> Fallout: Equestria - Beyond the Badlands
>  by A Pony Typewriter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Let Me Tell ya'll a Story
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Of Pip-boys and Wrenches


Howdy, ah'm the Engineer, but ya'll can call me Dell, Dell Conagher. --- Yer probably askin' yerself why am I telling you these classified  information, well if ah' gonna tell you my story might as well start with ma'h name ain't it ? ---That's right ! ah got a little tale to tell, a story about little ol' me and ma'h friends, a story like none others, heck I bet ma'h Pip-Boy, even Solly ain't got nothin' like this !--- Well I'm going to start ma'h story with here little device on mah wrist, this is called the Pip-Boy.


Now, you might be askin' yourself, what is a Pip-Boy. A Pip-Boy is device that is worn on ones wrist, available on the Mann Co. store fer a reasonable price. A combination of Mann Co. Australium-based technology, and RobCo. superb computer tech, your Pip-Boy tell you if yer sick, and tells you what to take if you wanna get better, track just about everythin' what're you carryin' , help you fix stuff, it even make map outta place you've been to. Also if you want tha' listen to music, this device can tune into any radio broadcast, and even record songs. Here comes the interesting bit. Someone's Pip-Boy can also tell ya when someone is friendly or hostile, but it can't tell if someone yer seein' is a Spy. Maybe, the most amazing thing about the Pip-Boy itself is the M.A.T.S. (Mann Co. Assisted Targeting System) shootin' never been easier, but that feature ain't allowed while I'm workin', it says it would break contract. Oh, ah' almost forgot, the Pip-Boy also tag any place you've been into,pretty handy if you work on tha' desert, and tell if someone else is wearing another Pip-Boy, but not many folk wear this device.

It also works as a lamp.

CLICK

See ? But outta alla' us only I use the thing, ah' bet they're regretin' not havin' one o' these before.

But the the most important thing that the Pip-Boy make ma'h job a breeze. It keeps track of the stuff ah' build, the condition of the stuff, also keep count of ammo on a sentry, and metals on my dispenser. So yeah, havin' this little thing on ma'h hand make my job easier.

Did ah' tell you about my job ? Well I'm an Engineer, workin' fer a company called Reliable Excavation Demolition, me and several other guys were hired to fight off the competition, known as Builder League United, or BLU fer short. Our job description was simple, steal BLU's company files, blow BLU's operations, capture BLU's facilities, or defend RED's facilities of bein' blown to smithereens, and the guys and I've been doin' this for at least five years now, the description might be simple enough but every employee got they're own role, mu'h job as the Engineer is to support ma'h team, supply 'em with ammo and give 'em transportation to the front, and most importantly, to keep our intel and RED's facility safe, with a little help of ma'h own creation. 

Well not anymore. Ever since our boss' bucket got kicked, we've been workin' fer Mann Co. an' since Mann Co. was taken over by those damn rust bucket and their 'Creator' we were outta job, ma'h friend and I. We gone our separate fer a while, until Ms. Pauling arrange a reunion party fer alla' us, next thing ah' know we're fightin' robots! Well the robot fightin' ain't goin so well, then my buddies and ah' end up in this weird place that came from an up side down Pyroland !

At first, we thought we're still in the Badlands. Ah' mean if ya compare to the place, it was pretty much tha' same. Dead trees, nothin growin' on the ground, and the sound of guns in the distance, not mucha' a different. Turns out, we ain't in New Mexico no more. Ah've been told that,the whole land was an A-Bomb test site, water makes you grow another toe, anythin' you eat makes a Geiger gon' clickity-click, the dead's a movin' nuclear reactor, and the cloud would weld yer cloth to yer skin !

Before ah' make ya sick with them details 'bout the Clouds, ah'll tell you somethin' else. Well beside the radiation, the water, the food, the most peculiar thin' we found in this.... up-side down Pyroland was the people livin' there. Ah' guess ya can call 'em people, but ah'm not sure mahself. They're anythin' but humans, the things livin' there....well, some were critters from one o' them mythology, ah'm not sure which ones, but they're smart and talks! Some of them even wear Pip-Boys! Heck even laser guns ain't just some Mann Co. prototype in there! But it still cost ya a lot tha' bottlecaps to get one.

Oh yeah, the economy there is a bit funny, the folks there use bottlecaps fer a currency, and here everyone thought tradin' metals fer headgear is weird.

Ah' guess that'll be enough fer the introduction, don't ya think?

Alla' this start when Solly, Demo, Heavy, Scout, Medic and I were defendin' the town o' Teufort, we didn't know what were we defendin' it for, then Miss Pauling said there was an Australium cache under the Town Hall, so not only the town folks were lead-poisoned fer generations, but had pretty big chance that everyone in tha' town gonna get cancer, or turned to some kinda mutant. Well we held out fer a while, but then one o' them big damn robot pops up, blew alla' my stuff, and push us back to the city dump inna' center o' town. Solly was runnin' empty, Demo only got his sword, Scout ended up with his..... Mackerel, Heavy got nothin', and Medic ran outta syringes. But dem' robots kept comin' and comin' , we were cornered and had to go out fast. A plan hatched outta mah' brain, so ah' pulled out one of ma'h fancy wrenches, tell ma'h buddies to hold on and zap us outta dodge!

Only thing is we didn't up at the Town Hall as were s'posed to......
 
> Out of the Frying Pan, and into the Balefire Fryer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Out of the Frying Pan, and into the Balefire Fryer




Rain.

Heavy shower over Rockopolis. Continuous, rapid flow of water traveled down the rocks of the cave, blanketing it with the liquid from the sky.

The steel grey mare unicorn stare at the view provided by the opening, a mixture of steel, concrete, sands, and the souls of those who had perish more than two-hundred years ago. The sight was not unusual for Homage, for this view she laid eyes upon everyday of her live. 

But it was different without her light, her hero, her lover. She was alone, and so does the one she love, although she can visit her, it wasn't the same. But having Littlepip to herself was a selfish thought, she was needed by the Wasteland. She looked at the rain again, knowing that this was her gift to her and to those who reside in the Wasteland.

Looking up to the rainy sky, Homage whispered, "Thank you, Littlepip."

The current DJ Pon3 turned her back from the entrance, a crack of thunder along with lightning lit the sky with a bright flash. She smiled, and thought it was Littlepip way of saying hello. Another came, with the same volume of sound as the previous one. Homage turned to the cave opening again, four continuous lightning followed. They said that lightning don't strike twice, but Homage eyes just witnessed four. All of them striking the white tower in the distance.

Homage can only look in absolute horror, as the top of the white tower was glowing red. The red grew brighter over the distance, forcing her to cover her eyes, but insisted on keeping an eye on the light. At first she thought the light was going to stay on top of the hue less tower, then she realize how wrong she was. 

At a speed beyond measure, the light shoots towards the Tenpony Tower. It struck the Ministry of Arcane Science Emergency Broadcast antennae , sending surge of electricity into the tower. Inside, bulbs exploded, terminals fried, and toasters burst into flames.


--- --- ---
 

Outside the S.P.P. Tower, with the Stable Dweller on her back, outside the pod and save from electrocution, the unicorn gaze onto the sky, along with her rust colored pegasus friend, watching the red ray as it headed towards Manehattan

As quick as it came, the red ray of light left the Tenpony Tower, shooting towards the Statue of Friendship. The red struck the bronze sculpture's torch, and lit the golden flame of the torch crimson. Then the light shoots into another direction. It hit one of the lightning rod attached to Bucklyn Cross and faster than anyone can blink, the red fire itself onto another direction, and disappearing from the Manehattan sky.

On the outskirt of Hoofington, a unicorn with almost synthetic body and an artificial pair of wings, looked up into the blue abyss. The red passed above her and her companions, trajectory towards Hoofington highest point. Like before,  it left as fast as it came, and plunged Hoofington into darkness.

All across the Equestrian Wasteland, Chicacolt, New Pegas, Los Pegasus, Fillydelphia, Baltimare , and a lake was struck by the red ray on their highest point of elevation. Those settlements struck, lost precious electricity.

After it killed the power to Trottingham, the red ray change course again. As it pass above Junction Town, it produced a Sonic Redboom, and caught every colt, fillies, mare, bucks, zebras, and griffins attention in the N.C.R. controlled town.

The red kept going, and began to arch toward the earth.



--- --- ---


KA-BLAM !

As the red hit the ground, dust and smokes were thrown into the air. As it clears, it revealed six standing men, mostly clad in red with the exception of the one wearing a lab coat.

With a cough, the man holding the wrench high-up into the air said, "Darn."

"Man the upgrade station !" Soldier shouted.

"Ach me head feel is gon' split open," announced Demoman.

The Heavy said nothing but looked at his surrounding.

The first one to notice that they were no where near Teufort was the young man from Boston, and he asked "Uhm... Engie ain't that wrench o' yours s'pose to send us to the city hall."

"Ze Scout has a point Herr Engineer," said Medic, "And it seems ve are no vhere near it."

"Hold yer horses, let me check the map."

The Engineer looked down to his armband computer. He press the data button and picked the map option. The map appeared on his Pip-Boy was alien to him, everything was out of place and Teufort was nowhere to be found.

Growing impatient Scout asked again, "So..... where are we ?"

"Ah' don't know, all the places on ma'h map is gone !" stated the Engineer.

"Vell that is indeed strange," said Medic.

Running back towards the group was Soldier, "We're missing the Upgrade Station men!"

Heavy then put his oversized palm on Soldier's helmet, and pulled it back to let the rocket jumping member of their team to take a look at the new surrounding. Only after he looked where he was, Soldier said, "and the city hall!"

Everyone let out a groan. The Engineer went back to fiddling with his arm attached processor, the Texan pressed another button but the result was as weird as before. The button that functioned as the building or destroy option now have extra options, and so does the one which monitor his condition and the status of the equipments he build. The Engineer switched his Pip-Boy screen back to the map. He looked at the details of the map and found there was a road nearby from where they were standing. The road led to an intersection.

"Engineer " Heavy called.

"Yeah," answered the Texan.

"How far are we from town ?" asked the Russian.

"Ah' can't tell," Engineer continued, "Ah' usually stick to the road but the road ah'm seein' ain't familiar no more."

The Engineer kept exploring the green screen that should held the map of the Badlands, looking for anything familiar. Unfortunately he found none, every single location he or the team had visited gone, from every facilities belonging to their former employers to the convenient store where Demoman used to buy ingredients for making his 'Scrumpy'.

Meanwhile, Soldier took out his own map, then put it back inside his boot and announced to the team, "Move out men !"

Everyone just stared at Soldier. Scout broke the silent, "Uhm..... Soldier do you even know where we are ?"

"Yes !" the Soldier explained, "Teufort is one and a half click down that road! Those robot aren't going to kill themselves NOW MOVE !"

With Soldier on the lead, the team began following the tattered road.


--- --- ---


Walking down the path Soldier had chosen turned out to be a fruitless attempt. They haven't found anything along the road, and there was no end to the road. As they kept walking, night began falling. In front of the pack, Soldier was the only one that doesn't have a tired face on, beside the Scout. The sun was on the horizon, the warming orange bathed the six men bodies, and so does sweat.

Suddenly Soldier stopped his march, and everyone behind him followed. He then extinguish his cigarette and crouched, with a knuckled hand up in the air, a command to be quiet. Rattle of gunfire erupted from the distance.

"ROBOTS DEAD AHEAD ! CHARGE !" screamed the crazed patriot.

With pickaxe in hand, Soldier ran towards the source of gunfire. Engineer, Medic, Heavy, Demoman and Scout followed, with what's left of their weaponry in their hands. Arriving at the scene, they were greeted by a sight of a white trailer with boarded windows being peppered by rounds by unknown gunmen from the left side of the road. Then the barrels shifted towards them.

A hail of lead rained upon their position, forcing the six men to take refuge by the roadside ditch. Immediately, Medic sprang into action, giving everyone an over heal for insurance. The Engineer let out a few shot from his Rescue Ranger, forcing the shooters to take cover, whilst tagging their position.

"Put a dispenser here," ordered the Scout.

Engineer opened the build option on his Pip-Boy, and pick the the Dispenser. As the dispenser builds the bullets heading their way stopped. Everyone peeked out of cover, and the lead storm continued.

"Schweinhund...." the Medic cursed.

"DOKTOR !" the huge Russian called.

"Ja ?" answered the doctor.

With his finger pointing at the opposite side of the road, Heavy shouted, "Look !"

With palm impacting his face, the man of medicine cursed, "Dummkopf!"

While they were waiting for the dispenser to build, Soldier had exited the ditch and crawled towards the shooters. With his makeshift grenade safety off, he slowly made his way across the road. Without skipping a beat, he entered the opposite ditch without injuries. Soldier look back at his teammates and waved his hand downward, they complied. The veteran combatant released his grip on the primer, also makeshift, and lobbed the can over a boulder.

Two earth pony Raiders behind the boulder glance at the grey can. Their lives ended shortly after the can turned them into red mist, dismembered limbs and charred flesh in a fiery explosion. The other watched with worry as smoke and falling dirt replaced the air around Soldier's part of the ditch. Then a sign of life. Soldier emerged from the ditch unharmed.

After the shooter were eliminated, without bothering to check who they were, the six men replenished their ammunition via the Dispenser. With weapons loaded it was time to check the trailer.

"Any volunteer for opening that door ?" asked the helmet wearing man.

His question was answered by silence.

Bothered by the lack of question, the Soldier said quickly, "Last one to pick their nose is opening that door !"

The men quickly put a finger into their nose, avoiding being forced to open the caravan. Except for the Engineer. He was going through his Pip-Boy's map when everyone looked at him with fingers up their nose. The lack of sound caught his attention.

The Engineer looked towards his team and asked, "Why ya'll pickin' yer noses ?"

Arguing for a retry wasn't an option. The Engineer was forced to open the door. As the the rest of the team watched within the safety of the roadside ditch, the Engineer walked towards the bullet holes decorated trailer. The Texan approached the door cautiously, with the Rescue Ranger drawn. Arriving in front of the door he looked back to the ditch holding the rest of his team, Soldier gave him a nod of encouragement. Engineer placed his arm on the knob and twist it, and the door opened. The interior of the trailer was a shipwreck, numerous articles were strewn a cross the floor, from bottles, surgical tubes, syringes, metals and even an artillery shell.

The Texan walked carefully towards the back of the trailer, but he wasn't careful enough as he stepped on a jar of eyeballs, breaking it and spilling it's content onto the floor and his shoe, he yelled, "Damn it !"

Swiftly he focused his attention towards the back of the trailer once more. As his goggle covered eyes returned to his objective, his gaze was met by something very familiar to the Texan.

He dropped his guard and the Rescue Ranger, and said to the shadowy figure, "It's safe now little guy."

"What's taking that Canadian so long !" said Soldier in the ditch.

Contrary to what Soldier just said, the Engineer reappeared from the trailer, with his back facing them. To their surprise, Engineer brought something out with him. Standing on four legs with a height about the Engineer's stomach, it was a pony, retaining a coat color of beige and a mane of brown with a streak of blonde. But to the team the most peculiar was the pointy horn jutting from its head.

Demoman was the first one to respond, "Ach.....no."

"Vhat is it Demoman ?" question the Medic.

"Me mum used to tell me about unicorns," Demo continued to tell, "legends has it that unicorns held healin' magic, but they were legends !" 

The men kept staring at the Engineer and the unicorn. The Texan had a gleeful grin sketched to his face as he gently comb the little pony's mane.

Then, with a female sounding voice the little unicorn asked, "Can you stop doing that please ?"

The Texan smile faded and turned into scream. Following the Engineer example the rest screamed.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

"DAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

"IT'S THE DEVIL'S WORK !" shouted Demoman.

Soldier pointed to the sky and shouted, "Damn you Merasmus !"

> Moonless Introduction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Moonless Introduction


Scream.

Voices of terror exhaled from five men. Directed to the little pony in front of them.

The beige little pony had seen many things on her journey of scavenging these part of the Equestrian Wasteland. Alicorns, Hellhounds, Raiders, Slavers, she met them all, and most of them ended lifeless via the guns her escort and herself. But ten years ago her prospecting life had become easier. Everybody called it 'The Day of Sunshine and Rainbows', a day where the land she lived in finally cleansed from Taint and radiation, but that day didn't purged the existence of Raiders, Bandits, Alicorns and other hazards posed by the Wasteland that she can't mention one by one. Then there was these things.

Her ears were down, shielding her fragile eardrums from the vocal assault done by the screaming creature and its companions, that had convinced her to exit the temporary haven of her caravan trailer.

With eardrums near bursting, the beige unicorn mare counter-assaulted, "Would you please SHUT UP !"

The five men, excluding the Soldier who had been cursing Merasmus, halted their self exhaustion of their vocal chords.

"You....uhm... things looked like you've just seen a ghost !" yelled the unicorn mare in frustation.

The five men looked onto each other. They've seen ghosts.

Not getting answers she tried again, "What ?! You never seen a pony before !"

"Vell we've never encounter a talking vun' before..." claimed the lab coated man with a newfound calm demeanor .

"Yeah, and we've met ghosts before," said the Scout.

Demoman unsheathed his Eyelander and point it towards the beige pony, "IT'S THE DEVIL'S WORK !"

The screaming continued. The beige mare put a hoof on to her face.


--- --- ---


The scream-fest ended after the beige pony yelled at the men once more. She trotted back to her caravan trailer, intent on salvaging what was left of her two day scavenging hunt. She picked up a sensory module with her telekinesis. Engraved on its side was the manufacturer name. Stable-Tech. 

"Made by the company that build the Stables, extinct some 200 years ago along with the ponies who used to run it," she muttered to herself.

There was a knock on the door. She spun around to face the ten gallon wearing Texan.

"S'cuse me uhm.... ma'am..." said the Texan with a hint of fear in his voice.

"Oh it's you," answered the pony, "what's up ?"

"Uhm.... me an' the guys are settin' up camp," the Engineer explained, "Uhm.... I thought ya should join us...ah'm mean daylight gonna be gon' soon."

"I'll be there soon," the beige unicorn replied.

The short Texan disembarked from the trailer, leaving the beige unicorn to herself. The Engineer walked slowly back to the camp, his mind still fogged by the fact he just talked to an animal, an animal he had encountered before in his early years. Arriving at the newly made camp, he took a seat near the campfire made by the Soldier.

"So... what the talking horse said ?" asked the Boston youth.

"She said she'll be here soon," answered the Texan.

"She ?" again the Scout asked.

"Well it sounded like a she," the Engineer answered again.

"Vell ve can't be sure that thing really is a talking pony," Medic said, "and myself can't verified wether it is a female until further examination."

Confused, the Scout threw a question, "What'ca mean it ain't a talkin' pony ?"

"Vell, for the last few month our metal adversaries seem to launch attacks more frequent," Medic explained, "I'm beginning to think that they had sent somebody or something to spy on us."

"If I see that good for nothing wizard I'm going to make sure my boot is anchored to his frilly ASS !" exclaimed Soldier, "first a talking book now a talking horse !"

"Herr Soldier, I doubt your roommate is responsible for zis," Medic continued, "you do know he's in a cell, correct ?"

Soldier said nothing, it had been months since he killed Merasmus' new roommate, and still no words from him. There was a clip-clop of hooves coming from the direction of the road. The beige unicorn mare emerged from the shadows. She approached the Engineer and took a seat beside him, everybody dragged themselves opposite to the Texan.

The sound of the Wastelands night surrounded their camp.

The beige pony placed her packed saddlebag on to the ground. and still there was silence.

She decided it was time to break it, "So what's for dinner ?"

None of the creatures she just met answered, except the one beside her, "Well we're havin' beans."

The builder took out one of the can of beans from the fire with his gloved arm. His other arm reached for the screwdriver within his pocket. The Texan pierced and opened the can of beans, and offered it to their guest. The mare sniffed the can, then she took her first mouthful of Earth's beans.

Her somber expression turned to ecstasy, she said with beans in her mouth, "Wow, dis is really good !"

As she continue to devour the can content, it wasn't only her expression that changed. The Texan smile returned as he watched the talking pony ate the beans. It was things like these that always brought smile to the builders face. The rest of the team looked at each other and began to consume their ration.


--- --- ---


Night had fallen in the Equestrian Wasteland.

After their dinner by the fire, silence returned to the camp. With the unicorn present everybody was reluctant to speak. But silence didn't bring answers, only questions.

"Uhm....thank you ?"said the beige pony, breaking silence.

"Fer what ?" the Texan asked.

"Well... for saving my flank of course," the pony continued, "and for the food."

"Don't mention' it" the builder replied.

"But I have to ask what are you guys ?" questioned the little pony.

"Lass, we ken ask ye the same thing," Demoman said.

The beige pony gave the cyclops a quizzical look, "You mean you haven't seen a pony before ?"

The Heavy answered, "Team had seen pony before."

"But ain't a talking one 'specially one with horn," reinforced the Scout, " we ain't got none o' that back home."

"So.... where did you guys come from ?" another question from the pony.

Everybody, excluding Soldier, answered in unison, "New Mexico."

The beige pony gave another quizzical look. The name 'New Mexico' was alien to her. She decided not to pursue further the information about where these creatures came from. But decided to go after the identity to of her saviors.

"Again thank you all for saving me," the pony asked, "but I haven't got your names."

Once more silence filled the camp.

"Well ma'h name Dell, Dell Conagher miss," said the Texan.

The rest of the team face was locked in shock. Their ten gallon wearing friend had just expose one of the most sensitive information on their contract. Silence hung around the camp once more. The Texan caught wind of this and looked toward his team.

He explained, "We ain't bound to a contract no more boys."

The first to followed was the Scotsman, "Me name's Tavish DeGroot."

"I am Ivan," introduced the burly Russian.

"Viktor, mein fraulien," said the German.

"I'm Jarvis," said the Scout.

Lastly, their helmet wearing member of their group exclaimed, "JANE DOE !"

The beige unicorn made another questioning look at hearing the last name. The voice told her the creature was male, but the name convinced her otherwise. Then it was time for her to introduce herself.

Before she could start, the Texan builder asked her politely, "So what'ca yer name lil' miss ?"

"My name's Past Tale," said the beige little pony.


--- --- ---


The Wastelands had left behind midnight hours ago. The campfire extinguished and snores echoed through out the camp. Men and mare dwell deep within the chamber of dreams, with the exception of one. The self-proclaimed veteran stood guard near the dispenser, shotgun by his side. Soldier looked at his watch, a possession of his that had survive years of brutal conflict, the timepiece told him it was almost over. It ended.

Soldier stood up and walked to where the stetson wearing builder was sleeping. He poked him several time. As the Texan arose from his slumber, his vision met the figure of the veteran combatant, who was tapping his vintage timepiece. It was his time. The time for him to exit the realm of dreams. The Engineer stood up from where he slept, and made his way to the dispenser. He sat on top of it. Replacing Soldier on guard duty.

Accompanied only by the sound of his dispenser, the builder watched the void that is the night. From there things went bland and boring for the Texan. He brought up his Pip-Boy once more and began exploring its mysterious and undiscovered content. As he twisted knob and pressed buttons, more and more question came up to the builders mind, as the tiny screen displayed function and information never before seen.

The exploration of his Pip-Boy didn't go unnoticed. The sound of the armband processor being operated reached the little pony's ears. Curious and unable to slumber, Past Tale left the comfort of Luna's realm and approached the Texan.

While the Texan was in the middle of exploring the items assortment section of his Pip-Boy, the familiar clip-clop of hooves arrived at his ear. He spun around to see the talking beige mare awake.

"Y' aint asleep yet ?" asked the Texan.

"Can't sleep with you playing with that thing." said the Past Tale.

With a tone of guilt the Engineer said, "Sorry 'bout that ma'am."

"No worries I've stayed up longer than this," the mare asked, "So you people are Stable folk ?"

"Wha' now ?" asked the Engineer.

"Which Stable did you came from ?" asked the little pony once more.

The Engineer was baffled at the question, "What'ca makes you think ah' came from a stable ?"

The mare pointed her hoof to the Pip-Boy.

She explained, "Anyone who got one of those have to came out of a Stable somewhere."

"Ah' still don't get 'cha," the Engineer confessed.

Now both of them were in a state of confusion. Past Tale knew that the Pip-Buck on the creature arm was a piece of technology that came about two-hundred years ago. A piece of technology that had help the famed Stable Dweller in achieving 'The Day of Sunshine and Rainbows', she knew this from eavesdropping conversation between Applejack's Rangers that had spend their time in the local bar of Junction Town.

On the contrary, the Engineer lack any knowledge concerning 'Stables'. All he knew was the processor bound to his arm was sold in the Mann Co. store within a limited period of time. And stables were where his kind sheltered equines alike, including ponies.

"Then where did you get that Pip-Buck ?" asked the mare.

"Well ah' bought this ma'h self," the Engineer explained, "there was a limited time offer on tha' store fer these things so I bought it."

The practice of buying something as important, as old and as rare as a Pip-Buck was alien for the little mare. She tried to complete the puzzle of explanation on how the creature clad in red had gained a Pip-Buck from a store. She struck a concrete wall.

The Engineer asked in realization, "Wait, you know what this thing is ?"

"Well sure," the pony told him, "I know 'em from a bunch of Rangers and stories from some of the older town folks."

"So yer tellin' me ponies like you wear one o' these ?" asked the Engineer.

She explained, "Well yeah, I mean not ponies like me but those who came out of a Stable."

The short Texan gave a quizzical expression at the last word.

"You didn't came out of a Stable did ya ?" questioned the beige mare.

The Engineer simply answered by saying, "Nope."

Past Tale tried wrapping her mind again on the situation. She now knew that these creatures weren't from a Stable, despite the Pip-Buck attached to the stetson wearing creature. She wanted to ask about their true origin, but accusing them of lying would mean putting trust aside embedded to her saviors.

"Say what is this 'Stable' you mentioned ?" asked the Texan.

With nothing to do she began explaining Stables. Her explanation was simple and short at first. Then questions followed. She began answering what was asked to her surrounding the Stables, their purpose, their builder, their residents. All her answers came from books and tales of others. Although it wasn't down to detail, she felt proud sharing these knowledge to others.

Under the moonless night, two very different creatures bond. One tell, the other listened. After the conversation related to Stables, she began to tell her alien rescuer about her home. Speaking about it wasn't easy, stories about death, destruction and chaos surround it, but it was necessary to explain Stables. Painful at heart it maybe, still she took proud in telling it. It was the thing that made her feel special.


--- --- ---


"So yer sayin' these Stables are huge, super-strong, nuclear fallout bunker," the Engineer continued, "that are able to sustain' lives o' thousands of people fer centuries ?"

"Uhmm....yeah," she continued, "what's nuclear ?"

Before the Texan could answer a shot rang out and round planted it self on his dispenser. The Engineer jumped down and took cover behind the ammunition dispensing contraption.The mare followed. As more fire were shot, five more men woke up. They scattered into cover around their camp. Their assailant shots were replied by their own, but both side were firing without the aid of moonlight, thus the bullets they fired wasted on nothing.

"Damn, Raiders !" cursed the mare.

Suddenly a gust of wind and the blurry shade of red passed the Dispenser. The young man from Boston was under the influence of his Bonk! Atomic Punch. Running towards the only visible part of their attackers, muzzle flashes. The Scout made it to where the Raiders were hiding. With his sawed-off double barrel shotgun, he sprayed two shell worth of led balls into one Raider. He suddenly received unwanted attention from the unruly bunch. The youth ran back and took refuge behind the damaged dispenser.

With the Raiders position exposed, Demoman took aim and fire two grenades from his Loch-n-Load. The explosive projectile soared through the night sky unnoticed by their assailant. One round landed on one of the Raiders and turn him into nothing but pieces of meat. While the other member of their group were injured by the explosion and shrapnel, another struck the belly of a different Raider.

The gunshots faded, and the Wasteland was once more voiceless.

> On the Other Side
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


On the Other Side


I'm goin' gator huntin' mate!


The Zebra Empire.

A land where Equestrian adversaries once reside.

Unlike Equestria, the land where the zebras lived never changed, radiation pocket still exist, and taint scarred the land. Although is still full of hazard, the residents were slowly building from the ashes of the past. Their capital, Roam, survived the megaspell, with half of the city turned into a gigantic crater. For hundreds of years the city stood, and it would continued to do so for another and more. It was home to what was left of the empire, home to thousands who suffer together in the Zebrican Wasteland.

Outside its walls, in the distant reach of Roam, was a small tribal village by a river. Parked in next to its gate was a camper, made out of a 1965 Land Rover. Within its living quarter, a tall man slumber soundly, a man from the Outback and a master at the art of deceasing one from a very long range.

The man opened his eyes. His vision was met by the ceiling of his camper cabin. The living space smelled awfully fruity to the Australian, he turned his sleeping body to look at the rest of his home. Sure enough there were scented candles on top of the table.

The Sniper left the comfort of his bed. With caution for robots, he armed himself with a Cleaner's Carbine stored in his wardrobe.The Bushman peeked outside the vans window from behind the dining table. He crouched, and slowly made his way to the door. He took cover beside the entrance. There was a sound of footsteps.

"Spooks ? Pyro ? you there ?" asked the gangling Australian.

There was no answer from beyond the door. Instead, the voice children laughing, and the beating of bongos was audible from inside the camper. It was time to open the door.

Opening the way to the outside, he was temporarily blinded by sunlight. His sight was quickly restored as the blinding white faded. The tall Australian was faced by an arid landscape almost devoid of life. His attention caught by something striped.He looked down, it was a zebra.

"Uhm..... Hi," greeted the zebra.

Frightened, the Sniper shouted,"GGGAAAAAHHHHH !!!"

In fear and surprise he aimed the carbine at the zebra. He pulled the trigger and fired onto the sky, as Spy's arm raised the weapon to avoid injury to the zebra.


--- --- ---


After almost claiming the a life resident of the village the Sniper isolate himself within the driver seat of his van. Unfortunately driving away wasn't much of a choice as the key was with his French teammate.

In one of the wooden cabin Spy was apologizing to the tribe's chief. Turns out the zebra mare the Australian almost killed was the chieftain's daughter. While isolated in his van, the Bushman can only look. The village was composed of several buildings made out of woods and some were build out of rusty, old metal sheets. In the center was the place of gathering, zebra foals danced to the beat of the bongo with the masked pyromaniac. How his flame-spewing member of their team able to dance with talking zebras and be content with it was beyond the Sniper's knowledge.

He looked at the tribe's head cabin. His backstabbing friend emerged out of it. Spy approached the driver seat window.

With a puff of his smoke the Frenchman told the Australian, "He wants to speak with you."

"You expectin' me to chat to a bloody talking zebra mate ?" asked the Bushman.

"Non," said the Spy, "he expect you to do a favors for your unprofessional action."

Being called unprofessional hurt him deep, but it was the ugly truth. He expelled himself from the safety of his van and walked towards the chief's cabin. The walk was short but it gained him eyes from many of the villagers. Entering the tent, he was met by a zebra stallion brandishing a native-american chief hat. But strangely he wore a Roman-style armor.

He called, "What is your name ?"

With a calm and cool demeanor the tall man answered, "Nick Mundy."

"You have betrayed my trust by almost injuring my daughter, Xeras," the chief continued, "thus you must be punished."

"All right, lay it on me," the Australian demanded.

The chief looked to her daughter just beside him.

The chief asked, "Your masked friend told you didn't he ?"

Mundy answered with a silent nod.

The chief sigh, "I'm not the kind to punish people I take care in this village."

Again, Nick Mundy only stood in silence.

"And you haven't exactly committed a crime, so I can't punish you," the head of the tribe continued, "but I can't let it go as you almost injured my daughter after all she have done to you."

Xeras father began explaining the village's situation. They were low on Radigator meat, an important source of protein. Sniper was taken aback by the thought of zebras eating meat, the chief explained further that there was no way of growing crop in the arid Wasteland. Another reason he wanted him to hunt Radigators was for economic purposes, they were to be sold in Roam.

"Oh if you need anything go to Zavimbi and tell him I sent you," said the tribe's head.

Sniper came out of the tent with glee in his face. Something the Spy didn't expect. The Bushman asked a mare where was Zavimbi and directed him to the said zebra. Without another word he left her in the dust running in the other direction.

"Anyone home ?" asked the Australian as he opened the door.

A zebra answered him, "Please, come in."

As he walked to the counter, he was greeted by a zebra wearing a legionnaire armor, which looked Roman to the Australian. Around the store, on the walls, shelves and attached to the ceiling was an assortment of items, ranging from weapons he had never seen to expired beans.

"So what can I do today my alien friend ?" said the zebra with a smile that hid his fear.

"Chief sent me," the Sniper said, "I need equipments for gator huntin' mate."

"Well take a look around," the zebra offered.


--- --- ---


After a few minutes in the store, Sniper emerged with the essentials to hunt alligators with Zavimbi in tow. Both zebra and men walked through the village and approached where boats were moored. Spy joins them as they start packing a boat with their equipment.

The Frenchman asked, "Tell me, what did he ask you to do."

"Hunt gators mate !" Sniper answered with excitement.

"And you agree to this task ?" the Spy question him again.

"Mate, it's been years since I hunt gator," the Sniper explained, "all I hunt in Teufort were rabbits and coyotes I ain't missin' this opportunity to hunt one o' them green beast !"

Spy can only grunt at the Sniper's remark. There was no stopping the Bushman at what he does best. He thought he'll have to explain the situation later. The French master of espionage left the river bank as the sound of boat motor faded into the distance. 

Both the zebra shopkeeper and the Australian traveled downstream on the calm water. The ex-legionnaire can only watch the 'alien' prepare for their hunt as he navigate the vessel. During their approach to the hunting ground, the Australian sharpen his Bushwacka, cleansed his rifle of any dust, dirt and grime. Then he primed fishing lines, cages, traps and his new fishing hat.

The motor went silent as they enter their hunting ground. His arm reached for his pocket, he took out necklaces decorated with teeth from his previous hunts. A good luck talisman. He and the zebra took oars, and began rowing from bank to bank, setting entrapment for the beasts they hunt.

As they continued their voyage further down the river, vegetation on the banks became denser. Trees grew on the river bed, and lily pad float on the surface, they had enter a swamp. Home to many Radigator.

With finger on his lips the Bushman said, "Keep it quiet."

He didn't need to be told. Zavimbi sealed his lips and stopped rowing. The Sniper moved closer to the bow. He raised his rifle and took aim.

BANG!

A bullet launched from the rifle with deadly precision. It traveled through the air, cutting it and breaking the sound barrier. Passing between trees of the swamp, it planted it self on a Radigator head. Resulting to the reptile's end.

They navigate through the submerged stumps and roots to retrieve their fallen prey. Before they reached the dead Radigator, sound of splashing water reached their ears.

The Sniper warned Zavimbi with a low volumed voice, "Oi, get that croc aboard quick."

He immediately comply with the Australian order. Zavimbi moved fore to the bow to retrieve Sniper's kill, while the Australian provided him with a look out. After they pulled in the dead gator, Sniper's eye lay upon another target. He took aim. As he about to fire his rifle once more, the gator dived into the depth of the murky water.

"Bugger," the tall man cursed.

"Be patient," suggested the striped clerck, "he'll surfaced again soon."

Reluctant to spend rounds, the Bushman brandished his Bushwacka and wait for the Radigator. Instead of him catching the gator, it was the gator that caught him. With a big splash, all that remain was Zavimbi aboard the vessel. He looked around for any sign of his tall companion.

"The Star screw me a thousand years with out rest !" the zebra cursed.

He turn to look port side. Nothing. The calm, murky, irradiated water only made him worried. Another sound of the calm water being disturbed caught Zavimbi's attention. Exiting the water, fifteen feet off the stern, was the biggest Radigator he had ever seen, on it's back was the Australian wrestling it into submission. As water splashed, jaws snapped, man screamed, and machete cut, the zebra can only watched the Radigator being dominated by the skinny man. The struggle finished  with the Australian being the victor.

Satisfied with their catch Sniper asked, "Ready to head back ?"

Stunned Zavimbi said, "Y-yes."

With two gator in the net, the motor came back alive and they sped on the water heading back to the village.


--- --- ---


The sound of music still echoed through the village. Zebra fillies and colts were thrown into the air with face of joy, they dropped down to the ground, only to be caught by the masked arsonist. Another pair of zebra foal sat on the mouth of Pyro's flamethrower and air blasted upward. Spy watched their ecstasy from a distance. He exhaled the nicotine fog out of his mouth.

"Why don't you join them ?" asked the chief.

Spy answered in silence. He continued to slowly killing his lungs.

"I guess you're not the mingle with the crowd kinda hoo-man," the chief stated.

Spy changed the subject by asking, "That Zavimbi, what can you tell me about him."

The question gave the tribe's chief more reason to distrust the masked man. Giving the masked man and his companions medical treatment and the trust of his village were already an act of generosity. That act of generosity was bartered with nothing and almost the death of his daughter. To tell him about the village's trader would be unwise.

"Why do you want to know about him ?" asked the head tribe's leader.

"I want to 'mingle' with him," the Spy answered with a smirk on his face.

"I'll tell you anything I know about him," the chief continued, "Only If you are willing to go to Roam."

"Oui," answered the master of espionage.

the chief asked, "What ?"

"I am willing to go," restated the Spy.

The chief told the backstabbing mercenary about the village's merchant. He said that Zavimbi came here about five years ago from Roam. Early retirement due to his injury. His father was also a legionnaire. Was. Death picked him up before they dwell into the wasteland. Stopping him to grasp the dream of a house by the river to spend the rest of his years. He arrived with only what was close to him and a rifle in tow. Ever since that day Zavimbi had been nothing but a blessing, he was the one who mend the motors to the boat and established trading with other merchants. He was the link of the village to the outside world. But he mostly keep to himself was the chief's last remark.

"And there he is right now," pointed out the chief.

Spy turned his head to look. His friend from down under and the zebra clerk had return from their hunt. With deceased crocodiles dragged across the earth. The wet Sniper was immediately met by a mare, the chieftain daughter, Xeras. With a Geiger directed to tall human, the mare questioned whether he had been in the water. Both the Australian and the ex-legionnaire laughed as Zavimbi told her how did Nick Mundy ended up in the water, and gained a profit out of it. It was a rare sight for both the master of espionage and the leader to see them talking, and sharing.

"Well I'll let you to your 'mingling' then," said the chief as he turn to go back inside his home.

Leaving Spy to mingle.

> Running Red Gladiators
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Running Red Gladiators


Cheers.

All around zebras congratulated The Bushman success.

Zavimbi had weighted the wrestled Radigator. It weigh more than the previous record catch by a landslide. It was a blessing, a good omen that promises bottle caps injection into the village's economy. Until the Radigators are sold in Roam, it was just food supply. Zavimbi and Sniper walked to the back to the village's supply store. They hung the gators on a line and began skinning it. The process was tedious, bloody and smelly, but it was necessary. No one in Roam would barter for dead Radigators whole.

During the clearing of intestines, Spy visited his Australian friend. He explained that the village's chief had ask another favor. They were to be sent to Roam. The Jarman answer was a yes. Normally the Australian would asked the reason behind a request, this baffled the Frenchman. He concluded that the gangling Australian was in a good mood. A positive change for once in a while Spy thought.

After the skin was detached from both of their catch and internal organs were removed, they began cutting the meat. They left the smaller one to the village whilst the big one was going with them to Roam. Some of the meat were smoked to preserve and add value, while the rest were kept fresh. With the preparations finished, they were ready for a day of trading in Roam.

"Eh, Spooks," the Sniper called his French teammate, "We're ready to go I'm waitin' in the van."

The Bushman turned to leave and to occupy his beloved home. Spy enters the chief's home to be granted the permission to leave. He received the permission and more. The extra was Xeras.

"Monsieur," the spy asked, "you want me to bring you daughter along ?"

"No, she insisted to go along," explained Xeras' father.

Spy turned to the young zebra mare and asked, "Madame may I ask for what reason you may want to go to this Roam ?"

"I have to get medicine from Roam," answered the zebra mare.

"I'll bear that in mind," said the Spy, "and make sure you will receive your medicine."

"No not my medicine," explained the chieftain daughter, "the town's supply of medicine." 

Her father explained, "She's the town's doctor she knows medicine not to mention chems also," he continued to tell, "usually Zavimbi would go fetch the medicines but she insisted."

By the time her father finished, Xeras was already out of the tent and heading towards the Rover. Spy reconsidered and rethought his situation. He told the village's head he'll accompany her daughter to and in Roam. He added there was no guarantee of safety. As he and his companions were not native to the land. His father countered by saying she knew how to take care of herself. Then it was Spy's turn to leave.

The last to board the camper was Pyro. The foals were reluctant to let the masked pyromaniac go. Pyro told them not to cry but to wait and have fun. With goodbyes said, the Land Rover's engine rumble to a start. The whole village waved goodbye as the camper pulled away and traverse towards Roam under the dusk orange sky.


--- --- ---


The miles to Roam was silent, and shrouded in nicotine. Spy was in front along with Sniper , who was the skipper of the vehicle. Both men were rivals in their line of work. Both of hated each others gut, thus silence replaced friendly chatter.

The Australian broke silence, "Mind tellin' me where we are ?"

"The Zebracan Wasteland," answered the balaclava cladded man.

"How ?" asked the Bushman, "Not just here, but the talkin' zebras included."

Spy explained how they ended up accepted by a village full of speech capable zebras. In the matter of how they arrived into the Wasteland, he had no answer.

"Pyro said anythin' ?" the Australian asked.

"Oui," the Frenchman answered, "Pyro said this isn't Pyroland."

"Any word from the others ?" Nick Mundy inquired.

"No," said the Frenchman, "I've yet to see them in the last twelve hours."

"Hold on," the Sniper asked, "how long was I out ?"

The French master of espionage answered, " from the time you woke up I say seven hours."

All went silent once more. The Australian never slept that long since the first week in the Badlands. He asked Spy how was he able to slumber over five hours. The Frenchman told him that he was knocked unconscious. And that his home had struck a tree when they arrived here. The Spy added that the Australium bars they retrieved is in the storage box on the van living quarter.

The Sniper gave a sigh of relieve. At least they had done something right he thought. With the bars of Australium secured they had bought their comrades time. And robbed Grey Mann of victory on their last battle.


--- --- ---


It was nightfall when they reached the outskirt. In the distance a large settlement was barely visible. A city on the foot of a mountain, with a large stadium like structure even farther from where they were. On the side of the mountain, in the background of the city, was a tower. A contrast to the clay roofed buildings that made most of the city. But the west side of the city was nothing but a widespread, irradiated, crater.

As they neared the city limit, the mercenaries were met by something out of a science fiction book. To the zebras, it was something all too familiar. The whoosh of a VTOL passed overhead. Both Sniper and Spy took a gander at it.

"Bloody 'ell," the Sniper cursed, "we ain't in a Star Wars set aren't we ?"

The question reached Spy's ears. But only unspoken words of amazement left his hanging jaws. The vehicle that had pass by them was a design of the extraordinary. But it just added one more to list of strange things and beings they had encounter so far.

When they entered Roam all shops already locked their doors. But they weren't unfortunate. Zavimbi explained that it was best to arrive late. The zebra clerk said arriving at the hours of darkness was an advantage. Although it may cost them a room or two, to sell first to the market is always been more fruitful.

With the hope of bottle caps regained, Sniper set to find a space for his Rover. Founding an alley that barely fit the jeep, he maneuvered into it and put his home into park. The wait for sunrise had start.

The street of Roam was quiet, lifeless and dark. A habit of the city when the scorching sun sets, and the moonless sky rise. Only the wind and the occasional clanging of fallen trashcan replaced the air. Those and the squabble of mates in the building left of them. Nonetheless slumber was undisturbed.

In the van, Sniper laid in his bed above the front driver and passenger seat. While Pyro slept on a sleeping bag on the floor, generously surrendering the position of a much cleaner dinner seat to their zebras companion. The Frenchman took the front passenger seat to lay his head on. Avoiding the Australian living quarter as much as possible.

The night went by almost without any disturbance for those who reside in the van. Almost, until bladder started its routine. Xeras woke up with the urge to relieve. She swiftly looked around searching for a place where she can release her dammed liquid waste. There was none in the van. She carefully climbed to Mundy's bed and poked him.

In an instant she received a reaction. Sniper turn his body to face the mare and said, "Hmm?"

"I....have to go," Xeras said.

Sniper asked, "Where ?"

Blushing over embarrassment she said, "You know.... the...."

Sniper got the hint. Seeing the mare other hoof was placed somewhere below her belly. He jumped out of bed and walked pass Pyro in the cramped space of the van. Opening the storage box, he grabbed a jar beside the bars of Australium. The jar was half way full with yellow liquid. It was his lavatory.

Taking a look at the jar. She decided not to ask what the transparent yellow liquid was. Both man and mare walked out of the van and into the alley. The Australian was a little baffled when the zebra asked for a place to relieved her self, then again they talked and trade he thought. He put down the jar beside the van.

"In that ?" Xeras asked.

Sniper nodded.

The chieftain daughter thought it was better than to spray it all over the alley. She opened the the lid. Before she does her 'business' she gave a look to the Australian just beside her that meant "do you mind ?". Sniper was out of her sight in a matter of seconds. 

While waiting, only the sound of trickling of liquid can be heard by the Bushman's ear. He light up a cigarette and blew nicotine haze. Looking up to the moonless sky he thought of his other teammates. Although considered a loner he had people he care about. Another batch of lung murdering smoke exhaled. His mind then took a turn to thought of tomorrow. About the trading and the Roaman city life which was completely alien to him, Spy and Pyro. A village full was something, a whole city of talking, thinking, trading zebra was on another level.

The man from the Outback felt a tug on his pants. He looked down and was met by Xeras, with the portable lavatory. After giving the toilet back she went back into the camper. Sniper took the jar from the ground. It was three-fourth full. He decided to made it whole.

After filling the jar, he placed it in the open glove compartment. He went back into the living quarter. Finding that the zebra mare had light some candles and was holding a wet rag. He ignored what she was doing and came back to his bed. Shortly after he laid, Xeras sat beside him. Sniper stared at the mare's green eyes. Xeras stared back at those pale blue eyes.

Xeras then removed the Australian hat. Under it and around Snipers head was bandage wrapped around. The marksman hadn't realize he was wearing a bandage. The zebra then removed the dirty and old  bandage from Nick Mundy's head. The wound on his head had heal, a remarkable recovery. Xeras then proceed to clean the rifleman head of the adhesive substance holding the bandage.

Sniper said, "Thanks."

"It's what mother would have done," Xeras replied.

"Wha' happen to your mum sheila ?" the Sniper asked.

She didn't answer. Sniper got the hint.

Before he had the chance to apologize, the zebra explained, "It's not your fault, you didn't know."

"Still I'm sorry for bringing that up though," Mr. Mundy apologized.

"Apology accepted," the zebra asked, "so how about your mother ?"

"She's home," the Sniper answered plainly.

"How is she ?" the zebra inquired once more.

"Fine I guess," the slender Australian continued, "ain't expectin' me to be home soon."

Xeras gave a confused expression at the statement. He explained why his mother wasn't expecting him. The idea of being shunned due to a job that doesn't suit his parents expectation squeezed the heart of the zebra. 

Soon their conversation expanded. To topics about occupation, locations, hobbies and home. While they chat, Sniper mind again wandered somewhere else, home. But he was pulled back into their talk with a nudge from the zebra hoof. Throughout the remaining hours of darkness. Australian and zebra exchanged information about who they were, what they did, and what they had done. Only little was exposed, but it was enough.


--- --- ---


Morning came to the city of Roam. Those who slumbered through the night woke up.The two that didn't had already preparing for the day ahead. Sniper and the zebra clerk was sorting Radigator meat. The zebra doctor was preparing her saddlebag and studied the list of medicine needed. Pyro cooked and Spy helped with coffee.

Their breakfast includes eggs, hash browns, sunny side ups with coffee. Before the sun peeked over the horizon, they were finished and on their way to the market. Spy and Pyro decided to go with Zavimbi in selling their surplus of Radigator meat. While Sniper was with the chieftain daughter.

At first they were together on the way to the market. As they entered the market, pairs went separate ways. The zebra mare and the Australian walked towards a less crowded route into their destination. A route to the pharmacy told by the zebra clerk. Lesser crowd it maybe, the pair were bestowed with heads turning to look at them by almost every zebra they passed by.

Two hours had pass. They arrived at the pharmacy. To the Australian it wasn't the ordinary pharmacy like the ones around New Mexico. It was closer to a place where Medic can buy an internal organ or two. Like most of the buildings that made Roam, it was two story in height. Clay roofed and brown in hue.

Nick Mundy opened the door. Accompanied by an ominous creak. But ended in a chime of a bell.The chime caught someone inside the store.

The pharmacist inside told them, "Come in, come in."

A zebra mare donning a sweater and glasses ran down the flight of stairs to greet her visitor. From behind the the counter she met two figure. One was a zebra mare with an unorthodox mane cut, traditional cut at the front but long and unkempt on the back. The other one was an odd looking hellhound with a hat she thought.

Less than coherent speech, she asked to the zebra mare, "Uh....uhm how can I help you."

Xeras gave the pharmacist her shopping list. Studying the list, the zebra pharmacist then move about her store, picking items stated on the piece of paper. Sniper and Xeras followed in silent.

After jars, syringes, bandages, tubings, and tins Mint-als were displaced from the many shelf that made the interior of the pharmacy it was time to close the trade. From her saddlebag, Xeras pulled out a bag of bottle caps. She gave the pharmacist the whole bag. Then the pharmacist turn to count them. It was more than needed. Receiving surplus of caps, the zebra mare gave it to the tall man from down under.

Sniper gave her a quizzical expression and asked, "What do you want me to do with these ?"

"Well you can spend it if you like," she gave him another option, "or you can keep it."

"Sheila, I can't take this after wha' you've done to me," he continued, "it's should be me to give you somethin'."

She rejected Mundy's offer and said, "It's a way to get you started here."

Sniper gave what she said a thought. Mundy thought she was right. If he was going to be here for a while he might learn a thing or two about it.

"Alright I'll look around," said the Australian.

Xeras approached the door and told him she'll be waiting outside.


--- --- ---


Sniper left the pharmacy with merchandises from the Wasteland. With a few bottle caps left, he bought several jars, syringes, numerous chem and herbs that the pharmacist doesn't know what would it make if mixed. Exiting the door, the Australian found his zebra companion missing.

He recalled her name from last night conversation and yelled, "Xeras! Where are ya sheila ?!"

Nothing but the afternoon air answered him. He then caught a sound of struggle in an alley made by the pharmacist and the building beside it. He walked to confirm what it was. What he find was an repulsive and disgusting act being done by two zebras. An attempt to defile their victim, Xeras. Sniper quickly denied their doing with a throw of an empty jar. It struck the zebra stallion on top, causing him to back from Xeras in pain. The one below received a jaw shattering blow from the Bushman's rifle stock. The one dazed by Sniper's new jar swiftly recovered.

BANG !

The assailant dropped dead on to alley floor. Sniper kneeled to aid the zebra mare getting back on her hooves.

Sniper asked, "You all right, sheila ?"

With gasp in between she answered, "Yes....I'm fine.....thank you."

Sniper said, "Nothing to-"

Before the gangling Australian finished, he was enveloped with a hug from the mare. A mare who began to cry on his shoulder.

"The-they tried to...*sniff*" cried the mare.

"Tried and failed," the Australian reassured her, "it's all right now but we've gotta get out of here."

She nodded. Looking back at his prey. Sniper noticed both stallion were wearing some kind of uniform. And both had weapons. He had a feeling that what he did would attract only complication. Before exiting the alley Xeras made Sniper stop. Both peeked from the alley. Finding a squad of the Legion headed their way. Glancing at the other end of the alley for escape, they found another guard staring at them.

A dead body and another unconscious will justify an arrest for sure.

BANG !

Before the Legionnaire met with the ground, mare and man ran out of the alley. Along with the local authority hot on their trail. The chief daughter and the Australian sprint through the route they had taken. Hoping to outrun their pursuer before reaching the Rover.

They reached an intersection. The same where their other companions had separate. And there they were reunited.

The masked Pyromaniac asked, "Hmmmphh Hudda ?"

"Yes we heard gunshots," stated the Spy.

"What's going on ?" asked Zavimbi.

Before Sniper and Xeras could explain the situation, more Legionnaire arrived. They open fire upon visual contact. All of them dived for the nearest cover as deadly projectiles were launched. Ignoring civilian safety. The last thing the Legion expected was retaliation. The mercenaries respond to the attack by countering it.

Sniper pulled out his Cleaner's Carbine and sprayed a whole magazine to the pack of zebras. They scattered for cover, one of the opposition left his head from the safety of a nearby column. He received  a bullet from an ivory handle snub-nose. Another caught a flare round, resulting in a burning, gaping, smoking hole on the Legionnaire neck. Two of them got holes carved to their heads, from one bullet.

Successfully reducing the numbers of their enemy. Men, Pyro and zebras ran again, heading toward the van. They ran on to a three-way intersection.

"Left !" Sniper shouted.

As the group turned left they were confronted by another group of armed zebras in the distance. Behind them was the same. With both end closed, Sniper made a run for the nearest door. It collapsed and the rest followed and so does hail of led. The Australian commanded both unarmed equines and the arsonist to ran up the stairs. Tearing through the windows and walls was bullets from two platoons of Roaman authorities. Outnumbered and outgunned, Sniper and Spy replied to the gunfire. 

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The nickel plated snub-nose launched led. Three guards met their bloody fate.

BANG ! Sh-clack

One shot ended the journey of one of the officers leading the platoon. With an officer down, the rest of the platoon kept firing. Sniper switch to his automatic carbine once more. His whole magazine didn't robbed any of the remaining guards lives. As intended it was enough to forced them into cover and stopped the assault for a brief moment. The French and the Australian used the chance to joined their companions.

"We're trapped !" exclaimed Zavimbi.

"No we're not," said the Australian.

He kicked another. The room he entered next was a bedroom. Complete with a cowering zebra family of four. Without a word, Sniper moved a shelf closer to the center of the room. He then told Pyro to break open the ceiling with the fire axe. After reducing the ceiling to a gaping hole all of them climbed through it. Sniper then made another hole on the roof. Providing access to the top exterior of the building.

They left the ground and ran on rooftops. As they ran, mercenaries and zebras could hear the shouts of order of Legionnaire officers. Accompanying those orders were beating of hooves on the pavement. A lot of hooves.

Their legs and hooves ran as fast as they could carry them, and so does another squad of the local cohort on the rooftops parallel to them. They opened fire. A round found their zebra medic, enough to make her stop and screamed in pain. Nick Mundy brought vengeance upon the attackers.

BANG! Sh-clack BANG! Sh-clack BANG! Sh-clack

Three out of the three bullets found its mark. Spilling head content and made holes on the shooter on to the roof. Enough to made the rest of the squad to take cover on the opposite slope of the roof.

Sniper switched to his Cleaner's Carbine and brought the injured mare with him. They caught up with the rest. A gust blowing dust mad them covered their eyes. Above them was a hovering VTOL. Packed with troops with an objective to apprehend or neutralize.

PSHEEEWWW

A flare round launched courtesy of their arsonist companion. It sailed through the air leaving a smoking trail. Penetrating the VTOL's windshield. Frying the pilot's brain and taking the vehicle out of the sky.


--- --- ---


They arrived on the edge of the rooftop where the camper should be. Spy told them to cease and made no noise.

"Hudda Hud Hmmph ?" the Pyro asked.

Spy explained, "Four armed zebras."

Sniper said, "Whatever you are plannin' to do. Do it fast."

Spy looked at his friend from down under. His pursue of haste was justified. Their four legged female companion was leaking red. And Sniper was soaked in it. Spy took out a circular timepiece. And jumped from the roof. His body reached the pavement with a snap indicating the snapping of bones.

With bulging eyes Zavimbi asked, "Why did he do that ?!"

"Watch," Sniper told him.

The four troops below cautiously approached the seemingly lifeless body. They all surround the body with gun at the ready. Smoke appeared behind the group of zebras who were guarding the van. The figure of the Frenchman reappeared from the smoke. He brought down his Butterfly Knife to the zebra on the back of the group. Rendering the guard motionless.

"Gentlemen," he announced.

Three shot echoed in the alley. Three more Legion member dead.

Sniper and Pyro descend from the roof,  by clinging to the edge then letting go. Zavimbi jumped and caught by Spy. Sniper made a beeline for the living quarter of his van. He laid Xeras on his bed, still leaking red. Quickly the Australian removed her saddlebag and took a roll of bandages.

As he put some on her mouth gagging her, Sniper said, "Alright, sheila I ain't got a tweezer near here so brace yer self."

Sniper took out a powdered morphine from his storage box and applied to her wounded leg. She shed tear at the burning pain. Sniper took a look at her tear flooded eyes. He nodded. She nodded. Sniper fingers then entered the damaged flesh, reaching for the lead embedded in it. It was agony to her, burning pain was paralyzing her whole body. But she had to endure it.

The led fell to the floor ignored. But the hooves outside didn't. Sniper face turn to a frown, an angry frown with teeth brandished. He took two guns from his closet. None of them were company issued. All of them retained unusual design. Both originated from the Outback.

An Owen and an Austen.

He gave Pyro the side magazine weapon, then told the Spy, "Start the engine."

Spy ran for the driver seat. Zavimbi watched the tall man and the masked one took cover behind a dumpster. A squad of ten zebras arrived at the mouth of the alley. The zebra watched them slowly making their way to the vehicle he's in. His breath became shallower and his heart beat faster. The Rover's engine started. Startling the squad. But it was a signal for sixty round to let loose on the Legionnaire. Resulting in a pool of blood from more than a dozen zebras carpeting the alley.

Sniper turned away from the scene to take the wheel. Zavimbi followed him to the front sitting between the Australian and Spy. Nick put his Land Rover in gear and sped through the Roaman streets.

Driving the camper successfully gave them attention they don't need. Minutes from exiting the alley, they were once more, pursued by the local cohort. Unfortunately for the Legionnaire, they were unable to compete with a Rover in fourth gear. The British made vehicle kept outrunning units. Doing so, they directed themselves uphill.

Still in fourth gear, the van went through a gate flanked by two guards. Both jumped out of the camper's way.

"STOP!" Zavimbi shouted.

Sniper brought his home to an abrupt stop. In front of them were two very different figure. One was a pegasus clad in Roman style armor. Another was a zebra in Roman like clothing.

"Why did ya want me to stop, Wanka' !" the Sniper cried.

With hoof pointed towards the two in front he said, "Th-that's the pontifex maximus."

"What ?" the Sniper asked.

"The Legate..." Zavimbi explained.

Spy translated Zavimbi's saying to the Bushman, "It means he is the highest priest. A leader."

Like on a hunt Sniper slowly put his palm on the gear stick. He saw that bladed guard had start an approach towards his van. Ignoring the subtle approach. He put the van into reverse. A Praetorian leapt on to the hood and blasted the driver's windshield with his Ballistic Hooves. Zavimbi pulled the guard's hoof in, restraining the ability to use the deadly hoof attached weapon. Spy then shot the guard. The shot struck the guard's belly, injuring him. The Frenchman fired five other shots. Turning the guard limp.

Still in reverse, the van exited the Forum's complex. Above and in front, the pegasus they met took to the air and went after them. Opening fire, the pegasus made holes all on the camper. With an aerial troop after them, it would be impossible to escape the Spy thought.

"We have to stop that thing from going after us," told the Spy.

"On it," said Sniper with a tone of confident.

He grabbed the fully loaded jar of yellow liquid from the glove compartment. Then loosen the lid.

"Bushman ! Get that thing away from me !" complaint Spy in disgust.

Also in disgust Zavimbi shouted, "What is that ?!"

"It'll be my pleasure," the Sniper told them.

With one hand on the wheel, and another outside, he took aim. Sniper held his attack. Waiting for his pursuer to descend. Then he threw the jar. A jar containing a liquid that have the ability to make a fully grown man scream like he was five.

Sniper shouted, "JARATE !"

The jar hit home. The content soaked the target. Pulling the airborne target down from the sky. Forcing the red pegasus to roll on the ground in attempt get rid of the liquid that soaked him.

Sniper spun his van. Driving forward out from Roam a wanted fugitive, along with four others.
 
> On Track
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


On Track


Morning.

Clouded morning welcomed them.

The Raider assault last night had kept them wary. As a result rest was shorten and guard shift was lengthen. Mare and men woke up still stiff from the lack of sleep. Although their body told them to lay down, situation and mind told them otherwise. The red clad men packed what they brought. Guns. While their unicorn companion tighten her saddlebag.

Dell slung his Rescue Ranger over his back and said, "A'right Ah' got good news and bad news. Which one's first ?"

No answer.

"Guess good comes first," the Engineer told them, "Good news is there's a town near here..."

"How about the bad news lad ?" asked the cyclops.

Dell sighed, "Bad news is were not in New Mexico. We ain't connected to the Respawn no more. Ah can't build anymore o' ma'h contraptions" he then added, "And we left all our backpack in Sniper's van."

"Crap," Scout cursed.

"Excuse me," said Viktor, "vut I also bring bad news. Ze power supply on my medigun is at a concerning level. Use vill be rationed."

"Aw hell," the Texan cursed.

The unicorn turned to ask, "Is that bad ?"

The medic explained, "Vell it is not entirely bad. But healing vould take conventional method if the Australium battery depleted. Methods zhat I haven't practice in many years."

The German physician's tone on his last words were menacing. It sent shivers down everybody's spine. Particulary the roving trader unicorn.

With merchandise safely secured in her saddlebag she said, "Well thank you for everything but I have to go."

The trader pony began to trot out of the vicinity of the camp. The mercenaries kept their eyes on her as she leave . She found the road again. And began traveled towards her initial destination. Past Tale followed the road. A road she knew well. A path she had taken since her migration Junction Town many time. Her hooves made sound on the broken path. Normally she would only listen to her own hooves. This time she listened to someone else. A lot of someone else's. She looked back.

Seeing that the six creatures she met following her, she asked, "Why are you all following me ?"

"Well we ain't exactly familiar with the things 'round here," the Engineer answered.

Realization struck the little trader. The one with the white hat had asked what was a Stable. Although he held possession of a Pip-Buck on his arm. He admitted he didn't come from a Stable. All she know they came from a place called New Mexico.

Demo said, "Well maybe ye can show us around lass."

"I don't know. I mean the folks in New Appleloosa aren't exactly familiar with all of you," said Past Tale.

The Boston youth, with a sly smile and finger rubbing his chin boasted, "Well maybe it's time they check us out."

"If you don't want to that's fine. We still hav'ta look fer Sniper, Pyro and Spa'h" the Engineer told her.

She considered the situation. Past Tale concluded that these creatures weren't going to last long in the Wasteland. She was given the proof last night. The unfamiliarity to Stables.

"Alright, you can come with me," she told the mercenaries.

"Much oblige," the Texan thanked her.

She sighed. Her day was getting awkward by the minute. She hoped this doesn't continue through out the week. Before she continued her way south to New Appleloosa, the huge man detached and took her saddlebag.

She shouted, "Hey ! Give that back."

The Russian gave an answer, "Little pony should not carry such burden. Heavy will carry pony's bag."

"I can carry my own stuff thank you very much," Past Tale said.

"Let Ivan carry your bag Fraulein. You already done us a favor,"  said the physician.

Then the roving trader said, "Well just let me grab my gun."

She pulled out a rifle with her telekinesis. It retained the stereotypical look of a rifle. It had a wooden body with little metallic part visible and a long barrel. She then took out its ammunition, clips of eight rounds. And continued their travel towards Appleloosa. New Appleloosa.


--- --- ---


Six men and mare on the road travel under the cloudy Wasteland sky. This time silent left. Replaced by the grumbling thunder. Rain was threatening to soak them.

The sky above them wasn't the only thing that replaced the voiceless Waste. The sound of friendly chatter had fill the air around the group. Past Tale was side by side with the Texan. The man in ten gallon was the only one she knew well enough. Both brought their  conversation from last night.

Pointing to her side, the short man asked, "What's that symbol on yer side ?"

An open book with a chained time piece at one side.

"That's my cutie mark," the trading mare stated.

"What's that ?" Dell inquired further.

"It's what symbolizes a pony's talent," she told Dell.

Dell absorbed the information given. His logic didn't connect. But then again he was having a conversation with a unicorn the Texan thought. He quickly dismissed the thought of asking further. He already got an answer, further explanation was unnecessary.

As their walk continued, their subject of conversation changed. The men began asking the mare about the settlement they were heading.

"There's not much I can tell you about New Appleloosa," she told them, "you hav' ta see it for yourself."

The mercenaries were out of question concerning the place called New Appleloosa. They spent the rest of the walk in silence and the occasional small chatter between the men. With the exception of the Engineer. Who kept going through his armband processor.

Their German team member asked, "Herr Engineer..."

"Ah' told ya call me Dell," he told the Medic.

"My apologies. Herr Dell," the man of medicine asked, "I have to ask your opinion about our situation."

The Texan started with a sigh, "Ah' don't know Mr. Viktor this ain't exactly ordinary," he continued, "I doubt we ain't on Earth no more."

The Medic glanced at the pony, then told the his hard hatted friend, "Then we have similar thought of the current situation. But how ?"

"It's must've been when we all tryin' to get back to the city hall," Dell told Viktor, then he pulled out his wrench.

Looking at the Engineer staring at the wrench, the Medic asked, "Vhat is it ?"

"This ain't the wrench I remember holdin' in Teufort," the Texan claimed.

Past Tale shouted from the front of the group, "We're here !"

All the men looked straight. They beheld New Appleloosa. The walls of New Appleloosa. A series of stacked, rusted, decommissioned train cars with numbers of small roofed section acting as guard towers. Those towers were occupied by ponies and griffins clad in armor. All of them were armed.

As they approached the gate they were greeted by menacing looks of the occupants of those towers. But not all of them, some with eyes of bewilderment. Past Tale was the first to enter the city, she continued forward without intervention. The same can't be said to the red cladded men.

"Hold it right there !" said a commanding voice.

All of the men from Teufort stopped. And stared at the figure that told them to cease. A griffin in armor.

"Bloody hell," told the demolition expert, "is everythin' round here ken talk ?"

"Fascinating," said the German physician. 

Seeing her newly acquired companions were halted by the local security, she came to their rescue.

The beige pony told the guard, "Relax they're with me."

The griffin glanced at the mare. Then back towards the six alien figure on the gate. He examined each with his pair of eyes. To the griffin they looked like Hellhounds in the same time they weren't. The absent of fur, sharp claws and energy weapons told him so.

He let them in, his action was replied by a hat tip from one of the alien with a Ten Gallon. And a salute from the helmeted one.


--- --- ---


Their arrival to New Appleloosa were greeted with ponies head turning to looked at them. They kept on following the mare that had brought them here. Towards another compilation of unused train cars. Above it was sign announcing its name. Absolutely Everything.

Past Tale tried turning the knob. The door didn't open. She turned back to the six alien in tow.

"Store's close we gotta wait 'till its open," the mare told the men.

Scout asked, "Anything we can do 'round here while waitin' ? "

"You can go to the bar if you want," she added, "and there's plenty to eat at the Golden Grub"

Demoman quickly asked the location of the bar and ran to it. He was followed by Jarvis and Ivan. Leaving their Engineer, Medic and Soldier with the beige mare. Past Tale announced to the rest she was going to eat and moved to the Golden Grub. Both Dell and Viktor went separate ways after she left. The lab coat wearing man saw a group of ponies donning similar clothing with the one he was wearing and walked towards them. While Dell approached a train engine.

Dell admired the engine in silence. He recognized it was a steam-powered engine. A contrast to the numerous diesel he had seen went through the badlands of New Mexico. The Engineer examined the aging contraption within a distance. Focused on the engine, he didn't heard a pony coming.

"Howdy," greeted a voice from behind.

Startled, Dell swiftly turned to look. He found another pony. A black buck with coat of grey. And a hat.

"H-howdy," the texan replied.

He asked, "Say stranger what'ca lookin' at ?"

"Oh ah'm just admirin' that engine that's all," Dell then asked, "does it work ?"

"Nope. No coal tha' run it," he said, "Oh where's ma'h manner name's Railright."

"Dell. Dell Conagher," the Engineer introduced.

Dell was taken aback with how the pony he just met introduce himself so calmly to a being like him. His first impression wasn't similar to Past Tale when he met her in the trailer. Then again this was a land where radiation ran rampant as told by the beige mare. He reminded himself to inform of this to the rest.

"Well Dell nice tha' meet ya," Railright asked, "say ah' never seen a Hellhound like you before."

"Well truth is ah ain't a Hellhound," Dell confessed, "never seen one before."

"If ye ain't a hound. What are you then ?" Railright inquired.

"Ma'h species call ourselves human," Dell informed him.

"Never heard one before," said Railright.

"Ah' gotta say that's a mighty strange lookin' gun you have there," praised the Engineer.

"Built it mahself," Railright said with pride.

"Can ah take a look ?" asked the Texan.

Railright gave Dell his Railway Rifle. The builder immediately disassemble the weapon. Railright watched in silent as the creature study his rifle. Dell asked about what was known as Spark batteries and its role to the gun. The town mayor explained. Knowing its uses he glanced at the non-working locomotive. He asked permission to board.

Railright gave a thought about Dell's request. Then he approved it. Both pony and man entered the cabin of the aging engine. Inside Dell suggested the stallion on how to get the engine running once more without coal. A plan in which uses almost the same concept of the gun he just briefly observed.

After Dell's explanation Railright said, "That......actually might work."

"But we're gonna need a lot o' them batteries," Dell told him.

From a distance Scout shouted, "Yo hard hat come 'ere for a sec."

He excused himself and approached the Boston youngster and the team's cyclops.

Dell asked, "What is it ?"

"Can you lend Demo. I mean Tavish some caps ?" Jarvis asked Dell.

"Bottle caps ?" the Engineer.

"Yeah apparently they ain't takin' dollars 'ere," the Scout said. He took another gulp of water.

"Then how did ya pay fer that ?" Dell asked.

"I got tons o' caps from Classic Bonk Cola !" the Boston youth claimed.

"Fer what ?" inquired Dell.

"They're givin' out prizes for anyone who collect a thousand caps that's why !" informed Jarvis.

"How much you got right now ?" Dell asked again.

"Now I got seven hundred and thirty three," Scout told him, "that cheap-ass bartender."

Before the Ten Gallon wearing wrench beater could muster a reply. Rattle of gunfire echoed from outside the walls. They all saw Railright ran pass them. Past Tale ran back to them from the Golden Grub, food still in her mouth. She mumbled a question. she swallowed.

"What's going on ?" she asked.

Dell relayed her question to Railright, "What's goin' on ?"

"Raider attack," the town mayor alerted them.

There were no rounds pinging on the metal of the boxcars. The town wasn't under attack. Someone else was being attacked.

Past Tale shouted to Railright from the bottom of the wall, "Who's being shot at ?"

One of the pony in barding took his binoculars. He saw the raiders position. He also knew who was being raided.

Railright shouted, "It's Ditzy Doo !"

Excluding the six men in red, everyone who heard what Railright just said gasped. And one yelled mommy.

"Any idea who is that ?" asked the Boston youth.

"The store owner !" the beige mare cried.

Running towards the wall Jane Doe cried, "CIVILIAN UNDER ATTACK !"

The Texan sprung into action and redeployed his Dispenser from the red toolbox. The last toolbox. Viktor followed his helmeted comrade, making sure the veteran combatant survived his next course of actions by overhealing him. He knew that he was wasting precious resources. But the situation forced him to, enforced by the fact that they weren't connected to the Respawn system anymore.

As Jane Doe ran he spewed call names used on his enemies. As the wall came close he aimed his Beggar's Bazooka downward. The next thing he does made everyone jaw dropped. Except his teammates. A maneuver that every Wastelanders knew a guarantee kill of themselves. A death through torn limbs via explosion. A technique that no book thought. A skill Jane Doe had polished over the years of battles. An impossible jump.

The Rocket Jump.

BOOM!

He blasted himself upwards and over the wall. At first the Appleloosan thought he was done for. But the undying profanity proofed them wrong.

Outside Jane Doe move swiftly as he could towards the Raiders. They shifted their fire towards him. Only to miss as the helmeted man rocket jumped again. Resulting in their death through three rockets. Jane came crashing down on a wagon filled with glowing green substance. One dirty and ugly looking pony came running towards him, machete gripped in his teeth. Jane kicked the goo. Splashing it to the ugly pony's face.

The raider screamed in simmering pain. Only to cease after a spade met his face. A round struck Doe's arm. He rolled into cover behind what was left of the wagon. Soldier then pulled out his shotgun, avoiding spending more rockets of his Beggar's Bazooka. As he slide rounds into the tubular magazine he met the raid victim. At first he thought it was a zombie. But then the pony golden, scared and pleading eyes convinced him she wasn't.

The helmeted man exit the temporary save haven of the wagon. With a pony ghoul in his arm and a shotgun in another. He send shots to the unruly thugs. Another goes down, as he retreated towards the wall. He backpedaled and sent shots to the attacking mob. Pulling out his Beggar's Bazooka once more, he shot the ground and soar through the air into New Appleloosa.

Soldier landed in front of his team. Along with some New Appleloosan. Their jaw still hanging, this time the jaws of his comrades were also loose. The veteran can't see it but it was brightly visible to everyone. He was glowing green.

Jane Doe let the ghoul pony go. And he face planted on to the ground.


> Something Similar
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Something Similar



Green 

The human on the bed was glowing green.

Six men waited anxiously outside an entrance to a medical tent. The ponies in lab coats didn't say anything when they took Soldier into the tent. Immediately they injected him with liquid hued golden brown into his system as he lies unconscious. Everyone watched silently. Waiting for their helmeted friend to regained consciousness. They wanted to sat by him but the lab coated unicorn who was standing guard repelled their intention. It was the unknown that kept them on edge. Uncertainty of their team member condition gnawing at them.

While they were waiting, the Texan had explained to the rest of his co-workers about where they were. Comprehension of it was difficult.

Past Tale left the red clad men to visit the ghoul they had rescued. She entered Absolutely Everything and was greeted by smile from Ditzy Doo and her adoptive daughter. The beige mare told the ghoul store owner her intention and began unpacking her saddlebag. Items were strewn across the cashier desk. They began trading.

Bottle caps were given and merchandises placed on shelves, the trade was done. Before Past Tale left, Ditzy wrote something to her. A plea to escort her to the thing that rescued her.

Past Tale agreed, "I'll take you to....him Ms. Doo."

Ghoul and mare left the building and moved to the medical tent. Arriving at the tent the store owner were given eyes of surprise by the men. The first thing the group thought that it was a zombie pony. The merchant mare cleared any thought that Ditzy would bite. But what surprised them most is the pony on the standing guard on the entrance let her in.

"Hey! Why did ya let it in ?!" asked the Scout.

The stallion answered, "She'll be alright."

"And ya think we don't ?" the Scout retorted.

"Ghouls are resistant to radiation. Your friend is covered in it that's why I can't let you in," the pony explained.

"You guys haven't see a ghoul before ?" Past Tale asked.

"We seen ghost, skeletons, zombies, floatin' eyes that shoot bombs," Tavish told her.

Engineer added, "A magic book that can tern' yer head tha' bombs."

"A magic man," Heavy continued.

"Headless Horseless Horseman," Scout added.

"But never a ghoul zhat resist radiation," the Medic confessed, "very interesting."

Past Tale and the Followers of the Apocalypse stallion didn't know how to react to the overwhelming information that they were given to. It was hard for them to digest, let alone believe. The ghoul pegasus came out of the tent with a rather refreshed face she wrote something on her little chalk board for the stallion in lab coat.

RadAway for him are free

Then she turned to the men clad in red and wrote again.

I'm sorry

The Engineer was the first to respond, "Aw don't feel bad Solly gon' be alright."

"Don't worry lass he'll be alright," Demoman added with an encouraging grin, "He's one though bastard he is."

The Scout encouraged more, "Nothing can really hurt Soldier that I'm sure."

The men was a little surprised at Scout lack of ego.

During the explanation from the stallion, the word 'radiation' didn't escape the physician's ears. He demanded to entry to the tent. The answer was still no. Heavy stepped in, he told the little stallion that his doctor is also the man laying unconscious doctor's. Rather than the reasoning, it was the sheer size of the creature in front of him that altered the stallion decision.

Medic brought the Texan inside with him. The stallion followed.

The Soldier was still glowing. Particularly on his feet.

Inside he told his intention. To check on his helmeted comrade. The physician without a license told the Texan to hold open one of Soldier's eyelid. He nodded.

Engineer removed his right arm glove. Exposing the artificial palm connected to his arm. With two of mechanical finger he held Soldier's left eye lid. There was an instant reaction.

Soldier jumped out of bed and threw himself to the pony in lab coat, screaming, "I WILL STRANGLE THE LIFE OUT OF YOU  EAGLE BRED EUROPEAN ROBOT MAKING MAGGOT !"


--- --- ---


Past Tale along with Ditzy Doo, the RED's and the stallion that Soldier gave a black eye to, sat on the Golden Grub's stools. With the exception of the helmeted man, who was restrained and sedated to continue his treatment. The attempt the young buck member of the Followers of the Apocalypse wasn't going well. He was still shaking from the assault.

The beige mare enjoyed her gator and vegetable shish kebab with a cold apple cider. She glanced to her left. None of her newly found alien companion hadn't found a way to swept away the fear from the lab coat clad pony. Engineer asked Scout to buy the black eye pony more cider. He was forced to comply. The free alcohol gained them a thanks and turned the frown on the buck upside down.

The one right next to her was the huge man. Known as Ivan. She looked at him. The Russian stared a photo. A family photo. The beige mare asked who were they. At first the Russian just glared at her, making the beige mare uneasy.

"This is moya sem'ya" the huge man told her.

"What ?" she said dumbfounded.

"Family," Heavy translated, "Zhanna, Bronislava, Yana, Mother..."

"And Ivan," Past Tale pointed out as the burly man pointed to the last figure.

"Nyet. Misha," he said.

"Wait I thought your name was Ivan ?" she asked.

"It is name doktor used to call me by," explained the Heavy, his tone deep and dark.

"Well I think Misha's a better name," she told Heavy, "sounds better and Ivan is overrated anyways."

The Russian asked, "Why so ?"

"I met two or more griffons named Ivan before," she informed him.

Heavy returned to the photo. He stored it back in his pocket to continue devouring his squirrel on a stick. Finishing her meal, Past Tale left the men once more this time to met the town sheriff. He found the stallion in charge of the town in front of the contraption Dell had build. He pushed a button, and flinched at a piece of metal dispensed out from it. Chuckling, the beige mare approached him. She told him that there would be no supplies from her for the town. Railright knew the reason.

Before leaving Railright with the Dispenser. The grey earth pony stallion gave her another opportunity to make bottle caps. Being a merchant she gladly took it. Railright invited the beige mare back to the Golden Grub. They entered the kitchen passing the now livelier atmosphere surrounding her new companions, the ghoul store owner, and the black eyed stallion.

Railright shouted, "Stall I got ya a delivery mare !"

A pegasus stallion appeared, pleased with the announcement he said, "Finally shipment been sittin' long enough."

The winged pony opened a freezer a took out plastic packages. Then those packages were placed inside a first aid box filled with frozen water bottle. He shut the lid and passed it to the beige mare.

She asked, "What's in the box ?"

"Marinated Brahmin meat," he added, "and some other meat."

"And who exactly am I delivering Brahmin meat for ?" she demanded.

Stall explained, "Don't know. The Followers ordered some but none of them have pick them up."

"That cuz' Raiders been movin' round here," Railright told them, "Followers ain't exactly equipped for Raiders shootin'."

She countered, "But NCR got them covered."

"NCR been too stretch with that thing out in the desert," Stall explained, "And Hoofington is also been pulling much of their troops."

Railright backed him up, saying, "With NCR ain't round New Appleloosa got tha' enlist some of it own."

Past Tale brought them back to the topic at hand, "So what do you want me to do with the meat ?"

"Well, the order came from Junction Town. I'm guessing it came from the Followers top brass," Stall continued, "Try asking them there."

With tasked given and direction explained. Past Tale left the kitchen to told her new companions that she had to leave soon. They insisted on following. That would mean waiting for the helmeted one to be conscious once again. Before she hopped on the stool. There were shouts from the tent. And the Jane Doe appeared out of it. Standing. A fading glow from his shoes.

"Well we're ready to go," announced the Engineer.

He walked to his Dispenser and fold it into a toolbox once more.

Although the ponies in lab coats insisted the helmeted human to stop an rest, there was no stopping him. Medic told them he'll take care of them and asked wether the Soldier required any medicine. One of the ponies told the physician that Jane Doe would have to take regular dose of RadAway. A mare gave some to the Medic, courtesy of the two century old mare. Sure enough Dell's Geiger counter on his Pip-Boy began to play its ominous song as Soldier approached them.

Before they left the Texan asked if any of them had seen the wrench known as The Eureka Effect. A shake from ponies head. A sign of not knowing.

With Soldier back on their side and a package to deliver. The six men and mare walked out of New Appleloosa towards Junction Town.


--- --- ---


Like New Appleloosa, Junction Town was surrounded by walls. But not as heavy and high. It was more of a fence. A city limit to the New Canterlot Republic's capital city. Similarity was held by the towers in corners of the town. Unlike in the previous settlement they visited these towers were occupied by uniformed, armored, heavier armed ponies and griffin. Some even had machine gun mounted on it.

The town was at infancy of an infant nation and faction. The inhabitants few, security was overwhelming. But at this very crossroad history was made. A starting point of change for the Wasteland.

As they entered, the men were halted once more. The beige mare explained that they were with her. The NCR stallion asked for more. With honed skill of speech through her history of barter. She was able to convinced the trooper to gave the six men admittance in to the city.

Walking into the city gave the men ponies, zebras, griffin heads turning to looked at them. Which also brought upon awkward silence among them. And inaudible whisper among the locals.

Past Tale made a beeline for the Followers of the Apocalypse tents. Which was also their headquarters. Past Tale told the men to wait outside, not wanting to startle anyone inside.

She entered and asked a unicorn stallion, "Uhm-I need to see your boss."

"So sorry but she isn't here right now," told the stallion.

"I got a package to deliver. New Appleloosa said you ponies ordered it." informed her.

"Oh !" the stallion chirped, "Velvet have been waiting for someone to do this."

"Why can't you get someone else till' now ?" inquired the mare.

The stallion explained, "This isn't the kind of delivery anyone wants to do. You must got guts willing to do this."

Past Tale questioned once more, "Why's that ?"

"This came straight from Fluttershy," he told her as he pulled out paperwork, "You will deliver it to Ponyville."

Silent. Fuck me the beige mare thought.

She exit the tent with terrified expression carved onto her pony face.

"You look ill fraulien. What's the matter ?" asked the Medic with concern.

"I'm dead," she told them.

"Little pony is not dead," Misha emphasized the obvious.

"Going to be," she told them.

Dell said, "Why ? What happened ?"

"I got to deliver steak to Hellhound territory," she explained.

Demoman encouraged, "Ach it can't be that bad lass. We got ya cover."

"Didn't you hear what I said. Hellhound territory. Hellhound !" she shrieked, "Hounds !"

With the commotion outside, the stallion inside left the tent. He paused seeing the strange creature in front. He regained his composure.

He reassured the safety the delivery of the package. Explaining the expected of her journey. He convinced her of no harm would came upon her. The Hellhound of Ponyville weren't hostile he told her and the men.

She wasn't convinced.

The stallion said, "And besides its a sanctuary. Fluttershy is there also I'm sure she'll help you there."

Although there were risks and possibility of death she gave it a go. There was promise of caps. She needed those caps to cover the loss yesterday.

"And you got us !" boasted Jarvis.

She sighed and agreed to the given task. They walked through the town center and exit Junction Town from another end. As they left guards turn their heads on to another direction. To someone whistling and shouting about 'Light Bringer' and 'Stable Dweller'. They kept walking.


--- --- ---


Ponyville.

Once a peaceful village. Now was nothing but a collection of abandoned straw roofed houses. This was once the village where harmony resides. A home to Equestrias hero. This was what Past Tale knew.

What she also knew is that the place is crawling with Hellhounds. Creatures that were notorious with slicing ponies into bits with their sharp claws. Or turn anyone into ash. Or worse. She hated to think the consequences. From all of them, only she had encountered Hellhounds. But that time she lost, she ran.

From behind the some boulders she hid. And so does the six men.

"What 're we doin' ?" asked Dell.

She hushed the Ten-Gallon wearing man. Dell looked back at his team. They gave them a questioning look. He shrugged and everybody looked over his shoulder. Past Tale brought up her rifle and scanned the surrounding in front.

"Any volunteer ?" the beige mare asked.

The men turned their heads to the Boston youth.

"What ?" he said.

They all shoved him on to the open. With the package opened. He took a few step forward. Then halted. Something caught his attention between the shadows among the aging houses.

Behind those dark shadows something moved again. Scout didn't know where exactly. But he felt he was being watched. He held the package dearly. Bracing for the worst. He felt breathing on his foot.

He looked down. What he found wasn't something he was expecting. He had thought it would be a vicious dog that able to turned him into human sushi. Instead it was a puppy. He picked it up.

"Hey what'ca up to lil' guy ?" cooed the Bostonian.

He licked the young man. The beige mare didn't believe what she heard. She was expecting scream. She was expecting bloodcurdling scream. The beige mare took a peek. He saw the skinny man waved and cuddled with a puppy in his grasp. In an instant a shadowy figure appeared behind Scout as he continued to play with the young hound. Her face turned somber.

There was a blip on the Texan Pip-Boy.

"Oh there ya are !" the shadowy figure said, "I see you made a friend."

Scout stared at the figure. A mother Hellhound.

"My what happened to your fur ?" she asked the Scout, "all you got is skin. Are you sick ?"

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
> Canine Comrades
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Canine Comrades


WOOF! WOOF!


Fear.

An emotion best describe of being scared, horrified, petrified.

A feeling that had taken the lives of many. The thing that fueled suspicion towards others. One of many factors that detonated conflict. One that had snuffed the flames of uncountable conflict, and turn it into nothing but ash in a matter of seconds. The young Bostonian felt fear before, now and always will be. He knew he was afraid of many things. Some he shared, some he kept for himself. Most of the times he blanketed fear with ego.

But fear was also the Boston youngster's companion. A fuel he often use to power his body in creating distance between him and the things he was afraid of. In this case the creature that had appeared behind him. A creature that had sharpen claws, shark like teeth and horrible smell.

He sprint as fast as his thin leg would. In a direction unknown to him. As long as he was away from it he didn't mind. The screech he let aloud didn't spooked the creature away, instead it brought its kin outside the many houses he had passed. Scout's screamed louder.

One of the creature he was running from exited from the ground. Jarvis jumped above it. The Hellhounds of Ponyville weren't hiding, instead they investigated the high pitched tone that echoed through the street of their sanctuary. All they got was something running and screaming. To most of them it was one of their teens. But it gave them worry, as the alleged teenage hound was only skin.

The Boston youth kept running. With breath short, and sweat running down. His eyes moved left and right while he ran. Desperate search for somewhere safe to regain his breath. He found one. The Scout ran toward a building that retained a circular shape. Like many surrounding it, the building was olden, and in a condition which any one would labeled condemned. The building was barely roofed, the walls were violated with profanities written in paint. The fact the building was unsafe didn't stop the Boston youth taking shelter under its tattered roof and walls.

He ran through the door and swung it back closed. Scout then move furniture and debris in front of the door. Entrance blocked, he sat against a wall. Catching his lost breath slowly.

His heart beat began to slow. Sweat wiped from his face and forehead. He peeked outside through the broken windows of the structure. Outside, he can see a pack of Hellhound in front of a tree. 

WOOF! WOOF!

The Hellhound baby ran towards him. The young hound leaped to the Bostonian lap.

"Shut up, boy," Scout scolded, "you're gonna get me busted ya mutt."

A voice from the darkened end of the building said, "Rufus where are you ?"

"Crap !" cursed Jarvis softly.

"Lil' brother c'mon outside," cooed the mysterious voice.

The voice were followed by footsteps. Steps that were closing in to where the Scout was. Jarvis moved to a nearby wall, hiding just next to an open door way with bat at the ready. The steps came closer and louder, with all fell silent he could hear someone was breathing beside him. It was close. Seconds became eternity, sweat became cold, and muscle stiffened.

WOOF!

"Oh there.."

TWACK!

"Home freakin' run !" the Scout cheered.

The bigger hellhound was on the ground in a moment notice. But Scout's victory was short lived. Although the hound he had struck with a baseball bat had sustained injury, it wasn't enough to put it down. It came to its feet once more with a menacing growl and the mixture of saliva and blood running down the hound's mouth.

Scout stared at his still conscious opponent, he muttered, "this ain't good."

Within seconds he found himself outside. He had been thrown through a window with a souvenir intact to his tiny build. Wound on his chest. Ignoring the pain he grabbed his fallen cap and began to sprint once more. This time there was a big dog after him.

For the second time Scout's high pitched cry for help reached the ears of those who had taken cover behind a rock. This time they came out charging. Led by Jane Doe, with guns at the ready they ran to the pack of Hellhounds in front of a huge tree. The hounds readied their weapons also. The result was a stand-off between men and hounds. Then more hounds came bursting out of the ground, adding to those involved in the stand-off. Surrounding the men in red. Neither men or hounds let out a shot.

"Lower your guns !" commanded one of the hounds.

The men took notice of the capability of speech of the hound. Though they were pointing guns at them, the Texan noticed that at first his Pip-Boy had labeled the hounds with the color of green. Now, those green blips was blinking red and green.

"Surrender now maggots and you will not be harm !" the Soldier announced.

Past Tale saw her savior encircled by the horrendous creature. She began to panic. The beige mare was now faced with decisions.
If she was to ran in and began picking off the hounds, the chance of death would be one to one. She was sure of it. If she was to ran away and called for reinforcement. Her saviors would likely be minced meat by the time she got back. Her eyes closed and tear began forming.

"Damnit ! Damnit ! Damnit !" she rasped, "Why ? Why again ?"

She opened her tears ladened eyes. A white Hellhound had appeared in front of her. Her horn glowed and her magic found her rifle. The merchant mare aimed, her shot was stopped by sweet sounding voice that told her not to. It came from a pegasus right beside the hound.

"Oh, are you okay ?" the sweet voiced mare asked.

Past Tale didn't budge from her position, her magic still held the rifle pointing toward the hound's head. The pegasus mare plead for her to lower her weapon but the merchant weren't in a position to comply. Then the albino hound moved toward the encircled men.

"Take another step and I'll blow your fucking head off dog," Past Tale warned.

The albino hound told her, "You do that pony and you will not see them live."

She didn't answer. But kept the rifle trained at the Hellhound's head.

The pink maned pegasus told her, "Please, trust him."

The beige mare faced the pegasus with eyes still wet. The pegasus nodded. The merchant mare magic slowly dissipate and the albino hound approached the surrounded men.

"Brothers, lower your weapon," the albino hound commanded.

The other hounds slowly comply. Eventually, all of them lowered their wide range of weaponry. The team also lowered their weapons. The albino Hellhound greeted them politely by calling the men clad in red their brothers also, their furless brother.

"Uhm," Scout said, "If ya all finished with the introduction I can really use a hand over here."

They all looked up to the tree they were standing in front of. Above their heads, on one of the branch was Scout. Holding the aging wood like he depended on it. He was, until the hound that had chased him loose interest and took interest to the rest of Jarvis' team mates.

Soldier ordered him, "Get down here right now Scout !"

"Uh I'm kinda stuck here Soldier can't ya..."

Before he finished, Soldier shot the branch. It snapped and let gravity took the young man to meet the ground.

"I'm good," Scout informed with a thumb in the air. The thumbs up quickly fell.


--- --- ---


The tension between the men and the hounds was quickly blown away. The white furred hound had announced that they weren't hostile in any way. The guns were replaced by friendly paws. Men gave back the hounds friendly palms. But the beige mare was reluctant to do so. Avoiding any kind of contact with the dogs. The hounds took them inside a store as rain started pouring down on the run down little town.

One of the white one asked Dell, "Well I never seen my kin have so much skin before."

Dell answer the best he could, "Uhm....we ain't exactly yer kin either...I think."

"Oh my. What happened to your fur ?" asked the pink maned pegasus.

"Ma'am, we ain't got fur," Dell explained, "only hair."

"Oh my that isn't good we have to get you checked and..."

"Team have no fur," Misha said, "only hair since we were babies."

Demoman complimented, "Yer English get'in better lad."

Heavy gave the black cyclops his gratitude through a simple thanks.

"Uh... we never got fur ma'am only hair," the Engineer, "and we're called humans."

"Humans..."the albino hound said, "well this would be the first."

"Can you tell me your names, If you don't mind that is," told the yellow mare.

"Ma'h name's Dell," he pointed to the others, "this is Tavish, Misha, Jane, and Viktor. The one ye got on the bed is Jarvis."

"What strange names," said the albino hound, "but what were you doing here in the first place ?"

Dell told the hound their intention of being in Ponyville. The hound apologized about the incident not long ago. Over bottles of colas, they talked about Ponyville. Dell was the first to asked. He told Dell most of the hounds here came from Splendid Valley, when it blew up the survivors were scattered all around the Wasteland. That was until the yellow pegasus, Fluttershy as the hound said, round up his brethren and transformed Ponyville into the sanctuary it is now. With the help of the newly formed NCR they were able to extradite the Raiders in Ponyville. It was also the reason that raiders activity had increased outside but not inside Ponyville.

They shifted their talk. Before it could happen the light flickered and went off. The hound stood up and told them he had to check on the generator. Dell asked whether if he could tag along, wanting to help, but also curious. The hound considered the offer, it was rude for a host to ask for help from the guests, but it was Dell who offered it. He accepted his offer and let the short creature known as Dell to come with him.

"You guys will be goin' anywhere ?" asked Dell to the team.

"Negatory !" announced the Soldier.

The rest shook their heads. Dell along with the hound walked out of the building and to the downpour outside. Today was different, the day brought nostalgia to the many that now reside within Ponyville. It was like the olden days. The days before the rainbow swept over the Wasteland. Past days before Balefire on Splendid Valley. Rain and thunder that would go on days without end. Days lived in fear and violence.

After being completely soaked by the raging water from the sky, the white hound and Dell found a dry spot inside a house right across the shack that held the town's electricity source. Dell sat on a couch. His bottom didn't met cushion. He took his eyes to what was between him and the couch. Bones of a pony and another much smaller than the first. Quickly he removed himself from the skeletons. Dell turned on the light on his Pip-Boy and shone a light to the shadow in the house. 

The now Pip-Boy lit room revealed it's detail. The ceiling of the shelter they had took had paint chipping of it and in some spots water had seeped and dropped to the floor. The walls weren't in better condition either.

"The generator is just across the street," informed the albino hound.

Dell moved closer to the window the hound was looking from. He looked down to his Pip-Boy. The it showed him red blips just across the street. Dell turned his head to the hound. The hound just stared at him. The Engineer pointed to the direction of the shack and the hound followed the direction of the finger with his eyes. Swiftly they took cover behind the wall that held the window.

The Engineer pulled out his Rescue Ranger. He took a peek through the window, but it wasn't helping him. The darkening sky and rain didn't support visibility at the moment.

The hound asked, "See anything ?"

"Nope," the Engineer said.

Although there was nothing to see, Dell kept himself vigilant. Eyes trained on the shack. Lightning cracked. For a brief moment the street were lit up. They saw shadowy figures flanking the shack's door. Dell switch on the one feature his Pip-Boy had that he never used before. M.A.T.S.

All of it was new to the Texan. The screen zoomed and locked on to one of the dark figure across the street. He now knew that the figure was a four legged creature, as it was highlighted by his Pip-Boy, also decorated with percentage on each limbs. He thought it was just another pony.

"It's a pony," Dell told the hound.

The hound shook his head and said, "Ponies wouldn't venture this far into Ponyville."

There was a ruckus from the shack. Items being thrown and came clattering onto the floor, those sound reached the hound and Engineer pair of ears. 

"Human turn your lights off," the albino hound told Dell.

The light on Engineer's Pip-Boy went off. When it did, the shack door was left open and the fading sound of hooves was heard among the rain and thunder. The mysterious figures had disappeared and so did the red blips. Both hound and man ran to the shack intending to investigate what were those figures doing. Without hesitation Dell rammed the door in with his shoulder.

They found the shack painted in blood. Inside the small structure that held the generator now held more than source electricity, it held two dead bodies. One was a Hellhound in overall, the other was a pony, clad in brown armor. Both had sustained fatal wounds and the evidence where those wound originated can be found within the shack. The blood covered claws of the deceased hound explained the dead pony. The pistol clamped loosely on the dead pony mouth explained the lifeless hound.

"Fluttershy have to know about this," the albino hound said.


--- --- ---


Scout went back to the world of consciousness. The young man found himself staring at the ceiling. He removed the blanket and sat on the bed. He put his hand on to his chest, it wasn't met by skin. He found himself wrapped in bandages on his chest. He tried to stand up. But it brought only pain. He tried again.

Half naked, he rose from the bed searching for his duffle bag. He found it hanging on an old hat hanger. Jarvis went through his bag, buried under the many Bonk! Atomic Punch cans was his Luger. He found his bat and hat in the room but not his shirt. The Boston youth opened a dresser, then a cabinet. Still no shirt.

Armed with only his Luger, Scout opened the door that separate him from the outside. He looked left and right before entering the hallway.

"You're awake," said a soft voice.

Scout jumped and turned around aiming at the source of the voice. The source let out an 'eep'. It indicated Scout that whatever he was aiming at wasn't a Hellhound. He opened his eyes and found a pink maned pony that has wing. The Boston youth put away his weapon, and apologized.

"It's not your fault. I'm sorry if I scared you," Fluttershy apologized.

"Eh no sweat this guy ain't afraid o' nothin'," Scout boasted, then asked, "You seen my clothes anywhere ?"

"Your friend is sewing it downstairs," the yellow pony pointed out, "But you really shouldn't be going anywhere."

Scout said, "Don't worry I've had worse."

He thanked the pony and found himself the way downstairs. The Scout emerged from the stairs to found that the ground floor of the building was also dark. Only a few spot were candle lit. One of them is a booth containing the people he had worked with for several years. Some weren't there when he got there.

"Hey where's Engie and Solly ?" asked the Jarvis.

Misha answered, "Engineer...Dell is out. Checking the power generator," the burly Russian continued, "Soldier is in kitchen cooking dinner.

Tavish gave him a thumbs up. Then the albino hound came barging in. He asked where was Fluttershy. Everyone shrugged, not knowing where was the butter yellow pegasus.

"What does it look like ?" asked the Scout.

"Pink mane pony," the albino hound told him.

"Upstairs," Scout said pointing to the ceiling.

The hound made a beeline for the stairs and disappeared into the second floor. Then their helmeted team member emerged from the kitchen through a double door with cans of bean wearing an grimy apron. Soldier served his team mates their ration for the day, along with some food that he had found in the kitchen. Next to came out of the kitchen was a female hound, serving the same menu as Jane did to the other hound inside, beans. Before devouring his meal, Scout noticed there was white topping on his tomato sauce and beans.

He asked, "What's the white stuff all about ?"

"Medicine, I know you need it soldier," said Jane.

Scout then tend to his ration without any question. As he ate there was a hint of mint. The albino hound and Fluttershy came downstairs in a fast pace. Without noticing anyone what they were in a rush for, hound and mare exited the building. Seeing them ran outside, curiosity ran high, followed by fear. Shortly after they left the power came back and the lamps brightness filled the building once more.

Outside, the albino Hellhound and Fluttershy quickly traveled to the generator shack. They reached the shack to find the power had came back and the Texan near the generator.

Dell told them, "Ah' turned the power back on. Whoever tried to cut it off did a rookie job."

The hound and Fluttershy weren't interested in the generator at the moment. They were more intrigued by the lifeless bodies inside the shack. The pink maned pegasus recognize the hound he was living in Ponyville, once lived, she corrected. The albino hound noticed the fact that the hound belonged to the sanctuary. Their junior mechanic. The dead pony, recognized by the armor attached, was a member of NCR.

The thought any member of the New Canterlot Republic military attacking Hellhounds this close to Ponyville was far fetch. They wouldn't kill a hound inside Ponyville, it was in the term of agreement Fluttershy had laid down to the NCR president, the albino hound thought. But yet the evidences were all in front of their eyes.

"They couldn't..." Fluttershy wept a little, "they wouldn't..."

The Engineer examined the scene. The Texan smelled something fishy. He sensed the scene he beheld wasn't natural. The wrench-beater kept examining area between the lifeless bodies.

"Somethin' ain't right here," he announced.

The albino hound gave him an odd look.

"Tell us what are seeing that we're not," the albino pleaded.

The Engineer asked, "Did ya hear any gunshot ?"

"No," the albino hound admitted.

The Engineer pulled away the gun clamped on the dead pony's mouth. He tried putting his fingers on to a firing position, it didn't work as the design didn't support the current wielder appendages. The Texan then ejected the gun's magazine and examined the round ready fire. He found that it was a caliber 12.7mm round, or a .50 Cal as he commonly called.

Dell let out a whistle and said, "This thing can blew anyone's brain out."

"And your point is ?" the albino hound inquired.

Dell explained, "This kinda bullets fits in a machine gun. Anyone stupid enough to be in front one o' these gonna have a really bad day. That ain't happenin' to yer friend there."

The albino hound raised a brow. He knew about guns, but he specialized in energy weapons. Anything concerning bullets wasn't really his forte. Dell gave him the pistol. He disassembled it. It was recently fired.

"Recently it maybe. But it sure ain't 'ere," Dell told the hound.

"Where are you going with this ?" the hound asked.

"Ah'm sayin' is that the pony didn't kill yer kin." He pointed out, "If he did. Yer friend's head would be gone by now."

It was true. The dead hound head was still intact with an hole between his dead eyes. It wasn't messy, rather it was a clean shot with no exit wound. There was no blood splattered on the wall behind the lifeless hound. Dell continued his explanation, unbeknownst to him he was saving a relationship. He told them that there was no way that the bullet in the deceased NCR trooper pistol would made that small of a hole on the dead hound's forehead.

"Then who did it ?" asked Fluttershy.

"That's the million dollar question." Dell added, "Ah' can get Mr. Viktor to check what happened fer ya ?"

"You do that," the albino hound told him.

Dell quickly departed from the shack back to the store where his team had gather. It was then Fluttershy and the albino hound alone in the shack. The former Ministry mare investigate the body of the dead NCR buck. She found an oddity on him, although she hated the sight of blood the yellow mare looked around the corpse. She was a little surprised when she didn't found any tag on the body. It was getting stranger by the minute.

The Engineer shortly returned with Medic following. He told what he knew so far about the scene and let the unlicensed doctor tend the scene. Viktor first observed the scene from afar then examined the wounds on each creatures. There were several 'ooh' and 'ah's emitted by the Medic. Fluttershy and the albino hound can only watch as the man in lab coat worked.

"I have come up with a conclusion," Medic announced.

Dell said, "Shoot it Doc."

"The cause of death for both is broken cervical spine," he informed them.

Dell and the hound stared dumbfounded.

Fluttershy said, "You mean their neck was broken."

"I'm impressed zhat something such as you know this. Yes their neck vas broken, ze bullet hole and gaping vound is just decoration," Medic told them.

"You're saying they weren't killed here ?" the albino hound asked.

"Ahaha. No, but zer is a possibility they were. But to know how did these two came here isn't within my range of skills." Medic said.

"I'm just glad it wasn't them." Fluttershy then told them, "We should give them a proper burial."

"We will," the hound agreed.


--- --- ---


Dell and Viktor came back to the store all soaked in rainwater. Both of them sat in the booth next to the others as it was fully occupied. Soldier cam and gave them their ration. Seeing that the Ten-Gallon wearing Texan had returned, Past Tale hopped off the booth and sat on where the Engineer and Medic was sitting. She ate her given meal in silent.

After diner was done, Scout gave the marinated Brahmin meat to the female hound that had served dinner. She then gave him caps which half of it snatched with the beige mare magic.

"Hey! I earned those caps!" Scout complained.

"I made the deal," she coldly stated.

Hearing how the mare said those word Scout said okay and back downed. He thought it was fair either way. Without the right connection he wouldn't be making those bottle caps as he would selling Tom Jones merchandises. The beige mare then moved towards the only creature she would gladly talked to.

"Thank you for everything but we have to go," she told Fluttershy.

"You shouldn't. It's dark and still raining out there." She offered, "I can give you a place to stay If you want."

"Thanks but no thanks," she declined.

The yellow pegasus said, "I insist. And that friend of yours is still healing."

"Can you just give him a healing potion or something ?" the beige mare asked.

"I wish I could but I'm not familiar with your friend kind," Fluttershy told Tale. "And beside Dell fixed the generator. Giving you and them a place to stay is the least I could do."

Past Tale looked back at the men in red. Friends. A word she hadn't heard in a long while. But she was unsure whether if she could afford another friend. Let alone six.

"I guess we could spend the night here," she said.

"I'll take you to your rooms," Fluttershy told her.

Following the pink maned mare outside into the rain. All six men and a mare walked to the the direction of another building. Another rundown looking building that was once an inn for travelers alike. The lobby was, like most the buildings in Ponyville, dark, dusty, creaky-floored and old. Fluttershy lit a candle and led them upstairs where their rooms were located.

All of the men picked a room. Except Jane who insisted on sleeping outside in the hall. But the rooms wasn't for one each. Viktor and Misha was in one room, Tavish and Jarvis ended up sleeping together. Dell and Past Tale took another.

Inside the room, Dell undressed himself until boxer short and shirt. He quickly flopped on to the bed and fiddled with his Pip-Boy once more. The bed was for two and Past Tale would have to share it with Dell in order to dwell the realm of dreams. She climbed the bed and lay beside the wrench beating Texan.

"You've been quiet lately. Anythin' botherin ya ?" Dell asked.

She answered, "It's nothing."

"Ya can tell me if ya want," Dell offered.

At first the mare hesitated. What was bothering her was something terrible. Something that had to do with the Hellhounds. She wanted her story to be heard. But the time and place wasn't the correct one at the moment. Yet there was the urge to do do. She turned her vision towards Dell.

"Can you...do that thing with my mane again ?" she asked.

"Uh...sure," Dell answered hesitantly.

The Engineer did what he was asked for. The Texan began combing the mare's mane, then his hand traveled downward and gave the beige pony a neck message. She was enjoying it. He was enjoying it.

Past Tale suddenly said, "I'm going to tell you what's bothering me. But promise me you're not gonna tell anyone else."

"Ah'm good at keepin' secret," he smirked.

She started the tale of a pony who had been close to her. The mare told Dell about the adventure of roaming another part of the wasteland that wasn't here. An adventure of scrapping history. A journey about a mare and a stallion jumping from one place and another to make a living out of anything they could find in the once irradiated land they called home. They weren't just selling scrap and junk but also stories held within those items held. Alas, those days ended with hound's claws through her companion's neck.

Their conversation went on through the night. The topics changed from time to time. From about the Wasteland to a little about the Badlands. At one point Dell told her the stories about killer robots. She had heard of them before. Unfortunately for her most gone unheard as her eyes became heavy and drifted into the realm of unconsciousness. The realm of dreams. Luna's realm.
 
> Ranger Rouser
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ranger Rouser





Morning.

The sun shines and its ray bathed everyone and everything on the Wasteland.

A gift given it was. A gift that was acquired in the path of violence, loss, grief and sacrifice. A gift that that went missing and was given back.  One which will be treasure always.

The golden rays penetrated through an unbroken window at the end of a hallway. It struck the back of a man, casting shadow that blanketed the hallway on the second story of the inn. The man stood unmoving, face shaded with the helmet he wore.

Two adolescence hound observed quietly from around the top corner of the stairwell. Watching the unmoving alien that is the Soldier. They had been looking at the veteran combatant from the break of dawn, even after they left for chores given by the yellow pony, the creature hadn't moved an inch. Being young, many things were new to them which led to curiosity.

"C'mon Pawl do it !" told one Hellhound to another.

"You sure about this Rockie ?" asked Pawl, "what if he tries to kill me. You saw what the skinny one did to Rufus' brother."

"That was different c'mon." Rockie taunted, "What's the matter you chicken ?"

Insulted, the young hound named Pawl slowly approached the unmoving alien. His heart beat faster as he came close. He wasn't sure what he was afraid of, but it brought out sweat from his body. Uncertainty of future events clouded Pawl's mind, millions of scenarios came in and out of his trail of thought. Questions concerning of what would happen after he interacted with the creature that stood at the end of the hallway. He regretted accepting that dare.

Unknowingly, he had walked to the creature he didn't know. There were just inches between Pawl and Jane Doe. The young hound froze, petrified at the distance between him and it. He did not dare too look up. He looked back at the stairwell. Rockie was still there with expression of disbelieve, but gave nod. Against what his emotion told him not to do, Pawl moved his vision upward.

Before the hound did what he was supposed to do, the creature grabbed a bugle from its belt. Jane Doe played a tune on his bugle. A tune he was familiar with. A tune which awaken his co-workers many times whether they wanted to or not. But this morning, his music awaken more than his team mates.

Dell woke up to the sound of Jane's bugle. He groaned, irritated at the rude awakening. An attempt to sat on the bed was foiled by the sleeping mare's head resting on the Texan stomach. Avoiding waking up the slumbering pony, Dell let his ears be assaulted by the bugle tune and laid back down on the bed once more. It didn't last long as the beige mare woke up to the same sound. Her eyes blinked several time and looked at Dell.

She complained, "Does Jane do this every morning ?"

"Nope. Not every mornin'." Dell pointed out, "You got somehin' on yer face."

Past Tale wiped the saliva from the corner her muzzle and jumped out of bed. She put on her saddlebag, eager to leave the hound populated town. The Engineer put on his ten-gallon and his hang dried red shirt, then pulled out the red toolbox containing the Dispenser from beneath the bed. Then slung his Rescue Ranger to rest on his back then check on his Pip-Boy. The time said quarter to seven . Both mare and engineer heard a commotion outside, voice belonged to the Boston youth penetrated the walls.

"So where we goin' next ?" asked Dell.

"I'm going to Tenpony. Maybe pick up a few jobs there," Past Tale said.

"Why don't cha' asked fer job back in that town...uhm..." He checked his Pip-Boy, "Junction R-7."

"Nah. NCR wouldn't have a job for me right now," she explained.

"Why not ?" Dell inquired.

"Well the day I met you people. I was carrying NCR's last caravan. One of them anyway." she explained, "With the thing out west, Hoofington and the 'raider cycle'. NCR won't take chances with its caravan."

"Raider cycle ?" Dell questioned her.

"Yup, that's what we call 'em." Past Tale informed Dell, " Some Raiders are nomadic bunch who are...well mad. Usually they come back to where they came from after a while."

"So they just spin 'round in circle," Dell hypothesized.

"A big circle I should add." she told the Engineer, "That's why I got my flank handed before you guys went in."

"Ya know. you know a lot," praised the Texan.

"That's the reason for my hot flank ain't it," she said.


--- --- ---


With the sun now brightly visible and midway to zenith, it was their time to leave Ponyville. Breakfast was cooked by the humongous Russian. Men and mare gave thanks to Fluttershy and the albino hound for everything they had offered. They traded waves of goodbye as six men and trader mare made distance from the hound sanctuary.

"What a strange bunch they are," said Fluttershy as she waved a hoof.

"Indeed they are." the hound asked the yellow mare, "Did you saw the red lightning ?"

By the time Ponyville wasn't visible with just an eyesight, the sun was beating down hard on the Wasteland. Mare and men walked without much protection of concentration of vapor known as clouds. None of these bothered them, all of them had experienced this situation many times before.

As they walked only the Boston youth was making a sound, and annoyance. Scout was yelling at their veteran combatant about putting drug into his ration the other night. The 'white stuff' as Jarvis recalled. He told Jane about being unable to sleep through out the night, and waking up to the tune of Jane's bugle. All of them were remarks of complaints.

They followed the beaten, tattered, sun baked road that was marked by the Engineers Pip-Boy as a road. It was far from a road and leaned towards a dirt path.

"How far is this 'Tenpony' anyway ?" asked Dell.

"It's only a half day walk. I've been through here thousands of times," she stated.

"Alrighty then," Dell asked once more, "Anyway that can tell us if we're close ?"

"Tune in your radio," she said.

Dell activated his Pip-Boy integrated radio. At first the thing they heard was a song mid-way through its performance on air, then it was replaced by the host's voice.

"Gooooood morning children ! It's that time of the day again and it is time for the news."

"There have been reports of an alien sighting in the town of New Appleloosa. Also NCR sources have been tellin' DJ-Pon3 that there will be no caravan operation 'till next week. Well it seems I'm not getting that new toaster anytime soon."

"And the weather...sunny with patches of cloud here and there.Thanks for listening children. Now back to the music."

"We're almost there," the pony announced.

As they followed the four legged roving trader, the scenery changed. Approaching Tenpony, the empty, never ending view of dried, scorched earth was replaced with houses. The sign of an urban sprawl was visible, left and right was once homes to ponykind, what was left now was barely standing walls, construction debris and the occasional fridges and bath tub left laying among the ruins. But not all was in a condition beyond reconstruction, some survived the blast two-hundred years ago. Their windows and doors were boarded. All that left standing were memoir of the past.

The group moved deeper into the suburban area, where houses were replaced by abandoned stores. The scenery was no different from the previous. Shattered windows, debris on the street and ponies skeleton lay about on a bus shelter. The Engineer checked his Pip-Boy once more, the map told him where he was. Some place called Fetlock.

Scout's rambling came to halt as Soldier's palm sealed the young man's mouth. Jane told everybody to stop. He pulled out his shotgun and ran to a nearby alleyway, the rest followed.

Tavish asked, "What 're ye seei'n lad ?"

"Robots !" Jane answered in a hushed tone.

"What ?!" let out everybody else.

The men tensed at hearing the word. Past Tale didn't, instead he was confused at how were her saviors reacted to hearing the presence of metallic machines. But she remembered that there were no robots in the area, and never been one, deactivated robots was a possibility, she thought.

The beige mare asked, "What kind of robot is it ?"

Jane took a peek on to the street, and reported, "Four legged, with miniguns. They're trying to make us think they're farm animals !"

"Wait. What..."

Before the beige mare could asked again Soldier had already hollered an ear piercing battle cry. The helmeted man ran towards the two 'robots' with shotgun barrel pointing at them. Expecting the worse, Dell deployed his Dispenser and beat it several times with The Jag.

The 'robots' did heard Jane's shouting and began spinning their armor attached minigun. Hail of lead were sprayed toward Jane Doe, he did a roll and took cover behind a pile of debris. 

When the bullet storm halted, he emerged from cover and began spraying pellets at the  two 'robots'. None of the shells fired penetrated the metallic figures, instead one of them ran for cover and the other one aimed the multiple barreled weapon at Jane.

"HEEEYAAAAAA!!!!!"

Before the four legged metal laden figure could fire his deadly barrage, a hurricane of bullets impacted on its armor. It left dents and scratches, but some went through it. 

The metallic figure let out a howl of pain and collapsed in the middle of the street. Heavy stopped firing because the beige mare was running in front of him. She galloped towards her helmeted savior, she bit and yanked Jane's tail. The man with helmet flanked by a pack of cigarette and an ace of spade land bottom first to the street.

She shouted, "What are you CRAZY! That's an Applejack Ranger you're shootin' !"

She took a moment, recollecting her breath. Then the beige mare realized what she had done. She yanked the man's tail. Jane's tail. But she didn't remember any tail among the men. She spat and screamed. Their habit was rubbing on her.

The other metallic figure stepped out of its cover. It fired four missiles that landed feets behind Past Tale. The explosion rocked downtown Fetlock. Seeing the pony disappeared among the rising dust, Dell sprung into action. He left the alleyway with Rescue Ranger aimed towards the four legged metallic figure.

BLAM! Sh-clack BLAM! Sh-clack

The guns ammunition didn't hit the flesh hidden beneath the steel, but the brightly colored shell marked where he had hit it.

Dell yelled, "Demo! Stickies on tha' target !"

The Scottish cyclops pulled out the Scottish Resistance. He aimed high and pulled the trigger twice. The spiked explosives soared through the air, it arched down to the ground, landing close to the armor laden figure. Explosion and smoke followed not long after.

Dell signaled an all clear to those who were still hiding on the alleyway. Jarvis, Viktor and Tavish ran out from their cover and followed Dell. Running to aid Past Tale and Jane Doe. Dell plowed through the dust and smoke first. He found Jane, unmoving but breathing, his condition wasn't surprising at all, just shrapnel cuts here and there, injuries that the veteran combatant was familiar with.

The same can't be said to the pony they rescued. Past Tale had sustained a much heavier injuries, most of body was covered in blood and breathing in short and unsteady rhythm, Dell couldn't tell how bad, but the amount of blood pouring out told him it was bad enough.

He did the only thing he could to mend her condition, "MEDIC !"

Dell tried putting his arm on the wound, applying pressure to the wound in attempt to at least slowed the amount of crimson liquid leaking out of the mare. He called again, the Medic didn't arrived. The Texan turned his head, only to be greeted by Scout, Medic and Demoman, standing with hands in the air. He focused back on stopping the bleeding.

He looked forward and up. There were more of that mysterious, steel masked and armored figure on roof tops, alleyways and at both ends of the street. They were saying something, he didn't heed to what those words were.

THWACK !

Dell went down.


--- --- ---


The sensation of a thousand knife punctured the Texan cranium. He winced, trying to numb the pain. He fully recovered the function of his eyes and nothing was a blur anymore. Dell found himself in a room, a small room, and laying on the floor . Plastered to the walls was posters, worn and yellowed, depicting a pony chasing after a ball. The wrench beater tried to moved his arm, they were tied. With motion over his two most useful limb crippled, Dell sat and wait.

Waiting didn't do him any good. The Texan stood up and walked to the door, there wasn't any handle. Dell thought it must be an automatic door, like ones he would find in a mall or offices. He waited, still nothing happened.

Inside, alone with nothing to do but listen to an electrical hum that was coming from the walls, the Southern man put his ears to the door. There wasn't much to listen to, except for the hum, and unfamiliar voices beyond the room.

"Let me talk to this one, please ?" begged one of the voices.

"I agree. Let her do the talking. Maybe this one will answer," said another.

A different one said, "Give her a chance will ya !"

"I would like to, but you heard what Paladin White Lance said," said someone else.

The first voice said, "Look the 'thing' you got locked up in there is probably someone from a Stable. Hell, I'm sure it came from a Stable !"

The other supported, saying, "The thing got a Pip-Buck for Luna's sake !"

There was a grunt, then voice that disagreed told the rest, "Fine ! If Lance knows about this you're on your own. And I will not come galloping if one you got hit by a shovel !"

Then the door slid open.

Dell Conagher's face met the cold floor first. The first thing he saw was a metal pole with red lining at the bottom. Something held his head and turned it to face one of the 'robots' Jane had attacked. Dell's goggle covered eyes bore into the black visor, and whatever behind that visor bore back into the Engineer.

It commanded, "Get up !"

Dell stood up. Only to received a swift and powerful kicked to the chest by the four legged, armored, visor-wearing figure.The Texan flew and hit the wall, and fortunately landed on the bed. Dell writhed in pain, clutching the spot where he had been bucked. The one that kicked him left the vicinity, and two other entered. One of the armored figure approached the beaten Texan, and administered a colored liquid into his system. Dell felt the wave of pain in his chest subsided, but didn't disappeared.

He thanked the metal figure, "Much oblige."

"Don't thank me. It is my job after all." the metallic figure asked with a feminine voice, "So which Stable did you and your friends came from ?"

Dell told them, "Sorry to disappoint ya'll but I didn't came from a Stable."

"You hav'ta came from a Stable. I mean you got your own Pip-Buck," said the other one standing nearby.

"A Pip-Boy. And why am I being held anyway ?" he demanded an answer.

Both mystery figure revealed themselves through detaching their helmet. They were turned out to be ponies, minus the horn. One was a buck with coat of mariner blue and bright orange mane. The other was a mare, wine red mane and coat colored off white.  Dell was amazed at the fact that these ponies had created such protective device.

"Well you're being held cuz someone one of our shot our patrol," the Ranger buck explained. "And you are in the middle of it."

The mare said, "Its not you is it ?"

"Kinda... but I ain't the one started it," Dell answered sheepishly.

"Any idea who they might be ?" the buck questioned further.

Dell admitted, "Ah' hate tha' snitch but ya'll ain't robots after all. It was Jane."

"Who ?" both ponies asked.

"Did ya bring in the one wearin' a helmet ?" Dell inquired.

The buck facehoofed saying, "Should've known."

"If you don't mind me asking. Who are you anyway ?" the Engineer questioned.

Neither of the ponies in armor could answered when their superior came barging in. He shouted, "Get yourselves topside !" He saw his subordinate were disobeying order, but it didn't matter there was something more important. The mare and buck left in a hurry, but Paladin White Lance stayed, he approached the Engineer and said, "Whatever you are, go topside too !"

"Ain't I suppose to stay here," Dell informed him. "Ah'm all tied up an' everything."

"Well now you're not," the steel clad pony told him. He took off his helmet and visor, with his teeth he unsheathed a combat knife strapped to the armored hind leg. The Paladin then went to slice the rope that tied the Texan arms together. He gave Dell a warning, "But If you try to run I'm going to make sure a bullet went through to your head."

Dell understood, "Gotcha' "


--- --- ---


The sound of lead being fired was around them, bullet was flying in only two direction, theirs and whoever shooting them. But it didn't made sense, their opponent grasped on an advantage to pull the trigger and rain led everywhere, without having to stop. They were forced to take cover over a five minutes ago, and still they were suppressed, not able to move an inch. Some had tried, they ended up forced to meet a hail of bullets. Normally a shot or two wouldn't pass through their protective barding, but a hundred being projected on to just one pony was something else. Applejack's Ranger can only sit and wait. Listening to the threat thrown by their opponent.

"KEEP HIDING ITTY BITTY TINY ROBOTS !" Heavy roared.

The Dell crawled out of manhole with the armored pony that had let him loose. On the surface, he realized bullet was whizzing all over, he held his hat and crouched. Dell followed Lance to an overturned dumpster, to greet them was three other ponies in heavy barding.

"What's the situation soldier ?!" Paladin White Lance demanded.

The ranger being questioned replied, "Not good, sir !" He explained, "The hostile is in that dead end alley. And seems to have an endless supply of ammo."

White Lance asked again through the roar of Sasha, "Any casualty ?!"

"Knight Night is bleeding, Rusty is out of ammo and Sterling's guns is out of action, Crusader Repo's squad retreated to the cab depot," he reported.

"Where the hell is your commanding officer ?!" Lance asked without politeness.

"Crusader Rally and the rest is taking sniping position above the grocery store," the Ranger told him.

Dell locked his sight above a building with a fruit and vegetable for a sign. It was true, there were armor covered ponies above it, with firearms. How do these ponies held guns, Dell didn't know, a unicorn with their magic he had witnessed, but those who weren't puzzled him. Maybe it's in the design he thought.

"How do you shoot a rifle ?" Dell asked.

"Is he for real ?" asked the Knight hiding behind the dumpster.

"Yup. How do you pull the trigger ?" Brandishing his fingers to the two ponies the Texan stated, "You don't have any o' these."

"We pull the trigger with hooves, any pistols and battle saddles with our mouth," explained Lance.

With information received, realization struck Dell, they were going to shoot Heavy. But the Russian didn't got shot although snipers had taken position, instead Heavy saw them and shift his six-barrel, lead spewing machine at those at the roof. The Ranger with the rifle was taken by surprise and was forced to flee from the ledge of the rooftop, letting the sniper rifle to drop down to the street.

Dell tried to hatch a plan without getting shot. Screaming for cease fire wasn't in the list, with Heavy's Minigun firing, his voice would only be dampened. Shooting him the leg only agitate him further. Without warning, Paladin White Lance broke cover and galloped to the fallen rifle, his action made Misha to shift fire. He reached it without receiving a round, but now he was stuck, blocked by a never ending hurricane of led.

White Lance had no other option. The Paladin slid the scoped weapon towards the dumpster. And was caught by Dell's foot. He mouthed a no, he was afraid that the alien was going to use it on him and the soldier behind the dumpster. To his surprise, it didn't instead the red clothed, two legged, hat wearing thing stood in the open.

Holding the rifle was awkward. It lack of a trigger guard, and the trigger itself was strange in design, then again it wasn't meant to be used by him. Although he wasn't as good compared to one of his missing co-workers, Dell peered through the scope.

BLAM

It struck his Dispenser and caught the attention of a brother of three sisters. Misha shifted again, but didn't fire.

"Engineer !" he shouted.

Knowing the enemy had stopped the barrage the armor laden ponies emerged out of cover, guns trained at the big Russian, but the Paladin intervened, "Hold your fire !" he commanded.

Engineer told his huge member of the team, "Simmer down Heavy, they ain't robots."

Heavy complied.


--- --- ---


Back underground, Dell took a look at what a Stable looked like. He was given a little tour while heading to his holding cell along with Misha. The tour was given by the mare that had talked to him earlier. She felt bad about holding the strange creature and his companion back to captivity. But orders are orders.

They walked through winding hallways, unlike when he went back topside through the elevator. He saw many things but mainly ponies in armor with an apple red stripes went about their duties.

Dell passed another room, through a glass window he saw, on an operating table lay the pony he had found inside her own wagon. Past Tale was unmoving,  bloody bandage all over her body. Dell gasped.

"I'm sorry," apologized the mare Ranger.

There was concern in Dell's tone as he said, "Will...she be alright."

"I don't know," she said and sighed in disappointment of not knowing.

Dell stood, watching the beige mare that was beyond his reach. He put a hand on the glass pane, and muttered, "Please let her be okay." Heavy put one of his large arm on the short Texan shoulder.

Misha gaze pierced through Dell's goggle. It was seemingly cold, no muscle on the Russian face moved, but Dell knew that it was a reassuring gaze.

The Russian, the Texan and the Ranger mare continued their journey to the living quarter, back to the room that would serve both men prison. As they approached their cell, a disturbance was in progress. Sound of shouting, arguing and loose items being thrown about was audible as they got closer to their prison. They arrived to found Rangers had been waiting in front of the door way to the room next to theirs.

"I WASN'T CAPTURED BY YOU CLANKING MAGGOTS," Soldier yelled from the room, unseen by both Dell and Misha. "I VOLUNTEERED !"

Two Rangers came flying out of the room with bottles of beer following them, right on to the wall of the Stable's residential space. A team of Ranger pushed a shield that was almost as tall as the ceiling, a make-shift shield created with material including some of the Stable's paneling. They sealed the room with the barrier and their bodies, denying freedom to the irritated prisoner. It didn't stop Jane from trying.

As the high-barrier vibrated and clanged, one of them told Dell, "YOU ! Get your friend to calm down and you'll be freed !" Misha and Dell, couldn't believe their luck and looked at each other. "JUST MAKE THAT THING STOP !"

Dell said, "Took of your helmet and open the door."

All the Applejack's Ranger present stared at each other, Dell couldn't see it but they were trading looks of disbelief to how simple the solution was. There was a momentary pause, the group holding Jane at bay had seen the thing took out several of their own, mostly through a shovel slapped on to the helmet. But they did it anyway, opened the door, stayed back and hoped that no shovel came swopping to their face.

Emerging from his room Jane asked, "WHERE ARE THOSE METAL SCUM ?!"

Dell lied, "They're gone Soldier."

"I swear if I ever found them again, I will strangle each and every one of them good-for-nothing metal maggots with their own WIRING !" he announced.

The situation had subsided, the Rangers cranked down their hostilities towards Jane, but their Star Paladin was still disgruntled and ashamed at how one opponent was able to sent so many of his troops with a weapon that was considered a tool. Though they avoid ed charges, Dell and Misha were sent to the room where the Texan had been held, accompanied by the mare that had talked to Dell previously.

Dell asked her, "Why are we still bein' held ?"

She explained the situation, "You're not entirely released. That's the Elder's decision."

The Texan asked again, "Alright. But ah' wanna know where's the others ?"

"The others ?" she asked him, hooves tapping her chin.

"Skinny one, one wearin' a coat and another with an eyepatch," Dell informed.

"Oh, them. They're just down the hall," she told Dell "The one with the eyepatch is with uhm... who was it ?"

"Jane," said Dell.

"Right." She told Dell, "I'll let you see that pony if you want to."

"I'd like that, " he replied. "But isn't this a military installation or something."

"Oh no, this was used to be a Stable, we're just using it as headquarters," the mare explained. "C'mon," the mare led the Russian and Texan out of their prison. They retraced their steps, passing many more ponies clad in heavy armor, painted with lines of red.
Arriving in front clinic, the medical personnel told them that there were not to be admittance to the operating floor, which include the whole clinic. Dell can only watch from behind the window, as the mare he rescued were wrapped in bandages and attached to tubing that injected medical liquids into her system. Dell put his palm on the glass.

On the contrary from the time Engineer and Heavy went down to their cell, the clinic was now filled with more patient, most of them were sent there because Jane had beat them with his shovel. How the Soldier had beaten them through their thick armor, Dell had no idea.

"Again, I'm sorry," apologized the Ranger mare.

Her apology was answered with silent, and she turn to gaze the floor.

"Can you bust one of ma'h colleague outta jail ?" Dell requested.

The mare turn to faced those goggle covered eyes with an expression of disbelieve. What this alien creature requested was beyond her ability. It would be treason to bust out a detainee. "I can't do that," she told the ten-gallon wearing creature.

"Ah' mean bring 'em up here," Dell corrected.

"I'll have to ask Paladin White Lance..."

Dell interrupted, "That ain't gonna work, just Mr. Viktor up here, don't tell yer officer about this."

"But.."

"Bring Doktor here. He will fix sick ponies," the huge Russian told the mare.


--- --- ---


Another room, another pair of men. The sound of footsteps never ends, only at one point it paused, only to continue to sound. It roam the confined space back and forth with impatience. The footsteps was not alone, accompanied by dings on the metal walls, as baseball reflected on its cold, hard surface.

"Doc, relax will ya," the Bostonian suggested.

The Medic stopped, and looked at the young man who was laying on the bed, he told Scout, "How you are able maintain positive thoughts in these situation always intrigued me." the Scout gave a smirk of thanks, Medic answered back, "But this is not ze right time to do so !"

"Fine do whatever ya wanna do," Jarvis said. "Hey you got more one o' them aspirin Jane gave me last night ?"

"Aspirin ?" Viktor asked. "I have no such thing, but I do found something similar vhen ve were in that town," Medic reach to one of his belt-pouch and threw out tin for the Boston youth to catch. Scout revealed what it held, small tablets of white.

He asked, "You know what it does ?"

Medic answered, "Nein."

Suddenly the door to their prison slid open. A white mare with wine red mane stood on the door way, clad in armor, she asked, "Which one of you is...Victor ?" Medic hesitantly raised his hand. She said, "Please follow me."

The German doctor left the Bostonian alone in the room. He was led by the mare to the clinic where his short colleague and the burly Russian had anticipated his arrival. He asked, "So vhat are ve doing here ?"

Dell point to the direction of the clinic.

"But Herr En..I mean Herr Conagher, ze battery is almost depleted," he informed the Texan.

"It's okay these ponies need it more than us right now" Dell informed him.

"But if ve ran out..." Medic asked skeptically.

"Tiny ponies are ill, they need medicine," answered Misha.

"If ze battery runs out," Medic gulped. "I vill have to utilize alternative methods."

"All you gotta do is make those ponies feel better," Dell simply told.

Medic turned to the patients beyond the window, "Vell I never experiment on horses."

The man of medicine opened the clinic door, there was a shout of denial to his entry, but he ignored it. Pushing through the medical team of Stable 29 Applejack's Ranger and saying that he was a qualified physician, the Medic stood by the bed that held the beige mare, and readied his healing apparatus.

To the clinic crew, it looked like the strange being was going to shoot the unicorn mare, they alerted the rest of the Rangers. When they arrived, the healer had already pulled the trigger. Instead of gunfire and death, a beam of red gently approached and touched the beige mare. Below the cover of blood soaked bandages, wounds were mended, fur grew, and consciousness regained. Viktor turned to the injured Rangers. Their bruises and cuts disappeared in an instant.

"Where am I ? " moaned the beige mare.
> Blistering Blue Barnacles
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


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."

> With the Navy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


With the Navy


Yes, you can sail the seven seas


The hull was silent, the stale air hung low within it. Flickering lights watched over the empty interior, a void unoccupied for more than two centuries. A hull straddled by lifelessness and noiselessness. Contrary to the hull was the bridge, a section of the vessel that was recently occupied after being left vacant for more then two hundred years. It was buzzing with lives, seven to be exact, six of them weren't native to the dock, in fact they were technically aliens.

The voice from the PA system denied, "No."

"But what do you need it for? I mean you're not going anywhere with it," Past Tale said.

"You won't understand it honey," called a different voice from the speaker.

"Did you just call me honey ?" Past Tale questioned.

There was a momentary silence among men, mare and ship. Never in their life a battleship had the ability to speak, nor to flirt with a unicorn. Still panting were Scout and Demoman, their faces were pale. Seeing Scout as pale as snow was normal, fighting for a manor with it's own chapel and cemetery proved that, but Demoman wasn't one to be easily spooked. He had fought a wizard before.

"Get a hold of yerself son," Dell shook Scout, "Tell me what happen and where the hell is Solly ?"

Scout slowed down his panting and came with a much clearer answer, "Zombies *pant* downstairs *pant* shooting laser beams *pant* "

What Scout said didn't make sense, but Dell pressed for more answer, "And where's Jane ?"

"Gone*pant*turn to ash," told Jarvis.

Still skeptical about what Scout had said, Dell told the Bostonian and the Scotsman to maintain position within the bridge. He then signaled Misha and Viktor to follow him into the hull of the vessel. Climbing down the steep steps was proven to be difficult with little illumination, their progress of retrieving their comrade was slow. Each step they took was echoed back by tons of steel that surrounded them. Although what the Boston youth didn't make sense, 'zombies shooting laser beams' was enough warning for Dell to tread with cautious within the hull.

Beside their echoed steps, the other thing that was loudly audible was silent. It was all around, an ambience of death, void, and loneliness. And because of that finding Soldier wasn't easy as he was always the loudest among the team, beside Scout that is.
Reaching another corner in the steel maze they roamed, the stillness was shattered an echo that wasn't from their boots. It sounded again, and again.

Dell, Misha and Viktor readied their respective weapon, with the Russian taking the lead, the group moved closer to the source of the sound. They had thrown stealth overboard with the Heavy spinning his Minigun, walking in a slug's pace they no longer move to search, instead they move to intercept. As Misha was about to turn, he collided with the man they were looking for.

"Soldier !" called Misha.

Instead of rejoicing for their reunion, the man who bought a ticket to Europe in order to fight Germans himself covered his ears and took cover along the wall. He made the search team look in bewilderment, they investigate the direction where Soldier had came from. It was clear what he was taking cover from, a door in the hallway they were about to turn to had Jane Doe's tin grenades pinched between the door and a vent cover that was held by his Beggar's Bazooka by positioning it between the cover and the wall.

Quickly the other three men joined Jane in the covering of the ears.

KA-BOOM !


--- --- ---


Earlier

"I apologize for my subordinate behavior," said the voice, "But the answer is still no."

Past Tale harrumphed on the answer, unsuccessful retrieval of the harpoon gun would meant less bottle caps, and with less bottle caps came unhappiness. She approached her cyclops friend and ask, "Do you have any idea what a captain trapped inside his own ship would want ?"

The explosive expert shrugged, "I fought wizard and me own eye turn abomination, not a talking boat lass."

Refusing to surrender to the spirit inside the vessel, the beige mare thought of her situation and how to use it as an advantage, unfortunately it was all in the boat's favor. Then Demoman told her, "What about a trade ?"

"I tried that one before, he didn't want anything I have," said the roving trader.

Demoman stepped forward to the wheel of the vessel and began talking to the boat, "Ae... it's different to from what me Pa used to took me to."

The speaker buzzed to life once more after declining offers from the beige mare, "What kind a boat were you on ?" asked the voice.

"Ach' its only a fishin' boot, but it sure can take on rouge wind off of Glasgow," recalled Demoman.

The other voice boasted, "Well this one could take way more than winds compare to your fishing boat."

The first voice grunted, "Of course it will take more," then he asked Tavish, "Say, you don't look like someone that would've spent time on the sea."

"You're true 'bout that can't go out to the water too long I've got me mum to take care of," the Scotsman told them. "Ya know I always like these ships, tell me 'bout her."

The first voice began sharing tale of the Marizona. She and her sister were the only kinds left from a by gone age. She was modified multiple times, fitted with technology most ship her age would've dream of. Not only that, but they were the only ones who were named after cities. The voice told everyone in the bridge it was because most of the steel and builders came from the settlements in which the vessel took it's name from.

Once they were the largest combat able vessels to sail the seas, but as time progress they were dwarfed by newer generation of warships. Although almost obsolete, they were never scrapped as they were deemed too valuable by the Ministry of Wartime Technology and the Ministry of Arcane Magic while the Ministry of Image told the Navy it would be good in posters, pictures and papers. Instead of turning into scrap metals they were patched.

Then the speaker spoke of her sister, the Fillydelphia. One that the speaker said never left her side.

"She's still with you ?" Tavish DeGroot asked.

The speaker went silence. There was no gust of wind and no one kicking, when the door flung open. From where Demoman was standing, the door provided a view of the sunken vessel's he and his co-workers had ran by. Past Tale moved to the Scotsman side, and Scout followed after. They gazed upon the Fillydelphia.

They never left each other side.

"I'm sorry," the voice in the speaker apologized. "My name's Captain Silver Wind."

Then the second one followed, "Lieutenant Spare Bolt the name, but I'm intrigued to what's yours gorgeous"

The beige mare bashfully, "P-Past Tale." 

"Tavish DeGroot, in charge o' handling explosive," the Scotsman introduced.

Scout make himself known, "Jarvis...."

The Bostonian introduction was abruptly halted when the speaker they were talking set off a ear piercing whine, then it emitted a static before broadcasting silence once more.


--- --- ---


The smoke and dust roused coughs out of the men, but Soldier only laugh in joy. He handed Dell a strange looking rifle, telling him to hold it for him before running back to the door with pickaxe in hand. Dell observed the thing Jane had gave him briefly, he set it down on the floor, and along with Medic and Heavy, he went after their helmeted colleague.

Before the search party reached the room Soldier blasted into, there were screams. Rushing into the room, they found Jane Doe was running around between bunk beds, swinging his shovel and turning the room into a shipwreck. In the front end of swaying gardening tool, two ponies desperately attempted to avoid direct contact with it.

Running from the two-legged being that was after them turned to be futile. One of the bunk beds had collapsed and trapped them into a corner. Unwilling to let his attacker go, Soldier kept flailing his shovel. His body being held by the fallen bed didn't help in hitting the two ponies. But it did gave the cornered ponies the chance to shout in terror at the top of their lungs.

Although Dell felt he should stop Soldier from maiming two malnourished ponies in blue clothing, his eyes just couldn't veer off the elongated hair that was now visible, coming out of Jane's pants. Medic and Heavy didn't move either, they just stared at Soldier backside.

The scream was enough to snapped them out of the hypnotizing trance of Soldier's new tail. Misha took the lead once more while Medic and Engineer followed. The Russian pulled Jane away from the corner and let Viktor and Dell to rescue the equines. With them so close to them, what Scout had said was right, they do looked like zombies.

One of them showed its gratitude, "T-t-thank y-you, what ever you are...t-that thing it's impossible !"

"You should be fucking dead !" bellowed the other, "DEAD !"

Before anyone can continue to bicker, the speaker in the room came to life. The first thing they heard was moans of pain. Then it voiced its anger.

"I felt that! What the hell did you do ?!" the voice asked impolitely.

"T-t-that thing blew up the door !" said one of them.

"All of you...top side," another voice ordered them.

The ponies said in union, "Aye, aye sir!"

The two zombie like ponies made a beeline to the door and ran presumably to the top deck he men thought. As the equines ran, they stayed, fixated at Jane's new tail. Medic was most intrigued in this turn of event.

"That means all of you," the voice restated.

All four men made their way back to the bridge with stopping for the strange looking rifle Jane had gave him. Reaching the bridge, Dell saw Tavish standing in front of the wheel, Scout was at the other end of the compartment, away from their four legged new guests. From all of them, Past Tale was the most comfortable, she was already making conversation with the malnourished looking ponies and offering them the same tins Soldier had found.

Tavish, having missed the conversation while he was straddling the hull, asked the newcomers about their captain, "Where is this cap'n o' yours ?"

The two ponies in blue looked each other until one of them said, "He's the ship."

"What ?"

The other elaborate, "He merged himself and some others who made it with the ship."

Tavish scratched his head at the statement and turned to Past Tale for a simplified answer. She explained, "It means this whole ship is a Soul Jar, this captain merged some part of himself with the ship."

Deciding to stop asking details about jars and souls, Demoman asked the beige mare, "You get these things a lot lass ?"

"I've found some Soul Jars before," she told the Scotsman, "But never as big as this one though."

Once again, the speaker in he bridge emitted sound. Demoman stepped forward to the front of it to continue his conversation.

"So...how about I make you a deal on that harpoon gun ?" Demoman offered.

"No deal !" said Spare Bolt, "You just blew up a door and you expect me to accept a deal ?!"

Silver Wind interrupted, "Hold on, let's hear it, anything to get you all overboard would be good right now."

"It's simple you gave us the gun and I'll give you the sea," Demoman added, "And yer door back."

The speaker went dead once more. And in everyone's mind the two voices must be discussing the seemingly impossible deal the Scotsman had offered the two vessel attached souls. Turning around, Demoman was greeted  with faces of disbelief, from men, mare and the two ghoul like ponies in light blue shirt. To many what the cyclops proposed was impossible, Past Tale tried to make sense of the offer. She conclude giving the vessel the sea meant putting it back into the ocean, but answering how, she was clueless. 

The beige mare questioned Tavish's plan, "How are you going to put this ship back into the water ?"

"Yes, how exactly are you going to put Marizona back into where she belong ?" Silver Wind asked.

Tavish asked, "What kind o' firepower this thing have ?"

One of the ghoul in blue and had a dixie cap answered, "She got three big sixteens on four turrets, naval guns, torpedo launchers, machine guns, depth charges."

"Whoowee that's a lot o' guns," Dell complimented.

"How 'bout ordnance ?" asked the Scotsman.

"Shells still below deck and everything's in place," the ghoul said.

Demoman grinned.


--- --- ---


From a steel rack, Misha took two bulky depth charges and carried it over his shoulder. The rest rolled one on the deck. They brought the explosives towards the edge of the stern, where the boney looking ponies in blue and the beige mare were waiting. 

What Tavish had came up with was crazy and suicide at best to everyone. Silver Wind had granted permission of access to the ship's ordnance to the Scotsman in order to bring back Marizona back to the sea, the plan was to blow the gate separating the ship and the water around Manehattan. He knew cracking it from inside the dry dock would damage the vessel, so the explosives would have to go into the submerged side of the gate. A side accessible only from the docks, and surrounded by giant crabs.

"Uhm...Demo how are we going to get there without getting turned into crab food ?" Jarvis asked.

Demo answered, "We use the moorin' line."

Misha inquired, "How about the bombs ?"

"I think I can handle them," Past Tale announced.

Everyone stared at the beige mare in the brown coat. Her horn started to glow as she closed her eyes and lowered her head. She grunted a few times and commented on how the barrel shaped explosives were unexpectedly heavy. Shakily, she levitated one of the depth charge across the dry dock and above the walkway on top of the gate, reaching it's intended destination, she let go the grip on the depth charge. With a clang everyone on deck flinched expecting a loud and fiery death, which didn't happen.

Sighs were emitted from every mouth on the stern. She sheepishly chuckled, but continued the task of delivering six other depth charges. The task wasn't easy for her, as her levitation skill were limited to hauling much smaller items. After drops of sweat and a lot of grunting, all depth charges were above what separated the sea and Marizona.

Dell took a length of the mooring line, aimed and caught the railing on the other side of the ship. With the line secured, Tavish, Jane, Jarvis along with Dell, began scaling the rope upside down towards the gate. Then, they briefly discuss on how to open the gate in one try. Tavish decided it would need some very accurate placing, but no one was willing dip themselves into the murky water, along with the crabs.

Dell hollered, "Throw some more of them ropes !"

The ghoul wearing a dixie cap threw some more ropes. As they tied knots to the depth charges Jarvis shouted a warning, "Those crabs are comin' back guys !"

Dell and Tavish quicken their knot making process, while shots rang from Soldier's shotgun and Scout's scattergun. Finishing the first set of two knots, they threw both charges into the sea but kept it from hitting the sea floor by attaching the loose end to the railing.

As they work, more shots rang, and more giant crabs approached. Seeing his colleagues needed assistant, Misha spun his multiple-barreled weapon and let lead rain on the giant pinching creatures. But all he did was attract more. Deciding they needed help in fending of the disturbance, the beige mare pulled out her rifle and began firing.

As they were about to finish the last knot, one of the giant crabs managed to charge through the group, knocking down Soldier, and left the Engineer clinging to the rail with the sea below him. With two shots from his Loch-n-Load, Tavish blew the charging crab to smithereens before it could make another assault. He extend an arm to the Texan and pulled him back up. By this time everyone on deck was firing their weapons, with the ghoul ponies commandeering a machine gun placed on top of the stern conning tower.

With four charges placed on the joint of the gate and two more in the middle, it was time return to the deck. After everyone scale the rope once more, except for Scout who decided to jump back to the deck with the assistance of his Force-a-Nature, it was Tavish's turn, but his work wasn't finished. Pulling out his Scottish Resistance, he laid down some of the self-adhesive explosives to the submerged side of the gate to act as detonator for the depth charges.

Successfully placing the explosives, it was his turn to return to the Marizona, unfortunately there was Mirelurk charging at him. The Scotsman saw the charge and quickly stepped aside from it's path. He unsheathed his Eyelander.

Whoa, whoa, whoa seafood isn't on my diet !

"Shut yer gob for godsakes yer a sword," grumbled to the possessed sword.

BLAM !

The crab's face was quickly turned into a mushy matter, and let the Scotsman scale the rope back to the Marizona. He turned to face the gate and cried, "KA-BLOOEEYY !"

With a press of a button the sticky bombs detonated and so does the depth charges. The explosion didn't sent the gate flying, it created gaps along the joints on both side and the center, letting water into the dry dock slowly. But the weakened state of the gate shortly succumbed to the the mounting pressure of the ocean, and the Marizona was brought back to her home once more.


--- --- ---


"If I still had a lip I will definitely kiss you," said Spare Bolt.

Instead of answering him she asked, "So we're good on the deal then ?"

"Good doesn't even start," told Silver Wind, "Yes, you can have the gun, Crate will show you where it is."

The ghoul pony without the Dixie cap told her to follow him, she went downstairs to retrieve the harpoon gun, leaving the men inside the bridge. Dell began inspecting the strange looking rifle Jane had gave him, but without knowledge of what he was holding he decided to stop and asked the voice from the speaker about ways off the vessel.

Silver Wind didn't gave much options, Dell was hoping he knew something or at least an escape route, but their option was to wait until the Mirelurks to disperse or to sprint back to the gate of Bucklyn Naval Yard, the latter wasn't the wisest and neither was the first.

Spare Bolt suggested, "Although we can blow the crabs with the naval guns while you run."

With three of their colleagues still missing, and time was at the essence, and they were running out of daylight. Making a run for the gate seemed to be the only option. The beige mare came back, with the gun safely sticking out of her saddlebag. She asked what she missed. Dell answered with the idea of breaking the siege.

"That's a terrible idea," she said.

"Well you can try finding another one," the Engineer announced, "We still got time, ah' still have to fix that door."

Dell disappeared into the hull along with the ghoul ponies. Past Tale made her way out of the bridge and onto the deck once more. On the stern, she had a clear view of the Manehattan ruins skyline from Bucklyn's perspective. She moved along the starboard side of the vessel, which offered the view of the rest of Bucklyn Naval Yard, centuries old structure still standing to the very day, but some were not. She pondered about looting the buildings to made up what she had lost, but the snap of Mirelurks pincers convinced her otherwise.

The bow offered the same view with an extra, beyond the naval yard was another jagged skyline, she had never ventured this far across the river, and was curious what lay beyond the docks, unfortunately she was on a constraint to get the item to her client and another one to his associate on another place she had heard but not visited.

Moving to the port side of the vessel, and on the far side of the naval yard was the gate. Between it and them were crabs, over-sized, pony killing crabs. Her sight sought for routes relatively safe to tread on. The half submerged ship cradled the flooded dry dock would gave them a chance to restore breath in case the needed it, but there were still too many crabs.

"Hey," called a voice from behind.

Almost jumping overboard, she turned and faced the skinny alien in red, "Don't sneak up like that."

"Sorry," he asked, "Uhm...do you have some o' those...uh...aspirin ?"

She was baffled, "Aspirin ?"

"Yeah the ones in a can," Scout explained further.

"You mean Mint-Als," the beige mare reassured.

"Yeah that's the one, you got any ?" she asked for some.

Her horn lit and a tin of mint-als exited her saddlebag, she opened the tin and dropped some into Scout's open palms.

He asked again, "So any luck finding a way that ain't going to get us pinched ?"

She revealed the bad news, "Sorry, no luck there, we have to make the run back to the gate."

Scout left her to gaze upon the docks and the crabs. Back at the bridge the Boston youth told the rest the situation. Medic asked him whether he still had some of his energy drink. Quickly he confirmed the existence of his favorite beverages. Grin formed on the German's face, a smile which meant something clever had been hatched out of the physician's cranium, or a surgery was in schedule. Scout didn't like the smile.

Dell came back to the bridge and asked, "Ah' need some one to operate that crane on the middle, any volunteers ?"

The door was fixed an hour later, daylight was almost an orange dim, and the moon was faintly visible above them. Men, and mare were above the wooden deck once again, glaring at the yards between them and safety. Everybody were tending to their arms, shells were loaded, syringes were checked, and bolt was pulled back. The ghouls that called Marizona home did the same, entering a shell that had been lifted from the storage, to one of the vessel's many naval gun.

Jarvis asked, "So who goes first ?"

None answered, instead they stared at him.

"Oh no," he denied, "I ain't runnin' across them !"

"But you are ze only vun that could out run them," Viktor explained.

Tavish supported the idea, "Doc's right lad yer the only one proper to take point."

Grunting aloud, the Bostonian brought out one of the remaining Bonk! Atomic Punch out of his duffle bug and quickly gulped it down empty. Double jumping off the ship, Scout immediately attracted some of the oversized crabs' attention. In groups they began to pursue the speeding blur, but each time one of them extended a pincer to try and seize the blur they caught nothing but air. The number grew quickly as Scout kept running.

BOOM !

A shell was ejaculated from the gun, and struck the ground close to the pursuing Mirelurk, blasting them into bits and pieces. The shot was a signal for who where left on deck to make the run, the rest of the men and mare sprint as fast as they could. Albeit the Scout was getting most of the attention, some were directed at the rest of the group. The gun fired again, leaving scorched mark on the ground and throwing seafood onto the air.

Misha noticed one of his colleagues that was definitely faster compared to himself wasn't present in front. He glanced back, the Texan was running at a slower pace with an arm on his ear. Behind him, the Russian saw a crab almost his size. Misha halted, spun and revved his minigun.

"ENGINEER ! GET DOWN!" the Heavy shouted.

Seeing the Russian's enormous weapon spinning and pointed towards him was already a sign he should duck for cover, albeit he couldn't hear anything but ringing in his ears. Lead went pass his head and littered a crab behind the Texan as another shot from Marizona's naval battery echoed through the air. Suddenly a weight over his back restrained the ten-gallon wearing man from getting up.

Past Tale ran back to Dell. She reacted quickly by moving the dead crab over Dell's back. The Texan was on his knees, attempting to be on his feet. He slowly gained his hearing back, the pony in front was yelling something but he couldn't made what it was as the ringing still covered his ears. With heels on the ground again Dell and Past Tale continued their sprint, as a red flare burst overhead dispersing the crabs with out dismemberment.

They reached the gate as the orange sun reached the horizon.


--- --- ---


They entered the ruin just after daylight ran out. The starry night accompanied their steps through Bucklyn. They were there with one thing at mind, rest. First thing they did was walked back to the boat they came with. Upon arrival on where the boat was moored, the giant crabs had already occupied the area, beating them to it. Having no intention to fought more of the pinching critters, everyone walked the other way.

The group wandered to a part of town that was mostly burnt. The street were littered with bones that still had flesh partially attached. Soldier entered one of the structure, as he entered, his nostrils were assaulted by a rotting stench, the veteran combatant took no measure in avoiding the smell. Charging into the stench, he found some more Rad Away. He tried going further into the depth of the building, unfortunately the smell was overwhelming.

Seeing his rocket jumping colleague exited the building hastily, Dell asked, "What's the matter Soldier ?"

"Don't go in there," Jane warned, "It's worse than three weeks old sour cream."

With a warning like that, from a man like Jane, the Texan avoided the building. While Jane continued to fill his new duffle bag, and the others took brief rest from walking, Past Tale followed Dell, both found themselves on the other side of the street. They found a sign, presumably the name of the former area.

Arbu

Finding nothing interesting and of no value, Dell and Tale went back to where the group had gather. On the way back they found their doctor fiddling with one of the bodies. With a lecture tone Medic told them about the damage done to the bones. Which include shattered ribs and a hole in the head.

Past Tale had no idea why the spectacled man in lab coat said that.

After Jane finished his scavenging, all of them went deeper into Bucklyn. Their search for a place to lie down brought them to a large structure. It was similar to those of a factory, a large structure with numerous windows, but it wasn't a factory. Approaching the building, there was a sign left hanging, the intact part had the word 'Field' on it. Entering the structure normally required tickets to operate the turnstile, with no one selling said tickets men and mare jumped over it and pushed on.

The tunnel the dark hallway they followed ended on an opening. The insufficient lightning prevented them from identifying their surrounding. Dell turned on the light on his Pip-Boy, taking the lead, he guided the rest through a series of steps. Ending up with no more steps, Dell turned right and start walking on a flatter surface which terminated on a door.

With a kick from Soldier's boot, the door gave up. The room was considerably small and overviewed the whole dark structure they were in. Lifting his arm to level with a map attached to the wall of the room, Dell found he name of building they were in, inscribed on top of the map was 'Estrade Field'

"Wait here ah'm turnin' on the lights," Dell told them.

The Texan left the group and went back to the steps returning to ground level. Shortly after,one by one, high candlepower lamps illuminated the open space in the middle of the structure. A field, with two fork like metal bars on each end. And benches all around.

The Texan took a seat. He watched Scout and Heavy threw a football back and forth as fire was lit using some of the benches Soldier had taken off it's metal frame. Past Tale took her seat beside Dell, watching the Russian and Bostonian threw hoofball back and forth. She turned her head to see the Texan was already asleep, recollecting what he had done today, the mare thought it would be obvious that the strange creature in red drained his energy already long before reaching where he was now.

The mare rested her head on the ten-gallon wearing man's lap and slowly drifted into the realm of dreams.

> The Road Ahead
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Road Ahead


"Psstt...Engie...Hardhat get up !"

"Ah'm awake," Dell said half awake and turn to asked, "What's wrong boy ?"

"I really don't know how to tell this, but there are alligators on the field," Scout explained his action.

Dell chuckled, "As long it ain't comin' up here it's fine."

"And there's one under ya chair," said Scout.

Beneath the goggles he was wearing, the Texan's eye lids went from half open to fully open in a fraction of a second upon hearing what the Bostonian told him. He looked down, there was the tail, then the scaly body and there's the head, about five and a half seat right of him. Dell turned to the pony that was using his lap as a pillow. She was sleeping ,which didn't help either as he can't move without terminating her slumber.

"Scout, Get me somethin' to cover that gator's eyes," Dell told him.

"Like what ?" Jarvis asked.

"Ah' don't know, a shirt, a mop maybe," Dell suggested.

Scout looked around, he found a banner strewn across the empty seats, on the other side from where they were. He told Dell to wait, and ran to fetch it. Left alone, Dell kept silence and unmoving, while Past Tale breathe softly, and still asleep. It was not long before the beige mare head shifted, and her drowsy eyes opened in front of Dell. Waking up, she was given an order to not make noise by the ten-gallon wearing creature through hushing her. Dell pointed and Past Tale followed it with her eyes. Before she could scream or ran, the mare was held back by a hand on the mouth and another hush.

The alligator moved its head, the mare and the Engineer froze. Moving to its original position, they kept eye on it. Dell looked around, he realized that the rest of his co-workers were missing, only Scout was visible from where he had slept. He watched the Boston youth tore a piece of the banner and ran back to where he had stood. Scout threw the piece of grimy canvas to the Texan.

With a low volume of sound he told the mare to stay still. He then proceed to stood behind the alligator with the piece of canvas Jarvis gave him. Slowly he bent his back closer to the alligator's head. The Past Tale and Scout can only grit their teeth in suspense. The Texan tossed the piece of banner over the alligator's head, covering both it's eyes.

"Well that was easy," he then asked the Scout, "Where are the others ?"

Scout told him, "They're waiting by the gate."

They descended the steps and made a beeline for the gate.

Dell asked Past Tale, " Where we goin' next ?"

"Well we got to go back to Tenpony first," said the beige mare.

Dell checked his Pip-Boy, and turned on the radio. Like any conventional radio station, it played a song, the song he tuned in to was sung by a woman, he corrected himself, a mare to be exact. Her voice was beautiful, almost angelic Dell told himself, a rarity in the wastes. But it wasn't her voice that caught his attention. On the map, there was dotted line that led to the edge of the map of Manehattan, parallel to a line that represents a road.


--- --- ---


She entered Tenpony without her guns and without Dell. With haste, Past Tale ran up the stairs and made a beeline to the store where the elderly zebra was. Opening the door, the bell rings again and the voice of the old zebra lured her in once more.

"Ah, welcome back my horned friend," he greeted.

"Hi, I'm back and I bring you..."

Horn glowing, she levitated the item the aging zebra was looking for. With his wrinkled hooves, the shop keeper turn it in every direction, wanting to see every aspect of the gun. "This will made a perfect addition to my collection," said the zebra, "At what amount should I pay you for this...antiquity ?"

Past Tale stated the value, "Five thousand five hundred bottle caps."

"Neigh, this one is not in mint condition, how about two thousand seven hundred and fifty," bargained the zebra.

"Five thousand then," she told him.

"Three thousand."

"Four-seven-fifty."

The zebra paused, and looked at the harpoon gun again, "How about we flip a coin," Past Tale made a twist of her eyebrows, "If I win it will be four thousand five hundred bottle caps and If you win I will pay the original price." He present her with a strange looking coin, a golden one with a zebra sculptured on to its surface, "Heads."

She said, "Tails"

Dell and the rest awaited the return of the beige mare outside the doors of Tenpony Tower. Once more they were surrounded by ruins, ruins that they know nothing about or how it become ruins. The wait wasn't uneventful, they saw more creatures that once believed belong to myths and folktales. A rust colored pegasus, a winged and horned pony, another unicorn, another colorful pony, some griffons in uniform, some zebras, and a two headed cow.

They didn't say a word, all they did was gawk at the wonders and abominations. The wait was over when the door of Tenpony opened for someone to exit the building, it was the beige mare again. Before the door shuts once more, Dell caught a glimpse of the same unicorn that had been eyeing him while he was inside yesterday. 

The mare grumbled, "Let's go."

Continuing the journey through the Manehattan ruins, the men in red saw the damage done by a catastrophe unknown to them. However, it also helped the men in getting to know the terrain of the derelict metropolis, which was always beneficial to their previous employment.

In some occasions during their journey, they met a squad of griffons and ponies wearing uniform attire, and armed with a variety of firearms. They didn't bother them and the men and beige mare didn't bother them, most of the times they just stared at each other. To most of the men it was odd, they knew they were oddities here, as they have not encountered one of their own for the last three days.

At all times, they were surrounded by building that had collapsed, almost collapsed, and ones that still stood but in no condition to be inhabited by any right minded person. Along with echoes of distant gunfire, and creaking metal of rail sections above them. These were added by a feeling of being watched upon, as dark windows seemed to glare menacingly.

BLAM!

The locked knob, pierced by Tale's bullet gave entry to a small, ransacked, abandoned bar. Bottles of liquor were strewn across the floor tables and the bar itself. All of them entered, and began scavenging. Past Tale went directly to the bartender side of the bar, and below it she found something she  expected. With her horn glowing, the mare levitated a shotgun and some shells. Tavish was at the same side, and found something more to his liking, an unopened cocktail shaker. 

"Och...that's the stuff," the Scotsman said before proceeding to loot more booze.

After the shotgun, the mare stuffed the left over booze that were scattered here and there. Soldier found some empty cans in the back, Dell found some bags of Rad-Away and handed them to Medic. After nothing else were deemed worthy to loot, they departed the bar and continued their way out of the ruins of Manehattan.

"Y'aint lookin' so happy ?" Dell asked the mare.

At first she showed her teeth and then reclaimed her calm, "I didn't make much on the harpoon gun."

Medic asked, "How much zit you get for it ?"

"Half it's worth," she answered resentfully.

"Half ?!" Scout reacted, "Man you are terrible in tradin' no one gave somethin' half it worth."

"Da, Heavy learns this in bartering with Spy."

"Well ain't no use cryin' over spilled milk," encouraged the Texan, "Let's get this thing done and hope you'll get paid much better."

She sighed, "I guess your right," then she asked them, "By the way, why are you still following me ?"

"Don't 'cha remember ya paid us to follow you." stated the Texan.

"Yeah there's that, but you said you have to find someone else ?" the beige mare inquired.

Scout corrected, "That's a bunch of someone else."

"See there," Dell kneeled and show her the map on his Pip-Boy, she saw the dotted line that extend beyond the barrier of the map, the part that was on the map was parallel to the road she would have to took in order to get to New Pegas, "I got no idea why a marker suddenly show up on ma'h screen like that, but by the looks of it we're goin' the same way."

"And....?" the mare asked hesitantly.

"Ah' reckon that's where they are," Dell said surely.

It didn't really the answer her question, but Past Tale didn't gave it much of a thought, and they were supposed to follow her. As they were paid in caps by her to tag along in a journey in which the destination was a city that no one she ever met knew much about, in the middle of the desert, "Alright," she said.

The ruins of Manehattan ended as they met a wide stretch of paved ground that led them away from the derelict city. Before continuing onward, the men and mare turned to building complex, surrounded by barbed wire wall. Entrance to the building was a grim and dark sight, something that was commonplace in the Wasteland. There were skeletons in front of the gate, along with scattered suitcases here and there. Some of the boney remains seemed to cling to the gate, desperate to gain entrance. Behind metal bars, bricks, and twisted, sharp wire was a building wrapped in concrete lattice.

Past Tale scavenged through the remains and suitcases, she found clothes and not much else. The beige mare packed her findings and went to search for more, she found the gate locked, she aimed her rifle at the lock.

Dell held her back, "Let me try."

Past Tale stepped aside and let the Engineer opened the gate. Instead of opening it Dell's last lock pick broke, and thus Past Tale took aim again. Only to be held back by the Scotsman. With his Eyelander, he broke open the lock and provided entry. They entered the planter decorated yard and into the concrete latticed building. After opening the double door they were met by an office building lobby layout, a desk at the center with a wall behind it and elevators on the side, with stairs opposite to the elevators. Like it's exterior, it became a resting place for more bones.

"This place looks promising," the mare stated.

Scout objected, "Promisin' ? this place looks like a dump !"

"Haven't ye been noticin' lad this whole place is a dump," said the Scotsman.

Dell walked behind the large desk in the center of the room to check on a terminal. Access was restricted, and the green screen demanded a code. Leaving the terminal, he took the stairs to the mezzanine which was littered mostly by papers. The Texan continued his journey upward, after the metal plaque on the wall said six, he met another locked metal gate. After several attempts to open it with his foot, Dell ran back downstairs and brought back Demoman along with him. Puncturing the gap between the door and frame, the Scotsman and the Texan continued to took more steps upward.

The door they opened on the top of the stairs had led them to the rooftop. Again more skeletal remains were scattered above the concrete, from where they stood they saw endless broken grey and twisted metal. Wondering just what kind and how big was the catastrophe that had happened. They noticed that part of the roof's edge had gone missing, looking over the other side and over the edge they saw what looked like a bus with no wheels lying as a wreckage at the open space behind the building.

Dell grabbed a fallen rifle beside a remain. Then he proceed back downstairs with Tavish.

On ground level once more, Dell found Jane pressing the elevator button repeatedly , he had no idea why the helmeted man did what he did considering the place was unlit and presumed not powered. The man in spectacle was reading several papers that were left on the lobby desk, while the Scout and Heavy were playing a game of frees-bee with something that was not a frees-bee.

DING !

They turned to the source of the sound and was greeted by one of the elevator door opening. It surprised them that the elevator was still working, Past Tale who had just came back from her scavenging, was amazed that anything would be working in a building in such condition.

The inside of the elevator had seen better time, the paper facade covering the compact space's inner wall had peeled off in several locations, revealing the stains and rust on the metal walls. Despite the appearance, the lighting inside was still working, although dimmer, along with the merry jingle that would accompany it's passengers. On the other hand, there was a permanent passenger inside the elevator, a skeleton of a griffon sat in the corner clutching a rifle.

Past Tale went in first, grabbing the rifle she then proceed to press the button to the floor beneath. The Scotsman asked, "What're ye doin' lass ?"

"I wanna see what's down there c'mon," the beige mare said.

Dell went next, then Jane, then Jarvis, followed by the Scotsman. Only when Misha entered the elevator, a warning sound came up and the elevator door refused to close, he stepped out. "Ah'll send the elevator back up fer you two," Dell told Misha and Viktor.

The door closed and the metal box started its journey downward. The elevator bumped a several times, making the occupant inside questioned the integrity of the whole structure. The light flickered as the elevator halted, the door slowly opened, as it did Dell pressed the hold button for the door, letting the beige mare to check the floor outside the door. Stepping outside gave the men an all clear, last to leave was the Texan, sending back the elevator to Heavy and Medic who were still above them.

She made a right after the elevator and the men followed her along the dark hallway, beside poorly lit the basement was partially flooded. Mare and men kept moving deeper into the hallway until they can't go no further. Upon them was a metal door, flanked by two things, one was a terminal, the other was symbol of a double headed griffon with a crown over its head along with the word 'embassy' written below it. 

Past Tale activated the terminal and the keyboard folded out, but the options available on the green screen was inaccessible, each time she selected one it told her there was an error. Jane started placing his tin can grenades, only to be stopped by the beige mare who gave it back to him and shook her head in denial of the helmeted man plan.

"She's right man, 'tis whole thing might come down on us," explained the Scotsman.

"There has to be a way pass that door...." she pondered.

Scout pointed out, "Hey how 'bout through there."

All eyes turned to where Scout was pointing, a grate on the feet of the wall. Past Tale's horn glowed and the grate was removed. She lowered her head and entered the small space, the mare kept her head low, as Dell and Jarvis followed. The long, dark, cramped vent sounded as they continue to crawl. Through another grate, light brighten a part of the vent. Past Tale took it they had passed the locked door, coming to the vent cover she removed it and entered the room.

Upon entering, the beige mare was greeted by beeps, originating from a turret attached to the ceiling. It turned to her and began emptying its ammunition. She galloped and took cover below a heavy and long table after taking two rounds to her hind leg, Dell came in and the turret ignored the mare and began shooting at the Texan. She saw the ten-gallon wearing man ran and took cover behind and overturned table. She turned to look who was coming in next.

"You ! shoot that thing !" she shouted to Scout.

"Gotcha !" he replied.

With two shots from his sawed-off double-barrel shotgun, the turret above ceased to operate. With that, two other started their operation, firing anything that was moving inside the room with colorful, bright, and flesh melting beams. Jarvis, Dell and Tale were forced to take cover once more while their cover began to dissipate. From below the heavy desk, she pointed to a yellow box with buttons attached to the wall. Dell, who was now had his body on the floor due to the shrinking table took notice to where the beige unicorn was aiming. The Texan crawled backward, but jolted forward as melted coffee pot and mugs made contact with his trousers. Seeing the alien in ten-gallon unable to press the button, Past Tale took aim, "Hope this works."

BLAM !

The shot sent sparks out of the box and the door opened, sending the ones outside, scrambling for cover. "Cover yer ears lassie !" warned the Scotsman. Pulling the trigger, he launched an explosive projectile that made direct contact to one of the turrets, the following explosion was more than enough to disable its twin. After a few seconds of ringing in the ears, everyone stood out of cover and those outside, in addition with Heavy and Medic, stepped into the room.

With remaining lamps in the room taken out in the explosion, Dell turned on the light on his Pip-Boy. Lighting the space, they discovered coffee mugs, coffee pots, worn out chairs. The Texan motioned his arm and halted as the arm attached processor removed darkness from another door. Past Tale went first, sliding the door open. She called out, "Is there any switch out there, the lights are out in here."
him
Dell followed her in to lend the light on his Pip-Boy. As he disappeared into the room, shots rang from inside the room, the rest of the men made a rush to the door. Entering the room the found a glowing body on the floor, a smoking rifle and an engineer, face frozen in shock.

"Vhat is that....thing...?" the Medic inquired.

The question raised more questions for the mare to find the answers, it was clear to her that the beings following her had never encounter a feral ghoul before, let alone a glowing one, like the one she just put three rounds into its cranium. Although, on how the ten-gallon wearing man reacted to the appearance of the glowing monstrosity, she concluded New Mexico was somewhere faraway. Either that or it is just a code or name for a Stable somewhere she thought to herself. She answered the Doctors question, "A ghoul, a Glowing One."

Medic recollect his encounter aboard the ship, the glowing corpse was similar to those they found previously, but unlike them, this one had its own light source. As Medic closes in Dell warned him, "Careful Doc, that thing is making ma'h Geiger clicking."

The newly found room was lit once more as Demoman flicked a switch next to the door, it seemed like a living space for few, in the center was a coffee table flanked by three sofas, there were beds at the back of the room and several terminals to their right along with a large grid map. Engineer approached the map, illuminated transparent surface had ink encircling several locations.

While the German doctor study the glowing body, the Scotsman, the Bostonian, and the Russian gazed at what the man in lab coat does best, Soldier on the other hand was looking for more items to fill his duffle bag. He found more beans, some chewing gums, bottles of soda, and empty cans. The beige mare joined him in search for items, but the items she picked were different from Jane's, she found more weapons in the room, batons, rifles, pistols and revolvers near remains, on shelves and inside cabinets. All of them were to be sold.

Past Tale noticed Dell head kept on nodding, down to his Pip-Boy and up to the large map, she approached him. Instead of making her presence known to the man in ten-gallon, she joined him at the gazing of the map.

Looking at the map, she noticed the similarity to the map she was given by the zebra inside Tenpony. Her horn glowed, and the yellowed map was taken out of the saddlebag, she spread the map upon the grid map. Her's was a portion of the larger map, she noticed that her map was missing several things, which include a town on the outskirt of the city, an alternate route into the city, and something else beyond it.

Dell noticed damage on the glass, white lines indicating cracks . He ran his finger on it, and realized that the cracks were too straight, "Hold on," he said to the mare who was adding the missing features on her map.

The Texan ran his palm along the edges, after finding something interrupting the line, he pressed it and the map was lit no more, revealing a message scratched on the glass.

FORT NELLY HIGHWAY 70 NORTH LAS PEGAS

The message baffled Dell and Past Tale, and they can only scratch their heads at it. Dell approached the map and turned the light on once more, he noticed all the markers were heading toward one direction. But without anything the to tell them what those marking signify, it was simply an ink on a map. With the man in lab done with his examination of the glowing entity, and nothing left for Jane to loot they made their way back to the elevator.

The elevator dinged and it's gate slid open, and again the mare and four men stepped out and send it back down for the other two. While the elevator travel down the shaft. After a while, another ding, and the last two men emerged from the elevator, the mare called out to them, "C'mon we gotta get going."

Walking and trotting to where they came in, the Scotsman shoved Dell and the mare to the wall by the gate, the others followed Tavish, putting their bodies against the bricks, from across the opened gate Misha asked the Demolition expert, "What is it Demoman ?"

"Me eye saw a wee flash," he added detail, "Left building, second floor window."

Dell peeked over the Scotsman shoulder and the wall, "I see nothin' "

Scout crossed the exposed space between walls to where Dell, Tavish and Past Tale were, then he observed the structure Tavish mentioned. After a few moment, the Bostonian head moved back into cover and reported, "Yup, somethin' up there."

"Can you tell us what it is ?" the mare asked him.

"Can't tell for sure, but it moved though so it definitely someone up there, a sniper maybe" Jarvis told her.

Jane Doe asked, "Where ?"

"Second floor third window from the right," Jarvis answered.

Pulling out his rocket launcher he began stepping out of cover, "Hold ! Hold ! Hold !"

Misha pulled Jane back into cover, following Past Tale's reaction, she explained, "We're still in NCR territory we don't wanna rouse their attention."

"Who ?" Dell inquired.

"NCR, the bucks and griffin in uniform." said the mare.

"Okay then what'd ya suggest we do if ain't takin out that sniper ?" Scout asked her.

"Let's go 'round back there's bound to be a way out of here," she suggested.

The remaining men across where she was crossed the open space between the walls with haste. Out of sight of what they presume was a hostile marksman, they kept to the wall looking for a side entrance or a gap that wasn't visible to the sniper field of sight. They passed the latticed building and arrived beside the open field with an overturned bus. Looking across the field, it was clear that the wall had somehow survived the last two century with little part of it crumbling into rubble, and they found that the only other exit was blocked by a collapsed building next door.

"We ain't going out that way," Scout pointed out.

"Anyone have any suggestions ?" asked the Medic.

Dell raised his hand, "How 'bout we make one."

"How ?" the beige mare asked.

"These wall ain't in good condition, ma'h bet is with a couple of good hits should bring it down easy," the Texan explained, "We'll try an' use Soldiers shovel to knock 'em over."

With the explaining over Jane went to work, jabbing his spade into the brick wall. Dell told him to chip away the cement between bricks, soon one by one the bricks were removed. The sun had become orange by the time a hole was made, they crawled through the gap and left the building, marked by Dell's Pip-Boy as 'Griffin Embassy' and made their way to Highway 70.


--- --- ---


The Manehattan terminus of Highway 70 wasn't anything special, like any other road Past Tale traversed, and like any road the men had driven through during their time of employment under the scorching New Mexico sun. The beginning was marked with a sign post holding a deformed metal piece that barely retain the number seventy, spanning over the highway, significant settlements were written in white letters, embedded on the green sign above was 'Pegas' and 'Preen'.

"Looks like we're on the right track," Past Tale said.

"We're runnin' outta daylight lass, should find somewhere to get some shuteye," the Scotsman insisted.

Dell opened his map, "There's an openin' somewhere between these buildin' should keep out the wind for the night."

"Alright I'll check in out," the Scout volunteered, making his way up a crossing bridge and into the building attached to it and the rest followed.

They entered a darken hallway that connected to the bridge, and after a short walk they arrived at another elevated platform. Front, back and right were crippled concrete structures. In the other hand, to their left was completely open, with four lane railway stretching over the horizon. They descended to the lower level, and found themselves on a station platform.

Scout came running back and report his finding, "Well I found several places for us to crash tonight."

"What're the options ?" the beige mare asked.

"There's the station waiting room, big enough for all of us, there's the room up there, got a nice view coverin' the whole station, and there's the train cars," reported the Bostonian.

"What's up there," Dell inquired.

Scout told the Texan, "I dunno its a room with a buncha lever."

The Engineer turned to the pony, "Well its yer job you choose where we sleepin' tonight."

There was a brief hum as the mare gave thought to the option, then she decided, "We're staying in the room up there."

Crossing the four lane of railway track, they ascend to the room Jarvis mentioned. Opening the door they found themselves in a room with levers bolted and standing on the floor just below the windows that gave a view of the whole station. Curious Dell moved closer to the lever and pulled one back. He saw a part of the track moved, and pushed the lever back to its original position.

The mare stood in front one of the windows, gazing at the horizon that led the tracks away from Manehattan. While being bathed by the moon's glow she kept her eyes on the edge where the tracks ceased to be visible. She wondered what Pegas had to offer, what would it look like, and pondered whether she could make a profit out of all the merchandise she had collected.

"Alright who's gonna go first ?" Scout asked.

Past Tale raised her hoof, "I'll take the watch first."

The men lit an old coal stove with wood from tables and floor boards. After establishing heating, Misha was asked to retrieve anything they can use for a mattress. He returned shortly with mattresses. "Where you find 'em ?" the Boston youth asked.

"The train," answered the burly Russian.

After positioning themselves and their mattresses around the lumber fueled coal stove, it was time for their eyes to close for today. Except for Soldier, who insisted to sleep standing by the door, no one knew exactly how the helmeted man slept on his two feet. Taking the first shift the mare threw some empty cans on to the platform and tracks to warn her if anything were to approach their camp. The hours passed with snores and Scout rolling in and out of his mattress. She giggled at the scene, continuing the watch she decided to remove the jacket Dell bought for her, doing so she discovered a hole on the fabric. Her horn glow and let the jacket suspended in the moon's glow, upon closer inspection she found the hole had blackened edges.

She sighed, and thought the damage must be done when she was in the basement of the latticed building. Taking her mind off the jacket, she returned to gaze at the night sky. Her mind moved from the jacket to the past, a time when she was the happiest, a time when she still had him. Past Tale grabbed her rifle and pulled the bolt back. She noticed that all of the eight rounds were missing, she levitate another clip from her saddlebag and loaded her firearm.

CLACK !

Suddenly every eyes that weren't her own turned her way, but she wasn't sure about the helmeted man eyes as she can barely see them. The attention was short-lived and everyone went back to slumber and snores. The mare set down her firearm, returning to the night sky. Later Dell rose from his mattress.

"I'll take over," said the Texan.

Past Tale moved away from the window and set herself down on the vacant mattress. Dell took the next shift of the watch, there was a clank from the platforms, the Texan turned his head to found an oversize cockroach crawling about. The Texan started the shift by taking out a cigarette, to repel the cold. Putting the tobacco on his lips he patted himself looking for a lighter, he found one residing in his pocket.

After the tobacco was lit, the lighter he took out seized his attention, it was certainly not his as he rarely smoke, he guessed it must be Pyro's or Spy's and stowed the lighter in his pocket once more. Preparing to face the night awake the Texan made a quick check of his inventory. After doing so the Engineer, found the jacket he  gave to Past Tale was folded on top of the table. Dell found a hole on the fabric.

Finding something to do during his watch shift, Dell proceed to find the necessary materials to patch that hole. He approached slumbering Viktor and snatch a needle and a length of surgery thread. The Texan then searched for a suitable item that could patch the gap on the jacket. Looking in the room turned to be fruitless, Dell decided to search outside the control room.

The cold wind of the Wasteland struck the Texan bones sending him shivering the moment he left the room. Dell turned on his light and began his steps toward the main building of the station. On the platform he heard clanking metal again, Dell didn't bother to check what it was, thinking it was probably one of those over sized roaches and pressed on.

Gently, Dell pushed a door inward that led to a long, big hall with high and arc ceiling that roofed several benches and stores that were empty of customers and employees. His boots echoed as the short Texan stroll through the lifeless hall, absorbing the emptiness and the beauty of it's broken stained glass windows. Dell sat down on one of the benches to observe windows that depicted creatures from mythology. A blue unicorn, a white unicorn, more colorful ponies and the artistic imagery of a city skyline were all laid before him on arc shaped spaces between the wall.

Letting go grey air out of his mouth, Dell resume the search for something to patch that hole on the jacket. The hall came to an end on a door blocked by stacks of furniture forcing him to turn back, doing so Dell walked closer to the series of stores in the station. The stores he passed were empty, of both lives and merchandises, however he stopped at a particular store. Seeing a fallen pony mannequin in front, Dell presumed some fabrics would be inside, with his Pip-Boy attached arm extended he illuminate the store and walked forward.

The shelves of the store were empty to his disappointment, however, entering the establishment prove to be fruitful. Instead of finding a single thread of fabric, the Texan found a small purse residing on top of the cashier table. Opening it he found a comb, some coins and a wallet.

"This'll do," the Texan convinced himself.

Discarding the content onto the floor, he proceed to exit the store. Standing by the door, he caught a flash on a window several floor above where he was. Holding on to his hat, he hurled himself to the wall below the broken stained glass. Fearing it might be a sniper, the Texan crawled to the door that led to the platforms.

On the edge of the door, while lying on the door, the Texan slowly moved his head out of cover. Seeing nothing but shadows on the windows, he sweat as the possibility of getting shot increased as he remained stationary. Dell knew he had to move fast, something he learned a long time ago in New Mexico whenever a sniper was around. His head turned left and right, trying to find an escape that was not the door. The frantic search resulted in zero alternate way to avoid the presumably watching sniper. Although the Texan failed in finding an easy exit, he did found an alternative.

Keeping himself as low as possible, the Texan grabbed one of the mannequin in front of the shop, returning to the wall swiftly he set it down and targeted a luggage cart. After crawling with the cart back to the wall, Dell got what he desired.

The platforms were mute as the moon gaze upon it. The wind speak softly and the stars blinked while his heart raced quickly. The Texan retracted the slide of his pistol. Taking a deep breath, he prepared for a station platform long sprint. The short Texan kicked the luggage cart, carrying the mannequin with its base held by several pieces of a wall. As it roll onto the platform, the Engineer ran back toward where he was staying. The sprint felt it lasted hours, by the time he reached the stairs leading to the control room, he had beads of sweats running down his face and chest that moved on its own. Dell was expecting shots to decorate his run, to his amazement and bewilderment, that expectation didn't came to reality. Peeking over to see the building where the sniper should be, he saw nothing and slowly made his way upstairs.


--- --- ---


Morning came without the chirping of birds, and without the bugle. The golden ray kicked men and mare out of their slumber. Past Tale was the first to rose, she went to the desk where her jacket was. Putting it on, the mare noticed that it was heavier on the left, and found a purse sewn onto the fabric. She opened it and placed some of her clips, while finding the ten-gallon wearing alien smiled.

After putting off the fire, they hopped onto the track and started leaving Manehattan.

"Mein fraulien, may I asked how far is this...Pegas in terms of time ?" the doctor asked.

She opened her map, "Judging by this...I guess about three or four days walk."

"Hey guys !" hollered the Engineer, "Heavy found somethin' !"

Closing in to the man who called them, they also approached what looked like a small barn, but unlike a barn it had a train track leading into it. The gaping entrance of the building provided enough light for everyone to see what Misha had found. On the track within the building were two simple contraption. A bicycle on track and a train with no locomotive.

"See-saw trains ?" exclaimed the Scout.

"Ms Tale can I see yer map ?" asked Dell, extending an arm.

Past Tale gave the map to Dell, the Texan opened the map feature of his Pip-Boy. There was a momentary silence before Dell faced his team and the mare. In that silence, his head went back and forth from the map and his arm-attached processor.

"Well ah' found that this railway passes Pegas," he informed, "We can cut time by usin' them."

With everybody agreeing to the idea of reaching the city they had never seen before faster, they mounted the contraptions,and began see-sawing towards their destination.



 
> Uncharted Territory
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Uncharted Territory


The steel, bolts, and gravel that made the railways around the Wasteland once served many, moving in great distances, stretching to all corner of the land. At the present, the tracks became nothing but steel, bolts and gravel, serving as an indicator to settlements ahead for travelers, raiders and traders alike. But at rare occasions, the tracks were remembered, used as it meant to be.

Two vehicles sped above the rail, making their way towards a destination that was mystery to all of their passengers. Operated by hands and hooves, it was Past Tale's and the six bizarre beings along with her only means of cutting time reaching New Pegas. At first, she didn't planned to rushed her travels to the city in the desert, but the idea of reaching there faster meant the faster she would get her lost caps back. That was enough for her to take the rails. Past Tale, Dell, Jane and Tavish were in the lead, the rest were on the following velocipede.

It had been a day since they left the ruins of Manehattan, with that time, the scenery surrounding them had transformed, from the desolated urban jungle of Manehattan, to an arid landscape of sand and plateaus. Past Tale was mesmerized by her new environment, the desert wind that was blowing onto her face, towering red rocks, and green forked poles that she didn't know the name of, they were all new to her. The beige mare turned to her alien companions and saw their faces, none of them seemed to have been awed by them like she had.

Jane and Tavish, who were operating the lead velocipede, slowed the hand operated cart. It came to halt, for the rail ended on the edge of a cliff. Tale moved closer to where the track had ended. On the canyon below, she saw several train cars as wrecks. She whistled, "That's a long way down."

"What now ?" asked Misha.

"Well we aren't crossing that canyon anytime soon," the mare told them.

From her saddlebags, came out the map the old zebra had gave her, enveloped with the same glow of her horn. She inspected the map to where they were right now, her eyes darted left and right to see the location they currently occupy. Dell came kneeling, taking a closer look of the map, and then opened the map on his Pip-Boy. The blinking marker was still there, but the lines and curves that represent roads and rails had became sparse compared to Manehattan. Dell followed the line that was the railway with his finger and pointed where they were on the aging map.

He tapped a spot on the map, one on the edge of a darker shade compare to its surrounding, "There," Dell simply said.

"Alright, we're going to find this road," she pointed out a line on her map, "then follow it all the way Pegas."

Scout who had just arrived, questioned her decision, "Are you sure that's the right road ?"

"I'm a hundred percent sure," she said with confident.

Placing the map inside her saddle bag once again, she took the lead and began trotting in the supposed direction of the road that led to the city they never visited before. As they made their way towards the road, Past Tale huffed air in short interval during their walk, and kept her eyes locked on a squint, along with the endless drought in her throat. She had experienced all of them, including the heat, but never in such extended period of time and intensity. The mare brought out a bottle of Sparkle Cola, within seconds the container was empty and thrown on to desert. Momentarily it discharged the thirst in the mare's throat, only to make a come back shortly after.

She turned to investigate on how her companions were doing, hoping they fared better compared to herself. She was surprised they were faring better, none of them had their tongues lolling out and they weren't huffing air as much as she was.

"See I told you we were on the right track," said the beige mare.

As they emerge from the desert, the road they search was found. Stepping on to it first, Past Tale glanced behind her, finding an endless stretch of road and sand. Looking forward, was a stretch of road, ending on a cluster of intact structures.

"New Pegas," softly said the mare.

Without another word the band of men and the mare began taking steps towards the distant city.


--- --- ---


*huff* *huff* *huff*

It hadn't been long since they ditched the rail and left the desert, and the mare's coat had started to glistened. She tried to keep her muzzle close, despite the thirst that kept returning after she emptied bottles after bottles of cola. Focusing on where she was going didn't do any good in trying to ignore the desert in her throat, doing so told her the time of the day. She took a look behind her, basked by the setting sun, there were still six strange being following her. Unlike her none of them seemed to be fazed by the baking sun for the length of their journey.

Although the day was nearing its end, Past Tale was still sweating, she was about to took another bottle of cola from her saddlebag, she was stopped of doing so when offered a canteen by Dell. She smiled and took it with her magic, after two gulps of water down her throat she gave the container back to the Ten Gallon wearing Texan, which he returned to the helmeted man.

Past Tale and the men came upon a branch on the road, another route, snaking its way towards a collection of buildings. The mare turned on the intersection and approached the town, with six strange beings closely behind.

"Ain't we supposed to follow that road ?" Scout pointed out.

"Yes," she added, "And we still are."

The town they entered was silent, they could hear the afternoon wind blowing into the empty street, rolling a ball of dead grass across it. From where they were, scenery of abandoned dwellings replaced the desert. Wanting to spend little amount of time in town, she made a beeline for the first building they encountered entering the derelict settlement. Opening the door was accompanied by the sound of a bell. Past Tale went in first, into the darkened hallways made by shelves. Instead of searching through the building, the mare went straight to a vending machine close to the register. 

With two kick, courtesy of the mare's hind legs, the metal resonated loud bangs, followed by two bottles of cola rolling down. With her magic, the mare levitated the fizzy drinks, and stashed them inside her saddlebags. Satisfied with what she had gained, Past Tale made her way out with the helmeted man, which had looted several items from the shelves.

It wasn't long before they were on the road to Pegas again. Dell stopped for a moment and turned his head. Their doctor noticed the Texan halted.

He asked, "Vhat is it my hard hatted friend ?"

"Ah' don't know doc ah'm gettin' a feeling we're being followed," said the Texan.

Raising an eyebrow the doctor asked, "By whom ?"

"That's the thing, we haven't seen anyone peculiar on tha' way here ain't we ?" the Texan said.

"Nein," answered the doctor.

There was a moment of silence between the doctor and the wrench beater as they took in the darkening desert behind them, "Let's get goin' " said the Texan.

The sky was no longer an orange, radiating warmth to those roaming the sandy Waste, as it now blew bone-chilling cold of the desert night. Past Tale had thought nights in the desert would be pleasant compared to when the sun was up, that thought was dropped with the temperature. The thirst occupying her throat had left, only to be replaced by a blanket of cold wrapping all over her body. Vibrating from the cold, she unfold the collar of her jacket and covered her face.

Without warning, the man in helmet stopped. Along with the rest of the six strange beings. Hearing no boots stomping the ground, the mare in lead halted in her place. No movement provided the group with only the night breeze to listen to. Bewildered, the mare asked, "What is it Jane ?"

She was answered with a raised hand, and no words from the man. The silence was broken with the sound of galloping hooves in the distant, it became louder and louder, and the set of hooves that galloped increased. Upon hearing them, Jane rushed to the side of the road and the rest followed. Past Tale and the six men kept low as the sound of hooves came closer. A four legged silhouette  appeared from across the road, galloping to a side route. Followed by flying sparks.

*HISS.......* BOOM !

The blast forced them to lowered their heads. Then came gunshots from the direction where the darkened figure had came from. The beige mare raised her rifle, seven shots, and a last one accompanied by a loud ping. Her shots brought retaliation, in form of gunfire from across the road. Soldier and Scout followed her example and began spending shells. A scream was let out, a sign someone had shot somebody. Jane then pulled out his tin grenade. Searching for more, he found none, the last he gave to Scout.

"Make it count !" the helmeted man shouted.

Scout armed the makeshift explosive, and threw it hard. Moments later an explosion followed, it stopped the gunfire and the shouting. But then sparks came down landing, on an end of a red stick. Past Tale eyes went wide as the fuse became shorter. The said red stick was picked up by Jane, as he stood to threw it back, Past Tale was struck by an immense force that turned everything black.


--- --- ---


Her comeback to conscious world was celebrated by an excruciating headache. Opening her eyelids, the unicorn mare found wooden surface above her. Pressing her hooves to lift herself, the floor depressed on the pressure applied. With sight still a blur, Past Tale tapped the ground beneath her. Instead of a tap from her hoof, it was a squeak that resonated. A few blink later, Tale discovered that the ground had turned white and squishy.

"Nice to see ya join the living again,"

Turning her head to the source of the voice , she found a pony, an ageing earth pony stallion making his way toward her with a tray on his back. Before she could say or do anything, the wrinkled stallion undone the dressing wrapping her head . The red stained cloth took Past Tale's attention, she placed a hoof on to the side of her head, only to winced seconds after. The stallion gently removed the mare's hoof from her head, "Now, now you just lay down for a bit."

Trying to lift herself out of bed proof to be a vain attempt, as the little amount of energy she muster wasn't enough to do so. Flopping back into the bed provided, she continued her gaze to the ceiling. She pondered how did she ended up in some doctor's house. Being placed by the window, the mare caught the rising sun on her eyes, peering out of the framed glass the ascending ball of fire revealed a number of erect, intact, yet poorly maintained houses with foundation embedded on the desert floor.

Taps on the wooden floor indicate hooves were approaching, it was the old stallion again. He set down the tray down on the nightstand, "Here take this,"

Past Tale shakily took the two tablets on the stallion hoof with her magic, with an audible gulp she sent the hardened powder down her throat. Mintals. The glass of water she then took was good, and didn't taste like metal.

She looked at the elderly stallion, "Where am I ?"

"Well you're in Goodsprings," he continued, "the name's Hearty but everyone else call me Doc."

"Wha-what happened..," she asked again, "How...how did I get here..."

"For the matter of what I can't really say," he the told her, "but I can tell how you get here though."

Past Tale's head turned to the doctor,a blank, half-opened, drowsy stare. The elderly pony looked at her and started the tale of how she got here, going to the description of a Bloodhound like creature covered in pink skin, the mares eyes slowly widen. Seeing his patient staring, with eyes wide open the elderly doctor stopped his tale.

Hesitantly he asked, "Uhm...are you alright..."

In a flash, the mare bolted out of the bed and onto the hallway of the house, looking to the right she found a slightly open door with light coming from the gaps. She galloped through the hallway and struck the door, opening it violently. At the speed she was going, the mare missed a step on the porch, sending her tumbling down onto the sand. She got back on her four legs as fast as she fell. It gave her a worried look from Hearty.

"You okay there ?" asked the worried doctor.

"Where ?" Past Tale asked

Bewildered, Hearty replied, "Where ?"

"Where are they !" she demanded.

The building where they were in had tacky wallpapers that barely stick to the walls, the ceiling was nothing but soaked and holed paper, it was a death trap to the common man, nonetheless it didn't worry the owner and guests, as long as there was alcohol, the discrepancies to building regulation the saloon had were ignored. 

Scout, Heavy and the Engineer were on the stools, beer bottles on the bar and faces to the shelves holding a collection of liquors fit for horses. There wasn't much to talk about, but many questions to ask, but said question are for whom exactly three of those men don't know, and so they sat quietly while pondering. Dell wasn't exactly pondering, he was fiddling with the information processor attached to his wrist.

Jarvis asked, "Why are we tailin' this horse anyway hardhat ?"

"Because I don't know where we are right now," Dell told him.

"From the looks of it I say we're still in New Mexico," reassured the Bostonian.

"With talking ponies ?" Dell reminded.

"Well it might be that stupid roommate Soldier decided to live with," said Scout.

"Ah'thought we ruled out that one," said the Engineer.

Scout explained, "Well he is a wizard who knows what he can do." 

Dell halted activities related to the Pip-Boy, what Scout said was possible but unlikely, unfortunately it was still possible. 

Tavish entered the bar once more from the rear entrance with the bar co-owner with a jugs of clear liquid. The stallion that was with him placed three shot glass' on a tray and presented them in front of those sitting on the stools. The Scotsman then fill them with the clear liquid to the brim. At first, the three men in red looked at what presumably a drink, and then to their explosive expert face, who had a wide grin and was holding an open palm that said 'go ahead'.

Misha went first, in one go he made the glass empty, Scout went next, he to finished the shot in one gulp, his reaction to it was different from the burly Russian. The young man just stared forward as his face turned red. Dell was the last one to try the mysterious liquid.

Crunching his face and setting the glass back to where it was he muttered, "Whooo... that's a helluva poison,"

"I'll have go to what you got," said the mare behind the bar.

A few second later the barmaid and Scout made a thud, and those who weren't knocked by the liquor roared in laughter.

BANG !

The front door of the saloon was open, the daylight cast a shadow over whoever decided to open it violently. The figure on the door moved inside, revealing the culprit. It was the beige mare.

She sighed in relief.

"Look who's back up gain," greeted the cyclops, "c'mere and have a drink."

Past Tale did what Tavish told her, she took a seat on a stool and took a sip of Scouts beer.

Past Tale left the bar and let her strange companions in it, it was a surprise to her that none of the inhabitants of the small town were to shot them at first sight. After fetching her jacket, which had even more patches the beige mare made her way back to the doctor's office, Hearty insisted while she was at the saloon. Arriving back at the doctors house, she was given a quick check up.

"You still have those bruises and scratches to deal with," stated Doc, "but other than that you're fine."

"Am I fit to go to Pegas ?" Tale asked.

"I've seen you galloped to the saloon," said the doctor, " as much as I hate to say it you are."

"Thanks for the patch up Doc," thanked the mare.

"Just doing my job," he humbly stated.

After giving the Past Tale a few flask containing healing agent, Hearty said farewell to another patient. Before setting off once more, Past Tale made her way to the towns general store across the saloon. As the door creaked open, a stallion appeared from the back room of the establishment, from behind the counter he greeted.

"Hi there what can I help you with ?" he asked.

Past Tale asked, "Do you have any three-oh-eights around ?"

"Sure, let me get them for you," he then disappeared into the backroom once more.

Reappearing with the box of ammunition requested, he set it down on the counter. Past Tale choose her own bullets, picking out the ones with unsatisfactory quality. After the rounding the rounds she wanted, the mare asked for pieces of scrap and whether the store have a workbench. She was told there was one outside.

"That'll be 90 caps," the store owner announced to her.

Past Tale look at the stallion and expressed her disbelief, "That's a robbery you know that."

"No it isn't," the stallion leisurely stated, "best I can do is 75 for all, three-oh-eights are hard to find 'round here."

She halfheartedly handed the caps required and walked outside the store. Before going back to the saloon, she turned to the side of the store working on refilling the spent clips, and making new ones with the metals she just bought. Preparation finished, the mare headed to the saloon to her strange companions.

Dell, who had spent his time in town in the bar, was now on top of a hill with Jane. Said hill served as a graveyard, with view overlooking a town in the distance. Leaning on the fence that made the graveyard, Dell continued his exploration of the Pip-Boy, he was interrupted with a tug on his trousers, looking back and down the little mare asked him to join the rest, in continuation of their journey to the said city in the distance.


--- --- ---


Once more they were out in the open road, the desert sun was bearable as they depart from Goodsprings on it's last leg of the day. Past Tale kept quiet albeit the commotion from her companions. Several hours went by and they came upon a fork on the highway, one was uniform, wide and can be seen making a straight line to their destination, while the other was smaller and seem to strayed off the path to the city they were going to.

Past Tale stopped and ushered everybody to keep quiet and low.

"Vhat is it ?" asked the Medic.

She didn't answered, instead the mare pulled her rifle. Seeing so, the men in red readied their weapons. Upon doing so, Past Tale quickly moved towards Misha and put a hoof on Sasha, restricting the spinning of the barrels. She gave a shush to the Russian and he nodded in reply. She announced in a meekly voice, "I'm going to check that diner up there."

Everyone nodded, and the mare made a dash towards a dilapidated diner on the side of the road, they watch her monitored something obstructed by the ground elevation from where the men were keeping low and quiet.  

Tavished asked, "Scout ya see anythin'?"

"Nope," he answered, "nothin'"

"Whatever it is she can see it," said the Texan.

Past Tale kept low on the outside wall of the eatery. What she saw, she despised, she hated and feared. What she observed had made holes on the road and sands, they had made where she stood and the surrounding area their nests, which she knew entering one was none but a terrible idea that consequence was death. Through the diner window frame, she observed the road, the highway that led straight to New Pegas, was patrolled by several of what she was afraid of, Hellhounds. Closing the observation, she made  a dash to where the men were.

"So... whaddya see ?" ask the Bostonian.

"Not a pretty sight, " she said, "The whole place is crawling with hounds."

"Hounds ?" the Medic asked.

Past Tale reminds them,"The big dogs remember ?"

"Can't we just waltz right through like we did before ?" the Scout inquired.

Quickly she denied the idea, "No way."

"Why not ?" asked the Bostonian.

"You'll be dead less than minute once they saw you or got your stench," Tale pointed out.

"Whaddya suggetin' then ?" inquired the Scotsman.

Past Tale brought out and opened her map. She found the fork on the map, where they were, trailing the smaller narrower line on the map with her hoof she plotted an alternate route into the city. "Alright we go this way," led the mare.

Taking the long way route around, men and mare continued their journey to the city. There were little conversations among them, as most of men were confused to the decision of not taking the shortest route to her destination. As the sky above the desert turned orange, the group found themselves on the edge of a little town that had few standing houses, and a motel.

Past Tale made no stop in the town they encountered, she followed the road, and the six beings followed her. Attracting few eyes and fewer bullets, they made it to the other side of the town and pushed on to the bright lights in the distance.

The road she decided to take wasn't the safest, through the evening they encountered several others, clad in makeshift protections and dangerously armed. With the dark as cover and unnoticed movements they slipped through bands of ponies they encountered. That night no shots were fired, and no fire were returned.

The mare had lost track of how long she had trotted up until this point, for all she knew, she might had galloped the whole way here. What her evening trip presented now were, the lights and sound of a by gone age, bricks, glass and steel that held fortune and brought misfortunes, the streets that led to endless opportunities.

The Scout whoa'd.

The Engineer whistled.

The Soldier stood.

The Medic ooh'd.

The Demoman sipped.

The Heavy stayed silent.

She gazed,"New Pegas"