\\**//CLICK\\**//

\\**//FEEDBACK\\**//

\\**//STATIC\\**//

**constant rapid clicking from a geiger counter**

This pipbuck thing is amazing! It has a map feature so I won’t get lost on my way back to Canterlot.

It also can measure radiation–it has been clicking nonstop since I turned it on.

**pipbuck sound**

Oh! It can organize my inventory. 44 magnum, firepony axe, Solid State Omega Recorder, tattered hospital gown, 3 bottles of irradiated water, 2 boxes of Sugar Apple Bombs, and a Fancy Buck cake.

Huh, honestly thought I had more belongings.

**pipbuck sound**

Anyways, the one thing I don’t understand about this thing is keeps saying I’m deceased when I look at the screen that should show my vitals. I guess my ghoulish state doesn’t register. The smart ponies who made this never accounted for something like what I am now.

\\**//SILENCE\\**//

Speaking of what I am now, could it be related to the Cortexaphan or Cortexamine thing? Could that have contributed to my current state? Or at least allowed me to remain sane?

I should have asked Higgs after he shot you. He seemed like a pony who knew things.

\\**//SILENCE\\**//

Maybe–maybe one of the native recordings has the answer.

Come on be strong Screwy, you've listened to plenty by now, some may have been bad, but not all. Dr.Cortex tried to do the right thing in the end.

**sigh** here goes nothing.

\\**//STATIC\\**//

\\**//FEEDBACK\\**//

\\**//STATIC\\**//

So little pony, lets see what makes you tick. How effective are the effects of Cortexamine?

**bone snapping sound**

(Screwloose) **pained yelp**whimpering**

\\**//SILENCE\\**//

Dammit. So it isn’t instant healing like a healing potion or spell. Though it appears to make you more resistant to chems and even prevents the vegetative state one should suffer from after surviving Celestia’s Tears.

**distant glass breaking**

Well you have been off the drug for a few years. The effects could fade over time. I could put you back on the drug. Feh, why waste it on you. I’ll just up my dosage. Then we’ll see if it accelerates the effects.

(Unknown Pony) **other room** Where is you?! I know you are here! Fix’n Snitch! Or should I say Vial, that is what you are going by now! I tracked you down through the front company you work for, Green-Med. This hospital was bought by that company. I have been informed you spends your time here. WHERE ARE YOU?! FACE ME COWARD!

**door opening**

Who is yelling at this late hour–oh Applesnack, what brings you to my mental hospital?

(Applesnack) Dispense with the pleasantries. I know it was you who did it?

Me who did what? You are being awfully vague.

(Applesnack) You rigged that elevator to collapse!

Oh yes, the tragic accident that befell the Ministry Mare of the Ministry of Wartime Technology. How is Applejack?

**smack**crash**clang**thud**

(Screwloose) **Scared dog yelp**

(Applesnack) You keep her name out of your mouth!

**cough**wince** Must have struck a chord. Say I did do this, which I did not, what motive would I have to try to kill her?

(Applesnack) Several company’s owned by your family would stand to benefit from AJ being out of the way. Your name was also the dying breath of the pony who hired you.

**sigh** Damn, no expectation of privacy. Though you said he was dead, so it is merely speculation at this point. Hardly enough to convict. Besides I have friends in the MoM.

(Applesnack) You're a bastard, you know that?

Send my regards to AJ. I hope she gets better soo–**smack**bone snapping sound**

(Applesnack) I SAID **smack** KEEP **smack**bone snapping sound** HER **smack** NAME **smack**bones snapping sound** OUT **smack** OF **smack**flesh tearing sound**thud**smack** YOUR MOUTH! **pulpy smack**heavy breathing** I wasn’t planning on letting you live long enough to go to trial.

**garbled bubbles**

(Screwloose) **whimper**

(Applesnack) I won’t hurt you. I was only here for him. Run along.

(Screwloose) **whimper**

(Applesnack) **shuffling of papers** Screwloose? Is that your name? Oh so it was you Pinkie was talking about. You don’t need to be scared. Go off to your room or something. I'll send help for you if I can. **receding hoofsteps**

\\**//STATIC\\**//

\\**//FEEDBACK\\**//

\\**//STATIC\\**//

**steady heart rate boop every few seconds**

Yes, I’m alive. I realized the recorder was on and caught the confrontation a month ago. I’ve been in recovery for a while. Though I did find the secret to Cortexamine. It only activates when in a near death experience. So I must send a thank you to Applesnack–though that will likely insight another visit.

**hydraulic sound**wince**cough**

I’m not a fan of the new cybernetics though. They are painful. But with Cortexamine only going so far to save my life, these keep me alive. Glad I have connections in Project Steelpony.

**hydraulic sound**wince**cough**

When I get back to Ponyville, I’ll see if Screw-for-brains can survive Luna’s Tears, but first I’m going to head to the Green-Med Manufacturing Plant in Canterlot to get a resupply of Cortexaphan. Still going to up my dosage, it might enhance the effects of Cortexamine going forward.

Though I don't need to lug around this recorder, I'll have it sent back to my office in Ponyville.

\\**//STATIC\\**//

\\**//FEEDBACK\\**//

\\**//STATIC\\**//

So radiation was killing me and this Cortexamine stuff helped me and allowed for my current state?

Dammit! I’m not qualified for this! I’m just a construction worker. If only–

**gasp**

Dr. Stable Rate! The name of my fiance. I remembered! If only he were here, maybe he could make sense of this.

**sniffle** Why did I have to think of him? He is likely gone like everypony else.

**smack** No I have to snap out of it! I need to focus on getting back to Cantelot and finding Shoey.

**pipbuck sound**

Cool! This pipbuck has a radio feature.

\\**//FEEDBACK\\**//

\\**//CLICK\\**//

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z3dhWrAEyQ

Author's Notes:

some of the mysteries of Cortexaphan/cortexamine are finally explained...sort of..also how SteelHooves knew Screwloose is revealed...and is kind of anticlimactic. There was likely other times where Steelhooves heard about her, but they weren't recorded. Might mention more stuff on that if I ever do a sequel...