//------------------------------// // After The War - New Baltimore // Story: The History Of The Human War // by Scorched Earth //------------------------------// New Baltimore (Formerly Baltimare) “Name and ID tag.” Spinning Coin couldn't help but to sight when the 5th human patrol stopped him. “Here you go sir.” He said giving his ID tag. He had dealt with some of the most annoying bureaucrats just to get one. “Name is Spinning Coin, a trader, on here to sell my fine wares to good people of Baltima... New Baltimore.” “Looks like everything is OK. We are going to have to check your wares too, tough.” “You and four others on my way here.” “Security is tight. We got a warning of possible terrorist attack two days ago and we are not taking chances.” Guards quickly went over his wares. After 3rd patrol had stopped him Spinning Coin had left all his wares in plain view so that they wouldn't be thrown around too much. He couldn't help, but wonder who would be insane enough to try to commit an attack on humans. Didn't they know such act could restart the war? Then again, there were idiots who wanted just that. “Right, some food for local ponies and cloth. Selling them to us or to ponies?” “Cloth are actually for you. I got a tip that someone might want to buy them.” “Try trader Fordenson. He is a tailor, owns a shop on Luna Aeternal. Ever since we had access to real silk and leather the fashion designers have been living a new renaissance. Fordenson pays a fair price.” “I thank you for the tip.” “Oh, and here is a permit for city. I wonder why others didn't give it to you.” The guard said, scribing a small document and handing it to him. “It’s only for one day, a ‘you’re clean’ paper so to say. Still, don’t wander too far or you might get searched again and brought into questioning.” “Others were kinda busy, so it might have slipped from their mind. Anyway, thanks.” “Have a pleasant day.” Patrol left him alone as he pushed towards pony commune on the side of the settlement. Pony population was a lot smaller than it had been before The War, many leaving the city after it was given to humans. Locals tried to grow food, but complained that it tasted bland. So food from outside had become luxury around here. At least buildings were from pre-war era, the few little had survived. “Any news from Canterlot?” One mare asked him. “Depends. Peace is holding. I heard a rumor that humans are invited to Grand Galloping Gala this year.” “Bah. Why should we invite them? Then again, I guess invitation is better than invasion...” The mare left grumbling about how unfair life was and everything used to be better back during to good old days. Many ponies who had stayed shared the same sentiment. Baltimare had become New Baltimore, named after some long forgotten human city. Apparently they thought it was just right since names sounded similar. He made rather good deal with his food, having earner sizable amount of gems, local currency. Humans had little to no use to magical gems, so they had become de facto money around here. Ponied paid in gems, which humans then used to pay to diamond dogs for their services. Speaking of dogs, one was standing in front him right now. “Uuh, good day.” “Hrmph. What'z poni doi here?” “Just trading. It has not become illegal in last 5 minutes, has it?” “Poniz alwayz whine and complai. Poniz no good. Humans better. Muzt go now. Paycheck awaitz.” Dog started to walk away before being stopped by two others. “ROVER! For soils sake get back here. You are NOT going to humans demanding paycheck until you are sober!” “Leave me myself! I can take carezzzzzzz” The dog fell to the ground asleep. “Damn... he did not harass you, did he not?” One the dogs turned to Spinning Coin. “No, just muttered something incoherent and left.” “Oh good. Okay, grab one arm and I take the other.” The dog said to his companion. “Let's haul him back to barracks to sleep it off.” Together, they started to carry off their drunken friend. New Baltimore was really a place of many things. New buildings rose everyday. Ground around the place was low on gems, but rich in other minerals, so humans had hired diamond dogs to mine. It was also had trading post, a place where traders from both sides could trade, as long as you had permit. Spinning coin left his wagon in the guarded parking area and started to look for the man that the guard had mentioned earlier. Eventually, he found him. “Mister Fordenson?” “My name so melodic and beautiful.” The man responded. “Err, right, I was told you were the man to speak of one wished to sell cloths.” “Ah yes, fashion designers are pretty much holding a fighting tournaments just for right to bid on those. Let's see your wares.” Spinning Coin lead Fordenson to his wares, with his guard following them to ensure no shady business would be conducted. “Hmm, very high quality material, I see they have been held in low magic areas, yes?” “Yes, indeed. They were stored in a storeroom that had two of those new talismans that humans outside the field use. So minimum magical residue. Very high quality silk cloth. Should be ready to use right away, without need to wait for magic to disperse.” “Indeed, indeed. These will fetch a good price back on home. I can give you 5 000 credits for these. Let' see, with exchange rate currently...” Fordenson pulled a small handheld PDA out of his pocket and pressed it few times “... that's roughly 7 200 bits. Sounds good?” “Can't argue you with that.” It was a good deal. Same cloth back home would have landed him 5 000 bits. Guard had not been lying to him when he said that Fordenson would pay fair. Then again, there was no doubt that Fordenson would make triple profit from these, especially since he could send them back in the next batch. Getting stuff to Luna Aeternal before your competitors, who had to wait until next merchants arrived, was always a sure way to make profit. “Hey, is that gems I see? You could try to sell those to local governor. He is always interested in having dogs next paycheck ready, even if it's a month until that.” “Thanks, but I think I keep them. There is some demand for them in Canterlot these days. Gotta support home industry, you know?” “I guess so. It was pleasure doing business with you. I take care of the money side and send my boys to unload this. Should be by tomorrow.” Spinning Coin gave nod at this and left. He was going to need a place to stay. There were few hotels around the place, most of them for humans who had not yet gained permanent residence. Baltimare had really changed since humans took control of it. Gone were nice little wood and brick houses. They had been replaced by typical human designed: functionality over aesthetics, either black, gray or brown, as if every other color in the world was banned and build from concrete and steel. He missed old Baltimare.