/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal


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0CD358C0-50DD-4FF5-8538-F5DD6739C788.png
Occupied Equestria - Long Hard Ride
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139000
139001
The adventure continues
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139001
139048
>>139000
Silver looks expectantly at the Lieutenant.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139007
139008
>>138881 →
Amber takes herself and her meal to a seat across from Mustard Trim, seeing that he's alone at the moment. "Hello, I won't interrupt you if I eat here, will I?"
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139008
139011
>>139007
Mustard Trim pulls his head up from off the table and looks towards Amber. He stops crouching over, and places his hooves on the table.

“Sure.” He answers plainly. The earth pony’s mane is a darker brown, and his coat is the color his name implies. He is young, older than the cook, but probably younger than even Amber. He’s fairly large in size.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139011
139012
>>139008
If Amber is very hungry she's good at not showing it as she's not eating too hurriedly, though she does eye the soup quite often. She ventures to speak on occasion. "You're the newest waiter here?"
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139012
139013
>>139011
“Yes” he says, kind of sharply. “Just hired on”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139013
139014
>>139012
"Oh, like me." She continues, "I saw how you were doing and I think you did a really good job.
A whole bushel better than me, I caused some messes…."

Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139014
139015
>>139013
“Heh” he smiles widely and pulls his head back a little as his ears pull down slightly. “Thank you.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139015
139016
>>139014
"I don't really know the ponies here, but they seem nice, if a bit odd…" She slurps down some soup. "What're your impressions?"
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139016
139017
>>139015
“It’s a big of a mixed group” he answers. “I think most of them are nice. But they are often concerned with their own thing. It’s not like the small town, where everypony knows each other, or at least knows they may see each other again.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139017
139018
>>139016
"I know, it's rough finding trying to fit in around here when most ponies seem so aloof. Maybe it's just because I'm new here, but I feel cut off, like a marionette from its strings."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139018
139019
>>139017
“That’s... well, that’s about how it goes. At least... yeah, it’s not been that much different for me. You have to learn whole new grocery stores and laundromats, and you have to make a whole new set of friends.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139019
139020
>>139018
"What's a laundromat?"
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139020
139021
>>139019
He smiles at Amber
“It’s a place you take clothing to to have cleaned. I guess you just got into the city?”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139021
139022
>>139020
"I…I just got here yesterday…."
She looks away shyly.
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139022
139023
>>139021
This causes him to laugh
“Hehheheh”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139023
139024
>>139022
Cue a scrunchy expression. "The way you were talking, you must have come from out of town too."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139024
139025
>>139023
When his face comes back to meet Amber’s, his laughing stops abruptly, and his smile is swept away.

“It’s just nice to not be the newest anymore. I am from Donmouth. It’s not that far from here, but twenty miles makes a world of difference. I moved here with my mother.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139025
139026
>>139024
"I know what you mean. I've never been to Donmouth but it sounds nice. I'm from about forty or forty-five miles to the west, but it ain't a proper town per se."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139026
139028
>>139025
“Is it a hamlet? How big are we talking about?”
subsubj
a4b1962
?
No.139027
2020-12-14_10-18-27_vx_-_Occupied_Equestria_-_Long_Hard_Ride_-_mlpol.png
2020-12-14_10-18-30_vx_-_Occupied_Equestria_-_Long_Hard_Ride_-_mlpol.png
test
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139028
139029
>>139026
"Just a farm really, with a dirt road to other neighboring farms. So a hamlet I suppose, but a bit more spread out. It was a long trot to Carneighy, which is the closest place with a train stop."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139029
139030
>>139028
“Heh, yeah. That’s a hamlet. Donmouth had a church and a railway station. And a paper mill my dad and brother used to work at.” He pauses for a moment. “Uh... so what brings you here?”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139030
139031
>>139029
"I know it's not very glamorous of a purpose, but I'm here to make some money. For my folks back home."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139031
139032
>>139030
“I can understand that”. He looks up to Amber. His eyes look as if they are two different shades of purple. Then he looks down. Then back up to Amber.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139032
139033
>>139031
His coloration is so similar to mine, it's uncanny, she wonders to herself. Realizing that she was staring she goes back to eating her food.
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139033
139034
>>139032
Amber is allowed to get back to her food. Mustard Trim doesn’t start talking to her, at least yet. Over on the far side, de sew finds a lamp.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139034
139035
>>139033
She looks at the other employees and patrons and wonders what aspirations they have, and what events must have coincided to bring them into the same room like this.
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139035
139036
>>139034
De Sew picks up the lamp and carries it around to the other side of the room. The zebra colt has disappeared from line of sight, presumably back into the kitchen. Melon Mangrove wipes a table while chatting (without eye contact) to the hat-wearing stallion, who sits a table with one of the giggling mares hanging on him. The other stallion sits across from him, and he nuzzled the second giggling mare. Salt Mixer leans over on conversation with the lone stallion remaining at the bar. It’s clearly around closing time.
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139036
139037
>>139035
One thing certainly is very surprising for Amber. "Wow. They became good friends really fast."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139037
139038
>>139036
The Princesses may be gone, but friendship retains its magic

“Floozies and occupation soldiers” Mustard Trim remarks
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139038
139039
>>139037
"Huh? Does that make a difference?"
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139039
139040
>>139038
He shakes his head
“Not to them.”
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139040
139041
>>139039
"Well, okay. But even Miss Mixer is chatting with a customer, so maybe this really is the place to be to meet other ponies."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139041
139042
>>139040
Mustard Trim puts his head down
“Maybe. Who do you want to meet?”
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139042
139043
>>139041
"I don't really know, I've never seen so many ponies in one place before. In the city, I mean. If I would have to say, though, probably ponies around my age, and those who know all about city life."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139043
>>139042
“Like... a school? Or a bowling group? A political organization? Or are you looking for ‘fun’?”
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139044
139045
"Well, I'd like to have some fun but maybe that's what bowling is for, I've never tried it but it sounds popular. If I had any 'castles in the air,' though, it would be to go to music school. I don't think that'll happen so it's best to be content."
Anonymous
72d6971
?
No.139045
139046
>>139044
He twists his lips a little, as if unsure what to think of her response.
“That’s the difference between the small town and the city, really. In the small town, and on the farm, what you have to do in life is more or less set for you. Everything you need to do, you are told to do, and you are told how to do. In the city, it’s not like that at all. There are so many opportunities, and so many things you can become. But it’s not set for you. You have to find it yourself. You have to be the one to make it happen because it will not come to you. That’s what I think, anyways.”
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139046
139048
>>139045
Amber frowns a bit, her ears drooping. She finished her meal while Mustard was talking and now pushes the bowl away from her, resting her cheek on a hoof. "I don't think I can do that…. I rented the first apartment I could afford and took practically the first two jobs I could find. There's no way to know if I made the right choices or neglected to find something a lot better. It's another odd thing about the city, but…having so many possible choices makes me feel less in control than if I had just a few. Do you ever feel this way?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139048
139050 139114
>>139046
He is silent for a moment, and lowers his head slightly

“Yes...”

>>139001
I was thinking Brisbuck had left the table by this point, but sure, we’ll go with this

“Uh, sure. I can handle it.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139050
139051
>>139048
She smiles reassuringly. "I think I made the right choice coming here though, the restaurant's very cozy and you and Salt Mixer are very nice."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139051
139052
>>139050
He lifts his head and smiles back.
“You think so?”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139052
139054
>>139051
"Well, you let me talk about my problems and I feel a bit better now, so, um…thank you." As she says this her cheeks redden slightly.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139054
139055
>>139052
“Heh, well... any time you want to talk, you can talk to me.” He answers, also seeming to redden.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139055
139056
>>139054
"Sure, it certainly helps that we work at the same place. Uh, what are the other waiters like? I've hardly spoken to them at all."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139056
139057
>>139055
“Both of them are a bit older and seem to do this as an... uh... well, you know, as an actual job. De Sew is a mother. She’s fairly professional. Melon Mangrove has been here for a while but she’s in some kind of schooling. Both of them are nice, but De Sew is a little more reserved. There are also two other waiters who do this part time, but they are not here today.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139057
139058
>>139056
"Good to know…what do you mean they do this as an 'actual job?' Is it different for you?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139058
139059
>>139057
“I mean, it’s like full time. I’m in school. I do this to help support myself and my mother.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139059
139060
>>139058
She leans forward curiously. "You're in school? What's that like?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139060
139061
>>139059
“Well... it can be... kind of boring, actually. There’s papers and math and writing exercises. And then you have to take work home to do.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139061
139062
>>139060
"It sounds like work a secretary would do, except you're not getting paid."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139062
139063
>>139061
This gets laughter from him
“Something like that, yeah. Though I’ve never been a secretary... Are you not in school?” He asks
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139063
139064
>>139062
The auburn-haired mare shakes her head. "No, everything I know came from my parents and the books they collected. As for here in the city, during the day I work at a clothing store."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139064
139065
>>139063
“Huh...” he looks at Amber with a blank expression.
“That’s a bit different. Must not have been a school house out where you’re from.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139065
139066
>>139064
"Not really, no." She shifts around uncomfortably.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139066
139067
>>139065
“You really are from a small place then”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139067
139068
>>139066
"It never looked too small to me. Number of ponies, sure, but there were plenty of fields, a forest to the south, and even a lake not too far away. Even without a proper town we had all the necessities of life."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139068
139069
>>139067
“Bet you didn’t know restaurants like this were necessary. Or clothing stores... or any of the other stuff you find in the city.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139069
139070
>>139068
"I'd much rather cook for myself–no offense, I think this restaurant is excellent–but I need to save to buy cooking utensils and groceries."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139070
139071
>>139069
“You’re not a fan of Jambalry’s cooking?” He asks, feigning skepticism. More seriously, he asks:
“You don’t have any utensils?!”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139071
139072
>>139070
"I don't have anything except for some clothes and my mandolin. I'm already a hundred and fifty bits in debt–" she makes a disgusted expression "–but my landlord told me there's no place cheaper and that I really didn't want to sleep outside for some reason."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139072
139073
>>139071
“Oh... well that’s unfortunate.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139073
139074
>>139072
She smiles optimistically though tiredly. "It shouldn't be like this for too long, though. With two jobs I should be getting better off quickly."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139074
139075
>>139073
“Hopefully...” he answers, kind of unsure.
“So uh... what’s the clothing business like?”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139075
139076
>>139074
"It's different than what I expected. I don't know all that much because it was also my first day there, but there are ponies who like to overdress and others who just hate clothing stores."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139076
139077
>>139075
“That sounds about right for this city.” He answers
“Think you’ll have fun doing it?”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139077
139078
>>139076
Amber yawns, her eyelids drooping. "I don't know. Maybe?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139078
139079
>>139077
“Getting pretty tired there?” He asks
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139079
139080
>>139078
Nodding, she answers, "Normally I don't stay up this late." She shifts with a sudden panic. "I–," another yawn, "I need to be getting back. I have work tomorrow."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139080
139081
>>139079
“Do you...” his ears go down, he looks away, then looks back to Amber. “Do you want me to walk to you back?”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139081
139082
>>139080
She smiles at Mustard. "That would be nice, but I don't live very far away, and what about you?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139082
>>139081
“I stay with my mother further south, in a row house by the river.”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139083
139084
"That is a lot further away! Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139084
139085
>>139083
“Heh”
But he doesn’t actually have a response to this one.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139085
139086
>>139084
"Anyway, it was nice to meet you, Mustard Trim. Maybe we can talk again tomorrow?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139086
139087
>>139085
“Uh, sure” he says, awkwardly smiling. “You’re sure you are comfortable walking back alone?” He adds
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139087
139088
>>139086
She looks puzzled by his insistence. "I live a ways east of here. There's nothing I should worry about, is there?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139088
139089
>>139087
“Well, I just... I guess if you feel safe... but if you don’t...”
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139089
139090
>>139088
She smiles amusedly. "I'm touched you're so worried about a filly you just met. That's very gentlecoltly of you."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139090
139091
>>139089
“Thank you...” he says, falling back in his seat
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139091
139092
>>139090
"You're welcome. Anyway, goodnight and take care on your trot home." She gets up, pushes her chair back into place and starts to turn to the exit.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139092
139093
>>139091
Mustard Trim makes no reply nor movement, and Amber walks unmolested to the front door.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139093
139094
>>139092
Thankfully Mustard has no interest in molesting her at the time, so Amber leaves the restaurant and returns to her apartment.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139094
139095
>>139093
[1d20 = 6]

It’s much colder now, especially with a wind from the north blowing in, unimpeded on the north-south street
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139095
139096
>>139094
Amber shivers and pulls her cloak I believe she brought it with her more tightly around herself.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139096
139097
>>139095
She makes her way eastward. It’s done number of streets. There are ponies on the sidewalks, and non-pony creatures both hippoform and not, walking in groups, in pairs, alone, or even stumbling about aimlessly on street corners. The buildings become shorter, and the streets, dirtier the further east she moves. Most areas are lit by street lamp, some are not. On one corner, illuminated almost by floodlights, two pegasi in green uniforms stand carrying what look like carbine rifles.

[1d20 = 4]
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139097
139098
>>139096
Those look like soldiers. No wonder Mustard sounded tense, it just doesn't feel safe around here for some reason. It's neither cheery with ponies being carefree or tranquil like countryside nights.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139098
139099
>>139097
Most of the streets don’t have any particular problem with smell or garbage, but there are one or two brief segments where a pungent smell comes through. In some areas, restaurants and bars are open and still have life in them. In others, closed, unlit stores create a wall of darkness on the sides of streets. A similar pattern repeats when Amber enters the residential areas.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139099
139100
>>139098
Amber wonders why there would be any eateries or other establishments open at this hour, and how unpleasant it must be for the staff if it's already so late for her.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139100
139101
>>139099
All the same, Amber eventually arrives back at the tenement block containing her apartment
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139101
139102
>>139100
See, it was nothing. Mustard was just being a worrywort, she thinks to herself. She goes upstairs to her apartment.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139102
139103
>>139101
Amber makes it back to her apartment at probably around 10:30 PM. She’s spent 10 or so hours working at minimum wage to serve ponies who are far higher class than her, only finally eating leftovers late at night, while being indirectly victimized by political terrorism, dealing with competing agency jurisdictions. and pushing away two colts. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful in her primary goal of not owing money to the mafia. Could be worse though. Could be a lot worse.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139103
139104
>>139102
The broader context of her situation is lost on her, as she expected the first few days of city life to be somewhat rough. Being far too tired to closely think about her day, she's glad to be one day closer toward not owing any debt, having a warm meal in her belly and meeting some more-or-less friendly faces. She brushes her teeth and says her prayers before heading to sleep, though this time she foregoes thorough grooming and musical practice.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139104
139105
>>139103
Also Amber was unable to use her instrument today. You’ll get ‘em next time, little filly
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139105
139106
>>139104
Should we go onto the next day?
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139106
139107
>>139105
Depends on the intent for the next day. What do?
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139107
139108
>>139106
If it's a weekday Amber would like to go to work.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139108
139109
>>139107
Hmmm... what other ambitions does Amber have for the next day?
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139109
139110
>>139108
A chance to play the mandolin and/or better knowing her coworkers.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139110
139111
A1CA676F-19A2-4EB4-9041-D02980BC223A.jpeg
>>139109
Hmmm...

Regardless, Amber wakes up in her bed, finding herself not stabbed, abducted, nor replaced by a Changeling.
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139111
139112
>>139110
Hoping that she didn't wake up too late–lacking a clock makes determining that difficult–she says her morning prayers, takes a quick shower (the cold water unpleasantly waking her up fully), and brushes her hair before she gets dressed and heads out.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139112
139113
>>139111
Onwards to work?
Amber Sunset
1961953
?
No.139113
139116
>>139112
Amber heads onward to work, hopeful that there won't be any more mean anarchists this time.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139114
139115
>>139048
Silver nods, and gets up to find the black-coated light machinegunner who pulled the cart to recruit him into his telegraph repair squad.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139115
139129
>>139114
This pony is perhaps the strongest in the platoon, and if he isn’t, he’s not far off. He seems fairly plain in expression, and asks,

“Do I need my gun?”
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139116
139117
>>139113
No anarchists. Yet. It’s colder today than yesterday, with occasional wind. Looks like there may be rain. High Sewn stands immediately outside the door of her shop, smoking a cigarette. The window of the display case is new and clean, but many items are missing from the display.
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139117
139118
>>139116
Shivering, Amber is eager to get inside the shop. She doesn't know why High Sewn would be standing in place like that, whether to smoke a cigarette or not. "Hello Miss Sewn! It's a nippy day today, isn't it?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139118
139119
>>139117
“For you I suppose it is”
She blows out smoke

Amber makes it inside the store easily enough
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139119
139120
>>139118
Just like yesterday, Amber looks at the shelves and replaces whatever's scarce with supplies from the back.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139120
139121
>>139119
As per usual, there’s a set of socks and coats that are missing, but also a number of items from the higher priced racks. High Sewn walks in with that half-annoyed expression on her face, holding a coffee cup and a newspaper. She sits down at her desk, opens a notebook and the receipt drawer, and starts taking notes.

“Remember to take note of inventory” she says to Amber without looking away from her note book
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139121
139122
>>139120
"Of course, ma'am!" Amber sets to it, dutifully writing down numbers for each type of merchandise, while making a mental note of any differences.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139122
139123
>>139121
Merchandise is slowly being used up, that’s for sure. Soon enough, the store is ready to be opened for the morning.
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139123
139124
>>139122
After that necessary work is done, Amber opens shop and stands near the door.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139124
139125
>>139123
It isn’t too long before customers come by. The first mare in says she’s just looking, and walks past Amber. She tries to look at clothing, but ultimately leaves without buying anything. The sand is true of the second mare. The third one comes in, tries on a sweater and buys it, leaving quickly.
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139125
139126
>>139124
It's a good thing the window was replaced so quickly, ponies seem attracted to the shop.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139126
139127
>>139125
It’s fairly low cost purchases at the moment, but there are some sales. The highlight of the morning is High Sewn making Amber stand perfectly straight and still (and taking off her other clothing) while she uses her to fit and work on an ordered dress.
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139127
139128
>>139126
This is quite unexpected for Amber, who never worked as a model before. She does the best she can despite the awkwardness of standing still while a stranger performs measurements. One question raised, however, is the suitability of herself for fitting as she is shorter than most other mares.
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139128
139131
>>139127
High Sewn rebuffs these concerns
“She’s just as short and round as you, don’t worry.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139129
139130
>>139115
"Depends on how long you are willing to carry it around. I do not expect we will find enemies, but we should expect unexpected."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139130
139134
>>139129
“Do you need me to cart something else around?” He asks
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139131
139132
>>139128
"Um, okay. And what do you mean, round?"
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139132
139133
>>139131
“Oh, don’t be too offended by it. Those drugged up trigs they expect you to pay extra for for fitting don’t have body shapes found in nature. At least not on mammals anyways.”
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139133
139135
>>139132
"Huh? Who are you talking about?" Amber looks more confused than ever.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139134
139135
>>139130
"Maybe. We are going to investigate telegraph outage, and if it turns out to be fallen pole, we may need your help fixing it."
Anonymous
2d63adf
?
No.139135
139136 139137
>>139133
Damn it. Should have said “twigs” instead of “trigs”
“Oh, never mind that. How hold still and suck in. I need to mark a spot on this fabric.”

>>139134
He nods
“Very well”

If instructed by silver, he retrieves his gun from the cart. If not, he simply follows the other ponies.
Anonymous
1961953
?
No.139136
139150
>>139135
"Ok." She sucks in her belly, her cheeks puffing out.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139137
139150
>>139135
Silver directs him to take the gun, just in case. With that, the squad moves to the telegraph office, to first see if the pony inside has any information for them.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139150
139151 139154
>>139136
"There you go. Good girl. Now stand still." She takes a number of measurements, and especially tries to cut parts of fabric next to her. "Keep standing still" she says. It takes a few minutes, but she gets what she needs, and releases Amber.

>>139137
The jet black earth pony pulls the massive gun out, and carries it in a sling over his back, along with several magazines It's a gun almost built for Earth ponies, and it shows off his strength well. Still, he'll probably need to set it aside if heavy lifting is necessary.

The Lunar Telephone and Telegraph Company is located in a small pale brick building along Main Street, south of Old Mecc Trail Road. The flat, black colored roof hangs over the side of the building some ways. Inside, beyond a wooden floor and behind a hardwood desk, a pegasus mare with a long, yellow braided mane, a reddish brown sweater, and bright, green eyes watches the ponies as they enter.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139151
139152
>>139150
Silver bows his head to her.

"Excuse me, I heard there was problem with telegraph lines."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139152
139153
>>139151
"The line is down." She answers plainly. "The line to Wald at least."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139153
139155
>>139152
"Can you offer any additional information? We are going to see if we can repair it."
Anonymous
e1ed3f3
?
No.139154
139155
>>139150
"Mmmm" Amber mutters uncomfortably, particularly as she hears the snipping of scissors next to her. After it's over she dons her dress again and takes her place near the door, glad to be over that inconvenience.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139155
139157 139164
>>139153
"Well... It worked yesterday. Now it doesn't, as of the first of this morning. It's not receiving any signal, and we don't know if anything that is sent makes it through. I think our equipment here is working. It's probably the line."

>>139154
Amber finds herself in a position of authority to modify the heating arrangement for the store. The light from outside is dimmed by clouds, and again most ponies entering want the lower cost items.
Amber Sunset
e1ed3f3
?
No.139157
139158
>>139155
It doesn't seem to be too cold, at least for Amber, and she doesn't want to meddle with the heating or do anything that may irk High Sewn.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139158
139159
>>139157
The inside of the store drifts colder, but High Sewn doesn't say anything.
Amber Sunset
e1ed3f3
?
No.139159
139160
>>139158
It's a good thing I brought my woolen dress. Would be nice to be more active, though.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139160
139161
>>139159
The remainder of the morning section is fairly uneventful. There are some customers, but they don't need more help than "where are your x?" some of which Amber can answer, and some of which High Sewn intervenes to answer
Amber Sunset
e1ed3f3
?
No.139161
139162
>>139160
Amber nonetheless keeps an eye out for any potentially malicious loiterers.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139162
139163
>>139161
No political extremists who did not possess the intent to buy clothing could be found outside or around the store. There was a young mare with disheveled mane and a grey sweater who stands in place and sways a little that High Sewn watched after she came into the store. Evidently she didn't take anything, as High Sewn stopped watching after she left.
Amber Sunset
e1ed3f3
?
No.139163
139165
>>139162
Amber wonders why that mare looked a little off-kilter and hadn't bothered to brush her mane, but doesn't say anything.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139164
139165
>>139155
"Do you think it could have been cut by Changeling saboteurs?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139165
139166 139167
>>139163
And so, Amber makes it through (part) of her shift. Lunchbreak time.

>>139164
"It's.... possible, if they made it this far. could be a sudden gust of wind breaking a pole, or a bolt of lightening. Could be a rat chewed through it, or some other wildlife. It could even be a pony rebel, or a deserter."
Amber Sunset
e1ed3f3
?
No.139166
139168
>>139165
Unfortunately lunch takes money, a.k.a. cash, and that is the one thing Amber doesn't have at the moment. Another day will pass without lunch. It'll get better when I'm paid… she thinks.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139167
139168
>>139165
"Alright. One last thing: are there any tools we should have to fix wire with?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139168
139169 139172
>>139167
“Oh... I don’t know tools very well..” the mare answers.

Amber Grain volunteers the following
“Well, it’s the same as testing any other wire that sends an electric current. You get a electric tester like a multimeter, try to put a current through the wire, and see if there is a current through each section to isolate the section with the problem.”

>>139166
That’s a pretty good attitude to have. Food is only for winners
Amber Sunset
e1ed3f3
?
No.139169
139170
>>139168
Unfortunately it's hard to maintain a positive attitude with an empty belly as the hours wear on.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139170
139171
>>139169
Guy arrives at perhaps 12:50, wearing his fancy vest. He starts moving items to the display case, with some consultation with High Sewn on what items belong there
Amber Sunset
e1ed3f3
?
No.139171
139173
>>139170
Amber tries to help him in any capacity, from carrying the items themselves to preventing any dragging on the floors.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139172
139173
>>139168
Silver smiles, and looks at the mare.

"Do you have a multimeter we can borrow, then?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139173
139174 139180
>>139172
"Uh...."

>>139171
He looks back at her at some point with annoyance or even disdain, but mostly leaves her alone. Amber is able to help with an overly long dress than otherwise risked dragging, although he is able to carry an entire mannequin by himself.
Amber Sunset
e1ed3f3
?
No.139174
139175
>>139173
Griffons are stronger than I thought… she thinks, though she is taken aback by his aloofness.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139175
139176 139230
>>139174
He seems aware of Amber's presence, just non-interactive.

Afternoon shift is soon to begin
Anonymous
e1ed3f3
?
No.139176
>>139175
With not much else to do she starts that.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139177
I has to sleep now
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139180
139181
>>139173
He looks to Amber Grain.

"Do you think you could help her, maybe describe what device looks like?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139181
139182
>>139180
The mare:
"Uh...."

Amber Grain:
"Do you think this filly has ever worked on a tractor before? C'mon Platoon Sargent. Let's see if the 332nd or some farm around here has one."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139182
139183
>>139181
"I have never worked on telegraphs or tractors, so...let us go see if 332nd has one."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139183
139184
>>139182
Silver, Amber Grain, Saltlick and the Machine Gunner leave the Lunar Telephone and Telegraph Building, and start walking their way to Old Meccs Trail Road and the town hall. The 332nd is of course spread over a larger area, so they see a green stallion with a big, steel helmet covering much of his head sitting in front of what seems to be a grocer not far from the town hall. There is a group of stallions there, including a beige one, and a blue one with whom the green stallion converses.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139184
139185
>>139183
Silver approaches the group.

"Excuse me sirs, you would not happen to know if your Platoon has multimeter among its supplies?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139185
139186
>>139184
Silver must have surprised the group by his approach, judging by their expressions. The blue stallion - looks to be an earth pony, but with the way his uniform is positioned it's hard to tell if he's simply covering up wings - raises a hoof up in the air as if to signal silence, and then turns his head to Silver

"A multimeter?"

He pauses for a moment, but just as Amber Grain is about to but in, the blue stallion says:
"Yes... We are certain to have one somewhere in our stacks of material. I am unsure how long it would take to find it. You can look through the materials at the rodeo park, or search a garage in this area. They are sure to have the same."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139186
139187
>>139185
He nods.

"Thank you. Sorry to interrupt, we will be on our way."

Silver leads his posse to the rodeo park.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139187
139188
>>139186
Silver goes back a street, past the jail and the sheriff's office, past the Hotel, onto another street, and past a few more small houses with greenish brown wood and covered porches. There is a small open green area that must be a park but Silver can tell was probably common pasture area less than a century ago, and next to it is a set of stables, a ticket stand, fences, and raised seating area that is unmistakable as an arena with a fenced in, oval shaped dirt center. And yet only so much dirt is visible, as in the center are so many wooden crates, a few green tents, and several barrels.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
dcfa821
?
No.139188
139189
>>139187
Silver groans at the sight of all the crates, tents, and barrels.

"I did not think it would be this much hassle when I asked you all to join me."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139189
139190
>>139188
"I never expected anything less from a war. We're just over the one year mark." Amber Grain replies

Walking through the Entry, Silver sees another pair of flags - the blue flag of the two sisters, and the green, white, and blue flag. Silver walks past a black and white photograph of a large cow and a pegasus standing next to it, and of a stallion, wings partly spread and holding a rope in his mouth.

Inside the arena, Silver can see a gate that is closed at the moment, but has larges tracks of dragged crates and other items, and hoof prints abound. Amber Grain walks in, carefully looking around, the machine gunner stands back, but Saltlick flies around, looking at stacks of crates. Silver can see that most contain food in MREs or cans, but some contain medical supplies, ammunition, binoculars, and various other items. Saltlick is the first to see it. "Over here. Electronic repair equipment." Saltlick tries to pull it out of the set of crates, but the machine gunner has to come over, place his gun and bandolier off to the side, and pull out the crate himself. When he does so, a pair of crates fall down several feet. Still, it's a simple enough matter to open the crate, at least for Amber Grain.

"Got it" Amber says.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139190
139199
>>139189
"Great! Eh...let us hope there is nothing fragile in those crates..."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139199
139201
>>139190
From further back in the arena, on the opposite side of the fence and in front of the opposing set of sands, a pair of ponies watch as a third moves closer. The one moving has a visible carbine on his back, a standing stallion lacks a helmet, and all three wear brown uniforms that identify them as support personnel. They weren't there when Silver's team entered. Now they look at the ponies.

Amber Grain is not bothered by this, retrieving not only a multimeter, but clamps, a medium sized spool of wire (and telephone wire at that), clamps, a car battery, wire cutters, and a few other items. The black stallion could surely carry all of this himself but for the gun, so parts of the set are distributed among Silver's team.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139201
139202
>>139199
Silver takes his fair share of the equipment. He waves and calls out to the support ponies.

"We apologize for mess! We just need to borrow some equipment!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139202
139203
>>139201
They don't respond by voice or gesture. They seem close enough to have heard Silver, but then again a new wind enters, blowing easterly through the valley and creating noise through the flapping of tent roofs.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139203
139204
>>139202
Silver cups his forehooves around his mouth and shouts to them.

"YOU HEAR ME?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139204
139205
>>139203
No response from the supply group. At least one looks at him
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139205
139206 139207
>>139204
"O...kay."

Officially weirded out, he leads the squad out of the area and towards the direction of the telegraph outage. Once out of town, he turns to his compatriots and speaks in a low voice.

"Have any of you three noticed anything...odd, about 332nd?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139206
139208
>>139205
When the ponies pull out, the three supply personnel enter the arena through a gate on the opposite side. All three go to the location of the tipped over crates, with the one with the carbine watching over Silver and his team as they leave (he never brandishes the carbine; it remains on his back), while the two unarmed ponies proceed to right and pick up the fallen crates.

Amber grain replies:
"They don't seem to like us here"

Saltlick
"I haven't interacted with them here at all."

The black colt remains silent
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139207
>>139205
Being aware of an outage is quite a different thing from locating the precise source of the outage.

[1d4 = 2]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139208
139209
>>139206
"I do not know, but something about this seems bad. My gut is telling me that longer we stay in Vale, more danger we are in. For instance, mare at telegraph office said that this telegraph line was working yesterday, so unless High Command decided to spring news of our arrival to Vale on 332nd last minute, they should have known we would be here. But nothing was prepared for us, and their Captain spoke and acted like he had no idea we be here and told us to be on our way to Front. And on their Captain, while none of you met him or his entourage, it was just like with those support ponies: just silently watching us, blankly, only addressing us when absolutely necessary, and way he spoke was like in those stories about souless metal automaton ponies. No normal pony, not even Captain, speaks like that."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139209
139210
>>139208
"I see" Amber Grain responds. "Well, in fairness, their communication has been out a while now. Before we headed out for Vale from Virtue, it seems. So I really can believe that they never got the message we'd be here, and I wouldn't be surprised either if Command never sent out a message at all. They may be skeptical of a fully armed, large military unit arriving in without notice, especially if they think their communication lines have been cut. Having someone ransack their stacks of supplies may not help."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139210
139211
>>139209
Silver offers a thoughtful grunt.

"Perhaps. But with rumors of upcoming Changeling assault, and how important Vale is to our Frontline forces, I would not like to take chance. I would ask that you all travel as group for as long as you can and not let each other get out of sight. Even if one of you need to defecate or urinate and you need to stand right there and watch them, it is good idea to maintain VC."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139211
139212
>>139210
Amber::
"What about the remainder of the platoon? Thirty-eight ponies and also the machinegun section. They are also in town."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139212
139213
>>139211
"Once we have repaired telegraph line, I will share my suspicions with Lieutenant, then we will gather platoon together and check each soldier to make sure they have not been replaced. We will make it out to be routine inspection. Another thing, do not breathe single word of this to others in platoon."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139213
139214
>>139212
Amber Grain is distinctly worried, as are the other two ponies.

"Very well..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139214
139215
>>139213
Silver breathes a sigh, though not necessarily one of relief.

"Thank you. But, first things first: let us repair telegraph line."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139215
139216
>>139214
"Very well. We need to test parts of the line determine where the breakage is."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139216
139217
>>139215
"Then let us test right here. We may have already passed it."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139217
139218
>>139216
"Alright"

The ponies go over to the edge of town, past the last building, and on the line by Old Mecc's trail, just before the road goes into a fallow field by the riverside.

Saltlick makes good use of his wings, and flies up the side of the pole towards the top, where he introduces the multimeter, and uses the clamps.

"Okay... signal will come from Wald to here, or at least it seems to. I can't really confirm that. But there's a dead line from the Vale line. The problem is further into town."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139218
139219
>>139217
"Then let us head further in, now that we have starting place."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139219
139220
>>139218
They nod. Silver and company proceed further into town, and test the line in front of the general store.

"Huh... There's a signal coming from Vale, but none from Wald. We are just passed the source of the outage."

Saltlick jumps down from the pole, and then flies over to the top of the feed store, inspecting the connector where the telephone, telegraph, and electric lines connect with the top of the feed store.

"Uh, Platoon Sargent, I think it..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139220
139221
>>139219
"What is it, Saltlick? What is wrong?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139221
139222
>>139220
"Uh, you want me to describe it, or do you want to come up here and see?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139222
139223
>>139221
Silver looks concerned at his other two compatriots.

"I would rather see it, if there was way for me to get onto roof."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139223
139224
>>139222
Looking around on the other side of the feed store, there is a ladder allowing access to the roof. Going up there, there is a flat roof evidently made of wood. Silver sees that there is a cross beam with insulators on the top of the pole, presumably carrying electricity. It's the insulated cables that run below the eletric lines that Salt Lick points to as a point of concern. There are two cables, each connected to the pole at two points. And both are severed in that inch between each connection. It's a fairly clean cut, which appears to be possible only by instrument, and it's in the one location such a cut could occur without the line falling down to the ground for lack of support.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139224
139225
>>139223
"Saboteur..."

Silver pales slightly at the sight of the cut wires. He looks to Saltlick and speaks with a sense of urgency.

"Fixing telegraph can wait. We need to alert Lieutenant Brisbuck and our platoon. Now."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139225
139226
>>139224
"For what it's worth..." Saltlick adds
"This is one of the only places you can access the line without having to climb a 17 foot pole, or fly."

But Saltlick is as disturbed as Silver, with a blank expression in his eyes. Amber Grain pulls his submachine gun from on his back, to hold in front of himself.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139226
139227
>>139225
Silver looks to the soldier under his command.

"Come, we move as unit. Do not lose sight of each other as we go get Lieutenant."

He leads his group further in town to find other members of his platoon, and ask them where Lieutenant Brisbuck went. He tries to maintain a calm expression on his face in the meantime.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139227
139228
>>139226
The feed store, like the hotel and town hall, are located on Old Mecc's Trail Road, making it a straight shot for Silver and company to the location of most of the platoon, who are hanging around the hotel. The ponies with Silver are decidedly worried, with Amber Grain and now even Saltlick carrying their guns out in front of themselves, and the black colt seriously contemplating doing the same.

A white earth pony sitting down in front of the hotel says,
"He's inside the town hall there."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139228
139230
>>139227
Silver nods, and heads to the town hall with his ponies. He looks hurriedly for the Liuetenant.
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139229
139230
I can play now.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139230
139231 139232
>>139228
Silver enters inside the town hall to find an entrance way with a reception area off to one side, and a brief hallway that goes forward with branching hallway holding offices to one end, and a large meeting hall on another end, that holds a raised platform with a podium, a number of chairs, a wooden seal with "Vale, State of Casadia, Born and Raised on the Mecc's Trail" on it, and the image of a river, forest and mountains Silver has seen on the flag, along with the Equestrian and green white and blue flags behind the podium and to the side of the seal. On the tan painted walls are a few pictures of Stallions and what seems to be a mare with shortcut mane and earrings. On the far wall is a painting of what seems to be a river with jumping fish, perhaps a salmon run.

Standing between the seats and the raised section is Brisbuck, as well as a few ponies from the platoon; the corporal who suggested the sleeping arrangement earlier, and a private.

>>139229
Hello

>>139175
The afternoon shift starts, with Guy and presumably Amber assuming their positions
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139231
139233
>>139230
Hopefully it goes better today!
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139232
139233
>>139230
Silver steps up to the Lieutenant, maintaining a calm expression, but speaking with words laced with urgency.

"Lieutenant Brisbuck, Sir? I need word with you, if you please. Preferrably in private."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139233
139234 139237
>>139231
Not long after the opening, the first customer comes in, an older mare who seems to be looking for waterproof or resistant items. She doesn't immediately ask for any assistance from Amber or Guy.

>>139232
He turns away from the corporal.
"Uh, sure, sargent."
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139234
139235
>>139233
Amber will stand near the "Outdoors" section and smile at the older mare.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139235
139236
>>139234
She doesn't seem to e interested in something oudoors-y per se, at least if her choice of sections is a reflection of her preferences and not her ignorance of the selection. She is nearer the fancy clothing.
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139236
139238
>>139235
She'll walk over to that section. "Would you like some help, ma'am?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139237
139238
>>139233
"It will just be minute."

Motioning for his squad to follow, he leads the group, now including the Lieutenant, into a secluded room. He makes sure to close the door before he pulls out his flashlight and turns to the Lieutenant.

"First, I need to check that you have not been replaced by changeling. Keep your eyes open, please."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139238
139239 139240
>>139236
She's an off white, middle age mare wearing a black semi-formal outfit. She turns to Amber. "Hi. Yes. I need something for the rain."

>>139237
There's a room in the hallway from which they entered off to the side, which contains cabinets, several sinks, a stove, a table, has a tile floor, and generally seems to be intended to be a kitchen. The corporal follows Brisbuck and Silver to the location, but the door is closed behind them. It's a large room, and there is a door on the other side, but that is also closed.

"... Sargent?"

Silver still manages to pull his flashlight on Brisbuck. His pupils dilate, and there is some reflection from his irises, though nothing else seems abnormal. He manages to keep his eyes open.
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139239
139241
>>139238
"May I suggest a nice wool coat?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139240
139241
>>139238
Silver lets out a sigh of relief, and puts his flashlight away.

"I apologize for that Lieutenant, but we can not take any risks. We investigated telegraph lines, as you ordered. They have been cut deliberately and evenly with sharp object, in place that is unlikely to have been result of intense wind, wild animals, or debris, right here in town."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139241
139242 139243
>>139239
"But that's not entirely water repellant, is it?"
She answers

>>139240
Brisbuck's ears go down.
"What else do we know?"
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139242
139244
>>139241
Alas, these were the days before Gore-Tex, unless if a magical equivalent exists. This store is not known for its selection of enchanted clothing.
"Wool will keep you warm even when wet. Something else to consider is a trenchcoat, made of…what was it…'gab-ar-dine.' It's called a trenchcoat because it's worn by soldiers, and if it's good enough for them, it must be fine for you!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139243
139244
>>139241
"Little, definitively. They were cut early this morning, and whoever did so did their best to hide it. It was made in one of few places where it would not cut lines between poles, but still disable our connection with Wald, where telegraph, telephone, and power lines intersect on roof of Feed Store. And while I have no definite proof...I have suspicions on where those responsible are. I think 332nd has been infiltrated by Changelings."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139244
139245 139246
maxresdefault (2).jpg
>>139242
Pretty sure Governor Bush won Texas

"Trenchcoat?" She seems a bit astonished by this. "I think I'll try a woolen coat then. More ladylike."

>>139243
He blinks
"We're well past the front lines. And there's not much cover to hide behind except the rolling hills, and even those aren't very helpful. How many Changelings could we be facing?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139245
139247
>>139244
"I am unsure to what extent. At minimum, I am suspect of Captain and those of his soldiers who greeted us as we arrived to town, as well as three of 332nd's Support Staff."
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139246
139247
>>139244
"What color are you looking for?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139247
139248 139249
>>139246
"At the moment? Black. It matches more of my outfits than most colors."

>>139245
Briskbuck breathes out, and then back in
"He has been avoiding basic questions, like when the last supply shipment came in or how much stock they have, but he'll ask me questions like what units we're going to be assigned to or where we'll be placed."
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139248
139251 139252
>>139247
"We must have some in stock here…"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139249
139250
>>139247
"He was unaware of our impending arrival today, did not have anything prepared for our unit, and seemed to want us to move on. Unless High Command left him completely high and dry in intel since yesterday, I can not see explanation for his behavior or that of some of his subordinates."

Silver paces back and forth in the room.

"Our platoon is in danger longer we stay here, but we can not let Changelings have Vale if 332nd really has been infiltrated. I have working plan of action, but as you are our Platoon Lieutenant, I wish to hear if you have any plan for us to follow, first."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139250
139253
>>139249
"Well, maybe he has some complaint against replacement troops, command, or combat troops. He might be opposed to the war, or be offended to have to share resources with another unit. I'm not sure. We shouldn't rule out mutiny either. Somepony doesn't have to be a changeling to be a threat to Equestria... but it would be hard to tell if they were a changeling... what is your plan?"
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139251
139252
>>139248
"Here we are! How does this suit you?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139252
139254
>>139248
>>139251
There's a decent enough looking woolen coat that is a dark grey, almost black. It isn't super fancy, and looks more like a coat you'd take off per custom upon entering the indoors

"Hmmm... It may suit my purposes"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139253
139255
>>139250
"We gather our platoon in center of town as we did earlier, but this time we check each of them to see if any have been replaced by changelings. We must keep quiet on this however, to prevent information leak, and if we must we should present it as necessary medical examination. Once that is out of way, and any infiltrators dealt with justly and appropriately, we will assign squad to fix telegraph line while you, I, and another squad go to confront Captain to discover whether or not he truly is changeling. Even if he is not, changeling or not, his behavior has been inexcusable and must be addressed. Rest of our platoon should be ordered to stay on guard, in case something were to go wrong."
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139254
139255
>>139252
"That makes me happy to hear that!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139255
139256 139258 139260
>>139253
"Changelings... when they are found... They don't like to be found. Not at all. We should be worried about what they will do when they are caught. And if he, or somepony else here is something like a pacifist anarchist... those are more common in the West than you may think, well... who is in on the plot?"

>>139254
She nods, but is mostly quiet, pulling out the jacket, and trying it on. She comes back, and pays in paper bits that Amber can see is a new currency.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139256
139257 139258
>>139255
"They will lash out, and attack. As I said, we must keep quiet, at least until we have confirmed our platoon as being changeling free. If there are rebel Anarchists, we will deal with them justly yet firmly. We are not cruel, but we must not let rebels undermine Equestria in her time of greatest need."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139257
139261
>>139256
He nods
"If they are replaced, then where are the ponies?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139258
139259
>>139255
>>139256
"Currently, only us five are privvy to any of this information. Assuming corporal has not been eavesdropping."

He looks to the door he closed, and opens it with his magic to make sure.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139259
139261
>>139258
Silver can see the corporal is near. He is not listening.
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139260
>>139255
Amber looks at what the paper bits say on them.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139261
139262
>>139257
>>139259
"Just one more minute, Corporal."

He closes the door again, and address his Lieutenant.

"Likely nearby. It is too difficult and dangerous for changelings to move captives far behind our lines. If any changelings are found, we capture them alive if we can and interrogate them."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139262
139263
>>139261
He nods
"Then we'll want to separate ourselves from the 332nd."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139263
139264
>>139262
"Indeed. We will also want to stay as one group as we gather our platoon together. If indeed there are changelings here, any of us would make for tempting target to try to replace."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139264
139265 139266
There's a number of patterns of intersecting lines along the back that could only be guessed to be some kind of anti-counterfeiting measure. That or they really didn't want the piece of paper to be plain. Everything is in red ink. Over these lines in the center, are two horseshoes opposed to each other, and to each side are big red "50"s. And in red text, at the top in the red band around the sides of the bill is:

"New Mareland Military Authority"

Below that:
"In
Circulation Set
In
East Equestria

Fifty Bits"

>>139263
He nods, clearly frightened but a least in control of himself
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139265
139267
>>139264
Silver smiles at Brisbuck.

"I am impressed, Lieutenant, despite being afraid you have control over yourself. That is excellent quality to have. Now, let us go gather platoon, starting with..."

Silver opens the door again, and goes out to address the corporal.

"Alright corporal, unless you are finished conversing with Lieutenant Brisbuck, we have task for you.
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139266
139267
>>139264
It's not as pretty as the old money.
She accepts this currency, provided it's the amount listed for the coat, and wishes the mare to have a nice day and to keep warm.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139267
139268 139269
>>139266
She gives a wave, and is out the front door - but not before immediately putting on the new coat. Guy is talking to a male customer, who looks back to Amber as she passes by.

>>139265
Brisbuck gives a weak smile at Silvers words.

The corporal blinks

"... Yeah?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139268
139270 139272
>>139267
"Go tell rest of platoon to meet in center of town, like we did before."
Amber Sunset
4252e7d
?
No.139269
139273
>>139267
She goes to meet the new customer. "Hello, can I help you with anything?" she asks cheerily.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139270
139271
>>139268
He nods, and is on his way. Presumably, Silver orders the same to his Platoon Guide, Sargent Amber Grain, who goes to assemble the platoon.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139271
>>139270
That he does. He also turns to the remaining three ponies.

"Let us go find our medical officer, and convince him to help us with this 'surprise medical examination'."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139272
139274
>>139268
He nods

Soon enough, they come across Firm Heart, who is pulled off to the side
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139273
139277
>>139269
"Uh... I think this sir is helping me" He answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139274
139275 139276
>>139272
Naturally this first thing Silver does is check that Firm Heart isn't a changeling, before swearing him to secrecy, filling him in on the current situation, and letting him in on the plan to check the entire platoon for changelings under the guise of a routine surprise medical examination.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139275
139278
>>139274
Firm Heart seems more than a little unsettled about the situation.

"Uh... Okay. You may want to figure out where to do this for the best privacy, and also, be prepared if we actually do find something."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139276
139278
>>139274
"We're also going to need a story for what we are examining for" he adds
Amber Sunset
c9e9ca5
?
No.139277
139279
>>139273
"Understandable, best of luck!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139278
139279
>>139275
>>139276
"Hmm. Perhaps Town Hall, if we can figure out way to keep 332nd away. We will also have ponies watching to make sure nothing happens if changeling is found. As for what story to use...would it be too obvious to use eye examination? Perhaps for cataracts, near-sightedness, and just general poor vision. Soldiers need to be able to see what they are shooting at, after all."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139279
139280 139281
>>139278
"Town Hall seems pretty well occupied by the 332nd. Maybe, but it'll be hard to keep them away. As for cataracts and long term problems... They'll just ask why that wasn't checked for at training."

>>139277
Some time passes, leaving Amber alone with Guy again.
Amber Sunset
c9e9ca5
?
No.139280
140015
>>139279
Amber does not strike up a conversation with Guy unless if he talks first.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139281
139282
>>139279
Silver rubs his temples in thought and frustration.

"Lying convincingly has never been my specialty. Maybe Equestria was too concerned with making sure we had enough units, so they skipped processes they normally would have done earlier."

He puts some more thought into where they should perform their examination.

"Hmm...think one of these abandoned houses would do trick?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139282
139283
>>139281
"Doable, yes. We'd need everypony, or almost everypony, outside while they enter a group at a time."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139283
139284
>>139282
"Alright then. How quickly do you think you could get prepared?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139284
139285
>>139283
"We just need a house and we need everypony assembled" he answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139285
139286
>>139284
Silver nods, and looks to Saltlick and the machine gunner.

"Go find empty house quickly and assist Firm Heart in his preparations. Lieutenant Brisbuck and I will go see how Sargent Amber Grain and corporal are handling assembling platoon."

He pauses for a moment, before dismissing the group.

"Before we dismiss, there is one issue we should address. We should come up with code phrase to speak, so we can know we are not changelings without having to shine lights in each other's eyes."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139286
139287
>>139285
"Uh, sure? Any suggestions?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139287
139288
>>139286
Silver scratches his chin some more, before he comes up with something he's certain nopony or 'ling in their right mind would ever think to say:

"Klutzy...draconequus."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139288
139289
>>139287
"Uh... What's a draconequis?" He asks
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139289
139290
>>139288
"It is kind of creature Discord is."

He looks around at the group.

"...how do none of you know that? Have you never read any stories about him?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139290
139291
>>139289
"Oh... So that's what those are called."

The machine gunner adds
"Well, you're sure right about one thing. No changeling would ever think to say that."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139291
139292
>>139290
"Let us hope so. Now, you all know your jobs. Let us get this done! Dismissed!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139292
139293
>>139291
They nod, and leave

Outside, the platoon stands at attention on the road.

Brisbuck stands besides Silver, as does Firm Heart, and Amber Grain is in front of Silver. Behind him, Saltlick is absent (as ordered) and Hazelred stands at attention. Behind him, A company, including the corporal, are at attention. Behind them is B squad, which includes private Frostbark (this time), but not the squad machine gunner (as ordered). C squad, notably, has two ponies missing - scout riflestallions assigned to the machinegun secton. They were a "buddy pair" together, so both ponies assigned to keep track of the other are missing.

More unsettling, is the absence of the entire machine gun attachment to the squad.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139293
139294
>>139292
Silver looks bewildered as to the disappearence of the entire machine gun section. He calls out to the congregation.

"I am count lot of missing soldiers. While some have been excused by me personally, two scouts from C squad and our machine gun section are missing. Anypony care to fill in details?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139294
139295
>>139293
The Sargent who leads C section volunteers the following

"Sir, the platoon has been heavily dispersed since we ended lunch. Troopers have walked around and explored. They must be somewhere around town."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139295
139296
>>139294
"I am afraid this meeting is manditory for all soldiers. Sargent, take two soldiers and bring them back ASAP. As for your own missing scouts, it might be beneficial to check their room incase they returned there after lunch."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139296
139297
>>139295
He nods, and goes off
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139297
139298
>>139296
"As for rest of you, I am afraid you will have to find way of entertaining yourselves here until your compatriots return. Nopony is allowed to wander off until we have finished here."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139298
139299
>>139297
The soldiers begin the time honored tradition of standing still while memorizing the number of bricks on the street-face of the courthouse, and counting the number of birds to fly by in a given minute.

C squad sargent comes back denying that the missing scouts are inside the hotel.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139299
139300
>>139298
"It was worth shot. We do not have forever, but please keep looking, Sargent."

Silver looks at the rest of the soldiers.

"I did not meant you could not converse in meantime. Just do not leave area and make us look for you."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139300
139301
>>139299
One brave soldier sits, and soon, another follows, then another, until half of the platoon is sitting. They start talking.

The Sargent comes back with what seems to be the entire machine gun attachment.

"They took up occupancy of a house just across the river, and did not hear the call to line up." The sergeant answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139301
139302
>>139300
"They are excused then. Though it makes me wonder if I should reverse my decision regarding B Squad..."

He regains focus, and looks at the Sargent.

"Still no sign of your missing scouts?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139302
139303
>>139301
With added time, the two scouts come into view. They are followed by three members of the 332nd with their carbines out. The two parties are in dispute:

A brown stallion of the 332nd claims:
"We found these two near he outside of town looking through house of an evacuee. They had broken a window and kicked in the door when we came by and noticed the disturbance."

A dark purple scout responds:
"We were just looking around. We saw a house where the window was busted and the door was kicked in so we stopped by to take a look. Then these ponies came by. We didn't take anything!"

The brown pony responds:
"Perhaps only because we stopped you."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139303
139304 139305
>>139302
Silver just lets out a sigh of relief. He also makes a mental note about that house.

"Thank you for returning our missing soldiers to us. They have been keeping us waiting for some time. We will deal with this disturbance in due time, I assure you."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139304
139305 139306
>>139303
The brown stallion - he looks to be a corporal by his insignia, does not back away, but moves forward.

"You should keep your soldiers on a shorter leash. They are burglarizing the houses of evacuees. If they had done in this in foreign lands it would be unacceptable. But this is the homeland. This is unacceptable! Make an example of it now before all these new greens, rejects from the first round of the draft, sack our own cities in the future."

He holds the carbine out in front of himself, wings spread in evident excitement.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139305
139306
>>139304
>>139303
The two scouts weren't asked to give a response, but they give one anyways:

"It was like that when we found it! Honest!"
And
"You can search us, we don't have anything."
And then
"Uh, yeah! Search him!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139306
139307
>>139304
>>139305
Silver's expression quickly fades from his relieved smile to an annoyed frown, and his face becomes quite firm after both groups speak. He trots forward slowly towards both the scouts and the group from the 332nd...but seems to be focusing mostly on the brown stallion.

"Corporal Asswipe, what is name and rank of Supreme Arbiter of Justice in this platoon?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139307
139308
>>139306
This definitely gets him to step back, and pull the carbine closer to himself. But he does not crumble

"I do not know your unit, but Captain Forrester is the highest ranking Stallion here."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139308
139309
>>139307
Silver does not back down, and makes a loud buzzer noise in response.

"EEEEENNNNNHHHH!!! Wrong answer, Corporal Skidmark! 'Platoon Sargent Silver Sword' was your correct answer, do you want to see what you could have won?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139309
139310 139311
feels kind of bad for not having another segment for Amber

>>139308
Evidently not.

He backs away, at first in a single step, but then several steps, though always facing Silver. The other two soldiers, who never moved as far forward as the brown stallion, move back when the brown stallion comes closer to them. Quickly enough, they move off and away.
Amber Sunset
c9e9ca5
?
No.139310
>>139309
Don't feel bad, it's a busy day for me and I'm about to head out anyway
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139311
139312
>>139309
Silver shouts after them as they hurriedly leave.

"NEVER SPEAK TO YOUR SUPERIOR THAT WAY AGAIN, OR YOUR ASS WILL BE GRASS, YOU HEAR ME!"

With a heavy snort of air from his flared nostrils, Silver calms himself down, and addresses the two scouts. His voice has a measure of concern for his soldiers.

"You two alright?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139312
139313
>>139311
The group from the 332nd turns around and leaves more quickly.

The two scouts are also slightly cowering, with their ears down.
"Uh... Yes?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139313
139314
>>139312
He smiles at the pair, and offers them a hoof to help pull them up from their slightly cowed position.

"Good. Not going to let some Corporal Shitstain from another platoon bully my troops, tell me how to run my own damned platoon, and demand I discipline my own soldiers."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139314
139315
>>139313
The deep purple stallion smiles, though kind of awkwardly, and extends his hoof to be pulled up, which he presumably is. The other stallion, an aquamarine colored stallion, also rises. both lift their ears.

"Thank you, Sargent"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139315
139316
>>139314
"So, see anything interesting before you were chased off by Three Stooges over there?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139316
139317
>>139315
"Well... the house had been broken into. A window was broken, a door was broken. Some furniture was turned over, I think. Bedsheets were pulled down. There weren't drawers turned over or anything though, like the house was searched. I don't know if anything was stolen."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139317
139318
>>139316
He nods, and turns to go back to being in front of the platoon. Before he does so, he briefly pauses to turn his head back to the scouts.

"And there is no need to thank me. It is part of my job to protect you from dungheaps like that thinking they can bully you into submission. You are my soldiers, not theirs."

He turns to look at the platoon.

"And that goes for rest of you. If anypony tries that shit on you, even if it is Captain Forrester himself, you come to me. I will sort it out."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139318
139319
>>139317
Some take it stoically, while a few soldiers seem pleased to hear this.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139319
139320
>>139318
Silver steps to be in front of the Platoon.

"Alright now, I believe that is everypony accounted for? Those few still missing have already been excused by me. If you all would line up once more, we can begin."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139320
139321
>>139319
The ponies line up, of course missing the aforementioned ponies excused by Silver. They stand up at attention.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139321
139322 139323 139325
>>139320
"Now, I know you are all eager to continue your well deserved rest, but there are still couple of things to get through first. Now, first, due to speed with which Equestria performed most recent draft and recruitment, many of you have skipped steps in recruitment process you would not have had skipped otherwise. This is natural, Equestria is in its greatest need it has been in for over millenia, and you have all risen to occasion. Among these steps I have learned some of you skipped is eye examination, so to ensure I know you can actually see what you are shooting at, Firm Heart here will be performing quick, routine eye examinations on each of you. So long as he has your full cooperation, this should not take very long. Once it is complete, I have important tasks for all squads."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139322
139323 139324
>>139321
Within the ranks, some are confused by the idea that something as essential as an eye examination has been skipped, while a few chalk it up to the incompetency of Equestrian High Command. They talk amongst themselves
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139323
139325
>>139321
>>139322
Firm Heart is not quite done with the platoon. He addresses them all:

"Unfortunately, it isn't only lazy eye and deteriorated vision we need to be worried about. Unfortunately a particular variety of parasitic worm has been more prevalent this season than most here in the Equestrian West. You see, there is a variety of roundworm that is spread by flies and bad water that crawls around under the skin. The easiest way to identify it is when it moves around the eyes, which it loves to do. The worm is mostly harmless but, well, with your eyes essential to the defense of Equestria, Command isn't taking any chances. So they've ordered screening for the worms, and any permanent damage caused by them as well."

This explanation doesn't seem to comfort them much more.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139324
139325
>>139322
Silver speaks up over the congregation, holding up his hooves to quiet the ponies down.

"I know, I know, it is odd. But if we get through this quickly, it will be last we have to worry about it until after we win this War. Now, if I may direct your attention to Firm Heart, he will show you where to go for examination."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139325
139326
Should probably strike >>139323 since it seems to contradict >>139321

>>139324
Firm Hear comes closer to Silver, and whispers:

"Sargent, you can't just 'examine' ponies to see if they are changelings. You have to make sure they won't kill you when you find them."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139326
139327
>>139325
He whispers back, hopefully briefly enough that it doesn't worry the soldiers.

"Saltlick and that machinegunner from Squad B will be your assistants, so they will always be there with you and patients. We will also make such patients are disarmed before going in."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139327
139328
>>139326
He nods
"Alright..."

Then he speaks to the ponies in the platoon
"Each, one at a time."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139328
139329
>>139327
Silver allows Firm Heart to take command of actually leading the troops, and motions for the Lieutenant and Amber Grain to help him keep the soldiers in check.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139329
139330
>>139328
Presumably, the ponies are taken to a ranch house somewhere, and kept outside while the examinations take place in a bedroom.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139330
139333
>>139329
Silver, Brisbuck, and Amber Grain make sure to disarm each pony before they enter, under the reasoning of not wanting an accidental discharge to hit the platoon's medic, and give their weapons back once they leave. Only Saltlick and the machinegunner still have their weapons inside, though they should probably keep them out of sight until it's necessary.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139333
139334
>>139330
The ponies are kept in line outside of the house, taken into a living room where their weapons and non-essential packs are removed, and then they are taken to a bedroom where the door is closed.

It's actually not very long into the process at all that there is a "thonk," loud cursing, a smash, and a crash from inside the room.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139334
139335
>>139333
Silver barges inside to see what is going on, leaving Brisbuck and Amber Grain to keep control of the ponies in line.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139335
139336
>>139334
Standing over the edge of the bed and aiming his rifle - with full bayonet - downwards is Saltlick. Firmheart lies on his back on the floor grabbing at his shoulders and making strange breathing noises. A dresser looks pushed out of the way, and there is a lampshade and a broken lamp next to him. The machinegun colt stands over part of the floor next to the bed. Silver has to move over to see what is obscured by the edge of the bed and both Saltlick and the Machinegunner. It's what Silver could have expected: a black, almost beetlelike thing with insectoid eyes, black chitinous skin, and holes in its limbs, all together in an equiform body. It bleeds out from part of its uniform a blue, slightly green tinted substance that must be an alien blood. Silver can see this blood on the floor and on the edge of the bayonet, and the dropped machine gun not far off. The creature tries to rise and fight its captors as the machine gunner tries to keep it on the floor. It hisses as the machine gunner recognizes he must keep distance from its face.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139336
139339
>>139335
Silver jumps to help the machinegunner keep the changeling down.

"What did he do to Firm Heart!?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139339
139340
>>139336
Saltlick answers
"Stay away from its face. That's how it got Firm Heart. Firm Heart saw it was the creature. You could see it in how he stopped; looked afraid. The thing knew it. It lunged forward, opened its mouth, and used its magic. I think it bit him too. With its teeth."

When Silver has part of his body on the changeling, the black colt pulls back, awkwardly past Silver, jumps back to stand up, pick up his automatic rifle, and then smashes the butt of the automatic rifle against the creature. But the automatic rifle is an inferior club, being too heavy, too unwieldy. The black colt looses control of the weapon as it smashes into the muzzle of the creature, and falls back, with the gun resting ontop of the creature's face until he can pull it up and off.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139340
139341
>>139339
"Let me have your rifle, Saltlick, I will knock it out. Take care of Firm Heart!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139341
139342
>>139340
Looks like the black colt may have beaten Silver to it. It bleeds from its mouth, and one of its fangs hangs lose. It gurgles as it attempts a hiss. Nevertheless, Saltlick gives his rifle to Silver, while he backs up, and attempts to walk to Firm Heart.
9226999
?
No.139342
139343
[1d20+5 = 14]
>>139341
Silver grabs Saltlick's rifle with his magic, and bashes the rifle's butt against the changeling's head once more for good measure.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139343
139344
>>139342
Silver hits it in the head, and it quickly stops moving, though it continues bleeding.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139344
139345
>>139343
A heavily panting Silver gets off of the changeling imposter and looks over at the black colt.

"Help me drag this somewhere out of sight."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139345
139346
>>139344
"Where? Like a closet?"

It's a small bedroom. There is a window in the room (that can be covered with a curtain), but few other ways to look inside. There is a bed, a dresser, and a table on the other end, as well as a closet.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139346
139347
>>139345
"That is good idea. We should also tie it up and gag it."

Silver bends down to look at the name and rank on the uniform.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139347
139348
>>139346
Silver can look at it, but the black colt answers for Silver once he notices his intentions.

"Hazelred. Technical Private Hazelred."

The black colt helps shove a sock in its mouth - which may have been necessary just to keep it from choking on its own blood - and ties the creature.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139348
139349
>>139347
"Селестия, черт возьми. We will find you, Hazelred. I promise."

Once that's finished, he and the black colt drag the changeling into the closet, close it, and then Silver goes to check on Firm Heart.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139349
139350
>>139348
Firm Heart is conscious, but breathing heavy. His lips are shrunken, almost like he's dehydrated. He is bleeding from the shoulder, although the wound is not very deep.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139350
139351
>>139349
"He is changeling bitten alright, in both senses of word. Ugh...this was stupid plan on my part. Never should have put him in such danger."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139351
139354
>>139350
The black colt:

"Will he be alright?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139354
139355
>>139351
"Yes, he will. Water and something sweet to eat will help, but to fully recover either he needs rest, or if we are lucky this fake Hazelred will have some changeling honey. Stay here with Firm Heart, I am going to go back out and check his bags."

Silver leaves the bedroom and closes the door behind him. He looks around for where they set Hazelred's bags.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139355
139356
>>139354
He nods, and the door is closed behind him. The bags lie between the entrance of the house, and a sofa, on the floor
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139356
139357
>>139355
Silver looks through Hazelred's bags for either a vial of changeling honey, or some kind of container the changeling might have been using to disguise the substance.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139357
139358
>>139356
No honey, nothing out of the ordinary. Only a few salt crackers, a canteen, a pair of Automatic Rifle magazines, ten ammo clips, and the platoon's lone radio set and an extra battery for it.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139358
139359
>>139357
Silver mutters a curse under his breath, though now he knows why they targetted Hazelred. He finds Brisbuck, and whispers to him.

"Technical Private Hazelred. Firm Heart got bit."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139359
139360
>>139358
There is no stopping his ears from falling down, nor his hair from standing up.

"That's our only radio operator. And one of the very first soldiers to be examined."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139360
139361
>>139359
"Explains why he was targetted. We will find him, but I just need you to keep soldiers calm and orderly while we sort things out in examination room."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139361
139363
>>139360
He nods

"... Who else has been replaced?"
But he says this more to himself than to Silver
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139363
139364
>>139361
Silver pats the younger pony's shoulder.

"Do not worry about that right now. Focus on getting us through this."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139364
139365
>>139363
He nods
"Very well. For now, I am keeping them all in our sights."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139365
139366
>>139364
Silver nods back, and returns to the bedroom.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139366
139369
>>139365
It is so. The black colt is placing the imposter in the closet, while Saltlick has moved Firm Heart to the side of the bed
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139369
139370
>>139366
"No dice on honey. Has Firm Heart responded yet?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139370
139371
>>139369
"Uh, sort of. He seems to speak, though it's less clear how much awareness he has."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139371
139372
>>139370
Is there a window in the bedroom, one a pony could fit through?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139372
139373
>>139371
Yes. Awkwardly, but yes.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139373
139374
>>139372
"Hmm...anypony have ideas on how to get Firm Heart out of here? He is in no shape to continue this, and I do not think I would put him through this again either way. I will continue examinations."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139374
139375
>>139373
The black colt nods

Saltlick:
"Keep ponies away from the living room and hallways, we can take him to the bathroom"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139375
139376
>>139374
Silver nods, leaves the bedroom, and informs Brisbuck and Amber Grain on what to do.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139376
139377
>>139375
They are notified Though I am not clear on what exactly it is they are ordered to do
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139377
139378
>>139376
Direct the soldiers to temporarily keep out of the living room and hallways so Firm Heart can be put in the bathroom.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139378
139381
>>139377
This is done, with the house cleared, and Firm Heart moved to the bathroom, placed down in the bathtub
Amber Sunset
c9e9ca5
?
No.139379
139380
Waves
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139380
1568687357340.gif
>>139379
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139381
139382
>>139378
Once he's safe in the bathroom, they reorganize the line of soldiers, and Silver enters the bedroom with Saltlick and the black colt.

"Alright, this should not be too hard...I hope. You two saw what Firm Heart did, think you can guide me through process?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139382
139384
>>139381
"Uh... The light is shined above, or maybe it was into the eyes.... I don't know the rest." Is as much as Saltlick can answer.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139384
139385
>>139382
"Ah, so it is just as I already knew. Good! Now, if I act as if something is off, like Firm Heart did, please interfere. While I think I can take more than he can, I would like to avoid getting changeling bitten if I can."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139385
139386
>>139384
"Well, I don't know that he wasn't going to do more... but the creature attacked him."

Then they answer Silver
"Okay."

And Silver presumably starts again

[1d4 = 2]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139386
139387
>>139385
You would presume correctly.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139387
139388
>>139386
The soldiers come in one by one. Some times they are silent, sometimes they ask questions.
"Okay, so what is this for?"
"So what do I do?"
"Is that it?"
One small snow white stallion even asks
"Are you looking for a Changeling?"

Silver doesn't detect any changelings in the first big batch. At least, he hasn't identified any, and none have revealed themselves.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139388
139389
>>139387
Silver does his best to answer their questions. As for the snow white stallion, the best he can do is to smile awkwardly and tell him the following:

"Everything will be explained once we have finished. Do not say anything to others to give them false impression of what is going on before then."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139389
139390
>>139388
Silver does not find any Changelings. Well... if there is a white spot in the pupil, that's something like a cataract, or other natural thing, right? They aren't Changelings? Are they?

Amber Grain intrudes inside the room

"Sir. One of the members of the Machine Gun Attachment has vanished."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139390
139391
>>139389
Silver pales slightly at the news.

"Anypony else?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139391
139392
>>139390
"Everypony else is accounted for. Except of course, Technical Private Hazelred." He answers, not happy with this predicament.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139392
139393
>>139391
"We need to hurry and finish. We do not have much time before changelings decide to do something. Keep close eye on our soldiers."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139393
139394
>>139392
Silver finishes the set. Silver didn't detect any Changelings, assuming he knows exactly what a Changeling looks like. Brisbuck has the whole set at attention outside.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139394
139395
>>139393
He sighs, puts on the bravest face he can, and addresses the platoon.

"Soldiers, I am afraid I owe you explanation, and grave news to go along with it. Changelings have infiltrated Vale, and 332nd. What you just went through was test to sus out any disguised changelings. Those of you gathered here have passed. Technical Private Hazelred, as well as one member from our machinegun attachment who has already fled, have unfortunately been replaced. If we are to get through this alive and find our missing compatriots, I must have your complete cooperation and attention."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139395
139396
>>139394
Some, perhaps even most, take the announcement stoically and accepting the situation. Some seem excited for potential combat, grabbing their rifles. And some are genuinely terrified. Silver can't see them shake from where he stands, but he can see ears drooping and hear gasps.

They all listen to him.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139396
139397
>>139395
"There is not much time, but we will get through this. Vale can not fall into Changeling hooves. Now, first I will expect you all to remain in your squads until this has been settled. Second, do not let your squadmates leave your sights. Third, we will use code phrase to distinguish ourselves from any changeling infiltrators. It will be in two parts, phrase and counterphrase. For phrase, you tell your fellow platoon member 'klutsy', and for counterphrase, they will reply 'draconequus'. Memorize this. Only use it when necessary to avoid changelings picking it up and using it to trick us. If other pony fails to use counterphrase, assume they are disguised changeling. Finally, I want all of you to ready yourselves and perform these tasks I am going to give you to their letter. C Squad and our machinegun attachment are going to be watching and guarding town hall, where much of 332nd has been occupying. A Squad, you will take equipment to fix telegraph line on top of feed store, then you will join C Squad and machinegunners. B Squad, you, myself, Liuetenant Brisbuck, and Sargent Amber Grain will go into town hall and confront Captain Forrester. Understood, Soldiers?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139397
139398
>>139396
"Sir, yes sir!"

While Brisbuck is content to more or less go along with this, he still feels the need to override Silver on one thing

"But first, we have a wagon filled with a belt-fed machine gun, two automatic rifles, a 2-inch mortar, and two dozen rifle grenades near the hotel that we are not leaving unattended."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139398
139399
>>139397
He nods, grateful for the reminder.

"Of course. Machinegunners, go and fetch that wagon and bring it along with you to C Squad. Unless Lieutenant Brisbuck or Sargent Amber Grain have anything they would like to add, I believe you are all dismissed. You know what to do."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139399
139400
>>139398
So it begins. Now the question becomes where to set up around Town Hall, where to confront Forrester... and to wait for the pieces to fall in place
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139400
139401
>>139399
Silver instructs them to set up outside the front of town hall, and for them to try to keep themselves in inconspiculous locations such as alleys and side streets, and for sharpshooters and scouts to get onto as high a ground as they can, such as on the rooftops.

As for Captain Forrester, Silver hopes he can draw him out into the open, where they stand a better chance, but failing that he might just have to face him in the town hall.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139401
139402
>>139400
A squad goes off for the telegraph line along with Salt Litck, while C and B squad go to pull the contents of the wagon. At least it's still there so far, but the platoon is getting looks from members of the 332nd already.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139402
139403
>>139401
"They know we know," Silver utters under his breath, as he helps his troops move the wagon and get set up outside town hall.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139403
139404
>>139402
A question from Brisbuck
"Do we need to hide the machine guns?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139404
139405
>>139403
"If we have small tarps or something similar to that we can use, it is good idea."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139405
139406
>>139404
“We have buildings and cover.” He answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139406
139407
>>139405
"That would work as well."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139407
139408
>>139406
He nods, and goes off, leaving Silver to himself. A section from C squad goes over to the sheriff's office, while another goes to the adjacent Courthouse, along with the one machine gun team. Already, a pony or so from the 332nd questions the deployment, but a squad sargent claims this is standard garrisoning of the town until further instructions are received. Getting behind the Townhall seems to require more ponies, and Brisbuck seems to want to wait for the completion of the task of A Squad.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139408
139409
>>139407
Silver follows this instruction from Brisbuck. Not only does he think it's a wise decision, but he wants the colt to get some experience commanding the platoon.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139409
139410
>>139408
The sun is low on the horizon. It will set soon.

A squad arrives, and seems to move in to a house just behind the town hall.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139410
139411
>>139409
Silver turns to Brisbuck once it seems like A Squad has set up.

"We set, Lieutenant?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139411
139412
>>139410
He nods

“There are likely to be more of them elsewhere in town as well.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139412
139413
>>139411
"Of course, but let us focus on task at hoof first. If you are ready, let us take B squad inside."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139413
139414
>>139412
B Squad is composed of its sergeant, a peach unicorn named Hartley armed with a submachine gun, along with the black colt who is the squad machine gunner, a smaller purple unicorn who is the assistant machine gunner, and three other ponies who act as scouts or riflestallions. Besides these is the rifle section, including a corporal and private Frostbark, who total six stallions with rifles. Twelve ponies, one light machine gun, one submachine gun, and ten rifles, of which two are grenade capable and one possesses a scope.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139414
139415
>>139413
Silver addresses the squad before they proceed.

"Alright Soldiers, this is it. Remain calm and cool, follow our lead, and we will come out of this alright. Ready?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139415
139416
>>139414
Entering through the front door, no pony yet. Parts of the squad come inside.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139416
139417
>>139415
Silver calls out into the building.

"Captain Forrester?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139417
139418
>>139416
No reply back
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139418
139419
>>139417
"I do not like this. Be on your guard."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139419
139420 139421
>>139418
The sargent nods.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139420
>>139419
Silver advances slowly, along with his squad.

"Captain Forrester? We need to talk, there is something gone wrong in Vale."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139421
139422
>>139419
There are many parts of the Town hall building, including a pair of offices off to the left, a kitchen, bathroom facilities, a big room with tile floor that seems to be used for food... But it's the main hall, and the stage behind it, which takes up half of the building. That, presumably, is where Silver and company go.

The room is darker than when Silver first entered there a couple hours before with the setting of the sun, and Silver ca see that objects are moved somewhat on the stage. Or, more likely, Silver takes notice of things on the stage he had not before: a few cardboard boxes, and a table. At the table sits Captain Forrester, hat removed. The greyish white stallion sits upright, leaning over a set of papers, looking down at them, and holding a pen through magic embrace. Standing, reservedly, to either side, are two guards, all with weapons, though none brandishing them threateningly. Two carry carbines, and two carry submachine guns. One of the submachine guns is a Changeling model and issue.

Behind Silver and the group, on the opposite side of the hall, at the very end of a row of seats, are a group of soliders reclining in their seats, the exact numbers hopefully being counted by the corporal, but hard for Silver to discern at the time. They sit down and don't carry their weapons, but Silver can see rifles - full sized rifles, not carbines - to their sides.

Forrester looks up with yellow-green eyes:

"Yes, Sargent Sword? Given that your platoon is still here at dusk, I would have to assume something is wrong, to disrupt your march to the frontline."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139422
139423
>>139421
Silver maintains a firm, unshaken tone in his voice, though even he recognizes that they are currently surrounded.

"Indeed Sir. We have located source of telegraph line problem. It is clearly work of saboteur."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139423
139424
>>139422
"Really?" He asks, his tone kind of hard to place
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139424
139493
>>139423
"Indeed, we think it is work of anarchist rebels, or changeling saboteurs. Either way, it is clearly deliberate attempt to cut communication of our Frontline forces in area from Command in Wald, and as such we are to remain here to garrison and guard Vale from any future attempts."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139493
139494
>>139424
He raises an eyebrow
"Is that what you were told to do when you left Wald? Garrison a location until further notice when a line is cut?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139494
139495
>>139493
"No, that is what we were told to do by Command when we fixed telegraph line just now. Vale is too important to let rebels or Changelings get hold of, so our platoon is to garrison Vale. This brings me to second item: Command was most concerned with your lackadaisical methods of protecting Vale. You missed several important telegraphs while line was out, you did not send out repair teams to locate source of outage and fix it despite having more than enough supplies, and Vale is improperly garrisoned for being such important location. They have decided to transfer command of Vale Garrison to our own Lieutenant Brisbuck."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139495
139496
>>139494
"Heh, all orders from Brigadier General and up must be written on signed orders." He is smiling, though there is something unusual in it

"Are you who you claim you are?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139496
139497
>>139495
Silver maintains his stoic expression, and appears unfazed by the Captain's accusation.

"You will have to bring this up with Command yourself when you go to receive your new orders, but for now you have been ordered to turn over all documents and orders related to defense of Vale to Lieutenant Brisbuck and to cede Town Hall to him and our Command Squad."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139497
139498
>>139496
"I repeat" he now says more angrily and forcefully
"All orders issued from the Brigadier General and up must be in writing and signed"

The ponies at the far end have taken notice, and stand up
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139498
139499
>>139497
The unicorn does not give ground.

"Sir, I must request you calm yourself. These are not my orders I am giving you."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139499
139500
>>139498
"Where are your papers, Changeling"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139500
139501
>>139499
"Actually, that brings me to final item. Due to threat that this sabotage was performed by Changeling Infiltrators, and that they may have replaced members of our platoons, Command has ordered both of our platoons to perform mandatory testing to determine if any changelings exist."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139501
139502
>>139500
"Testing? To be performed by whom?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139502
139503
>>139501
"Our medical officer, Firm Heart, is most qualified to do so, however it is likely any member of our platoon would be suitable candidate as it is unlikely there are many if any at all who are Infiltrators. Command mentioned that it would be preferable that it was not performed by any members of 332nd, however, as you have been here longer and there is greater chance of Infiltrators among your ranks."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139503
139509
>>139502
"How was this sent? By telegram?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139509
139514
>>139503
"As I said, it was sent through telegraph from Wald. This testing is non-negotiable, Sir, and we are under strict orders to place any who decline under arrest."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139514
139515
>>139509
"Hmph! Then let's go see this alleged telegraph. These sorts of things leave paper trails, and I'm sure the ponies at the office will be willing to help. As for any 'testing,' we have a couple medical personnel of our own who are trained to help."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139515
139516
>>139514
"Indeed. If you would all head for telegraph office, we will go."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139516
139518
>>139515
He nods. Slowly.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139518
139519
>>139516
Silver motions for his squad to back out and step aside to allow for the Captain and his soldiers to exit the building.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139519
139520
>>139518
The captain stands up, staring back at Silver and Brisbuck to Silver's side

"Stallions! Up!" Forrester calls out to the ponies at the back, who pick up their rifles and stand up. Two of the ponies in Forrester's guard detail move forward, going to the door and through it. The other two ponies move around to Forrester's side.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139520
139521
>>139519
Silver waits for Captain Forrester himself to leave before he follows. He makes sure he has his flashlight at the ready, and keeps it out of sight.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139521
139522
>>139520
The two guards who move through yell "clear," and Forrester moves across the stage, onto a set of stairs at the far left end that takes him down to ground level. His other two guards follow quickly behind. Forrester slowly exists the building, before saying "follow them" to the troops in the back.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139522
139523
>>139521
Silver follows Forrester with the rest of his squad in tow. He waits until the Captain and his men are in the area in front of the town hall before he tries to get his attention.

"Captain Forrester?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139523
139524
>>139522
Captain Forrester turns around to Silver, without word, but still making eye contact to him
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139524
139525
>>139523
The unicorn quickly brings out his flashlight, and flashes it in the Captain's eyes.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139525
139527
>>139524
Forrester is at a distance, and reflexively closes his eyes. His eyes look sort of like a dog's eyes in the night, or that of a cat, glowing back.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139527
139528
>>139525
Silver's eyes widen as he quickly calls out to the gathered ponies.

"Forrester's a changeling!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139528
139529
>>139527
Ponies hold up their weapons from every corner.

Forrester yells back, and looks again at Silver Sword

"I am nothing of the sort, you imposter!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139529
139530
>>139528
"You can not fool us! You and your ilk sabotaged line to Wald to cut off Frontline forces from Command! You had our radio operator Technical Sargent Hazelred replaced!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139530
139532
>>139529
"You are yourself replaced!" He yells out

Silver is present himself with Salt lick and Amber Grain, as well as the 12 members of B Squad. Across the Street, at the Misfortune County Court House and the roof of the Sheriff's Office, Silver knows there are two machine guns and rifleponies. Inside the Town Hall and exiting are eight ponies of the 332nd. With Forrester are still his four guards, two armed with submachine guns.

Forrester draws his pistol.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139532
139533
>>139530
Silver draws his rifle and levels it at Forrester.

"Surrender Changeling! Our entire platoon has been tested, there are no more of your Infiltrators among us, you can not fool us!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139533
139534
>>139532
Forrester's small group backs away, a little down the road,

Forrester yells back,
"You are the infiltrator here!"

Now, guns are leveled
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139534
139535
>>139533
"You are surrounded! Put down your weapons and surrender, and you will be given fair treatment!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139535
139536
>>139534
A grin comes across his face

"That, I know is not true"

From down the valley, a distant rumble, like thunder, comes from the dark clouds on the horizon that begin to obscure the setting sun
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139536
139537
>>139535
"Final warning! Yield!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139537
139538
>>139536
"You think yourselves masters? Gardeners of nature? No. That would be to leave the weeds in control. And you have less control than you think."

Roll Initiative
cc8d57a
?
No.139538
139540 139541
[1d20+4 = 10]
>>139537
"ALL SQUADS, ATTACK!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139539
139540 139541
Initiative set for all involved

Forrester:
[1d20+2 = 21]

Guards
[1d20+2 = 9]
[1d20+2 = 10]
[1d20+2 = 13]
[1d20+2 = 10]

Forrester's Troops
[1d20 = 16] [1d3 = 1]
[1d20 = 11] [1d3 = 2]
[1d20 = 6] [1d3 = 2]
[1d20 = 14] [1d3 = 2]
[1d20 = 12] [1d3 = 2]
[1d20 = 15] [1d3 = 2]
[1d20 = 3] [1d3 = 1]
[1d20 = 14] [1d3 = 2]

Saltlick
[1d20+2 = 12]

Amber Grain
[1d20+2 = 8]

Squad Sargent
[1d20+1 = 19]

Black Colt
[1d20 = 9]

B Squad Rifle ponies:
[1d20 = 2] [1d20 = 17]
[1d20 = 1] [1d20 = 8]
[1d20 = 16] [1d20 = 2]
[1d20 = 11] [1d20 = 8]
[1d20 = 13] [1d20 = 4]

C Squad
[1d20-2 = 7]
[1d20-2 = 5]
[1d20-2 = 15]
[1d20-2 = 0]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139540
>>139539
>>139538
A cacophony of noise erupts, with Forrester the first to discharge his gun, followed by the squad sergeant, who fires his submachine gun at the guards, then ponies from Forrester's troop, who aim them at the squad members

Silver is shot at by Forrester's pistol
[1d20+4 = 19]
And a guard's carbine
[1d20+3 = 13]
Then a rifle
[1d20 = 17]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139541
139542 139544
>>139539
B Squad exchanges with the guards
[1d20 = 20] [1d20 = 9]
[1d20 = 18] [1d20 = 20]
[1d20 = 3] [1d20 = 15]
[1d20 = 20] [1d20 = 6]

While the reserve troops of Forrester shoot back
[1d20 = 12]
[1d20 = 4]
[1d20 = 9]

And three at the squad leaders
[1d20 = 19]
[1d20 = 15]
[1d20 = 17]

>>139538
Silver is hit by Forrester's pistol
[2d6 = 10]
And a soldier's rifle
[2d8 = 4]
cc8d57a
?
No.139542
139543 139544 139545 139546
[1d20+10 = 26]
>>139541
They hit Silver good, but he's still standing. He aims his rifle at Forrester, and fires.
cc8d57a
?
No.139543
139544 139546
[2d8 = 13]
>>139542
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139544
139545
>>139541
A submachine gunner is struck repeatedly by the squad leader's bullets and is downed. The other submachine gunner, and both carbine carriers are shot in the head by great shots from the riflestallion privates of B Squad. Only a few bullets are shot at all, including one carbine shot that misses Silver

The troops inside the building shoot through the glass and out the door, missing any rifle squad members.

Unfortunately, every single leader of Silver's section is hit by these troops, including Silver himself (already calculated)

Amber Grain
[2d8 = 10]
Saltlick
[2d8 = 7]
And the submachinegun wielding squad sergeant
[2d8 = 14]

>>139543
>>139542
Silver hits Forrester forcibly in the chest, but has not downed him
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139545
>>139544
>>139542
At this point, the black colt, firing the machine gun from his shoulder in an unaimed attack, fires it inside the building at the reserve troops

A marksstallion's bullet hits one of the guards, but it's overkill

From across the street, the machine guns open up, albeit perhaps too close for comfort

>>139544
The squad sergeant is downed
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139546
139547
>>139543
>>139542
The guards fall to the ground, but as they do, green magic envelopes them, as if it burns away their coats, and leaves charred blackness behind. All four are Changelings, lying bleeding a bluish blood on the ground, and with strangely red colored blood spatters on the wall from where they've been hit in the head.

Forrester turns, and runs
cc8d57a
?
No.139547
139548 139549
[1d20+10 = 17]
>>139546
Silver aims at the retreating Forrester, and fires.
cc8d57a
?
No.139548
139549
[2d8 = 9]
>>139547
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139549
139550
>>139548
>>139547
Hit, and, Hit.

Forrester falls down. B Squad focuses on pulling away and out of the line of fire from across the street.

Far off in the distance, another "thunk," "thunk," and "thunk."

But it's what's above that gives the most cause for concern. A terrifyingly loud, almost ripping-sound comes from a room on the left side of the second floor of the town hall. Silver can see the barrel sticking out. It's a machinegun. Belt-fed. Changeling model. The angle isn't shallow enough to aim at Silver and B Squad; instead, it takes aim at C Squad and the machine gun detachment across the street.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139550
139551 139552
>>139549
Silver shouts out to B Squad.

"TOWN HALL, SECOND FLOOR, LEFT SIDE! SOMEPONY GRENADE THAT GUN!"

He quickly rushes out to the downed squad sergeant.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139551
139552 139553
>>139550
Brisbuck yells

"C squad! Suppressive fire!"
And then less loudly, looking back,

"B Squad - back up, out of the line of fire! Grenadiers, upfront!"

Silver leans down to find the sergeant is down, and Amber Grain and Saltlick are badly wounded.

From inside, a trooper pops off a shot at Silver
[1d20 = 19]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139552
139553
>>139550
>>139551
And Silver is hit, again
[2d8 = 7]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139553
139554
>>139551
>>139552
"Ngh!"

Silver is wounded again, but is determined to get these ponies to safety. He tries to drag the sergeant away and out of the line of fire.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139554
139555
>>139553
Silver is the most wounded pony on the field, bleeding out from three wounds.

The loud, ripping sound flings out mass numbers of bullets at the forces across the street, while a lower "tat-tat-tat" and an even lower "dakka dakka dakka" come from the belt fed machine gun and light machine gun of C Squad respectively. Silver can see green tracers fly, and red tracers fly back. This exchange leaves the lower level entrance of the town hall less covered, and bullets fly out of here. The unicorn uses his magic to replace the magazine of the machine gun the black colt carries, and he aims in around the inside of the hall. The cream colored pegasus hugs the wall next to the entrance, and with his wing, tosses in a grenade, while a purple unicorn follows quickly behind doing the same

[1d20 = 3]
[1d20 = 19]

Silver is able to drag the Sargent aside
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139555
139556 139557
>>139554
Once the Sargent is out of the line of fire, he looks to see how Amber Grain and Saltlick are doing.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139556
139557 139558
>>139555
These ponies are wounded, but upright.

One of the grenades tossed in through the broken window bounces against some object inside, and explodes almost in the door frame, spreading shrapnel outwards in a pattern that makes B squad fall prone.

From the upstairs window, a submachine gun is stuck out and aimed downwards. The creature, leaning its head out, fires
[1d20 = 6]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139557
139558
>>139555
>>139556
Forrester still moves, crawling away
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139558
139559
>>139556
>>139557
"Cover me, I am going for Forrester!"

Silver runs out of cover, and makes a B-line for the disguised captain.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139559
139560 139561
>>139558
But first...

Grenadiers fire rifle grenades at the room upstairs
[1d20 = 8]
[1d20 = 20]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139560
139561
>>139559
One goes wide, right past the room, while another goes through the window and seems to detonate on the ceiling

The black colt nevertheless fires his automatic rifle in bursts in the direction of the room

Silver runs towards the captain, who manages to turn towards him, and level his gun
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139561
139562
>>139559
>>139560
Silver maintains his current course, unfazed by the levelled pistol.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139562
139563
>>139561
And what does Silver do when he gets there?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139563
139564 139565
>>139562
That would be hitting Forrester over the head with the butt of his rifle.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139564
139565 139566
>>139563
He fires one shot up at Silver
[1d20+3 = 12]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139565
139566
>>139563
>>139564
Missing. Silver’s chance to attack
3d68864
?
No.139566
139567 139568
[1d20+5 = 6]
>>139564
>>139565
Silver turns his rifle around, and aims a bash right at the disguised changeling's head.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139567
139568
>>139566
Silver’s rifle misses, gets caught in the band that keeps Forrester’s pack on his shoulder, and falls the ground when Silver tries to pull it back

Forrester shoots again
[1d20+3 = 23]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139568
139569
>>139566
>>139567
Unfortunately, this one is quite the hit

[1d20+3 = 5]
[2d6 = 7]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139569
139570
>>139568
"Блин, больно!"

Silver picks the rifle back up.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139570
139571
>>139569
This, he does. Another attack, or attempt to kick Forrester?
3d68864
?
No.139571
139572
[1d20+5 = 11]
>>139570
Another attempt.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139572
139573
>>139571
A hit, if barely, against the prone Forrester
3d68864
?
No.139573
139574
[1d6+3 = 7]
>>139572
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139574
139575
>>139573
Forrester is knocked down, to the ground.

Silver can see his cost burn away in bright green light, revealing one of the parasitic, black pony imitators in his place.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139575
139576
>>139574
Satisfied, Silver hurriedly returns to B Squad.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139576
139577
>>139575
At B squad, Brisbuck gives a command, filling in fir the Sargent

“Machine gun! Covering fire! Rifle section, forward!”

B squad advances inside the town hall, the black colt firing from the hip
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139577
139578
>>139576
Silver salutes his Lieutenant.

"Forrester has been knocked unconscious, Sir. Your orders?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139578
139579
>>139577
“Advance!”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139579
139580
>>139578
"Sir, yes sir!"

Silver moves to join B Squad in storming the town hall.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139580
139581
>>139579
The entryway has been shot to pieces by multiple machine guns and two grenades. On the floor lay the bodies of three changeling drones, fallen in strange ways or curled up, and wearing Equestrian uniforms.

What is more disturbing is the presence of two pony bodies in Equestrian uniform, never turning into drones. One lies on his back, the other on his side, with a hoof pressing holding his chest.

There are no more gunshots from within town hall
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139581
139582
>>139580
Silver stops to check on these ponies, to see their names/ranks and if they're still alive.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139582
139583
>>139581
Private Low Glow, 332nd supply company

He seems to have suffered shock and died from multiple rifle rounds - probably originating from a machine gun

Private Reed Wringer, 332nnd supply company

He seems to be gone or nearly so. He has several bullet wounds, and shrapnel as well.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139583
139584
>>139582
"I am sorry, soldiers."

Silver stands up from the bodies, and calls out into town hall.

"B Squad, report!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139584
139585
>>139583
B squad assembles before Silver, taking position and examining the surroundings
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139585
139586
>>139584
"Any sign of additional changeling occupancy in town hall?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139586
139587
>>139585
"The upstairs room"
Brisbuck replies
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139587
139588
>>139586
Silver nods.

"Do we have any more grenades?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139588
139589
>>139587
"Yes, plenty more."

As B Squad stands there, they can hear the words
"Don't shoot" calling from the left
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139589
139590
>>139588
Silver wheels around to face the direction of the voice.

"Who is there?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139590
139592
>>139589
Silver sees, coming through the doorway, three ponies wearing Equestrian non-combatant uniforms, trying to hold hooves up. One has a carbine on his back, two are completely unarmed. Two are bleeding, one from a scratch on the face, and another more heavily from under the uniform on the chest.

"Us" A white earthpony answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139592
139593
>>139590
Silver pulls out his flashlight, and trots slowly towards the three ponies.

"Stay right where you are, and do not move until I tell you to. I am going to check if you are changelings."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139593
139594
>>139592
They pull their hooves in the air, though the last one cowers

Yellow eyes, partly reflective
Dark red eyes, blinks
Steel Grey, seems to reflect back blue under the eye whites
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139594
139595
>>139593
Silver turns off his flashlight, and nods. He tells the first one, with yellow eyes, to go join B Squad, but keeps the other two for a moment longer. He starts by talking to the red eyed one.

"I need you to keep your eyes open. It will only take second."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139595
139596
>>139594
The first one stands there, looking at Silver for a moment, and then runs off into the squad of soldiers he was shooting at not two minutes ago

The second one tries to speak back to SIlver
"Wah"
He lowers a hoof, evidently to hold onto his chest (which is bleeding), and staggers. But his eyes are open
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139596
139597
>>139595
Silver quickly checks his eyes while they're open and he's still conscious.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139597
139598
>>139596
Reflection from the pupil, which narrows, but the whites and iris are unaffected
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139598
139599
>>139597
"Clear."

He looks back at B Squad.

"He needs first aid, stat!"

He now looks back at the third pony, the grey eyed one, and looks seriously at him.

"I want you to be completely honest with me: are you changeling?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139599
139601
>>139598
The ear twists

"... No?"
3d68864
?
No.139601
139604
[1d20-1 = 9]
>>139599
Sense Motive: Silver looks carefully at him for any sign of him lying.

"Are you sure? If you are, and you come out voluntarily, I promise you will be treated fairly."
Amber Sunset
c9e9ca5
?
No.139602
139604
I like this combat sequence, it reminds me of Post Scriptum. Check out Vade's videos with German comms/English subtitles if you can, they are really immersive.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139604
139605
>>139601
"Uh, I'm sure"

Seems kinda sus

>>139602
Huzzah! I got one right
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139605
139606
>>139604
Silver considers it for a second, but ultimately decides to concede and accept it as an aberration in testing.

"Alright. My apologies, we are just under lot of stress right now. Go ahead and join others."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139606
139607
>>139605
He stands there for a moment, but then rushes past
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139607
139608
>>139606
Silver returns to B Squad.

"Alright, are we ready to continue?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139608
139609
>>139607
"Sir, yes sir!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139609
139610
>>139608
Silver looks to see that the red eyed pony is getting medical aid before he does anything.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139610
139611
>>139609
The red eyed pony has to get in line, with the squad sergeant, Saltlick, and Amber Grain being injured
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139611
139612
>>139610
"Alright then. We will make our way towards upstairs room, checking rooms along way. When we get outside room, we will give them chance to surrender, and if they do not, we will toss grenade inside. Understood?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139612
139613
>>139611
"Sir, yes sir!"

B Squad advances into the dinning room - finding nothing, though some cots are on the floor. Nothing, down stairs office. Nothing in the bathrooms, or the other downstairs office.

On to upstairs. It's a narrow hallway not everypony can fit through
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139613
139614
>>139612
About how many can fit through?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139614
139615
>>139613
One abreast
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139615
139616 139617
>>139614
Silver instructs a grenadier to go first, with Silver behind him. Once they get to the doors of the room, Silver calls out.

"Anyone alive in there?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139616
139617 139618 139619 139620
>>139615
Silver pokes his head out to see a door on the right side, a door on the left, and a couple doors in the center

Silver's question is answered with a "ching-ching-ching-ching-ching" from the right

Role for reflex
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139617
139619 139620
>>139615
>>139616
Actually,

[1d20 = 3]
[1d20 = 9]
[1d20 = 16]
[1d20 = 6]
[1d20 = 10]
3d68864
?
No.139618
139619 139620 139621
[1d20+6 = 19]
>>139616
"GRENADE!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139619
>>139616
>>139617
>>139618
[1d20+2 = 13]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139620
139621 139622
>>139616
>>139618
>>139617
When Silver and the grenadier get up to the second floor, they are shot at from a blind-fired submachine gun out the door from the office on the far right, and a grenade is tossed at them.

Silver evades all bullets, while the grenadier is hit with one. Silver dives into the stairwell, and is not hit from any shrapnel, while the grenadier tries to jump back into the stairway

[2d6 = 6]
[1d6 = 1]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139621
139622
>>139618
>>139620
The grenadier, partly caught in the blast, almost lands on Silver.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139622
139623
>>139620
>>139621
Silver helps get the grenadier get to his hooves, and gets him down the stairwell. He points to the other grenadiers.

"They are not surrendering, flush them out!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139623
139624
>>139622
One rushes past, jumping over Silver, with a rifle grenade on his gun. As he rushes into the hall, there is more blind fire. There is a "thunk" and then a loud BANG as a rifle grenade is shot and detonates at ranges too close for comfort.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139624
139625
>>139623
Silver flinches somewhat, and starts talking once the ringing starts to subside.

"Sweet Celestia, soldier, I meant throw pineapple, not rifle grenade. You okay?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139625
139626
>>139624
"What!?" He seems a little dazed, but the attack still needs pressing forward
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139626
139627
>>139625
"Just nevermind. Come on!"

Silver pushes past the soldier to get to the room with the blind firing submachine gunner.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139627
139628
>>139626
Silver presumably kicks open the door, which itself is shot through with several bullet and shrapnel holes. Silver can see this room was a large sized office, with several; photographs on the walls, a couple book shelves, and a hardwood desk.

Books from the shelves have fallen to the ground. Some a shredded. The desk is moved at an odd angle, and is torn in many areas. There is a distinct hole in the wall above the desk, with broken bits of glass, parts of a wooden picture frame and the like strewn across the floor, along with so many papers. on the left side is a window, with a torn up chair propped up next to the window, and a turned over table to its left. The window is completely shattered, there is a large hole in the cieling with insulation hanging down, as well as part of a vent, and a large, belt-fed machine gun lies across the chair, with a number of empty cases to its right. Portions of the wall are penetrated with bullets, with paint coming off, while other portions are chipped.

Hanging over the Machine gun is a dead changeling drone with a Changeling style helmet, and no uniform. He bleeds blue on the foor. Next to him is another in an Equestrian uniform who also fell on his belly, and is holding what looks like a replacement barrel. This second one is covered in white drywall, which can also be found to a degree on the first one, but this one is covered almost like he fell asleep in snow. To the left of both is a dead changeling in Equestrian uniform who lies on his back, and has more than one noticeable bullet wound. He has a Changeling style bolt-action rifle next to him. between these three and the desk is a changeling lying on his belly and bleeding on the floor. He wears no uniform, and has an ammunition belt across his back, with an Equestrian carbine rifle beside him.

But most concerning is an alleged pony - a tan unicorn - in a bloody, Equestrian uniform, wearing a helmet and lying on his back. He looks to have fallen against the desk, then fallen off of it. In front of him is a Changeling style submachine gun, which he is reaching towards.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139628
139629
>>139627
Silver wraps a telekinetic sheath over the SMG, and tosses it aside.

"Do not move muscle."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139629
139630
>>139628
He keeps moving, like he's trying to get up
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139630
139631
>>139629
"Final warning. Do not move."

Silver keeps his rifle trained on the changeling.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139631
139632
>>139630
The alleged pony sits up, baring its gritted teeth at Silver. It magically undoes its pouch.
3d68864
?
No.139632
139633
[1d20+10 = 13]
>>139631
Silver shoots at the changeling.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139633
139634
>>139632
Silver hits it
3d68864
?
No.139634
139635
[2d8 = 6]
>>139633
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139635
139636
>>139634
Silver shoots the creature in its belly, which is enough to make it slink over to its side. A green fire comes down it, burning away and revealing a changeling drone with a large number of open blue wounds. the end of a Changeling-style grenade pops out of its open pouch
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139636
139637
>>139635
"I told you."

He calls out into the hallway.

"Clear."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139637
139638
>>139636
A soldier cone and peeps into the mess of the room

“I hope they’ll forgive what we’ve done to the mayor’s office” he says
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139638
139639 139647
>>139637
"Offices can be rebuilt, but ponies can not be brought back from dead. I think they will not mind."

He looks back to the soldier.

"Tell rest of B Squad to finish performing sweep of town hall, then meet me outside. Our work is not finished yet."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139639
139640
>>139638
"Sir, yes sir!"
He goes off to meet with other soldiers

But outside, Silver can already hear rifle shots, then machine gun fire
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139640
139641
>>139639
Silver rushes out to see where the gunfire is at.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139641
139642
>>139640
Silver can hear it from the direction of the back of town hall; i.e., A company.

Does Silver go outside before the full clearing of the building?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139642
139643
>>139641
Uh...unless something important is supposed to happen?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139643
139644
>>139642
Okay, so silver goes outside.

What do?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139644
139645
>>139643
Well, he was suppose to go investigate the gunshots behind the town hall.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139645
139646
>>139644
Going down the central hallway of town hall, silver sees a hallway that leads to a door. Peaking out the door onto the street, silver can see that A company, stationed in the second floor of the small brick fire station across the street, is engaged in fire with other enemies, hard to see from that location
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139646
139647
>>139645
Silver advances towards the fire station, trying to get in contact with the ponies or not-ponies inside.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139647
139648
>>139646
What was going to happen in >>139638 ?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139648
139649
>>139647
He was going to have B Squad search town hall, then meet him outside. If A and C squads weren't engaged in combat, he'd have them sweep the town while B Squad and the machinegun attachment rounded up the wounded and dead.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139649
139650
>>139648
Uh, well B squad is still in town hall, C squad and the machine gun section is unengaged, and A squad is engaged behind the town hall in the fire station.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139650
139651
>>139649
Eeyup. And now he's heading to see whether the ones in the fire station are ponies or changelings.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139651
139659
>>139650
Silver would have to run out into open fire to cross the street, and could be shot.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139659
139660
>>139651
In that case, it is probably best that he stay in town hall and assist B Squad until he has covering fire.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139660
139661
>>139659
Any more specific actions?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139661
139662
>>139660
Besides performing a sweep of town hall? Not really.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139662
139663
>>139661
From his position in the office on the far end Silver can see that there are four doors. Two on the right, one on the left, and one at the end.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139663
139664
>>139662
Silver goes to the first door on the right.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139664
139665
>>139663
This room looks to be a mundane bathroom with a single toilet, blue tile floors, a basket and a window on the far side. It's a narrow room.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139665
139666
>>139664
Hmm...door on the left, then.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139666
139667
>>139665
Technically this is the second door on the left, as the staiwell Silver came in from is also on the left.

This is a narrow supply closet that wraps around, with stacks of paper, a set of pens, a simple paper cups among other things.

What is less in-place, is what lies down on the ground: a green sleeping bag that looks to be full. It lies in such a position that it takes up essentially the full space between shelves.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139667
139668
>>139666
"That is unusual..."

Silver investigates this 'green sleeping bag' with his flashlight.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139668
139669
>>139667
It seems to be completely zipped up and full. It's the standard cotton and nylon bag issued to the Equestrian Army.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139669
139670
>>139668
Silver unzips it.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139670
139671
>>139669
Silver cannot make out many details through the thin, nigh transparent covering of silk that encases what is before him. Yet what Silver can gather is that under the layer of white-tinted gossamer is a light brown unicorn with his eyes closed and mouth open - technical private Hazelfront.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139671
139672
>>139670
"Private!"

Silver is relieved that he's found his missing private, but figures that until the town is secure it is not a good idea pulling him out just yet. He whispers to Hazelfront before zipping him back up.

"I am coming back for you."

Next, he tries the second door on the right.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139672
139673
>>139671
This room is marked "records" above the door, and inside are a number of file cabinets, shelves, and cardboard boxes
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139673
139674
>>139672
Interesting. He definitely marks this room for further inspection later, as the records may hold things of value. For now, however, he inspects the room on the end.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139674
139675
>>139673
Silver enters this room to see:

A pair of desks, each facing towards the center. A wall that seems to hold a black, telephone switch board with cables (albeit now many applicable holes), a pair of telephones, a chair near the entrance, an over turned chair near one of the desks, an upright chair by the other desk, and windows on each side of the room. Both desks have papers on them, while one has a headset, and another has an apple core on top. The room smells of cigarette smoke.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139675
139676
>>139674
Silver curses himself somewhat for not knowing how to contact command using telephones. Doing so would undoubtably be so much faster than telegraphs.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139676
139677
>>139675
There is a slight bumping sound, as if against wood
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139677
139678
>>139676
Silver pulls his rifle in front of him, and turns towards the direction of the noise.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139678
139679
>>139677
It seems to be from the direction of the desk on the left. No creature is visible popping out from behind the desk... yet.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139679
139680
>>139678
Silver calls out to the desk, and whoever may or may not be behind it.

"Whoever you are, come out slowly and put your hooves where I can see them."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139680
139681
>>139679
A beige furred pair of ears pop up, and then a muzzle and dark blue eyes. Then a thin pony sits up, hooves raised. The form is decidedly female, her hair is back and she wears an Equestrian Army uniform.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139681
139682
>>139680
Silver nods slowly.

"Alright. Good. Now...changeling or pony?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139682
139683
>>139681
[pause]
"Pony!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139683
139684
>>139682
He nods again.

"Okay. Now, here is what I am going to do. I am going to come over there, and test you to see if you really are pony or not. Regardless of what test shows, even if it turns out you are changeling, as long as you stay still and do not try anything you will not get hurt. Understand?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139684
139685
>>139683
She nods, slowly.

In the corner of Silver's eye, he can see something rising up behind him
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139685
139686
>>139684
Silver turns around to face whatever this threat is.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139686
139687
>>139685
Behind Silver, rising up from the second desk is another pony; a pegasus mare with a bright dandelion coat and a brown mane tied in a pony tail. She, too, wears an Equestrian Army uniform and no hat.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139687
139688
>>139686
"Stay right there!"

Silver trains his gun on her.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139688
139689
>>139687
Silver may want to be careful as to where he stands, as the desks are perpendicular to each other and it's easy for Silver to be blind to one while facing the other.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139689
139690
>>139688
I assume there is a spot Silver can back up to where he has some measure of view of them both?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139690
139691
>>139689
Without them moving? Silver can move to the entry door, or maybe even to either of the windows, but it will place him at a distance from at least one of the two ponies, wherever he moves
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139691
139692
>>139690
Silver backs up to the entry door, turning to aim first at earth pony, then the pegasus, and back again.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139692
139693
>>139691
The earth pony is very frightened, with the dandelion pegasus having a more blank expression
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139693
139694
>>139692
Once he's back to the entryway, he keeps the two in his sights.

"Okay, slight change of plans. I am going to call for assistance, then I will test you two..."

He calls out into the hallway while maintaining line of sight.

"I got two non-combatants here. Second floor, last room. If anypony can hear me, I need assistance."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139694
139695
>>139693
Enthusiastically, a pair of ponies come over from the office on the far side. It looks like several members of the squad, including the two grenadiers Silver came with, have gone to the office taken up by the machine gunner's nest. Now, two rifle ponies come into the room, with fixed bayonets.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139695
139696
>>139694
"Alright, same deal as before. Pony or not, you do not try anything funny. Understand?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139696
139697
>>139695
"Uh huh"
"Yes sir"
They respond, nodding, and clearly unsettled by the situation, as two rife stallions come forward, and point their bayonets towards the mares.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139697
139698
>>139696
Silver nods, and first checks the pegasus with his flashlight.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139698
139699
>>139697
He eyes are magenta. She narrows her eyes, but does not close them. There is no visible abnormality.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139699
139700
>>139698
"Clear."

He motions for the riflestallion to let her go before he goes to check the earth pony.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139700
139701
>>139699
He drops his rifle down, and the dandelion Pegasus stands up.

Looking into the earth pony's deep blue eyes, there is no unusual coloration, though the bright light turns her whites yellow. She does not flinch
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139701
139702
>>139700
"Clear."

He motions for this riflestallion to let her go as well.

"I am deeply sorry for such rude welcome, but we are currently still in middle of combat zone. Platoon Sargent Silver Sword."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139702
139703
>>139701
"Uh, Private Primrose"
She tries to stand up on her feet, and smiles awkwardly back at Silver
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139703
139704
>>139702
Silver smiles, and looks back at the pegasus.

"And you?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139704
139705
>>139703
Her expression is still a little blank. She blinks, and answers

"Private Thistle Brush, Sir."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139705
139706
>>139704
He speaks briefly to the two riflestallions.

"Our missing Technical Private is in storage closet, couple of rooms over. Tell either Amber Grain or Brisbuck so we can retrieve him once town is secured."

He turns back to the two mares.

"You two aware of what is going on?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139706
139707
>>139705
"Damn... Sir, Yes Sir." One of the two rifle stallions answers. They leave the room.

Thistle Bush starts to answer
"Well... the phone lines went out. We only had some paperwork that could be done, but we came up here anyways to get away from the stallions. A combat platoon showed up... Then bullets started to fly and we hid under our desks."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139707
139708
>>139706
"Sounds right. That combat platoon is us, we just came up from Wald today. Changelings infiltrated significant part of 332nd, including replacing Captain Forrester and his guards. Seems your desire to keep away from platoon's stallions kept you both from being replaced."

He looks at the telephone switchboard.

"I assume it was this morning when you last checked telephone lines. I sent A Squad to repair sabotaged lines just before shooting started. Can you check them now? We need to get message to Command immediately about our current situation."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139708
139709
>>139707
“Well, they stopped working sometime last night. I’m not sure if they work to The Front. Maybe they work now, I don’t know.”

Thistle Bruah puts on a head set, and goes to the board, placing the wire in one slot.
“Busy”
Then another
“This one, I think leads back to the Quartermaster in Wald...”
She tries another one
“Something seems off. Not like the line is down, but there is more traffic than the lines can handle...”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139709
139710
>>139708
Silver trots up to Thistle Brush, and points to the last one she tried.

"Where does that go?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139710
139711
>>139709
“That line was supposed to go to the state capitol in Chemeketa, but it’s rewired to the Front.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139711
139712
>>139710
It takes a second for that to sink in, and when it does it sinks like a rock dropped into a lake. Silver feels like his heart has stopped for a few moments before he comes back and looks at Private Thistle Brush. He looks like he's seen a ghost.

"Private...that line leads from Front to here, and this is primary point of communication between Front and Command. There is only one reason I can think of why that line is overwhelmed with traffic..."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139712
139713
>>139711
Thistle Brush hasn’t smiled the whole time Silver has been there, and she doesn’t start now.

“I’m guessing it’s not because they are wondering when the next shipment of carrots will arrive.”

In the silence that follows, the distant thud and thunder creeps into the room.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139713
139714
>>139712
He looks up at the sound, knocked out of his semi-trance and into action. He knows what that thunder means, now.

"Changelings are making their assault on our lines now. They sent Infiltrators ahead to sabotage telegraph and telephone lines so Command would be deaf. Private, patch us in with Wald, immediately. Tell them to either get in touch with Command or find somepony who can, Changelings are attacking now."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139714
139715
>>139713
Her eyes widen, and she is silenced for a moment, before answering Silver.

“Uh, you can only do so much here. The lines rewired here are for speaking to the supply chain on the Front and the quartermaster in Wald. If you want to try more general lines, I think you may have more luck at the Lunar Telephone and Telegraph Office here in town. The lines that run along Old Mecca’s Trail, and along the railroad line from Benson - I think that town is even closer to the front - are all routes through there before going east to Virtue and the Wald. Unless you want to speak with the Quartermaster.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139715
139716
>>139714
"Can Quartermaster get in touch with Command?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139716
139717
>>139715
She shrugs

“Probably? He’s a commissioned officer.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139717
139718
>>139716
"Then get in touch with him. Every pony we can contact about this is one more chance we can stop this assault before Changelings destroy us all."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139718
139719
>>139717
“Uh, okay. I can try. They may not like to hear it. They are already afraid to send trains through. Now they will be even more afraid, but they will have no choice.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139719
139720
>>139718
"Please, do so Thistle."

He looks to Private Primrose.

"Primrose, is there anything you can do about line from Front, any way to sort out traffic so we can get some idea of what is going on?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139720
139721
>>139719
“I think the telephone office has the main line, so it’s possible to tap into people’s conversations there. I don’t think we can do it here. Maybe if we call somepony will have the time to tell us?”

She gives a toothy smile that’s a bit nervous.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139721
139722
>>139720
"Дерьмо...try it."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139722
139723
>>139721
She places the line in the appropriate slot in the board, puts on the headset, and moves the rotary several times, before waiting ona response.

“Hello? Hello? Yes, we know about the water shortage. Oh. Well, sorry to hear about that, but can we get a situation report? Oh. Well I know you’re busy. Yes. I understand. Thank you.”

They are not on the line a full minute.

She turns to Silver
“The Changelings have begun a mass scale bombardment across the entire line. There is no assault yet, but they are expecting a night attack, or an attack at the break of dawn. That is all they could tell me.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139723
139724
>>139722
Silver looks at Thistle.

"You get that?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139724
139725
>>139723
“Yes...” she says.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139725
139726
>>139724
"Relay that information to Quartermaster so he may send it to Command. They have been in dark for far too long."

Silver lets out a sigh of relief.

"So, our death is not imminent. Given circumstances, I will take it."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139726
139727
>>139725
“Oh, okay.... Are the Changelings gone here?”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139727
139728
>>139726
"No, A Squad is still in combat with them. I am waiting for B Squad to finish sweep of building before joining them...or at least finding out which group is actualy A Squad and which are changelings."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139728
139729
>>139727
This unsettles her
“Oh... alright then. I’ll sit back here, if you don’t mind.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139729
139730
>>139728
"Good idea. I am going to go check on troops. Lock this door after I leave. So you know we are ponies when we return, we will say 'klutzy' through door, to which you will reply 'draconequus' to let us know you are ponies. Understood?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139730
139731
>>139729
“Fluxy what now? Uh, yes. I will do so.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139731
139737
>>139730
"Klutzy, draconequus. It is sign and countersign we are using to distinguish ourselves as being ponies, not changelings. Memorize it, please."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139735
139737
hopes to continue tomorrow
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139737
139738
>>139731
>>139735
She gives a small smile. "Okay, sir."

The gunfire has since stopped.

Within ten seconds, the following two things happen. The distant thunder stops, and the small lights on the switch board go out.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139738
139739
>>139737
"That is not good sign."

Silver goes to where the former mayor's office, to see how much of B Squad is there.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139739
139740
>>139738
There are quite a number of squad members there, about six in total, a couple of whom talk together, while the others rumage through the possessions of the Changeling machinegun nest. The Changeling with the carbine lying on the ground has stopped breathing, and seems to have a couple new blue-knife wounds in his body. One of the squad members wears a belt of Changeling machinegun ammunition like it's an over priced scarf while going to the opera.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
0a9ff6e
?
No.139740
139741
>>139739
"I assume Town Hall is clear, then? Where is Lieutenant Brisbuck?"
Anonymous
5497c6a
?
No.139741
139742
>>139740
“Uh, sir, downstairs, sir.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
0a9ff6e
?
No.139742
139743
>>139741
"Thank you."

Silver goes downstairs to meet with Lieutenant Brisbuck.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139743
139744
>>139742
Silver goes downstairs to find Brisbuck in the dining area, above a few of the wounded soldiers and speaking to the cream colored pegasus.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139744
139745
>>139743
Silver joins them, listening in on the conversation instead of interrupting.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139745
139746
>>139744
Silver learns from the Cream colored pegasus - who seems to have taken over Salt Lick's role as messenger - that Changelings in the town have set up more defensive positions in the easterly part of the town.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139746
139747
>>139745
Silver nods, and asks the cream colored pegasus a question.

"What is current status of A Squad?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139747
139748
>>139746
The pegasus looks over, at first stunned

"Still frosty; no longer under fire."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139748
139749
>>139747
Silver nods, and looks at both the pegasus and his Lieutenant.

"Once you are done receiving reports, I have information to give to you, Lieutenant."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139749
139750
>>139748
The Lieutenant pulls away from the pegasus.
"And what is that, sergeant?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139750
139751
>>139749
"We found telephone switchboard and two army telephone operators upstairs who managed to avoid changeling replacement. We discovered that Changeling forces initiated bombardment of our Frontline to prepare for their big assault either tonight or tomorrow morning. These Infiltrators were sent ahead to deafen Command as to their plans. I am also afraid that it appears telephone and telegraph lines have gone down again just now."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139751
139752
>>139750
His eyes go wide.

"Then I think you know what we must do. We need to push them out of their positions."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139752
139753
>>139751
"Indeed. And if I may, I think we may have just kind of equipment we need for such endeavor in our wagon. I wonder if they know we have mortar."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139753
139754
>>139752
He smiles

"I think they just might find out"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139754
139755
>>139753
He smiles back at him, and salutes his Lieutenant.

"What are your orders, Sir?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139755
139756
>>139754
"Use teams as necessary to scout out the Changeling positions. Use any firepower necessary to dislodge them and remove them from the town. And above all else, keep the telephone, powerlines, and roadways clear of all Changelings for use in defending The Front"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139756
139757
>>139755
"Sir, yes Sir! Do you know of Sargent Amber Grain's location?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139757
139758
>>139756
He's sitting down, over there"
He points a hoof towards a wall, where Amber Grain is sitting
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139758
139759
>>139757
"Thank you, Sir."

Silver trots over to the sitting Amber Grain.

"How are you doing, Sargent? I saw you got hit during earlier engagement."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139759
139760
>>139758
"I've been better" He winces. "But they've stopped the bleeding."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139760
139761
>>139759
Silver smiles at that last bit of news.

"Good. Think you are up to leading soldiers, or do you still need more rest?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139761
139764
>>139760
“Somehow, I don’t really think rest is an option for any of us at this point.” He pushes against the ground, attempting to stand up
“Ugh! Umph!”

With difficulty, he stands up.
“I think you need medical assistance yourself, Sargent.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139762
139763
>>138272 →
"We are boarding a train so we can slip past patrols. After all, only approved passengers make it on the train, and you fit the criteria we need to get on it."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139763
139766
>>139762
“Uh... okay.. I’ll leave the infiltration fo you, though.”
He seems unsure.

Spark now has the task of getting himself, another pony, and at least one wolf on a train without being noticed or seeming out of place.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139764
139765
>>139761
"Probably."

He looks down to the multiple bleeding bullet wounds across his body, staining his uniform crimson.

"Hurts like hell, but it is nothing I have not dealt with before."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139765
139769
>>139764
“Wounded before?” He asks
“Well, ugh! It’s my first time.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139766
139767
>>139763
Hmm....
Spark looks to the wolves.
"How about it? Ready for a train ride?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139767
139768
>>139766
Waabishki is left silent for a moment, and Maakade’s eyes go wide.
Makade: “I am not so sure the doubles will be happy to see wolves from the north forest.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139768
139771
>>139767
"Then you will just have to be left unseen."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139769
139771
>>139765
Silver nods.

"That I have been. For your first time, you are holding up rather well. I am impressed!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139771
139772 139775
>>139768
Makade’s ears lower, and then raise

Waabishki answers
“I will have this much trust in your pony medicine, and this much trust in you. You were found in the nest if a Sa’be. That must be a sign.”

>>139769
“Hopefully it will be the last.” He says
“What is the news?”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139772
139773
>>139771
Spark nods and turns back to the doctor.
"We are going to need some crates big enough for our wolf friends, some blankets for them to rest on, and some documents to say the contents are of a medical nature."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139773
139774
>>139772
“Uh...” he winces
“Okay...”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139774
139776
>>139773
Spark accompanies the doctor in search of the supplies.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139775
139776
>>139771
"Changelings have bombarded our Frontline in preparation for their assault. We have orders from Lieutenant Brisbuck to drive changelings here in Vale from their defensive positions using any necessary force, and to patrol telegraph lines, power lines, and roads to prevent further Changeling sabotage from cutting Front off from Command."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139776
139777 139778
>>139774
“Uh, well we have... what will fit a wolf? Especially without hurting their necks.”
He goes back to his office, and looks through the back.
“Uh, well we have body bags and coffins. That will fit them, at least.”

>>139775
“So it’s true. We should have expected a massive assault after uncovering their misinformation campaign.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139777
139779
>>139776
"There have been rumors of it for while. Turns out, they were true. That thunder we heard when we began our assault was sound of changeling artillery in distance."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139778
139779
>>139776
"Well... I suppose they wouldn't be much interested in searching coffins. That could work if you can drum up some fake death reports and certificates."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139779
139780 139783
>>139777
His hair seems to stand up at points.
“It is a good thing we did not split our forces, as the first reports suggested.”

>>139778
“Three coffins they will not want to search? I think I can work with that.” He answers, strangely confident
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139780
139781
>>139779
"That's the spirit. But remember, you have a cargo of wolves inside, and they best be comfortable as you can afford to make it. Unhappy wolves tend to not be pleasant if you can imagine."
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.139781
139782
>>139780
He blinks
“I think I’ll leave opening the coffins once we are safe to you.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139782
139784
>>139781
"No problem. Got the paperwork needed to get on board?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139783
139784
>>139779
Silver nods.

"Anyways, if you were up to it, we have two tasks we can split between us. One of us assists in dislodging changelings, other leads team to patrol area."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139784
139785 139789
>>139782
“Uh... let me get some death certificates made. If I have my guesses right they won’t bother to look too closely.”

>>139783
“Yes sir. I will go where you need me.” He answers
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139785
139786
>>139784
"Though we will still need a few regular supplies to keep the sick one well through the trip. We will also need to be able to check in on them. We can't have them suffocate or go thirsty."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139786
139787
>>139785
“We need to be in the same car, or at least access the same car. They will have to get out during the trip.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139787
139788
>>139786
"What if other changelings see them and report it? They could have drones waiting at the station we arrive to and arrest us. We need to be able to quarantine the car or something."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139788
139791
>>139787
“Have them place the coffins in the baggage car, or a freight car. That should be mostly safe. I think...”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139789
139790
>>139784
"Okay. Youlead team on patrol, it should be easier one of two to do while injured."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139790
139797
>>139789
He nods.
“Understood. Where are we patrolling?”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139791
139792
>>139788
"Sounds good. Now for our disguises. Think I could pass as your apprentice?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139792
139793
>>139791
“Well, the term would be a ‘resident,’ a student who has graduated medical school and is now learning the trade. But I doubt the Changelings will be so savy to know that.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139793
139794 139796
>>139792
"Then the last issue I can think of is how do we move the coffins into the more equipped medical facility once we arrive. It might look strange that we are bringing coffins in there."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139794
139795 139796
>>139793
“Maybe.... do you have a cover story?”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139795
>>139794
"Not off hoof... I would have to think up something. Perhaps it was a request to move the bodies directly from the hospital to the coffins. Perhaps I will just have to smooth talk it by."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139796
139798
>>139793
>>139794
“Or... when we are in Whinnyapolis, it may be easier to hide them. They may not even stand out as quite as unusual when we get there.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139797
139799
>>139790
"Patrol along telegraph and power lines. Somewhere along them changelings sabotaged them, and we need to find where they are broken and keep changelings from destroying them permanently."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139798
139799
>>139796
"That might work too."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139799
139800 139801
>>139797
He nods, and picks up his submachine gun.
“Yes sir.”

>>139798
“Uh, good. Are we ready, then?”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139800
139802
>>139799
"I believe so."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139801
139802
>>139799
"Good. I will lead rest of our troops in breaking changeling defenses. Do not be startled if you hear mortar fire in town."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139802
139803 139804
>>139800
“Alright... I’ll get these coffins... then let’s get a train.”

>>139801
He makes something resembling a smile.
“Ill let the Changelings be startled, for once.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139803
139805
>>139802
"I don't suppose you know when the next one headed our way arrives?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139804
139805
>>139802
Silver chuckles in response.

"Alright, let us get it finished, Sargent."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139805
139806 139811
>>139803
He blinks. “We could catch the 11:55, maybe, as it stops in town.”

>>139804
And now, Silver Sword has to decide where to send the squads. The road north of the town hall is Whinnington. The town hall faces Old Mecc’s trail, and so does the courthouse north of it. North of Old Mecc’s Trail is main street, which the courthouse is backed to. The way to Wald is East, the way to the Frong is West.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139806
139807
>>139805
"Perfect. Let's go get the wolves then."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139807
139808
>>139806
They go back up to the clearing, to find all three sitting down in front of Miskobag, who is still on the sled.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139808
139809
>>139807
Spark waves them over.
"We are about ready to head out."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139809
139810
>>139808
Waabishki stands up, then Makade. Waabishki takes the sled.
“Good.” She says with a rope in her mouth. “Let’s go then.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139810
139812
>>139809
Spark follows the sled until they get to the edge of the forest.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139811
139812
>>139805
Silver leaves B Squad under the command of Amber Grain, as well as leaving the exact performance of the task to his discretion. He does suggest to start with patrolling the way to the Front first since the remaining changelings have taken up defensive positions in the East.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139812
139813 139885
>>139811
Is Amber Grain suggested to patrol east, or does Silver?

>>139810
The third wolf (technically fourth) still helps pull the sled to this area.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139813
139814
>>139812
Well, Silver is leading the rest of the platoon in breaking the changleing defensive position in the East. He doesn't dissuade Amber Grain from patrolling East, only that it is advisable to patrol the path that doesn't have changelings on it.

He also goes back upstairs to the mayor's office to investigate the changeling machinegun.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139814
139815
>>139813
Silver returns to the office to inspect the machine gun. The gun is a medium or “universal” machine gun that is heavier than the Equestrian light machine gun, and unlike that gun, cannot be reasonably fired while walking of in clearing a building. It is belt fed, and is a true “crew served” weapon requiring at least one assistant gunner, and usually has two. It is, however, air cooled and light enough to deploy in the squad, which they do.

The Changeling submachine gun is popular enough with Equestrian troops that it’s not unthinkable that a captured one would end up in a rear supply company, but this gun would have had to be carried in by the Changelings, along with all of its ammunition and the replacement barrel.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139815
139816
>>139814
Silver bends down to inspect the damage done to it when they grenaded the room, while asking those present a question.

"Any of you think this weapon is still operational?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139816
139817
>>139815
As an air cooled weapon, there is no vulnerable water jacket to be damaged by shrapnel.

“I think so. It doesn’t look like it got hit directly.” One of the rifle ponies answers.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139817
139818
>>139816
"We might be able to use it, then. Suppress changelings with their own gun. Think you can bring this and equipment for it to our machinegun attachment?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139818
139819
>>139817
“We can bring it. I don’t know if they’ll have enough ponies to use it, though.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139819
139820
>>139818
"They may have to take on additional ponies from A or C squad then, but this is opportunity that we can not pass up."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139820
139821
>>139819
“Yes sir.” He answers, trying to pick up the machine gun, as another grabs an ammunition box.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139821
139822
>>139820
Silver assists in carrying the machine gun, as well as the replacement barrel. He groans a little in pain from the extra weight.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139822
139823
>>139821
It’s down the stairs, out the front door, across the street to the sherif’s office to get it to the machine gun detachment. It’s not heavy enough to be a pain at this distance, at least. Silver is met in front of the sherif’s office by a brown pony with a full helmet.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139823
139824
>>139822
"Klutzy."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139824
139825
>>139823
“Huh? Oh. Uh, uh, Dragon Echo.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139825
139826
>>139824
Silver sighs, and uses his magic to levitate his flashlight up to check the pony's eyes.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139826
139827
>>139825
He scrunches, and pulls away. It’s hard to see exactly what is going on from a distance, but nothing immediately pops out as out of place.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139827
139828
>>139826
Silver puts the flashlight away.

"Dra-con-e-quus. Anyways, we have new acquisition for machinegun attachment. I am thinking of using it against its previous owners."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139828
139829
>>139827
He taps his hoof to his chin
"Hmmm, a new gun, is it?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139829
139830
>>139828
"You do not see this big gun we are carrying?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139830
139831
>>139829
reee

He blinks
"We barely have enough ponies for the unit we have. Especially with one stallion down..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139831
139832
>>139830
"One stallion...oh, right, infiltrator. We can temporarily reassign riflestallions from A and C Squads to operate this gun. I just want to see it used against these changelings, it is beastly and it would be quite enjoyably ironic."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139832
139833
>>139831
He smiles
"Yes sir. We will see what we can do."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139833
139834
>>139832
"Heh. Almost want to be one to fire it, myself. Anyways, I have heard changelings have taken up defensive position on east side of town. Let us get A Squad, C Squad, Machinegun Attachment, and this gun into position to assault them. Also send couple of ponies to fetch mortars from wagon. We are going to rain hell and let thunder loose on these bugs."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139834
139835
>>139833
"Yes sir. Do we know where they are positioned?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139835
139836
>>139834
"East of firestation. We will need to put scout on crows nest in area."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139836
139837
>>139835
He nods, curtly
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139837
139838
>>139836
"Come on, let us get A, C, and MGs moving. This gun is heavy and lifting it is killing my wounds."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139838
139839
>>139837
He nods.

Time to locate the enemy.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139839
139840
>>139838
Silver heads to the firestation to look for a crow's nest.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139840
139841
>>139839
Silver enters the Firestation after acknowledging A company. They tell him that Changeling forces approached trying to reinforce the Town Hall, they shot at them and a firefight ensued, before the Changelings withdrew, evidently after the machine gun nest was destroyed. This happened on Whinnyton Street, with the Changelings approaching from the east and retreating east.

Inside the fires station, Silver can see that it is small with room for two vehicles. The building is narrow with a set of stairs connecting to a second floor and a firepole in the center of the floor. The upstairs contains a set of beds and the downstairs contains a tiny kitchen. There are a few windows, several of which have been used to fire rifles and the squad machine gun. There is no third floor nor proper roof, though this building, like most of the town, is flat roofed.

Silver can see that almost all buildings in the town are one floor or two floors. The Equestrian Harmonist church on Old Mecc's Trail is probably the tallest building in the town with its steeple and bell tower. There is a second, smaller church, presumably of a Reformist denomination, on Whinnyton street that also has a smaller, but lower tower.

There are two buildings that are slightly outside of the town that have elements that seem to be accessible by ladders that are even taller: a dairy processing facility with big, steel towers on the west side of the town, and what seems to be a grain elevator slightly north and east of the town by the railroad.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139841
139842
>>139840
Silver shows the gun to A Squad.

"You know of good emplacement for this thing?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139842
139843
>>139841
The sergeant of A squad, a yellow earth pony, answers:
“Sir, anywhere facing the enemy. A second floor window facing a street will do.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139843
139844
>>139842
"Thank you.

Silver finds such a location to set it, then he goes into the church belltower on Old Mecc's Trail.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139844
139845
>>139843
This is immediately down the road only a few blocks away on the other side. It's a simple matter of going through the doors and viewing all the narrow rows of pews inside, and seeing the stained glass princess Celestia on the far side above the altar. Silver does have to go through the foyer and into the sanctuary before finding the door on his left. But up this narrow flight of folding stairs, then a small landing on a second floor above the foyer that gives a view over the line of pews, and then up the stairs to the bell tower.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139845
139846
>>139844
Silver goes up to the top of the bell tower to hopefully get a view of the Changeling position.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139846
139847
>>139845
Roll Spot

[1d20+2 = 15]
[1d2 = 1]
9226999
?
No.139847
139848
[1d20+3 = 17]
>>139846
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139848
139850
>>139847
Silver swiftly identifies at least the first of the threats: The changelings have set up a machinegun nest further east in the tower of the other church, on Whinnyton. And it looks like they may notice Silver soon.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139850
139851
>>139848
Silver hurriedly rushes out of sight down the stairs, hoping they might assume he was just a figment of their imagination brought on by stress.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139851
139852
>>139850
Silver does not hear a hail of bullets coming to his position, so that's a small victory.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139852
139853
>>139851
Silver continues on his way downstairs, and back towards the firestation.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139853
139854
>>139852
If Silver stays on the Old Mecc's Trail side it's easy to evade the nest, because of buildings that block line of sight. What is less sure is approaching the fire station or anything on Whinnyton. That is best done by going all the way around the Town Hall, just to be sure.

Silver arrives back at the fire station
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139854
139855
>>139853
He finds the highest ranked pony there besides himself to give his report to.

"There is machinegun nest in church tower on Whinnyton. No doubt there are more forces beyond there, but if we are to get to them, that nest needs to go."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139855
139856
>>139854
He nods

"Yes sir."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139856
139857
>>139855
Silver looks to see if there's an angle on the Whinnyton church from the firestation where a scout or machinegun could take out the nest.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139857
139858
>>139856
In the back are two windows, one of which is in a bathroom, that face westward on Whinnyton and have a view over the top of a few residences and a shop between the fire station and the church - if only narrowly.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139858
139859
>>139857
Silver debates himself on what to do. It seems like a difficult shot to make, but he doesn't particularly want to break out the mortar and dedtroy the church. He decides to ask the scouts and machinegunners their opinions.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139859
139860
>>139858
The angle from the firestation isn't especially great, given the roof of a house that blocks the view of everything below the tower, especially on the window closer to the front. Of course anywhere you can see them, they can see you.

The sergeant replies:
"The way I see it, there are only three options: shoot at them from a distance, storm the building, or use explosives. I guess you could do that either close and personal or from a distance."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139860
139861
>>139859
Silver lets out a sigh.

"I know. Celestia forgive me for this decision, but it is wisest to take course of action which has minimum threat of injury to our ponies. We are shelling church."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139861
139862
>>139860
"Yes sir." He answers. "So much of our country has been leveled thus far. It can take a little more. Who shall work the mortar?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139862
139863
>>139861
"Anypony you know here has experience firing one?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139863
139864
>>139862
"The Weapon's section probably has training, and your 'Amber Grain' as well."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139864
139865
>>139863
"Amber Grain is leading patrol here in town, so let us get ponies for our Weapon's section."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139865
139866
>>139864
Silver is able to go retrieve the Weapons section, and the mortar as well.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139866
139867
>>139865
Silver should also get a map so he can give the coordinated of the target to the mortar team.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139867
139868
>>139866
It's not certain where a map can be gained, but this is also largely unnecessary, as the church is visible, at least when a peak is taken around the corner. It just needs a spotter to call out positions
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139868
139869
>>139867
Is there a suitable spotter among their Weapon's section?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139869
139870
>>139868
One person in the full group will sometimes take the role, although any scout from a squad will do. No one in Silver's entire group has any specialized training like being a forward observer for artillery.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139870
139871
>>139869
Are there any scouts available for that?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139871
139872
>>139870
They can be peeled off of A squad; yes.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139872
139874
>>139871
Then that's what Silver does.
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.139873
139874
I'm able to play now.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139874
139875 139877
>>139872
It's a simple enough matter to set up the mortar somewhere further back and out of sight of the church, as mortar's don't need line of sight. It's also simple enough to relay an approximation of where the target is located. But, as the team leader of the weapons section tells Silver:

"We ain't likely to hit the first time, or even the second."

>>139873
Hello

But it's so hard...
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.139875
139876
>>139874
That's okay, it's not exactly a placid day anyway. I'll help narrow down a story arc later.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139876
139878
>>139875
Um... uh... wanna talk about or comment on anything else?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139877
139879
>>139874
"I suppose you would suggest we have alternate plan for if changelings evacute from their position?"
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.139878
>>139876
Don't have time right now, sorry, I'm working on something and can play casually but not develop a detailed plan.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139879
139880
>>139877
"They'll adjust to our fire, you can be sure of that."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139880
139881
>>139879
"Hmm...perhaps...set up machinegun positions watching entrances of church? If any try to leave they will be cut down by hail of bullets."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139881
139882
>>139880
“Definitely a good idea. Hope they don’t see the machine gun position first, though.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139882
139883
>>139881
"Hmm..."

Is the church located in town, or is it closer to being in the wilderness?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139883
139884
>>139882
It is within the town, albeit a bit closer to the northern edge
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139884
139886
>>139883
Any bushes or shadowy backalleys nearby they could exploit?
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139885
139886
>>139812
Spark stops the wolves once they reach the edge of the forest.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139886
139887 139921
>>139885
The wolves are stopped shortly away from the road

>>139884
The semi-desert does not provide many tall plants, with most of the ground being covered in sage brush or scrub rarely more than a few feet high. What trees there are are all by the river. Likewise, there is not much in the way of alleys given the low density of the town, but a few spaces between commercial buildings, especially on Old Mecc and Main, could be construed as smaller alleys.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139887
139888
>>139886
"We are going to want to stay hidden. Once we get close, we are going to need you to hide in these coffins to slip onto the train."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139888
139889
>>139887
"Coffins?!" Waabishki narrows her eyes and raises her left paw
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139889
139890
>>139888
"Nopony is going to search a coffin with a doctor bringing it on board, and it can be made reasonably comfortable for a ride. It is our best bet for sneaking."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139890
139891
>>139889
Her ears go down, and she looks away
"If you say so, I will go with this,"

The two wolves say something to the peppered wolf, who walks away, and gives the sled to Makade and Waabioshki
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139891
139892
>>139890
"Alright. All that's left is to board the train. How are the changeling trains by the way, doc? I assume you took one to get here."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139892
139893
>>139891
"They check IDs of anypony to enter the train. The services themselves are.. not great. There are no sleeper services except on a few key routes like Las Pegasus to Vanhoover, and the trains are often late, never arrive, or are overcrowded. Just in general, Passenger service has taken a backseat compared to military and even freight needs. And then they started adding guards to trains when partisans started robbing them."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139893
139894
>>139892
"Interesting. Well, I have had a run in with ID checks before. Hopefully I still have my touch."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139894
139895 139896
>>139893
"Well, we'll find out..."

Roll die
2c20e92
?
No.139895
139896
[1d20 = 16]
>>139894
gulp So soon?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139896
139897
>>139895
>>139894
Spark, the Doctor, and Makade and Waabiski move with Miskobag down a set of roads into the back of the doctor's office. They don't seem to have been noticed. Or, hopefully they weren't noticed. Hopefully.

The doctor has the goods in the back. It's simple enough to sort out ones intended for adults from those intended for foals. The Wolves are similar enough in size to ponies for these to work.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139897
139898
>>139896
With the hiding spots picked out, all that is left is to find the right train.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139898
139899
>>139897
A train comes through from further north around noon time, according to the pony at the train station.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139899
139900
>>139898
Spark signals the doctor to get ready.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139900
139901
>>139899
The next matter is to take the coffins in a cart with a cover over them to the station. There is more than enough time to do this in the time available.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139901
139902
>>139900
Spark does so. He talks with the doctor on the way.
"Do you know any of the doctors over there?"
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.139902
139903
>>139901
“Yes. Dr. Warbler is a section head, and Nifty is a doctor there I did my residency under. A few others too, though doctors have been moved around a bit.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139903
139904
>>139902
"Are they the kind of ponies that will take sudden arrivals?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139904
139905
>>139903
"It won't be entirely welcome, but its what's available."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139905
139906
>>139904
"Do you know if they have much experience with wolves?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139906
139907
>>139905
“I don’t know. There are a decent number of wolves in Whinnysota, so... maybe?”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139907
139908
>>139906
"That's good. I wonder what it is like living with wolves that are integrated into the city."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139908
139909
>>139907
“Well, the wolves haven’t entirely integrated in most areas. Whinnyapolis isn’t exactly an exception.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139909
139910
>>139908
"Can't say I'm surprised."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139910
139911
>>139909
"Well, there aren't that many non-ponies in Northern and Central Western Equestria. Wolves are the most common, or at least they were before the Changelings came. Well, you never really know how many changelings are in a city. You'll see a yak, a deer or even a griffin every now and then. Dragons on mountains. But it's pony country, really, outside of the deep wilderness."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139911
139912
>>139910
"I suppose it is also the ideal spot for changelings to hide in plain sight. We might want to make sure everypony we talk to isn't a plant."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139912
139913
>>139911
“That’s... that’s not easy. Unless we only talk to a select few ponies we know.”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139913
139914
>>139912
"Perhaps. We might need to form a code in case we get separated."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139914
139920
>>139913
"Uh..." He draws a blank
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.139915
139916 139920
Merry Christmas!
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.139916
>>139915
Hello! waves. Merry Christmas!
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139920
139922
>>139915
Merry Christmas!
>>139914
"Perhaps something that like, sled in the woods. Something we have encountered personally but makes no sense to changelings that have just met us."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139921
139922
>>139886
Silver goes to find a suitable location from where a machine gun can cover the entrance of the church, without being spotted by the nest in the tower and hopefully without getting blown to smitherines by their own mortars.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139922
139923 139939
>>139920
"'Sled in the woods'... that could work" he says

>>139921
Silver sees that while there are not many alleys or large plants, there are houses and shops. In particular, an accountants office, and a floral shop are nearby, with windows that face the church. Spots inside these locations could hide ponies or weapons that could shoot through the windows and at anyone coming out of the church, but would not be visible from the bell tower. If a mortar hit the road in front of one of these positions, damage from shrapnel is possible but that's a risk in most places, and things like counters or remaining in other rooms could presumably mitigate some of these dangers.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.139923
139924
>>139922
Silver quickly returns with instructions to bring an MG team to the floral shop and use the counter as cover.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139924
139927
>>139923
Now here's the conundrum - how to get inside without being seen. Going down Whinnyton heavily risks being seen
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.139925
139926
waves
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139926
>>139925
is waved at
waves back
I'll be ready soon
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139927
139928
>>139924
Silver comes up with a solution: he serves as bait, drawing the attention of the nest from a different direction than where the MG team is coming from.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139928
139929
>>139927
Possibly imperfect given the existence or presence of riflelings alongside the machine gun to serve as spotters, but worth trying.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
3d68864
?
No.139929
139930
>>139928
Silver decides to ask the squad's sergeant if he has any better ideas.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139930
139931
>>139929
"Make a lot of noise, be convincing... maybe have some other rifle ponies with you, especially if you have concealment like from smoke... could work."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139931
139932
>>139930
"Hmm...that could work. Do you have any rifleponies to spare?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139932
139933
>>139931
"We can use almost any pony in the squad. Six in the rifle section, plus the scouts and light machine gun team."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139933
139934
>>139932
"I will take rifle section, unless you have better need of them elsewhere."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139934
139935
>>139933
He nods
“You’ll want them to clear the church, sooner or later.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
cc8d57a
?
No.139935
140015
>>139934
"Alright then, I will gather rifleponies and head out."
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.139938
139939 139940
Hello!
Anonymous
2c20e92
?
No.139939
139940
>>139922
"Sounds good. So, what else should we do while at this city? I figure that we shouldn't waste our trip with just one task."
>>139938
Hi!
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139940
139943
>>139938
Hello

>>139939
"You tell me. You're the one with a mission. I'm just along for the ride."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139943
139944
>>139940
"I was hoping you might know a couple of highlights of the city for me to make a guess at that."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139944
139945
>>139943
"What do you mean? Go to the Fair for an afternoon? I'm not supposed to leave this town today at all, and I am taking a risk by going there to help you."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139945
139946
>>139944
"Well, I guess we will find out once we get there. As for your risk, there is no concern. We are going to get you transferred back home, remember?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139946
139947
>>139945
He blinks
“How?”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139947
139948
>>139946
"Change a few files, talk to a few doctors and directors of the hospital, and I'm sure we can alter some medical records and transfer details. The changelings aren't going to fret if a doctor is moved to a new location that needs it."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139948
139949
>>139947
He nods
“Go on...”
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139949
139950
>>139948
"Once we get the wolves getting looked at, talk with the doctors there, while I go look for the records. Imply to them that the changelings are looking to transfer you and it will start to become an expected result when I alter the records, which will allow the transition to take place smoothly."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139950
139951
>>139949
"But the Changelings will know the difference. They will want confirmation and everything."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139951
139952
>>139950
"Then I will just have to get them to alter it for me."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139952
139954
>>139951
He smiles at Spark
"You really think you can do that?"
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139954
139955
>>139952
"I think so."
Spark smiles back
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139955
139956
>>139954
"Alright. Well, let's get these coffins in."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139956
>>139955
Spark helps the doctor load the coffins.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139957
139958
First, they are stacked on a cart, then the cart must be taken to the station. At the station, a guard - openly a changeling with a spiked quest - is there to question:
"Where are the papers?"
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139958
139959
>>139957
"Doc's got them over there. I'm helping him today."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139959
139960
>>139958
The doctor drops the handle on the cart to pull out a set of papers:

"What, these don't seem to have proper names on them."

The doctor looks at him and says
"These three are, well, let's just say they need a bit more discretion. Best not to draw attention to them. They are destined to Whinnapolis for research purposes."

The guard looks a little more closely at the coffins. The doctor adds
"We don't know if there is any communicable disease on them. But I don't think the higher ups would appreciate any such deadly and disfiguring disease being spread by handling the corpses."
2c20e92
?
No.139960
139961
[1d20+3 = 12]
>>139959
"I'm in no position to speculate, but I wouldn't be surprise if it has something to do with that panic in the mine."
Bluff roll.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139961
139962
>>139960
The changeling physically pulls away, pulls his lips up in something like a wince, and with his right hoof, seems to wave them along.

The train pulls into station. It's a steam locomotive, with a windowless car in the fore, a few of what loo to be older coach cars, and then some cars behind that may be freight, though it's hard to say for sure from this angle.

The guard says:
"The baggage car. There."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139962
139963
>>139961
Spark helps the doctor move the coffins to the baggage car.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139963
139964
>>139962
A couple items need to be moved and stacked up, but there is room for the three coffins. One needs to be placed in the center of the walk way, while one must be placed on top of other bags.

The doors are closed, and the car starts to move.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139964
139965
>>139963
What all can Spark see in this car?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139965
139966
>>139964
A couple crates, some bags on the wall evidently filled with mail near the front of thee car, a small cart that seems to include mail, a door that presumably attaches to the locomotive on the front most end, a number of actual bags and items of luggage in leather cases to either side of the narrow walk way, and a door at the end. There are a couple dim electric lights, two doors on each side, one of which is two doors that slide open, and a door at the end that connects to the first coach car There are no windows. Of course the three coffins are there, as well as the doctor.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139966
139967
>>139965
"I don't suppose that guards will come in here to check on the mail, do you?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139967
139968
>>139966
"There is no RPO here, so there isn't a need. They aren't like the old Equestrian railway where they are most concerned with creatures stealing items of value out of the mail. Mostly they are worried about mail being used to coordinate partisan activity, or maybe hiding guns or explosives. They check it before it's sent, but they don't check it while it's moving."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139968
139969
>>139967
"Alright. Think the wolves are safe enough to come out and talk then?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139969
139970
>>139968
"Well, maybe..."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139970
139971
>>139969
Spark taps on the coffins, signaling it is safe to come out.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139971
139972
>>139970
tap tap
There's a gasp, and Waabiski comes out panting. Makade independently throws off his lid, also gasping. He removes his rifle, and places it to the side.

Waabishki:
"It's so cramped and stuffy in there"

Makade:
"These airholes are not big enough."

Waabishki gets up, awkwardly, to go pull off the lid off Miskobag. Makade stretches out his legs, evidently in pain
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139972
139973
>>139971
"Sorry. Still, we got in and are on our way."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139973
139974
>>139972
Waabishki asks
"And what are we to do when we get there?"
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139974
139975
>>139973
"We will get you in to see a doctor."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139975
139976
>>139974
"Do we... just go to the hospital?"
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139976
139977
>>139975
"You will once we get you in. I might have to sweet talk our way in, but that is doable."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139977
139978
>>139976
She sits down next to Miskobag, who is silent, but looks up out of the coffin. He does not get out of it.
"Whatever it takes," she says, almost silently.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139978
139979
>>139977
Spark nods.
"Just remember to not lunge at anypony, changeling or otherwise. We have to maintain cover while we are there."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139979
139980
>>139978
"I won't" she grimaces, and turns away

Makade now speaks
"Remember, we still have our problem of this almost 'state of war.'"
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139980
139981
>>139979
"Where we are going, there are also wolves, which naturally would go to the doctor on occasion. So the war won't matter once we are in the city and heading for the doctor. We will be treated as any other citizen the changelings have to watch."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139981
139982
>>139980
Almost irritated, he responds
"No. I don't mean that." He shakes his head and tilts his head down, before looking back up. "I mean our problem is not yet solved."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139982
139983
>>139981
"I'm sorry. I don't know what you are referring to."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139983
139984
>>139982
"I mean the ongoing war against the Zagaskway. I's been a while since they've tried to attack our position, but it's a sword that has hung over our heads for half a year now. More importantly, it has severely reduced our ability to trade."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139984
139985
>>139983
"The Zagaskway? I have never heard of them."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139985
139986
>>139984
"Ugh.... Us. Ziibe explained this, I think. Our band of the Ma'iingan."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139986
139987
>>139985
"These names are a bit much for me to keep up with. I have just met you after all."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139987
139988
>>139986
He sighs
"I went to pony school, and so did Waabishki. Our pack is called the Zagaskway band. That is Ma'iingan for 'bloodsucker,' which is the same as the pony name for our pack. We are the 'Leech' group. Or rather, the 'Leech Lake' group. You ponies call us the Onibwe Nation. We call ourselves the Ma'iingan, which is our word for "people." We are the wolves of the southern and central Crystal Empire, and Northern Equestria."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139988
139989
>>139987
"So, you are afraid you will be attacked in our absence?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139989
139990
>>139988
"No, I mean we have a long term problem that is not resolved. We are running low on certain tools, medicines, and bullets."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139990
139991
>>139989
"Which is why it is a good thing you are making some pony friends then. I will set you up with trade with the New Mareland occupation."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139991
139992
>>139990
Waabishki makes a remark, evidently not directed at Spark:
"But you were not born into the Zagaskway, were you?"

Makade blinks
"These 'New Marelanders.' Where are they?"
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139992
139993 139994
>>139991
"To the east. They are the on the other side of the changeling border. Both sides are rivals and could go to war in the future as both want all of these lands of Equestria as their own."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139993
139994 139995
>>139992
Makade:
"Something seems almost fitting about the ponies being conquered and colonized."

Makade pauses for a moment, and after a beat, resumes:
"But I cannot deny that the ponies have been reliable trade partners, even if they try to skip out of royalty payments. These Doubles have been only hostile so far."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139994
139995 139996
>>139993
>>139992
Waabishki has her own remarks, however:
"I don't want our people to be caught up in someone else's war."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139995
139996
>>139993
>>139994
"Well, if you stay out of the war in entirety, you will need to create all of your own weapons and ammo, which makes you a more tempting target for your neighboring changelings, who like those things. Right now, their fear of the forest is keeping them from invading, but fear can be overcome by greed. Trade can occur under their radar and keep you out of direct conflict."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139996
139997
>>139995
>>139994
Makade speaks to Waabishki:
"I've seen their advance. He is correct about one thing for certain. We need support."

Then he turns to Spark
"But I would rather negotiate with the Doubles than fight them. Perhaps they would be willing to give back some of our land in exchange for help against partisans."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139997
139998
>>139996
"You can be sure that if you deal with them, you will be spied on by them, including infiltration, if they don't demand to know you location and turn it into a new mine or foresting operation. There are two valuable things you can offer the changelings: land or information. That is if you don't want to consider labor in their mines as trade. And I doubt you have the information they are looking for to secure the trade.

Meanwhile, you do have knowledge useful to secure trade with New Mareland, the information you already possess about changeling structures, their fear of the woods, and the layout of said woods. It makes the most sense to trade with a distant neighbor that can't easily strike you and will have to stretch supply lines to invade rather than the superpower at your door."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.139998
139999
>>139997
He takes a moment to contemplate this. His ears move down, and back up again.

"Would this not anger the Changelings?"
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.139999
140000
>>139998
"That is only if they discover the trade, which can all take place in the woods, which they don't enter. Plus, this isn't funding a modern war capable nation. This is helping a small nation that does not engage in gruella warfare. It should go under the radar."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140000
140001 140002
PetZeSkies.gif
>>139999
Best Pony

"How will we trade with these New Marelanders?" He asks
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140001
>>140000
Agreed!
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140002
140003
>>140000
Best pony!

"I can set up a meeting at the border, at which point, you will make your demands of trade and I will pressure them to agree, but they will likely need at least the scouting information of your immediate area, the mine, the woods, the railway, things like that."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140003
140004
>>140002
"Alright... Waabishki has faith in you, and I will take a risk as well."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140004
140005
>>140003
"Glad to hear it."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140005
140006
>>140004
"Uh, should we stay here or go into the coach?" The doctor asks
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140006
140007
>>140005
"Hmm... I think we best stay here and work out our strategy should things go south."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140007
140008
>>140006
"Uh, okay. What shall we do then?"
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140008
140009
>>140007
"We need to regroup, confirm we are not changelings, and then we need to lay low. Once we lose any pursuers, we can then get another ride back home."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140009
140010
>>140008
"But what about whoever is pursuing us?" He asks
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140010
140011
>>140009
"We will need to avoid killing pursuers, but we also need to make sure we don't have them realize where we have actually come from, so they don't go around looking for your home. If all goes well, they will just believe the residents of the city are the ones being troublesome."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140011
140012
>>140010
"Maybe... I would like to avoid my home while I am here. To avoid anything being associated with my family."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140012
140013
>>140011
"You might want to make up some new names then."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140013
140098
>>140012
"Uh... well we'll still need somewhere to group at, or to stay at while we stay a while. Exploratory surgery or tests could take a while. And maybe you could stay at the hospital, but maybe not."
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140014
140098
Merry Christmas, Spark!
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140015
140016 140017
>>139935
"Yes Sir."

And now Silver begins the task of distracting the machine gun.

>>139280
A couple more customers come in, mostly nothing out of the ordinary.
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140016
140018
>>140015
Amber looks to see if they need any help and if so she goes to assist.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140017
140018
>>140015
I don't suppose there are other streets himself and his rifleponies can take to get around the church?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140018
140019 140023
>>140016
Some stallion, who for some reason seems to like Amber. There's also a mare wearing an overly thick sweater who seems to start with Amber but quickly needs to be given to Guy instead because of her specific questions.

>>140017
There seems to be a lot behind the church, with the church itself having a small parking area and wooden fenced in area. Then there is a minor street that is not paved, and hosts single family homes.
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140019
140020
>>140018
"Good afternoon mister, what can I do for you today?" she asks cheerfully.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140020
140021
>>140019
"Yeah, I need a dress for my daughter's school dance. It's not until later in the Spring, but I want to surprise her with it."
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140021
140022
>>140020
"I'm sure she'll love the dresses we have. How old is she?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140022
140024
>>140021
"Oh, she's 11 now. Well, she will be when I give her this dress. And when the dance happens in Spring."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140023
140025
>>140018
Silver leads the group through the minor street.
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140024
140025
>>140022
"Let's check to see if there are any dresses that match her size…"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140025
140026 140028
>>140023
And now it's a question of where Silver wants to attack from

>>140024
There's a specialized children's section. The stallion provides as much information he can about her dimensions. There are dresses in lavender, lime, pink, and of course many of mixed colors.
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140026
140027
>>140025
"What's her favorite color?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140027
140030
>>140026
"Blue. Definitely blue."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140028
140029
>>140025
Definitely the opposite end of the church from where the MG team is going to be set up.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140029
140032
>>140028
Unless Silver seeks more specific cover or concealment, he can move to attack
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140030
140031
>>140027
"Oh, okay." She picks out a blue dress. "Do you think she would like this one?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140031
140033
>>140030
"Well. maybe not that shade of blue."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140032
140034
>>140029
Cover would definitely be a help, though I'm unsure of the organization of the town in this area. Are there any stone or brick fences or walls they can usex
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140033
140034
>>140031
"How about this lighter hue?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140034
140035 140042
ws-color-shades-of-blue-color-600-450.png
>>140032
There is a stone fence at the edge of the church lot, though the wall is very low - 3 feet - and can only provide so much cover from shots above. Of course being very close to the church itself prevents them from getting a hot downwards, but you'd have to get that far, and it's possible to stay close to the buildings between the fire station and the church so as to avoid being in line of sight.

>>140033
"Hmmm...."

There are a surprisingly high number of blue dresses for fillies there
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140035
140036
>>140034
"Does she like cerulean?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140036
140037
>>140035
He blinks, and perhaps in this moment Amber remembers she is dealing with a male

"Uh...."
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140037
140038
>>140036
"This bright color here. It makes me think of what lagoons look like in far-off islands."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140038
140039
>>140037
The dress corresponding to Amber's suggestion has a crisscross pattern of black and dark lines

"Lagoons in far off lakes.... I like that."
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140039
140040
>>140038
"I don't know what she likes, but the dress does have an interesting pattern…"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140040
140041
>>140039
He takes a closer look at the dress, slowly becoming mesmerized by waves of blue that bob up and down against a white upper portion, and black lines that intersect and then bounce back again on the bottom

"Yes... This may do."
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140041
140043
>>140040
"Great! Let's 'ring it up'!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140042
140043
>>140034
Do any of the soldiers have grenades?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140043
140044 140045
>>140041
He takes the item, places it on the counter, and pays cash for it. Sadly, it's that same currency as earlier. At least it's a bluish color on these bills.

>>140042
Yes, most have hoof grenades, and one rifle may shoot rifle grenades
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140044
140046
>>140043
Bluish this time! Why do they keep changing colors?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140045
140046
>>140043
Silver directs them to get into cover, and points to where the MG nest is for the rifle grenade to be shot in.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140046
140047 140050
>>140044
Upon closer inspection, Amber actually gets an answer to this question. The bills are denominated 20 bits, rather than the 50 she saw earlier

>>140045
Alright, ponies in position, presumably hiding close to the edge of the residence next to the church.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140047
140048 140049
>>140046
Silver gets into position, and gives the signal to the grenadier.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140048
140049
>>140047
And... fire

[1d20+2 = 12]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140049
140052
>>140048
>>140047
The shot goes low, landing in the ceiling - one of the few vaulted ceilings in the town - causing a few ceramic shingles to shatter and fly about. Quite a number are dislodged, sliding off the roof and falling to the ground.

This absolutely gets the Changeling's attention

"Dort!"
There is the sound of rifle fire, and Silver can see dirt kicked up by a bullet hitting the ground behind the house where they are hiding.
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140050
140051
>>140046
"Thank you for your business, have a nice day. I hope your daughter does well!" She waves goodbye to the customer.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140051
140054
>>140050
"Oh, she will. She will."

He leaves, but outside, Amber notices something. An automobile pulls up, stopping outside. It's a rather fancy one two, with a long engine house and curves. A grey diamond dog in a suit and wearing a black cap gets out and opens the rear door.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140052
140053
>>140049
"Take cover against wall!"

Silver rushes up against the wall of the church, to inform the rest of the ponies what to do. He points to one of the ponies carrying grenades.

"Take step back and toss pineapple!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140053
140056
>>140052
"At what?" The pony yells
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140054
140055
>>140051
Her mouth gapes open at such an unexpected sight. Amber had seen automobiles before but never such ones designed with form in mind to a degree of art. She assumes that the diamond dog must be quite wealthy if he has such nice clothes and is driving such a machine–that is, until he opens the door.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140055
140059
>>140054
The pony that steps out is a unicorn mare. Her coat is a lighter pink, but she's wearing a dress of greens and blues. Her mane has black and white both. She steps down, and walks towards the shop, then inside. The diamond dog closes the door.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140056
140057
>>140053
"At where rifle fire is coming from!"

He motions to the same location as he did for the rifle grenade.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140057
140058
>>140056
A pony throws one out, then another

[1d20 = 17]
[1d20 = 9]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140058
140060
>>140057
>>140057
One is tossed over, hits a window and falls down besides the church, detonating on the ground. There is a distinct sound of glass breaaking, as some of the windows on the church shatter. Shrapnel seems to fly either way through the passage way between the buildings.

Another grenade is tossed up, bounces on the roof, and falls over to the other side of the roof, exploding somewhere on the roof top.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140059
140061
>>140055
Oh my, I wasn't expecting somepony like this! She looks a princess almost. What do I do, what do I do? she frets to herself, before practically leaping in front of her and bowing, or whatever the pony equivalent of a curtsey is.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140060
140061 140065
>>140058
Silver ducks when the grenade goes off so close to them.

"Черт! Everypony okay?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140061
140062 140065
>>140059
She opens the door, affirming that her stop here was indeed intentional. She walks in, delicately but also with a quick pace. At once she looks young, but also older, like she's trying to keep the beauty of youth even after the passage of years. A best guess is that she's somewhere in her late thirties - if she's older, she does a good job of hiding it - while still attractive to the stallions (mostly, anyways). Her dress is probably the most peculiar feature about her, besides the automobile and driver. It's a set of fine material (silk?) that looks inappropriately light for a winter's day. It's pattern of blues and greens with yellow hints looks almost like the aurora. It's probably a more expensive brand than anything sold here. She wears a white and blue set of slippers.

Guy has spent much of the day standing on guard slightly to the right of the entryway, and a little back. He has tried to meet and talk with customers before Amber could. Now, he takes a step back, and moves out of the way. High Sewn looks up from her magazine at the entering mare.

>>140060
"Yes."

Perhaps the last grenade had its intended effect of making the Changeling position duck down, because there is a pause of fire for almost three seconds. but when that ends, there is a hail of bullets. The machine gun starts shooting, and seems to hit the wall of the house Silver and the rifle section are up against.

[1d20 = 20]
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140062
140063
>>140061
Compared to this new entrant Amber looks positively drab with her dark, concealing dress that was out of fashion years ago. Her straight-cut hair betrays the appearance of a commoner, a fact only reinforced by her country accent.
"Good afternoon, miss! Welcome to the shop. I hope there is something I can help you with," she says with a hint of nervousness but also with warmth.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140063
140064
>>140062
She turns sharply to Amber, and looks at her with her light blue eyes.

"I can find it myself just fine, thank you." She turns away. Then she turns back
"Actually, surprise me. It's a gift for somepony's daughter."
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140064
140065
>>140063
"Oh, um…I'll do my best!" She hurries to the section with the higher-end clothes.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140065
140066 140067
>>140061
>>140060
A hail of bullets come down, hitting the wall of the house and the ground around them.

Then something very unfortunate comes down, bouncing against the ground, flying up, and stopping past the ponies in front of them, behind the house. It's a grenade, perfectly positioned in front of them all.

>>140064
She slowly comes over.
"Younger" she says
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140066
140068
>>140065
"Like these?" She moves toward the dresses similar to the one she just sold earlier.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140067
140068
>>140065
Can Silver make a roll to throw the grenade away from the soldiers? And if so, what type of roll?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140068
140069 140070
>>140067
It's already been flying through the air, so there is not much time. It would be like an unarmed attack role, because it is literally a kick. Also, failure and probably even success mean a grenade exploding very nearby

>>140066
She looks at it
"Rather basic. But if this pony were more important, I'd be at Le Chevalier. Why don't you tell me what you'd get your six year old daughter? With more money, of course."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140069
140071
>>140068
Time slows down to a point where it almost completely stops in Silver's head. All of the options available to him go through to be weighed in his mind, and in his mind he doesn't see very many good options. And there isn't much time to deliberate on any better ones. He thinks about the soldiers with him, about their service to Equestria, what ponies await them back home when this war is over, how much more of their young lives they have left...and makes his decision.

He offers a prayer to Celestia, prepares to be welcomed by his long dead wife, and jumps on the grenade.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140070
140071
>>140068
"I…don't have a daughter. But if I did, maybe something that could be worn to a lot of different events over the year." She feels a dark cream, cotton dress with embroidery on the upper part and truffles on the skirt.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140071
140072 140073
>>140069
I'm guessing Silver ends the dream right here?
https://youtu.be/-Pouu1DoqVM?t=230

>>140070
"And that is what you'd go with?" She asks, skeptically
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140072
140074
>>140071
"Um, maybe something brighter would be better for her age, like pink. I'm sure she would like that, right? Maybe with flowers."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140073
140074
>>140071
Uh...I don't know. Is that the end of the dream?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140074
140075 140076
>>140072
"Mhmmm. Where are you from, fillie?" She asks
She speaks strongly, and she is accented to the Equestrian East, probably Manehattan, but maybe further north."

>>140073
Well if he dies in dream, then obviously, yes
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140075
140077
>>140074
"I'm from a bit to the west of here. I came to the city a couple of days ago," she replies slowly.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140076
140078
>>140074
I'm just not sure he'd survive even if he was successful in kicking the grenade away or telekinetically throwing it around the corner of the building.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140077
140080
>>140075
"West of here? Like Sire's Hollow? Moonlight Shores?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140078
140079
>>140076
Okay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tI2luo20cU
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140079
>>140078
Then I suppose he does...?
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140080
140081
>>140077
"The forested area near by the river. It's a bit closer to Baltimare than it is to New Horseleans."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140081
140082
>>140080
“Well, that explains a bit. And what brought you here?”
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140082
140084
>>140081
"A lot of folks go to the city to try to get rich. I don't want to get rich–I wouldn't even know what to do with the money–but I got to support my parents and my little brother."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140083
Or should we do-over with Silver kicking/throwing the grenade away instead?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140084
140085
>>140082
“And that’s why you’re here? In this store?” She asks
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140085
140086
>>140084
"Yes, ma'am. Miss Sewn was kind enough to let me work in her store and I'm trying my hardest to help her. I'm also the hostess for a restaurant at night." She grins, as if this is some small point of pride.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140086
140089
>>140085
“Oh? Which one.” She asks.
9226999
?
No.140087
140088
[1d20+8 = 17]
Let's just see what the roll would have been.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140088
140090
>>140087
Context. Roll a second d20
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140089
140091
>>140086
Has the name of the restaurant been given yet? If not, let's just say Amber mentions it and follows up with the eager question, "Have you heard of it? A lot of fashionable mares like yourself tend to visit."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140090
140091
>>140088
What modifiers?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140091
140092 140093
>>140089
“On Chincoteague? I’ve passed by it.”
She doesn’t have an immediate follow up.

>>140090
No modifiers
9226999
?
No.140092
[1d20 = 9]
>>140091
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140093
140094
>>140091
"I really hope you can stop by one day, even if just for a bite or a drink. The decor is really nice and the food is even better. I'll get you the best seat in the house, oh forgive me for rambling…"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140094
140247
>>140093
She smiles a little
“You sure are a chipper one. Do you take so much pride in every little job?”
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140095
140096
Okay, that’s it for me tonight
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140096
>>140095
Goodnight!
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140098
140099
>>140014
Thanks! Sorry, I had to cut my session short yesterday.
>>140013
"We will see what we can do."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140099
140100
>>140098
Waabishki says to Makade:
"Didn't your parents move to Whinnyapolis?"

Makade:
"No. Why?"

Waabishki:
"That letter you had smuggled in. Biwak told me about it."

Makade:
"And?"

Waabishki:
"And they told you they moved to Whinnyapolis."

Makade:
"Okay, yes. Fine."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140100
140101
>>140099
"That can work."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140101
140102
>>140100
Doctor:
“And if you are caught, it’s just a personal visit to family.” He smiles.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140102
140103
>>140101
"I suppose. Though we won't be caught."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140103
140104
>>140102
Doctor:
"Yes. That's the spirit."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140104
140105
>>140103
Spark smiles.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140105
140106
>>140104
Okay, either cut to arrive in Whinnyapolis, or move to coach car Which will likely lead to arrival
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140106
140107
>>140105
We can move to the arrival now.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140107
140108
>>140106
It's perhaps one and a half to two hours, Spark feels the train slowing, and then stopping.

Doctor:
"We must be arriving in station."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140108
140117
>>140107
Spark heads to the coach to get ready to exit.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140117
140120
>>140108
Makade pulls his rifle back into the coffin as Waabishki places the lid back on Miskobag's coffin. Spark finds the door at the back, and is able to go through it, through the vestibule, and through the door into the coach. Spark sees the ponies inside the coach car, though it's less than half full. More earth ponies than any other race, and a surprising - or not surprising - number of Crystal ponies. They wear old woven sweaters and heavy coats, and look up at the passing ponies if they look up at all. At the end of the car are two seats together. Looking outside, Spark can see they are already at the platform - an island, mostly empty, of brick and concrete. Nopony stands to get off.

A white unicorn stallion with a ragged coat walks inside, declaring "have your tickets and ID ready to present." He comes in turn to Spark and the doctor.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140120
140122
>>140117
Spark nods the doctor over.
9226999
?
No.140121
140123 140130
[1d20+6 = 17]
Reflex
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140122
140124
>>140120
The doctor smiles and blinks, evidently not understanding
\
"Tickets and ID" the attendant says
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140123
>>140121
[1d20+1 = 3]
[1d20+1 = 20]
[1d20+1 = 21]
[1d20+2 = 3]
[1d20+1 = 20]
[1d20+2 = 8]
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140124
140125
>>140122
"I'm with the doctor here."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140125
140126
>>140124
"Tickets and ID, please.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140126
140128
>>140125
Spark shows his fake ID from the boarder crossing.
"I said I'm with the doc here. The changelings on the line when I boarded said I was free to ride due to the nature of the cargo we are carrying. It is urgent."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140127
140130 140132
Silver shouts "GRENADE!" while diving to kick the grenade away from the group.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140128
140129
>>140126
He blinks, and picks up the ID with blue unicorn magic, examining it

The Doctor:
"Yes... we're escorting medical... 'waste,' if you will, from Blackwood. Some discretion is requested from the Gendarme. The regional commander will appreciate it."

The doctor gives the attendant his ID, and the attendant backs off. Attendant:
"Very well. You are cleared."

And Spark and the doctor may leave
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140129
140130
>>140128
Spark helps the doctor unload the coffins.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140130
140131 140132
>>140121
>>140127
Silver sees the grenade coming to a resting position in front of his group. He immediately rushes forward and kicks it to push it away, before trying his hardest to throw himself to the ground.

There is a loud sound, a stinging sensation, and then tinnitus making it difficult to hear much at all.

[1d6 = 2]
[2d6 = 3]
[2d6 = 4]
[1d6 = 2]

>>140129
This is not an easy task, as it requires locating a cart, taking the three coffins out, stacking them, and covering everything with a cover.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140131
140132
>>140130
Would there be a cart nearby?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140132
140133 140134
>>140127
>>140130
In Silver's years of life, he presumably has many things to be grateful for, and many ponies to be grateful to. Of these, one of the least expected benefactors of Silver is also one of the more consequential: whatever Changeling military adviser thought it would be a good idea to use "offensive" concussion-effect grenades over the Equestrian style "defensive" fragmentation grenades.

Silver is a little dazed, is prone, momentarily deaf, and seems to have been hit with some shrapnel. But he is alive and can move his limbs.

>>140131
Yes, one for moving luggage short distances evidently belonging to the railway. But it's not suited for taking the coffins across the city.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140133
140136
>>140132
"So, how are we going to move our cargo?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140134
140135
>>140132
Groaning in pain and unable to hear anything over the loud dinn in his ears, Silver checks to see just how bad his shrapnel wounds are.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140135
140137
>>140134
A slim piece of casing, very small, in the upper back. It's hard to tell how hard it would be to remove.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140136
140146
>>140133
"Uh... I don't know, really."
9226999
?
No.140137
140138 140140
[1d20+5 = 23]
>>140135
Heal: Silver turns his head so he can look at the shrapnel as best as he can, bites down on his rifle, and focuses his magic around the metal piece to try to pull it out.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140138
140139
>>140137
Cannot rest when enemies are nearby - Silver has exposed himself dangerously close to the line of fire.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140139
140140
>>140138
Alright then, he gets back into cover, and then pulls the shrapnel out of him.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140140
140141
>>140137
>>140139
Silver succeeds in pulling a small piece of grenade casing out of him, though it leaves a lot of blood.

Silver can see that three other members of the section were hit, ones who failed to hit the ground before the grenade exploded. The wounding is minor compared to what it could have been
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140141
140142 140143
>>140140
Silver groans in pain again, and slowly stands up from his position. He peaks around the corner at the changeling position.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140142
140143
>>140141
Still there.

[1d20 = 12]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140143
140144
>>140141
>>140142
There is a shot (and miss) at Silver from what seems to be a bolt action rifle
9226999
?
No.140144
140145 140147
[1d20+10 = 26]
>>140143
Silver aims and fires a returning round at the changeling.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140145
140147
>>140144
Whether Silver hit or did not, he certainly got close, hitting within the tower, and causing at least one to drop their heads

[1d20 = 16]
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140146
140147
>>140136
"Well, we are going to have to do something. Do we drag them along the ground?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140147
140148 140152
>>140144
>>140145
Silver now invites the shooting of the machine gun around the corner, with a long "clack clack clack."

>>140146
"Either we need a full sized cart, or we need to find a place to take the wolves out."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140148
140149
>>140147
If he can, now would be a good time for Silver to duck back around the corner.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140149
140150
>>140148
Silver indeed does. The other members of the rifle section seem to be pinned in place.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140150
140151
>>140149
Silver looks back to them, and shouts due to his continued tinnitus.

"Can anypony hear me!?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140151
140153
>>140150
Most of them move their lips.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140152
140154
>>140147
"Well, I guess finding a spot would be more convenient for us."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140153
140154
>>140151
"I'm going to take that as a no!"

Is there any medium or large size object nearby that can be thrown, like a brick?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140154
140155 140364
>>140153
There are pieces of fence that have been dislodged by machine gun bullets (including bricks), rocks in the backyard, and the gravel road

>>140152
"Okay, so there's probably a baggage or cargo position somewhere around here... or we could remove the coffins to a different building..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140155
140156
>>140154
Silver grabs a brick in his telekinesis, and tosses it out into the MG's line of sight.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140156
140157
>>140155
"Clack clack clack" a short burst from the machine gun - not more than a second - and no shots from rifles
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140157
140158
>>140156
"Damn..."

Silver looks back to his soldiers. Are any of them wearing army caps?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140158
140159
>>140157
Most have the wide brimmed steel helmets issued to most combat infantry.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140159
140160
>>140158
"Hmm...can not do that..."

Could he blind throw a grenade around the corner at the changelings?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140160
140161
>>140159
Yes
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140161
140162
>>140160
He points to one of the soldiers' grenades, and makes a motion with his hoof like he wants it given to him.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140162
140163
>>140161
The soldier tosses a grenade to Silver, letting him catch it.
9226999
?
No.140163
140164 140166
[1d20+10 = 27]
>>140162
I'm not sure what the roll would be for a thrown weapon, so I'm going for a basic ranged roll, and if need be we can remove from the modifier.

Silver pulls the grenade's pin, then chucks it around the corner towards the changelings' general direction. He doesn't wait to find out how successful he was as he immediately moves to find another direction to attack from.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140164
140165
>>140163
There’s a loud explosion, the sound of breaking glass, and tile hitting tile.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140165
140166
>>140164
Silver moves to another sidestreet to attack from. In particular he looks for another sidestreet or alley closer to the church.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140166
140167
>>140163
As for another direction, Silver can presumably go three directions (back the way he came, across the street to the houses, and into the house)

>>140165
The church has whinnyton to its north, the house silver is hiding behind to its west, another house to the east, and the floral shop to the north of it.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140167
140168
>>140166
Silver goes into the house he's hiding behind, then.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140168
140169
>>140167
Silver breaks down the door to see it leads into a wooden floored living room. There is a small hall on the left with an open door way into a room, a couch on the far right, broken windows on the right wall, and a radio on the wall on the left. The far wall has a few pictures in wooden frames hanging, and a door on the left.

Bullets have not only hit, but penetrated the wall on teh right, with bits of wood fragments and gypsum on the floor, as well as a shattered pot, and some bullet gashes on the wall on Silver's side.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140169
140170
>>140168
"Hmm..."

Silver turns the radio on, and turns the volume up as high as it will go.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140170
140171
>>140169
The first channel it is set to is a static signal. Static, and nothing more. Still, it can be loud at the higher volume.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140171
140172
>>140170
Are there any windows facing the church in this house? On a related note, besides the picture frames, is there anything that can be thrown to break said windows?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140172
140173
>>140171
Yes, at least two, and the windows are already broken. Disturbingly, however, it looks as if rifle rounds (probably from the machine gun) have already penetrated through parts of the wall
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140173
140174
>>140172
In that case, if he can, he rejoins his unit.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140174
140175
>>140173
Silver goes outside, and is rewarded with a long burst of the machine gun presumably aimed at the house.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140175
140176
>>140174
He better run, then.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140176
140177 140178
>>140175
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kk5iiSE-0I
Silver presumably leaves the house, to hide behind it
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140177
140178
>>140176
Indeed.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140178
140179
>>140176
>>140177
Once Silver returns, he points to one of the soldiers present.

"Enough time should have passed. Go tell mortars to begin shelling."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140179
140180
>>140178
The soldier peels off, and the machine gun nest position goes silent. It's not very long before there is that distinctive "thumb," and a whirling noise where you can almost count the rotors

whoosh

[1d20 = 17]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140180
140181
>>140179
This one slightly over shoots the position, evidently hitting the roof of the church behind it, with another loud clash

[1d20 = 15]
[1d20 = 10]
[1d20 = 20]
[1d20 = 16]
[1d20 = 2]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140181
140182
>>140180
A minute or so of mortar rounds follows

One round goes very wide, hitting the roof of a house. One round lands on Whinnyton, sending shrapnel that breaks windows. One hits the end of the church roof nearest Silver, sending splinters of wood flying, and another hits near there.

But it's one very well placed shot that gives a great "clang" as the bell is hit by explosive force. The tower leans forward, and then falls, collapsing down onto the street and part of the ground below. The bell rolls off the roof, crashing down on the ground with another "clang."

The position is gone.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140182
140183
>>140181
Silver peaks out from behind the house once the shelling is finished. Although the destruction of this house of Celestia is quite distressing, the satisfaction of seeing such a thorn in their side destroyed gives him comfort.

"Brings tear to your eye, does it not?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140183
140184
>>140182
Mostly, the structure is intact besides the collapsed tower, but the bell is gone, the windows are shattered, and many of the tiles have fallen from the roof, almost like kernels removed from a cob of corn. Some of those hits seem to have cut holes in the roof, and may have damaged the beam.

On the far side, Silver can hear "Bang. Bang." and then "Dakka dakka dakka" in the recognizable fire of an Equestrian light machine gun.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140184
140185
>>140183
Silver looks back to his soldiers.

"Come, sounds like roaches are fleeing their nest."

He heads off in the direction of the fighting.
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140185
140186
>>140184
Silver doesn't have to look far at all for the roaches.

Two changelings come out of the door in the back of the church, one carrying a changeling submachine gun, and the other a rifle

Roll for Initiative

[1d20 = 5]
[1d20 = 13]
[1d20 = 11]
[1d20 = 5]
[1d20 = 10]
[1d20 = 5]

[1d20+2 = 17]
[1d20+2 = 18]
9226999
?
No.140186
140187
[1d20+4 = 24]
>>140185
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140187
140188
>>140186
Silver notices the instant they open the door, and is first to respond.

Silver's turn
9226999
?
No.140188
140189 140191
[1d20+10 = 12]
>>140187
Silver blasts the changeling with the SMG first.
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140189
140190
>>140188
Not a great shot, but it should hit At a +2 dex and no armor bonus
9226999
?
No.140190
140191 140193 140195
[2d8 = 5]
>>140189
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140191
140192
>>140190
>>140188
Silver does not down the Changeling. He gets off at least one burst

[1d20 = 7]
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20 = 11]
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20 = 20]

And the changeling with the rifle fires a short before anypony else can
[1d20+3 = 23]
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140192
140193
>>140191
[1d7 = 6]

[1d20 = 1]

[2d4 = 8]
[2d4 = 4]
[2d4 = 4]

[1d20+3 = 16]

[2d8 = 13]
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140193
140194
>>140190
>>140192
A dandelion colored private is hit in the chest one, two, three times by the submachine gun. There is a "ping" of metal hitting metal, and another private falls.

The remainder of the rifle group responds:
[1d20+1 = 15]
[1d20+1 = 8]
[1d20+1 = 10]
[1d20+1 = 13]
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140194
140195
>>140193
[2d8 = 8]
[2d8 = 10]
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140195
140196
>>140190
>>140194
The Changeling with the submachine gun makes a "hack" sound and falls over, while the drone with the rifle is hit in the belly, bleeding on the concrete steps of the church. He is still up
9226999
?
No.140196
140197 140198
[1d20+10 = 22]
>>140195
Silver aims his rifle again, this time at the rifleling.
9226999
?
No.140197
140198
[2d8 = 9]
>>140196
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140198
140199
>>140197
>>140196
There is a splatter of blue blood and the changeling falls backwards off of the concrete steps of the back of the church.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140199
140200
>>140198
Silver rushes over to the nearest downed private to see how badly he's wounded.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140200
140201
>>140199
It's a large built royal blue unicorn stallion. There is a large hole in the front of his helmet, and blood coming out off the back. His eyes stare up blankly. He was probably dead before he hit the ground.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140201
140202
>>140200
Silver closes his eyelids, and gives him a quick quiet prayer to Celestia before he goes to the other downed soldier.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140202
140203
>>140201
This soldier is the dandelion earth pony. He is hit once in the chest, and twice in the chest. He is bleeding heavily. His eyes are closed, and he has short and rapid breathes. The best guess is that he will die of blood loss or shock before he makes it to a medic. But you don't really know that, do you?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140203
140204
>>140202
Silver points to the dead changelings.

"Tear their uniforms into strips and bring them to me as quick as you can!"

He resumes examining the private. How deep are the bullets in him lodged?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140204
140205
>>140203
Hard to say for sure. They clearly made it a decent ways in. The most pressing issue - by far - is the bleeding, which will kill him in a few minutes. He may also drown in blood.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140205
140206
>>140204
Silver presses his forehooves against two of the holes to at least slow down the bleeding while he waits for some strips of cloth.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140206
140207
>>140205
Strips of cloth are provided soon enough.
9226999
?
No.140207
140208 140209
[1d20+5 = 12]
>>140206
"Thank you."

Heal: Silver tries his best to bandage the private and do whatever else he can to prevent his death.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140208
>>140207
[1d20 = 3]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140209
140210
>>140207
Silver does not seem to succeed in stopping the bleeding
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140210
140211
>>140209
Are there enough strips of cloth left for Silver to try again?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140211
140212
>>140210
Yes.
9226999
?
No.140212
140213
[1d20+5 = 19]
>>140211
Then try again he shall.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140213
140214
>>140212
This is more successful, with Silver basically forcing strips into the wounds, and covering these up with more. Maybe he'll make it back to the medic. He's far from clear though, and could still die of shock.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140214
140215
>>140213
Silver looks at the other soldiers.

"Alright, he will not die of blood loss, but he needs immediate treatment for shock or he may not make it. Make sure his throat stays open to make it easier for him to breath, and get him in bed with pillows placed under his hindquarters to keep his bottom half above his heart. It will mean his heart will not have to work as hard. I also need somepony to fetch medic immediately."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140215
140216
>>140214
One stallion runs off, while two stallions pick him up, and another follows. They seem to want to move him into the house
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140216
140217
>>140215
Silver helps them, believing it to be a good idea.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140217
140218
>>140216
The soldiers take him inside, then through the door on the left, past a bathroom, and onto a bed with a half-circle wooden headboard. He is laid down.

"Is the church cleared?" A soldier asks
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140218
140219
>>140217
"I do not know, but I would be surprised if there were any more changelings left in there."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140219
140220
>>140218
"If there are any creatures known to surprise, it's changelings" he answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140220
140225
>>140219
"True..."

Silver continues to help, all the way until they get the private set up in a bed.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140225
140226
>>140220
The covers are already pulled down on the bed, and the private is set up right. He coughs and hacks, and his eyes are still closed. There are clothes strewn about on the floor, and one of the privates pulls up a shirt to press into the wounded soldier's sides. Another thinks of placing a coat - located on the floor - over him.

Off in the distance, there is the sound of gunfire.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140226
140227
>>140225
"Shit...go ahead and cover him, keep him warm and keep him from choking. I need to go see what gunfire is about."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140227
140228
>>140226
Silver goes outside to hear the gunfire is further off and to the west.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140228
140229
>>140227
Silver heads off in that direction, keeping his head on a swivel.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140229
140230
>>140228
A soldier of the rifle section comes up to Silver
"Platoon Sergeant. You may want to see this."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140230
140231
>>140229
Silver looks at him, and before answering, he speaks the first part of the code phrase.

"Klutzy."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140231
140232
>>140230
He blinks, and after a pause, answers:
"Draconequis."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140232
140233
>>140231
"Good. Lead way, soldier."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140233
140234
>>140232
The soldier leads Silver around the house, and back to the church, this time to the front. Outside of the steps of the church are two dead changelings and their rifles to the left, and a dead one on the steps. The steeple of the church lies broken across the road slightly further to the left, essentially blocking off the road. Both windows are shattered, and the white painted wood is dotted with numerous bullet holes.

"This way," the soldier says, leading him inside. It's what Silver sees here that is more troubling.

It's a layout remarkably similar to the church Silver entered before, and if anything is narrower and smaller. There is an open door with steps leading up on the left, and so many bullet holes on the walls of the foyer. The sanctuary is more austere and plain than that of the Universalist location, and at the far end above the altar, is the colored stained glass of a star with so many elements around it, with the top right point of the star shot through with a bullet. Parts of the roof have visible collapsed in and fallen down, with a hole visible above the far side. Just through the foyer, on the ground, is a fallen drone on the ground with bullet wounds, facing away from the entry door.

But it's what's in the pulpits that the soldier called Silver out to see. There are, in each pulpit, between them, and around them, numerous large "cocoons" of ominous shape. Some are white silk with dark shapes underneath, but many are more transparent - literally - in displaying their purpose. Silver can see, in a few of these, ponies suspended in liquid. Pegasi, mostly, mares more common than stallions, eyes closed in a state of torpor.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140234
140235
>>140233
Silver stares in shock and disbelief. His jaw hangs open for quite some time.

"Что во имя Селестии...what is this? Where did they capture all of these ponies from?"

He investigates the ponies inside of their pods.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140235
140236
>>140234
A cocoon rests on edge of a seat with darkened silk in part and transparent gossamer in part, with a few sprinkles of white sheetrock covering it. Silver can see inside an aqua colored pegasus mare with a short cut mane and slightly emaciated or wasted appearance. She wears no clothing. Her eyes are half open, as is her mouth. Her lips are contorted back to expose her teeth.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140236
140237
>>140235
"Did changelings bring these with them for food source? They look like captured civilians, and it seem like they have been cocooned for while..."

He looks at the riflepony.

"We need to move these civilians to more secure location. Town Hall seems to have been secured, see if you can round up some soldiers to help cut these civvies out and carry them to Town Hall."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140237
140238
>>140236
"Maybe this is why there's nopony in town" the soldier remarks.

"I don't think that's the last of the changelings in this tow" he says
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140238
140239
>>140237
"Could be. And most definitely there are still changelings here. I am just worried about these getting caught in crossfire. They already came dangerously close to getting destroyed by mortar shell."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140239
140240
>>140238
It isn't clear that some haven't already been caught in machinegun fire, or under parts of a collapsing roof.

"Well, I think this area is secured. I think."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140240
140241
>>140239
Silver looks up at the church roof.

"What about church itself? Think it will collapse?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140241
140242
>>140240
He looks up
"Well.. I don't think the beam is collapsed. Hard to say."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140242
140243
>>140241
He sighs.

"Very well. I will accept your input. In this case...we have job to do, and town to liberate. I am going to scout grain elevator I saw earlier, it may be some changelings have taken position inside it as their base."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140243
140244
>>140242
"Don't forget the telephone relay." He says
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140244
140245
>>140243
"Ah, thank you. I will also scout that. As for you, I recommend either joining me or joining soldiers in house I just left. Safety is found in numbers, here."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140245
140246
>>140244
“Yes sir.”

Silver presumably regroups the entirety of A company. The rifle section has suffered one dead and one critically wounded, as well as several lightly wounded. The machine gun section has suffered one heavily wounded and one lightly wounded. Down three ponies in total, but nine remain, counting the squad leader.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140246
140248
>>140245
Silver addresses the company.

"Alright ponies, you have done well so far, I could not be prouder. But we still have job to do. I am going to scout ahead, and see if I can not find position of remaining changelings. While I do so, there is number of cocooned civilians inside church that need to be guarded until I get back. Understood?"
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140247
140250
>>140094
"Well, miss, I don't have any real important jobs now, but if I ever do I want to do it the right way. I think taking care needs practice like anything else."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140248
140249
>>140246
“Sir, yes sir!” They answer
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140249
140250 140252
>>140248
"Dismissed!"

Silver leaves them to it, so he may scout the telephone relay and grain elevator.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140250
140251
>>140247
"No important jobs? She asks back, almost incredulously. She turns away from Amber and runs her hoof through the set of dresses, stopping to look at the patterns on one.

>>140249
Silver may go a little north, or back down towards Old Mecc and Main Street.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140251
140252
>>140250
Silver decides to go a little north.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140252
140253
>>140249
>>140251
The wind stops, and the rattling of the flagpole at the school house ceases with it. There is no silence, but instead a new sound of thunder far down the valley. This boom is louder and lasts longer than before, and its sound is soon duplicated.

Silver is in a less dense set of dark wood ranch houses with walkways leaded up to covered porches. Some have chicken wire fences in the back, and small shed. Not far beyond the houses Silver can see the low, sagebrush covered hills.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140253
140254
>>140252
Just how far away are the hills?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140254
140256
>>140253
To the top? Perhaps as much as a mile. But the hills have a low gradient with mostly gentle slopes, so they begin much closer to Silver.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140255
140257
"Well I don't think being a store clerk is very important, but I guess it depends on how you look at it…" she mumbles uncertainly. "Do you see something that you like?" she then asks, looking at the dress.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140256
140257
>>140254
Is the hill in the direction of the thunder?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140257
140258 140259
>>140255
She almost looks past the dresses, down between them.

"Let me ask a different way. What would you wear. A six year old you."

Let's add a diplomacy roll to this

>>140256
Not really. The Thunder comes through the valley, in the direction of the front. Though the valley is at a slightly oblique angle to the front and the western sky, as it moves southwest.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140258
140260
>>140257
Regardless, while it is a bit of a trot, Silver decides to make it in order to get a better view of his surroundings.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140259
140260
>>140257
"Hmm, it would depend on what my parents were able to get me, but I'd always fancied a skirt with circles of color going around, like a soft green or purple." [1d20+4 = 11]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140260
140261 140355
>>140258
Silver can see the geography of the town. The valley comes west from Wald and virtue along the river, as the valley narrows and hills become taller. The town lies at a bend in the valley, where it turns south. There is a large hill just to the west and north of the town, and a gap in the hills going northwest where there is a rail line and telegraph wires. The valley itself is wide enough to have irrigated farmland to either side of the Misfortune River that flows through it, and is much wider east, especially much further east. Silver can see the top of the county courthouse, the town hall, both churches, and to either side, the dairy processing facility and the lone grain elevator. Besides the fields by the river, and the small town, the whole area looks like semi desert, with the mountains of what must be the Unicorn Range in the far distance, and endless brown hills dotted with shrubs and occasionally cut up with barbed wire fences.

>>140259
She looks to Amber, then down at the row of dresses, and pulls one out with a flash of magic. The dress has a lighter green color, though one sort of like the dress she is already wearing.

"I'll take this one."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140261
140262
>>140260
With this geography in mind, Silver heads for the grain elevator.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140262
140263
>>140261
The grain elevator is between Old Mecc's Trail Road and the railway in the east side of town, towards Wald. It has four tall silos one next to the other, with a steel tower at the end, and a steel overheard conveyer above all. There are three lights on at the facility. There are also three trucks visible, all Army supply trucks
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140263
140264
>>140262
I assume the lights are on at the tower?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140264
140265
>>140263
One high on the facility, two lower. The "tower" is this large steel box with a tapered roof and no windows.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140265
140266
>>140264
Alrighty. Silver first checks the supply trucks.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140266
140267
>>140265
As Silver approaches, he hears a yell

"Who goes there!"

And then one, two three bullets hit in the general area of Silver, with the accompanying bangs. Silver can tell the shots came from carbines.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140267
140268
>>140266
Silver quickly runs into cover behind the supply trucks.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140268
140269
>>140267
The supply trucks are closer to the facility. Silver is in the brush.

Unless he runs forward
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140269
140270
>>140268
Would it be much of a run to get behind the trucks?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140270
140271
>>140269
Well, when you're getting shot at, yes. But it isn't no man's land.

Silver can dash across as shots are taken
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140271
140272 140273
>>140270
Then that's what he does.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140272
140273 140274
>>140271
[1d20 = 6]
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20 = 7]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140273
140274
>>140271
>>140272
A bullet nips Silver on the leg, but he makes it to the first truck
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140274
140275 140277
>>140272
>>140273
He hits the truck with a loud bang, the bullet making him stagger and fall forward into the vehicle.

"AUGH! KLUTZY!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140275
140276 140277
>>140274
"Yeah! Uh... you are klutzy!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140276
140278
>>140275
Internally, this confirms Silver's suspicions. Externally, he plays along.

"YOU FUCKING SHOT ME!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140277
140278 140279
>>140275
>>140274
*beat*

A different voice:
"Are you a changeling?!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140278
140279 140280
>>140277
>>140276
"Uh... if you're a changeling just go on back!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140279
140280
>>140277
>>140278
"I AM NOT A CHANGELING, YOU DUNDERHEADS, BUT I SURE AS CELESTIA WILL TURN ON BACK!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140280
140281
>>140279
>>140278
One yells
"Uh... how do we know? And where did you come from if you're not a changeling?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140281
140282
>>140280
"IF I WAS, I WOULD HAVE BLASTED YOU WHEN I SAW YOU! NOW, I'M GONNA LEAVE, AND YOU'RE GONNA LET ME GO WITHOUT SHOOTING ME, UNDERSTAND?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140282
140283
>>140281
One of them:
"Uh, are you?"

Another:
"Okay..."

Another:
"Are you sure you're not a changeling?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140283
140284
>>140282
"I AM CERTAIN!"

Despite the risk, he runs back to the bush to escape the area.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140284
140285
>>140283
Silver runs away, making it back to the brush without being shot
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140285
140286
>>140284
Silver makes his way back to the company, limping slightly from the bullet wound in his leg.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140286
140287
>>140285
This is... not so straight forward

Walking down Old Mecc, Silver hears a shot in his direction. Rifle caliber
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140287
140288
>>140286
Is there any cover at all for him?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140288
140289
>>140287
Significantly more than by the grain elevator. This includes a saloon, and likely the feed store. Silver has reentered the town.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140289
140290
>>140288
Silver takes cover by the saloon, then.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140290
140291
>>140289
Silver hides behind the wall of the saloon, and silence returns
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140291
140292
>>140290
Is there anything nearby he could levitate?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140292
140293
>>140291
This is a cleaner position than Silver was in before. He may have some items on him, like a comb set, canteen, Machingun magazine, or trinket.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140293
140294
>>140292
Silver levitates his canteen up, and slowly peaks it out from the corner of the wall.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140294
140295
>>140293
No immediate reply.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140295
140296
>>140294
He pulls it back, waits a couple seconds, then does it again.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140296
140297
>>140295
The canteen is not shot at
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140297
140298
>>140296
"He is patient..."

Is there another way to get back to the company?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140298
140299
>>140297
Yes. The way Silver came skirts around the edge of town. In town, but through the north, rather than down the center with Old Mecc.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140299
140300
>>140298
Then that is what he does.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140300
140301
>>140299
Silver goes around back the way he came (not close to the grain elevator though), North of Whinnyton, and towards the Townhall.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140301
140302
>>140300
Silver makes his way back, assuming he doesn't meet any other troubles.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140302
140303
>>140301
And when Silver arrives, he...
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140303
140304
>>140302
He goes to find somepony from either the command squad or a squad sergeant.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140304
140305
>>140303
Silver manages to find both Saltlick -still tending his wounds - and Briisbuck
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140305
140306
>>140304
He comes to them sporting two new wounds.

"Changelings have sniper watching Old Mecc Trail. I was shot at near saloon and feed store. I also found what I believe to be last major remaining stronghold of changelings near Vale, at grain elevator."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140306
140307
>>140305
He looks concerned, and replies
"Amber Grain advanced towards the Old Stone House with B Squad and found a few Changeling's in place there. I went on Old Mecc with C squad and found that the Telephone Office has been fortified, or at least seems to be, by the Changelings. I pulled back and then led an attack on Old Stone House. They didn't have any heavy weapons, so the Changelings fled. We think they went west. Probably towards the dairy facility. But the Grain Elevator... that's interesting. I don't know how big their strongholds are, but the telephone office has an old Equestrian heavy machinegun. The kind we give to our troops in the rear."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140307
140308
>>140306
"They had Equestrian Army Trucks near Grain Elevator. While I did not get chance to search them before they shot at me, I believe they used it to not only transport heavy machine gun and other supplies, but also cocooned ponies to serve as food. We liberated those ponies at Whinnyton church."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140308
140309
>>140307
He nods
"I see..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140309
140310
>>140308
"So, Lieutenant...what is our plan?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140310
140311
>>140309
"Whatever happens, we have to take back that communications hub. They want to cut off our communications to The Front, and we can't let that happen."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140311
140312
>>140310
"Of that, I can agree."

He stands at attention, and salutes his lieutenant.

"We await your orders, Sir."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140312
140313
>>140311
"Simple. Take whatever units necessary and retake the telephone office. As tempting as that flat, open roof may be for the mortar, the equipment in the office and around it is far too valuable to endanger with significant explosives. Bullets only, for those - I hope - will not do any damage we cannot repair."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140313
140314
>>140312
"Sir, yes sir!"

Silver salutes Brisbuck, but doesn't leave quite immediately, needing a moment to catch his breath before getting back into combat. He smiles weakly at Brisbuck.

"So, your first time commanding our platoon in combat as our Platoon Officer. You seem to be doing well for yourself."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140314
140315
>>140313
Silver has been shot at least twice by equestrian rifles, once by an equestrian pistol, and once by an equestrian carbine. The fact that he’s still standing is almost enough to make you lose faith in Equestrisn arms manufacturing.

He smiles, showing all of his white teeth.
“I hope command sees it that way. And I hope we’re still here by the morning.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140315
140316
>>140314
He chuckles.

"I will testify to Command myself on your leadership abilities, if I must."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140316
140317
>>140315
He pauses for another moment with that same strange smile.
“Th-thank you, sir. And the same to you.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140317
140318
>>140316
He waves it off.

"Ahh, it is nothing. But I appreciate it, Brisbuck."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140318
140319
>>140317
He nods.

“Alright. Onwards. We’re keeping at least one machine gun of some type back here to prevent the Changelings from attacking us from the West, but take as much as necessary to push East.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140319
140320
>>140318
"Oh. In that case, I think I will take machine gun we got from changelings here."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140320
140321
>>140319
“Very well.” He says.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140321
140322
>>140320
"I assume you are also keeping one of our companies here to guard town hall?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140322
140323
>>140321
"A section, at least. We have wounded, and we know they have forces to our west. I do not want them attacking us in the back."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140323
140324
>>140322
"Do you think we should bring cocooned ponies here, then, since this location has been secured and garrisoned?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140324
140325
>>140323
"If we can, perhaps. But we must secure the lines of communication first."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140325
140326 140327
>>140324
"Very well. I will go gather soldiers and equipment for this mission."

What companies/squads are at Town Hall and ready to head out?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140326
140327 140328
>>140325
All segments have returned. A squad (down three), B squad (down one), and C squad (down one), plus the machine gun detachment and headquarters section.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140327
140328
>>140326
>>140325
And the three recovered members of the 332nd plus the two mares
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140328
140329
>>140326
>>140327
Silver calls on C squad, as well as an additional two ponies from B squad to help him with the changeling machinegun, to join him in taking back the telephone office.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140329
140330
>>140328
“Keeping it conservative. Alright. Let’s see this done.”

Silver has 11 members of C squad, and the two ponies with the machine gun who can hopefully figure out how to work the thing. A private in C squad assists in carrying ammunition for the massive weapon.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140330
140331
>>140329
Silver and this gathering of soldiers heads for the general area of the telephone office. Hopefully there's a good building they can set themselves up in.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140331
140332
>>140330
Brisbuck gives this last remark
"Hurry. You can hear the distant artillery as surely as I. Command needs information relayed..."

In the area of the telephone office, Silver can see that the position is near where Main Street merges with Old Mecc. There is the post office immediately west, a gas station and repair shop to the east where the triangle splits off, an inn on the north side of main past the split, and of course the salloon and feed store to the east on Old Mecc. Further to the west are shops like a grocer with living quarters on top, and a multifamily unit
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140332
140333
>>140331
Do any of those options have positions facing the telephone office, such as windows?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140333
140334
>>140332
Windows:

From the West (the direction Silver is approaching from) and slightly south: Th grocer with living space and the multifamily. Both are two floors
From the north, the Inn. Two floors
From the south and slightly east: the feed store and saloon

The post office and the gas station are immediately adjacent
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140334
140335
>>140333
Silver decides to set them up in the grocer, second floor.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140335
140336
>>140334
But as silver approaches the grocer, he hears the distinctive “tat tat tat” of an Equestrian model machine gun. The squad ducks for cover between buildings
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140336
140337
>>140335
Silver joins them, trying to pinpoint the origin of the MG's fire.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140337
140338
>>140336
This is straightforward: the roof of the Lunar Telephone and Telegraph office
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140338
140339
>>140337
"Well, so much for this being straightforward...anypony have any periscope binoculars by chance?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140339
140340
>>140338
If not the squad leader or assistant leader, then hopefully at least Saltlick has come along. In any case, silver receives binoculars.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140340
140341
>>140339
Silver uses them to peak around the corner of the building they're hiding behind, to see where exactly the MG is.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140341
140342
>>140340
Silver can see that the telegraph office is a square building with a flat roof, like so many in the town, with a small wall coming up providing some level of cover for the creatures on the roof. Silver can recognize the type of gun. It's a belt-fed, water cooled machine gun of medium caliber on a tripod. It's designed for area defense, is very accurate, and can fire almost indefinitely. It's what the Equestrians use to defend key locations like the royal castle at Canterlot. The lack of mobiity means it's being phased out - hence why it's here miles away from the front - but there is no lack of lethality. The machine gun is right there, slightly right of center, more readily able to traverse down to shoot west on Old Mecc, but also capable of covering part of Main street, as well as to the east. There are noticeable blind spots here though, especially on Main. The gun is supported by one, two three, four rifle ponies. Interestingly Silver doesn't see any obvious signs these are not Equestrian ponies.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140342
140343
>>140341
Any specific blind spots they can take advantage of?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140343
140344
>>140342
A blind spot rather close to the building on Old Mecc. A larger blind spot along the south side of Main Street, around the post office. And then one extending a block or more on the approach from the East. Essentially these are caused by the gun being blocked by the roof and the roof of the post office from being able to point far enough down.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140344
140345
>>140343
"Alright, I need team of soldiers to flank them from East and take that gun out. Once it is down, we can set up MG here and destroy rest of these changelings."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140345
140346
>>140344
"How are we going to take it out?" He asks
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140346
140347
>>140345
"Hmm...okay, slight change of plans. If I and MG team flank them, we may be able to deal significant damage to their gun and disable it."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140347
140348
>>140346
"If it gets a bullet in the water jacket, well, it won't be firing for very long. Seems risky, but they are exposed up there."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140348
140349
>>140347
"Indeed it is. I will go by myself, if none of you are willing to come with, but either way this must be done."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140349
140350
>>140348
“I’ll go.” A light blue Pegasus steps forward. Then another, and another. until silver has several volunteers
Silver "The Floof
3d68864
?
No.140350
140351
>>140349
Silver can't help but smile at the display from his soldiers.

"You make me one proud sergeant. Alright, let us get it done. Rest of you, I need you to keep gun occupied. Do not get shot, just keep them thinking we are still here."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140351
140352
>>140350
“Sir, yes sir.” They answer, smiling.

There’s also the little question of where to place the light machine gun
Silver "The Floof
3d68864
?
No.140352
140353
>>140351
Which LMG? The changeling one they brought with them?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140353
140354
>>140352
No, the magazine fed gun that belongs to the squad. Also, where is silver placing the changeling gun?
Silver "The Floof
3d68864
?
No.140354
140356
>>140353
Ohh. The LMG is staying right where it is. Once the flanking team has engaged the changelings and their attention is turned towards them, those who stayed right here will use the LMG to shred the changelings to bits. The changeling MG will be set up in the blind spot of the Equestrian MG and used to shoot the barrel shroud, as well as any riflelings who turn to attack.
Amber Sunset
4ad0552
?
No.140355
140356
>>140260
"Of course. Is there anything else that you would like?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140356
140357 140487 140488
>>140355
"That will be all, dear. This will do just fine."
She begins to walk away with the dress

>>140354
Technically the LMG is more mobile and easily set up after being moved, though it has a lower rate of fire and a limited magazine.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140357
140361
>>140356
Hmm...fair. Alright then, it's the LMG that's used to flank, and the changeling MG left with the others.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140358
140359
I will be free tomorrow.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140359
>>140358
Yay!
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140360
140361
(You) are all cute ponies.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140361
140362 140604
>>140357
Silver presumably wants to move with the machinegun section down a path right next to the post office

>>140360
Gasps

Is, presumably, a cute pony
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140362
140604
>>140361
Precisely, to both counts.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140364
140365
>>140154
"Probably best to find some spot that won't cause a commotion for leaving coffins out in the open."
Anonymous
82b33bd
?
No.140365
140366
>>140364
“Uh, let’s find somewhere, then”

Roll search
2c20e92
?
No.140366
140367
[1d20 = 6]
>>140365
Roll
Anonymous
82b33bd
?
No.140367
140368
>>140366
“Uh...”
Not many location that look completely closed off to view
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140368
140369
>>140367
"Well... I guess we will have to make the most of it."
Spark starts to unload them.
Anonymous
82b33bd
?
No.140369
140370
>>140368
The coffins are unloaded off the train, one by one. There is a cover the size of a bed sheet to help keep them out of view, but the sight of a coffin is enter to deter most of the curious
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140370
140371
>>140369
Spark looks for a cart that might be free to pull the coffins.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140371
140476
>>140370
Spark is able to find something like a larger and stronger hotel luggage art, that seems to be made for moving baggage around within the train station.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140476
140477
>>140371
That could work. Spark stacks the coffins on the cart.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140477
140478
>>140476
The coffins are stacked. What do next?
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140478
140479
>>140477
I think push the cart out of the train station. I don't really know the layout.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140479
140480
>>140478
This is quite a bit like rolling a shopping cart out of a grocery store parking lot, for a lot of the same reasons
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140480
140481
>>140479
Well, there is no way around that that I rolled to see.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140481
140482
>>140480
The doctor

"Okay... we need to get those two out... but get the sick one there. I don't think he can walk far."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140482
140483
>>140481
"Then we need to find somewhere to duck behind for a second to get them out. We might draw a few suspicious looks with wolves getting out of the coffins."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140483
140484
>>140482
Spark, thus far, has found that the area behind the trains is not currently being used (it's another passenger platform with no train at the moment), and perhaps if the coach cars don't have ponies inside looking out, they would block the line of sight. Another option is to try to open them back inside of the baggage car, and see if the wolves themselves can be smuggled out.

A third option is to search the Train Station again
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140484
140485
>>140483
Spark tries the other platform.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140485
140489
>>140484
The train station is composed of a number of white concrete island platforms, that connect by open stairways to a pathway above. Spark's train arrived on one of the further platforms. Anything occurring on the furthest platform will be visible to anyone inside of the coach cars who happens to be looking out the right window, and to certain people looking down from the walk way. But it's certainly possible no one would be watching. The sheet covering over the coffins can be used to help cover the line of sight.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140486
140487
Not feeling too great, but I'm ready to play
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140487
>>140486
And the last post for Amber is >>140356
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140488
140490
>>140356
"Let me ring that up for you."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140489
140490 140513
>>140485
Spark signals the wolves to get out with a few taps.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140490
140491
>>140488
She gives a short, toothy smile with white teeth that look nice, but are subtly crooked.

"Oh don't worry about that, dear."

>>140489
Does Spark try to let them out there

He won't know yet if anypony saw it. Or if anypony did, if they would try to report it.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140491
140492
>>140490
The younger mare blinks in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140492
>>140491
"Oh don't worry." The mare looks up at High Sewn. "She knows who I am."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140493
140495
I have arisen.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140494
140495
"Oh, well if she does then um..." Amber is definitely confused now.
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140495
140496 140502
>>140493
Iron finds himself in the upper office of the boat company, with light from a lone window behind him, and staring at an overly fat brown griffin sitting behind a wooden desk that's been turned over on its side. White Sands stands close and just to the right of the griffin, staring at him.

>>140494
She closes her lips and slightly narrows her eyes, smiling all the same.

"You're almost cute, so innocent and cheery." She starts to move back, then asks
"How would you like to make some more money?"
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140496
140497
>>140495
Amber immediately lightens up. "Really? That would be wonderful! I need to get out of debt really badly."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140497
>>140496
"I can imagine. I'll send someone to you later, should you like."
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140498
140499
"Thank you!" It's only after she shares her address that she asks, "What kind of work is it?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140499
140500
>>140498
She waves a hoof in the air
"He'll tell you. I have a meeting to get to"
Her smile is one again more toothy, as she holds the dress higher with her magic

"Try to keep that cheeriness as long as you can. You'll miss it when it's gone."

She begins to walk away. Her tail is curled and styled.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140500
140501
>>140499
"What did she mean?" She looks back at High Sewn.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140501
>>140500
High Sewn is silent, and keeps her eyes on the mare as she leaves. The mare walks surprisingly fast in heels, back through the door, and to the automobile, where the Diamond Dog opens the door
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140502
140504
>>140495
"You keep asking who I am working with," Iron prods, wondering what that's all about.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140503
140506
Probably just an adage that old ponies like to say.
Oh colt! Soon I'll be debt-free and I can send money back!

Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140504
140505
>>140502
He holds his claws up, but tries to keep a smile
"When some one comes barging into your place of work during hours, wouldn't you want to know?"
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140505
140506
>>140504
"Have I not said that I am from the Waterfront Gang?" Iron questioned further, trying to get into that little discrepancy's reason.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140506
140507 140508
>>140503
The possibilities are endless

The car drives off, and Guy steps back towards the center of the store.

>>140505
"Very well" he says, dropping the smile.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140507
140509
>>140506
Despite the lack of breakfast or lunch Amber finds it hard to suppress her giddiness for the rest of her shift.
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140508
140509
>>140506
(Okay,) Iron breathed in his head (so that was what he was asking.)
"What other places do you know are ran by your bosses?" Iron questioned.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140509
140510 140543
>>140507
High Sewn doesn't match Amber. Then again, when has she? She goes outside, and Amber can see she's smoking. Guy resumes competing with Amber for who can talk to or help customers first.

>>140508
"Like you don't know we are the strongest family run business in Manehattan? A third of the canneries, a quarter of all construction. Half of the garbage collection. And so many bars, nightclubs, and pizzerias. What don't we own?"
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140510
140511
>>140509
If Guy is competing in anything but a friendly way, she doesn't take notice.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140511
>>140510
More customers come in and High Sewn returns.

Some of these clothes have bizarrely complicated names. "un imperméable" for a raincoat? Guy runs over to insist that it's pronounced in a different way.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140512
140513
"Sorry, I don't speak Griffonian." She says this without a trace of sarcasm.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140513
140514 140515
>>140489
Spark, with the doctor helping, pushes the cart along to the upper walkway, then down the to bottom, trying to park the cart behind a walkway to obscure it. The doctor holds up the sheet as they pull down the three coffins.

Waabishkie jumps out, then Makade and his rifle. Waabishki takes a moment to look around, before asking Spark
"Are we far from the hospital?"

>>140512
Guy:
"Aquilelian"
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140514
140516
>>140513
"Oh. It's all Prench to me."
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140515
140516
>>140513
"A good question. Doc? You wouldn't happen to know, would you?"
Spark then nods to the rifle.
"You might want to leave that in the coffin for now."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140516
140517 140518
>>140514
He seems to form a smile for a moment, before resuming his more serious expression.

>>140515
Doctor:
"Well, it's just south and east of the center of town. A few miles from here."

Makade:
"Are we taking these with us?"
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140517
140519
>>140516
Amber lets Guy handle the fancy raincoat.
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140518
140519
>>140516
"Yes. We need something to transport Miskobag in, and keeping gear in them as well won't hurt."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140519
140520 140529
>>140517
Amber finds herself mostly handling inventory in the last couple hours. But the hours pass, and Amber concludes her shift at the store.

>>140518
"Alright. But let's be quick about this"

Waabishki takes the lid off of Miskobag's coffin, and asks him how he is doing.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140520
140521
>>140519
Does she see any green yet?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140521
>>140520
It's her regular pay day, and she hasn't affirmatively asked to be paid ahead of schedule
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140522
140523
Amber doesn't press the issue. After all, High Sewn just had to pay for an expensive new window and Amber is much more optimistic today in terms of finances.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140523
140524
>>140522
On to night 2 of being a hostess
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140524
140525
>>140523
With gusto!
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140525
>>140524
Amber arrives at the restaurant, with Salt Mixer again as acting manager.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140526
140527
She greets Salt Mixer and gets ready to start.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140527
140528
>>140526
But here's the thing

It's Friday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVsfOSbJY0
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140528
>>140527
oh no
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140529
>>140519
"We will be right on our way."
Spark also checks on Miskobag.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140530
140531
Amber sees tonight that there are two additional waiters working tonight. These are Cream Pop, an orange unicorn stallion with a poofy, cream colored mane, and Larkhaven, a white unicorn mare with silver earrings, and dark blood red mane that is held up in a "hive" style. The next big change is that the patio section is open tonight, with some fires and a canvas to break to wind. It's Winter, and today especially has been cloudy with some light rain earlier, so it's questionable how appealing this would be to customers, but the decision has been made to keep it open.

De Sew retains the section she had yesterday, which is
four combination booth-and-tables, and three tables. All in the front.

Melon Mangrove gets the six other tables in the front. Again, parties are preferred here if possible, but De Sew's section and the patio. are options

Cream Pop takes the five booths

Larkhaven gets every table of two in the restaurant, which is six high tables for two, and two on the patio.

Mustard Trim is placed on the patio with six tables of four.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140531
140532
>>140530
There must be a lot more ponies expected. I won't let them down! she promises to herself.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140532
>>140531
There are currently:

two tables and one combo taken in De Sew's section

two tables taken in Mangrove's

Two booths taken in Cream Pop's section

Three high tables taken (Larkhaven)

And one table outside (Mustard Trim)

Note that the shifts of some of the waiters - like Larkhaven and Mustard Trim - begins at the same time as Amber
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140533
140534
She greets her co-workers. "Nice to meet you, Larkhaven. Hello Mustard, good to see you today! Do I look presentable enough as a hostess?" She starts fussing with and straightening her hair and dress.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140534
140535
>>140533
She turns to Amber. Her eye lashes are thin, but long, and she wears mascara
"So you must be the new hostess."
She turns to Amber and grins, but turns away and moves over to her position rather than striking up conversation

Mustard Trim, however, sticks around
"Hi Amber! Don't worry. If anything, you look terrific."
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140535
140536
>>140534
"Thank you…I'm just a bit nervous, it looks like we're expecting bushels of visitors. I've never managed an event this big."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140536
140537
>>140535
"Well, uh...." He pauses for a moment "You'll do fine. Just think of it like... managing large numbers of livestock. Easily displeased livestock."
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140537
140538
>>140536
She blinks. "My family has only a few chickens."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140538
140539
>>140537
"Heh. Well... Maybe thinking of it that way will make it less intimidating. Maybe."
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140539
140540
>>140538
She giggles softly, covering her mouth with a fetlock. "Maybe. Anyway, best of luck."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140540
140541
>>140539
He nods, and gives a rather awkward smile, before turning away and very slowly walking towards the patio
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140541
>>140540
Amber takes her proud little place beneath the brass arch awaiting any customers who come in.
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140543
140544
>>140509
"You seem to work fast," Iron commended with a stoic look as he started to do the math on his head. If this was true, then he'd have an easier time finding the next business to punch over.
"Any big company in particular?" he prodded further.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140544
140545
>>140543
He shakes his head without breaking eye contact
"I can't give away all of our assets"
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140545
140546 140547
>>140544
Iron would soon plant a foreleg on the table the griffon accountant was standing behind, giving the hen a deadpan look. "I am not giving you an option," he stressed. "Either you cooperate, or you will join your workmates."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140546
140547
>>140545
[1d20+9 = 28]<Intimidation roll
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140547
140548
>>140546
>>140545
He wraps his foreclaws on the edge of the over turned desk, and pulls away

"Well it... may be... Emerson Holdings, and Heathclaw fishing..."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140548
140549
>>140547
Iron slightly glanced at Sands to see if she could potentially confirm that these two companies do indeed exist and isn't simply lying his flank off.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140549
140550
>>140548
She shrugs
"I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if it only exists in Manehattan."
She pulls her lips up to show teeth
"Or if it's since been 'socialized.'"
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140550
140551
>>140549
Iron tilted his head at Sands' last statement, urging her to elaborate on her question.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140551
140552
>>140550
"Let's just say these businesses may have experienced a hostile takeover in the last month."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140552
140553
>>140551
Iron nodded before turning his vision back to the griffon. "Where are the closest buildings from those two companies?" he continued.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140553
140554
>>140552
"South Pier, Hayson, and 352 Rose Street."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140554
140555
>>140553
Iron nodded. "Anypony in particular I should keep in mind?" he continued. "I would rather know what ponies I should ensure they do not die accidentally from my log legs."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140555
140556
>>140554
"What do you mean?" He asks
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140556
140558
>>140555
"Surely you have ponies more important than others," Iron presumed. "I want to know which ponies stand above the rest in your group."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140558
140559
>>140556
"Not ponies. Griffins. The Griffins of the family Ginovicci are the most important of this organization."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140559
140560
>>140558
Iron simply shrugged at the seemingly unimportant semantic issue. "Well?" he pressed. "Are you going to tell me who they are or not?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140560
140561
>>140559
"The... the caporegime here in Baltimare is Gregory Ginovicci. He's actually Guiseppe, but they let him use his wife's name of Ginovicci. I am assigned here under him."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140561
140562
>>140560
"What else can you tell me about him?" Iron pressed. "What is he like?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140562
140563
>>140561
"Originally from Falcor. Not the brightest in the group, but he's been creative and clever. It was he who thought ahead to buy this place, and who first suggested to come here until the storm dies down. He was an ordinary soldier but proved himself capable and willing to do what was necessary against the Rosenthal Clan. For that, he was allowed to marry into the family and head a section. He can be violent and brutal as necessary. He prefers the services of a hired agent known as Koptis. He is here, likely in the Royale ."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140563
140564
>>140562
"I see," Iron replied with a nod "so is Koptis an honorary member of sorts to the clan or is it just a business venture?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140564
140565
>>140563
"Koptis... 'Cutter,' as he is called. I am not sure what his real name is, not that it matters for somecreature from obscure origins. He is what we would call a 'Hitgrif.' A professional killer. But he is no griffin. A minotaur of the outer islands who fled to Equestria after killing a policeman there. You can call him a member or call it business. He isn't quite family, but he is loyal all the same."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140565
140566
>>140564
Looks like Iron will actually fight a minotaur like he said.
inb4 Koptis is actually a Black Hooves member.

"Sounds like a formidable foe," Iron claimed, grinning softly at the idea of fighting him after a good rest to regain his energy. (So beating up those two should provide a good scare.)
"Is he the best fighter the family has in store?" he asked.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140566
140567
>>140565
"The Ginovicci aren't terribly fond of using their claws, preferring a few strong words and a gun if necessary. But yes. Yes he is, both with a gun and with his hands. Gregory also has his dogs, which he claims are pets."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140567
140568
>>140566
Iron took a second to nod a couple of times, a sneaking smile starting to form on his face. "So we got a hitpony, a soldier and a couple of warmongrels," he surmised with a tinge of tempered excitement. "Where is this 'Royale' place?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140568
140569
>>140567
“In town. About five streets away. 20th Firefly street. It’s a local restaurant.”
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140569
140570
>>140568
"What about the main headquarters of the family?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140570
140571
>>140569
“Manehattan” he answers.
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140571
140572
>>140570
"I mean in this little hideyhole of a town," Iron clarified.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140572
140573
>>140571
"For now, that is the headquarters, if you can call it that, so far as this fishing village goes. There, and this place. But more shall come. Think of it as a scouting party."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140573
140574
>>140572
"Then you understand why I have come here to greet you," Iron answered with a stoic look before glancing to Sands to see if he was missing anything that she could think about before ending the conversation.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140574
140575
>>140573
Sands seems unsure, biting her lips and looking back at Iron with wide eyes
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140575
140576
>>140574
After a few seconds of thinking, Iron started to approach the griffon accountant in question, placing a hoof on his shoulder. "Now what should I do with you?" he asked.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140576
140577
>>140575
He turns his head slight, though still looking at Iron
"I am only a pencil pusher."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140577
140578
>>140576
"What will you do if I simply walk away?" he instead asked the griffon.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140578
140579
>>140577
"I can't fight you... You know that. And I cannot go to the police."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140579
140580
>>140578
"What about your employers?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140580
140581
>>140579
"They will come for me regardless."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140581
140582
>>140580
"But will you go seek them?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140582
140583
>>140581
"I will remain right here" He claims
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140583
140584
>>140582
Iron wasn't too sure to believe him, glancing off to Sands to see if he should contest his claim.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140584
140585
>>140583
"Either way, they will know we were here." Sands says to Iron
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140585
140586 140587
>>140584
"Of course," he answered before looking back at the griffon accountant in question "you're free to stay here while your employers come back."
With that said, he removed his foreleg from him and turned around, starting to walk towards the exit of the room, hoping to go straight to the Royale and see what's this minotaur's like.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140586
140587 140588
>>140585
Iron walks away, starting to exit the room

[1d2 = 2]

[1d2 = 1]

[1d2 = 1]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140587
140588
>>140585
>>140586
Iron leaves easily enough from the building. As promised, the building is only a few streets away. It's a free standing building, unlike so many packed into small lots or as part of larger structures in the city. Seems to be one floor, with a high, gradually sloping red tile roof. Outside are several carts, and two automobiles. None especially stand out.

[1d2 = 1]
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140588
140589
>>140587
>>140586
"More likely than not," Iron figured as he pivoted towards the target building's front door, particularly the front door "the minotaur will know we are coming."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140589
140590
>>140588
The restaurant has a vestibule, which Iron can go through, and see that it has a long counter on the right towards the back, a couple doors in the back, a counter in the front off to the left of where they enter, and some number of tables, with a couple booths recessed in by the walls. Tables are a lighter wood color, while booths have a red tint on their leather seats. There is no hostess, at least not at this time of day, and there a low - but definitely present - number of customers. They are all ponies, and sit around at one booth and a few tables. Two servers are seen, who move quickly and look uneasy
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140590
140591 140592
>>140589
Iron raised an eyebrow at the servers' uneasy look, feeling Koptis has already been dispatched.
(No minotaur yet,) he noted as he decided to simply take a seat on one of the tables alongside Sands. (The queasy ponies should probably know about him.)
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140591
140592 140593
>>140590
A server comes up, a slim unicorn mare with a long fine pink mane, asking for drinks.

Iron has hopefully covered over his wounds with clothing
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140592
140593
>>140591
>>140590
>for
Asking what Iron and Sands want for their drinks
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140593
140594
>>140591
>>140592
Prolly

"Water," Iron answered with a nod before turning to the mare and promptly putting on a little smile for her sake. "How are things today?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140594
140595
>>140593
"Good." She tosses her mane. "Good. Gooood."
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140595
140596
>>140594
Iron tilted his head a little at the slightly eccentric reply. "How are the regulars?" he continued, hoping to nail the minotaur's last whereabouts.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140596
140597
>>140595
"Oh, they are... regular."

Iron doesn't see any minotaur or griffin.
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140597
140598
>>140596
The stallion would probably find this exchange a bit amusing if he wasn't currently trying to see if the minotaur is still lurking around here. "I have heard that some of your regulars are... irregular, in a sense," he suggested.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140598
140599
>>140597
She turns her head to look a little more closely at Iron
"What... do you mean?"
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140599
140601
>>140598
"A unique regular, I mean," Iron suggested "a rarity to see in this place."
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140600
140601
waves
Anonymous
5301ad7
?
No.140601
140602 140603
>>140600
waves back

>>140599
“Oh. Like... what do you mean?” She asks again
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140602
>>140601
Amber's ready to be a hostess again.
Anonymous
cb54e90
?
No.140603
140640
>>140601
"You know," Iron mutttered a little impatiently "a rare species for the region living here and also be a regular."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140604
140606
>>140361
>>140362
I'm just replying to these so we know where we are when we resume next.
Anonymous
881db3a
?
No.140606
140607
>>140604
Approaching the telephone office from whinny to , there is a crafts store, then the post office, and then after another 60 feet, the telephone office. Staying close on the side walk close up puts the ponies out of the line of fire of the machine gun, but it’s perfectly visible to anyling looking down from the roof, and there are several creatures on the roof with rifles. It’s one thing to approach without being shot at by the machine gun, and another to not be noticed or shot at at all. There are perhaps 5 or six helpers on the roof. The roof is approximately 11 or 12 feet above the ground. Just getting to the Whinnyton side without being shot may be an issue, if it requires crossing Old Mecc - which the machine gun is set up to shoot down
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140607
140608
>>140606
Can Silver and the ponies with him make it to the craft store without getting shot at?
Anonymous
5301ad7
?
No.140608
140609
>>140607
Entering from the old mecc side is completely visible. There would be an attempt to shoot at them. Entering from the locked wooden door in the back may be just a little easier
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140609
140610
>>140608
Hmm...if they can get behind the craft store without getting shot at, then it's not a problem.

There's a two-story building between Old Mecc and Main, right? Can the group get inside it?
Anonymous
5301ad7
?
No.140610
140611
>>140609
Yes. It looks like shops and living
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140611
140612
>>140610
Silver tries going up to the building's second floor.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140612
140613
>>140611
Silver finds himself at a small building that has a liquor store underneath, and a residence above. He is across Old Mecc Road from where he wants to be - a barber shop, with a residence above. Does he have the rifle section get in place, cover fire, and run across, or does his group move further away so they can go around the long way to get into the building from Main street?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140613
140614
>>140612
They go the long way around.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140614
140615
>>140613
Silver goes around the long way, finding that on this side, there is a different shop on that side. There is a dentist's office on the other side, but a small door in the middle that presumably goes to the above residences.

Silver may or may not be watched by a rifleling on that side looking down main. Roll
9226999
?
No.140615
140616 140617
[1d20 = 17]
>>140614
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140616
140617 140618
>>140615
[1d20 = 4]
[1d20 = 15]

When Silver gets there, he finds that the lock on the door has been broken, and the door simply opens.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140617
140618
>>140615
>>140616
On the other side, Silver hears gun fire breaking out. A bang and a bang, then a bang, and machine gun fire
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140618
140620 140621
>>140616
>>140617
Silver quickly rushes upstairs to get a view of what's going on.
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140619
140621
Hello!
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140620
140621 140622
>>140618
It's a short flight of stairs up to an enclosed hallway. There is a door to the left. Silver finds that this door likewise is broken, simply opening. Silver enters into a living room with a couch and a radio, as well as a potted plant and a painting of a mare lying on a couch.. On the right side is a small kitchen. On the right side away from him is a little area with a dining table, and two windows, one of which faces old mech and another faces towards the telegraph office. Silver's group may or may not be visible from that window just standing near the kitchen. On the side opposite Silver is a wall, with a door and a room there, and then on the left side, a couple doors and a wall
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140621
140622 140624
>>140619
Hello!

Amber's hostess thing is kind of hard so probably not anything tonight as I have to work tomorrow...

>>140618
>>140620

The blinds on the window facing the post office are half down, as are the windows facing Old Mecc
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140622
140623
>>140620
>>140621
Can Silver see what is going on from up here?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140623
140625
>>140622
Yes if he looks out the window, but it's important to be careful not to be seen looking through it.

Which window does he look out of?
Amber Sunset
5826d62
?
No.140624
>>140621
Got it
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140625
140626
>>140623
The one facing Old Mecc.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140626
140627
>>140625
Silver can see that the other section took up at the duplex just a couple blocks down, and are trying to take shots from behind cover with the machine gun and their rifles, though mostly they stay low
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140627
140628
>>140626
What about the ponies with him?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140628
140629
>>140627
They have come through the door and entered the room. They are staying back thus far, not being given more specific orders. Silver has six in total: three rifleponies (scouts), the Machine gunner, and assistant machine gunner (who has a rifle), and a corporal who has the one submachine gun
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140629
140630 140631
>>140628
Silver peaks through the window facing the post office, to see if he can see the changeling position.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140630
140631 140632
>>140629
Mind you, it isn't verified that these are actual changelings, given the pony appearence and Equestrian uniforms and equipment. Silver can see the machine gun is aiming and firing in the direction of the duplec, with one machine gunner who is trying to stay low on the gun, and an assistant feeding a belt. In front of the gun is a pony with a rifle who is crouching down. There are two rifleponies(?) on the right, keeping down, but trying to peak up occasionally in the direction of Old Mecc. One is to the right and is kneeling with his rifle at the Duplex. Another alleged pony tries to move over to the right, to maintain a view down main.

This is 5 creatures with rifles in total, and two directly handling the machine gun
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140631
140632
>>140629
>>140630
[1d2 = 2]
[1d3 = 3]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140632
140633
>>140630
>>140631
Silver whispers to the ponies present.

"They have not noticed us yet. We must take this opportunity. Take cover by this window and set up machinegun. Everypony, focus fire on their machinegun. Take it out first, then focus on their rifle soldiers."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140633
140634
>>140632
It's simple enough to prop the end of the gun up on a chair or move the table and set up the bipod, with a little room for the assistant machine gunner to change the magazine - a nice earth pony and unicorn pair, each playing to their strengths. But two things are notable. One, the windows are closed, and who knows if they can be opened without being seen or heard. The first shot might just have to be through the glass. Second, there is only one window facing the post office in the dining room
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140634
140635
>>140633
Are there any other rooms facing the Telephone Office?
Anonymous
5301ad7
?
No.140635
140639
>>140634
It looks like it. There are three rooms that have not been entered
Shimmering Spark
2c20e92
?
No.140638
140640
wonders what adventures await in the city
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140639
140640
>>140635
Silver tries the next one over.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140640
140641 140642 140712
>>140603
She pauses for a just a moment

"Are you.... heh, talking about the new comers?"

>>140639
Silver opens the door in the room. This looks to be a bedroom, and a comparatively small one. There is a bed on the right that is perpendicular to the entryway with the covers pulled down, a stuffed Ursa toy lying on its side by the ground, a metal toy dump truck near the entrance, a dresser with a couple ropes and some pieces of paper (maybe tickets) on the wall to the left of the door, and on the right wall is a small closet with both doors open, and several items of clothing torn down and on the floor.

What Silver is really looking for is a window. And there is one. Rectangular, with shades half way down, approximately center, and located just beyond the bed, in an area perhaps three and a half feet where somepony could walk. There is a lamp on a small table in the left corner.

>>140638
Hi.
Amber Sunset
91c514d
?
No.140641
>>140640
Hi!
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140642
140643
>>140640
Silver peaks out of this window to see if it has a view of the Telephone Office.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140643
140644
>>140642
Yes. Indeed it does
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140644
140646
>>140643
Silver instructs the ponies present to use this one as well.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140646
140647
>>140644
This one can be taken by at least one rifle pony
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140647
140648
>>140646
Okie dokie. Are there any other rooms with an outside wall facing the telephone office?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140648
140649
>>140647
Maybe.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140649
140650
>>140648
Well then, Silver goes to find them.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140650
140651
>>140649
Looking into the next room, Silver can see a long and thin bath room, with a sink nearer and a bathtub, then toilet further away. Just above the toilet is a window, which logically should face towards the post office.

The room after that is accessed by a door at the end of the hallway. Entering into this room, there is a long wall facing Main that has a few windows, and a Queen sized bed with the covers down up against the wall opposite the telephone exchange. There is a painting of what looks like an urban cafe in some up-scale location (Canterlot?) on the wall. There are two dressers to the right of the door and on the opposing side, on each of which is a framed black and white photograph. One looks to be of a unicorn couple with a colt, and another of the same three unicorns, with the colt holding a lasso at what appears to be a rodeo. There is a closed door to a closet near the bed, to the left of the entry door. On the ground, between the bed and the dresser, is a revolver with the cylinder open. It looks to be a magnum. There are several cartridges next to it, with perhaps one loaded in the cylinder.

On the wall opposite of the bed is a larger window. It faces the telephone exchange.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140651
140652
>>140650
Silver also instructs the ponies present to use this window. He also tells them to use any furniture available to add extra cover to the walls to make them harder to shoot through.

He also decides to take a look in the bedroom's closet.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140652
140653
>>140651
It's entirely possible for the ponies to move the dressers next to the wall, though perhaps a bit difficult to do in extremely short time.

Looking in the closet is a rain coat, and more than one white laboratory coat. There are a few types of shoes, both formal and for mud.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140653
140654
>>140652
Silver is somewhat perplexed as to why the magnum was left here in its current state. It looks like it was dropped in the middle of loading. As for the dressers, as long as it doesn't take 10 minutes, they likely have enough time to move them.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140654
140655
>>140653
It's much less than ten minutes, but there is and would be a cessation of the engagement of the element on the roof and the other half of the squad
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140655
140656
>>140654
Alrighty. Once that's done, Silver informs the ponies quietly to begin their attack on his mark.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140656
140657
>>140655
Machine gunner and assistant (who has a rifle) in the dining room, a rifle pony in the bedroom, a rifle pony in the bathroom, and perhaps two in the Master bedroom, Silver has them positioned.

Be advised of two things - Silver's squad must shoot through glass, and the enemy will not be suppressed when the attack starts.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140657
140658
>>140656
Can the windows not be lifted?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140658
140659
>>140657
The windows unlock from the inside and can be lifted. What is more questionable is whether the creatures on the roof top not so far away will fail to notice the sound and movement
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140659
140660
>>140658
It is quite unfortunate they could not keep them distracted...

Well, then I suppose they're as ready as they can be.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140660
140661
>>140659
Ready for Silver to give the signal. What does silver pony himself do?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140661
140662
>>140660
Is there any spot for him to shoot as well?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140662
140663
>>140661
While there is no room in the bathroom, Silver could conceivably squeeze in in either bedroom or the dining room.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140663
140664
>>140662
Silver decides to join the ponies in the dining room.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140664
140665
>>140663
The machine gunner and the assistant. The wall isn't necessarily thick. This window is fairly close to the enemy machine gun, as the gun is placed off center.

Now, what orders to give?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140665
140666
>>140664
It is time to attack.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140666
140667
>>140665
Pick a target and give the order

The seven creatures include two machine gunners, one by the machine gun, three on the right, and one on the left side
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140667
140668 140670
>>140666
Silver targets the machinegunner, and gives the order to attack.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140668
140669 140670
>>140667
Roll Attack

[1d3 = 3]

Next to Silver

[1d3 = 1]

[1d6 = 3]
[1d20 = 13]

[1d6 = 1]
[1d20+2 = 18]

The bedroom
[1d7 = 4]
[1d20 = 1]

The bathroom
[1d7 = 5]
[1d20 = 16]

The Master bedroom
[1d3 = 2]
[1d7 = 2]
[1d20+2 = 21]

[1d3 = 1]
[1d7 = 4]
[1d20+2 = 22]
9226999
?
No.140669
140670 140672
[1d20+10 = 19]
>>140668
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140670
140671 140672 140678
>>140668
>>140667
There was no coordination as to targets in Silver's section. Nevertheless, the results, minus Silver, is

The Machine gunner shoots first, targeting the creature in front of the Machine Gun, who acts as the spotter
[1d20 = 2] [1d20 = 19]
[1d20 = 2] [1d20 = 14]
[1d20 = 12] [1d20 = 12]
[1d20 = 13] [1d20 = 3]
[1d20 = 4] [1d20 = 10]

One hit by the assistant machine gunner on the gunner of the enemy machine gun
[2d8 = 6]

The rifle pony in the second bedroom went wide

The gunner in the bathroom hits one of the enemy riflemen on the right
[2d8 = 8]

In the master bedroom, a rifle pony hits the machine gunner's assistant
[2d8 = 4]

While another hits a rifleman
[1d20 = 6]
[2d8 = 10]

>>140669
Hit
9226999
?
No.140671
140673
[2d8 = 3]
>>140670
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140672
140673
>>140670
>>140669
Several enemies are wounded.

But none are downed

A few more bullets from the machine gun
[1d20 = 17] [1d20 = 1] [1d20 = 14]
[1d20 = 1] [1d20 = 1]

[2d8 = 13]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140673
140674 140675 140691
>>140672
>>140671
One one enemy is downed: a spotter for the machine gun. Several are wounded, but are not downed

Roll Initiative

Machine gun
[1d20+3 = 21]

Rifles
[1d20+4 = 5]
[1d20+4 = 18]
[1d20+4 = 8]
[1d20+4 = 23]

Silver's crew:
[1d20 = 1]

[1d20 = 3]
[1d20 = 11]
[1d20 = 16]
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20 = 16]

The other section:
[1d20+2 = 8]

[1d20+2 = 22]
[1d20+2 = 6]
[1d20+2 = 14]
9226999
?
No.140674
140675
[1d20+4 = 17]
>>140673
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140675
140676 140677
>>140673
>>140674
There is a cacophony of shattered glass, bullets, and automatic bullets flying. Sure enough, a pony falls down on the roof, and is enveloped in green flame, to reveal a black insectoid equiform creature. Silver can see the enemy standing up, aiming their rifles, and returning fire. The machine gun swivels on its tripod, aiming towards their ambushers.

The rifleling on the left side fires his rifle
[1d7 = 6]
[1d20+3 = 6]

Then a rifle pony in Silver's support section
[1d4 = 4]
[1d20 = 4]

Then the enemy Machine Gun:
[1d7 = 1]
[1d20 = 12]

Then a rifle creature on the right
[1d7 = 7]
[1d20+3 = 20]

Then one of Silver's rifle ponies in the Master Bedroom
[1d20+2 = 10]

Then Silver
9226999
?
No.140676
140677 140681 140682 140683
[1d20+10 = 11]
>>140675
Silver aims down his rifle's sights once again to take out the enemy machinegunner.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140677
140678
>>140675
>>140676
>>140675
Silver takes aim at the machine gunner, looking at him down his sights after cycling the bolt. Silver's already wounded him before. Aim. click. Silver can see the bullet hit behind the Machine gunner. But the machine gunner isn't kneeling idly. He moves the machine gun up, points it towards Silver, and

clack clack clack clack

Silver can see little holes forming in the wall around the window, and below the window. Small splinters of wood enter the air. He can hear bullets wiz past him. And he can hear glass shattering in the kitchen behind him

Meanwhile, the light machine gunner next to Silver has flinched, pressing his gun forward, and causing the front bipod to move off the end of the table, and dropping the gun down on the table.

Elsewhere, SIlver's rifle ponies shoot back
[1d20+2 = 15]
[1d20+2 = 17]

[1d20+2 = 5]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140678
140679
>>140670
>>140677
The gunner in the bathroom makes another hit, as does the Corporal in the Master Bedroom.
[2d8 = 14]

[2d8 = 6]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140679
140680 140681 140682
>>140678
Silver's section successfully hits and downs two of the riflelings on the right side.

But an enemy rifleman shoots back, hitting the Corporal
[2d8 = 7]

And a rifleling shoots back
[1d7 = 7]
[1d20+2 = 19]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140680
140681
>>140679
The assistant machine gunner fires another shot
[1d20+2 = 11]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140681
140682
>>140680
>>140679
>>140676
And misses

A second shot hits the Corporal
[2d8 = 13]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140682
>>140681
>>140679
>>140676
The Corporal is downed, having downed one enemy himself
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140683
140684
>>140676
Does Silver take evasive action?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140684
140685 140686
>>140683
Silver uses his magic to realign the LMG on the table. He shouts over the cacophany of bullets.

"THIS IS WHY I SAID TO TARGET MACHINEGUN!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140685
140686 140687 140688
>>140684

The Changeling on the far left takes a shot up towards the one of the rifleponies in the Master Bedroom
[1d20+2 = 4]

That same pony shoots again, at the enemy assistant machine gunner

The Machine gunner continues firing, seeing no reason to take his decrepit hooves off the trigger
[1d3 = 1]
[1d20 = 6]

Then a riflepony in the other section fires again
[1d20 = 11]

Then the captured Changeling Machine Gun bursts all it's worth
[1d20 = 6]

And now it's Silver's turn
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140686
140688
>>140685
>>140684
"What?!" Silver's light machine gunner yells back, trying to stand back up.

Bullet's crack and snap, pieces of debris fly in the dining room and in the Master Bedroom. The Changeling machine gun rips to add it's own terrifying symphony of battle.

Nothing seems to hit it's intended target
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140687
>>140685
Missing dice roll
[1d20+2 = 6]
9226999
?
No.140688
140689
[1d20+10 = 26]
>>140685
>>140686
"TAKE THAT FUCKER OUT!"

Silver stands and quickly pops off another shot at the changeling on the machinegun.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140689
140690
>>140688
A small mount of paint flakes fall down from bullet holes above Silver, falling on his mane

Silver hits
9226999
?
No.140690
140692 140693
[2d8 = 7]
>>140689
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140691
140692
>>140673
The riflepony in the bathroom fires
[1d20+2 = 12]

Then a riflepony in the other section
[1d20-2 = 14]

Then the riflepony in the bedroom
[1d2 = 2]
[1d20+2 = 9]

Then the last surviving enemy rifleling on the right
[1d20+3 = 12]

Then the light machine gunner, who has just had his machine gun placed in position
[1d20 = 4] [1d20 = 16] [1d20 = 20] [1d20 = 15]
[1d20 = 4] [1d20 = 20] [1d20 = 13] [1d20 = 1]
[1d20 = 18] [1d20 = 19] [1d20 = 12] [1d20 = 5]
[1d20 = 3] [1d20 = 10] [1d20 = 15]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140692
140693
>>140691
>>140690
There is another cacophony of bullets

The enemy machine gunner -already bleeding from two hits - is hit twice in the torso, then once in the limb, falling down

[1d4 = 1]
[1d4 = 4]
[1d4 = 4]
[1d4 = 1]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140693
140694 140695
>>140690
>>140692
And the machine gun itself is hit once in the jacket, causing an eruption of steam from the gun

Still, the rifleling on the left takes aim and shoots, this time at the light machine gunner
[1d20+3 = 6]

And then the pony in the Master Bedroom fires his rifle
[1d20+2 = 15]

Then the riflepony in the other section
[1d20-2 = 5]

Silver's turn
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140694
140697
>>140693
Bullets miss, save for the shot of the riflepony in the master bedroom, who hits the enemy assistant machine gunner
[2d8 = 7]
9226999
?
No.140695
140696 140697
[1d20+10 = 21]
>>140693
Silver aims for rifleling on the left, and fires his rifle.
9226999
?
No.140696
140697 140701
[2d8 = 10]
>>140695
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140697
140698
>>140696
>>140695
>>140694
Silver makes a strong hit, causing blood to fly. The assistant machine gunner is hit as well, several times. He says
"Drücken sie-" then coughs "für unsere Kameraden!"
He tries to move through the steam towards the operating post of the machine gun

[1d2 = 1]

[1d20+2 = 7]

A pony in another section fires a shot at the lone rifleling on the right
[1d20 = 5]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140698
140699
>>140697
One of Silver's rifleponies shoots at the assistant machine gunner, but misses. He's moved himself into position, to fire the machine gun
[1d20 = 10]

The lone rifleling on the right fires a shot toward's Silver's machine gunner
[1d20+3 = 5]

Silver's assistant machine gunner, meanwhile, has heard the click of the light machine gun, and knows it is out of ammunition. He uses his magic to pull out the empty magazine, levitate a new one, and place it into the magazine well.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140699
140700
>>140698
The rifleling on the left takes another shot
[1d20+3 = 15]

The rifle pony in the master bedroom shoots
[1d20+2 = 22]

And a pony in the other section shoots
[1d20 = 16]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140700
140701 140702
>>140699
The rifleling on the left does not shoot for nothing. He hits the earth pony holding the light machine gun, before the latter can cock the gun.
[2d8 = 7]

The assistant machine gunner has moved the body of his superior aside, and looks up from over the steaming and soon to be warped barrel at Silver's position, ready to return fire at Silver's section. But it is not to be. The pony who stood next to the now dead corporal of C Squad's machine gun section, has landed his second rifle shot on the assistant machine gunner. with a splatter of blood, he falls backwards, landing on the legs of the machine gunner, and slowly degenerating into a black drone, one who still wears the uniform of an Equestrian truck loader.

The other section lands a shot on the lone rifleling on the right
[2d8 = 15]

Silver's turn
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140701
140702
>>140700
>>140696
The light machine gunner is hit, but not downed. He cocks his gun.

The lone rifleling on the right is shot through the chest, splattering blue blood on the concrete roof. He collapses with only one hit.

The last drone on the roof is the rifleling on the left, who changes his form right there in plain view, and spreading his wings
9226999
?
No.140702
140703
[1d20+10 = 11]
>>140700
>>140701
With a rallying shout, Silver fires a shot at the exposed changeling.

"ДЛЯ ПРИНЦЕСС!"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140703
140704
>>140702
Silver's misses wide, going far above and into the green fields beyond the town.

The drone, lone survivor of the top, bleeds profusely onto the roof with his blue and purple tinted blood. He jumps up onto the edge, spreads his wings, and swiftly jumps off the roof of the building, disappearing from sight. A drone elsewhere on the roof twitches.

Silver has fired two rifle shots at Captain Forrester. One shot into the Church tower. Two at a drone who came outside of the church and killed a member of his platoon. And now, five shots at the position on the roof. Silver's rifle magazine is now empty.

From the bedroom, Silver can hear a "Wooo!" and then from another "Take that you damn cockroaches! Wooo!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140704
140705
>>140703
"Alright...good fighting, soldiers! Take breather, patch your wounds, and celebrate this victory! There will be plenty more where this came from!"

Silver goes to check on the downed corporal.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140705
140706
>>140704
The corporal has been shot in the neck and the chest plate. His blood now covers part of the bedroom floor, and his submachine gun still lies on the top of the dresser. He has no pulse now.

>>140704
The riflepony in the bathroom, the pony in the secondary bedroom, and from the assistant machine gunner cheer.
"We whooped them!"
"Serves them right"
"Hope the boys on the front are doing as well"

A weaker smile comes from the squad machine gunner, who holds onto his wound. A less enthusiastic response comes from the pony who stood next to the corporal. He remains silent.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140706
140707
>>140705
Silver closes the corporal's eyes, and offers him a prayer to Celestia, that his soul may be guided swiftly to the heavenly gates of Elysium. He looks at the pony who stood next to the corporal, and places a forehoof on his shoulder.

"Are you okay, son?"
Anonymous
28d89e6
?
No.140707
140708
>>140706
The corporal is still not a pretty sight, especially with so much of his blood on the floor. But he looks just a little better.

The private is silent for a moment. But he answers Silver
“We got ‘em”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140708
140709
>>140707
"That is not what I asked, soldier."

He looks sadly at the private.

"Death is not pretty or nice. Trust me, I know. But to see it so close, it is something entirely more horrifying."
Anonymous
28d89e6
?
No.140709
140710
>>140708
“I know. This is my first time seeing it. Sister died of TB when I was little, but I didn’t see that.... I’ll be alright.... He was a good pony.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140710
140711
>>140709
He smiles, though it's tinged with sadness.

"That he was. He gave his all to protect us. We will make sure his body is treated with respect, before he is sent back home."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140711
140715
>>140710
He gives a small smile, and nods
"That, he did. We will."
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140712
140716
>>140640
"Let us go with that," Iron confirmed with a nod, hoping Koptis was in that list.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140715
140716
>>140711
"Good lad, Private. Now, can you go check on other group of soldiers, see if everything is alright over there? I think I will need to help patch our machinegunner up."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140716
140717 140719
>>140712
"Well..." She looks behind herself, then back towards Iron.

"They like to use the dining room in the back. We don't normally use it during most business hours, and... Well, they like to use the dining room in the back."

>>140715
he nods, halfway managing a smile
"Yes sir."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140717
140718
>>140716
"Off you go. Take somepony with you if you feel unsafe on your own."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140718
140721
>>140717
He scrunches for a moment, but he leaves
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140719
140720
>>140716
"How come?" Iron would ask as he tested the seat's comfiness.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140720
140726
>>140719
There's some cushion to it. It's on the fluffier side, as seat cushions go.

"Preference.... I guess. They do their own thing."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140721
140722
>>140718
Once he's gone, Silver goes over to the machinegunner. He smiles at him.

"Alright, show me where bullet touched you."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140722
140723
>>140721
He too, scrunches

He's shot through the chest, next to the left shoulder, low on the body
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140723
140724
>>140722
Is the assistant machinegunner still here?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140724
140725
>>140723
Yes.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140725
140727
>>140724
He turns to the assistant machinegunner.

"Can you see if they have any alcohol here? Preferrably something strong."
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140726
140727
>>140720
(Most likely they prefer it for their secrecy,) Iron concluded, having confirmed the comfortable nature of these cushions wasn't the issue.
"What are they like?" the native asked.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140727
140728 140730
>>140726
"Some are.... firmer. Some, more nice."

>>140725
The assistant machine gunner goes over, and looks though a cabinet
"These are shot to pieces"

Then another. He pulls out a decorated bottle.
"Here we go. Brandy."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140728
140729
>>140727
"Thank you."

Silver takes it, and offers it to the machinegunner.

"Here. Take only small drink, to dull pain."

While he does so, he investigates the wound. Is it all the way through, or is the bullet still inside? Is the wound bleeding profusely?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140729
140736
>>140728
He takes a sip. Then another sip. Then another, much longer sip.

It looks like the bullet is still inside. There is much blood, although less than you may think from looking at the wound
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140730
140731
>>140727
"Are they currently here'" Iron proceeded to ask.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140731
140732
>>140730
She pauses for a moment
"Why do you ask?"
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140732
140733
>>140731
"I am curious about them in general," Iron offered the waitress. "I am quite fond of other species."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140733
140734
>>140732
"Well... I'll leave you to that."
She has a half-smile, which is better than the last several exchanges
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140734
140735
>>140733
A round of applause, ladies and gentlecolts!
"Do not forget the water, please," Iron would remind the waitress before turning to Sands, awaiting the moment of privacy in order to start their eventual talk together.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140735
140738
>>140734
"And your chardonnay " Sands adds. The waiter says "Right." And walks away. Sands watches her as she goes, before turning to Iron.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140736
140737
>>140729
"Do not take too much, you will affect your aim."

He continues to examine it for a couple seconds, before he looks up at the machinegunner.

"Alright, here is what I can do. I can either try to pull bullet out with my magic now, which will hurt like hell but let it start to heal properly, or I can just patch you up until our medical officer is up again and can take proper look."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140737
140746
>>140736
"Uh... how good are you with that?" He asks
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140738
140739
>>140735
"I feel like they are definitely coming to meet us anytime now," Iron commented in a half-whisper. "What do you think?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140739
140740
>>140738
"Do they know it's us yet? If we move now, they won't know."
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140740
140741
>>140739
"So we go directly to their table and kick their flanks there?" Iron would ask instead in a hushed manner.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140741
140742
>>140740
"Uh... I don't know" She answers
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140742
140743
>>140741
"I see. What about table hopping to scout them out instead? See what sort of battle we have in store."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140743
140744
>>140742
"If they don't know what we look like, we should try to find them first."
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140744
140745
>>140743
"Then let us commence our execution," Iron declared as he figured out the potential paths to take in order to reach the esteemed "back" the waitress was talking about.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140745
140753
>>140744
There are three doors in the back (not counting a fourth off to the right that must link outside). It's easy to see one is probably a kitchen (steel doors), leaving two, one on the left in a corner, and another on the side opposite the entrance, more towards the left. The latter looks like it's more likely an entryway into an open area, with beige walls
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140746
140747
>>140737
"I have plenty of experience with performing first aid in field like this."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140747
140748
>>140746
"Uh... okay." He answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140748
140749
>>140747
"Alright. Just in case, you may want to bite onto something."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140749
140750
>>140748
His eyes go wide, and he picks up a leather pouch used to hold stripper clips
9226999
?
No.140750
140751
[1d20+5 = 13]
>>140749
"Okay. Three, two, one..."

Heal: Focusing his magic around the bullet, Silver attempts to carefully extract it from the machinegunner's flesh.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140751
140752
>>140750
"AAAHHH!"
Some blood comes out. Silver doesn't feel like he is pulling flesh, or anything important, so that is good. but he either didn't get the bullet, or didn't pull it out.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140752
140754
>>140751
"That is why I said to bite down. I almost have it..."
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140753
140754
>>140745
Iron believes that the latter door that could potentially leave him to an open area to be the more likely place where the group might be currently eating, so he plans out a route to get there.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140754
140755 140758
>>140752
There's a slight whining sound

>>140753
The door is not very far away at all. Going closer to the left will, presumably, make it easier to look into - and be seen from - inside the room, while walking from the right along the line of booths may be a little harder to see from inside.

The door isn't far from the entrance of what is presumably the bathrooms.
9226999
?
No.140755
140756
[1d20+5 = 6]
>>140754
"Come on..."

Heal: Silver tries again, hopeful that he can succeed without causing his patient much more suffering.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140756
140757
>>140755
Okay, more blood. A lot more blood. Oh Celestia, why is there so much blood?
9226999
?
No.140757
140759
[1d20+5 = 16]
>>140756
Heal: Silver hurriedly tries to keep the machinegunner's blood inside of him.
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140758
140760
>>140754
Sensing it'd be best to head right, Iron soon added that to his scouting plan.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140759
140761
>>140757
Silver forces a table cloth inside the machine gunner (one with few glass shards or bits of wood or paint, fortunately), and stops the outward bleeding. Hopefully it coagulates and stops bleeding inside. Hopefully.

"AAAHHH"
He bites down on on the leather bag. He also puts less weight on his left foreleg
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140760
140763
>>140758
Alright, time to proceed with the sneaky (unless Sands is involved)
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140761
140762
>>140759
"Well...fuck. Sorry about that. You may want to take rest of that brandy."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140762
140766
>>140761
He removes the leather bag still wincing, and starts drinking
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140763
140764
>>140760
Figuring it wouldn't hurt, Iron would tell Sands his secret plan to scout them out and come back here to properly discuss how to approach them.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140764
140765
>>140763
"Do you have a reason for being so close and so curious?" Sands asks
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140765
140767
>>140764
"I, uh," Iron trailed off for a bit, unsure of what to say. "I am curious about their body parts?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140766
140767
>>140762
He pats his uninjured foreleg before going to pick up the deceased corporal's SMG and the spare ammo and magazines for it.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140767
140768 140770
>>140765
Sands narrows her eyes, scrunches, and pulls both ears down. The left one flops a bit.

>>140766
It's not the prettiest gun, but it works. 3 full magazines of 32 rounds, and one that is about half full in the gun.
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140768
140769
>>140767
"Bad line," Iron concluded with a nod. "How about I am curious about their culture?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140769
140774
>>140768
"Possible... I don't know how much they'll like it, but it's plausible."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140770
140771
>>140767
Silver takes them, so he can properly support his soldiers in close quarters.

With this done, he goes to the bedroom to see if the ponies assigned to that window are still there.
Anonymous
4189ce3
?
No.140771
140772
>>140770
The pony in the smaller bedroom is gone entirely. The best guess is, he was the “buddy” of the pony assigned to link up with the other section.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140772
140773
>>140771
Silver checks the bathroom, then.
Anonymous
4189ce3
?
No.140773
140775
>>140772
This little pony has come out of the bathroom, and is trying to be with the remaining ponies.
Anonymous
0ff8760
?
No.140774
140776
>>140769
Iron hummed for a second before presenting a potential third option. "How about 'I am interested in your stories from afar.'?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140775
140776
>>140773
Silver announces to the three remaining ponies.

"Alright, I am going to investigate Telephone Office. Remember to ask me code phrase when I get back, in case something happens."
Anonymous
4189ce3
?
No.140776
140777
>>140774
“I’m... not sure what that means, but maybe?”
She places both elbows on the table, and pulls her hair out of the way
“The thing is, stealth isn’t quite what you think. You’re not hunting animals in the forest. You don’t have to hide yourself because it doesn’t matter if they see you. They see ponies and whatever other creatures every day. It’s just another part of the scenery. Stealth is about hiding an intent. So long as they don’t suspect you have a hotline motivation, you are fine, mostly. So unless you actually want them to answer your questions - and maybe you do - what matters is that they really believe that is why you are back there, and you didn’t just go on a rampage by the seashore.”

>>140775
“Yes sir.” Says one

“Should somepony go with you?” Says another
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140777
140778
>>140776
"It would probably be smartest idea, if one of you was volunteering."
Anonymous
4189ce3
?
No.140778
140779
>>140777
The pony in the bathroom raises his hoof to volunteer.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140779
140780 140781
>>140778
Silver smiles and nods to him.

"Alright, thank you. Come, let us see if they left communication equipment intact."
Anonymous
4189ce3
?
No.140780
140781
>>140779
The soldier nods, and the two go through the door, and down to outside.

[1d20 = 18] [1d20 = 20] [1d20 = 10] [1d20 = 8] [1d20 = 4]
Anonymous
4189ce3
?
No.140781
140782
>>140779
>>140780
Shortly after arriving outside, Silver is met with the two ponies he sent out in his section, and the Sargent of Squad C

“Sergeant Silver Sword. Nice work.” He addresses Silver
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140782
140783
>>140781
"Klutzy."
Anonymous
4189ce3
?
No.140783
140784
>>140782
“Wait, I know this one...”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140784
140785
>>140783
Silver sighs in defeat. He takes a moment to read the name on the sergeant's uniform.

"Good enough, I suppose. I do not think changeling would have reacted to that in such manner."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140785
140786
>>140784
Hornbeck

"Heh, they'd probably just shoot you. I heard about corporal Dunley. A shame to lose him. We need to secure the telephone office to make it count."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140786
140787
>>140785
"Damn right. We were just about to go do that. You three going to come along?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140787
140788
>>140786
"Yes sir." He answers

Silver can see the telephone building not far in front of him in the setting sunlight, with that roof that hangs over onto the side walk. He can see a small trickle of green-rusted blood heading into the side door
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140788
140790
>>140787
Silver motions for the group to be quiet as he takes point. He uses his telekinesis to open the door from a distance.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140790
140791
>>140788
The door opens.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140791
140793 140794
>>140790
Silver procedes carefully into the building, keeping his head and SMG on a swivel.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140793
140794
>>140791
Tattattattattattat

[1d20 = 19] [1d20 = 14]
[1d20 = 1] [1d20 = 17]
[1d20 = 16] [1d20 = 18]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140794
140795
>>140791
>>140793
As soon as Silver peers over around the corner, he feels the sting of bullets, and hears the tattletale sound of a Changeling machinepistol.

[4d6 = 17]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140795
140796
>>140794
The unicorn staggers backwards out of the building, falling onto his back and bleeding from two fresh new bulletholes in his chest. He coughs and spits up some blood, still alive but barely so.

"Urrgh...bad idea..."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140796
140797 140798 140799 140801 140802
>>140795
As soon as Silver falls down, the sargeant behind him yells,

"Cornflake! Pull him back! Sleetfall! Grenade!"

The Sargeant moves forward, and tosses in a grenade. Silver is pulled back by the pony from the masterbedroom, and the last pony moves forward, and likewise throws a grenade around the corner.

[1d20 = 20]
[1d20 = 15]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140797
140798 140800 140802
>>140796
And
[1d20 = 13]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140798
140799 140800
>>140796
>>140797
[1d20+2 = 4]
[1d20+2 = 22]

[1d20+3 = 12]
[1d20+2 = 22]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140799
>>140798
>>140796
[4d8 = 23]

[4d4 = 13]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140800
140802
>>140798
>>140797
[1d20+2 = 15]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140801
140802 140803 140805
>>140796
Silver groans in pain, both from having been shot so many times in one day and from being ruffly handled while injured.

"Fucking...roaches..."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140802
140803 140804
>>140800
>>140796
>>140797
>>140801
What happens next, Silver is not to know. There is an explosion, then another loud explosion. What Silver learns in retrospect, is that the first grenade tossed into the room was tossed back out through the small crack of the door. Sleetfall, the Pegasus, frantically rushed in to push it away with his wings, pushing it away. One grenade detonates loudly inside of the telephone room. The grenade outside is pushed away somewhat down the street. Silver is already on the ground. The pony pulling Silver simply falls backwards on his back, and Sleetfall tumbles to the ground. The Sargeant, however, does not make it to the ground so quickly, and takes hits from shrapnel.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140803
140804 140805
>>140801
>>140802
Silver hears more ringing, but he can definitely hear a "Fucking hell, you'll pay for that!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140804
140806 140808
>>140802
>>140803
If Silver was to ever go deaf, this would be one of the contributers to it. The unicorn tries to roll over onto his side to get a look of what is going on.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140805
140806 140807 140808
>>140803
>>140801
The door to the office opens with the explosion inside. A private, looks to be Sleetfall, gets up, pick up his rifle, and charges into the office with his bayonet-fixed rifle
"AAAAHHHH!"

[1d20+3 = 7]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140806
>>140804
>>140805
[1d20 = 3]

[1d20 = 2]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140807
140808
>>140805
He is going to get himself killed.

Coughing and sputtering, and having to spit out some more blood, Silver tries to get his hooves underneath him.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140808
140809
>>140804
>>140805
Looking inside of the office, Silver can see a changeling drone in Equestrian uniform - no pretense at being a pony, but still wearing the uniform of an Equestrian armorer - starting to get up off the ground. Sleetfall is quick to get up, picks up a rifle, and charges at the drone as if with a lance. By misfortune or by daze, Sleetflall misses his bayonet.

Cornflake tries to get up, and aim his rifle.

>>140807
If desired, roll initiative
9226999
?
No.140809
140810
[1d20+4 = 24]
>>140808
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140810
140811
>>140809
Silver jumps up to his hooves almost immediately.

With the door opened, Silver can see there are two drones in the room. One with a rifle who appears to be downed. The other wearing an Equestrian army uniform with an armorer's markings, who seems to be a Changeling non-commissioned officer. He is bleeding profusely and must have had the disguise blown right off of him, but he is starting to get up, and he is levitating his machinepistol. Sleetfall has run right into the office, but has failed to stick the drone with his bayonet.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140811
140812
>>140810
Is Sleetfall in the line of fire between Silver and the drone?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140812
140813
>>140811
He missed, so he'd be off to the side
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140813
140814 140815
>>140812
[1d20+4 = 22] [1d20+4 = 18]
[1d20+4 = 21] [1d20+4 = 16]
[1d20+4 = 11] [1d20+4 = 21]

Silver aims the SMG he got from the late Corporal Dunley, and fires a burst at the changeling.

Tattattattattattat
9226999
?
No.140814
140815
[10d6 = 32]
>>140813
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140815
140816
>>140813
>>140814
Silver shoots true, and a hit, hit, hit, hit, and another hit takes the drone. The bullets create small but noticeable blood splatters, and push his body ever so slightly, until the creature falls back down on its back on the floor, mouth hanging open.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140816
140817
>>140815
"That..." *cough* "...is for Dunley..."

Silver slumps down now that his work is done, setting the SMG aside.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140817
140818
>>140816
Silver and the other sargent are badly wounded. Sleetfall moves up, and bayonets the other drone. Cornflake enters

"Sergeant? Sergeant?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140818
140819
>>140817
"...which one?"

Even with all of his light grey fur, Silver still looks rather pale. He waves off the question.

"Nevermind, nevermind. See to Sergeant Hornbeck. Just need moment..."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140819
140820
>>140818
He moves out of the room
"Yes, Sargeant."

Meanwhile, a form moves up from behind the counter
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140820
140821
>>140819
Silver picks up his SMG again, and weakly stands up to face the figure. He aims down sights at it.

"Don't move..."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140821
140822
>>140820
Silver sees it is the same grey pegasus mare with long braided mane and brown sweater from when he came before. She looks back at him, with both forehooves in the air
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140822
140823
>>140821
"Stay right there, do not do anything."

He shouts back as best as he is able in his current state.

"Sleetfall, keep watch on this civilian, I need to check she has not been replaced."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140823
140824
>>140822
"Yes sir." He says

The mare tries to relax her forelegs and wings, still standing there. She speaks

"I work here." She says in plain ponish.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140824
140825
>>140823
Silver steps forward slowly, bringing his flashlight out.

"I know, just please do not do anything until I say so."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140825
140826
>>140824
She lets out a breath, and starts to tuck her wings into sweater, still standing there
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140826
140827
>>140825
Silver gets up to her, and shines the flashlight in her eyes.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140827
140828
>>140826
The eyes reflect back as green orbs.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140828
140829 140830
>>140827
Silver nods, figuring this was the answer. He turns his flashlight off, and looks at her.

"Alright. Please, answer honestly: are you changeling?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140829
140830 140831 140832
>>140828
Her mouth, in gritted teeth, starts to relax, as she moves her hooves down. She is silent for a number of seconds after Silver asks his question. Then she moves her wings forward under the sweater, and her hooves meet her wings.

"Hail Chrysalis"

Roll Initiative
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140830
140833
>>140829
>>140828
[1d20 = 16]
9226999
?
No.140831
140832 140833 140835 140836 140838 140839
[1d20+4 = 5]
>>140829
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140832
140834
>>140831
>>140829
The alleged mare pushes a pistol out from under her sweater with her wings to her hooves, and aims it at Silver.

One more element to consider:
[1d20+2 = 15]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140833
140834
>>140830
>>140831
She gets the drop on Silver, firing at him

[1d20}
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140834
140835
>>140833
>>140832
[1d20 = 6]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140835
140836
>>140834
>>140831
She misses her first shot. Private Sleetfall, standing there with his rifle, fires a shot at her

[1d20+1 = 16]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140836
140838
>>140835
>>140831
His shot hits her, spraying a pattern of purplish blood across the counter

[2d8 = 10]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140837
[1d2 = 2]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140838
140839
>>140831
>>140836
She stumbles backwards from the shot, and fires again

[1d20-2 = 11]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140839
140840
>>140831
>>140838
She misses in her dazed state.

After putting his flashlight down to pick up his gun, Silver fumbled. But he is ready now.

Silver's turn
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140840
140841
>>140839
[1d20+4 = 19] [1d20+4 = 19]
[1d20+4 = 6] [1d20+4 = 11]

Silver fires a short burst from his SMG point blank at the changeling.

Tattattattat
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140841
140842
>>140840
Two firm hits in the chest and a third ambiguously goes through the outer edge of the sweater. Still standing, the green engulfs her to show a changeling drone, who collapses to the ground.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140842
140843
>>140841
Silver isn't entirely sure it's possible for changelings, but just in case, he checks for a pulse.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140843
140844
>>140842
Silver can't feel a pulse. Sleetfall, however, has his own method, stabbing the changeling in the neck with his bayonet.

"Insidious little crossdressing fuckers, aren't they?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140844
140845
>>140843
Silver internally cringes at the display of brutality, but says nothing of it.

"I was even going to let him live unharmed if he just surrendered..."

He coughs a little, and wipes his mouth clear of blood.

"...fuck, I will be glad when Vale is clear of these roaches."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140845
140846
>>140844
"Unharmed?! Do they do the same for us?"
He looks up and back to Silver
"Well, let's make sure the back is clear, and move back to headquarters. Nightfall will be coming soon."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140846
140847
>>140845
"No, but it is easier to find where they have taken replaced ponies when they are alive to say so."

He readies his SMG.

"Good idea. We should also do quick check of equipment, see if anything is damaged."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140847
140848
>>140846
He is silent for a moment, then answers
"True"

There is a door to the left of the counter, with a rifle next to it
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140848
140849
>>140847
Silver focuses his magic around the door handle, and opens the door from a distance.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140849
140850
>>140848
The door is opened. There is a single low light, and through the open door Silver can see some meters, a couple switch boards, and a pair of tables.

A few droplets of blue blood lead off to the left
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140850
140851
>>140849
Silver silently points out the trail of blood to Sleetfall, and hobbles forward to take a position leaning against the wall next to the door.

Cautiously, he tries to peak around the corner.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140851
140852
>>140850
There, in the left most corner, is a medium-blue pony stallion, looks like a unicorn, sitting and leaning over. His forehooves are tight together, and it looks like he is holding something in, perhaps cloth. His chest visible rises and lowers, and he makes a low wheezing sound. He moves his eyes up to look at Silver, gritting his teeth in a wince
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140852
140853
>>140851
Silver winces at the sight of the wounded, disguised changeling. He doesn't advance any further.

"We got you really good, huh?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140853
140854 140855
>>140852
The thing looks up at silver, with wide pupils and green eyes. It doesn't say anything, only wheezes out and stares at Silver with that pained grimace.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140854
>>140853
[1d10 = 3]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140855
140856 140857
>>140853
"Listen, I am Platoon Sergeant Silver Sword. Now, I do not know about you, but I do not want any more death and violence here, and I am almost certain you do not want to die here today either. I think we can help each other."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140856
>>140855
[1d10 = 2]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140857
140858
>>140855
The creature just sits there, still looking at Silver, and still wheezing in pain.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140858
140859
>>140857
"Can you understand what I am saying?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140859
140860
>>140858
It moves its head a little higher, but does not respond
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140860
140861
>>140859
Silver raises an eyebrow at this gesture, not knowing what it means.

"This is not going to work if you can not understand. Nod if you understand what I am saying."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140861
140862
>>140860
He does not nod.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140862
140863
>>140861
"Argh..."

He turns to Sleetfall.

"Does anypony in platoon speak or write Changeling?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140863
140864
>>140862
"I... am not sure?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140864
140865
>>140863
"Hmm...alright. Here is what I am thinking. I will try to get close to him, appear like I am not going to hurt him, and see if I can not keep him from bleeding out. After, we will try to escort him to base as prisoner until we can decide on what to do with him. Think you can watch my back?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140865
140866
>>140864
"That, I can."
He cycles the bolt in his rifle.

The creature's ears go up
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140866
140930
>>140865
Silver sighs, and trots slowly into the room with the changeling, SMG held in his magic. He slowly sets it down on the ground in front of him, dims his horn, and keeps his hooves in full view of the changeling so he knows he's not trying to pull any funny business.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140930
140931
>>140866
As Silver moves closer to the creature, Silver can see under and to the right of the uniform the creature is holding to its torso, the creature's ace-up-the-sleeve, and the last card it has to play: it is holding an Equestrian fragmentation grenade under its foreleg. It's hard to tell if the pin is or is not in.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140931
140932 140934
>>140930
Silver stops right where he is, trying to appear as unthreatening as he can be. He points to the grenade, and speaks calmly.

"Please, you do not have to do that. Just...give it here, nice and slowly. I promise, I will not hurt you."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140932
140933
>>140931
The creature turns its ears and eyes to Silver. It's eyes are very wide. It has made no movement on the grenade

Roll intelligence
9226999
?
No.140933
140934
[1d20-1 = 9]
>>140932
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140934
140935
>>140933
>>140931
The grenade could require constant pressure on the handle to keep from detonating
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140935
140936
>>140934
Silver gulps, a little nervous at his situation. He takes a small step cautuously towards the changeling.

"Not going to hurt you...do not detonate grenade..."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140936
140937
>>140935
At least there is no movement on the grenade. The creature continues breathing heavily, ears tilted towards Silver and eyes wide
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140937
140938
>>140936
Silver takes another step, trying to convey as non-threatening body language as he can.

"Just like that, nice and calm..."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140938
140939
>>140937
Roll charisma
9226999
?
No.140939
140940
[1d20-1 = 16]
>>140938
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140940
140941
>>140939
The creature lets Silver close the distance without opposition. Silver is now within five feet of the creature
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140941
140942 140943
>>140940
Silver smiles at the creature. He points to the grenade, then makes a motion with his hoof as if he was receiving something.

"Now, just...carefully, give me the grenade. It will be okay."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140942
>>140941
[1d2 = 2]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140943
140944
>>140941
The creature does not relinquish the grenade
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140944
140945
>>140943
He makes the motion again, hoping to insist.

"I promise you, I am not here to hurt you. But I need to know you won't try to hurt me before I can help."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140945
140946
>>140944
The creature does seem to edge its legs forward, and at least, has not attacked Silver
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140946
140947
>>140945
Silver slowly lays down in front of the changeling, putting himself more at eyelevel with him. He points to the creature's wounds.

"You are pretty badly injured. I can patch you up, but we need to trust each other first."

He motions from his chest to the changeling's and back with a hoof.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140947
140948
>>140946
The creature is ever so slightly to the left of the corner, so that that it is backed up against the left-most wall. It sits with its right foreleg on the ground, and its left foreleg holding both the grenade and what appears to be a uniform against its chest. It seems to have no interest in removing its foreleg from its chest, very possibly because that is what is holding back more bleeding.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140948
140949
>>140947
Silver takes in a breath, lights his horn, and forms a telekinetic sheath around the grenade. He points to it again, makes a taking motion with his hoof, then he mimes himself wrapping something around his arm before pointing at the changeling's wounded chest.

"I am going to take grenade from you, and in exchange, I will bandage your wound. Deal?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140949
140950
>>140948
The creature seems surprised by this, but at least, Silver has a grip over the handle of the grenade
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140950
140951
>>140949
Silver carefully tries to pull the grenade out of the creature's grasp.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140951
140952
>>140950
And Silver manages it. It is confirmed that the pin is not in the grenade.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140952
140953
>>140951
That's not good. Is the charging handle still in place?
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140953
140954
>>140952
Yes. The creature had it held down as a sort of "dead man's switch," and now it's being held in place by Silver's magic.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140954
140955
>>140953
Silver lets out a sigh of relief. With a hoof, he points to where the pin is supposed to be.

"Pin?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140955
140956
>>140954
The creature looks downwards to an area that would be below it. It isn't entirely visible with it crouched over and holding the uniform against its body
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140956
140957
>>140955
Silver extends a tendril of magic to feel the area the changeling looks at for any sign of the pin.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140957
140958
>>140956
Roll wisdom
9226999
?
No.140958
140959
[1d20+3 = 9]
>>140957
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140959
140960
>>140958
Silver does not feel the pin on the ground
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140960
140961 140962
>>140959
He looks up to the changeling, and points again to where the pin should be in the grenade.

"Can you help?"

"Can you
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140961
140962
>>140960
[1d20 = 9]

[1d20 = 15]
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140962
140963
>>140960
>>140961
The creature remains sitting their, holding the uniform to it
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140963
140964
>>140962
Silver tries searching for the pin again using a tendril of magic.
9226999
?
No.140964
140965
[1d20+3 = 5]
>>140963
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140965
140966
>>140964
Silver does not find it
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140966
140967
>>140965
He scrunches his nose in frustration, before tapping where the pin is supposed to go again.

"Can, you, help, find, pin?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140967
140968
>>140966
The creature moves its foreleg around, and with aura of green magic, pulls up the pin from under the uniform.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140968
140969
>>140967
Silver smiles, takes it, and attempts to put it back in.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140969
140970
>>140968
The pin is locked back into place.

The creature breathes lighter and faster
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140970
140971
>>140969
Silver takes the grenade as part of his equipment, now that it's safe(r). To the changeling's surprise, perhaps, Silver doesn't take this as a sign to start attacking the changeling. Instead, he trots slowly over to the door, and speaks to Sleetfall.

"Can you get some clean cloth, perhaps from clothing worn by other changelings?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140971
140972
>>140970
"They are all wearing Equestrian Army uniforms anyways. I can cut some off. Ought to be shot as spies."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140972
140973
>>140971
"Duly noted."

Silver in the meantime watches over the changeling. He places a hoof over his own chest.

"Silver Sword. My name is Silver Sword."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140973
140974
>>140972
The creature looks back up at Silver, holding its own chest in silence.

Sleetfall comes back.
"Here's part of a uniform that didn't already have blood on it. I figure it'll have roach blood on it if we use it on him. Fitting."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140974
140975
>>140973
Silver doesn't comment on his statement, and merely tells him "Thank you" in response before taking it.

Silver trots calmly up to the changeling, uniform in hoof. He lays down on his legs in front of him, and then uses a foreleg to point at the creature's chest.

"I am going to help you, okay?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140975
140976
>>140974
The creature looks back at Silver, and its ears twitch. It closes its mouth, and for the first time, nods.

Then a green flash envelopes it. The process perhaps reminds Silver of the burning of magnesium in a flash powder lamp for a camera, though not quite as bright and tinted yellow-green. Not quite blinding in the moment, it leaves behind a creature that Silver by now can recognize as a changeling drone with a green ray on the back of its head and blue eyes. A few features stand out at this very close distance, like the small lights at the center of its eyes, or the spits in its ears that make them look almost like sliced open rubber tubes that have been cut in the back. It's chest has the appearance of something like ribs sticking out, and a definite tapering down to the belly. It's wings are long and thin, and while they most resemble the wings of a cockroach, they have hints of green that make them slightly resemble those of a more elegant creature, like a dragonfly. This looks like the creature that shot the machine gunner, and who knows who else. Then again, they kind of all look alike. It keeps its thin lips closed, though its fangs protrude out.
9226999
?
No.140976
140977
[1d20+5 = 16]
>>140975
Silver is a little surprised at the transformation, but he doesn't let it keep him from trying to help.

Heal: Silver does his best to bandage the changeling, tearing the uniform into strips and guiding the changeling's foreleg so he can properly cover his wounds.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140977
140978
>>140976
The creature allows Silver to move its current bandages off and expose its belly. It looks like a rifle bullet entered it approximately where the stomach and cecum would be in a pony, but who knows what, if anything important was hit in this ersatz equine. Silver is able to press the strips around the wound, and stop any further outwards bleeding, and perhaps internal bleeding as well. It seems the bandages are successfully replaced, and the creature holds it in with its forehoof.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140978
140979
>>140977
Silver smiles at his hoofwork, and gets up.

"There. Almost as good as new."

He holds a forehoof out to the changeling.

"Can you stand?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140979
140980
>>140978
The creature extends its neck through the air, and places its muzzle not far away from Silver's hoof, flicking its long, thin, split tongue in the air.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140980
140981
>>140979
"Acting like snake? Changelings do that?"

After talking to himself, Silver shrugs it off, and retracts his hoof. Instead, he trots back to the doorframe, picking up his SMG along the way. Before going through, he stops and looks behind at the changeling, motioning for him to follow.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140981
140982
>>140980
The creature stands up, at least providing the strips wrap around such that it doesn't need to constantly apply pressure. It is able to walk, and tentatively follows Silver. Sleetfall moves off to the side, keeping his rifle pointed at it.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140982
140983
>>140981
The unicorn moves at a slightly slower pace that's more comfortable for two injured peoples. As he passes him, Silver speaks to Sleetfall.

"Get into position behind him for escort, I will lead. You do not have to keep your rifle trained on him while we take him back."

He smiles back at the changeling.

"It will be alright, nopony will hurt you."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140983
140984
>>140982
"Yes sir." The pegasus can't exactly hold a rifle well while walking anyways. He keeps it on the sling, but facing forward. The changeling drone does not smile back, but he does move forward. He finds the Sergeant of Squad C and Cornflake in the other room, and while the Sergeant is badly wounded, the unit is mobile.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140984
140985
>>140983
"Building is clear. We are taking this changeling back to town hall and holding him there. You two alright?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140985
140986
>>140984
Sleetfall and Cornflake seem to have some bleeding from shrapnel, but they are standing. The Sargeant is in a similar situation to Silver.

The Sargeant asks
"You got a live one?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140986
140987
>>140985
Silver nods.

"He does not speak Ponish, but I managed to talk him down. He is not to be harmed in any way, understood?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140987
140988
>>140986
"If you say so..." There's an almost begrudging tone to this response.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140988
140989
>>140987
Silver nods.

"While we escort him to Town Hall, I want your squad to check on equipment in Office and make sure everything is in working order, then gather corporal's body and return to Town Hall."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140989
140990
>>140988
"Yes Sir." He wobbles, then winces
"I think I need a medic, sir."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140990
140991
>>140989
Silver goes over to him, and examines his wounds.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140991
140992
>>140990
Shranpel at multiple points on the barrel.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140992
140993
>>140991
Silver sucks in his teeth.

"Ooo...that does not look good. Want me to try to get you fixed up?"
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140993
140994
>>140992
"I'll have the medic look at it." He answers. "And maybe get another NCO over here. We need to meet back up with the rest of the platoon."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140994
140995
>>140993
"Hmm...okay, I will see what I can do when I get back to town hall."
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140995
140996
>>140994
"Yes sir."

Silver, presumably, is able to return to Townhall without incident. It is not a long walk
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140996
140997
>>140995
Once he arrives, changeling in tow, he looks for an unoccupied room that can be locked and used to hold the changeling.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140997
140998
>>140996
There are a few rooms downstairs, including a pantry, a supply closet, and an office
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.140998
140999
>>140997
Silver decides to try the office, since it's the least important and has places for the changeling to sit.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.140999
141001
>>140998
The presence of a filing cabinet and a desk means it's hard to rule out any objects in the room being usable as weapons. Then again, it's not clear that Changelings even need weapons to be dangerous
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9226999
?
No.141001
141003
>>140999
It may be a good idea to go through each and pick out items that could reasonably used as weapons.
Anonymous
58c04a9
?
No.141003
>>141001
A letter opener, a stapler, a couple pins.... can paperclips be used as weapons? What about this rock? Looks like someone took an orange sandstone and turned it into a paperweight or something. It's actually a pretty neat rock though.