Resting in Stable 75 felt much more rewarding than sleeping in strewn, bug-ridden mattresses, even if its only for one night only again. I should come and visit - and maybe live in - Stable Town more often. Of course, its not cheap to live in. Especially when you need to keep this town safe from harm. I have a feeling that Stable Town is a healthy place but security is pretty slim for possible future attacks. They need protection. And they’re gonna need it as well.

I was still asleep, but had soon felt a warm embrace around me. I fidgeted a little from the closeness but had soon relaxed, seeing that it felt better than those enclosed walls around me.

My ear could pick up a soft, humming noise coming from Gale Storm herself. Maybe when the time is right, I should owe Stable Town a huge favor. For now, sleep is a big must.

“Five minutes before breakfast is served.” A Stable 75 dweller/employee notified us as he left. I was the first to wake up, stretching my hooves after my wonderful relaxation. Our clothes (and Gale’s armor) were also washed clean, including my lab coat, as they were placed on coat hangers from two large cabinet doors hanging out. I glanced at Gale Storm behind me, still holding her forelegs around me.

I softly smiled at Gale expressing care for me before I gently pried myself off of her and get myself dressed up. I don’t think the Stable 75 employees will approve our overstay inside. Once I’m all dressed up I nudged to Gale Storm to wake her up and then Tootsie. Lightspeed, on the other hoof, woke up on her own… did she have an alarm inside her brain or something?

Well either way, at least everypony's awake, save for Bob who was under Sweet Cheek’s care. Before Gale dressed herself up, she gently grazed her tail against my cheek as she grinned at me, “Good morning, our little scientist.”

My face was immediately burning up from her comments! Damn, my virginity is (nearly) showing again!

Shrugging off and hiding my… obviously embarrassed looks, I left the room first as I went to the main hall of Stable 75 and wait for my friends to come. Not counting Lightspeed of course, she’s a goddess-damned savage if you were to get on her bad side.

During our breakfast (with Stable Town residents chattering quietly in the background), Gale was explaining me regarding the PipBuck 4000. I was intrigued by this as I simply listened on while Tootsie Roll munched on, “...the PipBuck 4000 is, as far as I've heard from Crankshaft, the state-of-the-art and the most advanced PipBuck there is. Unfortunately, Crankshaft doesn’t know the actual design of what the PipBuck 4000 actually looks like, so we’ll have to search for it ourselves.”

I can only hazard a guess that Neighkola Tesla must've designed the PipBuck 4000. But even I don’t know what that PipBuck 4000 even looked like. I was still recovering from an unwanted, explosive battle against the Fiends and inevitably allied myself with the Powder Gangers. Not to mention having one of the Steel Rangers having partially scorching my hindleg from a laser shot. Fuck, I could still remember it. Just barely.

“Lightspeed, how can you still eat? You’re a robot! Well… kinda!”

Lightspeed glanced at the young filly with a neutral expression, “My internal organs are still organic and not artificial, young one. I still have to eat, despite my… modifications. Long story short, I’m still just a regular mare, just a tad different than I look.”

Guess she isn't fully cyberpony. If she were, then Lightspeed wouldn't be able to eat anything at all.

“Oooohhh. Well, Zero here is mute!” Tootsie replied. What, you didn't know I was mute the whole time? Honestly now…

The partial cyberpony assured the filly, “I’m aware. But you might need to refrain from making fun of his muted nature.”

I nodded in agreement to Lightspeed; my name and my overall appearance isn't to be made fun of.

“Okey-dokey-wokey, half-robot, half-pony, ma’am!”

Once we finished our normal breakfast, we left the Stable 75 entrance to get Bob. Sweet Cheeks had been polishing Bob’s metallic shell as she turned her attention to us, “Oh, you’re back from your stay! Hope you had a wonderful time here at Stable 75! I've been taking good care of your robotic scorpion friend, and he’s surely a cutie!”

Bob emitted his happy beeping noises from his stay with Sweet Cheeks, his overall armor looking shiny as ever. Seems the Overmare/hotel manager did a wonderful job at taking care of our robo-scorpion friend! And I’m starting to like Stable Town. Now if only I had my voice or - more importantly, a PipBuck - for me to ask a favor for her, or whoever is managing the not-dead town.

Sweet Cheeks did have a small, concerned expression at Lightspeed, “Umm… hi? You look kind of… different.”

Lightspeed gave her an assuring smile, “Don’t worry, I express no hostility to you or others. I’m still a normal pony, just with… augmentations and whatnot from an accident.”

“Yup! She’s a friendly robo-pony!” Tootsie clarified further as Bob skitters to his filly companion. I went behind the counter and searched for something, besides our belongings.

Of course, the Overmare and hotel manager giggled at the sight before pointing a hoof under the counter, “If you looking for your belongings, they’re right underneath.” She then showed it to me though I corrected her with a hoof gesture, as it indicate for me to write something.

“Oh, you need to say something? Sounds reasonable! Wait… didn't you had your PipBuck from your last visit?”

Gale responded for me, “His PipBuck suddenly stopped working, so now we have to look for a new PipBuck, the 4000 Crankshaft mentioned us about.”

“PipBuck 4000? I’ve never heard of that device before… I don’t really know where that is, I’m afraid. If you intend to look for it, then do be careful. The Wastelands are known to claim lives of innocent ponies, so if you’re gonna be searching for this PipBuck 4000, you’ll have to find it for yourself.”

After Sweet Cheeks told us on the difficulties of finding a replacement for my PipBuck, I found a blank paper and a pencil and began to write down words after setting it on the table. I set the pencil down and showed it to her which read as ‘Who is the mayor of Stable Town?’.

“Huh? Hmm… I believe that would be Quickdraw, who was the only mayor and security for Stable Town. As strange as it sounded, he never returned back to Stable Town after telling his residences that he needed to retrieve supplies for Stable Town. The ponies are still living normally, but I fear that our supplies will gradually diminish within a few months... “ Sweet Cheeks explained, hearing that Stable Town has a mayor gone missing. From the looks of it, this won’t end well for Stable Town if this Quickdraw doesn’t return…

“Oh dear. No wonder why its so sparsely populated. Not to mention that there’s rarely any security…” Gale explained further for Sweet Cheeks. With Quickdraw missing, Stable Town would fall victim to future attacks, be it from Raiders or a raging Cazador migration. And I can’t be security, as not only do I have no weapons with me, I’m ineligible to be his replacement as mayor and sheriff of Stable Town. I've got way too much time on my hooves, considering as how I need to find a new PipBuck badly, or I’ll be forced to rely on sheer luck on navigating around the Wastelands with a non-existent map to go for.

I turned the paper around with my teeth and began to write it down again as to reply the Overmare and hotel manager of Stable 75. I presented it to her which read ‘We’ll try and find Quickdraw and return him safely’.

Sweet Cheek’s response was a surprised gasp upon seeing my intentions to search and rescue Quickdraw, “Oh! You will?! Oh, that’s wonderful! We could use ponies like you to help rescue Quickdraw! He told everypony five weeks ago that he left to Pegas County to scavenge for supplies but hasn’t returned since…”

Something’s striking me odd… why did it sounded so similar? Its like retrieving for artifacts, but more of a rescue mission than a retrieval…

As for Pegas County? Well, this is a major setback for me; I have no wings to go for, and even Gale Storm has a damaged wing that’s yet to be fully recovered. I wonder if there’s a way to find maybe a large, hot air balloon that can take us there? Because I certainly can’t, and neither does Tootsie Roll and Bob.

Lightspeed is the only one who can fly, but she’s only staying with us for an entire week so she’s not our permanent companion. And no healing potions in my saddlebags either. Great. Just great.

“Oh boy, a rescue mission! Come on, Zero! We have to save Quickdraw from an impending doom!”

With what, Tootsie? Unlike the three, I have no weapons with me!

I regrouped back with my team (not counting Lightspeed) and strapped my saddlebags onto my back as Gale took notice that my sniper rifle went missing, “Say… where’s your sniper rifle, Zero?”

Oh fucking horse-apples. The last thing I want now is a gunfight when Gale realizes that Lightspeed helped Taser confiscate my weapon. In this peaceful town on its last hooves, too!

Lightspeed lied her way for me, “It was stolen by the Raiders and even went as far as to render it unusable beyond repair.”

Good. A lie is only good for one thing, and that was to prevent a bloody gunfight inside the hotel facility. And I hate to be in the middle.

“I see. Zero, you can use one of my Plasma Rifles. Do take great care of it.” Gale strapped the Plasma Rifle in between my side and my saddlebags. I’m at least armed for now and I nodded her in thanks.

“Well, we better get going now. We’ll go find Quickdraw and bring him back safely.”

Sweet Cheeks nodded, “Just be careful out there, ponies. If you bring him back to safety, you’re always welcome to stay over in Stable 75, free of charge!”

The reward she offered was not only unexpected, but worthwhile too! All that’s left is for us to head to Pegas County, find Quickdraw and bring him back to safety. That is, if some of us can fly. Hopefully I don’t have to walk on clouds.

“Yay! We’ll get ourselves a free of stay!” Tootsie proclaimed.

Only if we could find and bring Quickdraw back to Stable Town, alive.

Once we left Stable Town, I glanced at the team. I reminded them by presenting my PipBuck-less hoof to them, so our priority would be searching for a working PipBuck before we can find Quickdraw. I can’t afford the risk of getting ourselves separated again. Even my Pinkie sense doesn’t know what’s up ahead. In fact, even my non-existent PipBuck doesn’t know where we are. Just another typical forest that’s completely devoid of true nature.

The last thing I’ll be doing is being one with nature. And I hate this kind of nature! Its not even alive, just… dead. The only reason for it to be alive is that hungry, pony-eating creatures are waiting to pop up out of nowhere and finish us off!

At least Pinkie herself isn’t making silly remarks over what I just said in my not-so preoccupied head. I’m a scientist, not a navigator. I can’t guide them anywhere without my PipBuck! And why am I going crazy over a lack of a PipBuck?!

“Zero? Is something wrong?” Gale asked me with a hint of concern. I only shook my head, though the trickling sweat is already showing from my head. Gale gave a worried look, “Well if you say so… I know you’re worried about your PipBuck, and that there’s no known location of the PipBuck 4000, but you have to stay calm. We have your back, and that’s all that matters.”

I gave her a confirmed nod, even if Lightspeed’s only here for a limited time. Even then, she’s not the best navigator there is. Despite her cyborg-like appearance, Lightspeed doesn’t know the actual location of the PipBuck 4000. Gonna have to rely on my wits here and there.

We arrived on what appears to be an entrance inside the bunker. And a terminal of course.

Looks like I get to unlock it. Booting up, it features a wide variety of letters that requires me to unlock it. This is gonna be a tricky one… and I can’t afford the risk of locking it, even if I go for a second try. I need to make my first try count.

Let’s see… ‘Steelrangers’? No, that’s not it. Three tries remaining.

‘Trampolines’? Not it either. Two tries remaining. Goddesses, this is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, without magic! I’d have Tootsie lockpick it, but the door’s too damn big and the locking mechanism is far too complex comparing to unlocking safes and other normal doors.

Come on… ‘Calamity’? Damnit! Not it either! Only one more left… and what the hell’s a Calamity? Is it Calamity Jane? Fuck it, one more will have to do… and for goddesses’ sake, Gale, stop checking on me! You’re not making things easy for me!

All right, just one more will suffice… first chance is all that matters…

‘’Rainboom’! Fucking finally! And not a moment too soon; once the bunker door slid open, we quickly head inside as a couple of ponies were approaching. I’m seriously not gonna determine on whether they’re friendlies or hostiles.

Once inside, we could see multiple rows filled with different paths which doubles as a goddess-damned maze. The corridors also feel rather, uncomfortably narrow… a claustrophobic feeling as well. I let out a quiet shudder from the sight.

Fuck it, might as well brave it and move on. Tootsie scanned around different paths from the interior of the bunker, “Ooohhh… its like we’re in a maze! Maybe Zero can show us a way!”

Yes, unless you want your scatterbrained behavior get the better of you and separate from us with no way of regrouping whatsoever! Stick together, Tootsie Roll. If I could only speak, that is.

“Sweetie, we need to stay together. Don’t wander off, this place may be quiet, but anypony can get themselves lost and may not return in one piece. Do you understand?” Gale advised the filly in a motherly manner. Great, she’s being a mother to her now? And here I thought Lightspeed is my adoptive mother, which is rather awkward for a half-cyberpony and full Powder Ganger…

So now I have two objectives in my mind; find the PipBuck 4000 and rescue Quickdraw. Boy, that’ll be a fucking hoot. With no other choice, I motioned my head and led them to the path of my choosing and mine alone. I don’t want them separated even for a second.

Lightspeed hasn’t spoken a word, other than staying close to me. I’d like a bit of personal space, but the last thing I’d want is for her to lose it. And I sure as hell don’t want any part of it.

Bob glanced around as he emitted soft, whirring noises in a curious manner like some common cat. Tootsie replied to her robo-scorpion friend, “I know… it looks sooo weird… like a lab!”

Lightspeed hushed at the filly, “Quiet, filly. We don’t know what’s up ahead, so I suggest adjusting your tone of voice. Understood?”

“Oopsies! Okey-doke-- I mean…” Tootsie lowered her voice, “Okey-dokey-wokey.”

Good. My body hasn’t spasmed yet, but the raised voice is enough to attract unexpected attention that might land us in hot water. We’re now walking along the grated floor and below us are a couple of Robobrains and Securitrons patrolling underneath. Great, more killer robots to go for. I’m not sure how they’ll even react to both Lightspeed’s partial cybernetic augmentations and Bob being fully robotic yet have free will. All we gotta do is stay calm and not make any sudden noises and continue on.

Up ahead is another terminal. Great, more for me to impossibly crack through it! What more does the Wastelands want; test me if I’m even bulletproof?

Ugh, whatever… I booted up the terminal anyway; no machine can ever outwit my high intellect!

I turned to my team and gave them a ‘shush’ expression as to not make any noises. We don’t want to risk drawing attention of Robobrains and Securitrons below us - and I require absolute concentration as well. This one isn’t gonna be a cakewalk.

Gale gave me an affirmed nod and shushed to Tootsie as for the filly to stay quiet. Tootsie however followed suit and shushed at Bob as well. Not sure why would she do that; its not like Bob can normally talk like we do. He’s a robo-scorpion that only talks in whirrs and beeps.

Now, for me to get the second door unlocked. This one is rather… unusual; it had a lot of jumbled-up symbols and numbers, but not a full, single letter shown on the screen. This one’s pretty tricky…

I would ask Lightspeed for help, but seeing as how I can’t speak, I’ll have to resort in motioning my hoof for her as she took an approach, “Something you need help with?”

I nodded to her answer as I pointed my hoof on the screen to see if she can find the letters for me. My sight hasn’t recovered from headbutting a Steel Ranger that rattled my noggin. Damn, I could still feel it rattle a bit in my head…

“Hmm… and you need me why? You’re a scientist and therefore don’t require my assistance in hacking through a terminal. Its like finding a needle in a haystack. You should know better.” Lightspeed gave me a robotic giggle, with a hint of tease inside. Are you suggesting that I’m stupid?! I may be a smart scientist, but to decipher a code is like trying to get a damn Memory Orb to work (and I’m not even a unicorn)! With a reluctant sigh and my help rejected, I guess I’ll have to rely on my intellect and see if I can find one single fucking word on the goddess-damned screen!

C’mon, where the hell is it? I hate to take an alternative route that would possibly lead us directly to those murderous robots. Where… where… aha! There you are!

Fucking finally! Its was ‘Littlepip’! Wait… what the hell is a ‘Littlepip’? Is it a miniaturized PipBuck that doubles as a novelty toy?

Not sure where Pinkie is in my mind, but regardless I selected the word and eagerly opened the door. It reveals to be descending stairs and facing left as well. Well whatever that would lead us, hopefully we won’t be confronting Robobrains and Securitrons. Lightspeed went first and brushed her tail against my cheek, “See, was that so hard? Our little scientist is quite the learner.”

Fuck! My face is burning up again! Damnit, Lightspeed!

Gale playfully giggled and wrapped a hoof around mine as Tootsie Roll and Bob followed the partially-augmented cyberpony, “Come on, oh faithful leader. Let’s keep moving.”

Double fuck! I think I just felt my heart beginning to pound against my ribcage inside! Body, don’t you dare shake on me now! Focus!

I slowly wrapped my hoof around Gale’s in response and nervously went down the stairs, following the three - all while my hooves are helplessly shaking like noodles - before stopping behind them. Facing right is a narrow pathway that hopefully doesn’t result in me thinking of claustrophobia. Fucking hell…

Okay, you can let go of my hoof now! A scientist can’t think when you’re this close to me, Gale! Cease and desist at once, goddess-damnit!

“Oooohhhh! Somepony likes a maaaaare!”

Pinkie, where the hell did you come from?! And what pray tell did you meant by ‘somepony liking a mare’?!

“It means yoooouuu’re in love with Gale Storm!”

What?! A scientist knows nothing of… of intimate romance, Pinkie Pie! Now, I need to focus before your future shenanigans are gonna jeopardize my current mission, damnit!

“Ooookey-dokey-wokey! But I can still bet that you’re in loooove!”

Fucking goddess-damnit all!

Alright, just focus on the matter of hoof! I let go of Gale’s hoof as I took a deep breath with a sigh, my face still burning up but lessening now.

Oh fuck, I need to get a grip…

I squeezed myself to lead my allies through a straight and uncomfortably-narrow corridor and see where it’ll take us. Fucking walls, I swear…

At least my body isn’t letting out spasms so far. And a good thing too, or we’d be encountering killer, non-sentient robots bent on killing us all. And I highly doubt that they’ll be fooled by a fully-sentient Bob. Whatever the path I chose lead us, I’m hoping to Celestia that we don’t happen to encounter any ravaging ponies that are this trigger happy to us. Up ahead, we saw a main hall containing a couple of safe boxes (all whom were pried open), several withered posters barely sticking on walls and more doors. Whoop-de-doo, more doors! (Not!)

“Ooohhhh, doors! Yay! Isn’t this exciting, guys?! We get to open doors!” Tootsie shouted excitedly for no apparent reason aside from her scatterbrained behavior. Gale shook her head in response, “We don’t know which is which, so we need to be careful on opening a door that could put us all in danger. Zero, care to do the honors for us?”

Certainly! For I am-- focus, damnit!

I trotted over to the first door and pressed a button. It opens up to reveal a safe and an intact poster glued against the wall, depicting a pony named ‘Shining Armor’. He’s depicted a white coat with varying colors of blue from his mane and tail. And he’s a unicorn as well, though not sure where the real one is. I mainly focused on the unopened safe; I think its a good idea for me to get Tootsie to unlock it for me.

Turning around, I exited the door and waved a hoof at the filly, “Ooohhh. Something you need, Zero? Did you found a safe?!”

I gave her a confirmed nod. Tootsie emits her excited squeal, “Yay! More picky locks to be picked! You three wait here!” Lightspeed watches Tootsie skipping along to the door as she glanced at Gale, “Does this filly act like this through her life?”

The ex-Enclave merely shrugged her shoulders in response, “She’s just young and learning new things is all.”

“Well hopefully she doesn’t learn on how to befriend a Raider…”

Once Tootsie arrived, she giddily floated the screwdriver and a bobby pin from my saddlebags, which were surprisingly stolen by either Taser or his explosive faction, “Now, alloooow me!”

She hummed a song as I watched her work on the safe. Of course, this particular safe seems to show resilience as the bobby pin snaps off, “Awww! The lucky bobby pin broke in half! Stupid safe, learn to open, why don’tcha?!”

I chuckled softly at the filly’s comments; reminds me on how I couldn’t even get one, stupid safe open because I’m merely a pony with no natural abilities whatsoever, be it flight or magic. (Or maybe a little bit of both.)

She took a second bobby pin from my saddlebags and began to pick the safe open again, “Now, don’t be a big meanie, safe! We just wanna see your secrets, and maaaybe borrow them for our adventure!”

By borrow, I think she meant steal them for our trek. Well, stray items don’t belong to anypony if they’re dead anyway, so that’s pretty much moot. My ears picked up the sounds of the safe door popping open as I blissfully grinned at the noise, “Ta-da! One not-so-meanie safe now open to take”

I nodded her in thanks and I trotted over to see what this safe has something to offer me - a recording, five unused plasma rounds and a recipe! Hot damn! I also need to remind myself to play unused records I’ve acquired back the other day, but only if I could find a working PipBuck.

Eagerly, I took the ammo, recording and a recipe that I don’t know about because again, no PipBuck.

“Did you got them all? I bet you did!” Tootsie eagerly asked and I nodded in response before leaving the room, “Yay! Mr. Zero got his scientific items!”

We left the room and Gale asked me, “Did Tootsie opened up the safe and acquired valuable items inside?” I nodded in response.

“So, care to open the next doors, son?” Lightspeed asked me in a teasing, yet motherly tone. Oh brother…

I motioned Tootsie to regroup with the other three while I get the rest of the doors open, because who doesn’t love to open doors? I certainly don’t!

“Okey-dokey-wokey! Bob, time to play a bit of hopscotch while Zero can get more doors open!”

How the buck can a mechanical scorpion even play hopscotch when he can’t even jump?! Ugh, whatever. Maybe those doors can lead to another not-deadly path? Let’s see if this one does wonders.

The door opens up for me and… empty. Wow. I just made a new discovery: nothing!

My annoyed frown burrowed as the Wastelands seems to enjoy wasting my precious science time in finding a new pathway for us to continue along. And I can bet Pinkie is laughing inside my head.

Onto the next, and I’ll probably discover nothing other than maybe a sudden ambush that’s sure to test my sharp senses. Opening up another unopened door revealed to be a single shelf littered with unused and used stimpaks and healing potions lying on the floor. No actual pathway, but this one’s a big plus!

I immediately stuffed the untouched stimpaks and healing potions inside my saddlebags as they’re crucial for my allies, save for Bob who would need parts should he happen to get damaged. And even if his body has a tough shell to it, I can’t guarantee that he could survive from weapons that could penetrate his armor but I’m confident that he can manage his own. He is a free-willed robo-scorpion, after all.

Right. Onto the last door and Gale was the first to approach, “Did you find anything yet?”

I showed her my saddlebags, inside were stimpaks and healing potions. Gale beamed up to me, “Oh good job on finding healing items along the way! I’m so proud of you!”

Well, I haven’t done anything good yet, just making sure that me and my allies would stay alive for the remainder of our mission. I motioned to Lightspeed as I went to the last, unopened door. The partial cyberpony notified to the filly, “Tootsie, get your scorpion friend. We’re ready to go.”

“Okey-dokey-wokey! C’mon, Bob! We’re gonna get ready for our search for Zero’s long-lost PipBuck!”

W-What?! My PipBuck 1000 was damaged beyond repair, rendering it nonfunctional! What makes you think that my non-existent PipBuck has any sentient life, eh? Bob followed Tootsie, still confused of what his ditzy friend meant by hopscotch. He can’t jump, much less hop!

I proceeded to open up a final door; this time leading to a new corridor. There was a catch - there was no visible light from the ceiling. Fluorescent lights were burned out, with some buzzing and flickering as they struggled to stay alight.

My ears twitched as I took a closer look; the flickering lights reveal to be… three Robobrains! Oh fuck! I quickly retreated and motioned the others to hide before they’d notice us!

“Are there ponies inside?! Oh boy, oh bo--” Gale quickly interrupted Tootsie by wrapping a hoof around her mouth, quickly shushing her before retreating back inside a storage room (same poster with a used safe inside).

“Sssshh! They’re Robobrains…”

I went in a different room, and Bob was there with me along with Lightspeed. Unfortunately, Tootsie’s antics were enough to grab the Robobrains’ attention as they slowly and dangerously rolled out into the main hall.

“Scanning…”

“Scanning…”

Dammit, we can’t get through! Even with both Plasma Rifles and Lightspeed’s sharp wings, there has to be a plan… there just has to be! Charging in even with three of us well-equipped would be suicide, regardless! I glanced at both Bob and Lightspeed as I pointed my hoof at the robo-scorpion for him to provide at least a distraction, “Hmm? You want him to distract them? Am I not a viable option for this?”

I shook my head. Not yet, not now. Even if you’re partially a cyberpony, those Robobrains are less likely to be fooled by your looks and still consider you a threat. Bob on the other hoof is fully mechanical and there’s no way those robobrains will be able to tell what’s organic and what’s mechanical, because Bob has free will for a robotic scorpion!

And I don’t think these three are even planning to move, much less leave to their original places…

“I suppose if that’s the case, then this Bob will be a viable plan for you.”

I nodded to Lightspeed before looking at Bob. He looked up at me as I gave out instructions to him regarding in dealing with Robobrains. Seeing as how I couldn’t speak, all I could do was make silly poses and whatnot in front of him, and I’m hoping he’ll get the picture by distracting them. Lightspeed looked on, confused at my actions, “Are you making ridiculous dances at this time?”

I stopped dancing and shot up an annoyed glare at Lightspeed. No, I wasn’t making ridiculous dances! I’m giving Bob instructions on distracting Robobrains! Honestly, if Dr. Scalpel hadn’t taken my voice, I would be talking normally in the first place! Goddess-fucking-damnit!

Luckily, Bob nodded up to me and gave me a salute with a metal claw before skittering to a killer, robotic trio. I sure hope to Celestia they don’t mistake him for a pony…

Bob waved a claw at the three Robobrains as he emitted a couple of beeping noises.

Their attention was now faced at the robo-scorpion as he began to make silly poses.

“Scanning…”

“Scan complete. Hello, friend!”

Yes! It worked! Bob wasn’t deemed to be a threat to them! Now, just distract them a little longer while I aim at them with Gale’s Plasma Rifle. Gale herself followed suit as she gave me a nod, and I nodded back to fire on my signal. Keep going, Bob… I can’t yell out at Gale for us to fire so all I could do was nod at Gale again as I wrapped my tongue around the trigger and pulling it.

PRRROWWWW!! PRRROWWWW!!

Direct hit! It was barely alive, and Gale soon returned fire at the robobrains, “Fire!”

“Come out! We on--”

“We want to ki--”

Bob quickly skittered out of the way as the Robobrains had soon dissolved into goo. That was an awesome ambush! Lightspeed smiled at me as we headed into the corridor (coast is clear as well), “For a silent scientist, you’re quite a wonderful tactician.”

Heh, thanks.

“Ewww! They’re all green and gooey! Blech!” Tootsie looked on as she followed us along, along with Bob.

The room was filled with littered tables and terminals strewn all over the floor, which creates an unnecessary obstacle for us. Whoever was maintaining the place - aside from Robobrains - did a lousy job.

“Well… this place is truly a mess. How in the wide, wide world of Equestria are we gonna get through?”

Even if Gale could fly, her wing hasn’t been recovered yet and even with her wound healed, it doesn’t mean she’s physically fit for flying. Of course I have Lightspeed, who can still fly flawlessly; her metallic wings are pretty invulnerable to fractures!

“Let me see if I can search for something. Just stay here.” Lightspeed ordered us as she was the first to fly as to survey the damage before flying up and over strewn desks. My curiosity brought me to what appears to be a diagram littered onto the ground. What could that be?

As I flipped the diagram over, it revealed to be a picture of the PipBuck 4000! State-of-the-art, too!

The PipBuck 4000

-Voice command
-Very durable and waterproof
-Identifies on the wearer (e.g. health stat, inventory)
-Built-in flashlight

Designed by: Neighkola Tesla

My eye widened with such amazement… the PipBuck 4000 is real! Oh, how wonderful! It’d be a shame that I just laid the 1000 version to waste and that I’d leave Olive Oil disappointed, but the 4000 shows promise! And I should thank Neighkola Tesla if he’s ever alive; if he was, I could ask for his autograph! Oh the joyness is springing in my mind right now! Thank you, Neighkola Tesla!

“Oh? That’s the PipBuck 4000? Looks so… futuristic.” Game told me as she glanced at the diagram. Meanwhile, Lightspeed had already found an opening that leads to another path ahead, “I found another path up ahead. I’ll come and pick up the filly first, along with the robo-scorpion.”

Me and Gale gave her a nod as Tootsie Roll and Bob were the first two to be carried by Lightspeed, “Now, don’t fall off. It’d be a real pain if you get pinned in between littered desks.”

“Okey-dokey-wokey!” Tootsie responded as Lightspeed had carefully carried the two into the pathway. Soon, Gale was next. Even if Gale’s wing is all right, she’s still unfit to fly for today. Despite her armory, Lightspeed took her to Tootsie and Bob with no issues. And thus, I was the last to be carried by Lightspeed as I clambered up to her back and avoiding her razor-sharp wing, “Hold on tight… son.”

I gave her a neutral nod in response. I don’t recall having a partial cyberpony as my mother, nor are we closely related by blood…

I hoped she was gonna fly fast and relentless, yet this flight was short and smooth - I’ve never been riding shotgun on a pegasus before!

It wasn’t long until she landed onto her hooves and I got off of her back. Looking ahead is yet another corridor leading straight ahead. Great. Just fucking great. I have to navigate through a narrow, fucking corridor?! I swear, this is getting me claustrophobic again!

But what choice do I have? I need to lead my allies. There’s no way to go back now. Hell, this hellhole is claustrophobic enough already! Once I retrieve the PipBuck 4000, I need to return to the surface with them and find this Quickdraw pony. And bring him back to Stable Town.

We’re in a huge room, and up ahead were ascending steps. Inside was a sealed tube containing…

The PipBuck 4000! Yes!

I motioned a hoof at the four as to wait there. Gale nodded to me, “Okay, we’ll wait for you there. Just be careful.”

“Oooohhh… is that a PipBuck sealed inside?!” Tootsie looked on with amazement.

“Yes, little filly. That is the PipBuck. If Zero was chosen to retrieve it, then it is his choice.”

After arriving up, I gazed the amazement of the real PipBuck 4000. Its so amazing…

Then, a holographic screen emitted depicting a face of what appears to be a middle-aged pony:

“Greetings, fellow rookie! I am Neighkola Tesla, and you are hereby chosen to own the PipBuck 4000!

“But before you are proven worthy for the PipBuck 4000, you will be given a series of questions.

“If you answer at least five out of ten correct questions, the PipBuck 4000 will be yours! I designed it myself with great integrities and with flawless technology, courtesy of the Ministry of Arcane Sciences!

“Be warned though that these given questions are far from easy. Should you get more than five answers incorrect, this terminal will be locked for the next twenty years until you can go for a second chance to own your very own PipBuck 4000! And no, you won’t find it anywhere else within the Stables. The PipBucks you’ll find are nothing but cheap, outdated items! Or so to speak.

“Now, are you ready?”

This holographic pony may not be the real Neighkola Tesla, but if there’s anything, anything that could please my idol is that the PipBuck 4000 will be mine for the taking and that I won’t have to go PipBuck-less forever! The biggest setback is if I get half of the answers incorrect, the terminal will get locked out with no way of rebooting it back. Even if I were to override the terminal, it won’t be any consolation as this is a one-time event of this puzzle. I have to do this. I must. And I know I’ll be putting my high intellect to the test and stay myself calm as I hope to Celestia I can earn it myself. And for my friends, even lost ones too.

I pressed a hoof against the button to let my pseudo-idol know that I’m ready.

“Excellent! Best of luck to you, rookie! And don’t fail!

“Message end.”

The holographic pony soon disappeared, but not before a seemingly large screen had activated and it soon began to write down the first question. This is it; a series of tests that’s going to put my brain to the ultimate test. Its all or nothing.

“Question One: Who led the Wonderbolts during the Cloudsdale air show event?”

Hmm… I’m no Pegasi expert, but I can guess Spitfire, so I typed down her name and pressed Enter. Hopefully this is the right answer…

“Correct!”

Yes! Got my first answer correct! Behind me, Gale and Tootsie were cheering me on, “Go, Zero! You can do it!”

Even Bob beeped repeatedly as to try and mimic their gestures, save for Lightspeed who is just looking on. I aim to please!

“Question Two: What Stable number that was located within the interior of Sweet Apple Acres?”

Oh… fuck. Its a number game now. What Stable number in Sweet Apple Acres? And what in the absolute hay is a ‘Sweet Apple Acres’? A place for harvesting apples? Anyway, I’m guessing the number… 24?

I typed down two and four and pressed enter. The answer I got was this:

“Incorrect!”

Damnit! There goes a good head start! Four more incorrect answers and I’ll never get the PipBuck 4000! Firing it open to get it myself would be no easy feat - its imperious to even alicorn magic! Neighkola Tesla - my very own idol - doesn’t seem to make things easy for me. But I can’t just give up now!

“Oh no! Zero got it wrong!” Tootsie proclaimed.

“Its alright; Zero has a couple chances to go. I’m sure he can do it.”

Thank you Gale for giving me a standing ovation. I need to get at least five questions correct instead of getting all of them.

“Question Three: Who is the current broadcaster of the Equestrian Wastelands?”

Pfft, that’s easy. As far as I know, DJ-Pon3 or whatever that name is should fit in with the question. Of course, there’s a trick I thought up. instead of inputting ‘o’ as a letter, I instead replaced it with the number ‘0’ (hence my-- don’t get any funny ideas regarding my name!). Here goes nothing!

“Correct!”

Huzzah! My luck has been doubled for my effort!

“Question Four: What is the number for the original model of the PipBuck?"

What comes before 4000? Hmm… I know! 3000! Let’s see if that’s correct!

“Correct!”

Just two more and the real PipBuck 4000 will be mine! I can bet Neighkola Tesla will be pleased with my efforts! Even give him a chance to construct a Tesla Cannon once I retrieve the Tesla Coil!

“Question Five: $@&%*$ the name of %#@^%#?”

The buck? When did it started to glitch randomly? I’m not sure how, but I can bet that the luck universe had started to shift unexpectedly. Oh fucking horse apples… guess I should write down Fillydelphia and get an automatic wrong answer, I suppose.

“Incorrect!”

Knew it. I fucking knew this would happen. Once I began to progress through, these simple questions turn into tough answers. And tougher questions lead to even tougher answers. Goddesses, I hope this doesn’t happen again…

“Question $@#@!: What resulted in a massive devastation of $@%tria?”

I can bet that’s Equestria. As for a massive devastation? I’m not entirely sure…

Maybe social unrest will suffice?

“Incorrect!”

Goddess fucking damnit! How is that an incorrect answer?! My mind yelled out.

Pinkie apparently rebutted me with, “How can you not know that it was the Megaspell that caused this?! You’re a scientist, for pony’s sake! You’re supposed to be a genius!”

What in the actual fuck is a ‘Megaspell’ anyway?! I know almost anything except weapons of mass destruction!

“That’s why you need to study more!”

Ugh, study more she says…

A scientist doesn’t create weapons with destructive firepower! That’s not even my strong suit! But goddesses did I got two incorrect answers in one go…

“Just hang in there, Zero! You can do it!” Gale yelled out. This wasn’t any consolation so far; this unique terminal is clearly testing my intelligence.

“Question Seven: What does S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stand for?”

I got three right and four wrong. Just one more incorrect is enough to prevent me from getting my hooves on the PipBuck. I can’t let my chances go to waste!

Let’s see… Strength; Perception; Endurance; Charisma; Intelligence; Agility; and Luck.

“Correct! You’re one step closer to success!”

Now its all or nothing. I must get one correct answer! I must! I was panting harshly, beads of sweat trickling down my forehead as mental pressure was sinking deep in my head. Just one, correct answer is all it takes… and I can’t disappoint my idol, too…

Come on, Neighkola! Show me what you got!

“Question Eight: Who were the two Princesses of Equestria prior to the Great War?”

Gonna make this final question count! I don’t care if there’s two extra questions left to do! The Princesses are known as Luna and Celestia! There! Get it right!

“Correct!

"Congratulations, rookie! You are now eligible to own your brand-new PipBuck 4000! May the Goddesses be with you, young genius, as for I, Neighkola Tesla, shall venture on to newer horizons!”

The screen had soon died out, but not before the small pod sealing the PipBuck 4000 slowly hissed open. Oh my Celestia… its real… its really real! My eye grew wide and became watery, gazing at the sight of the PipBuck! Meanwhile, the four joined up with me as Gale and Tootsie cheered me on.

“You did it, Zero! Nopony would ever outsmart you!” Gale gave me an optimistic smile and even gave me a hug.

I returned the smile to Gale as I reached out a hoof to the PipBuck 4000. To my sudden surprise, the PipBuck had floated up and slid around my left hoof, attaching itself onto it!

“Whoa, your PipBuck did something!” Tootsie proclaimed, watching it firmly attach itself around my hoof. lightspeed was neutral, but she too was surprised at the sight.

“Scanning…

“Welcome, Zero.”

It… it knew my name?! The screen was fairly bigger than the 1000 and the 3000 version! Sweet Celestia! And its durable as well!

I really gotta shake Neighkola’s hoof so badly when I get to see him! It wasn’t long until the screen showed up a map to see where we are. Whoa… so advanced…

I turned my attention to a large, freight elevator on the right. I bet this could lead us back up to the surface! I motioned the others to follow me as we went into the freight elevator to prepare ourselves. Once inside, I nodded to Gale as she pressed the button as we slowly made our way back up to the surface.

Next up: Rescue Quickdraw and bring him back to Stable Town, alive and well. Whatever we are going, we're gonna have to wait and see. But with the new PipBuck 4000 in my possession, things won’t be so complicated.

Footnote:Level Up.
New Perk: Team Player -- You have learned the basic skills of teamwork and sharing. Good for you! Whenever all members of the party are within moving range of your character, he or she gains +5% to all skills.
Bonus: You have obtained a PipBuck! S.A.T.S. and E.F.S. are now available for use.