Chapter 67: Disconnect
Ranger
Chapter 67: Disconnect
By Wanderer D
Can you help me remember how to smile…
It was late, and the day's shenanigans had not helped her mood at all. It also didn't help that that song was playing again.
It brought back memories.
Too many of them, but most importantly… her voice, singing.
Wasn't it enough that she had to see her reincarnated every day? That she had to listen to the sound of her voice, her exact inflection, her exact quirks with every report?
She glanced to one of the shelves in her quarters, where an old bottle of cognac sat, gathering dust. It was tempting. So tempting.
"Commander, Tygan's voice came out from the screen, and Chrysalis turned off the music, grateful for the distraction, and centered her attention on her lead scientist.
"I hope you have some good news, Tygan," she said. "We could all use a boost."
"I have completed the Lancer autopsy and made very interesting discoveries. I believe this should cheer up Lieutenant Shimmer and other rangers."
Chrysalis blinked at the screen as schematics populated it. After a moment studying them, she grinned. "Tell Shen to send them to production. this comes at a good time, Tygan, we're about ready for our next mission."
"Understood, Commander." Tygan could be heard typing through the comms. "What should I focus my research on now?"
Chrysalis pulled up a list of projects, scrolling down and selecting one. "I think it's about time Shen and you collaborated a bit closer… bring Sparkle in on this as well…"
"I foresee a multitude of possibilities stemming from this research, Commander. The science is ready to begin."
Chrysalis snorted, just thinking of what Vahlen would have said to that. She pulled up the file she was looking at. This would give time for her researchers to finish the next project, hopefully. She pressed a button. "Central, bring Lt. Shimmer, Mox and Outrider to my quarters. I have a mission for them."
She shook her head, smirking at the bottle and allowing herself a moment of relishing a small victory. Another day where it would keep gathering dust, rather than burying memories.
"Hey, Jane."
Jane Kelly looked over from her half-dismantled GREMLIN, where she was messing around with the code. "Hey, Sunset, what's up?"
"I can't seem to find Twilight and the Commander called me over. Do you think you could give this to her?"
Jane blinked at the large book that was handed to her. Curious, she flipped the pages, noticing the strange hieroglyphics within. "Um, what is this?"
"My diary," Sunset said. "It's written in another language."
"No shit," Jane deadpanned. "Why don't you give it to her yourself after you meet with the Commander?"
Sunset bit her lip. "I have the feeling that Twilight is avoiding me."
"Any idea why?"
Sunset shook her head, releasing a deep sigh. "Maybe she's still mulling over what happened today. Maybe she blames—"
"I honestly doubt that," Jane interrupted, glaring at her. "There's nothing to blame there. I'll look her up after I put back together my GREMLIN."
"Thanks," Sunset said. "Wish me luck."
Jane snorted.
Sunset headed out of the barracks, and out to the hallways of the Avenger. Following the usual route, she soon found herself in the Commander's Quarters, along with Mox, Elena and Bradford.
"Ah, good, you made it," Chrysalis droned. "I was wondering if you've gotten the message."
"I'm sorry, Commander."
Chrysalis rolled her eyes and pressed her lips. "In any case, you're here. Please take a seat, Sunset, we have much to discuss."
The small holographic table turned on and Chrysalis summoned a map. "This is located in India. Although the final destination of the mecs and equipment you and Jane found out about wasn't our objective, we found out that they reach a resupply warehouse somewhere in this area.
"Our local contacts have already confirmed that they have found the location of this place, although it is not easily accessible. There is a high likelihood that we can find the final destination of the equipment that is transported there, and follow that lead. It is our belief, that since there are no more aerial pickups from the remote station there, the Assassin's headquarters are going to be relatively close.
"The area is deep in the jungle, and the locals refuse to go past the resupply station there. If we want to learn where the trail leads, we'll need to follow it past the station. You three have the best skills suited for this situation, and experience facing the chosen."
"What about Annette?" Sunset asked.
"Annette has another mission to deal with," Chrysalis said evenly. "She wants to do some special training here with Twilight, for the inevitable time she joins Menace assaulting the Assassin's base."
Sunset grimaced. "I see."
"So far we have been lucky in that the Hunter didn't seem interested in joining the Assassin after us, and we haven't faced the Warlock. But it is a matter of time before they also join the hunt for us," Chrysalis said. "Having said that, do not expect this mission to go on without combat. If it is really the way to find the Assassin's base of operations, that jungle is going to have more in it than the local fauna."
"Understood, Commander," Mox said, bumping his chest. "We'll make sure to take down all opposition."
"Just try not to get killed in the process," Chrysalis said. "We want the Assassin dead, not you three."
"And once we have taken down the Assassin, we'll be hunting The Hunter," Elena hissed.
"That is correct," Chrysalis said. "The Hunter is next in line."
"And I will gladly assist you in destroying your enemy," Mox said, nodding at Elena, who smirked in return.
"Not without me, you won't," Sunset grinned at the pair. "Look at you both. I'm so proud that you've come so far!"
"Teasing aside," Chrysalis spoke up. "I want you to check in with Shen before you leave, Sunset, she has something for you."
"Aye, aye, Commander."
"Central, make sure to prepare provisions for them before they leave. I expect they'll be away for a couple of weeks."
"Yes, Commander."
Chrysalis looked at the group. "If things go as planned, we'll have taken a large step into destroying one of our most powerful enemies. Don't fail."
"Hey, Lily," Sunset said, walking into Engineering. "I'm here for my armor."
"Ah, just in time Sunset," Lily said, grinning as she pulled out something and put it on the table. "The Commander wanted you to have the first one."
Sunset looked curiously at the long, cloth enveloped object, but shrugging, she picked it up and took off the cloth. She held her breath in surprise. "Oh wow… Shen… this is…"
"I know, it's state of the art, and I'm sure it will—"
"It's a machete with a red blade, and cables stuck into it!" Sunset gasped. "I always wanted a machete with cables. How did you ever know?"
"It's a sword." Shen's smile was gone. "And it's not only made with durable alien alloys and has an edge that shames your previous one, it also has an electric current that will add considerable damage to your opponents. If you don't kill them, it might still stun them."
"Oh, I guess that explains it." Sunset grinned. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to give you a hard time… this is amazing, Lily."
The engineer grinned. "Well, it was starting to get annoying, but yes, yes it is. The Commander's given me a few additional projects to deal with. Thanks to you we got our hands on a working Skeleton Suit…" Her grin turned into a small smile. "Dad really did amazing work. I was able to copy his design, but I modified yours a little… as a thank you. I've been working on a project I call the E.X.O. suit. I'm still not quite there yet, but it uses automated servos to give soldiers a boost on several fronts."
She walked over to her project table, where Sunset's armor lay. "I was able to mix up some of my designs with the Skeleton Suit… it's not as strong as the final version will be, but it will give you a lot more durability and also, with its mechanical assistance, it will allow you to drag back enemies with your grappling hook, a lot easier… I would still not try that with enemies that are considerably heavier than you, but provided you have a solid foothold, you should be able to have the lighter ones fly to you as easily as Mox does it."
Sunset took Lily's hands in her own, her smile as wide as it would go. "Thank you. You have no idea what a hard time the Skirmishers gave me when I couldn't do that."
"Yes. Well, as I said, don't try to do it with say, a Muton, or you're the one that's going to go flying, even if your intention is the opposite."
"I'll keep that in mind." Sunset examined her armor. It resembled more her original Skirmisher armor, with additional plating added on top, for a more full coverage. She had also asked Lily to change the colors a little. Now that it was officially her own, she'd had insisted on wearing a different body suit and nanovest, both of them black.
The armor itself, however, was still a deep copper and gold, resembling its original colors. It's just that she now didn't look like actual human-sized and shaped bacon. Whatever Sunny One had been, color schemes were not her thing. Unless it was intentionally a joke.
Her old armor's right shoulder guard had been updated in color, and added to her armor, bearing Celestia's cutie mark, which had been repainted. Her own cutie mark was on the chest, above her heart.
Even her shard gun had received brand new designs, and was as coppery-red as her armor, although someone had added a tiny decal of the cartoonish death face of the Viper King to the side.
Lily caught her look. "That was Security, apparently he has a thing for cartooning."
"Gerry?" Sunset chuckled. "It's cute, I'll keep it."
"Speaking of which, have you given any thought to that armor?"
Sunset grimaced. "You mean the one you want to make with the Viper King's skin? Didn't you offer it to the commander?"
Lily pouted. "She said, and I quote: Cobra lalalalalalala!, and then said no."
"What does that even mean?"
"Beats me, but it made Central spit his coffee." Lily sighed. "It's a great design, Sunset, why wouldn't they want it?"
"It might be the cobra head-helmet."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll see what I can do."
"Hey, don't do it on my behalf," Sunset joked. "Anyway, I should go… I guess I'll see you in a week or so." She fist bumped the engineer.
"Yeah," Lily sighed. "Make sure you take enough grenades, bullets and equipment, alright?"
"Don't worry, I have Mox, Elena and Central on that. If they forget anything, they'll never live it down."
Rainbow Dash gave Sunset a look. "So what is it about your missions and going to where my old acquaintances are?"
Sunset raised an eyebrow.
"You know that your destination is Angel Point, right?"
Sunset blinked. "Oh." Her eyes widened. "Oooh. Where your friend with the friendly Viper lives."
Rainbow snorted. "Yeah. Friendly." She shook her head. "Anyway, I've made sure all your supplies were loaded. Mox and Elena are already in. Are you ready?"
Sunset glanced around, hoping that Twilight might have stopped by, but there was no sign of her fellow Equestrian.
With a sigh, she nodded. "Yeah, let's get going… the sooner we're done the better."
Rainbow Dash hesitated, as if deciding whether to speak up or not, but then nodded, heading inside, walking past Mox and Elena and sitting down at the cockpit.
She watched Sunset sit down and secure herself in before closing the ramp behind her. "Central, this is Firebrand, Menace is on board, I repeat, Menace is on board."
"Roger that, Firebrand, deliver them to their destination. Fly safe."
o.0.o End Chapter 67 o.0.o
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For the record you update faster then I can keep up
Sigh...
You got me there.
I'm almost let down it wasn't Daffy Duck.
I feel like I should get the reference... But it's over my head.
Pffffffff Chrysalis and Bradford are both fucking neeeeeeeeeerds
G.I. Joe reference out of nowhere. What's next, random radio in the Assassin's Base blaring "You Got the Touch"?
8871549
Yes and that is reason I love them so much
"Oh, I guess that explains it." Sunset ginned.
Thanks to you we go our hands on a working Skeleton Suit
with it's mechanical assistance, it will allow you
1. Sunset, no drinking before a mission.
2. Got.
3. Its.
10 bucks says Sunset gets all cuddly with the Viper before they head out. Hopefully Mox will hold Elena back from eating the cute snek
8871583 Fixed, thanks!
Hmm, I thought Sunset would trust Jane enough for her to be able to read the diary, since Rainbow Dash could. If that's not an oversight, then I can't imagine what it means for their relationship. Or maybe I'm forgetting some quirk of its magical security?
Ahahahaha
Make sunny wear the snek suit
s2.quickmeme.com/img/b0/b0c604b88bdc11d682f75043f759df51046fa64aa30053d2c04519d00225cb2e.jpg
8871664
She needs to give express permission or intent that they can read the diary's contents along with her trust. At the same time, Jane not being able to read it at that time could've just been Sunset denying her to read it till she is ready for to do so, probably because choosing a random page and suddenly having her edgelord past exposed on paper, isn't something anyone can trust to another.
Rainbow Dash was probably able to read because while she is trusted, Twilight gave permission by proxie
8871664
Dash got an exception as she was given it with permission to read it
Central is the only one who can read it without permission still.
PFFFFFFT
8871707
Gotta ask, what’s the gag?
I was BARELY in that agerange back then (late 80's kid) but even I found that amusing as hell
8871742
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUw8cN6R8o0
8871700
Bleh, I'm going to try to find that chapter at least.
8871695
Yeah, I thought about the permission thing, but I'm not on a device right now good for looking up the old story bits. Is Central not needing permission a special exception of some sort?
8871825
Sunset trusts him, seemingly enough that he's able to read it while she wasn't around to deny him at any point, like she was with Jane
Good luck, Sunset! And have Fun with your new sword!
8871834
She wasn't around to deny Rainbow Dash either.
The downside to having daily chapters is that now there are tons of them. If anyone wants to point out which chapter it was wherein Twilight and Central talked about the journal, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise, I'll look it up tomorrow when I can get on my PC (wasted enough time skimming chapters on my phone already).
8871852
Chapter 50: Magibabble
When I fav a story, I remember details
Yo Joe!
Someone has to make G.I Joe and COBRA mods for XCOM2...
Alright, they needed to go back to action after all that disaster.
Though Twilight still seems to be quite down.
Also lol, G I Joe reference.
How can the Commander turn down that armor and the chance to end every order with "THIS I COMMAND!" ?
I mean, come on. She's already the head of a world spanning terrorist organization with highly advanced tech. Just go all the way with it.
Droned, lol.
Hah!
Combat gear improvements all around, should be fun.
Dang.
If you aren't going to cosplay as Cobra Commander while leading a secretive anti-government military organization, what's even the point.
The end of the next chapter should be Sunset getting out of a shed, messed hair and using Angel's armor, while the snek uses hers. Right in front of Mox and Dragunova. Oh, and of Rainbow too, just as she had a heart to heart with Fluttershy. Who's now expecting eggs from Angel's new partner, biology be damned!
I'll admit, when Sunset mentioned machetes with cables my first thought was "Did Shen build 3-d maneuver gear?".
Well, after she got the callsign "Pork Belly" when she REDACTED, she decided to embrace the joke.
Also, Chrysalis just doesn't want to wear that armor before XCOM has the technology to arm everyone with red lasers.
COBRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
8871540 8871549 8871555 8871582 8871661 8871687 8871707 8871824 8871884 8872082 8872135 8872328 8872515 8872700 8872722
8872082 I think there's already one in the Steam Workshop.
8872770
All the 80's kids got the cool cartoon intros.
8872700
Don't those red lasers always miss, though?
8872789
It's XCOM. You say that like it'll change anything.
Just rub some bacon on it.
8871865
Thanks.
Looking back, Twilight says she doesn't know exactly how it works, but Dash and Jane are heavily implied to be the only others (besides Central) that would be able to read it. Sunset "overrode" the protections to let Twilight use the journal. It would seem that anyone who is trusted enough by the admin (Sunset) is automatically able to read it, which is the case for Central and also Dash unless Twilight has admin rights and used that to give permission for Dash to read it. But since Twilight doesn't really know which spells are in use... It seems there is some funny business with it, and I think Twilight might possibly break the protections of the journal in the future. Edit: Unintentionally of course.
Cobra commander jokes... noice
I'm on same page with Lily an Sunset here.. What Commander did?
Blast it all I almost spit my coffee all over my phone
COOOOBRAAAAAAA!
XD I loved that old cartoon
Cobra lalalalalalala!
8875373 Surely you mean Serpentor. He was the one who wore the cobra head helmet and did the Cobralalala thing. I've seen the movie... well, I watched the Nostalgia Critic review of it.
Plot convenience, Dash. Narrativium is a powerful thing.
Still, I'm glad we'll be seeing Shy and Snek Angel again. Though given how popular the sneks are in the comments on this fic, it was pretty much inevitable, wasn't it?
All the sneks like sunset, I guess shes hot...ok I'll see my self out.
9259192
She has them wrapped around her every word.
G.I. Joe. Gods damnit
COBAA LALALALALLALALLLALALALLALALLALALLLALALLALALALALLALLALALALLAALLALALALLALALALALALALALALALAALLALALALALA
Ok... I missed to get laughting after i see the video but the joke is simply not for me...
Fluttershy and Viper Angel will be absolutly glorious a ship ♡