"I understand you have a lot of gaps in your knowledge of the Commonwealth Fast, being from before the war and all. That being the case I guess you don't know how Goodneighbor ended up as it is now, it's all because of this MoM hub. Place has its own power and water, crazy magical defenses spared it from the worst of the bombs too. 30 years ago though it was still sealed up tight as a drum, Goodneighbor wasn't nearly so big or prosperous, just a small community of scavers and treasure hunters trying to get in."

I followed Mayor Shamrock down the service passages and listened to his short history of his town, still confused about what he wanted. I certainly hadn't expected to take some kind of technician's exam on the computer in his office, but it was actually an enjoyable test of my skills and I had passed with flying colors.

The questions covered a wide range of technological and magical maintenance problems, once the terminal spit out a perfect score reading 'Accepted', Shamrock had applauded and asked us to follow him down to the lower levels of the Wing Ding Casino, speaking along the way about the Ministry of Morale hub above.

"This part of the Commonwealth would look a lot different today if I hadn't happened to be the one who got in first, not to toot my own horn. Only the casino and a couple lower floors of the hub we've managed to break into since then are accessible now, but that was plenty to bring a bunch of D.C. outcasts, tribals and gangs together and build a thriving city." Shamrock's voice held an unmistakable tone of pride at his accomplishments, seeing the town outside now I couldn't blame him.

"How did you get in? Wasn't there any automated security? And why can't you get into most of the MoM hub?" The similarities between this Ministry hub and the one in Trinity Tower that Jade's sisters occupied had me fascinated with the ghoul's story, a large portion of the M.A.S. hub looked like it was sealed to this day as well.

"Funny story that is, everypony asks me that eventually and I usually let them believe whatever wild rumors are out there. That I had trained Hellhounds dig me in, some Luna sent moonbeam led me to a secret door, Discord himself appeared and opened it in exchange for my soul, there are some good ones. The truth is pretty boring, the casino just let me in." The ghoulish mayor grinned back at us and turned down another set of stairs leading down.

Jade gave a perplexed scrunch to her muzzle, looking around at the narrow corridors surrounding us anxiously. "The casino let you? By itself? I-It is not... h-haunted... i-is it?"

Shamrock wheezed out a torrent of raspy laughter, shaking his head in reassurance. "Sort of... but not by spirits. I told you I deal in information, I've done a lot of research in the years since that day about the Ministry hubs in Trotson, all state of the art, lots of experimental tech and magic you won't find anywhere else, they're also run by some pretty fancy computers that are still working somehow. The one running this hub decided to let me in when I was drunk, banging my head against the backdoor. Led to a working terminal in some tiny office, had me take a test like I asked Fast to take and hired me as 'Casino Manager'. That's why I'm in charge here, manager of the casino isn't cleared to open the hub, but I have a lot of authority down here."

A computer ran things? I had read Stable-Tec magazines back home that proudly touted their Crusader maneframes, computers so powerful they could think or even copy a pony's mind, and the Institute obviously kept making advances in artificial intelligence. The idea one was still in charge here was still surprising, though it made the test Shamrock asked me to take make sense.

"So you got it to hire me as repair-pony?" I asked as we followed the mayor through a sliding steel door, into a maintenance room with a lot of monitors and computer equipment. A yellow earth pony with a slick brown mane tapped at one of the keyboards hesitantly, referring frequently to a Big Book of Arcane Science and trying to look busy as we entered.

Shamrock trotted over to a slot on the wall of technology, gently removing a plastic card jutting out and bringing it to me in his teeth. A fresh, glossy ID card with my own picture staring back at me, according to which I was now Head Maintenance Technician. "Exactly! I've had a lot of smart ponies like Light Fantastic over there take that test and help me with this place, no one's gotten the head job though. Now the computer running the hub is up in the tower, but you can interface with it here or at any terminal in the casino. As head tech you should be able to find a way in and open this baby up, find me a way to do that and we're allied towns, whatever resources and secrets are up there, our communities can share!"

Jade gave a supportive nod at my questioning look and I walked to the nearest terminal, patching my pip-buck to it and perusing the system. The computer running the building self identified as Biomechanical Network Logistics Server, recognizing me as Head Technician and displaying a long list of maintenance issues in the building. Poking around where my access allowed was informative, though I kept running into roadblocks when trying to access the MoM hub.

The yellow stallion wearing a lab coat, (and sunglasses inside for some reason), came up behind me and watched over my shoulder, putting on a smug tone. "Hey I told you I'll get there eventually Shamrock, if it was easy enough for some runt off the street to crack you wouldn't need Fantastic! Never gonna get anywhere going right at it like that buddy, hub went into like... super duper lock down when the bombs fell, won't open for anypony but a high ranking member of MoM."

I found the security authorization prompt he had to be talking about, though it listed it as a Luna Tier Attack Scenario rather than 'super-duper lock down', without a member of the Ministry of Morale of sufficient rank it did seem difficult to unlock. The casino had different security protocols and had made itself accessible around 30 years ago as Shamrock said, reading the outside conditions as acceptable again for the 'Grand Opening Program'. Apparently the Wing Ding Circus Casino had not opened to the public before the end of the world, it had hired Shamrock as part of its programing to resume with the opening preparations.

"So how's it look repair-pony? We in business?" Shamrock peered at the monitor hopefully as I flicked through several screens of data quickly.

"Not any time soon... Whatever fancy computer is running this place, it's pretty powerful and secure. There's bound to be a back door somewhere, but it's gonna take time to find it." I sighed in frustration, I was confident I could find a way to get into the system that actively fought my intrusions, but I didn't feel a need to rush.

Shamrock seemed nice so far and had excellent points, we just met the ghoul mayor though and I wasn't sure I wanted to give him the keys to a sealed Ministry hub yet. He might be able to break into it floor by floor over enough time anyway as he had been doing, but that was better than all at once if he ended up being dangerous or evil despite first impressions.

The ghoul mayor of Goodneighbor gave me a sly look, seeming to follow the track of my thoughts easily. "Perhaps that's for the best hmm? Give us a little time to get to know each other, build some trust? I'm sure a hero like yourself would want to be sure he wasn't cracking open a Ministry hub for a villain, very wise to be sure of your new partner's character first yes?"

I winced at how easily Shamrock figured me out. The popular leader of the city was a master at dealing with others, his social skills dwarfed my own and he was smart. "Alright maybe... but I can't just hit a button and open it either. That computer running things is... well it's smart... There's always a way around it, but it really will take some time to sift through the code."

Jade stuck her nose in the air proudly and huffed, "Fast does not lie about fixing things Mayor Shamrock, if he says he cannot do what you ask immediately you can be sure it cannot be done. I must agree that we do not know enough about you to simply hoof over control of a Ministry hub however, the power locked away inside could do great harm to the Commonwealth in the wrong hooves."

To his credit Shamrock didn't get mad, didn't blow up at the refusal, didn't threaten us if we didn't do as asked, instead he smiled and nodded patiently. "Just what I'd expect from a good princess, you do live up to expectations dear. Fast may take as long as he needs to work on the problem and decide if he wants to solve it, the terminal in the Luna suite is connected to the network so take your time and work in comfort! In the meantime we'll start small and build our relationship and trust, I have just the thing as a sign of good faith along with a few tidbits to think on.

First off, you may have noticed our only real medical care in Goodneighbor is that blasted Chem-I-Care Pharmacy run by the Svengallops, hardly first rate or a place that really cares for the health of their customers. There is an abandoned Helpinghoof Clinic here though, been thoroughly scavenged and it's in rough shape, but I give it to you and your Followers of the Apocalypse Princess. Bring us a real doctor's office please your highness, doing so will have the added benefit of hurting Svengallop's business too..."

Oh he was clever... and very well informed by that grin when he dangled hurting one of the Diamond City nobility. Jade immediately smiled beautifully and her eyes sparkled as she went for the bait, the opportunity to spread the Followers and help those living here was irresistible to the alicorn doctor. "Really!? I may establish a Follower's clinic here? Thank you so much Mayor Shamrock! I promise to care for those you lead to the best of our ability!"

The ghoul was nearly shook hard enough to lose his tricorne hat and his balance, the big alicorn grabbing his hoof in her own and shaking the appendage excitedly as she gushed. He looked a little dizzy as he wove a few steps back from the overjoyed mare who didn't know her own strength, shaking his head to get his eyes to stop looping around woozily and chuckling a reply. "I'd expect no less Princess, thank you for helping my people. While on the subject of D.C. nobles and their meddling in my town, I'd advise you all to be careful around the Kings and their casino. Bullet Bishop started out here and the King's Gambit is his little kingdom, they shouldn't mess with you while under my protection, but they push against me being in charge constantly. There's no guarantee they won't decide you're worth throwing away the delicate balance here in Goodneighbor, finally try to grab the top spot for themselves. I wouldn't be opposed if something were to happen to those trigger happy ponies you know..."

Shamrock seemed to dislike the nobility of Diamond City as much as I did, grimacing while he talked about the Kings and giving a sly, lidded look at the prospect of bad things happening to them. If Bishop really was supplying weapons to enemies of Sanctuary that was one more reason to go after him, though I didn't have much about the group to go on yet.

"If something were to happen... what would be the worst thing for them Shamrock? Why do they have so much power here, what would hurt them and weaken their grip on your town?"

Beaming at the question the mayor answered happily, "Their weapons trade is what keeps them in power Fast. From what I understand that casino of theirs was built by some big shot from Las Pegasus they call the King, apparently he had quite the side business smuggling magical energy weapons, war profiteer... They've got one helluva stockpile they started out with, used that to expand and take over an old Ironshod's factory, use slaves to cobble together new firearms now. Anything that hurts their business, hurts Bishop."

I frowned in thought a moment and nodded, it still wasn't much to go on, but the weapons dealer represented a threat to Sanctuary and that just wouldn't do. "I'll keep it in mind Shamrock, maybe they'll run into a some bad luck... For now I need to think, if we're done here I think we all need to get something to eat and talk."

Jade came up beside me in agreement, "Yes, we have much to discuss as I am sure you can imagine. I also wish to look over your generous donation and send a letter to the Followers in Sanctuary, have them send some volunteers to run your new clinic. Thank you again Mayor Shamrock, I look forward to our communities working together."

The mayor put his hat to his chest and gave a bow, leading us out kindly. "As do I my dear! I'm sure you have much to discuss and must be famished. The casino has its own kitchens and dining if you'd care to stay in, or there are some excellent eateries in town to try out if you prefer. Enjoy your stay with us and come see me any time!"

I paused at the door, struck by a self indulgent thought. "Shamrock, if I'm head of maintenance here... does that mean I can fix anything I want?"

A confused look crossed the ghouls face and he shrugged. "I suppose so Fast, you have access to all our spare parts and maintenance areas. I do have other ponies like Fantastic to do grunt work though, you don't have to do anything you don't want."

My face heated up as I mumbled out, "I... like fixing things... Er... just for fun..."

Shamrock's coarse laughter followed us out as he nodded his head and waved us on. Jade planted a kiss on my blushing cheek and we walked back out through the maze of service corridors up to the casino proper. It may seem silly but I did like the idea of being in a maintenance job again, there were all kinds of interesting machines to fix in the Wing Ding Circus that hadn't been serviced in ages. As we reached the casino floor my pip-buck threw text up in my vision, reminding me 'fixing things' in the wasteland often wasn't as simple as repairing the games and rides flashing out here.

Mission Added- Ministry Heist

Objective-
--Find a way into the Ministry of Morale hub

Mission Added- Down with the King

Objective-
--Weaken the Kings in Goodneighbor

When we arrived back at the Princess Luna Suite we found Glitter had managed to cajole Peri and Magnolia into playing dress up, the foal looked up guiltily from Jade's clothing strewn across the living room and smiled sheepishly. Magnolia was wearing her red sequined dress and had her long reddish-violet mane brushed to a silky sheen covering one eye, Peri wearing Jade's white dress from Hexington looked a bit off with the Minutemare hat on her head clashing with the elegant garment, but she refused to remove it even for the filly brushing her blonde mane around it.

I looked around for the missing Ivy and was surprised to see her engaged in lively conversation with Zed, the green alicorn looked delighted at their discussion, while even the zebra was more expressive than I was used to seeing him. The pair noticed us as I pulled Glitter away from grooming Peri and trotted over together, a spark of excitement showed through in the zebra's grey eyes as he spoke.

"Fast, thank you for recommending Miss Ivy! She has agreed to assist me, her ability to read minds will be most helpful in questioning the residents here about the Church of Balefire." I'd never seen Zed so excited, not that it was easy to read, but the bright tone to his voice and determined stare were the equivalent of bouncing on his hooves for the dour zebra.

"That's great Zed, if they're being secretive then having a mind reader help out is a good idea. Are you ok with doing this Ivy?"

The green alicorn bobbed her head and smiled brilliantly, "Yes I am happy to help Fast. Speaking with Mr. Zed is actually quite refreshing, I can't read his thoughts at all as a zebra. Talking without knowing what the other party is thinking is rather pleasant, I do not mind spending time with him to assist in his efforts."

Looking between the two I mentally face-hoofed, I should have encouraged more interaction between the zebra and the green alicorn. Jade told me her mind reading sisters could only hear pony thoughts, thinking on it now after seeing Ivy's reaction to the request, I could see how always knowing what others were thinking must get old. The big green mare looked overjoyed at something as simple as a normal conversation with someone else. Ivy hadn't been as tempted as Peri and Magnolia by socializing with the ponies back in Sanctuary, but here was something that caught her interest.

"Ok, as long as you're alright with it that'll be a big help Ivy. Now, we were going to head down and find something to eat in town, do you ladies want to come?" I looked over the three alicorns hopefully, still determined to give them gentle nudges into dealing with others.

Jade looked as pleased as I felt when all three looked up thoughtfully, both Magnolia and Peri stood and nodded cautiously while even Ivy looked interested, looking to Zed and seeming to enjoy not knowing what he'd say. The zebra realized she was waiting on him and almost seemed uncomfortable at her questioning gaze, shuffling to himself before relenting with a sigh.

"I would like to begin asking around town immediately... though I suppose taking a meal with everyone is a worthy diversion. I can ask questions in one of the restaurants here as easily as on the street, if Miss Ivy would care to." The wide smile the green filly gave him was answer enough, I was grateful to the reluctant zebra as that meant all of us would be going together.

Of course fitting the five of us plus three additional large alicorns into the elevator back down was quickly a daunting prospect, we managed in Fort Haygone with a couple suits of power armor and just Jade, but her plus her equally towering sisters was a bit much. Thankfully the full length windows up here in the Luna Suite opened with minimal finagling, letting Val lead Ivy, Peri and Magnolia out to the streets of Goodneighbor while the rest of us rode down.

When the doors dinged and opened to the casino floor, Zed took off like a shot, anxious to join Ivy and start his questioning while we found somewhere to eat. Jade, Glitter and I were left to take a more leisurely pace through all the crowds enjoying themselves down here. The princess at my side drew some attention, but she had become well known enough that seeing the big blue alicorn weaving her way through all the games and ponies down here wasn't a huge shock. If we had tried this with all three of her sisters I had an idea we'd attract a lot more stares than we were.

Dragging Glitter away from the blinking lights and sounds of all the games and rides down here was difficult, only made easier by explaining not only were we probably staying here awhile, but that I had free reign with my new job title to spend time down here with her. The siren song of the dancing game still forced Jade to scoop her up in her magic, reluctantly promising to play it with her in the future.

Back out on the street we were surprised to see only Magnolia waiting for us anxiously, clearly nervous under all the interest that a tall purple alicorn in a bright red dress was attracting. She rushed over on spotting us gratefully, trying unsuccessfully to hide behind us and whispering an explanation. "I-Ivy left with Mr. Zed for a moment, then Peri saw something that caught her interest and ran off... Miss Valkyrie went after her..."

Jade comforted her sister and nudged her towards the glow of the Red Rocket sign down the street. "You may come with me Magnolia, I wish to write to the Followers in Sanctuary as soon as possible. I can show you how to send a letter to Miles in Diamond City as well if you wish..."

Magnolia's face took on a rosy glow and she nodded meekly, following along with Jade as she excused herself and made a beeline for the small courier office. That left me alone with Glitter, her robot babysitter left behind in the suite, everyone had instantly scattered despite the intention of eating together...

I sighed and rolled my eyes, looking down to the foal waiting beside me. "Well, at least you didn't run off on me too sweetie.."

Her big pink eyes sparkled as she leapt up to give my neck a warm hug, nuzzling her muzzle into my coat and giving a tinkling giggle. "Never daddy! I guess we get to pick where to eat huh?!"

Deciding to agree with her positive spin on everyone disappearing, I ruffled her mane and started down the street with her at my side. There were a variety of eateries out here, small street stands dominated every corner, the two largest establishments to actually take a seat and eat inside were 'The Gilded Fork' and 'The Tasty Treat'. The fancy looking Gilded Fork was closest so I headed that way first, poking my head in to the upscale restaurant.

I wouldn't have imagined there'd be a posh, snobby, three horseshoe restaurant out in the wasteland, but here one was. The waiters wore tattered tuxes and the cooks were in dirty white uniforms with the occasional chef's toque on their heads, the customers were all dressed up, tarnished silverware was carefully arranged on each red tablecloth decked table, and a snooty looking stallion stood guard at the door, looking us over with distaste.

"Welcome to ze Gilded Fork, party of... two sir?" The peach unicorn stallion twirled his thin orange mustache and looked us over dubiously, checking the clipboard floating beside him like he had already decided there wasn't room.

For the moment I was more interested in the restaurant itself, one wall was lined with ancient photos, the sight of several hung higher than the rest in places of honor jumped out at me. Was that Twilight Sparkle? Fluttershy... Rarity... Rainbow Dash... four Ministry Mares? The photos looked like they were signed too...

Glitter nudged me back to the present and the impatient stallion sniffing with distaste. "Er... Sorry! Um, just looking around for somewhere to eat, we... have a larger party coming. There's 8 of us so... is that too many? There's alicorns too if that's ok, Princess Jade and three of her sisters, they're kinda nervous about coming in places... and take up a lot of room, so we'd need a big table..."

The maitre de's eyebrows shot up briefly and his clipboard floated to his side as he replied. "Princess? The one from ze radio yes? Well we normally do not handle such a large group... very exclusive... but a new celebrity added to ze wall is always welcome. We are quite busy at ze moment, perhaps just you and ze princess could return for ze more private meal?"

He actually looked conciliatory, waving out to the crowded restaurant to demonstrate his point, though I noticed several open tables. The intention to make a production of Jade visiting was clear though, the pictures must be famous ponies who ate here, he didn't want a big group of us in the way.

Between that and the food I spotted being served I didn't feel great about eating here anyway. The snooty attitude, the crazily fancy food made out of normal wasteland fare, even the accent the maitre de spoke with all reminded me of the worst of... Hearty Forks? As if thinking of the snobby yet heroic cook from Shift 4 had summoned him, I found myself staring at his face on the wall, just as I remembered him.

With my mouth hanging open I pushed past the overdressed waiter towards the large photo hanging just inside the kitchen, visible over the bar that let those seated there view their meals being prepared. The framed picture was signed, 'Only the best will do, Chef Forks' and bore an inky hoofprint of the smiling chef staring back at me. It hung over a small clear space on the counter with an empty knife rack bearing his chef's hat and fork cutie mark etched on the side, a small box of holotapes sat beside it.

"Daddy... what's the matter? You know that pony?" Glitter's voice held a note of concern as I brushed by annoyed looking cooks passing by, floating my knife out and looking over Fork's mark on the handle, matching the mark on the rack.

"N-Nothing's wrong sweetie... I did know him yes, his name was Hearty Forks, he was v-very brave. Heh... he always said he was head chef for a big, fancy restaurant in the city, I guess I found it..."

The agitated maitre de had followed us back here and the annoyed sneer on his face faltered at the name, his green eyes widened and he breathlessly spoke in a rush. "You know ze name of ze head chef? Have one of his tools? You knew monsieur Forks?!"

"Er... sorta... not very well or anything, but yeah I knew him, it's a long story... So this is where he cooked? Why do you sound like him? Even the food here looks like what he made, was he a big deal or something?"

He sputtered at the admission, glancing to the photo and giving a bow before returning his attention to me. "Big deal?! Monsieur Forks was famous in Goodneighbor! This very restaurant was host to some of the most famous and important ponies in Equestria! We carry on his tradition through the sacred tapes and recipes here."

Sacred tapes? However the group occupying Fork's old restaurant had come to be, they seemed to have latched on to Forks as some kind of guide. I gave a questioning look to the little shrine at the counter for permission before floating some of the holotapes up for inspection, blowing dust off the faded labels. 'Only the Best, Cooking with Hearty Forks'... a cooking show... I loaded one of the tapes and had to bite back a tear at hearing that pretentious, unreasonable, elitist... noble... pony's voice filling my ear.

I stopped the playback and copied the holotape before returning it, saving a little piece of my old life to listen to when I wanted, if only I had recorded one of Fork's and Ladle's epic fights... Poking my nose into the cabinet below the picture revealed a great deal of preserved paperwork, leather bound recipe books stuffed with notes and loose sheets of paper filled with scribbling.

A bit of color in all the yellowed pages caught my eye and I pulled out a glossy advertisement pamphlet of some kind. I skimmed over it absently, my thoughts more on memories of Forks and the Stable, when my eyes hung on a single word, 'Saturnite'. Suddenly it was much more interesting and I reread it closely.

"Congratulations on your purchase of the last knife you'll ever need, the Saturnite knife!

You've been selected as one of a lucky few, just 99 others in all Equestria, given the opportunity to purchase this rare and wondrous, prototype cooking implement! Pride of Sausage Ironworks, our unique, patented alloy Saturnite never rusts, dulls, nicks or scratches! Cut through a tin can as easily as a tomato! Just watch your hooves!

As one of the exclusive ponies allowed this opportunity, we urge you to complete the attached feedback form so we may better serve you and Equestria. Direct any complaints to Sausage Ironworks, care of: Head of Research and Development - Dr. Vega"

I looked over the starmetal blade that matched the picture in the pamphlet, Dr. Vega... Sausage Ironworks had been another business the Institute had meddled with under his direction, testing their experiments out through their business dealings. I briefly wondered how many of those 99 other customers had accidentally sliced off a hoof with the insanely sharp blades. As I thought over the prospect of 99 more of these knives out there in the world, my pip-buck flashed in the corner of my vision: Map Updated, looking it over it had put up a marker for Sausage Ironworks to the north back across the river.

The maitre de's mustache quivered with excitement as he broke in on my thoughts at the new marker, "If you knew ze great chef you simply must dine here monsieur! Our current head chef will be delighted to meet you! I will go tell her at once!"

After he dashed off Glitter eyed some of the nearest plates set to leave the kitchen with distaste, sticking her tongue out at the tiny, artfully presented portions of sliced cram fried and drizzled in zig zagging lines of purple sauce with bits of garnish. "Do... do we have to eat here dad?"

I watched one of the cooks frying a 200 year old can of banana puree and delicately weaving strips of it into a basket, joining the foal in sticking my tongue out in distaste. "No sweetie... I never liked the things Forks cooked on Shift Change day anyway, it looks like that's how they make everything here. Let's just... slip out before he comes back huh?"

The two of us hurriedly slunk out of the overly fancy restaurant, Glitter breathing a sigh of relief when we dashed out of the door. Walking down the busy street let us follow our noses to the Tasty Treat, a much lower class establishment that smelled wonderful. Ducking in to the crowded eatery revealed a busy restaurant filled with a good number of patrons, none of whom were as dressed up or snooty as those in the Gilded Fork.

The decorations were bright and exotic, lots of colorful draperies and interesting pictures, one near the door showed a similar restaurant back before the war I looked over quickly. Judging by the architecture and the delicate spires of a castle in the background, it had to be taken in Canterlot. A younger, light orange mare with a poofy dark mane, an older stallion with similar colors and a dour expression, and Ministry Mare Pinkie Pie hugging the two of them from the middle.

One of the harried but cheerful sounding waitresses spotted us at the door, smiling broadly as she dropped off a steaming plate to a waiting customer and trotted over. "Welcome to the Tasty Treat! Please come in! Just the two of you?"

The yellow-orange mare's voice had an odd accent, musical and lilting while being very friendly, her brown eyes sparkled under her dark mane as she waited patiently. I felt put at ease by her immediately and felt better about eating here, the strange smells were enticing and Glitter looked interested.

"Umm... no actually, we have kinda a big group coming... 8 of us, er... with four alicorns... if that's ok..." I was fine with this place just from the smells and reception, but we still had a lot more to our party and there was no telling if Jade and her sisters would be a problem.

I looked to the waitress hopefully after admitting to such a large and unique group, rewarded by both her eyes and smile widening. "Alicorns? Oh my goodness, how interesting! Of course that is not a problem sir, we will push some tables together and be happy to serve!"

Releasing a held in breath thankfully I returned the waitresses smile and nodded, "Thanks! Really, thanks a lot! Umm... the rest of our group is sorta... scattered... right now, but I'll go find them and be right back!"

With where to eat settled we trotted back outside to try to find the others, I could see the Red Rocket across the street, but Jade and Magnolia weren't there, leaving me to wonder where they had wandered off to. Zed had disappeared again, this time with Ivy, and I was briefly tempted to bring up his locator tag, the only hope of finding him when he vanished like this. Spotting Val and Peri down one of the side streets radiating away from the MoM tower cut that thought short though.

They were engaged in an animated conversation with a strangely dressed stallion, in front of a place called the 'Black Cat', a neon lit, narrow, three story brick building. A number of attractive mares in alluring outfits stood outside, attracting customers around the back and forth from the alicorn and griffon. The pale green earth pony stallion they were talking to was dressed in an outlandish suit with a broad hat, a bright yellow with leopard spotted trim.

As I approached Val was snickering around her part of the conversation, trying to explain what the den of inequity was to the odd blue alicorn. "It's a brothel honey, you pay caps and can have a little slap and tickle with who you want... Probably ought'a move on, doubt yer sis would like it, oh hey boss! You talk to her, stubborn as a mule this one is."

I stood in front of the tall blue mare staring into the windows of the lurid business and shifting on her hooves, coughing for her attention. "Peri... what's the deal, you were going to wait for us, why'd you come here?"

Dragging her gaze away from the gyrating mares putting on quite a show in the window, Peri looked down to me to reply. "Mating... This pony here says I could earn money and engage in mating with normal ponies, Miss Val also says I can pay to mate with who I wish, I am interested in doing so."

The slimy pimp-pony stallion leered and nodded, waving to the building invitingly. "That's right sweetheart, just come on in! I could make a fortune rentin' you out, lots of ponies would want a ride with a mare like you!"

"Umm... Peri... Jade wouldn't like this, er... let her explain it to you first ok? It's... it's not good mating, it's this pony taking advantage of you to sleep with ponies that pay him." I sighed trying to get the idea across to the strange filly, groaning at her quizzical look.

"I wish to try mating and affection, like you and sister Jade. I may pay and mate with who I wish here? How much to mate with this pony?" Her question was directed to the pimp outside, but her big blue hoof was pointing right at me, making me sputter and turn a bright red.

Val howled laughter at her misunderstanding, shoving me towards the blonde mare in the Minutemare hat playfully. "Fer him?! What, 5 caps? Here I'll lend it to ya Peri! Have fun!"

"VAL! N-Not funny! Peri it doesn't work like that, you pay to... um... m-mate with the ponies inside, not just anyone you pick out! Definitely n-not me! Please... just come on, let Jade or Ivy explain it ok?" I skidded and dug my hooves in against Val's pushing, shrinking away from the perplexed look Peri was giving me.

"I do not wish to mate with those ponies... Is five caps not enough? I could find more..." Cocking her head curiously the blue alicorn scanned the crowd nearby, making me nervous about just how she planned on acquiring more caps, the Trinity Tower alicorns hadn't shown any use for money so far.

Swatting Val with my hat repeatedly got her to let go, rolling in the street in gales of laughter with Glitter as I tried to shove the big alicorn away. "No! L-Let's go ok? We found somewhere to eat... look there's Jade and Magnolia!"

Spotting her sisters near the candy house orphanage finally sunk through to her and she went along with my useless pushing, eyeing the pimp pony over her shoulder as he called after her to come back anytime. We joined Jade and Magnolia down the side street the orphanage was on, the pair of them looking over the darkened shell of an old Helpinghoof Clinic. I hadn't paid it any attention during our tour of the town before, the unoccupied small building just blended in to the ruin, it had been thoroughly ransacked over the years.

Jade noticed us approaching and pranced over happily, nuzzling my mane and pointing to her ruined shell of a building. "Look Fast! A real Helpinghoof Clinic! It appears to need... some work... but a clinic for the Followers in this large town! C-Could you perhaps assist in the repairs?"

I looked over the dilapidated building critically, sighing at the amount of work waiting. "Sure Jade, of course I will. Looks like a lot of work, maybe I can use supplies from the casino. We found somewhere to eat for now if you two are ready? Er... maybe you could talk to Peri too... she found something she wants to do, but it's... complicated, just ask her ok?"

She gave me a confused look at my blushing report, cocking an eye at Peri gazing around innocently. "Very well, dare I ask what caught her eye now? Never mind, it will wait I am sure. Let us take a meal together, where are Ivy and Mr. Zed?"

"Right here... you have found somewhere to visit?" The zebra appearing from the shadows of a nearby alley startled me into a leap, the vibrant green alicorn trotting along behind him.

"R-Right! Just this way, it looked a little funny but smelled good, and they're friendly!" I led the way back to the Tasty Treat, at the head of a large gaggle of customers to the small restaurant.

Thankfully the waitress was as good as her word, pushing tables together in the corner and clearing space for four alicorns, a griffon, a zebra and two small ponies with minimal fuss. The odd party attracted a good deal of attention, but it all seemed friendly if cautious, interested in the oddity of a group of alicorns in public. Soon enough to the novelty had worn off and the food arrived, the exotic and delicious meal settling everyone's nerves as we settled in and enjoyed each others company.

Later that night I had gotten absorbed working on the terminal in the master bedroom of the Luna Suite, tapping away into the night fighting the advanced computer that controlled the building. I had been sifting through code so long my eyes were starting to cross, I gratefully rubbed them and leaned back into Jade's embrace from behind when she came up, nuzzling my face affectionately and pulling my hooves from the keyboard.

"Fast... you have been busying yourself with that since we returned, I am becoming jealous of an inanimate terminal. I insist you come to bed and lavish such attention on me..." She planted little kisses down my neck and cooed, wrapping her wings around me and drawing the wheeled chair from the desk.

"Sorry hon, just trying to find a way around this thing, whether we help Shamrock or not. It's amazingly difficult to hack, I can't trick it like I usually can most computers. I promise you'll get much more attention than it though, I know what buttons to press to get you to open up at least..."

That got her to giggle and increase her ministrations, nibbling my ears and giving a gasp when a little of my magic roved over some of those 'buttons' on her big blue body. Her hooves roved down in return and I was more than ready to go along with her insistent tugging towards the big round bed, when the terminal spit out the results of the latest search. My eyes hung on a few of the results as the blue filly pulled me away and I had to pause, despite her cross whine.

"H-Hold on Jade, j-just a sec.. I... I think I found a way in..."

The long lick up my neck and huff she gave at the arcano-tech machine showed how little she thought of my potential success, puffing her reply in my ears. "I know you have... come on..."

"N-No seriously! The grand opening program, I think it's tied to the hub and I... ooooooh boy..." The telekinetic field of her pale blue magic washed over me, probing and squeezing some sensitive areas in a very pleasant way as she yanked me from the chair and floated me after her wiggling rump to the bed.

A couple hours later I panted on the silky sheets with a lot of satisfied alicorn draped over me, feeling lucky to have held on to any thoughts other than her. She purred against my chest and looked up with heavily lidded blue eyes happily, a sheen of sweat glistening on her coat as she tickled me with her feathers. "You were saying something unimportant about the computer Fast? Did you have some success?"

I shifted comfortably under her bulk and kissed her horn, "Yeah I think so. The protocols for the casino and the hub are different, but there's some crossover. The hub was supposed to be open to monitor the casino's grand opening, I think if we go through with the opening program for the casino, the hub will be forced to open while it's going on. I uh.. didn't get far enough to see what all that entails, but it's a start!"

She murmured sleepily and snuggled against me, clearly unimpressed at my hacking skills. "And do you think you should open it, now that you have an idea how to do so? Mayor Shamrock does seem pleasant enough, but an untouched Ministry hub... that is a lot of power for any pony Fast. Sometimes the artifacts of the past should stay there..."

"As one of those artifacts of the past, I have to disagree. I'd much rather be awake with you than still asleep in that coffin back in 111."

Cuddling closer she tittered to herself and wrapped her legs around me tightly. "Not what I meant and you know it... I much prefer you here as well though, you are nice and warm against that breeze."

Breeze? Much as I liked her wrapping herself around me against it, there shouldn't be a breeze in here... The cool fall night air was coming in and chilling the sweat off my coat from somewhere though. I pushed myself up a few inches to see past her wings furled tightly against me, spotting the source as one of the picture windows in here standing open.

"Did someone leave or come back through that window? Oh don't tell me Peri snuck in here again... Peri!? If you're there turn visible please! We talked about this!" I yelped at the empty room, sure the curious blue alicorn had slipped in again despite her long and frustrating talk with Jade.

A blue alicorn did appear before us, but not the medium blue, blonde maned Periwinkle. Instead the mare that appeared was so dark she was nearly black, with a silver mane and angry purple eyes. The three green robed figures that materialized with her instantly removed any hopes this was a friendly Trinity Tower alicorn checking on her sisters.

"Shit! VAL!! ZED!! COMPANY!!!" I shouted and wrapped my legs around Jade, straining to roll to the side and off the edge with her, just ahead of a number of spells that slammed into the mattress, shredding it in a cloud of stuffing.

I peeked over the edge of the ruined bed and gulped, they had caught us at a very vulnerable time... meaning that blue had probably watched and waited until we had finished and were drifting off to sleep. What I saw of her three accomplices chilled my blood as at least one theory of mine was confirmed.

They weren't like the other two types I had seen, but they were mutant alicorns too. Underdeveloped wings poked out of their green robes and the horns on their heads were so long they remained uncovered by their hoods, making me feel a little inadequate for a moment. What I could see of their faces and bodies looked more twisted than the large winged variety, but still better than the first I had seen. The magic those oversized horns were capable of was no joke either, a series of eldritch daggers, a torrent of flame and a beam of light came firing out at the mattress, making me duck behind the diminishing cover again.

"You will come with us Destroyer! Dr. Dala demands it!" The dark blue shouted over the barrage of spells, her commanding voice ringing out in the large room.

"MY FAST IS NO DESTROYER!" Jade scowled and went directly into her goddess voice, overriding her counterpart's shouts and causing the mutants with her to pause when she leapt to her hooves. She grabbed the tattered mattress in her magic and launched the big round object at our attackers, blocking their view as it filled the corner they were in.

I took the narrow opportunity to snatch up a few of my possessions strewn around around the room, my saddlebags first as I desperately wanted a weapon, followed by my hat Jade had tossed aside in her enthusiasm. I kicked myself for leaving the rest of my armor out in the main room when we returned, the powerful magic tearing the mattress to little more than fluff had me feeling both literally and figuratively naked.

At least Jade had her shield so we weren't totally unprotected, slipping into my saddlebags hurriedly restored my inventory in my pip-buck with a flash of text, letting me draw the Terrible Shotgun and lay down some return fire, uselessly sparking off their own series of bright silver shields. The crashing boom of the shotgun must have helped get Val's attention, the grumpy griffon was wiping sleep from her violet eyes when she burst through the door, blanching when she took in the scene in here.

"Boss! Holy hell get outta there! C'mon Blue move it!" Val ducked behind the cover of the door as a series of spells ripped into the frame, jumping back out from the cover to fire her huge pistol she was never without.

Jade didn't need to be told twice, in an instant she snatched me up in her magic and flew towards the open door and waiting griffon, her sparkling blue shield diminishing with each hit against it as we crossed the short distance of the master bedroom. A thin stream of lightning magic broke through as we passed through the portal, scorching her legs and disrupting her magic, leaving me to roll to a stop after it imploded and dumped me to the floor.

Shaking my head to clear all the tiny alicorns circling it, I lunged over the back of the long couch, barely ahead of beams from more spells aimed my way, a shining silver dagger of magic slicing down my side. My refuge was short lived as the door opened in front of me and several more robed figures spilled out, firing green beams of magical energy weapons that made my pip-buck chatter. Thankfully only one appeared to be a mutant, but it was of the huge, heavily muscled variety that filled the only exit completely.

I floated out Kellogg's old pistol, Vengeance, and activated S.A.T.S., selecting one headshot attempt for each round in the cylinder and accepted the sequence. The roar of the gleaming revolver filled the room, flattening my ears against the stinging blast as the hammer fanned rapidly in my magic. Only three succeeded in hitting their mark, but those that did made an impression, exploding the pony heads hidden in the robes messily.

One vaporized the hood on the way out and spattered the cult member behind them, leaving the hooded pony covered in gore and screaming in shock, giving me a second to run. Jade was already right on my tail when Zed sprinted out of his room and past me, launching himself like a striped missile at the burly mutant and remaining Church of Balefire members at the door. I saw Ivy poke her head out of the door he left on my way past, her concerned expression hardening into anger when she took in the mutants among our attackers, her horn glowing above her scowl.

I grabbed my armored coat in my teeth from the chair it was draped on and dashed forward, my thoughts now solely focused on Glitter in the bedroom ahead. The door I was aiming for opened and Peri's curious face peered out, on taking in the battle going on in the living room suddenly, her horn glowed as her expression turned excited, the sniper rifle that floated from the room behind her to her side apparently the reason. As I dodged around her I heard the powerful rifle start firing, followed by a grunt or splat behind me for each shot, as far as she was concerned this was an opportunity to play with her gun...

My heart stopped when I reached the room and found the big bed empty, restarting with a lurch when the little filly's silver maned bed-head popped out from under the mattress, the small magical energy weapon Righteous Authority gripped in her mouth and AssaultJack reappearing in a shimmery haze in the corner. With only Peri in here she had woken to strange noises, grabbed the weapon and hidden, filling me with pride at her good sense despite the fear evident in her pink eyes.

"Daddy! What's goin' on!? Is everything ok?!" She cried out, leaving the boxy M.E.W. behind as she wriggled out and ran to me, hugged to my chest with one hoof while the other shrugged into my coat in a rush.

"No, not ok, reeeally not ok sweetie, you did good to hide. Stay here with Jade and I'll be right back!" I hated having to push her away to finish putting on my armor, but she gave a determined nod and Jade held her tightly.

I left AssaultJack fading into the background with them and ran back to the door, reloading the big revolver Vengeance as I peered around the frame. The scene back in the big main room had devolved to complete anarchy I struggled to take in, the long horned mutant alicorns apparently had amazing levels of telekinetic power at their disposal, everything not nailed down in the room was floating about in a maelstrom of furniture.

Val had ducked back into her room and grabbed her heavy weapons while I was away, as I watched one of the new variety of mutants gathered a glow of magical force in a twirling arrow that exploded with a soft pop, large chunks of door frame near Val's head and round hole in Val's foreleg were obliterated by bolts of... nothing? Telekinetic bullets? It was possible to use such a simple spell like that?!

Magnolia was just behind Val, her own violet shield lighting up at the doorway to fend off the concentrated attack. Charging the Last Minute to full power resulted in puncturing through one of the shimmering silver shields of the mutants, into the chest of the warped alicorn behind it. Their shields were as powerful as the rest of their magic, but couldn't stop the amount of force the gauss rifle put out in such a small area, just slow it significantly from the damage I could see.

The loss of focus the shot caused weakened the hooded mutant's shield at least, Val unleashed a barrage of red M.E.W. fire that battered it down until it collapsed, incinerating one of the three mutants into a pile of glowing ash. The inky blue leading the assault took its place and scowled at the griffon, sending a blast of lightning towards the purple shield covering her.

Ivy was covering Zed's frantic melee near the door, the normal pony cultists were decimated at his hooves and now the zebra was engaged in a brutal back and forth with the muscular mutant standing guard, Ivy's green shield holding back the spells coming that direction. Jade told me greens could make the strongest shields of any of her kind, but only if they were perfectly still and unaware, Ivy was still conscious however and I both heard and felt her shout to the room in my head.

"Stormy! What are you doing here!? What are these abominations with you!? Why do you attack!?" Ivy's shout sent my hooves to my ears pointlessly, the piercing voice lodged right in my brain.

The mutant alicorns looked stunned at her mental shout, they heard it too and it didn't agree with them, the wall of muscle by the door paused and was instantly rewarded with a thunderous blow from Zed's hooves, sending it reeling with a plainly broken jaw. The dark blue, Stormy apparently, was taken aback and replied with a stammering hiss, thankfully just with her mouth after Ivy's outburst.

"S-Stay out of this sister! We do this for all the mother's children, these 'abominations' as you call them are the first step towards our rightful destiny! Dr. Dala insists this little unicorn is important for her research, do not interfere, I will take him!" Stormy seethed and sent an icy bolt of magic my direction, filling my foreleg and shoulder with stinging pain as a thick crust of ice formed over them and the door frame.

I started charging the Last Minute again and winced forward, it was so far the only weapon with a chance of piercing their shields. I was surprised to hear Magnolia shout forcefully in answer to Stormy's declaration, the normally mild and kind singing alicorn full of fury. "YOU WILL NOT! Fast is our friend, he is special to sister Jade, you may not take him!"

My momentarily warm feeling at being called their friend was bolstered at the flash of purple magic that direction, something held in Val's dark claws to the purple alicorn lit up brightly and several corresponding purple flashes appeared within the silver shields of the mutants by Stormy's side. The grenades fell with a clatter seconds before exploding with a muffled roar, the firestorms contained in a perfect sphere by the shields until they collapsed, the source of the magic fueling them messily dead.

Drawing a bead on the nearly black alicorn's head, I paused in indecision. The Institute's mutants were one thing, but this was a real alicorn, one of Jade's sisters. The leader of the Trinity Tower alicorns, Umbra's, words came tolling back to me, 'With the Goddess gone there will never be any more of us than there are now. Each one of us that dies is now irreplaceable...' I wanted to help Jade's kind, not contribute to their extinction...

Ivy's psychically boosted voice rang out again, flattening my ears against the triumphant shout that went right to my brain. "It may interest you to know that this 'Destroyer's' thoughts are filled with concern for you Stormy! He does not wish to hurt you and reduce our numbers further, he cares even for you who would attack and abduct him!"

I was embarrassed having my thoughts so easily read and seemingly broadcast, but the dark blue alicorn faltered, confusion and indecision crossing her face. The telepathic shout had distracted the only remaining mutant alicorn still engaged with Zed, giving the zebra the opportunity for an amazing flipping maneuver that ended with a buck that hurt just watching. The massive wall of muscle fell back with a crunch of bone and Zed was on him in an instant, pummeling the creature into a pulverized pile of flesh.

With the bulky mutant down, I could see a group of pink barded security ponies charging down the hall beyond, all the chaos must have triggered some alarms downstairs. Stormy spotted the new combatants and sneered angrily, backing away from Val laying down a stream of M.E.W. fire at her, the griffon not held back by my reservations about killing her in the slightest.

The dark alicorn abandoned her weakening shield and flew for the windows, bursting through the wall of glass and turning to hover outside with a scowl. Two of the mutant variety with the oversized wings took up positions at her sides and glared at us dully, again they looked the least twisted and wrong out of all of the mutant versions that had attacked us.

Since her targets were no longer in the enclosed space with us, I heard Val's grenade machinegun click menacingly. The bleeding griffon didn't look like she had any intention of tangling with those mutants in the air again, but she had a clear line of fire out the window and intended to use it. The gaggle of security ponies pouring into the room and readying their own powerful battle saddles backing her up.

"Stop! Don't kill her!" I ran out in front of the windows and blocked the clearest shot any of them had, I knew I'd regret it and was severely handicapping myself, but I just couldn't let another of Jade's sisters die if it wasn't absolutely necessary.

She was so dark, if what the other alicorns said was true it was an indication she was still closer to an extension of their mother than her own pony, if she was killed she'd never have the chance to grow and change as Jade had and there'd be one less alicorn in the world forever. Val gave me an extremely dirty look, but obeyed and pointed her powerful weapons away with a grumble, the security ponies were too confused at the bizarre situation to act immediately either, joining in a tense pause to the fighting.

Stormy hovered with her two mutant escorts and a series of conflicting expressions crossed her pretty face, anger, desperation, confusion, curiosity, all warred on her features as her dark purple eyes stayed locked on my red ones. Finally she shook in the air and snorted with frustration, "If he cares for our kind he should come willingly! Help us! I... We wish to save our species!"

"This isn't how you ask for help... I told Moondancer's synth double and I'll tell you, I do want to help your kind Stormy, really I do. Not like this though, not by experimenting on innocent ponies and turning them into these... things! They had lives, ponies they cared about, hopes and dreams, and you took that all away from them! Just like the goddess did to the unicorns she turned into you! Don't repeat the past like this!"

She flinched at the end, perhaps there was some shame in there after all. The sadly confused look she gave betrayed the internal battle going on at my plea, unfortunately she shook it off and her gaze hardened as it faded from view, Stormy and the two mutants becoming invisible and disappearing from Eyes Forward Sparkle.

The security ponies in the pink barding rushed forward to the shattered window, looking out for an enemy that had vanished and hopefully retreated. I fell to my rump and breathed a shaky sigh, taking in all the destruction unleashed on the once well preserved Luna Suite as Jade cautiously came out and started performing a quick visual triage, identifying Zed as the worst off of us as he limped his way over.

"Well Zed... I guess you were right, the Church of Balefire is around here after all..."

New Perk Added!--------------------------------

Sugarcube Gourmet------------
--Taking in the cuisine of Goodneighbor and visiting Fork's own restaurant has given you a greater appreciation for wasteland cooking! You gain +25% addiction resistance and a 50% health bonus from snack foods. Alcohol of all kinds now also gives you health in addition to their normal effects.