//------------------------------// // Blistering Blue Barnacles // Story: Fallout: Equestria - Beyond the Badlands // by A Pony Typewriter //------------------------------// Blistering Blue Barnacles The men were outside. After being released and freed of any charges by the Applejack's Ranger, the men clad in red resurfaced from the sewer of Fetlock. Though out of jail, they cling to the area on the surface of the sewer located Stable, waiting for the mare they rescued to be liberated from the medical center of Stable 29. Five of the Teufort Nine sat around the red box known as the Dispenser, replenishing ammunition. One of their own had left the group to look for more ration. Jane Doe rummaged through the battered grocery store for food, he searched shelves for anything that were edible. He found cans of beans that weren't unsealed, along with some Potato Crisp bags. The veteran combatant kept prospecting the store, the cash register held some two-hundred years old currency, he took the golden coins. Still unsatisfied with his loot he continued to explore the store. Moving closer to the back of the establishment, a door led him to a back room. The small confined space cached an office. Behind a glowing terminal on a desk, was the boney remain of a pony, complete with a shotgun on the floor, dried blood splatter on the wall behind and a gaping hole on the back of the skull. Jane detest the scene but he wasn't perturbed by what he saw. Jane pushed away the wheeled chair where the skeleton sat. The first drawer on the desk held three clear bag of golden liquid, the middle one contained a tin that carry the tablets he gave to Scout, the third held shells, shotgun shells. He looted them all. He inspect the room for more to loot. Jane got hold of a duffle bag and secured his findings. Before he left, the Soldier's gaze fell upon a door behind the office's door. He grasped the handle and pushing it didn't do anything, kicking it open didn't work as well. Deciding to tend the matter for a later time he exit the store and regrouped with the rest. As the Jane returned Dell asked, "What'cha find ?" Uttering no words, the Soldier displayed the content of his newly acquired duffle bag. Being in charge of the team health, Viktor took the tin present in the bag. He then took what appeared to be some IV bags holding golden liquid. Inspection told the Medic that it was something called, RadAway. To his surprise, the description labelled on it said it eradicate radiation. "Wunderbar," he whispered to himself. Jane didn't stay long with the group and went back into the store, bringing the Texan along. Dell followed Jane into the back of the store, unlike Jane, the scene brought turmoil in the Texan's stomach. How can these ponies do such a thing, was a question at the very fore of the Engineer's mind. Jane Doe clutched Dell's shoulder, shifting attention to the ten-gallon wearing man to the locked door. Dell attempted what the Soldier had done before, his effort was fruitless. The Texan then retreated to his Pip-Boy, opening the armband processor's item organizer feature. There weren't many in his possession, the items etched on the screen were his hat, The Jag, The Rescue Ranger, Mann Co. issued pistol, three stick of chewing gum, a cigarette and two bobby pins. He reached into one of his pocket and pulled out one of the bobby pins. Dell inserted the pin into the key hole, unfortunately the process of picking the locked door was halted as he had no screwdriver to spare. The Texan search for one, he found a toolbox laying on the floor, sure enough it held a screwdriver with a yellow handle. "Here somethin' Spah thought me." Dell shook his head and grinned, "Never thought it would come in handy." CLICK! The door unlocked, when opened, mist snaked out of the room it concealed and cold escaped through the new opening. Jane was the first to enter, only to see pitch dark. Dell came forward and lit the room with his Pip-Boy. The room was small, smaller compare to the back room they were in, Dell's Pip-Boy illuminate the shelves that lined the cold storage, there were boxes. The Engineer motioned his arm, to lit the still darkened part of the room. The Pip-Boy's flashlight brighten the end of the room. It held one of the many horrors that the Wasteland possessed, though not life threatening, it made Dell's stomach vibrate with uneasiness. Two ponies, one smaller than the other, both lifeless and preserved in a cocoon of ice. Dell pulled the switch for the lights in the freezer on a nearby wall, and turned his attention to the terminal while Jane looted the freezer. The ten-gallon wearing Texan stood in front of a still active terminal. Dell was unfamiliar, yet amazed with the contraption he was facing. It was small with little buttons on it, and had a screen similar to computers in where he was employed. Except the computers he had worked with were the size of a fridge, some even bigger. The green screen displayed some entries, most were labelled inventory. The Texan opened an entry labelled Leave It Open. Rosemary, If you're reading this, it means I'm out looking for help. I tried calling my sisters in Bucklyn, but no answer, Celestia watch over them. The Stable door has been sealed, everyone in Fetlock either inside the Stable or heading to Ponyville I heard. Manehattan is on fire, and Fetlock isn't faring any better. I have no idea what the hell is going on, the Emergency Broadcast said military personnel are coming to aid, I call bullshit on that. Rosemary, the grocery keys are in drawer, lock the store and barricade the door, go hide in the freezer, but don't close it, door's can't be open from the inside, You and Petal just wait there till I comeback. Dell turned his vision turned back to the freezer's door way as a bottle was being flung out of the cold storage. At least he knew what happened to those frozen bodies, he told himself, for better or worse, he wasn't sure. The Texan moved back into the know lit freezer. Slowly, he walked pass Jane who was stuffing food into his duffle bag, nearing the two frozen ponies. His arm came into contact with the ponies, they were frozen stiff. He asked, "Soldier, help me move them." Soldier silently nods and helped his wrench beating team mate moving the two bodies. --- --- --- After coming into the world of unconscious for the second time, Past Tale's eyes fluttered open once again. Her body felt heavy, getting up to sit was difficult but she managed to. She took in her surroundings, somehow she had ended in a room with wall of white along with beds occupied by ponies sustaining bruises and cuts. She placed a hoof on her belly to found not fur, but bandages. Then something poked her back. She lurched forward in surprise, "What are you doing !" Behind her was an earth pony in robe, his hooves was inches from her back. "Please don't move," The stallion in robe advised her. The trader mare turn her head to her side. It wasn't a pretty sight, the bandages that coated her beige were soaked with red. Her face went pale. There wasn't much she could remember, what she did remember though was yanking the helmeted human, on the tail. She question herself, do humans have tails. She dismissed the thought and went back to staring at the wound. She had been wounded before, both by the Wasteland and their residence. By her knowledge, the amount of blood on her bandages meant she had been severely injured. Yet there was no pain at all. "I don't know what it did." He questioned her, "How are you feeling ?" "I...I feel fine..." she stuttered. "That can't be right." He explained, "You came here with sustaining an injury from a rocket, you got shrapnel all over you and not to mention second degree burn that affect your fur and..." "And ?" she demanded. "Your cutie mark...." he informed reluctantly. "Take it off," Past Tale said. "What ?" the pony in robe inquired. "The bandages! Take them off !" she shrieked. The stallion treating her injuries reluctantly complied. He left her alone among the empty beds in the room. Shortly after, he came back with a scalpel that gleamed silver. Carefully, he cut the bandages, making a starting point for him to peel. With his teeth, he yanked the bandages loose. The crimson colored bandages fell to the floor, revealing the mare's beige fur. "That can't be right," the stallion told himself. "What is it ?" the mare asked. "Your fur...it's beige," he said in disbelief. Past Tale's head turned to investigate what the stallion saw. True of his words, her fur was beige, what wasn't true the fact was her fur under wrapped bandages existed. She was told she had suffered burns, and she knew well coat and skin disintegrate along when one suffered a burn. Yet her coat looked fine, moreover it looked clean, considering she hadn't cleansed herself for a long time. As more of her body was revealed, medical wonders appeared. Her flank and belly was darkened with blood, but fresh blood from her wounds had disappeared completely, what was left was the flaky, dark and dry residue covering her coat. The stallion was surprised at the speedy recovery, an attempt to finding scars left by the sustained injury proved to be fruitless, there were none. Past Tale hopped out of the bed, putting cherry on top of the pile of medical miracle. Standing on four hooves once more surprised her, not as much it surprised the others within the clinic. Doctors, nurses and fellow patient of Stable twenty nine clinic stared in amazement and disbelief, as the heavily wounded mare they brought in had recovered, and was on four of her hooves, in less than twenty-four hours. "Impossible !" exclaimed the stallion in robe. "How is this possible, all your wounds are healed, no one heal that fast after injuries like that, you would have suffer..." "It's not impossible then," she told the stallion. The stallion halted his rambling about how her situation was medically unobtainable. He muttered, "Unless..." "Unless what ?" Past Tale interrupted. "Unless, it was that red beam that came out from a hose your friend brought in here," informed the pony in robe. She gulped. "I would like to run a diagnosis on you once more, but seeing you're fine I guess it's your call, though I still doubt you're fine," said the stallion. She inquired him further, "Is my cutie mark...." "Uhm...it's there," he said casually. "Also, you should take a shower." She silently sighed in relief, asking for direction, she made her way to one of Stable twenty nine living quarter. The trader mare made a beeline for the bathroom, with her telekinesis she twisted the knob for hot water and stepped into the artificial rain that is the shower. Warm poured down on her, and trickled down her coat, making the blood wet once again. The soaked blood flakes slowly cast away by the water. She held her head up high, savoring the rush of water droplets coming down her face. Her mind was at one thought, her newly found companions. Question of their origins still clouded her mind, yet she put trust in the one with a ten-gallon on his head. Then her mind to the matter at hand, the rapid recovery she experienced wasn't normal. Maybe it was a potent healing potion, she said to herself. In between the sound of the shower she's in, came a faint knock. She turned the faucet, halting the flow of water and the knock became clearer, indicating someone was at the door. There was no towel available within the living quarter, she stepped out of the shower still drenched. The beige mare shook the water off her before tending to the knock on the door. Opening the door, she met a mare clad in power armor, with wine red mane and white coat. "Yes ?" Past Tale asked. "I'm here to give your stuff back," the mare put a bulging saddlebag on the floor. "Oh and I'm to escort you to your destination." The beige mare asked, "Do you know where I'm going ?" "Paladin White Lance told me you're a merchant, and said you'll probably heading to Tenpony right ?" informed the Ranger mare. The trader mare nodded, it was strange that someone she never met knew where she would be going. Although, the route she took was heavy with merchant traffic and Fetlock is one of the safest stop for merchants in the Wasteland due to the present of an Applejack's Ranger controlled Stable. Then she looked at her saddlebag, that would gave up her destination she thought. The Ranger mare gave Past Tale a towel and said, "I'll let you dry yourself first." Past Tale was left alone to dry. After no longer soaked, she did a quick inventory of her merchandise and belonging, everything was seemingly in place, with an exception of her rifle. the beige mare went through her belongings once more, ammunition and firearms that were meant to be sold were also missing. Wanting her stuff back she exited the room looking for the Ranger mare. From the room Past Tale saw the mare that had given her the towel, she approached her. "You ready ?" the Ranger asked. "Yeah." then Past Tale asked her, "Do you know, by any chance, where are my guns and ammo ?" "Oh about that, they're being hold by our quartermaster, you'll get them back on your way out," she told her. The roving trader and the Ranger pony tread through the Stable hallway towards the exit. Before they went for the Stable door, both mares made a stop at a room turned storage for the Ranger equipments. The Ranger mare called, "Rack ? Rack are you in here ?" Another pony in robe emerged from behind the store's counter, this one was wearing a pair of glasses. The stallion in robe with glasses looked at his comrade in armor, then to the beige mare that was with her. He then told them, "Oh...give me a sec, I'll get your weapons back." He came back shortly with a metal box holding all Past Tale's ammunition, he disappeared again into a room adjoined to the where the counter was, then came back with her rifle and more. "Hey this a nice rifle," Rack complemented. "Any thought of selling it ?" "Nah, but I'm selling the revolvers and pistols though, along with ammo," she told him. The Quartermaster asked her, "They're in good condition ?" "Should we really be doing this right now ?" asked the Ranger mare. "Hey we need all the ammo we can get with the Raiders coming back again," Rack stated. Past Tale informed him, "The ten mil is a little rusty, but the three-fifty-seven is mint, found it in a locked briefcase," then she stated the prize, "four-fifty for the ten mil and two grand for the revolver." Rack replied, "Three hundred on the ten mil and and a grand for the revolver." "Four hundred for the ten mil and eighteen hundred for the three-fifty-seven," Past Tale said. "Three-fifty and a grand five hundred," Rack bargained again. "Three seventy-five and a grand seven-fifty," Past Tale told him. Rack stated, "Deal." Rack gave the bottle caps for the items he bought, and along with the extras for bullets. Both mares left the quartermaster to his guns and bullets. With earnings of her recent sale, Past Tale along with the power armor wearing mare continued their journey out of the Stable. --- --- --- A sound of metal grinding reached the men surrounding the Dispenser. The pony they extract from a raid and another who wore a heavy duty barding appeared from the hole that led to the sewer below. Past Tale and the mare in armor approached the men clad in red, she noticed there were two of them missing. She asked, "Where's Dell and Jane ?" "Solly and Dell are in tha' grocery store," Demo informed her. Intending to reach Tenpony Tower before sun down, the beige mare asked for the grocery store location to the mare in power armor. The trader mare went there by herself, due to the Ranger demand to stay and wait nearby the sewer entrance, upon entering the store she was met by darkness, only the dying day provided illumination. She didn't found Dell and Jane immediately, thus she push onward into the establishment. As she dwell deeper into the interior of the building, she heard a shoveling sound, the closer she got to the back the louder it sounded. Reaching the back room of the store, she found a door, which led her to the back of the store. Across the store and beyond a collapsed fence was Dell, with hat held against his chest, looking down on a hole being covered by Soldier. Next to the uncovered pit were two dirt mounds. It wasn't long until Jane finished putting back the dirt he dug, he waited for Dell to put his hat back, when he did both of them walked back into the store. Jane went straight for the front door, leaving Dell and Past Tale to follow on a slower pace. Dell asked her, "So where we goin' next ?" She answered, "Tenpony." "Alright, let me pack up ma'h dispenser an' we'll be on our way," she told her. After a brief packing of the Dispenser, the six men in red, the trader mare continued their journey to Tenpony Tower, along with the Applejack's Ranger mare. Exiting Fetlock, a panorama unfolded, a scene that had been seen by many for the last two century, a view of broken concrete jungle, where structures were left in a state of ruin, and had became unmarked graveyard for many. For the first time the men in red saw what kind of world these ponies lived in, it wasn't what they had in mind. Among the ruins, one structure stood a alone, one that had survived the brutal punishment that shaped the Wasteland. Dell finally made a connection to the Stables Past Tale was talking about. "Is that where we goin' ?" Scout asked, finger to the lone tower in the distance. "That's where we are going," the beige mare answered. Making distance from Fetlock meant closing in to Manehattan. The sub-urban environment slowly changed, the abandoned houses and deserted streets now became high pile of debris along with streets blocked with said debris. The road they walk was the most intact thing between what was left of the many buildings they were surrounded by. The men thought the place had every reason to be condemned, yet the streets weren't sparse with the living. Along the cracked and patched road were ponies and some griffons, equipped with armor and guns, some had their firearms attached to their saddles, which piqued the wrench beating Texan interest. "We're here," Past Tale announced. Soldier, Demoman, Heavy, Scout, Medic, and the Engineer looked up. In front of them was the only building around that was still upright, and similar to the buildings they had seen it wasn't in pristine condition. Past Tale said to the Ranger Mare, "Thank you for the escort." "It's nothing, I'm glad I can help," she replied. Past Tale levitate a handful of bottle caps, the red maned mare look at what she was gifted and told her, "Oh no, I can't take this." "It's the least I can do for the company." Then she asked, "I haven't got your name by the way." "My name's Crimson Lance," she told her. "Past Tale, nice to meet you and again, thank you for the escort." said the beige mare. Crimson Lance tried giving the caps Past Tale gave her, the beige mare kept rejecting them. The Ranger mare kept the offering and departed the vicinity. Shortly after Crimson left, the trader mare moved onward to the entrance of Tenpony Tower. Flanking the entrance were two stallion, one was a unicorn, the other an earth pony, before Past Tale access the building, she was asked to gave them any weapon she was carrying, she gladly complied. But one of her companion was reluctant to give his. "Nyet !" shouted the burly Russian. The unicorn guard demanded, "Give me your gun and I'll let you in." "It ain't going anywhere..whatever you are..." The earth pony stallion supported his colleague saying, "We'll keep it safe." Misha glared at the stallion that promised safety for his gun, the pony lips became sealed and he shrunk in place when the Heavy told him, "No one. Touch. Sasha." Before a conflict burst, Dell came between Heavy and earth pony, "Whoa there Heavy, this pony ain't gonna touch Sasha," He then offered him to stay outside, "Why don'tcha stay here while miss Tale and I take care o' business." His minigun wielding team mate cooled down and decided to wait outside the tower. Past Tale gave him a reason, "Yeah it probably for the best, don't want to scare customer you know." "We ain't scary." Scout realized, "Oh...yeah.. ain't walkin' on four." --- --- --- "Why did you came along again ?" asked the beige mare. Dell told her "Ah' wanna see what's inside and I was willing to be stripped of ma'h guns." "But you don't have anything to sell," Past Tale said. "Yes ah' do, I got three strip of chewin' gum," informed the Engineer. Among the men Dell was the only one that voluntarily had his weapon taken, being stripped of his weaponry, the Texan felt a little defenseless, thankfully he was left with his wrench. Before he entered, he had deployed his Dispenser in front of the building for his co-workers to sit around it. Inside, he was treated in similar manner to the last three places he had been on this new land. The short man from Texas replied those eyes who wondered upon him with a wave of his hand and a smile. The beige mare and the Texan strode along the hallway that held the stores, to their left and right were various shops, from establishment that sold attires to one that function to solemnly sell cheese. So far the shops they had passed were almost barren of buyers, but only one that had a line reaching beyond its door. That store sold bread. Past Tale looked at her two legged companion, who was staring at the establishment that produce and sell wheat products. For almost a minute the Texan just stared at the store. The trader mare shifted her vision between her savior and the store, trying to find what was Dell looking at. She failed to do so. She called, "Dell." No reply. She tried once more a little louder, "Dell !" Dell snapped out of his trance. He found a mare with a bewildered expression etched to her face beside him. Dell avoided discussion about the matter saying, "Ah'm fine." "If you want some bread, you can trade those gums you have," Past Tale informed the Texan. "I'm going to look for buyers, you can look around if you want." Past Tale and Dell parted, from there the beige mare set destination to a store that specialize in antiques, a store operated by an ex-Steel Ranger Scribe, here she traded pre-war literature that weren't damage or burned for caps. Next she visited Tenpony Tower's security office, the only place within the building where they would buy bullets and weapon. To her, the run was routine, the people was almost the same and the merchandise sold was identical to the previous. The last stop she made was to the Twilight Society, she sold most of her food and miscellaneous such as clothing to them. She never considered the many shop of Tenpony Tower to be boring, each time she visit the price they offered to both merchant and customer differs, it's what made her profession a challenge. She could never said it was boring, it what made her go through the day, though today was particularly disappointing. She count the caps she made, it didn't cover her loss. Complaining wouldn't help her financial situation Past Tale told herself. But the present situation gave her option to only complain, as all her post-raider attack salvaged goods had already been sold. Standing around wouldn't do her any good either, she asked around for any job or errand that needs doing. Asking one of the many Tenpony Tower's guards brought her to another store, one she had never visited. The establishment was secluded, the corner it was situated was barely lit. At first glance, she thought the place was deserted and the guard must had pointed her in the wrong direction, with a closer inspection she proved herself wrong. The store was one of the most decorated and one that had all it's shutters stowed away that allowed unobstructed view of the store, in the front of the store were displayed merchandises including some dresses and Sparkle-Cola that glow purple. Horn glowing, she turn the knob and the door creaked open. The creak was replied, "Come in, come in." The trader mare move closer to the source of the voice, passing wooden shelves where curiosities, oddities and antiques waited for their buyers while collecting dust. She motioned forward, closer to a counter, the cashier of the store. Behind the aging register was a figure hidden behind a cloak. The beige mare uneasily spoke, "Uh...uhm... I'm here for the job you're offering." The figure behind the counter removed the cloak, revealing an elderly looking zebra stallion. He smiled, "Ah finally someone who is willing to take this job." He brought Past Tale to a room behind the cashier. "So what is it that you need ?" the beige mare asked. "No need to rush, please sit down," the old zebra offered. Past Tale rested her flank down on a couch while the zebra took two bottles of Sunrise Sarsaparilla out of a refrigerator and set it down on the table. The aging zebra removed its caps with his own teeth, and took a sip from the bottle. The beige mare took more than a sip, within seconds the liquid she was given was half-way to the bottom of the bottle. The shopkeeper lit a cigarette, he inhale deeply reducing the length of roll of tobacco to half of its original. By this time Past Tale had finished the sarsaparilla, and waiting for the zebra to talk. She broke silence, "So..." "Ah yes the task." The zebra told her, "The task I'm giving you is simple, I need you to deliver something." "That's simple enough, where am I sending it ?" the beige mare asked. The aging zebra presented her with wooden box and its key. Then an envelope that made a clink when dropped on the table. He gave instruction to the beige mare, "What I need you to deliver is what's inside this box, it should be deliver to this building." He slid a photograph of the site on the table for Past Tale. "The Pink Hooves ?" He continued with his instructions, "There you will be contacted by one of my associate, he would ask for a password, the word is 'Hoofball'." "Okay." she asked, "Where is this Pink Hooves ?" "New Pegas." Past Tale almost choked upon hearing her destination. Where she would be going was uncharted territory, and that goes for other traders and most troops of the NCR. It was far, but she needed the caps. She said, "Okay." "The downpayment is in that envelope, my associate will pay the rest when you get there," told the zebra. She levitate the envelope and count the payment, then said, "This is not going to cut it, add a little more weight in to it." "That's just a downpayment the rest will be given to you when the package is delivered." "I know that, but going that far would require supplies, not to mention security," she continued, "And NCR wouldn't be any help, they still have to clear that part of Highway 70 of those gangs." The elderly zebra sighed, "Fine, I'll add weight to it." --- --- --- "Much obliged," said Dell. The Texan left a clothing store with cardboard box, and three strips of chewing gum less in his pocket. Dell walked back to the bread store, hoping that Past Tale had returned. He found the line in front of store still there, but not the mare he was looking for. He turned his head left and right from where he stood, still no sign of the beige mare. Though everywhere he went ponies were eyeing him, there was one that kept staring at him, Dell noticed one pony that kept staring at him, one that have a grey coat and mane of two different tone of blue. Dell returned the gaze with a tip of his hat and went to find his beige companion. The wrench-beating man from Texas went back to the lobby, he asked one of the security guard regarding Past Tale's whereabout. He provided the stallion with her description, the stallion gave the direction for the store she went. As Dell headed to the store, she caught the blue maned pony gawking at him again, he continued his walk towards the store. Dell caught her exiting the secluded store, the beige mare approached him and gave an envelope, he asked, "What's this ?" "Payment," Past Tale told him. "Fer what ?" Dell asked. The trader mare told him, "For the thing you have done and the things you will do." "The thing I'll do ?" Past Tale informed him, "I got two jobs, first this client want me to find a harpoon gun." "A harpoon gun ?" The Texan said in a query tone. She gave him a map with numerous marking, one of the marking was a red X, she told him, "See the red mark there, that's where we going." "And the other job ?" asked the man with a ten-gallon. "A delivery job to New Pegas," she sighed. He asked in concern, "What's the matter ?" "Look at the map and find New Pegas." Dell opened the map again and found New Pegas encircled with black ink, but couldn't make the distance because the scale was unreadable. He opened his Pip-Boy and found the astonishing distance between where they were and New Pegas, "That's a long way from home." "C'mon we better move now before it's too dark," said the beige mare. "Hold up." Dell said, "Before we go I wanna give you this," The Texan present her with a brown jacket that had pockets and pouches. "Uhm thanks...but why ?" she asked. Dell explained, "Well I'm lookin' to buy somethin' 'round here but none fit ma'h size so might as well buy it fer some one else." Past Tale slid into the jacket. While she was trying the apparel he bought, Dell saw the grey mare again, the pony was trying to be incognito behind one of the building's pillars, "C'mon we best be goin' " Dell came closer to the stairs that led to the lobby, as he did, the pony that had followed him came out of hiding and moved away from him and the beige mare. His eyes caught the speakerphone that was on the flank of the pony as he went back out into the Wastes. Dell didn't waste any time, he explained the task while Past Tale distributed bottle caps among the men that haven't receive them. The wrench beating Texan turned his Dispenser into a tool box again and began their walk. Traversing through the ruin of Manehattan, as told by Dell's Pip-Boy, was relatively peaceful. The streets they went through was heavily patrolled by New Canterlot Republic's troops along with their ally, the Applejack's Rangers. The sky above the city in shambles was in their favor, patches of cloud blocked the setting sun and the post-rain breeze blanketed them as they walk. Dell checked his Pip-Boy, the map marker he set indicate they they were close to their destination. The problem was, the place they were going was across a large body of water. All eyes looked for a way to get across, they found a bridge, one that has only it's mid-section sticking out above the water. "Lemme guess," Jarvis said. "We havta go across the water." "Yup," Dell replied. "We're not going to achieve zhat going across ze bridge," the Medic stated. Past Tale told them, "There must be something around here that we can use to get across." "Ay lads !" called the Scotsman, "Ah' think I found somtehin' " Turning to Tavish's direction, they found him in front of a door to building which stretch on to the river. Demoman tried kicking the door open and failed. Jane took his turn to breech an entrance, the result was as same as before. Then Dell tried a more softer approach, the bobby pin and screwdriver manipulated the mechanism inside the wood and made a click, though it was unlocked, pushing it didn't provide them with entry. "Damn thing must be blocked from the other side," Dell stated. Scout announced, "On it." He took a step back and sprint towards Misha's open arms, as quick as Jarvis landed his tiny feet on the burly Russian's arm, Heavy threw his arms upward, giving a boost to Scout. The Bostonian double jumped and landed safely onto the roof of the structure. The wood of where he stood made him anxious, as every step he made the wood squealed. Scout walk the length of the roof twice, his effort to find an access point into the building turned empty. Scout reported, "There ain't a door or window up here." "Have ya tried the gate up front, lad ?" Tavish asked. "What gate ?" "Tis' a boathouse, there's bound to be a gate up front near tha' water," explained the Scotsman. Scout disappeared for a few seconds and came back with another report, "There's a gate a'right but it's locked." Demoman turned to Soldier, asking for one of his explosive can. The cyclops threw it to Scout and said, "Make yourself a door, lad." "Gotcha." Moments later he shouted, "Fire in the hole !" BOOM ! After punching a hole on the roof, Scout dropped down into the boathouse. The interior was dark, but the light from the newly renovated roof was enough for the Boston boy to find the door, which was reinforced with several furniture and a vending machine. He threw away a cup that was on top of the table blocking the door and continued to the next item obstructing his team mate entry. Clack Clack Clack Scout stopped moving furnitures and turn around to investigate and found nothing. He continued removing a cabinet that was blocking the door. As he was trying to topple the cabinet down the air around him became salty, and a shadow had crept upon him. He turn around to face what was behind him. It stood on two legs and towering at least two feet taller compared to the Boston youth, instead of an arm or hooves, pincer replaced their place and one very ugly face. "AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" Those who were outside heard Scout's screamed which were followed by several shots, Dell swiftly reached the door and violently crash his shoulder on to the door. Jane and Tavish joined in the act, followed by Viktor, the result was not good as the door only moved shifted several inches. Past Tale participated in the effort, she rammed her body to the door. Shots rang once more from inside the boathouse. The last to join in trying to break open the door was Misha, while the other were pushing the door with their body, he simply pushed it with his palm, when the combined force of four man and a mare didn't work, he stepped away from the door. "INCOMING!" Misha hollered. He charged towards the door, ignoring his co-workers who were still forcing it open. The door and vending machine behind it were left in ruin as the men and mare were tossed in. Jane was the first to recover from the collision and the first thing he saw was a giant crab which had Scout cornered. Pellets flew from Soldier's shotgun, only to be deflected by the shell protecting the creature's back. He switched to his shovel and charged at the creature. Tavish unsheathed his Eyelander and began an assault on the crab, which was being ridden by shovel swinging Soldier. But his approach was seen by the crab, as a result, Demoman received a pincer swatting him to the side. As the Scotsman fell, Viktor and Dell started their own offensive, both men started emptying their guns with little effect. When the Syringe gun and Rescue Ranger ran out of ammunition, the giant crab had loose Soldier from it's back, and now headed towards the doctor and the Texan. They prepare, brandishing bone saw and wrench. Before they could act, Past Tale leapt in front of them with rifle levitated. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! PING! --- --- --- A boat approached the opposite bank, carrying men and mare aboard. The motor that propelled the vessel sputtered along the crossing, it was miracle the engine didn't broke down after being dormant for so long. While the vessel navigate through the water, everybody tend their wound or tended others. The man in lab coat asked Past Tale about the peculiar creature they had encountered. She gladly gave the name given by most to the creatures. "Shame ve leave it behind," Medic was disappointed at the circumstances. "I could have little fun vith it." The boat closed in to a small pier below what used to be a bridge, as it did, Tavish told Dell to take the helm as he moor their vessel. Boat secured, they continued their journey inland in search of the harpoon gun. The map marker on Dell's Pip-Boy indicated their destination was along the shore. Walking along the shore would normally be pleasant experience with sea breeze and sunset tickling one face. But this walk was one with sight for making eyes sore, across the river they watch the Manehattan skyline. Silhouette of an empire from a by gone age left in ruins. Their walk on the shore wasn't one with sands beneath their feet and hooves, there were on an urban shore, only broken asphalt. Men and mare encountered an incline on the road they traverse, indicating a hill. Reaching its crest, they arrived at a gate above that was rusty sign that embedded the location's name .Bucklyn Naval Yard "Now where would a harpoon gun be ?" Past Tale asked herself. Demoman point his finger towards the dry docks, "There." She was skeptical, "You sure ?" "I'm sure lass me pops used to bring me dun to an old tub an' we used them to catch big fish with it," said Tavish proudly. "There bound to be one in that ship." From the gates of Bucklyn Naval Yard they made their way downhill on winding cracked road towards the waterfront. Their surrounding was different now, compare to Manehattan, the ruins and collapses weren't as high to those around Tenpony and didn't cast shadow, which meant men and mare were exposed to the blistering sun above, luckily it was dusk was around the corner. The dry docks didn't live up to its name, the two narrow basins that serve as service station for vessels were both filled with water. One was entirely one with the sea, along with two hyperboloid cage masts that were jutting out of the water and what left of a ships bridge. The other dry dock had water pooling on its floor, but the gate that held the sea remained intact, and so does the vessel it cradle. A gigantic machine of rusting steel, armed with four turrets that held three lengthy barrel each, its starboard and port side were heavily fitted with smaller armament, ranging from naval guns to mounted machine guns. Towering above the deck were two conning towers supported by tripod steel beams. At the stern railing was a flag, tattered, holed and grimy, a flag of the Old World. All of them beheld the vessel in awe, for most of them it was their first time seeing a battleship. Clack Clack Clack Men and mare stopped awing the ship and turned around. They saw no one present at the location beside them. But then the clacking intensified. From a ponyhole, the flooded dry dock and seemingly from all around them, giant crabs that stood on two legs began appearing. This time they were up against an army of giant crabs. "Don't make any sudden movement," the beige mare whispered. Without warning one of the crabs charged towards the group. The assault was deterred by Misha, who grabbed the crab and threw it on its hard, convex shell, and eliminated the threat it posed by spending a few round on the abomination. His action resulted in the remaining crabs to charged towards the group. As they did, led started flying. Pellets and bullets did little to the monsters, and Past Tale was the only one to score a kill. She shouted, "Aim for their faces !" PING ! The men from Teufort started aiming high, they did took out some, but the situation didn't support for more kills. The crabs were getting closer and closer, and they were running out of ammunition at hand. "Get on that tub, lads !" Tavish cried. Everyone made a run for the walk board to the battleship. Dell glanced behind him, they were to close, and if the battleship meant safety, the crabs had to be slowed down. As he approached the small bridge to the ship he deployed his dispenser and left it behind. The pursuing creatures tripped and fell over the deploying dispenser, with everyone on board, Demoman launched two self-adhesive explosives and cut access to the deck. "Dispenser down !" --- --- --- The bridge of the ship was lit only by the dusk outside, orange glow basked the many console and instrument of the aging Old World vessel. The beige mare was astonished by it, nowhere in the past she had been to a place as intact as the vessels bridge. The windows that protected the interior from the element were only dirty, and still serve its intended duty at the present, the nautical instruments, both electrical and analog were still in one piece. And hanging from the rear wall of this part of ship was a golden plaque, carved on it was a name, her name. Marizona Past Tale scoured a circular screen of a terminal, it showed nothing but black. At the moment, she was with three of the men in the bridge, while Jane, Jarvis and Tavish had disappeared into the ships hull. The beige mare forage for any valuable in the bridge, so far she had found none. Moving closer to one of the windows she saw the army of Mirelurks that had forced them take refuge in the ship. Dell offered her a pair of binoculars, with her magic she took it and peered through the twin scope. "Where do you think they came from ?" Dell asked. She informed, "These things nest underground, must be a big hole for Mirelurks this much." All went quiet for a while, she put down the binoculars and turn to see the Engineer. She received a questioning look from the ten-gallon wearing man. The beige unicorn floated a book to Texan, piece of literature titled Wasteland Survival Guide. Past Tale continued seeking the source of the oversized crab army. As Dell flipped through the pages, Misha came up with two tin cup of coffee and gave it to Dell. It was cold, but then again, they were probably the first to be on board her deck for a long time. BANG! Sh-click BANG! Pshew! Pshew! BANG! BANG! BANG! The commotion ended with Scout's high pitched yell. Suddenly, the bridge hummed followed by electronics coming to live. Curious, the mare went back to the circular screen, now there was a green scope. The men that were straddling the hull came back with sweat drenching their bodies and pale painting their faces. Scout and Demoman panted. "What is going on ?" asked Misha. "Zombies...with...gun," Scout informed him between intake of air. The PA system crackled and said, "Unauthorized personnel on deck, Captain." "At ease, Coral, " another voice said, "State your business aboard." Dell asked Scout, "Where's Jane ?" "He's gone man, gone," Scout informed him. The Texan demanded an explanation, "What do you mean ?" "He turned to ashes man !" Past Tale turned to the speaker, "Who's asking ?" "State your intention or you'll be thrown over board young lady," the voice on the speaker commanded. Dell asked the voice, "Why dont'cha show yerself If ya want 'tha now our intention ?" "But you already see me," said the voice, "I'm the tub you all are standing on."