Honesty Hearts IC: The Thunder And The Rainbow

[Thanqol]

Well, trade with outsiders is a bit of a 'next step' goal. It's not going to happen overnight. The sanitation issues take priority, and it's a pity that nopony has had experience with living on the ground all their lives ...

Oh wait.

Sitting there, listening to the music, Sirocco drew on Skullcandy's memories - pulling out anything related to how the sanitation system was set up there. The rules and the cultural idioms, the locations and the reasoning behind it. He was trying to pull out the system.

The pegasi might not have had to deal with this, but they did have some idea of basic hygene whilst living up in the clouds. Washing hooves and not eating dirty food. They knew what disease was and where it came from, even if they never had to deal with the issue of sewage.

He had the paper in front of him, and started to draw.

Are you trying to open your brain? It sounds like it!


Oh, that's what Skullcandy does best!!

[7]

So Beta gets this under-way but they can't hack the heat and high tension weather in full kit, so before too long Shield's ordered them out of armour and to dump their gear so nopony goes down with heatstroke. Soon enough the clouds are blown away leaving a skeletal wreck of a base, smashed up and precarious looking metal boxes, some of which have spilled explosive liquids on the mountain around them. It's safer than it was now that you can see where you are going but there's still no sign of whatever left those claw marks, what do you do?


Starstruck's eyes narrowed even further, now outright glaring indignant anger straight at the Lieutenant. Why was it ponies seemed to feel entitled to say or do pretty much anything as long as they opened with an empty claim to the opposite?

"I. Am. Not. Crazy." Starstruck managed between clenched teeth. "Maybe if you stopped mooning like a school filly over f*cking Sirocco for five minutes you'd actually have half a clue about what's happening around you rather than rely on the rest of us to carry you!" Starstruck snarled.

"Oh, I'm sorry Specialist but I was a little busy getting my eye torn out by an angry arch-druid to be entirely up to date on the details of every pile of sewage you've dunked your mane in today!" said Haze, flaring her wings aggressively.

[Balmas]

Slick paused in the process of pulling some chains away from her bedroom. "Alive? In what sense? Like, ancient mutated animal filtering food out of the flow of water, or like Eldritch Abomination inhabiting an ancient graveyard sense?"

[the_druid_droid]

Rattle Tail smiled brightly, wiping mud and sweat off her brow as she turned to greet Silver. "Of course! I could use a news update while you're here."

"Well, fair is fair. If you can give me some idea of how to meet up with this mare, preferably without getting my head chewed on by one of her pets, then I'll be happy to pass on any gossip you like."


"Did somepony say news?" said Twofeather, striding up in his customary manner.

"Nice house you're building here, sis. What's the occasion?"

"Oh, Twofeather! Good to see you're still in one piece. I wasn't able to stick around for the end of your speech, but it sounds like you were giving it to Sirocco good! How did that turn out?"

[Elanorin]

"Oh, I'm sorry Specialist but I was a little busy getting my eye torn out by an angry arch-druid to be entirely up to date on the details of every pile of sewage you've dunked your mane in today!" said Haze, flaring her wings aggressively.

"Oh wait, was that the arch-druid who came and threatened to maul the entire camp with her beast minions and that I had to tell you about because you were off on yet another thinly veiled excuse to bury your face in Sirocco's tail at the time? What was it, oh yes, guarding a police station. Now that is Sigma work." Starstruck snapped back, her own wings slowly rising as if of their own accord, blades unsheathing amid battered feathers.

"Did scuttling back to show off your mighty impressive battle wound work? Did you get your badge in Badassery?" Starstruck asked with a condescending smirk on her face.

[Thanqol]

Slick paused in the process of pulling some chains away from her bedroom. "Alive? In what sense? Like, ancient mutated animal filtering food out of the flow of water, or like Eldritch Abomination inhabiting an ancient graveyard sense?"

"It's not that specific, but I'm guessing the former," said Velvet Tail. "Mostly it's hungry and angry because it's hungry. Also, why don't you just hire somepony to muck this place out?"


"Oh wait, was that the arch-druid who came and threatened to maul the entire camp with her beast minions and that I had to tell you about because you were off on yet another thinly veiled excuse to bury your face in Sirocco's tail at the time? What was it, oh yes, guarding a police station. Now that is Sigma work." Starstruck snapped back, her own wings slowly rising as if of their own accord, blades unsheathing amid battered feathers.

"Did scuttling back to show off your mighty impressive battle wound work? Did you get your badge in Badassery?" Starstruck asked with a condescending smirk on her face.

"Where were you when I was guarding the police station occupied by a mad scientist? Oh right, you were guarding a still in a cave for a criminal," said Haze, "and when you had your shot you missed. At less than two hundred meters! I should send you back to basic and replace you with somepony who can aim."

"Just kiss already," muttered Radar Glitch.

[Balmas]

"Mystique, mostly," Slick admitted. "You noticed all the keep-out signs on our approach, I hope? I don't have any turrets or crap like that for defense, so I'm hoping that I can just scare away anyone who gets near enough. And it's hard to be scary when Tinker Joe is talking about the nice, clean facility just outside of town he's working on."

[BlasTech]

Are you trying to open your brain? It sounds like it!

Open Sezme!

[roll0]



So Beta gets this under-way but they can't hack the heat and high tension weather in full kit, so before too long Shield's ordered them out of armour and to dump their gear so nopony goes down with heatstroke. Soon enough the clouds are blown away leaving a skeletal wreck of a base, smashed up and precarious looking metal boxes, some of which have spilled explosive liquids on the mountain around them. It's safer than it was now that you can see where you are going but there's still no sign of whatever left those claw marks, what do you do?

Are we assuming that more aerial recon of the place doesn't turn anything up worth looking at?

If there's nothing else to be seen from the outside, then it's time to head inside. Unless Beta is willing to give her some troops, she'll leave them to handle the EOD work - recovering and making safe any of the explosives while she goes in to check it out.


"Oh, Twofeather! Good to see you're still in one piece. I wasn't able to stick around for the end of your speech, but it sounds like you were giving it to Sirocco good! How did that turn out?"

"... not the best." admitted Twofeather, glumly.

"Long story short, things were going well up until Apple Cart went and stuck his muzzle into it. The f**ker must've figured out I knew about what he did, and decided to take me out first. Shot up the rally and wrecked the whole thing."


"That we have one less thing to fear from the outside," Rattle Tail said and - with the seriousest, most concentrated of faces - drew a stripe of mud down Twofeather's muzzle, right between his eyes, then a dot above each eyebrow.

"Uhh ... what?" said Twofeather, going crosseyed as he tried to see what his sister was doing.

He reached up a hoof to rub it off.

[the_druid_droid]

"... not the best." admitted Twofeather, glumly.

"Long story short, things were going well up until Apple Cart went and stuck his muzzle into it. The f**ker must've figured out I knew about what he did, and decided to take me out first. Shot up the rally and wrecked the whole thing."

"Well, at least you made it out in once piece. So when's the next speech? You've gotta give me some notice on these things and I can keep an eye on you." Silver added, still clearly expecting Twofeather's opposition candidacy to continue.

[Deadly]

"Well, fair is fair. If you can give me some idea of how to meet up with this mare, preferably without getting my head chewed on by one of her pets, then I'll be happy to pass on any gossip you like."

"Oh? That's easy. May I ask why you wish to meet her?"


"Uhh ... what?" said Twofeather, going crosseyed as he tried to see what his sister was doing.

He reached up a hoof to rub it off.

Rattle Tail gave his hoof a quick dash. "Hooves off. Don't disturb my muse, you artless brute! You need to put yourself in the mind of a canvas: flat and receptive."


"Oh, Twofeather! Good to see you're still in one piece. I wasn't able to stick around for the end of your speech, but it sounds like you were giving it to Sirocco good! How did that turn out?"


"... not the best." admitted Twofeather, glumly.

"Long story short, things were going well up until Apple Cart went and stuck his muzzle into it. The f**ker must've figured out I knew about what he did, and decided to take me out first. Shot up the rally and wrecked the whole thing."


"Well, at least you made it out in once piece. So when's the next speech? You've gotta give me some notice on these things and I can keep an eye on you." Silver added, still clearly expecting Twofeather's opposition candidacy to continue.

"Hmm? What's this?" she asked, while busily directing her brother in how to be a proper easel ... apparently.

[Thanqol]

"Mystique, mostly," Slick admitted. "You noticed all the keep-out signs on our approach, I hope? I don't have any turrets or crap like that for defense, so I'm hoping that I can just scare away anyone who gets near enough. And it's hard to be scary when Tinker Joe is talking about the nice, clean facility just outside of town he's working on."

"What are you defending, though?" said Velvet Tail. "And who are you defending it against? The worst thing that's happened to us is a live fire drill."


Open Sezme!

[14]

You are not unopposed in this.

If you were it would be easier, you'd have more time. But you are not dealing with empty, idiot diseases - you are dealing with directed pandemics and evil sorceries, and a dark destiny lies ahead for this town.

And it is not just one set of hooves at work here. There will be an obvious blow - so powerful you can sense it descending upon you already - but it will not be to kill - and subtler enemies will use that as cover for their darker agendas. The booming bass almost drowns out the sly oboe whispering around the edges of the clashing symphony.

Mere infrastructure won't be sufficient, though it will help. You need sorcery, or allies, or healing magic of the old world, or to locate your true foes though they are hidden from your sight.


Are we assuming that more aerial recon of the place doesn't turn anything up worth looking at?

If there's nothing else to be seen from the outside, then it's time to head inside. Unless Beta is willing to give her some troops, she'll leave them to handle the EOD work - recovering and making safe any of the explosives while she goes in to check it out.

Nothing more to be seen from the air; this place is a collection of crushed metal boxes without its cloud cover, hanging precariously from the top of a mountain.

The interior is dark and crackles with electricity, and strange and dangerous smells mix and tear together. All across the walls are claw marks, and on the floors are torn and dead bodies, mauled as though by some massive animal. Cloud computers project eerie blue glows through abandoned laboratories. There are the ruins of strange helmets and rows of cages designed to hold monsters, and all the cages are open.

There is something out here. In the dark and ruin, it isn't clear who's seeking who.

When you don’t know whether you’re the cat or the mouse, roll+sharp. On a hit, you decide which you are. On a 10+, you take +1forward as well.

[Elanorin]

"Where were you when I was guarding the police station occupied by a mad scientist? Oh right, you were guarding a still in a cave for a criminal," said Haze, "and when you had your shot you missed. At less than two hundred meters! I should send you back to basic and replace you with somepony who can aim."

"Just kiss already," muttered Radar Glitch.

"Hey you approved my cover at Cloud 9! Did that arch-druid peck away your brain too?" Starstruck threw back.

Suddenly one of her hooves flew up straight at Radar Glitch's face without Starstruck directing so much as a glance his way.

"Taking out your opposition to grab power and influence is a solid plan. I give you that. But shouldn't I then also take out the current self-proclaimed Lord of The Camp?" Starstruck asked. "What exactly is your case for keeping him alive, sir? Just desperate hope for sex? Not that you don't need a good seeing to because, hell, you do, but he's not the only pony around. I reckon I should add him to the list, help you move on, and since apparently I need target practice and all." Starstruck was the picture of vicious sweetness.

[Rolling to Go Aggro on Radar Glitch: 2d6+3=8]

[Thanqol]

"Hey you approved my cover at Cloud 9! Did that arch-druid peck away your brain too?" Starstruck threw back.

Suddenly one of her hooves flew up straight at Radar Glitch's face without Starstruck directing so much as a glance his way.

"Taking out your opposition to grab power and influence is a solid plan. I give you that. But shouldn't I then also take out the current self-proclaimed Lord of The Camp?" Starstruck asked. "What exactly is your case for keeping him alive, sir? Just desperate hope for sex? Not that you don't need a good seeing to because, hell, you do, but he's not the only pony around. I reckon I should add him to the list, help you move on, and since apparently I need target practice and all." Starstruck was the picture of vicious sweetness.

[Rolling to Go Aggro on Radar Glitch: 2d6+3=8]

Radar Glitch, smooth as silk, ducked back from both Starstruck's and Haze's blows. "Awww, you're even punching in unison," he said as he rapidly backpedaled out of melee range.

Haze seemed shocked for a moment that she'd missed, and rode that moment of surprise into an expression as cold and calculating as ice. "Because we are Changelings," she said quietly. "We feed on love. Sirocco has much to give and we shall not discard him wastefully. Gather your belongings. Kill Twofeather. Carry out your mission. This discussion is over."

[BlasTech]

You are not unopposed in this.

If you were it would be easier, you'd have more time. But you are not dealing with empty, idiot diseases - you are dealing with directed pandemics and evil sorceries, and a dark destiny lies ahead for this town.

And it is not just one set of hooves at work here. There will be an obvious blow - so powerful you can sense it descending upon you already - but it will not be to kill - and subtler enemies will use that as cover for their darker agendas. The booming bass almost drowns out the sly oboe whispering around the edges of the clashing symphony.

Mere infrastructure won't be sufficient, though it will help. You need sorcery, or allies, or healing magic of the old world, or to locate your true foes though they are hidden from your sight.

Hmm, did the music give him any more on how to locate his true foes?

Regardless, he had a place to start. Grabbing the parchment up from the table, he strode out. Only to smash it onto the table in front of Major Spot.

"Here are plans for the town's sanitation system." he ordered. "I want them followed immediately. Instruct the populace that these are the rules that must be followed for waste disposal, on threat of disciplinary action."

"And to be clear, I will decide what form that takes."

He'd wait until Skullcandy finished with her exploration before making his next move. In preparation though, he figured he'd need to find allies. The Skullmaster was a good potential, at least if Skullcandy's memories were anything to go by.

Slick might be helpful. But who else might be worth tapping?



Nothing more to be seen from the air; this place is a collection of crushed metal boxes without its cloud cover, hanging precariously from the top of a mountain.

The interior is dark and crackles with electricity, and strange and dangerous smells mix and tear together. All across the walls are claw marks, and on the floors are torn and dead bodies, mauled as though by some massive animal. Cloud computers project eerie blue glows through abandoned laboratories. There are the ruins of strange helmets and rows of cages designed to hold monsters, and all the cages are open.

There is something out here. In the dark and ruin, it isn't clear who's seeking who.

When you don’t know whether you’re the cat or the mouse, roll+sharp. On a hit, you decide which you are. On a 10+, you take +1forward as well.

Ahh, Skullcandy. I'm sure you can figure this out, right? Right?

[roll0]


Rattle Tail gave his hoof a quick dash. "Hooves off. Don't disturb my muse, you artless brute! You need to put yourself in the mind of a canvas: flat and receptive."

Twofeather rolled his eyes but didn't fight back any more. He knew his sister, after all, it was probably one of those "things".



"Hmm? What's this?" she asked, while busily directing her brother in how to be a proper easel ... apparently.

"Politics sis" he answered, grinning.

"I'm going to have to give Sirocco a week or two grace I think. Don't want the voters thinking I'm 'ungrateful'" said Twofeather, directing his words towards Quicksilver. "But I'll definitely be taking my campaign up again before too long. He's an old warhorse, but just doesn't have the means to get the hearts and minds, y'know what I mean?"

"Still, if the old colt is willing to save my life then maybe he can be worked with." he chuckled. "Any news on your front?"

[the_druid_droid]

"Oh? That's easy. May I ask why you wish to meet her?"

"Well, that's kind of personal. Family matters, in a way. But the basics are that I want to see if I can convince her to hold off on swarming the town with bears or whatever, at least for a while."


"Politics sis" he answered, grinning.

"I'm going to have to give Sirocco a week or two grace I think. Don't want the voters thinking I'm 'ungrateful'" said Twofeather, directing his words towards Quicksilver. "But I'll definitely be taking my campaign up again before too long. He's an old warhorse, but just doesn't have the means to get the hearts and minds, y'know what I mean?"

"Still, if the old colt is willing to save my life then maybe he can be worked with." he chuckled. "Any news on your front?"

"Lots, although not much is probably very relevant to your race. I am trying to set up an appointment with the Forts, though. Thanks for turning me onto that."

[Deadly]

"Well, that's kind of personal. Family matters, in a way. But the basics are that I want to see if I can convince her to hold off on swarming the town with bears or whatever, at least for a while."

"Way ahead of you. Why did you think I told you I was going after her? Why do you think I went to so much trouble to avoid bloodshed, when I could have simply let Starstruck neutralize her threat when she made her shot? Why did you think I just spent two days in the wilds, with a snake and your eyeballs as my only company? It wasn't for a picnic, though it was interesting. And seeing how I'm alive and well, I was obviously successful.

"The Queen of the Forest and I have reached an agreement. I have shown these ponies a different vision, a vision of peace and prosperity, and by reaching out to the Queen I have shown that my way has weight and isn't mere fancy. We are working towards our future with renewed purpose, and if you work with us, you will have no need to fear her any more than you fear me."


"Politics sis" he answered, grinning.

"I'm going to have to give Sirocco a week or two grace I think. Don't want the voters thinking I'm 'ungrateful'" said Twofeather, directing his words towards Quicksilver. "But I'll definitely be taking my campaign up again before too long. He's an old warhorse, but just doesn't have the means to get the hearts and minds, y'know what I mean?"

"Still, if the old colt is willing to save my life then maybe he can be worked with." he chuckled. "Any news on your front?"

"You speak as if I have no interest in politics. You know me way better than that," Rattle Tail said and gave her brother a real stink of a glare. Then she drew circles of mud around his eyes and seemed to fall back into the simple pleasure of whatever she was doing. "If you have ambitions, you should work with me instead of running on the side."

[BlasTech]

"You speak as if I have no interest in politics. You know me way better than that," Rattle Tail said and gave her brother a real stink of a glare. Then she drew circles of mud around his eyes and seemed to fall back into the simple pleasure of whatever she was doing. "If you have ambitions, you should work with me instead of running on the side."

"Could say the same to you sis." replied Twofeather, meeting her glare with a deadpan look of his own. "No offence, but these ponies are white bread, cloud-picket fence types. They're not into high thoughts and forest witches. All this weirdo cr*p is just going to scare off my potential voters."

[the_druid_droid]

"Way ahead of you. Why did you think I told you I was going after her? Why do you think I went to so much trouble to avoid bloodshed, when I could have simply let Starstruck neutralize her threat when she made her shot? Why did you think I just spent two days in the wilds, with a snake and your eyeballs as my only company? It wasn't for a picnic, though it was interesting. And seeing how I'm alive and well, I was obviously successful.

"The Queen of the Forest and I have reached an agreement. I have shown these ponies a different vision, a vision of peace and prosperity, and by reaching out to the Queen I have shown that my way has weight and isn't mere fancy. We are working towards our future with renewed purpose, and if you work with us, you will have no need to fear her any more than you fear me."

"Well, that's good news! No sense in doing a job twice, so if that's how it is, you've saved me a lot of explaining. That being said, I still need to talk to her. The other half of it is kind of personal, like I said. I'd rather not go into details if I don't have to, at least for the moment."

[Balmas]

"What are you defending, though?" said Velvet Tail. "And who are you defending it against? The worst thing that's happened to us is a live fire drill."

Slick sat back and indicated a chair. As she waited for her sister to get comfortable, she began stripping off bits of clown armor and gently folding it on the desk. "Arguably, I'd think that coming down Below qualifies as being slightly above a fire drill in impact. And the truth is, I don't have an answer for that. Maybe it's just me being paranoid and desperately needing someplace to call my own, somewhere I can run when the sh*t hits the fan.

"Kinda feels like it's just a matter of time, sis. 'At's why I came to you, after all; a dam makes a fine fortress, but it's not as good at coming up with answers as a sister is."

"Truth is, I don't really know what I'm doing anymore." The words started slow, but then built up speed, like a chink in the dam breaking into a flood. "I mean, up above, life was mostly routine. Go in, nip the baddies, pick up a paycheck, and go get soused, or come and play a game with the cousins. You know, life. But down here, I got no idea. Stars Above is practically defunct, I'm working on building a death ray, we're all either sweating our our arse or frozen to the bone, and I just have no idea what's going on. Twofeather kidnapped me, I accidentally got a pony killed, there's some kinda freaky squid-crown thing hanging around, Rattle Tail is avoiding me, I'm throwing in my lot with a potentially fascist dictator, and, and..."

Slick's voice went out, and she slumped over to hug Velvet. "I need help, Sis. I'm not sure whether the world's gone insane, or whether it's just me."

[Thanqol]

Hmm, did the music give him any more on how to locate his true foes?

This isn't that you can't find anything, it's that whatever's out there is actively concealed from your sight.


Regardless, he had a place to start. Grabbing the parchment up from the table, he strode out. Only to smash it onto the table in front of Major Spot.

"Here are plans for the town's sanitation system." he ordered. "I want them followed immediately. Instruct the populace that these are the rules that must be followed for waste disposal, on threat of disciplinary action."

"And to be clear, I will decide what form that takes."

"I'll get right on it, sir!" said Spot Check, saluting way too enthusiastically, trying to keep an obscenely happy grin from his face as he goes and readies the troops. You get the feeling that this guy has been planning exactly how he'd go about enforcing hygiene regulations since he landed.


He'd wait until Skullcandy finished with her exploration before making his next move. In preparation though, he figured he'd need to find allies. The Skullmaster was a good potential, at least if Skullcandy's memories were anything to go by.

Slick might be helpful. But who else might be worth tapping?

I don't know, you tell me. Who or what else is there out in the wasteland? Who or what else are out there that could be potential allies?


Ahh, Skullcandy. I'm sure you can figure this out, right? Right?

[4]

So you're the mouse, and you're being hunted.

You catch a flash of razor sharp claws and bulging muscles, and for a moment you glimpse a monster - a Hellhound, wearing the shattered array of a metal helmet around its head, fur shaved and laden with implants, single eye gleaming with hate.

This facility was an Enclave mind control research lab and the monster that's just come around the corner is massive, deadly and vengeful breakout. And just so you know, those claws are 3-harm AP. What do you do?


Slick sat back and indicated a chair. As she waited for her sister to get comfortable, she began stripping off bits of clown armor and gently folding it on the desk. "Arguably, I'd think that coming down Below qualifies as being slightly above a fire drill in impact. And the truth is, I don't have an answer for that. Maybe it's just me being paranoid and desperately needing someplace to call my own, somewhere I can run when the sh*t hits the fan.

"Kinda feels like it's just a matter of time, sis. 'At's why I came to you, after all; a dam makes a fine fortress, but it's not as good at coming up with answers as a sister is."

"Truth is, I don't really know what I'm doing anymore." The words started slow, but then built up speed, like a chink in the dam breaking into a flood. "I mean, up above, life was mostly routine. Go in, nip the baddies, pick up a paycheck, and go get soused, or come and play a game with the cousins. You know, life. But down here, I got no idea. Stars Above is practically defunct, I'm working on building a death ray, we're all either sweating our our arse or frozen to the bone, and I just have no idea what's going on. Twofeather kidnapped me, I accidentally got a pony killed, there's some kinda freaky squid-crown thing hanging around, Rattle Tail is avoiding me, I'm throwing in my lot with a potentially fascist dictator, and, and..."

Slick's voice went out, and she slumped over to hug Velvet. "I need help, Sis. I'm not sure whether the world's gone insane, or whether it's just me."

Velvet Tail wrapped her wings around her sister. "I can assure you, dear," she said, "that it is in fact the world that has gone crazy. You're still you. You have the same cutie mark. You have the same destiny. Whenever I feel blue I just think about how sure I was in the moment I got my mark and try to bring my life back to that."

So... how did you get your cutie mark? And how did Velvet Tail get hers?

[Deadly]

"Could say the same to you sis." replied Twofeather, meeting her glare with a deadpan look of his own. "No offence, but these ponies are white bread, cloud-picket fence types. They're not into high thoughts and forest witches. All this weirdo cr*p is just going to scare off my potential voters."

"You think these ponies follow me because of high thoughts and forest witches?" she gestured at the ponies busy building a house behind her. "Some of them, maybe - there are always a few of everything - but most follow me because they have hope, and a willingness to get down to work and do something meaningful, as you can see. You may have noticed we're building a proper house, not some dump or ruin spruced up lightly.

"I alone saw what was to come, and I alone know where to go from here, while others stumble around in confusion thanks to their former leaders who failed to warn or prepare them. Why follow any of the high an mighty ponies who didn't see it coming? They failed when it was most important. They proved they were not fit to lead. Ponies follow me because they see the reason in that, and because I bring them hope for the future.

"Come on, Tutu, you know I'm not just lollygagging and playing at fantasies. I intend to lead everypony to our rightful future, not some spruced up dump, and not just a few ponies with nothing better to do. I want everypony." She smiled and winked at him teasingly. "If you like, we can build a fine picket fence around the house."


"Well, that's good news! No sense in doing a job twice, so if that's how it is, you've saved me a lot of explaining. That being said, I still need to talk to her. The other half of it is kind of personal, like I said. I'd rather not go into details if I don't have to, at least for the moment."

"Excellent! So you're with us?"

[Elanorin]

Radar Glitch, smooth as silk, ducked back from both Starstruck's and Haze's blows. "Awww, you're even punching in unison," he said as he rapidly backpedaled out of melee range.

Haze seemed shocked for a moment that she'd missed, and rode that moment of surprise into an expression as cold and calculating as ice. "Because we are Changelings," she said quietly. "We feed on love. Sirocco has much to give and we shall not discard him wastefully. Gather your belongings. Kill Twofeather. Carry out your mission. This discussion is over."

"I think there is some question as to who's feeding on who there." Starstruck muttered glumly at being shut down. Her opinions on the matter had not changed one bit but she wasn't prepared to take to arms over it and she knew that challenging Haze further would set off her need to prove herself and that would never end anywhere other than bloodshed. She instead secured her weapons and got ready to go as instructed.

Then came the dark glare at Radar Glitch. "I don't know what you find so funny; you're coming with me," she snapped, not above taking out her frustration at whoever was nearest.

[BlasTech]

"You think these ponies follow me because of high thoughts and forest witches?" she gestured at the ponies busy building a house behind her. "Some of them, maybe - there are always a few of everything - but most follow me because they have hope, and a willingness to get down to work and do something meaningful, as you can see. You may have noticed we're building a proper house, not some dump or ruin spruced up lightly.

"I alone saw what was to come, and I alone know where to go from here, while others stumble around in confusion thanks to their former leaders who failed to warn or prepare them. Why follow any of the high an mighty ponies who didn't see it coming? They failed when it was most important. They proved they were not fit to lead. Ponies follow me because they see the reason in that, and because I bring them hope for the future.

"Come on, Tutu, you know I'm not just lollygagging and playing at fantasies. I intend to lead everypony to our rightful future, not some spruced up dump, and not just a few ponies with nothing better to do. I want everypony." She smiled and winked at him teasingly. "If you like, we can build a fine picket fence around the house."


"Hey, I told you not to call me that in front of the constituents." complained Twoflower, flushing slightly.

"And I do know you sis, but you gotta understand; You tend to do this thing where you either tell ponies to follow you, or act as if they are all entirely closed off till you do something about it. I know you don't intend for it, or even mean to be, but it's the way you come across. It's just not going to win enough of them over. I mean, yeah so what if our leaders tossed the world in the cr*pper? It doesn't automatically make you right. Take it from me, you gotta treat this more like a negotiation than a show. Ponies can be brought round, but it's a bit by bit thing. They're skittish, they don't like change. Push them too hard and they'll bolt. Give them the carrot deal, y'know?"

"I mean, Take Quick and me. He works with me and he's going to wind up as a cabinet minister. Proper and respectable like. He's a smart pony, so it'd be easy for him to turn that opportunity into money, power, mares ... whatever he wants. Hope and Freedom included." he grinned.

"But what about this 'rightful future' thing? What's our place there, what's in it for us? What about the other ponies out there, the moms and dads, or somepony the likes of Sirocco?"



I don't know, you tell me. Who or what else is there out in the wasteland? Who or what else are out there that could be potential allies?

The Skullmaster is first and foremost. Sirocco can tell from Skullcandy's memories that her idol really is a pony of knowledge. Barbarity too, in that she's hard and deals with enemies decisively. But she does genuinely desire to accumulate knowledge what she can about the world down here, and instill that into the ponies under her. If anypony has a lead on a telescope, it'd probably be her.

From her memories, there is also mention of a group of ponies called the Twilight Society. Skullcandy doesn't know much, but her thoughts about them are tinged with ideas of magic and science. Apparently there's a pony who lives in a settlement not too far from the valley. Skullcandy doesn't know who it is exactly, only that the town has a small council and somepony on it is involved witht hem. Maybe Sirocco can find for a talk.[/quote]




So you're the mouse, and you're being hunted.

You catch a flash of razor sharp claws and bulging muscles, and for a moment you glimpse a monster - a Hellhound, wearing the shattered array of a metal helmet around its head, fur shaved and laden with implants, single eye gleaming with hate.

This facility was an Enclave mind control research lab and the monster that's just come around the corner is massive, deadly and vengeful breakout. And just so you know, those claws are 3-harm AP. What do you do?

Skullcandy does what any brave adventurer would do.

She screams like a little filly and runs.

Fortunately, unlike most adventurers, she does have a tactical genius of a brain that is doped up on mentats. It's processing everything in the cavern at lightspeed, searching for tactical options that might help her get away safely.

[Thanqol]

"I think there is some question as to who's feeding on who there." Starstruck muttered glumly at being shut down. Her opinions on the matter had not changed one bit but she wasn't prepared to take to arms over it and she knew that challenging Haze further would set off her need to prove herself and that would never end anywhere other than bloodshed. She instead secured her weapons and got ready to go as instructed.

Then came the dark glare at Radar Glitch. "I don't know what you find so funny; you're coming with me," she snapped, not above taking out her frustration at whoever was nearest.

"Aw c'mon," muttered Radar Glitch. "One wisecrack gets me exiled..."

So you've got an assassination mission. What you're trained for. What you're made for. How do you do this?


so what if our leaders tossed the world in the cr*pper?

We can actually say crap all we want!


The Skullmaster is first and foremost. Sirocco can tell from Skullcandy's memories that her idol really is a pony of knowledge. Barbarity too, in that she's hard and deals with enemies decisively. But she does genuinely desire to accumulate knowledge what she can about the world down here, and instill that into the ponies under her. If anypony has a lead on a telescope, it'd probably be her.

From her memories, there is also mention of a group of ponies called the Twilight Society. Skullcandy doesn't know much, but her thoughts about them are tinged with ideas of magic and science. Apparently there's a pony who lives in a settlement not too far from the valley. Skullcandy doesn't know who it is exactly, only that the town has a small council and somepony on it is involved witht hem. Maybe Sirocco can find for a talk.

So, what are you gonna do about it?


Skullcandy does what any brave adventurer would do.

She screams like a little filly and runs.

Fortunately, unlike most adventurers, she does have a tactical genius of a brain that is doped up on mentats. It's processing everything in the cavern at lightspeed, searching for tactical options that might help her get away safely.

If you're dosing up on Mentats for an advantage, there's a custom move for that in the OOC OP! If you're just running, use this one:

When you’re the mouse, roll+cool. On a 10+, you escape clean and leave your hunter hunting. On a 7–9, your hunter catches you out, but only after you’ve led them to a place of your choosing; say where. On a miss, your hunter catches you out and the MC says where.

[BlasTech]

We can actually say crap all we want!

Yay! crapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcr apcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrap



So, what are you gonna do about it?

Well, he's going to go talk to the Skullmaster. However, that means he needs to go first rescue his diplomatic envoy. He doesn't want to let on he knows that she's in trouble, but for a formal meet and greet it would make sense to bring along three squads (one as an honour guard and two as backup).

Mustering them up he heads for the mountaintop.



If you're dosing up on Mentats for an advantage, there's a custom move for that in the OOC OP! If you're just running, use this one:

When you’re the mouse, roll+cool. On a 10+, you escape clean and leave your hunter hunting. On a 7–9, your hunter catches you out, but only after you’ve led them to a place of your choosing; say where. On a miss, your hunter catches you out and the MC says where.

Mentats freshener, the freshest burst in all your liiiife. �♫♪

[roll0]

Lets go with - create an opening and extend senses beyond space and time (for kicks!)

[Elanorin]

"Aw c'mon," muttered Radar Glitch. "One wisecrack gets me exiled..."

So you've got an assassination mission. What you're trained for. What you're made for. How do you do this?


First up, assess what I have to work with;

"Lieutenant," Starstruck turned to Haze, ignoring Radar's complaining, "where's Sirocco's munitions stockpile and how do I get in?"

[the_druid_droid]

"Excellent! So you're with us?"

"Well, I'm fine with a live and let live policy for now, so long as it's with somepony who isn't looking to burn down my bar. Anything more than that, well I'll have to think about it." Silver shrugged.

"So, about that bear-pony..."


"I mean, Take Quick and me. He works with me and he's going to wind up as a cabinet minister. Proper and respectable like. He's a smart pony, so it'd be easy for him to turn that opportunity into money, power, mares ... whatever he wants. Hope and Freedom included." he grinned.

Quicksilver winced a little. "I'll stick to the first two, thanks. Mares have been nothing but trouble for me. I'll leave them to somepony with better luck."

[Deadly]

"Hey, I told you not to call me that in front of the constituents." complained Twoflower, flushing slightly.

"And I do know you sis, but you gotta understand; You tend to do this thing where you either tell ponies to follow you, or act as if they are all entirely closed off till you do something about it. I know you don't intend for it, or even mean to be, but it's the way you come across.

"I'm not sure you're making any sense, brother," said Rattle Tail, looking like you'd totally lost her. Losing Rattle Tail, she who could deal with the weirdest crap and not blink twice, was an accomplishment; you should be proud.


It's just not going to win enough of them over. I mean, yeah so what if our leaders tossed the world in the cr*pper? It doesn't automatically make you right. Take it from me, you gotta treat this more like a negotiation than a show. Ponies can be brought round, but it's a bit by bit thing. They're skittish, they don't like change. Push them too hard and they'll bolt. Give them the carrot deal, y'know?"

"I mean, Take Quick and me. He works with me and he's going to wind up as a cabinet minister. Proper and respectable like. He's a smart pony, so it'd be easy for him to turn that opportunity into money, power, mares ... whatever he wants. Hope and Freedom included." he grinned.

"But what about this 'rightful future' thing? What's our place there, what's in it for us? What about the other ponies out there, the moms and dads, or somepony the likes of Sirocco?"

"There is one thing that I pride myself on, more than anything: that I will listen to anypony and consider what they have to say, because I know I am but a pony who cannot know everything. I can't do everything either. I know that my followers are uniquely positioned to recruit for me, because they know ponies I don't, they walk in social circles I don't and understand things I don't, and ponies who might not listen to me at first may instead listen to them."

She smiled at her brother and extended him a hoof, after brushing a bit of dry mud off. "If you join me, we can achieve more together than we could apart. Anything is possible. I mean it when I say I want everypony. What place there is for you, or anypony, is up to you. I am not for holding ponies back or denying them opportunities. I may lead, but I can't do everything. I will need ponies to fill many different positions and responsibilities as we progress."


"Well, I'm fine with a live and let live policy for now, so long as it's with somepony who isn't looking to burn down my bar. Anything more than that, well I'll have to think about it." Silver shrugged.

"So, about that bear-pony..."

"Burning down bars is not my thing. I am in favor of bars. I am pro bars, as long as they are not the kind you're put behind. I've been behind too many bars by far. You're sure you won't stay a little? I'm about to hoof out goodies," Rattle Tail said excitedly, giving Quicksilver a tempting wriggle of the eyebrows.

[Thanqol]

Well, he's going to go talk to the Skullmaster. However, that means he needs to go first rescue his diplomatic envoy. He doesn't want to let on he knows that she's in trouble, but for a formal meet and greet it would make sense to bring along three squads (one as an honour guard and two as backup).

Mustering them up he heads for the mountaintop.

So, just a book-keeping thing, but it'd be way easier for me if you organised your squads into 15-pony units 'cause that's the unit for a small gang. That'd give you four full squads, of which Sigma, Alpha and Beta are already established. Let's say Gamma is Spot Check's unit, which you just sent to go oversee sanitation. So which ones are you bringing with you and what are you telling them? Do you want them to pack trail rations or are they gearing up for a quick trip? Are you giving these precious little darlings some slack on account of the forty-degree heat?


Mentats freshener, the freshest burst in all your liiiife. �♫♪

[12]

Lets go with - create an opening and extend senses beyond space and time (for kicks!)

Your instincts tell you to open a cabinet. Hesitation means death. You open the door.

Your senses displace.

Rock music fills your senses (https://youtu.be/cCjWX1EIjV8). You see this Hellhound walking the wastes, wearing sunglasses and body armour, wind blowing dramatically in his mane. You see an entire army explode behind him as he slowly takes a puff of a cigarette, not even bothering to look behind him. His leather jacket blows in the wind and he gets on the back of an annoyed looking earth pony and rides away. He throws up the horns as he rides and Hellhound dames swoon and faint. The broken pony skull brand on his chest catches fire and burns and a convoy of dozens of pony-riding Hellhounds forms up, tearing across the scorched wasteland, cooler than nuclear winter.

The Hellhound is frozen, looking at the sunglasses in that cabinet.

You have your opportunity to get past it and you don't waste it if you want to live.

The Hellhound, behind you, puts on the sunglasses.

(Quick note for those of us who haven't read FOE: Hellhounds are mutant Diamond Dogs (http://img05.deviantart.net/beef/i/2014/259/d/3/foe__hellhound_designs_by_zookz25-d7zefbz.png))

Remember: As side effects you are temporarily on a supervillainous arrogance-high that comes with a momentarily towering intellect. I'll tell you when it stops.


First up, assess what I have to work with;

"Lieutenant," Starstruck turned to Haze, ignoring Radar's complaining, "where's Sirocco's munitions stockpile and how do I get in?"

"Right over there," said Haze. "Getting in should be a cakewalk; half the base is heading out on a mission and Spot Check's heading on a cleaning rampage. One guard, tops."

[the_druid_droid]

"Burning down bars is not my thing. I am in favor of bars. I am pro bars, as long as they are not the kind you're put behind. I've been behind too many bars by far. You're sure you won't stay a little? I'm about to hoof out goodies," Rattle Tail said excitedly, giving Quicksilver a tempting wriggle of the eyebrows.

"Ain't that the truth," Silver said, mustering some real sincerity at talk of jail. "I guess I can stick around for the goodie bag, but after that I really should get going. If I drag my tail too long, there's a judge that'll be looking to put me back behind the nasty kind of bars. Any help finding that weird mare will keep him at bay a little longer, too."

[BlasTech]

So, just a book-keeping thing, but it'd be way easier for me if you organised your squads into 15-pony units 'cause that's the unit for a small gang. That'd give you four full squads, of which Sigma, Alpha and Beta are already established. Let's say Gamma is Spot Check's unit, which you just sent to go oversee sanitation. So which ones are you bringing with you and what are you telling them? Do you want them to pack trail rations or are they gearing up for a quick trip? Are you giving these precious little darlings some slack on account of the forty-degree heat?

Righto, a bit of mental reorganization is in order. I've been thinking of them as 5 man units instead.

In this structure. Sirocco heads off with Alpha and Sigma. Gamma remains on base defense/cleaning duty. Orders are to pack a day's rations and twice the usual amount of water. But that's the extent of the concessions Sirocco gives them. They're soldiers, they've drilled hard, they can take it. They know they're going to have a first contact scenario, and the plan is to first rendezvous with Beta and the HVP (High Value Pony) and then escort her to the Skullmaster. They'll break for rations just before arrival, with Alpha and Sirocco heading in as the escort and Sigma on standby as the backup.

First things though, are to head for the mountaintop.



Your instincts tell you to open a cabinet. Hesitation means death. You open the door.

Your senses displace.

Rock music fills your senses (https://youtu.be/cCjWX1EIjV8). You see this Hellhound walking the wastes, wearing sunglasses and body armour, wind blowing dramatically in his mane. You see an entire army explode behind him as he slowly takes a puff of a cigarette, not even bothering to look behind him. His leather jacket blows in the wind and he gets on the back of an annoyed looking earth pony and rides away. He throws up the horns as he rides and Hellhound dames swoon and faint. The broken pony skull brand on his chest catches fire and burns and a convoy of dozens of pony-riding Hellhounds forms up, tearing across the scorched wasteland, cooler than nuclear winter.

The Hellhound is frozen, looking at the sunglasses in that cabinet.

You have your opportunity to get past it and you don't waste it if you want to live.

The Hellhound, behind you, puts on the sunglasses.

(Quick note for those of us who haven't read FOE: Hellhounds are mutant Diamond Dogs (http://img05.deviantart.net/beef/i/2014/259/d/3/foe__hellhound_designs_by_zookz25-d7zefbz.png))

Remember: As side effects you are temporarily on a supervillainous arrogance-high that comes with a momentarily towering intellect. I'll tell you when it stops.

Life is pretty great. Particularly when you can see all of space and time.

Skullcandy danced with the dogs and flew with the flames. The mountain shuddered and quaked with her passing, birthing her forth in fire and rock. The music blasted out, scouring the land with the power of balefire and the trees bowed to her in response. It was fitting, it was right. It was awesome. She looked down on the world and the world looked back with pleading eyes, begging her for more.

And she said: "F*ck yeah, b**ches!" and gave it to them.



"I'm not sure you're making any sense, brother," said Rattle Tail, looking like you'd totally lost her. Losing Rattle Tail, she who could deal with the weirdest crap and not blink twice, was an accomplishment; you should be proud.

Twofeather rolled his eyes and smiled. It was pretty much what he'd expected.



"There is one thing that I pride myself on, more than anything: that I will listen to anypony and consider what they have to say, because I know I am but a pony who cannot know everything. I can't do everything either. I know that my followers are uniquely positioned to recruit for me, because they know ponies I don't, they walk in social circles I don't and understand things I don't, and ponies who might not listen to me at first may instead listen to them."

She smiled at her brother and extended him a hoof, after brushing a bit of dry mud off. "If you join me, we can achieve more together than we could apart. Anything is possible. I mean it when I say I want everypony. What place there is for you, or anypony, is up to you. I am not for holding ponies back or denying them opportunities. I may lead, but I can't do everything. I will need ponies to fill many different positions and responsibilities as we progress."

"Alright then, I'm in! I can get behind working together" replied Twofeather, cheerfully bumping her hoof. "Besides, you know I always come through for family."

"Anyway, what's been happening around here?" he asked. "You need anything for your new building, sis?"



Quicksilver winced a little. "I'll stick to the first two, thanks. Mares have been nothing but trouble for me. I'll leave them to somepony with better luck."

"Hah, okay. More for the rest of us then!" laughed Twofeather.

[Balmas]

Velvet Tail wrapped her wings around her sister. "I can assure you, dear," she said, "that it is in fact the world that has gone crazy. You're still you. You have the same cutie mark. You have the same destiny. Whenever I feel blue I just think about how sure I was in the moment I got my mark and try to bring my life back to that."

So... how did you get your cutie mark? And how did Velvet Tail get hers?

Here's the thing, man. Teenage years are a real pile of hormones, you know that? Back then, there was a girl, name of Tag Team. Oooh, Slick crushed on her like a bulldozer on asphalt. Had it bad. And Tag Team, she knew it. Let Slick hang around, carry her books, generally be a good little girl in exchange for just being in her presence.

Only the problem is that Slick still had her powers. She didn't want to read her mind, honest; it just happened, I tell you! And when she found out how Tag Team was using her, well, she didn't take it well. Being with Tag Team hurt, so she did something she regrets now: when she and Tag Team were alone, she scrambled Tag Teams brains. Got her to enlist early, ship out. It was clumsy, and awkward, and way too risky, but as Tag Team dazedly flew away to fill out her recruitment papers, Slick's flank flashed, and there it was. When Slick got home, and Mom got the story, she got tested . Not right then, but Mom promised she'd later get into Stars Above. And surprise, she did.

As for Velvet? She left a trail of broken hearts all through school. However, her special talent isn't actually to do with her ability to get people to fall for her. She got her cutie mark when a friend came to her and asked for help to set him up with a girl he had his eyes on. Not easy to do when both ponies occasionally want to screw your brains out, but Velvet managed it. Those two are now happily married, or at least they were when the Fall happened.


Slick leaned into the hug. "I suppose. It's all a matter of being able to defend ourselves, and what I'm doing can help with that. Still, it's... it feels super weird. I'm hoping it'll be worth it."

[Deadly]

"Ain't that the truth," Silver said, mustering some real sincerity at talk of jail. "I guess I can stick around for the goodie bag, but after that I really should get going. If I drag my tail too long, there's a judge that'll be looking to put me back behind the nasty kind of bars. Any help finding that weird mare will keep him at bay a little longer, too."

Rattle Tail turned to Silver Tongue. "My Herald will go in my stead and show you the way through the forest to see the queen, once you decide to go."

She looked back at Quicksilver. "Why you let this former judge rule you, I fail to understand. His laws are as dead as the nation that wrote them, and even more irrelevant."


Twofeather rolled his eyes and smiled. It was pretty much what he'd expected.



"Alright then, I'm in! I can get behind working together" replied Twofeather, cheerfully bumping her hoof. "Besides, you know I always come through for family."

"Anyway, what's been happening around here?" he asked. "You need anything for your new building, sis?"

"Yes, I knew." Rattle Tail bumped it back, wide smile, as she watched her brother - and her work on his face. Lines of mud danced before her eyes. With each little twitch of his face they changed subtly. What does she see in the lines she's drawn upon this living canvas?

Open Brain: 5+4+3 = 12

"Well, we're building a house, as you can see. It will only be the first, the central house. We will need more houses, smaller ones, to spread out the population. Especially as we grow. The ones working on it will know what might be needed better than I, right now."

[Thanqol]

Righto, a bit of mental reorganization is in order. I've been thinking of them as 5 man units instead.

In this structure. Sirocco heads off with Alpha and Sigma. Gamma remains on base defense/cleaning duty. Orders are to pack a day's rations and twice the usual amount of water. But that's the extent of the concessions Sirocco gives them. They're soldiers, they've drilled hard, they can take it. They know they're going to have a first contact scenario, and the plan is to first rendezvous with Beta and the HVP (High Value Pony) and then escort her to the Skullmaster. They'll break for rations just before arrival, with Alpha and Sirocco heading in as the escort and Sigma on standby as the backup.

First things though, are to head for the mountaintop.

-

Life is pretty great. Particularly when you can see all of space and time.

Skullcandy danced with the dogs and flew with the flames. The mountain shuddered and quaked with her passing, birthing her forth in fire and rock. The music blasted out, scouring the land with the power of balefire and the trees bowed to her in response. It was fitting, it was right. It was awesome. She looked down on the world and the world looked back with pleading eyes, begging her for more.

And she said: "F*ck yeah, b**ches!" and gave it to them.

You reach the mountaintop and the crashed base and you've got thirty heavily armed ponies all about you, as well as one badass high as a kite on mentats/air currents. Inside the cramped corridors of that base is a murderous Hellhound who just found his sunglasses. What do you do?



Here's the thing, man. Teenage years are a real pile of hormones, you know that? Back then, there was a girl, name of Tag Team. Oooh, Slick crushed on her like a bulldozer on asphalt. Had it bad. And Tag Team, she knew it. Let Slick hang around, carry her books, generally be a good little girl in exchange for just being in her presence.

Only the problem is that Slick still had her powers. She didn't want to read her mind, honest; it just happened, I tell you! And when she found out how Tag Team was using her, well, she didn't take it well. Being with Tag Team hurt, so she did something she regrets now: when she and Tag Team were alone, she scrambled Tag Teams brains. Got her to enlist early, ship out. It was clumsy, and awkward, and way too risky, but as Tag Team dazedly flew away to fill out her recruitment papers, Slick's flank flashed, and there it was. When Slick got home, and Mom got the story, she got tested . Not right then, but Mom promised she'd later get into Stars Above. And surprise, she did.

As for Velvet? She left a trail of broken hearts all through school. However, her special talent isn't actually to do with her ability to get people to fall for her. She got her cutie mark when a friend came to her and asked for help to set him up with a girl he had his eyes on. Not easy to do when both ponies occasionally want to screw your brains out, but Velvet managed it. Those two are now happily married, or at least they were when the Fall happened.

Yikes. Maybe a bad example.


Slick leaned into the hug. "I suppose. It's all a matter of being able to defend ourselves, and what I'm doing can help with that. Still, it's... it feels super weird. I'm hoping it'll be worth it."

"What do you want to defend against?" asked Velvet Tail. "A lot of ponies are whining but so far the surface isn't nearly as bad as anypony expected. Green grass, trees, clean water, not a single soul in sight. What are we defending? Why the doom fortress? From what you're telling me, the only problem we're facing right now is our own ponies going crazy."


"Yes, I knew." Rattle Tail bumped it back, wide smile, as she watched her brother - and her work on his face. Lines of mud danced before her eyes. With each little twitch of his face they changed subtly. What does she see in the lines she's drawn upon this living canvas?

Open Brain: 5+4+3 = 12

You see Twofeather and Sirocco entwined, intimately, features running into each other. You can't tell where one begins or the other ends but for the light of a distant star. You see a crown of fire atop the world, a creation of purpose and will, eyes blinded to its kin by old dry wounds.

[Elanorin]

"Right over there," said Haze. "Getting in should be a cakewalk; half the base is heading out on a mission and Spot Check's heading on a cleaning rampage. One guard, tops."

"Excellent," Starstruck said, struggling to cheer up. "Well if you're running for President you really should get your face sorted," she added as a final sore-loser jab at Haze.

[Spending final read hold: How can I get Haze to get over Sirocco?]

[Thanqol]

"Excellent," Starstruck said, struggling to cheer up. "Well if you're running for President you really should get your face sorted," she added as a final sore-loser jab at Haze.

[Spending final read hold: How can I get Haze to get over Sirocco?]

Haze has this thing where she naturally gets caught up in things that seem challenging, impossible or doomed. The worst thing for it is to make it possible and make it mundane - or point her in the direction of someone more exciting. You don't have to fight the bad decision bear when you can lure it around.

"That's what you are for!" said Haze. "If you can, get me a purple eye, I like purple," there was a brief flicker of green flame and she suddenly had a pretty cool eyepatch.

[Elanorin]

"That's what you are for!" said Haze. "If you can, get me a purple eye, I like purple," there was a brief flicker of green flame and she suddenly had a pretty cool eyepatch.

She wasn't forgetting that in a hurry, was she?

Starstruck grumped silently to herself and looked a bit like she was chewing a particularly sharp lemon. Then she looked up as an idea hit her;

"Why don't I kill two problems with one bullet and save you one of Twofeather's eyes?" She frowned thoughtfully for a second and mused out loud; "though I can't remember their colour offhoof."

[Thanqol]

She wasn't forgetting that in a hurry, was she?

Starstruck grumped silently to herself and looked a bit like she was chewing a particularly sharp lemon. Then she looked up as an idea hit her;

"Why don't I kill two problems with one bullet and save you one of Twofeather's eyes?" She frowned thoughtfully for a second and mused out loud; "though I can't remember their colour offhoof."

"Does Twofeather have robot eyes?" said Haze, confused.

[Elanorin]

"Does Twofeather have robot eyes?" said Haze, confused.

"Well, no, I don't think so. Unless they are seriously good. No I was thinking just a plain transplant. Even if it won't work it might make you look less like a high seas pirate in the meantime. Getting you a robot eye might be a while and not that many pirates get elected President, you know." Starstruck logicked in a way that, by the look on her face, clearly had even her slightly confused.

"It, uh, was just a thought. He has eyes going spare, or will be soon, and you have a vacant socket." Starstruck shrugged.

[BlasTech]

You reach the mountaintop and the crashed base and you've got thirty heavily armed ponies all about you, as well as one badass high as a kite on mentats/air currents. Inside the cramped corridors of that base is a murderous Hellhound who just found his sunglasses. What do you do?

The most direct method would have been to just blow the munitions dump. Blasting the peak off the mountain would stand a good, although not certain, chance of killing the beast. It would also rob Sirocco of the potential boon of the heavy weapons.

He cast his eye over the mountain top. What he needed was a way to bait out the creature where his troops could finish it off.

[Sitch read?]

Skullcandy, meanwhile, was yelling something that seemed very much like "bring me your mares, peons!" It was a little distracting.

[the_druid_droid]

Rattle Tail turned to Silver Tongue. "My Herald will go in my stead and show you the way through the forest to see the queen, once you decide to go."

She looked back at Quicksilver. "Why you let this former judge rule you, I fail to understand. His laws are as dead as the nation that wrote them, and even more irrelevant."

Silver laughed, a little bitterly. "It's more complicated than that. If your message is that the Enclave's dead, you're preaching to the choir. They've been dead to me a long time."

"My problem is a little more tricky - a lot of ponies don't think it's dead, and they get nervous around me. Right now I don't need to remind anypony about that whole jail thing. A big fight with Juris would be bad for business, and I like bits more than I hate his face. Maybe one day I can wind things up more permanently with him."

[Thanqol]

"Well, no, I don't think so. Unless they are seriously good. No I was thinking just a plain transplant. Even if it won't work it might make you look less like a high seas pirate in the meantime. Getting you a robot eye might be a while and not that many pirates get elected President, you know." Starstruck logicked in a way that, by the look on her face, clearly had even her slightly confused.

"It, uh, was just a thought. He has eyes going spare, or will be soon, and you have a vacant socket." Starstruck shrugged.

"I don't think that's how eyes work," said Haze, equally confused, "but you are the medic..."


The most direct method would have been to just blow the munitions dump. Blasting the peak off the mountain would stand a good, although not certain, chance of killing the beast. It would also rob Sirocco of the potential boon of the heavy weapons.

He cast his eye over the mountain top. What he needed was a way to bait out the creature where his troops could finish it off.

[Sitch read?]

Sure thing!


Skullcandy, meanwhile, was yelling something that seemed very much like "bring me your mares, peons!" It was a little distracting.

I don't think there are rules for interfering with yourself. Though you do reinforce a lot of stereotypes these ponies have about grounders.

[Deadly]

You see Twofeather and Sirocco entwined, intimately, features running into each other. You can't tell where one begins or the other ends but for the light of a distant star. You see a crown of fire atop the world, a creation of purpose and will, eyes blinded to its kin by old dry wounds.

Rattle Tail squinted at Twofeather and his mud-streaked face, then she turned fully to Quicksilver without another word to her brother.


Silver laughed, a little bitterly. "It's more complicated than that. If your message is that the Enclave's dead, you're preaching to the choir. They've been dead to me a long time."

"My problem is a little more tricky - a lot of ponies don't think it's dead, and they get nervous around me. Right now I don't need to remind anypony about that whole jail thing. A big fight with Juris would be bad for business, and I like bits more than I hate his face. Maybe one day I can wind things up more permanently with him."

"He's got nothing, no law and no standing, and he'll soon have to admit it. One can only hope he will accept the truth of his situation and seek something better. He was doing so well a few days ago; if he's harassing you now, I guess there's not much hope he's learned anything."

[the_druid_droid]

"He's got nothing, no law and no standing, and he'll soon have to admit it. One can only hope he will accept the truth of his situation and seek something better. He was doing so well a few days ago; if he's harassing you now, I guess there's not much hope he's learned anything."

Silver shrugged. "I don't know what goes on in ponies' heads lately. Falling out of the sky did a number on them, I suppose. Either way, I'm trying to ignore it for now, at least until I get a few things nailed down around town; bar won't run itself, after all."

[Elanorin]

"I don't think that's how eyes work," said Haze, equally confused, "but you are the medic..."

"I don't expect it would work," Starstruck said, feathers ruffled, she didn't like to be called that. "Just, y'know, make you look less sinister. A space-holder, if you will. Butnevermindforgetit- come on Glitch."

Starstruck promptly turned around, beckoned for Radar Glitch to come with her by a jerk of her head and then headed off to find the munitions hold.

[BlasTech]

Sure thing!

What a sitch!

[roll0]

Gosh, I don't know how to ask this properly. Looking for something to bait it out ... I guess that's 'what should I be on the lookout for?'

Edit: Fragging preview post.

[Thanqol]

"I don't expect it would work," Starstruck said, feathers ruffled, she didn't like to be called that. "Just, y'know, make you look less sinister. A space-holder, if you will. Butnevermindforgetit- come on Glitch."

Starstruck promptly turned around, beckoned for Radar Glitch to come with her by a jerk of her head and then headed off to find the munitions hold.

The munitions dump is guarded only by an enthusiastic young colt named Blueberry Liberator, wearing a helmet a size too big for him. On the downside, he's too new to be bored of guard duty yet, on the upside he looks pretty gullible. What do you do?


What a sitch!

[roll0]

Gosh, I don't know how to ask this properly. Looking for something to bait it out ... I guess that's 'what should I be on the lookout for?'

Edit: Fragging preview post.

You should be on the lookout for the entire base exploding in a spectacular fireball seconds after your army approaches, as you saw in Skullcandy's vision of the future like four seconds ago. What do you do?

[Deadly]

Silver shrugged. "I don't know what goes on in ponies' heads lately. Falling out of the sky did a number on them, I suppose. Either way, I'm trying to ignore it for now, at least until I get a few things nailed down around town; bar won't run itself, after all."

Rattle Tail nodded, then held out a hoof so that Silver Tail could slither across to Quicksilver. "Here, take slither face with you to the Queen," she said distractedly. "Unfortunately, I need to postpone things a bit. I'll save you some goodies."

[Elanorin]

The munitions dump is guarded only by an enthusiastic young colt named Blueberry Liberator, wearing a helmet a size too big for him. On the downside, he's too new to be bored of guard duty yet, on the upside he looks pretty gullible. What do you do?


"Sargent Starstruck of Sigma squad, on orders from Lt Haze. Restocking for security mission," Starstruck rattled off in her very best officer's voice. Without even stopping she barged on to head inside.

[the_druid_droid]

Rattle Tail nodded, then held out a hoof so that Silver Tail could slither across to Quicksilver. "Here, take slither face with you to the Queen," she said distractedly. "Unfortunately, I need to postpone things a bit. I'll save you some goodies."

"Oh, he's a snake." Why did it have to be snakes?

Silver looked at the other Silver warily, but couldn't afford to be seen running and hiding in the bushes right now, and so just barely managed to tolerate touching the thing.

"I'll be sure to return him soon." He just kept repeating to himself that this was for the bar.

[BlasTech]

You should be on the lookout for the entire base exploding in a spectacular fireball seconds after your army approaches, as you saw in Skullcandy's vision of the future like four seconds ago. What do you do?

He calls for backup.

Slick? Are you busy? We have a situation that could use your skills. he thought-spoke.


Rattle Tail nodded, then held out a hoof so that Silver Tail could slither across to Quicksilver. "Here, take slither face with you to the Queen," she said distractedly. "Unfortunately, I need to postpone things a bit. I'll save you some goodies."

"Catch you later Quick, let me know how the whole thing turns out." grinned Twofeather.

Turning back to Rattle Tail, he made to follow her.

"Is something up, sis?" he asked, as the walked. "Quicksilver probably didn't notice it, what with that snake and all, but that was a rather sudden change in plans."

Reading a pony: [roll0]

What is Rattle Tail feeling?

[Thanqol]

"Sargent Starstruck of Sigma squad, on orders from Lt Haze. Restocking for security mission," Starstruck rattled off in her very best officer's voice. Without even stopping she barged on to head inside.

"Oh! Yes ma'am! Just sign for whatever you take!" he said, hastily following you with a clipboard.


"Oh, he's a snake." Why did it have to be snakes?

Silver looked at the other Silver warily, but couldn't afford to be seen running and hiding in the bushes right now, and so just barely managed to tolerate touching the thing.

"I'll be sure to return him soon." He just kept repeating to himself that this was for the bar.

Silver Tongue wrapped around your neck, snugly enough to give the implication he could choke you if he felt like it. "So, who are you then?" he asked as he started to steer you towards the forest. "Nopony explains anything to me."

[Elanorin]

"Oh! Yes ma'am! Just sign for whatever you take!" he said, hastily following you with a clipboard.


Starstruck was already sizing up the equipment by the time the little Blueberry had dashed after her with his adorable clipboard. She paused, looked over her shoulder at him, the clipboard, then back at him.

Oh why the hay not.

"Of course," she agreed and took the offered clipboard and began to write as she put boxes in her bags and tucked knives away in various hidden places in her armour and clothes.

"There." She returned the clipboard to the rookie in the oversized helmet. She felt an urge to not kill him.

The list read;

4 grenades
2 boxes of high calibre crystal ammo
Assorted knives

Sgt. Starstruck
SIGMA

"Did you need anything?" She turned her eyes to Radar Glitch.

[Thanqol]

Starstruck was already sizing up the equipment by the time the little Blueberry had dashed after her with his adorable clipboard. She paused, looked over her shoulder at him, the clipboard, then back at him.

Oh why the hay not.

"Of course," she agreed and took the offered clipboard and began to write as she put boxes in her bags and tucked knives away in various hidden places in her armour and clothes.

"There." She returned the clipboard to the rookie in the oversized helmet. She felt an urge to not kill him.

The list read;

4 grenades
2 boxes of high calibre crystal ammo
Assorted knives

Sgt. Starstruck
SIGMA

"Did you need anything?" She turned her eyes to Radar Glitch.

Radar Glitch nodded and got his own kit together. His weapon of choice was a specialized tri-beam laser rifle - the beam splitter ruined the coherency of the laser, and therefore its range, but made it lethal at close range like a shotgun. He also picked up a bunch of anti-matrix (magical-EMP) grenades - he loved those things and could use them for stuff far beyond what they were designed for.

"Thank you!" said Blueberry Liberator, saluting and heading back to his post. "I'm surprised you left a paper trail," said Radar Glitch to you as he checked and prepared all his equipment.

[Balmas]

"What do you want to defend against?" asked Velvet Tail. "A lot of ponies are whining but so far the surface isn't nearly as bad as anypony expected. Green grass, trees, clean water, not a single soul in sight. What are we defending? Why the doom fortress? From what you're telling me, the only problem we're facing right now is our own ponies going crazy."

Slick tried to calm her breathing, but wasn't having much luck. "That's the thing. I just want to make sure that my family is safe, that we can have some semblance of a life down here like we used to have up there, but..." Her voice trailed off. "I just don't make sense, even to myself, do I?"


He calls for backup.

Slick? Are you busy? We have a situation that could use your skills. he thought-spoke.

"Ugh. And now the boss needs help again...." <Speak to me. What's going on?>

[BlasTech]

A munitions dump has fallen up on one of the peaks near the town. We're trying to disarm it before it blows, but there's a loose hellhound in the compound. Don't ask me why one of those things was kept alongside the weaponry - but if we can't secure the site, it could be bad for the town. Particularly if it gets down to the townsponies. he thought.

The most effective way to deal with it is probably to re-establish its mind control link. You're the only pony I know of with expertise in that field, hence the call.

[the_druid_droid]

Silver Tongue wrapped around your neck, snugly enough to give the implication he could choke you if he felt like it. "So, who are you then?" he asked as he started to steer you towards the forest. "Nopony explains anything to me."

That was it. Silver was going to declare a zero-tolerance policy on snakes when he got back to Cloud 9. Might as well put that shotgun to use.

"Me? That depends on who you ask, really. To the Enclave, I'm nopony - or somepony they'd rather forget. To the ponies down here, well, I'm a bartender and supplier of useful goods and services. And to this queen... I don't know myself, but we might be closer than either of us thinks." Might as well keep the serpent talking. As long as he wanted to talk, he wouldn't want to choke, although it was still an effort with every step not to grab the little horror and smash it against a tree.

[Elanorin]

Radar Glitch nodded and got his own kit together. His weapon of choice was a specialized tri-beam laser rifle - the beam splitter ruined the coherency of the laser, and therefore its range, but made it lethal at close range like a shotgun. He also picked up a bunch of anti-matrix (magical-EMP) grenades - he loved those things and could use them for stuff far beyond what they were designed for.

"Thank you!" said Blueberry Liberator, saluting and heading back to his post. "I'm surprised you left a paper trail," said Radar Glitch to you as he checked and prepared all his equipment.

"Yeah, I know, goes against my instinct. But a paper trail's only really an issue for the one it leads to. We're just carrying out orders here, Glitch, Haze wants to play at being legit, so let's be legit. Let her deal with whatever sh*tstorm comes from it, perks of being in command." Starstruck smirked slyly and loaded her rifle with a loud snakt.

The shouting may have stopped but Starstruck had far from let the argument go.

"So, let's go and legitimately assassinate some ponies."

[Thanqol]

Slick tried to calm her breathing, but wasn't having much luck. "That's the thing. I just want to make sure that my family is safe, that we can have some semblance of a life down here like we used to have up there, but..." Her voice trailed off. "I just don't make sense, even to myself, do I?"

"Ugh. And now the boss needs help again...." <Speak to me. What's going on?>

"Safe from what? If you figure that out -" Velvet suddenly blinked very hard. "You have no idea how weird it looks when you do that."


That was it. Silver was going to declare a zero-tolerance policy on snakes when he got back to Cloud 9. Might as well put that shotgun to use.

"Me? That depends on who you ask, really. To the Enclave, I'm nopony - or somepony they'd rather forget. To the ponies down here, well, I'm a bartender and supplier of useful goods and services. And to this queen... I don't know myself, but we might be closer than either of us thinks." Might as well keep the serpent talking. As long as he wanted to talk, he wouldn't want to choke, although it was still an effort with every step not to grab the little horror and smash it against a tree.

"Ask a pony their name and they tell you their life story," muttered the snake. "Well, I'll start with me. I am Silver Tongue, captain of a serpent sea - that is a writhing morass of hundreds of snakes all bound together by a single shared sorcerous intellect - before my ignoble capture and impressment into servitude. I am currently deciding if I should break your neck and dash for it; would you like to weigh in?"


"Yeah, I know, goes against my instinct. But a paper trail's only really an issue for the one it leads to. We're just carrying out orders here, Glitch, Haze wants to play at being legit, so let's be legit. Let her deal with whatever sh*tstorm comes from it, perks of being in command." Starstruck smirked slyly and loaded her rifle with a loud snakt.

The shouting may have stopped but Starstruck had far from let the argument go.

"So, let's go and legitimately assassinate some ponies."

"I'm not sure if I should be happy or scared that I'm on your team during this," said Radar Glitch.

So, this is an assassination. How do you set this up?

[the_druid_droid]

"Ask a pony their name and they tell you their life story," muttered the snake.

"Sometimes if you talk long enough, they stop asking questions. I find it useful."


"Well, I'll start with me. I am Silver Tongue, captain of a serpent sea - that is a writhing morass of hundreds of snakes all bound together by a single shared sorcerous intellect - before my ignoble capture and impressment into servitude. I am currently deciding if I should break your neck and dash for it; would you like to weigh in?"

So, threats. Threats he could work with. Anything was better than just lying there and glinting with reptilian hate.

"Well, one thing you ought to know about my name is that it was once associated with a pony who trained other ponies how to kill with their hooves. If you try breaking my neck, I give it better than even odds that you and your silver tongue will part ways, quickly and violently."

[Balmas]

"Safe from what? If you figure that out -" Velvet suddenly blinked very hard. "You have no idea how weird it looks when you do that."


A munitions dump has fallen up on one of the peaks near the town. We're trying to disarm it before it blows, but there's a loose hellhound in the compound. Don't ask me why one of those things was kept alongside the weaponry - but if we can't secure the site, it could be bad for the town. Particularly if it gets down to the townsponies. he thought.

The most effective way to deal with it is probably to re-establish its mind control link. You're the only pony I know of with expertise in that field, hence the call.

Uuuuugh. This could not possibly come at a worse time. She'd just got here, just got her clothes off, and had just sat down. Dammit, did some ponies not have any sense of personal time? Slick frowned, and jabbed a hoof against the corner of the desk, wincing as the blood started to flow again. Twice in half an hour did not leave much time to heal. She smeared the red trail across the desk, and studied the patterns.

[Open Your Mind: [roll0]

This is a hellhound we're talking about. You know, tunneling bastard who can cut power armored ponies like a knife through warm butter. How can I get at this thing safely?]

<I'm honestly not sure what you expect me to do. If you can contain it, I could try to zap it and do my thing, or if you could find some kind of control panel--you know, press the red button to shut down your RoBronco Brand Murdermachine--it'd be helpful. Either way, I'll be on my way as soon as I can. Where's this at?>

[Elanorin]

"I'm not sure if I should be happy or scared that I'm on your team during this," said Radar Glitch.

So, this is an assassination. How do you set this up?

"You're always on my team," Starstruck said and put the last box of ammunition away, "aren't you?" she raised an eyebrow.

Well first on the list would be to get some information on this Twofeather and she knows no better place to start than Cloud 9, so she'd head there first in search for Quicksilver.

[Deadly]

"Catch you later Quick, let me know how the whole thing turns out." grinned Twofeather.

Turning back to Rattle Tail, he made to follow her.

"Is something up, sis?" he asked, as the walked. "Quicksilver probably didn't notice it, what with that snake and all, but that was a rather sudden change in plans."

Reading a pony: [roll0]

What is Rattle Tail feeling?

Rattle Tail glanced back at you, her expression unable to decide whether to force itself into a smile or fall back on a ponderous frown, or perhaps a neutral, impartial stare. "I just remembered it's been a while since I've seen Slick Talk," she said and stuck out her tongue, as if the name displeased her taste buds. "Every now and then I'm reminded that she's still fouling up my plane of existence, and that I should probably see what she's up to. I don't like it when she's quiet for long periods of time. It's a bad sign."

If Rattle Tail is thinking of Slick Talk, it's either because Slick did something, or because Rattle Tail finds it convenient to blame Slick anyway. But this isn't about Slick Talk, it's about you. Rattle Tail, in her enigmatic and strangely perceptive way, must have seen the change in you, and sensed that she's no longer talking to her brother alone. She would very much like to talk with her brother about it, to get his perspective, but she doesn't believe she can be sure it's her brother she's talking to and not somepony - or something - else. That's why she's suddenly thinking of Slick Talk, somepony she'd otherwise never willingly spare a thought.

[Thanqol]

So, threats. Threats he could work with. Anything was better than just lying there and glinting with reptilian hate.

"Well, one thing you ought to know about my name is that it was once associated with a pony who trained other ponies how to kill with their hooves. If you try breaking my neck, I give it better than even odds that you and your silver tongue will part ways, quickly and violently."

"Good! So we can both relax," said the snake. "Unless I felt like mind controlling you and making you my puppet, like I did with Rattle Tail - joking! Also do not go near that tree," it said, indicating a tree that looked like a giant mutant bear arm. "So, want I should call up some of my friends? I get enough of them together you can ride on 'em."


Uuuuugh. This could not possibly come at a worse time. She'd just got here, just got her clothes off, and had just sat down. Dammit, did some ponies not have any sense of personal time? Slick frowned, and jabbed a hoof against the corner of the desk, wincing as the blood started to flow again. Twice in half an hour did not leave much time to heal. She smeared the red trail across the desk, and studied the patterns.

[Open Your Mind: [roll0]

This is a hellhound we're talking about. You know, tunneling bastard who can cut power armored ponies like a knife through warm butter. How can I get at this thing safely?]

<I'm honestly not sure what you expect me to do. If you can contain it, I could try to zap it and do my thing, or if you could find some kind of control panel--you know, press the red button to shut down your RoBronco Brand Murdermachine--it'd be helpful. Either way, I'll be on my way as soon as I can. Where's this at?>

The common sense answer is send Sigma after it. They're the badasses who bring in things like this ordinarily.

But you opened your brain so you see further than that. You see a deserted valley, inaccessible except to the sky - or through the ground. You see a great moving horde of ponies and Hellhounds rolling across the wastes. You see a lash in his claws and a battered top hat upon his head, and the will to conquer like a king of old. He has diviners and oracles chained to his throne and they are sending him here, and the great host turns to follow.

Bold and full of joy, he comes.


"You're always on my team," Starstruck said and put the last box of ammunition away, "aren't you?" she raised an eyebrow.

Well first on the list would be to get some information on this Twofeather and she knows no better place to start than Cloud 9, so she'd head there first in search for Quicksilver.

"Well actually, I'm on Team Jacob," said Radar Glitch.

Cloud 9 is basically deserted at this point; Ace tells you that he heard Quicksilver and Twofeather are hanging out at Rattle Tail's compound. He can gossip if you want.

[BlasTech]

Uuuuugh. This could not possibly come at a worse time. She'd just got here, just got her clothes off, and had just sat down. Dammit, did some ponies not have any sense of personal time? Slick frowned, and jabbed a hoof against the corner of the desk, wincing as the blood started to flow again. Twice in half an hour did not leave much time to heal. She smeared the red trail across the desk, and studied the patterns.

[Open Your Mind: [roll0]

This is a hellhound we're talking about. You know, tunneling bastard who can cut power armored ponies like a knife through warm butter. How can I get at this thing safely?]

<I'm honestly not sure what you expect me to do. If you can contain it, I could try to zap it and do my thing, or if you could find some kind of control panel--you know, press the red button to shut down your RoBronco Brand Murdermachine--it'd be helpful. Either way, I'll be on my way as soon as I can. Where's this at?>

<Mountaintop, just outside town.> replied Sirocco.

<The research facility seems to have crashed here too. There's wreckage strewn all around. I'm certain you could salvage something workable from it.>


Rattle Tail glanced back at you, her expression unable to decide whether to force itself into a smile or fall back on a ponderous frown, or perhaps a neutral, impartial stare. "I just remembered it's been a while since I've seen Slick Talk," she said and stuck out her tongue, as if the name displeased her taste buds. "Every now and then I'm reminded that she's still fouling up my plane of existence, and that I should probably see what she's up to. I don't like it when she's quiet for long periods of time. It's a bad sign."

If Rattle Tail is thinking of Slick Talk, it's either because Slick did something, or because Rattle Tail finds it convenient to blame Slick anyway. But this isn't about Slick Talk, it's about you. Rattle Tail, in her enigmatic and strangely perceptive way, must have seen the change in you, and sensed that she's no longer talking to her brother alone. She would very much like to talk with her brother about it, to get his perspective, but she doesn't believe she can be sure it's her brother she's talking to and not somepony - or something - else. That's why she's suddenly thinking of Slick Talk, somepony she'd otherwise never willingly spare a thought.

"Eh okay." Replied Twofeather, shrugging. "Figure I might leave you to it, unless you think she'll be trouble?"

[Second question: what would Rattle tail do if she finds that there is no more "Twofeather" anymore?]

[Deadly]

"Eh okay." Replied Twofeather, shrugging. "Figure I might leave you to it, unless you think she'll be trouble?"

[Second question: what would Rattle tail do if she finds that there is no more "Twofeather" anymore?]

"Nothing I can't handle, I expect," said Rattle Tail.

Edit: Treating the question as "What does Rattle Tail intend to do".

Rattle Tail intends to force Slick to help her separate Twofeather's mind from any others so she can get his thoughts on the matter without any outside influences or doubts about his sincerity. Where she goes from there depends on the result of this hypothetical conversation. For all she knows, this union of beings is all part of Twofeather's plan somehow, and she wouldn't want to ruin that for him by acting blindly and making assumptions. Rattle Tail is generally not one to act before she feels she has all sides of the story. What she does afterwards depends on Twofeather's wishes. If she can't get those, she's probably going to assume he would be against the union and act accordingly.

[the_druid_droid]

"Good! So we can both relax," said the snake. "Unless I felt like mind controlling you and making you my puppet, like I did with Rattle Tail - joking! Also do not go near that tree," it said, indicating a tree that looked like a giant mutant bear arm. "So, want I should call up some of my friends? I get enough of them together you can ride on 'em."

"Oh no, I'm not falling for that. One snake is plenty, thank you very much. I'll be happy as long as you get me to this crazy mare in one piece." Silver kept up his pace through the forest, eyes open for mysterious pegasi or their welcoming committees.

[Balmas]

<Mountaintop, just outside town.> replied Sirocco.

<The research facility seems to have crashed here too. There's wreckage strewn all around. I'm certain you could salvage something workable from it.>

Well, that alone might be worth something, then. "Well, Sis, you probably heard that as well as I did. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but we get to go play Hide-From-Hellhounds." Slick sighed. "Normally, I'd tell a certain somepony to find a convenient cactus to sit on, but this is the kind of thing that may actually be dangerous enough to get to the rest of town."


But you opened your brain so you see further than that. You see a deserted valley, inaccessible except to the sky - or through the ground. You see a great moving horde of ponies and Hellhounds rolling across the wastes. You see a lash in his claws and a battered top hat upon his head, and the will to conquer like a king of old. He has diviners and oracles chained to his throne and they are sending him here, and the great host turns to follow.

Bold and full of joy, he comes.

Slick paused in the process of putting on her helmet, before turning it around and contemplating the markings on its glassy front. Her war paint, as she liked to call it. That sounded like something she'd need a scout for. She grinned, and hugged her sister. "Be safe, sis."

<Gather Sigma, if you haven't already. We need to pin it down before I can work any hoodoo on it.>

[Elanorin]

"Well actually, I'm on Team Jacob," said Radar Glitch.

Cloud 9 is basically deserted at this point; Ace tells you that he heard Quicksilver and Twofeather are hanging out at Rattle Tail's compound. He can gossip if you want.

Starstruck gives Glitch a confused look, turns to leave but then stops herself and turns back to him, opens her mouth as if to argue something but the words never come. Her hoof that had been ready to point at him in a suitably accusing manner just sort of wilts away as she stares at him in stunned silence.

Finally she admits defeat on thisone and turns away, muttering to herself unflattering things about fickle stallions, her torn and battered tail twitching irritably behind her.

*

Starstruck taps the bar with a hoof thoughtfully as she considers the possibility of Quicksilver being dragged in to all this. She'd like to avoid that if she could but then she'd like to get this over and done with as soon as possible. To delay the uncomfortable decision she encourages Ace to gossip to his heart's content.

[Thanqol]

"Oh no, I'm not falling for that. One snake is plenty, thank you very much. I'll be happy as long as you get me to this crazy mare in one piece." Silver kept up his pace through the forest, eyes open for mysterious pegasi or their welcoming committees.

You are not deep into the forest when you notice that you are being stalked by wolves - lean, predatory monsters ghosting you, herding you, and picking up speed. They are fast and hungry, and it does not seem like your name is on the guest list. What do you do?


Well, that alone might be worth something, then. "Well, Sis, you probably heard that as well as I did. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but we get to go play Hide-From-Hellhounds." Slick sighed. "Normally, I'd tell a certain somepony to find a convenient cactus to sit on, but this is the kind of thing that may actually be dangerous enough to get to the rest of town."

Slick paused in the process of putting on her helmet, before turning it around and contemplating the markings on its glassy front. Her war paint, as she liked to call it. That sounded like something she'd need a scout for. She grinned, and hugged her sister. "Be safe, sis."

<Gather Sigma, if you haven't already. We need to pin it down before I can work any hoodoo on it.>

"Well, I guess Hellhounds are as good a thing as any to keep us safe from," said Velvet Tail. "But when you're done clean your filthy house, okay?"


Starstruck gives Glitch a confused look, turns to leave but then stops herself and turns back to him, opens her mouth as if to argue something but the words never come. Her hoof that had been ready to point at him in a suitably accusing manner just sort of wilts away as she stares at him in stunned silence.

Finally she admits defeat on thisone and turns away, muttering to herself unflattering things about fickle stallions, her torn and battered tail twitching irritably behind her.

*

Starstruck taps the bar with a hoof thoughtfully as she considers the possibility of Quicksilver being dragged in to all this. She'd like to avoid that if she could but then she'd like to get this over and done with as soon as possible. To delay the uncomfortable decision she encourages Ace to gossip to his heart's content.

Gossip travels faster than imagination, so Ace happily tells you all about how the pony who you almost shot a few nights ago was secretly Quicksilver's daughter. The story has since been embellished by saying that she became an alicorn princess and the reincarnation of Princess Luna, and she's going to marry Rattle Tail and kill anypony who doesn't convert to her cult. If you ask about Twofeather you hear that he's gone to Rattle Tail's new house, no doubt to pledge allegiance to the new mysterious princess.

[Elanorin]

Gossip travels faster than imagination, so Ace happily tells you all about how the pony who you almost shot a few nights ago was secretly Quicksilver's daughter. The story has since been embellished by saying that she became an alicorn princess and the reincarnation of Princess Luna, and she's going to marry Rattle Tail and kill anypony who doesn't convert to her cult. If you ask about Twofeather you hear that he's gone to Rattle Tail's new house, no doubt to pledge allegiance to the new mysterious princess.

That complicated matters down the line. This strange princess pony seemed likely to become an ongoing problem. One that she imagined she knew how Haze would want to deal with and the thought tasted bad in her mouth already. So much so that she finally made her decision to keep her mind off it.

She muttered a thanks to Ace and then told Glitch she needed to talk to Slick and headed out. She took the long way, and once in the woods circling round to head towards Rattle Tail's camp instead. On their way, when convinced she was out of sight, she changed to Haze with a satisfied smirk and a wink to Glitch.

Then she took to the sky to approach the camp carefully in the treetops, ensuring she kept to cover and found a good spot with clear line of sight to set herself up.

[BlasTech]

Slick paused in the process of putting on her helmet, before turning it around and contemplating the markings on its glassy front. Her war paint, as she liked to call it. That sounded like something she'd need a scout for. She grinned, and hugged her sister. "Be safe, sis."

<Gather Sigma, if you haven't already. We need to pin it down before I can work any hoodoo on it.>

<I already have Alpha, Bravo and Sigma here.> replied Sirocco. <There are some stragglers, but I'll have them assembled by the time you arrive.>

Turning his attention back to the scene in front of him, Sirocco clicked on his personal radio.

"Sigma squad, this is command actual. Repeating muster order at the peak West northwest of town. We have a diamond dog on the loose, so double time it." he ordered.


"Nothing I can't handle, I expect," said Rattle Tail.

Edit: Treating the question as "What does Rattle Tail intend to do".

Rattle Tail intends to force Slick to help her separate Twofeather's mind from any others so she can get his thoughts on the matter without any outside influences or doubts about his sincerity. Where she goes from there depends on the result of this hypothetical conversation. For all she knows, this union of beings is all part of Twofeather's plan somehow, and she wouldn't want to ruin that for him by acting blindly and making assumptions. Rattle Tail is generally not one to act before she feels she has all sides of the story. What she does afterwards depends on Twofeather's wishes. If she can't get those, she's probably going to assume he would be against the union and act accordingly.

Well. That could be an issue. The melding wasn't reversible, Twofeather didn't exist as his own mind anymore. The flip side was neither did Sirocco, really. The gestalt could answer questions based on the individual minds, and compartmentalise their feelings somewhat, much like a person can attempt to ignore the pain of a limb, but they were all one body now. "Splitting" any of them up from the gestalt now would only result in an individual with a shadow of the mind of all three.

Twofeather hesitated, about to walk away. But the pony's instincts about Rattle Tail were throwing up all sorts of red flags. The feeling was that, if he left now, things would progress to a very bad end.

It was possible for it to answer questions honestly about each of the minds inside it, but how could it convince Rattle Tail of the truth?

[Question the third: how can I get Rattle Tail to believe that my answers are genuine?]

[the_druid_droid]

You are not deep into the forest when you notice that you are being stalked by wolves - lean, predatory monsters ghosting you, herding you, and picking up speed. They are fast and hungry, and it does not seem like your name is on the guest list. What do you do?

For the moment, Silver ignored them. There was no point forcing a confrontation until he knew what bargaining chips were available. Instead, he kept forging through the underbrush and addressed the serpent around his neck.

"So, you're a native of these parts, right? Exactly how revered is this Forest Queen? Do all animals - say, those wolves following us - respect her? Or is she more of a local power?"

[Thanqol]

That complicated matters down the line. This strange princess pony seemed likely to become an ongoing problem. One that she imagined she knew how Haze would want to deal with and the thought tasted bad in her mouth already. So much so that she finally made her decision to keep her mind off it.

She muttered a thanks to Ace and then told Glitch she needed to talk to Slick and headed out. She took the long way, and once in the woods circling round to head towards Rattle Tail's camp instead. On their way, when convinced she was out of sight, she changed to Haze with a satisfied smirk and a wink to Glitch.

Then she took to the sky to approach the camp carefully in the treetops, ensuring she kept to cover and found a good spot with clear line of sight to set herself up.

An unprovoked, unexpected silenced sniper shot out of nowhere is an assassination technique that there is virtually no defense against. Ponies can do an awful lot to hunt down and kill the sniper afterwards but stopping it before it happens requires serious paranoia.

Radar Glitch quietly reads out wind speed, co-ordinates, spotting information in your ear. Your target is hesitating, momentarily frozen. It's the perfect shot. Roll to Go Aggro.


Twofeather hesitated, about to walk away. But the pony's instincts about Rattle Tail were throwing up all sorts of red flags. The feeling was that, if he left now, things would progress to a very bad end.

It was possible for it to answer questions honestly about each of the minds inside it, but how could it convince Rattle Tail of the truth?

[Question the third: how can I get Rattle Tail to believe that my answers are genuine?]

Twofeather, you can interfere with that roll if and only if you can give me a good explanation as to how you'd become wise to your best marksman drawing a bead on your forehead while you're engrossed in a conversation with Rattle Tail. Such a thing might be possible but nothing obvious occurs to me right now.

On the upside, it's not like this is gonna kill you.


For the moment, Silver ignored them. There was no point forcing a confrontation until he knew what bargaining chips were available. Instead, he kept forging through the underbrush and addressed the serpent around his neck.

"So, you're a native of these parts, right? Exactly how revered is this Forest Queen? Do all animals - say, those wolves following us - respect her? Or is she more of a local power?"

"Queen of the forest is Queen of the forest," said Silver Tongue, "and she took the eyes of anything that objected. You might want to be running - those things eat snakes."

[Deadly]

Well. That could be an issue. The melding wasn't reversible, Twofeather didn't exist as his own mind anymore. The flip side was neither did Sirocco, really. The gestalt could answer questions based on the individual minds, and compartmentalise their feelings somewhat, much like a person can attempt to ignore the pain of a limb, but they were all one body now. "Splitting" any of them up from the gestalt now would only result in an individual with a shadow of the mind of all three.

Twofeather hesitated, about to walk away. But the pony's instincts about Rattle Tail were throwing up all sorts of red flags. The feeling was that, if he left now, things would progress to a very bad end.

It was possible for it to answer questions honestly about each of the minds inside it, but how could it convince Rattle Tail of the truth?

[Question the third: how can I get Rattle Tail to believe that my answers are genuine?]

I'm not sure there is any certain way of doing that. And if there truly is no way to separate them temporarily, it may not be a question of how to make her trust your word, but how do you convince her the solution isn't to separate you permanently.

But, as Rattle Tail would surely say if you asked her, don't discount a path just because it seems impossible. The Enclave discounted her warnings because it seemed impossible to them that their empire could fall in a day, yet it did.

There are many magics in this world, more than any pony can ever know, and Rattle Tail is resourceful in such things. So is Slick Talk. Who knows what they can accomplish together? Even if a temporary split is not possible, they may be able to find another way for Rattle Tail to convince herself. Rattle Tail may not like Slick, but she's likely to trust her in matters of the mind, as long as she doesn't obviously lie. She'd be a fool not to.

The best option may be to go along with it, offer your own help and insight, show that you don't mind this inquiry or a possible one-on-one with Rattle Tail and Twofeather, even if it seems unlikely to you that it would work. It may not convince her to take your word as Twofeather's, but it would go a long way to make her less distrustful of you in general.

[BlasTech]

Twofeather, you can interfere with that roll if and only if you can give me a good explanation as to how you'd become wise to your best marksman drawing a bead on your forehead while you're engrossed in a conversation with Rattle Tail. Such a thing might be possible but nothing obvious occurs to me right now.

On the upside, it's not like this is gonna kill you.

Heh, reassuring. :smalltongue:

Well, there's a couple of things. First, Twofeather is hella sharp. As far as his defining characteristics go, he's pretty aware of everything happening around him even if he's not paying attention to it.

Secondly, he's hella weird. Between the other weird crud of the assimilation, he, Sirocco and Skullcandy all share each other's perspectives and instincts (c.f. Weird Eyes move). Having an old war horse like Sirocco ingrains paranoia, and also might instil in him a habit of automatically checking ambush points in a way we look for traffic when crossing the street. Skullcandy brings the knowledge of the terrain, and there might be stuff there that helps out too ... the way birds and other animals move and make sound for instance.

[Elanorin]

An unprovoked, unexpected silenced sniper shot out of nowhere is an assassination technique that there is virtually no defense against. Ponies can do an awful lot to hunt down and kill the sniper afterwards but stopping it before it happens requires serious paranoia.

Radar Glitch quietly reads out wind speed, co-ordinates, spotting information in your ear. Your target is hesitating, momentarily frozen. It's the perfect shot. Roll to Go Aggro.

Starstruck let Radar Glitch's voice guide her hooves with complete trust through motions and instructions so familiar in their pattern they were borderline ritualistic. She'd been through this exact situation too many times than she cared to remember, and more often than not it was this exact voice in her ears. Each instructions prompts a steady, immediate and precise action, little of what he tells her is news to her but having another pair of eyes and ears with her makes the whole operation much more streamlined and clinical, allowing her to give complete focus to her target. Normally she'd descend in to Battle Vision by now but she's already trained her crosshairs on this pony once and so she remains in the here and now.

She blows a puff of air to slide a lock of Haze's mane out of her eyes and then the moment presents itself, the target freezes and her shot is crystal clear. Without a shadow of hesitation Starstruck takes it.

[Rolling to Go Aggro on Twofeather: 2d6+3=11]

[Balmas]

Slick soared over the mountain, but her mind wasn't really in it. She was really thinking more along the lines of, "Which brain do I have close to Quicksilver?" <Well, what about it, fillies and gentlecolts?> She thought to the tank at large. <Anyone got a clue about where I can find that jailbird cousin of mine?>

Dimly, the mountain came into view. Tell me about this mountain, will ya? Besides having Enclave danger signs everywhere, what's it like? Any signs of volcanic activity, stuff like that?

[the_druid_droid]

"Queen of the forest is Queen of the forest," said Silver Tongue, "and she took the eyes of anything that objected. You might want to be running - those things eat snakes."

"Thank Providence for small favors, then." In Silver's book, anything that ate snakes couldn't be all bad. "But running is for ponies who lack wings and a plan."

Quicksilver spun in his tracks, facing the wolves with a million-bit grin and his forehooves opened carnival-barker wide. "Hello there, gentlemen! I understand you're hungry, but this is one morsel you ought to think twice before you sample, lest the Forest Queen take more than just your eyes!" He spoke loudly enough for anything nearby to hear, voice echoing between the trees.

[Looking to Manipulate the wolves into temporary peace, with a healthy backup plan of flying the heck away if they're too skittish.]

[Deadly]

Rattle Tail, seemingly distracted now by her own thoughts, picked up a long, thin branch from the ground. She broke off a few smaller branches until it was smooth and straight. It was still soaking wet from all the recent rain, a line of drops clinging to its underside. Saying nothing to Twofeather, she turned and raised the branch experimentally, pointing it randomly ahead while striking a pose. Then she gave both it and her wings a quick whip and a twist, sending drops of water into the air around herself as she returned to pointing straight ahead with a tensely focused stare.

As weird things his sister did, this barely registered as a blip on Twofeather's radar, although it probably got him looking around to see what she was pointing at.

It couldn't help but draw Starstruck's attention right at that critical moment, however. The whip of the branch, the sudden clap of her wings, and the way the light caught in the tiny drops of water, creating a halo around Rattle Tail and the stick, lighting her up for a few seconds. Whether she knew Startstruck was there or not, whether she sensed the danger to her brother or not, the message was clear: Rattle Tail was showing the way, a different way. "Don't stray off the right path," it seemed to warn.

She had done it before, when she stopped Starstruck from shooting the Queen, an action that had seemed just as certain then as shooting Twofeather did now. Perhaps killing Twofeather wasn't as certain as Starstruck thought.

Interfere: 6+2+2 = 10

[Thanqol]

Slick soared over the mountain, but her mind wasn't really in it. She was really thinking more along the lines of, "Which brain do I have close to Quicksilver?" <Well, what about it, fillies and gentlecolts?> She thought to the tank at large. <Anyone got a clue about where I can find that jailbird cousin of mine?>

Dimly, the mountain came into view. Tell me about this mountain, will ya? Besides having Enclave danger signs everywhere, what's it like? Any signs of volcanic activity, stuff like that?

<Woof!> barked the wolf-brain in the tank with her. Its body was currently looking at Quicksilver and thinkin' about biting him a bunch (if he needs it you can use the Wolf as an Assist on his manipulate roll).

And oh yeah, that's a good point. Signs of volcanic activity all over the place, old lava flows, probably not the place you want to set off a crashed facility full of explosives.


"Thank Providence for small favors, then." In Silver's book, anything that ate snakes couldn't be all bad. "But running is for ponies who lack wings and a plan."

Quicksilver spun in his tracks, facing the wolves with a million-bit grin and his forehooves opened carnival-barker wide. "Hello there, gentlemen! I understand you're hungry, but this is one morsel you ought to think twice before you sample, lest the Forest Queen take more than just your eyes!" He spoke loudly enough for anything nearby to hear, voice echoing between the trees.

[Looking to Manipulate the wolves into temporary peace, with a healthy backup plan of flying the heck away if they're too skittish.]

Wolves are both brutish and cowardly, so roll Manipulate to see which one wins out.


Rattle Tail, seemingly distracted now by her own thoughts, picked up a long, thin branch from the ground. She broke off a few smaller branches until it was smooth and straight. It was still soaking wet from all the recent rain, a line of drops clinging to its underside. Saying nothing to Twofeather, she turned and raised the branch experimentally, pointing it randomly ahead while striking a pose. Then she gave both it and her wings a quick whip and a twist, sending drops of water into the air around herself as she returned to pointing straight ahead with a tensely focused stare.

As weird things his sister did, this barely registered as a blip on Twofeather's radar, although it probably got him looking around to see what she was pointing at.

It couldn't help but draw Starstruck's attention right at that critical moment, however. The whip of the branch, the sudden clap of her wings, and the way the light caught in the tiny drops of water, creating a halo around Rattle Tail and the stick, lighting her up for a few seconds. Whether she knew Startstruck was there or not, whether she sensed the danger to her brother or not, the message was clear: Rattle Tail was showing the way, a different way. "Don't stray off the right path," it seemed to warn.

She had done it before, when she stopped Starstruck from shooting the Queen, an action that had seemed just as certain then as shooting Twofeather did now. Perhaps killing Twofeather wasn't as certain as Starstruck thought.

Interfere: 6+2+2 = 10

Twofeather, you hear the sudden crack of a rifle and the stick Rattle Tail is holding explodes in wooden splinters. You have barely a second before the second shot comes. Fight or flight reflexes kick in with an emphasis on flight

Choose from the Go Aggro list. Keep in mind that none of the options guarantee your safety or survival, and if you misjudge your assailant she may shoot you down anyway. In keeping with the principle of honesty, I will mention that barricading yourself securely behind cover will lessen but not completely negate the harm you stand to take on account of Starstruck's AP ammo.

[Balmas]

<Woof!> barked the wolf-brain in the tank with her. Its body was currently looking at Quicksilver and thinkin' about biting him a bunch (if he needs it you can use the Wolf as an Assist on his manipulate roll).

And oh yeah, that's a good point. Signs of volcanic activity all over the place, old lava flows, probably not the place you want to set off a crashed facility full of explosives.

Of course it was. Of course the pile of heavy ordinance was sitting on top of a volcano, because why the hell not, right? Slick grimaced as she dove for the pile of armored pegasi and tapped down. "Reporting in, Colonel. As requested. What's the situation?"

She was only listening with one ear, because the rest of her was focusing on wrestling control of the wolf-brain away. <No biting! No!>
[Seize control of an extracted brain's skinvelope: 5,6, +3, 14.]

Oooh, this was weird. Like, weirder than normal. Remind me, is this one of the wolves that can talk, or is it only a few that can do that?

[the_druid_droid]

Wolves are both brutish and cowardly, so roll Manipulate to see which one wins out.

"I think we both know what kind of pony the Queen is. This is your last chance to make the right decision." Silver decreased the brilliance of his smile a bit, but turned up the intensity of his gaze.

[Manipulate: 2d6+2 = 7]

[Thanqol]

Of course it was. Of course the pile of heavy ordinance was sitting on top of a volcano, because why the hell not, right? Slick grimaced as she dove for the pile of armored pegasi and tapped down. "Reporting in, Colonel. As requested. What's the situation?"

She was only listening with one ear, because the rest of her was focusing on wrestling control of the wolf-brain away. <No biting! No!>
[Seize control of an extracted brain's skinvelope: 5,6, +3, 14.]

Oooh, this was weird. Like, weirder than normal. Remind me, is this one of the wolves that can talk, or is it only a few that can do that?

They can all talk, most of them just aren't very good at it.

The poor wolf was unceremoniously punted out of her body and did the wolf-brain equivalent of putting its head on your lap and staring at you plaintively.


"I think we both know what kind of pony the Queen is. This is your last chance to make the right decision." Silver decreased the brilliance of his smile a bit, but turned up the intensity of his gaze.

[Manipulate: 2d6+2 = 7]

The wolves thought about this, but they weren't very good at it. They had to demand something from this. "Give us your wing-claws! And firestick!" one demanded because he'd always wanted a laser rifle, and the others all agreed that it was a good demand.

[BlasTech]

Of course it was. Of course the pile of heavy ordinance was sitting on top of a volcano, because why the hell not, right? Slick grimaced as she dove for the pile of armored pegasi and tapped down. "Reporting in, Colonel. As requested. What's the situation?"

"Pretty much as I described." replied Sirocco, waving a hoof at the mountaintop. He too seemed distracted, looking away to the forest somewhere. "Look over the wreckage, see if you can ... find anything worthwhile."

"Did you hear a gunshot just then?" he muttered. He hesitated for a moment, debating internally, before turning abruptly to his troops.

"ALL SQUADS, ON ME! WEAPONS HOT!" he yelled, suddenly winging away from the mountain top. The troops followed only after a moment's hesitation at the unexpected order, forming up behind him in three wing groups. It gave Sirocco time to issue further direction.

"Potts, Banner, remain and observe any changes at the mountain." he said, causing the two soldiers of Bravo to drop out.

Slick could catch them if she hurried, otherwise she'd be at the mountaintop with two guards, and a doped up Skullcandy, for company.



Twofeather, you hear the sudden crack of a rifle and the stick Rattle Tail is holding explodes in wooden splinters. You have barely a second before the second shot comes. Fight or flight reflexes kick in with an emphasis on flight

Choose from the Go Aggro list. Keep in mind that none of the options guarantee your safety or survival, and if you misjudge your assailant she may shoot you down anyway. In keeping with the principle of honesty, I will mention that barricading yourself securely behind cover will lessen but not completely negate the harm you stand to take on account of Starstruck's AP ammo.

"Get down!"

Twofeather reacts instinctively, pushing Rattle Tail away and bolting away into the trees. While conventional military wisdom is to counter an ambush with one of your own, Twofeather has neither weapons nor armour on him.

So, he runs. Getting the hell out of the way of whoever is attacking. Keeping low, and flying at an oblique angle to make any further shots harder. Keeping an eye on anything that might help him turn the situation around or help him escape.

[Sitch read?]

[the_druid_droid]

The wolves thought about this, but they weren't very good at it. They had to demand something from this. "Give us your wing-claws! And firestick!" one demanded because he'd always wanted a laser rifle, and the others all agreed that it was a good demand.

No self-respecting bar owner could refuse to haggle a little. "But you don't have wings, and I'm pretty attached to my wing-claws. However, considering the circumstances, I can part with the firestick. As an added bonus, I'll tell you where you can find even more firesticks if you like this one!"

[Thanqol]

"Pretty much as I described." replied Sirocco, waving a hoof at the mountaintop. He too seemed distracted, looking away to the forest somewhere. "Look over the wreckage, see if you can ... find anything worthwhile."

"Did you hear a gunshot just then?" he muttered. He hesitated for a moment, debating internally, before turning abruptly to his troops.

"ALL SQUADS, ON ME! WEAPONS HOT!" he yelled, suddenly winging away from the mountain top. The troops followed only after a moment's hesitation at the unexpected order, forming up behind him in three wing groups. It gave Sirocco time to issue further direction.

"Potts, Banner, remain and observe any changes at the mountain." he said, causing the two soldiers of Bravo to drop out.

Slick could catch them if she hurried, otherwise she'd be at the mountaintop with two guards, and a doped up Skullcandy, for company.

You fly down, bringing the host with you. Your arrival, though, is dependent on the outcome of the move below. You can't help or interfere but you can provide a really good place for Twofeather to run to.

Slick Talk, where do you go?


"Get down!"

Twofeather reacts instinctively, pushing Rattle Tail away and bolting away into the trees. While conventional military wisdom is to counter an ambush with one of your own, Twofeather has neither weapons nor armour on him.

So, he runs. Getting the hell out of the way of whoever is attacking. Keeping low, and flying at an oblique angle to make any further shots harder. Keeping an eye on anything that might help him turn the situation around or help him escape.

[Sitch read?]

No time for a sitch read. Radar Glich mutters a curse, the green flames of shapeshifting glint around him for a second and he takes off in pursuit. Starstruck, do you follow him?

If you do, roll this one:
When you’re the cat, roll+cool. On a hit, you catch your prey out. On a 10+, you’ve
driven them first to a place of your choosing; say where. On a 7–9, you’ve had to
follow them where they wanted to go; they say where. On a miss, your prey escapes
you.

If you don't, and leave it to Glitch, Twofeather rolls this one:

When you’re the mouse, roll+cool. On a 10+, you escape clean and leave your
hunter hunting. On a 7–9, your hunter catches you out, but only after you’ve led
them to a place of your choosing; say where. On a miss, your hunter catches you
out and the MC says where.


No self-respecting bar owner could refuse to haggle a little. "But you don't have wings, and I'm pretty attached to my wing-claws. However, considering the circumstances, I can part with the firestick. As an added bonus, I'll tell you where you can find even more firesticks if you like this one!"

"Deal," said the wolf. It takes the laser from you - and you realize with a little concern that a pony-shaped laser harness fits a wolf just as well. The wolf cautiously bites down on the trigger, sending a bolt into a tree, and it howls in triumph. "I am now named Burner!" declared the wolf proudly, and all the other wolves agreed that this was appropriate and good. Then they loped off to start lasering down deer or something.

[Deadly]

When the shot shattered her stick, Rattle Tail instinctively dropped immediately to the ground. Staying low, as Twofeather bolted for cover, she turned her head and called towards the shooter. "Don't shoot. Listen to me, listen to your own heart, and lower your weapon. You know there is another way. Don't let yourself be led astray this way."

Manipulate: 4+4+1 = 9

If you refuse to do as Rattle Tail asks, erase your Hard highlight for the remainder of the session

[Elanorin]

No time for a sitch read. Radar Glich mutters a curse, the green flames of shapeshifting glint around him for a second and he takes off in pursuit. Starstruck, do you follow him?

If you do, roll this one:
When you’re the cat, roll+cool. On a hit, you catch your prey out. On a 10+, you’ve
driven them first to a place of your choosing; say where. On a 7–9, you’ve had to
follow them where they wanted to go; they say where. On a miss, your prey escapes
you.

If you don't, and leave it to Glitch, Twofeather rolls this one:

When you’re the mouse, roll+cool. On a 10+, you escape clean and leave your
hunter hunting. On a 7–9, your hunter catches you out, but only after you’ve led
them to a place of your choosing; say where. On a miss, your hunter catches you
out and the MC says where.


When the shot shattered her stick, Rattle Tail instinctively dropped immediately to the ground. Staying low, as Twofeather bolted for cover, she turned her head and called towards the shooter. "Don't shoot. Listen to me, listen to your own heart, and lower your weapon. You know there is another way. Don't let yourself be led astray this way."

Manipulate: 4+4+1 = 9

If you refuse to do as Rattle Tail asks, erase your Hard highlight for the remainder of the session

Starstruck suddenly looked up, a scowl on her face. She'd been perfectly lined up. The shot had been crystal clear. Her eyes went back through the crosshairs as if half wondering if there was something wrong with her rifle, but she knew there wasn't.

Next Glitch flamed with transformation and shot off like she knew he would, he rarely had to but that was what backup was for and how they always worked. For a split second she was about to set after him, just long enough to open her wings, before her eyes were caught by Rattle Tail on the ground, calling up to her. She hesitated, feeling that eerie slightly too-appealing feeling creeping in through her chest threatening to worm itself inside and curl in to a little ball of Warmth in her chest. Who was this pony?!

Starstruck's eyes went from Rattle Tail to her rifle and back several times. This was the second time she had inexplicably thrown her off a clean textbook shot. Starstruck battled for several moments with warring thoughts of shooting Rattle Tail and ridding herself of this curse, or lay down arms and reveal herself to her, she felt unexpectedly tempted by Rattle Tail's seemingly pacifist ways. In the end she did neither, still put down her rifle but remained hiding in her treetop, watching Rattle Tail intently.

[BlasTech]

Well, without Starstruck around, Twofeather was running.

[roll0]

[Balmas]

Well, with no Sigma around, and no Sirocco, Slick had very little reason to be on the mountain. She shot a glance towards Skullcandy, noting the telltale signs. She ambled up, examined Skullcandy closely, and with a sharp jab of the violation glove [In Brain Puppet Strings, 11], she grinned. "When you want something besides mentats, I can get you what you need." Then she was off, following Sirocco.


"Deal," said the wolf. It takes the laser from you - and you realize with a little concern that a pony-shaped laser harness fits a wolf just as well. The wolf cautiously bites down on the trigger, sending a bolt into a tree, and it howls in triumph. "I am now named Burner!" declared the wolf proudly, and all the other wolves agreed that this was appropriate and good. Then they loped off to start lasering down deer or something.

In the forest, one of the wolves hung behind, watching Burner leap off into the undergrowth. Slick frowned, yanking at the skinvelope. There weren't enough colors in this body, like the body had run out of toner when it came to making the eyes. But the colors her nose were showing her almost made up for it. "You are the Silver one," she tried. "This one would ask of you a question."

[Deadly]

Starstruck suddenly looked up, a scowl on her face. She'd been perfectly lined up. The shot had been crystal clear. Her eyes went back through the crosshairs as if half wondering if there was something wrong with her rifle, but she knew there wasn't.

Next Glitch flamed with transformation and shot off like she knew he would, he rarely had to but that was what backup was for and how they always worked. For a split second she was about to set after him, just long enough to open her wings, before her eyes were caught by Rattle Tail on the ground, calling up to her. She hesitated, feeling that eerie slightly too-appealing feeling creeping in through her chest threatening to worm itself inside and curl in to a little ball of Warmth in her chest. Who was this pony?!

Starstruck's eyes went from Rattle Tail to her rifle and back several times. This was the second time she had inexplicably thrown her off a clean textbook shot. Starstruck battled for several moments with warring thoughts of shooting Rattle Tail and ridding herself of this curse, or lay down arms and reveal herself to her, she felt unexpectedly tempted by Rattle Tail's seemingly pacifist ways. In the end she did neither, still put down her rifle but remained hiding in her treetop, watching Rattle Tail intently.

Rattle Tail sat down, picked up the remains of her stick, and began to doodle in the dirt in front of herself. In the quiet that fell after Twofeather had run off, the few whispered words of a song might reach the ears of Starstruck in her hiding place. And one of those words just might be her name, calling her inexplicably.

Lost: 2+4+3 = 9

Starstruck comes to Rattle Tail, with or without any clear explanation why.

[Thanqol]

Well, without Starstruck around, Twofeather was running.

[9]

On a 7–9, your hunter catches you out, but only after you’ve led them to a place of your choosing; say where.


Well, with no Sigma around, and no Sirocco, Slick had very little reason to be on the mountain. She shot a glance towards Skullcandy, noting the telltale signs. She ambled up, examined Skullcandy closely, and with a sharp jab of the violation glove [In Brain Puppet Strings, 11], she grinned. "When you want something besides mentats, I can get you what you need." Then she was off, following Sirocco.

Skullcandy, you are currently high on Mentats (and you did pick the option that makes you maniacally arrogant) so you can contest that if you want

[Elanorin]

Rattle Tail sat down, picked up the remains of her stick, and began to doodle in the dirt in front of herself. In the quiet that fell after Twofeather had run off, the few whispered words of a song might reach the ears of Starstruck in her hiding place. And one of those words just might be her name, calling her inexplicably.

Lost: 2+4+3 = 9

Starstruck comes to Rattle Tail, with or without any clear explanation why.

Starstruck watched Rattle Tail's every move with extreme suspicion from the treetop she was skulking in. She only just caught what sounded like her name in that strange alien tune Rattle Tail was singing before she noticed the green in the corner of her eye coming from her own body. Her eyes instantly widened in horror as she realised what was happening and no matter how hard she tried she could not stop the return to her normal shape.

"No- no- no- nonononono..." Starstruck was patting herself furiously as if trying to put out an invisible fire. She gasped as her body burned with the enforced shapeshift but no matter what she did she couldn't even slow it down. Before she could recover she suddenly found herself hurling through the air towards Rattle Tail. She beat her wings as hard as she could to gain some kind of control and to keep from crashlanding, but she could not alter the course for anything. It had been mere seconds since she had sat quietly up in her tree when she slammed four hooves in to the ground right in front of Rattle Tail, back in her own form, and, if possible, looking even more bruised and battered than normal.

The look on her face was pure fury and the next thing she did was flare her wings and unsheathe her blades.

"What the hay are you?!"

[BlasTech]

On a 7–9, your hunter catches you out, but only after you’ve led them to a place of your choosing; say where.



Skullcandy, you are currently high on Mentats (and you did pick the option that makes you maniacally arrogant) so you can contest that if you want

"Hooves off, peon! The Grrrrrreaaat and Powerful Skullcandy must not be touched by puny plebian ponies!!" yelled the Great and Powerful Skullcandy, as she tried to pull herself back from Slick Talk's touch.

[roll0]

Edit: Also, just so's I'm clear, what's the actual command here? Talk to Slick when the mentats wear off?

Twofeather, meanwhile, was sprinting across a clearing in the forest heading straight for where Sirocco's army had arrived. As soon as Radar Glitch entered the clearing, there was the sound of a forest of laser rifles being charged.

"DROP YOUR WEAPON AND LIE DOWN ON THE GROUND!" yelled Sirocco. With the implicit threat of being fired upon if he did not comply.

Going aggro: [roll1]

[Thanqol]

"Hooves off, peon! The Grrrrrreaaat and Powerful Skullcandy must not be touched by puny plebian ponies!!" yelled the Great and Powerful Skullcandy, as she tried to pull herself back from Slick Talk's touch.

[roll0]

Edit: Also, just so's I'm clear, what's the actual command here? Talk to Slick when the mentats wear off?

I'ma call that a failure to intervene, yeah.


Twofeather, meanwhile, was sprinting across a clearing in the forest heading straight for where Sirocco's army had arrived. As soon as Radar Glitch entered the clearing, there was the sound of a forest of laser rifles being charged.

"DROP YOUR WEAPON AND LIE DOWN ON THE GROUND!" yelled Sirocco. With the implicit threat of being fired upon if he did not comply.

Going aggro: [roll1]

The pony - you don't recognize him - throws himself on the ground in terror.

And so do the thirty or so other ponies around him. All of Rattle Tail's followers. All sizes, shapes and colours.

Radar Glitch is one of your elite assassins, a shapeshifter and he has an open line to your communications - three important details you do not know. Given that I don't think it's reasonable he could be caught out by this. If he is here, he is blended into that crowd of terrified civilians. From your perspective, you don't even know it's Glitch, anypony here could be an assassin. What do you do?

[Deadly]

Starstruck watched Rattle Tail's every move with extreme suspicion from the treetop she was skulking in. She only just caught what sounded like her name in that strange alien tune Rattle Tail was singing before she noticed the green in the corner of her eye coming from her own body. Her eyes instantly widened in horror as she realised what was happening and no matter how hard she tried she could not stop the return to her normal shape.

"No- no- no- nonononono..." Starstruck was patting herself furiously as if trying to put out an invisible fire. She gasped as her body burned with the enforced shapeshift but no matter what she did she couldn't even slow it down. Before she could recover she suddenly found herself hurling through the air towards Rattle Tail. She beat her wings as hard as she could to gain some kind of control and to keep from crashlanding, but she could not alter the course for anything. It had been mere seconds since she had sat quietly up in her tree when she slammed four hooves in to the ground right in front of Rattle Tail, back in her own form, and, if possible, looking even more bruised and battered than normal.

The look on her face was pure fury and the next thing she did was flare her wings and unsheathe her blades.

"What the hay are you?!"

Rattle Tail stopped her drawing and looked up. She seemed sure of herself. Perhaps she shouldn't be, given that she was unarmed and you were anything but, yet she didn't seem to worry too much.

"The answer is in the question, what are you? You are lost. Will you allow yourself to be found, or will you keep running blind? I am the one who finds the lost and show them the way back, but only they can follow. You know in your heart what I am, or you would not be here." Rattle Tail obviously believed it. Believed it strongly enough to not think she was in any danger from you. "No pony wants to be lost."

[BlasTech]

The pony - you don't recognize him - throws himself on the ground in terror.

And so do the thirty or so other ponies around him. All of Rattle Tail's followers. All sizes, shapes and colours.

Radar Glitch is one of your elite assassins, a shapeshifter and he has an open line to your communications - three important details you do not know. Given that I don't think it's reasonable he could be caught out by this. If he is here, he is blended into that crowd of terrified civilians. From your perspective, you don't even know it's Glitch, anypony here could be an assassin. What do you do?

Sirocco looked over the crowd. This didn't feel right. Why would Rattle Tail try to kill her brother, only to foil the attempt?

"Sigma, high cover. Watch the treeline and anypony trying to run. Bravo, sweep and corral anypony else nearby." he ordered. "Alpha, search these ponies. Put anypony who is armed, particularly with high caliber weaponry, to one side."

[Balmas]

Sirocco looked over the crowd. This didn't feel right. Why would Rattle Tail try to kill her brother, only to foil the attempt?

"Sigma, high cover. Watch the treeline and anypony trying to run. Bravo, sweep and corral anypony else nearby." he ordered. "Alpha, search these ponies. Put anypony who is armed, particularly with high caliber weaponry, to one side."

"Thank you for containing these ponies," Slick said, her voice muffled and almost robotic by the filter in her mask. "An attempted murder seems like a job for Stars Above, don't you think?"

<Don't be too quick to judge someone by their weaponry,> Slick cautioned. <If I were to be an assassin, I wouldn't go around wearing a sniper rifle; I'd drop it somewhere safe at the earliest opportunity.>


Edit: Also, just so's I'm clear, what's the actual command here? Talk to Slick when the mentats wear off?

Come to me when the drugs wear off so I can supply you with more.

[BlasTech]

"Thank you for containing these ponies," Slick said, her voice muffled and almost robotic by the filter in her mask. "An attempted murder seems like a job for Stars Above, don't you think?"

<Don't be too quick to judge someone by their weaponry,> Slick cautioned. <If I were to be an assassin, I wouldn't go around wearing a sniper rifle; I'd drop it somewhere safe at the earliest opportunity.>

Sirocco didn't reply externally, except to gesture to Slick to head down to the prisoners.

<To be truthful. I don't expect any of them to be the assassin.> he thought back at her. <I can't see why Rattle Tail would want to kill her brother. This whole scenario doesn't make sense.>

Twofeather, meanwhile, was hovering around behind an armed guard and watching the proceedings with quiet interest. Between the two of them, their minds were focused on one train of thought. Where was the assassin really hiding?

[Read a sitch?]



Come to me when the drugs wear off so I can supply you with more.

Well, she'll do that as soon as the Mentats wear off. Until then, Skullcandy continues with trying to teach the two poor soldiers left behind about theoretical physics and why their intellects are so infinitesimally small that quantum mechanics could be easily applied to their minds.

[Thanqol]

"Thank you for containing these ponies," Slick said, her voice muffled and almost robotic by the filter in her mask. "An attempted murder seems like a job for Stars Above, don't you think?"

<Don't be too quick to judge someone by their weaponry,> Slick cautioned. <If I were to be an assassin, I wouldn't go around wearing a sniper rifle; I'd drop it somewhere safe at the earliest opportunity.>

So I've had this question in mind for a long time, but it's never become relevant before. Stars Above has been infested with Changelings for hundreds of years.

Is Slick Talk a Changeling?

If no, why not? Does she know? If she doesn't know, why not?


Sirocco looked over the crowd. This didn't feel right. Why would Rattle Tail try to kill her brother, only to foil the attempt?

"Sigma, high cover. Watch the treeline and anypony trying to run. Bravo, sweep and corral anypony else nearby." he ordered. "Alpha, search these ponies. Put anypony who is armed, particularly with high caliber weaponry, to one side."

The squad leaders humoured you for a few minutes, then Haze - followed by Shields and Sarge - approached you and asked, "There's nothing here, sir. None of our squads, or the civilians, report hearing gunfire. What are we looking for? What's going on?"


Sirocco didn't reply externally, except to gesture to Slick to head down to the prisoners.

<To be truthful. I don't expect any of them to be the assassin.> he thought back at her. <I can't see why Rattle Tail would want to kill her brother. This whole scenario doesn't make sense.>

Twofeather, meanwhile, was hovering around behind an armed guard and watching the proceedings with quiet interest. Between the two of them, their minds were focused on one train of thought. Where was the assassin really hiding?

[Read a sitch?]

Searching for a Changeling in a crowd is one thing, but searching for a Changeling in a crowd when you do not know you are looking for a Changeling is as close to objectively possible as it gets. In fact, I may need a custom move for this:

Shapeshifters: It is impossible to pick one of the shapeshifters of Stars Above out of a group with non-invasive, mundane means.

If you want to do something really weird and come at it through the Maelstrom instead, tell me what you're doing.


Well, she'll do that as soon as the Mentats wear off. Until then, Skullcandy continues with trying to teach the two poor soldiers left behind about theoretical physics and why their intellects are so infinitesimally small that quantum mechanics could be easily applied to their minds.

There is a sudden explosion from the side of the base and a diamond dog wearing sunglasses bursts out on an improvised rocket sled. He starts sliding down the mountain, dragging behind him a huge carriage full of high explosives. He starts taking aim at you with a rocket launcher. What do you do?

[Elanorin]

Rattle Tail stopped her drawing and looked up. She seemed sure of herself. Perhaps she shouldn't be, given that she was unarmed and you were anything but, yet she didn't seem to worry too much.

"The answer is in the question, what are you? You are lost. Will you allow yourself to be found, or will you keep running blind? I am the one who finds the lost and show them the way back, but only they can follow. You know in your heart what I am, or you would not be here." Rattle Tail obviously believed it. Believed it strongly enough to not think she was in any danger from you. "No pony wants to be lost."

Starstruck was so furious she couldn't remain still, she began to pace back and forth in front of Rattle Tail, blowing angry puffs of air through her nose and keeping her wings raised like a defensive swan. She was sizing up Rattle Tail and making no secret of debating to herself whether or not to kill her here and now. This pony had knowledge beyond what she was authorised to, that much felt so obvious it made her feathers itch, and to contain it standard procedure would be to extract what she knew and eliminate her, failing that, just plain elimination. But dammit this pony's words were getting under her skin.

"You and your damn riddles! Don't think I don't know how to deal with riddle-talkers like you, trust me, you're not my first." Starstruck snarled and suddenly got right up in Rattle Tail's face, but once there something caused her to flinch. The tiniest flinch, but enough to make her step back and vent her frustration and anger at the prophet from a few paces back.

"Tell me all that you know about me, and Juris Doctor. Now!" Starstruck demanded with a roar, trying to regain control by force and volume.

[Balmas]

So I've had this question in mind for a long time, but it's never become relevant before. Stars Above has been infested with Changelings for hundreds of years.

Is Slick Talk a Changeling?

If no, why not? Does she know? If she doesn't know, why not?

She absolutely is a changeling! I mean, an impulse to protect and preserve a group of ponies is only natural if they're your food. And an intense loyalty to family is certainly something that would be associated with a hive, I think. Plus, with her main goal... Yeah, definitely a changeling.

Now, the thing is, I don't think she knows it. Either she's been a changeling her entire life, or she was replaced with one so long ago--like, pre-cutie mark--that it might as well have been. See, this isn't the kind of thing you can hide from your family; Slick's good, but she's not one to keep secrets from her family. Now, I'm not sure who else in the family is a changeling. Maybe creepy mind powers are changeling things, maybe it's just something that runs in the family. Either way, Slick herself does not know.

Unless she does? I mean, things like memory get more than a little bit fuzzy when you work for an organization that descended from the Ministry of Morale. You remember, that whole "mindrape a confession out of the prisoners" thing? Tech's just laying around. Way I see it, there's two ways this could have happened. Either she's been one since birth, and somehow never figured it out during magic love bug puberty, or she wasn't. If she wasn't, the only way she wouldn't remember now is if there's been some memory tampering done on her. Something to think about, anyway.

[Deadly]

Starstruck was so furious she couldn't remain still, she began to pace back and forth in front of Rattle Tail, blowing angry puffs of air through her nose and keeping her wings raised like a defensive swan. She was sizing up Rattle Tail and making no secret of debating to herself whether or not to kill her here and now. This pony had knowledge beyond what she was authorised to, that much felt so obvious it made her feathers itch, and to contain it standard procedure would be to extract what she knew and eliminate her, failing that, just plain elimination. But dammit this pony's words were getting under her skin.

"You and your damn riddles! Don't think I don't know how to deal with riddle-talkers like you, trust me, you're not my first." Starstruck snarled and suddenly got right up in Rattle Tail's face, but once there something caused her to flinch. The tiniest flinch, but enough to make her step back and vent her frustration and anger at the prophet from a few paces back.

"Tell me all that you know about me, and Juris Doctor. Now!" Starstruck demanded with a roar, trying to regain control by force and volume.

Rattle Tail let Starstruck vent her fury without interrupting, taking the time to obviously choose her words with some forethought. "I am surprised you have to ask, and perhaps this is good reason why I should not tell you," she said and stood up. "If I tell you what I know, or suspect, and it turns out you didn't know - if I am wrong about you - then I have betrayed a secret to somepony who perhaps I should not have, and this will affect many others."

She considered Starstruck closely. "I will say this. I was in Stars Above for many years before all this. I had many good friends there, old friends, and despite what has happened I still consider them my friends. Juris Doctor may not have been a close friend of mine, but I had friends who would have counted him among theirs.

"And whatever else I have done, I have never betrayed a friend's trust." She took a step towards Starstruck, careful to remain non-threatening. "It doesn't have to be this way - the way it was, or the way it is now. You came to me because, deep inside, you know you want something else."

She held out a hoof. "So what am I? Well, I'm a friend, but also a leader and a guide."

[BlasTech]

The squad leaders humoured you for a few minutes, then Haze - followed by Shields and Sarge - approached you and asked, "There's nothing here, sir. None of our squads, or the civilians, report hearing gunfire. What are we looking for? What's going on?"

Sirocco didn't answer, except to begin flying over the captured ponies.

He flapped left, then right. Up and down. A languid barrel roll followed by a backspin. His eyes weren't even open.



Searching for a Changeling in a crowd is one thing, but searching for a Changeling in a crowd when you do not know you are looking for a Changeling is as close to objectively possible as it gets. In fact, I may need a custom move for this:

Shapeshifters: It is impossible to pick one of the shapeshifters of Stars Above out of a group with non-invasive, mundane means.

If you want to do something really weird and come at it through the Maelstrom instead, tell me what you're doing.

Sirocco was dancing. Dancing to music that only he heard. The officers couldn't really do anything but watch as he fluidly worked through the paces of Green Mountain's Signis. An old Pegasus opera from back in the day that ponies wrote those sorts of things - it told the story of a Pegasus shipwrecked at sea, frantically searching for dry land before he fatigued and drowned.

Sirocco found that the simple motions helped focus the mind, and that this dance in particular helped with things that needed finding.

Quietly, he continued his routine.



There is a sudden explosion from the side of the base and a diamond dog wearing sunglasses bursts out on an improvised rocket sled. He starts sliding down the mountain, dragging behind him a huge carriage full of high explosives. He starts taking aim at you with a rocket launcher. What do you do?

It doesn't take mentats to know that getting hit by rocket fire is not good for one's health. Skullcandy and the troops scatter, evasive maneuvers.

Thinking at high speed though, Skullcandy makes to surreptitiously snatch one of the guard's weapons. Preferably something with decent range on it that they won't miss immediately, like a pistol. Or a grenade would do if they're carrying any.

Meanwhile, whatever one's ability to hear phantom gunshots, the explosion is definitely loud enough to be heard from the clearing.

"Lieutenant." said Sirocco, as he continued his routine. "Could you please take Bravo and Sigma and go kill that diamond dog? I wager it has taken our absence as intended ... an opportunity for it to show itself safely."

[Thanqol]

She absolutely is a changeling! I mean, an impulse to protect and preserve a group of ponies is only natural if they're your food. And an intense loyalty to family is certainly something that would be associated with a hive, I think. Plus, with her main goal... Yeah, definitely a changeling.

Now, the thing is, I don't think she knows it. Either she's been a changeling her entire life, or she was replaced with one so long ago--like, pre-cutie mark--that it might as well have been. See, this isn't the kind of thing you can hide from your family; Slick's good, but she's not one to keep secrets from her family. Now, I'm not sure who else in the family is a changeling. Maybe creepy mind powers are changeling things, maybe it's just something that runs in the family. Either way, Slick herself does not know.

Unless she does? I mean, things like memory get more than a little bit fuzzy when you work for an organization that descended from the Ministry of Morale. You remember, that whole "mindrape a confession out of the prisoners" thing? Tech's just laying around. Way I see it, there's two ways this could have happened. Either she's been one since birth, and somehow never figured it out during magic love bug puberty, or she wasn't. If she wasn't, the only way she wouldn't remember now is if there's been some memory tampering done on her. Something to think about, anyway.

Intriguing! That is something to think about!

Either way, somepony in Sigma gives you a subtle hoof-sign indicating that this is a Stars Above operation and you shouldn't search too hard. What do you do?


Sirocco didn't answer, except to begin flying over the captured ponies.

He flapped left, then right. Up and down. A languid barrel roll followed by a backspin. His eyes weren't even open.

Sirocco was dancing. Dancing to music that only he heard. The officers couldn't really do anything but watch as he fluidly worked through the paces of Green Mountain's Signis. An old Pegasus opera from back in the day that ponies wrote those sorts of things - it told the story of a Pegasus shipwrecked at sea, frantically searching for dry land before he fatigued and drowned.

Sirocco found that the simple motions helped focus the mind, and that this dance in particular helped with things that needed finding.

Quietly, he continued his routine.

Three times the Siren Signis tried to drown Telluric, and three times she was foiled. Each time she waited until the sea was calm and land was in sight before she struck.

An assassin thwarted is not an assassin denied. Another attempt will come as soon as the air of suspicion is cleared, as soon as guards are lowered.

The third time, Telluric laid a trap for her and baited it with his own life. The two caught each other and in their standoff hate turned to love. Perhaps she had always wanted companionship.


It doesn't take mentats to know that getting hit by rocket fire is not good for one's health. Skullcandy and the troops scatter, evasive maneuvers.

Thinking at high speed though, Skullcandy makes to surreptitiously snatch one of the guard's weapons. Preferably something with decent range on it that they won't miss immediately, like a pistol. Or a grenade would do if they're carrying any.

You can grab a laser pistol no problem - 2 harm close loud. Thing is that launcher is 5-harm far messy area.

The Dog isn't launching yet. He knows if he fires his rocket he'll be vulnerable while he reloads. So he keeps it shouldered and sweeps it across any pony who starts to approach, causing the terrified beeping of missile lock on anypony with power armour, prompting quick evasive action and withdrawal.

Fires are starting to burn all around the crashed base. It could go up at any second, but who knows what secrets it will take with it? What do you do?


Meanwhile, whatever one's ability to hear phantom gunshots, the explosion is definitely loud enough to be heard from the clearing.

"Lieutenant." said Sirocco, as he continued his routine. "Could you please take Bravo and Sigma and go kill that diamond dog? I wager it has taken our absence as intended ... an opportunity for it to show itself safely."

"Ah! Of course, sir!" said Haze, and there was a general impressed murmur from the ponies as they geared up and started to fly out towards the mountain again. It's going to take you a little while to get there, is there any plan of approach?

[the_druid_droid]

"Deal," said the wolf. It takes the laser from you - and you realize with a little concern that a pony-shaped laser harness fits a wolf just as well. The wolf cautiously bites down on the trigger, sending a bolt into a tree, and it howls in triumph. "I am now named Burner!" declared the wolf proudly, and all the other wolves agreed that this was appropriate and good. Then they loped off to start lasering down deer or something.

"Okay, well that's not concerning." Silver grimaced and made a mental note to booby-trap the promised laser rifle stockpile. He did not need a wolf militia to deal with today. Or any other day.


In the forest, one of the wolves hung behind, watching Burner leap off into the undergrowth. Slick frowned, yanking at the skinvelope. There weren't enough colors in this body, like the body had run out of toner when it came to making the eyes. But the colors her nose were showing her almost made up for it. "You are the Silver one," she tried. "This one would ask of you a question."

He was just about to get going when the remaining wolf spoke up. He considered for a moment, then sighed. "Okay, shoot. But I'm kind of in a hurry, and if it's about eating me, the answer is still no."

[Elanorin]

Rattle Tail let Starstruck vent her fury without interrupting, taking the time to obviously choose her words with some forethought. "I am surprised you have to ask, and perhaps this is good reason why I should not tell you," she said and stood up. "If I tell you what I know, or suspect, and it turns out you didn't know - if I am wrong about you - then I have betrayed a secret to somepony who perhaps I should not have, and this will affect many others."

She considered Starstruck closely. "I will say this. I was in Stars Above for many years before all this. I had many good friends there, old friends, and despite what has happened I still consider them my friends. Juris Doctor may not have been a close friend of mine, but I had friends who would have counted him among theirs.

"And whatever else I have done, I have never betrayed a friend's trust." She took a step towards Starstruck, careful to remain non-threatening. "It doesn't have to be this way - the way it was, or the way it is now. You came to me because, deep inside, you know you want something else."

She held out a hoof. "So what am I? Well, I'm a friend, but also a leader and a guide."

This gave Starstruck great pause. She watched Rattle Tail in silence as she spoke and for long moments after she'd finished. The fury was venting fast under the fanning of Rattle Tail's well spoken words.

"You were in Stars Above?" she asked, voice much calmer. This alone had changed a lot in Starstruck's eyes. "Why did you leave?"

[Rolling to Read A Pony: 2d6+1=7 Is Rattle Tail telling the truth?]

[Balmas]

Intriguing! That is something to think about!

Either way, somepony in Sigma gives you a subtle hoof-sign indicating that this is a Stars Above operation and you shouldn't search too hard. What do you do?

Who's giving the sign? After all, I'm standing in two groups that are pretty much my extended family right now, if you'll forgive a bit of Obi-Wan style metaphors. With Stars Above people and fellow members of Rattle Tails' flock, everyone here ought to be familiar to me; somebody that isn't is probably due a visit.

Still, Slick made it a point to wander between the aisles, tracing a hoof in the dirt as she passed each trembling pony. "Don't worry, everyone," she soothed. "Nobody here is in danger. We simply need to make sure that any bad ponies get their just rewards. Stirring Melody, can you tell me what happened just now? I wasn't here, but I'm sure someone like you can be relied on to give an accurate account."


He was just about to get going when the remaining wolf spoke up. He considered for a moment, then sighed. "Okay, shoot. But I'm kind of in a hurry, and if it's about eating me, the answer is still no."

"Haf no vear," the wolf barked, and plopped her haunches down next to Quicksilver. "This is a different qvestion, guaranteed no biting. Not for you, anyvay. You see, we need a pony. Somevone who is... Expendable, shall ve say? To perform a scouting mission, of sorts. And I'm sure that, in your times in prison, you have met many ponies who maybe do not like you so much. Your cousin, she needs one. Someone who will not be missed too much, and maybe someone who does not like you, eh? We both win if this pony disappears."

[the_druid_droid]

"Haf no vear," the wolf barked, and plopped her haunches down next to Quicksilver. "This is a different qvestion, guaranteed no biting. Not for you, anyvay. You see, we need a pony. Somevone who is... Expendable, shall ve say? To perform a scouting mission, of sorts. And I'm sure that, in your times in prison, you have met many ponies who maybe do not like you so much. Your cousin, she needs one. Someone who will not be missed too much, and maybe someone who does not like you, eh? We both win if this pony disappears."

"Okay, you know an awful lot about my family and my past, so either I fouled up bad enough for them to hang wanted posters down here, or this is somehow related to Slick's creepy brain stuff. I'm not sure which I prefer..." The stallion frowned, then shook his head. "Anyway, I can probably come up with somepony. I don't know if you'll know them, though. Should I wait until I see her or does she need one now?"

[Wondering if Fingers In Every Pie applies here to find a good candidate?]

[BlasTech]

You can grab a laser pistol no problem - 2 harm close loud. Thing is that launcher is 5-harm far messy area.

The Dog isn't launching yet. He knows if he fires his rocket he'll be vulnerable while he reloads. So he keeps it shouldered and sweeps it across any pony who starts to approach, causing the terrified beeping of missile lock on anypony with power armour, prompting quick evasive action and withdrawal.

Fires are starting to burn all around the crashed base. It could go up at any second, but who knows what secrets it will take with it? What do you do?

Between the dog and the base, the base seemed the more immediate problem. If it went up, it could endanger the town, as well as take away any secrets or information therein. Soaring up and away, she looked for a suitably small outcropping.

The easiest way to put out the fires would be to trigger a small avalanche. Smother the flames with snow. It could then be dug up later by the troops. She didn't want a big avalanche though, lest it wipe out the base instead of saving it. The plasma pistol might provide the perfect trigger.



"Ah! Of course, sir!" said Haze, and there was a general impressed murmur from the ponies as they geared up and started to fly out towards the mountain again. It's going to take you a little while to get there, is there any plan of approach?

The plan is Delegation.

Sirocco would leave some of Alpha behind to escort the civilians back to their home. The rest of the troops would accompany him back to the peak. Twofeather, in light of their recent accord at the rally, would be allowed to make his own way back.

"Lt Haze?" he said, as they were en route. "Your team has the best experience with these sorts of creatures. Deploy the troops as you see fit to bring him down. Watch out though, it's likely he's appropriated some of the armaments from the base."

"Whatever soldiers who aren't needed will come with me to secure the installation."

Twofeather, meanwhile, would head back to Rattle Tail. Although he'd be understandably very on guard as he made his way back to check on his sister.

[Thanqol]

Who's giving the sign? After all, I'm standing in two groups that are pretty much my extended family right now, if you'll forgive a bit of Obi-Wan style metaphors. With Stars Above people and fellow members of Rattle Tails' flock, everyone here ought to be familiar to me; somebody that isn't is probably due a visit.

Weather Balloon. She's probably the most Ministry-of-Morale-esque of Sigma, only her traps and pranks skirt the border of lethality. So far she hasn't killed anypony she didn't mean to kill.


Still, Slick made it a point to wander between the aisles, tracing a hoof in the dirt as she passed each trembling pony. "Don't worry, everyone," she soothed. "Nobody here is in danger. We simply need to make sure that any bad ponies get their just rewards. Stirring Melody, can you tell me what happened just now? I wasn't here, but I'm sure someone like you can be relied on to give an accurate account."

So Stirring Melody starts babbling everything she knows and she doesn't know much. If you want to just waste time letting her go on is a good way to do it, but if you want specific info then let me know what it is.


"Okay, you know an awful lot about my family and my past, so either I fouled up bad enough for them to hang wanted posters down here, or this is somehow related to Slick's creepy brain stuff. I'm not sure which I prefer..." The stallion frowned, then shook his head. "Anyway, I can probably come up with somepony. I don't know if you'll know them, though. Should I wait until I see her or does she need one now?"

[Wondering if Fingers In Every Pie applies here to find a good candidate?]

Sure, but you've gotta put the word out yourself to make it happen, which means heading back.


Between the dog and the base, the base seemed the more immediate problem. If it went up, it could endanger the town, as well as take away any secrets or information therein. Soaring up and away, she looked for a suitably small outcropping.

The easiest way to put out the fires would be to trigger a small avalanche. Smother the flames with snow. It could then be dug up later by the troops. She didn't want a big avalanche though, lest it wipe out the base instead of saving it. The plasma pistol might provide the perfect trigger.

Smart. Roll Acting Under Fire.


The plan is Delegation.

Sirocco would leave some of Alpha behind to escort the civilians back to their home. The rest of the troops would accompany him back to the peak. Twofeather, in light of their recent accord at the rally, would be allowed to make his own way back.

"Lt Haze?" he said, as they were en route. "Your team has the best experience with these sorts of creatures. Deploy the troops as you see fit to bring him down. Watch out though, it's likely he's appropriated some of the armaments from the base."

"Whatever soldiers who aren't needed will come with me to secure the installation."

Sounds like you're leading your guys into battle; roll Leadership.

[the_druid_droid]

Sure, but you've gotta put the word out yourself to make it happen, which means heading back.

[Fair enough, I'll put it on the list for when I'm back.]

"Anyway, I've got my own ponies to find. If you know where Slick is, send her my way when you get the chance, I'll hook her up. But for now I've got a crazy forest pony to chat with."

Quicksilver gave the remaining wolf a parting nod, and began making his way deeper into the forest, following Silver Tongue's directions toward the Queen.

[Balmas]

Weather Balloon. She's probably the most Ministry-of-Morale-esque of Sigma, only her traps and pranks skirt the border of lethality. So far she hasn't killed anypony she didn't mean to kill.

So Stirring Melody starts babbling everything she knows and she doesn't know much. If you want to just waste time letting her go on is a good way to do it, but if you want specific info then let me know what it is.

Slick allowed her attention to wander over the crowd, only vaguely paying attention to the terrified blathering. There wasn't much substance to it, like a cruise ship made of tissue paper. Still, it must have some important information, like who was where when things went down. If nothing else, it would give her a clearer list of ponies to investigate.

On that note: <Not sure what's going on, right now. Looks like a Stars Above op. I'll need to push a bit deeper to get any dirt.>

She sat down, the joybuzzer hissing and sparking as it grounded itself in the earth. What a day.

Remind me what it's like right now? I recall it being swelteringly hot. Has that changed?
[Fair enough, I'll put it on the list for when I'm back.]

"Anyway, I've got my own ponies to find. If you know where Slick is, send her my way when you get the chance, I'll hook her up. But for now I've got a crazy forest pony to chat with."

Quicksilver gave the remaining wolf a parting nod, and began making his way deeper into the forest, following Silver Tongue's directions toward the Queen.

"Don't vorry, she'll find you." Slick waited until Quicksilver was outside of eye, ear, and nose-sight before she released the wolf's brain. <I'm sorry, baby, but I had to talk to my friend there. I hope I didn't hurt you at all. Who's a good puppy? D'you have a name, girl?>

[Thanqol]

[Fair enough, I'll put it on the list for when I'm back.]

"Anyway, I've got my own ponies to find. If you know where Slick is, send her my way when you get the chance, I'll hook her up. But for now I've got a crazy forest pony to chat with."

Quicksilver gave the remaining wolf a parting nod, and began making his way deeper into the forest, following Silver Tongue's directions toward the Queen.

Now that you're past the wolf patrols you spy the tumbled-down Mystery Shack, gloomy, dark, covered in spider-webs. Thick black-blue smoke is pouring from the chimney. "This is where I get off," said the snake, dropping from your shoulders, "last time that house was full of nerve gas."


She sat down, the joybuzzer hissing and sparking as it grounded itself in the earth. What a day.

Remind me what it's like right now? I recall it being swelteringly hot. Has that changed?

Getting even hotter.

The camera cuts to a cute little unicorn in a stasis pod somewhere. After finding out that meddling with the weather incautiously was causing temperature crashes and windstorms she tried to turn off as many functions as possible so she could work her way through them one by one. Just now she's noticing that without any wind or air circulation at all that little temperature number just keeps going up, up, up as Equestria becomes more and more like an easy-bake oven.

So her eyes are going wide and she's slamming on the brakes, except she doesn't know where the brakes are so she's just turning on as many things as possible before she accidentally roasts everypony.

I'm sure she's fine. I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm sure everything will be fine forever. Just... fine.

To those of you here now, most of the ponies cowed into submission by Sirocco just aren't getting up because of the heat. Soldiers out of the direct line of sight of Sirocco are taking off their armour because it is literally starting to burn them. What do you do?


"Don't vorry, she'll find you." Slick waited until Quicksilver was outside of eye, ear, and nose-sight before she released the wolf's brain. <I'm sorry, baby, but I had to talk to my friend there. I hope I didn't hurt you at all. Who's a good puppy? D'you have a name, girl?>

<I am Chaser!> said Chaser proudly. <I once chased a deer all day. And then it fell in the river. And then I saw another deer and I chased it instead!>

[Deadly]

This gave Starstruck great pause. She watched Rattle Tail in silence as she spoke and for long moments after she'd finished. The fury was venting fast under the fanning of Rattle Tail's well spoken words.

"You were in Stars Above?" she asked, voice much calmer. This alone had changed a lot in Starstruck's eyes. "Why did you leave?"

[Rolling to Read A Pony: 2d6+1=7 Is Rattle Tail telling the truth?]

Rattle Tail's surprise that you didn't know was genuine. As for what she said, you found no falsehoods when she spoke. "I suppose we were in very different departments," she said. "Still, I'm surprised you didn't know all this. I was Head Astronomer and a liaison to the public. My job was prediction, and the search for anything among the stars that might be a boon to the Enclave. Uniquely, I was supposed to have the legal right to speak the truth, no matter how unpopular, without repercussions. It gave the public more trust in us, knowing that I was allowed to speak the truth to them. Of course, I knew well that there were things I weren't going to tell them. Just because I could, didn't mean I thought it wise to do so, which is why they gave me the right; because they knew I could be trusted. However, when I foresaw the fall of the skies, very few listened. They couldn't believe it, refused to believe it. So I took my warning to the public, sure in my right to do so, and hoping that at least some would heed my warning and prepare to get away safely.

"Somepony didn't like that, and in no time Juris Doctor dug out some legal justification to throw me in jail for conspiracy, despite the law that said I couldn't be jailed for anything I said."

[Elanorin]

Rattle Tail's surprise that you didn't know was genuine. As for what she said, you found no falsehoods when she spoke. "I suppose we were in very different departments," she said. "Still, I'm surprised you didn't know all this. I was Head Astronomer and a liaison to the public. My job was prediction, and the search for anything among the stars that might be a boon to the Enclave. Uniquely, I was supposed to have the legal right to speak the truth, no matter how unpopular, without repercussions. It gave the public more trust in us, knowing that I was allowed to speak the truth to them. Of course, I knew well that there were things I weren't going to tell them. Just because I could, didn't mean I thought it wise to do so, which is why they gave me the right; because they knew I could be trusted. However, when I foresaw the fall of the skies, very few listened. They couldn't believe it, refused to believe it. So I took my warning to the public, sure in my right to do so, and hoping that at least some would heed my warning and prepare to get away safely.

"Somepony didn't like that, and in no time Juris Doctor dug out some legal justification to throw me in jail for conspiracy, despite the law that said I couldn't be jailed for anything I said."

It took a little while as Starstruck let all this fall in to place in her mind and fit together with what she had seen and heard so far. A slight slump of her shoulders showed that she accepted what Rattle Tail was saying. It fit.

"So, this is all part of some elaborate payback plan of yours in which you eventually bring Juris Doctor down, together with whoever else was the one to issue Juris' orders." It was not a question, this was clearly just the obvious conclusion in Starstruck's eyes. Furthermore, she didn't seem to mind. Not only was she pretty fed up with Juris Doctor herself and would not mourn his passing but it was entirely logical to the way the world worked to her.

[the_druid_droid]

Now that you're past the wolf patrols you spy the tumbled-down Mystery Shack, gloomy, dark, covered in spider-webs. Thick black-blue smoke is pouring from the chimney. "This is where I get off," said the snake, dropping from your shoulders, "last time that house was full of nerve gas."

"Maybe I should have opted for the neck-breaking." Silver stood and sweated thoughtfully under the trees for a while, watching the house. When he figured whoever was in there was virtually guaranteed to be watching, he trotted slowly to the door and simply knocked, although he did quickly hop back a strides in the hopes of avoiding a nerve gas welcome.

The pegasus wasn't sure what he was expecting to see when this pony opened the door. It wasn't like he had recognized her as his child when they had met at the bar. But maybe now that he knew, he could find some common ground. At least the overrunning town issue had been resolved.

[BlasTech]

Smart. Roll Acting Under Fire.

Acting under fire to put out a fire.

[roll0]



Sounds like you're leading your guys into battle; roll Leadership.

As they winged low over the treetops, Sirocco turned on his comms.

"All squads, report in."

"Sigma Lead, standing by."

"Alpha Lead, standing by."

"Bravo Lead, standing by."

"Sigma Lead, you have point. Break and attack, the rest of us will follow your lead in. Hit him hard before he notices us."

[roll1]

- Make a hard advance?

[Balmas]

Getting even hotter.

The camera cuts to a cute little unicorn in a stasis pod somewhere. After finding out that meddling with the weather incautiously was causing temperature crashes and windstorms she tried to turn off as many functions as possible so she could work her way through them one by one. Just now she's noticing that without any wind or air circulation at all that little temperature number just keeps going up, up, up as Equestria becomes more and more like an easy-bake oven.

So her eyes are going wide and she's slamming on the brakes, except she doesn't know where the brakes are so she's just turning on as many things as possible before she accidentally roasts everypony.

I'm sure she's fine. I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm sure everything will be fine forever. Just... fine.

To those of you here now, most of the ponies cowed into submission by Sirocco just aren't getting up because of the heat. Soldiers out of the direct line of sight of Sirocco are taking off their armour because it is literally starting to burn them. What do you do?

Damn that little unicorn. She should know better than to screw around with complicated equipment like that.

As for what I'm going to do? Why should I do anything? Sirocco's troops aren't under my jurisdiction. Although, a hint of enhancing the mood might be necessary. "Melody, I'm going to have to cut you off. Thank you for your witness. And you!" She turned, one hoof pointing accusingly at a soldier halfway through removing armor. "I'd expect better from our military, especially when we are not sure when and where the next shot will hit. How can you expect to protect your ponies without protecting yourself?"

"Luckily, we won't need to, because I'm shortly going to be able to know who is responsible for this. Guards, keep everyone still. Somepony, I need a knife." It didn't matter, so long as it was sharp. As soon as she had one, she pricked a hoof, and began to draw in the sandy soil. The circle was intricate, impressive, and almost completely for show.

[Open Your Mind: 4,2, +3: [9] Which of the people here is responsible for the attack?]




<I am Chaser!> said Chaser proudly. <I once chased a deer all day. And then it fell in the river. And then I saw another deer and I chased it instead!>

<Deer? What are deer like? Do they talk too?>

[Deadly]

It took a little while as Starstruck let all this fall in to place in her mind and fit together with what she had seen and heard so far. A slight slump of her shoulders showed that she accepted what Rattle Tail was saying. It fit.

"So, this is all part of some elaborate payback plan of yours in which you eventually bring Juris Doctor down, together with whoever else was the one to issue Juris' orders." It was not a question, this was clearly just the obvious conclusion in Starstruck's eyes. Furthermore, she didn't seem to mind. Not only was she pretty fed up with Juris Doctor herself and would not mourn his passing but it was entirely logical to the way the world worked to her.

"Not exactly," Rattle Tail said and sat back down, looking up at the sky for a moment. Stars above, but it was hot! Even down here in the shade of all the trees. "Though it seems Juris Doctor is set in his ways and we're bound for conflict one way or the other. I told you the truth earlier, that if he had a genuine change, I would accept it, and him. Seems, however, that he won't change and is intent on being a thorn."

Rattle Tail honestly didn't seem like she would mourn him either, or stop you if you decided to kill him.

She wiped a bit of sweat off her brow. "When I was in Stars Above, my only concern was the present and future well-being of the Enclave and all within it. That hasn't changed, even now that there is no Enclave. The Fall has shown me many things, many mistakes and flaws among them. I can forgive a lot, but we need to do better.

"My plan and my intention is to take all under my wings and show them a better path, and together build a better future. Nothing less and nothing more." She paused, and in a moment of frankness added, "Though if those who brought me down refuses to see, I won't deny that I'll take some pleasure in showing them - again - how wrong they are."

[Elanorin]

"Not exactly," Rattle Tail said and sat back down, looking up at the sky for a moment. Stars above, but it was hot! Even down here in the shade of all the trees. "Though it seems Juris Doctor is set in his ways and we're bound for conflict one way or the other. I told you the truth earlier, that if he had a genuine change, I would accept it, and him. Seems, however, that he won't change and is intent on being a thorn."

Rattle Tail honestly didn't seem like she would mourn him either, or stop you if you decided to kill him.

She wiped a bit of sweat off her brow. "When I was in Stars Above, my only concern was the present and future well-being of the Enclave and all within it. That hasn't changed, even now that there is no Enclave. The Fall has shown me many things, many mistakes and flaws among them. I can forgive a lot, but we need to do better.

"My plan and my intention is to take all under my wings and show them a better path, and together build a better future. Nothing less and nothing more." She paused, and in a moment of frankness added, "Though if those who brought me down refuses to see, I won't deny that I'll take some pleasure in showing them - again - how wrong they are."

Starstruck's face softened in to a slight smile.

"I think, at last, Miss, you and I are starting to talk the same language," she said with a slight nod, pointing a hoof at Rattle Tail.

"I found Juris Doctor preaching your worship to all and sundry on the marketplace, sporting three eyes on his ugly mug. Was that your doing?"

[Thanqol]

"Maybe I should have opted for the neck-breaking." Silver stood and sweated thoughtfully under the trees for a while, watching the house. When he figured whoever was in there was virtually guaranteed to be watching, he trotted slowly to the door and simply knocked, although he did quickly hop back a strides in the hopes of avoiding a nerve gas welcome.

The pegasus wasn't sure what he was expecting to see when this pony opened the door. It wasn't like he had recognized her as his child when they had met at the bar. But maybe now that he knew, he could find some common ground. At least the overrunning town issue had been resolved.

The door opened with a wash of blue smoke to reveal a pony in a gas mask and a filthy hazmat suit. She had a wagon full of vials and bottles, and above her head floats a crown made of bone.

The moment you see it you receive a huge drug flashback; roll to open your brain.


Acting under fire to put out a fire.

[roll0]

So you start the avalanche going and, presto, it smothers the fires before it detonates the base. But then, uh, the avalanche keeps going. The base rumbles, totters, and the entire thing begins sliding rapidly down the mountainside towards the river in a great out-of-control pile of metal, rock and snow. What do you do?


As they winged low over the treetops, Sirocco turned on his comms.

"All squads, report in."

"Sigma Lead, standing by."

"Alpha Lead, standing by."

"Bravo Lead, standing by."

"Sigma Lead, you have point. Break and attack, the rest of us will follow your lead in. Hit him hard before he notices us."

[roll1]

- Make a hard advance?

So, just so you know, making a hard advance here means convincing your guys to swallow the fact that some of them are *for sure* going to die when they rush the dude with the RPG. Spending that hold doesn't mean that they'll do this without harm, it just means that they'll override their self preservation instincts on your orders.

Just want to be sure - there's enough ponies here to bring you a victory, but there are 100% going to be bodies as well. Is that what you want?


As for what I'm going to do? Why should I do anything? Sirocco's troops aren't under my jurisdiction. Although, a hint of enhancing the mood might be necessary. "Melody, I'm going to have to cut you off. Thank you for your witness. And you!" She turned, one hoof pointing accusingly at a soldier halfway through removing armor. "I'd expect better from our military, especially when we are not sure when and where the next shot will hit. How can you expect to protect your ponies without protecting yourself?"

"Luckily, we won't need to, because I'm shortly going to be able to know who is responsible for this. Guards, keep everyone still. Somepony, I need a knife." It didn't matter, so long as it was sharp. As soon as she had one, she pricked a hoof, and began to draw in the sandy soil. The circle was intricate, impressive, and almost completely for show.

[Open Your Mind: 4,2, +3: [9] Which of the people here is responsible for the attack?]

You see a dozen cockroaches swarm around the blood, armoured and radioactive and weathered. You see that one of the cockroaches has painted itself up as a bee, and another cockroach has painted itself up as a mockery of that first cockroach. You can see that the painted-up cockroach looking at itself in the reflection of the blood wistfully. You see it direct the other cockroaches towards the bee hive. You see its mocking ally looking at its exposed back murderously.

"Aw come on, Slick," said the soldier, "the only pony who ever been hurt since we landed here was when Sigma blew Apple Cart away. We're fine, and it's hot."


<Deer? What are deer like? Do they talk too?>

<Deer are fast but don't fly and they're made of meat> thought Chaser. <They sometimes say 'oh no stop biting me' but they have terrible accents.>


Starstruck's face softened in to a slight smile.

"I think, at last, Miss, you and I are starting to talk the same language," she said with a slight nod, pointing a hoof at Rattle Tail.

"I found Juris Doctor preaching your worship to all and sundry on the marketplace, sporting three eyes on his ugly mug. Was that your doing?"

You can hear the sound of Twofeather approaching at this point.

[Deadly]

Starstruck's face softened in to a slight smile.

"I think, at last, Miss, you and I are starting to talk the same language," she said with a slight nod, pointing a hoof at Rattle Tail.

"I found Juris Doctor preaching your worship to all and sundry on the marketplace, sporting three eyes on his ugly mug. Was that your doing?"

Rattle Tail took the hoof, well pleased. "In a manner of speaking. We relieved him of the burden of his outdated law books," she explained. "His ... conversion was an unintended side effect. Sadly, the experience didn't change his view, I'm given to believe."

She looked up when she heard Twofeather approach.

[Elanorin]

Rattle Tail took the hoof, well pleased. "In a manner of speaking. We relieved him of the burden of his outdated law books," she explained. "His ... conversion was an unintended side effect. Sadly, the experience didn't change his view, I'm given to believe."

She looked up when she heard Twofeather approach.

Starstruck nodded to Rattle Tail thoughtfully, her eyes watching the other pegasus with both interest and understanding as she nodded slightly to herself absentmindedly.

"I think the only thing to change Juris Doctor's views is a short drop and a sudden stop." Starstruck said and, noticing Rattle Tail's shift in attention, turned herself to see the approaching Twofeather. She eyed him head to hoof and gave him a nod in greeting.

"So, what did you do to become the Enclave's most wanted?"

[Balmas]

You see a dozen cockroaches swarm around the blood, armoured and radioactive and weathered. You see that one of the cockroaches has painted itself up as a bee, and another cockroach has painted itself up as a mockery of that first cockroach. You can see that the painted-up cockroach looking at itself in the reflection of the blood wistfully. You see it direct the other cockroaches towards the bee hive. You see its mocking ally looking at its exposed back murderously.

"Aw come on, Slick," said the soldier, "the only pony who ever been hurt since we landed here was when Sigma blew Apple Cart away. We're fine, and it's hot."

Well, that was a disturbing image, if there was one. Slick mulled it over, wiping away a bead of sweat off her forehead. Bugs disguising themselves as other bugs? Or... Oh. Oh, that was a problem.

"Wonderful news," the painted helmet announced. "We know who is responsible for the attack. I want to thank you all for being so patient in these difficult times, and I hope you all come to my "Things are safe again" party at Cloud Nine later tonight!"

<Sirocco, we have a problem. Do you still need me to help with that hellhound? I need to do some research and consultation.>



<Deer are fast but don't fly and they're made of meat> thought Chaser. <They sometimes say 'oh no stop biting me' but they have terrible accents.>


That shouldn't have made her laugh, but she still found herself chuckling. <I'd quite like to meet one. I don't suppose you know which way they usually run towards?>

[the_druid_droid]

The door opened with a wash of blue smoke to reveal a pony in a gas mask and a filthy hazmat suit. She had a wagon full of vials and bottles, and above her head floats a crown made of bone.

The moment you see it you receive a huge drug flashback; roll to open your brain

[Open Your Brain: 2d6-1 = 5. Hoo boy.]

Silver didn't manage to hop completely out of the way and sneezed violently as he inhaled a puff of blue smoke. He felt a distinctive tingle at the base of his skull and swore. "What was in that stuff...?"

[BlasTech]

So you start the avalanche going and, presto, it smothers the fires before it detonates the base. But then, uh, the avalanche keeps going. The base rumbles, totters, and the entire thing begins sliding rapidly down the mountainside towards the river in a great out-of-control pile of metal, rock and snow. What do you do?

What does she do? She stops the avalanche by power of amazingness!

... oh right, those mentats are still going aren't they?

Well, she still tries to stop, or at least redirect the avalanche. Ropes, cables, rocks, trees. Something that can be knocked down, strung up, directing the flow of snow away from their drinking supply and, preferably, to a more or less stop-pish condition.



So, just so you know, making a hard advance here means convincing your guys to swallow the fact that some of them are *for sure* going to die when they rush the dude with the RPG. Spending that hold doesn't mean that they'll do this without harm, it just means that they'll override their self preservation instincts on your orders.

Just want to be sure - there's enough ponies here to bring you a victory, but there are 100% going to be bodies as well. Is that what you want?

Not especially. For Sirocco, priority one is securing the base. Priority two is securing the town. As long as the Diamond Dog is trying for escape more than attack, neither priority is in danger and he'd be satisfied with his troops warding the thing away without taking casualties.

If it was actually heading for one or the other of those objectives, though, then it's hard attack. For the good of the settlement.


Rattle Tail took the hoof, well pleased. "In a manner of speaking. We relieved him of the burden of his outdated law books," she explained. "His ... conversion was an unintended side effect. Sadly, the experience didn't change his view, I'm given to believe."

She looked up when she heard Twofeather approach.

"Sis, are you okay?" said Twofeather, as he trotted up, looking worried.


Slick allowed her attention to wander over the crowd, only vaguely paying attention to the terrified blathering. There wasn't much substance to it, like a cruise ship made of tissue paper. Still, it must have some important information, like who was where when things went down. If nothing else, it would give her a clearer list of ponies to investigate.

On that note: <Not sure what's going on, right now. Looks like a Stars Above op. I'll need to push a bit deeper to get any dirt.>

[Oops, missed this bit]

<A Stars Above Op? On Twofeather?> replied Sirocco.



<Sirocco, we have a problem. Do you still need me to help with that hellhound? I need to do some research and consultation.>

<The Hellhound is on the move> replied Sirocco. <I'd have preferred to have your help on this, but we can handle the protection of the settlement.>

<If you're right about this being an intentional assassination attempt, I'd very much appreciate hearing anything you can find out about it.>

[Thanqol]

Well, that was a disturbing image, if there was one. Slick mulled it over, wiping away a bead of sweat off her forehead. Bugs disguising themselves as other bugs? Or... Oh. Oh, that was a problem.

"Wonderful news," the painted helmet announced. "We know who is responsible for the attack. I want to thank you all for being so patient in these difficult times, and I hope you all come to my "Things are safe again" party at Cloud Nine later tonight!"

This got an excited murmur, and ponies started standing up and brushing themselves down (and then shuffling off towards the river to cool down). Sure, things were weird and terrifying right now, but... a party!


That shouldn't have made her laugh, but she still found herself chuckling. <I'd quite like to meet one. I don't suppose you know which way they usually run towards?>

<They don't like the Queen, so they're in the forest where she is not> said Chaser.


[Open Your Brain: 2d6-1 = 5. Hoo boy.]

Silver didn't manage to hop completely out of the way and sneezed violently as he inhaled a puff of blue smoke. He felt a distinctive tingle at the base of his skull and swore. "What was in that stuff...?"

Tell me about the prison experiments. What do you remember? What was it like when everything worked perfectly?


What does she do? She stops the avalanche by power of amazingness!

... oh right, those mentats are still going aren't they?

Well, she still tries to stop, or at least redirect the avalanche. Ropes, cables, rocks, trees. Something that can be knocked down, strung up, directing the flow of snow away from their drinking supply and, preferably, to a more or less stop-pish condition.

This is several hundred tonnes of rock, snow and steel, stopping it is not within your capabilities, but I'd imagine stopping it from landing in the river and causing a massive flood might be. The cost of this is that you have to send it off a ravine into an ancillary gorge where the entire base crashes and then crumples on the stone below. It's pretty totally wrecked but dedicated excavation could still recover some hi-tech crap.


Not especially. For Sirocco, priority one is securing the base. Priority two is securing the town. As long as the Diamond Dog is trying for escape more than attack, neither priority is in danger and he'd be satisfied with his troops warding the thing away without taking casualties.

If it was actually heading for one or the other of those objectives, though, then it's hard attack. For the good of the settlement.

The Diamond Dog is angling for escape, and it vanishes under cover, rocket sled dragging the pile of explosives it stole from the base behind it. Once it is on soft earth and out of view it burrows into the dirt taking all its loot with it.

Your troops stand ready but the order doesn't come and they let the monster escape


"Sis, are you okay?" said Twofeather, as he trotted up, looking worried.

A pony was following behind Twofeather, perfectly matching his steps, silent as an owl descending. From the way it had been hunting it was invisible to Twofeather, but both Rattle Tail and Starstruck could see it clearly.

It accelerated, moving in rapidly with a knife before Twofeather could react. Rattle Tail and Starstruck each have the opportunity to do something before it strikes - though it seems to be counting on neither of them doing so, or on Starstruck stopping Rattle Tail from doing anything.

[BlasTech]

This is several hundred tonnes of rock, snow and steel, stopping it is not within your capabilities, but I'd imagine stopping it from landing in the river and causing a massive flood might be. The cost of this is that you have to send it off a ravine into an ancillary gorge where the entire base crashes and then crumples on the stone below. It's pretty totally wrecked but dedicated excavation could still recover some hi-tech crap.

Well, then. Town or Base ... A question as to which of his two priorities mattered most?

It was a tough decision. Or it would've been, had Sirocco's sense of duty not made it crystal clear.

Time to be a hero Skullcandy. It's off into the ravine for the base.



The Diamond Dog is angling for escape, and it vanishes under cover, rocket sled dragging the pile of explosives it stole from the base behind it. Once it is on soft earth and out of view it burrows into the dirt taking all its loot with it.

Your troops stand ready but the order doesn't come and they let the monster escape

"Stand down troops, he's gone." said Sirocco.

"We've got other work that needs doing."

[Balmas]

This got an excited murmur, and ponies started standing up and brushing themselves down (and then shuffling off towards the river to cool down). Sure, things were weird and terrifying right now, but... a party!



<They don't like the Queen, so they're in the forest where she is not> said Chaser.

Well, with the emergency immediately past, that meant there was only one thing left to do. Slick patted a few ponies, you know, offer a reassuring hoof. Then, with that done, she headed towards the office.

The Office may have been a generous name for it. Really, it was just a hole in the wall of a canyon that happened to be dryer than the rest of the cave. Still, it was good enough for a base. "Mom? We need to talk."

[the_druid_droid]

Tell me about the prison experiments. What do you remember? What was it like when everything worked perfectly?

Well, perfection is in the eye of the beholder. For the researchers at the prison, perfect must have meant promising results. Although it's hard for Silver to recall everything, it seems like they usually dosed him and hooked him up to big beeping, humming machines. Then they would ask him nonsense questions, things about the future and the past or about what was written on the other side of big beige cards, or what number somepony was thinking of.

When he was having a good day, the drugs just made him feel fuzzy, like the edges of everything in the world were melting together and the barriers in his head were starting to slip. Most of the time after those days, the researchers would stand around and whisper to each other, looking over at the beeping machines and occasionally the pegasus himself.

On the bad days, the nighmares would come back, or they would decide do something more invasive. They at least had the decency to put him under for that, but as a result he's still not really sure what might have happened while he was out.

[Deadly]

A pony was following behind Twofeather, perfectly matching his steps, silent as an owl descending. From the way it had been hunting it was invisible to Twofeather, but both Rattle Tail and Starstruck could see it clearly.

It accelerated, moving in rapidly with a knife before Twofeather could react. Rattle Tail and Starstruck each have the opportunity to do something before it strikes - though it seems to be counting on neither of them doing so, or on Starstruck stopping Rattle Tail from doing anything.

Rattle Tail jumped up and moved swiftly to get herself in between Twofeather and the would-be assassin, staring defiantly at the knife-wielding pony. "Anypony going to kill my brother, it'll be me," she said.

Act under Fire, I would guess?

Edit: Actually, no, let me make that a Seize by Force. Rattle Tail is seizing the assassin's knife.

Seize: 6+3-1 = 8

I take definite hold of it, and suffer little harm

[Elanorin]

A pony was following behind Twofeather, perfectly matching his steps, silent as an owl descending. From the way it had been hunting it was invisible to Twofeather, but both Rattle Tail and Starstruck could see it clearly.

It accelerated, moving in rapidly with a knife before Twofeather could react. Rattle Tail and Starstruck each have the opportunity to do something before it strikes - though it seems to be counting on neither of them doing so, or on Starstruck stopping Rattle Tail from doing anything.


Rattle Tail jumped up and moved swiftly to get herself in between Twofeather and the would-be assassin, staring defiantly at the knife-wielding pony. "Anypony going to kill my brother, it'll be me," she said.

Act under Fire, I would guess?

Edit: Actually, no, let me make that a Seize by Force. Rattle Tail is seizing the assassin's knife.

Seize: 6+3-1 = 8

I take definite hold of it, and suffer little harm

Starstruck saw the approaching pony but didn't let on that she had in any way. She didn't recognise the pony but she knew who it was. She glanced hesitantly towards Rattle Tail, her words had gotten under her skin enough to cause her to hesitate against her usual instinct to attack her the instant she moved to protect her brother.

Instead she remained where she stood, watching events unfold, pensively, but keeping a close tab on Twofeather should he try to bolt.

[Thanqol]

Well, then. Town or Base ... A question as to which of his two priorities mattered most?

It was a tough decision. Or it would've been, had Sirocco's sense of duty not made it crystal clear.

Time to be a hero Skullcandy. It's off into the ravine for the base.

What I'm saying is, there's tonnes and tonnes of rock and snow on top of that base. The dangerous part is over. Now you need a lot of ponies hauling rocks if you want to get valuables out.


"Stand down troops, he's gone." said Sirocco.

"We've got other work that needs doing."

"Sir," said Sarge, "Where to?"


Well, with the emergency immediately past, that meant there was only one thing left to do. Slick patted a few ponies, you know, offer a reassuring hoof. Then, with that done, she headed towards the office.

The Office may have been a generous name for it. Really, it was just a hole in the wall of a canyon that happened to be dryer than the rest of the cave. Still, it was good enough for a base. "Mom? We need to talk."

Quick Dart is hauling boxes out of the wall-hole when you find her. "Slick. Good. Grab boxes, we're moving somewhere much better," she says.


Well, perfection is in the eye of the beholder. For the researchers at the prison, perfect must have meant promising results. Although it's hard for Silver to recall everything, it seems like they usually dosed him and hooked him up to big beeping, humming machines. Then they would ask him nonsense questions, things about the future and the past or about what was written on the other side of big beige cards, or what number somepony was thinking of.

When he was having a good day, the drugs just made him feel fuzzy, like the edges of everything in the world were melting together and the barriers in his head were starting to slip. Most of the time after those days, the researchers would stand around and whisper to each other, looking over at the beeping machines and occasionally the pegasus himself.

On the bad days, the nighmares would come back, or they would decide do something more invasive. They at least had the decency to put him under for that, but as a result he's still not really sure what might have happened while he was out.

You see the Crown of Bone reach down with a tendril made out of spinal chords and snap Life Flight's neck.

Time blurs backwards.

You see the Crown of Bone stab her through the eye with a sharpened femur.

Time blurs backwards.

You see the Crown of Bone rip her skull out of her body.

Time blurs backwards.

Again and again you see it kill her, swiftly, brutally, with no chance for you to react.

Time blurs backwards.

The skeletal talon of a gryphon emerges from the mess of the crown and it points. You. Go Away.

The pony in the gas mask is looking at you, not recognizing you through the smoke and filters.

What do you do?


Rattle Tail jumped up and moved swiftly to get herself in between Twofeather and the would-be assassin, staring defiantly at the knife-wielding pony. "Anypony going to kill my brother, it'll be me," she said.

Act under Fire, I would guess?

Edit: Actually, no, let me make that a Seize by Force. Rattle Tail is seizing the assassin's knife.

Seize: 6+3-1 = 8

I take definite hold of it, and suffer little harm

So you headbutt it and it drops the knife, which you pick up, but while you're distracted it does something weird: it bites you. Its fangs - fangs! - sink into your neck and you can feel poison pulse into your veins, and it kicks you in the side to knock you over and comes at Twofeather again. This pony could be any pony; it's a generic, on-model, pink and grey background pony.

So that's 2 harm, less one for suffering little harm, less any armour you might be wearing (though I don't think you do). If Rattle Tail wants to act the poison is a paralytic, so she's her acting under fire, but she has the knife now. Twofeather, you've also got a chance to do something, but Starstruck is right there.

[the_druid_droid]

You see the Crown of Bone reach down with a tendril made out of spinal chords and snap Life Flight's neck.

Time blurs backwards.

You see the Crown of Bone stab her through the eye with a sharpened femur.

Time blurs backwards.

You see the Crown of Bone rip her skull out of her body.

Time blurs backwards.

Again and again you see it kill her, swiftly, brutally, with no chance for you to react.

Time blurs backwards.

The skeletal talon of a gryphon emerges from the mess of the crown and it points. You. Go Away.

The pony in the gas mask is looking at you, not recognizing you through the smoke and filters.

What do you do?

No. Just no. Silver was done with crazy visions of flying sky monsters doing anything. He did not need to be deciding whether or not an acid trip come to life might possibly dismember his maybe-daughter in front of his eyes. What he needed was to get back to work and make some nice, simple bits. He had an architect to see, dammit.

The pegasus just shook his head and turned away. It had been a mistake to come out here anyway. "You're all f*cking crazy!"

[Deadly]

So you headbutt it and it drops the knife, which you pick up, but while you're distracted it does something weird: it bites you. Its fangs - fangs! - sink into your neck and you can feel poison pulse into your veins, and it kicks you in the side to knock you over and comes at Twofeather again. This pony could be any pony; it's a generic, on-model, pink and grey background pony.

So that's 2 harm, less one for suffering little harm, less any armour you might be wearing (though I don't think you do). If Rattle Tail wants to act the poison is a paralytic, so she's her acting under fire, but she has the knife now. Twofeather, you've also got a chance to do something, but Starstruck is right there.

Rattle Tail shook her head in an attempt to clear it long enough to do what she needed doing. Not bothering to stand back up, she grabbed the knife firmly and with intent. One might expect her to jump at the assassin's back with the knife, but if one thought so, then one didn't understand a pony who had never thought very much like other ponies. Rattle Tail had taken the knife for a very different purpose, in fact. Now she forced herself to lift it and, as she focused all her mind on the feeling of the poison streaming through her veins, she stuck out her tongue and drove the sharp blade straight through the soft muscle.

Her thoughts raced with the poison through the hole she'd made in herself ...

Thoughts of holes and poison.

Act under Fire: 1+6+1 = 8

To Open my Brain: 5+4+3 = 12

Question: How can I control this creature?

[Balmas]

Quick Dart is hauling boxes out of the wall-hole when you find her. "Slick. Good. Grab boxes, we're moving somewhere much better," she says.

Slick dutifully grabbed a crate and balanced it on her back. "Sure thing, Mom. D'you mind if we walk and talk? See, I need to know what Stars Above knows about changelings."

[BlasTech]

What I'm saying is, there's tonnes and tonnes of rock and snow on top of that base. The dangerous part is over. Now you need a lot of ponies hauling rocks if you want to get valuables out.

Woo! The Great and Powerful Skullcandy saves the day! Let there be much rejoicing!

In fact, now was the perfect time for a victory dance.



"Sir," said Sarge, "Where to?"

"Post Bravo to secure the wreckage, we'll start sifting through it when we get back. For now, assemble Alpha and Sigma, we're going to ... to go see the Skullmaster." said Sirocco, his words hitching for only a moment.

"And somepony please collect our drugged up grounder too" he sighed, looking up at where Skullcandy was doing moonwalks in the air.

When they were assembled, Sirocco led them out across the forest. The chosen path, ostensibly following Skullcandy's lead, would lead the group over the top of where Twofeather was fighting.



So you headbutt it and it drops the knife, which you pick up, but while you're distracted it does something weird: it bites you. Its fangs - fangs! - sink into your neck and you can feel poison pulse into your veins, and it kicks you in the side to knock you over and comes at Twofeather again. This pony could be any pony; it's a generic, on-model, pink and grey background pony.

So that's 2 harm, less one for suffering little harm, less any armour you might be wearing (though I don't think you do). If Rattle Tail wants to act the poison is a paralytic, so she's her acting under fire, but she has the knife now. Twofeather, you've also got a chance to do something, but Starstruck is right there.

"Hey! Get the hell away from my sister!!" Twofeather yelled, dropping his shoulder and charging the assassin.

[Going aggro?] [roll0]

[Elanorin]

"Hey! Get the hell away from my sister!!" Twofeather yelled, dropping his shoulder and charging the assassin.

[Going aggro?] [roll0]

"Whoa, there, Captain Popular. Stop." Starstruck, having been expecting some kind of rash reaction from Twofeather instantly reached to snatch a firm hold of Twofeather's tail as he charged at the nondescript pony.

With a tiny gesture, little more than a glance, she indicated for Glitch to stand down.

[Rolling to Interfere with Twofeather's attack: 2d6+1=12]

[Thanqol]

No. Just no. Silver was done with crazy visions of flying sky monsters doing anything. He did not need to be deciding whether or not an acid trip come to life might possibly dismember his maybe-daughter in front of his eyes. What he needed was to get back to work and make some nice, simple bits. He had an architect to see, dammit.

The pegasus just shook his head and turned away. It had been a mistake to come out here anyway. "You're all f*cking crazy!"

Huh, all right. So that's how far family goes for Quicksilver, huh?

Life Flight doesn't go after you. You have a long and lonely walk back to the camp.


Rattle Tail shook her head in an attempt to clear it long enough to do what she needed doing. Not bothering to stand back up, she grabbed the knife firmly and with intent. One might expect her to jump at the assassin's back with the knife, but if one thought so, then one didn't understand a pony who had never thought very much like other ponies. Rattle Tail had taken the knife for a very different purpose, in fact. Now she forced herself to lift it and, as she focused all her mind on the feeling of the poison streaming through her veins, she stuck out her tongue and drove the sharp blade straight through the soft muscle.

Her thoughts raced with the poison through the hole she'd made in herself ...

Thoughts of holes and poison.

Act under Fire: 1+6+1 = 8

To Open my Brain: 5+4+3 = 12

Question: How can I control this creature?

So you do this but you stab yourself and it's worse than you thought it'd be, take another 1-harm to make it happen.

Obedience comes easily to creatures like this. It responds to power; raw, hard, temporal power. It will not serve the weak and it will not serve the absent strong. As long as it is receiving commands from Starstruck it will be beyond your power, and as with Starstruck as with Haze.


"Hey! Get the hell away from my sister!!" Twofeather yelled, dropping his shoulder and charging the assassin.

[Going aggro?] [roll0]


"Whoa, there, Captain Popular. Stop." Starstruck, having been expecting some kind of rash reaction from Twofeather instantly reached to snatch a firm hold of Twofeather's tail as he charged at the nondescript pony.

With a tiny gesture, little more than a glance, she indicated for Glitch to stand down.

[Rolling to Interfere with Twofeather's attack: 2d6+1=12]

The strange pony spat some blood, snarled at Twofeather - and then turned and stalked away into the forest, leaving the three of you alone again. What do you do?


Slick dutifully grabbed a crate and balanced it on her back. "Sure thing, Mom. D'you mind if we walk and talk? See, I need to know what Stars Above knows about changelings."

"Changelings? Why do you ask?" says your mother and would you like to roll to read a pony?


"Post Bravo to secure the wreckage, we'll start sifting through it when we get back. For now, assemble Alpha and Sigma, we're going to ... to go see the Skullmaster." said Sirocco, his words hitching for only a moment.

"And somepony please collect our drugged up grounder too" he sighed, looking up at where Skullcandy was doing moonwalks in the air.

When they were assembled, Sirocco led them out across the forest. The chosen path, ostensibly following Skullcandy's lead, would lead the group over the top of where Twofeather was fighting.

You arrive there in fairly short order, but not before the assassin has vanished into the trees again. There's also a lot of ponies coming with you so the others will have some warning of your arrival.

[Balmas]

"Changelings? Why do you ask?" says your mother and would you like to roll to read a pony?

I absolutely would. I'm not going to say that Mom is the kind to lie to her children, but I can remember at least a few times where she's misdirected fairly expertly.

[Um. 6,6, +1, 13. I actually kind of expected to fail this roll. But I'll take Hold 3.]

"I have reasonable suspicion that there is at least one changeling in camp," Slick said, adjusting a box. "And he... she? It? Tried to assassinate a high-profile political figure. Thing is, changelings don't tend to operate alone. I need to know everything I can if I want to find them out. You know, grouping, habits, modus operandi... Where are we going with these boxes again?"

[BlasTech]

"Whoa, there, Captain Popular. Stop." Starstruck, having been expecting some kind of rash reaction from Twofeather instantly reached to snatch a firm hold of Twofeather's tail as he charged at the nondescript pony.

With a tiny gesture, little more than a glance, she indicated for Glitch to stand down.

[Rolling to Interfere with Twofeather's attack: 2d6+1=12]


The strange pony spat some blood, snarled at Twofeather - and then turned and stalked away into the forest, leaving the three of you alone again. What do you do?

"Hey! What the hell Starstruck?!?" yelled Twofeather, as he found himself restrained. By the time he yanked his tail out of Starstruck's mouth, the strange pony had fled. Pissed, he hurried over to Rattle Tail, looking over her protectively.

"Are you okay sis?" he asked, genuine worry in his face. "Did she bite you? What the f**k?!"



You arrive there in fairly short order, but not before the assassin has vanished into the trees again. There's also a lot of ponies coming with you so the others will have some warning of your arrival.

Above the other three, nearly thirty pegasi flitted above the treetops. They didn't stop, passing by on their way off to go see the Skullmaster.

Alpha was the honour guard. Sigma the quiet backup, in case things went wrong.

[Deadly]

So you do this but you stab yourself and it's worse than you thought it'd be, take another 1-harm to make it happen.

This'll teach me to handle knives while almost paralyzed with poison. Or maybe it won't


Obedience comes easily to creatures like this. It responds to power; raw, hard, temporal power. It will not serve the weak and it will not serve the absent strong. As long as it is receiving commands from Starstruck it will be beyond your power, and as with Starstruck as with Haze.

So no weird magic way? Maybe for the best.


"Hey! What the hell Starstruck?!?" yelled Twofeather, as he found himself restrained. By the time he yanked his tail out of Starstruck's mouth, the strange pony had fled. Pissed, he hurried over to Rattle Tail, looking over her protectively.

"Are you okay sis?" he asked, genuine worry in his face. "Did she bite you? What the f**k?!"

"Easy, brother," Rattle Tail did her best to say, after spitting out some blood. She was obviously poisoned and a bit loopy as a result. "Just a little bite."

[Thanqol]

I absolutely would. I'm not going to say that Mom is the kind to lie to her children, but I can remember at least a few times where she's misdirected fairly expertly.

[Um. 6,6, +1, 13. I actually kind of expected to fail this roll. But I'll take Hold 3.]

"I have reasonable suspicion that there is at least one changeling in camp," Slick said, adjusting a box. "And he... she? It? Tried to assassinate a high-profile political figure. Thing is, changelings don't tend to operate alone. I need to know everything I can if I want to find them out. You know, grouping, habits, modus operandi... Where are we going with these boxes again?"

"There's this big metal statue of Nightmare Moon up on this opposite ridge," said Quick Dart. "It seemed both terrifying and a perfect place for Stars Above to build a hideout. Uh, Changelings. What makes you say Changelings, specifically? There are all kinds of shapeshifters and weird crap down here on the surface."


So no weird magic way? Maybe for the best.

There's absolutely a weird magic way but it's not available to you.

[BlasTech]

"Easy, brother," Rattle Tail did her best to say, after spitting out some blood. She was obviously poisoned and a bit loopy as a result. "Just a little bite."

"... it looks worse than that. You look a bit out of it." replied Twofeather, eying the dagger. "Oh skies, I hope there wasn't anything on that thing ..."

He tried to help Rattle Tail to her hooves, trying to get her to follow along behind him.

"C'mon, you need a doctor. I know a guy who knows a guy. He'll fix you up."

[Balmas]

"There's this big metal statue of Nightmare Moon up on this opposite ridge," said Quick Dart. "It seemed both terrifying and a perfect place for Stars Above to build a hideout. Uh, Changelings. What makes you say Changelings, specifically? There are all kinds of shapeshifters and weird crap down here on the surface."

"Huh. A statue of Nightmare Moon may not exactly project the friendliest, 'We are here to protect you' vibe that we want, doncha think?" Mentally, Slick filed away a note to examine why, exactly, there was a statue of Nightmare Moon at all. "As for why changelings... Well, at this point, I'm operating mostly off intuition, admittedly. When I examined the good ponies right after the assassination attempt, I used a bit of sanguimancy to see if I could see who did it. No direct clues, except a vision of cockroaches disguising themselves as bees to infiltrate a hive."

Slick's voice faltered slightly as she tapped her chin, but then she soldiered on. "Although a bit vague, it indicates at least two shapeshifters have infiltrated our little hive. Insectoid tips me to think that it's probably changelings. After all, I bet you'd be hard pressed to name more than five different kinds of shapeshifters, and among those, how many actively are insectoid and hide among pony settlements?"

[the_druid_droid]

As Quicksilver turned to go, a thought struck him. The flying thing had threatened to kill her if he didn't leave. At least, that was what his drugged-out brain was seizing on. But it hadn't said anything about talking to her on the way out...

Hooray for vague contracts.

"Hey, gas-mask! Long story short - we need to talk sometime. Find me at Cloud 9. Also, that bony thing floating around your head might be planning to kill you eventually. Watch your back!" All this was said with his back to the Queen and no way to tell what she was thinking, but Silver hoped the mare would listen.

[Elanorin]

"Hey! What the hell Starstruck?!?" yelled Twofeather, as he found himself restrained. By the time he yanked his tail out of Starstruck's mouth, the strange pony had fled. Pissed, he hurried over to Rattle Tail, looking over her protectively.

"Are you okay sis?" he asked, genuine worry in his face. "Did she bite you? What the f**k?!"



This'll teach me to handle knives while almost paralyzed with poison. Or maybe it won't

"Easy, brother," Rattle Tail did her best to say, after spitting out some blood. She was obviously poisoned and a bit loopy as a result. "Just a little bite."


"... it looks worse than that. You look a bit out of it." replied Twofeather, eying the dagger. "Oh skies, I hope there wasn't anything on that thing ..."

He tried to help Rattle Tail to her hooves, trying to get her to follow along behind him.

"C'mon, you need a doctor. I know a guy who knows a guy. He'll fix you up."

"I'll do it." Starstruck said, her voice raised just enough to carry with ease over to the brother and sister. She hadn't moved save for removing the odd stray tail hair from her mouth.

"In exchange for some private alone-time with you, Twofeather."

[Thanqol]

"Huh. A statue of Nightmare Moon may not exactly project the friendliest, 'We are here to protect you' vibe that we want, doncha think?" Mentally, Slick filed away a note to examine why, exactly, there was a statue of Nightmare Moon at all. "As for why changelings... Well, at this point, I'm operating mostly off intuition, admittedly. When I examined the good ponies right after the assassination attempt, I used a bit of sanguimancy to see if I could see who did it. No direct clues, except a vision of cockroaches disguising themselves as bees to infiltrate a hive."

Slick's voice faltered slightly as she tapped her chin, but then she soldiered on. "Although a bit vague, it indicates at least two shapeshifters have infiltrated our little hive. Insectoid tips me to think that it's probably changelings. After all, I bet you'd be hard pressed to name more than five different kinds of shapeshifters, and among those, how many actively are insectoid and hide among pony settlements?"

"You're right," said Quick Dart after a long moment. "We all knew we'd have no idea what to expect down here on the surface, and if there are Changeling scouts we need to find out about them. I can put Stars Above on overwatch but, Slick, this is the real reason we keep ponies like you on payroll. Changelings can fool sight but they can't fool you. This is your op, you're in charge," traditionally the agent who begins the op remains in charge of the op, but Quick Dart still could have taken it from you if she wanted. This is a vote of confidence (or a way to keep an eye on you depending on how paranoid you feel).

"Frankly, we know little about Changelings or how the surface might have changed them," said Quick Dart, "and 200-year old intel is probably more misleading than helpful."


As Quicksilver turned to go, a thought struck him. The flying thing had threatened to kill her if he didn't leave. At least, that was what his drugged-out brain was seizing on. But it hadn't said anything about talking to her on the way out...

Hooray for vague contracts.

"Hey, gas-mask! Long story short - we need to talk sometime. Find me at Cloud 9. Also, that bony thing floating around your head might be planning to kill you eventually. Watch your back!" All this was said with his back to the Queen and no way to tell what she was thinking, but Silver hoped the mare would listen.

You get the feeling that the crown didn't like that, but it wasn't quite prepared to kill Life Flight over it. Either way, you leave before a reply comes. Hopefully you'll see her around.

So what do you do? Your drug flashbacks are either getting worse, or else there really are terrifying disembodied constructs of bones and organs manipulating ponies. How do you cope with this information?

[Deadly]

Rattle Tail stood up, accepting Twofeather's help. "I need to get in touch with my followers," she said, speaking carefully as if each word was interspersed with silent thoughts. This seemed to have priority to her. Going to the doctor ... less priority. Her eyes drifted to Starstruck when she made her offer, trying to read her intentions. She looked at Twofeather and said, "up to you."

Read a Pony: 1+1+0 = 2

Woo, snake eyes

[Balmas]

"You're right," said Quick Dart after a long moment. "We all knew we'd have no idea what to expect down here on the surface, and if there are Changeling scouts we need to find out about them. I can put Stars Above on overwatch but, Slick, this is the real reason we keep ponies like you on payroll. Changelings can fool sight but they can't fool you. This is your op, you're in charge," traditionally the agent who begins the op remains in charge of the op, but Quick Dart still could have taken it from you if she wanted. This is a vote of confidence (or a way to keep an eye on you depending on how paranoid you feel).

"Frankly, we know little about Changelings or how the surface might have changed them," said Quick Dart, "and 200-year old intel is probably more misleading than helpful."

I'm probably going to regret having to ask this, but is Quick Dart telling the truth about this?

Still, true or not, Slick bumped against her mother and gave her a little nuzzle. "I appreciate that, Mom. I'll do my best; probably start by getting the ponies in that group alone one at a time, see if I can't bully a bit of a confession out of one. It'll take time, but..."

Slick stopped, mid sentence, like somepony had cut her vocal cords. "Mom, I think we might have a problem in Stars Above. When I found out about the changelings, Weather Balloon signalled me that the assassination was an SA op." She shuddered a bit. "That means that somebody in Stars Above is working with the Changelings."

[BlasTech]

"I'll do it." Starstruck said, her voice raised just enough to carry with ease over to the brother and sister. She hadn't moved save for removing the odd stray tail hair from her mouth.

"In exchange for some private alone-time with you, Twofeather."

"Yeah ... thanks but no thanks." replied Twofeather. "I think I've had enough 'help' from you today"


Rattle Tail stood up, accepting Twofeather's help. "I need to get in touch with my followers," she said, speaking carefully as if each word was interspersed with silent thoughts. This seemed to have priority to her. Going to the doctor ... less priority. Her eyes drifted to Starstruck when she made her offer, trying to read her intentions. She looked at Twofeather and said, "up to you."

Read a Pony: 1+1+0 = 2

Woo, snake eyes

"I'll get the guy to meet us there then?" said Twofeather, turning back to his main concern. "Either way, you're getting checked out if I have to drag you there myself."

[Elanorin]

"Yeah ... thanks but no thanks." replied Twofeather. "I think I've had enough 'help' from you today"


"Yes, you have," Starstruck said, with a frustrated huff. "I'm inclined to stop helping but your sister here is good with words and... other more disturbing things... so I'm going to give you a chance to say your part. But I'm not a patient pony and, really, I'm much better at killing than listening, so I recommend you use small words; why am I up to my ears in contracts to kill you? Who are you? Really?"

[Rolling to Read A Pony on Twofeather: 2d6+1=8; 1 Hold]

[the_druid_droid]

You get the feeling that the crown didn't like that, but it wasn't quite prepared to kill Life Flight over it. Either way, you leave before a reply comes. Hopefully you'll see her around.

So what do you do? Your drug flashbacks are either getting worse, or else there really are terrifying disembodied constructs of bones and organs manipulating ponies. How do you cope with this information?

Good. He didn't much like the Crown, truth be told. But was he getting worked up for no good reason, and really just talking to himself? As strange as it was to think it, he hoped so. Not that hope had done much for him in the past.

If there was weird sh*t going on, he needed to find a pony who specialized in it. Luckily for him, his cousin fit the bill and should be coming to visit Cloud 9 soon. Maybe Slick could give him some insight about whatever might be happening. Or at least help him detox.

[Thanqol]

Rattle Tail stood up, accepting Twofeather's help. "I need to get in touch with my followers," she said, speaking carefully as if each word was interspersed with silent thoughts. This seemed to have priority to her. Going to the doctor ... less priority. Her eyes drifted to Starstruck when she made her offer, trying to read her intentions. She looked at Twofeather and said, "up to you."

Read a Pony: 1+1+0 = 2

Woo, snake eyes

So, hey, does anypony remember when Starstruck said she's come down with some sort of terrible grounder sickness? Well you're standing right next to her with an open wound. Congratulations! You are now barf buddies. Sick sisters. Illness allies. Infection affections. I'll stop now.

Symptoms include nausea, feathers rotting, loss of flight capability, general unpleasantness. Going to the doctor... more priority.


I'm probably going to regret having to ask this, but is Quick Dart telling the truth about this?

Half truths all the way. When she said "we don't know anything about changelings on the surface*" you could hear the disclaimer asterisk. She is open to the possibility that this is surface changelings, and legit wants to find out if it is, but she's not telling you everything by a long shot.


Still, true or not, Slick bumped against her mother and gave her a little nuzzle. "I appreciate that, Mom. I'll do my best; probably start by getting the ponies in that group alone one at a time, see if I can't bully a bit of a confession out of one. It'll take time, but..."

Slick stopped, mid sentence, like somepony had cut her vocal cords. "Mom, I think we might have a problem in Stars Above. When I found out about the changelings, Weather Balloon signalled me that the assassination was an SA op." She shuddered a bit. "That means that somebody in Stars Above is working with the Changelings."

"Does it?" said Quick Dart skeptically. "Don't enter an investigation, let alone an investigation into possible Changelings, start from a place where you're making assumptions. You search for a narrative and you'll find it, let alone when looking into a crew as weird and well travelled as Sigma. Maybe Sigma is using a mind-controlled Changeling assassin to do their dirty work. Relax, take a step back, investigate according to your training."


Good. He didn't much like the Crown, truth be told. But was he getting worked up for no good reason, and really just talking to himself? As strange as it was to think it, he hoped so. Not that hope had done much for him in the past.

If there was weird sh*t going on, he needed to find a pony who specialized in it. Luckily for him, his cousin fit the bill and should be coming to visit Cloud 9 soon. Maybe Slick could give him some insight about whatever might be happening. Or at least help him detox.

You catch Slick and her mother hauling boxes across town on your way back. The neon pink is hard to miss.

[Deadly]

So, hey, does anypony remember when Starstruck said she's come down with some sort of terrible grounder sickness? Well you're standing right next to her with an open wound. Congratulations! You are now barf buddies. Sick sisters. Illness allies. Infection affections. I'll stop now.

Symptoms include nausea, feathers rotting, loss of flight capability, general unpleasantness. Going to the doctor... more priority.

Yay?


"Yes, you have," Starstruck said, with a frustrated huff. "I'm inclined to stop helping but your sister here is good with words and... other more disturbing things... so I'm going to give you a chance to say your part. But I'm not a patient pony and, really, I'm much better at killing than listening, so I recommend you use small words; why am I up to my ears in contracts to kill you? Who are you? Really?"

[Rolling to Read A Pony on Twofeather: 2d6+1=8; 1 Hold]

"Starstruck has shown willingness to reason," Rattle Tail said while trying not to barf ... or pass out. Or pass out and barf. Poison and sickness? Lovely. "And the way you're being hunted, I think you should think carefully about turning her away. Don't think the assassins will just give up."

[the_druid_droid]

"Oh, hey cuz! Got a minute to talk? I think I found a problem that's right up your alley." Despite the intentional calmness in his voice, Silver was jittery around the edges. He was still coming down from the drugs, even after walking most of the way back to town to find Slick.

[BlasTech]

"Yes, you have," Starstruck said, with a frustrated huff. "I'm inclined to stop helping but your sister here is good with words and... other more disturbing things... so I'm going to give you a chance to say your part. But I'm not a patient pony and, really, I'm much better at killing than listening, so I recommend you use small words; why am I up to my ears in contracts to kill you? Who are you? Really?"

[Rolling to Read A Pony on Twofeather: 2d6+1=8; 1 Hold]

Twofeather glanced back at her a second time, face going slack as he took a longer look. It was as if he was coming to terms with the threat she posed for the first time.

Reading a pony. [roll0]



"Starstruck has shown willingness to reason," Rattle Tail said while trying not to barf ... or pass out. Or pass out and barf. Poison and sickness? Lovely. "And the way you're being hunted, I think you should think carefully about turning her away. Don't think the assassins will just give up."

Twofeather looked as if he'd been about to say something sharp when Rattle Tail spoke. Instead, he shrugged.

"There's any number of reasons a pony might want me dead. Crossed their family, took out their business interests. Or maybe they just don't like a challenger, somepony getting a bit too ahead of their station." he said, tugging his jacket at the last. "Now that we're down here on the ground, maybe they think they can get away with sh*t like that."

"Having ponies trying to kill you doesn't mean much. It just means you're successful. Why, who's been trying to get me whacked?"

[Balmas]

Half truths all the way. When she said "we don't know anything about changelings on the surface*" you could hear the disclaimer asterisk. She is open to the possibility that this is surface changelings, and legit wants to find out if it is, but she's not telling you everything by a long shot.

That's disappointing. Not unexpected, but disappointing nonetheless. How can I get her to tell me the full truth?


"Does it?" said Quick Dart skeptically. "Don't enter an investigation, let alone an investigation into possible Changelings, start from a place where you're making assumptions. You search for a narrative and you'll find it, let alone when looking into a crew as weird and well travelled as Sigma. Maybe Sigma is using a mind-controlled Changeling assassin to do their dirty work. Relax, take a step back, investigate according to your training."

"Maybe so, but that hypothesis assumes that A) Sigma knows where a changeling is, B) they know how to mind-control one, and C) they somehow don't want to do the dirty work themselves." Slick sighed, scanning the horizon for Nightmare Moon's pointy head. "I suppose it's a possibility, but not entirely likely in my mind. I'd have to check the books to figure it out. Anything else you can suggest for dealing with Changelings?"


You catch Slick and her mother hauling boxes across town on your way back. The neon pink is hard to miss.

"Oh, hey cuz! Got a minute to talk? I think I found a problem that's right up your alley." Despite the intentional calmness in his voice, Silver was jittery around the edges. He was still coming down from the drugs, even after walking most of the way back to town to find Slick.

"Oh, hey Silver! You got my message right? Is that to do with this?"

[Deadly]

Rattle Tail sat down and wrapped her tail around herself as she looked between the two. Though she was eager to get to her followers, she wasn't about to leave her brother out of sight until some measure of safety seemed certain. For now, sitting and watching was just about what she could manage ... and she was rather curious who wanted her brother dead and why.

[Elanorin]

Twofeather glanced back at her a second time, face going slack as he took a longer look. It was as if he was coming to terms with the threat she posed for the first time.

Twofeather looked as if he'd been about to say something sharp when Rattle Tail spoke. Instead, he shrugged.

"There's any number of reasons a pony might want me dead. Crossed their family, took out their business interests. Or maybe they just don't like a challenger, somepony getting a bit too ahead of their station." he said, tugging his jacket at the last. "Now that we're down here on the ground, maybe they think they can get away with sh*t like that."

"Having ponies trying to kill you doesn't mean much. It just means you're successful. Why, who's been trying to get me whacked?"

"Mm, yes. Perhaps you might want to reconsider getting involved in high profile ventures," Starstruck suggested. "Still, there are several successful ponies around and none seem half as unpopular as you," Starstruck said. "Though Sirocco should probably sleep with an eye open," she added, half under her breath.

"Is it true you have designs on taking power of this camp?" She asked, sidestepping the naming of names.

[Deadly]

"Mm, yes. Perhaps you might want to reconsider getting involved in high profile ventures," Starstruck suggested. "Still, there are several successful ponies around and none seem half as unpopular as you," Starstruck said. "Though Sirocco should probably sleep with an eye open," she added, half under her breath.

"Is it true you have designs on taking power of this camp?" She asked, sidestepping the naming of names.

No pony had mentioned Rattle Tail and her plans for power yet, and right now Rattle Tail wasn't about to be the first. Not before she had a chance to talk to her followers. So she kept herself quiet on the current topic of discussion. Instead she said, somewhat slurred thanks to a mix of poison and cut mouth, "I wouldn't turn down your aid if you know about medicine. I think I might've been poisoned. I'm not about to run halfway across the gorge to find a doctor, and I'm not keen on letting my brother go alone to fetch one either, the way he's hunted."

[Thanqol]

That's disappointing. Not unexpected, but disappointing nonetheless. How can I get her to tell me the full truth?

The reason you picked up on this, and it's the weirdest thing, is that it's not how she gets when she's concealing work stuff from you, it's the same kind of lies she gave when you started dating and she wanted to keep you safe. How that eventually got solved was Dad had a long talk with her, because she sure as heck wasn't going to stop threatening your friends with secret prison on your say so.


"Maybe so, but that hypothesis assumes that A) Sigma knows where a changeling is, B) they know how to mind-control one, and C) they somehow don't want to do the dirty work themselves." Slick sighed, scanning the horizon for Nightmare Moon's pointy head. "I suppose it's a possibility, but not entirely likely in my mind. I'd have to check the books to figure it out. Anything else you can suggest for dealing with Changelings?"

"Don't fall in love with any. Just to be safe, you should consider going out with this very nice young colt I know, he's a total gentlepony, and he's a doctor, and I know for a fact he is not a Changeling because I've had a tracking device on him for the past ten years..."

[the_druid_droid]

"Oh, hey Silver! You got my message right? Is that to do with this?"

"Well, yes and no. We can find you somepony easy enough, although it'll be easier with Ace and the crew around. If you can wait until we get back to the bar, I'll be happy to look in my little black book."

The stallion's smile faded a hair and he glanced around nervously. "Truth is, there's something I wanted to ask you. Weird things are going on, and I don't really like the idea of talking about it outside. But you're the only pony who might be able to help me; at least the only one I can trust right now."

[BlasTech]

"Mm, yes. Perhaps you might want to reconsider getting involved in high profile ventures," Starstruck suggested. "Still, there are several successful ponies around and none seem half as unpopular as you," Starstruck said. "Though Sirocco should probably sleep with an eye open," she added, half under her breath.

"Is it true you have designs on taking power of this camp?" She asked, sidestepping the naming of names.

"Hey, if the ponies of this town are willing to elect me, then I'd just be doing my civic duty." he replied, wryly. Given Rattle Tail's insistence, he stood back, allowing Starstruck room to work on her if she wanted. Although he made sure to watch her closely.

"More seriously though, who doesn't have designs? We're down here on the ground, fer skies sake. Most of the ponies in this valley are seeing only that they don't have their white picket fences and cloud homes anymore. But all this chaos gives opportunities, for those who are smart enough to take them."

"What's your stake in all this? I can't see it being normal for a hitpony to talk the contract with their mark. Is there some proposal you want to make instead?"

[Balmas]

The reason you picked up on this, and it's the weirdest thing, is that it's not how she gets when she's concealing work stuff from you, it's the same kind of lies she gave when you started dating and she wanted to keep you safe. How that eventually got solved was Dad had a long talk with her, because she sure as heck wasn't going to stop threatening your friends with secret prison on your say so.

There was a little pony in Slick's head which sighed as it added one more entry on the list of 'ponies to go see today.' It was getting uncomfortably long.


"Don't fall in love with any. Just to be safe, you should consider going out with this very nice young colt I know, he's a total gentlepony, and he's a doctor, and I know for a fact he is not a Changeling because I've had a tracking device on him for the past ten years..."

"Speaking from personal experience there?" Slick grinned and ribbed her mother. "That sounds like a sterling recommendation, coming from you. What's his name?"


"Well, yes and no. We can find you somepony easy enough, although it'll be easier with Ace and the crew around. If you can wait until we get back to the bar, I'll be happy to look in my little black book."

The stallion's smile faded a hair and he glanced around nervously. "Truth is, there's something I wanted to ask you. Weird things are going on, and I don't really like the idea of talking about it outside. But you're the only pony who might be able to help me; at least the only one I can trust right now."

Slick sobered somewhat. "Tell you what. I'll help you as soon as I finish helping Mom transfer her things from the Office to the new spot we've picked out. It'll probably go quicker with another set of wings..."

[Elanorin]

No pony had mentioned Rattle Tail and her plans for power yet, and right now Rattle Tail wasn't about to be the first. Not before she had a chance to talk to her followers. So she kept herself quiet on the current topic of discussion. Instead she said, somewhat slurred thanks to a mix of poison and cut mouth, "I wouldn't turn down your aid if you know about medicine. I think I might've been poisoned. I'm not about to run halfway across the gorge to find a doctor, and I'm not keen on letting my brother go alone to fetch one either, the way he's hunted."


"Hey, if the ponies of this town are willing to elect me, then I'd just be doing my civic duty." he replied, wryly. Given Rattle Tail's insistence, he stood back, allowing Starstruck room to work on her if she wanted. Although he made sure to watch her closely.

"More seriously though, who doesn't have designs? We're down here on the ground, fer skies sake. Most of the ponies in this valley are seeing only that they don't have their white picket fences and cloud homes anymore. But all this chaos gives opportunities, for those who are smart enough to take them."

"What's your stake in all this? I can't see it being normal for a hitpony to talk the contract with their mark. Is there some proposal you want to make instead?"

"Oh I'm making this up as I go along," Starstruck confessed openly and stepped up to Rattle Tail, dug in her med kit bag a bit and then went about seeing to her wound.

"I may yet kill you," she explained, "but yeah, you're right," she paused in her work and looked at Twofeather thoughtfully, "you are the first mark I have pre-warned." She shook her head a little, incredulous at what she had done. "I didn't come here with a proposal," she resumed her care, "but strange things seem to happen to my intentions around your sister," Starstruck looked up, straight in to Rattle Tail's eyes, "so I guess I'm under influence, for the moment," she added, as much to the sister as the brother.

Starstruck finished her care on Rattle Tail, working methodically but quickly, prioritising and focusing on what was most important to ensure survival and function; she was a battle medic, not a doctor.

"On second thought though, are you married, Twofeather?" Starstruck asked, turning back to face him as she put her gear away.

[Thanqol]

"Speaking from personal experience there?" Slick grinned and ribbed her mother. "That sounds like a sterling recommendation, coming from you. What's his name?"

"Trust Me," said Quick Dart. "I mean, that's his name, Trust Me. As in, Trust Me I'm a doctor. It's stupid. But he's nice!"


Slick sobered somewhat. "Tell you what. I'll help you as soon as I finish helping Mom transfer her things from the Office to the new spot we've picked out. It'll probably go quicker with another set of wings..."

"There's nothing classified in these boxes," demurred Quick Dart.

[the_druid_droid]

Slick sobered somewhat. "Tell you what. I'll help you as soon as I finish helping Mom transfer her things from the Office to the new spot we've picked out. It'll probably go quicker with another set of wings..."

Silver nodded at the invitation. "Sure, I can pull my weight. Then maybe we can clear some of this up. My brain feels like it's going around in circles lately."

[Deadly]

Rattle Tail furrowed her brow and grit her teeth as Starstruck administered to her wounds. It gave her some relief, however, which was much needed with everything else today not offering her much. She would have liked a word with her followers first, but some luxuries she might not always have.

"It does seem like everyone's got their own designs on the future," she said as her head cleared a little. "Which is all the more reason why we need to come together, before we fracture even further. Twofeather and I were just reaching an understanding, I like to believe, before this little misunderstanding. I intend to lead this fallen flock, as I am the only one who knows where to take us, but my brother does have talents and connections of his own. Working together, we accomplish more."

She looked between Starstruck and Twofeather to gauge the potential alliance here. "And we would stand even stronger with you and Sigma."

[Balmas]

"Trust Me," said Quick Dart. "I mean, that's his name, Trust Me. As in, Trust Me I'm a doctor. It's stupid. But he's nice!"

"Stupid sounds nice," Slick admitted. "I'll have to set him up for a date."


Silver nodded at the invitation. "Sure, I can pull my weight. Then maybe we can clear some of this up. My brain feels like it's going around in circles lately."

"Awww," Slick said, offering a consoling hoof. "Don't worry, I'll sort this out for you. Anything you feel you can say with my mom here?"

[the_druid_droid]

"Awww," Slick said, offering a consoling hoof. "Don't worry, I'll sort this out for you. Anything you feel you can say with my mom here?"

Silver ran a hoof through his mane. "Honestly, half of it is that it sounds insane even to me. But I guess if you can promise not to laugh, here's as good as anywhere. They might be watching us either way."

[Balmas]

"They?" Slick frowned. "Who's they, and why are they watching you? That's usually our job, you know. Gotta cut out the competition.

[BlasTech]

"On second thought though, are you married, Twofeather?" Starstruck asked, turning back to face him as she put her gear away.

"Yeah, I am." replied Twofeather, not sure how to take this. On the one hoof, this was an abrupt change of conversation. On the other, he still couldn't forget the blood now seeping out of his sister.

"Is this meant to be some kind of threat?" he said, ears flattening.

[the_druid_droid]

"They?" Slick frowned. "Who's they, and why are they watching you? That's usually our job, you know. Gotta cut out the competition.

Silver took a deep breath, thought for a minute, and finally decided buck it. "Yeah, 'they'. I don't really know who they are so much as what... Some sort of flying bags of organs and bones, with tentacles or something. And of course, nopony seems to be able to see them most of the time. Except me."

The stallion pulled a face. "I know it sounds like the DTs, but it's happened twice now, and I'm getting scared. I don't know what they are, but I think they're watching all of us. Or at least a few important ponies..."

"I was kind of hoping you'd have some ideas, between Stars Above and all the weird sh*t you deal with."

[Elanorin]

"Yeah, I am." replied Twofeather, not sure how to take this. On the one hoof, this was an abrupt change of conversation. On the other, he still couldn't forget the blood now seeping out of his sister.

"Is this meant to be some kind of threat?" he said, ears flattening.



"It does seem like everyone's got their own designs on the future," she said as her head cleared a little. "Which is all the more reason why we need to come together, before we fracture even further. Twofeather and I were just reaching an understanding, I like to believe, before this little misunderstanding. I intend to lead this fallen flock, as I am the only one who knows where to take us, but my brother does have talents and connections of his own. Working together, we accomplish more."

She looked between Starstruck and Twofeather to gauge the potential alliance here. "And we would stand even stronger with you and Sigma."

"No. No threat, just a sudden thought of how to kill two- ehm, I mean, find a different solution. I actually try to be pretty clear when I threaten ponies."

Starstruck sighed and looked up at Rattle Tail with regret, but at first said nothing. She tried to think of a way to say yes but nothing came to mind.

"I hear what you're saying, I do, but... look I don't call the shots for Sigma. Haze does. And right now she's following that buckface Sirocco," Starstruck said with a scoff. "I want you to know that all that you've said has been heard and I respect your vision of a different way. But unless Twofeather steps down from the limelight he will get killed. Not a threat," she hastened to add, raising a hoof in surrender.

"If it's not me then as you just saw, somepony else will step up. Hell, I don't even know if laying low will be enough. Getting married to Haze would have been a good move to keep from getting killed, but hey, you could always take her on as a mistress." Starstruck genuinely thought this was a valid plan as was evident on her face.

"You did hurt my friend though and that's gonna have to cost you," she added almost apologetically to Twofeather.

[Deadly]

"No. No threat, just a sudden thought of how to kill two- ehm, I mean, find a different solution. I actually try to be pretty clear when I threaten ponies."

Starstruck sighed and looked up at Rattle Tail with regret, but at first said nothing. She tried to think of a way to say yes but nothing came to mind.

"I hear what you're saying, I do, but... look I don't call the shots for Sigma. Haze does. And right now she's following that buckface Sirocco," Starstruck said with a scoff. "I want you to know that all that you've said has been heard and I respect your vision of a different way. But unless Twofeather steps down from the limelight he will get killed. Not a threat," she hastened to add, raising a hoof in surrender.

"If it's not me then as you just saw, somepony else will step up. Hell, I don't even know if laying low will be enough. Getting married to Haze would have been a good move to keep from getting killed, but hey, you could always take her on as a mistress." Starstruck genuinely thought this was a valid plan as was evident on her face.

"You did hurt my friend though and that's gonna have to cost you," she added almost apologetically to Twofeather.

"I'm only glad we've come to an understanding, but I also understand your loyalties," Rattle Tail said. At the mention of Sirrocco, she glanced knowingly at Twofeather. "But perhaps we are not without options to deal with Haze, if what I hear is true. I would like to speak with my brother in private, and I need to see my followers too. There's much to deal with, and maybe not much time."

[Balmas]

Silver took a deep breath, thought for a minute, and finally decided buck it. "Yeah, 'they'. I don't really know who they are so much as what... Some sort of flying bags of organs and bones, with tentacles or something. And of course, nopony seems to be able to see them most of the time. Except me."

The stallion pulled a face. "I know it sounds like the DTs, but it's happened twice now, and I'm getting scared. I don't know what they are, but I think they're watching all of us. Or at least a few important ponies..."

"I was kind of hoping you'd have some ideas, between Stars Above and all the weird sh*t you deal with."


"Mmmm. Kinda skull and brains theme to it, right? I saw that thing too, hangin' around over the forest." Slick tapped a hoof. "Don't know much more than that. Something with the river, I think?"

[the_druid_droid]

"Mmmm. Kinda skull and brains theme to it, right? I saw that thing too, hangin' around over the forest." Slick tapped a hoof. "Don't know much more than that. Something with the river, I think?"

"Wait, so it's not just me?" Quicksilver looked genuinely surprised. "But there's more than one of them, I think. There was one made of bone too, out in the forest. Do you think they're all related to the river? And what the hell are they, anyway?"

"I thought I was starting to lose it..."

[Balmas]

"In that case, I think the first thing we need to do is figure out where they're coming from--if it's multiple--and try to negotiate with them. Any idea which spots or people they inhabit? The one I saw was kinda over the forest. Where did you see yours?"

[BlasTech]

"No. No threat, just a sudden thought of how to kill two- ehm, I mean, find a different solution. I actually try to be pretty clear when I threaten ponies."

Starstruck sighed and looked up at Rattle Tail with regret, but at first said nothing. She tried to think of a way to say yes but nothing came to mind.

"I hear what you're saying, I do, but... look I don't call the shots for Sigma. Haze does. And right now she's following that buckface Sirocco," Starstruck said with a scoff. "I want you to know that all that you've said has been heard and I respect your vision of a different way. But unless Twofeather steps down from the limelight he will get killed. Not a threat," she hastened to add, raising a hoof in surrender.

"If it's not me then as you just saw, somepony else will step up. Hell, I don't even know if laying low will be enough. Getting married to Haze would have been a good move to keep from getting killed, but hey, you could always take her on as a mistress." Starstruck genuinely thought this was a valid plan as was evident on her face.

"You did hurt my friend though and that's gonna have to cost you," she added almost apologetically to Twofeather.

"Geez, you seem to hate the guy." muttered Twofeather "What'd he do to you anyway?"

He watched her as he said it, hoping the response might give him some clues as to what the problem was and how to solve it.

[Question 1: How can I get Starstruck to forgive Sirocco?]

"You'll have to be more specific regarding your friend though." said Twofeather. "Are we talking 'pound of flesh' payback, or is this something that can be paid in ways that don't involve more of my family getting hurt?"


"I'm only glad we've come to an understanding, but I also understand your loyalties," Rattle Tail said. At the mention of Sirrocco, she glanced knowingly at Twofeather. "But perhaps we are not without options to deal with Haze, if what I hear is true. I would like to speak with my brother in private, and I need to see my followers too. There's much to deal with, and maybe not much time."

Twofeather either missed, or didn't acknowledge the glance, but he still looked at Rattle Tail with concern.

"Yeah ok, but I'm still worried about that poison." said Twofeather. "At least ask one of your followers to find Faux Fire, tell her to fetch Trust Me, she knows where to find him, and bring him here."

[Deadly]

Twofeather either missed, or didn't acknowledge the glance, but he still looked at Rattle Tail with concern.

"Yeah ok, but I'm still worried about that poison." said Twofeather. "At least ask one of your followers to find Faux Fire, tell her to fetch Trust Me, she knows where to find him, and bring him here."

"Find who? What's his name?" Rattle Tail was slowly formulating her own plans of action. "I assume you're talking about a doctor."

[the_druid_droid]

"In that case, I think the first thing we need to do is figure out where they're coming from--if it's multiple--and try to negotiate with them. Any idea which spots or people they inhabit? The one I saw was kinda over the forest. Where did you see yours?"

"I saw one over the forest, specifically out near that weird wild pony's place. That was the bones one, and if you saw another, we're looking at three now..." Quicksilver grimaced, not sure he could reconcile himself to negotiations with animate piles of organs fond of ultimatums.

"The other one was more - meaty? That was back during Twofeather's speech in the market. I haven't seen it there before, though. I guess technically that was the first time I saw any of them."

[Elanorin]

"I'm only glad we've come to an understanding, but I also understand your loyalties," Rattle Tail said. At the mention of Sirrocco, she glanced knowingly at Twofeather. "But perhaps we are not without options to deal with Haze, if what I hear is true. I would like to speak with my brother in private, and I need to see my followers too. There's much to deal with, and maybe not much time."

"Step back after telling you about Twofeather's threat so you two can rally your followers unhindered against my commander and/or Sigma?" Starstruck asked incredulous. "I don't know what you've done to me but if you think your influence extends to making me sit on my haunches as a potential threat develops against my unit you haven't done your little hex right," Starstruck snarled. "I've gone out on a limb here, Rattle Tail, one I can happily cut off without regret if this 'other way' of yours was just a way to manipulate information out of me."


"Geez, you seem to hate the guy." muttered Twofeather "What'd he do to you anyway?"

He watched her as he said it, hoping the response might give him some clues as to what the problem was and how to solve it.

"You're not wrong," Starstruck said, "I hate the guy." She gave Twofeather a quick head-to-toe, wondering why he cared about what she thought of Sirocco. She did not just hold fire against another Sirocco-fan, had she?

"He left a pony behind." Starstruck said darkly and it was obvious on her face that this was a very grave crime in her book, quite possibly the worst of all.


"You'll have to be more specific regarding your friend though." said Twofeather. "Are we talking 'pound of flesh' payback, or is this something that can be paid in ways that don't involve more of my family getting hurt?"

"My friend has a rather extensive list of grievances against you. I believe it involved numerous kidnappings, Dasite relations and forming some kind of brute squad towards nefarious ends. Just another pony who wants Twofeather gone." Starstruck shrugged but then looked up at him once more, a thought occurred to her. "I saw the thing pumping sludge in to your brain earlier. Were you aware?"


[Question 1: How can I get Starstruck to forgive Sirocco?]


That's a tall order, but far from impossible. It would require a fair bit of effort on Sirocco's part, however. He could show regret for what he did and reveal to her why he left her for dead, that his reasons were understandable. That's assuming such a reason exist, if it doesn't, then a very convincing lie would be required. If he doesn't have a justifying reason for his actions and isn't inclined to lie then a few selfless acts to her benefit, even in the face of her hostility, would wear down her resolve.

However, all this would really only result in Starstruck stopping blaming him rather than forgiving him, right now she pretty much blames him for every bad thing in her life no matter how far fetched or forced the connection may be in her head (and is pretty much set to continue to do so for any future upcoming disasters). Sirocco betrayed her in a way nopony ever has and is since then her go-to villain and scapegoat. To make her truly forgive him for what happened you're going to have to make her want to revise her opinion of him. They need to find an intimate connection and common ground.

He could bring her down to his level by putting her in the same situation he was in and bank on her making the same choice he did and then connect with her through that.

Or he could try to rise to her level by revealing he holds the same opinion of himself as she does and that the events of that fateful day have left wounds in him just as deep as those in her. In short, he has to make her care and ignite some empathy for him. Word of warning though, hate is a passionate emotion, reversing it will likely result in something other than a good mate and occasional drinking buddy.

No matter what, he may have to be quite persistent, Starstruck's ill opinion of him is deeply ingrained.

[Deadly]

"Step back after telling you about Twofeather's threat so you two can rally your followers unhindered against my commander and/or Sigma?" Starstruck asked incredulous. "I don't know what you've done to me but if you think your influence extends to making me sit on my haunches as a potential threat develops against my unit you haven't done your little hex right," Starstruck snarled. "I've gone out on a limb here, Rattle Tail, one I can happily cut off without regret if this 'other way' of yours was just a way to manipulate information out of me."

"I haven't hexed you," Rattle Tail said. "All I do is speak the Truth. What you do with the Truth is between you and yourself.

"And if you think my first solution to a problem is violence and coercion, then you haven't been paying very good attention the past few days. You're welcome to accompany me when I talk to my followers, but what I have to discuss with my brother is between me and him ... for now. You understand the meaning of not sharing what is not yours to share, I hope."


"You're not wrong," Starstruck said, "I hate the guy." She gave Twofeather a quick head-to-toe, wondering why he cared about what she thought of Sirocco. She did not just hold fire against another Sirocco-fan, had she?

"He left a pony behind." Starstruck said darkly and it was obvious on her face that this was a very grave crime in her book, quite possibly the worst of all.

And of course there were more animosities to untangle.


"My friend has a rather extensive list of grievances against you. I believe it involved numerous kidnappings, Dasite relations and forming some kind of brute squad towards nefarious ends. Just another pony who wants Twofeather gone." Starstruck shrugged but then looked up at him once more, a thought occurred to her. "I saw the thing pumping sludge in to your brain earlier. Were you aware?"

Rattle Tail raised an eyebrow at Twofeather but said nothing.

[BlasTech]

"My friend has a rather extensive list of grievances against you. I believe it involved numerous kidnappings, Dasite relations and forming some kind of brute squad towards nefarious ends. Just another pony who wants Twofeather gone." Starstruck shrugged but then looked up at him once more, a thought occurred to her. "I saw the thing pumping sludge in to your brain earlier. Were you aware?"

Twofeather was silent for a moment.

"Huh?"

He clearly had no idea what Starstruck was talking about.



Rattle Tail raised an eyebrow at Twofeather but said nothing.

Twofeather waggled his eyebrows back at her. An old game they used to play.

[Balmas]

"I saw one over the forest, specifically out near that weird wild pony's place. That was the bones one, and if you saw another, we're looking at three now..." Quicksilver grimaced, not sure he could reconcile himself to negotiations with animate piles of organs fond of ultimatums.

"The other one was more - meaty? That was back during Twofeather's speech in the market. I haven't seen it there before, though. I guess technically that was the first time I saw any of them."

"This suggests that they're tied to this land in ways that we may not understand. Can you think of anyone that would be best situated to understand that? Rattle Tail comes to mind on my end."

[the_druid_droid]

"This suggests that they're tied to this land in ways that we may not understand. Can you think of anyone that would be best situated to understand that? Rattle Tail comes to mind on my end."

"Well, she's definitely, uh, unique enough to give us a different outlook. I thought about asking the crazy woods pony, but the bony one didn't seem to like that idea very much. So maybe starting with Rattle Tail is the better plan."

[Elanorin]

Twofeather was silent for a moment.

"Huh?"

He clearly had no idea what Starstruck was talking about.

Starstruck gave an impatient sigh and shook her wings a little.

"A big hovering crown over the camp, made up of organs and eyeballs was pumping sludge in to your brain back at the camp when you declared yourself President-in-waiting." Starstruck explained, trying to make herself as clear as possible. "Not just you, though, it was doing the same to other ponies too." She paused. "I mean, it's gone now. I killed it."

"You were not aware then? Huh. Well, you're welcome," she said, clearly thinking she'd done him a favour.

"And as for those other accusations...?"

[Balmas]

"Well, she's definitely, uh, unique enough to give us a different outlook. I thought about asking the crazy woods pony, but the bony one didn't seem to like that idea very much. So maybe starting with Rattle Tail is the better plan."

"Let's head to see her, then. Mom, did you need me for anything else? Also, have you and Dad found a better place to live? I kinda wanted to check in with him, make sure he's settling in alright."

[Thanqol]

"Let's head to see her, then. Mom, did you need me for anything else? Also, have you and Dad found a better place to live? I kinda wanted to check in with him, make sure he's settling in alright."

"No, just tents, like everypony else," said Quick Dart. "Hopefully this will all be temporary."

The place where you've dragged the boxes to is indeed a giant statue of Nightmare Moon, made out of scrap and broken cars. It towers over the edge of the Ghastly Gorge, eyes flickering green with centuries old neon lights. It has perhaps been made recently, though, and glares across the way at a tumbled-down statue of Princess Celestia.

[BlasTech]

Starstruck gave an impatient sigh and shook her wings a little.

"A big hovering crown over the camp, made up of organs and eyeballs was pumping sludge in to your brain back at the camp when you declared yourself President-in-waiting." Starstruck explained, trying to make herself as clear as possible. "Not just you, though, it was doing the same to other ponies too." She paused. "I mean, it's gone now. I killed it."

"You were not aware then? Huh. Well, you're welcome," she said, clearly thinking she'd done him a favour.

"And as for those other accusations...?"

Twofeather shrugged, although he kind of looked at Starstruck as if she was a bit crazy. Going on about floating brains and organs ... probably ground sickness.

"Hey, whatever beef your friend has with me is probably right. Can't make a new start without scrambling a few eggs, after all. Sounds like he or she just got in the way of my business so it probably wasn't personal, but. Unless you tell me who it is though, I'm not gonna know what exactly their problem is."

"If they're your friend though, I'm more than happy to make it up to them on account of the not wanting you to kill me or my sister."

[Balmas]

"No, just tents, like everypony else," said Quick Dart. "Hopefully this will all be temporary."

The place where you've dragged the boxes to is indeed a giant statue of Nightmare Moon, made out of scrap and broken cars. It towers over the edge of the Ghastly Gorge, eyes flickering green with centuries old neon lights. It has perhaps been made recently, though, and glares across the way at a tumbled-down statue of Princess Celestia.

When you say tumbled-down, do you mean a bit worn down, or more along the lines of "Throw down the Czar, pull down the statues" kinda treatment?

[Thanqol]

When you say tumbled-down, do you mean a bit worn down, or more along the lines of "Throw down the Czar, pull down the statues" kinda treatment?

Oh, throw down the Czar sounds much more entertaining, doesn't it? Let's go with that one.

[the_druid_droid]

"Let's head to see her, then. Mom, did you need me for anything else? Also, have you and Dad found a better place to live? I kinda wanted to check in with him, make sure he's settling in alright."

Silver nodded and finally set down his load of boxes near the looming statue.


The place where you've dragged the boxes to is indeed a giant statue of Nightmare Moon, made out of scrap and broken cars. It towers over the edge of the Ghastly Gorge, eyes flickering green with centuries old neon lights. It has perhaps been made recently, though, and glares across the way at a tumbled-down statue of Princess Celestia.

Once his job as pack mule was done, the stallion took a moment to regard the sights. "Engineering's not half bad, even if it is kind of a waste of time."

[Balmas]

Oh, throw down the Czar sounds much more entertaining, doesn't it? Let's go with that one.

Excellent. If I achieve nothing but Russian ponies rebelling against Celestia, I'll count that a life well lived.


Once his job as pack mule was done, the stallion took a moment to regard the sights. "Engineering's not half bad, even if it is kind of a waste of time."

"Maybe so. Do you have a knife I could borrow? Mare wants to avoid tetanus, if she can, right?"

Now, don't get me wrong. Ichormancy may not be a school for the squeamish, but it's also not one that tolerates excessive stupidity. And offering a blood sacrifice to a statue of Nightmare Moon was not just passing stupid, but leaping past idiotic and landing somewhere past suicidal.

As Slick idly picked the scab on her hoof and squeezed a morsel of blood out on the dirt, she considered whether offering it to Celestia instead was any different. Still, you do what you can with the tools you have. Mostly on a whim, she reached out and smeared the blood across Celestia's raised forehooves.

[Open your Mind, 6,3,+3, 12. What happened at this place?]

[Elanorin]

Twofeather shrugged, although he kind of looked at Starstruck as if she was a bit crazy. Going on about floating brains and organs ... probably ground sickness.

"Hey, whatever beef your friend has with me is probably right. Can't make a new start without scrambling a few eggs, after all. Sounds like he or she just got in the way of my business so it probably wasn't personal, but. Unless you tell me who it is though, I'm not gonna know what exactly their problem is."

"If they're your friend though, I'm more than happy to make it up to them on account of the not wanting you to kill me or my sister."

"Is that so?" Starstruck asked, scrutinising Twofeather closely.

[Spending my Hold: Is Twofeather telling the truth?]

[the_druid_droid]

"Maybe so. Do you have a knife I could borrow? Mare wants to avoid tetanus, if she can, right?"

"Yo." Silver quickly detached one of his wingblades and spun it toward Slick. He continued to be glad he'd given up the laser instead to those mangy wolves.

[Thanqol]

Silver nodded and finally set down his load of boxes near the looming statue.

There seemed to be a doorway leading inside the Nightmare Moon statue that Quick Dart was dragging stuff inside; she did stop you going further inside than that though.


Once his job as pack mule was done, the stallion took a moment to regard the sights. "Engineering's not half bad, even if it is kind of a waste of time."

What makes you say that? Tell me, what is a waste of time about building a giant metal statue out of cars and scrap to one of the Princesses? And what about the engineering impresses you?


"Maybe so. Do you have a knife I could borrow? Mare wants to avoid tetanus, if she can, right?"

Now, don't get me wrong. Ichormancy may not be a school for the squeamish, but it's also not one that tolerates excessive stupidity. And offering a blood sacrifice to a statue of Nightmare Moon was not just passing stupid, but leaping past idiotic and landing somewhere past suicidal.

As Slick idly picked the scab on her hoof and squeezed a morsel of blood out on the dirt, she considered whether offering it to Celestia instead was any different. Still, you do what you can with the tools you have. Mostly on a whim, she reached out and smeared the blood across Celestia's raised forehooves.

[Open your Mind, 6,3,+3, 12. What happened at this place?]

You have stabbed yourself a lot today. Is this normal for you? How often do you work with the blood of other ponies? Why does it scare you?

[Balmas]

If I'm completely honest, no. I usually only use ichormancy during investigations, or occasionally for the intimidation factor during an interrogation.

Then again, usually I have a network set up. Usually, I have clouds under my hooves. Usually, the very presence of a Stars Above agent is enough to get a stammered confession or an accusatory hoof.

As for working with the blood of other ponies... Something in it feels wrong, if that makes sense. In theory, blood is blood; X amount of blood inscribed in Y diagram is enough for the purposes of Z spell. There are those who swear by using other ponies' blood, that ichormancy is more potent if you can take what you need. The thought is somewhat terrifying. If someone is willing to donate blood for the purposes, I'll gladly use it. But if the choice is between stealing blood and using my own, it's my blood that's going to be on the line.

As for why ichormancy is scary--well, consider what I've told you about it. It's magic fueled by the very essence of life. Use it too much, or too carelessly, and it'll take the price out of your flesh, literally. Call me suspicious and superstitious, but using something like that anywhere near something associated with Nightmare Moon seems like a bad plan.

[Thanqol]

If I'm completely honest, no. I usually only use ichormancy during investigations, or occasionally for the intimidation factor during an interrogation.

Then again, usually I have a network set up. Usually, I have clouds under my hooves. Usually, the very presence of a Stars Above agent is enough to get a stammered confession or an accusatory hoof.

As for working with the blood of other ponies... Something in it feels wrong, if that makes sense. In theory, blood is blood; X amount of blood inscribed in Y diagram is enough for the purposes of Z spell. There are those who swear by using other ponies' blood, that ichormancy is more potent if you can take what you need. The thought is somewhat terrifying. If someone is willing to donate blood for the purposes, I'll gladly use it. But if the choice is between stealing blood and using my own, it's my blood that's going to be on the line.

As for why ichormancy is scary--well, consider what I've told you about it. It's magic fueled by the very essence of life. Use it too much, or too carelessly, and it'll take the price out of your flesh, literally. Call me suspicious and superstitious, but using something like that anywhere near something associated with Nightmare Moon seems like a bad plan.

Wise.

So here's what you see.

There is a crack in the ground, Ghastly Gorge. The blood flows towards it from two sides. When the blood on the left bank reaches the gorge, it stops and builds the statue of Celestia. It surrounds the statue with banners and skulls, and then it withdraws.

Then the blood from the far bank approaches. It knocks over the Celestia statue and builds its own. It puts up banners and skulls and then it withdraws. Soon after the other side returns and rebuilds the Celestia statue and knocks over the Nightmare Moon one. As rhythmic as the tides. As ritual as day and night. Magic and superstition and a tribal understanding. Ritual warfare.

You see how precarious this cycle is. As long as it continues it is peaceful and calm, but the moment anything goes wrong with it, anything upsets the balance, then both sides surge forwards and the valley runs with blood. Open warfare.

The Celestia-tide is returning.

[Balmas]

Slick gazed at Celestia, and then at Nightmare Moon. "Mom," she said, picking her words. "I can't make you leave this place alone. However, I should tell you that this will probably be the site of a battle in the close future. See this statue? It didn't just fall. It was pushed. And whoever put it up isn't going to be happy when they find it fallen down and Nightmare Moon standing over it."

<Sirocco, we have a situation. Don't know when they're coming, or even who they are, but you'd better make sure that your troops are up to fending off an army who're pissed that we're stomping on their sacred ground.>

"Now, cousin, let's go find our friends, see their take on things."

[the_druid_droid]

There seemed to be a doorway leading inside the Nightmare Moon statue that Quick Dart was dragging stuff inside; she did stop you going further inside than that though.

Interesting...


What makes you say that? Tell me, what is a waste of time about building a giant metal statue out of cars and scrap to one of the Princesses? And what about the engineering impresses you?

Because the Princesses are dead. Every foal knows that much. So really, the ponies setting up these things aren't that different from the pegasi still trying desperately to hold on to the Enclave - they're both too hung up on the past to seize new opportunities. And it's worse for them, since the Princesses have been gone far longer than the clouds.

As for the engineering? Well that one's pretty simple. These ponies are grounders, they probably don't have a lot of tools. Some earth ponies to haul and a little unicorn magic for detail work, but cutting and stacking a bunch of heavy scrap isn't easy. Especially when you're going to all that trouble for the sake of an idea - those don't really put food on the table. So the fact that they made it work at all is impressive. A testament to the determination, or maybe delusion, of ponykind.


"Now, cousin, let's go find our friends, see their take on things."

"The sooner, the better. I've had my fill of creepy sh*t for today."

[Thanqol]

Slick gazed at Celestia, and then at Nightmare Moon. "Mom," she said, picking her words. "I can't make you leave this place alone. However, I should tell you that this will probably be the site of a battle in the close future. See this statue? It didn't just fall. It was pushed. And whoever put it up isn't going to be happy when they find it fallen down and Nightmare Moon standing over it."

<Sirocco, we have a situation. Don't know when they're coming, or even who they are, but you'd better make sure that your troops are up to fending off an army who're pissed that we're stomping on their sacred ground.>

"Now, cousin, let's go find our friends, see their take on things."

"Slick, I appreciate you noticing, but this is not my first rodeo," said Quick Dart confidently.

Rattle Tail, it looks like you're getting more guests. The temperature outside is now roughly a billion degrees though.

[Deadly]

"Is that so?" Starstruck asked, scrutinising Twofeather closely.

[Spending my Hold: Is Twofeather telling the truth?]


Rattle Tail, it looks like you're getting more guests. The temperature outside is now roughly a billion degrees though.

"Enough of this," said Rattle Tail, trying to blow some cool air over her face. It didn't help very much, or very long. "Any pegasus who don't want to end up a grilled chicken should follow me inside. Our house may not be cooler, but it's at least out of the sun's burning reach."

She headed towards her new house, and her followers, leaving no room for arguing.

[the_druid_droid]

Quicksilver sweated, feeling the heat even more after lugging boxes through it. He grumbled over the weather as he made his way back to Rattle Tail's new commune.

[Balmas]

Slick hung her helmet off the back of her uniform. Condensation was beginning to bead on the visor. "I love what you've done with the place," she beamed, gazing around. "Is there anything I can do to help get it set up more comfortably?"

[BlasTech]

"Is that so?" Starstruck asked, scrutinising Twofeather closely.

[Spending my Hold: Is Twofeather telling the truth?]

No, and yes. Depends on what exactly you're looking to when you ask if he's telling the truth.

He's lying about Slick Talk being a bystander. She was a target of opportunity that he capitalised on. You can see it in his eyes, he had little love for Stars Above, or any law enforcement really, and taking out one of their number was the thing to do for a career mobster.

You can also see that he's lying about not knowing who it is you're talking about. He's figured out that it was Slick from the conversation ... after all, there's not many ponies that he's beaten up that would probably be on your friends list. His voice is just that little bit too smarmy for his ignorance here to be true.

That said, he's telling the truth about not wanting to hurt her anymore and is telling at least partially the truth about the why. You can tell that whatever dislike he felt in the past for Stars Above, he's clearly reining it in now. Whether this is due to your conversation or Sirocco's influence, you probably can't tell though.

Oh, and he truthfully does think you're a bit nuts - going on about all these flying bone brains or whatever.

His ulterior motive though, in tossing out all this, is to try to see how you react. See if he can predict what you're thinking and what you're going to do.

[Second hold: What does Starstruck intend to do?]

[Deadly]

Quicksilver sweated, feeling the heat even more after lugging boxes through it. He grumbled over the weather as he made his way back to Rattle Tail's new commune.


Slick hung her helmet off the back of her uniform. Condensation was beginning to bead on the visor. "I love what you've done with the place," she beamed, gazing around. "Is there anything I can do to help get it set up more comfortably?"

"It's a start," Rattle Tail admitted as she opened the door and stepped inside the mildly discordian house. The walls and roof did a great job of keeping the sun out, if not so much the heat. "But not the end of it. There's plenty to do, if you've got idle hooves or resources to spare, but since we can't do everything at once we need to decide what's most important for us to focus on right now. Which is exactly what we're here to do," she said and looked around.

Are her followers there? What's up with them in this heat?

[Thanqol]

"It's a start," Rattle Tail admitted as she opened the door and stepped inside the mildly discordian house. The walls and roof did a great job of keeping the sun out, if not so much the heat. "But not the end of it. There's plenty to do, if you've got idle hooves or resources to spare, but since we can't do everything at once we need to decide what's most important for us to focus on right now. Which is exactly what we're here to do," she said and looked around.

Are her followers there? What's up with them in this heat?

They're up there! They've scavenged a bag of marshmallows from somewhere and are sitting around watching them sizzle on the windowsill. Au Contraire and Ink Rain are quietly arguing over a hypothetical murder trial as they lie on the ground. Acid Rein is trying to sketch out a formulae for a potion that'll protect her from the heat but she keeps trailing off. They're trying to be productive, it's just really hard for them to do it.

[the_druid_droid]

"It's a start," Rattle Tail admitted as she opened the door and stepped inside the mildly discordian house. The walls and roof did a great job of keeping the sun out, if not so much the heat. "But not the end of it. There's plenty to do, if you've got idle hooves or resources to spare, but since we can't do everything at once we need to decide what's most important for us to focus on right now. Which is exactly what we're here to do," she said and looked around.

"Well, what I'm focused on right now is a little... strange." Silver shifted on his hooves, not entirely comfortable spilling this to somepony outside the family. Still, Slick seemed to think it would help, and he hadn't walked all this way in the heat for nothing.

"We were wondering if you knew anything about some, uh, flying monsters around these parts."

[Balmas]

Slick did her best to smile. "Beyond the normal people on the street, he means. Specifically, we're looking at stuff with external skulls, tentacles, etc. Weird stuff, even for me."

[Elanorin]

"Enough of this," said Rattle Tail, trying to blow some cool air over her face. It didn't help very much, or very long. "Any pegasus who don't want to end up a grilled chicken should follow me inside. Our house may not be cooler, but it's at least out of the sun's burning reach."

She headed towards her new house, and her followers, leaving no room for arguing.

Starstruck gave Twofeather a long look before following Rattle Tail inside alongside Twofeather.




[Second hold: What does Starstruck intend to do?]

Starstruck is wavering. Duty and Honour demand she kills you, no question about it, and Duty and Honour runs incredibly deep in her. But she is stalling, she is very aware of it herself, she was all set to kill you and move on with her day but she's been forced to stop and think. Now the whole situation is growing more and more uncomfortable to her, no matter what she does, and will most likely end up with her in a drunken stupor by the end of the day whether you live or not. She really does not know what she should do here, feeling bad about a kill is a territory she has not really allowed herself to go to before. If a third option presented itself she'd leap at it, right now... her conscience will probably keep her talking to you to try to find another way until her patience inevitably will snap and then she'll kill you. Fast.

And then brood about it.

[Deadly]

They're up there! They've scavenged a bag of marshmallows from somewhere and are sitting around watching them sizzle on the windowsill. Au Contraire and Ink Rain are quietly arguing over a hypothetical murder trial as they lie on the ground. Acid Rein is trying to sketch out a formulae for a potion that'll protect her from the heat but she keeps trailing off. They're trying to be productive, it's just really hard for them to do it.

Mmmmarshmallows.

Poor things, at least discussing what to do next should not be too taxing. It could be done lying down while fanning yourself with your wings, at least.


"Well, what I'm focused on right now is a little... strange." Silver shifted on his hooves, not entirely comfortable spilling this to somepony outside the family. Still, Slick seemed to think it would help, and he hadn't walked all this way in the heat for nothing.

"We were wondering if you knew anything about some, uh, flying monsters around these parts."


Slick did her best to smile. "Beyond the normal people on the street, he means. Specifically, we're looking at stuff with external skulls, tentacles, etc. Weird stuff, even for me."

"I'm glad you clarified we're talking about weird flying monsters," said Rattle Tail with a glance towards Slick. "Otherwise I might have thought of you, Slick."

"Happens I might have heard a thing or two," she moved on, picking one of the walls to draw some rough shapes on; they were built for that very purpose, after all. Her coat was almost drenched by now, but it couldn't be helped. "Can I assume we're talking organs and eyeballs and mind sludge, all wrapped up in some crown business as the central theme, maybe?"

[the_druid_droid]

"I'm glad you clarified we're talking about weird flying monsters," said Rattle Tail with a glance towards Slick. "Otherwise I might have thought of you, Slick."

"Happens I might have heard a thing or two," she moved on, picking one of the walls to draw some rough shapes on; they were built for that very purpose, after all. Her coat was almost drenched by now, but it couldn't be helped. "Can I assume we're talking organs and eyeballs and mind sludge, all wrapped up in some crown business as the central theme, maybe?"

Silver frowned at the jab directed toward his cousin, but reminded himself again that this had been her idea. He still wasn't sure why she stuck around this little group so stubbornly.

"Yeah, they might be something like that. Anything you can tell us would help. I get the impression they don't like ponies very much, if that's any motivation." The stallion swiped at his forehead with a hoof, but was still dripping sweat onto the floor.

[Balmas]

Starstruck gave Twofeather a long look before following Rattle Tail inside alongside Twofeather.

Slick blinked as the motion caught her eye. Her gaze flicked between the two, and a moment of confusion crossed her face. She reached out with her mind, the urge to talk via the tank cut off as she realized that Starstruck wasn't part of their little group yet. She settled for pursing her lips at the assassin.


"I'm glad you clarified we're talking about weird flying monsters," said Rattle Tail with a glance towards Slick. "Otherwise I might have thought of you, Slick."

"Happens I might have heard a thing or two," she moved on, picking one of the walls to draw some rough shapes on; they were built for that very purpose, after all. Her coat was almost drenched by now, but it couldn't be helped. "Can I assume we're talking organs and eyeballs and mind sludge, all wrapped up in some crown business as the central theme, maybe?"

Slick clutched at her chest with a hoof. "Wish I knew what I did to make you think that way," she complained. "I don't feel like a monster. But yeah, that sounds like our perp. And you've seen it." Slick paused as she studied her leader. "Or at least, you've talked to somebody who has."

[Rolling to read a pony: 1,5, +1: [7]. Holding 1.]

Slick sat down, and her armor squelched wetly around her. Plastic and Kevlar may stop a bullet, but they did nothing for heat, she reflected, and began the process of undressing.

[BlasTech]

Starstruck is wavering. Duty and Honour demand she kills you, no question about it, and Duty and Honour runs incredibly deep in her. But she is stalling, she is very aware of it herself, she was all set to kill you and move on with her day but she's been forced to stop and think. Now the whole situation is growing more and more uncomfortable to her, no matter what she does, and will most likely end up with her in a drunken stupor by the end of the day whether you live or not. She really does not know what she should do here, feeling bad about a kill is a territory she has not really allowed herself to go to before. If a third option presented itself she'd leap at it, right now... her conscience will probably keep her talking to you to try to find another way until her patience inevitably will snap and then she'll kill you. Fast.

And then brood about it.

Great. Well, Twofeather makes sure to give Starstruck a bit of a smile as they go inside. May as well try to get on the good side of the killer pony.


Silver frowned at the jab directed toward his cousin, but reminded himself again that this had been her idea. He still wasn't sure why she stuck around this little group so stubbornly.

"Yeah, they might be something like that. Anything you can tell us would help. I get the impression they don't like ponies very much, if that's any motivation." The stallion swiped at his forehead with a hoof, but was still dripping sweat onto the floor.

"Wait, what the hay, you guys have seen a floating brain thing too?" said Twofeather, suddenly taking the whole situation a bit more seriously.

"I thought Starstruck said she killed it?"


Slick gazed at Celestia, and then at Nightmare Moon. "Mom," she said, picking her words. "I can't make you leave this place alone. However, I should tell you that this will probably be the site of a battle in the close future. See this statue? It didn't just fall. It was pushed. And whoever put it up isn't going to be happy when they find it fallen down and Nightmare Moon standing over it."

<Sirocco, we have a situation. Don't know when they're coming, or even who they are, but you'd better make sure that your troops are up to fending off an army who're pissed that we're stomping on their sacred ground.>

"Now, cousin, let's go find our friends, see their take on things."

[Quoting this because I missed it last time.]

<What happened? Is this attack imminent?> came the thoughtspeak, back through their link.

[Elanorin]

Slick blinked as the motion caught her eye. Her gaze flicked between the two, and a moment of confusion crossed her face. She reached out with her mind, the urge to talk via the tank cut off as she realized that Starstruck wasn't part of their little group yet. She settled for pursing her lips at the assassin.

Starstruck noticed Slick among the ponies that were beginning to fill the house and immediately after her slight nod of recognition she registered Slick's disapproving look and thought she knew exactly what irked her. Starstruck glanced a brief guilty glance over her shoulder in Twofeather's general direction and then avoided Slick's eyecontact with the skill of a guilty pony knowing full well she'd been caught red-hoofed. Thankfully there were enough ponies in here to easily place a buffer between her and Slick, not that it would help one jot, but it gave her margin enough to delay having to explain herself.


Great. Well, Twofeather makes sure to give Starstruck a bit of a smile as they go inside. May as well try to get on the good side of the killer pony.

You don't need any skill whatsoever in reading body language to notice that the sudden shift in mood surprised Starstruck, not to mention that the smile outright unnerved her. A defensive and cagey target she was clearly happy and content with facing, amicable and friendly? She had no clue what to do with that. For a split second a brainless instinct tempted her to return the smile but she immediately caught herself. Coughed. And loosened her armour a little.

Hells it was hot in here.


"Wait, what the hay, you guys have seen a floating brain thing too?" said Twofeather, suddenly taking the whole situation a bit more seriously.

"I thought Starstruck said she killed it?"

"I did kill it." Starstruck said with a you're-all-welcome tone of voice, welcoming a less sticky subject. "I don't suggest any of you taking one on though if there are any more of them around. It, uh, kicks a bit of a punch." She rubbed her still sore head.

[the_druid_droid]

"Wait, what the hay, you guys have seen a floating brain thing too?" said Twofeather, suddenly taking the whole situation a bit more seriously.

"I thought Starstruck said she killed it?"

"There's more than just the one I saw with you." Silver grimaced. "I'm starting to think they're everywhere..."

"But you say Starstruck killed one?" He turned to fix a strange expression on the mare.


"I did kill it." Starstruck said with a you're-all-welcome tone of voice, welcoming a less sticky subject. "I don't suggest any of you taking one on though if there are any more of them around. It, uh, kicks a bit of a punch." She rubbed her still sore head.

"So we can kill them... that's good to know. I wasn't even sure they were real until just a little while ago."

"But we still don't know what they are." Silver turned back to Rattle Tail, wearing an expectant look.

[Deadly]

Silver frowned at the jab directed toward his cousin, but reminded himself again that this had been her idea. He still wasn't sure why she stuck around this little group so stubbornly.

"Yeah, they might be something like that. Anything you can tell us would help. I get the impression they don't like ponies very much, if that's any motivation." The stallion swiped at his forehead with a hoof, but was still dripping sweat onto the floor.


Slick clutched at her chest with a hoof. "Wish I knew what I did to make you think that way," she complained. "I don't feel like a monster. But yeah, that sounds like our perp. And you've seen it." Slick paused as she studied her leader. "Or at least, you've talked to somebody who has."

[Rolling to read a pony: 1,5, +1: [7]. Holding 1.]

Slick sat down, and her armor squelched wetly around her. Plastic and Kevlar may stop a bullet, but they did nothing for heat, she reflected, and began the process of undressing.


"I did kill it." Starstruck said with a you're-all-welcome tone of voice, welcoming a less sticky subject. "I don't suggest any of you taking one on though if there are any more of them around. It, uh, kicks a bit of a punch." She rubbed her still sore head.

"Yes, Starstruck told us about it, how it was filling ponies' heads with black sludge, I believe?" she glanced at Starstruck in case she wanted to correct anything. "And that she killed one," she added with a thankful nod at Starstruck. "I wasn't there to see it myself, unfortunately. But we know they can be hurt, if not easily or without risk. We don't know how many there are, what they are, why they are here or how mad they are at us now. Unless somepony knows something they haven't shared?" She looked around in case anypony raised a hoof, lingering in particular on Quicksilver. "I have my own observations and speculations, but they aren't much and they could be unrelated."

She slumped down against the wall, fanning herself slowly with one wing then the other in an attempt to stay a little cool. "It's not our only concern, however. A lot seems to be going on, and I cannot say how much it is all connected, but it is why I came here where I knew we'd all be together. We can't do everything, especially in this unnatural heat. We need to focus where it matters the most.

"We've got weird flying organ creatures possibly messing with minds. They may not be alone with designs on our heads, however. There's something going on," she said with a subtle glance towards her brother, "but I can't say if it's unrelated, and I would like to look into it personally first. We've got a blistering heat, however. And several ponies are fighting for power, when they should be coming together and join us. I imagine the heat is keeping them from acting too aggressively, and perhaps that's a blessing and a reason to endure the heat a little longer." She paused for a moment. "And who knows what else."

[the_druid_droid]

"I wasn't there to see it myself, unfortunately. But we know they can be hurt, if not easily or without risk. We don't know how many there are, what they are, why they are here or how mad they are at us now. Unless somepony knows something they haven't shared?" She looked around in case anypony raised a hoof, lingering in particular on Quicksilver. "I have my own observations and speculations, but they aren't much and they could be unrelated."

Silver responded with a sharp look. "Hey, I'm not trying to keep ponies out of the loop. I saw another one a little while ago in the forest. That's why I'm trying to figure out what's going on with them. Especially now that I know they're real..."

[Deadly]

Silver responded with a sharp look. "Hey, I'm not trying to keep ponies out of the loop. I saw another one a little while ago in the forest. That's why I'm trying to figure out what's going on with them. Especially now that I know they're real..."

"I didn't mean to suggest you were," Rattle Tail said quickly. Maybe it was the heat, but it seemed there were more than a few sharp looks around. A weather for hot heads, she thought. "I looked to you because you came to us, so I assumed you might be able to give us some details.

"You went into the woods to find the Queen, is that where you saw it?" she asked. "Where's the snake I sent with you, by the way? He must be having a field day in this heat."

[Balmas]

"I saw mine, maybe a few hours ago," Slick mused. "From what I got, it was leaking some kinda toxic waste into the water supply--or at least, that's how I interpreted it. And the thing itself was all bird skulls and crown. Why bird skulls? Who looks at a bird and says, 'I'm gonna turn your brainpan into my new aesthetic'?"

[Thanqol]

"I saw mine, maybe a few hours ago," Slick mused. "From what I got, it was leaking some kinda toxic waste into the water supply--or at least, that's how I interpreted it. And the thing itself was all bird skulls and crown. Why bird skulls? Who looks at a bird and says, 'I'm gonna turn your brainpan into my new aesthetic'?"

"Maybe birds got the idea for their skulls from that thing," suggested Au Contraire from the floor. It seemed more like a reflexive reversal than a serious thought though.

[BlasTech]

Silver responded with a sharp look. "Hey, I'm not trying to keep ponies out of the loop. I saw another one a little while ago in the forest. That's why I'm trying to figure out what's going on with them. Especially now that I know they're real..."


"I saw mine, maybe a few hours ago," Slick mused. "From what I got, it was leaking some kinda toxic waste into the water supply--or at least, that's how I interpreted it. And the thing itself was all bird skulls and crown. Why bird skulls? Who looks at a bird and says, 'I'm gonna turn your brainpan into my new aesthetic'?"

"So ... we've got at least another two of these things flying around ..." observed Twofeather. "And yet, nopony is able to see them. I mean, I'm pretty sure I'd have heard before now if the rest of the townsfolk had seen a giant flying brain. How is it that you guys are able to notice these things?"

[the_druid_droid]

"You went into the woods to find the Queen, is that where you saw it?" she asked. "Where's the snake I sent with you, by the way? He must be having a field day in this heat."

Quicksilver nodded, slightly appeased. "Yeah, it was like it was guarding her, or something. All the ones I've seen have been connected with specific ponies, so maybe that's important?"

"And the scaly necktie slithered off once we found the place. If you're looking for him, I guess he'll find his way back eventually."


"So ... we've got at least another two of these things flying around ..." observed Twofeather. "And yet, nopony is able to see them. I mean, I'm pretty sure I'd have heard before now if the rest of the townsfolk had seen a giant flying brain. How is it that you guys are able to notice these things?"

"Well, at first I thought they were flashback dreams. So, you know, maybe something to do with that stint in prison. Or maybe whatever passes for a deity these days likes having me in on its jokes." The stallion shrugged, not feeling up to deep speculation thanks to the lingering heat.

[Elanorin]

"Yes, Starstruck told us about it, how it was filling ponies' heads with black sludge, I believe?" she glanced at Starstruck in case she wanted to correct anything.

Starstruck gave an affirmative nod and sat down, trying not to show that she was beginning to feel a little unsteady on her hooves. This heat was utterly merciless.


"And that she killed one," she added with a thankful nod at Starstruck.

The nod was gratefully received with a tired smile and Starstruck began to undo her armour as the conversation went on. The armour she never took off, but it was getting to the point where she just did not have a choice. She could feel she'd be passing out soon if she did nothing.


"So ... we've got at least another two of these things flying around ..." observed Twofeather. "And yet, nopony is able to see them. I mean, I'm pretty sure I'd have heard before now if the rest of the townsfolk had seen a giant flying brain. How is it that you guys are able to notice these things?"

"Well," Starstruck chimed in as she lifted the last piece of armour off herself and gently set it down on top of the neat pile on the floor, "I didn't see it until I was lining up a shot. I think you have to really focus to see them, it's like they are only here partially, like a nightmare bleeding through to reality." Starstruck was soaked and actually dripping with sweat, her mane lay plastered against her neck and face, but the lack of armour was no small relief.

[Deadly]

"Hmm," said Rattle Tail as all these bits and pieces came in and formed a picture. She wiped a hoof across her brow and let out a breath, and beneath that breath the whisper of a name. "Silver Tongue." Sneaky snake, where art thou. It would come back to her, though, she didn't doubt it for a second. Deep down in its serpent heart it knew where it belonged, and it would remember her and find its way home, despite whatever flights of fancy made it stray.

Lost: 5+3+3 = 11

Then she forced herself to stand and face her flock, despite the heat, despite much rather wanting to lie down in the darkest corner and do nothing until nightfall. "I see. I think I know what's happening. Since not all of you may have heard, and all of you may only have heard in pieces, I'll start over with all of you here."

She had to speak slowly, not just because of the heat, but she still didn't feel entirely tip-top. She'd need to get that doctor once they were done here.

This was the moment of truth, however.

"You all know I went to see the Queen of the Forest, after she threatened to attack us. I convinced her to pause and give us a chance, to stand with us instead of against us. I believe we need her, and she us," Rattle Tail said with conviction. "When I found her, she was planning to poison the river. This was probably around the same time you saw these monsters, which I believe are related to the concoction she had prepared. I warned her against it, told her it would likely be her death as well as ours, and convinced her to reconsider, at least for the moment.

"But we can't expect her to act on faith alone forever, especially if this thing she's created has a sentience of its own that may be trying to influence her to act sooner than she otherwise would. We have to show that we stand with her, and the way to do that is to stand with me.

"I alone saw the fall, and when it could not be stopped, I promised you the future. More than that, I promised to lead you there, to lead everypony who would follow. She leads the wild beasts of the forest, but it is clear that she does not lead the ponies of the forest. That is what I do, and together, we complement each other - the wilds and the ponies - like sun and moon once did.

"But like all of us, she too is lost, and it is for us to help her see the way. I promised her I would stand with her, and I warned her against her plan. But as you all know, I can only speak the truth, it is for those who listen to choose whether they act on my words. However, I didn't promise her I wouldn't work to stop her poison if she went ahead with it, because I do not trust something as vile and potent as that to leave only some alone, especially given the knowledge that it may have a mind and will of its own.

"So be assured that I will look into this further, and know that I intend to ensure the safety and well-being of all, no matter what comes. But we also have a different task before us, one that I cannot do alone, which is to convince those who are not yet convinced to follow us. We cannot afford to be divided and fighting down here, we need to stand together. I promised to lead the flock, and I intend that to include everypony."

Phew. At this rate she was going to pass out before the end of the day, but there was no choice. This was important.

[Elanorin]

Then she forced herself to stand and face her flock, despite the heat, despite much rather wanting to lie down in the darkest corner and do nothing until nightfall. "I see. I think I know what's happening. Since not all of you may have heard, and all of you may only have heard in pieces, I'll start over with all of you here."

She had to speak slowly, not just because of the heat, but she still didn't feel entirely tip-top. She'd need to get that doctor once they were done here.

This was the moment of truth, however.

"You all know I went to see the Queen of the Forest, after she threatened to attack us. I convinced her to pause and give us a chance, to stand with us instead of against us. I believe we need her, and she us," Rattle Tail said with conviction. "When I found her, she was planning to poison the river. This was probably around the same time you saw these monsters, which I believe are related to the concoction she had prepared. I warned her against it, told her it would likely be her death as well as ours, and convinced her to reconsider, at least for the moment.

"But we can't expect her to act on faith alone forever, especially if this thing she's created has a sentience of its own that may be trying to influence her to act sooner than she otherwise would. We have to show that we stand with her, and the way to do that is to stand with me.

"I alone saw the fall, and when it could not be stopped, I promised you the future. More than that, I promised to lead you there, to lead everypony who would follow. She leads the wild beasts of the forest, but it is clear that she does not lead the ponies of the forest. That is what I do, and together, we complement each other - the wilds and the ponies - like sun and moon once did.

"But like all of us, she too is lost, and it is for us to help her see the way. I promised her I would stand with her, and I warned her against her plan. But as you all know, I can only speak the truth, it is for those who listen to choose whether they act on my words. However, I didn't promise her I wouldn't work to stop her poison if she went ahead with it, because I do not trust something as vile and potent as that to leave only some alone, especially given the knowledge that it may have a mind and will of its own.

"So be assured that I will look into this further, and know that I intend to ensure the safety and well-being of all, no matter what comes. But we also have a different task before us, one that I cannot do alone, which is to convince those who are not yet convinced to follow us. We cannot afford to be divided and fighting down here, we need to stand together. I promised to lead the flock, and I intend that to include everypony."

Phew. At this rate she was going to pass out before the end of the day, but there was no choice. This was important.

"Are you saying you are going to stand for the election too?" Starstruck asked, raising her voice from the crowd, "Against your brother?" she looked at Twofeather.

[Deadly]

"Are you saying you are going to stand for the election too?" Starstruck asked, raising her voice from the crowd, "Against your brother?" she looked at Twofeather.

"Hopefully with him," Rattle Tail said. "But here's the thing, I'm not running for an election. There is no vote on whether you all get to follow me or you all follow somepony else instead. You each choose whether you follow me.

"As I told my brother, there will be positions to fill. I can't be everything to you, or serve all needs. What I offer, what I have always offered, is to be your leader and your guide, both spiritual and real. If you want a vote on who to be mayor, sheriff, ... these things will have to be decided separately, but you either follow me or you don't, and that choice is yours alone and not up for a vote."

[Balmas]

"So ... we've got at least another two of these things flying around ..." observed Twofeather. "And yet, nopony is able to see them. I mean, I'm pretty sure I'd have heard before now if the rest of the townsfolk had seen a giant flying brain. How is it that you guys are able to notice these things?"

Slick waved a hoof at Twofeather, a small scab forming over the frog. "It's amazing what you can see in a small pool of blood." She smiled sweetly, and added, "Especially when it's your own, right?"

The pegasus turned, and addressed Rattle Tail. "You know that I'm one of yours, Boss. I'll follow you so long as I think that you're leading to the right place, and not hold back from telling the truth as I see it.

"So I ask you: What happens when ponies don't follow the truth? We won't punish them, or cast them out, for their beliefs. At the same time, you just said that we can't afford disruptions, divisions, or discord in our midst. What then?"

[BlasTech]

"Hopefully with him," Rattle Tail said. "But here's the thing, I'm not running for an election. There is no vote on whether you all get to follow me or you all follow somepony else instead. You each choose whether you follow me.

"As I told my brother, there will be positions to fill. I can't be everything to you, or serve all needs. What I offer, what I have always offered, is to be your leader and your guide, both spiritual and real. If you want a vote on who to be mayor, sheriff, ... these things will have to be decided separately, but you either follow me or you don't, and that choice is yours alone and not up for a vote."

"Ugh, it's way too hot for politics." said Twofeather, as he sank to the ground. "But I gotta say, I like sharing power more than I like giving it up. You'll probably have a lot of holdouts either way though."

"Assuming you get to be our 'leader', what's the plan?" he asked. "What are you gonna do, open a church of Rattle Tail or something that we all have to go to?"

"Oh yeah, Faux ..." he said, talking more quietly once he'd found his gang member in the crowd. "Go fetch Trust Me, the doctor, for me. You know him, right? Had a scrap out in the forest, want him to check up on us."

[the_druid_droid]

"Well," Starstruck chimed in as she lifted the last piece of armour off herself and gently set it down on top of the neat pile on the floor, "I didn't see it until I was lining up a shot. I think you have to really focus to see them, it's like they are only here partially, like a nightmare bleeding through to reality." Starstruck was soaked and actually dripping with sweat, her mane lay plastered against her neck and face, but the lack of armour was no small relief.

"Yeah, that's a good way to put it. Question is - where's the nightmare coming from?"


"So be assured that I will look into this further, and know that I intend to ensure the safety and well-being of all, no matter what comes. But we also have a different task before us, one that I cannot do alone, which is to convince those who are not yet convinced to follow us. We cannot afford to be divided and fighting down here, we need to stand together. I promised to lead the flock, and I intend that to include everypony."

Phew. At this rate she was going to pass out before the end of the day, but there was no choice. This was important.

Well, she was certainly Twofeather's brother. Mysterious floating monsters lurking outside camp and it was a leadership problem. Silver stifled a grimace. He'd tried the 'following glorious principles' shtick and that had worked out real well...

These days he found himself too practical for politics, unless there was something in it for him, and as far as he was concerned spiritual enlightenment didn't count. The practical thing to do now was figure out a way to deal with the creepy sh*t and hopefully make some money on the side. Being a practical pony, that was just what he figured he'd try. Rattle Tail's idea about the poison might be a good place to start.


"So I ask you: What happens when ponies don't follow the truth? We won't punish them, or cast them out, for their beliefs. At the same time, you just said that we can't afford disruptions, divisions, or discord in our midst. What then?"

And Slick was her mother's daughter, no doubt. It was a good question, too. Quicksilver waited for the response.

[Elanorin]

"So I ask you: What happens when ponies don't follow the truth? We won't punish them, or cast them out, for their beliefs. At the same time, you just said that we can't afford disruptions, divisions, or discord in our midst. What then?"

"Yeah," Starstruck agreed with a little too much enthusiasm stemming from her guilt towards Slick. "This election's going to happen one way or another and somepony will get elected. If that's not you then we'll all be either divided or stuck with two masters."


"Yeah, that's a good way to put it. Question is - where's the nightmare coming from?"

"No idea." Starstruck shrugged a dripping wet shrug. "It could be indigenous for all we know. But, still, I killed one. I can kill another," she smiled, not trying to impress Silver in no way whatsoever.

[the_druid_droid]

"No idea." Starstruck shrugged a dripping wet shrug. "It could be indigenous for all we know. But, still, I killed one. I can kill another," she smiled, not trying to impress Silver in no way whatsoever.

Silver returned her smile. Her attempts at not impressing him were possibly failing. "I knew there was a reason I hired you."

[Deadly]

The pegasus turned, and addressed Rattle Tail. "You know that I'm one of yours, Boss. I'll follow you so long as I think that you're leading to the right place, and not hold back from telling the truth as I see it.

"So I ask you: What happens when ponies don't follow the truth? We won't punish them, or cast them out, for their beliefs. At the same time, you just said that we can't afford disruptions, divisions, or discord in our midst. What then?"


"Yeah," Starstruck agreed with a little too much enthusiasm stemming from her guilt towards Slick. "This election's going to happen one way or another and somepony will get elected. If that's not you then we'll all be either divided or stuck with two masters."

"The election can happen without dividing us, so long as those elected follow me.

"I expect divisions will happen, it would be foolishly optimistic and ignorant of pony nature to think not a single pony will be either unconvinced or simply stubborn, but it's our job to make sure those division are as small as possible. That we convince as many as we can.

"As for what we do if somepony doesn't follow, I have no aspirations to rule the world. If they choose a different path, they may go. The world is vast, and perhaps there will be a place for them somewhere. There will be those who will not leave us be, on the other hoof. How we deal with them will depend - there is no single strategy to deal with every case - but we must be ready to deal with them in any way necessary."


"Ugh, it's way too hot for politics." said Twofeather, as he sank to the ground. "But I gotta say, I like sharing power more than I like giving it up. You'll probably have a lot of holdouts either way though."

"Assuming you get to be our 'leader', what's the plan?" he asked. "What are you gonna do, open a church of Rattle Tail or something that we all have to go to?"

"We couldn't have picked a much better place to land. The gorge has its challenges, but it is not a bad place to settle. Many have begun the work to settle already." She gestured at the walls around them as an example. "But so far, we have simply picked the first spot we could find to set down. The gorge is large and hides much.

"As I foresaw the fall, I have foreseen our salvation. A promised land, a place to rebuild, a place destined for us. Only I can lead us there, with your combined help. This is what I promise, and it is there that I intend to rule - with the Queen - for all who live within. What I will not do is allow us to lose it.

"But you're right, brother," she said and wiped her brow with a wing. "It is too hot. I have told you the truth and my intentions, so that you are aware and can make decisions, but I came here so we could decide what is most important right now."


Well, she was certainly Twofeather's brother. Mysterious floating monsters lurking outside camp and it was a leadership problem. Silver stifled a grimace. He'd tried the 'following glorious principles' shtick and that had worked out real well...

These days he found himself too practical for politics, unless there was something in it for him, and as far as he was concerned spiritual enlightenment didn't count. The practical thing to do now was figure out a way to deal with the creepy sh*t and hopefully make some money on the side. Being a practical pony, that was just what he figured he'd try. Rattle Tail's idea about the poison might be a good place to start.

As she was speaking - and practically burning in the heat - Rattle Tail surveyed those around her. Twofeather and Slick (much as she tried) seemed to be responsive to her word, and she already knew the key to Starstruck's loyalties. That left Quicksilver, who looked skeptical, even less than pleased for some reason. Rattle Tail thought she had gotten through to Quicksilver earlier, but it seemed she had changed her mind.

Rattle Tail wondered what might convince the Maestro, but it sure wasn't easy to think in this heat.

Read a Pony: 3+2+0 = 5

[Elanorin]

Silver returned her smile. Her attempts at not impressing him were possibly failing. "I knew there was a reason I hired you."

Starstruck's smile lingered just long enough to turn slightly goofy. Was it getting hot in here?


"The election can happen without dividing us, so long as those elected follow me.

"I expect divisions will happen, it would be foolishly optimistic and ignorant of pony nature to think not a single pony will be either unconvinced or simply stubborn, but it's our job to make sure those division are as small as possible. That we convince as many as we can.

"As for what we do if somepony doesn't follow, I have no aspirations to rule the world. If they choose a different path, they may go. The world is vast, and perhaps there will be a place for them somewhere. There will be those who will not leave us be, on the other hoof. How we deal with them will depend - there is no single strategy to deal with every case - but we must be ready to deal with them in any way necessary."

"We couldn't have picked a much better place to land. The gorge has its challenges, but it is not a bad place to settle. Many have begun the work to settle already." She gestured at the walls around them as an example. "But so far, we have simply picked the first spot we could find to set down. The gorge is large and hides much.

"As I foresaw the fall, I have foreseen our salvation. A promised land, a place to rebuild, a place destined for us. Only I can lead us there, with your combined help. This is what I promise, and it is there that I intend to rule - with the Queen - for all who live within. What I will not do is allow us to lose it.

"But you're right, brother," she said and wiped her brow with a wing. "It is too hot. I have told you the truth and my intentions, so that you are aware and can make decisions, but I came here so we could decide what is most important right now."

Starstruck cleared her throat and looked back up at Rattle Tail from her momentary distraction. So much of what the mare was saying rang true to her and she could even se little images in her mind of a gathering of ponies making a home here. If it wasn't for the heat it might even be pleasant.

"Out of curiosity, does Sirocco follow you? Twofeather here being your brother I assume is on your team already but Sirocco might be a problem for you. Need help with that?"

"Speaking of problems," Starstruck added in a hushed voice and leaned close to Twofeather. "It's crazy hot today and I am happily not killing you today but if you want that mood to stick you go and make good with Slick over there right now. Oh and swipe Haze off her feet while you're at it. Whatever it takes, sleep with her if you have to. Then you and I might meet under better circumstances next time. If not... well..." she made a little shrug as if to say it was out of her hooves.

[Rolling to Manipulate: 4+2-1=5]

[Thanqol]

As she was speaking - and practically burning in the heat - Rattle Tail surveyed those around her. Twofeather and Slick (much as she tried) seemed to be responsive to her word, and she already knew the key to Starstruck's loyalties. That left Quicksilver, who looked skeptical, even less than pleased for some reason. Rattle Tail thought she had gotten through to Quicksilver earlier, but it seemed she had changed her mind.

Rattle Tail wondered what might convince the Maestro, but it sure wasn't easy to think in this heat.

Read a Pony: 3+2+0 = 5

A shadow flickered from outside. Something swift and soft and purple.

A grenade flies in though the window, hissing with tear gas. Another one whirls in through the doorway and FLASH! BANG! Nopony will SEE anything and nopony will HEAR anything - but everypony will FEEL what is like the worst acidic allergen fill their mouths and noses.


"Speaking of problems," Starstruck added in a hushed voice and leaned close to Twofeather. "It's crazy hot today and I am happily not killing you today but if you want that mood to stick you go and make good with Slick over there right now. Oh and swipe Haze off her feet while you're at it. Whatever it takes, sleep with her if you have to. Then you and I might meet under better circumstances next time. If not... well..." she made a little shrug as if to say it was out of her hooves.

[Rolling to Manipulate: 4+2-1=5]

You perhaps catch the vaguest outline of a pony in a gas mask before the lights go out, and the ringing in your head is matched with the ringing blow to your ear as a hoof catches you in the skull and a black bag goes over your head. They're trying to drag you away, what do you do?

Everypony, you're disoriented, unarmoured, and being hit by what is essentially a SWAT team out of fricking nowhere. What do you all do?

Hi guys. Did you miss me?

[Deadly]

Starstruck cleared her throat and looked back up at Rattle Tail from her momentary distraction. So much of what the mare was saying rang true to her and she could even se little images in her mind of a gathering of ponies making a home here. If it wasn't for the heat it might even be pleasant.

"Out of curiosity, does Sirocco follow you? Twofeather here being your brother I assume is on your team already but Sirocco might be a problem for you. Need help with that?"

Rattle Tail threw a glance at her brother. "I was about to see a pony about that, actually. So, I don't know yet."


A shadow flickered from outside. Something swift and soft and purple.

A grenade flies in though the window, hissing with tear gas. Another one whirls in through the doorway and FLASH! BANG! Nopony will SEE anything and nopony will HEAR anything - but everypony will FEEL what is like the worst acidic allergen fill their mouths and noses.

So much for the heat making everyone too tired and hot to fight.

If no one could see or hear, that limited options. Rattle Tail had expected someone might react, though she had hoped the heat would delay things. Alas, luck was not always on your side, which was why you had to make sure - or at least hope - that others were.

Rattle Tail held her breath and closed her eyes - painfully, very painfully - and jumped for the nearest window, to find the nearest tree. Which shouldn't be far - they built this house in the thick of the forest to keep it at least moderately inaccessible, after all. It was time to see what the bell the Queen had given her was good for.

It was likely they had the house surrounded, but she didn't need to go far, hopefully being fast enough would get her through among all the chaos.

Acting under Fire: 1+6+1 = 8

[the_druid_droid]

As she was speaking - and practically burning in the heat - Rattle Tail surveyed those around her. Twofeather and Slick (much as she tried) seemed to be responsive to her word, and she already knew the key to Starstruck's loyalties. That left Quicksilver, who looked skeptical, even less than pleased for some reason. Rattle Tail thought she had gotten through to Quicksilver earlier, but it seemed she had changed her mind.

Rattle Tail wondered what might convince the Maestro, but it sure wasn't easy to think in this heat.

Read a Pony: 3+2+0 = 5

Of course he looked unhappy. It was too damn hot, he'd been walking all day on a wild goose chase, and possibly-invisible threats were all around him. He was probably just grumpy as a result, that's all.


Starstruck's smile lingered just long enough to turn slightly goofy. Was it getting hot in here?

The stallion winked as her smile lingered. He had been a little nervous about everypony falling in line so easily with Rattle Tail, and maybe now he would have a chance to get through to somepony.

[Seduce or Manipulate - 2d6+2: 8. Silver wants Starstruck to spend some alone time with him, so he can talk about Rattle Tail's cult and what's been going on.

If she does, mark experience.]


Everypony, you're disoriented, unarmoured, and being hit by what is essentially a SWAT team out of fricking nowhere. What do you all do?

Hi guys. Did you miss me?

Quicksilver's military instincts kicked in as the bang went off. He couldn't see or hear for the moment, but he had some idea about entry points and did his best to make his way toward one and complicate things for their visitors. He was glad he'd saved the wingblades from the wolves right now.

[Act Under Fire - 2d6-1: 6. Ouch.]

[Balmas]

"The election can happen without dividing us, so long as those elected follow me.

"I expect divisions will happen, it would be foolishly optimistic and ignorant of pony nature to think not a single pony will be either unconvinced or simply stubborn, but it's our job to make sure those division are as small as possible. That we convince as many as we can.

"As for what we do if somepony doesn't follow, I have no aspirations to rule the world. If they choose a different path, they may go. The world is vast, and perhaps there will be a place for them somewhere. There will be those who will not leave us be, on the other hoof. How we deal with them will depend - there is no single strategy to deal with every case - but we must be ready to deal with them in any way necessary."

Slick's smile faltered just a bit. We can have an election, so long as it's a shadow election and the ruler is a puppet, she translated. Enclave protocol at its finest.


A shadow flickered from outside. Something swift and soft and purple.

A grenade flies in though the window, hissing with tear gas. Another one whirls in through the doorway and FLASH! BANG! Nopony will SEE anything and nopony will HEAR anything - but everypony will FEEL what is like the worst acidic allergen fill their mouths and noses.

Slick had just enough time to see the grenade, but not enough time to actually do anything more than stare dumbly at it before it went off. Turns out, that's not a good idea when the damn thing bursts brighter than the sun. Slick cursed, and scrambled for her armor, doing her best to hold her breath until she could get the domed glass helmet settled. Even if it was just the helmet itself, that oughtta do a little to keep out the acrid gas.

Acting under fire: [roll0]

...Bother.

[Elanorin]

The stallion winked as her smile lingered. He had been a little nervous about everypony falling in line so easily with Rattle Tail, and maybe now he would have a chance to get through to somepony.

[Seduce or Manipulate - 2d6+2: 8. Silver wants Starstruck to spend some alone time with him, so he can talk about Rattle Tail's cult and what's been going on.

If she does, mark experience.]

Maybe I... should ask Silver if he-

That was the thought that was still formulating in her head when-



FLASH! BANG! Nopony will SEE anything and nopony will HEAR anything - but everypony will FEEL what is like the worst acidic allergen fill their mouths and noses.

You perhaps catch the vaguest outline of a pony in a gas mask before the lights go out, and the ringing in your head is matched with the ringing blow to your ear as a hoof catches you in the skull and a black bag goes over your head. They're trying to drag you away, what do you do?

Everypony, you're disoriented, unarmoured, and being hit by what is essentially a SWAT team out of fricking nowhere.

There isn't a moment in the day when Starstruck isn't ready and prepared for this exact thing. It is so deeply drilled in to her that her mind just shuts down and surrenders the floor to her instincts, reflexes and muscle memory.

She does not try to remove the hood, the little help it gives against the noxious gas is welcome and besides, it's not as if she could see anyway right now, her eyes streaming from the sudden flash. Her wingblades, however, flare instantly and she leaps in to action against the one trying to grab her, using her blades without hesitation as she fights free from any restraints, using them as much to shield herself as to attack, conscious of her lack of armour. She has no concern for who she may accidentally harm as she is equally apt with using the flat side of her blades as the sharp and right now she's happy to knock anything in her way flat unconscious. She's assuming it's Haze, it might not be, but she won't underestimate whoever it is if she expects the Lieutenant's skill and experience.

In her tussle with her assailant, Starstruck moves to grab them and make a dash outside in a capture of her own in an effort to gain a hostage and through that the upper hand, or at the very least, a prisoner to be questioned.

[Rolling to Act Under Fire: 6+3+1=10
Rolling to Seize the upper hand by force: 4+2+3=9 Take definite hold, Suffer little harm
Applying my Disciplined Engagement and dealing only s-harm]

[Thanqol]

Rattle Tail held her breath and closed her eyes - painfully, very painfully - and jumped for the nearest window, to find the nearest tree. Which shouldn't be far - they built this house in the thick of the forest to keep it at least moderately inaccessible, after all. It was time to see what the bell the Queen had given her was good for.

It was likely they had the house surrounded, but she didn't need to go far, hopefully being fast enough would get her through among all the chaos.

Acting under Fire: 1+6+1 = 8

You see Silver Tongue out of the corner of your watering eyes as you breach the window, he's urgently trying to get your attention. If you go to him you will absolutely be spotted, though. If you stay on course you won't be immediately and will get the chance to try the bell (roll Weird if you do). What do you do?


Quicksilver's military instincts kicked in as the bang went off. He couldn't see or hear for the moment, but he had some idea about entry points and did his best to make his way toward one and complicate things for their visitors. He was glad he'd saved the wingblades from the wolves right now.

[Act Under Fire - 2d6-1: 6. Ouch.]

You get tazed, bro. You've been tazed a few times in your life and it always sucks. The zip-tie and black bag over the head are pretty new.

And then there's another BANG and this feeling like you're nowhere and nothing and everywhere for a second. Tell me, when was the last time you got teleported, and how does an Enclave soldier wind up getting zapped from place to place by a unicorn?


Slick had just enough time to see the grenade, but not enough time to actually do anything more than stare dumbly at it before it went off. Turns out, that's not a good idea when the damn thing bursts brighter than the sun. Slick cursed, and scrambled for her armor, doing her best to hold her breath until she could get the domed glass helmet settled. Even if it was just the helmet itself, that oughtta do a little to keep out the acrid gas.

Acting under fire: [roll0]

...Bother.

You get the same treatment as Quicksilver - taze, zip-tie, bag, teleport. Bang-bang-bang! It's dark and you hurt and you've got no idea where you are - either the sign of a good party or a bad day.

You can hear the muffled groaning of at least three other ponies who got the same treatment. You can recognize them from their brain-flavour; who are they? They don't have to be ponies present at the cult house, either.

Oh, and also, you're way outside the operational range of Positive Reinforcement's Brain Relay. It takes all your attention to keep the connection to your Skinvelope functional, and you can only manage it because you are the Brainer. If you want to send any sort of message back to the tank, or use any of your Brainer moves or anything you get from Positive's setup, you're Acting Under Fire. Gross physical stuff is fine, though.


There isn't a moment in the day when Starstruck isn't ready and prepared for this exact thing. It is so deeply drilled in to her that her mind just shuts down and surrenders the floor to her instincts, reflexes and muscle memory.

She does not try to remove the hood, the little help it gives against the noxious gas is welcome and besides, it's not as if she could see anyway right now, her eyes streaming from the sudden flash. Her wingblades, however, flare instantly and she leaps in to action against the one trying to grab her, using her blades without hesitation as she fights free from any restraints, using them as much to shield herself as to attack, conscious of her lack of armour. She has no concern for who she may accidentally harm as she is equally apt with using the flat side of her blades as the sharp and right now she's happy to knock anything in her way flat unconscious. She's assuming it's Haze, it might not be, but she won't underestimate whoever it is if she expects the Lieutenant's skill and experience.

In her tussle with her assailant, Starstruck moves to grab them and make a dash outside in a capture of her own in an effort to gain a hostage and through that the upper hand, or at the very least, a prisoner to be questioned.

[Rolling to Act Under Fire: 6+3+1=10
Rolling to Seize the upper hand by force: 4+2+3=9 Take definite hold, Suffer little harm
Applying my Disciplined Engagement and dealing only s-harm]

You hit the bastard just as he comes in through the door and you piledrive him all the way back into a tree, knocking the sense out of him through the head. He might have got a shot off as you slammed him, maybe, but it either didn't hit or didn't penetrate. You're looking at a stallion without armour, he's wearing ugly black grounder rags, his face is tattooed or painted or whatever to look like a skull, and he has a bucking horn. You're not dealing with a pegasus here, this is a goddamn unicorn.

What was the worst thing a unicorn has ever done to you?

[Elanorin]

You hit the bastard just as he comes in through the door and you piledrive him all the way back into a tree, knocking the sense out of him through the head. He might have got a shot off as you slammed him, maybe, but it either didn't hit or didn't penetrate. You're looking at a stallion without armour, he's wearing ugly black grounder rags, his face is tattooed or painted or whatever to look like a skull, and he has a bucking horn. You're not dealing with a pegasus here, this is a goddamn unicorn.

What was the worst thing a unicorn has ever done to you?

A unicorn!? Starstruck's face turns to thunder as she battles with her own prejudices. She'd never been inclined to like unicorns; the Enclave propaganda had been a bit too successful with her on that particular front. Past experience hadn't helped.

*

My longest undercover mission to date, you know, the one in The Crystal Empire, did not end the way it was planned. Once we had every pegasus out of there we were to wind down our information network and exit discreetly, preferably leaving our whole unit's covers intact. Instead we ended up having to fly for our lives with plenty work left to be done, many pegasi still to be liberated and we were finally starting to close in on the head of the double agents, the elusive Darkfeather. We were so close to getting him when everything came crashing down. All because I had come to call a unicorn friend. All because I trusted her and thought her concern genuine. I will never forget Tinker Tailor's betrayal as she brought the crystal guard to my doorstep. We barely managed to get out alive. We lost half our unit in that betrayal and if I ever see her again I'll kill her on sight.

*

Satisfied that she's knocked this unicorn out cold she grabs him and flies up a tree, coincidentally the one she was perched in a little earlier. With any luck the sucker is scared of heights. She keeps an eye on what's happening, the feeling ponies, the panic, get an idea of how many attackers are involved and any sign of who is calling the shots all the while reclaiming the gear that had been left behind and hunting thoriugh it and the unicorn's pockets for means of tying him up.

[Rolling to Read A Sitch: 3+2+1=6 Who's in control here? Help anyone?]

[BlasTech]

A shadow flickered from outside. Something swift and soft and purple.

A grenade flies in though the window, hissing with tear gas. Another one whirls in through the doorway and FLASH! BANG! Nopony will SEE anything and nopony will HEAR anything - but everypony will FEEL what is like the worst acidic allergen fill their mouths and noses.

Coughing, Twofeather hit the ground and scurried for better cover outside. He didn't have any training to deal with this sort of situation, but Sirocco did, and he drew on that connection to remember where he'd been and how to get out safely.

[roll0]

[Thanqol]

Satisfied that she's knocked this unicorn out cold she grabs him and flies up a tree, coincidentally the one she was perched in a little earlier. With any luck the sucker is scared of heights. She keeps an eye on what's happening, the feeling ponies, the panic, get an idea of how many attackers are involved and any sign of who is calling the shots all the while reclaiming the gear that had been left behind and hunting thoriugh it and the unicorn's pockets for means of tying him up.

[Rolling to Read A Sitch: 3+2+1=6 Who's in control here? Help anyone?]

"Long live Rainbow Dash," says Radar Glitch, and shoots you in the back.

You were right to think Haze earlier because these were standard Sigma tactics, but you were a little off - you manage to turn your head just in time to see Radar Glitch standing over you as vision starts to burn out of your head. He had help, but he's the one who set this up.

Mark 3 harm. Harm move: 10 - you're unconscious, out of action, or panicked.

You start to fade into unconsciousness as Glitch starts to rouse the unicorn you KO'd so he can teleport you out of there. As you fall into an agony-dream your mind goes back - what are the warning signs you overlooked or disregarded about Radar Glitch's true allegiances?


Coughing, Twofeather hit the ground and scurried for better cover outside. He didn't have any training to deal with this sort of situation, but Sirocco did, and he drew on that connection to remember where he'd been and how to get out safely.

[7]

So you manage to take cover behind a tree, but as soon as you settle down behind the trunk you notice a prickly feeling on your back - and within seconds you notice that you've sat right on top of an ant nest and these awful, probably radioactive fire ants are starting to crawl all over you. Plus side nopony sees you here. What do you do?

[the_druid_droid]

You get tazed, bro. You've been tazed a few times in your life and it always sucks. The zip-tie and black bag over the head are pretty new.

And then there's another BANG and this feeling like you're nowhere and nothing and everywhere for a second. Tell me, when was the last time you got teleported, and how does an Enclave soldier wind up getting zapped from place to place by a unicorn?

Oh, so it was unicorn magic? That explained a lot really. Well, a lot to Silver, at least. See, back in his military days, there had been this long, exhausting campaign against some griffon holdouts. The griffons were badly outgunned, but they had started using every guerilla tactic in the book, and so despite all their advantages, Enclave casualties were mounting.

From intel reports, their HQ had gone to ground, and by the time the brass was fed up with stagnation on the front lines, most of the griffon chain of command was hiding somewhere in a network of caves and woodlands up in a blasted section of mountains - maybe not too far from the Gorge, come to think of it.

Anyway, even once Enclave scouts had located the core of the base, it was still nasty work. Unnaturally dense trees to make flying almost impossible, booby traps and mines all over, deadfalls, seas of radioactive sludge poured down the obvious passes, and hidden flak guns to take out patrols coming in from altitude. Just getting to the tunnels that led into the base was a suicide job.

So finally some general or admiral somewhere got fed up enough to pull some strings. They worked out a deal with Stars Above, and a hooffull of elite units, Quicksilver's included, were led into a domed room with all sorts of drawings and figures on the floor in what he guessed was silver or another precious metal. There was a loud noise which sounded almost like machinery winding up, then that same feeling of dissolving briefly, and finally they were in the center of the griffon high command. After all that, the strike force was only slightly less surprised than the birds, but it was enough. The campaign ended that day.

Although where the Enclave had found unicorns capable of that kind of magic, or something close enough to a unicorn to manage it, Silver had no idea. Officially, there was nothing like that anywhere in the clouds.

[Balmas]

You get the same treatment as Quicksilver - taze, zip-tie, bag, teleport. Bang-bang-bang! It's dark and you hurt and you've got no idea where you are - either the sign of a good party or a bad day.

You can hear the muffled groaning of at least three other ponies who got the same treatment. You can recognize them from their brain-flavour; who are they? They don't have to be ponies present at the cult house, either.

Oh, and also, you're way outside the operational range of Positive Reinforcement's Brain Relay. It takes all your attention to keep the connection to your Skinvelope functional, and you can only manage it because you are the Brainer. If you want to send any sort of message back to the tank, or use any of your Brainer moves or anything you get from Positive's setup, you're Acting Under Fire. Gross physical stuff is fine, though.

Gross physical stuff is fine, huh? Then the first priority would be to loose a blistering stream of vituperation that would peel paint, scar children, and probably provoke a smiting from any of the deities named.

Captain Flashfire's the first one to appear on her radar, which isn't really surprising, when you consider that it's, well, Flashfire. He does his best to be the center of any circle. Slick had been only one of many teenage admirers, and he practically oozed charisma into any room he entered. He all but drowned out [Sirocco's Wife, whose name I don't recall.] There was a third presence, but it was strange, almost oily; her brain kept skipping over it, like it was desperately trying to avoid seeing it. Slick squinted, and forced herself to latch onto it, before raising an eyebrow. She didn't think that Haze would be the kind of pony to get caught out in an ambush.

Slick paused, catching her breath as she took in what she could of the room around her. Hearing, smelling, even wriggling around on the floor to get a feel for what she was lying on.

Read a Sitch: 5,2, +1. [8]. What's my best way out of here?

[Deadly]

You see Silver Tongue out of the corner of your watering eyes as you breach the window, he's urgently trying to get your attention. If you go to him you will absolutely be spotted, though. If you stay on course you won't be immediately and will get the chance to try the bell (roll Weird if you do). What do you do?

Rattle Tail relied on her followers. Without them, she was just a madmare ranting in the woods. But also because her whole shtick was about listening to the advice and warnings of others. If she didn't listen to her followers, everything she said would ring hollow.

So when Silver Tongue was trying to get her attention, Rattle Tail didn't just ignore it and do her own thing. That wouldn't be Rattle Tail. So as she flew through the window in a shower of glass, she immediately banked towards the snake, expecting it to have a plan.

[Elanorin]

"Long live Rainbow Dash," says Radar Glitch, and shoots you in the back.

You were right to think Haze earlier because these were standard Sigma tactics, but you were a little off - you manage to turn your head just in time to see Radar Glitch standing over you as vision starts to burn out of your head. He had help, but he's the one who set this up.

Mark 3 harm. Harm move: 10 - you're unconscious, out of action, or panicked.

You start to fade into unconsciousness as Glitch starts to rouse the unicorn you KO'd so he can teleport you out of there. As you fall into an agony-dream your mind goes back - what are the warning signs you overlooked or disregarded about Radar Glitch's true allegiances?


Radar Glitch? No way. Nope. Whoever this is, it is not Glitch. It's some other changeling wearing his shape, perhaps, or maybe he's been possessed or brainwashed somehow, but that is not the real Radar Glitch. No. Not possible. Nope. You're talking about my most trusted friend among my trusted friends. He's not just part of my unit, he's my rock. I categorically reject the evidence here at their face value even as my consciousness slips away from me despite my best efforts.

Saying that, the last thought that goes through my mind is that I'm totally going to kick his sorry behind for this.