Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Nine

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I never thought I’d return to Dead Pony Pass, the place still as ruined as when I last left the place. Looking through my binoculars, I could see what had to be the smugglers from below my hiding spot, from on top of the valley's edge. The setting sun helped keep me hidden, as I spied, with no worry that any glare would betray my position.

“I see a few ponies on guard, pipe weapons and minimal armor. With more that have gone inside. They all look like your standard scavenger to me.” I old Hans

The griffon looked over with his own binoculars. “Ya, except look at their weapons. One of them has a peculiar rifle. See the curve in the magazine and that it’s gas operated.”

Focusing on one of the ponies I could see the impressive looking rifle. It was clearly made from scrap materials, with a shovel hoof hold as the butt stock, but it wasn't a simple blowback gun like what Molo had. This gun was a bit more complicated and likely used larger ammo.

“Ya, what is it?” I curiously asked.

“A pipe assault rifle, something that the gunrunners were making for Redeye to be his army's standard issue rifle.” Hans explained. “Fortunately the bastard died before it could be put into full production, but plenty of them were still made in time to fight the enclave.”

“Right, and I’m guessing that the NCR aren't just letting ponies trot out with the guns then.” I openly asked as I watched the patrol route of the pony.

Hans grunted in cooperation. “With how the slavers named it the Redeye Rifle, most ponies aren't keen to be seen wielding one.”

I put my binoculars down, and sighed. “A bit weird that we were using a gun as a way to confirm our target. But then again it is odd that these ponies are here when the enclave had taken control of it a month ago. Maybe it was those pegasus that had joined Tripwire, and then let him use this place to set up a supply route.”

“It’s safe to assume so.” Hans said in agreement as he pulled back from the ledge. “Let's head back to camp and prepare for the operation.”

The two of us then turned around and trotted off to a little cove of rocks further back, where we had set up a few tents. Fortunately we hadn't seen any pegasus in the area, so the Talon were confident that the smugglers would not detect us up here.

Inside the command tent, Molo and Cauterize were looking over a map with a few Talons and a merchant. They all turned to us, expecting a report.

Hans spoke first, addressing the others. "Still too early to tell, but we did spot a Redeye rifle among the few ponies on guard. That alone should justify an investigation.

One of the talons clicked his tongue. "Those rifles are no joke, .308 rounds in a compact full auto rifle. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want one."

"Well you might get your chance, but I'd advise you to not show that rifle around." Hand, told the other Talon.

The merchant in our group then spoke up, asking an important question. "Collecting guns aside, how dangerous would these smugglers be if they had more of this rifle? Can't you just dive in like you normally do?"

Hans shook his head. "From what the Gunrunners told me, the Redeye rifle is all about power and reliability. If they have more of them, all they need to do is spray and pray. Rapidly firing twenty bullets per magazine, each shot capable of blasting off a limb. Simply put, if they are able to get a shot right at us, the chances that we die are high. No, we need to take them out by surprise, make sure they don't have time to line up any shots on us."

I then spoke up. "I'll be going in on my own, and try to take out the guard's as quietly as possible. Then drop a flare for the talons to move in."

"Then we will perform a slaughterhouse operation." Hans continued the explanation of the plan. "My team will go in from the top floor, and Lottery's team will go in from the ground floor. This way we won't risk crossfire during the assault."

A chuckle came from Cauterize. "Nice and simple. And it lets us tear shit up. I like it."

"Just make sure you don't start shooting until you see the enemy. We need to keep the element of surprise up until the last moment." Hans clarified.

Cauterize shrugged. "Fine by me."

"And no using any fire, the two of you." The merchant said to both Cauterize and Molo. "Whatever is in there we're going to need."

Molo rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue in irritation. "Okay buzzkill."

From the back, Low Pressure raised a hoof. "This doesn't include me, I hope."

This time I shook my head. "I ain't trusting you to shoot at nopony. No, you're staying here with Rainbows End's ponies. Like we told you before, your job is to help talk us into the raider nest."

Molo then trotted over to me. "Lottery, you're sure you will be fine going down there alone? "

"I'll be fine. There's only three on guard, and I have the right tools for the job." I said confidently.

She then jabbed me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, just don't go having all the fun without me."

Giving Molo a hug, I then trotted to the other tent that held our gear. Following me was Hans, who asked me. "Are you doing alright, and I'm not talking about this operation?"

I pulled out Last Dance from a secure gun case, it looked absolutely beautiful in my hooves. "You mean about Horus, I'll recover. It's not like he's left yet."

"No, but in all likelihood, Regina will take him with her when she leaves." Hans reminded me.

I sighed as I loaded and then holstered the rifle. With my guns secured, I then readjusted my armor. Horus had done a spectacular job on everything. It all didn't look that different, but it all felt stronger. He even managed to fully remove any signs that my armor was ever made for Redeye's army. The black wire mesh on top of the leather was a really nice touch too.

"Horus and I already talked about that. And though I would love to go with him, we both have our responsibilities to fulfill first. So if you wouldn't mind, I would rather focus on the shit at hoof right now."

"Right, just checking your headspace. You'd be surprised, but even griffins can get distracted by such things." Hans then moved to the tent door. "I'll fly you down as soon as you're ready."

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We waited for the sun to finish dipping below the horizon before starting this operation. Hans carried me down the valley's edge. Though strong, Hans just didn't have that touch that makes me feel safe like Horus does.

With a quiet thud, we touched the ground. "Alright, just light the flare when you're sure the way is clear." Hans instructed me before flying off, leaving me alone down here.

Sticking to the shadows, I made my way to the former Redeye warehouse. My new boots and front hoof covers help keep me from making clopping sounds as I trotted, but I still moved carefully, just to avoid have an accident and ruining the operation

Peeking with my binoculars, I got a better view at my targets. All three were rather rough looking ponies in thick black leather jackets, decorated with studs. It gave off a dangerously intimidating feeling much like raiders do, yet very different. I'd seen ponies like that before in the Red Light Showroom, most of them being pony mercenaries. They were cold and rough, just like Talons, but also had a wildness that scared me. They were also the most abusive of clients to have, and most likely to start fights.

From where I was I could get a good shot on the smuggler. But the others would discover his body before I could take them out as well.

Moving on, I saw the other two, both mares, one with the Redeye rifle. The one with the rifle was a unicorn with a rather chewed up face, and a bit extra armor built into her jacket. Likely a superior is my guess, so she needed to be taken out first. The other, likely lower in importance, had a pip SMG just like Molo's, making her just as dangerous if she got a shot at me.

Watching them having a smoke break, I listened in.

"Why are we out here again, ain't no pony coming out here?" The lower ranked mare complaint.

The higher ranked mare then groaned in annoyance. "Because we're being paid to be here. And it ain't like any pony else will higher us."

"The boss could have taken Gwadina up on her deal. Like the others did?" The lower ranked mare further asked.

With a shove, the higher ranked mare pushed the other mare up onto a wall. "We ain't no fucking mongrels begging for scraps, not no way. We're bigger and better than that. No way we will ever lower our necks to a Talon! We Bullet Hounds will get back on top, and show those mongrels that call themselves mercenaries what real mercenaries can do."

She then dropped the lower ranked mare, who averted her gaze as she said. "Yes Lieutenant, my mistake. I won't bring it up again."

The lieutenant let out a huff before backing up. "Best if you do. The commander is a less forgiving sort. And our employers, they have ways to… make a foolish pony more compliant."

The other mare physically trembled. "y… yes lieutenant, I understand lieutenant."

"Good, now go check the west sector, I'm going to the watchtower. My mane has been twitching, so we might be being watched." She told her subordinate.

The lower ranked mare saluted and then quickly trotted off, leaving the lieutenant alone with me.

Trailing the dangerous mare, I contemplated on how I should take her out. But the more I thought about it, the less I wanted to get close. Unlike raiders, her body was sturdy and eyes were clear. If I got into a hoof fight with her, she would likely snap me like a twig.

I needed to take her out from afar. But even with the suppressor on my rifle, the other mercenaries might still hear it if they were close.

As I followed, she trotted over to and up a scrap built tower. It was just high enough to see everything in the valley below. Now this made a new problem, that of her body falling if I was not careful. The bitch going splat would put the other ponies on alert. But with how much she looked around, I could not follow her up there.

Backing off to an elevated and shadowed place, I pulled out my rifle and got into a sitting position. Horus was the one who taught me to shoot like this when sniping. It helped keep me stabilized, but let me shoot at most angles.

Looking through the scope, I could see her clearly. The mare seemed paranoid as she scanned her surroundings. But she wasn't wrong, and thankfully I was both down wind and hidden.

Waiting and watching her, my opportunity finally came. The mare had relaxed and stepped back from the tower's railing, pulling out a pack of smokes and lighting one.

As she leaned back and took a long drag, her cig lighting up as it burned and I prepared to shoot. Headshots were good, but harder to do and even harder with a target that can move. So center mass was what I aimed at, and with focus on her lungs. The angle was just right, as her side was to me, so I just needed one good shot to keep her from screaming, and another to put her down.

The mare took in a rather long drag, her chest expanding, and for a long few seconds, she held the smoke in. Then a cloud of smoke streamed out of her muzzle as she let all the smoke out.

Firing Last Dance, it let out a loud click-like sound, and I watched as the mare was hit.

Crumpling to the ground, she was clearly trying to breath, but struggling to take a breath. Her horn then glowed as she grabbed her rifle with her magic. Something I had come to know was difficult for unicorns to do when in extreme pain.

I let out another shot, the bullet slamming into the mare, causing her to lose her grip on her gun. But she still struggled to move, attempting to drag herself to cover. Then I let out another shot, which seemed to put her down permanently as she went limp.

I waited for several long seconds, making sure she didn't try to get back up. Her black armored jacket hiding her gunshots well, but the almost stream of blood dripping from the tower was more than a pony could afford to lose.

Just sitting there, watching the now clearly dead mare, a feeling of dread came over me. How easy it was, with just a few pulls of the trigger and it was over, a life snuffed out. It wasn't my first kill, but fighting raiders was a mad chaotic thing, with no time to think or reflect. This had been cold, quiet, and methodical.

My vision began to blue, so I lowered my gun, finding that I had begun to cry. Then, as though my body rejected what I had just done, my last meal forced its way up. I couldn't stop it as I tried to force my muzzle to stay shut, but puke came out all the same.

"What was that?" A stallion spoke up.

I froze as the mercenary stallion had clearly heard that.

Slowly looking around, he trotted around a corner just below me. So I slowly got flat, laying in my own sick just so he couldn't see me.

He then grunted. "I know I heard something! Radroaches don't make loud clicking sounds like that." The stallion then kicked a can. "Fucking hate this place, and fucking hate those damned slavers were guarding."

Scooting over to the ledge, there he was, so close I could almost touch him. Too close.

But this was also an opportunity.

He looked around, but never up as he stood in one place, with his pipe SMG at the ready, and then grumbled out "Maybe I should have listened to the others, the dash is really making me jittery. Well, not like anypony is here to stop me." The stallion pulled out a canister of dash and placed the rainbow painted inhaler into his mouth.

Pulling up my rifle, I slowly took aim. Waiting for it, his head close enough for my rifle barrel to scratch his mane, he then breathed in his dash and I fired.

Blood, brain and bone decorated the floor as the side of the stallion's head blasted open. Dead before he even hit the floor, I then let out a breath I had been holding.

Taking a moment to collect myself, the feeling of wrongness hadn't hit me as hard. So wiping my own sickness off me, I got moving, heading to the west of this place to find the last pony.

It didn't take long to find her, as she was grumbling as she trotted. "We're too good for this. We're too good for that. Maybe if the boss stopped trying to be better than the Talons, we could get less shady jobs for once." She then kicked a wall a few times before continuing her rant to herself. "And what's with the boss's rapey friend, and that obedience training! I'd rather get a beating than be forced to suck his dick." A long sigh came from the mare. "Best just do as told, at least then the boss will have my back."

As I watched the mare, she proved to be too jittery and always moving. Along with plenty of junk in the way, it would prove too difficult to shoot her like this. But fortunately she was rather loud and chatty, meaning it would be easy to get close to her. And fortunately she didn't keep her gun ready, her pipe SMG still securely holstered.

Drawing Rime Frost, I knew what to do. Just one clear hit and it would be over. So with my shotgun in my mouth, I crept forward, keeping myself in her blind spot.

It was no different from staying out of sight from a critter, or avoiding a rather sadistic client. Though I was glad I was not in high heels this time.

"Now our employer, I wouldn't mind getting raped by him." She said, causing me to freeze, out of confusion. "That suit, his mane, and that cold uncaring eye. What was his name? Trip… Tripper… no, what was it?"

Placing my shotgun back into my hooves, and preparing to attack, I had to at least clarify the name. "You mean Tripwire."

"Ya that's it!" The mare said as she turned to me with a smile.

A look of shock was all she could do as Rime Frost's axe came down on her head. It had made a wet sounding crack as the axe slit her skull, getting stuck in.

To both our shock and horror, the attack had not killed her yet, and she looked at me with unfocused eyes, reaching out to me as she mothed "you… bitch."

As I stood there with the axe in her skull, frost crept from the blade, and extended onto the mare's face. First the trickle of blood froze, then her eyes before taking over her whole head, freezing her face in the look of shock. Pulling the axe out, the mare then fell over. When her head hit the floor, it shattered in frozen gore.

I myself was utterly shocked, too shocked to even wretch at what I just did. Instead I just slowly backed away, unsure how to even explain this if anypony ever saw it.

Remembering the mission, I ran to the tower, and lit the flare. It let out a red light and billowed smoke. As I waited for the others, I saw the lieutenant's corpse, next to her was her Redeye rifle, and a pack of smokes. Even the cigarette she had been smoking was here, and still lit, if barely.

Picking up the pack of smokes, it was a brand I hadn't seen yet, it depicted the pink smiling mare. Using the used cigarette to light a stick I pulled out, I breathed in the smoke and immediately felt calmer. Actually I felt even better, great even.

"Nice kill there." Hans said as he landed in the tower. "But next time try to end it in two shots, if she got even one shot-"

"I know that!" I said, cutting his nagging off, then offered him a cigarette.

Hans reached out to take one, but then pulled back. "I'll pass on one of those."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You smoke like a chimney, why not?"

He pointed at the pack. "Because that's a chem laced cigarette from Fillydelphia. Anyways, I only smoke Coffin Nails."

I paused for a moment at realizing what I was smoking, but didn't spit it out. Instead I took another puff and placed the pack in a pocket. It wasn't bad, so why waste it. "Alright, then let's get moving before I lose my nerves."

Hand nodded. "Right, you're not a Talon or raider like the rest of us. If you want, you can sit this out."

"No, I started this, so I need to finish it." I told him as I picked up the Redeye rifle, and salvaged two magazines from the dead mare.

Looking at the rifle, it gave off a strange sense of power from it. Not like magic with Rime Frost, but more like just raw power. From the thick barrel to the long exposed spring, I was sure this thing was dangerous, no matter who's hooves it was in.

Hans then clicked his tongue. "I really wish I could bring that thing home with me and get it converted for claw fire."

I nodded. "Ya, I think I can understand what you mean."
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Molo, Cauterize and I were all in our position, waiting for the Talons to fire a flare as their sign. The formation was simple, with Molo acting as the vanguard, charging in first and laying down as much fire on any enemy as possible. Cauterize will be right behind her and take out anypony she missed. I would cover the rear, and keep any of the enemy from hitting our back.

Molo looked annoyed as she watched Cauterize play with his new gun. "Why does he get the fucking assault rifle?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why are you complaining, you got four SMGs now."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Ya, but they don't shoot .308's."

I face hoofed. "That's your problem. It's because he gets the bigger bullets."

"Well, it's a cooler gun." Molo grumbled. "I do love my two babies, but they just do have the same bang."

A light then flared to life high above us, signaling that it was time. "Well time to use your babies." I told Molo, then turned to Cauterize. "Break down that door and let's kill some slavers!"

Cauterize smiled wide as he slung the pipe assault rifle onto his back and charged the door. With a loud "wham" Cauterize slammed into the door, knocking it off its hinges.

Molo soon after jumped in guns blazing, the sound of her SMGs deafening her manic laughter. A statement that Cauterize quickly joined in, his rifle clearly louder.

Joining them inside with Whisky Shot ready in my muzzle, the room we entered was a mess of bullet holes and bodies. The ponies here did have a chance, not even for the ones who got to cover. Where Molo's attack had done its damage, it could not go through the metal tables that were used as cover. But Cauterize's attack had, with large holes punched into… well everything.

Seeing it in action, I was starting to understand why the Redeye Rifle was such a big deal. I hadn't seen a gun that could shoot .308 at full auto before, and it was a terrifying thing to say the least. This gun was probably why the NCR was having so much trouble.

Both my companions reloaded and we moved on.

We were quickly met with resistance as we hit a hallway, ponies using the doorway for cover. But like before, Cauterize's new gun just punched through the walls. Molo bolted forward, making sure any pony waiting in ambush didn't get the opportunity. It was more of a mad dash than an orderly assault, both ex-raiders fighting with a mad glee.

Keeping watch on our rear, a mercenary rolled out to attack. Firing as fast as I could, I unloaded all six rounds into the pony as they fired back. We both hit each other, and it felt like I just got kicked in the chest as I kept pulling the trigger, taking a while to realize that my revolver was spent and my opponent was dead.

Checking myself, I found a bullet lodged in my chest armor from under my jumpsuit. "Fuck!" I huffed out.

"What's wrong!" Molo shouted to me.

"Going to need to patch up my suit." I told Molo as I looked her way.

My friend's armor was poked in dents and holes. She herself was bleeding from a few places, but not badly. "Damn, but it looks like your armor works."

"Yours too." I said back to her.

She smiled before drinking a healing potion and continuing her rampage.

Emptying my revolver, I then pulled two half moon clips and loaded the gun. The loading practice I had done for over a month had paid off, and I managed to not fumble the reload while still jittery from the fight.

As I joined the others, I was then shoved back as both Molo and Cauterize took cover. "Eat Shit raiders!" A rather large and armored Bullet Hound merc yelled, with a minigun strapped to his barrel. Getting as low as I could to the floor, bullets then wizarded over me like it was a vertical rainstorm.

But as soon as it started it then stopped.

Looking up from my cover, I saw Hans standing over the merc, with a combat knife in the ponies skull. Pulling it out, Hans let the merc fall over.

"The other two Talons are doing an area sweep to look for any stragglers, but this should be all of them. We successfully caught them with their dicks out." Hans said with a smile.

I let my legs give out, and took a moment to catch my breath. The sound of nonstop gunfire and getting shot had taken a lot out of me.

Then I felt Hans stick his talon into my jumpsuit, causing me to freeze in surprise. His talon brushed against my chest fluff and… began feeling my armor from the inside?

Pulling a flattened bullet out from the inside of my jumpsuit, he then passed it to me. "Lucky you they only had crap ammo, if the round was any bigger or more powerful, you'd have more than just a bruise."

Looking at the bullet, I then put it into an unused pocket. "Th… Thanks, I'll remember that." I then gave him a hard slap. "And ask me the next time you want to shove a talon under my clothes."

Hans laughed, looking a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, just a bit of a habit."

There was then the pop of a gunshot, followed by a torrent of rifle fire. After a moment, we heard one of the other Talons call out. "Now it's all clear, and they didn't hit anything vital!"

Hans then shrugged. "We get shot... a lot."

With everything now clear, the Talons flew off to grab the merchants as my team gathered bodies to throw in a single room. It was to minimize the smell of death, and so that we didn't have to step over the bodies.

Molo and Cauterize were quick to loot the corpse; chems, ammo, spare guns, and they both claimed an intact jacket for themselves. It all looked natural to them, and knowing what they used to be, it definitely was.

I didn't need any new guns, but I was more than fine with a few more bullets, and a bottle of booze. All the while I puffed on a chem laced cigarette to keep my nerves calm.

Where some bodies were mostly intact, others had been turned into a mutilated mess. Just looking at some made my stomach wretch, and then I had to move them. Worse was that some ponies were barely adults, and a few of them were rather pretty mares who probably could have done some other work then this. But it was too late for them as I forced their cold dead eyes shut.

"Nasty business, aint it." Molo said as she tossed the last corps into the now named, corps room.

It was chosen because it already had several dead bodies in it. Of which looked like the poor ponies had been thoroughly tortured before their death, and probably raped before and after. It at least gave me some solace, as we gave those ponies some justice, and prepared their bodies for a proper burial. No way I would let their bodies be stored with those who abused and murdered them.

I nodded at Molo's statement as we trotted away. "But it had to be done."

As we came to a table, she then passed me a glass of whisky. "To better days."

Taking the glass, I clinked it with hers. "May it come sooner than later."

Soon after the merchants got to work looking though the warehouse, pulling out materials, and reading papers. Among the things the smugglers here were moving were a shit ton of guns, ammo, and a chem called stamped.

"Well this confirms it, they are planning on making a raider horde, and a dangerous one at that." The lead merchant said as he tossed the chem filled syringe to Hans.

Our Talon friend scowled as he looked at the chem. "Where the fuck are they getting so many combat chems? This makes no sense."

The merchant nodded in agreement. "Ya, even our own chem suppliers can't produce this much anymore. Not without slave labor and a factory space for them to work in. At least the guns and ammo are a known factor, as the NCR are still finding weapons caches all over Fillydelphia. Many of which had already been emptied." He then grunted in irritation. "We should have taken a prisoner."

Hans then trotted over to a crate and pulled out a Redeye rifle. "You and I both know that the guards here likely know nothing. It's how Fillydelphia slavers work when they want to keep secrets. Best to stick with the plan and wait for the ponies from the raider camp to arrive. If Rainbows End connections are right, they should appear sometime this morning."

Again, the merchant nodded. "Yes, you're right. I just spoke too soon. A prisoner would put this operation at risk."

I then trotted up to the two, passing them a bottle of whisky. "Then we might as well settle in for the night, wake up early in the morning."

Hans took the bottle, but then passed it to the merchant. "We Talons will take watch, the rest of you ponies go and rest up." He then eyed me and sighed. "And maybe wash up too."

"Ya, got to wash the blood off my hooves." I said, now feeling a bit tipsy. "I'll be right back."

As I trotted off, I shook my hips in a strut. It felt dumb, but also fun. So long as it kept me from thinking about all the cold dead eyes from tonight.

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