Fallout Equestria: Tales of Steel

     This is the tale of one pony who is part of an old war military group that survived "judgment day". I’d tell  you who it is, but where’s the fun in that?

War... War never changes. It just evolves into a new beast.

"Is this thing even on Silver Tail?"

"Yeah, see the little red light?"

"Where...oh there it is."

"Come on already Gold Nugget, hurry up and do your holodiary! I wanna go get some more shooting practice in at the range before lights out!"

"Ok ok ok....sheesh! Can't a filly record herself on her birthday? Not every day you finally turn old enough to become an initiate you know..." a soft sigh is heard before the blue holographic face of a young mare looked up to face the recording device, she gazed into it for a few moments before finally speaking, "Today, I turned old enough to become an initiate ranger for my chapter, today... I join the ranks of my brother and sister Steel Rangers. I'm so excited!" the filly in the hologram trotted happily in place before regaining her composure, "Hopefully I can live up to not just my parent's standards, but hopefully the Elder's as well..." "You done yet Gold Nublet? I want to beat your hide again at target practice!" The blue holographic filly perked her ears and turned around with a low growl, "Oh it...is...ON Waffle Poundcake!" the blue filly turned back with a large smile, "Well I got to run!" with that the recording ended.

      "Paladin Brass Casings", the Elder started off cooly, "6 years ago, on your 15th birthday, you were made an initiate and joined the ranks of your fellow brother and sister Steel Rangers. Do you remember that day as shown in the holorecording?" he asked in a low calm and authoritative tone. "Yes I do Elder Shivercast, like it was yesterday." he nodded slowly at my response. "I see, now then Paladin Brass, are you ready for a moment that you'll remember for the rest of your life?" he asked with the most serious tone I've ever heard him use. "This event will mark a new chapter in your life. Over the years I, rather we, have watched you advance in the ranks since the day you became an initiate. And with each rank received, a new adventure began. Are you ready for this new adventure Brass?" I straightened up and nodded, bracing for whatever the elder has coming to me. "Because of your service to our order, to the preservation of technology, and to the service to your fellow rangers, selflessly putting your life on the line to save their hides," he said while glancing to my friends standing at attention to me right, "I, Elder Shivercast, hereby promote you to the rank of Senior Paladin for your valiant efforts and bravery in the field of battle." I merely just stood there, silent and still as a stone as I began to process what he just said. I looked around at the gathered counsel and fellow rangers, expecting some pony to come out and be like, "Haha got you nublet!" but that wasn't through case. I merely bowed in respect and crossed my right arm across my chest, "Thank you for this honor Elder Shivercast. I promise that I'll do the best that I can and I will continue to serve our order as I have." He merely just stood behind his console and shook his head at my response. "No senior paladin. Not as you have been doing, but better. Continue to strive in the field of battle, continue to be an example for your fellow rangers for you are now in a position of leadership. Now, go enjoy the rest of this day, for tomorrow is the day when you are no longer a follower, rather you will have followers of your own." with those last words the elder left his podium and took his leave, leaving the auditorium full of his rangers standing silent till he completely left the room. Slowly everypony started to leave as well in a low murmur, "Hey! Congratulations Gold Nugget! It's about time you were made a Senior Paladin!" "Yeah way to go! You earned it if you ask me...hell how many times did you save Dusk Shadow's flank?" "HEY! That's only because my guns malfunctioned in the middle of the fight!" I just sighed and smirked at Dusk, "And whose job is it to maintain YOUR guns? Sure as hell not mine!" He blushed and turned a bright red as the embarrassment of being exposed for improper weapon maintenance because for a ranger, their armor and their weapons mean the difference of life and death. "You're still lucky as hell that I was near by before that tribal could take that ripper to your neck and slice open your armor. Same with that time when we had to deal with some ponies from the burner boys! Hell it's a good thing that flamers don't have good range..." I shuddered at the thought of ACTUALLY being in range of those flamers... sure our armor has cooling systems built in... but it can only protect against high heat like that from a flamer for a few minutes before you're cooked alive in your armor. I just sighed before a smile appeared back onto my face as I was swarmed by my fellow rangers who were congratulating me on my rank advancement.

     The after party celebrations lasted into the night until lights out, everypony was happily full of sweets and sparkle cola as they started walking off to their bunks in the sleeping quarters. I, myself was on my way to my own bunk when I suddenly found myself face to face with the Elder. "E...elder shivercast!" I stuttered as I bowed hastily, "I thought you were in your quarters! It is lights out after all sir..." He smiled and shook his head slowly as he patted my shoulder, "No need for formalities right now Senior Paladin, but the gesture is noted and will not have been done in vain." he said as he returned the gesture. "Now then... would you please accompany me on a walk?" he asked as he turned down a walkway to his left and started walking. I merely nodded and walked alongside him on his right, "There is a reason why I have pulled you aside Ms. Nugget, and that reason shall be brought to light. Our supplies are limited, this every ranger knows, to a degree though. We are almost at critical levels of everything!" I looked at him, shocked and confused, shocked by our chapter's actual condition, but more shocked at the fact that he was telling ME all this, and confused as to why he was telling me all this. "Ms. Nugget..." he began before I spoke up quickly while blushing due to my disrespectful action, "P...please sir, just call me Brass. Kinda makes me feel like I'm about to be scolded for something... sir..." he just looked at me and chuckled with the kindest smile I've ever seen him with, "Ok then Brass, I know this is kind of a tall order just being promoted and all. But I'm asking you if you could take your unit along with Star Paladin Shrapnel to look for more supplies. However, I am not asking you to take them by force if you cannot reason with the tribels who possess said supplies." He sighed as he took a deep breath before continuing down the hall, “Remember Brass, we value life AND technology, though life is more important. So, your mission is to look for more supplies for us. Ammunition, guns, spare parts, scrap metal, anything that can help us, without harming tribals for our own gain.” he paused for a moment, taking a long, deep breath, "Also I want you to scout out possible locations for a new bunker. That way we'll have an outpost to retreat to incase we should ever lose this one for whatever reason." "Uh... seems simple enough. I have to ask one question though Elder Shivercast." I asked. I held my breath as I awaited his response, "Yes Senior Paladin? Feel free to speak freely my dear" I let out a sigh as I stopped holding my breath, "Thank you, anyways, not questioning your judgement or anything sir but, why me? I mean there's plenty of more capable rangers that probably be more suiting for something like this. Not that I'm complaining mind you, but I was just promoted... Do you really think that I'm ready for something of this nature?" "Would we be talking right now about this if I didn't think you were capable of handling this?" He smiled and chuckled before turning to face me and putting a hoof on my shoulder, "Brass, you're more than ready for this. Besides you won't be alone. You'll be in charge of this mission, Star Paladin Shrapnel will be there to assist you in case there are any unforeseen issues, you'll also have Paladins lucky, and Deadeye accompanying you in your journeys. Also, report your status as often as you can, any information about the tribals you encounter could be vital for possible interactions later on in the future."

     He paused with a sigh, "Do you have any other questions Ms. Brass?" I just shook my head, I mean it sounded like a pretty clear cut mission right? "No sir. And I'm ready to go at your word as well." I bowed my head and crossed my foreleg across my chest, my heart was pounding from the adrenaline rush caused by the excitement of being hoof picked by the elder to carry out an important task. "Good," he said with a large grin, "you'll start your journey at first light. Also Senior Paladin Brass, consider this your trial by fire, so to speak." I stared into his eyes for a moment before snapping a salute, "There's one more thing Brass, try to make allies rather than more enemies. Who knows, they might come in handy in the future."