"A wise Scribe once told me 'assume a virtue if you have it not'. I never knew what he meant by that."

Kaboom

The sound of an immense explosion awoke me from my slumber. Disorientated, the sound of gunfire echoed in my ears. I quickly sat up from my position only to hear the resonance of metal hitting metal inside of my full head helmet. My power armour around me clanked as I moved from my resting place. In front of me are others, Knights in power armour, running back and forth as explosions and bullets now riddled the sky painting it a dark grey. Around me is the sturdy grit of a sandbag wall with ammo boxes littered beneath them, some open showing missile ordinance for the built-in missile launcher within the armour. The decayed buildings all around are somewhat fortified with metal plating to stop small arms fire. To the left of me, down a long road stood more sandbags and walkways with a single gate entrance while the right led into a building where the command centre for this outpost is.

My body did not waver as an explosion erupted in front of me, destroying the barricade and making the ordinance unusable. Luck was all I could think as the missiles did not explode. The debris from the ground and barrier hit my armour only to give a little shunt. It must not have been lethal if I'm still alive. Hoofmade probably, shitty craftsmanship if you ask me. If it only had a small yield of gunpowder and more shrapnel the explosive would become effective. Nevertheless, it got us riled up within the outpost; especially the gunfire. Before I could start walking an officer, Crusader White Lily, came running towards me from the command centre. She did say she wanted to be able to paint the top of her helmet with the shade of white; now you can't miss her. Without saying a word to me, I knew what her orders were, defend the front gate. I jumped from my position and ran next to her. My E.F.S. (Eyes Forward Sparkle) lit up like a Christmas tree; red blips filled the bottom bar within my helmet telling me the enemy was everywhere and apparently growing in numbers, never shows you the distance though slightly disappointing. Eventually, we made it to the front gate with a few more Knights and took cover behind the metal plates. We all prepared our weapons that latchet out from within our suits, revealing a missile launcher on the left and an assault rifle on the right.

Lily and I positioned our selves on either side of the gate entrance. Guns at the ready, we both walked into the open and fired our missile launchers towards the buildings in a cross pattern. The eruptions caused the decayed structures to succumb and collapse. In one fell swoop, all the red blips fell, and the noise of gunfire is replaced with the debris of the buildings crashing into the ground. We did not get to see the enemy attacking us, only to know that they are underneath a ton of rubble, dead or alive. The silence did not last long as loud hoofsteps riddled the wind behind Lily and me. I knew Lily was shocked as she stood beside me looking down at the red coloured ground to see grotesque body parts of Knights and Initiates everywhere.

Lily was only appointed Crusader after her training as an Initiate so, of course, the sight of dismembered body parts would scare anypony on their first firefight, maybe even scar them for life. It must be hard for a pony to witness such a horrid sight, but after a while, you begin to change, and eventually, you break. In a long time of active duty, you start to see unspeakable, unforgivable actions. I have seen Star Paladins breakdown. Elders fall from grace. Witnessed comrades being ripped apart by Hellhounds right in front of me. In a way, I can understand what she's going through. The torment of not being able to help. But learning is a part of life, and you must choose to accept it. You make the wrong decisions down the line, and you live with them, never push it aside as the pain will just eat you from the inside out.

I turned towards to the outpost's courtyard to see medics everywhere attending to the wounded as well as the deceased, all of them wearing white lab coats while carrying saddlebags full of medical supplies. Not a single one a Unicorn or Pegasus. I mean, who needs wings and who needs magic when you have the heart of an Earth Pony am I right. Strong. Courageous. Fearless. That is what brings us up above the rest... how they use the medical equipment with such precision is beyond me. However, the Steel Rangers have a wing dedicated to research and archiving events; Scribes is what they are called, mainly Unicorns inhabit that branch though.

"Blasted Raiders hit us again. How many times does that make it this week, five?" I overheard one of the Knights besides me grumble to his partner as they walked past me.

"Six I think, they must be desperate if they are making their own explosives. Still ineffective against out armour unless you are unlucky." The other replied as they turned to look at one of the dead Knights on the ground with his back legs torn from their abdomen.

I turned towards the corpse they were referring only to feel no sympathy, no regret. I am looking at the body of one of my fellow soldiers just to feel nothing. When I fired that missile towards that building, I felt... empty about the lives I probably blew up and crushed underneath all the rubble. Or when that explosion blew up the barricade in front of me, I feel void of anything. Food has no taste; water never quenches my thirst, pleasure is a ghost. I have been this way for a long time ever since my days of a Knight started, and I'll be damned if that ever changes. It's the only way to survive this Tarturus saken place.

The command centre was havoc. Knights were running around like headless chickens trying to bring out more metal plates or ammunition for the troops, Scribes writing down every detail of what is going on, Crusaders giving out orders for their forces, medics tending to the wounded. The large building interior was filled with gurneys and wooden desks; most had the injured on. Corridors branched from the left and right while a large double door at the back with two Knights armed with two Miniguns each guarding it. I know the left corridor led to the barracks while the right armoury and med room. The back door is the operation centre with top-secret material as well as the Senior Paladins and Star Paladin for this outpost. There they take care of all the ops in the surrounding area on the far outskirts of Trottinham; we are in the bang dead middle of nowhere with basic supply rations. Not the most delicate move my superiors have made but one that I do not get paid enough for to think about.

I made haste towards the back door, sliding past all the chaotic ponies trying to get in my way. Before I could even reach the door at the back one of the Knights stepped in front of me followed by an aggressive grunt "only strict personnel are allowed beyond this point Knight."

I grumbled with a deep sigh underneath my helmet. Swiftly, I removed my helmet in which let loose my long lavender ponytail to the right. The pressure inside my helmet released allowing my lavender mane to breathe. The two guards quickly stood to attention upon my sharp lilac gaze towards them. My coat a darker lavender. They both raised a salute shouting "Mam!". I clipped my helmet to my power armour before opening the door. The room wasn't that big but enough to fit six armed guards with Miniguns and five ponies standing around a wooden desk with an old terminal facing towards me from the back wall. Burned paintings littered the walls while filing cabinets overflowed with what looks like plans for something. The five ponies stopped their little discussion before turning to me in an agitated manner.

"'Bout tim' you showed'p." The closest one on my left sarcastically grinned. His coat was a navy blue while his mane and eyes are a dark brown. He stood in power armour as did the one on the right but this time a yellow mare with a frilly orange mane and soft orange eyes that give off a gentle vibe. Thane and Pickle Carrot, both Senior Paladins in training who stick and work together all the time. They are rarely ever seen apart from one another other than the barracks or specific ops that require them to go separate ways. Thane, he's sarcastic, rude, spiteful, always trying to be better than you in every sense of the way. But, he's a damn good leader, loyal to his soldiers, alright shot with a Hunting Rifle just do not try to outshine him, the initiate under him didn't cope too well. Pickle, on the other hoof, is another story; she leads her contingent like an unorganised boot camp, shes sloppy, could not aim to save her life or any other ponies and worst of all she's-

"Maybe if she wore the right Power Armour she would not have gotten stopped by the guards at the door nor encounter blockages outside, dense fuck." And there we have it, that calm and gentle face is all for show. To me, she's useless in every sense and how in Tartarus did she get promoted to Senior Paladin ( well, in training at least) I have not got a fucking clue; clearly, it was her looks and body. I mean, who else could get half of their platoon killed and still get praised for it. As for power armour... Paladins have a specific white pattern on their front and hind hoof guard, mine was the out of norm Knight armour. No design, no vinyl, no colour (except for the dirty steel framework).

"Carrot!!" The white stallion opposite the table from us shouted with a stomp to grab our attention. Star Paladin House, he is the one in charge of this outpost and how it operates. This outpost is quite some distance to Filydelphia, so we don't get harassed by Red Eye's goons and far enough from Trottinham that we don't get the brass breathing down our necks. The downside to this, it's in the middle of nowhere, we can't get anywhere fast nor can we get aid. We are the middle ground for supply runs in this region. Up till now, House knows what he is doing, eight years of being in charge of an outpost down south, so he knows how to run this place, keep it in line, knows where the places where to restock up on food, medicine and ammunition in this area. Excellent range of character for a leader, never seen out of his onyx painted Power Armour (same goes for me, the helmet is an exception though... my mane needs air once in a while you know). Always fights for the right cause just like in the old days of when the Steel Rangers was under the control of the Ministry Of Wartime Technology. Strange enough, underneath that helmet, he was bald, said he lost his mane about two years into the position of being a Star Paladin. Not because of stress, but he walked over a plasma mine, and it exploded when he had his helmet off. The green plasma set alight his grey mane and nothing else. It was a bloody miracle he did not lose any limbs or get disintegrated into a pool of goo, but I would laugh every time he told the story when I first started training... But times change and so do ponies in due course.

"What?" The yellow mare to my right shrugged as if she said nothing wrong.

"Respect your fellow Paladin, Carrot." House's voice was filled with zealous towards the yellow mare "If you can not I would like you to please leave this room immediately. We have enough problems as it is, do not create more."

"Fine, I'll play nice towards a lower rank than me."Carrot scoffed towards me as I stepped into the middle of her and Thane. Honestly, I do not care what anypony thinks of me. A whore, berk, hollow; emotions are just a chemical in the brain, and it tells us what to feel, like hate, happiness, sorrow. I keep quiet about feelings; it's one of the reasons why I tend to stay clear of other ponies, I feel nothing, I taste nothing, I see the world in black and white. A soldier, a drone, a pawn on a chess board, one small cog in a giant clock. That is what I do to survive in this wasteland.

"That will have to do for now," House sighed as he and I knew that would be the best he got out of her. She was always rude when we initiated training to be paladins, guess she never changed her attitude "so I hope you know why I called you three here?"

"Somethin' t' do with that li' assault?" Thane grumbled as his posture straightened up. I could sense the air in the room get thicker as the Star Paladin gave a long, hefty sigh. We knew why we were brought to the higher-up, the Raiders are getting bright, they want to drive us out of this outpost. Our food, ammo, medicine- anything of value they want in their grimy hoofs. Scum of the wastes, no value for life, rather pull your legs off than lend a hoof. I would instead shoot myself then get my body mutilated while still alive.

"Yes and no," House stated before both Earth Ponies either side of him went down their saddlebags, pulling out what looks like schematics for a building and research files that stacked up on top of each other. I knew Scribes were bald, or at least the males were but I never took the females would follow suit. "Ever since the Raiders decided to attack we have been on the defensive. That was the order from the Elder, hold down the fort until further orders. However, after the first attack a week and a half ago I knew they would keep coming. Only till recently, my Knights and Initiates are falling to the likes of untrained maniacs with explosive ordinance. I implored the Elder for us to attack their base of operations. As you can tell, we never got the order to retaliate. He said 'If there is an item of importance where they are we may commence an operation, until then, your orders are to stay there and hold them off as we see no benefit.' It did not take long for me to sent scouts to the place to find any technology that would interest the Elder or Senior Scribes."

"Let me guess, you found something, and we can go and get it from them? Can we wrap this up already?" Carrot sarcastically interrupted the Senior Paladin. Her face was full of boredom from House's explanation.

"Carrot," Thane stated with a stern look on his face, he did not take her interruption to kindly. I knew she would out step her boundaries at some point; she was like this twenty-four seven.

House coughed before continuing " Our scouts have found something of high interest. As it turns out, the building that the Raiders have occupied was a powerless factory; all the Arcane power cores were destroyed during the Balefire bombings. Now noise from machinery pistons echo the air and sparks colour greyed out windows. They somehow got the factory up and running and are using it to produce improvised explosive weaponry, impressive when the factory was a metal works for chariots. Now we have a valid reason to secure the factory. One, so we can produce weapons, armour and ammo for our own. Second, find the power source that brought the lifeless factory back to life. Understood?" House finished as he placed one hoof on the table.

It seems simple, clear out the hostiles, secure the factory and keep it running for when House and the Scribes arrive to inspect the damage and functionality of the facility. Seems like a cushy gig, a squad of Knights could easily secure the factory alone from Raiders. Wait, they have explosives, maybe with a Paladin and two teams.

"Hold on a second." Carrot shook her head as if in disapproval, I wonder if we were thinking the same thing "Why send two Senior and one normal Paladin to battle? We are obviously going to be assigned a squad each, but don't you think this is a tad bit overkill House? I mean, they're just Raiders with makeshift grenades, what damage can they do to us?"

Carrot flinched back a little at how fast House whipped his head towards her, I think we all did, to be honest. We all could tell he was glaring at her behind that helmet. It was the first time I ever saw him do that. Thane and I knew what he was thinking 'go outside and then tell me what "damage" they can do to us'. Carrot immediately caught on and stepped down. I can not help but think she might have a point though.

"That is why you won't be in charge in this operation, Paladin Carrot." House firmly spoke towards the mare with a disdained expression on her face. I have known Carrot for a long time, and she was always like that, back at boot camp she would be the first to speak up about the subject in a sour tone that would make it worse than it already is.

" 'en I guess it's me leading 'his one?" Thane smirked as he placed both front hoofs on the table to see the blueprints better, but before he could utter another word, House raised his hoof with the shake of his head. All our eyes widened in shock as he pointed towards me.

"I rather have Paladin Crow's Nest in charge." I never did like that nickname, one-time camping in a tree all day and night watching a Raider encampment from my initiate days and it sticks with you for life. But wait, what?!

"You're having the muse in charge?!" Carrot jumped up in anger upon the answer. It was clear she did not want me in charge of this operation, heck, I did not want to be in charge of the operation. I will always be silent, not because I have to but because I want to. Ears can be a weapon as well as actions and words. You just need to know how to use them.

"As much ah won' question 'ur judgement, House. Ah 'gree 'Upping Carrot on 'is one, Sweet Lavender ain' one 'o talk." that is also one of the many reasons why I respect Thane, he has always used my real name unlike everypony else here.

"Might I ask where were you two during the Raiders little escapades now and in the past?" House's tone was flat, unlike Thane and Carrot, I could tell he was trying to hold back from shouting the sentence. Why would he want me in charge?

"Ah was 'n mah post on th' rooftop picking em off one at a time," Thane answered with a wicked smirk on his face, everypony in the room could tell he was mighty proud of himself. Why do males do that, my dicks bigger than yours? Does it matter if you were picking them off one by one, you did not see the brutality of the explosions had on our troops on the ground. What's Carrot's response I wonder?

Carrot froze into place with her mouth open as if she was trying to find something say. But looking back at House and the way he was staring directly at her ( I could tell with rage behind that helmet). She chuckled it off by saying "Distributing supplies for the troops fighting."

The tension rose in the room as House grumbled something underneath his helmet. Carrot lowered her head in response as he knew the real reason but was not going to say anything about it. It was one of the characteristics of House, forgiving those under his command for silly stuff... but repeating what he grumbled was not one of the things I am going to do. House's attention entirely turned towards Thane once again.

"Thane, for the past week and a half, you've been up there on that rooftop nine till five keeping a lookout and supporting the troops down below. You wake up, get your gear, food and water rations before clocking in for your shift. Carrot... motivation and failure are what she's lacking." hmm... Where is House going with this?

"What makes Crow so special to be given charge of this operation?!" It did not take Carrot long to go back to her usual self "is it because she guarded the front of the gate with all the Knights and Initiates?"

As Carrot was ranting, House lifted a hoof and slid some of the documents away from the pile. He kept slipping the documents aside until he reached a single sheet of paper. Carrot fell silent as the material pushed towards her. "Equipment, Check-in, Check-out. Name Sweet Lavender. Knight issue Power Armour... argh, what has this got to do with anything you are saying, House?"

House sighed in anguish if I did not know any better was he going to suggest "She neglected her own Paladin Armour so she could blend in with the other Knights and protect the front gates for a week and a half. She ate outside, slept outside, stayed in that armour for a week now. She stayed with all the troops knowing what they feel and how they react." That's not the reason why?! "I think she'll be best suited to lead this operation."

I can't believe I'm angry, no, I'm furious.

"Now, Thane, Carrot and Sweet, please rest up for the operation tomorrow. It starts at O'five-hundred, and I expect you here nice and early. I'll think of a game plan till then." House finished as Carrot and Thane made their way to the door behind them. Thane by the looks of it wasn't too fussed. However, Carrot looked pissed. She would always be a step ahead of me in every way, that goes with our ranks, firearm's training, exercise regiments, hell, even eating and taking down opponents. Me taking command of this operation is something we all didn't expect. I better get out of here before I really do lose my cool and start speaking. I made my way to the door at a steady tempo.

"Lav, wait..." House's voice and hoofsteps came from behind me. For Celestia's sake, please don't do anything stupid Lavender. I stopped with my face towards the door. I just know if I see his face ( or helmet) I'll lose it. "I'm sorry for throwing this on you," Don't say anything "you know I'm doing this for your benefit, you'll get promoted straight to Senior Paladin after this operation." What's the saying? Count to ten? "You'll be able to get out of this hellhole back to Trottingham." Don't "Back to a less dangerous lifestyle." You dare "It's what your mother wanted."

Huh, so that's what rage feels like, what it looks like... Red. I ground my teeth as I bout faced, my right hoof connecting with his face. I know deep down I should not have done that, it just felt like I had to. My actions dumbfounded the guards and the two Scribes in the room. I only had to keep quiet and leave the place before anything terrible happens.

"What gives you the damn right to know what's best for me?!" Shit, well, I best get everything off my chest before tomorrow "First off, I never asked for the promotion to Paladin nor did I fucking want the rank of Senior Paladin! I never went into my issued Power Armour because I did not want the responsibility or a higher standing within the outpost! I hate the attention because everypony compares me to my mother. I came out here to this fucking hellhole to get away from everyone's kissassing attitude and attention but everywhere I go it follows. Lavender, try to be like your mother, Lavender's just using her mother, mother this mother that! I am sick of being compared to that fucking whore!" Now that I think about it "You never got the fucking green light on this operation did you?!"

His face abruptly turned towards me, clearly, in shock behind his helmet. I somewhat had a sneaky suspicion when he came out with that bullshit story.

"I bet the Elder refused outright?! Keep this outpost going the way it is! You were going to use me as an excuse to avoid demotion, weren't you? The daughter of Star Paladin Flower Petal is going to assault a Raider base to protect those at the Trojan outpost from any more attacks?! This wouldn't be the first time somepony used me like this!" I turned and stormed to the double doors "Out of all the Ponies you had to be the one in fucking charge, House."

I kicked the doors, and with my suit still on me as it increases one strength beyond its capabilities, they came off the hinges and across the command centre. It was a miracle no pony was in its flight path. The loud crash and shatter of the glass echoed throughout the building. I took a couple of steps out of the room to notice everypony was starring in utter shock, the guards either side of the doors took a step to the side before standing to attention once more. I saw Thane and Carrot to the right standing in shock. They must have heard the conversation House, and I just had. Shit, just what I need more of, fucking complications. I could tell my face was stuck, I've never clenched my teeth so hard before. The feeling in my cheeks was going numb. Before anypony could say a word towards me, I dashed for the barracks. I needed my quarters, I needed my bed, I needed to scream.

"Lavender, wait!" Carrot's voice echoed behind me as I made my way through corridors, the last thing I need right now is that useless Paladin telling me I have an anger issue or insulting me. Everypony stepped aside, because of my rank or it could have been the look on my face. Either one, I was not in the mood. Damn, I wish I could blow something up. "For Goddesses sake, slow down!"

"Argh!" I groaned as I turned around. Carrot and Thane were both galloping towards me. Did they want to talk about that little anger show I put on or insult me, not much Thane but Carrot. By Celestia and Luna's sake if she mutters a word about my rank being lower than hers I will crush her. She was in training for a Senior Paladin; she has not achieved the title yet.

The two stopped in front of me with a shocked expression. I never lost my cool like that; I was always quiet where ever I went. But they knew that years ago when we first started as Initiates... I smiled and laughed but never saying a word back then either. Not once. Now that I think about it, that's the first time they heard my voice...ever.

"Sweet, you a'ight?" The Stallion asked in a soft tone. Strange, it's the first time hearing that sound from Thane.

I might as well talk "Yeah." Yeah? For real? I just shouted out in anger at my commanding officer, spoke my mind then and now I'm having trouble talking a couple of minutes later. Argh, I hate myself already.

"Clearly you aren't. You just screamed out all your problems in one go at the Star Paladin." Carrot looked at me with concerned eyes... or is it fright? "We've never seen you talk much less scream out like that. You had a good reason though." Is she being nice to me? "Using you just to justify an attack on a Raider base."

"If wha' you said is tru', Lavender, 'bout House just using you as a shield t' avoid any grief from th' brass. It's for a good reason." I felt my ears twitch in response to that sentence "Th' Elder refusing outrigh' while the outpost gets harassed for a week an' a half. Soun's like he wa' searchin' for a solution."

I sometimes wonder what goes through other Ponies minds, I mean, how could they know how I feel about this "That's not the point, Thane." I know it is for a good reason "The point is the fact he was using my status as the daughter of my mother to justify an attack on a Raider base without informing me in the slightest. Plus I wear the standard Knight armour because to blend in; I hate it when others notice me as the prodigal daughter of Flower Petal."

"Lavender!" Carrot raised her voice making me and Thane flinch while others in the corridor stopped and stared. Carrot looked around only to grumble in annoyance as now she has a bigger audience "I don't know about the responsibility of living up to parent but put that to the side for one minute. Please?"

"Fine," I replied as I looked into her eyes, waiting for a response.

"The Raiders have been attacking us for a while now, and it's putting pressure on us all. You could say the reason I'm an ass to you is that it's my stress relief. Being quiet is probably your thing where you bottle it up and release it at some point when no pony is watching while everypony else has their own thing like swearing profanity. Where am I going with this?!" Carrot shook head and stopped with a surprised look on her face just realising what she was saying "The point is, House is using your status to get the Raiders of our backs and to avenge our brothers and sisters. And to be perfectly honest, it's a good reason. Yes, he should have gone to you and asked, but I think he has a lot on his plate right now. So just bare through it and let's get this over with and celebrate with some scotch?"

Thane smiled and strange enough as did I. For once; Carrot made sense, the reason was justified, avenge our fallen comrades, get the Raiders off our backs and probably other Ponies out in the wastes as well. I was thinking about the wrong thing this entire time. I was only thinking of myself. How can I be so selfish? I keep quiet and listen, but I can never hear myself clearly if I never speak.

"Atta girl, Carrot." Thane chuckled as he tapped her shoulder. I giggled as Carrot blushed and didn't know what to say. "You couldn' have said it any be'er. Now le's get some food; I'm hungry."

Always clocking in for food on the dot, nine till five. That's Thane for you. Then again, I could use some food as well. I've been running on empty since this morning, guess I still know the feeling of adrenalin. Carrot and I followed Thane back to the courtyard outside of the command centre; It was a mess, small craters everywhere from the Raiders attack which made it awkward to walk centre mass. I tried to avoid any eye contact with everypony around the command centre. It was a little embarrassing about my rant, but I feel refreshed. I know it could have gone better, but like a volcano, my anger erupted in a burst of rage... towards my commanding officer. Damn. I fucked up royally... Shit, I also slapped him. That's not going to bode well later on.

We strolled up to the side of a building where a small queue was waiting to get their rations by a male Unicorn scribe behind a table. On the table was quite a few of Pork and Beans tins and cans of Purified Water which were being floated by magic to the Pony in line. It didn't take long for us to get served as it was one can of water and beans per Pony but if you have the extra bottle caps, you can get an additional serving or maybe something not on the menu. I was taught to keep a nice healthy stash of bottle caps on me if I was ever away from the base of operations and needed to buy some medical supplies, ammo, food or water. When it was our turn, Thane grabbed his portion while handing over fifteen caps for an extra tin of beans while Carrot ordered a beer with hers (forty caps for a bottle that's not even cold... I hope I never become an alcoholic). Me, I felt like drinking a Sparkle-Cola with my beans and water. It was refreshing to get sugar inside me and right now, I need it. I handed over the ten caps for the cola, and the Unicorn lifted a dented metal tray onto my back. I gave a nod of thanks which I got a smile back from the Scribe.

I stepped to the side out of the line with my food to notice Thane and Carrot waiting for me. Nostalgia filled my head, we used to do this every day when we were initiated into the training regiment for a Paladin, it's where Carrot and I used to see who can finish their food first and Thane would try to help us when we both choked on our food... I miss those days; we were so carefree back then. I remember smiling and laughing again then. Carrying on, we went around the courtyard trying to find a suitable space where we could sit and eat our meals, not like we have any chairs or tables to sit at, well, not anymore at least. The Raiders did a good number on those ages ago. Still, ain't going to stop us from sitting on our asses. After a while of searching, I came across Crusader White Lily sitting down on her own. Her small white head was staring down at the ground of her beans and water as if in deep thought, her violet mane curved in an arc in front of her almost blocking her violet irises. The only missing item from her armour was her helmet which she placed beside her. I guess she's still shocked about the dead Knights. I came to a standstill while starring towards her; I wonder if sitting with her will cheer up. It was hard for me on witnessing my first corpse; I kept thinking that it could have been me... or should have been me. Will it be stupid to go and sit with her? I wonder if it would make things worse? I did not have time to react as Carrot and Thane turned towards the direction of Lily, They must have seen me looking at her. They smiled at me on their way towards her. I even saw Thane give a nod followed by "come on." I grinned as I caught up with them from behind.

As we approached, Lily gasped as she jumped up and saluted with an awkward "Sirs!"

"At ease, Crusader." Carrot lifted a hoof to grab the tray on her back before placing it on the floor "Mind if we join you?"

"N-n-no mam." Lily stuttered as she sat back down. Thane and I sat either side of Lily while Carrot sat opposite. It was quiet for a couple of minutes while we all dug into our food. I noticed at that time as I was sipping on my Sparkle-Cola that Lily never touched her food, she would just stare at it in deep thought. Her eyes looked as they are filled with dismay. I looked at my Sparkle-Cola and pointed it in her view of vision. She gently looked up towards me with a fake smile. I gave the bottle a little shake telling her to take it. She grabbed the bottle and drank a right half of the bottle and gave out a satisfied gasp.

"Better?" I asked in a tender tone as she passed the bottle back without saying a word "first firefight?" I asked the white mare beside me a different question hopefully she would answer.

"Yeah..." She mumbled as she placed a hoof on top of the can of beans and proceeded to tilt it left and right on the spot.

"No appetite?" I asked as I place my bottle of Sparkle-Cola on the floor beside my empty tin of beans and water. Lily drooped into a slump as she stopped tilting the tin. I can relate, everypony here can relate actually. But seeing her like this is just wrong... she was always talking when we were together for the week and a half, I would do nothing but listen... Listen?... I have an idea. I got up from my seat, making the three still staying seated look towards me with uncertainty.

"Excuse me for a minute," I asked as I turned and made a gentle gallop to the Unicorn who was serving. I handed over forty caps and asked for something call Sun-something and a Fancy Pony Cake. The Unicorn nodded and told me to wait a second before he went into the house behind him. I guess that's where all the food and drink are stored, bit depressing we don't have an actual mess hall for storing the food and water... and a place to sit. A couple of seconds later and he came out with a white box and a brown bottle. He passed them over, and I placed them on my back with the utmost care and made my way back. I walked back to notice Thane and Carrot talking to each other and laughing while Lily stared at them with...jealousy. Wait, jealousy, why would she be jealous of the two? Is it because of they can laugh and smile when there was a fight hours ago... maybe. As I made my way back to the circle, Lily's eyes switched to me, her eyes perked up as she saw what was on my back. I used my mouth to place them on the floor beside her. Sunrise Sasparilla, that was the drink she loved the most while the Fancy Pony Cake was her favourite treat from when she was a foal. What she also explained about her cutie mark is it's a bouquet of white lilies and how she got lost one day and managed to find living breathing flowers growing out in the wastes when she was a small filly. She picked them and tied them together with a chariots starter cable. Not the most elegant way of binding up something but it has its uses.

Hmm... I wonder, while she munches on the cake and drinks the Sasparilla I'm going to use my ears again. I looked around to see nothing but small groups of Knights and Initiates split into small groups either eating or doing their orders of patrolling the area. Let's see if I can hear anything that will peak my interest.

"You never guess what I found in my beans the other day."

"The mare in the barracks the other day was so fuckable."

"Our orders are clear, patrol this area for three hours then report back to command for debriefing."

"Does he really plan on disobeying the Elder like that?" Oh, this sounds interesting. I'll just keep watching Lily eat while I eavesdrop. Hopefully, that does not draw too much attention. "He really is as ballsy as they say."The voice was male, not too far away, at least thirty-five meters away. Can't turn around and look at where they are.

"You would be shocked at what the scouting party brought back from the Raiders base at the Factory. It's scary mate." the other was a higher pitched male voice.

"What'd they find?"

"You know that mission that's going on tomorrow?" There was a slight pause; the other must have nodded in response "Well, the factory isn't the main objective. The scouts brought back a data drive containing secret encrypted information of something hidden down there. They say that whatever is down there brought the factory up and running."

Oh my Celestia, what are we going to do over there? What more is House hiding from us? What's so crucial that House is hiding from the Elder and us? So many questions that need answers and I want to find out.

"Lav?"

If I think back to what was on that table, there was a schematic of the factory, but the floor plan and design don't add up to that males story. How could anything be hiding underneath that plant? But whatever is under there restarted the factory's power and got the attention of House.

"Lavender?"

The research notes, I remember them stating the back area be remodelled entirely back before the war for retrofitting an office. That's what was on the top sheet anyway. When House slid them away from the folder it was so suddenly I didn't get a clear glimpse of anything else there.

"Hey, dingus!" My body flinched as my eyes quickly turned to Carrot to see her wave a hoof towards me "You okay, you've been staring at Lily for a while now. It looks creepy."

Was I? Oops. "Sorry," I apologised towards Lily as I stood up from my seat, I guess the only one who didn't care about me staring was Lily herself, she must have been used to it when we were working together guarding the front gate. I do remember just standing there staring at her as she talked on and on about random topics... But there's no way should know it was me right beside her though, my helmet was on at all times. Thane sat there with a brow raised while Carrot looked with worry.

"Going somewhere?" Thane asked as he sat there looking at me.

"Latrine duty," I replied with the most monotone of voice.

"Say no mor'" Thane raised his hoof "Ah know what tha' feels like. Brave on, Sweet." Wait, Is latrine duty really that bad? I'm just lying to get away and back into the commander centre to look at those blueprints and documents. I left before even looking at them... then again, I never really got a chance with my little episode... Luna and Celestia curse me if everypony goes silent as I walk through the front door.

I made my way through the courtyard. During this time I managed to get a look at the two who revealed that information, they were watching my every move. I tried not to stare too much and only got a glimpse of the two males; both had a blue coat with the right having an orange mohawk and the other short brown mane. They were out of their power armour and in Jumpsuits that covered up their cutie marks. Good craftsmanship whoever designed the jumpsuits stops any chafing within the power armour so you can easily slip inside.

No more dawdling, let's get back to the office. I made my way into the building once more, this time not so many ponies littered the central atrium. There are a couple of Ponies walking from one corridor to the next, the wooden tables where the wounded were are covered in blood and scattered everywhere in the room while some medical drips stood at individual tables. The bodies must have been moved to the medical wing... or worse, being buried out back for their sacrifice. I wish I will never sit on one of those beds, hopeless, crippled, the feeling of not being able to move. Albeit the pain is tremendous... I've been lucky; bullets bounce off my armour, explosives, however, can bypass the sturdy plating if hit in the right body part... This way of thinking is pointless, I just need not get shot and everything will be fine... why am I having these thoughts now? I did not have them before so why now. Quick, back to the task at hoof. Oh look the door I kicked, It really did go far huh. Focus!

I made my way towards the back room where the two guards still stood; It was embarrassing walking past them, I could tell behind their helmets they were looking at me with wary eyes, anypony would in truth. I would. I walked past them and into the room, it was the same as we left it, minus the guards with miniguns. The table in the middle still had the folders and schematics for the factory on it. I know I still need to make up an attack plan so that also give me a reason to be here... argh, I hate responsibility, too much effort. Didn't House say he would make a plan up? Never mind, if I am in charge I need to create a plan B or C if it comes down to it... Celestia, I hate doing this kind of stuff. I lifted myself up so my two front hoofs are on the table so I could see better. I first looked at the blueprints of the factory. The two stallions both said there is something hidden beneath this plant. Is there a hint somewhere in the diagrams or the folders? The blueprints, the only thing that is different is the retrofitting of the back room for an office the rest is just the factory floor. Nothing out the ordinary for a building like this. It probably won't look like this if the Raiders have set up shop here not to mention the aftermath of the bombs from before the war. This is giving me a headache. There's nothing here stating the factory is hiding something, I'll look in the folders next. I pulled over a stack of envelopes and started to skim through the titles on the sheets. Employee roster, supply depots, delivery times, none of these are going to help me. Why would House say these are research folders for the factory, did the scouts just pull everything they could from the factories office? How did they even get this without being spotted?! There are walkways everywhere in that factory, so hiding was out of the option, sneaking would be logical if they didn't wear Combat armour. That weighs a ton, at least power armour can support itself so the weight does not kill us, it increases our strength beyond our standard capabilities so that we can fight head-on with idiots with bats. Back on track, continue to skim through the documents, Lavender.

"Argh!!" I groaned as I slammed my forehead on the table, I could tell the guards at the door both turned their heads to look into the room. I had to do something other than skim read documents; twenty minutes must have passed since I started skimming, who knows maybe even longer I do not have my helmet on so I can't see what the time of day is. I flung back up and closed my eyes while taking in a deep breath before gently placing my hoof on one random document. I squinted my left eye open to see what the title was. Shipping manifest, delivered to Equios Factory #22. I opened my eyes and began reading the document. Damn, this dates back to the last day before the bombs fell... but the numbers don't add up as the months went by before the Balefire bombs dropped. There are gaps between shipping transits with low digits but then it skyrockets to unimaginable numbers. By the time the bombs were about to fall it had gone back to normal. I think I just stumbled upon something important, didn't I? Hmm... This isn't my forte. Think think think... Slipping past documents that are mainly Inventory Stock isn't helping. I sighed as I bobbed my head down before taking in a deep breath by raising my head towards the ceiling. At least the roof is just grimy with dirt instead of missing tiles and the power is still active. Back before the war electricity was supplied everywhere, businesses, houses, factories, military bases. They used to pay Pre-war Bits to provide it, without money you were powerless... no pun intended... Did I see something in a document relating to electricity? I flicked the papers back and finally stopped on a sheet displaying the 'Electricity Bill'.

"Holy Shit?!" I screeched as I saw the bill cost in the hundred-thousands per month, the months within the shipping transits reached one million to at least one point seven million. How much electricity were they using? I quickly took a glance behind as I heard one of the guards cough. They must have heard me shout, not that I care anymore. I mean, a while ago I screamed at a Star Paladin what else can I do that will top that? Maybe looking at files on House's terminal? It might be quicker... if I was any good at hacking or guessing passwords. I know it's going to go against House and lead my way to a court martial, but I got nothing to go beside the bill and the shipping manifest. There's something fishy at that factory... and I need to find it out before I rid the Raiders of the place and hand it over to House and the Scribes.

I walked around the table, trying to make as little noise as possible. When I reached the terminal at the back of the room, I pushed the power button. I was welcomed to a green silhouette of a pony with the words 'Ministry of Peace Hospital Terminal' before flicking over 'Enter Password'. I gave a great sigh as I lowered my head in depression. It was never going to go that smoothly, was it? Okay, let's give it a couple of goes, shall we? Iloverainbows44? Nope. I felt like typing that in... how my hoofs were typing on this keyboard with my power armour on is beyond me though. If I was House, what would I put my password as? Respect? No, Loyal? Rangers? Nope, that one did not work. Only two attempts left before I get locked out. I really wish I could hack about now. Okay, if I remember House's attitude, he has always hated Raiders and told us never to underestimate them as a few under his command fell to their tricks. Would Retribution be it? Damn, only one try left. Let's try a name, one that wouldn't be obvious to me or any other Paladin... you've got to be joking, there's no way. I slowly whispered as I typed out the name Flower Petal, and If I remember correctly, back in the day House was in a squad with my mom. My mother was the squads Crusader back then so it would make sense that House would look up to my mum like that plus earlier he was such a kiss-ass for my mum. Should I press enter to see if it would accept it or should I leave it? Buck it all, all in. I pushed enter only for it to flicker before a new blank screening. I waited for ten seconds before groaning in failure. I turned and made my way towards the table once more only to stop on a hissing noise from the terminal behind me. I peeked over my shoulder before moving my body round to see a bunch of folders on the screen. I could not believe it, that I actually managed to guess right or that my mother was the password. There were mountains upon mountains of files on individual patients that were here in this hospital from before the bombs, one folder for each patient. There were so many of them it would take forever to go through them all. But out of sheer curiosity, I clicked on one of the folders.

Patient #87096- Name; Clear Lens. Age 29. Sex; Male

Status- Comatosed

The subject has been in a coma for three weeks as of now and shows little sign of waking up. We checked up on his body and found something collided with his skull, something hard and sturdy. His wife states that he fell down the stairs which would explain all the bruises all over his body but the blunt trauma to the head can easily be differentiated from an object and a bash on the floor. I explained this to the authorities as I found this hard to believe in my years of being a doctor, and they investigated only to find out from the neighbours they would hear shouting from the wife regularly. It confirmed my suspicion about the bruises as he was periodically beaten. But the skull getting a whack like that, in the same place, is not something the stairs would do... twice.

Nope, this isn't going to help me... harsh though.

Patient #64721- Name; Split Nova. Age 17. Sex Female

Status- Crippled - Shot in the hind legs with multiple 7.76mm rounds.

The subject was transferred here four months ago with horrific injuries that even shocked me. The amount of blood loss she incurred would have led her to bleed out in minutes; just a single minute would have put her body into cardiac arrest from the amount she lost if left unattended. In all the questions I had in my head I asked just one when her superior officer came on by. How? In all respect, I wanted to know how she lived bleeding out but I received the full story. She was the earliest recruit in her squad, faked her age to be able to get into the military, which is not a rare occurrence nowadays. Her very first mission was to patrol near the border to the Zebras, sadly enough to say, Zebra Legionnaires managed to sneak past the border and ambush her squad using stealth suits. Before the five of them had any time to react, two of them were taken out with clean cuts to the throats. Nova and the two others dropped their weapons and surrendered. The Zebras did not acknowledge this and decided to hack the commanding officers front legs. This led to Nova and one other to run for their life. To nought, they were captured, Nova was pinned and had to watch her last squadmate get shot with enchanted bullets from a Zebra-rifle. She screamed as she watched her friend get flayed alive in front of her. In the end, they decided to use the squads' weapons on her hind legs and let her bleed out. When the Legionnaires decided to leave back to the border, a platoon of Shadowbolts flew past and took notice. After her life was in a stable state, she was transferred back to her hometown's hospital, here, to get better treatment. Pleased to say she is recovering quite well, might have to help get her nerves active in the back legs, other than that her body is healthy... her mind is another story, which I have sent a message to a psychiatrist I know to help.

From before the great war... This... The Zebras were brutal, merciless. They had a different way of dealing with the opposition. I learned from books that the Zebras often sent assassins over the border to disrupt the military and spout fear in troops, leaving one alive as a reminder of them being there to spread fear. I know the war is over and all but I feel a little scared right now. Let us continue on, shall we?

I scrolled down further on the terminal, skimming past the dozen of patient files as I was short on time. House could walk back in at any moment and I had to figure out what the buck is below that factory before tomorrow. Eventually, I made it to the bottom of the screen, and to my surprise, there was a file there named TESLA. It stands out; every single other file is a patient followed by a number. I hovered over the file and clicked on it; I gasped as another password pop up appeared on the screen. Of course!! It had to be encrypted for fuck sake! Breath, Lav, breath. Okay, I am not going to push my luck. I switched off the terminal and proceeded back to the table behind me. Once again I skimmed through the blueprints and documents only to find out nothing of importance apart from what I already know. But what the hay is TESLA? Sounds like an electric weapon or something similar? I could ask around but who could I ask is the question? Thane maybe? Carrot would not have two bucks in what it means, Lily... in her current state, she wouldn't want too. House is out of the question, the Scribes a no go as they are in the loop with House...Maybe an engineer... *sigh* Speaking of engineers, I'm gonna have to go into my own armour aren't I? I better go and see the head engineer.

I proceeded down the hallway towards the armoury, getting the occasional salute from the other Knights as I picked up the pace. Eventually, I made it to the armoury. The room was a gun nuts dream, weapons, ranging from the lethal Minigun down to the 9mm pistol, were presented on the walls by racks. Six tables all scrounged up in the middle of the room topped with disassembled weapon parts from what looks like a Gatling Laser. Two Unicorn Scribes were stationed at the tables either side collagraphing the advanced weaponry onto a blueprint schematic. I turned my head left and right to see three yellow power armour stations either side all empty apart from one. The brushed steel armour was on my left in the furthest corner of the room. It was being hung in the air by four metal hooks from either side of the station. Underneath the armour, I noticed a heavily greased up pony with a wrench wrapped in a cyan veiled magical field, tightening a socket below the suit. Nutty Bolts, an ocean blue Unicorn engineer/mechanic for the outpost, he spends all of his time here tinkering with weapons, gadgets and armour. For the time I have been here I had only spoken to him once when I arrived and requested an ordinary suit of Knight armour, he was quite understanding as he nodded and gave me a spare suit and helmet. I wanted to ask the reason why he just gave it to me without question at the time but I felt it would be inappropriate. But no, he just willingly gave it over knowing he could get in trouble for it. Well... I better ask for my issue of power armour. I made my way around towards the Unicorn swiftly getting a glance from the two Scribes before they got back to work on whatever they were doing. I stopped in front of the station and waited as Nutty continued to work on the suit. It gave me time to have a glance at him and the armour in more detail. For him, his mane was black with grease with patches of blonde here and there telling me he doesn't bath much while his tail is surprisingly clean and glistening blonde which came at a surprise as so was his cutie mark, might just be a bunch of nuts and bolts but still clean as a whistle. The armour, however, looked strange. It was not like the other Knight or Paladin armour. The head could strictly be described as insect-like the visor was not like a rectangle box but two large bloatsprite eyes. There were curves and bumps all around this armour that screamed something? What was it? A praying mantis? Yeah, let's go with that. The tail was different as well, thin, long, with what looks like a specially built on blade at the end while an Assult Carbine was placed on either side of the armour. What does this armour remind of... looks high tech, it feels like it should have wings, ready for combat. But what?

"You don't recognise this?" I heard the Unicorn's voice from underneath. I looked back down to see a cyan veil envelop him. He was floating himself out from underneath the armour. Playing lazy I see. He managed to get out and up in front of me with a cloth on one hoof and the wrench in the other wiping it down.

I gave one more look at the armour only to receive a ringing in my head as I couldn't place my hoof on it. "No." I said as I shook my head only to get a confused look in return.

"If I said the great war would that jog your memory?" Bolt riddled as he tilted his head while looking at the armour. The great war? Pegasus Enclave armour, that's it?! Wait a minute, didn't the Pegasi close the sky when the bombs went off. I read they took everything of theirs up into the sky; armour, tanks, their infamous and rumoured flying battle carriers dragon killers I think is what they called them. The only thing relating back to them are tidbits of information on terminals, memory orbs and the long pointy needles all around the Equestria.

"How did I get my hoofs on one of these bad boys, is what you're thinking right now isn't it?" Took the words right out of my mouth... Well, head "the day you collected your Knight issue armour a bunch of scouts brought this into my workshop. They said they found it inside a Mister Hoofy repair station just west of here. I could not tell you how excited I was to be able to see one of these in person, bearing in mind it was on the verge of being crumpled apart just by touch but I made due." Nutty looked back to me with a smirk across his face "Took me a week and a half to get it up to working standards; I spent the first three days trying to open the Celestia damned thing; the suit was locked up tighter than a New Los Pegasus virgin. I have been dreaming I could work on something else other than Steel Ranger power armour and it finally became a reality."

"By using Paladin Crows nest's armour for parts." One of the Scribes spoke allowed as he continued to write down something on a clipboard. Wait, what?! My eyes widened as I glared into the honey coloured irises of the stallion in front of me. He chuckled as he placed a hoof on his neck and closed his eyes.

"Well, sacrifices must be made to progress further." he chuckled to me.

I sighed as I brought back my composure, getting riled over somepony using your armour for parts... not like I used it anyway. I better get something that distinguishes me on the battlefield for tomorrow. "Got any paint?" I asked as blunt as I could be. Bolt opened his eyes in shock as he froze in place repeating the word "paint?"

"I need something that tells the others I am the one in charge of the operation tomorrow, a white line or pattern of some sort," I answered only for him to scratch his mane making the grease slog around. Eww.

"I was not informed of any kind of operation tomorrow if so I would have had something prepared." Bolts replied as he sized me up and down openly thinking.

"Star Paladin House orders." One of the Scribes joined in again "he was supposed to come down and tell you himself but clearly he forgot."

Nutty tapped his chin as his eyes moved to the floor. He hummed to himself for a good minute before looking past me at the two Scribes. He then followed with a teeth grinning smile as he walked to the side of me. Before I could turn around and face him, he used his magic to flip something on my back followed by a press of a button. My whole armour locked up into place after that following with sounds of air pressure being released. The metal back opened up showing my black suit. I tried to move only to be stopped by Bolts' magic by lifting me out of the armour. This small ideal shocked me for a brief moment as he floated me to the back of the power armour station. He placed me down as he used a screwdriver to loosen something on the side of the hanging armour till it all flung wide open. It was surprising; the helmet was attached to the armour so that opened up as well at the back. Before I could utter a word I was floated into the armour with the seals shutting tight behind me, I could feel every inch of the armour cling to me as if trying for a right fit. I could not see an inch in front of me; I could not move any limb, it felt like I was suffocating until Bolts flick some switch inside the armour with telekinesis. My sight was the first to come back as white sliders moved across my eyes revealing Nutty Bolts honey coloured eyes. I did my best not to yelp as he highed his nuzzle towards one of my eyes.

"There we go, I've activated visuals, now proceeding with the Hud and S.A.T.S." Hud? Sats? "Don't be too shocked, okay, I know I was when I first entered the suit."

My vision blurred once more but this time pain erupted from the back of head forcing me to close my eyes. When the pain subsided, I gently squinted one eye before widening them both in a pure spook. A green box outlined Nutty and the two Scribes with some information that I could not make out. Then there was a long beige bar to my right above my Eyes. Foward. Sparkle. With two letters saying A.P. To my furthest right and left are boxes with the numbers 0/0 5mm while in the top left was an omnipotent visual of a black pony with white outlines. The only thing I recognise is the E.F.S. at the bottom of my visor everything else was-

"Confused?" Bolts took the words from my mouth... or mind "It was for me. When I was tinkering with the helmet's visual matrix, I must have opened a dormant programme from deep within. From what I can gather, it is a friend or foe analyser prototype from the great war to help the Pegasi determine who were friendly on the ground a lot easier, the downside to this is it uses the suits S.A.T.S. Arcane. Points. To activate, it was the quickest way to secure a renewable energy source for the blasted thing. Onto the next item, Stable-Tec. Assisting. Targeting. Spell. Or S.A.T.S. for short. Now this one is a special case, the sole items in the whole of Equestria that have S.A.T.S. built into them are the PipBucks you find in Stables. I had to find procure one, which I did from a random trader a couple of days back. Cost me a leg and hoof to get a hold of. Anyway, I thought of implementing the S.A.T.S. from the PipBuck into the helmet to give the suit an edge in a fight. I carefully studied the device for a day before realising the amount of magic that is stored inside the device. I am a novice when it comes to magic so extracting it was out of the question... but moving it into something else that could regulate the magic's use into something less magical and slowly recharge to a point where it won't overload the suits power systems and blow up was something I could pull off. So, I implemented a chip inside the helmet to control the usage of S.A.T.S. As for what it does, it was sort of like the S.A.T.S. from the PipBucks but downgraded as I couldn't fit the whole programme in. S.A.T.S. slows time to a hilt for a short while allowing for a perfect shot or to think as such, mine, however, only slows time down so if the enemy is close with a melee weapon you best have a fast mind to counter otherwise you are taking a good whack to the head."

Oh my Celestia, too much information in one sitting. How in the heck am I going to remember all of this? So there's the Friend or Foe box thingy, S.A.T.S. that help during a fight, an ammo count for the two weapons attached to me that knows how many rounds I have precisely and this black silhouette of a pony in the top left which serves no purpose for what I can see. What's next that might give me a brain haemorrhage. Nutty then proceeded to lower the winches till I was on four hoofs and flick something within the suit.

"This is where you will feel... perplexed about your, well, everything," Nutty said as he took a step back. I could feel the suit double check about the right fit as it decided to tighten up around my ass and chest before lifting the lock up. I could move once again, thank you goddesses, my body is not stuck aimlessly in the air. I took a small walk towards the other end of the room only for my eyes to widen from the first couple of steps. I was light. The armour didn't put on any kind of weight, more like it took load away and made me lighter.

"Right now your brain is trying to figure out how your body is now lighter than a feather." Nutty laughed as he walked beside me "Don't fret about it too much. The Pegasi from before the war had to be agile in order to dodge bullets and dragon fire; I wouldn't be too surprised if they used one of the Zebra's talismans on the armour to make them lighter then a feather itself. Just watch where you throw that tail, a custom-crafted knife that can give anypony a clean shave off the top."

I halted by the station and decided to test that out. An open toolbox laid there owning to Nutty. I picked up a spanner and tossed it up in the air before spinning around with my tail following suit in a diagonal slash. I gasped as the hard metal spanner was now in two. "Nice huh?" Bolts' voice echoed behind me while creeping round to my left side "I think if this operation goes well I'll see if I can make more modifications to the suit. Maybe a two-way radio instead of one."

"A detachment of the helmet might be nice," I replied as I turned towards him only for him to grin as he pressed something on my leg followed by air pressure being released on my neck. It went black inside the helmet making me react by lifting the thing off away from my head. At least I could attach the darn thing to my armour like my old one. I gave my mane a little shake to let loose.

"Anything else you need while you are here?" Bolts asked as he picked up the two halves of the spanner and place them in the toolbox.

"Nothing that needs atten-" I paused to realise the other reason why I went to him "Would you have any clue what TESLA is?"

"Tev Energy Superconducting Linear Accelerator." Nutty answered instantly only for me to scratch my head in bafflement "Trust me on this when I say, you don't want to get too into it. All I know is that it was an experimental energy source from before and during the war. The ministery of Arcane Science and Wartime Technology tried to work together to weaponise the power of lighting but abruptly slid it under the carpet for reasons unknown. All we have are some documentation of them working on the project but nothing solid. Mind if I ask why a specific question?" Nutty replied back.

I shook my head towards him with the words "Just curious." as I restocked the Carbines on my suit " I heard one of the Knights mention it out front, that's all."

"Well, just be careful who you ask around here about that topic and by who I mean House. He's very touchy when it comes to that for some reason." my ears peaked an interest by giving a little flick "He gets all defensive about the topic and then throws you out of the room, quite literally. I asked him about why he wanted every bit of information on TESLA I could provide next thing I know I awoke in the infirmary as he bucked me a new one for no reason at all."

"Thanks," I replied as I finished preparing all the ammunition for the Carbines before heading to the exit.

"Thanks?" Nutty raised a brow in confusion "for what?"

I stopped by the door and turned my head with a determined stare "The only way I am going to find out the information I want is to go and obtain it myself tomorrow."

The morning came all too quickly. I was already standing atop a cliff starring down below at the factory with my armour and weapons at the ready. I could tell the Raiders had set up shop around the lone plant as makeshift wooden barricades and watchtowers riddled the area outside, wouldn't choose the decore because ligaments are supposed to be attached to the body and not across the factory walls. Plus, I think the walls are meant to be grey not splattered brown. Yuck. Back on track, the only distinct feature of the area was the chasm forming just a click west of here. Unless you were told where this place was you wouldn't even know it was here. Such a remote location for a factory. In the distance I watched a small squad of Knights lead by Carrot from the right hunker down behind some rocks while another squad lead by Thane behind some dead trees to the left. I looked behind myself to see four Knights stand at the ready for the order to attack. A three-way assault on the factory, catch them off guard hopefully. They outnumber us, but we can outmanoeuvre them through tactics.

It was time to move, my squad and I are the triggers of the operation. They all know the drill, keep moving, don't bunch together and aim true. We don't know how many of them there will be so we must get this right first time. We all moved down the cliff and quietly made our way towards our positions. Mostly the Raiders are blind and won't see us coming but always expect the unexpected. We reached a distance to the factory, hiding behind whatever we could. I clicked my tongue as I saw my helmets' Friend or Foe analyser light up red boxes all over the ponies on the barricades. I even looked at my E.F.S. only to watch red blips litter the compass. This isn't going to go well, I can feel it. I lifted my right hoof before lowering it in a wave motion. Soon erupted from behind was missile fire at the barricades. The explosions vibrated the air around while more exploded on the other end of the factory. I watched as red blips ran around like mad on my E.F.S. I couldn't make out what was happening as there was nothing but smoke from the makeshift barricade. My squad stopped firing for a split second before a grenade landed at one of my Knights' hoof. I clenched up as I saw his right leg explode with red gooey chunks followed by screams of agony. Unlucky is all I could think of as I continued to make my way up towards the smokey barricade. The smoke dissipated and I was greeted by two yellow Unicorns holding nail boards with magic. Huh, nail boards, you know I expected something more threatening than wooden boards. Now that I get a good look at them, did one eat half of the others face and get their cutie mark for doing so? Raiders are so fucked up. I waved the three behind me to continue with the mission by proceeding to the right and left around the Unicorns while I deal with them.

"Why hide faces?" The Unicorn on my right snarled towards me while the other started to chew on the nail board. They didn't give me time to answer as both charged towards me, one still chewing on the board. My tail should make quick work on them. I locked up in a battle stance as the two made a jump towards me. My body really is incredibly light; I managed to sweep under both of them while my tail flailed at their legs. I watched as their eyes rolled to the back of their heads with their legs evenly cut in half. They now had a taste of what being mutilated feels like... if they were still alive, that is. All that is left is for my squad to sweep the outside while I clean the inside out. Shouldn't be too complicated.

I waited till my squad was out of sight to enter the factory floor. It was for the best as bullets ricochet across my helmet giving me a splitting headache. I dived down to the ground and looked around; there was active machinery everywhere. I couldn't tell if it was making parts for weapons or explosives but I didn't have time to figure that out as more bullets came my way. I quickly ducked behind a conveyor belt and promptly remembered that the factory floor had catwalks. I looked up only to see two red boxes outline a purple and red earth pony holding combat shotguns. That's why they didn't exactly kill me, shotguns at that range with my armour. Nevertheless, I swiftly aimed for the sky and bit down on the trigger inside my helmet, what followed was a barrage of hellstorm that eviscerated the two up top. I quickly gave a stomp which made my weapons reload a fresh magazine. I took in a clear breath before slowly moving up the conveyor belt. My E.F.S.s still going crazy from what is going on outside but how many of them are in here with me is the question. It didn't take long to get an answer as I heard maniacal laughter behind me. I abruptly turned only to get a face full of metal from a rebar. I stumbled back, almost losing my footing. I quickly got my bearings as I remembered Bolt saying something about a thing call S.A.T.S. It's just... how the fuck are you meant to use it?!

"Smashy Smashy!!" The Raider yelped out as he continued to swing at me. I know I don't have time to think about it but it would have been nice if he told me how to fucking use it. The Raider in front of me was a Unicorn; I kept moving back and back with every swing the Raider took. I growled as he hit my head once more making the headache even worse. Fine, if that is the way you want to play it, let's see if this suits reputation holds up. As the Unicorn went in for another swing, I hopped onto the conveyor belt with ease. I then jumped over the Unicorn while spinning and landing behind him. The Unicorn gasped in shock as my metal tail wrapped around his neck. I proceeded to constrict into his throat until I heard a loud 'snap' followed with him falling to the floor in a dead slump. This suit really does make you lighter than a feather. I wonder if I even need the staircase to reach the catwalk?

"How fucking many of you does it take to kill one of those cunts?" I guess it can wait. I looked at the back room where on the schematics an office was retrofitted to see seven Raiders in line with battle saddles equipt with what looks like a single shot 20mm grenade launcher. I ducked down underneath the conveyor belt as I knew facing that many makeshift explosives was suicide, even for one pony wearing power armour.

"We know you are fucking here little pony, come on out and I promise we'll let you walk away from here with three legs." Yeah, that's reassuring. Okay, think, explosions are still erupting outside, so Thane and Carrot are still alive " The longer you wait, the more pain we will inflict you fucking whore." There are seven of them with explosives; I have the clips in my Carbines as well as two more spare ready and waiting, "you and you, search for the fucking runt." I still have my tail... okay, let's end this.

I waited till I saw a pair of hoofs by my conveyor belt to slide out. Swiftly moving my tail around, the dagger at the end went through the Raiders throat making him gag and spit blood all over my helmet. I twisted my body around, while keeping the blade lodged in his throat, and bit down on the trigger letting the Carbines on my side discharge a barrage of bullets at the other Raider.

"Fucking blow the little shit up!!" The one in charge screamed followed by the sound the grenade launchers firing. I dislodged the blade out of the Raiders throat and jumped onto the conveyor belt. I cavorted from one belt to the next as explosions detonated from behind me. It was like a circus act as I did an occasional flip. Why? Becuase I could in this suit... I felt like I was Invincible as I reached the end of the factory floor where the Raiders were. It was there I bit down on the trigger and watched two of the Raiders fall to the ground. Three left, that is including the one in charge. The one in charge took a step back and snarled at the other two to charge at me while he made a break towards the back room. I smirked behind the helmet as I bit down on the trigger only for the Carbines click for a reload.

"The bitch is out of ammo, get her Lynch!" One of the Raiders laughed as they both continued to charge. Have they not learned what I could do? I sidestepped to the left before spinning around with my tail coming loose. The Raider on my left continued past me before falling to the floor with his head sliding cleanly off. This gave me enough time to rapidly reload my weapons and fire them off at the second Raider. His body now unrecognisable I reloaded the Carbines so I was ready for the final one. I took in a deep breath at the door to the back room knowing he isn't going to go down without a fight. I put my hoof on the door only to step back when I heard some electrical appliance power up. My eyes widened as I noticed the sound getting louder followed by the entry door conducting electricity. I dived out the way as the door shot past me in an upright position.

"Fuck," I muttered as I saw the Raider in charge walk out the back room with some glowing blue cannon attached to a battlesaddle.

"I am gonna fuck up your day you shitbag!" The Raider in charge screamed. I moved continuously, trying to dodge... whatever the fuck it was shooting at me, a wave of electricity? I don't bloody know, all I can tell is that it is making the conveyor belts explode as they are shot. I am much smaller than a conveyor belt so would I blow up into little bits if I get shot. No, stop thinking 'bout that and keep moving.

"How does a million voltage taste like?" The Raider screamed as I ran up some stairs towards the catwalk. There was a small area above the back room where he can't shoot me, and I can't shoot him; it'll be the perfect stalemate situation "Upping the ante you fucking twat!!" What? I heard some sort power up charge come from the weapon before it fired towards me. The catwalk exploded with the supports coming loose from the ceiling. I dropped to the ground as the catwalk decided to form into a slide followed by sparks above me. I rolled instead of sliding down the ramp and ended up bathing in the blood of the decapitated Raider. This isn't fucking good; I'm back to square one.

"Gotcha." I heard the Raider chuckle behind me, just keeping enough distance away so my tail won't reach. I ain't going down like this. I abruptly turned around only for my leg to tap on the grenade launcher on the ground. It was just brief, but I could feel the world slow down around me as my body lined up a shot against the Raider. It was too close for comfort as my body decided to dive to the right while bitting down on the trigger. The Raider in front of me decided to do the same but at a much slower speed. Me, however, was moving at almost regular speed. Is this what S.A.T.S. is, or Nutty's version anyway. My weapons fired away but not before the Raider got a shot of his own towards me. The wave skimmed past me while my bullets all went into his head making it unrecognisable. Time now caught up with itself, and I noticed the A.P. bar on my screen was missing more points than it usually does. So I tap my front leg, and it just activates S.A.T.S. That information could have been useful a few minutes ago for Celestia sake. Now before any more surprises, what the buck was that weapon and how the hell did it fire something so deadly? I walked up to the former Raider and knelt down to get a better look at the gun only to see the name 'TESLA Cannon' written on the side.

"What the fuck?" I shouted as I stood up and made my way to the back room where the Raider got the weapon from "Didn't Nutty say something about the project being scrapped, clearly not!" I waltzed into the back room to see nothing but standard office supplies on a table, and a chalkboard with the poster of Pinkie Pie starring at you with the words 'Pinkie Pie is always watching'. I screamed in anger as there was nothing here, I battled through Raiders and a crazed Earth Pony wielding a TESLA Cannon only to find out there is nothing here. All those hints from the documents, the little clue on the terminal and what do I have to show for it. A dead Knight out front, the place in disrepair and a mystery that was just a weapon being hoarded by some lunatic. This place is just another relic from the old world, and we fought over scraps. Why am I angry? Maybe it's because I thought something was here and it just wasted my time. You know what Pinkie, eat lead!

I fired my duel Carbines at the poster till there was nothing left of the pink Earth Pony. I don't know if it helped. However, it sure did feel good for a split... what's that? I walked over towards the chalkboard and lifted it off the wall to see a red button on the wall stick out behind it. What does that do? I pressed it only to hear loud noises follow on the factory floor. I steadily made my way to the floor to see the damaged conveyor belts all scrunch up against the walls supported by the floor opening up revealing stairs underneath. I held my teeth against the trigger in my helmet as I made my way down the stairs; I am not having any more surprises, not today. A good ten minutes must have past since I made my way down the stairs and I finally reached the end. I gulped down some saliva in astonishment as I detached my helmet. This was the fucking secret House was hiding, it was a Stable, number sixty-four to be exact. Was this the secret House was trying to protect, a hidden Stable underneath a lone factory. Taking another breath and placing my helmet on once more, I wandered up to what looks like an intercom and control panel. Out of curiosity I pressed the button on the intercom and said the words "Anypony home?"

What did I really expect, a warm welcome with a cake and parade, no, there was only static followed by a draft coming from the Stable door indicating it was open recently. I know I should wait for the others, but this is huge, the number of riches that could be lying dormant in a Stable could be untold. I looked at the control panel to see a green light flashing with a lever. It was so inviting; I pulled it down which set off sirens and amber lights all over the metal cage. A minute passed, and the door screeched as it was pulled back from the entrance. I walked up to the opening as it moved out of the way revealing an extremely dim lit Stable entrance. I could barely see what was in the first room, thank goodness every suit of power armour has a flashlight, ey. I tapped my front leg which activated the two built-in flashlights just beside my visor. That was odd. Usually, it is on top of my head not beside my eyes. Somethings change when you are in another version of power armour. Now I can see where I am going in this dim lit place. I took my first steps through the entrance to notice it being spotless as if it wasn't touched in years. My legs continued to move forward until I heard the sound of bones snapping beneath me. I looked down to the ground to witness bone remains scattered everywhere along the floor. I blinked behind my visor in a sudden disturbance. Why does the Stable look like it had a fresh coat of paint slapped onto it while remains are scattered everywhere? I lifted my head to see a metal door at the back with a terminal attached to the side. Trying to avoid any more bone crushing, I managed to make my way to the terminal. Oddly enough, the terminal still had power as I was greeted with a green screen. There were only two entries, well, one entry and a reroute of the power supply for the entire Stable. First of, let's turn on the lights, I do not like the dark. I clicked on the reroute power option, and it came up with a 'are you sure?' Prompt. I clicked enter and watched as the Stable came back to life with strange sounds. It really does look like a new fresh batch of paint was slapped right on. But oh my Celestia, the number of bones in this one room was astronomical, It looked more like a graveyard than a Stable entrance. I shook my head as I turned off my flashlights and looked back at the terminal screen. I might as well read this one entry name 'built to last'.

Can you believe it, we managed to get inside a Stable before the bombs hit Trottinham. Every single last pony on the list is accounted for, and we shut up the door early, thankful too as we could all feel the vibrations of the bombs going off two hours later. But we all pulled through and survived; this place really was built to last. I mean, it has everything we could ask for, materials for centuries, a water talisman and food storage filled to the brim not to mention a garden to grow crops with artificial ultraviolet rays. There are enough bedrooms for the one thousand ponies here. We can keep this place maintained forever and wait for this whole ordeal to blow out.

Built to last, from this one entry I can work out they had everything they ever needed, security, food, water, materials. So why did they cram for the Stable entrance? I opened the door only to be acquainted with more bone piles. I don't know if it was just me, but this didn't come to me as shocking, more like mundane. Death is not a rare occurrence in the wasteland; you'll be lucky if somepony would remember you much less think about your safety. However, down here was a different story, this was a during a time of peace, no war struck this place and yet there are so many bones littered everywhere down hallways all pointing to the same site, the Stable entrance. I walked for what seemed like an eternity down hallways and stairs; I saw bedrooms large enough for royalty which all had some form of workbench inside. Every room was nearly identical apart from the odd bits and ends on the walls. If I had to place two and two together, I'd say this Stable stretches for miles underground as I have yet to find a different room other than a bedroom. Eventually, I made it to a crossroads with two signs, the left leading to the atrium and the right leading to the cafeteria. Thank Luna it had the other facilities below the signs otherwise I wouldn't have gone left. I just followed the signs to the atrium to get to the Overmare's office. That place would have some answers right, plus I don't think I can spend all my time down here because I swear these lights started to flicker on and off. I made it to the atrium, or if you could call it an atrium, the area was vast with at least eight floors and a large office was beshadowing it all from the tallest point. It looked like some arena type layout to perfectly honest, the walkways and edges all went around in a circle, If that didn't look like it the massive T.V. screen below the office sure did as an image of the bottom floor was replicated upon it. I groaned as I knew I had to start making my way up eight flights of stairs to the Overmare's office. Eventually, I made it, and to my luck, it was unlocked. The door slides open to reveal a desk in the middle with a pony lying peacefully in a chair facing the T.V. screens in the walls behind the counter. I could smell burned flesh in the room for some reason while I looked around to notice small knick-knacks and scrap metal everywhere in the room. I walked up and around the desk to see the terminal sitting there active with multiple entries on the screen. One of which peaked my interest.

Yep, 'TESLA Weaponry' it said. Without even thinking I clicked on file to find out more. As so it turns out this Stable was one of the few selected to research a renewable energy source in the form of a weapon. This Stable had a thousand scientists, mechanics and engineers working on the project, so it had the highest chance of succeeding. In the first few years, they managed to get everyone settled in rooms and such. It wasn't hard for everyone to get to work on trying to invent new technology, everyone had a workbench and tools inside their rooms, so they had the freedom. Over a while, the Overmare had to instigate rules with the security wing to force the ponies out of their places and into the social areas. The garden ponies and such weren't an issue; it was the inventors that were the bookworms. Staying cooped up in their rooms trying to invent said TESLA. Years after more rules and regulations were brought in, and they finally made a breakthrough in TESLA and managed to develop the TESLA Cannon. After which, everypony decided to work on something which they felt was necessary. Some worked on making robots, some inventing new household appliances to make life easier and some continued to create weapons and showcase them on the lower floors of the Stable. Everything seemed to go all according to plan, until the fateful day the power shutdown within the Stable. What I seem to understand was the Stable was planned to shut down a hundred years after the door shut tight, hoping that the ponies could create the new energy source and hook it up to the reactors. But something else failed, when the power failed the whole Stable locked up, every door, terminal, air-filtration systems either turned off or shut itself up. That would explain why bones littered the hallways; I bet they all suffocated inside this tomb... I should not be here. I can understand why House wants this Stable; it has weaponry, machines, living quarters, the water talisman still works; this place is a gold mine. I bet he could jump straight to Elder if he presented this finding. Would explain why he didn't want anyone find this place out. If you could keep the power running this place could be a fortress. Speaking of power, wasn't the main reason why we attacked the factory was to get the power source that brought the plant back to life? I never did check the Arcane Powercore to see if it was the reason why the factory came alive. Too much hassle with the Raiders and such. I best make my way back up to the surface.

I reached the factory floor and was greeted by the smell of iron and sulphur in the air. I could tell immediately it was the stench of blood and gunpowder. It came from outside mostly. I know the Raiders never stood a chance, not with Thane and Carrot there. They were just maniacs with explosives while we had the training to use our weapons. It almost makes you feel sorry for the Raiders... almost. I wandered up to the open factory door and made my way outside; I knew it was clear as my E.F.S. showed nothing but yellow blips and my helmet showing green boxes over a few Knights that were standing around talking to each other. I never really saw it coming, to be honest. I wish I had that way I could have avoided such a fate to come. I took a couple more steps forwards only to freeze up as I heard my hoof clank on something metal. I looked downwards only to scream "Mine!!". But I gasped as it was not your typical frag mine, no, this was a pulse mine. These mines are meant to fry robots and those within power armour, my version was no exception. I screamed at the top of my lungs as the mine exploded beneath me. It was like a wave of pain covering me, I could feel my muscles spaz out within the suit, but yet all I could do was scream. It eventually got worse as I dropped to the ground while still being cooked inside the suit. The next thing to go was the helmets visual in which blacked out my sight. This heightened my senses in which increased the amount of agony I had to endure. I couldn't feel anything a few moments later, all apart from a headache inside trying to split my head open. All I could do was breath and bear through the pain till the Knights come and help me.

"Took her long enough."...what..."quick, toss the pulse grenade, don't want her getting up." No! I screamed on the floor as I heard something metallic land next to me. You fucking cunts, do you think this is funn- "ARGHH!!!!" I yelled till I could not anymore. I could feel my conscious fading away like some ghost drifting into the wind. My willpower grew weaker as I couldn't tell if my eyes were open or if I was breathing; even my ears felt like a long thin needle was piercing them.

"...She's out..." I heard the Knights voice, just barely though. It's bad enough I can't feel anything but not being able to listen to what's going on around me is hell "House's orders... out the suit... in the pit..."

I groaned as I forced one of my eyes to open slightly, It didn't do much as it was all blurry. I tried to make out what I was doing only to figure out I wasn't in the suit anymore as I could see my hoof dangle below as I laid on a Knights' back. It was like teleporting as I closed my eye and reopened it, now I am hovering over some sort of black chasm... That black abyss?! The one just west of the factory?! They plan on throwing me in?! You can't be serious?!

"You ready?" I managed to make out the Knights voice. Don't do this, what the fuck did I do wrong?

"Just throw her in already will ya, House expects us back in thirty minutes." I heard the other Knight voice speak followed by a whack on my head forcing a black veil over my consciousness once more.

Hoofnote

Level Up- level 2

Perk Gained-Rapid Reload- Reload all weapons 25% faster

Author's Note

I enjoyed writing this, and I hope you enjoyed reading it. I have not uploaded anything in almost 2 years... TWO YEARS?! I ain't going to sugarcoat it, I got bored writing the butler fic, I lost interest so fast it was unreal. But this... I can see everything I want to happen and take place. I am really enjoying this and I think this is that spark that has ignited my flame. All I can say If you read this to the end... I thank you for taking the time to do so and I wish you a good day. if you were the ones that did not... well... I got the view so I win!