Continuing
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
File (): 46CAD0D5E8A89E5C8DDC35587B61A5D2-1058653.png (1.0 MB, 1280x914, DE0B4429-1DD8-4626-8D4B-45DBB2AC6CF9.png)
448 replies and 10 files omitted.
>>166521
Helder takes a solid three seconds to seem to notice that Amber is speaking to him. But then he turns to Amber.
"Uh, yes. More or less."
Helder takes a solid three seconds to seem to notice that Amber is speaking to him. But then he turns to Amber.
"Uh, yes. More or less."
>>166522
She blinks at his use of an affirmation for a negative question. "Yes, it's on our way or no, it's not?"
She blinks at his use of an affirmation for a negative question. "Yes, it's on our way or no, it's not?"
>>166524
He blinks. Between the whining griffin and sleep deprivation he needs a second and a half to ponder Amber's question. "I'm not entirely sure what she's talking about, but it must be near the crossing."
He blinks. Between the whining griffin and sleep deprivation he needs a second and a half to ponder Amber's question. "I'm not entirely sure what she's talking about, but it must be near the crossing."
>>166525
We really do need a rest. And at the very least, helping her might convince her not to divulge if the Inquisition asks questions.
Amber turns back to the griffin in the mundane predicament. "Sure, we'll help," she answers, then looks at the wagon to see how to free it. "Why didn't you use the oxen to pull it out of the mud?"
We really do need a rest. And at the very least, helping her might convince her not to divulge if the Inquisition asks questions.
Amber turns back to the griffin in the mundane predicament. "Sure, we'll help," she answers, then looks at the wagon to see how to free it. "Why didn't you use the oxen to pull it out of the mud?"
>>166526
When Amber asks her question, the griffin is looking forward and away from Amber. But her eyes immediately move to Amber in acknowledgement of the fact that she is speaking to her. She does not reply immediately. In fact, there is a longer delay. Her eyes look around.
"My husband... the ox... it could not quite pull it out. Not how it was stuck."
When Amber asks her question, the griffin is looking forward and away from Amber. But her eyes immediately move to Amber in acknowledgement of the fact that she is speaking to her. She does not reply immediately. In fact, there is a longer delay. Her eyes look around.
"My husband... the ox... it could not quite pull it out. Not how it was stuck."
>>166527
"Okay…." There is clearly something this griffon is not being honest about. At least, except for the most paranoid musings she can be ruled out as an agent of the Inquisition. They would not likely come up with an elaborate trick in so short a time, they would not need to make a trap to catch them nor would they do so if they knew Amber's path. She looks to see how precisely it is stuck.
"Okay…." There is clearly something this griffon is not being honest about. At least, except for the most paranoid musings she can be ruled out as an agent of the Inquisition. They would not likely come up with an elaborate trick in so short a time, they would not need to make a trap to catch them nor would they do so if they knew Amber's path. She looks to see how precisely it is stuck.
>>166528
The left front wheel is on the road, and the left rear wheel is on solid dirt. The front right wheel is in grass, and the right rear wheel is... in a rut? It's hard to see with limited light and the undergrowth
The left front wheel is on the road, and the left rear wheel is on solid dirt. The front right wheel is in grass, and the right rear wheel is... in a rut? It's hard to see with limited light and the undergrowth
>>166529
"Only one corner is stuck, so I think we could all lift it out. It would be much easier with the oxen so they can pull. Do you know when your husband will be back?"
"Only one corner is stuck, so I think we could all lift it out. It would be much easier with the oxen so they can pull. Do you know when your husband will be back?"
>>166532
Amber is sleep deprived, and quite frankly, isn't the best at seeing through deception. But damn it, there was something off about the delivery of that last line.
Amber is sleep deprived, and quite frankly, isn't the best at seeing through deception. But damn it, there was something off about the delivery of that last line.
>>166534
She looks at Amber blankly and starts laughing,
"Heh heh heh, No."
Helder, Federklied, Erich, and now Amber are all next to the cart. Amber hears more rustling in the undergrowth
She looks at Amber blankly and starts laughing,
"Heh heh heh, No."
Helder, Federklied, Erich, and now Amber are all next to the cart. Amber hears more rustling in the undergrowth
>>166535
Amber has no choice but to admit that perhaps those paranoid musings were right now that the signs are unmistakeable. "It's a trap, run for it!" she shouts, pointing to the direction opposite the rustling and sprinting.
Amber has no choice but to admit that perhaps those paranoid musings were right now that the signs are unmistakeable. "It's a trap, run for it!" she shouts, pointing to the direction opposite the rustling and sprinting.
>>166536
Next to the cart, two figures come out of the bushes. By their silhouettes, they must be carrying long guns.
Amber may roll to try to evade
Next to the cart, two figures come out of the bushes. By their silhouettes, they must be carrying long guns.
Amber may roll to try to evade
>>166538
Amber can see, out of the corner of her eyes, another figure on the road in front of them, and one behind them, near where the road goes back over water.
[1d20 = 5]
Amber can see, out of the corner of her eyes, another figure on the road in front of them, and one behind them, near where the road goes back over water.
[1d20 = 5]
>>166541
Amber finds pretty quickly that she can't go very far at all. This location seems to be an island, though it's hard to tell. And the undergrowth is thick. All the same, she can at least, get a little bit aways from the attackers. It's not that hard to hide, with the thick willows and the limited light.
Amber finds pretty quickly that she can't go very far at all. This location seems to be an island, though it's hard to tell. And the undergrowth is thick. All the same, she can at least, get a little bit aways from the attackers. It's not that hard to hide, with the thick willows and the limited light.
>>166542
Certainly an excellent place for an ambush, though it still boggles her how in this vast territory they managed to come across a spot prepared in advance. There is no time to dwell on such matters though. How far away are the trees on the other side of the water?
Certainly an excellent place for an ambush, though it still boggles her how in this vast territory they managed to come across a spot prepared in advance. There is no time to dwell on such matters though. How far away are the trees on the other side of the water?
>>166543
A significant distance. Amber could honestly believe the water is an inundated field, as the proportions are rather similar.
A significant distance. Amber could honestly believe the water is an inundated field, as the proportions are rather similar.
>>166544
Trotting in a soggy field isn't pleasant in the best of times, and not being able to see anything as well as taking several minutes to get across….
This is one scenario where it truly is better to hide instead of run. Hide: [1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]
Trotting in a soggy field isn't pleasant in the best of times, and not being able to see anything as well as taking several minutes to get across….
This is one scenario where it truly is better to hide instead of run. Hide: [1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]
>>166545
Amber isn't the most subtle, but her task isn't difficult here. The willow bushes cover her, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze make it hard to hear her. One griffin at least looks into the bushes, evidently after Amber. Amber can hear the female griffin asking "where did he go?' But Amber can see that the other party members are being held up with their claws in the air... except for Federklied, who was evidently tackled to the ground by two griffins.
Amber isn't the most subtle, but her task isn't difficult here. The willow bushes cover her, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze make it hard to hear her. One griffin at least looks into the bushes, evidently after Amber. Amber can hear the female griffin asking "where did he go?' But Amber can see that the other party members are being held up with their claws in the air... except for Federklied, who was evidently tackled to the ground by two griffins.
>>166546
Drat drat drat…I was hoping the others would make it. There is nothing I can do, I am unarmed and they have guns!
Drat drat drat…I was hoping the others would make it. There is nothing I can do, I am unarmed and they have guns!
>>166547
And yet, for this, for all of this, Amber knows exactly what would remedy this situation.
Where'd she leave her viol?
And yet, for this, for all of this, Amber knows exactly what would remedy this situation.
Where'd she leave her viol?
>>166550
She dropped it, didn't she? Amber circles around the hostile band at a distance, trying not to make a sound. Move silently: [1d20+3 = (13+3) = 16]
She dropped it, didn't she? Amber circles around the hostile band at a distance, trying not to make a sound. Move silently: [1d20+3 = (13+3) = 16]
>>166551
Amber placed it down when she went to talk to the griffin. Fortunately, it was by the bushes.
Amber is able to creep through the bushes, and slowly, slowly, take the viol.
Amber can hear that Federklied had evidently reached for her gun (but the griffins disarmed her), Erich is being... impolite... and Helder is trying to negotiate. It seems they are simple bandits, as they are most interested in possessions of value, and whether or not they can obtain some sort of ransom.
Amber placed it down when she went to talk to the griffin. Fortunately, it was by the bushes.
Amber is able to creep through the bushes, and slowly, slowly, take the viol.
Amber can hear that Federklied had evidently reached for her gun (but the griffins disarmed her), Erich is being... impolite... and Helder is trying to negotiate. It seems they are simple bandits, as they are most interested in possessions of value, and whether or not they can obtain some sort of ransom.
>>166552
That…makes more sense, and explains why they were unwilling to shoot so as to not attract attention. Now that she has the viol, she retreats a short distance until hidden by the undergrowth.
That…makes more sense, and explains why they were unwilling to shoot so as to not attract attention. Now that she has the viol, she retreats a short distance until hidden by the undergrowth.
>>166553
Amber has the viol now. The large instrument is a bit difficult to drag through the undergrowth, but it is possible if one is careful. They have noticed that Amber is missing, and one or two griffins has their attention focused on Amber, though finding out whether or not they are proactively looking for her, or simply keeping guard if she returns, would require reentering line of sight with them.
Amber has the viol now. The large instrument is a bit difficult to drag through the undergrowth, but it is possible if one is careful. They have noticed that Amber is missing, and one or two griffins has their attention focused on Amber, though finding out whether or not they are proactively looking for her, or simply keeping guard if she returns, would require reentering line of sight with them.
>>166554
Although a plan has already brewed in her head, for now she will stay silent and listen to what's going on.
Although a plan has already brewed in her head, for now she will stay silent and listen to what's going on.
>>166555
One male griffin has taken over interrogation. The griffin is trying to figure out where the group is going, and why. He doesn't quite believe Helder when the latter claims that they are simply travelling to Bronzehill late at night after their train was cancelled, to make it in time for the execution of a will; even if his story is strangely detailed about required witnesses and whatnot. They don't seem to know that Amber's party is fugitives, though they are certainly interested. The government probably would pay a bounty to highwaymen.
One male griffin has taken over interrogation. The griffin is trying to figure out where the group is going, and why. He doesn't quite believe Helder when the latter claims that they are simply travelling to Bronzehill late at night after their train was cancelled, to make it in time for the execution of a will; even if his story is strangely detailed about required witnesses and whatnot. They don't seem to know that Amber's party is fugitives, though they are certainly interested. The government probably would pay a bounty to highwaymen.
>>166556
Amber personally would have tried claiming that they are also criminals, even to the point of claiming to be thieves, but evidently that would not work either. Apparently the adage "no honor among thieves" holds true in Griffonia as well.
There is really only one thing Amber can do. After rubbing the mud off her talons, she takes her viol out of its case and starts playing a haunting tune.
Amber personally would have tried claiming that they are also criminals, even to the point of claiming to be thieves, but evidently that would not work either. Apparently the adage "no honor among thieves" holds true in Griffonia as well.
There is really only one thing Amber can do. After rubbing the mud off her talons, she takes her viol out of its case and starts playing a haunting tune.
>>166557
Perhaps it would have; they would likely have taken their watches and let them go, if they believed Amber. But hope is a powerful thing, and it appears the bandits are hoping someone will pay handsomely for Amber's party, be they nobles ransoming relatives, or the government paying a bounty, Right now, the bandit leader's hypothesis is that the group are rebels fleeing after a successful strike, nevermind the fact that rebels fleeing an unsuccessful strike wouldn't be worth as much.
To play a haunting tune, place the bow against the string, and play it slowly. High pitched. Let the sound linger. The bandits will hear it, to be sure. No matter. It isn't for them.
But Amber knows there is True power held in the vibrations.
Perhaps it would have; they would likely have taken their watches and let them go, if they believed Amber. But hope is a powerful thing, and it appears the bandits are hoping someone will pay handsomely for Amber's party, be they nobles ransoming relatives, or the government paying a bounty, Right now, the bandit leader's hypothesis is that the group are rebels fleeing after a successful strike, nevermind the fact that rebels fleeing an unsuccessful strike wouldn't be worth as much.
To play a haunting tune, place the bow against the string, and play it slowly. High pitched. Let the sound linger. The bandits will hear it, to be sure. No matter. It isn't for them.
But Amber knows there is True power held in the vibrations.
>>166558
To play music in a dark forest, on the run from the authorities, with the only unrestrained creatures around being greedy bandits, goes completely against common sense. But what would common sense get her? It would be to either flee as a coward or attempt a nigh-suicidal fight. To play, to put her heart and soul into her music, is what she must do.
To play music in a dark forest, on the run from the authorities, with the only unrestrained creatures around being greedy bandits, goes completely against common sense. But what would common sense get her? It would be to either flee as a coward or attempt a nigh-suicidal fight. To play, to put her heart and soul into her music, is what she must do.
>>166559
Amber has spent the last... has it been an hour? Six hours? Longer? Hard to tell... the time has passed in an almost trance-like state, being tired, dazed, stressed and sleep deprived, feeling pain any time she stopped even for a moment. But not she grasps the wood of her viol and bow. Hearing the sound... She feels alive.
Music, Amber knows well, is the ultimate freedom from constraint. Free from the constraint of the limitations of the body. Pure emotion, will, and soul. Free from matter and space and time. Why not play a song for old friends?
Amber has spent the last... has it been an hour? Six hours? Longer? Hard to tell... the time has passed in an almost trance-like state, being tired, dazed, stressed and sleep deprived, feeling pain any time she stopped even for a moment. But not she grasps the wood of her viol and bow. Hearing the sound... She feels alive.
Music, Amber knows well, is the ultimate freedom from constraint. Free from the constraint of the limitations of the body. Pure emotion, will, and soul. Free from matter and space and time. Why not play a song for old friends?
>>166560
She does so, channeling her emotions and love for music into this perfect art form. All other worries and anguish can wait; in fact, they're not even relevant in comparison. Forget material woes and embrace the transcendent nature of music.
She does so, channeling her emotions and love for music into this perfect art form. All other worries and anguish can wait; in fact, they're not even relevant in comparison. Forget material woes and embrace the transcendent nature of music.
>>166561
She saws, back and forth. She closes her eyes to focus on the music. She can hear yelling. The bandits can hear her playing. No matter. They have no power to disrupt true music.
In her mind, the music takes form. Or rather, the music depicts the act of formation. Shapes come into being from nothing; a formless void that is slowly occupied by ever changing and moving colors. Amber can't compare it to a kaleidoscope; the colors of the kaleidoscope give no pretense of tangibility. But these colors seem more like fluids, like moisture accumulating and becoming visible as it hangs in the air.
She saws, back and forth. She closes her eyes to focus on the music. She can hear yelling. The bandits can hear her playing. No matter. They have no power to disrupt true music.
In her mind, the music takes form. Or rather, the music depicts the act of formation. Shapes come into being from nothing; a formless void that is slowly occupied by ever changing and moving colors. Amber can't compare it to a kaleidoscope; the colors of the kaleidoscope give no pretense of tangibility. But these colors seem more like fluids, like moisture accumulating and becoming visible as it hangs in the air.
>>166562
And so on the music plays. A swamp is nopony's idea of a good theater, nor does it have great acoustics, but qualities in those areas only accentuate music being played. With these melodies being seemingly unearthly, and Amber entirely engrossed in her performance, trivialities do not matter.
And so on the music plays. A swamp is nopony's idea of a good theater, nor does it have great acoustics, but qualities in those areas only accentuate music being played. With these melodies being seemingly unearthly, and Amber entirely engrossed in her performance, trivialities do not matter.
>>166563
Amber can feel the wind around her, circling and then sucking upwards. The leaves of every bush and tree rustle, but they cannot overpower the sound of the viol. Amber plays intensely, sawing the bow back and forth with an energy she would not have thought remained within her. The complicated movements of the bow come without mediation of thought as Amber translates her will into music.
The shapes take form. The forms does not correlate with any known, but they do resemble things that fly in the air, one like a bat, and another like an insect. Over here, one mimics the shape of a griffin. They dance around in the air, with their fangs and multiple sets of wings.
Amber can feel the wind around her, circling and then sucking upwards. The leaves of every bush and tree rustle, but they cannot overpower the sound of the viol. Amber plays intensely, sawing the bow back and forth with an energy she would not have thought remained within her. The complicated movements of the bow come without mediation of thought as Amber translates her will into music.
The shapes take form. The forms does not correlate with any known, but they do resemble things that fly in the air, one like a bat, and another like an insect. Over here, one mimics the shape of a griffin. They dance around in the air, with their fangs and multiple sets of wings.
>>166564
There is no time or attention to spare for marveling at such a wondrous thing. Amber attempts to create more frightful tones in her music, to scare away those pesky bandits.
There is no time or attention to spare for marveling at such a wondrous thing. Amber attempts to create more frightful tones in her music, to scare away those pesky bandits.
>>166565
Indeed, there is no time for wonder. Only for the music.
Another note joins the sound, followed by another chord, until a symphony plays with Amber. If it weren't so painful, she'd be in ecstasy. The recognizable forms lose their shape once again and they twist and morph into oblong clouds of fluid that dance around and transform again.
The music is pierced by the sound of gunshots. Several of them, all from rifles. These cretins don't appreciate music. But her friends do, and this music was made by and for Amber's friends, after all.
Indeed, there is no time for wonder. Only for the music.
Another note joins the sound, followed by another chord, until a symphony plays with Amber. If it weren't so painful, she'd be in ecstasy. The recognizable forms lose their shape once again and they twist and morph into oblong clouds of fluid that dance around and transform again.
The music is pierced by the sound of gunshots. Several of them, all from rifles. These cretins don't appreciate music. But her friends do, and this music was made by and for Amber's friends, after all.
>>166566
Such a cacophony rudely interrupts her music, but she does not stop playing. Her friends will be set free, and her music is tinged with menacing notes to make this clear.
Such a cacophony rudely interrupts her music, but she does not stop playing. Her friends will be set free, and her music is tinged with menacing notes to make this clear.
>>166515
Silver kicks the door open to the room. This is easy; the closing mechanism has been kicked open. Silver opens the door to a hot, poorly lit, medium sized rectangular room filled with very large black box-shaped machines with lights on them, and fans that make a constant hum.
But this is not what interests Silver. To the far right of the entrance is a doorway with an open door and light coming in from an adjacent room, and what Silver can recognize as the silhouette of a drone holding an assault rifle.
Unless Silver wishes to back out...
Roll Initiative
Silver kicks the door open to the room. This is easy; the closing mechanism has been kicked open. Silver opens the door to a hot, poorly lit, medium sized rectangular room filled with very large black box-shaped machines with lights on them, and fans that make a constant hum.
But this is not what interests Silver. To the far right of the entrance is a doorway with an open door and light coming in from an adjacent room, and what Silver can recognize as the silhouette of a drone holding an assault rifle.
Unless Silver wishes to back out...
Roll Initiative
>>166583
From the room behind the drone:
"Schießen Sie nicht auf die Ausrüstung!"
The drone raises his rifle and moves forward
Opposed:
[1d20 = 10]
From the room behind the drone:
"Schießen Sie nicht auf die Ausrüstung!"
The drone raises his rifle and moves forward
Opposed:
[1d20 = 10]
[1d20+6 = (17+6) = 23]
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26]
[1d20+6 = (8+6) = 14]
[1d20+6 = (18+6) = 24]
>>166585
"Убирайся из нашего города!"
With a shout, Silver fires a burst from his Jenny towards this drone.
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26]
[1d20+6 = (8+6) = 14]
[1d20+6 = (18+6) = 24]
>>166585
"Убирайся из нашего города!"
With a shout, Silver fires a burst from his Jenny towards this drone.
>>166586
>>166587
Silver lets out a quick, controlled burst. One shot hits the creature in it's jaw, one straight through it's skull, one through it's neck, and one hits its shoulder. Silver can see its head nearly explode and spread blue and grey matter behind, slightly lifting up its cap for a moment. It falls straight down on its knees, then over to its left.
[1d20 = 4]
[1d20 = 9]
[1d20 = 19]
>>166587
Silver lets out a quick, controlled burst. One shot hits the creature in it's jaw, one straight through it's skull, one through it's neck, and one hits its shoulder. Silver can see its head nearly explode and spread blue and grey matter behind, slightly lifting up its cap for a moment. It falls straight down on its knees, then over to its left.
[1d20 = 4]
[1d20 = 9]
[1d20 = 19]
>>166589
As soon as Silver gets the chance, he's getting behind cover before he gets shot, then he'll peak to get a view of the situation in this room.
As soon as Silver gets the chance, he's getting behind cover before he gets shot, then he'll peak to get a view of the situation in this room.
>>166590
Silver hears a Pew Pew Pew Pew to his right, past the wall.
Silver seems to be the only occupant of this room. Or at least, the only known occupant.
Silver hears a Pew Pew Pew Pew to his right, past the wall.
Silver seems to be the only occupant of this room. Or at least, the only known occupant.
>>166591
In that case, Silver goes towards the sound of gunfire, right sounds like it's the next room over.
In that case, Silver goes towards the sound of gunfire, right sounds like it's the next room over.
>>166592
>>166593
And Silver can see that there is a firefight in progress. The door at the end of the hall was opened, and Spectral Streak and another homeguard pony have engaged a drone from the hallway. They seem to have failed to kill the drone, and have pulled back to cover at the end of the hall.
>>166593
And Silver can see that there is a firefight in progress. The door at the end of the hall was opened, and Spectral Streak and another homeguard pony have engaged a drone from the hallway. They seem to have failed to kill the drone, and have pulled back to cover at the end of the hall.
[1d20+6 = (16+6) = 22]
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26]
[1d20+6 = (13+6) = 19]
[1d20+6 = (13+6) = 19]
>>166595
Silver pops out into the hallway and gives his own attempt at finishing the drone off, firing a burst towards him.
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26]
[1d20+6 = (13+6) = 19]
[1d20+6 = (13+6) = 19]
>>166595
Silver pops out into the hallway and gives his own attempt at finishing the drone off, firing a burst towards him.
>>166597
>>166596
Silver, peering out of the door, has an advantage perspective that Spectral Streak and the Homeguard do not have. As the Changeling is hiding to the right, Silver's position to the left gives him just the angle to hit the creature. The creature seems to be hit in the head and in the chest with a spurt of blue blood splattering out, and then it falling down just behind the doorway.
>>166596
Silver, peering out of the door, has an advantage perspective that Spectral Streak and the Homeguard do not have. As the Changeling is hiding to the right, Silver's position to the left gives him just the angle to hit the creature. The creature seems to be hit in the head and in the chest with a spurt of blue blood splattering out, and then it falling down just behind the doorway.
>>166600
Silver checks the room at the end of the hall to make sure there are no more changelings inside it.
Silver checks the room at the end of the hall to make sure there are no more changelings inside it.
>>166601
Silver looks in to see that it is a large, rectangular room that is very wide, and on the far side is almost entirely windows out to the studio. The room is dark with control panels with sliders along a portion of that wall, and a desk visible on the periphery to the left.
Looking in, Silver can see a drone laying up against one of panels on the far side, perfectly still and with a pool of blood around it and with a trail on the floor.
Silver can hear the voice of a female drone speaking. The voice is odd, because it combines an odd humming with the speaking voice of a normal mare. Calmly, though with a tinge of fear, Silver can hear it speaking:
"Fünf. Sechs. Neun. Drei. Herausforderung? Antwort. "Wenn der Wind weht"
But off to the right, and somewhat near where the sound is coming from, Silver can see a drone. The drone is wearing what seems to be an equestrian style coat, though it appears clearly in the form of that black, chitinous creature that even without magic imitates the form of a pony. It tries to level a very, very large rifle with a magazine sticking out of its side towards Silver, though it holds it a little low, and clearly sways with each heavy breath. Silver can hear breath, even from here. It's afraid.
Silver looks in to see that it is a large, rectangular room that is very wide, and on the far side is almost entirely windows out to the studio. The room is dark with control panels with sliders along a portion of that wall, and a desk visible on the periphery to the left.
Looking in, Silver can see a drone laying up against one of panels on the far side, perfectly still and with a pool of blood around it and with a trail on the floor.
Silver can hear the voice of a female drone speaking. The voice is odd, because it combines an odd humming with the speaking voice of a normal mare. Calmly, though with a tinge of fear, Silver can hear it speaking:
"Fünf. Sechs. Neun. Drei. Herausforderung? Antwort. "Wenn der Wind weht"
But off to the right, and somewhat near where the sound is coming from, Silver can see a drone. The drone is wearing what seems to be an equestrian style coat, though it appears clearly in the form of that black, chitinous creature that even without magic imitates the form of a pony. It tries to level a very, very large rifle with a magazine sticking out of its side towards Silver, though it holds it a little low, and clearly sways with each heavy breath. Silver can hear breath, even from here. It's afraid.
>>166602
Silver halts upon seeing the scared changeling. He keeps his gun ready, just in case they do anything stupid, but he softens his expression. He mumbles a bit, getting his mouth used to the skill he learned in the later stages of the War and hasn't used since Kerr and Wesley were around, and speaks a heavily accented, slightly clumsy, but still understandable Changeling.
"Legen Sie Ihre Waffe ab. Wir werden Ihnen nicht weh tun."
Silver halts upon seeing the scared changeling. He keeps his gun ready, just in case they do anything stupid, but he softens his expression. He mumbles a bit, getting his mouth used to the skill he learned in the later stages of the War and hasn't used since Kerr and Wesley were around, and speaks a heavily accented, slightly clumsy, but still understandable Changeling.
"Legen Sie Ihre Waffe ab. Wir werden Ihnen nicht weh tun."
>>166603
The creature holds the gun up, and levels it at Silver, though it still sways. Silver can see details on the creature like bright spots where pupils would be on its ice blue eyes, and three prongs on its sliced, tubular ears. It tags a ragged breath.
"Aber Sie werden"
And then, far off to the right, Silver hears more speaking in that uncanny voice that sounds like two mares speaking at once:
"Nächste Eingabe. Fünf. Sieben. Neun. Acht."
The creature holds the gun up, and levels it at Silver, though it still sways. Silver can see details on the creature like bright spots where pupils would be on its ice blue eyes, and three prongs on its sliced, tubular ears. It tags a ragged breath.
"Aber Sie werden"
And then, far off to the right, Silver hears more speaking in that uncanny voice that sounds like two mares speaking at once:
"Nächste Eingabe. Fünf. Sieben. Neun. Acht."
>>166604
"Ich werde nicht. Ich will nur mein Volk retten."
The words off to his right worry him.
"Du sprichst, äh...Ponisch?"
"Ich werde nicht. Ich will nur mein Volk retten."
The words off to his right worry him.
"Du sprichst, äh...Ponisch?"
>>166605
He takes a moment, before replying:
"So do I"
And from off to the right:
"Sag noch einmal?" Pause "Eingabe. Zwei. Drei. Eins. Sieben".
He takes a moment, before replying:
"So do I"
And from off to the right:
"Sag noch einmal?" Pause "Eingabe. Zwei. Drei. Eins. Sieben".
>>166606
Silver motions to the right, and speaks hurriedly. He can't avoid the tone of worry in his voice.
"My family is out there, my children, I would do anything to save them. Help us stop bomb, we will let you go to get your brothers and sisters out of this city and save them, I promise upon lives of my children I love more than anything in this world."
Silver motions to the right, and speaks hurriedly. He can't avoid the tone of worry in his voice.
"My family is out there, my children, I would do anything to save them. Help us stop bomb, we will let you go to get your brothers and sisters out of this city and save them, I promise upon lives of my children I love more than anything in this world."
>>166607
He blinks, with eyelids that come in from each side diagonally.
"But my family is too. My brothers and sisters."
And then, from the right
Bang
[1d20+2 = (10+2) = 12]
He blinks, with eyelids that come in from each side diagonally.
"But my family is too. My brothers and sisters."
And then, from the right
Bang
[1d20+2 = (10+2) = 12]
>>166608
Silver feels a violent tug and a knock, evidently grazed along his flack jacket by a bullet.
Silver feels a violent tug and a knock, evidently grazed along his flack jacket by a bullet.
>>166610
>>166609
Silver looks over to the right to see two changelings. It's hard to find cover, but there may be a desk or chair.
One, on the far side, is a drone in a chair with a cap, who sits over a desk and has a radio near him, with a pencil and a notebook on the desk. He is holding a pistol towards Silver. But the other, closer to Silver and to his left, is a worker sitting upright, holding a telephone in her hoof. She has medium blue wings and "mane," and is wearing headphones hooked up with audio equipment.
The ponies behind Silver bust in
[1d20 = 19]
[1d20 = 2]
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20 = 8]
>>166609
Silver looks over to the right to see two changelings. It's hard to find cover, but there may be a desk or chair.
One, on the far side, is a drone in a chair with a cap, who sits over a desk and has a radio near him, with a pencil and a notebook on the desk. He is holding a pistol towards Silver. But the other, closer to Silver and to his left, is a worker sitting upright, holding a telephone in her hoof. She has medium blue wings and "mane," and is wearing headphones hooked up with audio equipment.
The ponies behind Silver bust in
[1d20 = 19]
[1d20 = 2]
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20 = 8]
[1d20+6 = (19+6) = 25]
[1d20+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d20+6 = (14+6) = 20]
[1d20+6 = (18+6) = 24]
>>166611
Silver doesn't have time to register the death of the drone he was talking to. He brings his Jenny around and first a burst into the last armed changeling in the room.
[1d20+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d20+6 = (14+6) = 20]
[1d20+6 = (18+6) = 24]
>>166611
Silver doesn't have time to register the death of the drone he was talking to. He brings his Jenny around and first a burst into the last armed changeling in the room.
>>166614
>>166615
With a Pew Pew Pew Pew of his own, one, two, three bullets hit the last drone, causing it to gag, and fall out of its chair. Its wings come open, and it starts twitching on the floor like a dying junebug.
The worker stops speaking, and crouches down in its chair. But it doesn't jump out, and stops moving down when the cable on the headset runs out. It gets back up, and again starts speaking into the phone.
"Sag noch einmal?"
>>166615
With a Pew Pew Pew Pew of his own, one, two, three bullets hit the last drone, causing it to gag, and fall out of its chair. Its wings come open, and it starts twitching on the floor like a dying junebug.
The worker stops speaking, and crouches down in its chair. But it doesn't jump out, and stops moving down when the cable on the headset runs out. It gets back up, and again starts speaking into the phone.
"Sag noch einmal?"
>>166616
Silver points his Jenny at the worker and shouts at her.
"Entweder ich schieße auf dich oder ich schieße auf die Maschine. Deine Entscheidung."
Silver points his Jenny at the worker and shouts at her.
"Entweder ich schieße auf dich oder ich schieße auf die Maschine. Deine Entscheidung."
[1d20+6 = (12+6) = 18]
[1d20+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d20+6 = (7+6) = 13]
[1d20+6 = (16+6) = 22]
>>166618
Silver fires a burst into the changeling.
[1d20+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d20+6 = (7+6) = 13]
[1d20+6 = (16+6) = 22]
>>166618
Silver fires a burst into the changeling.
With a gag, the creature goes down, collapsing on the floor. Like the drone, its wings expand.
>>166623
They come into the room, and look around.
"Clear."
Spectral Streak comes up to Silver
"Yeah, I hope it stopped it too."
They come into the room, and look around.
"Clear."
Spectral Streak comes up to Silver
"Yeah, I hope it stopped it too."
>>166624
"I am assuming we would be on fire right about now if it did not, or else we would hear explosion, or just be dead."
With the room clear, he looks around at the carnage.
"Is that it? Is building secured?"
"I am assuming we would be on fire right about now if it did not, or else we would hear explosion, or just be dead."
With the room clear, he looks around at the carnage.
"Is that it? Is building secured?"
>>166625
"The building is secured" the vermillion pony says.
The purple and the white ponies come through a door on the right, near the location of the desk where the worker was sitting at.
"Nothing in this room. They must not have had a device here."
"The building is secured" the vermillion pony says.
The purple and the white ponies come through a door on the right, near the location of the desk where the worker was sitting at.
"Nothing in this room. They must not have had a device here."
>>166626
"Might have been underground. That is how Canterlot was destroyed, yes? Underground nuclear ordinance?"
Silver goes to the body of the drone he was talking to.
"Might have been underground. That is how Canterlot was destroyed, yes? Underground nuclear ordinance?"
Silver goes to the body of the drone he was talking to.
>>166627
"Yeah, it could be. They must have taken this place for the radio tower. For transmitting a signal. Could have transmitted to just about anywhere from here."
The drone lays on the ground. Either it's dead, or very near dead, laying on its belly, with its head to the side. Alongside it, is the automatic rifle it dropped. It has a scope, a bipod, a sling, wooden furniture, a bayonet mount, and a box magazine
"Yeah, it could be. They must have taken this place for the radio tower. For transmitting a signal. Could have transmitted to just about anywhere from here."
The drone lays on the ground. Either it's dead, or very near dead, laying on its belly, with its head to the side. Alongside it, is the automatic rifle it dropped. It has a scope, a bipod, a sling, wooden furniture, a bayonet mount, and a box magazine
>>166629
The drone has the barest hint of a faint pulse. It's not conscious, and has lost a lot of blood already.
The drone has the barest hint of a faint pulse. It's not conscious, and has lost a lot of blood already.
>>166631
Hard to say. Stopping the bleeding is the most obvious first step. The magical coagulant may or may not work on the alien biology, and the same with much of the rest of the medicine.
Hard to say. Stopping the bleeding is the most obvious first step. The magical coagulant may or may not work on the alien biology, and the same with much of the rest of the medicine.
[1d20+3 = (16+3) = 19]
>>166632
Nopony else seems to be injured, and he still has the medical supplies...Silver sees what he can do to stop the bleeding and hopefully save the changeling's life.
>>166632
Nopony else seems to be injured, and he still has the medical supplies...Silver sees what he can do to stop the bleeding and hopefully save the changeling's life.
>>166633
The bullets seem to have gone through, maybe minus one. Silver applies the last of the coagulant in the open wounds, then closes it with bandages. This may just work.
The bullets seem to have gone through, maybe minus one. Silver applies the last of the coagulant in the open wounds, then closes it with bandages. This may just work.
>>166634
It's not much...but maybe he will live. He does his best to offer a silent prayer to the changeling and his Great Mother to keep him alive.
"Time to let command know, I suppose."
It's not much...but maybe he will live. He does his best to offer a silent prayer to the changeling and his Great Mother to keep him alive.
"Time to let command know, I suppose."
>>166635
The white pegasus approaches the radio the drone was using, and checks it. After tampering with it, he speaks into it.
"WMARE Station is secured. Infiltrators took it over, we took it back. They seem to have been using the tower for communication. We have civilians for evac and wounded."
The white pegasus approaches the radio the drone was using, and checks it. After tampering with it, he speaks into it.
"WMARE Station is secured. Infiltrators took it over, we took it back. They seem to have been using the tower for communication. We have civilians for evac and wounded."
>>166636
Silver stands up, wince a little from the pain his wounds give him. He thinks the painkillers may be wearing off.
"I wonder how many more changelings are left in city."
Silver stands up, wince a little from the pain his wounds give him. He thinks the painkillers may be wearing off.
"I wonder how many more changelings are left in city."
>>166637
What isn't numb is in pain.
Spectral Streak answers:
"Fewer than there were this morning."
Then the white pegasus speaks
"Extraction is on the roof."
What isn't numb is in pain.
Spectral Streak answers:
"Fewer than there were this morning."
Then the white pegasus speaks
"Extraction is on the roof."
>>166638
"Roof? Really? Did chariots get back into service?""
Silver shakes his head.
"Either way, we need to gather civilians, tell them evac is here."
"Roof? Really? Did chariots get back into service?""
Silver shakes his head.
"Either way, we need to gather civilians, tell them evac is here."
>>166639
The white pegasus smiles
"Not quite. But you and other wounded, to the roof. We'll collect civilians."
The white pegasus smiles
"Not quite. But you and other wounded, to the roof. We'll collect civilians."
>>166640
Silver shrugs, and looks at Spec.
"That includes you, young stallion, no buts. Come on, let us go to roof."
Silver shrugs, and looks at Spec.
"That includes you, young stallion, no buts. Come on, let us go to roof."
File (): 20A96099021DF1300B5B88425D45BB93-220941.png (215.8 KB, 430x580, 1675247474940828.png)
Nice game you have here.
>>166642
Spectral Streak scrunches, then moves his gun to the fore, and starts back towards the door and to the hallway
Spectral Streak scrunches, then moves his gun to the fore, and starts back towards the door and to the hallway
>>166659
Silver goes to the downed changeling he was talking to, grabbing the automatic rifle he had as well as the ammo he has on him. He turns to the other ponies.
"Do not forget about this one. If he pulls through, he may be able to tell us about plans these changelings had."
Silver goes to the downed changeling he was talking to, grabbing the automatic rifle he had as well as the ammo he has on him. He turns to the other ponies.
"Do not forget about this one. If he pulls through, he may be able to tell us about plans these changelings had."
>>166660
Silver sees finds no ammo on the drone besides the magazine in the gun... though he may find three magazines on the other downed drone who leans against the wall beneath the row of windows.
The white pegasus, who still holds the phone, answers:
"I think we might just find out before he wakes... the chatter on the radio shows us there's another area of high interest to the changelings. We're going to get you transported over there as quickly as we can. They could use your help.
Silver sees finds no ammo on the drone besides the magazine in the gun... though he may find three magazines on the other downed drone who leans against the wall beneath the row of windows.
The white pegasus, who still holds the phone, answers:
"I think we might just find out before he wakes... the chatter on the radio shows us there's another area of high interest to the changelings. We're going to get you transported over there as quickly as we can. They could use your help.
>>166661
"Sweet Celestia, they sent entire army of infiltrators here, did they not?"
He definitely is grabbing those magazines, then.
"Sweet Celestia, they sent entire army of infiltrators here, did they not?"
He definitely is grabbing those magazines, then.
>>166662
The magazines are much heavier than for either the Jenny or the Grim. "Probably should have expected as much, and that's not counting the ones picked up in the raids." He answers. "Alright. There's a stairway in the back that will take us to the roof."
The magazines are much heavier than for either the Jenny or the Grim. "Probably should have expected as much, and that's not counting the ones picked up in the raids." He answers. "Alright. There's a stairway in the back that will take us to the roof."
>>166664
It's down the hall, and up one more flight of stairs - a staircase that is not the continuation of the main staircase, but the smaller one within the TV station. It leads to a small door that opens on the roof. Behind Silver is the steel television tower itself, and in front of Silver is the view looking north. It's still morning, and the sun is firmly up, though there is a haze. The white pegasus comes out. "Shouldn't take too long at all."
Silver may take a greater look at the city around them
It's down the hall, and up one more flight of stairs - a staircase that is not the continuation of the main staircase, but the smaller one within the TV station. It leads to a small door that opens on the roof. Behind Silver is the steel television tower itself, and in front of Silver is the view looking north. It's still morning, and the sun is firmly up, though there is a haze. The white pegasus comes out. "Shouldn't take too long at all."
Silver may take a greater look at the city around them
>>166665
Silver looks out at the city, wondering where his family is, if they're safe, if they're thinking about him. He hopes they aren't too worried, he'll be back to them before too long. Hopefully.
Silver looks out at the city, wondering where his family is, if they're safe, if they're thinking about him. He hopes they aren't too worried, he'll be back to them before too long. Hopefully.
>>166666
Silver looks out onto the city that he recognizes as Baltimare, with its small center of high rise buildings, factory complexes, wharfs, piers and the like. Though Silver has hardly memorized the Baltimare skyline, there are a few immediately recognizable differences. The city stretches even further than Silver recalls, with endless rows of near identical looking pink houses. Closer in are rows of densely spaced townhouses with pink, red, white or beige stone or brick; the same three or perhaps four designs repeated endlessly. Closer still are apartment buildings of five or six floors with their windows, balconies, and white stucco exteriors, again often with shared designs. The crowded tenement buildings, and aging rowhouses, with their walls of darker brown brick, and often damaged roofs, have been replaced almost entirely. And there are likewise more multi-story department stores with their beige brick. And in the city center, the Celestial Gulf Insurance and Tall Sails Shipping Company are joined by new, equally tall buildings. Rail lines, that may or may not have been there before, crisscross the city both above the street level and on it, and perhaps even below. The rollercoaster on the pier is still there, but across the bay, the quarantine zone at the immigration facility has been expanded by the demolition of a surrounding building to become something like a small prison with its fences.
The area that has changed the most by far, are the waterside districts of Red Heart and Cowtown, where many city blocks have been leveled and replaced with manufactories made of brick, and apartment buildings. One large section in Red Heart has a large walled in section with new constructions, warehouses, abandoned buildings, and naked dirt.
The city is active in this time. Looking down the streets, Silver can see a street that is completely filled with cars in perfect congestion, and another that is almost entirely clear, and then another with a few moving vehicles. Silver can see smoke coming up to the east by the Seven Friends refinery, a trail of smoke to the south near the bridge, and a much, much larger set of smoke to the west and south in the city center coming from another high-rise building just a little smaller than the one he is on now. There are only a few ships in the harbor, and they are tending to move away from the city, though a couple ships remain docked at the wharves.
The sky above the city and its harbor has only a few clouds, but further off, much further off, are clouds that have no business being as tall as they are. Far across the sea, to the north and the east, are clouds that must surely stretch all the way into space. And to the west, though they are harder to see, are likewise black clouds that are too tall. To the north are more clouds, though smaller and restricted to the terrestrial sphere. But above them all, are lights that streak against the sky. Silver sees what looks like a group of meteors that hang in the sky like comets, and numerous other white streaks of what came before. But above all, over the entire sky, is this haze that dims the day, and makes the entire scene feel darker than it has any right to in broad daylight.
Silver isn't sure if he can see his house from here. He can see across the water to Cherry Hill, and he can see the houses there, but he can't exactly pick out which one, if any, are his. Silver can see the hill that runs along the peninsula, with its houses and trees, and knows that somewhere on the other side, are Pear, Birch, Daffodil, and Powder Flash. Somewhere over that hill....
Silver looks out onto the city that he recognizes as Baltimare, with its small center of high rise buildings, factory complexes, wharfs, piers and the like. Though Silver has hardly memorized the Baltimare skyline, there are a few immediately recognizable differences. The city stretches even further than Silver recalls, with endless rows of near identical looking pink houses. Closer in are rows of densely spaced townhouses with pink, red, white or beige stone or brick; the same three or perhaps four designs repeated endlessly. Closer still are apartment buildings of five or six floors with their windows, balconies, and white stucco exteriors, again often with shared designs. The crowded tenement buildings, and aging rowhouses, with their walls of darker brown brick, and often damaged roofs, have been replaced almost entirely. And there are likewise more multi-story department stores with their beige brick. And in the city center, the Celestial Gulf Insurance and Tall Sails Shipping Company are joined by new, equally tall buildings. Rail lines, that may or may not have been there before, crisscross the city both above the street level and on it, and perhaps even below. The rollercoaster on the pier is still there, but across the bay, the quarantine zone at the immigration facility has been expanded by the demolition of a surrounding building to become something like a small prison with its fences.
The area that has changed the most by far, are the waterside districts of Red Heart and Cowtown, where many city blocks have been leveled and replaced with manufactories made of brick, and apartment buildings. One large section in Red Heart has a large walled in section with new constructions, warehouses, abandoned buildings, and naked dirt.
The city is active in this time. Looking down the streets, Silver can see a street that is completely filled with cars in perfect congestion, and another that is almost entirely clear, and then another with a few moving vehicles. Silver can see smoke coming up to the east by the Seven Friends refinery, a trail of smoke to the south near the bridge, and a much, much larger set of smoke to the west and south in the city center coming from another high-rise building just a little smaller than the one he is on now. There are only a few ships in the harbor, and they are tending to move away from the city, though a couple ships remain docked at the wharves.
The sky above the city and its harbor has only a few clouds, but further off, much further off, are clouds that have no business being as tall as they are. Far across the sea, to the north and the east, are clouds that must surely stretch all the way into space. And to the west, though they are harder to see, are likewise black clouds that are too tall. To the north are more clouds, though smaller and restricted to the terrestrial sphere. But above them all, are lights that streak against the sky. Silver sees what looks like a group of meteors that hang in the sky like comets, and numerous other white streaks of what came before. But above all, over the entire sky, is this haze that dims the day, and makes the entire scene feel darker than it has any right to in broad daylight.
Silver isn't sure if he can see his house from here. He can see across the water to Cherry Hill, and he can see the houses there, but he can't exactly pick out which one, if any, are his. Silver can see the hill that runs along the peninsula, with its houses and trees, and knows that somewhere on the other side, are Pear, Birch, Daffodil, and Powder Flash. Somewhere over that hill....
>>166667
"Wow...you can not recognize this city from how it looked when I first came here. So many new buildings, but...many look almost identical. Not much style or culture to be had."
Naturally, his gaze wanders upwards, towards the streaking lights.
"Those are missiles, yes? I saw television broadcast downstairs, talking about missiles filled with deadly gas. They are headed for Changelings?"
"Wow...you can not recognize this city from how it looked when I first came here. So many new buildings, but...many look almost identical. Not much style or culture to be had."
Naturally, his gaze wanders upwards, towards the streaking lights.
"Those are missiles, yes? I saw television broadcast downstairs, talking about missiles filled with deadly gas. They are headed for Changelings?"
>>166669
They move across the sky slowly, leaving white streaks
The white pegasus looks up
"No, those are not missiles. Those are... meteors, I think. Must be heading towards Changelings. Maybe Olenia or West Equestria. Unless they are circling around."
Silver can hear the things before he can see it, with a consistent "chop chop" sound. But only seconds later, Silver sees a green flying machine moving slowly through the air. It's large, and with a main section that is closest in shape to a pill, with skids, a tail like a windmill, and a glass cockpit above the main fuselage. It hovers in the air, and then lands on the roof perhaps only 35 or so feet from Silver. It is very loud, and pushes currents of air everywhere.
They move across the sky slowly, leaving white streaks
The white pegasus looks up
"No, those are not missiles. Those are... meteors, I think. Must be heading towards Changelings. Maybe Olenia or West Equestria. Unless they are circling around."
Silver can hear the things before he can see it, with a consistent "chop chop" sound. But only seconds later, Silver sees a green flying machine moving slowly through the air. It's large, and with a main section that is closest in shape to a pill, with skids, a tail like a windmill, and a glass cockpit above the main fuselage. It hovers in the air, and then lands on the roof perhaps only 35 or so feet from Silver. It is very loud, and pushes currents of air everywhere.
>>166693
Silver has little time to ask questions about meteors before stumbling backwards in a combination of surprise and the force of the wind. He finds he has to yell to have any chance of being understood.
"WHAT KIND OF PLANE IS THAT!?"
Silver has little time to ask questions about meteors before stumbling backwards in a combination of surprise and the force of the wind. He finds he has to yell to have any chance of being understood.
"WHAT KIND OF PLANE IS THAT!?"
>>166695
The white pegaus answers:
"That's uh, that's a Chickpea"
A door opens, and then one pony, then another comes out. Both have that mix of uniform and pants that Silver sees as typical of the Home Guard - what is more special is a jacking and markings that distinguish them as medics
The white pegaus answers:
"That's uh, that's a Chickpea"
A door opens, and then one pony, then another comes out. Both have that mix of uniform and pants that Silver sees as typical of the Home Guard - what is more special is a jacking and markings that distinguish them as medics
>>166696
Relieved at the appearance of medics, Silver approaches them, fighting against the force of the winds.
"THANK CELESTIA YOU ARE HERE, THERE ARE COUPLE OF OTHER HOME GUARD SOLDIERS HERE THAT GOT BADLY SHOT!"
Relieved at the appearance of medics, Silver approaches them, fighting against the force of the winds.
"THANK CELESTIA YOU ARE HERE, THERE ARE COUPLE OF OTHER HOME GUARD SOLDIERS HERE THAT GOT BADLY SHOT!"
>>166699
Silver looks back at the other ponies on the rooftop.
"SOMEPONY GET AZELEA BLOOM, HE NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION MOST OF ALL!"
Silver looks back at the other ponies on the rooftop.
"SOMEPONY GET AZELEA BLOOM, HE NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION MOST OF ALL!"
>>166700
It's the purple pony who replies
"On the way"
After the passage of some seconds, Azelea Bloom is produced, limping but able to move on his own.
It's the purple pony who replies
"On the way"
After the passage of some seconds, Azelea Bloom is produced, limping but able to move on his own.
>>166702
"You and you, get on!" The medic points to Silver and to Spectral Streak. Azelea is already being helped up into the vehicle
"You and you, get on!" The medic points to Silver and to Spectral Streak. Azelea is already being helped up into the vehicle
>>166704
Silver goes inside of the vehicle to see aluminum walls, structural ribs, a ladder going up to the cockpit, and several seats and stretchers. It's cramped, but there's enough room for at least a couple ponies to lay down. The interior is quieter than outside, but not by much. The purple pony, at least, is also on the vehicle. The medic comes up to Silver, and starts examining him.
"How are you still standing?!"
Another pony, up in the cockpit, speaks loudly enough to some other, unseen pony, for Silver to hear:
"Did you hear the news?"
Silver goes inside of the vehicle to see aluminum walls, structural ribs, a ladder going up to the cockpit, and several seats and stretchers. It's cramped, but there's enough room for at least a couple ponies to lay down. The interior is quieter than outside, but not by much. The purple pony, at least, is also on the vehicle. The medic comes up to Silver, and starts examining him.
"How are you still standing?!"
Another pony, up in the cockpit, speaks loudly enough to some other, unseen pony, for Silver to hear:
"Did you hear the news?"
>>166705
"That is what first medic said after we got back from clearing train station. I am very strong and resilient pony. Morphine and strong will helps."
Silver listens in on the ponies in the cockpit, wanting to hear the news.
"That is what first medic said after we got back from clearing train station. I am very strong and resilient pony. Morphine and strong will helps."
Silver listens in on the ponies in the cockpit, wanting to hear the news.
>>166706
"Yeah, well you need more. I'm going to have to try to remove any foreign material, then stitch you up. Here. Let me start with plasma."
The medic inserts an IV into Silver's foreleg, and starts giving Silver plasma and morphine.
Above, the pilots speak to the occupants of the cabin
"You're going to want to hear this" They turn on the radio, and then turn up the volume
"Good morning..." The tone is melancholic. "I must, sigh inform you that we have received confirmation about our earlier report. The Directory has confirmed that our First Counsel was martyred when a device was detonated near her location in Bronclyn... No word yet on any of the details, or of the plans of the Directory for succession, but, we'll keep you posted. This is Morning Wave, with Friends of the Ponies."
The medic stops pressing down on the morphine, and freezes in place, kneeling there next to Silver.
"Yeah, well you need more. I'm going to have to try to remove any foreign material, then stitch you up. Here. Let me start with plasma."
The medic inserts an IV into Silver's foreleg, and starts giving Silver plasma and morphine.
Above, the pilots speak to the occupants of the cabin
"You're going to want to hear this" They turn on the radio, and then turn up the volume
"Good morning..." The tone is melancholic. "I must, sigh inform you that we have received confirmation about our earlier report. The Directory has confirmed that our First Counsel was martyred when a device was detonated near her location in Bronclyn... No word yet on any of the details, or of the plans of the Directory for succession, but, we'll keep you posted. This is Morning Wave, with Friends of the Ponies."
The medic stops pressing down on the morphine, and freezes in place, kneeling there next to Silver.
>>166707
Silver only knows the First Consul from her morning announcement, but he knows from the reactions of those around him, she must have been fairly revered. Still, he speaks up to ask a question.
"Any word on Governor Star?"
Silver only knows the First Consul from her morning announcement, but he knows from the reactions of those around him, she must have been fairly revered. Still, he speaks up to ask a question.
"Any word on Governor Star?"
>>166708
It's actually the purple pony who replies,
"I think he's been evacuated. But I don't really know"
The medic resumes injecting the morphine.
It's actually the purple pony who replies,
"I think he's been evacuated. But I don't really know"
The medic resumes injecting the morphine.
>>166709
Silver lays his head back in relief.
"That is good. I knew him, before he became governor. Good pony. He is who I would pick to become First Consul."
Silver lays his head back in relief.
"That is good. I knew him, before he became governor. Good pony. He is who I would pick to become First Consul."
>>166710
"Is that so?" The purple pony looks over to Silver as if to continue conversation, though he looks away with a mix of sadness and fear.
The medic turns Silver onto his side, and says
"Okay... I'm going to begin an extraction. You should be numb by now. Mostly."
"Is that so?" The purple pony looks over to Silver as if to continue conversation, though he looks away with a mix of sadness and fear.
The medic turns Silver onto his side, and says
"Okay... I'm going to begin an extraction. You should be numb by now. Mostly."
>>166711
"As saying goes, it is not my first rodeo. I will ask for something to bite down on if it gets too much."
He looks over at the purple pony, trying not to move too much as to make the medic's job harder.
"This is war, and many more than just our First Consul will be dead before its end. We must be strong, we must stick together, and we will survive." To get the purple pony's mind off of the news, he decides to try to change the subject. "You know, Governor Star shot me in ass once, not long after we met. It was on accident, of course. We were fighting ghouls and ghasts in catacombs found inside flooded quarry here in city, he fired his gun, missed, and bullet ricocheted against catacomb walls, floor and ceiling, and managed to find its way perfectly into my flanks."
"As saying goes, it is not my first rodeo. I will ask for something to bite down on if it gets too much."
He looks over at the purple pony, trying not to move too much as to make the medic's job harder.
"This is war, and many more than just our First Consul will be dead before its end. We must be strong, we must stick together, and we will survive." To get the purple pony's mind off of the news, he decides to try to change the subject. "You know, Governor Star shot me in ass once, not long after we met. It was on accident, of course. We were fighting ghouls and ghasts in catacombs found inside flooded quarry here in city, he fired his gun, missed, and bullet ricocheted against catacomb walls, floor and ceiling, and managed to find its way perfectly into my flanks."
>>166713
-It seems that you have been through many adventures and have a lot of experience with the paranormal. Did you have sex with the lady governor?-
Asked a dark and sinister clad black alicorn who showed himself as he entered followed by a blue-pink unicorn with a broken horn, followed by a gryphon smoking a pipe, and a hippogriff and pegasus.
While those in the hall were dumbfounded by the dramatic entrance of the strangers, several zeppelins could be heard outside. The sounds of the zebels broke the grave silence.
-It seems that you have been through many adventures and have a lot of experience with the paranormal. Did you have sex with the lady governor?-
Asked a dark and sinister clad black alicorn who showed himself as he entered followed by a blue-pink unicorn with a broken horn, followed by a gryphon smoking a pipe, and a hippogriff and pegasus.
While those in the hall were dumbfounded by the dramatic entrance of the strangers, several zeppelins could be heard outside. The sounds of the zebels broke the grave silence.
File (): 36C8422135FDC54123400C559E478D42-57344.jpg (56.0 KB, 1154x693, TfNBiXp.jpeg)
Where's everypony?
File (): 731401055BB54CFCA0CB15F692C27B3A-76994.jpg (75.2 KB, 1144x1016, 6569648.jpg)
>>166786
It's funny that we post within 24 h between us since I justed check on this thread cuz I was curious how things were going ITT.
Well, good luck on with the rest of your campaign when you start it up again.
It's funny that we post within 24 h between us since I justed check on this thread cuz I was curious how things were going ITT.
Well, good luck on with the rest of your campaign when you start it up again.
File (): 48D90F06680EAA9C64D32E33C0F95EFA-92570.png (90.4 KB, 526x475, AmberSunset.png)
File (): DD5D3D1E8B5D3CB5E705A6483B2E8A02-2907546.jpg (2.8 MB, 3513x2661, FMih_fQX0AstPtn.jpeg)
File (): A4072EC117E80BC4164823A5C8BFA56F-300073.png (293.0 KB, 1334x1209, BlueSkiesGrin.png)
File (): 8784B5C140E7FDBA7E44CBA6C4F68BE6-3421227.png (3.3 MB, 2000x2500, 2507892.png)
>>166567
This Saturnalia of dancing figures which Amber sees before her is seen only as projections on the back of her own eyelids. She knows better than to open her eyes at this moment. And if she did, what exactly would she see? Nothing other than constructions of her own mind - the product of limited sensory inputs extruded into shapes and figured molded by the intuitions of space and time... Something different, lesser than the form, the true form of that which is before Amber now.
In all that which was described before, Amber has taken no note of darkness, for black void is, on the back of eyelids just as it is in all things, so dominate and so greatly in preponderance that it is scarcely worth mention. But now, Amber things she sees a rising black smoke in the vision before her, most likely with the background having become ever so slightly luminescent so that blackness may stand out. Amber sees a plume of smoke slowly rising. But it isn't really like smoke. Smoke rises quickly. It changes shape freely. This... this moves more slowly. Almost deliberately. And though its amorphous form is in constinent movement, it is nevertheless cohesive with itself. Perhaps it is more like a cloud of ink underwater, or a deep sea plume... but it isn't quite like that either. For just as what lies before Amber is beyond the ability of the sensory organs to perceive, it is beyond the ability of the rational mind to confine into a single concept, or for any language to capture with a name.
Amber hears a cacophony of noise all around her, and much of it isn't pretty. Leaves shake and rustle with such great thunder that to any other audience, she'd hesitate to play for concern the carefully crafted nuances of her song would go unheard, and unappreciated. Likewise, Amber can hear the loud cracking of rifle shots, and the "zick zack" of cocking actions. Amber can hear loud yelling as the bandits yell to each other, and yell to Boreas. She can hear screaming. But Amber cannot hear her own comrades. They know better than to make any sound.
But all of that is simply annoying distraction. The real work, the real communication, the truth is under her claws right now, as Amber saws away on her viol, swiftly but deftly delivering each note. Her friends have responded in kind, delivering notes of their own. Amber cannot hear every note, to be sure, as some are beyond what may be perceived with her ears. But she can feel them, vibrating her body, and what is more, touching her very soul. Together, they compose a rapturous sonata, and in this moment, Amber feels more firmly than ever before the conviction of a truth she's known since she was a small filly, something she's known long before she ever had a talent for music. Amber intuits that music is the body of harmony, and that harmony is the essence of what is real, that everything around us, even that which seems to our eyes and our hooves to be solid, is, one way or another, built upon a foundation of musical harmony. And what is more, that musical harmony is perhaps the purest expression of the soul.
This Saturnalia of dancing figures which Amber sees before her is seen only as projections on the back of her own eyelids. She knows better than to open her eyes at this moment. And if she did, what exactly would she see? Nothing other than constructions of her own mind - the product of limited sensory inputs extruded into shapes and figured molded by the intuitions of space and time... Something different, lesser than the form, the true form of that which is before Amber now.
In all that which was described before, Amber has taken no note of darkness, for black void is, on the back of eyelids just as it is in all things, so dominate and so greatly in preponderance that it is scarcely worth mention. But now, Amber things she sees a rising black smoke in the vision before her, most likely with the background having become ever so slightly luminescent so that blackness may stand out. Amber sees a plume of smoke slowly rising. But it isn't really like smoke. Smoke rises quickly. It changes shape freely. This... this moves more slowly. Almost deliberately. And though its amorphous form is in constinent movement, it is nevertheless cohesive with itself. Perhaps it is more like a cloud of ink underwater, or a deep sea plume... but it isn't quite like that either. For just as what lies before Amber is beyond the ability of the sensory organs to perceive, it is beyond the ability of the rational mind to confine into a single concept, or for any language to capture with a name.
Amber hears a cacophony of noise all around her, and much of it isn't pretty. Leaves shake and rustle with such great thunder that to any other audience, she'd hesitate to play for concern the carefully crafted nuances of her song would go unheard, and unappreciated. Likewise, Amber can hear the loud cracking of rifle shots, and the "zick zack" of cocking actions. Amber can hear loud yelling as the bandits yell to each other, and yell to Boreas. She can hear screaming. But Amber cannot hear her own comrades. They know better than to make any sound.
But all of that is simply annoying distraction. The real work, the real communication, the truth is under her claws right now, as Amber saws away on her viol, swiftly but deftly delivering each note. Her friends have responded in kind, delivering notes of their own. Amber cannot hear every note, to be sure, as some are beyond what may be perceived with her ears. But she can feel them, vibrating her body, and what is more, touching her very soul. Together, they compose a rapturous sonata, and in this moment, Amber feels more firmly than ever before the conviction of a truth she's known since she was a small filly, something she's known long before she ever had a talent for music. Amber intuits that music is the body of harmony, and that harmony is the essence of what is real, that everything around us, even that which seems to our eyes and our hooves to be solid, is, one way or another, built upon a foundation of musical harmony. And what is more, that musical harmony is perhaps the purest expression of the soul.
>>166713
The purple pony smiles, and replies "really?"
A different pony behind him says "No you didn't. you're full of shit." But even he smiles.
Silver can feel a pinch as the medic grips inside of Silver with forceps.
The purple pony smiles, and replies "really?"
A different pony behind him says "No you didn't. you're full of shit." But even he smiles.
Silver can feel a pinch as the medic grips inside of Silver with forceps.
>>166841
Silver does his best not to wince, but it's still clearly an uncomfortable feeling.
"Only thing I am full of are bullets. I swear to you on my honor, we fought undead here in city, and Governor Star accidentally shot me in my ass. He was crack shot with pistols, though. I still remember where it all happened, too, though no doubt company that hired us to clear it out has filled in quarry and built over top of it. Lots of crazy things happened down there on that job. We found mysterious jars of white powder and Governor Star had idea to taste them to see what they were. Turns out they were ashes of dead ponies, enchanted so you could communicate with them in afterlife. Then we got attacked by number of ghasts and one bit Governor Star, giving him curse that would have no doubt turned him into ghast had we not brought him to Cathedral where they removed curse. After that we brought along kirin nun to help deal with them using fire and magic, but she set fire to library inside catacombs thinking they were full of evil tombs. It would have been fine had we not also planned on sealing exit out into quarry to prevent undead's escape, so we had to run back to enterance before fire ate up all of oxygen in catacombs and come back with gas masks and air cannisters."
Silver does his best not to wince, but it's still clearly an uncomfortable feeling.
"Only thing I am full of are bullets. I swear to you on my honor, we fought undead here in city, and Governor Star accidentally shot me in my ass. He was crack shot with pistols, though. I still remember where it all happened, too, though no doubt company that hired us to clear it out has filled in quarry and built over top of it. Lots of crazy things happened down there on that job. We found mysterious jars of white powder and Governor Star had idea to taste them to see what they were. Turns out they were ashes of dead ponies, enchanted so you could communicate with them in afterlife. Then we got attacked by number of ghasts and one bit Governor Star, giving him curse that would have no doubt turned him into ghast had we not brought him to Cathedral where they removed curse. After that we brought along kirin nun to help deal with them using fire and magic, but she set fire to library inside catacombs thinking they were full of evil tombs. It would have been fine had we not also planned on sealing exit out into quarry to prevent undead's escape, so we had to run back to enterance before fire ate up all of oxygen in catacombs and come back with gas masks and air cannisters."
>>166842
Silver now has a small audience of listening ponies. The skeptical pony says, "Zombies and curses? Ha!"
The purple pony is silent, but then says "Here in Baltimare? It sounds so far away."
Still another pony says "Kirin poising the air sounds right"
"I think you're full of more than just bullets. Hey medic, I want some of that morphine."
The medic says "The 'full of bullets' part is right. Hold still."
Silver now has a small audience of listening ponies. The skeptical pony says, "Zombies and curses? Ha!"
The purple pony is silent, but then says "Here in Baltimare? It sounds so far away."
Still another pony says "Kirin poising the air sounds right"
"I think you're full of more than just bullets. Hey medic, I want some of that morphine."
The medic says "The 'full of bullets' part is right. Hold still."
>>166850
It's difficult to do while being actively operated on, but Silver tries hard to hold still as he continues his story with a smile.
"You would be surprised, kinds of things one can find in one's own backyard. Anyways, by this point everypony else had given up on finishing job, but not me. There was money to be made, and I would be damned before I left job half-finished. I went down there final time, finding books and notes left behind from pony named Joseph Curwhinny, who lived here some 200 odd years ago. He lost his entire family to plague, and used catacombs underneath his farm to pursue research into necromancy to try to bring them back. He found he could bring back dead bodies bereft of their souls, and he could bring back souls of dead ponies outside of their bodies, but he could never do both at same time. As it turns out souls do not like lingering in this world for long, as Curwhinny found out when he cremated his wife's body and enchanted ashes so he could speak with her. He did find secret to extending his lifespan, becoming lich of sort, but he never figured out how to bring back his wife and foals. He eventually moved on, found new love, married new mare and even had foal with her, before his new wife's jilted former partner rallied townsponies of Baltimare and attacked Curwhinny's farm. His wife and foal were able to escape, but Curwhinny was sealed in sarcophagus inside catacombs, at cost of lives of most of those who went in to attack him. I found his sarcophagus, surrounded by long dead ponies and warnings left behind to not open it, and even found his phylactery that allowed him to live such unnaturally long life. I broke it with help of local priest, Father Maren, hopefully giving Curwhinny his much needed rest and letting him rejoin his dead loved ones."
It's difficult to do while being actively operated on, but Silver tries hard to hold still as he continues his story with a smile.
"You would be surprised, kinds of things one can find in one's own backyard. Anyways, by this point everypony else had given up on finishing job, but not me. There was money to be made, and I would be damned before I left job half-finished. I went down there final time, finding books and notes left behind from pony named Joseph Curwhinny, who lived here some 200 odd years ago. He lost his entire family to plague, and used catacombs underneath his farm to pursue research into necromancy to try to bring them back. He found he could bring back dead bodies bereft of their souls, and he could bring back souls of dead ponies outside of their bodies, but he could never do both at same time. As it turns out souls do not like lingering in this world for long, as Curwhinny found out when he cremated his wife's body and enchanted ashes so he could speak with her. He did find secret to extending his lifespan, becoming lich of sort, but he never figured out how to bring back his wife and foals. He eventually moved on, found new love, married new mare and even had foal with her, before his new wife's jilted former partner rallied townsponies of Baltimare and attacked Curwhinny's farm. His wife and foal were able to escape, but Curwhinny was sealed in sarcophagus inside catacombs, at cost of lives of most of those who went in to attack him. I found his sarcophagus, surrounded by long dead ponies and warnings left behind to not open it, and even found his phylactery that allowed him to live such unnaturally long life. I broke it with help of local priest, Father Maren, hopefully giving Curwhinny his much needed rest and letting him rejoin his dead loved ones."
>>166851
The whole set of ponies in the cabin of the vehicle watch Silver attentively, minus the ponies raised above in the pilot and co pilot's seats, who, if they listen, have no view of Silver. It's actually the skeptical pony who speaks first. He blinks, and says "Well that's horrifying"
The medic, who is now stitching up Silver, says "I think it's kind of sweet. They could be together forever now."
Another pony behind the main set says "yeah..." and looks down.
Spectral Streak says, "I don't think you've told me that one."
The whole set of ponies in the cabin of the vehicle watch Silver attentively, minus the ponies raised above in the pilot and co pilot's seats, who, if they listen, have no view of Silver. It's actually the skeptical pony who speaks first. He blinks, and says "Well that's horrifying"
The medic, who is now stitching up Silver, says "I think it's kind of sweet. They could be together forever now."
Another pony behind the main set says "yeah..." and looks down.
Spectral Streak says, "I don't think you've told me that one."
>>166852
"Really? Huh...I have no idea why, it is good story. Sadly, destroying Curwhinny's phylactery had no effect on undead that were still there, and even with me fighting my way through to reach his sarcophagus there were still way too many undead to deal with on my own. I contemplated my options. I had found SMG on possession of undead New Marelander soldier in flooded quarry, and made some hoofmade explosives from coffee cannisters, fertilizer, ball bearings, and nails, so I thought I could try to lure them towards me and cut them down in one of tightly packed corridors inside catacombs, but my chances of survival would have likely been low. I was at lost on what to do when I found sudden inspiration...in form of aircraft bomb lodged in quarry wall. It had hit water of flooded quarry first so it never detonated, but it was still very much active and partially submerged underwater. I got to work restarted pumps to drain rest of quarry, I bought potion from little shop here in city called '2 Strong 4 U' to make me hidden to undead, and once quarry was drained I cleared debris from collapsed catacombs entrance. Then I fired into darkness of catacombs, yelled, dropped can of exceptionally stinky bait at my hooves, and ran like Tartarus as horde of undead came flooding out of catacombs and into quarry. I ran as fast as I could up to edge of quarry and saw more undead than I ever had before. There were undead ponies of indeterminate origin, zebra slaves, some ponies who had attacked Curwhinny all those years ago, several undead Equestrian and New Marelander soldiers, one undead knight, and one honest-to-Celestia mummy. I threw rocks down from edge of quarry to lure this horde towards bomb; one even hit bomb and partially dislodged it from its position, making so much noise it drew almost entire horde right to it. I grabbed my trusty Lavender Rifle, aimed at bomb in quarry walls, and...BOOM!" Silver has to keep himself from moving as he says this. "It was loudest sound I had ever heard in my life, my ears were ringing for good couple of minutes as rocks and debris rained around me and I celebrated. Much of quarry was covered in bits, parts, and limbs of exploded undead. No blood, though, I imagine as they were already corpses. Most of horde had been completely destroyed by explosion. Some had been torn limb from limb but were still alive, thrashing about helplessly in little water that was left in quarry without any legs. Only couple of them, including undead knight and mummy, had been outside of blast radius."
"Really? Huh...I have no idea why, it is good story. Sadly, destroying Curwhinny's phylactery had no effect on undead that were still there, and even with me fighting my way through to reach his sarcophagus there were still way too many undead to deal with on my own. I contemplated my options. I had found SMG on possession of undead New Marelander soldier in flooded quarry, and made some hoofmade explosives from coffee cannisters, fertilizer, ball bearings, and nails, so I thought I could try to lure them towards me and cut them down in one of tightly packed corridors inside catacombs, but my chances of survival would have likely been low. I was at lost on what to do when I found sudden inspiration...in form of aircraft bomb lodged in quarry wall. It had hit water of flooded quarry first so it never detonated, but it was still very much active and partially submerged underwater. I got to work restarted pumps to drain rest of quarry, I bought potion from little shop here in city called '2 Strong 4 U' to make me hidden to undead, and once quarry was drained I cleared debris from collapsed catacombs entrance. Then I fired into darkness of catacombs, yelled, dropped can of exceptionally stinky bait at my hooves, and ran like Tartarus as horde of undead came flooding out of catacombs and into quarry. I ran as fast as I could up to edge of quarry and saw more undead than I ever had before. There were undead ponies of indeterminate origin, zebra slaves, some ponies who had attacked Curwhinny all those years ago, several undead Equestrian and New Marelander soldiers, one undead knight, and one honest-to-Celestia mummy. I threw rocks down from edge of quarry to lure this horde towards bomb; one even hit bomb and partially dislodged it from its position, making so much noise it drew almost entire horde right to it. I grabbed my trusty Lavender Rifle, aimed at bomb in quarry walls, and...BOOM!" Silver has to keep himself from moving as he says this. "It was loudest sound I had ever heard in my life, my ears were ringing for good couple of minutes as rocks and debris rained around me and I celebrated. Much of quarry was covered in bits, parts, and limbs of exploded undead. No blood, though, I imagine as they were already corpses. Most of horde had been completely destroyed by explosion. Some had been torn limb from limb but were still alive, thrashing about helplessly in little water that was left in quarry without any legs. Only couple of them, including undead knight and mummy, had been outside of blast radius."
>>166853
"Careful" says the medic, who is sewing Silver's flesh
"So you attacked the darkness?" Says the pony in the rear.
"So you attacked the darkness?" Says the skeptical pony
And the purple pony says, "I've always wondered what was down below. Below the city. And what they cleared out these last few years. I always thought there was something unsettling down there. I've heard other stories. Stories like that."
"Careful" says the medic, who is sewing Silver's flesh
"So you attacked the darkness?" Says the pony in the rear.
"So you attacked the darkness?" Says the skeptical pony
And the purple pony says, "I've always wondered what was down below. Below the city. And what they cleared out these last few years. I always thought there was something unsettling down there. I've heard other stories. Stories like that."
>>166854
"In way, yes, you could say I attacked darkness. Most undead left in quarry were easy pickings after explosion. Undead without any limbs can't respond to you sniping them from afar. I did not know if I had enough ammo for undead knight and mummy, gathered near stinky bait I had left behind, but as I was getting ready to attack them, something strange and amazing happened. That bait must have been even stinkier than I had thought it would be, because all of sudden, out of sky came Roc, attracted to bait, and it began to fight with knight and mummy over it. Knight and mummy fought hard and hurt Roc badly, but Roc managed to tear them both to shreds and limped off with its prize. With that dealt with, what few undead remained in catacombs were easy pickings, and when they were all dispatched I went to owner of development company that owned quarry and claimed my payment. I must have made something like 12,000 Bits for all of that, he even had to go to bank to be able to pay me all of it. All in all, I would say it was well worth hastle, headache, and many, many injuries I suffered trying to clear those catacombs."
"In way, yes, you could say I attacked darkness. Most undead left in quarry were easy pickings after explosion. Undead without any limbs can't respond to you sniping them from afar. I did not know if I had enough ammo for undead knight and mummy, gathered near stinky bait I had left behind, but as I was getting ready to attack them, something strange and amazing happened. That bait must have been even stinkier than I had thought it would be, because all of sudden, out of sky came Roc, attracted to bait, and it began to fight with knight and mummy over it. Knight and mummy fought hard and hurt Roc badly, but Roc managed to tear them both to shreds and limped off with its prize. With that dealt with, what few undead remained in catacombs were easy pickings, and when they were all dispatched I went to owner of development company that owned quarry and claimed my payment. I must have made something like 12,000 Bits for all of that, he even had to go to bank to be able to pay me all of it. All in all, I would say it was well worth hastle, headache, and many, many injuries I suffered trying to clear those catacombs."
>>166855
Purple: "12,000 Bits? What is that in Assignats now? That sounds like a lot"
The pony in the rear
"30,000 easily. No wonder his partner became governor. He's loaded."
Purple pony:
"Must have been a lot of opportunity in those days"
The medic
"I'll definitely believe he absorbed all of those injuries. Stallion is like a tank"
Skeptical pony:
"Yeah, we saw him absorb quite a few bullets. I can believe it"
Purple: "12,000 Bits? What is that in Assignats now? That sounds like a lot"
The pony in the rear
"30,000 easily. No wonder his partner became governor. He's loaded."
Purple pony:
"Must have been a lot of opportunity in those days"
The medic
"I'll definitely believe he absorbed all of those injuries. Stallion is like a tank"
Skeptical pony:
"Yeah, we saw him absorb quite a few bullets. I can believe it"
>>166856
"And thank goddess for that. Worst injury I got during that was from undead New Marelander who had that SMG. He swiped my neck twice with one of his hooves, nearly tearing my throat out in process. It was dangerous work, but money was there. Some momentary pain and distress is well worth long term comfort for yourself and loved ones."
"And thank goddess for that. Worst injury I got during that was from undead New Marelander who had that SMG. He swiped my neck twice with one of his hooves, nearly tearing my throat out in process. It was dangerous work, but money was there. Some momentary pain and distress is well worth long term comfort for yourself and loved ones."
File (): FE6DC545BF3FB6C50E84201249BD3957-9693437.png (9.2 MB, 4886x2708, 1613700.png)
>>166857
The ponies sit by in silence. Then the white pegasus speaks up
"You heard what he said. A little pain and distress, for the long termed benefit of your loved ones. Keep calm, and we'll see this through."
"I think-" says a pony, but he's cut off.
From the cockpit, Silver hears the sound of a radio as its volume is turned up, and he hears the speaking voice of the radio announcer from earlier
"-this message comes signed off by a quorum of the Directory. They have asked us to read the following statement live, and then broadcast a delayed recording transmitted to us. Well, here it goes,
'By a meeting of a quorum of the Directory, the Directory has declared the current military situation to be a crisis. To address this crisis, the Director has appointed a Master of the Ponies. This Master of the Ponies will have full powers of the State, including over legislation, foreign affairs, the judiciary, and the armed forces, to appoint and dismiss ministers, and may rule by decree, subject only to post facto review by the Directory. The pony appointed to this role is Long March, Quartermaster General of the Republican Armed Forces, and his term will last until October 2 of 1022, or until the conclusion of the crisis, whichever is first. Martial law has been declared. Effective immediately and until October 2, the Directory suspended the legislatures of the Republics of New Mareland, East Equestria, Puerto Caballo, and Severyana, and has placed under the direct control of the UPR Military. Likewise, the protectorates of Chirroptera, Maregypt, Gryphus, Karthin..." A number of names are given. "-have been placed under the direct military administration of the UPR for a period not to exceed six months. The protectorates of Asterion, Puimont, and Falcor are hereby dissolved and placed under indefinite military rule. Furthermore, the Directory has declared the suspension of the Constitution of 1022 and of Habeas Corpus. The Directory has adjourned and is in recess, to meet again at an unscheduled date." There is a brief pause, and the presenter reads off "Long Live the Republic." Another brief pause, and the presenter says, "well my friends.... let's see... the broadcast should be patched through in... seven, six, five, four, three...."
The ponies sit by in silence. Then the white pegasus speaks up
"You heard what he said. A little pain and distress, for the long termed benefit of your loved ones. Keep calm, and we'll see this through."
"I think-" says a pony, but he's cut off.
From the cockpit, Silver hears the sound of a radio as its volume is turned up, and he hears the speaking voice of the radio announcer from earlier
"-this message comes signed off by a quorum of the Directory. They have asked us to read the following statement live, and then broadcast a delayed recording transmitted to us. Well, here it goes,
'By a meeting of a quorum of the Directory, the Directory has declared the current military situation to be a crisis. To address this crisis, the Director has appointed a Master of the Ponies. This Master of the Ponies will have full powers of the State, including over legislation, foreign affairs, the judiciary, and the armed forces, to appoint and dismiss ministers, and may rule by decree, subject only to post facto review by the Directory. The pony appointed to this role is Long March, Quartermaster General of the Republican Armed Forces, and his term will last until October 2 of 1022, or until the conclusion of the crisis, whichever is first. Martial law has been declared. Effective immediately and until October 2, the Directory suspended the legislatures of the Republics of New Mareland, East Equestria, Puerto Caballo, and Severyana, and has placed under the direct control of the UPR Military. Likewise, the protectorates of Chirroptera, Maregypt, Gryphus, Karthin..." A number of names are given. "-have been placed under the direct military administration of the UPR for a period not to exceed six months. The protectorates of Asterion, Puimont, and Falcor are hereby dissolved and placed under indefinite military rule. Furthermore, the Directory has declared the suspension of the Constitution of 1022 and of Habeas Corpus. The Directory has adjourned and is in recess, to meet again at an unscheduled date." There is a brief pause, and the presenter reads off "Long Live the Republic." Another brief pause, and the presenter says, "well my friends.... let's see... the broadcast should be patched through in... seven, six, five, four, three...."
File (): F6D08EA8FBDF66530DD8A2FCA3B85B8E-783105.png (764.8 KB, 2303x3954, 2093812.png)
>>166567
>>166840
Amber "sees" the figures before her, the figures known by no name to any language, but may with vulgarity and imprecision be likened to bats made of gas. Before they danced rapturously, but with the arrival of that blackness that may be likened to a deep-sea plume, they now float at attention, facing the plume as if it were their master, or a priest. The yelling has ceased, and no longer can Amber hear rifle report, but neither can she hear that reply, high and low, from her fellow players. The direction of the wind has changed, and though leaves and branches still rattle, Amber's music becomes the preponderant sound pervading the night.
Amber has long known that through music, the mind may be liberated from the limitations of space and time. That infinite gulf between subject and object, or subject and subject, evaporates as Amber saws away another note. She feels she could see through the eyes of another creature, and become witness to scenes and places far away, long ago, or even that which has yet to occur. She could feel what they felt. Think what they thought. See what they saw. But why shackle experience to that which may be seen with the eyes, thought by a limited mind, or felt by a limited soul? Why... when there is so much more?
A whisper comes to Amber, riding the treble as the edge of her bow saws the string. It comes not in the form of words, but of images, images so alien that neither may her eyes see them, nor words express them. But need her field of view be limited to her eyes alone? Why need she be limited to eyes alone? The first vision is of peering through a complex refraction of translucent space, best analogized to a mirror, infinitely reflecting itself, or looking down an infinitely repeating staircase as the same image is repeated again and again. The second vision may be likened to a tempestuous ocean, if perhaps an ocean belonging to a world with laws of gravity unlike our own, with ever moving fluid that reflect violet light in lighter and darker waves. But Amber perceives that this boiling ocean is not of any matter, nor any substance suspended in space and time, but of pure desire - an ocean of the pure desire to dominate.
Amber's perception becomes less of visions, and more of direct emotions. She feels ecstasy, as she has since she began playing, of a kind she can claim to have felt only a few times before in her life. She feels pain, physical pain, that she knows intrudes from the world beyond, the "real" world, undoubtedly caused by the exertion of so furiously sawing her bow. But never mind that. She is exploring a new world here, or perhaps even several worlds. This continues for a couple minutes, until her talons happen to dip into the edge of one of those oceans, a black green abyss that stretches beyond perception. Amber feels it. Fear. Not fear of anything, nor deriving from any known cause, but a fear felt as if in a night terror, directly injected into the mind. And with this, her desire to explore these realms of pure emotion ceases.
Normally, feeling pure fear, like a child in a nightmare, would cause her to "wake," to cease playing and to open her eyes. But Amber knows better than to do that. And she is more disciplined than to do that. She has better self control than to make such a self evident mistake. The visions cease, but Amber mechanically plays more notes. Not with rapture, but with purpose. The fear persists at lower intensity, though it is no longer the uncaused fear of a night terror, but something deeper, and more primordial. It comes now from a sensation, and maybe even a thought, that was suggested to Amber much earlier, when her focus was on the dancing figures. Though before the sensation was drowned out by competing emotions, it persists. It's the sensation of being watched by a predator, like a mountain lion that stalks you as you walk along a mountain trail. Amber's extremely tired forelegs continue playing the same repetition of notes for what feels like an hour, even if in real time it's more likely two minutes.
And then, it is done. Amber may cease playing, open up her eyes, and join her comrades.
>>166840
Amber "sees" the figures before her, the figures known by no name to any language, but may with vulgarity and imprecision be likened to bats made of gas. Before they danced rapturously, but with the arrival of that blackness that may be likened to a deep-sea plume, they now float at attention, facing the plume as if it were their master, or a priest. The yelling has ceased, and no longer can Amber hear rifle report, but neither can she hear that reply, high and low, from her fellow players. The direction of the wind has changed, and though leaves and branches still rattle, Amber's music becomes the preponderant sound pervading the night.
Amber has long known that through music, the mind may be liberated from the limitations of space and time. That infinite gulf between subject and object, or subject and subject, evaporates as Amber saws away another note. She feels she could see through the eyes of another creature, and become witness to scenes and places far away, long ago, or even that which has yet to occur. She could feel what they felt. Think what they thought. See what they saw. But why shackle experience to that which may be seen with the eyes, thought by a limited mind, or felt by a limited soul? Why... when there is so much more?
A whisper comes to Amber, riding the treble as the edge of her bow saws the string. It comes not in the form of words, but of images, images so alien that neither may her eyes see them, nor words express them. But need her field of view be limited to her eyes alone? Why need she be limited to eyes alone? The first vision is of peering through a complex refraction of translucent space, best analogized to a mirror, infinitely reflecting itself, or looking down an infinitely repeating staircase as the same image is repeated again and again. The second vision may be likened to a tempestuous ocean, if perhaps an ocean belonging to a world with laws of gravity unlike our own, with ever moving fluid that reflect violet light in lighter and darker waves. But Amber perceives that this boiling ocean is not of any matter, nor any substance suspended in space and time, but of pure desire - an ocean of the pure desire to dominate.
Amber's perception becomes less of visions, and more of direct emotions. She feels ecstasy, as she has since she began playing, of a kind she can claim to have felt only a few times before in her life. She feels pain, physical pain, that she knows intrudes from the world beyond, the "real" world, undoubtedly caused by the exertion of so furiously sawing her bow. But never mind that. She is exploring a new world here, or perhaps even several worlds. This continues for a couple minutes, until her talons happen to dip into the edge of one of those oceans, a black green abyss that stretches beyond perception. Amber feels it. Fear. Not fear of anything, nor deriving from any known cause, but a fear felt as if in a night terror, directly injected into the mind. And with this, her desire to explore these realms of pure emotion ceases.
Normally, feeling pure fear, like a child in a nightmare, would cause her to "wake," to cease playing and to open her eyes. But Amber knows better than to do that. And she is more disciplined than to do that. She has better self control than to make such a self evident mistake. The visions cease, but Amber mechanically plays more notes. Not with rapture, but with purpose. The fear persists at lower intensity, though it is no longer the uncaused fear of a night terror, but something deeper, and more primordial. It comes now from a sensation, and maybe even a thought, that was suggested to Amber much earlier, when her focus was on the dancing figures. Though before the sensation was drowned out by competing emotions, it persists. It's the sensation of being watched by a predator, like a mountain lion that stalks you as you walk along a mountain trail. Amber's extremely tired forelegs continue playing the same repetition of notes for what feels like an hour, even if in real time it's more likely two minutes.
And then, it is done. Amber may cease playing, open up her eyes, and join her comrades.
>>166872
>>166857
There's the slightest sound of static, and then, Silver hears a voice. The source is a stallion maybe a little younger than Silver, with an accent that seems to be a Dominion permutation of a Griffish Isle accent.
"Hello ponies. Can you hear me? heh heh. I wasn't expecting to have to give a speech. I haven't really done speeches before. This is Long March. As you've heard I've just been appointed Master of the Ponies. The Directory thought I should speak to the ponies, so that way they know who rules them. I uh, haven't had to do that in my past roles. I suppose I should tell you who I am. I was born to a family of poor ranch workers in the state of Kingfisher. The military was my only path to advancement, and I was fortunately enough to be enrolled into university and become an officer, serving in logistics and distribution, and sometimes as an industry liaison. I am a lifelong military officer. I have served in the Galyippoli campaign, the Dominion mine revolt, the Wars of Security, and as a general in the War Against the Princesses and against Wingbardy, besides a number of other efforts like disaster relief or building the railways in Zaphzia. Two years ago I was made quartermaster general of the entire United Republican Army. Just an hour ago I was in charge of logistics of the Glorious Crusade. Heh heh... The Directory wants you to know - I want you to know - that this is not some unplanned for event. No. This is simply a consolidation and simplification of the decision-making process in response to the potential danger posed to our leadership by the enemy. It's a purely precautionary measure taken not because our situation makes it necessary, but so we are ready before it becomes necessary. Let me assure you..."
There's a sound of him licking a part of his lips, as if his mouth is dry
"The situation on the front and on the homefront is under... control. The enemy may strike back harder than we hoped... to be sure, but it is not harder or worse than we prepared for. We have special, secure communications networks, secure underground bunkers, secure rail lines, and stockpiles of food, fuel, medicine, and weapons to last more than a year. The appointment of a Master of the Ponies is just a part of that. A contingency prepared ahead of time. Understand... if we stick to it, we will prevail. Ponykind will be made whole again. And the future we make for our foals will be brighter than where we are today... Long. Live. The Republic"
That last word is almost inflected like a question. The sound of the broadcast continues in silence for a few seconds, until it cuts out and music begins. Finally, the broadcaster adds
"That concludes the message given to us by the government. We have received orders to the effect that we are to broadcast only when deemed necessary by officials, and only what they deem necessary. We are to remain off the air otherwise. Until you hear from us again I suppose, hopefully in just a few hours. Stay strong out there. This is Friend of the Ponies, signing off."
Music plays, though the pilot turns the volume down.
>>166857
There's the slightest sound of static, and then, Silver hears a voice. The source is a stallion maybe a little younger than Silver, with an accent that seems to be a Dominion permutation of a Griffish Isle accent.
"Hello ponies. Can you hear me? heh heh. I wasn't expecting to have to give a speech. I haven't really done speeches before. This is Long March. As you've heard I've just been appointed Master of the Ponies. The Directory thought I should speak to the ponies, so that way they know who rules them. I uh, haven't had to do that in my past roles. I suppose I should tell you who I am. I was born to a family of poor ranch workers in the state of Kingfisher. The military was my only path to advancement, and I was fortunately enough to be enrolled into university and become an officer, serving in logistics and distribution, and sometimes as an industry liaison. I am a lifelong military officer. I have served in the Galyippoli campaign, the Dominion mine revolt, the Wars of Security, and as a general in the War Against the Princesses and against Wingbardy, besides a number of other efforts like disaster relief or building the railways in Zaphzia. Two years ago I was made quartermaster general of the entire United Republican Army. Just an hour ago I was in charge of logistics of the Glorious Crusade. Heh heh... The Directory wants you to know - I want you to know - that this is not some unplanned for event. No. This is simply a consolidation and simplification of the decision-making process in response to the potential danger posed to our leadership by the enemy. It's a purely precautionary measure taken not because our situation makes it necessary, but so we are ready before it becomes necessary. Let me assure you..."
There's a sound of him licking a part of his lips, as if his mouth is dry
"The situation on the front and on the homefront is under... control. The enemy may strike back harder than we hoped... to be sure, but it is not harder or worse than we prepared for. We have special, secure communications networks, secure underground bunkers, secure rail lines, and stockpiles of food, fuel, medicine, and weapons to last more than a year. The appointment of a Master of the Ponies is just a part of that. A contingency prepared ahead of time. Understand... if we stick to it, we will prevail. Ponykind will be made whole again. And the future we make for our foals will be brighter than where we are today... Long. Live. The Republic"
That last word is almost inflected like a question. The sound of the broadcast continues in silence for a few seconds, until it cuts out and music begins. Finally, the broadcaster adds
"That concludes the message given to us by the government. We have received orders to the effect that we are to broadcast only when deemed necessary by officials, and only what they deem necessary. We are to remain off the air otherwise. Until you hear from us again I suppose, hopefully in just a few hours. Stay strong out there. This is Friend of the Ponies, signing off."
Music plays, though the pilot turns the volume down.
>>166921
Silver is the first to break the silence.
"Hmm. He does not seem to have much experience with public speaking."
Silver is the first to break the silence.
"Hmm. He does not seem to have much experience with public speaking."
>>166922
The white stallion replies
"No. No he doesn't"
Then the purple stallion
"The First counsel could word it better..."
Then the white stallion retorts
"Sounds better than you if you were put on the spot"
The white stallion replies
"No. No he doesn't"
Then the purple stallion
"The First counsel could word it better..."
Then the white stallion retorts
"Sounds better than you if you were put on the spot"
>>166923
"I suppose we ultimately do not need somepony with that kind of experience. Rousing, impassioned speeches may inspire soldiers, but speeches are also for political campaigns." He sighs. "Still, though...he is sorely lackey presense and authority our commanders had during Great War."
"I suppose we ultimately do not need somepony with that kind of experience. Rousing, impassioned speeches may inspire soldiers, but speeches are also for political campaigns." He sighs. "Still, though...he is sorely lackey presense and authority our commanders had during Great War."
>>166840
>>166920
Amber's musicality in the most inhospitable of environments has given her a window that generations of mystics have sought to peer through. The "dancers" in front of her that defy description would have sufficed to awe and mesmerize any pony or griffon that did not possess this power, and the manifestation resembles ancient forbidden rites done for arcane purposes. Yet once this veil has thinned the urge to go onwards is undeniable.
It was never intended for her to view such things. Lying before her are fractals that would give the most brilliant mathematicians pause and spaces that the most imaginative surrealists could not visualize, but what captures her attention is pure, unfiltered, foreign emotion, if it indeed be that and not merely a side effect of something ineffable. Were she more lucid she would wonder how emotion could exist outside of any being, but almost as if entranced she mentally dives headfirst into such a strange world and feeling suffused by it.
This brief sojourn ends with the sensation of the starkest terror she has ever known, with the memories of those bandits and the Inquisition and even the changelings seeming dim and inconsequential in comparison. A discipline not entirely her own prevents her from cutting off the music, which would have at best perhaps left part of herself in that strange realm. The music continues, painfully slowing and finally reaching an artless conclusion.
Shaking from sheer fatigue, Amber slowly opens her eyes and looks around. Try as she might, she cannot shake that pitted sensation of doing something abominably wrong and being caught for it, though the precise reason of this dread defies her. What just happened in the here and now?
>>166920
Amber's musicality in the most inhospitable of environments has given her a window that generations of mystics have sought to peer through. The "dancers" in front of her that defy description would have sufficed to awe and mesmerize any pony or griffon that did not possess this power, and the manifestation resembles ancient forbidden rites done for arcane purposes. Yet once this veil has thinned the urge to go onwards is undeniable.
It was never intended for her to view such things. Lying before her are fractals that would give the most brilliant mathematicians pause and spaces that the most imaginative surrealists could not visualize, but what captures her attention is pure, unfiltered, foreign emotion, if it indeed be that and not merely a side effect of something ineffable. Were she more lucid she would wonder how emotion could exist outside of any being, but almost as if entranced she mentally dives headfirst into such a strange world and feeling suffused by it.
This brief sojourn ends with the sensation of the starkest terror she has ever known, with the memories of those bandits and the Inquisition and even the changelings seeming dim and inconsequential in comparison. A discipline not entirely her own prevents her from cutting off the music, which would have at best perhaps left part of herself in that strange realm. The music continues, painfully slowing and finally reaching an artless conclusion.
Shaking from sheer fatigue, Amber slowly opens her eyes and looks around. Try as she might, she cannot shake that pitted sensation of doing something abominably wrong and being caught for it, though the precise reason of this dread defies her. What just happened in the here and now?
>>166924
If the ponies intended to answer, they don't answer immediately, but look towards Silver in somber silence. Two of them seem to nod.
Silver hears a radio, this one coming to the white stallion
""This is Brigadier General Circling Camp of the 78th Republican Guard Reverses. Per the Magister Mannis, all Homeguard Units are now under the authority and direction of the Republican Guard, which places all units in Baltimare under my command. Now, the Magister Mannis has decreed that disabling all mass-thermal devices is of top priority, and I whole-heartedly agree. Our reports suggest that Baltimare has or had three devices. One was smuggled into the naval base on the south side of the harbor. The infiltration team that was supposed to detonate this device was picked up in last night's raid, and the device was found earlier. Another device was in the center of the city in the administrative building. This was disabled by homeguard forces before it could be activated. A team communicating with enemy forces abroad, presumably to receive activation codes was located and destroyed in the WMARE building. But a fourth group, presumably with a device, is located in the Redheart district of town in the transportation ministry. We don't know why they haven't denotated the device yet, but we're not exactly eager to find out, as they may denotate it at any time. We're asking all available units to be ready to attack this position. Stand by."
If the ponies intended to answer, they don't answer immediately, but look towards Silver in somber silence. Two of them seem to nod.
Silver hears a radio, this one coming to the white stallion
""This is Brigadier General Circling Camp of the 78th Republican Guard Reverses. Per the Magister Mannis, all Homeguard Units are now under the authority and direction of the Republican Guard, which places all units in Baltimare under my command. Now, the Magister Mannis has decreed that disabling all mass-thermal devices is of top priority, and I whole-heartedly agree. Our reports suggest that Baltimare has or had three devices. One was smuggled into the naval base on the south side of the harbor. The infiltration team that was supposed to detonate this device was picked up in last night's raid, and the device was found earlier. Another device was in the center of the city in the administrative building. This was disabled by homeguard forces before it could be activated. A team communicating with enemy forces abroad, presumably to receive activation codes was located and destroyed in the WMARE building. But a fourth group, presumably with a device, is located in the Redheart district of town in the transportation ministry. We don't know why they haven't denotated the device yet, but we're not exactly eager to find out, as they may denotate it at any time. We're asking all available units to be ready to attack this position. Stand by."
>>166933
>>166933
Amber opens her eyes to see nothing that wasn't there when she closed them. The leaves of the trees, as well as the branches, shake ever so slightly. But these have calmed down. There is no wind, but a slight cool autumn breeze. The moon shines down, though the forest canopy blocks most of it. A few leaves fall around Amber. Besides the slight rustle of the trees, there is no sound.
Her forelegs ache. For the moment, it seems as if Amber was premature in believing herself to have been caught.
>>166933
Amber opens her eyes to see nothing that wasn't there when she closed them. The leaves of the trees, as well as the branches, shake ever so slightly. But these have calmed down. There is no wind, but a slight cool autumn breeze. The moon shines down, though the forest canopy blocks most of it. A few leaves fall around Amber. Besides the slight rustle of the trees, there is no sound.
Her forelegs ache. For the moment, it seems as if Amber was premature in believing herself to have been caught.
>>166934
"Goddesses, how many of these bombs do Changelings have? I suppose we have our next target..."
"Goddesses, how many of these bombs do Changelings have? I suppose we have our next target..."
>>166936
"Don't we have wounded to evacuate?" Asks a pony, presumably the pilot, from the copula above
"Don't we have wounded to evacuate?" Asks a pony, presumably the pilot, from the copula above
>>166937
"I suppose so...but it is not as if you have need of me for such task. Take me to Redheart."
"I suppose so...but it is not as if you have need of me for such task. Take me to Redheart."
>>166938
The white pony looks back to Silver.
"Well, then let's not run away from the fight." He looks up to the cupola "Take us to the Transit Ministry" Then he looks back to Silver "And to answer your question, too damned many."
Silver hears the pilot speak over the radio
"Air control, we will not be proceeding to deliver wounded in Blackwater. We will be joining the fight with a hoof full of infantry at the Transit Ministry."
Silver can hear the reply
"Very well, turn around, there is a courtyard clearing a hundred meters south of the transit ministry that should be clear, may be hot." a pause, and "Be advised, you will not be at a safe distance in the event that device goes off. Do you understand?"
And the pilot,
"Roger that. We know what we are getting into."
Corporal Bloom, all bandaged up, looks back to Silver and the white pegasus
"So we're going back to the shooting?"
The white pony looks back to Silver.
"Well, then let's not run away from the fight." He looks up to the cupola "Take us to the Transit Ministry" Then he looks back to Silver "And to answer your question, too damned many."
Silver hears the pilot speak over the radio
"Air control, we will not be proceeding to deliver wounded in Blackwater. We will be joining the fight with a hoof full of infantry at the Transit Ministry."
Silver can hear the reply
"Very well, turn around, there is a courtyard clearing a hundred meters south of the transit ministry that should be clear, may be hot." a pause, and "Be advised, you will not be at a safe distance in the event that device goes off. Do you understand?"
And the pilot,
"Roger that. We know what we are getting into."
Corporal Bloom, all bandaged up, looks back to Silver and the white pegasus
"So we're going back to the shooting?"
>>166944
The medic speaks
"There's a bit left, yes. He'll feel numb, but it does reduce pain."
Silver can feel the vehicle make a sharp left turn, and the view outside of single family homes and trees in the distance, is replaced by the waters of the horseshoe bay.
The medic speaks
"There's a bit left, yes. He'll feel numb, but it does reduce pain."
Silver can feel the vehicle make a sharp left turn, and the view outside of single family homes and trees in the distance, is replaced by the waters of the horseshoe bay.
>>166946
"Okay..." Corporal Bloom nods
Spectral Streak speaks to Silver
"Look out there. They got Fillydelphia..."
Looking out the window, Silver can see the somewhat familiar visage of the Baltimare Harbor from Locust Promontory to Cherry Hill, with its rows of warehouses near the shore, and piers that stretch out into the water, with several freighters waiting. The mostly blue skies have a slight, dark haze over them, and comet tails, visible in broad daylight streak across the sky. Far off in the distance are vast, black clouds that stretch almost into. But most ominously, right in the center of Silver's field of view looking north, is a twisted black cloud with a mushroom-like shape, peering out over the horizon, beyond the hill on the peninsula.
"Okay..." Corporal Bloom nods
Spectral Streak speaks to Silver
"Look out there. They got Fillydelphia..."
Looking out the window, Silver can see the somewhat familiar visage of the Baltimare Harbor from Locust Promontory to Cherry Hill, with its rows of warehouses near the shore, and piers that stretch out into the water, with several freighters waiting. The mostly blue skies have a slight, dark haze over them, and comet tails, visible in broad daylight streak across the sky. Far off in the distance are vast, black clouds that stretch almost into. But most ominously, right in the center of Silver's field of view looking north, is a twisted black cloud with a mushroom-like shape, peering out over the horizon, beyond the hill on the peninsula.
>>166947
"Богини спасают нас..."
Silver is left speechless for a moment afterwards.
"I have witnessed explosions before, but none I have seen have made cloud of that size..." Despite his fear, he steels himself, a look of resolve on his face. "That is more reminder than we will ever need of importance of our mission. We will succeed, because we must. This is our home, our families, and we will be damned to lowest levels of Tartarus before we let these insects destroy it."
"Богини спасают нас..."
Silver is left speechless for a moment afterwards.
"I have witnessed explosions before, but none I have seen have made cloud of that size..." Despite his fear, he steels himself, a look of resolve on his face. "That is more reminder than we will ever need of importance of our mission. We will succeed, because we must. This is our home, our families, and we will be damned to lowest levels of Tartarus before we let these insects destroy it."
File (): 1A77D97DDB513DD6FE1CD551BA6F5F19-177790.jpg (173.6 KB, 800x1300, w_084c8109.jpg)
>>166935
Amber looks around for her friends or the bandits. Despite the stillness of the night she is still apprehensive; it is, after all, midnight in the middle of a dark deserted swamp.
She sits down to rest. Despite her forelegs being different from her hindlegs, she's still a quadruped and isn't exactly in a state to move.
Amber looks around for her friends or the bandits. Despite the stillness of the night she is still apprehensive; it is, after all, midnight in the middle of a dark deserted swamp.
She sits down to rest. Despite her forelegs being different from her hindlegs, she's still a quadruped and isn't exactly in a state to move.
>>166948
The white pegasus tells the ponies,
"You heard him. This is our homes we are fighting for. And they have shown they will burn us all if we do not stop them. Have your weapons ready when we hit the ground."
The vehicle moves in closer. Silver can see that the old rows of tenements are long gone, and the vehicle moves past a wall into an area with some new looking warehouses, a few older abandoned buildings, and quite a few simply empty, sandy lots, occasionally flanked by new looking, modern manufactories.
Silver sees it: the transportation ministry. It's a rather large building of white stone, mostly rectangular in shape, running north to south, with raised ends, and a raised center with a small dome on top. In front of this building, and towards the direction of the water, is a massive open area, partly covered in grass, partly in gravel, and with a few decorations Silver can see is intended to be a plaza. New constructions of commercial buildings are on the far side. But to the edge of the building and north is a much older building of a square shape with a dome, and to the south is what seems to be a warehouse. As the vehicle approaches, a now familiar sound echos throughout the city, overcoming even the loud sound of engines and spinning rotors.
In the days of legend, the wailing of the banshee was feared, as it foretold coming doom. Someone would die tonight. Silver hears a wailing sound perhaps analogous to the ominous cry of the banshee, but this is no ghostly wail of creature beyond nature, but the two-toned electronic howl of the Signal Thunderbolt. With its prolongated "Awooo" rising in volume, lowering, and then rising again, this is no all-clear, but the third warning of the morning. Whether the mundanity of the source is more assuring than the supernatural is up to the listener.
The white pegasus tells the ponies,
"You heard him. This is our homes we are fighting for. And they have shown they will burn us all if we do not stop them. Have your weapons ready when we hit the ground."
The vehicle moves in closer. Silver can see that the old rows of tenements are long gone, and the vehicle moves past a wall into an area with some new looking warehouses, a few older abandoned buildings, and quite a few simply empty, sandy lots, occasionally flanked by new looking, modern manufactories.
Silver sees it: the transportation ministry. It's a rather large building of white stone, mostly rectangular in shape, running north to south, with raised ends, and a raised center with a small dome on top. In front of this building, and towards the direction of the water, is a massive open area, partly covered in grass, partly in gravel, and with a few decorations Silver can see is intended to be a plaza. New constructions of commercial buildings are on the far side. But to the edge of the building and north is a much older building of a square shape with a dome, and to the south is what seems to be a warehouse. As the vehicle approaches, a now familiar sound echos throughout the city, overcoming even the loud sound of engines and spinning rotors.
In the days of legend, the wailing of the banshee was feared, as it foretold coming doom. Someone would die tonight. Silver hears a wailing sound perhaps analogous to the ominous cry of the banshee, but this is no ghostly wail of creature beyond nature, but the two-toned electronic howl of the Signal Thunderbolt. With its prolongated "Awooo" rising in volume, lowering, and then rising again, this is no all-clear, but the third warning of the morning. Whether the mundanity of the source is more assuring than the supernatural is up to the listener.
>>166950
Amber is alone in her hiding spot, separate from friends and bandits alike. It's rather calm, actually. The ground is soft, though not too moist. She's tired, but her previous experience at least gave her some adrenaline.
Amber is alone in her hiding spot, separate from friends and bandits alike. It's rather calm, actually. The ground is soft, though not too moist. She's tired, but her previous experience at least gave her some adrenaline.
>>166951
Someone would indeed die tonight, and Silver will make sure that it isn't him or his loved ones. Somewhat numb to the pain coursing through his body, Silver gets up, grabs the LMG he picked up off of the changeling at the TV station, and readies it for combat.
Someone would indeed die tonight, and Silver will make sure that it isn't him or his loved ones. Somewhat numb to the pain coursing through his body, Silver gets up, grabs the LMG he picked up off of the changeling at the TV station, and readies it for combat.
>>166952
Despite her fatigue, or rather because of it, she checks her viol for any possible damage incurred while playing, then stows it and gets up. There's a danger that if she doesn't move she might fall asleep where she is. She looks for her friends, reasoning that if the bandits were still around they would have seized her already while she was playing music.
Despite her fatigue, or rather because of it, she checks her viol for any possible damage incurred while playing, then stows it and gets up. There's a danger that if she doesn't move she might fall asleep where she is. She looks for her friends, reasoning that if the bandits were still around they would have seized her already while she was playing music.
>>166953
The vehicle aligns itself next to the ministry building in the large plaza in front of it. It starts to descend. And then Silver hears another noise that by now, is also all too familar. It's a sort of zip sound, a "tatata that's much too close together. And Silver hears thumbs against the hull of the vehicle as what is clearly a changeling machine gun shoots at them, and lands several hits. There is a sudden jerking as the engines accelerate, the vehicle pulls up, and quickly to the north. Silver hears the pilot and copilot yelling "Too hot" and "get us out of here!" as the vehicle swerves up, over the dome, and then lowers itself as the zipping continues. There is another, albeit smaller clearing of dirt next to an abandoned building behind the square domed building. But the vehicle manages to come down and land. The pilot speaks to them,
"This was the closest we could get without being exposed in the open."
>>166954
Perhaps the strings are a little more worn than before, but no. Everything is in perfect condition.
Amber moves back towards the road, and sees that her comrades are already up and moving about. Helder comments "Glad you came through."
Erich comments
"Had to show off, didn't you?"
And Federkleid:
"So that's... what you do here. Okay..."
There are a few conspicuous holes, as if nibbled away by a beaver, on the carriage and on a pair of trees, as well as one visible in the ground beside the road. That, and a number of leaves cover the road. But other than that, it's much as when Amber left it, with shadow covering much of the road and the shoulder, and moonlight illuminating the other portion.
The vehicle aligns itself next to the ministry building in the large plaza in front of it. It starts to descend. And then Silver hears another noise that by now, is also all too familar. It's a sort of zip sound, a "tatata that's much too close together. And Silver hears thumbs against the hull of the vehicle as what is clearly a changeling machine gun shoots at them, and lands several hits. There is a sudden jerking as the engines accelerate, the vehicle pulls up, and quickly to the north. Silver hears the pilot and copilot yelling "Too hot" and "get us out of here!" as the vehicle swerves up, over the dome, and then lowers itself as the zipping continues. There is another, albeit smaller clearing of dirt next to an abandoned building behind the square domed building. But the vehicle manages to come down and land. The pilot speaks to them,
"This was the closest we could get without being exposed in the open."
>>166954
Perhaps the strings are a little more worn than before, but no. Everything is in perfect condition.
Amber moves back towards the road, and sees that her comrades are already up and moving about. Helder comments "Glad you came through."
Erich comments
"Had to show off, didn't you?"
And Federkleid:
"So that's... what you do here. Okay..."
There are a few conspicuous holes, as if nibbled away by a beaver, on the carriage and on a pair of trees, as well as one visible in the ground beside the road. That, and a number of leaves cover the road. But other than that, it's much as when Amber left it, with shadow covering much of the road and the shoulder, and moonlight illuminating the other portion.
>>166955
Somewhat befuddled as to how her friends are still here but not the bandits, Amber meekly asks, "Are you all alright? We need to get going."
Somewhat befuddled as to how her friends are still here but not the bandits, Amber meekly asks, "Are you all alright? We need to get going."
>>166956
Erich answers
"Yes, and we do. We need to get going to get to the fair by the morning."
Helder picks up a rifle, to see that that the end is sawn off. He picks up a different rifle, and pulls back the action to insert a clip. But he too eventually pays attention to Amber
Erich answers
"Yes, and we do. We need to get going to get to the fair by the morning."
Helder picks up a rifle, to see that that the end is sawn off. He picks up a different rifle, and pulls back the action to insert a clip. But he too eventually pays attention to Amber
>>166958
"We're going to the fair?" she asks, not having heard about this course of action earlier, or perhaps forgetting it.
"We're going to the fair?" she asks, not having heard about this course of action earlier, or perhaps forgetting it.
>>166959
"I do!" shouts the purple stallion. Azelea Bloom also seems to be smiling, if limping. Even the medic seems to be deployed, with a curved magazine submachine gun. But the white pegasus asks,
"How will we approach the building? They have machine guns and there is open space on every side around the building."
>>166960
reee that was supposed to say "ferry"
"I do!" shouts the purple stallion. Azelea Bloom also seems to be smiling, if limping. Even the medic seems to be deployed, with a curved magazine submachine gun. But the white pegasus asks,
"How will we approach the building? They have machine guns and there is open space on every side around the building."
>>166960
reee that was supposed to say "ferry"
>>166961
Ignore my previous reply then
Nonplussed, Amber says "That is crucial. Will we be able to afford the fare?"
Ignore my previous reply then
Nonplussed, Amber says "That is crucial. Will we be able to afford the fare?"
>>166962
Federklied:
"We better. Erich, did you get you money?"
Erich
"What I had. I wasn't going to leave it."
Federklied:
"But do you have enough?"
Erich
"Well, if I don't then Helder does
Helder
"Yeah yeah, of course you can't keep money. I have enough for that and to bribe the guards too. You won't have to try anything drastic"
Federklied:
"We better. Erich, did you get you money?"
Erich
"What I had. I wasn't going to leave it."
Federklied:
"But do you have enough?"
Erich
"Well, if I don't then Helder does
Helder
"Yeah yeah, of course you can't keep money. I have enough for that and to bribe the guards too. You won't have to try anything drastic"
>>166961
"First thing we need to do is scout enemy machine gun positions. Stay down, follow me, and keep your ears and eyes open for any ambushing changelings."
Silver sneaks towards the machine gun that fired at them, hoping to get a good look at the situation they're being faced with.
"First thing we need to do is scout enemy machine gun positions. Stay down, follow me, and keep your ears and eyes open for any ambushing changelings."
Silver sneaks towards the machine gun that fired at them, hoping to get a good look at the situation they're being faced with.
File (): FE5B7558597E8474AF4C280A878765A5-104598.jpg (102.1 KB, 1195x669, 720082.jpeg)
>>166964
Erich moves over to the wagon, opens it, and reaches in. "This isn't pretty." Amber can see that he moves to the side a set of rope and bags. "This might be useful." He pulls out a pair of water containers "And this is nice." He pockets a necklace." He turns and looks to Amber. "They didn't seem to have much there. I don't know what they had on their persons." Federklied looks into the front of the cabin, but evidently find anything interesting.
Erich moves over to the wagon, opens it, and reaches in. "This isn't pretty." Amber can see that he moves to the side a set of rope and bags. "This might be useful." He pulls out a pair of water containers "And this is nice." He pockets a necklace." He turns and looks to Amber. "They didn't seem to have much there. I don't know what they had on their persons." Federklied looks into the front of the cabin, but evidently find anything interesting.
File (): 46517E553BB2D1E32B7C5C4281F08467-132256.png (129.2 KB, 500x273, 6552438.png)
>>166965
With Silver is the White pegasus from earlier, as well as the purple pony, the orange pony, Corporal Azelea, and Spectral Streak. Presumably the two medics and two pilots of the Chickpea could be considered, as the chickpea is still on the ground behind Silver.
Silver has no point of view of the Transit Ministry building, as it is completely blocked off from view by this reasonably large square building, which seems to have a dome and two towers, and is a couple hundred feet on each side. This building faces much of the whole of the north side of the transit ministry, and extends slightly to its east and front. To the south and north of this building are more, smaller buildings. It does appear that Silver could enter this building, although it might require shooting off a lock. Note that the side of the transit ministry is reasonably large, about the same size.
Silver was shot at from the front of the Transit Ministry building, which faces a very large open area that is likely a thousand feet across, and could be a public park in the future. It's possible to shoot across this area, although not with great accuracy. across this field on the south side is more buildings. These are shorter and seem to be warehouses. Silver does not actually have a precise guess of the size of the transit ministry, but probably 250 feet wide and 750 feet long, hard to say if it has internal courtyards. Entry points are likely on every side... but he doesn't have a good vantage point here.
Silver does have a radio, which could be very helpful for requesting aid.
With Silver is the White pegasus from earlier, as well as the purple pony, the orange pony, Corporal Azelea, and Spectral Streak. Presumably the two medics and two pilots of the Chickpea could be considered, as the chickpea is still on the ground behind Silver.
Silver has no point of view of the Transit Ministry building, as it is completely blocked off from view by this reasonably large square building, which seems to have a dome and two towers, and is a couple hundred feet on each side. This building faces much of the whole of the north side of the transit ministry, and extends slightly to its east and front. To the south and north of this building are more, smaller buildings. It does appear that Silver could enter this building, although it might require shooting off a lock. Note that the side of the transit ministry is reasonably large, about the same size.
Silver was shot at from the front of the Transit Ministry building, which faces a very large open area that is likely a thousand feet across, and could be a public park in the future. It's possible to shoot across this area, although not with great accuracy. across this field on the south side is more buildings. These are shorter and seem to be warehouses. Silver does not actually have a precise guess of the size of the transit ministry, but probably 250 feet wide and 750 feet long, hard to say if it has internal courtyards. Entry points are likely on every side... but he doesn't have a good vantage point here.
Silver does have a radio, which could be very helpful for requesting aid.
>>166995
Silver sees one just a bit over to the left. It's a wooden door with a half circle top. A bit thick, and standard sized for the entry of one person
Silver sees one just a bit over to the left. It's a wooden door with a half circle top. A bit thick, and standard sized for the entry of one person
>>166993
"All rather basic, but better than nothing. Would you recommend taking the wagon itself? It is an extra burden and sticks out, but on the other hoof–er, claw, it would make us resemble travelers instead of refugees and might provide shelter if we need it."
"All rather basic, but better than nothing. Would you recommend taking the wagon itself? It is an extra burden and sticks out, but on the other hoof–er, claw, it would make us resemble travelers instead of refugees and might provide shelter if we need it."
>>166997
Helder, who is visibly holding a carbine rifle, looks over at the carriage. Federklied is the one who answers
"It's tempting to stay the night in it... to be sure. But I don't think we could take it. Not without oxen to pull it."
Helder, who is visibly holding a carbine rifle, looks over at the carriage. Federklied is the one who answers
"It's tempting to stay the night in it... to be sure. But I don't think we could take it. Not without oxen to pull it."
>>166998
"Could the four of us pull it? It is nothing too big." In the dim light she tries to analyze the expressions of the other three, to see whether they might be offended by the suggestion. She also glances at the wagon's tongue to tell whether it's even possible to hook up four griffons in lieu of two oxen. Wasn't that how the bandits pulled it in the first place, or if they had oxen where did they go?
"Could the four of us pull it? It is nothing too big." In the dim light she tries to analyze the expressions of the other three, to see whether they might be offended by the suggestion. She also glances at the wagon's tongue to tell whether it's even possible to hook up four griffons in lieu of two oxen. Wasn't that how the bandits pulled it in the first place, or if they had oxen where did they go?
448 replies and 10 files omitted.
[View All] [Last 50 Posts] [Last 100 Posts]Post pagination: [Prev] [1-200] [201-400] [401-600] [601-648] [Next]
648 replies | 26 files | 22 UUIDs | Page 7