Chapter 3: Technical Difficulties

E.N.T Eagle

Two and a half hours after crash

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Star.”

Star Shimmer’s connection ended with a zapping sound. Sighing Whindshear looked over to her shoulder. The bleeding had slowed, but she was still in danger. “Okay Windshear, let’s do this.”

Windshear looked around her, she had landed in one of the ship’s utility storage rooms. Containers of all sorts sat in neat little rows. The containers with medical supplies had been already scavenged thanks to the science team earlier. Shuffling over to one of the containers, Whindshear searched as best as she could. In the end she only found a potion and a syringe of hydra. “Oh, fantastic.”

Windshear stood up and began to search the containers for a few other items. After a few minutes, she returned to the medicine with a pair of tweezers and some duct tape. Settling down, she tore off two pieces of the tape and applied them to both sides of the wound. Parting her coat, keeping it out of the wound. Pain flared up, and Windshear gritted her teeth. ‘Alright time for the hard part.’

Gripping the tweezers in her mouth, Windshear prepared herself. ‘It’s alright, you can do this, it’s not in far.’ A yelp escaped her mouth as she pushed the tweezers into the wound. Her shoulder felt on fire. ‘Just breath. In, out, in, out.’ Blood began to ooze heavily from the entry wound, the tweezers gripped the small bit of lead. Steeling herself, Windshear ripped the bullet out. Dropping the tweezers and bullet, she collapsed to the ground.

Taking a good long breath, Windshear turned to her shoulder gripping the tape, and ripped it off. She yelped from the renewed pain, and spat out the tape. Clumps of pink fur stuck to it. Stretching out a wing, Windshear carefully grasped the healing potion. Bringing it up to her mouth she ripped off the lid, and gingerly drank it.

The wound sealed up, and the pain vanished. Windshear sighed, sitting up. She lifted her pipbuck and flipped to her transmissions. “Star, if it makes you feel better, I’m no longer bleeding. Like I said, I’ll be fine for now.”

There was no response.

“Star Shimmer?” Windshear began switching to other channels. “Honey, you there?”

Still no response.

Windshear flipped to her map and pinged Star Shimmers’ pipbuck ID. Nothing. ‘Damn.’ Windshear adjusted her pipbuck to record. “This is Dr. Windshear from the E.N.T. Eagle. I’m currently trapped in the storage room of the medical wing. I’m in need of rescue as soon as possible. Raiders have attacked my group. This message repeats.” Pressing the end button, she sent the message out.

///

The belly of the Eagle was a labyrinth of pitch black tunnels and claustrophobic rooms. Sounds bounced off the walls from one end to the next. Two raiders walked through the unnerving place, a single flashlight between them.

“Where the fuck’s the rest of the party?” One of them said

“I’m telling you, they went this way.” The other replied

“The fuck do you know? You don’t know this place, they could be any fucking where.”

“Shut up Fire Breath!”

“Fuck you Bright. Don’t tell me to shut u-”

CLANK!

The sound reverberated all around the raiders. “What the fuck was that?” Bright asked. Swinging the flashlight all around grey walls and pipes were all they saw.

“I don’t know.” Fire Breath inched forward. “Shine the light over here.” The hallway was illuminated. It was empty, just like the rest of the hallways. “I guess it was nothing.” Fire Breath turned back to his companion. “Alright let’s-” He froze, eyes widening.

“What?” Bright asked.

“What’s that be-” Sickly green fire flew out and engulfed Fire Breath. His screams ringing out as he was burned to a crisp.

Shocked, Bright backed up. She hit something solid. Then she felt hooves hold her head.

A quick twist, and resounding snap ended the raiders’ life. The body slumped over, the flashlight she was holding clattered to the ground. Sky Snake moved the body to the side then signaled his team with a few flashes of his helmet light.

The other three Enclave soldiers trotted forward. “Good job, Sky Snake.” Thunder Dasher said as he nodded to Sky Snake. He turned to Tornadowinds, “How much farther?

“Not far,” Tornadowinds pointed down the hallway, “Just a few more hallways.”

“Alright, let’s check these guys and head on.” Their searching gifted them with medical bandages and a couple of frag grenades. Once done, the team continued forward with Tornadowinds on point. The team glanced through each corridor they passed, seeing nothing but a body here and there.

The team continued on, passing many empty corridors. There was a clank in the distance. Cloudy Storms jumped a bit, “I really wished the emergency lighting would kick on down here.”

Everypony nodded. ‘Reminds me of the forest.’ Thunder Dasher thought.

The group continued through the twisting corridors until they stopped short. Around the next corner they could hear other ponies. “Come on, put your backs into it.”

“It’s no fucking use. We need something that can blow the door open.”

“Fuck, where’s Fire Breath, he should have something for this.” Shuffling began around the corner. The team leaned as close to the wall as they could. The shuffling stopped. “Whatever, just keep at the door, we’ll get through sooner or later.”

The team relaxed. Thunder Dasher let go of a breath he had held onto. After a second of regaining their bearings, Thunder Dasher switched to personal coms. “Sky Snake, let’s toss a firecracker in the fishtank.” He held the grenades out to Sky Snake

A slight nod was all Thunder Dasher got before Sky Snake disappeared with the grenades. Thunder Dasher poked his head out a bit. Around the corner he could see a group of raiders set up in front of their destination. One of the raiders was using a sledgehammer to try and bash down one of the doors, a few other raiders watching him. Two raiders played cards. The ‘watch guard’ sat half asleep, a bottle of alcohol in his hoof. A small lamp sat in the middle of the corridor. A faint shimmer caught Thunder Dash’s eyes. A grenade appeared in between the card players, another next to the guard. Thunder Dasher ducked back.

“OH SHI-” The first grenade sent what was left of one of the raiders into the corridor. When the second grenade went off the team charged around the corner. The walls were covered in raider as a few intact bodies lay here and there.

A single raider crawled into a corner. His leg missing, “Oh fuck man!” His eyes widened as he saw the enclave. “P-please, just let me live. Just let me-” The raiders’ head smashed against the wall, a deep circular imprint on the visible side. Blood spouted out of the eyes and ears of the raider. Sky Snake materialized from the space next to the raider. He lifted his hoof from the raiders head, allowing the body to slouch.

“Good job.” Thunder Dasher said, Sky Snake nodded. The group moved over to the door the raiders were working on. It was an older door, closed by a wheel, They had done a good ammount of damage to it. Given another hour or so, the raiders would’ve gotten in. Thunder Dasher knocked, “Hello, anypony there?”

There was no response. Thunder Dasher looked over to his companions. Tornadowinds shrugged, “Maybe they didn’t hear you.”

Turning back to the door, Thunder Dasher reeled back his Hoof.

KLANK!

KLANK!

KLAN-BOOM!

The door swung open. Turning his visor lamp on, Thunder Dasher caught sight of a swinging wrench.

The wrench smacked meekly against Thunder Dasher’s power armor. On the other end of it was a now terrified engineer, who was flanked by other tool wielding engineers. “Oh, goddesses...” The wrench clattered to the ground. “A-I’m, I’m-”

Thunder Dasher raised his hoof. “Your team asked for evac, right?”

The engineer nodded shakily, “Th-th lead technician is-uh, over there.” He gestured to a corner of the room. A few small lanterns lit the section. From here, Thunder Dasher could see a group of technicians huddled around the light. Thunder Dasher walked over, Spying the few injured ponies laying on some makeshift cots next to the light.

One of the ponies, a brown coated, green maned mare, sat up. Large burn marks ran along the left side of her body. “So, you’re the cavalry.”

Thunder Dasher nodded, turning to his team. “Cloudy, get over here.” He returned his gaze to the head technician. “You alright?”

The lead technician smirked. “It’ll take more than engine burns to take me out.”

Cloudy Storm looked the technician over. Then pulled a sizable bandage from her pack and dabbed a light blue potion on it. “Here, this should help.” The technician hissed as Cloudy Storm pressed the bandage against her skin. Once completed, Cloudy Storm moved onto the other injured.

Wincing a bit, the technician raised her hoof in a salute. “I’m Sky Wrench. It’s about damn time you got here.”

Thunder Dasher looked at the other injured. “Can they walk?”

“Don't know about Banks.” Sky Wrench pointed to the furthest pony. "Got shot up by shrapnel"

Cloudy Storm inspected the pony. After a bit she turned to Thunder Dasher and shook her head, “It’s too bad for me to do right now. If we get her back to the hanger we may have a shot.”

Thunder Dasher nodded. “Let’s saddle her up, we’ll need to move fast.”

Cloudy Storm stretched. “You got it, mind giving me a hoof?”

A couple of minutes of detaching wing armor and tightening stretcher cloth The technician was strapped down to Cloudy Storm’s medical saddle. “Alright, technician’s on. You alright Cloudy?”

Cloudy Storm took a few steps around, technician groaning as she did. “It’s easier than dragging one of you guys around, but we’ll need to take it slow and steady.”

“We’ll do that.” Thunder Dasher turned to Sky Wrench. “Is your team ready?”

Standing up, Sky Wrench nodded. “We’re ready to leave this deathtrap whenever you tin soldiers are.”

Thunder Dasher smirked behind his mask. “Then let’s move ou-” A chilling roar echoed down the hallway.

“What was that?” A technician asked.

“Is it more raiders!?”

“Or a monster!?”

The four Enclave soldiers looked to each other. The roar all too familiar. Thunder Dasher raised his hoof. Then slammed it into the ground.

BANG!

The ponies went silent. “The sooner we make it to the hanger the less likely we’ll meet whatever it is.”

The technicians looked to each other then to Sky Wrench. She Shuffled towards the door. “Come on everypony. It’s time we get out of here.”

The group formed with Thunder Dasher in the front, Tornadowinds and Sky Snake in the back, Cloudy Storm and the ten technicians in the middle. They moved through the corridors slow and steady. The lamps of the technicians and soldiers lit the area nicely. Aside from a scrambling raider or two the corridors was empty.

Sky Wrench moved up next to Thunder Dasher. “So, what took you guys so long? The Eagle crashed almost three hours ago.”

“Had to plow through a wall of raiders.” Thunder Dasher said. He glanced over at Sky Wrench. “You wouldn’t happen to know why the Eagle crashed would you?”

Sky Wrench shook her head. “Everything was fine. Cloud engines purring like a kitten, power at a hundred percent, cooling systems properly functioning. Then BOOM the primary cloud port blew up, followed by the secondary cloud port, then the main engine.” Sky Wrench looked back at her technicians. “Entire area nearly fell down on us.”

“You think it could’ve been done by somepony shooting it?”

“A single shot from an asshole’s rifle wouldn’t cut it. Besides, we were invisible. How could they?”

Thunder Dasher looked down a nearby corridor, dark liquid pooled at the far end. “Let’s say somepony was able to. What do you think it was?”

Sky Wrench mulled it over. “Judging by the explosion, I’d say it would’ve had to be something real strong. Maybe a balefire egg or… something else.”

Thunder Dasher turned back to Sky Wrench. “A balefire e-” Another roar rang out through the corridor. Musky, rotting wind blew through the group. Thunder Dasher flashed the light down the corridor. Two glowing dots flashed back. ‘Shit.’

“What the fuck is that?” Sky Wrench took a step back.

“Sky Snake, up here! Lead them to another exit Tornadowinds!” Thunder Dasher jumped forward. The beast roared again, it was only second to the sound of Thunder Dasher’s heart beating.

From here, Thunder Dasher could see the faint outline of the beast. The large mane, massive claws, and sharp stinger. The beast charged forward, claws swinging wildly. Without a second thought Thunder Dasher doused the entire corridor in front of him in sickly green flame. The beast jumped back, its mane singed. Thunder Dasher could see the beast clearly now. He stared upon the face of a manticore. Its face contorted in a hideous snarl. Thunder Dasher’s heart skipped a beat, his hooves backing away from the beast. The Manticore growled as it reared back a claw.

Volleys of green fire balls splashed against the manticore. The beast let out cries of pain, jumping back into the darkness. It’s pawsteps could be heard as it ran off. Thunder Dasher took deep breaths as he stared down the corridor. A patting on his shoulder took his attention.

Sky Snake stood next to Thunder Dasher, hoof on shoulder. Thunder Dasher nodded. “Thanks.” Thunder Dasher took one last look down the corridor. “Let’s regroup. Time to get the hell out of here.”

///

“Here you go, safe and sound.” Tornadowinds said as their group trotted into the hanger. More ponies had filled the room, most were injured. Another hole had been cut into the hanger. This one large enough to fit the back end of a sky tank. Chimera parted ways with the technicians. Cloudy Storm flapped her wings, happy to have them free again.

The Enclave officer from before stood at the ramp of the tank. She talked to an armored officer, a yellow coated, white maned buck. Thunder Dasher scowled at the buck under his mask. He slowly trotted towards the two, his team falling in behind him.

“Is that… Lightning Strike?” Cloudy Storm asked.

“Yes.” Thunder Dasher growled.

Tornadowinds patted Thunder Dasher’s shoulder. “Try not to deck him, will’ya?”

“Now why would you say that?” Thunder Dasher smirked at the idea.

Lightning Strike noticed team Chimera. Smirking, he trotted forward. “Team Chimera, it’s good to see you’re alive. Especially you Thunder.”

With a click and hiss, Thunder Dasher took his helmet off. “Lightning, what brings you out of the sky?”

“Along with helping you ponies with the raiders,” Lightning said as he ruffled Thunder Dasher’s hair, who pulled back. “I’m here ship repairs.”

Thunder Dasher smirked. “Ship repairs sir?”

Lightning Strike nodded. “I have some teams trying to get the Eagle back in the sky. Best not to lose a ship like this to the raiders.”

The enclave Officer trotted up to the two. “My apologies Sir, I’ve gotten a distress signal for Chimera to deal with.”

Lightning Strike nodded. “Please, go on.”

The officer turned to Thunder Dasher. “We’ve picked up a distress signal from a medical scientist in the research wing. One Dr. Windshear”.

Thunder Dasher and Lightning Strike froze. “Windshear?” Lightning strike asked.

“She’s alive.” Thunder Dasher breathed slowly to calm his now racing heart. ‘Thank the goddesses.’ He stood at attention. “Yes ma’am. Where do we go?” ‘I’ll be there soon Windshear.’

“I’m sending the coordinates to Tornadowinds now. We weren’t able to message her back. From the sound of it though, you’ll be dealing with more raiders.”

“Thank you ma’am.” Thunder Dasher turned to his team.

“Hold it trooper.” Lightning Strike said. Thunder Dasher paused. “I will be joining you in this endeavor.”

Thunder Dasher turned around. “Why wo-” he took a deep breath. “Sir, may I ask why?”

Lightning Strike. “Dr. Windshear is a vitally important pony to ongoing research against Shuffling Death. The doctor and her team must be brought back in one piece.” Lightning Strike trotted forward. “Do not worry, you may stay in command of your team for the most part. You’ll have to help me afterwards though. Now, shall we leave?”

‘Wonderful.’ Thunder Dasher looked to his team. “You heard the general, let’s get moving.” Chimera fell in line behind Lightning Strike, marching at a brisk pace. Once out of sight of the hanger, Thunder Dasher trotted up next to Lightning Strike. “Why are you doing this?”

Lightning Strike stopped, the team doing likewise. “Is Star Shimmer here?”

Thunder lowered his head. “Yeah... they were heading down to Sunville.”

Lightning Strike looked over to the other team members, then continued further into the Eagle’s hallways. “Come on. Let’s not keep them waiting.”

///

Windshear paced back and forth in the storage room. “Star Shimmer where are you...” she looked around the room. Most of the containers had been opened, most of it had just been useless junk. The door still held shut. It didn’t help that she wasn’t too great with computers, that had been more of Life Debts thing. A small bag with food, drinks, and the hydra vial sat close to Windshear.

She checked her pipbuck map again for Star Shimmer’s ID. Nothing popped up. ’Dammit Windshear. Why did you tell her to use the teleporter?’

Windshear sat on her haunches. Taking slow breaths. “Don’t worry It’ll all be fine, she’ll just-”

Bang!

Windshear jumped back. Her wide eyes turning to the door. Her heart doing its best to rip itself from her chest.

“Ms. Windshear.” a robotic voice called out from behind the door. “It is I, Tc-76. Are you alright?”

Windshear smirked. “Yes, I’m fine. You scared me there Tc-76.”

“My apologies. I had not meant to do that. May I come in? I would like to know that you are fully okay.”

“If you can get the door open, then be my guest.”

“I suggest you stand back then.” Tc-76 said as he began to hit the door. Windshear grabbed her bag of supplies and sat down behind some boxes. A few minutes of banging and zapping later and Tc-76 was able to walk through a decent sized hole in the door. Windshear trotted out to him. The robot had taken some heavy damage, several panels of his armor plating had been shot off. Blood covered his visor. “Ms. Windshear, It is good to see you again.”

“Likewise.” she looked behind him. “How did you reactivate?”

“My programming allows me to restart any body that I currently reside in, given time.”

“Well, that must be quite helpful.”

“It is.” Tc-76 beamed. “Now, we must get you and Ms. Star Shimmer to safety.” Tc-76 looked around the room. “Where is Ms. Star Shimmer?”

Windshear looked down at the ground, her smile turning to a frown. “I had her use the teleporter in the other room to get to the hanger, but I think something went wrong.”

Tc-76 trotted out and began punching a hole in the other room. “I will find out what happened. Sit tight.”

Windshear followed, pausing as she entered the hallway. The corridor to her right held the dead remains of her co-workers, their blood splattering the walls and floor. The stench of death sitting still in the musky air of the airship. Windshear looked away, tears beginning to form in her eyes. “Did anypony else make it?”

“All other doctors were KIA.” Tc-76 said as he blasted the door with plasma. “You and Ms. Star Shimmer seem to be the only survivors.”

Windshear took a deep breath, her stomach churning. “Goddesses... may they be at peace.”

Tc-76 punched through the door. Windshear following close behind. In the other room, the teleporter sat on standby. Puffs of smoke flew out of it and up to the ceiling. Tc-76 trotted up to the teleporter and began diagnostics. After he was done, he turned to Windshear. “It appears that the teleporter malfunctioned, sending her outside of the ship.”

“Outside?” Windshear gasped. “We can’t leave her out there. We need to go get her.”

“Yes.” Tc-76 trotted behind the teleporter, deactivating it. “I have the coordinates, but for safety, we should go there on hoof. Chances of the teleporter malfunctioning are at Ninety Seven Percent.”

Windshear nodded. “Alright, give me a second.” Windshear trotted back to the other room. Checking a few of the containers, she found a single holotape. Slowly, she popped it into her pipbuck, and began to record.

“This is Dr. Windshear. I have been able to escape from my room, as you can tell.” She paused for a second. “Another passenger, my daughter, tried to escape as well. Now she’s somewhere outside of the Eagle. I’m going after her, I apologize to those who went through the trouble to save me. I’m gonna place the ID number for my pipbuck in this holotape. You should be able to find me fast enough with it.”

Ending the recording. Windshear recorded the ID number onto the Holo tape. Popping out the tape, she placed it on a container at the front of the room. ‘Don’t worry Thunder, I’ll get us to safety.’

Taking a deep breath, Windshear strode out of the room. Tc-76 waiting for her. “Alright, let’s go.”

Author's Note

thanks to my friends and family helping me out with writing through support. A special thanks to Dugolroth for help in editing.