Fallout Equestria: Aurora
By CaptainSparx
Chapter Seven: Bad Blood
“They've crossed the line, it's time that we attack!”

Morning came quickly enough. Checking my pipbuck chrono as I groggily rolled out of bed. Oh shit, it’s getting late. Yawning, and stretching I made my way to the little colt’s room. Static was already up and had apparently left. And she had the key with her as well. No biggie. Freshening up I trotted back and glanced over my choice of clothing. Stylish and suave or dashing and rogue. When I put it that way.

Slipping as best I could into the heavy jacket. My RadAway was getting low too. I grabbed an extra pack and strapped it to my leg above the pipbuck. Swapping the tube from the old bag to feed from the new one. Tossing the old bag in the trash I looked at myself in the mirror. Something seemed to be missing in the look I was shooting for. Ah, I know. Walking back to our gear pile I pulled out my medical tin. Popping the lid and taking out a roll of gauze. Then proceeding to wrap my rear ankles and several wraps around the RadAway bag. There we go. If that doesn’t just scream mercenary for hire I don’t know what will. Tossing the leftover wrap on the bed I turned for the door.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” Static stood in the open doorway, the key levitated in her magic. The blue maned mare from the other night stood slightly behind her. Oh I would have so many questions. But now is NOT a good time. “And why the hell are you dressed like that? You look like an edgy, scandalous, wannabe rogue.” She did have a point I guess.

“Um, listen, love to stay and chat.” Making my way as best I could around Static and out the door. Nearly brushing up against the other mare as I made my exit. “But I’ve got something I have to do. And Static I might have found a solution to our little debt problem.” Dashing off before she could say anything.

“Is he always that um…” The grey mare started.

“Stupid? Yes.” Static finished for her. “Anyway I can fill him in later. Please, do come in Miss Homage.” The pair disappeared into the room, closing the door behind them.

I on the other hoof soon found myself rather busy trotting around and being a general nuisance. Nopony said anything and I didn’t ask either. I had to find this Tassel and get him to somehow offer me a cut of this deal. Assuming he actually had the caps. I really didn’t want to talk to the security chief. We already weren't on the most hospitable of terms.

My major issue here was that I had no idea what this Tassel character even looked like. I assumed he worked in security but I never actually stuck around to get a good look at the guy. All I had to go off of was his voice. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask around. And what better place to start than the info desk.

“Why hello again.” I trotted up, acknowledging the same snobbish mare as when we had first arrived. She ever so slightly turned up her nose to show general disinterest. “I was hoping to amend some information.”

“Um, I’m not sure what you’re talking about. What information would need to be amended?” She looked away, keeping me in the corner of her vision.

“Well you have my name but I believe you may have listed the wrong occupation.”

“Oh I see, and what should I change it to?” Very visibly rolling her eyes as she let out a sigh.

Okay just how vague do I want to be. “Yes, the proper occupation should list special forces field officer.” It was mostly true. And seeing how information about me seemed to spread among the local rank and file here it hopefully wouldn’t be long before Tassel came looking for me.

“Um, excuse me but special forces? What kind of special forces are we talking about?” She raised a brow and… Whoa she was actually looking at me for once.

Smirking back, “The awesome kind.”

“Um excuse me, you wouldn’t happen to know if a Tassel works here would you?” I asked the stallion sitting at the security desk. It was about a half hour past lunch and I still hadn’t found the pony I was looking for. Though word was starting to get around. I could see ponies watching me in the corner of my vision. Stopping to whisper to each other as I walked by. More than once I heard the term enclave and special ops in the same sentence. I need to find out about this enclave. Maybe they could help? Or maybe they were the enemy here? Everypony who spoke the name spat it out almost in disgust. Still my searching had left me empty hooved so I might as well try asking around.

“Excuse me.” Tapping the desk with a hoof to get the stallions attention. He looked up from his paper work and groaned.

“Oh, it’s you.” Levitating a stack of papers aside. “What do you want?”

“Well I was actually looking for some work. A quick cap or two if you know what I mean.” I waited for the stallion to nod his head before I continued. “I couldn’t help but notice that you have a ghoul problem. I was wondering if I might be of some assistance in dealing with them.”

The stallion lifted a brow as he considered my offer. Levitating over some more papers. “I’ll pass your offer along to my superiors and we’ll get back to you.”

“Very well. You know where to find me. Have a good afternoon.” I said before leaving the small office space. If I was lucky he’d go tell his boss as soon as the shift changed. All I had to do was wait for them to come to me. Unless, “Oof.” I sidestepped as a younger stallion in a pristine security uniform pushed past me to get into the office. I caught a brief glimpse at his name tag as he turned to apologize before disappearing through the doorway. Tassel.

Well now, it might be sooner than I think. My stomach growled at me, ripping me from my thoughts. Damn, I sure could go for a hayburger right about now. I trotted back up to our room.

Knocking on the door since it was still locked. “Who is it?” I heard Static ask from the other side.

“Your edgy rouge.” I chuckled as she opened the door and glared at me from inside. “What?”

“Get your ass in here right now.” Static hissed, standing aside to let me in. Closing the door behind me. “About time you showed up.”

“I was busy.” Trotting into the main living space. The other mare. Homer was her name, I think? Sat in the chair and was reading through some papers… my papers! “Um, hi. I’m Sparx, and you are?”

“Name’s Homage, I’m DJ Pon3’s assistant. It’s nice to finally get to meet you.” She levitated the medical paperwork down to a side table.

“Wait… YOU’RE the assistant to the DJ?!” Well shit. Now I feel bad for rushing out. I have so many questions. First of which was why she was reading my medical prognosis.

“The one and only. He’s a really busy stallion. So when I heard you were trying to get to Fillydelphia I just had to find out why.” She got up and trotted over to the window, overlooking the destroyed city. Or what you could make out through the glazed and blackened glass. “Static told me you are trying to get designs for a stable. And you are trying to find somepony as well. Is that right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.” Just how much did Static tell her? I shot a quizzical look at my companion. She shrugged and I turned back to the grey mare in her dress. She fit in perfectly with the populace here. Yet she had come to talk to us.
“Why you need designs is beyond me but just who are you looking for in Fillydelphia?” Homage asked, turning from the window.

“It’s more of a side quest really. Somepony lost a filly to slavers. Said they were going to Fillydelphia. So I’m gonna see if I can find her and bring her home. Or at least find out what happened to her.” Oh please let her still be alive.

“I see.” Homage paused for a moment. Glancing around the room as she seemed to be thinking. “And just what do you need from Pon3?”

And now we get to it. “Well…” Taking a deep breath. “What I really need is a map to get us safely to Fillydelphia. I know the general location but I doubt it would be a safe route.”

“Hell right about it not being safe. Miles and miles of wasteland lie between here and Filly D. Not to mention all the raiders, hellhounds and other local wildlife.”

What’s a hellhound?

“Besides, even if he did have a map what does he get in return?” Homage asked, implying that he could get such a map for us.

“Well… you have a MAS broadcasting hub at the top of the tower right?” Homage nodded in affirmation. “I could um… download some files from a server.”

“I see.” She looked somewhat disappointed. “What kind of files are we talking about?”

“Designs schematics, military reports...” Who was I kidding, a DJ wouldn’t want those. “Or a complete unreleased instrumental track by Sweetie Belle.”

Homage’s eyes grew wide. “You can do that?!”

“I can do a lot more than that. You want some studio footage? I might be able to dig some of that up too. Just have to get it off my work server in Canterlot.”

Her spirits seemed to drop. “But Canterlot was hit by the megaspells. I doubt any computers survived.”

“Oh believe me, it would take a lot more than just a megaspell attack to take out these servers.”

“Okay, say I believe you. Just how are you gonna get those? Canterlot’s a long ways away, and you are essentially grounded. No offense.”

“None taken.” I trotted over and grabbed a new pack of RadAway. Starting to swap it out. Damn I went through this stuff fast. “All I need is access to a terminal connected to the broadcast array. Transmitting on frequency 12.050, tone 123.0 and receiving on 14.560, tone 250.3.”

“That’s very specific.” Homage answered, raising a brow. “How come I… We’ve never heard of it?”

“It’s a top secret military frequency. Only a hoofful of ponies ever knew about it.”

“And you know this how?”

“Because.” I shrugged. I really don’t feel the need to say more.

A sudden short staccato of knocks on the door drew everyone's attention.

“I got it.” Static grumbled, trotting to the door.

I turned back to Homage. “If you could get me access to a connected terminal I can do the rest. Should only take an hour or two once I’m in.” Data packets are tedious to send via radio. Still, it would be easier… and I might be able to access some other files while I’m at it.

“Sparx.” Static called from the front.

“Yeah?”

“Um, one of the security stallions is here. He says he’s looking for a pony to do some work?”

“Sweet! Tell him I’ll be right there.”

Homage trotted back around to the chair, picking up the medical papers once more in her magic. “I take it you’re trying to pay this off?” She swished them back and forth.

“Yup. And if everything works out, I’ll be set for a while.” I finished securing the RadAway, pulling my sleeve down over it to hide the bag. “Let me know if I can help you later. I could really use that map.” Heading for the door.

The security stallion stood just outside the door. Waiting for the door to close before he began. “If you’ll follow me. Assistant deputy Tassel would like to have a word with you in private.” He started off towards the stairs. But instead of heading down towards the security office he started up towards the private residences.

“Well damn.” I said aloud as we passed a set of closed marbled doors. Twin unicorns were rearing towards each other. With embossed leaves and trees along the sides and top forming a sort of arch. A hole had been precisely cut out in the middle and a magical lock had been placed. “So what’s behind those doors?” I asked, trotting faster to keep up with the younger stallion.

“None of your business.” He said flatly. Coming to another door. Upon entering I found it was yet another stairwell. Apparently not meant for guests. We started up once more. What I wouldn’t have given to be able to fly right now. It must have been at least a hundred steps before we took another access door. Seventeen was painted on the door in large red numbers. Remind me to take the elevator next time.

“This way, hurry up.”

Oh sure, pick up the pace now will ya. Moving at a brisk trot. “Is all this really necessary?”

“I’m afraid so.” The voice from last night said as we rounded a corner. Not so much a corner as a very large doorway. To a very large room. It was about half the size of the main lobby, though the ceiling wasn’t quite as high. Tassel sat by a monitor to my left. “I’m Assistant deputy Tassel. You must be Sparx?” I nodded. “Good.” Standing up as he made his way to a table with some maps and several pistols and a baton as paperweights. “I understand you are in need of some employment. Well it just so happens I might have a job that might interest you.”

“I’m listening.” Moving closer to look at the map. A map of Manehattan, or at least Manehattan before the bombs fell. Red circles were drawn radiating out from several X’s marked as craters.

Tassel pointed a hoof at a point on the map. Tenpony tower. “This is where we are.” Moving his hoof roughly two clicks to the north east. “Over here is a nest of ghouls that have been giving us some trouble. We need somepony with your special… talents. To help take them out.”

“I see. What exactly is your beef with them?”

“Well other than the fact they are zombies, and a whole mess of them at that. They are a threat to the safety of travelers and caravans alike. We’ve lost seven groups of scavengers alone in the past nine months.” Tassel pounded the table with his hoof for emphasis. “Most of them are feral anyway. You’d be doing the wasteland a favor.”

“What do you mean most of them? Some are still in their right minds then?”

Furrowing his brows as he glared at me from across the table. The light above us flickering every so often. “They have threatened to take the tower by force, letting the ferals run loose and killing everypony who lives here. If they haven’t lost their minds yet, it won’t be too far down the line.”

“Okay.” Keeping as uninterested expression as I could. “Say I do help you out. Just how many ghouls are we talking about?”

“Probably no more than ten or fifteen.” Well I knew that was a lie.

“Okay, what about compensation?” I needed to clear three and a half thousand just to pay my medical expenses.

“We can afford two thousand caps.” He said without showing any emotion.

“HA!” I balked. “Two! Just who do you think I am? Some good for nothing hired muscle. If that’s all you got then you’ll never be able to afford me.”

“Well, maybe we can come to an agreement?”

“Eight thousand, half of it in advance.”

“Eight thousand!?” Tassels jaw dropped. “You’ve got be out of your mind. No one has that kind of money.”

“Well way I see it, you said at most there was fifteen. That means the real number is actually closer to thirty or forty. And offering only two thousand means you most likely have at least six.” I watched as Tassels mouth tried to make words but couldn’t find its tongue. “I must be close. So do we have a deal?”

“How about four thousand and we give you some armour and your choice of weapons?” He offered back. At least he was trying to bargain. I could give him that much.

“Six thousand. Four in advance and you keep your weapons and armour. You can have all the credit for the attack.”

Tassel pondered this for a bit.

“Final offer.” I added, making to leave.

“Wait!” Tassel hollered. “Okay, fine. We’ll do it. So long as you can get it done in the next twenty four hours.”

“No sweat. I can get started as soon as the advance makes it to my room.”

The stallion who had escorted me up followed closely beside me as we made our way back. Down the hall. Down the stairs. Locking the door behind us as we came into the lobby. He excused himself and went back to work. I figured I might as well do the same. First things first. I needed some food in my stomach. And not that expensive, freeze dried stuff the establishment had to offer.

Knocking on the door to our room. No one answered. I knocked again. Hhmm, that’s a bit odd. I tried the door. It was unlocked. That’s not… normal? I trotted in and looked around. Nopony was home and everything seemed to be in place. Except for a piece of paper with some writing on it. Turning it around so I could read it.

Wasn’t sure when you’d get back. Went out shopping and to get something to eat. See you later. -Static

Well that was one thing I didn’t have to worry about. I flipped the note over and looked around for a pen. There was an inkwell on the nightstand. But no… YeOW! I plucked one of my own smaller feathers. It would have to do. Dipping it in the ink I hastily scribbled out a note.

Out late, working security with the night shift. See you in the morning. -Sparx

I set the note roughly where she had left it and placed the feather atop. Then turned to our piles of gear. I pulled out my chest piece and shoulder pads. Setting them aside as I decided on which weapons to bring. The shotgun seemed like a good call and the RE-9 for anything at a distance. Would just have to get some ammo before heading out. I doubt I’d need any medical supplies but better safe than sorry. Strapping the medic tin on my back, between my wings. After putting on the rest of my armour and slinging a gun on each side I waited.

Thankfully not for long. Maybe two or three minutes tops. A knock at the door. Answering I found the stallion from the front gate. He had four large bags strapped to his sides.

“Can I come in?” He asked, hesitantly.

I stood aside and he walked in. Setting the bags on the floor near the bed. Turning around he just stared at me. “What?”

“Chief Grimstar has instructed me to accompany you to ensure the task is completed.” He shifted his gaze away. “Once complete you’ll get the other two thousand caps.”

“I see. You wouldn’t happen to know if anyone else will be coming along, do you?”

“No sir, Chief Grimstar said that since you didn’t specify, he’s going to leave the security team in the tower. I’m afraid it’s just me.”

“Well shit.” I hissed, turning my back to him. “Well we’d best get going. It’s easier to shoot things when you can see them.”

The younger stallion followed behind me, shuffling his hooves. And keeping to himself as I went to the front gate and retrieved my shotgun ammo and a few rounds of .308 that weren’t enchanted.

“Um… sir?”

Stopping just as I was about to exit out the door. I let the door close and slowly turned. “What?” I snapped, irritated slightly.

“How long do you plan on being outside?”

“As long as it takes.”

“How do you plan on dealing with the bloodwings?”

The what wings? “Blood wings? What are those?” He visibly paled at my response.

“They’re giant bat-like creatures that eat ponies and other creatures. They only hunt at night though.”

And we just had to go at night, didn’t we. I’ll have to add that to my ever growing list of things that sucks. “Well then we’d best get a move on. Don’t want to be stuck out in the dark.” Though that would only give me about three hour’s tops of daylight.

I pushed open the door and stepped outside. Greeted by the murky light of an overcast sky. It was miserable at best.

Shifting my chest plate and then looking at my pipbuck. A location marker had been added along with a new quest directive. Eliminate the ghoul problem at Tenpony Tower. Fair enough. I set it to track the location as my escort dragged himself outside behind me. “You look terrible. You sure you’re up for this?”

“Um, no. Let’s just get this over with. I don’t like being out here. It’s so cold, and gloomy.” He half mumbled as he wrapped an old scarf around his neck and tucked it into itself. Then placed a warm hat on his head, pulling it down over his ears.

This was going to be a long night.

“So Cracker, you brought a gun right?” I asked. I was only able to go so long before I had asked him his name. Cracker Crumble. Why do so many earth ponies sound like food?

“Uh… no. I didn’t think I would need one.”

“Do you even know how to shoot a gun?” This was quickly turning into a solo mission with a liability.

“I’ve used them at the practice range, yes. But I’ve never had to actually use one on a pony before. Or a…” He hesitated before finishing. “...ghoul.”

“Well ain’t I just full of all sorts of luck. Listen here.” I stopped and turned, placing a hoof on his chest. “When the shooting starts you get somewhere safe and hide. You stay hidden until I give the all clear. You understand.” He quickly nodded. “Good. Now try and keep up, only about a hundred meters and we’re there…” I trailed off as I saw a pony shaped shadow stumble into view almost half a block ahead.

“Shit, a zombie.” Cracker said, slowly backing up.

A red bar appeared on my EFS as the thing turned to look at us. It took a few steps in our direction. Then upturned its head and let out one of the most blood curdling screams I had ever heard. Check that. One of the most blood curdling screams I’d heard in two hundred years.

I reached instinctively for my sniper rifle but I couldn’t get it to swing around. The strap had gotten caught in my armour. The shotgun was free and mobile though. “Get to cover, now!” I yelled in Cracker’s general direction as three more red blips lighted up my EFS. “Come at me you freaks!”

Rearing up and jamming the gunstock into my shoulder. And waiting. The lead pony-like monster charged. Closing the distance. I let out a slow breath. Sighting down the barrel, as I slipped into SATS. Two rounds to the chest, one to head, just in case. Damn, ghouls were even uglier in slow motion.

CHOOM klikt CHOOM

The ghoul collapsed in a heap and slid in two directions. One down two more to… I looked up as a sea of red was awash in my EFS in front of me. “Fuck me with a horn.”

Dancing atop a stack of crates as Ghouls burned and screamed and bleed and died below me. Their wails punctuated by shotgun blasts and cursing. Then almost as quickly as they had started, they stopped. Unloading a few rounds into the few that still crawled. The whole place reeked of death. I wouldn’t be able to even count the damn suckers if I wanted. All their body parts had been blasted, burned and charred to such a sickening burnt floor of flesh and organs.

“Hey Cracker! You still alive out there?!” I hollered, not even bothering to check my EFS. I was too busy taking stock of my ammunition. I was down to twelve shotgun shells and my entire stock of .308 ammo. I had been really lucky to have found that old gas canister. The light from the fire was still flickering.

“Over here…” Cracker crawled out of a dumpster. A two hundred year old banana peel stuck to his cheek. Wiping it off with a hoof he slowly walked over. Observing the damage. And losing his stomach at the smell.

“Buck up. It’s not that bad once you get used to it.” I said, jumping down. The blackened floor, crunching under my hooves.

“Speak for yourself.” Cracker managed to say between hurls.

“Eh.” Shrugging as I turned my attention to my pipbuck. Quest progress was only at 30%! “Damn you mother fuckers! Just how many of you do I have to kill!?”

As if on cue a ghoul wandered into the opening and sauntered towards us. Missing its entire lower end. Dragging itself as hurriedly as it could. Which was still jokingly slow.

“Really? This is really just sad.”

klikt CHOOM

And now I have eleven. Good times.

“It’s getting dark.” Cracker whispered. Looking around hesitantly for our next attacker. Though at this point threats from the sky would start becoming more relevant.

“Cracker duck and roll!” I yelled as I aimed my shotgun above his head. Pulling the trigger as he dropped to the earth. Rolling to the side just as a set of wickedly sharp talons struck the earth and took off back into the sky. “The hell was that?”

Cracker slowly and shakily got to his hooves. “That… was a bloodwing.”

“Shit.” I was only able to see it due to the light from the fire. Once we move out we’d become fair game. “Alright, plan B it is.”

“Plan B?”

“Yup. Time to head underground.” I hope ghouls were as much of a snack to these bloodwings as us normal ponies. Then we could face off on my terms. Scraping off some burnt flesh from a sewer plate and pulling it up. “Down we go. After you.”

“Um, no thanks.” Cracker took a step back.

Oh well, have fun with the bloodwings then, I thought to myself as I jumped down. Landing on something semi-firm. I turned on my pipbuck light as Cracker splashed down behind me, and let out a groan.

“Hmn, not bad. Not bad at all.” I looked around at the only slightly waterlogged sewer system. I had landed on pile of refuse, of what kind I didn’t want to even consider right now. I hopped off to the side service platform, as Cracker pulled himself up and out of the water.

“Great, now I’m wet, lost and covered in poop.”

“Be thankful you’re not dead.” I said flatly as I looked to my pipbuck map for direction. I marker showed where a door must be that connected the sewer service to the subway tunnels. And I bet that’s where I’ll find even more ghouls. If they don’t find us first.

“I thought I told you stay put!” I yelled, spinning around and knocking a zombie off the edge of the dumpster we had clambered up onto.

“It’s not my fault!” Cracker wailed. “How was I supposed to know a zombie was hiding behind those crates?”

“Do you ever just stop whining?!” I interjected, smashing in another ghouls head with the reinforced butt of my shotgun. If I survive this I’m gonna have to think up a name for this gun. Maybe Shotty-Shotty, Bang-Bang… shut up brain and just focus on not dying.

Cracker covered his head with his hooves as I stood over him. Doing my best not to accidently kill him in the process of fighting for our lives.

It ended almost as quickly as it started. Five more dead ghouls and down two more rounds of ammunition. The completion marker was now at forty percent. Still a ways to go.

Hopping off the dumpster, I kicked at the re-dead corpse. Radiation is some nasty stuff, I only hope I don’t end up like these corpses someday. I’d hate to cause this much of a problem for other ponies in my undeath. Cracker half scrambled, half fell off the dumpster and sat dumbfounded on the ground. Staring blankly at the mutilated corpses next to him. A gaunt flank sat in a pool of brackish blood, the untarnished cutiemark of a pair of daisy’s dancing in the sunshine. It had to be a mercy to end their unlives. Who in their right mind would want to live like that? Sane or not. I think I’d rather take a bullet to the head than have to endure what these ghouls did.

Scavenging about turned up a few loose screws, an old skeleton and several empty 9mm shell casings. Nothing even remotely useful in our present situation. Still I took the screws since that was one thing Silver had mentioned was hard to find and Static said was the basis of making anything nowadays. You could use glue but, after two hundred years it tends to lose its stick.

“Ok, let’s go.”

I turned back to see Cracker still sitting amongst the bodies. Watching the pools of blood as they slowly seeped towards his hooves.

“Hey, you okay?” I trotted up, tapping him on his shoulder. He didn’t respond. Tilting his chin up with my hoof to avert his gaze, finally broke him. He started to shake, a distant look in his eyes. “Shell shocked, damn. You’re no use to me like that.” Not that he was any use at all anyway. I couldn’t just leave him here to wander off and it wasn’t going to do him any good to drag his ass along with me. I’d have to get him somewhere safe and secure. For the time being… “Sorry about this bub.”

A quickly hoof strike to the side of his head and his eyes rolled up and he collapsed unconscious to the ground. Confirming he was still breathing. Can’t have him wandering off. Checking the dumpster first, I then deposited my liability inside its somewhat safer confines.

“Getting rid of witnesses? Seems a rather rash move.”

I froze and slowly turned around. A small band of griffon mercenaries had silently moved in behind me in the tunnels. They wore some pretty sturdy looking heavy armour and carried equally impressive weapons. I’d be just another smear down here if they wanted it. But they lacked the hostility griffons usually had towards ponies.

“What’s it to you? Can’t have him getting in the way of my job.” Need to be careful how I play my cards here.

“Nothing to me.” A large dark feathered griffon took half a step forward. “I’m Blackwing and this is my crew.” She rambled off some names, to which the various members of her party nodded in turn. I could care less what they were called. I was rapidly trying to formulate a plan of escape that would mean I’d live more than ten seconds. “As long as you don’t interfere with our contract, we won’t mess with yours.” Blackwing finished.

“I see… And just what is the purpose of this contract?” Which earned me a stern look from more than one griffon. “I mean, I can’t not interfere if I don’t know what I’m not supposed to interfere with.”

“True enough.”
“That makes sense.”
“We should tell…”

“Shut it YOU KNUCKLE BRAINS!” Blackwing shouted, fluffing out her feathers. I’m sure she would have been turning red if her plumage was any lighter. “I call the shots around here. So I’ll decide who we tell and who we don’t.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll just be on my way then.” I turned away and started off into the dark tunnel in the direction of my quest marker. “But I’d make sure you stay out my way. You wouldn’t want to be accidently end up in my crosshairs.” I paused, letting that last bit sink in a bit. “After all, you six seem hardly a challenge.”

“Wait! Hold up a second.” A burst of air and a flap of her wings carried the large griffon almost on top of me. Landing about half a tail length away. “You want to know what we’re up to? Fine. We’re here to deal with the ghoul problem Tenpony Tower has been having.” I slowly looked up, Blackwing towering above me. The slightest bend in her beak. “Is that going to be a problem?”

From her tone of voice I could tell that she wasn’t asking. I took a step forward, squaring my shoulders and flaring my wings ever so slightly in a subconscious effort to make myself feel bigger. “As a matter of fact… no. It shouldn’t be a problem, since that is why I’m here as well. It’s nice to know that Tassel has so little faith in me that he has to hire a whole flock of mercs as insurance.”

“I’m not sure who this Tassel is but our contract is with Chief Grimstar.”

“Ok, timeout.” Tapping my forehooves together in a T as I sat down. “The Chief Grimstar from Tenpony Tower security?”

“The same, why?”

“Tassel is his second in command. And they told me that no one else was coming along.”

“Well, we did only show up a little while ago at the tower. We’ve got another contract in the area so we thought to stop by and see if we couldn’t knock out two birds with one stone…” She winced at her own pun. Several of the other griffons stifled laughs.

“Okay… I guess as long as we both get paid there really isn’t any problem between us then.”

“Sounds good enough to me. If you want to tag along I guess we could always use a good sniper.” Blackwing eyed my pristine rifle. It almost seemed to glisten in what little light was present underground.

“Hold on. Who said you got to be in charge?” Poking the griffon in the chest with a hoof. Then looking up to see Blackwing glaring down her beak at me. “Okay fine. But don’t try anything.”

Blackwing started off, her griffons falling in behind her, brushing by me. “Oh and do try and keep up rookie.” Blackwing hollered back at me.

Oh I’ll show you rookie.

“Which way do we go?” Butcher asked. She was one of the more heavily armed griffons. I mean who just walks around with an AA cannon slung at their side? Especially one designed for shooting down griffons.

“What do you think pony boy? Which way does your fancy map say we are supposed to go?” Blackwing said mockingly, glancing back over her shoulder.

“Let’s see.” I grumbled. “Go left… your fucked. Go right… your double fucked. How am I supposed to know? These things don’t work like that!”

“Well considering we are pretty much fucked already. Butcher, you take Squall and Mince and go left. I’ll take Mortar and the tag along. Keep in touch via the radios.”

“Sure thing boss.” Butcher swung the AA cannon around and started off, the other two griffons flanking on either side.

“Nice to know I’ve been reduced to an asset.” I chided, trotting slowly beside Mortar as Blackwings claws clicked on the wet tunnel floor. Mortar wore lighter armour than the other griffons, but more than made up for that in armament. A tri-barreled, belt fed, heavy machine gun rested with its folded up tripod along the griffons back.

“If it makes you feel any better, you could stay behind. Talons usually don’t work with ghouls.” She paused a minute. “Come to think of it. How do we know you aren’t a part of Rotting Tail gang?”

“You really want to discuss this now?” Shifting my rifles on my back as the straps were beginning to rub. “Besides who says I’m a ghoul? I’m a just a merc from out west.” Well, about a week's travel west, recently.

“Okay smart ass, then how do you explain that?” Blackwing pointed accusingly at my hooves. Glancing down I could see the see the problem almost immediately. The bandages I had wrapped my rear hooves with had soaked through and the scar tissue was glowing rather visibly underneath.

“Oh that? That’s easy.” Waving a hoof dismissively in the air. “It’s a radiation infection. Doc’s back at the tower say it’ll kill me sooner or later. So we best get a move on before I drop dead on you.”

Blackwing stared a moment longer. Thinking about what I said. Then grabbing a small taped up box on her chest she moved it up to her mouth. “Butcher, you there?”

“Kzzkzz...We’re here. Whatcha need boss?... kzzzk”

“Head back our way, I think we’ve found our way in.”

“Kzzkzz...Affirmative, heading your way now… kzzk”

“What do you mean our way in?” I asked skeptically. To which Blackwing smirked and pointed up behind me. Turning I looked up, a single pothole adorned the ceiling above us, a glimmer of light flickering from the few holes that had rusted over time.

I glanced at my pipbuck. The quest marker showed only twenty five metres out. If we were this close then we best be ready for a fight.

“What you got?” Mortar asked, looking over my shoulder.

“Oh, just checking the map. Looks like wherever we’re going is real close to where we are.”

“Just how close are we talking?” Blackwing questioned, putting away her cobbled together radio.

“Twenty five metres at most. I’d guess possibly fifteen if they have outer defenses.”

“Well that complicates things.”

The sound of claws and hooves drew louder as the rest of the Talons caught up to us.

Blackwing pulled out a sawed off double barreled twelve gauge. Opening the breach and loading two shells before tucking it into front of her armour. “Okay here’s the plan. Mortar you and the pegasus set up somewhere high where you two can provide cover fire. The rest of us will try to get as close as we can before engaging. Keep your radios on just in case.”
Nice to know I’ve been downgraded yet again. Makes me kind of glad we never worked much with griffons during the war.

“Keep sharp everyone I want this short and clean.” Blackwing said. “Be prepared for a fight though.”

Everyone readied their weapons, and adjusted their armour. Leaving anything not needed in a neat little pile.

Myself being lighter and smaller than the griffons I got to go up first. Carefully lifting the pothole up as my wings burned with their effort to keep me airborne. Alighting on the cold ground and setting the heavy disc aside.

“Okay, it’s clear, everyone else can come up.” I whispered down the dark hole. One after another, griffons fluttered up and took up defensive positions. We had come up on the backside of an old blown out department store. Loading docks and a few derelict supply wagons provided some cover. Up ahead was as I had suspected. A makeshift checkpoint had been erected. But it looked unmanned from our position.

“Squall, go ahead and check it out.” Blackwing whispered. Squall pulled out a small revolver and started flapping.

“Hold up.” I tugged at her satchel. “I’ll go.”

Squall opened her beak to protest but before anyone could say anything I pulled out my knife and dashed away into the dark, towards the checkpoint. Staying as best as I could in the shadows as I approached the base of the fortifications. Damn, how was I supposed to signal the others when it was safe? Another well thought out plan. I’d just have to think on the fly. That’s why none of the other ministries never got anything done I guess. Too busy sitting on their asses making plans instead of just doing. Enough about that though, focus time. Checking my EFS for any hostiles. To my surprise it was devoid of any markers.

Crouching like a cat I jumped up on an upright pallet and leapt from there, up over the top of the wall. Landing with a light creak on the platform on the other side. Clenching down on my knife I quickly scanned for any immediate threats. The top was clear but there did seem to be a guard house set off to the side. Quickly and quietly stealing away to the open doorway I could make out a collection of shacks and reinforced buildings further ahead. All bathed in the same radiant glow from erected stadium lights. Must be for bloodwings since nopony seemed to be up and about.

“Come on Sparx focus.” Whispering under my breath. A quick glance through the doorway revealed two things. A guard pony asleep in a chair, slumped over a desk, and a big red button with the word alarm painted in bright red letters. Quick and quiet, quick and quiet, I thought to myself over and over. Taking a step in and freezing as the floor creaked under my hoof. Shit, not good. The guard stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Another step was rewarded with a groan. Well. Now or never I guess.

Dashing forward I grabbed the guard, knocking over the chair in the process. Waking with a start the stallion tried to shout but I clamped a hoof over his mouth and jerked his head up, as I fell on my back with him on top. Wrapping my legs around him to keep him from flailing I kissed his neck with my cold steel. A brackish sticky blood spurted out and hit the ceiling before its pulsing slowed. I held on till the body went limp then pushed the dead ghoul off to the side and stood up. I thought about disabling the alarm, but with my luck I’d be more likely to accidently set it off.

Trotting back up to the platform I peered into the darkness. I could just make out the reflection of light off several sets of eyes. I waved over at them to come up and after a few seconds a steady stream of griffons arrived at the gate.

“Were there any guards?” Blackwing asked in hushed tones.

“One, I took care of him though. You’re good to go, I’ll find a spot to cover from.”

“No need.” Mortar cut in. “We’ll cover from there.” Pointing a claw up at an old apartment building. The outer wall was leaning out at a good angle but several support beams had been erected to support it. “Give us two minutes to get in position.”

I shrugged. The building overlooked the majority of the settlement so it would make a good vantage point. And being inside a room with a window would limit our exposure as well once things heat up.

“Try and keep up.” Mortar whispered.

“Oh yeah? Watch me.” Smirking as I tore off after the griffon. Even with all the light there was still plenty of shadow for us to move in. Though I doubt we’d really need it. Nopony seemed all that awake. Only a few red bars showed up in my EFS and even those seemed pretty docile in their movement.

Coming to the base of the apartment building we quickly made our way up the stairs. A whole corner of the building had collapsed but the rest seemed to have stayed in fairly decent shape. I was thankfully we didn’t have far to climb as running upstairs can get just about anyone winded.

An opening door was all we needed right now. As a ghoul trotted out, looked at us and yawned.

“Hey what are you...” She began. But never finished as my knife sank into her throat and she slumped to the floor.

“In here.” I whispered to the griffon, dragging the body in after us so as not to raise any suspicions.

Mortar slid open a window and ripped at what tattered remains of a screen were still in place. Satisfied with the work she then unbuckled the machine gun and set up as fast as any pony in the army could have. The tip of the barrel poking roughly six inches out the window. Grabbing a more traditional looking radio, Mortar clicked the button twice then settled in behind her weapon.

“Where would you like me to set up?”

The griffon shrugged and gave a grunt of indifference. Well alright then, I’ll take a look around.

The apartment had the one window for the main living area. Where a bedroom should have been a wall of rubble had fallen in from the story above. Wouldn’t want to spend the night here, that’s for sure. I poked around some more until I walked into the bathroom and found half the wall had been blown out overlooking the settlement. Perfect. Hopping in the tub and resting the target rifle on the edge down at the griffons. Watching them through the scope as they moved cautiously towards the center of town.

“Pst… Hey Mortar?”

“Yeah? What?”

“How long do you think they’ll keep talking?”

I was referring to the ghoul the griffons had come across in the town center. He was wearing an old duster and a vest with a silver star pinned to it. I could only guess who that could be. Still, it had to have been at least five minutes, why haven’t they given us the go ahead yet?

“Any minute now… it’s going downhill.” Mortar chirped.

I took another breath, letting it out slowly as I watched Sheriff Rotting Tail through my crosshairs. His cracked lips moving silently along his skeletal jaw. He didn’t look happy, though he hadn’t raised the alarm either. Not that it mattered much anyway. Several other ghoul residents had woken up and were starting to mull about. Some had rifles and cast nervous glances at the group of griffons. Others looked to be in a hurry, as they scrambled to toss a few things in bags and disappear into the dark. The atmosphere was tense. All it would take would be one wrong word from either side to start the impending chaos. Not that I was too worried, but I’d prefer to do this over with as soon as possible.

Nopony knows who fired the first shot. No one even heard it. They just saw the sheriff stiffening and then he fell on his side, unmoving, as brackish blood oozed out of a perfectly round hole just above his left eye.

BRATATATA BRATATAT BRATATAT

Mortars machine gun rang out from the living room as bullets sprayed the village down below. Blackwing moved quickly to cover with the rest of her Talons. Taking over what appeared to be a small guard post. Either way, the ghouls were everywhere. And I mean everywhere. In the streets, on the rooftops, coming out of buildings, some even pouring out of the sewers. Both feral and sane. Though it was sometimes hard to tell the difference.

Flashes of both plasma and laser weapons had joined the battle and their wielders were quickly cut down from on high. The unicorns falling with burnt horns and one horn even exploding outright, injuring the surrounding fighters.

KaKROOM

The sound of the AA cannon coincided with one of the walls of a small dwelling being engulfed in dust as the rest of the structure creaked and came crashing to the ground. At least we had firepower on our side.

“Two marks moving up on the left!” I shouted towards the living room.

“On it!” There was a brief pause in fire as Mortar scanned for the targets. Then opened up. From my vantage point I watched as several ghouls were cut to pieces where they stood. This wasn’t war. And none of these ghouls had anywhere near the firepower we possessed. It was like the massacre at Regents Rise all over again. Except these weren’t zebras we were cutting down. But other ponies. Or they had once been other ponies. Was I really all that different from them in my condition?

I hesitated as I let a target slip away into the dark. Every so often you would hear a high pitched screech followed by a short and punctuated scream as the Bloodwings picked up fleeing ghouls.

Sitting back up in the tub I drew away from the sight on the rifle. Two hundred years and the world had never healed. Maybe part of it was we never really wanted it to heal in the first place. With the war it had become easier to drive differences between different groups; and after the war, killing was second nature to those who survived.

I half flinched as a stray bullet lodged itself into the ceiling above me, shaking some dust down from the impact.

Here I come right into this mess. Straight out of one war fully expecting another. Quick to join a side, and all too eager to spill blood. Where do you draw the line? Self-defense? Raiders? Ghouls? This wasn’t the time or the place to be thinking about this, but here I was. Lost in thought as I packed up the RE-9 and walked out to the living room. The intermittent gunfire a distant, constant beat in the back of my mind as I recalled the faces of those first three slavers, the raider colt. The terrified mare who got away, twice. I remembered Silver and Rust and how happy they seemed to be at a place to call home, the colt and filly from the farmhouse. Maybe this was a war. But different than any war I had fought in. A war with a different goal on the horizon. A world waiting for peace. To have unity and harmony once more.

The apartment door burst in as a ghoul with a SMG in its teeth stumbled in. It felt like slow motion as I rose up into a wide stance on my rear hooves and struck out with a forehoof, the other tucked tight to my chest.

The ghoul jerked back as my hoof knocked the weapon from his mouth, knocking a few teeth out with it. Drawing the hoof back I rotated and sweep my back legs under him, knocking him off his feet in one swift motion as I rotated, body balanced on one hoof.

Tucking my legs in as I continued rotating. Launching myself off the ground and rotating head-over-tail as I brought a rear hoof crashing down against the ghouls chest with a wet crunch.

“Vestra spiritum invenio otium” I said solemnly as I rose to my hooves and the life faded from the battered corpse. The gunfire had subsided and I could hear Mortar talking on the radio.

“Yeah we’re all good up here. Want us to come down to you or meet in the sewers?” There was a break of silence as I wiped some ghoul goop off my hoof onto what barely qualified as a carpet. “Okay meet you there.”

I waited for Mortar to pack up and then followed her down stairs and back to the sewer where all the extra gear was stashed. I didn’t really feel like looting anything right now. No more of this mercenary killing work. No sir, this is not for me. In fact the only pony I wanted to put a bullet in right now was that stuck up security chief back at Tenpony.

I made my way up to our Tenpony room to find a locked door. Honestly it wasn’t that surprising. Though I sure hope Static gets up soon, I’d like a few hours’ sleep and a chance to freshen up first before meeting with Homage about that map. I turned around and looked over the balcony as ponies were starting to move about, oblivious to what had happened the night before. Cracker, still a bit shaken was leaving the security office and hopefully heading to see a doctor. The door behind me slowly creaked open.

“Oh you’re up.” I said, turning around to see Static standing in the doorway, her mane a disheveled mess, her eyes only half open.

“Good morning,” Static yawned. “I thought I heard the door.” She stepped aside far enough for me to get in then closed and locked the door behind me.

“If you don’t mind I’m just gonna sleep a bit before…” I paused as Static walked up and planted a kiss on my cheek. The distinct scent of liquor mixed with peaches as she stepped back.

“Okay, night night.” She yawned again.

“Are you drunk?” I asked, before answering the question myself as she tripped on an empty whiskey bottle and I scrambled to catch her.

“Maybe…” she mumbled as I helped her to her hooves.

Steadying her a bit I helped her back to her bed, where I received yet another whiskey kiss. She quickly dozed back off, so I kept my volume down as best I could as I piled up my gear, exchanged a long overdue RadAway and then disappeared under the comforter.

____________________________

Footnote: 50% to next level