn't appear to physically assert itself above the rats, but it did have that squeek. It must have developed a way of producing a frequency that was hypnotic towards others of its species, making it some form of self-elected leader. I finished my sketch for the entry and closed the book. I returned it to its position in the "unfinished bookcase" and placed my oculars on the rat that remained in the cage. I decided to call it an Alpha Rat, due to its assertation as a leader. But now its usefulness had come to an end. After the annoyance it had caused me today, despite discovering I no longer needed a differentiation capacitor, I could not risk it theiving any more property of the M.W.T. I approached the cage with the rat now silent, possibly wondering what was next. I activated my Anti-Gravity Field around its neck and before it could release a full squeak, I swiftly snapped its neck.

A clatter came from the chute as the dead body of the Alpha Rat dropped into the depths of Project 17. There, the 'Bloodwings' (As I come to know them as from video logs) would take care of it, rather than traveling up to main floors looking for live prey, resulting in more work for me.

My charge was beginning to get low, so I began to make my way back to the central lab to recharge. I went over the events of the day today, it’s been two weeks since the last new entry in the book, and I’m beginning to believe that I’m running out of creatures to document around here. If the guide was finished, then the entire library was finished, and I would be left with nothing to do. Unless...

I left Project 17 to go to the surface?

There must be an endless amount of creatures that have yet to be documented. My directive would be satisfied forever. But. No. I couldn’t do it, my protocol requires me to be here to protect the base from intruders such as the Steel Rangers, and I could not deny that. However, I was never sure what I was actually protecting. I knew the entire contents of Project 17, but I could never find anything unique, just parts and information. I questioned at one time if the library was the goal of these intrusions, or possibly the weaponry hidden in the lower floors. Possibly the computers in the central hub were their target, it was hard to say, especially when all I understood from my intruders is that they were just as unsure as I am.

I entered the hub once again and walked up to my pod. To the side were two buttons, green and red. I pressed the green button and the pod began to rumble as the front slid forward and up, revealing a number of mechanised tentacles. They came to life and reached out to plug into my neck, chest and my legs. I was then lifted into the pod and slotted into place with a loud whine of metal on metal scratching. The lid slid over and my oculars shut down. I would be charging for approximately 48 hours, hopefully some more life was waiting for me to document afterwards, maybe even a few puzzles to solve. That would be nice.

Shutting Down Now

END OF LOG