Resistance: The Equestrian War Effort

Unable to sleep, due to my previous…unpleasant experience, I spent the rest of the night scavenging books from the library.

Most of the books scattered around were poorly written, or boring. The few exceptions, though rare and far in between, sparked inspiration and emotion within me. Unfortunately, most of these books were either way too long, or too incredibly brief to enjoy thoroughly that night. Occasionally, I found the perfect mix between the two. I devoted my time to searching out these books. While scavenging for these gems, I spied a miniscule, soft-white bookcase containing five stories.

My curiosity overwhelming me, I trotted to the bookcase. I couldn’t decide which to read first, so I removed the book resting in the center.

This book, no, this masterpiece kept me glued to the very end. Emotions resulting from this book swept me to an ecstatic dream world. I nearly shed a tear as the story came to an end. Almost subconsciously, I slipped another book from the shelf. The same glorious result resounded from each book.

I was nearly thrown into a panic as the final book’s back cover closed.

Again, I searched for more of these ink-inscribed treasures. The book, Fallout: Equestria came to my mind.  I levitated the book in front of my eyes. Even if it was filled with obscenities and other material suitable for a more…mature age group, it was still an addicting read. Temptation ate at me, but I managed to control myself.

It was probably best to keep my mind on more wholesome subjects anyway. Subjects such as… nothing came to mind.

The whole world was currently a steaming pile of manure. The Chimera were exterminating us like pests. Slaughtering us.

A cold, hollow feeling gripped my chest. I was more concerned about damned books than the current state of the world.

“What’re you doing up this late?”

Fidelis’ voice made my mane stand up on end.

“Just, uh… reading some books.”

My mind was distant, I only answered Fidelis because I felt I had to.

“Can’t get to sleep, huh?” That makes two of us.”  Fidelis’ hoof steps grew louder as he closed the distance between us.

“So, what’cha reading?”

He angled his head to get a better view of the cover of Fallout: Equestria.

“Oh, geez. I don’t think you should be reading that particular one.”

“So, um, you’ve read this one before?”

“Wreck recommended it once. It’s got some pretty, well, uh, colourfulaspects to it. Not exactly appropriate for anypony your age.”

“Hey, don’t go treating me like I’m a filly!”

At that moment, It occurred to me that Fidelis was the only pony around who knew my actual age.

“That reminds me… why haven’t you told Rip Corde and the rest how old I am?”

He sheepishly kicked at the floor.

“I dunno. I guess that it’s too late now, anyway. We’ve been keeping it a secret too long. The others would be pretty ticked if they knew you’d been lying to them.”

My mind produced images of BlackJack. Definitely he, out of everypony, would be mad. I wasn’t exactly sure about Rip Corde, though. She didn’t seemed too perturbed by anything. As for Deadeye…

Heck, I didn’t know anything about Deadeye. I hadn’t taken the time to get to know him. Everypony else had kind of defined themselves by the first day. Deadeye had kept to himself.

“Y’know, you two should really be sleeping.”  Rip Corde’s groggy voice caused both me and Fidelis to jump.

She rose from a mattress that was lying upon an over turned bookcase.

This could be bad. If she had overheard any of our conversation, problems could arise.

“What’re you two talking about, anyway?”

“Oh, just this book right here. We were discussing the author’s…wide vocabulary,” Fidelis' tone was smooth as he lied. I almost believed him, myself.

He levitated the book to Rip Corde, and placed a hoof on an italicized sentence.

Rip Corde’s eyes traveled across the page. “Wow…How did this get published?”

“Well, the writing itself is what’s really impressive. I guess that’s what mattered to the publisher.”

They continued to discuss the book. I left them to their conversation, and trotted to the denim couch.

I fastened my eyelids together in an attempt to sleep. Finally, I managed to drift off.

“Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. C’mon, wake up. Vita, wake up.”  I felt firm pressure on my side.

“Mmmphna,” I responded.

I rolled over to meet Rip Corde. “Guess who was lucky enough to get picked for scavenger duty.”

“Lucky me,” I mumbled.

She supplied me with four large saddlebags, along with a new weapon.

“Looted this off the body of one of those things yesterday. I had a couple’a chances to test it. Apparently, the thing shoots straight through walls.”

She hooked a complicated-looking rifle to my saddlebags. It looked much like the Chimeran tracer rifle, except slightly longer, with two knife-like protrusions above and below the barrel.

“Cool,” was the only word I could use to describe it. It really was pretty cool-looking.

As I trotted to the library’s entrance, an armor-less BlackJack came to meet me.

“Uh, hiya, BlackJack.” I couldn’t bring my eyes to meet his, so I kept my head low.

He nuzzled my neck with his nose.

I leapt back in alarm, putting sizable distance between us.

“Wha…wh… Huh?” I stuttered.

“What’s wrong?” Confusion spread across BlackJack’s face.

“Well, you…you…y’know! You shouldn't of…” I couldn’t find an appropriate answer.

To my surprise, BlackJack looked a little hurt. “I shouldn't of what?”

“Not, um… Why did you…?” I was lost in bewilderment.

BlackJack's gaze remained upon me.

"Why did I what?" His tone showed obvious signs of irritation.

"Why did you do, that? Y'know, just then!"

He turned his head away from me.

“Didn’t seem to mind so much when we were cuddling together…”  He mouthed under his breath.

This was going to Hell in a hoof-basket.

“BlackJack, I… I’ve gotta go.”

I galloped, in an attempt to escape from the awkwardness.

Almost instinctually, I knew today was going to suck.