Fallout Equestria: Acts of Kindness

Chapter 3

War. It was what brought me here to this place. I was told I had a gift. I just laughed and shrugged it off. I mean everypony has a gift, isn’t that what a Cutie Mark was supposed to represent? Your natural talents smack dab right on your flank for all the world to see. The problem was that I was good at what my mark told me I was supposed to be good at. Too good I think. Both biology and chemistry came natural to me. Sure I was horrible at mathematical formulas, but when I mixed together chemicals, I just seemed to know how everything goes together without ‘crunching the numbers’ as Dapper Darling always says I need to be doing. Why should I put effort into something that will just bring out the same outcome that my natural instincts told me? Lucky Shine tells me that it was necessary for the data logs, but at the end the Ministry will just suck it all out with a memory orb anyways, so what’s the point.

I hate memory orbs. When the war broke out I had just recently graduated top of my class and we were the fresh new minds that the Ministries needed. The M.A.S. snatched me up quickly because of my grades. I was told that I was going to help the greater good and going to be the front line, figuratively speaking, of the war effort. I had originally been assigned to work at Maripony, but when rumors of Zebra forces targeting high priority places like that a few scientists, including myself, were reassigned to this place. A research facility so secretive that it never officially got a name. I heard that some ponies tried to come up with an unofficial name, but nothing ever stuck. Most of us just know it as home. Once assigned here, there was only two ways to leave. Have your memories stripped of everything, or if the war ended and you were no longer necessary, and of course have your memories stripped of everything. It was that much of a secret facility.

Honestly that is one reason I stay. Well one of two. Firstly, and foremost, I really hate the memory orb process. Every time a project was finished, the knowledge of that project was copied to a memory orb. The feeling of having your thoughts ripped from you was horrible. Most say it was just me, that the process was simple and painless, but every time I have to submit to it, I feel drained. And that is with me actually keeping my memories. The thought of having them removed entirely scared me. It was like taking a piece of your very soul, your essence, and ripping it from your body. Being a Unicorn made it doubly bad. The fact that somepony can just touch an orb to my head and draw me into the memories and experiences of another just seemed so very wrong. I have only had to do it a few times, but I hated every second of it.

The other reason that I don’t leave is because honestly, I love my work. I feel at home in the labs. Every advancement makes me want to celebrate. When I am surrounded by my work I feel at ease. Even when I am stressed beyond all belief I am happier than if I were out living a ‘normal’ life. The closest I have to friends are my assistants, and I am fine with that. I don’t have a love life but who needs that distraction when there is more important things to do. A quickie here and there is all that is needed to fulfill my biological urges. I don’t even have time for my family. Not to say I don’t love them, but with my mother locked away in an asylum, and my father disconnecting himself from the war and the world around him, at times I feel as if I don’t really have a family. It may sound cold hearted but its the truth. All I really need is my work. My research. My…

“Fuck! My research!” I blurted out loud as I opened my eyes and suddenly snapped back into reality.

Surrounding me were all the ponies that were shoved into this cylindrical room. It must have stopped descending at some point because everything was still. Worse of all it was mostly quiet until I broke the silence. Funny thing is that no one seemed to even notice my out burst. All eyes were transfixed on a large monitor above the doors we first came in. Displayed on it was the crackling image of Stable-Tech’s logo with the words ‘Please Stand By’ underneath. I turned and saw that both Dapper Darling and Lucky Shine were standing next to me.

“I think I zoned out there for a moment. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. After the platform stopped moving that screen kicked on. I think were expecting some kind of announcement, or instructions on what to do next.”

Not long after Lucky finished talking the screen flickered away and was replaced by the image of the head of the research facility, General Sandy Hoof. I only seen her a few times during our quarterly meetings but she was an interesting one. A scientist before the war, she joined the military and quickly rose through the ranks until she ended up joining the Ministry of Arcane Science and was a liaison to the Ministry of Wartime Technology. Her position allowed her to take control of this facility shortly after it opened, being a wartime research facility.

“Good morning everypony.” General Sandy Hoof started to speak in a clear calm voice, pausing for a moment to make sure all attention was towards the monitor. “As you are aware, emergency protocols dictate that in the case of an emergency Stable 129, which is built deep beneath the research facility, is to become active and all essential personnel are to be evacuated into the Stable. Stable activation has begun and the chamber you are in is being decontaminated prior to entrance into the Stable. Once decontamination is complete, and the following briefing has ended, everypony will be escorted by specialized Mister Handy units to their assigned sectors based upon your Pipbuck Identification. For anypony without a Pipbuck, you shall be detained until proper identification can be found.

“As all of you should know from your facility manuals, Stable 129 is rather unique in its form and function. Most Stables are designed to facilitate generations of ponies allowing the descendent's of the original occupants to resurface after a specific time frame. These descendants are then to help in the rebuilding of Equestrian Society after the ravages of the war. When our stable was built it occurred to many within the Ministries that it is entirely possible that even with proper education, future generations may not have the same aptitude to rebuild the scientific communities that exist today. To this end our Stable was designed not to allow its occupants to create future generations, but to personally lead the future generations. Stable 129 is equipped with the most advanced cryogenic facilities that exist, created through a joint venture between the Ministries, Stable Tech, and Robronco. It is by this design that you, leaders of the scientific community of the present, shall be the ones to rebuilt the scientific community of the future!”

After General Sandy Hoof finished speak talking broke out in the chamber. At first it was quiet murmuring and then it became boisterous. Some were talking about how this will be the saving grace of the future, while others were seeming apprehensive about being frozen for who knows how long. I could hear a stallion asking one of the guards about his wife and children back home in Baltimare. A mare had broken out in tears about something involving a music box. Everypony had something to say but me. I just stood there thinking. Not about what may have happened, not about what will happen to us, but about my research. I knew there were fail safes set up to protect the digital data, but what about my hard copies? My experiments? There is no way that such sensitive equipment can be transfered to the Stables in such a short time. I turned to talk to my assistants about my concerns when the General started to speak again.

“Now, I can tell that many of you have concerns and questions regarding friends and family's on the outside. I wish I could say that they were safe, that you will be able to see them again. I am sad to say that is not the case, nor will it be. Yes, many of you who accepted work at this facility had their family accepted into Stables near them. Those stables however will be functioning under standard Stable Tech operations. While time may seem to go by in an instant for those in the cryogenic pods, years, decades, even centuries may have passed outside this Stable. By the time all of you re-enter the world above, all that you have ever known will be gone. I myself will be gone as well. Despite my station at this facility, I am currently broadcasting to you from the Ministry Headquarters in Canterlot. The facility has gone into lock down and access in and out of it has been sealed until the day that this Stable is reopened. Once Stable lock-down is complete, all communications will also be sealed save for a single channel awaiting the all-clear to initiate reanimation procedures. Due to the nature of this Stable, specially designed Robronco Mister Handy units will be in charge of running day to day operations and monitoring all residents. Once you are all fully awake, these units will bring you up to date and then be accessible to assist with restoring the facility. Due to the possibility of potential aggression on the surface, special kits are available in the supply lock up that will allow for a few Mister Handy units to be modified into combat ready Mister Gutsy models. Please be advised that this is for emergencies only, that their primary programing is to aid in the rebuilding of the facility and acclimation of its residents.

“Now, before this communication channel is closed, I want to inform you of the situation on the surface. A short time ago Zebra forces successfully detonated a Balefire Megaspell on the city of Cloudsdale. The city was destroyed and most of the surviving Pegasus have retreated to their other cities. Shortly after another Megaspell was detonated in Splendid Vally at our Maripony facility. Reports are coming in that other major cities may also be targeted. Canterlot is currently being bombarded by Balefire missiles, the Princesses have erected a magical shield so we are safe for the time being, but other places may not be so lucky. The emergency procedures started when the first Balefire explosion destroyed Cloudsdale, and will be fully initialized at any moment. I do not know how long you will be asleep, but I will tell you this. Once you have awoken, and both the Stable and the facility above is operational, I want you to make our great nation proud. Find any survivors and teach them. We have enough supplies in the Stable to last you a year while everyone recovers. Use them wisely. Doctors Willow, Ness, and Foolhardy, your projects while incomplete have the potential to help the surface recover the most, so you and your teams will have all resources needed allocated from you and from any surviving Ministry Operations that locate you. The rest of you will be in charge of restoring the facility and the perimeter and establishing a new home for you, and any that might seek refuge.

“I leave you with this. I thank you all for your services, and while this facility is a secret to most, the future of Equestria thanks you as well. I wish you all a safe journey into the future, and while I wish that I could be there to lead you into that future, I know you will do well. The future of the nation lies directly on all of your backs. Think of the sacrifices we have made. The sacrifices that your friends and family have made. Make me proud. Make Equestria proud. You are the future, and to me the future looks bright!”

The video cut off and was replaced by the Stable Tech logo again. Unlike before, the silence remained until the flashing lights turned on again. With a low hiss the doors in front of us opened leading us out of the chamber and into our future. A long an narrow tunnel lead to a giant circular door with the number ‘129’ printed on it. A Mister Handy robot came out of a small alcove and without a sound floated over to a panel and activated the door. More flashing lights came on along with a loud klaxon. After a second the giant circular door, which now that I saw it starting to move, resembled a gear more than a circle, rolled out of the way as a catwalk extended that was large enough to fit two ponies side by side. At the other end a gate opened up and a Mister Handy unit, its spherical body painted in blue and gold with a golden 129 painted on it approached us.

“Greetings, I am the Mister Handy unit assigned to welcome you and to direct each of you to your assigned stasis room. Please approach me with your Pipbuck so we can begin. Welcome to Stable 129.”