Simmons raced back and forth across the roof of Red Base, hands to his head as he struggled vainly to not panic. "Oh god oh god we are all going to die! We killed Maud's Mom and she's going to find new and inventive and physics defying ways to make us suffer as she kills us and oh why did I ever try to make a gun that worked on love I've read enough comics to know where that would go-"
"Simmons!" Sarge barked out. "Atten-hut!"
Simmons snapped to attention. "Sir, I-"
"Enough whining, Simmons!" Sarge snapped firmly. "If Maud were going to kill us for killing her mother, then she would have already done so and at least one of us would already be in pieces as she harvested our organs for rock-themed confections! But even Grif is still in one piece, so we can assume that we're okay for the time being!"
"Unless she's letting us stew in our fear until our meat's the right flavor for baking," Grif suggested thoughtfully. "Or she's still trying to decide how best to kill us."
"Either way, that gives us time!" Sarge insisted. "It is true that death no doubt comes for us all, and she is adorable...but we have time, and in time a chance to convince her that it wasn't our fault! Simmons! You said there were red lights on the MAUD before we fired. What were they?"
Sarge's strict authority and determination helped calm Simmons' panic some what, and he was able to speak. "Well, the auto-targeting system we hadn't tested yet was locked in active mode to target enemies, and the feed cables had been disengaged. While we'd been able to store distilled love in the MAUD as fuel...somehow...snuggles had to be pumped in steadily."
"So the MAUD fired a beam of energy created from distilled, concentrated love," Sarge deduced thoughtfully. "Like...some kind of MAUD-doken?"
"I am genuinely surprised you got that reference, sir," Simmons observed thoughtfully. "But yes, in essence."
"Well, we're going to need weapons here if we're going to defend ourselves from an angry pony, and these MAUD-dokens seem to be the only one with a chance of working, given Agent Texas tossed her to the side to keep her from being hit! Now get to work on those hand-held models! Meanwhile, see if you can figure out who sabotaged the MAUD cannon, so we know who to blame if Maud is willing to talk!"
"Yes sir!" Simmons agreed as he saluted. He turned to go, then turned back. "Uh...which should I do first, sir?"
"MULTI-TASK, PRIVATE!"
"Sir yes sir!"
Maud sat calmly, ignoring her communications system as she left it on. She could hear Caboose bawling about Mom being dead, which was oddly a relief in this case. That brief moment when he hadn't sounded like himself had been concerning, and if he could still fully assert himself then that was all to the good. Dad was shouting in despair in Spanish, which Maud also ignored. Despite how she'd acted, she didn't speak a word of Spanish, and she had no idea what he would be saying about Mom being dead. Tucker was trying - and failing - to establish some sort of order. She could also hear the Reds arguing about what to do now. They seemed to be under the impression that they'd killed Mom right in front of her, and that she would be coming to turn them all into Donuts...or something like that. She had no idea why they would have that idea.
Finally, her armor called up an old message, along with a new message attached to it.
Error: A.I. Sys Error. Interface circuitry malfunction.
A.I. Fragment insertion may cause echo retention even upon removal.
Alert: Fragment insertion in process.
"Hello Mom," Maud murmured in her normal voice as she cut off her comms from everyone else for the private conversation. "You're much faster at this than Dad."
An image of Texas appeared on Maud's shoulder, a faint dark-grey aura surrounding her. "Okay, no," she said flatly. "I let it slide since I could presume it had been a while since he was killed, but how the hell are you not even fazed by seeing me blasted to bits right in front of you? You didn't even try to grieve!"
"Wrong lights," Maud replied flatly.
"...what?"
Maud used her HUD to create an image of herself for her Texas to see. "This is me," she stated. Her body shimmered in the living grey of stone. "One light." A second light of the same color bounced between her heart and head. "Two lights." A third light of the same color focused throughout her muscles and hooves, as well as stretching beyond her into the very fabric of space-time. "Three lights. All three the same color." A new image appeared, this one of Agent Texas. The body shimmered faintly with a pale light that was partially grayed out. "One light." A second light appeared only in the head, the same color surrounding the image of Texas on Maud's shoulder, and focused in one spot. The energy of that light seemed to support the grayed out light of the body. "Two lights, different colors. No third light."
"And...you saw Church the same way," Texas observed thoughtfully.
"Yes," Maud confirmed. "Only two lights, different colors. Captain Flowers also only had two lights, but they were the same color. Both went out together when he died, but your second light stayed when your first one went out. Same with Dad's."
"Do you know what the lights are?" Texas asked curiously.
"Brother put terms to them when he built my armor, since it's designed to tap my third light." The image of her reappeared, this time armored. The third light flowed out of her to infuse the armor. "He called the lights Life, Soul, Magic. He has three lights, which is why he's my little brother." An image of Caboose appeared, showing the three lights...though in his case, the third light was focused in his musculature, brain, and hands. "He doesn't know he used it to make my armor. He doesn't even know he has it."
Texas stared at the image and information being presented to her, trying to make sense of it. "Does...anyone else in the canyon have three lights?" she asked thoughtfully.
"Everyone," Maud affirmed. "Their third lights resonate with each other, on probability. Simmons only taps his actively while drunk. Grif taps his while mining. He doesn't know the things he mines are made by his third light. Sarge only tapped his once, after Dad beat him to a pulp and Doc put him back together. Donut, Doc, and Uncle Tucker haven't used theirs actively yet."
"And suddenly this canyon makes sense," Texas observed thoughtfully. "Captain Flowers brought together a group to hide and protect Church...and unwittingly created a hotbed of probability magic that summoned you here when Church needed you most, and now you're drawing out everyone's magic so they can use it actively. No wonder Grif and Tucker can fight at the level of Freelancer Recruits." She chuckled softly. "I'm honestly looking forward to what happens when someone from Freelancer Command comes to investigate."
"If they do, you and Dad need bodies," Maud decided, getting to her hooves. "The Reds are scared I'm going to brutally murder them for killing you. I'm going to use that to make them build robot bodies for you both."
Texas chuckled indulgently. "That's my girl."
Well, that's brilliant.
Abuse the power you have over them, Maud
I like this explanation of why the Blood Gultch crew is so darn effective. I fear if this where ever to get to commands knowledge.
And suddenly we have second Twilight Sparkle.
Considering the side story (you know the one that hasn't updated since it's first chapter ) I have to say that it's going to be a Loooooong time before Freelancer Command even thinks to look into the situation in The Gulch.
Let me guess, Sarge has the soul magic of Determinataion.
how long is this story going to continue? Its awesome
8684291
But what about the Desert Gulch Crew? What about them?
Fuck it, you just explained the aptitude the BGC has towards being badasses in post-Monty hire seasons.
fazed
Yesss....use their fear against them!
Just make sure Dads one malfunctions in some way, that would be funny and Dad is better funny.
That, oddly makes sense. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the great work. Deus tecum.
That certainly shed some light on why she was so calm.
8684355
Probably well into 2019. I believe the plan is to follow the story through the end of the Freelancer Saga so season 10. We are still early Season One.
8684501
I plan to hit Corus as well.
Still debating on whether or not to have the Blues and Reds be part of this story post the 'Return to Equestria' arc, or including it as Maud's segment of "My Little PWNY".
XD I love the attitude what next walking AWAY From an explosion?
8684515
It would be funny if you timed it to happen during My Little PWNY and they pull a big damn heroes. You could signal it by everyone at the battle hearing polka music before the “Puma” comes flying in.
8684540
Manticore. The Jeep in this story is a Manticore.
Is it weird that when I read that Maud is going to black mail the reds I then proceed to cackle like a loon?
8684515
Either or just dew it*insert Palpatine meme
8684547
Ok.
Im just imagining Sarge (secretly, cause god knows he wouldnt admit to it willingly) modifing Church's body into reacting when "Papa wolf" comes out to play, adding extra functions, increased physical abilities, the works. I mean he hates the blue's (for now), but I think he atleast has a grudging respect for Church
Hahhahahahahahahahhah
I get it
Huh. Yeah, that works. Y'know, always wondered if Tex knew she was an AI. Guess she does in this story.
I'm mostly interested in how cocky and arrogant Carolina will react to how effective a bunch of cannon fodder sim-troopers have gotten i combat(and Wash to). As well as what rest of the crews 3rd lights do.
I even more surprise that you know that reference, Simmons.
...............Okay, that makes sense.
Okay THAT is a good one. Tatsurou, brilliant explanation on how things are so much more random than the series itself. Kudos man.
Haha and THERE'S the "Tex Element" right there..............I just can't help but wonder if Grif is going to get hit with all those nut shots like what happened in that particular episode in season ........7 I think?
Either way, I can't wait to see what unique power that Doc, Donut and Tucker gain.
8684549
You're not the only one.
8684722
I hope so! I kept trying to count how many times he got nutted and fail due to laughing
8684764
I think it was around 7 times that Tex nutshot Grif.
He has a point.
... Also a valid point.
That's one way to put it.
Oh, OK then.
Eh?
I, see? I think.
So he's an Earth Pony, kinda, in that he's absurdly strong. Makes sense.
OK, I'm done being able to resist.
Surprised I held out that long.
Oh it's gonna be so much fun.
Maud, you wondrous mare.
How many lights does Lopez and Sheila have?
A very nice explanation and I can't wait to see the bodies that get provided for Church and Tex. But can one set of adult pony bodies be made for special occasions???? Also to mess with people and give Church and Tex a better identity outside of their AI roles. Heck, get Delta and Theta pony bodies to so they can have a life of their own. If Simmons is drunk when he makes them and uses Griff's mined materials, the pony bodies could easily protect an AI from an EMP and let them live long happy lives.
8684858
sheila has 5 if you include her headlights
8684890
Why not have the Robot Bodies be Transformers? That way they’re humanoid when they need to be, but equine when they want. Plus it saves on Church and Tex from having to transfer their programming between bodies (and thus leaving one open for Omega to rub amok in).
Also, for some strange reason I get the feeling Pinkie Pie is going to throw the mother of all birthday parties for those two the second they transform into ponies. Doesn’t matter how she gets there, she just will. :P
8684933 Transforming bodies is a great idea!
Is... Is that an 8-Bit Theater reference?
...
i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/007/784/what-year-is-it-robin-williams.jpg
Might wanna put a spoiler warning out for anyone reading this before watching the show. Maud sense just lifted a few seasons of plot in just a few chapters.
8684938
And it might get even better. Like for instance, the reds build generic (and identical) transforming robots. Meaning the Pony Versions of those bots are also identical. This makes sense since the Freelancer Armor doesn't differentiate between the genders and the Reds only have Maud as a baseline. So they try take a guess as to what an adult earth pony form looks like. They get it completely wrong, but hey they tried to do something nice for Maud. :P
However, the second Church and Texas are downloaded into the bots, the Pony Forms change. Texas's Pony Form becomes unmistakably female and a Pegasus (hello Freelancer branded Death from Above!). Church's pony form becomes unmistakably male but there is a problem with the pony race. Every single time he transforms into the pony mode, it changes into either an Earth Pony, a Pegasus Pony, or a Unicorn Pony at random. It could be a wonderful running gag where the pony form is never what he needs when he needs it!
Like he tries to get to Maud (cause she is under fire) on the other side of a catwalk which just so happened to have the bridge blown out between him and her. He knows he can't make it in his biped form, so he goes for broke, transforms into his pony form, gallops to the edge, jumps… and plummets down 10 stories because his pony form became an Earth Pony rather than a Pegasus. :P
There is so much potential fun to be had with this. :P
Caboose is an earth pony? Huh. That makes a remarkable amount of sense.
D'aww!
8684938
Seconded.
I have to wonder what would have been the result ha Maud ended up with the n00bs that in canon-verse Sarge and Caboose run into who come back to life after dying over and over. Then again, given how nuts they were, maybe Pinkie ended up with them.
Darn. I'm all caught up. Now what am I going to read on my lunch breaks at work?
i like the reference there
8685069 it would be suberted if the errant mode change turned out to be what he needed a bit later to save the day. But yes, I like your thinking. Plus, I can see it being Red VS Blue vs Ponies as the Ai fragments each get their own pony body.
8685576
As the father of a Pie sister, I would expect nothing less from Church. :P
so wait...... they can bend reality now thanks to maud??? .................. I now fear on what would happen if pinkie pie were involved.
8685655
But they explicitly don't have magic... Okay, this needs a bit more work.
8685843
The entire area is saturated in magic, and it would be easy to chalk up to an unintended side effects of the Reds not knowing what they are doing. That plus Church and Tex are advanced A.I., so there's bound to be some (humorous) complications when mixing magic, technology, and Simmons. :P
Shit, I need to learn how to animate so I can animate this! Have you put in your application for writing at RoosterTeeth yet?
Also, read this conversation———> 8685896