A Tea Party For The Post Apocalypse III: Make That Loop

[Thanqol]

Matrons, who toss the cup, and see
The grounds of fate in grounds of tea.

- Charles Churchill


IC Thread 1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287952)
IC Thread 2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?318780-A-Tea-Party-For-The-Post-Apocalypse-II-%28IC%29-Truth-and-Beauty)
IC Thread 3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?388613-A-Tea-Party-For-The-Post-Apocalypse-III-Make-That-Loop)
OOC Thread 1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285974)
OOC Thread 2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310372)
OOC Thread 3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?347128-A-Tea-Party-For-The-Post-Apocalypse-III-%28OOC%29-Hope)


The HREC team has made its way to the Republic of Hope and ended two terrible ghosts of the ancient world in short order. The memory loop of Black Box was brought to a close and Master Plan laid to rest. Soon after, the monstrous Dayspear was slain with the hatred of the stars and boiled away to nothing. But even though these terrors have been resolved there still exist the more mundane problems of the bears, the ponies, and worst of all - the Railroading.

[Thanqol]

Reality was a bit of a funny thing some days.

We like to think that there are rules underneath it. Nice orderly little systems and narratives, the ebb and flow of cause and effect. We like to think all these things so much that we become deeply invested in them, until they become more important than our own lives. These ideas and systems become entrenched, become rote, and eventually they become various different forms of faith - so self evident that questioning them becomes inconceivable.

Some ponies put their faith in their friends - a surprisingly common reaction in this twisty turny world. Others put their faith in less tangible concepts like money, or strength, or control. Some put their faith in their idea of the future, or even the idea that there's going to be a future. Some put their faith in something as base as themselves, while others put their faith in something as pure as love itself. Ponies followed their faiths to nuclear Armageddon and, if they had lived, many of them would have slept well that night, knowing that the world had ended for orderly reasons.

Some folk may argue that some of these are healthier than others but that's a matter for ethicists in ivory towers and their students down at the pub. But there is a common trend - if reality goes and contradicts your favourite faith then ponies aren't likely to take it well.

Take Half Iris, the big bear in the middle of the town. Her faith was straightforwards, lumpen, a little bit brutal but essentially good natured: If I fight well and obey the law, then my family will be safe. And as long as reality didn't see fit to cross that line she'd be a good soldier until her dying day.

Or, high up in the clouds, Private Snowstorm, watching everything with her Enclave unit. Her faith was just as straightforward: As long as we don't interact with the surface too much then nothing really bad will happen to us. The same little narrative about the good soldier played out here too.

Or then, Mister Weird - he seemed like a strange one but he wasn't, really. He was reaching out his hoof to shake the claw of Half Iris with a goofy smile on his face. He believed that ponies essentially knew what was right and as long as he went along with their collective wishes everything would turn out okay.

Mister Weird was wrong, but fortunately for him, he didn't have to face up to that realisation. The sniper bullet to his skull killed him too fast for that. It went on, as an afterthought, to tear open the body of Hot Cross, a baker and small arms specialist, and sent her to the ground in a bleeding, screaming wreck.

There were screams from the crowd as people ducked, flinched, and looked for the sniper through Hopeville's twisted metal skyline. Most of the population was armed, and suddenly a lot of those guns were out and pointing at the bear - the outsider, and the obvious enemy. And it wouldn't be more than a few seconds before the big bear started waving around her own big guns in fear and then there'd be all kinds of bloodshed.

This was the spark of chaos, and it was seconds away from consuming this entire town and every single nice little orderly rationalisation that lived within it.

And this spark was sparked in the mind of one crazed little pony named Railroading.

His own faith had been contradicted. Now, for him, there was no order anywhere at all. That troublesome reality had let him down, tricky thing that it was.

And as much as we like to sneer at the little orderly systems ponies patch over a vast and terrifying reality like blankets floating on the ocean, we often forget just how terrifying that uncovered reality can be.

[BlasTech]

"Holy Horseapples!!"

Rose flinched, belatedly, as the crack of the shot finally hit her. A second later, and her hooves were in motion, carrying her away from the … wait … no, she was running right into the thick of it.

"What are you hay brains doing? Get to cover!"

She yelled the words without a hint of irony, and paid their effects little attention. Her mind was focused on the two ponies in front of her. The first step was to get them out of danger. There was little point in healing them if they got shot again by the sniper immediately after. Horn aglow, she tried to stabilise Hot Cross enough to get her out of the line of fire.

[Balmas]

Gabriel had his gun out in a second, but was left with the unenviable position of having nobody to point it at. His eyes narrowed as he examined the splatter of blood and--ugh--grey matter that'd sprayed all over the other mare, before tracing the path of the bullet. That was a powerful shot. Probably more powerful than something even his rifle could do. Accurate, too. Which meant it was either the bear's partner, or someone else. And that didn't make too much sense, unless the Bears were trying to screw themselves over.

The griffon growled, and pointed his shotgun skywards. The barrel roared once, louder than the crowd. "Enough! Get to shelter, before that sniper gets the rest of you!"

[the_druid_droid]

Lavender's horn ignited with magic, and she looked dazedly between the corpses, her friends, and the middle distance.

"Where are they? Who's firing?!"

[Tiki Snakes]

A shot, followed by shouting. A flash of red on the heads-up, green dots winking out.

"Ugh, really?" Trees groaned irritably. "This world just has no respect."

On went the mask and Yellow Jacket rose unsteadily to her hooves and trotted towards the nearest alleyway. Sniper, raised position and crowded killing zone. Keep buildings to either side and close on the position without heading straight towards the shooter, arc round to approach from the side. Cross open spaces in an erratic, zigzag manner. Allow crowds to feed on each other to draw fire. Trees mind ticked away as she allowed her Sandmare training to resurface. All that mattered was getting range on her side.

"Somepony is going to pay or this." She muttered, grim faced beneath Yellowjacket's mask.

[Deadly]

Blue was drifting quietly down the main street, deep in her own labyrinthine thoughts when the shot went off. She jerked hard and suddenly from her previous course and was in action long before her brain or any of its many occupants had time to drop their game of cards and start squawking like a gaggle of god-damned griffons, much less realize that they were dealing with a fox in their midsts.

React first, fox it out later. Then tear it limb from limb and feed it its own intestines.

She was already by Rosemary's side when her brain finally jumped into the driver's seat and grabbed the steering wheel. "Got your back, get to cover," she yelled over the noise as she covered for Rose and scanned whatever high ground the sniper might have taken. Next shot she would hopefully be able to tell where it came from.

[Thanqol]

"Holy Horseapples!!"

Rose flinched, belatedly, as the crack of the shot finally hit her. A second later, and her hooves were in motion, carrying her away from the … wait … no, she was running right into the thick of it.

"What are you hay brains doing? Get to cover!"

She yelled the words without a hint of irony, and paid their effects little attention. Her mind was focused on the two ponies in front of her. The first step was to get them out of danger. There was little point in healing them if they got shot again by the sniper immediately after. Horn aglow, she tried to stabilise Hot Cross enough to get her out of the line of fire.

Now, from the sounds of it, Rosemary was trying to save a life and cover her flank at the same time. That kind of multi-tasking calls for an Acting Under Fire roll.


Gabriel had his gun out in a second, but was left with the unenviable position of having nobody to point it at. His eyes narrowed as he examined the splatter of blood and--ugh--grey matter that'd sprayed all over the other mare, before tracing the path of the bullet. That was a powerful shot. Probably more powerful than something even his rifle could do. Accurate, too. Which meant it was either the bear's partner, or someone else. And that didn't make too much sense, unless the Bears were trying to screw themselves over.

The griffon growled, and pointed his shotgun skywards. The barrel roared once, louder than the crowd. "Enough! Get to shelter, before that sniper gets the rest of you!"

The threat of physical violence to herd a crowd out of his way was the textbook definition of Going Aggro. Let's see it.


Lavender's horn ignited with magic, and she looked dazedly between the corpses, her friends, and the middle distance.

"Where are they? Who's firing?!"

Lavender's ineffective squeak was ignored over the din of the crowd and the sound of gunshots. Somepony saw her horn glowing and pointed a pistol at her - and frankly, Itchy Trigger would have shot at anything in those moments. What did she do?


A shot, followed by shouting. A flash of red on the heads-up, green dots winking out.

"Ugh, really?" Trees groaned irritably. "This world just has no respect."

On went the mask and Yellow Jacket rose unsteadily to her hooves and trotted towards the nearest alleyway. Sniper, raised position and crowded killing zone. Keep buildings to either side and close on the position without heading straight towards the shooter, arc round to approach from the side. Cross open spaces in an erratic, zigzag manner. Allow crowds to feed on each other to draw fire. Trees mind ticked away as she allowed her Sandmare training to resurface. All that mattered was getting range on her side.

"Somepony is going to pay or this." She muttered, grim faced beneath Yellowjacket's mask.

Here was the thing - Trees had some pretty good instincts to her and they were all telling her that something was really wrong here. Something about the way she could see the bleary sunlight glinting against the metal of the water tower where she guessed the shot had come from. Something about the length of the pause before the next shot. Things here weren't quite right somehow - what did she do?


Blue was drifting quietly down the main street, deep in her own labyrinthine thoughts when the shot went off. She jerked hard and suddenly from her previous course and was in action long before her brain or any of its many occupants had time to drop their game of cards and start squawking like a gaggle of god-damned griffons, much less realize that they were dealing with a fox in their midsts.

React first, fox it out later. Then tear it limb from limb and feed it its own intestines.

She was already by Rosemary's side when her brain finally jumped into the driver's seat and grabbed the steering wheel. "Got your back, get to cover," she yelled over the noise as she covered for Rose and scanned whatever high ground the sniper might have taken. Next shot she would hopefully be able to tell where it came from.

Blue had a more pressing problem: About a dozen of her own raiders, the remnant of Lockjaw's gang, were all pointing their guns at Half Iris and looked like they were just about to go her. What did she do?

[Balmas]

The shotgun fell to point at Itchy Trigger. If he had to make an example, might as well be someone who was pointing guns at his friends. "I said, get to cover! NOW!"

Go Aggro: [roll0]

[BlasTech]

Rose frowned at all the noise. Between the shouting and the shooting ... trying to tend to wounded ponies was really hard.

[roll0]

[Tiki Snakes]

a long delay, a vacant shooting position. It could mean a couple of things, but Trees was pretty sure that the shooter wasn't trying to escape befofe being ID'd. That left repositioning, probably via unicorn magic.

She made an assumption; Further shots will follow. If that was so, the shooter would need another high vantage point with a good clear view. Trees veered from her current course, hoping to intercept the shooter, keeping an eye on her tactical map for green or red dots winking into existence on of near taller buildings.

[Deadly]

Blue had a more pressing problem: About a dozen of her own raiders, the remnant of Lockjaw's gang, were all pointing their guns at Half Iris and looked like they were just about to go her. What did she do?

Of course they were.

Blue's eye twitched as she spun around and very nearly screamed, "Don't you dare shoot that bear! Don't you f*cking dare!" She pointed at about a hoof-ful of what had apparently become "her" raiders. Lousy rotten bunch the lot of them, but if they were going to cling to her like so much sh*t, she was going to drag them all kicking and screaming into sprouting roses for her. "You! Get your plots over here and help me! The rest, guard that f*cking bear!"

[Thanqol]

The shotgun fell to point at Itchy Trigger. If he had to make an example, might as well be someone who was pointing guns at his friends. "I said, get to cover! NOW!"

Go Aggro: [roll0]

Bam. Everyone got the hell out of Gabriel's way. They weren't, like, running to cover and getting into battle stations or anything, but they were going away, giving him time and space to think. What did he do?


Rose frowned at all the noise. Between the shouting and the shooting ... trying to tend to wounded ponies was really hard.

[roll0]

Here's the thing.

Hot Cross was thrashing around, bleeding everywhere, screaming and waving her knives. Rosemary could save her. It'd take valuable healing supplies, though, stocks which might soon be in high demand and way short supply.

But what was certain was that if Rosemary took the time to tend her properly, the dying pony's thrashing would absolutely certainly smash the small bag of potions she was wearing in her own medical saddlebag.

But if Rosemary put the dying pony out of her misery now she could recover those additional potions for herself and be better prepared to deal with the injuries yet to come. It was the old principle of Triage at work - separating those who were going to die with or without treatment, those who would live with or without treatment, and those that could go either way.

What did she do?


a long delay, a vacant shooting position. It could mean a couple of things, but Trees was pretty sure that the shooter wasn't trying to escape befofe being ID'd. That left repositioning, probably via unicorn magic.

She made an assumption; Further shots will follow. If that was so, the shooter would need another high vantage point with a good clear view. Trees veered from her current course, hoping to intercept the shooter, keeping an eye on her tactical map for green or red dots winking into existence on of near taller buildings.

Sounded like Trees was trying to Read a Sitch.


Of course they were.

Blue's eye twitched as she spun around and very nearly screamed, "Don't you dare shoot that bear! Don't you f*cking dare!" She pointed at about a hoof-ful of what had apparently become "her" raiders. Lousy rotten bunch the lot of them, but if they were going to cling to her like so much sh*t, she was going to drag them all kicking and screaming into sprouting roses for her. "You! Get your plots over here and help me! The rest, guard that f*cking bear!"

That was most certainly Resonant Blue using her status as Pack Alpha to impose her will on her gang. Roll Hard.

[Deadly]

That was most certainly Resonant Blue using her status as Pack Alpha to impose her will on her gang. Roll Hard.

[Indeed it was. Roll+Hard : [roll0]

Let's choose ... they do what Blue wants.]

[Thanqol]

[Indeed it was. Roll+Hard : [roll0]

Let's choose ... they do what Blue wants.]

"Guard the bear!?" shouted High Pitch, an eye-gouging pink and white earth pony, spinning around furiously to glare at Blue. "Are you out of your mind you quartz crystal princess? These bastards set us up and we're gonna gut them for it!"

She was coming at Blue with her head raised high and a throwing spear wrapped up in her tail. The rest of the gang was kind of frozen, seeing where this was about to go - if Blue wanted control of these raiders right now she was going to have to make an example out of this one.

[Balmas]

Gabriel nodded in satisfaction and kicked off the ground. Blue could handle whatever some cheap raider could dish out. For now, he had more pressing masters. Like figuring out where the guy with a damn powerful rifle was hiding. EFS at sniper rifle range would be next to useless, but the Griffon toggled it on in any case as he scanned for things that didn't belong. He passed, pulling out the sniper rifle so he could use the scope to examine anything he saw.

[BlasTech]

Here's the thing.

Hot Cross was thrashing around, bleeding everywhere, screaming and waving her knives. Rosemary could save her. It'd take valuable healing supplies, though, stocks which might soon be in high demand and way short supply.

But what was certain was that if Rosemary took the time to tend her properly, the dying pony's thrashing would absolutely certainly smash the small bag of potions she was wearing in her own medical saddlebag.

But if Rosemary put the dying pony out of her misery now she could recover those additional potions for herself and be better prepared to deal with the injuries yet to come. It was the old principle of Triage at work - separating those who were going to die with or without treatment, those who would live with or without treatment, and those that could go either way.

What did she do?

Rose did the thing that she was naturally going to do all along.

She cracked open her own stash of potions and got to work. Administering a shot to Hot Cross and focusing her magic in an attempt to alleviate the other pony's suffering.

She grimaced as the potions in Hot Cross' saddlebags shattered, but there was no way she was going to trade a pony's life just for more healing potions. Not today, at least.

[Spending 1 Angel Kit stock]

[roll0]

[the_druid_droid]

Lavender's ineffective squeak was ignored over the din of the crowd and the sound of gunshots. Somepony saw her horn glowing and pointed a pistol at her - and frankly, Itchy Trigger would have shot at anything in those moments. What did she do?

"Get that thing out of my face!" Lavender's magic reached out, enveloping the pistol and trying to tear it out of the other pony's grip. She had more important things to worry about than some raider waving a gun.

[Deadly]

"Guard the bear!?" shouted High Pitch, an eye-gouging pink and white earth pony, spinning around furiously to glare at Blue. "Are you out of your mind you quartz crystal princess? These bastards set us up and we're gonna gut them for it!"

She was coming at Blue with her head raised high and a throwing spear wrapped up in her tail. The rest of the gang was kind of frozen, seeing where this was about to go - if Blue wanted control of these raiders right now she was going to have to make an example out of this one.

Blue lost her patience way before High Pitch was done talking. Without warning, she launched herself at the other pony's throat, but angled herself at the last second and fanned out her wing to sever High's tail and grab the spear instead.

[Thanqol]

Trees went right on ahead and spotted where the sniper was - some kind of observation tower near the main gate, with the long barrel of a rifle sweeping out over the crowd. It didn't look like it was aiming for another shot, though, even though there were plenty of targets. It looked more like it was sweeping for folks who were coming right at it and keeping an eye on the situation as a whole.


Gabriel nodded in satisfaction and kicked off the ground. Blue could handle whatever some cheap raider could dish out. For now, he had more pressing masters. Like figuring out where the guy with a damn powerful rifle was hiding. EFS at sniper rifle range would be next to useless, but the Griffon toggled it on in any case as he scanned for things that didn't belong. He passed, pulling out the sniper rifle so he could use the scope to examine anything he saw.

Bang! The moment Gabriel took to the sky a bullet whizzed by his head close enough to ruffle his feathers. Looked like being in the air was not something that was going to go ignored.

Now, thing was, that shot hadn't come from the gate tower - and it had sounded more like a shotgun than a sniper rifle. And yet there was certainly no pony that close to him - what did he do?






Rose did the thing that she was naturally going to do all along.

She cracked open her own stash of potions and got to work. Administering a shot to Hot Cross and focusing her magic in an attempt to alleviate the other pony's suffering.

She grimaced as the potions in Hot Cross' saddlebags shattered, but there was no way she was going to trade a pony's life just for more healing potions. Not today, at least.

[Spending 1 Angel Kit stock]

[roll0]

Smash, went the potions, valuable red liquid soaking into the snow to mingle with the blood. Oh well.

The gunshot was back together, but this pony was going to be in and out of conciousness for at least twenty four hours. Even so, Rosemary had just stolen one life back from the Reaper - and found herself momentarily without a patient. What did she do?


"Get that thing out of my face!" Lavender's magic reached out, enveloping the pistol and trying to tear it out of the other pony's grip. She had more important things to worry about than some raider waving a gun.

Trying to yank the gun out of the mouth of a pony who was literally named for being trigger-happy? Sounds like you're seizing by force, girl.


Blue lost her patience way before High Pitch was done talking. Without warning, she launched herself at the other pony's throat, but angled herself at the last second and fanned out her wing to sever High's tail and grab the spear instead.

Ouch. Shot, stabbed, shrapnel'd, High Pitch had taken a lot of crap over the years but nopony had ever gone and cut her tail. There was pride on the line now. She came right on after Blue, screaming and kicking and biting like nopony's business. She didn't have a weapon right now but she was still an angry pony in your face.

To see what happens here, we're going to roll +Harm suffered - which in the case of an unarmed pony hitting armoured you is 0. I'll go ahead and make this one because I'd get to choose the result anyhow.

4 - a miss. Well how 'bout that. Turns out Blue was able to hold her off easily and keep perfect track of everything around her. Good work, girl.

[BlasTech]

Smash, went the potions, valuable red liquid soaking into the snow to mingle with the blood. Oh well.

The gunshot was back together, but this pony was going to be in and out of conciousness for at least twenty four hours. Even so, Rosemary had just stolen one life back from the Reaper - and found herself momentarily without a patient. What did she do?


Rose wiped a bead of perspiration from her forehead and turned to have a look around. She thought she might still be able to help Mr Weird, but it would be of little use fixing him up if he just ate another bullet to the head immediately after. Was it safe to treat him here? Should she try moving him again first? Did she even have the time to do that?

She was also worried about Hot Cross, but to a lesser extent. It didn't seem like the shot had been meant for her. Even if the pony was out cold, she should still be safe just lying there right?

[Balmas]

"S***!" Of course he had backup. Things would have been too easy otherwise. "And gods forbid my life should be easy!" The young griffon scanned his EFS for the telltale blip of red. If they were trying to hit him with that kind of weapon, they had to be close. And just as soon as he found out where the shooters were, two bullets from Maria would end the matter. Gabriel's break twisted in a grin. Sniper beat shotgun, any day of the week.

[Tiki Snakes]

The thing about using a scoped rifle was that it limited your peripheral vision quite badly. Both physically for the obvious reason but also behaviourally, by focusing your attention down the length of your gun. Approach a position like that from the right vector, and the target shouldn't see you coming until it was too late. That's what her training was telling her, at least. Trees swerved again, veering her course wildly to keep away from the crowds and to keep buildings between her and the Watchtower as much as possible as she circled around town towards the gate.

One lone pony, galloping frantically away from a dangerous riot. With any luck, that's all there would be to see right up until she'd made it into the blind-spot in the shadow of the tower itself. If she could just get up close with the shooter then all the advantages of that big rifle would turn to poison. Unwieldy and difficult to reload, Pistol beat Sniper rifle every time at that kind of range.

[the_druid_droid]

Lavender felt her magic take hold, and yanked hard on the cool metal of the weapon. She really didn't have time for this.

[Seize by force, 2d6+2 was 11]

[Thanqol]

Rose wiped a bead of perspiration from her forehead and turned to have a look around. She thought she might still be able to help Mr Weird, but it would be of little use fixing him up if he just ate another bullet to the head immediately after. Was it safe to treat him here? Should she try moving him again first? Did she even have the time to do that?

She was also worried about Hot Cross, but to a lesser extent. It didn't seem like the shot had been meant for her. Even if the pony was out cold, she should still be safe just lying there right?

Rosemary was pondering things like possible futures, and weighing up all manner of intangibles and hunch feelings. Sounds like she's opening her brain.


"S***!" Of course he had backup. Things would have been too easy otherwise. "And gods forbid my life should be easy!" The young griffon scanned his EFS for the telltale blip of red. If they were trying to hit him with that kind of weapon, they had to be close. And just as soon as he found out where the shooters were, two bullets from Maria would end the matter. Gabriel's break twisted in a grin. Sniper beat shotgun, any day of the week.

Gabe found himself spinning in the air looking at nothing. That was messed up. Somepony comes at him that close with a shotgun he should see it, no problem - minimum, EFS picks it up. Wasn't there. Either he was being shot at by something invisible or someone had teleported a bunch of shotgun slugs at him or something. Both were possible, he'd seen some weird crap out in the wastelands.

Anyway, the feathers on his shoulders were pricking up and his senses were telling him things were about to get bad fast. He had a few seconds before whatever it was that had happened happened again. What did he do?


The thing about using a scoped rifle was that it limited your peripheral vision quite badly. Both physically for the obvious reason but also behaviourally, by focusing your attention down the length of your gun. Approach a position like that from the right vector, and the target shouldn't see you coming until it was too late. That's what her training was telling her, at least. Trees swerved again, veering her course wildly to keep away from the crowds and to keep buildings between her and the Watchtower as much as possible as she circled around town towards the gate.

One lone pony, galloping frantically away from a dangerous riot. With any luck, that's all there would be to see right up until she'd made it into the blind-spot in the shadow of the tower itself. If she could just get up close with the shooter then all the advantages of that big rifle would turn to poison. Unwieldy and difficult to reload, Pistol beat Sniper rifle every time at that kind of range.

Sneaking in on a sniper who's specifically watching for folks doing exactly that? Normally the odds are really good in Trees' favour but this particular sniper had an awareness that totally undermined the reasonable expectation of tunnel vision. Trees, roll Acting Under Fire - but remember to add the +1 because you're acting on the answers given by Read a Sitch.

[BlasTech]

Rosemary was pondering things like possible futures, and weighing up all manner of intangibles and hunch feelings. Sounds like she's opening her brain.

The back of her neck tingled, like she'd been too long outside in the sun.

It was probably nothing.

[roll0]

[huh, thought that it might've been Reading the Sitch.]

[Balmas]

"F*** that," Gabriel murmured, the feathers on the back of his neck ticking as they began to stand up. He wasn't being paid to deal with unicorn chicanery. With a wingstroke the griffon dove for the clouds, burrowing into one and working over as quickly as possible. Bought himself a little time. Even with invisibility, he'd be able to poke a hole from which to spy in the cloud. Plus, he'd definitely be out of shotgun range and hopefully outside the range any cheating unicorn could accurately target a teleporting bullet.

With that, the griffon poked a hole out and started scanning for unusual motion in the town. People running the wrong way, or about to make trouble.

[Deadly]

Ouch. Shot, stabbed, shrapnel'd, High Pitch had taken a lot of crap over the years but nopony had ever gone and cut her tail. There was pride on the line now. She came right on after Blue, screaming and kicking and biting like nopony's business. She didn't have a weapon right now but she was still an angry pony in your face.

To see what happens here, we're going to roll +Harm suffered - which in the case of an unarmed pony hitting armoured you is 0. I'll go ahead and make this one because I'd get to choose the result anyhow.

4 - a miss. Well how 'bout that. Turns out Blue was able to hold her off easily and keep perfect track of everything around her. Good work, girl.

Blue didn't have time nor patience for this. She dodged the raging pony with ease and swung herself around, smashing the spear like a bat into the other pony's head. "Sit your ass down!"

[Thanqol]

Trees was creep-creep creeping, but the flash from the barrel and a glint of a laser pointer warned her just in time to avoid her from taking a bullet. The sniper didn't fire, though. That told her a fair bit.

A sniper this reluctant to fire means that he's swinging a bolt-action rifle, which means only one shot before a lengthly reload. So therefore he wasn't going to take a shot unless it was perfect and rely on the intimidation value of the laser sight to keep folks in line. So that was fine.

Problem was there was no single way up to that tower which didn't put Trees in line for taking that one, perfect shot. However, if the guy missed that shot, or shot something else, that'd give her the opening she needed to get in close. She needed some kind of distraction - or somepony to take a bullet for her.

What did she do?


The back of her neck tingled, like she'd been too long outside in the sun.

It was probably nothing.

[roll0]

[huh, thought that it might've been Reading the Sitch.]

Nah. You were after stuff like intent and what your best move is. Take a mosey at the Read a Sitch questions and see how many of them line up with what you were after, right?

Now, anyway, the point was that Rosemary had a problem. She'd treated Hot Cross' wound, treated it right and clean and by rights the pony was going to live after sleeping it off. That was what she'd worked for and that's what was going to happen.

What actually was happening was that the pony was screaming again as her shadow writhed and boiled like some kind of snake. Glancing aside at the little puff of snow where the sniper's bullet had landed she could see some sort of horrible crystal growth just starting, like an itty-bitty baby weed. Some donkey had fired a goddamn crystal bullet and it was just getting started on warping this all up - and if that shadow was anything to go by there might be a Manifestation in the bargain too.

What'd she do?


"F*** that," Gabriel murmured, the feathers on the back of his neck ticking as they began to stand up. He wasn't being paid to deal with unicorn chicanery. With a wingstroke the griffon dove for the clouds, burrowing into one and working over as quickly as possible. Bought himself a little time. Even with invisibility, he'd be able to poke a hole from which to spy in the cloud. Plus, he'd definitely be out of shotgun range and hopefully outside the range any cheating unicorn could accurately target a teleporting bullet.

With that, the griffon poked a hole out and started scanning for unusual motion in the town. People running the wrong way, or about to make trouble.

Withdrawing to a cloud put Gabriel out of whoever's immediate line of fire, and there wasn't a followup bullet. From up here he had a pretty good view.

Some basic facts, for free. He was able to spot the tower the sniper was operating from, and the length of the rifle's barrel scanning around it. He wasn't able to see any of the sniper's features. He could see bunches of raiders milling around in cover, clutching guns and looking scared. He heard - two magical energy gunshots, somewhere else in the town? He couldn't see whoever had fired that shotgun at him but the itching in his shoulders told him that it wasn't because they were gone.

What did he focus on?


Blue didn't have time nor patience for this. She dodged the raging pony with ease and swung herself around, smashing the spear like a bat into the other pony's head. "Sit your ass down!"

Bang. She sat her ass down, face first into the snow.

Instantly she was the alpha again and her gang was in line.
"Defend the bear? You got it!" said Red Teeth, backing off. "I love bears!"
"No you don't, you hate -" started Blunt Instrument, and got a cuff on the back of the head to cut her off.
"Ha ha!" she said loudly. "Stars and Rs and all that, that's me! Boss says protect, let's protect!"

Half Iris breathed a sigh of relief and then tore through to cover. She looked at her pip-buck, pressed a few buttons, and then looked like she was contemplating derpcharging the sniper and hoping her power armour would take the shot.

What'd Blue do?

EDIT:

Blam!

The pistol went off in Lavender's face right as she yanked it out of Itchy Trigger's mouth. She wasn't a warrior, she hadn't done this right, and now she was bleeding an awful lot and it hurt like hell - but she had the pistol, and Itchy Trigger was legging it. He'd shot more out of panic than malice and didn't want to be on the end of a follow-up shot. Take one Harm.

And now she was there, with a cut that'd probably make a fine new scar and a remarkably well kept and tended gun, in the middle of a panicking crowd. What did she do?

[Balmas]

Gabriel allowed himself a moment to turn the facts over, prioritize them. The raiders weren't a threat, right now. They were probably too grateful to try mauling them, at least for another few hours until they were away. The griffon discarded them, and wheeled to the rest. Magical energy weapons were bad, too. Stung like a wasp on Rampage. He didn't know where they were, though. Maybe look for the flashes of red and green? No, that'd take too long. And it'd depend on them shooting again.

That left Sniper and Shotgun. Shotgun was definitely unnerving. Weren't too many people he knew that could both turn invisible and... What had it been? Short range flight? Teleportation? It'd been enough to jinx his pipbuck, and usually that could handle even the weirdos that used stealthbucks. And what's more, Shotgun was fully hostile to him specifically. But he didn't know where the bastard was! How the hell did you fight that?

Gabriel growled. The answer was, you didn't. Unless he knew where someone was, he couldn't accurately shoot it or defend from it. So, he'd have to ignore it for now and hope that being on top of a cloud would stymie his unknown assailant long enough for Gabriel to take a shot at an enemy he could f***ing see.

Yeah. That was totally going to happen. The wasteland would be kind enough to wait until he'd lined up his shot before blowing his brain out.

The griffon jumped off his cloud and sprinted to a different one to see if he couldn't line up a shot on that sniper in the tower. He could probably shoot the weapon out of the sniper's hand right now, but it'd be better if he could just put a slug in the sniper itself. Better for his pocketbook, too.

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees changed direction again, pacing erratically from side to side like a caged beast at an invisible fence, unwilling to make that final dash with the laser on her. With a micro-gesture, she waypointed the base of the tower and the route up.

Once sure that she had the sniper's attention, she pointed meaningfully at the sky, as if to say, you're looking in the wrong direction, horse.

If he bought it, if the laser strayed, then she'd be up the tower like a rat up a drainpipe. If he didn't, he'd double down on keeping his attention on Yellow Jacket, and she was pretty sure that wouldn't work out any better for him, if her grasp of the tactical overlay was accurate.

[the_druid_droid]

Lavender's mind started to fuzz from the throb of the gunshot wound, but she had enough presence of mind to tuck the gun away in her saddlebags and head for cover. Her horn glowed again, this time beginning to mold a shield spell from the arcane energy around her. She made it as large as she could manage, trying to cover any civilians left out in the open.

[Deadly]

Bang. She sat her ass down, face first into the snow.

Instantly she was the alpha again and her gang was in line.
"Defend the bear? You got it!" said Red Teeth, backing off. "I love bears!"
"No you don't, you hate -" started Blunt Instrument, and got a cuff on the back of the head to cut her off.
"Ha ha!" she said loudly. "Stars and Rs and all that, that's me! Boss says protect, let's protect!"

Half Iris breathed a sigh of relief and then tore through to cover. She looked at her pip-buck, pressed a few buttons, and then looked like she was contemplating derpcharging the sniper and hoping her power armour would take the shot.

What'd Blue do?

Blue took quick stock of the lay of the land as she followed her gang and Half Iris to cover. "Got the sniper's position? How many do you see?" she asked the bear. "I say we storm the place. Others are bound to stand ready to act if we draw the attention away from them, and if it's only one sniper, they can't hit us all."

[BlasTech]

Nah. You were after stuff like intent and what your best move is. Take a mosey at the Read a Sitch questions and see how many of them line up with what you were after, right?

Now, anyway, the point was that Rosemary had a problem. She'd treated Hot Cross' wound, treated it right and clean and by rights the pony was going to live after sleeping it off. That was what she'd worked for and that's what was going to happen.

What actually was happening was that the pony was screaming again as her shadow writhed and boiled like some kind of snake. Glancing aside at the little puff of snow where the sniper's bullet had landed she could see some sort of horrible crystal growth just starting, like an itty-bitty baby weed. Some donkey had fired a goddamn crystal bullet and it was just getting started on warping this all up - and if that shadow was anything to go by there might be a Manifestation in the bargain too.

What'd she do?


She tried to think of the most colourful swear word that she could muster.

Ahhhhh ... nuts

Unfortunately, her imagination was far too tied up with what might happen if a manifestation decided to ... well, manifest, while she was treating her patients.

She knew about shadow crystals, though, as anypony in the Empire did. She'd also studied a bit about them in school and knew that the only way to prevent a manifestation was to get the fork away from whatever was causing it.

Grabbing Hot Cross and the late Mr Weird in her telekinesis, Rose tried to drag them away before their exposure to that little crystal shard got any worse.

[Thanqol]

Trees changed direction again, pacing erratically from side to side like a caged beast at an invisible fence, unwilling to make that final dash with the laser on her. With a micro-gesture, she waypointed the base of the tower and the route up.

Once sure that she had the sniper's attention, she pointed meaningfully at the sky, as if to say, you're looking in the wrong direction, horse.

If he bought it, if the laser strayed, then she'd be up the tower like a rat up a drainpipe. If he didn't, he'd double down on keeping his attention on Yellow Jacket, and she was pretty sure that wouldn't work out any better for him, if her grasp of the tactical overlay was accurate.


Yeah. That was totally going to happen. The wasteland would be kind enough to wait until he'd lined up his shot before blowing his brain out.

The griffon jumped off his cloud and sprinted to a different one to see if he couldn't line up a shot on that sniper in the tower. He could probably shoot the weapon out of the sniper's hand right now, but it'd be better if he could just put a slug in the sniper itself. Better for his pocketbook, too.

Well, now the sniper had to make a choice, didn't he? He made a choice that nopony could have faulted him for and went and shot the guy with the big gun. Kerblammo!

It was the wrong choice, though. Gabriel was armoured like a firetrucker and ate rusty nails for breakfast. Taking a crystal bullet to the chest didn't even penetrate his feathers. Even so, getting hit in the chest with a high powered rifle was like getting bucked by the Minister of Technology - and a Harm roll of 10 backs that up. The shock was so great Gabe dropped his sniper rifle and went into a tailspin, knocked out of the sky and headin' down to catch a facefull of snow. He'd be fine once he had a second to catch his breath but it'd mean he'd lost track of what was happening around him for just a minute. The scope on his gun was probably all f*cked out of alignment too from the fall.

Also he'd come out of it with one crystal bullet, slightly used. It hadn't activated it's screwed-up effects, evidently 'cause it hadn't penetrated. Bonus.

Anyway, at about this point Trees vaulted over the ledge and came face to face with the sniper. And what do you know, it was a robot.

Lyrabot model, but painted black instead of the usual green. There were orange balloons on the side and the eyes were glowing red instead of the usual gold. All three eye-stalks swung around to stare at Trees as she entered, swiftly followed by the swingin' around of a buzz-saw. The Lyrabot shrieked with laughter as it started advancing on Trees, laughing so hard it sounded like it was crying. If a pony was ever laughin' that hard there'd be the serious risk that it was about to shoot hisself.


Lavender's mind started to fuzz from the throb of the gunshot wound, but she had enough presence of mind to tuck the gun away in her saddlebags and head for cover. Her horn glowed again, this time beginning to mold a shield spell from the arcane energy around her. She made it as large as she could manage, trying to cover any civilians left out in the open.

Well, here was the thing. There weren't any civilians left out in the open. The sniper wasn't aimin' at anything any more and everypony else was in cover. Lavender found herself feeling a mite useless. What did she do?


Blue took quick stock of the lay of the land as she followed her gang and Half Iris to cover. "Got the sniper's position? How many do you see?" she asked the bear. "I say we storm the place. Others are bound to stand ready to act if we draw the attention away from them, and if it's only one sniper, they can't hit us all."

"Is distracted, now is the time," agreed Half Iris, breaking into a huge, loping run towards the tower.


She tried to think of the most colourful swear word that she could muster.

Ahhhhh ... nuts

Unfortunately, her imagination was far too tied up with what might happen if a manifestation decided to ... well, manifest, while she was treating her patients.

She knew about shadow crystals, though, as anypony in the Empire did. She'd also studied a bit about them in school and knew that the only way to prevent a manifestation was to get the fork away from whatever was causing it.

Grabbing Hot Cross and the late Mr Weird in her telekinesis, Rose tried to drag them away before their exposure to that little crystal shard got any worse.

Okay, well, Rosemary had just saved some lives - or, in Weird's case, made sure he didn't get up again - but her delay had meant that the shard had time to get rooted and start growing properly. Beastly little thing would probably turn into a full-blown Monolith if it had its way. What'd she do?

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees tail followed her up in a grand arc, the heavy weight of her already drawn pistol rising into view as she landed. It hung in the air for a split second before swinging down to point at the sniper. The pistol spoke, it's voice ringing out loud and clear before the robot even finished turning around.

Trees stance was low, ready to move. She held her ground though, a barrage of bullets whipping over her head towards the robot. She said nothing, the mask-face of Yellow Jacket intent on her target.

[Balmas]

Ouch. Gabriel blinked once, then again as the world reoriented around him. Bright. Cold. Kinda wet. Snow, his little griffon informed him. The griffon wheezed as he sat up, and peered at his chest. "F*** me with a cattle prod," he breathed. His talons went to pull out the crystal, but he hissed and pulled back. Yeah, he'd rather not have anything to do with Sombra's nightmare fuel, thanks much.

Well, that cleared things up a bit. Sniper weapons, an apparent grudge against Mr. Weird, and access to enough dark crystals to spare a bullet on him. Wasn't too hard to figure out who was behind this.

Or at least, enough to pin it on him, and that was usually enough.

The griffon pulled himself to his feet, and limbered up his shotgun. Maria was missing. That was going to be a problem. She'd fallen with him. Somepony might have found her in the few seconds he was down.

Honestly, he really hoped so. He was in a shooty mood. Grumbling, Gabriel took a look around, scanning for enemies or red blips on his EFS.

[the_druid_droid]

Well, here was the thing. There weren't any civilians left out in the open. The sniper wasn't aimin' at anything any more and everypony else was in cover. Lavender found herself feeling a mite useless. What did she do?


Ouch. Gabriel blinked once, then again as the world reoriented around him. Bright. Cold. Kinda wet. Snow, his little griffon informed him. The griffon wheezed as he sat up, and peered at his chest. "F*** me with a cattle prod," he breathed. His talons went to pull out the crystal, but he hissed and pulled back. Yeah, he'd rather not have anything to do with Sombra's nightmare fuel, thanks much.

Lavender heard the shot and turned, nearly screaming as she watched Gabriel fall from the sky... but then he sat up, something Mr. Weird had definitely not done, so that was probably a good sign. It still left her useless, though.

With a hiss, her horn dulled and Lavender looked out over the battlefield. "I don't suppose anypony has any bright ideas just now?"

[BlasTech]

Okay, well, Rosemary had just saved some lives - or, in Weird's case, made sure he didn't get up again - but her delay had meant that the shard had time to get rooted and start growing properly. Beastly little thing would probably turn into a full-blown Monolith if it had its way. What'd she do?

Monoliths and Shadow Magic were both the subject of much study back in the Empire, for obvious reasons. It was hard to ignore them when they threatened to sprout in the middle of a residential district, or somepony's backyard. Thinking quickly, Ros's minde replayed some of the key pieces of information - growth rates, crystalline structure, and some other tidbits that she'd picked up from goodness knows wher--

Just smash the damn thing before it gets any worse!

Right. Yes. Break it when it's still small. A full monolith was not a healthy thing to be around. A shardling could still be destroyed with only marginal negative effects. It was also better not to touch the thing with her bare hooves.

She grabbed a knife, one of Hot Cross', with her magic and swung.

[Deadly]

"Is distracted, now is the time," agreed Half Iris, breaking into a huge, loping run towards the tower.

"Spread out! Charge!" Blue commanded. And she was off after Half Iris, leading the pack in a wild and confusing charge at the tower. Weaving in and out of the flock, she directed them to move in constantly shifting patterns to confuse any attackers trying to get a clean shot at them.

[Thanqol]

Trees tail followed her up in a grand arc, the heavy weight of her already drawn pistol rising into view as she landed. It hung in the air for a split second before swinging down to point at the sniper. The pistol spoke, it's voice ringing out loud and clear before the robot even finished turning around.

Trees stance was low, ready to move. She held her ground though, a barrage of bullets whipping over her head towards the robot. She said nothing, the mask-face of Yellow Jacket intent on her target.

Pistol against buzzsaw, pony verses robot, eye to eye, no holds barred. Roll to Seize by Force.


The griffon pulled himself to his feet, and limbered up his shotgun. Maria was missing. That was going to be a problem. She'd fallen with him. Somepony might have found her in the few seconds he was down.

Honestly, he really hoped so. He was in a shooty mood. Grumbling, Gabriel took a look around, scanning for enemies or red blips on his EFS.

Well, when you put it like that -

Cleanup Crew, a dainty raider pegasus with a mop cutie mark had already gone and picked up Gabe's sniper rifle under the assumption that he was dead. She was hoofing it back to cover to look over her prize, evidently still under the impression that Gabe was deadders.


Lavender heard the shot and turned, nearly screaming as she watched Gabriel fall from the sky... but then he sat up, something Mr. Weird had definitely not done, so that was probably a good sign. It still left her useless, though.

With a hiss, her horn dulled and Lavender looked out over the battlefield. "I don't suppose anypony has any bright ideas just now?"

Somepony did! Norman just needs a Weird roll first.


Monoliths and Shadow Magic were both the subject of much study back in the Empire, for obvious reasons. It was hard to ignore them when they threatened to sprout in the middle of a residential district, or somepony's backyard. Thinking quickly, Ros's minde replayed some of the key pieces of information - growth rates, crystalline structure, and some other tidbits that she'd picked up from goodness knows wher--

Just smash the damn thing before it gets any worse!

Right. Yes. Break it when it's still small. A full monolith was not a healthy thing to be around. A shardling could still be destroyed with only marginal negative effects. It was also better not to touch the thing with her bare hooves.

She grabbed a knife, one of Hot Cross', with her magic and swung.

It didn't break like crystal. It kind of came off in chunks, like mouldy cheese, spewing a profoundly unpleasant stench everywhere and making her gag. It was like hacking into an organic thing, shivering and writhing and crumbling. Profoundly awful experience. And the more of it she hacked off, the more it piled up around her, forming toxic, necromantic waste that would never really go away.

She was safe - but surely there had to be a better way than this, right?


"Spread out! Charge!" Blue commanded. And she was off after Half Iris, leading the pack in a wild and confusing charge at the tower. Weaving in and out of the flock, she directed them to move in constantly shifting patterns to confuse any attackers trying to get a clean shot at them.

Well, a bear and a flight of raiders - sounds like that's the cue to help out Trees with her aforementioned combat. Your HX with Trees is +0, let's see what that gets you.

[Tiki Snakes]

Sieze by force; 2d6 -1
5,1. (5)

[Balmas]

Gabriel followed the mare into her cover and waited for her to relax before clearing his throat. "I'll be having that back now," he stated clearly, tapping his shotgun against his thigh. It was not a request.

[the_druid_droid]

"I guess if no one out there has any suggestions..." Lavender closed her eyes and let her mind focus inward, searching for the nagging spark she new so well by now.

[roll0]

[Deadly]

Well, a bear and a flight of raiders - sounds like that's the cue to help out Trees with her aforementioned combat. Your HX with Trees is +0, let's see what that gets you.

Roll+Hx with Trees: [roll0]

[BlasTech]

Rose grimaced.

Maybe there was a better way to do this, but right now she had no idea why a shardling should end up acting so plant-like. The only thing that normally worked on shadow magic was exposure to sunshine, and unfortunately, the cloud cover overhead was unlikely to bring any of that soon.

Wait. Plant-like?

She tentatively grasped the thing with her telekinesis and started to pull. If she uprooted the thing physically, it would hopefully stop 'growing'.

[Thanqol]

Sieze by force; 2d6 -1
5,1. (5)


Roll+Hx with Trees: [4]

Ain't that a sad thing.

Anyway, this was a straight up throw down. Trees blew out one of the robot's glowing red eyes and put some holes in important parts, and the robot knocked her to the ground with a buzzsaw. Ain't a pleasant thing. Take 3 harm, less your armour Trees.

Then Resonant Blue arrives, a moment too late, and sees what there is to see - a manic robot laughing like it's catching Black Books reruns on the inside of it's head, just about to come at her with a saw. What did she do?


Gabriel followed the mare into her cover and waited for her to relax before clearing his throat. "I'll be having that back now," he stated clearly, tapping his shotgun against his thigh. It was not a request.

Here's a question. Is Gabe bluffing? Is he really prepared to blow this pony away if she makes a break for it?


"I guess if no one out there has any suggestions..." Lavender closed her eyes and let her mind focus inward, searching for the nagging spark she new so well by now.

[roll0]

"Foal!" snapped a dark, powerful voice in her head. "There is but one prize in this town worth anything and I shall tell thee now that is not the ponies! See the obviousness of the attack, the escalation with the crystals - this is but a diversion and thou has wasted far too much time on it already. Get thee to the witch's house and secure the Star Weapons before it is too late!"

The implication, powerful, unspoken: No other hooves can be trusted with them but ours.


Rose grimaced.

Maybe there was a better way to do this, but right now she had no idea why a shardling should end up acting so plant-like. The only thing that normally worked on shadow magic was exposure to sunshine, and unfortunately, the cloud cover overhead was unlikely to bring any of that soon.

Wait. Plant-like?

She tentatively grasped the thing with her telekinesis and started to pull. If she uprooted the thing physically, it would hopefully stop 'growing'.

Interesting theory. Sounds like you're acting under fire.

[Balmas]

Here's a question. Is Gabe bluffing? Is he really prepared to blow this pony away if she makes a break for it?

No to the first question, yes to the second. While it'd be good to get out of this with minimal bloodshed and bad feelings, there's gonna be one less pegasus in town unless Gabe gets his stuff back, and it'll happen about as quickly as it takes for Cleaning Crew to turn around and take a step away from him.

[BlasTech]

Interesting theory. Sounds like you're acting under fire.

Pulling pulling pulling.

[roll0]

[Thanqol]

No to the first question, yes to the second. While it'd be good to get out of this with minimal bloodshed and bad feelings, there's gonna be one less pegasus in town unless Gabe gets his stuff back, and it'll happen about as quickly as it takes for Cleaning Crew to turn around and take a step away from him.

Dang. Roll Go Aggro.

[the_druid_droid]

"Foal!" snapped a dark, powerful voice in her head. "There is but one prize in this town worth anything and I shall tell thee now that is not the ponies! See the obviousness of the attack, the escalation with the crystals - this is but a diversion and thou has wasted far too much time on it already. Get thee to the witch's house and secure the Star Weapons before it is too late!"

The implication, powerful, unspoken: No other hooves can be trusted with them but ours.

That... actually seemed as likely as anything else. Lavender wasn't sure how she felt about weapons powered by sheer hate that could blow holes in the sky, but given the caliber of their enemies lately, she was going to err on the side of caution.

Raising the shield around herself instead, the alicorn galloped off toward Gem's house, trying to keep as many buildings and other obstruction between herself and the sniper's perch as she could manage.

[Balmas]

"Allow me to rephrase myself," Gabriel said, looming over the mare. "You want to give me back my gun. Three simple reasons. Ask yourself, who was in the sky a day ago, killing a god? Who just took a sniper rifle round to the chest? And perhaps most importantly, could you survive being skinned alive after I blow your legs off? No really, I'm actually kind of curious."

[roll0]

[Thanqol]

"Allow me to rephrase myself," Gabriel said, looming over the mare. "You want to give me back my gun. Three simple reasons. Ask yourself, who was in the sky a day ago, killing a god? Who just took a sniper rifle round to the chest? And perhaps most importantly, could you survive being skinned alive after I blow your legs off? No really, I'm actually kind of curious."

[6]

She panicked. She squeaked, turned -

And Gabriel blew her away with a shotgun.


Pulling pulling pulling.

[9]

Rosemary saw this. Saw Gabriel just gun down some poor pony who was running for her life, cold as goddamn ice. Saw the poor pony struggle and gasp as she started to bleed to death.

Did she keep yanking on the monolith or did she do something about that? I mean, it she'd messed this thing up already, it wasn't an immanent threat, right?


That... actually seemed as likely as anything else. Lavender wasn't sure how she felt about weapons powered by sheer hate that could blow holes in the sky, but given the caliber of their enemies lately, she was going to err on the side of caution.

Raising the shield around herself instead, the alicorn galloped off toward Gem's house, trying to keep as many buildings and other obstruction between herself and the sniper's perch as she could manage.

Lavender arrived at Gem's house. Saw Gem lying in the doorway, gunned down by laser fire.

Saw two ponies in black and orange armour inside shovelling stuff into bags. One of them had a grotesque clown's face painted onto his helmet.

What did she do?

[Tiki Snakes]

As the killer robot turned on the newly arrived Blue, Trees scurried away. Pistol holstered, she scooped up a couple of discarded rifle bullets and the abandoned bolt-action rifle the robot had been using. She didn't slow down, taking her prizes and hopping down to the roof of the tall building beside the tower and away from the death machine and it's blades.

[Deadly]

A robot. A f*ing robot! They'd flown up here, wasted their time, for a f*ing robot!

Blue's eyes twitched, her teeth grinding together, and then she was off.

"Blow up the tower! Blow up the bot!" She snarled to the gang behind her, eyes narrowed in search of somepony to take her anger out on. "I'll find the little piece of sh*t. I'll rip them to bloody shreds of p*ss and sh*t!"

[Balmas]

Gabriel let out the breath he'd been holding. "Stupid... Shoulda just given me the rifle, dammit." He should leave. His ears were still ringing from the blast in such a small space, and practically all of the town had just heard that when he'd banished them from the town square. He sighed as he looked at the mare in front of him, and grabbed his rifle. Briefly, he checked over it for damage before trotting out of cover.

[the_druid_droid]

Lavender arrived at Gem's house. Saw Gem lying in the doorway, gunned down by laser fire.

Saw two ponies in black and orange armour inside shovelling stuff into bags. One of them had a grotesque clown's face painted onto his helmet.

What did she do?

When the alicorn saw Gem lying bloody in the street, something snapped inside her. Her vision whited out, and Lavender was no more. In her place was a Goddess triumphant.

"You dare slaughter civilians and rob them like common thieves in this town, while I am present?" It was more screamed than spoken, and wasn't actually a question.

Luna's horn glowed bright with magic, bolts of arcane energy preceding her into the room.

[BlasTech]

What.

The.

[Expletive censored]

Rosemary could barely believe her eyes. Gunning down a raider who was trying to kill you was one thing. Gunning down a pony who was running away was ... was ... she didn't even have the words. She dropped the monolith, not even thinking, and ran towards where the pony had fallen. She spared the time for one horrified glance of 'what the hell were you thinking' at Gabe, before cracking open her rapidly dwindling amount of medical supplies and getting to work.

[Thanqol]

As the killer robot turned on the newly arrived Blue, Trees scurried away. Pistol holstered, she scooped up a couple of discarded rifle bullets and the abandoned bolt-action rifle the robot had been using. She didn't slow down, taking her prizes and hopping down to the roof of the tall building beside the tower and away from the death machine and it's blades.

Well, Trees was up a sniper rifle and three shiney dark crystal bullets. How 'bout that?


A robot. A f*ing robot! They'd flown up here, wasted their time, for a f*ing robot!

Blue's eyes twitched, her teeth grinding together, and then she was off.

"Blow up the tower! Blow up the bot!" She snarled to the gang behind her, eyes narrowed in search of somepony to take her anger out on. "I'll find the little piece of sh*t. I'll rip them to bloody shreds of p*ss and sh*t!"

And a few seconds later it got mobbed by a swarm of pegasi and they just tore it to shreds. That's all there was to it.

Now, sounds like Blue was reading a sitch.


Gabriel let out the breath he'd been holding. "Stupid... Shoulda just given me the rifle, dammit." He should leave. His ears were still ringing from the blast in such a small space, and practically all of the town had just heard that when he'd banished them from the town square. He sighed as he looked at the mare in front of him, and grabbed his rifle. Briefly, he checked over it for damage before trotting out of cover.

Yeah, your gun doesn't have a scratch Gabe.

Anyway, the sniper seems dealt with so, as far as you're concerned, it seems like this fight is over. What do you do?


What.

The.

[Expletive censored]

Rosemary could barely believe her eyes. Gunning down a raider who was trying to kill you was one thing. Gunning down a pony who was running away was ... was ... she didn't even have the words. She dropped the monolith, not even thinking, and ran towards where the pony had fallen. She spared the time for one horrified glance of 'what the hell were you thinking' at Gabe, before cracking open her rapidly dwindling amount of medical supplies and getting to work.

This is why you're the Angel, right? Spend some stock and roll to stabilise.


When the alicorn saw Gem lying bloody in the street, something snapped inside her. Her vision whited out, and Lavender was no more. In her place was a Goddess triumphant.

"You dare slaughter civilians and rob them like common thieves in this town, while I am present?" It was more screamed than spoken, and wasn't actually a question.

Luna's horn glowed bright with magic, bolts of arcane energy preceding her into the room.

As she started coming in, she saw the one with the clown makeup hoist a sack over his shoulder and jump out the window, while the other one turned on-heel and aimed one of those little star bastard guns right at her. He'd be pretty undefended if she kept coming but he seemed to be relying on the star gun to be scary enough to deter her. Was it?

[BlasTech]

This is why you're the Angel, right? Spend some stock and roll to stabilise.

Yes, it was.

Potions out again. Twice in five minutes. Her stock wasn't going to last the day at this rate.

[Spending one]

[roll0]

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees skidded to a halt on the rusty metal roof, it was time to take stock of the situation. Robotic screams behind her spoke eloquently about the success of the Pegasi death-squad, which made for one less thing to deal with. She scowled down at her haul, not liking what she saw. Icky looking crystal bullets, like nothing she'd ever seen before outside of a dream. Deeply, infinitely unfamiliar. And yet, there was that all too familiar stink to them. See, the thing about guns was that they were dead technology.

Lullabye had explained it to her once, during a quiet moment. You take a basic issue pistol and get off a clean shot without any serious armour in the way and there's no two ways about it; Your target is dead. Sure, it might take them some time to realise it, they might even fight back for a time, but the deed is done outside of serious medical intervention. If you scale up to a larger calibur, you rapidly reach the point of diminishing returns. Even power armour like the bears wear only goes so far once you take a rifle like this one and throw in some heavier armour piercing rounds. Fancy ammunition like this, dripping with bad juju? It was overkill of the worst variety, introducing a whole mess of unreliable factors and costs to do what a lump of reclaimed metal could do perfectly well. Trees knew what that spelled out, most ponies from Stable 73 would have. It was Mad Science, clear as day. And if Lavender had taught her anything, it was that Mad Science in the Wasteland meant HREC and as far as she knew, HREC in Hopeville meant one of a very small list of ponies was likely involved. Big had talked the talk about how they were behind the town's success, but he'd lacked strength of conviction and rarely had Trees seen a pony look so thoroughly defeated.

No, this must be something to do with that other one. Her memory wrankled, she hadn't paid him much attention at the time. Some kind of clown? Whatever his name had been, she was pretty sure he hadn't been a robot. That felt wrong, too. The robot had a vantage point and ample time to fire again, but had only done so when approached. That didn't make sense in isolation. If the death-bot had been trying to rack up a body-count, it would have fired on the crowd again. If it was trying to spark an anti-bear riot, it would have fired again or perhaps tried to escape unnoticed. But it had stayed behind and watched, meaning the state that events had been in up until their intervention was the intended one. That, combined with HREC's clear involvement was also pretty self explanatory.

Decoy.

"Think about it, bonehead." Trees muttered to herself, eyes scanning the town from her vantage point. Whatever was going down wouldn't be near the tower, too much chance of attracting attention. Likewise near the site of the hit itself. It was pretty safe to rule out the area past the target site as well, the vector of the attack could potentially project attention in that direction as Pony's took stock of what happened. She drew a mental line from the tower to where Weird was shot and extended it on through the rest of the town. No, if something was going down that needed a distraction, it would happen somewhere in the larger area away from that line, a third point to form a triangle and divide up Hopeville. She swung her attention to that region of town, eyes sharp and hooves moving across the close-packed roofs.

You had to be some kind of sicko to choose bullets as foul as these for simple wetwork, Trees reflected as she travelled. Still, she didn't have any other suitable shells with her. She paused when she reached another suitable vantage point for this new quarter and slid back the bolt, ejecting the spent bullet's shell-casing. Grimly, she slid one of her three crystal bullets into the chamber and slid the bolt back into place.

[Balmas]

Gabriel blinked as Rosemary blew past him like a blue hurricane made out of dirty looks. Had she seen that? Well, it wasn't like he'd done anything wrong, right?

Which left him alone, in a town square, with a growing crystal monolith that he could swear hadn't been there during breakfast. The ol' orange-and-black had never felt quite so uncomfortable. Logically, it was his job to help stop this, but really they didn't train mercs very well. Just "sign here, see Quartermaster Bucks for your armor."

Gabriel approached the crystal, and tried to think of various ways to get it out. Right now, all that was coming was "grab and pull." And while the HREC armor did a lot to prevent any spread of corruption, it was still an uncomfortable thought.

[Deadly]

And a few seconds later it got mobbed by a swarm of pegasi and they just tore it to shreds. That's all there was to it.

Now, sounds like Blue was reading a sitch.

[Read a Sitch: 6, 2, -1 = 7

What’s my enemy’s true position?]

[the_druid_droid]

As she started coming in, she saw the one with the clown makeup hoist a sack over his shoulder and jump out the window, while the other one turned on-heel and aimed one of those little star bastard guns right at her. He'd be pretty undefended if she kept coming but he seemed to be relying on the star gun to be scary enough to deter her. Was it?

It wasn't.

"And the Stars will aid in Her escape... Do you think I'm frightened of your toy, little pony? The night belongs to me." Luna's horn glowed again, and a hoofful of crystalline shards of arcane energy sped for the looter's heart.

[Thanqol]

You had to be some kind of sicko to choose bullets as foul as these for simple wetwork, Trees reflected as she travelled. Still, she didn't have any other suitable shells with her. She paused when she reached another suitable vantage point for this new quarter and slid back the bolt, ejecting the spent bullet's shell-casing. Grimly, she slid one of her three crystal bullets into the chamber and slid the bolt back into place.

Gun, saddle and go. Read that sitch.


Gabriel blinked as Rosemary blew past him like a blue hurricane made out of dirty looks. Had she seen that? Well, it wasn't like he'd done anything wrong, right?

Which left him alone, in a town square, with a growing crystal monolith that he could swear hadn't been there during breakfast. The ol' orange-and-black had never felt quite so uncomfortable. Logically, it was his job to help stop this, but really they didn't train mercs very well. Just "sign here, see Quartermaster Bucks for your armor."

Gabriel approached the crystal, and tried to think of various ways to get it out. Right now, all that was coming was "grab and pull." And while the HREC armor did a lot to prevent any spread of corruption, it was still an uncomfortable thought.

This thing had gotten its roots in now and was fighting back against him. He was strong enough to break it, but was he strong enough to withstand it? Open your brain, Gabriel.


[Read a Sitch: 6, 2, -1 = 7

What’s my enemy’s true position?]

Gem's teahouse. None of these raiders carried magical energy weapons and that was the only part of town where she'd seen laser fire coming from. If there was something strange here it was happening there.


It wasn't.

"And the Stars will aid in Her escape... Do you think I'm frightened of your toy, little pony? The night belongs to me." Luna's horn glowed again, and a hoofful of crystalline shards of arcane energy sped for the looter's heart.

A straight up fight against a pony with a star gun who was more than capable of fighting back. Sounds like seizing by force.


Yes, it was.

Potions out again. Twice in five minutes. Her stock wasn't going to last the day at this rate.

[Spending one]

[6]

It was a pity but Gabriel had gone and blown this poor pony to shreds. For her part, the Pegasus was gripping Rosemary by the shoulders with her dying strength, begging "please... clean me up. I don't want them to see me all bloody like this."

Still, there were choices.

The first one was to just hold her while she died. And don't underestimate how good a thing that could be.

The second one was to try to use her healing touch. Now, that was a thing she didn't fully understand or control, but was somewhere in the realm of either alicorn magic or Sombra's necromancy and the side effects could be profound to say the least.

That was basically it, though. What did she do?

[Balmas]

Gabriel groaned as he examined the base of the crystal. "What even do you bastards eat? You're physical contradictions in nature." Then, spitting on both talons, he gripped the base and hauled.

[roll0]

[the_druid_droid]

A straight up fight against a pony with a star gun who was more than capable of fighting back. Sounds like seizing by force.

Luna's magic flew straight and true, and there was more where that came from. She would stop them. Make them pay. This was only the beginning for HREC's stooges.

[Rolled on a separate dice roller because the forums seem to hate us lately.
Seize by Force: 2d6+2 = 9
Chose: Take Definite Hold, Inflict Terrible Harm]

[Deadly]

Gem's teahouse. None of these raiders carried magical energy weapons and that was the only part of town where she'd seen laser fire coming from. If there was something strange here it was happening there.

Gem's. The star weapons.

They were SO dead!

And Blue was off, moving straight for Gem's.

[Tiki Snakes]

Readin sitch. Sharp, I think? +1.
2,1. 4 total. Total failure.

[BlasTech]

It was a pity but Gabriel had gone and blown this poor pony to shreds. For her part, the Pegasus was gripping Rosemary by the shoulders with her dying strength, begging "please... clean me up. I don't want them to see me all bloody like this."

Still, there were choices.

The first one was to just hold her while she died. And don't underestimate how good a thing that could be.

The second one was to try to use her healing touch. Now, that was a thing she didn't fully understand or control, but was somewhere in the realm of either alicorn magic or Sombra's necromancy and the side effects could be profound to say the least.

That was basically it, though. What did she do?

Rose grimaced in frustration as the wounds failed to close. It wasn't right. She was here, she had her potions.

She just wasn't good enough.

"I -- I'm sorry." she said, blinking away tears.

In the corners of her mind, she knew there were other things she could do. Spells seemed to dance just outside of her vision, tempting her to tap them in defence of a pony's life. After all, that's what mattered wasn't it? The exact nature of the magic was secondary. Who cared if it might be shadow magic, or spells of a blacker nature? Wasn't it the nature of a healer to do anything to save a patient's life?

No. Shadowed words masking shadowed intent. The ends did not justify the means.

Instead, she cast a cleaning spell, driving away the blood and the dirt that had covered the Pegasus. With that done, there was nothing left but to try to dull the pain and to hold the other pony close.

[Thanqol]

Gabriel groaned as he examined the base of the crystal. "What even do you bastards eat? You're physical contradictions in nature." Then, spitting on both talons, he gripped the base and hauled.

[8]

Contradictions?

That's interesting. Before I give you your answer, tell me - from whom did Gabriel Griffon learn the most important things he knew?


Luna's magic flew straight and true, and there was more where that came from. She would stop them. Make them pay. This was only the beginning for HREC's stooges.

[Rolled on a separate dice roller because the forums seem to hate us lately.
Seize by Force: 2d6+2 = 9
Chose: Take Definite Hold, Inflict Terrible Harm]

When the starlight cleared, the HREC pony was dead at her hooves. Something red was oozing out from the hairline fractures all through his helmet. She was holding the evil little star-gun, two rounds left in it.

She didn't know where the star gun had hit her. All she knew was that it hurt.


Gem's. The star weapons.

They were SO dead!

And Blue was off, moving straight for Gem's.

Resonant Blue arrived to find Lavender almost paralysed. Her quarry was dead and she seemed outwardly uninjured but there was something deep and nasty crackling around and inside her and she wasn't going to be able to take more than a few steps. What did she do?


Readin sitch. Sharp, I think? +1.
2,1. 4 total. Total failure.

So I'll ask you a question instead. Assume somepony knows the kind of pony Trees was, and what she was planning to do as of the moment she shot the robot. Assume that pony wanted to lay an ambush for her. What would be the best way to do that?


Rose grimaced in frustration as the wounds failed to close. It wasn't right. She was here, she had her potions.

She just wasn't good enough.

"I -- I'm sorry." she said, blinking away tears.

In the corners of her mind, she knew there were other things she could do. Spells seemed to dance just outside of her vision, tempting her to tap them in defence of a pony's life. After all, that's what mattered wasn't it? The exact nature of the magic was secondary. Who cared if it might be shadow magic, or spells of a blacker nature? Wasn't it the nature of a healer to do anything to save a patient's life?

No. Shadowed words masking shadowed intent. The ends did not justify the means.

Instead, she cast a cleaning spell, driving away the blood and the dirt that had covered the Pegasus. With that done, there was nothing left but to try to dull the pain and to hold the other pony close.

Rosemary was a healer. Did all the best to stop the hurt from dying. Even so, some things ain't worth doing even if it saves lives, yeah?

So when Rosemary gazes right into the eyes of somepony who is dying, right as that last breath leaves her body, what does she see? What's the nature of that final instant to a pony who's seen more than her share?

[Balmas]

Well, I suppose that depends on what you define as important.

The old, grizzled veterans taught him that surviving in the Wasteland isn't so much about having the biggest gun as it is about not being the one they're aiming at. Scars are signs of being stupidly in the line of fire, or not having the foresight to duck.

Luci taught him to respect and love himself, to see himself as mighty, though her methods could have perhaps been gentler. Wasn't too often, but sometimes he'd had to visit the medics after a bout of her "tough love." Brutal love, more like.

The Wasteland was itself a harsh teacher, sparing no rod in the name of raising the child.

However, if Gabriel had to pick a most influential teacher, it would have to trace back to good ol' Jael Griffon. Work for people, but never trust them. Look after your gear, and your gear will look after you. In a fight, hit hard, hit fast, hit first, and do your best to hit last. The contract is law; your word doesn't have to be. Run from foes that will kill you, but not from animals that just want to. Killing raiders is a mercy to them, and a service to the Wasteland. Keep your ammo dry. Above all else, do your best to make sure that at the end of the day, you are alive, and people who want to kill you are not.

[BlasTech]

Rosemary was a healer. Did all the best to stop the hurt from dying. Even so, some things ain't worth doing even if it saves lives, yeah?

So when Rosemary gazes right into the eyes of somepony who is dying, right as that last breath leaves her body, what does she see? What's the nature of that final instant to a pony who's seen more than her share?

It's ... strange.

That moment when a pony breathes their dying breath. The second where a living soul disappears, leaving behind a ... thing. You could tell when a pony was no longer a pony, and he or she became some ... some kind of object. It was a moment of profound loss. That everything that pony could or would have done was no longer possible.

She could only hope that whatever had left, was now in a better place.

She closed Cleaning Crew's eyes and, picking herself back up out of the snow, turned back to Mr Weird's body. Her magic and potions may not have found purchase inside the pegasus' body, but she knew there was still the spark of life inside his.

[Deadly]

Resonant Blue arrived to find Lavender almost paralysed. Her quarry was dead and she seemed outwardly uninjured but there was something deep and nasty crackling around and inside her and she wasn't going to be able to take more than a few steps. What did she do?

Blue swept through the door and swiftly moved around Lavender to look into her eyes, trying to find what was wrong with her. "What's happened? Are you alright?" she asked, holding Lavender's gaze, ready to offer herself to lean on if the alicorn looked like she needed or wanted the support.

[the_druid_droid]

When the starlight cleared, the HREC pony was dead at her hooves. Something red was oozing out from the hairline fractures all through his helmet. She was holding the evil little star-gun, two rounds left in it.

She didn't know where the star gun had hit her. All she knew was that it hurt.



Blue swept through the door and swiftly moved around Lavender to look into her eyes, trying to find what was wrong with her. "What's happened? Are you alright?" she asked, holding Lavender's gaze, ready to offer herself to lean on if the alicorn looked like she needed or wanted the support.

The alicorn was wincing in pain, but when Blue looked into her eyes, it was clear Lavender wasn't home just then. Instead, Luna spoke.

"He made a foolish decision and paid for it. But the other one has left. We must find him!"

The mare took a short, tight breath and tried to fly out the window after Railroading, hoping that in spite of the pain nothing would fall off or hemorrhage too badly or force her unconscious. At least if the worst happened, Blue was there to help her - but she didn't have time to worry now.

[Thanqol]

As Trees was running across the rooftops she heard a beep. Looking down she saw that she'd gone and stepped on a land mine.

Who put a land mine on a roof? Well, as long as she kept her foot on it, it wasn't exploding at least.


However, if Gabriel had to pick a most influential teacher, it would have to trace back to good ol' Jael Griffon. Work for people, but never trust them. Look after your gear, and your gear will look after you. In a fight, hit hard, hit fast, hit first, and do your best to hit last. The contract is law; your word doesn't have to be. Run from foes that will kill you, but not from animals that just want to. Killing raiders is a mercy to them, and a service to the Wasteland. Keep your ammo dry. Above all else, do your best to make sure that at the end of the day, you are alive, and people who want to kill you are not.

Simple rules for a simple griffon.

And that's what tearing this monolith from the ground early was going to take from him. A thrashing necromantic backlash traced across his mind and took out just one of those basic principles. Gabriel forgot the lesson where he was supposed to keep his ammo dry. That was used up, gone, given to something else.

And then the crystal was out of the ground and it started breaking into chunks, leaving nothing but the little blank spot in the griffon's brain.


She closed Cleaning Crew's eyes and, picking herself back up out of the snow, turned back to Mr Weird's body. Her magic and potions may not have found purchase inside the pegasus' body, but she knew there was still the spark of life inside his.

Really? The contents of Weird's skull were quite drastically outside of their container. He'd also been dead for nearly five minutes now. Rosemary really thought there was life left in him? If so, where was the line?

Not challenging. Just askin'.


Blue swept through the door and swiftly moved around Lavender to look into her eyes, trying to find what was wrong with her. "What's happened? Are you alright?" she asked, holding Lavender's gaze, ready to offer herself to lean on if the alicorn looked like she needed or wanted the support.


The alicorn was wincing in pain, but when Blue looked into her eyes, it was clear Lavender wasn't home just then. Instead, Luna spoke.

"He made a foolish decision and paid for it. But the other one has left. We must find him!"

The mare took a short, tight breath and tried to fly out the window after Railroading, hoping that in spite of the pain nothing would fall off or hemorrhage too badly or force her unconscious. At least if the worst happened, Blue was there to help her - but she didn't have time to worry now.

Toughing it out and chasing down a running pony when your veins are full of star poison is acting under fire. Fortunately you got a friend here to lean on - roll +Hx to assist Blue.

Or Blue could leave Lavender in the dust and go catch up with Railroading on her ownsome, if she thought that was a good idea.

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees exhaled exhaustedly, looking down at the landmine. That rather put a brake on things, she mused to herself. There wasn't likely to be anything she could do about whatever it was that was going down, not unless the jerk in chief just happened to run past her field of vision carrying a sign to identify himself. In addition to that, being a rooftop rather limited her not-exploding options, there not being an excessive amount of large boulders to leap behind. At a push, she figured she might be able to hurl herself off the roof and at least get some of the building in the way of the blast, but that didn't exactly seem to be an attractive alternative, considering she'd just sought out the highest building in this part of town.

There really wasn't much for it, she decided. She'd just have to stay put for a while, see if the situation might simplify itself.

[Deadly]

Toughing it out and chasing down a running pony when your veins are full of star poison is acting under fire. Fortunately you got a friend here to lean on - roll +Hx to assist Blue.

Or Blue could leave Lavender in the dust and go catch up with Railroading on her ownsome, if she thought that was a good idea.

Blue gazed into the eyes of Luna, of her princess. She bowed her head to Luna, offering her what support she could without question.

[Hx: 1, 5, 1 = 7]

[Balmas]

That... was actually surprisingly easy. "How has HREC never thought of just grabbing and pulling?" Gabriel mused, shaking the dust in his talons. He'd felt a bit like the crystal was struggling for its life, beating against his skull, but he was out of it none the worse for wear. The griffon contemplated the dust, but when it didn't sprout again, he decided it was probably safe to leave.

Which meant that it was time to talk priorities. He'd just seen Rosemary, but somehow he suspected that she didn't want to talk to him. Or if she did, it would be yelling, which meant he didn't want to talk to her. That left three other people he could look for, though he was only being paid for two of them. The griffon frowned, and listened for the sounds of violence, before smacking himself in the forehead. He had a fancy wristwatch, and tags for at least one of them.

[BlasTech]

Really? The contents of Weird's skull were quite drastically outside of their container. He'd also been dead for nearly five minutes now. Rosemary really thought there was life left in him? If so, where was the line?

Not challenging. Just askin'.

Rose felt the moment of determination fade within her. It was true, there was nothing more she could do for Mr Weird. Like Cleaning Crew, when one pony died, then that was pretty much it. You couldn't heal dead. It was flat out impossible.

She sighed, levitating the two bodies and partially covering them with snow. There'd be time for proper burials later, but she'd best get back to helping the others. Focus on those who were still breathing.

Now, where would they have gone?

[the_druid_droid]

Luna smiled, a little, through the pain of the star's poison and continued struggling to the window, too proud and too angry to let the pony escape.

[Act Under Fire: 7]

[Thanqol]

That... was actually surprisingly easy. "How has HREC never thought of just grabbing and pulling?" Gabriel mused, shaking the dust in his talons. He'd felt a bit like the crystal was struggling for its life, beating against his skull, but he was out of it none the worse for wear. The griffon contemplated the dust, but when it didn't sprout again, he decided it was probably safe to leave.

Which meant that it was time to talk priorities. He'd just seen Rosemary, but somehow he suspected that she didn't want to talk to him. Or if she did, it would be yelling, which meant he didn't want to talk to her. That left three other people he could look for, though he was only being paid for two of them. The griffon frowned, and listened for the sounds of violence, before smacking himself in the forehead. He had a fancy wristwatch, and tags for at least one of them.

HREC did actually have a big business of grabbing and pulling. Problem was that a fully rooted monolith didn't crumble like that one. So they built gigantic open pit mines where they stored huge stacks of monoliths away. They were the Hazardous Resources Excavation and Control company, after all.

Anyway, he could see Trees up there on a rooftop. Something under her hoof was blinking red.


Trees exhaled exhaustedly, looking down at the landmine. That rather put a brake on things, she mused to herself. There wasn't likely to be anything she could do about whatever it was that was going down, not unless the jerk in chief just happened to run past her field of vision carrying a sign to identify himself. In addition to that, being a rooftop rather limited her not-exploding options, there not being an excessive amount of large boulders to leap behind. At a push, she figured she might be able to hurl herself off the roof and at least get some of the building in the way of the blast, but that didn't exactly seem to be an attractive alternative, considering she'd just sought out the highest building in this part of town.

There really wasn't much for it, she decided. She'd just have to stay put for a while, see if the situation might simplify itself.

It was actually kind of nice up here. There was a breeze and even a little bit of sunlight. In the distance something big and crystally shined like a unicorn's wineglass. Relaxing.


Rose felt the moment of determination fade within her. It was true, there was nothing more she could do for Mr Weird. Like Cleaning Crew, when one pony died, then that was pretty much it. You couldn't heal dead. It was flat out impossible.

She sighed, levitating the two bodies and partially covering them with snow. There'd be time for proper burials later, but she'd best get back to helping the others. Focus on those who were still breathing.

Now, where would they have gone?

Important door to leave closed, Rosemary. Once ponies start coming back from the dead, well. You start wondering just how far back you can reach. Or how far forward you can heal.

Something was different. There were different questions in her head. She was thinking about possibilities. She was inspired, more than anything. She'd just seen a death, up close and personal, and she was uniquely qualified to learn from that. So, all the morality and feelings and sentiments and garbage aside, what is Rosemary thinking about? What does she think is possible? She's just become a little bit stranger so what does that mean?


Luna smiled, a little, through the pain of the star's poison and continued struggling to the window, too proud and too angry to let the pony escape.

[Act Under Fire: 7]

So here's your hard bargain. You can't catch Railroading and be in any shape to fight. That star poison is terrifyingly potent and if you were anypony else you'd be dead already. Going ahead without changing course means you'll catch Railroading just in time to lose control of your legs.

But something really strange is happening. The star poison seems to be draining out of your body - and absorbing into Resonant Blue. She's soaking it up like a sponge, you don't know why. There is no way that can be good for her but if it goes on for another few seconds you'll be at your peak power again.

Here's the kicker: You don't have time to talk about this. If you stop to discuss it you'll lose your target. What do you do?

[Balmas]

Gabriel flew up cautiously. The mare wasn't moving, from what he could tell, which meant that there was probably a reason. "Need a hand?" he called out, scrutinizing the situation. "Kind of a beautiful day not to get shot in, I think."

[Tiki Snakes]

"Kind of? But not how you probably think." Trees began, voice calm.

"I think I've got this, actually. I was never an explosives expert, but I did train as an engineer. I figure I have enough scrap left on me to rig something up, but it'll take time and that'll keep me out of the picture for a little while."

"That means I can't follow up on these." Trees showed Gabriel one of the three crystal bullets. "Sniper was a HREC robot, armed with these mad-science specials. That means two things. Firstly, that it was all a decoy and secondly, that it's probably that clown jerk up to something bad. And if he's halfway competent, it already went down about the time of the first shot. So he's probably already trying to get away, or working on the next target."

"So, there's two things you could do. Firstly, I don't remember there being any giant glass thingies around, so if you could point your scope over towards that sparkly thing, that might set my mind at rest a little. You could also see if you can't use your uh, tactical height advantage to get a view on that clown before he goes and gets away with whatever crap he's pulling without having bullets put in him."

"To be fair, chances are pretty good one or more of the others will be tied up with whatever's going down already anyway."

[Balmas]

"Yeah, I kinda figured that it was Railroading when I got shot," Gabriel muttered, gesturing towards the crystal still poking out of his armor. "I'll be honest. I'm in the mood to shoot me a clown. I don't suppose you've any idea of the general area to start an aerial search? You can probably check out the crystal yourself once you figure out the mine. Nice rifle, by the way. Good find."

[Tiki Snakes]

"It's okay. I don't much appreciate the ammo it comes with though. you spare me a round, just in case I need to shoot something?"

"I was going to start looking from here, this quarter of the town. Away from the tower and the hit location. Wasn't just up here looking for explosives to sit on, you know?" Trees laughed. "Go on now, get moving Feathers."

[Balmas]

"You're sure you'll be alright?" Gabriel asked as he passed over a few bullets. AP ammo, too; whatever got hit was going to be hurting. "As I recall, your last attempt to take care of a mine ended with you jumping onto it. Did they even teach mine removal in the stable?"

[Tiki Snakes]

"You're sure you'll be alright?" Gabriel asked as he passed over a few bullets. AP ammo, too; whatever got hit was going to be hurting. "As I recall, your last attempt to take care of a mine ended with you jumping onto it. Did they even teach mine removal in the stable?"

"Not as such, no. But this one should be a lot simpler. No irreplacable antiques nearby, for starters. I'm just going to brace it in place and slide a lid over, keep the plungery bit from unpressing. If it goes right, it's neutralised. If it goes wrong, it should still shape the blast away from me, and if you're on Clownface, I've plenty of time to do it right."

[Balmas]

"Fair enough, then." Gabriel shook out his wings and sauntered to the edge of the roof. "I'll be back later, make sure that there aren't any terrible explosions." And then he was off.

Right. Town. The griffon soared over it, eyes picking over the town. Blue, white, and navy. Plus, orange and black. White was all too easy to find; damn mountain still had snow all over it. Blue was a bit of a drab color though, and that blended into the ramshackle town. Which meant that orange should have popped out like a whip's welt.

[the_druid_droid]

So here's your hard bargain. You can't catch Railroading and be in any shape to fight. That star poison is terrifyingly potent and if you were anypony else you'd be dead already. Going ahead without changing course means you'll catch Railroading just in time to lose control of your legs.

But something really strange is happening. The star poison seems to be draining out of your body - and absorbing into Resonant Blue. She's soaking it up like a sponge, you don't know why. There is no way that can be good for her but if it goes on for another few seconds you'll be at your peak power again.

Here's the kicker: You don't have time to talk about this. If you stop to discuss it you'll lose your target. What do you do?

It was tempting, so tempting, to let Blue bear the stars' poison for her. To let that be her service to her Princess, and to pursue Railroading and exact revenge. But even as the thought appeared, a part of her knew it was nightmarish. The pegasus wasn't a tool, she was... a friend? Lavender's friend, at least. And the poison would certainly kill her, or worse. She hadn't been given a new lease on life for nothing - she would do things right this time.

"I'm fine. Go ahead and follow him, I'll catch up. He's getting away, so go!" Luna slammed her eyes shut and turned away as best she could, willing Blue to obey before the poison consumed her.

[BlasTech]

Important door to leave closed, Rosemary. Once ponies start coming back from the dead, well. You start wondering just how far back you can reach. Or how far forward you can heal.

Something was different. There were different questions in her head. She was thinking about possibilities. She was inspired, more than anything. She'd just seen a death, up close and personal, and she was uniquely qualified to learn from that. So, all the morality and feelings and sentiments and garbage aside, what is Rosemary thinking about? What does she think is possible? She's just become a little bit stranger so what does that mean?

Rose considered what she'd just seen.

It was strange. Necromancy, soul magic, was the art of making something permanent. But for all that permanence that a soul entailed, the vessel that held the soul was sometimes an oddly fragile thing. The moment those ponies died ... did their souls just leave? Or were they not so invulnerable after all?

Healing magic was, in some ways, the opposite of Necromancy. Rather than cutting bits and pieces of a soul off to power other magics, healing magic focused on reinforcing the soul's vessel in order to keep it where it should be. Whole and complete. But was it the body that knew what was 'correct' for its vessel? Or did healing magic, in some way, tap into the image of a pony's soul as well?

She couldn't help feeling that there was at least something to that train of thought. And she had a few ideas on how better to guide her healing as a result.

[Deadly]

It was tempting, so tempting, to let Blue bear the stars' poison for her. To let that be her service to her Princess, and to pursue Railroading and exact revenge. But even as the thought appeared, a part of her knew it was nightmarish. The pegasus wasn't a tool, she was... a friend? Lavender's friend, at least. And the poison would certainly kill her, or worse. She hadn't been given a new lease on life for nothing - she would do things right this time.

"I'm fine. Go ahead and follow him, I'll catch up. He's getting away, so go!" Luna slammed her eyes shut and turned away as best she could, willing Blue to obey before the poison consumed her.

Blue looked at Luna, then let go of her with a firm nod before racing after Railroading. No time to talk; she had her order, and she was happy to follow it.

[Thanqol]

"Fair enough, then." Gabriel shook out his wings and sauntered to the edge of the roof. "I'll be back later, make sure that there aren't any terrible explosions." And then he was off.

Right. Town. The griffon soared over it, eyes picking over the town. Blue, white, and navy. Plus, orange and black. White was all too easy to find; damn mountain still had snow all over it. Blue was a bit of a drab color though, and that blended into the ramshackle town. Which meant that orange should have popped out like a whip's welt.

Well, soon enough he spotted the shot-up husk of Gem's house. A dead HREC employee was splashed across the snow outside, along with Gem herself, but he couldn't see where the fight had moved to from this angle.


Rose considered what she'd just seen.

It was strange. Necromancy, soul magic, was the art of making something permanent. But for all that permanence that a soul entailed, the vessel that held the soul was sometimes an oddly fragile thing. The moment those ponies died ... did their souls just leave? Or were they not so invulnerable after all?

Healing magic was, in some ways, the opposite of Necromancy. Rather than cutting bits and pieces of a soul off to power other magics, healing magic focused on reinforcing the soul's vessel in order to keep it where it should be. Whole and complete. But was it the body that knew what was 'correct' for its vessel? Or did healing magic, in some way, tap into the image of a pony's soul as well?

She couldn't help feeling that there was at least something to that train of thought. And she had a few ideas on how better to guide her healing as a result.

So maybe there really was something to the blood and guts side of it that all the theoretical magicians were missing. She might be on to something there - but the thought needed a lot of work. It seemed quiet right now, what was next?


It was tempting, so tempting, to let Blue bear the stars' poison for her. To let that be her service to her Princess, and to pursue Railroading and exact revenge. But even as the thought appeared, a part of her knew it was nightmarish. The pegasus wasn't a tool, she was... a friend? Lavender's friend, at least. And the poison would certainly kill her, or worse. She hadn't been given a new lease on life for nothing - she would do things right this time.

"I'm fine. Go ahead and follow him, I'll catch up. He's getting away, so go!" Luna slammed her eyes shut and turned away as best she could, willing Blue to obey before the poison consumed her.

Remember back when Lavender used Norman and she missed? This was some weepy compassionate sh*t getting in the way of Luna's real agenda here. And Luna was NOT happy at being over-ridden in this way.

Roll acting under fire and be prepared for the worst.


Blue looked at Luna, then let go of her with a firm nod before racing after Railroading. No time to talk; she had her order, and she was happy to follow it.

She caught up to Railroading just as he'd gotten where he was going. There was some weird robot in front of him, like a lyrabot crossed with a spider crossed with way too many hedge clippers. It was frantically weaving a tapestry, knives and hooks click-click-clicking.

Railroading spun around as he saw Blue coming towards him. He didn't pull one of the star weapons out of his bag - he produced a nasty looking revolver with glinting crystal bullets. "Step back," he hissed.

What did she do?

[the_druid_droid]

Remember back when Lavender used Norman and she missed? This was some weepy compassionate sh*t getting in the way of Luna's real agenda here. And Luna was NOT happy at being over-ridden in this way.

Roll acting under fire and be prepared for the worst.

[Acting Under Fire Roll: 8]

[Balmas]

Drat. Still, it was good to see that he had the right place. Gem out front along with the HREC employee spoke of a fight there, one that the mare had obviously lost. Gabriel scowled; it was never good to lose a potential ally. His heart twinged a little as a memory of a grey-maned colt wandered in, blathering about invisible stars. "Hell... No. Focus," he berated himself, scanning the situation. Someone else's foal wasn't his business. Right now, his business was killing a clown and protecting his clients. There would be time for grief later.

Right. No sign of Railroading out front. The griffon shouldered the rifle, and checked the drum magazine on the shotgun. Then, with a deep breath, the griffon folded his wings and dropped towards the back of the house. He flared his wings at the last moment, and strode through the door, shotgun raised.

[BlasTech]

So maybe there really was something to the blood and guts side of it that all the theoretical magicians were missing. She might be on to something there - but the thought needed a lot of work. It seemed quiet right now, what was next?

Next, was getting back into the fight. If she could just figure out where everypony had gone ...

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees got to work, there was after all a mine to deal with.

The project was simple enough. A series of lower-brackets at the level of the mine itself to hold up a sheet of metal as it was slid across the plunger, and a series of higher brackets to hold the same sheet down at that same level and prevent the the sheet being pushed upwards. With her power tools readily available, this was all simple enough to do, the only nervous moment would be as she slid the scrap of metal across the trigger, but it should be simple enough to move it across slowly, pushing her own hoof off and denying the mine the chance to expand at any point. The extra pair of braces allowed the sheet of metal to be held firmly level as it slid across.

The best part of it all, she reflected, was that she didn't have to concern herself with the larger situation while she worked. Braces in place creating the runners for the sheet, Trees slid the rigid scrap of metal in to place and began to slide it across. The metal screeched quietly as it slid along it's run. Trees felt the ominous pressure of the thin metal against her hoof.

"Here goes nothing." She said to the sky.

[Deadly]

She caught up to Railroading just as he'd gotten where he was going. There was some weird robot in front of him, like a lyrabot crossed with a spider crossed with way too many hedge clippers. It was frantically weaving a tapestry, knives and hooks click-click-clicking.

Railroading spun around as he saw Blue coming towards him. He didn't pull one of the star weapons out of his bag - he produced a nasty looking revolver with glinting crystal bullets. "Step back," he hissed.

What did she do?

"Okay," Blue said and brought herself to a stop before drifting a few wing strokes backwards ... making sure it was a little bit obvious - but not too obvious - that she was about to stupidly throw herself at him. Which she did, rocketing into action right on cure ... but not at Railroading as one might expect. Instead she shot right into the sky, spun around and bucked a cloud, aiming ... again not for Railroading, but right at the weaving robot and its tapestry.

[Thanqol]

[Acting Under Fire Roll: 8]

"Enough!" Roared Luna. Magic crackled along her horn and she gave a terrible scream as she tore down every single house between her and Railroading. Half a dozen domiciles were torn apart in a catastrophic surge of magic, ponies occupying them hurled to and fro like styrofoam peanuts. Little things fluttered in the air - torn maps, old books, individual patches from one of them big family quilts. Dozens of cutie marks on that thing - dolphins, helmets, musical notes...

Oh, sorry. And yeah, now she could see Railroading direct, just as he shoved Resonant Blue into some sort of fabric portal.


Drat. Still, it was good to see that he had the right place. Gem out front along with the HREC employee spoke of a fight there, one that the mare had obviously lost. Gabriel scowled; it was never good to lose a potential ally. His heart twinged a little as a memory of a grey-maned colt wandered in, blathering about invisible stars. "Hell... No. Focus," he berated himself, scanning the situation. Someone else's foal wasn't his business. Right now, his business was killing a clown and protecting his clients. There would be time for grief later.

Right. No sign of Railroading out front. The griffon shouldered the rifle, and checked the drum magazine on the shotgun. Then, with a deep breath, the griffon folded his wings and dropped towards the back of the house. He flared his wings at the last moment, and strode through the door, shotgun raised.

Empty of occupants. But there was still all kinds of stuff lying around in here. Potentially very valuable stuff - not to mention whatever the HREC employee had on him.

He wasn't the only one who could sense that. There were a couple of ponies gathered outside across the road. They weren't coming in - they'd seen how Gabriel dealt with scavengers - but they were waiting for him to leave to rush in and fill their pockets. If Gabriel stayed inside they'd get the HREC employee, if he went outside he stood to lose what was in the house, and if he went after Railroading he'd lose both. What did he do?


Trees got to work, there was after all a mine to deal with.

The project was simple enough. A series of lower-brackets at the level of the mine itself to hold up a sheet of metal as it was slid across the plunger, and a series of higher brackets to hold the same sheet down at that same level and prevent the the sheet being pushed upwards. With her power tools readily available, this was all simple enough to do, the only nervous moment would be as she slid the scrap of metal across the trigger, but it should be simple enough to move it across slowly, pushing her own hoof off and denying the mine the chance to expand at any point. The extra pair of braces allowed the sheet of metal to be held firmly level as it slid across.

The best part of it all, she reflected, was that she didn't have to concern herself with the larger situation while she worked. Braces in place creating the runners for the sheet, Trees slid the rigid scrap of metal in to place and began to slide it across. The metal screeched quietly as it slid along it's run. Trees felt the ominous pressure of the thin metal against her hoof.

"Here goes nothing." She said to the sky.

Yeah, I reckon you got this one. These mines aren't exactly clever things. It had cost her a little time but she'd done it right and now she was free. What'd she do?


Next, was getting back into the fight. If she could just figure out where everypony had gone ...

Well, the laser light show tearin' through the town is a pretty clear cue.


"Okay," Blue said and brought herself to a stop before drifting a few wing strokes backwards ... making sure it was a little bit obvious - but not too obvious - that she was about to stupidly throw herself at him. Which she did, rocketing into action right on cure ... but not at Railroading as one might expect. Instead she shot right into the sky, spun around and bucked a cloud, aiming ... again not for Railroading, but right at the weaving robot and its tapestry.

The robot threw the tapestry in response. It fluttered through the air, expanding to fill Blue's vision... and Resonant Blue was dragged into it as though it were a portal... (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?384040-Grace-of-Inevitability-IC-Livestock-Locomotion&p=18666077#post18666077)

[BlasTech]

Well, the laser light show tearin' through the town is a pretty clear cue.

Yeah ... that'll do.

Rose bolted in the direction of the general mayhem and destruction, drawing her pistol as she went.

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees stood back and enjoyed that moment of calm that came with danger successfully evaded and a job done to satisfaction. The moment was shattered as half of the neighbourhood exploded in a magical cascade, houses vanishing in a tornado of stuff and a light show that reflected from the cloud cover above.

Over her shoulder, Trees saw Railroading at the calm of the storm, just as his hench-bot vanished Blue through a blanket like some cheap stage magician. There he was, plain as day, an all too literal hundred foot arrow carved across Hopeville to point him out to her, a moment too late.

Calmly, Trees ejected the Crystal Bullet and replaced it with one of Gabriel's armour piercing shells. She slid down to the edge of the building, gun braced across her back and shoulder, tail on the trigger and eye peering steadily down the line of the gun barrel. She hovered the gunsight over Railroading's center of mass, and squeezed the trigger.
"Last day, Railroading." she whispered.

[Balmas]

Gabriel snarled, and walked back out the door. He shot a dirty look at no-one in particular, and then homed in on Railroading. "I believe someone requested an epic, reality-bending conflict? Do you mind at all if I just shoot you in the head?" The griffon stood up and pointed the shotgun in no uncertain term. "Be a good little bastard and die for me, will you?"

[the_druid_droid]

"Enough!" Roared Luna. Magic crackled along her horn and she gave a terrible scream as she tore down every single house between her and Railroading. Half a dozen domiciles were torn apart in a catastrophic surge of magic, ponies occupying them hurled to and fro like styrofoam peanuts. Little things fluttered in the air - torn maps, old books, individual patches from one of them big family quilts. Dozens of cutie marks on that thing - dolphins, helmets, musical notes...

Oh, sorry. And yeah, now she could see Railroading direct, just as he shoved Resonant Blue into some sort of fabric portal.

"Where. Is. She." Luna glared at Railroading as she stalked forward, quickly as she could manage with the star poison still throbbing in her veins. The snow from a dozen lives fell around her, oddments and blasted junk sticking to her fur and feathers, but she barely seemed to notice.

[Thanqol]

It was kind of poetic that this thing ended exactly the way it started.

Railroading was ready for a lot of things. He'd known in advance how this was going to play out. Rosemary was going to be distracted healing the injured. Trees would go after the sniperbot and get immobilised by his land mine. Resonant Blue would derp charge him. Gabriel would get caught up shouting down Raiders. And Luna... he had a plan to deal with Luna.

It was a fine plan. A plan that took advantage of everypony's weaknesses and personalities, a skilful navigation of information he shouldn't by rights be privy to but was anyway. And he was just about to open his mouth to set the final phase in motion when Trees shot him through the head with a sniper rifle. He died instantly.

See, the one flaw in his brilliant and carefully thought out plan was that he simply hadn't expected Trees to pick up the sniper rifle from his robot. He'd typecast her as a pistol pony and thought no more of it. And even though phase two of his plan was no doubt brilliant and cunning and all that, it only took one little act of unexpected creativity to send that train off the rails.

If he could have, he would have fudged the numbers, meddled in the dice roll, or even forced a backsies. But chance just wasn't a factor here. He was in the open and there just wasn't anything to it.

So he died like a chump, and his meticulously planned box text never left his lips.

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees slid the bolt back with her mouth, ejecting the sizzling hot spent shell casing inches from her face with a kuh-klick! It steamed in the air as it fell, hitting the cold tin roof noisily. She slid a second armour piercing round into the empty chamber and slid the bolt back with a deep metal thunk.

The barrel drifted gently, the gun-sights coming to rest over the robot's centre of mass.

"Just give me one good reason, tin mare. One good reason." she whispered. Any openly hostile moves against the familiar ponies clustered around the inert remains of the clown would be answered with a second gentle squeeze of the trigger.

[Balmas]

Kind of anticlimactic, Gabriel had to say. He scanned for the glint of a sniper rifle, and grinned. The griffon flipped a quick salute, before moving to support the alicorn. "Easy. What happened?"

[BlasTech]

"You sure that was one of ours?" Rose said, somewhat shakily, as she picked herself back out of the snow. She had reflexively dived for cover when yet another sniper shot had rung out. The fact that it had hit Railroading wasn't quite enough to prevent her from assuming that a third party might be out there, taking potshots at them all.

She regarded the strange Lyrabot warily, wishing she'd kept one or two of those Anti-Matrix grenades. Still, if it got uppity, a well placed lightning bolt would be enough to stun it. Maybe give her time to access its systems.

[Balmas]

"No, but given that I just saw Trees camping on a rooftop over there with a sniper rifle, there's a pretty good chance."

[the_druid_droid]

Railroading went down in a splatter of blood and brains, and Luna just blinked. She looked for something to say for a moment, but finally seemed to connect the dots, which got her mouth working again.

"Well, he's dead. But where is Blue?"

[Thanqol]

"Who is 'Blue'?" asked the Lyrabot, packing up its knitting needles without so much as a glance sideways at Railroading. Well, kind of - with its omnidirectional eyes, who knew? Next it picked up the empty shotgun by its side - evidently it had been the mysterious something shooting at Gabriel - and stashed it in a storage compartment.

It had a kind of instability to its movements, a manic kind of intensity. Rosemary found the motion familiar - she'd worked with this robot, or robots like this before. "And what do you mean by 'where'? Geographically, metaphysically, chronologically?"

[Balmas]

Railroading went down in a splatter of blood and brains, and Luna just blinked. She looked for something to say for a moment, but finally seemed to connect the dots, which got her mouth working again.

"Well, he's dead. But where is Blue?"

"Wasn't she with you?"


"Who is 'Blue'?" asked the Lyrabot, packing up its knitting needles without so much as a glance sideways at Railroading. Well, kind of - with its omnidirectional eyes, who knew? Next it picked up the empty shotgun by its side - evidently it had been the mysterious something shooting at Gabriel - and stashed it in a storage compartment.

It had a kind of instability to its movements, a manic kind of intensity. Rosemary found the motion familiar - she'd worked with this robot, or robots like this before. "And what do you mean by 'where'? Geographically, metaphysically, chronologically?"

Gabriel flashed a dirty look at the robot as he reloaded his shotgun meaningfully. "Something tells me I won't like this. Tell us, to the best of your knowledge, what happened to Blue." The griffon turned, and began to root through the corpse before them.

[Thanqol]

Gabriel flashed a dirty look at the robot as he reloaded his shotgun meaningfully. "Something tells me I won't like this. Tell us, to the best of your knowledge, what happened to Blue." The griffon turned, and began to root through the corpse before them.

Railroading's corpse was a literal piñata of creepy magical stuff. It's probably worth, what, three, four barter all up, but that involves carrying around a bunch of weird glowing stones and baelfire fragments and Celestia knows what else. Could be dangerous.

"Who the buck is Blue?" asked the robot. It was painted black, like the other one, and its eyes were periodically jerking and shaking like they were getting too much power. "You technicolour donkeys all look the same to me."

[BlasTech]

Rose regarded the Lyrabot thoughtfully. This was a HREC robot, and from the way it was twitching, probably one of their experimental models. They tended to have more exotic power supplies, which sometimes manifested in a kind of manic energy.

It probably also meant that the robot was even crazier than the base models normally were. Still, there was the chance that the robot was programmed with the usual set of priorities, most of which involved ensuring HREC missions were completed.

"Blue is a crystal Pegasus, white coat, blue mane." she said, keeping a close eye on the robot and its reactions in case it gave anything away. "She's a member of the CEAF and a vital part of a HREC expedition. We need her to get back to the Empire and ensure the mission's success, so if you've seen her recently, please tell us."

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees watched carefully as the robot began to move. It didn't swerve towards the others, it actually looked more like a conversation had broken out. She relaxed her grip in the trigger, but kept the barrel pointed in the HREC droid's direction, just in case.

[Thanqol]

Rose regarded the Lyrabot thoughtfully. This was a HREC robot, and from the way it was twitching, probably one of their experimental models. They tended to have more exotic power supplies, which sometimes manifested in a kind of manic energy.

It probably also meant that the robot was even crazier than the base models normally were. Still, there was the chance that the robot was programmed with the usual set of priorities, most of which involved ensuring HREC missions were completed.

"Blue is a crystal Pegasus, white coat, blue mane." she said, keeping a close eye on the robot and its reactions in case it gave anything away. "She's a member of the CEAF and a vital part of a HREC expedition. We need her to get back to the Empire and ensure the mission's success, so if you've seen her recently, please tell us."

"Oh! Ha-ha! Yes, how could I have forgotten!" cackled the robot. "She's in a parallel dimension right now. Like a vision quest! Oh hey, do you want me to make you a spirit animal?"

[BlasTech]

What.

"I'd really rather you just brought Blue back." Rose said, after processing the sudden tangent into dimension theory.

[I dunno, is it possible to do a read-person move here?]

[Thanqol]

What.

"I'd really rather you just brought Blue back." Rose said, after processing the sudden tangent into dimension theory.

[I dunno, is it possible to do a read-person move here?]

Heck yeah! Roll +sharp!

[BlasTech]

Rollin.

[roll0]

So, I get to hold three questions. Do I need to pick them all now?

The first I'd probably spend is 'How can I get the robot to bring Blue back safely'

[Thanqol]

Remember, Rosemary you don't have to spend them all at once. You can use 'em at any point throughout the conversation.

"I keep asking you, who's Blue - oh, right. Well I can't!" said the robot, voice raising and then falling a bit. "And I've got all this mess to clean up already! Do you mind if I start dissecting?"

How to get the robot to bring Blue back... well, a bot like this is like Lyra without any of the brakes on her sanity that normally apply. Like the robot version of a pony through the roof on Rage and Mentats. It can do crazy incredible things but it's also deeply unstable. You don't know if it's right in that it can't bring Blue back, but you do figure that it needs to want to. Flatter it, let it do its thing, and talk it around to thinking that bringing Blue back would be a good idea and it'll put the effort in.

[BlasTech]

"Yeah, okay." replied Rose, intending to let it have its way while she sweet talked it around to bringing back their companion.

"I take it you were designed for assisting complex scientific experiments then?"

[Balmas]

Gabriel dumped Railroading's things at Rosemary's feet and nudged the armor towards her. "Is there a reason we're talking to this thing? It's already said that it can't bring Blue back."

[Tiki Snakes]

More talking, Trees noted. The tension was ebbing, the immediacy of the danger dulling slightly. She exhaled, tension leaving her in a gentle white cloud as breath misted in the cold.

Keeping the gun in the direction of the unfolding conversation, she raised her eyes to scan the skyline, see if she couldn't spot whatever it was reflecting light over there that had threatened to distract her earlier.

[BlasTech]

Gabriel dumped Railroading's things at Rosemary's feet and nudged the armor towards her. "Is there a reason we're talking to this thing? It's already said that it can't bring Blue back."

"Because, I think that it can." replied Rose, tersely. "It sent her there after all. And if it doesn't know how to at present, then I'm sure it can figure it out. HREC experimentals are brilliant at solving 'impossible' problems. And I don't see anypony else here with a degree in dimensional physics."

[Thanqol]

"Yeah, okay." replied Rose, intending to let it have its way while she sweet talked it around to bringing back their companion.

"I take it you were designed for assisting complex scientific experiments then?"

The robot rotated to bring its buzzsaw to bear and began to slice through Railroading's neck. There was an unpleasant blood splatter but it didn't seem to notice.

"No. No, not designed," said the Lyrabot. "I've always been like this. They just took out a bunch of things! The opposite of designed, really. I was designed not to do science!"


Gabriel dumped Railroading's things at Rosemary's feet and nudged the armor towards her. "Is there a reason we're talking to this thing? It's already said that it can't bring Blue back."


"Because, I think that it can." replied Rose, tersely. "It sent her there after all. And if it doesn't know how to at present, then I'm sure it can figure it out. HREC experimentals are brilliant at solving 'impossible' problems. And I don't see anypony else here with a degree in dimensional physics."

"This is the problem with contractors," said the Lyrabot, hacking up a corpse. "No corporate culture. No institutional knowledge. Would you like me to knit you a sweater?"


More talking, Trees noted. The tension was ebbing, the immediacy of the danger dulling slightly. She exhaled, tension leaving her in a gentle white cloud as breath misted in the cold.

Keeping the gun in the direction of the unfolding conversation, she raised her eyes to scan the skyline, see if she couldn't spot whatever it was reflecting light over there that had threatened to distract her earlier.

A castle. A crystal castle, like a giant shining plastic playset gleaming on the horizon. It was beautiful in its way.

[Tiki Snakes]

"Was that always there?" Trees blinked. "I feel like I would have noticed. Right? I mean, that's a whole castle! I'd notice a castle, right?"


She whispered to herself in confusion.
"How in the hay does a shiny plastic castle sneak up on you?"

[BlasTech]

The robot rotated to bring its buzzsaw to bear and began to slice through Railroading's neck. There was an unpleasant blood splatter but it didn't seem to notice.

"No. No, not designed," said the Lyrabot. "I've always been like this. They just took out a bunch of things! The opposite of designed, really. I was designed not to do science!"

"This is the problem with contractors," said the Lyrabot, hacking up a corpse. "No corporate culture. No institutional knowledge. Would you like me to knit you a sweater?"


"What kind of sweater did you have in mind?" replied Rose, looking a little queasy as Railroading was dismembered. She really hoped that the clown wasn't about to become part of the materials.

[Balmas]

"Because, I think that it can." replied Rose, tersely. "It sent her there after all. And if it doesn't know how to at present, then I'm sure it can figure it out. HREC experimentals are brilliant at solving 'impossible' problems. And I don't see anypony else here with a degree in dimensional physics."

"Way I see it, we only have to answer one question: Can it bring Blue back? If it can't, then keeping it around is a stupid, suicidal move. If it can, then keeping it around is still suicidal, but it's the option that doesn't end with me in charge of this walking trainwreck we call a group. So the question to answer is, 'Can this bot bring Blue back?' If she can't, I might as well end it now."


"This is the problem with contractors," said the Lyrabot, hacking up a corpse. "No corporate culture. No institutional knowledge. Would you like me to knit you a sweater?"

Gabriel spared one talon its work in sifting through the assorted junk so he could facepalm. "Will knitting Rosemary a sweater help bring Blue back?" The griffon sat back and studied the robot. His eyes flicked as the pony's head flopped under the sawblade, and his tail snapped back and forth. "You really can't bring her back? Will you have such an ability in the near future?"

[Roll Read a Person?]

[the_druid_droid]

"Way I see it, we only have to answer one question: Can it bring Blue back? If it can't, then keeping it around is a stupid, suicidal move. If it can, then keeping it around is still suicidal, but it's the option that doesn't end with me in charge of this walking trainwreck we call a group. So the question to answer is, 'Can this bot bring Blue back?' If she can't, I might as well end it now."

Luna sighed. Her first time on the battlefield since the bears, and they'd lost a pony. Hopefully not forever. "I don't know if any of us can bring Blue back for certain. Perhaps for now we should leave Rosemary be."

[Thanqol]

"Was that always there?" Trees blinked. "I feel like I would have noticed. Right? I mean, that's a whole castle! I'd notice a castle, right?"


She whispered to herself in confusion.
"How in the hay does a shiny plastic castle sneak up on you?"

Maybe the fact that it was always overcast? The weather this time of year was usually pretty crap.


"What kind of sweater did you have in mind?" replied Rose, looking a little queasy as Railroading was dismembered. She really hoped that the clown wasn't about to become part of the materials.

"I can't possibly know that!" said the robot. "Knitting isn't, like, a science."


"Way I see it, we only have to answer one question: Can it bring Blue back? If it can't, then keeping it around is a stupid, suicidal move. If it can, then keeping it around is still suicidal, but it's the option that doesn't end with me in charge of this walking trainwreck we call a group. So the question to answer is, 'Can this bot bring Blue back?' If she can't, I might as well end it now."

"Don't speak about your friends that way!" snapped the Lyrabot angrily.


Gabriel spared one talon its work in sifting through the assorted junk so he could facepalm. "Will knitting Rosemary a sweater help bring Blue back?" The griffon sat back and studied the robot. His eyes flicked as the pony's head flopped under the sawblade, and his tail snapped back and forth. "You really can't bring her back? Will you have such an ability in the near future?"

[Roll Read a Person?]

Do it, filly!

[Balmas]

"I can't possibly know that!" said the robot. "Knitting isn't, like, a science."

"Shouldn't that make it, like, your specialty?"



Luna sighed. Her first time on the battlefield since the bears, and they'd lost a pony. Hopefully not forever. "I don't know if any of us can bring Blue back for certain. Perhaps for now we should leave Rosemary be."

"Don't speak about your friends that way!" snapped the Lyrabot angrily.

"Right, right." Gabriel rubbed his beak angrily and sighed. "I guess I'm just stressed with how I'm going to explain to HREC HQ that while the ponies I came to the Stable with are physically unharmed, one of them has lost her memory and the other is still alive but in another dimension. That'll go down a treat. And talking to the robot that did it is not helping me to relax any."

He frowned, and grumpily mumbled, "Sorry."


Do it, filly!

[roll0]

[BlasTech]

"I can't possibly know that!" said the robot. "Knitting isn't, like, a science."


"Well, as long as it isn't made from ... pony" she finished.

"You know, Blue would probably like one too."



"Right, right." Gabriel rubbed his beak angrily and sighed. "I guess I'm just stressed with how I'm going to explain to HREC HQ that while the ponies I came to the Stable with are physically unharmed, one of them has lost her memory and the other is still alive but in another dimension. That'll go down a treat. And talking to the robot that did it is not helping me to relax any."

He frowned, and grumpily mumbled, "Sorry."


"Well, hopefully we can fix one of those .." she said, not quite accepting the apology.

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees mentally shrugged, discarding the issue as unimportant either way. If the world wanted to spout castles all over the place, it was no concern of hers.

She flicked her eyes back down the barrel of the rifle, to watch the silent pantomime.

[Thanqol]

"Shouldn't that make it, like, your specialty?"

"You spelled 'speciality' wrong," grumbled the robot. "Idiot."

Sounds like you got three questions, sport.


"Well, as long as it isn't made from ... pony" she finished.

"You know, Blue would probably like one too."

"Is this how it's going to be? Banging on about Blue every two seconds?" cried the Lyrabot dramatically. "Is this the fate I must endure in perpetuity for the victimless crime of banishing a pony to the Nega Realm? What is this world coming to!?"

[Balmas]

Is the Lyrabot telling the truth? Specifically, about not being able to bring Blue back.

[Thanqol]

Is the Lyrabot telling the truth? Specifically, about not being able to bring Blue back.

Sort of. She can't just teleport her back but she can create an opportunity for her to come back on her own. You don't think she's totally off her nut when she's talking about things like vision quests.

[BlasTech]

"Is this how it's going to be? Banging on about Blue every two seconds?" cried the Lyrabot dramatically. "Is this the fate I must endure in perpetuity for the victimless crime of banishing a pony to the Nega Realm? What is this world coming to!?"

"Truly, it is a cruel and unjust wasteland." deadpanned Rose, in response. "If only there were some way to make it all better."

[Question: What does the robot wish that Rose would do?]

[the_druid_droid]

"Is this how it's going to be? Banging on about Blue every two seconds?" cried the Lyrabot dramatically. "Is this the fate I must endure in perpetuity for the victimless crime of banishing a pony to the Nega Realm? What is this world coming to!?"

Luna blinked. This was a strange magic, indeed. "Nega Realm? I am not familiar with such a thing... what exactly is it like?"

[Balmas]

"Well, if Blue is gone on a... whaddidyacallit? Spirit journey? Then we can either stay here and wait for her to get back, or keep goin', and trust her to come back on her own. That about right?"

[Thanqol]

"Truly, it is a cruel and unjust wasteland." deadpanned Rose, in response. "If only there were some way to make it all better."

[Question: What does the robot wish that Rose would do?]

The Lyrabot wishes that Rose would fix her. She's clearly in incredible pain and is aware that she's totally insane. But that kind of thing sounds a touch outta Rose's skill set, right?

"Urgh, fine, I see where this is going," snarled the Lyrabot viciously, voice dropping several octaves for a second. "I'll think about it."


Luna blinked. This was a strange magic, indeed. "Nega Realm? I am not familiar with such a thing... what exactly is it like?"

"Oh, there's a bunch of 'em. Same names and display pictures but totally different words behind them," said the Lyrabot. "Could be anything, really. One of them is just a bunch of monkeys standing around talking about us all day."


"Well, if Blue is gone on a... whaddidyacallit? Spirit journey? Then we can either stay here and wait for her to get back, or keep goin', and trust her to come back on her own. That about right?"

"Yes. I can knit a portal for her to come back through once she's done, if she doesn't die horribly," said the robot. "Either way standing around flapping your beak isn't going to help the process."

[Balmas]

"Yes. I can knit a portal for her to come back through once she's done, if she doesn't die horribly," said the robot. "Either way standing around flapping your beak isn't going to help the process."

"Well then, how do we help?"

[the_druid_droid]

"Oh, there's a bunch of 'em. Same names and display pictures but totally different words behind them," said the Lyrabot. "Could be anything, really. One of them is just a bunch of monkeys standing around talking about us all day."

Luna mouthed the words 'display pictures', thinking them over. "Very well, I suppose you are the expert."

"If we cannot bring Resonant Blue back directly, we shall have to wait. Until then, I favor finding our way back toward Sombra. We still have business with him."

[BlasTech]

The Lyrabot wishes that Rose would fix her. She's clearly in incredible pain and is aware that she's totally insane. But that kind of thing sounds a touch outta Rose's skill set, right?

"Urgh, fine, I see where this is going," snarled the Lyrabot viciously, voice dropping several octaves for a second. "I'll think about it."


Well, yes and no.

Rose was HREC science after all. She knew her way around archanotech devices like terminals, enough to know that something was wrong with the robot in front of her. She might have been able to fix it, especially if it was software related.

Hardware was where she came up short. She was not really a mechanic. If the problem was being caused by a hardware fault, she could probably identify what it was that was broken would be at a loss of how to fix it.

Good thing they had a couple of handy-ponies in their group.

"Thanks." replied Rose.

Glancing away from the robot for a moment, she turned around and gave Trees a wave, trying to beckon her over.

[Tiki Snakes]

"...Really?" Trees asked herself flatly.
She had a great vantage point where she was. The whole ruined area in clean sight, an uninterrupted bead on the Killbot and enough elevation to keep her largely hidden from anyone who would benefit from trying to deny her that.

She sighed, jamming the awkwardly long rifle through a loop in her stripy yellow cloak where it was wrapped around her torso. Getting from the top of the building was not a simple matter, requiring a broken window and several awkward explanations, with a quick warning about the new addition to the roof shouted back over her shoulder as she beat her hasty retreat from the building's front door.

Short minutes later, she emerged from the rubble-field with her impassive, almost featureless yellow mask safely in place.
"...uh, yes?"

[Thanqol]

"Good shot," said the Lyrabot offhoof to Trees when she appeared.


"Well then, how do we help?"

"Wool would be good," said the robot, collecting its knitting needles.

The town was slowly starting to come out of whatever foxholes they'd stashed themselves in, cautiously looking around in an armed sort of way. It didn't seem that there were any more surprises coming out of the woodwork.

[Balmas]

"Right. Rose, you've got some good armor here from Railroading. See if you can't get anything useful out of it. Hell, maybe it'll even have some yarn." Gabriel stood up and cracked his neck. "I'll go check on Gem's house, see if I can't find her son. Hopefully he's still alive."

Though, with his health, he probably wouldn't last. Maybe the druggie would honor his deal, and keep the kid alive, but somehow Gabriel doubted it.

[BlasTech]

"...Really?" Trees asked herself flatly.
She had a great vantage point where she was. The whole ruined area in clean sight, an uninterrupted bead on the Killbot and enough elevation to keep her largely hidden from anyone who would benefit from trying to deny her that.

She sighed, jamming the awkwardly long rifle through a loop in her stripy yellow cloak where it was wrapped around her torso. Getting from the top of the building was not a simple matter, requiring a broken window and several awkward explanations, with a quick warning about the new addition to the roof shouted back over her shoulder as she beat her hasty retreat from the building's front door.

Short minutes later, she emerged from the rubble-field with her impassive, almost featureless yellow mask safely in place.
"...uh, yes?"

"Hey." Rose greeted the pony as she appeared. "Got a bit of an idea going here."

"This bot is a HREC experimental, and it's sent Blue somewhere." she whispered, bringing the other pony up to speed. "I'm no robotics expert, but even I can tell it's not working properly. I'm thinking we might be able to fix it up, maybe it'll be a bit more amenable to bringing her back.



"Right. Rose, you've got some good armor here from Railroading. See if you can't get anything useful out of it. Hell, maybe it'll even have some yarn." Gabriel stood up and cracked his neck. "I'll go check on Gem's house, see if I can't find her son. Hopefully he's still alive."

Though, with his health, he probably wouldn't last. Maybe the druggie would honor his deal, and keep the kid alive, but somehow Gabriel doubted it.

"Yeah, sure. Wait, what?" said Rose, perking up. "Gem's place was attacked?"

[Thanqol]

Oh yeah, on the topic of Gem there was no sign of the Star Weapons that Railroading had stolen from her place. Just his usual weird paraphernalia.

[Tiki Snakes]

"Good shot," said the Lyrabot offhoof to Trees when she appeared.

"If you liked that one, you should stick around." Trees responded flatly. "The next one is a real doozy."


"Hey." Rose greeted the pony as she appeared. "Got a bit of an idea going here."

"This bot is a HREC experimental, and it's sent Blue somewhere." she whispered, bringing the other pony up to speed. "I'm no robotics expert, but even I can tell it's not working properly. I'm thinking we might be able to fix it up, maybe it'll be a bit more amenable to bringing her back.

"Well, that makes sense I suppose." She blinked, mask turning to face Rosemary. "Assuming it's not already fine. Could work, if you do it right."


"Yeah, sure. Wait, what?" said Rose, perking up. "Gem's place was attacked?"

Trees didn't react, but she did trail off into silence.

[the_druid_droid]

"Yeah, sure. Wait, what?" said Rose, perking up. "Gem's place was attacked?"

Luna shuffled her hooves awkwardly.

"Yes. By that one, and one of his henchponies." She gestured at Railroading's corpse. "I'm afraid it wasn't good... By the time I got there, it was nearly too late. He fooled us all."

[BlasTech]

Luna shuffled her hooves awkwardly.

"Yes. By that one, and one of his henchponies." She gestured at Railroading's corpse. "I'm afraid it wasn't good... By the time I got there, it was nearly too late. He fooled us all."

"Why'd they hit Gem's of all places?" Rose asked. "Is she ok?"

[Balmas]

"Gem is dead," Gabriel said dully. "Looked like she took at least one of the HREC goons with her, though. If I had to guess, it'd be to get their mitts on the star weapons, which I note are conspicuously missing. Unless any of us has picked some up already?"

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees said nothing. She nodded slightly to herself, her gaze drifting to the floor immediately in front of her.

[the_druid_droid]

"Gem is dead," Gabriel said dully. "Looked like she took at least one of the HREC goons with her, though. If I had to guess, it'd be to get their mitts on the star weapons, which I note are conspicuously missing. Unless any of us has picked some up already?"

Luna's face twisted into a scowl. "The dead one had a weapon, he shot me with it. But I didn't take it from him... if they're gone, somepony else must have them."

[BlasTech]

"Gem is dead," Gabriel said dully. "Looked like she took at least one of the HREC goons with her, though. If I had to guess, it'd be to get their mitts on the star weapons, which I note are conspicuously missing. Unless any of us has picked some up already?"

"... Gem ... no." whispered Rose.

It took her a few moments to recover. For a minute, it looked as if she might cry, her face crumbling into an expression of denial and despair. But after some steadying breaths, her expression came back under control. When she opened her eyes again, they were clear.

"Gabriel, please. Go find Gem's son." she said, her voice quiet but determined, and very much under control. In fact, her whole posture was suddenly more rigid ... tighter. For a minute it seemed as if the Old Rose was back in their midst.

"Lyrabot." she said, addressing the robot. "I don't know if you have a name or not, but are you in need of repairs? You seem to be in some discomfort. As part of the HREC science division, I know my way around systems. And my friend here is a proficient mechanic. If you want, we can take a look at your systems and see if we can get you running more smoothly."

[Tiki Snakes]

"No." Trees interjected. "I'm not. I could decommission it easily enough, but if you want it back in one piece afterward then I can't help you."

"I wouldn't know where to start." she didn't look up.

[Balmas]

Luna's face twisted into a scowl. "The dead one had a weapon, he shot me with it. But I didn't take it from him... if they're gone, somepony else must have them."

"Inside the house, or outside the house? I saw a dead guy near Gem, but I kind of assumed that was her doing. Was that you?"


"... Gem ... no." whispered Rose.

It took her a few moments to recover. For a minute, it looked as if she might cry, her face crumbling into an expression of denial and despair. But after some steadying breaths, her expression came back under control. When she opened her eyes again, they were clear.

"Gabriel, please. Go find Gem's son." she said, her voice quiet but determined, and very much under control. In fact, her whole posture was suddenly more rigid ... tighter. For a minute it seemed as if the Old Rose was back in their midst.

Gabriel nodded. "I'm assuming you want him brought back here, as well?"

[BlasTech]

"No." Trees interjected. "I'm not. I could decommission it easily enough, but if you want it back in one piece afterward then I can't help you."

"I wouldn't know where to start." she didn't look up.

"Nonsense." Rose frowned, looking at Trees. "You've built heaps of stuff. I mean, take the ... or ... like ..."

She twitched, slightly, and pressed a hoof against a sudden migraine.

"No ... wait. You didn't build the chairlift ... why do I feel like you're a builder?" she muttered, rubbing her forehead. "Didn't you make ... snow ... sliding ... mountains?"

"My head hurts." she finished, wincing.



Gabriel nodded. "I'm assuming you want him brought back here, as well?"

"Yes." Rose replied, still pressing a hoof to her head. "Unless he's with family or somepony else safe."

[Tiki Snakes]

"I could put a shelf up for you?" Trees offered the space above Rosemary's shoulder. "Or a spice rack."

"Killbot there might make a nice spice rack, with a bit of work? Not a very pretty one, but it'd keep your spice dry I suppose or whatever it is that a spice rack does. It probably couldn't still make magic portals at that point, though."

[BlasTech]

"'Again'? Why did I say ... 'again'?"

"No ... no ... we need the portals." Rose finally replied, shaking her head clear. "Maybe I can have a look at it myself. Or maybe we can find somepony in this town who knows their way around a spanner."

[Thanqol]

"Lyrabot." she said, addressing the robot. "I don't know if you have a name or not, but are you in need of repairs? You seem to be in some discomfort. As part of the HREC science division, I know my way around systems. And my friend here is a proficient mechanic. If you want, we can take a look at your systems and see if we can get you running more smoothly."

"Oh, I don't need repairs. I'm not damaged. I'm lobotomised!" said the Lyrabot cheerfully.

While the others started talking it drifted over and started knitting casually at the blanket it had thrown at Blue. There was a sudden tear of death metal, and Blue abruptly hurtled through, surrounded by laser beams and missiles, just barely managing to dodge out of the way before the portal snapped closed again. The Lyrabot was knocked off it's thruster by the intensity of the moment.

[Balmas]

"Good to have you back, Blue," Gabriel stated, completely unflapped. With all that had happened today, his brain had just hit its limits and walked out muttering something about reality warping clowns. "Rosemary, make sure that nopony is hurt too badly. If I'm not back by the time you finish that, I'll probably want an extraction."

But first, a detour. Gabriel hopped up onto the roof, assisted by a pump of his wings, and scanned to see if the citizens of the town had already done what he thought they had to the HREC corpse.

[Thanqol]

"Good to have you back, Blue," Gabriel stated, completely unflapped. With all that had happened today, his brain had just hit its limits and walked out muttering something about reality warping clowns. "Rosemary, make sure that nopony is hurt too badly. If I'm not back by the time you finish that, I'll probably want an extraction."

But first, a detour. Gabriel hopped up onto the roof, assisted by a pump of his wings, and scanned to see if the citizens of the town had already done what he thought they had to the HREC corpse.

Bastards had eaten it. There weren't but bloody snow and some hair bits where it had been. Shop had been tossed, too, lots of papers but anything that might have been worth trading for some drugs was looted.

[Tiki Snakes]

After a moment's pause, Trees turned and began to walk. She picked her way out of the path of destruction, heading in the direction of her previous vantage point at the edge of town. She moved slowly across the debris, hooves placed carefully amidst the ruins of somepony else's life.

[the_druid_droid]

"Inside the house, or outside the house? I saw a dead guy near Gem, but I kind of assumed that was her doing. Was that you?"

"He fired on me. I responded in kind."


"Oh, I don't need repairs. I'm not damaged. I'm lobotomised!" said the Lyrabot cheerfully.

While the others started talking it drifted over and started knitting casually at the blanket it had thrown at Blue. There was a sudden tear of death metal, and Blue abruptly hurtled through, surrounded by laser beams and missiles, just barely managing to dodge out of the way before the portal snapped closed again. The Lyrabot was knocked off it's thruster by the intensity of the moment.

Luna smiled, shoulders sinking in relief as Blue tore back into their reality. "It's good to have you back, Resonant Blue."

[Balmas]

Gabriel seethed, then turned to the square at large. Back straight, chest open, wings fluffed for extra size. "Believe it or not, I am a nice person," he began, speaking apparently to no-one. "Reasonable. I set my rules, and I keep them. One of those is that foals aren't hurt. Now, I know that somepony here knows where Gem's son is. I want him, I want him here, and I want him now. If you can do that, you will be spared. If he is hurt, there will be blood." The griffon's voice rose, until he was shouting at the empty square. "And IF! IF, you filthy animals have done ANYTHING like you did to this goon here, you will pray that Sombra comes and save you, because he may at least have a small modicum of mercy tucked away in that cracked horn of his! I will make it slow, painful, and they will never find enough pieces to identify you!"


I think that's enough for a Go Aggro, don't you? :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

"Oh, I don't need repairs. I'm not damaged. I'm lobotomised!" said the Lyrabot cheerfully.

While the others started talking it drifted over and started knitting casually at the blanket it had thrown at Blue. There was a sudden tear of death metal, and Blue abruptly hurtled through, surrounded by laser beams and missiles, just barely managing to dodge out of the way before the portal snapped closed again. The Lyrabot was knocked off it's thruster by the intensity of the moment.

"Well, that might make it more of a software issue. I can still have a look if --"

Rose stopped as Blue reappeared in a blast of death metal and rockets. The unicorn was running forward to see if Blue needed any help.

"Blue! Thank goodness. Are you okay?"

[Deadly]

Blue exploded out of the portal, rolled across the ground like a spinning wheel of death, shot into the air and landed with all four hooves in the ground. She spun around, eyes searching for enemies. "Where's Railroading!" she asked, and fixed her death-glare on the lyrabot.

Blue seemed fine, but somepony might wanna stop her from trying to bite the head off a robot and stuff its neck full of dynamite.

[BlasTech]

In answer, Rose just pointed at the bloody, headless, remains of the clown pony.

[Thanqol]

Gabriel seethed, then turned to the square at large. Back straight, chest open, wings fluffed for extra size. "Believe it or not, I am a nice person," he began, speaking apparently to no-one. "Reasonable. I set my rules, and I keep them. One of those is that foals aren't hurt. Now, I know that somepony here knows where Gem's son is. I want him, I want him here, and I want him now. If you can do that, you will be spared. If he is hurt, there will be blood." The griffon's voice rose, until he was shouting at the empty square. "And IF! IF, you filthy animals have done ANYTHING like you did to this goon here, you will pray that Sombra comes and save you, because he may at least have a small modicum of mercy tucked away in that cracked horn of his! I will make it slow, painful, and they will never find enough pieces to identify you!"

I think that's enough for a Go Aggro, don't you? :smalltongue:

Yeah, I don't see why not.


Blue exploded out of the portal, rolled across the ground like a spinning wheel of death, shot into the air and landed with all four hooves in the ground. She spun around, eyes searching for enemies. "Where's Railroading!" she asked, and fixed her death-glare on the lyrabot.

Blue seemed fine, but somepony might wanna stop her from trying to bite the head off a robot and stuff its neck full of dynamite.

"Hey boss!" said Sweetbriar, flocking up to Resonant Blue, surrounded by other raiders. They seemed, uh, unusually well equipped. One of them was wearing a slightly bloody suit of HREC armour, a couple of them had all sorts of creepy jingle hanging from necks and pockets, one of them even had what could only be described as a death ray. "Oh yeah, we totally wasted that jerk for you," Sweetbriar said, immediately starting with the lies. "Want us to trash his toaster too?"

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees sat herself back down in her spot, slowly lowering herself down as muscles creaked from abuse and exertion. She breathed out fully, finally coming to a rest. Tension ebbed away as the cool air whistled past.

She pushed the yellow facemask up off her face with a hoof and resumed her patient study of the skies.
"Such a pretty thing." She whispered to herself dreamily.

[Balmas]

[Minimum number of characters] [roll0]

[Thanqol]

The colt, what was his name again? Kettle something? He came out from behind a stack of plywood trembling like a leaf. He hadn't been hurt but Gabriel clearly had him scared out of his goddamn wits. What did he do?

[Balmas]

Gabriel sighed, smoothing his feathers down with a talon. "Good. You're alright. I'm sorry if I scared you," he started, looking off to the side. He shifted so that he was between the colt and his mother's body. "I wanted to make sure that nobody would hurt you, or even think about it. Are you okay?" Stupid question, Gabe, of course he wasn't alright. His mom had just died, fer cryin' out loud.

[Deadly]

In answer, Rose just pointed at the bloody, headless, remains of the clown pony.

Blue almost looked a bit disappointed. "Good," she said. "And good riddance to him."


"Hey boss!" said Sweetbriar, flocking up to Resonant Blue, surrounded by other raiders. They seemed, uh, unusually well equipped. One of them was wearing a slightly bloody suit of HREC armour, a couple of them had all sorts of creepy jingle hanging from necks and pockets, one of them even had what could only be described as a death ray. "Oh yeah, we totally wasted that jerk for you," Sweetbriar said, immediately starting with the lies. "Want us to trash his toaster too?"

Blue looked at them. But what could you expect? They were raiders, stealing and looting was right there in their name. Not even worth asking where it all came from. If nothing else, this stuff would do more good with her gang than some other gang.

"That's good," she said again. Oh right, the robot. She looked at the weaving spider bot. "Has it said anything? Anything useful, maybe?"

[BlasTech]

"Only that you were on some kind of 'vision quest'." replied Rose. "We were too focused on trying to coerce it to bring you back to do any further interrogation."

"I'd personally be interested on whether it knew anything about its mission here, or who might have killed Gem."

[Thanqol]

Gabriel sighed, smoothing his feathers down with a talon. "Good. You're alright. I'm sorry if I scared you," he started, looking off to the side. He shifted so that he was between the colt and his mother's body. "I wanted to make sure that nobody would hurt you, or even think about it. Are you okay?" Stupid question, Gabe, of course he wasn't alright. His mom had just died, fer cryin' out loud.

The colt just looks between razor-sharp beak, razor-sharp talons, and shotgun the length of his entire f'cking body. He nods, 'cause he's been asked a question, but his eyes just keep making that little triangle and it's clear he couldn't be less reassured by the circumstances.


Blue looked at them. But what could you expect? They were raiders, stealing and looting was right there in their name. Not even worth asking where it all came from. If nothing else, this stuff would do more good with her gang than some other gang.

"That's good," she said again. Oh right, the robot. She looked at the weaving spider bot. "Has it said anything? Anything useful, maybe?"

Now, it previously wasn't clear if Gabriel had taken those creepy trinkets he'd gotten from Railroading's body - you gotta tell me if you did, Gabe, 'cause that has consequences - but if he didn't all that stuff is going into the pockets of the gang, and they set about cutting him out of his armour while they're at it.

There's an upshot to this, Blue. You see on your move 'f'cking thieves' where it says that sometimes you might not find the high tech crap you're looking for? Scratch that out - your gang is loaded with high tech crap right now. I'll let you know if that changes.

[Balmas]

The colt just looks between razor-sharp beak, razor-sharp talons, and shotgun the length of his entire f'cking body. He nods, 'cause he's been asked a question, but his eyes just keep making that little triangle and it's clear he couldn't be less reassured by the circumstances.

Gabriel sighed, and holstered his shotgun. "Look, kid, I'm sorry I scared you. Sometimes, you have to be full of crap to make sure others don't try to take what you're protecting. I'm just trying to protect you right now. You remember me, don't you? You invited us in so your mom could tell us our fortunes. Said you weren't sure that I had a destiny, since I didn't have a cutie mark or hair for yer mom to read."




Now, it previously wasn't clear if Gabriel had taken those creepy trinkets he'd gotten from Railroading's body - you gotta tell me if you did, Gabe, 'cause that has consequences - but if he didn't all that stuff is going into the pockets of the gang, and they set about cutting him out of his armour while they're at it.

I thought that was pretty obvious.


Gabriel dumped Railroading's things at Rosemary's feet and nudged the armor towards her.


Gabriel spared one talon its work in sifting through the assorted junk so he could facepalm.


"Right. Rose, you've got some good armor here from Railroading. See if you can't get anything useful out of it. Hell, maybe it'll even have some yarn."

[the_druid_droid]

"We have no intention of harming you, little one. Or anypony else. There has been enough bloodshed for one day." Luna edged in by Gabriel, trying her best to reassure the colt despite the thuggish griffon's best efforts. And perhaps hoping Lavender would take notes.

[Deadly]

"Only that you were on some kind of 'vision quest'." replied Rose. "We were too focused on trying to coerce it to bring you back to do any further interrogation."

"I'd personally be interested on whether it knew anything about its mission here, or who might have killed Gem."

"My thought exactly," Blue said and eyed the robot suspiciously from a distance. Since it wasn't doing anything aggressive just yet, she decided to see what it had to say. "Do you have a name, robot?"

[Thanqol]

Gabriel sighed, and holstered his shotgun. "Look, kid, I'm sorry I scared you. Sometimes, you have to be full of crap to make sure others don't try to take what you're protecting. I'm just trying to protect you right now. You remember me, don't you? You invited us in so your mom could tell us our fortunes. Said you weren't sure that I had a destiny, since I didn't have a cutie mark or hair for yer mom to read."

The mention of mom made the kid break down in tears.


"We have no intention of harming you, little one. Or anypony else. There has been enough bloodshed for one day." Luna edged in by Gabriel, trying her best to reassure the colt despite the thuggish griffon's best efforts. And perhaps hoping Lavender would take notes.

Kettle didn't duck away but he didn't seem likely to stop crying any time soon. He just bawled into Luna's wing for as long as she'd stand there.


"My thought exactly," Blue said and eyed the robot suspiciously from a distance. Since it wasn't doing anything aggressive just yet, she decided to see what it had to say. "Do you have a name, robot?"

"I'm Lyra," said the robot. "If you want my serial number you can read it off my side plate yourself. What do you want?"

[the_druid_droid]

Kettle didn't duck away but he didn't seem likely to stop crying any time soon. He just bawled into Luna's wing for as long as she'd stand there.

Luna looked uncomfortable, but kept her wings wrapped around the colt while the others talked, trying to find something to say.

"I am... very sorry, little one."

[Deadly]

"I'm Lyra," said the robot. "If you want my serial number you can read it off my side plate yourself. What do you want?"

"I could have told myself that. You're all Lyra," Blue said and seemed for a moment like she was thinking about that fact. One ghost ... haunting many robots. There was just something weird and reverse about that. What was it like? Suddenly she had to know.

"What is it like? Being Lyra?"

[Thanqol]

Luna looked uncomfortable, but kept her wings wrapped around the colt while the others talked, trying to find something to say.

"I am... very sorry, little one."

"She was my mom," said Kettle, and even that seemed to take too much out of him. There just weren't the words for this.


"I could have told myself that. You're all Lyra," Blue said and seemed for a moment like she was thinking about that fact. One ghost ... haunting many robots. There was just something weird and reverse about that. What was it like? Suddenly she had to know.

"What is it like? Being Lyra?"

"Floaty. Quick," said the robot, having evidently put some thought into this. "I've been through the memories of others and they're slow and inevitable like a dump-truck cart just trundling on in a single direction, trundle trundle trundle. For me I've got ideas! In every direction, in every shape and colour! More in a second than I could work on in forever! More than I could work on with a thousand copies of me, haa!" the robot twitched and spasmed uncertainly and then jerked closer, looming over Blue. "And the company took out the brakes on the ideas. All the stuff I couldn't do, shouldn't do, I can't tell the difference between that and what I have to do. I can do anything."

[BlasTech]

Now, it previously wasn't clear if Gabriel had taken those creepy trinkets he'd gotten from Railroading's body - you gotta tell me if you did, Gabe, 'cause that has consequences - but if he didn't all that stuff is going into the pockets of the gang, and they set about cutting him out of his armour while they're at it.

There's an upshot to this, Blue. You see on your move 'f'cking thieves' where it says that sometimes you might not find the high tech crap you're looking for? Scratch that out - your gang is loaded with high tech crap right now. I'll let you know if that changes.

Rose glanced back at the well-equipped gang.

She then glanced at the pile of empty snow where she'd been standing not two minutes ago.

Then she glanced at the gang again.

"Son of a mule ..." she muttered.

[Balmas]

Flump. The griffon sat down next to the little kid, not looking at him. "I'm sorry, kiddo. When you lose someone like that, it just feels like the world is going to end, you know? Let it out. We can help."

[Deadly]

"Floaty. Quick," said the robot, having evidently put some thought into this. "I've been through the memories of others and they're slow and inevitable like a dump-truck cart just trundling on in a single direction, trundle trundle trundle. For me I've got ideas! In every direction, in every shape and colour! More in a second than I could work on in forever! More than I could work on with a thousand copies of me, haa!" the robot twitched and spasmed uncertainly and then jerked closer, looming over Blue. "And the company took out the brakes on the ideas. All the stuff I couldn't do, shouldn't do, I can't tell the difference between that and what I have to do. I can do anything."

"Freedom can be a curse. We all need someone to make a choice for us, when we can't make that choice ourselves." Blue looked up at the looming robot. Her ears twitched, listening to the gale inside her and all the howling voices lost deep within that storm. Perhaps one had known Lyra, or even this robot. Perhaps she could even hear Lyra herself, somewhere deep in that endless chord resonating through her every crystal fiber. Someone who knew how to give it purpose and direction.

[Thanqol]

Rose glanced back at the well-equipped gang.

She then glanced at the pile of empty snow where she'd been standing not two minutes ago.

Then she glanced at the gang again.

"Son of a mule ..." she muttered.

"You looking at something, egghead?" yelled a raider, reflexively getting right up in her face.


Flump. The griffon sat down next to the little kid, not looking at him. "I'm sorry, kiddo. When you lose someone like that, it just feels like the world is going to end, you know? Let it out. We can help."

Just for my own interest, when Gabriel says 'help', what's his vision of the future? Where does this story end for him?


"Freedom can be a curse. We all need someone to make a choice for us, when we can't make that choice ourselves." Blue looked up at the looming robot. Her ears twitched, listening to the gale inside her and all the howling voices lost deep within that storm. Perhaps one had known Lyra, or even this robot. Perhaps she could even hear Lyra herself, somewhere deep in that endless chord resonating through her every crystal fiber. Someone who knew how to give it purpose and direction.

Sounds like you're opening your brain!

[Deadly]

Sounds like you're opening your brain!

[Opening Her Brain: 2, 6, 0 = 8]

[Balmas]

The end goal for Kettle is to get him somewhere safe, probably the Crystal Empire. Regardless of whether or not he acknowledges it, there's a part of him that feels responsible for the tyke; he probably could have done something to prevent his mom dying, if he'd gone straight for the sound of laser fire. Another part says that that's the nature of the Wasteland, and s*** happens. If Kettle is particularly endearing, he might even want to try to adopt him, but that's pretty much the bad end, you know? Gabe couldn't do his job with a kid around, and Kettle wouldn't get a proper amount of care wandering around with a merc.

I dunno. Kinda feel I'm rambling. Does any of this make sense?

[the_druid_droid]

"She was my mom," said Kettle, and even that seemed to take too much out of him. There just weren't the words for this.

Luna just nodded and kept her wings around him. Her back legs fidgeted, though. Things like this always made her feel... alien.

[BlasTech]

"You looking at something, egghead?" yelled a raider, reflexively getting right up in her face.

"That depends." replied Rose, affecting an expression of concern. "How are you feeling? Any nausea? Sweating? Chills? Y'know, trinkets like those can cause some rather nasty side effects."

[Thanqol]

[Opening Her Brain: 2, 6, 0 = 8]

Music (http://youtu.be/svWINSRhQU0), from long ago. Heard through the echoing generations or maybe just down along the radio. A little song sung by Lyra, not terribly important or memorable, but with a nice little beat to it.

They were her words, her music - what came to mind right now. Now what you make of that is on you.


The end goal for Kettle is to get him somewhere safe, probably the Crystal Empire. Regardless of whether or not he acknowledges it, there's a part of him that feels responsible for the tyke; he probably could have done something to prevent his mom dying, if he'd gone straight for the sound of laser fire. Another part says that that's the nature of the Wasteland, and s*** happens. If Kettle is particularly endearing, he might even want to try to adopt him, but that's pretty much the bad end, you know? Gabe couldn't do his job with a kid around, and Kettle wouldn't get a proper amount of care wandering around with a merc.

I dunno. Kinda feel I'm rambling. Does any of this make sense?

It does, and thank you for it.


Luna just nodded and kept her wings around him. Her back legs fidgeted, though. Things like this always made her feel... alien.

The kid seemed to start coming back to himself after a long while. He took a deep breath. "What's going to happen?"


"That depends." replied Rose, affecting an expression of concern. "How are you feeling? Any nausea? Sweating? Chills? Y'know, trinkets like those can cause some rather nasty side effects."

"The hell you say?" said Sweetbriar flaring her wings and stepping up close in a show of dominance, but she wasn't totally confident any more."Why the hay would I be sweating? From rocks?"

[Tiki Snakes]

It wouldn't be long now, Trees thought to herself. Whatever it was that could be done for the foal would be done and at that point there wasn't much left to hold the group in Hopeville. Casually, she untangled herself from the bolt-action rifle and propped it up against the nearby wall, out of the way. After a moment's thought, she hung the Yellow Jacket mask up on the tip of the rifle. It left her head feeling lighter and her mane more free. It also kind of made it look like Yellow Jacket was hovering nearby, an imagined presence peering over Trees shoulder.

They waited quietly together.

[the_druid_droid]

The kid seemed to start coming back to himself after a long while. He took a deep breath. "What's going to happen?"

"I don't know." Luna looked down at him, honestly.

Then something tugged at her, like a nagging conscience, but somehow not in the right place. The side effect of her resurrection, she supposed.

So she added, "What do you want to happen?"

[BlasTech]

"The hell you say?" said Sweetbriar flaring her wings and stepping up close in a show of dominance, but she wasn't totally confident any more."Why the hay would I be sweating? From rocks?"

"Magic rocks" replied Rose. "All glowy, and evil and stuff. I mean, they were being carried around by that crazy clown after all, and he's HREC."

"A pony exposed to that could rot from the inside. Maybe they'll just grow shadow crystals in their skin, or even have a manifestation while they're asleep. Their insides might boil from the necromantic energies, or they might just have their life force sucked from them one bit at a time. Too long, and they'll be a cold, lifeless, husk, just gasping for air."

Rose was really only trying to get the pony to go away. But hey, if she dropped the stuff she'd picked up then all the better. At least then Rose could dispose of it properly.

[Deadly]

Music (http://youtu.be/svWINSRhQU0), from long ago. Heard through the echoing generations or maybe just down along the radio. A little song sung by Lyra, not terribly important or memorable, but with a nice little beat to it.

They were her words, her music - what came to mind right now. Now what you make of that is on you.

Blue listened to the tune in her mind, humming quietly. "Do you still play music, Lyra?" she asked the robot.

[Thanqol]

"I don't know." Luna looked down at him, honestly.

Then something tugged at her, like a nagging conscience, but somehow not in the right place. The side effect of her resurrection, she supposed.

So she added, "What do you want to happen?"

He took a deep breath. "No wishes," he said haltingly. "Wishes are bad. Just gotta... just go forwards," he looked like he was starting to put on a stiff upper lip. His breathing was becoming a bit more regular.


"Magic rocks" replied Rose. "All glowy, and evil and stuff. I mean, they were being carried around by that crazy clown after all, and he's HREC."

"A pony exposed to that could rot from the inside. Maybe they'll just grow shadow crystals in their skin, or even have a manifestation while they're asleep. Their insides might boil from the necromantic energies, or they might just have their life force sucked from them one bit at a time. Too long, and they'll be a cold, lifeless, husk, just gasping for air."

Rose was really only trying to get the pony to go away. But hey, if she dropped the stuff she'd picked up then all the better. At least then Rose could dispose of it properly.

"They didn't taste corrupted," said Sweetmeats, who was like Sweetbriar's evil sister.

"A bit salty," added Crowd Voice from the back.

"Hey, you wanna buy some junk?" said Sweetbriar. "Slightly used. Going cheap. What do you say?"


Blue listened to the tune in her mind, humming quietly. "Do you still play music, Lyra?" she asked the robot.

"No," said the robot haltingly. "I - can't. They took it away from me."

[Deadly]

"No," said the robot haltingly. "I - can't. They took it away from me."

Blue's face set in a decisive scowl. "Then we help you fix that. Do you know how we can undo what they did?"

[BlasTech]

"They didn't taste corrupted," said Sweetmeats, who was like Sweetbriar's evil sister.

"A bit salty," added Crowd Voice from the back.

"Hey, you wanna buy some junk?" said Sweetbriar. "Slightly used. Going cheap. What do you say?"

"Yeah, what've you got?" asked Rose. "I ran through a bit of my medical supplies back there."

[Balmas]

He took a deep breath. "No wishes," he said haltingly. "Wishes are bad. Just gotta... just go forwards," he looked like he was starting to put on a stiff upper lip. His breathing was becoming a bit more regular.

"We're going to get you somewhere safe, kid," Gabriel said softly. "Unfortunately, here isn't it."

[the_druid_droid]

He took a deep breath. "No wishes," he said haltingly. "Wishes are bad. Just gotta... just go forwards," he looked like he was starting to put on a stiff upper lip. His breathing was becoming a bit more regular.

"...then go forward well." Luna gave him one last comforting brush with her wings and finally let the colt go, to stand on his own.

"I think this town has seen enough of us, perhaps?" The alicorn gave her fellow travelers a pointed look.

[Thanqol]

Blue's face set in a decisive scowl. "Then we help you fix that. Do you know how we can undo what they did?"

The robot gave a flat red-glowing stare. "You open up my lid and do some sort of brain surgery. I'm not particularly fresh on the detailers."

It snapped it's manipulator claw. "Wasting time! There are things, other things, that need focus." It started to move haltingly away.


"Yeah, what've you got?" asked Rose. "I ran through a bit of my medical supplies back there."

"We've got a pile of scary junk," said Sweetbriar, putting her hoof around Rosemary's shoulders and waving some nasty little token in her face. "I bet some company scientist like you can find a way to turn it into medical supplies, right? Give us some jingle and it's yours."


"We're going to get you somewhere safe, kid," Gabriel said softly. "Unfortunately, here isn't it."


"...then go forward well." Luna gave him one last comforting brush with her wings and finally let the colt go, to stand on his own.

"I think this town has seen enough of us, perhaps?" The alicorn gave her fellow travelers a pointed look.

Kettle looked to and fro; this decision didn't seem like it was his.

[Balmas]

Kettle looked to and fro; this decision didn't seem like it was his.

"I'm not gonna force you to go," Gabriel clarified. "I'd understand if you wanna stay. It's a bloody stupid thing to do, but I'd understand. But if you want to go, now would be a good time to grab some things before we leave."

[Deadly]

The robot gave a flat red-glowing stare. "You open up my lid and do some sort of brain surgery. I'm not particularly fresh on the detailers."

It snapped it's manipulator claw. "Wasting time! There are things, other things, that need focus." It started to move haltingly away.

Blue swept around, back in front of the robot. "You said you can't tell what you shouldn't do from what you have to do. I'm telling you, what you have to do is play music again. They took that from you, and you are broken without it. If you're as bright as you claim, then robot brain surgery should be easy for you. Hell, didn't you design all these robots yourself? I'm sure you could figure it out if you set yourself to it."

[Thanqol]

"I'm not gonna force you to go," Gabriel clarified. "I'd understand if you wanna stay. It's a bloody stupid thing to do, but I'd understand. But if you want to go, now would be a good time to grab some things before we leave."

The colt nodded, sniffed, and ran off. To do what, it wasn't clear. But they had a while alone.


Blue swept around, back in front of the robot. "You said you can't tell what you shouldn't do from what you have to do. I'm telling you, what you have to do is play music again. They took that from you, and you are broken without it. If you're as bright as you claim, then robot brain surgery should be easy for you. Hell, didn't you design all these robots yourself? I'm sure you could figure it out if you set yourself to it."

"Sure! I'll just get to whittling a new cerebral matrix out of scrap iron!" said the robot. "Because I'm not exactly up to my plot in spare robot brains I can use for parts!"

It paused, took a faux-breath. "Listen, I am programmed to invent whatever I am instructed to invent and fix what I'm instructed to fix, and I respect your authority or whatever, but finance and procurement was never my side of the bargain."

[BlasTech]

It snapped it's manipulator claw. "Wasting time! There are things, other things, that need focus." It started to move haltingly away.


"Before you go ..." Interrupted Rose, looking up from Sweetbriar and her gem of doom "do you know who killed Gem? Was it one of the ponies who we saw by her house?"

[Thanqol]

"Before you go ..." Interrupted Rose, looking up from Sweetbriar and her gem of doom "do you know who killed Gem? Was it one of the ponies who we saw by her house?"

"How should I know? I was trying to knit an interdimensional scarf and blow some contractor out of the sky with a shotgun," said the robot.

[BlasTech]

Rose eyed the bot closely as it answered.

[spending my last question: is she telling the truth]

[Thanqol]

Rose eyed the bot closely as it answered.

[spending my last question: is she telling the truth]

Yes. The robot is insane and will do practically anything it is instructed to, and it did make a genuine run at killing Gabriel and banishing Blue into another dimension earlier. It certainly helped Railroading while Gem was killed, and even if it didn't pull the trigger it would have in a second if asked to.

But it's telling the truth. It is frustrated at its inability to tell right from wrong if only because it's a confusing and painful experience for it personally.

[Deadly]

"I think it's a safe bet that either Railroading or his assistant killed her, and both are dead now," Blue said to Rosemary. She looked like she really wanted one of them alive so she could torture them, but had resigned herself to the fact that there was nothing left to do but bottle up all that anger for some other time.

She looked at the ground for a second, then turned back to the robot. "Then, can you tell us what you would need in order to repair yourself? Maybe we can get it for you."

[Balmas]

Gabriel nodded, and asked, "Could you wait for him? I need to go talk to Blue."

[BlasTech]

Yes. The robot is insane and will do practically anything it is instructed to, and it did make a genuine run at killing Gabriel and banishing Blue into another dimension earlier. It certainly helped Railroading while Gem was killed, and even if it didn't pull the trigger it would have in a second if asked to.

But it's telling the truth. It is frustrated at its inability to tell right from wrong if only because it's a confusing and painful experience for it personally.

Rose didn't visibly react, but turned back to the raiders ... exchanging caps for potions and meds.

[Exchanging that barter for 2 Kit charges]

[Thanqol]

"I think it's a safe bet that either Railroading or his assistant killed her, and both are dead now," Blue said to Rosemary. She looked like she really wanted one of them alive so she could torture them, but had resigned herself to the fact that there was nothing left to do but bottle up all that anger for some other time.

She looked at the ground for a second, then turned back to the robot. "Then, can you tell us what you would need in order to repair yourself? Maybe we can get it for you."

"An intact robot brain for starts," said the robot, switching over to intent. "Intact means intact, no bullet holes. Also not a Protectron, their brains are basically made out of used calculator watches. I'd also need some mood music to keep me on point while I work, and one of those star bullets - or some other source of intense necromantic energy." Crisp and clean - whatever parts of the robot didn't work, this wasn't one of them.


Rose didn't visibly react, but turned back to the raiders ... exchanging caps for potions and meds.

[Exchanging that barter for 2 Kit charges]

"Hey boss!" said Sweetbriar, interrupting Blue and ruffling her feathers with pride. "I just gypped that stupid unicorn out of all her money! I traded some useless bandages for these sweet bottlecaps!" She started going through the caps with a stupid grin on her face. "Oh boy! This one's got a little star on the inside of the lid! What a sucker!"

[Deadly]

"An intact robot brain for starts," said the robot, switching over to intent. "Intact means intact, no bullet holes. Also not a Protectron, their brains are basically made out of used calculator watches. I'd also need some mood music to keep me on point while I work, and one of those star bullets - or some other source of intense necromantic energy." Crisp and clean - whatever parts of the robot didn't work, this wasn't one of them.

Her last star bullet. The thought of giving it up ... that wasn't a happy thought. She was getting quite attached to that gun. Maybe they could find something else, if it turned out there was no way around it. Or find more of them, maybe Gem had a few extra stashed away. "What is the necromantic energy for?" she decided to small-talk.


"Hey boss!" said Sweetbriar, interrupting Blue and ruffling her feathers with pride. "I just gypped that stupid unicorn out of all her money! I traded some useless bandages for these sweet bottlecaps!" She started going through the caps with a stupid grin on her face. "Oh boy! This one's got a little star on the inside of the lid! What a sucker!"

Blue looked over her shoulder at Sweetbriar and Rosemary. She couldn't help but smile at Sweetbriar's infectious joy. "Oh? Good on you. But that stupid unicorn is one of my friends, so don't be too hard on her now ... She can't really help it if she's got a thing for old bandages, if you know what I mean," Blue teased and winked at Rosemary. "And she may just be the one who gets to stitch you back together again if you get yourself hurt."

[Thanqol]

Her last star bullet. The thought of giving it up ... that wasn't a happy thought. She was getting quite attached to that gun. Maybe they could find something else, if it turned out there was no way around it. Or find more of them, maybe Gem had a few extra stashed away. "What is the necromantic energy for?" she decided to small-talk.

"I gotta rebuild a bunch of my soul!" said the robot brightly. "I could use a bunch of regular magic but that'd be a temporary fix. Well, if I got the physical parts I'd be sane, I'd just be amoral and loveless, don't know if that's worse."


Blue looked over her shoulder at Sweetbriar and Rosemary. She couldn't help but smile at Sweetbriar's infectious joy. "Oh? Good on you. But that stupid unicorn is one of my friends, so don't be too hard on her now ... She can't really help it if she's got a thing for old bandages, if you know what I mean," Blue teased and winked at Rosemary. "And she may just be the one who gets to stitch you back together again if you get yourself hurt."

"Boss, I'm never getting hurt again," said Sweetbriar, thumping her chest. "I'm rich. I'm going to hire myself a bunch of bodyguards - sexy bodyguards - to carry me around on a chariot and take bullets for me."

[the_druid_droid]

"I think it's a safe bet that either Railroading or his assistant killed her, and both are dead now," Blue said to Rosemary. She looked like she really wanted one of them alive so she could torture them, but had resigned herself to the fact that there was nothing left to do but bottle up all that anger for some other time.

"Yes, I found her like that when I arrived, and they were the only two nearby." Luna sighed, but seemed to relax a little now that the colt had darted off, and she was no longer expected to be the comforter.

With nothing else to do, she closed her eyes and focused her magic, lifting a few small stones from the edges of the giant scar now running through town, and twirling them in intricate patterns. It was a foal's game, but it always seemed to calm her down and focus her thoughts.

[Balmas]

"We need to go," Gabriel stated as he walked back, eyeing the very familiar armor on the raider mare. "We just got a plus one, and the druggie needs to make some Buck before we can leave."

[the_druid_droid]

"We need to go," Gabriel stated as he walked back, eyeing the very familiar armor on the raider mare. "We just got a plus one, and the druggie needs to make some Buck before we can leave."

Luna nodded, letting the stones drop, and then joined Gabriel as he walked off.

[BlasTech]

"We need to go," Gabriel stated as he walked back, eyeing the very familiar armor on the raider mare. "We just got a plus one, and the druggie needs to make some Buck before we can leave."

"Plus two" said Rose, grumbling slightly at her treatment by Sweetbriar. "At least, assuming you guys are still okay with taking Clarity out of here?"

[Tiki Snakes]

Trees watched the clouds drift dreamily for a while, but eventually her inactivity started taking it's toll again. She unwrapped the garish yellow striped cloak from her foreleg and shuffled back into it properly. It was torn and frayed by the rigours of the past few days but sat there wearing it like a tent with only her head poking out, it was still marvelously warm. She shivered and sighed.

"Waited all night already." She said to herself sleepily. "I can wait another couple of hours, with a sky like this to watch."

[Deadly]

"I gotta rebuild a bunch of my soul!" said the robot brightly. "I could use a bunch of regular magic but that'd be a temporary fix. Well, if I got the physical parts I'd be sane, I'd just be amoral and loveless, don't know if that's worse."

"Death would be better," Blue noted, watching the robot to see what it thought of that.


"Boss, I'm never getting hurt again," said Sweetbriar, thumping her chest. "I'm rich. I'm going to hire myself a bunch of bodyguards - sexy bodyguards - to carry me around on a chariot and take bullets for me."

"I'd go insane if I couldn't beat the living crap out of those who asked for it with my own hooves. I'd probably swell with all that repressed anger, turn into a giant glowing ball of fire, and then explode. It would be glorious, but brief and ultimately a waste."


"We need to go," Gabriel stated as he walked back, eyeing the very familiar armor on the raider mare. "We just got a plus one, and the druggie needs to make some Buck before we can leave."

Blue rubbed her head. "The colt? Is it safer for him with us than here?" She hadn't really given that any thought, and suddenly it seemed like no pony could focus on one thing at a time. "Could we set him up with somepony here and a steady supply of his drug?"


"Plus two" said Rose, grumbling slightly at her treatment by Sweetbriar. "At least, assuming you guys are still okay with taking Clarity out of here?"

"She can't stay here, exactly, so yes. If that is what she wants."

[Thanqol]

"We need to go," Gabriel stated as he walked back, eyeing the very familiar armor on the raider mare. "We just got a plus one, and the druggie needs to make some Buck before we can leave."


Luna nodded, letting the stones drop, and then joined Gabriel as he walked off.

So, they were headed for Spigot's potions shed. The jittery receptionist wasn't in, so the zebra - flanked by a big bodyguard - came out to see them. Didn't say anything, just gave that look he had.


"Death would be better," Blue noted, watching the robot to see what it thought of that.

"Ew. No." said the robot firmly.


"I'd go insane if I couldn't beat the living crap out of those who asked for it with my own hooves. I'd probably swell with all that repressed anger, turn into a giant glowing ball of fire, and then explode. It would be glorious, but brief and ultimately a waste."

"That is because you aren't as pretty as me, so you can't tell when you get all gross and fight-y," said Sweetbriar. "It's okay, everyone has problems."

[BlasTech]

Blue rubbed her head. "The colt? Is it safer for him with us than here?" She hadn't really given that any thought, and suddenly it seemed like no pony could focus on one thing at a time. "Could we set him up with somepony here and a steady supply of his drug?"

"Maybe, Spigot seemed the kind of pony to honour a deal, but what do we have to offer him?"

"Either way, we'd best sort this one out." Rose said, however the unicorn was already looking around distractedly.


So, they were headed for Spigot's potions shed. The jittery receptionist wasn't in, so the zebra - flanked by a big bodyguard - came out to see them. Didn't say anything, just gave that look he had.


Rose trotted along behind Gabe and Luna, keeping an eye open for a sign of Trees, or in case Spigot tried anything.

[Balmas]

Blue rubbed her head. "The colt? Is it safer for him with us than here?" She hadn't really given that any thought, and suddenly it seemed like no pony could focus on one thing at a time. "Could we set him up with somepony here and a steady supply of his drug?"

"Yeah, I think it is. He's alone. Just lost his mom. We just got rid of the two authority figures, and somehow I don't see the Bears doing too much to help a little foal." Gabriel glared at Sweetbriar. "And there's no way in hell I'm leaving him alone with these cannibals. Tell me, did that HREC goon taste good?"

[Thanqol]

"Yeah, I think it is. He's alone. Just lost his mom. We just got rid of the two authority figures, and somehow I don't see the Bears doing too much to help a little foal." Gabriel glared at Sweetbriar. "And there's no way in hell I'm leaving him alone with these cannibals. Tell me, did that HREC goon taste good?"

"Oh, nah, way too fatty," said Sweetbriar making a face. "City folk, am I right?"

[the_druid_droid]

"Yeah, I think it is. He's alone. Just lost his mom. We just got rid of the two authority figures, and somehow I don't see the Bears doing too much to help a little foal." Gabriel glared at Sweetbriar. "And there's no way in hell I'm leaving him alone with these cannibals. Tell me, did that HREC goon taste good?"

Luna grimaced and ruffled her feathers at the mention of cannibals, but managed to collect herself by the time the arrived at the zebra's place.

As they stepped inside, she whispered to Rosemary and the griffon. "I am afraid I am not entirely clear on the nature of our contract with this individual. I seem to be out of the loop lately. How are we to proceed?"

[Deadly]

"Yeah, I think it is. He's alone. Just lost his mom. We just got rid of the two authority figures, and somehow I don't see the Bears doing too much to help a little foal." Gabriel glared at Sweetbriar. "And there's no way in hell I'm leaving him alone with these cannibals. Tell me, did that HREC goon taste good?"

"There are no safe places, Gabe, especially not with us. This is what he knows, and the Empire isn't exactly free of bad stuff, it's practically a haven for it. I'm just saying, there may be options right here that are no less safe for him. Did you ask what he wants, anyway?"

She jerked a hoof at Sweetbriar and the rest of the gang. "And for your information, they're coming with us. With me, specifically. I don't know what you're suggesting either, because these fine ponies have learned their lesson and know better than to eat their fellow ponies ..." She gave them a meaningful glare. "Or they'll answer to me." She looked back at Gabe. "But I can't get worked up because they took a dead guy's stuff."

[BlasTech]

Luna grimaced and ruffled her feathers at the mention of cannibals, but managed to collect herself by the time the arrived at the zebra's place.

As they stepped inside, she whispered to Rosemary and the griffon. "I am afraid I am not entirely clear on the nature of our contract with this individual. I seem to be out of the loop lately. How are we to proceed?"

"Hey, you're talking to the mare with memory loss. I've got no idea what the contract was except that we delivered some equipment to him in exchange for drugs."

"... that were needed to help a sick child I mean." She amended, after a moment's pause. "Wow, that almost sounded criminal for a minute."


"There are no safe places, Gabe, especially not with us. This is what he knows, and the Empire isn't exactly free of bad stuff, it's practically a haven for it. I'm just saying, there may be options right here that are no less safe for him. Did you ask what he wants, anyway?"

She jerked a hoof at Sweetbriar and the rest of the gang. "And for your information, they're coming with us. With me, specifically. I don't know what you're suggesting either, because these fine ponies have learned their lesson and know better than to eat their fellow ponies ..." She gave them a meaningful glare. "Or they'll answer to me." She looked back at Gabe. "But I can't get worked up because they took a dead guy's stuff."

"Wait ... you're taking these guys with us?" said Rose. "Isn't that going to make our job harder? I mean, don't they ate-hay, larity-Clay?"

[Balmas]

Luna grimaced and ruffled her feathers at the mention of cannibals, but managed to collect herself by the time the arrived at the zebra's place.

As they stepped inside, she whispered to Rosemary and the griffon. "I am afraid I am not entirely clear on the nature of our contract with this individual. I seem to be out of the loop lately. How are we to proceed?"

"Well, Kettle back there is kinda sick. We need around three hundred doses of Buck, cut finely to help his system grow stronger. Except we hadn't planned on taking him with us, so we negotiated for the delivery to take place over several months. Now he's coming with us, so we need it now."


She jerked a hoof at Sweetbriar and the rest of the gang. "And for your information, they're coming with us. With me, specifically. I don't know what you're suggesting either, because these fine ponies have learned their lesson and know better than to eat their fellow ponies ..." She gave them a meaningful glare. "Or they'll answer to me." She looked back at Gabe. "But I can't get worked up because they took a dead guy's stuff."

Gabriel stopped walking like he'd hit a brick wall. "Excuse me? I just want to make sure that I haven't got any wax buildup, because somehow that sounded like you said we're taking the group of self-confessed murdering, raping, cannibalistic wasteland filth with us. But I know that can't be right, because doing that would be signs of such insanity that you'd have to be relieved of your 'command.' They aren't coming with us. They're a danger to us, to our mission, and a liability to everyone around us. We are not going to show up on the doorstep of the Crystal empire like some gang of raiders. Get rid of them, or I will."


"Wait ... you're taking these guys with us?" said Rose. "Isn't that going to make our job harder? I mean, don't they ate-hay, larity-Clay?"

"Exactly!"

[Deadly]

"Wait ... you're taking these guys with us?" said Rose. "Isn't that going to make our job harder? I mean, don't they ate-hay, larity-Clay?"

"They have chosen to follow me, yes. I don't turn down anypony who wishes to follow, but they do so under my command and on my terms, and those terms include getting along."


Gabriel stopped walking like he'd hit a brick wall. "Excuse me? I just want to make sure that I haven't got any wax buildup, because somehow that sounded like you said we're taking the group of self-confessed murdering, raping, cannibalistic wasteland filth with us. But I know that can't be right, because doing that would be signs of such insanity that you'd have to be relieved of your 'command.' They aren't coming with us. They're a danger to us, to our mission, and a liability to everyone around us. We are not going to show up on the doorstep of the Crystal empire like some gang of raiders. Get rid of them, or I will."

"Not gonna happen," Blue said and looked Gabe dead in the eyes. "Long as they follow me, they're my responsibility, and they get the chance to prove themselves same as everybody. I don't play favorites, and I don't care about their past. Doesn't matter what they did, or say they did, only what they do.

"Where would you rather have them? Out there on their own, or with me where they have a chance to do better? Don't answer. The world needs redemption, Gabe, 'cause we're all monsters. Every one of us. There ain't a single untouched pony left in this world, and there needs to be. Only way you get them? Redemption."

[BlasTech]

"They have chosen to follow me, yes. I don't turn down anypony who wishes to follow, but they do so under my command and on my terms, and those terms include getting along."

"Not gonna happen," Blue said and looked Gabe dead in the eyes. "Long as they follow me, they're my responsibility, and they get the chance to prove themselves same as everybody. I don't play favorites, and I don't care about their past. Doesn't matter what they did, or say they did, only what they do.

"Where would you rather have them? Out there on their own, or with me where they have a chance to do better? Don't answer. The world needs redemption, Gabe, 'cause we're all monsters. Every one of us. There ain't a single untouched pony left in this world, and there needs to be. Only way you get them? Redemption."


Gabriel stopped walking like he'd hit a brick wall. "Excuse me? I just want to make sure that I haven't got any wax buildup, because somehow that sounded like you said we're taking the group of self-confessed murdering, raping, cannibalistic wasteland filth with us. But I know that can't be right, because doing that would be signs of such insanity that you'd have to be relieved of your 'command.' They aren't coming with us. They're a danger to us, to our mission, and a liability to everyone around us. We are not going to show up on the doorstep of the Crystal empire like some gang of raiders. Get rid of them, or I will."

"Hey, calm down guys." said Rose, stepping up between them.

"I gotta say, Gabe makes some good points." she started, turning to Blue. "If we're going to be travelling with a blind pony and a kid, then yes, we can always use more help. But is this the right kind of help? A minute ago, you were agreeing that we couldn't leave larity-Clay here, but these are the same ponies she's trying to get away from. What can I tell her so that it doesn't seem like she's only taking bad options?"

"I know that Gabe and I are not going to be able to sleep soundly at night if they follow us too, so how are you going to be able to give us any comfort around that?"

[Thanqol]

Oh hey, this situation seems kind of charged. Does anybody want to read anybody else? Or go for a manipulation?

[Deadly]

"You don't have to hide her name, Rose," Blue said and looked around for a moment to ease the tension. "If anypony has a grudge against Clarity, it's the rest of the town. I don't think she has to worry more than anypony about these guys. They were doing well enough under her and the Dayspear. Too well, frankly."

She looked at Rose and the others again, looking to ease their mind. "I could introduce you all. Shake hooves - claws, whatever - let everypony know that we're on the same team and that there will be absolutely no nightly stabbing or shooting from anyone. Would that help? I would still watch your stuff around them, mind you, but give them a chance, talk to them."

[Read a Person: 4, 1, -1 = 4

Well, Blue tries - so very hard sometimes - but can't help living up to her reputation for missing the clues]

[Balmas]

"Not gonna happen," Blue said and looked Gabe dead in the eyes. "Long as they follow me, they're my responsibility, and they get the chance to prove themselves same as everybody. I don't play favorites, and I don't care about their past. Doesn't matter what they did, or say they did, only what they do."

Gabriel met her stare and returned it with one just as intense. "Blue. What they currently do is kill, rape, and eat the bodies. You being their leader isn't going to change that."

[quote]"Where would you rather have them? Out there on their own, or with me where they have a chance to do better? Don't answer. The world needs redemption, Gabe, 'cause we're all monsters. Every one of us. There ain't a single untouched pony left in this world, and there needs to be. Only way you get them? Redemption."

"That is exactly what I want. Leave them here, with the bears to step in and stop most of their atrocities, instead of on the trail where we're going to have to be on guard every step of the way. And don't joke about redemption; in order for anyone to have redemption, you gotta want to change, first. Do you see any indication that they even think what they did is wrong?"


"Hey, calm down guys." said Rose, stepping up between them.

"I gotta say, Gabe makes some good points." she started, turning to Blue. "If we're going to be travelling with a blind pony and a kid, then yes, we can always use more help. But is this the right kind of help? A minute ago, you were agreeing that we couldn't leave larity-Clay here, but these are the same ponies she's trying to get away from. What can I tell her so that it doesn't seem like she's only taking bad options?"

"I know that Gabe and I are not going to be able to sleep soundly at night if they follow us too, so how are you going to be able to give us any comfort around that?"

"Exactly. This is not a good idea, Blue. I'm not staying up all night waiting for the knife in the back, or to keep somebody here from eating a kid."


"You don't have to hide her name, Rose," Blue said and looked around for a moment to ease the tension. "If anypony has a grudge against Clarity, it's the rest of the town. I don't think she has to worry more than anypony about these guys. They were doing well enough under her and the Dayspear. Too well, frankly."

She looked at Rose and the others again, looking to ease their mind. "I could introduce you all. Shake hooves - claws, whatever - let everypony know that we're on the same team and that there will be absolutely no nightly stabbing or shooting from anyone. Would that help? I would still watch your stuff around them, mind you, but give them a chance, talk to them."

"If I thought that would actually work, then that would be wonderful. We could go around telling everyone that we're on the same team, and magically the world's problems are solved!" Gabriel's big, sarcastic smile dropped away. "However, since the world doesn't change like that, and people don't change because you want them to, it doesn't."


Oh hey, this situation seems kind of charged. Does anybody want to read anybody else? Or go for a manipulation?

Sure. Rolling Read a Person. 5, 5, +2. = 12.
-What is Blue really feeling right now? Is any of this having any affect?

[BlasTech]

Oh hey, this situation seems kind of charged. Does anybody want to read anybody else? Or go for a manipulation?

Yup, Rose is reading a person. Is read a sitch metaphorically useful here? I don't have my rulebook with me today so not sure what questions might be applicable.

[roll0]

Holding my questions for now, but I was targeting Gabe. (Darn dice roller didn't pick up the +2 modifier. Must've used the wrong command. Total is 10 if I read that right.)

[BlasTech]

"You don't have to hide her name, Rose," Blue said and looked around for a moment to ease the tension. "If anypony has a grudge against Clarity, it's the rest of the town. I don't think she has to worry more than anypony about these guys. They were doing well enough under her and the Dayspear. Too well, frankly."

She looked at Rose and the others again, looking to ease their mind. "I could introduce you all. Shake hooves - claws, whatever - let everypony know that we're on the same team and that there will be absolutely no nightly stabbing or shooting from anyone. Would that help? I would still watch your stuff around them, mind you, but give them a chance, talk to them."

[Read a Person: 4, 1, -1 = 4

Well, Blue tries - so very hard sometimes - but can't help living up to her reputation for missing the clues]

"Blue." Rose replied, shaking her head. "No amount of back-slapping or hoof-bumping is going to convince me I can trust these guys. And I don't know for sure, but I figure anyone who was directly brain-warped or bossed about by the spear is going to be suspect as far as their attitude to Clarity is concerned. In fact, if they weren't upset and enjoyed that lifestyle, then I'd be even more worried."

"Actions are what matter here. Not big ideals or words." she continued "If you want to bring them along, then I doubt I can stop you. But if you want us to accept it, then you're going to need to go to each of us in the group and get our views or agree to our conditions. For my part, I absolutely do not want them travelling near Clarity and, if he comes with us, Kettle. They'll need to set up their own camp, separate from us. They can't come to our site without our say so, and if they bug any of us, they have to leave. I'd probably have some more when I get to think about it, but that's the big one on my mind. I mean, apart from the 'don't kill, hurt or otherwise hinder us' ... pretty sure that goes without saying."

As she spoke, Rose kept an eye on Gabriel, tracking his reactions and trying to get a feel for what he'd need to be satisfied.

[Spending one question on Gabe: What does he wish Rose would do here in terms of conditions to make this deal work?]

[Thanqol]

"You don't have to hide her name, Rose," Blue said and looked around for a moment to ease the tension. "If anypony has a grudge against Clarity, it's the rest of the town. I don't think she has to worry more than anypony about these guys. They were doing well enough under her and the Dayspear. Too well, frankly."

She looked at Rose and the others again, looking to ease their mind. "I could introduce you all. Shake hooves - claws, whatever - let everypony know that we're on the same team and that there will be absolutely no nightly stabbing or shooting from anyone. Would that help? I would still watch your stuff around them, mind you, but give them a chance, talk to them."

[Read a Person: 4, 1, -1 = 4

Well, Blue tries - so very hard sometimes - but can't help living up to her reputation for missing the clues]

"Hey, yeah, about this whole thing," said Sweetbriar, butting in to the conversation. "While you were all discussing what you were going to do about us we got you that Buck you wanted."

Sweetbriar threw a saddlebag on the ground. Three of the others did as well. All of the bags were overflowing with Buck - and also a bunch of other drugs. All the drugs they could possibly need.

Just behind them, the zebra alchemist was on the ground with a black-eye. The counter was on fire a bit too.

"Okay? We square yet?" said Sweetbriar. "Is that good enough?"

[the_druid_droid]

"Hey, you're talking to the mare with memory loss. I've got no idea what the contract was except that we delivered some equipment to him in exchange for drugs."

"... that were needed to help a sick child I mean." She amended, after a moment's pause. "Wow, that almost sounded criminal for a minute."


"Well, Kettle back there is kinda sick. We need around three hundred doses of Buck, cut finely to help his system grow stronger. Except we hadn't planned on taking him with us, so we negotiated for the delivery to take place over several months. Now he's coming with us, so we need it now."


"Hey, yeah, about this whole thing," said Sweetbriar, butting in to the conversation. "While you were all discussing what you were going to do about us we got you that Buck you wanted."

Sweetbriar threw a saddlebag on the ground. Three of the others did as well. All of the bags were overflowing with Buck - and also a bunch of other drugs. All the drugs they could possibly need.

Just behind them, the zebra alchemist was on the ground with a black-eye. The counter was on fire a bit too.

"Okay? We square yet?" said Sweetbriar. "Is that good enough?"

Luna considered the ponies squaring off beside her, and chose instead to address Sweetbriar with her concerns. "That is certainly... impressive. But isn't this dangerous? I was under the impression that drugs in the Wasteland were quite valuable, and if we are carrying that much won't we be inviting an attack?"

[Thanqol]

Luna considered the ponies squaring off beside her, and chose instead to address Sweetbriar with her concerns. "That is certainly... impressive. But isn't this dangerous? I was under the impression that drugs in the Wasteland were quite valuable, and if we are carrying that much won't we be inviting an attack?"

"Then exchange the drugs for hookers, I don't care," said Sweetbriar in exasperation. "What I'm trying to say is that Blue is the boss. The deal goes she looks out for us and we do what she says. I don't get why this is so complicated."

[Balmas]

[Spending one question on Gabe: What does he wish Rose would do here in terms of conditions to make this deal work?]

Honestly, he's hoping for more of what she's doing. He thinks that two voices of reason is more likely to change Blue's mind than just his own. Or at least, to force Blue to take them into account.

Remember, also, that Gabriel's vice is Greed. Even if he doesn't like this group, he might listen to the sound of cash. If you can get him to agree to a contract, he'll hold to it.


"Hey, yeah, about this whole thing," said Sweetbriar, butting in to the conversation. "While you were all discussing what you were going to do about us we got you that Buck you wanted."

Sweetbriar threw a saddlebag on the ground. Three of the others did as well. All of the bags were overflowing with Buck - and also a bunch of other drugs. All the drugs they could possibly need.

Just behind them, the zebra alchemist was on the ground with a black-eye. The counter was on fire a bit too.

"Okay? We square yet?" said Sweetbriar. "Is that good enough?"

Gabriel shut his mouth and turned to the unicorn in their group. "I dunno. Rosemary, is that enough doses to help a weak foal get stronger?"


Luna considered the ponies squaring off beside her, and chose instead to address Sweetbriar with her concerns. "That is certainly... impressive. But isn't this dangerous? I was under the impression that drugs in the Wasteland were quite valuable, and if we are carrying that much won't we be inviting an attack?"

"We're going to need to carry it anyway. Kettle needs it."

[Thanqol]

Gabriel shut his mouth and turned to the unicorn in their group. "I dunno. Rosemary, is that enough doses to help a weak foal get stronger?"

"He said he didn't have any in stock," said Sweetbriar huffily. "Said he needed to brew it still. What a liar."

[Deadly]

Gabriel met her stare and returned it with one just as intense. "Blue. What they currently do is kill, rape, and eat the bodies. You being their leader isn't going to change that."



"That is exactly what I want. Leave them here, with the bears to step in and stop most of their atrocities, instead of on the trail where we're going to have to be on guard every step of the way. And don't joke about redemption; in order for anyone to have redemption, you gotta want to change, first. Do you see any indication that they even think what they did is wrong?"

"It's all well and good to say that ponies need to want to change first, but you're never gonna get change with that attitude. Ponies don't just decide that they want to change their way, especially not when they've never known any different. All their lives, this is what they've done. Why should they ever think it's wrong, or that they need to do better? Because some stuffy bear in town says so? Hell no. They need somepony to show them another way, with a hard but patient hoof. One who has earned their respect. They cannot hope to change on their own, will never change on their own."


Sure. Rolling Read a Person. 5, 5, +2. = 12.
-What is Blue really feeling right now? Is any of this having any affect?

Blue didn't ask for this. Maybe Gabe hasn't realized that before, but Blue didn't tell these ponies to follow her. They decided to attach themselves to her, whether she wanted it or not, because she earned their respect.

Sure, she could tell them to f*ck off, but it's clear that she feels responsible for them now, like she has an obligation to them. She took away their way of living, left them stranded. The fact that they respect her is probably the one chance these ponies will ever have knowing anything better. If she told them to leave, they would attach themselves instead to the first pony strong enough to earn their respect. What are the chances that that pony would not be a total monster. In this Wasteland?

To throw that away would be a grave sin - for Blue, like breaking a contract would be to Gabe, perhaps - and she would never forgive herself.

Of course this is having an effect. Blue and Gabe may not be the closest of friends, but he knows that Blue respects and listens to Rosemary and Lavender, and that she considers them her friends. She also considers all of them, including Gabriel, part of her team, and that's something. Blue may not always be terribly good at noticing stuff - actually, she sucks at it - but she tries, and she cares tremendously about her team and their thoughts and feelings. That she often disagrees doesn't change that she cares and does her best to listen.

Blue knows that she should have brought this up earlier, but it all just sort of happened. Again, she didn't ask for it.


"Blue." Rose replied, shaking her head. "No amount of back-slapping or hoof-bumping is going to convince me I can trust these guys. And I don't know for sure, but I figure anyone who was directly brain-warped or bossed about by the spear is going to be suspect as far as their attitude to Clarity is concerned. In fact, if they weren't upset and enjoyed that lifestyle, then I'd be even more worried."

"Actions are what matter here. Not big ideals or words." she continued "If you want to bring them along, then I doubt I can stop you. But if you want us to accept it, then you're going to need to go to each of us in the group and get our views or agree to our conditions. For my part, I absolutely do not want them travelling near Clarity and, if he comes with us, Kettle. They'll need to set up their own camp, separate from us. They can't come to our site without our say so, and if they bug any of us, they have to leave. I'd probably have some more when I get to think about it, but that's the big one on my mind. I mean, apart from the 'don't kill, hurt or otherwise hinder us' ... pretty sure that goes without saying."

Blue nodded grimly. "Very well. We'll camp separately. I'll tell them to stay away from your camp, but you're always welcome to come to ours. In fact, I hope you will. You'll never learn to trust them if you only know them from a distance. Nor will they learn to trust or respect you."

"I'll be camping with them," she added.


"Hey, yeah, about this whole thing," said Sweetbriar, butting in to the conversation. "While you were all discussing what you were going to do about us we got you that Buck you wanted."

Sweetbriar threw a saddlebag on the ground. Three of the others did as well. All of the bags were overflowing with Buck - and also a bunch of other drugs. All the drugs they could possibly need.

Just behind them, the zebra alchemist was on the ground with a black-eye. The counter was on fire a bit too.

"Okay? We square yet?" said Sweetbriar. "Is that good enough?"

Blue blinked and looked between the bags of drugs, the beaten alchemist and her gang of raiders. She was about to chew them out for beating him up instead of trying for a deal ...


"He said he didn't have any in stock," said Sweetbriar huffily. "Said he needed to brew it still. What a liar."

"Oh, did he?" Blue instead turned her withering glare on the alchemist.

They only gave him a black eye and set his production back a little. Maybe burned his counter a bit. They could have shot him, or probably something worse that didn't bear thinking, but they hadn't. It was better than she could have honestly expected from them. Not perfect, but you didn't get perfect on the first try.

Blue nodded her approval at Sweetbriar and looked back at the bags. "How much of this would the boy need?" she asked Rosemary, figuring she knew best.

[BlasTech]

"Hey, yeah, about this whole thing," said Sweetbriar, butting in to the conversation. "While you were all discussing what you were going to do about us we got you that Buck you wanted."

Sweetbriar threw a saddlebag on the ground. Three of the others did as well. All of the bags were overflowing with Buck - and also a bunch of other drugs. All the drugs they could possibly need.

Just behind them, the zebra alchemist was on the ground with a black-eye. The counter was on fire a bit too.

"Okay? We square yet?" said Sweetbriar. "Is that good enough?"

Rosemary just face-hooved.



Gabriel shut his mouth and turned to the unicorn in their group. "I dunno. Rosemary, is that enough doses to help a weak foal get stronger?"



Blue nodded grimly. "Very well. We'll camp separately. I'll tell them to stay away from your camp, but you're always welcome to come to ours. In fact, I hope you will. You'll never learn to trust them if you only know them from a distance. Nor will they learn to trust or respect you."

"I'll be camping with them," she added.

<Snip>

Blue nodded her approval at Sweetbriar and looked back at the bags. "How much of this would the boy need?" she asked Rosemary, figuring she knew best.

"About three hundred doses, give or take, was what we were told. Enough for him to have one a day for about a year." she replied, taking her hoof away and placing it on the ground. Her face was carefully stolid.

"Well, you've agreed to my terms. Gabriel, La- Luna, how do you feel about this? Is this sufficient, or do you need additional assurances ... or incentives?"

[Balmas]

To throw that away would be a grave sin - for Blue, like breaking a contract would be to Gabe, perhaps - and she would never forgive herself.

Of course this is having an effect. Blue and Gabe may not be the closest of friends, but he knows that Blue respects and listens to Rosemary and Lavender, and that she considers them her friends. She also considers all of them, including Gabriel, part of her team, and that's something. Blue may not always be terribly good at noticing stuff - actually, she sucks at it - but she tries, and she cares tremendously about her team and their thoughts and feelings. That she often disagrees doesn't change that she cares and does her best to listen.

Blue knows that she should have brought this up earlier, but it all just sort of happened. Again, she didn't ask for it.[/quote]

And that right there was probably what did it. Gabriel stared at the pegasus, and nodded imperceptibly. A kind of slow nod of respect between equals.


Blue nodded grimly. "Very well. We'll camp separately. I'll tell them to stay away from your camp, but you're always welcome to come to ours. In fact, I hope you will. You'll never learn to trust them if you only know them from a distance. Nor will they learn to trust or respect you."

"I'll be camping with them," she added.


"Well, you've agreed to my terms. Gabriel, La- Luna, how do you feel about this? Is this sufficient, or do you need additional assurances ... or incentives?"

"That's a start, anyway." And just as abruptly, Gabriel was back to brass tacks. "I feel I should warn you, Blue, I won't be able to do my job properly like that. If something comes up during the night and I don't notice, you're on your own. Unless you want to renegotiate my contract, as the ranking member of HREC in the area, I think I may have to temporarily suspend my protection of you. Only at night, though; so long as we're together, I'll still hold to the terms of the agreement."

[the_druid_droid]

"Then exchange the drugs for hookers, I don't care," said Sweetbriar in exasperation. "What I'm trying to say is that Blue is the boss. The deal goes she looks out for us and we do what she says. I don't get why this is so complicated."


"We're going to need to carry it anyway. Kettle needs it."

"Yes, yes, I understand that." Luna sighed, like she was trying to explain arcane theory to a foal. "What I wish to know is how we intend to carry it safely."


"Well, you've agreed to my terms. Gabriel, La- Luna, how do you feel about this? Is this sufficient, or do you need additional assurances ... or incentives?"

"I have no quarrel with them. If they mistreat me, or a pony under my care, I will respond in kind. My primary concern at present is traveling safely, and surviving long enough to improve our tactical position with respect to the larger threats of the Wasteland. Such as Sombra."

[Deadly]

"About three hundred doses, give or take, was what we were told. Enough for him to have one a day for about a year." she replied, taking her hoof away and placing it on the ground. Her face was carefully stolid.

Blue nodded and studied the bags of drugs. "Take what was agreed for Kettle," she said after a moment's thought. "And a little extra in Liar's Tax. If there's anything you could use for your stock, take that. Give the rest back. Fair is fair."


"That's a start, anyway." And just as abruptly, Gabriel was back to brass tacks. "I feel I should warn you, Blue, I won't be able to do my job properly like that. If something comes up during the night and I don't notice, you're on your own. Unless you want to renegotiate my contract, as the ranking member of HREC in the area, I think I may have to temporarily suspend my protection of you. Only at night, though; so long as we're together, I'll still hold to the terms of the agreement."

"I understand," Blue said and held out a hoof to bump. "As long as you stay with the others and keep them safe, that's all I expect. You can't very well be in two places, unless you've got some weird magic under all those feathers," she teased, lightening the mood again.


"Yes, yes, I understand that." Luna sighed, like she was trying to explain arcane theory to a foal. "What I wish to know is how we intend to carry it safely."

"It's not as ideal as getting a steady flow, but we'll have to make do. It's probably best to spread it out between us."

[BlasTech]

"That's a start, anyway." And just as abruptly, Gabriel was back to brass tacks. "I feel I should warn you, Blue, I won't be able to do my job properly like that. If something comes up during the night and I don't notice, you're on your own. Unless you want to renegotiate my contract, as the ranking member of HREC in the area, I think I may have to temporarily suspend my protection of you. Only at night, though; so long as we're together, I'll still hold to the terms of the agreement."


Blue nodded and studied the bags of drugs. "Take what was agreed for Kettle," she said after a moment's thought. "And a little extra in Liar's Tax. If there's anything you could use for your stock, take that. Give the rest back. Fair is fair."

"Well, that's everypony except for Trees." said Rose, as she sorted through the drugs, taking out the ones that were needed for Kettle. "Speaking of, anypony know where she's wandered off to? She's been acting weird the last couple of days."

[the_druid_droid]

"It's not as ideal as getting a steady flow, but we'll have to make do. It's probably best to spread it out between us."

"I see. Well, with the additional ponies, I suppose the individual load will be smaller. But let's try not to mention it to any outsiders, shall we?" Luna eyed the pile of drugs dubiously, but slipped several pouches into her saddlebags.

[Balmas]

"I understand," Blue said and held out a hoof to bump. "As long as you stay with the others and keep them safe, that's all I expect. You can't very well be in two places, unless you've got some weird magic under all those feathers," she teased, lightening the mood again.

"Nope. Just down."


"I see. Well, with the additional ponies, I suppose the individual load will be smaller. But let's try not to mention it to any outsiders, shall we?" Luna eyed the pile of drugs dubiously, but slipped several pouches into her saddlebags.

"Just try not to let on that we're carrying enough drugs to make a buncha tribals head to lala land for a week, and we should be fine."

[Deadly]

Once they had picked out the drugs they needed, and a little extra, Blue gathered up the rest and brought it back to the zebra. "Sorry about that," she said and dumped the bags next to him. "These are difficult times, and plans unfortunately change."


"Well, that's everypony except for Trees." said Rose, as she sorted through the drugs, taking out the ones that were needed for Kettle. "Speaking of, anypony know where she's wandered off to? She's been acting weird the last couple of days."

"Wasn't she here a moment ago?" Blue said and looked around.