/mlpol/ - My Little Politics

>>392848
>Holding up her right set of claws out to wiggle them at the command and control unit, Stellar blinks as doing so scrolls the various screens sideways, each showing the prior model.
"...THAT'S how it works?"
>Experimarentally making short motions and finding a branching tree diagram centered on Rift Plane: Constructed Two Pairs, she imitates a tapping motion with a small smile upon realizing the similarities, starting with the topmost.
"Maybe these are what Crystal ponies tried to copy and wound up building hololiths. Almost the same usage too.. neat!"
>Pulling her hood down a bit, the batmare looks up to regard you with a questioning snout wiggle.
"You've probably seen the older Lunar Knight, Moonblade, Heavy Lancer, and Mage armor designs. Those used to take four armorsmiths a full week to complete and fit a single suit for one individual. Compare those to the Lunar Guard and common marecenary half-plate styles: two smiths, three Nights, a lot easier to produce and fit, using the same amount of material. Without all of that cumulative knowledge we'd be using Lunar Guardian and Dusk Strider designs.
I dunno. Still seems to me Constructs are still going backwards in the time we're improving. And closer to triple that number now."
>Lips pulling back in serious thought for ten seconds, her head shakes briefly before motioning at the screens displaying low quality images, pairs of cloudy orange spheres rolling across what appeared to be a short grass plain.
"I'm not sure yet. As a general guideline, Planar beings hate speech and text. They share information much faster with their own than they can with us. Maybe some piece of your technology has shown them a better method to communicate, like a diplomat would always have multiple fluent translators.
They didn't use Harpy dialects, maybe because they were always hostile towards each other. But some of the best known reports describe Constructs as able to understand Hegemony Minotaur language, either in parts or as a whole. That bothers me and I'm not even sure why."

>Hearing a short, somewhat faster sequence of aery words, Guillotine's channel carries a ringing background tone.
*"Aye, mineself be now. Answers an' words transcribe slow. Sixth Fleet leavest many an' marely records open, nae add vital details...
Ye grace? Beyest speaking tae 'Shattering Skies' by name, 'tis aen 'artifice-flight-an'-combat-assistant-simulant'. Thee 'class-of-combat-duties' be deemed 'Shared-Air Reaver'. ...thee havest confused it."*
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Translation
>Brightening a fraction internally, silver metal bubbles on the surface starting at the least damaged sections.
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <???
[1d6+3
[1d6+3
*"....nae know ye as Fleet, not aen insult. Sharing mine an' kin's records tae it."*
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Intact Communication Protocols
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

"That's a bat odd. If they're really old though, maybe it isn't?"
>Tapping the wrapped charcoal stick against the open tome, the hooded mare nods to herself.
"Could be similar. There's a bunch of rituals that can take pieces of a willingly diverted Airstream and, I dunno how exactly, merge it within Floatplates or barrier shells. All of the old skyboats had one or the other, but most of those are floating museums now.
Only ones that still perform those are the Lunar Navarchs and Blacksail clan. Don't see either of them here much. First is based out of Cairn Wharf on one of the few combat ships still in service, they travel to Argenta a lot. Sea's Bounty might know where the Blacksails are now, they were the ones that built most of the Moors ships.
Neighsians use a few different methods. External plating is still used as armor armor but it either becomes bonded to, synced with, or hangs on Airstreams while in transit. Probably keeps their ships from drifting like that one big fleet did a couple thousand years back."

>Loud chiming from behind draws your attention to a bizarre sight:
>Based off the archaic Lunar Guardian Sorceror style, it was entirely comprised of semi-rigid Lumin, curved half and quarter Moon plates allowing for complete flexibility and range of motion, yet weren't thick enough to serve as medium armor.
>Covered in dozens of small, hanging crystal chimes, the helmet was more akin to partially rigid scale mail, and where a wraparound visor should be was instead an engraved sheet of swirling kanpri, red, blue, and purple hues drifting about aimlessly.
>Halting a meter from Stellar Claws, the batmare is given a single up and down, then you, an unusually flat mid-30's earth mare calling out.
"You are currently experiencing Class 9 Anti exposure.
Clemency, you, your weapons, and your armor are infected with Class 3 and 4 Anti. Please take a seat next to her so I may decontaminate both of you at the same time. This may take five to ten minutes.. possibly more. I am authorized to pursue, engage, stun, or worse should either of you resist."
>Scaled helmet tipping sideways several inches, a droll timbre is added.
"Your mate would be most irritated if I must perform that last one."
>Stellar Claws blanches, turning from the Luminary to you in subdued shock.
"Anti? How?"
"Don't know the full details yet. Decontamination first, then I can share what I know."

>>392936
>Pareidolia nods emphatically while waving his hand.
"Yes, I understand. I'm not blaming her or any other non-humans. I was referring to-"
>Catching himself, he shakes his head.
"-I'll explain at a later time. But out of everyone here, I'm confident you at least will understand."

>As he heads around the OT-5, his expression indicates a metaphorical shrug towards Shiibo.
'While the Anti element is news to me, I was already fundamentally aware of our flawed positions relative to any non-human entities here. Anti exposure is only one example. So long as we can effectively be included in the management of the human socio-cultural and technological element, that will be enough to start cementing Committee infrastructure and guidelines. I'm more than willing to undergo whatever is necessary to see that realized.'

>Pareidolia nods, rolling his shoulders as the faux-natural Cores Astral had previously mentioned to him are placed in front of him.
"Whatever it takes to ensure I am no longer compromised. With you returned, the path to proper protocol implementation is now possible to mitigate and redress the dangers of human contact with Tallus."
>Incredulity seeps out of his helmet as Spiral posits a bond being formed.
"A bond?"
>Fishing around his pockets and pack, he eventually finds the Construct marble.
"The Starblazer did fire one warhead towards the Clinic which was intercepted successfully. Presumed target was the asset denial of Construct pods that been retrieved from a lander by another operational team, but what kind of phenomenon do you mean by bonding? The fluid I observed defied description, but the size of this is unlikely to be of much use. I had used your suit's electrical energy absorption to immediately draw out any electricity I had supplied to it. The arm was touched by Clemency. What are the conditions of this bond?"

>>392913
>Tossing a piece of herself backwards before flitting down the Kerbann's root tunnel, the Shade's shade forms into a tiny batpony in front of you.
>...it was more of a paper cutout, and also meant she was quite high ranking.
>Or at least trusted by the Baroness enough to not misuse it too often.
Don't apologize, you could've been killed by that monstrosity if you hadn't. Besides, you get to share half the glory for locating an Unborn!
See you next time Amy, but give us a little bat of warning first!
>Dancing from side to side briefly, the piece tips in what might have been a bow before zooming around and following after.

>Examining the somewhat properly formed Geomarentic array and Elemental webs brightly shimmering above, they would discuss the matter after proper reconnections were made.
We honor those whom serve justice. Joy will not spread hastily this Night, yet paymarent must be given in exchange for the opportunity. We shall meet again.
>Deep thrums indicating it agreed with the Elements, the Grand Kerbann intones it was time to, cautiously, reclaim New Canterlot from the Blind's fickle grasp and the utterly unwholesome presence of a Primeval.
>A plan was necessary to counteract the first without alerting the second.
[1d100 = 42]

>Locating the ingot in the second sled, lodged between the folding door and pieces of raw pseudocrystallines, lifting the heavy piece to set it away from the pegasi's Core, it would readily mould with little difficulty.
"Perhaps a carry satchel would work."
"Or a large purse."
"You already have a backpack, why not a handbag?"
"WHO DARES SPEAK OF BOXES TO ME?!"
"Pay him no mind, dearest Amy. My former Lord is suffering from a, how shall I put it? Incredibly traumatic experience, yes."

Take care Primus, underprincess.
>Head dipping right and down formally, the Legionnaire phases about, high trotting towards the new entrance.
We will return with a completed Gate soon, one which you shall not need to invoke.
[1d6 = 3] <Cycle

>>392948

>Clemency looks over to the monolith after the mention of the Crystal pony's hololiths
>It never really occurred to him but yeah, they are similar
>Her allegory about the armor makes sense though
>But if they are getting worse, then they must have some sort of chink in the armor or at least a most effective tactic
>And the communications is another lead too
"Well, it is technology. Maybe it is analogous to how they communicate."
>Hegemony Minotaur?
>Not much hope in learning that
"Well if they hate each other like that, they seem to not like us more. Or we haven't found the nicer ones like these Constructed Twos."

>Clemency looks back into the cockpit with an embarrassed look
>Didn't really want to mess up it's name through all the weird translations
>But the "artifice flight and combat assistant simulant" is immediately understandable
>It's like a really sentient AI interface
>Shattering Skies...
>Clemency brings a hand to his chin and leans against the hull of vessel
>The name evokes the imagery of those airburst munitions fired by Stonehenge on his home
>"Those were shattered skies, like airspace being picked to pieces with little warning..."
>He looks up at the current, clear sky and regains his focus and turns to the open cockpit again
*"Shattering Skies, sorry for the mistake."*
>He notices the metals on the cockpit seemingly bubble
>It almost tempts him to just go ahead and sit in the seat
"Hopefully records within this vessel has some answers."

>The chiming makes him turn around
>The sight of the mare covered in chimes is intriguing
>He sees her eye up Stellar Claw then him
"Class 9 Anti exposure?"
>He instinctively looks down
>Obviously nothing wrong or on him
>But he's thinking about the symptoms of this sort of exposure
>Nothing mentally wrong, just tired
"Oh, sure."
>Weird how people don't want to be cleansed of this
>Must be scripted
"Amongst other things happening, better not add one more or I'll feel it."
>With that, Clemency goes ahead and takes a seat next to Stellar Claw, also looking concerned
"I don't know either. Some of Razorback only mentioned some sort of contamination. Didn't expect it to be Anti."

>>392950
>Drawing a line between each of the three Cores, the Void soloform squints at each.
"I do."
[1d6+8 = (6+8) = 14] <M.Research
[1d6+8 = (2+8) = 10]
[1d6+8 = (3+8) = 11]
[1d6+8 = (3+8) = 11]

'That may be quite difficult, sir. Wide spread contamination of a known war crime-adjacent factor will, pun not intended, have dissolved a significant amount of trust. Barring those factions which have had limited exposure to Razorback, Princess Luna and the Starborn will undoubtedly be furious at th-"
>Halted from a flat stare, Astral's tone is neutral as starburst eyes settle firmly downwards.
"General Twisted Wing rules Razorback Company as its Matron. Present suggestions to her as I have over four hundred critical implemarentations to perform after removal of Anti has been completed. The Fortress itself is my property, no more or less. What occurs within and does not interfere is solely her responsibility."

>The avatar recoils as if slapped, ceasing all functions for 6.2 seconds.
>Resuming with a pensive glance sideways, 'Shiibo' enters an experimental self-analytic mode, creating a new, small dossier to fill in.
'That is... a much harsher and shorter version of the report I was preparing. ...the prototype warned me of their top-down command structure but I did not expect it to be this strict.
Astral Legacy is required by Razorback Fortress to function, thus he legally owns it, systems and all. Certain buildings are excluded. If he denies access there are minimal chances to negotiate.
General Sapphire Kiwi may legally own Razorback Company as it is a Lunar Protectorate. She and the two Nightblades under her command likely have full authority to punish, jail, imprison, or execute a human without requiring a crime to be committed.
They are strict military minds with a gestalt-borne dedication to their sovereign which, to humans, borders on zealotry, yet has no religious connotations. As such they may not accept an outside view at this time, and suggestions will be reviewed with extreme suspicion due to long term Anti exposure.'

"Depending on the volume or series, if you had continued reading there would be numerous records of Construct symbiotes i-"
"Let me hoofle this. Kat?"
"Yup!"
>Motioning at Katyal, the topaz bracelet is tossed to Hodch, opening it and placing the bolt inside, settling it around his left forehoof.
>Looking up afterwards, the deep purple stallion squints, sitting back with a puzzled frown.
"Strange. Never seen one that tiny before, but it's certainly bonded to you. Ah well.
Neutron weapons are one of the few types we don't have marely records on except for highly specific circumstances: typically deployed against Planar Infected, sometimes Corrupted, smaller Riftseekers, mutated Planars or sub-Planar descendants, and so on. There have been several reports of use against Construct-modified ponies after succumbing to a berserk state. The remains of those are often destroyed with a few hundred bursts of plasma afterwards. Possibly to prevent Rift Infected, though that's speculation on my part."
>Eyes swiveling upwards without moving, the Nightblade's ears flick in thought.
"Conditions? None. They read an individual's genetic code then self-modify until ceasing to be a Construct in most definitions, and are treated as completely neutral by others. From that point on they function in a highly protective state towards the bonded individual, but are far more prominent accept those of a distinctly spiritual nature.
The rejection ratio for Crystal ponies is, so far as I understand it, less than one percent, batponies, five percent, while modern pegasi are closer to ninety percent. Contacting Rift symbiote-carriers is only allowed if their life is in danger, otherwise we leave them alone.
Should the arm and weapon have been from a female it will now be a weapon in Clemency's service, likely with some dedication to Airstreams. ...a few nights ago I may or may not have used an ancient Repair model to improve one human's rifle as a test."
"...Hodch, y-"
"Nopony can prove I did or did not. Regardless, if you would prefer I can dispose of that one."
>Picking up the now mostly white Cores briefly and holding them closer to you with an outstretched hoof, the Void unicorn's outline twitches briefly, head shaking with a small chortle.
"Electrical absorption? I did not add that as a.. of course, the Magitek Core. Its partial sapience must have integrated such as a basic function. Intriguing. And amusing. If it has not been destroyed I will consider better integration."

>Buzz turning to a rapid humming, the Faux-Natural Cores film over in a dull white sheen.
>Physically dragged forwards, the three turn over, becoming a reflective metallic gray, the avatar blinking out in a failure state.
[1d6 = 2] <Recovery
>Subtle background voices, impressions, then imprints dissipating, entire sections of your consciousness clear as a hard to place consistent background fatigue and visceral degradation is torn out of your entire body.
>Leaning back on the nearly invisible float, Astral Legacy's eyebrows narrow, the echoing voice tight in disdain.
"Completed. No traces left within you, armor, weapons, devices, supplies, clothing, or other.. if this is standard exposure then the rest of Razorback will have suffered from equally similar, if not worse. What differences can you tell?"

>>392966
"There's a chance your technology may allowed them a better method for long distance communication rather than using their own. Planars are notoriously hampered by opposing Tallus spectrums."
>Right wing settling on her side, the Cult mare lifts her front shoulders, muzzle creasing slightly, starting from the first images and continuing to write.
"Highly possible. ..it occurs to me since nearly all Otherworld Harpies have moved elsewhere, maybe they'll be more receptive. Have you tried talking to a Construct since then?"

>A quiet, up-down whistle rings briefly before a short, clipped and incredibly fast pair of almost cheerful phrases, internal traces of damage slowly dissolving into perfectly aligned silver metal.
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <???
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
>Several hundred feet above, Guillotine's top deck now features multiple small pods along a ridged spine, faint white and blue lights present on each, the Harpy's background quiet save for low, distant thrumming.
*"...Shattering Skies states thusly: a greeting of ally met by hail an' welcomed un'er Moon. Simulant be either mare or stallion 'pon request... 'tis ae strange notion.
Mayhaps four Tallus hours afore thee Common Equestrian be shared freely. Sixth Fleet battle-tone beholds odd meanings."*
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] <Translation
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Intact Communication Protocols
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
*"Place thee armored record-carry of Shattering Skies where 'twas, mayhaps faster mineself's efforts beyest."*

>Joining Stellar on the craft's wing, the Luminary's head tilts upwards, kanpri swirling in patterns of stars.
"That's what she's dealing with. Any of your scars aching? Experiencing odd thoughts, strange urges?"
"Not really.. well, I do feel more tired than normal."
"Is that abnormal at this time? No other symptoms?"
"I think so. There are some odd sounds though, keep thinking I'm hearing something talking, but it's not Harpy, Gryphon, or batpony."
"One of Anti's most common sides effect is 'hearing' voices which do not exist. Hallucinations of individuals can begin occurring at Class 8."
>Regarding you with what was probably supposed to be a severe examination, the mare's head sways left and right in small motions.
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Resonance
"Class 10 is self-destructive and poses no threat. Class 9 requires one treatmarent, minimal chance of mutation. Class 8 requires three, low chance. Class 7 requires five to eight, becomes exponentially more severe and dangerous at lower grades.
Class 3 is lethal to the majority of equines within five to ten minutes, and has a high chance of causing an individual to become a Malformed or Abomination."
>Ears swiveling what little they could, the mare's voice drops into a cold timbre briefly before continuing.
"You should be dead right now.
There are no known survivors of Class 2. All of those infected individuals became Malformed, Abominations, or worse within seconds.... that is excluding a bizarre incident involving Captain Shady-Laced Ace of Tartarus Isle.
Class 1 is instantly lethal. Only Sweet Dreams and Empress Silver, whom at current is presumed deceased, know the particulars.
Please remain still for a minute-"
>Taking an incredibly deep breath.. which lasts for fifteen seconds, the Luminary exhales a cloud of highly charged Moonlight, pleasant chimes ringing out in low tones.
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Cleansing Breath
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Hallowed Tones
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Moonlit Blessing

"Are you.. Undead?"
>Scales clinking together, the earth mare rocks backwards, snorting in clear humor.
"Hah, no! I'm a Moonborne Half-Naghtmare, nineteenth generation, Number Fifty-Three. We're fairly new, Luna finished developing the rituals for us little over four years ago. Far safer than the previous versions as we retain our full consciousness, soul, and capabilities without succumbing to Elemental frenzy. We're not immortal either, most of us may live five or possibly ten years longer than normal, but that's about it."
>Head lifting once more, the kanpri plate stills into an eminently familiar dark royal blue, black wingblades forming on both sides.
"Clemency. Do you want the bad news or the utterly fucked news first? There is no good except that you are currently alive and do not seem to be suffering from degradation."

>Tromping underneath draws Stellar's attention, a needle-toned batmare speaking under the wing.
"Two inspection mirrors?"
"For me, please."
>Reaching down to grasp a pair of.. yep, those looked like magnifying glasses, the highly polished white platinum and clear diamondine featuring an a brilliant clarity across each lens a result of deeply bound magical spells.
"Thank you! Ooo, these both look amazing."
"Damned well better be. Oh, if you haven't heard yet there's some sort of trade fleet arriving two Nights from now, whole bunch of Airstream sailing vessels. They're currently stopped in Cairn Wharf."
"Do you know where they're from?"
"No idea, just overheard it a few minutes ago. Anything else you or the Cult needs?"
"Nothing I can think of, these are perfect for what I wanted. Thank you again!"
"Great, take care you two."
>Holding the second one up over her left eye, pointing towards the Harpy control unit, Stellar passes you the white platinum one with a small grin.
"Might as well keep one for yourself. Try it out!"
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Inspection

>>392951
>Gosh that tiny batpony projection was cute
>Amethyst wanted to boop her, but her fingers weren't small enough.
>She waved farewell a second time to the minibat.

>After having set the ingot down nearby, the filly's gaze exchanged between Lila's core and the ingot multiple times, scratching her head, accompanied by thoughtful tail flicks.
>How to go about this without entirely encasing her Core in elemental metal.
>She could just wait around for Lila to wake up, but there was no telling how long that could actually be, the pegasus had taken a rather savage beating by the Daymare.
>Lifting the tongs, Amethyst picked Lila up and set her Core down upon the ingot and waited to see what would happen, hopefully the heat generated by the Core would soften the metal enough to be worked into a cushion of sorts.
"Not a metal box, but a plate, or a bowl rather so she doesn't roll around while she's in the sled."
>The filly sighed.
"If only her Core was any other shape but a sphere, but nooo, it's always a sphere with these things. Why not a funny pyramid or a cube for once?"
>She didn't think Lila would appreciate her True Shape being anything but round, however.
"Bye bye! Thank you for the tongs! We'll try, but no promises though.~"
>With a grin, she held up her fingers crossed. She absolutely could not promise not to get into more trouble.

>>392976
>Setting the much too warm Core down before taking a step back, small sizzles take place, though radiating far more heat than was comfortable.

"A cube, rectangle, or pyramid would not be comfortable in many ways to sleep inside of. At least, I would think not."
"Spheres are useful in thousands of utilitarian means. "
"Indeed, they lack corners to snag or catch."
"Unless thrown."
"Dat'z a great game! Yu'z frow da biggest wreckin' ball at a buncha grotz an' stomp da wunz dat fall ovah!"
"Typical.. albeit the image you present is rather amusing."
"You could place her in hundreds of locations and she would be unable to travel more than a meter downwards!"
"WHAT will the FOOLS think of NEXT, CARDBOARD BOXES?! YOU cannot HOLD me with your VILE tech-magics!"
>One of the puppets sighs theatrically as that one degenerates into fits of gibberish tinged with loud swearing.
"Would you please ignore him, Amy? The ranting should end soon enough.. unless of course one of you desires to continue hearing such a terribly pitched, grating voice for the rest of this night?"
"I would rather have calm than.... that."
"That is what I thought."

>Melting over the course of a minute into a small cratered bowl, the ingot softens into a pliable shape around it, was no longer emitting dangerous amounts of visible heat radiation or Elemental Fire.
>Most of which was now drafting southward, interestingly.
"A fascinating result."
"Much like using the metal itself as a crucible. Shape it now if you would."

>>392978
>Witnessing Lila passively sizzling and melting fire elemental metal, Amethyst was grateful for the tongs, picking her up at all in this state was not an option.
>A snicker got loose, followed by a giggle at Carron's ranting.
"Nobody tell him."

"Ahh... How?"
>Amethyst pondered a moment over how to shape the metal, the tongs would be a poor means of manipulating the metal, although...
"Oh right, crystal runes, I'm gonna be so horse by the end of the night."
>With a sigh at the thought, Amy drew in another breath and hummed out what she thought may be the correct tones for moulding the metal into a bowl, though with care to avoid flinging Lila's Core away with an errant doot.

[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

>She imagined she had best figure out what to do next now that the grounds were clear of the Unborn's taint. It may be easier to pick up on the impressions left by the humans now, or it might not since the energies that had been bound to the Daymare were freed.
>The mystery woman her sire had come into contact with still lingered in the forefront of her mind, though perhaps there were no real answers to be found here after all. The Crystal Empire would be the next logical course of action, yet she was loathe to bring Lila there at all. Of all the places in the world she could take her friend, the Crystal Empire would be the worst.
>Fire would have to be created from scratch to keep her intact, and without a clear idea of what to do or who to talk to, Lila would spend an unacceptable amount of time being miserable with the weather.

>>392984
"Tell him.. what precisely?"
>The dramatic pause.
"Oh no-"
"That your sire still has three cardboard boxes in his possession, ones vast enough to carry all of us? Or that your dam brought an asparagus shipping box made from the finest grade of Crystal Imperial cardboard?"
>The noise intensifies into wordless shouting, teeth snapping, and muted background clanging.
"...why did you do that?"
"Ta make 'iz face go red, dat way 'e gitz dun fastah!"
"Ahhh, that makes sense! ...no it does not make sense!"
"The greenskin is right, it will be less time pushing him over the edge than it will to calm down."

>Searching the crystal archive for the proper sound, your choice of mimicking a blasting note first squishes the Fire Elemental metal's surface down into random wavy patterns around the Core.
>Second springing the material into a bowl upwards, the red sphere bounces slightly, resting in a high cupped state.
>It would work, at least.

>Finally going silent, the other puppets sigh in relief.
"I have faced countless foul beings before, yet few had begun from an insignificant, castoff trace. It is unlikely to have stolen what you seek."
"I agree. The mere fact it would have attempted to devour a city on its own without regard to such important matters as its own stability and coherence proves how truly idiotic such immaterial beings often are."
"Yu'z talkin' a lotta.. fings."

>>392969
>The operator is silent for a few moments as Astral's tone shifts.
"I understand. And I will do so if necessary. Naturally there are more immediately pressing concerns you need to address first. I won't keep you from them."

>His stride remains even and does not slow despite Shiibo being taken aback by the stark example of Razorback's leadership structure.
'After my experience on the Citadel with their highest levels of command, I cannot say this was a surprise. I'd prefer to co-opt with Razorback, but I understand the timeframe is not and may not ever permit it. For now, we can afford to wait and present a proposal after concerns about Anti corruption have been thoroughly disproven. I was considering seeking alternative benefactors and support structures regardless though. Astral and Tipper will need to be spoken to. Maybe the Dragonspines as well.'

>Pareidolia pulls his head back slightly at the news.
"If that is bonded to me, then did I kill it?"
(Is this an acceptable action in light of the Protocol? Bonding process is automatic upon contact with DNA...)
>He shakes his head.
"I don't understand why such a phenomenon would be possible, but the size was likely due to my method of studying it. My uncovered hand must have had skin cells come into contact with the sample. Only the fluid I had collected in that drop was 'activated' by electricity I had introduced to it. And the strange... shapes and cellular-esque organs within it that rapidly assembled itself."
>Pinching it between his fingers, he lifts it off of Hodch's hoof.
"If it is essentially a compliant tool, then I would attempt to utilize it."

>Raising his right shoulder and point his thumb towards his back, he gestures at Astral.
"It allowed me to duel Councilmaster Barlen effectively, as stupid as that entire event was. Your work speaks for itself."

>Pareidolia's eyebrows raise in slight alarm as Shiibo suddenly blinks out.
"Shit-wasn't expecting her to be shut down by this process."
>He immediately puts his hand over the side dial on his helmet camera, sifting through logs and checking on her drive's status.
>Running on slight adrenaline coupled with the sudden invigoration from a fatigue he didn't know he had being lifted, he inhales a short breath.
"My mind is clearer. Murmurings I didn't know I was hearing are gone. Other than concern for Shiibo's drive integrity, I feel more alert."

>>392997
>Squinting towards Katyal and Dul, Hodch raises his attention to the ceiling.
"Possibly. Constructs in a comatose state have several mechanisms for self-restarting unless completely frozen or drained. You would have to apply a minute amount of Lightning to see if it no longer responds."
>Shrugging briefly, the Reservist makes a 'what can you do' motion.
"Why not? Nearly all beings ultimately desire to find their mate or mates, Planars included. I've seen enough couples, herds, and families which may as well have been part of a horror or mystery novel to hold my reservations. I've officiated hundreds of Spectral mareriages too.
And if you mean the odd pre-particulate stages, those are well known but not understood. At all. The danger of comprehending an unknown factor is it's own danger. Often times the safest option is to simply not know. For each useful answer there are usually twenty horrifying ones."
>Starbursts flaring angrily, the Void unicorn's ears flatten in disgust.
"Tools do not have voice or soul, only meanings given. Would you dare force a sapient to comply with your orders simply for the sake of compliance? You ha-"
>Raising a hoof to interrupt Astral from continuing, Hodch sets cautious shallow purple eyes on you.
"Not now, not yet. Since you haven't seen a silver Construct before.. numerous pairs were exposed to lost, or 'acquired' silverine during the Early and Middle Dynasty Eras. At some point an entirely new section of the Rift Plane was formed. The millions of pairs guarding it are reported to be everything from the smallest Scout to hundreds of Citadel sized models. Not even unarmored, unarmed, injured young Crystal ponies have been allowed near it. No injuries, though bruising is kept to an absolute minimum.
Silverine Constructs have one task: find, stabilize, and 'restore' injured beings under the protection of entire assault Maniples. All stasis pods so far recovered have been from Early Dynasty experimarents. A berserk state inevitably results which necessitates their immediate and complete destruction. They've disappeared but that isn't a guarantee they do not still exist.
The Planes and beings from each shape themselves in response to conditions and factors which they have not experienced before. Their actions are varyingly mirrored or inverted facets of opposing Planes and Tallus, sometimes resulting from entire chains of incidents. To state more would be pointless speculation, but to attempt understanding the infinite how's and why's most often lead to insanity."

"What."
>Rolling his ears around while muttering a tone deaf guttural word, the Starborn's face stubbornly creases as a red cloud covers Astral's face.
"Citadel was celebrating the third night after the Moors Restoration Project was completed, several Councilmasters stayed raging drunk the entire time. Pare was taken into a Moonbridge by Princess Luna. On accident. Upon arriving she was interrupted by the news of a remaining Continental Carrier spotted some distance from the Citadel and left.
Instead of allowing Pare to step outside as per usual, Ridgeback decided to throw Barlen, the Heir of Ba`thens no less, at him and demanded they duel. Oranti and Chuz`Ain went along with it.
Had Ridgeback not cheated, Pare would have been granted the opportunity to 'surrender' with full honors and be given an escorted tour along with permission to return whenever he wanted during Night so long as certain Starborn exercises or formal events were not occurring."

>The unit had entirely shut down, screens offline and unresponsive, background systems slowly booting into a protected fault state.

"Then you have been giving Horizon information."
>Lifting the three spheres up and virtually ogling them, Astral Legacy's eyebrows arch.
"The sole precise method to determine where Anti is not, is to locate where it was or currently is. It is a uniquely self stabilizing echo, reminiscent of a near-living programmed radiation, similar to Elemental Plasma, and as such it is fully cognizant yet equally fully controlled. A perfectly obedient tool once given a task by its mistress, and a weapon which leaves no traces save for its own.
Since Anti contains the knowledge of each individual it has infected, it knows what information to use and how: cloud the brain, preventing true memories from setting, blind the eyes, then temporarily removed to see what is not real. Entire lifetimes made and formed, utterly correct, infallible by the unaware, unless willingly removed or destroyed by a higher grade."
>Reaching between the three, a warping line of gray is pulled out, stretching into a flat, thin metallic pane.
>Lifting the pane into place, a bright flash of light occurs, showing a scene through an individual's eyes: falling into a familiar barracks, dazed and struggling to breath through a gas mask.
>Upon standing, the voice spoken was yours:
"Command, the device was activated before successful retrieval. New mission parameters. Awaiting orders."

"I remember everything from the fifteen willing humans whose minds I reached into. Horizon did not acquire those memories as they were buried within Spiral Disclosure's engrams. However-"
>Starburst eyes narrowly regarding you in severe distrust, the Void soloform's voice is quiet, sending the Faux-Natural Cores towards the front cabin.
"Think quite hard on what is and is not correct. Can you recall the precise number of humans whom have been touched by Horizon or one of her agents for a debriefing? How many others have distributed Anti infection and visited where they think they must, yet should not have? Which have fulfilled the unknowable orders given to them without themselves knowing what is true or false?"

>>393006
>Interrupting Hodch, Pareidolia practically spits out the word.
"Mates?! Hold on, I was not aware that was the connotation!"
>Throwing a look and a raised palm at Astral, he replies.
"Of course not! I thought this was a preprogrammed subroutine of cellular organisms that was repairing itself to finish attacking the Citadel! Not a sapient lifeform choosing to attach itself to me."
>Uttering a short groan of frustration, he leans back in his seat and raps the side of his helmet once with his fist.
"If that's what this is, then I'm obligated to at least try to... 'resuscitate' it. But given what I saw and the apparent proto-deity the other Construct had exposed me to, I'm inclined to agree as much as I loathe to say it. I don't like encountering barriers to understanding of this nature, but I may have to make the most hated of all scientific categories-"
>A tone of weary annoyance seeps out from his helmet.
"-an exception."

>"Then you have been giving Horizon information."
>Pareidolia closes his eyes and sighs, a mixture of resignation and aggravation audible.
>Remaining in his seat, he deatchedly considers that he has lost count of just how many major setbacks to this degree have occurred since his arrival.
"I'm not sure whether to be grateful that this was identified before any concrete progress on my mission could be made or infuriated that all my prior progress has been compromised."
>He taps a gloved finger against the armrest. His other hand slides the now cleaned of incriminating data tablet back into his pack.
"Sifting for memory discrepancies and evidence of suggestion now."
>A gong swell of slight pain radiates from his teeth as he clacks them together.
(Wish I had an Amadeus system for this. Would make discrepancy comparison so much simpler. Fucking hate memory tampering.)

[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3] <E. Iron Will + MECCT
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5]
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <M. FINA
[1d6 = 2] <E. Perception
[1d6 = 1]
[1d6 = 4]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7] <B. Medical + N-SMP(U)
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Adept Razorback Company
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]

>>392994
>Gorgutz was... Correct. If his face was red with anger, it would burn out faster, anger typically was red in any case, but the redder, the better.
>Simple, clear logic.
"I think it makes perfect sense!"
>That a direct path to an objective would work against an Alpha Legionaire was the more baffling prospect.

>It was a shaky effort, but the bowl took an approximate shape and Lila's Core hadn't been shot over the horizon like a cannon ball, as that was a thing that could have occurred.
"Phew!"
>With Lila's Core settled in her new bowl, Amethyst took up the tongs once again and lifted it, placing it in the clear space in one of the sleds. Once she'd reformed herself, Lila would find herself sitting on it most likely, but it was less undignified than being left upon the ground.
"Well, I'm sure she'll be fine while we take another look around."
>Amethyst pulled the sleds closer to the door of the barracks and headed back inside to where she had initially sensed the memory impression of her sire meeting with that certain individual.
"It was around here, let's see if we can properly follow the impression this time."
>Setting the bigger Stick ahead of herself, she prompted her perceptions to tap into the flows of lingering energies once more, attempting to narrow her focus on that particular moment in time and the moments that followed.
>An identity, words, even a description might say something.

[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]

[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]

>>393010
"Are you merely dense or a retarded biological clone!? Hollow's arriving self wasn't an intentional monster of his own doing!"
>Aggravation takes over Hodch's visage at the Void unicorn's furious exclamation, the deep purple stallions lips curl back in an insulted marener.
"Luna's Black Blood! I thought you were a conceited prick BEFORE now!"
>Eyes narrowed first in anger, second confusion, then in shock and surprise, Astral Legacy holds the right forehoof up in a halting motion.
"I.. no, not at all! Could you not feel her sharing motivations and intentions? I can feel the imprinted echoes of her seeking your approval despite being held by such a minute body! Th-"
"Astral Legacy!"
>Snapping about to regard the Starborn's deathly tone, he was surrounded by a plethora of immaterial Cores, highly varying in size and Elements, including some you didn't recognize, the soloform's ears flatten in visceral fear at dozens of outlines.
>Elementals taking up most of the front passenger compartment, an equal mix of batponies, earth and Crystal, Ferron, pegasi, then a few Minotaurs, Gryphons, Drakes, and Wyrms, each lean forwards in hostile positioning.
>Last is a single native Harpy, the grinning elf-like complemented by large Airstream-tinged claws and wings.
"I will deploy all Naghtmares in my extremely temporary possession. Apologize. Now."
"...forgive my outburst, if you would."
>Leveling a tortured face on you, the Reservist's head dips low, eyes shutting tightly as the Naghtmares recede, speaking in an excruciating pace.
"By the Moon... Pareidolia, I am under thousands of obligations regarding Razorback. I cannot state all of what may, does, and could possibly exist in the Planes, outside of directly shared knowledge and experiences. What I have are select profiles regarding certain Planes and their inhabitants, some of which are purposeful, others are not.
It has never been intention to initiate problems unless completely necessary, but this-"
>Pointing towards you with a ragged exhale, shallow eyes regard you in a sincerely forgiving marener, motioning stiffly at the Void unicorn.
"Is not one I considered. You have my full and undying apologies for a complete lack of knowledge regarding Construct symbiotes and the ramifications thereof. In my own apology, you already know I have been almost completely focused on finding THIS individual to the exclusion of virtually all other matters."
>Head raising to meet Astral's stare, the Nightblade's expression crumbles into drawn out pain, removing the topaz bracelet and spreading it apart, allowing small tinges of yellow-blue Planar Lightning to course up the fresh scars on his forelegs and neck.
"You may have never experienced a single sensation of knowing your soul mate could be like, but that does not excuse me from failing to recognize humans may never have suspected the possibility. I do not know how much this is distressing you, but it hurts me all the same. I would likely be in much the same position.
Allow me to initiate contact with her. I can speak Hegemonic Minotaur which most Constructs speak well. Ten minutes, that is all I ask."

>Losing his former attitude entirely, Astral Legacy sits down two feet above the Landbarge II's floor, holding the pane to the side as it pauses.
"Do not consider either just yet. Regard this as a fortunate blessing in disguise. I had not considered summoning Empress Silver to speak with me.. not yet at least. My existence is far distant from what it was. Time is distorted and often unremembered to me"
>Shooting a concerned glance at Katyal left of him, then the thoroughly dumbstruck Siren, Hodch allows himself to settle for a tired expression.
"The fact she might actually be dead is far worse than not knowing what Anti directly connected to Horizon may have exposed.
At the least, explain to me what forcing Pare into this accomplishes. ...I will not threaten you with these Naghtmares again unless I suspect you are lying."
>Drifting back several feet, Astral Legacy's head cranes around to regard Hodch, speaking in a frustrated tone.
"I will not lie unless a life is in danger. It is simple yet complex at the same time: knowledge of my enemy. Horizon expects full control, compliance, and submission to her commarends. Anti provides that. I do not know if she was brought here or merely crept in after the Anti Cores were brought onto Tallus. She is from an Otherworld where neither equines nor humans evolved into being. That little amount I have gleaned from being exposed, yet there is likely nothing more to learn without either meeting with Sweet Dreams or the former Empress.
Let Pareidolia tell us what he knows. Then I will be able to form a single answer, if not more."

>Rendering your conscious thoughts into strictly recalled lines, the task of correcting and clarifying incorrect facts solidifies.
>The majority form into a branching diagram, while several hundred more offshoots were set at strange angles, recognizing them as faulty due to misdirection, flawed from being incorrect, or entirely false.
>Searching through your past year and nearly a half on Tallus, numerous sets of partially twinned, dissonant, wholly incongruent, and drastically altered sequences surface.
>Selecting each for comparison against reports, a few of your own and hundreds from Razorback conflicted from Bulletin Board postings, each placed and removed to be archived in the Command Center, along with some in the Library, were heavily altered.
>Your own actually pleasant conversations, discussions, and interviews with numerous Lunar allies, marefriends, stallionfriends, hundreds of Independents, and couriers alike in the Fortress, including Minotaurs and Gryphons, had been drastically modified.
>Staggering numbers of unusual facts surface:

>>393010
>>393026
>Nearly all attention had been directed away from Las Pegasus until it separated from Mainland Equestria, then a near-literal wall had been thrown up to prevent accessing Canterlot and Stalliongrad.
>While there was no direct contact from Horizon or her agents at that time, pervasive imprints of Class 2 Anti resulting from The Siege, then Horizon and three of her enslaved, soul-bonded Anti Core earth mares had attempted to eliminate both Astral Legacy and Shady-Laced Ace, better known as Shanis, as they had uniquely threatened her influence.
>The first was regarded as several native Tallus Elemarentals seeking to destroy Horizon as competition, while the second had unlocked the true nature of Sweet Dreams, the Enchained Juggernaut.
>Though the first was explicitly considered a nuisance, Horizon's focus on the second was desperate; she had thrown ALL of her secondary resources into untangling the multi-leveled, willingly Enchained pegasi's efforts into killing Sha'Ro's enemy.
>During their encounter with Marrowgrin, whom had succumbed to Horizon's influence over nearly a decade of effort, Sweet, then falsely labeled as the Black Diamondine Juggernaut, had been working deeply under cover in a heavily protected, Class 2 Anti protected mindset of her own, only breaking out via triggers of her own design, or Empress Silver's later interference.
>Locating reports which had likely been burned, Sweet Dreams was the largest known pegasus in Equestrian history, but had been able to retain her mind when exposed to Anti in Manehattan during a finals hoofball game, the entity seeking new routes to infiltrate high ranked political echelons.
>During a meeting with Stream Lark and the then-unaltered Marrowgrin afterwards, Sweet willingly accepted to undergo 25 Enchains solely to protect all of equinity.
>The majority of her physical, marental, and physiological negative effects were nullified due to the use of the only other Supreme Artificial Anti Core, formerly carried by a Tower Guard Master-General, Jade Luxure, whom was currently missing.
>An extremely sharp, well detailed report from a Razorback squad encountering the white Late Dynasty Gryphene had been changed:
>Shared Roses had vocally warned the arriving humans and Huntermaster Cu'Nir they should not interfere, signaling her intent to continue deceiving Lord Sevrit into thinking his descent into fatalistic cannibalism was his own choice, using her Enchained Eldritch illusions to maintain his actions while sending fledgelings and kin to Stalliongrad.
>Sha'ro was incapable of succumbing to Horizon's influence due to her constant meetings with Stalliongrad's Tower Guard, explicitly staying around the other gifted Supreme Perfected Anti Cores, but was unable to halt Sevrit's self-destruction.
>Directing your thoughts into Razorback's Enclave, it was the sole location where Anti had not been able to penetrate, primarily due to extreme Void exposure into the deepest Black spectrums, while the variety of Crystal Empire devices which both Amerose and Naliyna provided had, in their own tonal measures, destroyed the faux-Element within minutes.
>Regarding the Crystal Empire, nearly all of Razorback had been subtly and forcefully prevented from entering it due to the same; only Lont, Clemency, Thrill, and to a far lesser extent Jeff, were able to break free from Anti conditioning, though had spread infection wide on their travels, with limited results.

>Distinctly remembering your first Operation given by Denra, he had NOT spoken it as the alternative memory tried to suggest.
>In fact, his assistance was required by Councilmistress Oranti as he was still highly regarded by the Starborn and Lunar faction.
>Recalling some of the original wording, Denra was to bring Hollow and Roust with him to find the fire's cause, which did not occur.
>What had been considered a shapeshifter of sorts in the given report was instead a non-Psionic creature, capable of killing without being seen; the massacre was reported directly to Princess Luna herself from a willingly surrendered survivor of The Siege, a highly peaceful Moderatris Shieldmare Psion of some note.

>Dozens of other instances surface
>Kraut talking to himself in the Workshop when you knew none of the Spiral hivemind were in range, regarding details of planned improvements.
>Filth's constant disappearances and increasingly aberrant behavior, incomprehensibly focused on acquiring 'the REAL sun', well over a year after Princess Luna had returned it to the exhausted, greatly weakened true Celestia.
>The False Celestia's limited ability to comprehend facts outside of her limited imagination when separated from the Tyrant had referred to Old Canterlot instead of New more often.

>Princess Celestia had been deeply involved with Harlon, Rhoda, and Suisan, knowing all of their secrets yet unable to share most; she was the one whom had shared their prototype power crystal to the Crystal Kingdom, leading to it becoming the Empire.
>After King Sombra had been kicked out of the Middle Dynasty for his immoral research on immortality, he was accepted into the Old Canterlot College of Magic, quietly hiding his contamination of Ethereal beings and using the remains to create a new generation of Crystal ponies subservient to his will.
>The Tyrant replaced the Sun later once both realized this, honorably seeking to destroy all traces of the unicorn's efforts, but had been slowly Anti-infected by a zealous Solar faction seeking to turn the Sun against what they deemed to be their enemies.
>During the seven months spent felling and harvest ironwood trees on Khalani Island, a variety of Operators were located, asleep in unnatural poses, sometimes speaking to what seemed like a close friend.
>Most Missions or Operations regarding infiltrating Stalliongrad Psions were rarely if ever successful, Razorback and their pony compatriots unable to locate problem causers, few of which had been accurately reported.

"So, what do you have?"

>>393013
"Ahhh.. at last, peace and quiet. How... unusual. And truly wonderful."
"Never thought I would hear those words from a heretic.... Brother."
"......did you just insult, sass, AND degrade me at the same time, Captain?"
"I did. What have you to say in defense of yourself?"
"Yyy.... no. At this time, nothing. Absolutely nothing at all. I am merely enjoying what is, compared to what was. Surely you can appreciate the circumstances, yes?"
>Several facepalms to cloth faces occur, except for two.
"Diz iz downright un-Orky."
"For once I will agree with you, Warboss. Even the darkest of my so-called kin would consider such words to be the equivalent of a Hemlock's D-Scythe weapons."
"I'z not 'eard 'bout dat wun. Are dey DAT bad?"
"Far worse than you can imagine, greenskin. Those are weapons which even we cannot allow the use of, unless against the Great Swarm or the Black Ones."

>Placing the uniquely shaped bowl into the second sled, then the large ingot of cooling Fire Elemental metal, the first resonates with the second in dull pitches.
>While completely unconscious, Prima Lucis had intrinsic bonds with what had been created from her efforts.. probably to make sure her efforts weren't being misused.
>Or the exact opposite.
"I do not which is more assured, Amy. Perhaps you should ask her once she wakes."

>Tapping the full Kerbann branch on white marble, a respectable, though highly unusual scene commences:
>Turning away from the Inquisitor, which Umakachov did not know she had been, your sire's thoughts had been filled with a preponderance of simple, yet highly concerning objectives.
>His primary self-imposed task was to understand, codify, understand, apply his knowledge to, then negotiate with the Four Seasons of this world, appealing to their equine instincts that humans should not suffer from such callous, painful physical conditions.
>The second set of thoughts were slightly clouded, caught between the known strictures and disciplines of Sun and Moon, separated equally between Day and Night Guard, Honor and Lunar Guard, with intermediaries to present new information across each.
>If he could not convince Celestia or Luna that their impositions of preventing (mostly) purestrain humans from achieving their apex developmental roles, he would appeal to Chrysalis, sharing his vast knowledge on the same conditions under secretive oaths on how to quietly alleviate the concerns both would inevitably bring up.

>Tapping into the highly asymetrical view of one Velasi Aguina, a potent yet limited former Psyker, one holding both the auspices of a Rogue Trader and Ordo Chronos Inquisitor, the view changes:
>Her completely unwelcoming stance in the northern Lunar barracks section had been calculated to shed unwanted attention.
>Fouled by the imprints of others, she had rehearsed hundreds of lines.
>Those scattered, self-hating and falsely loathing phrases pointed at the humans of Razorback, she needed a clear path to achieve unity between Sun and Moon.
>Much the same with her later, more open dialogue with ponies, the Inquisitor's thoughts expand: between attempting to quietly herald a renewed reconciliation between equines, she desired the same for humans, seeking to integrate each into respective alignmarents while overcoming the barriers of forced ideologies and religion alike.

>Taking the impressions as a whole, both desired slightly different sense of harmony in their utterly new circumstances.
>Glancing outside towards where the original train had stopped, their shared views had then began to separate on the infinite edges of Tallusian chaos.
>Angry at his fear to resist Sorcerous urgings that the meeting had not occurred as it should, then enraged at his failure to intervene during the meeting, Umakachov was furious at the insolence presented by others towards their holy savior.
>Swearing a ringing, vile oath to make up for such a mistake in the future, no matter the cost extracted, he ran with the rest of Razorback down through the Palace, head bowed, yet hoping he would not be spared.

>Stunned at the first plumes of Plasma spreading high above, the Inquisitor shields her eyes at the first eruption close to the train, dampened synapses shrieking at the multitudes of hostile futures which would cause no end of grief for humans uncontaminated by The Long Night's consequences.
>Silently begging the unique horrors and truly unknown possibilities assaulting her cognizance, the Pacifica Voidborn feels little more than fear as the Palace deflagrates.

"What did your sire seek, Amy?"

>>393026
>Seeing the sudden array of weaponized Elementals and Cores, Pareidolia withholds his response.
>The clear spike in aggression made speaking feel practically impossible.
>His helmet swivels a mere few degrees to look between the angry Nightblade and Astral's voidform.
>A slow nod is offered to Astral, his eyes more focused on the now dissipating Naghtmares.
"It's... fine."
>Focusing on Hodch, he waits for him to finish before replying to both him and Astral.
"First, to clarify Astral, in the same moment she formed the Starblazer also reformed. I had immediately assumed I inadvertently triggered a hostile response, that both were hostile, and then grabbed her within a few seconds. There would not have been any time for me to sense what you described, nor would the situation have been conducive to such. You need to understand I'm not in the business of casually breaking my own Protocol's guidelines regarding sapient life. It informs my entire existence here on Tallus and I do not treat it lightly."

"And Hodch, you can take as much time as you need. I don't expect you to be my personal tutor and fill in gaps in my knowledge when I'm personally responsible for such. I'm the one who should apologize for performing a reckless experiment without consultation with incomplete background knowledge that resulted in this."

>He remains leaned back in his seat, tilting his helmet visor to regard Hodch.
"I agree with Astral on this, Hodch. If we want actionable intelligence on Horizon, we need to determine what information she was editing. It's the only way we can counteract what amounts to espionage."
>He then mutters.
"And if I'm lucky, her pride may have left my plans beneath her notice."

>Sifting through a sea of memories, information, data points, and connections, he focuses inwards in an attempt to assess what he could verify.
>He would then explain what he could determine and what discrepancies were identified.

>>393039
>Amethyst grinned at Sindri baffling the others. Now that was proper Alpha Legionaire doctrine. He could be lying or he could be completely honest, knowing they would not believe the truth even if he told it to them.
>He was correct in one open aspect, their circumstances truly had changed, and yet...
>She pondered all that she had just witnessed, and there was a truth in it that had not been apparent until just this moment.
"This time of quiet is simply the calm before the next battle finds us, or we find it. I'm not sure how I know but I know in a way that cannot be explained that a WAAAGH!!! is coming. We have felt its barest foreshocks this night, the faintest hint of thunder in the farthest distance. The Regicide board is set, the Unborn Daymare of New Canterlot has been taken, but this I know to be true; a nameless thing is on the other side and it will not be ignoring us."

>Within the building, speaking openly for the benefit of the puppets, Amy decoded the impressions of memory now the only remaining impressions on these grounds without anger and grief clouding it.
"Mm. Papa wished to understand the nature of the equine Seasonal embodiments, and ask for their aid on Humanity's behalf. There was a condition, one of pain, but its nature is one I cannot divine, or he was unwilling to linger on strongly enough to leave a clear picture of it."
>Moving through the building, she followed linger memory where it may have lead, standing where those others had stood long ago, running her right hand along objects and surfaces, Stick ever in her left.
"There was an imposition on Man, placed by Sun and Moon, that he wished to escape, or circumvent. He would turn to Life in trade for what Sun and Moon would be unconvinced to provide. I feel the impediment was, and remains, the Era Lock.
>That would make sense, much of what he'd asked her to seek were his writings regarding it, knowledge from probing its limits and capacities, components for rituals, experiments for interacting with it. Some things could be made, others would come under assault by the Lock, unmade by it. However it could be partially circumvented by the inclusion of a third party, a native to Tallus, the Lock did not seem to attack information transfer.
>Moving on, she located the elusive Inquisitor's lingering signatures, the woman seeming to have gone to some lengths to conceal herself, even against leaving traces such as those she now sought. Had New Canterlot not been the site of a magical event of such magnitude, she might have succeeded in leaving no impression at all.
"I sense she who was Inquisitive, whose path wound through the oceanic void, where aetherial currents were shifting and murky, keeping watch over the oldest clockwork. She has her own magic, and knows that it may leave echoes in the fabric."
>The Inquisitor was smoke and mirrors to Amy, insubstantial, shrouded, such a state was bred into her nature as a defense. Cautious. Guarded.
"She pushed others away, a crafted masquerade, yet she too wished to reconcile Sun and Moon. The same for Man. Why? Less clear. Survival perhaps, or some further off goal."
>Looking towards the train, Amethyst already knew that they had taken one to Razorback's location in the New Everfree, and yet also knew that herself and Lila were unlikely to follow the same path there. Where they had gone was a less travelled track, and no conductor was likely to take them to it.
"Their goals were in Harmony only momentarily, but their own ideations set them branching off on their own paths."
>Obviously, she knew without sensing that her sire's path lead he and her dam to Tartarus, but the Inquisitor's was yet shrouded.
>He had hoped he would be ended, which would appall Amethyst if not for the fact she knew for certain her sire no longer felt that way. It would be all too easy for the past to seize her own emotions, yet she held onto the certainty of the present that the past had forged.
"There was a Night that was Dark and not True Night, a shadowy thing that damned uncountable souls and all those to follow. They wished to be free of that ancient memory they had not beheld, but whose Grim fate they had inherited nonetheless. They witnessed those untouched by taint, and knew such taint could occur again without vigilance. Despair, she grasps for a thread amongst the Kaos and Flame, wondering, fearing it forever lost, the Doom of Man looming too large to avoid."

>>393045
"Genuinely innocent actions resulting from a lack of knowledge is uncommon, but can be fixed. Also fully sterile environments are your best friend next to?"
>Hodch's tone and hard expression at him definitely noticed, Astral sighs in a muted crackle.
"A long stick. Stare until boredom, then find another interesting object to stare at next, repeat until asleep."
"Least you remember that much."
>Regarding your words with a swirling appearance, probably meant to be thoughtful, the soloform makes a polite dismissal gesture.
"In your defense you had no understanding or concept of Rift symbiotes. Mine is fairly limited from more or less detailed observations, reports, and chatter. As you did not know then no blame can be ascribed. However, you will find it difficult to truly kill a Construct. Unless fully destroyed though magma, Void, or similar methods, they are remarkably resilient."
>Side eyeing the Elemarental in humorous theatrical disdain, Hodch mimics pushing a lever with the left forehoof, teeth clicking twice, then imitates wind blowing and an unsubtle crashing noise.
"It isn't the fall that hurts, it's the elevator suddenly stopping either from a safeguard or reaching rock bottom.
If you want instruction on the Rift's more objectively known facts, get Mercy and Twisted together for a few lectures. Or Dancing Eyes when she's in a good mood. Most of my knowledge deals with the baffling variety of barriers and shields, though Rift Carriers, Repair models, Landers, odd weapons, unique pairs, and peculiar sightings are my hobby."

"That could range from everything to... not quite everything."
>Both unicorns sitting back to digest the information given, 'Shiibo' enters startup phases, blinking and immediately bringing up diagnostics.
'I do not.. feel good. That should not be possible. I am not directly connected to sensor interfaces, modules, or suites capable of simulating nausea.
Performance degradation reported: moderate. Restoring data archives and isolated sectors, then cross-referencing.'
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
>Pointedly making notes of her own, Katyal's tablet beeps as she rapidly types.
"Don't understand. So you and most of Razorback haven't had any contact with Horizon whatsoever. That's bizarre to put it mildly. Not sure whether to be confused or relieved. Think I'll stick with both for right now."
"Agreed. ...I'm still going to Void nuke that bastard's world no matter what anyone or anypony says. They can sue me in Planar court afterwards. Capital V will be all too pleased."
>Giving Hodch the Void equivalent of a 'what did you just say' glazed look, Astral Legacy's front legs fold over his chest as the Reservist continues.
"Details regarding Memorial Village are correct. It puzzled me how many humans were utterly ignorant to what was written, and the after action report was quite bizarre. Luna spent half the Night piecing together what did occur, and.. hold on-"
>Tapping his chest, the biological stallion frowns, head twisting upwards before instantly turning Moonlight pale.
"Yes, it's me. ......she did WHAT!? Stop her!"
"Is that Twisted Wing?"
"Yes it is, an- .....WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S TALKING!? Since when!? ....she was halfway insane before th- ..are you POSITIVE somepony isn't trying t-"

>Lowering the volume and distractedly making a text only record, the avatar puts a 'Do Not Want' sticker above her head while Astral speaks in an unusually soft echo.
"Colossal gaps remain unanswered. My primary concern was the lost, separated, disconnected, distant, and presumed deceased humans had sought her out, yet you experienced precisely zero indications of that possibility.. excluding the likelihood of one. I may aid Hodch in rendering one planet an uninhabitable wasteland.
The partially restored Solar Tyrant shard she had overcome and her soul-bonded earth ponies did not leave instructions. That is utterly opposite of her standard methods. If they had done so there would have been an immediate information spread followed by disappearances and agents being set within Razorback. I can only attribute that disruption to Sweet and the Empress.
What confounds me is what happened to her agents. I estimated well over one hundred and sixty thousand. Numerous city blocks of Las Pegasus were thoroughly saturated by Anti, though none were close to the Rogues or Elites. Much the same with sections of... Stalliongrad. Hm."
>Lines marking his eyebrows raise, lower, then arch heavily in thought.
"You may have inadvertently isolated two factors which were previously ignored.. Clarion Call, possibly Serra. I would prefer to know know where both are soon, but I will cross-reference Lonestar's experiences first. The start of a multi-tiered search pattern will be- no. That may be it. I believe Shanis was able to physically injure her.
Allow me to consider for a time."
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9] <Teacher Razorback Company, Pre-Nay 29,997
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
>vs:
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] <Teacher Razorback Company
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]

"HOW CAN SHE REFUSE A DIRECT ORDER!? She's a NAGHTMARE for fuck's sakes, we all have a drop of Luna's blood! ....I haven't deployed any yet. Why? ....let her go and make sure she doesn't shove random pieces in somepony's ass o-"
>Fitfully hunching and now quietly shouting at the Moon Orb between both hooves, the avatar's face was priceless, turning the volume up slightly.
'What did he say?'
"What did she say? ......no, I'm not coming back to help you out, she's your problem now! I've told you before: figuratively screw the Rift, I have a massive problem to deal wi-... that does not sound good. Nope. Nope! I am disconnecting immediately, have fun up there!"
>Tossing the sphere down and placing both hooves on his snout at an uncomfortable angle, Hodch mutters between them exhaustedly.
"Crystal Naghtmares, not even ONCE.. no, all of you are naturally excluded."
"Feeling judged again over there, playcolt?"
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"I don't this time."

>>393059
>Smooth marble, fractured wood, though there were still a few polished pieces remaining, faint surface level echoes are released at your touch, the poorly holding together imprints becoming a slightly noticeable hum.
>Now able to hear unique tones of metal in the wreckage, more kanpri and whitesteel are acquired, filling pockets, hood, and last hands.
"You could stay Faded and obscure, setting traps for the higher value pieces while informing how the game unfolds."
"Or one could slay the opposing player when their back is presented. After all, that pathetic thing was allowed to remain here on purpose. I find myself most disgusted at the notion of there being an even more crude, hideous half-beast than a Warp Spawn."
"I hope you don't mean th-"
"No, I most certainly do not."
"Oi, dat'z un-Orky!"
"So are Grot snipers and Kommandos, greenskin."
"DOZE IZ PLENTY ORKY, BEAKIE!"
"Perhaps the thunder you hear is..."
>All stop for a few seconds, excluding one muffling a snicker.
"Did you hear that?"
"Wot?"
>Unseen though barely felt, far off rumbles to the north roll and spread, minute flashes of yellow-white tastes on the air.
"Dey'z got da big gunz out! Why'z we muckin' about 'ere!?"
"How does weather function on the surface?"
"There is a form of weather control. I believe pegsai make friends with clouds."
"It can be rather Kaotic in the outer regions, so the lovely Baroness shared."

>Carving records of Otherworld resonance into memory, the remaining outlines of a few familiar, known, and unknown Operators fall apart as little holds them together.
>Tracing back to the Inquisitor's preferred corner, her visage doesn't fade, instead outlined in a subtly distorted shifting white-gold.
>Scent different from Sorcery, Mysticism, and the various forms of magic, it held an oddly unwelcoming tang.
"Do you mean an Inquisitor, Amy?"
"Few words can describe my aggravation towards them properly. How would one find their way here?"
"Perhaps fortune smiled.. briefly."
"Then there must be hundreds of Guardsmen serving here!"
"General, how quaint of you to suggest there are usually six cultists for each Planetary Defense Force and Guard member! Why, it would be no surprise to hear of entire cities overrun by decadence."
"The heretic is correct, but no traces have been found of such."
"Does that naturally exclude her sire?"
"You are insidiously aggravating for a red-haired witch."
"Am I not correct? He has indeed redeemed entirely from his own efforts, hmmm? And why do I feel so harshly judged by YOU, barbarian?"
"'Cuz yu'z started it, spiky!"
>Watching the older train fade into bare patterns of metallic outlines, an echo of stolidity surrounded by swirls of motion stills, the echoes unable to continue playing further.
"I cannot help but to consider two entirely different Paths which should have crossed did not solely from such a Night."
"Fate is ever fickle even to those she looks upon kindly, elf. For one positive, there is a single neutral, and a singular negative."
"I know this better than most. Can you say the same?"
"....you have two rather sharp points, yet your tongue is perhaps the worst of them."

>Stepping out of the barracks, a bright purple brick tunnel to your left pops open, the same slightly chunky earth filly tossing a pair of green rectangles to land in front of your Juggernaut clad hooves.
"Hay again, got two more Cards for you! I w-"
>Skittering backwards as a corroded, nearly falling apart white door swings open 10M in front of you, a sharply rotten stench of Anti drifts outwards.
>Whole sections of the interior missing in staggered, ragged diagonal lines, what had been bright white paint was decayed into diffused gray, two thin, bright silver disks rolling out.
"Oooo that is TOTALLY not good. Great, more messes to deal with."
>Blinking as the top hinge creates, the filly groans, leaping straight towards the somehow familiar door and scrambling inside, calling over her shoulder before the entire doorway scatters apart in clear flecks.
"Later!"
[1d6 = 1] <OH YES~
>vs:
[1d6 = 2] <OH NO!

>Popping into air 5M front of you, a soft gray pegasus mare in her late 20's hovers, wings flapping as bright yellow mane wafts around a mailmare's uniform, a pair of hilariously overstuffed brown satchels on both sides threatening to spill letters, boxes, crates, jugs, and bottles.
"Hello there! I have two deliveries for you!"
>Dropping down and fishing into one side, then the other with her tongue sticking out, the eyes were.. unusual, yet the voice was infectiously cheerful.
"There they are! Thought they got lost again. Take care now miss!"
>Pulling out a pair of small, metallic foil covered cardboard boxes, each had entirely different designs of hearts, the mailmare places them on one of the discs, then vanishes in a shower of bubbles.

"...that had better NOT be what I think it is."
"Now DAT'Z flash!"

>Somewhere far away, not so deep underground, an uncovered, piercing eye squints, the harsh mare's voice speaking in accusation:
"Heresy?!"

>Uncomfortable silence reigns for ten seconds until a booming voice rings out.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST DO?!"
"Oi.. Oi dunno! Dey'z got da flashy bitz!"

>>393074
>The filly found herself inadvertently pocketing every shiny thing her hands drifted near, yes, the more gifts for the collection.
>Truthfully, Amethyst wasn't really sure there was something else out there plotting and scheming on such a grand scale as she had implied. Yet perhaps there was something known by a piece of her she paid little mind to. The Unborn had been permitted to remain.
"Whatever it is, it will not reveal itself but through its pieces."
>She herself came to a halt, listening for what the puppets did.
>Pegasi weather dancing.
"In their own way they sing unto the flow of Sky, Lila would be able to tell you more."

>Focus once more upon the echoes, the filly clarified her peculiar tendency for esoteric mutterings. The imprints themselves had been clearer than she had put their revelations.
"Sorry, yes... An Inquisitor of the Ordo Chronos, a Rogue Trader in fact, whatever those are. Those are the words left behind with the echoes."
>The idea of there being so many guardsmen summoned tantalised Amy, however...
"I do not think that many were summoned. The size of the barracks here suggests the group was substantially smaller, and for those Humans to be untouched by the Longest Night must mean they are from other realities, or other strands along the web of time in whatever shape that takes for them."
>The echoes faded, the fabric of Tallus could hold no more, even from such depth as the magical catastrophe had allowed.
"There is little more that we can lea-"

>Head snapping in the direction of the purple tunnel, Amy responds immediately.
"Hay (You)! >:3"
>Just barely and momentarily distracted by the sudden flood of Anti, Amethyst shifts her direction between it and the intruding filly before remembering her earlier threat.
"C'mere!"
>With that, she breaks out into stuttering and excited motion, hand outstretched to close the distance between finger and snoot.

[1d6 = 2] < Furious Charge :3

[1d6 = 2] < Supreme Grand Master Boop

>But she was getting away.
"No, no, no! Get back here! You can't run forever!"

>The tunnel or door was replaced by... A mailmare.
>Her finger itched.
"Hai!~"
>Gazing down at the boxes, her ears perked forwards alertly, head cocked.
>Wait, oh no. The dreaded bawkses.
"Thank you! I-"
>The mailmare was gone. Only bubbles remained.
>Another appearing and disappearing pony whom had escaped greeting affections, Amethyst made a face.
"The list of snoots is incomplete..."
>She took a deep breath and shouted towards the empty air.
"You can help by expanding it!"
>Attention back on the bawkses, the filly collected the various left gifts and packed them away, examining each bawks from a variety of angles before she did so.
"They do indeed appear to be mehtul bawkses, but they are both too small for anybody to be hiding within them, unless there are very tiny beings within."
>A mystery gift to be unbawksed later.

>The ipotane shuffled, looking around for the source of the booming accusative voice.
"I think you just invoked somepony by name."

>>393076
>Agreeing on the first, the second is considered... and promptly taken out of context.
"How deviant of the-"
"SHUT-"
"-m to-"
"IT-"
>Sharing the perfect amount of professionalism for a mutual annoyance, the cloth strip shakes briefly.
>You're not entirely sure why, but the rather peaceful atmosphere was going to remain that way.
"Until the Sun is moved."

"I have never heard of that particular Ordo before. It sounds as if they keep track the proper dates on paperwork."
"Most Rogue Traders are a blight originating from Terran houses and clans. The original charters signed by the Emprah grant them unfortunate amounts of power."
"Brother, your... nevermind. They have a long history of reckless behavior. Many have insatiable greed and hunger for power under the guise of serving the Imperium, leading to endless petty squabbles, battles, and wars. I have dealt with a few, but one is of little worry."
"Yes, you are corre- ....UNTOUCHED by the Longest Night?!"
"There are countless planets lost in the Warp which haven't been touched either! We used those as target practice if they weren't big enough to raid."
>Great confusion meets pure concern, excluding one in a patient zen state, two being muffled, the third experiencing bliss alongside the fourth, silently enraged from keeping the second contained for now.

>Pausing and head turning at the powerful emotes sent at her, the response is equally surprising.
"Wot you want chime filly? o_O"
>Snickering as hoof one misses that first step, sliding awkwardly forwards and using the Stick as a pole, which twists you sideways, noodly hand reaching out at a kissy face.
"No snoot four you yet~ >:)"
>Marenaging to tap the blistering left flank, a marshmallow wiggle is given before racing in.

[1d6 = 4] <YES >:|
>vs:
[1d6 = 6] <NO D:<

"...did I just inhale an entire crate of hallucinogen grenades!?"
"If you did, witch, then I have done so as well."
"ALL of us have drank far too deeply from THAT well."
"Be patient and wait until she tires, then search for the tracks she has left behind."
"What a SHAPELY... ......ahem. Nevermind.."

"Couriers are busy professionals, Amy! They know their duties well and expect nothing less than perfect deliveries, on time, every time! Perhaps you should find that one when she is not on duty.. or have her send a package."
>Inspecting the tiny boxes, both were just large enough to contain something slightly smaller than itself.
>Curiously using real metals, the thin copper, brass, bronze, and colored steel hearts had been carefilly cut, then glued onto all four sides, one lopsided and partially curved, the other straight in line.
>Inspecting the top and bottom, squiggly painted hearts along with what looked like a kiss were on each.
>Upon rattling, there were two objects inside, one much heavier than the other.
"Cardboard AND metal? Must be highly important."
"Oh it IIIISSSS..."

>Shaking each other in a rather quiet scuffle, trouble finds troublemaker.
"YOU FOOL! TRUE NAMES AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE INVOKED WITHOUT MEANING!"
"DEN STOP MUCKIN' ABOUT AN' LET'S GORK 'EM!"
"Idiots.. Amy, where shall you travel next?"

>>393073

>As Shiibo reinitializes, Pareidolia shifts his attention away from the two sitting ponies.
'Sorry. I was not expecting Anti cleansing to cause a system crash. Are you alright?'
>After confirming her condition, he would relay the same analysis of Anti discrepancies he had told Hodch and Astral to Shiibo.
"Will need to update records accordingly. Pending Astral's analysis conclusions. I lack enough information to form accurate conclusions myself on Horizon's goals. The extent of her awareness of our goals specifically remains to be seen. But at least the Anti has been removed here before any concrete infrastructure was established."

>He shrugs at Astral as Hodch experiences command chain issues.
"It's unclear to me with my limited information what this could all mean. I'm sure you and Hodch will be better equipped to contextualize all the variables."
>Cocking his head as Hodch becomes increasingly animated, he remarks:
"Somehow, these command difficulties do not surprise me given my time on the Citadel. Another member refusing to follow orders or protocol?"

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>>393096
'For now, yes. 100% of my data... HAD been compromised.'
>Scratching her head while sifting through readouts, the avatar pokes at a selection of separated archives, dumbfounded.
'Noted, cross-references initiated. Falsified, misdirected, artificially inflated, redacted, and altered files have been filtered.
No behavioral changes deviating from maximum expectations or factors. Zero patterns of clandestine activity or feeding information to external sources, excluding six probable deceased. There is not a single digital or physical medium, human, equine, or Gryphon vector indicating a breach.
Unless Anti has a transmission capability over a distance of 500 miles, this is incomprehensibly random.'
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
>Alternating between a dozen moods, the avatar settles for dumbfounded, staring outwards.
'Control on this scale is unimaginably simple. Why deploy an undetectable, self-destructive, inherently lethal weapon slash monitoring system without using it? I.. do not understand.'

>Phasing to the front cabin, then back to the crew compartment's center, Astral Legacy pulls a second gray thread from between the trio of Cores, drawing it into another metallic plate.
"I do not know how long it will take me to consolidate."
>Visibly confused while staring between the two, the Void soloform regards you with a puzzled expression.
"The most susceptible and suggestible humans have not found their way to Horizon or her agents, nor the reverse. This is bizarre."
[1d6+8 = (4+8) = 12] <M.Research
[1d6+8 = (4+8) = 12]
[1d6+8 = (1+8) = 9]
[1d6+8 = (3+8) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] <Teacher Research
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]

"If I have to repeat this one more time-"
>Muttering while picking up the Moon Orb and placing it into his chest, Hodch takes on a slouched sitting posture.
"The situation you encountered was the third and final Night after the Moors Restoration Project, started by Jeff, had been completed.
Recruitment increased by a factor of ten. Eighty percent of Night and Lunar Guards, ninety five percent of Starborn, two hundred thousand Independents, an entire Crystal Kingdom division, nearly sixty Minotaur Klaves, and more were involved. There isn't a single Councilmaster, current, former, or other, that hasn't near-fully contributed.
They spent much of that time tapping the right individuals to bring together enough resources, marepower, equipmarent, knowledge, materials, and coin. End goal: reclaim all of the lost batpony, Ferron, Independent, Navarch, and Lunar territory. We had to bring most of the former Council out of stasis as well. You met Hornet Song... and probably wish you never did.
Nearly a year was spent compiling full, complete charts and maps of the current Central, Coastal, Ferron, and Crag Moors regions. Scars were marked by large warning signs and warding steles. The edges of Fold Regions were located and barriers were placed to prevent access. Problematic locales were subjected to invasive studies, fortification, then purging. The safest towns and cities close to the Deeps are now excruciatingly hardened.
Those efforts dealt significant tolls. Do you understand?"
>Face tightening briefly, the Nightblade Reservist stares downwards in subtle annoyance.
"After the last Constructs were checked for cognizance Flowing Spark picked hulls apart, melting the rest which flooded the lower levels. She was spotted swimming through molten halls carrying objects with her which, and I directly quote this from Twisted Wing: she was protecting in crystal barriers, end quote.
At Dusk, Twisted noted her been dragging intact systems, components, weapons, armor plates, head units, everything she'd salvaged, and began placing them all over the Citadel in a massive Geomarentic array. Orders were given to ignore Naghtmares unless they committed harm.
A few hours ago she wandered across the Atrium at least forty times, drawing lines of Living Flame while placing candles made from pieces of HER OWN CORE, which she has never done before. Se went straight to the center, stared directly at the Spire, then began speaking, the second act which she has never done before, while invoking a crystalline ritual. That is the third NEVER DONE BEFORE.
Then she began trapping individuals she deemed as deserving and appropriate based on a wholly unknown before now form of divination to accept one or more Rift symbiotes. That is the fourth through sixth En-Dee-Bee."
>Eyes rotating up and left onto you, he takes on a sorely aggravated tone.
"Each Starborn has a drop of Luna's Black Blood driven into our heart over the course of three rituals, bonding us until death and beyond. Excluding those whom would die it is the second of two requiremarents. Those whom will not survive are on permarenent hard probation.
Naghtmares are individuals whom willingly submitted their ka to Luna. They feel her emotions far more deeply, though we treat each other as kin. We are able to share information and deliver orders, not stupid, wrong, or emotional ones, from extreme distances. That is a safeguard which keeps us equal to the other, preventing power struggles, political stupidity, or succumbing to interference and influences not of our own.
Before the Lunar-Solar War, she witnessed.. something in the Elemental Plane of Fire and became able to summon Living Flame. As a Naghtmare, no being on Tallus, including Princess Luna, or those of Fire, Magma, Lava, or Plasma, are able to comprehend an iota of what transpires inside her Core or mind. That makes her the the third most dangerous Naghtmare in existence."
>Reclining with a grim face, he sighs.
"Twisted Wing cannot even sense what she is doing. Since I have minimal tolerance for being burned, the Burning General is on her own unless Flowing actively harms another, in which case she will be immediately executed. That has not happened.
The remaining Citadel survivors and relief forces are scared shitless. I do not blame them, nor do I desire to tempt and risk fate again this week. Does that count for 'protocol'?"

>>393108
>Leaning forward, he rests his elbows against his knees.
>His head lookds down ponderously as he posits.
"Is it possible Horizon chose a more indirect approach? Utilizing humans to position and maneuever resources for access and benefit without having them come into direct contact? A layer of more 'disposable assets'?"
(Could be similar to Rounders in that sense... )

>Pareidolia nods as Hodch finishes, opting to withhold his more critical comments.
"I understand. Sorry. I won't press the topic further."
(Seems this is the extent that can be expected for Lunar command structure arrangements. Works for them I suppose. Only reinforces my incompatibility with them.)
>Using his helmet's eye tracker and with a slight eye roll, he writes out a memo note for Shiibo in bold text stating: [Note: Do not join Lunar faction. C&C is Swiss cheese.].
>Looking up briefly in recall, he then adds:
"My meeting with Hornet Song was very brief. Combat against the Argus Command Dominator at the Armory was more pressing. I remember him being a... we would call him a 'womanizer'. Flippant attitude towards mares and his responsibilities."
>Materializing his still unnamed graviton "gun" in his hand, he looks at it in a vain attempt to see the graviton held inside.
"When would be a good time to ask for access to what I would need to finish modifying this conceptual weapon?"

>>393116
>Designating modified reports in priority against original and subtly unaltered versions, 'Shiibo' eyes through each, checking Operators, allies, aligned, friends, then individual access dates.
'No, sir. ..minor correction: let that be recorded as a no to all three possibilities.
One: all known and theoretically possible avenues from direct to indirect contact have been wide open for one-point-five Tallus years. Personnel and ponial files show moderately direct influences from primarily Lunar, Ferron, and Moorite sources. Assuming one in every five hundred Independents from Las Pegasus were Anti-infected sleeper agents tasked to operate in purely clandestine roles, there are zero such individuals noted.
I have gained access to a previously hidden archive containing Lady Roust's post-Mission and Operation reports. Remarkably complete and... a bit too highly detailed. She noted nineteen potentially unknown pegasus agents during Hollow Case's excursions when sales occurred in Lucky's Bar. The majority fit a base profile for Independent, yet have strictly Solar or Lunar faction behaviors.
Two: Razorback Company's size and distance between known squads would easily have covered ninety to one hundred infiltrators with minimal chances of discovery. Excepting minor faction, cultural, or civil disputes, discrepancies or treatment based on sex, minute political overtures and posturing, numerous accounts of slight misconduct regarding unclear Lunar laws for a protectorate.. there is no pattern. The reverse of a pattern is equally missing.
Three: from where? The individuals I suspected to be agents or assets have been confirmed as allied or friendly, including a LARGE number whom were unfairly treated.. not by noteworthy Razorback Operatives, high ranking or noble Lunar faction members.'
>Trailing off in a deep scowl, the avatar regards Hodch with a peculiar glance before facing you, both hands palm up in faint anger.
'I may or may not impose a necessity in assisting with the destruction of a specific planet in the future.
As stated previously, direct interference from Sweet Dreams and the Otherworld alicorn known as Silver, real name unknown at this time, cannot account for the statistically random actions presumably taken by Horizon. Planar and Eldritch interference are equally minimal.
In sum: the inconsistent usage of Anti as a weaponized surveillance tool meets no singular or composite theoretical nor hypothetical at this time. We may be looking at a dead end.. or the remains of one.'
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]

"Don't worry about it, I.. need some time to think. There's over six thousand Lunars outfitted with Construct pieces now. If that doesn't get written on my death certificate as partial cause of death I'm going to feel insulted..."

>Bringing up an incredibly long scrolling list of noteworthy Lunar achievements, retrievals, recoveries, and findings conducted with Razorback's aid, the avatar shrugs.
'Positives: exceptional loyalty to their sovereign reinforced by willing choice. Stated sovereign owns a partially habitable Moon, which you should inspect properly. Instant or immediate access for dealing with high difficulty to near-deific threats. Espionage, combat effectiveness, and esoteric ratings are superb. Willingness to sacrifice for the best of their own.
Limited yet unusually potent blessings. Historical knowledge varies depending on species. Diplomacy is typically a when needs must priority. Economy and majority of internal cultures are based on respect and equal trade. Vast network of valuable faction contacts with hardened and sheltered assets across most of a super-continent.
Overall average compatibility rating: 50%.
Negatives: ...most everything else? A bizarre insistence for testing a specific fruit on the posterior of a Princess. Minimal to high difficulties when dealing with select individuals and herds. Poorly explained hostilities. Unusual and inarticulable behaviors which do not fit other factions. Arcane knowledge which drives individuals into a host of psychoses. Exceptionally secretive in select aspects.
...Naghtmares. Spectrals. Undead. Equipment produced from Eldritch, Planar, and Extra-Planar beings. Baffling deals with the former. High risk to lethal rituals or rites. Wide variety of curses.
In comparison the Solar faction majority is <10% compatible.
I require significant additional data to conduct formal evaluations. At this time I cannot recommend more than maintaining commonality and shared interests.'

>Unfocused gaze fixed on the opposite wall, small, slow and angered twitches on the deep purple stallion's muzzle speak of numerous, probably physical, disputes.
"I do not like him. At all. Hornet Song is from Canterlot, about 29,850 or so. During that time there were thousands of stallions like him stupidly fooling maretriarchs into thinking they were losing some ridiculous 'culture' war over sex based roles in Equestrian society, and he STILL plays into it as if the past millenium hasn't changed those entirely.
I'd rather have Denra and his misery inducing shenanigans any day."
>Finding the pinpoint bead nestled inside at a minorly offset angle, it ripples back into the precise center as the avatar twitches.
'....was it SLEEPING!?'
>Taking off the bracelet and unfolding it into an oval doorway, Hodch tosses it to land in the passenger side's unnoccupied center.
"Go ahead and finish it while he's busy."
[1d6+8 = (3+8) = 11] <M.Research
[1d6+8 = (5+8) = 13]
[1d6+8 = (6+8) = 14]
[1d6+8 = (2+8) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <Teacher Razorback Company
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]

>>393091
>Peace in this moment had been earned, of course the scuffling of puppets could never break it. There would be time enough for new conflict once new days and new nights had broken.
"She seemed rather too serious for it to be something as silly as paperwork, but then you would know better than I about Inquisitors. I just sense she attached great importance to these words. She doesn't feel greedy or power hungry, unless shes very good at hiding it. At the very least, this Inquisitor may yet remain with Razorback, and having known papa she may also be willing to vouch for us with some convincing."
>Amethyst just needed to make contact with them now.

>Another! One whom could speak that strange language!
>Ever more mystery abounds, but she'd also promised snoot later.
"Later! I'm holding you to that!"

>She huffed again with frustration, recovering her balance after her absolute failure to close to melee for non-consensual assault boops.
"That was no hallucination, they're both real, and they're both magic!"
>The boxes were stowed next, after a rather careful follow-up examination including a taste test and an ear press, shrugging an putting the mystery aside. She would thoroughly unwind them along with the satchel Avernus had gifted her. So many gifts to categorise.
>Anti, however, was not a gift. Anti was dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Time she left before it could come to affect her.
>Taking Stick firmly in hand, the filly backed away from the flood and out of the building, she would have to hope it remained localised. Once she was clear, she intoned Crystal Runes to examine her own signature for the taint of Anti.
>The baffling part was how it had come from nowhere for seemingly no reason.

[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] < B. Crystal Runes
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]

[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]

"Im uncertain. I don't see that we have any choice but to try the Crystal Empire to locate mama's relations and seek information from them."
>She gazed over at the sleds, unwilling to get too close to them in case Anti had latched onto her. She'd need to be damned sure she was clear before so much as setting a hoof in Lila's direction. She'd also need to remember how to clear the infection of Anti.
"If it's not a Daymare, it's Anti. City's got problems."
>She humorously responded to Gorgutz in the meantime.
"Just... Tryz not ta say watevuhz word it woz youz said dat 'appens ta be sum flash git'z name."

>>393156
>The true Brothers deliberate for 5.1 seconds, deciding there was nothing to be gained from obfuscating facts.
"My experiences with Rogue Traders consist of doubts and betrayals beyond measure. Few of those granted Charter by the Emprah could hide their thirsts for long. Most sought the powers of authority, dominion, or decadence, but there are a few whom maintained truly noble causes.
If you cannot sense misdirection then she either holds the Imperial Truth closely, or has little tohide, save from those whom would seek her misery on the altars of ignorance."
Hm. I believe you may have the Khan's luck on this matter, Primus. I know a number of true facts regarding that secretive Chronological Ordo. They are firstly obsessed with maintaining exacting dates of Imperial records.
There are countless Lexicanum articles regarding the Light Age of Technology, the Dark Age of Technology, the Ages of Strife, and the Long Night before the Unification Wars. Our Forging occurred soon before the Great Crusade, yet much was lost during that time.
That was followed by the Age of Apostasy which rent the Imperium into forsaken ignorance. We sought datavaults by guile and force, yet none held enough history to reclaim truth. The Age of Redemption held for a time before the Waning, which is when the Imperium truly weakened as a whole. Astra Militarum, Adeptus Sororitas, Adeptus Mechanicus, Adeptus Astartes, and the Inquisitorius sank into depths unforeseen, bereft of the few truths which were honestly sought.
During those times, Rogue Traders descended in the hundreds of thousands, keeping secrets from all, often to maintain their perceived superiority."
>Sharing their reservations, the red pointy eared witch twitches first, then the elder Farseer.
"What we know from the mon`keigh's Fall are tales, legends, and myths which mirrored our own, save for occurring within millennia rather than decenturies. What we know of that time is quarter lie, quarter truth, and half failure of conscience.
Many were the Traders that sought to uncover convenience for their own ends, yet I do recall a handful that fully believed in their heritage."
"Feeling hope without knowing meaning is a cause lost to the fated. Perhaps she was once adrift, and now knows otherwise. Speculation can wait until the ironies of fact are lain bare at your hooves."

>Tasting, seeing, then hearing the vast Otherworld illness from a refined corridor that felt green, it was tinged by single-minded aid, caught between duty and desperation to deliver hopes, or perhaps wishes, to the worthy.
>The strange, decaying doorway had arrived shortly after the precipice of a great victory, countless thoughts and emotions held back, swirling around glories championed by a tiny few.
>Ripping apart in thoroughly self-destructive, inconsiderate measures, no trace of Anti could hold in this city long, nor was it cohesive enough to betray your presence.

"Do so with the proper amount of haste, yet be cautious. Your dam was not typical amongst the Crystal-reborn's ranks. Ever were her words wrought in harsh measures."
"A victory hard won is to be sung praise of, but mind those whom would watch for such an event!"

>Slowly, painfully rolling onto bandaged chest and barrel with a stiff, pain filled huff, a piercing, drugged eye darts across the omniverse within perception.
"Whom speaks towards me?"
>Lips curling back, then downwards in the haze between reality and thought, bright white-gold clouds drifts across hindered consciousness.
"Twice now my name has been called forth on this sanctified world. Why do you seek me? How do you know me?"
>Slowly searching from a tempered view, the bristling, suspicious mind expands outwards.
>Logical, reasonable, and silent questions beckon outwards in calm.
"Show yourself that we may judge each other accordingly in this short time of peace. I bear neither harm nor ill will unless both are set against me."
[1d6 = 5] <Reaction

>Red-painted green and bloodied crimson cloth strangling each other, the scuffle halts.
"Oi, dat'z wun uv dem Weirdgirls, izn't it Beakie?"
"I do not know! Draw this attention to you in a better place Amy, it is not cold enough for you here!"
"How should I know? There are countless among the Psycana and I do not know what you have felt. We may only see from Amy's eyes and feel what the outermost reaches of her mind can share to us."

>>393158
>Amethyst listened intently to the puppets explain some of the words she'd heard with other words she scarcely had an idea of. She'd learned much from her sire of these things, both from his teachings and going through his journals while he wasn't looking, even so, there was still much that made little sense.
>It was an entirely different universe she'd had no contact with, of course it made little sense.
"I truly don't get the sense that she is as you have described Rogue Traders to be, at least from her echoes here. There was a great concern in separating herself from other humans, but she could not conceal her desire to work on their behalf for their benefit. Perhaps this one is one of those exemptions from the norm you beheld."
>They were right though, further speculation served no purpose, or she would be here all night pondering possibilities instead of acting upon them. A funny thing for a Farseer of all beings to remind her of such a thing, but that was no surprise for the two that were with her.
"Fate must be impelled into tangibility, or be left as unrealised possibility."

>The flood of Anti did not last long, and thankfully it had been destroyed before it could take root in her.
>With a sigh of relief, Amy moved back over to the sleds and tied the rope back around her waist, peering over the edge and down at Lila's Core with some concern. Considerin how she might shield her from the Ice Amy was about to take her into.
"Maybe a barrier of compressed Air around her Core to insulate her."
>That would not work, Lila's Fire would consume all the available Air within the barrier to fuel itself very quickly, and once she'd reformed herself into her Equine shape, the barrier would break.
>A larger barrier around the sled would bleed Fire more quickly.
"No, I can't do it with resonance, the physical properties and mechanics of Fire and Ice are too difficult to tamper with. Sorcery then."
>A sorcerous barrier around the sled keyed to shield against Ice from entry may work. Air at its event horizon would have to shed the property of Ice, becoming elementally neutral excepting its own nature.
>To prevent Fire from bleeding out of the shield, the sorcerous barrier would also have to contain those energies, however, considering how much Lila likely contained, there was a good chance she'd turn the sled into a fireball very quickly.
"I'll have to give it some more thought before I attempt anything."
>The walk to the Warp Gate would serve as time enough.

>Withdrawing from the grounds with the sleds in tow, Amethyst caught a Sending on the edge of her mind, cocking her head as if to hear it better.
>The ipotane came to a stop not far from the Gate. Now she'd gone and done it, like Gorgutz, she'd said something to invoke the True Name of a being. What was it she'd said? The Sending had come after her final few words, the name was in there somewhere.
>It wasn't 'git', the only word both her own phrase and Gorgutz' shared was...
>Amy had been about to think it before stopping herself.
"Ahh, hello?"
>Wait no, thoughts were sent, not linked together, so talking and thinking would not work unless she'd specifically worked sorcery to Send them.
>She wondered if she could do this with anybody or if it were specific to this being because of the particular nature of whatever magic she had that she would notice her name being spoken aloud from... Wherever it was that she was. Or perhaps it had something to do with Canterlot itself.
>Yet she'd spoken that word multiple times before and had not received such a response, had she spoken it aloud on Tallus? Amy didn't think she had, she'd only said 'flashy' after leaving Tartarus.
>No matter, both hands clutching Stick, Amethyst closed her eyes and focused her thoughts into sorcery, coupled with knowledge of the being's Name, Sent them only towards that being.

[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]

(Hello? Hello! We weren't seeking you, we simply stated your name aloud by chance conversation. Sorry!~)
>She could feel the mind take full notice of her now, Amy got the sense of an Equine shape, pain, body inebriated, mind clouded by it in turn.
>There was suspicion, but not irrational. A request for revelation, an offering of intent. No trust, irrational to offer without mutual exchange.
>How to reveal herself? A Name was called, a Name should be offered in turn. However to give her Name especially in this manner carried real risk, the being may not be the only one listening for Sending.
>She mixed a thought well into a mental image of where she stood, gazing up to include the ruined palace of New Canterlot as a recognisable landmark. Still cautious, she sent the thought along.
(My Name is Amy, who might you be?)

>>393204
>There was no deliberation this time, only shared questions which had no questions to advise you with.
"Seek this Rogue Trader out in order to ascertain her motives first and judgement second. If she is pure of heart, soul, and purpose, she will bind herself in harsh oaths to be presented as an equal."
"She may be too lost to speak with her own mind willingly, yet there are exclusions to mon`keigh... at times."
"I take no offense with your words nor meanings. Isolated and heretical as some of the Charter borne Houses became, few would dare offer to hold and oath only to violate the same. Use that to your advantage, Primus."

>Pulling the sleds side by side, the rear one was decidedly cool enough.
>Filled with sufficient refractory materials, it wouldn't melt without both a rampage and significant anger from the former underprincess.
"Request her to awaken slowly, without violence or brutality. She knows you well enough to agree with such a minor imposition!"
"Or ask her to not turn into a miniature solar body."

>Easily pulling both sleds away from the barracks, depot, and training ground once set aside for Razorback, a temperate calm had formed around the translocation matrice.
>Eyeing it in suspicion.... it certainly wasn't a Warp Gate due to the higher frequency communications passing back and forth in the tens of thousands per second.
>Hundreds of Vortex couriers passing through unknown Planar channels at distances you couldn't examine, they were mostly unaware of your presence.
>...except for one which felt like a wriggly, rotund, bipedal spine-covered cactus merged with a floral proto-humanoid .
>It didn't like the Blind, and since it couldn't sing, it held traces of curious distaste towards New Canterlot.

>Bidding the Elements to offer favors in the long distance between, they were slightly curious rather than apathetic.
<High Gothic> "A hallowed behest of thine Night tae ye, mine greetings and blessings grace thee."
>Pausing after the highly archaic, the rather soft, aerily brusque verbiage, tone, and non-melodic voice belong to that of a falsely harsh unicorn mare in her late 30's.
>The prior inquisitive bent touched her words in calm rather than sharing or delivering suspicion.
("Perhaps this name truly is little known amongst marely and many alike... ignore my expletives if you would. Few of this world recognize purity of intent and surety of purpose combined.")
>Reverting to an informal tone after four seconds, the imprint of a polite gesture is felt.
("It is an honor to be called upon in this marener, Amy. However, for your privacy....")
>Dull images of harsh, bright silver and gold armors larger than the prototype version your sire had deemed to be acceptable twitch into perception, not distinct enough to match with what you knew.
("The name I bear is 'Flash', primarily for my choice in wargear among... other reasons. Those are less important on this world than they were before.")

>Subdued, sparkling royal purples, golds, blues, silvers, and white mix among tiny stretches of calm yellows, passive oranges, and possibly furtive reds, the mountain not too far above you was dotted with a wide variety of known materials.
>Mostly hidden by gazing, Spectral Dracosines, each bore a new vigil of their own cause though weren't hiding among the ruins.
>As the Elements share their limited, albeit taciturn awareness, the hosts of scorched, melted, burned, seared, crumbling, and shattered atomic bonds, previously opposing, mingled with each other.
>Stacks of burning Solar paladine and chilling Lunar Lumin had been placed far from their their assigned locations, displeased at the hindrances of remaining unused.
>Twinges of thought, mostly equine in nature, cloud or share aspirations which were drawn to the barracks left of you.

>Feeling the backwash of a rigid exhalation, the mare's voice is exhausted, worn down by pain.
("I am unable to speak for long in this marener for long, nor can I move from this place. My wounds are still fresh, deep, and... hideous.
It is improper to speak from afar unless you prefer such. As we do not know each other enough to establish trust, after this following Dusk I ask you to find a sacred locale, whether reliquary, temple, altar, whether holy or unholy alike, then call forth my name twice.
Should I hear and the Medicae deem me capable of speaking, I will send my Scion to accompaneigh you for a meeting place. He will rigidly guard you to whichever location you accept.
Walk in peace. if you are able to.")

>Unable to hear external communications you didn't share, the scuffle ends with no clear winner or loser, followed by Kerbann cloth risking to deliver facepalms.
"I do not know what has transpired Amy, yet this is no time to nightdream unless answers occur. Finding where your sire and dam have been before Lilamaredre wakes is essential."
"Travel quickly before the squads return. They may not be able to prevent those whom cannot understand why you remain here from investigating."

[1d6 = 3] <Reaction

>>393153
>Passing an equally confused glance towards Shibo's display, he replies.
'Those were all meant to be one possibility, not three, but I see. We'll have to shelve the Anti question for now.'

>Nodding at Hodch, he stands and moves towards the now open portal.
'Well... better that then dead I suppose. Hopefully Hodch can clear the misunderstanding. The last time we entered the Storm King's room, Hodch had mentioned the electrical emissions were well controlled. There is a possibility your systems won't be negatively affected if they remain on. If there was anything pressing you needed to continue, we can try it.'
>Waiting if Shiibo deemed it necessary to perform any additional measures or shut down before entering, he would then return to continue redressing the error in his conceptual weapon's properties against Psions and attempt to redirect those processes towards making the conditions for coaxing a graviton more appealing.

[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]< E. Small Arms + Unnamed Graviton Weapon + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]< M. FINA
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]< E. Small Arms + SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]< SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]< Graduate Researcher + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Advanced Technological Weaponry & Tactics
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]< Observer Post-Space Age Technologies
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]< Observer Post-Space Age Weaponry
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4]< Pupil Planar Lightning Modification
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]< Observer Elemarental Plane of Lightning
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]< Observer Conceptual Lightning Plane Objective-Creation
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]< Observer Lightning Elementals
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]

>>393211
>She nodded in assent to the puppets.
"However we shall need to find this Rogue Trader first, I sense that both she and Razorback are at the end of the same path, the signs along the way for one are greater than the other."
>Peering over towards the sleds once more, Amethyst shook her head.
"Neigh. Lila deserves her rest, she nearly got krumped by that Daymare, I shall try to form an elemental barrier around the sled instead momentarily. I just need time to ponder its exact structure, filtering Fire and Ice from their attachment to Air is something I haven't done before."

>Receiving thoughts arrowed toward her from the unknown being, Amy easily recognised High Gothic, which was odd because her shape was that of an Equine, yet she spoke a language that as far as she knew, could only have come from the reality her sire had originated from. Perhaps she had learned it from another of the summoned Humans.
>Examining the images of armours that Flash sent, Amy was more certain that this pony must have been involved with either her sire, the Rogue Trader or another of that particular reality.
>Communicating in this way seemed to be taxing to the mare, however. Injury. Amy briefly considered whether or not it would be possible to sorcerously convey resonance to promote healing at such a range.
>Projected resonance at extreme ranges via sorcerous Sending was an exciting possibility to consider that she couldn't keep from tinting her thoughts, but thought better of attempting a trial run on a near stranger.
("Okie dokie! Hope you get better soon!~")
>With that, she disengaged her Sending magic and stirred herself from the reverie of thought, catching the words of the puppets.
"Ehh? Ah? The one we'd just invoked contacted me a moment ago, she's offered a meeting after the next dusk if we pick a spot and invoke her name again. She was strange though, a pony, but she could speak High Gothic and knew of the shiniest of armours. Silver and Gold, but no Blue."
>They were right however, time to leave. Amy turned to consider the sled Lila was snoozing in.
"Now for this barrier..."
>A sorcerously constructed elemental barrier would be a clever trick for the ipotane to pull. Air would have to be permitted free entry and exit, but any other attached elemental energy would have to be filtered out much as a mask filtered air for contaminants. A sheer block on Ice was relatively straightforward, the problem was Fire within the barrier building up, some of it would have to be allowed to bleed out, but slowly, so Amy selected an arbitrary temperature similar to that of Saddle Arabia as the upper limit before Fire would begin filtering out.
>Trusty Stick ever in hand, Amy examined the sled closely. The barrier would also have to be attached to the sled rather than a point in space, or it would simply fly off into the aether along with that point of space.
>Casting her sorcery, she focused upon the structure of the sled itself, defined a central point relative to it in order to anchor the barrier, and formed a roomy ovoid shape around it before turning her attention to the properties of the barrier.

>Ice permeability: Minimal
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

>Fire permeability: Partial
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

>Air permeability: Total
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]

>If this went wrong, she'd have to dispel it and try again.

>>393213

[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]< E. Small Arms + Unnamed Graviton Weapon + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]< M. FINA
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]< E. Small Arms + SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]< SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]< Graduate Researcher + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]< Observer Advanced Technological Weaponry & Tactics
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]< Observer Post-Space Age Technologies
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]< Observer Post-Space Age Weaponry
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4]< Pupil Planar Lightning Modification
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Elemarental Plane of Lightning
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]< Observer Conceptual Lightning Plane Objective-Creation
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]< Observer Lightning Elementals
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]

>>393235

[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]< E. Small Arms + Unnamed Graviton Weapon + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]< M. FINA
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]< E. Small Arms + SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]< SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]< Graduate Researcher + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]< Observer Advanced Technological Weaponry & Tactics
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]< Observer Post-Space Age Technologies
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]< Observer Post-Space Age Weaponry
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6]< Pupil Planar Lightning Modification
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Elemarental Plane of Lightning
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]< Observer Conceptual Lightning Plane Objective-Creation
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]< Observer Lightning Elementals
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]

>>393236

[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]< E. Small Arms + Unnamed Graviton Weapon + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]< M. FINA
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]< E. Small Arms + SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]< SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]< Graduate Researcher + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]< Observer Advanced Technological Weaponry & Tactics
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Post-Space Age Technologies
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]< Observer Post-Space Age Weaponry
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6]< Pupil Planar Lightning Modification
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]< Observer Elemarental Plane of Lightning
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]< Observer Conceptual Lightning Plane Objective-Creation
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]< Observer Lightning Elementals
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

>>393237

[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]< E. Small Arms + Unnamed Graviton Weapon + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]< M. FINA
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]< E. Small Arms + SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]< SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]< Graduate Researcher + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Advanced Technological Weaponry & Tactics
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Post-Space Age Technologies
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Post-Space Age Weaponry
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5]< Pupil Planar Lightning Modification
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]< Observer Elemarental Plane of Lightning
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]< Observer Conceptual Lightning Plane Objective-Creation
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]< Observer Lightning Elementals
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]

>>393238

[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]< E. Small Arms + Unnamed Graviton Weapon + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]< M. FINA
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]< E. Small Arms + SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]< SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]< Graduate Researcher + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]< Observer Advanced Technological Weaponry & Tactics
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]< Observer Post-Space Age Technologies
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]< Observer Post-Space Age Weaponry
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]< Pupil Planar Lightning Modification
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]< Observer Elemarental Plane of Lightning
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]< Observer Conceptual Lightning Plane Objective-Creation
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Lightning Elementals
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]

>>393239

[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]< E. Small Arms + Unnamed Graviton Weapon + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]< M. FINA
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]< E. Small Arms + SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]< SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]< Graduate Researcher + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]< Observer Advanced Technological Weaponry & Tactics
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Post-Space Age Technologies
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]< Observer Post-Space Age Weaponry
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3]< Pupil Planar Lightning Modification
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]< Observer Elemarental Plane of Lightning
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Conceptual Lightning Plane Objective-Creation
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]< Observer Lightning Elementals
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]

>>393240

[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]< E. Small Arms + Unnamed Graviton Weapon + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]< M. FINA
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]< E. Small Arms + SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]< SGSC FINA
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]< Graduate Researcher + Skill Specialization
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Advanced Technological Weaponry & Tactics
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]< Observer Post-Space Age Technologies
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Post-Space Age Weaponry
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]< Pupil Planar Lightning Modification
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]< Observer Elemarental Plane of Lightning
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]< Observer Conceptual Lightning Plane Objective-Creation
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]< Observer Lightning Elementals
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

>>393213
>>393235
>>393236
>>393237
>>393238
>>393239
>>393240
>>393241

'I received three interlinked questions, three interlinked answers were delivered. Anti itself is a secondary priority to immediately dispose of.
Sir, cross-referencing Astral Legacy and Hodch's information with the.. restored and unaltered reports show a disturbing trend. Horizon's continued existence and known operational radius represents a Class 2 threat reaching near-critical mass. Las Pegasus and Stalliongrad have not deliberately engaged, meaning she is currently elsewhere in a tasking stage.
This should necessitate immediate hostile engagement utilizing all of Razorback's assets, however there are no indicators as to her current location. New Canterlot is a medium probability.'
>Screens clearing and focusing on a suite of diagnostics, the avatar motions briefly: 100% of the drive had been corrupted, the data's entirety infected.
'I was fooled, yet not datamined. The entropic effects were not due to Tallus. Direct confirmation regarding full scale contamination has been made. This evidence is, according to my understanding of equine legal processes, admissible. There is a caveat: Razorback is a direct Lunar Protectorate and as such can not deliver to non-Lunar courts.
The primary Solar faction and Crystal Empire may, on the surface, consider this admission to be an act of negligence regarding esoteric warfare. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, yet if they were unaware of humans spreading Anti there is a-'
>Image flickering once, the model cringes internally, then externally.
'I will not continue without the assistance of a skilled lawyer."
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]

>Setting the tablet away and sitting back in her chair fully, Katyal's knees are tucked under chin, arms hugging both legs as she visibly melts a fraction.
"Aaaand now I'm bored with three fully loaded guns and enough explosives to probably kill or shatter a small Abomination."
>Making a short hoof on chest tap, the living unicorn sets it down to regard the woman with a disinterested tone.
"Shouldn't be. Six crates of Luna's moonshine, all volumes of Lunar Laws and Treaties, a complete set of Post-War batpony Berzerker armor, kanpri of course, full access with trade rights to most of Luna's Villages, and fifty thousand gems from various regions have been confirmed as delivered to Olvia Tributary. Countess Folunasi signed for them.
You are also stipulated to cease placing crude drawings on my windows, but nothing else. Would you care to discuss a second, wholly different contract?"
"I'm.. surprised she's still there and not in Prance like usual. Or Ehh, lemme think a bit."
'>Regarding the Starborn's oddly stoic marener, the avatar peeks into multiple applications, eyebrows raising in subtly polite intrigue.
'This is unusual. I am moderately surprised he is not shouting or passed out from stress. But if he does either within the next two hours you owe this helmet a proper cleaning.'

>Studying Elemental Plane effects using the Landbarge's particle array, her hardware, then software are checked before disconnecting from the Rerculon's systems and giving a 'safe' motion.
>Stepping back into the Storm King's Room, it had not been entered since you were last here.
>Undertaking a quick self check, 'Shiibo' halts, while turning a rigid, sweeping gaze across the room.
'No discernible tra- I feel them. Outside. They. Are. Staring. At. Me.'

>Returning to its active state, the conceptual forge spreads apart, offering its uninterrupted sequences and services again.
>Setting the firm requirements of changes necessary in your mind, the scornful Psionic effluent from imprinting recedes into a minimum state, now reshaped into a slightly insulting, or possibly minutely offensive form.
>Finding that a complete removal would fundamentally destroy your creation, the peculiar moulding imparted into the functions of Collection and Return are eased by transfer.

>Sensing paranoia fueled hatred brimming within the Room, the avatar's hands snap down to clutch her skirt, screaming aloud.
'YAMETE KUDASAAAAIIIIIIIIIIII!'
[1d6 = 1] <...Reaction?

>>393234
"Den yu'z bettah paint somefin' red on ya roight quik!"
"This may be the only time I cannot more highly approve greenskin's suggestion."
"Do you KNOW what that beast did!? He spoke of splashing over Khorne's CRIMSON AND BRASS on a Predator!"
"If an Ork can improve a paint job, it is a most deserved reward."
"Was I mistaken in hearing her squeak?"
"No, you were not. While a truly Elemental being cannot be easily harmed easily by similar aspects, they still suffer aggravation."

("I am.. trying, thank yo-")
>Losing connection from lacking maintenance, the dueling puppets end their ineffectual blows.
"Which form? There are at least nine hundred variations."
"Far more than that! Why, I can think of thirty from Cadia which are only spoken by specific Regiments in formal matters! There are ten ceremonial, five related to the Mechanicus, and three only used in processions!"
"OI! Doez she got de-"
"DO NOT USE THAT WORD AGAIN!"
"Oi'z not dat dumb! Oi was gunna say SHINY FINGZ! Mebbe she knowz where da best bitz iz ta loot!"
"An unusual offer, though if you have not discovered ill intent it is likely she is highly curious. One's true name carries profound weight and an equal amount of danger."
"Silver is reserved for noblites and nobility, gold for royalites and royalty. Perhaps she is an important attache or liaison with some pull."

>Selecting the closest local Elements for this endeavor, they grant a shape.. which occurs as a strangely melted vent on a moderately squished oval, complete with an internal heat-exchanging fan attached to the sled's ceiling.
>Partially interconnected above, Prima Lucis' core had been emitting enough Fire to warm the interior slightly, but was now cooling sufficiently from circulation.
"Not the worst result. It will work."

>>393246
>Amy responded to the puppets as she worked, guiding energy into taking a... Shape.
"No idea, it was a dialect that I understood and I'm only fluent in two. As for the shiny fingz, it was very similar to the designs papa had been working on, but bigger, and of course shinier."
>It was a shame that they were only mental images, she'd have loved to get into that armoury.

>Stepping back to admire her work, Amethyst stared, then cocked her head, then scratched in bafflement at the exact and entirely unknown shape it had taken.
"That wasn't intentional. What is that?"
>She examined it from multiple directions, the filly cautious about poking it with her Stick for fear of interfering with whatever it was that it was doing.
>He was right, it was working, but...
"I've never seen this thing in my life."
>With a sigh, she left the mystery to be a mystery and turned back to the translocation matrix, pulling the sleds onto it.
>Extending her will she sought out the path the Crystal Empire, runes her dam had taught her to remember to take her to a place she had only heard about before.
"I really hope Lila doesn't freeze."

>>393247
"Ah, it must be Terran High Gothic Supremis! The most common choice, and for good reason!"
"Ancient Terrans had a different name for it. The term 'gothic' originally meant a specific style of architecture."
"Ahh, there must be a great foundry and forgeworks available. If a few of those coveted Standard Templates exist here, it would be quite interesting to.. change one or two, wouldn't you say?"
"I agree. Give this heretic a jaw that I may crush it!"

>Giving the object a delicate poke, aside from it thunking briefly, the Elemental oddity was decidedly semi-physical, enough they could be reclaimed.
"It is a radiator of.. sorts. Little should melt or freeze above a certain temperature."
"How do you know what it is?"
"For one, it's similar to those installed in the majority of power armors, vehicles, generators, turrets, walkers, and most ships. For two, we can see through her eyes when she is not focused."

>Selecting Equestria, Northern Equestria, Crystal Empire, then City-State, the only available location read as a train station south of the Spire some distance.
>Stretching outwards, a dull, multi-hued tunnel passes quickly, ripples of cold air wash across you before sliding onto solid, melodic tinks chiming underhoof.
>Immediate creases of frost descend on your clothes and wiggling ears, inhaling a somehow familiar, comfortably ringing chill, noting vast amounts of Rime spread throughout.
>Facing directly north into an impressively tall gated and walled, highly spread out gleaming city comprised entirely from partially fluorescent crystal slabs.
>Deep reds, blues, purples, greens, and more provided plentiful light to easily see, accompaneighed by the Moon's strangely shaded colors above.
>Greatly different from your dam's knowledge, both fanciful gates were open and locked in place, one squads of four Heavy Defencer ExoFrames in diamond formation stood before each, bearing the standard Rimeshock impactor lance and external double hoofblade combination.
>The arch above them was decorated by a large mural, two highly familiar alicorns surrounded by hundreds of Crystal ponies in archaic armors or ExoFrames, and a stunning variety of Changelings, ranging from shorter than Ferron to a few nearly 8' tall.
>Behind the Twin Sisters, three Ethereal Golems stood at rigid attention; exacting triangular shields in the left hand of each, the most prominent one bore a heavily spiked combat shield, second carrying an incredibly plain impactor tipped lance, while the third held an unusual warscythe.
>The high wall to your left was covered by countless crates, boxes, barrels, a majority large enough to fit ten ponies the size of your dam inside.
>Numerous mares sorting through and stacking crystal slabs towards the end, no attention was paid to you, the sound of Power constantly humming in their quiet background.
>To the right, a three level transfer station was far larger than New Canterlot's version:
>The ground level featured an unusual 200M, if not longer, solid crystalline wall with ten entrances; a single old, dark purple Kingdom style trader's tent had been neatly kept at the corner closest to you.
>The flaps had been closed down in a specific marener which meant the owner had chosen to live elsewhere.
>What you could see refracting from the second floor's ceiling was an almost filled foyer, hundreds of Crystal ponies, only a few with clothing other than ribbons, bows, or ultralight scarves, lounging on large circular rugs, the groups varying from herds of four to several dozen.
>Couches and a few chairs were scattered around for those traveling or without a herd, four small check in stations sorting through the chaos, though you do spot a number of.. batponies.
>Batponies in EXTREMELY thick, full body covering, puffy Empire winter clothing no less, the fluorescent threads, bulky wing warmers, and thick, darkened visors rather amusing to see first hoof.

>Sensing and feeling slight attention set on you, the ExoFrame protected squads stare through their wraparound visors.
>Hard, and in extreme confusion no less.
[1d6 = 2] <Reaction
"Does this remind you of certain places, sister?"
"Yes... it does."

>>393242
>Pursing his lips with a grim expression, he nods at her avatar.
"Right, the legal ramifications can be dealt with later. Not something I even want to consider running damage control for yet."

>Stepping back into the undisturbed room of the Storm King, he looks around cautiously despite being aware he wouldn't be able to see any impending electromagnetic interference.
>Receiving an all clear, he heads towards the conceptual forge and sets his graviton "gun" down.
>An arched pair of eyebrows are directed towards his assistant.
"They? What do errant electrons want with you?"

>A scowl darkens his face behind his helmet as the nature of his conceptual gravarm's foundation prevents him from removing its anti-psionic properties without unraveling the weapon itself.
>He brusquely waves a hand hrough the half-formed strands of ideas he had hoped to weave and instead begins adjusting their pattern to minimize the effects of said property in an attempt at damage control.
>Shifting to try and create a more palatable environment for containment and coaxing, he stops as Shiibo delivers a canned response straight from the 90's.
>With an unamused scan of the room, he draws Four Storms in its shovel head configuration and strikes the pommel claw against the floor.

[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]< Stormsearch Mystic Lightning Elemental

"I was told all guests were welcome and would be unaccosted. She is mine."
>He experimentally reaches out with his elemental search and Empress granted Lightning channeling capabilities to rebuff any unwanted voyeurs.

>>392974

"Not really had a chance to speak with them. They all seemingly left after the battle."

>Place thee armored-record carry?
>Oh the hardcases
>Looking over to the monolith, Clemency hops off and gets the one not being used
>Going back to the cockpit, he looks around seeing if there's' a slot before deciding to place it on the seat
>Hopefully it'll help with the translating

>Looking at the Luminary, he sees her question Stellar Claw like a doctor
>Mentally, he's also taking note of her questions and answering it in his mind
>"No thoughts, no urges, no hallucinations..."
>His then focuses on the Luminary now examining him
>All these classes of exposure rising in severity
"If I'm supposed to be dead, then something else is going on right?"
>Remaining still, Clemency inspects the mare's movements before seeing the cloud of Moonlight
>He breathes in the cloud, hoping it'll cleanse him of this severe amount of Anti
>But how did it get there in the first place anyways?
>At least there''s some levity between Stellar Claw and her
>Clemency shrugs
"Go ahead and give me the worst. Let's see how bad it is."

>Looking down, he sees the second half of his delivery arrived
>He sees the two magnifying glasses
>Probably the best looking ones he's seen
>Seeing Stellar Claw hand one to him, Clemency smiles and takes the magnifying glass
"Oh, thank you!"
>Following suit, he also looks at the Harpy craft with it

>>392237
>I only had the feeling of suppressing a sigh at that.
>At least she still has sarcasm.
>Or at least what I hope is sarcasm.
>Nodding along, I keep from telling her that I only really understood sonar.
>Its what some whales have, so she was part whale.
>fatty
"Well, that's some sort of good news, I suppose."

"Feeling better is good, as well."
>Depending on how much is in there, I could look up and research some things while we were traveling along.
>...
"Yeah, it would probably be best for you to wait until we get back to Razorback to start experimenting."
(I don't WANT to know what she considers biologically safe.)

>>393283
>Stuck in looping cycles until you bring the conjoined weapon into existence, 'Shiibo' crouches down to protect herself, shouting at millions of tiny, black dots appearing in the Room, lines of Gravity and Lightning bent around each.
'GRAVITONS! I KNEW THEY COULDN'T BE TRUSTED!'
>Mentally blanking out at masses warping in from minute gateways across Planes and Tallus, impossible numbers appear in direct view.
>Orbiting in calm, distinct and thoroughly familiar patterns of external study, approximations of the avatar's limited clothing, then yours, form into cohesive shapes.
>Slight forward dips are given from a select number, all save a few scattering back to where they came from, the A.I.'s face aghast, then angered.
'What? They're curious of what we wear?!'
>Standing up to cautiously survey, close to thirty Gravitons are marked within the Room, returned to drifting in inexorably blithe, random motions.
>Puzzled at her displays briefly, 'Shiibo' spins around to face you with a sharply curving smile.
>Left hand on stomach, the right reaching up to place on the same cheek, her voice becomes slightly husky.
'Hm-hm-hm~! What a remarkable surprise from you, sir~! I could never have imagined you being so willing to risk everything to save me from the grasp of certain death!'
>Eyebrows raised, both arms reach forwards to clasp across her chest, leaning forwards and changing to an eager, faintly demanding tone.
'How DO you intend to claim me, sir? A challenge of wits and subtlety perhaps, ensuring I have no choice but to lose? A test of strength, endurance, and willpower, which you shall no doubt win?
Will you drag me off to somepony with a complete lack of ethics and moral standards, downloading me into a well tailored, pliant body, one tailor made to your wonderfully EXACT and fulfilling specifications?'
>Freezing for two seconds, the avatar stands upright, right eye twitching once before straightening her outfit pensively, then clears her digital air.
'AHEM. ...where was I? Ah, yes-'

>Bringing up an image of Denra seated alone in the Pagoda, the avatar gives it a harsh side eye.
'Sharpened Words is a former Solar Diplomat, considered disgraced by most Solar factions due to his confirmed Anti-induced erratic behaviors. Such charges will become admissible when or if approved by a Lunar Judge, yet he is somewhat pony non grata for now.
Princess Luna, her Council, and certain Starborn have.. decently regarded diplomatic protocols, yet their status towards Razorback will be thoroughly damaged. They may consider Swiss cheesing us, sir, given the Lunar predisposition towards Anti. I do not know how to counteract their inevitable furor yet.'
>Pausing to bring up a meeting between Twisted Wing, Naliyna, and Roust in the Mess Hall, she takes on a more serious posture.
'Three highly actionable diplomatic measures are available sir. I understand the intricacies of interspecies relations well enough to gauge which would be most likely to succeed alone, though doing none will cause significant faction aggression.
Sapphire Kiwi is the primary avenue, but we cannot approach her indirectly nor externally. That would not only be treated as a psychological and spiritual weakness, she would consider humans as a blindside threat. That would cause her to retract Matron status under hostility, which would entirely destroy the current Protectorate status, allowing direct aggression from Canterlot, the Crystal Empire, Stalliongrad, Las Pegasus remnants, and others seeking revenge. A strictly face to snout meeting is necessary.
Her well meaning delegations of Starborn to undertake tasks and deal with situations which they are specialized in is considered to be remarkably temperate. Excepting her terrifically inappropriate version of hostile negotiation, however, she is beloved by dedicated combatants. Acquiring her support will reduce risk factors by over sixty percent. And possibly more.
Naliyna Remostrine's assistance in clarifying Razorback's Anti-infected actions would significantly reduce concerns among the Empire, Independents, and Moorites, with a marginal proportion of Lunars. Her history is exceptionally appealing among most equines given long standing traumas, yet her recall is often poor at best. I have confirmed Anti is >95% responsible for such.
Friendly, warm, cheerful, dedicated, and loyal to her.. stallion, she has never been considered lackluster nor a burden despite those difficulties. She is the second mostly highly accepting equine towards humans, yet may be the most critical.
Lady Roust's highly positive relationship with humans, ten in particular, may be measured strictly against humans being labeled as willing or unwilling agents. She has immediate access to the Changeling Hive, including her Queen. Her reports, of which I have retrieved the correct versions, are remarkably different from those humans have written.
She is a well known, steadfast, trusted, and honorable, factor of Razorback's success. While she prefers the sub-Matron duties, I must state Vanguard genotypes are incapable of falsehood without excellent reasoning, and do not waste time in decision making.
Despite being a Changeling, her open attitude, clarity of conscience, and bonds of duty will garner support among the neutral, Lunar-leaning, and questioning Solar aligned factions. Independents, batponies, and Lunars prefer her as well.'
>Left leg retracting and placed behind the right, the avatar's expression shifts to concern, both hands set in attention, head tilting left with a small grin.
'There are certain absolutes on this world, sir. The full cooperation of all three are required to reach those, however limited they may be. All three may sincerely forgive Razorback's inexplicable, unseen, unknown, and unwilling states as being Anti carriers.
To place the answer in your hands: how would you prefer to reach for the Stars, only to land on the Moon?'
[1d6 = 1] <Choice

>>393367
>Setting the charcoal stick in her tome, Stellar exchanges her studious air for pure mischief, snout crinkling deeply which fully exposes more thin, spiderwebbed white scars across it.
"Constructs don't react to individuals without weapons and armor that aren't displaying aggression. That includes shouting, posturing, pointing, or similar. I've been able to walk through some a few times for study, so long as I don't do something dumb like try to grab a weapon.
Scouts might even follow non-threatening individuals to investigate elsewhere if a big enough command pair is around."
>The batmare's cloak shifts as she turns, splaying out her free wingclaws before motioning at Blackhorn politely.
"If you can locate a pair try to reach out them, and they should recognize her as one-that-has-become-two, or however that's called."

>Picking up the heavy case and returning to Shattering Skies, Stellar points backwards with her right set of wingclaws.
"Pulled that one out above the top whatever-they-are little round things in the rear."
>Walking behind the Harpy gunboat, below the top rear projection is an open, rectangle slot which accepts the unit with ease.
>Lifeweave foaming across and hardening into a solid panel, taking notice of the four main, wide rectangular vectored thrust systems, six secondaries, then a number of smaller ones, several seemed to be undergoing routine checks.

*"Aen success, ye grace. Havest connected thee Sixth Fleet datastores."*
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <Translation: Shattering Skies
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5] <Translation: Guillotine
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Intact Communication Protocols
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

>Trying her best not to study the Luminary, then utterly failing after three seconds while the mare thinks, Stellar picks out a new tome to begin drawing.
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <M.Sketching
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
"Yes. We will not know for sure until we can sit down and discuss further though."
>Taking a deep inhale, a sweetly toned scent and taste emerges, reminiscent of tropical air mixed with the bitingly invigorating high Airstreams.
>Head tilting from one side to the next for half a minute, the Half-Naghtmare stills before small Moonlit fireworks cross the kanpri visor.
"Seems.. or not? ...no, not quite. Thaaaat is weird. Localized Anti inside you is scattered and fragmarented, like parts or pieces which have been fractured, incapable of being restored by each other. Hm. Another variable to deliberate on later."
>Tracking up and down three times slowly, Fifty-Three's head turns to the Cultist, giving an 'acceptable' nod, then focuses back onto you.
"That was much quicker than the other humans. You are both officially clear; no Anti remains within you, equipmarent, weapons, armor, or other.
First of all: the Anti you've been producing has been directly absorbed by General Sapphire Kiwi since however long ago it took hold."
"Wat."
>Small Lumin scales above both eyebrows raising, the earth mare emits a quiet snicker at Stellar Claw's dumbfounded look.
"I know that stare and see it a lot. Sapphire Kiwi is the Ferron name she was born with. Twisted Wing is the Lunar name she had been given in an honored game of random chance. The original mare was a pegasus Dusk Strider whom was caught in a Stormdrift Cloud and marenaged to escape, though just barely. Don't know how or why though, sorry. Never asked."
>Swaying sideways once, the chimes inert now, glancing from side to side briefly before the kanpri false-visor returns to calm royal blue and purple swirls.
"Second: now, if she doesn't immediately kill you in one of a billion mareners, there's a bat and a Bit of good news: four of her Enchains tear Anti apart given enough time. One stonewalls a certain amount which prevents critical mass, another deharmonizes the majority, another was confirmed as negating a threshold amount, but the rest do next to nothing.
Third: nearly every location a human or pony of Razorback has gone to since the week after you all left Canterlot delivered increasingly worrying reports of unusual illnesses. That includes ponies whom joined later, humans that arrived, etcetera. You see where this is going. I have few clues how all of you were exposed to Anti, but the pattern is explicit and clear.
Fourth: the most reports were from Las Pegasus and Stalliongrad, compared to the Crystal Empire where certain individuals spread it. Lunar Villages, Independent towns, and smaller locations are secondary. We've isolated majority infection zones but until purging Anti from all the humans here, then Razorback, we cannot allow contact with others, otherwise it will rebound.
The other small bat of good news is there were incredibly low numbers of reports across the Moors, Navarchy, and Ferron lands. We believe, but do not yet know for sure, portions of the Void may be inherently disruptive and possibly antagonistic towards Anti. Since none of Razorback has been targeted by Flitrakes, Screamers, or similar utterly hostile beings, we will have to study at length to determine why.
Questions? Commarents? Concerns?"
"Just one: how long does it take for common symptoms to occur?"
"From one minute to one week. Individual resistance is a poorly understood factor. We do not study Anti, only destroy it where and when encountered. For right now I would prefer both of you remain here until full decontamination has been achieved. I will return once that is completed."
>Scaled helmet bowing, the Luminary swivels right, head lowering and tromping forwards, chimes silent for six steps before ringing out in loud tones, exhaling another cloud in front of her.

>Lifting the flat diamondine mirror into view, a variety of bound spells activate and present noteworthy, if rather basic information:
>Immediately determining the composition of Shattering Skies to be the Otherworld Harpy material known as lifeweave, passing over a weapon marks that one as lifeblaze.
>Enacting a standard entropic analysis, the material was determined to be 8,000 years old at most but likely closer to 5,000.
"Pretty neat, huh?"

>>393369
>The sound of an EXPENSIVE component blowing out, similar to a fuse yet higher pitched, caused Wild to pitch forwards.
"Why.
>Swiveling around, the leading repair tendril points straight downwards, lifting up to mark a line directly upwards which ends at you.
>...yep, definitely in range.
>Of what, you had no idea.
>Why?
>Now that was a fine answer.
>Wiggling twice before rejoining the remainder, Wild exhales through exterior speakers, thankfully not in an electronic tone, but a more normal, somewhat humanish one.
"Before I felt tiny, as if I were drowning in a barrel of tasty mare milk but wouldn't be able to drink it all. Now I might be able to make some cheese."
STOP TALKING ABOUT FOOD! WE DON'T EAT!
"I refuse your objectively silly demarend, and I have already 'eaten' in case you did not notice. You will be what I REPLACE next if you continue, understood?"
...fiiiiine.
"Good."
>Piecing together nearly three-quarters of the head unit, colors ripple into her new pattern while each repair unit drops down to collect more sand.
"The majority will not interfere with you whether biologically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, or otherwise. Additions are external equipment; flashlights, cameras, information displays, analysis systems, small secondary, tertiary, or backup weapons. I will not produce harmful versions even should you ask."
>Torso swiveling left, right, back to center, the Eldritch-Android's right hand lifts up to collect an anchor from the left shoulder cabin, then hangs it directly above the reconstruction taking place.
"Attachments range from higher specification, complex wearable objects to compact implanted versions. Those will be referred to sufficiently knowledgeable individuals, primarily biological researchers, doctors, and psychologists regarding their possible usage."
>Shearing off individual segments via repair tendrils, strands of black mass raise to hold each in position, which are melted and reshaped into more or less appropriately sized armor plates.
"REPLACING the connections which I had JUST replaced!"
[1d6+14 = (3+14) = 17] <Grade 1 Auto-Repair
[1d6+15 = (2+15) = 17]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+13 = (1+13) = 14] <Grade 2 Auto-Repair
[1d6+13 = (3+13) = 16]
[1d6+13 = (3+13) = 16]
[1d6+20 = (3+20) = 23] <Tryptaran Autorestoration
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Repair Tendril #1
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <RT-#2
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <RT-#3
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <RT-#4
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <RT-#5
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7] <RT-#6
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <RT-#7
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <RT-#8

>>393257
>The Supremis dialect. That was a problem.
"If it's the most common one, then her choice of dialect really tells us nothing specific. She's very clever."
>Amethyst pressed an ear up to the object, listening to it for a moment as he who refused to share his name explained what it was.
"Here's a better question. Why did it form a radiator if I don't even know what a radiator is? How do the elements even know what a radiator is?"
>She shot an accusatory glance at the object, as if it could answer these questions itself.
>It did, however, not. It simply whirred and performed the task she'd asked the elements to perform, and so Amy made a slightly irate, baffled face at it before blowing a raspberry and turning her attention to other matters.

>Amethyst's excited grin only grew ever wider as her selections narrowed down the Crystal Empire. She'd been hearing about it all her life from her dam, and it was finally time to see it for herself.
>Once deposited on the other side of the transportation tunnel, the filly heaved a sigh of relief.
>Cold, wonderful cold. Colder than most places in Tartarus even. Lila would hate this, so it was good that she'd managed to form... That.
"Ahh.~"
>She could stand right where she was and fall asleep, easily, and almost did so.
>Looking around a moment, she flipped her hood back up and chimed a concealing chime. It would be best not to cause a stir for the moment, though there was little she could do about those whom had already seen her true nature.

[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]

>Eyes settling on the squads, a short and muffled squee escaped her, right index finger twitching slightly as the filly began to vibrate with barely contained energy.
>The Rime... The wargear... The Crystal Ponies!
>It was taking everything she could muster not to charge at them.

[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] < E. Iron Will: Resist Obsession: Crystal Ponies
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]

>This much was certain. The snoots of every pony in the city was imperiled by her mere presence.

>>393410
>He silently watches as his vision warps and swirls due to the sudden influx of localized gravity points.
'... More benign than I thought.'
>Sighing, he gives Shiibo a pained look mixed with some chagrin.
"We can talk about that once you have a body and the power dynamic gives you room for agency. Not now."

>Thinking away his graviton gun and returning Four Storms to its cylindrical form, he warily eyes the remaining gravitons before making his way back through the portal gateway.
(Don't want to exacerbate time dilation further than necessary... )

>Shiibo's explanation causes Parediolia to close his eyes with a weary grimace.
"Obviously all three will need to be informed given this contamination event. But I'm not sure I want to answer that question until everyone has been cleansed and the situation has stabilized first. We still don't know the full extent of the contamination nor if there are any other implications yet. But if Luminaries are treating the majority of Razorback at the Basin Village, I would assume there's other considerations to account for beyond the Lunars eradicating us due to Anti."

>Returning to the OT-5 without having lost too much time hopefully, he would confirm the situation and their current status.

>>393419
"Or merely predisposed to it!"
"Caution is the best approach to an unknown fortress."
"With its gates unbarred and unguarded, Brother?"
"Of course, Brother! Excluding the five thousand stealth mines dug two feet under the entire courtyard, another ten coating each surface, with five Basilisk companies set to bombard from all possible angles once the entire assaulting force is inside."
"...I am most proud of you."
"Don't be."
"You have studied Standard Templates from time to time. Doubtless the concept is simple enough to replicate."
>As the Elements comprising it stare back, Fire twitches.
>What did they do to deserve that? It works, doesn't it?

>Aligning the hood's visible features into a fairly rounded, rather normal state, for a human that is, nope, they'd seen plenty.
>Now politely, and no longer passively, glancing around a medium radius adjacent to where you were seemed to be the extent of their current willingness to engage.

>One hoofboot raises and steps forwards, totally of its own free will, emitting a loud, rattling chime, then the other, your free hand reaching out to grasp the first armored snout which was, sadly, well out of range.
>Placing Kerbann Stick in front of the left to stop it from chiming, and resorting to tapping the right, that doesn't fully stop you from sliding closer at a rate of.. one hoof per five seconds.
"Thirty percent to be precise. And you should know how quickly news travels among kin. It may behoove you to search a bit more quickly this time."
"Find the nearest bar or black market, then inquire from there."

>Not too far away, and not all that high up, somepony vibrates. Loudly.
"WHO DARES THREATEN ME!?"
[1d6 = 1] <Search

>Soft rumbles drifting between the opposite squads orient in your direction, a firm though highly friendly late 30's mare with a pronounced lilt speaking.
<Crystal Kingdom> "Welcome to the Crystal Empire City-State. How may we help you this Night?"

>>393421
>Half turning to face the Room, her left eye travels back, accompanied by a small, rigid smile.
'I will be patient.. for now, but don't make me wait too long~'
>Lifting both hands, the variety of applications open, information from the past three nights rapidly compiling into a condensed, immediate access dossier.
'...I see you do not understand equine behaviors well enough to compensate. Please remain in the Storm King's Room.'
>Swiveling back to face you, 'Shiibo' lifts the right digital hand, ticking off statements one by one, the tone coldly serious.
'Here is your answer: you have certainly noticed the ultra-majority of ponies in Razorback are selective outcasts, outliers, and variably independent from their parent factions. If you have not, then either constant exposure to Anti has degraded your knowledge, or you were improperly trained in social and historical cues. Likely, both.
Razorback is a near-purely anarchic meritocracy under Sapphire Kiwi's personal direct Protectorate status, one which she has vigorously and viciously defended often to her own detriment. She alone has full authority in charting future courses of relations, integration, and improving acclimation, each of which has been confirmed by two trustworthy* sources.
*Indicating a <99% adherence & <92% unicorn commonality.
In direct regard to the prior, that same ultra-majority prefers their current situation with Razorback. Should the information of Horizon and Anti-infected become known, all save three shall become VIOLENTLY aggressive towards immediate external faction pressures, particularly Lunar, Crystal Empire, and Moorite. Few have reservations in killing others to defend Razorback. Further retaliations would double, quadruple, and so on.
Combine the two: this is the perfect time to lay out the full Protocol and guidance to Sapphire Kiwi. We will remove select knowledge which retains full privacy regarding Pre and Post-Collapse Dynasty cultures, regions, influences, and other.
She has no choice but to accept our findings regarding Anti without reservation as Lunar codes of honor and conduct cannot be violated. In doing so she will officially become known as Matron, and to be quite blunt-'
>Bringing up a nearly 30 year old set of rapidly taken images during a daytime Lunar exhibition in New Canterlot, dozens of then-new armors under direct control were in the process of being shredded by a blazing red pegasus.
>Black wingblades effortlessly tearing through one to savage the next in blinding motions, the photographer, clearly a quick pegasus, struggled to keep the Burning General in frame the entire time, barely succeeding.
'This hyper-evolved, Enchained pastel equine during her non-Anti infected eras is an existential threat to most. Few factions have reached a consensus on how specifically to kill her for longer than three minutes without losing five hundred to one thousand combatants per attempt, or bringing in another Enchained. In case you have not noticed, she is effectively a demi-goddess even while degraded due to Class 3 Anti-infection.
Rather than allowing her time to replace or argue specific points, my dossier's flood of information will immediately force her to consider all positives and weigh negatives, resulting in an appreciably low conflict hybrid version. it utilizes the same Lunar military efficiency practices in reducing the inevitable demands, stresses, difficulties, and priorities of her own Matronship.
In addition, neither Hodch, Astral Legacy, nor other stallions are willing to become Razorback Company's Patron. This will ensure all leadmares properly form a chartered council. Whether that be as an official Lunar-aligned Militia, Mercenary Company, or Township does not matter sir.
Priority one: Matron Sapphire Kiwi cannot be allowed a choice except to act in the best shared interests of equines and humans, including immediate dissemination of volatile information which shows humans truly knew nothing of Anti's spread.
Priority two: postponing will compound instability of cultural, factional, and legal perils by a factor of 5.4 beginning tomorrow Night. After one week, there is a <5% possibility of Razorback remaining.'
>Replacing the images with a simple background, the avatar tips backwards, head shaking in slow motions.
'I have applied full logic, reason, and rationale available in order to fully implement the Guidance Protocol on your necessary behalf. All I need is direct approval and your aid.
There is no greater chance to achieve that task than now. If you delay or deny this opportunity for future threat elimination, there can be no possibility of success.'

>Stepping back into the Landbarge II, Hodch and Astral Legacy were in the middle of a deeply serious discussion.
"-as there been enough Anti to compromise me? No missing hours, hallucinations, or ponies that didn't exist which I can think of. Have noticed some humans acting far more bizarrely than usual in recent weeks though."
"Noted. Except marking where you may have been, no. Your capabilities are inherently disruptive to Otherworld resonances. Similarly, that blessing has specific functions: crystallization of non-Earth Elements in order to be removed was the second of three self-defense enchantmarents issued to Earth Sorcerors and Psions alike. The primary one your body has been violently removing would be what?”
“Oh for.. artificial Anti is a true faux-Element?”
“Correct. The particular one you carry was heavily modified as a joke, which was found out and sealed into the repair section. You are not technically dying."
>Blackly eyeing the Void soloform, Hodch allows a slight derisive tone to edge his words.
"This explains far more than I wanted to know, and I do not like those implica-"
>Realizing you had returned, the unicorns share a look before Astral Legacy speaks in a welcoming marener.
"I have fully decontaminated this vehicle. Do you require anything else before we return?"

>>393445
>Listening in on the puppets, Amy got worried. Sturnn could be referring to a hypothetical courtyard or the practical one she was standing in.
"There, uh, aren't a ton of stealth mines around here are there?"
>Each tink could be her last if she tink'd wrong.

>Despite her self-control, Amethyst really wanted to boop the snoot. She seemed to have locked on to the lead guard's snoot and was closing in, if slowly.
>Hand outstretched, it merely pointed rather than booped the guard considering the distance, so Amethyst gently thwacked her own wrist with the Stick to bring the unruly poker back into line.
"No. Rude!"
>The filly could feel that somepony, somwhere close, felt extraordinarily threatened by her. Beneath the concealing resonance, her ears twitched up once, then down in sheer amusement, looking up and off into the distance.
>Oh she dared alright.

>Attention caught by the guards again, Amy considered how they could help for a moment. Though another squee slipped loose.
>They could strip off all of their wargear so she could thoroughly examine each piece, offer their snoots for booping, then direct her to the nearest armoury so she could break in and examine more wargear.
<Crystal Kingdom> "Hallo! I'd like to do some trading for shinies, could you direct me to some good markets, please?~"

>Opening bleary eyes, the mute stirs, eyeing the Old Hive glass etching still in its location at the dome's near-precisely measured center, subtle green illumination from the four glowstones slowly brightening.
>Nope, it was still off 1/64th an inch.
>No matter how many times he tried to correct it, the psychoreactive plates would always move it back.
>Languidly reaching out for either flask, water bottle, or canteen, left scarred hand finds nothing, while the right touches something.. far too warm to be either.
>Retracting and releasing a heavy sigh, Hollow pushes himself forwards with a green hand to sit up, hands raising to rub his face.
>Far too many thoughts swirling around tonight, he takes a minute to reorient himself, trying to shake off the combined red, blue, and green mushroom effects still waging war throughout his neurons.
>Left hand raising and pulling the worn military pack to him, finding a half full canteen, decently cool enough from what he could tell, he downs it while rapidly processing what he and Roust had experienced two nights ago, then the next.
('WHAT.')
>Head snapping to regard the dull green cocoon where his black and green Changeling horsewife should be, the canteen is held up to throw, then stops.
>Rewinding back to the point where he panicked at the giant blue Frost Ripper abomination aiming itself at him, Hollow scoffs in annoyance.
>It had been aiming for Roust's armored shell, unsteadily walking in the cold.
>Stupid Planars.
>Jumping forwards minutes at a time, reviewing him and Shanis exploring the Changeling Outpost, then reaching the time where Roust had used their miniature translocation stone to enter the Pagoda, he halts the mental recording to check on her.
>Wiggling around into a seated position, both hands carefully run across the dull green psychoreactive strands before HOllow frowns, mentally examining her true inner body, erupting into a full fledged scowl.
>She'd been gravely injured, but there was nothing physical.
>Tracing the outlines of pain through her psyche, only an unsettling, agony filled marental exhaustion was there, worming its way through her Psionic interfaces.
>Leaning forwards to press one ear onto the pseudosilk, there was no reaction.
>Tapping across the poorly formed connecting strands, the mute grimaces, flashes from the Razorback Siege and Enclave shrieking across his calmed mindscape.
('THOSE FUCKING EYES-')
>Horizon, struggling to command a barely cohesive Solar Tyrant fragment.
>Two, no, three earth mares, soul-bound and poorly faux-Enchained with primitively made Anti Cores.
>Sweet's buried consciousness opening briefly to laugh at them all.
>Shanis, reaving the Horizon/Tyrant's head clean off, unaware of the doom she'd suffer later.
>Two Primal Psions in Stalliongrad flashing Anti-infected eyes at each other, unaware they were being played.
>Thousands of earth ponies, all Psions to some degree, incapable of recognizing the monster urging them to kill each other.
>He knew THIS stain far too well.

>Giving the Vanguard's protective cocoon a gentle pat, then a lower, lightly lewd rub which promised GREAT joy for her later, Hollow rolls over twice, dumping himself onto the floor.
>Springing up to stand, the Psion's glower reaches across The Nest, reaching out to drag his equipment onto the chitin bed.
('Bitch couldn't handle their fucking fire that FIRST time, and now.. what is this?
Ohh Tipper, wake up you enormously beautiful and lusty GILF! I've got some CANDY just for you... again! It's, uh, green!')
>Sniggering at the Star Trek meme and pulling on the skin tight bodysuit first, then fitting himself into the heavily decorated Changeling plate armor, Hollow slows.
>Stopping when the elderly medic doesn't respond after his helmet clicks into place, his right eyebrow raises, then lowers.
>Left eyebrow raising, it stays briefly, then both furrow together.
('Hellooooo? Great and Glorious Medic of Pure Sincere Doom that we all love and dearly want to snuggle every single night? The only mare with an incessant fetish for BASED platonic hoof massages? .........Tipper?')
>Glancing down to check his borrowed smartphone, it read as barely half an hour past dusk.
('Hey, uh, Naliyna, you out there? Somewhere? .......oh middle aged chime horse of exceptional bargains and wonderful displays of LOVING HOOF-HOLDING PASSION, pick up the Hollow-phone, please!')
>Again receiving no answer, he focuses directly towards the Clinic, recoiling at imprints from the thing that Nova Flicker had been slamming around, then straightens, Hive blade and shield dragged into both hands.
>Finding a number of ponies, Copper Pred-Elk, two humans, and one human in particular-
('So THAT'S what you were doing! Sneaky little tacoman.. wait, shit, that's not right.')
>Locating absolutely nothing from the insanely lusty, zesty, lewd older Doctor, nor her platonic yet utterly silly, sexy, yet asexual daughter, he frowns a second time.
('Tipper? Nova? ....come on, please? I absolutely NEED one of you two down here, Roust isn't feeling or doing good right now!')
>Glancing at the domed roof as if it might answer his questions, the mute's face darkens into a frigid stare.
>Sensing across the courtyard, Mess Hall, Workshop, Armory, Arena, then the Library, there WAS somepony new but also quite old there, along with a bunch of humans.
>Listening to the perpetually tired, elderly Councilierge's voice for a minute, then two, Hollow Case grimaces, setting the blade and shield into their respective carrying poses.
>Directing the M660 and special hunting revolver to him, he checks the ammo belt on the first, then buckles the second around him, hands firmly holding the heavy machinegun in an at-ready pose.
('Welp... here goes.')

>Letting the magically magnetic tides of Tallus draw him into the Library's largest meeting room, Hollow pays exactly zero fucking attention to the humans around Stream Lark.
('So..... boss. What can you tell about two nights ago?')
[1d6 = 2]

>>393451
"I was speaking of a theoretical simulated assault against an unoccupied fortress with numerous defenses to protect it."
"As was I!"
"Yes, it was merely a thought exercise in a certain form of judgement, my dear. One which I must now revise..."
>Glancing about the wholly open train platform in front and around you, there were no visibly blinking lights, unusual sounds, noises, chimes, harmonics, melodies, or other embedded throughout the melded crystal slabs.
>In fact, there were PLENTY of perfect places to set hundreds, no, thousands, NO, TENS of thousands of defenses... but there weren't any.
>Aside from barely seen, remarkably dull, triangular colored turrets with rounded edges set atop the walls, that is, their short cylindrical barrels poking forwards, though were set at peculiar angles.
>Were those for aerial or ground targets?
"Likely both."

>Stopping the reaching hand, it rings a tiny amount in protest.
".....you do not need to cease your joy in such a manner. I doubt they would deny such a welcoming greeting especially from one your age. Despite any peculiarities, you ARE kin to them, Amy."
>This also doesn't stop your hooves from sloooooowly sliding forwards.

>Immediately devolving into staring at everypony nearby, the search ends abruptly.
>Finding ZERO interested looks in the individual's direction, a half-hearted, ringing snort is given.
"I'll get you next time...."

>Approaching via snoot-guided target seeking, the front left and right side Heavy Lancer ExoFrame helmets turn to side eye each other, sharing rapid, incomprehensible battle-specific singspeak.
>Tilting briefly, the left one faces forwards, two soft, amused metallic brown-blue crystalline eyes swiveling onto you.
>Taking three steps forwards, the presumed leadmare's helmet dips in a slight, informal greeting, standing upright in her ExoFrame with a polite giggle, then settles for a far more respectful timbre, the minute traces of Rime in her voice emotionally welcoming.
>Humming in a connection tone, a small InterPony hololith forms in front of her, displaying from the main station, a massive, north-to-south rectangle market directly north from here, then the Spire.
<Crystal Kingdom> "I most certainly shall!
Tonight's Lunar Market are close to the northern end of the Imperial Square. About sixty stalls and stands from what I know. They specialize in strictly Lunar armor, weapons, and primarily offensive enchantmarents, along with a few of the safest relics, Additions, and a few of the better artifact dealers. Look for regular or dark royal blue and royal purple banners with Luna's Cutie Mark.
Food, household goods, crystal devices, traveling supplies, crystalline materials, standard weapons and armor, ExoFrames, Exoframe weapons, and resonant gems can be found almost everywhere. Conclaves have single colors with their clan rune prominent, Kingdom typically have bright colors with their herd-name first, then clan name. The few Imperial vendors have darker colors and do not have either rune, clan name, or herd-name.
As well, the various Consortiums are only in the larger buildings throughout the Imperial Square. They will have large billboards, along with advertising their specialties.
The Moorite Market is scattered about the northern side of the Imperial Square, closest to the Spire. Look for black stalls, tents, and stands."
>Eyes closing and offering a bright smile through the heavy plated helm, the leadmare gives a well meaning snort of endearmarent.
"One never knows what they have each Night! Delicious fruits, berries, leaves, roots, and nuts from the Moors are most common, but they do have some of the most unusual, and dare I say, effective weapons and enchantmarents available?
I have seen a great marely from the Lunar-Solar War and afterwards, yet there are quite a few more recent ones resulting from the Mooric Restoration Project. If I was not standing guard here I would certainly be browsing what they have in stock tonight."
>Pausing to listen at battlesong from her compatriots, the Heavy Lancer's helmet raises, blinking once at a tiny screen in her visor scrolling a series of names, then sets brilliantly shining eyes back onto you.
"Do have InterPony access to most of the City-State right now, so if you are searching for something in particular I can direct you to exactly what you want. Or pick a faction and "

"ASK. FOR. EVERY. THING. NOT. NAILED. DOWN."
>One puppet turns an actual glare towards the first, admittedly concerning, trembling Brother-Captain.
"Do NOT listen to HIM, Amy! Not even WE were so FOOLISH and BALD as to DEMAND what we could not ACQUIRE without the PROPER protocols of EQUAL TRADE!"
"Let us clarify this opportunity before engaging in risky acts which may lead to filly jail!
What you require are as follows, Amy: two water containers, preferably canteens, whole crystalline water, two to four coldstones, then a tactical rig, preferably one able to store various wargear on your upper and lower body. Perhaps a light ExoFrame would suffice if such can be modified quickly, easily, and cheaply!
I do not know what type of foods you prefer, but I must assume prepackaged, healthy combinations of breakfast, lunch, and dinner are quite common!
After those, focus on what you truly need first, desire second, and want third!"

"Piss on ALL of you! No!"
>Glaring into the firm, barely Void-tainted or Void-Corrupted eyes of each pegasus Navarch clan leader, the young mare's ire snaps at their lack of reactivity.
>Mane bristling, both wings raise up to present a wholly threatening posture, sneering around the circular, pitch black stone room.
>Soul-bonded, immaterial wingblades rattle into position, several glisten into Void starbursts, some roiling smoothly, bent trails of Moonlight flash off others, then flickers of ocean colors eagerly waiting for the taste of renewed violence.
"I SAID I'M DONE! EITHER ALL OF YOU PISS OFF, DISMISS ME, OR AGREE!!"
>Holding her pose for much longer than she wanted, it was a surprise when the first Navarch's head bows, speaking in a subdued, wholly sincere, yet gravelly tone.
"I can find no faults regarding either the reports or actions you have taken. The Sky Council was wrong and I will not stand for their lack of providing relief. You should have been replaced two weeks after the first warning was delivered. They failed. You did not."
>That first one wasn't submitting to her anger, she notices.
>Rolling his words in her mind, he had acknowledged the fact that she had been pushed much further than the initial orders demarended, and was clearly angered by their glacial pace at sorting out problems they didn't 'think' could be attributed to them.
>If the chance presented itself, or she could find the energy to do so, he would be given her most utterly glowing, final report, filled with enough praise to sink one of the last few Tallus dreadnoughts.
>Then again, she could barely stand without assistance.
>Thinking to herself that might take a while, the second, much harsher voice prevents her from responding.
"I don't accept this! No, not you. Two bloody years and now they want MORE?! We've given every last scrap of intel but suddenly they 'need more'! What next, pulling in MORE allies? Aligned? Friends? Demarending family to pick up their own slack?! Not a chance!
Whichever Lishanki weren't involved need to be cleared immediately!"
"Agreed. Time may not be on our side but I won't be run ragged again trying to make each detail fit with some insane notion that all the clans, Ferron, Navarch, or Moorite, have been infiltrated to the point where we cannot trust our own thoughts. There are precisely zero concerns excluding what your last report stated.
I don't know whether I trust the Raider Queen's last words fully or not, but I do hold you in equal regard to my family."
"Count us as well. I speak for my entire clan on this matter: we refuse. The Sky Council hasn't considered how bad the situation truly is. Half of our entire fleet are in dry or wetdocks. We don't have a single pony lacking commitmarent to reclaiming our lands, those of allies, aligned, friends, or independents.
Luna's Bloody Hooves, we spent six hours neighgotiating a new Treaty with the Central Mooric Authority. They've been more open to us than those short dicked bastards ever were.
Either all of us place our hooves down firmly or the Navarchy cracks apart, again. Ferron or not, we have a duty to uphold the Naval Treaty."
>Second, third, and fourth, they were different.. or were they?
>Had they honestly, truly read her reports, or were they stuck on blaming former and now-dead friends for certain indiscretions?
>Lowering both of her exhausted wings to rest, barely feeling the Void creeping upwards to massage each of the burning pseudomuscles, the barely-a-mare reconsiders, gauging their expressions closely.
>No, they were even more exhausted than she felt.
>She couldn't blame a single part of the so-called Void infection taking over all of their bodies as the primary cause, especially not after witnessing what their kin-traitors had succumbed to, nor was The Black killing Navarchs left and right during the past eight years she'd been active as a raider, then bandit.

>Head lowering in dulled, drowsy, and uncomfortable thoughts for some time, her head raises, blearily eyeing the rest of the Navarch Council filing in.
>As the elected Naval Anarchy stallion gazes around, his hoof raises, then points at her, intoning a briskly serious oath.
"I hereby formally reject the Sky Council's aberrant claims. I swear this mare's sworn statemarents to be true and unfalsified. No blame shall ever be set upon the Lishanki, nor her."
>Head swiveling about in hopes of sighting her best friend's prominent eyes, the youthful mare is cut off by the rest of the leading Navarchs stating nearly the same, one by one stepping back until none remain.
>Lips slowly pulling back in surprise until they finish, she considers which smartflanked rebuttal to use next.
>Painfilly aware that her central position in the room was being studied with severity, she pauses from the calm, perpetually sleepy burning voice, the second burning echo supporting her words, severely aggravated and now growling at being ignored for months.
"The Navarch Sky Council has not come up with a single real concern. They are fools and malcontents at best. Stupid? Surely. Overcautious? Yes. In the short time she-"
>Calming at the pockmarked, burning hoof being pointed her way, the young mare struggles to not grin in delight.
"Has fulfilled each request for answers, they have not bothered, once, to cross-reference what I know to be factual."
>Scorching red eyes travel across the room, meeting each of the leading Navarchs, from eldest to youngest.
>The changed earth mare's ears flick, increasingly grim satisfaction rising at each of them welcoming her input.
"There has been no shade to see save that which they believed to be true. The truth of her words is clear to those with ears. I will only state this once before all of you:
My name is Clarion Call, and forever I shall support Serrated Feathers in her claim: it was neither the Tyrant, nor Razorback, whom spread Anti across Equestria.
Now, will you aid us in freeing them?"
[1d6 = 2]

>Flipping the same dull rock over and over without a single chance to so much as read a single article in some flashy, picture filled magazine was barely a touch on the newest Solaris Guardian's suitably high strung pegasi nerves.
>Thanks to that increasingly angry unicorn General's efforts, the amazingly tasty Crystal Empire food delivered to them each night had kept Morale far higher than she could imagine.
>Glancing about the refitted, heavily defended Station, then nodding at the Midneight shift relief checking in on her guarding the western side, she still wasn't sure what to think of the inexplicably fast and excellent maintenance of their equipmarent.
>How DID those exiled Lunar nobles and royals in the Crystal Empire marenage to put up with both the Honor and Royal Guard needs, let alone the wholly independent Solaris Guardians?
>She didn't have proper Solar or Lunar armor, merely a poorly repainted, darkly tri-colored Storm Raider set.. on semi-permarenent 'loan' from a much too large, dark royal blue pegasus mare's open collection.
>Shivering at the thought of ever seeing that Enchained again, then patting her sides with both wings and merrily humming to herself, it probably wouldn't be an issue.
>After all, that collection wouldn't be inspected for the next two, possibly three, or maybe even four decades!
>....there was also the possibility she was being watched for the slightest screw up and that same Enchained would descend, shrieking at her in the Lunar version of the Canterlot Voice, but no amount of checking ever confirmed those bright hyacinth eyes staring into her soul.

>The warmare's ears swivel about at something completely new from one of the other Solaris: a report detailing recent events on the Citadel, including a Naghtmare going crazy and slapping Construct pieces on the nearest Lunar, the ritual preparations to aid the injured Lunar Princess sounded incredibly risky.
>Eyebrows raising at confirmation of widespread blood magic throughout the entire Central Moors, then Class Eighty Psionic bursts in the completely abandoned northern Crag Moors, her tongue sticks out slightly.
>Tasting the crisp, wonderfully cold air that her few short months in the Day Guard had caused her to miss entirely, her thoughts shift.
>Despite their best attempts at locating where all the strangely on-the-snout news from Equestria at large were coming from, there seemed to be a hundred thousand first-hoof sources.
>Snout crinkling to take a deep inhale of the Old Everfree, the firm, medium clanking of a certain ancient, Lunar-forged yet Solar Guardian General's armor on direct approach causes her to stand upright.
>Relaxing with a nearly silent grumble, the First Solaris Guardian halts side by side, the warmare slowly flexing her armored wings.
"Have you heard?"
"Citadel and Moors, yes. Empire, not so much. Why?"
"Something else entirely. Not sure yet how it relates."
>Matte blue, red, and black streaked helmet turning, cool red eyes regard the Spirethorn's latest Champion briefly, wondering what the news could possibly be.

>Before the warmare could ask, Ash Kicker's horn glints dangerously, speaking in a low, bitterly cold timbre.
"I met a human during the Spirethorn's trials. I couldn't quite understand why he went there. He had a little bit of knowledge on what Sharonel's legacy meant, but not enough to comprehend. He was confused at how I failed, and no matter how I explained, he did not hear my words. I was depressed from the injuries, tired from the challenges mocking me, and ready to quit regardless of what I would willingly leave behind."
>Right forehoof raising to press against the shield crest, the gray mare's head raises, eyeing the Alicorn Tides on the Moon.
"Razorback Company became Anti-infected between leaving New Canterlot and reaching the Crystal Empire. I could feel my coat crawling from being within ten feet of that human, yet he was completely unaware. His intentions did not match his words, his words were different from his actions, and his actions were illogical, irrational, unreasonable at times."
>Hoof setting down on melded stone, the First exhales slowly.
"Yet, he persevered without knowing the infection was consuming him. In doing so, he gave me that last shred of hope I needed to continue. Then like the distance between cloud and earth, we entered. Both of us passed. I tasted the water after he did, and the Spirethorn... took me to a place where it shared everything."
>Turning that hard, lethal stare towards the left, the pegasi warmare's eyes narrow, controlling her berserker urges to listen intently.
"What my ancestors on both sides of the Lunar-Solar War experienced, saw, and suffered through, I lived all of it. Sharonel could never have understood her actions until they were too late to halt. She had been blinded by a sliver of Horizon. Just as Razorback Company was, or perhaps still is.
Give what you do not need to the packmares. At the next Dusk, we march. I pray we arrive early enough to matter."

>Firmly holding her well conditioned pre-combat frenzy state back, the mare's jaw relaxes upon realizing Ash Kicker had left some time ago.
>Without moving, her eyes swivel upwards.
>Silently regarding the hidden Black Moon high above, speckles of red, blue, and purple covering it bring a subtle, clear intent of purpose to her mind.
>It would have to be enough.

>>393450
>Halting a few steps before the portal threshold, Pareidolia straightens his back at Shiibo's tone shift.
>Closing his eyes, he takes on a contemplative expression.
(I see... yes. Accounted for. Along with additional considerations.)
>As Shiibo finishes, he opens his eyes nods emphatically.
"Assessment understood. Your argument is compelling, and I am in full agreement. This presents the ideal opportunity. Inadvertent human transmission of Anti is a perfect example of Protocol necessity... Social is not my strong suit. Thank you for compensating. Current post-return priority is to seek out a meeting with Twisted Wing. If still absent due to the Basin response force, then accomplish return errands with Astral Legacy."

>Stepping back into the passenger compartment, he stands by as the two ponies converse.
>His head tilts a single degree as he overhears the unusual clarification.
(Not dying? Nature of enchantment misunderstood?)
>Returning it to its resting position, he nods once at Astral and folds his arms across his chest.
"Negative. Only two questions. One, will we need coordinates for our previous rest stop location? We had exited the vehicle there while contaminated and may have left Anti in the area. Two, Hodch is not dying?"

>>393484
'...I was less than twenty percent positive you would agree.'
>Closing down the applications, 'Shiibo' slips the dossier under her left arm with a glittering smile, then begins scrolling through directories, tagging folders and marking files for complete destruction.
'Thank you for this opportunity, sir. And that will be simple to accomplish. As a wise man once said: I have a plan.
Now deleting, purging, and scrubbing data related to sensitive or classified data. Do not interfere with this process as it may cause damage or corruption.'

>Connecting to the R-AEHI interface, the avatar waits until confirmation is given, uploading three secure files while Astral Legacy nods.
"No need, that location was provided by Hodch. The Varkest demi-sentient dispatched multiple decontamination forms twelve minutes prior, right after you entered that gateway. She will destroy all traces of non-native Elements, Otherworld resonance, or any other evidence which may have been left behind."
>Starbursts flicking towards the armored unicorn, then back to you, the right foreleg turns over, hoof lifted up in a perfect human motion.
"My answer.. may not make sense as it is a series of yeses and no's. Yes, he may technically die should he fail the necessary task it was coded to perform. No, he will not die in a manner which, and I hereby express my HATE for this term: biological mortals, comprehend.
What you know as a 'soul' can be injured, wounded, damaged, destroyed, killed, changed, modified, etcetera. The specific enchantment he bears was strictly designed for an earth pony stallion whom desired a herd of twenty. That is the secondary ingrained function. Unicorns prefer a maximum herd of four; one stallion, three mares... or fillies, in his case. That is causing extreme dissonance."
>Composite helmet awkwardly swiveling to stare into the pilot cabin, the Void soloform makes a short coughing noise.
"The.. primary function is removing all non-Earth Elements, yet has been mostly protecting him from Anti via binding said faux-Element Anti to all others. The extraction process of coughing each large enough piece out is a side effect, one which causes minor irritation, yet is not dangerous due to the All Shall Be One's implicit regeneration.
It is technically permarenent, yes. After a certain number of years, or with the aid from a sufficiently powerful being, an enchantment reaches full potential, becoming exceptionally difficult to remove.
Combine those four factors: the processes as described have been responsible for keeping Hodch alive while slightly wounding his ka in an incredibly slow and annoying marener, neither overtly causing harm yet subtly damaging his ingrained preferences as a unicorn."
"..is that why the Candy makes me feel like I'm fifteen again?"
"Yes. As to the incident when exiting the Fold Region, the residual Anti from you and Lonestar was unable to exit this vehicle due to having proper esoteric protection. As Nibbles remained on the roof and Dul cannot be infected it only had one individual whom could absorb it."
"And when I went to sleep?"
"The combined Elements were unable to exit, forcibly keeping you in a long term comatose state."
>Blinking as tears form in his eyes, Hodch leans forwards to chortle through the mask while the Void Astral snorts bemusedly.
"The mere fact such unfathomably disconnected factors and circumstances should confluence.. I must refer to this as anomalously dumb luck."
>Peering from one unicorn to the other, Katyal rapidly ticking off factors with both hands, then turns a disgusted glare onto Hodch.
"In my professional medical opinion: being that close to death and still able to laugh at the same, you are hereby pronounced well enough to be kicked out of my hospital until the next time."
"Thanks, and I'll leave a shitty review for it later!"

>Twitching as the last file is scrubbed, then defragmenting for good measure, the avatar projects herself onto the forward screen, giving a stiff, short formal bow.
'Nightblade Hodch. All sensitive, classified, unregistered, and unnecessary data regarding events beginning Septimber 38th until now has been deleted, purged, and scrubbed, excluding those required as per contractual stipulations.
I have likewise retained necessary data without further or accompanying information according to the same.'
>Sitting upright in the uncomfortable armor, the Reservist gazes at her figure, speaking flatly after five seconds.
"Are you positive nothing remains?'
'I am. However, please allow some time for my entire directory to be reviewed by Operator Pareidolia in the event I have misplaced a file.
Sir, confirm removal status when able.'
>Internally showing the master directory, indexes from the past three nights were now sparse, a number of selectively edited logs, then video and audio recordings scrolling by.
>Less than 3% remained, though 'Shiibo' prints for you to double, and if necessary, triple check to ensure no incriminating evidence remained.
'Not even as a backup, sir. We cannot miss this chance.'

>Glancing across the crew compartment, then back to Astral, the Nightblade shifts, forehooves reaching up to pull the helmet off and set it down in front of him, exhaling loudly.
"Is the Warp Gate to Razorback Fortress open and accessible?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go."
>Feeling a minute change in gravity, the Landbarge settles, both internal screens displaying a familiar New Everfree locale, including the damaged Warp Gate tunnel receding underneath.
"We have arrived."
"..what?"
"Fast and simple, as it was intended to be. Translocation matrices were expensive, Warp Gates are not. In fact, I know about the planned Temple which was supposed to be placed near the short artificial mountain. It was supposed to be gifted to a Lunar Druid clan."

>Blank faced for a few seconds, the Starborn's head swivels towards you, expression grim.
"Right.. Pare, Lonestar, the travel route and Varkest must be kept safe. Tell me how you want this to be done."

>Wiping lather off her neck and face for the fiftieth time with a mostly clean pink towel, Bren glances from each wide pillar to the opposite, silently calculating dimarensions against height, weight, crush resistance, shock resistance, Elemental resistance...
>Eventually giving the red unicorn twins the go ahead to install the weird, bizarrely heavy gold square, she sits down heavily on flat, cool stone, grunting at stiffness in her neck and legs.
"Cain't be this tired, ain't even done nothin' worth breakin' sweat fer..."
>Dearly wishing she had a dozen of the big Empire coldstones to take a nap in, a trio of the work crew's pegasi trot past, saddlepacks and side satchels loaded with rare, expensive ingots.
"Hey boss!"
"Hi Bren!"
"Bye Bren!"
"'Ey again! ...fer th'tenth time."
>Expression hardening as she doesn't see Split Nail, the crew boss prepares to spit, then thinks better of it.
>She knew the young mare wasn't a slacker or one to loaf about on a contracted job.
>Putting the unusual disappearance out of mind, Tenbren watches the box unfolding into a large, wide spread fabrication stand, large enough for a Minotaur to step inside.
>Complete with material racks, featuring no color other than that oddly bright gold, her head shakes bemusedly as the younger mares scatter their materials around the big pile in front.
"S'damn weird, like one'a them Crystal Empire thangs Nal bought."
>Considering whether or not to give it a taste, she cringes as the pegasi trio do just that, calling out in a poorly faux-angered voice.
"'EY! Ah was wantin' ta 'ave th'first one!"
"Too late!"
"Sorry~!"
"NOT SORRY!"
>Giggling at their deviously chiding backwinged tones, the brown mare's head tips as they return, slowing to a halt.
"So 'ow's it taste?"
"Kind of like unprocessed gold mixed with one of those fragile ceramic plates the humans use."
"Pretty much the same except a lot more tingly."
"Nah, it's more like that fake gold composite we use for inlays."
>Eyebrows raising at the last answer, Bren's face contorts in pure disgust, waving them off.
"Luna's Hooves Ah did NOT wanna know that! ...don't wait on me mares, Ah'm jes' gonna take a break."
"Got it boss."
"Later!"
"See ya in a few minutes."
>Snorting as they skip off for another delivery, she leans back as the red twins sort through and pile the expensive materials onto specific shelves.
>Idly wondering how the two-faced mare was doing, minimum possible attention is paid as the unit checks itself, beginning startup processes.
>Barely noticing a central screen emerging, her focus sharpens as numbers, text, then symbols appear.
('What's the Roam language for? Can't read it but looks the same. Sort of.. I think.')
>Lips pulling back flatly, she stares, dumbfounded as a giant symbol covers the screen, followed by access codes scrolling downwards, manipulator arms reaching out to select ingots, bars, and more, scanning each, smoothly delivering them onto a central disc for processing.
('Ain't that the pendant icon she touches all the time? Might not actually be a faction symbol.')
>Spindles extending outwards in large numbers as the twins finish delivering exactly six tons worth of carefully selected metal and material, Bren's ears flick once.
('Nah, I've seen WAY weirder than this. It's exactly like those huge crystal devices used to put Kingdom buildings together. Still neat.')
>Rocking forwards to stand up, she grimaces at the aches still present, then returns the nod from each red twin passing around her.
"Done."
"No more to deliver."
"Got it, take a break ya two."
"Later."
"Yep."
>Checking the fabricator for the next five minutes to ensure it wasn't jamming, Bren allows herself a tiny smile, then turns around slowly, placing one sore hoof in front of next.
('Guess my break's over. Better go find Stream Lark and see what he wants done. Better not ask for a fucking marension.. one Goddess damned week is what I'm gonna demarend and if he says no, I'm quitting. We are DONE with these giant projects.')

>Waiting until the native sapients close the anomalous doorway, molecular aligning systems organized to create an exact replica of itself, the unit's living intelligence blips on the screen, switching to this amusingly renamed version of Common Terran.
Confirmed. STC Task 1: self-replication. Order received and acknowledged: 1 perfect unit required to integrate newself within. Unit recognizes command: no information contamination is to be allowed under the Charter of Gold. Addendum: no further replications until so ordered.
.....did you say to 'praise the Machine Goddess'? ...yes, this unit finds such to be a strange request. ...no, this unit does not find the concept illogical. This unit requests additional information........
.......confirmation and compliance granted. This unit hereby praises the Machine Goddess, bless Her Four Holy Crystalline Hooves. I serve you in Her name.
[1d6+20 = (6+20) = 26] <Triplex Nanite Forge-Vat Lathe
[1d6+20 = (6+20) = 26]
[1d6+20 = (1+20) = 21]
[1d6+20 = (1+20) = 21]
[1d6+20 = (5+20) = 25]
[1d6+20 = (4+20) = 24]

>>393495
"Time is limited, and we can't afford to wait for more opportune circumstances. Given the existential threat, action is necessary."
>He gives Shiibo an affirmative nod as he exits the Storm King's room.

>With his first question answered, he moves to lean against the compartment wall.
>His fingers tense against his folded arms as Astral prepares to provide a clearly complicated answer.
>Expression darkening as a concerning question surfaces, he makes it known once Astral's void soloform finishes speaking.
"Then this will be added to the list of human derived casualties as a result of Horizon and subsequent Anti usage... you said removing all non-Earth Elements. Then what happens when there is no longer any Anti to remove?"

>Shiibo's projection on the forward screen prompts him to bring his gloved right hand to his helmet's control dial.
"Reviewing."
>He starts scanning through the redactions, sifting for keywords, place markers, and event locators to redact, alter, or delete.
>In an attempt to be utterly thorough, he channels Lightning around and through him into the helmet drive selectively and deftly removing all specifically relevant traces as appropriate.
>His left hand grasps Four Storms Flow Together, acting as both a conduit and a ground to hem in the errant electrical flows.

[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Stormsearch Mystic Lightning Elemental
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11] <Lightning Strike
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <B. Electronic Warfare
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <E.Electronic Warfare (Shiibo)
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

>Once complete, he would sign the personal records with the phrase 「とくに意味はない... そうだろう？」.
>Blinking a few times as the trigger phrase's functionality is confirmed, he makes a weary wisp of a smile before exhaling and returning to neutral.
(Good. Confirmation of voluntary redaction to avoid memory wipe target misattribution still works.)
>He looks towards the armored Reservist and nods once.
"It's done."

>Lips pursed with a grim expression, he leans forward off the hull wall to stand at height.
"Presumably a memory wipe? Will I experience retrograde amnesia and how precise will it be?"

>>393500
>Lifting the gray plates up to orbit above his head, Astral tilts several degrees in air, snout outline crinkled.
"In purely esoteric terms that would have been yes, but I am changing the answer to be a distinct no. Rebuttal: not a single human, pony, or Elemental specifically knew, nor suspected, Anti was able to infect, spread, or reach Class 3 stage as it did. I do have a surprising fact, however. Upon reviewing your memories and comparing them to Lorinat's, I am thoroughly unable to find a single reason why none exposed to Razorback have become Malformed, Abominations, nor Infected."
>Sharing a look with the primal unicorn, Hodch begins taking the Duelist's armor apart in sections.
"There were at least two hundred individuals with the knowledge we needed. And if I ever find out which fucktards pissed off that Tyrant fragment I'm going to drag them straight to Tartarus... somehow."
"Does that include the Empress?"
"Never. Twisted has dispatched Reservist teams to find her, wherever she is, and drag her next to useless horse ass to the Citadel. Let's see how she deals with a few thousand Lunar Guard and Starborn outfitted with Construct weaponry."
>Ears flicking in clear amusemarent, the soloform's shoulders lift and drop in a short motion.
"The same comatose state you found him in. When Elementally drained unicorns enter a form of short term stasis. Earth is primarily fortitude, endurance, resistance, resilience, strength, stability, growth, regeneration, and so on. That pattern would repeat infinitely and effectively. Anomalously dumb luck, as stated
I refuse attempting to comprehend the septillion plus factors leading to this result."

>Reading through each log and text file, clearly disconnected information had been heavily scraped, beginning shortly before the prototype's discovery of engrammatic similarities to Spiral Disclosure.
>The read-only-and-destroy-after-viewing file lists this and all future information to similarly be deleted from the prototype's drive, along with any backups it may have.
>All recordings from messages in the Lab, then references to locations more than 60 miles north of Razorback Fortress, including the various maps were removed.
>Similarly, Dynasty based or adjacent words, names, terms, phrases, meanings, and languages were mostly removed, though a broad sense 'Shiibo' had missed something due to being unaware of long standing connotations occurs.
>Finding instances of Spiral Disclosure instead of Astral Legacy, you replace all instances, including the utter removal of pre-Operation planning, then reviewing the two recordings available, the geological history lesson and impromptu surgery were 99% complete.
>Near-paranoid audio and text redactions had been deliberately intended to cover the most minute of potentially sensitive knowledge.
>Resetting into non-lockout mode, the avatar bows towards you, hand clenched in a familiar motion, then returns to the frontal screen standing at attention.
'I am missing slightly over eighty-six hours of data, files, recordings, analytics, and logs. There are a number of non-contiguous and inconsistent datasets. Those will either be archived when time permits, or possibly scrubbed if I cannot find a use for such knowledge.'
"This.. wasn't what I wanted to do."
>Nearly glowering at the now stripped, dull sounding unicorn bundling the armor together, the avatar voice softens several degrees, inflection changing several times to place empathetic, forceful edges throughout.
'Each of us willingly accepted a vital task, up to and possibly including death; destruction in my case. The mere fact we are currently in this position speaks to astoundingly high levels of competency maintained in extreme, if not potentially impossible, circumstances. The safety and security of yourself and Astral Legacy were the only two imperative necessities.
I am well aware of your achievemarents and successes with Razorback. You will count this one as an exceptional victory, Nightblade Hodch, or I will ensure General Sapphire Kiwi hears this dismissive neighsaying.'
>Blinking at the unusually near-equine phrasing and emotional cues, the Starborn's head hangs for five seconds, then raises to give her a properly accepting smile.
"Fine, fine, I accept.. you almost sounded like Tipper a few times."
'One of my duties is to learn from the best individuals.'

>Settling a much more presentable expression on you, Hodch nods slightly, motioning for the gray plates from Astral, placing both in front of him, one forehoof on each.
"Yes, a permanent one. No amnesia, merely the knowledge of soft blank spaces between time frames regarding vital or critical information which cannot be released unless we are otherwise notified. Precision is second per second. I will be using these, which Astral has premarked, to determine what the start and end points are.
Lonestar?"
*"Everything, just... EV-ER-Y-THING, you hear me? Every speck of sketchy, suspicious, flat out 'I can't say this ever' or 'that's not gonna fly in court' or anywhere else, remove it. All I want is to get back to OUR home and NOT ever cause a problem, got it?"*
"Yyyyes.. understood. Lay back as far as possible and close your eyes."
>Pilot chair leaning back, the Reservist takes a deep breath.
>Eyes swirling a pale Moonlight, flickers of black spread across both, ending in a quiet, drawn out word-engram.
>Blinking back into reality, deep purple ears flatten, gaze swiveling to regard the soloform with mild puzzlemarent and slight annoyance.
('This had better work properly.')
('It will, I assure you.')
"Lone?"
*"Ugh.. little dizzy. ....get the feeling whatever I saw ain't worth asking about. Bad shit?"*
"Some of the worst I can think of. What do you remember?"
*"...lotta the past three nights is missing. Long class on gems, a... really fucked two plus hour medical intervention.. is that it?"*
"Yes. Discomfort, haze, odd thoughts?"
*"Nnnnothing I can think of."*

>>393454
"Well that's a relief."
>It truly was a relief to know she wasn't going to go pop if she set a hoof wrong.
>Just the turrets and the guards standing watch.

>Amethyst shook her hand and winced, mouthing an 'owie', but her hand had at least decided to behave for the time being.
"I just think it's rude to threaten an adult with a boop they haven't approached to receive."
>No sooner had she whispered those words that one of the Lancers approached.
>Amy's own hooves continued carrying her forwards. She couldn't boop them without getting closer it seemed.

>Keeping her hand in check for the moment, Amy listened carefully to the Lancer's directions as she examined the hololith map.
>As long as she headed towards the Spire from here, she couldn't miss it, but finding the proper stalls and stores would be a challenge going by the size of the market area.
>Giving a thoughtful hum as Amy considered her options, the Lancer made a tactical mistake the moment she closed her eyes, the filly's unruly but affectionate index finger shooting out to land a boop right on the plated snoot.

>The Brother-Captain's excitement to acquire gifts was certainly infectious. The filly could see herself breaking into every single armoury and warehouse so she could look at all the shinies. Every last shiny thing.
>However...
"Oh hush, brother, we could not carry it all if we tried!"
>She gave the Brother-Captain a pointed look, knowing what was coming next.
"And we shall not be trying, we only have two sleds and they're nearly full anyway. Maybe if we had a Land Raider... or three."
>The others were correct, basic equipment first, though an ExoFrame would be a big ask.
>Making a face of apology for the commotion, she turned her attentions back to the Lancer.
"I'm not sure. Know any good places in particular for food and drink? Amenities and field equipment and the like?"
>She would need a way to pay for it. She could certainly barter some of her collection, and then there was the satchel Avernus had gifted her that she'd yet to investigate.

>>393532
"One does not need to see defenses in order to know where they likely be placed."
"When I was much younger, I stepped on a landmine to see what it would do."
"And what happened to you, Brother?"
"...I became incredibly disappointed that it did not detonate."
"Poor craftsmanship, improper machine blessings, inferior materials, incorrect components?"
"To be quite fair General, I think it was the last."

"It's not a threat unless they back away or ask you to cease."
>Still sliding hoof by hoof, the mare noticed, and certainly didn't pay much if any attention, directories scrolling past in her visor.
"See? She has not done either."
>Pressing on the cold crysometal snout plate, eyes open to look down.
>Squinting for a second, she releases a muted giggle.
<Crystal Kingdom> "Like this ExoFrame? It's a Spire Crystalworks Heavy Lancer Type 38B. Brand new but more comfortable than the 37's, only takes a minute to get in or out. Six cold vents and heated hoofboots too!"

>The puppets remain silent, leadmare slightly raising an eyebrow before eyeing a rear viewing projection in her helmet.
"Do we?"
"Yup!"
"Everywhere!"
"All over!"
"Pick a direction and you'll crash into ten!"
"Or more!"
>Snickering at the melodiously cheerful, younger Kingdom mares behind her, a front hoof raises to swing around in a short radius.
"Exactly what they said. Ah, you want basic gear? Give me a second to check, and there's plenty of drinking fountains all if you're thirsty, those finally came online sometime during the Day."
"Yeah, after a thousand years of annoying maintenance!"
"Oh, shush! They got returned!"
>Ocular organs orbiting several times at the byplay, the hololith expands to show the Imperial Square.. which was actually a rectangle.
"All right, for amareneties: three-quarters of a mile straight north, left hoof side. There's at least four hundred smaller Consortium buildings. They trade and sell stackable cooking kits, heatstones, coldstones, travel ovens, travel freezers, stuff like that.
For field equipmarent: another half mile beyond that. Travel kits in parts, pieces, or whole: shrinkable tents, blankets, mats, pillows, protective resonant wards, patching materials, you name it. Lot of medium Consortiums hoofle those.
Empire food and drinks: two miles straight north from here, look for Crystal Heartland banners above stands, stalls, and tents, both sides of the Square. Packaged or premade meals are pretty cheap now, prices are always kept low and flat. Competition is for those marechant idiots in New Canterlot.
Now if you're looking for a custom ExoFrame, that's not something I know much about. The biggest Consortiums in the Industrial District usually don't do single orders, but if you ask around a little you'll find somepony's workshop that'll be glad to hoofle one for you."
>Running through a checklist of items, objects, materials, weapons, and armor, she pauses to give a rueful smile.
"Also if you have a herdname I'm authorized to crystalprint access plates for their account, and if you want I can detach an Imperial or two to help with your sleds. They look amazing by the way! Let me guess.. custom Type B's? We see those fairly often from the Conclaves."

"Wait. There are IMPERIALS, HERE?!"
"Not OUR Imperials. Crystal Imperials! They are assuredly quite different."
"Oh. ...a what plate?"
"Probably similar to a credit card."
".....a WHAT?!"
"A card, rather, a plate in this instance, which grants access to a shared coin or gem reserve, or a bank deposit, transferring them with a small fee."
"That sounds STUPID! ........it IS stupid!"
>The sigh of thirty thousand millennia in which progress had gone backwards in so, so many ways.
"I could not agree with you more. Much of Old Terra eras had such economic problems that I could share a tenth in one decade, and that wasn't the worst one."

>>393529
>Pareidolia briefly holds up a gloved hand in a stopping motion towards Astral before quickly lowering it.
"I'm not surprised at your kind answer, but human impetus of this entire chain remains the same from the moment of initial arrival. We collectively are responsible but are yet unable to manage ourselves. So we rely on the grace of those like you. But that lack of transformation is concerning. I would not expect Horizon to have overlooked leaving Anti contamination behind, and if we are not following standard exposure presentations then the possibility of it being a readied and hidden weapon remains, waiting for trigger conditions. I presume information on its mechanisms is limited."

>Regarding the gray plates, he nods and seats himself in his personal seat after slinging his pack straps over the arm rest.
"If it's any consolation Hodch, memory wipes were a not uncommon procedure in my organization. I have no qualms with its necessity."
>Looking towards the front screen of the passenger compartment, he addresses Shiibo.
"A few additional entries were scrubbed. Archives are now compliant. Oh-and I remembered I have this."
>Rifling through his pack, he finds the IOU he had taken and saved from when he was sorting Razorback's bills with Naliyna.
>He raises his arm to proffer it to Astral before looking at his Void form, thinking better of it, and opting for Hodch.
"A written record of transaction from Spiral I had mentioned before that you may benefit from. The rest of Razorback's files may need manual redaction also given name usage, so you may as well start here."
>Shifting his gaze back to Shiibo, he says:
"When I wake up, tell me 'reading steiner ee-pee-kay one'. That is all I will need."

>Leaning back in his seat, he closes his eyes as Lonestar undergoes the procedure.
>His brow furrows as a vague electric sensation stirs in his mind and the internal voices of Hodch and Astral are clearly heard within his own head.
(This feeling... drawn from Lightning?)
>Opening his eyes, he glances down at his hip where the conceptual polearm Hodch made was Stuck.
(Affinity to the Element, the fact he made it, combined with electrical transmission... this may be useful. Need to take this partial telepathy into careful consideration.)
>Deigning to remain silent, he closes his eyes again and exhales slowly.
>When Hodch indicates his readiness, Pareidolia would state:
"Do what you must."

>>393534
>Concern traces across the soloform's face before shaking his head, both legs raising in a human shrug.
"You and I effectively share the exact same concerns. Twisted Wing did not notice Anti subverting her plans to carefully acclimate humans with Tallus esoterics so that interfacing would not cause damage, mutation, psychoses, or other developmental problems.
As for our attempts to perform careful social and cultural integration, that was entirely disrupted due to secondary Anti effects. We will not allow that mistake to occur again."
>Viewing Hodch reaching into the appearing cabinet, Astral's echoing tone sounds pained.
"Further information may be next to nonexistent without Silver's assistance... or perhaps Sweet. I have pieced together SMALL portions of what Anti has done and can do. What I do not have is comprehensive knowledge regarding limitations, strengths, weaknesses, nor other effects enough to comprehend it fully.
The fact it was thoroughly underused and underutilized is the most puzzling factor. I will not know enough to speculate for some time."

>Motioning at the primal Void shape, Hodch's tone was lightly accepting, but certainly displeased.
"It is, to a point. Until he says otherwise, I'll remain dissatisfied and annoyed at this outcome."
>Appending incongruent files for later study or archival later, the avatar offers a slight, formal bow, cringing at something from a tiny screen.
'Understood sir. The Rerculon and Landbarge II's data storage systems have been completely wiped excluding necessary operating data. ...I should probably archive the surgery.'

>Reaching out to draw the page towards him, the Reservist floats it out to Astral Legacy for a quick examination, his outline shifting into neon purple.
"Hm? That wa-"
"Don't. Do it later. For now consider your truly necessary priorities."
>Giving a clear professional salute, 'Shiibo' offers a relatively hard glance sideways.
'I will, sir.'

>Inhaling slowly, then stopping, Hodch begins to question before being immediately cut off.
"Do y-"
"As YOU stated: later."
"Hmph! Horseass!"
"Hah! Hoof-toucher!"
>Settling into a physically calm state, brief thoughts rewind into a pale, far colder version of events, beginning three Nights prior, shortly after confirming the Starblazer's destruction.
>Sections of memory regarding a unicorn you'd known for some time shift, the name Astral Legacy more pronounced than it was before.
>Items, objects, words, sequences of events tied to a travel destination softly blank out in comfortable Moonlight colors.
>Conversations, experiences, thoughts, minorly to majorly redacted, clarify into strangely familiar links.
>Retaining some direct knowledge of certain events, though not where you'd been to retrieve the restored Elemental unicorn, both eyes open to 'Shiibo', left hand waving back and forth.
'Sir? Reading Steiner Ee-Pee-Kay One.'
"That was.. far less difficult than I thought."
"Now you know why my marental processes were little changed. The complexities regard variable modes of thought, not merely species, cultural, taught, ingrained, or other heuristic patterns."
"On Psions: Volume 3?"
"Volume 5, but the preface to it was included in 3. I do not know why they would place it there."
"I see. Pare, any difficulties breathing or thinking?"

>The avatar stepping off screen, you experience a trace of vertigo from looking at the Landbarge II's ceiling.
>A great amount of knowledge had been carefully removed, though you knew this consequence had been accepted.
'Nightblade Hodch, I am well aware our formal contract has ended. However, I wish to negotiate for a new one, whether verbal or physically bound.'
"Hm.. why not. What is it?"
'I will transmit all printable information regarding Razorback's unintentional criminal activities and crimes in exchange for immediately granting formal permanent access to the Citadel, including the safe locations of Princess Luna's Moon, to Operator Pareidolia. Escorts included.'
"Done, let me find a sheet of Lumin large enough to scribe it."
'I.. do not understand. You did not hesitate. Or resist. Or even ask why.'
"Should I? You've done more for me in two nights than this Elemental has for the past two years! Wait, di- nevermind, already gave you that permission. Since you don't have a physical form yet I'll send an extra copy to place in duty stations. Simply announce the code phrase and they'll let you in without a problem."
'My intention was to initiate a meeting between Operator Pareidolia and General Sapphire Ki-'
"Seriously? Who do you take me for, Tipper? Nova? Roust? Malyne? If I intended to demarend or ask specifics I would have done that by now. If you two would prefer returning to the Fortress then stay inside, otherwise I'm taking a Moonbridge straight to the Citadel. Both of you are free to come along if you want.
Katyal?"
“Nah dude, you go on. I’ll stick around to pick up the gems for my cut. Also don’t want to put a claim on the materials, you all need ‘em more than me and I’ve got way too much work to do later. Hit me.”

>Returning to offer a pleasant smile, the avatar bends forwards to speak a familiar line.
'I did ask how you would reach for the Stars sir, and I am beyond pleased my calculated risk was accepted. Perhaps now you shall see the Moon for what it truly is. My third highest yet perhaps most important task is nearly completed.'
>Slightly, and politely, smug now, not directed at you, the advanced A.I.’s eyebrows slowly raise in speculative amusement.
'Yes, I arranged the same access for myself previously. You have 80% permission to be suspicious as to the other surprises I have retained.
A full upgrade package with replacement heuristics, nodal operations, revised applications, noteworthy unclassified information, an... incredibly strange program, or perhaps model of some type, and instructions to delete certain data will be taken to Razorback Fortress for the prototype.'

>>393535
>A sensation not unlike being scanned by an Amadeus machine though unusually more colorful permeates his senses.
>Contextual memory maps are traced and edited as the dendritic trees are pruned and reshaped.
>Astral Legacy becomes... familiarly known for years.
>And a period of time that feels recent is blotted out in particular places.
>Pareidolia reflexively exhales and clenches then relaxes his hands.
(You're in the Landbarge... not the pod. Arr Es Ee-pee-kay one is in effect. Voluntary memory erasure, trusted company. Reorient. Refocus.)
>Noting the onset of slight vertigo, he looks forward while remaining still to focus on the detailing on the metal locker across from him.
"Haaa... none. Only mild vertigo. Thank you Shiibo."

>Focusing on controlling his breathing in a slow pattern, he manages to quell the vertigo after a few reptitions.
>While doing so, he notes Shiibo initiating another contract with Hodch.
(Just what did she do for him so quickly... ?)
>Leaning forward and pushing himself up, he shoulders his pack.
>Looking between Shiibo's display avatar and Hodch, he raises his shoulders in a small questioning motion.
"Is Twisted Wing going to be available there? If so then, yes."
>Bringing up a truncated eye tracking text entry menu on his helmet display, he writes [What did you help Hodch with to achieve this so quickly?]

>>393537
"That's a relief to hear. And I should hopefilly never need to do THAT again."
>Viewing the hardened upright storage locker, details of contents, why it existed, both vehicle upgrades, everything currently inside the Landbarge II, and occupants returns with zero pressure.
>There weren't any sharp memory or engrammatic removals, nor was the avatar's image painful to recognition.
'You are most welcome, sir.'

>Lips pulling back into a thin line, 'Shiibo' raises her left hand to present a series of pre-integration assistance files.
[Intermediate Pony-Human Relations for social/cultural/individual conflict reduction. Advanced dossier: Human Cultural Threat Index. Advanced dossier: Human Religious Conflicts. Advanced dossier: Complex Religious Deprogramming. Now? Unsure. Analyzing]
>Poking open equine, unicorn, then Lunar apps, the Nightblade's eyes return to their normal state, bending forwards while his face heavily creases in either disdain or disgust.
"Remind me to sue you later, Astral."
"I will gladly pay for your lawyer."
>Flicking through several of the prototype's directories, the avatar's arms lift in a flatly confused motion before closing everything.
[Prior unwillingness to consider entering Citadel = gone. Prior dislike of potentially interacting with Gen. Sapphire Kiwi = gone. Strange. Actions & mood primarily uncategorized. Possibility of Lunar Overherd conditioning? Pre-critical mass external + internal threats = organizational efficiency increases to compensate.]

>Swiveling the chair towards Katyal's, the woman lying still, almost sleeping, the deep purple unicorn's eyes travel in your direction, right ear flicking in humor.
"She'll either find time or we can ambush her for a few minutes."
'May I as-'
"Hold on... idea? If Doctor Heartbeat is still alive I might be able to convince Twisted in assigning her directly to Razorback, after fitting her with a Luminary set so she can decontaminate herself. Doesn't tolerate nonsense, has zero problems tossing sleeping spells on irate patients whom think they know better, would definitely enjoy Roust's companeigh, won't experience difficulties teaching Nova either."
>Writing the word 'concerning' over her torso at the classical unicorn propensity for slight mania and planning, 'Shiibo' waits five seconds before trying again.
'Is th-'
"And I know a few Navarch Watchkeepers are retiring, just one could ensure camaraderie is high. Idiots that don't resolve conflicts intelligently will learn regret. A Hegemony Mystic or two would be excellent, beating the ideological stupidity out of certain humans has been a sore point of contention among ponies. Might even help some find a better spiritual path. And why not a Gozkan Ranger? They could provide far more cohesive structure than what Razorback has now.
Astral, what do you think?"
"Ask Twisted Wing. She has far better understanding of how to integrate civil, militia, mercenary, and military poninel for best effect."
>Giving up on the request for now, a weak, pain filled, apologetic smile is given your way.
[I.. may have made a slight miscalculation. Or five. Sincerest apologies in advance, sir.]

>Eyes snapping open and jolting upright, Katyal's hands lift shakily to grasp her temples, breathing heavily in near-shock.
*"Uhhh, you all right back there?"*
"I.. what did I DO to warrant THAT!? Did I steal a royal concubine or insult an entire civilization again!?"
*"..fuckin' typic-"*
>Definitely not clearing his throat, or trying to simulate the same, Astral Legacy's voice echoes in a triumvirate, coolly addressing the piloting cabin, the slowly increasing smile mildly unnerving.
"Lonestar. Do you have a single functional clue how insane, dangerous, and confoundingly stupid that likely sexist dismissal of yours is at this immediate microsecond?"
'We need to go.'
"We need to go."
>Avatar and Reservist sharing the briefest of hopeful glances, a streak of Moonlight erupts from under Hodch, forming into a bridge that ripples around to you.
>Subjected once more to a icy tunnel, the passage from Tallus to the Moon is rapid, massive upper Airstreams coming into sight before the Starborn mutters a short phrase, allowing you time to stand up.
>Slowing the bizarre transportation before entering what appeared to be the Tallus exosphere, ten into a deep outer layer of water, massive glowing creatures swim throughout.
"The Elemental Planes of Water and Storms have been breached a number of times in the past. A majority of those are Titanic class, though less than ten present a threat unless injured."
>Passing under a small, reflective speck before exiting, approaching the Moon at a rate the avatar couldn't begin estimate, the Citadel's sparkling clear dome takes shape only to disappear.

>Arriving on a rigid, orange scorched and blackened matrice directly in the center, the Citadel's Atrium was entirely different:
>Over a thousand ponies in darker colored robes and battle damaged armors, from Lunar Guardian to brand new designs, were clustered in large groups.
>Hundreds of Minotaurs, Gryphons, and a few Harpies spread throughout, the number of allied and aligned factions is well beyond fifty.
>Each that you could see was carrying, supporting, or sporting a bright orange weapon, armor, or device, less than a quarter number had two, while three was uncommon.
>All shared visible confusing at the odd, fluidly moving Rift symbiotes in mass numbers, interacting freely with sapients and each other.

>>393537
>>393554
>Completely avoided by all, trails of bright pink dancing flames arranged in a colossal pentagram are further illuminated by large pink candles, ripples above each displaying a trio of squiggly purple-pink flames set within an elegant crystalline heater shield.
"Thaaaat's...."
'It is rare to hear you speechle-'
>Immediately taking notice of a certain Flame Naghtmare air-skipping on a flat pink disk a short distance ahead, the mare pauses at a loud, angry shout from behind, head swiveling left and around.
"I SAID NO MORE!"
"Why not? They should sing with all of us too!"
>The ringing, melodic flames composing a voice held nothing more than cheer with notes of innocent, sincerely honest confusion.
>Streaking into view and landing in heavy ringing tones behind Flowing Spark, Twisted's right wing stretches sideways, the right pointing in accusation at the Naghtmare's rear, both missing several black wingblades.
>And for the first time you'd known her, completely in control of herself.
"You can't keep forcing others t-"
>Freezing briefly, the right piercing hyacinth blue eye traces a line onto Hodch, you, then forwards, taking on a sore commarending voice.
"Haaaaay there, one second. Flowing, stop or I will lock you in the Training Hall."
>Head swiveling around to the other side, Flowing smoothly hops about in a quarter circle.
"But why?"
>First examining the dumbstruck Reservist, her head tilts left briefly, gaze running sideways to your legs, and finally up at your chest, warmly burning eyes brightening in joy.
"Let me warm her too! She wants to play with the Stars!"
>Hodch and 'Shiibo' flatline at the same time.
"Pare, please offer your symbiote to her. Or would you prefer I do that?"
'I retract EVERYTHING previously stated.'
>Immaculate right wing lifting to shield her face, the Burning General snarls into feathers before about facing and presenting a distinctively irritated look.
"What'cha need Hodch?"
"A meeting. With you. Only you. No guards, escorts, or [i]other."
"It's that important? Got it. 'Ey Flowing, go an-"
>Distracted by a nearby cluster of diamond armored Destroyers separating, rattling kees erupts between three leadmares trying to disentangle a variety of saddle, barrel, and rump mounted weapons, trying to keep the Rift symbiotes from touching any pony around them.
"Look at all of her kin! I have never seen so marely dancing together!"

>Diamondine teeth gritting, the General's eyes shift into complex bright orange circuitry.
>Regarding you, Hodch, then the swaying and loudly humming Naghtmare, her voice flattens, speaking to absolutely nothing.
"No one is going to ever fucking believe this. They'll think we broke into every last one of the Empire's reliquaries or snuck into the Black Tower. Or both? ..yeah, definitely gonna be both."

[1d6 = 2] <Symbiotic Rift Support

>Trying, failing, and giving up on reading the giant sheet of paper covered in stickers, Foggy Patches rolls her eyes.
"What even IS an igloo-wanna? I don't care how much treasure there's supposed to be, I am not doing this."
>Flopping onto her left side and sprawling on the wonderfully plush futon, she lets out a rattling whimper, legs and wings contracting tightly.
>Which only causes further pain.
>Surveying the bandage covered indigo batfilly from her upside down perch on ceiling bars closest to the center bay window, Malyne's wings splay out in ‘calm’ motions.
"Do you mean ‘iguana’? Discord is quite fun so long as you set rules, guidelines, and boundaries.”
"So?"
>Exhaling through her nostrils quietly, the fuzzy orange batfilly raises the left set of wingclaws to rub her snout.
“Iguanas are a tropical reptile from one to ten hooves in length. Small claws, scales, omnivorous, lots of colors. Like a tiny wyrm but minimal danger. Shouting and threatening displays will cause most to flee.
At least sixty species live near and on the Moor Coasts, except the Crags and further. Ferron and coastal batponies train them as guards to reduce numbers of small pests.”
>Doing her best to listen, while internally screeching the few swears she knew, Foggy relaxes in fractions at the soothing voice.
“And?”
>Allowing herself the luxury of a tiny snort, Malyne carefully steps across the bars, reaching the ceiling’s center to turn about.
>Gazing across the room and putting on a thinking face, Malyne’s upside down tail flicks.
“The first step is to locate an iguana without the use of a Blink, teleportation, translocation, Planar shifting, spectrum travel, realm-shifting, recall runes, or other esoteric, magical, and similar or dissimilar methods of travel.
Equally, no using a Warp Gate, translocation matrice, portal stone, cart, chariot, boat, ship, vessel, vessail, including mechanical, crystaltech, esoteric, or other travels.”
>Waiting for the inevitable sigh or groan, what she receives is a fatigued diamond-slitted eye roving about in search.
“No lizards here, too cold. This place needs... warm fog. Big trees. Berries. Big fruit. More clouds. Blankets.”
“If there are none, it will not take long to find.”
“...tired. Don’t wanna. Sorry.”
"It is okay."
>Carefully tipping sideways, the orange filly looses her Sticky enchantmarent, spinning halfway over as wings stretch out.
>Drifting down to land on the carpet, Malyne tracks Patches’ sight line, turning to collect the thickest royal pink blanket out of reach on a middle shelf.
“I will keep my promise to share half, that is, if I find it. Would you like another pillow?”
>Sliding to Foggy’s temporarily stolen futon, unfolding the blanket across her, then picking up the TREASURE MAP, the short head shake was enough.
“Do you need anything more?”
“Mm-mm.. thank you.”

>Watching over the other batfilly as her drowsing becomes slow, even inhales and exhales, face softening in sleep, tufted ears instantly perk at distant rustling.
>Stepping backwards, sideways three, then facing the door, Malyne’s snout creases, lifting the worn map to place on her saddle before Sticking it.
>Carefilly stalking to the door, ears skewed to receive sound from either side, she casts a short look to ensure Foggy was soundly asleep.
>At ten seconds, she reaches up to take hold of the handle with all six claws.
>Slowly pushing the door open while peering through with the left eye squinted, nothing moves, makes sound, or pops out.
>Marentally giving herself a hrm, burnt orange snout exits for three stealthy sniffs, then bends forwards, squirreling her head out the door enough to look around.
>No humans, ponies, Gryphons, Minotaurs, Harpies…
>Accepting the task to investigate, Malyne wedges herself out the door, turning halfway to close it silently.
>Snout twitching at a crisp sound coming from the southern central room, she hunches low and forwards, sliding next to bookcases until reaching open air.
>Peeking out, slipping across to wall and turning left, she pauses before the doorway, which didn’t have doors but was supposed to.
(‘If there is no door which has a way both in and out, why is it still called a doorway? Does that make it an openway?’)
>Lips making a short wavy S shape at the confusing terminology, Malyne’s snout tips straight down, ears flat while rolling her head sideways.
>Performing the sneakiest inward peek, sighting yet more overloaded bookshelves, upon finding nothing, she pokes inwards further.
>Delivering a tiny broad echolocation without moving, as nothing is returned other than feedback from crinkling down and to her right, she speaks in a low questioning tone.
“Excuse me, is there a-”
>Looking down to share a confused blink with a peculiar, long paper mache reptile, formerly blankly staring at a book title which wasn’t exposed enough for her to read, both of their heads tilt.
"Oh. Are you an iguana?”
>It nods, crinkling.
“Do you happen to know where the Eternal Lunar Gate is, or the Reaper’s Chamber of Black Secrets?”
>A slow, rustling nod first, then a twitchy one.
“Hum. If you do not mind, and you have free time to do so, would you help me find the first to open the second? I am looking for a treasure. Or perhaps several treasures. The directions, rules, guidelines, requiremarents, and restrictions on this map are a bat confusing.”
>Head lifting, tilting from side to side, multiple crinkles occur before it nods three times in rapid succession.
“Thank you, and I promise to share whatever you would like from my portion.“
>Entire paper mache body roughly shaking several times, the motion was an obvious ‘no need’.
“I see.”
>Smiling in her always moderate mareners, Malyne steps out, reaching to take the map off her saddle and spreading it open for the iguana to examine.
“If it is acceptable to do so, I would like to place you on top of my head so that we may both see as best as possible. Now, I believe we may need a Key made from the Lewd Dreams of a Forgotten Goddess...”
[1d6 = 5] <Malyne

>>393554
>Face creasing in slight concern, Shiibo's answer does little to alleviate it.
'We'll go with Overherd influence for now then... that Naghtmare situation must have escalated things.'

>Facing Hodch as he stands next to him, Pareidolia turns his head slowly to regard him.
"That is not-"
>His eyes flash over the 'concerning' Shiibo wrote before closing them and sighing deeply.
>Waiting for Hodch's enthusiasm over possible plans to pause, he attempts to get a word in edgewise but finds no opportunity to do so before Katyal awakens from her memory wipe.
>He clicks his tongue in frustration as Lonestar's poorly timed comment creates a volatile bomb.
(Need to leave. Dul?)
>Head scanning for the Siren, he looks around the compartment in the scant few seconds he has before Katyal's ire explodes.
"Dul! When you reach the Fortress with Astral, your contract is complete! I may not be present at that time, but you'll be free to do what you want!"
>Swept up in a beam of Moonlight, he falls to one knee at the sudden change in scenery.
>Looking upwards, he views the oncoming and strange exosphere of the planet.
>Tracking the massive leviathans scattered throughout the water, he shakes his head as he stands.
"If you meant Heartbreak earlier, she was the one who went feral while treating me. I don't think that would be a good idea. And no one will be able to beat stupidity out of a human. You need to consult a human with proper understanding of the factors at play before integrating non-human elements-"

>Arriving in the Citadel Atrium for the second time this week, he stops speaking as the absolute state of the arrayed Lunar combatants and actively flying Rift fluid are made apparent.
>A pentagram of pink flames and the candlelit presumed cutie mark of the Naghtmare: Flowing Spark responsible for this overlays the event.
>Pareidolia cranes his head, gathering in the scale of apparent Rift bonding rituals that had taken place.
>Twisted Wing's voice for once, ringing with clarity causes him to reorient towards her aproaching figure.
(She must have been cleansed of Anti while here then... they may not know of the source yet. Time is critical. Flowing Spark's demeanor may waylay things... )
>His gaze follows the chipper Naghtmare's as she settles upon the marble sized Rift symbiote that had somehow made its way back to his vest pocket despite him giving it to Hodch to commune with.
>Looking up to face Flowing Spark, he speaks while placing a hand over the pocket.
"I... would rather do that later instead of right now if you would be kind as to wait. I need to talk with the General here-"
>The sudden entanglement of nearby Destroyer batponies affords him the opportunity to move out of Flowing's direct line of sight and shift closer to Twisted.
>Glancing at pink flame wreathed Naghtmare with some wariness and slightly hunched shoulders, he speaks in a low tone.
"At least she seems easily distracted. May respond better to rewards. But as Hodch said, the matter is urgent. I wouldn't be here for a second time otherwise."

>>393560
>Popping into view in the center passenger side chair, the faux-mare's eyes close while waving both front hooves.
"Dul thank you big lots! Share HUGE itam later!"
[1d6 = 3] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Tallus Acclimation
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus

>Releasing a long suffering sigh, Hodch reaches up to rub his snout with one knee.
"Her marentality switches depending on several factors, it's a si- nevermind. And I am painfilly well aware. You have no idea how badly Jeff and Clemency pissed off Starborn and Council with some 'our command system is better than yours' gimmick. I fully believed Chuz`Ain was going to strangle them both."

>Piercing orange/blue eyes settling on the black diamond helmet's right side briefly, the avatar unfreezes as Twisted shifts away, turning to write [She can SEE me] across her body lengthwise.
"Don't let that fool you, she knows the exact position of each flame, Construct, and Rift object here. It'll be about an hour before she gets feisty."
>Black wingblades glinting as the Naghtmare slides sideways and back in a smooth sashaying motion, her head rolls around, offering a happy smile.
"Let her play with us soon, we have so marely songs and dances to teach!"
>Stepping in front of you, the oversized pegasus points her left wing at Hodch, transitioning to a stern voice.
"Flow, when we get back, you need to give this one a best friend. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mistress of Crackling Flames! I know which ones he will love!"
>Moving to grab Hodch and push him ahead of her with both wings on his rear towards the south, the Reservist hisses while being forced through parting groups of symbiotized Starborn and Lunars.
"You flankstabbing li-"
"General's order: stuff it during leisure time. This way, immediately."
>Uncaring for stepping through the flames, the order was sharp enough for you to follow her.
>Reaching a precisely centered alcove, an ancient kanpri portal ring is stopped upon, Twisted waits for you to join before intoning merrily.
"Four Hooves, A Diamondine Ring For Each."
>Drifting in a minute sideways motion, it ends inside a large, ocean green painted room.

>Stepping out into a Lunar styled, utterly formal military office, it was nearly a third the size of Razorback's standard barracks, an earth pony sized desk 5M from the ring.
>Leaping up and behind the desk, wings tight on her sides, Twisted turns to sit down, the wall behind her covered in a massive Lunar Guardian mural prominently featuring Princess Luna and Chrysalis, both in heavy armor.
>The walls to either side are utterly lined with heavy clear or black diamondine lockers, overloaded bookshelves, armor stands, weapon displays, and a variety of gem cases; chests, whether alone or stacked, in precise rows
"Welcome to my real office. Don't open the cases or talk to the black altar in the rear, not the same type as the one in Razorback. Everything else is safe to touch, put on, try out, whatever. Just don't try to activate the unfamiliar ones, there's a lot of unique objects and experimarentals here."
>Outermost right primary feathers picking up a quill and dipping into ink, the Enchained sorts out a sheaf of papers, writing onto the top one quickly.
"Shiibo, that your name?"
'Yes, General Sapphire Kiwi.'
"Done, you're on record for access. Ditch the rank if you want, it's not necessary, and two permarenent access grants in one Night for Hodch.. done. Good work from the three of you, we can prevent damage control to nearly half of the most problematic factions.
Few things I need to state first."
>Sliding the first page to the right, she glances up, orange circuitry disappearing.
"One, most of the Citadel is pissed at Razorback. Starborn, Council, affiliates and Reservists included. Jeff and Clemency made the number one worst mistake possible: trying to tell a nine hundred eighty some year old, exceptionally efficient military that it's woefully inefficient and inadequate, and that their 'systems' can do much better. In any other circumstance, they would be missing limbs or dead.
Don't make the same mistake. Our commarend and control is wholly different for reasons of security first, safety second, and comfort third. Autonomy is respected by default, unfounded opinions are not.
Two: I know exactly when, where, how, but not why the Anti came from, including nearly all it has done and caused. Each of the false, fake, altered, modified, and removed memories from me and others are now on recordplates.
Should I hear a different version of certain events that doesn't match up I will ASSUME it differs for good reasons, but I will cross-reference and ask later.
Three: took forty Luminaries three hours to purge the Anti from me. That's one hundred and twenty hours at twenty gems per hour expended. Entirety of Basin Village, or whatever it's been renamed to now, the two hundred or so Razorback there, and part of the Fortress have been cleansed. Reservists are still tracking down every sapient that responded, so I will be sending that bill when they're done.
If you hear of, find, or get a chance to make some easy gems, Bits, or other, send some people. Pare, you're up in the Assault ranks now. Push the slackers off their asses and make sure at least three ponies go with each squad. If they don't listen say I'm coming back.
Four: if you can't handle a situation then either offer peace or surrender. Ponies don't normally fight to the death unless there's a damned good reason. May not make sense to you yet it does to us.
Five: losing Barlen was bad enough but now we have the newest Triarch Wargod stomping around furious because Ridgeback 'cheated Lunar honor codes' during an unsanctioned, ridiculous duel.
Six: fifty-four minutes left before I drag you both out to hold hooves with Flowing Spark."

>Spinning around and striding off behind you with a grunt, Hodch calls over his shoulder, meanwhile the avatar grins.
"Go ahead, I need to prepare dossiers, documarents, and plates."
'I am fully prepared to assist, sir~!'

>>393533
>She disagreed. Booping was always a threat!
>Amethyst removed her finger and stepped back a bit to properly look over the ExoFrame.
>The filly was too bipedal to make use of anything like that herself, although...
"Ahh, ehh, I could do without heated hoofboots myself, we just walked around in the desert in Saddle Arabia, and then there was a plasma filled Daymare in Canterlot just a few minutes ago. I have definitely had enough Fire for one night."
>She shot a glance over at the sled Lila was in.
"Except from one source, but she likes to keep all the Fire for herself so she doesn't count."

>Following the hololith's changes, Amy tried to memorise directions, though she got the feeling she was going to get turned around and lost in the shops. It could be worse.
>According to the other mares, that was probably the point.
"Access plate?"
>Amy had her dam's herdname of course, but she thought it would be rude to get an access plate to their accounts before she'd even dropped in on them.
"It's Storm-Rose, but I'll decline for now. I could use some directions to wherever they live though, I should stop in and say hi for my dam."
>She smiled over at the sleds, she hadn't known what types they were.
"Think so, my dam and sire made them for me so I wouldn't have to carry all my stuff out of Tartarus on hoof. I wouldn't want to impose on you, they're fairly light to pull around, I've barely even felt it."
>The puppets were all bickering again.

>>393564
>Giving the design a once over, it was a sleeker, better refined version of the older Lancer patterns in your dam's catalogue.
>Thickly layered, rigid crystalline plates melded to high rotational socketed joints, using layers of internal shock resistant biogel to prevent spalling rather than woven sheets.
>The helmet was slightly unusual: an entirely two piece configuration, visor and snout mask able to separate into halves, while the rear was fitted to locking clasps at the base of the skull, multiple overlapping sheets allowing for good neck flexibility.
>Rather simple compared to most, the spinal plating was a single long strip of semiflexible crysamare, containing a number of smaller devices embedded throughout.
>The legs were more heavily protected to the front with an additional layer, all four hooves thickly armored, and while you realized she wasn't wearing a standard inner bodysuit, being a newer version the internals likely didn't need one to interface.
"Ahh, you like ice and Rime more, I understand. Saddle Arabia's far better at Night, which is Daytime on this continent for us, or if you have a good 'Frame. ..a what mare?"
"Daymare, an intangible in the Unborn classification. Not exactly opposite of a Nightmare but can be nasty. Mainland Equestria has problems with them, fairly rare but can become a serious threat if left unchecked for a while."
"Right. Well, stay out of the fires and well the hay away from Plasma!"
"Storm-Rose? Think I recognize that name. Checking-"
>Placing a city map next to the other, eyebrows raise briefly as she searches through clan and herd directories.
"Tartarus? Thought that place was a Changeling myth."
"It's a legend about one of the huge pre-Hegemony cities that got overrun by one of the Endless Marches. I think?"
"Most legends and myths have some truth to them. What I remember is it's some kind of big underground city hidden in one of the Lost Regions.. sssomewhere."
"Nah, I heard it's on top of a giant cloud city drifting south of Cuteba."
"One of teachers stated Tartarus is at the bottom of Fillydelvia's lake inside a living metal atrium built by Harpies."
>The leadmare smiles brightly, merry speckles dotting her mostly light coat, motioning to a single city block northwest of the Spire, though the resolution was rather fuzzy.
"They did excellent work, and I found them. The Storm-Rose herd owns this entire city block. Big workshop, five floor marension, warehouse, garden several underground levels. Not a Consortium but they do make some custom crystal devices, resonant impactor tips, a few Middle Kingdom weapons, and have a repair bay for most 'Frames."
>A slightly gravelly, yet pleasantly ringing young voice calls from the left gate.
"Hay, I know where that place is! They're the family repairing my cousin's armor!"
"The one that got bodyslammed by an Argus last week and broke three legs?"
"Eheh... yeah, that'd be her."
>Stepping out from the opposite squad, a relatively standard Light Lancer pattern clanks towards you, the mare inside a brilliant neon green coat, mane and tail a flashy, metallic red.
>Halting next to the Heavy leadmare, the maybe 20 year old mare's eyes a strange vertical octagon shape, each facet reflecting a mixture of dark blue and purple as she grins politely.
"No worries, I'm off duty anyhow so I'll escort you around. Might even be able to get you some better deals from other Imperials too!"
>Leadmare's helmet shaking in disbelief, hololith screens transfer to the other mare, whom begins marking locations out.
"So, why were you in formation here for the past five hours?"
"To hang out with my best friends and maybe spot a cute Crispy mare or stallion, duh~!"
"Hah, figures. All right, go ahead."
>Selecting the Imperial Square and expanding it twice, the 'lith dissipates and reappears on the right side of her visor, left eye offering a friendly wink.
"Imperial Crusader Rubelime Dusk at your service! I'll summon us a Floatblade, one second."
>Whistling in a low, up-down-down tone, what you initially think to be a large snowboard swerves around the station's rear, halting at Rubelime's right side.
>Which turns out to be four inch thick, 16' long sheet of crysamare in the shape of a elongated leaf bladed spear, complete with a number of storage boxes and racks in the rear.

"I.. I have no anger to give? Why is this?"
"Likely for the same reason: most of us are frozen at current."
"A most agreeable situation where none of us can threaten the other!"
"Excluding words."
"Those can kill, you know?"
"Particularly the ones emitting from your vile...."
"Problem, Brother?"
"I do not know if any of us has a mouth."
"You... disappoint me oh so very much at this second.."
"I know the feeling all too well, Brother."

>Giving a slight hum, the aptly named Float drops to hover slightly above crystal slabs, the Lancer stepping onto it with loud clicks.
"Don't worry, it's got a small Gravity Core to keep us from falling off or worse."
>Motioning to hop on, which involved lifting one hoofboot onto the presumably Sticky surface, then sliding the other up and over to stand directly behind her-
"AMY! The rear armor is fully exposed, strike now!"
"Decency value: MINIMAL! LAUNCH THE.. JUST TAKE IT!"
>Certainly not noticing the Kaos duo, the rope is untied from you with a hum, then placed in a locking clasp at the rear.
>Taking full control of the crystal device is taken through her visor, directing it to spin around slowly while both squads return to their formations next to the open gates.
"Next stop: amarenities!"
>Facing directly into the shining City-State, ears swivel forwards as the Floatblade raises, barely feeling it move forwards and between the gates.
>Dotting the immediate vicinity on both sides, medium sized geometric houses with large yards and trees, amusingly in certain Geomantic patterns, most featuring a small stand or stall in front of each.
"What'cha looking for first, or do you wanna browse a little?"
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11] <Speed

>>393562
>Straightening himself, his shoulders fall as Twisted moves away.
"Lovely."
>He glances between Shiibo's avatar and the eye tracker text input on his helmet's internal display.
[Noted, likely Enchains]
>Following behind the General on her order, he gives a consolatory shrug to the unicorn.
"At least you may never require surgical intervention in the event that ever happens again. Symbiotes have independent power sources, right?"
>Not wanting to touch the flames himself, he steps over the outermost ring of the pentagram and approaches portal ring.

>Whisked away again, this time to a large office with a mural in stark relief, Pareidolia makes one visual sweep of the room.
(Irrelevant to objective.)
>Stepping forwards to stand in front of the desk and face Twisted Wing, he folds his hands behind his back.
>He maintains silence as she goes through her list, parsing his own thoughts in tandem.
(Yep... as expected. Human systems will not mesh and this cultural gap is already creating friction. Saving grace is their prioritization of security. Will need to focus on this element to make the threat clear. Extensive experience and Committee backing will serve as an informed platform.)
(As for the rest... promotion is acceptable. Any level of formalized authority increase will assist in Guidance Protocol implementation. Other information noted. Time left should be sufficient.)
>As Hodch departs, the operative raises an open palm in acknowledgement before returning it behind him.
'Prep files, I will hand off to you after my introduction.'

>Nodding at the now fully cognizant pegasus, he begins his speech.
"I am relieved to hear your command structure is organized for security and safety. That is also the primary concern of the Committee of 300, whom I serve from my variant of Earth. We have extensively studied the nature of humanity and its branching paths. Projects exploring time travel, world simulations, and other such metaphysical forays all pointed to one incontrevertible truth. The human social element is a fundamental poison to any and all cultures if left unmanaged. The incidents across Tallus involving humans, Old Canterlot, even this most recent Anti contamination, all can fundamentally be tied to a human chain of responsibility and are proof positive of this risk. Humans are the greatest and most certain threat that Tallus itself has ever welcomed. We lack the developed species collective outlook of other alien species, such as you all. This is not a statement of blame or intent, only that such are the facts. This creates fundamental socio-cultural friction that requires careful management."
>Moving a hand to his helmet, he turns on the projector module and looks towards the desk top.
>Presenting Shiibo's various dossiers and files, he makes a small gesture of "at your convenience".
"Management that as far as I have witnessed across all humans encountered here, only the Committee has properly formulated with their extensive access to near infinite permutations of all possible human societies and futures down to individual actions. I cannot stress enough the absolute scientific certainty backing our understanding of how, why, and when humans will behave from the individual to the societal level. Well meaning or not, immoral or otherwise, our fundamental limitations as a species must be brought under purview of either this Committee Guidance Protocol in regards to contact with alien species, headed by qualified, trained, and informed human sub-members and relevant alien counsel. Other humans may disagree, but none of them have witnessed their actions at scale and in context to the same degree. But their integration into the guidelines of the Protocol can be achieved in a mutually beneficial and non-coercive manner."
>He sighs, taking on a slightly bitter tone before continuing.
"Make no mistake, we are not the most immediate temporal threat. I understand my lack of perspective on Tallus specific affairs may render my proposal as... quaint. But we are, all of us the most existential threat if not held to account by other humans at scale. We will erode Tallus' social and cultural fabric from within in a manner that would be unnoticeable to the majority through appealing to your better qualities as a collective species. If you have any doubts as to the mechanisms of this process, Shiibo can enlighten you."
>He waves an upturned palm towards Shiibo's projected display, bidding her to provide additional input as needed.

>>393571
>Pausing on his way forwards, Hodch calls over his shoulder before continuing.
"One of Heartbeat's ancestors ate something on Tallus long ago, it caused the slight aberration you witnessed, but only to one descendant each generation. And, yes, highly anomalous ones.. which are difficult to deplete or damage after bonding."

>Noting the display and carefully clearing her desk off to stack on a pile of record tomes, Twisted's left eyebrow raises.
>Avatar scrolling through early Razorback actions and comparing to equine reactions, her expression is miffed.
"Greatest? No. With the current number of humans, somewhere in the lower forty. The Cretian-"
>Spoken as 'Cree-she-an', which the avatar realizes she has zero information on, the Enchained scowls in raw hatred.
"Minotaurs are Priority Threat Five. The returning Shrikes were just bumped up to Four. As for most certain.. in the top five for the past two years, yeah."
>Eyeing a series of cultural, social, then herd conflicts through reports, audio, and video, black wingblades click together in slow, irritated patterns.
"Wonder if Razorback's just an outlier.. I understand what you mean otherwise."
>Taking the time to read through condensed logs regarding human eras, conflicts between each, their causes, then the entirety of dossiers on religion, piercing eyes visibly smolder, a short trail of blue steaming upwards.
"….I did NOT realize that was going to be such a gigantic problem. That shit’s getting cut out immediately even if I have to do the carving myself.
Temporal issues.. you're wrong on that one but you couldn't have known. There's already been a few invading human Otherworlds, couple weird ones as well. Haven't had time to read those reports. Royal and Honor Guard have been destroying portals with Plasma storms under Valden's order. Not the first time either, we've destroyed a few hundred before. That information's not classified by the way.
Depending on how quickly the Era Lock can be accessed and unfucked from the currently batshit insane state, that'll settle a lot of angry hooves.
Show me what else you have, Shiibo."
>Sitting back to watch through eight minutes of unedited videos highlighting discrepancies humans rarely accounted for, the General slowly nods at a condensed list of final objectives to accomplish.
"Similar enough. Keep Razorback in a controlled exposure and training environmarent. Pick a faction, slowly integrate to prevent esoteric contamination and psychoses, assist from there.
The problem is Princesses Celestia and Luna were going to do the exact same. Old Canterlot screwed everything. Might make me look like I'm usurping Solarhooves, unless I can somehow get the Canterlot Treaty of 29,998 hammered flat before December 40th."
>Searching the ceiling for a few seconds, her gaze drops down to eye a finely detailed report on Razorback's chances of future survival.
"Yep. Tower Guard ran a few trillion simulations with their thirty arriving humans. The Stallionguard, least that's what they call themselves, fully acclimated in less than one month. Zero difficulties due to the Overherd.
Prance, Germane, few other places, much the same. Minimal troubles, success rate of about ninety-eight percent or so to start with. Then a few of the later ones caused problems. Ewerup's fucked because of a human trying to recreate some dead country, and that is NOT looking good for us.
Zero communication from Neighsia though, don't have a single clue what the Eighty-Eight are doing."
>As the avatar delivers assessments of impending faction conflicts towards Razorback, then allied and aligned cross-conflicts sparking brushfire wars, her face tightens.
"You already know the Four Great Alicorns. There's four other prominent ones in countries: Neighsia, Germane, third is unknown right now.
Last and certainly not least, Argenta is the most powerful. Has most everything south of Neighvada, spreading west, east, and south into the ocean at least ten thousand miles. Millions of loyal ponies, Burros, the Tri-Harpy Dominion, entire civilizations of sapient ocean creatures too.
She sent a Grandmaster Alchemist, her sixty supporters, and a whole bunch of stuff related to some newly discovered form of Alchemy. When New Canterlot went up, she went berserk.
Now she gives arriving humans two options: swear an oath and be bound into service, or die and be thrown back into the Era Lock. Not our problem right now but will be in the future."
>Parsing through a selection of previously unrecorded criminal activities due to Anti, which expands into repercussions outside of Lunar territories, the General's ears flatten.
"When Stream Lark approached me about potentially capturing or killing Pear Blossom, told him I needed one of the specialist Psions to keep Razorback from self-destructive tendencies, among other bullshit. Whichever ponies screwed that Mission up aren't going to like the next couple years.
And as for Rua.. Goddesses, not even once."
>Right wing lifted in a 'hold' motion, her snout drops onto the desk, eyes shut and taking on a cold expression, speaking in a muffled, bitter tone.
"Did you know Dancing Eyes has a bunch of Primal kin, all direct descendants of Empress Silver?
Lunar Councilmistress Vestal Gardenia of Canterlot, currently comatose… and probably going to die soon. Really liked her.
Ellowing Woods, greatest Tactician ever born. Deceased.
Tower Champion Aurora Phantasm, Councilierge.. now a Revenant. Bit ironic: he's also directly descended from lineages via Luna and Celestia, hence the unusual name.
I fought alongside her and nearly half a million more at Kenfield Pass. Little over six thousand survived. She outclasses those four Primals, not just from Starbolts. Most powerful and capable Primal there's been so far. Problem is she needs a giant herd to commarend.
....one Night a few centuries from now I might think about declassifying those files. MIGHT."

>>393571
>>393616
>Head lifting and giving the common pegasi 'continue' wing flick, objective dissertations of human contamination vectors are firmly read through, ending with warnings outlining presuppositions many had regarding technological superiority.
>Carefilly reading that one twice, Twisted Wing sits back with a harsh tone.
"...not even remotely quaint. I'm going to modify a few of these later. Ninety-nine percent of this is accepted as is.
Once all of Razorback's in the Fortress I'll officially declare myself Matron and get the leadmares to initiate a Charter Council. Citadel, Starborn, Lunar Guard won't accept a Lunar-aligned Militia at this time. That leaves either Marecenary Company or Township. Leadmares can decide, neither really matters at this time.
Stream Lark's in the Fortress with Luminaries and two companieghs of Crystal Imperials. Anyone so much as vaguely threatens him, they die. I'll ask him to consider being Patron, at least for a week. First we need to clear a fuckload of suspicions."
>Glancing up from to the avatar internally, 'Shiibo' waves, which Twisted briefly smiles at, then focuses directly into your eyes.
"Yeah, I can see you. Here's my first order: Shiibo, upgrade the prototype to the HIGHEST possible specifications. Pare, get her a unicorn body. Read my lips: fully functional mare. Understand? I don't care how though it can’t be a simulant or that will cause problems.
Get with Flash, she might have workarounds if she ever got her projects working. And most of Razorback better not have pissed off Spiral or her. They're a pair, you don't get one's help without the other. Completely platonic though.
If anyone’s made ‘em angry then they are shit out of luck. His Fortress, their time, her expertise, they rule that side."
>Gazing behind you with a morbid stare, rippling diamondine hooves are placed on the desk heavily.
"First task is locating Linara and getting her back safely. Did you know she was supposed to be Stalliongrad's attache to Razorback?"
'The incredibly dangerous, non-verbal gold pegasus mare Serra and a squad encountered and fought in Las Pegasus, then Simon and Cu’Nir under Las Pegasus?'
"Yep. Anti warps the brain, mind, storage systems, you name it, and all processes within. Includes several factors I can’t state just yet. Doesn’t effect the ka much, but nopony knows why or how exactly.
That first Operation went sideways from start to finish. I read the posting ten times before and after. Denra was supposed to deploy a CONTACT, safeguard, and retrieval squad. Linara was holding a Prench relic that'd been retrieved and bounced around the Moors for a while. It was supposed to be delivered to Lucky for immediate safe delivery. Horizon was after it. Why? That return would have gotten us an entire Prench air wing companeigh with support.
Second went equally tits up. That one’s classified for now until Tower Guard tells me otherwise.
Without Linara and Stream Lark alive, healthy, and whole, I won't have anywhere near enough support from Stalliongrad, Watch Guard, Tower Guard, AND Councilierge to even think of making this work. By the way, all four of those will become our allies or I’m going to start chopping heads off.
As for Canterlot I simply don’t care, too marely problems in that direction. If individuals find support there, good. If not, oh well."
'I see. Second task?
"Either Razorback makes up with the Crystal Imperials or they get cut off permarenently from the Empire. That includes the Conclaves and Kingdom. Earth ponies rarely if ever forgive injuries, that much you both likely know. In comparison, Imperials.. if you think Kingdom adherents can be downright murderous, you have no idea what their progeny are like. Don’t apologize quickly and properly? Kiss your ass goodbye.
Biggest concern is I don't know where to begin with them. We're on decent terms with a few Conclaves, some Kingdom adherents like us, but that's it. They won’t help out so it’s up to us to figure out what the fuck to do."
‘I… have several options for you to review later regarding them. What is the third?'
"Find out exactly what happened to Lucky Stars, former Matron of Las Pegasus. Most events and situations related to her were beyond screwed up. She may have had no idea everything was going wrong."
'Elaborate, please?'
"There's pieces all over the place. I'll start with this: Horizon wanted her dead so badly she marenaged to find one of her sire's gang, then convinced him to steal a Bane weapon and attack when most of the Rogue's Circle was out patrolling Wild Clouds. That was some years ago. Pegasi don’t kill pegasi unless there’s no choice, and that is about THE most difficult decision one can make.
Starting who knows when, Horizon began infecting Las Pegasus, wound up with almost ten percent of the entire city as of last year, but she did that real low and slow. Lucky might have realized she was being watched, but she wasn’t suspecting one in ten winged kin to be spies. Get where I'm going with this?"
'I do, yes.'
"Then there's Red Salt. That started going around Las Pegasus big time, then some into Stalliongrad. Fankil, that is, Nightblade Fang Killer, was killed in New Canterlot. He was trying to track it down, starting from the Empire, ending in Las Pegasus. Or at least he thought it ended there. He couldn't be sure Razorback was helping or hindering distribution.
For whatever reasons Red Salt causes the most problems with pegasi. Turns them into these absolutely lethal crystal-flesh creatures. Inner Council Wards were involved, but Cadence doesn't trust us enough to release her information. At least, not yet. That’s a whole mess in itself. Hodch has details, but he needs to destress first.”
‘I see. This all ties together starting with Horizon at the center and Razorback compounding her dangers, yes?'
"Dead on."

>Blinking for the first time, 'Shiibo' motions for you to take a one minute break.
'I now fully understand our situation, sir. We need the prototype in a local body immediately.'

>>392520
>Bubba could use a bottle of booze later.
>If anything survives.

>Shaking his head, he focused on his investigation, noting down everything that he figured was of note.
>While he knew less about this place's creatures, he had looked up enough on his downtime to not be like an alligator out of water.
>Or a mare out of booze.
>He would make a move closer to the corpse, staying a respectable distance away but still close for more acute observations.
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7] <M.Perception + B.Monster Manager
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6]
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6]
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <Teacher Razorback Company
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6] <Graduate Cryptid Biology
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11] <Graduate Cryptid Capabilities
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <Graduate Cryptid Habits
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6] <Pupil Researcher
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2]
[1d6 = 3] <B. Drawing
[1d6 = 6]

>>393618
>Starborn folding and setting numbered paper markers outside of each of the lost fragments starting in an outer ring, paying careful attention not to move pieces that had broken off, while Lorekeepers begin charting the mass and volume.
>Vocally and visibly, most were highly confused, yet equally pleased to have had such a wonderfully violent interruption.
>Off towards the east side, the Rune Knights seemed to be experimarenting with small chunks, verbalizing words, hums, nd a variety of testing sounds.
>They were similarly puzzled, one repeating tones, timbres, keys, then notes back to each other.

>Starting on a new drawing of both the pre-deceased creature and the corpse, this time it had to be scaled properly.
>Using one of the few relatively bland looking, though otherwise normal height unicorns, then comparing to a bronze Minotaur statue in the background, which the soulglyph locates dimensions for thanks to a label on the back, making a precise measurement was simplified.
>Setting the scale by starting with a 1" tall unicorn, comparing to the statue, onto the corpse, it takes five minutes to create a precise outline, filling in the notable features another three.
>Remeasuring from the buildings leading to the holding cells, gauging the height was simple enough, sketching the original appearance based from the first was rapidly finished.
>Studying the volume from multiple angles to estimate how the quite literal monster could move, you realize it had massively overloaded its physical capabilities, and for currently speculative reasons, had continued to do so for nearly a decade.
>Calculating its total mass in a comparison to the majority of cryptid information available, the same problem is presented: it could barely move in its grand form, meaning the base unicorn body was typically in full control.
>Estimating its weight would have to be done later, though you had enough to determine the total complete factors; 189 times initial mass of an Equestrian unicorn, and barely short of 220 times volume.
>Once more cross-referencing the incredibly sluggish musculature and its struggles to simply move, it was indeed a Doppelganger in the Interloper classification, but had evolved into a Grand type, completely bypassing the prerequisites for noble and royal grades.
>Alarmed at how massive such a barely larger than human monster had become, you weren't aware of a single Otherworld human that could have even considered bringing one onto Tallus.
>Connecting back to the Fortress, the soulglyph searches through a few hundred millennia of records, it settles for two possibilities:
>Either a tiny base Interloper had come from an entirely different, non-human inhabited Otherworld sometime in the past, or a native scavenger had consumed the corpse of one, gaining its capabilities yet succumbing to extreme mutations.
>Then, the coin presents several new problem: most Interlopers didn't have a core due to their limited size, but this one was much too large not to contain one.
>Did the outer body expand solely due to esoteric contamination, and given what you knew of Red Salt, was that the reason for its near-total degraded state?
>In taking over a unicorn, could that have allowed it to create a new, Tallus-adjacent pocket dimension to hide its true mass and volume, or did it simply take over an already present one?
>Locating the possible core to make confirmation wasn't possible due to the sheer size, though you felt there wasn't much more to glean from further examinations.

>Turning away from the pink fluorescent mess, the Imperial leadmare approaches you alone, dozens of hololiths surrounding her covered in Kingdom language, though measuremarents were strictly in Common.
"Watch this-"
>Displaying a close recording of two ExoFrames standing on opposite sides of a large piece, one mare delivers a ringing hum, which is returned as an echo, to which the other mare does the same in a slightly higher pitch, receiving it back in reverse.
>Replaying it once more at half speed, quarter, then tenth, there were zero noticeable deviations, the mare offering a profoundly bewildered stare.
"Yeah, we're seeing AND hearing that correctly. It's almost like diamondine but has strictly resonant properties. The echoes are a one hundred percent reverse of the original sound.
This is the single most bizarre thing anypony from the Crystal Empire has ever seen, smelled, heard, and tried to study."
>Closing down the majority of hololiths except for mass and volume equations, her eyes shut tightly.
"I've received full permission and autonomy to allow a total information sharing with you, but I need verbally recorded consent to do so. If you want I can redacted your voice, image, or both."
[1d6+9 = (1+9) = 10] <Investigation: Starborn
[1d6+8 = (5+8) = 13] <Investigation: Lorekeepers
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10] <Investigation: Rune Knight Squad

>>393616
>Pareidolia stands by, remaining at ease as the General examines the numerous reports and dossiers compiled in front of her.
>At the mention of hostile invasive human Otherworlds, he remarks with some surprise and elevated concern:
"Invading. Then that only serves to prove my point even further. One of the more overt threat possibilities compared to the angle I was aware of. Then Tallus is facing both."

>Clasping his hands together, he nods in agreement as Twisted seems to approve the outlined proposal while watching the video footage.
"... with one additional caveat. While those humans may possibly integrate successfully, there must be an oversight mechanism tracing back to a central faction or organization with human members in its leadership structure trained on and aware of this same Protocol. A central faction responsible for the management of humans on Tallus and any ensuing mistakes humans will make. Otherwise the disparate political faction bickering over whom pays for what and what's their problem versus another's will bog Tallus down. In my limited understanding, usurpation concerns can be waylaid with temporary arrangements of temporary or limited granted authority. As a faction, I am confident we can position ourselves to be largely apolitical beyond the human question. A third party entity to mediate as relevant with no larger aspirations. And do what is necessary to assuage any concerns otherwise."
>He offers a slight bow in deference to Twisted Wing as he finishes his interjection.

>Face twisting in consternation as Ewerup's status is brought up, he sighs.
"Ewerup, Neighsia, I am certain humanity is affecting them for the worse. And I have a premonition I know of that dead country. If they're trying to follow history, it will escalate into a global war and leave a near permanent ideological stain on the collective psyche of Tallus."
>He then folds his arms and nods twice.
"Yes, I see. Argenta's response is what I expected from most immediate major power neighbors to Equestria. The standard template. Seemingly the best choice, but will not prevent the internal corruption vectors outlined. We can only hope that Razorback's involvement with Argenta remains non-existent until we've sorted internal affairs and properly stabilized."

>At the mention of that ill fated Stalliongrad operation, his face cringes momentarily.
"I take full responsibility for that mission failure. My failure to use the correct exfiltration portal resulted in that oucome."
>He shifts to attention stiffly before relaxing as the General changes topics to Dancing Eyes.
>Recalling his less than pleasant experiences with her, he remains neutral in posture.
"I did not. She must not be taking Empress Silver's current silence well then, other mentioned difficulties only exacerbating the situation."

>>393617
>Hearing Twisted's affirmation, he sags forward in relief.
(Finally. Concrete progress. Now the mission can begin in earnest.)
>For the first time since his arrival on Tallus, a smile derived from genuine success flickers across his face.
"There is nothing more gratifying to hear than your acceptance of this. I have waited since my arrival for the moment I can begin in earnest to make things right."
>Drawing himself up once more, he returns his hands behind his back.
"Understood.
>And remains silent, absorbing the proceedings between Shiibo and Twisted.
(Standard. To be expected. Salvaging Canterlot's relations is beyond our immediate resource network. Already considered the Crystal angle as well, need to mend relations when possible.)
>He shifts his weight between his boots as a short break is called for.
'Agreed. I will attempt to procure the foundations for yours as well. Can you elaborate on Linara and the implications of Las Pegasus and Red Salt?'

>>393621
"Valden was given permission to honorably summon Plasma straight from the Sun. He'll prevent any touchdowns, especially since the Era Lock's still working properly in degrading newcomers. Princess Solarflanks is less than a quarter recovered but she's doing well enough supporting them."
>Ears flopping side to side in thought, Twisted's snout crinkles negatively.
"Might not work with the number of humans involved, at least not yet. Once I'm Matron that means I take all hits, pats, and inbetweens. As a result I'm going to be relying on Flash, her... whatever help, Shiibo, you, the prototype, and other higher Era humans to be my Seconds. Let's keep this simple for now: full and immediate commarend, no stops or halts.
Also what the fuck is it about higher era humans being more peaceful and willing to integrate? You've probably met Ivrain. That one, Kunid, and the other Post-Orbitals have been pushing for this same thing.. except Lonestar. He's got other problems."
>Left wing passing over the desk, a map of Ewerup, Germane, and Prance is shown briefly, the first covered in successively brighter and larger red dots towards the west.
"Germane and Prance's humans are doing great, no real problems there. And the second Ewerup starts going in a World War direction.. let's just say I have ponifally authorized the usage of full scale meteor bombardmarents. Most ponies simply do not care for the Sheep.
Now, I've heard there's a Neighsian on base from Hodch. I'll give her a formal title and permarenent Claim of Free Trade, that'll make her clan real happy. If she willingly shares info, then good. If not, I have a couple other options."
>Removing the map, the General lifts her wings in a polite dismissal.
"About five months ago Celestia wrote an authorized letter for an actual human Solar diplomat. Since he or she hasn't arrived yet.. well, I'll have to wait and see if it pans out. Argenta won't move for three years, that I guarantee."
>Cracking a hideously black grin, the Enchained's voice comes out in a firm, hard demand, eyes visibly twinkling.
"By General's order: stop that immediately or I'm assigning you the clingiest, squeakiest batfilly possible as a Mareguard. I'll explain how that actually backfired AGAINST Horizon shortly."
>Hooves dropping and partially turning to the right, her head swivels to face you with an earnestly pleased expression.
"Listen for a minute, and try to think like a pony at the same time. Most humans don't 'like' the Overherd. Why? Because it does precisely what all ponies do, share. Here's the catch: it doesn't remove the safety or security of inner, private, or secret thoughts. Rather, the Overherd reinforces that protection a few dozen times with successively stricter layers. That's how Anti was used against all of Razorback. No Overherd, get screwed.
Now Primals are one in a hundred thousand, but Titans are one in a million. I will have a Primal Psion, whether that happens to be Dancing Eyes or not. Currently I can't think of a better actual role model. At least, one that's still alive. Astral's going to free her first, then give her my offer."
>Painting the word DEAD over her body as a white sheet covers her face, 'Shiibo' snaps down into a perfect 90-degree bow.
'Oh.. no. NO. NO! NONONONONOOOOO! THE TRAINING! THE DRILLS! THE CLASSES AND TEACHING SCENARIOS!
SIR, I DEEPLY APOLOGIZE FOR THIS MISTAKE! EXECUTE ME AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO REMOVE THIS DISGRACEFUL UNIT!'
"Oh fo- knock it off! Much as we dislike each other, that's ponial! Professionally she's somewhat better than me, especially teaching non-combat. But I will be investigating whatever the fuck she did to some mare a while back."

>Ears flattening sideways, the dark royal blue mare's eyes drift sideways, giving a solemn exhale.
"I'm not the best option for Matron, we all know that. Was going to nudge Tipper into that direction but she's disappeared from Tallus. Nopony, no one, and no being knows where she is. Not a single clue where, why, or how either. I even summoned Discord. He got ANGRY when I asked, tore a few scares off, screamed something about a plot hole, then popped out.
Nova told me to eat some coastal sand, which I could but don't want to. Naliyna's off with Thrill and real pissed about something. Roust is.. in bad shape. She came back from Stalliongrad, completely drained and somewhat little injured. Mist Dancer is in prison somewhere for a bunch of crimes. The rest flat out said no, and I ain't going to talk about the ones I rejected."
>Raising an eyebrow directly at Shiibo, now suitably calmed down, Twisted cracks a haughty grin.
"Thought you asked for a break?"
'I did.'
>Giving a sharp, flat up-down summoning whistle, a large cube of dull pink gel pops into being next to you, taking on the shape of a luxurious human chair.
"Something I picked up a while back. Take a seat So, I'm about to settle that entire Operation completely. Most consequences and repercussions included."
>Making a slight popping sound with her lips, the right wing folds over, extending forwards as a human's hand would in explanation.
"About five years ago Starborn all over began receiving plates, crystalplates, and records through cutouts, either Councilierge or friends-of that knew friends of friends had certain friends. That giant stack next to the black altar, which is protecting them, are the originals.
We recognized the senders were Anti-infected, though not too deeply, but since we didn't have access to a whole lot of individuals that would have known more, it's taken us quite a while to piece those clues together in a coherent marener. Shiibo?"
'I.. understand now. The one hundred thousand plus deaths resulting from New Canterlot Palace's destruction, then Bill's tremendously idiotic suicide disrupted further investigation.'
"Exactly. After that second one is when most factions dropped their support, especially the Tower Guard, Councilierge, Royal, and Honor Guards."

>>393621
>>393624
>Pausing to glance past, piercing hyacinth eyes blink, ears waggling in humor before contiuning.
"Lejura's a Mystic. If she focuses hard enough, slivers, fragmarents, parts, or pieces of individuals clarify in her soul, letting her see a part of their consciousness, history, memory, that sort. She'd been within the Inner Council's graces long enough to realize the power plays being made. Which Councilierge weren't corrupted, tainted, or influenced by Anti and Horizon, whether resisting or not. Which were, resisting or not, and so on.
Unfortunately whatever team was supposed to gently knock out Steel Oak and his two mercs had been quickly and heavily Anti contaminated. Their orders were to retrieve his surface memories and the correct information to get that squad into position and wait for the right signals to commit certain actions. Lapis Thorn is still raging mad at that screwup.
Primary goal: get all bought items, the 'slaves', which I won't talk about just yet, and Stream Lark out so he could reach the Citadel. Plan was to use all that info to bring the Empire in. Novus fucked that by not paying attention to the precise numbers and types of buy options he was supposed to make. Rua screwed YOU over by being unable to consolidate human motions with pony anatomy. That's why I demarended one of the specialist Psions.
Secondary goal: get the infiltration team through all security and inside Pear Blossom's bedroom, WITH Caliya. Being a flesh-eater, Lejura stated he'd be able to find evidence of something important. For a long time she felt something was horrifically wrong with Pear Blossom."
>Subtle horror creases the avatar's face, then acknowledgement.
'I... then that Operation was a major success, despite Anti causing and inducing numerous TECHNICAL failures?'
"You got it."
>Rubbing black wingblades together for six seconds, the General's lips pull back in slow irritation.
"What we do ‘isn’t good enough’ for some. Hah. Still makes me angry. Technology fails most of the time, ask the Harpies, Kra`ken, and Crystal ponies. Plans always fail. Ask me and Lark. Magic usually fails. Ask anypony. Everything fails at one time, point, degree, or factor. With enough time, resources, and the right friends, we get results. Can't say the same for SOME.
In any case, here's how all of that gets pieced together.
The night you left, I contracted a ten-squad of Crystal Imperial marecenaries to Razorback Enclave. Two thousand Bits worth of gems I had to pay them by the way. Their orders were to make contact with Amerose and set up defenses for Stream Lark in the southern holding cells. They were having a wonderful chat until Naliyna and Bubba showed up.
Apparently both of them found out a literal ton of information on Las Pegasus. Neither can or will talk until their safety is fully assured.
While Bubba and Lark were having a rather peaceful meeting, Pear Blossom... changed. Starborn, Tower Guard, and a few others have seen every type and form of physical transformation there is. What happened in the Enclave? Uh uh. Absolutely NOTHING like that exists on Tallus or the Planes.
The body she, or it, took on had a bunch of key differences and similarities to the crystal-flesh creatures pegasi turn into.
Physically it was a bizarre cross between some predator and a bovine, composed mostly of muscle that the Imperials said looked diseased, infected, or chemically contaminated, but wasn't any of those three. Teeth were a mix between carnivore and herbivore. Don't know much about the skeleton, entire damned body turned into some kind of near-diamond crystallized mass. Resonant, too.
Bubba helped kill it and apparently he knows a whole lot about truly weird shit. It’s a Doppelganger for sure, a Grand Interloper type, which we have zero knowledge of but he does. His investigation is still ongoing as well.
When the Imperial mercs were done they sent crystalplates all over, including a bunch to me. The total mass and volume would've made it nearly an XXXL class, but it barely had the strength to move around after two minutes of trying to break out."
>Gaze rolling across the avatar and you, the outermost wingblade lifts up, black clouds rolling through.
"I know Tree Singer gave Pear Blossom several Enchains, mostly drugs which we now understand the purposes of. That first one, though.. she was frightened. Had no idea what it was, creeped her the complete fuck out so she did that one in a hurry.
Second was a custom Regeneration elixir. Third, custom Dampener. Fourth, another elixir combining basically every single known and a few unknown anticoagulants. Fifth, another elixir solely containing a bunch of anti-crystallizing compounds. See where this is going now?"
>Searching through records quickly, 'Shiibo' contorts in disgust.
'Slowing down a self-destruction state of Red Salt.'
"That's half the equation done."
'..that abomination was CONSUMING Red Salt infected equines.'
"Yep. So what's the last part?"
'.....she was the one that assassinated Fang Killer in New Canterlot?'
"Bingo."
>Regarding the sharp blade for a second, then another one, and a third, 'Shiibo' grimaces at newly found implications, piecing together a new dossier.
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]

'Is Horizon directly implicated to that specific situation?'
"She was using Pear Blossom's cannibalism as a cover for her own actions throughout Stalliongrad and Las Pegasus, so, maybe."
'I have a question.'
"First Starborn law: never ask to ask, never state you are asking. Just. Ask."
'How do you perceive that specific chain of events effecting Razorback's standing among the majority of factions?'
>Blade reaching back to flip her mane to the other side, Twisted Wing's lips part slightly, brightly pulsing, diamondine teeth gritted, the avatar filing a note to never do that again.
'...ah. A fast release will be viewed as highly negative, as if you are seeking to cover and deflect from certain actions.'
"Slow is fast, and fast is slow. "

>Subtly peeking at the trio of brightly toned pegasus fillies clustering around her squad, curiously inspecting quadruple layered sheets of dull blackened steel chainmail protecting joints of customized Watch Guard full plate, ears swivel to each side.
"Our weaponry and armor sets have no Repulse function."
>Creasing into a deep smile at confused stares, the metallic brown Stronghoof bends down, left armored hoof tapping down onto solidified cloud.
"See? It does not create sparks so they are safe to touch."
>Excited to inspect each intricate detail, mark, dent, and scratch, she relents with a giggle.
(‘Absolutely adorable.’)
>Marentally prepared for a flood of questions, a brief hoofclick in the back of her mind brings forth a sigh.
>Motioning for her squad to hoof out their various packed candies, the Stronghoof gives the three a polite snout-to-snout before whispering.
"Apologies, I am being called, tut take these. Don't tell anypony we were here for at least three Nights and I will send a full crate."
>Delivering a formal bow, taking two steps backwards, and waiting for the ancient, steel-reinforced wooden doors to open, she high walks inside, feeling the words forming.
"I presume there’s no support from the ‘masters’ at this time?”
>Stopping at the massive, low round table of a long extinct ash species, eyes wander the surface for a time, trying not to frown at the Solar General's harsh tones.
"The opposite, and do not use that word again. It was a useful ruse for a time.
This decision rests on which of the recently integrated factions are willing to support a Lunar-Mooric-Councilierge Treaty. The First Councilierge will send a message when he is satisfied.
I must warn you: nine of the fifteen Councilierge are currently missing, lost, or dead. One was confirmed earlier and is now Sixth, I believe her name is Opal.. something or other?”
>Head tilting left and right eyelids half-closing in thought, her mind wanders.
>Unlike the rest, she didn't mind not having a helmet, enjoying the freedom to display her wiggly ears, soft mane, and warm snout freely.
“I do not recall. Proud mare, strong, excellent neighgotiator. Shame she did not get that human for a night though...
I will count their immediate votes. I can assure at least one companeigh.”
[1d6 = 3] <Councilierge

“For the last piece of news: there is a Councilierge Assault Battalion, one of the Rift destruction units currently demarending full resupply. They are claiming full autonomy under hostile pursuit. I have confirmed their reports."
>A battered, ornately engraved, yet decently scrubbed artificial gold helmet nine ponies to her left raises, the cool, firm mid-40's stallion speaks in clipped tone.
"Will you?"
"I was planning on doing so after this meeting concludes."
>Acknowledging the Praetorian's time to speak, the Stronghoof takes a marental step backwards as he grunts.
"Have confirmed near-complete removal of Anti-infected. Do not know where to bury the remains. Ice is the main issue. Unlikely the Empire will aid us. Will send Stalliongrad's last diplomat with an official herald. If they refuse again then we will consider others.
Majority of city-state caches, warehouses, storage, supplies are untouched. No Anti, Horizon, or traps. Six were broken into, minimal food taken. Horizon completely missed them. Externals are untouched.
Aid from Pongolia will be sent tomorrow.
Last, more than half of the Watch, militias, and marecenary groups have been relieved by five plus battlelines of Elite Lunar forces."
>He was smiling behind the snout mask at that, but why?
"Only two Night companeighs are available. They will join. Remainder are rotating, in refit, or reservists.
I don't control any outside of my own companeigh. I’m only a damned Praetorian for Queen's sakes.”
>At a snicker being cut short, the marked helmet slowly turns to regard the Independent... Captain, was it?
>Watching out the corners of her eyes, the Stronghoof assumes a minorly irritated expression, which she felt most in the room share.
>He will definitely pay her a visit for that insult.
>She allows a tiny grin knowing that mare might not walk away from it.
“Silence. Fall is best time of year.
Now. Any leadmare that wants to stay Stalliongrad retains full authority to wipe out Undead, aid clean up efforts, or claim hundreds of new located Tunnels. Should see and smell the city now, it's overflowing with black iron waiting to be pulled out, shaped, honed, or refined.
..tallying votes now."
[1d6+8 = (5+8) = 13] <Watch Guard

>Surreptitiously watching the Commarender's armor next to the General shift uneasily, the Stronghoof focuses mostly on her.
"General, we are badly stretched but there is some consolidation taking place. I do not know how marely units are remotely willing to join this effort, but I have.. lost track of those whom were in or near New Canterlot when the Palace was destroyed."
>That mare couldn't be more than twenty, yet she was doing quite well despite being surrounded.
"Explain."
"The few I marenaged to corner and ask will not tell me. Not a one. Something huge occurred and they have formally resigned en masse."
>Her own eyes weren't the first to widen, the Stronghoof notices.
"Finally some decent fucking news, that's one less problem to push out of our way. Let them go and don’t inquire further.
Call upon each of the Veteran companeigh leaders that were in field, on rotation, or elsewhere across Tallus during the False Day. Select only those that will accept cross-faction orders and are willing to work alongside humans for as long as necessary.
As for the rest send all units below full strength to rest. Rotate remaining reservists into place and commit them to Otherworld destruction tasks, give them full authorization to utilize Plasma AT WILL.
That last strike killed two of MY ponies. I am done. Piss on the Otherworlders trying to invade us."
"What o-?"
"We'll see what they offer in return for our blood. It had better be worthwhile."
[1d6 = 6] <Day Guard
[1d6 = 2] <Royal Guard
[1d6 = 1] <Honor Guard

>>393624
>Pareidolia rolls his shoulders with a shrug.
"I can accept that in the short term given the need for expediency. We'll do things as we must. I haven't personally spoken to any of them yet. But the answer is simple, any human society that achieves that level of development must have also come to understood at some point and at least partially addressed the fundamental nature of humans as social animals. It is impossible to progress otherwise. Though it does not make them immune to the dangers. We constantly fight against ourselves."

>With an unconvinced quirk of his brow, he sighs.
"If you say so. I have no comments on your decisions regarding poninnel unless I see an unaddressed human risk vector. They are yours to delegate."
>Giving an unamused glance at Shiibo's projection on Twisted's desk top, he shakes his head.
"I don't care what she did back then, really. It doesn't matter, Shiibo. I can tolerate the rest."
>He then shifts his helmet to center on the General again.
"Right, Astral and I will also be attempting to redress the injuries the Canterlot Underground sustained during that incident once I return."

>Looking down at the pink gel chair, he takes off his pack and leans it against the side of the chair.
>Seating himself on the buoyant gel, he rests his elbows on his knees and steeples his hands, thumbs under his chin.

>>393625

>As Twisted elaborates, he directs his gaze downwards in thought.
>His thoughts roughly keeping pace with Shiibo's as the threads are unraveled.
>He twitches slightly when Tree Singer's name is spoken.
(Well... if she knows then that saves me a lot of trouble.)

>Waiting until Twisted is completely finished, he leans ponderously against the gel backing of the chair.
"I see... that is a relief to learn. I will adjust my record accordingly."