Child Of Darkness

@@Unicorncob, "The Bunker will have a Sniper rifle. No doubt about it. But that plan for the power armour isn't going to work. I reiterate, they bolt a sheet of reinforced metal over the power core to prevent it from getting shot during combat. This does prevent them from changing the core without a work station. But it does keep it protected, so it's a worthy trade off. Plus I swear I saw one suit of armour with huge Tesla coils coming out of the back of it and vents on the rear legs which make small explosions every time it jumps. It was terrifying. A pulse grenade might do the trick. I might have one or two."

"Most likely no one thought a thermal scope would be needed. Since from the reaction I got, you didn't think about them being this organised. But, specifics. Once the Sniper and the Spotter are dead, power armour is the next threat. You have to kill both the Sniper and the Spotter at the same time. Otherwise they will alert everyone. And just because a sniper loses a spotter, does not mean they are blind. They just have limited vision. Remember that. You most likely won't see more than one at a time when the alert is not triggered. But they always have support. They treat the armour like a tank. Heavy slow moving, needs to be followed by much lighter infantry for support. What was your original idea to deal with them? I'm curious, not many ponies can rationally deal with them."

@@Unicorncob, "We could do that. Stealth Bucks aren't hard to find if you know the right place to look. Working thermal binos will be harder to find, lucky for all of you I know a place which has just such resources. An old bunker used by the military. Stumbled on it one day while crawling through the wastes with a .50 cal bullet wound torn through my leg. Not my proudest day. If I have a look around, I should find a pair of thermal binos and some stealth bucks. That takes care of the issues of the snipers, if we can pull it off. I'm apprehensive. Because if I can see them, to mark them for kill, odds are they're going to see me."

@@Unicorncob, "Thermal? That would work. Only thing I know that blocks out thermal sensors is a Stealth Buck. I don't think they will carry those, because it's likely thought that they will never get spotted. They're over confident and it bites them in a few ways. The thing is though, since they use pre war military tactics, I can say for certain that they will operate in teams of two. The old sniper spotter. We would have to kill them both at the same time so the other doesn't run and alert everyone. Thermal scopes are expensive though. Thermal Sniper Scopes will burn though caps. We could build them if we had some focusing crystals, fibre optics, wiring, copper and some Aluminium. Someone would have to have the knowledge out it though. If anyone here has a good understanding, technology and guns. I can't build something that advance. If we get one thermal scope, two sniper rifles, suppressed. We stand a chance at this tactic. Though I do think another tactic would be more optimal."

@@Unicorncob, "It is a high chance that I have the best eyes in the entire wasteland. I could keep an eye out for the Snipers with the scope I own, but I only know one way in which I could find them. Tracking bullet trails and searching for bullet flashes. That means leaving someone out for bait. But if they're using a flash compensator, that won't watch up, giving me only a rough location. Along with the fact that the person who draws out the sniper fire is most likely going to die. Like I said, they don't miss that often. Reverse XPON. That's a joke for historians. And I don't shoot guns. People shoot guns for me. I stab people. So I can help if someone is crazy enough to draw out a shot. Every single time we need to kill one. It's too risky. I don't know a way to effectively get them. I'm open to any ideas."

Mel and Specter arrived at the shuttle slightly later than they had intended. "Sorry, we're late. We had..." Mel looked at his hoof, a little bruised and bloody. "Some issues with the others. Hopefully resolved by now." Mel took a seat and started tending to his hoof. "Urg, this is nasty. Stings." "Well, we don't have much time. I'll start translating to HUD. And if our pilot doesn't get here on time, I will delay launch for the maximum possible time. Once the point of survival is imminent, I will take off regardless. If this ship is full or not."

@@Unicorncob, "Well, now that no one is going to kill each other I don't have to worry. Time for information then. I would show you a map, but circumstances have rendered it useless. Dumb ass raiders. Now then, here's what I can tell you. Let's go in order of what would be used and importance. The location of their home. The mountain range spreads all the way from the Fillydelphia Manehatten junction up to Canterlot and beyond. I can tell you that their home is closer towards the Fillydelphia Manehatten junction. Just less than half way up the mountain on that regard. You'll know if you're in the right place when you start seeing Raiders in Sturdy Combat armour riding a Scorpion in groups of 3 to 5. Don't be fooled. They are never alone. You're going to need to know what kind of weaponry they have up in those mountains. If you expected them to have something along the lines of 10mm, Crude .45 pipe rifles and damage Shotguns, you're wrong. They keep very high grade weapons and equip everyone with decent guns. 5.56 assault rifles are the most common weapon you will see. Varying between Semi-auto variations for higher impact and damage per shot, fully automatic ones for suppressive fire and fire support. That's the most common weapon you will find and fighting tactic if you get into a fire fight. Please also remember that at no point in time does a patrol ever leave the line of sight of Snipers. That will be the biggest threat on your way up. Snipers. I have no idea where these snipers hide. They are very well hidden, highly camouflaged and very good shots. Most of them use high calibre .50 rounds. At least the ones that have shot at me. Couldn't walk for weeks after that. I've seen them shoot, they hit 9/10 bullets. 8/10 lethal. But, because Patrols never leave sniper cover, that leaves the highly jagged areas as your best option. Lots of cover. Hard to move through and will take a long time to pass through. You won't see anyone if you move that way. Well, ponies at least. The more jagged areas also have a lot of caves. You can hide in them, set up camps and a pony will not spot you. If you do go through the jagged areas, watch out for animals. Radscorpions call that place home. Likely is that most of those Scorpions belong to Sting and will alert them to you if they don't kill you first. As you get further and further into the mountains, the higher the quality of the weaponry and the number of guards. The Snipers will always be a problem, never forget about them. Once you get further in, they will change from 5.56 assaults, to more Focused Laser Rifles and grenades. Plasma, pulse or frag. They have them all. This is also the point in which you will encounter your second biggest threat. Power armour. Only the lowest tier of power armour. One they threw together themselves out of old materials. But power armour is power armour. They have one customisation that makes them a bit different. They keep a plat of steel over the fusion cores. Meaning you cant access them without removing the plate. And its sort of bolted on. This does mean that they cannot change power cords mid battle. So time is on your side. Get through all of them, and you will see their home. It's not just a single fort. It's a whole town, both above ground and spreads underground. Though the underground is mostly a safe house. It doesn't have much in the way of walls and most of the population past that point are going to be two things. Civilians and the best of the best, including the Queen herself. Expect them to have high grade plasma weapons and pre-war power armour in very good condition. You need to focus on killing a few specific ponies if you want this gang to fully disband. 2 other people than the Queen have power. The Beast master. Black Rain, Zebra. A wizard with creatures and master of hoof to hoof, he has a pet Alpha Hell Hound that never leaves his side. Kill one, and the other will go crazy. They're dangerous and the second pony is somewhat of a mystery to even me. All I can tell you he is the Queen's personal bodyguard and he's a fan of invisibility. The only reason I managed to find out about him is when I watched the Queen on little mission by herself down in Manehatten. A pack of scavengers tried attacking her only to be met with a barrage of crossbow bolts. Odd weapon, but effective. This happened about three times. Way too consistent to be coincidence. Everything fire power is in the armoury as it should be and the armoury is located on the northern edge of town. Everything they own in terms of weapons is in that place. Power armour is in a building next door, but don't expect them to just be lying about. The high grade weapons and ammo are locked behind terminals with 16 digit passwords. No way you can crack them without a password. This includes fusion cores, missiles, Mini Nukes, .50, Fission cells and Plasma. Basically, this is the strongest place in the wasteland right now. It's defence is solid and the soldiers highly trained. If any of you have seen pre-war videos of soldiers fighting, these guys match pre war pros in combat skill. But I did managed to make a line in the patrols that may give us a chance to get through, because if one of us gets spotted, the entire base will be alerted and it will become impossible to get in. Flare guns. You will die. Stealth is the only option. Under night time, they have reduced vision, that much is obvious. The first set of light patrols and guards don't seem to have NVG weapons, I cant speak for the snipers, but the power armour suits have Advance HUD visors. You can't sneak past them without them being alerted to you. They're the biggest problem you will have for a while. Still, staying out of sight for the snipers and risking the Scorpions will be the best course of action for the first leg. I don't really have much else they most likely still have secrets I don't know about, so suspect some surprises along the way. So that's everything."

@@Unicorncob, "Everything has to have a price doesn't it? I have a few, conditions. For this information. You see, I have some personal problems with Old Blooddrop. Mainly she's been ruining my businesses over the last few months. A lot of my customers have died to her. So, I want to watch are the life bleeds from her eyes, slowly and painfully. Secondly, and lets call it an insurance policy to make sure me giving this information away for free is worth it. I know ponies who would pay 1000's of caps for this. I'm gonna follow you, nice a close behind. I won't do no fighting, I just want to watch. I can be of help, I carry a high power sniper scope and nothing gets past these eyes. Even with the mask in the way. And finally, if fail to complete this mission, if I don't have enough faith that you will get it done. I'll kill you and anyone else who knows the secrets I share. I have to protect my market after all." White laughed a little at his own statement. It had been a while since he had went under this persona. It was good to play this role again. "We got a deal Hon?"

(FYI: From your perspective, White looks and sounds like a Mare. A disguise. I tried to make that clear.) @@Unicorncob, "Who said I wanted that? I don't like to get into fights other than ones I have to sweetie. Besides, I can't die. People need my services in this world. For better or worse. I deal in information, selling sensitive data I can find, that will make someone's day horrible. Hmm, now you got me thinking sweetie. I'm sure you understand what you're up against, but do you know their weaknesses? Aside from arrogance of course. Do you know Patrol patterns, short cuts, hidden pathways, where they keep their fire power, where they keep the Power Armour and how to avoid being eaten alive by the Scorpions that call that mountain home, and Sting their masters? I don't think you do. Do you?"

Finally given a chance to speak his mind and fulfil his orders, Specter approached Sapphire but kept his voice quiet, very quiet. "You know I don't really care about spreading panic any more. Most of us are going to be dead soon anyway. The point I have been trying to tell you is a solution to the problem with us, you know, facing certain death. Only Scarlett and I know about this, but it's important that you know. And Flame does. This ship has a docking bay. A hanger if you will. In that hanger, we have a shuttle. Small, only holds 16 at the maximum. What does this have to do with you and Flame? You two are the only trained Pilot and Medic we have on the entire ship, so like it or not, two of those spaces have been reserved for the two of you. Meaning 14 others can join us. This is why I needed to tell you. We figured it would be best to have the two of you informed before we do what we do next. Like it or not, you and Flame have a whole lot of responsibility now."

White Tail had managed to move rather close to the group without being spotted, keeping to the side of their field of vision and making sure not to make a sound. He was thinking about a way in which he could make himself known without seeming too suspicious. During his thinking period, he had not been paying attention to his surroundings, which had allowed a small group, 3 Raiders, to sneak up behind him. It wasn't until they were right atop of him that he noticed them. A quick turn about, followed by a kidney punch stunned one of them long enough for him so move. He was going to use this as an excuse to get into the line of sight of the group. Running into the road with the Raiders close behind him, he made a sudden stop, turning on the spot and throwing a punch into the ribs of a Raider, followed by a Jab to the throat, collapsing the air way. Leaving him on the ground gasping for air. The Second Raider attempted to stab White with a levitating knife, to which White blocked with his own knife and broke it free from the weak magic grip. He threw a knife at the Third Raider at high speeds, leaving him no time to dodge and a Combat knife lodge into his skull. Now extremely angry, the second Raider closed in for a punch, giving White a chance to dodge and stab the Raider in the stomach and cutting it open. "Great. Now look at me. Covered in blood. A mare can't go a day without gutting some can she?" White turned to face the group of ponies he had been following, his face covered by a Gas mask, body concealed within Cage Armour, his head covered by a thick hat and the voice of an older mare. @@Unicorncob, "Well well well, look at this. Not every day you see a group as large as this travelling together. I can only see one reason as to why you would be going this way in such numbers, gear and appearance. You guys have to have at least some idea of who suicidal that is right? Ha ha ha."

@, Specter was now annoyed. A simple task that was made seemingly impossible now thanks to Lightning arguing with him. Now the survival of anyone at all was questionable. "He started yelling, rather loudly in Ancient. His light going red and his voice became distorted with hints of static. "I had one job. One Job! And now I can't even get a simple information task done because no one seem to want to listen to the Robot. No. Let's never listen to the robot, what can it know? Its not alive. It cant think about these situations like we can. It doesn't have empathy. Just ignore it, even though I understand the situation the best out of all of us, I'm the one the calculated out trajectory and point of impact by looking out of a window into deep space in seconds, brought this to people's attention to hopefully not get us all killed. I'm the one tasked with informing the only Pilot and Medic on the ship of why they're getting their lives prioritised above everyone else. So it's more than likely with the mood that has been set now they will never listen to reason. Why do I even bother?"

@@Mentis Soliloquy,@, "Listen both of you. I don't have time for arguments, games or anything else along those lines. I can't let anyone else here what I am about to tell you, so come with me. Err, a room should be free down this corridor.I understand if you're sceptical of me, I am an Ancient machine after all. But trust me and follow." Specter turned from the two towards a corridor leading away from the gate room. He stopped a short ways down in front of a now empty room. He gave one last look back to the two, making sure they are indeed following him.

@@Mario3D13,@@Mentis Soliloquy, @, With Sapphire and Flame now both being in the Gateroom, Specter could finally get underway with the task he was set. He was approaching the two, but much to his slight inconvenience Lightning had attempted to strike up a conversation with them. Now was really not the time for such things though. "Lightning, I understand you want to talk with these two and under any other circumstances I would be fine for you to do just that. But under the current situation that I'm sure you are fully aware of by now, I must interject. Sapphire, Flame. I need to speak with you both in private. Believe me when I say, you're not going to like it, but it's important non the less." After an unknown amount of time spent wondering aimlessly down corridors and generally wasting his time for no good reason. Mel returned to the Gateroom to find everyone back in it. He had a feeling this might happen with the whole, about to crash into a Star thing. He sat down in the room with his back against one of the walls. Waiting for someone to explain a plan. Any plan.

"Well, what's done is done now. I do hope they will be willing to listen to me. I'll make my way down and have a talk with Flame and Sapphire once they show up. Here's hoping that no one takes this too hard, but I'm asking the impossible now." Specter left Scarlett's room, moving towards the gate room as quickly as he could. Arriving much before anyone else could make it. No he just had to wait and pray.

EDEN: "So Agent, I got your message over the Radio. You think your cover is blown? Guard: "Yeah, as I was talking with that mare you sent over I had a feeling that someone was listening. I'm sure of it. My instincts haven't been wrong before." EDEN: "True, and this isn't the first time this has happened. You remember two years ago when we had a very similar situation? Only difference is this time we don't know a face. Keep your eyes open, your job is important but you're one of the best we have. Don't lose your life over this job." Guard: "Sure thing boss. Also, you may want to know. Some ponies who looked like they are going for the bounty left the town not too long ago. They're moving sort of slow, but you should see them moving on you within the next thirty minutes to an hour if you maintain your pace." EDEN: "Beautiful. Very nice. Thanks for the information. Everything I came to do here is done. EDEN will be withdrawing from this place now. You're on your own for now." Guard: "Yes Sir." EDEN's shutters closed and the microphone disconnected, with a few small beeps EDEN was back in auto pilot mode, heading back to its home. White has been on the move for close to 3 hours now. He recently had to kill a group of Raiders from a rival gang, so his clothing was now covered with blood. Taking a bit of high ground to over look the area ahead, he took out a 14x Scope and had a look down towards R-7. As he had been told, he could see that rather large group of mercs moving his way. They looked armed, dangerous and a good variety of fighting styles. He could only take a quick look at them, he didn't want any chance of them seeing a lens reflection of the scope. In fact, he possibly look at them for too long as it was. Either way, he was going to cross them soon. He just had to wait.

"Well whatever it is we decide to do, it has to be done soon. We cannot afford to linger much longer, lest we all die. For starters, it's best that we at least inform Flame and Sapphire of the situation as they will be going on the shuttle, as for everyone else. I don't know. I guess that bridge will be crossed soon enough."

@@Ethan Sawyer, "That does appear to be the case. I can teach Flame anything he needs to know about piloting an Ancient shuttle. I still have those files. That leaves 14 in total. So what is it going to be? Lottery and leave everyone's life to chance, or will you be calculated about it and take the ponies who will be able to help the most and knowingly leave the rest to die? I don't even need to ask, you're not a machine like I am. You feel emotions. So, what's the plan?"

@@Ethan Sawyer, Specter watched as Scarlett left for her room, deciding to follow her slowly behind. If she was anywhere near as half as smart as he thought she was, she would understand what it was they needed to do. Specter hovered into Scarlett's room, stopping just past the door frame. "I don't want to sound cold, but I'm trusting that you understand the situation. We can't stay on the ship if we intend to live. A shuttle does exist, and I've done the maths and we could take a maximum of up to 16. If that is the option we take, deciding who lives and dies should not have to lie on anyone. I don't think anyone can be cold enough to choose 16 people to save among the numbers we have. My thoughts is, we hold a lottery. Leave everyone's survival to chance. Its only fair. A second option does of course exist. We dial the Gate, go through it an pray that we don't die on the other side. Both of them leave survival to chance and I can't calculate off of chance alone, but someone needs to do something about this quick or no one will survive."

@@Ethan Sawyer, "Maybe you don't understand the sensitivity of some of the information I just told you. I've been under wraps here for nearly 3 years, the only source of information our leaders can have of this place goes through me. Do you understand how important this positions is to me?" The Guard went over the situation is his head a few times, this was bad. If he was exposed, this would be a blow for the family. Plus they would have learned to identify a member of his gang, looks like he would have to send word home about this and make changes for new members. Just in case. He planned to figure out a way to deal with this pony, and settled on a plan that may work. Neither of them can attack the other without a prompt, lest the entire city guard drop on them like a Mega Spell. Subtly. Then again, the Guard didn't even know who this little spy was or their face. He'd have to watch his back for a little bit, but he had a plan. Going into a bag leaning against a wall in the corner, he pulled out a small distance radio and began speaking. He kept his voice quiet enough so that no one may hear him. After a very short call, he put the radio away, holstered his weapon and sat back down. "Fuck. Listen mare. I don't recommend staying around me much longer. If I get caught now, you will be tried with me and punished all the same. Don't let that happen. Here take this." He gave the mare a bag containing 500 bottle caps. "That's what we use for currency around here. Little strange, but they're plentiful. Go through the gate and turn left, head into the market and you will see a gun store. Buy a weapon to protect yourself. After that, your destiny is your own. I recommend going East. To the mountains. You will be safe. Hurry and leave before someone gets suspicious. Plus I need to get back on duty."

"Yeah that's about it in short. Everything wants everything dead. I hate to compare us to wild animals but it's the law of the jungle. Survival of the strong. It's brutal alone but a family makes it doable. I don't understand what you mean when you say the place you're from was heading down the same road, maybe White could make more sense out of it. Either way, I can't offer you much in the way of aid right now, but what I can do is give you a recommendation. My family is always looking for more help, they can give you protection, training, clean food and water, a safe home and companions. Most people misunderstand us because of our origins and how we protect ourselves. That's really all I can offer you, and since White seems to trust you, so do I." The guard did not react much to seeing the Cyber pony. From how they talked they seemed to be acquainted. But his ears did flick up as he heard someone mumbling close by. He stood and held onto his .44 Revolver in an action stance. "Someone's listening."

@@Ethan Sawyer, "Odd request. But I can do that. This worlds basic history is that once upon a time we use to be a peaceful nation. War was just a story and it was a nice place. So I've been told. Then over 200 years ago a war broke out which dropped Mega Spells on the world, turning it into an irradiated Wasteland. Not suitable for life at all. People survived by hiding in huge underground shelters called Stables. Personally I would have called them Vaults, but that's just me. After 200 years nothing much happened. Then about 10 years ago a mare came crawling out of a Stable by the name of Littlepip. She tried to "save the wasteland" Almost succeeded too. But died before she could clear the clouds, which is why we have no sun nor moon. Just clouds. That's basic history covered. Now current world affairs. The place you are at is called Junction R-7 located a wee bit on the eastern side of the Wasteland. Major trading hub for all corners of the wasteland. Set up originally as a home for Littlepip and her companions way back when. East of here you have Manehatten, Mostly a town in ruins at this point. Uninhabitable, but has some good loot left over. Fillydelphia a short bit north of that. Use to be run by slavers. It was abandoned, but I wouldn't be surprised is a faction had moved in and took over what was left after Red eye vanished. North again is Canterlot. Under no condition do you go to that city. You will die. A few more towns surround us to the West and south, ain't much directly north of here though. Shattered Hoof north of here. And a whole bunch to the West, but it's really dangerous and I do not recommend heading that way. I don't have a map to show you. Power Players/ People you should know: Basically every town represents itself, we don't have an overarching government any more. DJ-PON3 is the host of the wastelands Radio news and disk jockey, What does that mean, hell if I know. He gives out all the important news that you should listen out for. Brotherhood Of Steel use to be a major power, they're big ponies in hulking suits of power armour with the most fire-power you will ever see. Dangerous bunch and will kill you over a piece of tech. Avoid them if you can. Trust me, you will spot them on sight. A small faction does exist out west called Little Hope. They think they can finish what Littlepip started. They're all radicals if you ask me. The new big players around here are called White Sting. They live over in those mountains way out to the east. They're called Raiders, savages, murderers because of how they act to the outside world. But they have their reasons for doing so. They're building a future within those mountains. One in which we can use what we already have in the world, no matter how broken or deadly it is and turn it into something that will make a difference. Imma let you in on a secret since White trusts you." The guard pulled down the Scarf that had been covering his mouth this whole time. Revealing a small white sigil on the bottom of his jaw. "I'm one of them. This is how we are marked, doesn't allow anyone to infiltrate us and destroy what we have worked for years to achieve." He put the scarf back up before anyone could spot his markings. "What else do you need to know? Oh yeah, everything you see in the wasteland most likely wants to rip you apart and eat you alive. Be careful what you do, because someone will place a bounty on you if you annoy the wrong people. Always watch your back and carry a gun. Very few ponies are trust worthy these days. Oh, and you need to find allies. A community. A family what ever you want to call it. You will need someone to watch your back eventually. Lone wolfs don't usually last very long, and if they do. All the more reason to avoid becoming like them. I think that summarised most think. I may have skipped over a lot otherwise I would be talking for hours. Anything else? Preferably something that does not require me to speak as much. My throat hurts now,"

@@Ethan Sawyer, "EDEN sent you? *sigh* I should have known White was up to something. Not everyday EDEN gets sent this far away from home Solo. Anyway, yes. I will answer any question you have and promise to keep no secrets." The guard pony leaned around a nearby corner and pulled out two folding chairs. Setting them both out facing one another, he took one and gestured for the mare to sit down in the other one. "Well, what do you want to know?"