Continuing
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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448 replies and 15 files omitted.
>>166465
Yellow Pegasus: “Sure…” he shakes, still laying on the ground with his hooves over his head. He stands up, and darts to the door. The earth pony walks more slowly, hugging the walls and glancing over to the windows above. The mare is the hardest to coax out, staying put in her hiding space. Spectral Streak walks over, and essentially carries her out of the room, looking over his shoulder at the room above. The Salmon stallion stands in the doorway to keep watch at the room, then decides to come all the way into the studio, rather than leave his flanks blind in the hallway.
Yellow Pegasus: “Sure…” he shakes, still laying on the ground with his hooves over his head. He stands up, and darts to the door. The earth pony walks more slowly, hugging the walls and glancing over to the windows above. The mare is the hardest to coax out, staying put in her hiding space. Spectral Streak walks over, and essentially carries her out of the room, looking over his shoulder at the room above. The Salmon stallion stands in the doorway to keep watch at the room, then decides to come all the way into the studio, rather than leave his flanks blind in the hallway.
>>166466
Silver, feeling like the least injured of the three and the only one knowing where they're going to go, takes point, keeping his Jenny at the ready as he leads the group back through the parts of the building they already cleared. He speaks quietly to the group as they proceed, just in case there are any eavesdropping changelings watching.
"We are making stop to pick up green pegasus survivor in camera storage room, then we will drop all of you off in second floor office. There is pair of ponies there who managed to sleep through invasion and avoid detection."
Silver, feeling like the least injured of the three and the only one knowing where they're going to go, takes point, keeping his Jenny at the ready as he leads the group back through the parts of the building they already cleared. He speaks quietly to the group as they proceed, just in case there are any eavesdropping changelings watching.
"We are making stop to pick up green pegasus survivor in camera storage room, then we will drop all of you off in second floor office. There is pair of ponies there who managed to sleep through invasion and avoid detection."
>>166467
The earth pony is now the one to reply: “Alright, we’ll follow you”. All six ponies are together in the hallway, out of line of sight from the room watching above.
The earth pony is now the one to reply: “Alright, we’ll follow you”. All six ponies are together in the hallway, out of line of sight from the room watching above.
>>166468
Silver keeps his head on a swivel as he leads the group towards the camera storage room, where he last saw the green pegasus.
Silver keeps his head on a swivel as he leads the group towards the camera storage room, where he last saw the green pegasus.
>>166469
Silver turns left through the doorway and into the hall, which is illuminated both by electric lights and sunlight through the windows. The three civilians move hastily behind Silver, fearing to stray far, but only waiting until Silver had turned the corner to follow. Spectral Streak takes the rear, keeping his gun pointed at the shattered window, and then, last to leave the studio, behind them. The Salmon stallion takes position with the civilians behind Silver. Silver turns the corner to see an empty hallway. It’s mostly quiet, with the humming sound of distant electronic equipment. It’s oddly serene, with no bullet holes to betray the battles that took place elsewhere in this same building. Silver feels the whole building shake and sway slightly, moved by some tremor that must be imperceptible on the ground. Then it’s over in a movement. Silver hears a very distant sound of footsteps, evidently up a stairway.
Silver arrives at his destination, the film storage room. At first he sees nothing but the shelves full of film reels and various other items, but through a gap in the shelves, he sees the green fur of the poorly hidden Pegasus pony.
Silver turns left through the doorway and into the hall, which is illuminated both by electric lights and sunlight through the windows. The three civilians move hastily behind Silver, fearing to stray far, but only waiting until Silver had turned the corner to follow. Spectral Streak takes the rear, keeping his gun pointed at the shattered window, and then, last to leave the studio, behind them. The Salmon stallion takes position with the civilians behind Silver. Silver turns the corner to see an empty hallway. It’s mostly quiet, with the humming sound of distant electronic equipment. It’s oddly serene, with no bullet holes to betray the battles that took place elsewhere in this same building. Silver feels the whole building shake and sway slightly, moved by some tremor that must be imperceptible on the ground. Then it’s over in a movement. Silver hears a very distant sound of footsteps, evidently up a stairway.
Silver arrives at his destination, the film storage room. At first he sees nothing but the shelves full of film reels and various other items, but through a gap in the shelves, he sees the green fur of the poorly hidden Pegasus pony.
>>166471
The Pegasus looks over at Silver with very wide eyes, clearly not expecting somepony to see him. After a beet, he says,
“Oh, it’s you again!”’ Yeah, I’ve just been here… not getting shot…” he moves his tail down under his legs and has an uncomfortable smile. “Did I hear gunfire?”
The Pegasus looks over at Silver with very wide eyes, clearly not expecting somepony to see him. After a beet, he says,
“Oh, it’s you again!”’ Yeah, I’ve just been here… not getting shot…” he moves his tail down under his legs and has an uncomfortable smile. “Did I hear gunfire?”
>>166472
Silver nods, and pulls out his flashlight to give the pegasus the changeling test.
"Yes there was. Now, hold still just one moment."
Silver nods, and pulls out his flashlight to give the pegasus the changeling test.
"Yes there was. Now, hold still just one moment."
>>166473
He squints, and Silver sees his pupils dilate as his ears move back, and he leans back, picking up and folding his left hood. Silver can still see most of the eye. There’s no… obvious reflection? It seems to be an opaque white.
He squints, and Silver sees his pupils dilate as his ears move back, and he leans back, picking up and folding his left hood. Silver can still see most of the eye. There’s no… obvious reflection? It seems to be an opaque white.
>>166474
Eh, close enough. Silver puts his flashlight away.
"Building is not yet clear, but we are moving you and other survivors to more secure office room on second floor."
Eh, close enough. Silver puts his flashlight away.
"Building is not yet clear, but we are moving you and other survivors to more secure office room on second floor."
>>166476
Silver motions with his head for the green pegasus to follow, as he exits the room.
"Come on."
Silver motions with his head for the green pegasus to follow, as he exits the room.
"Come on."
>>166477
The Pegasus follows Silver outside, where the Salmon stallion has taken point in the front. The ponies go forward down the hall until several figures walk into view from the left at the end of the hall. It’s a white Pegasus stallion in homeguard green with khakis, the vermillion pony Silver saw early, and a third pony, a dark purple earth pony stallion, also in homeguard green. The vermillion earth pony must be in his late twenties, and is actually the youngest. He carries a Jenny battle rifle, as does the white Pegasus, who is older. The last stallion, the deep purple earth pony, is probably in his forties, and carries a design of submachine gun Silver doesn’t think he’s ever seen before, with a heat shield and a curved magazine on the side. At first they point their guns at Silver and the ponies, but lower them quickly. It’s the Vermillion pony who says,
“Wait. Orange!”
The Salmon stallion replies “Kumquat.”
The white Pegasus, who has darker peppered tips on his wings, addresses the salmon stallion. “Is this floor secured?”
The Pegasus follows Silver outside, where the Salmon stallion has taken point in the front. The ponies go forward down the hall until several figures walk into view from the left at the end of the hall. It’s a white Pegasus stallion in homeguard green with khakis, the vermillion pony Silver saw early, and a third pony, a dark purple earth pony stallion, also in homeguard green. The vermillion earth pony must be in his late twenties, and is actually the youngest. He carries a Jenny battle rifle, as does the white Pegasus, who is older. The last stallion, the deep purple earth pony, is probably in his forties, and carries a design of submachine gun Silver doesn’t think he’s ever seen before, with a heat shield and a curved magazine on the side. At first they point their guns at Silver and the ponies, but lower them quickly. It’s the Vermillion pony who says,
“Wait. Orange!”
The Salmon stallion replies “Kumquat.”
The white Pegasus, who has darker peppered tips on his wings, addresses the salmon stallion. “Is this floor secured?”
>>166478
Silver's initial reaction of panic of having three guns pointed at him, his comrades, and the survivors turns to relief when he hears the salmon and vermillion ponies speak what must be a code phrase to each other. Although the salmon stallion is the one addressed, Silver nods in response.
"This floor is secure, we are just gathering survivors we found and moving them to more secure room on second floor."
Silver's initial reaction of panic of having three guns pointed at him, his comrades, and the survivors turns to relief when he hears the salmon and vermillion ponies speak what must be a code phrase to each other. Although the salmon stallion is the one addressed, Silver nods in response.
"This floor is secure, we are just gathering survivors we found and moving them to more secure room on second floor."
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What's Nadir up to these days?
>>166482
"Unknown, most likely there are still some left. We were attacked by machine gun from top floor, though it is dead now."
"Unknown, most likely there are still some left. We were attacked by machine gun from top floor, though it is dead now."
>>166073
Amber comes to the trail, a winding road built on raised terrain above the stagnating brown leaf-stained water, composed partly of mounds of dirt that by happenstance rise above the inundated forest floor, partly of alluvial deposits built up by ancient overflows of the Griffking, partly of peat and the decomposed remains of millennia of plant growth, and partly, surely, of dirt and rocks brought from long distances to fill in and reinforce gaps in the roadway. Even in day time, this pathway must be dark, shadowed by the towering growth of ancient oak trees that must surely have grown before the Grimclaw dynasty, and flanked by a thicker undergrowth of willow trees that blot out most of the rays of the waning gibbous moon. Amber knows both rationally and instinctively that she was right to not trust the road, as the same quality that makes it so necessary to Amber and the flock, makes it attractive to danger as well. Looking into the damp dirt, Amber can see what seems to be the tracks of a recent wagon passing, the showed prints of a griffin paw, and the pawprints of some unidentified by presumably carnivorous animal. And yet the alternative is much worse. The opaque waters of the swamp surely hide quicksand, snakes, leeches, freshwater alligators, and perhaps worse... but worst of all, they take from the flock what they can least spare - time. The road is the only quick way from Katerinburg to the border at Griffking, and with haste they will be in Bronzehill by mid-morning. Amber feels tired, exhausted even, and Helder has to be persuaded by the other members not to stop long for rest at the dilapidated remains of a farmhouse present on an outcropping to the left at some point in the journey.
Amber comes to the trail, a winding road built on raised terrain above the stagnating brown leaf-stained water, composed partly of mounds of dirt that by happenstance rise above the inundated forest floor, partly of alluvial deposits built up by ancient overflows of the Griffking, partly of peat and the decomposed remains of millennia of plant growth, and partly, surely, of dirt and rocks brought from long distances to fill in and reinforce gaps in the roadway. Even in day time, this pathway must be dark, shadowed by the towering growth of ancient oak trees that must surely have grown before the Grimclaw dynasty, and flanked by a thicker undergrowth of willow trees that blot out most of the rays of the waning gibbous moon. Amber knows both rationally and instinctively that she was right to not trust the road, as the same quality that makes it so necessary to Amber and the flock, makes it attractive to danger as well. Looking into the damp dirt, Amber can see what seems to be the tracks of a recent wagon passing, the showed prints of a griffin paw, and the pawprints of some unidentified by presumably carnivorous animal. And yet the alternative is much worse. The opaque waters of the swamp surely hide quicksand, snakes, leeches, freshwater alligators, and perhaps worse... but worst of all, they take from the flock what they can least spare - time. The road is the only quick way from Katerinburg to the border at Griffking, and with haste they will be in Bronzehill by mid-morning. Amber feels tired, exhausted even, and Helder has to be persuaded by the other members not to stop long for rest at the dilapidated remains of a farmhouse present on an outcropping to the left at some point in the journey.
>>166486
Silver shakes his head.
"We found these three," he says, as he motions to the yellow pegasus, the earth pony, and the mare, "captive of group of changelings impersonating Home Guard unit in two-story room on this floor. After we killed impersonating changelings, we were attacked by machine gun from second story of room."
Silver shakes his head.
"We found these three," he says, as he motions to the yellow pegasus, the earth pony, and the mare, "captive of group of changelings impersonating Home Guard unit in two-story room on this floor. After we killed impersonating changelings, we were attacked by machine gun from second story of room."
>>166487
He pauses for a moment.
"You know a bomb was found in the regional administrative building a mile from here, in downtown." Then another pause. "I doubt they did all of this just to take the station off the air."
He pauses for a moment.
"You know a bomb was found in the regional administrative building a mile from here, in downtown." Then another pause. "I doubt they did all of this just to take the station off the air."
>>166489
"A thermal area of effect bomb that would not have left us here to be talking about it if the Homeguard and the air reserve hadn't squashed them. We don't know what they have here, but we know damn good and well it's no good for us."
"A thermal area of effect bomb that would not have left us here to be talking about it if the Homeguard and the air reserve hadn't squashed them. We don't know what they have here, but we know damn good and well it's no good for us."
>>166490
"Like Colitsyn...these civilians still have to get somewhere secure until building is cleared and we can call for evac."
"Like Colitsyn...these civilians still have to get somewhere secure until building is cleared and we can call for evac."
>>166492
Silver nods.
"Okay then, we will go finish clearing this building. Do not forget about two civilians in second floor office."
Silver nods.
"Okay then, we will go finish clearing this building. Do not forget about two civilians in second floor office."
>>166493
"Yes sir." He says. He motions to the ponies behind Silver. "You. Come with us." He takes his hoof and moves it towards himself in gesture, and the orange mare, the salmon stallion, the yellow pegasus, the green pegasus, and the red earth pony all come to him. "Not you" he says to the salmon stallion, gesturing for him to stop."
Then the white pegasus turns back to Silver.
"So who is going upstairs?"
"Yes sir." He says. He motions to the ponies behind Silver. "You. Come with us." He takes his hoof and moves it towards himself in gesture, and the orange mare, the salmon stallion, the yellow pegasus, the green pegasus, and the red earth pony all come to him. "Not you" he says to the salmon stallion, gesturing for him to stop."
Then the white pegasus turns back to Silver.
"So who is going upstairs?"
>>166494
"Definitely not...eh..." Silver turns to the salmon stallion, "I realize I never got your name."
"Definitely not...eh..." Silver turns to the salmon stallion, "I realize I never got your name."
>>166495
The Salmon stallion seems to hesitate, but answers
"Azelea Bloom... private first class in the War, but a corporal in the Homeguard." He answers
The Salmon stallion seems to hesitate, but answers
"Azelea Bloom... private first class in the War, but a corporal in the Homeguard." He answers
>>166496
Silver nots, and turns back to the white pegasus.
"He fought well but took large amount of bullets in fighting, most of which are still inside him. I worry about his continued existence if he keeps going."
Silver nots, and turns back to the white pegasus.
"He fought well but took large amount of bullets in fighting, most of which are still inside him. I worry about his continued existence if he keeps going."
>>166497
Corporal Bloom stands silently, and then nods and says “I know where this room is located.” The white Pegasus listens to Silver and then says,
“Very well. Corporal Bloom, escort the civilians downstairs.”
Corporal Bloom stands silently, and then nods and says “I know where this room is located.” The white Pegasus listens to Silver and then says,
“Very well. Corporal Bloom, escort the civilians downstairs.”
>>166499
Silver gently pats Bloom's shoulder, saying to him, "You did good today," before turning back again to the white pegasus.
"I do not know what your thoughts are as to sending somepony with him to help watch civilians, but we may need every pony we can get besides him to clear final floor."
Silver gently pats Bloom's shoulder, saying to him, "You did good today," before turning back again to the white pegasus.
"I do not know what your thoughts are as to sending somepony with him to help watch civilians, but we may need every pony we can get besides him to clear final floor."
>>166500
Bloom breathes in, then breathes out, clearly still in pain from his injuries. He nods. “Thank you.”
The white Pegasus says to Silver:
“Yeah. I agree. Corporal Bloom, can you escort them alone?”
He replies,
“If - if there’s no more bugs behind us…”
The white Pegasus:
“We just came that way. There aren’t.”
Corporal Bloom:
“Uh, yes sir. I can escort them alone.”
He motions back to the civilians
“Follow me”
Bloom breathes in, then breathes out, clearly still in pain from his injuries. He nods. “Thank you.”
The white Pegasus says to Silver:
“Yeah. I agree. Corporal Bloom, can you escort them alone?”
He replies,
“If - if there’s no more bugs behind us…”
The white Pegasus:
“We just came that way. There aren’t.”
Corporal Bloom:
“Uh, yes sir. I can escort them alone.”
He motions back to the civilians
“Follow me”
>>166502
They each nod.
The last pony in the group, the middle aged deep purple pony with the submachine gun, holds his gun up and says
“I’m from Canterlot, and I say kill them all!”
They follow Silver.
They each nod.
The last pony in the group, the middle aged deep purple pony with the submachine gun, holds his gun up and says
“I’m from Canterlot, and I say kill them all!”
They follow Silver.
>>166503
Silver leads the group back towards the unexplored part of the building, Jenny at the ready.
Silver leads the group back towards the unexplored part of the building, Jenny at the ready.
>>166485
Time is of the essence. Amber says to the rest, "We can't afford to stop. Don't make any noise, and be prepared to wade into the water if you hear a search party approaching." She idly wonders what latitude they are on if alligators may be a problem.
Time is of the essence. Amber says to the rest, "We can't afford to stop. Don't make any noise, and be prepared to wade into the water if you hear a search party approaching." She idly wonders what latitude they are on if alligators may be a problem.
>>166505
To tartarus with alligators, there could be hydras or lake serpents in these waters.
As Amber and company walk, the path becomes surrounded on both sides by water, as if built upon a berm or levy to border an inundated field now long abandoned. Federkield and Erich walk a little ahead, with Helder lagging just a little behind. Then the path goes land that is several feet above water, but overgrown with dense willow bushes and other undergrowth, capped as always by massive cypress and other deciduous trees. It isn't very far into this that Amber can see, under the dim light of the gibbous moon, a small coach mostly parked in the dirt off the road. Amber can see a yoke, but no oxen.
And next to the coach is a female griffin, whose white feathers glow under the light. She addresses Federklied and Erich. "Oh, thank Boreas you're here!"
To tartarus with alligators, there could be hydras or lake serpents in these waters.
As Amber and company walk, the path becomes surrounded on both sides by water, as if built upon a berm or levy to border an inundated field now long abandoned. Federkield and Erich walk a little ahead, with Helder lagging just a little behind. Then the path goes land that is several feet above water, but overgrown with dense willow bushes and other undergrowth, capped as always by massive cypress and other deciduous trees. It isn't very far into this that Amber can see, under the dim light of the gibbous moon, a small coach mostly parked in the dirt off the road. Amber can see a yoke, but no oxen.
And next to the coach is a female griffin, whose white feathers glow under the light. She addresses Federklied and Erich. "Oh, thank Boreas you're here!"
>>166504
Silver, Spectral Streak, and the other ponies walk up the stairs to see a single hallway that is much shorter than the hallways on the floor below, with one room to the left, one to the right, and one at the end.
Silver, Spectral Streak, and the other ponies walk up the stairs to see a single hallway that is much shorter than the hallways on the floor below, with one room to the left, one to the right, and one at the end.
>>166514
As they climb the stairs, an avalanche of bullets fired from an airship destroys the building and kills two members.
As they climb the stairs, an avalanche of bullets fired from an airship destroys the building and kills two members.
>>166513
Amber, under the pressure of escaping, has never hated damp terrain so much. She wonders to herself if the Hayseed Swamp is like this.
She is startled by this new appearance, who looks as much a ghost as griffon. The greatest surprise is that anyone but the searchers would be in this wilderness. She glares at Erich and Federklied, exclaiming, "You never told me about this!" Maybe they did, but I have no recollection of it and I'm away from my main notes
Amber, under the pressure of escaping, has never hated damp terrain so much. She wonders to herself if the Hayseed Swamp is like this.
She is startled by this new appearance, who looks as much a ghost as griffon. The greatest surprise is that anyone but the searchers would be in this wilderness. She glares at Erich and Federklied, exclaiming, "You never told me about this!" Maybe they did, but I have no recollection of it and I'm away from my main notes
>>166516
F
That's not terribly far from what could happen
>>166517
The Hayseed must surely be warmer than this, as a cool Fall breeze is stilled by the undergrowth of willows. Amber hears a rustling in the bushes, which is drowned out by the whining sound of the glowing white griffin.
"The wheel got stuck in the mud on the side of the road and... my husband went off ahead with the ox. I've been alone here for I think a few hours and you're the first to come along... surely you can help move our cart here?!"
The other members of Amber's party are no less surprised to see somegriff else on these roads. Then again, they've obviously had some recent use. Erich and Helder are curious though unwilling to be any part of this, and move slightly closer, while Federklied seems unsettled, and moves further away.
Erich replies to Amber's exclamation, if only to divert attention away from the female griffin:
"Never told you what?"
F
That's not terribly far from what could happen
>>166517
The Hayseed must surely be warmer than this, as a cool Fall breeze is stilled by the undergrowth of willows. Amber hears a rustling in the bushes, which is drowned out by the whining sound of the glowing white griffin.
"The wheel got stuck in the mud on the side of the road and... my husband went off ahead with the ox. I've been alone here for I think a few hours and you're the first to come along... surely you can help move our cart here?!"
The other members of Amber's party are no less surprised to see somegriff else on these roads. Then again, they've obviously had some recent use. Erich and Helder are curious though unwilling to be any part of this, and move slightly closer, while Federklied seems unsettled, and moves further away.
Erich replies to Amber's exclamation, if only to divert attention away from the female griffin:
"Never told you what?"
>>166518
Amber's imagination is evidently running wild again. Ghostly griffins will do that. "I thought for a moment you had a cart waiting. Nevermind."
A wagon would provide some helpful rest while continuing on their way, if only for a short while, but only if it is headed in the same direction. Amber asks the griffin, "Which way are you headed?"
Amber's imagination is evidently running wild again. Ghostly griffins will do that. "I thought for a moment you had a cart waiting. Nevermind."
A wagon would provide some helpful rest while continuing on their way, if only for a short while, but only if it is headed in the same direction. Amber asks the griffin, "Which way are you headed?"
>>166519
She looks up towards Amber and makes eye contact. Her eyes are a yellow-green, or so they seem in the moonlight. Something in her expression makes it look almost as if she wasn't expecting Amber to speak to her.
"Oh, over towards the village. By the river."
She looks up towards Amber and makes eye contact. Her eyes are a yellow-green, or so they seem in the moonlight. Something in her expression makes it look almost as if she wasn't expecting Amber to speak to her.
"Oh, over towards the village. By the river."
>>166520
Griffons always look odd, but this is definitely one of the less ugly ones.
Amber turns to Helder. "That's not the way we're going, is it?"
Griffons always look odd, but this is definitely one of the less ugly ones.
Amber turns to Helder. "That's not the way we're going, is it?"
>>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.
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>>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."
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