Continuing
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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598 replies and 19 files omitted.
>>166852
"Really? Huh...I have no idea why, it is good story. Sadly, destroying Curwhinny's phylactery had no effect on undead that were still there, and even with me fighting my way through to reach his sarcophagus there were still way too many undead to deal with on my own. I contemplated my options. I had found SMG on possession of undead New Marelander soldier in flooded quarry, and made some hoofmade explosives from coffee cannisters, fertilizer, ball bearings, and nails, so I thought I could try to lure them towards me and cut them down in one of tightly packed corridors inside catacombs, but my chances of survival would have likely been low. I was at lost on what to do when I found sudden inspiration...in form of aircraft bomb lodged in quarry wall. It had hit water of flooded quarry first so it never detonated, but it was still very much active and partially submerged underwater. I got to work restarted pumps to drain rest of quarry, I bought potion from little shop here in city called '2 Strong 4 U' to make me hidden to undead, and once quarry was drained I cleared debris from collapsed catacombs entrance. Then I fired into darkness of catacombs, yelled, dropped can of exceptionally stinky bait at my hooves, and ran like Tartarus as horde of undead came flooding out of catacombs and into quarry. I ran as fast as I could up to edge of quarry and saw more undead than I ever had before. There were undead ponies of indeterminate origin, zebra slaves, some ponies who had attacked Curwhinny all those years ago, several undead Equestrian and New Marelander soldiers, one undead knight, and one honest-to-Celestia mummy. I threw rocks down from edge of quarry to lure this horde towards bomb; one even hit bomb and partially dislodged it from its position, making so much noise it drew almost entire horde right to it. I grabbed my trusty Lavender Rifle, aimed at bomb in quarry walls, and...BOOM!" Silver has to keep himself from moving as he says this. "It was loudest sound I had ever heard in my life, my ears were ringing for good couple of minutes as rocks and debris rained around me and I celebrated. Much of quarry was covered in bits, parts, and limbs of exploded undead. No blood, though, I imagine as they were already corpses. Most of horde had been completely destroyed by explosion. Some had been torn limb from limb but were still alive, thrashing about helplessly in little water that was left in quarry without any legs. Only couple of them, including undead knight and mummy, had been outside of blast radius."
"Really? Huh...I have no idea why, it is good story. Sadly, destroying Curwhinny's phylactery had no effect on undead that were still there, and even with me fighting my way through to reach his sarcophagus there were still way too many undead to deal with on my own. I contemplated my options. I had found SMG on possession of undead New Marelander soldier in flooded quarry, and made some hoofmade explosives from coffee cannisters, fertilizer, ball bearings, and nails, so I thought I could try to lure them towards me and cut them down in one of tightly packed corridors inside catacombs, but my chances of survival would have likely been low. I was at lost on what to do when I found sudden inspiration...in form of aircraft bomb lodged in quarry wall. It had hit water of flooded quarry first so it never detonated, but it was still very much active and partially submerged underwater. I got to work restarted pumps to drain rest of quarry, I bought potion from little shop here in city called '2 Strong 4 U' to make me hidden to undead, and once quarry was drained I cleared debris from collapsed catacombs entrance. Then I fired into darkness of catacombs, yelled, dropped can of exceptionally stinky bait at my hooves, and ran like Tartarus as horde of undead came flooding out of catacombs and into quarry. I ran as fast as I could up to edge of quarry and saw more undead than I ever had before. There were undead ponies of indeterminate origin, zebra slaves, some ponies who had attacked Curwhinny all those years ago, several undead Equestrian and New Marelander soldiers, one undead knight, and one honest-to-Celestia mummy. I threw rocks down from edge of quarry to lure this horde towards bomb; one even hit bomb and partially dislodged it from its position, making so much noise it drew almost entire horde right to it. I grabbed my trusty Lavender Rifle, aimed at bomb in quarry walls, and...BOOM!" Silver has to keep himself from moving as he says this. "It was loudest sound I had ever heard in my life, my ears were ringing for good couple of minutes as rocks and debris rained around me and I celebrated. Much of quarry was covered in bits, parts, and limbs of exploded undead. No blood, though, I imagine as they were already corpses. Most of horde had been completely destroyed by explosion. Some had been torn limb from limb but were still alive, thrashing about helplessly in little water that was left in quarry without any legs. Only couple of them, including undead knight and mummy, had been outside of blast radius."
>>166853
"Careful" says the medic, who is sewing Silver's flesh
"So you attacked the darkness?" Says the pony in the rear.
"So you attacked the darkness?" Says the skeptical pony
And the purple pony says, "I've always wondered what was down below. Below the city. And what they cleared out these last few years. I always thought there was something unsettling down there. I've heard other stories. Stories like that."
"Careful" says the medic, who is sewing Silver's flesh
"So you attacked the darkness?" Says the pony in the rear.
"So you attacked the darkness?" Says the skeptical pony
And the purple pony says, "I've always wondered what was down below. Below the city. And what they cleared out these last few years. I always thought there was something unsettling down there. I've heard other stories. Stories like that."
>>166854
"In way, yes, you could say I attacked darkness. Most undead left in quarry were easy pickings after explosion. Undead without any limbs can't respond to you sniping them from afar. I did not know if I had enough ammo for undead knight and mummy, gathered near stinky bait I had left behind, but as I was getting ready to attack them, something strange and amazing happened. That bait must have been even stinkier than I had thought it would be, because all of sudden, out of sky came Roc, attracted to bait, and it began to fight with knight and mummy over it. Knight and mummy fought hard and hurt Roc badly, but Roc managed to tear them both to shreds and limped off with its prize. With that dealt with, what few undead remained in catacombs were easy pickings, and when they were all dispatched I went to owner of development company that owned quarry and claimed my payment. I must have made something like 12,000 Bits for all of that, he even had to go to bank to be able to pay me all of it. All in all, I would say it was well worth hastle, headache, and many, many injuries I suffered trying to clear those catacombs."
"In way, yes, you could say I attacked darkness. Most undead left in quarry were easy pickings after explosion. Undead without any limbs can't respond to you sniping them from afar. I did not know if I had enough ammo for undead knight and mummy, gathered near stinky bait I had left behind, but as I was getting ready to attack them, something strange and amazing happened. That bait must have been even stinkier than I had thought it would be, because all of sudden, out of sky came Roc, attracted to bait, and it began to fight with knight and mummy over it. Knight and mummy fought hard and hurt Roc badly, but Roc managed to tear them both to shreds and limped off with its prize. With that dealt with, what few undead remained in catacombs were easy pickings, and when they were all dispatched I went to owner of development company that owned quarry and claimed my payment. I must have made something like 12,000 Bits for all of that, he even had to go to bank to be able to pay me all of it. All in all, I would say it was well worth hastle, headache, and many, many injuries I suffered trying to clear those catacombs."
>>166855
Purple: "12,000 Bits? What is that in Assignats now? That sounds like a lot"
The pony in the rear
"30,000 easily. No wonder his partner became governor. He's loaded."
Purple pony:
"Must have been a lot of opportunity in those days"
The medic
"I'll definitely believe he absorbed all of those injuries. Stallion is like a tank"
Skeptical pony:
"Yeah, we saw him absorb quite a few bullets. I can believe it"
Purple: "12,000 Bits? What is that in Assignats now? That sounds like a lot"
The pony in the rear
"30,000 easily. No wonder his partner became governor. He's loaded."
Purple pony:
"Must have been a lot of opportunity in those days"
The medic
"I'll definitely believe he absorbed all of those injuries. Stallion is like a tank"
Skeptical pony:
"Yeah, we saw him absorb quite a few bullets. I can believe it"
>>166856
"And thank goddess for that. Worst injury I got during that was from undead New Marelander who had that SMG. He swiped my neck twice with one of his hooves, nearly tearing my throat out in process. It was dangerous work, but money was there. Some momentary pain and distress is well worth long term comfort for yourself and loved ones."
"And thank goddess for that. Worst injury I got during that was from undead New Marelander who had that SMG. He swiped my neck twice with one of his hooves, nearly tearing my throat out in process. It was dangerous work, but money was there. Some momentary pain and distress is well worth long term comfort for yourself and loved ones."
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>>166857
The ponies sit by in silence. Then the white pegasus speaks up
"You heard what he said. A little pain and distress, for the long termed benefit of your loved ones. Keep calm, and we'll see this through."
"I think-" says a pony, but he's cut off.
From the cockpit, Silver hears the sound of a radio as its volume is turned up, and he hears the speaking voice of the radio announcer from earlier
"-this message comes signed off by a quorum of the Directory. They have asked us to read the following statement live, and then broadcast a delayed recording transmitted to us. Well, here it goes,
'By a meeting of a quorum of the Directory, the Directory has declared the current military situation to be a crisis. To address this crisis, the Director has appointed a Master of the Ponies. This Master of the Ponies will have full powers of the State, including over legislation, foreign affairs, the judiciary, and the armed forces, to appoint and dismiss ministers, and may rule by decree, subject only to post facto review by the Directory. The pony appointed to this role is Long March, Quartermaster General of the Republican Armed Forces, and his term will last until October 2 of 1022, or until the conclusion of the crisis, whichever is first. Martial law has been declared. Effective immediately and until October 2, the Directory suspended the legislatures of the Republics of New Mareland, East Equestria, Puerto Caballo, and Severyana, and has placed under the direct control of the UPR Military. Likewise, the protectorates of Chirroptera, Maregypt, Gryphus, Karthin..." A number of names are given. "-have been placed under the direct military administration of the UPR for a period not to exceed six months. The protectorates of Asterion, Puimont, and Falcor are hereby dissolved and placed under indefinite military rule. Furthermore, the Directory has declared the suspension of the Constitution of 1022 and of Habeas Corpus. The Directory has adjourned and is in recess, to meet again at an unscheduled date." There is a brief pause, and the presenter reads off "Long Live the Republic." Another brief pause, and the presenter says, "well my friends.... let's see... the broadcast should be patched through in... seven, six, five, four, three...."
The ponies sit by in silence. Then the white pegasus speaks up
"You heard what he said. A little pain and distress, for the long termed benefit of your loved ones. Keep calm, and we'll see this through."
"I think-" says a pony, but he's cut off.
From the cockpit, Silver hears the sound of a radio as its volume is turned up, and he hears the speaking voice of the radio announcer from earlier
"-this message comes signed off by a quorum of the Directory. They have asked us to read the following statement live, and then broadcast a delayed recording transmitted to us. Well, here it goes,
'By a meeting of a quorum of the Directory, the Directory has declared the current military situation to be a crisis. To address this crisis, the Director has appointed a Master of the Ponies. This Master of the Ponies will have full powers of the State, including over legislation, foreign affairs, the judiciary, and the armed forces, to appoint and dismiss ministers, and may rule by decree, subject only to post facto review by the Directory. The pony appointed to this role is Long March, Quartermaster General of the Republican Armed Forces, and his term will last until October 2 of 1022, or until the conclusion of the crisis, whichever is first. Martial law has been declared. Effective immediately and until October 2, the Directory suspended the legislatures of the Republics of New Mareland, East Equestria, Puerto Caballo, and Severyana, and has placed under the direct control of the UPR Military. Likewise, the protectorates of Chirroptera, Maregypt, Gryphus, Karthin..." A number of names are given. "-have been placed under the direct military administration of the UPR for a period not to exceed six months. The protectorates of Asterion, Puimont, and Falcor are hereby dissolved and placed under indefinite military rule. Furthermore, the Directory has declared the suspension of the Constitution of 1022 and of Habeas Corpus. The Directory has adjourned and is in recess, to meet again at an unscheduled date." There is a brief pause, and the presenter reads off "Long Live the Republic." Another brief pause, and the presenter says, "well my friends.... let's see... the broadcast should be patched through in... seven, six, five, four, three...."
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>>166567
>>166840
Amber "sees" the figures before her, the figures known by no name to any language, but may with vulgarity and imprecision be likened to bats made of gas. Before they danced rapturously, but with the arrival of that blackness that may be likened to a deep-sea plume, they now float at attention, facing the plume as if it were their master, or a priest. The yelling has ceased, and no longer can Amber hear rifle report, but neither can she hear that reply, high and low, from her fellow players. The direction of the wind has changed, and though leaves and branches still rattle, Amber's music becomes the preponderant sound pervading the night.
Amber has long known that through music, the mind may be liberated from the limitations of space and time. That infinite gulf between subject and object, or subject and subject, evaporates as Amber saws away another note. She feels she could see through the eyes of another creature, and become witness to scenes and places far away, long ago, or even that which has yet to occur. She could feel what they felt. Think what they thought. See what they saw. But why shackle experience to that which may be seen with the eyes, thought by a limited mind, or felt by a limited soul? Why... when there is so much more?
A whisper comes to Amber, riding the treble as the edge of her bow saws the string. It comes not in the form of words, but of images, images so alien that neither may her eyes see them, nor words express them. But need her field of view be limited to her eyes alone? Why need she be limited to eyes alone? The first vision is of peering through a complex refraction of translucent space, best analogized to a mirror, infinitely reflecting itself, or looking down an infinitely repeating staircase as the same image is repeated again and again. The second vision may be likened to a tempestuous ocean, if perhaps an ocean belonging to a world with laws of gravity unlike our own, with ever moving fluid that reflect violet light in lighter and darker waves. But Amber perceives that this boiling ocean is not of any matter, nor any substance suspended in space and time, but of pure desire - an ocean of the pure desire to dominate.
Amber's perception becomes less of visions, and more of direct emotions. She feels ecstasy, as she has since she began playing, of a kind she can claim to have felt only a few times before in her life. She feels pain, physical pain, that she knows intrudes from the world beyond, the "real" world, undoubtedly caused by the exertion of so furiously sawing her bow. But never mind that. She is exploring a new world here, or perhaps even several worlds. This continues for a couple minutes, until her talons happen to dip into the edge of one of those oceans, a black green abyss that stretches beyond perception. Amber feels it. Fear. Not fear of anything, nor deriving from any known cause, but a fear felt as if in a night terror, directly injected into the mind. And with this, her desire to explore these realms of pure emotion ceases.
Normally, feeling pure fear, like a child in a nightmare, would cause her to "wake," to cease playing and to open her eyes. But Amber knows better than to do that. And she is more disciplined than to do that. She has better self control than to make such a self evident mistake. The visions cease, but Amber mechanically plays more notes. Not with rapture, but with purpose. The fear persists at lower intensity, though it is no longer the uncaused fear of a night terror, but something deeper, and more primordial. It comes now from a sensation, and maybe even a thought, that was suggested to Amber much earlier, when her focus was on the dancing figures. Though before the sensation was drowned out by competing emotions, it persists. It's the sensation of being watched by a predator, like a mountain lion that stalks you as you walk along a mountain trail. Amber's extremely tired forelegs continue playing the same repetition of notes for what feels like an hour, even if in real time it's more likely two minutes.
And then, it is done. Amber may cease playing, open up her eyes, and join her comrades.
>>166840
Amber "sees" the figures before her, the figures known by no name to any language, but may with vulgarity and imprecision be likened to bats made of gas. Before they danced rapturously, but with the arrival of that blackness that may be likened to a deep-sea plume, they now float at attention, facing the plume as if it were their master, or a priest. The yelling has ceased, and no longer can Amber hear rifle report, but neither can she hear that reply, high and low, from her fellow players. The direction of the wind has changed, and though leaves and branches still rattle, Amber's music becomes the preponderant sound pervading the night.
Amber has long known that through music, the mind may be liberated from the limitations of space and time. That infinite gulf between subject and object, or subject and subject, evaporates as Amber saws away another note. She feels she could see through the eyes of another creature, and become witness to scenes and places far away, long ago, or even that which has yet to occur. She could feel what they felt. Think what they thought. See what they saw. But why shackle experience to that which may be seen with the eyes, thought by a limited mind, or felt by a limited soul? Why... when there is so much more?
A whisper comes to Amber, riding the treble as the edge of her bow saws the string. It comes not in the form of words, but of images, images so alien that neither may her eyes see them, nor words express them. But need her field of view be limited to her eyes alone? Why need she be limited to eyes alone? The first vision is of peering through a complex refraction of translucent space, best analogized to a mirror, infinitely reflecting itself, or looking down an infinitely repeating staircase as the same image is repeated again and again. The second vision may be likened to a tempestuous ocean, if perhaps an ocean belonging to a world with laws of gravity unlike our own, with ever moving fluid that reflect violet light in lighter and darker waves. But Amber perceives that this boiling ocean is not of any matter, nor any substance suspended in space and time, but of pure desire - an ocean of the pure desire to dominate.
Amber's perception becomes less of visions, and more of direct emotions. She feels ecstasy, as she has since she began playing, of a kind she can claim to have felt only a few times before in her life. She feels pain, physical pain, that she knows intrudes from the world beyond, the "real" world, undoubtedly caused by the exertion of so furiously sawing her bow. But never mind that. She is exploring a new world here, or perhaps even several worlds. This continues for a couple minutes, until her talons happen to dip into the edge of one of those oceans, a black green abyss that stretches beyond perception. Amber feels it. Fear. Not fear of anything, nor deriving from any known cause, but a fear felt as if in a night terror, directly injected into the mind. And with this, her desire to explore these realms of pure emotion ceases.
Normally, feeling pure fear, like a child in a nightmare, would cause her to "wake," to cease playing and to open her eyes. But Amber knows better than to do that. And she is more disciplined than to do that. She has better self control than to make such a self evident mistake. The visions cease, but Amber mechanically plays more notes. Not with rapture, but with purpose. The fear persists at lower intensity, though it is no longer the uncaused fear of a night terror, but something deeper, and more primordial. It comes now from a sensation, and maybe even a thought, that was suggested to Amber much earlier, when her focus was on the dancing figures. Though before the sensation was drowned out by competing emotions, it persists. It's the sensation of being watched by a predator, like a mountain lion that stalks you as you walk along a mountain trail. Amber's extremely tired forelegs continue playing the same repetition of notes for what feels like an hour, even if in real time it's more likely two minutes.
And then, it is done. Amber may cease playing, open up her eyes, and join her comrades.
>>166872
>>166857
There's the slightest sound of static, and then, Silver hears a voice. The source is a stallion maybe a little younger than Silver, with an accent that seems to be a Dominion permutation of a Griffish Isle accent.
"Hello ponies. Can you hear me? heh heh. I wasn't expecting to have to give a speech. I haven't really done speeches before. This is Long March. As you've heard I've just been appointed Master of the Ponies. The Directory thought I should speak to the ponies, so that way they know who rules them. I uh, haven't had to do that in my past roles. I suppose I should tell you who I am. I was born to a family of poor ranch workers in the state of Kingfisher. The military was my only path to advancement, and I was fortunately enough to be enrolled into university and become an officer, serving in logistics and distribution, and sometimes as an industry liaison. I am a lifelong military officer. I have served in the Galyippoli campaign, the Dominion mine revolt, the Wars of Security, and as a general in the War Against the Princesses and against Wingbardy, besides a number of other efforts like disaster relief or building the railways in Zaphzia. Two years ago I was made quartermaster general of the entire United Republican Army. Just an hour ago I was in charge of logistics of the Glorious Crusade. Heh heh... The Directory wants you to know - I want you to know - that this is not some unplanned for event. No. This is simply a consolidation and simplification of the decision-making process in response to the potential danger posed to our leadership by the enemy. It's a purely precautionary measure taken not because our situation makes it necessary, but so we are ready before it becomes necessary. Let me assure you..."
There's a sound of him licking a part of his lips, as if his mouth is dry
"The situation on the front and on the homefront is under... control. The enemy may strike back harder than we hoped... to be sure, but it is not harder or worse than we prepared for. We have special, secure communications networks, secure underground bunkers, secure rail lines, and stockpiles of food, fuel, medicine, and weapons to last more than a year. The appointment of a Master of the Ponies is just a part of that. A contingency prepared ahead of time. Understand... if we stick to it, we will prevail. Ponykind will be made whole again. And the future we make for our foals will be brighter than where we are today... Long. Live. The Republic"
That last word is almost inflected like a question. The sound of the broadcast continues in silence for a few seconds, until it cuts out and music begins. Finally, the broadcaster adds
"That concludes the message given to us by the government. We have received orders to the effect that we are to broadcast only when deemed necessary by officials, and only what they deem necessary. We are to remain off the air otherwise. Until you hear from us again I suppose, hopefully in just a few hours. Stay strong out there. This is Friend of the Ponies, signing off."
Music plays, though the pilot turns the volume down.
>>166857
There's the slightest sound of static, and then, Silver hears a voice. The source is a stallion maybe a little younger than Silver, with an accent that seems to be a Dominion permutation of a Griffish Isle accent.
"Hello ponies. Can you hear me? heh heh. I wasn't expecting to have to give a speech. I haven't really done speeches before. This is Long March. As you've heard I've just been appointed Master of the Ponies. The Directory thought I should speak to the ponies, so that way they know who rules them. I uh, haven't had to do that in my past roles. I suppose I should tell you who I am. I was born to a family of poor ranch workers in the state of Kingfisher. The military was my only path to advancement, and I was fortunately enough to be enrolled into university and become an officer, serving in logistics and distribution, and sometimes as an industry liaison. I am a lifelong military officer. I have served in the Galyippoli campaign, the Dominion mine revolt, the Wars of Security, and as a general in the War Against the Princesses and against Wingbardy, besides a number of other efforts like disaster relief or building the railways in Zaphzia. Two years ago I was made quartermaster general of the entire United Republican Army. Just an hour ago I was in charge of logistics of the Glorious Crusade. Heh heh... The Directory wants you to know - I want you to know - that this is not some unplanned for event. No. This is simply a consolidation and simplification of the decision-making process in response to the potential danger posed to our leadership by the enemy. It's a purely precautionary measure taken not because our situation makes it necessary, but so we are ready before it becomes necessary. Let me assure you..."
There's a sound of him licking a part of his lips, as if his mouth is dry
"The situation on the front and on the homefront is under... control. The enemy may strike back harder than we hoped... to be sure, but it is not harder or worse than we prepared for. We have special, secure communications networks, secure underground bunkers, secure rail lines, and stockpiles of food, fuel, medicine, and weapons to last more than a year. The appointment of a Master of the Ponies is just a part of that. A contingency prepared ahead of time. Understand... if we stick to it, we will prevail. Ponykind will be made whole again. And the future we make for our foals will be brighter than where we are today... Long. Live. The Republic"
That last word is almost inflected like a question. The sound of the broadcast continues in silence for a few seconds, until it cuts out and music begins. Finally, the broadcaster adds
"That concludes the message given to us by the government. We have received orders to the effect that we are to broadcast only when deemed necessary by officials, and only what they deem necessary. We are to remain off the air otherwise. Until you hear from us again I suppose, hopefully in just a few hours. Stay strong out there. This is Friend of the Ponies, signing off."
Music plays, though the pilot turns the volume down.
>>166921
Silver is the first to break the silence.
"Hmm. He does not seem to have much experience with public speaking."
Silver is the first to break the silence.
"Hmm. He does not seem to have much experience with public speaking."
>>166922
The white stallion replies
"No. No he doesn't"
Then the purple stallion
"The First counsel could word it better..."
Then the white stallion retorts
"Sounds better than you if you were put on the spot"
The white stallion replies
"No. No he doesn't"
Then the purple stallion
"The First counsel could word it better..."
Then the white stallion retorts
"Sounds better than you if you were put on the spot"
>>166923
"I suppose we ultimately do not need somepony with that kind of experience. Rousing, impassioned speeches may inspire soldiers, but speeches are also for political campaigns." He sighs. "Still, though...he is sorely lackey presense and authority our commanders had during Great War."
"I suppose we ultimately do not need somepony with that kind of experience. Rousing, impassioned speeches may inspire soldiers, but speeches are also for political campaigns." He sighs. "Still, though...he is sorely lackey presense and authority our commanders had during Great War."
>>166840
>>166920
Amber's musicality in the most inhospitable of environments has given her a window that generations of mystics have sought to peer through. The "dancers" in front of her that defy description would have sufficed to awe and mesmerize any pony or griffon that did not possess this power, and the manifestation resembles ancient forbidden rites done for arcane purposes. Yet once this veil has thinned the urge to go onwards is undeniable.
It was never intended for her to view such things. Lying before her are fractals that would give the most brilliant mathematicians pause and spaces that the most imaginative surrealists could not visualize, but what captures her attention is pure, unfiltered, foreign emotion, if it indeed be that and not merely a side effect of something ineffable. Were she more lucid she would wonder how emotion could exist outside of any being, but almost as if entranced she mentally dives headfirst into such a strange world and feeling suffused by it.
This brief sojourn ends with the sensation of the starkest terror she has ever known, with the memories of those bandits and the Inquisition and even the changelings seeming dim and inconsequential in comparison. A discipline not entirely her own prevents her from cutting off the music, which would have at best perhaps left part of herself in that strange realm. The music continues, painfully slowing and finally reaching an artless conclusion.
Shaking from sheer fatigue, Amber slowly opens her eyes and looks around. Try as she might, she cannot shake that pitted sensation of doing something abominably wrong and being caught for it, though the precise reason of this dread defies her. What just happened in the here and now?
>>166920
Amber's musicality in the most inhospitable of environments has given her a window that generations of mystics have sought to peer through. The "dancers" in front of her that defy description would have sufficed to awe and mesmerize any pony or griffon that did not possess this power, and the manifestation resembles ancient forbidden rites done for arcane purposes. Yet once this veil has thinned the urge to go onwards is undeniable.
It was never intended for her to view such things. Lying before her are fractals that would give the most brilliant mathematicians pause and spaces that the most imaginative surrealists could not visualize, but what captures her attention is pure, unfiltered, foreign emotion, if it indeed be that and not merely a side effect of something ineffable. Were she more lucid she would wonder how emotion could exist outside of any being, but almost as if entranced she mentally dives headfirst into such a strange world and feeling suffused by it.
This brief sojourn ends with the sensation of the starkest terror she has ever known, with the memories of those bandits and the Inquisition and even the changelings seeming dim and inconsequential in comparison. A discipline not entirely her own prevents her from cutting off the music, which would have at best perhaps left part of herself in that strange realm. The music continues, painfully slowing and finally reaching an artless conclusion.
Shaking from sheer fatigue, Amber slowly opens her eyes and looks around. Try as she might, she cannot shake that pitted sensation of doing something abominably wrong and being caught for it, though the precise reason of this dread defies her. What just happened in the here and now?
>>166924
If the ponies intended to answer, they don't answer immediately, but look towards Silver in somber silence. Two of them seem to nod.
Silver hears a radio, this one coming to the white stallion
""This is Brigadier General Circling Camp of the 78th Republican Guard Reverses. Per the Magister Mannis, all Homeguard Units are now under the authority and direction of the Republican Guard, which places all units in Baltimare under my command. Now, the Magister Mannis has decreed that disabling all mass-thermal devices is of top priority, and I whole-heartedly agree. Our reports suggest that Baltimare has or had three devices. One was smuggled into the naval base on the south side of the harbor. The infiltration team that was supposed to detonate this device was picked up in last night's raid, and the device was found earlier. Another device was in the center of the city in the administrative building. This was disabled by homeguard forces before it could be activated. A team communicating with enemy forces abroad, presumably to receive activation codes was located and destroyed in the WMARE building. But a fourth group, presumably with a device, is located in the Redheart district of town in the transportation ministry. We don't know why they haven't denotated the device yet, but we're not exactly eager to find out, as they may denotate it at any time. We're asking all available units to be ready to attack this position. Stand by."
If the ponies intended to answer, they don't answer immediately, but look towards Silver in somber silence. Two of them seem to nod.
Silver hears a radio, this one coming to the white stallion
""This is Brigadier General Circling Camp of the 78th Republican Guard Reverses. Per the Magister Mannis, all Homeguard Units are now under the authority and direction of the Republican Guard, which places all units in Baltimare under my command. Now, the Magister Mannis has decreed that disabling all mass-thermal devices is of top priority, and I whole-heartedly agree. Our reports suggest that Baltimare has or had three devices. One was smuggled into the naval base on the south side of the harbor. The infiltration team that was supposed to detonate this device was picked up in last night's raid, and the device was found earlier. Another device was in the center of the city in the administrative building. This was disabled by homeguard forces before it could be activated. A team communicating with enemy forces abroad, presumably to receive activation codes was located and destroyed in the WMARE building. But a fourth group, presumably with a device, is located in the Redheart district of town in the transportation ministry. We don't know why they haven't denotated the device yet, but we're not exactly eager to find out, as they may denotate it at any time. We're asking all available units to be ready to attack this position. Stand by."
>>166933
>>166933
Amber opens her eyes to see nothing that wasn't there when she closed them. The leaves of the trees, as well as the branches, shake ever so slightly. But these have calmed down. There is no wind, but a slight cool autumn breeze. The moon shines down, though the forest canopy blocks most of it. A few leaves fall around Amber. Besides the slight rustle of the trees, there is no sound.
Her forelegs ache. For the moment, it seems as if Amber was premature in believing herself to have been caught.
>>166933
Amber opens her eyes to see nothing that wasn't there when she closed them. The leaves of the trees, as well as the branches, shake ever so slightly. But these have calmed down. There is no wind, but a slight cool autumn breeze. The moon shines down, though the forest canopy blocks most of it. A few leaves fall around Amber. Besides the slight rustle of the trees, there is no sound.
Her forelegs ache. For the moment, it seems as if Amber was premature in believing herself to have been caught.
>>166934
"Goddesses, how many of these bombs do Changelings have? I suppose we have our next target..."
"Goddesses, how many of these bombs do Changelings have? I suppose we have our next target..."
>>166936
"Don't we have wounded to evacuate?" Asks a pony, presumably the pilot, from the copula above
"Don't we have wounded to evacuate?" Asks a pony, presumably the pilot, from the copula above
>>166937
"I suppose so...but it is not as if you have need of me for such task. Take me to Redheart."
"I suppose so...but it is not as if you have need of me for such task. Take me to Redheart."
>>166938
The white pony looks back to Silver.
"Well, then let's not run away from the fight." He looks up to the cupola "Take us to the Transit Ministry" Then he looks back to Silver "And to answer your question, too damned many."
Silver hears the pilot speak over the radio
"Air control, we will not be proceeding to deliver wounded in Blackwater. We will be joining the fight with a hoof full of infantry at the Transit Ministry."
Silver can hear the reply
"Very well, turn around, there is a courtyard clearing a hundred meters south of the transit ministry that should be clear, may be hot." a pause, and "Be advised, you will not be at a safe distance in the event that device goes off. Do you understand?"
And the pilot,
"Roger that. We know what we are getting into."
Corporal Bloom, all bandaged up, looks back to Silver and the white pegasus
"So we're going back to the shooting?"
The white pony looks back to Silver.
"Well, then let's not run away from the fight." He looks up to the cupola "Take us to the Transit Ministry" Then he looks back to Silver "And to answer your question, too damned many."
Silver hears the pilot speak over the radio
"Air control, we will not be proceeding to deliver wounded in Blackwater. We will be joining the fight with a hoof full of infantry at the Transit Ministry."
Silver can hear the reply
"Very well, turn around, there is a courtyard clearing a hundred meters south of the transit ministry that should be clear, may be hot." a pause, and "Be advised, you will not be at a safe distance in the event that device goes off. Do you understand?"
And the pilot,
"Roger that. We know what we are getting into."
Corporal Bloom, all bandaged up, looks back to Silver and the white pegasus
"So we're going back to the shooting?"
>>166944
The medic speaks
"There's a bit left, yes. He'll feel numb, but it does reduce pain."
Silver can feel the vehicle make a sharp left turn, and the view outside of single family homes and trees in the distance, is replaced by the waters of the horseshoe bay.
The medic speaks
"There's a bit left, yes. He'll feel numb, but it does reduce pain."
Silver can feel the vehicle make a sharp left turn, and the view outside of single family homes and trees in the distance, is replaced by the waters of the horseshoe bay.
>>166946
"Okay..." Corporal Bloom nods
Spectral Streak speaks to Silver
"Look out there. They got Fillydelphia..."
Looking out the window, Silver can see the somewhat familiar visage of the Baltimare Harbor from Locust Promontory to Cherry Hill, with its rows of warehouses near the shore, and piers that stretch out into the water, with several freighters waiting. The mostly blue skies have a slight, dark haze over them, and comet tails, visible in broad daylight streak across the sky. Far off in the distance are vast, black clouds that stretch almost into. But most ominously, right in the center of Silver's field of view looking north, is a twisted black cloud with a mushroom-like shape, peering out over the horizon, beyond the hill on the peninsula.
"Okay..." Corporal Bloom nods
Spectral Streak speaks to Silver
"Look out there. They got Fillydelphia..."
Looking out the window, Silver can see the somewhat familiar visage of the Baltimare Harbor from Locust Promontory to Cherry Hill, with its rows of warehouses near the shore, and piers that stretch out into the water, with several freighters waiting. The mostly blue skies have a slight, dark haze over them, and comet tails, visible in broad daylight streak across the sky. Far off in the distance are vast, black clouds that stretch almost into. But most ominously, right in the center of Silver's field of view looking north, is a twisted black cloud with a mushroom-like shape, peering out over the horizon, beyond the hill on the peninsula.
>>166947
"Богини спасают нас..."
Silver is left speechless for a moment afterwards.
"I have witnessed explosions before, but none I have seen have made cloud of that size..." Despite his fear, he steels himself, a look of resolve on his face. "That is more reminder than we will ever need of importance of our mission. We will succeed, because we must. This is our home, our families, and we will be damned to lowest levels of Tartarus before we let these insects destroy it."
"Богини спасают нас..."
Silver is left speechless for a moment afterwards.
"I have witnessed explosions before, but none I have seen have made cloud of that size..." Despite his fear, he steels himself, a look of resolve on his face. "That is more reminder than we will ever need of importance of our mission. We will succeed, because we must. This is our home, our families, and we will be damned to lowest levels of Tartarus before we let these insects destroy it."
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>>166935
Amber looks around for her friends or the bandits. Despite the stillness of the night she is still apprehensive; it is, after all, midnight in the middle of a dark deserted swamp.
She sits down to rest. Despite her forelegs being different from her hindlegs, she's still a quadruped and isn't exactly in a state to move.
Amber looks around for her friends or the bandits. Despite the stillness of the night she is still apprehensive; it is, after all, midnight in the middle of a dark deserted swamp.
She sits down to rest. Despite her forelegs being different from her hindlegs, she's still a quadruped and isn't exactly in a state to move.
>>166948
The white pegasus tells the ponies,
"You heard him. This is our homes we are fighting for. And they have shown they will burn us all if we do not stop them. Have your weapons ready when we hit the ground."
The vehicle moves in closer. Silver can see that the old rows of tenements are long gone, and the vehicle moves past a wall into an area with some new looking warehouses, a few older abandoned buildings, and quite a few simply empty, sandy lots, occasionally flanked by new looking, modern manufactories.
Silver sees it: the transportation ministry. It's a rather large building of white stone, mostly rectangular in shape, running north to south, with raised ends, and a raised center with a small dome on top. In front of this building, and towards the direction of the water, is a massive open area, partly covered in grass, partly in gravel, and with a few decorations Silver can see is intended to be a plaza. New constructions of commercial buildings are on the far side. But to the edge of the building and north is a much older building of a square shape with a dome, and to the south is what seems to be a warehouse. As the vehicle approaches, a now familiar sound echos throughout the city, overcoming even the loud sound of engines and spinning rotors.
In the days of legend, the wailing of the banshee was feared, as it foretold coming doom. Someone would die tonight. Silver hears a wailing sound perhaps analogous to the ominous cry of the banshee, but this is no ghostly wail of creature beyond nature, but the two-toned electronic howl of the Signal Thunderbolt. With its prolongated "Awooo" rising in volume, lowering, and then rising again, this is no all-clear, but the third warning of the morning. Whether the mundanity of the source is more assuring than the supernatural is up to the listener.
The white pegasus tells the ponies,
"You heard him. This is our homes we are fighting for. And they have shown they will burn us all if we do not stop them. Have your weapons ready when we hit the ground."
The vehicle moves in closer. Silver can see that the old rows of tenements are long gone, and the vehicle moves past a wall into an area with some new looking warehouses, a few older abandoned buildings, and quite a few simply empty, sandy lots, occasionally flanked by new looking, modern manufactories.
Silver sees it: the transportation ministry. It's a rather large building of white stone, mostly rectangular in shape, running north to south, with raised ends, and a raised center with a small dome on top. In front of this building, and towards the direction of the water, is a massive open area, partly covered in grass, partly in gravel, and with a few decorations Silver can see is intended to be a plaza. New constructions of commercial buildings are on the far side. But to the edge of the building and north is a much older building of a square shape with a dome, and to the south is what seems to be a warehouse. As the vehicle approaches, a now familiar sound echos throughout the city, overcoming even the loud sound of engines and spinning rotors.
In the days of legend, the wailing of the banshee was feared, as it foretold coming doom. Someone would die tonight. Silver hears a wailing sound perhaps analogous to the ominous cry of the banshee, but this is no ghostly wail of creature beyond nature, but the two-toned electronic howl of the Signal Thunderbolt. With its prolongated "Awooo" rising in volume, lowering, and then rising again, this is no all-clear, but the third warning of the morning. Whether the mundanity of the source is more assuring than the supernatural is up to the listener.
>>166950
Amber is alone in her hiding spot, separate from friends and bandits alike. It's rather calm, actually. The ground is soft, though not too moist. She's tired, but her previous experience at least gave her some adrenaline.
Amber is alone in her hiding spot, separate from friends and bandits alike. It's rather calm, actually. The ground is soft, though not too moist. She's tired, but her previous experience at least gave her some adrenaline.
>>166951
Someone would indeed die tonight, and Silver will make sure that it isn't him or his loved ones. Somewhat numb to the pain coursing through his body, Silver gets up, grabs the LMG he picked up off of the changeling at the TV station, and readies it for combat.
Someone would indeed die tonight, and Silver will make sure that it isn't him or his loved ones. Somewhat numb to the pain coursing through his body, Silver gets up, grabs the LMG he picked up off of the changeling at the TV station, and readies it for combat.
>>166952
Despite her fatigue, or rather because of it, she checks her viol for any possible damage incurred while playing, then stows it and gets up. There's a danger that if she doesn't move she might fall asleep where she is. She looks for her friends, reasoning that if the bandits were still around they would have seized her already while she was playing music.
Despite her fatigue, or rather because of it, she checks her viol for any possible damage incurred while playing, then stows it and gets up. There's a danger that if she doesn't move she might fall asleep where she is. She looks for her friends, reasoning that if the bandits were still around they would have seized her already while she was playing music.
>>166953
The vehicle aligns itself next to the ministry building in the large plaza in front of it. It starts to descend. And then Silver hears another noise that by now, is also all too familar. It's a sort of zip sound, a "tatata that's much too close together. And Silver hears thumbs against the hull of the vehicle as what is clearly a changeling machine gun shoots at them, and lands several hits. There is a sudden jerking as the engines accelerate, the vehicle pulls up, and quickly to the north. Silver hears the pilot and copilot yelling "Too hot" and "get us out of here!" as the vehicle swerves up, over the dome, and then lowers itself as the zipping continues. There is another, albeit smaller clearing of dirt next to an abandoned building behind the square domed building. But the vehicle manages to come down and land. The pilot speaks to them,
"This was the closest we could get without being exposed in the open."
>>166954
Perhaps the strings are a little more worn than before, but no. Everything is in perfect condition.
Amber moves back towards the road, and sees that her comrades are already up and moving about. Helder comments "Glad you came through."
Erich comments
"Had to show off, didn't you?"
And Federkleid:
"So that's... what you do here. Okay..."
There are a few conspicuous holes, as if nibbled away by a beaver, on the carriage and on a pair of trees, as well as one visible in the ground beside the road. That, and a number of leaves cover the road. But other than that, it's much as when Amber left it, with shadow covering much of the road and the shoulder, and moonlight illuminating the other portion.
The vehicle aligns itself next to the ministry building in the large plaza in front of it. It starts to descend. And then Silver hears another noise that by now, is also all too familar. It's a sort of zip sound, a "tatata that's much too close together. And Silver hears thumbs against the hull of the vehicle as what is clearly a changeling machine gun shoots at them, and lands several hits. There is a sudden jerking as the engines accelerate, the vehicle pulls up, and quickly to the north. Silver hears the pilot and copilot yelling "Too hot" and "get us out of here!" as the vehicle swerves up, over the dome, and then lowers itself as the zipping continues. There is another, albeit smaller clearing of dirt next to an abandoned building behind the square domed building. But the vehicle manages to come down and land. The pilot speaks to them,
"This was the closest we could get without being exposed in the open."
>>166954
Perhaps the strings are a little more worn than before, but no. Everything is in perfect condition.
Amber moves back towards the road, and sees that her comrades are already up and moving about. Helder comments "Glad you came through."
Erich comments
"Had to show off, didn't you?"
And Federkleid:
"So that's... what you do here. Okay..."
There are a few conspicuous holes, as if nibbled away by a beaver, on the carriage and on a pair of trees, as well as one visible in the ground beside the road. That, and a number of leaves cover the road. But other than that, it's much as when Amber left it, with shadow covering much of the road and the shoulder, and moonlight illuminating the other portion.
>>166955
Somewhat befuddled as to how her friends are still here but not the bandits, Amber meekly asks, "Are you all alright? We need to get going."
Somewhat befuddled as to how her friends are still here but not the bandits, Amber meekly asks, "Are you all alright? We need to get going."
>>166956
Erich answers
"Yes, and we do. We need to get going to get to the fair by the morning."
Helder picks up a rifle, to see that that the end is sawn off. He picks up a different rifle, and pulls back the action to insert a clip. But he too eventually pays attention to Amber
Erich answers
"Yes, and we do. We need to get going to get to the fair by the morning."
Helder picks up a rifle, to see that that the end is sawn off. He picks up a different rifle, and pulls back the action to insert a clip. But he too eventually pays attention to Amber
>>166958
"We're going to the fair?" she asks, not having heard about this course of action earlier, or perhaps forgetting it.
"We're going to the fair?" she asks, not having heard about this course of action earlier, or perhaps forgetting it.
>>166959
"I do!" shouts the purple stallion. Azelea Bloom also seems to be smiling, if limping. Even the medic seems to be deployed, with a curved magazine submachine gun. But the white pegasus asks,
"How will we approach the building? They have machine guns and there is open space on every side around the building."
>>166960
reee that was supposed to say "ferry"
"I do!" shouts the purple stallion. Azelea Bloom also seems to be smiling, if limping. Even the medic seems to be deployed, with a curved magazine submachine gun. But the white pegasus asks,
"How will we approach the building? They have machine guns and there is open space on every side around the building."
>>166960
reee that was supposed to say "ferry"
>>166961
Ignore my previous reply then
Nonplussed, Amber says "That is crucial. Will we be able to afford the fare?"
Ignore my previous reply then
Nonplussed, Amber says "That is crucial. Will we be able to afford the fare?"
>>166962
Federklied:
"We better. Erich, did you get you money?"
Erich
"What I had. I wasn't going to leave it."
Federklied:
"But do you have enough?"
Erich
"Well, if I don't then Helder does
Helder
"Yeah yeah, of course you can't keep money. I have enough for that and to bribe the guards too. You won't have to try anything drastic"
Federklied:
"We better. Erich, did you get you money?"
Erich
"What I had. I wasn't going to leave it."
Federklied:
"But do you have enough?"
Erich
"Well, if I don't then Helder does
Helder
"Yeah yeah, of course you can't keep money. I have enough for that and to bribe the guards too. You won't have to try anything drastic"
>>166961
"First thing we need to do is scout enemy machine gun positions. Stay down, follow me, and keep your ears and eyes open for any ambushing changelings."
Silver sneaks towards the machine gun that fired at them, hoping to get a good look at the situation they're being faced with.
"First thing we need to do is scout enemy machine gun positions. Stay down, follow me, and keep your ears and eyes open for any ambushing changelings."
Silver sneaks towards the machine gun that fired at them, hoping to get a good look at the situation they're being faced with.
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>>166964
Erich moves over to the wagon, opens it, and reaches in. "This isn't pretty." Amber can see that he moves to the side a set of rope and bags. "This might be useful." He pulls out a pair of water containers "And this is nice." He pockets a necklace." He turns and looks to Amber. "They didn't seem to have much there. I don't know what they had on their persons." Federklied looks into the front of the cabin, but evidently find anything interesting.
Erich moves over to the wagon, opens it, and reaches in. "This isn't pretty." Amber can see that he moves to the side a set of rope and bags. "This might be useful." He pulls out a pair of water containers "And this is nice." He pockets a necklace." He turns and looks to Amber. "They didn't seem to have much there. I don't know what they had on their persons." Federklied looks into the front of the cabin, but evidently find anything interesting.
File (): 46517E553BB2D1E32B7C5C4281F08467-132256.png (129.2 KB, 500x273, 6552438.png)
>>166965
With Silver is the White pegasus from earlier, as well as the purple pony, the orange pony, Corporal Azelea, and Spectral Streak. Presumably the two medics and two pilots of the Chickpea could be considered, as the chickpea is still on the ground behind Silver.
Silver has no point of view of the Transit Ministry building, as it is completely blocked off from view by this reasonably large square building, which seems to have a dome and two towers, and is a couple hundred feet on each side. This building faces much of the whole of the north side of the transit ministry, and extends slightly to its east and front. To the south and north of this building are more, smaller buildings. It does appear that Silver could enter this building, although it might require shooting off a lock. Note that the side of the transit ministry is reasonably large, about the same size.
Silver was shot at from the front of the Transit Ministry building, which faces a very large open area that is likely a thousand feet across, and could be a public park in the future. It's possible to shoot across this area, although not with great accuracy. across this field on the south side is more buildings. These are shorter and seem to be warehouses. Silver does not actually have a precise guess of the size of the transit ministry, but probably 250 feet wide and 750 feet long, hard to say if it has internal courtyards. Entry points are likely on every side... but he doesn't have a good vantage point here.
Silver does have a radio, which could be very helpful for requesting aid.
With Silver is the White pegasus from earlier, as well as the purple pony, the orange pony, Corporal Azelea, and Spectral Streak. Presumably the two medics and two pilots of the Chickpea could be considered, as the chickpea is still on the ground behind Silver.
Silver has no point of view of the Transit Ministry building, as it is completely blocked off from view by this reasonably large square building, which seems to have a dome and two towers, and is a couple hundred feet on each side. This building faces much of the whole of the north side of the transit ministry, and extends slightly to its east and front. To the south and north of this building are more, smaller buildings. It does appear that Silver could enter this building, although it might require shooting off a lock. Note that the side of the transit ministry is reasonably large, about the same size.
Silver was shot at from the front of the Transit Ministry building, which faces a very large open area that is likely a thousand feet across, and could be a public park in the future. It's possible to shoot across this area, although not with great accuracy. across this field on the south side is more buildings. These are shorter and seem to be warehouses. Silver does not actually have a precise guess of the size of the transit ministry, but probably 250 feet wide and 750 feet long, hard to say if it has internal courtyards. Entry points are likely on every side... but he doesn't have a good vantage point here.
Silver does have a radio, which could be very helpful for requesting aid.
>>166995
Silver sees one just a bit over to the left. It's a wooden door with a half circle top. A bit thick, and standard sized for the entry of one person
Silver sees one just a bit over to the left. It's a wooden door with a half circle top. A bit thick, and standard sized for the entry of one person
>>166993
"All rather basic, but better than nothing. Would you recommend taking the wagon itself? It is an extra burden and sticks out, but on the other hoof–er, claw, it would make us resemble travelers instead of refugees and might provide shelter if we need it."
"All rather basic, but better than nothing. Would you recommend taking the wagon itself? It is an extra burden and sticks out, but on the other hoof–er, claw, it would make us resemble travelers instead of refugees and might provide shelter if we need it."
>>166997
Helder, who is visibly holding a carbine rifle, looks over at the carriage. Federklied is the one who answers
"It's tempting to stay the night in it... to be sure. But I don't think we could take it. Not without oxen to pull it."
Helder, who is visibly holding a carbine rifle, looks over at the carriage. Federklied is the one who answers
"It's tempting to stay the night in it... to be sure. But I don't think we could take it. Not without oxen to pull it."
>>166998
"Could the four of us pull it? It is nothing too big." In the dim light she tries to analyze the expressions of the other three, to see whether they might be offended by the suggestion. She also glances at the wagon's tongue to tell whether it's even possible to hook up four griffons in lieu of two oxen. Wasn't that how the bandits pulled it in the first place, or if they had oxen where did they go?
"Could the four of us pull it? It is nothing too big." In the dim light she tries to analyze the expressions of the other three, to see whether they might be offended by the suggestion. She also glances at the wagon's tongue to tell whether it's even possible to hook up four griffons in lieu of two oxen. Wasn't that how the bandits pulled it in the first place, or if they had oxen where did they go?