Author's Note

Again thanks to KKat for the wonderful crossover that is Fallout Equestria. I have decided to change up the beginning so please enjoy. I had a rush of inspiration besides its a bit lazy to use another person's OC anyway.

On Ice (Modified)

“You should see the looks on your faces. Priceless!”

Whoever thought a coal powered machine going over 60 miles per hour on flimsy metal tracks was a good idea needs to be put in front of a firing squad, them and the pony that agreed. The dark green floor boards of the train car had my rapt attention as I fought to keep the contents of my stomach where they belonged. My silver wings twitched madly behind me as I grabbed the vomit bag from the seat beside me and dry heaved into it.

“Don’t like trains huh?”

I glanced up at a cyan unicorn buck with a combed back silver mane that sat across from me. His cheeky grin made me want to throttle him. Didn’t know if that was him or the nausea talking…nghhn…didn’t quite care either. “No just the color blue makes me sick to my stomach.” 'That and cocky bastards,' I added mentally.

“Ouch sarcasm,” he gave me a mock hurt look. No shit Shercolp. Nghhhg. I dry heaved some more into the bag as the train bounced on the tracks. By Luna’s glistening plot I hated trains. “Silverlux.”

I looked up at the cyan hoof in front of me like it was a tentacle. Oh right. Damn it Masquerade get it together! I met his hoof with mine,” Nightingale.”

“So you on leave?” he asked as he leaned back in his seat. Heh you could say that.

“Yeah,” I looked down at the officer’s uniform I’d ‘borrowed’ in Manehatten. I wonder if she ever figured out she'd been robbed blind. “From the 501st Battalion. 1st Recon."

He nodded,” Good unit I hear. They were on the front lines right?”

Hmm this guy knows his shit. My pale blue eyes flashed over his person as I gave him a once over. A neat clean white suit, well groomed coat, and….yep a little black diamond shaped pin on the lapel. This guy’s a Ministry of Image agent to be sure. “They were last week but had to pull back. That was when I got my orders to rotate home and not a minute too soon.” That was true…for her at least.

“So like what you see?” He caught me giving him a once over. Time to up the charm.

I brushed a strand of my jet black mane being an ear and fluttered my eyelashes,” Maybe…”

“Quite the firecracker aren’t you?”

Oh you have no idea. “Sometimes,” I giggled,” What do you do?”

“I’m into fashion if you can believe it,” Oh I bet,” But I’m coming to Baltimare to visit family.” His grin became a small genuine smile. Huh I’d thought people forgot how to that. “Are you from Baltimare?”

I found myself glancing out of the window. The low granite and marble buildings of Baltimare came into view as the train surged toward it. The City of Secrets was its most common nickname. Every back alley, every low granite building, every cobblestone street had a story to tell. The only thing that the war seemed to change about it was the radio and comms towers that dotted the city. The towers of wire and metal looked out of place with the rest of Baltimare’s grim architecture. I looked Silverlux square in the eye and smiled,” No my first time actually. You?”

The train pulled into Baltimare Central Station with a screech and a hiss. Silverlux and I had made small talk for several minutes as the train entered the city. I found out he was born in Canterlot and spent most of his life there but had recently laid roots here to be closer to his twin sister and niece. He even showed me pictures, even ‘dawwed’ at his niece. Cutest little thing I’d ever seen…well except for every time I looked in a mirror. Silverlux sat up when the doors opened and started toward them,” Well I hope you like the city. Oh and be careful it has a tendency to capture your heart.”

“Thanks,” I pulled my duffle bag from the carry-on above me and pulled it over my shoulder. I pecked his cheek and watched in amusement as his blue fur turned pink,” Give that little niece of yours a kiss for me, handsome.” I gave him a wink and trotted out the door with a sultry sway to my hips. Alright now that we have todays flirt out of the way…I pulled a note from my duffle bag.

‘Moonbeam Hotel. 3:00 PM.’

Moonbeam Hotel it is then. Once I got out of the Central Station, which was quite the chore let me tell you, ponies everywhere. Someone even stepped on my beautiful tail. I mean how rude can you get!

Where was I? Oh yeah.

Anyway traversing the streets of Baltimare was like a walk down memory lane really, the same old shops, restaurants, and offices. The only difference was the…ugh…war paraphernalia. It was everywhere. Posters that sported ‘Better Wiped than Striped’ and ‘Pinkie Pie is Watching you Forever!’. By Celestia that one was creepy. That was a face that swore to slit your throat in your sleep with a butcher’s knife. If you think I’m crazy for thinking that I’m not!

There were dozens of other posters too each bearing a Ministry Mare except for Rarity of course. Mare was notoriously camera shy and this is coming from me! After a nice leisurely stroll the Moonbeam Hotel came into view. It was small but old, I mean really old. Then again most buildings in Baltimare were a couple of centuries old and would probably last even longer. Gotta respect anything built by earth ponies.

The Hotel’s front desk was manned by a red mousy looking unicorn mare who looked old enough to be my grandmother. I wonder if she knew the old bag. When she saw me her winkled muzzle formed a bright grin.

“Welcome to the Moonbeam Hotel deary,” she beamed,” Would you like a room?”

A well-practiced line, the stage is set and the lead actress begins her lines. I smiled,” Why yes, one with a view please.” I slid a small bag of bits onto the counter with a wing.

Realization flashed across her amber eyes,” I believe I have a room for you. The Constantine Suite should do nicely.” She slid a key onto the counter and I swept it up with a wing.” Enjoy your stay here.”

“Thank you,” I gave a small curtsy and started up the stairs beside the counter. The parts played to the letter, the stage goes dark, exit stage left. Got to love an employer with a flair for the theatrical like me.

My room was at the far end of the hall. I slid the key in with a nimble primary feather and entered the room. I felt like I was taking a trip back in time. The furniture was Pre-Diamond era and kept in mint condition. The dark wood vanity and dresser was polished to near perfection and the mahogany frame bed was complete with a curtain. I dropped my bag on the floor, discarded the uniform with practiced ease and swiftness and jumped on the bed with a giggle. Mhmm so soft. I looked over at the duffle bag and sighed, time to get ready. With a flutter of my wings I jumped off the bed and opened the bag. A smooth wooden case stared back at me.

I grinned and opened the box. It was like a tackle box but instead of lures and hooks it held masqueras, blushes, lipsticks. Every color imaginable was held in the powders and paints. I pressed a hoof on one of the lipsticks. A compartment popped out from the bottom with a click revealing sparkling jewelry. Lace chokers with onyx, gold necklaces set with ruby and sapphire but what my eyes focused on were a pair of white diamond earrings. A small rune was carved into each flawless gem. Compared to the other pieces of jewelry they appeared plane but looks can be deceiving. I put the studs in my ears and instantly felt the magic go to work. I focused on the handle of my hoof mirror that was sticking out of the duffle bag. A moment later it floated up into the air surrounded in a pale blue aura. Celestia I love zebra talismans. Shame most of them have such a hard-on for killing ponies.

I set to work with the paints and powders as if I was creating art. Who was I kidding I was! The talismans made the work so much more precise and efficient. Once I was done I looked myself over in the mirror on the vanity. Hmmm perfection. I cast a glance at my cutie mark, an elegant and intricate black lace masquerade mask; my pride and joy. I pulled a few powders and an eyeliner pen from my makeup box and set to work covering up my cutie marks. When I was done an hourglass stared back at me. I pulled a simple dress suit from the bag and put it on. My features were as plain as the suit, it even covered my wings. I was easy to pass by without another thought like this. Even my alias was common, Clockwork. Common, plain and without suspicion. Only one thing left to put on and this costume was complete.

I pulled another little case from the bottom of my duffle bag. What it’s a big bag? Inside was a bland grey pipbuck. Pipbucks were a super computer that fit snuggly on the foreleg. The thing had targeting systems, could tell you who was friend or foe, organize your saddlebags, and even the price of items. The only thing it needed was a mirror and it’d be perfect. I pulled it on and it started up a minute later, the screen flashing a dull puke green. Okay they really need to change the color. I mean at least lighten it to teal.

‘Thank you for choosing Stable-Tec.’

You are quite welcome super computer. Once the loading sequence was done the Eyes Forward Sparkle function, a health bar and Stable-Tec Assisted Targeting Spell or S.A.T.S. option appeared in my vision. The little green bars just above my line of sight were still nerve-racking but I’d get used to it. I pulled up the pipbuck’s files and found a single audio log there.

“Go to the Ministry of Peace Hub in Baltimare. Your employer has reason to believe the zebras got ahold of the Megaspell tech through a traitorous source. When you have the proof we need take it to Joe’s Donut Shop in Coltsburg. A represented will be waiting for you there and you will receive the other half of your payment.”

The deeply male voice clicked off. ‘The other half of my payment,’’ I squealed in delight while dancing in place. Well over a hundred thousand bits. Oh Goddesses I’m rich. I can bucking retire after this and all it will take is infiltrating one of the easiest targets in Equestria. I don’t care if my employer is more cloak and dagger than me this venture has made me. Hell I’ve never even met the guy face to face but who the hell cares I’m set for life. Whooo! After dancing around the room like a fool I trotted merrily to the door and slipped out the hotel.

__________________________________________________________________

The Ministry of Peace Hub was easy to find. It was a massive hospital complex easily taking up a dozen blocks. The weird thing was the towers that circled the grounds though. Hmm oh well. I went straight ofr the front entrance where a statue for Ministry Mare Fluttershy stood. She was surrounded by all manner of small woodland creatures. The cuteness of the ststue almost made me gag. Goddesses these Ministry Mares had big egos. I swear I think that shy cutesy attitude is a front, no pony is that bloody kind. Ponies passed me by without a second look as I went through the glass doors. I nodded to the receptionist and continued through the double doors like I belonged…. “Umm excuse me?” Almost. I faced her with a small forced smile.

“Yes?”

“Umm do you have an identification card,” the receptionist mare was defiantly new. Good better that is for me.

I made a show of patting myself down,” Oh my I seemed to have left it at my house. I’m so sorry I’m not usually this scatter brained. My name is Clockwork, I should be one the manifest.”

She tapped a few keys on her terminal. “Here it is.” Heh knew it was on there somewhere.” You’re on the janitor list correct?” It took all my strength to not grimace. Masquerade does NOT do floors. Not in this life or any other.

“Yes.” Oh Goddesses my pride...

“Why the suit if I may ask?”

Crap. ”Its formal attire today. A big-to-do is coming today and they want everyone to look their best.”

She gasped,” I had no idea.” She cast a worried glance at the blue dress she was wearing,” Do you think I’ll get in trouble. Is my dress too plain?”

Oh thank Celestia she bought that, totally pulled that out of my plot. I shook my head,” Nah you’ll be fine. Anyway got windows and floors to clean.” Will. Not. Break. Character! “Tootles.”

I trotted off through the double doors and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Damn that was fucking close. Alright now then where would I find the data base? I pulled my pipbuck up and turned the map function on. Alright so the director’s office would be here in the center of the facility so it stands to reason if I’m gonna find any dirt it’s there. With my destination marked I made my way to it.

I was able to avoid security ponies with relative ease and the doctors and nurses didn’t even give me a second look as I tracked down the Director’s office. It was relatively easy truthfully. Once I got to the door however it was locked. Damn. Time to improvise. I pulled a hairpin from my mane and snagged a screwdriver from the nearby janitor’s closet and set to work. It opened after some quick moves. Easy peasy. Did I mention I love zebra talismans?

I slid inside the dark office and quietly closed the door behind me. I put the screw driver in the suit’s pocket and put the hairpin back in my hair. The office was dusty at first glance and had its blinds closed. A terminal sat tuned off on the desk at the far end. This is the part I hate, can’t stand machines in any form or fashion. The only exception being the Pipbuck because let’s face it, they’re convenient as all hell and a simpleton can use one. Welp here we go. I trotted over and clicked it on. Luna’s glorious plot this is my lucky day. No password was needed and…Sonovabitch!

The terminal was wiped clean of all data and recently too. Thankfully it’s been routed to one of the lower levels. Somewhere called the Cryochamber. Alright time for some hunting. I had an itching feeling this job was gonna get difficult. I grinned widely as I left the office. I love a challenge. I went spotted an elevator down the hall. It pinged open and I stepped inside. There were six floors but a small glass box sat over the button to the basement level. Lucky me with a key. Took two of my six hairpins but I got it open. The elevator lurched and descended.

It opened back up to bright white halls. Why am I getting a mad scientist lab vibe from this place? I shook my head of the creepy thoughts and started down the hall carefully. I ducked inside one of the many open rooms as a pair of security ponies rounded the hall. As they passed I listened in on their conversation.

“What do you think has Dr. Strand so mad?” one said a buck.

“No clue but I'd steer clear.” This one was a mare.

“But seriously she never snaps like that. Maybe something wrong at home?”

“Hell if I know,” the mare shivered,” Either way I'm staying out of her way and you should too.”

“I'll take your advise on that. Oh hey did you check out Danger's new...”

Their voices trailed off as they rounded another corner. Dr. Strand huh? Why did that sound so familiar? I shrugged to myself, ‘Meh oh well onward.’ A few doors down I found the Cryochamber. It was sealed shut by a metal door and the only way to open it was a clearance card.

“You there!” a voice said sternly behind me,” You shouldn’t be here.” Damn it!

I chuckled nervously," Would you believe I got lost on the way to the bathroom?"

He pulled a baton form his belt with his magic. Nope. Oh well hard way it is.I rushed forward and planted a hoof-strike right into his esophagus. He stumbled back, gagging. I whirled onto my forehooves and gave him a solid buck in the jaw. He went down like a sack of potatoes. Mhmm I’m thinking hayfries after this with potato wedges. Hey a filly needs to spoil herself once in a while.

I pulled the I.D. card from his belt and slid it through the card slot. Bingo! I smirked as it flashed green and the door opened. I dragged the unconscious security guard through the door. The room was circular with six empty pods in a circle around a big terminal. I pocketed the card and went up to it. I’d heard of these things, they’d put ponies with terminal incurable illnesses in them and they’d go into a stasis of some sort. Talk about being put on ice.

The screen flashed on and required a password. Damn. I cracked my hooves and pulled up the data stream. After what felt like hours…it’d only been ten minutes at the most…I was able to find the password which had been ‘Angelbunny’ oddly enough. A set of files as well as commands for the Cryopods came up. I found the data that had been routed to this one and clicked on it. It was a few audio files. I punched the first one.

“I can't believe this. I helped that little charlatan and she stabs me in the back. Don't let Ministry mare Fluttershy's gentle exterior fool you she's a damn snake in the grass. I stick my neck out to set up that meeting with the zebras so she can hand over the Megaspells design. Then when I put The Genesis Project forward she denies it! Says it is cruel experimentation. The laughable thing is she thinks its for the war. Ha! Well lest see what kind of tune she wants to sing when I threaten to expose her.”

Genesis Project? The hell is that? What's more Fluttershy handed the Megaspells to the zebras! I mean seriously!? I thought she was supposed to want to end this war not make it worse, not that I care but damn. And apparently whoever this mare is helped out in a big way. I clicked the next one

"I was visited by Ministry Mare Rarity today...she fucking threatened me. Said I would be put in front of the Night Court for treason if I didn't keep my mouth shut. She was so sweet about it too. That's not the worst part. She started asking questions about A.R.C. How dd she even find out about this? There was a sigh then she continued."She didn't get anything out of me and after she left I wiped the Comms Array's memory of everything that could lead back to A.R.C. I need to contact the others because I don't think the Ministry Mares are the ones on our tails. Something doesn't feel right.”

I stepped back. A.R.C.? Okay seriously getting more questions than answers here but oh well. Alright the files are loaded into the pipbuck. Now then to high tail it out of…

“And who would you be?”

Shit! Another pony I need to dr…pain erupted in my neck as a needle was jabbed in me. I swatted the syringe away and whirled to face my assailant. A golden furred unicorn mare stood before me. Her blue, red swirled mane was in a tight bun and her bright green eyes were focused on me. What really caught my eye was her lab coat and the small black butterfly pin on the lapel. She regarded me as if I was below her. “I’ll ask one more time,” She said, her voice growing colder,” Who are you?”

I could already feel what she’d injected into me start to take effect. Her voice was defiantly familiar. I think she's the pony form the audio files. “ Oh just digging up some secrets.” I glanced at the door. I could only make it...

She giggled, a small cruel smile appearing on her lips," Yes and I believe you found something you shouldn't have."

"Well I guess-" I started and chunked a clipboard that was laying beside me at her and made a mad dash for the door. I didn’t get too far as a blast of magic forced me off my hooves. Fuck! I struggled to get up but was pulled up by my neck in his magic hold. The mare stared right into my eyes, smug victory laden in her bright green pupils. I struggled in vain against the magic hold, gagging, choking. Come on body work damn it!

“You'll pay for that bitch," she whispered into my ear. This fucking...she looked to the pods,” It seems that I will need to deal with you later. After all I am on a tight schedule." She dragged me to a pod and slammed me inside.

“Bitch,” I grunted. My tongue was thick and clumsy in my mouth.

“Indeed I am but that is beside the point." I tried to move my traitorous body as he started punching commands into the pods tiny terminal. “Sit tight my little spy I will be back to collect you and effectively silence you much later.”

The pod started to close shut as I tried to move. The only movement I could manage was a twitch or two from my wings. “Stop damn it!” I screeched and raged as the door sealed shut.

“Tootles,” she giggled. Who was this bitch?!

“Fuck you!” I screeched as my limps started to go cold. “Let me out of here you crazy git! Fight me like a real mare you bucking coward! FUCK YOU!!!” My threats and swears fell on deaf ears as he walked to the chamber’s door. My body went numb and my vision became cloudy. My mouth refused to form words and I could only scream as my world went dark.
____________________________________________________________________________

Footnote: Level 1 reached!

Character Perk added! Skilled: You are gifted with skillz girl. You get a +10 bonus to your Guns, Melee, and Sneak skills but suffer a -5 penalty to your Energy Weapon skill.

Quest Perk added! Talisman Telekinesis: You have a grasp at how to use zebra talismans. You can now levitate small and light items.

S: 5
P: 6
E: 4
C: 6
I: 7
A: 7
L: 5