Prologue: Stable 46 in a Nutshell
Alright, this damn thing should be saving properly now. I've wasted enough time trying to type on this, if it fails this time, I'm calling it quits.
Now for a brief dossier on Stable 46, my former home, before I begin.
The 46th Stable was all about augmentations. You know, making ponies better. We did this with robotic parts. We could give a pony a new leg. We could give them fingers. We could do so much. However, augmentations only enhanced, not create, so food was always an issue. Now, you're, at this moment, likely thinking 'Wait, what about artificial sunlight and all that good stuff?' Allow me to explain.
Our previous Overmare was a stuck-up bitch, if you'll pardon my language. She had incredibly high standards, and ended up dying without passing on her genes. Ergo, we had to hire a new Overmare, but none of the Unicorns had the capabilities. There was, however, an Earth Pony who could do the job, so we hired her. Because we were now unable to grow apples, we had to ration what we had. This lasted a number of years, thankfully, given how focused the last Overmare was on her job. Yet, we'd run out eventually, given the lack of artificial sunlight to grow the apples.
Then, one day, we were almost out, and had to explore the Wasteland to find supplies, despite the fact that we were nearly shot when we had first attempted to explore it. Since we waited a few centuries to perfect our augmentations before exploring, Raiders had managed to set up camp around the Stable. It ended poorly, and our up and coming Overmare was nearly shot.
That is where my story begins, when we were low on supplies and had to find more in the Wasteland. It's not a pretty story by any means, so I'll put in warnings where they are due.
Anyway, before I begin, I should introduce myself. My name is Fallen Star, a Unicorn stallion. I have a cyan coat and my mane is two shades of honeydew. My eyes are yellow. The only augmentation I have is on my right forehoof, which gives me a hand. If I had to state three major points about myself, I'm a pessimist, I dislike augmentations despite the fact I had no choice in the matter of receiving mine, and I enjoy walking and exploring in general. Ok, that's technically four, but you get the idea.
I was a Peacekeeper in the Stable. A terrible one, at that. The job of a Peacekeeper was to keep the peace, in a brutal way. For example, if somepony stole from another, I would have to confiscate property from them. If a pony injured another pony, I'd deal an equal amount of damage to them. If a pony killed another...you get the idea. The exception was rape, which would be punishable by death. While I was on board with the entire 'eye for an eye' system, I lacked the killer instinct. It was one of my many flaws.
Now, I know what you're thinking. 'Fallen Star, aren't Stables peaceful?' For the most part, yes. However, as a wise stallion once said: 'If you truly wish to test a pony's character, give them power.' Turns out, a lot of us had poor character. I remember learning this long ago, from my teacher, Harbinger. He had more augmentations than I could count on one hoof, or hand as the case would be. Despite how much he pretended, I knew he thought I was a terrible apprentice. Once, when we caught a rapist, he turned to me, and said "Star Junior,(my mother was Bright Star, a seamstress) I think you should do this." He handed me a knife, and I realized that I couldn't run this time. I took it, and muttered an apology before slitting his throat. I felt a tingle, and next thing I knew I had a shooting star for a Cutie Mark. As irrelevant as it was, I realized it was destiny. Needless to say, I cried myself to sleep that night.
Then, came my C.A.T(Cutie Mark Aptitude Test), and it confirmed what I had already figured: I was born to be a Peacekeeper. It sounded like a curse. Being a justified killer? What sick and twisted Goddess of fate planned this for me? At least I'd be respected.
Turns out, you're not really liked at all. Ponies fear you, avoid you, and generally try to make sure you're never around them in case they have a slip. In fact, the only ponies I ever talked to were Bronze Scales, who is my apprentice, and the Overmare. They get old after a while, really. I consider myself a fair pony, but I guess not everyone would agree with me there.
That said, I think that's enough about me. I feel like I've droned on long enough. I'd say we should move on to my tale, a work in progress.
Chapter 1: The Way the World Ends
Chapter 1: The Way The World Ends
Stable 46: Be more Hardy. Be Better. Be Faster. Be Stronger.
Silence.
That was the only event happening in my office. Silence, and nothing more.
I wanted to set my Pipbuck to play some music, but I had heard everything we had to offer at least thrice. The only other thing we had was live performances by Golden Strings. On one hoof, he played so many instruments it wasn't funny. On the other, I considered him a prick.
I twirled a pencil on my thumb, a practice I had grown accustomed to over the years. I stayed here most of the time, sending my apprentices, Steady Sword and Bronze Scales, out to do what I'm supposed to. They, for the most part, believed my lie when I said that's what Harbinger did for me. In reality, I couldn't do a damn thing, besides confiscation.
My armored Stable 46 jumpsuit felt heavier from the boredom. Normally it didn't encumber me at all, but for some reason I felt weighed down.
I heard the door open as the colts entered. "Captain Star," Bronze Scales said, before clearing his throat. "Justice has been delivered."
"Good job, you two," I replied. "You'll be shaping up to be the next Peacekeepers in no time!"
"We know," Steady Sword said, smirking. He was confident, I'll give him that. "Well, I will, anyway," he said, flaunting his Cutie Mark off, which was, as expected, a swinging blade.
"Now, that's no way to treat a fellow Peacekeeper Apprentice," I corrected.
"Yeah, don't be a jerk," Bronze mumbled.
"Moving on," I said, managing to defuse the situation. "Was there anything else you needed?"
"Yeah," Bronze said. "The Overmare wanted to see you."
"Alright, I better see what she needs," I said, getting off my chair. "You two can handle whatever comes up, right?"
"I don't know about Bronz-" I interrupted Steady with a glare. "I was going to say, I don't know about Bronze, but I doubt I can do it alone."
"Which is why you're both staying here," I said. "I shouldn't keep her waiting, so bye."
I walked out the door, praying that they don't kill each other in my absence. I made my way to the Overmare's office, slowly but surely. With my luck, she would've known that I actually did jackshit as a Peacekeeper. I'd be fired, or likely have everything I own taken away. Worst case scenario, beaten in front of the entire Stable population to show what happens to slackers and liars.
I eventually reached the office of the Overmare herself. I knocked on the door twice. "Hello? It's Fallen Star," I called out.
The door opened after a moment, revealing the Overmare, sitting on her...raised platform thing. "Hello, Captain Star," she said. "I take it you received the message?"
"Sure did," I said. "What did you need?"
"Well, have a seat," she said, motioning to the chair in front of her.
I obliged, making myself comfortable. "Anyway."
"Anyway," she said. "You are aware of our situation with supplies, right?"
"Of course," I replied.
"Well, I've considered it, and decided. We're sending someone out to gather supplies. I've already decided who," she explained.
"Who?" I asked, despite the fact that I had a bad feeling that I knew the answer already.
"We're sending you, Fallen Star," she stated.
"But..." I found myself unable to finish my sentence.
"I know this is a lot to take in, but you're the perfect candidate," she said. "You're trained to deliver punishment, and you could kill off those, like your-"
"Shut up," I said. "Don't EVER bring him up, or you can find yourself a new explorer."
She considered it for a moment, and I could see it in her eyes. I'm going to make you regret that, the look on her face said. She then cleared her throat. "Fair enough. I shouldn't have brought up such a subject, sorry."
"It's fine," I said, not even trying to sound convincing. When I was mad, I stayed that way for a while.
"So, do we have a deal? You'll go out to the Wasteland and gather supplies?" she asked.
"Guess we do," I said, nodding.
I entered the clinic, looking around. It was bare and empty as usual. The sterile, white walls were colorless as usual. I had long ago made a bet with the doctor and augmentation administrator, Augmented Ailment, that if I found any color on the walls, drinks would be on him for the night I found said color. Since then, I swore that the walls seemed cleaner. There were two doors, one was always locked and contained all the medical supplies and nano-energy cells. The other was the office of Augmented Ailment.
Speaking of that door, it had opened right then. "Hello, Captain Star," Augmented Ailment greeted.
"Hi, doctor," I said.
"What did you need today?" he asked, before I explained the situation. "So, you're going on an adventure?" he said, smirking.
"You could say that," I replied. "So, anything you have to offer?"
"Here," he said, handing me a key with his augmented left hoof.
"Is this..."
He nodded. "Yes, it's the storage key. Try not to take too much. Crime doesn't stop just because you're gone."
"I'm sure Bronze and Steady can handle it," I said, trotting to the door before unlocking it, and opening it. I was greeted by rows upon rows of equipment. Healing potions, medical bags, bio-energy cells, what have you.
"I don't know, given how you were." Dr. Ailment was one of the few ponies that knew the truth behind my career.
"Steady, at least. He does almost all the punishments," I said. "Bronze is more like me, to be honest."
"You can say that again. Reminds me of one time," he began. At that point, I started collecting instead of listening. When he started stories, boy, did it take a while for him to finish.
He kept going by the time I collected about one-fifth of all we had, and stumbled upon a few books. I looked at the titles.
Guns and Bullets. Why not?
Ultimatum the Paladin. Oldie but a goodie.
Meeting People. Oh, I needed that.
Magic Weekly. Aw yeah.
Tentacles and You, by Jarvis. Wait, no! Why would I need that? By the time I realized that, it was too late. It was in my saddlebags. Might as well keep it.
I walked out of the storage room to see that he was almost finished with his lecture. "But then again, who am I to judge a young colt for being frightened?"
"Happens to the best of us," I said.
"Indeed. Anyhow, I believe I kept you here long enough," he apologized.
"Nah, you didn't," I lied.
"Really? Good to hear. I take it you have everything you need?"
"All ready," I said. "Just gotta take a trip to the Armory."
"Good idea," he commented. "Well, hope to see you soon."
"You too," I replied, as I walked out the door.
I entered the Armory, opening it with my key. "Let's see what we've got," I commented, opening the door.
It looked the same as ever. I trotted to the knives section, then took a knife and its sheath, and put it on the left side of my breast. I then trotted to one of my favorite sections, the bows and arrows. The bows had a clasp to be set in a hoof, and a clasp for pulling back via mouth. I preferred to use my hand, however. I took a bow, and set it up on my left hoof. I then took a quiver, and all the arrows, given that I was one of the few that still practiced that in the Stable. I set up the quiver in a similar fashion on my left forehoof. With that, I was set.
I walked out of the Armory, armed to the teeth. I trotted down the hall to the Stable entrance. On the way, I thought about various things.
The first and foremost thing was, of course, if I would survive this. Would I somehow gain the killer instinct in a bad Deus Ex Machina? Or would I fail the Stable and cause everyone to starve? My money was on the latter.
The second was how Steady Sword and Bronze Scales would be able to stand each other. Steady always seemed to be harassing Bronze at every moment possible. How would they survive without me meditating between them?
I really didn't have too much to consider, so I tried to play a single player game of I Spy. I spied a wall, a door, another wall, the ceiling, a wall I almost ran into, the floor, and a door before I realized how stupid it was. I could be ridiculous at times.
I eventually reached the door to the Stable entrance, and opened it. I saw that Harbinger was there, rifle holstered, keeping watch as usual. His blue and white mane was clean as usual, yet his dark grey fur seemed to lose a little bit of its shine every day. His eyes, which could change at will due to his augmentations, were blue at the moment.
"Captain," I said, saluting. He turned to me, nodding.
"Star Junior," he replied. "I heard the news. You're going out there, eh?"
"Yeah," I confirmed. "Not sure why they didn't send you."
He thought for a moment, before answering. "I think it's a test for you, of sorts."
"One I'm bound to fail," I said, not even joking.
"Come on," he said. "You know you are a great Peacekeeper."
"Uh, yeah," I said, unable to confront him about his lie. "Anyway, I better get a move on."
"Yeah, that'd be a good idea," he commented.
I trotted to the control panel, and pressed the button for opening it. "Open says-a-me," I said.
The door slowly opened, and all hell broke loose.
"It's open! Get 'em!" a gruff voice yelled as a group of ponies galloped in, guns blazing, literally.
I hit the ground as Harbinger opened fire on them. I heard bandits cry out in pain, and a whistle. I dared to look up, and saw even more of them entering.
"A little help, Star?!" Harbinger called out.
I nodded, and stood up. I held out my left hoof, rotating the bow so I could grab it with my hand, and somewhat clumsily nocked an arrow on my bow. I pulled back, trying to aim at a bandit's head. I had a good shot. I could've fired right there, and helped Harbinger.
I couldn't, however. Shooting a target is one thing. A living being? Something entirely different. I put the arrow away, rotating the bow so the string wouldn't dig into my skin, and did something I can't forgive myself for.
I ran past the attackers, ignoring Harbinger's call, and ran out of the Stable and into the cavern.
NOTE: Level up!
New Perk: Filly's Colt: Deal bonus damage to the opposite sex, and grants additional dialogue options in certain situations.
