Fallout: Equestria - Refuge

Fallout Equestria: Refuge
By AgentGei
Chapter 4: Inconvenience
"Welcome to my world of bullshittery, would you like a brochure?"

We trotted away from Sanctuary, heading north. The brief stay in the settlement hadn’t made much of an impression on me, but it seemed to have affected Dart more than he let on. He handled it with his usual resilience, but I could sense something was bothering him.

“Are you alright?” I asked, genuinely concerned. Dart cleared his throat and replied, “Yeah, I’m fine. I just didn’t expect that I’d end up traveling with you, of all ponies.”

“Am I that bad of a company?” I joked, raising an eyebrow.

He hesitated for a moment, then smiled sheepishly and said, “Well… let’s just say I was expecting you to need more medical attention from me.”

I rolled my eyes playfully. “I’m not that helpless. Besides, I made sure to give you all the supplies you needed.”

Dart chuckled softly. “The supplies that you needed,” he corrected, making me nudge him playfully. I like to keep our banter lighthearted, but I couldn't help feel a twinge of guilt. Was I just using Dart for his medical skills, or did I really care about helping him achieve his dream of becoming a real doctor on this damn surface? I shook off the thoughts, reminding myself that he had chosen to come with me willingly and that we were both capable of looking out for each other.

“So, Dusk,” Dart’s voice interrupted my musings, “What’s the plan?”

Oh, the plan. I looked at the map, knowing that getting back to Stable 99 was our priority. However, our current location in the far southeast corner of the Commonwealth meant that it would take us at least two days of travel to get there.

“Obviously, our main goal is to head back to Stable 99,” I began, showing Dart the map on my Pip-Buck, “But it’ll take us at least two days to get there.”

Dart hummed in agreement. “That’s going to be quite a trip, but I’m ready for it.”

I faced back to our path, appreciating his enthusiasm. I mean, he’s been living on the surface way longer than me, of course he’s ready for it. But before we set off, I needed to send an encrypted message to Crumpets, letting her know that I was coming with Dart. However, as I checked the available radio broadcasts, I couldn’t find the option for the encrypted transmission. I clearly remembered having that option back in New Thunderhead, so why was it missing now?

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, catching Dart’s attention. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his face showing concern.

I sighed, my eyes fixed on my Pip-Buck. “The encrypted broadcast option… it’s gone.”

Dart stepped closer, examining my Pip-Buck closely. “Broadcast, huh?” He reached for his own Pip-Buck and started tinkering with it. After a moment, he handed me mine. With nimble hooves, he navigated through the device, his brows furrowing in concentration. Then, he pointed to a specific area on the map, a forested area near the edge.

"Do you see that forest area?" he asked.

I nodded, curious about what he was getting at. “Yeah, what about it?”

Dart’s eyes lit up with realization. “Silly me, I just remembered that Sanctuary uses an encrypted broadcast system for ponies with Pip-Bucks. Gravy gave you the code, right?” I nodded, remembering the piece of paper, and Dart continued, “We had a similar problem with the broadcast not reaching far areas in the Commonwealth before. The solution was to activate a satellite located there.”

“A satellite?” I asked, surprised and intrigued.

Dart nodded solemnly. “The Stable-Tec Satellite Station. It’s hidden deep within the forest. I’ve heard it’s dangerous to explore alone, but we have no choice. If you want to send the message to Stable 99 or listen to most of the broadcasts in the Commonwealth, we’ll have to go there and activate it.”

Of course there were always risks involved in such a daring endeavor, especially considering the dangers that lurked in the Commonwealth. It was unavoidable, but we knew it was our best shot at reaching Crumpets. With a sigh, I agreed to the plan. “Alright, let’s do it.”

With that decision made, we set off toward the forest area marked on the map. To my surprise, the landscape gradually changed from a barren wasteland to remnants of the pre-war world—a desolate place of opulence and luxury, where only the rich and powerful had once lived. I checked my Pip-Buck and it said we were in “Unnamed Villa”. Was it left unfinished pre-war? It seemed like it, as the air got thicker and darker, blocking out the sky, reminding me of ground zero areas like the Shadowbolt Tower. I wasn’t sure if the crater was somewhere nearby, but signs of destruction were everywhere, indicating that the balefire bomb had hit somewhere. Faded traces of extravagance adorned the surroundings, and the colors of the buildings were indistinguishable due to the discolored, green environment. The clicking of geiger counters on our Pip-Bucks made us pause and retreat from our path until the geigers fell silent.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath. “Should we risk crossing through?”

Dart gazed intently at the hellish landscape before us. He pulled out two identical gas masks from his saddlebag using his levitation magic. “We have to,” he replied.

As I examined the gas mask in Dart’s magical grasp, I couldn’t help but wonder if these masks would really protect us. “Are you sure these will work?” I asked, my skepticism evident in my voice.

Dart nodded, “They should. I found these masks at a pre-war military base sometime ago. They were specifically designed to withstand the effects of the balefire bombs.”

“How do you know so much?”

“The balefire?” Dart smirked. “Let’s just say I’ve done my fair share of reading since I left Thunderhead.”

I trusted Dart’s judgment, he had always shown his knowledge and resourcefulness… like a damn egghead. There was no reason to doubt him now, right?

Taking a deep breath, I secured the gas mask over my muzzle, making sure it fit snugly. Dart did the same, his horn glowing softly as he double-checked the sealing and filters of his mask. “Remember, keep the mask on at all times, and try to minimize exposure to the radiation. We should move quickly but cautiously,” he advised, his voice slightly muffled by the mask. “Who knows what creatures we might encounter in a place like this? I’ve got to check our E.F.S. from time to time.”

I followed Dart’s suggestion and checked my Pip-Buck. Squinting through the dirt-covered plastic barrier from the mask, I spotted a few blips scattered around by the compass. Remembering how Crumpets sometimes told me the basics of Pip-Bucks before, those blips indicated friendlies? But how are there friendlies in a place like this?

“Shit, we’ve got company,” I muttered, and Dart checked his Pip-Buck, then responded in a low voice thats barely audible from his mask, "Hostiles."

Yep, my Pip-Buck's has way more shit E.F.S.. Neat.

With that, I cautiously stepped into the contaminated area and the rapid clicking of the geiger counter started to echo in my ears. One way to remind me that were in an area to not fuck around. Since Dart was more familiar with the routes through his superior Pip-Buck mapping system, I allowed him to take the lead.

Carefully navigating through the desolate landscape, we moved in sync. Crumbling monuments to a bygone era, the once extravagant villas and mansions stood silent and empty. Their grandeur faded, the area was littered with broken glass, twisted metal, and decaying opulent gardens. As we advanced, the radiation levels fluctuated, forcing us to alter our path to avoid highly contaminated spots, especially the narrow areas where the shit is more concentrated.

However, a dull ache spread through my limbs, and a wave of nausea hit me with every step I took. I checked my Pip-Buck and noticed a bunch of warnings about radiation poisoning, begging me to take RadAway (with a funny little trademark) and all bunch of instructions on how to stay away from radiation. I held back my throat from submitting myself to vomit, having to focus ahead on Dart, who I noticed was also starting to get slightly sluggish from the similar poisoning except he didn’t take it as worse as I did.

Occasionally, we stumbled upon feral ghouls who had claimed the luxurious villas as their haunting grounds. To our surprise, they not moving at all, like they were in some sort of stasis or whatever the hell science or magic that made them like this. But it was still a rare stroke of luck for us. We took advantage of it and quietly made our way through, avoiding any unnecessary confrontations that could kill both of us.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally emerged from the most heavily contaminated area. The clicking of geiger counters gradually faded into silence, and we could feel the air becoming cleaner. Pausing for a moment, we removed our gas masks to catch our breath and bask in the relief to the fact my body no longer suck in more radiation than desired.

I let out a nasty cough, feeling my lungs throb uncomfortably. “We should not go through that shit ever again.”

Dart swallowed roughly, “Yeah… and the satellite station should be nearby.”

We each downed a bag of RadAway, me having to battle through the ass taste with Dart having no problem. Has he been through a shit ton of irradiated areas that he drinks RadAway like water? We pressed on, entering the dense forest that lay ahead. The towering trees contrasted starkly with the desolation we had left behind, and the atmosphere changed drastically. The air grew cooler, carrying a gentle breeze that brought with it the refreshing scent of pine and earth.

Our hooves crunched softly on the carpet of fallen leaves as we walked. The sunset filtered through the thick foliage, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Dart’s keen eyes scanned our surroundings, ensuring we stayed on the right path.

“So, Dart,” I began, breaking the silence, “When did you decide to become a doctor? It’s quite an unusual career choice for a pony like you.”

Dart chuckled, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “Well, it all started way back in Thunderhead. I hated how they wouldn’t let me pursue medicine just because I was a unicorn. It didn’t fit their rigid expectations. I suppose that’s why I relate a lot to my mom… Anyway, that didn’t dampen my deep sense of compassion and desire to help others.” He sighed. “I always felt drawn to the medical field, so when I left Thunderhead and set out on my own, pursuing my dream of becoming a doctor felt like the right path to take. Maybe starting with you in the Stable would be a good start.”

I leaned in, hanging on his every word. “After witnessing the horrors of the surface, does that drive you to help even more ponies than before?”

“Absolutely,” Dart replied, his smile fading. “I don’t know if it’s just me, but… after reading about the atrocities happening in the Wasteland back in Thunderhead, I think I’ve become much more empathetic than before. How about you, Dusk? Living among the Wastelanders, do you feel any different?”

Looking ahead and avoiding eye contact, I pondered his question. Did I feel any different? "Honestly, I didn’t know… I was still… conflicted."

Dart gave me a gentle smile, his eyes warm and compassionate. “I see. There’s nothing wrong with that, Dusk. As long as you care for everypony, that’s what matters.”

"Me!" Her voice screamed with a reverb through my head feeling the faint tremble against my temple, "You kill me first! You got it? Not Glory. Not P-21. Not anypony till you kill me!"

Do I… actually care for anypony at all?

I tightly closed my eyes. “Yeah,” I murmured, my voice shaky and unsure, but grateful for Dart’s understanding.

Lost in our conversation, we continued our trip through the forest. The dense undergrowth made it difficult to see far ahead. The forest seemed to have a life of its own, with rustling leaves and chirping birds creating a soothing symphony.

Suddenly, Dart’s ears perked up, and he raised a hoof, gesturing for me to stop. His gaze fixated on something in the distance, and I looked where he was looking. Through the gaps in the trees, I caught a glimpse of a towering structure partially hidden by foliage.

Checking my Pip-Buck map, I confirmed that we had reached the "Stable-Tec Satellite Station." We cautiously approached the entrance and I noticed a few whites in my E.F.S., having this bad feeling in my gut. Just as Dart was about to take a few steps forward, I listened to my gut by flying towards him and tackling him to the ground. Then a barrage of bullets rained overhead us, narrowly avoiding them as turrets deployed from the overhang ceiling by the entrance.

“Brahmin shit,” Dart muttered under his breath. We quickly regained our footing, seeking cover behind a fallen tree nearby to shield ourselves from the gunfire.

“Are you okay?” I shouted over the noise, and Dart nodded, his eyes wide with surprise. “Yeah… holy crap, that was too close.”

Peering out from behind the tree, I assessed the situation. There were two black turrets that popped out from the overhang ceiling, and they immediately aimed at my direction, forcing me to hide behind the cover once again. Good to know that we were dealing with the pre-war technology that targeted anything that sensed something living by the entrance. We needed a plan, fast.

“Any ideas?” I asked, looking at Dart’s thoughtful expression. He scrunched his brows, as if trying to solve a puzzle. “We have to find a way to disable those turrets. Maybe there’s a switch or something in the control room.”

“Then let’s look for another way in." I added, "If we can avoid the turrets, we might have a shot.”

We crept around the edge of the satellite station, searching for a hidden entrance. After a few minutes of peeking around the corners of the overgrown building, we spotted a maintenance hatch at the back. It looked promising, but we didn’t know where it would lead us.

We exchanged a glance and headed towards the hatch, keeping an eye on the turrets at the front. Luckily, they didn’t seem to notice us. Dart’s horn glowed as he used a screwdriver and a bobby pin to pick the lock. I guess living on the surface for quite so long taught him some useful skills.

We climbed down into the dark and narrow tunnels, the air thick with dust and metal. We moved quietly, aware that pre-war buildings, especially the ones owned by big corporations, had all kinds of security systems. Dart checked his Pip-Buck’s map to guide us to the control room.

After a long and winding journey through the damp tunnel, we reached our destination. It was a small room with screens and panels. Dart went straight to the terminal, his magic working the buttons and switches. He was looking for a way to turn off the turrets.

“I think I got it,” Dart said, his eyes fixed on the terminal. “There’s a manual override command. I just need to enter the code and it should do the trick.”

I watched him work, feeling useless. I didn’t know anything about hacking or codes. I just hoped he knew what he was doing. The room was silent, except for the faint hum from above. Then the screens flashed, showing a message that confirmed the turrets were offline.

"Egghead," I whispered with a snicker, teasing him.

Dart smiled, “Ready to activate the satellite?”

We left the control room and began searching for the main activation chamber, then passing deactivated robots that were still looked threatening. I was glad we decided to turn off the security systems, after what happened to Dart at the entrance.

The corridors were surprisingly well-preserved, despite the rust and plants that grew in the cracks. We used the flashlights on our Pip-Bucks to see where we were going. I noticed some symbols on the walls, but I couldn’t read them. They were probably pre-war logos or something. However, some symbols were easy to understand, like the ones that pointed us to the main control room. I told Dart to follow them, and he agreed. It made our navigation much simpler.

Finally, we found a steel door with a sign that said “Satellite Terminal; Authorized Use Only.” We entered the main chamber, and I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Rows of satellite dishes filled the room, their shiny surfaces reflecting the dim light. Dart’s eyes lit up with excitement, his gaze locked on a central console with monitors. He trotted over to the console, his magic working the buttons and switches. He then maybe started the activation sequence?

“Dusk, you won’t believe this,” Dart called out, his eyes fixed on the terminal, “We’ve hit the jackpot with these old database notes. How about we read some history from a hundred years ago?”

Okay, maybe not activate the satellite yet. But who would pass up the chance to learn stuff from the past? I flew over and landed next to him. The dark console cast a creepy green light on his face as he scrolled through the names of ponies who had worked here a long time ago. Most of the files were either locked or corrupted, but he found one name that stood out: “H.P.L.” And there were three files that looked readable, with generic names like “Entry 1” and “Entry 2”. Dart opened the first file, and the screen showed the following text:

"Great, I’ve got to fill in one of those mandatory personal terminal entries… so, here goes nothing.

I can’t believe we’re stuck with overtime just to perform overclock maintenance on these satellites. Makes me wonder whether my pursuit of computer engineering was worth a damn. What’s the point of having a satellite station when the supposedly bustling nearby villa remains vacant?

I overheard our superiors talking about the villa being reserved for the privileged ponies within Stable-Tec. I bet it’s for those executive members, strutting around in their fancy suits all day for business meetings. They don’t have to endure the sweat and toil like us regular ponies.

Anyway, Barrier, good stallion by the way, took charge and checked the server algorithms during his shift, giving me time to type out this stupid entry. I’ll add more soon since it’s part of my incentives."

Dart moved on to the next file, clearly intrigued by this. He opened the second file, and the screen showed the next entry:

"Just another day filled with mind-numbing system checks. Repetitive to the point where I’ve become numb to the whole ordeal. But I guess that’s the nature of the job, the one I signed up for to pay off my damn bills.

There’s always a commotion outside the control room. I can’t tell if they’re yelling or purposely being loud. Then I received a call from my superior, instructing me to reconfigure the security system to ensure no trespassers would make it through. At least our Stable-Tec IDs have some use, with their microchips verifying our authorization in this station… And just like that, we received a notification about an anomaly at the entrance.

The security system didn’t care about who was who, but being the curious stallion I am, I investigated. It turned out to be a lone colt who stumbled upon this station by accident. Poor kid…

Things have taken a turn for the worse, and I can’t continue this entry any longer."

Dart and I exchanged somber glances. “That’s…” I began, understanding the horror that Dart felt. Finding out that the security system, which the unicorn had previously deactivated, had no limitations on who it would target, was chilling. It was unsettling to think that innocent foals who happened upon this place could be met with such violence. Shaking my head to clear away the disturbing thoughts before they consumed me, I noticed Dart hesitating before opening the final entry:

"We're hearing alarms everywhere. The staff is running in a panic. Barrier informed us that we need to evacuate to Richmare Villa as a temporary refuge. Evacuation? But from what? Even Barrier had no clue about who or what we were hiding from. Why use a luxury site to protect us lowlifes?

I guess this is what they mean by Stable-Tec looking out for their employees, but I'm a true pessimist. I would have preferred to head home and be with my Ma, protecting her from the zebras invading Equestria or something. But damn it, Stable-Tec left us with no choice but to comply.

I better not regret it."

"Oh, goddesses above," Dart gasped, his eyes widening in shock. “That villa we just passed…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but I got the picture. Those ghouls we saw weren’t the rich and snooty pre-war ponies who met a terrible end. They were the ordinary ponies, the ones who never got to say goodbye to their loved ones and were nuked in the so-called “safe” place. The thought that the villa was still radioactive after all these centuries made me shiver

I hung my head, feeling the heaviness of the truth. “That’s so fucked up,” I said, my voice laced with anger and sadness. Before I could process what had just happened, the floor started shaking and a low hum filled the air. The satellite dishes came to life, radiating a warmth that spread through the room.

Dart spun around from the terminal and said, his voice calm but urgent, “Check the broadcasts on your Pip-Buck.” I did as he said, and saw a bunch of options on my screen, including one with Crumpets’ code. I felt a surge of excitement, and blurted out, “It worked!”

But my joy was short-lived, as I saw the E.F.S. display on my Pip-Buck. The white blips were multiplying like crazy. Shit. I didn’t think twice, and flew towards the entrance, hitting the button to close the steel door. It slammed shut with a loud bang, but I knew it wouldn’t hold for long. I pushed a nearby cabinet against the door, hoping it would buy us some time.

Dart looked at me with a puzzled expression, his voice cracking. "Dusk... What the...?"

I checked my E.F.S. again, and saw the blips crowding outside the room. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut as I remember the ghouls from the nearby villa. “The ghouls in the Villa,” I told Dart, “They’ve been fucking awakened by the satellite!”

Dart frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”

The sound of growls and scratches against the door filled the air, leaving no room for doubt. The ghouls had somehow sensed the satellite’s activation, and were now after us. I felt a wave of panic wash over me, as I realized how screwed we were.

Dart quickly checked his Pip-Buck, and his face turned white. He looked at the door, then at his device, “Oh no… I didn’t…” Dart’s voice trailed off, as he realized the ghouls outside, clawing and pounding on the door, their numbers growing by the second.

“We need to get out of here, now!” I said, trying to sound calm except I couldn't hold back my yelling at the end there. “There has to be another way out, an emergency exit or whatever.”

We scanned the room, looking for a possible escape route. Our eyes landed on a heavy metal door at the far end of the room. It had no handle or any obvious way to open it.

“There should be a backup exit,” Dart suggested. We dashed towards the central console where he had activated the satellite. Maybe we could find a hidden panel or lever that could open the door. Outside, the situation became more dire and desperate, the ghouls clawing and gnawing at the door like rabid animals.

“There!” Dart’s eyes scanned the main control panel until they landed on a small, inconspicuous button. He tapped it with his hoof and said eagerly, “That could be it.”

As soon as he pressed the button, a hidden passageway opened up, the wall beside us shifting and sliding away. Without hesitation, we squeezed through the opening, finding ourselves in a dimly lit corridor that led deeper underground. The sound of the ghouls’ relentless pounding on the satellite terminal door gradually receded behind us. However, we had no fucking clue where this passage would lead us.

“Dusk!” Dart shouted with authority, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I don’t know where this tunnel will take us—” He was cut off by the loud banging noises behind us, and the familiar growls grew louder and closer until we saw the silhouettes of ponies emerging in the distance.

“Move!” I yelled, and we both sprinted towards the end of the tunnel. Just as the view of the approaching pony ghouls came into sight, I instinctively pulled out Zap-Zap and began firing at the few ghouls in front. Most of them disintegrated, but some proved resilient against the deadly prismatic shots, making my heart race.

Once we had enough distance from the horde of ghouls, I turned my attention forward and abruptly stopped when I saw Dart closely inspecting a peculiar terminal with a hatch above, devoid of hinges or any shit that can open it.

“Hold 'em off, please!” Dart exclaimed before he focused on the terminal. Damn clouds from above... if that's what it takes—

My thoughts were interrupted as a feral ghoul tackled me against the wall, its strength surprisingly off the charts. The overwhelming stench of decay made me gag, and the geiger counter on my Pip-Buck beeped frantically, warning me of the upcoming radiation poisoning. The intense feeling of aching and something liquid down through my coat made me lose my focus. My frantic gaze shifted to the horde of ghouls behind the attacker, noticing that they were fixated on me, oblivious to Dart’s presence by the terminal.

Good, they should be paying attention to me.

My heart pounded in my chest, my body becoming unbearably hot, muscles spasming uncontrollably. I barely felt the ghouls’ hooves digging into my limbs and the pressure on my wings. Fuck, the familiar rush of adrenaline. With all my might, I managed to push the horde away and quickly equipped my Zap-Zap on my hooves. Frantically flapping my wings, I took to the air and started blasting through the ghouls without bothering to take aim for accurate, critical shots. Numbness crept into my limbs that makes simple reloading the cartridge difficult, and my vision blurred, but I didn’t care. I had to push through. I had to protect Dart. I had to…

Just as the overwhelming scent of ozone filled my nostrils, I felt my body becoming weightless, as if somepony were carrying me. The tight grasp of the ghouls was gone… What the hell is happening? I tried to flap my wings, but I couldn’t move at all, as if my muscles had stiffened and paralyzed.

As I struggled to regain control of my body, my vision brightened a bit, revealing a dim light above and Dart’s silhouette with his horn emanating a soft blue glow. I guessed he was using his magic to levitate me. Then I saw his mouth moving, but I couldn’t comprehend his words until I heard a grating metal noise behind me, as if something had closed.

“Dart?” I managed to croak while my throat throbbed. Did I scream my lungs out earlier or what? Doesn’t matter.

“Easy,” he shushed, sounding worried, then the yellow-coated unicorn gently set me down on the ground with his magic, and I felt my limbs come back to life. Pain shot through my body, and I groaned out loud. My wings and legs felt like they had been smashed by a hammer, and I could see bruises all over. He floated a bottle of some familiar liquid to my mouth. “Don’t worry, it’s health potion.”

I let the potion slide down my throat, feeling the pain ease up a bit. “I got us out of the cellar and into here. I wasn’t sure if this was the right way, but Goddesses, you took a hell of a beating back there…” Dart pulled out a syringe of Med-X from his saddlebag and jabbed it into my neck. “I’m so sorry.”

“No,” I shook my head, wincing. “It’s not your fault. I was… stupid.”

He tossed the empty potion bottle away and focused his magic on slowly pushing the Med-X into my veins. I saw him nod, but his face was still full of guilt. “Then let me take care of you, okay? We still need to find another way to get the hell out of here.”

I hummed slightly before looking around, realizing that we were now in a tight passage. Rusty pipes ran along the walls, barely lit by flickering lights. The air was damp and cold, and I could hear the ghouls’ snarls echoing below the tunnels. How big is this damn satellite station? I felt the Med-X kick in, numbing my pain for a while. Dart watched me closely, his horn shining brightly to light the way. He didn’t seem to be using his magic for anything else, so I guessed he was just providing some light without using the Pip-Buck.

We moved on in silence, except for the sound of our hooves and the ghouls’ growls behind us. Dart’s horn cast a soft, comforting glow, making shadows dance on the wet walls. He kept his eyes on me as we walked, “How are you holding up?” he asked softly.

I breathed deeply, still feeling some pain in my body. The health potion had helped, but not enough, “I’ll be fine.”

Dart frowned more, his horn’s blue light flickering slightly in the moist air. “Are you sure? We can stop for a bit if you need it.”

I appreciated his concern, but the need to escape this tunnel was stronger than any need to rest. “I said I’ll be fine,” I told him harshly, “We can’t afford to waste any more time in this shithole.”

I saw him flinch a little at my sudden, unfriendly tone, but he nodded and still looked worried. At least he understood how stressful and serious our situation was, as my claustrophobia threatened to mess me up. We continued down the narrow passage, and the air got colder and wetter as we went deeper underground, the rusty pipes groaning as if they were about to collapse.

As we walked on, a nagging feeling grew in me. The tunnel seemed to go on forever, with no sign of an exit. The ghouls’ noises behind us made me nervous, slowly chipping away at my sanity.

The tunnel opened up into a cavernous space, dimly lit by a distant source. I felt a flicker of hope as I ran towards the light, hoping it was the way out. Dart was right behind me, his horn glowing brighter than ever.

But when we reached the end of the tunnel, my hope turned to despair. It was just another fork in the road, with more tunnels leading to who knows where. The only light came from a dying emergency lamp hanging from the ceiling. I let out a loud curse. “This is bullshit!” I yelled, slamming my wings against my face. “How are we supposed to find our way out of this maze?” Seriously, what's with these structures having damn maze interiors?

Dart looked around, trying to find some clue or sign. “We can’t just give up now,” he hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe the left tunnel? It seems to go up, unlike the others.”

I didn’t have any better idea, so I followed him into the left tunnel. It looked just like the others, except the air was thicker and harder to breathe. I wondered what was causing it, but I didn’t want to think too much about it. I just wanted to get out of here…

We walked for what seemed like an hour that my body starting to numb, until we reached a metal door at the end of the tunnel. It was locked, but there was a control panel next to it. Dart walked up to it, his horn pulsing with magic as he tried to hack into it.

“Should be easy enough,” he said. “Just give me a minute.”

I stood guard as if I couldn't help it, watching the tunnel behind us for any signs of trouble. I heard Dart muttering to himself as he worked on the panel. He was good at this kind of stuff. He had learned a lot from living on the surface, unlike me. I had spent most of my life underground, hiding from the dangers of the world. But now, I wanted to see it. I wanted to be free.

And then, I heard a click. The door opened, and Dart pushed it aside. We stepped out into a courtyard, surrounded by high walls. The moon was shining above us, and the stars were twinkling. We had made it. We were fucking outside.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I looked at the night sky. I saw a hint of a smile on Dart’s face. “Finally,” he said, his voice tired but happy.

The two of us settled into our makeshift camp, a temporary place we had established far north of the irradiated villa. Setting up camp inside the small, abandoned military outpost had taken almost no effort since the air wasn’t as oppressively humid as usual, allowing us to easily ignite the campfire.

While Dart went about skinning and gutting the radroach to prepare it for grilling, I took out my Pip-Buck and began recording a message for the encrypted broadcast through Crumpet’s channel. I gave her the lowdown on what I’d been up to and what went down in the last few days, right up until the present moment. And of course, I couldn’t help but end the message with some sappy, affectionate love shit. Damn, it made me miss her even more.

Disconnecting the encrypted broadcast from my Pip-Buck, I heard Dart clear his throat, seated across from me with the crackling campfire between us. “So, this Crumpets…” he began, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. “Is she your…?”

I kept a straight face, “Yeah, she’s my marefriend.”

Dart’s cheeks turned pink, as if he was embarrassed or something. “Oh! That makes sense…” He quickly composed himself. “I mean, how long have you two been together?”

I felt a hint of skepticism creeping in. “Two years…?” I trailed off, then I pursed my lips, “Okay, why are you so curious about my relationship with her?”

Dart’s demeanor shifted, a nervous energy enveloping him. After a moment, he sighed in defeat. “I didn’t mean to pry. I’m just… glad that you have somepony you can love and lean on.”

A whirlpool of emotions swirled inside me, “What makes you say that?” I softened my gaze, and my heart started to ache a bit, “Is this about her?”

I started to realize as I observed Dart’s longing gaze directed at the roasting radroach. It seemed he had been contemplating this for a while, especially after I broke the unfortunate news to him back in the cemetary. It was understandable, especially considering my long-standing relationship with Dancer. But the fact that he, her own brother, felt differently now that I had somepony else in my life was perplexing.

“I hate to admit it, but… yeah,” Dart finally confessed sadly, “Maybe it’s just grief getting the best of me. But hey, I’m genuinely happy for you, and I can’t wait to meet Crumpets in the Stable someday.”

I got speechless, but guilt gnawed at my conscience, an usual feeling I had grown accustomed to after losing Dancer from the last three damn years. But Dart’s candidness was oddly… comforting, as if it reminded me that I wasn’t alone in shit like this. I felt the urge to offer some solace, even as I grappled with my own demons.

“Heh, I bet that damn Paladin couldn’t wait to meet you, Dart, especially you're a medical pony.” I chuckled lightly, hoping to inject some levity into the conversation. “And as for Dancer… I know it’s not easy for you, and I understand. But knowing her, she would have wanted us to be happy and probably make fun of us if we keep being sappy over this shit.”

Despite my attempt at humor, a heavy sadness weighed on my heart, the memories of Dancer’s final moments returning unbidden… No, stop thinking about that, Dusk. Stop…

I forced myself to shake those thoughts away. Dart’s voice pulled me back to the present, “Hah,” and I saw his small smile and appreciative gaze directed at me. “Thank you for reminding me, Dusk,” he said softly, and I sensed a genuine gratitude in his words.

Three years had passed, yet I still grappled with ways to divert my thoughts from the painful memories that haunted me. Dart offered me some grilled radroach, but I politely declined and idly flipped through unfamiliar broadcasts. None of them managed to capture my interest, appearing as nothing more than amateur transmissions.

However, one broadcast, in particular, grabbed my attention with its morse title displayed in dashes and periods. My curiosity got the better of me, and I selected it to listen in. Morse code beeped through the speaker, rekindling memories of the Enclave in the back of my mind. Suddenly, an automated male voice chimed in, reciting a series of numbers.

Dart’s voice interrupted my thoughts, his meal halfway finished. “What’s that?” he asked, looking at me with curiosity. I shot him an incredulous glance and shrugged, equally baffled.

The automated voice shifted into a more natural tone, delivering a message intended for those with access to the broadcast.

"Good evening, esteemed individuals who hold the privilege of accessing this transmission. It is my honor to address our fellow pegasi who share the noble commitment to safeguarding our pure lineage."

"What the hell—" I blurted out, unable to contain my astonishment at how excessively formal the voice sounded. But I was quickly interrupted.

"Let us not forget, brothers and sisters, that we are united in our unwavering resolve. Our spirit endures, unyielding to the passage of time. By tuning in, you join us in this timeless existence. Embrace the path that leads to our reunion, guided by the coordinates that follow this sacred message. Remember, dear Equestrians, tireless efforts are underway to restore our beloved country to its former glory. All it takes is a modicum of patience and an unwavering faith."

Then the automated voice returned, now pronouncing the numbers in a phonetic fashion.

Okay, the way this broadcast announces their wording, gives me an unsettling feeling of deja vu.

Dart glanced at his Pip-Buck and twisted his leg to show me. It had a location marked as "EIF Bunker". “Any idea what this is about, Dusk?” he asked.

I focused on the broadcast screen, trying to recall any familiarity. "Reminds me of the Enclave broadcasts back then on the way they talk, like emergency calls for reinforcements," I responded, furrowing my brow.

The unicorn tilted his head, a look of curiosity on his face. “Do they use fancy codes or something?” he inquired.

“Fancy codes, huh?” I mused. “You mean like the phonetic and morse codes the Enclave used for hidden messages?”

Checking the map on my Pip-Buck, I confirmed that it showed the same marked location as Dart’s. I felt a surge of doubt and disbelief. “But why now? And who could be using similar methods? The Enclave has been gone for years,” I said, struggling to make sense of the situation.

Dart’s expression mirrored my concern. “It’s troubling, no doubt,” he agreed, his brow furrowing deeper. “Broadcasting something about the Enclave could attract dangerous attention, even if it’s just somepony playing pretend.”

I nodded, "Yeah, we can't simply ignore this."

We exchanged a glance, uncertainty weighing upon us. However, curiosity urged us to delve deeper and investigate.

"I think we should check it out," Dart suggested, attempting to lighten the mood with a joke. "A small investigation wouldn't hurt, right? Just like dealing with a radscorpion."

Uncertain about the prudence of investigating such sketchy circumstances with just the two of us, I couldn't deny my curiosity. The broadcast's uncanny resemblance to the Enclave's messages raised red flags, but like Dart, I was itching to find out if this was legitimate.

"Fine," I sighed, turning off the broadcast to silence the repetitive message that was starting to grate on my nerves. "Since we already have the coordinates, we'll check it out first thing in the morning."

The night had passed, and the sun was peeking over the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and orange. We packed up our camp in record time, tossing away the cheap camping gear we had bought from some shady merchant. We checked the map on our Pip-Bucks, and saw that the bunker was only two miles away. I felt a surge of relief, knowing that I had survived another day in the Wasteland, thanks to Dart’s help.

We decided to avoid the main roads, where caravans and raiders roamed. We took the scenic route, through the hills and valleys, where we could enjoy some peace and quiet. It was a rare opportunity to reflect on our lives, and what brought us here. I couldn’t stop thinking about the encrypted broadcast we had picked up. It sounded so familiar, like the Enclave announcements I used to hear from my superiors.

But those memories were fading, like old photographs left in the sun. I had been too busy trying to stay alive in this hellhole. I wasn't sure whether it was a good thing, as the Enclave had molded me into who I am today. Through their rigorous training and discipline, I had managed to endure on the surface for over a decade. But at the same time, our past affiliation with the Enclave had caused immense pain and suffering to the ponies around here, especially for her—

No, stop. Stop thinking about it. Shit wouldn't get better if I keep…

“Dusk?” Dart’s voice snapped me out of my reverie. I looked at him, and saw the concern in his yellow eyes.

I smiled weakly. “Yeah?” I said, hoping he wouldn’t notice my inner turmoil.

“Are you alright?”

I nodded. “Yeah, just… thinking about the broadcast, you know?”

He nodded back, understanding that I didn’t want to talk about it. His presence was a comfort, surprisingly so for a stallion. But I couldn't burden him with the weight of my past. He had his own reasons and problems to deal with, and I respected that. Fuck, I didn't want to ruin the partnership we've develop so far with the Enclave affiliation brahmin shit.

I played the broadcast again on my Pip-Buck, listening to the same automated coordinates. For some strange reason, the male voice after the automated part triggers some sort of deja vu, like am I acting insane that I thought I've heard this voice before? That same voice that I constantly heard back in my cadet years… huh.

What a fucking inconvenience.

I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion. This couldn’t be real. This had to be some kind of trick. Some kind of trap.

I glanced at Dart, who was quietly trotting through right beside me. Taking a deep breath, I made a conscious decision to push those thoughts aside for now. Dwelling on the past wouldn't change anything, but it's easier said than done if I keep manifesting those thoughts. Okay, enough Dusk. I'll just look down to my map, and huh, I see we're almost by the bunker, and I see the box structure ahead by the top of the rocky hill.

“We’re almost there,” I said to Dart. He looked at me, and nodded. “Right behind you,” he said, his voice steady and determined.

We made it to the top of the hill, with me flying over the rocks with ease. Dart, on the other hand, had a hard time, his hooves sliding on the gravel.

He caught me looking at him, and smirked. “Don’t judge me, okay? I’m not one of those buff, macho stallions who can handle this terrain like a boss.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

He laughed, his voice tinged with sarcasm. “Oh, come on. I know that look. You’re thinking I’m a weakling. Just give me a break, alright?”

I wanted to tell him that I wasn’t thinking that at all, but I decided to play along. He was trying to make me laugh, to distract me from my dark thoughts. He had noticed my brooding, and wanted to cheer me up. I rolled my eyes, and pretended to be annoyed. “Whatever, let’s just get this over with.”

We reached the bunker, and saw the metal box that was supposed to be our destination. There was a heavy door, with a faded white emblem on it. I couldn’t see it clearly, but it looked like a circle with stars around it. Next to the door, there was a terminal, surprisingly intact, covered with dust and dirt.

We checked the map, and confirmed that this was the place. We approached the door carefully, ready for anything. But there was no sign of any security, no turrets or robots or mines. It seemed too easy.

“I’ll hack the terminal,” Dart said, and I nodded. I watched his back, as he used his magic to turn on the terminal. He looked tense, more than usual.

“Something wrong?” I asked, worried.

He sighed, sounding frustrated. “The passcode is more complicated than the ones I’ve seen before,” he said, pulling out a cable from his Pip-Buck with his levitation. “But I’ll crack it, don’t worry. It’s just a matter of time.”

“I’ll keep watch,” I said, looking around. It was too quiet, too still. It felt like we were being watched. It was weird that no one else had been here, but I couldn’t figure out why.

Unsure of how to occupy myself, I glanced back at the mysterious broadcast that had led us here in the first place. But instead of the usual message, I heard morse code. It was beeping, with pauses in between. There was no automated voice, no pony, nothing.

I noticed a new button on the corner of my Pip-Buck screen. It said “Translate”. Maybe it could decode the morse code for me. I pressed it, and a new line of text appeared under the broadcast name:

I N T R U D E R

I felt a chill run down my spine. What the hell? Who was this? How did they know we were here? I looked around, paranoid. That’s when I saw it. A small red light, blinking on top of the door...

A camera.

Shit.

I had to warn him. “Dart—”

“Wait, I’m almost done,” he said, focused on the terminal.

I looked back at my Pip-Buck, hoping it would tell me something else. But it just kept showing me the same word. INTRUDER. INTRUDER. INTRUDER. It was like it was mocking me, or daring me to do something. “We need to get the hell out of—” I couldn’t finish my sentence. There was a soft click from the bunker door.

It swung open, revealing a bright hallway behind it. And out of the hallway came a dozen ponies in white power armor, aiming up their gatling laser guns.

Before we had a chance to react, one of the power-armored ponies tackled Dart away from the terminal. Simultaneously, another pony tackled me, preventing me from reaching for my Pew-Pew. We were defenseless in our current state, as power armor offered superior protection and resistance.

Looking up, I examined the armored figures that surrounded us. Their armor design differed from the Steel Rangers; instead, they bore the emblem of the Enclave, complete with bladed wings. It was reminiscent of the opposing faction of the Enclave, the ones with the full white power armor, back when Thunderhead was on the verge of collapse. Unlike the Thunderhead model, their armors had a more angular and robust design, as if they were aiming for functionality over aesthetics.

“State your purpose, surfacers,” a female voice said, sounding cold and commanding. “You have trespassed into the Enclave’s restricted area. State your business or prepare to face execution.”

No... it couldn't be.

No.

NO!

User Alert! Your perception just got a makeover. You can now spot caps in a sandstorm and hear a hellhound belch from fifty feet away! Keep your eyes peeled, you griffin-eyed explorer!