private What the Wasteland Hooves Out

[UnitP0N13 25]

Malik stood up. He trotted slowly out halfway between his own group and Beanie and stopped, watching the crowd around him.

 

He spoke.

 

"To those who have sided with Beanie, and to Beanie, you unfathomable, unreasonable, stupid, fucking, prick..." He stomped his hooves into the ground, gears whirring as his legs seemingly locked into place.

 

"...you have all killed a loving father, the father of a filly and the husband of a very kind mare. An unforgiveable act."

 

Hissing, clanking, whirring. A minigun rose from his back, slowly speeding up to fire, aimed directly at Beanie.

 

"This will be your grave."

 

Malik's minigun let loose a deafening roar as bullets tore the air to shreds and sought to eviscerate Beanie Toe.

 

((And on that happy note, how will our skills come into play? That is, what are the mechanics they will drive or be driven by?))

Edited May 28, 2013 by UnitP0N13

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

 

"I'm sorry you got wrapped up in this. Unless one of you can talk Beanie Toe down, I'm afraid that this division will tear itself apart...you...you do side with me on this, don't you?"

 

Raptor shrugged. "This isn't really my problem at all. Unless you're going to give me a reason to help you, I don't see why I should side with anyone. Although-" He glared in Beanie Toe's direction "-I can't stand disloyalty to one's kin. It's shameful. But really, you shouldn't have been such a cowardly leader in the first place. If you want my help, it's going to take some convincing."

[Standard User 2,127]

Raptor shrugged. "This isn't really my problem at all. Unless you're going to give me a reason to help you, I don't see why I should side with anyone. Although-" He glared in Beanie Toe's direction "-I can't stand disloyalty to one's kin. It's shameful. But really, you shouldn't have been such a cowardly leader in the first place. If you want my help, it's going to take some convincing."

 

"Cowardly?! Well, griffon, I...I..." Pot Belly hangs his head. "Maybe you're right. But I was doing this all for the right reasons! If we don't stop Beanie then he'll tear this unit apart! Our presence has all about stopped raider activity in the area -- if they see us as weak there will be nothing protecting the town!"

 

[Two posts (not including my responses to said posts) until civil war. Tick tock, ya'll.]

Edited May 28, 2013 by Scoutaloo

[UnitP0N13 25]

((So my sudden attack in my previous post will be done after negotiations go belly up? Just wondering. I know it was pretty sudden, but I was pretty much gunnin' for him during the time at the farmhouse and now that we know he really was behind all of this, Malik, and I as well, want to fill him dead with lead. ))

Edited May 28, 2013 by UnitP0N13

[00Pony 286]

Alizarin sighs, focusing slightly to assemble and levitate his rifle discreetly behind Beanie Toe and his followers as he speaks, "You Rangers and your obsession over technology. It's the only thing the Rangers have ever cared about!" His voice slowly increases in volume as he speaks, "I witnessed entire towns razed to the ground for resisting Ranger Retrieval Squads! I killed those who resisted!"

He shoots a hard glare at Beanie Toe, "You caused the murder of an innocent pony, a father, because of this 'principle'?"

 

Alizarin scoffs, his voice losing it's accusing edge, "A principle set up over two centuries ago by a mare long dead. Pot Belly is right to wish to protect those he believes his family," he shakes his head slightly, "I could call Beanie Toe's wish to help the ponies of the Wasteland as noble, if it was to actually help them and not to hoard the technology they possess."

 

He shrugs, "I would prefer all of this not to boil down to bloodshed. If the Rangers here are dispelled, the surrounding settlements will be overrun and their citizens raped and murdered by the raiders of this section, and they already have it bad enough as it is. All I am asking, is for you to think rationally, and logically, about this, and come to a peaceful resolution. Don't do something, that you will all regret later."

 

(Char Roll: 28.

Luck Roll: 26.

It seems Alizarin is going to be using Luck a good deal in the future.)

[Ghostpony 17]

Seeker looked at Premier as he saw her visibly relax, but the way that some of her muscles remain tense didn't escape his gaze as he turned to see Alizarin leave the barn. "It looks like it..." Seeker said as an electronic whistle caught his attention. "It seems, that my group’s presence is needed." Seeker spoke up as he waved bye to Premier and flew out of the farm house. As He flew the short distance the voices of his group as well as other ponies...and the rower of readying weapons filled his ears. With two quick flaps of his wings Seeker stood over the group, as he heard Raptor's and Pot Belly's exchange. After hearing Alizarin, he silently nodded in agreement as he landed, "more bloodshed wouldn't accomplish anything" Seeker thought as he readied himself just encase

Edited May 28, 2013 by Ghostpony

[Half-Note 273]

Guardian Angel glared at Pot Belly. "The Rangers can't function shut up inside a fence, every ranger signs up for a different reason and is willing to die for that reason. Whatever is about to happen will be a result of your stupidity," he told the fat ass Elder.

 

"However," he continued as he turned to Beanie Toe. "I joined to protect ponies who couldn't protect themselves and there's a little foal in shanty town with no father just like me out there. She's sad and hates the world. I told that filly I would make you pay so surrender before Your army gets decimated," He told Beanie Toe as his laser gatling started whirring in preparation.

 

(Should I put a roll for intimidation?)

Edited May 29, 2013 by Half-Note

[Standard User 2,127]

Malik stood up. He trotted slowly out halfway between his own group and Beanie and stopped, watching the crowd around him.

 

He spoke.

 

"To those who have sided with Beanie, and to Beanie, you unfathomable, unreasonable, stupid, fucking, prick..." He stomped his hooves into the ground, gears whirring as his legs seemingly locked into place.

 

"...you have all killed a loving father, the father of a filly and the husband of a very kind mare. An unforgiveable act."

 

Hissing, clanking, whirring. A minigun rose from his back, slowly speeding up to fire, aimed directly at Beanie.

 

"This will be your grave."

 

Malik's minigun let loose a deafening roar as bullets tore the air to shreds and sought to eviscerate Beanie Toe.

 

((And on that happy note, how will our skills come into play? That is, what are the mechanics they will drive or be driven by?))

[OOC: Sorry, but this needs to be disregarded. For future reference, everyone: this is why we have an OOC! Talk things out or, at the very least, let people know what you want/are going to do. ]

Seeker looked at Premier as he saw her visibly relax, but the way that some of her muscles remain tense didn't escape his gaze as he turned to see Alizarin leave the barn. "It looks like it..." Seeker said as an electronic whistle caught his attention. "It seems, that my group’s presence is needed." Seeker spoke up as he waved bye to Premier and flew out of the farm house. As He flew the short distance the voices of his group as well as other ponies...and the rower of readying weapons filled his ears. With two quick flaps of his wings Seeker stood over the group, as he heard Raptor's and Pot Belly's exchange. After hearing Alizarin, he silently nodded in agreement as he landed, "more bloodshed wouldn't accomplish anything" Seeker thought as he readied himself just encase

[You're with the group now on the front porch. Just an FYI. ]

Guardian Angel glared at Pot Belly. "The Rangers can't function shut up inside a fence, every ranger signs up for a different reason and is willing to die for that reason. Whatever is about to happen will be a result of your stupidity," he told the fat ass Elder.

 

"However," he continued as he turned to Beanie Toe. "I joined to protect ponies who couldn't protect themselves and there's a little foal in shanty town with no father just like me out there. She's sad and hates the world. I told that filly I would make you pay so surrender before Your army gets decimated," He told Beanie Toe as his laser gatling started whirring in preparation.

 

(Should I put a roll for intimidation?)

Alizarin sighs, focusing slightly to assemble and levitate his rifle discreetly behind Beanie Toe and his followers as he speaks, "You Rangers and your obsession over technology. It's the only thing the Rangers have ever cared about!" His voice slowly increases in volume as he speaks, "I witnessed entire towns razed to the ground for resisting Ranger Retrieval Squads! I killed those who resisted!"

He shoots a hard glare at Beanie Toe, "You caused the murder of an innocent pony, a father, because of this 'principle'?"

 

Alizarin scoffs, his voice losing it's accusing edge, "A principle set up over two centuries ago by a mare long dead. Pot Belly is right to wish to protect those he believes his family," he shakes his head slightly, "I could call Beanie Toe's wish to help the ponies of the Wasteland as noble, if it was to actually help them and not to hoard the technology they possess."

 

He shrugs, "I would prefer all of this not to boil down to bloodshed. If the Rangers here are dispelled, the surrounding settlements will be overrun and their citizens raped and murdered by the raiders of this section, and they already have it bad enough as it is. All I am asking, is for you to think rationally, and logically, about this, and come to a peaceful resolution. Don't do something, that you will all regret later."

 

(Char Roll: 28.

Luck Roll: 26.

It seems Alizarin is going to be using Luck a good deal in the future.)

Beanie Toe rolls his eyes operatically (what a drama queen). "That is exactly what I want us to do: go out and help ponies! Fat Belly here has been content to sit around and do nothing while ponies out there are dying! Do you hear me, Star Paladin?" Beanie spits that title out, his words aimed venomously at Pot Belly. "Dying! Just like your little buddy said, they're being raped and slaughtered and, once upon a time, we went out and did something about it!"

 

Beanie turns to your party in turn, eyes halfway between desperate pleading and insane...well, pleading. "You ask me to see reason when you should be asking Pot Belly that question. You're right, if this broke out into war then I would regret it for the rest of my life. I love the Rangers; always have and always will. All we're asking is for Pot Belly to step down so we can go out into the world and help.

 

"And, if it really means that much to you, we will compensate the town and Pyrite's family. Just...just give us the opportunity to do what we feel is right."

 

[Okay, negotiations could work. There are itchy trigger fingers, though. One post (of mine) until civil war. This will give everyone who wants to voice their opinion the chance to do so. Otherwise, just chill out and see what happens.

 

On a side note, once this quest is done (I'll include a Fallout-esque "Welcome to Level 2" post or some crap to signify the end of the quest), let's pause for a while and figure out skills, inventories, etc. That was something I neglected to mention in character creation and I apologize.]

Edited June 3, 2013 by Scoutaloo

[00Pony 286]

[OOC: Sorry, but this needs to be disregarded. For future reference, everyone: this is why we have an OOC! Talk things out or, at the very least, let people know what you want/are going to do. ]

[You're with the group now on the front porch. Just an FYI. ]

 

 

Beanie Toe rolls his eyes operatically (what a drama queen). "That is exactly what I want us to do: go out and help ponies! Fat Belly here has been content to sit around and do nothing while ponies out there are dying! Do you hear me, Star Paladin?" Beanie spits that title out, his words aimed venomously at Pot Belly. "Dying! Just like your little buddy said, they're being raped and slaughtered and, once upon a time, we went out and did something about it!"

 

Beanie turns to your party in turn, eyes halfway between desperate pleading and insane...well, pleading. "You ask me to see reason when you should be asking Pot Belly that question. You're right, if this broke out into war then I would regret it for the rest of my life. I love the Rangers; always have and always will. All we're asking is for Pot Belly to step down so we can go out into the world and help.

 

"And, if it really means that much to you, we will compensate the town and Pyrite's family. Just...just give us the opportunity to do what we feel is right."

 

[Okay, negotiations could work. There are itchy trigger fingers, though. One post (of mine) until civil war. This will give everyone who wants to voice their opinion the chance to do so. Otherwise, just chill out and see what happens.

 

On a side note, once this quest is done (I'll include a Fallout-esque "Welcome to Level 2" post or some crap to signify the end of the quest), let's pause for a while and figure out skills, inventories, etc. That was something I neglected to mention in character creation and I apologize.]

 

Alizarin stomps an armored hoof at Beanie Toe, "But is it really?" He says, "I don't know how you Trotts usually operate, but I've never heard of a Ranger Chapter wanting to help the ponies of the wastelands!"

 

He sighs, "I am willing to give you the benefit of a doubt, as much as my gut instinct says not to," He looks over at Pot Belly, and pans his gaze across the rest of the Rangers gathered, "I don't want this to end in needless bloodshed. I'm speaking from experience here, the last time I witnessed infighting between Rangers, only four of us made out it, and hundreds of innocents died, or suffered the consequences for our actions. No good can come from it."

 

Alizarin glances at each of the members of his party, as if to ask them to help convince the Rangers, before looks to Beanie Toe, "Your cause and reasoning seems just. I am happy to see you are willing to help the town. As such, I am willing to try and come to a compromise. However," His gaze hardens, and he truly comes off as a Paladin of the Rangers as he speaks, "If I hear reports of the town, or this whole area under your jurisdiction being terrorized by the Rangers, there will be hell to pay."

 

He turns his amber eyes to Pot Belly, his voice and demeanor returning to a more reasoning one, "Star Paladin, I understand where you're coming from.. wanting to keep the ponies under your command safe. Hell, I shot one of my own because he nearly got three of my best killed. But sheltering them like they are in some sort of prison, isn't the way to do so. You can see what kind of feelings towards you that spawns," he gestures with his head to Beanie Toe and his followers, "I'm not telling you to step down, merely to listen to them, and see if you can't come to a compromise without breaking into civil war."

 

(If needed, Chr. Roll: 23

Luck Roll: 29)

[Half-Note 273]

Guardian Angel looked at Beanie Toe stone faced. Not that anypony could tell with his helmet. "Compensate? With money? WITH FUCKING BOTTLE CAPS?!?" He shouted angrily before rushing at Beanie Toe and looking him dead in the eye. "A BUNCH OF CAPS DOESN'T FIX ANYTHING! CAPS WON'T BRING MY- HER FATHER BACK YOU SACK OF SHIT! I DON'T WANT YOUR MONEY, I DON'T WANT YOUR COMPENSATION, I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU WITHIN AN INCH OF YOUR LIFE THEN RUBY IS GOING TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR SPACE WASTING BODY YOU FUCKTARD!" He then turned to the crowd and shouted. "HELP HIM IF YOU WANT A ONE WAY TICKET TO TARTARUS RIGHT NEXT TO HIM!" He shouted.

 

(35 STR and 25 CHR for intimidation. Oh yeah, this quest kind of struck a nerve on the orphan Sooo.... yeah.)

Edited June 5, 2013 by Half-Note

[UnitP0N13 25]

"If you're going to harm him, kill him." Malik spoke up, trotting over to Beanie, circling him as the bot began to speak.

 

"I will not let a child be tarnished by the corruption of the Wasteland, where lives are tossed around without a second of remorse. This 'colt', if any of you ponies can really call him that, ended one life." He glared down at Beanie Toe.

 

He turned and began pacing in the other direction:

 

"But he ruined three. The father, who is no longer with us. The mother, who must now find work to take care of herself and her child, who will never again feel the warm touch of her lover by her side. Neither will the child, who's only wish now is the end of the colt's life. Yet, deep in her heart, she too yearns to hear her father's comforting voice once more." He stops.

 

"But it a voice that shall come no more. A life that has been torn from a pony cannot be remade and it cannot be replaced. This is not a 'mistake', as Beanie Toe put it. This was a murder. You want to know why this is not a mistake?" The robot turns to face those who have aligned themselves with Beanie Toe.

 

"A mistake can be fixed. A corpse cannot. So let me ask you this, those who have aligned themselves with Beanie Toe...are you a Ranger? Or a murderer? I want you to stop and look at yourselves and ask..." He paused.

 

"...'am I willing to follow in the crimson hoofsteps of a colt whose hooves are drenched in blood of an honest, innocent and loving father'?"

 

(INT Roll to inspire rational thought into the crowd and turn them against Beanie Toe: 37)

Edited June 5, 2013 by UnitP0N13

[Standard User 2,127]

Alizarin stomps an armored hoof at Beanie Toe, "But is it really?" He says, "I don't know how you Trotts usually operate, but I've never heard of a Ranger Chapter wanting to help the ponies of the wastelands!"

 

He sighs, "I am willing to give you the benefit of a doubt, as much as my gut instinct says not to," He looks over at Pot Belly, and pans his gaze across the rest of the Rangers gathered, "I don't want this to end in needless bloodshed. I'm speaking from experience here, the last time I witnessed infighting between Rangers, only four of us made out it, and hundreds of innocents died, or suffered the consequences for our actions. No good can come from it."

 

Alizarin glances at each of the members of his party, as if to ask them to help convince the Rangers, before looks to Beanie Toe, "Your cause and reasoning seems just. I am happy to see you are willing to help the town. As such, I am willing to try and come to a compromise. However," His gaze hardens, and he truly comes off as a Paladin of the Rangers as he speaks, "If I hear reports of the town, or this whole area under your jurisdiction being terrorized by the Rangers, there will be hell to pay."

 

He turns his amber eyes to Pot Belly, his voice and demeanor returning to a more reasoning one, "Star Paladin, I understand where you're coming from.. wanting to keep the ponies under your command safe. Hell, I shot one of my own because he nearly got three of my best killed. But sheltering them like they are in some sort of prison, isn't the way to do so. You can see what kind of feelings towards you that spawns," he gestures with his head to Beanie Toe and his followers, "I'm not telling you to step down, merely to listen to them, and see if you can't come to a compromise without breaking into civil war."

 

(If needed, Chr. Roll: 23

Luck Roll: 29)

 

 

Guardian Angel looked at Beanie Toe stone faced. Not that anypony could tell with his helmet. "Compensate? With money? WITH FUCKING BOTTLE CAPS?!?" He shouted angrily before rushing at Beanie Toe and looking him dead in the eye. "A BUNCH OF CAPS DOESN'T FIX ANYTHING! CAPS WON'T BRING MY- HER FATHER BACK YOU SACK OF SHIT! I DON'T WANT YOUR MONEY, I DON'T WANT YOUR COMPENSATION, I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU WITHIN AN INCH OF YOUR LIFE THEN RUBY IS GOING TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR SPACE WASTING BODY YOU FUCKTARD!" He then turned to the crowd and shouted. "HELP HIM IF YOU WANT A ONE WAY TICKET TO TARTARUS RIGHT NEXT TO HIM!" He shouted.

 

(35 STR and 25 CHR for intimidation. Oh yeah, this quest kind of struck a nerve on the orphan Sooo.... yeah.)

 

 

"If you're going to harm him, kill him." Malik spoke up, trotting over to Beanie, circling him as the bot began to speak.

 

"I will not let a child be tarnished by the corruption of the Wasteland, where lives are tossed around without a second of remorse. This 'colt', if any of you ponies can really call him that, ended one life." He glared down at Beanie Toe.

 

He turned and began pacing in the other direction:

 

"But he ruined three. The father, who is no longer with us. The mother, who must now find work to take care of herself and her child, who will never again feel the warm touch of her lover by her side. Neither will the child, who's only wish now is the end of the colt's life. Yet, deep in her heart, she too yearns to hear her father's comforting voice once more." He stops.

 

"But it a voice that shall come no more. A life that has been torn from a pony cannot be remade and it cannot be replaced. This is not a 'mistake', as Beanie Toe put it. This was a murder. You want to know why this is not a mistake?" The robot turns to face those who have aligned themselves with Beanie Toe.

 

"A mistake can be fixed. A corpse cannot. So let me ask you this, those who have aligned themselves with Beanie Toe...are you a Ranger? Or a murderer? I want you to stop and look at yourselves and ask..." He paused.

 

"...'am I willing to follow in the crimson hoofsteps of a colt whose hooves are drenched in blood of an honest, innocent and loving father'?"

 

(INT Roll to inspire rational thought into the crowd and turn them against Beanie Toe: 37)

 

Three outbursts, three separate viewpoints and opinions for the mass of ponies to consider. There is some murmurs throughout the crowd of everything from discontent to agreement, and the crowd is restless. As expected, it is Beanie Toe that manages to quiet the collected bunch.

 

All eyes once again on him, he speaks. "True, you cannot put a price upon a living, sentient soul. But ponies make mistakes while trying to make things better, and sometimes those mistakes cost lives. From there, there are two possible solutions: continually blame and point hooves at each other or do something about it. If Pot Belly steps down then we can go out and make things better again.

 

"No, we will not accept anything less than Pot Belly's immediate dismissal from his position. He has proven himself an incompetent leader who serves his own selfish interests." Beanie looks around at his faction, who all slowly begin to nod. More than a few ponies on the other side of the pathway tense their muscles.

 

Pot Belly turns to the six of you, tears beginning to form in the corners of his eyes. "I...was I wrong? Did I not do the right thing?"

 

[Depending on the response Pot Belly gets, there will be one of two outcomes (unless someone says something that gives me an idea for a third path). The next post (unless the crisis is averted) will begin the battle. One last shot to make things better different than how they are.]

[UnitP0N13 25]

"No, you didn't, Pot Belly...you made a mistake, but it doesn't mean that you're a bad colt." Malik spoke softly before turning to the crowd.

 

"Look at him! Do you not see his tears!? You are all his children and he merely wishes to keep you safe? Was not like this with you own mother or father, or perhaps with your own children?  Do we all not make the same mistake of trying to protect something so near and dear to our hearts that it ends up despising us and rebelling?!"

 

He pivots and shoots a glare at Beanie.

 

"Yet this colt here has not only gotten on of the townsfolk that you swore to protect killed, but he has also tried to pin the blame of the Technophiles! Do you want to know what I call that?! Cowardice!!" The bot yelled emphatically.

 

"But killers and cowards have no place in the Rangers, so let it be known that you WILL have the freedom to move in and out this area and give aid to the townsfolk! As for Beanie, and those who side with him, you will all be executed for being an accomplice and direct cause of the murder of Ruby's father. So before any of you take to Beanie's side, I want you to take a stand and shout it out loud..."

 

He stomps his hoof into the concrete and cracks it hard. "Are you a Ranger?! Or are you a murderer?!" The bot set this ultimatum before the crowd.

 

(Rolls, don't fail me now...)

 

(INT roll to pacify the crowd and turn them against Beanie: 51!!)

[Half-Note 273]

Guardian Angel looked at Pot Belly and frowned frowned as he spoke to Beanie Toe. "The Fat Ass is a disgrace to the Rangers I'll give you that, but you had better stop dancing around the fact that you killed Ruby's father. I lost my parent too Beanie and if you don't step down right now I will make Damn sure you die," He said, barely controlling his rage.

 

After Malik gave his speech Guardian turned and looked him dead in the optics. "Don't mistake the Rangers for something they aren't, the only reason some rangers protect ponies is because they choose to do so. If these Rangers decide not to help them so be it. They're presence is protecting it enough," he told the pegtron.

 

(CHR to get to Beanie: 49)

Edited June 6, 2013 by Half-Note

[00Pony 286]

Alizarin shook his head to the Star Paladin, "Your heart was in the right place, but your methods of doing so may not have been the best." 

He listens as Malik speaks to the crowd. The former Paladin looks northward, a somewhat distant look in his eyes. What did his own child think of him now, if he was even still alive? His wife had been a loyalist to the Rangers, so she surely sewed the seeds of their ideals into his child's mind after he'd left. If that was the case, his child would view Alizarin as nothing more than a traitor who needed to be put down. The Paladin tossed the thought process aside. This was not the time, nor the place for reminiscing.

Alizarin looks back to the scene before him. He had to admit, for a robotic Pegasus, his AI program was impressively intelligent. Whoever made Malik certainly knew what they had been doing.

 

The Ranger in the group, Guardian Angel, stepped forward, speaking to Beanie Toe and even telling Malik that not all Rangers were protectors, "Well, at least he knows it." Alizarin thinks to himself.

 

The red stallion steps forward, still levitating his AMR subtly behind the crowd in the chance he needs to bring it to him should things go south. Alizarin kept his tone to a calm, and reasonable octave, "All I ask is that you lay down your arms before something happens that we will all regret, Beanie Toe. If you care for the ponies of the wastes, or for your fellow Rangers, you will know that this is the best decision.

 

(Chr. Roll: 23

Luck Roll: 29

Geez, If I'd known that Al would be using charisma so much I would have put more points into it!)

[Standard User 2,127]

@@UnitP0N13: INT roll succeeds.
@@Half-Note: CHR roll succeeds.
@@00Pony: Your roll augments Half-Note's roll.
 
The crowd is stunned silent. And by silent, I mean the silent that arises when somepony lets one rip in an elevator and everypony can smell it but no one wants to fess up.
 
A large mare on Beanie Toe's side of the field is the first to speak. "Yeah, I didn't join the Rangers expectin' to shoot my buddies. And I certainly ain't a coward or a murderer. Count me out." And with that, the mare pushes aside Beanie Toe and trots over to the faction under Pot Belly. A few other ponies follow her, leaving the remaining ones shuffling their hooves uncertainly until they, too, side with Pot Belly.
 
Beanie Toe is left completely alone.
 
"I...I..." His mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air, searching for the right words to reunite his rebellion. "It wasn't my fault..." His voice grows increasingly quieter as he repeats this phrase like a sacred chant. Falling to his knees, then rolling over onto his side, his mutters turn into pitiful whimpers.
 
"Maybe you didn't do the deed, Beanie Toe," a stallion calls out. "But you still enabled it to happen. You're the bad guy here."
 
At this, Beanie Toe's body goes rigid as if frozen by a sudden chill. His eyes stare straight ahead, unmoving, unblinking. Finally, he speaks: "I'm a murderer." He pauses for a moment, then continues. "I don't deserve to be a Ranger."
 
And with that, he bolts upright and sprints out of the farmhouse compound -- out the front gates and into the wastes. 
 
No pony tries to stop him.

 

---

 

While certainly not a picnic, neither the farmhouse nor the barn is large enough to contain the entire group of Rangers coupled with your party; as such, your evening meal is forced to be seated outside on the crumbling grass and hard dirt. Small smatterings of ponies dot the compound, speaking in varied degrees of loudness: some groups chat boisterously and laugh heartily while others are more speak in hushed with worried, stressed, or tired looks on their faces.

 

The six of you are treated as heroes -- after all, you did uncover a rebellious plot and chase out a no-good murderer. You are each given the choicest bits of slightly-moldy bread and cold stew for your meal. Sitting near the farmhouse walls with you is Premier, Recruit, Breeze, Starry, and Pot Belly; those who are not known by the entirety of your party proceed to introduce themselves.

 

The conversation is kept light with stories of past experiences in the waste that are sure to illicit a laugh. Talk of Beanie Toe's mutiny is all but non-existent...until Recruit speaks up.

 

"So, what about Beanie?"

 

"What about him?" Pot Belly retorts. "He left. We'll move up a new Senior Paladin in the coming days -- gah, more paperwork to file..."

 

Premier clears her throat. "Actually, Star Paladin, you might not have to fill out any papers." She rifles around in her saddlebags before producing a few sheets hastily paper clipped together with scratchy handwriting scrawled across them. "I got talking with some of the other Paladins and Scribes and...well, Beanie Toe was right in a way. For too long we've been kept cooped up in here under your command. We need to get out, and hopefully these papers will help accelerate that process.

 

"I have here no less than twenty-three of the thirty ponies (including yourself and Beanie Toe) assigned to this area's signatures here that request an immediate transfer of power to a new, temporary leader or leaders until the Elder at Trottingham can be contacted with the full report." Pot Belly begins to protest, but Premier hushes him with a raised hoof. "Now, I realize that you are adamantly against this, but Beanie Toe had some reasoning to his madness. We need a governing body who will do his or her job rather than 'protect' us, as noble a cause as that is. 

 

"And I shouldn't need to remind you that, under Trottingham Steel Ranger regulations, a petition containing at least a three-fourths majority of the present Ranger gathering is grounds for immediate resolution of said petition until the Council and the Elder can put in their two cents. According to my math, we have seventy-six percent of our group's names here." Her ears fall, but only slightly. "I'm sorry, Star Paladin. But it is for the best."

 

Temporarily-not Star Paladin Pot Belly is shocked. His mouth that searches for words mimics Beanie Toe's expression from only hours before. Wordlessly he takes the petition, examines its contents, then slowly waddles inside the farmhouse.

 

Premier sighs, showing her advanced age. "I really didn't want to be the one to do that...but it had to be done. Well then, until we can get in contact with the Elder we'll need somepony running the show here. Don't worry, everypony, I'll make sure to find a fair balance between Pot Belly and Beanie Toe--"

 

"Now wait just a bucking minute!" Starry jumps up, pointing a hoof at Premier. "Who said you're in charge now? Just because you wrote up that stinkin' petition doesn't make make you princess of the compound!" He holds a hoof to his heart, staring up at the heavens. "I propose that I lead our group along with Petal Dance as my aide. I knew both Pot Belly and Beanie Toe well; I'm sure I'll be able to do just as good a job as you, grandma." He smirks as Premier fumes.

 

"What about me?" Recruit sips from his stew before continuing. "All you old farts are stuck in your old ways with your...your old...old stuff. We need somepony new, young, fresh! Somepony like -- wait for it -- me!"

 

Breeze and Boulder stand up in tandem. "Now what about us?!" They say in perfect unison.

 

Boulder continues. "You did say leader or leaders, correct, Premier? Well, two heads are better than one, right? Breeze and I can solve any problem thrown at us! Just give us command..."

 

"...and prepare to be amazed!" Breeze finishes. They finish each other's sentences? They act like an old married couple.

 

 

Starry and Boulder begin bickering as Recruit and Breeze threatening hoof-to-hoof combat and various lewd acts done to the other's mother. Only Premier remains civil enough to break up the ruckus. "Alright, no worries, I made sure to remind myself to put in a clause about electing myself as temporary-- oh my Celestia." She facehoofs hard. "I forgot to put in that clause." The four Ranger stallions laugh, each believing that they now have a better shot at being the new leader.

 

Premier realizes this along with the fact that, being an elderly mare, she will have next to no shot in a vote against the younger Paladins and spunky Scribe. She looks to Alizarin before speaking. "Alizarin, your group has proven that you all have the best interests of the Rangers in heart. I know that the rest of the Rangers in the compound would not be opposed to any decision you make regarding this choice. Do you have any idea who the new leader should be?"

 

[so the vote is between Starry, Recruit, Breeze and Boulder, and Premier. The six of you can come to a decision, leave it up to the Rangers, or some other option that I can't think of because it is late at night. Discuss it and come to a consensus -- this decision will wrap up the quest.

 

I should NOT be making RP posts after 9:00PM.  ]

Edited June 8, 2013 by Scoutaloo

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Raptor shook his head. "You aren't seriously going to consider letting those two idiots lead the Rangers, are you?" He motions towards Breeze and Boulder. "I mean, as much as I don't care what happens to the Rangers, I can't stand the idea of leaving them in charge of anything."

[Half-Note 273]

Guardian Angel looked at the candidates and sighed. "Out of all of you the only one I've seen take any semblance of a stance I would take would have to be Petal Dance. If she was honest about what she told me before she lured me into her cot I think she might be a good leader. I would keep premier as a second in command just in case however. Oh and Starry, you're a bitch," he told the rangers. "But that's just my opinion."

Edited June 8, 2013 by Half-Note

[00Pony 286]

Alizarin shrugs, swallowing the last of the food he had in his mouth before speaking, "If you'll allow me to be blunt..."

 

He stands, setting his helmet aside and walks over to Recruit, looking him dead in the eyes, raising his voice to a volume akin to a drill sergeant to be heard over the bickering, "First off. Recruit, you're an idiot. I've had plenty of ponies like you in my old squads, and trust me, you're not fit for leadership," He turns his attention to Breeze and Boulder, "From what I've seen, the two of you are a bit to hot-headed. Hell, you were idiotic enough to take on a Griffin Merc in unarmed combat!" From them, he turns to Starry and Petal Dance, "I honestly don't know the two of you to well, so I can't say for sure. But if I am to take Guardian's word, Petal, you have your pros, and cons." He steps back to his original position, "In my mind, the only logical choice is Premier. She's got more experience than the rest of you in the affairs of the Rangers and how they operate, if not in actual battlefield experience. And so far, she seems to be one of the more level headed of the lot of you." He sits down, shrugging, "But that, is only my opinion."

[UnitP0N13 25]

Malik stood up next and voiced his own two cents on the matter. "When given the chance to lead, one needs experience, not youth. We need someone who has seen the history of this outpost and learned well from it, from both today and in the many years before. Experience, and the ability to adapt to any given situation and the willingness so accept mistakes and learn from them."

 

He turned to Premier with a nod. "Premier, I hereby recommend you as the new leader of this outpost."

 

"However," He continued. "We have more pressing matters to deal with."

 

He changed his tone to a more grim and concerned octave: "The Technophiles."

[Standard User 2,127]

Raptor shook his head. "You aren't seriously going to consider letting those two idiots lead the Rangers, are you?" He motions towards Breeze and Boulder. "I mean, as much as I don't care what happens to the Rangers, I can't stand the idea of leaving them in charge of anything."

 

 

Guardian Angel looked at the candidates and sighed. "Out of all of you the only one I've seen take any semblance of a stance I would take would have to be Petal Dance. If she was honest about what she told me before she lured me into her cot I think she might be a good leader. I would keep premier as a second in command just in case however. Oh and Starry, you're a bitch," he told the rangers. "But that's just my opinion."

 

 

Alizarin shrugs, swallowing the last of the food he had in his mouth before speaking, "If you'll allow me to be blunt..."

 

He stands, setting his helmet aside and walks over to Recruit, looking him dead in the eyes, raising his voice to a volume akin to a drill sergeant to be heard over the bickering, "First off. Recruit, you're an idiot. I've had plenty of ponies like you in my old squads, and trust me, you're not fit for leadership," He turns his attention to Breeze and Boulder, "From what I've seen, the two of you are a bit to hot-headed. Hell, you were idiotic enough to take on a Griffin Merc in unarmed combat!" From them, he turns to Starry and Petal Dance, "I honestly don't know the two of you to well, so I can't say for sure. But if I am to take Guardian's word, Petal, you have your pros, and cons." He steps back to his original position, "In my mind, the only logical choice is Premier. She's got more experience than the rest of you in the affairs of the Rangers and how they operate, if not in actual battlefield experience. And so far, she seems to be one of the more level headed of the lot of you." He sits down, shrugging, "But that, is only my opinion."

 

 

Malik stood up next and voiced his own two cents on the matter. "When given the chance to lead, one needs experience, not youth. We need someone who has seen the history of this outpost and learned well from it, from both today and in the many years before. Experience, and the ability to adapt to any given situation and the willingness so accept mistakes and learn from them."

 

He turned to Premier with a nod. "Premier, I hereby recommend you as the new leader of this outpost."

 

"However," He continued. "We have more pressing matters to deal with."

 

He changed his tone to a more grim and concerned octave: "The Technophiles."

 

Premier looks relieved. Recruit looks crestfallen. Starry looks furious ("I'm not a bitch!"). Breeze and Boulder have already forgotten what the conversation was about, instead electing to see who could punch the other in the shoulder the hardest. But the word of your group is respected and the Rangers agree that Premier is most likely the best choice.

 

"Well, now that that is taken care of," Premier says with no small amount of smugness. "I suppose we should let Trottingham know that the Technophiles are in the area."

 

"What's the big deal?" Recruit says, taking a bite of his bread. "From what I've heard today they're just another group of raiders. No biggie! Just head in with a flamethrower and toast 'em up."

 

Starry shakes his head solemnly. "The Technophiles aren't just another group of mindless, hedonistic thugs. Do you even know what 'technophile' means? Basically, they get off to electronic crap. They love nothing more than to find a rusty laser pistol at the bottom of a nest of hellhounds." He sips from his stew, then smirks. "And you think I'm exaggerating, don'tcha?"

 

"From the little I've heard or seen of them, they are one slip short of complete crazy. They actually weld electronic components and pieces to their skin. These pieces don't serve a purpose -- they just love having technology so close to them." Premier rolls her eyes, obviously distasteful at the prospect of burning a metal plate to your leg.

 

Recruit's ears perk up. "'Little you've heard?' I thought the Rangers knew about...well, everything!"

 

Premier shakes her head. "The Technophiles have really only emerged as a force in the past couple of years. And anyway, they generally keep to themselves. They won't attack a settlement or caravan unless there is a one-hundred percent chance of every piece of technology -- their victim's and their own -- coming out of the fight in one piece."

 

Everypony is silent for a moment before Recruit speaks up. "They sound like a bunch of whackjobs."

 

"And that is exactly what they are!" Premier laughs.

 

"Anyway," she continues. "Here at the compound, things are going to be hairy for a while. We still have to figure out how to fully transfer power from Pot Belly to myself. There will also undoubtedly by dissent among Beanie Toe's former supporters, and probably a few others as well. For the next couple of days to weeks we won't be able to do much more than what we've already been doing for months." She looks at Alizarin. "I'm sorry, but we can't do anything about the Technophiles or your search for Haven."

 

Starry chokes on his stew, almost swallowing the spoon as well. "Haven?" He manages to cough out. "Are you for real? That's a foal's story, meant to make children not want to jump into an irradiated river when they learn how shitty the world is. And you...you actually believe it?" He chuckles. "Well, to each his own, I suppose."

 

Recruit is silent, staring into his stew intently. "Haven..." He whispers. "I heard one of the older Paladins talking about that a couple of weeks ago. He said it was the 'Light in the Dark.' What is it, exactly?"

 

"Don't bother, Recruit," Starry butts in. "It is a siren's song. Meant to lure idiots and foolhardy explorers to their deaths."

 

Recruit doesn't look convinced. He turns to your group, asking "What exactly is Haven?"

 

Your explanation astounds him. When your story is finished, he looks back into his meal with eyes full of wonder. "Wow..." He murmurs. 

 

"Oh, great." Starry rolls his eyes and throws his hooves into the air. "I know that look. You think it's real too, don't you?" Recruit doesn't respond, instead mouthing words at his bowl of stew.

 

Premier sighs. "Anyway," She says sternly. "Before we go on another tangent, let me say what I need to stay.

 

"We can't help with either of your two problems. We can, however, offer you a warm place to sleep and recharge-- oh, no offense," she blushes, looking at Malik. "I just meant recharge in a general sense. In addition..." She reaches into her saddlebags once again and pulls out a small jingling bag. "Beanie Toe ran out of here without many of his belongings. I took the liberty of procuring his savings from his locker. Consider it our way of thanks." She tosses the bag at Alizarin with a wink.

 

"I believe there is a small caravan getting ready to leave Shantytown in a day or so. Perhaps you could travel with them for a while and continue your search?"

 

Perhaps that would be best. Or not. Who knows?

 

 

Premier looks around at the other Rangers present with a soft smile. Pretty quickly Recruit, Breeze, Starry, and Boulder are all wearing the same dumb grins. "We really can't thank you enough for what you've done," Premier says. "Who knows what would've happened if Beanie Toe's rebellion had been allowed to continue?" She waves a hoof through the air lazily. "Ah, no point in 'what ifs.' I'm just glad everypony is safe again."

 

 

[Quest complete (finally)! I need to look over what happened all-in-all, then I'll hand out your new level 2 perks. In addition you get 100 caps, positive reputation with Shantytown and positive reputation with the Trottingham Steel Rangers. 

 

Ooh, I just thought of a good way to keep track of everyone's level, items, etc. If I created a Google Doc with everyone's "character sheet" on it, would that be helpful?]

[00Pony 286]

Premier looks relieved. Recruit looks crestfallen. Starry looks furious ("I'm not a bitch!"). Breeze and Boulder have already forgotten what the conversation was about, instead electing to see who could punch the other in the shoulder the hardest. But the word of your group is respected and the Rangers agree that Premier is most likely the best choice.

 

"Well, now that that is taken care of," Premier says with no small amount of smugness. "I suppose we should let Trottingham know that the Technophiles are in the area."

 

"What's the big deal?" Recruit says, taking a bite of his bread. "From what I've heard today they're just another group of raiders. No biggie! Just head in with a flamethrower and toast 'em up."

 

Starry shakes his head solemnly. "The Technophiles aren't just another group of mindless, hedonistic thugs. Do you even know what 'technophile' means? Basically, they get off to electronic crap. They love nothing more than to find a rusty laser pistol at the bottom of a nest of hellhounds." He sips from his stew, then smirks. "And you think I'm exaggerating, don'tcha?"

 

"From the little I've heard or seen of them, they are one slip short of complete crazy. They actually weld electronic components and pieces to their skin. These pieces don't serve a purpose -- they just love having technology so close to them." Premier rolls her eyes, obviously distasteful at the prospect of burning a metal plate to your leg.

 

Recruit's ears perk up. "'Little you've heard?' I thought the Rangers knew about...well, everything!"

 

Premier shakes her head. "The Technophiles have really only emerged as a force in the past couple of years. And anyway, they generally keep to themselves. They won't attack a settlement or caravan unless there is a one-hundred percent chance of every piece of technology -- their victim's and their own -- coming out of the fight in one piece."

 

Everypony is silent for a moment before Recruit speaks up. "They sound like a bunch of whackjobs."

 

"And that is exactly what they are!" Premier laughs.

 

"Anyway," she continues. "Here at the compound, things are going to be hairy for a while. We still have to figure out how to fully transfer power from Pot Belly to myself. There will also undoubtedly by dissent among Beanie Toe's former supporters, and probably a few others as well. For the next couple of days to weeks we won't be able to do much more than what we've already been doing for months." She looks at Alizarin. "I'm sorry, but we can't do anything about the Technophiles or your search for Haven."

 

Starry chokes on his stew, almost swallowing the spoon as well. "Haven?" He manages to cough out. "Are you for real? That's a foal's story, meant to make children not want to jump into an irradiated river when they learn how shitty the world is. And you...you actually believe it?" He chuckles. "Well, to each his own, I suppose."

 

Recruit is silent, staring into his stew intently. "Haven..." He whispers. "I heard one of the older Paladins talking about that a couple of weeks ago. He said it was the 'Light in the Dark.' What is it, exactly?"

 

"Don't bother, Recruit," Starry butts in. "It is a siren's song. Meant to lure idiots and foolhardy explorers to their deaths."

 

Recruit doesn't look convinced. He turns to your group, asking "What exactly is Haven?"

 

Your explanation astounds him. When your story is finished, he looks back into his meal with eyes full of wonder. "Wow..." He murmurs. 

 

"Oh, great." Starry rolls his eyes and throws his hooves into the air. "I know that look. You think it's real too, don't you?" Recruit doesn't respond, instead mouthing words at his bowl of stew.

 

Premier sighs. "Anyway," She says sternly. "Before we go on another tangent, let me say what I need to stay.

 

"We can't help with either of your two problems. We can, however, offer you a warm place to sleep and recharge-- oh, no offense," she blushes, looking at Malik. "I just meant recharge in a general sense. In addition..." She reaches into her saddlebags once again and pulls out a small jingling bag. "Beanie Toe ran out of here without many of his belongings. I took the liberty of procuring his savings from his locker. Consider it our way of thanks." She tosses the bag at Alizarin with a wink.

 

"I believe there is a small caravan getting ready to leave Shantytown in a day or so. Perhaps you could travel with them for a while and continue your search?"

 

Perhaps that would be best. Or not. Who knows?

 

 

Premier looks around at the other Rangers present with a soft smile. Pretty quickly Recruit, Breeze, Starry, and Boulder are all wearing the same dumb grins. "We really can't thank you enough for what you've done," Premier says. "Who knows what would've happened if Beanie Toe's rebellion had been allowed to continue?" She waves a hoof through the air lazily. "Ah, no point in 'what ifs.' I'm just glad everypony is safe again."

 

 

[Quest complete (finally)! I need to look over what happened all-in-all, then I'll hand out your new level 2 perks. In addition you get 100 caps, positive reputation with Shantytown and positive reputation with the Trottingham Steel Rangers. 

 

Ooh, I just thought of a good way to keep track of everyone's level, items, etc. If I created a Google Doc with everyone's "character sheet" on it, would that be helpful?]

 

 

Alizarin nods in satisfaction when it is agreed upon that Premier will take over leadership. The stallion listens to the banter with interest, and mild amusement. It was good to be in a harmonic environment for a change. Being partially Crystal, he was positively affected by harmonic dealings among ponies. That was part of his reasoning in being a voice of reason. While he wouldn't hesitate to blow the skull off of somepony if needed, he would usually prefer to make things come to a peaceful resolution.

 

He had been getting lost in thought when he heard the distinct clinking of caps, and looked over to Premier, who was tossing him a small pouch of them. He caught it, giving her a small smile, "Thank you." He said as he slipped it into his saddlebags.

 

The ex-Ranger mulls over what the Scribe turned defacto leader had said about the caravan, "Personally, I would be up for that. Might even get something out of it," He says this, shooting a sly glance in Raptor's direction. He knew how mercs thought, having run with them for a time, "But we do have to take into consideration we are hauling some pretty rare tech, if you won't take offense to that wording, Malik. But if you are spotted, I have a feeling the Technophiles would have a moment right then and there." He makes a disgusted face after he says that.

 

Alizarin looks over the rest of the group, "That is merely my suggestion. You guys can discuss it among yourselves for a bit," He stands, picking his helmet up and stepping a little bit away, "Premier, would you mind speaking with me in private?"

 

"You're taking a risk here Alizarin. If you let her know about your having taken the audiofile, it could undo everything... But then there is also the chance that she wouldn't mind. You did have something to do with keeping her company up and running. She's a Trott, so who knows? Maybe their being near polar opposites would make them despise the Imperials... Ha, that's wishful thinking if I ever heard any."

 

(OOC: I think a GoogleDoc with the character sheets would be a cool idea, personally.)

[Half-Note 273]

Guardian Angel looked satisfied with the choice for leader and the look of rage from Starry. "Thank you all for your help I hope Premier serves this chapter well," he told the rangers.

 

"I'm all hooves on deck for taking down the technophiles. Not only will we be able to fully avenge Ruby's father but we can also give the tech they have to the town to boost it's economy," he told his companions.

[UnitP0N13 25]

"Heh, don't sweat it, recharge just means recharge to me, doesn't matter how it's put...but thank you for your concern." The bot gives Premier what probably would've been a wink if he had eyelids, catching notice of her blush.

 

He deposits the caps into the storage unit in his back

 

"I'll let you go talk with Dawn. But it'd be nice if we could chat when you'd get back, I'd like to hear about your personal experience with the Rangers." Malik chimed happily, waving her off as he trotted off to sit alone and gaze at the beautiful stars...well, the ones that weren't covered up by the clouds, anyway.

Edited June 11, 2013 by UnitP0N13

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Raptor shrugged. "Honestly, I could care less about what the technophiles are doing. These ponies should be able to protect themselves, and if they can't, then it's only a matter of time until something gets them, whether it's the technophiles, or some other group of raiders, or some beast from out in the wastes somewhere. That's how things work out here. But I wouldn't mind an excuse to get in a fight. It's been too long since I had any real action. If you guys want to go, I'm in."