Fallout Equestria: Baltimare Heights

"Well… We have an hour or so left." Silver Torrent told me.

We had ventured back down the tower, looking for Misty Grace or Major Starsail. Unfortunately, our search came up short, we couldn't find them or any of the other ghouls.

I yawned. This was all pretty exhausting and I'm just happy we have working elevators. "Mom? Should we just go to the teleporter room? Xeyal should reach out to us soon."

She gave a yawn of her own and nodded her agreement. The two of us got on another elevator and continued our descent. The doors closed and we both took the moment to sit and rest. "You know, I can't teleport the both of us. Are you able to teleport again?"

I wasn't sure. "I'm already near my limit on magic, I can try but probably not."

"Damn." She seemed as out of it as I was. "Looks like we need to find a way to contact Espresso Cream, but I don't know if he will help us."

The muffled sound of gunfire reached my ears as the elevator descended. "Shit. Do you hear it?"

Silver Torrent stood and listened, "Yep." The both of us drew our pistols and readied for a fight. The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened to a cascade of noise.

The lobby looked to be a warzone. We could see that the ghouls had gathered here; playing defense against something trying to get inside the tower. "Let's find the Major!" Silver shouted at me over the noise. She galloped off, keeping low as she moved into the smoke filled room.

I followed close on her heels toward the gun fight. We quickly found Misty Grace hiding behind the large receptionist desk. Her eyes were wide and round as she looked up at us. "What're you two doing here?"

"Likewise! What's happening?" I hollered back in between the bursts of gunshots.

Grace winced as a spray of bullets passed above us, covering her head with her hooves again.

"A Steel Rangers' scout team. They must have noticed the shields went down!" The voice of Major Starsail from just beyond Grace, he turned to us with a grim look. "We can't let them leave alive, take a look."

I peeked over the top of the desk to see two giant metalclad ponies with massive weapons mounted to their sides. One of them seemed to look directly at me. Its guns quickly followed. Ducking away; my heart leapt and raced. "What the hell are they? Killer robots?"

"Robots? No! They're ponies in armor. That there's the problem, we ain't got a way to penetrate that gear."

Silver Torrent scuttled closer, "Does that armor have any weak point?"

He touched his forehead with a hoof, "The eyes and joints are the soft spots."

"What are we against?" I promptly questioned, hoping for any sort of weakness we could actually take advantage of.

"I don't know and we got to do something fast! Got any whiskey left?"

"Now's no time for drinking!" I told him as I levitated out one of my bottles of alcohol. "Here, take it you drunk."

He snatched it out of the air and bit the cork out. He shoved a clump of cloth into it and lit it on fire. He promptly stood and flung the bottle at our enemy. "Got any more?" The sound of shattering glass was accompanied by the explosion of fire consuming the alcohol.

"No." I told him flatly. "You just wasted that bottle. they're in armor and I doubt fire will do anything to them."

He got in my face and growled a gutteral stinch. "It's worth the try. So do something."

His eyes were impossible to look away from and his breath made me hold mine. I furrowed my brow and snorted. "Fine."

With that, I levitated out the heavy rifle I had picked up just days ago. unfolding it and locking everything into place, I ejected the clip to see that the ghoul had used four of seven shots. "Only three shots. Only three enemies."

I adjusted myself and opted to hold the weapon in my own hooves rather than levitating it. As quick as I could, I stood and rested the barrel on the wall between two clerk windows. Activating SATS and peering through the scope; I lined up my shot. Wasting no time, I fired and watched in slow motion as the bullet split the helmet and blood erupted from it.

The weapons of that ranger slowed to a stop as he fell to the floor l. A silence gripped the room and the other one took immediate note, back-stepping toward the doors and the third ranger who guarded their rear.

I didn't waste any time, but now with SATS on a cooldown, I repositioned my body so I could take another shot. I quickly slammed on the hammer, ejecting a spent casing and chambered the next one as I lined it up the same way. I fired, the shot missed. taking off one of the Steel Rangers headlamps instead. I muttered a curse and chambered my last round. Firing again, I landed a hit. Much lower than I had aimed for; still, it was effective. The bullet punched a hole through the neck of the ranger and he crumpled to the floor.

The third ranger stepped into the room at that moment and stood between his fallen comrades. In a booming voice (probably amplified by his armor) he addressed us. "You are all trespassers here and none of you will be allowed to live after this transgression. Attacking and killing a warrior of the Ministry of Wartime Technology is a crime and is punishable by death." With that he opened fire, launching grenades from both his side-mounted launchers.

"Got anymore ammo for this thing?" I asked the major.

He shook his head, "Nope! What else do you got?"

I opened my inventory on my pipbuck and cycled through weapons, "Uh, think a .38 magnum'll do any damage?"

"Probably not, but you can give it a shot." He retorted.

"I've an idea." Silver Torrent told us before disappearing in a flash of magic.

Starsail and I shared a look of surprise before simultaneously looking out at the steel ranger. In front of him stood Silver Torrent. We watched as she magically shoved a pair of grenades into each of his launchers before capping them with magical barriers. He hadn't stopped firing and when the grenades exploded she disappeared and reappeared beside me.

We watched as his heavy guns exploded at his sides, shrouding him in a cloud of smoke. As the smoke dispersed, The giant armored pony hadn't moved, but both his guns had been destroyed. His speaker cracked the silence after that explosion. "This is only the beginning. The Steel Rangers will reclaim control of this station."

The ranger turned and walked out the doors which silently slid close behind him. With the conflict over, I took in the room now that the lights were on. The skeletons that had covered the floor were now scattered, broken and crushed all over the place. Most of the furniture was now destroyed. Bullet casings were also scattered about and four of the ghouls had died in the fight.

"Thankfully the windows here are enchanted to be extremely durable." Starsail told us before dismissing himself to join Grace who was tending to the rest of the ghouls.

I looked around again and saw Silver Torrent walking toward the teleporter door. Trotting over to join her, I checked my clock. "How are we doing this? Are we going to try and meet with the Overmare?"

"That's the plan, hopefully we don't need our backup." She sounded weary. She looked haggard too. having her mane and tail in tangles and her lab coat covered in everything from rust to blood.

She unlocked the door while I watched the ghouls start to clean up the lobby. When the door opened, I turned my attention back to the task at hoof. "So, what's the backup plan then?"

She didn't offer an answer, opting to stay focused. She must be near her limit. She turned on the main terminal and unlocked the teleporter, she then went about creating a secure channel to the elders terminal. When she succeeded, we found one new message.

This is Xeyal. I have spoken with the elders and given them all the information I had gathered. The security has been placed on high alert.

The elders have been discussing strategies for battle, if one takes place. Otherwise, most debate has been about possible avenues of negotiation.

After both of us had read it, she quickly sent back a message of confirmation. She hit send and backed out. She then started up the teleporter. I followed her wordlessly onto the teleportation platform. "Follow my lead and no matter what, do not resort to violence. We will run if we must, but it won't be successful."

I nodded, feeling a well of anticipation catching my breath. "Got it."

The teleporter activated and the room around us swirled and changed to that of Stable 107. As the magic receded and the platform went dark under us, a pair of guards wielding metal batons met us.

"Don't move! If you try anything at all, we will act accordingly." The left-most guard told us. We both nodded and stepped out of the teleporter.

Silver Torrent looked at them both. "We must speak with the Overmare immediately."

"Bullshit, you both were announced as dead days ago. We know you're up to something and we will be taking you both to the holding cells, stripping you of your pipbucks and equipment. Now move before we cuff and carry you."

Mom sighed and I bit my tongue. One of the guards led the way, opening the door while the other followed behind us. It was lage and the halls were empty, except for a few patrolling guards who stopped, watched, and speculated out of earshot. We were guided to the nearest elevator and the guard behind me gave me a swift kick in the hindquarters, causing me to spin and growl at him. I quickly righted myself, seeing his stupid smirk made my blood boil.

"That's for almost breaking my leg on your way out." His snarkiness was infuriating, but I didn't retaliate.

Once we were off the elevator the guards guided us to the third floor security office. Staffed by a younger mare whose eyes went wide as we were herded in. "These two are going to be stripped of all they have and placed in a holding cell until morning. Schedule a pipbuck tech to come down. They're already classified as deceased."

The mare continued to stare dumbfoundedly at the two of us, mostly at Silver Torrent, before the guard stamped his forehooves to draw her attention.

She snapped back to reality and nodded vigorously. "Sure, sure, got it. Pipbuck tech first thing in the morning. Two unicorns scheduled for processing."

"Good." He didn't waste time either, giving the Silvers hind leg a solid hit that made her yelp in pain. The mare at the desk gave a wince but didn't look away from her terminal screen. The other guard led us around to the back and once we were through a door, we found ourselves in a smaller room with just empty tables. "Be quick, take it all off and place it on the tables."

Silver and I both did so, removing our saddlebags first. I removed my Stable 107 jumpsuit as well as my utility belts and satchel pouches. Silver did the same, leaving the both of us with nothing but our pipbucks. The guard immediately levitated my saddlebags over to him and began unloading its contents onto the table. I wanted nothing more than to hit him as hard as I could. The other guard did the same with Silver Torrents stuff.

The guard with my bag pulled out my combat shotgun and inspected it closely. "Well, well. This is definitely contraband and definitely getting you recycled by this time tomorrow." His voice went quieter, "Thinking I'll keep it for myself." He continued to withdraw all three of my pistols, the anti-tank rifle, Several apple shaped grenades of different types,l. There were my potions, food, liquor - which he immediately opened the one sealed bottle and drank from before passing it to his fellow officer. He then tossed my books and notes and other miscellaneous stuff out onto the table. Turning the pair of bags upside down, he shook out the last few bits and bobs left. He tossed my bags on top of it all and took my bottle back for another drink. He gave a satisfied sigh and smirked begrudgingly.

"Thanks, little foal, for all the neat stuff." He chuckled and as he went to take another drink I crushed the bottle in a burst of magic. dropping all the liquor over him and letting the glass shards drop into his open face.

He was lucky, none of the glass fell in his eyes or mouth and he immediately glared at me. I just smiled, "I didn't do anything."

He took one of my pistols off the table and pointed it at me. "Are you sure? Lie to me again. I dare you."

My smile faltered and I didn't answer. Silver and the other guard just watched the exchange. He lowered the gun a little as if he were putting it away and instead shot me in the leg. "Oops, accidental discharge." He whimsied as he tossed it back onto the table.

I in turn crumpled in the pain that exploded from my foreleg. Blood bubbled from the hole and trickled out the back side. He'd missed bone, but it still hurt like hell. I didn't scream or wail or even whine. I took deep breaths and levitated over a healing potion from the table.

"Nope!" He shouted as he hit the glass vial as hard as he could with his baton. Smashing it in midair, the liquid dropped to the floor, so I dove over it, regardless of the glass that cut into me, or the alcohol that made those cuts burn. I rubbed my fresh bullet hole across the magic healing puddle as fast as I could, picking up any shards in the way.

He gave me that much, letting me mop up the healing brew with my wounded leg. I could feel the magic beginning to stitch both sides of the hole closed, but it wasn't nearly enough. My blood smeared the floor, and as I pushed myself up to a sitting position the stallion kicked the side of my head hard enough to leave my ears ringing and vision blurry. "That's for busting up my friend with his own baton."

I couldn't feel much beyond the pain. I ached all over and he sounded like he was in an echo chamber. I steadied myself on my haunches, I just stared straight down at my hooves. The world was tilting slowly, before resetting itself and tilting again.

"Alright Sweeper, get them in a cell, and I'll go make up an incident report." The asshole who shot me said.

"Got it, Wild Ace." The other guard said with enough vigor, he had probably saluted. Looking up turned out to be a bad idea, my head spun the world in front of me and dizziness set in quickly. My ear still rang too.

The asshole, Wild Ace, left out the door we entered through and Sweeper got us to our hooves. With everything a blur, I staggered and was caught by Silver's shoulder which I leaned into to keep my weight off my injury. We were led through to a room of empty cells and put into one of them. Sweeper didn't say anything; locking us in and leaving us be.

I promptly fell to the floor and just laid there. All my muscles and all my stress just bled away as I relaxed in my pain. Closing my eyes and regulating my breathing made it easier to stand it.

"You always have been a brash one," Silver Torrent told me. "Even when you were little, you'd act before thinking it through." She began gently pulling broken glass out of me. "You've always been quick to act too, which isn't a bad thing. You saved me and you saved Coffee Bean."

A warm silence filled our cell, only broken by the light clink of the glass falling on stone and the feeling of her healing spells closing the smaller throbbing cuts. After a while, she nuzzled my cheek, making me open one eye to see her. "Thanks mom."

"You really should be more careful. That was pretty hard to watch."

"So what now? We don't have anything to work with from here?"

"We get some rest because the morning is going to be a day to remember." She laid down beside me and yawned. "I need some sleep."

It's true, they are contagious. I gave a yawn of my own and laid my head back down. I could feel Silver's warmth pressed against my back. It was comforting. "Love you, Mom. Good night."

"Love you too, sweetie."

A dreamless sleep made the few hours of rest fly by. Someone was tapping their hoof on the barred door. "Wake up!" came an exasperated shout.

Both Silver Torrent and I jerked awake and groggily stood. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and saw a small mare with a white mane and a pink coat looking at us. She wore her stable 107 jumpsuit and stood with Espresso Cream who wore his usual security chief gear.

"Good; you're both awake," the Overmare scoffed. "Espresso had filed a report that documented the exploration of the tower above us. His report detailed the horrors up there, mad undead scientists who were plotting to kill the whole stable. His report detailed quite a bit more, but also explored the death of our senior-most surgeon and her daughter…" She clapped her hooves on her cheeks with a shocked expression before throwing her hooves out toward us. "But lookie here, our senior surgeon and her daughter. Not dead."

Putting her hooves down and looking up at Espresso, she gave him a spiteful glower. Swiftly turning her attention back to us, "So! Tell me; how are you two alive?"

I answered first, "Hardly."

That prompted Silver Torrent to elbow my ribs and speak our side. "We thought we were as good as dead as well when we last saw Espresso, but we managed to escape our situation. We took out the bad ghouls, and any remaining scientists up there are on our side." She took a deep breath. "Look, we need to reconsider our positions. This stable needs to open up and repopulate that tower. We need to end the separation of pony and zebra and work together as a whole to stabilize and sustain the MAS tower or else we will lose it all."

Both Espresso Cream and the Overmare balked. She bit her tongue, taking the time to think. In her silence, Espresso Cream answered, "After being up there and seeing what that tower has to offer us in terms of space and necessities, I'd have to agree with her. Our stable is a part of that tower and to have it rot away above up there will only trap us here."

That gave the Overmare a solid reason to ponder our predicament. She tapped a hoof on her chin. She pointed that hoof at the two of us. "Neither of you will be recycled and you'll be allowed to keep your pipbucks. However, you'll be spending another day here while I sort paperwork and reopen your previous stations." She paused and glanced at Espresso, "I will need to gather more information on the MAS."

Silver Torrent then spoke up again. "We don't have that kind of time. The tower was using all its power to keep the defensive shields up which preserved and protected it and us. We had to turn it off to restore power to all systems. There are forces outside the tower that wish to claim it and the stable for themselves and they are dangerous."

"Armorclad ponies with giant guns." I added without hesitation. "We and the ghouls defended the tower last night against a scout team. They are very powerful and when they come back, we need to be ready."

That left them speechless, so I continued, "You need to end this bigotry because we will need every zebra and pony to be able to work together to repair that tower. It houses many wartime experiments and other dangerous artifacts. We need to be capable of understanding and protecting our ancestors' work. We will need to be able to work with the ghouls up there that have kept us safe for well over a hundred years!" I stood and walked closer to the door that separated us.

The Overmare made a cautious reverse step, but otherwise held her ground, if only with a small glance to the large stallion beside her. Espresso Cream didn't make a move, his even gaze stayed on me and he was listening carefully. So I continued: "The stable needs change, even if they don't see it. This stable needs the Ministry tower regardless of how we feel about it. Fact is that our reality requires us all to work together and reacquaint ourselves with the city of Baltimare. For our own safety; we must protect ourselves and our home."

I caught a pair of small nods from Espresso, but I didn't dare break away from the Overmare. Her features were in contempt but offered compilation.

"Our home is a target, and there is a lot of danger looking our way." I finished with a deep breath as I took to sitting, keeping my back straight, I wrapped my tail over my hooves.

The Overmares eyes followed my tail and her eyes rested on the fleshy, bruised and healing bullet wound on my foreleg. Her mouth worked as she thought, She looked me once-over - all the fresh little scars, the greasy mess I could very much feel, as well as the ratty way of my tangled mane and tail. I was covered head to hoof in everything from the past week of not showering.

Her hesitance annoyed me, so I turned my gaze over to Espresso Cream, at the same moment the Overmare's eyes tried to meet mine. Giving him a much softer look and relaxing my brow; I asked the question I needed answered. "Is Coffee Bean okay?"

He blinked at me and it changed his whole demeanor. "He will live. His coat's growing back but about sixty percent of his body is scarred. He's awake and in the recovery wing for another week."

"Thank Celestia." I breathed, it was relieving to hear it. "Thank him for me."

Espresso gave me a nod. "Thank you for saving him, both of you. He's told me a lot."

The Overmare stepped forward again and coughed into her hoof. "Unlock them. You both are free to go, Espresso will make sure you both get your non-contraband back. The weapons will be kept safe in the armory but they will be yours to keep when need be."

Espresso Cream nodded to her and proceeded to unlock the door. I walked out, followed by Silver. We both sat before the Overmare. She and Espresso shared a look. "Espresso, please take Glimmer Stone to retrieve their things. Silver Torrent, please accompany me to my office."

Silver and I shared a glance and a nod. She followed the Overmare out. Espresso Cream gestured with a hoof for me to follow. So I did. We followed the Overmare and Silver back to the main security office. They left out the main entrance, while Espresso led the way around to the evidence locker. He unlocked and opened the door before stepping aside so I could enter. I walked in and looked around. The shelves were filled with all sorts of stuff, some covered with a lot of dust.

On a cleared spot nearest the door, I saw where they'd thrown all our stuff. I grabbed the saddle bags and dropped them on the floor. I started with my moms stuff. Reloading the allowed items from her pile back into her bags. I then did the same with my own. Her lab coat had been tattered and stained, as was my own stable jumpsuit.

Once I was done, the shelf consisted of several weapons, the memory orbs, a few opened bottles of alcohol, and a few boxes of ammunition. Off to the side I could see the cartons of cigarettes and a single unopened pack, probably from Coffee Beans bags.

Espresso Cream coughed, "Take your guns with you, leave the drinks," he calmly said in a quiet voice. His bulk filled the doorway, leaving little room between his shoulders and the frame. I nodded and dropped the guns into our bags, same with the memory orbs and the grenades.

I levitated the bags onto my back and turned to leave. "You will not use them down here. Got it?"

"Got it. Can you take me to Coffee Bean?" I asked him.

"No, he's in recovery and should not be bothered." He has been asking about you. I will let him know you're safe when I see him next. For now though, I need you in my office." He took a step back and stepped aside for me to exit. Once I had, he closed the door letting it automatically lock.

After that he guided me to his office. Once inside, he closed the door behind me. I opted to stand between the offered chairs. He didn't smile or grimace, but held a leveled gaze as he took his seat behind the desk. "You mentioned an outside force that threatens our home. I need more information."

"The heavy armor ponies we encountered last night. They came to the tower and called it theirs. Said we were trespassing within the property of the Ministry of Wartime Technology. They were calling themselves the Steel Rangers. I still don't understand it, but we managed to kill two of them and then disarm the third. Unfortunately, he left, warning that they will return."

"Steel Rangers…" He leaned back and closed his eyes. "I recall they were a powerful part of our military back in the war, but why would they be here now?"

"I couldn't tell you, but they came in, big guns just blazin'!" I stood on my rear hooves and waves my forelegs over my head in a slow big arc. Dropping back to all fours, I continued. "There are a lot of dangerous items and experiments that the tower contains. I can't even begin to explain, but if Stalwart is any indication…"

"Stalwart?" He asked, his eyes opening as he leaned on his desk.

"Stalwart, the First Unicorn, is a bahemoth of a pony that's held in stasis on one of the highest floors. He was the first unicorn to undergo an experimental drug and survived. I don't know any more about it though. I can only imagine what can come if this towers secrets fall into the wrong hooves."

"As can I. What came of that ghoul, Willow?" He thoughtly asked.

"He and the unicorn who had been attempting to kill us made a run for it, just a day before the Steel Rangers showed up. Professor Fulsome escaped before we even found him. Willow left with him, but we don't know how many other ghouls left with them. Major Starsail may have a better idea on that, I would recommend that you go up and meet with him. You two may hit it off."

He nodded. "Duly noted. One last question for you. When saving my son, how did you escape with him?"

I finally sat down, feeling the weight of the bags shift on my sides. "I teleported to the next room over, it was an instinctual panic… I may have fought and won against five or six ghouls. I was in a blind rage and that was days ago… Afterwards, I carried him out on my back."

"He's a heavy one. Again, thank you. You're dismissed, please go and relax, you'll have a new work schedule and duty list given to you in the near future." He gave me a curt nod that I returned.

Leaving the security quarters, I took the elevator up one floor and went through the atrium heading for my room, but the smell of coffee and baked goods caught me and I diverted toward one of the atrium diners. Inside wasn't very big, three tables and a few booths as well as an icecream bar. It drew up memories from when I was a foal. My mom would bring me here and we would speculate on what Equestria used to be, before the industrial growth spurt.

I levitated the bags into a booth before me and settled into the soft pillowed bench. Looking down at my pipbuck, the clock told me it was only eleven in the morning. My little pony showed a yellow leg and a light green body. I switched to my files, I had downloaded some audio and text files from the computers over the last week. Most of this was from Snow's terminal. The text files wouldn't open, being compressed documents. The audio files were accessible to play. Tapping the side of my pipbuck a little earpiece spring out, I levitated it into my ear.

Just then a waitress stopped beside me. "Hi! Is there anything I can get for you this morning?" She was bubbly, and that alone made me smile.

"Sure, may I get a coffee and whatever today's soup is? Medium bowl."

She nodded, "Today we have a three bean soup with a thin sunflower broth." she jotted it down real quick. "Anything in the coffee?"

"Two sugar lumps please."

"Got it. I'll be right back with that." She had a jolly disposition, and her quick pace trot reflected that.

Turning back to my pipbuck, I started the file. Well, here we are. The sirens blare outside and every radio station is calling it our end. From my window I can watch the world die. The world I love… It's a clear sunny day.

His voice was calm and sad. I didn't know how to feel after that, did I want to listen to the other logs? Looking down at the list, there were several logs here and that one had the earliest date. No, I didn't want to listen anymore right now. I removed the earbud and clipped it back into its spot.

Just then the waitress returned with a cup and a pot of coffee. She sat them down alongside a small bowl of sugar cubes. "Enjoy! The soup will be right out." she gleefully chirped before leaving again.

I dropped two sugar cubes into the cup and followed them with fresh coffee. Giving it a slow stir while waiting. I definitely need a shower. I thought, catching a 8whiff of my own body odor.

I smelled pretty bad. Bad enough that made my brain register the greasiness that coated me. Dried sweat and blood made my coat cling to me making me itchy. Resisting that urge and leaning back in the booth, I noted all the holes that had been made over the course of the last week. "Damn, I'm a mess."

"That you are." I looked up to see the waitress standing beside my table levitating a serving tray. "That's okay though, some days are rougher than others. Just get a good shower and some sleep and you'll be as good as new!"

Her optomisium must have been contagious because I could feel my whole body relax and a real smile cross my face. The waitress placed my soup down with spoon on a napkin. "Enjoy! It's fresh too."

"Thank you!" I told her before taking a drink of my coffee.

She turned and left, leaving me to stare at my soup and coffee. My reflection stared back at me in the stainless steel coffee pot. I caught my own sullen eye and I looked as ragged as I felt. Like a wet cloth: wrung out and hung up. My coat was unkept and my mane was in tangles around my ears.

I rotated the pot telekinetically so the handle was blocking my view of me. I quickly ate and drink that one cup of coffee. I left my price and tip on the table before leaving. These ponies aren't at all prepared.

After a hot shower with actual soap, I gave the stall a quick rinse before returning to my room. When I got there I found a tall zebra laying on my bed fast asleep. I dropped all the saddle bags in front of my desk then turned on the too bright overhead light.

I smiled as she furrowed her brow. "Wakey wakey. You're in my spot."

She burried her face into the bunched up blanket she laid on but I heard a long yawn.

I walked over and prodded her side with a gentle hoof. "Can you at least scoot over some?" I asked her.

She did so but barely. "Why are this tired?"

She didn't look up but she did answer. "I haven't a had a bed since I got back, so I borrowed yours."

"What happened to your living quarters?"

"It is not mine anymore."She finally lifted her head. "I also needed to wait for your return, the elders need to speak with you and I tonight. We also need your mother, where is she?"

"She's with the Overmare, discussing a strategy to move into and revitalize the MAS hub." Hopping onto the edge of the bed, I pushed a hoof against her side. "Move over, I'm exhausted."

She moved against the wall, giving me the room I needed to get comfortable. Turning the lights off left my room pitch black. Just the way I preferred it. Giving a big yawn and getting comfortable next to Xeyal, I had to ask, "I believe a peaceful resolution will be brought up. We have bigger problems now so we have no better choice. Some of those ghouls escaped the tower and some scary ponies came knocking."

I could hear her breathing evenly beside me, our shoulders almost touching. "Your bed is small, I can not stretch."

She then stretched, pressing her back against mine and nearly pushing me off the bed! "woaoh!" I dug a hoof into the bed and pushed back against her. She gave in and relaxed again.

"I thank you for letting me stay here, sorry for intruding." She said, Though the cadence of her tone gave more than her words.

Rolling over I nuzzled her short mane, trying to comfort her a bit. "No intrusion. As for everything to come… I think the stable will be able to make the adjustments needed to make it work."

She took a deep breath. "I fear that many of the zebras and ponies here are not ready for Baltimare's horror."

"I agree," it was all I could fathom to say. My eyelids were getting heavy. I rolled back over and pressed my back against hers. "Good night."

"It's just about noon." she retorted.

That got me to smile.

Footnote:
Level Up! Lv. 7
Perk Unlocked: Determination
Strength: +1
Endurance: +1
Perk Unlocked: Gunner Class
Small Guns: +20%
Big Guns: +20%