Fallout Equestria: Crystal Heart

Fallout Equestria: Crystal Heart

Chapter 1: Stable 87

"I'm so, so sorry Rainbow Dash. I just wanted you to hang out with me and see how cool I was so you'd take me under your wing and teach me everything you know and become like my big sister."

Splendid Valley Canyon

4/07 of Winter, 143ALB (After Lightbringer)

Night had cast its shadow over Equestria. Lunas sky was obscured from me by thick menacing-looking clouds. The wind whipped and howled at violent speeds all around me. Tossing the heavy fabric of my cloak around like a rag-doll. I walked along the edge of the canyon wall. I surmised this had once been a river system that stretched for miles, but now lay bone dry.

I absently wondered if The Enclave had drained it to build the immense cloud cover that once covered the sky. A site I had never actually seen myself. All the old ponies used to talk about was the past. Some talked about before the war, but more talked about the Lightbringer. Mostly in hushed voices. As if speaking her name would make you a likely target for lightning strikes.

I saw it. The last marker. An arrow made of magic glow-in-the-dark paint . A system her and her brother had devised for storms like this one. They didn't have fancy pip-bucks and map markers to guide their way. So other means had to be taken so they both didn't fall off a cliff or wander aimlessly in a radstorm. Sure enough  the cave entrance was right there. And inside it was a goliath steel stable door.

The Stable-Tec logo hung centered on the cog-shaped door. The number 87 dominating its face. Stable-Tec's legacy was forever embodied in these fucked up laboratories. But hey Stable-Tec built shit that last. Its too bad they were driven by such shady motives. If their focus had been saving as many ponies as possible... well perhaps she wouldn't have been born into all this mess. Hopeful thoughts.  She keyed the com panel and waited a few moments.

“Crimson Ember? That you?” ShockWave voice said through muffled static.

“Who else would it be scatterbrains? Open the door, another radstorm is about to start.” Crimson said.

“Yep you’re Crim all right. Another storm? Shit that makes five just this week.”

“Watch your damn mouth. And open the fucking door.”

The sound of rusty metal banging was followed by the shrill sound of the giant door being pulling back. Crimson cringed every time she heard that sound. She quickly stepped inside as soon as it was safe to do so. Making her way to the overmares office where her brother would be.As quickly as it had opened the door sealed the tomb shut.  All of the doors had been opened and every system was at half power giving the stable an eerily empty mood. Empty was right. Only she and Shockwave were here, everypony else went their separate ways.

She reached the Overmares office. Her brother wore his unusually large glasses. From birth the doctors had known he would never be a soldier. So he was trained to be brains instead of brawn. That training had paid off when he and I had uncovered this vault. Largely forgotten in a remote part of The Wasteland where even The Gardens hadn’t reached. His wit and determination had kept them alive after the others left.

SparkWave lifted a brow. “So? did he have it?”

“Have what?” Crimson said

“The part? The Robronco MC2300 Motherboard Module?”

“Oh you mean this?” Crimson held it up it up to him as innocently as she could manage without laughing.

He swiped it away from her with one hoof and halfhuged her with the other.

“Thank you so much! This is exactly what I need to repair the food replicator, and automated plumbing system!”  SparkWave said.

“You mean I can take a shower?” Crimson said after shoving him away playfuly. The prospect sounded divine right now. It felt like years since she felt like a proper lady. And not some dirty wasteland horse.

“For as long as you want. These systems are supposed to be used by hundreds of ponies not just two.”

He began installing the part, doing things Crimson didn't  know or care to understand. She sat down in one of the chairs facing the overseers desk.

“I sure hope it works. That merchant charged a hoof and a tail for that piece of scrap.” Crimson said. “I could have bought a lot of food with that money.”

* * *

SparkWave didnt look away from his work. “True, but if this works, were set for food and water forever. We could stay here until the world ends again if we want to.”

Crimson leaned back in her chair. “I guess we are just lucky he had the part.”

“Cul is reliable like that. He takes his prospecting very seriously.”

A moment of silence was shared between them. A familiar silence that was never awkward or rude. Crimson stood up and began loosening her armor plating. Letting the cloak fall to the floor.

When she had finished one question had been forming in her mind.

“Sparky?” She asked.

SparkWave looked back at her. The use of his childhood nickname always got his attention.

“Yeah? What is it Crim?” he asked.

“You said we could stay here forever. But there is so much space, so many resources. How long is it going to be just us?”

SparkWave sighed and put down his instrument to come stand near her.

“We’ve done pretty good, just me and you. Besides you would be surprised how fast the well runs dry when you have hundreds of hungry and thirsty ponies.”

“You just said awhile ago that these systems were designed to support hundreds.” Crimson argued.

“Not for any extended period of time! This place is a zoo, and a dead one at that. The Stables that had living ponies were all planned that way. This one was not. What do you think happened to the stable dwellers?”

“Maybe they all ventured out into the wasteland to bravely conquer evil?” Crimson suggested.

“Not likely.” SparkWave huffed. “Lets just focus on what we can do now. I need you to go down to auxiliary control and flip a few switches for me.”

“Good pony push button.” Crimson said with a smile.

“Its actually pretty important that you do this.”

“If its soo important why don't you do it?

“If I did all the work around here what would you do?”

“Probably learn a new skill or take up a hobby.” Crimson shrugged. The look her brother gave her was priceless. “Okay probably not.”

                                                                                                              ***

Crimson Ember climbed down a maintenance shaft leading into the lower levels. The giant fresh water purifier and food replicator were down here apparently. This part of the stable had obviously started to deteriorate more then the rest. The air was given a sickly brown glow from all the rusted metal as she shined her flashlight. No lights working in this part of the stable either. Great.

Crimson excited the shaft and walked along a metal catwalk. I had to duck and crawl many times under pipes and electric cables hanging from the ceiling. It was a tight fit, but I soon found myself staring at the purifier. I knew this because it was the huge thing clearly marked ‘Water Purifier’. Obviously my brother had picked the right pony for the job.

“Hey Crimson you copy?” her radio squawked.

Speak of the devil.

“Im at the purifier. Doesn't look too bad. But I'm no expert in stables so.”

“It doesn't have to be pretty it just has to work. I believe the only problem with the purifier is a lack of power. You have to reconnect it to the generator.” SparkWave said.

“Sounds simple enough. But how about giving me  some tips just in case?” Crimson replied.

“I’ll be with you the whole way Crimson. Follow the red line until you get to a junction terminal. Then you can reestablish flow of power.”

“Rodger. Keep the Wild P cold for me. I’ll have this done in a jiffy.” Crimson said with all the false enthusiasm she could muster.

I found the ‘red line’ my brother was talking about. It led into an even smaller hole in the wall. I had to lay down flat to crawl through. Suddenly I was hit by the stench of death. It was no mistake. The smell of rot came from the other side of the hole. I felt suddenly very uncomfortable being in such a small space; but pushed  forward despite this fear.

I could stand on the other side. I shined the flashlight all around what appeared to be a server room. It was stiflingly hot. The air seemed to burn my lungs, so I held my breath longer and inhaled less. I saw a terminal its usual shade of green. Its glow being the only source of light besides my flashlight. I keyed up my brother once more. “I found the terminal. But something really reeks down here. Smells like death.”

“Maybe an animal got in and died?” Her brother shot back sooner than she expected.

Crimson turned her head to look all around the server room.  “Not likely. Unless you know any radscorpions with mega spell launching stingers.”

“Dont let it distract you. Its probably nothing.” He affirmed.

Crimson turned her attention to the terminal. “Okay shoot.”

After a long session of entering in the numbers and letters her brother called out. Crimson felt her hooves grow sore. Was this what her brother did all day? She could only speculate what went on in that head of his. But as the only other person in his life, she had some understanding. She shook herself from those thoughts. She wanted to fix the water purifier and get the hell out of this hole.

I entered the last series of code, the terminal chirped a little confirmation tone. The sound of power being restored and the giant pump activating was deafening. I covered my ears as best I could and entered the narrow passage; the smell was still strong in the air. After all the lights were on I was going to do a level by level patrol and find whatever it was making that foul odor.

“Crim you did it! All power restored to the water filter!” SparkWave cheered.

“Can I take that shower yet?” I asked.

“I guess we could hold off on the food replicator for a bit. Go ahead.”  The channel went dead.

I made my way back to the maintenance shaft and into the lower atrium. The Stable’s emptyness was unsettling in the dark. But not completely uncomfortable. Crimson Ember felt safe in darkness, darkness hid things you might not want to see. Its was a comforting thing sometimes, to be alone. The bathrooms were clearly marked. I went in the stallions room because why not? Slipping off the wifebeater and oil-stained blue jeans I had worn into the lower stable. Crimson turned the hot water dial but nothing happened. 'We have a magic generator that has survived for 300+ years, but we can't warm some fucking water?' she thought.

She banged her head against the tile. I guess you can't have everything you want.

I turned the cold and a jet of freezing water poured out of the spout. I flinched a bit as the icy water ran down my fur and made me shiver ever so slightly. I washed my mane as best I could without soap, then my tail.

When I was satisfied I dried off and sported a sundress I had found in the mare's dormitory area. It was lovely. I took one look at myself in the mirror and affirmed that. I didn't consider myself  a vain fashionista, but I could pull off a look when I wanted to. I wished I could hear those words from someone else. Words like ‘you’re beautiful’ or ‘I love you’ . Again I surmised this was wishful thinking in a world that was still essentially a lawless wasteland.  It would be nice to hear those words again. But from who? Everyone you know is dead Crimson.

She shut out the thought. She didn't know they were dead. Why did she keep thinking that?

Too many negative emotions. I suppressed them, got them under control before I lost myself to them. Crying for the past was stupid. I am alive and I have my brother. For today, that is good enough.

She knew that wasn't true. A lie she told herself to make life more tolerable down here. It hadn't been so bad, food,water, and shelter under one roof like this. But in my opinion,  pegasi are not meant for crowded hallways. Being on the outside, spreading her wings and feeling the cool wind rush bye. That was living. I lifted up the sundress and sat down on a cot that had been dragged out into the hallway. I lay back for a moment and shut my eyes.

“Crimson! Alert! I need you up in the overseers office right now!” SparkWave shouted.

Not two seconds later I was up and running full speed into the office. I striped the sundress as I ran. Careful not to rip the delicate material. I tossed it aside. When I got to the office Sparky’s face was glued to a monitor. He looked up and his face was a mix of curiosity and raging panic.

“Well What the hell is it?” I asked.

“See for yourself.”

He backed away from the monitor. She leaned forward and saw the blurry image. An unmistakably dark power-armored shape with a bladed tail and twin plasma cannons. The Enclave had found them.

“Why is there only one?” I asked  “Scout?”

“No I think..” Spark was cut off as the enclave soldier began speaking.

“Crimson Ember? ShockWave? I know you can see me through that camera up there.” He spoke, his voice amplified by his armor. “You know damn well I can't knock down this door. But then again, you can't go anywhere either. So I’ll give you one chance to listen to what I have to say before I get on my way.” I looked at my brother, he offered nothing. So they knew where we lived. They couldn't just come in anytime they wanted.

She slammed one hoof down on the mic button and spoke.

“Why should we listen to anything you want to tell us?”

“Because your mother is still alive!” The pegasus removed his visored helmet and stared into the camera with his icy blue eyes. Crimson recognized him almost immediately, but took a second to process what she was seeing. It almost felt… wrong. Her father's brother,  her uncle.

'Vindicator Wing'