Fallout: Equestria - The Ranger of Seamane

“Most creatures are annoying enough with one head. Brahmin can be annoying with their two heads talking to one another. A hydra? Take a guess how bad they are. All those heads and they get even more when you try to make them have just one!”
-Wasteland Survival Guide, on Hydras

We wound up in the diner where we had dinner upon arriving at Four Corners. It was, surprisingly, still open as normal but then again I knew some form of normalcy had to be kept to help keep people sane. You couldn’t constantly stay coiled and ready to strike without eventually breaking. People weren’t machines after all and even if we were, those broke too after going for too long without maintenance.

For the moment we were engaging in ‘organic maintenance’, that is eating, drinking, and relaxing the muscles between our shoulders. Okay fine, I was the only one doing that last one. I had been exceedingly tense for the past hour.

While we were drinking, eating, and catching up on the past few days of our eventful stay in Four Corners my mind was penning a plan for the Hydra. The Hydra which was still out cold on the damaged buildings like a guard resting against a wall, asleep on duty.

Regardless, the patrols outside were constant and repair crews were out in force doing what work they could to reinstate the status quo. Bodies were removed, blood washed away, and miasma cleared.

Riptide’s words still rang in my mind. I am not trying to kill myself or needlessly putting myself in danger. Unfortunately, that limited my ways of how to handle the Hydra, which the town seemed willing to ignore for now.

I don’t rely on maybes. Maybes were too unreliable for situations like this. Instead, I needed a loose but strong plan. Until we could leave, the fate of this town was our fate as well and it felt wrong not to lend a hoof.

The idea of getting the Hydra to give chase till it was on the other side of the river was still the best plan I could come up with. Of course, it did put me or whoever was doing the running into tremendous danger so what was my solution to that? For starters, I had more people on my side to help with and we could do some groundwork ahead of the chase.

“Mine,” I muttered to myself.

In response to that, I got a breadstick stuffed in my mouth by Riptide. “I didn’t know you liked bread that much.”

“She’s a slut for things that start with b’s.” Winter snorted.

That made me flush as mentally I ran down the list of things that started with b that I enjoyed. That list was longer than I expected.

“Can it! Just because I do doesn’t mean that’s what I meant.” I huffed. “Regardless, I figured out an option for the plan to go smoother.”

“And that is?” Sil asked.

“Mines,” I said simply. “We plot a course for the runner, then get pressure mines or have crews with detonators to remotely activate minefields after the runner has passed by.”

“It also means we can take rocket launchers in case things go sideways,” Ocean added.

“Having been inside their armory, I can rig us up with multiple rocket launchers.” Sil offered.

“And I can get us some extra medical supplies,” Riptide suggested. “Because I doubt this will go smoothly.”

“I can scout a path for your run.” Winter offered.

It was all coming together now. “Alright, Ocean and Sil go get the explosives. Winter and I will go scout, and Riptide will get some medical supplies.”

The other four gave me nods in agreement. The plan was safer and decidedly less suicidal, letting us minimize the risks and deal with the Hydra one way or another.

-=O=-

Getting out past the wall was easy for someone with my reputation. A few of the raiders I had recruited even demanded to come with us for added firepower and safety, though I didn’t like how they considered themselves ablative health for the two of us. At the same time my mind went back to how some of our peers in the Guard viewed Buckshot and his group, how they were willing to die for them.

At the moment I still had my quad cannons. Winter had his rifle, the bit held in his mouth as he scanned for threats and a path for this marathon. On the bright side, it seemed that most of the Vipers were dead so we didn’t have to deal with those horrible scalie nightmares. It also solidified my opinion of them; all they were, were dumb critters, drawn to the smell of blood and loud noises.

I did a more thorough look at one of the dead Vipers as we passed it. I saw they had not just those massive fangs I had seen our first night here but also a massive snake-like tongue. These things could probably smell pretty well, which given they were weird offshoots of the Hydra meant it would as well.

That was valuable information for laying our trap. We needed to work with the wind for the run as well as hide the scent of anyone giving overwatch. I started marking out spots that Winter considered good on my Pipbuck and put up strips of cloth near them to act as windsocks.

“Been a while since we had a proper hunt,” Winter smirked as we finished mapping a few routes to the mostly intact bridge leading into the burnt-out center of the city.

“A couple of years now, but yeah.” I agreed with him and I gave him some Rad-Safe. “Pop some, the radiation is thicker here.”

He swallowed and gave me a curious look. “Not taking any yourself?”

“Nope, my rad count isn’t going up,” I answered him as our two bodyguards downed some Rad-Safe too. “Guess I did get some kind of radiation immunity or at least resistance.”

“Pretty common mutation out here.” One of our escorts piped up. “I don’t have it, but word of mouth is if you run long enough you eventually get some form of it. That or organ failure.”

“Well, let’s hope the rest of us get that immunity because I like my organs not failing.” Winter nickered with a smile.

“True that. Too bad we can’t just make a copy of my mutation and give it to everyone.” I sighed. “Regardless, I think the best option is to get to this bridge and then use the bomb, drop the Hydra into the river below.”

“Nah, then you can’t make the return trip. Also you’re not gonna outpace a falling bridge.” Winter pointed out. “Go a block or two into the city and then toss the bomb, then you don’t have to slide between the Hydra’s legs to double back.”

He had a good point. “So how can I, you know, outpace it on the bridge?”

Our other escort pulled out an inhaler. It took me a moment to recognize it: Dash.

“That… might work, though it runs the risk of addiction.” I mused. “Would that actually make me faster?”

A different inhaler was offered, this one crudely colored with crayons in some semblance of a rainbow.

“Rainboom.” The former raider said simply. “Stronger, longer lasting, and a bit more addictive. One hit shouldn’t get you hooked though.”

Winter and I shared a look before I took the rainbow inhaler. “In that case, it’s worth a try, as a last resort though.”

“As a last resort.” Winter agreed.

-=O=-

Sil did quick work setting up the rocket launchers, as simple as they were. A honeycomb of rocket tubes sat within a makeshift frame, each sporting a back frame with an exhaust port angled away from their operators. I also saw some insulation between the frame and their sides so no worry of heat transfer hurting them.

As for me, Sil had rigged up a hoof holster that could fit a revolver which would, with what little bit of magic I had and some finesse, let me fire it in a pinch.

“I found a revolver in the stuff we brought back.” She stated, strapping said pistol into the holster and showing how to dry fire it without magic. “It uses .454 rounds so it’s big and mean.”

“Well I prefer something quieter but I can't say no with how tough these scalie bastards are,” I said before applying a kiss to her snoot. “Thank you, hun.”

“Well, I couldn’t just have you run out there with only your faulty magic to protect you.” She snickered.

“Yeah, and any barding would just slow me down.” I laughed as well. “Not like I’m going to be tackling ponies to the ground and need the momentum to do so.”

“Not today, and I should find you some better armor once we’re done with this.” She lidded her eyes salaciously. “Can’t have you strutting about showing off those lovely flanks to everyone.”

That comment made me blush hard. “Yeah, the fewer people thinking about my flanks the better.”

“How few would that be?” She teased me. “Don’t worry, I know you’d rather it just be the four of us at most.”

She wasn’t wrong. It was a bit weird thinking about others thinking of me in that way, even with all my prior relationships and quasi-relationships. Just too used to being that mare who was just there and not the focus of attention.

Like chatting, sure that’s fine, but desire? I was a fish out of water, which was a phrase with a whole new meaning given Riptide and her aquatic mutations.

“Hun, you’re doing it again.” Sil booped me suddenly.

“Sorry, self-reflection stuff,” I replied with that blush still stuck on my muzzle. “Anyways, yeah get me something to hide my butt. Something more protective than that old, plant leather outfit I had.”

Riptide took this moment to nip at me. At least I thought it was a nip initially but when I turned to look I saw some needle being removed from my side.

“Steroid.” She said plainly. “While it will weaken your immune system it will help make your nerves shut up.”

“And… Why would I want that?” I asked as I felt a light coolness spreading from the injection.

“Because while you weren’t saying anything I could tell you were in pain. Be it nerve damage or things still healing, this will help with either.” She explained as she extinguished the magic on her horn. “The medical ponies here helped me look for such things. If I can head off you having chronic pain I will.”

“I…” I was at a loss for words. She had quickly caught up to my medical knowledge and even surpassed me.

Then again it was entirely likely she already had a fair bit of knowledge and was just getting more that I hadn’t gotten to learn. I knew chronic pain existed but I didn’t know it was, well, preventable or treatable beyond just alcohol or painkillers.

“Thank you.” I finally managed. “Right, so we should get moving. The more time we spend here the less time we have in the field to set up and be ready for the beast to wake up.”

“You’re not wrong. However.” Ocean tossed a harness at me. “Put this on. You’re pulling a wagon this time, we need it to carry the mines.”

I looked at some of the raiders turned bodyguards and they were doing the same. “Right, let's move.”

-=O=-

The mines were finally set up. It only took us about an hour with all the people we had.

Each minefield had two people watching over it, both with triggers to activate them and a separate deactivation signal. Sil had been smart to ensure neither the activation nor deactivation signal were the same thing so there would be no panic clicking screwing us over.

Meanwhile, I stood stripped down to a simple harness that held the bomb on my back, ammo for the revolver, a few medical supplies, and of course the Rainboom. Sil had rigged a quick release for the massive bomb on my back so I could buck it and set the fuse off at the same time. I’d have a short window to get cover but that was more so the Hydra didn’t get a second try at swallowing me.

Seriously though this is a dumb plan but we didn’t have any radhogs to use as bait so this ends up still being the safer bet.

I let out a sigh as I sat on the pavement looking up at the Hydra. The walkie on my shoulder suddenly crackled to life and Ocean’s voice poured out of it.

“We’re all in position. Up to you if you want to wake the Hydra up now or later, Moony. Over.”

I stood on my hind legs and aimed a foreleg at the Hydra. It wasn’t a hard target to hit but I wanted to hit somewhere soft, preferably one of the sores or half-formed new heads. Maybe one of the twenty-two half-formed new heads.

“Understood, I’m giving the wake-up call, over,” I replied before using my magic to pull the trigger.

The .454 round was loud though the recoil wasn’t as bad as I had thought, probably due to the weight of the gun and length of its barrel. The impact was easy to see; such a large round could drop a bear with relative ease and was meant for such large predators, but not ones the size of a hydra.

While it wasn’t meant to put down an adult hydra, I did know that sort of impact wasn’t something even a creature this size could ignore. And I knew it hurt it, which was good enough for right now.

As if the aggression triggered something within the Hydra, its remaining heads rapidly finished forming as it struggled to stand once more, its main head glaring down at me as its tongue tasted the air.

“Yeah, that’s right you fat fuck, I woke you up!” I hollered up at the beast. “Now how about you come and get your revenge so you can have a nice snack to help regrow what I just took out of you!”

In response, the Hydra roared. Turns out twenty-three very large maws all roaring at once stops being a noise and is more of a pressure wave made of pain. My poor ears really weren’t getting a break today.

“This is Moony, the Hydra is awake and pissed, I’m running now, over!” I shouted into the walkie on my shoulder as I turned away from the Hydra, landing on all four hooves.

“Roger that, Moony. Just focus on getting to the bridge. Over.” Ocean replied over the radio.

Yeah, bridge, that was where I needed to be. Oh fight or flight response how I adore thee, the adrenaline hitting my system letting me tear down the road as fast as I could. Turns were a bit of a bitch but I found it was easier to slide and kick off of walls, carriages, and debris than try to slow down enough to keep my footing on the rain slickened pavement.

I soon passed the first minefield, barely hearing the call out over the radio as I focused on keeping from wiping out as I cantered as fast as I could. A few seconds later I heard a series of explosions and a scream of pain from the reptilian predator behind me.

I wasn’t filled with confidence with how little time there was between the arming and the screaming but I dared not look behind me. With how hard I was running I couldn’t really afford to ask how much space there was between the Hydra and myself.

I crossed another block in under a minute. How could I tell? My Pipbuck’s clock finally decided to show up for once. It also alerted me that my heart rate had elevated to around 220 or so which, given how my chest was feeling, was accurate. Sucking in each breath I kept pounding away at the pavement as more explosions went off behind me.

“Hydra is ignoring us. Holding fire and relocating, over.” Came Riptide’s voice. She had been the one in charge of our first line of mines.

“Hydra in Minefield Two. Activating, over.” Winter's voice came over the radio next followed by more explosions.

“Hydra slowed, again. Keep running, Moony! Over!” He added.

He really didn’t have to say it, I knew it. I could see bits of debris fly past me as the Hydra roared in pain, the explosions biting at its legs and tail. Meanwhile, my Pipbuck started displaying warnings of radiation as I drew closer to the river.

It is about 2 minutes along D street, then a left and another left after 40 seconds. Then run along the freeway and across the bridge, that should be around five minutes.

The reality of it was that if not for the stupid fucking Stable-Tec PACER tests they had us run when we were young I wouldn’t have been able to keep ahead of the Hydra at all. Yet I was screaming mentally as I heard the damn, ancient pre-recorded lines droning into my skull along with its stupid music.

Damn you Equestrian Military Rememants for keeping this one stupid thing alive. I get it, good training and crap but holy fuck talk about a nightmare earworm. If this was one thing we could have lost to the balefire I would be eternally happy.

The bridge was in sight and I saw a figure of white and brown staring at me from a window. I blanked on who it was because the sheer effort I was putting out made it hard to think for the next couple of minutes as my body burned with strain. My walkie crackled and words came through it but my mind failed to parse them as the PACER test kept going through my adrenaline-addled brain.

Fuck off. Get out of my head. I need to focus on surviving you stupid accursed fitness test.

Crossing the bridge proved harder than expected. There were, annoyingly, a lot of abandoned carriages clogging it up, which made sense; with traffic this backed up most ponies would have abandoned their carriages and fled for safety.

In the corner of my vision, I could see my radiation count starting to creep higher, which confirmed I had a limit on the resistance. Having time to think again now that I had to slow down, I risked a glance over my shoulder after cantering over the hood of an abandoned carriage.

The Hydra was still hot on my tail, its limbs rapidly shedding damaged tissue to regrow stronger legs, staining the streets with gallons of its blood.

That’s going to be a nice resource for the town to clean up. Unfortunately, my slower pace meant that the Hydra was gaining on me. I had to be careful with climbing through and around the vehicles. The Hydra on the other hoof just crushed anything in its way and was just taking a direct path toward me.

Why did no one ever clear this for caravans, fuck! I mentally groused as little cuts started gathering on my legs from being nicked by the twisted metal.

Then a wave of intense radiation washed over me as I got to a part of the bridge where the siding was gone and no husks blocked direct sight of the balefire crater. Oh, that would do it. Okay, I need to really get moving.

Another glance back and the Hydra had gained another hundred meters on me while I had gone maybe twenty. And that is way too fast to keep this current pace. Time to break out the drugs.

As I took a hit of Rainboom I realized another thing; the radiation was blocking signals to my walkie and all I was hearing were errant pops and crackles due to the magical interference. No time for backup, no time for retreat.

Then the chem hit my system. I felt off, floaty was probably a better term, but it was a new experience and not entirely unpleasant. As I continued to push through the abandoned vehicles, I felt my vision sharpening as did my hearing. I could hear the beeping of my Pipbuck growing slower.

Then I realized the speed at which I was going. To my senses, I was still going as fast as I had been a minute before. The Pipbuck wasn’t beeping slower. I was going from double speed to triple.

The doctor in me screamed at how badly this was going to fuck my everything up. I knew how adrenaline-induced super strength destroyed bodies but the other option was, well, far worse. I really didn’t want to learn how it felt to be eaten alive by a Hydra.

With my newfound speed, I pushed hard to the end of the bridge, now easily keeping ahead of the Hydra. The whole time my perception of reality continued to speed up, letting me mentally take stock of my body and surroundings.

My heart rate was at a level that I believe was best described as effectively beyond the update speed of my Pipbuck. To me, it was beating a sedate 180 times per minute, from my perspective. My perspective of a minute which, at the moment, seemed to be about 10 seconds by the Pipbuck’s clock.

Again the medical professional in me was screaming that my heart was basically going to explode or already had from the pressure it was putting my system under.

Of course, though that wasn’t the case. Rainboom was apparently more than a hallucinogenic and upper. It was made with mystical plants or as some books put it, Super Naturals. Basically supernatural plants with magical effects. Just one of the benefits of living in a magical world.

This meant that the chem had effectively put me in a bubble where time flowed differently than outside of it. This probably also explained why the world around me was taking on a more vibrant, painterly style. No that was probably the hallucinogens doing their thing.

I also noticed something watching me, though that was probably the actual hallucinogenic portion of the chem. I couldn’t quite make out what it was due to my distorted vision but it wasn’t moving towards me for now so I put it out of mind for now.

I finally trotted down the ramp on the other side of the bridge, moving at least a block up the street to give me some space for later. I then stretched, took a deep breath, and turned around to watch the Hydra, letting it catch up so I could properly test out my speed.

I fired another shot from my leg-mounted revolver before setting off. The way in which the shockwave hit the edge of the bubble as I ran was mesmerizing, as did the tracer round burning through the air. While not super slow, the fact I could track its flight for what felt like five seconds told me I was probably able to do a Sonic Rainboom if I wanted.

Well, if I had wings. I figured that was probably a critical part of doing that mythical aerial maneuver.

The bullet bounced off the side of the Hydra’s neck, hitting at too great an angle to dig into the beast. It roared in rage and charged at me.

Now was the time to kick the bomb off.

I slammed my forehooves into the pavement to anchor myself and swiftly yanked out the pin that was keeping the bomb strapped to my back. With the package loose, I bounced it off my back and then gave the explosive keg an old-fashioned, double-legged applebuck, sending it careening up toward the face of the Hydra. The light of its detonator lazily left a blinking trail of red through the air.

When my rear hooves landed I pushed once again against the pavement, launching myself forward.

Nowwas the time to haul ass.

Cantering wildly down a side street, I stole glances behind myself and watched the Hydra swallow the bomb whole out of the air. Hook line and--

The bomb detonated. The Hydra’s chest glowed brightly even through its scales before its heads all vented fire and steam. I could still see it as it began to fall over, dead or disabled, as I took a sharp turn to return to the bridge.

Running as hard as my body could carry me up the ramp to the bridge, I took the more reckless option of hopping from carriage top to carriage top.

My heart was hammering in my chest. We had done it! The Hydra was going to be a non-issue for a good while at worst, though there was no way for me to tell its condition from here and I had no desire to go check up on it. The thing had breathed fire when the bomb went off! If it was still alive after that then I wouldn’t want to stick around for it.

Regardless, I returned my attention to not getting hurt by running across rusted carriage roofs.

Too little too late, unfortunately. My hoof slipped on the wet top of a metal cargo container, sending me sliding along its length and then flying through the air when the container ended. I wrapped myself tightly in my magic and hoped it would be enough to save me when I inevitably hit the ground.

Somehow my magic didn’t hurt to do, and flowed freely. But I didn’t have the time or mental power to dwell on it.

My world became green and then shortly after, black.

Level up! Welcome to level 7! New Perk Added: Armed and Dangerous. Thanks to the abundance of practice you know where to hit to make it hurt more with your preferred weapon: ballistics. Thanks to this every ranged attack with a weapon that uses the Firearms skill now does an additional ten damage. You’re a step above just another mare with a gun.