/mlpol/ - My Little Politics

>>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."

>>393628
"I agree but again let's keep it simple for now. Last thing we need is some Old Guard shit causing more issues. A Marecenary Council Clause might be a good option for later."
>Sticking and placing paper stacks, inkwell, and quill back on her desk in chaotic patterns, Twisted offers a rueful smile.
"When I said Starborn only get two chances, that wasn't one of my laws or rules. Luna instituted it a long time ago. One either gets dismissed or buried outside somewhere. I won't be treating the ponies or others in Razorback that harshly.
On the record, there will be far more discipline. Off the record, so long as there isn't bullshit, political nonsense, or idiocy, I won't care much. That also involves not merely being polite, so please try to integrate yourselves as well.
And Hodch told me what Katyal found, should be able to get you a meeting with a Lightning Dragon within a couple weeks. Either that or we can loan you one of the safe Lightning Naghtmares to see how well one can prevent degradation."
>Quill held between two wingblades from the left and dipped, the top page is scribbled on quickly in fluid Common.
"First subject each and every single human is going to learn from now on out is Human-Pony Relations. Hodch has already gotten the Pony-Human Relations program set up, we'll be using it heavily as well.
If you had recognized the physical and vocal warning cues from Dancing Eyes, you wouldn't have been.. well, y'know. Shiibo, warn him next time. That's an order, not a request."
'I will. Shall I call you ma'am now?'
"Not unless you want to."

>Firm in comparison to what it looked like, the material was a near-solid gel, also more comfortable than the majority of pony furniture.
>And didn't have Discord's markings, a strange scent, sentience, or sapience.
"Bed, chair, blanket, sleeping bag, pillow, table, whatever you need, that thing can turn into it. Portable furniture's a bitch to get ahold of outside the Empire. You can keep that one if you want, I've got at least twenty more around here.. somewhere."
>Down half a page and signing a wide, sweeping name before placing it off to the right, the next is given a slight frown before writing again.
"Getting the Underground on our side again could be a great option as well.. do what you can between Missions and Ops, but I will have two orders to give shortly. And speaking of which, since the Anti's been purged you won't be getting exhausted easily. The electrolyte losses from it turned out to be the cause of THAT problem.
So... ninety-nine percent of the time I can trust you to not cause a human problem. Ninety-nine percent of the time I can trust Dancing to be Dancing. She has an entirely different, nearly opposite side, especially around Malyne. Yes, she does look down on most humans because they flat out don't understand ponies or aren't willing to. Point of contention number one, we meet again.
When she returns, should both of you apologize to each other for not understanding the factors leading to that incident, she might consider accepting a Tallus wide Overherd. Lethally high security, safety, and comfort without electronics or hijackable transmissions, least until Astral gets his Master Communication System back online.
You get where I'm going with this."
'I do.. even if I do not want to.'
>Finishing that one and starting on the next, Twisted Wing stops to sit upright, lips pulling back and down tightly.
"I know you're not military. Here's what should have cued you to the most important factor: one of the best Tower Guard Master-Generals, MY Princess, AND me, were highly satisfied at that Operation's results. So what if a few factors went to shit?
Lark's safely in the Fortress. That's the single biggest task completed. Cadence has full proof of where Red Salt was coming and going from, why, how, and to what included. We got our evidence of Horizon using that monster's cannibalism as a distraction, which she can't anymore."
>Switching to a hard, EnKee writing style, she grins without looking up.
"Aaaaand a certain mare by the name of Opal Chaser was confirmed as the Sixth Councilierge last night. Had that memory retrieval team not been compromised, all of you would have realized her demarends to be a 'kill the unicorn and get Lark out immediately' signal.... she really wants to know what being brushed and getting a hoof massage feels like."
>The avatar visibly twitches, bending forwards to retch as Twisted finishes the report with a quartet of slashing runes, piercing eyes rolling in chagrin.
"Ahh, cut it out. She's a great mare. Takes a true professional to last that long in the Inner Circle without being found out. Opal marenaged to hoof over a bunch of proof that three long time Anti-infected Canterlot pegasi royals had been helping smuggle Crystal pony blood used to make Red Salt, and a number of slaves. They're dead and those marensions are being decontaminated as we speak.
The orphanage they owned was normal on the outside, then there was a giant lab underneath, and an empty non-Snootclipean space below that. Half the team that went in violently vomited, other half passed out. And yes, that is our analogue to non-Euclidean."

>Placing the fifth page atop the others, she looks up to present a firmly displeased stare, quill tapping in thought several times before dipping it again.
“Hodch might have made a mistake. I didn't know he was going to perform memory harvesting and removal. If I’d known I would've stopped him immediately. Until Astral says otherwise I'll hold off the restoration processes."
>Hands splayed out in slight warning, 'Shiibo' assumes a mildly reprehending tone.
‘We fully accepted the risks and consequences. However, I am lodging a verbal formal protest until such a time occurs that Astral Legacy and his relations are entirely safe from retaliation.’
“Understood, just don’t make him regret coming back. I might not have anywhere near the number of secrets that Sha’Ro has, though when it comes t-”

>>393628
>>393632
>Completely stilled for ten seconds, the General's face begins slowly warping into perhaps the most overt and honestly sinister grin you'd seen so far on Tallus.
‘I do not like the face you are making... please, stop! ...ma'am!’
>Snagging a smaller kanpri tripped page from below her desk, the quill streaks across it before being spun around and pushed towards you, the AI reading it out loud.
To: Shared Roses, Former Dynastic Regent,
Stream Lark is safe in Razorback Fortress.
Bring Threx with you OR ELSE.
From: Starborn General Sapphire Kiwi
"Deliver this when you can to any translocation matrice. Drop it on and the Remnant will know it's for a VIP."
'But W H Y.'
“There’s no more Anti to screw over all of our memories at once and she’s immune to it. Sha’Ro was investigating external Anti contamination, should be done by now. Her protege, Threx, is one of the few Grandmaster trainers left in Equestria. There aren’t marely of us now. We’re going to need those two, Lejura, Lark, and the missing Councilierge he knows together in order to really start the unfucking process."
>Losing the mania to reach a typical Ferron smirk, the quill is set down, right wing lifting straight up and spread out in a fanning motion, the avatar denoting that as a sign of being intensely smug.
“Do you know how New Canterlot became one of the biggest and greatest city-states on Tallus in less than ten years?”
‘No, I do not.’
“Shared Roses was a royal Gryphene ordered to protect Shard Roses, she became Matron of the Rose Overherd. Both of them left when the Dynasty started collapsing. They brought nearly eighty thousand earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns to Mainland Equestria.”
‘…...she witnessed the greatest of falls, then the most triumphant of rises?’
“Dead on. Without her I won’t be able to sleep knowing Horizon is still alive. If she doesn’t respond within a week I'll give orders to start opening every Vault, Reliquary, and Black Chamber, among others, sealed after the Lunar-Solar War. Lot of those weapons took hundreds, sometimes thousands of lives to force them into where they are now, and most are hostile by default.
I've asked some of the newer generation Naghtmares and Halfies if they can help out with Razorback. Far safer than the originals, though considerably weaker in comparison. Don't be surprised to see what looks like Elemarentals roaming around.”

>Picking the writing implemarent back up, this time writing in a hard, short and blocky style, Twisted's voice turns gravelly.
“Horizon needs to die, but if I have to start bringing the past back… some of the greatest beings on this world are dead because of what happened in both Old and New Canterlot. Millions of documarents, records, tomes, and countless sets of knowledge were lost with them. There may be no return from that option."
>Finishing the page with a sigh, her eyes rotate hard left, tiny sparkles dotting each, muttering a soft invocation.
“Where did you go, Scholar? I don’t know how much longer we've got. I need what you promised, right here, right now. Please, come back soon.”
>Returning to her duties, she gives a slight nod towards you.
"Pare, Shiibo, both of you can use the passcode I spoke earlier anywhere in the Citadel to reach my office. Poke around if you want, just no gem cases or talking to the altar, she's a real bitch. If you want a certain type of enchantmarent let me know, let's just say I have two Enclaves worth of stuff stashed around.
I'm going to do my best not to order or force you around after this, but for right now here's my short list:
One, I need that prototype to keep with me at all times. Upgrade her to the best specs and take the unit directly to Flash. If she can't help you yet, see what she needs done. And yes, she told me about the temporally interested False Celestia clone. Flash will let you know if they move.
Two, check on Astral. He should have the Master Radio system online and was going to create a bunch more of those gravitic commgems. If he hasn't gotten any done then you two pick which tasks to take on.
Otherwise, use your time and initiative unless something critical pops up. I'll be done in ten to fifteen, need to finish these last five reports and plate the-"
>Blinking at a sharp click inside her desk, the left forehoof reaches out to tap something metallic.
"What? ....oh Goddesses DAMN it, tell her to wait! ...got it. You're off duty, get out, hah."
>Delivering a hard, though not all that pained harsh exhale, her eyes shut briefly.
"Before tonight, Flowing Spark made me want to scream. Now? I might need to start screaming.. go see that Naghtmare before she starts freaking out and trying to melt tunnels through the Citadel, AGAIN.
Don't even know how we can use two hundred thousand pounds of Rift pseudometal anyways..."

*****
>Debrief Complete
>Pareidolia gains: +3XP
>Shiibo gains: ALL of the nightmare fuel!
*****
[1d6 = 3] <Naghtmare Support
[1d6 = 5] <Half-Naghtmare Support

>>393632
"I cannot make any promises on integration, but I understand your intent."
>His head tilts a hair towards the side as he scoffs in mild irritation.
"Since apparently Tallus itself demands my compliance. Should I be making time for the Dragonspine Mountains for this meeting?"
>Keeping his stance, he nods.
"I agree with that orientation program. Its inverse will also be critical for ensuring clean social interactions."

>Noting the properties of the gel itself, he shifts his weight on it experimentally.
"So long as deploying it is convenient, I may take your offer."
>His helmet nods against his steepled fingers.
"I also understand. Needs must."
>He removes his hands from each other and sits up in the gel chair.
>Resting his fists on top of his thighs, he lightly taps his right thigh once.
"She can find another human to perform that. And I've noted your clarification on operational success definitions. Just understand that I have my own standards as well. It's not a light matter to discard them for a new system."
>The mention of a orphanage fronting an abandoned lab causes his tone to darken.
"That only lends further credibility to my concerns that Horizon has already achieved her goals with Anti, and we are merely grabbing threads she can afford to lose."

>Hold up a hand in the same gesture as Shiibo's, he replies to Twisted.
"I would not have agreed to the process unless I thought it was necessary. Similar procedures were extant within the Committee. I will comply with all stipulations."

>His brow's furrow sequentially deepens as the Enchained peagsus' grin continues.
>Watching as a letter is rapidly written, he takes it off the desktop as it is read to him.
(A letter written to one former Dynastic Regent. Gathering major players and assets.)
"If you say we need them, then so be it."
>He taps his fingers against the letter twice before folding it over into one of his tactical vest pockets.
"I would rather avoid unleashing sentient old war weapons and lost arcane experiments if possible and will attempt to secure what we need without them. And the Naghtmare support is appreciated."

>Recognizing that Twisted was likely speaking more for herself with her question towards one 'Scholar', he does not comment.
>Nodding at her explanation and orders, he was about to ask for a list of available enchantments before a presumed call interrupts.
(... Sounds like Flowing Spark is at her limit.)
>He begins standing even before Twisted mentions the pink Naghtmare.
>Slinging his pack over his shoulders, he offers a firm nod to the General.
"Understood. If there is a list of the enchantments available, that would help my decision making. I'll return here after meeting with Flowing."
>He would then make his way back to the Atrium, moving to place the letter on the central, scorched orange matrice before fishing his apparent Rift symbiote out of his front vest pocket for Flowing.

>Dearly wishing he'd never accepted that offer, the Vanguard leader's eyes remain shut, forming a large, solid green parasol to shield him, and his Second sinking into hot sand behind him.
"Cadenza’s Teats, it’s hotter here than the Moors."
“Opposite side of Tallus, past middle of Day.. currently one hundred eleven degrees, sir.”
>Feeling her own distaste for temperature, climate, sand reflecting Sun, and miserable humidity, he simply acknowledges the issues.
“So... how did the Lunars marenage to lose one of the best Generals in the past five centuries, sir?”
>Eyes opening a tiny amount before shutting, he grunts in distress, joining the closest Mind's Eye to check if he'd lost track of the path leading northwest.
“There are some modern ponies whom do not recognize talent when they see, smell, or hear it. Checking-.”
>Connecting to the distant Councilierge Overherd cautiously, the Vanguard First swerves into a set of smaller tracks.
(‘-es. No, not yet. Yes, if they can carry enough. Again? Yes. They have full authority and permission, from me, to take all SAFE relics to complete their tasks. Appropriate response? Yes.
Send the orders immediately. No, I do not care how long the relief efforts take. May the Four Goddesses bless their hearts, hooves, and souls. Is th-’)
(‘Ma’am?’)
(‘AGHFFFFFFF! ....didn’t realize you joined us. You are hereby granted complete autonomy and I am ordering you to resupply your Councilierge Assault Battalion in full. May the Four Goddesses bless your hooves, hearts, and souls!’)
(‘May the Four Seasons grace your herd freely, ma’am.’)
>Sending a bowing image before removing himself, he frowns as the Mind's Eye tilts upwards, faux-pupil expanding to take in the straggling Councilierge Assault Vanguard slowed by deep sand ahead.
('Autonomy has been granted and we'll have a full resupply after we return. We are cle-')
“YEEEEEEEEESSSS!”
('-ar t-')
>Smiling at the variety of far too eager mares physically shouting, he resumes striding and addresses Second.
"Inform the Elder Dragon Council of our intentions. What they and the Lunars don’t want, we’ll.. try to utilize. I suppose…. if we can."
"Will do sir."
“....this is going to be awkward AND hard to explain. If not impossible.”
“The pronunciation and meaning of the word awkward is awkward. And I know."
>Recalling the Scouts and reorganizing into a traveling rectangle, the Battalion grudgingly tromps across sand for another five minutes, sharing water and what few coldstones they had.
>Reaching a pair of young, mottled brown drakes acting as greeters, the two attempt to smile, without fangs he notes.
('Must be Vigilants. Be POLITE, all of you!')
>All bowing deeply at the wide, welcoming wing flaps, a silent order to take shelter under lesser Dracosines is given as the largest Mind's Eye rotates upwards.
>The carcass of a draconic, mostly bright orange Riftseeker, at least three miles long he realizes, was being spread out by the largest uninjured Dragons, smaller ones carefully dragging hundreds of armor plates out haphazardly.
"Goddesses...”
“Over a thousand Dragons took that monstrosity down… unbelievable. First pony that knows WHERE to begin gets double pay for the rest of this month.”
“That's.. is it a mare or stallion? Which genotype? Phenotype? Whatever-type?”
>Marentally directing the all to focus onto mismatched weapon clusters, unusual colors, dissonant Rift Plane tones, haphazardly stuck together components, then bizarrely sparking armor, hull, and internal sections, the Vanguard stallion offers his Second a pained grimace, which she immediately pales at.
“...oh. …OKAY HOW IN THE.. WHAT!?”
“Let’s figure out the specifics later. And please don’t think about.. that.”
“Awww, come on! It's a joke!”
“No.”
“Oh YES I bloody.. might… not.. maybe?”
“You know what? So long as it’s consensual, do whatever. Now come on, I want to see if one of the eyes is intact.”
“Trying to match a certain Burning General?”
>Snorting in derision without being negative, the Vanguard First motions to his flank satchel.
“What? No, I want a lens. Those micro-binoculars don’t fit my visor worth a damn.”
“Bah, Stallionguard and their toys.. hay, whatever happened to that Anti-infected Minotaur? You know, the one with the fancy magical night vision eye piece he stole?”
“Not sure. Send Platune Three to check if it’s still on the corpse, an-”
“WHAT TH-”
“HEEEEEELP!”
“GET. IT. OFF. ME. NOW.”
>Peering up at three squads miscalculating the weight of a Void-blackened armor panel and becoming trapped under it, he considers how to put them on relief duty, dismissing the thought as a quarter of mature wyrms take hold of the edges, lifting it to free them.
“THANK YOU! NOW LET’S TAKE THIS PLATE APART!”
"SOCKETS SPROCKETS AND ORANGE LOCKETS AHOoooY!"
“Screw this.. FIND SOMETHING THAT WON’T CRUSH YOU, MORONS!”
“Hehehehe... oh sir, please don’t screw THAT~! I’m still so sore and hot from being in the Moors~!”
“I… honestly don’t know whether to hate you or not right now.”
“I hear that a lot from you, sir. Gotta go!”
>He pauses to roll his eyes while a Shieldmare stops next to him, feeling the question.
“The second we return, send a letter demarning the Starborn General to tell us where, EXACTLY, she ‘dumped’ all the miscellaneous Construct hulls, parts, pieces, and fluid.”
“Will do sir.”
>Nudging the Eye to gaze upwards, he regrets having to be the one that creates a new Titanic classification.
>Stepping into the shade of a young Nature Plane dragon starting from the beginning to explain the truly WEIRD encounter.
(‘What even IS normal anymore? Am I a marshmallow in the shape of a noodle, or a noodle in the shape of a marshmallow?’)

[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Dragon Council Interest
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <Dragonspine Vigilant Interest
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Dragonspine Mountains Mining Corp. Interest
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Drake Council Interest
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Elder Dragon Council Interest
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] <Elder Drake Council Interest
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <Elder Wyrm Council Interest
[1d6 = 1] <Lunar Interest
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Wyrm Council Interest
*****
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <Free Trader Interest
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Late Pepper's Interest

>>393658
>Making a polite 'understood' wing motion, the expression Twisted Wing gives is deeply haunted, eyes dulling to a flickering black for a split-second.
"It's how Tallus works. And don't do that. Please. Both Princesses had hundreds of alternatives. Those no longer exist, can't be recovered, or can't be made again. Unique has a specific meaning. I'm forced to make do with what can be scraped together.
Try to keep two hours free around Midneight in case I get a response back from the Dragonspines."
>Placing right forehoof in the next page's center, a small pulse marks it in royal purple, removing to write in strictly formal Common.
"It'll take Hodch a couple nights to make sure it's fully ready to deploy en masse.
Yep, take it. Create an image in your mind and whistle. Reshapes at will too.
...telling a highly regarded, incredibly valuable, Councilierge 'no' regarding a wholly platonic offer, one that may improve relations, might be a bad call. That's your call though.
Nopony's asking you to discard, only to understand and cooperate best as you can. Meritocratic anarchy is highly flexible, lets us operate freely and functionally without being tied to rigid systems prone to failure. We make use what works, not just our preferences."
>Switching pages with a stifled grimace, Twisted reaches right of her desk, setting out a large, flat rectangle of dull gray stone.
"It isn't. Removing the diversions of Las Pegasus, Red Salt, Inner Council Wards, Pear Blossom, and killing whatever she was threw off variables Horizon had completely secured. We've started to realize she operates in certain predefined patterns, though not enough to understand what they are exactly."
>Nodding to herself, each page is swiftly placed on the rectangle, front, then back, setting them on the desk's left side.
"Hodch was right like usual.. I'll get you a formal title and position later. There's a few Starborn that don't have their original memories either."
>Stacking the pages together, then rolling through them with a wingblade for a last check, her lips purse in a hard line.
"There's a Tower Guard saying I've begun to understand: 'Sha'Ro is inevitable'. I may not have a choice regarding her but cracking those living nightmares open is the absolute last option.
The newer Naghtmares and Halfies are a lot of fun, no erratic behaviors or psychoses. No manabombs though, which is a big downside."

>Rolling the official reports together and set under her left wing, the General stands up, right wing raising to deliver a sharp salute.
"Gonna copy these then I'll see what's safe for external use, got too marely hyper-specialized ones that aren't even close to general purpose. And if she gets uppity, tell her One Star will throw her in a frozen pool again."
>Whistling as you stand, the chair condenses down into a tiny, square pink coin with little weight to it.

>Repeating the passcode, drifting into the sea green room, then back into the Citadel Atrium, the letter is swallowed by a single pseudopod, its eye a curious flat white as if somehow blinded.

>Close to the matrice, Flowing Spark was busily snooting a tiny, smoothly crested triangular rump mounted turret, the 360' swiveling cylindrical barrel atop featuring highly detailed lightning strike patterns, the batpony Destroyer underneath firmly trying to disengage.
>No longer dead at the world and returning to insatiable curiosity, 'Shiibo' attempts to match it with known Construct weaponry.
'Short range electrical offensive/defensive system, deployable.'
>The vocally aggrieved Destroyer mare swivels, diamond protected wingclaws reaching out to hold the Naghtmare's chin and head, pushing her away with little resistance.
>Spitting a harsh EnKee phrase, wings retract before tossing her head and storming northwest towards a worrying large number of yet more suicide bombers.
>Ears flicking several times, the Naghtmare giggles, smoothly spinning around on the Float disc several times to examine the nearest Starborn, Lunar Guard, Moorites, and Hegemony adherents....
>Whom immediately turn directly opposite from her attention, the avatar frowning slightly.
'A strictly military organization experiencing a large scale paradigm shift of this magnitude.. morale will be impacted though not severely.'
>Visibly satisfied at something, Flowing turns around to face the translocation matrice, blinking upon sighting you.
>A variety of pink, purple, and red facets gleaming in both eyes, she strolls forwards to halt a meter away.
>Gazing down at the dented, marble sized orange sphere, the Naghtmare's expression breaks into sincere pain.
"Oh. She is so small.."
>Breathing out a small puff of pink flame, it stretches forwards to lift the tiny Construct, drawing it to her for a gentle nuzzle.
"I will share this song with you. Wake up."
>Creating a small cup of flame and rolling the dent upwards, bright orange ripples across the surface, slowly reforming into a perfect sphere.
>Pale gem eyes gazing into your helmet, Flowing's ears flatten as her head shakes in slow motions.
"I am truly sorry, she cannot help you like this. She has to grow so you can dance and sing together."
>Nudging the tiny cupped orb towards you, traces of a wispy, vibrating female voice resonate, sensations and pressures of a tiny hug emanate from her.
We-are-two-as-one.
One-as-two-are-we.
>Sensing deep fatigue from the effort, Flowing draws the cup back, then exhales a thin stream of calm purple over it, accompaneighed by tiny, soothing chimes carrying imprints of rest.
>Biting her lips, the Naghtmare turns a thin, hopeful smile towards you.
"She must sleep now. When she wakes, I will send her to the Sea of Warm Songs. There she can grow. When she is big enough, she will return to find you. Be patient."
>Reaching up to hold the minute Rift bonded in her left forehoof, she extends the cup towards you, head suddenly tilting in serious thought.
"Now, a best friend... the Argus perhaps?"

>>393665
>Shrugging his shoulders in resignation, he shakes his head.
"I'm not blaming them or anyone else. And I'll keep that in mind."
>He then makes a small disgruntled noise.
"I still think other humans would be better suited to the task with Opal, but if faction relations are on the line then fine."
>Slowly exhaling through his nose, he remarks:
"Well... if that's true, then I hope my pessimism is proven wrong. Good that patterns are being identified."
>In the process of standing, he pauses for a few seconds at Twisted's words.
"... So long as the title and position do not bind me specifically or politically to the Lunars, I will be in a position to accept."

>Seeing the General salute him, he half turns to fully face her before clasping his right glove into a fist angled over his heart to deliver a formal salute.

>Looking over the bewildering array of Construct weapon systems merged to all manner of living creatures, a thought crosses his mind as Shiibo regains some of her wits.
'If they are still limited by available mass... I'm not sure my symbiote will have enough to-'
>Looking up at Flowing Spark's eyes, he takes account of her gem faceted gleam followed by her similar realization.
"No. It was my mistake that left her at this size."

>From her, he feels and hears the strangely intoned phrase with connotations of tandem pairing.
>Still uncertain of how to approach or communicate with a supposed soulmate he had yet to meet other than with some guilt for prior misunderstandings, he takes the cup of flames from the Naghtmare.
"If it is a lack of mass that leaves her in this state, would providing her more of that... fluid, help her? I may be able to reintroduce her to the fluid I had separated her from. Or barring that, should I just be keeping her somewhere safe?"
>He recalls the inert remains of the Construct hulls hopefully still in Spiral's Lab.

>Hearing her mention an Argus unit presumably for Hodch, he asks with careful deliberation:
"Er... how do you know how to pick these different... bonds? And why an Argus for Hodch?"
(Need to tread carefully. Clearly very invested in these Rift symbiotes... )

>>393687
>Unable to keep track of specific Rift symbiotes throughout the Atrium, none of the rigidly formal Starborn and Hegemonics were pleased at the bright orange weaponry, shields, partially armored body parts, and devices.
>The majority were irritated, some angry, while dozens bore injuries from attempting to remove Rift symbiotes by force.
>Lunar Guard, Destroyers, aligned Gryphons, along with a few native and Otherworld Harpies ranged from unimpressed to annoyed, standing or sitting at a distance from each other.
>Simply attempting to keep their bonded Planar addition or companions from touching themselves, each other, and those close enough to reach was slowly grating on nerves.
'..morale MAY be slightly higher priority issue than previously thought.'
>'Shiibo' gives up with a slight grimace, opting to examine one at a time.
'There are thousands of channels and bandwidths operating in patterns of three. When the prototype was exposed to the Starblazer's living code, she was incapable of deciphering it. I have had time to consider her experience. Each model type may result in pairs, or individuals in this case, having a strict language subset based off the master design, prior iteration, and variation.
The... potential hierarchy between evolutionary eras has reached complexity of a degree which may be impossible be possible to catalog.'
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]

"This is her body now. What remains of the paired-self-molt shall be cleansed in Lava or Magma before it suffers corruption. Seekers-of-Rifts are the Infected."
>Lifting her chin at the floating vessel, the Naghtmare's mane and tail alight in fluorescent, wavy purple flames.
>Warm through the glove, yet not burning, the vessel of flame was comforting: a wordless song of soothing tones beckons the one inside to rest for a time.
"You struck her in fear of the unknown, not anger. She does not feel pain unless you do. There is no shame or guilt to share unless you intended to harm her."
>Leaning forwards several inches to smile in a concerned, matronly marner, deep concern creases her face.
"She is newly reborn. How can she dance with you being this small? She must grow at her own pace.""
>Eyes closing and head lifting straight up, Flowing shifts from left to ride, quiet hums resounding from her throat as she speaks in a slow, dreamlike cadence.
"All Creation sings now. Fire tones. The Rift hums. Tallus soothes. They offer. I listen. They sing. I hear. They dance. I feel. They show me, which of us, they may find, to share love."
>Dropping back down to peer at the helmet's center, eyes half-close for six seconds before the Crystal Kingdom mare's lips pull back into a thoughtful line.
"Hodch? He is one of marely Second Stars. He sings to those I cannot. Mistress Crackling Flames know his songs are too important to lose. The Argus mare is powerful, like him. She is more gentle and fierce. She will teach him the songs I cannot. He will share dances few know."
>Head tilting left with a brief look of pain, Flowing Spark's head bows in submission while slowly sliding forwards, presenting no threatening cues or warning behaviors.
>Lightly placing a kiss on the sleeping Rift bondmate, she steps back, ears half cocked, then speaks in a quiet, cherishing tone.
"Hold her close. Sing to her for a while with our Stars. Your words will impart what she desires to know. Dance with her, show how you wish to play upon our Moon. Your movemarents will allow her to become what is needed. When it is time for you to depart, place her atop one of my candles."
>Turning about on the disc to face west, the mare smoothly slides forwards, humming in a vibrating pattern and tail flicking in a marener the avatar wasn't familiar with.

'>Running linguistic simulations in the background, 'Shiibo' delivers a list of probable meanings and implications.
'The term song must refer to singular interaction, songs meaning speaking to one's herd, or two or more. Singing appears to be the proper term for communication; Kingdom Crystal ponies may not use the word talk as certain equine cultures regard it as insult. Dances are most often led by a stallion with his.. herd.'
>Tapping both legs while giving an errant sideaway out the helmet, a sigh struggles outwards.
'Will need a Crystal Kingdom language index to know more. It is currently.. Septimber 39th, slightly past hour 28. Minor temporal anomaly and deviation, correcting files.
If you do not require my services or aid, I am going to enter sleep cycle.'

>>393570
>Looking over the ExoFrame, Amy thought it would be very nice to have one of her own, but that was likely a long shot, one would have to be built from the ground up to suit her properly.
>Even then, she would have to give up her Juggernaut boots, an awful thing to consider.
>Amy nodded solemnly in confirmation of her preference for Ice.
"My bestie turned herself into a Fire Elemarental, so she's plenty toasty for the both of us already."
>Listening to the explanation of what a Daymare was, Amy nodded.
"Yup, that's the one. There was a biiig one in New Canterlot that was making a whole bunch of ponies, minotaurs, harpies and dracosines sad, so I asked the biggest Kerbann to take it away so they could be free!"
>Hugging the Kerbann Branch, Amy gazed wistfully up into the sky, towards the Moon.
"I hope they can be happy now."
>Turning back down, the filly felt an urge for mischieft as they began to make guesses about Tartarus.
>Tartarus a Changeling myth?
"Nope!"
>A big pre-Hegemony city?
"Nope, nope, nope!"
>A big underground city was close.
"No! ;D"
>Cuteban cloud city?
"Mm-hm?"
>Fillydelvian lake?
>Wait a moment, living metal?
"Uh-huh?"
>Amethyst was beginning to get the distinct impression that nopony knew where Tartarus was, or knew much about it.
>It was strange for her, to the ipotane it was just home, and for how important it was to the cycles of Tallus, she would think it would be general knowledge.
"It... Is... Everywhere!"
>She gave a little twirl.
>Examining the hololith of the indicated city block, Amy leaned to one side in deep introspection at the concept of a five floored manor.
"How do they deal with the stairs?"
>Turning to the Lancer and granting the her a friendly wave, the filly introduced herself properly.
"Amethyst Storm-Rose-Dalli!~ I don't have an occupation. And thank you!"

>Scooting around the Float for a few moments, Amy examined and prodded at it with the Stick, ooh'ing and ahh'ing over it. She turned up to question the Lancer cheerfully.
"Is that something that might happen?~"
>It wasn't a flight of stairs, but Amy still stared momentarily at the technical step up onto the Float with great pain.
>Though with a fillyish sigh, she bunched up a leg and took the step, scooting well away from the edge once she was up.
>She was definitely going to learn telekinetic sorceries so she could avoid stairs.
>Shooting a glance back at the puppets, she bemusedly proposed.
"And just what do the two of you hope to accomplish asking me to do a silly thing like that?"
>Amethyst hummed in consideration as the Float began moving at a moderately fast pace and thought about what she should look for first.
"Field supplies first I think, you know, canteens, travel kits, rigging. Ah but that last one I'll have to get custom made..."
>The freezing puppets came to mind.
"Oh and heatstones, the puppets are getting cold!"

>>393693
>Glancing around the Atrium with some concern at the clearly poorly integrated symbiotes, he cringes at the sight of some trying to tear off their new additions.
'Agreed... this may not bode well.'
>He suppresses a grimace at the thought of the incident with the old Starblazer's sentient codebase and apparent "proto-deity".
'Certainly not feasible to consider cataloging without additional units to assist in the task. May be more efficient to only do so when situation demands.'

>Alternating his gaze between the flame wreathed cup in his gloved hand and the Rift enamored Naghtmare, he tries to comprehend her meaning.
"I see. That is reassuring. This is all... new to me, so I do not know what to expect from their growth or needs."
(Her connection to the Rift seems far stronger than nominal. Sudden speech capacity must be related.)
>He looks back briefly into her crystalline eyes before she half lids them and remains silent as she then kisses the symbiote.
"I... will try."

>He sends Shiibo an expression of relief at her translation.
"Thank you for that. I have no further need for now."
>He blinks in affirmation as Shiibo signs off, while making his way back to the portal alcove.
>His face creases in doubt as he looks down at the cup he now cradles.
('Sing' to her. Show her what I want and need?)
>Closing his eyes, he exhales heavily before uttering the pass phrase to return to Twisted's office.
(What I need... in relation to this entire situation? Too broad. It's impossible to create a form to address every single possibility. Given the other examples... )
>Opening his eyes to look idly around the office, he opts to look over the nearest equipment cases.
(Symbiotes seem to prioritize some particular function or facet missing from the bonded recipient. But what I am missing isn't necessarily equipment. Equipment can be made or acquired.)
>Looking down in ponderous thought, he stares at the sleeping symbiote.
(No, what I need and want... is something more broad. Something sapient that can match my pace and understand. They would've said something that could transcend the barriers between 2D and 3D... but is it fair of me to demand that?)
>He starts drumming the fingers of his free right hand against his vest rigging as his brow folds in dismay.
>Doubtfully, he mutters to himself.
'What right do I have to shape another sapient being into whatever I want? Is this fair to it?'

>>393694
"Sounds like she needed that! Unlike OTHERS we don't treat Elemarentals poorly, and towns in the Outer Heartlands love their visits. Elemental metals, amazing sculptures, and funny objects they've collected from wandering around are mostly what they trade."
>Spreading hooves out squarely to take a proper stance, then rocking the transport several times, Rubelime's voice is flat.
"Haven't heard about that yet. Or seen anything on InterPony networks. We've mostly cut off relations with Equestria, except for Navarchs, Moors, cloud cities, and a few others. Still sounds like great news. Maybe they’ll finally start returning what was stolen."
>Glancing down at a subdued feedback note, she gives it a four second 'work for me or back to the shop' stare.
"Come on, this was just retuned.. it sounds like Tartarus used to be accessible most everywhere, like the Warp Gates and portal stones. Least before most of them shut down.. do you know what they'd like to trade for? We're fully allied with the Changeling Hive again, and currently neighgotiating for a new Citadel Treaty. Mooric Authority and Navarchs too!"
>Bringing up small hololiths in a ring around her, the display of fairly normal transport methods, excluding a large, stripped down flying transport, seemed to have been taken recently.
"Float discs, elevators, devices like this, and a whole lot more fun stuff on the way. No more sore hooves these days! The older generation, that being Kingdom adherents, have repaired most of the City-State's damaged infrastructure in the past two years. Imperial Crystal Engineers are starting to understand their methods, so a few are modifying or replacing older systems with more efficient and smaller designs."

>High tones with inclusionary notes ring from the otherwise excellent crysamare; obviously a rushed device, featuring a number of small patches where someponies had neglected to ensure no cavities occurred, or possibly fell asleep on the job.
>Though not precision tuned and definitely incapable of meeting a Master's specifications, it was serviceable enough to not fracture apart at high speeds.

"The way Kingdom names work, if she left the Empire to join him then the proper way to say it would be Dalli-StormRose. StormRose-Dalli would mean he joined her in the Empire."
>Left foreleg raised to deliver an informal short bow, mostly from being unable to bend down much, the younger mare's head tips back with a grin.
"Either way, I'm glad to meet you as well!"

"If the rear armor faces you it MUST be destroyed!"
"LAUNCH THE ASSAULT."
>Suffering be his duty, Nameless isn't his name.
"I don't think she would like her loaned wargear to be damaged like this."
"Oi, yu'z bof shut up! Dat'z no git ta krump!"
"And how many green-on-green incidents have you laughed at?"
"A lot, dut dey'z started it first! ....sometimez."
"Typical..."

>Snickering aloud, and without wind to muffle her voice, which was unusual, the Imperial adherent's helmet shakes back and forth.
"Not any more! Cadenza marenaged to open a giant laboratory sealed under the Spire. She ordered at least five hundred of the best Gravity Cores to be immediately used for civil and economic purposes. The big Spire Consortiums are going crazy trying to keep up with her demarends to produce more.
And you got it! I know a great place to stop and take a look, we usually get nice deals there. Sending a request out to see which shops, Consortiums, or Conclaves have time to work on a bipedal 'Frame-"
>The thoroughfare ahead marginally increases in side, geometric cottages and medium houses giving way to larger plots of land, most now having a three level house with a considerable garden, fruit trees, berry bushes, and smaller crystalshops in the back.
>Single pony stands increasing to medium ones, then large tent stalls, finally smaller shops appear in front of houses, sparkling foods and familiar devices prominently displayed.
>Slowing down with little inertia to carry before halting next to a big tent on the right side, hundreds of crystalline canteens are stacked in rows within.
"I know these, based on a human version. Cadenza has…. six of them working for her now? They live in the Spire though I've never seen them. Anyhow, they fit into packs, satchels, and bags real nice. I love the way they stack so neatly too!"
<Kingdom Crystal Pony> "Four of the Type H please! No wrapping or boxes needed, and thank you!"
>Lifting a small glittering plate from under her helmet with a short hum, the tossed quartet are floated to a rear storage box while the vendor swipes over a disc on the right hoof side of her stall
>Sending the plate back with a smile, Rubelime's neck bends around to give a merry wink.
"Consider these a gift from the Imperial Wardens!"
>One puppet had the greatest urge to claim the not-actually-relics, but there was enough resistance to prevent an outburst. For now.

>Drifting forwards while looking between herd or clan shops, several decently sized shops on either side are scanned, the Lancer slowing down to eye one in particular, a giant neon sign above reading Upper Heartland Travel Amareneties.
"Oooo... that set looks really comfy! Superior XL-sized shrinkable travel kit.. heavy walled tent, solid floor with weather cover, two ground mats, two mattresses, two heavy sleeping bags, four pillows, two sheets, four blankets, alarm ward, resonant defensive ring, large cooking heatstone, four small heatstones, large freezing coldstone, four small coldstones, and a baking oven? I'm impressed all that can fit inside!
Two hundred and fifty gems!? Damn, mine was nine hundred for a Standard kit! Quality is really good, too.. let's see how much I can take off-"
>Calling out to a pair of mares behind a low, wide open counter with no window at the front, the Crystal Imperial dialect featured prominently sharp high tones, gravelly low pitches, and odd, half-dissonant reverbs, it was much quicker than Kingdom.
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <E.Bartering
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
>vs:
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <E.Bartering
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

>>393699
>Returning to the formal office, sleepy tones surrounding your bondmate continue to swirl in small, warm currents.
>It would be long into the Day before she would wake up.

>Examining the closest in view left, a selection of post-Lunar Guardian armors on prominent heavy display stands between bookshelves, bright purple kanpri plates displaying names, Lunar regions, and years.
>Recognizing the patterns as failed or interim stages, the sheer variety of lethal damage spoke of troubled decades attempting to produce better designs with limited materials.
>Further behind, a set that might be a surviving example of first issue Lunar Guard armor stands alone, plates of kanpri alloy retaining a standard thickness all around, the remaining trim a dull, scratched Lumin.
>Beyond those, partial Lunar Guardian sets, including a fair number of shields, are arranged in order of eras, most specialized for use by Gryphons.
>On the right wall, intact and repaired long weapons are spread apart, one per stand and display case, dozens of biteblades, hoofblades, hoofclaws, and smaller weapons between in tall racks featuring a ranking system based on direct lethality.
>Lances, spears, dual-beamed lances, then a small variety of common polearms seemed to be in order of productions amounts and species preferences, most having been refinished at some point.
>Noting few non-equine examples there, behind are larger versions of one or two-handed weapons used by Gryphons; spiked, round, square, rectangle, and triangular maces, a host of single-edged war axes, and throwing spears, the majority composed of heavy steel alloys.
>Barley in sight, massive two-handed variations intended for Minotaurs bore strict, little embellished heraldry: the Moon in its stages, clusters of specific Stars, or both in aligned geometric patterns.
>Having seen the bewildering assortment of weaponry in Razorback's Enclave, what differentiated the majority were massively reinforced heads and blades.

>Spreading out a large collection on her desk, Twisted pauses, piercing hyacinth blue eyes making a slow up-and-down study of you.
>Lips set in a thin line, she steps from behind, turning around to take hold of a heavy, dull matte black couch, nearly tall enough for humans though was probably made for an earth mare.
>Pushing it around to right in front of her desk, the left wing pats it lightly as she returns.
"Had this one made a years ago. Never got to share it.. and probably won't either.
Lemme tell you one tiny piece of how Tallus works."
>Taking a seat behind the desk and leaning backwards waiting for you to be seated, the single cushion is remarkably firm, as if it were intended to sleep on.
"Long time ago, a huge bunch of pegasi broke away from older cloud cities. Hyper-traditionalist fuckwits that couldn't accept their orders not being followed perfectly. You know the type. The Younger generation wouldn't accept being expendable, sent to defend places of zero value or hold claims with nothing more than one pony's word to back the same.
Two hundred thousand some pegasi settled the Northern Moors in the late 16,500's. Made cloud towns if conditions were favorable, on the ground if they weren't. Didn't take long until free pegasi realized their closest batpony neighbors were far better friends. Lewd, weird, and secretive in slightly different ways, they shared kinship like few others could.
Early 16,900's. Bunch of Moorites asked their northern neighbors for help in constructing their first skyship larger than a medium warcruiser. Free from ancestral horseshit, the Navarchy kicked off in full. Those first years, they were laying down smaller skyships and regular vessels in the dozens at best. Little over a century later most every herd proudly had a small water vessel or air vessail.
Moorite Authority had sixty battleships of various sizes. Twenty for combat and defense, five for exploration, three for Airstream surveying, rest for transporting foodstuffs, silk, and wood out while stone, metals, and gems came in.
By the 17,500's more than ninety thousand were in use, and right at 17,950 they finally produced the first light dreadnought. It was called Voidseeker."
>Dipping far into recall, the Enchained's gaze becomes unfocused, muzzle curled downwards in a firm, joyless line.
"Esoteric and material researchers, Mystics, Druids, Sorcerors, Mooric blood mages, unicorns, Shaman, Shamares, and more joined the project. They wanted to study each Void spectrum connected to Tallus. Secondary focus was learning how the Dusk Striders created their Tunnels, why those collapsed, and what could be done to open them again.
Fast forward half a millennia. After thirty plus rebuilds, that vessail hit something: a spectrum so incredibly dense and physically corruptive that I fully believe only Rime outmatches it. Back then they assumed it was impossible to travel through, except the Dusk Striders did. We call it The Black.
Most beings and creatures from that spectrum solely guard Tallus, and aren't hostile except to invaders. They absolutely hate Ethereals, Overdark, and some parts of the Dominion Plane. Even better is the first two ALWAYS lose in the end. Third is sixty-forty at worst.
Lot of modern ponies think of The Black as deepest sections or levels of the Void. There's a better explanation: it's a reflection of Tallus at the best of her worst times. Each shape and definition has a specific meaning, one that has always existed in some form.
Jumping forwards to 26,200, when the start of the Early Dynasty began having external troubles. Navarchs, Ferron, and Moorites were interdependent. They did not like the orderly one world idea in the slightest. Tried their best to intervene in a crisis that would eventually lead to the Batpony-Pegasi League Civil War later on."

>>393716
>>393717
They realized that conflict couldn't be stopped. So, they took the only option available to slow it down: release The Black in full by lodging Voidseeker into the largest tunnel, then detonating it using a series of Grand Rites. That action set then-Princess Silver back a thousand years, if not more."
>Shifting forwards and blinking back into focus, the General peruses her cluttered desk for a short time before speaking quietly.
"Batponies were created by Cadence after Luna jokingly stated she needed her own friends. How doesn't matter. When, sometime in the 13,000's. They'd been long harmonized with Shadow, Void, and Black alike, so no problems for them. Blood magic ties in of course, though we don't ask questions. Why? Ponies enjoy a good mystery.
Since then all Navarchs pass down Black traces to their progeny. The various effects and mutations have stabilized. Worst ones are minor, except the Watchkeepers. They exist to ensure certain places remain permarenently closed.
On the other wing, over eighty percent of Ferron clans became existentially effected. Corruption is typically physical while taint is primarily marental. Ferron got both, far worse than Navarch lineages. The 'conditions' that effect them are lifelong and usually progressive, similar to genetic diseases. Unlike those, said conditions are fully controlled by The Black, deliberately shaped in ways, means, methods, and measures to allow excellent, long lives.
Navarchs and Ferron are violently and equally protected by Airstreams, Water, Gravity, Void. As a result bacteria, fungi, parasites, virii, poisons, some toxins or acids don't do much. Fire, Lava, Magma, Plasma to a degree are much less effective. Any Ethereals, Overdark beings, and certain others are treated as hostile invaders by default from both Tallus and The Black.
Constructs avoid them though. In return, Ferron and Navarch do their best not to engage. Similar tides, different circumstances.
Those repercussions and consequences started as negative, now it's the opposite. Can't live without 'em. Lots of winged share jokes about The Black being a travel destination should one truly want to live a longer, more content and safer life. Ignoring the weird existential crisis or two in being directly attuned to an entire section of Tallus is the downside.
The Rift isn't much different... according to a few. It's a separate reflection, one which I'm not familiar with."
>Right wing lifted up straight, outermost black wingblade flicks out to point at the same side's eye, then the other, feeling the exact location she was staring into the sapphirine helmet's center, yet not looking through it.
"Used to be in tune with the world like Finny usually is, could feel strong surface moods, emotions, feelings. One Enchain changed that. Gave me these instead. I see more than feel, nowhere near like a Mystic though. Now you know why most consider me a threat."

>Wings folded against her sides in a rigid pose, Twisted gazes off into the office's rear, stating her words as if repeated countless times.
"By direct order of Princess Luna, all Lunars, allies, aligned, and Independents shall leave Rift-bonded alone. There is to be no spying, viewing, study, or contact allowed. Refusal will be considered an irrevocably hostile act and treated with appropriate hostility.
If approached by one or more, you are to offer full, FRIENDLY assistance regardless of species, culture, opinion, bias, morality, and ethics. They are treated worse than Elemarentals are due to a single factor which they may never have had a choice to accept or refuse."
>Coming back into focus, she gazes through the helmet, speaking in a thin, light tone.
"What's the one opposite that can possibly lighten and fill your dreary spirit? Crystal mare? Saddle Arabian? Pegasus? Batpony? Neighsian? Earth mares and fillies aren't your preference so far as I know. Can't think of a Burro remotely close to your type. Gryphons, Minotaurs, Harpies don't seem to be likely either."

>>393717
>Idly roving over the chronological timeline of Lunar armor, he idly processes their characteristics in the back of his mind.
>Rote facts regarding their evolution and combat use are noted.
(Elements characteristic of Lunars present. And correctly accounting for survivorship bias in improving armor distribution. No shortage of wars and hostilities. But emphatically different in spirit from humans. Interspecies cooperation... right, Lunars in particular with minotaurs, gryphons, and a cultural penchant for embracing and merging with dangerous elements.)

>Hearing a slight scraping sound behind him, he looks over his shoulder to see Twisted moving a large, serviceably human sized couch in front of her desk.
>Taking up her offer, he makes his way over and seats himself on the cushion, closer to a mattress in consistency than a couch.
>He nods once at her.
"Alright."

>Keeping his silence, his thoughts work to add her lecture to his understanding of Tallus.
(Historical information on the Navarchs as mentioned by Lonestar and the Ferron. Context for far longer timescale of development than humans.)
>Nodding occasionally, he sets his sleeping symbiote on the seat next to him.
(The best of Tallus at her worst? Metaphysical planes conceptually, quantum linked? Research's theory would support this possibility. Had only just began exploratory actions into the concept.)
>Adding a footnote to the ongoing recording, he catalogs it for Shiibo's perusal later.

>>393718
>He arches his brow at the origin of bat ponies.
"I did not know that."

>Turning his head to look down at the Symbiote, he remarks.
"I see. A separate reflection. Such metaphysical links were theorized in my world. Research was only beginning to delve into the concept. Clearly Tallus sapients have had far more time with awareness of the idea."
>His eyes then follow the pointing of her wingblades.
"Because of your near all seeing eyes?"

>He makes a short, quiet hum as Twisted recites the apparent official Lunar policy on symbiote bonded individuals.
"Mmm. That sounds like an isolating experience for those bonded. I can tolerate that more effectively, but I assume there must be a reason why those distancing measures are in place. And why Flowing would subject so many to this despite it."

>Twisted's question prompts him to lean back against the couch.
>He clasps his gloved right fist in his left's gloved palm, squeezing it heavily.
"My 'dreary spirit' does not prevent my from performing my duties. Even then, it is similarities that bind relationship bonds together, not opposites. But you are correct, my experiences with all species on Tallus to this point indicate incompatibilities. I have not yet researched dragons and their kind, but I do not know if such compatability exists. My foremost concern is my duty and I was honed to enact it no matter the most exigent circumstances. The closest element to what you described that existed within my organization would be in the Social and Arts divisions when I was not on deployment. But none of the media from those have translated to this world in a form relevant to my past experiences with them. Iyashikei, mesugaki, loli, the debate of whether the barrier between the second and third dimensions is transcendable with android bodies or still impassable, entire such aesthetics are all only in my past now. But more pressing than the question of whether any of that is even necessary-"
>Swapping his hand's positions, he repeats their prior clenching motion.
"-is the question of whether I have any right to force it all upon a non-human sapient with dubious consent. This bonding process appears to be involuntary. A compulsory phenomenon rather than free choice."
>Taking a moment to exhale heavily, he picks up the gently burning cup housing his Rift symbiote.
"I had avoided having children for exactly this reason. I am not qualified to foster new life, not with my preexisting duties, not with my characteristics. There is too much at stake to risk creating additional harm on something that did not ask to be born. Maybe if I were weaker, or some would say 'stronger' I would not be balking at this opportunity to turn personal dreams into reality. But I am only ever 'me'."

>>393737
"Yeah, we find that odd too. Best Moorite singers are powerful blood mages. Incredible vocal ranges like Crystal Singers and Runesingers, can quickly devisewonderful songs and melodies."
>Beginning to arrange the items on her desk into a proper collection, the General's tone is fairly humored.
"Far more cautious exploring now especially given the Planar disasters that we've caused. Mostly unintentional. As the saying goes: an unexplored path cannot be learned too slowly.
And not all seeing, only the more 'visible' moods. Best way to describe this is being blindfolded and tasting a couple hundred different juices. Once I learn what they are, the traces become unmistakable. Concern, frustration, guilt. Little bit of anger. Reluctance. Those are what I'm seeing."
>Carefully sorting a series of oddly gleaming gem pendants and rings, the expression Twisted shares is deeply wounded.
"Isolation in extremis. You've seen and heard how 'different' is treated, myself included. Ponies outside a herd or Overherd used to often have something wrong with them, which used to be highly infective diseases or parasites. That's a holdover from Pre-Modern lineages. It'll take a couple more generations before that evolves into a proper physiological response other than 'that one's dangerous or sick'."
>Eldritch wingblade tapping a dull white coin briefly, her head turns right with an exasperated snort.
"Flowing has spent two hours trying to describe the Rift's social aspects.. in her own way. The linguistics are incredible; it's perfect pre-Shield formal Crystal Kingdom exactingly translated to Modern Common Equestrian. Construct pairs can't touch each other or 'mutations' and psychoses develop. She calls those Infected. To her Riftseekers are a plague that's reached a new stage of mutation and seeks to infect the Rift as a whole.
When the Lunar Guardians were reformed into Lunar Guard as a practical army, the Starborn were utilized solely as specialists. Used to have a unit of one to two thousand, all carrying paired Riftdrowners. Lifelong best friends that always help out no matter what the situation is, basically. After the Lunar-Solar War ended, most of the Rift entrances were closed from the inside. Thousands of reports state those weird medically interested silverine Constructs did that.
Now, I'm not one to create or figure out theories. My position is simple: end the possibility of conflicts quickly by any means necessary. If conflict does erupt, end it fast. Otherwise, keep Tallus safe by not using unsafe means.
What she's done has changed our entire view on what the Rift is, was, isn't, and wasn't. All of my instincts, including strictly military, Ferron, and pegasus ones, tell me she's right. We can't be striking at Constructs if they show up. We have to leave them alone when they aren't hostile, whether forced by the symbiotes or not."

>Appraising your armor, weapons, then equipment, the Burning Pegasus gives a slight, appreciative head tilt.
"Does slow down your ability to recover from shock somewhat. You can activate most enchantmarents with ease, no need for additional training there. No complaints otherwise."
>Pulling what sounded like a heavy metal bench forwards to lean the center of her chest against desk, a trio of reflective black coins are spread apart on the right.
"Second and third? Well past that stage. Most forms of esoteric practices, schools of thought, and spiritual paradigms like Mysticism or Druidry, are that bridge between two, three, and onwards.
You've seen golems. The term is a bastardization of 'go, limb', as in to move unhindered. Every now and then I hear of somepony creating an artificial being, and of course freaking out over it. Function is a deliberate matter of intention. Unless actual problems or threats occur, we leave them alone. One second of politeness and understanding often leads to a lifetime of friendship."
>Glancing up, a distinctly warm look creases her face into a gentle smile, lifting her chin at the Fire vessel.
"Could be involuntary but doesn't sound that way to me. Finding one's likely best friend from a different Plane looks, sounds, and acts immediately and automatically. That mare I was talking shared what Flowing was stating: too small to aid you as she is. She needs to grow, learn to communicate, and be an appreciable companion. That word to us means as follows: the most trustworthy, reliable, and beloved individual I know. The point is clear."
>Filtering her thoughts for a quarter minute, Twisted's ears flop to both sides in a pragmatic expression.
"She isn't ancient or new now. She is what she is. Flowing only uses one specific term for this process: reborn.
Princess Cadence is known as Rebirth, not only for creating batponies, Crystal ponies and Crystalline Shells too. For the second she used her Rime-infected blood to shield them. From what I don't know, that's still classified. And please don't ask her either. Apparently they succeeding in helping her and became the first ones as a result.
That second happened back when she was still a pegasus mind you. The Crystal Overherd retains everything with perfect clarity, and so far as I know they've never made a single complaint. And now I'm getting off track-"
>Pained silence holds for six seconds until her entire being cringes.
"I can't be using Hodch's phrase.."
>Wings spread out to rest on desk corners, the Enchained mare sets a firmly neutral gaze on you.
"So ignore the dreams. You didn't create, only slightly alter a pre-existing, highly flexible state of near-liminal fluidic biomechanical existence.
Modifications are incredibly dangerous for humans. For us it takes three decades to approve or deny a project. The newest are Half-Naghtmare Luminaries. That started in 29,945 or so.
Both of those lead to the same conclusion in different measures. And as the individual you are, if what you need isn't comprehensible yet.. all I can say is maybe let her decide what she ought to be like."

[1d6 = 3] <Hodch's Patience

>>393741
>Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes as he mulls over her words.
(Reborn, not made... if so, then that approach may be for the best. She should be the one to decide. Agency first. Once she can communicate with me-)
>A slow exhale is released as he opens his eyes to look down at the cupped symbiote.
(-then we can deliberate further.)
"... Thank you for bearing with my sentimentality, Twisted. I don't often speak about my past at length due to its inaccessibility and lack of practical application. The events leading to this circumstance were unanticipated."

>He picks up the symbiote, holding her container in his palm.
"I will consider available enchantments in a few moments."
>Nodding at Twisted, he stands and moves out of earshot of her desk to face the myriad armor racks and weapon stands.
>The container housing the symbiote's sleeping form is lifted to eye level as his brow bends in concern.
>He speaks just loudly enough for his voice to reach her.
"Grow that you may match me. To account for my weaknesses. To keep pace with my thoughts. When you are ready and... if you want my opinions, seek me out."
(Will need to consider potential concept contamination vectors if I decide to have her embody certain concepts. Later.)
>Briefly cupping her in both his hands, his grip tightens for a moment as he closes his eyes.
>He then shifts back to a one handed carry, returning to black matte couch.
"Is your enchantment list ready, Twisted?"

>Poking at the sparkling, unmoving mare's snout, first with one feather, the archaic pegasus filly settles for a polite sniff-
"Cease."
"Disrespect nae meant nor given, Enforcer. ...she is beautiful above words."
"Knoweth ye did not. Mmmm. Let her rest. Such a state cannot be woken from without necessary rituals and submission to proper authority. Examine the bands once more."
"Aye, Enforcer!"
>Noting the Journeymare Knight eagerly obeying her current teacher's pleasant order-request, the Red Countess allows both glittering diamond-slitted eyes to open, expanding in the dim to search their current shelter.
>From her meditative sitting position, the battle-marred, highly decorated black iron sarcophagus, lid unfortunately torn off, was still before her.
>Bearing a sleeping, peculiar green earth mare lain inside, rigorously tended to by the two most care-inclined of her Cult, rescuing her had been exhausting.
>Not including herself of course, that is what one had subjects for, yet such a task was welcoming in its honored purpose.
>Image-engrams detailing the long, violent journey where the Countess had dragged it once her three subjects had exhausted themselves, a faint snort is given.
"Aye! Rough be thee word for this Night!"
"Agreed, grace."
>Sharing heart's touch with her Enforcer first, deference is given as the sleeping mare's luxurious gold mane is lightly stroked by sapphirine coated blood-drinker wingclaws, a nod then given to Knight's checking to ensure the eight bands held.
"Be they firm?"
"Aye."
"Hold fast they must 'til ae Warbrute arriveth."
"They shall, Ae swear it."
>Last, and never least, the young Ice Sorceror's creeping fatigue from keeping this damnable, partially destroyed ancient forge from collapsing draws full attention.
>The tall, well rounded form, her tastefully lewd noblite dress accentuating each soft curve of flank, neck, and legs, those warm, supple teats...
>Such a powerful unicorn required an equally capable, virile stallion to dominate her.
>Channeling her lost homeland's Winter, one their Cult would never cease grieving for, icy contact is shared as the newest dome presses outwards.
('Pretender Dead cannot be fully destroyed with Ice. Two hours remain until they breach.')
('Aye.')
>Gazing through the Elemental barrier at the strange, twisted chamber's black walls, the Red Countess breathes out in relief.
>The rude awakening from their intended millennia long slumber was a shock, yet more so were the untold numbers of Unceasing and Pretender Dead following them.
>Above all, she was unsure what to think of this temporary... alliance.
>Her followers were beginning to understand the limits of these modern earth ponies, their imprints, sensations, and impressions shared from reflective eyes to each Cult nearby were still puzzling.
>Having traded Earth Sorcery, Mysticism, Druidry, and rituals for the Otherworld Alicorn's offerings, this giant city-state was, as the phrase had been described to them, a mixed bag.
"For each negative, we find two positives."
>Fixed by the sternly accusing, heavy set batmare's gaze, the Red Countess parts her lips in respect, fangs glinting as she speaks in a faux-chiding voice.
"Assuredly thee behold mine musings incorrectly. Carry neither quarrel, qualm, nor quandary do I. Black iron, silverine, an' emeraldine they bear is effective. "
"At your pleasure.... aen request, my grace?"
>Eyes closing at the Enforcer's troubled voice, it had taken the Day to calm prior, this new, unwelcome task given a formal nod.
"Our Dynasty be lost evermore. Our Moon is bereft of the life it once held, regrow yet it has not. The... Moorites an' their Naval Anarchy kin nae sway us long. Sacred Heart-Spun Ambrosia they cannot offer. Lost to the burdens of time our hallowed sleep may be. Upon what land shall we stretch forth?"
>Each of the three continuing their duties, fully aware of the hour the Red Countess silently grieves, her eyes open once more to speak firmly.
"Hold us by unbreakable chains they shall. Our madness cannae spread."

"You. Have. Got. To. Be. PISSING WITH ME! I didn't spend this fucking long to wake up and hear THAT!"
>The four Lunarites wince, both at the voice and flashes of blue light surging from the glowing mare struggling to clamber out of her coffin.
"Thou caen move?!"
"What?! You're never seen a Druid SLEEPING before!?"
>Blinking, the Red Countess instantly drops to a submitting bow, cut off by a firm hoof on her snout and dragged upwards.
"Mineself submits this Cult of Moon to thee, ae-"
"Don't bow to me again ever and no royal speak please, time is shorter than my damned temper!"
"Mine.. my name is Nightfall Bloodkiss, Red Countess of the Heart's Touch Cult, granted full claim, title, and heraldry by the Reaper."
>Lips pursing, the strange earth mare tenderly gazes into her soul, feeling glee spring from her.
"UNBELIEVABLE! I know you! Hang on, let me rephrase: I know SOME facts about your Cult! You took three hundred some batponies to the closest Dynasty Temple, near where Luna's southern Villages are now. Tried to end the blood cravings, right?"
"Aye, correct ye be."
>Head thrown back to release a single booming cackle, the massive earth mare returns the blood-drinker's confused eyes with furiously blue glowing orbs.
"Master-General Jade Luxure of the Tower Guard, Primal Psion and Lunar Druid. You and by extension all Lunarites currently within the claimed boundaries of this city-state are hereby under MY protection! I'm not a Princess, but when I speak my word is law!
Here's my first order: stay behind me and don't get any of your dresses damaged. While I'm smashing this first thousand Undead lemme share what I know about a land called Coville, those wonderful Amber Rose berries that floated across the ocean from it, and the million or so vial containers scattered around Equestria. But before that I need to wake a few more lazy horseasses-"
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2] <Lunar Blood Mage Cults
[1d6+6 = (2+6) = 8] <Lunar Druid Cults
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <Lunar Mystic Cults
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Lunar Necromarecer Cults

>>393745
>Honest appreciation creasing her face, Twisted's voice shifts, an amusing Careibbean accent SQUEAKS in full force.
"I know how difficult it is to freely express one's self. Ferron aren't respected much, so I had to work excruciatingly hard integrating civil, militia, marecenary, and military together, all while keeping neutral at best or irritated at worst.
If you ever feel the need to talk come find me, otherwise visit with Mercy, Naliyna, or Roust. You need outlets from time to time too, so, I am hereby requesting you share your time. When you need to vent or release, do so with my best friends or me, please. And not merely the bare minimum either."
>Head bowing slightly, the clipped, moderately rough Lunar accent resumes, reaching into the desk's sides, pulling out several boxes to open and peer inside.
"Take your time."

>Holding the vessel aloft, small ripples fan throughout the mixed flames.
>Close yet distant pressures mould the cup, swirls of half-formed, dreamlike thoughts imprinting, first in traces, then forming impressions.
>She was tired yet comprehended each word in its entirety, setting aside a minute fraction of consciousness to engrave memories with the earnest-open-welcomed request-declaration-bond.

>Sitting down once more as the General cracks a smartass grin, left eyebrow hiking high enough to reach a new zip code before spreading her left wing over the desk.
"I'm nowhere near Naliyna, but I know MY tools damned well. This is five percent of the safe collection I was putting together for humans that picked a Lunar faction. Some stuff from the Ferron, Navarchs, Moors as well.
So! I can authorize the following:
Two crates of diamond encased small manabombs, that's forty in all.
Two crates of diamond encased medium manabombs, eight total. Heavy and hard to toss, I know. Here's a trick Gryphons use: glue a section of rope into a handle and sling 'em, works amazingly well.
Three large diamond encased manabombs. I KNOW. Fuckers weigh eighty pounds each, but they make those smaller bombs look like sparklers.

Six tiny diamond canisters looking like they contain a pulsar? Guess what: they do. One of the best tactics to take on a massive threat is overwhelming with damage, pain, blinding, two of three, or all three at the same time.
Don't mind offering these but can't replace them until a few more Mystics recover.

Four diamond canisters on that side contain chunks of destabilized Promynkrake surrounded by cast tungsten alloy shards. Yeah. You heard THAT right. Insanely powerful detonation and shrapnel that makes ME feel offended at how effective they are. Can't be detected by most esoteric scans, but also can't use against sapients.
Vel`Kruz offered this batch as a gift for helping recover Gelvran's body... then I told him I don't have thumbs. We laughed for ten minutes straight.

Gem rings deliver a short ranged Elemental shockblast. Hundred eighty degree radius, max range fifty meters, decent chance to stun. Gravity, Void, Lightning, which you probably want, Stone, Lava, Permafrost, and Eternal Water.
Last three are superior versions, real hard to get hold of them. Can't make more until the Armory is scraped clean from Construct 'paint'.

Batch of Burst Pendants in left of middle were recently made, only have these ones for now. Magma, Permafrost, Nature, Crystalline, and Airstream. Rarest one is the Anti-Elemental in the middle. That one is a pain to make. Takes six hundred hours without a single flaw.

Bunch of small banded teeth woven together in a necklace are from a spined Northern Moors swamp skitter of some type. Has a quick acting venom; high muscle relaxant and euphoric with aphrodisiac qualities. Best for a dart, spike, stiletto, that sort. We.. uh, normally use those for interrogating certain ponies that we can't cause MUCH harm to, like high values, VIP's, that sort. It would be LEGAL for you to use since I'm authorizing it.
Doesn't work on Harpies for some reason. Little to no effect on avians or reptiles otherwise.

That large pink fang is... weird. Came from a uniquely mutated Haze Cat north of the Central Moors boundary. And yeah, those are a variant of Void-tinged acrolines. Bunch of young Navarch pegasi stumbled across her eating what they thought was a fruit. Thought it was sick or dying so they brought it a fish, which it ate. Apparently it stayed under the cloud town for a while. Zero hostility, didn't mind being approached, decently friendly, curious, but always slept alone.
One of our resident hornheads heard about it incident and went to investigate. She confirmed it as a selective omnivore, one capable of regrowing teeth. Said fang right there is incredibly hard from, get this: occasionally eating a mature mushroom containing the material that gets refined into pinksteel. So far it's only shed that one.

Three black diamondine discs on the right are Late Dynasty defensive pieces. Each protects against unwanted Psionic intrusion, like usual, but are specialized versions. First resists Elementals, including sub, standard, and specialized. Second resists most forms of advanced esoterics; blood magic, Druidry, Mysticism, Necromarecy, that sort. Third resists Eldritch, Extra-Planar, Spectral, and Undead.
Can only carry one at a time as they dampen the others' effects.

Those four Shattering Spheres are original Lunar Guardian versions, recently restored. A retrieval team found 'em in a lost Reliquary during the Moors Restoration. Sapphirine fractures armor, rubynine weakens, emeraldine pierces. The blue and purple diamondine has been described as: 'getting a full force punch from a Minotaur Warbrute'. Best used with a weapon that fits their role.
You've done me some gigantic favors so I don't mind offering them."

>>393745
>>393752
"Trio of curved wingblades in the right center are similar to a small boomerang, just a lot heavier. Made from a specialist Rune-Forged steel with an integral recall rune. Whatever they hit gets pounded by a high Force Elemental. Decent against buildings, fortifications, armor, weapons, exposed skulls, you name it. Works best on Undead and fragile targets though.
Gryphon Agents love 'em for creating distractions, can't keep sets in stock longer than a week.

Pale chunk of yellow amber with blue lines running through it happens to be an ANCIENT Druidic ritual object. Launches an insanely fast lance that partially tracks. Does a crippling amount of harm against mindless Abominations, Infected, and Malformed, slows 'em as well. Works good against non-native Spectrals, Undead, and hostile non-sapient Otherworld beings.
It'll stun sapient Otherworlders without causing harm though, means it has a limited sentience to determine what's being targeted. Doesn't interact though.

Paired set of black iron claws there, could add to your gloves. Each has a brutal Repulse, but they've been honed so no feedback. Made for a Stalliongrad born Gryphane that retired last year, he couldn't keep up with the Assault-Recon-Kill squads anymore... aaaaand neglected to tell us what to do with them when he left.

Four stacked throwing stilettos on the upper left are reinforced clear diamondine. Made by a Grandmaster Hegemony Mystic-Smith and two Crystal Engineers. If they couldn't break them, you won't be able to. They'll puncture armor class four with ease.
Can't be scribed with a recall rune or given enchantmarents, unfortunately. Easy to harmonize but they'll only accept one resonant function since it's a complete set.

Miniature lance on the top right, similar to an assassin's spike, is one of three prototypes. We're giving the others to a Deep Moors Hunter-Killer team for stress testing. It's a blacksteel and bluesteel composite separated by a thin layer of gel-flexible crysamare. Yeah, I know, those SHOULD normally never touch, but some crazy batpony and Crystal mare duo figured out how to harmonize them to only expulse at the apex of a stab.
Should make quick kills against Infected or difficult creatures by freezing and shattering at the puncture, preferably brainstem. Not for use against sapients, I still have to uphold Lunar laws as Matron.

Jagged chunk of partially clear red armor plate came from some ocean monster the Navarchy tore apart a few years back. They reported it was able to absorb, then either refract or diffract directed eso-tech energy weapons. Works fairly well against anything smaller than, let's say, a heavy cannon class human equivalent.
I doubt it'll work well against plasma or particle weapons though, but who knows. Don't know the how's or why's, nopony's had time to make a full analysis yet.

Dark red sphere over is a Crystal Rune stabilized, resonant crystalline mass containing an artificial Magma Elemental. Functions as an Addition for weapons or armor. A sufficiently strong hit causes a pseudo-molten spear and secondary resonant reverberation, one which may produce a chain reaction in armor. When used for armor, getting struck produces a cascading detonation, powerful enough to disorient, possibly stun, and cracks hard, fragile materials at the same time.
Not a prototype, we've got a few out in the field and they've been highly successful. Our Crystal Engineers have gone back to using older Kingdom era weirdness to deal with heavily armored large targets. They love calling these offensively-defensive or defensively-offensive, and usually snicker whenever a 'new' idea is brought up that they already have in crystalfiles.

Ten small bottles of sparkling gel in the pink wooden box... teeeechnically are. Those are a harmonic gradient solution containing suppressed, non-reactive Rime filaments, flakes, shards, and powder. Mostly get used to increase malleability and equalize resonance when reforming rigid crystalline weapons, armor, components, and that sort. You've got black sapphirine, which is an absolute bitch to rework.
Should give 'em to Naliyna, she'd really appreciate it.

Two tubes of diamond cased purple pills are small doses of a safe regenerative alchemical, ten in each. Eleyana spent six years trying to merge Dragon Alchemy and our version together. She gave up and went back to the first, came up with these instead. Place in wounds, has a fact acting pain killer, slows bleeding, cleanses, then regenerates skin, muscle, and bone alike. Doesn't leave a scar either. Made from a non-Elemental substrate in the lower Dragonspines we're now getting a tiny amount of access to.
Not supposed to swallow them unless there's internal injuries. Only 'problem' is they all taste like fresh plums for some reason. She won't say anything other than smile and giggle whenever I've asked. Probably some in-joke I haven't heard of it.

Tiny kanpri square shield with Luna's Moon on the front is our version of a trade stamp. Show it when dealing with Lunar allied, aligned, or friendly traders, marechants, or vendors, they'll give a discount if able and show their current high priority and rare stock.
Should take and give it to Naliyna anyhow, she'd get the most use from it.

Three black cards up front grant access to the Nightblade's Den, a real old Starborn hangout. Used to be above Canterlot, got moved to Moorwatch Bastion north of Basin Village a while back.
You can use whatever you find in each, but I do suggest bringing stuff ponies, Gryphons, and Minotaurs like. Preserved or long lasting food and alchemicals are always appreciated.

Stacked set of diplomatic cards close to me grant access to Starborn safe houses in most of the Planes. Symbol denotes which one. Except for Rift, Ethereal, Dominion, or the sub-Planes, we have decent to great relations. Just.. stay out of Lightning for a while, there's a frenzy going on, something about a new armored clothing style.
Same suggestion as before too."

>>393753
>>393752
>With an exhaustive list of high value items before him, he inquires with Twisted regarding effects and terms he was unfamiliar with.
>Considerations are accounted for regarding complementing Shiibo's future equipment as well as his own.
>Pointing to each item as they are added to his acquisition list, he lays claim to all of the manabombs, the 6 pulsar canisters, all of the Elemental shockblast gem rings, the Burst Pendants, the pinksteel Haze Cat fang, the three Late Dynasty diamondine discs, the four original Lunar Guardian Shattering Spheres, the Druidic yellow amber, the pair of black iron claws, the four throwing stilettos, the prototype miniature lance, the oceanic monster's red armor plate, the Crystal Rune stabilized magma Elemental sphere, all items that Naliyna would benefit from, the regenerative pills apparently made by Eleyana, and the diplomatic cards for the Nightblade's Den and Starborn safehouses.
>Once all acquisitions were finalized, he would pause as he mulls over her closing comment to avoid the Lightning Plane.
"That... may have been due to my recent visit. Did you say there is a... clothing trend frenzy?"
>He looks away from the General's eyes.

>Tallying all the items, he adds text footnotes to the pictures taken of each for reference via his helmet's control dial.
"All the more reason to secure a proper body frame for Shiibo and find someone to enchant some of these to my equipment."

>Still pained at the new Wargod's blistering words from the Night prior, the Deathspitter cow shares her pain to the surrounding Gozkans and Hegemonics in meditative, Geomantic rings around her.
>Thinking on his honorable commands earlier, she dearly wished an earth mare could help her govern the Earth Geomancers, Mystics, Sorcerors, and Shapers.
>Those beautiful and glorious earth mares, they knew how to share the needs of Tallus.
>Reflecting on her time amongst the various Lunar Cults and Covens, particularly the intensely hilarious Destroyers, the cow's muzzle splits in a wide, agreeing bovine smile.
>As limited they were in life, their assured necessity of finding secrets beyond resonated with her training, knowing that the Endless Cycle must ever, always, and forever continue.
>Exhaling a blessing towards the young Lunar unicorn's efforts whom served her younger kin, then the Elder Mystic whom trained him, the cow sits upright, snorting softly.
>He was not here.
>The Moon held him as always.
>She knew the incessant urge to protect Tallus while delving into the secrets which She, the Princess of Four Black Hooves, had shared for so long.
>This time, she would not fail.
>Tongue sticking out her muzzle, thoughts trying to locate differences, the same as before occurred: tiny selections of their shared world make her grace known, fading quickly.
>This Night was different, yet the same in many and marely ways.
>Her soul knew of this before, long ago.
>The Lunar Guardians, long lead by Skullcracker and Skullcrusher, had changed Gozka with pure, honest fervor.
>Each of the Hegemony's Nine Castes knew their words, meanings, and intention.
>Few understood what those hapless, lovable, gentle ponies would face in their content lives.
>No, she decides with brutal finality.
>Not THIS time.
"Not while our kin suffer and bear the weight of Tallus!"
>Barely aware her mouth had parted to shout from the holy Plane of Storms, dull black eyes regard the cold, snow covered landscape before her.
>Eight hundred Gozkans and Hegemonics, including herself, their hardened leather tents in view, arrayed in mystical numbers, tears harden in her eyes.
>Throwing her heavy, massive arms apart, Storm, Earth, Stone, Metal, and Gravity surge within as she gives up her individuality to Tallus, declaring her intention for all of the Gozkans and Hegemony to know.
"NO MORE THIS NIGHT! SO LONG AS I LIVE, I WILL AID OUR KIN! WE SHALL PROTECT WITHOUT FAIL AS THE FIRST HEGEMONS DECREED! BY THE GODDESSES WHOM WE SEEK TO RECOMPENSE, WE WILL DRAG OUR LAST FURY IN DEFIANCE, PROTECTING HER DAUGHTERS AND SONS!"
>Bending forwards, the ruthless, agonizing, yet pleased emotions from their dead Wargod shakes her soul, thick hands clasping together while surges of emotion rocking her body in violent motions, fully prepared to be denied her charges.
>Without pause, a young Warbull stands, balefully glaring to those around him, intensely ringing hooves smash thin stone underneath as he bellows forth a long, raging shout.
"IF RAZORBACK IS GUILTY, I AM GUILTY AS WELL! I ACCEPT THEIR IGNORANCE AND CRIMES AS MY OWN! THEY ARE INNOCENT! TARTARUS TAKE ME, I AM UNWORTHY!"
>Heavier hooves from an older Brute leap upwards, the frenzied voice thunders in low, demarending pitches.
>Massive arms thrown outwards, the scars of four decades adds more to the weight of his words than she understood.
"I TIRE OF THESE FAILURES IN MY AGE! GREAT REAPER ON THE MOON, JUDGE ME BEFORE THAT CALF! I CALL YOU FORTH HERE AND NOW, KILL ME IF MY WORDS ARE WRONG!
I CANNOT RELIEVE OUR PREVIOUS WARGOD'S DEATH, NOR CAN I STAND THIS LIFE! BRING ME YOUR JUSTICE, MARE OF THE MOON!"
>Silence holds for close to a minute, then, one of the last Bulls of Dawn slowly rises to stand, his gigantic form burning as his soul does, the cow paling in TRUE, absolute horror.
>Awe, fear, then terror unknown rings aloud soul as his billowing, scorched voice echoes across the broad, flat valley, the tone ageless, yet black with pain.
"AS DO I! RAZORBACK KNEW NOT OF SHARONEL'S WILL! WHAT OF OLD CANTERLOT DID THEY TRULY BEHOLD? HAVE THEY SEEN OUR FAILURES, THE PATHETIC CLAIMS TO THE LANDS WE DESIRED, SPAT UPON AND DISGRACED?
GODDESSES OF SUN AND MOON, KILL ME HERE AND NOW SHOULD I SPEAK FALSELY!
IF THEY SHOULD NOT ANSWER ME NOW, GIVE ME ENDLESS TORTURE I RIGHTFULLY DESERVE IT, DEATHSPLITTER! DO NOT SLAY ME NOW! IF THEY AGREE, LET ME SHOW THOSE HU`UM SOULS THE DEPTHS OF OUR FAILURES!
EITHER I SHALL DIE WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF OUR COWARDICE, OR I WILL SUFFER TO THE BITTER, BROKEN END I DESERVE!"

>Fitful, fearful, harrowed, haunted, and tormented by the meanings of her hallowed kin, the cow's eyes widen in pain, barely held back by her training.
>Despite her resistance to the threatening tears the holy ground facing her abruptly changes.
>Tens, hundreds, then thousands of equines appear, followed by Gryphons, Minotaurs, Harpies, and more, each proudly bearing the burns of Plasma.
>Allies, aligned, friends to the Hegemony, batponies, unicorns, earth ponies, pegasi, and Crystal ponies gaze down at her.
>Staggering forwards to kneel, the Deathsplitter's hands ball, then spread outwards to their utmost, reaching outwards as her cracking voice seeks their approval.
"I beg your forgiveness! This is not what I wanted! Answer me, what must I do?!"
>Their voices silent, bodies rigid, heads bow in deference to the Hegemonic cow's purity.
>They had waited and heard.
>They knew.
>They felt.
Be what we cannot.
Some will show the Sun.
Some will show the Stars.
Some of us will see you from the Dark Side of the Moon.
Some you may only hear when Crystal and Changeling sing.
A few you shall not see.
Take our oaths, hold them for a little while.
Let us go.
Let us return when we must.
We bless you as you have called upon us in turn.
>Staring in horror at the fading Lost, the cow notices each Minotaur surrounding her, their gazes hard as she reflects upon their words.
>She would be the Wargoddess of Razorback.
>They had made the choice for her.
[1d6 = 3]

>>393716
>Amy snickered.
"It would be amazing if you had, since it happened five minutes ago. I don't think even New Canterlot has noticed what happened yet. Though the Daymare screamed quite loudly once she was, ah... Detained."
>Some would have, an opening directly to Tartarus forming could not have gone unnoticed.
"Yuh-huh! There's openings aaall over the place but most of them have collapsed or have other problems preventing entry and egress. I guess that means my occupation is technically finding more ways in, which reminds me that I should see if there are any routes to Tartarus around here."
>Closing her eyes for a second, Amy focused her magic and senses, pulsing outward as far as she could in that familiar, practiced way. She probably wouldn't find one within the city itself, but it couldn't hurt to check.

[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]

[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

>Leaning to one side slightly, eyes shut, swaying, she added as an aside.
"Anything from realspace!~ They like souvenirs since materials in Tartarus are wonky and not quite real. My dam in particular said very good things about the food here also."
>Amy cracked an eye open to peer at the hololith. With all the lev platforms available, she could make a tank! Fun!
>Though it was another idea that made her grin grow wider. The Kaos that Shades could get up to with a bunch of Floats would be worth seeing.
"There are lots of rings, so getting anywhere, especially up and down, is a pain. I'm sure they'd appreciate having some floaty boards to whizz around on."
>She took a moment to consider what else they would want to get. They could certainly trade for it given the rarity of the materials within Tartarus.

[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11] < Graduate Tartarus
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]

>Her name was supposed to be the other way around?
"I think in their case it was one at first, and then the other."
>Amy grinned down at the Lancer's bow and caught her with a boop on her snoot's way back up. Ambush!
>Resolutely she ignored the renewed demands for assault. The frontal boop was as much as they were going to get.

>There was so much she could get, like gravity cores, yet Sturnn's advice reminded her to focus on what she needed first and foremost.
>To be fair, she would rank a super heavy lev tank as basic a need as her own breath, but that was certainly not what the general had meant.
"Tempted by the gravity cores, but I'll have to pass and be responsible... This time. I should be able to afford an ExoFrame. I think. I have lots in my sleds that would be pretty rare for this phase of space."
>More valuable for her than any valuation, however, given the sentimental value of each shiny. Could she trade one gift for another?
>The satchel did come to mind, Avernus had stated that it was full of metals that were valuable for trading, though given the whiff of spatial magic she had sensed at the time, 'full' was a euclidean assumption.
>Taking in all the sights that she could, Amy was grateful that the Float wasn't going even faster, or she wouldn't be able to see much at all. Then something Rubelime said caught her attention as the canteens were floated over.
"Six... Humans, you say? They wouldn't happen to be aligned with Razorback would they? We've been looking around for them since we left Tartarus, I was hoping to find them tonight or we really will need camping gear."
>Amy squee'd at the mere word 'gift' and struggled to contain herself, once again vibrating with energy and just scarcely avoid the urge to pick the mare up in a big hug.
"Thank... You... So much!~"
>The filly could cry with joy.

>Amy followed Rubelime's gaze towards the neon sign, then the goods in particular, sharing her awe at the sheer size of the camping package. Could she even carry all of that?
"I'll see how much I've got."
>With a shrug of one arm, Amy swung the scarab pack around to her front and opened it up, retrieving the satchel bag, examing it properly at last, she slid the pack back to its proper place on her back, the Stick following to sit alongside the sheathed sword as she did so.
>Both hands free to clutch at the satchel, she pondered how and where to wear it so she wouldn't have to stow it back in the pack. Most importantly however, she opened it up to peer inside as Avernus had instructed, though far later than her teacher had likely intended.
>One ear towards the conversation, it was strangely difficult to follow what they were saying. She knew Imperial, but maybe not this particular dialect? It was hard to believe it had changed much since her dam had left, maybe it was particular to bartering.

>>393416

>That's...very surprising
>It always seemed like they were always hostile
>Were they just reacting to how we normally travel with weaponry and armor?
"How would I know if there's a pair?""

>Spotting a slot in the back of the gunship, Clemency slots the hardcase in it
>Taking a step back, he sees the gunship's engines
>They reminded him of the jet engines found on the more advanced jet fighters from his world
>Oh how much he wanted to pilot those instead of his admittedly hard to control F-16

*"Good work, Guillotine. Did you see anything interesting in those stores?"*

>Clemency inhales deeply feeling the invigorating Airstreams from the Luminary's breath
>He then exhales slowly, trying to calm himself like he's fighting a caffeine high
>He now only feels refreshed
>The Luminary's observations of the Anti inside is interesting though
"Am I the only one with Anti fragmented like that?"
>Clemency, bracing for the bad news, crosses his arms thinking he can predict it
>Instead, a shocked expression widens his eyes
>He didn't expect to hear about Twisted Wing nor how he was essentially poisoning her
>Even the old name, he couldn't remember if she ever told him that
>Clemency takes another deep breath and composes himself
"Does Twisted know about this? The last time I saw her she seemed fine so those Enchains must be effective enough."
>And it's not just me
>Everyone in Razorback are carriers
>And everywhere we went, contamination followed
>Clemency bites his lower lip in thought, thinking of everywhere he's went
>Now, Razorback needed to be cleansed to return back to normal operations
>At least the contamination is lower in some places
>Clemency uncrosses his arms and opts to put them in his pockets, feeling more relaxed after the initial shock
"Well, first thing is thanks for what you're doing. Second is, you said you had clues for how we got exposed? What are they?"
>Clemency returns her bow with a nod of his own before turning his attention back to the gunship

>Seeing the information appear on the magnifying glass, Clemency then pans the glass over himself, wondering if the glass just detects age and material
>Afterwards, he then pans the glass over Blackhorn
>Clemency lets out a contented snort
"Yeah, pretty cool."
>It makes Clemency wonder if he can enchant spells like this to his helmet's HUD
>He then returns back to where he placed that hardcase into the gunship and tunes into the Shattering Skies
*"Shattering Skies, is this vessel operational? Also, mare's voice is preferred."*

>>393755
>Reaching down to heft a large, tasteful light pink hololith onto the left rear of her desk, two hololith screens appear, marking objects as each is selected.
"Logging these so I don't wind up mistaking what isn't here for later.”
>Visibly shutting down for a few seconds before restarting, Twisted's eyes widen comically before laughing.
"YOU helped start a FASHION WAR?! You don't even know how gigantic that's gonna be! Fuck, Lightning adherents OWN every single runway they touch! This is gonna make every strutting mare in New Canterlot look pathetic in comparison!"
>Left wing covering her face while she shakes, the General delivers a muffled, heavily ringing snnrk.
"Whoooo! I have got to see that... ahhh, can't fuckin' kill me since my heart restarts when I die.. all right? Better? Yeah, definitely better."
>As the collection's contents dwindle into a small pile, the left screen is given a small tap, other fading out.
>Setting the 'lith back down, a small, bright green card is pulled from the desk, placed down while she snags a smaller black quill, writing on it as she speaks.
"Mmmmf, don't use a Disk unless there is a dire need. Got confirmation the Third Gestalt's close to dead. If he goes that leaves Flash and she's in bad shape as is. Few of us are trying to help out but only one of the Green Herd is active. Don't know where the stallion, mare, or colt are."
[1d6 = 4] <Green Card
>Placing the quill back while the card dissipates into a puff, Twisted Wing sits back in a thinking pose.
"Hodch is decent with enchanting but he isn't strictly knowledgeable with those that aren't Lunar, Independent, Moorite, Navarch, or Neighsian. One of his lovers in the Fortress, some mango named batmare. Be nice to her, she's one of the best weapon experts around. Also need to get him a house in the Fortress so they can all live there.. or maybe not.
You already know Luna's the best regarding offensive enchants for weapons without causing singularities.. or worse. She taught Krinza how to do the same during his confirmation as a Grandmaster. If she didn't want him to know how she wouldn't have shared. Takes longer but he's one of ten that can Perfect a weapon. Treat him right, he's basically the demigod of crafters and smiths now.
Reminds me, need to buy or trade a complete forge for him, and a studio for Lann. The workshop is already overloaded.”
>Realizing the amount of work ahead of her, a Ferron mood takes over as she grins, gaze dropping back down to you.
"Amerose is going to hate me so much for what I'm about to do... Flash is the best option. Those interwoven burning hatreds for idiocy, arrogance, and ignorance are hilarious to watch. I'll let her know you have authorization now. Gently touch that two-faced snout when you can, but fair warning: she will never construct or allow certain weapons. Chemical, radioactive, mind wiping, mutative, that sort. Her code is pretty much inviolable.
Prototype first, Shiibo second, anything else is your call from her. Also don't get dragged into morality or ethical discussions with her, she's seen the worst of humanity first hand."
>Head shifting left to eye the office's rear, eyebrows raise.
"Huh. That is... actually wholesome. It's rare he isn't shouting at one of them being slow, airheaded, annoying, or all three. I honestly regret not keeping Naghtmares around more often."
>Switching back to formality, a slight motion is given towards the Rift-bonded vessel.
"Take care of her, hm? Unlike me you have the choice of not being inherently hostile."
>A pair of metallic clicks from her desk interrupt, ears flattening as she reaches under, speaking after a few seconds.
"Yes? Yep, got orders for you. Have the Acquisition teams locate a safe entrance and peek inside. If it's clear enough, collect at least twenty small Riftdrowner pairs. Examine how they act towards Rift symbiotes, what they do, then go from there..... same. Catch you in a while."

>Giving her office a flat expression, her right forehoof taps the desk before sighing, both wings lifting to rub her temples.
"Unfortunately there's not much to see. Atrium's open but the Council Hall, Tartarus Training Grounds, most everything else for that matter, is closed until engineering teams can replace sections. Flowing and Heartbreak went completely berserk, they must've blasted two hundred plus hulls into walls.
As for me.. the Reaper's waiting. Ritual takes place at exactly Midneight, little over forty minutes from now. You do not want to be here if it works this time. Take what you can for now, I'll get a hauler team to offload the rest in a bit."

>>393764
"Damn, you JUST left that? Wow, uh. Dealing with Unborn is one of the worst duties possible. You really need better gear, though I'm not sure if the Empire has much that works against them. Moorites and Lunars always have stuff to deal with weirdness though."
>Perusing through a catalog on the right side of her visor, Rubelime pauses to blink, voice warm with understanding.
"I get it now, you're scouting for them! If you find one let me know, I'll take you straight to them. We found a really old Warp Gate under somepony's house a couple years ago. It fell apart though. It's amazing how marely of those things were placed around Tallus."

>Layers of reality peeling back throughout the City-State, one massive, two strong, two medium, and eleven faint vibrations resound.
>Viewing the direction of each, ripples pulsating from intact Gates cluster around the tall, gleaming Spire directly north.
>Unlike the majority of those Avernus had shown you from the outside, only two of the smaller Gates were slightly damaged while the remainder sounded fully intact.

"Anything physical? ...oh, do you mean pseudomaterials? Those are so hard to get. Finding a single mine with a couple pounds is better than winning a lottery. We would DEFINITELY set up a giant trade route for them, if there's enough access of course."
>Puzzling over a full selection of modular crystal devices and replacemarent components, ones you noted as standard communication versions, the Lancer's head shakes, taking on a distasteful tone.
"Ooooh yeah, I've tried Equestrian stuff a few times. Couldn't finish most of them. Love a good fruit from the Moors now and then, but we need the crystallines and Rime traces."
>Resuming her search for something in particular, Rubelime's head tips back.
"Huh. Wonder if it was being excavated like a mine first, then got turned into a place to live much later.. I'm positive Cady would drop everything to sign a trade pact."

>Recalling the hundreds of reports that your sire and dam completed for Avernus, over a hundred thousand tons of pseudomaterials were stored throughout Tartarus, the majority unused due to having limited solid matter to work with.
>One experimarent had allowed for a near-crysamare derivative to be used, except the Baroness' limited energies were mostly reserved for rebuilding, repairing, and locating Gates, leaving your parents to conduct the rituals when they had free time.
>Excluding Empire foods for both of them, larges stocks of various crysamare grades and metals, primarily steel, titanium, or heavier composites would alleviate their tasks significantly.
>Trying to think of uses for each pseudomaterial, the number reaches one thousand before you give up, but were mostly based on acting as neutral flux for metals, composites, and allowing easier refining of crystallines.

>Eyebrows wriggling at the welcoming frozen contact, her unusual eyes glitter responsively as she smiles.
"That one's free! We still keep all the Kingdom era traditions but most Imperials aren't patient so we tend to make decisions a lot faster. It's funny your herdname works both ways, pretty rare that happens."
>Closing down all but three hololiths, a long distance resonance unit is studied, Rubelime speaking in a faintly aggrieved marener.
"Pseudocrystallines are incredibly valuable but also insanely scarce. They're used for almost everything that isn't strictly crysamare. One ounce of the lowest grades can easily be worth six hundred gems. We've been trying to reclaim mines across the Empire, it's been really slow and painful. I can think of a dozen marecenary companeighs that've started in the past month alone."
>Pausing to display an image of four humans in front of a Spire matrice, each in terribly outdated late M2 full body armor sets, the rather basic projectile weapons looked awful.
"Nope, they're ones that've arrived throughout the Empire and been saved from succumbing to Rime. Humans can't eat much of our foods, otherwise they'll start turning all crystally... is that even a word? Anyhow, they're technically Independents, mostly working for the Spireguard. We also don't see Razorback much except for three.
And if you need a place to sleep I know all the best spots. Cheapest hostel near the Main Station is four gems a night, comes with a fully stocked shower, bath, two meals, bottles of Crispy water, and a nice big bed. Good view too!
Then again the Storm-Rose herd would probably love setting you up with a place of your own... unless they're annoyed at your dam."
>Tossing a sideways grin back to you, Rubelime's face scrunches brightly.
"You are totally welcome!"

>Taking the bright white pony trade satchel out, it was instantly noticed by the pair of Imperial vendors, the second humming as a gleaming Easy Bake Oven is set into the left rear box.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"One of the holiest lost relics! Where is the nearest Tech-Priestess!?"
>Peeking in, a host of silverine coins, ranging from small 1 Bit to large 100 Bit rounds, a variety of diamondine ingots, and the four common Middle Dynasty gem composites comprised the entirety that you could see.

>Catching parts of cut down words, the lingo was intended for informal, quick trade purposes rather than using the Kingdom's art of trade tactics.
>Agreeing on a fifteen percent discount, the vendor laughs in a ringing tone while the other spins around to collect a prepacked set.
>Shifting about to stand broadside, the Lancer's head tilts briefly, left eye gazing down before doing a double take.
"Holy Rime on a Star, those are Middle Dynasty trade coins! I've only seen partial collections in the Spire's museums-"
>A medium hololith opens, quickly scrolling through directories in amazemarent.
"If those are original composites.. I'm not even sure how much just ONE is worth now. Silverine isn't something we can use but Stalliongrad is always in desperate need of more, and if those are also originals you might have an actual fortune there."
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <E.Appraisal
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]

>>393767
>Looking down at his stealth suit, he shakes his head in confusion.
"I don't understand how this would start a fashion war unless the gravitons were particularly interested in its electrical properties for thermo-optic masking... how does this translate to New Canterlot? Are Lightning aligned ponies determining fashion trends from what particles on the various planes tell them?"
>He checks over his hands and arms, frustration audible in his voice.
"This was not how I wanted to introduce human fashion aesthetics to Equestria at large. At best, it would merely be like Techwear, but without monitoring and adjustment mechanisms-"
>Cutting himself off with an irritated click of his tongue, he then sighs.
"Nevermind what I said. Yes, I remember Anonymous' situation being critical. I would have placed a moratorium on wish disc usage without prior approval even if Anonymous was not in a dire position. They have been a primary vector of human derived problems on Tallus, the most recent of which being the most recent Construct assault here."
(Clemency, Hollow, the list goes on. At least Twisted should be in a position to properly admonish the one responsible, for once.)
"And I assume Green Herd is some pony-human equivalent Gestalt?"

>Beginning to gather up the more portable items he had selected, various rings, pendants, and other small items are placed into his backpack while Naliyna's trade related items and cards are tucked into tactical vest pockets.
>Leaving only the manabomb cases behind, he listens to Twisted's suggestions as he packs.
"Understood. Though if she has, we likely are already in agreement."

>Glancing behind him, he folows Twisted's gaze.
"I wasn't aware he was still in here."
>Focusing back on her, he stands fully while hefting his laden backpack over his shoulders.
>The cup bearing his symbiote held close to his chest.
>Nodding at the pegasus, his brow furrows as he looks at the cup.
(Another life inadvertently altered. Don't fuck this up.)
>Waiting for Twisted to finish her orders with an unknown Starborn, he spares a look back to determine what Hodch seemed to be doing before facing her again.
"Understood. I have work to do at Razorback anyhow. Keep me notified in you receive a response from the Dragonspines."
>Offering a firm fist-over-heart salute, he then takes the portal back into the Atrium to deposit his symbiote over one of Flowing's candles.
>Ensuring it is not in any danger of beind knocked over, he then returns to Razorback.

>>393771
"We had lots of help from the Lost when they were found, even a real big crystal choir to sing free what was taken."
>A Warp Gate in the Crystal Empire that had fallen apart? That may have been the one her dam and sire had used to enter Tartarus to begin with. If so, then that was right out as a candidate.
"There are many around the Spire, but it's hard to tell if any of them are able to grant entry to Tartarus from here. Pinpointing exact location is difficult, but I'll know when I'm closer."
>In remembrance of not seeing a Gate while standing directly in front of one, Amy would have scrunched her snoot if she had one.
"But then again I could miss them when they're right in front of me."

>Inclining her head, Amy affirmed.
"Real materials are scarce in Tartarus, it's not a very physical place, in many ways it's the heart of Tallus. It's almost entirely comprised of pseudomaterials and other things only suggestive of physical matter. It's hard to enter and leave if you're not... Native to it?"
>She struggled to explain the exact nature of the place, but then again, that was the point. Tartarus was not an exact place.
"Crossing the boundary from this phase of space to Tartarus and back incurs a cost that must be paid and cannot be reduced or evaded in any way."
>Now that she thought about it, the rings in Tartarus did appear very much like it had once been a mine.
>As far as Avernus knew, it had been like that when she arrived. So who had initially mined it out? Questions she'd never thought of before simply because Tartarus was Tartarus to her now surfaced. Who had created the tunnels into it from Tallus? The Kerbann trees had been planted around the rings, and many of those were tens of thousands of years old, and yet the mined out rings predated even them.
>That was interesting to think about.
>What was more interesting was the idea of getting her hands on some crystalline foods.
"I'll try to see if a gateway can be opened here, they really could do with the materials. Crysamare, any grade, I think steel, titanium and heavier would help too."

>At hearing how valuable pseudocrystallines were, Amy shot a look rearward to her sleds. She had a fair few of those in her collection, but then that was her collection!
>Still, she was curious.
"How about meta-crystallines? I have some of those too, and half-crystallines, and crystalo-metalloids, and false materials too."
>Peering forwards at the humans and their archaic wargear, she couldn't help but get excited to see such archaeotech.
"M2... They belong in a reliquary!"
>It was good to know that she could technically pass for a crystallised human if she had to, provided she kept her equine parts under concealment.
>Unfortunately, these humans weren't Razorback humans, and it sounded like they were scarce around these parts too.
"Aw, oh well, do you think if I wait around long enough, one of them might show up?"
>Two options for shelter at least, she could stop by the Storm-Rose residence and they may set her up, though if they were annoyed with her dam, she could still fall back on the hostel.
"I may need to visit an exchange to trade in for common currency gems, I don't think I have too many of those. I can't be sure I'll be welcomed be the other Storm-Roses since my ah... My dam was not supposed to have me."
>Mischief arose.
"Me being a crime against nature and all!~"

>The Easy Bake Oven also belonged in a reliquary, of course after being consecrated and its machine spirit attended to by an appropriately ranked Techpriest, but then she knew nobody inducted into the ways of the machine cult, let alone one who would be sufficiently knowledgeable to see to such a marvel.
>Catching Rubelime's double take, Amy queried.
"A fortune?"
>Looking from the shinies to Rubelime, then to the shinies again, Amy made a face.
>Avernus asked her to open the satchel knowing she wouldn't be around when she'd done so.
>They belong in a reliquary!
"Oh, Avernus is in for it now! She's done for next I see her!"
>She let that threat exist quite openly.
>How much was in the satchel anyway? Amethyst wiggled her fingers and stuck her hand in.
>Deeper and deeper her arm went until her whole arm was inside the space up to her shoulder. The filly peeked down at where her arm would be in euclidean space outside the bag and ooh'd at the disjointment between what she felt and what she saw.
"Oh that's cool."

>>393766
>Sketching the odd set of Lumin's outline, diamond-slitted pupils shrink in focus while constantly rotating to ensure correct details.
"Really hard to miss two bright orange spheres in close proximity. Could ask around and see if somepony knows where the nearest Lander is."
"Can tell you there are eighteen heavy battleship sized Landers at the Basin Arena. Minimum total of eighty thousand or so."
"That's... way more than a pair."

*"Reports, records, contacts, battles, engagements.... ae grand wealth of history. Transcribing shall take three hours, four mayhaps."*

>Watching the cloud swirl before her for ten seconds, as chimes become silent the Luminary's head swings around to nod.
"Correct. The first decontaminated human shouted, quote: 'how many fucking missions did we do for free?!', end quote. Excepting you, thousands of altered memories have been reported."
>Breathing another out in a long stream right, then left, the Half-Naghtmare turns about to face you, kanpri visor displaying a large, stylized black X.
"Yes, most of us have have been reporting directly to her office. She was decontaminated immediately after.. erm... ...reattaching one of her wings. I do not want to HEAR that again so long as I live. I am also most thankful at being unable to see the physical world."
>Visor displaying Moon phases, the far right one was a curious black while her tone shifts in a curiously formal accent, one that reminded you of instruction on how Dragons speak to ponies.
"You are quite welcome. We know for certain one or more sunglobes in New Canterlot Palace contained Class 3 Anti. Plasma natively degrades certain artificial Elements within proximity, however the process must be carefully controlled. Direct contact between the two results in a remarkably large detonation. We unsure of the amounts as it is little possible to measure, however there was enough for perhaps five initial humans to become infected.
The secondary effects we have noted explicitly conditioned humans to prevent entering New Canterlot, Stalliongrad, and the Crystal Empire. For the most part that directive was, and I despise this word, obeyed. Similarly, the programmed urges most humans felt to stay in Las Pegasus were quite severe. A number of psychoses regarding that location have been removed.
I believe you understand what these mean."

>Enacting several basic analysis spells, two variants display a close age, registering you as an unknown primate descendant, Otherworlder.
>A partial list of known enchantmarents is shown, then a listing of anomalous energetics, along with a line of text reading out an 80% acclimation to Airstreams.
>Inspecting your Riftbonded.. it describes much the same, except for being comprised of a biomechanical fluid-state, possibly liminal, which she didn't mind.

>Hearing a suite of back and forth clicks on the channel, the aery voice from before speaks a fast line before Guillotine responds.
*"Aye. Thee vessail lain tae rest long afore final lifeweave upgrades granted an' applied, internal repairs be...... slow. System degradation.. partial. Light weaponry.. five of eight functional. Medium weaponry.. two of three functional. Heavy weaponry.. ae complete loss. Beyest nae docks remaining for repairs, 'less Ninth Fleet leaveth travel gates lie intact still."*
>Switching through a variety of Harpy dialects, one close to that of an archaic, young Navarch pegasus mare is chosen.
>You still couldn't understand it but at least the tones were familiar.
*"...what do ye intend?"*
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7] <Translation: Shattering Skies
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <Translation: Guillotine

>>393773
"A lot of New Canterlot ponies like to think they live in THE place where all forms of high fashion come from."
>Cracking a terrible grin that held sweet promises of short term suffering, the Ferron takes over again, leaning forwards snickering conspiratorially.
"Pegasi have a deep connection to Lightning. Now most don't normally wear clothes, but formal events require SOMEthing. Think of all those strong, fit Stalliongrad pegasi mares on Tartarus Isle, the curvy yet muscular Navarchs, and small, cute Ferron, all wearing aggressive lightning patterned skirts.
In short: pegasi are going to DOMINATE the runways outside of Mainland Equestria and all the fancy places in New Canterlot are going to lose their shit. You might have done another huge favor for me without even realizing it, that is if I can work out a deal with the Lightning Plane's Emissary."
>Shifting back to informal, a short, sharp nod is given, bringing out another card for you to examine.
>Same size as most pony business cards, made from a green material which appeared to be cardboard, but certainly wasn't, completely blank on both sides.
"Yep. When Coville was lost, not sure when that happened exactly, less than fifty earth ponies survived. They're a herd of four Earth Sorcerors, each are truly unique. One knows where almost everything native is on Tallus, another knows the safest places to store objects for.. basically forever. No idea what the mare and stallion do or know though."
>Ears perking up as a thought crosses paths, the small quill is snagged again, writing a short line on the card, but pauses from signing it.
"More than likely."
>The office rear held a much larger dark blue desk, utterly surrounded by stacks of tomes, grimoires, records, and maps cluttering the wall behind.
>Each of the thirty Naghtmares were helping seal the more dangerous relics of Hodch's collection away safely, three firmly writing reports while a frost-tinged Kingdom Crystal mare happily performs crystalwork on a giant hololith unit.
"His office in New Canterlot was destroyed. Didn't have much there anyhow, we keep the original reports here. Until he finds a better spot for a deep underground office like this one, I told him to take the space I wasn't using... and we completely forgot to label what each of us owned."
>Returing the salute with a crisp, snappy wing, the sudden gleam in each eye brightens.
"Will do.. maybe I could hire Amerose permarenently? Yeah, yeeaaah, she'd love that!"

>Returning to the transfer room, then back into the Atrium, this time on the north side alcove, the candles spread throughout were being left alone.
>Placing the Fire vessel atop the closest, pink flames roll outwards to form a sphere around it.
>One faint, cheerful, wordless tone is given in response.

>Most of the Starborn and Lunar Guard seated alone or meditating, the remainder listening to a softly pitched Crystal Kingdom song on the east side, stepping upon the translocation matrice a slight problem is encountered.
>Requesting Razorback Fortress, a forming eye creates a display of Basin Village still undergoing decontamination procedures; the hostel's stone was currently listed as zero access.
>Picking through number of safe locations for transport, the Nightblade's Den is an available option.
>Picking it, you're smoothly delivered to a large, mostly open six level cloud house, a chaotic assortmarent of cloud material chairs, tables, couches, sofas, and cushions are covered in blue or purple sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, a fair number of darkly colored occupants spread across each.
>Multiple sets of diamond-slitted eyes snap around to stare intently for a second, then relax, the mostly fruit-eaters waving sets of triple claws.

>Resuming travel to the Fortress, upon stepping out into the Pagoda, only Starglow was here, sitting inside Naliyna's stall, angrily checking prices on the hololith.
"Stupid piece of shit! She ripped off a million Bits?!"
>Halting, eyes travel up, then back down, her left ear flicking in typical impatience.
"...oh. If you're here for Stream Lark he's in the Workshop with the mute human Psion. Don't piss him or the Imperial squads off, they have orders to kill any and all threats."

>>393781
>Despite the mild detour, Pareidolia steps back into the Fortress in good time.
>Thankfully not experiencing a repeat of his first impromptu visit to the Citadel.
>He turns to address the mare who had made the outburst.
(Starglow. Member of Thrill's family. Naliyna likely not present? Basin Village decon ongoing.)
"Noted. Has Spiral--no, Astral Legacy returned to the Fortress yet? I assume Naliyna is not present. I have trade goods and clearances for her."
>He cranes his head around the Pagoda, looking for indications of life on the Fortress grounds.

>>393779
"Lost AND a Crystal Choir pitted against an Unborn? Should've recorded it! I'd love to hear everything that happened from start to end, but let's get what you need first hm?"
>Sharing an impressed smile to imply she meant every word, gem eyes flicker briefly.
"Haaaay.. that's what those domes around the Spire are. I know exactly where you mean! Always wondered why nopony went in them."
>Small screen brought up to search crystalplates in the Consortium's stock, Rubelime speaks in slow thought.
"Most of that does sound familiar. Myths and Legends courses were kinda dry, and I didn't take marely Dynasty classes since those were extra credit. Do remember a little bit about older regions having more primal stuff."
>Selecting a set, her access plate is floated out to be swiped again, returned with a quartet of Micro Crystalplates from the vendors, then brings up a medium hololith to scroll through industrial listings.
"Crysamare grades are at an all time low, especially in bulk! As for non-crystallines you should see the Industrial District, there's giant piles of metals and full warehouses everywhere. It's all just sitting and going for cut prices. Last I saw one ton of iron was... something like forty gems? Not sure about titanium but I'll get a report for you."
>Slotting two of the Micro Crystalplates into the helmet's rear storage, the other pair are slipped under her spinal plate, the Lancer turning a short, dumbfounded stare onto you.
"...you're serious. Checking-"
>Another screen opens as the first turns, inputting a trade search and finding a selection of buy offers in two seconds.
"Meta-crystallines are REALLY high. One-tenth ounce of low grade powder is nine hundred gems. Flat ounce of half-crystallines, low, are six hundred fifty. Crystalo-metalloids.. eight hundred and twenty for a half-ounce of the worst grade. Then again these are the lowest flat rates."
>Examining the image, the best armor was a truly archaic bodysuit fitted with either ceramic or metallic rigid plates, helmets a mixture of late stage Kevlar with early composites, while the utility equipment you could see did belong in a reliquary.
"Those are electronics? I feel.. ashamed."
>The team had a standard assortment of short to long ranged rifles, with selection of standard grenades, though there were no launchers or machine guns, while a single heavy revolver, pistol, and two compact SMG's are clearly secondaries.
"Could be a few Nights before Razorback comes through here. The couple... can't think of the name. Those two usually show up once a week for the big trade dealers. As for the ones living with Cady they don't visit the Square or markets much."
>Finished organizing a bulk price list and saving it for later, her visor flickers before frowning.
"Hang on... the marecenary companeigh my cousin's contracted to has this young mare that visits Razorback most every Night. Want me to send her a message?"
>Giving a heartfelt side eye of acknowledgemarent, a flat grin is given.
"Not sure what to say to that."
>Ears trying to flatten in the helmet but unable to, Rubelime snort-giggles, head thumping in the helmet.
"PFFFF! A crime of cuteness for sure! I really doubt they'd be irked, there's a lot worse than a mare running off with her stallion."
>InterPony compiling a list of older trade notices together, a second medium screen expands as she scrolls through it, returning the face with a merry grin, head tilting left to eye inside the satchel briefly.
"Definitely! A single 1 Bit silverine round is worth at least a hundred gems in Stalliongrad. The sapphirine blanks are minimum three hundred, rubynine four, emeraldine eight, diamondine varies. Then again all of these prices are outdated by three to eighty years.
....and that is actual PINK diamondine. I need to get somepony that knows what these are really worth, hang on-"
<Kingdom Crystal Pony> "Hay, it's me again, need a favor! ....no, not THAT! This is really important, I'm stuck here right now... I need somepony that knows Middle Dynasty stuff. There's a 1 Bit silverine round and a couple other pieces, intact, minimal wear too.
....HER? Yep, send her straight to me! Tell her to look for a stock Light Lancer on a Floatblade dragging a pair of Type B travel sleds. Yep, love you too, bye~"
>Blowing a kiss to the tiny screen before it clicks off, another stare is given as you reach inside.
>Temperature neutral at forty Mahrenheit, unable to find material beyond the satchel's opening, reaching up and around doesn't produce a result other than more anomalous space.
"...is that safe? Looks neat though. We don't use non-Snootclipean storage, they simply don't work for us or Kingdom. Or Conclave either come to think of it. Er... anyhow I've got a Grandmaster on the way, should be here real shortly."

>Drifting the Floatblade around in a circle and stopping it close to the Consortium's open counter, dragging the sleds behind into an orderly row, Rubelime apologizes for the wait, both of the vendors waving her off.
>Hearing sharp gem on stone clicks accompaneighed by light hoof clops from the rear, an amusingly normal royal blue unicorn mare slides to a halt on your left, panting heavily.
>Definitely in her late 50's, the mane and tail a dark shade of amethyst, the light pink eyes were interesting, Rubelime snickers before presenting the arriving mare with a nod.
"Didn't think you'd actually run here! Amy, this is Celery Souffle, owner of the biggest black market in the Empire. It's mostly legal too!"
>Right forehoof lifting in a 'wait please' motion, it was.. odd.
>A solid glowing amethyst prosthetic from hoof to below the knee is connected to a swirling black sphere, the mare presenting a Lunar styled informal bow, standing straight to speak with a warm, mature voice.
"Indeed, and my apologies for being late! That is correct, what is not legal here is traded elsewhere. So, may I see what is being offered? I have a great deal of expertise in Dynastic materials, objects, and items."

>>393785
"Hold on."
>Flicking six of the ten screens into smaller versions, two are condensed together, a defunct review of prices from Las Pegasus being compared to current Moorite, Navarch, Independent cloud-cities, then Imperial traders.
>Sitting back, the peculiar royal red and blue eyes smolder in cold fury for ten seconds before muttering in a harsh, sharp tone.
"That damn whorse.. I'm going to find and kill her."
>Poking her snout and sighing, the light blue Crystal mare sits back to nod, a faintly pleased smile creasing her muzzle.
"You mean the Elemental? Said he'll be under the Library for a while, something about getting a power pack together. I've never seen a Conclave stallion like that before.."
>Head swiveling around to examine the mostly empty trade stall, Starglow hums slightly, two panels opening to peer at.
"You missed her by about.. two and half hours. Her and Thrill should be back soon. They're visiting a Conclave for weapons right now."

>North and south, single lightly Lumin armored ponies, the designs older and mostly non-Equestrian, covered in glowing chimes circle around at a distance.
>Exhaling large red, purple, blue, or black clouds of energized Moonlight tinged semi-matter, each waits for the chimes to cease glowing and ringing.
"Mom's probably going to still be real mad when she gets back. This whatever stuff contaminating the whole place sent her into a frenzy."

>>393798
>Noting what he presumed to be Lumnaries decontaminating the grounds, he focuses back on Starglow.
(Unusually abrasive, relative to crystal ponies.)
"I see. And that Elemental is Astral Legacy. The pony responsible for the construction of this Fortress. Naliyna should be pleased to hear he was successfully returned. That should help offset the finding of Anti contamination."
>Placing a hand on the vest pocket containing the Rime Lattice Orb, he idly clasps it.
(Need to return this with Astral when she arrives.)

>Looking over the incensed crystalline mare, he asks:
"Were you referring to somepony who cheated Razorback of a million bits, earlier?"