Fallout: Equestria- Burdens

Chapter 3- Tragedy Part 1

“A spark...That is all that is needed for something, anything, to start...”

"Time to wake up, Ward."

My eyes frantically blinked in response to being shaken awake. My head was pounding, and my neck was stiff from it resting at an awkward angle. Every twist and turn of the neck were riddled with a traveling subtle pain going up my spine to where my neck and head meet. I tried to tweak my neck to try and fix it. It only got worse with the result being a much more painful shock that up my spine. Why did I even think that would help the slightest?

My vision was blurred a bit, but I made out a group of ponies in front of me. Rubbing my eyes with a hoof my vision cleared up, and I found lavender eyes looking down on me. Past her, Ace and his Wonderbolts, Typhoon, L.G., Fallstreak, and the survivors were already leaving the Vertibuck. It was just me, and Aviatrix. The more I thought about it, the more awkward it seemed that we were the only ponies here. Her smile with those eyes were beautiful.

"Better get up." She said still smiling. "Everypony’s already out in the hangar."

"Yeah." I answered absentmindedly. I yawned, rubbed my eyes and picked up my helmet to loosely setting it on my head.

I wobbly stood up and attempted to shake off what remained of my grogginess throughout my limbs. Stretching would have been easier if the Power Armor was much less restrictive in certain areas, but stretching my wings out was not as hard. Feeling slightly rejuvenated, I tailed behind Aviatrix outside. Diamond Dust, alongside Major General Virga and a large group of S.F. troopers had been waiting for us. I’ve already got a bad feeling in my gut that I can’t shake. Why?

Regrouping with Typhoon and the rest of us, I watched as Ace stepped towards Diamond Dust and gave her a package of some sort. It was a small reinforced crate like the rest of them we saw. Something about that one was different, however. Why yellow tape?

It also almost felt like the whole hangar crew had flocked over to see us arrive from outside. From the few who were close enough, I could see astonishment in their eyes; others, however, looked confused with raised brows and slightly opened mouths curled in uncertainty. I guess they didn’t know, and I can only imagine how they felt when some were given the order to open the hangar door for departure; or the sound of the Vertibuck powering up for that matter.

Medical teams were set to work in assisting the survivors, hauling off the comatose ones and beckoning the two Power Armored ones over. I found one of them staring at me with his helmet still donned before breaking eye contact to follow the medical team that asked for him to follow. A group of S.F. were then being ordered to ensure they make it to where they needed to be.

“Sergeant, clear the floor!” Diamond Dust ordered a brown pegasus S.F. officer, growing irritated at the increase of astonished pegasi. He saluted, and then ordered the remaining S.F. to get the crew back to work. They dispersed, and the Security encircled the Vertibuck where they began pushing away the colorful crowd in gray with aggression and gruff comments. The crowd dissolved down to the last pegasus and things went back to how they were with only small talk between smaller groups that walked away.

“All clear, Ma’am.” The gruff stallion stated after the crowd left.

“Excellent. After we’re done here, you can report back to your Prov. Marshal on the debriefing of the survivors.” Diamond Dust said before putting her attention back on us. We noticed that the Wonderbolts stuck their noses up in the air, Ace sticking his out the highest.

"Now that we have some privacy, we can finish. Wonderbolts, well done on retrieving the package.” she commented. Ace was just eating it up. “Stormtroopers, we have something to discuss."

My stomach grew a pit for some reason when we were addressed. The rest of us just waited to hear what she had to say. Better be worth my time. If I don't get some sleep I'll be up all night again.

Before she discussed what she wanted with all of us, Diamond Dust gave the package to a ultramarine pegasus in a Science Department lab coat. I began getting mixed signals about their exchange. Especially when I saw the way the Science mare looked at her. After the Scientist departed with the package (being escorted out by two S.F. guards), Diamond Dust turned her attention back to us.

“You all did exceptionally well,” she said. “This package means a lot to us. And it means more to see you all still here. It tells me that you all can trust each other. For you all, this is your first true mission in the field. If anypony feels they need to be checked for injuries or problems of the sort, I urge you to see the Medical Wing for an evaluation...”

I can think of two ponies who’d need that. Despite how short our time was out there, all that stuff I saw wasn’t too bad. There wasn’t really any guts involved or blood for that matter, but it was still a pretty stressful moment for us. I find it better to repress those damned faces in my head.

“...with that said, you are also to report back to the Cloudship at twenty-four hundred for debriefing. Grab some food, relax for a bit, but report on the dot. We want to know what went on down there..."

Kind of late. Don't you think?

"...you are all dismissed!"

“Ma’am!” We saluted in unison. Diamond Dust then turned tail and left the vicinity. After we dropped out salutes we exchanged glances with the Wonderbolts and they too left the Hangar. We would’ve made our way out, but then we realized that Major General Virga still hadn’t left the vicinity. We immediately went back to saluting as she approached us.

“How was your new pilot?” She asked us with a slight head tilt. “Aviatrix. Isn’t it?” I guess she ignored our salute so most of us dropped it.

Aviatrix nodded after being addressed. "Yes, ma’am.” She responded. She looked over at Drift who stood to her left. “She's a little bumpy, but I'm sure she can be smoothed out with some help."

"Glad to hear it." Major General Virga smiled. "The Stormtroopers now have a new member in their Aircraft Battalion. Your new Co-pilot."

Great. Another clean suit. Not to mention that the only pony who seems to know anything about her is Aviatrix, and maybe Loaded Gun. To make matters worse, Fallstreak seems a little too excited for this. I even thought I heard a ding somewhere. Now I'll never sleep for sure.

"What's the reason for her being with us?" I asked irritably. Virga noticed my sour attitude and made a slight scowl, telling me that she didn't like the way it came across to her.

"The reason, Corporal, is because we may have much more plans for you all in the future. Therefore, we need to make sure everypony is acquainted and every Vertibuck filled."

Pardon my damned stupid sleepless talk. So we finally get pulled off the shelves, shake off the collecting dust, get thrown out into possibly the most hostile playground known to ponykind, and we basically prove our worth by going on an extraction mission? That and we get a gimme which happens to be in the shape of a new member? Since when has there been situations that didn't call for such a move like this? Are they going to be doing this with us now? Are we going to be moved into the Cloudship? Is that the reason?

"What about her academic records?" I asked with a raised brow. I didn't want to come across as somepony who is saying she is undeserving to be with us, it's just that I need to know if I can trust her with my life if we are getting a change in our absent schedule.

"She can tell you herself. We are on a tight schedule." She answered. Well, at least I got something of an answer that was straight to the point, and not a time-consuming lecture of her achievements.

"Take care of them, " Virga said to Drift then turning to us. "And I hope you all continue to bring pride to the Stormtrooper Division. Is that clear?"

“Ma’am!” We shouted and saluted once again. Virga relieved us and she turned to leave as well. Soon after, my squad was crowded towards the rookie, greeting and cheering her arrival while I stood where I was.

A new member of the family. Terrific. What could be next?

* * * * * *

Tonight's dinner was just some type of mush with non-existent flavor, dehydrated apples, and fruits for a side, and an orange flavoring powder with our water. That mush was this smooth mess that coated the roof of my mouth, leaving me to try and use the drink to wash it down. Looking back down on the meal, I shoved it away and instead focused on the dehydrated fruits. Chewy and tough, swallowing them was a scratching pain that traveled down my throat from the apple skin. My whole squad seemed to think so as well. Made me wish for the apples back at the crash site. Still...I wonder-

"So..." Aviatrix tried to start a conversation, effectively derailing my mental analysis. "...what happened out there when we were foalsitting Singularity?"

I finished my glass and cleared a piece of apple skin scratching my throat uncomfortably. "Nothing. Nothing but a nut, a downed Vertibuck, and Muties."

Aviatrix nodded after finishing her fruits. "Seems like you all had a blast."

I smiled with sarcasm, "Oh yeah. They were nice." I flicked my head over to Typhoon with his head wrapped in beige cloth for his head wounds. “The nut prettied up Typhoon’s face.”

Typhoon chuckled a bit. “Yeah, he did that alright.” He took a big mouthful and a quick gulp of the mush and his face expressed slight disgust. He got back to the topic soon after, “Still, it’s nothing compared to what Ace brought with him.”

“Oh?” Aviatrix purposefully pried.

“The horde of Muties followed him,” I said. “You’ve seen them while you were up there. Never knew his pride can be that much of a beacon.”

Aviatrix giggled, giving a glowing smile as she shared eye contact with me. “They told me you saved somepony down there. That true?”

I was confused. Who told her that I was the one who rescued the- Typhoon’s looking at me that way again. Like he’s encouraging me to go on with...oh. Now I get it. So he’s trying to be a bud and make me go for it. Damn him.

In the midst of this inside realization, I was shaking my head and talking to myself. It didn’t take long for me to say something to kill the building mood. “I- uh,” Lost my train of thought. “ ‘hem. I...hmm,” I looked at her, “ to be completely honest, I thought Ace was going to force you to leave us when he got the chance.”

Subject change...Damn it. I got nothing else to say.

Aviatrix did notice the not-so-subtle subject change, but it looked like it didn’t bother her much. She smiled again this time a little more…Why was she looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face? “I wouldn’t leave you behind, Ward. I don’t think anypony should be left behind in anything.”

What? I’m getting some kind of vibe from that. Why am I getting swea-

"Putting that aside," Typhoon's voice came out of nowhere, mercifully ending the emotional toil. “how about we get Drift acquainted with her new assigned squad.” Typhoon turned his attention to Drift, who happened to be sitting right beside me. "You already know me, but I’ll introduce myself again. My name is Typhoon, I'm the Sergeant and leader of this little group."

He pointed a hoof over towards me, guiding Drift's attention to whoever he was pointing at. "That's Trade Wind. Our second in command and one of the more temperamental and reserved of us all."

"Just call me ‘Ward’." I sternly mentioned with venom. My tone immediately affected her, making her kind of keep her distance from me. It would take a while for her to get used to me. Typhoon tried explaining it to the rookie. He leaned in to make the gesture of sharing a secret with her, but only whispered loudly.

"We call him Wayward Wind, or ‘Ward’ for short,” Typhoon leaned over the table top. “He doesn’t like his real name," he said in a loud whisper. “Personal issues.”

"Oh." Drift softly exclaimed.

Typhoon pointed towards Fallstreak who was sitting to my right. "That charismatic looker's name is Fallstreak. He's our riflepony and a player."

Drift didn't exactly know what he meant by "player," only for Typhoon to nod slowly after the former shot a confused look. Drift immediately caught on and kept quiet with an awkward look on her face, chewing her lip slowly. I could feel Fallstreak's vibe from where I was sitting; he wanted her. Oh shit, he can't keep it in his barding. I kept him from making a scene by giving him a sharp nudge on his shoulder, calming him down for the moment; probably shouldn't have hit him that hard.

Typhoon went on with the introductions as he just finished introducing Loaded Gun to Drift and finally ended with the mare in front of me. "This is Aviatrix. I assume the two of you already met."

"She's a nice pegasus." Aviatrix lauded about Drift.

I couldn't help but notice their friendly conversation. " You all had a social hour out there?"

"Yup." Aviatrix agreed to my question without hesitation. Something was irking me in the back of my mind; I think I knew what it was.

"What time is it?" I asked with concern raising and my stomach slowly dropping with the anticipation for an answer.

Drift looked over to the Mess Hall entrance to gaze at a clock that stood over the frame. She squinted her eyes, then turned her head to give me an answer. "A quarter till eleven."

"Shit!" I exclaimed. I still need to deliver the payment. I got up from my seat and took my tray in my wing. “Typhoon, I'll be back. Don't wait up."

Typhoon gave a wave of the hoof as he let me go do what I needed to do. I nodded and turned tail towards the mess hall entrance. If I'm not too late I can make that payment before it starts to pile into a bill.

Dashing, half-gliding around corners, and walking when I needed too, I found myself in my barrack room. They were empty save for a few stragglers that just came from the showers.

I galloped through the room to the foot of my bed, opened the trunk, and search for my stash of ration cards in the disorderly mess from earlier today. I found them under my old rookie uniform in the far left corner of the trunk and pulled them out with my teeth. The small stack held together by a rubber band was still there. I set it on my bed and undid the band holding the stack together and spread them out to get a good glimpse at all of them. Only half of them were clean, and it was enough to pay him off; I thought I had more though.

Speaking of the cards, it’s hard to believe that this is our currency: a simple piece of paper that’s stamped for every meal breakfast, lunch, and dinner- one for each day. No more bronze bits, just these pieces of aged Pre-War that was made of something a little better than paper.

I gathered the unused ration cards and put away my semi stamped ones, using the same rubber band to keep the clean ones together. Before I slammed my trunk down, my eyes caught a glimpse of an old photograph tip waving at me from under my old cadet suit. I couldn’t help but just dig it out from under the old blue button shirt and out into the open. The old photograph was one that captured the moment of my graduation. Sort of a private squad photo if you will. It was me, Typhoon, Aviatrix, Loaded Gun and Fallstreak. It made me smile right now just seeing how happy we all were. How happy Aviatrix and Typhoon were putting their forelegs over my neck. It brought on feelings of longing seeing it...

“Fuck me!” I realized that I was getting distracted from looking at this thing and remembered I was on a tight schedule.

I shoved the photo into my current off-duty uniform and I darted out into the halls and headed to the Medical Wing as fast as my hooves and wings allowed. Hope I make it. I don’t want to have to come back with an awkward feeling grown in my gut.

* * * * * *

The cold release of relief came from my chest that they were still open. Not wanting to wait any longer, I burst through the sliding door as soon as it opened up enough for me to squeeze through. Some Medical staff were already looking like they were ready to head out with some of them walking past me and out the door. Ms. Perhelion was still working at the front desk, and my sudden introduction became one of the few things to actually pry her from her work in a surprising manner.

“Hello, Trade Wind,” she welcomed tiredly. I’m letting it slide, again. “What are you doing here?”

I threw the small stack on the desk in front of her to answer her question. It just so happened to slide a bit on the smooth countertop until it fell over on her side. She looked at the stack, and then up at me with a confused look.

"It's the copay." I clarified the sudden event with a yawn. "For Dr. Derecho."

She looked at the cards, counting inaudibly and setting them aside. "Dr. Derecho's at the Thunderhead at the moment, but I'll hold it for him till he gets back. He's running a little late."

"Thank you." I acknowledged, before turning myself in the opposite direction and out the doors. Finally, that building tension was off my chest. That’s one less thing to worry about, but now I see that I could’ve skipped all that. Reason being that I already had fresh ration cards in my coat from tonight’s mission. That deserves a facehoof and a frustrated sigh. Damn it!

“Hold on a second, Trade.”

Getting really tired of hearing that name. I sighed with minor annoyance and turned around to face her.

“Yes, Ms. Parhelion?” I answered with the same tone of annoyance in my voice.

“Are you feeling alright?” She asked from the desk.

“I’m just sleepy.” I answered while I rubbed my itchy tired eyes. “Nothing to worry about.”

“You look like you haven’t slept at all.” She pointed out with concern.

She was right on the ration cards. I haven’t slept in a while unless you count that small nap on the way back from the mission. Gave me a boost of alertness but it was short lived. “I haven’t. You’re right.”

“Why’s that?” She pried. “Can you sleep at all?”

Where is she going with this. This isn’t important. “What are...you getting at?”

“I can see if there’s something that can help you with that.”

I tilted my head, confused. “But you’re a receptionist. Don’t you need to be a doctor, or a nurse, or something like that to do...something like that?”

She gave me a look that told me I was ignorant of something. “I don’t only handle the paperwork you know?” She got up from her seat and stepped away from the reception desk and into the familiar hallway from this afternoon. “Come with me.”

Feeling like I’ve got no choice, I followed her. We ended up at the end of the hallway where she took a card from under her coat and slid it through the control panel. The red light turned green followed by a mechanical beep and thud. The door opened, revealing a small little storage space with racks on each side of the small room. Small bottles were neatly organized in little groups with small paper cards listing them down each rack. She stepped in and looked around for a bit, adjusting her glasses after every glance at the racks. Finally, she found what she was looking for: a particular small little bottle with an aged yellow label on it.

“Here we are,” she said before turning to me with the pills in her hoof. I autonomically let held out a hoof and she dropped the bottle. The pills rattled when they landed right in the center. “Take one before you go to bed with some water. Be careful, they’re strong.”

I don’t know how I feel about this. I’ve had Insomnia for a while, and I’ve been good at hiding it from them- my squad being the only exception. I’ve learned to live with it. But now that I’ve got these...I’m just not comfortable with it for some reason.

“I can’t take these.” I diffidently said. I made a point by extending my hoof to Parhelion. “Thanks. But I can go without them.”

“I insist, Trade.” She told me reassuringly before slowly pushing my hoof back to me. “Sleep is essential to the body. Too much of too little sleep can have detrimental effects on the mind and physical body.”

I lowered my gaze and hung my head slightly in defeat. I don’t need them. I don't want them. I don’t need her help. This is my problem.

“Just take them,” she persisted kindly. “Don’t worry about paying for them. I’ll also fill out a prescription form, so the Security Force doesn’t think you stole them.”

Alright. You win. “Fine.” I said in defeat. I took the pills and shoved them into one of my pockets. I let Ms. Parhelion get out of the storage and she beckoned me silently to follow her back to the reception area.

“Let me just fill out the paperwork, then-”

The lights went out, killing Ms. Perhelion’s words with them. At first I thought somepony up front closed the lights on us, but that was dismissed when the subtle hum of power in the nearby walls died out as well. I looked up in pitch black darkness, unsure of what just happened.

There’s a strange change, or "shift," in the environment here in the bunker. It's not that same cold, mundane feeling that I'm familiar with growing up. There's just something different about it. It's like a bad itch that can't be scratched because you can't determine where it is on you. The more I walk up the flight of stairs and down the narrow halls to my barracks, the heavier both this environment and my eyes feel.

The lit halls shut off instantaneously, bringing my walk to a sudden stop. The familiar humming of the cooling unit and air filtration powered down. I couldn't see anything beyond me, and trying to use the wall as a guide was hard enough as I almost fell over a couple of times trying to put my weight on the non-existent surfaces. I could hear Ms. Parhelion panicking a little bit.

“Trade, are you there!?” I heard her call from the front of me. Then I felt her hoof swiftly brush right across my lip. Any closer and she would’ve swatted me hard.

“Right behind you.” I responded. I felt a breeze come around my right side. Must’ve swung a hoof around after hearing me. “Must be a power outage or something.” I felt myself look up again. Please turn back on.

The lights flickered on in a low power amber color. The halls were tinted with that same color, as well as Ms. Parhelion who adjusted her glasses as she faced me. She looked up at the low powered lights.

“That’s odd.” She remarked up at the lights. She caught me looking at her with a confused expression. “Power outage isn’t something that has happened. At least not yet.”

Her saying that made me think there’s a first time for anything to happen. I never thought I’d see beyond the mountains around us and look what happened. I will admit I was disappointed in what I saw. But this is all besides the point. Right now I want to know what the fuck just happe-

The alarm went off. Crying an eerie sound from the walls. The emergency lights in some parts of the wall began to flash white. Fire Drill? The intercom system pierced through the shrill cry of the alarms:

CODE: RED! CODE: RED! FIRE DETECTED IN MAINTENANCE LEVEL E-1! PLEASE SEAL ALL DOORS AND TAKE COVER! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! THIS IS NOT A-

The voice went silent after the sound of the mic blowing out cut it short. Even if she didn’t finish, she said plenty to tell whoever was left in the bunker that something just happened.

Code: Red? Shit. Somepony made a mistake.

There was a muffled blast. Not soon after, a very sharp blast of hot air filled the corridor and the pipes overhead began to rattle subtly. Then there was a thunderous and crackling sound coming from the front door in the reception area. We could hear it from all the way back here. At first, I was glad the door was closed, but then...

The rattling overhead caught both of our attention. The sound it was making grew with intensity until the support clamps started to fail. The pipes intensity was coming from farther down the line, and I could see a part of the pipes start to swell with metallic pops. Then there was the sound of hissing coming from down there, making the two of us backpedal a bit.

The hissing intensified, and then it blew in a blazing cloud of orange heat and smoke. The worst part was that it wasn’t short-term, and the flames began to fill the corridor as the rest of the pipes started to burst violently with fire.

I turned sharply to the Storage room. No pipes seemed to run through there. And since the doors are hermetically sealed it’s our best bet. I jumped for Parhelion (startling her in the process as she froze), bit into her sleeve and pulled her ahead of me.

"Go!" I shouted as the explosions intensified behind us. I looked back at the fires and they were now ten feet away from us. “Get the storage room open! Now!”

The flames were getting awfully close, and the last pop from the pipes brought the wall of flames too close. My face was burning from the extreme heat, and I can feel the fur singe and my skin peel with every waft of the superheat. I tried using my wings to shield myself from it though it did little to help with the discomfort. Then another explosion happened in a nearby room.

“It’s open!” I heard her cry from behind. “Get in!”

Soon as I heard that, I bolted for the open door. Soon as I did, the door closed and the pipes on the other side exploded. The contents of the storage room shook to every explosion happening on the other side of the door. The lone light flickered up top and stabilized its amber glow. The last big one knocked out the power completely and we were in the dark. In this small damn room with an aged pegasus.

"What the fuck just happened!?" I thought out loud to Parhelion. Trying to think of an explanation, I could only think that it came from the maintenance levels. It couldn’t have been the reactor, we would’ve been wiped off the map. The pipes blowing up tell me that somepony might have ruptured the old fuel lines running throughout the bunker.

“Calm down, Trade,” Parhelion said. “This is probably some accident that happened.”

Some accident? "No. It can't be an accident! This is too big for an accident!" I debated with her. I can’t hold it in. I’m shocked as much as I’m afraid. It doesn't help that this place is small. It's too small! It's too small!

“Please calm down.” She insisted worrily. “This room has no vents and that door behind you is probably airtight. We have little breathable air for now.”

Took me a while to realize it, but it was true. Without an air vent in this room, and a hermetic door in times of emergency, we have little to breathe. Without the vent, you could also say it was becoming like an oven in here.

With what little reason was still in me, I tried clearing my mind. “Ok. Ok. I’m fine.” I reassured her, taking as small of breaths as possible. “Need to think about this.”

I honestly didn’t know what to think. As I mentioned before, this is too big to be called an accident. I know Maintenance has it bad sometimes, but I’d think it never be this bad. Sure maybe a short circuit or low water pressure, maybe, but this? Hell, what do I know? What do I know, indeed.

* * * * * *

I sat there in the room. Thinking. Waiting. It had been half an hour already, I think, and the air was already beginning to get stale. Parhelion had hoped for a rescue operation, but so far we’ve heard nothing. It’s hot as hell in here, and I tried to ignore it by thinking of something else. I began wondering. Wondering how much of the bunker has been hit. How many dead? Even who.

My family… Those words began to echo in my head. Creating a burning pit in my stomach. My squad. What if they didn’t make it out? What if they’re trapped somewhere? What if...No, no more waiting around. I won’t.

I got up from the right wall and moved to the control panel. There’s always an override function on these things, and it was in the form of a switch behind the terminal. All I needed to do was open the front panel and find it on the right side of the space. Gotta give credit to the makers of this bunker, and the Emergency Protocol Staff for teaching the basics back in class. As I moved in to switch it, a hoof came around from my left and held it back from touching.

“Trade, what’re you doing?”

The moment is too dire for me. I need to tell her. “ My squad is out there. I need to go find them.”

“Listen to me, Trade.” She said. “I understand your concerns, but going out there in that heat? Even if I do let you go, the Carbon Monoxide levels in the smoke are probably high. Asthma, Pulmonary Hypertension, and suffocation is a possibility. Not to mention the radiation if this is a reactor problem.”

“Like that’s any different from waiting in here!” I yelled. “I’d rather take my chances out there than in here. Nothing will stop me from making sure they’re alright.” I might sound like a lunatic right now, but I’m willing to take the risk. But then looking back at her made me feel terrible. I’m leaving somepony as old as her here. Alone. I can’t leave her here, so I extended the invitation. “Come with me.”

“I…” I hear her hesitate. “ I-I can’t.” She looked away from me. “I’m old; not as young as I used to be.”

I had the largest pit start to grow in my stomach on top of the other pit that was already there. Hearing her say that was almost like being on the verge of hopelessness. I felt terrible, but my squad...so many conflicting feelings and priorities. My squad? Or the elderly? My squad? The elderly? My...

I’m hating myself for being tugged into the middle like a stupid rope game. I want to bang my head on the wall just to stop the building tension, then wonder if it was worth the massive bump I’d give myself. Would be easier if I wasn’t so fucking tired! Damn it!

I tried to think rationally about this. And when the idea came to mind, I only hoped that I can follow through with it. I looked back again at Ms. Parhelion to see her wrinkled face staring back at me. I placed a hoof over the switch.

“Chances are no other pony knows we’re down here,” I told her as I watched my hoof flip the switch. “Somepony’s gotta make sure they know there are.” I turned back to her and gave her the best reassuring smile the situation called for. “I’ll come back. With help. I promise.”

I saw her nod slightly with her lips curling into worried expressions. “Ok.” She said with a deep smile. “Please. Don’t be long. I’ll be waiting.”

I gave a confident nod and looked back at the controls. Now I wasn’t so sure about opening the door. What if the fire just rushes in? What if it’s too hot to even move? No. I’ve committed to doing it. I won’t go back on that now.

A hot, black flash of smoke leaked through and then exploded briefly into the storage room once the door opened. Coughing violently to the plumes I quickly jumped through the open door and closed it behind me.

The room was bathed in crackling amber light with a thick blanket of smoke hugging the ceiling. My eyes were watering and it was hard to breathe. The halls were now stained in the same smoldering black, and the fire lined the edges of the walls, occasionally spitting out of the blown pipes overhead. If there is a hell, then I’d think this is what it looks like.

“I can’t stop now.”

I was breathing in the smoke by the dozen, and even using my wings didn’t seem to help any better. My suit felt heavy and disgusting as sweat began soaking it, and the soot clinging to it in every way it could. Walking over fire and through flying embers, I walked out of the clinic and was now in the equally hellish hallways of the bunker.

Through watery and burning eyes, I pushed towards the familiar flight of stairs now lined with crackling and spitting fire. At first, I tried dashing through it, but as soon as my sleeves caught fire I spread my wings and dashed up instead. No matter how I traversed the stairs, something on me caught fire and burned; first my front hooves and sleeves, and now the tips of my dark cerulean wings. Soon as I reached the top and was in the clear from nearby fires, I worked hard to put the fires out.

I stepped on something that let out a very crisp crunch when I finished putting out the last flame. Looking down at what it was I was in my own realm of horror to find that I stood on a leg that had disintegrated under my hoof as soon as my hoof unknowingly made contact with it. Wiping the ashes from my hoof, I found it belonged to a blackened pegasus that was still burning from the wings up. Their face was frozen in a state of agony and their hooves were curled up into the air as if trying to grasp something before dying. Every feature that made it easy to recognize the pegasus was gone. Hair and feather were burned off; skin looked like some type of over treated leather; bones were as frail as paper. By this point, they are nothing but frail, undisturbed ashes. By this point, I was disgusted and shocked that the soot I’m breathing in and coughing out could also be pegasus.

There will be time for some mourning. But now I know won’t be the time. I have some ponies to see. And I hope to my deepest thoughts and emotions that they’re alright.

Keeping them in mind as my main drive, I braved through the fires ahead and avoided oncoming explosions to get to the mess. My fear and anxiety grew every time I passed a twisted black corpse. If I had a ration card for every corpse there was while I kept on the move, I’d need a second trunk for the ration cards only.

Soon I found myself in the nearly unfamiliar door to the mess hall. My doubt that it wasn’t the right door cleared when I kicked in the override and saw what was inside. It was empty. This room was just full a while ago and now nopony’s here. Nothing but a large burning room with heated metal tables and seats with blackened trays and melted plastic sitting on top of them. That in itself lifted the fear off my chest. It gave me hope that they made it after I saw our table empty and no charred bodies.

I remembered. He said the barracks. Typhoon said to see them at the barracks. Knowing him, he’d be quick to lock the door. Maybe they’re all there. I hope I’m right. I hope to whoever that I’m fucking right.

My coughing was getting worse and the air was getting thicker. My body felt disgusting and sticky under the nylon. My eyes were watering and my mouth was drying up. The heat was killing me fast, and that was enough to tell me that I still had a job to do. I need to find them. I need to find help.

I went out the way I came and took a left. I thought that if I could make it to the back door, I could have a chance of getting to the Cloudship. Maybe even a rescue team. I hope to the heavens that I come across at least one squad.

I continued to trek through the fires and nearly froze when I heard screams over the crackling fires followed by the familiar sound of energy discharge. All hope of finding a rescue team seemed to dwindle with the scream; uncertainty over the energy discharge sounds rose. What are they shooting at?

Keeping on the side of caution, I followed the sounds of despair and discharge while battling the increasing elements of the burning bunker. My coughing was much more severe, and I began feeling sluggish because of the grim buildup all over me. What I’d kill for a shower after this.

Came to another 4-way intersection, and I listened for the commotion for earlier before letting out another hoarse cough.

"There he is! Take 'em down!" Came a voice from the corridor to my right. A symphony of high and low energy discharges followed- one coming out of the dark and nearly taking my head hadn’t fatigue been there to drop me in time.

There was a scream, followed by a spine chilling crunch that was louder than the fires near me. As the discharges faded, the screams began to stack. Soon, the last voice abruptly cut off and the fires were all I heard.

I didn’t know what to do. Should I run? Should I go help? I need the help, but what was in the dark corridor to snuff the screams? I don’t know what I need to do. I’m too fatigued to think straight.

My ears twitched. Moans. Moans coming from the corridor before. A survivor. Maybe...just maybe…

I got up from the burning floor and sluggishly walked towards the moaning. What am I doing? Why am I going towards danger? I know the answer...and it’s a sacrifice worth taking. There’s more at stake for me.

The stretching corridor lit in amber light and distorted by thick smog was quiet. I stopped some ways down to clear my ears of rushing hot wind and listened for the moans. There weren’t any. Where did it go? My answer came in the form of a clasping hoof to my right leg, sending me flying up, literally, surprised. Then I saw who did it...oh fuck...OH FUCK!

He had no more wings, only bloodied stumps of bone and blood coming out of his back that gleamed in the dim light. His suit was ruined with wet crimson. His gas mask was fogged over and shattered. No more working back legs, only meat and stringy nerves holding onto his dragging, dismembered, and detached limbs. He was just a torso, neck and forehooves stretching for me in a slow, painful pace with periods of whimpering and low sobs.

“H-h-h-help me!” He screamed in pain before dropping his hoof and dragging his wet mangled body towards me. “Help me!” He sobbed.

Fear began to waft over me, and the metallic clunk from up ahead was enough to send me backpedaling by wing, then by hoof once I touched the ground. I looked back down at the pegasus still reaching for me, crying and pleading for me to take him. What good would it do? He won’t make it. That’s too much blood, and the trail will lead what’s down there towards me.

Thunderous steps began to creep closer in the thick smoke and fear was wafting harder on me. I looked back down at the pleading, crying pegasus. “I’m sorry.”

I bolted in the opposite direction away from the thundering steps heading for me. The doomed half scream and half cry of the pegasus echoed through the halls and gave chase. My heart sank and my stomach turned in guilt as he did. Damn it!

Back at the 4-way intersection, I was literally at a hazy crossroads to what I needed to do next. The thunderous steps were still echoing through the halls behind me, and it became clear to what I needed to do: I need to hide. I looked around me and tried to find something to hide behind. My eyes focused on a pile of burning crates on a trolley to my right. Seemed large enough to hide behind, and continuing to hear the steps closing in told me I didn’t have a choice anymore.

I ducked behind the crates and waited. The steps got closer…

...closer…

...closer…

...stop.

The pace stopped. Was whatever it is gone? I have to check. I peeked around the side of the nearest fallen crate and saw a figure standing in the intersection. It was wearing Enclave Power Armor, but couldn’t tell who it belonged to. They were also carrying something in its mouth (through the open respirator was my guess on the subject), and just standing there. Eerily. What were they doing?

They made a movement like they were sniffing the air. When their nose went as high as it could he relaxed and it slowly descended. They slowly panned the vicinity; first away from me, and then my heart jumped when his head cocked sharply in my direction.

I held my breath when I ducked behind cover. My heart was pounding out of its chest. I was uncomfortable from both the need to wet myself and the fact that I feel like I took a shower in the cesspool with some kind of smoke fragrance.

Keep calm. Keep calm. I had to control myself, and breathing slowly and quietly was the only way I knew how. It’s like the free fall exercise back in training. Don’t think about what bothers you and go for it.

Breath in...Hold...Exhale...

Breath in...Hold...Exhale…

It had been quiet for a while now, and the anxiety was killing me. That pegasus was patient. Too eerily patient. Every time I peeked around the edge of the crates they were still there. I didn’t know what they were doing, or why but they were just...standing there.

They moved. They were gone with a loud thumping and a firm, unemotional stride down the hall in front of them. I waited till the echoing stomps vanished out of earshot; only then was it safe to come out of hiding.

I walked out cautiously to the intersection and peeked down the corridor he disappeared off to. I soon wasted no time darting back down the corridor I fled from. Not like I have a choice, really. If there are more of those thing, I’d feel safer with a weapon. Those discharges from earlier told me they were some down here.

The corridor took a drastic change. I recently passed a body, pressed up against the wall and now resting at the low corner of said wall; blood painting a crimson waterfall right over it. Blood was splattered over the burnt murals. Then the sight of blood was changed into the sight of more meat and bodies. There were plasma-looking puddles that swirled a glowing greenish color in the gleaming crimson puddles nearby and over stray bodies I began coming across. What the...

I knew I made it when I heard and felt a disgusting squelch under my hooves. Looking down...I really wish I didn’t. Blood. So much of it! I was stepping in a wet, soft, and chunky blanket. I was standing on somepony.

This whole area was a disgusting gorefest. The blood had stoaked some of the nearby fires, and now the area smelled like death. This was the source of the noise from earlier. They were all mutilated beyond recognition. I retched. Hard. Then my dinner came back full force at a nearby wall that I used to brace the shock I was feeling.

“Fuckfuckfuckfuck!” was all that came out of me after I threw up the leftovers. I took another deep, shuddering breath (practically breathing in the throw up that was streaming from my nose), and tried to collect myself. “Don’t panic. Keep strong. You have somepony depending on you.” Who the fuck am I trying to kid! This is the first time I see something like this and I’m wishing I didn’t!

Breath in…Hold...Exhale…

Breath in...Hold...

“This isn’t working!” I screamed in a blind panic, punching the wall to relieve the building tension. “Weapon. Weapon weapon.” I looked around for one amongst the corpses. The red meat. The mush. I got my hooves sticky with blood when I kept finding broken energy pistols. Soon I found one still being clamped down by a severed and heavily smashed in head.

I used a hoof to knock the pistol out of its maw and it slid across the slick surface into something I knew wasn’t a thick wet support band to the blown pipe overhead. I picked it up before getting out and away from the mess. The imagery will fuck my mind up more than it already has.

I didn’t pick it up yet. Not till I finish cleaning off the blood with my uniform. As I did, I realized that my stained hoof was glowing in spots and smears. I stopped cleaning to examine it. Looked like plasma, but it wasn’t burning. Raw plasma has been known to be corrosive on organic material; said to burn like molten lava. But this wasn’t. Could it be the blood that dumbed it down? Asking that made me think back to the weapons back at the blood zone. I don’t remember seeing any plasma weapons. So what is it?