Fallout Equestria Firestorm

Into the Wasteland

Well, you can probably guess what I decided to do. I spent the early morning packing; I packed an extra stable suit, healing potions and my copy of the Equestrian military medic's field manual along with a few other odds and ends. From there I headed down to maintenance to get fitted for a Pipbuck, I had never liked the bulky thing, but it has several useful features that would definitely come in handy. From there I braced myself and went to see my father.
Good Morning dad...
He looked me up and down and said: So you're going then?
Yes.
I was afraid of that, but I'd rather have you go with a well-armed caravan than have you sneak off in the night. But promise me you'll be careful.
I will dad.
Good, Summer Winds will be escorting the caravan to the settlement of Broken Teeth south of here, if, when you get there you still wish to go further, I've already arranged for him to serve as your bodyguard, he was an elite soldier before he became a mercenary, if anypony can keep you safe, it will be him.
Dad, why does everypony seem to know him?
That's no mystery dear, your mother had hired him several times in the past as a guard or courier, I'd never met him before myself, but I knew his name and reputation, he's a good pony, he'll keep you safe, just be sure to listen to what he tells you.
You know dad, I was expecting an argument over this...
And I was expecting to give you one, but then I realized I wouldn't win anyway, you're too much like your mother, and if you are going out there I want you to know that you can come back anytime, for any reason, and you're more likely to do that if we part on good terms than bad ones.
Good terms...
Now, get on down to the clinic, Doc Oats will want to give you a checkup before you go.
Okay dad, Thank you.
With that out of the way I headed to the stable clinic, Doctor Oats was waiting for me.
There you are Snowbell, I take it this means you are leaving on an adventure?
Yes Doc, I am.
I'm kind've surprised at that, you've always been such a homebody, but I suppose your mother going missing will do that.
Your shots are all still up-to-date, but I have something special for you, up on the table now, I have a sub-dermal tablet here, it's essentially time-released Rad-X, it will improve your radiation resistance, the tablet will last approximately 2 years. Of course it's still best to avoid radiation, but this will help keep you safe should that not be an option. There we go, be sure not to scratch at that until it's healed. [Perk added: Rad Resistance]
Now, here is a Medic's kit for you, in case anypony gets injured on your journey, goddess forbid. You've always been diligent in your studies so you should be able to take care of anything short of brain surgery, just remember your training.
I will, thanks Doc.
Not at all dear, be safe.
I'll try.
The last stop on my journey was to the armory.
There I found Buckshot waiting for me.
Hey Snowbell! You really coming along with us huh?
Yes, I want to try and find mom.
Well alright, here, you'll need this then. [Stable Security barding equipped]
And this as well. [10mm SMG equipped]
I want to check you out on that weapon before we go, let's head over to the range.
We went to range and Buckshot instructed me on the use of the SMG, it rattled my teeth, but I was soon hitting targets at 10, 20 and 30 meters with decent groups.
After a quick cleaning we were ready to go, the rest of the caravan was already waiting outside along with Summer Winds.
There y'all are, are we ready to get movin'?
Settle your wingboners featherbrain, we'll be going soon.
Summer wrinkled his nose at Buckshot's teasing, but then smiled at me.
I kinda figured you'd decide to roll out with us, you plannin' on trottin' off to find your mom too?
Yes, I think so anyway.
Well you got some time to make up yer mind, I'll warn ya though, the wasteland ain't a pleasant place for a filly like yourself, heck, it ain't a terribly pleasant place for me.
I'm not a filly, I'm an adult.
Filly, mare, Stallion, the wasteland still ain't pleasant.
I have to find my mom.
Very well then Snowbell, I got yer back. [Summer has joined your party] [Perk added: Aerial Recon, +2 Perception, reduced spread on all weapons]
Alright everypony! Let’s get this show on the road! Keep a sharp eye out for trouble; I don't wanna trot into an ambush. Buckshot shouted, Summer leapt into the air and we started making our way to the settlement of Broken Teeth.
Most of the first day was uneventful, I lost track of Summer not long after he took off, but I was certain he was still up there, it wasn't until midafternoon that I got the first taste of the dangers of the wasteland.
AHH! POOWWW! Sniper! Gumdrop is hit! Get behind something you idiot! The shot came from the west!
Suddenly there was noise and panic, Gumdrop, one of the merchants pulling a wagon had been shot, I didn't hear the shot until after she shouted, I started moving to help her, but Buckshot tackled me and shoved me behind the wagon instead, she was just about to say something to me when a low THOOMP! sounded followed by a much louder explosion, then there was silence for a moment, the wind carried a long plaintive scream to our ears, I looked out around the side of the wagon just in time to see a brilliant flash of purple energy arc down from the sky into a rocky hillside, silencing the scream. A moment later Summer landed trotting over to Gumdrop, he shouted for me.
Snowbell! Medic!
I'm here! I called.
It hit high in the neck, just ahead of the shoulder, through and through; I don't think it hit anything vital.
Gumdrop lay where she had dropped, still in the wagon's harness, staring up at us, but laying still.
Come on Snowbell! We gotta get to work!
Right! Stop the bleeding.
I pulled out healing bandages and began wrapping the wound, Summer gently lifted Gumdrop's head so I could get the bandage around her neck, once the wound was bandaged I gave her two healing potions and a Med-X, She lay still for a while, letting the potions do their job, Summer went over to Buckshot.
A lone mare with a .308 hunting rifle in a prepared position, she was waiting for us.
I got that impression, anything else?
Not that I could see, but I suspect she wasn't the only one, they're likely trying to slow us down, soften us up. I'll head up, have a good look-see, y'all sit tight.
Will do, good luck, and try to get them first this time.
Oh, I will.
With that he took off again, disappearing from view startlingly quick.
Buckshot trotted over to me.
You did good Snowbell, but, you should take cover first, you won't do anypony any good if you get injured too, and snipers especially like to wound ponies so they can take out anypony who comes to help them.
Gumdrop started to get up.
How you feeling 'Drop?
Terrible, but I'll live, thank Celestia. And thank you too Snowbell. She said with a smile.
I blushed, just a bit, despite the shock and the blood I felt good for having helped a friend.
We should all be thankful we got featherbrain covering us. Said Buckshot, that sniper would have given us hell otherwise.
Amen to that! Said one of the security ponies.
After a few minutes another thoomp, BOOM! was heard off in the distance.
Summer returned after that.
Alright y'all, the way should be clear now, for a ways anyway.
We proceed onward until near nightfall when we made camp, I checked on Gumdrop again, the wound had mostly healed, but I gave her another healing potion and Med-X anyway.
You'll want to conserve them a bit better, Summer said, trotting over to us. You'll not find that many available out here.
I have plenty for now, and isn't it important to make sure everypony is at full health?
It is, and it's also good that you're following up on her treatment, I'm just warning ya; you wanna keep some on hoof for a real emergency and not use 'em all up when ya don't have to.
Noted, thank you.
Hehe, you're impressing me Snowbell, I'll make an Operator out of you yet.
Ehem, thank you for taking care of that sniper, um... Summer.
Don't worry about it, Gumdrop right? I'm just sorry I didn't get 'er first.
Well, thank you anyway. Gumdrop said with a smile.
What do you mean "make an operator out of me"? What's an operator?
Operator is just a term for an elite soldier, or in your case, medic, ya know, one who participates in an operation.
I see...
Try not to think too hard on it, it don't really mean nothin'. He said with a smile.
Alright, I said wrinkling my nose at him.
Whelp, I'm gonna have a look around; you ladies get your rest. And with that he leapt into the sky, disappearing into the darkness.
That buck sure is something isn't he? Gumdrop asked.
He's something alright, I said, smiling.
____
Level up!
Perk added: Swift Learner. You gain an additional 10% whenever experience points are earned.