Celestia's Finest: Sombra Went Down to Ashtown

[DigoDragon]

Rose stares wide-eyed into her comm. "Holy sweet Celestia's teat. It's real!" she whispers to Corby. Seems the alcohol took a momentary pause and if not, Rose grabs her canteen and gulps down a bunch of water. She wipes her wet lips.

"Well! That was a... thing that happened. I think I know three ponies who should hear this and give us their professional opinion. To the infirmary!"

Rose marches her way toward the infirmary to locate the patients and get their statements on this. Chaos! Destruction of all like in her vision! Could this mean RT has a cute butt what she saw is linked to actual Andromeda memories? Dammit brain, focus on the current main arc, not the side story plot.

[Miltonian]

“Oh,” Lullaby says, disappointment in her voice, “I...goodbye, then? Until later.”

As he goes to leave, she stirs. “Before you go, I did want to say that I enjoy talking to you. Even when I’m not drunk off my flank.” One corner of her mouth quirks into a smile. “Thought you’d want to know that.”

--

“Only when watching sports,” Corby quips. She too listens to the message and her eyebrows shoot up, making as if to flat out leave her face. “Oh.” She straightens and plops a few bits on the counter. “To the infirmary!”

Sandy watches them leave and rubs her one good eye. “What was that about?” she wonders to no one in particular.

“Important business,” one of the whiskey bottles answers back.

“They could have said goodbye,” a wine bottle sniffs.

“Ooh! Bits!” the Gin says, giggling.

Sandy stares at the shelf with a wide eye and silently swears to never drink before five again. Meanwhile, Discord snickers in his own private dimension.

--

Red Tape responds to Brazen. “Oh! You already listened to--I was expecting at least a half-hour delay. Anyway, I don’t think we could be that lucky. This is...I’m not sure what this is.”

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot's mouth forms a half-smile.

"The same goes for me. It was a nice conversation. We'll have to do it again soon, so... farewell until then."

He'll finish good byes with Lullaby and then a message goes to Red Tape and the squad: "Earlier, I ran an analysis on Andromeda's speech patterns and concluded that she was chipped. Afterward, Emerald told me that the CPI has standing orders to keep Andromeda happy at all costs and that a mention was made of trouble if she transformed due to unhappiness. If true, then my earlier conclusions were wrong. I wanted to verify Emerald's claim with Octavia or Merry before saying anything. This recording might have done so."

He sets off for the infirmary with mixed emotions, but, primarily, the feeling that it was nice to have a stress-free conversation and drama-free friendship.

[DigoDragon]

Rose glances at the message from Sniper as she trots over to the infirmary. Upon arrival she checks who's here so far.

"I regret to inform you all that we live in interesting times," Rose states upon entering. She stumbles a bit past the doorway, but catches herself. "Andromeda made a very odd speech just minutes ago and I think everyone should hear it. If you haven't already. Right, so... Sniper should be here too with... questions. Fun."

[Elbeyon]

Love sends a preemptive thank you to Happy for her efforts and the spicy food.

"That does sound jerkish." She tries not to make any presumptions.

She watches Powder sigh away. Guiltridden, she says, "Keg... It sucks. I'm sorry."

Love listens to Red Tape's message, but she doesn't play his attachment yet.

She hears Longshot talking.

[Miltonian]

After seeing him off, Lullaby decides to finish her meal before returning to her duties. Not that she didn't appreciate them, but it would be odd to say goodbye and immediately head to the same place.

Red Tape replies to Longshot. "Verification sounds like a wise course of action. Please report when you've done so."

--

All patients are their for Rose's speech as well as Violet, who looks up sharply at Rose's abrupt entrance, startled. "Um...I don't mean to...ask too many questions," she says, "But have you been drinking?"

--

Powder Keg sniffs. "It does," she says, pushing it back down, "But you know what? I'm a tough mare. I'll get over it."

[DigoDragon]

All patients are their for Rose's speech as well as Violet, who looks up sharply at Rose's abrupt entrance, startled. "Um...I don't mean to...ask too many questions," she says, "But have you been drinking?"

"I was. But if I wasn't, this audio would make me," Rose answers. She replays the audio recording for everyone in the room, holding up the speaker for everyone to hear.

Rose herself holds the edge of a bed to keep herself steady.

[D.KnightSpider]

"Wilco." Longshot replies to Red Tape.

Rose's flight restriction chafes. He could move so much faster were he allowed to fly.

No help for it. Longshot reverses course and goes to track down Octavia.

[Elbeyon]

Love continues to frown. She agrees, "You are tough, but do what you need to do. Yell. Cry. Talk. I'm here for you."

[userpay]

"Either it's legit or they're tryin to make us look like the bad guys if we go through with the attack. Ah'ma see if Octavia might beable to shed some light." Brazen turns his hooves towards where the concert hall was which was the most likely place to find the metal bound spirit.

[Miltonian]

Rose's Message Delivery Service (TM) draws frowns and looks of grave concern from everyone in the room. Even Violet, who has no special reason to be worried aside from the fact that she listens to the Old World Blues station on occasion, looks disturbed.

"That's..." Emerald begins.

"Probably not good," Merry mutters. They look at each other and exchange grim nods.

--

Powder Keg looks down and sighs. It lasts only a moment. Then, she explodes with energy and throws herself against the door. Gripping the bars, she says, "Get me out of here. Give me a gun! Let me fight with you all! I don't want to be locked up anymore. I want to kick that bucking bastard's smug face in! Or at least be there when someone else does."

--

Sniper and Brazen head towards the same destination and arrive at relatively the same time, all things considered. However, Octavia is not in the auditorium at the moment. They can hear the sound of her music coming from backstage, however, and a quick trot up there finds her in one of the back hallways playing for the newly freed foals, who crowd around eagerly, faces transfigured into masks of wonder.

[DigoDragon]

"That's..." Emerald begins.
"Probably not good," Merry mutters. They look at each other and exchange grim nods.

Rose nods. She sets her comm to start recording audio in th--no no, don't play Fat Bottom Mares!.

Okay, rose got the comm unit recording now. Phew... She takes a breath and looks up at the trio. "Yeah, that sounds like Andromeda might... do something crazy in two days. She's normally all for the CPI so... any theories? Did her chip go bad or something? Blank, anything to add about Andromeda that might shed light on this?"

She'll give them a minute to ponder and respond, giving herself a minute to sit down and collect her thoughts past the alcohol.

"I wonder if... if these chips can share memories? Maybe not intentionally, but like, if you have several minds connected to share conscious thoughts, maybe subconscious ones leak through. Okay, so let me share my experience--when the chip I was working on exploded, I got what Blank described as part of the 'orientation video'. Except the galactic empire Polaris claims to run was dead; destroyed spaceships, dead worlds with just ash, dying stars... I wonder if what I saw was someone's memory? Cause what Andromeda describes as the rot and darkness of this creeping 'Chaos' kind of fits the description."

Rose lets out a silent burp. "'scuse me." She stops for now, letting others speak and just watching the recording counter creep up a tick per second.

[D.KnightSpider]

In spite of the gravity and haste of the situation, Longshot smiles at the scene. This was probably good for everyone involved. The foals needed some exposure to culture and Octavia could get some good experience.

He'll give them a minute before trying to quietly signal Octavia.

[Elbeyon]

Love's ScoutBot lands on the door next to the bars. "I'll, I'll try my best to get you an escort. We have spare weapons. Let's help the wasteland together!"

[Miltonian]

Blank stares levelly at Rose. “Nothing that I think you should know,” he says frostily.

“This is not normal,” Emerald says, “She just gave an order for everyone to stand down. That…”

Merry grunts. “Means that whoever’s in the middle of combat is going to stand there staring at their gun while everypony shoots them.”

“That should not be within their capabilities,” Blank mutters, “Are you sure you’re not just delusional? Because if you’re not sure, then I am.”

--

The concert ends in a little bit. Though Octavia gives no indication of having seen him, she draws things to a close and bows. The foals cheer and she ushers them off to ‘go get something from Happy in the kitchen’.

She turns to Longshot and Brazen. “Well, it seems we keep running into each other. What is it this time?”

--

Powder Keg slumps down with a sigh. “I guess that’s all you can do.”

On a different note, the food arrives. Happy hums to herself, pushing a cart of food that’s both hot in temperature and spice. “Hello, hello!” she says with a smile.

[DigoDragon]

Blank stares levelly at Rose. “Nothing that I think you should know,” he says frostily.

Rose watches her phone weather app forecast drop three degrees.



“This is not normal,” Emerald says, “She just gave an order for everyone to stand down. That…”
Merry grunts. “Means that whoever’s in the middle of combat is going to stand there staring at their gun while everypony shoots them.”
“That should not be within their capabilities,” Blank mutters, “Are you sure you’re not just delusional? Because if you’re not sure, then I am.”

"They are not delusional," Rose speaks up from her sitting position. "When we went to the Pacification Protocol to rescue you from you, Blank, soldiers with broken backs and missing legs still tried to bite my face off. Dying? They didn't care, they crawled like zombies at me. I think you saw them too. Dying creatures crawling around the ship, crawling to kill us. I believe you know what those chips can do as well as Merry and Emerald do."

Rose's ears droop. She takes in a deep breath. "If the CPI leaders tell the soldiers to stand down, then they will stand down. The soldiers do not control their bodies, the chips do."

[Elbeyon]

"The Commander is in charge." Love can't let Keg out via her own volition? If that was allowed, she would have freed her by now. "I'll do what I can."

There is an uptick in Love's voice, "Hey, Happy. Thank you for the food earlier. Star and I really enjoyed the pancakes." One last 'thank you' in 'person.' The ScoutBot looks at the cart. She says a little excited, "That looks warm."

Maybe, Happy could be Keg's escort? "Happy, do you need an assistant for any tasks today?"

[D.KnightSpider]

"Nice to see you, too." Longshot replies.

He takes a deep breath and lets the air clear. "We have a situation with Andromeda, and, for better or worse, no pony we can contact knows her better than you. There's a recording of her to which we'd like you to listen and give us any feedback on Andromeda's thought process. There's a few questions that we also need to ask.

"I know this is difficult... It may save a lot of lives."

[Miltonian]

"I meant you," Blank snaps, "I know what the chips do, and they don't share memories."

"I have to say," Merry says doubtfully, "I never experienced that either. That I remember..."

--

"I hope she likes it," Happy confides.

Keg cranes her head to peer down the hall. "Happy! Finally, I'm almost skin and bones!" she teases.

"Well wait no longer!" Happy whispers to Love, "No more than usual, but it's always a help."

--

Octavia's expression, as always, remains blank, but her body reacts anyway. She shrinks back a little and the pause between Longshot finishing his sentence and her response stretches for an uncomfortable period of time. "Play it," she says at last.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot doesn't belabor the point. He queues up the recording and plays it for Octavia without comment.

[DigoDragon]

"I meant you," Blank snaps, "I know what the chips do, and they don't share memories."

"I have to say," Merry says doubtfully, "I never experienced that either. That I remember..."

"Okay, but, BUT!" Rose raises a hoof to interject, and for once it isn't about her own plot, "I broke mine, remember? It exploded? What if I made it do something different?"

She was a little flustered. She wanted her vision to mean something. not like, mean the universe around them was a dead husk, but like... that Polaris was a lie. If she could only take away that... take away his power of legitimacy... he wouldn't be scary anymore.

"I mean, Andromeda has a chip, right? Does hers work any different?"

[Elbeyon]

Love speaks in hushes back to Happy, "She said she likes warm food! I think she'll like it! She is really excited to try something spicy." Love says hopeful. It's no rotten grain. That's got to be a huge plus. Love "hmm"s at Happy's schedule.

The ScoutBot flies ahead of Happy. She whispers to Keg, "Private question. How would you feel about spending the day with Happy? The two of you seem to get along."

[userpay]

Well if that wasn't a heartwarming scene the stallion didn't know what is. He moves to the side as the foals go thundering by, helping usher a few stragglers along while Sniper starts talking to Octavia. After he sits quietly while the recording plays.

[Miltonian]

"Who knows?" Blank says with a smug shrug, "Who knows if hers works differently? And even if it did, why would yours connect to hers? Do you know the odds against that? I would have been able to tell you, but without a Astro-corp Dynamic Reprocessor hooked up to my brain, I can only say that it's at least 0.00000232%. Give or take a few 0.000000000000234411%."

Emerald and Merry look disturbed, but don't have anything to add for or against Blank.

--

Happy nods and begins serving it up while Love talks with PK.

"I'll take anything," Powder Keg says, "Though, uh, probably would have agreed to that anyway."

--

Octavia stands silently after the recording has finished. "So," she says bitterly, "Her mind finally snapped. I knew it was going to happen. A pony can only live in denial of reality for so long. She told herself and everyone else that the things she did were good because she was the one doing them. It sounds to me like that little lie just collapsed and now she's collapsing too."

[DigoDragon]

"Who knows?" Blank says with a smug shrug, "Who knows if hers works differently? And even if it did, why would yours connect to hers? Do you know the odds against that? I would have been able to tell you, but without a Astro-corp Dynamic Reprocessor hooked up to my brain, I can only say that it's at least 0.00000232%. Give or take a few 0.000000000000234411%."

Emerald and Merry look disturbed, but don't have anything to add for or against Blank.

"So the odds aren't zero," Rose affirms, cheering up a little bit. "Suppose that's at least something."

She just realized something. "Hey... you just confirmed that Andromeda also has a chip! So what if her chip just stopped working? She would of regained control over herself and because you're conscious while the chip controls you, you'd be aware of everything your body did. That... could explain Andromeda's strange message to stand down."

"But what caused her chip to stop working?"

[D.KnightSpider]

Octavia stands silently after the recording has finished. "So," she says bitterly, "Her mind finally snapped. I knew it was going to happen. A pony can only live in denial of reality for so long. She told herself and everyone else that the things she did were good because she was the one doing them. It sounds to me like that little lie just collapsed and now she's collapsing too."


"She's having a breakdown of some kind. And that breakdown killed a lot of ponies." Longshot's voice is subdued. "Do you have any insight into this history she's claiming? Did you ever hear anything about her taking on a different form or transforming?"

[userpay]

"Ah'd also be curious about how this'll affect operations if you can speculate on that. Can't imagine someone won't override her orders in Ashtown but ah'm still worried that either this is some sorta ploy to make us look bad if we follow through with the attack or the chance of a lifetime." Brazen pauses. "Is yer companion in danger possibly?"

[Elbeyon]

Love whispers, "Good!"

The ScoutBot flies to a more group centric location. "I'm writing someone real quick."

Love will send off a request to get Keg working with the EDF. Happy seems like a good match. If it seems necessary, she cites some supporting statements for bureaucracy reasons. Team building. Higher motivation. Exercise. Etc. Etc. A primed Keg is best Keg.

[Miltonian]

Blank immediately clams up. "I guess you'll find out soon," he says smugly.

Emerald, after some thought, starts thinking positively. Andromeda probably isn't evil! She was tricked like everyone else. Merry, scars of what the singer had done to her and so many others fresh in her mind, scoffs at the idea.

--

Octavia shudders. "Oh she's certainly crazy. Probably in multiple ways. I don't know anyone else that can deny reality as well as she can. And yet, now that you mention it, everyone was terrified of her for some reason. Not that they ever told me why."

And unfortunately, that's about the extent of her knowledge.

--

Love's request is approved, Powder Keg is freed to spend the day with Happy, and Love is freed to spend the rest of today and a good portion of the next negotiating with all the gangs they've temporarily allied themselves with.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot thanks Octavia for her help. He logs the collected data points and forwards them to Artie as an update to his previous conclusions. Then he'll spend some time making more pleasant conversation with Octavia. Hopefully, he can distract her away from Andromeda.

There might be a deadpan contest somewhere in their conversation. Poor Brazen.

[DigoDragon]

Blank immediately clams up. "I guess you'll find out soon," he says smugly.

"You don't know either, do you?" Rose asks. "Seems like you never put much stock into Andromeda's work for Polaris. Annnd of course, you hate us."


She sighs. Rose stops the recording and saves the file. She spends some time in the infirmary just taking notes of her thoughts on Andromeda and her dreams. This gives Angel and Violet a break throughout the evening while Rose watches the patients. Wait, wouldn't Andromeda be sought after quickly by Polaris and silenced? Rose starts typing a text RT, 'Will he kill Andromeda now?' She... wait. Well how would RT really know the answer? Rose deletes the text. She's sobering up. With a clear mind comes back the anxieties and depression alcohol has inhibited for thousands of years. Not having anything else to do, Rose types a new text to RT.

'I need a hug.'

Rose will continue watching the patents as long as she can stay awake. Eventually she'll be found curled up on the chair, leaning against the desk. Her notes end in random jumbles of words that make no literary sense.

[Elbeyon]

Love will tell the two the good news with glee. Keg is free once again to roam the halls of DTW, and she gets to help Happy help people. The practice helps Love cheer up so hopefully it'll have the same effect on Keg. She wanted to make a difference. She can provide some cheer to people. At least, Love hopes that is how everything goes down. She'll try to enjoy the moment with Keg experiencing some spicy kick then get back to work.

[userpay]

"Seems like anypony with power and a measure of free will with Polaris is ah bit screwy in the head." Brazen mutters then shrugs his shoulders. "Still sounds like this might be legit."

A few more moments of mulling leads off to more pleasant conversation.

[Miltonian]

Longshot and Brazen have a pleasant conversation with Octavia about old world trends and social norms. She admits that the idea of Love being several ponies at the same time is strange and unusual to her and would probably have gotten her sat down in front of a wall to watch paint dry back in her day. There seems to be a greater context there, but there's never a good opportunity to ask.

--

RT texts back. "I can give hugs."

And Rose spends the rest of her evening talking with him in a semi-public area near the infirmary: private enough for conversation and light PDA, but not much beyond that. He really is straight-laced.

--

By the end of the day, Love feels good about what she has accomplished. The Wasteland is not hurtling towards the worst possible ending, thanks to her efforts. Only time will tell how well they pay off.

----

Soon, the Wonderbolts return with bad news. They found no sign of Night Skye's friend. Of course, there are a thousand places to hide out there. She could still be safe. Hopefully.

The next day is busy. Everything has to be checked and rechecked to make sure it is in shape for the attack. Anyone not checking their own gear or busy doing some other vital task is sent to help Star with the 'Bird. By the end of the day, everypony is on the edge of their seats with anticipation, but all the gear is packed and ready. The zebras even have three potions for each member of Harrier Squad, two 'Shadow Potions' and one 'Healing Potion' which mimics Rose's Minor Healing spell perfectly.

On the eve of battle, the changelings emerge from their Hive. They empty it, dressed in full battle array, and head up to the surface to wait. Over the horizon, painted in the black-and-green pattern of the Hive, is an airship so outdated it's almost comical. Or is it? It was, at one point, an old-style airship, the kind which in part relies on a massive balloon to keep it in the air. As it gets closer, the extensive modifications become clear.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a3/cb/f6/a3cbf69a3a4032d5655ee7d4b7942895.jpg

When it sets down, the air shimmers and it disappears, leaving a sand dune in its place.

"Behold the Hiveship Tyrant," Chrysalis declares, "My children learned the hard way that a stationary hive would be found, and so they made one that moved."

[DigoDragon]

Rose will give RT a kiss and one of her striped socks. She didn't have a hankerchief to give so this'll have to do. It's a promise to him that she will come back from Ashtown.

---

Batteries are charged and medical supplies filled, Rose spent the day ensuring the patients are cared for and her gear is ready.

When she sees the airship, she has the amusing thought that an Equestrian wonderbolt could sneeze and this thing would go down in flames. But in the wasteland, there's not much in the way of air defense.

"Why Tyrant though?" Rose asked. "You could give it a cute name and that way your enemies are embarrassed to have been defeated by the 'Love Bug' or something equally insulting to the injury. Heh heh. Tyrant is fine though."

[D.KnightSpider]

She admits that the idea of Love being several ponies at the same time is strange and unusual to her and would probably have gotten her sat down in front of a wall to watch paint dry back in her day. There seems to be a greater context there, but there's never a good opportunity to ask.

Ghosts are weird.

Longshot will contact Night Skye and pass along the unfortunate news. He'll promise to keep his eyes open for any sign of her at Ashtown, but without a description, he knows that any resolution is unlikely.


"Behold the Hiveship Tyrant," Chrysalis declares, "My children learned the hard way that a stationary hive would be found, and so they made one that moved."

Always good to learn from past mistakes.

Following Rose's needling commentary, Longshot remains silent lest he aggravate the situation. His time is spent studying the airship and trying to pick out any features of interest.

It would help if he had any idea at what he was looking.


Perception
[roll0] VS 16 (13 Skill +3 Hyperspectral)

[Elbeyon]

Love will be standing next to the changeling brothers if they are close to Queen Chrysalis.

She studies the sand dune for a few seconds with a keen interest. The details of the magic trick are of interest to her. "Wow! The craft truly is amazing." She grunts and nods in approval. "I really like the home vibe." She smirks, "I've always liked the idea of a home that moves around."

"Tyrant is the type of name I'm familiar with on battleships." That'd be video games. Love Tyrant would be a great name. "It's an intimidating, powerful name. And, it's magical! A magical airship! That's so awesome!"

"Movement is very wish decision development."

[roll0] vs 13 (Perception) +3 (Hyper) +2? (Extra Time)

[Miltonian]

Red Tape takes the sock with quiet solemnity. "I will give it back," he promises.

Ghosts are weird. Night Skye tries to stay positive about the news, but Longshot can tell it was not what he was hoping to hear.

---

Chrysalis smirks. "Because," she says to Rose, "My subjects are a bunch of edgy little tricksters. That's why."

"It's got a few tricks," Pins says to Love, grinning, "The techies spent years making it into something that'd stand up to more than a stiff breeze."

"My army is inside," Chrysalis says, "I would offer you all a ride, but you have your own ship and its added weight might make the captain complain."

[DigoDragon]

"My army is inside," Chrysalis says, "I would offer you all a ride, but you have your own ship and its added weight might make the captain complain."

"Heh, yeah that's fair. Too bad I didn't have time to practice with them. Or on them. I would have guessed our ponyness would make the captain complain, but..." Rose wiggles her caboose. "Yeah, that's fair. I might get mistaken for a boat anchor. Well, I should go help load gear into the Thunderbird. Good luck to you and your hive, my queen."

Rose gives a respectful bow.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot remains silent, but doesn't depart just yet. He has no intention of vacating the area until Love leaves.

[Elbeyon]

Love gives a well intended chuckle at Queen Chrysalis' statement. She loudly praises, "Queen Chrysalis, your subjects have made a good home!" The thing is impressive all factors considered. The Tyrant would have blown kid Love's mind away. The illusion magic is impressive by all standards. Love admits her envy, "I want an awesome cloaking device on our ship."

She bumps into Pins the way a friend would and smiles real big at him. She has missed him while he has healed. "Oh, yeah? I bet she has some tricks up her sleeves! I'd love to get a look at what your techies have built. If I ever get the chance, I might be able to help your techies if everyone was willing to let me take a look. They did something amazing."

The group is leaving the chat already? Love gives Queen Chrysalis a respectful nod. She would have liked to experience the new Hive ship herself, but the Queen and EDF have their plan. They've worked together. Together they will save the Wasteland!

[Miltonian]

Together they will save the Wasteland indeed.

Wildcat calls a briefing for the entire EDF, plus Wonderbolt attaches. Everyone is expected to be there in five minutes.

[DigoDragon]

"Aww fudge noodles."

Rose changes direction and heads over to where wildcat wants his briefing done.

[D.KnightSpider]

With a parting farewell of 'Chrysalis', Longshot will escort Love away from the Changelings. He heads for the briefing.

[userpay]

Brazen lets out a low whistle as the airship comes into view. "Well... Ah suppose that explains ah few things." Mobile hive indeed. On one hoof it alleviated some concerns about a changeling hive living nearby but on the other it meant it would be much much more difficult to get victims back.

Wildcat's call is almost a welcome reprieve given Brazen's dislike of changeling tactics, yet it could be what helps save the day. For the moment he trudges towards the impending brief.

[Elbeyon]

Love looks back as ponies start to answer Wildcat's call. Longshot is waiting on Love. She turns to Pins. She pulls a potion out of her saddlebag and offers it to him. There is an image glued to the side of AvatarLove giving a hoofs up and tons of green pluses floating around her. "It's a healing potion. It should heal minor wounds and stop any bleeding. It's good for an emergency." She looks at him the way a solider does when talking about the serious business. She softens a smile and tells him to stay safe. She waits around for a moment in case anything needs to be said then wishes everychangeling well until later. She'll move over to Longshot and move out with the group.

[Miltonian]

Farewells said, the party moves onto the next big thing.

Wildcat looks almost pleased, a rare thing that only happens once in a blue moon. He nods and returns salutes as everypony enters and sits. "Right," he says, "This assault is starting to look like an actual military operation and not some cobbled-together, ad hoc pile of donkey droppings. In short, our new best friend and her army are going to be a nice, thick hammer to hit the enemy with. We're the scalpel. Whenever there's too tough a nut to crack, we crack it for them."

He lays out a crude map. "The Queen says her spies have managed to disable the heavy guns on the hill overlooking the town, so that's good. No artillery barrage as we advance into the city. The changelings will be advancing in two thrusts with the ship and its complement providing aerial support up the middle. Their spies have marked out several bunkers in the city itself that could prove problematic. That's where we'll start. There are four of them, so each squad will take out two. The Wonderbolts will engage any air forces left behind to defend the base. And our good friends and their tank will get to the entrance of the main bunker as quickly as possible to block off any reinforcements coming from there."

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot has no comment or questions. He waits for further instructions, if any.

[DigoDragon]

Rose's sister is right; military planning sound way dirty if you have a gutter mindset going.

She keeps the jokes to herself, however, and instead participates in the plan. "What are we neutralizing in the bunkers? Personnel? Artillery?"

[D.KnightSpider]

"And do we have a backup plan in case Sulmandeer turns out to be a part of the air defenses?" Longshot asks. Might as well ask the question now.

[Elbeyon]

Love will walk alongside Longshot and open the door for him if the opportunity presents itself. She enters and does the procedural salute and recognition. It's great to see Wildcat in a good mood! She worries about his stress level sometimes in the heated moments.

She looks over the map and nods along as the mission objects are declared.

[Miltonian]

Wildcat nods. “Anything that might pose resistance to our take over. Taking the bunkers will shatter the core of their defense in the city and force them to withdraw towards the main bunker and the lab. With the tank and whatever changeling forces have managed to get that far holding the entrance, we’ll have cut off the bulk of their forces from their command and keep the civilians mostly out of harm’s way.”

“If Sulmandeer shows, the Wonderbolts are authorized to use their missiles to bring him down. Chrysalis is not concerned about him attacking her ship, but she refuses to share why.”

He glances over at Rose and looks her over with a critical eye. “Something you want to say, Lt.?”

[DigoDragon]

Rose crosses her forelegs, holding a hoof up to tap her lips as if she's thinking. She lets out a cough to calm herself. "Well, I think the thrust of Chrysalis' secret is her ship can disguise itself with an illusion. Could give her first strike against Sully. There may be more underneath the chassis, but we've seen the first trick that ship can turn already."

Rose takes a deep breath in and out to clear her mind and for good measure she thinks of doing her taxes which is the most boring thing she can imagine.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot gives Rose a side-eye but chooses not to comment.

"Chrysalis has her secrets. It's usually wise not to pry into them." He says and then returns to his original life of inquiry. "It's good to know that a workaround has been found to Sulmandeer's radar jamming."

Was that a waft of despair coming from Artie? Must have been his imagination.

[Elbeyon]

Queen Chrysalis knows what who she is up against. She probably has a reason for being confident, hopefully.

"The Tyrant is an impressive ship. It's amazing she was built out here in the Wasteland." Love can't speak to the ship's specific capabilities. Rose was more the airpony anyway.

If Love is going in bunkers, she won't pony the Firebird's co-pilot seat the entire operation. That was to be expected she supposes. Star will be able to hoofle the job.

[userpay]

"Do we want to hammer the bunkers or try to take them cleanly?" Brazen queries, making a mental note to have some throwable satchel charges readied.

[Miltonian]

Wildcat nods slowly to Rose. His expression makes it clear that he knows. Oh, does he know. Red Tape looks ready to sink into the floor. “We’ll trust Chrysalis knows what she’s doing,” he says.

“The goal for the bunkers is to subdue all opposition,” Wildcat says, “That will...probably mean killing all the chipped soldiers, given previous encounters. If they won’t stop coming until they physically can’t come anymore, we won’t have much choice.” His face is grim. “It is not a standing order, but do mentally prepare to kill every single enemy soldier you see.”

“It would be best to capture the bunkers intact. However, if there’s not anyone to hold it, you will have to destroy them. Go for the capture on the first bunker, but be prepared to level it. We’ll have a clearer picture of things as the battle progresses, so long as comms stay up.”

[DigoDragon]

Rose nods. "Aye, sir. We will take out the bunkers with all due efficiency." Rose will see how the situation unfolds before she goes for the lethal option. But if the bunker is to be destroyed, that would make it difficult to take prisoners... yeah, it's gonna have to be wait and see when it happens. Pre-planning this part is useless.

[D.KnightSpider]

'So long as comms stay up'. Well, they were officially jinxed.

There's nothing further for him to add. Longshot resumes his silence.

[Elbeyon]

Rose is in a good mood. Excellent. They're no greenies on the battlefield. Rose isn't anyway. Poor Red Tape though.

"Yes, sir. We'll subdue all opposition. Shock ammo will physically put a pony on the ground. That'll stop them." She can't imagine shock works on an undead unless they were 'fresh' or something. Necromancy is beyond her understanding. It's not available for study in Equestria. "I'm mentally prepared."

Love mirrors Rose's words, "Yes, sir. We'll efficiently capture the bunkers." Hopefully, the changelings will be right behind them to secure the bunkers. It'll save them time.

Hopefully, the comms throughout the wasteland stay up. Ever since the jamming exercises in Twilight's castle she isn't looking to mimic the experience. She has made some contingencies to keep the comms up and her connected to her LoveBot despite traditional jamming.

[Miltonian]

Wildcat fields a few more questions from Hornet Squad before nodding to everyone. "Right. Anything else? Questions? Comments? Snide remarks about your commanding officer?"

[DigoDragon]

"Last question, sir. Do we have an estimate o the bunker sizes?" Rose asks. She doesn't add any snarky comments. For now.

[D.KnightSpider]

"Do we have any means of containing Hyper Thought or limiting the effects of the Anti-Elements?" Longshot asks.


Edit: Redid this post.

[Elbeyon]

Two very good questions. Love waits to speak if a question comes to mind.

[Miltonian]

“Expect a two-level building about the size of a small house,” Wildcat replies, “So a mid-level townhouse in Canterlot.”

“Tangler grenades,” Wildcat replies, “Those worked well enough in the past. And they are very hard to dodge.” He hesitates before adding, “Based upon past tactics, armor-piercing questions and other...unconventional tactics are encouraged.”

[DigoDragon]

"I'll bring a clean pair of socks then," Rose says at large. "Putting a gag on Andromeda should take her out of the picture."

[D.KnightSpider]

“Tangler grenades,” Wildcat replies, “Those worked well enough in the past. And they are very hard to dodge.” He hesitates before adding, “Based upon past tactics, armor-piercing questions and other...unconventional tactics are encouraged.”

Translation: 'We have no clue how to contain a vampire. Figure something out when you get there.'



"I'll bring a clean pair of socks then," Rose says at large. "Putting a gag on Andromeda should take her out of the picture."

Longshot ignores Rose completely. He addresses Wildcat: "Understood, sir."

[userpay]

Brazen can't help but smirk at the mention of unconventional tactics. Ah suppose havin your hoof in someone's chest counts... "So perhaps then we start in with non-lethal, shocks and tanglers, and see how the battle progresses before we make the switch to lethal perhaps?"

[Miltonian]

Wildcat nods. "A gag and a horncuff should restrain her. She is, after all, an civvie. A powerful one, but not used to rough treatment."

"That I leave to your...discretion," he hesitates on that last word a bit. Almost as if he doesn't trust them to be 'discrete'.

[D.KnightSpider]

"That I leave to your...discretion," he hesitates on that last word a bit. Almost as if he doesn't trust them to be 'discrete'.

Can't imagine why.

It feels like they're beginning to move in circles with this conversation, so Longshot remains silent.

[DigoDragon]

Wildcat nods. "A gag and a horncuff should restrain her. She is, after all, an civvie. A powerful one, but not used to rough treatment."

"If Andromeda's half the mare her reputation proceeds her by, her rough treatment of us is the concern, sir," Rose says with a tone very serious (for once this meeting). She glances around at the quieter soldiers. "No more questions, sir."

[Elbeyon]

Love continues to study the map. They'll get a clearer picture of everything as soon as they see the bunker in person. Longshot may be able to set up a few shots before the targets dig in. She thinks about approaches on the bunker.

"Yes, sir." Love replies again to the Commander.

They expect Ashtown to try to jam them. Love hasn't heard if the EDF will be trying to jam Ashtown. "Sir, will we be attempting to jam Ashtown's communications?"

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot withdraws his tablet and makes a rough sketch of the rough map.

[Miltonian]

Wildcat looks sideways at Rose. "Something you want to share about the singer, Lt.?" he asks.

"We'll do one better," Wildcat says to Love, "Our new buggy friends are going to sabotage the comms, the artillery, and basically sow pandemonium through the enemy's lines. This should be easy right up until we hit the main bunker."

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot opens his mouth and then closes it. He'll wait to say anything until after Rose speaks.

The days of running interference were at an end.

Maybe it was pride, but he didn't like this setup. The Changelings were being too helpful and lining up all the right dominoes for them to just show up and knock one or two over.

This smells all wrong.

[Elbeyon]

Love salutes the Commander. "Understood, sir!" Reassuring words indeed. Commander Wildcat and Queen Chrysalis are a powerful force. Love seems satisfied with the plan. No further questions come to mind.

[DigoDragon]

Wildcat looks sideways at Rose. "Something you want to share about the singer, Lt.?" he asks.

"Yes sir. After several talks with our prisoners, I can confidently conclude that Andromeda has a bard's tongue to sway an audience. A few honeyed words and a suggestion spell could have a mob coming down on us at her whim if we don't shut her up first."

[D.KnightSpider]

"We saw this first-hoof in Merry's memories." Longshot continues. "She can sway a crowd like a siren. Octavia has advised us not to give her any opportunity to speak. Further, as I reported in an update to my analysis, we recently learned that she is ruthless in penalizing dissent and the rest of the CPI is afraid of her. They have standing orders to keep her happy at all times. I have multiple data points to these facts

"That information could be interpreted in a very negative light, Commander. It suggests that Andromeda is much more than a civilian singer regardless of what the speech patterns suggest."

[DigoDragon]

"Initiative and a well-placed throat-punch should neutralize the worst aspects of her," Rose hopes. "She may not be a military officer, but she is still a threat and we can't go easy on her for a civie status."

[Miltonian]

Wildcat glowers. "I am aware of this," he says in a combative tone, "Which is why you are not allowed to let her speak. Or did that zip by your heads?"

"Now, other than the blatantly obvious, is there anything you'd like to share, Lt. Rose?"

[DigoDragon]

Whoa, which changeling peed in his Cheerios this morning? Rose was just bringing this up as a reminder PSA for everyone's benefit.

"No sir, nothing else, sir."

[D.KnightSpider]

"No, sir. I apologize for any insubordination. Given that Andromeda initially deceived me, I felt it prudent to highlight these facts so all were aware." Longshot says. "I have nothing further, sir."

Internally, he sighed. Stop trying to help, Longshot. Let ponies hang themselves.

[Elbeyon]

It is good to highlight facts. When Queen Crhsyslis and the changelings disrupt the radio, then Andromeda's ability to issue orders and communicate would be much more limited.

Love doesn't have any further questions.

She does wonder if Keg and Octavia will be joining them on the bird.

Added a thought about Powder Keg and Octavia helping us on the mission.

[Miltonian]

The Commander nods. "As for the rest of us, Red Tape and Happy will remain here with our patients. We will have to rely on the 'spirit of cooperation' and the casino staff to defend them in the meantime. I will coordinate the attack from the 'Bird. Star will fly and be our chief comm officer. Octavia will be with me and serve as a resource for the mission. Which leaves the fate of one little pony named Powder Keg up in the air." He draws in a deep breath and closes his eyes. "Would anypony...want her on their squad? She has offered her services as a guide inside the city."

[DigoDragon]

Rose looks over at Love, then shrugs as she turns back to Wildcat. "I have no issues bringing along Keg. We could use a guide down there. Probably knows the good hiding spots to get around."

[Elbeyon]

Love looks over at Longshot.

[D.KnightSpider]

Uh, why is Love looking at him? She's engaged to Star.

"I have no objections, sir." Longshot says.

[userpay]

"Aye a guide would be nice and given how chaotic things are gonna be down there ah don't see how adding one more wild lass will change things significantly." Brazen shrugs. "Long as she knows to listen when the chips are down."

[Miltonian]

"Then she's your responsibility," Wildcat grunts, "Alright. That's enough for now. Everyone suit up and get ready to move out."

[D.KnightSpider]

"Sir, yes, sir."

Longshot salutes and sets off to gear up. I'm addition to his regular gear, he'll try to requisition a few scarves. Some time is also spent familiarizing himself with their grenade's smart features. He programs his non-explosive grenades with remote detonation codes.

[DigoDragon]

"Yes Sir." Rose salutes and (under the assumption she's dismissed) leaves to go finish packing her stuff on the Thunderbird.

[Elbeyon]

Love shifts her attention back on the Commander. "I want her on our squad. She is very motivated to help us. That's something she can do."

=====

Love salutes the Commander, "Yes, sir!" She'll move out on his command.

There are a lot of details that need touched up before Love departs on the mission.

Love ducks into Longshot's view as he is messing with his grenades. She jumps right to the point. "Hey, Longshot. I overheard you were looking for some scarves." She smirks at him. "I have a scarf if you want one."

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot's eye quirks and he moves to slowly look at Love. That smirk was not reassuring. Especially given the fiasco of that briefing.

"It's not anything special. I'm looking for ways to mute Andromeda as much as possible. It was for her gag so anything will do... Provided it hasn't been... er... you know."

[Elbeyon]

Love is slightly confused by the eye quirk, but she thinks she gets the meaning. It's not like Love normally wears scarfs.

She softly shakes her head at his uneasy suggestion. "A scarf would be one way to mute Andromeda." She reaches to her side and pulls a lightly wrapped crisp sheet package out of her saddlebag. She presents the wrapped scarf to him in two hoofs with a big smile. "It's in mint condition. I hadn't found the owner or would-be owner yet, but you, well, I can't imagine a better match for the thing."

[D.KnightSpider]

Hesitation morphs into confusion. Longshot takes the package and examines it. Love got him a scarf? Was he understanding her right?

"Well... Thank you." He says. "This, well, may help. The sealed suit is great and not having to worry about suffocation or smoke is amazing. Between the wires and the house it seemed a bit, ah, impersonal in appearance."

He rubs at the back of his head.

"You know what I mean? Maybe the scarf would soften the image. Be a little less imposing."

[Elbeyon]

Yep, it's a scarf. The thin brown package looks wrapped to Equestria standards. A store wouldn't be out of place hoofing over such an object.

Love brightens under the thank you. She smiles so big she can't properly see him until her cheeks drop. "You're welcome!"

She listens to him and nods in agreement. "Yeah, I get that. It's difficult to get a good read on a pony when they're wearing a solid helmet and all masked up. It's a little mystifying getting a unchanging stare at you. I do think a scarf will go a long way in softening the image." She gives him a hoofs up. "The personal touch is a nice touch. It's very à la mode."

[D.KnightSpider]

"Thanks. That's the idea."

Longshot stows the package in his gear. "I'll put it on en route to the engagement. Okay... we shouldn't delay any longer than necessary. I'll meet you at the Thunderbird?"

[Elbeyon]

Love still has her smile. "I can't wait." She gives a few playful claps as the conversation wraps up, presses her hoofs together, and readies herself to leave. "Right. I need to get Keg in armor and go over the current mission objectives. I'll see you at the Thunderbird." She nods.

She will leave to do the last of her prep work if nothing stops her.

[Miltonian]

Star is busy on the 'Bird as everyone comes aboard. "Hello ponies!" she says, "stow your gear and stick around! We'll be taking off soon as...soon as we take off. Hopefully not longer than two hours."

[DigoDragon]

"Two hours? Dang, even the wasteland goes by O'Hare time. The pilot better be cute on this flight." Rose is of course kidding. She stows her gear, checks her weapons have safeties on, batteries charged, etc.

Rose tuns on her comm to the EDF, "Is someone bringing Powder Keg?"

[D.KnightSpider]

"Love is getting her outfitted. They'll be along shortly." Longshot replies.

He enters the ship and begins making one final check of his gear. Once each piece passes inspection, it's stowed away for later. Rose is acting unusually chipper and uncharacteristically upbeat. It's... odd.

[Elbeyon]

Love joins the comm conversation, "We're on our way!" The tech pony is running a little behind everyone.

She slows her run to a walk as she nears the Firebird. A head turn goes towards Keg to make sure she managed to not get lost while wearing high tech gear. Love tried to get the armor to suit Keg's style. She isn't wearing any EDF badges or signifiers so her gear shouldn't be disrespectful towards the EDF.

Love will bring Keg aboard the bird. She explains how the seat works like she did with the zebras. Her lesson is less technical sounding as she tries to mold her teachings to the student.

[Miltonian]

“Just for you,” Star says with a wink, “We’ll put our cutest pilot in the cockpit.”

Powder Keg walks on after Love, cutting an awkward figure in the new armor. She keeps trying to tug at it, fixing imaginary wrinkles and pulling it away from her coat. It flexes and sits tightly on her form. Without any plates or thicker armor, the tacsuits are little better than well-made jumpsuits. On the bright side, anyone trying to sneak up behind her will find themselves a bit distracted.

“Hi…” she says to everyone.

[D.KnightSpider]

"'Morning." Longshot replies.

He finishes stowing his gear, and the only thing left to do is wait for departure. A sense of sadness washes over him. There's no dwelling on it as this isn't the time.

"I think every pony else is aware of my findings from yesterday. Does any pony else have something to share?"

[DigoDragon]

"Hello," Rose replies to the greeting. She pulls up to review some notes she wrote herself overnight.

She shakes her head at Longshot's question. "Not since the recording, no."

[Elbeyon]

Love's chuckles and smiles at the conversation she entered. She bulldozes through the joke, "Isn't Star already in the cockpit?"

Her power armor is set to transparent mode. She moves her hoof to give Chompy some head scratches.

She keeps a close eye on Keg in case she needs any help. Keg's armor is very well fitted to her, but the pony probably never wears clothes. A full body suit is a large step above clothes. The discomfort should be entirely mental though.

An intro - good. Love will show Keg to her seat when she is ready or signals for such a thing.

Love shakes her head to Scope's question. "Everything mission related is shared and the finer details are in my papers."

She starts reporting on personal details instead. "I had a good meal. I'm feeling a little touchy today." She looks around the ship. "Anyone want a hug?" Love smiles real big at the 'weird' request.

[Miltonian]

Powder Keg sits down where she’s supposed to and falls quiet, for once. She seems more sober than normal, which isn’t too unusual before a battle.

Corby slips in next, kitted out in another skintight tacsuit, but hers has a lot more gear strapped to it. Everything is carefully put in a place that is both easy to reach but won’t restrict the spec-ops pony’s movement. She strikes a small pose and looks around. “Permission to come aboard?”

“Permission granted,” Star says, “Take a seat anywhere except on the ceiling.”

In short order, the others file in with similar interactions. Card Ace compliments Angel, Rose, and Corby on how they look in uniform. Green Pine pulls out a pack of chips and quietly begins munching on them. Angel pulls out a book and sets it on her lap, wanting to make sure that there isn’t going to be a division-wide conversation before she starts reading. The Wonderbolts step inside to retrieve some supplies for their armor before suiting up outside. At last, Wildcat arrives, clomping forward in his blue power armor.

“EDF, sound off!” he calls.

[DigoDragon]

Rose almost went for her comm mute button. >_<

"Lt. Rosalina Croix," she sounds off.

[D.KnightSpider]

Every pony was acting a little bit off... Or maybe he was only now seeing other ponies for who they really were. That was a better way to look at things, Longshot decided.

He spent their downtime working on his books. When Wildcat arrives, he moves to attention.

"Lt. Sniper Scope." The name felt unnatural. Maybe that was a good thing.

[userpay]

Brazen heads off to load up his hardcase with ammo, grenades, explosives, and other misc items that the others would need for the op. Several reloads go into the loader mechanism for his turret mount.

At the Thunderbird he grins as everything starts to come together. "Lt. Brazen Hoof."

[Elbeyon]

No pony seems to be in the mood for hugs or talking. That's understandable. Love doesn't let the event phase her.

Keg won't be able to stay silent for long. Love sits besides her and plugs herself into her Tacsuit. Love gives Keg another refresher course on her suit. It'll need to be sealed before battle. The camouflage can be activated by the code word: Lizard. Love asks her to say the world over sub-vocal to activate the Thermo-Optic Chameleon Surface and again to turn it off. Besides sealing and turning the camouflage off and on, the suit won't need any inputs from her. Love also helps her adjust to her goggles. Love will eventually move to the co-pilot seat and start helping Star.

The suits has biomedical sensors and climate control, but those will be entire passive to Keg's needs. So, Love doesn't include that again in the refresher. (Love set the temperature to Keg's preference whenever she put the suit on her.)

She sends Keg's HP Bar (biomedical sensor data) to Rose so Rose can sort out her Hud.

======

Love greets each and every pony as they enter the ship.

She sounds off, "Lt. Partial 'Love' Charge!"

[Miltonian]

Nopony except for Star, who will always take a hug from Love.

Hornet Squad similarly sounds off. Powder Keg is a bit distracted by Love’s tutorial and there are several uncomfortable seconds while she sits there, fiddling with the controls. “Uh, Powder Keg? Queen Of Calamity? Baron of Booms?” she offers.

Wildcat sighs heavily. “Good enough. Listen up, ponies! I’ll save the inspirational speech until we’re about to engage the enemy, so everyone get strapped in and ready to take off.”

[DigoDragon]

Rose sits down and straps herself in to a seat.

[D.KnightSpider]

Swiftly, Sniper Scope shuts snout, snugly sits; secures seat straps.

[DigoDragon]

Rose leans over to SnipeLong ScoperShot. She whispers, "You prefer Sniper other Longshot today?"

[D.KnightSpider]

"'Longshot' made for poor alliteration."

"Legally, my name's still 'Sniper Scope'. 'Longshot' doesn't exist within the EDF." Longshot shrugs.

"And I don't have a last name yet. So my hooves were tied for the sound off. I prefer Longshot."

[DigoDragon]

Rose nods with a smile. "Suits you better," she comments

[Elbeyon]

Love will happily trot to grab a welcomed hug from Star, say some well wishes about Star pulling some daring maneuvers to keep herself safe today, and walk back to Keg so she can finish her refresher.

=====

Love works from the co-pilot seat to ready for a quick deployment. She studies Star's comm set-up for the day to familiarize herself with the new additions. Love works hard at being a good co- to Star and chats away with her as they start the two-hour prep. She'll buckle in when appropriate and touches the feather in her mane for good luck.

She scomms Keg with a happy tone, "That's a strong title game. I don't know many queens."

Wildcat gets a standard military answer, "Yes, sir! Understood, sir!"

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot nods. "Thank you."

What the buck was going on here? Since when did Rose complement any pony?

[Miltonian]

Once everyone has sounded off, Wildcat takes his seat. Next comes a special time that every armed forces member knows well: waiting for someone else to finish their job. The tank has to be strapped to the bottom of the Firebird. Pre-flight checks have to be finished. And once the EDF is done, they have to wait on the changelings. Fortunately, all of this was scheduled for and they do not fall behind it. They actually set out a few minutes early only to be intercepted and hailed by the pegasi tribe from a few days ago, offering to join the assault. Wildcat has a short conversation with Chrysalis and the added reinforcements are welcomed to the assault.

And then, it's on to Ashtown as the sun rises on a new day.

[DigoDragon]

Rose types into her notes.

'Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I'm excited and scared for myself, but I know no matter what happens, I will have given it my best.'

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot spends a few moments researching (male) scarf knots. He eventually settles on a simple reverse drape. It was fascinating, really. Hard to believe there were so many ways of making a simple knot.

Hm. Maybe he should try and break the tension... but nothing came to mind. He shifts in his seat. Silence was probably for the best after his recent string of screw ups.

[Elbeyon]

Love offers to help with the comm check and make sure all the talkie-talkies and robots are securely with the changelings. She can help double up on the channel checks. She wouldn't mind saying 'hey' to Pins or Needles either as the morning progresses. She made sure the two of them were included in her morning tour to greet everyone.

A flying BugBot nearly passes by Longshot when it suddenly hovers and Love positively says, "The scarf looks really good. I like that style. I knew it was going to be", she tries her best to pronounce the Prench again, "à la mode." She pauses and asks, "When it's time are you interested in putting Keg's helmet on for her?" The helmets don't take any skill to put on, but it's more like Love is worried about Keg's skill at putting it on wrong. Someone has to check that the thing is properly secured. The helmet takes 30 seconds to secure (1 or 2 seconds to activate the air mask/sealed quality).

[D.KnightSpider]

"Thanks. I think it takes some of the 'stormtrooper' vibe out of the suit." Longshot agrees. "It was a good call on your part."

The request for Keg creates a small, slow nod. "I imagine you'll be busy. I can take care of that for you."

[Miltonian]

Powder Keg is muttering chemical compounds under her breath. From the sound of things, all of them explode in some way. She seems nervous about the coming battle, which is very uncharacteristic of her.

She looks up as Longshot approaches. "Hey there," she says, "I am happy to report that I've secured this seat."

Corby has taken up a seat next to Rose. "Watcha writing?" she asks.

--

Star gets everything underway and sets the ship to autopilot. Keeping her hooves near the controls, she allows herself to relax a little. "Repairs are holding up," she says to Love.

[DigoDragon]

Corby has taken up a seat next to Rose. "Watcha writing?" she asks.

"I'm keeping a running journal of the mission," Rose answers. "Notes, my thoughts, feelings. Might make for a good memoir later in life."

[D.KnightSpider]

Powder Keg is muttering chemical compounds under her breath. From the sound of things, all of them explode in some way. She seems nervous about the coming battle, which is very uncharacteristic of her.

She looks up as Longshot approaches. "Hey there," she says, "I am happy to report that I've secured this seat."

Longshot takes pity on her. He quarter-smiles at the joke. For a moment.

"If you can take Ashtown as well as you've secured the seat, we'll have this done before lunch. Love asked me to help you with the helmet when the time comes. In the meantime, how are you holding up?"

[Elbeyon]

My post is late. DKS, would it be alright if I do a small 'flashback' so Love can say a few more words?

Love gives a good-natured single chuckle/grunt at his reference. "Yes. It adds a lot of approachable that the armor otherwise lacks. Maybe, we should avoid white if to steer clear of any unfortunate resemblances. The Commander may have the right idea. Blue is a respectable color." When Love's armor isn't transparent or camouflaged, Love sticks to Twilight's original dark dark gray even though Love has replaced the armor's surface. "You're the one 'making' that wardrobe."

"Thank you. I want to stay on the radar." Love is already wearing her transparent helmet in the cockpit so she doesn't have to spend time putting it on later. She doesn't mind wearing her helmet all day. Her attitude may not always show, but Love can become very single-minded/obsessive when there is an important task in front of her. The sensors take up a significant part of her life now. It'd take Brazen to pull her away from the console.

======

Love smiles as Star talks to her. "You have the Thunderbird purring for you. You did an excellent repair job."

"How are our changelings this morning?"

[Miltonian]

"Mm," Corby accepts this explanation without question. "Planning on writing a book then?"

--

"Ah. Yeah, lot of straps on this thing," Powder Keg says, "I'm, uh, fine. Why'd ya ask? Do I look not fine? I mean, I guess I'm a little nervous. Never gone to a fight like this before."

--

Star pushes a few buttons and adjusts a few knobs. "Oh they're great," she says, "Snug as a...well, bug in a rug. That ship of theirs is a piece of junk, but hopefully that's all we're gonna need. Got a lot of firepower, if not that great of defense."

[DigoDragon]

"Mm," Corby accepts this explanation without question. "Planning on writing a book then?"

"I'm thinking about it. I don't know how much of our missions are going to be classified, but maybe if I write it as a science fiction? Change some names and events, you know? might get away with that."

[D.KnightSpider]

"A) If no one can see me through the armor, then I'm not making anything. B) Blue might stand out too much. I prefer being unnoticed." Longshot jokes.

====

"You look a little stressed. That's all." Longshot shrugs. "You did well enough at the Pacification Protocol battle that I'm sure you'll do well here."

Might as well build some reassurance. PK was going to need all the confidence she could get.

[Elbeyon]

Longshot

Love semi-stifles a chuckle at the playful turn around. She jokes in deadpan, "Blue isn't really my color either," says the blue pony, "I don't have the wings to show. I do have a bolt to my name though." She says in reference to her cutie mark as well.

She says in reference to her comm work, "The Hive is doing well today."

"It seems Brazen managed to charm the Wanderers." That's a good clan name. Longshot was right to let the pegasus come to them.

======

Star

A cord leads from her armor directly into the spaceship. Love has abandoned her hud in favor of the data passing through her brain in a more natural way, processing the data as her senses instead of through her eyes. Love laughs. "It seems they've found their new home. I can imagine some of them are happy right now."

She gasps at Star calling the Tyrant a piece of junk. "It has active camouflage!", Love says if as if that excuses everything else. "Airships are really hard to build in the wasteland. I'd know! I tried to build one. Bed sheets make a horrible air balloon. We couldn't even achieve lift off."

She shifts uncomfortable at the Tyrant having a lot of firepower.

[Miltonian]

"Set it on a different planet and nopony will know the difference," Corby says lightly.

--

"Yeah, but that was a 'go, go, go' fight. No time to think about what's coming. And how you're just one pony. And for once there isn't going to be a horde of other ponies charging alongside you." She sucks in and lets out a deep breath. "I think I'm gonna keep my head down a bit more than normal this time around."

--

Star chuckles at Love's reaction. "One good shot would also send it crashing to the ground. It's a cannon, sure, but the glassiest of glass cannons."

[D.KnightSpider]

Love semi-stifles a chuckle at the playful turn around. She jokes in deadpan, "Blue isn't really my color either," says the blue pony, "I don't have the wings to show. I do have a bolt to my name though." She says in reference to her cutie mark as well.

She says in reference to her comm work, "The Hive is doing well today."

"It seems Brazen managed to charm the Wanderers." That's a good clan name. Longshot was right to let the pegasus come to them.

Longshot shrugs. "I'm not a Wonderbolt so it doesn't matter to much. And it'll be a rare day when Brazen fails to charm anything."

He makes no comment about the Changelings. And there most definitely wasn't any hidden resentment about Brazen's charming prowess.


"Yeah, but that was a 'go, go, go' fight. No time to think about what's coming. And how you're just one pony. And for once there isn't going to be a horde of other ponies charging alongside you." She sucks in and lets out a deep breath. "I think I'm gonna keep my head down a bit more than normal this time around."

Longshot rubs at the back of his head. He... has no idea how to respond to this. PK's description matched his idea of a good time.

"Understandable, I guess, you're not used to working with a smaller unit. You don't have to take to the front of the group; that's for the ones who are either suicidal or decked out in heavy combat armor.

"What really scares you? Panicking mid-battle or taking a bullet?"

[DigoDragon]

"Set it on a different planet and nopony will know the difference," Corby says lightly.

"Maybe. I'm not an expert novel writer so... yeah, keep that in mind," Rose says. She puts on a grin. "So should there also be a cute and capable batpony character to help the hero in this story?"

[Elbeyon]

Longshot shrugs. "I'm not a Wonderbolt so it doesn't matter to much. And it'll be a rare day when Brazen fails to charm anything."

There is no way Longshot didn't pick up that she was telling a joke about herself. "I've always dreamed of flying without being encased in metal and plastic. I saw this really amazing jetpack the other day. That might be my big ticket. The license training shouldn't be too difficult."

We can end the split whenever. Love can do a work thing or some other reason can present itself.


Star chuckles at Love's reaction. "One good shot would also send it crashing to the ground. It's a cannon, sure, but the glassiest of glass cannons."Love groans. "Glass cannon is one of my favorite archetypes, but I'm not too keen on the idea in real life." She hopes for the Hives sake that Queen Chrysalis and her spys managed to disable the artillery. "They need to fix that in future patches. Hopefully, with something a little more substantial than cloth. I wonder if they'll let tinker with her."

[Miltonian]

"Dying before I can say why I shouldn't be dropped into an endless black pit and forgotten about forever," she says flatly, "I want to do...something...good before I go."

--

"I prefer 'cool and capable'," Corby says with a smirk, "It fits the real me better."

--

"Fortunately, the old designs worked off magic and not gas." Star chuckles. "Imagine what would happen if someone filled a big balloon like that with, say, hydrogen? A spark would set the whole thing off."

[DigoDragon]

"I prefer 'cool and capable'," Corby says with a smirk, "It fits the real me better."

"You are the expert on you," Rose says. She actually drops in a note for 'cool and capable' in her file. How this story plays out, Rose isn't quite sure, but she didn't start writing until recently so she is still technically at the planning stage. She thinks.

Rose glances over at Love, then looks back to Corby. "Did Love give your squad some of those new fancy bullets? The less lethal ones?"

[D.KnightSpider]

There is no way Longshot didn't pick up that she was telling a joke about herself. "I've always dreamed of flying without being encased in metal and plastic. I saw this really amazing jetpack the other day. That might be my big ticket. The license training shouldn't be too difficult."

Longshot nods slowly. "I doubt you'd have any trouble with the licensing. Although a jetpack seems... unnecessarily dangerous."

Yeah. We should probably collapse the timelines sooner rather than later.


"Dying before I can say why I shouldn't be dropped into an endless black pit and forgotten about forever," she says flatly, "I want to do...something...good before I go."

"I... see."

Longshot squints as he sizes up Keg's sincerity. This is a far cry from the last time he'd seen Powder Keg. What's the deal?

The back of his mind catalogues Rose and Keg's conversation.

[Elbeyon]

Longshot nods slowly. "I doubt you'd have any trouble with the licensing. Although a jetpack seems... unnecessarily dangerous."

"It works though." Longshot seems to have some ideas on the matter. "What are you thinking? A spell, or a potion?" Love pauses. After he answers she says, "Ah, excuse me. Work calls." Robots will be around, comms are on, and Love is only a few hoofs away.

True!


"Fortunately, the old designs worked off magic and not gas." Star chuckles. "Imagine what would happen if someone filled a big balloon like that with, say, hydrogen? A spark would set the whole thing off."

Love has a good belly laugh. "I can't imagine a worse idea! The entire thing would be filled with flammable and potentially bound explosive gas. I can't say I'd feel comfortable flying the thing into battle. I would suggest a light non-flammable gas like helium to someone set on not using magic. Magic is the more practical way to go."

[Miltonian]

Corby drops her voice. “Yeah, she did. It’s a nice thought. Won’t use them. Can’t be caught switching clips. Can’t spare the time to pick out who ‘deserves’ to live either. That’s how your ponies die.”

She nods towards Green Pine, who is currently talking with Card Ace about which genre of music is the most ‘metal’. “Also, ‘non-lethal gatling gun’ is an oxymoron.”

--

Powder Keg smiles weakly. “This is your fault, you know,” she says in an attempt at humor, “Leaving me by myself in a narrow room for days at a time. Only my own thoughts to keep me company.”

She takes a deep breath and resumes her normal, ‘bomb’-astic self. “Anywhoo, I’ll get into the rhythm of things.” She winks. “Give me all your grenades and I’ll make sure the enemy gets a plot full of shrapnel.”

--

“Definitely a horrible idea for a warship,” Star says, “But all the same, I prefer modern airships to anything with a balloon, no matter what it’s filled with.”

She sends out a general comm. “Mares and gentlecolts, we’ll be arriving at Ashtown within the hour. If you’re feeling particularly brave, I have some snacks stored in the cooler. Just don’t blame me if you throw up later and have a visor full of chewed oats.”

[DigoDragon]

Corby drops her voice. “Yeah, she did. It’s a nice thought. Won’t use them. Can’t be caught switching clips. Can’t spare the time to pick out who ‘deserves’ to live either. That’s how your ponies die.”

She nods towards Green Pine, who is currently talking with Card Ace about which genre of music is the most ‘metal’. “Also, ‘non-lethal gatling gun’ is an oxymoron.”

"She means well, but I understand what you mean. I'm lucky she had the forethought to modify my carbine so it's easier to switch." Rose pulls out her weapon and shows the switch between the dual-magazines. "I cannot imagine it would work without a setup like this. Well, there's always my go-to method; shoot 'em in the leg. I'm 3 for 3 so far this mission."

She puts her weapon away. "Wonder if Brazen wants a gatling gun now?"

[D.KnightSpider]

"It works though." Longshot seems to have some ideas on the matter. "What are you thinking? A spell, or a potion?" Love pauses. After he answers she says, "Ah, excuse me. Work calls." Robots will be around, comms are on, and Love is only a few hoofs away.

"Well, I guess when you say 'jetpack' I'm envisioning something that sends you hurtling uncontrolled through the air. Maybe I should see this contraption before passing judgment on it." Longshot replies.



Powder Keg smiles weakly. “This is your fault, you know,” she says in an attempt at humor, “Leaving me by myself in a narrow room for days at a time. Only my own thoughts to keep me company.”

[Star] sends out a general comm. “Mares and gentlecolts, we’ll be arriving at Ashtown within the hour. If you’re feeling particularly brave, I have some snacks stored in the cooler. Just don’t blame me if you throw up later and have a visor full of chewed oats.”

[Powder Keg] takes a deep breath and resumes her normal, ‘bomb’-astic self. “Anywhoo, I’ll get into the rhythm of things.” She winks. “Give me all your grenades and I’ll make sure the enemy gets a plot full of shrapnel.”

"Wasn't aware I was in charge of rooming assignments." Longshot replies via deadpan.

An ear twitches as Star puts out the comm. call. He responds to Star with an 'Affirmative' before returning his concentration to Powder Keg: "That's the best way to stay alive: get the enemy before they get you. Are you ready to get suited up or are you looking to snack first?"

Banish you, Love, for putting him in this situation. The mental complaint wasn't angry, more exasperation. Keg's crisis of conscience was very, very ill-timed. She was either going to pull it together and perform splendidly or screw everything up royally. He could have done without that knowledge.

[Elbeyon]

Love has partially addressed switching magazines. (Switching ammo types is much faster.) She will continue addressing the issue.
Love rubs her mane. She mentally strikes through the aerostat vacation she had been planning. Aerostats might be awesome to her, but they are a little retro outside the wasteland. Love repeats, "A horrible idea for a warship." She smiles at her, "The modern airship is too great a thing to pass by the obvious advantages. I find balloons pretty relaxing. I've ridden in a spaceship more than I have an aerostat though. The opportunity rarely presents itself."

She asks, "I take it you're passing on the snacks today?" A BugBot flaps its wings while sticking to her shoulder as if to suggest Love could grab something for her. "I'm skipping the bite myself."

She double checks communications between the ships to make sure everything is functioning properly. She wants to ask Pins and Needles how they are enjoying the Tyrant.

Love glances at the bird's hold camera.

She texts Scope, "Would you like me to get you a snack?" Scope looks busy.
She texts Rose, "Are you ready?" Rose has been quiet today. Love wonders if she is nervous.

[Miltonian]

“We can ask,” Corby says, “Hey! Brazen, do you want a gatling gun?”

--

“Fine. You all are responsible. Happy?” Her mouth quirks into a smile.

“I’ll take a snack,” she says, “Don’t think Commander Grumpyflank wants me standing up though.” She bats her eyelashes. “Mind helpin’ a damese...dam...damsel in...? Ah buck it. Just get me whatever, thanks.”

--

“Airships are pretty slow too,” Star says doubtfully, “I mean, we’re only using 10% of our thrust and most of that is going into keeping us airborn. It’s just that anything is faster than walking.” She ruffles her wings play-smugly.

“Yeah. Ate a big breakfast,” she says, “Happy knows her way around the kitchen.”

Comms are good, but Pins and Needles are not anywhere near the bridge. They are down in the main hold, listening to Chrysalis give a rousing speech.

[DigoDragon]

"Are you ready?"

Rose glances down at her comm. An eyebrow rises. "Speaking of the inventive devil herself," she comments to Corby.

Rose opens the comm to Love. 'Ready for what, Love? Landing? Mission? Second breakfast?'

[D.KnightSpider]

"Provided that you never try to flirt like that again, I'll get you something." Longshot says. "Just keep your eyes open. You'll never know what could hit you."

He sets off to find this aforementioned cooler.

Text to Love: "I've got it. Thanks, though. You need anything?"

[Elbeyon]

Love meant like an air car, plane, or something. There are many flying airthings!

Love chuckles. "The Firebird's speed leaves things in the metaphorical sand." Love smirks. "I have difficulty imagining the aerostat achieving escape velocity without some serious magic. She's built like a changeling too." She makes sure to keep some focus toward the sky. "Walking is rough on the hoofs. It's good to know a pony with wings. It's enlightening." Love smiles at Star.

She nods at Star having eaten properly. "She sure does. I wonder if snacks includes muffins. The mare has talent."

They seem busy. Love won't disturb the two by injecting a BugBot into the speech scene.

Text to Rose, "Ready for today. Choice B. The mission. I couldn't handle a second breakfast. Are you going to get a snack?"
Text to Longshot, "No problem. Nah, I can grab something if I need it. Thank you though."

[DigoDragon]

Text to Rose, "Ready for today. Choice B. The mission. I couldn't handle a second breakfast. Are you going to get a snack?"

Rose blinks and stares at the text a moment. Weird.

She closes the comm channel and just texts Love, 'Yes 2 all 3.'

[Miltonian]

"I think that's fair," Powder Keg agrees readily.

The cooler is at the front of the cabin, lashed to the wall by the door. It has everything from spare canteens to fresh muffins, depending on personal taste. Happy was clearly in charge of stocking it.

The remainder of the flight passes in almost pleasantly. The EDF chats amiably with each other, as soldiers are wont to do before battle. All too soon, Star calls out, "Coming up on Ashtown! Almost got them on radar. We'll see what surprises are waiting for us, eh?"

[DigoDragon]

Rose saves her work and puts it away. Zap glove set to kill. Guns set to kill. Gas mask pulled up and activated. Magical spell knowledge gets recited in her head. Rose takes in a deep breath and gets ready to land.

"I hope this isn't like Hoofapest again," she mutters.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot makes certain that Keg's head is on straight. Figuratively speaking.

Weapons checked. Grenades primed. Software queued... Longshot smiles in spite of himself. This was going to be fun. In fact, he mutters: "I hope this is like Hoofapest."

He straps himself into the seat's safety harness.

Team comm.: "Affirmative, Star. Ready to roll."

[Elbeyon]

Love feels confident in her last gear check. She keeps focused on being sensor pony. Her hoof bounces between buttons and dials nearby a screen, fine tuning the results.

She says, "preparing for surprises," in the cockpit. Ashtown sits before them.

[userpay]

Brazen performs last checks on his equipment as the call goes out for their impending arrival. "Roger that, ah'm primed and ready."

[Miltonian]

The city comes into view. It is large, for a Wasteland settlement, but a lot of the buildings seem recently built and made of finer materials than the old city. Up above, looming over the entire settlement, lies a structure of concrete and steel, the entrance to the bunker. Enormous guns and racks of missiles bristle from every direction, ready to take on an attack no matter where it comes from. Massive landing pads rest at the very top, currently empty though designed to hold a very large vessel and a number of smaller ones. From smokestacks that jut out all across the hillside, great chimneys belch out clouds of acrid smoke, covering the town in constant shadow. It is a fitting place for a villain to make his home.

Star sends the video feed to everyone aboard, allowing them to see through the ‘Bird’s zoomed in view. The activity on the streets comes to a halt as the Tyrant, disguised as a dark, angry thundercloud, comes into their view. Trucks stop in the middle of the street, foot traffic stares. Never have they seen such a cloud, crackling and brimming with lightning and death. For many of them, they will never see one again.

The many guns of the bunker comes to life and angle their countless barrels towards the approaching force, but Chrysalis presses on undaunted. Comms light up as an all-frequencies hail cuts across the airwaves. “You have been marked. Land your ships and prepare to be taken prisoner if you wish to live.”

“Try it!” Chrysalis snarls back.

The hail cuts off abruptly. The guns lock on and prepare to fire. And then, a cataclysm of fire and shrapnel erupts throughout upper fortress. Chrysalis’ infiltrators were as good as their word. The guns blew themselves up. Most of the main bunker’s defenses have been reduced to smoking rubble in the opening shot.

Chrysalis returns the hail. “Now,” she purrs, “I believe you were offering to surrender?”

There is no reply.

“So be it,” she says and terminates the hail. On the combined operations channel, she says, “All troops! Prepare for deployment!” The Tyrant swings in low. The cloud around it parts and a horde of black forms pour out from either side. Tanks and half-tracks roll off their ramps and parachute down. Even a flight of primitive jet fighters launch from a hidden hangar and begin circling the town.

Wildcat restricts his broadcasts to the EDF. “Wonderbolts, strafe the outer defenses! Soften them up a little for the changelings, then swing back around to cover us on our approach. Tank crew! We’re dropping you on the outskirts of the city. Meet up with the changeling advance and support them for the time being. After that, Harrier Squad! Get ready to deploy.”

The opening stage of the battle goes smoothly. The enemy puts up a token resistance in the outskirts, no more than a roadblock or two. Pins and Needles lead the pincers of the changeling attack, their tremendous, armored forms shrugging off small arms fire and clearing the way for the infantry. A squad of changeling mages rides on their backs, combining their efforts to make a shield of magic for added protection.

Two brigades of half-tracks and APCs break away from the main assault and sweep south, around the city, preparing to cut off any avenue of retreat, while the main force of tanks splits in two and sweeps through the outskirts of the town along with the pincers of very mobile, flying infantry. They quickly make their way to the first real resistance: a wall defended by several platoons of CPI soldiers.

But that is where Harrier Squad’s attention must turn elsewhere. Star has dropped off the tank and, flanked by the Wonderbolts, comes in low to drop Harrier Squad one square over from the first bunker. She keeps the ship behind buildings whenever possible, cautious of a surprise rocket or the like from the bunker, and makes it down without incident.

The rear door opens. It’s go-time.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot is of two minds-- albeit for once it's a difference of opinion instead of a split personality. The first is that Chrysalis continues to hold all the cards. For better or worse, she owns the EDF and there's nothing they can do about it. The second is that the battle was going too well-- they were going to pay for it somewhere. As a bonus, he noted that Wildcat forgot his inspiring speech.

The suit seals. The rifle rises to his eye. Longshot makes a sweep of the surrounding area, trying to pick out places for cover and the means of securing their objective, while the heavies deploy. Once they've disembarked, he'll follow them out the door.


Perception:
[roll0] VS 16 (13 Skill + 3 Hyperspectral)

Tactics:
[roll1] VS 15 (13 Skill + 2 Software)

[DigoDragon]

'Hmm, guess it's all showmareship when the lion is dead anyway,' Rose thinks.

She takes in a breath, hoping this team is same as the last and unbuckles herself from the seat. Rose moves to the rear door and takes a position opposite Longshot to cover this exit for the power-suit members. She visually sweeps her half of the area with the rifle up and ready.


Perception [roll0] vs. 17 (Base 14 +3 Hyperspectral

[Elbeyon]

Love watches the city erupt into battle from more angles than provided by the Thunderbird's view. A mesh of anti-jamming/communication Robots move to dot the city. ScoutBots serve as hubs. BugBots hang with ponies and changelings. She keeps an eye on the two major fronts of the changelings as Pins and Needles lead the charge. They know how to speak to Love. The network stretches over the wasteland to major points of interest. That's more Commander Wildcat's business now.

Love ejects the wire that connects her to the 'Bird, unbuckles, and confesses a short loving see you later to Star. She is in Star's hoofs, quite literally in some sense with her body on the Thunderbird. She reminds Keg to 'lizard' before battle so her camo activates. Chompy follows Rose (for now). Love's ScoutBot is out, and a BugBot clings to each squad mates armor.

A smoke grenade sits ready at her signal to pop if they are coming in hot and need the concealment. Her two standing hoofs mimic the the spaceship below her automatically. A laser rifle in one hoof and a grenade in the other, she jumps and moves to a forward position (hopefully some place with cover) so she can help secure Rose's and Longshot's following departure.

Perception
[roll0] vs 13(Perception) +3 (Hyper)

[Miltonian]

The landing area is clear, fortunately, with easy cover no matter what direction they go thanks to the stores on all sides. They seem to have landed in the merchant district. Of course, those merchants might defend their stores violently, so it would be a bit of a gamble.

Sniper is sure their landing was noticed, which means the enemy is scrambling to respond. They have two viable options: strike hard before a the defense is ready or advance slowly and carefully, but face them at full strength.

[D.KnightSpider]

Pfft. Since when did the squad ever do things the quiet way?

Team Comm.: "Immediate area looks clear. I recommend we hit them hard and fast before the welcome party finishes preparations."

Longshot will cover the squad as they move to cover, then move to cover himself depending on how many actions we're allowed. He'll also check six to make sure Keg keeps up.

Yes, Digo, you read that wrong.

[DigoDragon]

Yes, Digo, you read that wrong.

Rose does not know who this Digo person is, but he sounds like a dirty-minded individual.


Comm: 'Agreed. I'll make sure the keg keeps up.'

She motions Powder Keg to keep alongside her as Rose moves out of the Thunderbird and follow the squad. Felt like good times on Tartarus, where they were taking names and misremembering the ship as Firebird.

[Elbeyon]

Love checks her angles and answers on comms, "Clear." If Longshot says 'clear' the surroundings are looking clean from most angles. Good job Star. She flew the Firebird wonderfully.

Longshot has a good sense for these things. "Agreed. Let's close the distance to the first target." Since they're moving fast, Love will put a ScoutBot high and in front to feel out blind spots before they get body checked by the group. She moves with the locals in mind. BugBots are there to help keep the team informed on potential dangers and blind spots eliminated from the sides and back.

She moves on two legs, ready to create cover on demand.

[userpay]

Brazen hits the ground with a muffled thump and he's immediately watching the surrounding area. "Ah'll take point." Brazen says as he moves up and prepares to advance. Indeed between his heavy armor the stallion also has a riot shield at the ready with another strapped to his storage case, quite literally a walking wall with a shotgun ready to punish anypony that rears their head.
Perception as we move forward.
[roll0] vs 12 +3 hyperspect = 15

[Miltonian]

Keg keeps her gun up and lopes alongside Rose. She looks around wildly, unused to the HUD but using her good instincts and keeping her head on a swivel.

With Brazen at the front, they round the corner and come to a wide street that runs straight up to the bunker. The moment Brazen steps around, a hail of machine-gun fire tears up the street around him, but he is easily able to duck back before it strikes him. This approach, it seems, is very guarded.

Love's birds-eye view spots more machine guns waiting for them no matter what angle they choose to approach from.

[Elbeyon]

Love slows down when Brazen ducks back around the corner.

Love quickly reports the view over the comms, "Machine guns cover every approach." It is a fortified position. Love tags/maps all the machine guns and crew for the rest of the team.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot checks TacNet. Hm.

"Rose, think you can slap some bullet protection on Brazen's flank so he can charge straight up the center? I'll try and find a place from which to snipe them."

He examines the area/feed and looks for a perch.

[DigoDragon]

"Affirmative, L.S."

Rose casts missile shield on Brazen (rolled in die-thread, 11/15) and with a touch gives him the best protection she can offer. "Done."

[Elbeyon]

Love continues on scomm, "I'll pop a smoke and peek a shell down the road." She puts a smoke grenade on the ground.

[Miltonian]

Even more bad news comes swiftly on the heels of the first. Love's bots pick up a few CPI soldiers herding a group of mares and foals toward the bunker. They insist that it's the safest place for them, but Love thinks otherwise.

There are several buildings nearby, but only one is above two stories. It is not the greatest perch, a low roof is the only cover he'd have and it would only protect him from one direction, but it's there.

[Elbeyon]

Buck. "A few CPI are herding a group of civilians toward the bunker." The tracking program starts tagging them. "The CPI are talking about it being safe place." She clinches her teeth,

[DigoDragon]

Rose casts* a second missile shield on Love. "Better go stop them before we got a hostage sitch."

Phew, she slows down to catch her breath and will just bring up the rear guard.


*(Forgot the -2 for an active spell, so I got 10 out of 13, not 15)

[D.KnightSpider]

Comm.: "No good cover up top. No time to be fancy. I'll follow you in the shadows."

Longshot provides a visual countdown so that they can move in synch. "Pop smoke and go."

[userpay]

Brazen taps a hoof against the ground. "So it's ah race to the bunker then with the machine guns as checkpoints?" He grins as Rose's protection settles over him. "Alright then time to roll." When everypony is ready he tears off around the corner and down the street towards the first of the emplacements.

[Elbeyon]

Love's head turns to face Rose as she casts her spell on Love. Scomm, "Thanks, I'll try not to be too fancy."

She revs her body and pops the smoke via mental command (as Scope wanted).

She rips out alongside Brazen running at Longshot's signal and into the front with Brazen. Scomm, "Let's roll!" The spell on her body turns her into a magical wall of cover. Her launcher fires off at the machine guns.

Move 7 yards.

Attack.
40mm Sleep (RoF 1) (HT-6)
[roll0] vs 19 = 12 (Grenade Launcher) +5 (Targeting) +4 (Ground Shot) -2 (Move and Attack) +/- (Other(s))

[Miltonian]

Brazen and Love charge ahead and the machine gun opens fire on them. All the bullets miss, of course, but go right back to their original course once they have passed. Such is the limitation of the spell. However, between that and the smoke, the bullets spray wildly, posing a danger to anyone else trying to advance up that way. Brazen and Love have drawn the emplacement's fire, however, but it is up to the rest of the team to choose how they will take advantage of that fact.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot takes advantage of the smoke cloud, and his intentionally noisy teammates, to follow in their wake. While passing through the smog, he takes a snap shot at one of the machine gunners. The rest of his energy/concentration goes to being sneaky.


Attack Roll:
[roll0] VS 18 (15 Skill + 5 Weapon Mods - 2 Movement Penalty

Damage:
[roll1]

Stealth:
[roll2] VS 17 (15 Skill + 2 TacSuit)

[DigoDragon]

Rose crouches down around the corner of a building and shoots at one of the machine guns.

Carbine [roll0] vs. 18

Shooting 3 rounds (recoil is 2)


[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Miltonian]

Though the EDF has many advantages and is normally quite accurate, shooting at a small target, the window the machine gun is poking out of, that is upwards of 50 yards away is too much for any of them to hit accurately. Their shots strike the walls around the emplacement and Love's grenade bounces off to the side.

The machine gun keeps up its steady rate of fire, but the bullets all go wide. No one gets hit this round.



New Round: Start!

[Elbeyon]

She scomms, "Avoid lines of fire!"

The last trails of smoke grasping Love's armor wisp away as she dashes forward. Bullets fly all around her and effectively through her in a blind fire that sprays the entire alley. Her right hoof comes up to hold her rifle in a more aggressive position. She darts forward in mini-hops that seem a step ahead of the bullet spray. The magic surrounding her is doing all the work, but Love might as well look impressive as she seemingly dodges and avoids being hit by the heavy guns. During a jump to avoid a bullet, she brings her rifle to bear and in mid spin fires off a volley at a machine gunner.

Love is using acrobatic dodge to look fancy.

Love will move as fast as she can again (turns out that's 9 yards).

Laser Rifle (RoF 10) @ a pony's face.
[roll0] vs 18 = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) +2 (Rapid Fire) -2 (Move and Attack) +/- (Other(s))

Damage: Stun
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]

[DigoDragon]

Team comm: 'I got lower-right.'

Rose keeps around the corner for cover. She braces herself and leans her rifle out to take aim at the head of the gunner on the right side.

[D.KnightSpider]

Comm.: "Targeting lower-left."

From the opposite side of the street, Longshot begins taking aim. This was his element and he was loving it.

[Miltonian]

Love and Brazen move on ahead, Love stopping to lay down some fire along the way. Unfortunately, her rounds strike against the barrier, the back wall, anywhere but the gunner's head.

The machine gun once again misses Brazen and Love and the scattered bullets kick up fragments of stone but do not strike anything important like Rose or Longshot.

Powder Keg hunkers down.

And another round comes around.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot works through his mental checklist. Relax into the groove. Lose the tension. Exhale. Blink.

Fire.

Inhale.

Attack:
[roll0] VS 23 (15 Skill, +21 Aim, -8 Distance, -5 Target: Face)

Damage:
[roll1]
[roll2]

[DigoDragon]

With the only viable target down, Rose stops aiming. She motions to Chompy and Keg to follow her as she moves up the street toward the next viable spot of cover.

[roll0]
[roll1] pi
[roll2] pi
[roll3] pi

[Elbeyon]

Love will keep charging forward. She checks the progress on the kids being ushered to the Bunker.

She scomms, "I'm continuing on ahead!"

I added some stuff.

[Miltonian]

Longshot's excellent marksponyship places two lasers right between the soldier's eyes. A laser is different than a bullet. It burns, it does not make an impact. Therefore, the laser does not throw the gunner backwards. He simply dies, goes limp, and falls forward over his weapon.

Rose and co. advance to behind a group of crates and barrels stacked outside the side entrance to a bar. The thought of what could be inside them crosses Rose's mind, but she has a job to do.

Brazen and Love charge ahead when Love feels her hoof depress a flagstone. She has a split-second to decipher this and react.

The door from the machine gun nest to the bunker bursts open and three ponies throw themselves inside, taking cover against the raised parapet. The dead body of the gunner disappears, pulled away for whoever will take his position.



New Round!

[D.KnightSpider]

Comm.: "Targeting the machine gun nest."

Longshot sets his sights on the window for the aforementioned gun. He lines up a shot roughly where he guesses the replacement pony's head will be and prepares to fire.

I was pleasantly surprised. We're only dealing with half our projected workload so I was able to take a lunch break.

Attack:
[roll0] VS 21 (15 Skill, +21 Aim, -8 Distance, -5 Target: Face, -2 Avoid Friendly Fire)

Damage:
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Elbeyon]

Love scomms and says with regret, "Woops." That sinking feeling pauses time.

She scomms, "Brazen, Mines!" Love jumps away from the sinking flagstone. She has to do something fast and she doesn't have a lot of options. The entire place could be littered with mines. A signal goes down a wire into her gun and switches the rifle to lethal shots. Her hoofs aim to land on a particular flagstone. She aims her rifle for the same spot and riddles the area with fire before she gets there.

[DigoDragon]

Rose will advance to the next spot forward unless someone has a better idea.

[userpay]

Brazen's eyes narrow. Mines meant they had to move more carefully... Which meant they had to deal with that nest period. "Firing on the machine gun." He comms as his shotgun swivels to fixate on the, for the moment, unoccupied machine gun and lobs a tangler grenade from the underslung launcher. Then continues making his way down the street sweeping the flagstones for signs of landmines.

Grenade launcher, tangler round, targeting the machine gun. All out determined attack.
vs 20 - relevant penalties
Half move
Perc [roll1] vs 15

[Miltonian]

Love does not move fast enough. The mine goes off right under her hooves and sends her flying through the air. Fortunately, she does not land on another mine and no one else steps on one this time round.

Love takes 5 bludgeoning damage from the blunt force of the mine against her armor. Don’t step on those!

Brazen expertly sends a grenade through the window of the bunker and it explodes over the gun, making it useless. With little else to do, the CPI step up to the edge and begin placing down a lot of rounds with their assault rifles. They all miss because magic that’s why.

Rose advances a few more meters.

Longshot aims.

[D.KnightSpider]

Given that the machine gun nest has been effectively shut down, there's no point in continued aim. Longshot didn't mind being upstaged in this fashion. Shooting the same spot time after time would have gotten boring.

And... knowing that the CPI were brainwashed took all the fun out of it.

His eyes flick to the cobblestone explosion. Hopefully, Love was alright.

EDF Comm.: "EDF, be advised that the CPI has planted landmines underneath the city streets."

Longshot takes flight and advances further down the street, all the while silently whistling to himself. He tries to stay under cover.

Stealth
[roll0] VS 17

[userpay]

Brazen resumes charging down the street, mostly trying to keep where Love has gone but still keeping an eye out for potential mines and marking them on the squad channel.

Perc [roll0] vs 15

[Elbeyon]

Love crouches on the flagstone mine to hopefully avoid a dead switch trigger mechanism for a second longer and prepares for her next jump. Her hoofs barely leave the ground before the explosion consumes her. Her hud goes red. Her temperature and pressure readings spike dramatically. Her heart rate jumps up as she prepares for death. Her training keeps her breathing as the flames and shrapnel wash over her. It feels like someone is tackling her from behind as she twirls through the air.

The stone in front of her pops up in small bursts as Love sends a full round of lasers through her target. The stone cracks and dusts fills the area before she lands on her hoofs and sends material higher into the air. She scomms a not dead serious, ever so slightly playful, "Ow. I'm alright." It seems she didn't land on a mine this time. She tries to appreciate the little things in near death experiences.

Brazen seems to be playing minesweeper. He also seems to be moving in her wake. Hopefully, not that type of wake anytime soon. She spins to bullet dodge the CPI firing line and leaps forward toward them. She raises her rifle and fires a tangler at a CPI right before she lands.

If Brazen marks a place as having a mine, Love will not jump there!

Movement!

40mm Tangler
[roll0] vs 12 (Grenade Launcher) +4 (Targeting) -2 (Move and Attack) +4? (Ground Attack if possible) +/- (Other(s))

[DigoDragon]

Harrier squad comm: "Crap, landmines now?!"

Rose turns to Powder Keg. "Hey, you're the queen of kaboom. How's your skills at sniffing out landmines to avoid?"

[Miltonian]

Brazen and Love move on ahead, avoiding landmines more by chance than anything. They have been set up under the flagstones so the only way to really avoid them is to avoid stepping on any stone big enough to hold one underneath. Doing so does, understandably, slow you down and leave you exposed to rifle fire, if said fire had any chance of hitting. Not that it does them much good right now as Love's grenade misses.

Sniper does his best to be stealthy, but they are actively looking for ponies moving up the street. A spray of bullets goes right by his head as the other two switch targets and take aim at him.

"How should I know how fancy mines work? We use a ten foot pole!" Powder Keg says, "Or we just blew up the street and walked over the ashes!"

[DigoDragon]

"How should I know how fancy mines work? We use a ten foot pole!" Powder Keg says, "Or we just blew up the street and walked over the ashes!"

Hmm. Seems Rose's stock faith in Powder Keg took a 6 point dip on the bear market.

"Well, I don't have a pole, but I can try to blindly guide us with my ponykinesis." Rose will slow her pace and walk closer to the edge of the street (nearer buildings) on the chance that the CPI didn't put mines close enough to blow up their own buildings. She'll use her horn magic to press against stones she isn't sure of, since she can reach out 6 hexes ahead of her. If something detonates, she at leas a little distance to soften the blast.

[Miltonian]

As she goes, Powder Keg snaps into a more serious mode. "STOP!" she snaps, "Look, we don't know what's down there! If it was me and I had their tech, I'd put a giant mine field out that only activated when the invaders were in the middle of it! Probably rig it all to blow at once if enough get tripped so I can make sure it's not a one off! And if you hadn't noticed, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR BUCKING TERRITORY! So sit down, sit tight, and let me get my ten foot pole WITH A METAL DETECTOR STUCK TO THE END!"

Ah, that's why she was a gang leader. She begins rummaging through her pack.

[DigoDragon]

"I can see why there's nothing left of your gang," Rose says as she stops moving and just watches the bunker defenders.

[Elbeyon]

Love can't hear the fierce fighting in the back. There are too many rifles firing from the front!

Another jump, another safe landing. She hopes anyways as the area around her doesn't immediately explode. Good job, Brazen! If he keeps up his search he is going to fall farther behind than a single jump. She scomms, "Popping a smoke."

She presses her hoof off the ground and shoots forward again. Before she lands, she takes the grenade that's been in her hoof and throws it eight yards away from the bunker. If she hits bullseye, the smoke should cover the last 15 yards. Scope should at least get some concealment as smoke explodes in front of the bunker.

9 Movement!; 45/~66

[roll0] vs 12 (Throwing) +4 (Ground) +? (Radio Detonation) -5 (15 Yards) -2 (Move and Attack) +/- (Other(s))

[userpay]

The closer Brazen got the better before he engaged properly. This was why he and Love had battlearmor was to clear the way for the others after all. He continues rushing ahead as scattered fire flies overhead and around him.

[D.KnightSpider]

Getting shot at was just another day at the office. Not that such an attitude kept Longshot from instinctively flinching and losing his quiet tune. Ah well.

He books it for the next building corner or alleyway in an effort to find cover. There won't be any touching the ground until he's certain the landing zone is safe.


Perception
[roll0] VS 16

[Miltonian]

Love just barely manages to get that grenade right inside the bunker, throwing off the enemies' aim. Without a clear shot at anything, they instead dart back for the door they came out of, moving quickly. It slams behind them and the sound of several bars sliding into place follows that.

Longshot veers off into an alcove. The stores on either side are all linked together in one massive structure, but he has cover inside a little gap. Not a true alley, but it will do while he ensures there aren't any other surprises.

Powder Keg's eyes go wide and fill with rage. Her face contorts and her hooves tremble. "Buck you," she hisses. She turns and begins walking away. "Buck you! If you think you can do better, be my guest! Just let me get clear of the blast radius before you blow everyone up."

[DigoDragon]

Rose trains her carbine at Keg's head. "Can't let you walk, Powder Keg. I asked for help and you turned hostile. That's not how this agreement is going to work."

[D.KnightSpider]

It was almost like they'd built this town to be actively hostile to invading forces. Imagine that.

Longshot's eyes flick over his HUD. TacNet. Drone display. Surrounding area. Get a feel for enemy placement, the overall situation and map out their next move.

Perception:
[roll0] VS 16

Tactics:
[roll1] VS 15

[Elbeyon]

Love jets forward one more time, but instead of landing on the minefield her hoofs meet a soft fluffy smoke cloud. She stands on it instead of dropping down into, potentially, another explosive. She commands her rifle to switch to Stun again.

9 Move!; 54/~66

There isn't anything to attack?

[Miltonian]

There are no targets at the moment, though Love has made it to the nest! Now to wriggle her way inside. Brazen follows right behind.

Longshot takes to the air, figuratively this time, and sees that the grunts are close to ushering the civilians into the bunker, but they are coming in from the side. Love and Brazen still have time, but it would mean moving even further ahead.

"Hostile?!" Powder Keg repeats, "Oh so THAT'S how it's going to be. Let me tell ya straight, you've not seen me get 'hostile' yet. This is me trying to make sure you don't lose another leg, Stilts." Her tone is biting and sarcastic, but she does stop. "So are you going to let me get my metal detector out and sweep the area or are you going to keep waving that thing about like a drunken stallion?"

[DigoDragon]

"Up to you. You're free to sweep the street, or we can go back to the ship."

Rose continues to keep her aim on Keg.

[D.KnightSpider]

Comm.: "The civilians have almost made it to the bunker. Love, Brazen, if we're going to keep this from turning into a hostage situation, then you have to intercept immediately. No time for anything else. I'm moving to provide cover for Brazen and Love."

Longshot pushes his data to their HUDs. Then he takes off for the bunker. Force of habit has him invoke stealth.

Stealth:
[roll0] VS 17

[Miltonian]

No one sees Longshot! No one. He has achieved stealth.

Love and Brazen tear off to the left, rounding the first corner and getting ready to intercept the incoming CPI and guests. In moments, they'll get to play every soldier's favorite game: Save the Citizen!

In the meantime, the machinegun on that side swings towards them and opens fire. It still misses. Everything misses them.

"Tempting," Powder Keg snarls, "Stay in a warm, padded cell while everyone else does the fighting for me? Geez, how terrifying! You need to come up with better threats." She sighs. "But, gotta admit, I kind of like Love and don't want her to die. And Longshot's growing on me too." She starts putting together a metal detector. "Hope this isn't how you treat everypony trying to help ya. Heh. No wonder you lost half your body if you never learned to listen to ponies who might know something you don't."

[DigoDragon]

Rose slowly turns and sweeps the streets around them for hostile targets.

"What I lost was in the service of protecting my country from creatures that enjoyed carving the horns and wings off ponies. Death cares nothing about your body. The question is how death is going to judge you when he shows up for your soul."

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot keeps sneaking his way toward the bunker like a grinch on Hearthswarming Eve.

Sneak, Snanke. Snuck.

[userpay]

"Ah feel like they ain't communicatin with each other... Or they're waitin for the magic to wear off." Brazen notes about their adversary's continued firing. He keeps rushing forward waiting for a good chance to tangle this machine gun as well.

[Elbeyon]

Last Turn

Love dances in the smoke to avoid the fire and shoots off a grenade at the machine gun.

Move!

40mm Tangler
Rolled in Dice Thread (13) vs 12 (Grenade Launcher) +4 (Targeting) -2 (Move and Attack) +4? (Ground Attack) +/- (Other(s))

====

This Turn

She scomms the team, "The effects are subtle. We've put on a good show."

Love hops forward to try to get closer to the bunker door / entrance to prevent the civilian's capture.

She fires another shot.

4 Move!

40mm Tangler
[roll0] vs 12 (Grenade Launcher) +4 (Targeting) +1 (All-Out Attack) +4? (Ground Attack) +/- (Other(s))

[Miltonian]

Powder Keg could keep exchanging snarky comments, but it turns out that holding a conversation and digging stuff out of your bag are two things that both require concentration. She opts to mutter incoherently and keep assembling that minesweeper. This could take a few rounds.

Longshot sneaks his way further up the to the bunker. He'll be there soon!

Brazen and Love charge forward. Love's first grenade explodes over the front of the nest's outer wall. The second hits the gunner in the face. Both of them round the corner and are now between the escorted civilians and the bunker. The escort has their weapons raised and ready to fire the moment the pair rounds the corner, but the bullets miss. What a surprise!

The civilians make a break for it and go back the other way, leaving the CPI soldiers between them and the EDF.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot keeps moving toward the bunker. He silently whistles to himself.

[DigoDragon]

Fortunately Rose can multitask. She keeps overwatch on Powder Keg like a centurion.

(Hold action and wait for danger to show up)

[Elbeyon]

She looks over the CPI as they send a hail of bullets their way. She scomms, "The civilians are fleeing back down the street."

Love raises her gun slightly at the CPI and starts shooting Shock shots at their legs so that any missed shots will punch into the ground instead of the fleeing civilians.

She yells out, "Go home!" She'd say more to the civilians, but she doesn't want the CPI to catch onto her play. The kids need to stay out of the streets. An eye needs to be kept on them.

Laser Rifle (RoF 4) (Rcl 1)@ a pony's leg.
[roll0] vs 16 = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) -2 (Leg) +/- (Other(s))

Damage: Stun (3)
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

I'm not sure how many shots Love will lose. It's one shot per yard between targets. Go ahead and subtract it from my second attack.

Laser Rifle (RoF 6?) (Rcl 2)@ a pony's leg.
[roll5] vs 16 = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) -2 (Leg) +/- (Other(s))

Damage: Stun (3)
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]

[userpay]

Well that was the bunker down... Brazen halts near the corner of the street. One part to secure the area and one part placing his firing arc to be more likely to hit the surrounding buildings than somepony behind their targets. "Surrender CPI forces! Yer under suspicion of enslavement amongst other crimes." Brazen waits a heartbeat in the off chance that these CPI pony's aren't chipped before opening fire with shock rounds. It was more for the citizens sake anyway.

Determined attack, single shot, shock round.
[roll0] vs 24 - penalties
non-lethal [roll1] pi++

[Miltonian]

Longshot arrives at the bunker. And there was much rejoicing.

Powder Keg puts all the components to the metal detector on the ground and begins assembling them, still muttering to herself. Rose, however, is about due for a perception check.

--

Love's sprays of random fire do nothing but make the CPI 'dance' back a bit, wary of getting shot. Brazen's contribution, however, flat-out knocks one off his hooves and onto the ground. The remaining four take a few steps forward, aiming to continue the attack, before suddenly reversing that situation and scattering for cover.

The civilians are still running away.

--

Star sends out a comm to the entire team. "Heads up, ponies. Changeling advance has slowed. Lot of building to building fighting going on right now. Seems you weren't the only ones who encountered mines either. Whole streets suddenly blew up in our faces. The infantry are pulling way ahead of the tanks, even with the heavy resistance."

[DigoDragon]

Perception check: [roll0]

[Elbeyon]

She said to go home, not go shopping! Here, she was ready to super dodge all their shots. The CPI had some dance in them.

At least the civilians seem safe. Love lifts her gun up higher and points it at the ponies farther away from cover than the others. She opens fire on them again. She aims for center mass like she was trained unless they've somehow found cover (in which case exposed shots are decided upon).

Scope is here so she better hurry up.

Laser Rifle (RoF 5) (Rcl 1)
[roll0] vs 19 = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) +1 (RoF) -0? (Torso?) +/- (Other(s))

Damage: Stun (3)
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

I'm not sure how many shots Love will lose. It's one shot per yard between targets. Go ahead and subtract it from my second attack.

Laser Rifle (RoF 5?) (Rcl 2)
I rolled 13 in the dice thread. (13) vs 18 = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) -0? (Torso?) +/- (Other(s))

Damage: Stun (3)
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]

[D.KnightSpider]

"Affirmative, Star." Longshot says over comm.

He'd passed a warning up the chain. What happened after that wasn't his fault.

Longshot heads skyward and cautiously approaches the rooftop. He keeps his eyes open for ambush or trap. There's no trust for anything.

Perception
[roll0] VS 16

[userpay]

One down, four to go. This was the exact reason Brazen always preferred a shotgun over other firearms. Even if it didn't have the range what got hit tended to go down. He lines up his next shot and pulls the trigger.

Determined attack, single shot, shock round.
3d6 vs 24 - penalties
non-lethal [roll0] pi++

[Miltonian]

Love and Brazen each take down one opponent apiece, leaving only the two that got to reasonable cover beforehand. Those two hunker down and, in a stunning flash of inspiration, draw grenades to throw next round.

--

Rose sees...an eyeball. A metal eyeball hovering above one of the storefronts and about the size of a softball. It stares back at her and the iris contracts, focusing in on her. Powder Keg lets out a cry of triumph and hoists the metal detector. "Got it!" she declares.

-

Longshot. Sees. Everything. There are, in fact, traps around here. Razor wire, camouflaged so as to blend in with the roof, waits in a criss-cross pattern for anyone foolish enough to carelessly set hoof on it. He can avoid it, but he will have to move carefully and there will be no lying down on the job, so to speak.

[DigoDragon]

"Excellent work, Keg. While you scan the ground, I'm going to rid ourselves of a spy." Rose takes aim at the metal eyeball through her scope.

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot. Sees. Everything. There are, in fact, traps around here. Razor wire, camouflaged so as to blend in with the roof, waits in a criss-cross pattern for anyone foolish enough to carelessly set hoof on it. He can avoid it, but he will have to move carefully and there will be no lying down on the job, so to speak.

Not quite everything since Longshot doesn't see the matrix of story and merchandising that make up their world (unlike other gifted PCs), but it's close enough under the circumstances.

Tempting as it is to provide the CPI with a nice, stationary target, Longshot passes by that temptation. Instead, he moves to the corner of the bunker nearest Brazen and Love. He flattens himself against the wall and takes a peak around the corner to get a feel for the situation.

Comm.: "Be advised, there's razor wire strung across the rooftops."

[Elbeyon]

It would seem the CPI are receiving updates. She scomms to Scope, "Roger."

Scomm, "Former escorts are readying grenades! They're acting under counsel."

Scomm, "Brazen, I'll shoot left."

Love brings her rifle up, waits, and aims at area the CPI is hunkering down. She plans to shoot her target partway through their pitch.

Love is preparing to Opportunity Fire. She has basically readied a shot.

[Miltonian]

The two CPI soldiers pop up in unison, grenades primed. Brazen shoots one and incapacitates him. Love has a clear shot at the other.

--

The eye zips left, then up and to the right, then right and down, making a triangle around it's original location. It appears ready to try and dodge her shot. However, Rose has a good bead on it. She might hit it.

Longshot is just in time to see Love fire. The situation seems to be well in hoof.

This bunker seems understaffed, but if the gangs did their job, most of their forces were shipped off to outposts around the Wasteland last night.

[Elbeyon]

Love will try to time her attack like she planned. The grenade is a worry. She shoots the largest part of the CPI solider available to her.

Laser Rifle (RoF 10) (Rcl 1)
[roll0] vs 20? or 36? = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) +2 (RoF) +16? (Aim? Opportunity Fire ticks up aiming.) -0? (Torso?) +/- (Other(s))

Damage: Stun (3)
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]

[DigoDragon]

"Hold still for mama," Rose whispers. She fires a burst to try and destroy this device.

Base Skill: 13
+12 Aiming Bonus
-4 Distance penalty
Net: 21

Attack roll: [roll0]

3 shots, recoil -2
Unknown size penalty.

[D.KnightSpider]

Given that it's going so well, Longshot takes another moment to check the TacNet and BugBot feeds. If there are any impending surprises, then he wants to spoil them.

The battle field is no place for surprise parties.

[Miltonian]

Two massive explosions shake the air as the grenades detonate. Those would have hurt, might even have penetrated their power armor! Instead, they reduce anything nearby to flaming fragments and turn their would-be-throwers to a nice, charred, paste.

Rose's shots hit the flying drone and drop it. It falls down, rolls off the roof, and lands about seven meter for her, well within her 10 meter telekinesis range. It sparks fitfully.

Powder Keg shrugs and begins sweeping for mines.

And with that, the scene is momentarily clear of enemy combatants. No reinforcements seem to be coming and the remaining two gunners have abandoned their posts. A gust whistles through the gaps in the concrete, giving the scene an eerie, almost empty feeling.

As Rose picks up the little drone, a tinny voice that sounds remarkably like Love's comes from within. "You shot my cursor!"

[DigoDragon]

As Rose picks up the little drone, a tinny voice that sounds remarkably like Love's comes from within. "You shot my cursor!"

"Apologies, flash photography is not allowed," Rose tells the little broken drone.


Rose calls EDF on comm: 'Just shot down a drone eyeball. They're small, quick, and the owner is now mad at me.'
She holds the drone up to her comm camera so others can see it.

She holds onto the drone and follows Keg, protecting her from potential threats.

[D.KnightSpider]

Comm.: "If the drone is still active, I recommend you disable it. It could be feeding Intel to any pony."

Longshot turns and sets up an overwatch on the bunker door. Just in case.

Comm.: "Recommend we form up and breach the door before the bullet spell ends."

((Wait + Aim - Friendly Fire on the doorway.))

[DigoDragon]

Comm.: "If the drone is still active, I recommend you disable it. It could be feeding Intel to any pony."

Comm: 'Understood, L.S.'

[Elbeyon]

She misjudged the grenade, the CPI, and her plan failed. Love lets out a sigh and clinches her teeth as she looks over the dead ponies from the air. Her heart is pounding with adrenaline.

She quick draws a firefoam grenade and chucks it toward the fiery mess to try extinguish the flames.

Scomms, "A drone eyeball? As in it's a machine?"

[Miltonian]

The bunker door remains nice and tightly locked up. No one dares step outside.

No targets remain in Love or Brazen’s los, unless they want to shoot civilians for some unfathomable reason. And Love extinguishes the fire before it can really catch, so that crisis is averted. All told, two CPI soldiers remain stunned on the ground and one still conscious one tangled up.

Rose’s shots did massive damage to this thing. Only the speaker, a microphone, and a small battery remain intact. It would be easy to disconnect, but as she goes to the voice keeps talking. “That was rude, you know. And not exactly keeping to the spirit of the rules. I mean, you were clearly capable of doing it because hey! You did it. But you weren’t supposed to. Not how these things are done.”

“Ooh! Wait. New data. Rose Croox! Crys. Criiiix? How do you say that? EDF, right?”

[Elbeyon]

Phew, that's one problem gone. She'll leave the container to a BugBot like usual.

Love scomms, "Roger, forming up. Stay alert."

Love moves around to the entrance while keeping an eye out for traps and her ears alert to any stirring inside.

She scomms, "Do you need a pick up, Rose? Keg?"

Perception
[roll0] vs 13 (Perception) +3 (Hyper)

[DigoDragon]

“That was rude, you know. And not exactly keeping to the spirit of the rules. I mean, you were clearly capable of doing it because hey! You did it. But you weren’t supposed to. Not how these things are done.”

“Ooh! Wait. New data. Rose Croox! Crys. Criiiix? How do you say that? EDF, right?”

"I wasn't aware there are rules. Let's hook up and we can go over them. You know where to find me," Rose tells the eyeball, "And please, call me R.C. No need for formalities."

Rose pulls out the battery cable. She's done talking to the voice in the ball.



Scomms, "A drone eyeball? As in it's a machine?"

She scomms, "Do you need a pick up, Rose? Keg?"

Rose comms back (open EDF channel so squad can overhear), 'Yeah, an itty bitty bot I shot up. Owner admonished me for breaking it. There's rules. Sounded like you, only... smaller. Anyway, what pick up did you have in mind? We're still working around the minefield.'

[Miltonian]

Keg keeps a steady eye on the road ahead and makes progress down the path. "It'll take a bit, but we can make it to you," she responds to Love, "Just be patient. There's no rushing this stuff if you don't want to be blown up."

Soon, however, they are all reunited. Brazen tries once to pry the door open, gives up, and wires up some explosives. The door can be blown at any time now.

[Elbeyon]

Love scomms in response to Rose, "I've been dreaming about something like that. I'll check the bot when we get a chance for me to look."

She scomms in response to Keg, "We have a second. Brazen is setting something up for us. Be careful, Keg."

While they wait, Love stands guard. She stealth taps the downed CPI with Shock so they stay down. She checks the tanglered CPI to make sure they aren't going anywhere.

She is mostly waiting on Brazen though.

[DigoDragon]

"Thanks for getting us through that minefield, Keg," Rose says.

She turns to Love and gives her the broken bot. "Happy birthday."

[D.KnightSpider]

Longshot covers the others and watches the Intel feed while Brazen works. When the charge is set, he takes up position to follow Brazen and Love into the room.

[userpay]

Brazen assembles a loose web of detcord over the door in the hopes of minimizing casualties on the other side. Who knew if there were civvies inside already from other sources. "Right form up and get ready for some fireworks." Brazen stands back an appropriate distance, places his riot shields to help cover the others, and sets off the explosives.

[DigoDragon]

Rose stands back and watches the area behind everyone instead. Never know if any reinforcements are sneaking up.

[Elbeyon]

Love nods to the two as they finish crossing the minefield.

Underneath her armor, Love's eyes widen at the sight of the bot. Scomm, "Interesting." She receives the bot from Rose and turns it in her hoof. She states the obvious, scomm, "It has no wings. Thank you. That's quite the thing you found." She grabs the audio from Rose and listens to the voice herself. The gears start turning as she re-vists her past thoughts, but nothing is confirmed.

She commands a BugBot to take the EyeBot and go hide it somewhere in Ashtown. She makes a report about the bot to command. It seems like Ashtown has deployed Bots alongside the EDF. They're being spied on more than they knew.

She warns everyone on scomms, "A few of the CPI had high-grade grenades. They'll pack a bigger stronger punch than what the wasteland normally throws out."

Love forms up to help lead the charge. Scomm, "Acknowledged, Brazen." Before they breach, Love puts a tangler in her other hoof. She doesn't like to leave her grenade hoof empty.

[Miltonian]

With ten seconds left of Rose's spell, Brazen blows apart the door to the bunker and reveals a dark interior where the remaining six CPI soldiers have set up a four-way barricade around another, inner room. Without waiting for the smoke to clear, they open fire blindly, filling the doorway with deadly lead.

Powder Keg readies a grenade, grumbling about how it's not an actual explosive.

[Elbeyon]

The bullets fly out the door as soon as Brazen blows the thing apart. A confined entryway means another deadponies land. She jump dashes forward after his probably charge and pops a smoke to add onto the small cloud created by Brazen's explosives. Love jumps through the door and fires her weapon. She fires off a small burst at each target as she shoots horizontal across the barricade. She aims her shots at ponies rather than trying to shoot through the barricade.

Love tries to see if there is any place she could move inside and get cover so that she isn't blocking the doorway next round.

Move into the bunker!

Smoke!

Love will preform another sweeping/spraying attack. She can only shoot people in a 30° arc. If the targets are more than one yard apart, traversing between them wastes a shot (per extra yard). If the available ponies are spread out, she fires two shots (if possible) at each pony. If the available targets are clumped together, she fires three shots (if possible) at each. Extra shots can be added to target two (for a potential +1 RoF bonus).

Laser Rifle (Rcl 1)
[roll0] vs 16 = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) -2 (Move and Attack) -0? (Torso?) +/- (Other(s))

Laser Rifle (Rcl 2)
[roll1] vs 16 = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) -2 (Move and Attack) -0? (Torso?) +/- (Other(s))

Laser Rifle (Rcl 3)
[roll2] vs 16 = 13 (Beam Weapons) +5 (Targeting) -2 (Move and Attack) -0? (Torso?) +/- (Other(s))

Damage: Stun (3)
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]
[roll12]

[DigoDragon]

Rose holds back, not wishing to hit Love accidentally in crossfire. She continues to watch the squad's backside for reinforcements.