open Fallout Equestria: Ground Zero [RP]

[Anneal 2,197]

@@Charcoal Embers, @@notten1,

 

Anaphora looked back to the dark-colored mare (Charcoal), revealing that her cutie mark was also gone and replaced with the dark and infamous cutie mark of Rainbow Dash. So she's a Dashite... Anaphora reasoned. So she really is from the Enclave. Guess I don't need to make up stories anymore; the proof is more than enough to cash in some caps. She did, however, feel pity for her. Thrown out of your own community as an outcast was a fate bad enough. 

 

Anaphora stepped backwards when Miss Line claimed to have the caps to buy alcohol and having the alcohol herself. She stared at her, bewildered, and said, "Umm...I know ponies when I see them, but aren't you a tad too young to be drinking? You seem a bit like a teenage mare with your appearances, and the thing can damage your brain when it's still trying to develop. While I can perfectly have a drink, I don't think you can. Besides, I don't like drinking."

 

She opened the hotel door, removing the hotel room key. "We're going to be leaving soon, so you better pack up. It's going to be a thirteen hour trip, so I suggest you don't get drunk if we have to defend your carriage."

 

-------------------

 

@@TheLineTrotter, @@Guardian Braveheart,

 

I stopped, simply looking at the newly downloaded content Knight gave me. This was far more than enough to sustain life in my Stable for several decades at most, and was certainly valuable for our needs. I felt a tear on my eye, and hoped that in the darkness, Knight wouldn't be able to see my face. "Thanks," I hugged him shortly, giving him my utmost gratitude. Another marker beeped on my PipBuck, and I checked it again.

 

"Whoa,that's far..." It took a few swipes to realize the distance from here to the Stable. 520 kilometers (323 miles). That wasn't going to be a few days journey...that was going to be weeks. "This is going to be a long journey if I'm trying to get there in time," I clarified, pointing at the distance. "Guess I have a lot of mileage to cover. But if you say it's abandoned, it's definitely worth a shot. Thanks for the information. I wish you the best of luck as well."

 

When Vincent and Knight left, I was left alone. The moon was rising from the east through the window, and we barely had any time left. "Crap, it's getting dark," I muttered to myself. "I can't afford to pick him up like this if I can't see..." I decided to improvise and turn on my PipBuck light and move on, looting some of the raiders' bodies for any kind of supply, and left the country club building. 

 

The first place I thought of was Defiance. It was a city they mentioned, and perhaps the closest place where I can find help. Soon, I turned around, finding it strange that the group was already gone. Were they ahead, or behind of me? Or did I venture on another road? It didn't matter in the end, however; in that instant, I was hit by some kind of laser, which dispersed once it hit my body and left a scorching and painful burn. Another flew past me, and I tried to pick myself and run for my life.

 

"It's one of those Enclave spies!" a mare's voice said. "We can't let him leak our location!"

 

"Don't shoot him down, we need him alive!" scolded another stallion. I didn't really care about who these ponies were; they were out here to kill me, and I resorted to flying away. I only went a few meters of the ground, however, until another beam was fired and successfully hit me. All of a sudden, I felt an electrical shock to my body, forcing myself down to the ground. 

 

"He's out of commission, sir," the mare pointed out.

 

"Goddesses curse you, that's the last time I ever take a Knight out for a patrol," the stallion muttered. I then lost all consciousness, my world turning into complete blackness. 

Edited March 26, 2014 by Late Suri Polomare

[notten1 18]

@Late Suri Polomare  @Charcoal Embers

 

"Aye Aye, oh an', I wanna tell ya that I can drink. I get a rush in it" Wonder why she was thinking that I couldn't hold my liquer yet. I was just about to leave when I remembered something, "Hey... and 'bout the friend, I know what that's like, 'cept she was killed by a Raider when we were tryin' to sell some corn to some town. *Sigh* We were best buds, we loved eachother, even though she technically she had a Coltfriend. We were at the gates, her smilin' while she was protectin' the caravan while my boss went to the gate. One bullet, one fucking bullet killed her. I was there, by her side when her head exploded, and her blood soaked my coat. I was even more enraged when I saw the Motherfucking bandit laughin' at his kill! I took 'er huntin' rifle, the same one I have today and killed all of 'em. That day I knew things were goin' to get worse fast. And to make matter's worse, they killed half o' us. One of our guys went crazy runin' off into the desert, only to be eaten by a Giant radscorpion. Also, the Stallion we found was a Slaver, he had 4 mares, chained to a wall and dyin' of Starvation. I saw that, I knew he had to die! I shot him in the head, which blew, reloaded and kept pumpin' his body with lead. Motherbucker. I unchained those mares, gave 'em somethin' to eat an' drink. I even let 'em come wit' us if they wanted to. But whatever. I'm gettin' off topic. I know you don't wanna have to new friends, you 'ave to. You don't need slaves, you need people that want to be there, and want to help. I was a slave 'cause I was forced to. I help people 'cause I want to. I want you to know, that people are forgive-able, but they should to do it fast." I looked at the mare and saw something stick outta it. "Wait, she's a Pegasus? Ain't She a Dashite? Don't they oppose the son's of bitches Enlcave. How I know that? I saw a Dashite fall from the clouds, gettin' chased by 2 Enclave trooper's with bug-like armor. He used his Minigun Battle saddle an' ripped  'em both up, and finally kept flyin'. He saw us and explained the whole Fiasco to me and that's how I know and a Little more too. Like how they try 'an nearly torture 'im. 'Til he went out the back door and try to escape." I thought a little, anyways, musta been captured by the Enlcave an' traded to some Sick Slaver and found her way to you" Gave a raised eyebrow to her."Anyway, I'm goin' to try to find some .308 on someone for some shot's of Vodka." I slipped out trying to find ammo for my Beloved Hunting Rifle.

Edited March 26, 2014 by notten1

[Guardian Braveheart 23]

"Well, my story's a bit... lengthy..." I told them.

 

It was true. My story from the Stable to here, was totally long. On my first time out here, my loss, my friends, my kills, everything. It's too long to say.

 

"Long Story, but I'll summarize it. I was in a stable, then it got attacked by raiders. Then, I went hunting for them, only to know that there was a second wave and My whole Stable got wiped out. Sad, but there was a tick that made me go out here, search for every raider hub and kill them. Up until now, I have this insatiable thirst for blood lust, which is kinda creepy and devilish. But out of that, I have formed a team of 3 from hardened souls from the wasteland. But know, I'm here with you, giving them a time-out."

 

I looked back at the Changeling. Vincent gave him some mint-als and that seemed to work a bit. He stopped jerking, but he's still unconscious. Hopefully, he'll get around soon, please. Carrying you around makes my freaking legs ache.

[TheLineTrotter 100]

@@Guardian Braveheart,

Vincent watched the Changeling,  who spasmed abit more, before finally calming down. His body, seeming to have had enough, simply passed out. He watched knight carrying him, seeming to be growing just abit stronger under the weight (Intense training!). He heard the Stallion's story... at the mention of bloodlust, he looked forward. He knew what that was like. He'd only experianced one major one in his life... the most serious betrayal he'd ever had, from his best and childhood friend. When she'd... made her choices in life, he'd nearly flipped. He'd stayed calm just long enough to try and convince her to change her mind, before he delved into screeching of her insanity, how she'd wronged him, her father, and everything he stood for. How she was monsterous for her decision, even more disgusted when she tried to convince him to join her.  He then had flown out, since if he'd stayed her was certain he would have killed her for what he found the greatest betrayal he could have taken, and taken as many bloody, violent jobs as he could, tearing apart dozens of raiders and bounties before he'd calmed down enough to lose himself in whiskey bottles....

 

"Well, in that case, sounds like it was best that you were out. One pony wouldn't have made much of a difference, so you'd just be dead too." He shrugged. "What I don't get..." he continued "...Is how you were able to evidently take out half their camp, but the rest of the Stable Security couldn't handle the ones that came after? How'd they even get in the door?"

 

@, 

[Guardian Braveheart 23]

"Senior security," I told him. "Top of the rest. Plus, after the first attack, only two Security ponies were alive. Me and some other guy. The Overmare ordered me to wipeout a camp near us."

 

I pointed back at my rifles, hoping he got the message.

 

"I took the whole camp at night, sniping them one by one. Also freed some slaves in the process. Or maybe you meant the first attack in the Stable. The doors were under maintenance that time. When the others saw incoming ponies, we had a welcoming crew. Little did they know that they were raiders out for blood and supplies. Half was killed at the first attack, and got finished by the next. The first attack, I was changing to my security barding when that happened. I just took a suppressed rifle and a Stealthbuck in my locker in case of emergencies, and started shooting."

 

I flinched back at the memory. The dream I had a few months ago, about this.

 

"And when I saw my Marefriend die... Let's just say there was a Chainsaw Massacre there. That ended the siege."

 

I looked down, avoiding a bit of eye contact. That was the worst memory I had. I didn't know what went in my mind that day. I don't know who I was when I started hacking each and every raider to shreds.

[Scribblegroove 565]

@@Guardian Braveheart,  @@TheLineTrotter, @

 

Neuro listened to their short life stories as they walked. He was surprised by how little useful information he gained from it. This stable unicorn seemed to be seriously mentally harmed by what had happened to him, since he now psychotically hunts for raiders. Ugh... Raiders. As if he hadn't heard about those enough!

 

"I am very sorry for you Knight. I'm sorry I forced you to tell that story. It must be quite depressing." He said to braveheart, trying to seem apologetic and empathising. (100 speech 9 charisma). "I'm sure we'll find more than enough raiders on our way to defiance. It shouldn't be far now. I just hope we make it there before it gets so pitch dark that we can't see anything anymore..." He explained, with a worried look on his face.

 

Lon's night vision gradually turned on. He was not afraid though. He was actually happy that it had become dark. As long as they didn't shine any lights, they would barely be visible. It would give them a great advantage over most raiders, who didn't care to put out their lights. Together with Knight, who seemed to be proficient with long range weaponry as well, they could pick off any target with a near-terrifying ease...

 

Neuro looked at vincent. "You read books? Books? Are there even books to be found in the wastes?" He asked him. It wasn't a very important question, but he wondered how this gryffon would read books if there were none to be found. He then saw how hurt Vincent was. His face showed sorrow. Apparently he had tough memories to look back on as well. "Vincent, what is it that you are struggling with. I am not a psychologist, but I am intelligent enough to know that bottleing feelings up, even if someone is rock-tough like you are, isn't the right way to go..." He said. He didn't believe in it himself. He straight up lied. Bottleing your feelings up helped you accomplish your goals. He was simply trying to get Vincent into a vulnerable emotional position.

 

Neuro thought about his past as well, which had been... shady. It didn't really hurt him though. Perhaps a little, but he didn't show it to the others. He was too busy with the future to sorrow over the past. Over his past at least. What happened, had happened. Nothing can be done to change that... At least not yet. Time travel had been on Neuro's list of interest a long time ago, but his dreams had faded away once the war had started...

Edited March 26, 2014 by Scribblegroove

[TheLineTrotter 100]

Vincent looked over at Knight, giving him an apologetic nod. "Sorry about that, man, for what it's worth." A marefriend, huh? He couldn't even imagine something like that. He'd never found a griffon woman that was of any interest to him, and definitely not any ponies. At the first question from his new employer, he nodded simply. "Well, yeah. Obviously, most books were destroyed by the balefire, but you occasionally find some laying around in Ministry buildings.Plus, I sometimes get jobs that involve delving into abandoned Stables, and they usually have some books that aren't destroyed. Others, I can buy from traders that got them from Stables themslves."He explained simply, more glad that the pony hadn't said anything about it being odd for a Griffon to have any interest in such things.

 

He noticed the sky getting dark,but he didn't let it bother him.His lion-like eyes easily adjusting to the dark. The 2nd question threw him off abit. It took him a moment, but he recognized it (perceptive 9)... that subtle openness in the voice, the quick slip of a compliment to boost his ego,  just that tone in general... he'd seen it all before. "I know what you're trying to do." He said with a smirk and a chuckle. "Had a friend just like you, y'know. Seen her do the same thing a  thousand times. I`m just thinkin' here is all. Won't affect my focus on the job." As it to prove his point,he began to cover the directions that Lon wasn't already keeping his eyes on.

 

@@Scribblegroove,

@@Guardian Braveheart,  

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@ @@notten1

 

Charcoal listened to both of the mares stories. She still didn't speak, but honestly, she felt a but bad for Miss Line. She went through so much... just like her. She noticed Anaphora staring a bit at her, but when she saw where she was staring her heart jumped a bit and she moved her cutie mark, or what it was now, out of sight behint a table before looking back at Line. "Um... excuse me..." Charcoal said to Line.

[notten1 18]

"Yes, little pumpkin, What is it?" WOW She finally talked! I am so stoked! What's she going to talk about!!! Is she going to be talking about my past, her past, or maybe even the past she's spent with Anaphora. Anyways, don't ruin this. she might be scared if you act too happy.

[Guardian Braveheart 23]

I looked at the road ahead. It was getting dark... (Perception 10) but my eyes did adjust with ease. Still, it was a bit dark to shoot properly.

 

"It's ok," I told the duo. "That just gives me purpose that work here is not over."

 

I listened in on the conversation between Vincent and Neuro. Seems this Talon is an egghead. Get it? Because he's a... nevermind. But I am an egghead to, and an occasional bookworm, so at least we have something in common.

 

"Hey, if you like, my Stable still has the school there filled with books. You can take some if you want. They aren't getting used much anymore because... you know... they're dead... even the young..."

 

No! Stay strong... for them... Avenge their death! No matter what...

 

I took out a bottle of Apple whiskey. I knew that Story would make me depressed as shit. I took a swig and kept walking.

 

"Hey Vincent, you want some?" I offered the griffin.

Edited March 26, 2014 by Guardian Braveheart

[Scribblegroove 565]

@

 

(Iunno if this post is OK... If it's not, just ignore it so I can fix it.)

 

Greshken the minotaur: 

Red light briefly shredded the night's peace and darkness. It had lit the environment and had practically been a beacon to alert anything that was nearby. There was not much nearby. Except one peculiar individual. One under the name of Greshken, the minotaur.

 

The lightshow become more violent, since now sound could also be heard. Ponies speaking, yelling. More beams of light lit the area dimly in their blood-red fashion. It was hard not to be alerted by these developments. After a brief electronic discharge, a thump could be heard. Whatever had been shot at, was now disabled.

 

There were two NER rangers standing near a Pegasus. At least that is what Greshken had seen in the brief moments that the environment had been lit. Right now it was hard to see much, but his targets were visible… Visible enough for him to know that he stood a chance against them. And the best part of it was: They were distracted.

 

Greshken was not stealthy enough to approach the ponies in silence. It would be ridiculous to even attempt such a thing. And besides that, what he had planned was far more… amusing. He had a load of those sticks anyway, so why not use a few?

 

If it were light in this situation, perhaps the NER rangers would’ve seen it coming. They would’ve seen the enormous minotaur swiftly rise from his cover. They would see his proud horns piercing the sky. They would see the fierce, brutal and satanic expression on his face. They would see him, armed to the teeth with several sticks of dynamite strapped to his belt, two of which currently in his hands, the ends of the fuses in his mouth, trapped between his teeth.

 

But it wasn’t in the light of day. Gresken stood up, put the fuses of the dynamite in his mouth, a tiny bit further so that they would explode earlier, for the extra effect of surprise. He then pulled them out while he clenched his jaw. The friction of his raw teeth created heat high enough to light both fuses instantly. Without waiting for a second, his muscular arms launched the two explosive sticks into the air, towards the rangers and the stunned Pegasus at great speeds. He then immediately grabbed his sledgehammer and charged, jumping over the rock he had been hiding behind. 

 

As he charged at full speed, his hooves stomping on the ground heavily, he let go of all subtlety and switched to intimidation. He let out his trademark battle cry, preparing his weapon the deal a devastating blow.

 

“HAMMERTIME!” He roared at the top of his lungs. His armor clanged as he ran for his prey. The collar around his neck hurt against his thick muscular neck, but he ignored it. His heart was pumping at a tremendous rate, his mind was surging and his bloodshot eyes were wide open. If these rangers weren’t pissing their pants already, they would once showed them the equation of the minotaur. Force, plus sledgehammer, plus an unfortunate skull… equals red bloody pulp!

 

(this is basically the armor that he is wearing, except for two heavy metal plates on his wrists. His equipment is on the OOC page. http://images.wikia.com/fallout/images/archive/8/8d/20090615000809!Super_mutant_overlord.png

For instance, several throwing spears strapped to his back...)

Edited March 26, 2014 by Scribblegroove

[Anneal 2,197]

((Uh...Scribble, they're Steel Rangers...not NER Rangers. I was trying to stop it at a cliffhanger before proceeding onto Baryon's capture.))

 

@@Scribblegroove,

 

Knight Mendiant grinned childishly as she trotted in a confident gait with her fellow patrol paladins. She was definitely having a lucky streak; being promoted from Initiate, convincing Paladin Fusor to take her on a night patrol, and receiving her first service laser rifle...and not like the weapons in training stimulation, but the real thing. She was hoping she could try this out on a radscorpion or some other kind of animal, though she was specifically told not to cause any kind of trouble. Damn it. 

 

It was only a hour or so into her patrol when she had actual excitement. "Hey...I think I see a pony over there," one of her companions pointed out. And indeed, there was a small light in the darkness, waving around and revealing a faint silhouette of a pony. They moved towards the unaware pony until he was more visible...

 

"Enclave spy!" One of the paladin, this one a mare, shouted out, drawing out her plasma pistol. "It's one of the Enclave spies! We can't let him leak our location! Take him down!"

 

Surprised by the quick alarm, Mendiant raised her laser rifle and fired a burst of laser shots at the pegasus. She successfully hit the pegasus and bringing him down, though she was soon berated by her elder. "What in Tarturus?" Senior Paladin Cleavage, their patrol leader, shouted. "Don't shoot him down, we need him alive! What if he's got essential Enclave information? This is what we need!"

 

"So-sorry, Senior Paladin Cleavage, sir..." Knight Mendiant stepped back, putting away her laser rifle. She had intended to put it to good use; now she was being yelled at for using it.

 

Cleavage sighed. "Well, now we have to bring him back. The sound may have been heard by some ponies around here, so turn off your lights and step back. Knight Mendiant and Paladin Aeon, go check the pegasus and bring him back. Keep him alive, if possible. Knight Mendiant, this is your doing, so you're responsible for your actions. Now go."

 

Mendiant gave no haste, and ran towards the unconscious pegasus on the ground. Aeon was far slower with his power armor, and in contrast, Mendiant wore lighter recon armor and arrived there swiftly. She checked the body; two first-degree burns and a second-degree burn near his wing. It looked awful, with visible red blisters...this was going to take some days on the Auto-Doc to heal. 

 

What she also noticed is the equipment the pegasus had on him. He had a typical 10mm pistol holstered on him, along with some petty weapons and items in his saddlebags. The clothing was unusual too, completely blue with yellow stripes and a large "16" on the collar. And on his left hoof...no way, was that the PipBuck 3000? Those devices were rare, pre-war technology! This was a priceless jewel, and she nearly went hysterical when she examined the thing. The screen was a bit messed up from some kind of EMP charge, but everything was still intact and in excellent quality.

 

Wait a minute...Enclave pegasi don't have PipBucks or wear blue numbered clothing...

 

Before Mendiant could realize who this pony really was, a creature popped out of nowhere, throwing out dynamite and shouting, meaning that this was definitely sentient. And the thing was charging at them at full speed with a sledge hammer. "Shit!" Paladin Aeon yelled, drawing out his Gauss Rifle and attempting to fire a few shots at the sentient being, succeeding in firing out a shot and sending out an electromagnetic bolt. The dynamite, however, knocked Mendiant down from the lack of the heavy metallic power armor defending her body. Luckily, she survived from the blast, albeit slightly injured, standing back up and drawing her laser rifle, picking up the pegasus and hauling him while she moved backwards, quickly emptying a magical microfusion cell cluster before reloading another.

 

--------------------

 

 

@@Charcoal Embers, @@notten1,

Anaphora left in front of the two, closing up her saddlebags and wearing her cowboy hat (she nearly wore her regular pre-war bonnet) to disguise herself, along with replacing her rich clothing with something more "wasteland" casual. "So are we going to...hit the road or what?" she asked. "Time's-a-wastin'."

 

She moved on downstairs, waiting for the two with her hotel key, returning it to the stallion, who was unexpected still awake and fiddling with his bottle caps and building a tower. "So how was your stay?" the stallion asked, smirking. "Had fun with your roommate?" 

 

Anaphora rolled her eyes. "None of your business, pally. Turn that head of your wh're before I do it for ya," she threatened with a strained hoof, the rumbling of the desk causing the bottle cap tower to collapse on the table. 

 

The stallion sighed. "No need to be that serious. Just having a little fun, though if you want to, you can always return here or give me a message or something. My name's Caret, and here's our address..." he scribbled on a piece of paper, handing it to Anaphora, which she unwillingly accepted.

 

"Thanks," she muttered, leaving the grain factory hotel, where she was greeted by a few bright lights in the dark, cloudy night. She didn't want to stay here too long; one minute longer meant that she was going to meet up with some danger around here.

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@, @@notten1,

 

Charcoal was a bit surprised. No one she had ever met had been this nice. It was so weird, but she smiled a bit and was about to answer when Anaphora called for her and Line. She sighed and her smile was lost. Her ears lowered as she began walking towards the door. "Sorry... maybe another time..." Charcoal said to line.

[Blacklight 118]

Dark skies and the Wasteland's dusty ground greeted Renatus as his eyes fluttered open, his consciousness returning. Feeling a steady rocking motion as his senses returned, Renatus raised his arching neck and found himself being carried by the stallion he had met earlier. " Hey..." he called, his voice slightly raspy from underuse, "...how long was I out?" Taking a quick look at his surroundings, he found that they were traveling with the other ponies he had met earlier, with the pale pony leading as the bodyguard followed close behind. Behind them was him and the griffin he had met earlier. Though where's the doc? He wondered, not spotting the doc among them. Oh there he is. He noted as he spotted the shape of a pony(Connor) behind them, though it was too hard to tell due to the darkness. (per 7) Looking off towards the dark horizon, his thoughts wandered back to those two memories...What was happening to me? He thought, recalling the pain he had been in during the memory, and what did this 'Rarity' have to do with it. If I remember correctly from the memory orb, she was the head of some ministry...what was it called again? Anyways, how was I connected to all this...also that symbol...what could it mean? Agh! I wish I could remember!

Edited March 27, 2014 by Blacklight01

[Guardian Braveheart 23]

I heard a voice coming from behind. As I looked behind, the Changeling is finally coming up from his coma.

 

"Ah, you're fianlly up," I said. "You've been out for a while, almost the whole day. We're going to Defiance, and you're coming with me. Are you good to walk?"

 

Oh please let him be ok to walk. Even with the workout he's given me from carrying him, I still have my limitations. Then again, I did see a carriage at the country club. Why didn't I use that instead?

[notten1 18]

@Late Suri Polomare  @Charcoal Embers

 

"Wha-what's wrong" I shot a look at Anaphora,"Is something wrong with her?" Anyways, to fill in some gaps, I before that I got some ammo from a Stallion that was fiddling with a 9mm Pistol and a few .308 rounds. I bought the Ammo off him and haggled for the Pistol too. I remembered the Mare in the Boom Collar. I haggled for the Pistol too, I got it for 100 caps, I gave the guy a pipe with a knife on it 'cause I don't want him to be out there with nothing. Anyways, I grabbed some Ammo and put it on me. I remembered the Stuff and pulled out the gun noticebly empty and chamber decocked and handed it to the Mare with the Boom Collar, "Here I got this for you, I found some stallion outside that had some .308 ammo and that pistol" I got some ammo and snuck it in to the mare's clothes to keep them incase I had doubts. "You keep that, but it has no ammo, so we might have to buy some more" I did a small wink to her, small enough that Anaphora won't see and that She could.

 

I looked at Anaphora, she just said that she was ready, and just to say she didn't look too shabby. Great now I'm looking at mares again. "Nice looks there, miss. But you should really try carryin' a rifle as it can work better in the wide open wastes." I walked out with Anaphora while she was turning in the Key, she was mad at that man, "Sorry!" I said to him. We walked out with her on the Wasteland

Edited March 27, 2014 by notten1

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@notten1,@,

 

Charcoal smiled a bit at Line. "Oh... um... well thanks..." Charcoal said as she looked at the gun. It wasn't in terrible condition, but it could definitely be better. She would have to look at the inside to get a better look. "Actually... we may be able to just find some ammo for this..." Charcoal mumbled to herself as she walked, not paying attention till she bumped into Anaphora.

[Anneal 2,197]

@@Charcoal Embers, @@notten1,

 

Anaphora was negotiating a price for the brahmin; apparently, the Defiance general store accepted brahmin cattle, and she was able to come out of a deal with more than she intended: a thousand and two hundred caps. Subsequently, she used that to purchase some purified water, which was far from cheap, and some food. When she checked it, she was certain that with this much they could last for four or five days if they rationed. "All right then, looks like we need to get going."

 

She stopped when the mare mentioned the lack of weaponry she had on her. That was true; Anaphora only had a few pistols on her, and was never very experienced with rifles and submachine guns, let along machine guns. She remembered trying out someone's Equestrian assault carbine before...and ending up shooting most of them at the room lights. She smiled briefly from this, and said, "I was never a pony who really dealt problems with a gun barrel and a knife. I was never into any kind of work that involved such danger and wastefulness. In fact, I found a far more profitable and safer occupation in the wasteland, where honor and glory meant nothing in a state of anarchy. In the end, we're all trying to survive in any means possible...I guess that's why there are those raiders and barbarous parasites out there in the waste. Uncivilized tribals."

 

Before Anaphora could finish, she felt a bump with another pony on the flank, making her lose her balance temporarily and drop something. And that object was nothing else than the collar detonator in her pocket, still beeping and active, its switch somehow turned on. Everything stopped in motion and looked at her; if the collar detonator on the ground wasn't enough proof, the actively now-beeping slave collar on the black mare's neck. Even the store keeper dropped his glass bottle, and Anaphora felt the deathly glare of several eyes in the room. 

[notten1 18]

As we walked outside and saw they're wagon, "Ok then, Imma gonna have Tom here go in fronta that Carrige, You don't need to whip, I taught Tom to listen to words!" After that I told Tom to go to the Front of the Wagon, and hooked him up in a Harness that I've made out of some Rope. "So, Anaphora, where to now. I know a good place to get some gear an' such. There's a place not to far from here north-west on this road" I thought a bit from how I used to do my Trading here. "There's also an Abandoned Cave that a group of people lived in. It's rumored to have treasures and supplies, but of course a Rumor" I look at the Charcoal Pony, "You all ready to go? I can getcha some more stuff ready if ya want. I can get ya some more Water or Food" I then remembered the Collar and how Anaphora seemed to try to get it out of the Conversation, I whispered to the pony, "I know some ponies that can take that Boom Collar off o' ya" I went back to what I was doing, then looked back and winked at her. After I got done loading my Cargo and reloading my Rifle and storing the rest of my Ammo in my left Saddle bag, I opened my other Bag, which was more of a Box, and checked if it had the medicine needed in it. It was running low, but still enough to help if somepony got shot, though not enough if all though... "Anaphora, if there's anypony on the road, by the way, we need to stop for them. I need to see if they need some help." 

 

     When we started Rolling, I felt relived as we were on the road again. As I was walking next to the Carrige, intentionally wanting to not go inside,  I was feeling me again. But although, I still felt a Nudge in my mine. Then when I was wondering what that was in my head, it revealed a War in my head, between my different selfs. It was hurting, I was literally feeling flashbacks of some things in my past. "ARGHHH!!" It hurt!  My head felt as in there was a MegaSpell going off in there. I screamed as I collapsed, I lay on the Road, peicing together what made this so tramautizing. I saw glimpses. Brahmin, sun, sweating, Giant Ponies. Wait... not giant ponies, just small me. Oh my Godesses. This is when I was a Filly. Then I saw more, I saw a vision, I saw that point when my Ma an' Pa where together. No...

 

    Anyways, I shook myself up and dusted my self with Magic, I luckely wasn't attracting any attention. So I ran up back to the Pack. I walked along with them to a Place. There she sold her Brahmin and her Carrige, she indeed got the Price she wanted because of her smile, that mare sure seem like she was accomplished. Anyways I was about to talk to when I heard Anaphora Talking about something that was like a she was talking about how she wanted to quick, efficient and to be better than Raiders and of the such. I was shrugged it off, going back to talk to Charcoal, "He-", right when I said that, I saw her Boom Collar Beeping, "OH SHIT!" I thought it was going to blow, then I thought and heard it was by Remote, and that her supposed captor was dead. I turned around when I was trying to fully make a Hypothesis, then I saw something that both Broke my heart and made me infuriated. I saw Anaphora on the Floor with a beeping Boom Collar Remote beeping next to her. I said in the best way I could without breaking into tears or blowing her brains, "Wha... WHY DID YOU DO IT!!!" I seriously wanted to kill her, SHE WAS A SLAVER!! "WHY ARE YOU A SLAVER!! So Charcoal is your SLAVE?!?! DO you know HOW it feels like to be in that Position?!?!?! HUH?!" I took the Remote and Disarmed it and put it in my Metal box, I locked it with my Lock I found and knew from my bag. Then I started to tear up, "Why did you do this..." I started to cry, "Why did you have to be this monstrosity?" I was slowly walking to a chair. "Why did you have to be this way?" I took out my Rifle, put it on the table, not aiming at her, but still grasping it in Telekinesis. "Most of all, why did you enslave a Dashite?" I was crying a lot, but was focusing enough that if she was going to charge I would be ready. "I'm starting to know you, I know there is good in you, but being a Slaver ain't one o' 'em. Change" I raised the Rifle "NOW!!"

[Scribblegroove 565]

@@Guardian Braveheart, @, @@TheLineTrotter

 

Neuro and Lon

 

Neuro was a little surprised by how observant the gryffon was. He didn't show it, he merely snickered and muttered: "Fair enough, point taken...". He frowned as he looked at the screen of his pip buck again, hopping a bit uncomfortably on three legs, though he had gotten used to walking like that. He used his magic to control the little machine on his wrist, and made a boomark in the audio-file of the past few hours he had recorded. It was good to keep track of everything. If he would ever have to track these ponies down, it would be good to have a record of who and what they were. He then opened the map to see how close they were to the town. Apparently it wasn't far now. He looked up to see the hill they were about to walk over.

 

"We should be able to see defiance at the top of this hill... Make sure to check the area on ambushes." He said. Though he knew that these ponies knew exactly what they had to do, most certainly Lon, it was good to remind them that he was not too stupid to protect himself and that he was perfectly aware of security measures that were nescesary. He looked at the changeling that had just woken up. "The only reason you are coming with us is because Knight took responsibilty for you. You should be thanksful for that. Keep in mind that I did not take responsibilty for you. We will leave you behind if that seems nescesary..." He said with his regular, cold and business-toned voice. It wasn't a threat, he was merely stating the facts.

 

Lon grinned behind his helmet. He immediately focused back on his job and got  serious face again, but he couldn't help but think of a quote of a movie he once saw. 'Those who fall behind, stay behind.' It was very applicable to their situation. As they walked over the hill, he could see the little lights of Defiance in the distance. His night vision revealed the dark road that led there a litte. As far as he saw now, there wasn't any danger. He assumed that the other's where keeping an eye on their flanks, but just to be sure he gave it a look as well. "It's best to leave it to the professionals..." 

 

Neuro streched a little. They had been walking for quite a while now, and his body was not built for physical exercise of any kind. It was merely there to contain his brain. That was what is father used to tell him whenever Neuro mentioned his concern of his physical... disadvantages. He was breathing a little heavier already now, even though they had only been walking. "Once we get to defiance, we should take a rest for the night. Tomorrow I will ask around, and after that I will tell you what I have planned..."

 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

@, 

 

Greshken the minotaur

 

The rangers had noticed Greshken earlier than he had hoped. They unloaded their magazines at him with great haste. Of course they did, what else would you do if a minotaur came charging at you with a sledgehammer the size of a large motorcycle. The electromagnetic gauss bolt hit him straight in the chest. A pony would've recieved a huge blastback from a hit like that, but it barely stalled his charged. He simply shrugged it off. His dynamite hadn't done a lot of damage, which was dissapointing, but at least it had knocked back the mare ranger. She was curently fireing her lazer rifle at him, whilst holding the unconscious pegasus on her back. Not all her shots hit, most likely because of the nature of the situation, which was quite stressful, but the ones that hit did hurt. Still he kept on running. If you were going to be a proficient melee warrior, you should be able to take a few hits as well, and Greshken was a proficient melee warrior.

 

To prove that fact, he swung the giant sledgehammer at the retreating mare. Sadly, he hadn't calculated her movement well enough, and he realized that his sledgehammer would swing by her with just a finger's distance. Redirecting the force of his swing, as to make it not go to waste, he turned immediately, placeing his hooves accordingly and twististing the muscles in his arms and chest subsequently to give it a lashing effect and an enormous amount of force. He made a full 180 degree turn and aimed his hammer for the unsuspecting male ranger, treating the failed swing at the mare as a feint. If this swing hit him in the face, it would easily be fatal. But to make sure that he would hit, he aimed for the chest, attempting to break a few ribs and hopefully incapacitate the stallion.

 

Greshken roared again for added affect. Even though he had been hit several times, he was happy. He loved fighting, and the scared faces only amplified his pleasure. His body could endure several of these fights in a row. These ponies didn't stand a chance. Unless he had really bad luck, but if that were the case he could always run away...

[TheLineTrotter 100]

Vincent looked to Knight as he offered the location of his vault, so Vincent could get the books there... but looking at his expression, Vincent chose not to take him up on that offer. It was clear even thinking about the place was disturbing him, and Vincent figured it'd be... inappropriate to try and ask for the exact location. When the whiskey came up, Vincent gave an internal whoop: Whiskey! The very reason he'd been in that country club to begin with! But as much as he wanted it, he shook his head. "Nah, I`ve got a rule about drinking on the job: Don't." he said with a chuckle. "Maybe when we get to Defiance." finally, he heard the Changeling wake up, looking back at him. "Not long. I gave you a couple mentats... seems like they helped." he said, glad to see the changeling was okay."If you're feeling weak... we could give you a thing of buck to keep you moving..." he muttered, though he would prefer NOT to stuff the Changeling full of chems. 

 

When discussion came to Defiance, Vincent thought a moment. "'Resting there sounds like a good idea... I know a place. It's probrably the cleanest you're gonna get, and the water is usually rad-free... the locks are shit though." After another moment, he looked between him, Lon, and Knight, "I`m assumeing we'll be taking shifts on guard duty?" It was typical behavior when a pony had  more than one hired gun... even if no one was specifically after them, they tended to have the guards sleep in shifts, keeping atleast one on watch at all times.

 

@@Guardian Braveheart,

@,

 @@Scribblegroove,

[Anon In Equestria 57]

Connor was walking behind the group listening to the conversation when vincent mentioned room. Connor remembered that due to his wing being shot up that he would have to find a place to stay on the surface he ran up next to vincent.

 

"How much are the rooms for a night"

[Guardian Braveheart 23]

"Ok, suit yourself," I told him. "But if you still want some, I still got two bottles full if you want."

 

I took another swig and concentrated on the task at hand. I looked up the auto-map. Seems that Defiance is just close. Although, Vincent said the locks are shit. I guess we need shifts as posts.

 

"If you like, I'll do first post. Still awake from the Whiskey."

 

I turned my attention the Changeling again.

 

"I took you in as my companion. You should be lucky to have an experienced pony to watch you back. But just try to hold your weigh in the situation too. When we get to Defiance, we'll get you some better weapons, my treat. I doubt a 9mm will keep you alive here."

[Scribblegroove 565]

@TheLineTrotter @Guardian Braveheart

Lon grunted as they neared the town. He heard the two hired guns talk about shifts. Usually he'd do the entire nights shift on his own. As a bodyguard he had learned to sleep very lightly, so that he would wake up at any sound that was out of place. But he reckoned a good night's sleep was never a bad idea. He looked at Neuro to see how he was doing. Apparently struggling more and more to hide his absolutely terrible physique. Neuro was nearly panting, though he was surpressing it as much as he could. Lon snickered. The young big-brained stallion, no matter how sharp and smart he was, still felt uncomfortable with the way his body was built. He didn't dare to say anything about it though. He knew it would upset Neuro a lot to hear it from about the only person who came close to a friend...

 

He looked back at the changeling. Neuro had already dismissed it completely, but Lon couldn't help but feel interested. What were changelings like anyway? Were they the same as they used to be? He hoped not.

 

Neuro was starting to sweat uncontrollably. Even though the night had shrouded them in a cold veil, the heat that he produced from walking more than he used to, and the way he felt uncomfortable about it made it unavoidable. They were in Defiance now, so he had an excuse to stand still for a moment. "Right then, where to go... You knew a place, correct?" Neuro said to Vincent, who had mentioned a place to rest for the night earlier.

[TheLineTrotter 100]

Vincent watched as Knight continued to drink. He couldn't blame the stallion, after all he'd been through, and Vincent would be lying if he said this was the first time he'd seen a merc drinking on the job. Just wasn't something he did himself: personal policy. Getting sloshed could hinder him in a firefight, and getting hindered in a firefight usually resulted in death. When the stallion refered to himself as an 'experienced pony',  Vincent fought back the urge to snort dismissively. The pony had been out in the wasteland what, a couple of months? And he'd mostly just dealt with Raider bands. He supposed the Stallion, who had been a member of a secuirty team, was at the very least officially trained. Though how a pony in a stable got proficient at long range rifles, he'd never know. He'd never seen a firing range of any sort in them. Well, except this one time he'd spotted a few targets down in the reactor level. 

 

Vincent noticed his new employer, huffing it along. Although the sight was rather humorous, he kept himself from even cracking a smirk. After all, the pony had been out in the Wasteland, what, a day? And he imagined Stable's didn't give you a chance to work on your cardio. Besides, atleast he wasn't asking the big stallion to carry him... the mention of a place to stay came up and he nodded. "Yeah, I know a place," he began, pointing towards a grain elevator in the distance, "got converted into a hotel... should be able to rent a room there for a night..." he muttered. The owner was... well, abit of a lech, but since they didn't have a mare amoung the group, it shouldn't have been a problem. "He only accepts caps as currency... I can spot you the money, but it will be added to my fee." when the Enclave pony ran up beside him, Vincent raised an eyebrow, unsure why he was following them... "about 200 caps. 120 if you take one with irradiated water running to it." 

@@Scribblegroove,

@@Guardian Braveheart,

 @,