Fallout: Equestria - An Equal Experiment

Anypony can be a confectioner, it's you mill ponies that really keep the Republic in shape.

The old mill was among the last buildings made before the balefire bombs hit Manehatten. Originally used to store grain and other foods for the winter, Wysteria repurposed the building into a small factory and manufacturing plant for cans of meat. Rich in protein, fats and Vitamin B3 it helped sustain the population and became their primary export within a month. The heretics outside of the Republic couldn't get enough of it! The operation expanded underground to fit more facilities to allow for in-house processing of the meat, keeping its quaint appearance on the surface.

Peppermint Twist arrives well after work had started for the day, shame bleeding through her eyes as she approaches the front door, guarded on each side by two Marebots. The robots don't seem to notice her as she slowly creeps forward, resting a hoof on the door and beginning to gently open it... Only to feel orange eyes locked on her as the security notice her intrusion. Peppermint winces before turning to greet the droid to her right. "Good morning, Marebot!"

"Good morning, Peppermint Twist! You are: fifteen. Minutes late for work today! This infraction has been reported to Wysteria. What is the reason for this infraction?"

"Well ah, first..." The earth pony's resolve begins to crumble at the cold, fake joy of the Marebot before her. "I don't work in the factory. I'm the town confectioner, remember? And second I, was in a meeting with Wysteria! It went long and, that's why I'm late. It won't happen again."

"Ha ha, it better not! Have a safe day at the mill, Peppermint Twist!" The Marebot's stilted voice bleeds with synthetic joy as it opens the door, turning her head to look blankly ahead once the confectioner's tail ducks fully inside the building. Despite the chilled air of the mill, it's somehow warmer than standing outside with glass eyes staring her down. Taking a deep breath Peppermint continues forward with her cart of goods.

On her way to the break room to drop off the treats for the hard-working mares and stallions, she absentmindedly marvels at the gears and pulleys making the packaging facility run. A line of ponies of all creeds stand behind the belt as a can of unrecognizable red meat comes from a small hole in the wall. The first stallion sets a large metal lid on top of the can. The mare next to him- a unicorn- slams a hammer on the lid, sealing the can. Next to her, a pegasus stallion applies the label: CANNED MEAT. At the very end a female zebra- one of few in the village- sets the can next to several others on a palette.

Distracted by the seamless operation Peppermint Twist knocks into one of the floor workers carrying a full palette of meat, causing him to drop it and fall forward on his jaw. Peppermint gasps and wildly apologizes, replacing the cans on the palette as a few slipped from between the plastic wrapping. "I'm so sorry Whistles, are you okay?! I didn't even see you!"

The stallion, a blue-coated unicorn named Winter Whistles, gets to his hooves and fixes his mane with a hum. "It's alright Pep, these things happen. I should've been more careful when carrying product!.. Late on your rounds again huh?"

Peppermint's cheeks flush in embarrassment as she nods. "Yeah... Lost track of time, real shocker there."

"Aah, well I shouldn't hold you up any longer. Don't want Wysteria getting upset with us again!" With that Winter continues his work, carrying the pallet of meat to its designated shipping area as Peppermint Twist rushes onward. The break room isn't far, just around a corner in a small hallway, so it doesn't take long to replace the empty jars of sweets with full ones. Sugar plums, red licorice and a container of mixed nuts for the health-conscious among them. She waves to a few Marebots as she heads the way she came, back into town and her humble shop.