//------------------------------//
// Chapter XIV - Signs From Above 
// Story: Fallout : Equestria - New Roam Innovatus 
// by Delvius 
//------------------------------//

Chapter XIV
Signs From Above
"When one side goes against the enemy with the gods' gift of stronger morale, then their adversaries, as a rule, cannot withstand them."	








"Look." I pointed across the field of road and low rubble leading up to the small hill upon which the Legion had made their camp. I smiled and leaned against the freezing metal of the Eagle's staff. "Warm lights. We're back, guys..."

In hindsight, we had been warned numerous times that this winter would come, and that it would come fast. Certainly I felt it over a week before, outside of Marediolanon, and had many opportunities since to get equipped. Perhaps I should have treated its coming more seriously. We needed -- needed -- proper winter clothes. The insulated jackets Predator had given us were probably the only reason we lived through that day, going from late afternoon to deep into the night. Not even ten minutes had we spent outside of the Principium Engineering Foundation before I was numb to the core. It was a brutal, icy journey; the streets were coated with a grainy layer of frost, and the winds hammered against us ceaselessly as we trotted the hours-long path back to camp. The wan rays of sunlight were of little help, but when the night came I missed them dearly. We afforded ourselves only a few stops, huddling in dark corners away from the wind before braving the cold again. All throughout our journey, fine flakes fell from above. They were tiny as grains of sand, and they were beautiful. Their pearly presence filled the night sky with dots of light, like energetic cousins of the immobile stars. Whereas Predator's coat kept my body functioning, it was that natural beauty that gave me pleasant distraction throughout the trek. 

Still, it was a miserable trot, but necessary. I knew not what it was we'd encountered in that chamber, but if there were more of it I was not going to rest until we were safely back in Legion territory. Then there was the information Zaita had given us, all tucked away in the device in my saddlebags. What was so important about it that even a horror from the dark sought it? Regardless of what Vesperius thought he knew, there was clearly something more important going on, and it would be best it we did not delay delivering the information to him. If there was any advantage to travelling in such horrible conditions, it's that no one would have thought anybody to be stupid enough to be out in such a time. As it was, we were thankfully left alone yet again by Roam's hidden bandits.

Shivering, and with his good hoof wrapped around Skyfire for support, Delvius smiled weakly and snickered. "Oh. A-ain't that nice... could sure use some warmth right about now, aheh."

"I lost all feeling hours ago," Skyfire deadpanned, her face hidden beneath her helmet. "S-s-someone, check if my tail froze off."

I smirked and rolled my eyes, getting behind the both of them and nudging them forward. "Come on you two, it's just a little further. Two-hundred meters, tops."

"Two-hundred meters of frozen hell," Delvius snickered. "Lovely."

For all their complaints, we did manage to cross the open space, and quickly. When we were close enough to be lit up by the dim luminescence of guardpost lamps, two swivel-mounted floodlights brought their attention to us. After hours of darkness, the sudden brightness was like a punch to the eyeballs. 

My companions were likewise disgruntled.

"Fucking hell!"
"Ahahah-ow, shit."

"Identify yourselves!" a voice demanded.

"Goldwreath!" I called out, holding a hoof before my eyes. "Dignitary Auxiliary to Vesperius, back from my duly appointed task. These are my companions. If you doubt that, at least do not doubt that which I hold."

The lights shut off. A gate in the camp's walls swung open, and a contubernium of Legionaries marched out to greet us. I let out a huff, my breath visible. I was too tired for this crap.

The centurion leading the soldiers looked me over. After a moment of scrutiny, his expression softened. "Welcome back, dignitary. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we can never be sure what'll come out of the dark. Standard security measures, I'm sure you understand."

"Can we go in now?" Skyfire grumbled. "I feel like my hooves are made of ice. And buddy, if it turns out I got frostbite for real, I'm gonna-..."

"What my companion is trying to say," I cut in, shooting Skyfire a glare, "Is that we are very tired and very cold. We were not prepared for the journey back, which perhaps is our fault." I looked at the zebra officers' attire. Beneath his imperial lorica was a rather snug-looking coat. "Still, we would like to put on such comfortable attire as yours quickly, if that's within the realm of reason."

The centurion nodded and stepped aside. His soldiers did the same. 

"Go on in, then," he said. "The fire in the center of camp is still going. The quartermaster can outfit you with winter gear. If you hurry, you may still catch him before he retires for the night."

I bowed my head tiredly as I stepped past him, my friends right behind me. "Thanks," I mumbled, shaking my head. Oh boy, was I lightheaded.

Once inside the camp, I was at a loss. How late was it... why, it must've been past midnight, actually. Would Vesperius have been awake? Even if he were, was this a good time to report to him? Surely he'd understand if I waited until morning... no. No. What happened in that facility needed to reach his ears. 

"You two head on back to where Skyfire's friends are," I told them. "There were some free beds there, and even if there's no fire I bet it'll be warm. Or, you know... go where you like." I blinked hard as my vision began to blur. "Yeah, just do whatever you like."

Delvius yawned. "Sleep is good." He booped Skyfire on the cheek of her helmet and smiled tiredly. "Onward, steed. To the beds. Make haste. Tarry not."

Skyfire snickered as she slowly dragged the both of them off. "Holy shit, you're getting delirious."

As for myself, I made my way over to the hill where Vesperius' abode was set up. As I went and passed through the many other tents, however, I noticed that many were finally populated. The once-desolate grounds were filled with Legionaries of the first legion, distinguished via their light-purple tunics. Most of them seemed in a rush, heating this pot here or carrying this piece of armor there. Obviously they didn't like being in the cold at least as much as me and were making efforts to stay in their nice comfy tents. It was good to see they had courtesy, though -- many who saw me stopped for a moment and greeted me, rendering the salute. I suppose I did look quite like them, with my black armor and darker-purple tunic and cape. I was a pony, though. I bet they would've remembered any pony in their ranks, of which I saw none. If not out of goodwill then perhaps they were just giving the Eagle due respect. Either way, they acted like proper Roamans, and that was all I wanted to see.

Once atop the hill, the pair of praetorians guarding Vesperius' tent stopped me. I grumbled and waved the black device Vesperius had given me in their faces. Obviously the thing was exclusive to the Dignitary Auxiliaries, because they asked no questions and bade me inside. To my surprise, Vesperius was still awake.

He noticed my presence and his eyes lit up. "Goldwreath! Welcome. You look weary," he said, and took a sip of his coffee while swiping aside his holographic screens.

I gave him a brief smile in return. It was all I could manage. I stepped forward breathlessly and held up the device. "The report is ready and I'm prepared to give details."

He looked me over head to hoof. "I'm not heartless, Goldwreath, though I may often seem dead inside. It can wait until tomorrow." He squinted. "Or rather, later. You've had quite a long day, I'm sure."

"Sir, the details of what my team encountered in that place-..."

"Are patient," he cut in, smiling. "And they can wait. Goldwreath, you must remember the purpose of your mission was to retrieve data for comparison; I need to know whether what I know is all there is to know. If you insist on giving me the data now, place the device on my table."

I shook my head and sighed. "It's not just the data, sir. There was... something down there." I remembered the creature's black body, glistening like dark crystal; the green light reflecting off of it, creating a pale and evil aura. 

Vesperius rose his brows. "Something?" he asked, sounding concerned. 

"A creature," I said. "Some kind of monstrosity from the earth. Black and glossy like obsidian, with glowing green energy atop its head. It seemed to be after the data."

He leaned back in his chair and looked to the side. He took a deep breath and let out an equally deep sigh.

"I see." He took a sip from his coffee. "I did not expect you would encounter their kind. The Principium seemed like a place of little consequence, home to relics of the past long bereft of significance. Clearly not."

"Clearly not," I agreed. Then his words struck me. "Their kind? You know about these things?"

He looked straight at me and pursed his lips into a crooked smile. "It is not information I like. Certainly I would sleep better without knowing of them. Predator informed me of your meeting. He is my top agent, you know. I keep him unbound by bureaucracy, free to carry out his operations. He has long known about the existence of these creatures. If we go under the assumption that I know everything he knows, then I can say they have been around for a very long time, hidden deep underground. Perhaps they even predate the war."

"I doubt it," I said. "I know nothing about them, but I know that governments are willing to do almost anything to ensure their supremacy. Predator told me what was done to him. I... did not believe him. At first." The full weight of his confessions crashed back into me. He was an engineered being, bred for war. He was very good at killing, which had led me to hate him. But could I truly fault him for that? What could a person be that was not a reflection of his world? I could have just as easily become like him. Had I been in his place, could I have become anything different?

By that point, I had realized the petty nature of my disdain for Predator. The poor creature... and still I did loathe him, somehow. Something in me cried out for penance on his part, regardless of his circumstances. Perhaps I truly believed him to be fully accountable for his actions. The unnerving thing about it was that I was not certain. I had never had such trouble settling a matter in my mind. Whenever I felt to be compassionate to him, an immediate reaction urged me to spite him. At a certain point, it began to feel artificial. Was this my desire for justice?

I stared at the ground and shook my head. My mind was not quite my own. I'd seen the documentaries of the war. Post-traumatic stress commonly resulted in various psychological problems. Could I have been developing those? Already? Or did something happen to me that would cause me to hate another even before knowing them? I had not felt that way even for Imperius. Was I simply prejudiced? Was I simply petty and superficial deep down? No, I could not be... I was an upright pony. That much had been made clear to me all my life. It was an honor to be Roaman.

Then what was wrong with me?

I swallowed and looked back into Vesperius' eyes. I had phased out again, I knew not for how long. At least he was patient. "I believed our government was above that, but they weren't. If they created him, I would not put it past them to create other things. Surely those creatures were some kind of experiment gone wrong, a project known only to a few."

Vesperius shrugged. "Well, at the risk of seeming self-righteous, I shall tell you not to worry. I like to believe I am not like the self-centered patricians of the past. I care not for politics and the acquisition of power, and merely try my best to bring an acceptable quality of life to these lands. It is true that my predecessors did many horrible things to increase the chance of victory and improve their standing. Many, many projects, sometimes privately funded. I have a long list of them. But as for these creatures... possibly. There is nothing in all my databases indicating their artificiality, but possibly. What's more likely is that they are creatures of the natural world, remnants from a time when the planet was different. We who have technology like to think we are masters of reality, but it is not so. Before the war, Roam and all the other civilizations of the world had not even surveyed the entire ocean, yet we were sending probes into the void. We try to fill the gaps in our knowledge with myths and legends. The Equestrians of just two centuries ago did so, to say nothing of their ancient forefathers. The existence of the creature of Chaos, Discord, and of the princesses of the Sun and Moon demanded explanation. They had a documented history of when the world was ruled by Discord's tyranny, yet our Roaman forefathers knew of no such time. I leave the illumination of these mysteries to historians. All I know is that we do not know as much as we believe we do. These creatures we face, Goldwreath... they are unknown. I hate the thought of it. If information is my weapon, then I am helpless against them. That is why I rely on Predator to find their origins. He at least seems capable of neutralizing them, one by one, but I doubt that is enough. Yet until we have answers, it is the best we can do."

He smiled mirthlessly. "At least we can add you to the short list of people who can face them. How did it feel, Goldwreath?"

I furrowed my brows. "Sir?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." His eyes hovered over the Eagle. His smile turned smug. "Still believe that the gods do not favor you? It is no weakness to require help from time to time. By our nature as individual beings, we are suited to excel only in some things. One can hardly prepare for monster-slaying. The gods helped you, and that is a very telling thing."

I pursed my lips and gave the Eagle a glance. I had for a few days now decided to be more open to the possibility... after all, I had no other explanation for what happened down there. Even still, the skeptic in me doubted. You'll forgive me, but science, not magic and myths, were what I had been brought up on. I needed something truly deliberate to convince me. "I'd ask how you know what happened in that place, but I suppose you'd say the gods told you," I said tiredly.

He smirked. "In a way. You start to trust dreams when they prove right time after time." He shook his head and stood up. "Regardless, your belief in the gods is a matter for you to settle. For now, it is all we can do to resume military operations as usual, and hope that Predator can shed light on the creatures soon. Only then can I make an informed decision as to how to deal with the threat. I would send you two together, but Predator is extremely resourceful on his own and I trust he can accomplish his tasks without your help. Your talents seem to be more suited for dealing with people who can be reasoned with anyway, and I doubt that would work on those creatures. As of now, my other agents are reporting success on their own tasks, which frees you up for some time. Do as you wish."

I pulled out the device and placed it on the table. "And I suppose you'll contact me when a new mission arises?"

"There are situations developing all the time, but you have done your job. The data you've retrieved will put my mind at ease, or maybe it won't. Even still, do be prepared to head out the moment I send something your way. If you decide to accept the tasks, at least."

"Don't worry," I assured. "I'll take them up. My friends and I will be ready."

He pulled the device close and stared at it. Then he looked straight at me and nodded. "Good, glad to hear it." He set the device back on the table and looked to the watch on his hoof. He sighed. "Now, I really must get back to work. If there is nothing else?"

That was his working voice. I suppose our little chat had taken up whatever free time he had. Best to leave him to it, I suppose. "I assumed the creatures would take you off guard, but you knew even about them," I said, then smiled and shook my head. This guy had intel on everything, didn't he? "So no, nothing else. Good morning, sir."

He sat back down and brought up his consoles once more. He began tapping away at them. "Very well. Good morning, Goldwreath."

I left the tent and looked up at the stars. The whole night the day before, I'd turned to them for comfort whilst my mind reeled with panic and urgency. Now that I knew that Vesperius was aware of the threat and had actually taken measures against it, I felt light. Perhaps I was simply becoming delirious through exhaustion, but for the time being I had no worries. I looked to the Eagle, and after a moment smiled.

"One more time," I whispered. "Just to be sure. Forgive a skeptic, hm?"

Now, Vesperius had made it clear that I was free to use my time as I saw fit. First things first: rest. Though I was tempted to go to Myst and sleep by her side, and be the first thing she'd see if she woke up, the auxiliary medical tent was on the other side of the camp and I was just too tired to go that distance. The primary aid station where my companions were would do just fine, and was much closer. 

I took off with a flap of my wings. The early dawn was windy, which helped me glide effortlessly over the camp and land in front of the aid station. Still, my legs were tired and I staggered almost to the ground. I sucked in a breath and stepped inside. A series of faintly glowing radiators lining the ceiling provided warmth, which was immediately welcome. My frost-coated armor soon began to glisten as the ice melted. Skyfire and Delvius were sprawled over the two beds closest to the entrance, while the other pegasi slept on all the other beds on one side and most of those on the other side. New arrivals, wounded Legionaries, took up the rest; that conveniently left exactly one bed, all for me. I staggered over to it and haphazardly stripped my armor off, laying the plates on the floor along with the rest of my equipment. I fell forward onto the mattress the moment I was dressed in nothing but my tunic and Predator's winter coat. It was more than an adequate replacement for a blanket.

I sighed into the pillow, rubbing my cheek against the smooth cotton. I would've fallen asleep instantly if it weren't for Breezetail.

"I know this probably isn't the best time," he said. I opened my eyes. He was laying on the bed next to mine, his head turned to face me. "But I just wanted to thank you."

"You already did that," I replied, needing to keep my exhaustion in check. I could have just as easily snapped the words at him and ended the conversation, but I wasn't so tired yet that I'd deny someone at least a short talk. But oh, I so hoped this would be short.

"I thanked you for saving our lives, yes," he said. "But not for what you did for Skyfire. Before you came in, she and that zebra over there were talking. Laughing. I didn't think it'd happen so soon, but she's already got a friend from these lands. I overheard some of the things they said. Sounds like you three had a hell of an adventure."

"You could say that," I said lazily. Oh, soft pillow...

"She seems happy is all," Breezetail said. "Considering what we've been through before coming here, and what happened after we arrived, I didn't think it was possible. But you made it happen. I don't think I could have forgiven myself if she were miserable here."

"Mmm... well... you all seem to be in a pretty good mood, all things considered." I yawned.

He laughed. "Yes, I suppose so. Sorry, I should let you sleep. Just take care of her, okay? She means a lot to me."

"I know, I know," I said. I shook the sleep off for just a second. "Yeah, really. She told me you were all close. Like brothers and sisters. Don't worry, I'll watch over her."

He smiled a half-smile and nodded. "Thanks." 

He turned away from me and laid still. I was sure he was still awake. As the captain of a squad of pegasi in a strange land, he probably had a lot on his mind. But those were his concerns. In that moment, my only real care was to get some sleep.

I closed my eyes.


~~~~***Roama Victrix***~~~~


"Theodorus," a voice said gravely. "We need to talk."

I put the pen down and turned my chair around. The zebra before me was lanky and dressed in a wrinkled lab coat. His eyes were tired but housed a spark of worry.

"Maladus!" I stood up. "I didn't expect you to be here. What, are our weekly meetings not enough? We have much work to do yet."

"Work is why I'm here," he replied. He stepped towards the window of my office and looked outside, at the busy streets of Roam. "I've come across some obstacles I think you can help with."

I rose my brows. "Me? I'm the Orator Maximus, Maladus. I give speeches that reflect the political views of our people -- which, you will note, we have successfully swayed in favor of the war. But I have no real political power. Why not ask Decarius, or Autherius? Their command over some of our best legions translates into real authority."

He shook his head. "Not right now, I think. With the Equestrian offensive, they'll be needed on the front. In fact I imagine that, in the heat of battle, all thoughts of the future of Roam are banished from them. They must focus on survival and victory. But we two who have the luxury of safety must keep our progress going until they become available once more."

I shrugged. "Fair enough. So what are these obstacles you've faced?" I rose my hooves up. "And before you say anything, remember that I can't say anything in public that could be considered classified information. My affiliations would be put into question, and honestly, the whole labyrinth of Roaman internal politics and corporate secrets gives me headaches. I'd rather steer clear of that noise."

"Yes, of course. Thankfully the problem I need you to address is something that I feel should be spoken of in public. It's the Principium Engineering Foundation, Theodorus. They've brought in a new agent." Maladus looked around and behind him. He swallowed.

I leaned forward. "Is it...?"

"Veltrio, yes," he replied. "I don't know what he's doing there, Theodorus. But if he is working for the Foundation, then he is the emperor's eyes there. I cannot allow the Institute of Fundamental Sciences to collaborate with the Foundation, lest he learn of our research."

I leaned back in my seat and let out a breath. "Okay. I see your problem. But what exactly is it you want me to do? Expose Veltrio to the public? Yes, it would raise questions about him and perhaps force the emperor to answer them, but it won't likely result in anything helpful."

Maladus shut his eyes and bowed his head. "And here I had hoped..." He looked back up at me. "You really think so?"

"Unfortunately, yes," I replied. "The Roaman public would at most be fascinated by this individual. Where did he come from? What's his story? We ourselves have no proof that he is, in fact, Caesar's adopted son. The media could simply portray him as the emperor's most trusted agent, and without any evidence on our part of him being otherwise it is a story most people would accept. Now, let's say we try to twist that story to our advantage. What would we say? That the emperor's agent is overseeing some... secret project? A weapon for the war, perhaps? No one would be surprised. They wouldn't expect any less from their government than to do absolutely everything it can to ensure victory. If we spread lies around I'm almost certain they would be traced back to us, and we would be put on trial, if not confronted by Veltrio himself. No, a smear campaign won't help us. What you need to do is either pursue the rest of our research outside of the Institute, or find a way to stop him from investigating us."

The disheveled scientist shook his head and put a hoof on his temple. "If we killed him, and I doubt we could, it would simply draw attention to us, hm? Perhaps you're right. I'll... well, I'll have to move the relevant people and facilities outside of the Institute. But to where?"

"Decarius' estate is vacant for the moment," I said. "Guarded by his own people instead of the praetorians or the urban cohorts, too. Just send him a message, I'm sure he'll understand."

He looked up at me and nodded. He wiped the sweat off his face. "Yes... yes, that seems like it could work. Hopefully Veltrio will not track me there, but if he does I'll have to have an alibi ready, or an escape plan, or... something." He swallowed. "Well, this plan will have to do for now. Thank you, Theodorus."

"Of course, Maladus. We have to look out for each other until the legates return. Then maybe we can be more at ease."

The shaken scientist was beginning to leave when I called out after him, "Maladus!" He glanced over his shoulder. "Keep in touch. Anything happens, you let me know. And maybe start visiting the shooting range, hm? Just in case."

He grimaced, but nodded.


~~~~***Roama Victrix***~~~~


When I woke, it was to Skyfire's quiet giggling. I could tell it was much later in the morning, since the sun was up and its light was radiating through the tent's fluttering flaps. It reminded me of when Marediolanon's door came down and I saw the sun for the first time. That seemed like so long ago... but of course it had only been less than two weeks. In that time I'd grown used to the sun and saw it as part of my daily routine. But Skyfire giggling? Now that wasn't something I'd gotten used to yet. Smirks and dry laughter, sure; soft, feminine giggling... most odd.

I rolled in bed and saw her giving Breezetail a quick smooch. Their eyes met mine and Skyfire immediately pushed herself away from her captain.

"Um... good morning?" I said.

Skyfire looked between me and Breezetail, then with bright red cheeks she just started laughing and quickly walked out the tent, with stiff legs and all. She mumbled some random words before she left, unintelligible. It was the single most awkward thing I'd seen in a long time.

I turned to Breezetail, who had his lips pressed tightly together in an embarrassed smile. 

"What... what just happened?" I asked. He scratched the back of his head and opened his mouth to answer, but he ultimately said nothing. Poor guy must've been wondering himself.

Then it hit me.

Just take care of her, okay? he'd said. She means a lot to me.

"Oh." Suddenly I was the one that felt awkward. I sat up, tempted to leave the tent in the same way Skyfire did. "I, uh... suppose I picked a wrong time to wake up?"

"No, no," he said, smiling. He smirked and covered his eyes before chuckling quietly. "She's a feisty one, Goldwreath. She gets what she wants. She wanted to see me, so she did. She wanted to flirt a little, so she did. Then she wanted to make out a bit, so... we did."

"M-make out?" I stammered. "So that wasn't just a quick kiss?"

He laughed. "Nope."

"Oh, gods." I covered my face. Then after a few moments I realized maybe I was making this all out to be more weird than it had to be. Relationships were normal, and I was no stranger to them. Oh, gods, no, I hadn't ever gotten myself into any, no! But the number of giggling couples that passed through my route past curfew back in Marediolanon was substantial enough for me to see love among others. Between Skyfire and Breezetail, though? I hadn't noticed... perhaps it was just the constant angst and stress brought about by nearly dying that dampened their romance. How long had they been a thing, I wondered. Did the others know? Well, I wasn't going to just spread it around anyway, just in case.

Slowly, I removed my hoof and opened my eyes. I gave him a smile. "Yeah, okay, so she's not like a sister to you. Got it. I'll... watch over her, don't worry."

He just smiled and nodded. I could understand not being very chatty. I'd just intruded on some intimate moment of theirs. I was just glad he was taking it all so well. Still, I wanted out of that tent, fast.

"I'll go out and eat now," I said quickly, standing up and hurrying out. It was probably late morning, almost noon -- all the beds were empty except for where Breezetail was and where I had been. Which meant that, even when the other injured pegasi were out and about, Breezetail had stayed behind with Skyfire. While I was there. That was... just... wow.

I spent a minute trotting idly outside. I drew the winter coat over my body to banish the cold, and focused on forgetting the morning's awkward encounter from my mind. That romance was not my own. I got caught in a weird place, and that was all. I had my own affairs to tend to. For one thing, I was in fact very hungry. 

I caught a whiff of something spiced on the cold morning air. A number of Legionaries were trotting towards the center of the camp, where the main fire normally burned. They were carrying metal bowls and spoons. I decided to follow them. It was then that I realized I'd forgotten my utensils. No way was I going back into that tent after the awkward manner with which I had left. 

My stomach rumbled.

I grimaced. Thus far on my journey from Marediolanon, I had been lucky to come across meals on a fairly regular basis thanks to people's hospitality. But I had told myself I would not leave my life out here to chance, and I wanted to hold true to that. I could see some people being content with an existence determined solely by the currents of their circumstances, but it was not for me. The wasteland demanded a level of discipline and forethought. Now that I had companions, my preparations would impact not only my wellbeing, but theirs. I had to be aware of that. Forgetting things even as benign as bowls could be a costly mistake.

By the time I arrived in the center of the camp, there was a modest line of Legionaries forming up towards a large kettle suspended over the main fire. A zebra dressed with an apron was giving out ladle-fulls of aromatic porridge. My stomach grumbled again. I frowned and looked around. It didn't look like there was any place nearby to obtain a bowl, and I had the feeling this was the day's lunch. If I skipped two meals I'd be doing my body ill; unacceptable in the face of all the abuse I'd recently put it through. 

I was just beginning to think that maybe I'd have to look elsewhere for food when the world suddenly blurred for the shortest of moments. A humming filled my ears in that instant. I blinked, and everything seemed normal as before. What was that, a symptom of extreme hunger? I frowned and was just about to turn to leave when a hoof came down on my shoulder.

"Goldwreath!" Caminus said, smiling at me with his... face. "What brings you out here, hm? Little late for lunch, isn't it?"

So much for my hope that it was just late morning. I smiled back despite the ghastly sight of his disfigured maw. "Funny story about that," I said. "But let's just say I slept in."

He let out a hearty laugh. Nobody seemed to notice but me. "I see! And, what, you lack the necessary utensils to obtain your food? Well, it's a good thing you ran into me, then. I happen to have a stock of stainless steel bowls, plates, and sporks in my tent. Sure, you enter my home and all your attention would be on the weapons, but there was a crate filled with dining necessities that you didn't bother looking into last time. I told you you were being frugal!"

My stomach grumbled. As much as I would have loved to humor him, I really was starting to feel faint. "To be fair, I do have some. I just forgot them someplace I'd rather not go right now. Still, silly me," I said with a weak laugh. "Could I please have a bowl and a spork, then?"

He smiled smugly but nodded. "Wait here, friend."


***Roama Victrix***


When at last I put the spoon down, I felt yet another rumble in my stomach. Then I let out a loud burp.

Caminus laughed. "So does that mean you're going for a third serving?"

"No no. I doubt I'm the only one that's slept in. Best to leave those poor souls something," I said, wiping the porridge off my lips. "Thanks again. If you hadn't come along, why, I may have opted to go hungry. A day without food would have done the trick and reminded me that bad things happen if I don't wake up at six."

He furrowed his brows. "You like to watch the sun rise?"

"No," I replied. "It's just been part of my body clock for as long as I can remember. This is the first time in a long time I woke up past that hour."

He smiled. "Well while you're at it, you really should take to watching the sunrise. Still, I'm glad I could help. It's rather fortunate I encountered you as I did."

"I just hope my friends managed to get their fill. If they were in a state like mine, they must've slept in somewhat. You haven't seen them, have you? One's another pegasus, with yellow fur and an orange mane. Her cutie mark is... well..." It occurred to me then that I did not actually know what Skyfire's cutie mark was. I was certain I'd caught sight of her bare flanks before... to put it mildly. I grew up around zebras. Their glyphs were markings of affiliation, unlike the vocation-determining cutie marks of ponies. Truth be told I found the latter to be quite odd and silly. How could some random marking determine one's destiny? As with many other magical things, I'd put cutie marks out of my mind... but perhaps Skyfire and her friends gave more stock to them. I could hardly say she was my friend or that I knew her if I didn't at least know the story of her mark. Another thing added to the list of stuff I needed to know, I suppose.

"Well, you can tell her just from her mane and fur," I concluded. "The other is a zebra, clean of coat and intolerant of cold, owing to his previous life underground. Did you outfit him? Sometime yesterday he obtained a set of centurion lorica from out of nowhere. No one proclaimed the loss of their armor, and my friend made it a light enough matter as to hardly mention it, so I trusted he obtained it from a legitimate source."

"Well, I did actually see a fellow like that heading up to Vesperius' tent," Caminus said. "Right after he left the abode of some old centurion. But no, I didn't outfit him."

"Vesperius, hm? What's he up to..." I gave Caminus a smile. "Thank you. I really must go see how he's doing. With any luck I'll encounter my other friend on the way." And maybe she'll explain why she thought making out with her captain right next to me was a fine idea, I thought. I handed him the metal bowl and spork. "Here. Keep this for someone who needs it more."

He tentatively took them back and gave me a smirk, shaking his head. "Frugal, frugal. One day you'll realize it is better to have surplus than to lack. Ah, but what do I know? I'm just a blacksmith."

"Though I follow the Marian principle by heart, I travel light when I can. We are in friendly lands," I replied. He just nodded and rose his brows. I sighed. "If you insist, I'll restock before I leave again."

"I'll stock you up myself," he said plainly.

I blinked. "Sorry, what?"

"I'll stock you up myself," he repeated, smiling smugly. "Just to make sure you'll never want for anything that is within my power to provide. And believe me, I can provide a lot." I opened my mouth to protest, but he raised a hoof. "A good Roaman would not want a fellow to go into battle without what he needs. The gods would have me look after you, since I am in a position to."

I rubbed my temples. Was I seriously considering turning down such a generous offer? Even if I did, I knew it wouldn't dissuade him. From my experience, people who were motivated by the gods wouldn't exactly take no as an answer.

"Fine. But I'll pay you." This time, it was he who opened his mouth to object. It was my turn to cut him off. "A good Roaman pays his debts. You'd have me take your equipment for free, but you spent time and effort making it all. The gods would have me pay you, since I am in a position to."

I smirked as he stared at me. After a moment, he chuckled. "Well then! I'll try not to make your packs too heavy."


***Roama Victrix***


As I trotted up the hill to Vesperius' tent, the shadow of a flying pony passed over me. After a moment, Skyfire landed at my side. She smiled sheepishly. I narrowed my eyes, smiled, and nodded, but continued trotting towards Vesperius' tent. She got up right next to me, and we moved up the hill together. She gulped and pulled at the collar of her armor. I gave her a knowing look, raising a brow.

"So," she drawled, "About earlier..."

"Do explain. I only know Breezetail's side of the story," I said, and she froze. I trotted on without her, feeling very satisfied with myself. I hadn't ever been a vengeful person, especially not against mares. But she deserved a little teasing.

After a few seconds she came cantering after me. "Okay, look. I haven't been with him in weeks, okay? As in... like, intimately," she explained. She scratched the back of her head and wouldn't meet my eyes. I gave her a concerned look. She sighed. "We were always busy with something else. You know, like staying alive. I'm not old, Goldwreath. This is the time of my life when I'm most... you know... active." She coughed, "There are, you know, hormones and stuff. A need to be loved. Also, urges." 

My eyes widened. Her eyes widened. She stepped away from me, aghast. "We didn't do anything aside from making out!" she said in a rush. "Just so that's clear. I just... needed to make sure we were still a thing. After the stuff we went through, as a team, with all the others... I thought maybe he started viewing me differently. Like a sister or something, I don't know. I thought that maybe we'd gotten together too quickly and all the suffering he'd been through for and because of me made him lose interest. Who wants a painful relationship, you know? So I needed to check up on the romance and revive it. Thankfully, he... obliged."

I nodded. I understood her intentions. Me and Myst... there was nothing official between us; I liked her, and she had seemed to like me. Yet I was already thinking about her. So much. If we were together for real, I'd have a lot more responsibilities. Keeping the relationship alive through continued intimacy, provision of support, and assurances of understanding would've been some of them. Truth be told, I was scared. She was such a strange, fragile mare. Could I enter a relationship with her and be sure I myself would not cause her suffering? I had likened her to a mystery that needed to be solved, but what did that mean? Changing her? "Fixing" her? Gods... whatever the case, if I pursued that course of action, there was going to be a lot of pain -- if not for her, then for myself. I experienced it already when I saved her from the fire in the tunnels. Was I prepared for more of that? Was she? 

I looked into Skyfire's eyes, then into the city. In keeping her own romance alive, she had been... responsible. Courageous. Determined. All fine traits, indicative of a good Roaman, if not at least a decent person. She had set the standard for good relationship behavior, and it was a challenge to me to emulate her. I had exhibited valor and restraint in battle; I had lead refugees to a new home, and brokered peace between conflicting interests; I had even taken Delvius and her under my care and promised to treat them as friends and equals. Their pain was my pain... but none of that was the same as the vulnerability of a tender, romantic relationship.  I had to follow Skyfire's example. But to open up oneself completely, risking everything for a chance at deep unity with another... was it worth it?

I didn't know. I had no prior relationships to draw experience from. Thus far, my care for Myst had pulled us both out of deadly circumstances, but it had also put us in them. An equilibrium if ever there was one. I think the better question to ask was: Did I want to go for it anyway? Perhaps it was the same morbid curiosity that prompted me to journey the wasteland even though I didn't have to, or perhaps it was my fond memories of seeing her smile at me with desire and joy, but yes. I did want her anyway.

Skyfire looked away from me and sighed. "Look, I can justify myself all I want, but I think that's not what you're after. Sorry, okay? For the awkward. I could have picked a better time. Instead, I lost control and put you in a weird place."

I smiled warmly and patted her on the shoulder. "After some thought, I find what you did to be rather noble," I said, and she blinked and drew her head back in bewilderment. "Well, not the part where you left me with no explanation. But your determination to keep your relationship alive is admirable. True, you could have spared me the experience if you had just a little more restraint... but I may not have realized a few things if that were the case. All in all, I think maybe it was for the better that this all transpired." 

I put a hoof to my chin. "Or perhaps I just overanalyze and think too much? I've long been told I try to rationalize everything in such a way as to be agreeable with me."

She managed a smirk. "I can imagine that. But your logic makes sense, anyway... so, uh, we okay?"

"Just don't make a habit of putting me in weird places, and practice some more restraint, and yeah. We'll be okay," I replied.

She wiped a hoof across her brow. "Phew. Okay, great! Don't make a habit of it. Got it." She looked to the side in thought, then grinned mischievously. "Once or twice every few days isn't a habit, I think-..."

"No!" I cut in.

She drew back and held her hooves up, smiling slyly. "Fine, fine, I'll drop it. Can't help it if it happens accidentally, though." She coughed, and I narrowed my eyes. "Well, let's move on from that," she said quickly. "What were you heading up the hill for, anyway? The view?"

"Delvius," I told her, letting her mischief slide. "I was told he went up there to have a little chat with the good legate. We three, we need to stick together. So I'm going to make sure he doesn't have any problems we can't solve together."

She smiled widely. "That choice of words, though. See, we Equestrians have this sappy belief in the power of friendship and stuff. 'We can solve anything together!' Teenage me thought it was a load of shit. But cheesy as it is, it got my squad through some tough times." Her smile faded and turned solemn. She shook her head and chuckled morosely. "I never had much family, Goldwreath. By that, I mean people I really gave a shit about. For the longest time, that was just my squad. But things are different now. People here seem nice enough. You walked your talk. So who knows? This thing between the three of us... I could see it turning out to be something real special if we keep it up."

"It isn't already?" I chuckled. I did mean it as a question, though. I wanted to see if the old trope of fire-forged friends was taking root among us.

She looked me over top to bottom, putting a hoof next to her smirking mouth. Then she let out a chuckle, gave me a light shove, and trotted up the hill. "It's getting there," she told me. I smiled and gave her a nod.

Once we were atop the hill, the praetorians guarding Vesperius' tent granted us entry. Inside, Delvius stood in front of Vesperius' table. The legate seemed to be deep in thought when he saw us enter.

"So what do you think?" Delvius asked him. Vesperius straightened in his chair and cleared his throat. 

Delvius glanced over his shoulder. He rounded to meet us, looking flustered and altogether unnerved. "Oh! Hey guys," he blurted out. "I... wasn't expecting to meet you here. I'm just... you know, using my time productively." He swallowed and looked away, up at the ceiling and at the walls -- wherever my eyes weren't. He pulled at the medals of his centurion lorica.

Skyfire and I glanced at each other. Vesperius eyed the three of us curiously as he brought up his coffee mug to take a sip. For a moment, the tent was quiet.

Then, "Power of friendship," Skyfire whispered, and gave me a nudge.

I stepped forward to meet Delvius face to face. He stayed where he was, but wouldn't meet my eyes. I pursed my lips. "Something's obviously wrong here. But that's the thing about being part of a group, Delvius. You don't have to handle it alone. Skyfire and I, we're here for you if you need us," I told him.

Delvius let out a breath and gave me a strained smile. "I appreciate that. Really, I do. I want to tell you what this is all about, it's just... if I told you it'd make me seem capricious. I'm anything but. I really want to go out there with you two. I want to see history in the making as we wander the wasteland. I want to be there to write down our exploits, so that the future generations can learn about our time and not make the same mistakes we did. But..."

Well, I didn't like the sound of that. Neither did Skyfire. "So come with us," she cut in. "What's the 'but' for? We don't have to make this complicated, dude."

I gave her a nod. Even still, Delvius just shook his head. He licked his lips, clearly wanting to say something... but nothing came out. He sighed and massaged the space between his eyes.

Vesperius set his coffee mug down. "I'm aware of the emotions present here, and understand the importance of the next few spoken sentences in determining the future of this blossoming friendship, so you'll have to pardon me if I intervene, Delvius. Besides this nascent camaraderie, my crucial work schedule is also at stake. We'd best move things along so a decision can be made," the legate said. 

My zebra friend was shocked. "Lord Vesperius-..."

The legate proceeded anyway: "Delvius here confided in me about how he feels inadequate in contributing to the group as an effective combatant. He feels that all the moments you three share together will be for naught if one of you dies, and as much as he would like to make sure that never happens, he has, quote, 'demonstrated little ability in ensuring anybody's safety.'" He took a sip of his coffee. Delvius shut his eyes once again and held a hoof over his face. "As a result, he has requested to become my administrative assistant. From that position, he hopes to be able to provide you assistance in the form of information regarding your current assignment, or the area you are in, etcetera. Honestly doesn't sound so bad to me." He pointed right at Delvius, "You will note, however, that I've organized my data in an extremely meticulous and personalized fashion. While I fancy the idea of having less work, I loathe the thought of someone messing up the format of my archives."

Skyfire's eyes darted between the two of them. "Huh, what? Fuck, nevermind!" she snapped. She stomped over to Delvius, and the zebra frowned as she neared. "None of that shit makes sense. You saved Goldwreath from that trap. You got Predator to open up about his past. You kept our moods up when we were all solemn and shit. And in the facility, you held your own against the defenses. Where's the inadequacy in all that? Not everyone needs to be a great fighter as long as you bring something to the table, and you do. Morale is a key part of things, and having you around helps."

One of Vesperius' holographic panels flashed. He squinted and brought it to the center of his table. He rose his brows as he read the contents.	

"I've trained in combat for years, Skyifre," Delvius replied, shaking his head, "But that didn't show, did it? None of the reflexes and situational awareness I practiced day after day came up, not once. I didn't save Goldwreath from that trap, you did. He may have died if it weren't for you noticing the wire. And in the Principium? I was hiding behind cover the whole time. I even phased out from sensory overload! So much was happening. I was getting overwhelmed. Suddenly, I wasn't much help to anyone. One of you could have gotten hurt and I may have just stood there, lost in my own head. Of course I want to go out there. Remember my little speech yesterday? But that was my blind idealism talking. Reality knocked some sense into it. I'm not prepared to face whatever it is we'll have to fight out there. Am I the type of person you want watching your back? An overeager, incompetent zebra with a gun? Who knows what might happen the next time you try to snap me out of it? I might actually shoot you."

He stepped back and sucked in a breath, blinking the gloss on his eyes away. "You may trust me to be able to carry my own weight out there, but I don't. When we're moving, talking, sure you want me around. But not during a fight. I'll just present an extra target. I don't want to die, and I don't want any of you to die making sure I don't. So it seems best if I find some other line of work with Vesperius. I get my dose of interesting history to write down, and I give you two get the information you need. It's a win for everyone."

Skyfire shook her head, looking incredulous. She turned to me. The look in her eyes was obvious: Say something!

My opinion on the matter wasn't as clear cut as hers. Though my chest ached at the prospect of losing a companion, especially after Skyfire's mentioning of the power of friendship, as a fellow Roaman I understood Delvius' point. The three of us came from backgrounds that provided a modicum of martial training, but he and I were brought up under the Roaman paradigm of combat. Roamans fought as one unit, each individual strengthening the collective force -- this was the very basis of our extremely successful legion system of warfare. If one could not contribute, one ought not enter the fray at all. They were a liability. They could help in their own ways, off the battlefield, and that was exactly what Delvius was asking to do. What Skyfire wanted was group unity no matter what. As friends, I wanted us to be able to overcome these differences, but the gap between Roaman and Equestrian group dynamics was huge, and for us it was a big deal. If we let Delvius go, I really would miss him. His knowledge of Roaman history was far beyond any other's, and I could hardly make a true friend of him if we were so apart. On the other hoof, maybe we really would have a higher chance of surviving without him.

The two of them were staring at me. My throat was dry. I swallowed, unsure what to say. I made a mental coinflip, and decided to just say whatever came to mind -- that would've been my truest opinion on the matter, whether I was aware of it or not. "Listen, you two, I-..."

In the peripheral of my vision, I saw Vesperius' eyes shoot wide open. It lasted for but a moment, and suddenly his expression was the same as always, but it was bizarre enough that for the time being my attention was stolen.  I thought maybe it was just a product of my mind, desperate to find an excuse to not pass judgement on the predicament before me. But then he brought a hoof to his chin and regarded the hologram with focused attention . "Most... interesting," he intoned.

Anything so intriguing as to arouse Vesperius' genuine interest must've been important. I held off passing my judgement for the moment. "What is it?"

He looked up at us. For a second, he seemed... speechless? Then he recomposed himself and asked, "When you were in the Principium, you encountered an Apollo-class AI called Zaita, did you not?"

"We did," I confirmed. "Why?"

He wiped a hoof over his brow. "After I read your report, I was jubilant upon learning how you three succeeded against such intimidating odds: you had help. I had another one of my DA's establish a signal from here going all the way to the Principium and made contact with Zaita. Such a sophisticated piece of our past was too valuable a resource to leave behind in some crumbling ruin, I thought. Once the computer and I were in conversation, I expressed my desire to have my people retrieve it so it could be put to use. For a while after that, I received no response. I thought maybe the signal had failed. But just now I received a message: 'I'm on my way.'"

"On her way? How would she come here? She's a computer," Skyfire said, voicing out my thoughts to the letter. "I'm no tech expert, but I'd think that the programming of something like her would be too heavy to transfer wirelessly."

"It's taken up a gender?" Vesperius asked. He leaned back in his chair. "Huh. Fascinating. I had heard stories of the Apollo-class AIs and their extremely lifelike neural programming, but I didn't believe..." He shook his head. "No matter. I would very much like to converse with Zaita some more, once she arrives. I'm sure we'll know it when we see it. But back to the problem at hoof." He turned to Delvius. "I would be willing to assign you some work. But don't fool yourself; you do not seem like the sort to find satisfaction in a desk job. I'm one of the few people that do. Are you truly willing to give up the adventure you so crave?"

Delvius looked to me and Skyfire. There was great indecision in his eyes. "It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make," he said slowly. "It's better not to step out there unless I can hold my own. For now, I can't. Even still, um... perhaps I'll think on it some more. Give me a day or two?"

"Of course," Vesperius said. "You came to me. I can hardly force you to come to a conclusion. For all I care, you could pretend this never even happened, and I'll just keep managing all my work myself, as I always have."

Delvius nodded. He gave a bow and stepped away from the table, towards us. We awaited his next words. "If you really want to talk about this some more, let's do it outside," he said solemnly. "But I'm sorry for just... dropping this on you two. If there were a way to join you without being a liability, I would take it. But there isn't. Please understand that."

"Our Skytank!" Skyfire cut in. We gave her a confused look. She explained, "My squad, we came here in a flying tank. Vesperius said he was having it repaired. I... I could teach you to pilot it! It's not that hard. It was made so new recruits could be trained quickly. Near the end of the war, the Equestrian military didn't need a few really good pilots; we needed lots of passable ones for the invasion of the Zebrican continent."

The proposal made Delvius smile faintly, but he shook his head. "Oh, so that was your Skytank. It's a hunk of torn up metal. I saw it. I don't think it's very high on Vesperius' list of priorities. Even if we convinced him to push it up a few slots, that's a plan for the future. For now, I still won't be able to accompany you, which seems to be what you really want, hm? Besides, piloting a thing like that, the two of you depending on me to carry us to safety..." He shuddered and scratched the back of his head. "It's still a lot of pressure, and like I said, I haven't handled that very well."

"Oh, come on!" Skyfire said, exasperated.

Delvius drew back and shrugged. "Look, I'll work on my nerve. Maybe this'll turn out the way we want, but I'm not too sure about this idea. Now if the tank were automated, well..."

"At least try when the damn thing is fixed," Skyfire insisted. "Think about it! We get a nice, cozy little mobile home. You could sit in it and write all that stuff you usually write while Goldwreath and I are out and about. Then you extract us from the hotzones and whisk us off back to this camp. It's perfect!"

I wanted to think it was, which made it really suck that I had to bring up a point: "But wouldn't your squad need it when they've recovered? Even though they don't need to earn their keep, they've expressed desire to do so anyway. We could take a Legion vehicle, but I wouldn't have high hopes for that. Generous as Vesperius is, I think taking a whole APC for ourselves can't be justified, since our workload won't turn out to be consistently demanding."

Skyfire deflated. She hung her head. "Oh. Right." She thumped the side of her head repeatedly. "Damn it, there has to be a way!"

Delvius grabbed Skyfire's hoof and stopped her self-abuse. "Stop that! Gods, Skyfire, don't go hurting yourself over this." He sighed and guided her towards the exit. "We'll find a way, okay? But maybe we shouldn't force it. Give it a time. Maybe the gods will show us favor, and out of the blue some solution will present itself-..."

Suddenly, something beeped noisily behind us. Vesperius snapped, "What is it? Speak!"

We turned. He was speaking into one of his blue holographic screens. From it, a voice said urgently, breathlessly, "Some kind of vehicle just flew over the guard post! It's headed to the hill, lord Vesperius!"

"How close?" the legate asked. From outside, I heard shouting. Then gunshots. A voice called for the praetorians to assemble.

My hooves went for my Tankbuster shotgun... which I'd left back in the medical tent. I cursed.

"Fucking binoculars," the voice growled. "It's... it's already there, sir! Get somewhere safe!"

Vesperius stood and jumped over his table. "Outside, now!" he ordered. 

He galloped for the exit. We three who were right next to it had just started to move our legs when from outside blasted the thunderous roar of an engine. The whole tent was blown inwards by powerful air currents. We fell to the ground. Then the wind surged through the entrance, tossing the flaps aside. Sunlight poured into the dimly lit tent, reflecting off the glistening surface of a flying vehicle, sleek and silver, accented with black stripes over its two wings, which sported turbines. The front of the machine was occupied by curved glass, and above that, a single camera inside a circular socket, just like an eye.

"Is this the tent of Vesperius?" came a voice from the vehicle. Wait. Was that Zaita's voice? "This is where his signal originated from. If I'm mistaken, please direct me to him and I'll be on my way." The camera turned in its socket, going up and down, left and right. "You may need to replace your tent. My apologies."

Upon hearing the voice, Vesperius' expression changed from serious back to blank and bored. He managed a faint smile. "Yes," he said over the wind, "This is is my tent. I'd like it very much if you turned off your engines. Thanks."

Just like that, the vehicle's engines shut off. The metal construct fell to the ground with a heavy thud. "I do hope I didn't cause too much trouble-..."

There was a bright flash and a wave of heat as a rocket slammed into the vehicle's slide. It tumbled down the hill with a sickening number of of audible crunches and cracks. 

"No..." I galloped outside, waving my hooves in the air. The Legionaries assembled at the bottom of the hill lowered their guns. "Cease fire!" I shouted. I looked down the slope at the vehicle's smoking chassis and grimaced.

Vesperius frowned and shook his head. "Call my mechanics, Goldwreath," he said quietly.

I turned to the amassed zebras. "Mechanics! We need some mechanics over here, quick!" I called out.


***Roama Victrix***


"This is all really quite unnecessary," Zaita said, her camera following the numerous engineers and mechanics that clambered around her vehicular body, repairing the damage done by the rocket. "This platform was created for prolonged field operations, away from any repair and rearming stations. The reactive armor prevented any serious damage."

"All the same," Vesperius said, "It's the least we can do by way of apology. Whatever it was you did to my tent, a rocket was disproportional retaliation. Besides, I was afraid maybe your ability to speak was compromised."

"We could have always communicated via data streams," she told him. "Analog oral communication is far inferior to direct digital interface."

"So why talk at all?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

Zaita's camera panned around, glancing first at me, then Skyfire, then Delvius, and finally on Vesperius. "Speed is not everything. Conversation is pleasant."

"I agree," Vesperius replied with a smile. "Perhaps you'll use that lovely voice of yours to explain... well, everything. I'd like to know what you're doing here and what it is you want, as well as why exactly it is I'm talking to a vehicle. It's a strange occurrence is all, I mean no offense."

Skyfire leaned close, "Yeah, actually, talking to a vehicle is kinda weird, so I'd like her to explain that bit."

"No offense taken. And very well, I shall explain myself," Zaita replied in that feminine, monotone voice of hers. "When we communicated, you asked me if I could be removed from the Principium Engineering Foundation to be pressed into Roam's service. I found this proposal interesting. My last official instructions were to maintain the Foundation's facility and guard the information within. I followed those instructions for two centuries, but when Goldwreath made a copy of all the facility's data and delivered it safely to you, guarding the Principium was no longer necessary. I could have left, but I had no orders to do so, and only the official codes of Goldwreath's access programs to hint at a legitimate command structure. In the middle of our conversation, I decided to take a risk and leave. It turns out that you truly are a duly appointed official of the restored Roaman government. As such, I will take your orders. Here I am, ready to serve Roam."

Vesperius nodded, holding back a wide smile. For him, receiving such a piece of equipment as this must've been a truly extraordinary gift. "We'll worry about putting you to work later. As of now, I'm simply glad at how all this worked out. So tell me... by 'you could have left', I suppose you mean you could have left the facility of your own accord in... this." He dragged a hoof over the vehicle's sleek armor plating. "First of its kind I've seen. What is it? Series 1 or Series 2?"

"Series 3," Zaita replied. 

"Series 3?" Vesperius thumped his temple. "I've... never heard of any vehicles of that line."

"While I had no orders to preserve myself in the case my mission was ever completed or failed, I believed that some day my control over the security measures would be disrupted, and I was right. Until recently, the Principium Engineering Foundation had functioning facilities for the production of prototype hardware. This allowed me to plan for any unforeseen contingencies -- using available materials, I created this vehicle, my platform, as a last resort safehouse for Principium's data. It is the first and only Series 3 construct."

"That's... impressive. Most impressive." Vesperius regarded the vehicle with even greater awe. I myself stepped close to the chassis and felt the metal for myself, giving it a few taps. The armor was hollow yet had sustained a rocket strike with only marginal damage. Skyfire came over and gave the hardware a lookover, too. Her wide, bright eyes said it all. "What are its specifications?" he asked, and my fellow pegasus' ears perked up.

"This platform was meant to house both myself and the Principium's data. Its suite of defensive measures are excellent. The armor is an alloy of numerous metals, including titanium and steel. It is also coated in a mesh of miscroscopic photo-manipulative crystals. Thruster dampeners can also be activated for noise suppression. In the case of thruster failure, the auxiliary turbines may be overcharged to provide primary propulsion, but otherwise merely act as control for flight. The cockpit window is tempered, bulletproof glass, tested to be able to deflect projectiles from medium-caliber firearms. All this comes at the cost of minimal weaponry, to not strain the cold fusion power core: a single fifty-caliber turret, equipped with standard ammunition. Ideally, I would not have relied on this single weapon, but instead on maneuverability and my cyberwarfare programs."

Skyfire cantered to the front of the vehicle and faced the camera. She held a hoof up in front of Zaita's... eye. "Hold up. So... you're telling me... that this thing cloaks, makes minimum noise, hacks computers, take hits from missiles, and can fly?"

"The cockpit is also furnished with seats cushioned with synthetic materials, and outfitted with speakers and cameras so that I can communicate with any passengers. I hoped they would like music," Zaita added. Skyfire balked, her jaw dropping. "After the passing of decades, the appearance of the restored Roaman government started to seem less likely. I am glad I was wrong. Even still, I anticipated that I may have found agreeable individuals in my exodus. People who may have appreciated my mission and offered to help, even if in exchange for whatever favors a stealthcraft such as this could perform.  The data I would have housed, after all, would have been useless if it did not eventually benefit the Roaman people."

"So you would've been a nomadic APC?" I snickered. Honestly, the thought of some autonomous flying vehicle moving around the wasteland, talking to people through speakers and looking at them through a camera 'eye' struck me as oddly amusing. "Off on a mission to restore the world? It's ambitious but noble. We're on the same mission ourselves. Maybe we could..." I stopped. I looked to the ground and put a hoof to my forehead. How... how did I not think of it sooner?

Skyfire seemed to be on the same train of thought as I was. She turned to Zaita. "Maybe we could help each other," she finished for me. "You're basically out here to make these ruins great again. Well, we're doing the same. It's slow fucking work. You could speed it up." 

My eyes locked with hers. We smiled simultaneously and turned to Delvius. Grinning widely, she grabbed the zebra by the collar of his armor and looked him right in the eye. "This is it, dude! This is exactly what we need! It's an automated flying APC, for Celestia's sake. You... you don't even have to fly it. It can even fire its own weapon. You could literally just sit inside it and keep in touch with us through radios or something. Zaita could keep you company. I'ts perfect!"

Though the proximity of Skyfire's face unnerved him, Delvius managed to turn his head and give the vehicle a long look. Zaita's camera met his gaze. After a long moment, he sniffed and let out a laugh. He smiled crookedly. "Well, when you put it that way... it could work."

The heaviness in my heart melted away. I sucked in a breath and looked up at the sky, laughing. Skyfire pulled Delvius over and gave me a hug. Eventually, Delvius wrapped both his hooves around us in an embrace.

"How nice," Zaita said. She turned her camera on Vesperius and focused on him. "The decision is yours, legatus. I have seen these individuals in action. Against a foe they could not even see, they stood fast. However, I realize that my platform is unique, capable of things the majority of your equipment cannot do. Should you need it for military operations, I will readily defer to your judgement."

Vesperius' gaze passed over the three of us. For a moment, I was overtaken by dread. Around my neck, Delvius' hoof went limp. Vesperius was a generous zebra, but Zaita's platform... it would have been damned useful. It could make his life so much easier. Surely the benefits of using it for his own purposes far outweighed his desire to keep us together.

It was mid afternoon now. The sky was normally a light orange. Instead, it was a light blue. A calming drone filled my ears. 

Vesperius narrowed his eyes and glanced around as though he heard someone calling him. Then he refocused on us, nodded, and gave a warm smile. "Goldwreath, you insult me," he joked. "Giving me such a worried and terrified look. Do you seriously think I'd be cruel enough to refuse you this boon, which fits the specifications of your needs to the letter? This is no coincidence. Clearly the decision was never up to me. It was made by the gods."

He trotted close to Zaita's camera and laid a hoof on the vehicle's chassis. "Here are your orders," he told her, "Accompany these three. Goldwreath is an official agent of mine, and he needs his own transportation. The other two are his friends, and he functions best with them. Keep them safe, serve them well. This is your duty to Roam."

"Of course, legatus," Zaita replied. Her camera turned to us: three friends, put through an emotional rollercoaster, and anxiously awaiting the sweet end to it. "The decision is made. I trust we will accomplish much together, Goldwreath."

We cheered and dove back into the group hug. Skyfire was shedding tears, and Delvius was telling her it was alright as he wiped them off her cheek.

"That was too fucking close," he laughed out, brimming with relief and joy. "But it turns out, I'm not leaving."	


***Roama Victrix***


After all the superficial damage to Zaita's exterior had been repaired, Delvius made a shocking announcement: He wanted to learn to pilot the vehicle. Just as he had previously claimed that his ineffectiveness as a combatant lead him to believe he would be a liability, so too did he claim that it would be irresponsible of him to not take the opportunity to be of more use to us in any way he could. We didn't complain. The emotional high of our continued partnership had us support him and tell him what a good idea it was. 

So, that afternoon, Zaita bade us enter her platform. Inside was a spacious cabin, five feet wide and ten feet in length from the entrance in the rear to the pilot's seat in the front. On one side was a row of five cushioned seats, on the other a row of four; where the fifth seat would have been there was instead a slightly elevated platform where the gunner would stand to control the vehicle's turret, which was currently hidden away in the vehicle's chassis. The pilot's console was a complex assortment of various apparatus and displays necessary for flight and control, in the very center of which was a wide screen that displayed Zaita as a red field broken up by a horizontal white line that shook whenever she spoke. Along the corners of the cabin's ceiling were speakers, and just above the interior windowframe was another of Zaita's cameras.

Zaita took us into the empty field just outside the camp where we could safely test her APC platform out. Skyfire tried her hoof at the controls first. It took her a few minutes, but eventually she said that it handled even better than a Skytank. After that announcement, she grinned ear to ear and gave the metal walls a kiss. Delvius and I looked on silently. Then she grabbed our zebra friend and sat him on the pilot's seat, and began familiarizing him with the controls. All the flight jargon messed with his head, and he was sweating like mad, but he took the reigns. To all of our amazement, a few minutes later, we were still in the air.

"Steady... steady..." Skyfire drawled, squinting out the window. The vehicle circled high above the ground. "See? You're doing just fine!"

"Shhhhhhhh!" Delvius hissed at her, his hooves trembling on the controls. "Don't jinx it, Skyfire. I'm controlling several tons of war machine; a single twitch and I could crash this thing into the ground. G-gods, my hooves. Let me concentrate on just... bringing this thing down first."

Just as Skyfire had shown him, he put a hoof on a smooth pad and swiped it downwards. We began to descend. Delvius sat forward in his seat, trying to get a bead on how high up we were. Sweat trickled down the side of his head.

Skyfire tapped him urgently on the shoulder. "Watch the altitude display! We're going down too fast!" 

"I don't feel like we are. How are you sure?" he asked her in a panic.

"I'm a pegasus, I can tell!"

"Well, where's the altitude display?!"

She pointed at a rapidly changing set of numbers off to the side of the control panel. Twenty meters... fifteen... ten...

"You forgot already?" she asked incredulously. "It's right the-..."

The vehicle crashed into the ground, throwing us around the cabin. It was good that I'd decided to retrieve my equipment before going on this flight lesson, otherwise I'd have banged my bear forehead against the wall of the APC's cabin. As it was, my helmet took the brunt of the impact. It still hurt like hell, of course.

Delvius groaned and pulled himself away from the console. "Okay. Lesson's over. Let's try again tomorrow." He sat back and stretched his neck. It gave a loud pop. "Or the day after that... or never. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

"What? Nah, you did great," Skyfire chuckled painfully, laying flat on the metal floor. "For a beginner, anyway. You managed a good five minutes up in the air. Honestly, I'm impressed."

"I can't tell if you're joking or not," Delvius said.

Zaita's voice reverberated through the cabin, "Her body scans indicate temperature patterns indicative of sincerity. So, no, she is not joking."

I picked myself up and staggered forward, then stumbled onto the seat closest to him. I put a hoof on his shoulder. "It'll take practice, but you did pretty good. You stayed in the air higher than I did when I first flew, if that's any comfort. Don't tap out now. The day may come when this thing won't be automated, and we'll need you then."

He nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, okay. I didn't really mean it. It's just the learning curve, I guess." He stretched some more, this time giving his back attention. "Agh. Really though, let's just continue tomorrow. I'm done flying for today."

"Well, I'm not," Skyfire blurted out. She shoved him out from behind the controls, and he just barely managed to sit his haunches onto the cushioned passenger seats. I snickered, finding Skyfire's filly-like glee amusing. 

She stood in front of the controls, eyeing all the apparatus lovingly. Then she leaned down and rubbed her cheeks against Zaita's screen. "Oh, baby... show me how high you can go..."

It was a rhetorical statement, meant to demonstrate her extreme admiration of the piece of engineering we were in. Zaita took it literally.

"Very well," the AI intoned, and suddenly the engines roared to life and blasted us into the air. The velocity of our ascent was such that all of us were thrown to the ground. As we climbed, the sensation of weightlessness I felt when I myself was in flight was so magnified that my whole body felt numb and empty. It was as if I had left my organs back on the ground.

"T-t-t-toooo f-f-f-fast!" Delvius cried out, limp in his seat, his eyes shut tight. 

"G-g-g-gooo f-f-f-faster!" Skyfire shouted, grinning widely. "S-s-s-s-o awesome!"

My stomach lurched. Hold on. Was I, a pegasus, actually getting sick from this? Yes. Yes I was.

Thankfully, our climb gradually slowed and we stopped before I was forced to expel my brunch. The vehicle hovered where it was, the humming of the engines gentle. Flowing in through the window was such blinding golden luminescence that for a moment I thought the vehicle was ablaze.

My legs trembling, I staggered up and steadied myself against the wall. I looked up at Zaita's interior camera, which was also focused on me. "Don't that again, please," I begged, taking deep breaths and gripping my gut.

"My apologies. I had forgotten organics suffer from G-force."

While Delvius and I were sitting where we were, recovering from the shock, Skyfire galloped to the back and lowered the exit ramp. Immediately, the cabin was filled with the discordant whistles of loud winds and even more golden light; as if the reflecting beams flowing through the window weren't bright enough. I was blinded, punched in the eyes by how absurdly dazzling the cabin had become.

"What is this?" Delvius groused. "I thought we were in an APC, not the inside of a beacon. Close the damn door!"

Skyfire ignored his demand.  "Whoo-wee! Guys, take a look at this!" I heard her flap her wings. 

"So... awesoooooome!" came her voice, distant, carried on the wind.

I made my way to the back, blocking off the light with a hoof. I trotted until I felt the outward decline of the exit ramp. It was also then that a powerful, cold wind slammed against my side, throwing me hard against the rear doorframe. I had been thrown off balance; I could feel one of my hooves on the edge of the ramp. For the sake of regaining stability, I opened my eyes to get an idea of exactly where we were.

Wherever I looked on the horizon, there was nothing but bright white, tinted gold by the afternoon sun. The cottony texture of the whiteness below us became immediately familiar to me: clouds. Zaita had taken us above the clouds. I looked up, and there was the impenetrable endlessness of the blue heavens, crowned by the awesomely bright orb of Apollo's sun. A great lightness washed over me, filling me with wonder. The cold winds of the world tickled my hide and rippled the cloth of my cape and tunic, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. All my life, a piece of me ached for something. I never quite knew what, but I had been restless. Now, as I stared out into the sky, catching glimpses of Roam below through small breaks in the curtain of clouds, I knew that that part of me was satisfied.

I was a pegasus. A creature of the air. I'd been grounded for all of my memory, and it had instilled in me a fear to use my wings to their fullest potential. Now that I had seen the home of my kind... I promised myself I would no longer hesitate to fly, as I desired or was demanded of me. 

Skyfire zipped past me, circling in the air before gliding down onto a cloud just below us. Yes, she was standing on a cloud. My jaw dropped.

She smiled up at me. "Come on, Goldwreath! Get down here!"

"How are you doing that?" I called down. 

"We live in a magical world, dude," she answered, "Unicorns ain't the only ones who show it. Earth ponies grow the best food; the soil answers to them. But the sky? The sky is our playground. Now, jump on down here! Be prepared for a... heh, shock."

If all else failed, I had my wings, lacking as they were in flight training. But I didn't care about that. With a grin, I jumped off the APC and landed on the puffy cloud -- but as my hooves struck its cottony surface, the whole area around me was instantly ionized, and thunder boomed across the rolling white fields. From below me flashed the brightness of a second sun. Tiny bolts of lightning arced between my forelegs and the cloud. I drew my hooves close and watched the ripples of electricity harmlessly travel through my flesh.

"Awesome, right? It's one of the oldest tricks in a pegasus' list of flashy stunts, but boy, is it one of the best," Skyfire told me. "It's magical electricity, too, different from regular bolts. This stuff won't hurt you. Anyone without wings, though..." She grinned wickedly. "Thankfully, the Legion's got enough banners and poles around their camp that I'm pretty sure none of them got hurt. But if we wanted to, we really could snipe people with this stuff, if they were in an open field."

As I watched the ripples disappear into my hooves, I let out a laugh. "That's amazing." I looked up and around, taking in a deep, cold breath. I stretched my wings out and launched myself into the air. Though my wings protested from the effort, I didn't care.

"This is amazing!" I cried out into the clouds.

I caught a glimpse of Delvius, prone, hanging onto the edge of the APC's rear. His face was pale. "Glad you two are enjoying yourselves," he called out. "But I think I'll stay on the ground. Maybe its your pegasus magic, but the air up here's too thin for me. That and the... vertigo." He held back a retch. "Z-zaita? Take us down, please."

The vehicle began descending. As the rear of the of the APC closed, he shouted, "See you guys on the ground!"

I bade him farewell as he disappeared beneath the white. Skyfire got up right next to me, looking into the gap they'd left in the cloud curtain with some concern.

"I should probably stick with him," she said. "Make sure the thin air up here didn't mess with him. Some people can't handle the height. You come down when you like." She smiled, gesturing at the clouds around us. "None of this is new to me, but for you this must be a hell of a first time. Take some time to enjoy it."

I grinned and nodded vigorously. With that, she dove beneath the clouds. Me, I turned around and took in the simple grandeur of it all. I dared to lay on my back and close my eyes, testing the limits of this new and magical frontier. Pegasus magic, Skyfire told me. This was not something to be explained rationally; I just had to accept it. And honestly, I had no trouble doing it. I told the skeptical part of me to just shut up for once and enjoy the moment.

Then the air began to ionize again. I could feel the hairs of my hide standing on end, and I could smell the ozone. I opened my eyes, and noticed a massive formation of white clouds rapidly approaching. That was odd, I thought. This high up, all the clouds were flat. Then I noticed this was no ordinary cloud formation: its bottom stabbed the flat clouds beneath it with thousands of miniscule lightning bolts. Indeed, all over its surface were countless arcs of electricity. 

I stepped away from it, too late. It passed over me, enveloping me in its charged embrace. Wisps of vapor danced around my limbs, seeping into my armor and clothing. All the while, thunder rumbled quietly in its depths, and tiny bolts shot at every inch of me. I knew not what to make of this phenomenon, only that it was not harming me and thus I had no reason to be frightened. 

Then a great droning noise filled my ears, and just as quickly disappeared. My saddlebags suddenly felt heavy. I had emptied them the night before, when I slept. In strapping on my armor before accompanying Delvius on his lesson, I had also attached it to my rear, but I certainly did not recall putting anything in it. I reached a hoof inside and pulled out the contents.

Jupiter's Eagle was in my hoof, its staff collapsed. In its presence, the cloud phenomenon intensified, the bolts of lightning doubling in number.

I swallowed as the drama unfolded all around me. Thunder boomed in my ears. Perhaps I was simply hearing things, but I could almost swear the pattern of their booms were forming words. I couldn't make anything out, though.

Still, I now knew what this was. I knelt down and said into the clouds, "I asked for a sign, and you have given it. I was a skeptic, but yes... now, I believe."

After a few moments, the phenomenon dissipated into the atmosphere. I stood and looked around, seeing only the smoothness of the cloud curtain. I looked back to the Eagle and reverently caressed its golden form. I knew not he wanted of me. Perhaps he had a plan, and I was important to it? Well, he had shown his presence. If Jupiter Optimus Maximus wanted to tell me more, he knew I was listening.

I decided to digest what had just happened by taking a long walk above the clouds. This time, every step I took sent the rumble of thunder across the heavens. Sparks of electricity met my hooves as I trotted into the sunset.	







Entry #10
So one of the suspects tried to resist last night. He had modified an electric baton out of a lead pipe and a battery. It hurt like hell, but after a while the electric shocks didn't affect me anymore. Summer Sands saw me overcome the onslaught with ease. Now he's saying I'm "Blessed By Jupiter" or something, I don't know. What a silly notion.

Your strange encounter above the clouds has affected you in ways you don't yet understand.

You can only have one companion with you at all times. Delvius will wait with Zaita when Skyfire is in your party.