Fallout: Equestria - The Spark of Life

Interlude 2: The Valiant Heroes

That's it, right? We didn't make friends with anypony else?

Deadshot Calamity looked over the walls surrounding Junction R-7 and scowled deeply. It had been several days since the last attack by the Storm Guards and the Storm King’s raider army. Junction R-7 had barely held up against the assault. They were already repairing one of the walls.

His gaze drifted back over to the makeshift hospital. Velvet Remedy would be there now, assisting as best as she could in healing the injured. They’d managed to keep the enemy at bay, but he knew any moment could result in another battle. Unfortunately, he didn’t think they could withstand another attack.

Beyond the hospital rows of refugee tents from Fort Knowledge sat in rows. The alicorns from the Followers were going back and forth, making sure everypony had everything they needed.

“It’s too quiet,” one of the pegasi guarding the walls said softly.

“Eyup,” Calamity said succinctly. “Worries me just a bit.”

“The NCR isn’t even fully mobilized. What happens if they take Junction R-7?” the other pegasus asked.

“I don’t know, but we’ll have to figure out something,” Calamity said.

A flurry of yellow and pink landed on the wall next to him, nearly startling him before he realized who it was.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” the yellow pegasus mare said softly. “I didn’t mean to scare you, Calamity.”

Calamity merely grinned. “Miss Fluttershy. To what do we owe your presence?” he said with a tip of his hat.

Fluttershy turned and dropped the saddlebags she was wearing. “I made your team some sandwiches,” she said. “I know you are probably not eating too well up here.”

“Velvet put you up to this, didn’t she?” Calamity said.

“Maybe,” Fluttershy said with a slight grin. “She said you needed to eat.”

Calamity chuckled. “Well, thanks,” he said. “Tell my wife I said thank you as well. Now, you should probably get back to the hospital. It’s not safe up here.”

Fluttershy merely smiled and nodded, taking back off towards the hospital. Calamity motioned at the small care package.

“Take shifts and eat if y’all can,” he said. “But keep an eye on that horizon.”

The rest of the day and into the evening went smoothly enough. Nothing attacked, nothing happened. It was a strange lull. Calamity didn’t like it one bit. He hated having to be on attention the entire time. They tried to take shifts, but if the attack came proper all hooves would need to be on deck.

The night was still and quiet as well. Calamity yawned slightly as he shuffled into his makeshift bed after his watch. Just as quickly as he closed his eyes he reopened them to find one of the other guards shaking him awake.

“What’s… going on?” he asked.

“Movement on the road,” one of the guards said. “Too foggy, not sure who it is.”

Calamity shot awake, placing his hat back on his head. “Well, you know what muh policy is,” he said. “Don’t let them get too close.”

The other guard nodded, moving to relay the instructions to the others along the wall. Calamity stood and watched solemnly as something shifted in the fog. A large tank rolled out of the mist. Calamity’s eyes widened and he grinned.

“Wait, don’t fire!” he shouted. “Forget muh policy! It’s the NCR!”

More troops began to pour out of fog, dressed in the fatigues common to the New Canterlot Republic. Calamity couldn’t believe how fast they’d arrived. They rolled right up to the gates of Junction R-7 and the brown pegasus soared down to land in front of them. A handsome looking but older unicorn stallion stepped off of the side of the tank.

“I understand you’re in need of some help,” he said.

“Dang tootin’ we do,” Calamity said. “I can’t believe y’all made it here so quickly.”

“We have our ways. I’m Commander Kirby,” the unicorn replied with a smile. “I think you and I should talk, so we can get our bearings on this enemy. We’ve only made mere skirmishes with them, but as I understand you’ve had some pretty direct confrontations.”

“Yeah… we uh, fought 'em at Fort Knowledge,” Calamity said. “And were forced to retreat.”

“I heard as much. Are the Followers from that settlement all here?” Kirby asked, following next to Calamity as the two walked into Junction R-7.

“The ones that survived, yeah. The alicorns tried their best to keep the army at bay, but that thing… the one they call the Storm King…” Calamity said, trailing off.

“He has a magical staff that allows him to take magic,” a new voice said as Velvet Remedy appeared before them. “Commander Kirby, I assume? New travels like lightning here.”

“Yes, you must be Velvet Remedy,” Kirby said. “I was hoping to speak with you as well. Come, let’s establish a command center of sorts.”

The unicorn turned to a grizzled earth pony who had been trailing behind. “Set up the perimeter and reinforce everything. No stone left unturned. We will protect this settlement and repel these invaders.”

“Yes, sir!” the earth pony said, heading off to do the work.

“Now then, let’s all have a chat and figure out where we all stand with things, yes? And where in the world is Radiant Star?”

Author's Note

Oh ho! We get another bonus of checking in on our heroes back home! Interludes are meant to be fun short little snippets. Not only do we get to see Calamity and Velvet, but also Kirby (now a COMMANDER) from FoE: Starlight!

The NCR has arrived back home! Will they give Star and her friends enough time to get to the Heart of Equestria?

I realized I established this to sort of "check in" on things, and I figured we might as well do another. I also will note we'll definitely get another soon checking in on the Storm King.

-volrathxp