Irradiated Changes

Chapters

Lack of Love Through First Light
Old Friends, New Toys
Now You're a Big Boy... er, Drone
Technology and... Possibly Friendship?
Brotherhood Blues, Greys, and Reds
Anting Up for High Stakes
Read This Now

Lack of Love Through First Light

War. War never changes.

In the wake of the irradiated disaster that became known as the 2077 apocalypse, mankind has crawled forth from the ashes to pick up the pieces of its shattered existence and begin anew, forming tribes and societies. Some even tried to stick to the ways of the Old World as others adapted to the new. It was here, the Lone Wanderer, James LeBlanc Junior, left the safety of Vault 101 and opened a new chapter for Mankind and, more specifically, the bombed out ruins of Washington DC, known to its inhabitants as, simply, The Capital Wasteland. Working alongside the Brotherhood of Steel, he continued his parent's dream of bringing new life to its people, protecting those who faced annihilation at the hands of the Enclave; the Old World government who sought to exterminate all that was touched by the nuclear fires they themselves had brought upon the world. It was here, almost two months after, that-. What the-?!

***

Well, that takes care of that Dully-Mc-Dullerson!

Ugh, Pinkie...! Fine. This works, I guess...

***

Now, where were we? Oh, right! Since the dawn of Equestria, back when the three tribes of Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns united under the Equestrian flag, harmony and peace have reigned throughout the land. Such concepts of strife and war were unknown to its common inhabitants. For years, The Royal Guard acted as little more than a traditional defensive force should the nation be invaded by a foreign power. Long after its founding, the harmony Equestria became known for came to an end with the release of Nightmare Moon, who spread night eternal across the land. Of Discord, spreading Chaos and Disharmony across its ponies...

It was not, however, the end of the era of peace, as everypony predicted. Instead, one unicorn united the three races once more, stronger than ever, to wield the most powerful weapon in Equestrian history; The Elements of Harmony. With a wave of prismatic light, Nightmare Moon's darkness was stripped away, opening the corrupted heart of Princess Celestia's sister and the protector of the night, Princess Luna. Discord was, for the second time, encased in stone and returned to his place within the Palace Gardens. It opened up the next chapter in Equestrian history... but...

War. War never really changes.

Hidden from Equestria for years, the mighty Changeling Empire slowly turned its hungering gaze upon the nation of love and tolerance, sending out scouts to recon its borders, and find weaknesses. After months of preparation and planning, the Changeling Queen herself, Queen Chrysalis, left her place in the southern badlands to infiltrate the royal wedding of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, sealing away the bride and controlling the groom with her manipulative magic and using him as a battery from which she began to draw unimaginable powers.

Once again, the lone unicorn sought to protect the land. However, as was the case with Nightmare Moon in the beginning of the tale, her warnings fell on deaf ears. Sensing the threat of discovery nonetheless, Chrysalis sealed the unicorn alongside the trapped Princess, thinking her dealt with. This, in turn, proved to be the creation of her own downfall.

The two ponies, united at long last, escaped their imprisonment beneath the palace and returned to the surface, revealing the Changeling Queen and her schemes. It was here, on the very threshold of either victory or defeat, that Queen Chrysalis revealed herself, and set her plan’s final stage into motion. In one fell swoop, the shields around the capital crumbled, her Swarm of changelings forcing their way in and overwhelming the Royal Guard through sheer numbers alone. Desperate, Princess Celestia once again called for the Elements of Harmony to save them...

Except they were never wielded. The six element bearers were stopped at the gates, and the Elements of Harmony remained untouched as their wielders were swiftly captured and brought before the Queen of the Changelings. It seemed as if, truly, Chrysalis had won, toppling the great nation within a few short hours. With the only threats to her power defeated or impossible to reach, her victory seemed to be finalized. Gloating in victory, she realized too late that the very source of her immense power was beginning to turn against her. The love between the bride and groom of what was the be the perfect wedding began to quickly build, until at last it exploded with a force that would cast every changeling out of the capital, back to the Badlands from which they had came.

It is here, within one such instance of the event, that things deviated from the norm. It is here, Queen Chrysalis made a gamble, and unintentionally stepped away from the source of love her nation so desperately needed to survive, passing across the edges of time and space.

***

And into a place where war... war never changes...

***

This, Chrysalis determined, was far from perfect. She was to be on the edge of glory, basking in the glow of a newly conquered capital! Celestia now lay defeated, the six ponies capable of stopping her were captured, and the entire Royal Guard was either captured or outnumbered twenty to one! Except she was not. She was staring in panic at the two ponies she thought the least capable of defeating her, the very bride and groom she had manipulated and controlled, preparing a spell that would, in all likelihood, overload her body with enough love and magic to throw her back to the badlands. Months of planning, gone, because of two ponies? Impossible! She had worked too hard for her Swarm for this to happen!

But already she knew it was too late to stop them. Even if she attacked now, the spell would still go off, every ounce of force still behind it. Left with no quick solution, the Changeling Queen's mind ran through every possible spell and idea she could think of, before finally seizing onto one like it was the only chance she had of keeping her hard-fought plan.

It was not the best plan. In fact, it called for a massive bluff and the hopes that she could still control the nine or so largest threats to her power with only a small force, but it was an all or nothing gamble. A simple teleportation spell of herself and the few changelings around the bearers of the Elements of Harmony to send them behind the blast as it raced towards them would, at least in theory, allow them to remain unaffected, and still be in relative control of the immediate room.

All she had to do was use the ponies within the chamber as hostages to keep the Royal Guard at bay, assuming they had not already been trapped in the same cocoons she had placed Celestia in. If so, then all the better. If not, then she had to go with her original plan and make due with what she had...

Already the blast had gone off, and she could practically feel the raw power and love overloading the bodies of herself and her changelings. In a split-second of thought, she relayed her plan and orders to the few changelings she intended to keep with her via the collective mind of the Swarm, commonly called the hivemind. This rough collection of warriors that formed her Elite Guard were all that she would be able to save, but it would be enough. It would have to be. She began to cast her spell, her Elite Guard doing their best to add their magical power to hers.

Instead of the desired 'Wink Out' she intended, however, Chrysalis felt her body burn in unseen fire, the world becoming a blur of color, light, and sound. She suddenly heard thousands of voices cry out her name. The voices of her changelings. Her children, calling for their mother, only to be silenced. They were not dead, but fading from the collective hivemind of the Swarm which she led. Instead, it was just herself and the Elite Guard, and still they too cried out for her, as well as their brothers and sisters. For once, Chrysalis cried out with them, her silent screams going unanswered as darkness slowly encompassed her...

***

"LeBlanc, sometimes I wonder if you're as psychotic as the scum you kill, or just overly dramatic." Sentinel Lyons muttered, the hastily snapped-on helmet causing bits of her hair to stick into her field of vision. For once, her signature ponytail did nothing to help keep the faded blonde from obscuring her vision.

Knight James LeBlanc Jr. aka The Lone Wanderer, just leaned back on the Experimental MIRV like he didn't have a care in the world. Stripped out of his own power armor, he was taking in the rads through the flimsy Vault 101 jumpsuit he always wore underneath anything and everything in his wide variety of armors and clothing. It was like a second skin to him, in a way. He chuckled before he answered her, "Probably a bit of both, Sentinel. Doing okay in there?"

Sarah Lyons sighed, silently putting a hand to her faceplate and shaking her head, "You're insane. Fucking. Insane."

James shrugged his shoulders, pulling a Nuka Cola out of his suit’s hip pocket and popping the cap off, "I like to think of myself as efficient. What do you think, Gallows?"

The near-silent Knight Captain remained as stoic as ever behind his helmet, earning a shrug from the currently rad-absorbing vault dweller, "Eh, thought Glade would've liked it at least. Not every day I get to one-up him by killing an army with one pull of the trigger..." he took a sip of the Pre-War beverage.

It was then that Gallows actually spoke up, though his voice remained as calm and emotionless as ever, "Someone was in that blast."

The two Pride members, one who hadn't run at the first sight of the MIRV and the other being crazy enough to fire it, turned to look at their comrade. One was in unseen shock while the other was trying to hold his Nuka Cola in disbelief. James took a hard swallow and let out a cough, "H-How do you..." he coughed again, "know?"

In response, Gallows raised his head slightly to look up into the clouds, shielding his eyes from the glare, "Because Super Mutants aren't black and blue, and they're not light enough to fly a quarter mile into the air."

The Lone Wanderer fumbled with the scope of his Reservist's Rifle, quickly putting the crosshairs over the small dots his fellow Brotherhood member pointed out. With practiced but shaking motions, he began cranking the scope's magnification as far as it could go. What he saw was roughly five, no, six all-black figures with specks of blue dotting their bodies. They were flying high up into the air, slowing down as time went on. It didn't take a genius to realize soon they'd reach the arc of their ascent, only to go hurtling to the ground and land in what probably James himself couldn't even survive, fancy twists in his DNA or not.

While normally black would set off Enclave warning bells in the Knight's head, the touches of blue seemed to at least raise doubt into this. That and James, as crazy as he was with heavy ordinance, was not about to let innocents die because of his own actions.

So, to him at least, it seemed perfectly natural to throw on his Winterized suit of T51-b Power Armor, click the MIRV and Reservist's to his back, and run full-tilt towards the tallest hill in the area. He quickly began working on unbuckling Miss Launcher from his suit as he went, a plan forming within his mind.

For a moment, Gallows and Lyons just stood there, watching the savior of what was probably the entire East Coast of the Wasteland as he ran after what, for all they knew, really was black and blue Super Mutants, "..."

"...We should probably go after him, make sure he doesn't get himself nearly killed, again..." Sarah muttered, watching him charge in the direction of both the figures and, probably, another crazy-as-hell adventure that seemed to just fall into his lap.

Gallows watched as well, though for him it was with a small smile at just how near-suicidal the Knight was when it came to helping others, "...Probably."

James, of course, wasn't paying attention to the conversation his squad-mates were having, short as it was. He was already loading a personally-made 'High-Explosive' missile into the barrel of Miss Launcher, charging to the top of the hill and preparing for one of his stupider, yet (possibly) highly effective, risks. Maybe he should find an Old World video camera and start filming them for some cheap laughs...

That idea would have to make itself known later, however, as currently he had civilians to save. Thankfully, enough practice with the pneumatic launcher-style weapon had made him learn trajectory and angles well enough to time the shot and placement... relatively right. Okay, maybe not; he was just guessing on the specifics, but the general angle and the slowing speed of his targets made it a point where accuracy wasn't necessary to get as close as he needed. Actually, surviving the launch and landing would be the hard parts. He'd probably be fine, what with the massive amounts of radiation charging his twisted DNA to heal crippled limbs and all...

Still. Best to be ready to fire himself into the epicenter of the MIRV’s blast if he had to.

He pulled the trigger, seeing the bright orange tip that marked a 'High-Explosive' round, fly out of the barrel and into the dirt. They were, in actuality, a Mini Nuke he'd disassembled and scrapped for several smaller nuclear warheads. What happened next was fairly simple; the force threw his power-armored body up at the proper angle towards the black and blue figures while he strapped Miss Launcher onto his back again. He quickly realized a couple of things as he got close enough, however. Ones that, while abnormal, barely phased the man who’d gone through and seen worse things in his life.

For one, the creatures weren't human. That much was obvious by the black chitin and bug wings, not to mention the much smaller size, even if one of them was somewhat larger. For another, they were either unconscious or just scared out of their minds, as their eyes were closed and tears lined the faces of a couple of them. Finally, they were alive, nuclear blast or no; not even signs of ghoulification or fairly obvious radiological mutation. It was like the Wasteland had given them a free pass or something. Or maybe their obviously different bodies were used to it.

James was starting to regret not taking that Etymologist Perk now as he reached out, grabbing and clustering the creatures as close to himself as he could. It wasn't overly hard, given the size of the... things. Sometimes it just paid to have good reflexes, Pre-War tech or no, and to be a bit generous with your help to others.

Now to just land and not end up with bug guts instead of live bugs... Er... bug-like... things. Bugs. Until he found different he considered them bugs. He checked his Pip-Boy, thankfully still on the locations setting, and found himself flying over the Abandoned Car Fort, near the river. Mostly irradiated water, but water nonetheless. All he had to do was break the surface tension, land, and swim to shore, bugs in tow...

That was the plan, at least. For all he knew he'd gotten the angle wrong and he'd slam into a truck or something. It'd certainly be one of those days if it happened. He twisted his head to do a few sloppy calculations within his mind, figuring he'd land in deep-enough water if he timed it right. He took a deep breath and thanked God for letting man develop the technology currently in his body, then did as many things as he could in the span of a few short seconds. First he pulled one arm away from the bugs in his grasp and under his arms, doing his best to not let go of any of them. After doing this, he then ripped the emergency release of his armor off, the main body and attached components and weapons falling off and hitting the water, slowing his descent slightly. He then turned his body so that his elbow would hit the water first, hopefully keeping the bugs free of anything more than a lukewarm bath.

By that time he didn't have a chance to do more. James slammed into the water at what was thankfully little less than a teeth-rattling jar and the sudden weightlessness that followed. The broken tension and elbow-drop into the river helped keep him oriented enough, where he kicked to the surface, doing his best to keep the bug's heads above water. It turned out to be an ultimately moot gesture, however, when they began floating of their own accord. This was, of course, excluding their legs, which let water through on account of the... holes, in them. Sure, why not? For all he knew it was some integral part of their surviving in the wasteland. He'd ask Rothchild about it back at the Citadel.

Making sure they would stay afloat, and were still unconscious, which they were, he then ripped off his helmet and took another gulp of air. Quickly, he began to repeatedly dive under the water to retrieve his weapons and the rest of his armor.

Just another day in the Capital Wasteland.

***

By the time James had gotten his weapons to the Car Fort, Gallows and Lyons had led the rest of the Pride inside to rest. Dusk and Kolvin had taken up overwatch while Vargas and Glade went to take stock and plan their next movements. Kodiak joined the Sentinel and stoic Knight Captain on their approach to James. It was in fact Kodiak himself that posed the question to The Lone Wanderer, “Landed in the river?”

James spit out the cap from his Nuka Cola earlier, having tucked the piece of metal into his cheek when tossing on his power armor, “Softest thing I could think of. Any other survivors?”

Sentinel Lyons shook her head, “None that didn’t need a micro-fusion cell. Where are yours?”

The Knight jerked his head towards the river, “Floating. Current hasn’t moved them the entire time. They don’t look like any survivors I’ve seen before either.”

He could almost feel Sarah’s eyebrow creep up an inch or so, “...Hostile?”

The soaking wet man shrugged, “Unconscious, with a couple of tear stains maybe. Figured I’d stay behind and find out if they’re friendly or not regardless. You know how I get.”

She sighed, crossing her arms and looking out at the sunset, “Might as well stay too, then. Sun’s going down, and this is as good a place as any to make camp.”

The Sentinel turned to Kodiak, “Keep your sledge handy, Kodiak. I’m not taking any chances with these... what were they?”

James pocketed the cap, shrugging his shoulders, “Bugs, from what I can tell. Not the standard Radroach or Giant Ant either. They're mostly black and covered in overlapping... chitin? Yeah, that.”

The younger of the two Lyons pulled off her helmet, pinching the bridge of her nose as she clipped the piece of armor to her waist, “Why does weird shit always happen to the Pride when you’re around?”

The Knight shrugged, pulling a pair of binoculars from his gear and checking the other side of the river for hostiles before he swam out again, “I think it’s just a magnetic personality.”

“Or the ten thousand cap price Jabsco put on your head after you castrated him.” Gallows muttered, earning a slight chuckle from each of the four.

A smirk crossed James' lips as he stopped laughing, “Ah, good times... I’ll be back in a minute.”

With their plan made and an area to secure, the three main Pride members went off to do their business. James gave a small smile, tossed the magnifying Old World device onto his pile of gear, and turned around before backflipping into the river, off to collect the bugs. He and Sarah just seemed to connect like that; a few words and they could decide on a decent course of action. Nothing like she and Vargas, but close enough. Glade once joked with him that it was a lover’s connection or something, but the Lone Wanderer figured it was just from serving in the Pride for so long. Or just a similar mindset, considering how the two seemed to have a similar philosophy in most respects relating to the Brotherhood’s role in the Wasteland.

He kicked to the surface again, finding the insects still floating aimlessly. The Knight swam over to the largest one, who seemed to have much more detail and difference from the rest, and went to check for... well, life signs. He knew the human body inside and out, to the point he often served as the Pride’s field medic, but insects were outside of his medical expertise. That being said, he could do little more than determine it was breathing by the gentle rush of air from what appeared to be its snout. He sighed and swam over to the others, checking for a similar sign.

***

Chrysalis’ mind was awake long before her body.

Her head still roiled with thoughts and emotions, trying to comprehend what the buck had just happened. Then everything slammed back into focus as memories raced through her mind.

Thousands of her children, silenced in an instant. Even with what few were left, the Changeling Queen experienced something she’d not felt in centuries. It was like a large, gaping hole within her soul. Something she had not felt since decades ago.

Loneliness. the thought echoed in the depths of Chrysalis’ mind. So used to the thoughts of thousands of others, it now felt hollow and lifeless to even think, let alone live in its entirety.

The Changeling Queen clenched her eyes and jaw tightly as the emotional mask of composure that she almost always wore threatened to shatter. She refused to show such weakness visibly, no matter the location or company. Her Elite Guard, were they not asleep, would see through it perfectly, but she had long ago lost the will to care if her children saw her true side. It was much like a defensive mechanism; something she’d had nearly from birth.

As if to spite her, the queen’s mind brought up the words of her mother, A Queen must always appear calm and commanding. Even during the most stressful of situations, you carry on your shoulders the weight of an entire Swarm, my child. Remember that, for you are the face upon which all who live within this hive must be seen.

”Hey, one of the bugs is moving...” the voice, unfamiliar as it was, gave her pause. Had she been captured after blacking out? Given how things were already going, she would not be surprised in the slightest. Yet a curiosity lay within the obviously masculine voice.

Chrysalis’ train of thought was suddenly detailed upon feeling cold, rough metal touching the thinner chitin of her stomach. Regardless of the chill and texture, she refused to move, let alone acknowledge her captors. If they wanted information so badly, they would have to try more effective methods to even so much as hole her attention.

“Vargas, no offense, but do you think poking a possibly dangerous bug with your weapon is a good idea?” a second voice, this one female, had posed the question. Just how many were there?

The Changeling Queen kept listening. It was at this time a third voice, this one male like the first’s, broke in, “Probably not. Got any better ideas, ma’am?”

“Hang on. I’ve got just the thing. This works on Dogmeat every time I think he’s passed...” the crunching of hooves on dirt followed a fourth voice, masculine like the others. A moment passed between the voices before the scent of lukewarm soup assaulted the Changeling Queen’s nostrils.

So at the very least they were unaware of changeling diet, and probably changelings themselves, given the crude use of the word bug to describe them. Useful, if she had to manipulate her way out of the situa-

Blurgle...

As if to spite her and ruin her original plan, Chrysalis’ stomach rumbled with hunger, though it was for love, not noodles. This was slightly concerning to the Changeling Queen, as she was full, overstuffed even, during the invasion and the hours leading up to it. It couldn’t have been that long ago, could it? How long were she and her changelings unconscious?

“See? It’s probably just-.” at that point Chrysalis gave a mental sigh and considered Plan A impossible. If they thought she was just faking it, they likely wouldn’t leave until she decided to ‘wake up’ and show signs of consciousness beyond a rumbling stomach.

So, naturally, she moved on to Plan B. Plan B, of course, was the tried and true method that any changeling worth their exoskeleton would fall back on.

That being, obviously, to manipulate her way out.

She opened a bleary eye and did her best to make eye-contact with the figure standing over her, moving her gaze towards the top of its body, “Trying to ignore you.”

The off-grey-white creature, obviously a biped, and therefore not a pony, stepped back in another crunch of dirt. When it spoke, its voice was loud and full of shock, with a slight tinge of fear hidden beneath, “Holy shit! It talks!”

***

James took a stumbling step back, landing into the steadying arms of Glade and Vargas. The former of the two was staring in surprise. As usual, Vargas kept one hand on his laser rifle, muttering to himself, “What in the Hell...?”

The bug slowly sat up, rubbing its eyes with its hole-filled front legs as if it were a human. Instead of the multi-faceted lenses of most insects, it possessed surprisingly humanoid eyes of a vibrant green. Said eyes quickly turned to him, caught between a glare and a glance of curiosity.

James gulped, then glanced back at the others and let out a forced chuckle, “...Uh... so... I guess the guy who brought the potentially dangerous and sentient insects into camp should risk his own ass on diplomacy?”

In response, the two Paladins shove him to his feet with a pair of scoffs from their mouths, putting him a few steps closer to the odd creature. The Knight chuckled weakly, glancing back over his shoulder, “I take it that’s a yes?”

The winter camouflaged man turned his head back around, “So, you can clearly fake being asleep, and you can understand me. Can you talk?”

In response, its ears, or what at least looked like ears, folded down below the off-pale blue hair atop its head. Its bright green gaze tracked his movements with careful precision, a higher intelligence behind them that was likely at, or possibly even greater than, that of a human’s.

When it spoke, its voice contained within it a refined quality that reminded him of the wealthy in Tenpenny Tower, though it lacked the same snobbishness. Instead, it carried a cautious edge and a duality of voice that was one part normal and one part echoing buzz, which burrowed into his head like a thousand tiny pinpricks of individual voices whispering all at once, “...You’re not a pony.”

The statement struck him as odd. As far as The Lone Wanderer knew, ponies, or any equine for that matter, was likely dead and gone from the Capital Wasteland, “Uh... no, I’m not. Wait, what?”

The insect turned its neck sharply, earning a slight popping sound before it returned its head to a normal position, “A pony. I assume you were sent here to collect myself and my changelings, correct?”

Changelings? Okay, so at least they now had a way to properly identify what they were dealing with.

James cleared his throat, drawing out the first word awkwardly to break the growing silence, “...Yeeeah, I guess. Gallows spotted you and the other... changelings, right? He saw them flying through the air after that nuke went off. I, ah, flew up and kept you from becoming a stain on the Wasteland’s front lawn.”

Not the whole truth, but the gist of it.

The changeling-insect nodded slightly, though puzzlement had been on its face at the word ‘nuke’. It took him a moment to realize it was looking over the entire Pride warily, and not just himself. When it spoke, however, it still addressed only James himself, “... I suppose if this is the extent of alien diplomacy for your kind, then I am inclined to thank you and this... Gallows, for your aid.”

James coughed, rubbing the back of his head with a gloved hand, “I honestly wouldn’t bother with the guy. By now he’s probably heard you and gone off to kill more Super Mutants or something. He’s... not really the most social guy in the Wasteland.”

He bent down to her level, attempting to establish some form of equality by being down at her height. When he was standing, she roughly came up to the bottom of his rib cage when lying on her stomach, her horn’s tip ending just around of his armor’s breastplate.

The Knight gave a slight smile as he offered her a hand to shake, “I’m Knight James LeBlanc Junior, of the Brotherhood of Steel’s Lyons Pride. Though, to be honest, most just call me The Lone Wanderer.”

The changeling looked at the hand, then slowly extended one of its front legs to his grasp, sharing a small shake, “An... interesting, title. You don’t seem to be doing much lone wandering at the moment.”

As if to emphasize her point she cast a quick glance off to the side, sweeping her gaze over the rest of the Pride once more.

James chuckled, attempting to see the humor in it and break the tension, “Not at the moment, no. The title’s just sort of stuck with me as I through life. Mind if I ask your own name, ma’am?”

The female changeling sighed, clearly unimpressed as it stood up to its full height. James did so as well, and realized with a bit of shock that the changeling actually surpassed himself in height alone, standing just a couple inches above his roughly five-foot-eight at five-foot-ten. In terms of overall size, she was a bit bigger than the average person, but definitely smaller than the average Super Mutant. Granted, it would be a Super Mutant standing on all-fours, but the point remained.

She spoke again as he stood up, “Queen Chrysalis, of the Changeling Empire...” she glanced around one last time, then sighed, “I’m not in Equestria, or on Equis, anymore, am I?”

“...Equestria, ma’am?” James asked, confusion lacing his voice.

The name didn't ring any bells to the Knight, that was for sure...

Chrysalis averted her gaze, looking up into the sky, “...The nation, and respective planet, of which I was on before the arrival of myself and what few of my changelings arrived with me.” she looked down and jerked her chin in the direction of the other, unconscious changelings near the small campfire they’d set up.

That would probably explain the lack of familiarity, “...Unfortunately not. You’re in the Capital Wasteland; the bombed out ruins of what was once Washington in the District of Columbia, part of the United States on planet Earth.”

The Changeling Queen nodded slowly, her eyes drifting down in thought. Eventually, she looked back up at him with a gaze and determination that was rare for anyone in the Wastes. It was a look that spoke volumes to The Lone Wanderer, “...Which one of you soldiers is the leader?”

James stood up as the rest of the Pride parted for Sarah to stand beside him, her helmet still off, “That would be me; Sarah Lyons, leader of the Pride and daughter of our Elder Lyons. No disrespect, but we’ve never encountered something like you before. Mind if I ask a few questions regarding why you’re here?”

“...I can think of a few reasons; Magical feedback, improper timing, love overdose...” she listed off aimlessly, clearly not caring for the obviously raised eyebrow that Sarah and James himself gave her.

She looked over at them, then shook her head slightly, “For now, since I’m outnumbered and outclassed as far as arms and armor is concerned, let’s say that I come in peace and mean no harm. No offense, but I have more important things to do than start another war.”

Her eyes moved up and down as her gaze shifted to the Sentinel, “I assume this Elder is your entire nation’s leader?”

Sarah paused, and the two shared a glance a moment before she nodded, “...He is the Brotherhood of Steel’s leader, yes. I’m sure he’d like to know about you as much as you would like to know why you’re here. Perhaps we can help each other. Would you be willing to accompany us back to the Citadel? I’m willing to bet between the Scribes and your own knowledge that we could work something out.”

The changeling and the Sentinel held their gaze for a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity. Finally, it was Chrysalis who spoke first, “I see no reason not to.”

She turned away, walking towards the edge of the fort without a glance back at them, “If you’ll excuse me, I wish to be alone with my thoughts.”

With that, the wings tucked behind her body spread out wide, flapping rapidly like a boatfly’s as she flew off into the night. A silence formed between the men and women of Lyons Pride, finally broken when Sarah and James turned to face the rest of the Pride. James spoke first, attempting to joke, but the words were somber in his speech, “...For the record, at least things haven’t started exploding... yet.”

Sarah turned to the Knight, giving him an even look, then turned back to the others, “Alright. This changes nothing as far as our mission goes. We return to the Citadel and inform the Brotherhood of the Mutant’s defeat and keep away from Ground Zero for a few weeks until radiation levels die down. Unless she tries something, treat the Changeling Queen with about the same respect you gave LeBlanc when we met him. We don’t know jack shit about her yet, so she’s a wild card until we learn more.”

A few of the Pride nodded, but most stood in silent acknowledgement. Sensing nobody else was going to speak up, the Sentinel continued, “We’re already near the exfiltration point at the Relay Station, so unless anyone has any objections, we’re moving out at first light. Get some sleep people. You’re gonna need it.”

With that, the Paladins and Knight Captains split off for some much-needed shuteye. Sarah and James turned to each other again. Sarah turned her head back towards the direction that the insectoid queen had flown off in before she spoke a third time, “...You trust her?”

The Knight shrugged, “Don’t see any reason not to. Maybe get a few details out of her tonight and tomorrow, but beyond that, she seems alright.” he turned away and started to pull off his gear bag, “For an alien.”

She sighed, walking over to make her bedroll, “You still paranoid after that Mothership Zeta incident?”

James pointed an accusing finger at her, then raised it to the sky, “Sarah, those aliens were going to blast the entire planet to kingdom come! I can’t help it if that sets off red flags!”

The Sentinel sighed, slowly going about the process of getting out of her power armor, “And I still say you were on so many combat drugs at the time you probably hallucinated it. When you got back, you were covered in alien blood and addicted to so many chems I’d have mistaken you for a raider if it weren’t for the Tesla armor.”

The Knight opened his mouth to reply, but just waved a hand in a ‘whatever’ gesture and went to go find the Changeling Queen, tapping on Galaxy News Radio, a song beginning to play.

***

Chrysalis was, in fact, far outside the Car Fort, sitting on the front of the derelict monorail with a figure in power armor, who James assumed was likely Gallows. By the time The Lone Wanderer had made it up the crashed railcar, the special operations Knight Captain had already begun walking back. When they passed, neither looked at each other. Just a subtle nod to each other.

James stopped a few paces away, trying to give Chrysalis some personal space at first. A small crown was now perched above her head, tilted to the side dejectedly, “Y’know it’s dangerous to be alone in the Wastes, ma’am.”

The Changeling Queen did not respond, but instead was looking out over the river. The Knight sighed and moved forwards, finally close enough to sit down beside her. He slowly pulled out his Reservist’s Rifle off of his back, checking it for parts that needed to be repaired. For the longest time, they sat in silence, before finally Chrysalis spoke up, “...Why do you trust me?”

James shrugged, adjusting the scope, “Because unlike most things that aren’t human out here, you didn’t look at me with eyes that said ‘Ooo, canned lunch.’ and start attacking.”

He did not look up at her questioning expression, instead replying truthfully, “Because I have this sense of reading people, and you’ve got that look my dad had months ago...”

“Oh? And what was that? Fear? Pain? Manic glee?” she muttered spitefully, grinding her fanged teeth together.

The Lone Wanderer sighed, already having a rough idea of where this was going, “Determination, actually. The kind you get when you’re willing to fight and die to help and protect those that you love. Same look he had when he left me in the only home I had at the time.”

He finally looked up, the bullet proof glass obscuring his eyes, “When you refer to your people, you call them ‘My changelings.’ You’re also a queen, and forgive me if I’m being rude, but you at least share the appearance of common insects, which means you’re the mother of your hive, right?”

The Queen turned away, muttering a single word lowly, as if to herself, “Swarm.”

“The point is, you care about them, and I’ll bet fifty caps you want to get back quickly so that you can protect the rest of them.” he turned the sniper rifle over and inserted a new clip, pulling back the bolt, “So to elaborate; I trust you because you actually give a shit about anyone but yourself, even if most don’t understand it. Even if myself and the Pride don’t understand it.”

Again, a silence developed between the two. Eventually the moon slowly dipping below the horizon as they just sat there, “...You’re observant, I’ll give you that, Mister, James LeBlanc, The Lone Wanderer.” a tiny, almost mocking chuckled came out with the title.

James chuckled slightly, “I just pay attention. I also figured Gallows was returning your crown, since you didn’t have it before now. Also that you’ve probably been thinking over everything that’s happened in the past day or so while you’ve been up here, given you wanted to be with your thoughts.”

He gestured with his head to the small headpiece, earning a small smirk from the Changeling Queen, “Very, observant. I suppose next you’ll point out how I’m thinking over the lives I probably ruined invading another nation. Or that I did it without a care for who I hurt because I was too busy gloating over such a quick victory. Or how I’ve been contemplating on how easy it was to take over with barely any work on my own part?”

“No, but that’s definitely an interesting bit of information.” Chrysalis’ jaw fell open at the Knight’s words, her face turning into one of anger.

Her horn flared with green light... before she let out a short sigh of annoyance and flew off in a huff. Where she was going, James didn’t know, and in all honesty Chrysalis didn’t either. She did know, however, that if she didn’t get away from him soon, she was likely going to ruin her relationship between herself and the Pride by vaporizing one of their own.

James chuckled, putting his hands behind his head as he watched her fly off. Feeling lucky, he called out loudly to her, “I also have that effect on people!”

A bolt of green light, like a Plasma Rifle shot, flew through the air and struck the ground a few meters away. The grin beneath James' helmet could probably split his face open as another chuckle rang through his armored form. He’d faced worse, and the flustered expression of the Changeling Queen’s face was just too priceless to take any mortal peril from her seriously.

***

Chrysalis grumbled to herself, a combination of annoyance and rage building like a great fire in her stomach to accompany its hunger. She had half a mind to fly back and vaporize the Knight, regardless of his status or her failing magic...

She sighed, the anger quickly fading to bitter acceptance. She didn’t have the energy for a second spell like that regardless. She would need all she had left just to survive, and wasting it in anger would only lead to a quicker death by starvation.

The Changeling Queen closed her eyes, ears flicking around to pick up whatever sounds would be needed to make her way back to the small fort the Pride had taken for the night. She began sorting through all that had happened, forming a set of three objectives in her mind.

Current Objectives (Chrysalis)

Find a way back to the Swarm

Find a source of Love until you get back, or before you die

(Optional) Get back at Knight LeBlanc

she nodded to herself, satisfied with the mental list as she descended to the structure. Most of the Pride was already asleep, save Gallows, but she didn’t see need to disturb him again.

She yawned, attempting to keep quiet, I’ll just sleep for now. Its not like I’ll be going anywhere...

***

Now Loading

James woke up to a bucket of cold, irradiated water being dumped on his body. Unsurprisingly, for some odd reason, this was followed by his own helmet being slammed over his head.

A moment passed as his mind caught up with his body, realizing just what had happened, “...Ow...”

He lifted his helmet up, wiping a string of sopping wet, brown hair out of his face, “Alright; who’s the asshole?”

“That would be, me.” he lifted the helmet off completely to see Chrysalis floating above him, holding a leg over her snout to hide the smirk painted on her lips. This was fairly obvious to the man, as the holes in her legs provided a pretty clear view.

Then again, it was probably intentional.

COMPLETED (Chrysalis): (Optional) Get back at Knight LeBlanc

James chuckled lightly, attempting to move his hair back into some semblance of the neatly combed look he tried to keep it in. Wiping some of the water from his face, he spoke, “...I suppose I deserved that then.”

He wiped a bit of the excess water off of his power armor with a rag laying atop his gear bag a short grab away, “Feel better?”

“Very much so. Apparently your commanding officer found the idea rather humourous as well.” she stopped flying and folded her wings behind her back. The Knight gave a second chuckle when he noticed Sarah’s form shaking slightly just outside of the fort.

Chrysalis spoke up again, becoming slightly more serious again, “She’s also ordered that we start walking in about fifteen minutes. Something about moving before the creatures of this place wake up as well.”

The Lone Wanderer nodded, beginning to strap on his two heavy weapons and sniper rifle. As he did so, he attempted to strike up a conversation, if only to banish the silence, “Are your, ah, kids, awake yet?”

He glanced around, not finding the smaller creatures where they’d been previously. That being around the fire they’d constructed last night, in order to quickly dry the water from their bodies and stave off the cold.

The Changeling Queen shook her head, “I’ve let them sleep as long as possible. Most been born to having thousands of voices from their siblings talking within their minds for so long, I fear they might be... agitated, without them.”

She glanced sadly over to one edge of the fort, and James followed it a moment to realize where her pseudo-children were. Five changelings were huddled together peacefully in the area where two cars met at a right angle, a slightly scorched blanket tossed over them.

James glanced back at Chrysalis, whose lips had formed into a small line, “For all I know they might have suffered some mental trauma. In all honesty I won’t know until they are awake...”

James picked up his Reservist’s Rifle, slinging it over one shoulder as he spoke, “Well, I’m not exactly the best with kids, but I’m willing to help them adjust. I understand how a change of place can be somewhat jarring, even if you’re unprepared. If you’ll take the aid, I’ll do what I can.”

The Changeling Queen didn’t respond for a moment, likely thinking it over, before nodding, “Very well.”

Finished with collecting his gear, the Lone Wanderer followed her as she fluttered over and tapped one of the changelings lightly.

“So, do they have names?” he asked, leaning down and looking over the assorted insectoids for some way to tell them apart.

“Sadly, none beyond the general numerical designations used to organize the Swarm and determine rank and placement within the workforces. I’ve tried for years to have even one of them act independent of one another; gain personality so that they can be more self-sufficient should the need arise, but most are often... nervous, to be independent of their siblings. A few seem to have attempted to choose names at least, but that is a stretch.” she explained, rolling her eyes at the final sentence.

It was a strangely humanoid gesture that gave the Knight pause. Even if Chrysalis was a leader, she seemed to possess a combination of traits of both someone who followed protocol to the letter and another who acted more lax whenever they could. It was an odd combination of personality traits, given she was a Queen and all. A thought passed through the man’s mind, Aren’t they supposed to be masters of etiquette or something?

He shook it off and looked over the smaller changelings as she tapped one of them lightly on the head. The insectoid’s eyes opened in a bit of surprise, blinking rapidly after a moment, as if to clear something. What surprised him was the fact that it had single, curved lenses of a soft blue for eyes. It was so unlike that of its queen and mother; simpler, yet captivating.

He’d just as soon assume they’d be like smaller, androgynous kids and have most of the features Chrysalis had...

He really needed to get information regarding the species, if only to make things less awkward when discussing details with one of them. James looked up at Chrysalis again, “So, do changelings normally sleep for...” he checked the clock on his Pip Boy, “...around ten hours?”

The Changeling Queen shook her head, though she patted the changeling lightly as it tilted its head with a look of obvious sadness and fear on its features. It was then that the Knight decided to keep his mouth shut and let the two have a moment of peace, leaving Chrysalis to hug the smaller insect lightly, giving a pat on the dark blue chitin covering its back.

She sighed softly, turning away and moving over to another, “Generally, no, but they were suffering from a higher level of magical exhaustion than myself.”

James raised an unseen eyebrow, despite the action being pointless, “How do you figure?”

The smaller changeling buzzed its wings and flew over by his shoulder, tilting its head and taking an obvious interest in his armor’s massive Winterized pauldron.

The Queen, meanwhile, paused in her waking of her children before answering, “...My apologies; often I forget that not everyone is aware or connected. We changelings share a hivemind mentality, both socially, as you’ve probably guessed, and literally. My son there has already informed me of feelings of incredible exhaustion and draining of his magic, as well as other, more personal details...”

The smaller changeling nodded in confirmation, tapping the Knight’s pauldron lightly and listening to the sound with a twitch of the ear. James shrugged, figuring it was a simple mistake, before another question presented itself to him. He waited until Chrysalis had apparently ‘spoken’ to another of her children before asking, “So, no offense, but your kids seem rather... androgynous. How do you tell gender?”

Chrysalis shrugged her shoulders as she flew over to another, “We don’t. changeling Drones who are not leaders of their Swarm don’t have a specific gender. It allows them to migrate between the forms they can take in order to gather love. Keeps them from being restricted so heavily on one gender to take the form of. Many simple prefer to be addressed as that gender, and I do so as per their preference.”

“Huh. Alright then.” while odd, the explanation seemed solid enough. Though the question of exactly how they would reproduce then slipped into his mind. He decided that such questioning would be better saved for later, if only to keep the already awkward tension from growing heavier.

The changeling at his shoulder looked at the Knight directly, giving a small nod, before he moved around to look at the weapons on the Lone Wanderer’s back. Said man turned his head slightly to look at the insectoid, while still letting it satisfy its curiosity, “So, do you have a name like your Queen wished?”

***

The changeling blinked at the sudden question, but nodded. It made a rough sound in the back of its throat, clearing it slightly. When it spoke, it’s voice held a slightly rough edge to it, like some Pre-War drill sergeant, or a Mister Gutsy who actually didn’t have a heavy static to its voice module, “Hacksaw, Royal Engineer and Physician for her highness, Knight LeBlanc.”

Hacksaw tapped the large wheel on the armor’s back, “Fascinating. How did you acquire such a powerful suit of armor? It’s components and composition appear more dense than even the armor of the Canterlot Royal Guard, yet you move in it like you were wearing nothing at all.”

James shrugged, idly noting another changeling walking up to him, looking slightly exasperated at Hacksaw, “Fifty-Six, calm down. He’s a human, not another one of your crazy ‘projects’ with Love energy and explosives.”

The word ‘human’ seemed new to the other changeling, whose voice indicated it leaned towards the female side of the androgynous choice line. Its words were smooth, yet with that slight echo he noticed in the Queen. It was almost like the stereotypical humanoid insect he’d seen in old holotapes, really.

Hacksaw, apparently designation number fifty-six, snorted in obvious annoyance. Before something more could develop, Chrysalis spoke up from her place by the rest of her children, “Hacksaw, be polite. This Knight and his superiors are willing to provide us aid; the least you can do is keep your arguing to a minimum... and vocalize your thoughts.”

Both changelings gave a short reply before glaring at one another, “Yes mother.”

The female one spoke up again, “And I keep telling you; those crazy concepts of harvesting love with a projectile you don’t even have ideas on how to fire are pointless unless you have some way to get it to the target.”

Hacksaw sighed, “Five-hundred-eight, we’ve been over this; Equestrian crossbows should provide a proper delivery of the necessary enchanted rounds to harvest what love we need without killing them.”

The female changeling, apparently Five-hundred-eight, snorted slightly at her ‘brother,’ clearly disagreeing with his idea. She turned her head to James, heaving a sigh as Hacksaw stopped his flying to land by the Knight’s foot, tilting his head, “Sorry; just an argument we’ve been having for a while. Oh, uh; I suppose I better introduce myself.”

She flew up to near chest level with him, offering out her leg awkwardly, probably trying to imitate the same action her mother performed, “I’m Five-hundred-eight of Swarm Offensive and Gathering, though, uh, as far as an ‘actual’ name goes, mother calls me Cocoon, after Grandmother Cocoon. I’m mother’s personal Heavy Ordinance Drone.”

Heavy Ordinance? That spelled ‘Big Guns’ in James’ book. Granted, changelings probably didn’t know what ‘guns’ were, given the talk about crossbows, but still. It would be nice to have someone besides Glade he could talk to.

“You, I like.” he said with a bit of extra enthusiasm before giving her leg a short shake, “I think we’ll get along juuust fine, Cocoon.”

Cocoon gave a nervous smile, but nodded and landed on the ground lightly, moving off to the same direction as her mother. Hacksaw shook his head and followed after, though his pace was much slower than that of his ‘sister.’

“Hi!” The Lone Wanderer looked up at the voice, seeing another changeling, prefered female by the voice, grinning widely at him, “I’m Fifty-Six of Emotion Distribution, but you can call me Cicada! I help out with everything and anything in whatever ways I can!”

She smiled brightly, giving off a cheery tone the Knight found infectious. James took her offered leg, “A pleasure to meet you, Cicada.”

Cicada smiled, then flew down to Hacksaw, who had stopped his walking to check for... something, on his body. James had no idea what, exactly. Cocoon sat by his leg, tilting her head as Sentinel Lyons walked in, “Who’s she?”

He gave a small nod to his commanding officer, though he addressed them both, one after the other, “My CO. We’re just about ready to head out, Sentinel. Any trouble so far?”

Sarah shook her head, helmet gripped in one hand and Laser Rifle in the other, “Dusk and Colvin aren’t seeing anything, and Gallows is giving an all-clear on hostiles. Looks like we might get a break, for once.”

James nodded as Hacksaw flew up to her and began looking at her armor in the same detailed and testing way he had done with James’ own. He began quickly mumbling aloud, “Different model, but the same overall powerful structure. This is incredible technology! If the Empire had even one of these suits...”

The Sentinel look at the changeling, then at the Lone Wanderer, “Do I want to know?”

James and Cocoon both shook their heads simultaneously, earning a glance from the leader of the Pride, “Right. We’re moving out in three.”

With that, she walked out of the small fort, joining the rest of the Pride, who were making final gear checks and loading supplies up on their armors. Hacksaw followed after, still fascinated over the armor.

James shook his head, “He’s going to flip when he sees their weapons.”

Cocoon nodded slightly, then sighed. This was probably common for her, given how he reacted so to both suits, “He’s always trying to understand new technology. I think it’s going to get him killed one of these days.”

Chrysalis flew back over to the trio, the last two of the five smaller changelings by her side.

One of them stepped forwards, a sense of calm and collected command etched onto his features in a way that the Knight easily took as the ‘calm leader’ feel he got from Vargas. He looked to his Queen, who nodded, before clearing his throat.

Not all that surprisingly, his voice was much like cocoon’s; smooth and elegant, yet lacking in the slight echo she and her mother had, “I wanted to personally thank you for, well, saving our flanks yesterday.”

The changeling held out a limb, “I’m Six, of Swarm Communications and Command, but, given how my brothers and sisters have been talking, I suppose Steel will also suffice.”

James shook it, “A pleasure, Steel. Who’s your sibling?”

The man motioned to the changeling next to the commander. Unlike the others, he appeared rather stoic, his mouth constantly in a small frown. The cracked eye probably didn’t help either, as the blue lens of his left gave him the vibe of some old warrior who’d rather be left alone. In short, Gallows as a changeling. In long... well, James would probably need to figure that out later.

Said insectoid looked up at the Knight, but kept quiet. Steel answered for him, “Ah, about that. This is our Special Operations Drone, Moth. He... how should I put this...?”

Moth opened his mouth, revealing that unlike his siblings, he lacked a tongue. Steel put his leg to his face in exasperation, “Or you could do it that way, I suppose...”

“...Ah. My bad.” the Knight apologized, earning another shrug from Moth, who promptly walked past the human and changelings to be with the Pride and Hacksaw. Steel winced slightly, but didn’t say anything.

James turned back to Chrysalis, voicing the now nagging question in his mind, “Is he... okay?”

Chrysalis sighed, beginning to leave the small fort and join the rest of the Pride and her children, “Moth is very withdrawn and disconnected. It’s an unfortunate occurrence, and even more unfortunately somewhat common within the Swarm. The problem is that he performs his job so expertly, I fear forcing the change on him will result in a degradation of his skills...”

James nodded, the gears in his head beginning to turn, “...Perhaps I can talk to him. I was able to get Gallows to open up a bit, and the two share... some, similarities.”

The Changeling Queen paused to consider this as the five joined the rest, before nodding, “If you believe you can.”

The Knight nodded, pulling his Reservist’s Rifle off of his back and keeping the thing held firmly in his armored grip, “I won’t promise you anything, because I honestly don’t know if I can, but I’ll try.”

He walked over to the Sentinel, giving her a nod as he approached, “The changelings are packed and ready, Sentinel.”

She nodded, pulling her helmet on before gripping her Laser Rifle, “Very well. Let’s move people; we’ve got a decent distance to cover before most of the creatures around here wake up!”

***

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Things could have been better for Colonel Augustus Autumn. Then again, things could be going better for the entire Enclave. Raven Rock and Adams Air Force Base had both been destroyed, the remains of the military scattering into the wastes with almost no form of communication to rally together. So far, maybe a tenth of his standing fighting force had made their way to their newest headquarters in Fort Constantine, most by sheer luck. Things had only looked more grim in the past few days.

First, a massive explosion was spotted across the Potomac River, in the relative direction of Vault 87 no less. The lack of details on the incident was already an annoyance in that it let his mind wander over the possibilities, few of which were likely, or positive, for their cause. Then one random soldier dressed in Pre-War military Winterized Combat Armor comes in and kills four of his best, before the Colonel’s own appearance got him to stop and be taken in for questioning. That headache alone forced the Colonel to check his temper before he marched down to the holding cells and killed the gung-ho soldier. Last, and certainly not least on his list of problems, was the arrival of a small band of, and he still couldn’t believe it, ponies, having come to the Fort.

That was probably the coup de grace; small, multicolored, talking ponies. Not creatures of radiation or FEV either, as the scientists had told him when they’d asked to examine the creatures, but honest-to-god flesh and blood equines. That talked. It was official at that point; Autumn had decided that the Wasteland was the freakiest, most illogical place in the remains of what was once the United States of America, “Sir.”

His door opened, an Enclave Hellfire Trooper stepping inside before giving a salute. Colonel Autumn nodded, “At ease, trooper.” the soldier nodded, standing laxy, “What is the situation?”

The trooper nodded, “It appears the... ponies, are beginning to get impatient. They’re asking to speak with you as soon as possible, sir.”

He sighed, “Very well. Return to them and inform these creatures I’ll be arriving in a few short minutes. Dismissed.” the trooper nodded and gave a quick salute before exiting his office.

The Colonel sighed, loading a fresh cell and clip into his personal Laser and Ten Millimeter pistols, respectively. While the intention to kill or fire upon these odd creatures wasn’t his highest priority, given how he’d underestimated a single teenager from the Vault and lost the best chance to retake the Capital, he wasn’t taking any chances.

He muttered a low prayer for God to give him a pass for once, then stood up and walked out of his office in the Personal Offices, into the blazing Wasteland sun. He quickly went about shielding his eyes for the few brief moments he needed to adjust. That done, the current leader of the Enclave on-base walked down and towards the road, where the multi-colored ponies were waiting, flanked by a pair of Hellfire Troopers. An Officer was speaking to them, though upon Autumn’s arrival, the relief was fairly obvious, “I’ll take it from here, officer.”

The officer nodded and jogged off, the Hellfire Troopers keeping their Heavy Incinerators at the ready in case negotiations went sour. From what he was looking at, the Colonel wasn’t that impressed. Then again, he’d also learned not to underestimate something so inherently simple. Five different colored ponies, two with wings, two with horns, and one with neither, lead by a much taller equine with both of the defining features.

Wait. He’d been told there were seven in all. Where was he last one? He opened his mouth to inquire about its whereabouts, but stopped when he heard a rather cheerful, bubbly voice coming from his shoulder, “Hi!”

He looked over at the source of the voice, seeing a rather wild and... pink, pony on his shoulders, “I’m Pinkie Pie!”

He noticed a few of its related members put a forehoof to their faces, and figured something like this was a common embarrassment to them. Despite the insanity of it, and the fact that he found it illogical to not feel any weight from the pony, at all, the Colonel kept calm. At the very least he wasn’t the only one who found this insane, “A pleasure to meet you, madam. If you’d please join your companions on the ground; I’d prefer to allow this conversation to be pleasant and easily heard by all.”

Thankfully, he received a nod before the pink pony slid off of him and to the ground, rejoining the others. The apparent leader, the white and regal one, decided then to speak up, “My apologies, Colonel. Cultural differences.”

He cleared his throat, smoothing out his overcoat, “No harm done. I’ve been informed by my troopers that you wish to speak with me, personally. Might I ask just why that is?”

The leader sighed, “So long as you are the general leader of these soldiers, yes. Due to a mishap on our own world during a time of invasion, it appears that a wormhole has created a bridge between this place and our own. I’ve come through proposing a mutual exchange of peace while we work to seal the gap, as well as ask a few questions regarding a possible foreign invasion from our world into your own.”

***

“I am, of course, inclined to agree towards a mutual peace, even if it is with an alien power. However, I believe given the... appearance, of your companions madam, that we keep this a strictly political exchange; your soldiers don’t appear to have anywhere near the technological level our the Enclave’s Troopers, and our equipment is already stretched as thin as possible.” he replied smoothly.

Finally; something was going well for a change.

The leader paused, following his gaze, before she chuckled lightly, “With all do respect, Colonel, my little ponies are not my soldiers. Regardless; I will honor this agreement. Equestria has already been through one near-take over already. I doubt we need another powder keg of technology and strife right now.”

If she’d wished to grab his attention, she’d succeeded. Autumn cleared his throat, “Very well. Might I offer you room and board until we can have the finer details of our arrangement sorted out? I’m sure my scientists would be just fascinated to discuss and exchange information between our races.”

He idly saw one of the pony’s, purple in color, eyes widen in wonder, and he paused to consider if this was going to turn up beneficial or hindering. Hopefully the former. Before he could learn of that, however, their leader nodded lightly, “We would gladly accept your generosity, Colonel.”

Autumn turned to each of the Hellfire Troopers, “Stand down. Corporal Grace, I want you to inform the officers that they and their troopers are to allow our guests Level Two Clearance of the base until further notice. Sergeant Ramirez, you are to escort and inform them of their sleeping arrangements, and any questions relating to that clearence level.”

They both gave a quick salute, before Corporal Grace shouldered her Heavy Incinerator and rushed off to perform her task. Sergeant Ramirez nodded, standing idly while the Colonel motioned smoothly towards his office, “If you’d follow me, Madam.”

Their leader began walking alongside him, “Please, Colonel, call me Celestia.”

Old Friends, New Toys

***

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“Damnit LeBlanc, turn that shit off!” Sentinel Lyons whispered furiously, causing the Lone Wanderer to quickly press a few buttons on the device wrapped around his wrist.

“My bad.” he muttered, leaning down to pick up his weapon again.

Chrysalis, despite hearing all of it, wasn’t overly interested in their conversation. Actually, she was interested in the group of humans that she was watching through one lense of the Knight’s... binoculars, he had called them. Equestrians had simple telescopes and such, but commercial devices such as this were beyond the Changeling Queen’s knowledge. It was both fascinating, and useful, given that she was observing them from probably a three hundred yards away.

She waited patiently as Moth kept observing long after she’d pulled her eye away from the lense, letting him keep observing through his good eye on the opposite side. Eventually, he too pulled his away, letting her have the device. It took him a few moments to give out the finer details to the others, though he did point out a few things Chrysalis herself failed to notice, Five humans in total; three females and two males. Equipped in light patchwork armor of metal and leather, armed with weapons similar to the Lyon’s Pride’s smaller weapons, though in poorer condition. Also possible explosives and close-quarter blades. Civilian pseudo-military design.

Very little love in them, though. Chrysalis idly noted, her stomach rumbling lowly. She handed James’ binoculars back to him. As the Knight placed them back into his gear bag, she began voicing aloud, “This, is going to be a problem.”

She tapped the soft chitin of her stomach for emphasis, earning another growl from it, “We have enough love to last about three days, but even then we’ll be heavily restricted. Sluggish, unable to use our more potent magic, and possibly even unable to fly if our condition worsens.”

“I’ve been wondering about that, actually. You keep on mentioning love and magic, and I’ve done my best to avoid questioning it, but, well, it’s not like we’re going anywhere for the moment. At least until Dusk and Colvin get into position, that is...” the Knight elaborated, earning a pause from the two changelings.

The other three changelings were hanging back about another dozen yards or so with the rest of the Pride, in case they were spotted too soon. They likely didn’t need to, given their distance, but Chrysalis was being careful, given this was their first sign of actual combat with humanity.

Said Changeling Queen ducked down below the rock they’d used as cover and sat down, “I suppose if we have the time. I could bore you with a lecture on the magic and spells relating to the topic, but it is much simpler to say that we changelings are able to siphon off emotions from sentient life, and then use it as energy for both magic and a food source in general. Love simply provides the most energy when absorbed, and since our biology doesn’t allow us to consume traditional food for sufficient energy, it is our primary source of nourishment.”

The Sentinel nodded slowly, “Given all that’s happened in the Wasteland regarding aliens, I suppose I can accept that, so long as you can explain magic and spells as well...”

James shrugged as well, not seeming to have any objections either. He’d been somewhat quiet since they’d started traveling, actually.

Chrysalis continued regardless, “Very well. Without going into overly complex detail, given the situation, imagine Magic as simply using that energy in order to carry out actions, no different than how energy is used to move the body. It’s mostly restricted to unicorns and alicorns regarding the pony races, and several other races have their own methods, but every changeling is able to perform magic, to some degree. We refer to specific uses of this energy as spells. Levitation and teleportation being common ones, but changelings are adept in the use of body-altering spells specifically. The reason my changelings and I were so exhausted is that the spell used to bring us here must have drained us of most, if not all, of our magical energy and the reserves of love we had stored in our bodies.”

The two gave a short nod-shrug motion that gave off a vibe of ‘Seems likely.’ James then poked his head above the rock, then ducked back down while checking the clip in his weapon, “So, given that you said Love is the most powerful, that means you can take in any emotion to produce energy, right? Like, rage, sadness, glee...” he idly listed off.

This time it was Chrysalis’ turn to shrug, “Yes, but generally they also have other side-effects. Sadness is like painkillers, rage improves strength and adrenaline functions, and so on. Why do you ask?”

“...Well, can’t you just siphon off emotion from these Raiders?” he proposed, causing Chrysalis and Moth to look at each other, Would it be wise to explain to him?

Hacksaw came over the hivemind, Mother, if I might offer my input.

You may. the Queen of the Changelings responded calmly

If these... raiders, are to be executed regardless, the more lethal method of siphoning for a larger supply of emotional energy crystals would likely be a more profitable option in terms of gathering the emotions and energy needed to survive. It’s not much love, but.... he proposed.

In truth, the Changeling Queen had already been considering it, but Hacksaw was likely merely trying to reinforce the point, “...We could. So long as you’re able to keep them distracted so that we can get in close. I... won’t lie to you however. Beyond our usual methods of gathering love by transforming into someone another loves, and taking the place of the one we took the form of so that the other would give us that love intended for the person we replaced, the methods for siphoning other emotions can be... drastic. Simply put, we are able to literally drain them of all emotions from hoof-to-hoof contact, which results in little but a husk being left. And by husk, I mean the body literally begins to deteriorate. It is... cruel; excessively so, which is why we began looking for alternative feeding methods as soon as we began to realize this.”

James and the Sentinel looked at each other for a moment, with a look of something... deeper. Chrysalis could tell a sort of unspoken conversation passed between them, even though she was not entirely sure if they had a hivemind-like connection.

After a moment, the Sentinel turned back to her, “...I’ll call back Dawn and Colvin. LeBlanc and I will provide covering fire. Raiders will likely attack the larger threats first, but move quickly.”

Moth and Chrysalis nodded simultaneously, and the three other of her changelings began slowly creeping towards them, attempting to remain hidden as they went. Steel’s concerned thoughts came over the Hivemind, Your Highness? Not that I have any moral hindrances regarding the killing of what the Knight described as drug-taking psychopaths, but is this... safe? I’ve never put much thought into voicing a question about this method of emotional gathering before...

It is simple, Steel. she explained, passing over the necessary information for the spell to him, as well as Cocoon upon her questioning. In all honesty it wasn’t that difficult a spell. The trouble was getting close enough to make hoof-contact...

“...This is going to probably hurt like Hell, isn’t it?” the Lone Wanderer idly noted, putting his scoped weapon over the stone to have a clear line of sight at the Raiders.

The Sentinel raised her own weapon, “Yeah, for me maybe.”

He turned his head to her, the annoyance showing even through the helmet, “Hey; I still feel pain on most of my body, Sarah. I’m not invincible, even if it seems like it. I’m still, human... mostly...”

Chrysalis filed that bit of information away to ask the Knight about later, then waited as the two ‘snipers’ of the Pride returned and fell back to give the changelings some space. Chrysalis gave James a slight nod before dashing off, hovering low to the ground with her five children close behind. It was at that moment that James flicked on his music again and opened fire with a battle cry of, “GET SOOOOOOOOOME!”

***

The loud weapon barking sharply behind them in tune to the whirs of the Sentinel’s weapon firing beams of red energy, the changelings managed to stay unnoticed by the Raiders as they moved closer and closer. Using the various stones and decayed vehicles for cover, they never stopped until they were close enough to actually draw the Raider’s attentions.

The six changelings paused for the first time since they’d taken flight, pressing themselves behind stones and metal, waiting until the humans began reloading their weapons. Then, in one swift, collective movement, they vaulted over their collective covers and charged.

Chrysalis herself fell upon the closest one, who was looking at her in shock as she drove her hooves into his body. Green magic surged around them before he could even raise his smaller weapon. Immediately after she began the spell, multicolored crystals of raw emotion began to erupt from his body, though no blood escaped from his decaying form.

Slowly, he began to deteriorate in her grip, clawing at her legs with his hands, even as they turned to dust and began to blow away in the wind. All in all, while it might have been horrific and disturbing to those of a weaker stomach, it was supposed to be a ‘painless’ process in which the victim slowly lost self-awareness until they ceased to exist, broken down to their most basic of parts, leaving only their emotions behind to be consumed.

Then again. she idly thought, In all likelihood he’d murdered and raped dozens while high out of his mind... Does this mean we’re now doing good for this world?

While it was more of a personal thought, it did spark some form of questioning and personal thinking between her changelings. While not her intention, it caused a ghost of a smile to flit across the Changeling Queen’s features when she realized that instead of thinking collectively, the five were thinking as individuals, presenting possible outcomes and coming to personal grips with what they’d just done. Most found it simply a case of survival of the fittest, while Hacksaw simply thought it a necessary evil.

Perhaps it was, but at the moment, she was too hungry to care; there was a small sliver of love, enough for maybe a day or two, in the pile of emotion crystals at Chrysalis’ hooves. She swallowed it whole without a second thought, sitting down to look over the small haul of emotions as James and the Sentinel walked up.

COMPLETED (Chrysalis): Find a source of Love until you get back, or before you die.

The Knight let out a low whistle, “Woah. Now that’s magic, all right...” he bent down beside her, picking up the Raider’s weapon, “Decent haul too. Kill the flesh, leave aside the guns and supplies.”

“Is that what those weapons are called?” Cocoon idly asked, picking up a similarly shaped device with a levitation spell and looking over it, then popped a small rectangle from the bottom. Chrysalis idly levitated the clothing the Raider had been wearing and went about tying a few knots to the tire, connecting the quilt pieces to form a crude sling. She then put this over her neck to rest against her left side, loading in the crystals as she idly stuck a much less potent, if more enticing, crystal of solidified Fear in between her lips.

She then turned back to James, listening as the other members of the Pride came forwards to prepare for more walking, “Well, these cheap weapons, yeah. Ten millimeters, some thirty-twos; small-time pistols, but great for concealed carrying and decent if you maintain them correctly.” he picked up a much larger weapon, “Ooo, combat shotgun. I’ve been looking for one of these to repair my Terrible...”

The Changeling Queen idly shook her head and loaded the pistol and its apparent ammunition into the sling, then went about rifling through the remains of the Raider’s clothing pockets, wondering if there were a few crystals that hadn’t poked through the material. All she ended up finding was more ammunition and a few bottle caps, which she almost tossed aside before Lyons stopped her with a hand, “Keep them. I don’t know what kind of currency you use, but Caps are about the only one that’s worth knowing in the Wasteland.”

She nodded, then put the small supply into the sling as well. Predictably, Hacksaw was gathering up anything and everything his siblings didn’t want, with Moth ignoring the inventory entirely and placing what crystals he wasn’t crunching on between the plate of chitin where his neck and back plates met. Steel was helping Cocoon with, predictably, the largest weapon she could find, which was the larger, bulkier weapon similar to the Combat Shotgun the Lone Wanderer had picked up. Cicada was just bouncing around, a rather large crystal of solidified Glee in her mouth.

After a minute or so, the initial rush of finally having food wore off and they began walking again. Chrysalis herself hovered over the ground slightly, turning over the newly aquired pistol in her hooves. A ten millimeter handgun, from Paladin Kodiak’s description.

***

“You okay?” James quickened his pace slightly to keep up with the buzzing of the Queen’s wings. She didn’t look at him, instead removing the magazine and sliding into one of the holes of her hooves, inspecting one of the bullets.

Finally after a few moments, she spoke, “Thinking. Hacksaw’s always been working on a project to allow for distance-based gathering techniques... and while I supported him, I’ve never diverted many resources for, obvious, reasons... I have no moral dilemmas with killing psychotic murderers and rapists, so...”

The Lone Wanderer could see where this was going, “So you’re thinking you can use magic with guns in order to allow for safer emotion gathering than just running up and hoping to dodge bullets.”

She nodded, earning a shrug from the armored man as he kept speaking, “Given that there are generally more assholes than saints in the Capital, I’d support it. It’d help with clearing out the trash, that’s for sure...”

Chrysalis nodded, “My thoughts as well, though the... moral, as well as future, impact gives me pause.”

She clicked the bullet back into the magazine and loaded it into the pistol, levitating it slightly with her magic, “We changelings don’t kill anymore, James, no matter what Equestrian textbooks sa-.”

He spoke up then, giving a mental sigh, “Look... your highness. In all honesty, I don’t judge people who ask questions first and shoot later by their past deeds. Until I see you kill an innocent, steal from those who need it more, or the equivalent, I’ll aid you however I can.”

She sighed, “Yes, yes; I understand that much. What unnerves me is the implications of what we can do with it outside of your world. Equis hasn’t been such violence so close to the Empire for... years.” she hesitated at the end, drawing a raised eyebrow from him, impossible to see behind his helmet.

Nonetheless, he nodded, “It’s understandable. You fear the technology boom will be too quick for your society to handle.”

She sighed, replying with a short, “Yes, but also that of our enemies. If they are able to acquire such things from us, it could mean an even bloodier conflict next time. I just fear that by using these guns, we might grow too dependant and take them back with us...”

James shrugged his shoulders, “I think I get it. In all honesty, though, I also think you’re thinking too far into it. Not to put a damper on your hopes of returning home, but... well, if you end up stuck here, you might have to use them as a reliable gathering method. So, y’know, you’ll kind of have to get used to them.”

The Changeling Queen paused, but eventually gave a slow tilt of her head to acknowledge him, “I suppose.”

They both heard a low whoop of excitement the second she finished her sentence; likely Hacksaw listening in and glad he’d get to try his experiments now. Chrysalis managed a small chuckle, and the Knight grinned to himself.

He then paused, his legs still moving on mental auto-pilot as he considered what the decision would mean for the six changelings, before deciding to offer, “...If that’s the case; you want a few shooting lessons once we get to the rendezvous? The trip from there to the citadel should be a good half hour or so, and our transport should be stocked with enough ammunition...”

Chrysalis nodded immediately, “If you would. I’d like to be able to use these... guns, or yours without taking five minutes to hit something...”

She idly paused mid-flight, ears and eyebrows raising in obvious surprise, before she suddenly began moving again, shaking her head. James picked up on this immediately and voiced the obvious, “...Something wrong?”

It was at that moment he too heard a sound; like a toned-down version of a Minigun constantly spinning up. He tilted his head slightly in either direction to pick up on the source, only to find the usual barren wastes as they trekked along. Chrysalis tapped his pauldron, before pointing down, where one of the changelings was... rolling around, on spiked tread-like devices attached to its hooves. Given all that had happened, the Lone Wanderer wasn’t all that surprised; more intrigued, if anything.

They appeared to be held on similar to some kind of cap-like horseshoe, designed to fit snuggly over the ends of the hooves to keep them from falling off, or maybe they had some sort of sliding piece that rose up to keep them like that. Regardless, he could easily see small spikes jutting off of the paint roller-like wheels, kicking up a minor bit of dust and debris behind them and making four miniature dust waves behind the changeling.

They also seemed to elevate its height by a good three or so inches, as the average changeling only came up to about two-foot-eleven, not counting Steel, who was maybe a good inch and a half taller, subtle as it was. James gave a low whistle, “...Cool.”

The changeling looked up, answering in a voice that made him obviously Hacksaw, “Thanks. Managed to jurry-rig them; save up on strength.”

The Changeling Queen had gone back to examining her ten millimeter, idly voicing out, “Pocket Dimension?”

The smaller changeling nodded, “Pocket Dimension.”

James blinked behind his helmet, again voicing the obvious question, “What?”

Hacksaw chuckled, “Magic. It’s like a miniature storage space. I keep my Industrial Diggers in it for travel reasons, though I’ve not gotten the chance to use them on account of a lack of Love to power them.”

The moment he finished his sentence, a second changeling in similar devices rolled past, albeit moving much faster and shaking his head. Hacksaw snorted, “Yeah, well, we can’t all have the idea to power ours via combat crystals Moth!

Moth did a quick, sharp turn, beginning to roll backwards in the same direction, before raising one hoof and turning it upside down. The Lone Wanderer didn’t need a translation to understand that one.

Hacksaw snorted again. Moth span back around before speeding up, moving towards the front of their little caravan. James decided then to re-begin his line of questioning, “So, what are they, exactly?”

The medical and repair changeling grinned slightly, a bit of obvious pride showing as he kept moving forwards with his eyes closed, “These are one of my older and more reliable applications of changeling technology; Industrial Diggers. They’re a useful little mining tool, both for travel and tunneling, though honestly their exact designer and origin escapes me...”

James’ eyebrow threatened to raise again, before he narrowed his eyes at the bulletproof glass of his visor, remembering it was a moot action. He just spoke instead, “You mean you didn’t make them?”

Hacksaw shook his head, opening his eyes and tilting his head in the direction Moth had gone, speaking up again, “I based them on Moth’s and changed over the internals to be powered by Love instead of the original being powered by more negative emotions like Hate and Rage; more performance output for a smaller supply of energy. Beyond that, they’re just copies of his.”

The Knight nodded, looking down at the small devices again. Now that he thought about it, they vaguely reminded him to the Auto-Axes he’d grown accustomed to whilst in The Pitt. Odd, but he supposed that would be a good thing if either of the two changelings got into a close-quarters fight; if they were anything like an Auto-Axe in terms of sheer power and damage-dealing, then they’d rip right through anything in their path.

This then lead him to the concept of how the two changelings stored such devices, “Hey, Hacksaw.”

The changeling looked up at him, “Hm...?”

James popped the question about the work of magic, “So can you create those Pocket Dimensions for anyone, or-”

He was suddenly cut off by a very loud cry from behind him, “Oh hell no!”

He turned and knew immediately that the voice belonged to Dusk, who quickened from behind to catch up with him, “Hero or no hero; I’d like at least a minute to start running before you pull that overpowered Fat Man out of your ass and cause a nuke detonation bigger than the one that decommissioned Liberty Prime!”

He chuckled, “Aw, too scared of the big bad sniper with an even bigger gun Dawn?”

She snorted, flipping him off, before grumbling, “I still call bullshit on that contest...”

James saw Chrysalis look up out of the corner of his eye, before asking with a raised eyebrow, “What contest?”

He grinned to himself. Dusk groaned.

***

Now Loading

“This is so...” Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic and personal student of Princess Celestia drifted off, her eyes wandering around the base with wonder.

Beside her, Rainbow Dash was walking in slightly less slack-jawed a state, “Awesome?”

“Fascinating!” Twilight corrected, looking around at the various high-tech, to her at least, technologies this ‘Enclave’ possessed, regardless of the fact that they were military. The functions mattered little to her, as she could only take in the sheer mass of advanced technology and the possible knowledge she could glean from it all.

It was at that moment that Sergeant Ramirez, who’d been following beside them, spoke up, “In accordance with the Colonel’s orders, you’ll find your rooms in the Bomb Storage building, which serves as our barracks. Level Two clearances extend from the pathways and Mess Hall made from the CO’s Quarters through the bomb storage facility, ending at the stairwell to the storage proper guarded by two Tesla Troopers. The Personal Offices are also fully in the Level Two clearances, so you basically just need to not rush past the stairwell and you’ll be fine.”

“What’s so bad about the storage room, um, that is, if you don’t mind my asking...” Fluttershy spoke up quietly beside him.

The Sergeant’s voice crackled through his speaker with a slightly dark chuckle, “Slight radiation levels due to some of the bomb casings being cracked. We’re still trying to salvage and clear the place. From what I remember, most of Bomb Storage is taken over by our reserves and patrols, but I believe the Armor Storage Room should have a few unclaimed beds... Plus it is about the cleanest room on-base before we arrived here...”

Twilight pulled herself away from the wonders around her, blinking as she heard Rarity speak up, though an obvious huff of irritation was present, “Well, any room cleaner than this dreadful place sounds like a welcome respite.”

Twilight nodded, looking up at the armored face of the Trooper, “That’ll be fine, sir. Thank you.”

He shrugged, “Just following orders. The Armor Storage is just inside the main room, past the office and blast doors. Anything else I can tell you?”

Fluttershy nervously spoke up again, “Um..., I don’t suppose you have a garden or some forest close-by? Something maybe a little more green?” Sergeant Ramirez tilted his head to the side slightly, obviously confused.

Thankfully, the prismatic pegasus that was Rainbow Dash spoke up for her friend, “Fluttershy’s more of a nature type than the rest of us.”

He nodded in quick understanding, “Very well. I believe a buddy of mine was talking about the scientists setting up a few fruit and vegetable gardens in the parking lot behind the Offices.”

Applejacks’ ears perked up out of the corner of Twilight’s vision, though whatever words Fluttershy was whispering to her went unheard. The farm pony spoke up with a bit of an evasive tone, “...Well... I suppose I might check it out regardless... Apple growin’ is mah livelyhood after all, and, well; it’s not like we’ve got much ta do while we wait fer the princess ta be done talkin’ with the Colonel...”

Before anyone could respond, the two quickly walked off from the rest of the group, Fluttershy flying low to the ground while Applejack maintained a quick trot. Rainbow Dash then extended her wings, “Well, I don’t know about you girls, but I’m going to go practice up in the clouds. See ya!”

Before any of them could protest, she too flew off, though much more quickly than the two nature ponies. The Trooper turned to glance down at the remaining three ponies, probably expecting them to go off on their own as well. Rarity shrugged her shoulders slightly, “Well, I believe our own room would be personal enough to freshen up after trekking through this dreadful land... er... no offense, Sergeant.”

He shrugged, not seeming to care one way or the other and letting the comment slide right off of him. Pinkie, who’d been bouncing around them, completely oblivious as she hummed a tune to herself, suddenly stopped and gasped in realization, “Ooo, ooo; I just realized I have to go prepare!”

The two unicorns blinked, though it was Twilight who asked the question, “Prepare for what, Pinkie?”

The bubbly earth pony then spoke as if it was obvious, “A ‘Treaty between Equestria and the Enclave’ party of course!”

She then bounced off, leaving the two unicorns and human standing there in slight confusion. After a minute, the Sergeant spoke up again, “Ah... not to be rude, ma’am, but is she always like that?”

Twilight shook her head with a sigh, “Pretty much, though, please, just call me Twilight. I’m not really the formal type...”

He nodded, following after again as they walked towards what he’d indicated as Bomb Storage.

***

“Huh. When’d Three Dog find new songs?” James idly wondered aloud, tapping the stock of his Reservist’s to the beat.

Cicada, who was currently buzzing beside him, shrugged, but just as quickly started bouncing in the air to the beat with her eyes closed and her mouth in a smile, clearly content to just enjoy the music amongst the foot and hoofsteps, buzzing wings, and gentle whir of her siblings and the Pride. After Chrysalis had accepted his offer to train the changelings with weapons, they’d all settled into a decent rhythm of walking, with exchanges of culture and information between the more sociable Pride punctuating the time. So far he’d learned next to nothing, but the Knight was fine with that, content to answer a few basic questions about the Capital Wasteland. Especially considering he’d been to basically everywhere that was anywhere in the place...

He snapped out of his thoughts as they reached the gate to the VAPL-58 Power Station, the soldiers and changelings passing by without incident. Cicada buzzed atop his head and lay down, idly tapping the top of his helmet, “So we’re staying here for lunch?”

The Knight almost nodded, before realizing what that would mean shaking her loose. Instead he just spoke, “Yeah. Rest up, resupply on rations, then head down to Arefu to hop on the Gambit. Then we roll on down the river for a bit and get dropped off at the Citadel.”

From the shifting weight he deduced she was likely nodding. James, unlike the others, stayed outside, content to wait as the Pride rested up and resupplied. After about two minutes, Cicada spoke up again, “Sooo... you’re not going with them?”

He shrugged, “Not really. I don’t need much at this point in my life. By the by, I need my helmet off.” he felt the same shifting weight again, before her full weight left his head and settled on his pauldron. he fiddled with the seal of his armor for a moment, before the dusty, slightly warm Wasteland air flowed into his lungs.

He clipped the helmet to his waist before digging around inside his gear, pulling out a blood bag. He could’ve sworn he heard a low set of collective gasps as he closed his eyes and jammed his teeth into the plastic, letting the slightly warm blood flow onto his tongue...

Wait.

He opened his eyes, seeing that he actually was hearing correctly... well, slightly. The rest of the changelings, except Chrysalis for some reason, stood in front of him. In reality, only one looked sick, while another tried to help her calm down, and the other two were blinking rapidly. James pulled his mouth out of the bag, “...I can explain?”

“Ew... ew, ew, ew...” Cocoon muttered, putting a hoof to her mouth.

Steel raised an eyebrow, “I didn’t know humans were cannibalistic...”

The Lone Wanderer sighed, “Family Member, actually, but basically. I’m not your standard cannibal, but I’ve learned blood packs are better than Old World food... Wait, no, I’m not even a cannibal. See, just...”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, “Let me finish lunch real quick, then I’ll explain, okay?”

They all nodded collectively, even Cocoon, before the Heavy Ordinance Drone flew off. James sighed and stuck his teeth back into the slightly dripping blood bag before anymore of his lunch dripped out, The shit I put up with when blood comes into the equation...

***

“Figure out about the blood?” Sarah’s question startled Chrysalis out of her own slight shock, blinking rapidly herself. The Changeling Queen nodded subconsciously, causing Dusk to chuckle. The dark tone of Glee was almost palpable to the insectoid monarch.

The Sentinel spoke up again, “Yeah. Generally that’s how people who meet us act around lunch.”

Chrysalis’ nodded in understanding. Well, no, she wasn’t understanding. How could the Lone Wanderer be a vampony, or... whatever the human equivalent was.

She was vaguely aware of Sarah’s voice again, “He’s not a vampire, first off. That’s generally the first assumption. He’s... well, the story he told us is that it involves Arefu’s protectors, The Family, and the necessity of food. Basically, they’re some group of reformed cannibals that James aided, and made a deal with Elder Lyons to put under Brotherhood protection, since we’re already stretched too thin with securing the rest of the Capital Wasteland. Instead of eating flesh, they drink blood, or, rather, blood bags from Pre-War hospitals and first-aid kits.”

“Is it normal for her to be in shock this long?” that was probably Vargas.

Kodiak answered with, “Maybe. Remember that guy who turned out to be an Enclave scientist who actually had ethics? James had to carry him a half-mile to the Citadel...”

***

“And that’s how I learned to drink medical blood. Since then, it’s about the only thing that tastes decent that I can eat when I don’t have the time to cook.” James finished, wiping a few droplets of blood off of the plates of his armor with a rag.

Hacksaw, who’d borrowed a pen and clipboard from one of the Paladins, was still taking notes even after the Lone Wanderer had finished talking. He, for once, didn’t seem like he was going to be asking questions. Steel was doing his best to keep Cocoon calm, as she apparently found it sickening due to a around blood; something the human found somewhat ironic for someone who handled larger weapons. Moth and Cicada had strangely taken the news well, though with Moth it was up to his siblings telling the Knight what he was feeling.

Speaking of Cicada. As James replaced his helmet, she flew atop it again and voiced what was probably the most-asked question besides the vampire one, “So... do you drink Raider blood?”

He paused, contemplating lying and saying that no; he did not intentionally slash Raider throats whenever he was forced into close range combat, just so he could get a meal that consisted usually of blood overloaded with chems and gave him only more of a boost in combat. Then he remembered that he was currently surrounded by a race that ate and absorbed emotion, and for all he knew were passively absorbing what he himself didn’t need, or was giving off to them without knowing. That, and the fact that James had only lied maybe five times in his life.

He decided that the truth would probably be best then, “Yeah, whenever I risk or have to get close enough.”

Before any of the other changelings could voice their own questions, Chrysalis appeared from the doorway into the station proper, with Sarah following. The Changeling Queen looked like she’d just come out of some deep talk, or, the more likely case, been told the same story he’d told her children.

James tilted his head in the Sentinel’s direction, earning a shrug, “She took it better than Whitley did.”

The Lone Wanderer nodded, mentally sighing, before Chrysalis snapped out of her stupor and looked at him, “...One question.”

He shrugged, giving a quick, “Shoot.” before standing up from the wall and stretching his arms slowly.

Chrysalis looked him up and down as if searching for the answer already, “How do you keep the blood from going bad?”

“Oh, that’s simple. Refreezable ice packs.” he answered nonchalantly, the rest of the Pride slowly exiting the building as well.

As the Brotherhood and changelings were about to head out, a Paladin walked over to them from one of the sandbags, waving towards James, “Sir.”

The Knight turned, the Paladin stopping in front of him and holding out a rather large black shoulder bag, “A wastelander passed by about an hour ago requesting this be given to you. One of my buddies noticed your face, so I figured...”

“Thanks, brother.” he gave a quick nod and took the bag, slinging it over one shoulder, tucked behind his gear bag. The knight then began moving to catch up with the rest of the Pride and changelings, Cicada still balancing on his head.

“Hellooooo Capital Wasteland! This is Three Dog, Ahrooooooo! Comin’ to ya loud and proud from Galaxy News Radio.” Chrysalis swivelled one of her ears slightly to catch the smooth voice of the speaker from James’ Pip-Boy as they left, heading towards their transport.

He seemed to keep an excessively sarcastic, if upbeat, tone, “Here’s the latest news; unemployment is down, stocks are up, and the You-En has just declared world peace forever...”

Despite the obvious sarcasm laced in his voice, ‘Three Dog’ pressed on, “Now the real news... Ugh...”

Not a moment later he returned to his previous cheer, “Today’s Weather; eeeexcessively violent, with a chance of dismemberment. Tune in later for our five day forecast!”

The Changeling Queen considered asking the Lone Wanderer to get the music playing again, but quashed the thought at Three Dog’s next words, “Now for something I know you’ve all been clamoring for details on children; that fucking huge nuclear detonation out west of the Potomac. Well, I’ll tell ya this; if there really is a God who symbolizes Radiation, he walks amongst us here in the Wasteland children, and his name is James LeBlanc, Junior, might I add. If you haven’t heard the newest word on our power-armored boy in the Lyon’s Pride, I’ll give it do ya damn straight; next Super Mutant you see is going to be lacking a few body parts, because that fucking huge explosion was by their irradiated home of Vault 87. Apparently LeBlanc’s been up to his usual psychotic bag o’ tricks we saw deal with most of those Enclave assholes, because yes indeedee; that was him.”

Meanwhile in the hivemind, all six of them were having their own reactions and freak-outs to this newest news. It didn’t seem to stop there, however, “On another much less day-to-day for us kids, it seems the Pride has picked up some out-of-this-world stragglers during their mad dash right back into the Good Fight. Unless my sources got into Ultrajet all of a sudden, they’re not only walking away from a nuclear detonation like the power armored boys and girls who eat steel and spit lead that they all are, but they’ve also got some black and blue bugs following them around, and no; that’s not because they survived getting stepped on.”

He continued without missing a beat, “They’re about twice the height of your average Radscorpion and built like your normal pooch, more holey than swiss cheese for the Pope, and seem to be lead by a bigger queen who, get this, even comes with her own crown. Only in the Capital Wasteland, ey kiddies?”

Chrysalis slightly blushed at that, though whether it was due to her anger at being talked down to be a voice or at being possibly complemented for once, she was unsure, “I don’t know about you kids, but I’m definitely going to keep an eye on this one. James is always trundling along the Capital Wasteland with all sorts of folks; from the sophisticated Super Mutant Fawkes to his old Vault buddy Butch, and Hell, our newest bug queen might be goin’ with him out into the Citadel next. Until next time, this is Three Dog, Ahooooo! And you’re listening to Galaxy News Radio... bringing you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts... And now, some music.”

***

By the time that she spoke, they’d already made it to the town of Arefu, where Sarah had said they would be getting onto a riverboat bound for the Citadel, “...Who, the buck, was that?”

Most of the Pride, excluding Gallows who’d gone off on his own again, chuckled. Sarah answered her question, “That, was Three Dog; DJ of Galaxy News Radio, the only radio station beyond Agatha’s that’s worth listening to out in the wastes. He and the Brotherhood have a long-standing and permanent alliance; he gives us a port in the storm of downtown DC, and we keep him alive.”

James’ joy was coming off of him in waves when he added in, “He’s also one of the few guys who gives a shit about the common wastelander around here. Helped me out about three months ago... Plus he plays good music, which helps with the walking.”

Before Chrysalis could further question about this apparent man of music and words, they stopped, the mighty riverboat taking refuge underneath the bridge, water lapping at its sides. Despite it’s apparent aging, the boat looked somewhat clean and refurbished, with the named painted above its circular windows in gold at the back, a Brotherhood of Steel logo next to the window at the front. Its sole occupant and apparent captain was leaning against the railing; an orange-haired girl that the Changeling Queen had been informed of as Nadin.

She gave them a quick wave as they, one by one, stepped aboard, “Good to see ya, Sarah. LeBlanc. I’m guessin’ from the huge mushroom cloud things turned out okay?”

James offered her a light fist-bump, his mirth still wafting off of him, “Like fish in a barrel, Cap. Oh, and we’ve got a few extra passengers for the trip back.”

He turned to Chrysalis, giving a short motion to move out from behind Kodiak and Glade. She obliged, stepping forwards as Steel and Moth moved to be by her sides. She mentally prepared herself, throwing on the mask of hidden emotion she normally wore, “I am Queen Chrysalis. The Pride has offered to help us with returning back to our own world after we arrived in the Wasteland...” she extended a hoof to shake, “It’s... a pleasure to meet you, Captain.”

Nadine smiled, “Well, don’t that beat all. Glad to metcha Chrysy.” she gave her hoof a firm shake, though Chrysalis herself was thrown off by the sudden nickname.

The boat captain didn’t seem to mind as she stood up and walked towards the center of the boat, “Whelp, if the intros done, let’s head out; last patrol I dropped off said they’d heard something about Raider’s down by Springvale getting ready for an ambush. Guess they didn’t hear Galaxy News...”

As the mighty steam engine of the riverboat began to belch black smoke from its ornate top, Sarah began giving out orders, “Alright, you heard the woman! Colvin, Dusk, LeBlanc; get up to the second floor for overwatch! Glade; give ‘em the usual hell before they get nasty and roll out the missile launchers. Vargas, Kodiak, you’re with me on the prow, and Gallows...”

The calm Knight Captain hopped on board as the boat began to chug away from its original place along the river. He spoke his own order, “With Glade to keep the heavy hitters heads down.”

The Sentinel nodded, the Paladins and Knight Captains quickly moving about the ship, getting into position, checking weapons, and generally preparing for battle.

Chrysalis flew up alongside James as he rapidly ascended to the top, “What can we do to help?” he stopped at the top of the stairs, not even winded, “What do you mean? Like, carry ammo?”

She sighed, “No, I mean actual help.”

He paused, then shook his head upon realizing what she meant, “Your highness, with all do respect; I’m not putting you in the line of fire with the entire Raider gang in Springvale. These guys are more organized than the roving group you took down, and-”

She held up a hoof to silence him, making her voice as stern and clear as possible, “It’s not a suggestion, James. You’ve already helped us far more than you had to, and you promised us lessons on shooting. If my changelings wish to take shelter, then I will not force them, but I’m staying with the Pride.”

For a moment he kept his gaze level with hers, his eyes visible behind the visor of his helmet, before he finally relented with a sigh, “This is going to be a habit, isn’t it?”

She gave one of her more sadistic grins, “Maybe.”

He shook his head, then rapidly descended, his mouth moving as fast as his legs, “Fine. First things first though; we need to get you a sniper rifle.”

***

“Woah.” Steel was the first one of the changelings to speak after James opened the door to the ship’s aft, revealing the once sleeping quarters to be what had taken him two weeks of non-stop scavenging, trading, and more than a little looting to gather. It was a virtual armory of some of the best weapons he could find in the Capital Wasteland that he didn’t keep himself, as well as a handful of alien weapons he’d taken from Mothership Zeta on his last run, emphasis on run, to and from the place.

A row of Sniper Rifles, Lever- and Bolt-Action Rifles, Chinese AKs, as well as Laser and Plasma Rifles lay upon two whole cabinets, five each, with boxes of their respective ammunitions lying below each column of the horizontal lying weapons. Next to that, seven well-maintained Infiltrators, ten Silenced 10mm Pistols, six Scoped .44 Magnum Revolvers, Three Alien Blasters, Four Alien Atomizers, and three Dart Guns took up another cabinet, their respective ammunitions below as well. Finally, the last two cabinets were dominated by a gatling laser, minigun, and fat man on the left, also with ammo, and several boxes of Pulse and Plasma grenades on the floor of the right. The main portion of the cabinet on the right was taken over by three Rippers, four Trench Knives, two Axes and Chinese Officer Swords each, and a Mauler he’d commissioned from The Pitt after a Raider band had made it aboard. This was the port side of the wall, the windows covered up and keeping light out on its end.

On the starboard side sat two beds, two trunks, and a bolted-down desk taking up the space of two window lengths, serving as the sleeping and general living quarters of the boat. Four Vault lockers and one other cabinet took up the rest, the cabinet holding five helmets for the two suits of Brotherhood-modified and repainted Tesla Armor, two suits of standard Brotherhood Power Armor, and single suit of Hellfire Armor, repainted and modified the same as the Tesla Armor. In addition, one locker held four suits of standard Combat Armor and several backpacks, either for those untrained in powered armor, or simply preferring to wear it.

James quickly went about picking up a Sniper Rifle near the top of the set, tossing it to Chrysalis, before the rifle was suddenly engulfed in a bright green glow.

The Changeling Queen gave him an impish smile, “Levitation spell.”

He grinned beneath his helmet, “Nice. That’s the same model as my Reservist’s Rifle; three shots at higher power than the five lower power rounds of the standard Sniper Rifle.”

He turned to the rest of the changelings, gesturing around him, “Take your pick, and ask any questions you have for the time we all have before the inevitable.”

All at once the five other changelings tossed their various belongings from the Raiders into the trunks before buzzing around, looking over each of the guns and choosing their own.

The Lone Wanderer turned back to Chrysalis, then crouched down and pulled a magazine out of one of the sections that divided the different types of ammunition. He held up the magazine and ejected the round, “Hollow Point Three-oh-eight bullet. High damage against weak armor. Takes out your average Raider in one shot, and... Hang on.”

He went over to the locker containing the Combat Armor suits and reached inside, pulling out six faded army-issue gear bags, not that different from his own, and passed one to Chrysalis before distributing one to each of the changelings as they flew around. She dropped the sling she’d made of Raider Armor and flew above the floor long enough to put the gear bag on, “Thanks. That was beginning to chafe...”

He shrugged, “No problem. Want a... better, pistol while you’re at it?” she nodded, then looked at the various pistols, before levitating both a Silenced 10mm and a Scoped .44 Magnum, examining each carefully.

“...” she looked at him, indecision written on her face as she voiced her question, “Which would you recommend?”

“Honestly? Both. The Magnum” he gestured to the revolver, “Has more damage for fewer shots, but the ten-millitmeter is silenced and has a larger magazine. They’re both fairly lightweight, so you should be able to carry both with ease.”

She nodded, before stowing both of them inside of her bag, as well as taking a few magazines from their respective ammunition boxes. Apparently finished, she gave him a quick nod before levitating the door open with her magic, “I’ll be upstairs with the others.”

He gave her a thumbs up before she departed and closed the door behind her. The changeling Queen taken care of, he turned upon hearing a slight tap on his armor, seeing Cocoon holding a Missile Launcher in her hooves, though the light glow of her own levitation spell told him it was only partially under her own strength, “Hey, James? How do you load this...?”

He picked up one of the missiles from its ammo box and grabbed the metal tube that served to help the user steady the weapon, and set it on the ground, “Here, let me show you.”

He quickly went about sliding open the launcher and placing the missile inside, then slid it close and handed it back to her. Cocoon nodded, levitating several dozen missiles into her own bag before flying out with a quick, “Thanks James!”

He gave her a light wave at the words, then turned to see how the other four were doing.

Steel was levitating both of the Alien pistols, looking back and forth between them slowly, before he finally decided on the Blaster. James quickly walked over to one of the trunks by the beds and lifted it open, digging around inside before he pulled out two small bottles of the Alien Apoxy he’d found surprisingly useful for repairing the rarer of his arsenal. While these were generally for only his most fragile weapons, he always kept them lying around in random places, on the boat, in the Citadel, in most of the major towns and cities, and several Brotherhood Outposts; in case of Weapon Maintenance Emergencies.

“Hey, Steel.” the changeling commander looked up, catching the two small bottles in his levitation as the Lone Wanderer tossed them at him. He raised an eyebrow in unspoken question, earning a reply of, “For the blaster. The things tend to break easily.”

The Commander nodded, then levitated an Infiltrator and several magazines into and over his bag before flying out as well.

The Knight idly noticed Moth looking over a Dart Gun, a .44 Magnum already sticking out of his bag, as well as more than enough ammunition for the lone changeling. He grabbed a box of darts from its container and flew out without a word, apparently satisfied.

That only left Hacksaw and Cicada, the former apparently more interested in writing down observations about the weapons than actually choosing one, “Y’know the Citadel has a much more varied arsenal you can look over when we get there, Hack.”

The physician and maintenance expert grinned sheepishly, then took an Alien Atomizer from the wall, checked it over to understand how it stored ammunition, then loaded up on its Alien Power Modules before buzzing out. James walked towards the door, stopping as he noticed Cicada was sitting on one of the beds, sighing. He bent down to her level, “Everything alright?”

She shrugged, “I just don’t see anything that I could really use. Most of the others have experience with Equestrian Crossbows and such, but I never really liked them; too slow, and the recoil always messes with my shoulders...”

James nodded, “So basically a case of same principle, different weapon.”

He sat down beside her and looked over the massive arsenal, “Normally I’d offer the suggestion of using a handgun, but I’m guessing you’re not too keen on them either?”

She shook her head, “Not really, no.”

“Figured. Well, in all honesty, you don’t have to help y’know. You can just stay here, relax, and enjoy the ride until we get to Springvale...”

She sighed at his offer, “I know, but I really want to be able to help my family and stick by them. I’ve never really been... accepted, by the others in the Elite Guard...”

She paused, “Well, I mean... we’re all a family, and we all care for each other, but... it’s just like...”

The Lone Wanderer knew what she was getting at, yet couldn’t describe, “Like you’re the Ef-En-Jee.”

She looked at him, tilting her head, “Ef-En-Jee?”

James nodded, “Fucking New Guy. That person, or in your case changeling, who comes in after everyone else; replacement, need for strength, coming into a group of people who already knew each other well beforehand... er, hoof. The Fucking New Guy.”

She nodded, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof, “I... guess. I mean; I’m not a fighter like Cocoon and Moth. I just disturbed out the emotions to the rest of the hive, trying to keep everyone happy before mom asked me to join the Guard. I think... yeah; it was for morale, since we’d lost our explosives expert in a fight with another Swarm.”

James blinked, something not quite clicking in his mind, “Wait, I thought your swarm was an Empire?”

She shrugged, elaborating, “We’re only an empire because we’re one of the most advanced and largest Swarms in the Badlands. There are plenty of others; King Metamorphosis’ hive in the east, Queen Aphrodite in the south, and maybe twenty other hives with their own Swarms in the Griffin, Dragon, and Minotaur kingdoms. Not to mention our cousins in the San Palomino desert...”

She idly licked her fangs, “They make really good love-based cupcakes. I remember this one time when I was on a diplomatic trip with mom to Queen Ovi’s hive; the queen and I, since we were old drinking buddies from the last few trips I went there, got into a contest eating the things and passed out from the sweetness... I think I actually won that time...”

The Knight chuckled, “I’ll have to try one sometime.”

He tapped the bed with a finger, his eyes passing over the weapons a second time, before he got an idea, “Hey, Cicada? You any good at baseball?”

She blinked, “Baseball? Does it involve a ball and a bat?” he nodded, “Ohhhh. Yeah; we call it hoofball, but basically the same thing. Why?”

He grinned slightly, then walked over to the box of plasma grenades and tossed one too her, “How good is your pitching?”

She caught the explosive and blinked, her face slowly beginning to show her realization, “Pretty good. Um... but; I don’t think I can through past a few feet onto the shore for it to actually hit someone very hard...”

He chuckled, “You don’t have to hit someone. Here; grab a few dozen and I’ll show you while I’m giving shooting lessons.” she shrugged, but did as asked and tucked a few more plasma grenades into her bag before following him outside.

***

“So, what’s lesson one?” Steel asked from between Chrysalis and Colvin. Before James’ arrival, the Changeling Queen had been having a fascinating talk with the Knight Captain concerning his role in the Pride and how he viewed it. How, however, she set that aside and levitated the rifle to her hooves when the Knight finished ascending the stairs.

He paused, pulling his helmet off and scratching his hair, the look of consideration apparent on his eyes. Finally, he reached into his bag and pulled out an empty bottle and spoke, “Well, first, I want to get a baseline. Just see where everyone’s general shooting skills are...”

Colvin and Dusk took the hint and moved aside, going to sit on the benches to either side of the ship. Moth and Hacksaw both moved aside as well, leaning against the railing to either side of the deck. Cocoon levitated her Missile Launcher with her as she sat down a few feet in front of Dusk, leaving herself and steel near the railing closest to the Lone Wanderer, and Cocoon sitting on James’ shoulder, “On three.... One... two...”

He threw the bottle in a low arc out into the river, tilted to the right and with enough strength to give it several moments of hangtime. The Changeling Queen quickly levitated the Sniper Rifle to her shoulder and steadied it with a hoof on the forestock, copying that observed amongst the Equestrian Royal Guard when shouldering a crossbow. Since unlike said weapons the rifle was made for those with smaller, opposable appendages, she saw fit to merely pull the trigger in a burst of telekinesis, jerking the piece and setting the gun off.

The recoil threw herself, and several of her children from the thumping, off-balance, sending her flying onto her back and the rifle smacking her roughly in the snout. She grumbled beneath her breath in annoyance, levitating the Sniper Rifle again and picking herself up, denying the aid of Steel to help her up with a quick wave of the hoof.

Cicada levitated the bottle back to the Knight’s hand; a single chip missing from the mouth and nothing more. James spoke up with a bit of attempted enthusiasm, “...Well, at least Steel was close.”

The changeling commander coughed into a hoof, a slight tint of peach beneath his chitin giving away his embarrassment as quickly as his thoughts did, “I was aiming for the bottom...”

“...Ah. Well, I can safely say that you can fire your weapons, at least.” he pointed out, “How are you doing that, by the way?”

Hacksaw shrugged, answering the question for them, “Telekinesis spell; variation of levitation that let’s us move objects in any direction, not just up.”

“Huh,” James noted aloud, “Useful. Still; I see one major problem that’s a simple fix, and should save you from headaches. You have to squeeze the trigger, not jerk. You jerk it, the recoil only gains more momentum to fly up and hit you, as well as throwing off the shot from where you’re aiming.”

He leveled his own rifle, and threw the bottle with one hand again, inhaling sharply before squeezing the trigger. A moment later the bottle shattered, bits of glass falling into the river, “Another is to aim down the sights whenever you can, and make sure they’re sighted for your preference. Since... almost, all of you are carrying a scoped weapon, I’ll just state the obvious; put the cross on a target and fire. if the bullet’s not firing through the center, then adjust it until it does.”

Several gunshots, reloads, and sight adjusting later, and the Changeling Queen, as well as her children who’d picked up these ‘scoped’ weapons, were fairly certain they’d sighted them correctly. James spoke again, “For those that don’t; align the back two sights with the right front and you’ll be fine. Finally, and probably one that is helpful in more ways than one, is to crouch down. Maybe even sit if you’re far enough away and behind something. You can steady your weapon if it’s a rifle by laying it onto something, or use both... wait, telekinesis; nevermind. Anyway; it also makes you a smaller target for whoever’s shooting back. Now, if they have a missile launcher or a fat man, however...”

He tapped the weapons on his back, giving the changelings an idea of what he was talking about, “My suggestion would be to run, hide, and pick them off from a distance in which they can’t accurately aim at you. Blowing their hands off with a well-placed bullet also helps if you have the chance to fire first...”

He shook his head, having apparently wandered off-topic, “Anyway. Above all; practice. I don’t think even Sarah or I could fire a rifle correctly the first time, and personal experience is better than what any book or magazine can teach you.”

He pause for a minute, then turned to walk back down the stairs, “Hang on a second; I know we have a few tin cans somewhere on this boat for Nuka Grenades. I’ll see if I can get a target range set up for some quick practice...”

***

James passed Chrysalis another clip, the Changeling Queen levitating it into the gun before sliding back the bolt and putting the rifle to her eye again. He nodded as she fired again, knocking a clean hole into the tin can set up on the other end of the ship’s starboard side, “Not bad.”

After about half an hour of shooting with each of their various guns, as well as teaching Cicada how to properly throw grenades, the rest of the changelings had decided to simply wait and chat with themselves and the Pride before they passed Springvale. Despite their willingness, and even desire, to be in the fight as well, James had managed to convince them to fire from cover as much as possible and let the Pride’s power armor tank anything that would be thrown their way.

Well, except Cocoon, but she’d be firing from the starboard side, near the middle of the boat and using the wall as much as possible. He’d not managed to convince them of less, however, which worried him slightly...

Then again, with luck they’d be in heavy fighting for what amounted to twenty minutes tops and then be on their way smoothly again, “Hey...”

James looked down, giving Chrysalis a glance before crouching to her level, “‘sup?”

“Not that it’s really much of a concern... but we’ve been drifting past quite a few other boats that have sunk under the water... should we be worried about the same happening?”

He blinked at the random question, but shrugged, “Not really. Most of them simple get stuck after the dry season hits. Since the Capital went back into the wet season about a month back from trade winds bringing in plenty of rain and sweeping the ocean water back in, we’ve been able to take the Gambit further upriver for a while now.”

She nodded, “Very well then. Thank you...”

He raised a concerned eyebrow, deciding to investigate, “Why? Something wrong?”

She shrugged half-heartedly, “Most of us can’t swim. I know Moth and Cicada are quite strong at it, but-”

He realized what she meant, “Oh, yeah. Honestly I wouldn’t be too concerned; when I landed in the river with you guys on your arrival, you were buoyant enough to float. Well, except your legs, but that’s on account of the... ah...”

“Holes. I assumed as much for them, but I was unaware we were so naturally buoyant...” Chrysalis shrugged, “Something new we’ve learned in the Capital Wasteland, I suppose... Wait, landed in the river?”

James chuckled nervously, “Well, y’see, you were flying through the air rather quickly when I first saw you, so...”

She put a hoof to his lips, “I don’t think I want to know.” he nodded.

Before the rapidly approaching awkward silence could overtake them, he heard Sarah’s voice begin to yell orders, “Two minutes until the hot zone people! Lock and load!”

Chrysalis lowered her hoof from his mouth and levitated her Sniper rifle onto her back, flying a foot or so above the ground. The two silently walked up the stairs and onto the second floor of the boat, where Colvin and Dusk had taken up position already. The Lone Wanderer loaded a fresh magazine into his Reservist’s Rifle, then put his helmet back on. The familiar taste of filtered air pumped into his lungs as he took position the middle of the upper floor.

As he’d suggested, Chrysalis set herself up between him and the bench nearby; a now solid metal piece after the wood on the previous benches had rotted away. She kept the stock against her shoulder and the forestock lying on the top of the bench, taking a few deep breaths.

The school slowly came into view, and it was of no surprise to the Knight when he saw several dozen raiders set up inside and around the school, an apparent leader yelling and making gestures with his hands from atop a pile of rubble. The loud bark next to him and the leader’s head snapping back a moment later confirmed to him that the quick training had done at least something; Chrysalis had sniped him from a moving boat.

With their leader dead and the loud engines of the steamboat chugging along, the Raider gang quickly began to charge in the general direction of the river. Several were already screaming wildly with their automatic weapons, bullets flying far off of their targets and hitting little to nothing. James let out a low scoff under his breath and scanned their ranks for a moment. His eyes narrowed as he began to get a hunch in his mind, and figuring that he had nothing better to do given their sheer wave for firepower onboard, looked through the scope and further inland.

“Shit.” for once, he hated to be right; several heavily armed Raiders, an assortment of missile launchers, chinese assault rifles, and shotguns in their hands,clad in leather and metal armor, were attempting to leave the area while the Pride chewed away at the cannon fodder sent to distract them.

James abandoned his spot and ran to the front of the boat, “Sarah!”

The Sentinel fired off a few shots from her laser rifle before looking up at him. James pointed towards Megaton, “We’ve got trash armed for siege escaping while we’re picking off the fodder! Request to break off and take them out?”

“What the Hell for? Simms and Stockholm should be able to take out any idiot with a gun that comes within sniping distance.”

She replied back, then fired once again, burning a Raider down to ashes. James ground his teeth slightly, “It’s not Megaton I’m worried about!”

She paused at that, moving behind the cover of the Gambit before nodding, “Fine. Just get back to us in one piece at the Citadel, you read me?”

He nodded, the grin evident in his voice, “Wouldn’t dream of it!”

That done, James quickly snapped his rifle onto his back before moving to descend the stairs. Chrysalis looked up from her Sniper Rifle, “Is there a problem?”

He nodded, “Saw a few heavily-armed raiders heading in the direction of my old home. They’ll eat through the residents in minutes if they don’t try to destroy Megaton first. I’ll meet you all at the Citadel; just stay low and pick off any idiot with a big fucking gun like Dusk and Colvin.”

She nodded, and he rapidly descended to the main deck, “Hey, James!”

He turned, a bullet idly pinging off of the back of his helmet and knocking his head forwards slightly. He shook it off, turned around, and entered VATS before firing into the head of the Raider who’d gotten a lucky hit on him.

That done, he turned back, seeing Hacksaw and Moth standing near the boat’s center, just outside of the armory doorway, “We’re going with you, Knight!”

“Hell no you aren’t! I’m in full power armor and carrying heavy ordinance; I can take shots from this trash all day! I’m not letting you two throw yourselves out there just to get shot helping me!” he yelled, fully intent on preventing both of them from heading to an unnecessary death.

Moth just shook his head, Hacksaw nodding in agreement with his sibling, “We weren’t asking!”

The Lone Wanderer sighed, every second wasted being one less he could spend protecting Vault 101 and/or Megaton, if the raiders started firing from a distance with their Missile Launchers, “God damnit... Fine! Head for the far end of the school and run like hell until you catch up with me! And for God’s sakes; stay low!” both of them nodded, “Got it! See you there!”

They then flew off from the starboard side and high into the air, attempting to stay out of range of the Raiders as to not make themselves enticing targets. James sighed, then reached inside his bag before pulling out his favorite pistol; the Firelance, “Alright scum. Let’s see what new tricks you have...”

With that final thought in mind, the Lone Wanderer took a running start, not bothering to consider any other way off, and jumped the six feet from the boat to shore, tucking as he landed and rolling to his feet. He immediately fired off a shot from the Firelance a moment later, charring a raider to a blackened corpse in seconds. He grinned beneath his helmet, Ah, it’s good to be back...

Now You're a Big Boy... er, Drone

***

Now Loading

By the time James had cleared his way through enough Raiders to make a break for Megaton, Hacksaw and Moth had made their way ashore and had begun quickly rolling after him at a pace only slightly below his normal jogging speed in full T-51b armor. Not as fast as he could’ve gone, but fast enough that he didn’t pass out at the gates of Megaton when he arrived. The slow, steady rhythm of his feet and the emotion-powered motors of the two changelings lulled him into the steady pace of travel he’d grown accustomed to, letting him consider what all he’d need for this encounter.

“Y’know, from my observations and the conversations we’ve all been having for the past day or so, I’m beginning to notice a pattern with the mentality and life of you humans here in the Capital Wasteland...” Hacksaw’s voice shattered the near-silence, the medical and maintenance drone musing aloud, “You’re all about survival and either helping or killing anyone you meet.”

“That’s a general definition, yeah.” James agreed as they plodded along, “Why, this complicate things? I mean, I know Chrysalis said changelings don’t kill, and you at least seem to be a peaceful race...”

Hacksaw shrugged, an odd motion given he couldn’t move his hooves from the ground, “It doesn’t complicate things so much as make me curious. changelings don’t kill because the practice wastes emotions we could be passively taking from live, sentient, or at the very least semi-sentient, beings. We’ve also been a semi-peaceful race that has been stuck in an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality to the nation in which we live. The hives will never admit it, nor will mother, and even I find it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but we do live in the borders of Equestria; a nation that has been known for its love, tolerance, and harmony. A paradise compared to the frozen northern pole and the southern badlands and desert.”

He sighed, “You see why I find you humans so curious now, right? You’re a violent species living in a place that is, frankly, worse than Tartarus; the one place that makes even the Badlands look nice by comparison.”

James nodded, “Yeah. After the bombs fell and everything was blown to shit, society went out the window rather quickly. Or at least that’s what everyone who was around before the blasts tells me. How bad is Tartarus, exactly?”

Hacksaw looked at Moth, who shrugged himself, “Honestly? It’s not as bad as everyone exaggerates it to be. Sure, it’s a prison, but it’s also a society in and of itself. At least from what those who have been near or inside it say. Apparently it’s also really good at making weapons from the metals and minerals in the area around Tartarus proper. Something to do with the volcanic activity or something... If I was anywhere near the hive, I’d talk to one of my siblings about it; I know we have a geologic team for surveying and helping with the alloys we produce for tools and buildings...”

Again, James nodded subconsciously, cresting a hill and sliding down before he picked up his pace again, “Sounds a lot like The Pitt to the northwest. Place is a hellhole compared to the rest of the Capital Wasteland, but having been there, I can say there are worse places...”

“I don’t think I’d want to know about worse places, honestly. Where are we going again, exactly?” the rough-voiced drone asked.

The Knight pointed towards Megaton’s gates a dozen or so yards ahead, “Through the gates and to the first house on the left. Simms will want to talk to me about you guys, so after we clear the gates, head inside and wait for me. Tell Wadsworth you’re my guests, and he should be helpful with just about anything.”

The two changelings nodded, and the Lone Wanderer poured on a bit more energy to rush ahead of them, giving a nod to Stockholm and giving a quick thumb behind him and thumbs up to let the sniper know that the two drones weren’t a threat. Stockholm nodded, the inner gates opening as James approached. Behind him, he could hear the gentle whir of Hacksaw and Moth’s diggers as they approached, “Well, look who’s back from cleaning up the wastes.”

He turned, seeing a familiar sheriff with a wide grin plastered on his face. Lucas Simm’s traded a quick handshake with the Lone Wanderer, “Always have time to stop by Megaton Simms.” his smile dropped into a hard line, “Listen. I’ve got a Raider band with heavy arms heading for either here or one-oh-one from Springvale. I don’t know who they’ll hit first, but we need to shore up defenses. You still got those Security Bots I brought in a month ago?”

Simms nodded, all-serious as well upon the Knight’s words, “Arthur and Lancelot are in the Armory with Steel.” he reached into the pocket of his duster and pulled out a key, “This should open the door; just give them the code and they’ll activate the defensive routines we programmed in. I’ll get a small militia together if they hit before you head out. Can’t be too careful with the Raider’s numbers starting to swell. Any idea what they’re packing?”

“Missile Launchers, Chinese AKs, Shotguns, leather and metal armors; the expensive stuff that isn’t too hard to find, but a pain in the ass to buy. How the hell Raiders got ahold of anything other than the cheap shit they wear is beyond me, but they’re geared for sieging and slaughtering the place.” James tucked the key behind one of the armor’s plates, “Also; you heard Three Dog’s broadcast about the Pride, right?”

Simms nodded, “Two of the bugs are coming through the gate right about-” Hacksaw and Moth drove through the door a moment later. The voiceless changeling fluttered his wings slightly and landed on the large water pipe that lead down the path, a small trail of sparks behind him as he flew past and hopped off, landing on the metal platform to James’ home a second later, “Now. I’ll meet you at the gate.”

Without waiting for Simms to get over of his shock at the two insectoids, the Lone Wanderer quickly passed him and descended, hopping over the pipe and opening the door fully, which Moth was already attempting with a bit of levitation. As usual, he was immediately greeted by Wadsworth, “Ah, master LeBlanc! Good to see you’re alive and well, sir!”

James nodded, “Wasteland can’t keep me down that long, Wadsworth. Oh, and consider the changeling species,” he thumbed back towards the two, who gave light inclinations of the head in acknowledgement as they rolled in, “To be guests.”

“Other companions in your travels, I presume?”

The Knight walked over to the lockers opposite the doorway, “Something like that. I’m going to need supplies, too. We’ve got Raiders on the way geared for siege.”

“I am to assume this means you’d like several doses from your chemical stash, as well as a plasma weapon and an automatic firearm?” the robotic butler asked, a blue beam of light encompassing Miss Launcher and the MIRV as James removed them from his back.

The Lone Wanderer nodded, pulling off his military pack and the Reservist’s Rifle before unloading the bag, “The Xuanlong and Harkness’ plasma rifle should be fine. Just enough magazines and cells for about three hundred shots each, please.” he turned back to Moth and Hacksaw, looking over them for a minute as their gaze wandered around the house, “Also; does that Armorer program I found cover quadrupeds?”

“For the... changelings, you said sir? I believe I can rig up a pair of working suits. Are there any specific requests?” the last question the Mister Handy directed at the two changelings directly.

Hacksaw shook his head at the robot’s question, only slightly taken aback by the flying machine, “Nothing beyond being functional.”

Wadsworth nodded, then began floating around the house, storing and removing several weapons and boxes. James finished setting down several paint guns and spoke to his butler again, “If you can, use the Combat Armor from the Anchorage Armory. It’s about time I found a use for those suits...”

Wadsworth let out a short, “Acknowledged, sir.” before floating upstairs.

Hacksaw finally spoke a full sentence, “You have a butler, that’s a flying ball with arms.”

The Knight nodded, raising an eyebrow slightly in confusion, “Yeah. Wadsworth’s a Mister Handy from before the War. I’ve managed to get him a few upgrades over the weeks. Like that Tractor Beam thing from Zeta; the blue light... Though... you don’t sound overly surprised...”

“I’ve managed to see and hear about a few golems from time to time. He’s similar to one, I guess. More advanced, but the same.” the medic/repair drone shrugged, this time with the full range of motion.

Moth rolled his eyes and slid out of his Industrial Diggers, though his brother voiced the question, “Moth wants to know if he could browse around.”

James shrugged, “Bedroom’s off limits, because Wadsworth works best without distraction, but you’re free to look around. We’ve got a few minutes before he’ll be done, and from our pace compared to the speed the Raiders were walking, we’ve probably got... fifteen minutes, tops.” he pulled the key Simms gave him out from under one of his suit’s plates, “I need to go get the town’s defensive robots out of the Megaton Armory. I’ll be back in a second.”

The two changelings nodded, watching as the Lone Wanderer left, closing the door behind him.

***

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The Queen of the Changelings levitated another cylindrical magazine into the chambers of her forty-four Magnum again as she ducked down, idly heaving a sigh at how often she was having to reload. It couldn’t be helped, however, as her Silenced ten millimeter lacked the necessary range for the distance between her vantage and the Raiders along the shores. Those that did get into close range were taken down by the Pride or a silent huff of air from below; the spray of automatic gunfire going by almost unnoticed from Steel’s magical grip.

She grumbled to herself, deciding that next chance she had to safely fly down to the boat’s armory, that she’d be exchanging the weight of several ten millimeter magazines for that of her Sniper Rifle’s three zero eights. She’d run out of rifle ammunition far too quickly to be of any use with anything beside the Magnum, leaving Knight Captain’s Dusk and Colvin to pick up her slack and decrease their efficiency. Having lead an army almost single-handedly, the Changeling Queen had long ago focused on the larger picture when it came to combat, rather than herself. Statistics relating to the efficiency of even a single unit had long become second nature, only now sparked alive by combat on a much larger scale.

Besides; Steel handled smaller engagements with such a refined art of micro-suggestions and coordination she had little to do or focus on beyond saying the word ‘go’ over the Hivemind. she’d let him have his fun; now it was her turn to lead.

And lead she had; ordering her changelings from the safety of their cover on high-priority raiders with Missile Launchers and automatic weapons of their own. Cicada would toss explosives into clusters with a combination of her own strength and levitation, Cocoon aiding her at much longer ranges with her Missile Launcher, as well as destroying the crumbling remains of protection many of the more cautious Humans hid behind. With Moth, Hacksaw, and James gone, Chrysalis had little choice but to let the pride handle the main portion of the fighting, leaving only Steel to mop up any stragglers who got too close, while she picked off what Raiders she could with her scoped weapons.

All of these thoughts roiled around Chrysalis’ mind in the few moments she took to snap the cylinder of the revolver closed, levitate the scope to her eye, and lean up long enough to fire two quick shots into the legs of another Raider, before it’s skull was melted in a blast of laser fire from Sentinel Lyons. The Queen ducked down again as another, further away sound hit her ears. The distinctive crack of a Sniper Rifle much like her own, followed shortly after by a loud ping as the bullet slammed into one of the smokestack nearby, ricocheting off the metal and into the river below. She turned towards Dusk, about to warn her of a sniper, before the Paladin turned slightly and fired, letting out a static-filled, “Sniper down. Clear.”

“Clear!” called the voice of Glade from below, as well as several other Pride members giving the same word.

The Changeling Queen gave Dusk a curt nod, “...Thank you...”

“Eh, don’t mention it. Just watching another sniper’s back.” the Knight Captain replied, tossing Chrysalis a magazine from her side. The Queen caught it in her telekinesis, then snapped it into place before pulling back the bolt with a hoof.

That done, the changelings and humans, began to relax, moving from their positions and holstering their weapons. The Changeling Queen exhaled slowly, excess adrenaline still coursing through her body as she sat up and replaced the two rounds she’d fired from her Magnum. A quick check over the Hivemind with her changelings came after, to ensure they were unharmed and they had passed the danger. This was followed by levitating her now replenished Sniper Rifle onto her back, before Chrysalis began to slowly walk down the stairs and towards the armory. The danger had passed, none of them had been harmed, and she now had a chance to practice using both the pistol and rifle, minutely adjusting the strength of her spells as needed to compensate for the heavy kick of the two individual weapons. Things seemed to be, for once in a long while, going well for the Changeling Queen, all things considered.

She idly heaved a sigh as her hooves touched the ground floor of the riverboat, an action that she’d been doing a lot of recently, and moved a lock of pale hair from her face with a hoof before her lips formed into a thin line. She furrowed her brows as she walked, mind wandering back too much to consider simply flying; memories of past events always put her in a monotonous sequence of one hoof in front of the other.

Indeed; her mind had sunk into memories of the past few days, and how it had all gone so wrong in such a short time. Of how the Empire began to slowly face the threat of starvation as Equestria cast it aside without even realizing.

***

It hadn’t been a quick process, Chrysalis mused to herself, but nonetheless one that progressed much faster than she and the drones assigned to distributing out Love and its lesser offshoots had predicted. She didn’t blame them of course; they’d always performed their jobs to the best of their abilities, making sure they gave out what was best for each member of the Swarm. Even Cicada had never been too generous with distributing emotion, despite her friendly and almost odd desire to help any of her siblings. No; they were not to blame. Emotion stores had been predicted to dry up eventually, so perhaps the error was simply in the calculations of their supplies.

So what had been the problem? She had dispatched scouts to other hives with request for aid once the Empire’s feeding grounds began to lack the necessary emotions, or rather ponies that carried those emotions, receiving plenty of help from other hives to get back on their hooves. Several even sent drones with saddlebags brimming with enough love to extend them out for more than three months!

She growled lowly under her breath in frustration, forcing the worries and thoughts into the back of her mind. Her hooves finally stopped before the door to the ship’s armory, which loomed before her like some personification of her current situation; old, decaying, and filled with too many holes, even for changeling tastes, No point in worrying about the past right now. Especially when on another planet and unable to do anything about it...

***

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“...the pies are the crustiest... The songs the lustiest, the friends the trustiest... Waaaaay back home...” the stallion muttered to himself, hidden beneath the cover of an old building and a sandy-brown Pre-War trench coat. Through the scope of his rifle, he observed the riverboat, and, more specifically, the Changeling Queen on board. The tune from the nearby radio his only companion...

“Hey, Long Shot.” yep. Only companion. Nopony or nobody else. Just him, the radio, and his Tartarus-damned rifle, set up in a building and spying on royalty through the red-hued lenses of his goggles to make sure she was okay. No one else there, “Long Shot. C’mon man; I said I was sorry...”

“You nearly lost my most valuable rifle simply because you thought it would make good metal to give the Forgers, whom you wanted to turn it into a new halberd.” he muttered, not looking at the pegasus behind him, who, coincidentally, actually did have a halberd, along with several spears, knives, and a set of brass hoof dusters, “So frankly, buck you Brass, we won’t be buddies again until you get me one of those human’s sniper rifles.”

Behind him, Brass Cloud sighed behind the filtration mask he always wore, the irritation evident, “Just... you... fine. How’s the Queen?”

“Annoyed. Probably thinking about her kids waaaaay baaaaaack hooooome...” Long Shot grinned to himself at his own joke.

Brass gave a light gagging sound before speaking again, “Oh, buck, you’ve been listening to that crap?”

“Oh, shut up. You only like Vinyl Scratch’s music because she had a nice flank anyway...” he shot back, then stood up and levitated his rifle onto his back and grabbed the radio with a hoof, “I need to move buildings again. Did you get the packaged delivered to the Citadel?”

Brass nodded slightly, any traces of annoyance hidden behind the gas mask on him, then stretched his wings in preparation to carry the unicorn, “Done and in the air before someone even noticed it, just like I said. Didn’t even think of having to come back and get you to use that cloaking spell again. There was only like two guys by the door anyway, so it’s not like it would’ve mattered. Though, I have to ask; is giving Cicada a bucking Vorpal Blade, one that cost us both a month’s pay might I add, really a good idea?”

“You tell me; you want to expect an inexperienced drone like her to fight only using her bare hooves and a few explosives?” Long Shot turned to look at his companion fully, the combination of rough brown cloth, tubes, and metal staring back at him expressionlessly.

Brass turned his head away, breaking eye contact, “...Point taken. Ready?”

“Yeah; let’s head a bit further down than last time; keep us from making too many trips.” the sniper suggested, earning a quick nod from the pegasus. Brass flew above him and locked his hooves around the slightly larger unicorn’s stomach a moment later. With a small grunt of effort from his suit-wearing friend, Long Shot rose into the air, moving out of the busted section of the building and outside, winds whipping around him.

***

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“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait.” Hacksaw spouted rapidly, shaking his forehooves slightly as he flew in place at Wadswroth’s level, “You’re telling me that James is partially fake?”

“Artificial, Master Hacksaw.” the Mister Handy corrected, fully articulating the word for the changeling to understand clearly, “The good sir merely began replacing parts of his body with the latest technology before, as he put it, ‘leveled up’ enough for his cells to regenerate in direct sunlight.”

“And he can regenerate in the sun?” the sound of the door opening behind the two changelings and robot cut Wadsworth off before he could explain.

As expected, the helmeted head of the Lone Wanderer poked through, “Why yes, yes I can. Pip-Boys are a Hell of a Pre-War miracle.”

“What, that thing on your wrist that plays music?” Hacksaw questioned.

James nodded, “Yep. Neat little toy that twists your Dee-En-Ay to help out in life. Anyone in a Vault always had one. Speaking of which; Stockholm spotted the raider’s a ways out, so we need to head out Ay-sap.”

The Knight pulled off his helmet and began sliding out of his armor, revealing the blue jumpsuit underneath, “Not with this though. Servos or no, the Tee-Fifty-One isn’t the best choice as far as weight goes...”

He began folding it down, Hacksaw taking notes again as Moth was re-attaching his Industrial Diggers, “Wadsworth, can you grab my...”

The Lone Wanderer paused for a moment, snapping his fingers to try and remember before finishing his sentence, “Ranger’s armor?”

“Of course sir. I’ve also finished with Master Hacksaw and Moth’s own suits.” the robot replied, swiftly moving to one of the lockers and pulling out a faded green suit of hardened plates and a matching helmet. Taking the T51-b to store away, the robot was gone for the few moments James needed to slide the armor over his jumpsuit.

Hacksaw looked him up and down, “Militaristic. I’m guessing this is part of some special unit?”

“Eh, just Riley’s Rangers. Swell group of guys and gals I helped out in DC a while ago.” he shrugged, sliding the helmet over his head before moving to don a pair of sunglasses.

He then paused, turning his head to Hacksaw again, “Y’know, something just occured to me.”

“Hm?” the medical/maintenance drone looked up from his clipboard, having been only slightly paying attention as he was sketching out the Lone Wanderers armor, along with several speculations and notes around it. Mostly it was out of boredom, but the concepts gave him ideas for his own projects.

His ear twitched again, reminding him of James’ voice, “How is it that drones have that single plate of an eye, when your Queen has perfectly... human, ones?”

“Technically pony, and in answer to that; genetics. Queens are slightly more adapted than drones, following the logic of ‘authority is equal to or greater than being better than those they lead’ or something. It’s not exactly a line of our species’ origin and adaptation I’ve looked into...” Hacksaw replied, tucking the clipboard away in his dimensional pocket.

It was at that moment that Wadsworth made his way to the trio again, several items held within his grasp. The thought crossed the technology specialist’s mind on if he had enough time to make a few notes about each, but given that the Knight was rushing them, he thought better of it. At a later time, he would likely get his chance anyway, “And as your requested, modified Winterized Combat Armors of the United States Army for Masters Moth and Hacksaw.”

Upon Wadsworth’s words, a suit of armor similar to James’ was levitated into the drone’s grasp. Though, to call it a ‘suit’ of armor wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Much like the natural chitin of a changeling’s body, most Equestrian and even Griffon armors were made of interlocking and overlapping plates to prevent chinks in defenses. The armor given to him was composed of the same plates, of course, but were by no means interlocking. All in all it seemed rather exposing compared to... just about anything he’d seen before.

“I also took the liberty of modifying the undersuit’s limbs to account for the holes in the legs.” the golem-like assistant added, giving the pair of changelings a grey bodysuit each, holes cut into the cloth at the points where they would match up with the actual holes on their bodies, “...How did you know where to cut the holes?”

Rather than Hacksaw himself, the question came from James, to which Wadsworth replied with a simple, “Measuring and altering them after taking a few photographs of the young Masters’ limbs. I do find the camera you installed in my center optic to have more uses than for cataloging and status updates on Megaton, sir.”

“You have our thanks then for such an extensive job, Wadsworth.” during this, Moth and Hacksaw both had been slipping into the grey undersuits. It was during this that the intelligent drone discovered why the plates didn’t so extensively cover the body, at least beyond the fact that the thick material used to make it was exceptional at trapping body heat. A single tag with references to projectile and energy resistance, as well as even flame retardance being said discovery.

Were it not for the fact that this was likely just meant for only so few bullets or calibers, both of them would have likely just forgone the plates in favor of the bodysuits alone. Moth, however, slid the matte white plates over his body without a thought or concern broadcasted over the hivemind, the plates quickly covering his hooves, chest, shoulders, and flanks. Wadworth had likely guessed their back plates would have been enough protection, as only a belt with several pouches on each side and the stomach were even remotely near these parts of their bodies. In addition, the pouches on the legs of James’ own combat armor were present on their own front back legs, just below the flank. Moth slid his ammunition into these without a thought as well, though he did debate with himself a moment before placing his Dart Gun and Magnum into the two pockets towards the middle of his sides.

Hacksaw shrugged to himself, then moved to do the same. He paused, however, upon seeing a red circle with an addition sign in the center, placed just above his shoulder blades. He looked up at the golem-like robot of Wadsworth with a raised eyebrow, but knowing he couldn’t read the optics or body language of a machine, slid the plates onto his body without a word.

“I was, unfortunately, unable to modify any suitable armor for the skull, or even a balaclava with the short time it was required. I trust you will still be able to make do?” Wadsworth questioned.

Hacksaw replied with a swift, “Yes, of course. Thank you, Wadsworth.”

“Of course, sir. As for you, Master LeBlanc, I have A Three Dash Twenty One’s Plasma Rifle, the Xuanlong Chinese Assault Rifle, the specified ammunition for each, and as always, your baseball bat.” with that, the Mister Handy gave the Lone Wanderer a conventional assault rifle like one that Hacksaw had seen on the Duchess’ Gambit, a high-tech rifle with a green glowing end, and a simple wooden bat with a tarnished and scratched metal handle.

James placed each rifle onto a side of his back, holding the hoofball, or rather baseball apparently, bat loosely in one hand, giving a quick nod, “Thanks Wadsworth. We’ll be back soon.”

“Very good sir. I shall watch over your fortress of solitude, as always.” despite the fact that it shouldn’t have been possible, the Mister Handy actually sounded as if he was joking. Thankfully, before Hacksaw could fully ponder if his sanity was slipping, James opened the door and beckoned them with his baseball bat holding hand.

***

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“I must confess that I do feel the need to aid you in some way here, Colonel. Compared to the vibrant and lively world of Equestria, the United States seems rather... desolate.” Celestia had been in audience with the military-commanding human for several hours now, ironing out the finer points of their mutual agreement from between Autumn’s semi-intact desk, which had several papers relating to supply numbers and such. She had to venture a guess, however, that the more important files were directly beneath. Still; she did not press, instead focusing on the task at hand.

“While I have not had the pleasure of visiting your world, madam, I fear I must agree; nuclear exchange with China has left the United States rather barren. The Enclave has been attempting to rebuild for years now, but the... difficulties, we’ve been encountering have but us at a severe disadvantage.” the colonel replied carefully, pausing as if he were about to explain more, then deciding against it. Celestia had, despite friendly open intentions, been picking and choosing her words carefully as well; such was politics with a new nation or race. While the Enclave commander had not been lying, per se, he was hiding something. That alone had made the princess of the sun cautious.

She didn’t skip a beat as she offered her help, “Then I suggest my little ponies and I, at least those already in your world, aid the Enclave however we can before we are able to fix the tear between our worlds. Progress was expected to be slow to begin with, so I’m sure we will have plenty of time to decrease the size of that paperwork of yours.” she gave a slightly impish grin and a low chuckle.

Autumn giving a genuine, lighthearted one of his own before nodding his agreement, “I’m sure that that will be an acceptable agreement, for now, at any rate. We’ve only recently moved from our main base of operations due to unforeseen events, so any aid to render this facility operational for Enclave use would be greatly appreciated.”

Celestia smiled internally, though her visible one had softened to a simple one of acceptance with a nod of the head. With luck, they could further understand these humans, maybe even form an alliance with them. While Equestria certainly didn’t need to expand its borders, the additional commerce and cultural exchange would be a welcome respite from the changeling invasion, especially with Canterlot being repaired after the mass of small amounts of property damage done to the city. That, and it would give her the time needed to discover just how dark this apparent skeleton in the Colonel’s closet was. With luck, it was merely an ‘unforeseen’ blunder he felt guilty about and wished to make up for. It would be something Celestia could relate to, that was for sure.

She held out of hoof to shake, Augustus reaching forwards and firmly gripping as they shook limbs in agreement, “Well then, Colonel Autumn; I trust this will be the beginning of a close friendship between Equestria and the Enclave.”

***

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“...Yeah, you said it Moth...” Hacksaw muttered, the two changelings on either side of James as they looked down upon the Raiders from either side of the Lone Wanderer, no longer armored enough to support them on his smaller pauldrons. Moth and hacksaw had been using their revolver and the Lone Wanderer’s binoculars respectively, to scout and check the movements of their sieging enemies. James had just been watching them with a nervous twitch to his fingers as he had been clearing and checking his Xuanlong several times; his intended primary weapon to punch through the standard leather and black mesh of the metal armors of his enemies. He knew it was nerves, because his mind kept on drifting to who the Raiders would hit first, and how quickly he could move to intercept.

Sure, Megaton had two of the finest Sentry Bots he had been able to scavenge parts for, and equipped them with a rocket launcher and gatling laser each, not to mention Simms, the deputies, Stockholm, and even the militia, but he was still nervous. He could spot a full eighteen Raiders, six in metal armor, eleven in leather, and the apparent leader in Enclave Hellfire armor.

Fucking hellfire armor of all things!

He also had a flamer, his metal-coated lackeys apparently being the artillery, as each had at least a rocket launcher and 10mm SMG each. The leather-bound raiders carried Chinese assault rifles instead of the usual R91 american versions; it was like watching a group of Talon Company without the black combat armor he’d grown to hate.

“This isn’t good.” the Knight muttered, smacking the ammo clip into the unique rifle he’d scavenged from Prime all those weeks ago, “Actually; this would be good, but only if the assholes weren’t about to fuck my home up...”

“Moth’s got a point; then what in Tartarus are we doing sitting around for, James?” Hacksaw asked as he pulled his Atomizer out of his side holster. he checked the cell inside before he spoke again, “We’ve got the high ground, the element of surprise... and on top of that, Cocoon’s bugging me to get as many of the Missile Launchers as possible. Something about putting a few of them together for an artillery stack like the defense turrets on our Hive or something...”

James turned his head away from the Raiders to look at the drone, eyes blinking in confusion, “...Seriously?” Hacksaw and Moth both rolled their eyes, but nodded, “...That’s pure genius.”

Both of the drones’ forehooves smacked against their faces in a the changeling equivalent of a facepalm. The Lone Wanderer barely paid attention however. Sure; he was an honorable, helpful, and all around attempted decent guy, but really big guns and even bigger explosions always had a certain charm for him; especially when he found enough ordinance to have fun blowing up the flavor-of-the-month enemy of the Brotherhood, and generally all of decent humanity. Throw in the fact that he was essentially fighting for his home, and the prospect of later fun with big guns, and it took him less than a minute to go from nervous to excited.

He patted the two changelings, “Alright. Alright; let’s go have some fu-.”

He was cut short as the scream of burning missile fuel reached his ears a second before the actual explosive plowed into his chest, impacting at point blank and throwing him off of his feet. The Knight went flying back from the hill and slamming into the metal gates of Megaton so hard his teeth cracked and spine nearly shattered, if not for the sheer amount of Rads, combined with a reinforced spine. Unlike yesterday, which seemed rather peaceful for once, it was clear to James now. The missile to the chest had been enough of an indication. No, scratch that; the missile to the chest was the indication.

It was going to be one of Those days.

God help those poor Raiders when he peeled himself from the dented scrap metal. Assuming he wasn’t in need of an Auto Axe or a Steel Saw this time...

***

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Chrysalis winced, both mentally and physically as her sons witnessed James being hit in the chest by a missile and thrown into a wall, yet somehow still alive. They themselves were relatively fine, shaken and dusty, but able to ride the blast of air and pressure far into the sky like a sudden updraft. What instilled a bit of respect and even a touch of fear within her mind was the fact that the man was clearly still alive and relatively well, even though he’d been blown up and hurled into solid metal, “What the buck...”

“Huh?” the voice of Sarah Lyons came from behind the Sentinel’s blonde hair as she tilted her head only slightly to look at the Changeling Queen. They’d been on the metal benches of the second level of the Duchess Gambit since they’d resupplied on ammunition, relaxing while they traveled the rest of the way downriver to the Citadel; the apparent fortress the Brotherhood of Steel resided in, they’d explained to Chrysalis and her changelings.

Said Queen shook her head, “Hacksaw and Moth just witnessed James being hit by a missile and thrown into the gates of... I believe Megaton, yet James was still alive...”

The leader of Lyon’s Pride chuckled, “It must be one of those days then.”

Chrysalis tilted her head, attempting to read the woman’s indiscernible face. So, that failed, she made do with a slight snort of annoyance at her lack of knowledge on the subject before asking, “What do you mean?”

“It’s basically the one time LeBlanc doesn’t love the heavier ordnance, on account of it’s usually the one thing capable of fucking up him anymore.” this came from Dusk, who was also sitting with them, though she was more focused on polishing and cleaning her Sniper Rifle to be relaxing in the same method the Changeling Queen and Sentinel were.

“So, let me get this straight; he hates heavy weapons being used against him, yet loves to use them himself. He’s also filled with technology improving his entire body, he can regenerate in sunlight, and he drinks blood...” Chrysalis counted off, tapping one hoof to another as if she had fingers, which she obviously didn’t, but the tapping helped keep count nonetheless.

Sarah and Dusk glanced at each other, or at the very least Dusk raised her head up, before both chuckled, “Oh, you have no idea how much shit happens to that kid...”

“Enlighten me.” the Queen of the Changelings dared.

***

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“COME GET SOME ASSHOLES!” James roared, his trigger finger practically snapping the actual trigger on his Xuanlong as he sprayed a hail of lead around him, the trigger of Harkness’ Plasma Rifle clicking rapidly as he squeezed it with an errant twitch, the likes of which would have made a Jet addict seem stable by comparison.

The Knight had ripped himself out of the door about three minutes prior to the next missile being fired, but with the element of surprise all but gone, the Lone Wanderer shown no mercy. He’d entered VATS and put a quick burst of 5.56 rounds into each explosive fired his way, sometimes even as they were fired directly out of their Launchers. The resulting explosions had allowed him just enough time to take the mass of Chems that Wadsworth had tucked into the same pouch as his ammunition; a potent combination of Med-X, Psycho, Jet, UltraJet, and Mentats. The second the drugs had entered his system, the Lone Wanderer let out a roar in challenge before barrelling forth with the changelings on his tail and guns blazing, and now...

Now he was the fucking God of Death. Every shot, precise and brutal, landed squarely into the spots he willed them, with no quarter given. Quick as he jumped into the mass of Raiders, however, he’d already emptied the magazines of both guns, only having taken out three and wounding two of the Raider scum. He slid both weapons onto his back and slammed his fist square into the jaw of man with a chinese AK, knocking him back and stumbling into Moth’s waiting hooves. Quick as a flash, the man crumbled to dust, leaving behind a small pile of scattered emotion crystals for the drone to scoop up. Hacksaw flew by James’ ear before he could bring his bat to bear, slamming his own hoof into the now dust Raider at his back, a chinese officer’s sword inches from the Knight’s neck.

“Thanks.” he managed to choke out through the chem-haze, pulling out his bat fully and slamming it into the jaw of another, armored Raider’s skull.

Hacksaw nodded, pressing himself against the Lone Wanderer’s shoulder and squeezing off a quick burst of alien pistol fire before tossing back a, “No problem. Duck!”

He yanked James’ head down, along with most of his body, causing him to stumble and dodge the missile that would’ve exploded where his head had been. Annoyed, the Knight surged forwards and delivered another strong punch to Raider chin, knocking the armored man down before picking up his Missile Launcher and sliding a new missile in. He then began hopping back with Hacksaw and Moth quickly moving out of the way as he pulled the trigger. The resulting explosion quickly took out three more opponents, “WHO’S NEX-?!”

His words were cut short by a gout of flame searing his skin, flamer fire coating him and setting the non-fire-retardant bits of his armor to the point of ignition. The Lone Wanderer clenched his teeth as he rolled forwards from the searing heat and plasma, tucking in and over a corpse. He turned just in time to see Moth riddle the power-armored leader in .44 magnum rounds, scoring quick, precise headshots with each yank on the trigger with his spell. Sliding a new magazine into the Xuanlong, James clicked into VATS again before checking how many of his targets remained...

Already the enemy’s will was beginning to break, with several of the more cowardly Raiders panicking from the fight and running off. It seemed Stockholm and Simms were watching them, however, as rotating around he was easily able to see the two men, along with the robots, firing at any stragglers who strayed from the fight in a hail of laser and bullet fire. Counting the runners, who were likely to die once he exited VATS anyway, they’d quickly taken care of 14 of the full 18 Raiders, with their leader already wounded and another one with a bullet in her leg to prevent her from getting far. Even in the chem-induced stupor, or maybe just the Mentats, James remembered to keep one of the idiots alive for interrogation.

That being said; the others were useless to them, or the Brotherhood for that matter. He sighted his targets and let VATS loose with impunity, putting six rounds each into the heads of the untouched Raiders. The first’s skull exploded in a shower of gore, and the other’s to twist violently to the side, likely breaking his neck with a crack that the Lone Wanderer could hear clearly even through the muffled sounds of VATS. His ‘Action Points,’ the internal battery power of the targeting system, drained empty as the last bullet left his gun, and everything sped up around him soon after. The crippled woman from before slumped over into the dirt, though she kept attempting to crawl away, with those who ran, as he’d thought, were cut down by Megaton’s defenders.

This left Hacksaw to fire his own clip into the leader’s face, a barrage of energy melting plates and flesh and bone, before one lucky round finally compromised his body’s cell structure. the Man inside turned into goo in an instant, causing the now near-empty suit to fall to the ground. What was left of the Raider leader spilled out onto the wasteland’s dirt.

The changeling floated there in the air for a moment, not fully comprehending the situation, then turned his head to look at James and say one word, “What?”

The Knight shrugged, his body still in overdrive from the massive amounts of drugs in his system, advanced and partially mechanical system or no. He could answer when the chems wore off; for now, his thought process was singular and all over the place at the same time, clairvoyant only by the mental stimulation of Mentats. To describe it any better would be impossible, as the effects of so many conflicting and powerful substances took logic and kicked it out of the door onto its ass the moment they entered ones syste-

What was he doing again? Oh, right; interrogation.

James wandered over to the fallen woman, dirt and grime caking one side of her face, alongside dried blood from the long gash down her left cheek. He crouched down and lifted her up to look at him, muttering one word in a low growl, “Why?”

She coughed, a dusty, dry action, “F-Fuck you...”

He growled, touching the edge of his bat to her face, “Listen, lady; we can do this the easy way, or the ‘I break your bones one at a time’ way. And judging by that broken femur from my buddy’s magnum, you aren’t going anywhere anytime soon...”

Genuine fear coated her eyes at those words, prompting the Raider to gulp harshly, her thick bronx tone peeking through, “...I-I don’t know ‘is name! Da boss just gotta deal with some guy ta get some good gear ‘nd a fuck-ton of Jet if we crashed Megaton ‘nd da Vault. Dat’s all I know; I swears!”

James nodded, then pulled out a pair of syringes, “Med-X and a Stimpak. I ever see your face with a Raider Gang again, I’ll string you up just like the wastelanders you cut up at your gang’s base. Except I’ll do it inch by inch and as slowly as possible...”

She nodded quickly, slight tears of terror forming in the corner of her eyes.

The Lone Wanderer quickly injected the two chemical cocktails and hauled the woman to her feet, picking up a fallen Chinese Assault Rifle and shoving it into her hands, “Arefu’s just up the river, if you’re looking for a town. You’re on your own.”

She coughed once, but nodded and quickly jogged off as quickly as she could.

“And I thought Gallows was crazy from those stories about the guy...” Hacksaw muttered, walking over by the Knight’s side.

James shrugged, feeling the yank of the chemical chain lessen slightly as the roiling rollercoaster of drugs subsided to a much milder height of sensory overload, “Needed to know who the fuck thought they could take Megaton and Vault 101...”

He growled, kicking a Raider’s corpse, “Still don’t know.”

Moth nodded from off to his left, digging through the pockets of a few Raiders and pulling out things like caps and ammo. Knowing he had the right idea, given the value of most of this stuff, James sighed and went about a long-held tradition of his with Raiders...

Stripping them of anything of value, then tossing them to the creatures of the wastes.

***

“So this is where you grew up, eh?” Hacksaw asked, looking at the plain wooden door that apparently signified the entrance to James’ childhood home.

Finally having, mostly, come down from his chemical-induced rage and haze, said Lone Wanderer nodded forlornly, “Yeah. Last time I left, it wasn’t exactly under the greatest terms, but it was at least a decent note... Figured we might check on them before we headed out, y’know? I haven’t been here in...”

He sighed, “About a month or two, actually...”

Moth eye-rolled and moved towards the door, I fail to see why we’re standing around, then. If he has such fond memories of his home, then perhaps this will instead be a positive thing for him.

“Moth’s got a point; if you love the place so much, then things should be fine, right?” Hacksaw pointed out.

This earned a small smile and a nod from the Knight, “Yeah, I suppose. Whelp; time to meet the residents of Vault 101, then. Just, ah... you know the usual; let me get them to not flip out first...”

“Sure, sure; we’ll kick back by the door with the goods.” Hacksaw waved off with his hoof, leaving James to head inside.

The drone looked over at the said ‘goods’ and pulled out his clipboard, beginning to sketch out the profile of a Chinese Assault rifle, of which there were many. Alsoa amongst the pile were several other weapons that James had apparently intended to give to the residents of Vault 101 for their personal protection, as well as the leather and metal armors. The suit of powered armor and flamethrower, however, he’d taken near megaton to let Simms give to someone he’d called ‘Moira’, apparently the town’s resident trader of goods. What she’d do with a semi-ruined suit of powered armor, Moth didn’t bother to wonder. After all, he’d do several thing himself with something of that much power...

“Okay, we’re good.” the door opened to those words and the Lone Wanderer himself returning with a bit more life in his step and residual joy radiating off of him in waves.

Neither Moth nor Hacksaw commented as Hacksaw put away his clipboard and levitated several weapons and suits of armor, Moth handling another chunk and James carrying several Chinese Assault Rifles in his arms. They descended the short path to a massive hole of metal at the end of the tunnel, opening into another room, and, if James’ description was to be believed, a small town hidden underground. It almost reminded Hacksaw of the changelings of the San Palomino and the way they constructed some of their hives, though theirs were to keep the heat and cold out.

Standing near the entrance was a woman slightly smaller than James and in a jumpsuit identical to his, though shaped for a female, obviously. She had dark hair and a cautious but kind expression, with a much larger man in a similar suit next to her, though armored plates and a helmet seemed to be added to his attire.

James chuckled, “Glad to see you’re still kicking too, Gomez.”

The man, apparently Gomez, chuckled, “And you’re still getting into all kinds of craziness, James. It’s good to see you’re that same crazy kid from the Vault...”

The woman chuckled as well, walking forwards and giving the Lone Wanderer a quick hug, “It’s good to see you again, James. Things have really improved since you helped with my father like you wouldn’t believe...”

Despite the rifles in one arm, he managed to return the hug, “I bet. Oh, sorry. Hacksaw, Moth; this is Officer Gomez and Amata Almodovar.”

Moth nodded politely, leaving Moth to fly up to Amata’s level and offer his hoof to shake, “On technical behalf of the Changeling Empire, it’s a pleasure, Ms. Almodovar. Though, I do have a question I wish to ask.”

She gave him a quick nod and a hoof/handshake, “Pleasure’s all mine to meet an insect in the Waste’s that’s actually capable of talking and isn’t trying to take over the world. Shoot.”

He pointed to the Pip-Boy on her wrist, “Do you have any of those you’re willing to barter out, because after seeing James with one, I think I’d give just about anything for one...”

Technology and... Possibly Friendship?

***

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“This is possibly either one of the most powerful, or novelty items I’ve ever seen and used.” Hacksaw noted aloud, tapping between the different tabs on the Pip-Boy before him. It wasn’t on him of course, displaying its default settings of emptiness to the drone, but it nonetheless fascinated him to no end.

“Oh, hey, there you are.” he turned, seeing James in the doorway with a Nuka Cola in hand.

Hacksaw nodded, “Yeah. Decided for some solitary while the maintenance worker went to work on something called a water chip.”

“Stanley.” the Knight corrected, “And yeah, I figured he’d let you do your own thing. Most of the one-oh-one is polite enough to not ask questions when I bring in others.”

He walked over and slid into the chair beside Hacksaw’s own, “So, you’re thinking about getting a few for Chrysalis and your siblings?”

“Assuming I can get it to work. First time I slid it on the fucking thing fell off...” Hacksaw muttered in annoyance he didn’t bother to conceal, “Problems with the slanting. If I had some sort of material to stuff in...”

“Ah, I see what you mean.” James noted, looking at the medic’s legs, “The problem is that you need a glove in order to keep them working, and since Pip-Boys are made for humans...”

Hacksaw nodded, sighing in frustration, “Yeah, yeah; I know. Hooves, not hands. Anything specific it needs to be made out of?”

The Lone Wanderer shrugged, showing his own to the Changeling, “They’re specially-made, but I think we could cannibalize a few for their modules. See this top piece?” he tapped the small bump of plastic, “Don’t quote me on this, because I’m not entirely sure, but I believe it’s some kind of neural system that links into the body and acts remotely with the Pip-Boys themselves. All you need to do is have this attached and the needle on it inserted in and you should be fine...”

“Wait, needle? If you’re right, it would be needed, but... wouldn’t that be uncomfortable?” the maintenance drone asked, looking up from the infernal device to James.

James, likewise, shrugged, “Not that I can feel. Nobody’s ever complained about them...”

“Right... Well, I managed to trade for this one, but I don’t know if I have enough caps for others, so I suppose this will be Mother’s...” the Changeling noted, “Speaking of her; they’re about a ten minute distance from the Citadel. Figured I’d keep you in the loop...”

***

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“So, that’s the Citadel...?” Chrysalis muttered to herself as she looked over the vast concrete walls of the Brotherhood’s fortress.

Indeed, the mighty building that was the Brotherhood’s Citadel loomed before them down river; a decaying monolith of metal and concrete. To the Changeling Queen, it was much like a hive; strong, sturdy, and likely older than those who lived there now. The light of the setting sun seemed to make it all the more majestic, in a way. Shades of purple and orange put the concrete into a state of soft twilight hues against the grey in a way that evoked a sense of calm for the Changeling Queen.

“Yeah.” the Queen of the Changelings’ ear idly flicked at the sound of Sentinel Lyons voice so close to her, “The Citadel has been under Brotherhood control for... about twenty-two years now. Originally it was the United States Pentagon, but after the bombs fell and the Brotherhood moved here in fifty-three, we converted the place over to act as our base of operations. It’s not perfect by any means, but it protects us from just about anything short of an army of Super Mutants. That, and, of course, the technology left behind. That alone drew us in like moths to flame...”

“Is that a joke at my expense, Sentinel?” Chrysalis idly teased, a slight grin parting her lips even as she continued to watch the massive structure from her place on the second floor of the Duchess Gambit.

Lyons chuckled, “Maybe. Any word on James? Durga would likely be pretty pissed if she knew that her best supplier had ended up killed by a handful of Raiders.” despite the light heartedness, Chrysalis could all but taste the worry and anxiety flowing from the Sentinel, small as it may have been.

“He’s fine. Hacksaw and Moth informed me about twenty minutes ago of their victory, and that they’ll be leaving shortly after returning to Megaton. Something about a gift from Vault one-oh-one, but beyond that, it is... fuzzy...” the Changeling Queen replied simply. Then, attempting to cheer up the Sentinel, “Besides, given what I’ve heard of and seen James do, are you really that surprised that he could handle a handful of Raiders?”

Again, a chuckle from the younger Lyons, though this time the hint of worry was devoid of her emotions, “No, I suppose not.” they stood in silence a moment, before, Chrysalis’ ear twitched again, though this time it was over a minor internal debate on revealing the nature of two of her children, if not the entire Swarm, when the question was popped, “What do you mean by ‘fuzzy’ anyway?”

Eventually, she threw caution to the wind over one of many truths being cast into the fire of trust, “Hacksaw and Moth are... different. Moth especially so. Their strength within the Hivemind is weaker, more disconnected. At long distances, image and thoughts fade in clarity to just generalized versions of the big picture...”

“Any ideas why?” the Changeling Queen bit her lip at this question. Apparent of her anxiety, the Sentinel backpedaled, “If it’s personal, I understa-”

Chrysalis waved a hoof dismissively, “No, no; it is fine. The problem is that I don’t even know myself.” she admitted casually.

Another short pause formed between them for a moment, likely for the Sentinel to bring up a possibility. Finally, she asked, almost tentatively, “So, like a birth defect?

Well, that was at least a new idea, “What? No! What I mean is that I can not simple remember I have a piece of my memories locked away.”

“What.” the word didn’t carry the tone of a question. More of pure shock, actually, which radiated off of the leader of the Lyons Pride like heat. It took the Changeling Queen a moment to both remember that humans were ignorant of magic, and to figure out how to properly phrase the function of a Memory Spell.

She finally sighed, “A spell that blocks off memories, for whatever reason is needed. I don’t know why it is there exactly, but if I ever need to open up a serious case of buck flank on someone, I just need to, quite easily, might I add, tear it down.

She could all but feel Lyons eyes blink behind her helmet as she glanced up at the woman. Finally, the one question that had apparently came to the human’s mind was spoken, “Buck flank?”

Chrysalis chuckled at the question. Cultural differences could be quite hilarious at times. She answered with four simple words of translation, “Kick ass, to humans.”

***

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“Well, that was... enlightening.” Hacksaw muttered to himself, the usual crunch of his hooves on gravel beneath his left forehoof now muted slightly by the ‘glove’ of his new Pip-Boy.

James nodded, his head still spinning slightly, at least in the metaphorical sense, “Yeah... Who knew Stanley had so much knowledge about the 3000 A models...”

After several Pip-Boy related acts involving haggling with Amata for enough for all of the Changelings, getting a crash course in how to wire a Pip-Boy for Changeling DNA reading and altering, and surprisingly sewing, the two Changelings and one not-quite-man had left Vault 101. Somehow, they all had accomplished what they had intended. James had caught up with and supplied his old friends, Hacksaw had emerged with enough re-wired Pip-Boys for his mother and siblings, and Moth had found a bottle of Whiskey. From there, he had decided to indulge himself in the fine art of drinking alcohol straight from the bottle. Hacksaw, strangely, had not said a word about it. James waited until they were further into the tunnel to the outside before questioning this.

“Aren’t you worried about Moth?” he finally asked as the trio made it about three quarters of the way out of Vault 101 entirely.

Hacksaw shielded his eyes with a groan as the Lone Wanderer pushed open the door to the outside, “Why? Do you know how much alcohol an average Changeling can hold before they start to truly feel the effects of alcohol usually reserved for large quantities consumed by ponies and apparently humans alike?”

“No, but didn’t you say that was his first drink in a long, long while?” the Knight asked as he lowered his own light-shielding hand.

Moth stumbled slightly as he passed between the two, keeping his balance surprisingly well for someone who just drank an entire bottle of Whiskey. the tongue-less changeling hiccuped slightly, but waved the Lone Wanderer off.

The medical drone shrugged, his tongue poking out slightly as he thought, “Average drone can handle around... what proof was that whiskey?”

“One hundred.” James noted, having remembered it upon finding the stealthier, mute drone with the bottle.

Hacksaw blinked, surprise at this fact unmasked completely, “Oh, then he’s fine. Were it higher, I would be worried, but if anything he’s just going to have a headache in a few hours. Changelings can handle it for a time, but hangovers hit us harder than ponies, that’s for sure...”

“Ah... So Moth’s a lightweight?” James then realized fully what he had just heard, “Wait, no. Back up. How can you handle that much alcohol to begin with? Even I get pretty roughed up with even a bottle of that stuff...”

Hacksaw shrugged as he pulled one of his Auto Rollers out of his dimensional pocket and began slipping it on, pulling a piece of the hoof holds down to slip his forehoof inside, “Genetics and adaptation, mostly. before we had to move into the big cities to gather emotions, frontier towns and caravans were the quickest food source in terms of love. As you can imagine, alcohol came with the culture back then, and even now. It’s not hard to see how things went from there...”

“How long have the Changelings been around, to be adapted to just alcohol?” the Knight asked as they crested the hill to Megaton and quickly approaching the gates.

The medic stopped, having slid all of his Auto Rollers by then, and brought a hoof to his chin, “Changeling Queens live around a thousand years, give or take a few centuries... so... Mother’s hive has been around for over ten thousand years, at least. Like I said before, I’m not the one to ask about these things relating to our hive. I’m medical and maintenance, not history.”

James paused to consider this, “...You’re... a surprisingly young race. Unless the history books I’ve managed to find are entirely false, Humanity’s been around for... at least fifty thousand? Something similar, if not older, I believe. Depends on if you’re talking about Homo Sapien Sapiens, or just Homo Sapiens...”

Hacksaw blinked, clearly caught off guard by the remark, “Wait, history books?” but apparently for reasons the Lone Wanderer was not expecting.

“Yeah, I manage to find books all ove- Gah!” he was cut off by a fully-armored Changeling slamming into his chest.

“Where?!” despite the volume of it, Hacksaw’s voice held within it a hint of joy and excitement James had, until that point of course, never seen before in the drone, “Have you found any medical texts?! Publishings on human medicine like setting broken limbs?! ANYTHING?!”

The Knight rolled the drone off of him, his ears ringing slightly from that last, very loud, word. He coughed slightly, “Blugh... Calm down, Hack! Jeesh, I’m reinforced with cybernetics, not a Super Mutant in Power Armor...”

He could faintly hear the sound of hacking coughs and hiccups from Hacksaw and Moth respectively, shortly before, “Alright... alright... My bad, but... just... do you have any idea how long it has been since I’ve had new informa-?”

James placed a hand over the medic’s muzzle, like hitting a snooze button on an alarm clock and just leaving his hand there for a moment. For a few seconds, silence reigned, and the Lone Wanderer could think in peace on how to explain the situation regarding any and all relevant literature in the Capital Wasteland...

A faint hiccup sounded beneath his palm; the muzzle of the drone, “Uh... James? That’s Moth.”

***

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“And you are sure that it was her?” Celestia did her best to keep a level tone before the two stallions standing at-attention before her.

Internally, however, she was reeling in shock. If what the two before her said was true, not just Celestia herself, but possibly the six elemental bearers, even Equestria itself, could be in danger. Maybe not immediately, but given enough time and planning...

Her lips formed a thin line of worry as Brass Cloud spoke, “It is, your highness. We have confirmed appearances and all, even looked at them through a Magical Eye. It is Queen Chrysalis and her Elite Guard.”

Celestia slowly let out a long, weary sigh, “Faust... Then with the attack on Canterlot, we can only assume that the Changeling Empire has broken its treaty with the Equestrian Kingdom...” she could easily see the two of her little ponies tensing, “However, if they do not know of our presence here, we must act with caution. there might be a reason Chrysalis has disregarded the contract her mother and I signed all those years ago, or why she has chosen to apparently ally herself with this... Brotherhood of Steel...”

Long Shot cleared his throat, “Of course, your highness. Shall we continue operations as planned?”

The solar princess shook her head slightly, ‘No... I want you to fall back to Equestria and inform Luna that the prisoners from the invasion are to be treated as refugees until such time as we have more information on this matter. We can not risk stepping on any Changeling hooves and provoking a war with the hives. If they die, word will likely spread like wildfire.”

“And me, your highness?” the slightly filtered voice of the pegasus beside the unicorn questioned.

She turned to Brass Cloud, his features nearly concealed entirely beneath his mask and suit, “Brass Cloud, I want you to get closer to Chrysalis and her allies. Infiltration of the ranks is permitted, but I am strictly prohibiting you to use force against any of them.”

“At your command, your highness.” he muttered, shortly followed by Long Shot giving a similar word of acknowledgement. With that, the pegasus took flight and flew southeast, gaining altitude to avoid being seen clearly from the ground.

“We must tread carefully on all fronts, Long Shot.” Celestia whispered lowly, “This planet is not the Equis we know. Its inhabitants are a powerful race of creators that surpass even those of Tartarus...”

“Of course, your highness.” she turned to him, seeing a small frown upon his lips as he walked off.

“Something on your mind, my little pony?” she asked, causing the stallion to stop but a few hoofsteps away, his back to her.

Long Shot sighed, and when he spoke, it seemed very old and weary, “Your highness... I’ve served you for many, many years. Until only recently I had no dealings with you directly, and I feel I must ask... have things really changed within a thousand years, that the Changelings are so mistrusted where once they were our allies?”

Celestia bowed her head slightly, “Unfortunately, yes. New kings and queens have risen in the shadows of their parents, and not all of them are so strong or loyal as their parents. The invasion of Canterlot has only solidified this. I’m sorry, Long Shot, but it is the truth. We can not afford to provoke them, but at the same time we can not trust them as we did so long ago... or at least, not all of them. Not without finding out more about what has happened since we parted ways after Discord was sealed away the first time...”

The stallion turned around, his head hung low and a look of shame and uncertainty on his face, “...Very well, your highness. Then I pray that you are wrong, and that there is more behind these events than simply blind greed...”

Celestia nodded with as much conviction as she could muster, “As do I, Long Shot.” she then turned around, thinking their conversation over.

“One, last thing, your highness.” he said, drawing her attention enough to warrant turning her neck around to look at him, “I feel I should warn you that if violent action is taken, that one of her guards... Well... it’s Moth, ma’am. Hacksaw too.”

The solar princess didn’t bother to keep her eyes from widening, “What? Here?!”

The unicorn gulped, “Uh, yeah. Brass and I IDed them during observations. Even left a couple of gifts from orders the Forgemasters under specific instructions, I assume for him and his siblings, if we were to ever find him again. It was mostly a slim hope, but...”

Celestia attempted to regain control of her breath, not realizing until then that it had sped up slightly. She swallowed a lump in her throat, then nodded, “Very well. If one of the Tartarus Forgers has gotten out without our knowledge and become a member of his old hive under a new queen... we must proceed with the utmost care in being absolutely sure of their intentions before we act.” he nodded, “Though, I have to ask. What exactly did you give them?”

Long Shot coughed slightly, “Well, ah, funny thing about that... The forgemasters had us leave one of those portable supercomputers and a Vorpal-Pattern Combat Knife, y’know those Vorpal Blades with the magical power fields we modeled after that old story?”

Celestia’s rapidly beating heart slowed a bit, “Ah. So just something essential for self defense and light entertainment, then. I had thought you had done something mad like deliver a suit of powered armor to him...”

“Eh, we figured it was too heavy to lug around his old suit on our travels.” he clearly joked, and indeed, the mood seemed to loosen a bit upon the realization that the two old warriors hadn’t just given their old acquaintance the power to level a city block, “Speaking of gifts for old friends, however. When news of the portal to this place reached our ears, I thought it fitting to bring you something from home.”

Long Shot rummaged around in his bag a bit, pulling out a small strong box devoid of any markings, “Just a little something.” he levitated it over, easily allowing Celestia to take it in her own magical grasp.

She smiled, “Thank you, Long Shot. Give Luna my regards, alright?” he nodded curtly, then turned and trotted off.

The smile slipped from Celestia’s lips as he crested the next hill over. She set the box down before her and sighed with grim finality, What a fine mess we’re in now...

Slowly, she levitated the strong box’ lid open, sitting down to gaze upon her little ponies aiding the Enclave below, as they had been since arriving. As she looked at the contents within, a small, barely perceptible smile graced her lips once more. Nestled within sat a small hoof full of chocolates molded in the shape of miniature suns and moons; the sign of the highly-priced pieces modeled after the cutie marks of the two royal sisters, commonly referred to as Canterlot Royals. Along with them, a single bottle of orange soda with the faded label of Manehatten Orange Industries sat atop a faded blue cloth. Next to it, several lumps of... something, lay hidden beneath the cool colored material.

Celestia chuckled slightly, a low sound of genuine happiness at the gift, “Heh... always the thoughtful one, Corporal...”

She levitated the bottle and its cloth up, and for the second time, the smile slipped from her lips. For within, a simple revolver, a familiar revolver, lie underneath, a pair of cylinders and various bullets, once covered and held in relative place by the cloth, rolled slightly, “...Always the thoughtful one...”

***

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“Switch these pieces around here, replace this, load a new microfusion cell...” Twilight muttered to herself in a half-breath, “Aaaand that should do it!”

“Huh. Thank you, ma’am.” the Enclave trooper replied as he took the refurbished plasma rifle from the unicorn’s magical grip.

It had been almost two days since she and the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony, her closest friends, had accompanied the Princess to this strange new world in the wake of the Changeling Queen’s spell, opening a portal to... apparently Earth, the inhabitants, humans, had called it. Where the Queen was, Twilight had no idea, but with her had disappeared a small number of her force. In addition, her spell, unknown beyond something akin to a teleportation spell of some kind, had nullified that of her brother, Shining Armor, and his bride; her old foalsitter, Princess Cadence.

After arriving under a powerful shielding spell cast by the Princess. the seven had quickly discovered the Enclave and taken up a sort of alliance and residence with them, at least until the Princess could get everything sorted out. The time had given the six friends the ability to slowly soften up to and help the humans, and while they were highly militaristic and brutal defenders of their home, they were certainly kind when out of combat.

At least, some of them were. Most had adopted the same stance as that of a Royal Guard to fraternization; dead silence and slight glances. Thankfully, she’d found company with the Enclave’s quartermaster, a well-meaning man by the last name of Hughes. Since they’d met, and she had began questioning about the Enclave’s technology, the two had become fast friends, with Twilight helping the Quartermaster to repair damaged weapons and armor while he explained what was at her clearance level, which was just about anything short of the heavier ordnance such as the devices called Fat Mans and Missile Launchers, or the heavy Gatling Lasers, though not their large battery-backpacks; massive energy-holding devices that infinitely fascinated the studious mare as much as just about every other piece of technology that came across her eyes.

“Huh. It’s getting late.” the Quartermaster noted, sliding the rifle back into its spot alongside its fellows in the impromptu officer-turned-armory, “I’ll be turning in soon, Miss Sparkle. I trust you’ll be fine on the rest of the base?”

“Of course, Mister Hughes. Thank you again for letting me look over all of this technology. It’s... fascinating...” the purple unicorn noted, “Albeit incredibly... violent.”

“Apologies, ma’am, but we are in the armory of a highly militarized government base, small as it is. We need all we can to defend ourselves out here in the wastes. We’re just barely scraping by now after we lost our main base to... unforeseen, enemies.”

“Classified enemies to Equestrians. So I’ve heard.” Twilight sighed with a hint of a deadpan expression on her face, “I understand the possible shame and degradation of troop moral, but is it really necessary, Quartermaster?”

“Honestly, ma’am? I have no idea. I was on patrol near the Potomac when things went down at Adams. I’ve always served just to follow my orders and keep a stable life going, or at the very least as stable as one can get in America now.” he noted with a bit of embarrassment, rubbing his armored hand on the back of his silvery-grey haired head, “My apologies, but I honestly don’t know. Maybe one of the older guys could explain it in some detail without breaking protocol, but they don’t really tell the trooper who’s responsible for their gear and little else anything of over importance...”

“No, no, it’s fine, Mister Hughes. Sorry for the criticism, but... well, Equestria hasn’t had any form of invasion in a few hundred years. Being around so much violence and militarized strength and discipline can be... jarring. I don’t know about the others, but I just try to keep a cool head by learning all that I can about your culture and technology...” Twilight apologized quickly with a slight blush.

“I understand, Ma’am. It seemed your friends have been finding their own ways to cope as well.” he muttered, motioning to the window.

The purple unicorn walked over by him, raising an eyebrow as she stood up on the tips of her back hooves, front ones leaning on the window sill. A small smile graced her lips, the first in a while actually, at seeing the handiwork below, Applejack...

The garden below, once barely alive and wilted, was now thriving with life and bearing all kinds of fruits and vegetables, from tomatoes to potatoes, to corn, and several other harvestable plants, “Your friends sure know how to farm. I don’t think I’ve seen food that healthy since deployment out West...”

The Quartermaster yawned suddenly, “Ugh... excuse me, Miss Sparkle. Have a good night.”

“You too, Mister Hughes.” Twilight replied, turning back to the window.

Her thoughts began to drift as the sound of mechanized feet drifted off, Maybe my assumption about humans, or at least the Enclave, was wrong...

This one thought had been festering around in her mind since arrival. The Enclave had seemed a bit too hostile for her original liking, but after meeting the Quartermaster...

She concluded that she should take it with a grain of salt; they were a sentient race vastly different from ponies or anything similar. They were likely to be widely varying, if the size of this nation, this America, was anything close to the scale that she’d been told. It didn’t outclass Equestria in size by any means, but it was still quite admirable... and wasn’t even the full continent at that...

With a slight sigh, Twilight Sparkle turned away from the window and began to trot back to the room she and the others shared for some much-needed rest. Despite being more peaceful than she expected, such knowledge about humans, limited as it was, had all but fried her brain to anything else.

She needed a nice, long, good night’s sleep.

***

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“Hey. Hack, Moth; you two going to sleep sometime or what?” James called downstairs, leaning over the rails. A Nuka Cola was hanging loosely in one hand, with a .308 caliber round hanging in his right.

Hacksaw glanced up at the knight for a moment, then held up one of his Industrial Diggers, “We’ll be up for a few hours. I’m trying to convert the power source in these to work off of microfusion cells.”

He then looked over at Moth, who was holding up a bladed device similar to the ones on The Duchess Gambit. An idea forming in his head, the drone looked back up at the man, “Hey, you mind if Moth and I use a couple of blades from those saw-like weapons? I have an idea.”

“You’re going to put Auto-Axe blades on your diggers, aren’t you?” James asked with a cross between fascination and a deadpanned stare.

“Probably. I just need the inner teeth to stay sharp, so the issue of dulling is minor enough to be, in fact, a virtual non-issue...” before he could elaborate further, the knight waved his hand dismissively.

“Use what you need, but don’t disassemble my Mauler or Man Opener. I still need the originals until I can work both into something similar to an armor-tearing weapon of high-speed death without having to rely on microfusion or small energy cells.” with that, James disappeared back over the railing, “G’night guys. Wadsworth.”

“Have a pleasant night, sir.” the Mister Handy replied, he himself floating down the stairway.

Hacksaw turned back to his diggers, looking at the small containers of love lying nearby. As if on cue, his stomach rumbled, drawing a sigh from the drone. He tapped his stomach for silence, “Soon. I still have to rig up the proper wiring... something that would let me change out the cells quickly...”

“Might I suggest the use of the power supply system of several Gauss Rifles for your experiment, Master Hacksaw?” Wadsworth noted as he floated by, “Given master LeBlanc noted the use of anything for your experiment, and all.”

“...Can’t hurt, I suppose. At the very least I won’t have to work on it from scratch.” the medical and maintenance drone muttered to himself, “Very well. If you wouldn’t mind, Wadsworth.”

“Of course, sir.” the robot replied simply, moving over to a locker and pulling out four of the devices within his tractor beam.

Hacksaw smiled slightly as Moth walked back into the room, a bottle of Whiskey in a levitation spell, “Perfect.”

***

“It’s bigger than I had imagined.” Cocoon noted as she flew off of The Duchess Gambit to the crude dock before the Brotherhood’s Citadel-hive. She held her Missile Launcher over one foreleg with a hoof and a bit of telekinesis, eyes tracing over the concrete shell, “Still fairly sound and easy to protect, even for all of the damage...”

“Indeed. I can see now why you chose this location as your headquarters.” Steel agreed from the heavy ordinance drone’s left, turning his head back to look at the Sentinel, “It is a marvelous hive, even by Changeling standards.”

Cocoon quickly fell in step with the commander as they began to walk, though the conversation between him, the Sentinel, and her mother faded past her as little more than a dull whisper in the back of her mind. Between the backpack, now nearly spent regardless, and the missile launcher, she was looking forward to a chance to rest and sleep without fear of an ambush on the shore.

Beside her, Cicada was bouncing and buzzing happily a moment before she struck up conversation with the Cocoon and kept up her antics, “Isn’t this great sis?! Ooo, I bet once we get things explained we can find plenty of emotions in there. I’m staaaaaaarving, since we haven’t had midday meal...”

Cicada was about to respond, before a glint caught the corner of her eye, near the Citadel’s gates. Perhaps a few yards to the left of the massive door itself, “Hey, Cicada. You see that shining thing over by the door?”

“Huh?” the bubbly drone followed her gaze, “Yyyyyeah I think. That glimmering box wedged between a couple of rocks?”

As they were still moving, Cocoon realized that her sister was indeed right. The glimmer was, in fact, a metal case of some kind, wedged between a pair of rocks like it had been placed there on purpose, and likely was. As they got closer to the door, Cicada bounced off and over to the case, the commander paying no mind and her mother still talking with the Sentinel. Sighing, the heavy ordinance drone buzzed after her sister, who now had her forehooves wrapped around the case’s handle and was attempting to pull it from between the two sections of rock that held it together, “C’mon... Cicy wants to see why someone would leave a perfectly good case lying outside of a hive...”

As if on cue, the stone ground against the case a split-second before Cicada went flying off, the force throwing her off-balance with such a surprise that even buzzing her wings didn’t help, sending her tumbling across the worn concrete head-over-hooves. The case itself went flying off in another direction, and there was a loud CLANG! before the sound of a distinctly male voice yelling, “What the Hell was that?!”

“I believe, Glade, that that was a case hitting you square in the head.” Cocoon could practically feel her mother’s mirth coming off of each word.

“Yeah, I noticed.” Cocoon, however, wasn’t paying much attention at that point, nor at the annoyed look that would likely be coming from the fellow heavy weapons expert.

Instead, she was focused on Cicada, who was currently dazed and delirious, Did anyone catch the name of that Behemoth?

Or just her normal self. The heavy ordinance drone sighed externally and trotted over to the younger drone, setting her missile launcher down long enough to help the still-dizzy Cicada to her hooves, You okay sis?

Cicada shook her head swiftly, likely to reassert some sense of perspective, before nodding, “Yep!”

If you are both unharmed, girls? both turned to see their mother with the case in her levitating grip, the Sentinel talking with the only unhelmeted brotherhood member at the gates. Slowly, the massive door in front of them began to raise via the massive machine above. Both drones nodded and began to follow the Pride and the rest of their siblings, though Cocoon’s ears folded back in a small bit of shame at the event.

Cicada, for her part, didn’t seem to show any signs of distress, going back to her normally bouncy and carefree self. Cocoon shook her head slightly, passing the gates and allowing them to lower back into place, I don’t think I shall ever understand how you can do that...

Do what, sis? Cicada fell back in step beside the heavy ordinance drone.

Be... just so carefree about all of this? The rest of us are either scared or trying to get to the salvation of this place, and you haven’t shown any negative emotion since day one. a few thoughts began to form from those of their siblings ahead, but many quashed the comments immediately, if not out of respect, then out of courtesy,or perhaps curiosity, to let Cicada voice her thoughts on it.

Oh, that’s easy. I do it so that I can keep going. Cocoon nearly tripped, the thought catching her off-guard and causing her to stumble for a step or two before righting herself. Cicada went on in spite of this, I’ve always been trying to keep everyone’s spirits high in the swarm, sis, but... its not just for them. I feel like if I lose hope, I’m just going to drag everyone else down with me and stop, lay down, and not want to get back up. If I can at least try to stay optimistic and keep my eyes on the prize, then I just know that I’ll be able to make it, and that I can see our family again...

That was... somewhat profound, sister. Steel’s thoughts echoed to them, I never thought that was why you were so... excited, all of the time.

Cicada chuckled visibly, Aw, thanks bro. I figure someone was going to ask eventually, so I might as well have a speech planned. I actually get a lot of time to think on my hooves when I’ve cheered everyone up and passed out the rations...

Before their conversation could continue further, they passed through the doors of the Citadel, arriving inside of the large courtyard that made up its center. All around them, equipment and and smaller buildings lay, though something puzzled Cocoon, Cicada, and even their mother, who voiced their collective question aloud, “Where is everyone?”

***

“Asleep, most likely.” the Sentinel answered, “Lights out was a few hours ago, but we were so close to the Citadel I figured it wouldn’t be a problem. If you want, I know there should be a few empty beds you can use. I’ll be sure to speak with Elder Lyons in the morning so that we can get everything sorted out.”

Chrysalis nodded, content with the answer and calming down the minds of what children were with her, “Very well. If you would lead the way, Sentinel.”

And with that, they crossed the courtyard and descended into the Citadel itself, climbing down stairwells and through hallways. Unlike the courtyard, the halls were fairly clean and organized, with several brotherhood members, likely the night watchmen and women, standing near doorways. Despite their arrival, few gave the Changelings a visible look behind their helmets. Nonetheless, Chrysalis could feel eyes on her as she passed, and quickened her pace to keep step with the Pride.

Finally, they arrived in a room lined with cots, most of which were surprisingly empty, save a small handful at the other end of the room. Sentinel Lyons gave her a quick nod, “Make yourselves at home.”

Immediately after those words, Cicada bounced onto the closest bed and shrugged off her pack before pulling a blanket over herself and falling asleep with little more than the thought of a good night before drifting to sleep. Chrysalis couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the antics of her daughter. Cocoon joined her for a brief moment, before taking the bed beside her sister and setting her missile launcher against the wall with her own pack, then crawling under the blankets.

One by one, the Changelings and Pride members peeled back their supplies and armor to sleep, until only Chrysalis was left awake amongst the Changelings, forelegs behind her head as she rolled the events of the last two days around within her own mind once again.

She sighed, knowing that for now, she could once again do nothing more but wait and watch, or in this case, sleep. In the past three days alone she had invaded a nation, been sent to another planet, and actually killed for the first time in years. It left her drained, both in body and in mind, to the point where she was forcing herself to keep her eyelids open.

Eventually, exhaustion wore out over worry, and her mind drifted off into much-needed sleep. Somewhere in the back of her mind, the Changeling Queen knew she would need it, and might even be unable to find it in later days...

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Current Objectives (Chrysalis)

Find a way back to the Swarm

Sleep. You have a feeling you’re going to need it.

New Objectives (Hacksaw)

(Optional) Finish your projects

Get to the Citadel

New Objectives (Twilight)

Get some shut-eye

Brotherhood Blues, Greys, and Reds

***

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“Hack. Hey. Hacksaw!” the hyper intelligent, for his species anyway, Changeling groaned, pressing his hooves over his ears.

It’s too early Mother... Five more minutes... he attempted, hoping to placate the voice.

“Hack, seriously. Get up, or I’m not letting you use my tools again.” that voice... was not his Mother’s, the drone realized slowly.

Actually, it was too masculine; something he normally attributed to memories locked away. Ones that re-surfaced on rare occasion. No, it was...

“Master James, sir, I do believe he’s still in heavy R-E-M sleep.” at the sound of the synthetic second voice, Hacksaw quickly realized that he wasn’t being spoken to by his Mother, let alone any siblings.

He sat bolt upright, quickly regretting the action as a wave of nausea and a throbbing pain in the back of his skull hoof-slapped him. It was a feeling he had not felt since a time during excessive alcohol consumption at a meeting of the major Swarms across Equestria and beyond, and accidentally hitting on Cocoon. Yet another reason he was glad Changelings didn’t possess genitalia in the same way that Ponies did.

A muffled sound entered his ears, but he could barely understand it. The volume was too high for his dehydrated brain. Desperate, he let out a low whisper, “Quiet...”

“Yeesh, how bad of a hangover do you have, Hack?” the voice from before spoke quietly. Definitely James that time.

Hacksaw slowly opened his eyelids, “Is there a motorcycle in the house?”

The Lone Wanderer’s blurred face came into existence within his limited field of vision, “Uh, yeah...”

“Then very. Hang on...” the Changeling idly fumbled with his hoof, attempting to connect into his pocket dimension. After a moment, he found enough purchase to slip inside, pulling out a small pill with a bright green coating.

“For the hangover, I take it?” James’ voice had gotten further away now, though it felt more like a slight yell than a whisper.

Hacksaw set his jaw, attempting to raise his voice without shattering his chitin, “Yeah...”

He promptly shoved the pill into his jaw and dry-swallowed, instant relief flooding his body and mind to devour the pain and nausea. Within moments, he was able to open his eyes fully and speak without a sledgehammer splitting the hardened plates of his skull. He heard James’ voice behind him again, “Better?”

The medical drone nodded turning to see the Knight with a bottle of water in-hand,“Better. Any property damage?”

“Nope, though the motorcycle is made from a small chunk of my scrap supplies. How did you rig the thing up, anyway?” the Lone Wanderer asked as he walked past him.

It took Hacksaw a moment to realize that he was sitting in a pile of scrap metal and whiskey bottles. Pulling himself out enough to take flight, he followed James to a round table with three chairs, one of which was occupied by Moth. The maintenance drone shrugged in answer to the question, “Drunk science.”

“What?” the Knight’s face was the picture of confusion, an eyebrow cocked like the hammer of a revolver, except it wouldn’t sign someone’s death certificate. Or maybe it could, considering his semi-artificial body. Hacksaw filed that thought away for later questioning.

The Changeling visibly sighed was his mind was brought back to the question, “Basically, its what happens when Moth and I touch alcohol at the same time. Well, mostly myself. I always get crazy ideas when I’m drunk, and usually am able to make them a reality. Don’t ask me how it works, because honestly I don’t know. Its like there’s an entire system of my brain that works when alcohol is ingested or something. Half the time my inventions are actually fairly useful, like that motorcycle.”

To emphasize his point, Hacksaw pointed to the machine lying against the small bookshelves across the room, the table and its chairs having replaced the work bench for the moment. It was a fully-built motorcycle; one of many husks spread throughout the Capital Wasteland, except it was repaired to look as if it had just been built. Said two-wheeled transport was complete with an all-grey paintjob and a Vault 101 logo on each side of the gas tank, a pair of holsters on each side set in a way that, for an average human anyway, it wouldn’t get in the way of the legs. The back piece, instead of the usual metal setup, was outfitted with a second seat, a series of bars along the side allowing for bags to be clipped to the motorcycle’s frame.

COMPLETED (Hacksaw): (Optional) Finish your projects

Moth hiccuped, lifting his head up from the table enough so that one single orb was able to look out at the human and his sibling, There’s also a severed head in the fridge. And it still talks. And is alive. I really need to stop drinking with you.

“Yes, yes you do.” Hacksaw noted. Before he could mention the severed head, he heard the sound of a fridge door being opened, and turned to see Wadsworth in the general location of the fridge, presumably having opened it to retrieve breakfast for the three. He could just barely hear the slight Prance accented voice over the jets of the golem-like machine, “Kill me.”

“Later.” the posh voice of the Mister Handy stated, shortly before closing the fridge and floating over to the trio, several ingredients in the glow of his tractor beams.

In a somewhat impressive display of mechanical dexterity and timing, he’d managed to open several packages and toast a few slices of bread, cook half a dozen eggs, and fry bacon, as well as the application of what hacksaw assumed was Brahmin-based butter. Once the quick display was over and the unused ingredients and trash hovered in two different beams, Wadsworth served each a platter of eggs, bacon, and toast, with the vials of love from Hacksaw’s Industrial Diggers for the two Changelings.

While Hacksaw normally didn’t partake in non-Changeling cuisine, due to the fact that it was much too filling for little to no nutritional value, he decided that, for once, he was going to indulge himself. In a quick two-shot slam that would make even the fastest drunkard proud, the medical and maintenance drone picked up the two shots of love and threw them down his throat with a lightning-quick flash of movement. He then slammed them down and licked his lips before levitating a fork and knife James had been patiently holding out to him. The entire series of actions took a small handful of seconds between picking up the vials and slicing into his eggs.

The Lone Wanderer whistled slightly, “Pretty fast. How long is that going to last you two?”

“Couple days tops if we didn’t use spells or move much, but in practical terms, about a day or so.” Hacksaw answered with a shrug, before taking a bite of his food, “This is some good stuff. Thanks Wadsworth.”

“My pleasure, Master Hacksaw.” the handyman accepted as it floated by a second time.

James, meanwhile, was nibbling on a piece of toast and looking over the motorcycle with a cryptic eye. Moth was somewhat silent, though a couple of thoughts regarding the events to come formed into his mind, and Hacksaw shared in the ideas. In all likelyhood they would be heading back to Mother soon, who would likely be waiting for their arrival before she went to speak to the Brotherhood of Steel’s King. Er, leader. Elder, was the word the Lyons’ Pride had used.

After a few minutes of eating, the drone broke the silence, “So I take it we’re heading to the Citadel after this?”

The Knight nodded, chasing his food with a swig of water before replying, “I’ll need to make a couple of stops on the way, but basically, yeah. I’ve got a few friends to visit, caps to distribute, and foodstuffs to deliver, since I’ve not been on a run for a while. Should be a simple loop around the Wasteland from Arefu around to Project Purity. Hey, did you ever hook up the auxiliary batteries in the motorcycle?”

“Not that I can remember, why?” Hacksaw questioned, taking a bite of bacon.

James smirked slightly, “Because I think I can solve the need for gas and make our trip go faster for a longer distance...”

***

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Celestia woke effortlessly, her mind practically ticking down the seconds before she’d deemed it a proper time to awaken. Lifetimes of mental training had earned herself and her sister this skill, so that as soon as one raised or lowered their respective celestial body, the other would be able to pick up the slack with mere seconds between control. Well, that and other, more grim reasons, but the former was what she kept telling herself, and often what its purpose was used for. In recent times, anyway.

She cracked her eyes open a fraction of an inch, seeing that Applejack and Fluttershy had already left, likely off to help with the Enclave’s crops or some such. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were just now leaving, talking avidly about a party of sorts for the Enclave troopers. As the door opened, young Rainbow Dash immediately flew out and stopped just outside of the room, posing a question to the two, “Hey, uh, shouldn’t we wake Twilight and the Princess?”

“Oh, I don’t think we should wake them, darling. Twilight was up for quite a while with a friend in the offices. Something about,” the fashionista unicorn shivered slightly, “Weapons and armor or something. Dreadful color scheme, honestly. Too intimidating; like a demon from Tartarus or some such.”

“I guess...” the prismatic mare shrugged, quickly dropping the subject.

The three left swiftly, leaving Celestia to mull the event over as the blast doors slid closed. Rarity was obviously both intimidated and somewhat agitated by the highly militarized organization, but the Princess of the Sun had already accounted for that during the course of yesterday. All things considered, she was doing fairly well, all of them were, by distracting themselves in whatever ways they could. Celestia herself was used to the military sucked-in-chests of warriors with far more pride than the remnants of a dying organization anyway. Generally more creative weapon as well, but that was from several years of experience on her part.

The irony of that statement hit her as her thoughts drifted back to the six element bearers and close friends. True, she was immortal in one of the acutest sense of the term, but they were just mares; regular ponies. Soft, fleshy beings who would likely not live to even see a fraction of the time she had. Yet she had asked them to put themselves in the line of fire and jump head-first into an alien world not even she had seen until now. Not to mention the massive amounts of radiation once they had arrived...

Celestia bit her lip slightly, I shouldn’t have brought them here...

They were innocents to the ways of war. Even Twilight, scholar that she was, had only read but a few novels on military tactics and common Equestrian presentation when the subject of her brother had crossed her mind prior to leaving for Ponyville, and Celestia doubted she’d read much else on the subject. War, violence, and the way of the gun were things that existed in myths and legends throughout Equestria proper, or were spoken of in hushed whispers when talk of the other nations was brought up.

Griffins, Dragons, even Changelings knew it better, and it was for that reason that she had signed and brokered as many deals and peace treaties as possible in her endless life, to ensure that her little ponies weren’t driven into a wholesale slaughter should the thought of war be brought up.

And it’s all my fault to begin with. she noted with a twinge of guilt, If I had just kept the Army around instead of relying on the Guard. Maybe... we could’ve been more prepared...

It was a thoughtless notion that had been circling the solar Alicorn’s mind for hours on end, even subconsciously, since the Changeling Invasion had begun. That little ‘what if’ that many often experienced, What if the Forgemasters and Officers were right? What if I really have sealed the fate of millions... Not just in the past and across the other universes, but in the future with limiting them so much...

She did her best to quash the thought and force it to the back of her mind, opening her eyes fully and letting out a slight yawn. To her, there were far more pressing matters at hand than the distant past and far future. Namely, doing her best to keep the six element of harmony bearers, including her faithful student, alive and well.

At the thought of Twilight Sparkle, Celestia paused, turning her head to look at the lavender mare. She was still asleep, sprawled out on a mattress with a slightly uncomfortable look on her face. It was likely a bad dream, and while Celestia was not her sister in terms of control over the realm of dreams, she knew enough for a simple enough task.

Reaching out with her magic, she calmly slid her focus into the mind of the unicorn, hoping to quell whatever thoughts might be troubling her most faithful student. What she saw within the dreamscape of Twilight’s mind was jarring, to say the least. Actually, Celestia could think of a list of words she could use to describe the scene before her.

To put it into simple terms would have been impossible, as Twilight’s dreams were little more than a series of constantly-shifting thoughts of fear, worry, and uncertainty given form. The subject of this roiling sea of emotion and mind games, however, was obviously centered around one pony in particular. It was a general feeling of genuine desire to protect and love that was deeper than Celestia had thought possible from the young mare. As far as the princess had perceived, seemed either unable or unwilling to both comprehend and have any sense or source of loving another was ingrained into Twilight, whether it be simple lust or genuine love itself.

Atop those desires, however, were piled vast metaphorical mountains of pain and torment, both from within, and without. It was an ambivalent mixture of positives and negatives. Fear of rejection, both from her love interest and her family and friends. Fear of losing the one she fawned over most. Of the consequences and possible futures, or losing them.

And then the memories and thoughts seemed to slow down, gradually forming together into a particular scene...

It was during the wedding of Shining Armor and Celestia’s caring niece, Princess Cadence. The scene was that of the reveal by Queen Chrysalis, and her speech on the events that transpired. A phantom ache made itself known in Celestia’s horn at that moment; a painful reminder of the events that followed, even as the princess watched it unfold before her.

The memory of Celestia challenging the Changeling Queen. Of being overpowered by the massive love energy provided from the groom, and the resulting blast to her immortal body with the force of a nuclear bomb. The sick wave of nausea from being overwhelmed threw the actual Celestia’s stomach into flips, as well as the pain and shame from being defeated so easily. She, who had been Equestria’s leader by martial prowess few still remembered or bothered to learn, taken down within a few mere moments. She, who had traversed the multiverse, constantly fighting a seemingly endless and pointless battle to create an Equestrian peace that would have been eternal...

The scene differed from there, however. Rather than run off with her friends to find the Elements of Harmony, Twilight stepped forwards, putting herself between Chrysalis and Celestia, “I won’t let you hurt her!”

A haunting, insectoid laugh passed through the memory of the Changeling Queen, mixed in with subtle tones of what might have been the laugh of Nightmare Moon for an added effect of fear inducement and hopelessness. Twilight crouched low, teeth bared and a low growl in her throat as tears of pain and hatred threatened to spill over from the corner of her eyes. The desire to give her life for the pony she loved...

That pony being the Alicorn herself, Celestia realized with no small amount of shock. What had been blurry half-images overlaid with hundreds of other ponies had now solidified into a clear picture, and it all began to click into place within the Solar diarch’s mind.

Twilight loved her. She did not show it, for fear of rejection, and what it would mean. To the young unicorn, it was a case of forbidden fruit; one centuries older than herself, and royalty at that. Somepony who would outlive Twilight herself, if she even made the relationship happen. And then there was her parents to consider, as well as the public’s opinion; a young mare dating the princess of the sun?

Preposterous, thousands of imaginary voices cried out. Out of the question for the student to love her mentor; common mortal to have goddess.

And yet, the thoughts of laying down her very life for her love still held on throughout Twilight’s despairing ocean of thoughts. Of loving the princess with all her heart and soul, doing whatever she could to both help and be with Celestia.

It was a violently conflicting, but endearing sea of dreams laid out before the princess, formed into one scene that continued to tell everything at once.

Twilight stepped forwards, and the dream Chrysalis laughed again, her horn glowing a sickly green moments before a bolt of energy surged forth. Celestia watched as Twilight attempted to counter, pouring all of her might into a combat spell similar to the one Celestia had used, even attempting to copy it. The pain of such an advanced piece of magic, however, was difficult for even the greatest of unicorns, and throughout the confines of her mind, Twilight screamed in pain as the spell managed, by some miracle, to transpire. Violet energy met green as the two battled for dominance, and it was painfully obvious that Twilight would lose within seconds.

Celestia herself felt a pang of guilt and self-loathing swell within her chest, like a rusty knife or a horn jammed into her heart. She was unsure of her feelings at this kernel of knowledge, and what this would mean if the lavender mare were to confess her feelings aloud. Twilight was, to Celestia, one part faithful student and child she did not have, and two parts dearest friend as the filly that was Twilight Sparkle had grown to be a strong and intelligent unicorn of age. It was an odd notion, admittedly, but a truthful one. She wasn’t a potential lover of life and intimacy... was she?

If only she had the strength of mind or the time to simply sit down with Twilight and talk things over. To clear the air and let the chips fall where they may to decide if the two really did have a potential relationship, opinions of other ponies be damned.

Except there was no time. There never seemed to be, with all of the events and scheduling the Princess of the Sun had to endure day in and day out now, and the hopeless mess of jumping across all of existence then. Simple visits to Ponyville were becoming more and more rare as time passed, and she hadn’t even glimpsed Twilight in the months between the wedding and the last time Celestia had seen the lavender mare. It was much like her youth in that respect; no time for relaxation or rest. She was always moving, working, and never indulging in the simplest of life’s pleasures.

She still didn’t have that time, even now. She had to smooth things out with the Colonel and do what she could to get on his good side, so that she would have no distractions for when she attempted to mend the tear in time and space between Equis and Earth.

Unless...

Unless she managed to convince her faithful student to join her in her task of aid. It wouldn’t exactly be anything more than simple companionship while Celestia herself went about the base, but it would be, at the very least, something that could hopefully placate their distraught emotions enough to calm the both of them. It wouldn’t be the grand talk and laying out everything to one another like Celestia desired, but...

But it would be enough. For now. At least until she could hope for a moment of respite to just... talk. She would be grateful to a chance to even speak to Twilight for but a few minutes in peace, without others around to hear; a personal moment between the two, that only they would know the details about and remember. Hopefully, with time and effort, that hope could become a reality.

Celestia poured a bit more magic into her actions, making herself semi-physical within the metaphysical world of dreams and rushing forwards, revolver in one hoof as the other wrapped around the pained and exhausted unicorn. Powerful energy from the dream Chrysalis’ horn cascaded over her right wing for but a moment, but by then Celestia had already pivoted her head long enough to line up a shot. With a roar of ignited powder, lead, and magical energy, the nightmare that was the dream Chrysalis shattered, banished from its owner’s mind.

Despite this, the pain the nightmare had caused was enough to force a hiss of pain from the Alicorn as she galloped through, away from the tortuous scene and deeper into Twilight’s subconscious. As she went, her uncovered eye managed to catch the faintest glimpse of violet eyes staring at her in shock and surprise, but by then they had gotten far enough into more peaceful waters. Celestia held Twilight close and pecked her lightly upon the cheek, depositing her consciousness deep within more soothing, peaceful memories and dreams.

They were of times with her friends and family, and of events and occurrences from the past that had sought to comfort the purple unicorn when she was in such a stressed state. They would, hopefully, keep her in a more peaceful, if somewhat deeper, sleep for the time Celestia required. With a kind smile as the representation of the young mare began to drift off into a dreamscape Ponyville, the Princess of the Sun slowly burnt off her magical connection...

The second she let go of Twilight’s consciousness fully, Celestia immediately released her spell in a soothing wave of thought and returned her focus back to her own body. She smiled for but a moment, content with the now peaceful look upon her Faithful Student’s lips. A rare moment of calm in the stormy reality of the situation at hand...

The Alicorn sighed, pulling off the golden shoe of her right hoof and tapped it upon the metal floor. A hollow ringing sound, like that of two pieces of metal striking one another, was her answer. To the untrained ear alone, this would have been an odd phenomenon; a seemingly normal pony producing a sound that flesh and bone simply did not make. To the solar mare whom performed the action, however, it was a much simpler test that years of hearing the sound had driven her to.

Being extremely careful, Celestia’s magic formed around her foreleg, starting at the shoulder joint and slowly peeling back a faux fur lining. Beneath, the joint was one part metal and one part flesh, which had been slowly forming over the intricate machinery of plates, wires, and technology that would have made any member of the Brotherhood of Steel’s jaw drop. Sinew and muscle had long fused to the joint, creating a sort of machine-flesh as the solar diarch continued to heal from wounds gained more than a thousand years ago. Already, fur was beginning to grow around the red, irritated flesh, slowly changing and adapting to fit the needs of its constantly-worked form.

Celestia paid all of this no mind as she peeled back the fur covering even more, until it hung at the very tip of a fully mechanical hoof.

While ancient and advanced beyond Equestria’s time, the piece showed obvious signs of disrepair and age. As she’d known and stated to herself before, Celestia had little time anymore, and was often forced to do on-the-spot repairs of her more... prosthetic elements in order to maintain a fully functional and unhindered body. This was, of course, the case now, as well as the reason she had placed Twilight Sparkle within such a deep sleep instead of letting her wake peacefully.

To Celestia, it was like many other times; on-the-spot maintenance of one of her prosthetics. In this case, the joint of her knee was looser than it should have been, creating a subtle difference in sound, so small it might as well have been nothing. For the Alicorn, however, it meant the possibility of a sudden, annoying, and painfully obvious screeching of metal on metal as she walked. It would not do, especially around a seemingly technology hoarding organization like the Enclave.

And so the Princess of the Sun lightly pressed a hoof to the gem in the center of her necklace, causing the left front side of the piece of jewelry to slide open and reveal a small rack of maintenance tools, lubricants, and tiny replacement parts; one of many scattered across her prosthetic-fitted body and jewelry. Without even looking, Celestia levitated out a few small wrenches and screwdrivers, going to work on repairing the minor slip of machinery before it turned into something that was actually serious.

Next to her, a wing from the working mare draped over her protectively, Twilight slept in peace, content with the image of the Princess, the one she desired to be hers, being beside her once more. It brought a small smile to the Princess’ lips, but it was quick to fade as it had appeared.

Again, a blade of guilt twisted within her heart at putting the saviors of Equestria, on multiple occasions no less, into such dangers, Perhaps... perhaps I should attempt to elevate them in the same way as myself... Shouldn’t be too hard, after the initial spell is completed... and it would mean that the Elements of Harmony would be ready at a moment’s notice...

The thought in mind, she kept working, a plan slowly forming within her head as the gears of spellworks and life turned in sequence...

***

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Chrysalis awoke long before anyone else within the room, having been drifting in and out of sleep the entire night; often just barely below the waters of wakefulness, others heavily in memory-infused dreams as her conscious and subconscious both rolled around thousands of questions, few of which had answers she could find herself.

That wasn’t to say she didn’t sleep well. On the contrary, the Queen of the Changelings had finally awakened feeling refreshed, mind abuzz with multiple thoughts going on all at once. Namely, that of possibly finding a way back to the rest of her children. Without a Queen and Mother to guide them, it would not be long before the already fragile Changeling empire fell, if it had not happened already. It was now, technically, the third day for the Changeling Queen within the Capital Wasteland, after all...

Chrysalis banished the thought with a shake of her head, They’re safe. They have to be. The Equestrians are not that intentionally cruel to begin hunting down my children...

She nodded to herself, Celestia is neither stupid nor a tyrant. If something happened, the other Swarms would bring retribution. Even those against mine...

COMPLETED (Chrysalis): Sleep. You have a feeling you’re going to need it.

Reassured by that notion, the Changeling Queen slid out of the blankets and strapped her backpack and guns to her body, checking to make sure that the gear from the Raiders was still there as well. What pilfered weapons, ammunition, and supplies were her own, Moth, and Hacksaw’s stared back at her, alongside the plethora of ammo for her pistols and sniper rifle. She shrugged the backpack on again and slung her rifle over one shoulder before buzzing out of the room as quietly as possible, intent to let her children and the rest of the Pride sleep peacefully.

She wandered aimlessly at first, moving about the Citadel and simply looking over the place in curious fascination. Few, were up yet, and usually so busy with their individual tasks she either walked or flew by without a single glance in her direction. Utterly bored at the thought of having to wait for a few hours in order to speak with Elder Lyons, she finally relented with her stomach and stopped flying, slowly walking towards the room marked as the Citadel’s mess hall... or was it cafeteria?

She checked the sign. Mess hall it was. She rolled her eyes at herself as she proceeded within, finding three men had apparently woken up and had the same general idea as herself.

She instantly recognized one man encased neck to toe in a suit of power armor in the Lyons’ Pride colors, or rather, the colors themselves. He was dark skinned, with a well-trimmed beard and mustache alongside the thin layer of hair along his scalp. His dark brown eyes neatly followed her as he finished a bottle of water, a cleaned plate before him. He seemed familiar, yet she had not seen anyone without their helmet on matching his face...

She kept her mask of calm on as she quickly realized why that was, only slightly shocked by it. She’d seen all of the Pride without a helmet at some point or another, or rather herself and her children. Yet there was one who none of them had seen, and thus was the only person that the man before her could be.

She slid out of her backpack and deposited it a short distance away, taking a seat across from him, “Gallows.”

“Chrysalis.” the Knight Captain replied with a curt nod.

The two other men, who had been talking before and even slightly after her arrival paused in their conversation upon hearing her name, sharing a quick glance of eyes.

The Changeling Queen gave them an even look and a small nod of acknowledgement.

One was incredibly aged, wrinkled skin and pale blue-grey robes befitting of one who commanded great respect alongside great age. His hair had long ago greyed as well, with a beard of size much larger than that of Gallows.

The other was only slightly younger, yet carried about him an air of equal experience and deserved respect. Unlike his fellow, he sported faded robes of a red color, and was extremely clean shaven, nearly bald much like his comrade.

“Well, I had heard the reports that an insectoid race had been encountered and allied with by the Pride, but I can see now that their description was poor at best for something so inherently alien.” the man of red noted, though his tone seemed less pretentious and more cautious. Kind, almost.

Chrysalis responded with a shrug, “Well, the Changelings are alien to Earth, after all. I assume you have not yet been informed of the full details?”

“Not as much as we would like to, no. Your arrival during such times is about as out-of-the-blue as we’ve received in several months.” the man of grey-blue noted, keeping his gaze strong and unwavering as they locked eyes, “Would you care to explain, given that we have an actual sense of peace in the hours before the Brotherhood has fully awaken to their tasks?”

The Queen of the Changelings’ eyes narrowed slightly at him; a fraction of a fraction, really. She was used to these sort of fishing questions, though often they were much less subtle than outright asking. Still, she could feel no sense of deception of greed from him, nor his companion, and certainly not Gallows.

I suppose word will get around better if more know. Might save me a trip to the Elder for a few hours explanation if the story will simply be relayed across the Hive... she considered to herself.

“I suppose I could skip morning training for a recent history lecture as well. I doubt young Irving here would be much encouragement in the ways of history luck us old fossils, eh Owyn?” the red-robed man noted with a light chuckle.

Chrysalis could’ve sworn she saw the ghost of a slight smile on the dark man’s lips as the oldest man laughed, “I suppose so, Reginald. Of course, I will not force you to explain anything, madam.”

“No, no, it’s quite alright. Easier to explain it when we have a bit of piece. Would help with easing it to the Elder of your Brotherhood if there are bits and pieces floating around between warriors regardless.” she noted, thinking she had seen a small change in the blue-grey robed man as she finished her words.

She was likely simply looking into things too much. Digging round within her gear bag, she pulled out a crystal of pure Joy and stuck it between her gums and mouth, letting its precious, if sugary-tasting and somewhat adrenaline-like quality, energy seep into her body like a lollipop. Only one problem came to her mind, however. One she quickly voiced allowed, “Where should I begin...”

“Perhaps, given how long we have before any of the others are properly awake, it would be best to give the whole story and start at the beginning.” the man of red, apparently Reginald, noted.

Chrysalis shrugged, “Very well. I was born to Queen Cocoon, whom I later suggested as the name for one of my daughters and one of many successors should I perish. She had long ago solidified a policy of neutrality with many of the other Swarms of Changelings, allied with others, and done what was once thought impossible to many before her. That being of allying with, fighting alongside, and later dispersing on peaceful terms with the nation of Equestria; possibly the most powerful nation one our planet Equis, if only for stopping for what passed as the god of Chaos and Disharmony himself. Twice, I might add.”

She kept her gaze travelling to each, expecting some form of questioning. Seeing that there was none, she continued, “So once mother passed I was about... twenty five at the time. Just starting to develop into a full queen, I had been trying to learn what I could in the days of her passing. We had decent enough feeding grounds that none of our neighbors had the strength or desire to intrude on, so my rule wasn’t exactly horrible to begin with. It was often just simply organizing and leading the swarm through our hivemind, given that most of them, and even many of my own children, lacked any sort of personality that distinguished them from one another.”

The Changeling Queen smiled slightly, “It was a peaceful transition and I had little desire to interrupt our treaties and agreements. We were a vast swarm, sure; our Behemoths and Praetorians, not to mention the Centurions, were easily twice that of the average swarm in sheer numbers. That’s not even mentioning the Soldier Drones and Commanders being drilled to the point where they would often react before the news even reached myself... but above all we were defenders. Protectors. An allied Swarm was attacked, and I would direct a force to aid in preventing any major bloodshed and simply hold the line.”

She chuckled, “If only it had stayed the simple, maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess...”

***

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“I think we’re getting into proper range for the hivemind. I can hear scraps of thought.” Hacksaw noted as they rode.

James gave a nod of acknowledgement, the engine purring softly below him as they road, the only sounds besides the low, near quiet hum of the machine being the slight winds and crunch of tires on gravel as they drove across the Capital Wasteland. The Knight idly glanced at his Pip-Boy’s map, finding that they had already made excellent progress. Already they had passed the Super-Duper Mart and were swiftly approaching Wilhelm’s Wharf after only about an hour or so of driving.

Behind him, Moth tapped his shoulder, pointing past him, “Hey, you see that?”

The Lone Wanderer followed his hoof, seeing a squat, quadrupedal figure off by the wharf; a dark brown smudge against irradiated water, “Yeah. Think it might be one of your siblings?”

“I’m not getting anything over the hivemind from its direction. I think we should-” James quickly slowed down and hit the brakes, coming to a halt about a dozen or so yards away from the figure.

He felt the semi-soft impact of Hacksaw against his back, followed shortly after by another, much lighter one as the bag of gear caught up with the sudden stop. The Knight grinned sheepishly, but nonetheless gave a short word of, “Then we see who else from Equis has stumbled into America.”

“Fine, just, fucking warn me next time, James. Ow...” the medical drone noted gruffly as he slid down, slightly jostled but not worse for ware.

Moth, who had been rolling alongside them in his ‘Idle Hooves’ as he’d taken to calling them apparently, slowed down in a slightly better condition than his brother, readjusting the Pre-War fedora he’d grabbed before they’d left. With the change out from emotion-based energy to Microfusion cells, he was easily able to keep pace with the motorcycle while his brother rested.

Each of them were still dressed in their respective suits of combat armor, with weapons resupplied on ammunition and the sun at their backs as they went., though with several additions and changes. Notably Moth’s hat and the balaclava now around Hacksaw’s mouth; a series of bandana’s of a grey color sewn together to protect him from dust and debris as he rode.

James now sported Sydney’s ‘Ultra’ SMG at his side and his Vault 101 baseball bat on his back. With the holsters on each sides of his legs, he’d also decided to carry his Reservist’s Rifle in one legside holster and the Metal Blaster in the other.

Hacksaw still sported his Industrial Diggers, though he’d jokingly referred to and renamed them as Auto-Rollers on account of each having an Auto-Axe blade along the outside, protecting the Microfusion Cell casings and allowing them to quickly be replaced when needed. Moth, despite having his Idle Hooves, had also grabbed a combat knife, now strapped to his side.

As the maintenance drone stepped down, The Lone Wanderer checked their supplies. The massive gearbag remained secured by the heavy straps and cables; a bag that held a plethora of weapons, ammo, and armor pieces that still made the Lone Wanderer think how they’d managed to make it all fit.

Then again that wasn’t taking into account the dimensional pockets that both Hacksaw and Moth had used to help transport a bit more of the supplies, so it wasn’t like they were lacking in anything.

James shook his head and knocked the kickstand out, letting his bike lean against it as he stepped down from the refurbished machine. the quadruped, similar in body shape to a Changeling without a horn and feathery wings instead of chitinous insectoid ones, was now sitting on his back hooves against one of the dock posts with his forelegs crossed.

At the trio’s approach, he lifted a hoof in a wave, “Was wondering when you three would show up. I’ve been trying to track you down halfway across the Capital Wasteland. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find a pair of creatures that can appear as almost anypony.”

The Knight paused, glancing at the two Changelings beside him, “You know this guy?”

“Not that I can recall. He’s a pegasus though, so clearly Equestrian...” Hacksaw noted as they kept walking closer, “I’d keep an eye on him. This isn’t a good sign if the ponies followed us here...”

James nodded, and a few seconds later they were only a couple of feet from the pegasus, who was clad in a heavy brown suit, with several varied and edged blades along his back and sides, a few of which stuck upwards into the air like porcupine quills of a creature bred for war. The man raised an eyebrow behind his shades, “Why have you been trying to find us? I know I’ve done a lot, but its not everyday that an alien travels across the universe just to find me.”

“Technically it’s multiverse, but you’re not nearly that far along technologically, so its an easy mistake. Hell, I sure wasn’t when I started out.” the pony noted with a shrug of his shoulders, “But where are my manners. I’m Brass Cloud; a traveller who decided to jump through that portal here when I heard about some other world or something. You’d be surprised how much the Royal Guard is in disarray after the invasion.”

“And you’re also a terrible liar.” Hacksaw noted, his sidearm drawn and pointed at the pegasus, “Except about that last part, considering that we nearly had the entire guard either covered in raw emotion gel or in prisoner cocoons.”

“Smart as always, Hacksaw. I suppose this means that either you don’t remember me without the suit, or Chrysalis sealed a few memories off when you left and went back to her?” the pony known as Brass Cloud asked.

Hacksaw lowered his pistol slightly as James stood aside to let them talk. Moth looked between the two and shrugged, moving to James’ side again. The Changeling squinted his eyes at the pony, “Possibly both, since you’re not trying to deceive this time. Who are you?”

“I’ll answer your question as soon as I get my own. Do both yourself and your mother have a weak memory spell cast on your minds?” the pegasus tilted his head to the side, as if to emphasize the question.

Hacksaw shrugged lowering the pistol slightly more, “Yeah, we do. Can’t remember what, obviously, but something along the lines of it being an emergency kickass switch.”

“Ah, so its the later, then. Short version is that I’m one of your friends from before you went back to her. You know that gap from the spell between Queens Cocoon and Chrysalis? Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. Now, the way I see it, you can either not believe me and shoot me, or tear the spell apart and we can catch up on old times, because I would really not like to get into a fight right now on account of my orders.” Brass Cloud explained, waving a hoof nonchalantly.

“Well at the very least you’re to-the-point.” the hyper intelligent drone noted.

“Eh, I just don’t like to keep stringing along the lies when I know I’ve been caught. Makes it easier if you’re amongst possible allies.” Brass Cloud tossed back.

“True enough. We’re too far out for a proper connection to the hivemind and to Mother, so I suppose I’ll have to wait to see if you’re really telling the truth like you’re giving off.” the pistol-wielding drone said, holstering the weapon.

“Well, mind if I join you then? I see that I might be able to kill two birds with one stone and get the bigger mess my boss has me involved in cleaned up without any bloodshed.” the pegasus asked as he uncrossed his forelegs.

“I don’t see why not.” James spoke up, “So long as you aren’t out to do something stupid like stab us in the back.”

“I’m carrying only melee weapons, only about six of which I can throw without setting myself up to be shot with impunity.” Brass Cloud deadpanned, “I may act like a clown half the time, but I’m not stupid, mister LeBlanc.”

“So long as you know the general rule.” the one man of the four shrugged, walking back to his motorcycle, “Are you going to fly, or do you want to ride?”

“If Hack’s okay with it, I’d prefer to ride. I’ve been flying non-stop for the past couple of days.” the pegasus said, casting a glance at the Changeling.

Hacksaw shrugged and pulled out his Auto-Rollers, going about attaching them as James climbed back onto his motorcycle, “I’ve been riding enough anyway.”

“Cool. For what its worth, you haven’t really changed much, Hack. Y’know that, right?” Brass Cloud noted as he flew up to sit behind the Knight.

“Yeah. Just a couple years worth of memory sealed off and being thrown across dimensions. I still want to see what you’re talking about before I go getting chummy, though.” the drone noted as he rolled over to stand beside Moth, who eyerolled.

“Wow, don’t even remember him and you’re already making friends with the guy.” James noted as he started up his bike’s engine, “You work fast, Hack.”

“I’m just giving him the benefit of the doubt. Last thing we need is more ponies coming over to Earth for revenge.” and with that, the two Changelings and one human-pegasus combo drove off again.

James idly had to wonder just what this would mean, taking on an Equestrian, one of the nation that the Changelings had apparently invaded, into his group of companions...

***

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“So basically what it boiled down to was a lack of Love to provide nutrition of healthy levels for all of us without draining our supplies at an extreme rate, what with most of the feeding grounds having dwindled to nothing since the railroads replaced travel by hoof.” Chrysalis noted, taking another sip from the Nuka Cola that Gallows had passed to her about a half hour ago in the explanation, “Or in the simplest terms, a famine.”

All three had rarely asked any questions about Equestria or the Changeling Empire, let alone the race itself. Beyond the occasional asking for clarification, they seemed to both understand and even show a minor degree of sympathy behind steely eyes.

Then again it could have simply been politely holding all questions for later. She didn’t really care which as she continued, “So eventually I got the grand idea in my mind that we would take on the most powerful and love-filled nation in the world to end our hunger... basically forever. Turn us into a superpower and make the Changeling Empire carry a bit more weight than simply being the most powerful Swarm. All we had to do was take the capital, and then...”

Chrysalis chuckled, rolling her eyes, “Then I thought we could just simply take over. Oh, how foolish I was...”

The Changeling Queen sighed, leaning back and letting her hair spill behind the chair’s back like a waterfall of pale blue, “Three quarters. Three bucking quarters of the Royal Guard, the only decent defensive force in Equestria, was stationed in Canterlot because someone in the Swarm had slipped up. Sure, most of the Swarm was stationed outside of the shield in hiding, but a decent portion was actually inside before Shining Armor, the Captain of the Guard, had even put up the Tartarus-damned thing. If there was even one slip up; if they had time to react properly, or if I couldn’t take down the Royal Family...”

She smacked one hoof on top of the other for emphasis, “Dead. Gone. Vaporized in fire or frozen and sold as Changelingcicles to the masses. It all hinged on so many ‘what if’s and gambles that it was a wonder that it even worked. And once it did, I just acted like a larvae, gloating at my victory until the bride and groom nearly knocked my flank back to the badlands...”

Chrysalis sighed dejectedly, lowering her head slightly below its normal position, letting her hair cover her eyes a bit, “But I suppose in the grand scheme of things on Earth that none of it matters. All that does at the moment is that I get back home. There are a good ten thousand or so warriors in the Swarm that likely were thrown out by that magical blast of overloading Love. Each of them carrying either my genes or my mothers, created by the Breeders. Each a life that I’ve done everything I could before now to protect...”

She tried to keep calm as tears threatened to form in the corners of her eyes, “Even if it’s been three days, I still need to go back to my own planet. Still need to find them and try to keep them alive and bury the dead.”

The Queen of the Changelings laid her head on the table, “I’m afraid that its going to be a mountain of corpses by the time I manage to find a way home...”

“You really do care about them, despite your own sins, don’t you?” she glanced up at the grey-blue robed man, Owyn, from behind the bars of her hair, “That you would go up against such foolish odds to keep them nourished and alive.”

“Of course I would. They’re my children. Maybe not in the same way it is to a mammal’s or a common insect’s, where they actually give birth to them, but they all still carry my genetics. They’re still my brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. I can’t just be so heartless as to abandon them.” she noted with a hint of protective anger, “It’s just... its wrong. Horrible, terrible, and a just plain wrong act I could never forgive myself for doing, even if it means condemning others. I joined alongside the Pride for survival, but I stayed alongside them here because I know now what you do.”

“Oh?” Reginald spoke up, his tone questioning but guarded.

“Similar, at least. You kill off the raiders and scum of the Capital Wasteland, right? You kill because it both thins out the population, and keeps the honest, kind humans alive. A necessary evil to kill to allow others to live.” she levitated the Nuka Cola to her lips and drained it in one long, heavy gulp, setting it down on the table again, “Same thing.”

“I suppose you are correct, madam.” Owyn nodded in understanding, “The Brotherhood does what it does to keep the good people of the Wasteland alive, even if it does mean shedding blood upon its grounds.”

“Please, just call me Chrysalis. I’ve grown far too tired of the fanfare and etiquette of the royal life between the Hives.” she grumbled, annoyed at the prospect, “I don’t deserve what I haven’t earned the right to be called. Yet, at least.”

“Very well, Chrysalis. While your story certainly is vast by human standards, I suppose that it is nonetheless noble enough a cause for us not to deny you aid. I fear, however, that we would not know where to start, and thus can not help you immediately.” the old man replied solemnly.

“I suppose that was to be expected.” she muttered dejectedly, “I wasn’t exactly expecting a miracle from anyone out here in a place almost as bad as Tartarus, no offense.”

The Changeling Queen sighed and leaned back a bit in her chair and slinging a foreleg over the back of her chair, “Regardless, I suppose until we can find a way back that the only logical course of action would be to join your Brotherhood. Maybe not officially, as I doubt many would take kindly to an alien race walking around, but perhaps as mercenaries? Freelancers? Allies? Whatever term you need to ease your conscience, but the point remains that you’re probably the one group out here that I’ve noticed with enough arms and armor to lay claim as the protectors of the Capital Wasteland.”

“I suppose if you are willing. You’ve had contact with our Knight LeBlanc, have you not?” Reginald questioned, and Chrysalis could’ve sworn she saw a spark of mischief behind his eye.

“I have. My sons, Hacksaw and Moth, are travelling with him as we speak. He’s just outside of hivemind range, but I can get bits and pieces of current thoughts.” she explained.

Reginald and Owyn shared a glance as Gallows picked up his trash and tossed it into the nearby trashcan before leaving, giving the three a curt nod.

Chrysalis returned it as she watched the two. Reginald spoke first, “Do you think we should? Young James is known for getting into some of the Wastelands more... unsavory, conflicts.”

“True, but he’s also kept all of his companions alive. Even his ally Fawkes has proven to be useful in more ways than a sophisticated wall of strength, Super Mutant aside.” Owyn countered, “That, and we can’t exactly measure the Changelings based upon the ideal criteria of the men and women we put in as Knights. I think it would be best to simply place them under James’ care with the same respect we gave him.”

“So, not officially members, but honorary enough to provide them with information and trading equipment, then.” Reginald tossed back, a bit of his tact missing.

“Essentially, assuming you and your current children would be happy with the arrangement, Chrsyalis.” Owyn noted as he turned his gaze back to her.

“So long as we have a safe haven in the Capital Wasteland, I’d be willing to accept that. Though, shouldn’t such a decision go through to your Elder first before such an important decision is made?” Chrsyalis asked, an eyebrow raised in question.

Both men chuckled, but it was Reginald who spoke first, “Owyn is our Elder, Miss Chrysalis.”

Chrysalis’ mind suddenly ground to a halt as it processed those words. She had just spent the last three quarters of an hour or so explaining everything in hopes of passing it along to the elder... and she had been speaking to him the entire time, “Oh...”

***

“So, they’ve made it, then.” the first voice, female and slightly mechanical in tone but nonetheless calm spoke. It wasn’t a question that was spoken, but a statement. It was a tone that lacked most emotion, as if it didn’t know how to display it anymore, or maybe never had.

“It would seem. He’s very charismatic to have befriended such alien creatures. Perhaps we should sit back and see where this goes.” a second, sophisticated voice suggested. It had the texture of a gentleman, a slight British quality even lingering within it. It was the voice of a scholar and a tone that made one wonder if it was a helpful companion or a ballroom backstabber.

“No.” a third, commanding and strong voice ordered. It was that of a powerful male, as if it had been born with authority, and groomed since a young age to be the perfect leader, “We shall send him a challenge. Lead him towards the others. We shall use him to secure the destruction of the... lesser, factions of the nation’s capital.”

“Yeah,” a fourth, country-accented voice agreed. His voice was full of southern twang and cocky courage, “Let the Enclave delude themselves inta having a chance at survival with their own aliens. They’ll be betrayed and taken down, in due time.”

“Oh, fine.” a fifth, annoyed and female voice stated, “We’ll let ‘em fight it out, but I still think we’re playin’ with fiya here. LeBlanc already dealt with Armitage and Zimmer, and... ‘Harkness’ is untouchable as far as gettin’ him over to our side is concerned. Maybe even an ally if our presence is revealed.”

“True,” the second commented, “But then again so is Benjamin if he and LeBlanc cross paths.”

***

“Which they undoubtedly will.” a sixth voice, smooth and cold, as if chilled in the void of space itself spoke, knowing it were fact. It was a calm and calculated female’s voice, like given to a mad god that had taken mortal form, “I don’t know, what do you think?”

It was the laughter in the background one hears in dreams. The force behind the wind on a stormy night. It was the beckoning of the shadow on the moon at night, filling the hearts of mortals with equal parts fright and delight. It was the reply to the 'who's there' that one would meekly call out to the darkest corners of the room. It gave the other voices pause upon hearing, having never been exposed to it before that time.

“What the hell...?” the fourth voice spoke softly. The sound of a shotgun cocking rang through the air.

“Oh, certainly. I would be surprised if they didn’t at this rate. Do you think we should tell them that they’re going to die? I’ve wondered if androids can feel fear.” a seventh voice answered the sixth. It's tone and pattern was of a female, fiery and oppressive. When it spoke, it was with a grandeur and ferocity that threatened to reduce the unworthy to ash, yet within that was tender mercy and a warmth that promised to nurture and guide those loyal and worthy within the eyes of it's unfathomable owner.

It was warm and comforting, but holding an edge in its obviously female tone, as if the slightest thing would ignite an angry volcano of fury that would seek only to destroy all in its path. Warped, almost double-toned, as if two were speaking in tandem was the most noticeable quality. One side sounded gentle and calm, while the other held the quality of boiling lava within it, as if in a volcano about to explode.

"Wouldn't change anything. The other times haven't worked." the sixth noted calmly, as if accepting the inevitable.

"True, but who's to say it wouldn't this time? Celestia took over twenty thousand lifetimes and universes to get it right and ascend." the seventh countered with some note of curiosity at the idea, as if baiting the sixth.

"Yes, but Celestia was after godhood, not simply taking over a nation’s capital.” the sixth countered effortlessly, apparently ignoring the owners of the other voices as firearm hammers and pins click and energy weapons let loose the low whine of powering up.

“How about we try the experiment again, then. You, sun or moon?" the seventh asked suddenly.

"Get out." first commanded, her monotone voice gaining the slightest tinges of malice, as if it were forced.

"Fine, fine, but your hopes to win despite everything will fail just like the other factions." the sixth stated, as if trying to warn despite being slightly offended.

"Obviously. They're so violent. No patience for combat. No different than the Slavers, really." the seventh noted with a bit of disgust.

“Ironic, coming from you.” came a note of impishness from the sixth.

“I consider combat to be an honorable and noble thing that is where one shows off their skills or defends loved ones, not a way for petty land grabs in such a short mortal life span.” the tone of the seventh growled with anger and hatred, and for a moment the fury and rage threatened to spill over, like a volcano erupting with the force of a nuclear bomb.

“ I suppose. Well at least they didn’t shoot at us. Tried to Mez us, but that was rather to be expected with Eulogy.” the sixth noted with a slight tinge of acceptance and comprehension.

“ Too bad that they’re going to be killed by the Changelings. I rather wanted that Chinese sword in their weapons shop.” the seventh grumbled, as if annoyed with the prospect of losing the chance at a blade.

"Did they just?" the second voice finally stated, thrown off as the sound of a light bulb burning out echoed throughout the room.

"Who... cares?” the fifth in a mixture of annoyance and a lack of carrying.

“They are just aliens like the others. The power of an advanced machine mind will beat that of the weak flesh just like it always has.” the third stated, as if fully believing it to be fact.

A tense silence settled over the group, only to be broken by the second again, "So, who's going to be our lead?"

A pause filled the void between the five voices, "...Seriously? Oh, fine. Since I'm apparently the only one with the motherboard to do it."

“...I’ll do it. I’ve got a bone to pick with that asshole anyway.” an eighth voice, who had remained quiet throughout the entire conversation until then, spoke, “He owes me for that bullshit he pulled back at The Pitt regardless. I want first crack at him...”

Anting Up for High Stakes

***

Now Loading

By the time Chrysalis and Elder Lyons had gotten the last details of their plan drawn up, most of the Brotherhood had awoken and begun to go about their daily tasks and duties.

Steel woke before the rest of his siblings, immediately checking over himself to ensure that nothing had happened in the late night, and that no damage had occurred that adrenaline had prevented him from feeling. Satisfied, he quickly grabbed his Infiltrator and slung it across his chest. Grabbing his backpack as he went, the Commander changeling quickly trotted through the Citadel on his way to the Mess Hall, slipping between Knight Captains and Paladins as he went.

Who’s awake and faking it? he asked over the hivemind, earning a burst of ‘mental static’ or cluttered thoughts and dreams in return, So that’s a no from both of you then.

He sighed and kept walking, giving quick salutes to the Brotherhood members who stood at-attention near doorways. It took him only a few more minutes to find his way to the Citadel’s Laboratory, as the sign read. The voice of his queen echoed through his skull as he passed into the massive room, Oh, Steel, you’re awake.

Sadly before yourself, Your Highness. My apologies. he replied, a tinge of shame in his thoughts as he walked down the metal steps towards her location.

No trouble at all. I didn’t exactly have a peaceful sleep, so I got up early to explore. And you can drop the ‘Your Highness’ bit if you wish. You’re one of my children, not a drone brought in from another Swarm. You know I prefer to be lax in my command of the Swarm’s military. the Queen replied dismissively.

I would prefer to keep it. You chose myself to lead your Elite Guard. It seems only right that I do so. he shot back, a bit of unease coating his curt thoughts.

Very well, Steel. Could you join me down here? I feel that since you are the second-in-command that you should hear it personally, instead of via relayed thoughts. she replied calmly, able to fully understand his position.

It was a comforting feeling that the Commander was in need of in times such as these, Heading in now.

Just as he finished the thought he had passed through the first doorway to the Mess Hall, already able to hear the conversation between the Changeling Queen and... the Brotherhood Elder. His mind processed this new information as he ears swiveled towards the voices’ origins.

“So we are in agreement then. You’ll have full access to our armory’s stock, as well as sleeping quarters and any supplies that aren’t immediately needed. This includes being trained in the wearing of Power Armor, though, granted, you’ll have to get a suit modified for Changeling use.” the Elder spoke as Steel passed through the second door. The man was just as he had seen through the hivemind; an aged, wizened human who carried as much burden as he did respect.

“Agreed. In addition, we’ll help James out on his duties across the Capital Wasteland until either of our respective groups can find anything relating to getting us back to Equis.” the Queen of the Changelings noted with a small nod.

“I feel that I should warn you now; James has a habit of getting into... unorthodox, situations.” the Elder noted cautiously.

“Like the Pitt, or the Aliens?” the Queen asked.

“Amongst other things, yes.” he replied wearily. Clearly such things had a habit of occurring to the man known as The Lone Wanderer.

“We’ll manage. So long as we can consider the Citadel our port in the radiation storm, the details are minor.” she nodded to Steel as he moved by her side, standing stock-still, “Owyn, I believe you’ve yet to meet the Commander of my Elite Guard. This is my son, Steel.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Elder Lyons.” he replied calmly, flying up enough to be at the same height as needed to shake the man’s hand.

Despite his old age, the Elder was surprisingly strong with his grip, “The pleasure is all mine, Commander Steel. I trust you are aware of the details?”

He nodded fluidly, voice still smooth as ever, “Yes. My team and Her Highness are to be treated as honorary members of the Brotherhood of Steel similar to Knight James. We help him, both sides look for a way back to Equis, and in the meantime the Citadel is considered a safe haven that we may return to in order to rest and resupply. For the caps, in regards to the later, of course.”

The Changeling Queen then turned to a man in dark red robes, “Speaking of supplies and caps. Reginald, you were saying something about offering us supplies in exchange for a bit more information relating to changeling biology?”

“Granted you had the time. From your explanations, I’ve found your species to be a fascinating race that could serve further study. Perhaps even help with understanding how things like chems and stimpacks would affect your kind.” a different man, apparently the Senior Scribe of the Brotherhood, explained.

“It would be appreciated. Our methods of healing would be far more taxing than without proper medical equipment of Love in order to feed off of. Given that I doubt most of the Raiders and scum that we will likely be encountering in the wastes would have much, any other methods of healing would be preferable.” she shrugged, already moving to follow him out. She tapped the rifle slung over her back, “Besides, its not like we aren’t armed for bear already with what we have from the ship we took here. The armory and such can wait until later.”

“Shall I wake Cocoon and Cicada, Your Highness?” Steel asked as he followed after.

The Queen shook her head, “Let them rest for now. I doubt that we’ll earn such a luxury once we depart. Do as you see fit, but if James arrives before Hacksaw or Moth is within range of the hivemind, let me know.”

The Commander saluted, “Of course, Your Highness.”

***

“So, y’all ‘er headin’ out ta some place called Oasis?” Applejack questioned, turning to look up from the red delicious apple she’d been tossing between her hooves.

Sergeant Ramirez nodded, “Standing orders are that it’s recon; scout out and mark the area, then leave. If we get attacked, we’re weapons free until either the enemy retreats, or we run out of ammo.” at the last phrase, he clicked the Microfusion Cell back into his rifle, sliding it onto his back to hook up to the magnets on it.

“Ya think yer gonna need ta fight off dem varmints around th’ Wastes?” the country mare asked as he picked up his Heavy Incinerator.

The Hellfire Trooper checked the gas tanks, “Probably. Likely radscorps or Deathclaws, since we’ll be heading near Old Olney. We’ve never scouted out Oasis before, so it could be anything, honestly. We could use the fertile grounds for produce and such, since our Raven’s Rock base was destroyed.”

“Well, ifin’ y’all ‘er just scountin’ th’ place, y’think I could tag along? I jus’ don’t feel right, being’ cooped up in ‘ere so much.” she noted with a slight shiver and a nervous glance off to the side, where an Enclave scientist was sketching out something whilst standing a fair pace from Fluttershy, who was tending after a few vegetables.

“I’ll be leading the mission, so I have no problem with it. I’ll need to check with the Colonel first, though. Security reasons and such.” he explained, twisting the valves to ensure that it was ready to be fired at a moment’s notice. He turned to her, “You’ll also probably need a weapon. Likely a plasma pistol or a handgun, considering your stature. Self-defense and all.”

“I ain’t one ta carrya weapon.” she noted. The two locked gazes for a moment, “But I s’pose Rarity would use tha phrase ‘When in Roam’ ta describe tha situation, so I’ll deal with it.”

Ramirez nodded, setting his Incinerator aside and standing up from the supply crate he’d been sitting on while he donned his weapons and armor that morning, “I’ll be right back then.”

***

“Wait.” he turned, seeing the country-accented mare rubbing the back of her head nervously, “Look, I’m justa might curious here, but... most of the Enclave doesn’t seem too friendly, and the Colonel seems like he ain’t givin’ us the full truth here... but you’ve been right kind and up-front with us since day one. I’m just wonderin’... why?”

The Hellfire Trooper sighed, moving to sit down, “Mind if I tell you a story?”

Applejack shrugged, a bit more relaxed, “I s’pose.”

Ramirez situated himself atop a supply crate across from her, “When I was a kid, I was living the Enclave life with my father and mother at a base called Navarro on the west coast of America. They were a pair of scientists working to develop the new suits of powered armor. Not the ones you see all of the Troopers here wearing, or even mine, but an actual improvement on the Tee-Fifty-Ones we had before the war that turned America into... well, what you see now. One day, my father told me that we were being transferred to a different Enclave outpost. I was... about fifteen at the time, and being the ornery teenager I was, was rather pissed that I was being forced to leave my home. Yes, it was a home in which you were basically bored nearly every day, with nothing to do unless you were an adult, but it was my boring home.”

He chuckled, “I snuck out the same night my dad broke the news to me. I wasn’t going to run away at first, but... well, let’s just say the Wasteland has a way of bitch-slapping you sometimes and leave it at that. The point is that in the span of a week or so I’d been captured by slavers, sold to abolitionists, and wandered around this Pre-War city called San Francisco for about a day before I got myself a job as a courier. Long story short, I ended up finding this holotape, its like a video or voice recording, on one of my runs.”

He seemed to be staring past her as he spoke, “Turns out it was a kids show from before the war; some two season set of this show called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It was like a show that had... what are the male versions of your kind called?”

Applejack, somewhat shocked by what she was hearing, had her jaw open when he finally focused on her again. When she finally recovered enough of her senses, she managed to say, “Uh... stallions?”

“Right, thanks. So it had these six stallions dealing with all sorts of problems in their lives and showing lessons about just generally being a good person and an even better friend. I found it a bit childish, but I was guilty of watching a few Captain Cosmos episodes on holotape, so by that point it didn’t really matter. It had good, wholesome american values and drew a few parallels between the world it was set in and the United States, so I ended up keeping it.” the Hellfire Trooper went on.

“Wait, so, how did you end up here?” the orange mare asked, trying to block the crazier subject out of her mind for the moment.

Ramirez shrugged, “Eventually I went back to Navarro, then ended up here when Colonel Autumn called for our moval to Raven’s Rock. I never found my folks after that, but, well, I’ve got a feeling they’re okay. We still had quite a few outposts in operation at the time.”

He shifted his position on the crate slightly, “Anyway. To answer your question; I act the way I do because you seven reminded me of the show, somewhat, so I figured; what the hell? They can’t be all bad if something like them actually exists, right?”

Applejack opened her mouth to answer, but then closed it. She opened her mouth again, attempting to form some clear sentence to be spoken, but closed it a second time after only a moment of thought. Finally, she had progress with the third time, saying only, “Ya’ll humans ara weird bunch, that’s fer shur.”

Ramirez chuckled, “Yeah, I guess we are. Still, given that you’re from another planet, and there was talk of alien activity years ago, it doesn’t seem that far-fetched. That, and of all the crazy shit that’s happened in the Wasteland, this isn’t the weirdest I’ve heard or seen by far.”

The country-accented mare chuckled, “I guess t’ain’t any crazier than th’ stuff we dealt with in our own lives.”

The two shared a laugh, before the man stood up, “You still up for going on the mission?”

Applejack smiled, “Aw, I couldn’t pass up spendin’ time with a feller with some hospitality in ‘im ‘round here. Besides, I’ve been goin’ stir-crazy somethin’ fierce in the past couple days. If yer just doin’ some scountin’, I s’pose I could help.”

Ramirez nodded, then gave a quick salute before walking off.

***

The walk to the Colonel’s office was short, leading the Sergeant just past the pony known as Princess Celestia during her leave from the Colonel’s office. He gave a quick nod to the two troopers stationed outside of the door, then proceeded inside. Shutting the door behind him, he spun on his heel and gave the Colonel a salute, “Sir.”

“Sergeant Ramirez. I was just about to call you in.” Colonel Autumn noted, setting down the pen he’d been using moments before to work on a particular document.

Ramirez paused, “Sir?”

“Sit down, Sergeant. We have an important matter to discuss.” he gestured to one of the seats that had been moved into the room. Despite the bulky armor, the Sergeant managed to sit without any groans from the furniture, or lack of comfort, “I’ve spoken with Princess Celestia regarding our endeavors on-base, and while she’s agreed to aid us in ensuring that Fort Constantine is brought to working order, she’s agreed to lend aid in expeditionary endeavors. Therefore, I’m assigning one of her retinue to your squad on its scouting mission.”

“Sir, if I may suggest?” Ramirez spoke up.

“You may, Sergeant.” the Colonel responded calmly.

“The orange country mare, Applejack, has shown some interest in accompanying us. Since she is apparently a farmer back on her own world, I would assume she would be a valuable asset in determining if this ‘Oasis’ is suitable for our purposes, sir.” he replied quickly.

“My thoughts exactly, Sergeant. Miss Fluttershy will also be accompanying you as well. Something about having exceptional skills with animals was mentioned in the conversation between myself and the Princess, and since we have little intelligence relating to the area, she might prove useful if the local wildlife has taken up a residence.” the Colonel added.

“Yes sir. Are we to arm them?” he questioned, sensing their conversation was drawing to a close.

“With anything that is not a heavy weapon, yes. The standard amounts of ammunition as well.” they both stood and Ramirez saluted after his commanding officer finished.

As the Hellfire Trooper turned to leave, the Colonel spoke again, “And Sergeant Ramirez.”

He turned, seeing that Colonel Autumn stood with his hands behind his back, “If either of them turns out to be violent towards our cause if any... human, contact is made, I am hereby ordering you to terminate them and cover their deaths up as an unfortunate casualty of the Wasteland.”

“Sir?” Ramirez questioned, doing his best to keep his voice even.

“Despite our alliance, I do not fully trust these Equestrians. They are aliens just as much as they are wastelanders. If they prove to be an enemy of the Enclave’s interests with their beliefs of peace and nonviolence, then it would be, in turn, within our best interests to eliminate them before they become a problem. Do you understand?” the Colonel explained clearly, as if it would be obvious.

“... Yes, sir.” he replied after a moment, “Am I to alert the men of these orders?”

“No need. I have informed each member of your squad personally. I wish you luck on your mission, Sergeant. Our food stores are low enough as it is.” the Colonel replied, sitting back down and picking up his pen to begin writing within the multiple documents spread out on his desk. He glanced up again, “Though it would also be a valuable asset if their corpses were recovered for our scientists to dissect and learn from.”

Ramirez nodded quietly and left, a ball of ice weighing heavily in his stomach, Well, shit.

***

“So what it boils down to in terms of reproduction is that Swarms have Breeder units that carry the genetic material of the ruler, as opposed to the insect’s common method of having the Queen being an egg laying machine...” Steel thankfully lost focus of what the Queen was saying as she and the Senior Scribe ascended to the second floor of the laboratory.

While the Commander didn’t consider himself squeamish of embarrassed of it, the more... reproductive methods of the hive made him somewhat uncomfortable. While it wasn’t the sole way of creating new changelings, it was the way that Drones and Commanders were created, and knowing that he wasn’t born directly made Steel feel... odd. Jealousy came to mind as the emotion, but he had no reason to feel it.

He brushed it off and checked his sidearm, turning it in a levitation spell before tucking it into the side pocket of his backpack. Normally, he would attempt to resupply and prepare for whatever their next mission or engagement would be, but with the lack of details, or even a real objective, he was in the dark. As such, the technical Elite Guard’s leader and more often sidelined second-in-command found himself with nothing to do.

Steel’s eye twitched. In his nineteen years at the Queen’s side, there was always something of great importance to be done. Yet, with Knight James an unknown distance off and his siblings either gone or sleeping, Steel quickly realized that he was without a task...

The Commander blinked, then buzzed his wings and flew up to the second floor opposite the Queen, passing a pair of Scribes casting glances at his sudden arrival. He paid them no mind, instead passing into one of the nearby rooms. His choice was random; one of disinterest as much as it was examination. With nothing of great significance to busy himself with, he was free to do as he pleased...

It brought on a mixture of emotions within him that Steel found... exhilarating. A cocktail of curiosity, fear, confusion, and... happiness. Was this really what it was like to be without duties? To have free will to do as one desired, and to let the weight of command be lifted, if only for a time?

Though he didn’t show it visibly, a calm mirth filled Steel as he looked around the room in a new light. The Smithy, as the place was apparently named from the sign, was a relatively simple room, with a few machines either built into the walls or set up against them. Along the long counter, which seemed as if it were to divide the room in half, was littered with tools, coffee cups, spare parts, and a plethora of arms and armor like much of that wielded by the Brotherhood. Surprisingly, other weapons, such as rifles with glowing green components, were also strewn about the large counter.

The only two humans in the room were, in fact, a tall woman of dark complexion, with short-trimmed hair and a Super Sledge on her back, while a Laser Pistol sat against her waist. She was looking over a few of the weapons, most notably one of the green componented rifles while she worked on some sort of internal mechanism. The other was a scribe of equal complexion, though his black hair was nearly shaved down to his scalp. Likely due to his position, he carried only a simple 10mm Pistol.

Out of curiosity, Steel hopped atop the chair on his side of the counter and sat down on his haunches, watching the two work between one another. Whether they noticed him in turn, he did not know, as they seemed too preoccupied in their work. He didn’t really care all that much, however, as the weapons they were working on fascinated him much more.

Finally, his curiosity got the better of him, “Might I inquire what that weapon is? I fear I’ve only seen the Laser Rifles of your organization.”

The Scribe looked up at him then, jumping slightly upon seeing the Commander changeling. The woman, however, barely gave an upwards glance before looking back down at her work. When she spoke, it was with a calm authority that Steel found impressive in tone, “It is a Plasma Rifle, scavenged from Enclave corpses by Brotherhood forces. I am to believe that you are Commander Steel of the six changelings, correct?”

“Correct.” Steel answered curtly, “I am the leader of her highness’ Elite Guard and technical second-in-command of our current forces. I am to assume then that Elder Lyons has been able to brief you in the short time frame between his leaving and my arrival?”

“I am Star Paladin Cross, Elder Lyons’ personal body guard. I was able to hear you. My implants allow my senses to far exceed that of a common humans.” she stated, “Though I am surprised that Elder Lyons and Senior Scribe Rothchild were so quick to dismiss their early morning training. Ordinarily they are awake before much of the Brotherhood, in order to practice combat drills in the peace of the early morning alongside Knight Captain Gallows.”

“Star Paladin Cross is a cyborg.” the Scribe explained, “Following critical injury out in the field defending the Elder. I’m Scribe Bowditch, Order of the Shield. Though I suppose for now I should be considered a member of the Order of Equipment Repairs.”

Steel chuckled lightly, “Clever. I take it that you are adept at such things, given your title?”

Bowditch shrugged his shoulders slightly, bending over again to continue his work, “I do what I can to keep the Brotherhood’s damaged gear refurbished for use again, though Cross has been aiding me in recent weeks.”

“I find the need to better my repair skills for field work.” she explained aloud, though it didn’t seem to be directed at either of the two specifically.

“Excuse me, but I’m looking for Commander Steel?” Steel turned at the third voice, seeing a much younger man standing in the doorway. A suit of light metal and leather armor covered him from neck to toe as much as it identified him as a Knight, “Knight LeBlanc has radioed a request for his presence at the Bailey.”

Steel mentally sighed, but nonetheless hopped down, “At ease recruit. You didn’t screw up and pick one of my siblings.”

The Knight seemed to relax slightly. The Commander changeling paid it no mind as he turned his head enough to look at Bowditch and Cross, “My apologies, but I must depart from your company for now. If I can’t find any in the Armory, I would love to purchase that Plasma Rifle once you’re finished repairing it.”

Not waiting for a response, Steel buzzed his wings and took flight, zooming past the Knight and towards the Bailey.

***

Celestia looked over the Enclave Trooper’s hand slowly, rotating his entire arm so as not to disturb his wounds. He was apparently lucky; his comrades had been killed following the arrival of another soldier, now detained and placed in Bomb Storage a few rooms from Armor Storage. The details of this apparent killer and possibly mentally unstable Trooper were spoken of in hushed whispers amongst the other Troopers, however, so beyond being a caucasian male wearing Winterized Combat Armor, Celestia had nothing to go on.

The Trooper winced slightly as she rotated his arm back, “What did your doctor provide you with, Trooper?”

The man, Asian in decent and thin outside of his power armor, glanced over at the four scientists on the other side of the L-shaped room that served as the camp’s medical office for less-than-lethal injuries. One of them nodded, not even looking up from his clipboard. The Trooper wet his lips, “Med-X, ma’am. Stimpack supplies are low, so they just bandaged me up and gave me something for the pain.”

Celestia nodded, though she didn’t betray her feelings towards the scientists with a show of emotion, “Twilight, what injury can you see here?”

The lavender mare by her side winced as she stepped closer, looking over the princess’ shoulder for a better view. As Celestia had hoped, a more restful sleep had worked to keep the mare at peace when she woke up, allowing the solar diarch to ask her student to accompany her through the base. It was a welcome respite from the loneliness she usually had to endure with her sister sleeping on a different schedule from her own.

COMPLETED (Twilight): Get some shut-eye

Twilight looked over the wound more closely, despite her obvious squeemishness, “Broken wrist and minor lacerations across the digits and knuckles... likely smashing them into something?”

The Trooper coughed, though it seemed to be to hide the look of shame on his face, “I twisted it in combat. My knuckles were damaged when my suit’s glove was compromised. They might be broken, but the doctors don’t know for sure.”

“I see. At the very least you have the standard medical equipment to apply a splint and proper bandaging.” she noted dryly. The solar diarch continued on regardless, “However it will be unnecessary once I set the bones properly. Maybe disinfection with alcohol and some fresh bandages, if that. I’d suggest whiskey.”

“Whiskey, ma’am?” the Trooper asked.

Celestia tilted her head to the side slightly, accompanied by a shrug of the shoulders, “Or vodka, if you prefer. I like a shot of vodka on occasion.”

She looked up from examining his hand, seeing that the quartet, Twilight, and the Trooper were all staring at her as if she had just said she was from another universe, “...What? I enjoy the beverages of my little ponies...”

The quartet went to scratching upon their clipboards again, earning an eyeroll from the princess. She supposed, given that they were the only ones with any experience likely related to diseases, general medical treatment, and drug usage and withdrawal, they had to make notes of such things. It didn’t make her any less cautious around them, however. Nor did it make her any less nervous about being in the medical portion of the offices, with the two offices on either side of this one housing six other scientists; five as surgeons and one as a drug research, testing, and development officer.

Each was apparently a godsend for the Enclave, as all ten scientists had some form of degree in medical science before joining the organization, as well as previous medical experience in the field. Still, they seemed much colder than such individuals she’d been around before. More methodical and organized than any similar group like them that she’d encountered.

They were also highly interested in Celestia’s healing abilities when she had offered to help with the wounded. The Trooper she was dealing with now was currently the only one, but from what she understood of the situation, the four other men present didn’t care. In fact, the entirety of the Enclave’s scientists seemed extremely interested in almost every aspect of the Equestrians, regardless of their immediate aid.

It almost made her want to take her little ponies and leave now, but she knew that it would not end well. Best for her to play the part of the caring ruler and keep a hoof on her revolver.

Celestia looked up at the Trooper again, “This might feel a bit painful. I’m going to attempt to set the broken bones in your hand as best I can. I would heal the more minor injuries, such as the cuts and bruises, but simply re-wrapping your hand and forearm would be much simpler.”

The solar princess swore she heard the click of four pens in perfect unison as the Trooper blinked, “Ma’am?”

Celestia levitated the bandages from the man’s arm, setting them on the desk he was seated on, “Thank of it like a stimpack, forcing cells to replicate while I set the bones properly.”

“I didn’t know you were skilled in healing spells, your highness.” Twilight commented as the faint sound of pens scratched paper.

Celestia sighed, though it was mostly to herself, “A necessary skill when I personally went out to defend the kingdom,Twilight. Though a bit dated. I believe the Royal Guard designed a more practical series of healing spells a few decades ago.”

She saw the unicorn mare nod out of the corner of her eye, “I’ve read a few books on the subject, though Nurse Redheart has proven to be quite capable of proper medical aid in Ponyville without the use of medical spells.”

At the mention of Redheart, Celestia tensed slightly, a memory of the white and pink medical mare resurfacing for a few moments before she forced it back down. Her voice, thankfully, lacked any quaver or show of emotional distress, “I will admit that this could be easily fixed with the proper equipment and time, but consider this a lesson as well, in case of emergencies with yourself and your friends.”

“I suppose so, given the dangers of this place. Thank you, your highness.” Twilight gratefully accepted.

The solar diarch nodded a moment before her horn glowed, weaving the spell required to mend the man’s bones, earning a wince of pain from him. The process took only a moment, and by the time he was able to flex his fingers with only a slight wince, Celestia was already levitating the splint and bandages to be reapplied to the remaining wound. She spoke as she began wrapping his hand back up, “The bones may be set, but you’ll still need to recover. This should make it so that you no longer require further doses of Med-X, however.”

“Of course. Thank you, ma’am.” the Trooper responded politely. Celestia felt a small twinge of happiness she hadn’t experienced from healing, let alone doing any healing at all, in a long while.

“Oh, hey, there you are Miss Sparkle. I’ve been searching for you.” the solar diarch turned, seeing another trooper in a more modified, energy-inclined suit of powered armor poking his head in through the doorway.

Celestia turned her head back to Twilight, who seemed somewhat happy to see the Trooper, “Oh, Mister Hughes! Nice to see you again. Princess, this is the Enclave’s Quartermaster.”

The princess gave a respectful nod, which Hughes returned in kind with a simple, “A pleasure, ma’am.”

He then turned his gaze back to Twilight, “If I might steal you away from your leader, Miss Sparkle, I believe your assistance could prove useful. It seems a pair of your friends have been asking to accompany one of our scouting missions.”

He cast a quick glance at Celestia, “Assuming that you’ve approved of giving your companions weapons, ma’am.”

Celestia had not, actually, but she did not voice it in her latest meeting with Colonel Autumn. Far from it, actually. She had avoided the subject as best she could when the idea came up to let a few of her little ponies see more of the Wasteland in a protected, guarded manner. They, or at the very least a few of them, needed a break from the Enclave.

She considered telling Hughes that she did not, in fact, approve of giving her little ponies outside of the royal guard weapons of any kind. It would certainly make things easier, both on her conscience and in keeping things peaceful and innocent for the six. Times had changed in the last few thousand years for Equestria, meaning that any ordinary pony couldn’t simply pick up a weapon and cope with the act of killing anypony or anyone else...

Yet, the growing sense of doubt regarding the human Enclave and its true purpose in befriending the seven of them spoke up within princess’ mind again. It whispered to her that, perhaps, it would be best to remove the sense of innocence around the six mares essential to protecting Equestria from its greatest threats...

Celestia nodded, “I do. Please, ensure that they are properly equipped for the Wasteland, Mister Hughes.”

The man nodded as Twilight looked to her mentor, “Princess, if we’re done-”

The solar diarch pressed a forehoof to her student’s lips and nodded. Twilight smiled sheepishly before trotting out after the Quartermaster. Celestia hoped that she was right in her decision.

“So,” she said as she turned back to the Trooper, “How did this happen, if I might ask?”

The Trooper glanced at the scientists again, three of which shrugged as the fourth was still writing. The man turned back to her, “Some crazy soldier came bursting onto the base, shouting about killing ‘commies’ and liberating Chinese occupation. We lost two guys already, and since I had a Power Fist at the time...”

The man chuckled, but it seemed forced, “I tried to hit him, maybe kill him or at the very least knock him out, but he just caught my fist and, well, you can imagine the rest. He didn’t even seem human with how strong he was.”

Celestia mulled this over as she nodded to him, “Despite your opponent’s damage, then, I think you will make a full recovery.”

She turned, walking out, “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I need to get a drink.”

***

“Well, that was certainly an interesting phenomena.” one of the four scientists quipped as the Trooper left the room after the Equestrian princess.

“Indeed. It seems that their powers and abilities extend far beyond that of forcing crops to grow at an accelerated rate.” the second noted.

“It would appear that now they’re also able to heal injuries with only a thought. Perhaps we should focus our attention more on the unicorns than their pegasi and normal subspecies.” a third suggested.

“Agreed. They might also be capable of other feats of their so-called magic with their knowledge of how to operate their natural abilities.” a fourth added in.

“The princess is obviously out, then. Perhaps if we were to follow them back to their home and acquire more like her, then we could make an attempt to garner more information from those that have both a horn and wings. She seems too close to the violet unicorn as well, on account of almost always being near one another...” the first explained.

The third spoke up, “That would leave the white one, which is almost always alone during the past two days she’s been here. The colonel would likely give the green light for her capture and study, given his orders to learn all that we can from them.”

“I was tending to our wounded Trooper when the order was given. Did he allow us to dissect and experiment on any of them?” the second asked.

“Yeah. Of course it gives us full right to perform autopsies as well. Can’t say I blame him. Those ponies are too cheery and innocent to be natural. They’re hiding something. It wouldn’t surprise me if they’re as dangerous as Deathclaws under certain circumstances...” the fourth expressed with a tinge of fear.

“We’ll sedate the unicorn then; make sure she doesn’t become a problem.” the first offered, “Then we just need to keep her on regular dosages until she expires...”

***

“So, Ramirez is taking you girls out into the Wastes, then?” Hughes asked as he began digging through a crate of what Twilight saw was small energy cells.

He flicked the radio next to him to the Enclave’s station as he searched through the crate, “Huh. Guess someone managed to salvage our radio equipment from Raven’s Rock after all. How about that... Anyway. You were saying, ladies?”

Applejack nodded, though upon seeing that the man’s helmeted head was turned, spoke up instead, “Yeah. Fluttershy ‘nd Ih’ll be headin’ out fer some place called Oasis... Ih figured its better ‘en sittin’ on my flank ‘round here.”

Fluttershy spoke up quietly a moment after, “Um, well, I’m generally good with animals... and, well, to be honest, most of the Troopers here seem rather... um, mean...”

Realizing what she’d just said, they yellow pegasus backpedaled, “Oh, um, not to say that all of the Troopers are. It’s just that, um...”

The Quartermaster waved a hand dismissively as he pulled out a laser pistol and inspected it, “No harm done by it Miss Shy. The boys are just jaded after Raven’s Rock and Adams.”

He tossed the pistol at Twilight, who easily caught it in a burst of levitation and telekinesis, rotating it around to check the weapon over and ensure that it was both clean and undamaged. Satisfied, she levitated it onto the counter that separated herself and Hughes from her friends. Said man also set down a few cells next to the weapon, “For you, Miss Shy, an A-E-P-Seven Laser Pistol. Single shot with thirty shots per cell. Accurate, reliable, and common enough that we keep them around as backups in the case of lost Plasma Pistols.”

Twilight, upon seeing her friend’s slightly fearful look, hastened to explain the weapon, “It’s actually low-power, so at most you just have minor burns. It’s probably the most non-lethal weapon the Enclave has.”

Gulping, the yellow pegasus nodded and picked up the rather large pistol, sliding it into the saddlebags Twilight had fashioned for both herself and Applejack. Twilight levitated the other cells inside as Hughes turned to Applejack, “I don’t suppose you would have any ideas as to what you want?”

The country mare shrugged her shoulders slightly, “Jus’ anythang that’ll keep the varmints away.”

The Quartermaster nodded, pulling a Plasma Rifle from the rack of its fellows and tossing it to Applejack as she held out a hoof to catch it, “Twelve single-shot bursts before it needs to have the cell changed. Fires Microfusion cells, which are a bit more common in high-population areas, but still. A bit of a pain to repair, but it’s a good, strong weapon, “

“Thanks.” the orange mare said simply as she held it in both hooves, balancing on the counter and pointing the weapon at a bare patch of wall.

Twilight levitated a few extra cells into her saddlebags, giving a small smile, “You two going to be okay?”

Applejack nodded, “We’ll be fine Twih. Jus’ scoutin’ after all. What could possibly-Mmph?!”

Hughes kept his hand firmly on the country-accented mares snout as he spoke in a small, fearful whisper, “Don’t. Ever. Say those words. It’s like asking the Wasteland to rain all kinds of Hell on you.”

The three mares all simultaneously gulped at the sudden change in the normally polite and cheery man’s demeanor. He seemed somewhat scared at Applejack’s phrase. Sighing, he turned back to the gear, picking up a clipboard and writing a few things down as he glanced over the armory’s stock, “Just... good luck, and come back safe.”

The two nodded as they and Twilight shared a quick goodbye hug. They said nothing more, simply walking out as the unicorn and man went back to working on their task at hand...

That being, of course, figuring out how the hell they were going to take stock of all of this when neither of them had counted how much ammunition they’d given the two mares, “Fuck.”

***

Cicada was staring at the case long before Cocoon woke up, simply keeping the device in her gaze as she sat on her back legs. The heavy ordinance drone levitated her sheets back onto the bed and pulled on her backpack, then trotted over to her sister, who still hadn’t moved. She seemed to be lost in thoughts all her own, many of which were so random and volatile Cocoon did her best to tune them out as white noise.

She waved her hoof in front of the excitable changeling’s face, finally getting Cicada to blink, “Whuhza zwahhhhh...? Oh, hey sis. ‘Sup?”

“Cicada... did you sleep at all last night?” Cocoon asked concernedly, looking between her sister and the case. While the jumbled thoughts of the other drone had tapered off, she continued to speak aloud.

Cicada nodded, “Yep! Just got up after Steel and have been... Iunno, thinking, I guess.”

“About the case?” at her sister’s nod to the question, the heavy ordinance drone rolled her eyes, “Why don’t you just open it and see what’s inside?”

“...Huh. Didn’t think of that.” the other drone noted with a hoof to her chin innocently. Cocoon smacked her forehead with her own hoof.

Cicada snickered, “Aw, I was just kidding sis. I was waiting for you to wake up! You were the one that found it, y’know.”

Cocoon nodded, “Yes, but you’re the one that pulled it out. Keep it. I’ve got enough weight on my shoulders as is.”

She levitated her Missile Launcher for emphasis. Cicada nodded, then placed the case down onto the bed properly and flicked open the latch in a burst of telekinesis, lifting the lid to reveal the contents within. What lay inside were a pair of objects, the most obvious being the one kept inside of a foam insert on the left of the rather large rectangle interior.

It was obviously a knife, though of what kind the two drones had no idea. It actually appeared similar to that of a knife used in the kitchens of ponies, though it was decorated along the silvery blade with many swirling and inter-connected vines. The handle seemed to be equally as elegant, though it was a dark, metallic bronze color with curves and images of silver. What stuck Cocoon as odd, however, was the clear impression of a button set into the handle’s center, as decorated as the rest of the handle and clearly meant to be pressed by the user’s tongue.

Cicada levitated the blade out, giving it a few practice swings away from her sister. She then moved the knife into her mouth and pressed the button with her tongue, seeing what it would do.

With a crackle of magical energy, the blade emitted a field of high-powered magic that seemed to burn the air around it in a harsh red color, the edge of the blade turning an almost evil black. Cicada removed her tongue, spitting out the blade as she caught it in her levitation again, “...This... is...”

“Insane?” Cocoon offered.

“Cool!” Cicada grinned, levitating the blade back into the case.

Cocoon face-hoofed again as her sister levitated out the object on her right. Unlike the blade, this took up the entire right side, being the pieces of an outfit of exceptional quality. The entire piece was clearly meant to cover most, if not all of the body.

It consisted mainly of a black dress with a white, frilled collar at the neck, a brown leather apron forming the stomach of the flank-length skirt, and a slit cut along the center-back to allow the wearers tail to move about unobstructed, yet weighted as to cover the flanks and rear. Accompanying that was a waist cincher of the same colored leather, with a trio of buckles and leather straps emulating that of a changeling queen’s stomach stripes.

Cicada moved this aside, setting it down on the bed, giving Cocoon time to glance over it as her sister levitated out the next items of the ensemble.

These were clearly for the hooves, or at least the back ones.The job was accomplished by a pair of green-black striped stockings and a pair tall, knee-high boots with leather straps and buckles like that of the cincher running along their length. At the front hooves, the attire was done with a pair of foreleg guards with, again, more buckles and straps running their length, yet without any at the joints for free movement.

Cicada set these down at each side of the dress as she pulled out the final piece. It seemed as if it was either an afterthought, or possibly to complete the look. The item in question was a bronze-trimmed circle of glass formed the center of a bow. Instead of something attached to the circle, however, the tail ends were that of a pair of leather straps. Coupled with a set of bat wings sticking out of the circle, it was likely meant to either lay against the owner’s own wings, or simply float freely behind them.

Cocoon whistled, looking over the outfit, “Fancy. Reminds me of those dresses that white mare made for the wedding. What was her name?”

Cicada put a hoof to her muzzle in thought again, “Um... Purity or something? Iunno.”

The drone looked back to the dress, “I think I’m gonna wear it.”

Cocoon snapped out of her thoughts, “...You’re kidding, right? We’re in the Capital Wasteland Cicada, not a Canterlot garden party.”

“So? It’s not like the Brotherhood’s armor is invincible either. Dress or armor, I’m still going to hurt like hell if a stray round gets me.” Cicada countered.

The heavy ordinance drone sighed, “Normally I’d argue logic, but you’d not listen regardless, would you?”

“Nope!” the drone noted cheerfully, “Now come on and help me into this. Cicy wants to look good for the homecoming!”

Cocoon shook her head with a sigh, though a smile still turned up the corners of her lips, “You’re crazy, sis...”

She moved to levitated the dress again, but paused upon noticing something else lying in the case, where the outfit had been lying previously. Inside, a tattered, aged note sat underneath. Curious, Cocoon levitated the note to her hooves and read it over within her mind.

Gunner, she read to herself, not bothering to notice if anyone else was listening in.

In all honesty, she didn’t really care if anyone else heard the note, I can’t hold onto this old thing anymore. It served me well enough in the wastes with the servos and enchantments, but given my new body, it just reminds me of what happened when I was there. Of... well, you know. Burn it, copy it, use it, regift if; I don’t care. Just take the thing. I’m also sending you over my Vorpal Blade. Figured I owed you after what happened during the Discord incident with your Swarm. I doubt you can reproduce the exact spell matrix that keeps up the magical energy fields in either of them, but it shouldn’t be hard to make a lower power version.

The name seemed faded with time, but Cocoon could just make out the letters in the decent lighting, Cheery... Tune. Huh. Maybe a singer?

Cicada shrugged, smirking No idea, though I think someone is about to eat her words when we figure out what she meant by servos and enchantments.

If you girls are quite done, Moth, James and I are going to need your help. Hacksaw’s voice and mind suddenly clicked back into the hivemind’s more instant-thought range, We’ve got a lot of toys from our residential Lone Wanderer, and I think I’ve got something that we all can use...

***

“Hey, Rarity, can you run back to our bedroom and grab my saddlebags? I’m gonna need way more balloons and streamers in order to have this place decorated properly.” Pinkie asked, balancing on a ladder as she tried a set of streamers along a bed frame of what the two were fairly sure was the recreation room for the Troopers.

“Certainly, Pinkie, though you’ll excuse me if I don’t, ugh... run. I’m low enough on beauty supplies as it is.” Rarity answered, but nonetheless began trotting down the stairs leading towards their shared bedroom.

“Okie dokie lokie!” the pink mare tossed the odd phrase out, quickly going back to preparing the room.

Rarity sighed as she descended the stairs, the solitary of the passageway letting her collect herself, The least these Troopers could do would be to pick up all of this junk lying around...

She levitated a few cans lying around into a neat pyramid as she walked. If the unicorn had the time, she would likely spruce up the entire base and restore it to some semblance of its former glory, military base or not. Alas, her time here was undetermined, and the last thing she wanted was a job half-finished, either having to leave her friends behind or leaving the Enclave on a sour note.

“So is the curse of being the Element of Generosity, I suppose.” she noted aloud.

“I don’t suppose you would be generous with a bit of medical research, then, would you?” she nearly jumped as she turned a corner, finding an Enclave scientist standing at-attention with his hands clasped behind his back.

Rarity composed herself quickly, “That would depend upon the research, darling. I’m afraid that Twilight would be a better candidate for such things. My talents are more in that of fashion than medicine.”

“I assure you, ma’am; you would be the perfect candidate.” the man replied, the golden bulb of his helmet obscuring her vision of his face.

A sudden prick of a needle caused her to actually jump this time, turning around as the offending object was removed. She found another scientist waiting for her, holding a now-empty syringe in his hand, “There. Should sedate her quickly.”

“W-What?” she backed up, the room beginning to spin around her. She reached for her magic, attempting to teleport, to levitate the needle and possibly threaten the men with it until she could get away...

It refused to answer her call, as if cotton had filled her skull to the brim and clouded everything in a thick coating of fluff and weightlessness. The room began to spin more as Rarity’s legs gave out from under her, causing her to land rather hard and roll onto one side with a groan.

The voices of the men began to fade as her vision slowly went out, despite the unicorn’s attempts to fight it, “Good. Take her to the operating room. Time we figure out what makes these unicorns tick.”

***

Chrysalis arrived at the Bailey shortly after Cocoon and Cicada did, the Changeling Queen’s gear bag now weighed down with the weight of a few hundred bottle caps and medical supplies. It was a decent supply, both Rothchild’s generosity, and selling off the weapons and supplies they had all gathered from their first encounter.

The exchange between herself and the Senior Scribe had been a fairly uneventful, if helpful, conversation regarding how changelings reproduced, what their various sub-races were, as well as the social aspects of the Swarm itself. It wasn’t exactly important information, but it had satisfied the man’s curiosity enough to where he was comfortable with running a few tests on blood samples, as well as given her a bit of information regarding the Brotherhood. So far, the only results were that Mentats and Buffout seemed psychologically non-addictive. They even had a much more muted list of withdrawal symptoms.

The Changeling Queen mentally reminded herself that the drug Jet didn’t seem to affect them at all, and that alcohol, Med-X, Psycho, Stimpacks, and radiation drugs like Rad-X and Radaway all worked the same for changelings as they did for humans. She wasn’t too keen on taking something akin to downing sixteen ounces of pure rage in chem form, but at the very least it was notable enough to warrant having a dosage in reserve, if only for emergencies.

Speaking of which. she popped an Orange Mentat into her mouth as she stopped at the center of the courtyard, offering one to Sarah as the Sentinel arrived shortly after. The woman declined, prompting a shrug from Chrysalis as Cicada levitated out one of the chems for herself.

So, how did it go? she directed the question to Hacksaw, knowing that he and the others would be walking through the doors to the gates in mere moments.

Mission accomplished and objectives safe, as expected. Moth replied simple.

We also picked up extra equipment before we left, as I stated previously. Had to make a few deliveries in the west, but they were just quick runs and nice target practice thanks to some batteries giving us a few extra boosts. I didn’t know James could drive that precisely going over seventy miles per hour. I think we actually lost Moth a few times. Hacksaw added, prompting a few mental chuckles.

Moth physically snorted as he opened the door, Unlikely. I had full view of the vehicle the entire time.

COMPLETED (Hacksaw): Get to the Citadel

Nonetheless, the topic dropped as Chrysalis caught sight of the pegasus trailing behind the man and two of her children. She didn’t bother to match Sentinal Lyons’ gaze as she watched him, seeing him stare eyes forward and walking directly at the Changeling Queen.

Hacksaw had informed her of the odd pegasus the moment they’d been in range for a more real-time conversation, instead of just long bursts of mental feedback from one to the other. The medical drone had no idea what to make of the situation. If she were to be honest with herself, Chrysalis didn’t either. The stallion obviously knew them if he knew Hacksaw’s name, but everything about the pegasus; his body, his knowledge, even his being in the Capital Wasteland at all, didn’t sit right.

The thick leather suit and gas mask, not to mention his large array of melee weapons, made him appear like a ghost of some ancient group of the living dead. His movements were jerking slightly, but strong. While he didn’t take his time, the pegasus moved towards them, or probably just Chrysalis, with as much haste as he apparently deemed appropriate.

When he spoke, it was smooth, yet slightly crunchy at the same time, like he was developing a slight cold, “Chrysy. Can’t say I’d imagine you ending up in a Wasteland like this, er, at all, actually.”

“Who are you?” she asked simply, standing her ground as he stopped just inside her personal space.

The pegasus didn’t seem to care, “Well, since you and Hacksaw, probably the others too now that I think about it, don’t recognize me, I suppose I can indulge. Name’s Brass Cloud. Y’know, the same guy who helped you out after dealing with Discord?”

Chrysaslis’ mind drew about as much of a blank as her children did, a chill running up her back as she quickly came to a realization, “...No, I don’t... but you’re not lying, either.”

“Nope!” the pegasus noted cheerfully, maybe a bit too forcefully so, “So the way I see it, you’ve got a memory spell holding you back from remembering everything, including me, and the treaty you broke fucking up Canterlot. Funny how memory spells work like that.”

The Queen of the Changelings rolled her eyes at his sarcasm, but internally she was buzzing with questions. She knew nothing of a treaty of any kind, and while he wasn’t lying, the pegasus was hiding something, “All I know is that it’s an emergency ‘break this in case of a need to kick ass’ switch in my mind. So, what, you’re it?”

Even though she couldn’t see behind the mask, the pegasus seemed slightly taken aback by her words, “...Well, that would explain why Long Shot knew something was wrong without the Magical Eye. How deeply did you bury your memories, I wonder, to not remember even the slightest flickers at their mention? More importantly, how much did you even bury?”

“Can someone here please explain what’s going on? I’m lost.” James noted dryly, earning an agreeing nod from Sarah.

“I think mother buried a few memories and this guy’s trying to get her to bring them back?” Cocoon offered, “Though I don’t know why. I suppose he has his reasons, though I can’t fathom them. I can’t seem to recall seeing him before either.”

“Same.” Steel noted, “Though the attire seems familiar. Maybe it’s just the green glow, but it reminds me of something...”

“The natural burden, or perhaps blessing, of being a changeling leader, I suppose.” Brass Cloud noted as he rubbed his hoof against his suit and inspected it, “What happens to the king or queen’s mind affects its children, or something along those lines. Would explain why I’m a virtual unknown as well as why you only think that it’s power. Not to criticize, as it might have been the intention, but it’s like you wanted to think like a villain out of a foal’s storybook..”

“Am I the only one who thinks it’s a bit odd that what you’ve been inferring as a member of an enemy nation is speaking more bluntly than James?” the Sentinel cut in.

“As I stated to the Lone Wanderer and his vehicular entourage, I see no reason to lie when I play to keep everyone alive.” Brass Cloud stated simply, “That, and it’s not like you can fool a species that reads and eats emotions, nor expect them to fully understand what they consume.”

“Point taken.” Chrysalis noted, “So, what, you want me to break the spell for...?”

She then blinked, realizing what Brass Cloud had just said about the six changelings, and more broadly their race in general. For some indiscernible reason, however, Chrysalis didn’t actually feel angered by the comment. She didn’t even feel annoyed. Rather, she felt... ashamed. Like some small part of her should feel guilty, or at least a lot more guilty than she already felt for what had happened in Canterlot.

For both sides. she realized with a touch of dramatic irony.

“Let’s just say that it’ll become painfully, and I emphasize painfully here, obvious for why that is.” the pegasus turned to Sentinel Lyons and the Lone Wanderer, ignoring the Changeling Queen, “You might want to have the others clear the area and get on some eye protection. Changeling spells can be bright as Celestia’s spanked flanks.”

“Too much information for someone I don’t even want to know about.” James stated as he wrinkled his nose behind his sunglasses. Regardless of his opinion, the Knight ran off with the Sentinel to evacuate the Bailey. He’d seen just one bolt from Chrysalis’ magic before with the plasma blast near the car fort. He didn’t want to know what it would do on a much larger scale.

“...We’re going to have no idea until I remove the spell and remember why I placed it there in the first place, are we?” Chrysalis asked the encased stallion.

Brass Cloud nodded, “Sadly, yes, and it would actually be a good idea for you to so we can get everything worked out. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that my ‘boss’ is Celestia, so I take it you knew the moment Hacksaw got into range of each other?”

“I had thoughts about it, but I haven’t had contact with Equestria for a few decades, so I wasn’t on the up-and-up on the kingdom’s politics. I had my own problems to deal with.” she noted bitterly as memories of starvation creeped into her mind. Those memories, at least, she remembered.

The Changeling Queen sighed, having a feeling that while their conversation held nothing but truth, she had reason to be nervous about doing such things. Brass Cloud had explicitly put emphasis on how painfully obvious... whatever it was she had done would be once she tore down the spell. Apparent stranger or no, she could read him like a book, even under his attire. He had both been telling the truth then and concerned, she guessed, with how it would play out. Maybe even a bit hopeful.

“...Fuckit.” she muttered, “No use prolonging the inevitible, right? I don’t have anything to lose except a splitting headache and a few reasons with a pony wasting my time...”

The mental lock and seal wasn’t difficult to find, nor was it hard to unlock. As the mental barriers slipped away, Chrysalis noticed a faint glow forming around her horn...

And then everything exploded into green light as pain slammed into her like a charging Paladin going mach speed. In full Power Armor. On Jet.

***

Applejack reloaded her Plasma Rifle as she ducked behind a rock, sliding a new microfusion cell in with her teeth and knocking the cell back into place with a click. Behind her, the humans the scouting party had encountered chipped away pieces of her temporary cover.

They were just coming up on the Oasis before a group of humans in dusty, earth-colored robes had opened fire on the group, a lucky headshot managing to fell one of the Troopers. Ramirez had been spitting out globs of fire when Applejack and Fluttershy had taken for cover along the narrow path that lead up to Oasis proper. With two other Troopers doing a good job of protecting the pegasus and returning fire with their own Plasma Rifles, the orange mare had begun to work her way closer up the path. She had already run through her first microfusion cell, only managing to take down one of the humans.

They aren’t even humans, Applejack. she attempted to assure herself.

One thing that Ramirez had told her about was raiders. Chemmed up, violent, psychotic creatures less than human now due to a life of sadism and drug addiction. He’d described them much differently, but had given the warning of raiders all the same when the sound of gunfire burst out of the ridges..

Applejack had quickly decided that she had no qualms with humans that took lives just for the supposed fun of it. To the country mare, it wasn’t about revenge, or anger, when she pulled the trigger again, managing to catch a man’s hand and cause him to hiss in pain, back up from the ridge..

It was justice for what they had done to others.

Applejack fired on two more, causing one to cry out in pain and the other to yank her to safety. She didn’t bother to check on the downed raider woman, instead lining up her shot and sending three more bursts of plasma at another pair trying to flank the Enclave Troopers. One of them, a man with a rifle different from the mare’s own, dodged the shot and fired wildly between herself and the troopers.

The earth pony crouched down with a wince, a bullet having gotten close enough to slice the skin of her cheek open. She heard the sound of another body on the Enclave side of things falling into the ground, either from the wild spray of the first man or his partner.

A bullet tore over Applejack’s cover before she realized what happened, burying into her shoulder and earning a cry of pain from the mare. Her rifle dropped from her hooves, warm blood oozing out of the wound as she scrambled further away.

The bullet hadn’t gone very deeply, but it prevented her from using that foreleg without feeling pain, forcing her onto three legs. She felt lightheaded, color beginning to drain as a Trooper pulled her back behind the cover he and now only Fluttershy hide behind. Applejack glanced around sluggishly, seeing that only a wounded Ramirez and three other troopers were still standing from their total of seven.

Apparently seeing her friend injured was the last straw for the terrified mare. Applejack’s ears rang as the pegasus flew up into the air, “STOP IT! Stop it!”

Surprisingly, the shots died and attentions, from the Enclave side at least, focused on the yellow pegasus. Applejack jabbed a hoof at the Trooper and pointed to the laser pistol at his side during the lull in combat, to which he nodded silently before handing it to her.

“You should all be ashamed of yourselves!” Fluttershy continued, “Killing each other like monsters instead of figuring out if you could actually help one another, or even if the other side was going to hurt you at all! Do any of you have any shame?!”

Ramirez, who had switched to his Plasma Pistol sidearm due to the bullet wounds in his right hand, seemed to pause at the pegasus’ words. He turned his head, Applejack barely following his gaze up to the men and women above, all of which were staring at Fluttershy in awe.

The Hellfire Trooper turned, looking at the Tesla Trooper beside him, “Get the others and scavenger the gear. We’re leaving.”

“What?!” the Tesla Trooper looked at his commander as Fluttershy flew down to Applejack again.

The pegasus began pulling out one of the healing potions Celestia had given them before their departure, as well as a pair of tweezers. The Trooper beside them offered her his Laser Rifle’s stock to bite down on as Fluttershy began to dig the bullet out. Applejack was grateful for the distraction, keeping her cries muffled as painful tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I said we’re leaving, Jameson! We’ve got no right to start shit again after Adams!” Ramirez yelled, causing Applejack’s ears to fold down.

“You actually believe that fucking pony bitch?” the Tesla Trooper, apparently Jameson, yelled back, “You’re out of line, sir!”

Suddenly everything around them went to Tartarus. Applejack barely registered Ramirez shouting again as all of the weapons from the apparent raiders above them opened fire. She glanced up just enough to see Jameson fall as Ramirez clutched his side, horribly burnt and part of his armor bubbling from the point-blank plasma shot. The fourth trooper turned his Minigun towards the Trooper offering her his rifle, his head just starting to turn as he heard the mechanical sound of the weapon spinning up...

Applejack opened fire, her hoof yanking desperately to hit something. Most of the shots went wide, but a few struck home, causing the trooper to yell a curse and drop the Minigun from the laser burns on his hands. The country mare barely had time to think before the healing potion was all but thrown down her throat in a rush of air. A pink and yellow bullet slammed into the Minigun-wielding trooper then.

The district crackle of glass and burst of rainbow color alerted the orange mare that Fluttershy had literally performed a Sonic Rainboom straight into the hostile man from only a short distance away, the raw energy in her movement pushing her wings faster than Applejack had ever seen from the timid pegasus before.

As the healing potion went to work and began to quickly close up the wound, Applejack stood up and trotted as quickly as her aching body would allow. Fluttershy was punctuating each slamming of her hooves with a word as she beat the Trooper, “You. Do. Not. Hurt. My. Friends!”

She kept punching him long after her hooves began to turn red, the pegasus pony not even registering what was going on around her as the man’s helmet caved in and blood ran down his body. Pure, painful, retributional rage had seemed to overtake the normally peaceful mare, giving her a newfound strength that Applejack didn’t think she was even capable of attaining.

Finally, the country mare had made it to her friend, pulling her away from the dead man and wrapping her in a tight hug. Instantly, the rage and righteous fury faded, replaced by wailing sobs and shuddering cries of a different sort of pain as wings and forelegs returned the hug. Applejack did her best to whisper comforting words to Fluttershy, “Shh, shh shh shh shh... It’s okay Fluttershy...”

Applejack, despite her words, knew that no, things were very much not okay now.

***

James sighed as he pulled the strapped bag over to him, reaching inside and rummaging around in the bag.

He idly glanced over at Moth and Hacksaw, now unconscious along with the rest of the changelings following Chrysalis’ spell and subsequent blacking out that followed in the six of them. It had actually been Rothchild, who had been speaking to the Changeling Queen before the Lone Wanderer’s arrival, that had pointed it out to him.

Changeling Princes. Fucking Changeling Princes is what they actually were. Slightly taller, different horns, and other features hidden by their own shapeshifting magic as part of the spell that had affected them in turn. They were the only ones, the others being somewhat different from their standard forms in even more minute and noticeable ways, but at least they were still drones. Specialized drones, but not Changeling Princes!

The Knight rubbed his temples with one hand, the modified Pip-Boys and gear bag set out at the edge of his bed in the Citadel. He didn’t care. His mind was still trying to comprehend that he was now completely in the dark about what his new alien companions were, now that what they’d done to themselves was reversed.

James pulled the object from the bag, turning it one way and then back again in his grip. It looked like a terminal, if terminals were made of two thin metal pieces and glowed a poison apple green instead of the more calming colors of black and green. At the very least the keyboard and text were the same, as the device had apparently been left on in its case. What struck him as odd was the small pad along the center-bottom of the device, but he ignored it in favor of fully ensuring that he had everything he could get from the container it was found in.

The Knight glanced inside of the bag, only managing to find a power cable and a fission battery. No note, no holotape; just what looked like a portable terminal and a power cable.

James sighed, setting the terminal on his lap, beginning to type and select commands. The changelings would likely not be awake for a while, leaving the curious man to explore his new toy. A single thought sparked through his mind, At the very least this misadventure finally got interesting...

Perk Added (James): World Wide Multiverse

-One way or another, you’ve just hooked into a communication link with all that ever was, is, or will be. Though limited through a terminal, you now have a list of infinite possibilities at your fingertips! You are now able to breach the gap between your universe and others through your portable terminal, though you can not physically leave the universe you inhabit.

Read This Now

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