//------------------------------//
// Roarke Most Righteous 
// Story: Innavedr 
// by Imploding Colon 
//------------------------------//

	"So my vessel has about seventy-five percent of its energy reserves left," Roarke said, her helmet open as her lensed eyes glittered in the afternoon sun over Aurum.  "Normally I would recharge the crud, but with Searo's Hold having gone the way of the proverbial sea serpent, I really can't do that, now can I?  So, my options are to either fly to a province outside of Ledomare with the energy available to fuel up my ship, or run the damn thing into dust because any mare with a drop of blood still running through her veins probably won't stop at anything to see me and my aircraft reduced to scrap anyways.  Now, even though my fuel is low, I still have a full arsenal of weapons that can take on just about any mid-range Ledomaritan zeppelin, not to mention an entire face of a military fortification.  I can't promise that the ship can survive a prolonged slugout with a juggernaut, but it is perfect for hit and run attacks, which could be just what is needed to raid any given place upon this continent and make like the wind.  As for transporation, as you well know, the ship is capable of carrying many passengers—even up two twenty ponies at a time—"

"Roarke..."

"So, depending on how many individuals we are dealing with, we may or may not be able to do this in one go..."

"Roarke."

"Though I insist that you all allow me to pilot the vessel and nopony else, because I swear to Searo I will knock somepony's skull off if they so much as try to touch the controls and—"

"Hey!  Robot lady!" Tweak shouted.

The bounty hunter froze.  She stopped pacing and turned to look.

Tweak, Lucky Strike, Rainbow Dash, Crimson, and a dozen other Aurumites all stood, gawking at her.

Tweak said, "What in the heck are you babbling about?"

Roarke frowned, her jaw clenched.  However, she relaxed, sighed, and lowered her head.  "I wish to assist you in the rescue of Rainbow Dash's friends."

The ponies exchanged glances.  At last, Tweak spoke, "And for how much money, ya bucket huffer?"

"Shhh!"  Lucky Strike hissed at his brother.  "Tweak!"

"I can't be the only one thinking about it!"  Tweak frowned, pointing at the armored mare.  "She's a frickin' bounty hunter!  When has she ever done stuff for free?!"

"Uhhhh..."  Lucky's crystal eyes were narrow.  "When she helped me and about three dozen sick ponies escape Searo's Hold?"

"That ain't the point!"  Tweak grumbled.  "Correct me if I'm wrong, but she got a whole bunch of us into that mess to begin with when she stuck her hooves into Rainbow Dash's party days ago!"

"Roarke, for real..."  Rainbow Dash trotted forward from the group and approached her. "I helped you.  You helped me.  Aren't we square?"

Roarke's lenses pistoned out as she frowned at Rainbow Dash.  "If you would rather reject my offer than just say it."

"Huh?  Pffft..."  Rainbow waved a hoof and rolled her eyes.  "Believe me, I'm totally on board whatever plan you're having.  Besides, I can trust you."

"Like heck she can—" Tweak began, only for Crimson to urge him to silence with a metal hoof.

"Ahem..."  Rainbow turned back to Roarke and spoke gently this time.  "I can trust you, Roarke.  You know why?  Because nopony goes against everything she believes in and ditches her kin and country just for kicks.  I think you believe in being good, and doing awesome things.  And I don't know what's awesomer and... uhm... gooder than getting my friends out of their jam right now."

Roarke cocked her head aside.  "And did you leave your own country just for kicks?"

Rainbow Dash blinked.  She frowned.  "No.  That's not the point—"

"You seem to have it all right, Rainbow," Roarke said.  "There's a big world out there, a big friggin' ugly world.  And if there's a silver lining to it, it's certainly not here.  I wanna fly far, far away, just like you.  The thing is, no matter how far I have to go to find a place worth starting over in, I can't see myself doing it with any sort of peace of mind."

"Why not?"  Rainbow smirked as she shrugged.  "You've kicked the flank of every pony that could have wanted you dead, right?"

"It's not as simple as that," Roarke grumbled.  "Look, accept my offer or not.  If I have to go it alone right away, then I'm sure I'll make do."  She sighed.  "I have enough regrets as it is, and I didn't think they would sting like they do."

"What, regrets?"

Roarke said nothing.

Rainbow Dash smirked.  "Fancy that.  Somewhere in that body of yours, beyond all the mana-cores and steam vents and machinery, there's still room for a conscience, huh?"

"Don't rub it in..."

"The question remains..."  Crimson trotted forward.  "You have a lot of fantastic gadgetry at your hooves, Roarke.  But..."  His eyes narrowed.  "Where will we even go to look?"

"Right..."  Tweak grumbled.  "Even the fastest glider in the world couldn't narrow down where these ponies in question are being held."

"Funny thing, that..."  Roarke motioned with her ringlet'd mane and trotted towards where her vessel was parked.  "Follow me.  I think I have just the thing..."