//------------------------------// // Chapter Six: Negotiation // Story: Fallout: Equestria - Gaia Prevails // by John Colt //------------------------------// Chapter Six Negotiation “Aideen’s Audiolog. February 8, 1247. The Crimson Company found me again. I bounced right back to them, running into their hooves.” The second time within a week I awoke in a place I didn’t know how I gotten into. It was a tent decorated like it belonged to a captain in the Crimson Company. The only times I’ve ever been in those kinds of tents was when... well that doesn’t matter now. How did I get into a tent of the Crimson Company? They must have caught me somehow. I remember Craft and me at the place where I fell of the cliff, but what happened after that? The only logical explanation I could come up with was that something must have fogged my mind. The Scout's poison of choice was Nightstalker venom, miasma, but I never experienced it myself. Well, until now probably. I never experienced any kind of poison, maybe fogging the mind is in every poison's description that messes with the nervous system; I don’t know. What made no sense was why I’m in the captain's tent after they caught me. He didn’t... me while I was sleeping. I couldn’t even think about that scenario now, although it has been my life for the past five years. Now I have to shiver at the mere thought. I need to escape as soon as possible. I wasn’t tied to anything, nor was my magic inhibited. So they didn’t assume I was a threat. Okay, that’s good. What do I have? My pistol would still be in my saddlebags, and my saddlebags are nowhere to be seen. Any other weapon in here? No. Can I use something as a club? I’ve seen Craft clubbing the hell out of that mare yesterday. No. Think Aideen, think! I could make the tent collapse when someone comes in, try to overwhelm him, take his weapon, and... be up against a group big enough to have a captain sent with them. No, that was not a good plan. Wait... What happened to Craft? She got away, right? Had she been hit too? Crimson Company never does things by halves. I can’t remember. The tent-door opened and a unicorn stallion came inside. He was handsome, tall and muscular, his coat a light brown going into orange, his red mane was kept short, and he was wearing the captain's barding. And I recognized him. Why does it have to be him? “Aideen. I was so worried about you.” I prepared myself for the incoming embrace I didn’t return. “When you didn’t return I pulled some strings to immediately search for you.” Was he crying? “I love you.” He was squeezing me even harder. “I know.” He let me go a little to look at my face and admire my new manestyle. “You look even prettier than usual. Oh god, Aideen...” Yes, he was definitively crying. “Just what happened?” He squeezed me again. What am I supposed to tell him? “The terminal was a trap. Whoever gave us the information was probably sent by Red Eye. I got away... they... I don’t know.” I returned his hug, and even managed to start crying too. How did I come up with this? He will believe me, he has this blind spot when it comes to me. And the lie was good. Suddenly there is no facility for them to be interested in, as the trapdoor is supremely hidden and the terminal quite unhackable; Additionally Red Eye is hated enough for them to think it’s plausible he would do something like that. “Where are they?” He sounded angry, I couldn’t blame him, he probably knew them. “I... I don’t know.” When has crying become such a great tool? He completely melts away. I know he would show no mercy if this was any other pony than me. “It’s okay. Shh...” He stroked my mane, trying to comfort me. It might have worked if I had actually been in need of comforting, but I’m in need of getting away. “It’s just... you need to tell me. You have to understand, I’m the leader of this group and I have to tell them something. I understand you must have to gone through a lot, but you need to tell me everything you know. And the sooner you have it out of your system the better.” “Yes... I understand.” He even gave me time to make up a whole story. Wait... he didn’t say anything about Craft. So she did get away. He kept stroking my mane and I decreased my flow of tears. It did feel good lying in his arms. I leaned my head against his and smiled, a smile I didn’t have to fake. I really wished I could be honest with him. Ailill is three years older than me. In the Stable we hardly interacted, and in the company we were in completely different sections. He has been in Security in Stable Eight, that has been the reason why he got trained to be a guard and later a solider in the Crimson Company. He was loyal to them, applied himself and rose in ranks. It was the smart thing to do, it made his life easy. I was a rebel, I have been kept down, I was still a slave. “You seem to have calmed down.” “Yeah... You can let go off of me now. Awkward sibling hug. Pat, pat.” I patted his back twice *** *** *** According to my story the terminal runs on a program that lets you input anything and always responds ‘Access denied’, we were ambushed and managed to escape towards Hufstein as the path to Colt’s Well was cut off. We got into increasingly bad situations, and in the end leader-guy put something in my saddlebags, magically sealed them, and sent me away. I’m not trained to properly evaluate enemy forces so I couldn’t tell them much. In truth Craft sealed my saddlebags so nopony but her can open them. It was a smart move on her part, as it would have been hard to explain how I come to possess a gun, a contract for a house in Hufstein, a few leftover pounds of silver ore, and a good number of bottle caps. I didn’t ask if they have caught another mare, but it seemed Craft also managed to get away. How she pulled that act puzzled me. Because the only thing I know for sure about Craft is that she is unpredictable, I made myself hopes she would be able to somehow get me out of this mess. I had just no idea how, but then Craft was one for creative-problem solving. Come on Aideen, you may not be a criminal mastermind but you can figure something out! Think! Craft has hijacked my PipBuck... she can hear everything I say; I have never gotten around to change that, because I had other things on my mind. There had to be an method I could send her a message or even communicate with her. Huh... It has been a while since I’ve done something other than record my Audiolog’s, but I clearly remember the options in administrator-mode were not where they should be or looked like them. This is strange... Could it be that... >Operating system: Ministry of Arcane Science v3.4.17 >Visual Skin: Stable-Tec v2.1 >Last updated: February 2, 1247 – 05:43 pm The whole operating system got changed, and a skin was installed to keep looking like my old one. I almost felt angry, but then I realized that a MAS OS was probably superior to a Stable-Tec OS... in some way, I’m no sure; it certainly sounds better. All the software was still in place, and I couldn’t notice anything different about them out of the top of my head. Then I noticed the Memorhedron is gone. What happened to it? I couldn’t check my saddlebags. Would Craft have thought about taking it with her? But then she could have simply taken my saddlebags too. Have I even added it to my PipBuck again after I used the StealthBuck? What have I done to it while I used the Stealthbuck? Placed it on the floor? I can’t remember. And I can’t simply ask if they have taken it, because if they don’t I would have a lot more explaining to do. Other than the change of operating system and the lack of the Memorhedron I couldn’t find anything wrong with my PipBuck. There was no secret recording or broadcasting like Craft claimed. Did she lie? No way, she couldn’t have known about my conversation with Watcher or the Mayor. Unless she IS Watcher and had ties to the town hall of Hufstein. Okay, second one is plausible, even though she stayed her first night in a shabby motel. But her being Watcher is quite ridiculous, isn’t it? Both have an interesting amount of information stacked up, but... no. They have completely different philosophies when it came to virtues, but it was possible they were part of the same information-gathering organization. I mean, sure, Craft seems to be working alone, but then again: If I would be member of a secret society, I'd recommend every member to act like they are working alone. I couldn’t contact Craft, as I figure she deleted the program to spy on me (and took the Memorhedron); and I couldn’t contact Watcher, as every Sprite-Bot coming near a loyal member of the Crimson Company would be immediately disabled. The list of my allies outside the Company wasn’t longer than those two. I was well and truly on my own. *** *** *** “Aideen’s Audiolog. February 10, 1247. Home Sweet Home. I am so pathetically weak; I couldn’t find a way to escape and was dragged back into my room in Colt’s Well.” *** *** *** “Aideen, you're up.” Damn it. My new rebellious spirit and increase in looks had me right back in the job I hate the most. I was back in the brothel. My name was only one day on the list and some pervert seemingly has to try out the new toy. But I have changed; I wasn’t the scared little filly anymore who took chems to keep herself from feeling anything, nor was I the young mare who screwed with the mind of those who had chosen to come to me. No! I am... Well, I don’t know what I am now, but I know I wont let myself be played with. I closed my book and looked up. “Yeah?” I smiled, that guy has no idea what’s coming to him. Big Momma looked at me with a strange expression. I know that whatever response she expected of me, this was certainly not it. “Well... room five.” Room five, that was all the explanation I need to find my victim. “Okay.” I stood up, and exited the room, leaving a perplexed Big Momma behind. I have made my decision; it’s a bad decision, but it will change my life in whatever way. I’m going to kill the pervert who is waiting for me in room five. I repeat: it’s a bad decision, but I’m not going to be a whore. What might happen to me? They could kill me, which would at least end my petty existence within the Company. But they will surely interrogate me why I did it, and I’m going to to tell them I did it for no real reason; I’m going to tell them that they won't gain anything from me being in the brothel, that I want to be together with my brother and become a solider, or work at the radio station because it’s my special talent. Something else... just something else! Room Five, there it is. I stopped before it. One last deep breath. This is it... Okay, just one more breath... I was mentally going through all the items in one of those rooms, and evaluated what was the best murder weapon. The lamp would be the best. I would only need to remove the cover, smash the bulb, and I would have a small stick with sharp ending. But the way to do this was with an element of surprise. It would be very fatal if I would fail. I opened the door and walked into Room Five. “Hey there, sweetie.” That voice... “Oh you’re worth way more than the price-tag you have.” “What the..?” I had troubles believing it. “Hell, I’ve spent way too much on you already. Now spread your legs, I need some action.” “How did you get in here?” “I ninja'd my way in. Nah, just kidding. I bribed Big Momma. Would you believe they let you in here if you actually pay for the same reason every one else is coming in here?” “Okay, Craft. Ahm... so what’s the plan? Bust me out? How?” “Bust you out? Why?” “I mean, that’s why you are here, right? To... help me break out... or something, right?” She stared at me for a while and was... checking me out? “Ahh... yeah, that was the plan, then I remembered what I paid to come in here for.” “Craft, you are funny, I get it. You’ve done a great job at letting me know that. But please, be serious for a moment, I’m kinda in a bad situation here. Tell me the plan.” “Yeah, sorry. Plan... so...” She paused and frowned. Her expression is easily readable, she hardly could bring herself to tell me. No, please don’t tell me you cant’- “I can’t help you.” Damn. “T-Then what are you doing here?” “Well, I was hoping to make out with you.” “CRAFT! For fuck's sake, be serious!” “You just cursed, you never cursed before.” “Who cares? Stop teasing me and get to the...” No... No way! “You’re not here just to tease me, are you?” “Ding ding ding. We have a winner.” Craft engulfed me in her magic and threw me on the bed. “I owe you so much.” She jumped on top of me. “I want to give you a proper thank you for practically handing over this great facility to me. Ohhh... the stuff in there.” I was almost frozen. No, please... She traced a line along my body. “And you want to know what?” She leaned in to nibble at my ear, and then whispered: “Yeah I’m just teasing you, I have a plan.” “WHAA!” I kicked her in the stomach, and pushed her off of me. “What was that for? You... you idiot!” “Idiot? That’s the best you can come up with? That was really mean of me, can’t you come up with a better insult? You know what? You really have issues. Why can’t you express your emotions the way everyone else does? You keep suppressing your emotions, and keep suppressing, and keep suppressing. You should seek professional help.” “There is nothing wrong with me. What is wrong with YOU? YOU treat others like that. You know... I understand now why you have been called a MONSTER before!” I didn’t really just say that, did I? No, I definitively did. Craft had been just teasing me, and I... I have probably conjured her worst memories. She frowned... No, her face got deformed due to anger. It was scary. I kinda prepared that she would hit me, but no strike came. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. You really were just teasing me. You asked me for a better insult and I... I really aimed somewhere, where I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. After all you’re here to help me, and I... Just, I’m sorry.” A tear ran down her face. “Yeah... you shouldn’t have...” She turned away from me, probably not wanting me to see her tears. Say something... “Uhmm...” Something stupid, to cheer her up. “We could make out if it would make you feel any better?” Craft quivered shortly. Was it laughter or was she crying? “I’m sorry too...” She turned to me again with a smile on her face. It seems she only shed this one tear. “I know you have issues. I shouldn’t have teased you, and I definitely shouldn’t have acted like I wanted to rape you. That was low...” “Let’s just forget about this, okay?” “Yeah... Agreed.” Craft wiped away her tear. “Now, about my plan. It’s not gonna be easy.” She was all business again, something that fitted her more than the emotional stuff. And I liked it more than her.. teasing. “I can’t help you.” … “You have to help yourself, but this here...” She gestured at herself. “...can help you.” “What do you mean?” “It’s not easy, I’m not even sure you can pull it off, but you have to believe in yourself.” “Uhm... uhkay... make believe. But get to the point. What do I need to do?” “Bright Skies. Celestia used a spell to disguise herself.” There is no way I can... “Spellfield is half zebra. I believe what made him so powerful is that he has both unicorn and zebra magic. And zebra magic is very special. It’s like an additional ‘sense’ to feel magic. He had to have sensed the spell and so did you. You felt how it feels like and you can remake it.” “This is-” “Difficult. VERY difficult. But possible.” She was right. “I can simply walk out of here; and if you wear my face, so can you.” “Okay. Uhm... where do I start?” “Watch in awe!” Draft was posing for me. “That’s all I can do: Posing nude for you.” She was her usual joking self again. “The rest... I haven’t seen that memory, I haven’t felt what you felt.” “Yeah... uhm...” Staring at Craft wouldn’t help me much at the moment. How was I supposed to figure out a spell like that? ‘Spellfield felt it’, I don’t even understand what feeling a spell is supposed to mean. Hmm... ‘Feeling a spell’ sounds really awkward, considering Spellfield's name. I shook my head. What the hell am I thinking about? I should figure out how to do that trick. ‘Make believe!’ I can do this! I guess... Let’s break this spell down: She makes herself look like someone else, or just changed her size and mane color. I wouldn’t need to change my size to look like Craft. When I think about it her build was quite similar to me, only more muscular. Facial features were different, of course; I had lower cheekbones, fuller lips and my eyes weren’t... I couldn’t find a good description for her eyes. The light golden of her coat wasn’t far from my light brown one, as it leaned towards orange anyway. The fire-like colors of her mane were probably harder to do, but blond wasn’t a bad point of origin. Her manestyle I could change to manually. Everything else I might be able to just let slide. It’s coming to me. I remember how it felt like to experience the spell. I’ve felt it... Sarina would have felt it too, that’s the reason why she had been initially somewhat mean to Bright Skies. She had felt there was something off about her, but unlike Spellfield she couldn’t recognize it as bending light frequencies... Bending light frequencies... That’s it! “You have been staring at me for a while now. I mean, I know I’m attractive, but it’s kinda getting creepy. You just checking for... I mean... you know... You’re doing research, right?” “Ahh... No, I was just lost in a train of thought. I have an idea. I might be able to change the color of my coat and mane by bending the light. We already naturally do this when our aura is visible. Just give me some time...” “I only paid for an hour, so...” “Okay, Let me try...” *** *** *** I manage to successfully learn the spell in four days. Although it immensely drains at my magic I can make myself look like an acceptable replica of Craft. “Oh yeah, I would do you.” Craft checked me... herself... out. “Or me... whatever.” “You would have already ‘done me’, when I was still myself.” “True that... true that.” “But I look good, right?” “Of course I look good.” I didn’t honor Craft with an response. “I feel like I’m looking into a fun-house mirror, but sure, it’s a mirror alright. And the times I came in here they... never really checked out my face, if you know what I mean.” “Okay, so.. go?” She nodded. “Yes... Now or never. I don’t think you can manage to perfectly copy me, without a few more years of trying. I mean... Three days is... spectacular, for what you accomplished.” “Yeah, spare your praise until I’ve actually walked out of here successfully.” “Just don’t think about it. You are a regular costumer and simply want to leave. If you run into trouble just think: ‘What would Craft do?’, okay?” I repeated: “What would Craft do.” Somehow this was a concept I’m already familiar with. “Got it.” “Break a leg!” Craft shoved me to the door. “Wha!” I cried out in surprise. “What? Now?” “Yes, now! Why are you stalling?” “I’m not ready.” Can I ever be? “You’ll never be ready.” Stop reading my mind. “Just don’t think about it.” The door became engulfed in her magic and opened. Craft didn’t shove me out; I kinda walked on my own out. Just one more look back at her. Craft nodded reassuringly. Okay. I can do this! She closed the door behind me. *** *** ** I already made it out of the brothel and was walking down the main street towards the town's exit. This is bad. I’m questioning every move I make. Just keep walking. “Hey you!” Ignore it! He probably didn’t mean you. You are just paranoid. Stay calm. “You with the firemane!” Shit. “May we talk to you for a second?” A city guard, just what I need. “Good day to you officer.” I tried to copy Craft's generally flirty tone. He can’t possibly has anything on me, can he? “It’s sergeant.” Guards are generally grumpy, or at least they have to appear to be to better enforce the rules. “I’m sorry. Sergeant. Uhm... How can I help you?” “You fit the description of a pony we are trying to find. Is your name Craft?” What the..? Craft, what have you done? “What for?” “Miss, would you cooperate and come with me?” “Am I under arrest?” “No, but I have an order to bring you to my superior.” Dear god, Craft. A little heads up next time that the city is searching for you? Please, don’t tell me I’m your escape plan for whatever you did? Why does it always seem like you have ulterior motives? The towns entrance wasn’t far, I could make a run for it. No that’s stupid, he would continue to pursue me even after I crossed the town's border. And he would immediately call for backup. There was only one thing left to do. “Okay, I’ll come with you. Take me to your leader.” “Thank you. Follow me, please.” He actually said ‘please’. I nodded. Damn, damn, damn. Every second I have to keep this spell up it is draining away at my magic. ‘Being brought to his superior’, this doesn’t sound good. I don’t want to collapse in the middle of ‘questioning’ and turn back. That would be hard to explain, and would get the real Craft into big trouble too. “I kinda have a schedule to keep up. How long is this going to take?” “I don’t know, Miss. I wasn’t briefed on why you are needed. That is above my pay grade, I’m afraid.” Wow. I just now realize how little I actually know about the mare I’m impersonating. ‘Above his pay grade’, she must be part of something big. Or maybe she planned on me getting picked up by somepony she knows. No, she would have told me. Or she is teasing me again and didn’t tell me on purpose. Either way I had to go with him. But what would Craft do now? Her teasing nature would make some joke on his pay grade, right? “Don’t sweat it, pal. Maybe one day?” No, she wouldn’t have said that. “Thank you, Miss. I’ll keep working hard.” ‘Hard’, would she make a joke on that? “Working hard? Yes, continue to serve your superiors in the future.” I hope I was using a suggestive enough tone. He smiled somewhat painfully and blushed slightly, but didn’t answer. No comeback means he is afraid of angering me. Good, he has no idea who he is up against, making it easier for me to be someone he doesn’t know. But to whomever I’m being brought, that pony will know Craft, which leaves me in a pretty bad situation. He lead me into the guard tower right next to the town's entrance. My escape route would be short, but I can’t claim I’m in luck, as any attempts of escape would result badly. “In there.” He stopped next to a door labeled ‘office’. I guess that was better than ‘interrogation room’. I nodded to him, acted as if I weren’t surprised at all, and entered the office. “Hello... Craft.” I knew that pony that was sitting at the desk. He had a crimson coat and mane... his namesake. “I haven’t seen you in a long time.” He seemed nostalgic. The head of the Crimson Company knows Craft, and he was freaking nostalgic about her! How am I supposed to talk to him? I can imagine Craft being drawn to power, but then again Crimson's power and influence would give him a number of mares with the hots for him. No, it looked like more than just mingling. A friendship? But all I got the feeling like there is bad blood between them. “Please, the door.” Yeah right... I closed the door behind me. “I’m sorry for the rough pickup, I know you haven’t expected this, but we have talk business.” “Hello.” I paused for an dramatic effect. “Crimson. What do you want?” “I’d like to personally congratulate you. Good plan. But I have this.” He put his hoof on the table and showed off his PipBuck, with the Memorhedron plugged in. “An interesting device, really.” “It can store multiple memories, but I assume you already know that.” “Yes, quite right. I’ve watched a very interesting one.” Shit. “May I inquire what it was about?” What are the chances he is going to tell me? “A librarian selecting a book for a young filly interested in magic. With all the knowledge I have gathered about pre-war Equestria I have never stopped to wonder what filly-Twilight Sparkle might have been like. All this promise and she eventually ends with having to sign off the production of bombs.” Twilight is already a filly and Spellfield gives her the informations she needs. Out of context this was a happy and cute memory, maybe from and sad old man who has met the Ministry Mare once in her youth and wants to gain some money from a reporter or the likes. Crimson has no idea what that memory really means. “Here.” He unplugged it and floated it to me. “You shall have it. As well as these saddlebags.” My saddlebags... “Might I say you have done a really good job sealing those?” “Why do you give them to me?” “They are yours, aren’t they?” “Yes.” I answered before I could even think that this might have been a trick. “Perfect. There is another thing I want to give you, Craft.” “And what might that be?” “Aideen, the slave. She now belongs to you, and you alone. Farewell.” *** *** *** Footnote: You have reached Level 7! New Perk: Magical Sight: Seeing a spell in use gives you extra information about it. +5 Magic and +20% dodge chance for magical attacks. Skill note: Magic has reached 50. New Spell: Well Crafted Disguise Description: You can make yourself appear like Craft. Magical Drain: high Quest: Memories of the Future [ ] Find out why the Memorhedron has planted on you. [failed] Optional: Watch all Memories in the Memorhedron. (3/X) [ ] Optional: Watch as much Memories in the Memorhedron as possible (3) Quest complete: Freedom [X] Be free from the Crimson Company for good. Quest: Gaia Prevails [X] Keep the Crimson Company from getting the facility. [ ] Optional: Investigate every room of the facility. [ ] Find out what Craft really knows about Gaia Prevails. Quest: Above the clouds [ ] Meet Craft at the peak of Mt. Mustang above the clouds.