Fallout Equestria: Operation Suscitabo Solis

by Dawnstar_Solaris

Rating: mature
Tags: Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Narcotics, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Fetish, Suicide / Self Harm, Non-consensual, Adventure, Sex, Profanity, Random, Gore, Violence, Crossover
Length: 35148

Surviving the Wasteland is the least of Amaria Hurricane's worries. Finding her Pipbuck and figuring out who and what she is enough of a problem. But discovering what she is may hold the the key to either saving or destroying the Wasteland.

Dawnstar_Solaris

Edited by EOD_Operator

Published 2015-12-31 08:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2019-10-12 07:00:44 UTC

Prologue

Equestria, a beautiful land of many color and inhabitants, a land of magic and harmony, filled with science and invention. Or at least that's at least how I remembered it used to before it became the wasteland we’re all familiar so with. Our once peaceful land became tainted with greed and malice, and the once peaceful world fell into a horrible war, and in the end, the world was cleansed of life in a blinding flash and wave of balefire… or so it was though, many inhabitants fled to great shelters called stables meant to protect life in the event of a mega spell attack, but some of these vaults housed dark secrets, off the book black projects, desperate attempts to end the war. Who am I? My name is Amaria Hurricane, I am one of these projects. And before you ask, yes, I am the great, great, something granddaughter of The Commander Hurricane from way back. Hard to believe it when I'm a freaking orange alicorn, but I'll get to how that happened later. Anyways, Little Pip suggested I should write my story down. After hearing hers, I figured that I would give it a shot, but where to start, I suppose that in order to make everything that I’ve done clear, I should start at the beginning, on that horrible day when the world was wiped clean, the day the bombs fell.
I was only a small filly at the time, I honestly am not even sure how old I was, but I still remember it quite well. My father was a well-off business pony who had good connections from his time in the military. Perhaps that was why he was so involved with StableTec and their preparations for if the war went bad. At the time, all I knew was that I was being 'prepared' for something special. StableTec scientists gave me various injections and tests. At the time, I was scared and don't know what was going on, little did I realize, they were preparing me for my destiny some 120 years later, but leaving all that unpleasantness behind, I really should get down to the details or this will never get finished. On the day the bombs fell, I was rushed into the experimental stable that they had trained me so many times before to go to, large yellow letters were printed out on the gear shaped steel door: X-27. StableTec Research Facility. No Unauthorized Access. The door rolled open as buzzers went off inside. I was shoved inside and the door was shut just as quickly as it had been opened. A loud screech and clang came from behind me, then all I saw was darkness.
Click. A soft greenish glow beamed down from the low ceiling. Various mechanical devices hung down from the stable entrance above me. There was nothing but silence and the low hum of the lights and distant generators. I got up slowly and shook the sand and dust off. Man was the Marehave a dirty place. I stretched my wings and then tucked them in again as I felt a slight chill run down my spine. Oh yeah, I remembered now that they said this stable didn't have heaters. Damn. I began to move down the narrow hall to the inner room. I weaved past various crates and boxes full of assorted weapons, ammo, canned and boxed foodstuffs, and a small mountain of medical supplies. Yup, cramped and cold. Just like I hated. It was pretty small in comparison to most stables you readers may be familiar with. Just two rooms and a basement. Just enough to house the essentials. Then, a low rumble shook the stable, at the time, I thought it was an earthquake, but years later I'd find out it was the impact of a Balefire bomb a few miles north. Alarms went off in the stable. An orange sign on the far wall reading, Radiation Warning, lit up on the far wall. Shit. My only salvation was the hibernation pod inside the stable, designed to put me to sleep until the world was better, but where was that damn pod? A blue light caught my eye. Whew. They actually installed it. I guess all that training wasn't wasted. I climbed in and closed the glass canopy over myself. The pod was comfortable enough, but still a bit cold. Oh well, better put the tubes on. I breathed into the mask a few times, letting the anesthetic into my system, and fell into my centuries long sleep.

Chapter 1: Buried Hope

"Are you sure it's going to work?"

The light gray coated Pegasus buck turned to towards the mare addressing him.

"Yes." He replied. "It has too. I've poured everything into this. It can't possibly go wrong now."

"Well it might just have!" retorted the mare. "The princess herself is demanding to see the progress on the prototypes. She is also insisting on seeing ALL of our projects. Even the Black projects."

"I see....tell her we will be able to facilitate her requests as soon as next week. If they ask why, say we need to finish running some tests on Project UnEx, and will be more than happy to show her our progress then".

"But what about the Black project? The one we've been working with Stable-Tec on? She'll want to see it!" the earth pony bemoaned. "She'll surely shut it down like those projects in Hoofington if she knows what we are attempting!"

"I'll worry about that when the time comes. Now, how is Project BoltFire coming along?"

"Very promising Mr.Hurricane. The military is particularly pleased with the test prototypes we sent them, and has requested a shipment of one thousand units as soon as we can produce them!" "Excellent. I knew they'd like like it. Perhaps we'll be able to pay off some of those loans with that order." A wail of a siren sounded in the distance.

"Goddesses preserve us! It's happening!" Screamed the mare, dropping her binder and frantically looking around.

"Get a hold of yourself! Join the others in the basement shelter... I'll be along shortly. I'm pretty sure this us just a drill."

The mare collected her wits and quickly exited the room. The pegasi stallion got up from his chair and walked towards the large glass window.

"No... this isn't a drill. This time it's real. I knew this would come." He said out loud to no one in particular. "It's all up to you now my daughter. Remember what I thought you. Goodbye."

He leaned his head up against the glass, closing his eyes. Moments later, there was an earthshaking boom. Then silence.

Year 2272. 195 years later. The MareHave Dessert. Somewhere north-east of New Pegasus. 5:00 AM in places still civilized enough to keep track of time. Lights flickered from a recent excavation site under a large rock formation. Various pegasi in white coats hustled around amongst various equipment, taking notes and looking at various terminals. A few pegasi in spiked black metal armour walked about the top of the excavation site toting rifles with glowing green ends. Marker lights appeared above, and the throb of rotors filled the cool desert air as a Vertibuck descended from the thick cloud cover above. It hovered for a few moments, then deployed its gear and settled down on the sand. As the engines were cut, a side hatch popped open, and a set of stairs deployed from the side of the craft. About six solders hurried out, stood in two lines of three, and saluted. A green unicorn in a dark grey uniform stepped out of the Vertibuck onto the sand.

"At ease" he barked hoarsely at the soldiers, who then took up positions around the landing site.

The unicorn looked around for a while, then in a very low voice muttered," Of course you'd put it out here, you bastard. Out where no one could get to it. Well, now that changes. Time to see what you hid in here Mr oh-so-smart Hurricane." "Is that damn door open yet?" He yelled at the lab coat attired ponies.

"Almost Sir!" Replied a buck who was leaning over a panel near the large gear shaped metal door.

The slightly sand blasted and rusted door bore the letter and number reading: X-27. A few yellow words were under it, but were largely unreadable due to age and weathering.

"Well, I'm waiting!"

"Sir, the passphase is like nothing we've ever seen on a stable before. It's some kind of phrase, not the usual Stable-Tec key code."

"Hmm... let me see... aha! Knew it!" The unicorn exclaimed as he pushed the buck aside and looked over the panel. "It's not a phrase you idiot. It's a name."

He pulled out a scrap of faded old paper and then pushed it back into his pocket. "Ha.. thought you could hid your identity from me Hurricane? It took me a while, but I figured it out."

He then punched in the letters s...o....l....a....r..i.....s..... then hit the enter key. There was a screech of metal and a buzzing alarm sounded from behind the door. It creaked and then rolled to the side as the locking mechanism disengaged. Greenish lights flickered on from inside the stable. The unicorn strode forward, quickly followed by several soldiers. They filed through the narrow hall, and entered a room at the end.

"Holy shit!" Exclaimed one of the soldiers when he caught sight of the stacks of weapons and ammo.

Others gaped at the piles of food and medical supplies. The unicorn didn't even seem phased by the surplus of pre-war goods on the ground. He trotted right towards a large cylindrical chamber at the back of the room. He telepathically grabbed a rifle off the floor and clicked in a round. He then fired directly at the small blinking panel on the cylindrical chamber. A spark of electricity shot from the panel, then died. The chamber hissed and the dome shaped door slowly opened. Inside was an orange coated pegasi filly he guessed was about 15 years of age. She stirred, waking from her induced slumber. The unicorn grimaced and wrapped her neck in his magic. He then roughly pulled her from the pod and let her hang by her neck in mid air. She woke quickly, and tried to fight his grasp.

"Aha! Knew he'd stick his miserable little genetic freak in here!" He yelled into her face, his grip tightening as he squirmed and fought to breathe. "Because that's what you are, aren't you? What's the matter? Can't talk?"

He then laughed cruelly as she tried to mouth something.

"Can't hear you!" He teased, squeezing harder.

He felt a slight pop in her neck and noticed her eyes both watered in pain, but at the same time seemed slightly lit by some kind of glow.

"What the fuck are you?" He screamed.

Before he could continue, a solider rushed in.

"Sir! The rangers are closing! They've tracked the Vertibuck here!"

"I'll deal with you later!" Snarled the unicorn, flinging the filly against the wall with a loud thud.

He turned and galloped back through the hall, barking orders to pack up and move out. Crashes, bangs, yells, and then the whine of the Vertibuck's engines carried down into the stable as the Enclave scrambled to get out. Then, there was silence. The filly coughed hoarsly, bringing up blood and gasped air back into her lungs. She got up slowly, bruised, but nothing broken. She hoped at least. She stumbled over the the pile of medical supplies and grabbed a healing potion with her mouth. She spit out the cap and downed the bottle. Well, the coughing and bleeding stopped, but her thought still felt funny. She looked about the room. The slides had made quite the mess as they had been rifling through the piles, looking for this and that. Then her heart sank. The glass case on the other wall was smashed. Whatever had been inside was now gone. Her eyes went wide...then closed and her head and wings drooped. She began to sob softly.

Six metal clad ponies charged towards the excavation site just after the Vertibuck disappeared back into the cloud cover.

"Move,Move,Move!" Yelled one of them "We have to disarm any explosives they set or the stable is lost!"

They hurried about the stable entrance for a while, but then seemed satisfied to find only signs of a panicked exit.

"Looks like we got the jump on them this time!" exclaimed one of the rangers.

"About damn time too. Fuckers blow up all the stuff they find." Replied another. "

Quit the chatter Parsnip. We need to clear this place out of any useable stuff before the Enclave comes back with reinforcements and makes mincemeat of us."

The rangers filed into the stable door and turned on there helmet lamps. Only one ranger at a time fit through the hall, so only four went through. The other two stayed to watch the door. The first ranger to enter the room stopped dead at the sight of goods scatting the floor. It was as if he was a small filly seeing presents at a surprise party, if those things still existed. The other two pushed past quickly, then let our whoops of joy when they saw the piles. The last ranger entered the room, but didn't pay attention to the piles. He passed his helmet lamp over the room, then stopped when he spotted the cryogenic pod. He trotted over, and then stopped. There was a signature on his Eyes Forward Sparkle. He peered around the back of the pod, only to stare into the face of a wide eyed a shaking filly. He jumped back, then collected his wits.
Thinking quickly, he removed his helmet, and with the biggest smile he could muster said,
"Its okay. We're here to help".

The filly stared at the maroon earth pony buck for a second, then relaxed. She started crying and wrapped herself around his front leg. The buck rested his head on top of hers.

"There, there," he said as softly as his deep voice could go. "It's all going to be okay".

The fillet looked up at him and smiled, the tears in her eyes drying.

"Did they hurt you? He asked.

The filly nodded. She used her wing to point to her neck. The ranger looked at it, then shook his head. "I think you've done about as good as we could with that healing potion." He said, noticing the recently emptied bottle on the ground. "What's your name miss?"

The filly tried to talk, but only a few hoarse rasps came out. She closed her eyes and then started to cry as the realization of what had just happened hit her. By now the other three Rangers had come over and were staring at the filly in amazement.

"Those brutes!" muttered one with a Gatling laser on his battle saddle. "I'll shoot all those bastards for this!"

The maroon buck turned to the ranger who had just spoken.

"Calm down Starch. I'm sure you'll get your chance soon enough."

He turned back to the filly.

"Want to come with us?"

The filly nodded. She followed him out through the hall. The other three Rangers bundled up the various stuffs, and then ventured dawn to the basement, looking for various Talismans. They emerged from the stable shortly after loaded down with with all their findings.

"Elder CornCob will be pleased with this discovery!" remarked Parsnip.

"I sure hope so." replied another of the Rangers. "This stuff is damn heavy."

The rangers moved off towards the south, putting distance between themselves and the stable.

The filly awoke a few hours later, still on the back of the Ranger. Just in time to hear the throb of vertibuck rotors overhead as the Rangers scattered to avoid the the stream of energy beam fire it let loose.

"Dammit! They found us!" Yelled one.

Starch just casually stopped, and let the vertibuck pass over. He then let loose a torrent of red energy beam fire from his Gatling laser. Sparks showered from the tail of the vertibuck as pieces were sawn off and vaporized. The crippled vertibuck began to spin wildly in mid air as it lost control. Pegasi were flung hither and thither as they tried to escape the craft. One pegasi in a black carapace landed near the Rangers. He hit the ground with a thud, twitched a couple times, and then stopped moving. Meanwhile, the out of control vertibuck slammed into the sand below and erupted in flame as the fuel tanks crumpled and caught fire. Thick black smoke filled the air around the wreck, hiding any survivors. Rangers didn't hang around to find out if any pegasi were left, they high tailed it further south. No point hanging around where the Enclave was sure to show up. The rest of the trip was largely uninterrupted except for a few radscorpions here and there. It wasn't too long till they came up to a chain fence surrounding an old airstrip. A few Rangers patrolled to fence line, and at the gates a couple turrets hummed as they swept from side to side.

"Star Paladin Big Red reporting in." Boomed the maroon buck.

The ranger at the gate saluted and opened it. The remaining Rangers were met by others, who helped them unload the various goods from their backs. A few scribes directed the proceedings and documented each of the items carefully. Big Red continued towards to control tower. He passed a few other Rangers who stopped and saluted as he passed. He neared the main doors of the tower, which were opened for him. Once inside, he turned left down a hall, passed three doors, and then made a left into a large room filled with Rangers and unicorn scribes. They all looked up in amazement when they saw the filly, still in her Stable-Tec barding. Elder CornCob, and elderly buck with a long yellow beard, looked up. His eyes went wide when he saw the cutie mark on the filly's flank. A black spire with a golden sun perched on its peak.

"So the stories are true!" He said aloud. "Come, we must discuss what we are to do, now that we know this information to be true. Raspberry, please see to it she receives food and care as necessary."

A light pink unicorn mare in a red robe nodded, and ushered the filly out of the room.

"So," boomed Elder CornCob." It appears that we have come across perhaps the greatest thing yet to be discovered in these wastes. I am not sure how much all of you know about the many projects that Cataegis Industries had, but this is by far the greatest. Celestia herself must have smiled on us today, as the Enclave didn't have the chance to snuff this bit of hope out."

"But Elder," another unicorn piped up,"We can't possibly raise her here. It would be against the Codec!"

"True, which is why I was about to suggest something else. Send her to NewSprings. There will be several families capable of caring for her. Give the townsfolk one of the water purifying talismans as well, in exchange for a share of their crops."

There were nods of approval from all. No pony liked the nasty bran pellets which were the primary food supply for the post.

"Then it is settled. Now, was there any information in the stable, perhaps a pip buck or chip of some kind?"

Big Red spoke up.p" There was only this chip here," he said, pushing it across the table with a hoof. There would have been a pip buck, but it appears the Enclave took it."

"That complicates matters." replied CornCob. "None the less, what I said before still stands. Once she is settled in, post regular watches of the town, but do not be seen. Ensure to her safety. "Dismissed!"

The gathered Rangers got up and filed out of the room.

Year 2276. Five years later. 6:00 am in Newsprings, a small farming town north east of New Pegasus. Well, if you call the small half-dead patches of plant material farms. Yep. It was a pretty dull place, but heck, I'd been here for five years since those Steel Rangers dumped me off here. I suppose I'd made the most of it. I'd managed to start a small repair business out of the run down shack on the edge of town. Sure I got a few customers, but not so many as to stop me from being able to take a few trips here and there. I rolled over on the cot I called a bed. Old, stained, but not smelly. I'd managed to clean it enough to somewhat satisfactory levels. I got up and walked over to the wall where several of my more important belongings were kept. A slate with rope attached, a partially disassembled beam rifle, and a spot for another gun lined the wall. I slipped on the slate, and glanced at the beam rifle. I'd managed to reassemble most of it from salvaged parts, but I still didn't like how it performed. The beam was a bit too weak to have much stopping power, so I'd been tweaking the magic charge supply and focusing lenses. Apparently they did this sort of stuff way back, but not too many ponies knew have to do it anymore. Exempt for in the bigger settlements and of course the Rangers. Those places always attached the technofiles. All I really needed was a spell matrix board, and the rifle should work. Only problem was getting one. The good ones cost a ton of caps, and good luck finding them. You'd almost be better to go scavenge for one, as you'd have a better chance of finding one. I sighed, and moved into the next room. The kitchen, if you could call it that, was a combination of a small patched together stove, a cupboard, and a broken refrigerator. It shared the space with a workbench and and reloading table. Reached down and grabbed a piece of the coarse hard substance that they called 'Bread' in Newsprings. The stuff was hardly edible. Heck, it would make better ammo than food. Load a loaf of that stuff up and you'd be sure to take a raiders head off. I took a couple bites, then swallowed hard. It scratched all the way down, but it was food, and better that some strange two hundred year old stuff out of a box. I'd almost prefer the ancient boxed stuff though. Might taste like something other than dirt. I looked at the work bench. No work today. I'd finished up all the weapon repairs I had yesterday. Most of the time customers would pick up their own guns, but occasionally I'd have to deliver them. I didn't really mind. Between a nine millimetre pistol, a knife, and my .308 rifle, I could handle it alright. That also gave me time to do some other stuff, such as spy on the Rangers and learn their patrols. I'd tried asking the few Rangers I found patrolling Newsprings about Stable X-27 and myself, but they wouldn't tell me much. Something about an experiment, and that I was part of it. If I pressed more, they'd simply say the Elder knew more. I'd asked to see the Elder, but was declined because I was an outsider to them. That's why if they weren't going to tell me, I was going to find out. I was pretty sure they had at least one of the chips I was told to look for when I woke up. That, apparently (and hoped) would hold the instructions and some explanations about me and the experiment. But that would be easier said than done. First, I'd have to find a way in. Then, get to the chip, no doubt secured in an inner room. Finally, find a way to get our without being shot. Yeah, no easy task. I cleaned off the workbench, and switched on the small radio I had sitting nearby. The speaker cracked, and then the soft melody of a prewar song became clear. At least I could depend on DJ Pon3 to be reliable. He never missed his scheduled news. I figured he had somehow accessed the Ministry of Arcane Science's old radio towers. There was no other way he could broadcast so far over the wasteland and be able to find out so much about what was going on. A better question though. Was he really a 'He' or a mainframe recording. Hard to tell. The voice didn't quite seem right, but maybe that was just me. After all, I was the freakishly big pegasi mare that could beat stallions in a hoof wrestle. Yup, I was definitely different. The town doctor had found various little chips through my body, and though that they were perhaps implants. If so, that explained my unnatural strength, ability to heal, and a few other things. I wasn't sure how all that was really a benefit. If anything, it kept stallions away from me. Any buck I happened to fancy, well, he'd see me as a freak. I can't say that was true for every buck though. There was one that I'd kinda had a fancy for, and he seemed interested enough. There was possibly something there, but that was cut short when he joined a trade caravan in the hopes for earning a few caps. Raiders put an end to that faster than a slamming door. Since then I'd been taking out groups of raiders in my spare time. One pony can do a lot of damage with one .308 rifle and some old riot gear. I was fast, silent, and they never knew what hit them. No pony else did either. Not that it really mattered. The towns folk wouldn't really care if they did know. They were far to busy trying to grow their sad excuses for crops. And then there was the sheriff. What a waste of horse flesh. The idiot spent most of his time drinking or passed out. If it weren't for the Rangers secretly protecting us, we'd be goners. As I was musing through these thoughts, a yellow unicorn buck pushed open my door and walked up to the counter. I quickly grappled my chalk and wrote on the slate around my neck. I held it out in my mouth, and he smiled and nodded.

"Yes, good morning to you as well Blue."

Blue. That was the name is been given seeing as how I'd arrived in a Stable Tec jumpsuit. I'd never told them my real name,as I thought it might be better not to. Perhaps a good thing too, as none of the surface ponies had any sense of love for the Enclave. I could see why, they regularly harassed farmers for produce, promising 'protection' in exchange for goods. They never showed up to help, but if you refused, you got beaten up and your crops were taken anyway. The unicorn browsed the small assortment of firearms I had on display. He was clearly interested in purchasing one. He selected a hunting rifle and placed it on the counter.

"How much?"

"230," I wrote on m slate.

He reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out the caps.

"Ammo?" I wrote.

"Thank you, but I already have."

He turned and walked out the door. Yup, typical day. The song ended on the radio, and the voice of DJ Pon3 came on again.

"Good morning children. How's the Marehave this morning? Do I have some news for you. And no, it's not bad news. We've got plenty of that for a long time. No, this time it's good news. Very good news. It appears that some pony has been taking the fight to the raiders lately. So far four different groups along the old I-15 have all disappeared. How? Sniper. Is it the Rangers? The Enclave finally making good on their protection scam? Or is it some pony else? And apparently raiders aren't the only ones getting dealt with. Apparently the Jackal gang woke up a few days back to find themselves tied up and their guns disassembled. Apparently some pony left them a message to turn themselves in, because the whole gang did just that. Caravans are also reporting a shadowy figure providing sniper cover from raiders along the I-15. Whoever you are, your one heck of a good news for the Marehave. Keep it up,whoever you are. And now, more music."

I shut of the radio. Shit. Somehow that damn radio pony knew about my activities. I was quite sure I'd been secretive about it, but I guess it was going to get out somehow. Thank Luna I'd kept my rifle and the riot gear stowed in a hollow rock outside of town. Wouldn't want those discovered in my shack. The sheriff would likely shoot me for it. He was jealous enough as it was that I was a crack shot. I felt watched, and I didn't like it. Perhaps I'd go for a bit of a trip out to Red Sands to see what the Gun Runners had brought down from Hoofington. That place was apparently full of all manner of advanced weapons from before the bombs. Sure their stuff was expensive, but where else would you get that king of stuff. Yeah, I'm going to go there. I grabbed a 9mm from the safe, and a couple boxes of ammo. I roses these in a saddle bag, and then filled another with one of the loaves of rock bread and a couple health potions and a few bandages. Not for myself however. You were almost guaranteed to encounter some pony who needed it more than you. I slipped on my X-27 jumpsuit and slung on the saddle bags. On my way out, a grabbed a combat knife, and inserted it into a leg pocket. I put the closed sign on the door, and locked it. I glanced down the street. No pony looked up,they were all too busy going about their own business. I spread my wings and flew low out of town. I reached the hollowed out rock,and pulled out the riot gear. I put this in a saddle bag, but the rifle I slung on my side. That was my insurance. Come raider, diamond dog, radscorpion, I'd get the first shot. I then took of to Red Sands. I wasn't flying fast. I had all day to get there. I strangely still felt watched, but couldn't see anything. I stopped and hovered in place I whipped up my rifle and peered into the scope. I scanned the horizon. There. Just north of me, about a half kilometre out was a spritebot behind a cactus. Strange. You seldom saw those out here. Rangers shot them for fun if they ever came near. Some ponies thought the Enclave used them to spy on settlements. This one had obviously been tracking me for some reason. I dug an armour piercing round from my saddle bag, and slid it into the rifle. I sighted the shot. Right through the front grill. I pulled the trigger. Blam. The rifle kicked back and a small amount or smoke came out of the barrel. The spritebot sparked, smoked and crackled and the round pierced through its hull. Then a bang, and it fell to the ground. Nice. One shot had taken out its spark battery. I didn't bother going over to salvage it. Any talismans were was no doubt toasted and now useless. I continued on my way, but I was still intrigued as to why the spritebot had been following me. Perhaps it was the fact I was a Stablepony. We weren't too common apparently. Most of the Stables had opened up years ago, and others had failed completely. Rumours had it a few were still around with ponies still in them, just waiting for the right time to open. The rest of the trip was uneventful. A couple caravans and a few geckos. Nothing really special. I arrived in Red Sands, and quickly discovered that the Gun Runners hadn't made it. Apparently raiders around PonyVille had taken them out. Unfortunate, but at least the raiders didn't have their weapons. The Gun Runners notoriously packed their crates with timed explosives. In the event of trouble, they'd blow the crates. Kind of wasteful, but better than the alternative. No pony wanted raiders with Beam weapons. I was a bit put out, but what could I do? I started heading back to New Springs when I spotted an Enclave vertibuck flying low. Curious, I followed at a distance. When I finally found where it landed, it was around 6:00 in the evening. I'd put on the riot gear, as as to not be recognizable. The enclave seemed to be investigating a cave in the side of an rock outcropping. A few soldiers and a lot of lab coated Pegasi were milling around. I caught pieces of their conversation.

"Can we open it? No, not yet. Are there still ponies in there? "

. Then it dawned on me. They'd found an Unopened Stable. If my experience was anything to go on, this wasn't going to be pretty. I checked my ammo count. 40 .308 shells. 30 9mm shells. I could take out the soldiers, but I was a bit iffy about the lab ponies. They weren't armed. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I put down my rifle and waited. The ground started shaking. I detected it, and snuck off to cover. Something was coming. The Enclave didn't notice it. The swarm of raiders was on them before they could do anything. The lab ponies were gunned down as they tried to hide or run to the Vertibuck. The soldiers did there best to fight, falling dozens, but the sheer number of raiders overwhelmed them. The raiders bit, hacked, and beat the Pegasi until nothing but their bloody mangled bodies lay on the ground. Then the raiders focused their attention on the Stable. I wanted to shoot them, but I knew it would be unwise to do so now. There were far too many of them. I kicked myself. I should have brought more ammo. Damn it. I listened as the raiders pushed into the stable. There were screams,yells,gunshots. I hoped the stable had some guns for them to defend themselves. About an hour passed, and a group of ponies in blue jumpsuits was hearded out by the raiders. Mares. A few younger bucks. And fillies. My blood boiled. These fuckers were going to get it now. I grabbed my rifle and levelled the scope. I aimed at what I thought was the raider leader. Blam. His head exploded in a shower of gore. Blam. Blam. Click click. Blam. Three more raiders fell. Blam. Blam. Two more. Blam. Two with one shot. I relocated and started up again. The raiders forgot about the stable ponies and fired wildly at where they thought I was. A few bullets whizzed by me, but none hit. Four more shots. More headless raiders. Ten minutes and twenty-some raiders lay dead. The rest ran. A couple of stray bullets had hit me, but I didn't care. The stable ponies huddled together. Scared. Obviously terrified after what had just happened in their former home. A low rumbling boom and smoke curling out the cave entrance sealed any ideas of going back in there. Thinking quickly, I dumped the 9mm and ammo into the saddle bag with the bread and potions. I also scratched out a map to Red Sands on a scrap of paper, and put it in the bag as well. I grabbed the bag in my teeth and flew over the group. They looked up in fear as a dropped the bag near them. I then turned and headed for home. My wounds were already healing due to the implants. If the stable ponies were smart, they'd follow the map. I'd help them myself, but with how scared they were, they'd sooner shoot me with the 9mm than listen to me. I got back to NewSprings late. I stashed the rifle and riot gear, and then stumbled into my shack. Straight to my cot. Id think about what happened tomorrow.

I rubbed my eyes and rolled over, shedding the thin sheet I called a blanket. That had been quite the night. I kept going over the events in my head. Wait. That thing about the sniper on the radio. I'd completely missed the fact that the Jackal gang was taken out. Those guys were by New Pegasus. Sure, I'd heard of New Pegasus,and I even had faint memories of it from before everything happened. Thing was though, I hadn't been there for over 200 years, give or take a few. There had to be another pony doing the same thing I was. Interesting. Regardless, I was going to dispose of the riot gear, except for the cloak. It was getting me a bit too much attention for my liking. Sooner or later some pony would come looking. I got up, and wandered over to my small kitchen area. More of that lovely rock bread. I'd almost kill for a musty box of Sugar Bombs. Well, nasty bread and slightly dirty water it was. It surprised me that this diet didn't get me sick. Perhaps it was the implants. Now, as for the plans for today. I had no urgent work to do, so it was off to the Rangers base. I had a bit of a plan cooked up to get in, but it would be easier said than done. Low chance of success, high chance of getting shot. That was a risk I was willing to take. I needed that chip. Figuring out who I was and what I was supposed to do was hinged on it. Sure, being a repair pony wasn't terrible, but I always felt like there was something more. New Springs wasn't terrible, but there was nothing really tying me to it. Today was step one in the plan. Nice and simple. Get to the airport fence and leave a note without being seen. With any luck one of the initiates would find it. I grabbed the note from the table and hurried out the door. I checked where the sun was. Good. The ranger patrol was on the other side of town. I headed out to the hollow rock and grabbed my rifle and the rout cloak. I slung the rifle at my side, and wrapped myself in the cloak. I flew part of the distance, but then landed and confined on hoof. The Rangers had radar, and would see me coming. If I stayed low and in cover, I had a better chance. I'd worn my Stable jumpsuit just as insurance. On the chance they started shooting, maybe they would stop if they saw the blue and yellow. Maybe, no guarantees. I snuck around rocks and bushes till I neared the fence. No perimeter patrols nearby. Yes. I scanned up and down the fence line. Ah, a small gap near the bottom. I hurried over and slid under. Tight, but it was just enough. I slipped behind the rusted out hulk of an old fuel wagon. Okay. I made it. I dug into my jumpsuit pocket and took out the folded note. I left it on the side of the wagon. This was apparently a favourite spot for the initiates to hang out, or at least I'd observed that from last times. Now to get out. I slipped out from behind the wagon and straight to the fence. I'd just slipped under when I hear the familiar buzz as a red beam passed over my head. Shit. Keep moving! I scrambled away, keeping low as more beams whizzed past. I ducked behind a rock, waited a few moments, then was off to the next rock. Seconds later the rock I had just been behind glowed a bright red, and then disintegrated into ash. Okay. That was a bit too close. I suppose I'd been lucky to get as far as I did. The Rangers didn't mess around when it came to securing their facility. At this point the only thing I thought that was keeping me alive was all that rigorous training I'd been forced to do back before I hopped in that pod, and I strangely remembered most of it. The Wonderbolts or something like that. That's what I recall the older ponies who instructed me. Something like a bunch of ex-elite special military group pegasi or something. Beyond that my memories were fuzzy. I stayed crouched down, the riot cloak tucked around me. It's dull grayish black hue combined with the reddish tan dust made me almost indistinguishable from the landscape. I waited for a good half hour before I decided to move. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers were watching this area more carefully now. That's were this whole plan came into effect. If it worked, I wouldn't need to sneak in, rather I'd walk in through the front gate. Now, I just needed initiate to fall for the fake love note I'd left on the fuel wagon. I knew they'd be doing a training patrol around noon tomorrow, so that was my best chance. I moved slowly and carefully away from the base, taking care not to kick up any dust or make too much noise. It worked, well until I ran smack into a returning patrol. Shit shit shit! Where to go? Nowhere. Oh sweet Celestia I was fucked. I panicked for a second, then remember my riot cloak. Time to give it the test of a lifetime. I squeezed against a rock and threw the cloak over myself. The Rangers marched closer, then stopped. Damn. They probably got a signature reading. I froze. I even stopped moving. Sweat beaded on my brow. I am such an idiot I thought to myself. How did I forget about the patrols? Oh yeah. I hadn't planned on hanging around for a half hour, or being detected. Well scratch that plan, I was more likely to end up as a pile of splattered guts now. The Rangers walked right past, less than three feet away. I was sweating marbles about now. One move, one breath, and I was toast. One of the Rangers mutters something about' Damn radroaches' and they kept on moving. Waited till they had disappeared, then scrambled off like diamond dog on dash. That was too close. Way too damn close. I was so busy getting back home that I almost ran into one of the Rangers patrolling the outskirts of town. Lucky for me it was one of the Knights I'd pestered with questions before, and he paid me no mind. He probably didn't want to answer more questions. Good enough for me. I really was in no mood to be interrogated about where I'd been. I hurried on and shortly after reached my little shack of a house. I opened the door, and tossed my stuff onto my cot. I let out a deep breath. Well, I made it. This time. I was bound to run out of luck sooner or later if I kept this up. I reached into one of the two cupboards above my stove and pulled out a bottle of vodka. Stalliongrad's Finest read the label. I popped out the cork and downed half the bottle. Ahhh. Thats the stuff. I wasn't a big drinker by any means, but after today I needed it. Vodka was one of the few things that did manage to have a slight effect on me. Beer and whisky, aside from the flavour, might as well could be like drinking water. Again, probably those damn implants. I imagine they'd have the same affect on chems. Oh my life sucked sometimes. Loose your voice. Loose the only buck you really had any feelings for. And if those weren't enough, almost get killed a few times. Here I was, traumatized and with no way to make those feelings go away. Luna damned fucking implants. Just let me get drunk once dammit. I tried not to linger on things too much, but my brain just wouldn't let some things go. It was as if since my voice was gone, my head went hyperactive. The things I wish I could say. Try having a deep conversation with a chalkboard.... not too effective for showing your feelings. Fucking unicorn bastard. One day I was going to find him and figure why he did it. He'd seemed to know an awful lot about me for never meeting me before. I put the bottle down on the counter and started to work on a .44 pistol. Plenty of engraving and gold inlayed on the grip, receiver, and barrel. The pony who had dropped it off a few days back had seemed the casino type. Black suit. A slightly crumpled hat. He'd said something about needing his bosses gun fixed. I figured he was likely from New Pegasus from his looks, and the gun was most likely the property of a casino boss. He'd pay well, so this was a potential for a lot of caps, and a chance to see New Pegasus for the first time since the bombs since he wanted it delivered when I was done. I glanced over the weapon. Good condition, and perfectly balanced. The trigger was a bit loose, likely a worn out mechanism or spring. Simple enough of a fix. .44 magnums weren't too common out here, but there were just enough of them floating around. They differed from the regular nine and ten millimetre pistols, so it took a bit of skill to repair them. I was actually a bit surprised they'd come all the way out here for a repair, but I wasn't complaining. Caps were always welcome. I switched on the radio for some background noise to work too. More reports of a sniper. Yeah, definitely not me. Far too close to New Pegasus to be anywhere near my range. Nothing about the Stable I'd found yet. I'd hoped they'd made their way the Red Sands. Best chance for them. Perhaps the news was just a bit slow in getting to DJ Pon3. A few hours passed, and I'd finished up the few guns that need fixing. I'd even managed to fix up a small radio I could sell. Nothing really to it. Just needed a new tuning dial and a few tubes. Hmm, my shelves were looking a bit low on food. Time to go see what was for sale. Hopefully not meat. I hated the stuff. The smell, the taste, it was just wrong. Some ponies ate it like it was nothing. Goddesses knew how they kept it down. The one and only time I'd tried it my stomach went queasy and I took a hasty trip to the toilets. Luckily I wasn't the only one who didn't like it. A few others in town weren't too fond of the stuff either. That was the only other option to rock bread though. Caravans didn't come through often and even less now that the raiders were getting worse. More raiders meant less pre war boxed foodstuffs. Yet another reason why shooting raiders didn't bother me. I left my shack and wondered into the middle of town. Mostly dead. If you didn't sell something, you tended crops. Unless you were the sheriff. Then you used all the town funds for whisky and lay around all day. Why he kept his job year after year was a mystery. Perhaps it was because he was at least somewhat predictable, except for the time he shot me and missed. That .44 round had sailed inches from my head, and from right across the bar. No pony knew why he did it. I assumed he just hated me for some reason or another, though I'd never done anything to deserve it. Maybe it was the fact I'd dislocated the leg of a buddy of his when he challenged me to a hoof wrestle in the bar. Still, not worth shooting a pony over. Ever since he'd always send something flying at me. I learned quickly to always listening for the slightest swish of air, and to go on the evasive. Never mind all that. I had food to buy. I went to one of three small stands in the centre of town. A tan filly with cutie mark tended the stall. Flax tended the table when her mother was tending the gain patches. Nice family. Too bad her father had passed on a couple years back from radscorpion poison. The doctor had tried everything, but couldn't save him. She was one of the few in town other than the doc who really seemed actually care about me.

"Hey Blue!" She said when she saw me approaching. "The usual?"

The usual was about 2 loaves of that nasty bread. I wrote a 'Yes' on my chalkboard and pulled out the caps. She took the caps and pushed over the loaves and I put them in my saddle bag.

"I really wish you could talk," she continued. "It's just not fair that some pony as nice as you can't talk. The sherif shouldn't be able to talk. He's mean to every pony."

I looked down at her and smiled.

Then I wrote, "It's okay Flax, I'm fine. The sheriff might be a mean old bugger, but he doesn't deserve that."

She just shook her head. I knew she couldn't wrap her head around how I managed to put up with it. To be honest I didn't know either. Some days I felt like shooting every pony who ever wronged me, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Not that I had a motivation problem or anything, it just that doing it would only make me just as wrong as they were. Here we go again with messed up me. I could swear my head was messed up.

'Are you alright?' asked Flax.

She'd noticed I'd just blanked out in thought. I shook my head and let out a sigh.

'Yeah, just thinking. Thanks for the bread!' I wrote.

I turned and walked back to my shack. I was going to bed early because tomorrow was going to be one busy day. Little did I know how much was about to change.

Author's Note

Just did a quick reformat of the chapters.

Chapter 2: An Unknown Project

The morning came soon enough. Nothing had changed, still the dreary gray cloud covered sky. No rain thankfully. I rolled over and got up. I had a lot to do today. I reviewed my plan in my mind as I ate. Yup, meet the Initiate in the cave, then knock him out and take his gear. Hide my wings under the uniform and then head back to the base. Use his tags to get in, and then find a way into the hangars. My lack of voice I'd blame on a sore throat. Sure it wasn't the greatest plan, but what else did I have to go with? No other pony was crazy enough to try it, so just maybe the Rangers wouldn't expect it. It would either work or I'd end up as a pile of glowing ash.

I didn't want to think about that part too much. The day was mostly uneventful up until I was ready to head out. I grabbed the cloak and pulled it over my stable jumpsuit. I wouldn't need weapons for this mission, I'd be borrowing from the Rangers. It all seemed to be working well up to the point when I was waiting in the cave. Okay, he should have been here by now. Something was up. I got down from where I was perched and looked out the cave entrance. Then I felt a sharp metallic crack on the back of my head. Ow! What was that? I didn't have much time to think or react as darkness poured into my vision and I slumped to the ground.

When I opened my eyes again, I was staring up at a metal roof with some kind of retractable light hanging over my head. I looked side to side and quickly realized I was somewhere in the Airbase hangars. Okay,not raiders. But how the heck did I get here? Had the Rangers known? I rolled off the bed and tried to figure out how long is been out. An hour? Two hours? Long enough that I had no idea what time of day it was. The lack of windowsill the place didn't help either.

"So your up now! I was starting to worry."

An older pink coated mare walked into the room. Procter Raspberry. I'd recognize her anywhere. I looked down for my slate, but it wasn't there. I looked up in embarrassment that I couldn't respond.

"It's okay Amaria, I know what your thinking. How did I be up here? It's quite simple really. We brought you here. Star Paladin Big Red took action before you did something stupid."

I looked at her in surprise.

"We figured out what you were up to a couple days ago. A pony with your determination was bound to get in. I still wonder why you never asked to see the Elder?"

She handed me the slate from the nearby counter and I quickly put in on.

"Do you feel funny at all? Any numbness anywhere? Any pain?"

I shook my head no. I actually felt pretty good considering what had happened.

"I did ask to see the Elder, and was refused." I wrote. "Was I supposed to just rot away out there and forget about the chip?"

Raspberry paused a moment.

"The Elder sometimes does things for unknown reasons. However, I think he's trying to protect you from something."

"Protect me from knowing who and what I am?" I wrote. "Seems a bit crazy."

"I knew you'd be a handful since the first time I saw you." Raspberry said softly. "Your reckless, but in a good way. Reminds me of myself when I was younger. Now, enough chit-chat. Elder Corncob has asked to see you. I suspect it's about your attempted break in."

I gulped. Oh great, now the Rangers were pissed at me. Raspberry noticed my panic.

"It's okay, he just wants some answers, he's not mad at you. I actually think he's a bit surprised you'd try something like this in the first place. Now if you'll follow me please."

She turned and walked out the door. I followed her down a series of halls and rooms. Some were empty, others looked like classrooms, storage rooms. And plenty of Steel Rangers everywhere. Initiates, Knights, scribes, squires filled most of the place. Perhaps it wasn't so bad my plan hadn't worked. I would have had quite the time getting around in here without getting noticed. For an old airbase the place was surprisingly big. I wasn't sure if it had always been this large, or if the Rangers had added on to it. Regardless, they certainly had done a good job keeping it together. We turned yet another corner and faced a large door with two Rangers in full power armour on either side of the door. They both had massive beam guns on their battle saddles. Gatling beam guns, if I wasn't mistaken. Raspberry walked up to the door and opened it. I followed close behind, not really wanting to be left outside. Inside was a large well lit room with round table in the centre. Holographic projections flickered above the table. I'd heard of these tables, but never actually seen one. Apparently they'd been quite common military hardware back in the day. An elderly buck with a long white beard leaned over the table, not really paying attention to anything. He heard us coming, and looked up. He made a gesture to Raspberry, who turned and disappeared into a door on the side.

"So, I do everything in my power to protect you from the wasteland, and it it isn't enough for you. No, you have to go disappear for hours on end countless times, and now you try to infiltrate our base. Peculiar."

I just stood there. Elder Corncob seemed to have a change of tune just then.

"Look, I just want to know why your doing all this. Okay?" He said in a calmer tone.

Okay, this was my chance. I flipped up my slate and started writing. Then I showed him.

"Ah, the chip. You never forgot that did you. I am assuming you want it, and an explanation what it's about. Sadly, we are limited in our knowledge of what is contained on the chip. It uses a specific port that will only work on a specific Pipbuck. Where that Pipbuck is, we do not fully know."

"What am I?" I wrote.

" That is a interesting question. As you are likely aware, you are much larger than a pegasi mare should be for your age. We suspect that for whatever reason, the ponies who put you in that Stable also managed to genetically modify you somehow. We also found additional implants when we used our Auto-Doc to check for injuries when you were out"

"What?" I wrote. "How? I've got Strength, Healing and some Purifying thing , but what else?"

" There are two implants on your brain. I have little knowledge of what they do, but I can safely assume they are responsible for extended memory of some kind, and may also increase your cognitive functions. There is also an additional implant in your torso that I have only seen once before. I believe it to be some kind of combat enhancement. Who ever put these in you was certainly planning for something. Now, I have more questions for you. How did you manage to evade us so often, and even get into the perimeter of our base with being seen?"

" I really don't know. I just did what came to mind." I wrote.

I was telling it as it literally was. I had planned what to do, but not really how to do it. That part had just kind of 'happened' as I needed it. The Elder looked a bit surprised.

" Remarkable. You've been using techniques that take even the best ponies years to master. And you say they just pop into your head? Truly remarkable."

I'd always kind of wondered myself where I got some of my ideas. Well, even how I knew how to fix so much stuff. I'd never done that stuff before I was sealed in that Stable. Maybe implants weren't so bad after all if they let me do this kind of stuff.

"I assume your going to ask about the Stable you were put in. I honestly hoped I'd never have to do this." He sighed. "From what the Steel Rangers collective knowledge has compiled on various pre-war research and projects, it was found that there were several 'black' programs. Programs so secret even the Princesses themselves knew little to nothing of them. You, I believe, are the possibly the key to one of these, and wee sealing in the Stable for a specific time to activate the program. We have collected a few fragments of of information on it, but it isn't a lot to go on. A project called by two words, but only one could be made out. Suscitabo, or in its proper singular form, Resuscitabo. In the common language it means Raise. The other word remains a mystery. Due to Cataegis Industries research into extreme magical energy uses, it has been assumed that it was some kind of weapons program. Something that could have changed the war. Now, you are likely wondering why I am telling you all this now."

I nodded, fascinated to be hearing this for the first time in well... ever. He continued.

" I initially wanted to keep this whole discovery quiet. Keep you out of it, and out of harms way. As you should be aware, the Pegasus Enclave knows of this as well, and would likely use you in horrible ways to access it."

"Then why did one of them try to strangle me to death?" I wrote.

"He was likely after the implants in your brain, and was willing to kill you to get to them. The Enclave is cruel and thoughtless. They care nothing for the lives of ponies down here!" He snorted angrily.

Okay, somepony did not like the Enclave. He continued on.

"When it became apparent that you weren't going to sit around in New Springs and behave like a normal pony, but rather gave the patrols question drills and then disappeared for long periods of time, I decided that perhaps withholding information would only lead to you doing something drastic. It turns out that you did just that, but we caught it just in time. I was planning on inviting you here for a friendly discussion about this, but it appears fate had different plans. That leads us to the matter at hand. Both you and I want to find out what this project is. We want answers. The Steel Rangers can not send Knights to do this, as it would be far too obvious that we were looking for something. You, on the other hand, are a single non-obvious pony."

I looked at him with my head tilted slightly. He cleared his throat.

"Well, relatively non-obvious. Sure your a bit different, but shouldn't stick out too much. Now, I know you aren't going to need much for fighting training to head out into the wastes. The last two days have proven a lot about your skill."

"A few questions?" I wrote.

"Certainly. Ask away" He replied.

"Okay, so I know you guys were watching me and all that. Fine. But why so secretive about it? Why not let the ponies in town know your protecting them?"

"You are our primary goal. The other ponies are merely there. They were useful for the time being. Now their use is done. I will comment no further about this." Elder Corncob replied.

Okay, so now I was beginning to see it all come together. The Steel Rangers were going to use me to get some kind of super weapon, trampling and using any pony possible to achieve that goal. Great. I didn't really have any options here, so I decided I'd just agree with it. But if there was a weapon, the Rangers sure as Tartarus weren't going to get it if I had any say in the matter. Not if they were going to take advantage of ponies to do it. I then wrote down my final question.

"I need to find out what's on that chip. Where to start to find the PipBuck?"

The Elder shrugged.

" New Pegasus would likely be the best place to start looking. Now, before you go, Raspberry will escort you to our armoury. If you are going to make it out there your going to need some gear."

" So, I really have no choice then?" I wrote.

"No, not the way I see it. Find and bring back what ever this project is. So, yes or no?"

"Yes."

Okay not the way I'd like it to be, but if they were going to give me stuff I wasn't about to complain. Following their demands was another matter. Procter Raspberry returned as the Elder levitated out the square black chip the placed it on my outstretched hoof. I quickly pocked it, and thanked the Elder. The armoury was huge. Freaking huge. Power armour everywhere. Guns of various sizes lined the racks. Ammo by the crate load. These ponies didn't mess around when it came to weapons. I selected a basic set of combat armour, consisting of chest and leg pieces. Heavier than what I was used to, but it would work better. Weapons, well that was a different story. They didn't let me have any of the battle saddle weapons. Darn. I wanted that .50 cal rifle so bad. My allowed options were the more common firearms and basic beam weapons. None of the pistols interested me. Too small, and I rarely used them. The rifles were mostly small caliber or automatic. Not my thing. I did however find a few boxes of beam rifle parts. I inquired about these, and was told if I could make them work, I could have them. Sweet! My beam rifle was going to get completed. I took a couple different barrels, a few lenses, a long scope, and a recoil compensating stock. I nearly pissed myself when I found an overcharged beam receiver. Sure it was slightly broken, but I could strip some parts off it no problem. My Stable jumpsuit also got an upgrade. They put some kind of lining that I'd never heard of into it. Apparently it could now resist beam weapons better. The final item I received was a Steel Ranger holotag. This I was told was so that any Rangers wouldn't interfere with me. Yeah, more like they had a tracking device on it. I just took it, but I certainly wasn't keeping it. A few hours later and I was being escorted back with several boxes to New Springs by Big Red himself, who apologized profusely for knocking me out. For a big tough stallion he definitely had a soft side. I had to reassure him twice that I was fine. Apparently he'd had to use a stealth buck to pull that off, and he didn't feel it was fair. The rest of the evening I spent tinkering on my beam rifle. I managed to retrofit most of the parts onto my beam rifle, and tweaked the firing capabilities a bit. The first shot I took with it let out a low buzzing roar as it shot blue beam, completely incinerating a small boulder. Okay, this thing was powerful. Not as actuate as I'd like it to be, but I could fix that once I found a beam focuser. I gathered up a small pile of ammo, food, meds, and the few small items that that I considered special. I sorted these into my saddle bags and the packed up the .44 magnum for delivery. Rather coincidental I needed to go to New Pegasus for two things now. Tomorrow it was off to New Pegasus.

The next morning I was up before the sun. I slipped on the X-27 jumpsuit and strapped on the combat armour plates. I then tossed on my saddle bags, slung both my .308 and my new beam rifle on either side, and then tucked over the back dusty riot cloak. My get up was a bit heavier than I liked to carry, but all it would affect was how long I could fly. I tucked the black chip into an inner pocket of my jumpsuit, and then headed out the door. I locked it behind me, and placed the key in a crack under the door frame. I took a look back at the little shack as I headed into town. I wondered if I'd ever see it again. Perhaps, but it was one big wasteland out there, and I was just one pony. Anything could happen. I tried to not think about it too much. As I walked through town, I definitely gathered some attention. I heard low conversations between the ponies as they watched me pass. Probably the armour and dual rifles I thought. Even the Sheriff managed to sit straight up and stare in bewilderment. He'd probably never seen a pony so heavily armed in his entire existence. I chuckled to myself. And here they thought I was just the crazy mute repair pony who asked weird questions. I paid them no mind and continued on my way. Flax saw me and ran up to me.

"Are you going?" She asked. " I knew you would eventually." I saw the slightest trace of a tear in her eye.

"Hey Flax, I'm sorry about this. It's not your fault or any pony else's. I've got some very important stuff to do, and I can't wait around on it." I wrote.

"Will you come back?" Flax asked.

"I don't know, I'll try to if I can." I wrote after wiping off the first words.

"Okay, be safe." She replied.

"You too." I wrote back. I was going to miss her. She was perhaps the lonely pony who I could actually have a good talk with. I wasn't like her friend or anything, but we got along well. I turned and continued out of town. I looked down over miles of sand, rocks, and scatter remains of society. Off in the far distance to the north west was one of those M.A.S.E.B.S. towers. It was impressive to thing that they had stayed standing all these years. New Pegasus was somewhat south west of here. I headed off in that direction. I soon found the crumbling remains of the I-15 and followed them towards my destination. Sure the raiders attacked this route, but it was a better option than going overland and running into Goddesses knows what. Giant radscorpions, hell hounds, raider camps, anything was possible out here. I didn't feel like testing my luck out on those. I followed the trail of cracked pavement and rusted out wagons till the light started to fade. I opted to stay in an old service station for the night. Just barricade myself in, and I should be fine. If only things worked that well. I pushed open the door, and no sooner than I was three hoof lengths in, the floor gave out into a nest of mole rats. Fuck! Nearly scared to shit out of me. I flew out of there in hurry and opted for the roof. From there I shot the few that had followed me out the door. Well, for day one this wasn't too eventful. I had a light supper of a few greens and bread, but I didn't fall asleep immediately. No, not out here. I leaned up against the metal sign of the station, and listened to the sounds caring over the night air. I could pick out most of them, but nothing hostile. Just bugs, mole rats, and other creatures.

"Hello!" A metallic voice sounded right behind me.

My heart lurched into my mouth as I whirled and fired point blank into the Spritebot hovering mere feet away from me. Blam. It crackled and sparked as it fell to the roof. I breathed heavily, trying to regain composure. Okay, how the heck had this gotten so close without me noticing? Even more peculiar was the fact that it had talked. What the fuck? Since when did they talk? Okay, this was just too weird. Something was after me, and I wasn't sticking around to find out who or what. I grabbed my things and took off at a low flight down the old highway. I'd already dropped the holotag down an old toilet some miles back, so there was no way it was the Rangers tracking me. Two sprite bots within only a few days. This couldn't be coincidental. You are usually lucky to see one every month out here. And that's when I ran smack into raiders. Only I saw them before they saw me, so I had enough time to hide above a dune beside the road. I peered over the crest of the dune with my scope as they passed, but caught the slightest glint of light from the opposite dune. A scope? I looked again, and caught a slight shadow as it moved behind the dune. Definitely a sniper. Maybe the same one from the radio? Either way I wasn't going to give my position away by firing if there was another sniper here. I ducked down and made a side pass around the dune as the other sniper opened up on the raiders. Sure I was missing out on the raiders, but going hoof to hoof with another sniper wasn't happening tonight. Especially after that Spritebot. I eventually found a partially intact passenger wagon that was on its roof and crawled under it for the night. Not pleasant by any means, but it would suffice. I awoke next morning the sound of distant voices. I carefully peered out from under the overturned wagon, but saw nothing. I crawled out and peeked over the side. There. A few hundred feet off stood three strangely coloured creatures. A thought came to my mind. Alicorns, but how? The princesses were long gone, so these certainly weren't them. I felt uneasy as I watched them. No cutie marks on their flanks. Weird. Okay, so a lot of stuff was strange out here in the wasteland, but this was a whole new category of strange. As I listened, I picked out small snippets of their conversation.

"Is she the one the Goddess wants?"

"We don't know."

"She has that weird blue suit, she has to be!"

"The Goddess hasn't said anything yet. We will follow this one until we know."

Then they vanished in a flash. Okay, either I was imagining shit or just crazy. I didn't hang around to find out. More smashed wagons and more cracked pavement. A couple radscorpions, but that's about all I encountered for then next few hours. Barring any more strange occurrences I should be able to nearly make it to New Pegasus by nightfall. That's when I heard the screams. I twitched my ears forward. Definitely in front on me. I picked up my pace to a brisk run as I closed the distance. Two bucks in some kind of leather and metal getup had corned a mare against a fallen over billboard. I levelled my beam rifle and trotted up. The mare was cowering and sobbing.

"None of your concern, move on!" Barked one of the bucks as they levelled their shotguns at me. "Lower your guns or is my concern." I quickly wrote on my slate.

They stared at me a moment, then whispered to each other.

"What kind of gun is that?"

"I don't know, but I don't want to find out."

"What's that plate armour? Talons or something?"

"If she's with them, I'd rather not mess with her."

They then both lowered their guns

"Okay, whoever your with, just please don't shoot us." the one said to me.

Apparently my getup made them think I was with some kind or mercenary group. Okay, I could work with this.

"What's going on here?" I wrote.

"Simple, she refused to pay the bodyguard fee for trading this highway. So if she won't pay caps, she'll pay the other way." he explained with a snicker.

The mare peeked out from behind her hooves and whimpered.

"What's this 'other' way?" I wrote.

"Oh, the GOOD way!"and started to laugh.

Okay, didn't like this. Extorting ponies for caps, and then if they didn't pay, this? An idea flashed in my mind.

"Alright, you've had your fun, but if you so much as touch my client again, I'll put you down. Got it?" I wrote.

I stared long and hard at the two bucks. They seemed awfully nervous.

"Okay, okay, we're sorry we bothered you, just let us go please?"

I motioned with my hoof down the road. They took off in a hurry. So, that had worked alright. I came up to the mare, who was still sobbing.

"Th.th. thank you." She blubbered.

"It's okay. I'd do the same for any pony." I wrote.

She smiled and got up, wiping away her tears. She was probably only around 21, just a couple years older than me.

"I suppose you want something for that?" She said as she dug in her saddle bag.

"What? Oh no, I don't want anything." I quickly wrote.

She looked relieved.

"What's with the slate?" she inquired".

"Can't talk. Long story." I wrote.

"Oh, sorry." She replied.

"It's okay. Where are you headed?" I asked.

"Just a bit further down the road. I was just trying to deliver this letter to a farm when those bucks got me. Mind if I tag along for a bit until then?"

"No problem." I wrote.

We kept on moving, not really talking, but I knew she was definitely happy I'd happened to come down the highway when I did. A while later she turned off to the side and waved good bye. I returned the wave and kept on my way. I could help but feel watched though. Something was definitely out there. I kept on going as if I knew nothing, but I constantly twitched my ears back and forth scanning for any sounds. As the light began to fade, the illuminated hulk of New Pegasus came into view. Multicoloured lights shone from a centre mass of buildings, while an other ring was barely lit by dim yellow light. Nothing like I remembered it. Sure most of the building were still there, but most were crumbling burnt out hulks now. Nothing of the shining clean office buildings and apartments was here now. Even the bustling cloud city above was gone. It had apparently taken a direct hit from a balefire bomb, but somehow a defence shield had covers most of the city on the ground. The area was surprisingly devoid of wreckage. Likely scavenged for building material, or all incinerated years ago. I tried to not think about that too much. All those defenceless ponies who had died. I came up to gate, and was halted by one of the guards. He looked me over, and then asked me my purpose.

"Delivery." I wrote.

"Alright, your clear to go in, but don't try any funny business. No shooting or your weapons will be confiscated."

I nodded in agreement, and the fate was swung open. I slightly dark street bordered by dilapidated brick buildings was on the other side. A walked in, and the gate was slammed behind me. That's when I noticed him. A dark grey pegasi stallion with black mane and orange eyes peered at me from a corner of an alley. I caught a slight silhouette of a rifle barrel at his side, but not a lot else from due to the shadows. When he noticed I was looking at him as well, he ducked back into the alley.

Chapter 3: New Pegasus

I spent the night in a somewhat ramshackle hotel in the outer district. Nothing fancy, but ten caps for a working lock, a relatively clean mattress, and running water was nothing to shake ones hoof at. Food I could handle myself. I managed to have a decent enough of a sleep, but anything was better than sand under an overturned wagon. I woke up early , turned in my key and headed outside. New Pegasus. In some ways it was similar, but in others not at all. Oh well, no point dwelling on a past that wasn't coming back. I needed to find the Big Bison casino. Likely in the centre of this mass of buildings. The streets seemed to be a mix of mostly common ponies trying to make a living. A few rag tag guns for hire mingled amongst them. That was one thing I didn't like about the wasteland. Just when ponies were just starting to get on their hooves, somepony would pay to have their neighbour killed, just to get ever so slightly ahead. Pointless and ruthless was what it was. Small wonder almost everypony toted some fabrication of a gun. Lots of pipe rifles. Simple, cheap, and relatively easy to fix. Rifles like my .308 were more of a mercenaries weapon. Expensive and relatively exclusive. I got quite a few glances as a passed. Low whispers. I didn't pay too much attention to it. It was likely my gear that had them talking, or my Stable jumpsuit. Or perhaps just the fact that I was taller than most of the stallions. The later part usually was the leading cause. I couldn't help but feel sorry for these ponies. I wished I could help them, but where to start? Even if I did help, what good would I be? I was no farm pony. Plants made no sense to me. Guns and technical stuff was all I was good at. I wasn't even professional at repairs. Unless it was a somewhat easy part to fix or replace, I more or less jury rigged stuff to work. But these ponies didn't need guns as much as they needed their crops. Maybe I'd find a way to help. Even though my mind was in thought, I kept close tabs on my surroundings. Just because there were a few rules here didn't mean that all ponies followed them.

The buildings here had certainly seen better days. So had the ponies. Some wore dirty patched over garments. Others just had the skin on their backs. I'd never gotten over the whole clothes thing. Sure ponies had fur, but it somehow felt weird to not wear them. Maybe it was just my own upbringing. In my memories from before, most of the ponies I knew all wore clothes. A few didn't, but I'd hardly noticed them. What was the point of trying to compare that to now? This was the wasteland. Nothing was normal. That's when six unicorn bucks ambled out of an alley up ahead and blocked my path. I stopped a few feet from them and waited for them to move aside.

"So, you think your your a tough pegasi bitch? We'll show you what we think about them around here!" Snorted one.

"Yeah, your Enclave buddies won't help you now!" jeered another.

I reached for my chalk, but another snatched out of my grasp and snapped it in half.

"What's the matter? Can't talk?" with that they all laughed.

Okay, six of them, one of me. They were poorly armed at most, I only saw one of them had a rusty combat knife. I had combat armour, wings, and size on my side. At least one of them had magic, but I wasn't sure about the rest. Then the first buck made a swing at my head. I ducked and and came up with a clean blow to the bottom of his jaw. As he went down blubbering I launched myself at the next buck, plowing him over. The remaining four charged. I dodged one, another crashed into my armour plated shoulder and went down. I jumped clean over the third, but as I landed my neck was grazed by the blade of the fourth. I quickly glanced at it. A good cut, but not too deep. I turned to face them again. Okay, so only one unicorn. The rest only had fake horns that had been dislodged in the scuffle. This was easier now. Two of the bucks charged again, but the unicorn held back. I ran directly at the two, but then last minute launched myself into the air. The bucks rushed past and I kicked out with my hind legs at their heads. Two solid thuds and both of them went down. I dropped to the ground and watched the unicorn. By now blood soaked the front of my jumpsuit and was beginning to drip on the ground. The first buck I'd hit was on the ground still, holding his jaw and blubbering. The next one was just starting to get up. The third, well he was limping away on three legs. The last two remained motionless on the ground. The unicorn was obviously panicked, but managed to send a green magic bolt at me. I dodged it and levelled my beam rifle on him. His eyes went wide and he started backing off. I heard a slight noise behind me and kicked out with both hind legs. I caught the last buck right in the chest, and he went down wheezing. The unicorn used this opportunity to run, and I saw him disappear into an alley. I turned and looked over the fight scene. The buck with the smashed jaw was leaving, and the winded one was just getting up. The limping one was gone by now, but the two I'd hit in the head were still sprawled on the ground. By now a small group of ponies had gathered, silently watching. A couple guard ponies walked up, but didn't do anything. A third guard pony with a silver painted helmet trotted up to the two knocked out bucks just as I neared them.

He glanced at them, and then said,"No worries, their just out cold."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't want to kill if I didn't have to.

"By the way, that was quite the fight Miss. No pony has ever tried taking on the Unicolt gang by themself before!"

I looked at him in surprise. He noticed my surprise and chuckled.

"Well, we've been trying to get them for a while, but it looks like you just did it for us. I suppose you deserve the caps for bringing in at least two of them."

He handed my a small bag of caps. He then handed me my chalk.

"Here, you'll be needing this. Are you going to be okay?"

He looked at the cut on my neck, which was already healing.

"I'll be okay, but thanks for the offer." I wrote.

"Well consider yourself welcome here in Wayside if you keep up that sort of stuff up."

He then tuned and disappeared into the crowd. By now the two bucks had been dragged off by the guards, and the crowd was busy whispering to each other. Yeah, time to keep moving. I continued down the street, but checked the contents of the bag. One hundred and fifty caps. Not bad for a scuffle and a minor cut. I was definitely going to watch the alleys a lot closer now. The buildings seemed in better condition the further in I went. Lots of apartments and rental suites, a few hotels, and scattered amongst them were various stores. Food, clothes, repairs, chems, even a few gun shops. I passed close to one, but most of its offerings were in bad condition. Damaged pipe pistols, worn leather armour, dented metal armour, even some raider armour. Their offerings of beam weapons were much worse. Only a couple pistols, but they were missing wiring and looked like a hell hound had chewed on them. Curiously got the better of me when I passed another gun shop that was almost completely covered in metal grates. Wayside Weapons read the sign above the door. I went in and was pleasantly surprised by a good collection of high quality firearms. A couple mercenary type ponies browsed the shelves, and I noted to myself that this must be where those with caps to spare purchased their firepower. None of the rifles stood out to me too much, except one. A compensated ported barrel .50 cal sniper rifle with a markspony stock and a long night vision scope. I almost drooled at the sight of it. Then I saw the price. Six thousand five hundred caps. Ouch. That was almost three times what I'd been able to save up with my repair shop. The .50 cal would have to wait. Surprisingly the shop had no good quality beam guns, just rusty and damaged ones. The shop owner noticed me looking at the beam weapons and flatly remarked something about

"Steel Rangers confiscating all the beam weapons from any pony trying to bring them into New Pegasus."

Interesting. That explained their absolutely massive weapon arsenal. After I'd seen all I wanted, I stepped out again and continued on my way. The closer I got to the gates near the casinos, the finer the ponies dressed, and the stores got fancier. I trotted up to the gate, and was stopped by a unicorn guard.

"Enclave?" She asked roughly.

I shook my head.

"Then what's you business?"

"Delivery to the Big Bison Casino. The boss is expecting me." I wrote.

The unicorn mare looked me over suspisciously.

She paused slightly when she saw the dried blood on my neck, but then said,"Alright, you can go in, but no funny business. Got it?"

I nodded and the gate was swung open from the inside.

On the other side of the gate was as if it was a completely different world. The ground and buildings were barely touched by aging, as if the bombs had never even gone off. Signs blinked in bright colours, advertising the various Casinos, restaurants, and the various attractions. Ponies walked about with dresses and suits, but here and there I noticed the occasional well equipped merc. Okay, I wouldn't stand out so much here, but it still felt weird, as if these ponies had forgotten that there was even a war. A few mares wore rather seductive black apparel that accentuated their bodies as they swayed about in almost dance like moves. I blushed just a bit. Okay, I'd heard about this, but never seen it. Just don't stare and keep moving. Keep moving. Dammit, I'd looked again. What was wrong with me? Oh well. Where's that Casio sign? There it is. Good, focus on the sign, not on that other thing. Ponies here seemed to be too busy doing things to notice me, which was completely fine by me. I did however notice a few pegasi in uniform. Enclave. I'd never forget those grey uniforms. As long as they didn't take any interest in me I was fine. I trotted up the stairs to the door of the Big Bison casino. An imposing building by any measure. I opened the door and slipped inside, only to be stopped yet again. This time by a earth pony buck in a tuxedo. A sub machine gun hung at his side, but he didn't have it aimed at me.

"Excuse me ma'am, but I'll need to take your weapons. It's Casino policy."

I slung off my .308 and my beam rifle.

"Fine pieces," he remarked as he looked at them. "I'll be sure to make no one touches them. You will receive them back when you leave. Your name ma'am?"

"Amaria," I wrote.

"A fine name ma'am. And may I inquire as to what brings you here today?"

"I have a delivery for your boss." I wrote.

"Ah, so your the repair pony from New Springs. A pleasure to meet you. Unfortunately Mr Ruffin has been out on business, and will not be back till tomorrow. He left instructions that you are to receive this room key, and all services will be covered until his return."

"Well... Thank you. I was not expecting such a welcome." I wrote.

"Don't mention it ma'am."

He then trotted over to another pony behind a counter and gave him my guns. Okay, so apparently I had a record as a good repair pony. Interesting. Well, I'd better get this combat armour and saddle bags off. And clean this blood off myself. I took the elevator to the second floor and had little trouble finding the room. Spacious, with a large double bed, a private bathroom, a radio, and even a couch. This was by far the fanciest place I'd stayed in since I left X-27. I dumped off my stuff and got busy cleaning myself off. Clean hot water, soap, and a sponge. Three things that felt wonderful when combined. Once I'd bathed, I began coming out my mane. Just because I lived in the wasteland didn't mean I had to look like it. I could have had my jumpsuit cleaned, but I preferred to do it myself. I really didn't need the X-27 label being spread around too much, especially with Encave about. If they were anything like I'd experienced and the Steel Rangers said, I'd rather not mess with them. However, I still didn't know a lot about them, or even who the green unicorn who'd destroyed my voice was, so I remained curious about them. I put it in the tub to soak, then let it dry. A gave my combat armour a wash as well. It was a bit dirty, but not too bad. I flipped on the radio while I fussed about. Music. Okay, I could handle that. Then there was the familiar crackle and the DJ was talking again. Oh great, what he have to say about me now? I was pleasantly surprised when all he mentioned was increased raider activity in the ponyvile area, and that slavers we also busy. Taking unicorns or something. Strange and unfortunate, but nothing I could really do about it. Then some good news. Aparently the stable ponies had shown up in Red Sands. Apparently they'd been forced out of the stable by raiders, but mysteriously saved by a sniper. The DJ went on to muse if this was the same sniper as the one from the highway. I clicked off the radio. Good, those ponies were safe, but damn was that radio pony annoying. Just how did he find out so much? I looked at my jumpsuit. The stable name was still in the collar. Yeah, I think I'm going to take that off. I looked at the inside of the collar and was surprised to find a small pocket. I'd never noticed it before. I opened it, and to my surprise noticed that I could snip off the lettering from inside. There was also a folded piece of paper. I unfolded it and found it had a note written. It was faded, but I could just make it out. " The final piece." It read. Then there were coordinates. Okay, this was kind of strange. I was no map expert, but those coordinates were somewhere northeast of Las Pegasus. I folded the paper up again and tucked it away. Whatever it was, it might be important. I snipped the threads in the pocket, and the lettering came clean off. Nice, now no need to cover up where I was from. As far as any pony was concerned, I had just found the jumpsuit and was using it. I tucked away the lettering as well. I might need it later, but until I was sure no pony was interested in X-27 or me, I figured it would be best to just not advertise it. I put the jumpsuit back on and put on the riot cloak. I left the combat armour behind. No pony was likely to be stupid enough to go shooting in a casino? I wasn't sure, but with bouncers toting sub machine guns it would be a pretty stupid idea.

I locked the room behind me and took the elevator back to the main floor. There was a bar in the centre of the room, surrounded by tables, and then those surrounded by game tables. Cards, dice, all the usuals. I had no interest in gambling, the caps I had I intended to keep. I trotted up to the bar and sat at one of the stools. Around the side of the bar was a door leading into what I believed was a kitchen. The bartender made his way around to me.

"What can u get for you ma'am?"

"Could I get a menu please?" I wrote. I was hungry, but I had no idea what I wanted.

"Certainly," replied the buck, and slid a worn sheet of paper over to me.

"Just let me know when you've decided."

I looked over the menu. There was a surprisingly good selection of dishes I remembered, and of course the usual wasteland cuisine. Mirelurk cakes. Yuck. What pony in their right mind would ever try eating one of those? Bacon. Yeah.... tempting, but it was still meat. No thanks. I finally found a salad and ordered it. I'd hold off on the liquor for now. Too much was going on, and though it hardly affected me, I wanted my full attention available. As I ate, I couldn't help but feel watched. I ever so slowly scanned around, looking in the corners for what it was. At a far table, barely lit and slightly covered with a shadow sat that same great buck with the orange eyes. He was clearly watching, because as soon as I looked his way he shifted his gaze. I couldn't make out a lot about him, as he wore a cloak almost identical to mine.

The bartender noticed me looking at the buck and quietly said,"That's Proxy. He's a regular here, quiet type. Mercenary. Sometimes Mr Ruffin has jobs for him."

I nodded. Hmmm. My brain started working. Mercenary. Quiet. Riot cloak. Obviously curious about me. I starting thinking out possibilities. Enclave agent looking for me? The other sniper I'd run across? Either was a possibility. Out of curiosity and for my own purposes I asked the bar tender what was north east of the city. He looked at me like I was crazy.

"Nothing out there but radiation, ferals, and creatures. Apparently a balefire bomb landed out there way back. Some ponies say there's big dome out there, but it's guarded by robots and beam turrets. I'd honestly stay away from there."

Now I was really curious. That note in my collar was more than likely linked to that dome. This warranted some investigation. I then asked about any pre war tech showing up recently. Apparently nothing too special. When asked why I was curious, I simply replied that I was looking for a certain type of terminal for something I was going to build. The bartender said he'd keep an ear open for any rumours he head about terminals. Good, I'd managed to ask about the Pipbuck without calling it one. I'd just finished my salad when a bouncer came up to me.

"Sorry to disturb you ma'am, but there is a buck who would very much like to speak with you. He says it's urgent."

"Where is he?" I wrote.

"He's up on the balcony."

"Alright. Thank you."

I glanced to where that strange buck had been. Gone. This was likely no coincidence. I made my way up the curved stairs to the balcony, which was surprisingly empty.

"Good," came a low voice from a shadowed corner.

"I'm glad this didn't have to get violent. Please, sit down."

He motioned to the chair opposite him. I sat down, and took a good long look at him. Not surprisingly, he did the same.

"I will be quite blunt here. Who are you working for?"

He asked.

"I'd ask the same of you." I wrote.

"That's not how this works. I ask the questions."

"I'm sorry,but I don't work that way." I replied.

"I see your just as stubborn as myself. Perhaps we both tell each other what we want to know." "Alright, I can agree to that." I wrote.

"Good, now as I was saying, who's your boss?"

"Myself." I replied.

"Then were did you get those guns and that armour? Those aren't easy to come by. You certainly had help acquiring them." He replied in an accusative tone.

"Both of the guns I made. I used to run a repair shop. The armour was given to me by friends." "Friends? Hiding something are we?"

"MareHave Northwest airbase." I jotted down. The buck paused a moment.

"I see. Alright, your not who thought you were, though you certainly have some powerful friends." He was clearly knew exactly what I meant when I mentioned the location of the Steel Rangers base. "Your name?"

"Alright, my name is Proxy. Mercenary. That's about all there is to tell about myself. I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"Your ex-Enclave aren't you?" I wrote. He froze.

"How did you know that?"

"Your attitude and mane cut are one pointer." I wrote. "Your ability to use shadows is also evident of perhaps involvement with a special branch?"

It wasn't too hard to figure that out. Few pegasi lived on the surface, and where else would one get his kind of experience and demeanour? He was clearly flustered, and glared at me.

"Tell that to no pony, ever!" He growled.

He then got up and trotted off quickly. Alright, touchy ex military pony. He was clearly worried about another pegasi showing up though. Perhaps he was hiding from the Enclave? A deserter? Regardless what he was, I had a feeling I hadn't seen the last of him. He'd forgotten to ask my name, but perhaps he had already found out. Well, since I had nothing else to do, I decided I'd take bit of a stroll around the casinos. I only took my beam rifle with me. I inquired about work opportunities here and there, and tried to get the lay of the place. I found out that when the bombs fell, some kind of magical shield had covered most of the city, though not as strongly on the edges. Some ponies made it to a couple stables under the city, but others were not so fortunate. A few had survived in the casinos and central buildings. The ponies on the other parts were not so fortunate. Most died or were turned into ghouls by the radiation. The ponies from the inner city had apparently tried to rebuild, but most stayed in the city. There had been pretty large population of ghoul ponies in Wayside back then, and despite differences, both the inner and outer city managed to get along. Then some fifty years later the Stables opened, and the the ponies in them entered the remains of the city. They hated the ghouls, and forced them out of the city to live in the sewers. Years passed, and the casinos eventually became controlled by powerful families. These families controlled the Strip, as they called it, and mostly made sure that only what they wanted happened. Around the same time, they implemented the two tiered society that the city had now. Rich ponies lived in the Strip. Poor ponies lived in Wayside. If you were a ghoul pony, good luck getting into either. Apparently the ghoul ponies still had a town under the city, but no pony knew how to get in, as all the above ground accesses had been welded shut to keep the ghouls out. The way it was now was mostly how it had been for the last few decades, except for the recent addition on the Enclave, who liked to go to the Strip for entertainment during their time off. It was only soldiers though. The most recent activity from them was crop raiding. They'd just come down from the skies, pick a random farm, and then at gun point take all their produce. They would then claim that they deserved it for protecting the earth ponies from dangers above. No pony believed it, but they'd just learned to accept it. What were farmers going to do against plasma guns? Even the Strip wasn't safe from the Enclave. There was an annual protection tax that the casinos had to pay, or the Enclave threatened to take them over. Lovely. This place certainly had gone to shit since I was last here. The only real work I could find was mostly mercenary stuff. Kill this or that pony. Go there and beat up this guy. Not my kind of stuff. Debt collection..... maybe. Less killing, but it still bothered me. A lot of the time the debts weren't even real, just protection money from ponies who could barely afford to eat, let alone pay fake charges. Maybe Wayside had better work. Maybe some repair jobs. A lot was wrong here, and I certainly wanted to change it if I got the chance. I also managed to gather a bit of information about a couple other places in Equestria. Apparently Canterlot was a ruin filled with pink poison gas and ghouls. Appaloosa, now called Old Appaloosa was a slaver nest. Manehattan was apparently still around, though nothing like it used to be. Hoofington was still out there. That place had been built like a fortress, so that didn't surprise me at all. There was mention of a few smaller places, but I'd never heard of them. Fillydelphia and the Everfree were to places to stay far away from. I'd keep that in mind. Cloudsdale was gone, but beyond that no pony knew about the other pegasi cities. It certainly seemed a bit bleak, but at least I had a bit of a better grasp of what had happened. I don't bother asking about those strange alicorns I'd seen, something about it was just too weird. I did briefly ask about talking spritebots, but was pretty much brushed off as being crazy. Armed with a bit more information, I returned to my room. I didn't stay there too long, and wandered back into the casino. I particularly seemed to notice the dancers, and a caught myself staring at them. Sheesh! What was wrong with me? There was that funny feeling again. Somehow I liked it, but that was wrong, wasn't it? I was supposed to like bucks. Well, I did, but I felt attracted to these mares as well. Apparently I was a lesbian and didn't even know. Great. I headed back to my room. Alright get that package delivered and get out of the Strip. This place was seeming to be far too corrupt for my tastes.

Chapter 4: Shadows of the Past

Yet another morning. I packed up my things and waited around downstairs for Mr Ruffin to show up. Not surprisingly, he didn't. Just a note saying to leave the box with the magnum with the bouncers, and that they were to pay me. Typical casino boss. Oh well. I did what the note said and found myself in possession of more caps. At least he didn't try to rip me off. I was then asked if I wanted a job repairing weapons for the casino. Interesting, but they didn't answer most of my questions. There was no way I was going to be responsible for fixing anything for these ponies. I grabbed my guns and left the casino. I went straight for the gate and was soon back in Wayside. I let out a breath I'd hardly known I was holding. Sure this place was a mess, but I could at least reflex a little out here. I felt less safe in the strip than out here. In there if somepony wanted you dead, you didn't find out until too late. Out here, they just acted. None of the sneaking around and gang politics. Now it was time for jobs and rumours. Best place to find those? The bar. I casually walked in to one of the several bars and leaned on the counter.

"What'll it be?" Called the bar keeper.

I was feeling a bit adventurous, so I ordered a shot of whisky. Not my favourite, but it want bad. A couple ponies looked up and shuffled out nervously. The rest kept a wary eye on me. I guess that little incident the other day had left an impression.

"So, what's the word around these parts?" I inquired.

I could tell the almost everypony was on edge, so I put on my friendliest smile. It seemed to help a little. As for rumours, well I might have just pulled a plug out a overfilled bathtub. Most of them I'd heard, but there were a few new ones. And some mentions of possible work. Some farm had a broken generator. The hotel across the street had a broken jukebox. Various ponies who wouldn't pay their debts. Or couldn't pay them. Okay, this was work I could handle. I took a few names and places down and headed out. One of the rumours that stuck with me was that the ghoul town was still under the city, and that somehow they were somehow responsible for keeping the power on. That made two things worth investigating. The first place I stopped in was a two story building tucked behind an old hotel. The faded sign above the door read Red Heart Medical Clinic. I smiled a bit at the memories it brought back. I'd only been to one of these clinics once when I sprained my wing but in my filly days. The part I remembered most was the cherry flavoured lollipop I got when it was time to go. I stepped though the door and a small bell dangling above the door rang softly. A tired looking white unicorn mare looked up from stained pages strewn across a small desk.

"Can I help you?" She asked softly and nervously.

"I heard you had a broken auto doc. Mind if I take a look at it?" I wrote.

"Oh!" she exclaimed," I thought you were just another merc in for treatment! Do pardon me. It's just around here."

She got up and lead me down a narrow hall. We passed a few rooms which closed doors. I heard coughs and groans from inside. A few other ponies in white garb hurried about. She opened a door and walked in.

"Here it is. Do you think you can fix it?"

"Give me a moment to take a look." I wrote.

"Oh, your voice!" She exclaimed. "We must try to fix it!"

"It's okay. I've tried." I wrote.

"I'm...I'm sorry..." she trailed off.

"It's alright. I've managed without it."

She smiled understandingly and watched as I examined the autodoc. It was in surprisingly good condition, but once I started looking deeper into components at the rear, it got worse. An entire fuse panel was burnt out. Not a simple fix. I informed her about it, and she started to fret.

"I might be able to find parts. Is the old New Pegasus hospital still around?"

She looked at me in shock. Great, now I had to explain this one. I pointed to my blue jumpsuit beneath the combat armour.

" I came from a stable a few years back. Cryostasis or something. I was about 15 or so when the bombs dropped, so I do remember the old city." I wrote.

The mare was speechless. I could almost see that she was trying to process what I had told her. Then the questions started flying out as if she was an excited little filly. What was it like? Were there side effects? Were there other ponies in the stable? I tried to answer them to the best of my ability without revealing too much. Surprisingly she didn't mention my size or that I was a pegasi. I'd just leave it that way. I then explained to her my idea. Find the old hospital and see if there were autodocs that I could retrieve parts from. Then came the bad news. Apparently there was some kind of fever affecting residents of Wayside. They'd tried to find a cure, but none of the supplies they had were working. A couple colts and a filly had already died, and it didn't look good for the rest. To make things worse, no pony knew the source of the sickness. Call me a bleeding heart if you must, but I couldn't walk out of that clinic and do nothing. I agreed to search the old hospital for any possible meds or syrums. The old hospital was on the west side of the city. Most of the area was collapsed or smashed to the point that it was uninhabitable. No creatures, but there had been ferals sighted in the ruins. I left my excess possessions at the hospital, taking only my now mostly empty saddlebags, ammo, beam cartridges, and of course meds. Now that I was lighter, I headed out at a low flight, just above head height. I glided over the unguarded pile of concrete on west side of the city and began to pick my way through the ruins. No wonder they didn't guard this side. Unless you were a pegasi, good luck getting through the rubble filled streets. I found one of the old main streets was still mostly clear, so I landed on top of an old sky carriage and tried to get my bearings. Nothing seemed familiar. No buildings, no landmarks, no trees. I took off again and headed west down the street. It was quite. Too quiet. Just the creak of metal and the crash from bits of old walls finally giving way. I found an old grocery store and stopped to investigate. It was run down and garbage filled, but enough of it was still standing. I readied my beam rifle and went inside. I really needed a name for this gun. I'd never named my .308, but this beam rifle was different. It was kind of special. I'd think of something. The store was devoid of any life, but I managed to find an untouched box of Sugar Bombs on one of the shelves. As I was almost done scavenging, I passed by the cash register and noticed a package of snack cakes and a few old coins. Perfect. I jammed the coins into a flickering Sparkle Cola machine, and was rewarded with two cold Sparkle Colas. Looks like I had my lunch planned. I continued down the street until I found a small park with a pond and a gazebo. I landed on top of it and dug out my findings. It was oddly quiet, but I didn't think too much about it. I began to chow down, but kept an eye on my surroundings. Then the swan boat on the pond moved. Or did it? I watched it far more carefully now. Then it moved again, this time in my direction. Okay, screw this. I jammed the Sugar bombs back into my saddle bag and took off. No sooner had I started flying than a roar shook the air and a large green creature rose up out of the pond with the swan boat on its back. I barely missed a flying board as it crashed into the gazebo. I high tailed it out of there. No creatures? That was a load of zebra shit. Whatever the fuck that thing was, I didn't care to find out. I kept up a fast flight for a good half hour until I was sure the 'thing' had no way of catching me. I opted to have my lunch on top of an old Ministry of Morale billboard. The bright pink face and staring eyes of Pinkie Pie were still quite distinct despite the weathering.

"Pinkie Pie is watching. Always." Read the print below the picture.

I'd always found that a bit disturbing. Who wanted Pinkie constantly watching you? I certainly didn't then, or even now to quite honest. As I finished one of the Sparkle Colas, I noticed an armoured wagon down on the street below. I squinted slightly and could just make out the faint remains of the Ministry of Wartime Technology logo. A red apple with two gears on one side, and a larger one on the other. Quite similar to the Steel Rangers. I packed away what I hadn't finished, and flew down to investigate. A small terminal was on the back of the wagon, and I assumed it must control the door. It surprisingly still worked, and I was greeted with a screen full of phrases and symbols. I tried a couple, but no success. I tried a third. Bingo. The screen changed and gave the option to unlock the door. I clicked it and there was a click as the mechanism disengaged. I rolled up the door, but all that was inside was a long silver metal box with latches and hinges. There was writing on the box as well. 'Property of Cataegis Industries. Authorized personnel only.' Then there was a MWT stamp and a painted mark. 'Top Secret'. I clicked open the latches and pushed open the box. Inside lay the strangest rifle I had ever seen. It had a normal stock, but the receiver and barrel were strange. Exposed wiring and electrical switches. Number read outs on the receiver. The barrel was oddly shaped. Long, but thick, and had rows of what appeared to be magnets. There was also a piece of paper. Most of the printing was faded to the point I couldn't read it, but what I did pick out was still interesting. 'Project BoltFire. Production prototype'. So apparently this was one of my dad's projects for the war. But what was it? I found what looked like some kind of cartridge in the box, and found a slot for it on the receiver. I picked up the rifle and aimed it. Heavy and quite bulky to aim. Then I pulled the trigger. A few sparks and some lights come on. The number panels started to count up, but then went down as soon as I let go of the trigger. So... a charging rifle? I held down the trigger a bit longer, and this time the whole rifle sparked with electricity. I let go of the trigger and 'ker-thunk' went the rifle. A small bit of recoil, but a lot less than I'd expected. I looked at the metal wall I'd aimed at. Whatever this thing had fired, it had gone right through. I guessed the wall to be about three inches thick. Then the realization hit me. This was a prototype weapon for the war, and could have quite likely negated the advantage of power armour. I wasn't sure if my dad was a genius or a monster for having a part in creating this. I certainly couldn't take this with means it was far too heavy, but I wasn't about to scrap it either. I put it back in the box and fastened it. I then shut the wagon door and busied myself with the terminal. After a bit of tinkering, I reset the password and locked the door. There, I could come back for it later, and the chances of somepony else getting it were diminished. I had some memories of going to my dad's office, and at least one trip with him to one of his facilities in Hoofington, but for some reason it was all hazy. Something about the Office of Inter-Ministry Affairs and doing work for the ministries. I should have better memories of it but for some reason I didn't despite knowing I'd been there. Something didn't add up. Thoughts swirled in my head, but mostly hit dead ends that I couldn't explain. Maybe I was overthinking it. Or was I? Things had been done to me, and I couldn't remember them. It was as if my memories had been tampered with, triggering memories when I saw certain things. I continued to fly towards where the hospital should be and continued in thought. A somewhat hazy picture of the ministries was beginning to piece together. Sure they were all doing research to win the war, but something kept nagging at me that there was something else. Something not so obvious. Well there was one way to find out what I was for and what the ministries were doing, but that involved a Pipbuck. A Pipbuck I was clearly lacking. Damn, would my mind ever stop working? I was jolted back into reality when I heard a course gurgling noise from below. Ghouls. Feral ghouls. A lot of them. No wonder no pony went out this way. I at least had the advantage of flight, and could chose not to engage them.

I kept going and soon found myself atop the roof of the hospital. It was a bit damaged, but still mostly intact. Old medical equipment and stretchers filled the halls and rooms, but I was pleasantly surprised that only a few ghouls were inside. I quickly disposed of them with my beam rifle, which I was still thinking of a name for. Getting the autodoc parts wasn't too much of a hassle, but getting into the research room in the basement was another issue. None of the key cards I'd found worked, so it was all up to me to hack it. I tried a few passwords and got a warning of being locked out. I backed out of the program, and started again. Nothing. I repeated thus a few times, but still got nothing. This was some pretty tight security. What the heck did they have in here that was so worth keeping locked up? Surely a serum wasn't that valuable. Finally I selected the right phrase and the metal doors slid open. Inside was a glass tank with the weirdest creature I'd seen yet. It looked like some cross between a dragon and a pony, but could tell for sure. I looked closer to investigate and found that it was indeed real, but sadly it was dead. Black splotches covered it's otherwise purple body, and the terminal screens displayed error messages. Okay, some sick, messed up pony was experimenting with shit he probably shouldn't have been. I tried to get any information on what the heck was in the tank, but found nothing but damaged books and faded out notes. Perhaps I'd never know. As for the serum, I found several different ones. I wasn't sure what most of them were, so I loaded the entire bunch into my bags. Better safe than sorry. There was also a rather large amount of radaway, and other medical supplies stacked on a couple shelves. Now with my saddle bags stuffed to the point of nearly bursting, I headed back up the stairs and made my way to the roof. The light was beginning to fade from the sky, so I made as quick of a flight as I could manage with the extra weight. Once I'd cleared the wall of Wayside, I landed and continued on foot. My wings were sore and I was panting a bit, but I could take it. It was easily ten at night by the time I made it to the clinic entrance, were I was greeted with quite a degree of enthusiasm. The entire staff would stop thanking me for the supplies and saying how they could never repay me enough for it. I just smiled and told them over my slate that I was just happy to be helping ponies who needed it. I wasn't tired yet, so I set to work on the autodoc. Now that I had the parts, it ended up being a pretty easy fix. Just strip out the broken parts and install the new ones. As I was getting ready to go, I was stopped by the white unicorn mare yet again. With grateful tears in her eyes she informed me that amongst the serums, they had found one that could stop the sickness. I smiled, and before I could react she had grabbed me in a hug. She pressed her face against my chest and blubbered about how I was the first pony in so long to actually care. She then let me go and started apologizing for 'unprofessional behaviour'. I assured her I wasn't offended in the slightest. I truly wasn't. Doing it had felt right, so I did it. It seemed pretty simple. She told me her name was Floss, and that if I ever needed medical supplies or treatment that she'd see to it I got it.

"Thank you"I wrote.

"No, thank you for everything." She insisted as she saw me out the door.

I felt a warm glow deep inside me as I walked down the street. This felt good. Good in the way that it almost felt like I was meant to do stuff like that. Then I heard that familiar metallic voice beside me.

"Hello Amaria." It said softly.

Okay, I had not been expecting that. I whirled towards the voice and the Spritebot quickly backed off. It hovered a while, and then talked again.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that again."

It had clearly learned a but from the last time. I stared at it, questions coming to mind.

"How do you know my name? Why have you been following me? Who are you? Who do you work for?" I jotted down on my slate

. The Spritebot spoke again.

" I did a bit of poking around about you. You aren't the easiest pony to track down and talk to so I had to find something that would make you listen. As for why I've been trying to talk to you, well it's a bit complicated."

"How so?" I asked.

"You see," started the Spritebot," I think you might be one of the ponies I've been looking around for. I'm not sure yet though. I guess I just mean that I want to let you know that well, your different, but in a good way. Just, you know, keep doing what you've started."

Okay, was it just me or did that voice, despite being played though a speaker seem familiar?

"So how'd you manage to hack into the Spritebot?" I inquired.

"Umm... I have my ways." Replied the voice.

Okay, now I really seemed to remember that voice. Part of me told me not to do it, but the rest of me screamed to.

"So, you survived?" I asked.

The Spritebot went quiet. It kept hovering for a bit until I tapped it.

"Uhh... I... I have to go." It said and the voice faded out.

The Spritebot turned and began to play an familiar old song as it bobbed down the street. Holy shit! It was him! Somehow he'd made it through the bombs and was still out there. I chuckled to myself. I'd only met him a couple times, but despite being not exactly pony, he was still pretty nice. Good to know I had at least one old acquaintance out there somewhere. I headed on to the hotel and got myself a room for the night.

The next week involved a lot of tinkering, scavenging, escorting a trader, fixing broken stuff, and settling disputes and debt issues. I was thankful I was able to do the latter of that with no gunshots or blood involved. The Spritebot hadn't been back, but I did get a strange note left under my door about 'Needing to make some friends.' It wasn't like I didn't try to be friendly, but it just didn't go far with most ponies from Wayside. I was mildly surprised when they started referring to me as the 'Spectre' due to my habit of being there when I was needed, but then disappearing again just as fast. You needed something fixed? I was the pony to ask. Needed something retrieved from an old building in an out of the way place? Ask the Spectre. Even DJ Pon3 had gotten in on it, proclaiming to all who would listen about the stable pony who showed up in Wayside and saved them from not only a gang, but also sickness. Okay, I get it that it was reassuring to some ponies out there that good things were still happening, but it was beginning to get out of hoof. Sure I was doing some good things, but not enough for getting this sort of hype. Somehow I needed to find a way to make that DJ shut up. For one thing I didn't need the publicity, and on the other I wasn't half as awesome as the broadcasts claimed. So, moving on. I'd heard about an old water purifying station outside of the city that apparently wasn't working. The ponies from the clinic seemed to think that it was the cause for the sickness. I'd investigated it just the other day and found it was nearly impossible to get inside without tripping an entire hall filled with a bunch of little beam projectors. I'd thought about it a while, and then come up with a solution. Magnetic horse shoes. There was a small gap along the metal ceiling that I could crawl along upside down and get past. It was a risky idea, but where was the fun in not trying. A few wires, four horseshoes, some cloth scraps and an old spark battery later and I had something that just might work. I flew out to the purifying station and strapped on the apparatus. Then I turned on the battery and carefully put my hoof on the wall. It stuck. With a bit of effort I removed it. Okay, so at least one worked, but I'd have to see if all four could hold my weight. One hoof after the other and I was soon walking up the side of the wall. It took a bit of work to walk, but it was holding. Now I knew how bugs felt. I slowly but surely made it to the ceiling and began to work my way past the trip beams. About ten minutes later I dropped off the wall on the other side feeling a bit sick. Being upside down for that long hadn't done any favours for my stomach. At least I was unscathed and could deactivate the defences. A terminal and a simple passphrase were all that separated me from the main controls. Down went the beams, and the control room door was unlocked right after. A short bit of tinkering later and the water purifier was chugging away again. I packed away my magnetic shoes and headed back to the city. This hadn't been any particular job or anything, more of something I decided to do. Everypony benefited from it and I had the capability to do it, so why not? On the other hoof, I might as well be useful while trying to figure out where my Pipbuck had gone. I'd only heard of a couple junk dealers who might have something, but after investigation, neither seemed to have any clue. My options were beginning to thin out. Wait, or had they? Oh stupid me. Of coarse I'd overlooked the easiest option for finding it. The Pipbuck tag. Just find something that could pick up radio waves, and I'd find it. And then there was the next problem: Finding another Pipbuck to use. No, it didn't have to be another one. If I could access the M.A.S. Tower, it would likely have all the resources I'd need. I headed into the bar and ordered a drink as my mind worked furiously. I could retune the mainframe to a different spectrum, and then send out scan signals. It might knock out DJ Pon3 for a few hours, but what the heck? I was so busy in thought that I didn't even notice when the orange eyed buck sat down beside me.

"Hey." He said.

I jumped and nearly spilled my drink.

"Um.. sorry." He said.

I looked at him closely.

"Look... I um.. Well.. I just want to talk" he managed to get out.

Were all bucks this nervous when talking to a mare, or was it just something that happened to me? There were only a few bucks I'd met who managed to keep talking to me without messing up their words. I'd never really thought about it till a few days back. Was I actually attractive? I mean I got a few whistles now and then, but didn't most mares? I smiled at him and he nervously avoided eye contact.

"Can we..um.. talk outside?"

I nodded and he got up quickly and headed for the door. The bar was completely silent and everypony was staring at us. Awkward much? I followed him up to the roof sat down near the edge. Proxy seemed at bit more at ease up here.

"Okay, so I've been meaning to talk to you for a while now." He began.

"So why didn't you?" I wrote.

"Well, try finding a mare as busy as you. Your here one minute and gone the next."

"A pony has to make caps somehow." I countered.

"I don't think it's just about the caps. I think that DJ is on to something about you."

"How so?"

"For one your a stable pony, and for two, you do things a lot different than most ponies."

"And is that a bad thing?"

"Well... no.... it's just that.. Oh how to put it? Your doing a whole lot more good than most ponies have done in years."

I looked at him quizzically.

"Look," he said."I think we got off on the wrong hoof. I thought you were an Enclave agent come to get me, so I reacted accordingly. I see now that I was wrong and just want to make sure things are good between us."

"I never had anything against you." I wrote.

For the first time I actually saw him smile.

"I need to be honest with you about something." He said.

"What?" I asked. He drew in a deep breath.

"Okay, so ever since those sniper reports on the radio, I've more or less been stalking you."

"Oh really?" I replied, feigning ignorance of the matter.

"Not to kill you or anything, just curiosity." He added quickly.

I looked at him a long while.

"I knew." I finally wrote.

He looked a bit surprised at first.

"That's actually impressive," he said. "It takes some skill to counter another sniper."

I nodded. We sat opposite each other for a few moments, neither speaking.

"Look, I guess what really want to say is that I think your doing some good things, and I just want to let you know I'm on your side."

"Thanks." I replied.

Then he added,"Perhaps we could work together sometime? I could always use reliable help."

"Perhaps."

He smiled again and then took off. There was something about this buck I kind of liked. I couldn't explain it, but something felt right about it. A few more days passed and was still no closer to finding my Pipbuck. I'd gone on one trip with Proxy to clear out a nest of raiders a day ago, and it had gone surprisingly well. He'd even complimented me on my style. We hadn't talked much, but we certainly worked well together. Now I was sitting in my hotel room devising a plan on how to get into the M.A.S. tower. It was likely protected with magic on the outside, so my magnetic horseshoes wouldn't work. Then there was the matter of terminals. But what about Project BoltFire? Yes, I could shoot out any locks on the doors with that. Now I just needed to go get it. I grabbed my things and was just about to head out the hotel doors when two ponies in trench coats and Stetsons approached me from both sides.

"We need a word with you ma'am." The one said in a slightly rough and throaty voice.

Author's Note

This is the last bit I'll be doing for a bit till the whole Christmas rush is over.

Chapter 5 is already in progress.

Chapter 5: More Mysteries

"If she keeps this up the Ministry of Image is going to get involved!" a black coated unicorn snapped angrily at a grey pegasus buck sitting behind a desk.

"What did she do exactly?"

"What did she do? Ha. You act as if you don't know the kind of things you've been telling her. Questioning the war, knowing how power armour works. Dangerous knowledge for a filly to possess."

"I can see how you would be concerned, but I assure you Amaria means no harm by it. She has an inquisitive mind and she's going to find out one way or another."

"She's ten! There is no possible reason why she should know Ministry of Wartime Technology information. It's a breach of security!"

"That may have been my fault. She came looking for me to help with ideas for a school project when I was reviewing the MWT's orb. She was curious so I explained the basics to her. Believe it or not some of the ideas for improving the T-45 were ones she came up with. I just put them into more technical wording and forwarded them to the appropriate ponies."

"Regardless the benefit, it is still unacceptable and your daughter Amaria has been removed from from the educational facility."

The grey buck got up quickly. "Where is she?"

"Not to worry Mr Hurricane, she's on her way here now. I wouldn't think of harming your only child. Goddess knows we don't need you losing your mind again like when your wife died."

"Don't. Ever. Bring. That. Up. Again!" Snarled the pegasi in dangerous tones.

"Woah, calm down there! It was a weapons misfire. We've all lost loved ones because of this war."

"That's bullshit. She was murdered, and the pony responsible got away because he's a Wonderbolt. Not even a reprimand. The only pony I truly cared for, dead, and my daughter has to grow up without ever knowing the love of a mother."

"I...I see.. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned her."

"Well you did. Just had to tear that wound open again. Why don't you pour a little salt in it too?"

"If this is about your having to leave the WonderBolts, I'm sorry."

"Leaving the WonderBolts was the best decision I've made in years. The very reason I joined them is no longer even followed. Its just everypony out for themself."

"Watch your tone Firebrand, what your saying could be seen as traitorous. Even from you."

"Then lock me up and explain to the OIA why their projects are late." challenged the pegasi buck.

The unicorn gave a worried look and then turned and left. A short while later a yellow filly with a orange mane and tail came running into the room.

"Dad!" She exclaimed, and ran to him.

He wrapped a wing around her and pulled her close.

"It's okay, I know what happened."

"But how will I go to school?"

"I've got a better idea. How would you like to learn about what your Dad works on?"

The fillies eyes lit up.

"Really? Cool!"

"Of course I'm still going to have to have a tutor come teach you some stuff you know."

"Oh that's okay Dad, school was boring anyway."

"Don't get ahead of yourself there smarty-pants. Just because it was boring doesn't mean it wasn't important."

" I know dad, it's just it seemed too easy. I want something hard."

"Alright, I have a couple things to do, then I've go to Hoofington to check on some of my facilities. Want to come along?"

"Yup!"

"Okay, go wait in the lobby and I'll be down in ten minutes."

The filly trotted out of the room and the buck went back to his desk. He dialled a number onto a number pad and picked up the receiver.

"Yes, this is Cataegis Industries. I wish to speak with Miss SweetieBell. Thank you." A sort pause and then a voice came through the other end.

"Yes, and good morning yourself. A pleasure to finally speak with one of the creators of StableTec."

"Yes, I am calling about that."

"I understand."

"I have possibly found a candidate for the study. We'll be in Fillydelphia in about five hours."

"Alright. Bye"

He put down the receiver and headed down the hall.

"And now there's no turning back." He said quietly.

Two strange ponies that I couldn't make out very well. No telling if they were armed, but more than likely they were. I stopped abruptly before nearing the door. The two ponies bumped right into me and tried to shove me forwards out the door, but to no avail.

"Move!"

The one said in a low, menacing voice.

I backed up away from them. If they wanted me out that door it wasn't happening until it was on my terms.

"Outside!"

I shook my head.

The pair paused a moment as if not sure what exactly they were going to do. I didn't care what they wanted, I wasn't doing it. The one started directly at me and I returned the stare, only to find a set of yellow glowing orbs unlike anything I'd ever seen before. Okay, not pony. Something...else. Whatever it was, it seemed to recognize that I knew it wasn't a pony and began to back away. Then there was a blue flash and a crackle and they were gone. I looked around quickly to see if any other pony had seen it as well, but none seemed to have noticed anything had happened. Okay then, either I was crazy or weird shit only happened to me. Talking spritebots, alicorns, now weird ponies that weren't ponies. All I needed now was to meet a friendly Hellhound and my day would be complete. Best not think about it too much. I left the hotel and made my out the gates and back out into the Wasteland. I tucked around the side of WaySide and made my way back to the MWT wagon were I'd left the BoltFire gun. Sure enough it was still there. I packed it into one of my saddlebags and headed north out of the ruins. There wasn't a lot special out this way, just collapsed buildings, damaged skywagons, and cracked road. If there was any life out here was doing a good job keeping hidden from sight. Some said Nightstalkers, a weird combination of snake and coyote, wandered these ruins. I'd never seen them but I didn't for a second doubt it. Off in the distance the M.A.S.E.B.S. tower rose up from a cluster of ruined buildings. A I drew nearer I noticed a few sentry bots patrolling the base. Good thing I could fly. I noticed a small balcony a couple floors up and flew up to it. Aside from a rusty railing and a half destroyed chair it was empty. A large door with a maglock and a terminal blocked my further progress. I tried my luck with the terminal but only ended up locking myself out. I was no idiot with terminals, but whoever had programmed this one was far more intelligent than me. Perhaps Twilight herself had set the passcode. I'd only met her once for a brief moment, but I'd gotten the sense that she was definitely an egghead. Only one thing to do now. I pulled out the BoltFire gun and loaded the strange little cartridge. I pulled the trigger and let it charge up, and then shot directly at the maglock. There was a crack,a bang and a puff of smoke. Sure enough it had gone right through the lock. I jimmied the mechanism a bit and soon the door slid open for the first time in probably two hundred years. The inside of the tower was still light and in surprisingly good condition. A few ceiling tiles had fallen here and there and a fine coat of dust covered the floor, countertops, windowsills, and furniture. Out of curiosity I looked around a bit, but found there wasn't a whole lot in the tower. It had apparently been more of a M.A.S. public relations office than anything else. Just cubicles a large front desk, and a few other facilities for employee use. I rummaged around the desks, but didn't find a lot. Just old papers and files that were either faded to the point of illegibility or just piles of dust. I did find a keycard in one desk. Might as well grab it. No idea what it might unlock. There were a few healing potions in boxes with a yellow butterfly on them, a lot similar to what I remembered Fluttershy's cutie mark to be. Wow, now there were more of those old memories. At least she had a cutie mark that meant something, not like my weird one. A black spire with a folded wings and a sun. Whatever the heck that was supposed to be for. I uuuuurummaged through more drawers, but didn't find a lot. I made my May back the atrium and found an elevator with a keycard lock. Grabbing the card in my mouth, I swiped it and was pleasantly surprised when the door clicked and opened. Apparently the power still worked. I pressed the up button, and after a bit of creaking and groaning, the elevator started to move upwards. It must have been twelve or so floors before the car finally stopped and the door opened. A room filled with cables, chairs, a few displays, and various other equipment sprawled out in front of me. I heard DJ Pon3's station playing softly through hidden speakers. Dust covered everything, so I was likely the first creature in this room in years. As I peered over the equipment, I couldn't help but notice that a few of the displays seemed to be views of various cities. Slightly high and zoomed out, but still quite clear. I found the main terminal and activated it, getting a lock screen and a prompt to enter a passcode. Great. I tried a few to no success. I wracked my brain for ideas, but after a few minutes of this I just lay my head on the keypad and stared at the mainframe. I had no chance to reprogram the radio antennae to search for my Pipbuck. If I disconnected power the program might go corrupt and I'd be in even more of a mess. I got up and slowly walked back to the elevator. At least I'd tried. Perhaps I'd find another another way.

"Scan recognized. Password accepted. Welcome Tia."

What?

"System override active. Scanning for EC-1101. Error, file not found. Scanning connections.StableTec network corrupted. Office of Inter-ministry Affairs network corrupted. Ministry of Arcane Science emergency broadcast system operational. Unauthorized broadcast detected. Unable to cease transmission. Possible override from other source."

Wait, what just happened? Somehow the terminal had just unlocked by itself. Corrupted files? I didn't know what to think, but if it had just let me in I wasn't complaining. I started messing around with the various controls and soon found that one could actually do quite a lot from the M.A.S. Towers. Those city views were actually live feeds from cameras on the towers that could be zoomed in to a certain degree, and u in some cases audio could be captured. Alright, this was cool, but I needed to do what I came here for. After a bit of digging I found the radio beacon recalibration tools and set it. The radio faded out and I heard a faint beeping. A map grid appeared on on of the screens and I saw a rough representation of the MareHave. I punched in my Pipbuck tag and let the mainframe work. A minute later a blip appeared on the map somewhere to the northeast. Okay, not as detailed as I wanted, but it was a start. What else could I find out while I was here? I began to scan through the terminal, trying to find any files that might be of interest. No luck there. Most of them were locked and required some kind of override program. I tried to see if I could rerouted connections to gain access to other networks, but my efforts only ended in error messages. I kept snooping around in the system until I found a network called the S.P.P.. I'd never heard of it so naturally I was curious. I opened up the connection and to my surprise it worked. There were a couple of locked files, but one of them I was able to open. I selected the file and the screens went black. Then there was a menacing laugh and Nightmare Moon stretched across all three screens. Then she stopped laughing and stared at me. Either this was the creepiest security system ever, or I was dreaming.

"Who are you?" Nightmare Moon demanded.

I didn't answer, but I backed away from the screens. The hairs on my neck were tingling and something didn't feel normal about this. Nightmare Moon was gone right? Then how was she here? This didn't add up. When I didn't respond for several seconds the image faded and was replaced a white background. Nothing appeared this time, but a voice I clearly remembered spoke over the speakers.

"You are not like the others who have tried before. You are... different.. How did you gain access here?"

There was only one pony I knew who sounded like that, but this couldn't be her, could it? She was dead for the last one hundred or more years. Or was she?

"There is something familiar about you. Something as if part of me, but not me. I......"

The voice cut out and the screens went black again. Then the mainframe rebooted and DJ Pon3 came over the speakers.

"Hello children of the MareHave! It seems we had a bit of trouble with the old broadcast tower, but never fear, it's all back to normal now!"

Music then resumed playing. Damn you DJ Pon3! Just when I was starting to get somewhere interesting. I let out a sigh a turned back to the elevator. I was a bit closer to my goal, but now I had even more questions. I returned to the main floor and trotted onto the balcony again. It was early evening now, but still bright enough to see clearly. I took off and flew back towards the Las Pegasus ruins. Shadows were beginning to creep out from behind the remains of walls and street posts, but it didn't bother me. Most ponies started worrying about creatures coming out of hiding in the ruins, but I could fly. Not too many things flew other than Bloodwings, but none lived out here. Far too dry compared to inner Equestria were they apparently thrived near the ruins of Canterlot. I kept flying an unhurried but steady pace over the ruins. I could see the lights from the Strip beginning to glow in the distance and couldn't help but think how nice they looked despite everything going on out here. At least a few things reminded me of when it was easier. Ow. Cramps. Wait, not cramps. I had to pee. I searched for a rooftop to land and spotted one a few feet off. I landed and ducked behind an old ventilator unit. I squatted and relaxed, letting the feeling of relief wash over me. I'd just barely finished when I heard automatic gunfire erupt from a few blocks away. Great. Who's shooting who, or what now? By Luna please don't be Hellhounds. Those things could pick off flying targets with ease. I listened closely to the gunfire. Nope, not beam guns. Traditional bullets. Likely five millimetre rounds from the rate of fire. Maybe one or two seven millimetres. So, these were likely bounty hunters or mercenaries. They seemed to like to carry those caliber automatic rifles. Easy to find ammo, and plenty of lead down range in a hurry. Then I heard the scream of a mare. Now I was interested. I pushed a charge cartridge into my beam rifle and checked the magazine on my .308. Good, full. Then I jumped off the side if the building, spread my wings, and glided down the street towards the gunfire.

As I got closer I landed on a rooftop and carefully peered over the small wall on the edge. It was getting dark, but I could still make out the ground quite well. There were a couple earth ponies in some sort of scrap metal armour bits and a griffon. The griffon wore some kind of cage that had been wrapped in a mesh for a helmet and had a crudely cut out bit of an old stove for a chest plate. Okay, definitely not mercenaries. Likely slavers if the makeshift gear told m anything. There were a couple dead ghouls on the ground, and I was trying to figure out what as going on when I heard a scream and a colt's scared cry. That made my mind up. I kicked off into the air above the street and brought my rifle to bear on the griffon. He was the biggest threat at the moment. Blam. A .308 round lodged solidly into the griffon's right shoulder and he dropped his rifle, cursing wildly. The two earth ponies looked up and stated firing up at me wildly. I levelled my beam rifle down at one and fired. Bzzoomm. I blue streak shot down through the air and engulfed the pony's rifle, dissolving it into a a fine blue glowing dust. I was about to turn to take aim on the other when I was hit in the side by a mass of claws and feathers. The impact sent my beam rifle flying and we crashed through the window of a building across the street. I hit the glass first and got a flank full of glass shards and cuts that ripped at my stable barding. I winced in pain but couldn't think long about it as the griffon slashed wildly for for my throat while keeping up the cursing. We rolled about on the floor kicking scratching and biting until we hit a wall and the griffon finally found a grip on my throat. I tried kicking his talons away but he just started pressing harder. Breathing was getting hard. My eyes went wide and started to water. The griffon managed to dodge most of my frantic hoof swings and kept me pinned on my back. Great, so I was going to die from strangulation. The Enclave had failed, but I guess death had caught up with me again. I relaxed a bit and held my breath in as the grip got steadily tighter around my neck. The look of anger on the griffon's face slowly began to turn to confusion as I didn't struggle. Then I kicked him right upside the head with one of my free forelegs. There was a crack and the griffon fell off me like a burlap bag of potatoes. I rolled over and got a few breaths before checking the griffon's vitals. Yup, he was still alive, but he going to be out for a while. Then I noticed the wound in his shoulder. It was bleeding pretty bad. I could just leave him and he might make it, but be a bit weak when he woke up. No. I couldn't do that. Raiders were one thing, but I didn't even shoot them if they had no weapons. Proxy hadn't understood it when I wouldn't
pull the trigger on a bunch of fleeing raiders with no guns a week back. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Something felt wrong about it. This griffon on the other hand wasn't a raider. For all I knew he might have a family out there somewhere depending on him to come back with enough caps for their next meal. Sure he was a slaver and what they did was definitely not on my list of tolerated things, but if I was in worse circumstances I might have done the same thing. I rummaged in my saddle bag and found a healing potion and a bit of bandaging. I was no wasteland medic, but I did what I could to stop the bleeding and bind the wound up. He'd still need a doctor, but at least he'd make it to one once he woke up. I arranged one of his packs under his head and then headed down the stairs carefully. My beam rifle was somewhere on the street below, and all I had left was my rifle. I fished around in my other saddlebag and pulled out another few rounds with my wing. When I reached the main floor and peered out I to the street there was nothing but silence. I spotted my beam rifle and keeping my .308 ready I scooted out and picked it up, quickly diving back into cover. There were a couple scratches but not much else wrong with the beam rifle. I would have been right ticked if the receiver had been damaged. I ducked inside one of the buildings across the street and as soon as I entered came face to face with five sets of eyes. I whipped up the beam rifle and took aim almost instinctively. There was a frightened whimper and then a slightly raspy voice of mare begged,

"Please don't hurt us!"

My eyes adjusted to the dim light and I could just make out the shapes of a mare and four fillies, fouls, or both. I lowered the beam rifle let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"Thank you for getting us out of that fix back there," the mare continued. "When they got got Slim and his brother I thought we were doomed."

I nodded my head.

"You probably want some kind of payment. Here's a few cops I've been saving. I'm sorry it's not a lot, but it's all I've got."

She grabbed a small pouch in her mouth and presented it to me.

I shook my head vehemently.

"But?"

I pointed a hoof at the fillies and then at her and shook my head again.

"Wait, so you did it for us, and not for caps?"

I nodded a yes back to her.

"Well aren't you the sweetest thing? Could I bother you one more time with helping us home?"

I nodded.

The mare made a clicking noise and the fillies and colts followed her out the building and I to the street where the faint light gave just enough light to see things faintly. Ghouls. They were ghouls. I'd seen a few before, but never really interacted with them. We started down the street without saying word to each other. A cool breeze gusted down the street, so I pulled on my rout cloak. We went for a couple more blocks before she turned and looked at me again, letting out a gasp and freezing.

"Oh my sweet Celestia! It's you! DJPon3's been talking all about you but never thought I'd actually meet you!"

I just gave a shrug and kept walking. The mare did the same, but certainly seemed happier about the whole thing. I guess that radio pony was at least a bit of good. A we neared a still mostly intact apartment building I began to get tingly feelings on my neck. Something wasn't right. Something was moving near us and I couldn't see it, but I could just barely hear it.

"Jump!" said a voice in my head.

I did and no sooner had I when felt something move right where I'd been standing. I hovered in the air for a second before something fell over my head and was tightened around my neck. I hit the ground hard, but on all four feet. I might be able to see, but I could still detect movement around me. Something moved behind me and I let a rear hoof fly, catching something soft and producing a pony like grunt of pain.

"Do that again and we'll shoot you!"

A raspy voice said from in front of me. Okay, I didn't want to, but I'd rather not get a bullet in the brain today.

"Get her inside. We'll figure out the details later. I was pushed through a door and then down a flight of twelve stairs. Then we turned right and continued another twenty three steps before defending another forty nine stairs. There was a creaking as a metal door opened, and then we stepped inside. I continued counting the steps and turns, until I was left in what a could make out to be a six by twenty storage room. From the smell I guessed it was the sewers, and that ghouls had brought me, as all the voices I heard each had a bit of raspiness to them. They hadn't taken my guns though, which kind of seemed strange. Why capture somepony but leave them armed? Perhaps it was their way of showing that they don't want to hurt me? I'd probably find out soon enough. I fumbled about with the bag like hood over my head and finally managed to get it off. The room was pitch black. I could scarcely see my own hooves beneath me. Once again my own body surprised me. For some reason I could make out that there was a shelf just across from me, and a few barrels and boxes on the far wall. How I figured this out I had no clue, but I was just going to roll with it. Implants again? That was the only logical answer I could think of at the moment. Now if only I had all those extra parts I had left in my hotel room. There was at least one small spark battery and a bulb somewhere in that stash. Well, I'd just have to improvise. I fired my beam rifle at the boxes and they lit up in a nice low blue glow of ash. The room was now just bright enough that I could make out a mirrored window on one end, and a metal door at another. Great, so their watching me. I turned and stared directly at the window for a good five minutes or so without moving. Once the ash stopped glowing I tucked against the wall and moved under the window. There was no way I was getting out of that metal door, but the window might just be the trick. I pulled out the BoltFire prototype and loaded the cartridge again. I aimed for the glass and pulled the trigger. There was a smash and tinkle of broken glass and the startled yells and groans from several ponies. I wasted no time and jumped through the opening and into the adjoining room. There were a few mainframes, but I didn't hang around to find out what they were for. I pushed open the only door and stared into a hallway. Left or right. Right. I'd barely made it halfway to the end of the hall when six ghouls with various iterations of pipe guns rounded the corner and took aim at me. Shit. I looked around quickly and spied a heating grate. I kicked it out and dove inside. Whoever had designed these things had certainly made them spacious. I rounded a few corners and then stopped to check behind me. A few voices echoed down the pipe.

"I sure as hell am not going in there after her. Did you see that beam rifle? There's no way I'm getting on the business end of that!"

"But we can't let her just leave!"

There was a bit of clattering and then another voice broke in.

"Well if we weren't sure if she was the Spectre, we can be sure now. I haven't seen a pony react that fast in years."

"So your saying she might be it?"

"Well I didn't get a good look at her cutie mark due to all that stable barding, but I glimpse a bit of it through the tears. It could be, but I'm not sure."

"Then those old tales are true!"

"Perhaps. Now, guard this vent. If she comes out again try to stop her, but don't hurt her. Understood?"

"Yes sir!"

Now this was an interesting tidbit of info. What did these ghouls know about me that I didn't? All I could really bring to mind was the whole 'super weapon' nonsense the Steel Rangers had been talking about. I wast even sure myself. Then there was that whole thing in the M.A.S. tower with that voice, and then the Enclave way back when I woke up the the Stable. Something was definitely going on here, and somehow all these events were connected. Something seemed missing though. It was like I had a puzzle but didn't have any instructions and all the pieces were the same shape. Maybe if I had my Pipbuck it would have some answers. Yes, it had to. It was all starting to get ever so slightly clearer in my mind. I must have had my memories selectively removed for some reason. I could recall most of my growing up, a lot of my training and several other things. But there were memories that seemed oddly short for some reason as if hours and entire days had been removed from my mind. Well, no point lingering on what I didn't know. I kept moving down the air vent till it hit a three way split. I took the third and found it ran along a wall of some kind of room. I reached a vent on the wall and carefully popped it off. I slipped through the opening and tucked behind some of the metal boxes stacked in the room. There were several ghouls standing around a low table with papers spread about on it. A familiar voice was talking.

"So, we get her in here and then we loose her. Great. Who's the genius who thought using one of our few and precious supply of Stealthbucks was a good idea?"

"I'm sorry sir, I just thought it might be best to use sunrise after hearing all those stories about the Equestrian Special Forces. If she had trying anything like that, than we'd be goners."

"I'll admit her reaction was faster than I had anticipated, but that was no call for using a bag over her head!"

"But what if she decided to escape and tell about our refuge down hear?"

"She's more likely to do it now than if you'd stuck to my original plan!"

I listened a while, but didn't pickup anything particularly interesting. I casually propped my beam rifle over the box and aimed it at the ghouls. I clicked the receiver on and instantly the ghouls looked up. Then there was a panicked scrambling behind the table like a bunch of radroaches. If I had been able to laugh I probably would have right there. I picked up the gun and walked out into the center of the room. The ghouls still cowered behind the table.

"So, what's the big deal with dragging me down here?" I wrote.

"Umm... Well ... I .. Um...we wanted to talk to you" replied the buck who seemed to know a little too much about me.

"Really? You need to work on your hospitality skills. That was by far the worst welcome I've had in a long time."

"Sorry... I didn't mean for it to go like that."

"Clearly. Your associate certainly seems to have had a good tongue lashing on the way down the hall."

The ghouls stared at me.

"You heard that?"

"I hear a lot of things."

"I told you she was E.S.F.! I told you!"

I didn't reply, but I didn't lower my guard.

"Um, you should have a PipBuck, right?" the first buck asked.

"How do you know so much about me? Who are you?" I wrote.

"Well, I'm really no pony too special. I just heard a lot of stories from an old ghoul who claimed to work for Cataegis Industries. He used to go on and on about some kind of super pony being created to save Equestria. He mentioned something about a Stable and some power source being part of a whole plan to disguise the whole thing. I'm not sure how much of it is true or not, but one thing is definitely true. There was a secret Stable built by StableTec, and you came out of that Stable. Whatever that Stable was for, it was something big. Something that a lot of ponies took a lot of effort to hide in order to protect something. If I'm right, you are that something."

"How are you even sure about that?"

" Well, you took off the Stable lettering, but if you look carefully you can still see the marks that spell out X-27."

Apparently this ghoul was smarter than I'd anticipated.

"Look, I know your having a bit of trouble believing this, and probably don't trust us." he continued. "I'll admit we aren't the greatest ponies out there, but we're trying to do what we can to make things better. If you are who we think you are, than we want to be on your side."

"Umm, okay.. I guess. But what exactly am I? Who am I?"

"We aren't exactly sure, but we do know your important in some way."

I tried to get more information from the ghouls, but they didn't seem to really know a lot more than a few bits of information. I did manage to find out that they ran their own little city down in the sewers and tunnels under the ruins of Las Pegasus. Most of The Strip's plumbing and power worked only because these ghouls kept it repaired, doing so with no notice from the surface who shunned them. I asked about the mechanical ponies that showed up in the hotel lobby, but no pony seemed to know anything. I got a few names for possible future reference, and then was offered a meal and a bed for the night. I gladly accepted both. I didn't particularly like ghouls, but this bunch seemed much better than a lot of normal ponies. Definitely kinder and a lot more prone to try to help each other. Now if only Wayside could see this and realize how bigoted they were. As I lay on the old mattress the ghouls had generously supplied me, I reminisced over what I had discovered that day. For one, my Pipbuck was still out there and still working. On the other hand, when I'd accessed the M.A.S.E.B.S. network, something had recognized me and unlocked something. Part of me knew what it was, but the rest of me just couldn't bring myself to believe it. There was no way she was still alive after all this time was there? Watcher still being around I could get, but her? And why did these ghouls seem to know me and want to help me? I was missing something from this picture. Even the Steel Rangers and the Enclave were interested in me. But why? I really need find that Pipbuck and get whatever is stored on it. As I drifted off to sleep, I heard low whispering from behind the door of the room I was in.

"That's definitely the mark. No doubt about it. She's the one."

"Why didn't we tell her then?"

"We can't. Not yet. It's far too dangerous if the wrong ponies find out now. Red Eye, Sanguine, The Enclave. Even the Rangers would want to get their hooves on her."

"Are you saying she's a .... a..."

"Yes, and praise the Goddesses she's still alive."

"

Author's Note

Sorry this took so long. I had a lot going on over the past while, but I'm still dedicated to getting this story finished regardless how long it takes.

Chapter 6: What the Wind blew in.

Chapter 6. What the Wind Blew in.

Sleep. A rare luxury for me. Most nights it was the same sleepless affair, listening to the sounds of the wastes even if it was relatively safe. Perhaps my ears were just hyperactive. Regardless what it was that kept me awake, I did manage to give my eyes and body a bit of a break for at least a few hours. I must have finally fallen asleep, because I awoke some time later to the sound of hooves shuffling about on the other side of the door. The room was a bit dark, but I could still see enough to gather my things and get ready to leave. I appreciated these ghouls unexpected kindness, but I couldn't help but feel that they knew something about me that they weren't exactly going to tell me about. I wasn't great at interrogations, having no voice and all, so I'd have to charm it out of them. I slung my rifles on my sides and started for the door. I opened it and almost ran into a ghoul mare with a tray of what appeared to be breakfast. I wasn't particularly hungry, but there was no point being rude to my unexpected hosts. So, sugar bombs and what I think was Brahmin milk it was. At least I thought it was Brahmin milk from the smell, but I didn't try to think too much. More than often you didn't want to know what was in your food or you'd likely be not able to eat for the rest of the day. I had to admit that despite the smell, it did taste pretty good. After I finished off the bowl, I continued on out the door and began to make my way through the network of tunnels. It was impressive to think that so much of the old maintenance tunnels were still intact. A nearly perfect place for a secret subterranean city. No wonder no pony knew what happened to all the ghouls that used to be in New Pegasus, they'd all come down here. Somehow they had both power and water working down here. Maybe they'd fixed up some old generators and pumps? Considering what still ran after nearly two hundred years, it wouldn't surprise me. All a pony needed was a few tools, some scrap parts, a talisman or two, and a bit of DIY spirit and almost anything was repairable. Maybe not to one hundred percent condition, but more or less enough so that it worked somewhat well. Another idea came to mind. What if these ghouls had access to one of those old Stables? That would explain the power source and clean water. Could be worth investigating. I made my way down the hall, subconsciously counting my steps. If I could just figure out the length of these tunnels, I might just be able to figure out where in the city I was. I recalled seeing an old diagram of the underground service tunnels in that water purifying station I'd been to a few days ago. If my assumptions were right, I was somewhere below Wayside. I could see how some places, such as the medical clinic got power, but the Strip had to rely on the casino generators. Those bigot stable ponies had unwittingly kicked out the few ponies who kept the utilities operational. As I continued along, a came across a larger area of the tunnels that opened up into a sort of large room, perhaps once being some sort of cistern. However it didn't hold water, but rather a market of sorts made of of various stalls. Most seemed somewhat thrown together, but they served the purpose nonetheless. I glanced around, but found nothing of much interest. From the poor quality weapons, damaged food boxes, and old clothing for sale, it was easy to tell that these ghouls didn't get a lot of trade from the surface. I'd heard ghouls didn't need to eat, so the food somewhat puzzled me. Perhaps they just enjoyed the taste? Despite my curiosity, I decided not to ask about it as it might seem rude.

The ghouls acted a bit interesting around me. There were low whispers and long stares when I wasn't looking directly at them. Maybe they hadn't seen a pegasi in some time? Yeah, we were kind of a rarer thing in the wasteland. Besides the Enclave soldiers who came down to the casinos, Proxy was the only other pegasi I'd ever seen. Ponies generally tended to hate us. Blamed us for all the problems, and called us cowards for staying in the clouds. Sure I'd gotten a few nasty words and glares, but I'd never really taken it to heart too much. Perhaps I'd just been lucky so far? I'd heard stories of ponies being brutally tortured to death just for having wings. These thoughts were cancelled out when I caught snippets of a conversation behind me. I might not have use of my voice, but my ears were just as sensitive as ever.

"I can't believe the plan worked!" whispered a voice. Another responded,"Of course it worked! Why would it not?"

"Are you sure she's the one?"

"You see that cutie mark? Hard to miss that. The SunSpire. I remember the day she got it."

I whirled. Somepony remembered me? How? An old ghoul unicorn mare a few paces behind where I'd been standing looked back at me. As if reading my thoughts, she cracked a slight smile.

"Hello Amaria."

I stepped back a pace. Who was this, and how did they know me? No pony knew me. Anypony who had was long dead by at least 200 years by my calculations.

"I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to startle you." she continued. " It's just been such a long time since I've seen you, I thought I never would! But you're here! Your alive! And my how you've grown, such a pretty young mare you are! Your father would have been so proud of you if he could see you now!"

The mare gushed on as a I stifled back a blush at the compliment and backed off a bit. Ponies seldom complimented me, never mind talked about my father. In fact it seemed most ponies had completely forgotten about Cataegis Industries. All ponies really knew about were the mega-corps like Robronco and Solaris. Solaris was shit in my opinion, but that was a story for another day.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I completely forgot to introduce myself. I'm Rose Flare."
I tried to write a reply on my chalk board, but she quickly continued on.

"Oh dear me! I'm soo sorry! When did that happen? Who did that to you?"

"Accident" I managed to write down. I didn't feel like relaying the whole story yet again of how I lost my voice. Rose Flare. Hmmm. Yes, I remembered now. One of Dads secretaries. Busybody, but meant well.

"Are you sure we can't do something for it? Surely we must try."

"It's okay. There's nothing that can be done. Thanks anyway" I wrote.

Seemingly satisfied with that, she continued on talking loudly about me, prewar stuff, how horrible things were when the bombs fell, and how my father was such a genius for creating the tunnels under the city into a refuge after he'd found out the StableTec stables only had limited capacity. Well there was something new. Apparently dad had saved a ton of ponies who were now ghouls. Probably didn't plan for the ghoul aspect of it, but I guess his thoughts were in the right place.
Several ghouls had gathered around now, eagerly listening to Rose Flare, and gave me curious glances. I felt a bit uncomfortable with this sudden attention and slowly slipped out of the crowd.

"Your fathers a hero to them, you know. Saved a lot a lot of lives on that day with his ideas."

I turned to face the speaker.

"Call me Bones. Most folks do anyways. I sorta run stuff down here. Sorry about last evening, I appears my boys didn't get the memo on inviting you rather than mugging you."

" It's alright. Just a misunderstanding. No pony hurt too badly over it." I wrote in return.

"Good, didn't want to get the wrong impression. I'm not sure this is the best way to say this, but we've been looking for you for some time. A fellow I used to know worked for your dad. Apparently knew about some of his more sensitive projects. He mentioned a project called Suscitabo Solis and that you were somehow involved in it. Of course I thought he was bullshitting us at first, but here you are. Hard to deny that something pretty significant is going on when a pony, particularly a pegasi who is supposed to have been dead for about 200 years, just shows up."

"How do you know this?"

He pulled out and old wrinkled and faded newspaper clipping. On it was an article regarding when I'd dropped out of the WonderBolts academy. It had been a pretty big shock to Equestria that a Hurricane was not part of the WonderBolts. It had always been a Hurricane tradition since way back. Okay. That was some pretty irrefutable proof that this ghoul knew what he was talking about.

"Okay, what do you want?" I asked.

"Well, a couple things would be nice. Whatever this project is that your involved in, it's probably pretty big. We ghouls would like to help you if we can, especially after what your father did for us. All we really ask in return is that we can return to the surface of Las Pegasus. If you can get those casino ponies to realize we are no different than them, I would call us even. Secondly, could you please tell us what Suscitabo Solis is supposed to do? Some of us have been waiting a long time to find out."
I was a bit surprised by how simple these ghouls requests were, it was somewhat understandable. They didn't really need much down here. They just wanted a chance to try to be respected as normal ponies.

"I'll see what I can do about the casino ponies, but it might take some time to get anywhere." I replied. "As for Suscitabo Solis, I honestly have no idea what it is for. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you anything. My Pipbuck that should have information is missing, and I've been trying to find it. Until then, I can't really say. Sorry."

"Pipbuck... Hmmm... might have heard something about somepony coming across one a few years back. Not a lot of those in circulation in the MareHave." Bones mused. I gave him a look of interest, and he picked up on the cue. "Some collector out north of here claims to have come into possession of a mint-condition Pipbuck. Oh course I don't believe it, but in your case, it might be worth investigating." I gave the ghoul a grateful look, and he returned a toothy smile. "I imagine you'd like to get in your way now, so we won't stop you."

He gave a short whistle and two guard ghouls walked up. He motioned to me follow him as he turned and headed towards one of the many tunnel openings. " If you ever need anything, you are welcome to come here. Just show the guards this badge." He said as he passed me a piece of tanned leather shaped like a star with some markings etched into it. I tucked it away into one of my pockets. No point in turning down help or friendly ponies where you could find it. I honestly would see what I could do about getting the ghouls to the surface, but that could take time. Most of the inner city was monitored by the Enclave from what I'd heard. I had no beef with them, but after the incident when they took my voice, I didn't fancy taking chances with them. Sure I was no Dashite, but I didn't even go near the cloud cover when I did fly. Bones turned down another tunnel entrance and disappeared, but two guard ghouls motioned down other tunnel. "Just go up here and it hits the surface in a bit." They said. I headed down the tunnel and soon came face to face with a metal grate. I pushed it up and carefully peered out. Nothing. For now at least. I took off out of the grate and to the nearest rooftop. Still nothing. Well, never hurts to be too careful. I made a quick look around and soon had my bearings back. A short flight layer and I was back over the wall into Wayside. I landed carefully and started walking down the sidewalk. I hadn't gotten far when saw three earth ponies still in StableTec suits. Stable 93. Interesting that they'd made it all the way here from Redsands. One buck carried a double barrel shotgun, staring at it in what I could see as total awe. New gun. He wasn't even holding it properly. I continued on towards them as if I didn't notice them. We were nearly three feet away from each other when he looked up. Our eyes met, and I saw fear in his eyes. I blinked and tried to appear friendly, but he just kept staring. Then in a surprising burst of speed he picked himself up and bolted across the street where he ducked under a bench at peeked over the top. I just stood there staring in both surprise and amazement for a couple seconds. Was I really that intimidating, or was it something else? Perhaps he remembered me? No, there was no way. I'd had a riot mask on. Then maybe the twin rifles at my sides? Well, whatever his problem was, it was none of my concern. I continued on my way to the bar. Might as well grab a drink and maybe a bite to eat. Then to set out northwest of here to that blip on that terminal coordinate screen. Time to find that Pipbuck and figure out what all this fuss was about.

I settled for a beer and what seemed to be a sort of a vegetable mix salad. There weren't a whole lot of options that didn't seem to include meat from one creature or another. Yuck. I wasn't wasn't about to try it yet. I'd managed till now, and I was pretty sure I could continue to do so. Food wasn't quite like I remembered it. It seemed nastier tasting and looked stranger. Then again, what wasn't nasty or strange out here. I pretty much accepted things as they were, but I couldn't fully come to terms with it. As I ate I listened in on the conversation around the bar. Not too much new. Slavers and Raiders were about their usual vile business. Some farm ponies had been shot over a debt dispute out in a town to the west. Didn't catch the name of the place, but interesting. Then there was some banter about the Spectre fixing up one of the cities water pumps and then something else about curing sick ponies. Oh great, I didn't need this now. I thought I'd left that behind. Guess that reputation was following me. How long till ponies catch on its me? I had a feeling this Proxy character I'd met might have some suspicions who I really was. I hadn't exactly told him what I did when I went sniping. Just the important parts. He didn't need to know anymore. Once I'd heard enough, I left the bar and headed for the main gates. Those stable ponies were nowhere in sight. I wished them the best and then headed back out into the MareHave. I trotted along the old highway for a spell until I was beyond spotting distance from the walls. Then I veered off the road and began making my way northwest. I stopped on a small rise and looked back on New Pegasus as it sat on the yellowish brown plain. As I was starting to turn to continue on my way, I noticed a craft descending from the low cloud cover. I raised my .308 and peered through the scope. Enclave Vertibuck. A Mark 1 Dropship if I was seeing it right. From what I could piece together from my memories I recalled Dad working on some blueprints of a similar craft for the Equestrian Sky Guard. Guess the Enclave liked the design. The Mark 1 gunship Veribucks were an all too common sight whenever the Enclave decided to venture down out of the clouds to the surface. This however was the first time I'd seen the Dropship variant. It was highly likely it was carrying Enclave officers or the like. All the better I wasn't around if it what the Steel Rangers had said about the Enclave wanting me was true. I didn't have a full picture of how the Evclave operated, but if I was indeed linked to some super weapon, the Enclave certainly didn't need to get their hooves on it. As of currently they could pretty much do whatever they wanted, so why give them even more power? I started off again this time at a low flight. Faster, and much less risk of meeting unpleasant things because I could see them further off. Using the sun as a guide, I kept flying in a northwest direction for a few more hours till I came across the ruins of an old town that looked more or less intact. Well, at least more intact than some other places I'd seen. The MareHave was big, but mostly uninhabited. Not too many ponies strayed beyond the towns, farms, or other settled areas. The only ponies who mostly tended to wander the wastes were the raiders, though they mostly stuck around certain areas, keeping other groups out. Slavers, well, they were different. They used whatever rails still were usable, but on occasion would would send out capture parties to nab ponies. Of course there were always scavengers and relic collectors, and a smattering of mercenaries who passed through the wastes, but they were the exception. They were either armed well enough, could fight, or could just run really fast. I approached the town, but as I got closer, I felt a hair stick up on the back of my neck. Something wasn't right. Then I heard it. A low, eerie whistle coming from what seemed like all directions. I quickly changed direction away from the town, but it was too late already. Whatever was making that noise had detected my presence, and was coming for me.

Chapter 7: More Than Coincidence

Chapter 7: More Than Coincidence

"You saw a PEGASUS come through here and you didn't ask questions? Never mind not a Dashite, but a damn Wastelander Pegasus? Do you have ANY idea how rare that is? Now get your ass over to the vertibuck before I decide to give you more than just a reprimand for incompetence!" The enclave captain barked.

"Ever since that stable exploration gone wrong we haven't had a trace of her, now she pops up again, and our own ground troops are too stupid to bat an eye" he thought to himself. "Shouldn't have let that unicorn run that operation. He screwed it all up and got the damn Steel Rangers after them. Lost some good ponies...... and Her......."
He turned a walked back to the Veribuck.

"I'll find you Amaria, I'll find you."

Far to the northwest New Pegasus, my troubles were just starting. Cazadores. Giant bucking cazadores. I hated those things. Thank Celestia I had good ears and heard the buzzing in time to dodge one as it charged headlong at me. I turned and flew out there in a hurry. If there was one thing I'd learned about these bugs, it was to never let them close. One good sting could debilitate a full grown stallion and then they'd finish you off. Why did I know this you ask? Well if you hadn’t noticed, I tend to do a lot of listening rather than talking. You can learn a lot by just listening in on the tales traders and mercs swap at bars and inns. I opted to loose them with distance. Sure enough they tired once they couldn't catch me, and returned to the townsite. I looped back around and came back at a different angle so as to get a better view. Yup, probably six or seven of those nasty things down there. And a nest, so probably a queen hiding somewhere too. Standard rounds aren't going to do much about their shells. AP usually did the trick. I swapped out the rounds in my rifles magazine and popped it back in. I peered through the scope to see if there was anything worth wasting my time and ammo for down there. The buildings looked mostly intact. However, they didn’t look like they’d been touched in a very long time. No signs of recent activities from scavengers or ponies trying to settle down, so the cazadores must have been in this area for quite some time. A old military wagon sat in the middle of town. A few ammo canisters strewn amongst the long dead remains of soldiers lay nearby. Might be something useful in there. Bam. One less cazadore. I kept still and let the rest calm down. Bam, bam. Two more. I then moved to another rooftop, and no sooner than I did three cazadores swarmed my previous location. Cazadores were smart, but with some skill you could out think them. Boom! The three cazadores exploded in a burst of flame. Trip wired frag grenades. Works like charm every time.

I scanned around for more but found none. Looking back towards the entrance I saw the enormous queen poking out of the hole to the nest. Must have been attracted by the noise. I tossed a few more grenades at the queen, which subsequently exploded in a blast of sticky cazadore guts. Not sure why ponies had so much trouble with these damn things... this seemed easy. Try fight a diamond dog, now that was tricky. Then again, I guess I wasn't a standard pony. Kinda got these wings and a brain full off stuff I can't remember why I know. I guess if it kept me alive it wasn't so bad. I flew down to the wagon and looked over the remains. Ammo, some grenades, a few medical supplies. Those went into my bags. Some old rusty guns.... Not much use in their current state... but perhaps could be stripped for parts. Then I noticed a leather holster by one of the skeletons. I opened it up and pulled out a .357 magnum revolver. It was in near immaculate condition, ivory grips set in oak, and the entire barrel and receiver were engraved with images of equestria's landscape. This gun most have cost a small fortune. On the receiver was the name, " Old Reliable". Perhaps this was an heirloom passed down to a son? I looked in the holster and found a rolled up note. Captain Appleturnover, 14 th MareHave Guards. The date was smudged out.

"This is perhaps the final account of events after the megaspells hit Las Pegasus... the world really did go to shit. We tried to hold our position as ordered and keep everyone calm, but it wasn't much use. Ponies panicking, others going outright mad. A few got too violent and we had to regrettably shoot them. I didn't want to, but I had to maintain order somehow. What kind of pony am I? Not that it really matters. About a week later and we'd run out of meds for the townsfolk. Even our supply was running low. We had to set a guard so no pony stole from our stock. More and more of us started succumbing to either hunger or radiation... reinforcements with aid were supposed to come.... they never did. Probably died or were suffering the same fate. Not like help would have saved us anyways. We doomed ourselves by starting this war, now we're paying for it. Kinda regret not hooking up with that pretty mare in Vegas last summer... then I might've had a son to pass my grandpas gun to... not that it matters now. Guess this is just a pony trying to clear his conscience before he dies.... I'm the last one here... maybe in Equestria... I'm not sure if somepony will ever find or read this, but if you do, please grant me final request. Please bury the remains of me a my squad. At least give us the dignity of some kind of funeral. As for my gun, please keep it. It's served me well, and I hope it does the same for you. Consider it a thank you for final act of kindness for a dying pony."

I tucked the note back into the holster and placed the revolver back in. I didn't know it then, but I'd keep that revolver for a long time. I strapped the holster to my left foreleg where I could grab it easily. Ever since I'd dropped my 10mm for those stable ponies I'd been short a pistol. This more than satisfied that need. I preferred long range, but sometimes things got too close for a rifle. I honoured the captains request and buried their remains under a flagpole in the center of town. I fashioned a few crosses out of boards and placed them at the heads of the graves. Not much of a burial, but at least they got a bit if the dignity they deserved. I gathered the raft of the bones I could find and burned them. Not much remained that was salvageable. No food or weapons, just worn old household items. What surprised me was the decayed but not not that old remains of a pegasi inside one of the houses. His uniform was nearly intact, thus denoting him a Enclave. He had no weapons, and a quick analysis of the body showed he'd died of cazadore venom, but he'd been previously hit by an beam weapon... Deserter? Perhaps. I then moved over to his saddle bag. I was suprised to see it was an enchanted bag. I'd heard about these, but never seen one. The ministry of arcane science was working on them before the war. Bags that could carry four times the carrying weight of a pony. I opened it and began pulling out contents. A few spark cells, a magical plasma pistol, broken, and a few plasma rounds. Then out tumbled a black box with StableTec logos on it. My eyes lit up. Could it be? A single Robronco logo at the top confirmed it. There was a small script as well. Property of StableTec. Prototype Mark 4 Alpha Pipbuck. Testing purposes only. It was. It bucking was! I'd found my Pipbuck! The magical lock was still in place, so I put my hoof to it. It beeped and the lid slid open. There it was, brand new and shiny. It was smoother and more refined than the standard Pipbuck. Closer in design to the Delta model, but contained much more powerful hardware. It featured an integrated broadcaster, a memory orb reader, and a StableTec terminal interface plugin. This thing was loaded. I strapped it onto my right leg, feeling giddy that I now might have some answers. I pushed the power button and it started to boot up. Then it began a user check... that was new. Most didn't do that. The screen went black. Then flashed white. New text appeared.

Welcome Amaria. All parameters checked. Vitals, normal. Surroundings, cleared. Multiple locations discovered, logging. New skills acquired... Notice, you have left vault X-27 exactly 10 years too early. Readjusting parameters...

Then a wave of nausea hit me. My head began to swim, and I collapsed on the floor. What happened next I can only describe a a massive flood of memories all at once. My childhood, Equestria, going though tests and training, and then the big mystery. My purpose. It shocked me so badly my mind cleared and I sat straight up on my haunches. No.... No bucking way! I'm a what? How? And no pony ever detected it? Then my mind kicked in. Yes, it was the perfect disguise. No one would suspect a Pegasus. That was a stroke a pure genius. Well, now that I knew, might as well give it shot. I closed my eyes and focused. "Change... I need to change." Nothing. I kept thinking about it. Nothing. Then the room burst with a orange yellow light. I felt my body expanding.... changing. The ground pulled away from me as my wings felt larger then they ever had. Then I looked up and saw it.... I had a horn. I blinked. Yes, I wasn't seeing things, I had a freekin horn. Not a small dinky one either, it had to be a good two and a half feet at least... So this confirmed it. I got up and moved nearly effortlessly to the hall. This body didn't seem to feel effort at all. I headed for the bathroom and was surprised when I subconsciously ducked my head to avoid hitting my horn on the door frame. I didn't have time to think about it. What I saw in the mirror would have shocked me mere days ago. There stood an alicorn version of my pegasi self. I just stared at myself. This was something else. Two hundred some years and no pony knew. I checked my Pipbuck... Everything checked out normally. A new mission marker had appeared on phillydelphia and hoofington on the map. Item retrieval. Interesting. I somehow already knew what it was. Was this my new alicorn mind at work? I could get used to this. I could almost feel my mind analyzing my surroundings subconsciously. Things like the houses structural integrity, where to hit it to make it collapse, how to fortify it... I could think fast before, but this was on a new level. Out of curiosity I winked at my myself in the mirror, and it dawned on my just how sexy I looked. Damn... Sexy, powerful, and a massive bucking target. Every pony from here to the Hoof wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet in my head. Including the Steel Rangers.... Fuck. This just got more complicated. But I had the solution already. Simply go back to my old form. Simple enough. Wait.... I was talking to myself... Out loud! My voice was back! I started crying with joy. I'd thought I'd never get that back. My voice... it felt so good just to hear it. I'd have to hide that as well, no pony needs to suspect anything. My gear had all magically been removed when I'd changed I noted, thank Celestia, so I enjoyed looking myself over for the next while. This body felt so new, fresh, and powerful. I wanted to try it out, but I couldn't risk it. I focused my magic again a found it easy enough to revert back to my old form, albeit much more powerful now. And it turned out I could still use magic in this form if I needed. Interesting. Never tried that before, but then again, I didn’t know due to the memory blocks. I scrolled through the pipbuck stats again. Damn, I did have implants. Yup, biologically engineered and implant enhanced alicorn. No pony would expect, yet alone believe such a thing was possible. Only alicorns they knew were those freaky ones. As much as I wanted to just march into New Pegas in full alicorn glory, it wasn’t a good idea. Besides, I now suspected I was being hunted. Not just by the alicorns, but the Enclave. Somepony knows something. I grabbed my stuff and activated E.F.S. Nothing on the compass. Good. I took off at a low level flight back to the city. Yup, definitely faster and less effort. I could get used to this. It was night by the time I reached the walls, so I simply slipped in over the wall undetected. Yup, the Enclave had definitely increased ground presence. I tucked into a shadowed corner of a rooftop and began scanning frequencies with my pipbuck. The Enclave broadcast wasn’t hard to find or tap into. Mostly random chatter about patrols and checkins. What interested me was the seemed to be scanning for someone... me... orange maned yellow Pegasus. Possible stable barding. Could be using other gear. Locals confirmed sightings. What I found interesting was I was described as highly intelligent and dangerous, but to be apprehended, not harmed.

Apprehended. Not happening. They were going to need a Raptor to attempt that. I chuckled to myself. This was a nice change to be several steps ahead of everypony. I had my suspicions as to why they wanted me, but I needed be sure. That part wouldn’t be easy. Cloud terminals, especially working ones weren’t that common down here, and any that there were either had top notch encryption or a heavy enclave guard. That pretty much left me only a couple options. Infiltrate the Enclave, or resort to my backup plan. Infiltrating right now was a bit too risky, even for me. Better to drop off the map for a while and let things cool down. I’d have to look into the backup plan. I snuck off the roof and dropped down into an alleyway. EFS was clear. Good. I activated my disguise spell and morphed my appearance. Unicorn mare, light grey, black mane. There, that should work. Learning that reverse changeling magic certainly was coming in handy. I remembered back to just how hard those spells had been to get right. I strolled out of the alley and right up to the main gates. The guards didn’t even look up and the Enclave trooper stationed there didn’t even acknowledge me. I snickered to myself. If ably they knew. Once out of view, I did another quick frequency scan. Nothing new. Nothing on my EFS either. Good. Alright, time to go get some answers from old Corncob. Not like I didn’t know or have my suspicions already, I just wanted confirmation. I pictured Newsprings in my mind. The back of my little shop. My magic crackled and then there was a flash. I looked up, I was back in Newsprings, right behind my shop. Nice. Haven’t lost my touch in teleportation. I probably could have teleported elsewhere, but I wasn’t going to risk porting into something I didn’t know was there. Collapsed building, subway tunnel full of feral ghouls.... no thanks. I’ll stick to locations I’ve been to recently.I looked at my EFS. A few green blips and one yellow. All far. I grabbed a few items from my secret stash and deposited them in my saddlebag. I wasn’t likely to be coming back so I might as well take everything I may need. Once I’d grabbed everything, I headed straight for the airbase. I’d memorized their patrol schedule of the perimeter, so crossing the fence wasn’t going to be an issue. I remembered the incident with the stealthbuck. Yeah, not happening again. You could hide your signature and appear invisible, but one thing they didn’t fully manage to hide was part of the user heat signature. It was enough to hide from sensors and heat scopes though, so the large majority couldn’t see it. Runs out I had a little trick. I closed my eyes and focused, then opened them again. My vision was a bit blurred, then it focused. Mostly dark or deep reds, here and there a patch of yellow, and then far off in the distance along the perimeter fence line a few small white objects. Yep, I had heat vision, just another a several little built in tricks in my bag. I’d pretty much always had it, just thanks to those memory modifications they’d tried on me I slightly forgot them. Yes, they’d tried the whole memory manipulation thing on me. Tried to suppress memories so I’d only remember them when they were triggered by certain things or events. I’d caught on to what they wanted from the get go and just played along. Those plans only managed to succeed partially. Sure, create a hyper intelligent biologically engineered and bio implant enhanced alicorn and expect her to NOT figure out what your doing? It was laughable. Lucky for them I did know all about Suscitabo Solis, or that early wake up from the stable would have ruined everything. I slipped on some scribe attire I’d picked up some time ago, and being in unicorn form meant this would go pretty smoothly.

As predicted the rangers were more or less oblivious to my presence. I made my way all the into the mainframe room and settled in a corner. All I got was an acknowledging nod from the other scribes before they went back to their duties. Time to do some digging. I logged into a terminal using an admin override I’d leaned back when I was secretly interning at Robronco. Oh yes, they had me learning stuff from all over. The override worked like a charm and I began browsing what was archived on the system. Lots of technical documents, maps, schematics. I made copies and transferred them to my pipbuck. Might come in handy. The pipbuck automatically updated its files with the new data. Yup, good old Mark 4 Alpha. If it was the 3000 or less I’d have to manually update. Now to go off on a bit of a side track here, the Mark 4 Alpha was perhaps the best possible variant of the Pipbuck that was available in my knowledge. Sure it lacked some of the built in spells like levitation that others had, but none could compare to its on-board storage. That combined with its ability to connect over broadcasts to other PipBucks to update itself with information they had acquired made it extremely useful. More or less standard design and layout, but along with its radio, Geiger counter, E.F.S., and S.A.T.S. this baby had a built in memory orb reader, broadcaster, and a data port connector. No risks trying to touch your horn to a corrupted orb.E.F.S. was a bit different too. If I wanted, it would display brief info on whatever I happened to be looking at. Types of plants, distances, etc. Pretty much an all inclusive system. Well, back to the matter at hand. I did some more digging and soon found what I wanted. The Elder’s personal logs. This was going to be juicy if my suspicions were right.