Chapter 1: Unlucky Tidings

The day begins like most days in the wastes. Rain is coming down in sheets, the waters colder than a whores ass in December, and unlucky me, I’m patrolling around in the whole damn mess. Thanks to my power armor, it’s not miserable, but it still isn’t my idea of a good time.

“Of course, I pull patrol duty in the middle of a storm.” I wouldn’t say it’s unfair. Sermons always makes sure she has the lots drawn fair and square in front of everyone. I will, however, stomp my way through my patrol for having drawn the shitty end of the lot.

Our squadron is currently ahead of the main division of the Steel Rangers. An expedition for setting up a new outpost to keep an eye on the line between the ruins of Vanhoover, Galloping Gorge, and the Unicorn Range. The first major Steel Ranger outpost set up beyond the view of Bucklyn Cross.

Of course, in all her infinite smarts, Sermons took the job of being the first ones out here. Our post is an abandoned Iron Shod Train Roundhouse. It might once have been quite the view. Tons of abandoned trains lie about the ruined mess of the station. The only time I’ve seen one like this is back at Bucklyn Cross.

Even though it is a sight to behold, even with it being rusted to Bucklyn and back, the ponies who designed it set it up in the worst place imaginable.

“Who thinks building a roundhouse on a hilltop is a genius idea?” For a moment, I nearly click over to the radio station in my helmet to listen to some music until I recall one of the other squad members trying that out a day or so ago. The screeching of static in an enclosed helmet is a terrible sensation, though it is hilarious when you’re on the other side.

“Ugggh, not even the sounds of Sweetie Belle can lighten today up.”

“You know, I think you’re supposed to be patrolling quietly, Mayhem. Something something, bad Steel Ranger,” the voice that pops up in my ear has me bucking backward before the snickering picks up.

“Always so skittish for such a big mare. What would the Initiates say?”

“Juniper Berry, you twisted stallion, how many times do I have to tell you-”

“Don’t spook me on me patrol~” if eyes could fall out of your head, his would go with how hard I could feel him rolling them. A quick swivel of the area in vain shows he’s nowhere nearby, which could only mean one of a few things.

“Does Sermons know you stole one of her beacons?” my hoofsteps pick back up on patrol, though it might have been my imagination. I swear the rain lifts just a fraction now that I’ve got company.

A sigh and the popping of a bottle comes across the radio before Juniper responds.

“You two are always so serious about the rules. Live a little! Where’s the daredevil mare I knew back in Friendship City?” six feet under bureaucracy and better for it.

“Stuck out in shitty weather because of the lots, while some ponies spend their time stealing the beacons meant for emergency communications.”

“Borrowing, Appleseed, borrowing. Sermons’ll get it back long before she even realizes I took it to keep you from losing your mind.”

“You’re truly a gift among stallions Juniper, what would I do without you?” an overturned boxcar blocks the path I’m taking. He just chuckles, the scraping of something against steel before he comes back in while I figure out a way around the blockage.

“I dunno, maybe get a date? Everyone in the squad knows who you’ve got a crush on.” Spotting the sliver of a catwalk off to the side, I trot over. A snort of disagreement followed. No pony knows who I have a crush on. Juniper’s just fishing for gossip, worse than grandmares chatting over a hard apple cider.

“Says you, Gossip Queen. I don’t have a crush on anypony.” it’s a little more rickety than I thought, but it does manage to hold my weight. Ominous creaking aside.

“Oh Dawn, ya’ll er jus the prettiest darn thang I ever set eyes on. Won’cha marry me~” I choke back an affronted gasp.

“Juniper Berry, just what the fuck was that? I do not sound like that at all!” stupid idiot, I have not ever talked to Sermons that way. I am bound and determined for her never to find out. Yet how in all the name of Equestria did he manage to learn who I like?

“Oh, it completely is, ever since you met the mare when she came to Friendship City looking for recruits. One look in those pretty blue eyes, those long leggies of hers, and a toss of them luscious purple locks, and you tripped over your hooves.” my hoof catches on a lifted bit of metal, sending me forward before I catch myself. The entire catwalk is shaken from the impact, and a little more ominous creaking happens before it settles again.

“I didn’t know who she was when I first saw her in the bar, Juniper, you know that.”

“Ah, but the old Mayhem charm came out to play. I miss that Mayhem. Any chance I can give her a ring for old times? Tell her I love her?”

“Yea, let me just reach deep down inside and pull her from her nap. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to speak with you.” a throaty chuckle comes across, and that brings a bit of a smirk to my face before I’m off the catwalk and back onto solid ground. My patrol will be well into the following morning, so admittedly, it feels nice to have somepony else to spend the time with.

“So what about you? Any mares catch your fancy, Gossip Queen?” not that I have any doubt that he does. Juniper is the squads’ resident heartbreaker. Almost anywhere we go, he manages to wiggle his way into some young mares’ bed and leaves them, easy as one can please, once we get new orders.

“Well, aren’t you in luck? You know the new girl we just got in our squad? The lovely scribe with the yellow mane?” oh no, please, not her. She’s such a sweetheart.

“Juniper Berry, if you so much as lay a hoof on that girl... She’s an innocent young thing who doesn't need your dirty hooves on her flank.” a cackle of delight cracks over the radio chatter while I plunge on ahead once again, having to divert to another catwalk due to what appears to be half the tracks missing. It seems they fell off over the hillside we are on down below, leaving a gaping hole where solid ground and tracks once were. The faint rushing sound of water reaches up even this far.

“Juniper, quit your cackling. It seems we have a sinkhole on this side of the hill. I’ve got to go over the catwalk that’s still hanging to get to the other side.”

“Mayhem, are you sure about that? You’re a mighty big mare. Can it hold you and your power armor?”

“Is that a hint of concern I hear? Juniper, I didn’t know you cared.” I put a hoof forward and pressed down like the catwalk before it shakes but manages to hold.

“Ha, you must be going deaf. I just don’t want to have to hear an earful from Sermons about letting our walking tank die in a hole. Not to mention getting your PA out afterward.” However, the faint scraping of steel on metal is heard along with the hollow click of hoofsteps.

“The previous one managed, so I’m sure it’ll be fine. Besides, what’s the worst that’s going to happen? I’m in full power armor, so even a drop from this height shouldn’t do much.” Just keep talking, Appleseed; that’s it. One hoof in front of the other now, and don’t look down. Do...Not...Look...Down...The catwalk gives a shudder, a grating, and my hoof drops through a rusty patch of metal. I freeze, dragging my gaze down from the top of my leg to where my hoof now dangles over a vast hole and a mess of rushing murky dark water.

“Okay, don’t panic, don’t panic. Just got to move my hoof back up and continue forward.”

“What was that Mayhem? Is everything alright! Hold tight I’m making my way to your location.” Oh, cheese, I’m still on comms with Juniper!

“No, no, everything’s fine. Just put my hoof wrong. No need to worry your pretty little head, Gossip Queen.” Ignore the fact that my stomachs went right with my hoof. My eyes are still frozen, watching the water. One wrong move, and I might be taking a swim.

“Oh please, to whatever Deity is up there, don’t let there be Radigators in that water.” Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck. Take a deep breath. You’re a big girl. Now pull your hoof up slow. That’s it see, nothing to it. Do not think of the hundred-foot fall into roaring waters that lead to Tarturas knows where and can be full of hundreds of big irradiated gators that can punch right through your power armor.

My hoof pulls out with the shrieking of abused metal, and I heave a sigh of heartfelt relief.

“See Juniper, nothing to it.”

“Ha, I’m sure, just hang tight, and I’ll see about levitating your fat flanks off that catwalk.” a chuckle breaks out from the anxiety in my chest before I put a hoof back down to continue on my way.

“I’m not fat, Juniper. I’m all grade A muscle.” The glint of polished power armor in the distance comes into view. My E.F.S. (Eyes Forward Sparkle) gives the sweet clean blue color of an ally. It must be Juniper, I’ll have to give Sermons a full report about the tenderness of the catwalks lining the Roundhouse, but maybe she’ll let me report in early.

“After all, I’m sure Juniper can attest to the dangers of power-armored ponies trotting over rusty catwalks.” A crash of thunder is heard right before I hear over the comms of Juniper’s voice shouting at me to run.

The world lights up in colors, and the catwalk shatters under my hooves, the surge of pure raw lightning coursing through my suit short-circuiting everything. Just before the world goes dark, the last thing I hear is Juniper’s desperate cry.

“APPLESEED!” and the crash of water surrounds me.

Footnote: Level Up
New Perk Unlocked: Sarcastic Hearts - With this perk, you may truly bond with the pretentious assholes of the Wasteland. New dialogue options are unlocked whenever you speak with a hardened spirit.

Author's Note

Author's Note:
Hello Everypony, I hope you all are strapped in and ready to read. This is a major undertaking and something that I hope will let me grow as both an author and reader. Please let me know any grammar, spelling, or other errors that I might not have caught in the comments. I am also fully supportive of any Constructive Criticism that you all might offer, but please be aware that I will not accept outright hatred or an unhelpful criticism.

I look forward to reading what you all put, and I hope you enjoy the story and characters of Fallout Equestria: Building Bonds.

Sincerely,
Witch Way