Fallout Equestria: Aurora
By CaptainSparx
Chapter Eight: Secrets Past
“You have no idea who I am”

I woke to a gloomy glow from outside the window dancing across my face. Slowly I made my way out of the labyrinth of sheets. How I got so tangled up is anyponies guess.

Rolling out of the bed I stretched out each leg, and my one good wing. Then tried stretching out my left wing as best as I could. It went almost to half extension before the pain caused me to stop. “Ow, damnit. Knew I shouldn’t have tried to fly the other night.”

“Oh hey, you’re up.” Static groaned from the restroom.

I trotted over and peered in the open door. Static sat with her horn rested on the rim, her muzzle covered with dried spittle. She looked entirely beat.

“Are you okay?” I asked, barely above a whisper. Looks like she was having one hell of a hangover.

“I don’t know.” Static moaned. “My head hurts, my stomach hurts… everything kinda just hurts. Ya know?” She glanced up at me. “Whiskey ain’t supposed to kick this hard I thought.”

“Well, It’s probably over two hundred years old… so not quite sure what you ex…”

“Ugh… fuck this…” She managed before her stomach voided itself for the umpteenth time.

“You want me to get you anything?”

“Some ice… and could you turn off all the lights.”

“Um.. Static. They’re aren’t any lights on.”

She stared at the floor past her hooves for a moment. “Well shit. Then get a lot of ice.” She groaned. Her stomach lurched again, but nothing came of it.

“Alright, I’ll go get some ice. I’ll be back soon.” I whisked the key off the counter and turned around. Grabbing my jacket and a small bag of caps just in case, I opened the door as quietly as I could. Slipping out into the hustle and bustle of the early morning tower.

Locking the door, I then draped my jacket over my shoulders and put the key and the caps in one of the inside pockets. So… where does one buy ice in a place like this. I mentally kicked myself, that’s a stupid question. I knew just where to go, the restaurant from two nights ago. I’m sure I could get some there.

Hastily trotting around the upper level to the main staircase. I paused when I saw Homage standing at the elevator, waiting for it to descend. She waved in my direction, and seeing as no one was even remotely around me I walked over.

“Hey I’m just heading up to see about hooking up that terminal for you. You want to come up and give it a shot? See what you can get?”

“Sure! I’ve got to get some things for Static first then I can be right up.” I said excitedly. “She’s got a killer hangover right now.”

“Really? I thought that peach whiskey was pretty mild. Oh well… Hope she feels better soon. See you in a little bit then?” The elevator door dinged and opened up.

“Sounds good, I’ll be up shortly.”

“I’ll get setup then, top floor, then up the stairs. Big doors, can’t miss ‘em.” Homage said as the doors swished closed.

Turning away from the elevator I made my way back to the top of the stairs. Life as usual for the ponies in Tenpony. Locked away from the rest of the world with their fancy suits and elegant dresses. Yet despite it all life seemed to flourish here in this oasis in the wasteland. Two colts and a filly were running in and out of a shop playing some kind of game, while a beige unicorn tried to do business with some customers despite the ruckus. Maybe this place wasn’t half as bad as I thought it was.

“Screw it all to hell.” I muttered under my breath as I unlocked the door to the suite. It was practically highway robbery buying anything here. I had to dole out seventy two caps just to get some fuckin ice!! Granted I think I might have paid for the bowl as well. Ah, who was I too complain, I’ve got money. Almost too much money. That stuff sure does start getting heavy after a while.

Opening the door I carefully walked in, the bowl of ice balanced on my back between my wings. Slowly pushing the door closed with a rear hoof. “Hey, Static. I’m back.” I said, poking my head around the corner. She was lying on her back in the tub, staring up past the ceiling. Soaking in water half up her chest. She gave a little wave of her hoof in acknowledgement.

“You get the ice?” She groaned, not even bothering to look over.

“Yup, got it right here for you. Where do you want it?”

Static shrugged as I walked in and tried not to dump the entire bowl all over the floor. The room smelled faintly of vomit and some was still caked to Static’s chin and down her chest a little.

“How you feeling?” I asked, setting the bowl down beside her on the tub side.

“I don’t feel… all is numb.” She managed a small smirk.

Dipping a wingtip in the water. “Damn, um… that’s... um, uh.. Cold.” Backing up and keeping eyes forward on the wall. “You sure you need the ice?”

“Yeah, thanks.” She said as she levitated a cube out and popped it in her mouth. “Mmm… tastes like peaches.”

“O-kay. Well, if you don’t need anything I’m going to go see Homage and the DJ about that map. You good for a few hours?”

“Oh yeah… I’m sooo good.” She moaned, sinking a little deeper into the tub.

Right. That’s my cue to leave.

Whisking around I made a quick stop at my stash of RadAway, swapping out a really dry bag for a nice plump and wet….I shook the stray thought from my head. Finishing the swap and making a quick and silent retreat to the lobby. I made a quick pass by the security office to pick up the last of my caps and then headed up to the elevator. A ding and a whoosh later and I was on my way.

Knocking on the large doors I stared up at the sign above.

M. A. S. Emergency Broadcast Station and below that Authorized Unicorns Only

Always with the unicorns. Should have had some diversity in the ministry. Would have done a heap of good for all them eggheads doing their fancy schmancy sciency stuff.

Eh, what do I know.

“Who is it?” Homage called from somewhere on the other side of the door.

“Sparx.”

“Be right there. Hold on one second.” There was a faint crash and thump, “Damn it. Not again.”

A few more thumps later and the door clicked open, Homage poking her head out. “Sorry, just tidying up.” She swung the door open to let me in. “The DJ’s out for the day so I’ve been trying to clean up a bit.”

Several medium sized boxes of various nik naks and miscellaneous junk were loosely stacked in the main living area. A rusty terminal had been set up on a desk just next to the broadcast studio. The flickering green screen displaying the sun and moon insignia of the SIR agency.

“I put in the transmit and receive frequencies to make sure they worked and that popped up on the monitor. I’ve never seen that logo before. What’s it mean?” Homage asked as I sat in front of the terminal.

“It’s the insignia of the Special Intelligence and Reconnaissance division. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Ministry of Moral. Well SIR is it’s smaller, darker cousin.” I began hitting a few keys on the keyboard. “Anything specific you want to know while we’re on the topic?”

“Well yeah! What did they do? How come I’ve never heard of them? And what do you mean, darker cousin?” Homage looked over my shoulder as my last few keystrokes brought up a login page.

“SIR was small agency tasked mainly with overseeing espionage, and investigating internal affairs. Most of us were ex military, but we had operational jurisdiction above even the highest officers. Theoretically we answered only to princess Luna.” Funny how well that worked out. “At any one time no more than twenty members were onsite. The rest were all on assignment all over Equestria.” I typed in my credentials and after several seconds the terminal responded by opening up to a screen lined with several main folders.

“Well that kinda covers my first question. But what about the other two?”

“The reason you never heard of them is because Ministry of Image kept everything out of the papers. Though word of mouth does get around. I’m sure half the population thought SIR was an elite hit squad for Pinkie’s ministry. In fact the last assignment I remember approving was sending a support team to assist in a Morale raid.”

Moving the cursor on the terminal to a blank space on the screen I typed a short code and tapped return. The screen froze and after several seconds a loading bar appeared on the screen.

“As for darker cousin?” Turning to look directly at Homage. “What we really did was field deep cover agents and elite commando teams. Survival rates were as low as forty percent when I was brought in. Within two years we had that up to eighty five percent. The shadowbolts are…. were, the only publicly known commando team. I ran my own team once too. Never had that much adrenaline going.” I could feel a grin spreading across my face just thinking about it.

“Wait hold on. But the Shadowbolts I thought were from Rainbow Dash’s Ministry. Or was that just a cover?”

“Well technically yes. But it’s actually the other way around you see…” The loading bar finished filling and the screen went blank. “SIR was a cover for the Ministry.” A storm cloud with a set of wings came up on the terminal.

Typing in the password prompted the screen to freeze momentarily as it communicated with the server back in Canterlot.

“You worked for the Ministry of Awesome!?” Homage shouted in surprised excitement as she stared at the screen.

“Lt. Sparx, Director, Canterlot Division, Ministry of Awesome at your service.” The words rolled off my tongue with ease. I didn’t get to say it often, but when I did, it was a matter of pride.

“HOLY SHIT!!” Homage grabbed me by the shoulders and spun me around to face her. “You’re Awesome! What was it like? Did you meet Rainbow Dash? Was she hot? Sorry… forget I asked that.”

“Heh, no worries. Dash was my boss, In fact I oversaw the Canterlot division and managed the MoA archive for her. And she was hot, yes. But I was a taken stallion, and Rainbow wasn’t fishing. At least not that she ever let on.” I chuckled. A mare with that much energy could hardly keep her own secrets. Good thing she didn’t know even a fraction of what went on in her ministry. “So do you want those files or not?”

“Oh sorry. Yes, please.” Homage released her grip so I could return to the terminal. “Can I ask you another question?”

“Maybe. There’s not much left to tell. Just because I oversaw things doesn’t mean I know what went on. Most things ran themselves, the less who knew the specifics the better, just in case someone cracked.”

“Oh I see, well then, um…”

“Actually, I have a question for you if you don’t mind.” Pausing in my typing.

“Sure, whatcha got?”

“What exactly is the Enclave? I kept hearing ponies whisper about them, but other than them being pegasi I don’t know too much about them.”

“Oh them. Yeah, figures you’d want to know that.” Homage got up and walked over to a counter, grabbing herself a drink and then taking a seat on a cushioned chair in the main room. “The Enclave. Enclave. Where to start.”

“How about why nobody seems to like them?” I offered as I went back to looking for the files I had promised Homage.

“Right. I can start there.” She took a sip. “The Enclave got it’s start shortly after the bombs fell. The pegasi closed up the sky to block out the radiation and try to save their cities. But after a while Rainbow Dash wanted the pegasi to open them back up and help the ponies on the surface. Some agreed with her. Most didn’t. They say Rainbow left by herself and they then had her hunted down and killed. Called her a traitor.” My typing stopped.

“They called her what? Rainbow Dash was the most loyal pony to Equestria I’ve ever known! How dare they even think anything else.”

“A lot of ponies were scared back then Sparx. And when ponies are scared they don’t always make the best choices.”

“But they killed her!” Slamming my hoof across the keypad.

“I know, and they kept the sky closed. They shut us all out, left us all down here to die. Even after two hundred years we hardly ever see but three or four venture down in a generation. We just don’t know too much about them. Maybe that’s why most ponies don’t trust pegasi in general.”

“I wouldn’t trust those traitors either. Shutting off the sky, killing Rainbow… They abandoned Equestria when she could have used them most. Damn them.” My face was feeling a bit warm. “Cowards, traitors the lot of them.”

“Sparx, are you okay?” Homage asked, sounding a bit concerned.

“Oh, I’ll be fine. Just give me a moment.” I turned back to the computer and poured all my hatred into finding the files.

After several minutes of searching I found what I was looking for, and had cooled off enough that I felt I wasn’t going to blow my top again anytime soon.

“Alright I found the studio footage from three sessions and the audio from those and two more. Not sure how finished they are but they’re original Sweetie Belle at least.”

“Really, That’s great! The DJ will be really happy to get those.” Homage jumped up out of her seat and trotted over as I finished logging off the server and ejected the data disk from the terminal.

“Here, you go.”

“Awesome. Thanks again for this.” Homage paused, “Oh yeah. The map. Be right back.”

“How you feeling?”

“Eh. Better than earlier.”

“Well that’s good at least.” Setting my jacket in the corner. Static was sitting on the bed with her almost empty bowl of ice. “I got the map, if you want to go over it.”

“Why not. Not much else to do right now anyway.”

I pulled out a set of rolled up parchments and set them on the bed, rolling them out with a hoof. “Ok. Right now we are up in this corner of the map. A little ways off from that inlet there.” I pointed to a spot on the map, as Static leaned in to get a better look. “And Fillydelphia is over here, set in from the coast.” I traced along the ocean border to a cluster of lines.

“Okay, how far is that exactly?”

“Maybe a week and half, two weeks tops, of walking.” A frown appeared on Statics muzzle. “But I was talking to Homage and she thought we might be able to find some sort of ride at Friendship City? Which I guess is over by the Statue of Friendship.”

“I’ve heard a little about the place. What makes you think we can get a ride?”

“Well two things.” Pulling out the last payment for my services and setting it on the bed. “We have plenty of caps; and do we have any other real choice? I mean, I can’t fly, and walking is way too dangerous.”

“So, assuming we do find a ride.” Static looked up from the map and sack of caps. “How long do you think it will take?”

“I’m hoping it cuts it down to a few days at the most.” Flipping the map over to reveal the second piece of parchment. A roughly sketched map of Fillydelphia. “Once we’re there the Stable-Tec headquarters are roughly over here.” Pointing to a box on the map circled in red. “And the slavers are most likely over here.” An even larger red circle engulfed a good half of the city.

“That’s a big circle.”

“I know. I’m hoping we don’t have to get involved over there at all.” I stared down at the small gap that seemed to separate the slaver zone from the headquarter building. “Though that rescue might be a little complicated. Not really sure where I should start with that.”

“Well we could try not killing all the slavers right away.” Static offered. “I mean as much I want to kill them, I think I know when we’re outnumbered.”

“Agreed.” I nodded. “Personally I was thinking of maybe going undercover. Not sure I could pull off a slaver, but a raider or mercenary might be doable if the need arose.”

“Heh, I’d like to see that.” Static chuckled, levitating a fresh ice cube to her mouth. “You and your edgy rogue getup. I’d like to be there for that.” Sucking on her ice cube, lost in thought.

Rolling up the maps I returned then to our pile of gear. Taking stock of our current inventory. Not quite sure where we stood on ammo, but we could do with a basic resupply of our medical supplies. In fact, a few health potions and another dozen RadAway would be nice to add.

“Sparx, can I ask you something?” Static said, getting up from her position on the bed.

“Um, sure. I guess.” I shrugged, picking up the sack of caps and setting it with the rest.

“Well I was wondering. A few nights ago we tried that mind reading thing.” Static said, hesitantly. “Do you think we could, maybe try that again? Without getting interrupted.”

“I don’t know.”

“Please? Anything to take my mind off my hangover.” Static pleaded, stretching out on the bed.

I remained silent. Pondering if that would even be doable with her hangover.

“Well… I mean, I just want to know more about you. Who you are,” pausing. “What happened to you and your team back in the woods.”

“Uh, you don’t want to see that.” I took a few steps back.

“No, I really do.” Cupping her hooves together under her chin and adopting a pouty expression.

“Ugh… really?” I sighed. “Fine. But promise me that you’ll back out if it gets to be too much.”

“I promise.” She said, crossing her chest with a hoof.

“Alright then. Um… mind if I join you?” Gesturing to the bed.

She nodded and I hopped up onto the bed, laying down as Static moved around to touch her horn to my forehead.

“Remember. If it’s too much…”

“I pull out. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay, then. Here we go.” The world whisked away...

A small smoldering campfire lay dying in the early dawn. Having been just enough to warm up some water for coffee. It might be a commodity back home but out here it was liquid gold.

Standing, I trotted over to where Picket was resting, all four hooves wrapped in salve and bandages. “Okay, let’s see where you’re at.”

Picket sat up and began unwrapping her hooves with her magic. Her horn glowing slightly under her helmet. The were still a little red but the swelling had gone down.

“Are you good to walk?” I asked.

“I think so. I’ll do my best sir.” Picket gave a curt nod.

“Right, see to it that you wrap ‘em up nice and tight before you put the rest of your gear on.”

Walking away I stopped when a cold chill crept across my spine. “What do you want.”

“Me? Nothing? I just thought maybe we should get moving.” Xanich said in hushed tones from beside me. His silence at times was unnerving.

“You know that isn’t my call.”

“I know. But you’re the only one who even pretends to listen to me.”

“Half my job is listening. The rest is professional guesswork.” I turned to my bag, pulling out a small tin of smokes and a lighter.

“You don’t give yourself enough credit. After all, no one else was interested in learning Fallen Caesar.”

I took a draw on my smoke, holding it in before letting it out slowly through my nostrils. “It beats hanging around the base all the time.” Looking back at the zebra. His black stripes peeking through under the red coat paint. “Still, I doubt that’s what you really wanted to talk about.” Holding out my pack of smokes to him. Xanich held up a hoof, turning them down. “You know one day, I’m gonna get you to sit and have a smoke with me.”

“One day, maybe. When this war is over perhaps.” Xanich let out a slight chuckle. “And yes you are correct. I just wanted to express my concern.”

I placed the tin back in my bag and took another long draw.

“We are deep into enemy territory and I do not know this place as well as I would like. I only hope we do not come across any patrols. Especially with two rookies.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. And don’t worry. Snowfall and Picket will toughen up after a few days. They always do.”

“Corporal.”

“Yes sergeant.” I stood to attention, my smoke falling on the ground.

“We are ready to move out. And since you and your striped buddy get along so well, you two can be the forwards.”

Oh I hate it when he says that.

“Understood?”

“Yes sir! Right away sir!” I trotted over to where my rifle lay, a semi-auto repeater with a short scope. Strapping it across my chest I tossed my helmet on my head and started walking. Xanich quickly appeared next to me, as silent as ever as I broke twigs under every hoofstep. “I swear you’re gonna be the death of me.”

“Better that than a zebrican sniper then.” Xanich joshed.

Recollecting my thoughts I jumped ahead to mid afternoon the next day. If Static still wanted to know what happened she was about to find out. And she hadn’t severed the connection yet. Which was surprising. I would have thought this to be harder. But I guess knowing she was in here with me. Reliving my memories. It made it easier somehow.

“What was that?” Thumper froze, dropping to the ground as we all started looking around.

“You all heard that right?”

“Be on alert.” Bulwark spat out. “Weapons at the ready.”

Raising my rifle, I looked around at the rest of the group. Xanich was nowhere to be seen.

“Fan out, you all know the drill.” Bulwark ordered. “Pair up.” He added as we split off.

I grouped with PicketFence and started deeper into the woods. There was an eerie quiet, not even the animals could be heard making their usual banter.

“What’s going on sir?” Picket whispered, trailing close behind me with her rifle levitating beside her. “What do think that sound was?”

“Ssh, keep it down. We don’t want to alert any zebras.” I hope it wasn’t zebras.

Cresting a hill, I saw smoke. The remains of a small campfire, freshly extinguished. “Picket, we need to warm the others.”

Turning to where Picket was just a moment ago. “Picket?” Where the hell did…

Freezing as my eyes locked onto Picket, reared up on her rear legs, a striped hoof over her muzzle and the glowing eyes of a hooded individual behind her.

“CONTACT!” I screamed, rushing the cloaked enemy. In the time it took me to close the distance the zebra snapped her neck to the side and dropped her. A shocked expression on her face as she blinked one last time before falling to the earth. The zebra ripped it’s cloak off with a hoof. Pulling a submachine gun from their armoured side and getting two silenced rounds off before we collided.

“I’ma kill you!” I screamed in his face as we tumbled to the ground, weapons falling to the side.

I landed a solid hoof blow to his chest. Completely unfazed by my blow, he kicked up and out with his rear hooves, sending me up into the air. Spreading my wings I kicked out and got lucky. My rear hoof colliding with with… something.

Franticly looking around for gun. My rifle lay off to the side, but the zebras weapon was closer so I dove for that. Picking it up in my hooves and turning it over.

Within seconds the zebra was on top of me. Scrambling for purchase. Biting down on my wing. Hard. “You fucking… get off me!” I screamed, crashing to the ground.

Flapping furiously to try and break free, the stripe released my wing and blasted my ribs with a series of quick sharp blows. Causing me to roll over, shielding my unarmored self from the blows.

A short pause in the blows caused me to glance through my hooves. The zebra had reared up, so I tried to roll out of the way just as he came down, and smashed squarely onto the bitten wing. CRACK Holy SHIT!

The pain ripped through my wing, and into my shoulder. Normally I would be paralyzed, but my months of training jumped in. Kicking up, my rear hooves planted firmly against the zebras abdomen, eliciting a curt squeak from my opponent.

Despite the pain I forced myself to move, scraping up the zebras gun and sweeping it towards the surprised stripe. “Eat this!” I unloaded, point blank into the zebras chest and face.

The zebra spasmed wildly, refusing to fall until the gun clicked on empty. Picking myself up off the ground, my wing peeled up from the turf, trailing blood, leaves and feathers. My whole body felt numb as I walked over to Picket and tried for a pulse.

Nothing. I pulled her tags from around her neck, her head flopping to the side as I jostled her. Here’s hoping I survive long enough to get these back to her family. I picked up Pickets fallen rifle and stripped the magazine from it, before tossing the rifle aside.

Dragging my wing along beside me I picked up my gun and made my way towards the distant sounds of fighting.

Cresting a small rise I could make out my team through the trees. I rushed as fast as the pain allowed. Which was barely faster than a quick trot. The scene didn’t look to be going well.

Thumper lay in a pool of her own blood, half blown apart from one of her own grenades. Relay was laying on his side, several deep lacerations across his chest and neck as he struggled to breath. A zebra, crippled from the waist down was crawling towards him with a knife. I tried to pull my rifle around but my wing wasn’t responding. Glancing back at it I could see why. A nasty compound fracture had sent both ends of the break through the flesh right next to the shoulder. Only my skin was holding the wing on at this point.

Dropping the rifle to the ground I half ran, half stumbled towards the crippled stripe. Pulling my knife as I darted behind, barely missing the zebras pathetic attempt at a lunge. I knocked a hoof to the back of her skull, knocking her face into the dirt. A small gap in her neck armour appeared and I dove for it. Jamming the knife to the hilt, warm coppery liquid squirting my face and getting in my mouth as I jerked the knife from one side to the other, cutting everything but the spine. The knife lodged between two vertebrae and I didn’t even bother trying to get it out.

Taking the last few steps towards the downed stallion. His breathing was ragged and shallow. “Just, hold in there.” Tossing my pack on the ground and emptying its contents. “Don’t you die on me!” Stripping off what I could of Relay’s armour.

Relay tried to speak but started coughing instead. I pulled out one of the healing potions. A new mixture from the Ministry of Peace, packaged in a saline bag for field readiness.

Ripping the seal I grabbed Relay by the head and shove the bag into his mouth. Pouring the lukewarm elixir down his throat. His heaving subsided slightly so I pulled out some bandages and started wrapping his torso as quickly as I could.

The sounds of fighting were still going on. Glancing over my shoulder I spotted Bulwark with a zebra in a hooflock. The zebra’s face was almost as blue as my mane as the pair struggled. A blur of red in the corner of my vision drew my attention. Xanich was locked, hoof-to-hoof with two other zebras, and rapidly losing ground. His coat was now more red from his own blood than the paint of his stripes. I didn’t see Snowfall at all.

I finished wrapping up Relay and picked up the potion bag. There was still a little left, so I held the bag high and opened wide. The liquid hit my palate and mixed with the zebra blood, creating a rather nasty taste as it went down. Maybe that would help with the wing?

This fight needed to end now. I turned around. Bulwark was still choking out the limp zebra and Xanich was getting his flank handed to him. I’d stand little chance against trained zebra martial arts. But I could at least distract them. Rushing towards the trio when a loud scream cut through the air. I turned back to see Sergeant Bulwark. A long pole rammed through his chest from behind, glistening red in the daylight. “NO!”

Disregarding my own pain I tried to flap my wings, only to wind up sprawled across the ground. Scrambling to my hooves as I watched. A zebra materialized behind him, the cloak blowing back in the wind to reveal the infiltrator. Our eyes locked as Bulwark slumped to the ground, Hooves clenched around the rod in his chest.

“I’ll skin the stripes right off your ass!” I screamed, my hooves finding purchase and launching myself towards the zebra. The zebra sidestepped, fussing with their cloak. Probably hadn’t expected to be seen by anyone.

Pivoting on my hooves I struck out and connected with the zebra’s foreleg with a sickening crunch. I don’t know who hurt more, me or him. But the two of us limped in a circle around each other on three legs a piece, trying to figure out our next moves.

Passing around, I caught a glint of sunlight on metal behind my opponent. Ducking just in the nick of time as a rifle shot sounded and the zebra’s eyes rolled up into his head, then he collapsed onto the ground. Looking up to see Relay, sitting on his side, rifle in his hooves. I moved to Bulwark. He was lying still.

“Damn it! I’m not going to lose you. Hang in there, damn you!” I yelled, scrambling to check for a pulse. Nothing.

“Sergeant! Hang in there, I’ll get a potion.” Standing up. Moving to leave when Bulwark reached out and grabbed my shoulder.

“Corporal.” Bulwark half choked on the words. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Save your breath.” Lifting his head to ease his breathing slightly.

“Save… others… ACK.” Spitting up a bunch of blood. “Get back… safe.”

I felt his hoof bump against my chest, his dog tags draped over his hoof.

“I’m not leaving you to die.”

“Keep them safe… Sergeant.” Bulwark let out one last breath, head rolling back as he passed.

I set his head down gently, closing his eyes. Taking his dog tags I added them to Pickets.

Looking up I tried to locate where Xanich had wandered off to. One of the zebras he had been fighting lay twisted in a very unnatural way, a streak of read oozing from the mouth and nostrils. The red striped zebra was nowhere to be found.

Slowly I made my way back over to Relay. “How you feeling?”

“Sore, and itchy mostly.” Relay said, starting to stand.

“No, no, stay down. Try not to move too much.” Limping over to my dumped pack I fished around for some painkillers. A syringe of Med-X, jabbed into my chest. My body started to go numb again almost immediately.

Relay scooped up his gear, inspecting what remained of his radio equipment.

“Can you fix it?” I asked.

“Don’t know.” Relay shrugged, several parts falling out to the ground as he rotated it in his hooves.

“I need you pull my hoof.”

“Why?”

“I think it’s broken I need to set it before we can move.” I explained.

“If you say so.” He took my hoof, eliciting a small wince.

“Pull.”

“Pull?”

“Just do it. That’s an order.” I gritted through my teeth.

Relay gave a slight shrug then, tugged. There was a loud pop as the bones realigned. Quickly I braced both sides and hastily tied them off to form a makeshift splint.

“Okay thanks.”

“No, problem.”

I stood up, keeping the limb from touching. “We need to see if we can find Snowfall and Xanich.” I glanced down at my wing. “Can you see if you can find her while I try and take care of this? Then we can get out of here.”

“Sure thing.” Relay stood up, shouldered his rifle and trotted off.

I carefully tended to my wing. I wasn’t able to get it all lined up properly but I was able to at least wrap the limb tightly against my body so it wouldn’t be dragging around. Once that was taken care of I packed up all my medical supplies and limped over to Thumpers corpse, collecting her dog tags, coated in blood and what remained of her neck. Looking up I spotted Relay, Snowfall draped across his back.

“What happened to her?” I questioned.

“Don’t know, she’s knocked out, but other than a few scrapes, I’m not sure.”

“Think you can carry her for a while?”

“I think I should be good. What about you?”

“I’ll manage. Did you happen to see Xanich?”

“No, I didn’t. Not sure what happened to him. Don’t really care to be honest.”

“I’m not sure if we can wait for him. We really need to get out of here before more zebras show up.”

“Agreed. You lead, I’ll follow you sir.”

The connection broke. That was a bit much for me to go back through. Though it was easier knowing someone else was experiencing it with me. Someone who in some way at least would now be able to relate.

“Hey Static, you good for a few? I was gonna run down to the clinic and see if I can’t get some stuff.” And try and clear my head.

Static stared blankly at me as I hopped off the bed. Levitating over an ice cube to her lips and quickly sucked it in. “Oh, uh, yeah. I should be good.”

“I’ll be back in a bit.” I started for the door.

“Oh hey!” Static called after me. “Would you mind seeing if you could find some tools for me? Some screwdrivers and a wrench maybe?”

“I’ll see what I can find. Get some rest, we should leave tomorrow. The earlier the better.”

Closing the door once again behind me and locking it with the key. Well here we go again.

It was only mid afternoon but the hustle and bustle from earlier had really died down. The clinic should be open for a good while so I might as well try and find those tools for Static. Making my way down the stairs I paused when I heard the radio. The DJ must have gotten back since he was talking.

“... so with that said expect some remixes in the near future folks. Seems like not all pegasi are bad ponies. So if you’re around Friendship City be on the lookout for our old feathered stallion and his unicorn friend passing through.”
The DJ had barely finished and put the music back on then I spotted Homage shopping and quickly headed her direction.

“Hey Homage you got a moment? We need to talk, right now.”

“Oh hey Sparx. What’s up? The map okay?” She asked, a little confused.

“I just heard the radio.”

“Oh that. Yeah the DJ was really happy to get those tracks. He wanted to maybe let ponies know to give you a free pass. Knowing your background and all.”

“I see.” Glancing around. Noticing a service hallway I motioned for Homage to follow. Heading down a short way before turning around to face her.

“Um, something bothering you?”

“I know I told you a little about what I did, but I’d really appreciate it if you kept that to yourself. I don’t like to advertise and would prefer to keep as low a profile as possible. The only reason I told you anything was because you already had the terminal set up. You never know who's listening in.”

“I didn’t think…”

“That’s just it.” Pressing my hoof up against my face and dragging my lip down in frustration. “I don’t need people putting things together and coming to any conclusion. Some secrets are better left buried. I’d like to keep it that way.” Letting out a sigh as I shook my head. “I’ve done a lot of things Homage. Things nopony should have ever had to do. Things I’m not proud of. I’m not a good pony Homage.”

“But that was two hundred years ago?”

“For you maybe. But for me… You wouldn’t understand.”

“No? I think I do.” Homage stepped closer, placing a hoof on my shoulder. “It hasn’t been two hundred years for you. You still remember it, Equestria before the bombs fell.”

“Yes. But that’s gone now. I have to move on.” Brushing Homages hoof aside. “My past is a burden I must carry, alone. The easiest way to go on is to forget. To be nothing. Nopony important.”

“If you really feel that way…”

“I do.”

“Then I’ll talk to Pon3 for you. Let him know how you feel about it.” Homage said, rather dejectedly. Not really sure why, It’s not like it was her fault or anything.

“Thanks Homage. For everything. Take care of yourself.”

“Thanks, you too.”

I watched as Homage slipped back up the hallway. Waiting several minutes to recompose my thoughts before heading back into the heart of the tower. Might as well get back to getting those supplies.

An off orange mare with brown mane and tail and matching wing feathers sat at a terminal. Quickly scanning the information on screen as she listened to the latest propaganda from the surface radio. Finding the information she was looking for she reread the line a few times to make sure. Ripping her headset off she scrambled from her station. Making her way as quickly as she could down the darkened hallways of the communication sector.

Storming into the main office, several ponies wearing uniforms with various medals and awards stood around a table. Briefing a trio of power armored pegasi.

“Ah, Chief Contrail do you have something to contribute to the briefing, or do you like storming in unannounced during a high priority meeting.” A single pony turned around, his rank of commander clearing visible on his collar.

“My apologies sir.” The mare saluted. “I have information I believe relevant to the briefing.”

“Fine, tell us what you have Chief.”

“Sir.” The mare stepped forward towards the table to address the other officers as well as the trio of armoured pegasi. “I was able to trace the breach to Tenpony tower.”

“But how did they manage to get the directors password?” One of the officers interrupted.

“Ehem”

“My apologies. Continue.”

“A recent radio broadcast confirms the location of the breach at Tenpony. As well as the one who initiated the breach. An old pegasi stallion with a unicorn companion. I dug up several files and the director was never reported as officially dead. Only MIA in the vicinity of Stable thirty three. A possible cryo facility if the record can be trusted.”

“So you believe we might actually have the real living director to deal with?” The commander asked.

“Yes sir. I believe the Director is most likely alive and is traveling towards Friendship City.”

“Ah very good. Thank you Chief Contrail. You are dismissed.”

Contrail turned to leave, catching only the next few lines of the order as the door closed behind her.

“Alright corporal, this changes everything. Locate and confirm, engage only if necessary....”

Sitting on a stretcher, I patiently held my foreleg still as a nurse took a blood sample. Doc Helpinghoof wanted to run some final tests before I planned to leave in the morning, free of charge. Though having just paid my bill in lump sum might have influenced the pricing just a bit.

“Almost done sir.” The unicorn nurse said as she pulled the needle out and levitated a gauze pad over. “Press down and hold please.”

Doing as I was told I watched as she set the blood sample down next to me and discarded the needle. What normally should have been a bright red, was a grayish tan hue. With faint veins of glowing radiation mixed in.

I glanced at my pipbuck’s display. It was all messed up. It pretty much had my entire body as impaired and my left rear as completely crippled. Despite me feeling at least ninety percent.

“I’m sorry, but that probably won't do you any good anymore. Would you like us to try and remove it for you?”

“No. I can still use it. SATS and the inventory still work, I think.” Shifting slightly on the table to keep from pinching my tail.

“I see. Well, keep pressure on that and I’ll be right back. Just gonna take this to the lab.” The mare levitated the blood sample (if it could even be called that), and trotted off.

The blood work took about half an hour before the results came in. The radiation had slowed to a low, but steady rate. And as long as I kept up with the RadAway, Helpinghoof believed I might be able to last close to a year. Though only if I minimized my contact with outside sources of radiation. I promised to do my best and parted with several healing potions, a full month's supply of RadAway. Being relieved of several pounds of caps.

Adding those to the tools for Static, and some rusty spare shotgun parts for repairs I had purchased, and I was all set for the trip.

The tower loomed behind us in the graying morning light as we trotted along the rubble lined streets leading off towards Friendship City. Or in generally the right direction anyway. I wore my jacket with my armour pieces, satchel, medicine tin and weapons across my back. Static wore her braces under her skirt, belt and utility shirt. Her rifle strapped opposite her satchel.

“You know, Tenpony ain’t really that bad once you get used to it.” Static said. Kicking some rubble to the side as she lead the way.

“Yeah, no thanks. Too many pampered ponies if you ask me.”

We continued on in silence for a while. We still had a hefty sum of caps to our name, and I was pleasantly surprised to find we had a moderate supply of ammunition.

“I take it you had a good time a few nights ago?” I asked, spotting a nesting bloodwing, hanging under a ledge. Damn those things are ugly.

“Oh, it was fun enough. Homage brought down a bottle of peach flavored whiskey to hang out while you were gone.”

“I see, anything interesting happen?” A sly grin began to creep up across my face.

“Nope, and that’s none of your business anyway. We had a nice, civil chat, with a few drinks. That’s all. Besides she’s got her eye on another.” Static flipped her head back, tossing her mane to the side. “We talked about the weather, stallions… mares… you know, typical girl stuff. Nopony got anypony into anyponies bed if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Uh-huh.” I nodded, hoping she’d go on. At the very least it was a welcome distraction as we passed the split that led towards the ghoul massacre from a few nights ago.

“I just don’t see what the issue is. I mean, who cares either way. I sure as hell don’t. Both can be as equally sexy.” She paused, only for a second. “They can also both be nosy as fuck!” She spun around, walking backwards as she glared at me.

Shrugging, I picked up the pace, passing her and trotting down what remained of the street. Fallen buildings, wrecked sky carriages, piles of rubble and the occasional skeleton filled the landscape. Though the skeletons we passed all seemed to be heading in one direction. Away.

I paused as one charred skeleton caught my attention. Facing sideways to everypony else, a small pile of bones curled up at it’s hooves, shielded as best as possible from the blast that killed Manehattan.

“That’s sad. The zebras killed everyone. Old, young… no distinction. Just death.” Static said solemnly, looking on at the pair's last moments, frozen in time in their death.

“I really hope we were able to hit them back.” I gritted my teeth as I turned away. “I hope we leveled their cities and burned their lands to a crisp. Serves them right, filthy stripes.”

“Come on Sparx. They couldn’t have been that bad. What about places like Zebratown? And the countless zebras loyal to equestria? You showed me just yesterday, you fought alongside a zebra didn’t you?”

“On more than one occasion yes. They are great fighters. And I hold nothing against their race personally. It’s what they took from me during the war that I’ll never be able to forgive them for.”

“Are your wings really that important to you?” Static asked. “I would have thought…”

“No, not my wings. It was hard losing those, yes. But I managed. But they took something they had no right too. And Luna be damned if we didn’t pay them back in kind.” Raising my hoof in defiance to the sky.

“But what did they ta..”

“My family.”

____________________________

Footnote: Level up

New Perk: Intense Training - It’s all coming back to you now… +1 Agility