The plan

It was both horrifying and wonderful at once, and in very extreme ways. She really didn't know what to think of it.

Her mother was alive. 'Well... as far as alive goes...' Logical Lexi struggled in the neutral group as the other Lexis either recoiled in horror of the dehydrated meat thing in front of her that wore her mother's face. But the third group rejoiced that some part... an important part of the old Equestria was here, alive, just for her.

"Mom!" She struggled not knowing if she would hug the rotting mare or if she would fall apart if touched. The answer was a soft pleasant yet very unpleasant hug from Moondancer.

"Wait... mother? Moondancer, this is your daughter? What the flying fuck?" Arctic Star's normally quite calm and classy collected expression seemed to strain heavily with surprise.

"Yes, this is my daughter Lexicon... how.. I... Lexi... how did... what's going on?" The Unicorn Ghoul looked over Lexi as if she was caught in a dream and desperately trying to prove to herself she wasn't asleep.

"My Stable froze me.... I'm here now. I was found by these Griffons, Croce and Oso. They've been protecting me and I've been helpi... trying to help them with this super secret plan no one has told me anything about."

Moon dancer squinted her eyes, Lexi could almost see the little Moondancers in the mare's eyes working away. "Froze you?... why? that makes no sense at all. Why freeze you when they could easily put you in magical suspended animation? Why use clearly inferior technology?" The concern worked through her somewhat lack of features until the joy of reuniting started to push back into her.

"I don't know..." Lexi's mind spun, she had hardly thought about that herself. 'And moreover, why freeze or suspend anyone? The Stables were for keeping the generations safe and healthy so they could return to rebuild Equestria. Especially when so many of the occupants hadn't made it in before the bombs dropped. They had 170 years to get their population up so they had enough horsepower to make a safe and stable effort on the surface. Why just freeze them and let time pass?' The Lexis babbled amongst each other for a while before it was filled under 'Need's more data'. She just turned back to her mother.

"I don't know what in the moon damned world happened, but at least I can see you again..." Moondancer's tone was surprisingly warm and she seemed on the brink of weeping. It was a little odd for her mother. She was always almost emotionless save for her undying hate for anything with a penis. She had her moments, like reading stories to a young Lexi, or during graduation. But she had always been coldly logical. But all things considered, this was a welcome change for the better, at least as far as she could tell.

"Mom... what happened? All I remember was your message, and I ran for the Stable..." She pushed away the other details which threatened to surface and pressure her already rather fragile emotional state even further.

Moondancer took a moment looking around her softly. One of the other ghouls suddenly chuckled and spouted. "Yeah... tell her..."

Moondancer shook her head. "It's... complicated, I... I thought the world was ending, well... I knew the world was ending, so I did the one thing I always wanted to do but knew I would have been arrested for if I had under any other circumstance."

Lexi nearly winced. She knew exactly where this was going. The big taboo subject, one of them at least. The only two things Lexi knew to never ask her mother was about the Ministry Mare Twilight, and her own father.

Feeling the cringe and listening to the groan, Croce leaned in. "Don't mean to intrude, but... I am kinda curious.. what's this big bad thing you're winging about?"

Lexi looked to Croce then back to her mother before standing straighter and leveling her eyes with her mother. "You killed him didn't you?"

Moondancer sighed and nodded as the same ghoul from before loudly laughed before spouting. "Shot him right in the face as we were starting up towards the Stable. Caused such an uproar, we missed our ride and were left outside. There was 40 of us... 41 if you counted that sleazy asshole.... and of those, 12 survived before we managed to meet up with other members of the Ministry and all together we formed D.E.R.P."

Lexi didn't know what to say, thankfully Moondancer made it easier. "That weight off my chest, brought a whole new set of problems... but... I didn't and still don't regret it. But after nearly 200 years I've come to terms with a lot of things, I've changed... a lot. But..." She looked down before shaking her head roughly. "No... it's all fine, and... I never dreamed I would ever get you back, the only thing I did right, you... my little Lexi.."

Lexi was taken aback at the sheer emotion flowing from her mother. But it made sense, 170 years would certainly change a pony. No matter who it was or what happened to them, change would be certain. She moved to speak again but Croce broke the awkward silence.

"Your dad? or...." He gestured with his talons as if juggling the subject not knowing just how sensitive it was.

"Yes..." Moon dancer answered with distain clear in her voice. But to Lexi's surprise, she kept going. " Back when I was young and stupid, and the war was just starting up. A piece of shit earth pony played me like a harp trying to get to know ponies in higher and higher places. He was good looking and charismatic... and thirsty for power. And me like an idiot believed every word out of his stupid mouth. And I ended up a single mother with him as a boss until he fucked his way into an even higher position and well... I had the last laugh. But still... it's been a rather ugly mark on my life for quite some time."

The ghoul from before chuckled patting her back. "Yeah, he fucked me too... literally and metaphorically" He shook his head as his laughter died. "I'm not much one for enjoying violence, but I couldn't help but laugh when you put that slug between his eyes."

A twinkle of interest, surprise, and possibly even arousal showed in the young griffon's eyes, hinting at other things about the mercenary. "Interesting to say the least... I'm just kinda... surprised. But hey, the wastes are full of funky surprises." Croce chuckled. "It's crazy shit like this that sparks random cults and religions. It's all bullshit but fuck if it ain't interesting."

Lexi pondered on it, a one in a trillion chance that even one of them between her and her mother would survive the end of the world, another obscene percentage that they would be alive and kicking this long after the world ended, and another that they would run into each other, and another that they would both be working on the same project. She could almost see how religions or cults could be built off of such impossible odds or coincidences. But after waking up in a Stable like she did and after everything she suffered through until now, she wasn't too surprised by it.

There was a sudden flash of grave concern on her mother's face as something came back to her. "Wait... you're a part of this group..." She whirled on Oso almost aggressively. "That alcoholic piece of shit Tyrin hasn't touched her has he?!"

Oso's talons came up quickly as with a sudden desire to calm her down, showing her the empty palms and he slowly opened his mouth. "I'm doing my best, and I've protected her as best as I can so far, and I have no intention to stop protecting her. She's actually proven to be very useful. Her knowledge of prewar systems and her part in the M.O.T. has gotten us very far. Enough to say that she likely has even saved me once or twice."

Moondancer kept her aggressive gaze centered on him for a moment before calming herself. "Alright, but I don't want him touching her. That fucked up pile of feathers and shit is hard enough to deal with."

Lexi shivered. "Wait... I know he's...well... difficult to deal with but... what exactly did he do to earn so much hate?"

Half the ponies looked a touch upset while the other half nearly sputtered trying to hide laughter. But it was Artic Star who spoke up. "He's a religious fanatic, a zealot and a half. He's got this crazed psychoses about Luna. He's been that way since way before the war. But after the bombs, it got ten times as bad. And he seems to view even the LIGHTEST of hesitation wise or not as some sort of heretical cowardice punishable by death. Especially when some of us want to be cautious and work in the basis of reality, he seems to have some rather.... unpleasant words for those of us who desire to work with such care and aren't willing to throw away our lives for nothing but the mere chance of progress."

Lexi gawked and couldn't help but step back for a moment. "I... did not get that feeling from him... I figured he was just a drunk asshole."

Oso nodded and gave his few words. "Yeah, he's that too." The majority of the ghouls too nodded.

Croche chuckled. "Oh... that does explain a bit. I've seen how aggressive he is, I can see where that kind of concern is coming from."

"Yes, and we've heard much more. But it would be irresponsible to pass on such unconfirmed information."

"I don't get it..." Lexi grumbled before Moondancer's hoof patted her gently on the head.

"Good, hopefully you never get to or have to confirm it." Moondancer stood straight and turned about clearing her throat firmly. "But if my daughter is a part of this, I want her to know what's going on. This is a big issue, bigger than anything in Equestrian history. If she's a part of it, she deserves to know."

Both Artic Star and Oso shared a glance and started up with soft gestures, clearly not wanting to be the one who confronted her.

In the end Artic Star lost and regained his composure as best as he could. "She will know, eventually at least. But not right now. I know you're eager to show love you lost out on, but we have procedures for this."

"Oh who the hell is she going to tell?" The tone of Moondancer's voice barked sharply sparking emotional fires within Lexi.

"If she's a part of Tyrin's little order, then she's technically a field agent, field agents can be captured, they can be tortured, they can spill secrets." Artic's eyes narrowed looking over his subordinate. "And I know you've done much for us, but you are not in a position to make such demands. If that drunk zealot wants to tell her, he can. But until then we stick to operational security. And the mission is NEED TO KNOW... which she currently doesn't"

Moondancer grumbled loudly and huffed as one who had rank, but not quite enough rank to do EVERYTHING she wanted.

"I will bring it up with Tyrin, and if he refuses to deal with it then I personally will bring her to Earl where we both will brief her." Oso's eyes displayed his best calming 'I'll take care of it' glance.

"Alright, you had better." She grumbled almost looking for something motherly to do or say, but nothing came up.

"Very well, we are done for now. You go figure out whatever your group has to do next. In the meantime...." Artic breathed in, settling himself and turned to Moon dancer. "We have a LOT to do."

There was an odd tenseness but it quickly melted away to the tedious work and professionalism that the ghouls preferred despite looking like dried meat in Lexi's eyes. Her inner conflict nearly imploded when Moondancer pulled her in and gave her a soft kiss on the head before wheeling about and facing Oso. "YOU... make sure she comes back. I am all in on the project, it is more important than anything... but make no mistake, I love my daughter and if she doesn't come back, I'll find some way to carve off your dick!"

The massive Griffon looked down at her before Lexi had a chance to try and object, but to her surprise, Oso smiled and nodded. "I would be concerned if you didn't have that intention when it came to protecting family."

Her mind churned, full of an almost dreamlike state. Her mother was alive, and she could always come back and see her. At least she told herself she could. But logical Lexi gumbled on about just how much say she had in what the group did.

The others seemed satisfyingly surprised and happy with her retelling of the story, only stopping once or twice to confirm with Oso as Croce just perched up high and kept a lookout, not that he was the kind of bird to get caught up in the group's talks unless it was about something he firmly had an opinion about.

"Oh... juicy!!! I only wish I could have been there." Reaper's wings fluttered in some sort of excited dance.

Logical Lexi took in the sight with interest, Reaper was a whole other thing that all Lexi's had a shared interest in, a little more so for logical Lexi in just what about this hell hole that the world transmuted into over her icy sleep that could create something so dangerous, yet borderline asinine in how quirky, silly, and utterly flippant he was. But for once, Lexi closed her eyes and shook her head to silence the gaggle of Lexis trying to dissect the Pegasus.

"Well love, I'd say that'd be hard te believe, but I think we're a wee bit past that no?" Fobwatch chuckled as if he just bathed in the aura of the situation. Despite his words, he didn't seem surprised, but happy at the gravity of the coincidence of running into her mother. Lexi could almost picture him somehow having known. But that was even crazier.

"Do you think Tyrin will say anything?" A little overwhelmed, Lexi directed the talk back towards the current objective of reaching the old Griffon.

"No, he's seen a great deal. And he's very selective about the things he cares about." Oso mumbled as he rigged himself up to the cart.

Upon Lexi's request, they wouldn't be flying, but they would still be using the old cart. Ten to twenty meters up wouldn't cause her to hyperventilate and panic to death, and after some talk of welding locking points where she could all but be made one with the deck plating. She found herself willing to step into the cart again. But not quite yet.

Oso let out a soft curse as the cart sputtered and he yanked open one of the maintenance panels as Fobwatch closed in and took a look as well. Lexi was close to coming over and seeing if she could learn anything about it before talons clamped over her tail and almost painfully pulled her back.

She was surprised to see Croce sitting impatiently with Reaper.

"Aye mudpony, we gotta talk... and before you ask, fruitcake here is present because while I fucking hate him, I know he's a lot smarter than he seems and I agree with him on a lot of things, I'm just not as willing to spend my life so fucking easily..." He had to pause with his gesturing thumb to swat at Reaper who tried to take the opportunity to mouth the digit playfully.

"Hee hee! oh dear, come on now, what's life without a little chance and gambling?... oh and yeah, cherry pone, it is kinda important. Especially if what my lovely little birby here says was accurate" His playfully bobbing form slowly came to be still and his smile faded a little. "We both think that this is... well stupidly dangerous. Not the secret agent work and battles and whatnot... Tyrin... we want you to consider your position here specifically in regards to the old grumpy birb. Trust me, I might be a loose whore who doesn't even need to be paid, but I got a gift with ponies and the like. I know when something is dangerous, and that guy... I mean you saw what he did back up North... and I'm not quite surprised by what Croce tells me he just found out."

Lexi opened her mouth as various Lexis moved in to make a play at what could be a good take on the situation before a set of talons clamped her snout shut. "If you heard the old Ghoul when he was going on about Tryin... not the whole part about how much he didn't like him.... He said, Tyrin was 'like that before the bombs' and got worse after. I don't know if this is some sort of slip up. But that fucker is CLEARLY not normal, and so far we've seen him use that weird power, eat the flesh right off a pony, and he is CLEARLY willing to kill just about anything. To put it bluntly... we are in WAY over our heads."

The talons came off her snout and she slowly nodded. "I... I didn't really catch that when he said it. But... yeah, I do agree. But, I've been in over my head since I closed my eyes nearly two hundred years ago. And think about it. I don't really know what weight fate has in your beliefs, but... there's been so many coincidences so wildly just... out there. I've been saved I lost count how many times by you guys, we've fought Sombra and got out alive, I found my mom... and if that scroll really was as big as they seem to think... I just... I get the feeling like I'm supposed to be here, I'm supposed to be here, and doing all of this... I mean I'm not gonna argue that Tyrin scares the hell out of me, and I'm nothing even approaching safe around him. But all I can feel is that this is my place. And while he is terrifying and dangerous, his existence is amazing and interesting. I can't help but want to know more." The Lexis cooed in agreement to the contrary of a few in desperate urgency to flee and find a hole to hide in and pretend that this all has been a dream and sleep until she woke up and everything was back the way it was before the world ended.

Her and the Lexis all together flinched and sputtered as talons atop her head announced Croce's impatience. And just on queue, the Talons tilted her head so her eyes peered directly into his. "Yes yes... curiosity, have you heard that thing about curiosity and cats? I am sworn to protect you, and I'm not gonna lie. I honestly feel like knocking you out, throwing you over my shoulder and protecting you very very very far away from that freak."

"Just promise us that you'll be wary of it all cherry pone, you've entertained me a LOT, and I'd be very sad to see you torn apart by that mean ole birb. But yeah, we gotta make up our minds and get back to it before Oso finds the silicone dildo I clogged the gearboxes with." He patted her on the head gently with a smile before he stretched, turned a quick 360 and fluttered his way off towards the air cart.

"I'm dead serious Mud pony... I don't wanna die, and despite how I treat you, I don't want you to die either.... now lets get back. Just promise to be careful." He ruffled her mane and ears before starting off back towards the cart.

The trip back to the temporary HQ was relatively silent, at least after Reaper made a big show of 'trying to find' his toy and being yelled at by Oso.

The concern about Tyrin was a very real one, that Logical Lexi chewed on for a long while. Lexi herself was thankful of how it took her mind off the fact that she was flying. But the conundrum did something odd.

Logical Lexi was most often, cautious, and wary of dangers. But as if it were physically painful, there was not a single Lexi within her that wanted to dismiss the mystery of Tyrin, but the threat that was Tyrin, the danger was an outrageous and endless subject that they could not let go.

Logical Lexi simply couldn't decide between her curiosity and her caution. The debate within made Lexi step back and wonder if perhaps 'logical' Lexi was less so Logical and more so just the side of her she valued the most. But she shook herself out of it realizing that if she put any more into her imaginary personifications of values and aspects of her own existence, she would likely just spontaneously develop more worrisome signs of schizophrenia.

Out of the corner of her eye, a flashing light grabbed her attention and she turned to it. She didn't instantly recognize the device, but was fairly sure it was one of Fobwatch's. She gave him a nudge and pointed to the little device set in the cart.

"Not mine love... but we might as well." Despite the shifting cart riding the currents, he pressed the small light with a hoof with relative ease and his horn glowed firmly as a previously unspotted nob turned. "It's a radio, and she's clearly set to alert the previous crew of... well... alerts..."

"Alerts?" She questioned as she took the opportunity to distract herself and learn something new.

"Yes, well... there's a lot of technical words and phrases for it, but basically, if you got something to tell someone, and you can't do it privately. You send out a short radio burst of information. Just enough to get a message across, but not enough for people you don't want up in your business to know just what you're doing or need to communicate. Used to use em myself back... well back a ways."

"Oh, that does make sense, we did kinda take this from some... rather cloak and dagger types." She smiled listening as the channels shifted.

"No, really we took it from someone who sadly was working with some cloak and dagger types. But the burst is pretty constant and well, they don't own the radio waves. There's nothing to even imply that this message is for the poor souls who didn't quite make it back from the North like we did.

A small hiss of static cut off as a series of sharp beeps that almost sound like a pattern. But it was a bit too fast for her. However, it was not too fast for Croce who leaned in. He had decided not to fly outside, and spend the trip closer to the danger magnet that Lexi apparently was to him. "Code Gray? Never heard that one before." He looked to Fobwatch as if he might have the answer, but the only answer he got was a simple shrug.

There was a distant noise like Oso saying something. But it was vaguely under his breath and he was up front pulling the cart. but this registered to Lexi a bit stronger due to the cart suddenly and violently turning to the sound of Oso repeating himself much more loudly.

"FUCKING HELL TYRIN!"

Footnote: No level achieved

But hey, you didn't die yet.

This fanfiction is based on Fallout Equestria by Kkat, Fallout Equestria Pink Eyes by Mimezinga and Fallout Equestria Project Horizons by Somber; a familiarity with the source material may aid your understanding.

Author - Sanguine Eyes

Chapter editor - Currently N/A

Earl: Concept artist, Proof reader.

Nick Valentine: Artist

Crimmharmony: Artist

Author's Note

I am so very sorry I've been gone for so long. And for the short chapter.

I am on a LOT of medication, and I really hope that it doesn't reduce the quality of work.