Fallout Equestria: Baltimare Heights

While Major Starsail and Silver Torrent took Starsail down to meet with Burdel and the Overmare; the rest of us went on to collect data for Aozi. Grace gave us a tour and I could see that they've used their time since the attack to take care of the bodies we had previously left behind.

I was following behind Aozi and Grace as they talked about the key differences between a flux capacitor and a lodestone inhibitor. I leaned closer to Xeyal, "Engineering nerds, right?"

Xeyal didn't laugh, only one of her ears swiveled to me. Without a response, I continued to follow in silence for a while longer. "He has never had many friends. Just acquaintances. It's pleasing to see him so accepting and being accepted."

Damnit… I was never funny anyway. With a quick blink, I saw that both of them shared a smile. "Yeah, I can understand that.

"Besides, she is an administrator, not an engineer." Xeyal gave me a sideward glance. "Are you jealous?"

That made me almost trip over my hooves. "What? No. Why would I be?"

"Because, they have a deeper topic to speak on than us. I don't have a topic to share and I'm a little envious." She was blunt for sure.

"That obvious?"

"Not at all, but small talk isn't your strong suit."

It had taken a couple more hours, Xeyal hacked terminals that Aozi or Grace couldn't access. I just spent the time confronting my new found fear of heights and open space by staring out the windows while waiting. If nothing else, I wanted to see something, anything move about.

Finally after visiting six different floors Grace and Aozi agreed that he had gathered enough physical paperwork and digital logs to keep himself busy for a while. Taking the nearest elevator down to the main lobby, we continued on to the elevator, but I stopped and looked at the front doors. In the dwindling daylight, I saw them. A large group of slack jawed ghouls wandering down the center of the road. Probably a couple dozen. It was an eerie sight. dark green mist was moving along the ground, about knee high and thick enough to obscure the ground. It made for a dreadful scene and if the windows weren't there…

"Nobody move," I told them as Xeyal turned to look back at me. Following my line of sight, I watched as her eyes grew round.

All at once we stood as still as statues and watched them pass. "Those are feral ghouls," Grace chimed in quietly. "They react to sound and movement, those windows should hold them back."

"Should?" I asked incredulously.

She glared over at me. I took the hint and kept my trap shut. We all watched as the shambling horde passed by. A few of their glowing eyes looked in at us, but none of them diverged.

I could see Aozi's knees shaking while Xeyal watched them intently. As the front ones left our view, more came along following right behind them. "This might take awhile. Do you think they will notice if we move slowly?" I quietly asked.

"Maybe, maybe not. We shouldn't take the chance." Silver answered in a hushed tone.

Time seemed to move slowly as we all stood perfectly still and watched them pass. I watched Aozi turn toward Misty Grace, "how many do you think are out there?"

Her answer wasn't what I could ever have fathomed. "This city was home to a couple hundred thousand ponies. If I had to guess… Possibly a third of them were ghoulified."

Aozi physically leaned back, raising a forehoof under him. "You mean there's over a hundred thousand ferals out there!?" He neglected to whisper and quickly put a hoof over his mouth.

I turned to the slow stampede outside and was thankful that none of them reacted to us. Silver Torrent continued to watch them as well, "do you think it's possible to return them to how they once were? Before becoming ghouls?"

"Probably not. we've spent a lot of time here trying to find a way to reverse the ghoulifying process to no success." Grace gave a sigh. "Let's just go."

As slow as possible, we all made our way into the teleporter room. Silver unlocked the door and the rest of us moved in. She didn't waste time closing and relocking the door. "Well, that was terrifying."

Aozi just nodded vigorously, sweat matting his coat, "I… I… I…"

Xeyal shook her head, looking down at the smaller zebra. "Do not fear them. The tower is sturdy and we will rarely be dealing with them."

He just gulped and nodded his head slower this time. "Can we go home now?"

Silver got the teleporter turned on and readied. "Why am I the only one who understands this thing?"

Her mumbled disposition reached my ears and I just smiled at her. Just as the teleporter whirled to life under us and she stepped into the chamber; "Because, you's too smart!"

She gave me an incredulous look and stuck her tongue out while trying not to smile. She failed at that last bit. The machine activated its sequence and sent us down to Stable 107 where we all unloaded from the cramped glass chamber and quickly left the room. A couple of guards were shocked to see us come out. One of them was Big Red and the other was Wild Ace.

He looked away from me but couldn't hide his reaction to Misty Grace. He recoiled immediately while Big Red covered his nose and gave a small bow. Granted he was huge and towered over all of us, except Xeyal.

Silver took the initiative. "We need to join the meeting in the Overmare's office, can we just go on in?"

Big Red gave a chuckle. "I don't see why not. Espresso told us that you all might come by later." He stepped over to the office door and opened it for us.

As I passed by him his eye caught mine. "Thank you, Big Red."

The dip of his head and the kind smile he gave left me feeling happy. I wasn't too sure why, but right now I didn't have the time for that. Maybe it was because he was always friendly like that.

Inside the office stood Major Starsail, Sweet Beets, Espresso Cream, and Burdel. A new table sat in the middle of them simply covered in papers, folders, books and a few glasses holding amber colored liquid. I immediately recognized it as the stable's apple cider.

Sweet Beets addressed us first. "Welcome back everyone. I imagine your excursion?"

Everyone waited as we gathered in, Aozi spoke up first. "We managed to gather a motherload of information in regards to the MAS hub's power grid and other utilities. It may take a week or more for me and my team to sift through all this and make sense of it."

The Overmare smiled. "Can it be done quicker with a larger team?"

He hesitated, "Yes…My team would be dividing the information based on a number of factors, but I can't dedicate everyone to this project. Maybe five zebras would be available to work on this, including myself."

"How would you feel about working with the Chief of Engineering on the third floor? The ponies there are just as capable." Sweet Beets gave a gentle smile. "I believe that ten minds on this will flow easier and quicker than just five."

Aozi didn't say anything, opting to give a curt nod. Silver Torrent spoke up. "Major Starsail, how many feral ghouls are in Baltimare city?"

Starsail put a hoof to his chin and scratched his neck. "Haven't a clue, more than can be counted. This city had quite the population boom as the war began to ramp up."

I quietly thanked Misty Grace for chiming in at this. "Sir, the city had a couple hundred thousand ponies. At least a third of them were potentially ghoulified. I would wager my undead life on that."

The overmare's jaw dropped and Espresso looked shaken by this trivia. I had to address this next bit that nagged at me. "What's up with that green fog? I know it is radioactive and deadly, but what do we do about it?"

Starsail had an answer for me, "That fog rolls off the ocean. I don't exactly know what causes it, but if you're caught in it without a radiation suit…"

"Good as dead, huh?" I finished for him.

"Yep. You'll either become a ghoul yourself if you're lucky, but most of the time you'll just vomit up your organs and die on the spot."

That made my stomach turn over. It had the same effect on every other stable dweller here. Misty Grace scratched at her ear with a boney hoof. "That's not all. Those steel rangers are bound to come back with a star paladin. I'm sure of it. They don't take "No" very easily and beside that, Shimmer Stone killed two of them. They won't let that stand."

Everyone at the table looked at me. Even Espresso Cream regarded me with a shocked expression. "What?"

Sweet Beets' voice was shaken, "Yes, uhm, well then. These steel rangers, what do we know about them?"

Major Starsail smacked the table top with a hoof. "They were originally a division of elite soldiers trained to operate power armor. That armor is a very heavy suit equipped with the same arcano-tech that your pipbuck has. They are usually equipped with the heaviest possible weapons. Walking tanks; designed by Applejack herself designed the armor for the Ministry of Wartime technology. Twilight Sparkle helped with the arcano-tech incorporated in the design. From the advanced features of the Eyes-Forward Sparkle and StableTec Accelerated Tracking System."

"Wait, those things had EFS and SATS!?" I interrupted him without another thought. "By Sunbutt's grace, we should've died."

While my mind reeled at this revelation, Starsail cleared his rugged throat. "Yeah. That they do and that we should have. Gotta love them metal reinforced desks."

Espresso Cream checked his pipbuck for a moment then looked over the Overmare. "Sweet Beets, I have business to attend to down in security. I have to dismiss myself now. Do fill me in later though."

"I will. Thank you for all you've done, Espresso." She told him as he turned to leave. Once he was gone and the door was closed again, Sweet Beets addressed us all. "Is it reasonable to believe that there are good ponies somewhere out there?"

Xeyal and I both looked at one another but Misty Grace beat us to it. "There are. Manehatten is north of here and in that city is Tenpony Tower, it's one of the wealthiest settlements nearby and is home to the mysterious radio pony, DJ Pon3." She shifted her weight from one side to the other. "Of course closer to us are The Heights and High Town. The Heights is a tower similar to Tenpony Tower just a few blocks to the south of us. High Town is a series of tightly built office buildings to the northwest of us. There are a couple other settlements further out but those two are the closest ones."

"Thank you Ms. … uh I'm sorry, I hadn't gotten your name." Sweet Beets gave a little nervous laugh.

"It's Misry Grace, ma'am. I was a secretary for Ms. Sparkle during the war." She gave a small smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Overmare."

"My name's Sweet Beets and since you aren't a member of my stable, you may call me that."

Xeyal asked my question first, "Do these settlements trade? If so, what do they need?"

Misty and Starsail both looked at one another, "I imagine they do, but I don't know." Grace told her.

I took a deep breath and stamped a hoof on the floor. "I volunteer."

Everyone remained silent and they all stared at me in disbelief. If no one else would say anything, I offered justification. "Look, we need to make contact with someone. Having allies will probably be beneficial to the stable as a whole and besides that, we have a lot of stuff here that those ponies might need or want. If the stable is opening and we're reintroducing ourselves to the Equestrian wasteland, we may as well try to help however we can, right?"

Silver Torrent spoke up over Sweet Beets. "No. You're not leaving, I won't allow it."

Sweet Beets interjected before I could rebuttal. "I believe Shimmer makes a fine point, but I also think that's a suicide mission and I'm unwilling to put anyone to that quite yet."

Heated by the thought of me leaving, Silver Torrent dove right back into it. "I will not let my daughter go out there a-"

I cut her off with a raised voice. "I'm the best option! You've seen what happened up there, I'm already a murderer! There's no way I can just go back to maintaining gemstone talismans. I want to do this for the good of our home."

Xeyal stamped a hoof. "I will agree with her on this. I have seen her in combat and for being a novice, she has proven to be a natural in the heated moment where it counts. If anyone should represent Stable 107 out there, it should be her."

Silver Torrent leaned back and just glared at the zebra. "She's all I have. I refuse to lose her. If she leaves the stable, she'll die. I just know it."

I walked around the zebra and over to Burdel and Silver. "You have to be here to help and heal our home. All I ever did was put enchanted stones into sockets. Anyone can do that. I believe this is my purpose and what I need to do."

This seemed to get through to her a little, her expression softened for a moment and she pulled me into a big hug. "You're still my little filly and I don't want to worry about whether or not you're alive."

I wrapped my hooves around my mom and squeezed her close. "Mom, I love you and I love this stable, I really do."

Burdel finally spoke up. "You do have a greater purpose. Perhaps this is it. You've set in motion the reunion of our stable and opened up the MAS hub and saved our stable from unforeseen doom." Silver and myself separated and listened to the elder. "Xeyal recounted the venture of securing the tower and saving our kin to me. She expressed the prowess Shimmer displayed." I felt a blush hit my cheeks.

Silver didn't reply, so Sweet Beets did. "Shimmer," I gave her my attention, as did everyone else. "Are you sure?"

"There was a broadcast from the Heights saying they were looking for capable unicorns to help with expansion work. That makes me think they're reasonable ponies. I want to visit them and see what it's like for wastelanders." I stood and stomped to make myself clear. "The stables were made so we could eventually help rebuild Equestria. This is our chance."

Silver Torrent started crying and Xeyal walked over and whispered something to Burdel. He gave her a small nod, "Okay."

Sweet Beets hummed her curiosity and tapped on the table drawing the elders attention. "If you permit Shimmers' request then I would like to have Xeyal accompany her. She would act as a bodyguard and as a representative of the zebras here."

"Xeyal, are you sure?" I asked her, feeling my voice crack a little. A warmth bloomed in my chest.

She walked over to me and put a hoof on my shoulder. "Of course. Our home is important to me and your reasons are sound. I'd prefer you to stay whole."

Sweet Beets claps her hooves once, drawing everyone's attention. "Then it is settled. Shimmer, Xeyal. Please go prepare yourselves for your journey. We have radiation suits in maintenance and Aozi can provide those. Aozi, please reconvene with your staff and report to level three maintenance tomorrow morning. Burdel and Silver Torrent, I would like you two to stay here a little longer, we have a lot to go over with these ghouls."

"Hey, Aozi." I paused, looking back at him just before we got to the atrium doors. Thankfully, no one else was here except the guards back at the Overmare's office. "The ghoul party outside should be kept to yourself. We don't want to spark any rumors and cause a panic, I'm sure plenty of ponies have noticed something is happening."

"This whole journey has been quite an eye opener." He started shifting his weight back and forth. "While I do not wish to share that experience with anyone, I can understand the concern, I'll overlook our return trip in the debriefs."

Passing by the door into the atrium made me realize I hadn't even checked the time since leaving. It was already eleven in the evening, almost midnight. "Oooh…" Having stopped at the top of the stairs, looking out over a completely empty atrium, I realized just how exhausted I was. So that's why I'm so tired. "It's been twenty-nine hours."

Xeyal gave a loud "Haah!" and it echoed. "I know." She said with a small smile. "I am tired too."

I started down the stairs, "Okay then, let's go. Good night, Aozi."

Waking up with a stretch, my eyes opened easily and I felt good, almost brimming with energy. Sitting up on the bed, I pressed a hoof against Xeyal's shoulder. "Wake up, time to go."

Turning on my EFS and checking the clock, it was nearly two in the afternoon. I gave her another push when she reluctantly hid her face.

"Fine, fine. I'm awake." she said, rolling to face me. I got up and dorned myself a clean stable 107 jumpsuit with my saddle bags over my back. The night before we had taken turns showering and sorting out what stuff we would need and what we would be picking up from the armory.

Xeyal prepared herself opting to keep her security vest on with her bag straps tucked under it. "You need something that will provide more protection."

I looked myself over, and while I could agree with that… "Nah, I feel more flexible this way." I told her as I did a little twirl.

"We'll see what you think when you get shot again." Countering my confidence with her reasonable logic. Getting shot does hurt a lot.

"Fine, if there is something suitable that fits in security, I'll take it. Now, let's get a move on."

Leaving my room behind, we made our way to the elevator. As we went, we passed by a pair of mares who were deep in conversation. Of course, when they saw Xeyal and I walking toward them, a silence filled the hall. They just stared as we passed by them. I didn't recognize either of them, but I broke the silence. "Have a good one." I told them and one just scoffed while the other only offered an eye-roll.

"Rude." I hollered back at them before we rounded a corner.

"Don't let them bother you, they will probably opt to stay here when the tower is in full use."

"Yeah but still…"

"I agree. I also believe they will change their ways eventually."

Opening the door at the end of the hall led us into a bustling atrium. No one seemed to pay either of us any attention, which I was happier for. There seemed to be a set up going on, several tables were moved from the center of the room and a small podium had been placed near the base of the stairs.

Big Red stood beside the elevator. "There you two are. Espresso told me you would come by. He's waiting for you both in Security."

He stepped aside and opened the door. "Thank you, Red Brick." Xeyal told him with a bow. He was only a few inches taller than her. Both of them made me feel small.

Taking the elevator and making our way wordlessly to the Security wing, we stood there with just his secretary. "Is Espresso Cream in his office?" I asked her.

She nodded, "mhhmm." She was eating her own lunch when I asked. Her round eyes were full of curiosity though.

Just as we reached his office, the door slid open and he came out of it. "Oh, you're finally here. I had expected the two of you to have been ready to leave earlier." He looked us over. "Follow me."

He passed between us and led us around and behind the main counter. We entered the stable's armory and I almost gasped in awe. The room had a variety of lockers on either side, a large locker across the back wall and a table sat in the center of it. We gathered around the table, Xeyal and I stood side by side while Espresso rounded the table to face us. On the table in front of us were two radiation suits folded neatly with respirator helmets sat on top. They were a dark orange with a cool looking vizor and an attached air filter on one side.

"Alright, show me all your weapons, I want to make sure you have enough ammunition."

We did as he asked. Xeyal reached into her bag and pulled out a single pistol as well as her metal baton. I on the other hoof, levitated out a pair of small caliber pistols, a revolver, the combat shotgun and the folded anti-tank rifle.

He raised an eyebrow at my collection, "Overpacking?"

I gave a grin and he shook his head as he looked around the room. "Let's see, I don't think we have any rounds for that rifle, but we do have shotgun shells and both calibers for all four pistols."

He dug around for a moment and dropped a couple boxes of ammo on the table. "Xeyal, wouldn't you like a back up weapon?"

"The pistol is my backup." The monotone spoke volumes because Espresso nodded and didn't push the subject. We loaded everything back into our bags after checking our weapons over.

Espresso Cream took the opportunity to offer a combat knife to Xeyal. It had a sheath on it that she could attach to her vest or upper leg. She didn't decline it and proceeded to attach it to her upper leg. He then offered me some barding to put under my bags. I wasn't about to go back on my word, so I accepted that armor. It was a thick black vest with no distinct designs, so I put it on. It covered the majority of my body. It was a lot like Xeyal's vest, but this one covered my hips and haunches more completely.

The collar on it was thick and helped to cover my neck from the back and sides. After getting my bags back on, I felt… heavy. I dug out my fathers locket and put it on, tucking it into the collar of my stable jumpsuit.

Xeyal chuckled from beside me with the back of her hoof to her mouth. "You're so small, yet so fierce looking. I wouldn't want to fight you."

Just behind my shoulders were a pair of pistol holsters, I put my small pair in them. "Right, I suppose we should leave."

"Not quite, you need to stop in with my wife. She has prepared a week of rations for each of you." He walked around the table and pulled me into a big hug, practically plucking me off the ground. "You brought my son back to me and I can not thank you enough."

I tried to hug him back but with my shoulders inside his forelegs, all I could do was tap his shoulder with a hoof. "You're welcome," was all I could choke out since I couldn't breathe.

When he released me, I gasped, taking in a big breath. Xeyal justcsmiled at me, probably trying not to laugh. Espresso was a very strong pony apparently.

"Go on then, Sunny Tea will be waiting for you." He led the way out and we followed him as far as his office where he turned in. We continued on out and back to the elevator. Taking it back up to the atrium, both of us were combat ready and that drew every eye as we walked through the early dinner crowd.

It didn't surprise me, but I still didn't like having everyone watching us. The quiet crowd rippled with whispers and speculations. We made our way up the stairs and around the balcony to the cafe run by Sunny Tea, Toasty's.

As we approached, a few bucks sitting at a table across from the entrance halted their conversation and stopped us. "Hey, you."

Seriously? I thought briefly as I turned back to look at the one who said it. "What?" I asked as pleasantly as I could manage. I had a feeling something dumb was about to be said.

The stallion smirked, "You single? I need a mare who can carry herself."

I rolled my eyes and as I started to push on the glass door from behind me one of them said, "Dude, she's got guns." I looked back and they were whispering to one another.

The three of them stood up. and the tallest of the group telekinetically pulled out his ID card. "I'm off duty, but I am in Security, can you explain to me why you have this zebra here and why you're armored and armed?"

Xeyal stepped between us before I could say anything. "For one, I am a senior security officer and have been tasked with protecting Ms. Shimmer Stone on a classified mission given to her by the Overmare and Espresso Cream - Your boss can answer your questions, we do not have the time to waste here talking with you three."

Steam must have released from my ears because my sudden anger dissipated immediately. I pushed open the hinged door and smiled broadly, Coffee Bean was standing at the counter. I immediately rushed ahead before the door could close behind Xeyal.

His expression was one of shock. He had peach fuzz that had just started to grow back over two-thirds of his face and a bald ear. He looked much older now, where the explosives had practically melted his skin.

"Glimmer Stone? Where have you been?" His look of stunned disbelief left him searching for words. "They told me you saved me…"

"I'm so glad you're okay! Can I hug you?" I looked back and forth along the counter and spotted the little latch gate. He quickly jumped over the counter and pulled me into a hug. "I have no idea how you did it. All I know is what I had seen…" His voice gave away some sadness or fear. I only barely caugh the hitch in his statement.

I pulled away from him and looked at Xeyal as she walked up. Looking back to him, "I'm just happy you survived."

He gave me that grin only he could pull off. "I am too, thank you." He perked his ears, and turned to the kitchen door just as his mom came out, a smaller earth pony balancing a tray of food and drinks on her head.

She hurried over to a table and made her delivery before joining us. "You mist be Shimmer Stone and Xeyal, my husband told me you would stop by, I have your ration packs ready to go."

"Ration packs?" Coffee Bean looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Don't tell me you two are leaving."

He told me not, so I stayed silent. He in turn looked up at the zebra. "Really? Why did neither of you tell me!" He wasn't shouting, but I'd bet he wished he could.

Xeyal didn't respond or flinch. Sunny Tea came back carrying two large bags in her teeth. I levitated them from her and tucked one in my bag and the other in Xeyals'. "Thank you," she told me, "Espresso couldn't go into detail, but he told me that you two are doing what is best for the stable and I wanted to thank you for that."

"I appreciate the food." Xeyal told her with a full bow, complete with a forehoof up under her. "We will make sure it all goes to good use."

Coffee Bean was sitting with his hooves out to both sides of his forehooves, ears drooping and a bit of a pout on his lip. "Leaving me behind?"

"No, that's not it. Your dad will be needing you here." I held out a hoof to him.

He gave it a long look before looking past it to lock eyes with me. "Fine. I'll do what I can here." He bumped my hoof with his own. "Please, be safe."

"Will do. I'll see ya' later, Beany." Putting my hoof down, Xeyal and I left the very quiet cafe. Everyone in the room had spent that time spectating us. One of them coughed as we started for the door.

As we left, more eyes were on us, but no one dared to speak their thoughts. We quickened our pace and made our way out of the atrium heading to the Overmare's office. One of the guards there readied themself for a fight, seeing us round the corner in body armor probably made this new security officer a little weary.

The other guard took a step forward and addressed us, "The Overmare is not available for an audience. Please leave."

Xeyal, in her most authoritative voice, answered him. "She is expecting us."

"No she isn't, she told us no one is allowed in." He barked back, drawing his own baton.

We both continued to walk forward, having slown our pace dramatically. "Look, Sweet Beets wanted to see us before we left the stable, we're leaving now. Please step aside and allow us in."

"No," he started just as the door behind him opened. The Overmare stood in it looking at the guards. "Ah, I guess I forgot to mention this one meeting."

Both guards stepped aside and put their weapons away, "Yes, ma'am."

Xeyal and I passed by them and Sweet Beets, letting the door close behind us. "I'm thankful you two stopped by. After speaking at length with Misty and Starsail, we have a better timeline to work with. The ghouls will be striving to make sure all of the MAS hubs' laboratories and high security areas are maintained and safe for when we move up there." She paused and walked around the table, rifled through papers for a moment and then picked one up. "We have about a month before we can fully transition to having ponies living and working in the tower. Until then, the main floor and the floor above it are to be used to help build defenses for when the Steel Rangers return."

"So we should move quick and try to find a way to deter them?" Xeyal offered.

"Yes, please be conscientious of our situation. I fear that they will come back very soon with overwhelming force." She shivered at the thought and my gut dropped.

"Okay, we will gather information on them and see if there is anything we can do to ward them off." I can only hope there is another way to handle them.

"Starsail has ghouls standing guard and is capable of reactivating the defensive shielding, I believe this will buy us time when that time comes." She walked back to us and circled us. "You both look quite capable. Please do what is right and make sure you return as soon as you can."

Both of us bowed. "We will take care." Xeyal said, turning to leave.

"Overmare, I have a request."

"What would that be?"

"My friend, Coffee Bean. He has a lot to offer and can do so much more than taking food orders. He's a smart pony, just meet him." With that I turned and started to leave, Xeyal opened the door.

"I will do that, thank you." She told us as we exited.

Stepping out of the teleporter room, the main lobby was filled with light. Outside was brighter than usual. There were a pair of ghouls who lounged around near the reception counters. While they both saw us, neither of them showed any interest in talking to us.

As we walked by them and down the pair of steps to stand in the purple light of the mozaic stained glass portrait of Twilight Sparkle, I turned back and very loudly told them, "Tell Major Starsail we've left and we will be back as soon as we can."

One of them with a raspy gurgling voice responded. "Yeah, sure."

With that the two of us took our first steps out of the ministry hub and onto the streets of Baltimare. Taking a deep breath and exhaling was exhilarating. The faint breeze that blew through the abandoned street felt great. The air was warm, but not too hot… and then I looked up and instantly regretted it.

The building towered so far above us that they appeared to lean toward me as if they wanted to fall and crush us. To me, they rotated around me. Then I fell to the ground and clenched my eyes closed. This was even worse, the ground felt like it was rotating under me. I took a few slow breaths and everything stopped.

"Are you alright?" I heard my companion ask.

I rolled onto my belly and opened my eyes, seeing her with her head lowered toward me. "Yeah, I shouldn't have looked up. Got dizzy." With that I stood back up and looked at my pipbuck. I navigated to my map and placed a location tag on "The Heights".

A blue diamond on a stick appeared on my EFS radar. We were facing east and the marker was due southwest. "I marked the place. You should have it too, mark The Heights as your destination, just in case we get separated somehow."

While she did, I looked around the street. The road had two lanes and a few very old and mostly decayed carts and wagons of various sizes. "Okay, this might just be me, but this is a bit overwhelming."

"Same," was all she said before she turned and started down the sidewalk. I hurried to catch up to her and once I'd fallen in pace with her, she continued her thought. "While I too feel a little overwhelmed, I also know that we do not have time to waste."

"I'll bet that we will get attacked within the next hour." I was being sarcastic, but before I finished that sentence I knew it would probably be the case.

"Let us hope not." Xeyal grimaced and stepped over a fallen pole. "I would like to avoid conflict wherever possible."

"Yeah, but feral ghouls should be easy enough to take out."

"That isn't what I meant."

"Then what do you mean?"

"The radio ponies talk of raiders and bandits. I do not wish to kill anyone."

Her pace had quickened to the point I was having trouble keeping up. I started a light trot to make it easier. "Neither do I, but if they shoot at us, I will shoot back."

"I would rather buck them aside."
Her eyes followed the building and she glanced down the narrow paths between them."Broken ribs will heal. A bullet in the eye will not."

Footnote:
Level Up! Lv. 7
Strength +1
Charisma +1
Passive Unlocked - New World Blues
The city is big and broken but you have purpose. Your determination prevents you from being swayed from your path.