Fallout: Equestria - The Storm

Fallout: Equestria - The Storm

Chapter 13: You Gotta Care

***** ***** *****

Coming back to the real world, I felt tears on my cheeks. I took a breath, and exhaled a fit of sobs. The weight in my chest followed me from Gritt’s memory. Knight stepped away from us, and I wrapped my arms and wings tightly around the griffon before he could speak. I squeezed him, ignoring the pain it caused my bruised body.

He wasn’t crying. He was completely calm. I felt his claws pat my sides.

“Rosegold. It was twelve years ago. I’m fine.” He spoke in a soothing tone. Gritt was consoling me, even though this was his pain. “Yeah, Knight, I’m pretty sure the implant works.”

I let him go and wiped my eyes. “How… How could you put yourself through that again?”

He raised his brow. “Put myself through that again? It’s a memory, Rosegold. I’ve carried that baggage this whole time.”

Slash looked very annoyed to be out of the loop, but one look at my tears told her she didn’t really want to know.

Knight spoke up. “If I may, perhaps a trip to the spa is in order? That memory may have been… overkill. You must be very stressed.”

I nodded and stepped towards the door, then stopped. “I’m still waterproof, right? My cybernetics won’t electrocute me or something?”

Gritt snickered, and Knight answered. “I’d recommend avoiding pulse grenades, but a bath is perfectly safe.”

*****

The hot bath and massage were very welcome. I had the stallion this time, and got his name. Reiki-Reiki. To his surprise, I asked a lot about him. It felt nice to learn about the stranger’s life and family. It felt good to care. The two mares were apparently twins named Tapo and Tement, and were his younger sisters. The three had lived at Tenpony their whole lives, the spa having been passed down their family for generations. Such a simple, pure life.

A kind of life that was out of reach for so many, throughout the wasteland, and even within Hippogriffia. Most of my kind toiled as laborers. A tiny minority were farmers, making use of rare strips of fertile land. Mariners had the most dangerous jobs, putting themselves at risk of being devoured by sea beasts, to supply our people with vital protein. They were as revered as our military. Mining was dangerous as well, but garnered little respect. The ultracite miners were constantly exposed to toxic fumes and potential cave ins. The causes of my parents’ deaths.

Reiki-Reiki paused and asked if I was alright, cleaning a tear from my eye. I assured him that I was fine. I hadn’t felt anything when I became an orphan. I’d chalked it up to being mature for my age. But now I know I hadn’t mourned because I didn’t have the ability to…

Apologizing, I cut my spa visit short, drying my cheeks before tipping the confused stallion.

*****

Gritt was alone in his room when I walked in, sitting beside the open display case. He had the whip, his mother’s whip, in his claws again. Only now, he was pulling it apart, strip by strip, and wrapping the leather around the wood of his rifle. He glanced at me, but paid me no mind and continued his work. His left cheek was stained. The memory had affected him after all, he just kept it to himself in front of us. I got a rag from his bathroom and cleaned it.

“What was she like? Stern?” I sat beside him. “As a mother, I mean. I’ve read what history has to say about her.”

He looked at me blankly. “You’re shitting me, right?” He sighed when he realized my question was genuine. “She was… difficult. Hard to please, and no stranger to corporal punishment. She constantly pushed me to be stronger than I could be, not to let my size be an excuse to be useless. Pretty sure she wanted me to replace her some day.”

He pulled out a smoke, then rubbed the scar on his neck and put it back. “She was also protective. Luna help anyone who laid a single hoof or claw on her baby boy besides her.” The griffon let out a fit of snickers, recollecting something. “Oh, man, she even punched Red Eye in the fucking face once. Most amazing thing I ever saw her do. Bastard was complaining about having a runt in his army. Didn’t want weak links. When he threatened to send me to Doc Slaughter for upgrades, mom turned his good eye black.”

“I doubt he took kindly to that.” From what I’d read, the infamous slaver didn’t seem the type to let that slide.

Gritt nodded. “He took us to the practice range. Mom had always hyped up how good of a shot I was. Red Eye told her if I didn’t surpass his standards, he’d have us both killed.” He chuckled again. “I set a course record that never got beat. That shut him the fuck up. Mom even hugged me in front of him. She never hugged me in front of others.”

My friend’s smile faded into a long sigh. “I hate her so much.” My expression beckoned him to elaborate. “Her death wasn’t Red Eye’s fault. Or Xenith’s, or Xephyr’s… It was hers. She had to know how the life she chose to lead was going to end. She knew I’d lose her. I guess she just thought I’d be ready to take the hit by the time it happened.” His scowl narrowed. “She left me with nothing. No one. Without her protecting me… It was rough. Crimson at least had the decency to help me get out and go legit.”

“I can’t believe the NCR deals with people like him, even off the books.” It didn’t seem like the Grimfeathers would approve. I also thought he’d like a change in subject.

“It’s mostly Sabre Whiteclaw.” I wasn’t familiar. Gritt explained. “He’s the elected Rep for the NCR’s territory in Filly. Migrant from the west coast, so peeps knew he had no connections to Red Eye. As posh and haughty as a griffon can be, fancies himself an aristocrat. Claims to descend from royalty, though most don’t take that seriously. He ran for President against Gawd twice, almost won the second time. I think enough creatures knew he was shady to keep him from winning. Even so, he’s got a lot of unofficial influence here in the Manehattan territory, especially at Arbu. He’s making a big push to get elected here and leave Filly.”

I gestured to the posh tower we were sitting in. “I can see why. Fillydelphia can’t possibly have luxury like this.”

“It really doesn’t.” Gritt returned to his work, and I went to bed.

*****

I had a dream that night. Rather, a nightmare. I’d never dreamed before, and Knight told me it was part of my condition. After this, I considered asking her to turn off the implant’s connection when I slept.

I was in Klugetown, on my knees and bound. As were Slash, Gritt, Ginger, Washout, Lilith… almost everyone I’d helped. Even Knight, in her flesh and blood form, was chained and helpless as Storm soldiers patrolled around us.

Spinella approached through the rain, with the Storm King beside her. The massive, ghoulified white biped, with an ultracite crown upon his head, took a weapon from Spinella and stepped close.

“I see you’ve captured the traitor and his wasteland compatriots.” His voice was raspy but no less booming and commanding. He clasped my beak in his grasp. “Where is the Pearl?”

I couldn’t answer. My beak was fused shut. It had no opening.

He snapped his finger. Ginger was executed. The sound of a bitter wail was muffled by my non-mouth.

He kept asking. I continued to be incapable of answering. Unable to save my friends as their lives were ended in front of me. Knight was the last to fall. She was tough. It took a few shots to kill her. I was inconsolable as I watched her suffer.

Out of patience, he turned the weapon on me. “No matter if you won’t tell me. With you out of the picture, I’ll find it quickly enough.”

The deafening flash of violet woke me.

*****

My jolting awake practically tossed Gritt off of my chest, sending him to the other end of the bed with a squawk. He landed on Slash’s tail, which woke her with a start. I apologized to both, trying to catch my breath, overjoyed to see them alive. They relaxed when I told them I had a bad dream, but I didn’t go into what I saw.

Changing the subject, “Did Homage ever get in touch with Spike?” It’s something I should have asked sooner.

Gritt stretched and yawned. “Yeah, he’ll be in Junction Town tomorrow. I was gonna suggest we start heading that way today.”

“Want to take the boat? I’m kind of sick of flying everywhere.” Slash’s suggestion left me confused.

“The… boat?” Is she suggesting what I think she is?

Slash nodded. “The one you crashed, Ironsides’ ship. Friendship City’s already got it fixed and back in the harbor. After our help saving the town, they offered to give it to us as payment.”

That sounded brilliant. Transport and housing, all in one. With substantial firepower to boot, aside from the two cannons I sent into the sea. It’d take some time to get the stink of seadog out of it, but it was worth it.

“What about Purser?” Gritt asked. “NCR hasn’t had time to pick her up yet.”

That was strange. I thought Arbu was close to Manehattan. What’s the holdup?

“Well…” I offered, “we could just take her with us. Maybe drop her off at Arbu ourselves. Or even keep her. She knows a lot more about that ship than we do, and we might end up needing her help with it.”

Gritt looked perplexed. “She tried to kill you, and you’re thinking of adding her to the team?”

“Technically, she did kill me. After I killed everyone she knew.” Sheesh, maybe Slash’s misplaced sympathy was rubbing off on me. Curse this implant. Or maybe it’s something less innocent. I did think she was cute. “Maybe she considers us even.”

Gritt looked unconvinced but willing to give it a shot. “That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard, but dog logic can be weird like that… Whatever, but I will blow her head off if she tries something.”

Slash, as I expected, agreed with me. “She’s young. A second chance is better than a cell or a noose. Ironsides was the one making deals with slavers, not her.”

Gritt huffed. “If I had a cap for every time I’ve heard the ‘just following orders’ excuse…”

*****

An hour later, we had geared up and headed off. Knight followed us out in an invisibility field. I had forgotten Assault-Mares could do that. It didn’t take the four of us long to reach Friendship City, though we approached carefully for Knight’s sake. The zebra volunteers were still here. It was now or never if what she said about the implant was true.

The alicorn android adorned in a recreation of Nightmare Moon’s armor had the effect I expected on the striped population. They stumbled over each other, eyes wide, shouting about curses. She kept her head low in shame. As Knight predicted, I was getting a headache, but it was manageable. It was certainly worth it if it meant this stroll through town didn’t become a bloodbath.

When Xenith saw her, she nearly fainted, stammering zebra-speak gibberish. “W-What is that!?”

“This is our friend, Knight.” Slash took the lead on this. “She’s not bad. She’s actually very nice. Please give her a chance.”

The zebra glanced at Gritt, who simply gave her a nod. Knight carefully offered a wing, not trusting her weaponized hooves. Her face couldn’t express it, but I knew she was far more terrified than any zebra here. Xenith, with extreme apprehension, shook it. Other zebras witnessing the exchange murmured to each other, then calmed and went about their business.

Xenith then looked at me. “You. You survived. You were lifeless when you left.”

I nodded towards the alicorn. “Knight’s an incredible doctor.” I tapped my chest. “Had to give me a new heart and lung, but she saved me.” I glanced between her and Gritt. “We should be going. Thank you for the ship. And, please, give Xephyr my thanks for saving my friend.” Xenith smiled.

*****

Ironsides’ ship was resting in the harbor. The residents had done a stunningly impressive job repairing it in such a short time, and even restocked it for us. They didn’t have fuel for the rockets, but I was perfectly comfortable not going on that kind of ride again. Below deck, a handful of FC security ponies were keeping watch over the brig. Purser looked like she saw a ghost when I trotted up to her.

“I… I killed you! You were dead!” Her voice was full of shock, but surprisingly not anger.

“Yeah, for about three hours. I got better.” I was still having a hard time believing it myself. “I came to inform you that this ship belongs to me. I am the captain now. So, tell me, where do your loyalties lie?”

Purser took in my words, a variety of emotions playing across her pretty face as she thought it over. “With the captain.” She took off her tricorn and held it to her heart.

“Then get us ready to sail upriver. Our destination is Junction Town.” I had security unlock her cell and depart. Gritt kept a hand on his pistol, not letting the seadog out of his sight.

Purser definitely knew her way around, managing ropes, unfurling the sails, et cetera. Slash helped her raise the anchor. I took the helm, having plenty of experience commanding vessels, and Gritt flew up to the crow’s nest. Knight stood at my side as a navigator. Once we were on our way, Slash chatted up the seadog, wanting to learn how to sail. Not wanting a useless crewmate, she obliged.

*****

The Gilded Gull, as Purser informed us the ship was named, wasn’t massive. It’d be classified as a brigandine, only having two masts and one subdeck. My captains’ quarters were small, mostly taken up by a large bed and desk clearly meant for their previous owner. Bedding below deck was limited, mostly replaced with cargo storage. Friendship City had removed all of the slave shackles that had been bolted into the floor, walls, and ceiling, leaving only the small brig cell that Purser had been kept in. The Gull still had plenty of room for the five of us.

The seadog surprised me with another bit of information on the ship. It was originally built by hippogriffs, over three centuries ago. With the state the ship was in, I thought it was built within the last decade or so. For over three-hundred, it was in remarkable condition. The rockets, of course, were a recent addition, but mostly everything else was genuine hippogriff craftsmanship. I had some idea of my ancestors having a navy, but I’d imagined small, crude fishing vessels. The Gull was no Storm Cruiser, but it was impressive for its time nonetheless.

In a footlocker at the edge of the bed, I found Purser’s sword, the one that had been flung into the mast. I had Ironsides’ sword with me, wrapped in canvas. The blade that killed me. My companions didn’t dare remove it from my body until I was in Tenpony’s surgery center. Both weapons should probably stay locked up here for the time being. I trusted Purser not to wreck the Gull, but I didn’t trust her with a weapon. Then again, I needed something for melee, and my new companion’s cutlass was just the right size for me. Another gift from Friendship City was my scatter laser. Someone had found it and repaired it for me. It was like new. I gave it a pat and apologized again for breaking it.

*****

We covered a lot of distance by the time night fell, and would reach Junction Town by early morning. Knight stayed on the helm. Purser slept below deck. Gritt slept in the nest. Slash offered to help me break in the bed, and I obliged. Enjoying our afterglow, I held and nuzzled the dragon.

“You want to sleep with Purser, don’t you?” Slash’s question caught me off guard.

I shrugged. “She’s attractive. I’m not sure she wouldn’t snap my neck in my sleep, but… I had the same fear about you.”

“That’d be a dumb way to get killed. Again.” She laid back, looking thoughtful for a while. “Out of curiosity, what are we?” Another unexpected question. “I mean, are we some kind of polycule, or…”

I wasn’t sure how to answer. All my life, sex has just been sex, something to enjoy with people I found attractive, or something to exchange with a subordinate or superior. There was nothing deeper to it. Until I got the empathy implant. The past two nights, sharing affection with people I cared for was such a better experience. Even retroactively, thinking back on my night with Ginger. I’d helped her and saved her and slept with her for completely selfish reasons. I wished I could do it over again with better intentions.

That being said, I wasn’t sure I ‘loved’ Slash or Gritt. I cared about them. I enjoyed being affectionate with them. But love wasn’t something I understood.

“You, uh, got an answer? Because I’m starting to think you’re making a harem out of us.” The dragon broke me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head. “No, it’s nothing like… That makes it sound like I’m just… Honestly, I think I’m just a slut.”

Slash snorted. “Okay, I wasn’t expecting you to just admit it.” Oh, she already thought that of me? Then again, counting Hollow Shades (despite my lack of consciousness), I’d gotten laid by at least as many different people as I’ve spent days in Equestria. How could I call myself anything else?

“Maybe it’s the only way you know how to feel close to people. At least, before what Knight did to your brain. Psychopathy sounds… really lonely.” I didn’t think she was wrong.

I pressed myself to her, hugging her waist and nuzzling her chest. She held me tight in return. “I’ll probably have a bad dream again.”

She chuckled. “Then it’s a good thing you’re cuddled up to me and not the little guy. You’d launch him into the water.”

We shared a laugh, and drifted to sleep.

***** ***** *****

Footnote:
Welcome to Level 11!

Perk Added: Swashbuckler! If you’re going to set sail towards adventure, you should act the part! You gain a permanent +25 to your speech, small guns, and melee skills.