Chapter 2: Dark Eagle Down

The E.N.T Eagle

One hour after crash

Darkness, that was all the mare saw. Numbing, mysterious darkness. She stood within the darkness for what seemed like an eternity, forever with her thoughts. Eventually, she began to pick out changes in the darkness. A tinge of color here, a faint whisper there. Nothing stayed though, instead just disappearing in a non existent wind. Something wasn’t right, the mare looked around frantically. Something happened, an accident?

'A crash’. She thought.

Light and Reality came rushing back as the mare woke up.

///

As Star Shimmer opened her eyes, she found herself lying in the aftermath of her room. An emergency light slowly flashed, periodically enveloping the room in a mass of red. Shattered glass and clothes covered the floor. A dresser had found itself lodged in the doorway at the far end of the room, while the bathroom door next to her seemed to have been busted open. Star Shimmer shifted around and yelped as pain wracked her body. Her head and foreleg throbbed. “Okay, ow.” Fighting past the pain, Star Shimmer moved her head to look at her foreleg.

Star Shimmer gasped. A large, deep gash went up her foreleg. “Ah hell.” She looked around, there had to be something to help her. The bathroom. Star Shimmer looked over to the bathroom. The interior was pitch black, but she knew that there was a medical kit somewhere in there.

Gritting her teeth, Star shimmer forced herself to stand. As soon as she did, the room began to spin, and she fell over. She cried out in pain as her injured foreleg smacked against the ground. ‘Okay, let’s just… crawl, crawling is good.’ Star shimmer got up onto her knees, her injured foreleg tucked to her chest. Slowly, she began to move towards the door. ‘See, we don’t get hurt while crawling.’

Eventually Star Shimmer made it to the doorway. At this time she noticed a red fluid on the ground. “What the hell?” Star Shimmer squinted her eyes, trying to make out any shape in the darkness. She couldn’t see anything. With a deep breath, she moved forward into the room. She soon skirted the edge of the darkness, and something brushed against her. Star Shimmer jumped back in surprise.

“What the-” She stopped as she saw a health potion slowly roll into the light. “Oh...Oh.” Star Shimmer hissed as she performed a double take of the room. The health potion had found it’s way out of the med-kit and spilled all over the floor. With a sigh, Star Shimmer wobbled over to the potion bottle and laid down next to it. She lifted the bottle in her teeth and examined it. Only about a fourth of the potion was left.

Star Shimmer gripped the mouth of the bottle, and tilted her head back. The potion splashed down her throat. The throbbing pain all but washed away. Star Shimmer looked down at her foreleg. The wound wasn’t closed, but it was considerably smaller. ‘Not perfect, but I think…’ Star Shimmer slowly Rose to her hooves. The dizziness was gone. Alright, moment of truth. She began to apply pressure on her foreleg. Pain danced along her leg, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been. “Yes!”

Being careful not to over exert the leg, Star Shimmer walked back into the room and over to the dresser blocked door. ‘Alright, how do I deal with yo-’ Star Shimmer’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hoofsteps coming from the other side of the door. “He-Hello?”

The hoofsteps stopped and a whirring began.

“Hey, I’m behind the door. I need some help getting out.”

The whirring stopped. “Ms. Star Shimmer, are you alright?” The voice sounded off to Star Shimmer, as if the pony was talking through a power helmet.

“Yeah, for the most part.”

“There is a dresser blocking the door, I will have to move it. Please stand back.”

Star Shimmer stepped back. For a moment there was nothing. Then, with a screech, the dresser popped out of the doorway.

BANG!

The dresser laid on the ground, and through the doorway came a ponytron. “Ms. Star Shimmer, it is good to see you are relatively well. I am Tc-76, personal bodyguard unit, at your service.”

Star Shimmer took a step back from the ponytron. “Um, alright?”

“Was that a question? Should I repeat myself Ms. Star Shimmer?.”

Star Shimmer held up a hoof. “No, no that’s fine.” She looked the ponytron up and down. Several pieces of the standard armor plating had been replaced with devices and wires. A small robotic arm extended from the back. Icing on the cake were the multicolored swirls painted on the mat black armor and visor. ‘You’re sure as hell not the standard issue.’“Who sent you?”

“One Mrs. Windshear. She had wished to make sure you were alright, but was restricted by her duties.”

‘Mom?’ “Is she okay?” Star Shimmer looked at her surroundings again. “We really did crash...”

“You’re mother was in a healthy condition when we last interacted with each other. Yes, that is correct, we did crash. Many were injured, and they needed additional medical staff in the hanger to treat them.”

“Thank the Goddesses.” Star shimmer sighed.

Tc-76 took a step forward. “Ms. Star Shimmer, we should proceed towards your mother as soon as possible.”

Star Shimmer nodded. “Yeah, yeah. You’re right,” She motioned for Tc-76 to start moving. “Lead the way.”

“As you wish.” Tc-76 spun around and walked out the door at a brisk pace, Star Shimmer in tow. The hallway was cluttered with junk from a few of the nearby passenger rooms. A fire had started in one of the rooms. A door to another room had closed down on a hoof, severing it from the pony inside.

Star Shimmer almost gagged at the sight of it. “Oh Goddesses. I-is she okay?”

Tc-76 looked at the hoof, then at the door. A red strip of light emitted from his visor, and scanned the door. “They are deceased, but they are better than when they initially lost the limb.”

Star Shimmer glared at the robot. “Wow, that’s reassuring.”

Tc-76 continued walking. “I do my best.” He chimed.

Star Shimmer rolled her eyes. The two continued on through winding hallways and stairs. As they neared the hangar, the two encountered more ponies. Bruises and cuts covered many. Some laid on stretchers with more severe injuries. Security guided the ponies towards the hangar. A few gave passing glances to Star Shimmer and her robot companion.

“For those of you with minor or no injuries, please line up on the starboard end of the room.” One of the guards called out. “Severely injured stay on the port side. Don’t block any of the doorways.” A distant rumbling could be heard from down the hall. “And stay away from the Hangar’s ramp.”

The two rounded the corner, the rumbling became louder and more distinct. Star Shimmer recognized it as the sound of gunfire and explosions. “Wait, what’s going on?” She turned to Tc-76.

“The E.N.T. Eagle is being shot at.” Tc-76 stated. “Most likely standard HEAP rounds. The hull is built to withstand large amounts of damage though, so we should be fine.” Another explosion rang out, this slightly shaking the hallway. “We have a ninety-six percent survival rate.” Star Shimmer didn’t respond, more explosions rang out.

Passing through another doorway, Star Shimmer and Tc-76 entered the hanger. Star Shimmer looked around, a hopeful smile on her face. Large groups of ponies sat everywhere, most spoke in hushed murmurs while others cried. Guards sat at every entrance, and medics ran around helping the wounded.

Star Shimmer’s smile began to wane, eventually disappearing altogether. “ Tc-76, I don’t see my mom.”

“Initiating scan.” Tc-76’s visor shot out it’s red light, slowly he began to scan the entire hanger. This brought some surprised and dirty looks from the other passengers.

“Uh, Tc. Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this.” Star Shimmer said as more ponies stared at the two.

“Hey!” Star Shimmer spun to see a security pony flying over to them. “Mind telling your robot to stop.”

“Tc-76, stop!” Star Shimmer smacked Tc-76.

Tc-76 powered down his scanner. “My apologies.”

The security pony squinted at Star Shimmer. “Who are you anyway? Where did you get this robot?”

“I-uh.” Star Shimmer looked around desperately. She paused when she spotted a familiar old, grumpy medical pony. She took on an authoritative posture and stared at the guard pony. “I am Star Shimmer, member of the Eagles medical team. I’ve come to aid my fellow companions. Now if you don’t mind, several of these ponies need marrow transfusions and class c-12 healing medications.”

The guards’ suspicion turned to confusion, and they took a step back. “Oh uh, my apologies Ms. Star Shimmer.” The guard turned around and flew back to their position.

Star Shimmer smirked. “Not bad Star.”

“Ms. Star Shimmer. You seem to be mistaken.” Tc-76 began. “You are not a part of the medical team, that is your mother.”

“She knows how to act like it though.” An old, grumpy looking pegasus by the name of Life Debt flew over to the two. His medical jacket swaying slightly. “Marrow transfusions huh? I don’t know whether your mother would be proud, or disappointed.” He smirked a little.

Star Shimmer looked over to Life Debt. “It’s the best I could come up with. By the way, where is she?”

Life Debt sighed. “She, and the rest of the medical team, left to get more medical supplies. It’s been an hour though, and it’s getting worse here.”

BOOM!

The entire hanger shook at the continued blasts.

“Which way did she go? I can bring her back.”

“If you can, help me first. I need to patch up the rest of these ponies as best I can, then we both can go.”

Star Shimmer looked around, and nodded. “Alright, let’s get started.”

///

Clank

A tin can rattled to a stop ahead of Star Shimmer. It had taken nearly an hour, but they had patched up the ponies. Thankfully a small group of medics had found their way to the hanger, giving her, Life Debt, and Tc-76 a chance to leave. “‘So my mom is fine?”

Life Debt nodded. “Yes, She’s perfectly fine.”

Clank

“But what about the crash, did none of you get hurt?” Star Shimmer asked.

Life Debt shook his head. “I never said that, but a room of doctors and medical equipment can do wonders.”

Star Shimmer blushed a bit. “Oh, yeah.” She looked up at Tc-76, who insisted on leading the way. “So, how were you guys able to get your hooves on him?”

Life Debt looked over to Tc-76. “The ponytron? He was boxed up in one of the nearby storage rooms. He’s supposed to be some sort of experimental new model, or something of the sorts made by the tech heads of the Enclave science division.”

“I am an advanced Combat program installed into a modified ponytron body.” Tc-76 announced. He did the closet thing to a prance he could. “It’s an excellent form as well, I’m excited to try the other bodies my creators have set up for me. This specific one comes with a spark blaster energy array, enhanced power hooves, advanced scanners, invisibility-”

Life Debt continued on, ignoring Tc-76's continued list of abilities. “The personality matrix is an interesting addon. Personally I prefer my bots without it.”

“I don’t know.” Star Shimmer smirked at the ponytron. “I kinda like it.”

“Thank you Star Shimmer” Tc-76 said as he trotted to the intersection, then turned left. “I’ll notify my creators of your-”

BANG!

Star Shimmer frantically looked around.“Shit, run!” Further down the left hallway, two security ponies rounded the corner. One of them saw the three. “Go to the hanger!”

Another group of ponies rounded the corner, this group dawning makeshift armor and weaponry. They opened fire, hitting one of the security ponies in the neck.

The pony collapsed, their companion pausing for a second. “Sure Shield!”

Tc-76 trotted forward, his visor turning a bright green. “Ms. Star Shimmer. Head down the pathway continuing on, take the third left.”

“Die you fuckers!” the security pony screamed as they fired back at the charging group. The attackers scattered for cover.

One peaked out, Tc-76 fired a plasma blast at them, they ducked back before it hit them, but their cover lost a good chunk.

Star Shimmer looked down the hallway, then back at Tc-76. “But-” A bullet hit the ground next to Star Shimmer. She jumped into the other hallway. Life Debt sprinted past her. “Come on!”

Star Shimmer followed. Soon enough they found the next hallway and ran down it.. The two ran for a few more hallways before stopping. The battle now sounded distant. “W-we should be safe.” Life Debt heaved.

Star Shimmer looked back down the hallway. “We… just left them.”

Life Debt placed a hoof on her shoulder. “There’s nothing we could’ve done.”

Star Shimmer stared for a little more. “I hope they’re alright.”

Life Debt nodded. “Tc-76 is a program, so long as the internal core system isn’t destroyed, he’ll be fine.” Life Debt looked around. “This is starting to look familiar. Come on.” Life Debt continued forward, Star Shimmer following slowly in tow.

Star Shimmer looked ahead and trotted up to Life Debt. “Those were raiders, weren’t they.”

Life Debt nodded. “Biggest group of psychopaths in the wasteland.”

“How did they get on the ship?” Star Shimmer looked around. There didn’t seem to be any signs of nearby raiders.

Life Debt shook his head. “Don’t know for sure, don’t want to find out.” The two came up to an intersection. Life Debt motioned down the left hallway. “Hopefully they were the only ones.”

“So long as we get back to the hanger, right?” The two stopped in front of a set of double doors, above was a sign that read.

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Life Debt nodded. “This should be the one.” Leaning in, Life Debt knocked lightly on the door. “It’s Dr. Life Debt, is anyone in there?” No one answered. Life Debt fiddled with the side panel and the door slid open.

On the other side was a medical lab devoid of life. Broken test equipment lay scattered amongst the floor, a pile of medical supplies lay on a nearby counter. At the far end of the room stood a door and a strange machine. Star Shimmer stepped into the room. “Are you sure this is the right room?”

“It doesn’t say broom closet, now does it.” Life Debt closed the door behind him, and began to fiddled with the controls. “There, we should be safe for now.”

Star Shimmer looked down at the medical supplies, most of it were bandages and chems, with a few healing potions here and there. She continued on to the machine. From the looks of it, the thing was some sort of chamber with a control panel inside. The machine was currently powered down, Star Shimmer left it alone and went towards the door. “Maybe they heard the raiders and ran to another room?”

“If that’s the case, then we’ll need to find them quickly.” Life Debt trotted over to the medical supply pile. “There should be some saddlebags in the closet, grab some for me.”

“Got it.” Star Shimmer opened up the door.

THWACK!

Star Shimmer collapsed to the ground, a massive welt on her head. Star Shimmer cradled her head as tears ran down her face.

“Wait!” Somepony trotted over Star Shimmer. “It’s Life Debt and Star Shimmer.”

Star Shimmer felt hooves gently hold her head. She looked up to see the light pink coat and white mane of Windshear. “Mom! I-” A throb of pain silenced Star Shimmer, and a nauseous feeling began to rise from her stomach. “Ow.”

“Sit tight sweetie, I’ll be right back.” Windshear trotted towards the medical supply pile and returned with a small case. “Here you go.”

Star Shimmer took the case. Looking it over, she saw the official Emadronean Enclave Seal. Popping open the case, she shook out a few pink cubes and popped them into her mouth. After a few seconds, the nausea and pain disappeared. “Thanks mom.”

“No problem.” Windshear took ahold of Star Shimmer’s face and stared at her. “Now why in Goddesses’ sake did you come here on your own!? It’s really dangerous right now, you should’ve gone and stayed at the hanger!”

Star Shimmer pulled out of Windshear’s grasp. “Hey, you were in trouble. I came to help.”

Sighing, Windshear hugged Star Shimmer. “So you came here with no bodyguards, no protection at all.”

“Well-” Star Shimmer was interrupted by a knock at the door. Everypony froze.

“Ms. Star Shimmer, are you in here?” Tc-76 called out from behind it. “I am unable to open the door with the terminal, I am gonna make a hole.”

“No, Wait!” Life Debt ran over to the door and opened it. There stood the ponytron, slightly damaged but still in one piece. “So the raiders are finished I take it.”

“All combatants were dealt with, though I would say we should hurry back. Chances are there will be more.” Tc-76 turned from Life Debt, and walked over to Star Shimmer. “You seem to have made it without any injury.”

“Yeah.” Star Shimmer stood up. “Thanks again for the help.”

“You are welcome.” Tc-76 turned to Windshear. “My apologies for not escorting your daughter the entire way. We were attacked by raiders.”

Windshear nodded. “It’s fine, you did well. Come on, you can help us with the supplies.”

Gathering up the supplies, the medical team started off. Life Debt and Tc-76 took point. “Alright everypony, the ponies of this ship are counting on us.” Life Debt began. “Keep close and keep fast, Goddesses only know how many raiders have found their way into this ship.”

“W-what if they catch us?” One of the scientists asked.

“Don’t think like that.” Another commented.

“We should stay quiet.” Tc-76 began. “There is a lower chance of encountering Raiders-” two small metal apples, each encircled with a blue stripe, rolled out in front of Tc-76. “Grenade!”

Arcane shockwaves blasted from the apples. Three rows of lights went out around the team. Tc-76 slumped over, The light of his visor dying. Life Debt brought his hoof to his chest and gasped, falling to the side.

“Heya!” Raiders charged forward, an assortment of nasty weaponry swinging around.

Running back, Star Shimmer heard gunfire behind her. Screams rang out around her. Star Shimmer began to look back, but a nearby bullet sent her jumping into a nearby doorway. Star Shimmer turned to see her mother jump into the room across from her.

Windshear hoisted herself against the wall, Star Shimmer could see her bleeding from her shoulder. Shrugging it off, Windshear readied herself for the sprint to the other door. Star Shimmer walked to the edge. “Come one mom!”

Before Windshear took a step, a small apple rolled to a stop in the middle of the hallway. Wide eyed, the two jumped away. A resounding explosion came a second later, followed by a sliding sound. Taking a breath, Star Shimmer looked back at the entrance. The door stood shut. Shakely standing on her hooves, Star Shimmer ran over to the door and tried to activate the terminal. The door held firm. “What the hell?” Star Shimmer began to fiddle with the terminal. She froze as she heard hoofsteps.

“Hey boss!” A scraggly voice came from the other side of the door. “The doors look like they locked on us, ya’wanna tear it open?” Star Shimmer’s Heart stopped. They started knocking.

It was only a few quick knocks, but they were deafening. “‘Ell nah, we’ave shit ta do.”

“But someone could be alive.”

“Let’em rot, the grenades’ fucked the door too much.” After another minute, the beings walked off.

Star Shimmer collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. ‘Thank the Goddesses.’ A minute later, and Star Shimmer felt well enough to stand again. ‘Alright, time to open this damn thing.’

BEEP.

Star Shimmer jumped. ‘What the hell?’ She looked around, but didn’t see anything.

BEEP.

Star Shimmer walked further into the room. ‘Where are you?’ There weren’t many places to hide in the room. The machine in the corner was still off, leaving one other place.

BEEP.

Star Shimmer stopped at the closet. ‘Okay, here we go… please don’t be a surprise bomb.’

BEEP.

Throwing the door wide open, Star Shimmer stared into the dimly lit broom closet. Inside was a mop and a nearly empty cardboard box. Inside the box was a small device.

BEEP.

The beeping came from the device. Star Shimmer picked it up. There was a screen with buttons and dials on one side. On the screen was some neon green text.

INCOMING TRANSMISSION

ACCEPT?

YES / NO

‘H-how…. What?’ Star Shimmer sat there for a second, contemplating who it could be. Then, hesitantly, she pressed the button under yes.

The screen went to a radio frequency screen. “Star Shimmer?” It was Windshear, her voice tired but steady. “Star, are you there?”

“Yeah.” Star Shimmer said, bringing the device to the side of her head. “Mom, are you alright? I saw you bleeding.”

“I’m fine.” There was a sound of ruffling. “Listen Star, I need you to do something.”

“Y-yeah, what?”

There was a short pause. “Look. Right now we’re both fine, the doors will hold for now. We need to get out of here though. The device you have right now is called a pipbuck. This one is built for use on your left forehoof, just clamp it on and it should do the rest.”

Star Shimmer looked the thing over. It had some heft to it, and it seemed bulky enough to be a hindrance. “Are you sure I should do this?”

“Yes Star. Just put it on… carefully, it’s no use to you upside down.”

Huffing slightly, Star Shimmer carefully clamped the pipbuck down onto her forehoof. Once in place, the device tightened till it was a snug fit. Star Shimmer waved her hoof around. “I guess I can hit ponies harder now.”

“That’s my girl. Now, you know that machine in the main room right? The one in the corner.”

Star Shimmer looked out at the large machine. “Yeah?”

“Are you asking me, or telling me?”

Star Shimmer rolled her eyes. “Yes I see it.”

“That thing there is a teleporter. So long as you pop in the right coordinates, you’ll be fine.”

Star Shimmer trotted over to the machine. “O-kay… how do I get it running?”

“There should be a large switch in the back.”

Star Shimmer went around the back end, suffice to say, there was a large, red switch. Star Shimmer gripped the switch and pulled up, it didn’t budge. “Okay, hold on.” Taking both hooves, she pushed with all her might. “Gu-ni mu-mmmm Grrrrah!” The switch flew up, and Star Shimmer stumbled backwards. “Whewh, I got it.” The machine whirred to life. Trotting to the front, Star Shimmer noticed a few lights flashing, along with bits of electricity arcing in the middle. “Uh, is it supposed to shoot lightning?”

“Electrical currents, Star Shimmer, and I believe so. This was Swiss Cheeses’ project, he’d have known more.” There was a small pause.

POP!

The inside of the machine began to smoke. “What was that?” Windshear asked.

“Uh. Something… popped.” Star Shimmer looked inside. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“It’s our best shot.”

“Alright. Well, now it’s time to get the doors… How do I do that?”

“Don’t worry about the doors. I’ll take care of that, right now, I want you to get in the teleporter and get to the hanger. It should already be set for there from our previous tests.”

“Wait!” Star Shimmer looked over to the door. “You want me to get in this thing alone!?” She stomped her hoof. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”

“Star. I’ll be fine, I know this place better than you. Right now you can leave. I’ll be right behind you.”

“But, why not just have me stay. It’s not like I’m gonna wander out of the room. I can help you with the doors, then we can both leave.”

“Star Shimmer, the longer you are here, the more danger you’ll be in. As a mother I cannot allow you to stay here.”

“What am I five?” Star Shimmer sat down. “I’m not going anywhere.”

There was a short pause. ”If you go now, you can send a group of guards to help me. Then I’ll be free AND protected.”

Star Shimmer opened her mouth to respond, but froze. All she could think of saying now was. “Mom… I don’t want to go into this thing. I’m scared.”

There was a moment of silence. “Star Shimmer, It’s gonna be alright. The distress call has already gone out, and your father’s most likely on the first sky tank coming to the rescue. We’ll make it out safe and sound.”

Star Shimmer breathed heavily. “A-are you sure?”

“Do you really doubt it?”

Star Shimmer sighed. Looking at the teleporter, she stood up. “S-so, what do I press.” Star Shimmer slowly entered the machine. The panel on the inside was lit up with dozens of buttons, dials, and levers.

“There’s a small blue button on the bottom left. Press that when you’re ready.”

Star Shimmer spotted the button, and held her hoof over it. “Mom.”

“Yes?”

Star Shimmer gulped. “I love you.”

“I love you too Star.”

Starting SPECIAL!

Star Shimmer

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Author's Note

Took a bit longer than expected, but I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
A thanks to Kkat for the original Fallout Equestria; as well as No One, Mimezinga, Somber, and many other Fallout Equestria story writers for the their amazing stories. A MAJOR thanks to all my friends and family that supported my writing. An extra special thanks to Dugolroth for proof reading.
Hopefully you guys enjoy this story, please comment and tell me what you think? This is Merek123 over and out.