Elsewhere

Leaning out the window, I found myself noticing how pretty the view was. The water would kill you within hours if you went for a swim and the pink storm coming suggested that the lower levels would probably be flooding again. But the view was pretty, if you were into that kind of thing.

The stripe appeared out of nowhere, as he always did. “Greetings, Equestrian.”

I glanced over, not even concerned this time. It would be easy for him to push me out the window, but my death would bring him no success. “I assume you’ll push me one day, no?”

Pleasure, maybe, but no success.

“Of course not.” He looked at me impassively, standing where he always did, a corner that was usually dark. “A short fall to the rocks below is too swift a fate for your kind.”

“I see…” I rose at a carefully slow pace, walking to my desk. “Am I to assume you’re behind this latest excitement?” I turned my desk lamp on, shining directly on the corner he occupied.

He scowled as I turned the light on, but remained in place. “That is one possibility.”

That meant yes.

I settled down, resting my hooves on my desk. “And you're holding King Crimson?”

“That is one possibility.”

"I'd like a chance to talk to him. Before he meets his grisly fate, of course, or whatever it is you stripes do to your prisoners.” I picked up my Pipbuck model 2100, turning the radio on.

He looked to my Pipbuck with mild curiosity. “I cannot promise anything.”

“Well, if that were to happen, I'm sure I could consider our ‘arrangement’ good for the next few months.” I shrugged, tossing the M2100 back on my desk and waving a hoof as I sat back. “Otherwise, well… I’m sure you can imagine how my ponies would react to finding the Star Touched were hiding in the basement…”

“I see…” His irritation was clear as he spoke quietly, slowly, annunciating every syllable clearly. “I'll be in touch, Equestrian.”

“You know where I am, stripe.” I snorted as he disappeared.

He could want me dead all he wanted, but he knew he couldn’t touch me.

But… if he had Crimson... I could turn on them, then I would have Crimson…

That’s an idea.

That’s quite an interesting idea…

I rose, walking back to the window, overlooking Horseshoe Bay to the northeast and Baltimare proper to the north.

This needs more thought.

“Hey, Pull Tab...”

“What’ve you got for me, Hammer?”

09:02
Tuesday

Ugh.

UGGGGHHH. So much to do, so little time.

I heard hoofsteps - too jaunty to be anyone but Dash - and looked up to see him walking past my office.

I sat up suddenly, sending a stack of Pipbuck model 1500s flying across my desk as I called his name, beckoning him in with a hoof.

“Sup, boss?” He poked his head in, leaning against the doorframe as I glanced to the mess, not even bothering to reorganize them again.

“Few things. I haven’t seen Cyclone. Can you track him down and tell him to give the captives an opportunity to join us?” I passed him a different stack of M1500s, these with the Security logo painted on the underside.

“Captives?” He frowned, settling down across from my organized chaos. “Are you... sure about that?”

I sighed and sat back. “Yes. They were pawns. I expect we should be able to motivate a few with revenge. If we convince enough, the rest will follow.”

Dash leaned forward, resting his hooves on the edge of my desk with a worried frown. “Are you sure we can trust them?”

“Well…” I dragged the word out. “We could always just round them up and shoot them.” I shrugged, waving a hoof blithely. “Ten mil is inexpensive, right?”

I saw that I got the expected reaction from Dash as he winced in disgust. “Uh, maybe we shouldn’t take a page from your father’s book…”

“Exactly.” I leaned forward. “We need something to do with them and this should leave everyone relatively happy.”

Dash leaned back, waving a hoof. “Provided everyone cooperates.”

I nodded. “Provided everyone cooperates, yes.” I called up the list on one of my M1500s. “I think we’ve got enough here to keep them in line.” I passed him the Pipbuck.

“Well, it looks good…” He spent a minute looking over the list, and shrugged. “Risky, relying on everything coming together just right, but it looks good.” He set the M1500 down and rose. “Anything else?”

“Uh, yeah.” I looked down at what I was about to say, to the Pipbuck that contained the recently recorded audio log of my own will. “Send out a memo for everyone who’s leaving to settle their affairs. Write a will, whatever.”

Dash glanced away with a haunted look. “Oh.”

I shifted, sitting up, resting my hooves on the edge of my desk and looking to him grimly. “I know…”

Dash looked up to me nervously. “That it?”

I nodded again and Dash left.

I sat back, once again reconsidering my life choices.

Could have been a mane stylist. Been nobody.

Perhaps it was better this way.

I thought about that for a long moment.

The Stable wouldn’t have been attacked, but… we wouldn’t have allies.

Better to face the future head on, instead of burying our heads in the sand and letting the future come to us.

Yes. It definitely was better this way.

10:54

I was leaving Security, passing the armory, when Weld waved a hoof in my direction, my Ironpony in his magic. “Hey, Captain.” I trotted over, entering the Armory.

The armory was even more disorganized than usual. Most of the racks were empty or nearly so. One of the shelves was resting on one of the central tables, propping up several carbines, and a couple cans of brass had been dumped on another table. One of the lights had burnt out, creating a dim spot in the center of the room. Weld’s assistant, Coil Spring, was digging through a pile of cases and cans in the corner, humming to herself merrily.

Weld lead me over to his desk in the far corner. “What’ve you got for me, Weld?”

“I fixed the Ironpony, ma’am,” he passed me the weapon to inspect, launching into a rundown of the repairs. “The extractor claw had broken clean off and gotten stuck in the action. So I field stripped it, replaced the extractor - it used a slightly modified IF-9 extractor, by the way - and cleaned it. The bolt and bolt carrier are in the white, so I’d like to refinish them at some point, but that’s a long process, so…” He shrugged. “I don’t think this was actually proofed at the factory.”

I nodded. “That would kind of make sense, Amaranth Thunder speculated it was a PR stunt…”

Weld frowned. “Pardon?” He took on a look of awe at the mention of my ancestor, the first Chief of Security of Stable 30.

“Oh, right. I, uh, found his office in Baltimare and listened to some of his audio logs.” I shrugged. “He mentioned getting a shipment of weapons from the Ironshod factory, speculating it was a PR stunt. It’s where I found the case.” I looked to the row of cases lined up on his desk, holding one up. It was entirely brass. “What’s this?”

“We were almost out of ten gauge rounds. I looked through what we had in the Armory, and found a can full of spent twenty mil cases. So we cut them down, fireformed them and reloaded them.” He gestured to the Ironpony. “It’s functioning fine now, obviously.”

He waved to Coil Spring. “Coil did most of the work.” Coil squeaked, banging her head on the shelf above her as she was named.

“Did you get some rest?” I set the Ironpony down, looking to Weld. He still looked tired.

Weld frowned, glancing aside. “A few hours. Three, maybe four?”

“A whole four?” I smiled at him.

“I... couldn’t sleep very well. I did try, though…” Weld settled down at his desk.

“Okay, okay… you’re done with the Ironpony?” Weld nodded tiredly. “Please get packed, you’re coming with us.”

“Wait, uh, what?” Weld sat up sharply, awake now.

I patted him on the side. “I don’t know the Raiders’ armorers, and you’re the only one I trust to do proper work on my weapons.”

“What?” He stood, going over to the tables in the middle, taking the Ironpony with him. “I’m no use out there. I’ve never been Outside! Or shot at!”

I followed him, looking to the Ironpony. “What did you do to that?”

He set the Ironpony down on the tables, neatly removing the two pins that held the upper and lower together. “I fixed it, what else?”

“No, I mean, how did you fix it?” I leaned over, watching him separate the halves. “Go over it again, more slowly, please...”

“I, um…” I waved a hoof, gesturing him to continue, and he slowly continued, looking to the field stripped weapon. “I… took it apart... made a new extractor for it…”

I glanced to the row of brass rounds. “And…?”

He followed my gaze back to his desk, before looking down to the table. “I found a can of spent twenty mil cases and turned them into ten gauge rounds…”

“Solid work.” I nodded. “Thank you. That’s why you’re coming. Nobody else here could have done that like you did. How did you even know twenty mil cases would fit ten gauge rounds?”

He frowned, clearly still uncomfortable and at a loss for any better excuses.

I patted him on the shoulder. “It’s not all bad Outside, Weld. Talk to Blitz-” I frowned as I remembered Blitz had... left. “Well, Blitz will be at the Raiders’ base. Until then, Ivory, or Cyclone.”

“It’s not just going Outside, it’s… what you’re doing.” I noticed his use of ‘you’ and not ‘we’.

I nodded tightly. “I know. It’s not good. But we have to do it. The Overmare’s counting on us, and the ponies of Baltimare, too.” I threw him a teasing, conspiratorial smirk. “Range told me, ‘let’s be bold’. Right?”

He nodded, not convinced, but giving in. “Yes, ma’am.”

I winced at his response. “Don’t forget to write a will.” I glanced around, noticing Weld’s collection of obscure, strange cartridge cases lining the Armory.

He stiffened. “Oh… yeah.”

“More a formality than anything else, really. We’ll be back to your strange brass in a week, you’ll see! Who else could possibly run this place like you do?”

Weld smiled a little. “Riiight… Okay.” It was a small, tense smile, but it was a real smile, and I could feel he’d relaxed a little.

“We’ll be stopping in Haven, so put together a list of what we need. See if you can get anything we don’t have any use for to trade, too…” I glanced over to one of the dark corners. “We’ve got some still sealed cases of weapons, right?”

“Yeah, we’ve got a case of IF-9’s, I think... Coil, c’mere.” He trotted over, waving his assistant over to move a couple of cases.

I was glad to hear Weld had relaxed, instead of just stiffly saying ‘yes, ma’am’. “I’ll leave this in your capable hooves, Weld… get some rest when you can, please.”

Weld grunted in response, in an affirmative way, I think, and I left the Armory.

Ivory was entering the security station, her mane wet from a shower. She was pulling it back into a bun, and hurriedly stepped out of my way, snapping a smart salute. “Captain!”

“Ivory, good, there you are.” I turned, heading for my office. “Come talk with me.”

“Uhh, right...” Ivory followed me stiffly.

I settled down at my desk, eying the pile of M1500s and organizing them. “At ease, Ivory… have a seat?” I gestured to the seat Dash had recently vacated.

She sat, still tense. “What’s up?”

I dug out a bottle of rum, one I’d borrowed from Range, and a pair of chipped coffee mugs Dash had procured during one of our previous operations, pouring out a small amount for both of us. “You drink?”

“I’ve had cider a few times…” She picked up the cup, looking to it curiously, swirling it around. “What’s this?”

“It’s rum.” I sat back, sipping the mug. “How are you doing?”

She frowned, trying her drink. “Ick, it’s so sweet.” She set it down on my desk, looking to me boldly. “Honestly…?” She glanced down to my desk uncomfortably. “Father is dead, Firefly, what else can I say?”

I nodded sympathetically. “Yeah… yeah. I know. I’m sorry…”

“What’s this all about?”

“I’m going to promote you and put you in charge of one of the teams.”

Ivory looked shocked. “Are you sure about that? I mean…” She frowned, thinking about it. “Okay, I guess. Sure.”

I frowned. “Okay, sure? That’s all?”

“I mean… who else are you going to put in charge of a third team? Blitz is gone.” She leaned back. “Cyclone? Cerulean ‘I’m so smart I have to be an asshole, so fuck all y’all’ Mend?” She waved a hoof in the air. “Mineral Sands?” She snorted.

I frowned at her as she spoke, resting my elbows on the edge of my desk, hooves cupped under my chin, and said nothing.

“I mean, uh…” Ivory looked apologetic at that. “Uh… Sorry?”

I glanced over, seeing Shine and Starlight through the window, exiting the station together. “Shine and Starlight both have more experience Outside than anyone else in the Stable…”

“Oh…” She nodded, glancing down, apathy changing to sadness. “I… see.”

“...But I don’t want to put them in charge of a team.” I sat back, waving a hoof. “They’re most useful working as an independent unit. Ivory, please… see the shrink.”

Wait. Did Database Error survive the attack? I called up the list of fatalities on my Pipbuck. I was glad to not see her name on the list.

Phew.

Ivory leaned back, picking up her drink, and closed her eyes, taking a long, deep breath.

“I just don’t know what to do, Firefly…” She looked to her drink, gave it a disgusted look, ears folded back, and set it back down on my desk. “What even is that? It’s so sweet, ew.”

“Fine, don’t drink it, then.” I picked her mug up and carefully poured it into mine.

She sat up, looking at me in amusement. “Are you serious?”

“Yes! It is delicious.” I paused, glancing to my drink as I set her mug back down. “And I think I could deal with being a little less sober right now.”

“Oh.” She frowned and sat back, staring at the bottle with a tired look. “Yeah… I… I think I could, too.” She levitated the bottle over, filling her mug up, and took a long drink.

After a moment, she squealed, “ew, ew, ew,” quickly shaking her head back and forth. “That’s so gross! I can feel my teeth melting!”

I sipped my drink, enjoying the warmth in my midsection, and said nothing, eyes closed.

After a few seconds, I took a deep breath and opened my mouth. “Ivory, I can’t help you with this, but… the shrink can. Please, go see her.”

“She didn’t know my father. Uh... I think?” Ivory shrugged. “You did.”

“I do know your father would be proud of what you’ve done, Ivory.” I leaned over, patting her on the shoulder. “I certainly am.”

Ivory smiled. “Thank you…”

She sipped her drink again, grumbling in disgust, and put it back down on my desk. “Was there… anything else you needed?”

“You don’t have to finish that if you don’t want to.” I shook my head. “Nope, just warning you I was going to promote you and put you in charge of a team. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure I’m ‘okay’ with it, but we don’t have much of a choice, do we?” She paused. “I’ll be fine, thank you.”

“Right, right… please, go see the shrink. I’m serious.” I leaned forward, looking to her with concern. “I’ll put you in priority for the queue.”

She nodded. “Okay, okay… I will.” She seemed genuine.

I smiled to her. “And get some rest, too.”

“So much to do, so little time…” Ivory sighed. “Good night, Captain.” She yawned.

I waved a hoof to her. “Sleep well!” She left, and I sat back, yawning myself as I transferred the rest of Ivory’s drink to mine.

Damn it.

I finished my drink, sealed the bottle of rum, picked up the Pipbuck containing my will and rose, sealing my office for the night. That done, I ducked into Range’s office, returning the half full bottle to Range’s office, before leaving the Security station. Heading for my living quarters, I noticed Rivets - Dashie’s brother - standing in a corner, ears flicking about. I approached him, resting my hoof on his side. “Rivets? Are you okay?”

He let out a strangled squeal and galloped down the hallway away from me.

…

I’ll take that as a no, then.

I made a note to talk to his mother and suggest he see the shrink.

I continued down the hall, reaching the entrance to the living quarters wing, and glanced down the hallway that would take me to my quarters… then over to the way that would take me to Range’s quarters in the bachelor’s wing.

I’d like to see her. But I don’t know if she’s busy… or sleeping.

I glanced to my Pipbuck.

13:25

She’s probably getting ready to sleep.

I thought about it for another moment, glancing to the left to my quarters, right towards Range’s, and back left toward my quarters again.

I may not have an opportunity like this until after the mission…

I then trotted to the right, knocking on the door to Range’s quarters.

“What is it?” Range’s muffled voice sounded tired. A moment later the door hissed open.

I looked over her. “I was wondering how you’re doing.” Range looking tired but alert, a towel around her neck, her mane wet.

She groaned and stepped aside. “Come in, I guess.”

I glanced around her quarters as I entered. As they’d always been, they were spartan, but lived in. Not a lot of personal items, though she had a few empty bottles of alcohol decorating a shelf. A pair of evil-looking, curved knives sat on a shelf all to their own. Reddish brown flecks decorated the blades.

“You know, I haven’t really asked. How are you doing, Fi?” She glanced to my mane. “You look like you could use some rest.”

“‘Some’.” I snickered, settling down on the couch. “Yes, I could use a lot of rest…”

Range levitated over a box and opened it, pulling a cigar out and offering the case to me. “What happened to your mane?”

I shook my head, declining a cigar, and glanced up, to where my mane should have been visible, then grinned brightly at her. “I got it cut short, just like my mentor and hero!”

She groaned, covering a smile. “No, Firefly, please… I’m not a good role model.” She settled down on a stool facing the couch. “You know what I’ve done.”

“I know what you’ve done… and I know why you did it.” I paused slightly before adding, “I don’t approve of what you did, but I understand why you did it and I can respect that.”

Range gave me a small, proud smile in lieu of a reply before turned to her cigar. Sharply cutting the end off, she inspected the cut and tapped it against the ashtray beside her. She pressed the tip of the cigar against her horn, rotating it gently, and it lit with a small puff of smoke.

I thought about what to say as she prepared her cigar. I ran a hoof against the healing scar on my neck. “A unicorn with a knife jumped me during the attack.”

She winced, running a hoof against one of the scars on her face, running vertically from her eyebrow above her left eye to her cheek. “Did I ever tell you how I got my scars?”

“No, you didn’t…” I shook my head. “Unicorn with knives?”

She grimaced around the cigar. “I got lucky.” She pointed to her left eye. “A millimeter deeper and I’d have worn an eye patch for the rest of my life. Fuckin’ unicorns and knives. Nearly killed me.” She grinned evilly, pointing to the shelf behind me. “I got the bitch, though.”

“Yar.” I grinned back at her. “The eye patch would have made you look very intimidating, especially with that cigar.”

She frowned, then grinned after a moment, and chuckled. Chuckles turned to laughter.

I grinned, chuckling with her.

After a few moments, the mood sobered, and I found myself glancing away. “So, um, speaking of nothing related at all…” Range frowned, confused. “I might not come home from this.” I levitated a M1500 out of my suit. “If I don’t come back…”

Her confusion grew as she looked to the Pipbuck. After a moment, her expression turned to one of understanding, silently mouthing ‘oh’, and she nodded grimly. “I see…” She set it on the table beside her.

“Keep the Scouts alive, Range.” I rose, approaching her, grinning. “Keep the movement alive.”

“Oh, it’s your group now, is it?” Range scowled at me. “After all the work I’ve put into this shitshow, since before you were born?” I tried to smile, but I think it just came out as a horrible grimace instead. “Honestly? I think you’ve earned it.” She smiled back at me. “Keep your end of the bargain up, and I think we’ll get through this just fine. I’ll do what I can on my end.”

“Plan an operation and rescue the Overmare in a week…” I sighed. “Celestia, Range! I’d need two weeks just to get everything ready! We’ve never worked with anyone on the surface, let alone ponies who were sniping at us just last week! We don’t even fucking know where they took her! This is going to be a fucking disaster! What the fuck am I going to do?”

Range said nothing for a long minute. “You done?”

I took a deep breath. “I… yes. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Get it out here.” Range shook her head. “Keep a level head and keep your eyes open out there. You can’t afford to let your ponies see that. You panic, they get worried, everything falls apart.”

I took a deep breath. “I know, I know. I just…” I let out a frustrated sigh. “I can’t defy the laws of physics, Range. If she’s already dead, I can’t bring her back.”

“Bring back a body and a good story, then.” Range puffed on her cigar.

I sighed. “Right… I’m gonna go.” I waved a hoof. “Hey, send the Council a message, tell them I’m delaying leaving until tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah, alright. Get some rest. Oh! Don’t use the showers in your living block, the hot water’s out there.” She rose, coming over to hug me, and I returned the hug. “You come back now.”

I nodded again, not trusting myself to speak as I left. Range settled down on her couch, levitating a Pipbuck, the ashtray and the bottle of rum over as the door hissed shut behind me.

For a moment, I stood there outside her door, looking at the floor.

This operation was different. Before, we’d just been leaving to explore, to make allies.

This time?

We were going out for blood.

I shivered at that thought.

I entered my quarters to find my mother laying on our couch. She turned to look at me. “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

I nodded. “We’ll be back in a week.”

She sighed sadly. “That’s what your father told me…”

…

“Oh…” I glanced around nervously.

She leaned over to hug me, and I started to take a step backwards as she wrapped her hooves around me. After a moment, I relaxed, leaning in to hug her back. She smelled faintly of cider. A bunch of emotions swirled around from that.

“Please… please don’t leave me…” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “You… you’ll leave and you won’t come back and I… I don’t know if I can take that… everyone leaves me…”

Uh…

“Fine.” I smiled. “Come with us, then.”

She looked at me, confused, ears pinned back. “What? I can’t...”

I grinned at her brightly. “Why not? Let’s be bold, mom! Think of what dad would say.”

Mom frowned at mention of dad. “I’m not fit for duty… I haven’t done anything in years!”

“I don’t know, you put up a pretty good fight on Sunday morning… but I think we’ve got enough fighters. I’m going to put Ivory in command of the second line ponies, and I think you would be a good second for her.”

Her expression changed from confusion to consideration. Her expression cleared for a moment, then she narrowed her eyes at me, bristling.

I thought I could sense some genuine anger, and I took a step back, remembering the last time I’d fought my mother… She spoke slowly. “You’re just like your father.”

“What?”

She smiled, her anger suddenly disappearing. “Your father was a silver tongued dog. He had an… infectious charisma.” Her smile faded, and she thought about it. “Okay… I… I don’t think I can trust myself to fight, but…”

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning, so… don’t take too long to decide?”

“Okay.”

She smiled, and I thought I could see a hint of who she’d once been. I hesitated before continuing. “You may not want to know this, but… Azure is in charge of where we’re going. At least, while Crimson is, uh, out, so…”

“Okay…” Her smile wavered. “You know… I knew he was going to leave me… when I married him. I knew it.”

“But you did it anyways.”

She nodded.

“Why…?”

She shrugged. “Because I was awestruck by him. I was some silly idiot, in love with someone way out of my league. He was hot. He was funny. And he paid me attention… made me feel wanted. It was fun while it lasted... Well, he got what he wanted from me, and he left me.”

“He does that, doesn’t he.”

Mom chuckled. After a moment, she leaned back, giving me a thinking look. “I… I know I can’t take back everything I did, but… I’m proud of what you’ve become.” Her look turned bitterly sad. “I wish I could say I had anything to do with it…”

She fell silent, lost in her thoughts. I knew the ‘kind’ thing would be to say, ‘no, that’s not true’, but… lying is wrong, so I’ve been told.

So I just I leaned in to hug her.

“I’m going to… get up and take a shower, or something. You look like you could use some rest.”

“Yep…” I yawned. “Oh, Mom, Range said to avoid the showers in our living block, the hot water’s out there or something…”

“I think a cold shower would probably do me some good…” Mom winced, before her face face lit up. “Range! Oh, yes, that’s right. I’ll go talk to her after!” She smiled at me, a teasing, sly smirk. “Do you want me to tuck you in?”

…

I thought about it.

I really did, for a moment, and I giggled.

“No thank you… g’night, Mom.”

07:25
Wednesday

Dash and several of the Scouts lead the prisoners - all had agreed to join us - to the surface, and prodded them into rough rows.

A few of them looked tempted to maybe try and run off, but one of them noticed the Steel Rangers present and that idea died down.

I surveyed the wastelanders standing in front of me. “Right. You’ve agreed to join us. Any questions?”

One of the wastelanders waved a hoof. “When we’re done, we’re free to go, right? You’ll let us go, no questions? Just… clarifying.”

I studied her. “What’s your name?” She was a well built unicorn, brown and beige, dressed in a mix of well worn military fatigues and wartime clothing. A bandage was wrapped around her hind leg.

She frowned. “Call me Taze."

“When this operation is concluded, you’ll be free to go, yes.” I nodded. “Additionally! We’ll be offering further employment for anyone who wishes to join us. If you join us, you’ll be compensated appropriately… simple caps if you like, but… we have prewar knowledge. Spells, rare supplies, that sort of thing.”

That got mixed reactions, but generally seemed to satisfy them.

‘Taze continued. “What exactly are we going to be doing, mare?”

“There’ll be a briefing to properly explain that shortly.” A couple of the wastelanders rolled their eyes at mention of ‘briefing’. “But the simple explanation is that we’re going to work with the Crimson Raiders to find who attacked us, murder the shit out of them, and in the process, rescue our leaders.”

Several ponies shared guarded looks at mention of the Crimson Raiders.

“And the Rangers?” Another wastelander tossed a wary look at the quartet of Rangers standing off to the side imposingly.

“We’ll be picking up allies as we go along, so it won’t just be us and the Raiders. The Rangers have offered their assistance.”

“Are you…” The wastelander looked to them nervously. “... sure we can trust them?”

I went to answer, only to be interrupted by the Senior Paladin as he answered. “Stable 30 brings trade to the region. The Stable’s destruction is of no benefit to us.”

Privately, I could think of a few reasons they might celebrate the Stable being abandoned, but I left that alone.

I looked to the wastelander. “Does that answer your question?”

They looked to the Ranger, before back to me. “Yeah, alright.”

“Good.” I gestured to Weld, who had been bringing up several crates of supplies. “Sergeant Weld will get you equipped. Most of your equipment is there. You’ll be working under Cyclone, with each element assigned to a Stable squad. There will be a briefing to tell you what we’re doing shortly.”

I gave the wastelanders five minutes to get equipped, before I hopped onto a rock, calling out. “Right, folks. Gather ‘round.” Stable ponies and wastelanders gathered into two groups facing me and the rock.

“We all know what we’re here for, so I’ll keep this short.” I glanced around tightly, resisting the urge to make a joke about not using maps. “We’re going to rescue the Overmare. We’re going to find out where they took her, we’re going to kill anyone who gets between us and the Overmare, and we’re going to bring her back home. All the while, not one of us is to get killed. Simple, right?” I glanced to the wastelanders. “Nobody gets killed.”

A few ponies chuckled tensely.

“Presently, we don’t know where they’ve taken her. So we’re going to work with the Crimson Raiders for this. They’ve also been attacked, and their leader was taken.”

Sharps raised her hoof.

“Yes?”

“The Overmare was wearing her Pipbuck, right? We should be able to track her through that.”

I smiled. My Pipbuck tracking class had paid off. “Nothing so far, but we might just be out of range. It’s possible they’re aware of that feature and have taken steps to counteract it, too.”

Sharps frowned.

“Good thinking, though. We’re gonna need a lot of that.” I looked around. “Anyone’s got any good ideas, you speak up.” Nobody said anything, so I continued. “We’ll be proceeding to the Crimson Raiders’ base through Haven. Once there, we’ll coordinate our operations, and I’ll be taking a team through Baltimare to pick up allies from the local population.”

Nobody said anything, so I continued, levitating a M2000 Pipbuck over. “There’s going to be some changes in team organization, but before that, promotions.”

I cleared my throat, delaying a moment to let that sink in. “Sergeant Ivory Charm, please step forward.”

“Ma’am!” She stepped forward and saluted.

I saluted her back. “Congratulations. Keep up what you’ve been doing…”

She smiled, her smile then fading to a sad look as she spoke quietly. “I… I wish Father were here to see this…”

…

I nodded solemnly. “We all do, Ivory… I know he’d be proud.”

I saluted her, she saluted me back, and as I stepped back, Cyclone started stomping his hooves, several other ponies joining in. I heard someone in the back cheering - Cast, I assumed.

“Specialist Cerulean Mend, Corporal Mineral Sands, Corporal Nimble Shine, Corporal Platinum Starlight.” Mend, Min, Shine, and Starlight stepped forward, saluting. Mend lagged behind, which I assumed was from inexperience rather than rudeness.

“You’ve all done well, and I’m incredibly proud of you.” I saluted them, they saluted back, Mend lagging behind less this time, and I glanced around to the rest of my ponies. “These ponies have been Outside, they’ve seen what it’s like. Look to them, follow their leads, keep your heads down and everyone should make it through okay.”

“Squad designation will be as follows: Team One will consist of Cerulean Mend, Swan Striker, Rolling Block and Samsiir, lead by myself.” Mend shared a look with Striker, who whispered something to Block, standing beside him. Mend leaned over to whisper something to the two of them, and Block frowned back at him. “Surface One will accompany them.” Stable ponies and wastelanders shared a look.

“Team Two will be Mineral Sands, Pepperbox, Nimble Shine and Platinum Starlight, lead by Lieutenant Dash.” Shine waved a hoof to Min, Min nodding back to her, smiling a little. “Surface Two will accompany them.”

“Team Three, Cyclone, Cast Collage, Sharps and Scarlet Paper, lead by Sergeant Charm.” Ivory looked around a little nervously at mention of ‘Sergeant Charm’, but otherwise said nothing. “Surface Three will accompany them.”

“Okay. Look.” I turned to the wastelanders. “We’re not dumb, overly sensitive Stable ponies - I’m not going to go around and make everyone share their name and two things about themselves…”

I grimaced, suppressing a memory of a school teacher who’d done that when I was young.

They’d been killed in the attack…

“It’s simple. You’re all adults. You didn’t come here with friendship and rainbows in mind, but from here on out, your actions dictate how we’ll treat you. Play nice, follow orders and ensure everything goes well, and everyone will get out of this with coats intact. Turn on us and you’ll be the first volunteers to clear a minefield!”

One of the wastelanders in the back called out, “Where the hell’re you gonna find a minefield in Baltimare?”

“I’ll make one, if I have to.” Many of the wastelanders shared looks, some worried, some angry, but nobody had anything further to say. “We’ll be leaving in twenty minutes. Dismissed.”

Range waved me over, and I trotted over, noticing she was with Councilors Hex, Sheets, Inertia and Filament. Ruby Blossom was skulking between Hex and Filament, and Inertia was looking around nervously, his wings spread.

Wonderful.

“Hello, Councilmares…” None of the civilians looked particularly comfortable. Councilor Filament was carefully avoiding looking upwards, ostensibly studying the mud caking her hooves.

Councilor Hex looked to me. “Are you sure you want to do this, Captain?”

Do I want to do this?

No, not really.

Do I have to do this?

Yes.

I absolutely had to do this, for the good of Stable 30.

“Yes.” I considered elaborating, but decided it would be better to not.

Councilor Inertia pulled his gaze from the ground up to me. “Do consider… your departure will leave the Stable vulnerable. If someone else comes…”

“Seal the Door, then, if you must.” For a moment, I wondered if telling the Council that would come back to bite us in the flank later…

Councilor Filament spoke up. “Very well. We’ll see you in a week, Captain.”

Fantastic.

Councilor Hex smiled to me. “Good luck, Captain!” I was pleased and a little surprised to hear she sounded genuine.

Councilor Sheets nodded, seconding Hex’s statement. “Please return safely, Firefly! We’ll be waiting.”

“Thank you, Councilor…”

“Excuse us for a moment, please…” I waved Range over, pulling her away from the Council. After we’d wandered out of earshot, I leaned in to speak to Range privately. “The thing we talked about yesterday? None of that while we’re out, please…”

She frowned, before catching what I was saying, nodding lightly. “Yeah, alright.”

I leaned in, giving her a serious look. “That’s not a promise, Range…”

She stared at me for a long moment, before chanting dully, “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

I stared at her for a moment, before chuckling.

Range gave me an impassive look. “Are you happy?”

“Yes. Absolutely.” I grinned at her.

She looked to my seriously. “Just make sure you bring the Overmare back.”

I shrugged, waving a hoof. “That’s the plan, boss.”

Range nodded again, and we fell silent, surveying the crowd around us. It was a pretty significant crowd - maybe a quarter of the Stable who weren’t injured were here, in addition to the Scouts and wasteland ponies who had joined us.

I noticed Dash talking to the wastelander couple he’d brought in, the pregnant mare he’d brought in from Haven and her partner. The two of them looked a little worse for wear, but still happy. Next to them, Rolling Block was talking intimately with an earth pony mare I’d seen him with before.

“Captain?” I looked over as Sergeant Gusty, Blitz’s mother, approached Range and I. “Sunbeam and I were wondering… could you… bring our Blitzy back?”

Urgh…

“I can’t promise anything, Sergeant… Blitz is an adult now. I can’t order her to come home, and even if I could, I’m not sure I want to…”

“Why not?”

“If I ask her nicely, she’ll just shrug it off, and if I press the issue...” I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I can’t promise anything, but I will talk to her.”

“But she is one of your ponies… you’re responsible for her actions. She did abandon her duties to the Stable, much like your father did…” Range winced at that.

I took a deep breath. “My father left because he felt he could do more good Outside than he could in the Stable. He has continued to defend the Stable since he left. Blitz… left for similar reasons, and I have no questions of her loyalty to the Stable. She’s just taken my father’s path.”

“The Stable has not been attacked… until now.” Gusty glanced to my mane rather pointedly.

I nodded. “My father’s troops were defending themselves while we were being attacked. As of right now, Blitz is coordinating with them. If this mission goes well, I expect she will visit, but… I don’t know if she’ll return permanently. I think she prefers being Outside.”

She sighed. “I… understand. Good luck out there, Captain.”

“We don’t need luck, we have plans!” I grinned brightly. “But thank you.”

“I think we should discuss defense plans, Sergeant, let’s talk.” Gusty and Range walked off, passing Mineral.

I looked to Min. She had a strange… confidence to her as she addressed her father, Warding Charm. The conversation around quieted enough so I could hear Min speaking to her father.

“This is my will, Father. If I don’t come home…” She blinked back tears. Her father embraced her. After a moment, they broke apart, and Min turned and approached someone, a colt about her age. The wind picked up, blowing towards them, and I couldn’t hear what was said, but after a short exchange, she kissed him quite passionately, one hoof wrapped around his neck.

I looked away to give her some privacy, approaching Dash’s mother, Stack Draft, who was talking with my mother. Stack Draft gave me a warm smile as I approached. “Hello, Firefly. How are you holding up?”

Honestly? Not well.

I gave her an easy smile back. “I’m doing quite well, thank you. Hi Mom.” I reached over to poke my mother on the shoulder with a smile.

“That’s good.” Stack Draft gave me a motherly look. “You ponies come back now.” She glanced to Dash, still talking with the wastelanders. “My Dash’ll take care of you. Just…” She broke off, worried.

“I know… I know. We’ll be back.” I smiled. “I have faith in my ponies. They’re good ponies. We’ll be home, don’t worry.” I glanced over to Dash. “That reminds me… I think Rivets should talk to the shrink…”

She nodded. “I’ve noticed… I’ll make sure he does. Thank you.”

“Captain.” I looked to see Warding Charm standing behind me.

“May I help you, Doctor?” I turned to face him, expecting another argument.

“I don’t know what you’ve done to my daughter, but…” He frowned, trailing off, a strange mix of discomfort, pride and worry decorating his face.

“I haven’t done anything to her. She volunteered to go Outside, and… when she needed to act, she acted swiftly and bravely.” I looked to her, in the middle of a conversation with the pony she’d kissed earlier.

“I know…” Warding looked over to her with a worried look. “Please, make sure she comes home?”

I turned to him with a serious look. “Do you want an honest answer or a comforting answer?”

He frowned back to me, speaking after a moment. “You can’t promise anything.”

“No, I can’t. I wish I could, but…” I shook my head. “Mineral is... maybe a little too brave, and I can’t promise she won’t do something heroic and stupid…” I paused, thinking about how I’d said that.

‘Heroic and stupid…’

Aren’t we all just heroes?

… Dashie was right. Damn it.

I cleared my throat. “But I’ll be damned if I don’t try to keep her from doing something too brave. I will do my hardest to make sure everyone comes home.”

“I… I see.” Warding’s face took on a hard look, before he sighed quietly. “Thank you…”

I glanced up to the sky, noting the dark clouds in the sky were colored with pink. I winced as I - unsuccessfully - attempted to suppress a reaction as my stomach did a backflip.

It was unusually dark for this time, and I wasn’t sure why.

Unknowns worried me…

I glanced over to Warding Charm, giving him a wry smile. “Nice weather, don’t you think?”

He looked up, pointing with a hoof. “Is it always this dark?”

“Usually not this late. The clouds usually aren’t that pink, either.” He gave me a sideways look, and I shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

“That seems like a good start for your mission. Very promising.” Was that a hint of sarcasm?

I think it may have been.

I smiled to him, then glanced to my Pipbuck.

07:56

“It’s time. Excuse me…” I glanced over my ponies.

“Good luck, Captain!” Warding waved a hoof at me.

“Thank you.” I smiled to him as I stepped away, raising my voice and calling out to everyone. “Five minutes!”

I glanced as my teams formed up. Team One forming up around me. Team Two, forming around Dash. Team Three, forming around Ivory. Their wasteland teams formed around their leaders, near the teams they’d been assigned.

Cyclone, Sands and Collage jumped up and down vigorously, adjusting their kit. Several of the Scouts followed suit.

A couple weeks ago, I’d left with Dash, Shine and Starlight. Now… this was a sizeable force, a couple dozen Stable ponies, bolstered by a similar number of surface ponies.

And a quartet of Steel Rangers, whatever exactly they were.

I shared a look with Taze, the brown unicorn in charge of Surface One, a couple of meters to my left. I don’t know if her expression could be considered a smile, but it was… friendly. Optimistic, maybe?

I’ll take that as a good sign.

Mend drew his revolver, loading it and tucking it back into his holster. Rolling Block adjusted a belt of eight mil rifle cartridges, loading one into his single-shot rifle.

Ivory approached me. “Team Three is ready, Captain.”

I caught Dash’s eye, and he waved a hoof over at me, then up.

I glanced to Taze, and she shrugged in noncommittal agreement.

The Steel Ranger’s leader looked to me impassively.

I looked down to my Pipbuck.

08:00

Perfect.

I waved a hoof up, then forward. “Move out!”

10:34

Haven had been attacked, but by now, they’d started cleaning things up. A half dozen bodies were strung up over the gate, including a green unicorn that looked suspiciously like the Mayor’s secretary, buzzing with flies. We were greeted at the gate by someone in a suit of power armor at the head of several of the militia bearing rifles and shotguns. We stepped inside, and the gate ground closed behind us.

The Steel Rangers’ leader stalked towards the suit of power armor furiously. “What is this? Who are you?”

The pony removed their helmet, revealing a purple mare with a long green mane pulled into a messy bun. The tip of her right ear was missing.

“Hello, Ivy.” She glanced to me, giving me a look I could almost mistake for a smile.

She turned to turn to face the Rangers, snapping a smart salute. “Hello, Senior Paladin!”

The Senior Paladin stepped in front of Ivy, not removing his helmet. “Who are you? Where did you get that armor?”

I glanced to the flank as Ivy spoke. Some wartime unit markings were barely visible.

“I’m Ivy. The Scouts helped us fight off a ghoul attack, and we salvaged this.” She looked to me. “You said they came from Deathcon?”

“Yes, that’s correct.” I gestured to Ivy’s flank. “They were wartime ponies, I suspect.”

“Then it is the property of the Ministry of Wartime Technology, and as such, belongs to the Steel Rangers. Remove it at once. We will take it.” Ivy’s eyes flared in outrage. I stepped in to speak… only to be cut off as the Steel Ranger leader looked at me. “This is Steel Ranger business; do not get involved, Scout.”

I frowned. “Haven is our ally; we’re already involved.”

“Of course you’ll engage in your hero act.” Condescension dripped from his words, and he continued, speaking as if he were reciting things that had been ingrained since birth. “The Steel Rangers exist to protect the wasteland from those who would misuse advanced technology. We maintain, repair and secure those items from those who would do themselves harm, or others, for the purpose of using it for the benefit of Equestria, when it is ready.” He shifted his glare to Ivy, a little passion slipping into his tone. “This wastelander does not know how to safely use that hardware. She will hurt herself at best, and her settlement at worst.”

Ivy grit her teeth, ears pinned back, and took a deep breath, speaking with quiet fury. “I am the sole survivor of the Hope Chapter of the Steel Rangers.” The ponies around her shared glances. “As such, I am intimately familiar with power armor operation and maintenance. And as I am a founding member of this settlement, under Codex Regulation Six-Four-Seven-Bravo, I am duty bound to protect it. This armor will allow me to do that, in lieu of your inability to do so.”

The Senior Paladin looked to her skeptically, but he seemed placated after she showed him a set of dogtags. “Very well. Please accompany me, Scribe. I wish to see what you’re capable of… to be sure Haven is safe under your care.” He paused, starting to move. “It would… put my concerns to rest.”

Ivy glanced from the Ranger to the townsponies, before nodding tightly.

He glanced over his shoulder. “I shall have to hear the tale of your chapter’s final moments later, of course.”

She stiffened, pausing mid-step, before she followed him deeper into Haven. “Of course, Senior Paladin.”

As she trotted off, I looked to her ponies, waving a hoof at the bodies swaying in the wind. “What’s up with them?”

One of the ponies, the beige unicorn who had first let me into Haven, glared at them. “Tumbler tried to stage a coup against the mayor yesterday morning. Bastard.”

I thought back, doing the math. “That’s some strange coincidence, that’s when we were attacked…”

A couple of the wastelanders shared looks.

“Your ponies helped a lot during the attack.” One of his ears was partially missing, the stump wrapped in a bandage, and there was some blood dried into his cheek. “My partner might not have made it if your ponies hadn’t… Thanks.”

Captain Frosty trotted up. “You ponies again, huh? What can I do?”

I cast a gaze at the bodies. “We’re putting together a strike force to get some revenge on these bastards. They took our Overmare, and…” I paused, suppressing a grimace. “There were a lot of casualties. We could use some volunteers.” I glanced the way Ivy had gone. “Power armor would always be useful, if you could spare Ivy...?”

Frosty nodded slowly, and shrugged. “That’s not really my choice, you’ll have to ask Ivy yourself. Sorry.” She turned, trotting back into Haven, and I followed her. “You ponies gonna be staying long?”

“I’ve got some business in Deathcon, but most of my ponies will be staying here to help you with the repair efforts. Should be a couple of hours or so. We’re headed into Baltimare to plan a rescue operation with the assistance of the Crimson Raiders - they were attacked as well. How’s the Mayor?”

Frosty twitched at the mention of the Crimson Raiders, but she said nothing about it. “He’s fine. A couple of your ponies went to see him just as Tumbler started his thing, so…”

I looked to her curiously. “I’d like to see the prisoners, if you took any…”

Frosty gave me a look of mild confusion. “Prisoners?”

“Did you take any…?” I looked around, noting similar looks of confusion from the rest of the wastelanders.

I guess not.

“Why would we…” Her look of confusion deepened.

One of the wastelanders with her chuckled. “Sure we did, boss, don’t you remember?” Everyone turned to the pony, confused, and he grinned, waving a hoof at the bodies. “Right up there!”

A few ponies looked sick, some gave him a disgusted look, some shook their heads, and everyone left, leaving me alone with the wastelander who’d spoken and Frosty. She shrugged and, after a moment, walked off herself.

“Y’all took prisoners?” The wastelander looked at me, curious. “Why?”

“We asked for their surrender, and they did.” I shrugged. “Bodies don’t tell us anything, and they can’t help fix what they’ve done.”

He whistled in amazement. “Honestly? I dunno if y’all are dumb as shit, or kind of brave heroes the wasteland needs. Well, good luck, Scout, you’re gonna need it. Everyone’s watching what you’re doing. Hope it don’t get your dumb asses killed…”

Thank you…?

I think?

11:05

I lead Team One to Deathcon to negotiate with the alicorns. Samsiir, the zebra, was taking point, checking for traps. Striker and Rolling Block were chatting quietly, taking up the rear, a rifle held in Block’s magic. To my right, a pace behind, Mend was chatting with Astral. I suspected we’d need an arcane sciences specialist for this.

I looked over the base, from the same spot we’d first observed it, forever ago.

Deathcon was a large military complex, spanning a couple of square kilometers. The north corner and the southern center featured balefire bomb craters. The west contained several hardened buildings surrounding a large, octagonal building, and to the east, balefire missile silos.

In short, the location hadn’t visibly changed all that much. Well, actually… it had. I spotted signs of some salvaging. The gap in the fence we’d entered through last time had been cleared out a bit, and, looking closely, I saw a faint trail that lead off in the direction of Haven.

Looks like clearing out the ghouls had cleared up some looting.

I lead the way to the crater, retracing my steps the way we’d come forever ago, and approached the crater, weapons down. I cast a voice amplification spell. “Attention, alicorns! We’ve come to negotiate.”

A moment later, we were surrounded by alicorns gathered in an imperfect circle, having appeared in a succession of magic flashes one by one, with an out of sync timing.

From the looks of it, these were the rogue alicorns.

I glanced to my team, waving their weapons down, and dispelled the voice spell as one of them spoke. “What is it?”

I took a moment to think, before smiling at them. “Stable 60. What did you want there?”

They all froze for a moment, and shared a look. Several of them started babbling, before being shushed by the one that talked. I guessed she was the leader.

She leaned forward intently, excited. “You... have it? The computer data?” They looked to my Pipbuck.

“It’s at our Stable. What did you want there?” Collage still had a copy of it on his Pipbuck, but I was going to keep that under wraps for now.

I staggered as I saw several different visions, all at once.

I tasted purple again.

Damn it.

I saw the Goddess, the mind of a mad mare who had been screwed by everything, before the war. I saw the life of other ponies, ponies who had been other ponies before they had become part of the Unity. A pony who had been a stallion. Another who had a family before she had been taken.

I saw a mind, all and one all at once. Something like the Goddess… but… not.

“What the hell was that?” I ran a hoof through my mane, looking to the apparent leader of the group. She was a green alicorn, wearing a worn and unbuttoned army jacket. A pair of dogtags hung from a chain around her neck, and a well-worn peaked cap bearing an Equestrian army crest sat carefully perched in her mane.

“I… apologise. We were excited. It is difficult to remember that most ponies are not as… mentally robust as we are.” She glared around, and a few of the alicorns looked ashamed. I nodded slowly, glancing around to my ponies. “Come with us… we will explain somewhere more private.”

“Very well…” The world closed around me sharply, just for a moment. I looked around as my Pipbuck started ticking gently.

I recognized this place… it was the Fancy Buck snack cake warehouse we’d encountered during our first excursion here.

The alicorn leader looked to the door sadly. “This is our private place.”

“I remember this place…” I glanced to the door, the one we’d breached last time we were here.

The alicorns glanced to me. “Come, come…” The one who had spoken led the way deeper into the storage room.

I trotted after her, glancing around. “This is… interesting…?”

Interesting was one way to describe it: it was a two hundred year old warehouse full of irradiated snack cakes that looked like it hadn’t been maintained in two hundred years.

“It is… ‘interesting’, yes.” The leader smiled at me, a look that suggested she knew what I was thinking… I wondered just how far into my mind these alicorns could reach.

She turned, pressing her horn against one of the wall panels. It made a clicking sound, slid backwards half a meter and moved aside, revealing a tunnel leading down.

…

Mend trotted over, drawing his revolver. “A secret tunnel to a secured command center, hidden in a store room full of snack cakes? Really? But why?”

“Wartime ponies and their secret tunnels…” I shrugged.

“Stable 60, Stable 30, Deathcon, where else?” Mend glanced around.

“There was the sewers, too, if those count. Mend, you’re in command until I return. Astral and I are going down with them.”

“Those don’t count, they’re for sewage, not ponies.” Mend frowned, but nodded. “We’ll be here, boss.”

Astral looked to me, clearly worried. I smiled to her encouragingly, and lead the way down into the tunnel after the alicorns.

Entering the tunnel felt the way that reminded me of the suppression ring from last week, and I grit my teeth as everything ‘closed in’ around me.

“So this is a magic suppression field…” I looked to Astral as she spoke, and she continued, glancing around. “This entire place must be enchanted to block unsanctioned magic.”

I thought about that for a moment. “It makes sense to keep it secret.”

Astral shook her head. “If somepony knew what to look for, they could easily discern its existence and location.”

The leader glanced back. “Yes. We were sent here to locate magical items for the Goddess. I was the first inside, and…” She paused. “Some of us did not survive.”

Astral sat down, closed her eyes, and she and the leader crossed horns. Astral made sounds as the two linked up their minds: confusion, understanding, awe.

As they did their horn lock, I looked down to my Pipbuck, which was freaking out and flickering. I tapped the screen with my hoof, and it stopped flickering long enough to inform me that I now had sixty-five thousand, five hundred and thirty-five cheese wheels in my saddlebags.

What the hay is a cheese wheel?

“Ah! Okay… I understand now.” I glanced to Astral as she spoke. “Wow. This is fascinating! I’d wish Tawny was here for this, this would be right up her alley, but…” she trailed off sadly, looking to me.

I frowned. “I assume you’re going to explain what you’re talking about, right?” She opened her mouth, and I stamped my hoof, wincing in pain, before elaborating. “In Equestrian, I mean.”

“Uh. Right.” She closed her mouth, thinking about that. “You know the Goddess?” I nodded, gesturing for her to continue. “Apparently, the Goddess…” She paused. “Short version. Right. It looks like they’re trying to… make something like the Goddess, but not. A…” She looked to the alicorn leader. “... A way to create an entity to serve as an anchor and mediator for their telepathic links, just like the Goddess... but… different? The Goddess is - I think I’m reading this correctly - lead by several different minds all melded together,” the alicorn leader nodded serenely, “but the ritual we have - I’ve looked over it - appears to use only one mind, which should be more stable… A gestalt.”

The alicorn leader nodded, looking pleasantly surprised. “Yes, exactly.”

I looked from the alicorn to Astral. “Can you even do that?”

“I think so.” She frowned, tossing her head. “This really is Tawny’s area of expertise, so I’d need to talk to her first, but I think we could…?”

The alicorn leader had been watching us, and I looked to her. She looked worried. “You don’t sound so confident…”

I shook my head. “She’s just downplaying herself. Astral is one of the brightest minds in our Stable.” I smiled to the alicorn leader. “Honestly, while I can’t guarantee that we can do it, I can guarantee that we’ll give it all we can. If anyone in Equestria can do it, I think it’s us.”

“What do you want… in exchange?” Fear crept into the edges of the alicorn’s expression, and I could feel them broadcasting a feeling of discomfort.

…

I spent a moment calming myself, projecting an air of confidence before speaking. “We’re putting together an alliance to deal with a group who’d attacked us and took our leader. Have you heard of the Star Touched?”

“They’re a clan of zebra ghouls who have spent the past two centuries harassing Equestrians in Baltimare. The Goddess is aware of their existence.” The leader took on a momentary look of contempt. “What exactly do you want from us?”

“We need assistance with this. More ponies is always better, especially alicorns who can teleport and cast shield barriers.” The alicorns shared looks as I spoke. “I’m not asking you to get into the fighting, not if you don’t want to, but ponies that can teleport effectively are… rare. We’ll still help even if you’re not willing to get involved, but… it would be deeply appreciated.”

“Ah…” The alicorn leader nodded. “Understand, Scout, that we are nothing like the Unity: we lack the focus and the fury of those directed by the Goddess, we are few and any one of us dying is terrible loss. Let us consider.”

She crossed horns with a couple of other alicorns with her.

I felt an odd sensation, like… I’d just entered a new chapter in my life, or something.

You know… this might just work…

A month ago, if someone had told me what I’d be doing here and now, I’d have declared them insane. Perhap suggested they see the shrink.

But right now…?

I glanced to Astral, deep in discussion with a couple of other alicorns.

A week ago, the idea of timid but brilliant Astral leaving the Stable would have been madness. As I looked, she giggled at something one of the alicorns had said.

A month ago, I thought the wasteland was nothing but illiterate savages, that needed to be… saved.

Saved from what?

‘Themselves, of course’, a sly voice spoke in the back of my head, ‘you were going to sweep in, guns blazing, and rescue Father, no?’

I sighed.

Damn it, Firefly.

Why are you such a dense idiot?

I stomped my hoof on the floor again, wincing at the spike of pain.

Why is it only now I’m realizing what a dense idiot I am? At the end of it all?

I glanced from the trio of alicorns, to Astral.

But this could work…

The Stable and the alicorns have so little in common… but we’re working together.

The Stable and Haven, other settlements… have more in common… who else could we bring into this?

We’d need the Baltimare Central Exchange. They’re not opposed to us. We could get them. They’d listen to us.

We could get the Raiders. Father has shown interest.

We could get the Rangers, too. There’s an in there… they might listen to us, too.

But is there enough time left…?

There doesn’t have to be. Not for me.

But for us...

Range, Ivory. Cyclone could help. He has the knowledge.

Ivory, under Range’s guidance, might be enough to get some groups together.

This could work…

This could fucking work.

My flanks started to itch, an intensely burning itch, and Astral looked at me suspiciously, one ear swivelling around.

The alicorns paused their private negotiations to stare at me, before stepping back from their horn lock. “Very well. We accept your offer, Scout.”

For some fleeting moment, I felt like I’d just missed something… life-changing?

No, not simply ‘life-changing.’ ‘Once in a lifetime.’

I wondered what it was, before putting it out of my mind. Later.

I turned to give the alicorns a broad smile. “That is… most excellent.”

11:35

I returned to Haven to find a pleasant surprise: Stable techs and Rangers were working together, fixing the northern wall. The Rangers were pulling a replacement section of wall up with their power armor, and a couple of Stable ponies were welding it in place.

The alicorns following me looked startled by the Rangers, and one of the Rangers shifted to bring their weapons to bear on the alicorns. “Alicorn!”

Oh, hell.

“Wait, no!” I stepped between the Ranger and the alicorns. “They’re with me.”

After a tense moment, the Ranger went back to work on the wall. The Stable ponies shared a look with the Rangers before going back to work.

Phew.

“Team Two, Team Three, this is Team One, we’ve returned to Haven, over.”

Min responded first, speaking quietly. “Team Two; Dash and I are with the Mayor.” I could hear the Mayor and Dash chatting in the background, discussing trade or something. I picked out ‘rum’, but couldn’t hear anything further over Min.

“How’s he doing?”

After a moment, she responded. “Alive and well?” She coughed into the mic.

“Excellent.” I winced as she coughed. "Cigars?”

“How did you...”

“Call it a hunch, Min. Team Three?”

Ivory responded quickly. “We’re in the Scout station. Weld and I thought we might want to leave some of the stuff we brought here to bolster the station’s defenses.” She paused. “If, uh, that’s okay with you, ma’am?”

“Good thinking, Ivory. Sergeant Helm, sitrep. How’s Haven?”

I could almost hear Chipped Helm shrugging through the radio. “It’s fine now, Captain. The transmitter is being set up now. Would have been useful two days ago...”

“I know…” I frowned, thinking about that. “Not sure radio would have helped, anyways. You seem to have fended pretty well. Casualties?”

“Night Stick was hit, but they’re stable now…” Helm clarified her statement after a moment. “Uh. Pun very much not intended.”

“Understood.” I chuckled grimly. “Firefly out.”

I headed out to the west gate, finding a small crowd of ponies watching Ivy and the leader of the Steel Ranger doing… something. One of Ivy’s hooves was poking out of the leg armor, and the armor was completely locked.

Several ponies looked over to myself and the alicorns with me, but nobody went for their weapons, returning to the spectacle at hoof.

I recognized the Haven resident I’d talked with earlier, and leaned in, speaking quietly. “What’s going on?”

“The tin can over there,” he nodded towards the Ranger’s leader, “rigged an AM pulse to freeze Ivy’s armor. He’s seeing if she can restart her suit from inside.”

“That…” I frowned. “Makes sense, I suppose.” I glanced over at the sound of Ivy swearing and bashing her hoof against the side of her armor repeatedly.

“She’s been doing that on and off for the past ten minutes… there’s been some betting going on.” He waved a hoof at Ivy. “You want in?”

I glanced over the crowd. “What’re the odds in her favor?”

As he began to answer, Ivy squeaked out excitedly, accompanied the sound of her falling over and swearing a little bit more.

“Well done, Scribe. You’ve proven your abilities adequately.” The Senior Paladin offered Ivy his hoof.

“Oh, well then. If you’ll excuse me, I have some caps to collect…” The unicorn trotted off excitedly, leaving me watching Ivy. “Terribly sorry, Stable…”

“It’s been a while since I’ve done that…” Ivy carefully climbed to her hooves.

“According to the field manual, you’re supposed to spread your forehooves before opening the armor.” The Senior Paladin’s entire demeanor had changed, going from arrogant to… charitable.

“Yes, I remember that now...” She looked down, sealing the side of her armor.

“Well… the suit is yours. Do check in with us at some point, though.” I thought I could almost hear a smile in the Senior Paladin’s voice.

“Thank you, sir…” Ivy stepped back, groaning and stretching, and I approached her as she pulled her helmet off. “What can I do for you, Scout?”

“I’d like to ask you to join my group. The attackers took our Overmare, and did the same to several other groups in Baltimare two nights ago.” I paused. “It’s not unlikely that these ponies were involved with the, uh, incident at Haven, too. We’re putting together an alliance to rescue our leaders… a pony with power armor would be incredibly welcome.”

Ivy frowned, flicking an ear back, the one with the missing tip. “What are you asking from me?”

“I’d like you to join us during the attack to retrieve the Overmare.”

“What’re you offering me for it?”

“I expected that the chance for revenge would interest you.”

She looked up and to the right, to her torn ear, a pained look crossing her face. “Revenge missions never end well.”

Fair.

I set about revising my strategy. “Don’t think of it as a revenge mission, then. Think of it as putting down a dangerous gang, for the protection of others in the future.”

“Hey, we want in!” Sky Chaser rushed over to us.

“What do you mean, ‘in’?” Ivy gave her a stern look.

“Your attack, or whatever.” She waved a hoof. “We want to help.”

“Who is your guardian?” I looked to Ivy, and she shrugged.

Sky scowled at me. “I am my own guardian, you dumbass!” I frowned at her, and she quickly backtracked. “I mean… um…? We just want to do something…” Her friend, Ivory Spark, limped over to us gingerly as she continued. “They attacked us! We can’t just let them… get away with that. Can we?” She turned to Ivy with a confrontational scowl. “What about all of that ‘protecting the weak’ crap you always talked about when we were young? Isn’t that what these Stable ponies are doing?”

Ivy took a slow breath, looking from Sky to Ivory, then back to me. “Alright… I’m in. When are we leaving?”

“Soon. I gotta hit up the gun store, we need more hardware.” I looked to my Pipbuck.

12:04

“An hour, two maybe.” I glanced to Ivy, lowering my voice. “You’re okay with them coming?”

“So long as they stay out of the fighting… yes.” She scowled at Sky. “Even if we tell her not to come, she’ll come along anyways. It’s better if we bring her so we can keep an eye on her.”

Sky snickered mischievously.

“Yeah, I know that feeling…” I thought back to the attack on the Stable, seeing Rivets fleeing from me yesterday morning, and I sighed.

I glanced to Sky, leaning down to be even with her, face-to-face. “Okay, Sky.” I glanced to Ivory, standing off to the side. “Ivory. Both of you. This is serious, and I expect you to follow my directions. First time you don’t, you guys are going back somewhere safe. If I tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to hide, you hide. Got it?”

Ivory and Sky both nodded seriously.

“Go get ready to leave, then.” The two of them scurried off, Sky giggling deviously.

I glanced over to see the Senior Paladin watching us impassively. He turned and walked off without a word.

Well.

Alright then.

I looked over to Ivy, and she shrugged. “We’ll meet you at the gate.”

I entered the gun store, trailed by Weld, and noticed that almost all of the weapons had been loaded. A general purpose machine gun was set up on a tripod facing the door, pointing above the door, which matched up with kicked up dirt and bloodstains outside the store.

Ick.

The floor was littered with links and machine gun brass. A stack of combat shotguns lay against the counter, bolts locked back, magazines loaded. Loaded magazines were piled on the counter. A foal sitting on the counter was scowling at Weld fiercely and holding a rifle, an oversized steel pot helmet on his head.

The merchant was chatting with a couple of locals, who were buying a box of shotgun shells. They left, and she looked to me.

“How much for the machine gun?” I glanced to it while Weld inspected it.

She shook her head. “S’not for sale. What can I get ya?” She’d picked up some bloody scratches, and an old military combat helmet sat askew on her head.

“I’m not sure about that. Everything’s for sale…” I paused, looking to her slyly. “It’s just a matter of finding the price, right?”

“Kay then!” The mare grinned back at me slyly. “Four thousand caps for the gun, another thousand for the tripod, two hundred for two spare barrels, plus two hundred per can of rounds.” She pointed to an ammo can on the counter. “If you buy it all at once, I’ll toss in the belt loader!”

I spent a moment considering her statement. I was sitting on five thousand caps, plus an unopened case of combat shotguns and various supplies I was sure could turn a handy profit to the right pony…

“Counteroffer: A thousand caps and a sealed case of IF-9 shotguns and magazines, and five thousand caps, in credit, from the Stable for the gun and accessories. Weld, could you get the shotguns?”

She frowned at that, surprised, and I levitated out ten one hundred cap strips, laying them out on the counter in front of her. She leaned down, counting the strips, ears swivelling around.

Weld returned with the case, prying it open with a crowbar.

“You know, hardware isn’t much use if I can’t sell it.” She inspected it, pulling one of the shotguns out and racking the bolt.

The sharp smell of packing grease floated out from the case, and I stepped back slightly.

“True.” I picked up one of the IF-9 magazines sitting on the counter, and the top shell popped out. “Factory sealed magazines, though...” She pulled one of the magazines out, loading a few shells into it.

“Yeah. Alright, done. What else do you need?” She set the shotgun and magazine atop the case.

I returned the shell to the magazine, setting it down carefully. “The Scouts are going to be passing through Haven a lot, so I’d like to suggest an arrangement - anything we acquire that we don’t need, we’ll funnel to you at fair prices, in exchange for fair prices for any hardware we need. I represent a Stable, we have resources…”

“You know… that sounds lucrative.” She smiled slowly. “One stipulation: the next machine gun you encounter, comes to me.”

“Deal. I have a list...” I glanced to Weld, and he levitated an M2000 out of his saddlebags, offering it to her.

She looked over it, nodding along. “I have most of this stuff… suppressors, though.” She shook her head. “Yeah, I don’t have any cans.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Steel, put that rifle down and start prepping this stuff. When you’re done with that, start clearing the weapons.” She slid the Pipbuck over to the foal on the counter before turning back to me. “Hold on, you’re that pony that bought that fucked up IF-9 last week, right?”

Steel rolled his eyes and made a face at her, but hopped off the counter, disappearing out back with the Pipbuck in his teeth.

The mare leaned against the counter, looking at me, pushing her helmet up with a hoof. “So, what happened to it? It fall apart? No refunds.”

I shrugged. “It got replaced…” I grinned, levitating my Ironpony out. “By this.”

“What the hell is that?” She frowned, leaning in to look at it closer.

I removed the mag, racked the action and passed it to her for inspection. “It’s an IF-88 Ironpony, an early prototype.”

“I’ve heard of… yeah, yeah.” She took it, looking over it. “I read an article in some wartime magazine about it. Early prototype? Ten gauge, right?” She snorted. “Good luck feeding it.”

Weld stepped in, grinning proudly. “I’ve been using fireformed and cut down twenty mil cases, actually,” he looked to my kit, “Captain, could you show…”

I cleared my throat. “We’re kind of busy right now, Weld. You can talk shop later. How many caps were you thinking?”

The merchant looked intrigued at Weld’s comments. “A thousand caps for the whole shipment, in addition to the thousand up front for the machine gun, and five thousand in credit. So… two thousand caps right now, five thousand in credit.”

“Deal.” I dug out a scroll, an official Stable document for an IOU. I dug out another ten, one hundred rings of caps and set them on the counter, and she set them and the thousand caps from earlier on the scale hanging behind her as I finished the IOU document.

She studied the scale for a moment, nodded, and swept the caps and scroll under the counter as she turned to face me again. “Pleasure doing business with you, Stable! Anything else I can do for you?” She grinned slyly, gesturing to the rack of cut down rifles. “I’ll toss one of the cut down rifles in for an extra fifty caps. It’s a steal!”

I glanced to the rack, then at the chaotic disorder surrounding me. “I can’t help but notice that you’ve unracked and loaded every single weapon in your store except those rifles…”

Weld took a step over to the rack, studying it with a look of awe and horror.

She cackled, grinning brightly. “Naw, they’re fiiine.”

“How long until this shipment will be ready?” I glanced to my Pipbuck. “I’m not hurrying you, but we are kind of in a hurry…”

“You’re not hurryin’ us, except you are.” I winced apologetically, and she snickered. “Hour, tops. Probably be quicker if we had more hooves.”

“Let’s see what we can do with that.” I stepped over to the door. “Samsiir, Block, get in here.” They entered the store, and I looked from Block to Weld as Block stumbled over some brass, slinging his rifle. “Mind the brass, Block. Weld, you’re in charge of getting this stuff prepped for transit.”

The merchant gave Samsiir a strange look, speaking to me. “Y’all have stripes in your Stable?”

I nodded. “Yeah, we do.”

She shrugged. “Well. Alright then.”

The next hour passed quickly. I checked in with the Mayor, received an ice-cold Sparkle Cola from the meat vendor in thanks, and spent a bit wandering the town in the company of Astral, one of the Arcane Sciences ponies from Haven and a dozen Stable and surface ponies.

The Arcane Science pony wasted no time pointing out all of the things they’d done. Plants - edible crops - were being grown, healthy ones in small amounts. Buildings had been erected, replacing some of the tents that had been there the last time I was there.

Eventually the weapons shipment was ready, and we met out by the west gate.

A dozen or so Haven residents had volunteered with Ivy, and their addition made the force more impressive.

Two dozen Stable ponies. About twice that many wastelanders. A group of alicons. A quartet of Steel Rangers…

This is some real firepower.

I glanced up as the wind started to pick up.

The Senior Paladin approached me. “We’ll return to our base and prepare. Send someone to retrieve us when you’re ready.”

Of course.

“Very well. We’ll see you then.” I glanced around to my ponies as the Rangers turned and left us. “Let’s move.”

17:13

I took a moment to study the arena. It was square, perhaps ten meters tall and ten wide, built from lengths of pipe welded together and covered with chain link fencing. A sturdy walkway ran along the side, about halfway up.

Serenity was standing on the walkway. "No fatalities or maiming, no magic, wings or weapons. No further rules.”

Joy.

My first attacker stepped forwards as two raiders finished binding my wings - a very large pony. He towered over me, a full head taller, and built like a draft horse.

I spun, bucking the pony in front of me, and he stepped back very slightly, grunting.

“My turn, newbie…” He tensed for an attack, and I hopped backwards.

Crap.

He stepped towards me, and I dove forwards, turning as I did, and grabbed the underside of his armor, crawling under him as he bit down on my tail. I kicked him in the jaw, and he let go. I bucked him between the hind legs as I kicked away from him. I heard him grunting, louder.

Some ponies cheered.

His return kick caught me in the chin as he collapsed behind me, and I tumbled away from him, rolling to my hooves as I spat some blood on the ground. I looked to the side as two ponies rushed me from behind, one on each side.

I ducked low on my hooves, throwing my hind leg out to trip the one on the right, and body slammed the one on the left, jabbing my forehoof into their barrel. The left one fell over, tripping over the first pony and the ponies dragging him out of the ring.

A unicorn approached me, a knife held in her magic. I sidestepped, noticing another pony approaching me from behind.

Background chatter picked up, some in Equestrian, some in another language I didn’t know.

I paced sideways, trying to simultaneously track the knife and both attackers.

I tossed a glance in Serenity’s direction. “I thought you said no weapons or magic?”

She shrugged. “Those rules only apply to you, newbie.”

I hopped sideways, keeping both attackers in sight. “That’s not very fair…”

Some of the spectators chuckled.

Well…

If that’s how it’s going to be.

I glanced up, surveying the arena…

Plenty of space to fly, if I could get my wings free…

I charged the unicorn, and she simply stepped aside, moving the knife where they’d been, in my path, with a bored look of disdain.

Good…

I darted past the knife, running it against the ropes binding my wings.

It didn’t cut all of the ropes, but at least one cut through, and I ‘tripped’, tumbling for a meter as I freed my wings from the ropes.

Distantly I heard Tawny yelling my name.

Freed, I threw myself into the air, spreading my wings.

One of Serenity’s subordinates stepped forward, yelling hotly, only to trail off as Serenity flew up to meet me.

I shifted into a hover a few meters from the chainlink roof of the arena, waiting to see what she was doing, but she rushed me, faster than I’d expected, and we tumbled in the air, grappling.

I rolled backwards, bucking with my hind legs. Serenity squeaked loudly as one of my hooves connected, flipping away from me.

For a moment, I was worried I might have to catch her, but then she recovered. She studied me as the two of us hovered three meters apart, wind blowing through our manes.

She rushed me, and I dropped to avoid her. She grabbed onto the chain links over the arena, and dropped. I slid out of the way, but she grabbed me on the way down, pulling both of us down a meter.

I swung a hoof at her as we connected, and she yelped again, but this time she held on.

She bit me!

The fuck!

I growled, punching her again, this time hitting her in the stomach.

She kicked away from me, hitting me in the stomach. A gust of wind pushed me into the wall hard enough to daze me, and I tumbled along the wall and fell to the ground.

I rolled over to find several Raiders looming over me.

“You ran from the fight.” Two of the Raiders stepped back as Serenity dropped to the ground in front of me, folding her wings. “Explain.”

“The fight was unfair.” A couple of spectators chuckled. I continued as she scowled at me. “There weren’t any weapons I could use, so I found a way to even the fight that wouldn’t get anyone killed.”

Serenity frowned. “By… rushing a unicorn levitating a knife?”

“I was hoping that she wouldn’t try to stab me, based on the ‘no fatalities’ rule.” I pulled my wings in tight against my flanks.

“A bold assumption.” Serenity curled her lip.

I nodded.

After a moment, Serenity turned and walked off, out of the arena, flicking me across the muzzle with her tail. “Goldie, Tin.” She approached a pair of ponies, both wearing what looked like lieutenant bars.

Serenity addressed the male, speaking in the same odd language I’d heard while fighting in the pit. I tuned it out, studying the two.

The male - Tin Wall - was an older, stern-looking earth pony, slate grey with a pale green mane with the everpresent red streaks. A well-formed beret sat atop his mane. He seemed frustrated by Serenity’s question.

The other pony - Golden Peony - was a very pretty pale yellow and pink unicorn, with her mane in a braid. She looked a few years older than I was, maybe around Firefly’s age. She spoke calmly, glancing to Lieutenant Wall.

I picked out a few words in Equestrian - Firefly’s name, my name, Stable, Tartarus.

Serenity looked to Lieutenant Peony. Lieutenant Peony looked to me, speaking. “Blitz - what role did you perform in the Stable team?”

“Uh, navigator, ma’am.” I shifted, glancing to the Raiders surrounding me.

“Thank you!” She smiled and turned back to Serenity and Lieutenant Wall, giving an impassioned little speech. Serenity seemed happy, Lieutenant Wall satisfied.

Serenity returned. “Well done, Blitz. You broke the letter of direct orders, while following the spirit of those orders. You need to work on sharing your experiences and working with others more directly. But well done.”

“Despite our name, we’re not just raiders or fighters. We’re trades ponies first and fighters second. We exist to serve and protect the ponies of Baltimare, whether or not they want it. We only strike in defense, but when we do, we strike until the attacker is incapable of further action. We fix problems, whether it’s with a wrench or a gun.” She offered me her hoof. “Do you accept these rules?”

“Uh, yes, ma’am!” I took her hoof.

She pulled me up to my hooves. “Good. Until this operation is over, you’ll be my personal assistant and advisor. Following that, you’ll be assigned a unit, provided you don’t fuck up... or get killed.”

“What about my partner?” I looked to Tawny. “She’s with me.”

Everyone looked to Tawny, and I was proud to see her not cower from the attention.

“She’ll have to work for her keep as well, but I’m sure there’s something she can do.” Serenity nodded and turned around, looking to the Raiders surrounding her. “Whadya think, Raiders?” She grinned, yelling. “Is this pony worthy of joining our ranks?”

The Raiders cheered, stomping their hooves in approval.

“Welcome to the Raiders, newbie.” She spoke quietly to me, one wing around me, a hoof pointed out at the surrounding Raiders. “That was a pretty good show. Keep it up and you’ll do just fine, Blitz.”

I heard the gate opening, and Serenity turned to face a runner as he galloped over. “Major! The Stable unit has arrived.” The runner was a kid, a unicorn, maybe in his early teens.

Tawny hugged me, and I wrapped a wing around her, hugging her back.

I trotted over to her, Tawny beside me. Serenity looked over to Lieutenant Wall, pointing a wing at Tawny. “Tin, take the civvie, find out what she’s good at and get the two of them some quarters.” Serenity looked to me. “Blitz! Goldie! On me.” She cast her gaze on the rest of everyone surrounding us. “Everyone else, return to your duties.”

Everyone saluted and filed away as Serenity turned, trotting off towards the gate at a fast clip, Lieutenant Peony following. I followed, galloping to catch up.

The Stable team had arrived, and they’d come in force. Most of the Stable Security department, and they’d picked up more ponies - surfacers it looked like. They even had a pony in a suit of power armor, but it didn’t look like Steel Rangers’ armor; the markings on the flanks and chest were way too worn. And some alicorns? I noticed Firefly’s mother surrendering ammo to the ponies at the gate, and quickly looked for my parents.

Fortunately, neither Mother or Father had come.

I recognized a few of the wastelanders as the ponies who’d attacked the Stable.

What the hell was Firefly thinking?

Ivory waved to me from the head of her own team. I raised a wing at her, smiling.

Firefly approached Serenity. “Where’s your Ops center?” Firefly had cut her mane, and she towered over Serenity, easily a head taller than the pegasus in front of her. Not that Serenity seemed any smaller, with her wings flared.

Serenity frowned, then turned, folding her wings. “This way. Blitz, with me.”

Firefly looked to me for a long moment, her expression unreadable as she met my eyes. She then smiled, a friendly but wary look. “Blitz.”

I smiled back to her lightly. “Captain Firefly.”

She then glanced over her shoulder, to Lieutenant Dash. “Dash, you’re in command. Coordinate with the Raiders. Sands, Starlight, Shine, on me.”

Serenity directed Lieutenant Peony to Lieutenant Dash, turned to Firefly, and gestured for us to follow, leading the way to the command center. Min, Nimble, Plat and an alicorn in some wartime officer gear followed Firefly.

The command center was full, ponies bustling about. Serenity, Firefly and the alicorn headed to the table at the center, joining General Azure and Matchlock.

Azure wasted no time in getting to the point. “Do you know where the attackers are hiding?”

Firefly shook her head. “I have a team on it. They should be reporting in by tomorrow or the day after. The Steel Rangers have agreed to support us.”

Matchlock glanced around, from Serenity to Firefly. “Are you sure these ‘Star Touched’ are to blame, though?”

Serenity looked from Matchlock to Firefly, then back to Matchlock. “It seems like a reasonable assessment, given what we’ve put together, sir. The time tables and mode of operation match up. The Stable found bodies linking them. I think there’s too much to be just coincidence. We’ll conduct recon of our own.”

Matchlock cast a look at Firefly, speaking to Serenity. “You’re willing to trust the word of these… underground dwellers? After your father was the only thing preventing you from hunting down and killing them last week?”

“That was then. This is now.” Serenity glared at Firefly for a moment, before looking to Matchlock. “Everypony gets a second chance, sir…”

There was definitely some history behind that comment that I didn’t get.

Matchlock frowned in irritation, but said nothing.

Firefly winced at that statement, and shook her head. “The pony who first suggested the Star Touched was Cyclone, the, uh…” She paused. “Ghoul from the police station?”

Azure nodded. “Yes, we know who he is. That’s fair, Captain.” He continued, looking at Serenity. “Major, have we received any word from the Second or Third Armies?”

“Not since last week, sir.” Serenity shook her head. “Last word we received was that Second is busy on a mission with the Southern Talons, and Third is still on a salvage patrol to the west. We’ve sent runners, but it could be a week before we get answers…” She trailed off, and Azure nodded, the room falling silent for a moment before moving on to numbers.

I tuned the conversation out, glancing to the Stable team next to me.

Nimble had lost a significant amount of weight, and she’d picked up several superficial cuts and bruises. Her mane was pulled back into a loose, messy bun, in sharp contrast to the clean style she’d used to wear it. “Hey, Nimble. You’ve lost some weight.”

Nimble nodded, glancing down at herself. “Rough couple of weeks.”

“You look good.” I grinned. “Tough. Sexy confidence.”

“Thanks, Blitz.” Nimble looked back to me, confident but curious. “Tawny with you?”

“Yeah. She’s getting us some quarters.” I glanced from Nimble to Min.

Min glanced away quickly, running a hoof against her muzzle, along the stripe running down her face. She’d brushed her bangs back, and a pair of pistols were slung across her chest. She’d picked up some heavy armor plates, and on closer inspection, her kit shifted around a lot less than it had last time.

I glanced to Platinum. “Hey, Plat.” She smiled to me wanly. “How’s the Stable doing?”

Plat sighed. “Not so great. Some of the attackers hit the orchards and burned down a bunch of the trees.” She looked calm and collected, but there was tension in her eyes.

“I knew there were still infiltrators…” I shook my head.

“Correct…” Plat glanced down, adjusting her rifle.

“She is coming…” The alicorn in the army hat spoke quietly, over the conversation. Everyone fell silent, confused, looking to her. A couple of unicorns cocked their heads, listening to something nopony else could hear.

I couldn’t, anyways, and I had excellent hearing. I looked to Nimble - the nearest Stable unicorn - and she shrugged.

A moment later, several alicorn drones teleported in. There was a half dozen alicorns in the center of the room, surrounding the table in the middle, intermingled with Firefly and the Raiders’ brass.

Many ponies scrambled for cover or weapons.

Several yelled or screamed.

I raised my beam rifle, hopping backwards as it charged with a high pitched whine.

Beside me, Min drew her weapon as I shifted my aim to the nearest alicorn.

Someone yelled to hold fire.

After a moment of nobody opening fire, I glanced down to my EFS.

There were no hostile pings. I lowered my weapon, slipping it back on to safe, and assessed the situation.

Min had drawn one of her pistols, and I raised a wing, covering her with it. “Min, put your weapon down. Your gun is empty, and they’re not attacking.”

Min stepped away from me, scowling, and reluctantly but carefully holstering her weapon, freezing as she looked up to see one of the drones staring at her with a singular, intense look.

I could sense the Goddess was pleased by our reactions. The drones weren’t smirking, but you could tell - their starry manes floated in a smug sort of way.

That may have been just how they always floated, though.

One of the drones stared at me, and I smirked back at it.

The Goddess waited a long, dramatic moment before speaking. “GREETINGS, PONIES OF BALTIMARE! THE GODDESS DEMANDS TO SEE THE SO-CALLED ‘CRIMSON ALICORN’.”

Azure spoke. “Who?”

“BY THE SUN, YOU PONIES ARE DIM.” Various ponies shared a look of confusion. “SURELY YOU MUST KNOW THE CRIMSON ALICORN. THE ONE WHO CALLS HIMSELF KING OF THIS MERRY BAND OF RAIDERS AND NE'ER-DO-WELLS.”

Serenity glanced around the drones, speaking to the closest. “You must mean my father…?”

“There’s a clan of zebras who have taken him.” Firefly stepped forward, and the drones all looked to her. “The Star Touched.”

The Goddess sneered. “WE ARE AWARE THEIR OF EXISTENCE.”

“I would like to… ask for your assistance, to rescue him. Please.”

“WHY SHOULD WE HELP YOU?”

“You need us.”

“PARDON?”

“You don’t have enough fighters to deal with everything going on in the rest of the wasteland, on top of this venture, as well. Let us help you.” The Goddess said nothing, but you could tell Firefly’s words had struck something with her. “We could be useful as cannon fodder, before you step in to rescue him.”

Firefly, what the fuck?

Many of the ponies watching shared uncomfortable looks. I shared one with Nimble, and she shrugged.

The Goddess considered that, all of them staring at Firefly in a creepy manner. “VERY WELL, STABLE PONY. WHERE IS HE BEING HELD? WE SHALL LIBERATE HIM.”

“We’re looking, but we haven’t located them yet.”

“I SUGGEST YOU CHANGE THAT. QUICKLY.” The Goddess stared at Firefly for a long moment. “WE SHALL CONDUCT OUR OWN SEARCH AND RETURN.” The Goddess scowled at everyone, particularly the few Raider zebras present, before looking to the alicorns, then Firefly. “I SEE YOU HAVE ACQUIRED SOME FRIENDS.”

“You asked us to observe them.” Firefly shrugged. “Things changed.”

The Goddess looked to her for a long moment, before teleporting off without a further word.

That was… interesting.

Everyone looked to Firefly, before Azure spoke, quietly but calmly, “Return to your duties, everyone.”

“Cannon fodder?” Serenity spoke furiously, hopping on the table. “What are you gonna do when the Goddess finds out my father isn’t an alicorn, Stable pony? Run to your shitty little concrete hole in the ground?”

Firefly cleared her throat, glancing to Serenity with a confident look. “The Goddess will be more receptive to ideas if she thinks she chose to do them, based on our suggestions, rather than if she was told to do them. If she thinks we’re assisting in her operation, as expendable pawns, well…” She fell silent, letting the room think over that, before continuing, quietly, intently. “Nobody here is expendable, but if the Goddess thinks of us that way…” She glanced about the room. “Finally, no. We’re not going to run and hide in the Stable if this goes south. We’re committed to the surface.” She paused again, glancing down. “We can’t just do that anymore, even if we wanted to.” She looked to Azure.

Serenity frowned, awed by that. “Okay, fine. I can’t argue with that logic, but cannon fodder?”

Firefly scowled at Serenity, but before she could respond, Matchlock interrupted them. “Major. Captain. Please. Major Serenity brings up a good point, but the Goddess brought up a more critical point: We don’t know where Crimson is. All the planning and arguing in the world won’t do us any good if we don’t know where we need to go.”

Firefly took a deep breath, before speaking again. “I believe I have an idea, actually. Our Overmare has a Pipbuck, and we should be able to track it. If we find the Overmare, we should find the rest of the prisoners.”

Azure nodded slowly. “Crimson has a Pipbuck, as well.” Azure looked from Serenity to Firefly. “These ponies are supposed to be tech savvy, Captain? They may have taken her and Crimson’s Pipbucks.”

Firefly nodded. “Unless they’ve taken the Pipbucks somewhere else, they should at least lead us to where they are, or to some tracks that will lead us to them. Exploring ‘maybes’ is pointless.”

“That seems solid, Captain.” Azure looked to Serenity. “Major, please take a squad and investigate the Pipbucks.”

“Major, I suggest you take Lieutenant Dash’s team with you… I’d like to take a squad of Raiders with my own team while I gather some allies around Baltimare.”

Serenity thought about that for a moment, before smiling. “Very well. You may take Lieutenant Peony’s team.”

Firefly glanced to her Pipbuck and nodded. “Excellent.”

“Blitz, let’s move.” Serenity glanced to me, turning and heading for the entrance.

“See ya later, Star, Shine.” I trotted over to Serenity, waving a wing at the Stable ponies.

As I turned to leave, I heard Azure saying something about “alicorn proofing the command center” and Firefly offering him some of her ponies to help with that.

An hour and a half later, Serenity and I ended up on the roof of the guardhouse atop the gate, overlooking the main courtyard. The Stable unit had been given some quarters.

The pony with power armor - someone from Haven, it turned out - had stripped out of her armor and was painting the flanks with Mend. A few Raider specialists were looking over the armor.

Ivory had gathered a small crowd, Stable ponies, Raiders, kids and even a few alicorns, watching her practice her teleporting. After a few teleports, she teleported herself out of her kit, bowing.

Several ponies cheered.

That’s… quite a bedroom trick there, Ive…

“So.” Serenity waved a hoof at the ponies in the courtyard as she spoke. “Tell me about the Stable.”

I looked over to Serenity as she spoke. “I… I can’t tell you anything about the Stable’s defenses…”

“I don’t give a shit about the Stable itself. If we wanted it, we could have taken it at any time during the past decade.” Serenity frowned, a look of contempt crossing her face. “Firefly. You seem to have a pretty high opinion of her. Why? There’s no fucking reason we shouldn’t have been able to catch you ponies last week.”

“Yeah, she’s made some bad decisions… she’s always idolized Crimson, at least the Crimson she knew before he ran off. I think she wanted to… show up, guns blazing, and rescue her father from whoever was holding him, so she could bring him home and have a nice, happy family again.”

Serenity frowned. “Well, this is kind of interesting for the history books, but I honestly don’t care. All I want out of this conversation is the answers to two questions: What is Firefly going to do, and what are you going to do if this goes south?”

“Oh, uh, okay. Lemme think…” I looked to Tawny and our eyes met; she waved a hoof in my direction, and I smiled back to her. She’d discarded her barding, and was still wearing the dress she’d been wearing for Crescent’s memorial. “Right…” I glanced back to Serenity. “I don’t know what Firefly is going to do, but I do know you can take her at her word. If she says she’s your friend, she’ll stick by that until something changes, and when something changes, you’ll know it.” I shrugged, waving a hoof. “Gunfire, enraged screaming, very dramatic unicorn kind of stuff.”

Serenity thought about that, grimacing. “Typical unicorn stuff.” She shrugged. “That’s what I was looking for, I guess. And you?”

“I don’t know…” I frowned, laying my head down on my hooves. “All I know is I’m not going back to the Stable. It’s not my home anymore, it’s just a concrete hole in the ground I came out of… if I’m not welcome here, I’ll find somewhere else with Tawny, but… not back to the Stable.”

Serenity put her hoof on my shoulder. “Blitz, so long as you don’t turn on us, you’ll always be welcome here.” I smiled. “You should talk to my father… I think that’s how he feels about it, too.”

I shifted, glancing down to the courtyard, then back to Serenity. “So, uh… if you don’t mind, what’s the story with Matchlock?”

Serenity sighed, closing her eyes. I studied her. She was probably a little smaller than me, but about my age. She had Firefly’s palette, but her eyes were a different color, and she wore her mane in a short, spiky style. Her barding was a little worn, but still well kept, some sort of wartime military armor, with the Equestrian military symbols replaced with the profile of a bloodred gear with nine cogs - the Stable door. A grenade pin dangled from one of her ears.

After a moment, she spoke, opening her eyes and looking to me. “When I was young, I asked my mom that question. She told me, ‘fear the old in a life where ponies die young.’” She frowned, playing with something on her kit. “I didn’t understand what she meant then, but I do now…” I looked to her, not sure what to say, and she continued. “He’s dangerous, he’s smart and he’s well-liked among his army. Dad can’t just kill him, and he knows that, but Celestia damn it…”

“He’s got a habit of doing his own operations?”

“Yes, all the armies are free to do their own operations.” Serenity waved a hoof. “They’re encouraged, actually. It’s good for us to be out there, helping ponies.” She glanced to me. “We don’t just hide out in our base and leave to murder ponies.” She waved off in the distance, toward one of the one-twenty-seven mil mounts. “Remember the destroyer I mentioned? The Pudding? That’s what we do. Someone found it run aground, and hired us to free it and help fix it.”

“You… fixed the ship?” I looked over to the gun, then back to her, curiously.

“We’re not just raiders or soldiers, remember?” She waved to the courtyard. “First Army, Second Platoon’s 2IC is a machinist, and half of her unit are mechanics of some type. They’re not… ship experts, but a turbine engine is a turbine engine, right?”

“Uhh, sure?” I shrugged.

“I dunno, I’m not a mechanic, that’s just what they told me.” She waved a hoof. “But the ship works, so...”

“Okay, so…” I leaned forward. “You only… occasionally... murder whole settlements?”

“Before last week…” Serenity frowned, thought about that, then shrugged. “The first and last time we did that was after someone tried to kidnap me.” She considered, chewing on her lip. “My mother was killed during the attempt, so...”

I yawned, stretching my wings. “Why would someone want to kidnap you?”

Serenity smiled to me, a look that says, ‘oh you simple idiot’ and so much more in a moment. “I am… the eldest daughter of King Crimson, the first Raider Princess and his favored daughter.”

“… oh. Right.” I sat up. “You’re a… Princess? Should I… bow or something?”

“Please don’t.” Serenity snickered softly. “Dad stopped calling us that after the attempt. That’s entirely dad’s phrasing, by the way, I hate it.” She fell silent, glancing over the courtyard, before speaking quietly, glancing over to me. “Matchlock was behind that, I know it.”

“He was…?”

“I don’t… know that.” She slammed her hoof on the roof below us. “Not conclusively. It’s just hearsay from siblings.” Serenity shook her head, and scowled angrily. “That’s why his head isn’t on a pike in front of the gate. He’s been doing more shit recently, getting bolder and bolder. Shame your ponies aren’t trustworthy enough to give evidence…” She shrugged. “Well, either way, we’ve got bigger problems right now.” She dug through her kit, pulling out a pouch and offering me a strip of something. “You hungry?”

I looked to it closely. “What is it?”

“Radigator jerky. It’s from that ‘gator last week.” She grinned. “It tried to eat you. What better than to turn around and eat it, eh?”

I looked to it, wary… what the hell. I shrugged, popping it into my mouth. It was tough, a little salty and a little sweet, with a bunch of spices I’d never tasted.

“Hey, this is pretty good.” I spoke, my mouth full of tough meat. “Kind of tough, though.” I coughed, spraying a little jerky on Serenity. “Uh, sorry.”

She gave me a look of disgust, wiping some jerky off her cheek. “Do you Stable ponies… usually talk with your mouths full?”

I hurriedly covered my mouth and swallowed before responding. “Uh, no, sorry, ma’am.”

“You may not want to do that out here...” Serenity rose to her hooves, tucking her jerky away. “Right, time to move. We’ve got things to do, places to be, ponies to find and murder.”

She threw me a savage grin, and I responded with one of my own as I followed her off the roof, spreading my wings.

15:06
Wednesday

I paused as I entered the city square, a few blocks north of the Central Exchange.

During the war, this place had been bustling, ponies going every which way, everyone doing something.

Now?

It was dead. Dead and empty except for the souls of the ponies who had perished here when the bomb detonated.

I’d later learned, it had been inside the war memorial across from the city council hall, detonated in the early hours of the work day. Now the war memorial was an irradiated crater… I glanced to my Pipbuck as it started ticking harshly.

For anypony else, a few minutes of that would lead to a slow, painful death. For me? It was a… pleasant, warm feeling. Somepony had once compared it to drinking a coffee, or hot chocolate, just the perfect temperature. Revitalizing and comforting.

I glanced from my Pipbuck to the crater, before approaching the crater edge and kneeling, taking a moment to remember ponies who had died, both those whose shadows eternally painted the walls of the city square, and friends who had died during the war.

Time to go; I have things to do, to prevent my new friends from becoming dead, too.

I slipped into the sewers, following the tunnels almost on instinct, having gone this way so many times in the past two centuries.

“Greetings! Welcome to-” Chains approached me with the starry-eyed look he always greeted new ponies with.

“It’s just me, Chains, drop the crazy cultist act.” I patted him on the shoulder as I walked past him.

“Oh, it’s you, Cyclone. What brings you down here? It’s been...” Chains had been a prominent jeweler during the war. In the intervening two centuries, like most of us, he’d become a bit eccentric.

“A couple of decades, yeah. Sorry, no time to chit-chat, I’m here on business. I need to see Graff, is he here?”

“I’m here.” Former Baltimare police detective Donut Graffiti emerged from the shadows. He’d picked up an eye patch since I’d last seen him, and his suit had some more holes. Bullet holes, by the looks. “What do you need now?”

“I’m here to call in a favor.” I took a step towards him.

“I don’t owe you any favors, Cyclone.” Graffiti shook his head. “Not after New Reino.”

“Not me - Amaranth.”

Graffiti snarled, teeth bared. “I don’t owe him fucking anything. If it weren’t for him, I would have been the chief of police.”

“If it hadn’t been Amaranth, it would have been someone else. Baltimare PD had been outed as incredibly corrupt, and Image was going to do something.” As I spoke, ghouls - most of them wartime ponies who had taken shelter in the sewers - clustered around. “If it hadn’t been for him, you’d have died in that cell. Either way, it wouldn’t have lasted. The bombs fell a month later, remember?” I shook my head. “The head of Stable 30 is his great granddaughter. Do this and your debt to him is cleared.”

Graffiti thought about that, glancing around. “Yeah. Alright. What do you want?” I could tell he hadn’t been convinced by my argument, but by the looks of his followers.

“The Star Touched. Where are they?”

“The Star Touched?” Graffiti looked to me, confused. “Do they even exist?”

“Don’t bullshit me, Graff.” I glared at him. “You were in undercover investigations, you always know who’s talking to who.”

Citrine, the group’s sole crystal pony, looked to me, her ears twitching. “What’s going on, Cyclone?”

I turned to her. “They attacked Stable 30, the Crimson Raiders, and Princess knows who else. They took the Stable’s Overmare, King Crimson, and several other surface leaders.” I looked to the other ponies surrounding us, raising my voice slightly. “The Stable is putting together an alliance to rescue their leaders.”

“I wouldn’t mind getting back at them… they bombed Baltimare, didn’t they?”

“Yeah.” I nodded slowly, glancing around at the ponies surrounding me. I looked Cans in the eyes, getting a determined nod back. Cans had been a sound engineer at the radio station during the war, and was a prominent member of the ghouls.

Graffiti approached me, circling. “You’re starting to sound like you’re the Stable’s pet. Faithfully telling them where the bad ponies are…”

“They’re murderers and kidnappers, nothing more. Before the bombs, I’d be chasing them to put them behind bars. Now...” I shook my head. “I just want the stripes dead.” I waved a hoof off in the distance angrily. “Stable 30 wants the stripes dead. We all want the fuckin’ stripes dead. Right?”

“Why should we get involved with the surfacers’ problems?” He stepped around me, on my other side.

"Long term? They’ll help us if we help them. They’ll owe us one, and Stable 30 has the conscience to stick to it. Short term? The more guns pointed at the stripes, the better chance we all walk away in one piece.”

Graffiti hesitated for a moment, before nodding slowly. “Yeah…”

He took an awful long time to respond…

Hm. I wonder...

“Fine. We’ll look into it.”

Cans spoke up. “We want in on the attack, too!” She looked around, and the ponies surrounding us stepped in, giving out sounds of agreement.

“Well, Graff. Looks like you’re in.” I wrapped my hoof around his shoulder, grinning.

The zebra entered the small cell, worryingly boisterous to the prisoners.

“I have some good news, and I have some bad news.”

The Equestrians present shared a look, before the yellow unicorn snarled, “get on with it already.”

The raider sighed. Impatient unicorn mares.

“Well, if you insist… the good news is, you get to choose who goes first.” The four prisoners shared looks of concern at that vague pronouncement.

The Stable unicorn spoke, wary confusion coloring her tone. “Goes first for what, precisely?”

The undead zebra leered at her. “Ah, yes. Your parts will be used to help protect the world from the Deus Malicus. Your horn will be useful for hexes.” He turned to scowl at the pegasus. “Your feathers, too, will be useful. But only if they’re harvested while your heart still beats. That’s the bad news for you, of course. But it’s good for everyone else!”

The four ponies shared a look.

Shockingly, nopony was rushing to be first.

The pegasus spoke. “I’ll do it.” Everyone looked to him as the zebra trotted over to him.

“I expected you to say that, pegasus.” He walked past the pegasus, out of his line of sight, before kicking him in the side with his cybernetic leg with a sickening crunch. “I’m afraid not. It will hurt you more to see them die before you. You and your fucking winged kind, with your cursed airships.” The zebra trotted away, looking to the Stable unicorn. “Take her.”

His followers released her from her bonds, and she struggled, shrieking as she lashed out with her hind leg, kicking one of the zebras in the face hard enough to draw blood.

It was a good strike… but there was no follow-up to keep the others at bay, no further movement to free herself or her allies.

One of the zebras, a non ghoul, struck her with a baton at the base of her horn, and she yelped, going limp.

The door sealed behind the Overmare, and Crimson sighed, summing everyone’s thoughts up in a single word.

“Fuck.”

Author's Notes:

It's been a while. Over a year, in fact. Sorry about that, IRL issues happened. Family almost died. Life-changing realizations happened. Fun stuff.

Had planned to get this out for Christmas but delays happened. Merry late Christmas, maybe?

With this, StSc moves ever closer to completion. The next chapters should be shorter and faster to come.