“Say… where’s Zero, Tootsie?” Gale asked Tootsie. Tootsie glanced around and saw that I wasn’t there, “I bet he’s playing hide and seek, not-baddie!”

“Hide and seek? I don’t think he-- wait… Zero?! Zero, where are you?!”

It became apparent that I wasn’t with the three before her expression grew with worry, “Oh no… Zero?! Where the hell are you?!”

She frantically looked around in search for me before Bob let out a beeping noise to Gale before pointing his claw at an opened ground. Tootsie glanced at the hole, which turned out to be a pit and a used net that was still dangling above a branch, “Ooooohhh! You found a clue, Bob! Gale, Zero fell into the pit!”

“Wh-What?!” Gale had a worried look on her face as she quickly galloped to the pit, seeing that it had been used but saw that I wasn’t inside the pit.

Tootsie glanced at the worried Gale, “Soooo… should we look for him? I bet he’s back at Stable Town!”

Of course, the ex-Enclave shook her head frantically as she was trying to calm herself down after finding me gone missing.

“No… if he was, he would’ve told us. But, we have to start looking for him. Tootsie, you’re gonna have to tell me where Zero was last seen. And going back to Stable Town would mean a very long way to go, and the chances of getting us lost would be far too great. And to the point where we would never be able to find him…”

“Well, we could always go back to Crankshaft’s place and see if Zero’s PipBuck is working again!” Tootsie suggested. Bob simply let out a groan-like beep as to indicate that this isn’t a good idea.

With no other choice, Gale gave the filly an affirmed nod, “Well, we could head back to Fhoal Island and see how he’s doing. I really can’t wait five weeks with Zero gone AWOL… goddesses I hope he’s alright… let’s go, Tootsie.”

The young Tootsie gave her a salute as she went to search for me, “Yes, ma’am!”

Ugh… where am I… and what is this place..? Gale..? Tootsie…? Bob? As I slowly came to, my body didn’t felt any sharp needles driving inside. However, as I glanced around… my sniper and my saddlebags were gone, stolen too! As my vision comes to, I could see ponies… all whom are Powder Gangers and mostly armed with explosive weapons. This is seriously not gonna end well for me…

“Get up.” A Powder Ganger ordered me. I slowly struggled myself up to my hooves, looking at the same pegasus I saw during my stay at Camp Mayne Six. The same pony that nearly found me and Tootsie Roll and her robotic companion!

I was in shock as I witnessed a large group of Powder Gangers forming a large circle surrounding both me and that mare next to me, as if intent on killing me with no questions asked! Oh goddesses, what the hell have you brought me into?! A scientist like myself doesn’t deserve to die by firing squad, and its a crime too! (That is, if the Wastelands have any laws, of course!)

Taser gave a sharp glance at me, “State your business, stranger. Are you affiliated with the Fiends?”

I was given cold stares by others, with Lightspeed next to me with the intent of pinning me against the ground. Goddesses, where the hell are my friends…

“Well? Are you gonna talk, scientist? State your business.” Taser spoke dangerously to me. The hell was I supposed to do?! Make poorly-executed hoof-sign languages?! And to make matters worse, Taser has gotten his hooves at the SDM-9 sniper rifle! My sniper rifle!

I only pointed a hoof at my (former) sniper rifle and pointed at myself as to indicate that its my sniper rifle. Hopefully he’ll get the idea. Taser glanced at it before looking at me, “Oh? This is yours? Well I hate to break it to you, but finders keepers, losers weepers. Now, are you gonna tell us your name or what?”

Oh fucking horse-apples! That’s thievery!

Now, if I still had my non-existent voice, I would’ve told him my name but since I can’t talk whatsoever nor do any of those ponies read minds, I could only lift my head up and presenting my stitched throat to him. The Powder Gangers let out a surprised gasp from the sight, while Taser’s expression remained unchanged. He did say, “I’ve cut out ponies’ tongues before in my life in order to silence their treasons as the leader of the Powder Gangers, mainly both those typical Raiders and double-crossers, yet this is the first time I’ve met a scientist pony who’s vocal chords had already been cut off, eh? Surely your tongue must still be intact after somepony silenced you from ever talking again, right?”

I nodded and opened my mouth as I extended my still-intact tongue before pulling it back in, “Well, that settles it.”

Taser turned his attention to one of his members and ordered her, “You. Go get the medical clipboard and a pencil for our silent scientist over there so he can tell us his name.” He then turned his attention back to me, “Not like we’re gonna call you Fido or anything.”

Har. Fucking. Har.

The unnamed Powder Ganger returned with the clipboard and a pencil before setting it onto the ground and regrouping with the others, with Lightspeed still standing next to me (I can only assume that this one must be Taser’s second-in-command) as she gave me a nod for me to write down my name. Without any objections, I grabbed the end handle of a pencil and wrote down my name on the clipboard as a means of introducing myself to the unfamiliar and not-yet-hostile faction.

Once I set the pencil down, Lightspeed scooped up the clipboard and read my name before announcing it to her leader, “Sir, his name is Zero.”

“Zero, huh? Kinda like rookie, newcomer or however you come up with. But either way, I’m Taser and I’m the leader of the Powder Gangers. And before you ask, which you obviously can’t because you can’t normally talk, we don’t take kindly to trespassers, yet Lightspeed told me that you fell into the pit she set up from the outskirts of Fhoal Island. We thought that you’re one of the Fiends, but judging by your appearance, you sure as hell don’t look like one of them. Well, you’re brought here for a reason, so consider yourself as a temporary recruit. Got it?”

Temporary recruit? Are you bucking kidding me?! I’d rather have Gale Storm barking orders at me, thank you very much!

Of course, Taser tossed the saddlebags in front of me, “Oh, and you get to keep your saddlebags. Not like I want any of your stuff anyway, but ‘your’ sniper rifle belongs to me now. Any objections will be met with explosive force.”

“Yeah! I will go boom boom all over your ass, nerd!” Boom Boom boasted at me. Oh sure, not like I want it anyway after my previous rifle belonging to my former teammate Carbon Monoxide got stolen by Dr. Scalpel anyway… on the plus side, my uneaten foods, medicine and other miscellaneous items are still safe inside my saddlebags. I guess this Taser fellow wasn’t stupid enough to go as far as to clean my saddlebags whole. The negative side is that not only Taser stole my SDM-9 sniper rifle and now claiming ownership, but its apparent that he has a proposition for me (most likely a dangerous job specifically). Whatever he has to offer me is surely gonna force me to delay my search for my friends…

Of course, Lightspeed was holding me close to ensure that I can’t make any unnecessary movements as she whispered to my ear, “I’m Lightspeed, Taser’s second-in-command. Don’t get any ideas of trying to escape. We don’t want our own little base become littered with corpses, would we? Now, be a good little colt and listen to what our leader has something to give you, understand?”

Her voice was soft and succulent while dangerous at the same time, and I could totally feel her hoof gently rubbing under my chin! I was already trickling with beads of cold sweat from her sudden closeness to me! A little personal space would’ve sufficed! (Besides, I have maybe tens of Powder Gangers watching you trying to seduce me!)

I let out a heavy, uneasy gulp and slowly nodded to the second-in-command in response. Fuck, why does my heart feel the need to self-destruct in many awkward levels?!

“Good. It’d be such a waste to lose such a wonderful scientist like yourself…” The second-in-command told me, giving me a bit of space, but still keeping herself close to me.

Goddesses, my hooves felt like noodles already! I feel like my heart is about to burst through my chest at any moment!

“Oh don’t worry, that’s perfectly normal, you silly nerd! That must mean she likes you!”

Likes me?! She looks like she has the intention of shooting me in the back, or even blow me up to smithereens! Surely you didn’t think they’d go easy on me, would you?!

“Pfft, you’re such a sourpuss! At least you’ve made a tooooon of friends to go for! Now you don’t have to be lonely anymore, mister… Blueberry? Is your name Blueberry?!”

NO! And I refuse to be addressed as such! I’m Zero, and don’t get any funny ideas of referring my name as some common number, okay?!

“Oooookey-dokey-wokeeeeey! But she’s still into you, mister Zero! Wink wink, nudge nudge!”

Goddesses, I really can’t engage into a mental conflict with this Pinkie thing here! I could also hear her giggle playfully in my head… and even Tootsie’s not that scatterbrained! Okay, Zero… calm down… but the way Lightspeed was so close to me almost made me lose it, and not a good thing as well because they’ll consider me a crazed scientist! Of course, that’s when reality came back with me as Taser gave me a sudden electrical shock from the cattle prod poking me in the rear end.

KZZZZT!

Ack! Fuck me!

I looked around a bit before wincing a bit from the electrical shocks. Damn, it hurts so fucking much! I fell to the ground momentarily from the painful shocks.

“Did you just fell asleep with your eyes open while I was giving you a task, or were you just daydreaming? Lightspeed, tell our clueless scientist what I just told him.”

Lightspeed nodded from his orders and soon picked me up to my hooves as she ordered me, “Pay close attention to us dear, because this will be the only time I’ll be telling you under Taser’s orders. You, me, Boom Boom and two of our Securitrons will be infiltrating the Fiends’ base and making sure that there’s no survivors. And that we’re taking their belongings with us as well. So, any objections?”

I shook my head to her, because I sure as hell don’t want to be prodded to death by a cattle prod!

“Good. Now, go and get yourself cleaned up. Taser will be with you momentarily.”

I slowly nodded, having no choice but to call off the search of my real friends for the time being and just follow her orders. Goddess damnit…

As I took a nice, not-irradiated shower (I think?), I can only assume that I’m back at Camp Mayne Six while I was out cold from having fallen down into the pit that Lightspeed had apparently set up without my knowledge. Seems my sharpened senses were countered this time. Woo-hoo. Yay me.

And I really hope I don’t have to wear one of their clothes or goddesses help me I’m gonna be facing more trouble than its already worth…

I heard a knock from the door and Taser’s muffled voice is heard outside as he informed me, “Zero, we’ve also washed up your clothes for you. Again, you’re our temporary recruit, so we’ll go easy on you unless you do something you’ll end up regretting.”

Trust me, I’m regretting everything right now. The shower may be nice and all, but its delaying the inevitable of me not being able to search for my friends at all. All I have to do is raid the so-called Fiends’ territory and they’ll let me off. Or probably give me another, unwanted task that’s going to further impede my reunion with my allies. I don’t think they can last without me… Gale may be an excellent shooter, but with her wing damaged and her ammunition of her twin Plasma Rifles uncertain, even the ex-Enclave may not last. Tootsie can’t even put up a fight and Bob can barely hold his own and has yet to be taken to repairs.

Once the shower was done, I shook myself dry and went to retrieve my clothes from the locker room. Seems Taser wasn’t there and did at least kept his word with my Stable-replica outfit and my trusty lab coat sitting on the bench. Of course, there’s also a Powder Ganger body vest next to my two outfits. I’m guessing extra protection? Well either way, better suit myself up. Hope my friends are doing alright...

“Hey, I know what we can do! We can go back to Stable Town so we can have your wing fixed up!” Tootsie suggested to Gale.

The ex-Enclave let out a sigh, “I guess. We’ll have to look for Zero later. Its too dangerous out there and without him, I don’t have much ammo left in me. And your robo-scorpion friend isn’t looking too good either. His servos are acting up and his tail can’t fire off lasers, so I’m afraid he’ll have to wait until we can get back to Stable Town. Even if we’re too far away, at least this terrain isn’t too rugged…”

“Okey-dokey-wokey! Bob, think you can hold on until we return to Stable Town?” Tootsie asked her damaged and barely-functioning robo-scorpion friend. In response, he emitted his weak whirr as a nod.

“Yay! I knew you could do it!”

The three moved on, with Bob riding shotgun onto Tootsie’s back as his mechanical legs were barely functional and sought to return to Stable Town to get themselves fixed, though a long and treacherous journey awaits them. As for me? Well, I just hope they’ll live as much as I do. Not sure how I will end up after making an unofficial affiliation with the Powder Gangers…

I’m now dressed up with the same outfits but with an armored vest to go for to provide extra protection against gunfire. Being forced to form an allegiance with the Powder Gangers can prove to be a risky gamble. Defy their orders and they’re sure to put you into their crosshairs and blow you up to kingdom come. It didn’t had to come down to this, but what choice do I have? Would I follow their orders in exchange for freedom, even if my allies would appear at the wrong place at the wrong time? Or would I turn on their backs and receive instant death as a penalty?

I’m fine with Starshooter ordering me around when it comes to retrieving artifacts scattered around the Wastelands for research purposes, but when it comes down to unwittingly working with a hostile faction, you’ve been given those two obvious and life-threatening choices. FOr now, I’ll just roll with the punches and see what’s the outcome when I fulfill Taser’s orders…

I left the locker room where Taser guided me into the mess hall, which serves as a meeting room for planning attacks and raiding bases for a hostile takeover and expand their morale. I was also joined up with Taser’s second-in-command, Lightspeed, and demolitions expert Boom Boom as we listened to Taser’s latest objective for everypony… and me.

“Zero. You’re going with Lightspeed and Boom Boom, and everypony else will follow. Stick with them and you shouldn’t have any problems. Understood?”

I nodded at his orders. It seems that we’re not gonna be raiding the Fiends’ base alone and Taser’s making sure that he has enough of his members to raid the base and claim it as their own. As much as I love allies, this is not what I had in mind. I hope the Goddesses forgive me for this.

“Alright, ponies, you know the drill. Let’s move!” Taser rallied his Powder Ganger members as we left Camp Mayne Six, all are armed with explosive weapons as I reluctantly followed with them, with Lightspeed keeping close to me. Great. I got me an actual foalsitter who’s actually armed to the teeth. That’s sure to lighten up my day. As for myself? Well, I’m weaponless as a sign of ‘fuck you’ from Taser himself who kept my sniper rifle as his own.

Maybe if I could scrounge their weapons should they meet an unfortunate death, then I wouldn’t be too defenseless… that is, if I knew how to use them. I’m a scientist, not a demolitions expert like Boom Boom here!

I’ll admit that I’m not claustrophobic around other ponies, but the way Lightspeed has an unusual attachment to me proves that my awkwardness was shown and my guard was completely lowered until Taser tased me for me to get back into reality. I hope this is the first and final assignment I was given before I can continue my search for my real allies. All I could do now was follow the rest of the Powder Gangers, aside from Lightspeed keeping a close watch.

“Once we arrive at the Fiends’ base, I’ll give you a weapon so you don’t have to run and hide.” Lightspeed instructed me. Oh joy, I wonder what I’ll be getting. A stick of dynamite? Or maybe a grenade launcher that’s sure to malfunction and blow me apart in the process?

“Oh… and I’d keep my distance from Boom Boom. He’s pretty wild when it comes to explosives. I wouldn’t let anypony lay harm on such a wonderful and quiet scientist like you…”

Oh goddesses, here we go again… we haven’t arrived yet, and I’m already sweating bullets! My heart was already suffering internally from your… your seductions!

Okay, calm down… she’s just… well, seducing you in all of undiscovered yet questionable manners that doesn’t include bodily harm, thankfully…

I saw Powder Ganger members moving in different areas, most likely as to set up flanking positions as we’re close to the Fiends’ base. (I think? Because my non-existent PipBuck would sure as hell say otherwise.)

Boom Boom was grinning wildly as he aimed at the Fiends patrolling the area (whom are ponies as well, who are also well-armed and ready) with a soft yet crazed chuckle, “Boom Boom shall give these Fiends the biggest ka-boom they’ll ever have…”

My eye widened at the sight, and not from the same RPG I even saw before… but the one I heard from the explosion while me, TooTsie Roll and Bob were about to leave the cave entrance of Mount Gallopmore! He was the one who caved us in with no acknowledgement other than the fact that he never had a second thought and trapped us inside! I’m not sure why, but all that matters right now is getting the hell out of here once that task is finished.

All right, just focus on the task at hoof. At least you get to sit back and watch. No weapons to go for other than food and medication, after all. What could go wrong?

Well… apart from having battle saddles placed onto my back containing twin grenade launchers, of course. Lightspeed grinned benevolently at me, “You do the honors for us, Zero. Make your first shots count, and don’t hold back.”

Great… I’m first in line to create explosions for those Powder Gangers. Celestia forgive me for causing collateral damage. Blame Taser for treating me like some lapdog…

Right… here goes nothing!

I grabbed the string with my teeth and pulled the triggers as both grenade launchers fire off explosive rounds at them.

BOOOOOOOM!!!
BOOOOOOOM!!!

Body parts from the patrolling Fiends faction were flying everywhere, blood included, as the Powder Ganger ponies rallied and charged towards the base. Warring factions ensued, and I’m stuck in the goddamn middle.

“Charge! Let’s show them what happens when you mess with the Powder Gangers!” Taser shouted, as I followed Lightspeed, who made quick work on a couple of those unfortunate, heavily-tattooed ponies with only her wings. And they’re sharp too, enough to cut clean through a tree! Were they augmented?! Better yet, is she a cyborg mare?!

Gah! I’ll figure it out later! Right now I need to focus on helping the Powder Gangers take out the Fiends and their base for them as me and Boom Boom fired off explosive (and rocket) rounds at the remaining Fiends. There weren’t much at first, but I wouldn’t be too sure about it. In fact, this is too easy… why so many Powder Gangers against so few Fiends guarding their base? In fact, this is just a scratch on the surface as I heard them cheering and some already raiding the base inside and making a clean sweep inside.

Even my tail was still twitching. Turns out that the remaining Fiends had somehow called for backup before their base was raided. Looks like this has become the calm before the storm…

I carefully went inside with Lightspeed monitoring close to me as an unnamed Powder Ganger told his leader, “Sir, we infiltrated their base! The Fiends hadn't stood a chance!”

“Good. They may be smart, but they sure as hell don’t know how to put up a fight. In fact, they should’ve ran while they have a chance. I mean, what kind of ‘weapons’ do they have anyway?! Poorly-drawn poles?! Bah! But yes, it’ll teach them a lesson they won’t soon forget.”

I pretty much contributed very little apart from killing ponies under the orders of a second-in-command known as Lightspeed. I didn’t get it… I just didn’t. One thing that really strikes me odd is her overall appearance she’s been concealing throughout. Her outfit is not unlike other Powder Gangers. Goddesses, why am I getting this dreaded feeling that she’s anything but an ordinary mare…?!

I quickly glanced at the window to see if any further danger is coming our way (or in this case, to see if there’s any clearing for me to make my stupid escape) and saw a couple of ponies just settling in with their new base while the others had already left to return to Camp Mayne Six. As I made my leave, I was intercepted by Boom Boom who blocked my one exit, “Nerd pony not leaving until leader says so!”

Of course I couldn’t. And even then, where would I go?

My still-twitching tail led to Lightspeed to give me a curious look, “Something the matter, Zero?”

Oh goddesses! What’s with her voice! Here I thought her voice had a hint of lust, or that’s what I thought, at least! W-Why is her voice… half-robotic?! Is she a… a…!

Fuck! I need to snap out of it or Taser will give me a painful shock again! I backpedalled myself against the wall as Boom Boom galloped to the leader inside a derelict office, “Sir! Zero going mad again!”

Taser’s response was an annoyed groan, “Goddess-damnit, Boom Boom… every scientist pony are known for their craziness, so why are you telling me this right now? For me to give him a reality check? Fine…”

As he left the office, I pointed a hoof at Lightspeed’s robotic eye, including a portion of her head and her ear replaced with a mechanical one. She blinked momentarily before realizing what I was pointing at, “Oh, my mechanical eye? Heh, well there’s more than meets the eye, Zero. I’m part-cyborg, part-pony.”

I can only hazard a guess that Dr. Scalpel must’ve turned her into part-murderous robot… I heavily gulped down at the sight. Even her voice was part-robotic, though I was so caught in the middle of a mental argument with Pinkie Pie that made me think that I was hearing her normal voice! I quickly shook my head as to try and snap out of it. No, this can’t be true…

I didn’t think that I’m beginning to develop an irrational fear of augmented ponies… not now, not ever. Its becoming like where Solar Eclipse’s forelegs were completely amputated through and… fuck!

As Taser was about to tase me a second time, his second-in-command held him back with a robotic hoof, “Hold on. He’s never seen a partially-robotic pony like myself before, Taser. You go with Boom Boom and scout the area, I’ll have a private conversation with him.”

With an affirmative nod, Taser motioned his head to Boom Boom, “You heard her, we need to scout the area in case more would come, Boom Boom. As for you Zero, you better have a spine when you’re calm and not end up wetting yourself just because Lightspeed looks different from us, got it?”

I didn’t respond, but I was soon ushered into a vacant room by Lightspeed. Once the two had left, I was in a loss of words (literally) over the sight of her augmented appearance. I was frozen. No movement at all besides the unexpected shock just hitting you from a sudden realization.

“I suppose I owe you an explanation. Just man up for once and listen; I was an ordinary mare months ago before I was fatally injured from an RPG blast by the bastard Raider that I never saw blew me to smithereens. I succumbed to my injuries, sure, but a hoof-ful of Steel Rangers found me and instead of burying me alive, I was instead revived and augmented to become part cyberpony. Let’s just say I went mindless because I was part robot and left afterwards… and that is where Taser came in and recruited me. I was their perfect killing machine…”

I eased up a bit and listened on as I soon realised that she was a former, ordinary pony before being transformed into an almost-mindless cyberpony. I was still uneasy, but to hear her withstand such an unavoidable death was miracle enough. Or just dumb luck.

But Lightspeed wasn’t finished, “And as for those Steel Rangers? Let’s just say they never lived another day… serves them right for creating a monster like me…”

Her voice became robotic in a dark and sinister manner… monster… why does that awfully remind me of Dr. Scalpel and his never-before-seen creation…

She soon finished with a partial robotic tone competing against her normal voice, “But as for you? You’re not a threat. Not unless you do something that’ll end up directly in your grave. Of course, it’d be a waste to put down on such a wonderful scientist like yourself… so, rest up, and I’ll debrief you afterwards.”

Again, I didn’t respond whatsoever. This was the first time that a cyberpony was giving me orders, and the smallest mistake will prove fatal. I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing and seeing. Why am I still afraid? Its like bravery was taken from me without warning and resulted in a switch from bravery to cowardly. I’m a scientist, not some… scaredy pony…

Lightspeed gently pressed her robotic hoof to me and gingerly pushed me forward as I uneasily rested onto my back on the mattress. I slowly shut my eye as I took small, deep breaths in an effort for me to relax. I felt her muzzle pressed against my cheek and softly spoke to me as to attempt to mask her killer, robotic voice, “I will see you in three hours. Do rest up, you’ll need it.”

I still feel uneasy from the way she sounds like. I can’t even think straight and my body felt frozen, unable to let out spasms as to warn me regarding incoming dangers heading our way. I just can’t… why the fuck am I scared over an augmented pony? Bob may be a robo-scorpion, but at least he didn’t had organic parts to go for as he was fully mechanical. Oh goddesses, if you were even alive, you’d help on getting over this stupid fear. Hopefully a well-deserved nap will suffice…

Two hours later and I’m still asleep, having already calmed myself down and keeping my first irrational fear at bay. The worst thing I’ll be getting is getting killed in my sleep and my belongings from my saddlebags taken in the process.

It wasn’t until the door slowly crept open without my acknowledgement, revealing to be Lightspeed as she took a small glance at me, showing a hint of remorse before making her slow approach to me and laying down behind me, her forelegs (both normal and mechanical) embracing around me. I tensed up at first because of her mechanical nature, but I was soon relaxed after realizing her intentions on consoling me and not kill me in a bloodied fashion.

Her tone was still robotic yet gentle against my ear, “I want you to listen carefully… not all cyberponies like myself are mindless beings. Only robobrains are major threats to us, so please, Zero. At least show us your bravery, that you’re not just a scientist, but also a brave colt who will do whatever it takes to save others. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

I kept myself asleep but all I could do was nod in response.

“Good. Now, do you wish for me to keep you company until I wake you up within the next hour?”

I didn’t have other choice. All I could do was let out another nod to the half-cyberpony.

“Alright. I’ll keep a close watch on you in the meantime.”

I felt her warm embrace around me, the irrational fear of augmented ponies (which was the first time I’ve ever encountered in the Wastelands) soon vanishing from my mind. It felt as if she was my mother… a mother that I never had before. (That, or my actual mother pretty much died and never saw me ever since. Same goes for my non-existent father.)

My shut eye soon trickled a tear down to my cheek. Lightspeed’s quiet but solemn words were, “Don’t cry. Just rest and let me stay by your side…”

“Sir, we’re under heavy fire!” An unnamed Powder Ganger shouted at Taser as muffled gunfire are heard outside. I jolted awake from the sudden gunfire while Lightspeed instantly got onto her hooves and her red, cybernetic eye began to glow before she gave me orders, “Get up, Zero! The Powder Gangers need our help! Grab your things and get a weapon, and no second thoughts! That is an order!”

I scrambled myself up to my hooves, with no time for me to think straight at all as I immediately went into my saddlebags. The Fiends are back?! Fuck!

I went to fetch the grenade launcher and a couple of explosive rounds before rushing outside. What I saw weren’t the Fiends, but… what the hell are they?! They’re heavily armored and armed with military-grade weapons! But they’re not the Enclaves…

Whoa!

I ducked out of the way as a laser round burned clean through a door. They’re not the Enclaves, but they’re differently colored and dangerous! I’m not even sure if the Fiends even called in reinforcements, or another faction intent on taking over the recently raided base camp from the Powder Gangers, but one thing’s for certain, they’re here to make sure there aren’t any survivors and me with them. I can’t let that happen… I can’t!

I glanced at the corner of the wall and found a grenade launcher (though I’m not entirely sure if it has any ammo left), but all of the more reason for me and my unofficial allies to stay alive as I galloped outside, avoiding any incoming fire hurtling towards me before diving behind a large boulder with barely any cover to go for. I really didn’t think this would quickly become an unexpected all-out war!

At least those heavily-armored ponies weren’t aiming for me yet, though I can’t stay in one spot or they’ll discover me and fester me with lasers, plasmas, all of the above! Carefully taking aim with the (seemingly unreliable) grenade launcher at a trio of heavily-armored, not-friendly ponies as they were firing at the Powder Ganger Squadron. (Even though the Powder Gangers are holding their own so far, several had already died from gunfire. As for those three key members? I don’t know.)

Steady… aim…

FWOMP! BOOOOMMM!!

I flinched as my tongue was in sharp pain from the launcher’s recoil, but the explosion was enough to critically would the armored ponies, but not enough to kill them entirely. To make matters worse, the unreliable grenade launcher was broken into pieces! What neighsayer decided to leave it unmaintained?!

I’m weaponless yet again now as I was applying pressure to both of my own cheeks with my forelegs, though my recovery was cut short when a stray laser shot (most likely from an armored pony) grazed through my hind leg! I was frozen in place, my face letting out an agonized painful expression as I opened my mouth and let out a voiceless scream! Goddess-fucking-damnit, it hurts!!

As I fell onto my back and writhing in severe pain (with my saddlebags thrown back onto the ground), the armored pony dangerously approached me with the intent of finishing me off. I slammed my eye shut while trying to hold off the searing heat that grazed along my hind leg. Fuck…

“Say your prayers, you--"

“Die, you Steel Ranger scums!” Lightspeed yelled out with a ruthless, robotic tone as her wings sliced through it as the armored pony… or Steel Ranger, let out a muffled and blood-curdling scream, opening my eye a bit to see it being cut through horizontally…

I would vomit, but my mind is currently focused on the nasty burn of my hind leg. I was soon picked up by Lightspeed from the back of my lab coat and had me sit behind a boulder. I was panting harshly, grinding my teeth against each other from the searing pain as Lightspeed glanced at me before looking at my partially-burned hind leg, “You’re hurt. Stay right here. We’ll deal with them.”

Yeah. Coming from a half-cyberpony who happened to appear out of nowhere while trying to avoid the inevitable death. And what the hell is a Steel Ranger anyway?! Ugh… it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I’m at the sidelines and Powder Gangers are holding their own while dying in the process. Taser was a close-combat specialist, incapacitating a Steel Ranger with that cattle prod of his that leaves painful, if not fatal, electrical jolts. Boom Boom is, simply put, just blowing apart those Steel Rangers amid suffering from minor wounds.

And me? Well, I’m just a fucking liability. All I could do is sit this one out.

“We must take down Lightspeed at any cost! Don’t hold back!” A Steel Ranger ordered the others. So I guess they’re the ones who revived her into part pony, all killing machine? Yep, that sums everything up.

Lying next to me were strewn whiskey bottles. Two of them and miraculously not broken from the gunfight. Probably from a dead Powder Ganger, but what fucks do I give? At least they’ll help me forget the pain I’m having and let the Powder Gangers take the reigns for me. Wrapping a hoof around it and I began to take a sip when…

“Wait! That stuff will make you all woozy-doozy!”

Meh, what do I care? I have a goddess-damned burn on my hind leg and my saddlebags are out of my hoof’s reach. And goddesses help me if I don’t happen to find a so-called Steel Ranger popping out from the bushes and land a lucky shot to the head that’ll also end my life for good.

“Oh well! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

Pfft, I’m a scientist. What harm could it be for just a little drink? Oh well. A toast to my own, miserable efforts.

After concluding yet another mental conversation with Pinkie Pie, I start to gulp it down. Huh, not bad. Of course… my mind’s getting a bit tipsy…

I guess a second one wouldn’t hurt… would it? Bottoms up!

It wasn’t long until I tossed the whiskey bottle aside, the thought of my pained hind leg completely forgotten and numbed, like as if the burn wasn’t even there…

I let out a silly, drunken grin as I looked on to the left, seeing a couple of Steel Rangers left, all focused on Lightspeed and other Powder Gangers… hell, even the explosions were muffled, like exploding confettis!

Now to make my move… whoo I may be a drunken scientist, but you can totally bet how many fucks I give when I smack them silly!

I slowly crawled around to find a perfect flanking position as I scanned the area around and about, all while this trippy, tilting image of mine seems to have a mind of its own. Get it? Of course not! As they were out of ammo, the Steel Rangers (or however the fuck you can call them) were ready to charge at them head-on. Not if I - the great and magnificent Zero - have anything to say about it! (Of course though, it doesn’t include my actual, slurred speeches.)

“Damnit! Where’d all the explosive rounds go?!” The unnamed Powder Ganger shouted. Lightspeed gracefully and dangerously flared her razor-sharp wings, “I’ll finish them off.”

As she zoomed towards the few remaining Steel Rangers, I myself had unwittingly lunged myself and tackled on a Steel Ranger as to disarm him (or her, I don’t really give a fuck). Along the way, a part of my mane was inadvertently sliced through by her wing. Armored or not, time to slug this bastard!

Even with both decapitated heads flown in midair with blood spraying all over the place, I wasn’t even fazed by the bloodstains as I took off the Steel Ranger’s helmet, revealing to be a mare as she angrily shouted, “Get off of me, bastard!”

Unfazed by her insults, if those Steel Rangers are this evil, then its time for me to rough ‘em up a bit! One, two, my forelegs struck against the mare because she and pretty much the others were responsible for turning Lightspeed into a freak of nature! Blow after blow came with me headbutting the everloving fuck out of the unnamed Steel Ranger’s face repeatedly. Of course, the Powder Gangers looked on with disbelief as I soon collapsed onto the side and off of her, the female Steel Ranger writhing in pain. The drunkenness finally got the better of me as I pass out, my forehead also splitting itself open from the headbutting as a trail of blood trickles down the left side of my head. Sleepy times…

Lightspeed angrily approached to me and dangerously spoke with a robotic tone, “How dare you defy an order from your second-in-command! I oughta cut you up for this!”

“Wait!” Taser ordered, “He did managed to incapacitate this Steel Ranger. Let us handle this for now and we’ll take this Steel Ranger prisoner. Take Zero back to Camp Mayne Six. We’ll meet you back there for a debrief. Understood?”

She stopped for a moment, the tip of her razor-sharp wing pointed dangerously at me as she was about to make her kill. She frowns at his orders and bared her teeth in an angered manner, “But sir, Zero defied an order, and you’re going to let it slide?!”

“We’ll check him out later. For now, take him back to Camp Mayne Six. That is an order from your leader, Taser.”

She snaps and snarled at his orders, but soon gave him an affirmed nod, “Yes sir...”

“Good. And grab his belongings along the way.”

I was too drunk and passed out to even listen, or even see Lightspeed threatening to cut me open after just downright attacking a Steel Ranger. As for her? She was covering her hooves around her face in pain as I was pulled away from her by Taser’s second-in-command. Inside my mind is where Pinkie Pie was poking fun on how reckless I was, or how I was hitting on a mare. Excuse me, but I was drunk! And even if I wasn’t, what makes you think that this mare wasn’t intent on killing me?!

Shenanigans aside inside my blank mind, Lightspeed went on to carry me on her back, along with my saddlebags in tow. I wonder where she is taking me…?

“Are we there yet?” Tootsie asked Gale Storm, looking bored from their long trip.

Gale shook her head, “No, but from the looks of it, at least we’re back in Fhoal Island… maybe we could ask Crankshaft how Zero’s PipBuck is doing along the way?”

The filly nods to her, “Okey-dokey-wokey! We should also ask him if he can fix up Bob!”

“Good! Now, let’s go to his workshop before we can get back to Stable Town.”

The three arrives inside Crankshaft’s workshop as to check and see if my PipBuck had been fixed, even if five weeks hasn’t passed yet. Upon arrival, Crankshaft himself was still working on the PipBuck, albeit struggling as he was having a difficult time getting the PipBuck 1000 to work again, “Flabbergasted PipBuck dun’ seem to be workin’...”

“Crankshaft, how’s Zero’s PipBuck doing?” Gale asks, with a hint of curiosity mixed with concern.

“Oh! What are you fellers doing all the way back in Fhoal Island? I thought ah told ya to come back in five weeks! But ah guess that doesn’t matter now… darn PipBuck from your friend doesn’t seem to be workin’. Ah tried t’ fix the screen, but it seems that it ain’t functioning no more. Ah tried fixin’ with spare parts, yet yer friend’s PipBuck ain’t workin’ no more. Its ancient history now.”

“Wh-What?! What do you mean?!” Gale was shocked to hear that my PipBuck couldn’t be repaired despite Crankshaft’s efforts.

“Aww! No extra PipBuck either?”

Crankshaft even shook his head as he delivered more bad news to the three, “‘Fraid not, little feller. This ol’ PipBuck is just as outdated as my age. An’ PipBucks are hard t’ come by, too. And even then, they’re mighty expensive! So, sorry fellers. Ah tried my best but again, this PipBuck is no more.”

The two let out a disappointed frown. Despite Crankshaft’s efforts, the PipBuck is of beyond repair. It seems that even with five weeks, this PipBuck is irreparable. Perhaps his old age made him miscalculate the deadline. Tootsie slowly approached to the counter before looking up to him, “Well… could you try and at least fix my friend Bob? He’s not looking too good…”

Bob’s response was a weakened whirr, as the extensive damage inside his systems from a harsh fall during the escape from a raging Tatzlwurm left him in a near state of disrepair, with his tail unable to fire off lasers. Despite Crankshaft’s elder age, he nodded to the filly, “Of course ah can! I’ll fix him up in a jiffy. Why don’tcha stay here for awhile, while I get yer scorpion thingy fixed up.”

Tootsie gives out a hopeful smile, “Yay! Gale, he’s gonna fix our friend up!”

Gale suddenly struck a thought before waving a hoof to Crankshaft, “Wait! What about the PipBuck 3000?”

“Huh? Erm, what’s that? A PipBuck 3000? Hmm… my ol’ noggin isn’t what it used to be… oh! Yes, ah have it! I think? But first, I’ll fix yer scorpion friend up before ah can show it to you!”

She lets out a sigh of relief before sitting down next to Tootsie, “Good… for a minute there I thought you didn’t have it… you got me worried there for a second.”

Even with his old age, Crankshaft was still kind-hearted to customers even those who never returned to his workshop for years since. Once he deactivated Bob, he went down to work on the damaged robo-scorpion’s servos. Tootsie even used magic to turn on a barely-working radio as it began to play an old-timey music just to pass time. Inside Crankshaft’s workshop, Bob’s damaged CPU were replaced with newer ones in order for his mechanical tail to function properly again.

“Say Gale, what do we do when we get back to Stable Town? Should we play hide and seek?” Tootsie asked the former Enclave, with innocence to go for. Gale shook her head in response.

“No, sweetie. We need to rest up and start looking for Zero. We’ll have fun and games later, but for now, we have to wait until Bob is all fixed up.”

The filly nodded a bit with a soft sigh, “Good point… I want my friend Bob to be working again. He loves playing hide and seek…”

Gale Storm let out a soft giggle and pressed her muzzle against the filly’s head, “I’m sure he does, little Tootsie. I’m sure he does.”

Ugh… what the fuck happened…

Am I back in Camp Mayne Six? I dunno. That’s for certain…

Or am I waking up only to die in shock because my insides were cut open by… Dr. Scalpel?!

Gah! Fuck, my head! I clutched my forelegs around my head, seething in pain. Lightspeed took a small glance at me, “You’re awake. Good. Seems you have a moderate headache from both your developed drinking habit to headbutting a Steel Ranger repeatedly that resulted your forehead to split open. You’re lucky you didn’t physically harmed yourself further, or you’d be dealing with me. And I would’ve ended you in a bloodied fashion if you did that.”

Wait, what? When did I headbutted a Steel Ranger? Much less started to drink? I rubbed my hoof against my head in a confused manner… I also felt a bandage that was wrapped around my head. Wait, I was bleeding?! Whoa… at least it wasn’t too serious, I think. And what the hell is a Steel Ranger again?

She did smiled at me however, “Of course, you’re still alive. Can’t believe a wimpy scientist like yourself would have the balls to charge in a Steel Ranger and even managing to incapacitate her before you passed out. I like that.”

Huh? I did? I dunno what she’s even talking about but all I could do was nod to her.

“I see you can’t remember anything, huh? No wonder you have a tendency to headbutt everypony after drinking and then passing out in the end. Is your high intelligence not enough for a scientist like yourself? Typical. You colts are all the same…”

I merely looked at her, like as if I was stupid. I winced a bit in pain from my same hind leg that received burns from a laser shot earlier today. I reached my hoof out, though Lightspeed intervened, “Don’t touch it. Your hind leg had a nasty burn from a laser shot, so you’re better off resting a little more before you can move again.”

At least she’s looking after my saddlebags, just like Gale Storm would. Even this partial cyberpony wouldn’t go as far as to steal things unless if its from dead enemies. Sadly, I have nothing besides my items. Nothing to defend myself from harm as I rested back and letting out a sigh. What a bucking day this has been,,,

I could feel her robotic hoof pressed against my cheek as a form of comfort, “Don’t feel bad. At least you were brave enough to try and not end up getting killed. Like I said, it’d be such a waste to lose such a wonderful scientist like yourself. Now, just stay here. I’ll go and fetch you something to eat. You must be awful hungry from a hectic battle…”

Come to think of it, I am hungry… I could feel and hear it rumble inside before giving my stomach a pat with a hoof.

If only I could remember… its slowly but surely coming back to me now. I guess I do remember some stuff, even my own friends after all. Lightspeed came back with radroach meat coated with Pork N’ Beans served on a dish plate. Even if its meat, I’ve relinquished my rights to stay vegan so chow time!

I was eating vigorously and coating my muzzle with Pork N’ Beans sauce as I heard the half-cyberpony letting out a soft giggle, “My, you sure are hungry, Zero. Almost as if you were my son… speaking of, do you have parents? Not that it’s important anyway.”

As I kept eating and almost finishing my meal, I stopped for a moment when she asked me that. I simply shook my head before hanging my head down a bit with a hint of sadness. If only I knew who were really my parents… too bad they’ve been long dead before I even knew who my mother and father was. Most likely from either a megaspell or being completely dead by the Wastelands themselves.

“So they’re dead, I presume?” Lightspeed asked as I gave a nod. Even if somepony would declare me as their son, how the fuck am I even fit as a true blood relative?

“Huh… well, I suppose I do treat you in a motherly manner, even if my approach was… rather subtle.” Her robotic giggle was let out as I was left confused. Oh wait, I know what she meant… fuck my virginity…

I knew nothing about the simplest basics on approaching anypony like that… its just so… weird and leaves with questionable results. Eugh…

“Well anyway, how about this; assuming that you don’t have actual parents, would you like me to be under your temporary care? As to treat you like my son?”

I cleaned my muzzle with a bed sheet, because I sure as hell don’t want to ruin my trusty lab coat, as I was suddenly surprised to hear this. Lightspeed wanting me to be her adoptive son? This was… unexpected, but…

I did what I could to hold back tears, though despite her near-monstrous appearance, she seems to display her caring to me even if she were to cut me up with her razor-sharp wings just because I disregarded her order. I slowly nodded to her in response. To have an adoptive mother seems so sudden, but anything that can make up for my actual, non-existent parents.

As another response from Lightspeed herself, she gave me a warm, motherly hug, her forelegs embracing me, “Good. Now, just lay back and rest. We’ll wait for Taser to return and I’ll debrief him. Understood?”

I nodded again, just to show that I can obey any order that doesn’t include me binge drinking and charging head-on in a drunken, suicidal manner. Once she had released me, I laid back against the mattress, now well-fed. Of course as always, I couldn’t say anything because I have nothing to write down with. But I suppose waiting until Taser and his compadres would return to Camp Mayne Six with me resting inside a cabin. Not sure what, but I’m too overwhelmed to think of anything at this time.

After seven hours of a lengthy trek, Taser and the Powder Ganger team had soon returned to Camp Mayne Six. Entering the mess hall, he presented a salute to Lightspeed, “Report, Lightspeed!”

Lightspeed returned the salute, “At ease, Taser. Zero’s recovery is doing splendid.”

“Excellent. We’ll leave you at that. Ince Zero recovers, he is free to leave. Unless he chooses to stay with us, he’s better off on his own.”

“Affirmative. Although, I do wish to temporarily accompany him for only a week. As far as he can take care of himself, he doesn’t have any weapons with him. With brains require a lot of brawn, and Zero has yet to earn any brawn. Furthermore, he doesn’t have a PipBuck with him… and I understand that it doesn’t concern you, but to me, he’s proven a worthy ally for the Powder Gangers.” Lightspeed replied to her leader. He was left puzzled at first, wondering what this partial cyberpony meant.

“You wish to accompany him? Well… I suppose if its really temporary, then do return back here afterwards and not a moment too soon. We need to make a plan on where the fuck did those Steel Rangers come from and take them down. Got it?”

Lightspeed gave her leader a salute, “Yes, sir. I assure you that you won’t be disappointed. Speaking of, shall we check on Zero before he can leave with me?”

Taser gave her a confirmed nod, “Yes. Let’s see how well he is doing.”

I was still asleep but soon heard the door swinging open before opening my eye, seeing Taser, Lightspeed and a couple of Powder Gangers coming to see me. I sat up and listened to what Taser has to tell me, “Listen up, Zero. You’re not one of us, but you’re proven a worthy ally for us. And we trust that you put Lightspeed under your care, but only temporary. She’ll likely leave you after an entire week of being your companion before she can return to us. And we need her to find out the source of this… Steel Rangers, or however the fuck you can call it, and take them down. Do I make myself clear? We need her in one piece after a full week has expired. No exceptions.”

Taser’s authoritative behavior proves that he means business, and for Lightspeed would be extremely crucial for their upcoming mission. All I could do was give him a nod.

“Excellent. We’re counting on you to ensure that she makes it back alive and in good health. You’re a scientist, so you’re smarter than this.” Taser instructed me. Oh sure, its not like I would be working on a rock farm…

I got up from the bed before nodded to Lightspeed for us to make our leave. As we left Camp Mayne Six, Taser informed me, “Word of advice. Lightspeed is very fierce, so its best to keep her sanity in check. The last thing she would do to you is to turn you into pony filet. And we’re not going to be held responsible for your unexpected death.”

Well, you don’t have to tell me twice. She’s threatened me a hoof-ful of times!

“Ther’ ya go! This little feller’s all nice and fixed up!” Crankshaft returns with Bob fixed good as new. Bob emits a happy beep and waves his metal claw at Gale Storm and Tootsie Roll.

Tootsie was asleep before being nudged awake by Gale Storm, “Wake up, sweetie. Your robo-scorpion friend has been fixed.”

The young filly was resourceful at first but soon woke up, seeing Bob being fully repaired and good as new. For a pony from his age, Crankshaft did have the right parts to get him back up and running. He even made his mechanical tail be able to fire off laser shots again. She lets out an excited squeal, “Bob! You’re all better!”

“I gave it a bit of extra armor so your scorpion feller can take a few nicks and about, so he’s all good to go!”

“Thank you very much, sir! I’m sure Bob is all better for us to head back to Stable Town… say, you were going to show us the PipBuck 3000, right?” Gale asked the elder pony. Crankshaft’s response was a confused expression, his head tilting to the side, “Erm… come again, missy?”

The two looked at each other, seeing that his elder nature has either gotten the better of him or they realized that he doesn’t have the PipBuck 3000 with him as Gale asked Crankshaft again, “The PipBuck 3000? Remember? Surely you have it with you.”

His second response was a shake to the head. “Nope, don’t have it. An’ even if ah have, its long dead like that 1000 thingamajig… sorry, fellers. But there is another, far more advanced version of these two hootenannies! The 4000!”

Tootsie hurriedly gallops behind the counter as she eagerly says Crankshaft, “Can we see it?! Pretty, pretty pleeeease?!”

He recoils back a bit from her outburst behavior, “Whoa easy there, little feller! Ah ain’t an expert in findin’ things, so I dunno where the PipBuck 4000 is. Rumor has it, that its quite state-of-the-art… at least, that’s all ah can remember. Wherever that trinket is, I dunno. Y’all have to look for them yerselves. Ah’m afraid ah can’t help ya out any further. Besides, ah’m too old to go for adventurin’. Ya best be on yer way now. Thanks fer stopping by!”

After hearing Crankshaft’s rumors regarding the PipBuck 4000, Gale gave him a confirmed nod to Crankshaft before turning her attention to Tootsie, “Tootsie, get Bob. We need to go. And thank you for the help, Crankshaft. It was very appreciated.”

The three had soon left from Crankshaft’s workshop to return to Stable Town.

“So, where do we go to?” Lightspeed asked me. Hell if I know. If I had a voice, I would tell her where we’ll be going. And even then, I’m still PipBuck-less. And I have nothing to write with inside my saddlebags either, so all I could was mouth her as ‘Stable Town’. Hopefully this cyberpony will get what I just said. With no voice of course.

My (temporary) companion had tapped her chin with a normal, non-cybernetic hoof as she took her time to think, “Hmm… Stable Town, you said?”

I gave her a nod. Yes, that’s it! In return, she nodded me back, “Right. I’ve pinpointed the location, follow me.”

Well, it seems Lightspeed can be quite handy as a navigator! A perfect substitute for the long-lost and pretty much broken-down PipBuck! My body hasn’t let out any spasms so far, but I wouldn’t get comfortable just yet. No E.F.S. means I’m unable to determine any possible hostiles coming our way. At least I’m familiar with the footpath before, but its safe for me to follow Taser’s second-in-command.

Hopefully I’ll be able to return back to my friends. Its been a full day and I’ve become separated from them, resulting my insecurities to show. Not just from my lack of weapons, but also from the lack of my true allies. My hooves aren’t made for combat, so taking out a Steel Ranger was pure, dumb luck. In this case, luck was in my favor for a short period of time.

The skies even looks a bit clearer… but still dark and miserable to look at. I almost feel sorry for the Goddesses’ mismanagement of the skies. Oh well, it doesn’t matter anyway. And hoo boy, this is gonna be a lengthy trek!

But we made it back with no issues to go for (and a good thing too, because how in the absolute fuck am I gonna take on hostiles with no weapons with me?), and we’ve made it to Stable Town! Can’t say the same for its inhabitants; they were already feeling dread from Lightspeed’s presence. They did what they could to look away and resume with their normal lives.

“We’re here. Now what?” Lightspeed asked me. I have to give her orders now? No no, she’s only your temporary companion, Zero. Don’t get too cocky.

I turned my attention to Lightspeed and motioned my hoof for her to follow me. She replies with a nod, “Lead the way, then.”

Hopefully my real friends are around. I can’t be bothered to track them down with my non-existent PipBuck in tow. I scanned the area around for a bit… there! I pointed a hoof at the two and a robo-scorpion. She proceeded to ask me in a seemingly authoritative manner, “Are they of threats of yours?”

Hell no! Goddess-damnit, for a cyberpony, you sure have a hard time telling what’s hostile and what’s friendly! I feel the need to face-hoof really hard right about now!

I quickly shook my head and made a seemingly poor hoof-gesture as to instruct her to not fire at them and to let me handle it. Hopefully she’ll get it, or I’ll have to wonder when a voice modulator is even happening so I can stop miming and start talking.

“Hmm… very well then. Lead the way.”

Good! At least she got the idea!

I quickly galloped over to the three before letting out a whistle. It wasn’t loud, but hopefully they’ll hear me.

Gale’s ears perked up at the sound of a whistle, “Huh? Who’s there…?”

She turned her head and had soon saw me and Lightspeed before giving her a hug. Gale, Tootsie, Bob! I’ve missed you so!

“Oh! Zero, you’re back!” Gale lets out a happy giggle and returned the hug around me, with a peck on the cheek from a kiss to go for. My face was red already! Damnit, Gale! Now’s not a good time!

“Yay! Zero’s back and ooooohhhh… he’s brought a half-robotic friend with him!” Tootsie glanced up at Lightspeed, who is indeed a half-robotic mare with me. Lightspeed’s expression remained neutral, unfazed by my reunion with my allies.

Bob whirrs up to her curiously before slowly and carefully skittered forward to her. She glanced down at him in return as she took a quick scan of him, “Hmm… a robo-scorpion blaster MK3, and miniaturized as well, roughly the same size of a young foal. You also express free will.”

He lets out a surprised beeping noise upon seeing that Lightspeed knew who he is. Tootsie lets out a surprised gasp, “You knew who he is?! Soooo awesome!”

Gale soon glanced a bit to her, “Umm… who are you, might I ask?”

“I’m Lightspeed. A partial cyberpony and a second-in-command of the Powder Gangers. Rest assured that I pose no threat unless if provoked.”

“I see… first time I’ve ever seen an augmented pony before… also, shall we explain everything later? We need to rest up.”

Good idea. My hooves felt like its been through a fifteen-hour marathon…

“Oh! Let’s go to Stable 75!” Tootsie suggested. Hopefully with enough caps in me from Taser’s small reward (not sure if it was from my act of bravery or sheer stupidity) was enough for us to stay for a night or two.

As we all left to Stable, Lightspeed asked Bob a question, “Do you have an owner?”

Tootsie eagerly waved a hoof to her, “Oh! Oh, oh! Bob’s my friend! I take good care of him!”

“Bob, huh? Well, its no surprise that you have your mechanical scorpion friend here as your pet.”

I nodded to them before turning my attention to the counter. Time to set introductions aside, as I tapped a hoof against it to grab Sweet Cheek’s attention.

She was browsing along the terminal before she turned to look at us, “Oh! Hey, you’re back! And I see you’ve brought friends with you! Are you here to revisit Stable 75 again and rest up for the night? Same night and same fee.”

I nodded as I went to grab the bottle caps inside my saddlebags while Bob hopped off of the cyberpony’s back and onto the counter to see the overmare and manager, “Oh, why hello there, little guy! I remember you from your first visit with that filly and that older colt! Aren’t you quite an adorable sight? And you look brand-new, too!”

The small robo-scorpion emitted happy beeps from Sweet Cheeks as Tootsie asked her, “Would you like to look after him? He must be happy to see you and wants to stay with you for a night too, Sweet Cheeks!”

“Oh but of course, little filly! I’ll be happy to look after your mechanical friend here while you ponies rest up.” Sweet Cheeks had happily accepted Tootsie’s offer as I gave out the usual 100 caps for her, “And I’ll also be looking out for your saddlebags as well if you may, sir.”

I smiled to her with a nod and slid my saddlebags off of my back before giving it to her. As we trotted inside Stable 75, Bob waved a claw at us goodnight as Sweet Cheeks had also waved a hoof to us, “Have a pleasant night, ponies!”

“Wow… this looks amazing…” Gale looked on in awe, seeing Stable Dwellers working as hotel staffs whom are serving accommodations to visitors. It was business as usual, and we were taken into a different yet cozy room with different beds to go for. All spick and span, with a bathroom to go for that’s also clean from rads.

Tootsie jumped onto the bed but was soon stopped for a moment by Lightspeed, “Refrain from making unwanted ruckuses. You ponies need rest, as do I as well.”

Lightspeed’s right. We’ll wait until the next day as I took off my lab coat and placed it on top of the drawer before slumping myself onto the mattress. So nice and relaxing…

It was pretty brief. Brief enough for me to get a well-deserved rest. As for Gale? Well, she was the first to clean herself up as I had soon fell asleep. Now all we can do is wait until the next day is better than the last. Or worse. Or anything in-between. All I need is a working weapon and I’m good to go. Let’s hope that’s the case after Taser had wrongfully stole my sniper rifle and claimed ownership.

Footnote: No Level Up.
Quest Perk Added: Hammer Space! - Where the hell did that come from? You may carry up to 15 WG of items, that do not count towards your carry weight and all items carried in this way count as having the 'Concealed' special rule. And you seemingly pull these items out of thin air...
Penalty: Too many headbutts can result in a minor concussion, reducing your PER by -1. Ouch!