I suddenly burst through a set of doors as the winds behind me raged with cold fury, nearly every inch of my body was caked in snow. Silver shortly followed and as soon as she entered I slammed the door shut, she too was plastered in white. She sat on her haunches and began rubbing her forelegs rapidly, puffing out clouds of her breath as she shivered uncontrollably. Poor mare was not ready for the sudden snap of the weather.

After waiting out the Mechanoid patrols and returning to the track we went along our journey mostly uninterrupted for around an hour before another significant problem popped up again. Cosmo alerted us that the windstorm we were in was worsening much faster than anticipated according to a 'still functioning Weather-Sat.' So he advised us that we should find a place to bunker down so that we do not freeze to death.

Huh... Been doing a lot of hiding ever since I got stuck in this reality.

However that proved to be a little more difficult than expected, when we got the message the storm seemingly grew a mind of its own and cranked up the nastiness to eleven in a matter of minutes. The wind and cold was devastating, with both the temperature and visibility nearing 'zero' we depended on Cosmo's guidance to seek refuge amidst this mess.

With him constantly barking orders at us we managed to reach a large building. Not wanting to deal with this stupid cold I simply pry the doors open with my magic and enter.

I shake my entire body like a soaked dog to quickly remove most of the snow and my armor clangs like a bell tower. With that done I go check on Silver, she looked like she is half way to becoming a snow-pony. "Silver, are you okay?"

"Y-yes-s... Miss-s-s." She answers with a smile as she shivers, snow slowly flaking off as she shakes.

She is obviously not completely 'okay.'

'Look, I got something for you.' I say as I summon a ball of light once again, but this time with a twist. I pump more magic into said ball and it grows in size and luminosity and with a special little spell I cast, it shrinks down to its default size but then turns a bright orange and with it a much welcomed warmth envelops us both. I lastly float the magic ball of heat close to Silver, she gazes amazed.

"Wow! I did n-not know you could do th-th-that?" She stutters a bit as she stretches out her front legs towards the ball like a campfire.

"Eh, it is nothing that special. It's an old, makeshift spell not many know." I dismiss the perceived novelty of the spell but I am thankful of Silver's praise, I bring the radio's microphone close and speak. "Cosmo, we are now inside the building."

"Good, I probably should have warned you that Hoovestroya is known for unpredictable weather, sorry about that." Cosmo apologized jocosely.

I internally grumbled. "It's fine... At least it is not Mechanoids." I answered. To be fair, being shaken up by bad weather for a few minutes is leagues better than facing off those metal freaks. "What do we know?"

"I am afraid it is hiding in the shadows again, that blizzard outside would turn you into ice sculptures within an hour if you try to soldier into it." Cosmo explained. "Now, I am getting the feeling that you are about the ask a question about certain freaks of the metal variety, if so then scan indicates that there are no Mechanoids near but I will continue to monitor the area. If I were you I would snoop around and look for loot while waiting out the blizzard, just make sure to check around your corners. Be careful you two."

"Noted." But before I ended the conversation I asked one last question. "Where are we anyway?"

"You are in a train station." Cosmo added

"Noted... Again." I holster the microphone and inspect the surroundings. The orange ball of light provided sufficient illumination and revealed some details.

It was a short corridor, on the opposite end of us a door. Around us various bits of machinery imbedded into the wall, nearby a cart full of tools. I wondered if it had anything useful so I got close, Silver got back onto her hooves and began following, I also towed the ball of light close to her. It was a simple tool cart, numerous old tools and other bits of unidentifiable machinery just layed unorganized in it. Carefully sifting through it with my magic I began looking for something useful.

A pipe wrench? Unless there is a leak somewhere not much use can come out of it.

A hack saw? The teeth on this thing seem a little dull, nope.

A rubber mallet? Just... No.

Pliers? Huh, that could help in a pinch. I separate it from the main pile of junk.

There was this large power tool with a larger serrated, circular blade on the side. I fantasized for a split second about wielding this thing against the Mechanoids but that idea dies quickly. It would be very ineffective against metal armor and the more glaring issue is that I don't know how to power this thing.

A screwdriver? You know, This actually might come in handy, I set it aside for now. Searching through more junk revealed little more than refuse and small bits of scrap.

Satisfied, I collected my new instruments and stashed them in my backpack. We headed towards the door and passed into a large chamber unimpeded, it was the main hall of the station. It was enormous, the hall's height alone was maybe three stories tall, small cracks in the roof let little columns of snow swirl inside. Four chandeliers placed equidistant from each other made out of ornately sculpted metal and crystals hung high above us, however one of them had fallen at some point and turned itself into modern art when it hit the floor. Numerous benches were fairly spaced out between each other, and with it more abandoned luggage.

But before we began looting I noticed something unusual, at a far off corner there was a large rundown tent with equipment and crates around it. I inspected around to see if there was any sign of life but the state of the encampment was a good indication that whoever was there had abandoned it some time ago. With a better look at it, it seemed more to be a really shabby shelter of some kind.

As I approach the shelter with Silver I inspect the surroundings. I get a look at a nearby crate, it is full of cut up scrap metal, another nearby crate had the same contents. I also get a gander at the equipment, there was a dolly with two gas tanks of some kind on it, a short red one and a tall green one connected to a hose of some kind with a nozzle at the end. Near to it large chunks of metal debris.

We managed to get into the front of the shelter and peer into it, three sleeping bags were on the ground. Around the walls of the tent a number of lockboxes, equipment and junk ranging from opened cans and empty bottles and bags. Whoever were the ones here really dug in. A table with all sorts of gizmos was at the very back of the tent. One of those gizmos in particular stood out.

I got close for a better look, it was a medium sized flat box. On the front face there was a small cracked, black mirror on the left with a series of knobs and switches on the right, behind it a long antenna stood tall. Out of curiosity I begin inspecting the strange little device, it kind of looks like the radio on my back only more... squat. I brush a hoof over the device to get a feel of what it is made of...

*Click.*

My heart skips a beat. I felt my hoof push against something.

And just like that the device's mirror lights up with a yellow illumination as a string of numbers appear. I am more surprised by the fact that this thing still works.

"...And with that ends today's weat-*Kzzt*-er update..."

The voice of a young mare crackles from the device. Both Silver and I look amazed at the little radio, to hear another voice was refreshing to say the least.

"...And now for everypony's least favorite part... Mechanoid activity. *Kzzt*-You will not believe what rolled in yesterday night, according to some brave scouts at the Red Zone something managed to rile up the Mechanoids. Lots of them are crawling out of their holes and pa-*Kzzt*-olling all of those ruined cities like Black Mare. Not only that, some are saying that they are rolling out the big guns like those M-A-T's. If anypony is in the R-Z I would highly suggest you keep watching your back as those things can pop out anywhere..."

"Is it me or am I hearing another voice??" A very confused Cosmo asked through our radio.

I quickly levitate the microphone close and explain. "We found an old radio that still works."

"Heh, lucky you. Could you put the microphone close to it? I think I recognize the voice" Cosmo asked. Obliging, I levitated the microphone close to the smaller radio as the mystery mare spoke again.

"...Multiple scouts report that the R-Z will remain hot for a while, so if you have any expeditions to it I would recommend changing your destination. The Y-Z and G-Z have not changed much in relation to Mechanoid activity, just keep your eyes open and report anything unusual..."

"Hey! HEY! that is Flashing Diode! She is one of those news-ponies!" Cosmo exclaimed, surprised.

News-ponies? huh. I guess Hoovestroyans still need their daily dose of local on-goings. But one small detail was bugging me, why was I able to understand her?

"Cosmo, why is she speaking Ponish? aren't we in Hoovestroya?" I asked the space pony.

"She is from the New Alicornia Federation, our friends from the other side of the ocean. Lots of ponies from New Alicornia fled to Hoovestroya when The Uprising took control of their factories, but since a good number of them don't know Hoovestroyan so there was a lot of confusion running amok, so those who could took the mantle of translators. After a while some got into the radio stations and began relaying information across the frozen waste in both Ponish and Hoovestroyan." Cosmo detailed.

"Hmmm, interesting. Is she well known?" I asked, my curiosity taking the helm.

"She is one of the more liked ones amidst the news-ponies. Oh! before I forget, do you see a screen or a dial with numbers on the radio?" Cosmo cuts himself off with his own question.

I then switch my focus at the small radio looking for the specified descriptions, on the screen a small number is on it. "Yeah, what is it??" I questioned.

"That is the frequency of the signal, you can use your radio to tune into it!" He replied with a tinge of enthusiasm.

"Tune... into?" I muttered incredulously, was this more nerd speak?

"Really? How do we do it?" Silver asked, a smile spreading across her face.

"Farthest knob to the right of the radio, just turn it to the number displayed on it." He instructed, Silver was more enthused by this odd technology than I am so I unfasten the radio from its perch and place it on the table near where the smaller one is.'' Flashing Diode yammered away at topics but it was all background noise to me. I made a way for Silver to interact with the device.

I stepped back a little more and spoke. "I'll just let you two techno-geeks do your thing, I will look around for something useful."

"Suit yourself." Cosmo commented. But as I slinked away I heard another remark from the space pony, but uttered quietly. It causes Silver to let out a suppressed giggle.

"Heh heh heh, 'Techno-geeks,' to think she gave me crap for silly names."

I simply rolled my eyes, it was a sly dig at me but not a hint of malice was in his words. I moseyed over to some of the lockboxes and began fiddling with one of them, despite the word 'lock' being in the name it simply pops open with unusual ease. Inside there were a number of advanced looking devices, likely gutted from larger machines.

As Cosmo instructed Silver on how to 'tune in' the radio I began opening the other boxes and containers splayed about the tent. Most of them contained bits of technology among other widgets of unknown purpose, which is curious by the way. Were the original occupants of this shelter running some sort of recycling operation?

After moving some of the empty containers away I spotted a small container buried in the refuse. I levitated the tiny box closer and inspected it, on the top was a Hoovestroyan scripture.

"Спайкбол"

There was a simple metal latch keeping the tiny container close, no lock or anything really. I opened it.

I was surprised on what I found, there was a pocket sized folding blade inside. The beautiful wood handle and the metal painted matte black, so simple yet gorgeous, not tacky or overdone like some... monstrosities I've seen before. The blade did have some of its finish scratched off but that is to be expected of a used knife, if anything it adds character.

"You are coming with me." I whispered deviously. I pressed the locking button of the knife and the blade went loose, allowing it to fold in on itself for storage in the backpack.

Searching around a little more I realized I have exhausted most of the containers in the tent, only finding a singular stray can of... what I assume is beans by the label, the rest was useless junk.

*Klec*

"I did it!" A jubilant Pegasus exclaims. I turned around and looked at her, she was clapping her hooves together happily. Cosmo's radio then transmits Flashing Diode's voice.

"... And so that ends today's report. Now my dear denizens of Hoovestroya, enjoy these calming tunes for the rest of the morning. Like always stay safe out there..."

After Diode's signoff a smooth sounding jazz song caught my ears. The gentle percussions and snares mixed in with a talented saxophone player created a wonderful little ditty. It is not too different from something made back in Equestria. Silver had a huge grin on her face, happy she managed to successfully operate the radio's other function, Cosmo then chimes in.

"Huzzah! Silver did it!" He congratulates as the jazz music plays in the background.

"Well then, that surely is something." A very interesting function indeed but I rather not have music play while sneaking by Mechanoids. "Hopefully there is a way to switch back to normal , I don't want you to get cut off by other random news-ponies."

"Quite easy actually." The Private then placed a hoof on one of the knobs and twisted it, the smooth jazz then slowly faded into complete silence.

"Ta-Da!!" Cosmo sang out a fanfare. His voice was untouched.

"Huh, neat." I am impressed by the radio's unique functionality.

"You can use it to tune in on other broadcast around Hoovestroya, just keep in mind that some signals require a specific tune in frequency to catch and might not sound as crisp as my own transmission." He explained, I only came out of that moderately confused but I let it slide for now, Silver might help me break it down to laypony's terms.

"Okay, that is enough of this tent. There is a lot more of the station to explore before the storm dies down enough for travel. Come on Silver." I commanded, Silver nodded and stuck close as I swiftly reattached the radio to the backpack, but before leaving I turned off the tiny radio, no need to leave a trail.

We exited the tent and began looking into the forgotten baggage. However, much to our disappointment, of the twenty or so pieces of luggage we searched into, all of them were cleaned out. Likely from the original occupants of the shelter, barely anything at all was left. But we were undeterred, there are likely many rooms within the station, some are bound to have something good.

We entered through one of the doors leading deeper into the station, a sizable corridor full of small windows that would normally have a view of the outside but right now are blinded by the raging storm. A good number of the windows were broken or missing, letting in a little bit of the horrendous weather. We trotted briskly through it, not wanting to get covered in snow. We got to another large room, not quite as big as the main hall but pretty big overall, it was similar in most aspects sans the chandeliers. But one detail did stick out more than the rest, a large flag hanging from the roof.

It was a tattered white flag, in the very center the familiar stylized five-point star in red. The flag also had two separate red outlines on the edges close to each other, the last noticeable aspect was the thin, tilted ring on the star with a small dot on the very apex of it. Or in laypony's terms, a small red dot looked like it was orbiting the larger star.

"This looks to be the Hoovestroyan flag." I commented, admiring the beauty of the symbol. Silver too gazed at it. Seems like the country focused on the stars and space, it is a shame to see such a symbol in a dilapidated state. I may have pledged my allegiance to the banner of the princesses but like any guard or military personnel worth their salt you are to show respect to the flag of other sovereign nations, specially in their own land. Although the damage was likely caused by the surrounding elements, no one is here to tend to it and that makes me feel despondent.

I simply leave the flag alone, not much I can do about it. With the ball of orange light floating close I brighten up the surroundings. Debris is everywhere, parts of the ceiling have fallen onto the floor and the walls are damaged beyond safe parameters, even holes dot the roof letting in slivers of the very angry storm outside. There was some luggage but it was already opened, bare of anything useful. Silver and I walk around the place searching for... anything really, supplies are 'in the green' and Cosmo is keeping an eye on the Mechanoids, I should feel safe but I don't. We are not 'safe' in this cursed city, we are hidden, if anything I am calm and alert.

After a few minutes inspecting the area I came across some graffiti, I can safely say that because it is spray-painted across one of the cream colored walls in bright neon purple paint.

"Мехи победили, все кончено."

Under it a crudely illustrated Mechanoid stepping over a pony's skull was painted too. Charming.

Oh I really, REALLY need a way to understand Hoovestroyan. There is likely tons of vital information I skipped over because I do not understand the language. I bring the microphone close and speak. "Cosmo, is there a way for me to understand Hoovestroyan short of actually learning it?" I understand this question falls under the 'dumb' category, but seeing all the technology around perhaps there is a device that would at least assist with easing the linguistic barrier.

The space pony responds shortly. "You know, there is a device called a Hoof-held PDA. From organizing your schedule to finding deals on stuff you need, some had these fancy-dandy programs that could translate languages in real time! Killer stuff some may say."

I... Am... Surprised. I did not know such technology existed. "Wow...for real? You know where we could find one?" I asked in high spirits.

"Err... That will be an issue." And my spirits deflate like a volley ball striking a cactus. "Most of them, including other useful devices were likely destroyed -slash- dismantled for parts -slash- lost in the past seven years since 'The Big F U.' I highly doubt that one of those things is still out there much less functional...". Cosmo said.

Gee Cosmo, way to get my hopes up.

"... Your best bet is to find one of those Hoovestroyan-to-Ponish dictionaries down there, sorry I can't help you more on that."

"It's fine, I was just curious." I finalized, that is what I get for expecting this to be a (momentarily) walk in the park.

...

...

Park... Park... That reminds me of something. The Alicorn statue, I could pass a little bit more time by asking about it. It would not hurt to know a tad more about Hoovestroya. "Hey Cosmo, can I ask you something?" I inquired.

"Ask away"

"Back at the park there was a statue, a statue of an Alicorn with a swirling mane and donning a baroque-esque breastplate with a star. Do you know who she is?" I ask inquisitively.

Cosmo took a moment to respond, a much longer moment than usual. A saddened sigh is heard. "You found her, didn't you?" Cosmo responds completely disheartened, was she somepony important to him? Before I could ask, the stallion continued. "I am going to get straight to the point, she was Empress Andromeda the ruler of Hoovestroya." He said.

"Was?... you mean she is no longer ruling? What happened to her?" I asked cautiously.

"Current status: M-I-A." Cosmo replies, sadness permeating his tone.

"Missing!?" I reply in a combination of shock and consolation, my exclamation gets the attention of Silver who walks closer to me. I feel like she can sense the tense aura of the moment. Just how does a king or queen go missing? "How did that happen?"

Cosmo takes a deep breath before answering. "When the Fracturing occurred the resulting fireball that engulfed the entire capital of Hoovestroya destroyed almost everything. Emphasis on almost." Cosmo explains. "Be it luck or a fluke, the Empress was not in the capital when it went boom. She was at a meeting with other royals two-hundred miles away from the blast, Her Majesty may have been spared from the fireball but I can assure you that she definitely felt it, even from that distance. Protocol indicates that in the event of a large-scale disaster or attack she is to be evacuated to a secured location to continue the governance of Hoovestroya. After that Her Majesty and twenty royals, officials and other high ranking members of government disappeared, whether or not they made it to the secured location is unknown." Cosmo takes a momentary pause.

...

...

...

"Is... Is that it? Just like that? Just like that, The Empress disappeared from the face of Chevalier?" I was astounded, this cannot be the end of her tale. It is just too abrupt.

Cosmo sighs sadly, his voice shakes for a split second. "After seven years you'd think somepony would have sent out a message but no. Ponies still think Empress Andromeda perished in the fireball which is simply not the case." Cosmo retorted sternly.

"What about the secured locations? Has anypony checked them" Silver adds.

"Those are secured locations, it is in the name. Only a handful of high ranking ponies actually know where they are, I do know some of them but those are the old publicly known ones, all of which are in the capital..."

My mind is trying to wrap itself around the idea of how I, or any guard really, would react to a disaster of that magnitude as well as the disappearance of Celestia or Luna. I grimace at the idea of total chaos that would ensue, making even that insane entity of mischief known as Discord worry.

"...So much time has elapsed that ponies think Andromeda is either dead or worse, cowering away." That last part Cosmo says with a hint of what I presume is indignation. "Frost, Silver, I want to tell you something. My Empress is a lot of things, too careful, meticulous, worrywart, paranoid even. She is all that and probably some other things too, but cowardly? No!" He continues his rant, his voice growing slightly more indignant, even angered. "Would a cowardly leader protect her ponies from rampaging bandits by striking down the bandit general herself? Would a cowardly ruler sacrifice the vast majority of her own wealth and magical resources to safeguard her denizens from a viciously infectious magical plague? Would a cowardly empress stop a war, not by sheer force but by talking to the right ponies on the other side of the conflict, thus preventing bloodshed. Tell me you two, would a coward do that?"

We stood there in silence. I can't help to notice Cosmo's words carried a lot of pain, it is obvious that the Empress meant a lot to the Hoovestroyans. "No Cosmo, a coward would definitely not do any of that... Was- Was she close to her subjects?" I asked gingerly, slightly stuttering at the start.

Cosmo takes a second to answer, a faint shudder is heard in the background. "Close? That barely begins to describe it, nearly every Hoovestroyan looks up to her, me included. I joined the space program because of her and for the Empress to disappear during a crisis like that nearly killed my country from within. Not to mention the Mechanoids that followed..."

Perhaps it is just me but I am beginning to see a similarity between the Empress and Celestia, the almost motherly attitude shown towards her subjects.

"Frost, Silver. The Empress is not one to run away from a problem, something else had to happen for her that caused her to seemingly disappear. Even... E-Even if....." Cosmo chokes up. "E-Even if the UNTHINKABLE occurred and she was gunned down but those damnable machines... she .... she ...SHE WOULD HAVE BROKEN, DAMAGED, INCINERATED, TWISTED, SPLIT-IN-HALF A MILLION OF THOSE CURSED MECHANOIDS BEFORE SHE WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN, GAH!!!" Cosmo lets out an exasperated yawp, quiet shuddering and mumbling in Hoovestroyan is heard in the background, he possibly retreated away from his microphone.

We just stared at the microphone unsure on how to respond to this, Cosmo had a mostly cool, almost jokey temperament and always kept his bearings. But now, the subject relating to the Empress of his beloved nation being missing or possibly deceased made him despairing and emotional, likely a sentiment shared amidst the surviving populace. I try to formulate words to comfort the obviously agitated space pony but no words come to fruition, the ranting stallion continues.

"I don't think I have mentioned it directly but I am alone up here in my little space station. One of the reasons why I have remained sane is the hope that she is out there, alive. Even with her missing, her teachings and leadership still lives on thanks to the Hoovestroyans that still believe she is out there somewhere, hiding, perhaps with a plan to defeat the Mechanoids. But after all these years even hope wains, I have long given up on being rescued from this space station any time soon but what has also kept my bearings in place was the fact that the ponies down there are still fighting, still latching on to the idea of that one day the Mechanoids will be no more and the Fractures would go away..." Cosmo stops and sighs solemnly.

"...I was beginning to lose hope myself until I found you two." Cosmo finalized.

"Cosmo..." Silver utters, her voice mixed with concern and sympathy. I too was taken aback, his revelation that our misfortune restored his withering hope is... Is... uh... I am not sure how to react to that, I don't think words can describe what exactly am I feeling right now. Flattery? Shock? Confusion? Some combination of the three?

"Anyway, sorry for rambling, being a touchy subject for me and all. Well, That storm should let up soon according to the Weather-Sat." Cosmo changed the subject, His voice shaky but relieved at the same time.

"Don't be." I interjected. "You felt like you needed somepony to talk to and I am here. You help us and we help you, that was the deal, even if it is just lending an ear. I can not imagine how it feels to be alone, much less completely secluded from ponykind for seven years, if you ever need to talk about non-mission things I am all ears." Silver looks at me, then gestures at the microphone with a smile. "And Silver too."

It takes a moment for the space stallion to respond, the tension seemingly vanishes. "You know after hearing that from you, I feel a lot better. Spasibo, thank you two."

"Don't mention it." Silver said chipperly.

“Alright. you two sit tight while I’ll keep an eye for those metal freaks.” Cosmo finalized.

“Got it” I said as I returned the microphone to the radio.

We then got back to exploring the abandoned train station, not much stuff to loot and what little objects there contained nothing useful. After fully surveying the hall we went into a far off door in the back. It led to a small room that looked like an office of some kind. A desk and some damaged filing cabinets, it was a pretty ordinary office. I am already here so why not check the filing cabinet? I approach the cabinet and begin opening them, nothing but old documents written in a language I cannot understand; AKA trash.

I went over to the desk there as there were some documents on it too. Using the still lit ball of orange light I moseyed and began looking through the pile of papers and knick-knacks. All of it was written in, you guessed it; Hoovestroyan. Even the assortment of junk on the desk was unamusing, a marble cradle, really? How original. I was about to give up on the desk when I noticed something colorful just peeking behind a loose document, I moved the trash away and revealed it.

A comic book?

It is indeed one of those colorful booklets that little foals spend their allowances on. On the cover of the comic a short gray mare with a brown mane and a tall white mare with a red and black mane looking at each other with death stares, on the background a cast of colorful ponies gawking at the angry duo. One of the background ponies had a ghastly looking armor that kind of reminds me of the Mechanoids, but it is somehow uglier. There was even a zebra amidst the crowd.

To my amazement the little comic was written in Ponish, the title said 'Falling Out: Double Shot!!' in bright green text.

"Hey Silver! I found something for you!"

Author's Note

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! NEW EQUIPMENT AQUIRED!
-Heavy Duty Pocket Knife - Blade: Strong n' sharp, 'nuff said.