//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: All Systems Abominable // Story: Fallout Equestria: A7Z-13 // by Queen Sanguine Dreams //------------------------------// It's not every day that you wake up dead. Nor is it often that you receive an instructional tutorial explaining why you're dead, and how to stop being so. : Congratulations! You are dead. Would you like to revive? Y/N/Q Um... Q? : Option Q selected. Explanation: Your soul has been bound to an artificial life form. The Ritual cannot complete without a willing participant. Acceptance of revival will complete the ritual and allow you to begin living once more. : Would you like to revive? Y/N Well then... Y. : Option Y selected. Initiating system start. Suddenly I was aware of a thin, horizontal beam of energy across my field of 'vision'. Soon after, I began to hear what sounded like voices accompanied by a droning feminine voice, rattling off a list. "Sensors: Limited. Mobility: Locked. Power: Fifty percent. Condition: Safe Mode." Oh. What? "Query: What is going on?" More muffled voices, except this time sounding very excited. I was knocked around a bit, and I felt my head moving side to side as if something was inspecting it. Something thin and cold went inside of my ear, and I felt part of my face fall off! "Status: Alarmed." I felt the cold object move from my ear into the side of my face that had fallen off. Soon, my vision's thin band of light exploded into full sight. A thin white sheep in a lab coat with thick goggles was messing around with a screwdriver to my left, and jumped when I moved my eyes to get a better look at him. "Baa-aa-aa!" It shouted at me in surprise. "It actually worked! It's awake!" What worked, the soul thing? "Request: Clarification?" "Oh, and it's actually communicating as well! This is stupendous!" he declared, leaving the screwdriver in the side of my face as he ran to gather a clipboard and jot down notes. I squinted to see what he was doing, and was surprised to see my vision actually zoom in. He was going down a checklist of functionalities and jotting down notes relating to experiment 'A7Z-13'. "Query: Hello?" I wanted to know what was going on, but the body that I was placed in wasn't vocally gifted. Probably a function of the 'safe mode' that I was presently stuck in. "Oh! Terribly sorry about that. I'll be right with you in a moment." The sheep scientist said over his shoulder as he finished the last of his notes, and then promptly ignored my plight as he ducked out of the room. I tried to move around and explore, or see what was going on, but I couldn't move my head nor move a muscle. That was probably my 'Mobility' being locked down. I guess all I can do at this point is just wait until something comes back to check on me. I wonder if I get hungry. *** Timestamp: 7:43 PM, Date: Disabled, Power Level: 33%, Condition: Safe Mode Well that's handy. I was wondering how long I'd been waiting and it gave me a readout of the time. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it was still useful. : Engage user tutorial? Y/N Oh! Well that's handy. Y. : You are currently running in Safe Mode. Mobility tutorial disabled. Sensors Tutorial engaged. : You may be used to existence as a Biological life-form, or depending on your soul, some other form of life that we have yet to encounter or discover. Assuming that you have had previous experience as a biological life form, we will begin with eyesight. Squinting as a biological would narrow your vision in order to better focus on a specific object in your field of view. In your new body, this has been enhanced to zoom your vison to better verify what you are looking at, while at significant loss to peripheral view. : In addition to the ability to 'Zoom In', you are equipped with multiple sensors that will detect audio, motion, intent of subjects to harm you, radio frequencies, touch, smell, and taste. Note: You do not need to consume organic fuels. Your power levels are restored by direct or indirect sunlight as well as converted ambient radiation. Radiation? I hope I don't have to deal with a lot of that. : Radiation: It is expected at some point in the near future, that the world will be subjected to Balefire Armageddon. Although it is the purpose of this platform to infiltrate and gather information, the possibility of the soul occupying the platform to survive the apocalypse has been taken into consideration. Apocalypse? Armageddon? Balefire? : Multiple queries detected. Summary: The nations of Equestria and Zebreca are in open war. Attempts at negotiation and peace-talks have fallen far short of predicted outcomes. Both sides of the conflict are arming themselves with weaponized Mega-Spells. These spells will devastate large areas of land and populace, and render life above surface unviable for bio-organisms. Oh, well that's just fantastic. What about the Sheep that was in here earlier? : Location: Scientist Bo Peep is currently in an emergency staff meeting in Sector Three, Test Labs. Meeting is scheduled to end in three minutes, twelve seconds. An emergency meeting has a schedule? : ... Never mind. Can I move? : Mobility: Locked. Condition: Safe Mode. Can I at least know where I am? : Location of Platform A7Z-13: Lam-Baa Research Center, Zebreca Wildlands. Five kilo trots below surface. Lam-Baa? In a research facility of sheep, and they call it Lam-Baa. That's ridiculous. : Objection logged. Can I see what I look like, at least? : Confirmed. Accessing research database for case files relating to Platform A7Z-13. : Loading... : Photographic representation located. Displaying. I was apparently an Earth Pony. Pure white coat, two tone mane of Columbia blue and cerulean. My hooves had a gradient of cerulean coming from them, halfway up my legs. My eyes looked strange, as what would normally be a black pupil had been replaced with Columbia blue, my Iris being a bright glowing blue ring around it. My cutie mark was also a cerulean blue ring, with what looked like two number sevens. One of the sevens was attached to the 'back' of the other seven, to make it look like it was using it as a backrest. I have no idea what that kind of cutie mark would mean, but I assume it was just the facility's logo. : Query: Lambda Symbol. Reference to popular entertainment product in Equestria. Also the 11th letter of the Goat language. Represents the lower case 'A'. Used as a constant in the Radioactive Decay equation. Deemed suitable as your platform has the ability to process and reduce ambient radiation levels. Lambda. Lamb. Sheep. Oh Celestia, why. : Clarification: Celestia cannot answer your question, as she is not aware of this facility's location nor in a position of power after her resignation. It’s a figure of speech. : Information logged. *** Timestamp: 7:50 PM, Date: Disabled, Power level: 32%, Condition: Safe Mode. Yep. The meeting should've been over now and he's still not back. : Would you like to engage the Advanced Functions tutorial? Y/N Y. : This platform is integrated with Eyes Forward Sparkle technology. This means that should you need directions to a location, you will be provided a map and waypoint to assist your travel. In addition to this, your Mane, Tail, Eye and Cutie mark Coloration (MTECC) will correspond to perceived threat levels by the EFS. Blue, your present color, is the 'All Clear' setting. When you are in threatened, alerted or otherwise alarmed, you will change your MTECC to yellow automatically. If you are in danger of harm, angered or otherwise hostile, your MTECC will change to Red. This is to startle any would-be animal predators that would confuse your platform for a biological one, and attempt to eat you. This has the added effect of confusing any would-be assailants. : In addition to these, your eyes will allow for illumination and thermal detection, as well as night vision. These settings will consume power at a greater rate than your normal vision, but allow greater tactical flexibility. : Warning: Keep in mind that this platform is -not- designed for combat. These tools are in place to assist with self-preservation of your platform. Extended use of these modules is not recommended, as the platform's ability to generate power will be greatly reduced while the modules are engaged. That’s a lot of awesome. I'll be honest. : Approval logged. Do you know where the... what’s his name? : Memory Archives uploaded to Soul-Machine Interface. (SMI) Oh! Doctor Bo Peep. Do you know what's taking him so long? : Activating interface with local information network. : Loading : Security Breech detected in Area Nine. Security breech? : Confirmed. Security systems identify several Ministry of Awesome commandoes. Security personnel are deceased. How close are they to me? : Area Nine is one floor above Sector Three Test Labs. I need to move, or I'm going to get killed, or damaged, or whatever can happen to me while I can't move! : Alert Logged. : Confirmation of peril confirmed. : Disengaging Safe Mode. : Movement Algorithms and Operations uploaded to SMI. I stepped down from the charging pedestal that I had been standing on this entire time. The room was clinically white and pristine in condition. A few desks with terminals atop of them were in the corners of the room, hooked up to a network of cables that wove around the room like a large spider's web. My charging station had long since run out of battery life to supply me, and disconnected with a jerk of my hind hoof. I was able to feel myself, now that I could move. My mane was ridiculously poofy, as well as my tail. I’m sure it was due to the synthetic hairs that they were composed of. I don't think they would get greasy or deflate with the weather, but they were also very strong as I learned when I pulled on my hair. : Suggestion: Please do not attempt to remove your MTECC Systems. Oh, right. I wasn't trying to do that! : Objection noted. My coat was also made of synthetic fur, but it was very soft to the touch. I moved around the lab in search of a mirror, present danger completely forgotten as I wanted to learn more about my 'platform'. I found a tall standing mirror behind one of the scientist's desks, and saw that while I looked like a good approximation of a pony, the synthetic nature of what I existed as was clear. I wasn't terrifying or unnerving, I was simply a bit -too- uniform. That, and my glowing eyes gave me away. Oh, speaking of things giving me away, I closed the side panel that had come from my cheek that the Doctor had been poking with a screw driver, sealing it seamlessly in place. *Ratatatatatatat* *Brrrrrrrrrrrrrt* Uh Oh. That sounds like gunfire! I heard muffled shouting from beyond the reinforced door that held me in the Testing Lab, and I flipped a desk over to hide behind it. At that point, I noticed my hooves gradient had turned yellow, as well as the mane that was in my face. Moving closer to the desk, I saw the yellow glow of my eyes reflecting from the wooden underside of the desk. : Status: Alert. Hostile intent detected in vicinity. I doubt saying that I wasn't an enemy would do much good, so I just hope they don't check every- *Beep. Beep. Beep. Bee beep. Beebeep.* *Swish!* The door flew up from its locks being released, as a scientist was shoved into the room and stumbled attempting to get his hoofing. They looked like Bo Peep! "Get the hallways secure. You'd better not be lying, Sheep. Where's the prototype?" I heard a modified voice growl at the doctor. "She's in here! She’s right... oh no, Where are you?!" he cried in exasperation, wheeling around and spotting the overturned desk I was hiding behind. "It's okay! Come out, they won't hurt you! But they have guns! "Objection: Individuals present are heavily armed with hostile intent. Your assessment of the situation is abysmal." I stated in an even mare's voice. "Just grab the thing and let's go!" The electronic voice shouted, a burst from their weapon causing screams further down the hallway as they ducked inside. "Get it -NOW-!" The commando ordered, shoving Bo Peep into me with a hind leg while they kept watch of the door. A radio on the commando came to life, static and strained. "Finish planting those charges and get topside, on the double! Objectives have been secured and facility staff is neutralized. All secondary objectives are complete. Evac is now!" The commando fired another burst towards the door, and I decided that I would rather go -with- the commando than go -against- the commando. "Statement: We will follow your lead, Armed Individual." With a glance at me through their mask, the Ministry of Awesome commando threw an apple grenade down the hallway which exploded a few moments later, drowning out the screams of Zebra's taking cover and alerting their comrades of the danger. "Let's move!" They shouted, pointing the barrel of their weapon at the both of us and motioning to the door. "Get to the Verti-pad!" "Directive acknowledged." I stated, already galloping out of the door as a mini-map of the area appeared in my peripheral vision that guided me through the winding passageways of devastation towards the Verti-pad. The once clean hallways were littered with the bloody mess of security and lab personnel that had been released from a meeting just a few moments before. : Map updated. New pathway detected. Rerouting. A large hole had been blown into the wall, leading to another lab and signage pointing to the Verti-pad. I was surprised that I knew all of these terms, given that I had just recently awoken not long before. : Note: SMI was updated with recent knowledge and information pertaining to the world. Software updates could not be located. Well, it's something at least. I won't be totally clueless even though I've just come back from the dead, technically. I rounded the sharp corner to find two commandos leveling their Battle Saddle mounted assault rifles at me, and slid to a halt next to a dead security guard. "Hold it!" They shouted. I really had nothing else planned, and I wasn't expecting to run into anything else on my way to the Verti-pad. "Hey wait, she’s not showing up as red on the EFS!" The commando on the left announced to their partner, as they moved slowly towards me. What happened to that doctor and the other commando? "Query: What is the location of the Ministry of Awesome Commando that was sent to the Sector Three Test Labs, as well as Doctor Bo Peep?" I stated more than questioned. This drew odd looks between the two commandos, as their progress towards me halted. "Who the hay talks like that?" The one on the right asked, to which the other shrugged. "Whoever you are, you're coming with us. We don't need to let any spies go free." The left commando barked, lunging forward and grabbing me. I was apparently lighter than they had expected, as their toss turned into myself being catapulted overhead and behind the two of them, to smash into a desk. The heck was that? "Statement: This platform is composed of light weight polymer and alloys. Current weight stands at an impressive sixty macs. An immense improvement over the previous Platform, weighing at five hundred and forty macs." I stated calmly, moving some splintered debris and wood off of me and standing to see the frozen Commandos. From behind them, Bo Peep and their other Commando comrade came around the corner out of breath. "How... How the... Move... So fast!" The commando gasped between breaths, startling the other two. "Alright, you're here. We'll figure out this weirdness later! Let’s go!" The leader beckoned, moving the sheep doctor to one of their backs as I joined them in trotting toward the Verti-pad. *** The stairway leading to the surface was fairly short as soon as we got to it. The only obstacles at that point were all of the dead bodies and pools of slick blood on the floor. "Observation: Please watch your step. Blood on the floor presents a tripping hazard." "Pfft. Bahaha!" I heard a commando blurt out before quickly recovering their composure as we came to a door leading to the Verti-pad outside. "I don't know who you are, but you are -so- random!" They said, opening the door by pressing a button that was connected to a device dangling by a cord. There was a Verti-buck on the landing pad, joined by four more commandoes and some Sheep doctors that had apparently been captured in the raid. A splattered security guard lay next to the door terminal outside and we swiftly ran up the small ramp to the Verti-pad proper. "This the last of us?" A commando asked, lowering their weapon. "This is it! Let's get out of here before the party starts." The one to my right responded, and we loaded into the Verti-buck with haste as the commandos barked threats at those taking too long. "Announcement: Power Level at ten Percent. Low Power." I stated, my voice shifting into a deeper tone as my senses toned down their effectiveness. Color faded from my sight, and I could no longer feel or taste the synthetic saliva in my mouth. "Sight: Minimal. Audio: Minimal." I heard my gravelly voice state. "What the hay -is- this thing?" The commando that had burst at my observation asked incredulously, before shaking their head. "Never mind. Pilot! Get us out of here!" They called out. The Verti-buck took a few moments to lift off of the ground, and we ascended enough to barely skim the ground as we flew away from the facility. "Alright. Time for the party!" A commando gleefully cheered, pulling out a detonator from their combat webbing. "Surprise!" They shouted, pressing the large red button on the device. Several deep booms were heard behind us, followed by a loud eruption of noise as they grey shifted facility exploded with black and grey flames spewing from the stairwell we had been at not a few moments before. This low power sight is really weird. It's like I'm looking through a camera lens with filters on. : Statement: Your eyes are synthetic. They are closer to a camera than a biological eye in every function. Color takes additional power to process, and has been removed to conserve power in the current low light environment. "Statement: MTECC Systems disengaged. Power level at eight percent." I stated, my head lowering as I slumped to the floor. "Statement: Movement Systems disengaged." "Whoa, that's freaky cool. Wait a minute, Hey!" A commando suddenly blurted, looking around for a scientist. Soon, they returned with Bo Peep. "Hey, this thing is making a whole bunch of racket about power levels and systems disengaging. You're an Egghead, so fix it!" They barked at the Scientist. Bo Peep seemed terrified, but upon looking at me his mood shifted. "Oh No, I must've forgotten to switch out the charging battery! All your systems are going offline to conserve energy! Oh, This won't do you any good to be outside at night!" he rambled, looking me over as I simply lay there on the floor of the Verti-buck as we hugged a mountain top and began a decent. "You're all white now... That must mean your MTECC has gone offline. Hello? Can you hear me in there? Please tell me your Audio is still operational." He worried. "Statement: You are audible. Power levels dropping. Shutting off auxiliary functions to conserve power. Engaging Power Save mode." I stated in response. My vision started going black as it switched off entirely. "Oh no! Nononono!" he blurted, as I heard muffled shouts of worry and my Audio went out.