Table of Contents


The Stratocracy of Cloudsdayle

Societal Structure 

Cloudsdayle's authoritarian society is structured around a firm hierarchy of military and civilian tiered classes. The military classes and their government body hold authority over civilian classes and civilian governing bodies. Within each of the military and civilian classes there are tiers of authority rooted in a colour grading system based on the light spectrum. The system is not entirely rigid and has the possibility of social mobility for raising to higher tiers. Improving tiers grants prestige, greater rights, and wealth. But it also comes with greater responsibilities and possibility of tier loss due to misconduct or criminal activity. An increase in class by even one step comes with markedly improved quality of life however.

All pegasi in Cloudsdayle are born as red class citizens. Those born to higher tier parents simply have better resources and connections available. Education is managed through boarding schools that indoctrinate and mold students to society's standards. By age 16 students take aptitude tests and are assigned to a category of careers they may pursue. At 18 they can volunteer for military service to gain a probationary military class citizenship upon completion of training. Completion of five years of service grants them life long military class citizenship.

The class structure is summarized below from highest authority to lowest, with examples of what positions hold them.

Military Classes

  1. Ultraviolet (White): The president.
  2. Violet: Military legislative and judiciary councilors.
  3. Indigo: High ranked officers in active duty. Central command agents. Chiefs of police and emergency services.
  4. Blue: Military personnel who have finished five years of active service. Police and emergency servicemen.
  5. Green: A probationary class of those who have passed training but have yet to complete their five years of service.

Civilian Classes:

  1. Yellow: Civilian mayors and regional authorities. May be voted into office or appointed by the military government.
  2. Orange: Mid level civil servants. Civilian specialist workers.
  3. Red: Majority of citizens. Labor workers. Children and teens.

Untouchables:

While laws detail how any given military class citizen has authority over civilian classes the reality is murkier. A green or blue citizen being disruptive to civilians without higher orders or just cause is likely to be reprimanded by a higher authority.

Classes at length:

Red class citizens are the everybodies given an equivalent of a junior high/ middle school education before taking aptitude exams for career assignments. Volunteering for military service is open after two years of career apprenticeship, at the age of eighteen. Only half of applicants tend to be accepted into training for one reason or another. Children of higher class citizens tend to be accepted disproportionately more against those born to red class parents. In general red class citizens are expected to contribute to society diligently and raise nuclear families. Red class citizens make up about 50% of Cloudsdayle's population.

Orange class citizens are primarily specialist workers who scored well in their aptitude testing and have niche talents. Orange class citizens form an economic middle class and have substantially better lifestyles than red class citizens. They are also expected to raise nuclear families. This class includes civilian government workers. Most notably, the members of Cloudsdayle's extensive courier distribution system are nearly all orange class.

Yellow class citizens make up a thin upper crust of the civilian classes. Majorly composed of civilian government management responsible for keeping the day to day operations of the nation functioning smoothly. Most come from orange class citizens who show the right temperament and are appointed positions in recognition of service. Some are children of military class citizens who flunked out of training. While many are simply bureaucratic officials who push papers those with ambition can become mayors or sector governors. There are often fierce rivalries and politicking among various titles in this class. A situation the military government sows to weed out complacency.

Green class citizens are superficially above civilian classes as the lowest military class. They are entirely composed of soldiers who, while successfully completing their basic training, are not through their required five years of active service. With half of all applicants not passing acceptance and another half or more being dropped during training, those in active service are considered as the cream of the civilian crop. Even as those from a civilian class background tend to be treated as grunts. Volunteers who come from military class backgrounds often receive cushy administrative duties during their service through nepotism.

Blue class citizens make up the largest portion of military classes. While some stay in active military service as officers a majority perform specialist labor in a mirroring of orange class civilians. Benefiting from their higher education gained during service or provided after active duty. Nearly all of Clousdayle's police forces and essential servicemen such as fire fighters and medical professionals are blue class citizens.

Indigo class citizens are those promoted to broader leadership positions and direct military government agents. Those in active service are given heavy leeway in strategic planning and use of military assets. The chiefs of essential services are likewise given leeway of department planning and resources. Indigo government agents are the feared investigators with authority to act as secret police and suspend lower class citizen's civil liberties.

Violet class citizens are the elites and gentry of Cloudsdayle. They form the ruling body that dictate policy and write it to law. While not a secretive cabal most citizens will never meet a Violet in person. Only knowing them from television appearances or election campaigns. They have few reasons to be anywhere besides their lavish estates or governmental offices. It is said that if you have the attention of a Violet citizen you have done something terribly wrong.

By law there is only one ultraviolet class citizen at a time: the elected president. The position holds the authority to mandate nearly any change. However little is often substantially changed by a president due to the desire to maintain the status quo. An elected president is given the role in terms of five years. Until they are elected out or choose to retire. Most presidents hold three or four terms before retiring. General elections are held to elect a violet class citizen to the presidency. Voting is required of all adult citizens.

Infrared is not legally a citizenship class so much as a moniker given to undesirables and outsiders. With loss of citizenship a pegasus is a non-person and no longer granted any protections under the law. They can be abused or even killed without the act being classified as a crime. Loss of citizenship is levied against traitors, murderers, and those with useless mutations. Ponies in the wider world are classified as infrared unless granted sanction under a blue or higher citizen. This however puts the citizen directly responsible for their sanctioned non-citizen.

Mutants

Within Clousdayle's population "genetic drift" is an unwanted trait. Children with obvious defects are put down and citizens who develop them later in life risk sterilization or even loss of personhood. However it is known that the city is not hermetically sealed against the wider world and radioactive materials are necessary to power it. As such there are occasional and highly notable examples of mutations that some citizens are born with or develop. So-called "useful" mutants are to be registered with the military government and put to use as military assets. While they are generally treated as weapons their treatment is far better than mutants who are not deemed "useful." Mutants who are registered and treated as military equipment can still receive military class citizen statuses. However their identifications are always marked with black bars to clearly label them as mutants.


Cloudsdayle Region

Once a single city of collected cloud islands, Cloudsdayle had expanded into a full nation state during the war. A floating nation composed of cloud islands and artificially flying landscapes that can each range from a dozen meters across to fifty kilometers square. While it is theoretically possible for the nation to grow indefinitely due to cloud molding the infrastructure and political motive is lacking to do so. Maintaining what exists is an eternal and labor intensive project. In the post war era Cloudsdayle is home to a majority of the world's surviving pegasi population.

A collection of islands in close proximity to each other under a shared governorship is called a sector. A sector will have either a civilian or military class mayor governor. Most sectors have a majority of their area composed of cloud island platforms. Which are used primarily for residential lodging as pegasus find them most comfortable to live within. Pegasus moulded clouds however are not strong enough to hold tons of weight and will breach holes if enough pressure is applied. Regulatory bodies are tasked to carefully control how much is built on a given cloud.

Supplementary to cloud islands a sector will have one or more artificial habitats. An island composed of steel and wooden skeletons that are held aloft through some combination of mechanical means. Lighter than air balloons, turbine propeller systems, and stranger arcane methods are used to hold the islands aloft. These artificial habitats are primarily where a sector's farming and heavy industry are located. Farming habitats being basins of soil brought into the sky. The habitats in military sectors are more likely to be training grounds or ports for vehicles. While all sectors are required to be largely self-sufficient in agriculture and industry capabilities, the military class sectors primarily draw resources from civilian sectors to sustain themselves. Most sectors contain a mix of agriculture, industry, and civic infrastructure that is under mandate by the local mayor.

Each island in a sector is given a colour code that limits who may access them. A majority of islands are red coded but may have boroughs of higher color gated neighborhoods. Businesses and services can be restricted with required clearances in the same way. Higher colors almost always indicate better funding for the neighbourhood or business.

Structurally the nation is shaped like several disks laid out alongside one another, with each disk representing a sector. Even if few sectors would be as evenly spaced as to form a circle. While some islands may be more or less vertically raised above the ground than others the nation has a median height due to practical limitations of the artificial habitats and logistical concerns of couriers regularly raising and lowering altitude. On average an island is four kilometers above sea level. Despite the fact a given sector could be moved to a new position relative to other sectors there are strict regulations in place for when and how all sectors are to be moved. Taking position in the center of all sectors in the violet coded Central Command sector. Central Command is home to the military's governing body and much of the nation's military assets.

Due to the natural weather controlling abilities of the pegasi the nation can be moved at a slow pace across the world through manipulation of air currents. The vast majority of the time the nation floats above the open ocean. Due to the dangers of being visible to jealous land bound infrareds. Staying above the ocean gives the nation access to an unlimited supply of water through condensation collection. It also provides simple waste disposal methods of dropping anything unwanted over a ledge.



Cloudsdayle Landfall Operations Deployment Squad

Codename C.L.O.D.S. are the main wave of military personnel sent into a region to secure assets that were identified by first wave intelligence gatherers. The primary purpose of the taskforce is collection of resources to sustain Clousdayle and the elimination of potential threats. Highest priority targets are threats capable of long range ballistics, arable soil, and reclamation of vault-tec sites.

A forward operating base is established under command of an indigo class officer. The indigo officer acts as a direct representative of Cloudsdayle's central command. A staff of blue class officers manage the daily base operations and organization of green teams. Green class troops are deployed in teams to perform all necessary field tasks under a blue class handler stationed at the forward operations base. Green class teams are expected to operate independently within the goals and parameters set by their handler and above.

If a region is of particular value Clousdayle itself may be moved into position to replace the forward operations base. Thus allowing all available military assets to be used in the noteworthy region. This has not been deemed necessary since the early years after the war.

Multiple C.L.O.D.S. campaigns are typically performed along continuous coastal areas. All while Clousdayle stays off the coast over the ocean in safety. Typical campaigns operate for two years each. Green class citizens will generally perform two C.L.O.D.S. campaigns before becoming blue citizens.

C.L.O.D.S. Campaign 39: Isle of Mist

Intelligence operatives have located multiple sites of interest on the Isle of Mist. The central island among the Griffonian isles in the northern celestial sea and located between the coasts of former Equestria and Griffonstone. As a mixed species state pre-war the island is home to both pony and griffon forces that occupy the northern two thirds of the island. While their technology levels have regressed in the post war there are noted examples of maintained military hardware. These include small arms seen among troops, amphibious vehicles, and hard defense points such as a fortification with anti-bombardment shields and anti-air batteries. The pre-war city of Trottingham survived the war due to these fortifications.

Of import to central command are resources the campaign is to secure:

Threat assessments of the isle indicate the operation must begin clandestinely before shifting to occupational action. As local forces include griffon attachments a protracted engagement on equal terms is to be avoided. Major enemy strength is concentrated in the  northern region of the island and on northern neighboring islands. To be avoided until full invasion is ordered.

Of separate note is the fog covered southern tip of the island. Initial investigations reveal the area to have significant background radiation and magic levels. Until deeper analysis is performed that zone is considered a no go.

Forward Operating Base Lighthouse has been established on a rocky peninsula off the southern side of the island. The site was a pre-war dockyard that has gone unoccupied. The building foundations were repurposed for military use.

Command staff:



The Cast

Brickfielder

Son of an orange clearance family and older brother to twins, Brickfielder holds aspirations to reach the top through hard work. Born with an impressive natural size and a drive to rise to leadership, the giant of a pegasus was captain of his school’s sportsball team. His internalizing of propaganda led him to extracurricular activities such as hunting and beating infrareds. He views his military terms as a stepping stone to get into politics once he becomes a Blue class citizen.

Ember Flare

Ember flare is a mutant. Her powers started to develop in her early teens, along with the physical deformities along her shoulders and back. Later she developed pyrokinetic powers and an affinity for sensing magic. With a meek personality Ember was hammered into a loyal tool to be used as a military asset. She was constantly reminded of her place, other’s opinions on mutants, and that she has no future beyond military service.

During the course of the campaign her powers increased. Namely the ability to conjure a smoke like being with a connection to her innermost feelings.

Saffron

Born to indigo parents, Saffron was raised in privilege. Privilege that seemed to have given her strong spirit and a low attention span. Despite this she typically rejected her position to take her own path. Her father had a troubled military past due to interaction with Infrareds. A fate that Saffron seems intent on following herself. Through lifelong training Saffron is a natural scout and was already at home in the wilderness before ever setting hoof on natural soil.

Silver Rush

Born in a Blue clearance family Silver Rush was naturally inquisitive. Throughout his school life he investigated other ponies and was one of those children who would get adults in trouble. His silver tongue kept him from facing repercussions as well. A shoe in for a role as neighbourhood watch and detective, Silver has aspirations for a role in Central Command as a Violet Agent.

The player had to drop out of the campaign about session 15.

Sundancer

Born to Blue technically inclined parents, Sundancer had a terrible accident during training. While her brain was preserved the remainder of her body was replaced with cybernetics. A rare full body conversion. She was considered worth the expense due to her knowledge of both medical and mechanical fields. A loyalist at mechanical heart, she views her state as a sign she can give her life for Cloudsdayle forever as military hardware.

Quick Fix

A late arrival to the campaign. Quick Fix was born into vault 28, a control vault on the griffonian isles. A small and fragile newly trained doctor, Quick fix is out of place among the enclave pegasus. He escaped his vault during a reactor leak that sealed the other residents. As an infrared, his future situation will be determined by the whims of the other players, and their superiors.


Session 1

The last six weeks of your basic training have been the toughest days of your life. You have been run into the artificial ground, beaten in unarmed combat, subject to live fire to dampen your flight response, drilled to march and follow orders instinctively, and taught the ins and outs of soldiery and equipment care. All while being put through exhaustion when routinely woken up in the middle of the night for inspections or drills. A full night of sleep seemed like distant memories after two weeks.

You were only informed of your deployment three days before you were to be packed and leaving. Shortly after being informed that you passed basic training. The two days ahead of your deployment would be spent recovering and celebrating. Everyone in the same class would be sent on the same campaign. But you would be mixed up into new squads on arrival. Your families would be allowed to meet with you the day before shipping out.

The transport vertibirds were spacious, with a glass canopy that would give you a good view. One carried you, fifteen others, all of your baggage, and a few literal tons of cargo. There was a lot to be impressed about regarding the machine you would be climbing into and strapping down onto. The seats could be better though.

With it being your first time away this flight would give you the sight of Clousdayle falling back over the horizon. You could see the dawn-light washing the visible sectors in orange as you headed somewhere northward. The flight would take from dawn to midday, leaving most of you hungry by the time you would arrive.

You were to hit the ground at the forward operating base's VTOL pad, collect your baggage, and form up in the base's central yard. The buildings that comprised the base were installations you had seen as part of training. Hard canvas walls on light skeletons that the engineers could deploy or pack in as little as a couple days. The hard stone of the peninsula would be your first time on true ground. Even the artificial habitats with soil and stone that you had trained on might not have prepared you for such nature of Solid. There was no subtle bobbing in the wind or rumble of lift systems. Some blues during training had said it would take time to acquire your "landing gear" and feel comfortable.

Sundancer stomps her hooves on the parched ground, getting a good feel for it before hauling her baggage to the yard

Silver Rush scratches at the crumbly earth with a hoof tip, grimacing at the coarse dirt with a shrug

Brickfielder definitely doesn't take to the solid ground immediately, looking down at it with a frown as if it was doing something wrong as he shifted his weight around rather than standing still after forming up in the yard.

Ember Flare takes few steps and apprehensive looks around the base taking in the new wide open area

Saffron likely would be one of the more 'comfortable' Greens among them. Specifically because she seemed... Ecstatic at the feeling, instead of uneasy. The red pegasus scuffing the ground a few times, then leaning down and sniffing it; gazing up at the sky with a silently wonder-filled gaping stare. Though it is a wonder that is shared in silence, and that only lasts 6 or so seconds before she snaps down to their layer, trotting to the baggage of her field kit and neatly readied uniforms. Wiggling her wings slightly as she canters ahead to keep up with the Beanpole ahead of them.

You would be some of the last greens to form up into ranks at the base's central grounds. There were some three hundred troops in rows. Many you could perhaps recognize by the backs of their heads. A temporary stage had been made in front of the marked field hospital. Residing on stage were six officers in various stages of impatience. Five blues and an indigo. When the last group was in file and the engines of the parked vertibirds died down your introductions commenced.

Taking the stage to speak with authority the indigo officer introduced himself as your commander, Steel Rain. His speech would be practised, tight, and to the point. He quickly welcomed you to C.L.O.D.S campaign 39, to your new home F.O.B. Lighthouse, and made quick introductions to the five blue officers in turn. With the pleasantries out of the way he detailed that there would be a procession of what amounted to roll call and squad assignment. You were to muster to the caller when your name was announced, told your squad number and who your direct superior would be, and then to get settled together in the barracks. Once everyone was assigned and your officer briefed you, you could get your first meal at the mess hall. With that he saluted, the greens were to salute back, and the speech was concluded.

Sundancer: "So, what do you think of the new bosses?"

Silver Rush takes special care in orienting himself to the location of the mess hall, after Steel Rain announces the day's schedule. "oh man, they put it right across from the barracks, that's either really smart or a huge mistake"

Saffron sharply and crisply saluted with an excessively practised motion and inherited pride. Then stiffens back at-attention. Casting maybe a side glance upward towards the massive Brickfielder, silently recognizing the stallion (even if their interactions had been less than friendly), bearing a totally-real soldier smile, despite the fairly... 'neutral' look in her eyes.

Brickfielder keeps his head held high throughout the speech, listening dutifully... not that he needs to hold his head up to see, given that even in the back of the group, he can see over nearly everyone's heads fine. He salutes just as dutifully, and casts a quick return side-glance down to Saffron.

The caller, Personnel Officer Breezy Night, took the stage while the commander and other officers stepped off to return to their other duties. Personnel Officer Breezy Night was a dark purple mare of small stature. Despite her size she had an officer's bearing and wore her uniform well. She had a clipboard and was quick to get to the task of calling names to come forward to the front of the stage, giving them their squad number and corresponding barracks space, and stating which officer was their handler before sending them off. With as many greens as there were it would take almost an hour to get through everyone.

During the roll call you noticed an uneven distribution of squads to given officers. Specifically, Civil Affairs Officer Champagne Shower had a marked number more squads assigned under him while Communications Officer Cloudy Forecast had only two or three.

Silver Rush ponders, wasn't this a combat mission? why's civil affairs even here

After a prolonged wait it was your turn to be called forward. You would learn that you were in squad 59, had the 5th section of the 6th barracks, and that your superior officer would be Communications Officer Cloudy Forecast. Armed with that information you were dismissed to unpack. But you were to expect your officer to arrive and brief you soon.

Silver Rush: "fuckin pogs"

Sundancer's robotic face becomes even more rigid as she suppresses a grimace at Silver's comment.

Brickfielder s eyes narrow slightly as he realizes the odd distribution of squads... and he also takes notice that he is in one of the few squads that would be under the officer with the fewest squads. Curious.

Sundancer: "Alright, Squad 59, CLODS 39."

Ember Flare checks she has all her belongings on her before she starts looking for the designated barracks

Saffron had quickly moved her eyes back to the officer as they gave out their information. Nothing about the distribution seemed to surprise her--or perhaps it was the fact that she had stiffly maintained her expression as much as she was maintaining her posture. Though can very partially be heard huffing with veiled amusement from beside Brickfielder. Her expression doesn't change when Silver Rush instantly speaks out of line, casting an eyeball in his direction, but without even moving her head, only lowering an ear for a second.

Ember Flare quickly turns her attention to the officer when called

Saffron simply relaxes her stance and trots behind Brickfielder to walk around him and towards the barracks as they had been dismissed.

Saffron: "Let's go beanpole."

Silver Rush relaxes his knees slightly while waiting for the officer to begin their brief...the chow hall beckoning in the meanwhile

The barracks were rigid structures of steel bones hugged by a canvas skin. The flooring was made of some kind of hard foam mats that were tightly fit together and placed after the shell had been built. The structure had covered entrances at the east and west ends that lead into a centralized hallway. When inside the entrance you were washed with the noise of everyone unpacking in their compartments. A cool breeze flowed by carrying a slight chemical smell from the flooring foam. The breeze was paired with the hum of air conditioning units. The structure had a wide main hall that branched ten times. Each branch was labelled by squad number and lead into the squad's collection of cells. The cells were thin rectangular rooms with a bed, under bed locker, a standing locker, and one row of metal shelving above, and parallel to, the bed. Separating the cells from the hall were zippered doors. The thick canvas did not do so much to dampen sound. Even if the air conditioning made some white noise. It still beat the open floor plan bunks that had been at boot-camp.

Brickfielder waits until everyone is dismissed, and unceremoniously starts trotting towards his squad's barracks, giving Saffron a firmer, narrow-eyed side glance this time. He has no trouble making way through the other Greens, on account of his size.

Saffron glances back. He could swear she was smirking smugly at him, but only for a second as she filed in with the rest. Claiming her bunk and beginning the process of dutifully, but hastily unpacking her things.

In all the barracks was a box divided into smaller boxes. You were blessed perhaps; branch 5 was in a north west corner of the building across from 6. Your squad would only share a wall with one other squad. But you were at the north end west end of the lot and farthest from the mess hall. The extra steps would definitely add up during the campaign.

You had an unknown amount of time until your Commanding Officer came and let you finally eat lunch. Time to settle in.

Sundancer: "So, what got you all stuck in with us freaks?"

Sundancer nods at the mutant in solidarity

Ember Flare looks confused for a second "This is the squad I was assigned to."

Brickfielder takes a deep breath through his nostrils and then exhales it just as slowly, settling in and going about unpacking. It's nice to have separate cells, at least. "Arbitrary squad assignments, yes."

Silver Rush: "oh man, we're getting spoiled, separate bunks?"

Sundancer:"I'm just trying to think of the squad leader that shows the least faith invested in you, and honestly I'm just glad the shrink isn't our officer."

Saffron would look up to Ember Flare, staring at his cybernetics with a very intent, and oddly curious (and even fascinated) glance, which slowly turned to slightly worry as she shuddered and her wings ruffled on her back. She barely cast a glance towards Sundancer. Though, for what it's worth, her eyes did not show disgust or aversion, at least openly.

Silver Rush thumps his gear on an unoccupied corner bed, swiftly stashing its contents into a neat arrangement within his cell

Saffron:"You guys noticed how they assigned tons of squads to Civilian Affairs? How much y'wanna bet he's a Mister Money Bags. Gonna flex his leadership on us plebians."

Ember Flare looks around slightly anxiously before returning to meticulously arranging her carry on into the containers

Brickfielder has his things unpacked and arranged in a reasonably-short span of time, and settles in on the bed in his cell, permitting himself a small grumble about the cramped quarters. He's got no problem speaking to the others from inside his cell. "We're not assigned under him. It doesn't matter."

Sundancer:"I don't think I've been fully briefed on the situation in Trottingham. For all I know, the brass wants to be friends with Griffons. Couldn't tell you."

Saffron titters anyways as she slams her footlocker closed once she had very painstakingly put in her spare uniform and field kit inside. Once her things are in orderly fashion 'up to Drill Sergeant standards', she starts fixing her uniform so she could look a bit better.

Silver Rush: “like hell it doesn't matter. this is a scavenging op, why do we even have civil affairs at all?"

Your unpacking and conversation was interrupted less than half an hour later by someone in the main hall shouting "Attention! Officer present! Line up!" You were trained to respond to similar calls back at the more cramped barracks during boot-camp. In this case it seems you were to line up in the main hall along the wall instead of next to the bunks. Judging by what some of the quickest greens were doing.

Sundancer opens her mouth to answer, but begins scrambling as soon as she hears the announcement

Silver Rush snaps to attention by his bunk

Brickfielder is among those quickest greens, wasting no time in standing up and taking a spot on the side of the hall, standing at attention.

Ember Flare takes her place swiftly

Saffron darts out of and INSTANTLY goes to line up along with the other greens--coincidentally again near Brickfielder. She readies herself and stands at-attention. Eyes forward, and fiercely neutral expression.

At the far end of the barracks were three of the officers. Civil Affairs Officer Champagne Shower, Engineering Officer Thermal Updraft, and Communications Officer Cloudy Forecast. The first two seemed like they were making their way along slowly and giving a look over their respective underlings. Your handler however strolled down the length of the hall pointedly to stand before your assembled squad. Cloudy Forecast was tall and thin as a rail, but slightly out of proportion as such. Her gait was slightly off putting due to her lanky shape. She would be able to either look over your head, or meet your chin depending on the pony. Her eyes were piercing and analytical, cutting through you in her once over. A detail easy to overlook due to the dress hat she wore was that she entirely lacked a mane. Her grey coat was thin and her green-grey tail had wiry hairs. A detail more difficult to overlook were her epaulettes. The blue officer badges had black slashes through them. A clear signifier she was a mutant. Her voice held the authority and with all seriousness of an officer as she addressed your squad. "Who in this squad has touched a live tree before?"

Silver Rush says nothing and stares straight forward

Sundancer stays at attention

Saffron, likewise, stays silent as her response would've been negative. Her lips tug into a slight frown at the mention of 'tree', but she quickly fixes it a second later.

Ember Flare empty stare at nothingness

Brickfielder keeps his eyes forward... but even with just peripheral vision he can spot the officer's black slashes simply. "Ma'am, I did once in a farming habitat, ma'am."

Your C.O. looks at Brickfielder before dismissing the claim.

Cloudy Forecast:"What was to be expected. You will all meet in-front of communications tomorrow at dawn. You will require your survival gear. While I will explain the nature of your first assignment then, understand that those rudimentary survival skills you had been taught will be put to practical use. Do not get too comfortable in your beds tonight." She pauses to gauge your reactions.

Brickfielder remains at attention with his eyes forward. Internalizing his orders, not questioning them.

Sundancer is good at maintaining a neutral expression, if not maintaining a neutral heart

Sundancer: "Yes, ma'am!"

Saffron , while she could not break her stance as it was so firmly drilled into her mind, still cracked a slight smile of eager approval to those orders whilst Cloudy Forecast scanned them. Despite the calmness of being under the eye of the officer, she still exudes excitement from her eyes without meaning to.

Saffron: "Yes, Ma'am.”

Silver Rush: "Yes, Ma'am!"

Brickfielder finally salutes after the others begin responding. "Yes, ma'am."

Ember Flare joins the chorus of ma'ams

Cloudy Forecast looks at and gives an indicating head nod towards Silver Rush. "As of now you will be in the leadership position of this squad. By the morning I will expect you to have chosen a call sign for your squad."

Brickfielder 's lips tighten, just the slightest bit, at Silver being chosen as leader.

Silver Rush: "Yes Ma'am, thank you Ma'am" (OOC:FUCK)

Saffron does not lose the twinkle in her eyes when Silver Rush is chosen. She didn't really know him well enough anyways.

Cloudy Forecast gave a quick note before dismissing you to leave. "After you eat you are to familiarize yourselves with the F.O.B. and surrounding grounds. You will have an open schedule this evening and I will expect you to make best use of the opportunity." This next part seems directed towards Ember Flare in particular. "Perhaps use a portion of your stipend and get something sweet from the commissary." The last line however was for everyone. "You are dismissed."

Silver Rush waits for the officers to depart the bunks before releasing himself from attention, thrown off by that last comment a bit

Silver Rush: "something...sweet?"

Saffron snaps a crisp salute out of somewhat earnest respect for the officer in charge of them. "Ma'am! Permission to ask a question?" She suddenly speaks up.

Sundancer turns and finishes unloading things into and around her bunk

Ember Flare lets out a breath of air before tensing back up a bit with Saffrons call

Brickfielder salutes upon being dismissed, moving to leave to the mess hall, but stopping when Saffron tries to get the CO's attention. If Cloudy does respond, it'll be worth hearing.

Cloudy Forecast looks to Saffron with the slightest of eyebrow raising. "Permission granted. Keep it brief."

Saffron snapped her foreleg back down. "Thank you ma'am. Why have so many squads been assigned to Civil Affairs, but only three to our Wing?"

Silver Rush would spit his coffee if he had any

Your C.O. stared directly at Saffron appraising for a moment. Then took a glance down the hall towards Champagne Shower and Thermal Updraft.

Cloudy Forecast: "Inquisitive, good. In short because I oversee the relay of all communications. Officer Champagne Shower will be more directly managing his wing. I will be expecting a certain level of independence from those under me."

Saffron takes a second to silently process the new information. Before nodding deeply and smiling with a bit more eagerness.

Saffron: "Understood, ma'am."

Sundancer finishes unpacking "Does that level of independence extend to choosing a squad leader?"

Brickfielder does permit him to look down at Cloudy as she mentions independence. Not that he's going to start immediately speaking out of turn... but, this isn't something he'd expected in boot camp.

Cloudy Forecast directs to Sundancer. "Two of your squad are not legally entitled to be in a leadership position. Yourself included. You will not debate my choice." Towards Silver Rush. "I will expect you to keep your squad in line, but manage their well being. Given the delays in being fed, you will reprimand your subordinate after your needs are met."

Silver Rush bristles. fuck I knew she would get us smoked, what the fuck let her leave holy shit "Roger that Ma'am, will do"

Sundancer: "Yes, Ma'am"

Saffron spares a glance towards Sundancer, if only to just acknowledge their somewhat uncomfortable question with a stare. Before going back to staring ahead. While her stomach grumbles. Something that must be ignored, until the officer leaves...

Ember Flare waits until the officer is a distance away before addressing Sundancer "You shouldn't question the commanding officers, you'll get yourself in trouble"

Brickfielder waits until Cloudy has left, before he trots off for the mess hall, eager for some sort of meal... and amused at the response Sundancer received.

Your exchange was not all that long in reality. Cloudy Sky would leave before the other two officers had even made it halfway towards your squad.

Sundancer:"The first things she said to us were praising our curiosity and saying we were independent. I was curious how independent we were."

Silver Rush facehoofs once cloudy departs "fucking...damn it, time and place.... just...everyone to the mess hall"

Saffron sighs through her nostrils and goes to follow Brickfielder outside towards the Mess. She spends a while striding with a purpose, keeping up --despite his longer legs. She waits a moment, then tilted her head to look up to Bickfielder to ask a very curious sounding question.

Saffron: "Are ya upset y'didn't get picked Brick wall?"

Ember Flare turns towards Silver "Yes sir"

(GM Note): Squad leaders are chosen in the time honoured tradition of paranoia. Whoever is least qualified.

Brickfielder doesn't look down at Saffron as he trots with a more measured pace. "Doesn't matter. The officer made her decision." Yes, he's sort of upset.

Silver Rush sighs and smirks a bit at the sir "I wonder if they have any sandwiches"

Saffron could be heard snorting through her nostrils in amusement whilst her wings flicked up a bit over her back, all confident-like. She likely would have teased him further, but decided to spare them all the annoyance by instead staying quiet and looking around as they walked, already peeking around the FOB on the way there. Though, during the walk, she does start to slow down so she could hover nearer to Silver Rush.

Saffron: "Hey dude! Congrats on your leadership!"

Silver Rush flaps his wings to match the bounciness of the beeg red mare "thanks, I suppose. I was planning to ask her about the squads tomorrow, but I suppose you took care of that"

Ember Flare: "The mess might become very packed soon with everyone settling in already..."

Saffron smiled brightly. "My dad always did tell me that there is always time for ONE question to an officer--if you are polite and know when to slip it in--which is usually when they're 'bout to dismiss ya, y'know."

Silver Rush: "ha, well it worked this time at least. you're lucky the other two officers were out of earshot"

Saffron looked back towards Ember Flare. She gazed at her, and just eyeballing them for a bit--unsure if she wants to speak or not. In the end she decides not to, in favour of rebutting to Silver Rush. "Hah! I'm not that silly. I think." She snorts, amused.

The mess hall would be as directly typical of a mess hall as one could build. Rows of long metal tables and benches that were entirely utilitarian. The kitchen at the east end of the building was staffed with civilians it seemed. A quarter of the mess was also marked as civilian seating. The long room was not fully packed yet. Looking like the furthest barracks had been met with C.O.s first.

Sundancer 's non-stomach doesn't grumble "I'm glad I know more about our leader now. How do you plan to reprimand me?"

Silver Rush moseys the others along to chow "come on come on, you're right it's gonna be packed. Grab an oat bar for your packs tomorrow, everyone, just like basic..."

Saffron side glances at Sundancer, and suddenly her smile falters a little. "Oh, you're right. Boss, you gotta do the reprimand. Yell at 'em! Teach them about out-of-place questions." She tells Silver Rush, with perhaps a slight seriousness in her voice in spite of her playfulness.

Silver Rush turns to dancer "painting rocks, push ups....oh damn if we had a chalkboard i'd just make you write ' I will not ask stupid questions of officers' 100 times." he bemuses

Saffron strides ahead with a purpose towards the kitchen to get her chow after having said that. "FoooOoOd." Saffron goes, as they go!

Sundancer: "That's no fair. Saffron's question was dumber than mine."

Brickfielder doesn't comment on the ongoing... discussion while getting his food and settling in. Just quietly observing them instead.

Silver Rush: "obviously not, considering she wants me to smoke you for your question"

Saffron WHIPS back and literally calls back, "It was a smart question!" She says, and then resumes with slightly louder stomps.

Sundancer: "Hm..."

Silver Rush: "and was actually impressed by...Saffrons, yes. Just get something to eat, expect push ups and a perimeter run in an hour....and report back what you see about the other quads, eh?"

Saffron would go and sit on the bench opposite of Brickfielder. Eyeballing him just to silently smile in amusement to his excessive height, before focusing more on the food until the others could join them.

Ember Flare lines up for food and looks around the hall how the soldiers are grouping around in the tables

Brickfielder looks down with lowered eyelids at Saffron eyeballing him, still being quite a lot taller even when sitting at a mess hall table.

The groups seem to have a preference for the tables closest to the kitchen. But aside from that it looks like most squads are sticking together. Squads with a few familiar members between them are closer together to chat. Everyone seems quite excited to be on a real mission.

Saffron: "Hey Brickfielder. You really touched a tree before?”

Brickfielder waits until he's swallowed what he has in his mouth before sighing. "Yes. Toured the orchards of a farming habitat. I wasn't there for a long time, but long enough to get close to the work being done. ...One of the farmers said I had a body built for bucking trees."

Silver Rush dutifully monches, eating being his most exceptionally practised skill ever since foalhood

Sundancer: "Wow, I visited our sector's farming habitat and we didn't have anything taller than a bush."

Saffron flicked up her glance as she, in spite of her 'slouched' tone of voice, sits upright and eats with somewhat methodical, almost trained motions. Cutting things and eating small bites, muzzle lowered whilst her eyes stared at him with interest. "That's crazy... I saw trees from a distance only from my district. That must've been fun."

Ember Flare eats quickly focusing mostly on the food

Saffron: "You should try grabbing a tree and using it as a weapon. You're big enough. Imagine that. You could throw logs, instead of me."

Brickfielder rolls his eyes and returns his attention to his food. "We have guns for that."

Saffron snorts, rolling her eyes good-naturedly as her gaze sweeps to Sundancer. "Your sector had a farming habitat??" She asked with a sudden excitement, "How was it?"

Saffron: "What did they grow in it??"

Sundancer: "Uh, seemed pretty normal. It was like out of a picture book. Crops. Open to sunlight. Brickfielder seemed like he saw one of the deluxe ones, mine just fed my sector."

Saffron nods slowly, slipping another bit of broccoli in her mouth and chewing it slowly as she soaks in the information like a sponge--eyes attentively staring. "Daaaamn... So like every sector has at least one?" She asked aloud, she down casts her eyes to her plate, then pouts. "Mine just had tons of parks."

Brickfielder permits himself a slight smirk. "Not sure if I saw a 'deluxe' one or not. But it was still quite nice to see."

The Mess starts getting more and more filled in as your conversation goes on. It is hard to tell if it can seat all of the greens at once, particularly with that area partitioned off for civilian use.

Silver Rush looks around for any signs limiting their time in the hall. nobody else seems to be following basic training 5 minute rules are they?

Silver Rush:"wait your sector didn't have a single farm? not even like...fruit bushes?"

Brickfielder is taking notice of the crowdedness as well. "...We should be ready to leave and make room if others need a place to sit, I think."

Saffron would very briefly lift her eyes to look over the side of Brickfielder as the others start coming in.She snorts in amusement at this for some reason. Then eyes Ember Flare again… Just looking at her for a while while she finishes up hastily, and then stands up to take her tray up to the kitchen.

Saffron: "Yap! I'll get moving, am done anyways... Gonna go 'sploring."

Sundancer has already fulfilled her nutrient requirement and stands up "Want to join me on my perimeter run?"

Saffron casts a glance back to Sundancer, smiling quickly. "Sure! We can go out together." She says, quickening her pace to a trot to haste herself to put the dirty tray away, then stride outside to wait for the others.

Silver Rush: "saffron, if anyone asks, you're making sure... this one 'complete their assigned punishment' alright?"

Saffron: "Aye-aye boss! Wilco."

Silver Rush: "keep an eye out for anything strange too"

Ember Flare is slightly put down by the mention of 'run' but pipes up nevertheless "Mind if I join in?"

Brickfielder silently watches the growing number of ponies joining in on what's meant to be punishment,glancing at Silver with a slightly raised eyebrow.

Silver Rush wonders if this is gonna be more of a squad fun run at this point

Saffron likewise quirked her brow and looked at Silver with a mildly questioning gaze, her lips twisting with mild amusement. "Anything strange?" She asked rhetorically, "Uh--sure, I'll keep watch for suspicious activity, I know how to do that."

Sundancer: "We're some of the strangest things to see, but I'll keep my 'eyes peeled'"

Silver Rush shudders at why emphasis got put on peeled eyes

Saffron titters to Sundancers' reply.. Then looked to Ember Flare, "Sure, come along Ember." She says, casually.

Saffron: "We are going to stare at Sundancer very hard to make sure she does the walk of shame."

Silver Rush: "ugh...screw it then, I guess I'll go too. dancer you better look miserable anytime we pass anyone,though"

Sundancer: "I'll do my best."

Brickfielder purses his lips, before sighing and standing up to his full height. He was hoping that he'd get some time away from Saffron's... eagerness, but... "I might as well go as well instead of splitting off from the squad. Get used to all this solid ground."

Silver Rush:"alright squad PT get hype"

Saffron wiggles up her wings and trots in place to 'get hyped', "Hop-hop-hop!" She goes, then begins to start cantering along!... And then peters down to a steady, marching trot, trying to stay slightly beside and behind Sundancer to 'survey' them as they went.

Ember Flare stretches a bit and adjusts her armour a bit starts picking up the pace looking around as they go

Sundancer chooses to run at a steady double-time instead of turning this into a race. The act of running is relatively effortless for her, being one of the kinesthetic skills that runs more or less automatically and she isn't able to 'feel the burn' as it were. However the rough, unyielding ground and the jerking motion gives her a slight headache, so she has no trouble acting miserable on her run

The F.O.B. and surrounding area were bare rock with a thin layer of griminess. The air was moist and salty from being surrounded by nearby sea. The air itself was heavier here. You had a sight-line to the bay on the western perimeter of the base. It could very well be the first time you've seen such a body of water unobstructed by cloud lines. Certainly the first time this close. The civilian barracks were the same pattern of building as your own. The arsenal was an artificial mound of concrete that was barred by wide and tall double doors that were slabs of steel. The officer buildings, commissary, and headquarters were semi permanent structures made of wood and steel, with tiled roofs. They were built on a stonework foundation of dark rock.

Saffron would occasionally sigh deeply as they trotted. She herself seemed a bit under the weather the longer they went, grimacing a little as she comments: "I feel like my lung's're gonna pop whenever I breathe deep. And the salt..." She says, and then sneezes to the side. Looking towards the bay as it came into view. "Woaahhh look at that. I wonder how deep that goes..."

Saffron: "... I don't think I know how to swim tho. That's kinda terrifying."

Saffron chuckles nervously, as she sniffles from her sneeze. Scrunching up like an accordion.

Silver Rush: "President, already starting to sweat? the air here is so humid..."

Brickfielder maintains a bit of distance from the rest of the group, nose scrunching slightly at the salty smells. Not that he's not used to it given Cloudsdayle stays above the open ocean, but it's so much stronger this far down.

Saffron: "And we still have to wear the powered armor!"

Saffron peers her head around the corners as they went, eyes open for officers--or specifically their CO,so that they could keep up appearances. Peeking into the field hospital from the windows to check inside...

Sundancer:"I like the dense air for flying. I've heard good things about natural gusts and I can already tell the thick air will give better lift."

Sundancer: "Running though? Give me a cloud track any day."

Brickfielder nods in agreement with Sundancer as he gravitates a bit closer to the rest of the group. "No reason we can't prefer our wings in operations, I imagine. Especially if we're to be independent."

Your run gives you a good view of the base and occupants. Once the lunch rush has let out of the mess hall a bit the initial assignments seem to be starting up. In the center of the civilian barracks Champagne Shower was atop a box speaking over his mass of troops and a small group of red class. Listening to his shouting as you pass he seemed to be in the middle of saying how important the civilian workers will be to the harvesting and that their safety was a top priority.

Saffron mumbles quietly after Sundancer and Brickfielder. "Thick, air." She says, with a weird inflexion on the word 'thick'. Making herself chuckle like a dumbo. As they go, she slows down to a stride once they get within earshot of Champagne Shower's speech, to listen in earnest; and to eye those Red workers curiously.

There were other squads about the field hospital and arsenal doing busywork clearing the grounds. It was uncertain who all they were under. When you've circled around the base, past the radio tower and officer buildings you can see the motor pool was active. Thermal Updraft, the unkempt average height officer was apparently assigning out vehicles, both air and land. Telling those who would be working there primarily to "get more familiar with these machines than you have with your sweetheart back home."

Ember Flare: "...it certainly looks way more relaxed here than I anticipated"

Brickfielder: "A taste of what actual life is like as a Green, hopefully."

If looking out to the east away from base you could see the ancient remains of a town on the cliffs. Little remains other than stone effigies of buildings that have fallen to time. Although the dark stones looked to have been repurposed as foundation material for the HQ and adjacent buildings.

Saffron seemed to take on a slightly concerned expression as her eyes lingered on the civilian workers. A remark escapes. "Either they're really lucky, or really unlucky..." She whispered, before turning ahead to change train of thought and resume smiling. Watching the other squads working curiously, and even making a playful jab towards them: "Enjoying being green, ponies?" She'd ask them just for fun. The rest of the walk is done, surprisingly, without Saffron saying much else; focused on what was around, staring at things--at the vehicles in the motor pool, and at the officer managing it. At the stone effigies...

When rounding back to the barracks you'll pass the space marked as the future lumber yard. It would be your chance to see raw lumber up close. There was only one long log and a heap of scrap currently. Sawdust mixed with the grime of the ground.

Sundancer: "When you're on a C.L.O.D.S. assignment, you're better off dead than red."

Saffron: "That sounds really grim, Sundancer. You sure that's how it is?"

Sundancer: "No, actually. I just thought it sounded cool."

Brickfielder snorts. "The reds are no doubt serving just as vital a function as we are."

Saffron blinks and just rolls her eyes really hard. "Robopony please.".

Saffron: "Hey check this out! A log! I'm gonna go touch it."

Saffron actually does start to deviate from their route to approach the log. Leaning in to sniff it, and pokeit with her snout and hoof to feel the consistency. Tugging a little bit at the seams of the bark with the tip of her hoof. Saffron knocks on it a few times and leans her ear into it. Then steps back and jumps over it, and leans up on it with her forehooves. "I touched a tree!" She calls out, "Mission accomplished??"

Silver Rush: "pack it up everyone, mission accomplished, Cloudsdayle is saved, saffron got it"

Saffron climbs up on top of the log with a slight struggle, and then wiggles around lightly flapping her wings.

Saffron: "Make me violet please."

Ember Flare lets out a quiet chuckle

Brickfielder glances back as Saffron climbs on the log, not sure if she's in danger of being yelled at for this or not.

Silver Rush: "lets scram before someone says that log is important"

Brickfielder looks back and nods. "Independence or not, gallivanting across equipment that isn't our own can't be good."

You'll get some stares from the greens staffing the Motor pool. Probably more confusion than anything at the antics. But at least an officer had not noticed you yet.

Saffron pouts down to Silver Rush. Then down at the log. She half-steps over the edge and nearly slips off as the log as it kinda rolls, so she panic-flaps her wings and just hops down to return back to the formation they had going on around Sundancer.

Sundancer stands a ways away from the lumber yard, not wanting to imagine sawdust in her joints

Saffron grins like a fool and doesn't even acknowledge the stares. Resuming their 'walk of shame', withSaffron close to the cyborg as before.

The gatehouse was a long building unsurprisingly near and just offset from the land gate into the base. It was a half office post for the gate guard with a glass wall and half wooden storage. The gate was a section of the fence on wheels that was only slightly different from the regular chain link fencing.

Saffron craned her head to briefly sneak a peek into the office post, to see into it and also to see who had been posted there!

Sundancer plays up the shame in front of the guard post

You make your run around the barracks and end up about where you started. Ember Flare and Silver Rush would be the ones to feel the burn most keenly.

Brickfielder is still in excellent shape, with or without his overall size, so he's feeling fine after the brisk lap.

Saffron: "Alright team! It is time. To put on the power armour, aaaand do it again??"

Saffron was still bounding around without too much exhaustion (at least compared to the dauntless leader and mutant friend), she was still lively and with a pep in her lockstep. Turning back to the others with perhaps a bit of discomfort on her brow as she takes more shallow breaths.

Ember Flare slows down with ragged breathing "I think that's enough for me. I think I'd rather just walk around before retiring for the night"

Silver Rush: "save some for tomorrow, we actually have work to do then, red"

Saffron has a bit of a chuckle, then an empathetic smirk towards Ember Flare. Then she rolls her eyes good-naturedly to Silver, "Alright then."

Saffron:"I'm going to quickly grab my field journal and start practising my sketching skills on the bay. Or maybe on just the outside, if I can take a look at it."

Saffron casts a second glance to Silver as she strode to the barracks entrance, "--And, for the record, I'm green now--not red!" She sasses him, then goes indoors. Only to dig through her stuff for said field journal, and then come back out so she can spend time practicing her sketching, exploring as much of the land as she could from the base.

Brickfielder would've preferred to get to know his CO some more... but, given earlier orders, is more eager to just get good shut-eye.

Your evening is spent casually on separate items before dinner before retiring to bed.

The bare rock around the base itself does not offer much of interest, but at least the view of the bay is nice. If explored closer the cliffs around that area would be quite sheer, with waves that crash against and run up nearly its entire height. There were outcrops of rock in the sea below.

The motor pool seemed to be a work in progress. Some of Thermal Updraft's troops were setting up an additional chain wall and gate for it. Which makes sense given the space was supposed to be only for assigned personnel. There may not be much to see around the officer's area that evening. Posted greens would give Brickfielder the sort of glares that meant he should skedaddle unless he had actual business with an officer. The three buildings for communications, head quarters, and the commissary were identical on the outside if not for the signage. If going into the commissary it could be seen that the building was one large open floor, save support pillars. Aside from the fixtures and shelving that made up the store.

The morning comes quickly. Wear from boot camp has not fully recovered yet and sleeping in what is a definite upgrade of a bed is quite nice. With alarms set to wake up before first light you could get through your morning routine before your required meeting. Meeting your C.O. outside of communications might be a memorable experience. Stepping outside of your barracks you would be met with a wall of fog. It was not so thick as to be unable to see your nose, but it cut your vision down to a dozen meters.

Silver Rush instinctively brushes away the clouds with a wing, definitely not remembering that groundpounders had to actually deal with weather

Brickfielder takes a deep breath after getting outside... although the thickness of the air and the chill of the early morning doesn't quite agree with him. What operation are they expected to do with this low of visibility?

Sundancer hopes the operation is high-altitude as she tries to remember the layout of the camp

Saffron had woken up roughly at the same time as everypony else, perhaps maybe a bit later than Brickfielder who slept in earlier. The first thing she did was put on the combat gear: Kitting herself up in the exoskeleton with trained quickness, but still taking a good minute to do so. Ripper on one side hanging on a webbing belt, Pistol on the other in a chest holster. She walked... Slower, and more awkwardly. It was hard to see the discomfort from behind the visor, but she grunted with irritated little noises on her way to the exit. Once she slipped beside Brickfielder, she double took at the... Fog.

Saffron: "What the... Who put the clouds so low? The air really thickened itself, huh."

Brickfielder: "...Yes, clouds can happen this low."

At least your explorations helped orientate you to the base. Although Ember Flare could navigate around blindfolded if necessary. Passing the mess hall and field hospital would see few others around at this hour. Patrol shifts at most. Heading to Communications Cloudy Forecast would be waiting a bit eerily. The light above the door to communications did not help stave off that effect.

Saffron has a chuckle to herself. Then began to stride forward to go around the barrack ahead of them,and start making their way to Communications. Turning to look at the other ponies going around. When they get to Communications and see the light above the door, then the pony himself. She contained any remarks she might've had, and strode forward with a purpose to stand at-attention before the officer.

Saffron: "Ma'am. Reporting for duty, as ordered."

Brickfielder joins Saffron and the others in his squad, saluting silently.

Your officer comes forward to brief you in a relatively discreet manner.

Cloudy Forecast:"Your first mission will be to familiarize yourselves with life on the surface so that you will have the experience needed to work far afield. To that end you will have a unique set of tasks. You will be leaving the base for one week. You will make a hidden camp at a location of your choosing that is at minimum three kilometres inland. From this camp you are to observe and report daily by radio on the activities of the red class workers who will be starting lumber operations tomorrow. You are to perform this clandestine. If I hear a report from the squads escorting the red class workers that note your presence I will consider your mission a failure."

Ember Flare ears perk at the sound of this mission

Brickfielder does raise his eyebrows at the mission description, and even glances at Silver... but, it is not his place to question the officer's strange assignment.

Silver Rush: "Yes Ma'am. Anything in particular that you're interested in from the....workers?"

Silver Rush strains not to glance any direction than at Cloudy

Saffron relaxes her stance somewhat at the briefing they get. Adjusting her wings along her back with a mixture of eagerness and anxiety. But stays quiet, for now. Listening intently--especially when Silver Rush asks a question.

Cloudy Forecast:"To start detailed reports of their activities and movements will suffice. Times of vehicles coming and going. Number and frequency of patrols around them. I will collaborate this against the other received reports to verify accuracy."

Silver Rush: "Understood. What can we expect of...local presence in the area?"

Cloudy Forecast:"You will encounter wildlife I am sure. But of the local infrared population they should not have a presence this far south. Details of potential contact will be forwarded should the need arise. As this is a training exercise I do not expect you to have an engagement."

Silver Rush can't help but flick an ear at training exercise "affirmative, Ma'am. Anything to add, squad?"

Saffron: "Negative..."

Sundancer: "I enjoy a challenge, ma'am."

Brickfielder: "...Negative. We'll do our duty, ma'am."


Session 2

Your CO, Cloudy Forecast, walks up and down your assembled lineup and summarizes your clandestine mission in brief. Leave the base ASAP under the fog cover. Find a suitable site to establish a camp at least three km inland. Beginning tomorrow make regular reports on the activities of the red class citizen workers and their escort on an encrypted radio channel. Continue these reports for one week, using your survival skills to maintain yourselves. Do not alert other green squads to your presence.

Saffron would quickly get squared away after the briefing, approaching Ember Flare despite an initial, albeit small hesitation to get close to them.

Saffron: "You can take care of handling the route, yeah? On the GPS. I can pathfinder a little bit."

Silver Rush waits for a cue that the assembled gaggle is in order before speaking up "Yes Ma'am. Before we depart there's some non-standard equipment we believe would aid our mission"

Cloudy Forecast gives Silver a nod to continue.

Ember Flare: "GPS? Oh sure! I'll keep track of our position"

Saffron beams and nodnods her head to Ember Flare in response. Though given the conversation going on with the officer, she quiets down and listens with rapt attention.

Silver Rush:"Cameras to compare troop movements on the fly, and provide more thorough recon, as well as Ration chocolate for animal bait and quick flame-less energy"

(GM Note) I call for a negotiation test from Silver. He passes.

Cloudy Forecast looks to be accepting of the request. "Deployment of surveillance equipment would be a useful skill to acquire. Do not rely too heavily on them however." She gives a small smile. "I had suggested getting sweets yesterday. Perhaps I tripped a sweet tooth? I will have your requisition forwarded to the commissary. So collect your items and prepare to leave."

Silver Rush:"Roger that, Thank you Ma'am"

Saffron subtly swishes her tail with a sliver of dog-like happiness for literally a second, then stiffens again.

With that Cloudy dismisses your group to begin your task. She turns and enters the communications building, leaving you out in the fog.

Ember Flare: "Oh wow, good job getting all that gear for us."

Silver Rush whets his sharp tongue after the exchange, already tasting the chocolate

Sundancer: "Using it for chocolate? At least she seems sympathetic."

Saffron waits the moment where Cloudy Forecast closes the door behind them, before turning to Silver Rush. Just to say: "Score!" beneath her breath, giving Silver Rush a mock-punch on the shoulder (by rearing up slightly because she's short).

Brickfielder salutes Cloudy as she leaves and gives a low sigh. "...This isn't the sort of thing we were really trained for in boot camp, but, good pegasi adapt."

Ember Flare: "We should try and ace this test and maybe we'll stay in officer Cloudy's good graces"

Saffron grins to Ember once, "Yah... Hey which one of us is good with setting up surveillance equipment by the way??" She says. looking towards the robopegasus that is Sundancer slightly.

Silver Rush:"yeah this mission is...odd to say the least, figured we'd be digging ditches for a while, but if we jump right to bushwhacking nonsense then so much the better"

Brickfielder: "My thoughts exactly. We'll need to put our heads together on how to do this the most to her liking."

Silver Rush snorts at both being punched and the amount of effort saffron has to go through to do it

Sundancer:"Don't look at me! I could not sneak to save my life. I suppose now would be the time to learn, but we have so much at stake."

Saffron: "S-so you're saying it's not as easy as just putting them together than making someone else place them?"

Ember Flare: "I've gone through most basic training but I'm sure someone else is more skilled in that area"

Silver Rush:"before we get to the sneaking we need to set up a camp first. DO we have any terrain maps? The other side of a ridge overlooking the camp would be prime"

Sundancer: "Setting up is placing them, isn't it?"

Saffron taps her chin and pouts, flicking her wings along her back once to fluff them. "Maybe once we find out how many patrols there are, and their schedules, we can use the gaps to put--" Saffron's train of thought is interrupted by Silver's. She quickly nods, "Oh yeah! We have GPS and stuff, Ember knows what to do. I can make sure we don't run into any trouble by scouting a little bit ahead and pathfinding."

Ember Flare nods "Oh yeah that is more of my area, I think I can keep track of our location. Maybe we should not hurry too much with the cameras, but scout around a bit at first....?"

Saffron mumbles, "Yah that sounds smort. 's what I was thinking.", As she says so, she looked down towards the Commissary, "We should get moving tho, we can probably plan once we find a camp-spot."

Silver Rush:"yeah good plan. We could set them up like trip cameras if we really needed, but let's get eyes on before we think about where to put them"

When heading over to the commissary you would not be in for a long wait. Your requisition had been forwarded by radio and the green staff under Silver lining's command had gotten it arranged. You would be provided with three remote cameras and the receiver equipment they were tied to. Each camera was a brick and the receiving equipment was a bulky case that opened with a viewing screen. It had recording ability on a holodisk. Your chocolate was a sealed box of a dozen bars. You would need to ration it.

(GM Note): The group figured out a call sign OOC. They were Nimbus squad

Taking off into the fog you would need to head in a north or north-west direction. Keeping together at the start might be difficult due to the fog and different speeds at which you can all move. At least you have a radio to keep in communication without needing to make too much noise. The area just north of the FOB was rough and hilly. Bare rock and ocean spray making for slippery ground. The fog would start to dissipate with the sun rising. It would be about half an hour of flight before the bare rock started to give way to brush growth and eventually into a proper tree line.

Silver Rush: "wingtip formation, until we get out of the clouds. keep it tight, would be stupid to get lost already"

Saffron kept the comms clear of her own chatter. Though if one got close enough she could be heard muttering, "Wowww... Look at those hills... They look so... ROUGH and SHITTY--it's so cool!..." Her eyes semi-distracted with observing the terrain, both to sight-see and to check if there's anything moving down there. She heard there were critters about here--like stay dogs and cats, but she hasn't seen any yet... Though this didn't particularly hinder her from staying in formation, luckily., keeping at the front-left portion of the arrow formation.

Sundancer: "Flying isn't like this at home, I'll give you that."

Brickfielder isn't faring better than anyone else between lugging around the equipment and generally having more body mass to worry about, having to continually readjust himself as he gets used to the differences.

Silver Rush wipes his face, the fog chilling his wet fur as they breeze over the terrain

Silver Rush: "good tree cover...might make it hard to observe far away, but easier to get close"

You will need to stop at the tree line for a quick breather. At least your leader and the mutant will. It would be the first time any of you would be so close to a live forest. With parts of the fog still clinging it would be a unique, and possibly unsettling sight.

Ember Flare sniffs the damp forest air "it's so damp and... tree-y"

Sundancer: "Without pegasi, fog is formed by trees."

Listening would reveal unfamiliar bird calls and a wide number of other, unknown sounds. You would get to smell fresh dew, damp soil and foliage. See the vibrant greens of this early summer forest.

Sundancer: "But... trees drink lots of water. It's complicated."

Saffron spared a hoof to wipe the moisture from her ballistic goggles. Then actually pipes up in the radio channel to answer Silver Rush, "Agreed! Now comes the challenge of seeing a good spot for a camp under all that fauna." She says, then tunes out. Veiling the sheer childish wonder in her eyes with a more professional tone. As they land however, she couldn't help but land into a trot to make for one of the trees, and sniffles it, taking in the exotic scents... Then flicking up her ears to the sound of birds.

Brickfielder narrows his eyes as he adjusts the equipment strapped to him, looking up at the trees. "...Definitely not anything like the orchards..."

Silver Rush 's head swivels constantly, each new sound being a loud blare of unfamiliarity

Silver Rush: "Its so...loud down here..."

Saffron: "... Good!"

Sundancer: "Our targets are going to be even more disoriented by it. Try and keep your wonder contained."

Saffron walks around the tree very thoroughly inspecting, sniffing it from every direction--up and down, flinching back at the sight of ants. Then looking up at the leaves. She stares at them for a moment, then flutters up and snatches one with her teeth to lick them.

Sundancer isn't doing a very good job at keeping her wonder contained, eyes running over rocks and moss over and over

Silver Rush: "hmm...I bet none of them will think to look up. too many years of staring down"

Ember Flare flicks her ear at every snap and creak of the forest "Y-yeah should help us stay hidden"

Silver Rush takes a swig of water "how far are we from their camp? we probably need to peel off towards potential campsites"

Saffron comes back down from the tree chewing one of it's greener leaves. She actually eats it, straight up. And only mildly scrunchies from the taste. After a moment, she peers at the tree itself, all the way up, and then measures it compared to the other trees...

Saffron: "I'm going to take the top-view! We need to get situated!"

Silver Rush now realizes that everything around them is edible and is in awe

Ember Flare flaps with Saffron to take a look

Saffron promptly jumps up and into a flight, fluttering around the branches until she perches at the topmost part, and uses her binoculars to peer around...

Brickfielder just watches Saffron and Ember head up, not noticing Silver's moment of ecstatic epiphany next to him.

Sundancer gains a bit of altitude to give a better view

(GM Note): I have the players test observation for finding landmarks. The group passes

Ember Flare quickly descends back down wings still sore from the flight

Taking a view above the treeline the trio can collaborate on some points of interest for later navigation. Several mountain peaks with relatively distinct features to the west. Two separate towering trees, either north or west from your current position. A waterfall that is sourced from the mountains and drains southward. The canopy of the forest is dense, so spotting ground level aspects will need to be done directly.

Sundancer: "If I was setting up a lumber camp, I'd pick somewhere near the river, at the edge of the trees."

Saffron stays perched above the tree, looking around and slowly scanning... Until she puts a hoof to the side of her helmet, and chimes into the radio. "Ember, how far are we from the FOB? 2 kilometers yet?" She asked, eyeballing that waterfall.

Ember Flare: "uh.. sorry um about 1,5km out"

Saffron nods, in spite of the gesture being unseen by anyone. She then shifts her eyes to the towering trees, taking note of their locations relative to them.

Saffron:"Okay. Ember can you make markers on the GPS by estimating their location? 'cause here's my take, we need to head further in to cover that remaining point five kilometers left, and I'm seeing a waterfall. I kinda want to check if there's a cave under the waterfall."

(GM Note): Saffron's player did not realize Ember Flare was the GPS, not a device. They do not realize this for a few sessions

Ember Flare: "...I'll memorize the waterfall. And uh, we were told to head in at least 3km. So we're currently minimum halfway to any potential camp site"

Saffron hums and quickly flicks out the compass to tell directions as she speaks on the radio. "There's also two MASSIVE trees. I think just about north-west of where we are right now, not to mention the mountain peaks... Plenty of potential spots there." She says, then quiets down.

Ember Flare: "...Maybe even further just in case the reds start wandering further in”

Sundancer: "Our camp can be pretty far in. Distance is a good shield and our wings should make travel easy."

Saffron flutters up with some effort from her perch and goes to land down among the others. Standing just under the canopy of the trees.

Brickfielder: "The mountains are I'm sure useful. Besides, that's surely not the only waterfall; if we want a cave that's hidden by something, there are surely more options."

Saffron:"Yah... Let's get movin'! If there's nothing at the waterfall we can bounce towards the mountain peaks I saw."

Ember Flare: "The waterfall seems to stick out very much. Might attract attention"

Saffron scuffs the ground a little bit. "Yeeah... You right..." She seems kinda disgruntled all of a sudden. Looking to Silver Rush for his motions to keep moving, if he wants.

Saffron starts to turn around to get walking in the direction of the waterfall at a careful pace. Still checking around as they go. "So the big trees are probably either gonna be left alone for being big landmarks 'cause they'll get seen by the bad guys if we touch 'em, or they'll go there first because that's a lot of wood. Mountains are kind of fitty-fitty, waterfall's kinda there... Maybe there's something in between..."

Silver Rush:"reds will probably make a contest to chop down the biggest tree...bah, waterfall first I suppose, we might as well"

Saffron: "Won't know until we go looksie."

Sundancer: "We should take advantage of our head-start, and start setting up camp as late as we can."

A land trek would be slow going. Saffron would quickly encounter just how dense the undergrowth is. Unless she wanted to start hacking away she would be dragged at by every brush and bramble between here and the waterfall.

Saffron starts eyeballing the grass and sniffing the air to take in the new scents, flicking her head around to any new sounds... Making an attempt to not leave an obvious trail. Though this is hard because of the terrain. She DID have a Ripper. However she wasn't sure if she wanted to start breaking stuff, unless Silver Rush told her to.

Ember Flare: "Hmh, if it's this thick everywhere we might have trouble keeping watch at them reds"

The waterfall would be quite a sight up close. Crystal clear water in a natural basin spilling down in a roar of white foam. The basin would make for an excellent spot to rest. But even with the trees it was very exposed. Below the waterfall was a wide ravine, far wider than the waterfall itself, that cut down through the forest and deeply into the foothills. From this angle you could see the chasm cutting south. Now that you were close and the general morning fog started to lift you can see the seemingly endless stretch of forest to the south that maintained it's fog. You could see treetops peeking from the wide white bank. But it was far denser fog than you had experienced at camp.

Ember Flare: "Flying over the forest would make us very easily spottable"

Saffron chuckled softly, "Yeah well," she casts a glance at Ember, "That goes both ways. Easier to sneak. Just need to know where to go." She answered with a chipper tone and a pep in her step, "Better start figuring that out soon, even if the workers are likely just going to hack it all away soon."

Sundancer: "We could hide in the fog, but I don't know if I want to deal with the moisture in my joints."

Silver Rush:"hmm...we need to look for anything nearby we could keep ourselves. any caverns and the like...want to be careful, if this is the only water source around other people might use it too"

Saffron stops once they reach the waterfall. She spends a good while just staring at it, before flicking up her forehoof and checking her watch to tell the time of day... Before starting to approach the side of the ravine, peering down it...

Sundancer: "The waterfall is a nightmare for hiding. All exposed space and curious reds. The ravine is worse."

Silver Rush: "it might be a good place to set up a camera though. see exactly who does use it"

Saffron half-turns to speak back to the others at the mention of the camera. "That's right! We can start setting that up, huh!" She peels herself back from the vista to canter back to Silver Rush, "Let's do that."

(GM Note): The sneaky characters tested Deceit to hide one of the cameras

Picking a good tree further into the basin Sundancer and Silver Rush get the first of your three cameras set. It would require zip-tying the thing to a sturdy branch. You would need to have the viewing equipment set up to confirm how good it had for sight lines later.

Silver Rush makes sure to scuff it and rub away any overtly identifying marks of the manufacturing origin

Saffron kept herself perched atop one of the trees to keep looking around-- this time towards the mountain, trying to see past the waterfall, or the cliff face. Though she does check on the others, to see where the camera was being set up...

Saffron:"Wanna keep going towards the west? Maybe there's something along here. Other option's go north east and find a good spot under the canopy."

Sundancer: "I like north-east for a camp location. Nothing special about a spot in the woods."

Silver Rush:"agreed, northeast, along the ridges, find an unassuming spot in the woods. we can always relocate if we find a better spot, we just need to get the gear set up before the reds make camp"

Brickfielder was just about to second the north-east suggestion. Instead, he keeps his lips tight as he has for most of this.

Saffron flutters back down to get back among them on the ground, giving a second look to the waterfall to savor the sight... Before looking to them once more, adjusting her large combat saddlebags with an irritated look in her wry lips as she speaks. "Yah... If we walk it'll take a while tho. Underbrush is pretty thick. But if we fly we might miss a good spot."

Saffron: "... So, guess we have to commit. Are we ready to go? Camera looks good!"

Taking a flight off the waterfall ridge and heading north east the group will need to land and travel on foot to scout a suitable campsite. Closer to the mountains here the underbrush did not seem as problematic. With tall, heavy trees occupying the canopy there was less sunlight to feed smaller trees. This left the deeper woods a bit less dense. It would be slower going, half as much if you were simply flying. But you would have also missed the experience. Being deep in the woods you were enclosed by a small sensory overload. Damp scents of living foliage. The sounds from animal and insect calls and the wind rustling the branches. The pressure of the air this close to sea level. The harsh mix of light and shadows that dance as the trees sway. The immersed sensation would give a mix of claustrophobia and wonder.

Silver Rush: "well...at least the underbrush isn't as thick...but eugh...bugs"

Ember Flare: "There aren't bears or anything in here right? too many little creatures everywhere"

Saffron kept a slow-going and careful step to her pace. Not as purposeful, but somewhat... Worried. Paranoid, maybe. Despite the consistent half-smile on her face, the sheer amount of movement around them... The trees--blocking sight lines, the smells, and the bugs--some of which kinda made her flinch back with some reflexive fear. It made her draw her pistol to keep it handy, even if she didn't necessarily toggle the laser on. The childish wonder slowly turned to mild concern, as she kept a tight formation near Silver Rush, until told otherwise.

Sundancer bounces as she walks, partially out of excitement and partially to distract herself from the sights and sounds and blur her vision

Sundancer: "The big old trees were a great choice for a campsite!"

Silver Rush flicks his tail at the constant creep of insects, keeping his head moving as they walk through the dark canopy "keep eyes out for any depressions or concealable spots"

Ember Flare stops every now and then to check how much progress they have done

Picking your way through would take time. It would be easy enough to get turned around having to snake your way through the trees if not for Ember Flare's keen directional sense keeping you going north east. It would be close to noon by the time you were beyond your 3km mark and could locate a good candidate for a campsite. One candidate presented itself fairly quickly. A natural bowl formed among the roots of trees that were six ponies diameter. The bowl was fairly level on the ground area and about six meters wide. The brush would need to be cleared out and maybe a fire pit dug. Collecting water would be a bit of a trek back to the waterfall but no more than a couple hours round trip.

(GM Note): The following was a hidden message to Ember Flare for magic sensing.

In addition to tracking your position Ember would be able to pick up on latent magic. She had studied and understood in principle what leylines were. Now she could feel them. Not strong ones, but they were there and felt like a warm presence.

Saffron sniffs the ground a few times, sometimes detouring when they find flowers. For some reason, Saffron simply could not be helped from trying to eat at least one of every flower they came across, and sometimes licking the grass. She tasted everything, except things that looked obviously dangerous and icky. She tried to keep track of food sources along the way--to keep them in mind for later, until they got to their would-be camp site. She pipes up with a "Oh look! That look guhd!" she says, still chewing on a flower petal as she goes to examine the place closely.

Saffron: "Kinda messy but--easy fix for that!"

Ember Flare: "Eh are you sure that's safe?"

Silver Rush: "hmm...could easily set up a small brush camo netting over that ditch...we'd need to fortify it a bit"

Silver Rush turns towards the rest of the trees "twine signal wires going out all around there..."

Saffron: "Probably not safe AS IT IS but I am sure we can make it safe. Plus I don't think it gets better than this..."

Brickfielder takes the first chance to unload the rest of the equipment. "Second-guessing our location too much wouldn't help matters anyways."

Saffron goes to march herself into the bowl with a flutter of wings to prevent tripping in. Then starts kicking around twigs and stones, double-checking for any particularly sized insects or... Snakes, possibly.

Ember Flare:"Maybe we should do some very light scouting today along with setting the camp, you know, so we would have something to report back to"

Sundancer: "You should stick to field rations until you figure out what's safe. Our first report is probably expected to contain their camp's location, so we should stick to getting that."

Ember Flare: "yeah, that sounds good"

Saffron: "I can do scouting. That's one of the things I trained for, at least."

Saffron turns back to the others from within the bowl. Successfully having not found any snakes or giant spiders. She beams at the squad, and tippity taps the dirt with her foreboots. "Let's get started, yeah?? I'll look around, while you all set it all up. Maybe I can find some good food, too!"

Saffron: "Oh and..."

Saffron starts to unload her tent, sitting down to bring out everything and find her own place for it.

Saffron:"I guess, the tent should come up first."

Brickfielder is less than thrilled about having to sleep in one of the small personal tents again. They don't have ponies of his size in mind when making these sorts of things.

Ember Flare clears some space and sets up camp for a bit

With a location to set up your squad gets to digging in. Literally so as the undergrowth and small trees nestled in the space will need to be cleared before you can lay out your equipment.

Sundancer removes her armour and starts doing some self-diagnostic, starting with wiping her surfaces down of moisture accumulated flying

Sundancer: "Anypony with muscles sore? I imagine flying with armor on wasn't fun.”

Saffron begins to round up clutter, sticks, and stones into a sack from her survival gear and then walks off a few meters to spread them around somewhat conspicuously--or at least more so than just dumping it all in one place. She sometimes sagged as a teensy bit of fatigue caught up to her, but she didn't stop for that. She helped clean up and dig, she did her part. Even if she was kinda sweaty doing so.

Saffron: "I'm kinda sore but, y'know, whatever."

Ember Flare: "Well at least we're still sticking pretty close to base"

Brickfielder spreads his wings out some as he steps back from his tent. "I'd feel fine if it weren't for all that surveillance stuff. Made my armor chafe."

Sundancer:"I can get you something for your chafing. We should have some time off while Saffron does all the work here."

Silver Rush stows his gear "a tarp and some branches would be a good start for some top cover. Would help keep rain off our foxhole as well"

Sundancer: "Watching screens and relaxing."

Brickfielder: "...That's... uh, not necessary. It doesn't chafe normally. I was just exceptionally loaded down."

Sundancer considers this for a moment "Rest should heal it up just fine."

Silver Rush uses his to try and form a canopy over the trench to camouflage it from as many angles as possible

Saffron whines loudly as Sundancer points her out. "I'm gonna go do what I said I was gonna do." She says, kinda grumbling. She lays out her bedroll and tarps, then flaps out of the bowl and onto the grass, to start walking off a short distance so she could see if there's anything good to eat around.

(GM Note):Saffron tested some Observation to locate useful natural supplies.

Taking a tour around your campsite would give the impression to Saffron that much of the potentially edible plants here want to make that experience unpleasant. At least around your camp none of the berries would be in season and most would be toxic at least mildly. The flowering plants would be barbed and or also toxic. More than a couple poison ivy and poison oaks were in the area. There were some useful medicinal plants however, including willow trees. This would be the first time getting hoof on experience with these items, compared to just pictures in text. Saffron would eventually return after at least a couple hours of looking around to forage. She had perhaps a few grass-marks on her leggings, but otherwise came back without a hitch, still bearing that same excited smile as she hops down among them again.

Saffron: "So! I found TONS of poisonous things, and!... Medicinal plants! Willows, namely. Nothing exceptionally edible yet tho, I uh... Guess I'll have to sleep on it, then try looking more later."

Silver Rush: "thats uh...good? can you eat willow bark? not that we'll be starving out here, its only a week on rations"

Saffron snorts at Silver Rush, looking at him as she rolls her eyes. "The bark isn't the good part, it's the green part. The leaves and stems on the branches."

Sundancer: "I'm going to use the medicine I'm issued, I think."

Brickfielder:"...Leaves don't sound particularly appealing. I'd rather find more proper edible stuff through foraging."

Ember Flare: "hm not that excited about the poisonous part"

Saffron: "Noooo--the Willow is good for medicines! It reduces swelling, and heat. It's kinda good, for bruises."

Ember Flare looks around the campsite "well this should be good enough for now... could conceal it more later"

Sundancer: "Cabbage is leaves. But who knows what microbes there could be."

Silver Rush:"yeah, we need to get a better lay of the surrounding area, while we still have the morning on our side. We get those camera feeds?"

Saffron glances up at the tarps the others had set up. Then back down to Silver once he mentions the camera.

Saffron: "Oh yeah! We need to see if the camera by the waterfall works properly."

Saffron trots back to the mouth of her tent to sit down and, finally, take a huge sigh of relief as she rests... For a bit, at least. Letting the others speak or do things for a minute.

(GM Note):The players rolled a group test for the condition of their campsite

Your camp ends up being quite cozy. Tarps are laid strategically for maximizing coverage and tied down. Natural cover is used to shield your camera's receiver equipment and your tents from the elements. A fire pit is dug in the center and lined with stones. The tents are arranged around the fire to benefit from any heat and light during the evenings. In all the site ends up looking quite professional for your first attempt.

Brickfielder settles down next to the fire pit and pops his neck, and looks around, smirking and puffing his chest out. "I'm quite proud of how this came together, if I do say so myself."

Sundancer: "Welcome to Camp Nimbus. The finest observation post in the griffonian isles."

Saffron: "Daaaamn... Sundancer you're pretty good at this camp-building thing."

Sundancer: "I know, I know. I should have been in the engineers."

Saffron eyeballs the corner with their camera receiver equipment. For some reason it is that one thing that gets her to start subtly wagging her tail excitedly from her sitting spot.

Saffron: "You got re-assigned or somethin'?"

Brickfielder:"Mh. No doubt good jobs available for a logistically-minded pegasus after you move up from being a Green, if nothing else."

Sundancer:"I honestly don't know what our squad is supposed to be doing. We're working for a mutant and spying on other greens. Maybe I got set aside because I was too good to work with Thermal on building and blowing up things. Maybe this is some weird loyalty test."

Brickfielder: "Our duty is spying on our allies. It's all a loyalty test."

Saffron has a bit of a titter to Sundancer's reply. "Maybe not even the Blues know yet, y'know?" Saffron replied, "Cloudy said he wanted ponies with some 'initiative'. He only got like... Three squads, and she's the comms officer, in'she?" She pauses on that...

Saffron: "... What if she's got a spooky agenda..."

Brickfielder:"...I'm not going to act like something doesn't stink about this. But Cloudy's playing an important role nonetheless. Maybe that role is just ensuring everyone else is behaving as they should."

Ember Flare: "It might just be a test. See how well we fare here defines what our next missions will be"

Sundancer:"If there's any spooky agenda, it comes from her bosses, probably. I don't want to start suspecting Cloudy of treason just because she's a mutant. It would be a bad way to start our career."

Brickfielder:”If she weren't a useful mutant, she wouldn't be our CO. I trust her."

Ember Flare: "So we should strive to make a good impression or we could end up doing bottom of the barrel jobs"

Sundancer: "Or worse."

Saffron quietly listened to the discussion her wild thought sprouted from the others. She, in the meantime, took off her helmet and set it beside her, ruffling her mane to let it go wild while she heard them.

Saffron:"It's jus' kinda weird, is all. I don't mind, personally! This is all I've ever dreamed of doing. And she gave us chocolate. I feel like we're just, like, an Intelligence team! It makes more sense... Maybe we're gonna be a vanguard eventually."

Brickfielder: "...Sitting in a hovel in the forest, waiting to spy on other pegasi, is what you dreamed of doing...?"

Saffron: "No?? I wanted to go exploring and that's what we're doing! Spying on ponies is just a side thing."

Brickfielder snorts slightly and looks around. "...A side thing."

Sundancer: "Yeah, she's not the one who's going to be sitting in the hovel all day."

Saffron rolls her eyes good-naturedly. "Okay." She scoffs back. "We should probably call back to Cloudy Forecast to let her know where we are, before we tuck ourselves in."

When it was gotten to the camera equipment could be tested. The video screen was no more than 30 centimetres, giving a fairly tight view of what would be shown. The cameras would need to be manually switched between when viewed. But the recorder could pick up all three signals at once. The disk only had about a day of recording, so would need to be overwritten. When tested the view from the waterfall would be quite clear. Hard to say how well the signal would keep up if you were further out however.

Ember Flare looks a bit anxious "But we don't have anything to report yet!"

Ember Flare: "We'd just be wasting the officers time if we reported now"

Saffron flicks down her wings onto her back. "Our current location is a thing to report, but, okaayyyyyyy." Saffron checks her watch to tell the time again...

Ember Flare: "Sorry, I just thought we might want to give... a fuller report. We have nothing about the reds yet"

Sundancer: "Weren't you supposed to be looking for them?"

Saffron:"I can't believe Sundancer wants me gone so bad that she'll send me out when the operations haven't even started yet."

Ember Flare: "Oh right heh... nevermind then..."

Sundancer: "I was just worried about your 'side thing' comments is all."

Saffron titters and looked between the two mares with pure mirthful amusement in her eyes. Not quite taking offence just yet. Though she does look up from her watch after Sundancer's particular comment, putting her hoof down quickly. "I'm taking this as seriously as you." She remarked, off-hoofedly. "I just wanted to be out here really bad, is all."

Brickfielder: "...Made for front-line service, I suppose."

Saffron fixes Brickfielder with an askance glance. Like she was translating the meaning of what he had said, before deciding to just dismiss it and pick up the helmet, putting it back on her head. And standing up. "I'm going to keep looking around. There's 5 hours left to do things, and I still wanna peek about for food sources."

Ember Flare: "Is there anything you want done today Silver?"

Saffron goes to turn around and flap herself out of the hovel, giving a glance to Silver Rush--if he felt like stopping her, pausing there.

Silver Rush: "only thing left to do would be scout the surrounding area, get a better lay of the land. fallback points, observation roosts etc"

Ember Flare: "I'll get to it."

Sundancer: "Leaving evidence of our presence all over the woods probably isn't ideal."

Brickfielder glances at Ember, and stands up. "I'll accompany you. Not much use with spotting finer details on my own."

Silver Rush:"nah nah, like marking where good spots are and knowing what local features can help us hide or just orient ourselves to landmarks"

Sundancer: "But I'll get working on finding a second place to put a campsite"

Ember Flare is pretty keen on turning her attention away from her previous embarrassing outburst

Saffron looks back to the woodland once Silver Rush had spoken, then walks around the underbrush carefully in distinct silence. And resuming her previous exploration to keep checking for food while the others take care of the other task.

Ember Flare nods to Brickfielder before setting out to look around

Brickfielder follows out behind Ember, letting her lead.

Striking out to get their own view Brickfielder and Ember Flare will be quite productive in their search for tactical and strategic points. There are a number of threes with strong branches and long sight-lines that could be used for watch posts if necessary around the campsite. However when investigating one spot the pair would be ambushed by a red squirrel. Ambushed might not be a fair term but the chirping warning it gave would be easy to ignore before it sprung out.

(GM Note): I introduced the dodge and damage mechanics with an “attack” from the squirrel. Brickfielder failed to evade while Ember Flare used magic to shield herself. Brickfielder gained the Hurt condition.

Saffron would continue her truffle hunt. While she would be able to find mushrooms, the red ones with white spots that formed two interlaced circles quarter km from the camp would be problematic to eat.

Ember Flare doesn't manage to dodge the rabid monster fast enough and resorts to using her training. She emits fumes from her armour and produces a whirling vortex shielding her

Ember Flare: "AAh!"

Bouncing off the smokey temporal barrier that Ember Flare expels results in the bushy red tailed monster being bounced towards Brickfielder. In its attempt to escape the squirrel seemed to first choose going through the large stallion, resulting in a number of scratches on his face. The beast could be flung off in short order, but some damage was done.

Brickfielder is, between being caught off-guard by the little beast's attack, and being startled by Ember's vortex, left fumbling as he gets rid of it, shouting obscenities at it and panting once it's gone... before wheeling on Ember, putting a hoof to the scratches stinging on his face. "What the fuck was that?"

Ember Flare huffs still startled "I don't know, some sort of clawed rodent!

Brickfielder: "Not that! What you just did! ...Your mutation, I bet."

Ember Flare is flustered "oh sorry, yes it's part of my training... But your face! We should have that looked at. Who knows what diseases that thing is carrying"

Brickfielder narrows his eyes and glances off in the direction it went. "I'll be fine until we get back to base. Damn ground creatures..."

Ember Flare: "Well... if you insist. For such a small thing it did quite a work on you"

Brickfielder: "Yeah, well, the thing moved like it was possessed. I'm not good with grabbing little finicky things."

With the excitement passed Brickfielder and Ember Flare could return to their camp. Cleaning up would be simple enough for Sundancer. The embarrassment would be a far longer sting than the scrapes.

Saffron goes on a solitary walk through the woods. Seeing the sights, breathing in the air and, most of all, relishing in the freedom of being out in the wild on her own. She peeks around the shrooms that eventually pop out on the ground, at first curiously watching the red and white spotted ones--despite knowing what they are from book studies. She almost grabs one... Thinking of all the possibilities it might entail... But common sense wins out in the end, and she leaves them behind. For now. Returning to the camp with a sack-full of brown mushrooms.

Saffron would briefly swing by Silver Rush once she returned--likely just about as the sun fully set. Putting her little sack of mushrooms aside near the fire pit. "I found a bunch'a tasty mushrooms, and then a lot of FUN mushrooms."

Saffron: "You ever wanna have hallucinations just let me know, boss."

Ember Flare would be sure to warn everyone about the ferocious beasts lurking around in the forest

Brickfielder would be silently standing there with a look of frustration while Ember warns everyone.

Sundancer offers to treat Brickfielder's face when he returns to camp, after returning from a short uneventful walk done to make the squad leader happy

Saffron would listen to Ember Flare with rapt attention. Mildly concerned about the size of this HIDEOUS BEAST that Ember spoke of, and then looking at the teeny scratches on Brickfielder's face, then back to Ember. Saffron , almost sarcastically judging by the very brief smirk. "Wow are you okay??" She asks Brickfielder.

Brickfielder narrows his eyes. "I would appreciate the cuts being disinfected. At the least."

Saffron: "Oh yeah, damn. Can't have you catch turbo-rabies or somethin'."

Sundancer unscrews a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide and rubs it into Brick's face, enjoying the feeling of doing medical treatment again

Brickfielder sits still for Sundancer, tightening his jaw and bearing the sting of the alcohol, looking like a pouting colt who got scratched up while playing outside.

Saffron wanders back to lay down in front of her tent. Giving a nod towards the sack of mushrooms she had temporarily left nearby. "I got us some snacks." She said, in a more even tone of voice, "Most of the food around here is not good for ponies."

Ember Flare would have also sidestepped her use of powers in her tale

Brickfielder doesn't say anything, but he does notice Ember's omission of how she startled the squirrel off. Not wanting to just openly tell what her mutation is...?

Saffron: "Wait so was it actually THAT bad, Ember?"

Saffron goes on to glance at Ember, interested in what she had to say in earnest--in spite of her ribbing on.

Brickfielder: "You think we should look out for it again? What does it sound like?"

Ember Flare:"Well I'm certainly going to be more careful around here. It did run away once Brickfielder tossed it so hopefully it learned to keep its distance Also it let out this high pitch screeching noise before it leapt"

Saffron snorts through her nose softly, "Here's hopin'..." She muttered, before nodding along a bit more... "... Where'd ya see it? I might go find it. Maybe if I give it some food I can befriend it, and it'll stop jumping on our faces."

Saffron: "Or maybe it'll be gone straight-up."

Ember Flare points in a direction "I'm not sure approaching wild animals is the best thing to try... Sounds like a way to lose an eye"

Saffron: "I got ballistic goggles for that. I'm not scared of getting scratched."

Brickfielder scoffs... though maybe he's lucky the squirrel didn't go for his eyes.

Saffron smirks and glances in the direction Ember pointed. Before giving a slight nod to take note of it. "Thanks Ember. I'm guessing you didn't find much out there..." She adds softly, reaching into her saddlebags to fish in it, until she produces her field journal; beginning to make various notes. Namely, writing down the timeline of events so far. Starting with the arrival to the forest, setting up of the first camera, then the setting up of camp... Then detailing the various plants spotted nearby.

Silver would use the encryption code Cloudy provided to signal back to the FOB, which was under call-sign Lighthouse. He would call in, receive confirmation, and then be told to report. At least your leader would be good with his words, giving a proper report without issue. Silver would be told to continue within mission parameters and report daily at the same time.

(GM Note):There was an ooc discussion regarding night watches.

Ember Flare tried not to volunteer but does so slightly reluctantly

(GM Note): Ember Flare is given private information for what she hears on her watch.

During the night flare can barely hear something odd, she thinks. Laughter? It would be distant and hard to tell if it was real. She would sense a burst of magic from somewhere east of your camp, not very close though. It would be suddenly there and gone, about two hours before sunrise. It would be difficult to tell if these really happened though.


Session 3

Your first night in the woods would be a loud one. The noise of the forest creatures would be insistent and maddening. When you start to nod off some new buzzing, hooting, or high pitched screech would begin. If it were a constant droning perhaps you could block it out. But it was all new and alien. Something your training had drilled you to pay attention to.

(GM Notes): I had the players test Endurance to resist fatigue for a rough first night. Only Ember Flare Fails

Today will be your first day at surveillance of the lumber collection, red class citizens, and your fellow greens. You will have a number of tasks to perform for this mission. Tasks to be assigned by your squad leader. The first and possibly most important task involves the scouting of your targets. It will primarily be a matter of diligent observation over many hours. Hours where you will need to keep from being noticed yourself. All while keeping a log of what is observed.

You will need to assign shifts for monitoring ongoing footage. Reviewing the night's camera footage would also be a long process. But someone would need to do it as part of routine for compiling later reports. Once you get more cameras set up it could be a multipony job. Even with sped up playbacks.

The next task would be placing the two remaining cameras. Locations would need to be scouted. Semi permanent spots so the cameras would not need to be moved with any frequency.

The campsite will need to be patrolled. While you had been told the risk of encountering infrareds was slim at best there were many animals in this forest. Even if they could not hurt you they could get into your supplies or damage equipment.

To complicate matters the morning fog is as dense as it had been yesterday. If everyday is like this then you'll have to start factoring that in

Sundancer sees herself as a natural shoe-in for monitoring and reviewing camera footage, and feels pretty good after taking the first watch last night

Silver Rush:"great more clouds...nimbus might be more apt than we thought it would be for this mission"

Saffron had awakened somewhat groggily given that she was middle watch, but perked up almost immediately. After all, it was the moment of truth! Sitting up and getting into her combat gear, she looked to Silver Rush and simply said: "Scouting time?"

Ember Flare: "So uh, did either of you notice anything weird during the night? Saffron? Sundancer?"

Brickfielder is annoyed by the density, but decides to maybe not vocally muse on the irony of them living their lives on clouds only for clouds to now be a nuisance to them. He's not in the mood for thinking about that irony anyways.

Sundancer:"The name for clouds this close to the surface is stratus. Maybe nimbostratus would have been a better name."

Brickfielder: "Bit of a mouthful..."

Saffron darts her eyes to Ember Flare, then just flicks up her wings in a shrug.

Saffron: "Nah. Nothing but the fog, at least! And maybe some insects."

Sundancer shakes her head at Ember's question "It all seemed fine to me."

Sundancer: "No reds, no infrareds."

Saffron mumbles, rubbing the back of her neck and forelegs, "A lot of insects actually..."

Ember Flare rubs her hoof "Oh well I guess it's nothing but... I don't know if I heard anything other than normal forest sounds"

Silver Rush: "the ground certainly isn't any easier to sleep on..."

Ember Flare:"But I did feel some sort of magical... discharge of sorts? Not close though, but some distance away to the east I think"

Saffron: "Magical discharge?..."

Saffron straps on her helmet and fastens the chin strap. All the while looking to Ember with slightly increased interest.

Saffron: "Really?"

Sundancer: "Close enough to be on the island?"

Ember Flare: "Oh easily, I'm not sure I'd notice anything if it was that far away. But it might just be normal!"

Silver Rush raises an eyebrow "discharge as in...bad or just magic in general?

Ember Flare: "I haven't been on the surface before"

Saffron starts to reluctantly turn her head towards Silver Rush, albeit her eyes linger on Ember until her head fully turns away. "Uhh... So, boss, who's gonna do what? Also you want me to go check that out? If it's east it can't be too far away, since we're not far from the coast."

Ember Flare: "Well there was a sudden surge... and then it was over and nothing. I can't tell much else"

Brickfielder: "I guess that it's something to keep in mind going forward, if nothing else."

Sundancer: "Do you want to check that out with me after I finish reviewing last night's camera footage?"

Silver Rush:"well first things first get the camp hidden and stow the supplies. after that we need teams of two. Checking footage and finding the red camp are priority"

Ember Flare: "Hm we could. It wouldn't hurt at least"

Silver Rush nods to sundancer "good idea, i'd rather not go off chasing....uh...vague magical disturbances till we have the actual mission objectives in hoof"

Sundancer: "Sadly I'm a liability anywhere near reds. I'm shiny and struggle to stay quiet."

Saffron:"Ember can you check your GPS for how far east is the coast? Also try to mark the relative point of the uh--phenomenon on the GPS as well, we could try and look at it maybe..."

Saffron mumbles, "I think we might have to include this in our report, as well. I have a feeling it'll interest Cloudy Forecast but... Iunno."

Ember Flare is mildly confused "I.. I can try"

Ember Flare closes her eyes in concentration, puffing slight amount of smoke from her armour ventilation

(GM Note): Ember tested her psyche skill to give Saffron directions.

Silver Rush scrunches trying to not look disturbed by this odd development

Saffron flinches back from Ember's wacky mutant stuff. But otherwise decides to act casual and just sweep her glance towards Silver Rush.

Saffron: "So, uh, who's going to be in the scouting team?"

Brickfielder glances at Ember's smoke puffing and narrows his eyes a bit.

Ember can give Saffron directions up to a variance of a few meters for where she felt the magic surge.

Silver Rush:"the uh.... sneakiest, of course." he tries to tear away from ember "if anyone has scout experience it's going to be a long day of observation."

Saffron:"Well, I'm the one with scouting training, at least! I just want to know who you want to come along, if anypony. I could do it on my own if needed..."

Ember Flare opens her eyes and pinpoints the place she felt the thing happen on the map for Saffron

Saffron whipped her head from Silver Rush, hastily. She quirked her brow at how... Accurate her directions are, and immediately leans in to have her put a marker on her map, then give a slight nod in acknowledgement. Smiling to Ember as she thanks her.

Saffron: "Thank you Ember. You're pretty helpful!"

Ember Flare:"Oh I have had some covert operations training, though I am a bit tir- I mean yes I think I could help with that"

Silver Rush: "no, no lone missions, this area is unmapped, we're not risking anypony getting picked off."

Ember Flare attempts to play the compliment cool but her cheeks do gain a slight bit more saturation

Sundancer:"So we have what, Ember and Saffron on the Red tracking, who's going to come with me to investigate the magic, then?"

Silver Rush:"I want to get eyes on that camp as well. we three can get it handled. that leaves you two" he motions to brick and sundancer "to check footage and investigate the...magic"

Brickfielder glances to the cyborg and nods. "Understood."

Saffron seems to beam, apparently pleased with being able to go along with Ember. Looking to the mare herself with a bright look in her eyes as she stands up, all dressed up in her exoskeleton and plate carrier. Adjusting the combat saddlebags along her back with a few hops.

Ember Flare is contemplates about saying something but backs down

Sundancer: "I'd criticize for not leaving anyone to guard the camp, but..."

Silver Rush: "wait its right there?" he glances at the map "hell you two check it out now, we'll pack up camp"

Sundancer looks at the marked map "We can just come back when we're done"

Saffron simply nods in response to Silver Rush, side glancing Ember and giving her a grin and a sweeping gesturing towards the underbrush--in the direction of the point Ember herself had indicated.

Saffron: "Let's go then. How long ago did you feel this, by the way?"

Ember Flare: "So... do we just get... going then? right, uhm couple of hours ago I'd say? it was during my guard shift"

Brickfielder nods and adjusts his equipment slightly. "Mm, it is very close."

Silver Rush: "if it's that close we need to make sure its not going to kill us, imminently"

Saffron starts hopping herself out of the bowl they had their camp in, offering a hoof to Ember for her to hold onto--just out of courtesy to help them out easier, before getting going at a striding, but careful pace.. Getting underway just as Silver says that.

Saffron: "You good at hiding, Ember?"

Ember Flare politely declines the hoof, though thankful one was offered "I'd say somewhat. It was part of the training."

Ember Flare: "I mean I'm not an expert or anything"

Saffron doesn't seem to mind having her help declined, and starts walking a bit ahead of Ember as they talk, "Good-good. Don't worry about it too much, we have plenty of cover--and this fog, as bad as it is, will make it so we're harder to see. Try to--stay around 3 meters back, so you don't trip on the same things I trip on."

Silver Rush leads Saffron and Ember Flare out to get a sight on the lumber operations. Being tactically minded you will realize that in this fog you're far more likely to hear vehicles before getting any visuals. Heading south the trio would get to the border between the forest and the barren hills to wait.

Brickfielder and Sundancer would head east to investigate the magic disruption. It would be a quick task, although the poisonous elements and brambles that Saffron had scouted prior could pose an issue when combined with the fog. It would be a short jaunt over, which leads the pair to a clearing. If they got the right place it was just an open space with some tall rocks and mushrooms.

Ember Flare:"You.. seem to be pretty positive about this whole mission?"

Saffron: "Shouldn't I be?"

Sundancer:"Well this isn't great. Maybe we should have come with Ember. I can't 'feel magic' or whatever it is she does."

Ember Flare:"Oh no I mean you just seem to be enjoying it very much. I... I just wondered if you like.. Requested to be assigned here or... something?"

Brickfielder:"...Yeah, uh, me neither. If there were something particularly strong, I'm pretty sure I'd at least have some hairs standing up, but I'm not feeling anything. I suppose we should just... look around, see if there's anything abnormal..."

Sundancer nods in affirmation and starts poking around the local bushes "I reviewed the tapes from last night. Want me to watch out while you make sure nothing's using the lake?"

Saffron doesn't look back to Ember as she speaks softly, keeping as quiet as possible as she steps over the brush--avoiding twigs and patches of leaves. Keeping her pistol readied mostly out of habit. But not otherwise taking it off safety.

Saffron:"Not... Really. I mean I took a course for scouting, specifically. Crash course, really. I had the aptitudes for it, apparently. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to be assigned to this role, but I didn't put in a request or anything."

Brickfielder moves over to the mushrooms, being careful to not touch them as he glances around. "...Might be for the best. It'd really be better if they'd've put more dedicated scouts onto this mission, you know?"

Saffron: "... Maybe my recruiter did. He's a family friend."

Silver Rush:"I didnt expect a CLODS gig so early. I know its a normal grunt thing to do, but we definitely shipped here fast"

Saffron: "Sure did..."

Sundancer:"We're a pretty odd bunch for a covert squad. I still don't know what Cloudy will have us doing after this."

Silver Rush: "was worried I'd get stuck managing a warehouse for a year...or more"

Brickfielder:"Something else, hopefully. Like you said, we're an odd selection. ...I'm not sure how I'd be hoofing things if I were in Silver's position, really."

Sundancer: "I know I'd at least have sent Ember to investigate her own anomaly."

Exploring the clearing would give the pair not much to work with. There is one oddity in that a number of the standing rocks have iridescent coating to them. Some kind of slime or gel kept wet with the fog. The Scouting party would be waiting around twenty minutes or so before they could get a bead on the sound of trucks. Exactly how far south they were was hard to tell with the sound bouncing around the hills.

Brickfielder snorts and smirks. "Tell me about it... "

Sundancer: "I'm trying to expunge my desires for leadership positions."

Ember Flare: "Well, it is a good opportunity though. To show what you can do for cloudsdale."

Brickfielder glances over at Sundancer. "Well... different strokes. This isn't a desirable leadership position, is what I mean."

Sundancer shrugs "It's not really a choice, I'm government property. I can be the greatest soldier or doctor in all of Cloudsdayle and I probably still won't be pushing anypony around."

Brickfielder looks down at the mushrooms and frowns a bit. "...Yeah. It's, uh... it's a raw deal." Damn, why's he falling flat like this...?

Sundancer:"I'm pretty okay with it. If you think about it, it's not too different from being an Orange anyways. I just got a sharp dose of what I expect Ember got her whole life."

Brickfielder nods and keeps looking around, getting more lost in his thoughts than focusing on his surroundings at this point.

Once the morning fog started to lighten up the scouting party would be able to start getting a visual of the proceeding masses. There are numerous trucks driving out to a fairly flat piece of ground at the treeline about half a kilometer south of your position.

Sundancer laughs ruefully "No matter who you are, it's all of our lot in life to hope for a good leader."

Brickfielder: "...Yeah. That's why the leaders need to be trying their damnedest."

Silver Rush’s pony ears perk up at the approaching din of ponies and vehicles "alright guys, its showtime...keep low, and start thinking of places to put cameras"

Something about the clearing seemed odd to Sundancer. More so than the forest in general. It was quiet here. When the pair entered the clearing the forest noises just... stopped. These stones did not seem natural either. They were worn but looked to be intentionally placed into a loose circle.

Silver Rush:"don't think we'll need to worry too much about being spotted from the air, but keep that in mind for the cameras and when the fog burns off later in the day"

Saffron falls quiet as they begin to get eyes-on the lumber camp as it comes together. She lowkey gestures both Silver Rush and Ember low to urge them towards pieces of cover and bushes. She takes out her binoculars... And begins to scout. Keeping an eye on the proceedings, counting the trucks, and checking the amount of soldiers and where they're going. Checking if there's any better area for the camera as well.

Ember Flare attempts to find some cover that would still let her see the lumber camp operations

(GM Note):I have the scouting party roll Tactics for placing a second camera. They pass.

Sundancer:"I don't think that this is nothing. This is definitely worth coming back with Ember. Some kind of magic is at work here."

Sundancer frowns "Part of me wants to break up the stone circle just to see what happens, but Ember should be here for that."

Ember Flare looks expectantly at their squad leader

Brickfielder raises an eyebrow and glances around... before looking down at the circle. "We could just radio and ask her if it's safe to break it up."

From your vantage point the scouting team will be able to see the general proceedings going on. There would be four trucks that rumble up to park twenty meters or so from the tree line. From there the Reds would start clambering out. Their blue officer seems to have ridden with them. Accompanying on hoof would be a long march of greens. Due to the fog it would be hard to tell how many there are so far. But given they keep marching out from the hills There's at least fifty that are out today. Everyone seems to just be gathering at the site to to start. Lining up for further instructions while the reds sort of mill about.

Your current vantage point would be a good enough spot, further back in the trees between your camp and the lumber camp's muster point. It would be tied in the crook of a tree branch and the truck, a few meters off the ground.

Saffron, amidst their squad leader with no practical experience and Ember who was fatigued, took it upon herself to find a conspicuous spot for their camera. She gave it a good shot, and eventually gave Silver a spot--on an aforementioned tree branch. Whether he liked it was up to him, but she seemed at least slightly confident, and it was better than nothing?

Silver Rush is evidently in no position to argue about it and waggles his tail. he takes his binocs out and tries to identify the blue pony pointing and shouting directions at the others, starting the day observations from their safe cubby hole

Silver Rush clacks the radio "nimbus 1 this is nimbus actual, anything to report a disturbance?"

Saffron eventually calls to their mutant friend softly. "Ember." She turned her head as she double checked the camera to ensure it was stable. "Can you pinpoint this location on the map for future reference?" She asked, then, when the deed was done, returned to Silver Rush's side, to keep assisting in the observation.

Ember Flare creeps closer to saffron before going "sure can"

Brickfielder turns his head down towards where his radio is strapped on. "Nimbus 1, there is certainly… something here. Stones arranged in a pattern. We were intending to ask Ember if it would be safe to disturb the pattern."

Saffron breathes a long sigh through her nostrils. "Can't give an accurate estimate of the amount of Greens from this far. Around fifty so far. We'll have to see how far the patrols will go..."

Silver Rush: "stone circle, roger, give 1 mike. no other signs of life?"

Brickfielder: "Opposite. It's abnormally quiet here."

Silver Rush turns to Ember "The other team found a stone circle....eerily quiet at the disturbance site. That mean anything? they held off disturbing the pattern"

Ember Flare: "I don't know. It might be best if they didn't poke anything"

Silver Rush clacks "nimbus one affirm, if no immediate threat identified proceed with primary objectives, good call on not disturbing the circle"

Silver Rush: "nimbus actual out"

The camera crew will have some sight of the mustering lumber camp. While they may not need to be actively watching right now given the scout's position, giving some time to review the footage of the waterfall. It would take a few hours, and with night vision the cameras would be more useful at night compared to active scouting. The basin at the waterfall would be fairly calm, but sometime around midnight a flare would go across the screen horizontally. It did not block the entire camera view but something small and indeterminable rapidly moved across the water. There was a wake left behind it as well.

The truck count at four looked correct, but there is also a pair of small but heavy machines with a claw limb that are driven in. Today looked to be orientation day for greens under Champaign Shower. It was likely the first time most of them had seen trees up close. The officer mostly stood around and let the workers try to explain things, given he was trying to get everyone's attention on them. Almost an hour after they arrived the chainsaws started coming out. It took awhile for the first tree to come down, but it was quite thunderous. When it fell a heavy machine was used to drag it away. The lumber workers look like they were there to mostly just fell and move the trees. Shortly after the first fell Greens were being instructed on removing branches with cutting tools. When it looked like patrols around the camp would be started there was some confusion. The first squad would take to the air, get yelled at by Champaign, and then need to tentatively walk into the woods on hoof. Even from your distant vantage point how red the officer was getting could be seen.

(GM Note): I have the scout group roll Observation to cover details of their first day.

Ember Flare me almost nods off once they settle to observe

The scouts figure out a number of details as soon as Champagne Shower seems to get them going himself. First off there look to be eighty greens at the camp. You might not recall exactly how many squads Champaign had but that's sixteen in force. If by force, most of them are milling about trying to look alert and not wanting to get stuck cleaning logs. There end up being four patrol squads at a time, two shifts. But given the currently small operation going on they don't venture very far. Most are also being distracted by their first time on the surface. At least when their officer or a stooge isn't watching.

Sundancer tries to get some enjoyment from nature vicariously by watching the other greens stumble around in a patrol pattern

Saffron makes an attempt to not let Ember die of boredom by kindly asking them to make some notes in their journal for her. Namely the exact hour in which they set up their watch, and the timeline between the arrival of the reds, arrival of the greens, the start of the woodcutting, and the exact time that the green patrols started moving out. As well as their number, which is, so far, four. She also tries to get Silver Rush to take some notes for his report, especially for the number of soldiers present, and the patrol shifts, while she keeps track of the patrol route itself, checking how close it comes to their own position and the camp itself. Saffron is very attentive. It almost looked like she couldn't get bored doing this, that's how perky she was.

Saffron:"We'll have to be careful later. Pretty sure the range of the patrols will expand along with the size of the camp, eventually we'll have to move the camera.This one, at least."

Silver Rush: "aye, I dont know if they plan to strip every tree, we need to get a feel of the pace of operations."

Ember Flare struggles to keep attention "Do you think we should head back soon? They don't seem to be doing much anything"

Saffron doesn't answer Ember immediately. Instead she checks her watch to check the current time.

Silver Rush: "Nimbus 1, Nimbus actual, do you have camera 2 feed?"

Brickfielder looks back down to his radio after rubbing his eyes a bit. "Nimbus 1, affirmative."

Saffron: "Once dusk comes up we can head back, Ember. Just hold strong a lil' longer..."

Silver Rush: "roger, we're almost finished up here, we'll inform once back en route.nimbus actual out.” he clicks the radio off, checking his own watch

Saffron looks back down to her own journal and makes a quick note. '16 squads total (80 units), 4 patrols. initial Attentiveness: minimal, distracted.'. Then looks back down the binoculars.

Saffron: "Hey Ember. You wanna hear a joke?"

Saffron scrunchies her muzzle, shaking her head at herself.

Ember Flare raises her ear a bit

Silver Rush: "don't forget Champagne is here too. I've got a feeling that's a...useful tidbit for cloudy"

Saffron: "You know what they call a pegasus fart while flying?.."

Brickfielder may be quite a ways away from Nimbus Actual, but even then he feels a frustrated twinge in his neck muscles.

Saffron side glances Silver Rush once as he speaks seriously in spite of her absolutely important joke. Her face was totally serious.

Saffron: "They call it horse power, Ember."

Ember Flare continues looking at Saffron expecting her to go on

Saffron sniffs and holds a moment of silence after delivering her bad joke. Looking at Ember as she doesn't get it.

Saffron: "You know. Propulsion. Makes you go fast."

Ember Flare: "...oh. Right"

Your first day of scouting and monitoring goes well. You have another camera for watching the camp overnight, although it seems everyone packs up. The heavy equipment is left on site along with the lumber that was starting to be prepared. Two squads came while everyone else was packing up. It looks like they would be the overnight watch.

Saffron snickers and shakes her head, reaching over to give Ember a gentle slap on the shoulder. "You're okay, Ember." Then turns back to the binoculars to keep sight on the camp, side glancing Silver Rush once.

Saffron: "Try to keep an eye on Champaign Shower if you can. Later especially."

Ember Flare gets bored at looking at the workers and attempts to check for any magical traces near the camp

Saffron falls quiet as she takes note of the night watch crew. She makes a note of it in her log, and the time of their arrival according to her watch, then waits for dusk.

It would be difficult for Ember to focus. At the time she only picks up the ambient levels this island has. Just have to try and be alert for spikes later it seems.

Silver Rush facehoofs at the joke, trying to pretend he didn't hear it "sigh lets get a count on the night guard"

Your second night in the woods would be less interesting. The sounds of the forest would still cause tension. But spending a full day would help it start to turn to white noise. Silver took the watch shift from Ember, letting her get rested. When silver made his report to HQ he would not be given an assessment of the information provided. It would be received and accepted, but there would not be feedback on how it compared against their other reports. It seemed like your grading would be silent until you were done.

Saffron, once they're back in camp, has this big satisfied smile on her face. She is fairly proud of her notes in a mostly quiet, humble way; not boasting, but she does show them to Silver Rush once or twice to help him fill in their CO. Before moving off to take a nap until her night watch shift begins. As she lays down tho, she does put in the suggestion to set up a camera at the magic circle.

Silver Rush:"well we're already here, might as well set it up now. I dont like having an...unknown magic right behind our backs"

Saffron: "Yeah... Don't want no wacky zombies coming up and clawing our faces or nothing."

Brickfielder:"...I still think we should be ready to toss those rocks out if anything seems to be strange. But, observing until then is fine by me."

Ember Flare yawns "I'll try and check it out tomorrow after rest, I don't think I'm in the best shape to concentrate on something like that right now"

Saffron sighs through her nose as she lays half-inside her tent. "We might give away our position if we mess with it. Possibly. I mean, somepony made it."

Silver Rush scrunches at saffron's zombie comment...then opens his mouth to speak "actually...shit who knows what magic does. Imma set up some alert tripwires, fuck it"

Saffron snorts in amusement towards Silver Rush as she notices the way he scrunches and looks at her. She doesn't say anything, but just smirks playfully for a moment.

Silver Rush starts stringing out twine, and tying jangly things to it as an early alert from the direction of the circle "you guys take a camera and put it in the clearing, I dont know about disturbing weird magic rocks yet but we may need to move camps in worst case scenario"

Sundancer could fly over to the circle quickly enough. The night sky was clear and even with the canopy there was enough moon and starlight to make her way by. If occasionally catching a twig. When she approached the clearing to set up the camera she would find the mushrooms in the clearing glowing. They were not the kind that should be luminous. Then she started to hear something.

(GM Note): The following was a hidden message to Sundancer’s player

Sundancer could hear what sounded like someone humming a tune. It did not seem to come from anywhere in particular. But it quickly turned into a cracked and panicked voice "Iron! Iron!"

Sundancer would scowl at the circle, but she's not sure if her face would articulate into one properly Sundancer continues setting up the camera, pretending to be less suspicious than she was

(GM Note): The following was a hidden message to Ember Flare’s player 

Ember Flare would become alert to the shift in magic in the area. Another spike from the direction of the clearing.

Sundancer would hear what sounded like glass breaking. In the air near the standing stones iridescent bubbles would grow, then burst. From the bubbles came large butterfly like creatures. They were glowing with a soft light and appeared to be made from stained glass.

(GM Note): A combat began between the PCs and magical creatures.  In summary Sundancer was hurt due to the creatures having an electricity attack that the cyborg pc was susceptible to. Ember Flare revealed her mutant power, the ability to generate a long range and area affecting fire attack. The group ended up more startled by Ember’s powers than the creatures.

Tactics wise the PCs fought unarmed to avoid making loud noises with their rifles. Silver and Saffron defended the camp while Brickfielder rallied them. Sundancer had to retreat and start fixing herself up. After the initial panic Ember Flare removed much of the problem in a flash.

Ember Flare eyes glow again and one of the butterflies flashes violently again while the other falls as a burning charred carcass

Saffron: "Alright!! Problem solver, I'm hungry."

Brickfielder stumbles back a bit and looks at Ember, slowly holstering his pistol. ...A good leader should give positive reinforcement, after all. "...Good job, Flare."

Saffron prances around the charred carcass with her wings lifted, swishing her tail as she triumphantly does the victory prance(tm). Then sees Sundancer still hurt in the background, and starts to ebb her smile slightly, trotting over.

Saffron: "Hey. You okay Sundancer? You don't look good."

Ember Flare huffs with some sweat droplets rolling over her face before turning to Sundancer "Are you alright? "

Sundancer stands up and doesn't speak for a second "I can see why they call you Flare."

Sundancer rubs her face with her hooves "The damage isn't superficial, I'm not going to lie. I'll be fine, though, nothing that can't be fixed in the field."

Sundancer: "It'll give me something to do when it's Brick's turn to watch the cameras. I think somepony else should take the first watch."

Saffron looked to Flare herself in that moment.Smiling to her, but quickly looking to Sundancer. Nodding along. "... Will you need help? We can try asking the CO for some supplies at a drop point, if you need it..."

Ember Flare: "We should- maybe we should move camp or do something about those circles?"

Silver Rush: "ember what are the odds destroying that circle doesn't cause more of those things? cuz yeah, lets remove the threat"

Ember Flare:"I could take a look at them, I don't know how they work"

Sundancer:"It seemed like the magic in the circle allowed them to appear out of thin air. My hypothesis is a transportation network of some kind."

Brickfielder nods. "Then we should do that. It's clearly an active threat, and you know what you're looking at better than any of us, Ember."

Sundancer: "Which would make the proper answer for what to do be 'both'"

Saffron turned to Silver Rush at that. "Wait, boss. Call it in first. They might not want us doing that kind of stuff?"

Sundancer: "I want to just rest for tonight though, okay?"

Saffron nods sadly to Sundancer, giving her a genuinely worried glance but otherwise leaving her be. Walking towards Silver Rush to speak softly. As she still shakes a little bit from the fight.

Saffron: "For all we know undoing the circles will tip off whoever made them. And then we'll have other things, or infrareds, coming down here checking stuff."

Saffron mumbles, "You want me to call it in or..."


Session 4

With the excitement dying down your group can collect and discuss your next move. The remnants of the glass butterflies litter the edges of your camp and the nearby glade, your cybernetic companion has suffered electrical damage, and some of you are experiencing your first touches of combat adrenaline. You can make your report to HQ as soon as you think the area is secure.

Brickfielder runs a hoof through his mane as he trots to one of the butterflies, looking it over and frowning. "...Those circles are a problem. I think either we need to move camp, or they need to be destroyed."

Saffron, on the other hoof, insists and prods Silver Rush. "Call it in. Ask for instructions." She tells him, quickly. Her hooves visibly quiver.

Ember Flare: "Y-yeah I think we should do that"

Sundancer grits her mandible actuator "I'd rather not move, but we'll see. It could be fine to study."

Ember Flare: "So who is going to make the call?"

Brickfielder opens his mouth to say something about their mission... but, their CO had wanted them to take initiative. Perhaps this is the sort of thing she'd think of as being a sign of initiative...

Sundancer: "It should be our squad leader, right?"

Your squad leader will get the radio equipment and call in what happened. The reply you receive may not be quite what was expected. You were informed that your request for information broaches classified topics above your clearance. Your handler would need to address your report directly. They were currently asleep. For now you were to remain within current mission parameters and sit tight.

Sundancer: "Alright, worst of both worlds it is. I need to do some repairs before I can sleep. Who should I wake up for the second watch."

Saffron sits back and tucks in her wings. Which were flicking half-extended and then closed on her back. She waited patiently for Silver Rush to relay the synopsis: 'Sit Tight and wait for further instructions'. This made Saffron pout a little bit, but didn't say anything about that. She instead stands up and begins to trot over to the fragments of the crystal butterflies they had shattered, and takes out a sack from her combat saddlebags to sweep all the fragments in the sack...

Ember Flare stifles a yawn "Well I could detect if the circles activate again..."

Saffron: "Y'know. We should map them out when possible. There could be way more around us."

Brickfielder:"I'd hope they won't activate twice in one night, but for safety's sake, I'd figure that'd be for the best, Ember."

Saffron, after cleaning up the camp of crystalline/glass fragments and tying the laces around her sack to tighten in, she puts the small-ish sack into her saddlebags once more, and keeps them inside her tent. She double checks the floor to see if she missed any, and recovers them as needed, still flicking her tail nervously and quivering a little bit, as she smelts the adrenaline... Then scowls towards the woods where the things came from, and mumbles: "This place is a little spooky now..."

Saffron:"Hey I think tomorrow we should try not to light the fireplace. Dunno if anypony will show up to check what happened within the next couple o' days...Kinda worried that tripping these things sends a message to whoever made them. But that's just me."

Brickfielder:"Anyone who would've received that message is surely long gone. Surface dwellers aren't complicated enough to maintain some sort of network of... magic tripwire summoning circles across a whole island."

Ember Flare: "Those kinda looked just like some magic bugs though... Maybe they are just normal on the surface"

Saffron saunters herself to her tent, to lay herself down half-inside it, resting on her belly. "Maaaybee… We don't know. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst y'know?"

Sundancer:"I'm not a surface scholar, but given this is classified, I want to hazard a guess that surface dwellers worldwide haven't mastered teleportation technology and it's a local phenomenon."

Saffron takes a moment to just sigh to push out all the air from her lungs, and then lay her chin down on her forehooves. Checking her watch..

Saffron: "Who's turn was it again? For sentry duty. Guess we should just wait for morning and then keep operating as normal..."

Ember Flare starts spacing out a bit more now that adrenaline has left her body

The remainder of your evening will go undisturbed. Sundancer can start work on fixing herself, although the noise may be a bit much for the sleeping companions. Watches were set and the next day will rise in due time. It was difficult to say exactly when the fog came in during the night. But it was once again a low cloudy blanket across the island.

(GM Note): Saffron’s player was informed the glass shards Saffron stored turned to goo overnight.

Saffron sat up to stare down at the now soaked bag of synthetic cloth. She had been up for only a few minutes but she was already busy at work exploring this new goop, opening up the bag a little bit to stare down at the viscous stuff... Reaching in with a boot-clad hoof to touch it and watch it drip down into the bag, "Ewwww... It's all slimy and gooey..." She muttered... She then stared at the tiny stain still stuck to the sole of her foreboot. She stares at it intently, then... Nervously gives it a very small lick, just to see how bad a teeny tiny quantity on her tongue was.

Saffron would recoil when touching the goo to her tongue, given the sweet but strong soapy taste. The goo would turn out not to be water soluble, making it cling to the surfaces in her mouth unless she actively took efforts to scrape it out. Her bag would be likewise ruined since getting the material off would be painstaking.

Saffron: "Oh, oh--oh shit--buck. oh PRESIDENT it's literally glue. What the buck."

Brickfielder doesn't get to see Saffron licking the substance, but he does raise his brow at her sudden outburst, peeking his head around her tent to check, and seeing her bag. "It melted?"

(GM note): Saffron tested her body stat to resist the hallucinogenic effects of the goo. She passed.

Saffron scrunchies like an accordion and nearly falls back as her tongue flicks frantically trying to scrape this substance from her mouth. She was DESPERATELY trying to get it out of her mouth, to the point that she actually reaches into her grooming kit to pull out her toothbrush, and starts trying to literally scrape it out, not paying much attention to Brickfielder in that moment.

Saffron manages to brush the offending substance from her mouth. But her toothbrush now has a clinging coating to it. To say the action was embarrassing would be an understatement. The taste might not have been so bad now that it was out of her mouth though.

Saffron spittles a few times, then glares at the offending goo now clinging to her toothbrush.

Brickfielder watches with a look of minor concern... and slowly moves back out of sight, deciding to just… leave Saffron to it.

Ember Flare is puzzled by the commotion but decided not to butt in

Saffron glances up to see Brickfielder leaving. Prompting her to stare with a bit more exasperation as she whines loudly, incoherently. She decides to put the toothbrush in one of the garbage bags from the MREs she had eaten, deciding it's best to not use this to clean her teeth anymore. She then stares at the goop in her sack... Closes it, puts it in her saddlebags, and wanders outside like nothing happened.

Saffron heel-turns and re-takes the sack of glue-magic-goo and puts it back inside her tent, opting to not take it with her. She still doesn't mention them, but the sack was pretty wet and a bit heavier looking than last night.

Ember Flare checks over Sundancer a bit "So, you sure you're gonna be alright there?"

Sundancer rolls over in her sleeping bag "Yeah, yeah, five more minutes mom."

With the morning antics resolved your squad can get back to your mission while you wait for a reply from HQ. Due to the travel times your scouting group would be able to be set up prior to the Lumber workers arriving and getting organized. By the time the fog would burn away with the sun chainsaws would be in play. Champaign Shower would have a presence again, if somewhat lax intensity. He had a sun-chair set up and was giving orders like a hedonistic emperor. The scouting would be relatively easy to perform, although Saffron might notice odd fuzzy colours around the edge of her vision occasionally. She will have an even more difficult time focusing than usual.

At camp Sundancer can keep work on her repairs. It might be difficult for Brickfielder to concentrate on staffing the cameras against the curiosity of the cybernetic squad member's workings. The squad would receive their reply from Cloudy Forecast a little before noon. She would ask for a status update first.

Saffron peered through her binoculars from their concealed position firmly placed at long range from their target. She refers to her journal for the patrol schedules, checking if what she had so far was correct, had been changed, or was wrong. And also takes a moment to chuckle at Champaign Shower. "You couldn't miss that guy if we were looking down from the mountain peaks..." She remarked. That's when she started blinking more rapidly, and winking a few times, lowering her binoculars to glance around her peripheral when she starts noticing odd colors. She... Doesn't mention this. But she does look a bit worried. And just tried to keep doing her job...

Brickfielder may be curious about Sundancer's cybernetics, but he opts to just steal glances at her while he's working the cameras. When Cloudy requests a status update, he decides to keep it terse: aside from what was relayed during the night, scouting and observation is continuing with nothing to note, while

Sundancer is performing self-repairs.

Ember Flare:"This is starting to feel a bit easier... I thought we'd be sneaking around a whole lot and dodging guards but.... the chainsaws and everything are making so much racket that this is almost too easy… Sorry I don't mean to jinx it"

Cloudy Forecast will respond with some updates to your mission parameters while noting that additional information is still classified. So she would not be providing answers to follow up questions. You were to avoid seemingly natural and artificial circular structures after sundown. Unless you removed all metal from your person first. She would be asking for clearance from central command to grant you clearance for further information.

Saffron:"Heheh. To do that we'd have to get closer. We can gather plenty of info just by standing all the way out here. Don't think we have to yet... Unless maybe we want to go steal spare parts for Sunshower, but that'd be… Kinda weird, and risky."

Brickfielder absolutely wants to ask more as follow-ups... but holds his tongue and communicates that her orders are understood.

Ember Flare:"Oh I agree, if we're spotted it would be instant failure! Better play it safe even if we won't spot everything"

Saffron smiles a little more. Looking away from her binoculars to rub her eyes, blink-blinking as if something went in her eyes, then looking to the sides with a wince on her face for a second... Before resuming looking down the binoculars again.

Saffron: "Are you enjoying being a scout so far, Ember?"

Sundancer: "That's right, now I remember. The little bastards mentioned something about iron. Maybe they hate metal. Might be fun to take a ripper to them someday."

Brickfielder nods as he sets aside the radio and returns to the cameras. "...It might be worth investigating without any metal on. Means going unarmed and unarmored, but it's the best we can do."

Ember Flare: "...aside from those things last night, it's not too bad. Too many creepy little things in general though"

Saffron briefly glances at Ember once, lowering the binoculars to peer down with her naked eye for a moment. "I mean we dealt with them easily enough, right?... We're capable. Nothing to be afraid of as long as we're all together."

Saffron: "Plus we got you, too. You're pretty strong, y'know."

Ember Flare: "Uh.. I mean they were just slightly larger bugs... I mean with magic sparks but still"

Ember Flare attempts to deflect awkwardness and starts paying intense attention to some workers on the other side of the camp

Saffron snorts quietly. "Weird magic bugs, yeah. Their goop is kinda like glue, too. I wonder what happens if we made a grenade out of it."

Saffron: "... I really wish I could throw some at Champaign Shower... I mean look at 'em... Bully lookin' colt."

Your scouts can record that Champaign Shower would leave the lumber camp shortly after noon, returning to the FOB. While things continue on as normal due to the toady sorts that keep watch over the other Greens, some goofing off starts. Most of it gets caught. It seems like most of your fellows have not quite gotten used to being on the ground yet and the patrols are not used to the forest either. Probably be a few days still until they start becoming any sort of efficient.

(GM Note): The scout team rolls observation for their day of watching the lumber camp. They pass.

Saffron does wink her eyes shut a few times after Ember says that. She stays quiet for a second, but then speaks up with a bit of a stiff voice. "I'm seeing colors on my peripheral vision right now. You'd be right."

Ember Flare:"Uh oh did they get you last night? We should check up on Sundancer as well... well she is more of a robot so she could be fine but... Oh I think I better check just in case."

The scouts can make a solid report of the coming and going of the camp. Of particular note however they see a squad out on patrol going a bit 'long range' to the west. At camp your camera at the waterfall basin can pick them up as they had gone off to get a closer look. In all the red class workers doing the majority of the labor in the camp seem to be the ones primarily focused on their task. The green's inexperience in the field is showing as at least a few are making a mess of their work cleaning tree limbs. The greens look to be almost a hindrance to the red's work ethic now that their Blue officer isn't on site. You can add the identifiers of the Greens being particularly problematic to your report logs.

Ember Flare scoots over to saffron and grabs her head with both of her hooves turning Saffron to face her and starts to concentrate

(GM Note): Ember tests psyche to determine if any magic was affecting Saffron.

Saffron purses her lip and pins her ears a little. "Nah they didn't touch me... I mean, I touched them, if anything..." She muttered, unaware of Ember coming closer as she attentively switches between looking down to the lumber mill and making notes on her logs. On the tail end of doing that however, Ember grabs her head and turns her around. Saffron furrowed her brow with some confusion and worry but does not put up a resistance.

Saffron: "Wh-"

Ember's active sensing of magic reveals the lingering presence of magical aura on Saffron. With some monitoring throughout the day Ember can determine the effect is fading.

Ember Flare lets go of Saffron and scoots a back away a bit "Shouldn't be too dangerous"

Ember Flare: "Could be just some lingering effects"

Saffron scrunchies her muzzle a little bit at that reply, half-lowering her ears and tucking in her  wings a bit more. "What's that mean? I got something on me?"

Ember Flare: "Oh slight magical aura or radiation. Nothing to worry about most likely"

Saffron snorts in amusement, her head turning slightly to give Ember a still worried sidelong glance for a moment. "''Kay then... I uh," She pauses for a moment to pout, "Guess licking it was a bad idea."

With the day of scouting wrapping up the group can reconvene at camp a little before sundown. The lumber camp was making a small headway into the forest. It would be interesting to see how far they got over the remaining few days of your week. There was certainly enough forest that two years would not be enough to clear it.

Ember Flare gives odd look to Saffron but says nothing unsure if this was another weird attempt at joke

Sundancer:"We caught a group of greens wandering aimlessly near the waterfall. We should report it in case that sightseeing expedition was unauthorized. Otherwise nothing turned up on the cameras."

Saffron would not elaborate on this, for a moment even looking embarrassed at her own sheer curiosity. "Anyways," Saffron starts to check her watch... Then closes up her journal with the pencil still in it, and starts to pack up. "Time to head back for the day." She simply says to change the subject. "By the way Ember, you thought about what we should be doing with the third camera?... Don't really think we're gonna use it."

Saffron:"I was thinking of sticking it near the magic butterfly circle, but now that we know what's up, might as well just keep it right?"

Ember Flare shrugs

Saffron sighs out softly when Ember just shrugs. Giving her a smile, then just looking ahead and stays quiet. Though she does pipe up in the radio channel: "Heading back. Anything new from the cameras?"

(GM Note): Cut a lengthy OOC conversation regarding the session progress since Silver Rush’s player was away. Decided on doing some investigation for the session to not push the narrative timewise too far ahead.

Saffron, once herself and Ember had returned to camp--went up to Brickfielder to, as well as showing it to Silver, Lowkey showed it to him as well to keep him in the loop. But otherwise didn't make many remarks about it, apart from: "Best to tell Cloudy Forecast the greens are shitty laborers.", before kinda sitting back and lounging for a while...

Saffron:"Oh and, Brick--you wanna go check out the magic butterfly circles tonight? Not much else to do. Unless it's too spooky for us."

Brickfielder and Saffron can strip equipment and make an excursion to the circle the butterflies had come from the prior night. It would feel downright primitive to be without your gear and waving a flaming branch for lighting. The pair would be going into the dark at least within sight of the others. So without radio gear on they could be at least within shouting distance. The lumber camp was too far for the few left there overnight to hear.

Brickfielder has no issue with the 'primitive' feel, holding his torch with a wing as he takes the lead. Not like he's embarrassed about going out with no armor... his curiosity about the circles overrides any of that.

Saffron did not have too many issues, in the same vein as Brickfielder. Tagging alongside him from way below himself and peeking around curiously, scanning for anything interesting or overt... "Feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Especially with the big buff pegasus holding a torch..." She muttered, at one point.

Brickfielder 's ears pivot to Saffron when she talks, and he certainly hears her muttering. His free wing ruffles a bit and he purses his lips while refocusing.

While the mushrooms in the clearing would be glowing they would not be providing more than the barest scant of light. The cold night breeze would carry salty air from the coast. The standing stones of the clearing had a thin coating of that iridescent goo along with patches in the brush. Likely from the remains of the glass butterflies. When the pair were in the circle and looking around they could hear a soft, tuneless humming. It did not seem to be coming from anywhere in particular.

Saffron darts her eyes upward towards him once to notice his reaction. She purses her lip to contain herself, but she can't help but wheeze for a moment as she sees him purse his lip. "Wow..." Is all she says, taking a deep breath to sigh out her amusement... Before refocusing on what was ahead of them again. Especially as her ears pick up the humming...

Saffron: "... You hear that? Weird... Humming. It's not just me is it..."

Brickfielder narrows his eyes while looking around, keeping his torch as steady as he can... and trying not to think about what Saffron was muttering earlier. Even if her fairy tale comment feels a bit apt. He keepshis voice low. "I do hear it. Something related to magic, I'm sure."

Saffron starts to do a slow 360° turn as she walked, and stopped around the middle of the circle--still by

Brickfielder's side. She tried to pinpoint the source of the humming, but as it was disembodied... She pursed her lip as she couldn't find the source, ending up looking down at the dirt under their hooves, lifting a hoof to check if she was stepping on anything weird. "Uhh... Yeah." She replies with some uncertainty, "I'm not sure if to call this relaxing or creepy... And, I don't really want to touch the rocks..."

Saffron: "I guess this is... Fine."

Saffron pouts and glances off, taking a moment to just think this over...

Brickfielder glances down to Saffron as she finishes her rotations. "Probably best to not go poking them. If we had equipment, I'd record this humming. Probably worth just remembering what it sounds like; for all I know, the pitch or something is important..."

The pair in the clearing can catch that the humming stops abruptly after a minute or two. It was followed by a disembodied snort and a thin, small voice. "Be gone. Shoo. Scram." The voice was androgynous but it had inflection and sounded clearly annoyed.

Brickfielder 's eyes widen, and he looks down at Saffron. Not that he thinks she's making the voice, but, more to confirm he's not hearing things himself.

Saffron nods slowly along with Bickfielder. "I agree, yeah." And that's as far as she does as she perks her ears to the voice. Then instantly pins them as she arches her wings slightly. Almost at the same time, she casts a look up at confused and surprised glance up at Brickfielder, which was more or less his confirmation.

Saffron: "Uhm. Who's there? We're gonna leave in a moment we're just, exploring..."

Saffron looked back down and subtly shuffled a bit closer to Brickfielder, but turned to face away from him, to watch his back.

Brickfielder clears his throat while glancing around. He moves to start stepping backwards while lowering his head, motioning at Saffron to follow. "Yeah... apologies, just, curious..."

The disembodied voice made a huffing sound. "Children. No respect, none. Best bow an' scrape forgiveness or I, the Gatekeeper, will put a hex on you."

Brickfielder steps back a bit more quickly. "No, no, I think we'll be fine leaving, if that's alright. Saffron."

Saffron lets an increasingly confused (and mildly offended) "Wh-..." out after that reply. She doesn't hesitate to follow Brickfielder, silently cantering along until they're out of the circle. Hastily turning back around towards the circle to bow her head and say: "Sorry!"

The voice was full of self righteousness and satisfaction. "Good! Now pay a tribute or your first born will be made lame."

Saffron jerkily looks between Brickfielder and the circle that 'was speaking to them', her muzzle scrunching as she wasn't sure if to take this as seriously as they were; but her eyes were still genuinely worried. "S-seriously?" she mutters out hesitantly.

Brickfielder stops and glances back at the circle, raising an eyebrow. "...Tribute...?" He glances down at

Saffron before looking back around the circle. "...We don't exactly have anything for that, 'Gatekeeper'. Maybe we should talk this out..." It's not as if this isn't striking him as ridiculous that he's talking to a stone circle... but dammit, he's got no idea how serious this Gatekeeper is or not. It could be a genuine threat to the mission if not placated.

The voice is silent for a bit, possibly contemplatively. Then it got bossy. "Perform for tribute! Sing me a song and dance until dawn!"

Saffron kinda tucks her tail between her legs and shuffles her wings nervously, looking up at Brickfielder with a worried frown on her face. Lifting a hoof to hastily, nervously brush her cheek as she nods twice in quiet agreement. She turned towards the magic circle again, craning her head as she looked in its general direction--unsure of where to look. She almost opens her mouth, but the response comes to them before she asks that question. Her mouth shuts so quickly that her teeth clacked audibly. Her face flattening.

Saffron: "Oh."

Brickfielder blinks a few times... and raises an eyebrow. As an older brother to not just one, but two younger siblings, this feels all too familiar to him. "...Alright, 'Gatekeeper', you've had your fun. We're not dancing for you."

Saffron flicks up her eyes towards Brickfielder when he tries to UNO reverse the situation on the Gatekeeper. Saffron arched her brow with a very minor disappointment--as if the idea wasn't all too bad in her own head. But, looked on for the response and just hoped they weren't about to get zapped..

(GM Note):Brickfielder tests Presence to act authoritative to the voice. He succeeds

The voice was quiet again for a moment and then perked up. It had the ring that Brickfielder had heard from his siblings more than once "Oh, fine. But I'm going to hex you real bad if you don't. You'll be warty and disgusting."

Saffron stayed quiet for a second longer. Though upon hearing that kind of voice, Saffron herself gave a low snort and a good-natured roll of her eyes as she relaxed her stance.

Brickfielder raises his head up, now getting fully into his older brother mentality. "No, no, we won't. Now, we're going to leave, and you're going to behave and not hex anybody. Alright?"

There was an audible huff from nowhere. "No, you're going to leave because I told you to! Scram mortals! Flee before I blight your crops"

Brickfielder turns around. "That's no way to treat somebody, even if they're an uninvited guest. Manners." He glances down at Saffron and nods before trotting away from the circle. "Goodbye."

Saffron exchanged that look with Brickfielder, smirking up at him playfully briefly before nodding back to him and turning to leisurely trot along with him. "Bye! Goodnight!" She said, all chirpy-like. Before fully turning away. Keeping an ear swiveled in that direction, waiting until they're a few meters off...

Saffron: "... Duuuudee... That was totally fairy tale stuff..."

Brickfielder waits until they're well away from the circle, before exhaling. "...Yeah. But, also, might be just a kid playing with magic to throw their voice or something."

Sundancer is watching the incident on the camera "This is going to be hard to explain."

Sundancer munches some rations "Fascinating stuff, though."

Saffron throws a glance over their shoulders as she chuckles to his reply. "Yeah could be, too. What are the chances it's native to here tho? Something that's not a pony but is also sapient and sentient..."

Sundancer: "Should save this segment of video, even if there's nothing to see."

Saffron looked off to Sundancer as well, nod nodding her head in agreement. "You think we should report it back come morning?"

Brickfielder glances over his shoulder as well. "Pony or not, just treating them like a misbehaving kid seems to be the answer. ...Maybe we can come back sometime under the pretenses of expecting an apology for being treated rudely."

Brickfielder:"It'll definitely be weird to report. 'Talked to a forest spirit behaving like a foal. Told it to mind its manners.'"

(GM Note): Brickfielder had to test Psyche to resist a curse put on him. He succeeded.

There would not be any immediate effect. However, come the morning Brickfielder would have a small sensitive patch of rash on his neck and shoulder like he had brushed up against poison ivy the night prior.

Saffron titters, wheezing a little bit alongside Brickfielder, before veering off from him and goes to lay on her belly infront of her tent, near the campfire. "I guess if we word it like that it does sound weird... But we gotta let them know somehow." Saffron's voice gets a little more serious on the subject, pursing her lip as her forehoof scuffs the dirt, digging a tiny hole. "... Maybe once Cloudy gets back to us with information we can let her know we went back there and something spoke to us."

Saffron: "I don't think she'd accuse us of being high..."

Brickfielder quickly feels agitated by the rash after waking up in the morning, trying to avoid rubbing it while seeing if they have anything in medical supplies to help. At least it's not in his loins like the Gatekeeper implied.


Session 5

Your squad had gotten into a working pattern by the third day in the forest. Using the morning fog for cover Silver, Saffron, and Ember would leave camp for the day of scouting the lumber camp. Brickfielder and Sundancer would manage the camp and surroundings, review the night's camera feeds, and keep tabs on the live feeds. Then at dusk the scouts would come back, report to HQ, and there would be a little downtime before watches and rest. It would only be a few more days of the mission so there seemed little reason to mix up a working formula. Sundancer would be able to work on her body damage steadily. Save needing parts and sealant to get her chassis fully sealed again.

The reports for the remaining few days would in large part tell the same stories. While the patrols were mixed up daily to avoid predictable patterns most everything else repeated just that bit farther into the cut woods. Champagne Shower would be on site for a portion of the day, making everyone productive or get reprimanded. But after he left things got a little slacked. After even a few days the novelties were wearing off among the greens and antics would crop up when someone thought they could get away with them. Sometimes they would get caught and reported by snitches trying to get in their CO's good graces. These patterns repeated most every day. There were no more unauthorized trips to the waterfall however.

It would be near dusk on your sixth day in the woods when real excitement started at the Lumber Camp. The tree line had been brought back about 30 meters in a wide semi-circle from where the reds had started. Leaving a growing field of stumps in their wake. Your scouting group would not be able to catch the specific patrol that caused the incident before it happened. But laser rifle shots were fired from an area deeper into the woods west of the lumber yard. The scouts could move to get a better sight.

Saffron starts off by piping into the radio channel once the distant las-shots began to become audible. "Shots fired, west of the lumber camp." Saffron says, with a cool voice that only partially concealed her mild concern. Then, off-comms, she looked to their squad leader (who was right there with them), and gave them a quick glance, "I have a feeling I know what's going on, but I think we should move to check it out."

Ember Flare seems alarmed at first but starts quickly gearing up and looks up to others reactions

Sundancer: "Maybe our lumber workers have met the natives."

Brickfielder glances away from the feeds to look at Sundancer, raising his head from where it'd been resting on his forehoof. "Exhilarating."

Silver Rush scans the west edge of the forest for any visible signs of disturbance, via his binocs "copy that we need to get eyes on. What's your theory, red?"

Ember Flare: "Should we move closer? assist?"

Saffron starts to shift backwards to get back from the low foliage they were using to hide, and begins to take strides to the side to begin making their way westwards, following the sound of the gunshots, to find a good position to get eyes-on while still keeping a distance. "Could be another circle, boss. That's my theory. I don't think any of the greens were informed about them as we did. Though since they can use their weapons they're probably okay..." She muttered, looking up at the canopy, lifting her wings slightly but not taking off.

Saffron: "Either that or it's wildlife."

Silver Rush:"let's move. don't interfere, that's not the mission. They have guns for their own protection. Everyone else is going to be thumping that way, too"

Ember Flare:"Alright"

Making a circling trip west the scouts would catch sight of the offending squad making a retreat to the camp, chased slowly by a small swarm of glass butterflies, less than a dozen. It looked like one had been burnt already given he had to make a run on hoof. When the squad reached the camp there would be some confusion among the troops and a drawback of the reds. After some panicked discussion it was likely the other squads were not taking the talk of aggressive glass butterflies seriously. This lasted a minute until the swarm broke the tree line and a Green who had her back turned was shocked. Once the initial surprise wore off and guns were raised the outnumbered butterflies were shattered under massed, disorganized laser fire.

Silver Rush feels a warm fuzzy sensation as the lightshow of death quickly evaporates the pursuing bugs “ahh....what a morning.."

Sundancer has stood up and is watching the camera feeds from over Brick's shoulder, squinting in an attempt to understand the small parts caught by their angle "Pay attention to individual squad performance"

Ember Flare: "Huh, well good call, looks like they managed to deal with those things just fine"

Saffron quietly observed the scene with a slowly growing, annoyed frown. "I really hope that one pony's okay." She whispered, as she picked up her field journal to make a note with the time of the day about the event. "They're really making us look kinda bad, though..." She added, looking back up to the field, to check how many were injured apart from the two they had seen.

Brickfielder is watching the cameras himself with a more concentrated look, muttering under his breath about circles as a wing drifts up to touch the rash on his neck.

Ember Flare: "w-well they only got a jump on sundancer when she was alone!"

Silver Rush:"anyone got the feeling this is just a test of strength? Feels like these are just the forward scouting drones..."

Saffron: "Maybe? Or maybe it's just trying to shoo us away with the weakest form of defense it can muster."

Silver Rush: "well that's not going to work if the whole point is to eat the entire forest"

For what it was worth your fellow greens managed encountering a surprise well enough. If it had been a more credible threat however there could have been potential for casualties. Work in the lumber yard was largely closed up for the day after the attack. The two injured Greens were sent back to the FOB on a cargo truck. That night additional squads would be left to keep watch over the camp until morning. It did not seem like the incident caused any lasting wounds. But it certainly would be a learning experience among Champagne's squads.

Saffron ruffles her wings a little bit, snorting through her nostrils a little. She looked on a bit darkly after

Silver had spoken, not replying in that moment...

Ember Flare:"hmmh... glad we're almost done with our mission. I bet the guards are gonna be pretty antsy with their weapons from now on...I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a magical critter"

Saffron:"Yeeah... Hopefully they'll disclose more information about the circles to the other squads. But, I reckon once we get to a certain point with cutting wood, Gatekeeper's gonna get real pissed. Maybe we can talk with Gatekeeper..."

Silver Rush:"yeah...Keep your distance from the lumber parties. last thing we need is friendly fire from Private ShitsHimself when he sees ponies he doesn't know"

Ember Flare: "I'd just steer clear of that... whatever you heard sounds dangerous"

Silver Rush: "I wouldn't bet on being able to reason with magical....ethereal voices"

With the excitement run down at the lumber camp your scouting party could return and leave the night watch to your camera. You had a full report to fill in and hopefully instructions regarding returning back to the FOB tomorrow.

Saffron snorts slightly at Ember's answer. "Why are you two being so skittish? It's not like we'll get another chance, and besides it didn't attack us when me and Brickfielder went and talked to it."

Saffron: "Just asked us to sing and dance for a long time, in a really childish way. Then Brickfielder said 'no' and we left."

Silver Rush: ".....creepy but at least it didn't do more"

Ember Flare furrows her brows slightly "well... still"

Saffron double checks the time briskly, then began to stand up to start softly stepping further back, to begin making their way back at a striding pace. She stops and briefly adjusts her radio, then pipes up in their squad channel, "Recon team heading back to camp." She said, before moving an ear back to the others, "Well I still wanna talk to it..." She says, lowkey. "There's got to be more to it."

Sundancer: "Copy"

Brickfielder glances from Sundancer back to the monitors. "...I think I want to head back to that circle..."

Sundancer scoffs "They've just outed themselves as the enemy, if they hadn't before. If the squad leader's okay with it then fine."

Rather Dashing: "greens nominal, hostiles like the ones experienced at camp nimbus spotted pursuing lumber party. Quickly vaporized by security at lumber camp. Potential multiples of rings previously reported"

After providing your report for the day Silver would receive an interesting update for the next day. Squad 35, call-sign "Sea Foam" would be dispatched to relieve you and take over observation. They were to arrive at your camp before sundown and let you transition out to return to the FOB.

Silver Rush raises an eyebrow "relief is coming before sundown. Nother squad is taking over the camp and we're to report back to the FOB"

Saffron would give Silver a weak smile when he neglects to tell command about the performance of the defense teams. Then frowned and sighed at the notion that they'd have to go back to base. "Aight… Guess that'll be it then, mission accomplished!" She says,mirthfully but with some disappointment.

Saffron: "Best I get to chatting up Gatekeeper before we can't do it anymore."

Saffron goes to take off the rest of her armor and uniform, putting it all in an orderly bundle in her tent.

Saffron: "I wonder if the other squad will know about Gatekeeper. Somepony should tell them."

Brickfielder goes about stripping out of his armor as well. "I'm going too." Without inviting himself.

Sundancer gives a small mechanized sigh of repressed frustration and draws her weapon

Saffron: "Good! You can save the forest from having to hear my singing voice."

Silver Rush:"I mean obviously we should tell them about the creepy magic circle 10 feet away from camp. And find other spots for them to camp"

Ember Flare:"Taking off all your gear feels like really inviting disaster... We were attacked in that very spot"

Saffron: "Metal is what triggers the response, as far as we heard. If we go naked, it's fine. Like last time."

Brickfielder glances at the others as he steps away from his tent after putting aside his gear. "We'll not step directly into the circle. And the Gatekeeper can be reasoned with. We'll be fine."

Silver Rush: "who told you that, the disembodied magic voice?"

Saffron: "Pretty sure it was Cloudy Forecast when we told her what's up. Said all the information was classified, but slid in the detail about 'not wandering into the circles with metal on you' later."

Brickfielder stops and glances back at Silver. "...Maybe we should ask the Gatekeeper about the metal, actually..."

Ember Flare:"Still... maybe if I stayed in guard a bit further back? I think I could also sense if any magical burst happen"

Silver Rush: ".... Well it is a recon mission."

Brickfielder nods to Ember as he goes about getting another improvised torch ready. "Guarding from a distance is fine. Just, do not approach the circle unless things go violent. Not without taking off all your gear first."

Saffron goes to canter up over the mound of their camp, looking back to Ember with a bit of a pouty look. "Sure! You can do your magics from really far away anyways." She remarked, then looked to Brickfielder, so she can go side-up with him, letting the big pony take point while she followed closely.

Ember Flare: "I'll try to stay out of sight"

Sundancer grumbles "I'll watch the watchers back."

Brickfielder raises up his torch in his wing and nods down to Saffron before he trots off towards the circle.

Brickfielder and Saffron share their last opportunity to go streaking in the woods under the moonlight. Tailed a bit behind by their squad mates in case something goes wrong. When the lead pair get to the clearing it is largely in the same state as it was the prior times. However when they can start hearing Gatekeeper the voice was not humming as prior. The voice was muttering very mild profanities and curses. At least it sounded like those given the tone.

Saffron makes sure to stop at the edge of the circle... And then, casting a wary glance to Brickfielder once they begin to hear the profanities, lays down on her belly. "Gatekeeper?" She called out, "Are you okay?"

Brickfielder glances down at Saffron while raising an eyebrow, before looking back at the circle.

Gatekeeper would go quiet when addressed. But it would get talkative, if accusatory, after. The androgynous and disembodied voice would pointedly ask why 'you mortals' are breaking your pact to to not bear iron in these deep woods.

Saffron pins her ears and casts a reflexive glance back over their shoulder, then back towards the voice. "Y-you mean us specifically or...?"

Brickfielder clears his throat and puts a hoof to his chest. "That was not us. It was... another group of pegasi. One we've been monitoring, and who we were told to not inform of the nature of these circles."

Brickfielder takes a deep breath, and sighs. "...I apologize, on behalf of Cloudsdayle, for that. They don't know about you."

Saffron claps her mouth shut when Brickfielder speaks. Sideglancing the big pony, having to tilt her head almost all the way up, before looking back down at the circle's general direction, frowning with a bit of genuine guilt.

The voice huffs audibly and takes on a stern, lecturing tone. Possibly in mirror to how Brickfielder had laid out in their prior encounter. It said that apologies do not mend broken pacts. Transgressions need tithes paid in compensation. It wanted a spool of gold thread before the arrival of the new moon. Otherwise it would be forced to alert a Lord.

Brickfielder looks up to check what phase the moon is in right now.

Saffron quirked her brow slightly at that particular request. But then inhales sharply at the mention of 'alert a Lord'. She quickly looked up to Brickfielder, "Hey... You think--maybe, we can have him talk with our..." She lets her voice drift off, giving Brickfielder a meaningful look and a nod towards behind them.

Sundancer whispers to Ember "I think they're talking about you."

Brickfielder looks back down to Saffron. "...Talk with our what? We don't have any gold, the best we can do is tell the next squad and Cloudy about this..."

Saffron:"Exactly. We have to talk with Cloudy, so maybe there's a way to have Gatekeeper have a meeting with her? We're literally grunts..."

Brickfielder:"You want to arrange a meeting between our CO and a forest spirit? ...I guess that's probably the best option, really."

Ember Flare turns her ears a bit quizzically answering in hushed tone "Huh.. n-no I think it's referring to the loggers that got attacked previously"

Saffron gave a half-shrug with her wings, then turned towards the circle again to address the spirit. "Hey, Gatekeeper? I know we can't do anything to make it up to you on behalf of--everypony else, who we have no control over, but maybe you'd be willing to speak to somepony who is more in charge? Uh..." She pauses briefly, "Are you... Always, specifically, here? Or are you just everywhere at once, or something?"

(GM Note): The pcs in the circle made a questioning test to pull information from the spirit.

From the way the voice talks it does not seem like it identifies 'you mortals' individually. It does not seem to grasp the notion that you cannot do something while another individual could. It wants payment and does not seem to care about the details around that fact. On the topic of where it is it states factually and vaguely it is in the deep woods. Much like not being able to tell your groups apart it does not seem able to conceptualize the circles as different locations.

Saffron needs to take at the very least 6 seconds grasping at the straws of information Gatekeeper gives them. She gives Brickfielder a distant look, moreso looking past him as she computes what she just heard. "O... Kay?" She mutters, then looked back towards the circle, "We will keep that in mind." She furrowed her brow, now focusing her glance on Brickfielder more intently, to see if he had anything to say.

Brickfielder is much more focused-looking than Saffron, keeping his eyes on the circle and frowning slightly. "...It would help, in the future, if we knew why bringing iron to these circles... irks you. If you would be kind enough as to tell us."

Saffron:"Y-yeah. There was no way for us to know this place had specific rules up until the first time you heard us speak to you, Gatekeeper. Would you be able to remind us of the uhm..." She pauses to find the right words, darting her eyes, "--The stipulations of the covenant?"

Gatekeeper grumbles about mortal's poor memory and manners and continues on in a tone like it were now talking down to children. It informs 'you' were told the rules before and should have kept the pact in "your" heart. It then recites in a softer tone what effectively sounded like a nursery rhyme. Actively warning children of the wandering the deep woods at night. That iron is a blight on the soul and cuts loyalty. That a rent oath is only sewn with golden thread or a tithe of newborns taken by the lords.

Saffron quirks her brow at the rhyme. She didn't particularly mind being talked down to in that moment, and very hastily reached back to her back instinctively, only to notice that she didn't really have her saddlebags with her, and her journal. She resorts to humming it beneath her breath a few times, attempting to commit it to memory.

Brickfielder mutters some of the lines back to himself... but, well, it is fairly easy to remember, being so nursery rhyme-ish.

Saffron starts to stand up after a while of humming it. Now starting to recite the rhyme in her head, moreso than with her voice. "Y'know the last part, about the newborns, is kinda grim to me..." She remarked aloud. "Do the Lords treat the newborns well? Do they become knights when they grow up?"

Brickfielder glances down to Saffron again as her question cuts off his own rhyme-muttering. Odd question, but, he looks back to the circle, curious as to what the answer will be.

The voice almost audibly shrugged. It in quite blunt fashion noted it did not know or care. It understands newborns to be delicious. Although you would not be able to tell if it means that from experience or if it was now messing with you.

Saffron deadpans in the voice's general direction. "Okay that I didn't really want to know, but alright." She mutters with a bit of a chuckle, in response to 'babies being delicious'. "The Lords don't sound very nice." She remarked.

Saffron: "... Wait, are the lords mortals too?"

Ember Flare stiffens up and prepares to act, motioning sundancer that something is up

A lightning bolt shoots up Saffron's spine in what feels like a literal sense. Ember can feel the local ambient magic spike at her squad mate's location. It does not have a visual manifestation save the pain and secondary effect of Saffron's hair being static charged.

(GM):Saffron had to roll a Psyche test to resist an incoming attack. She failed the test but manage to soak all of the damage

Saffron seizes up like she was tazed once the lightning bolt courses through her, wincing her eyes shut as she twitches and doubles over slightly in pain.

Saffron: "BUCK!!" She cries out as soon as her voice comes back.

Brickfielder stumbles away from Saffron in surprise, watching her and looking up at the circle, narrowing his eyes. "I preferred when the Gatekeeper was acting like a foal..."

Saffron, being unhurt and thusly only suffering from a wounded pride, glowers at the grass beneath her hooves and just turns around, stomping away with a big huff while her entire furcoat puffs up, her tail becomes twice as big and messy, and her mane almost resembled some sort of long haired horse-afro as she straight-up leaves.

Ember Flare still being unsure what exactly happened stays put but ready... also taking out her gun just in case

Brickfielder watches Saffron storm off and stares, before turning back to the circle and clearing his throat again. "...That was rude. ...We'll do what we can to get you your gold. Just, please understand, things have... changed, out in the world." He turns and follows after Saffron, not wanting to chance being near the circle any longer.

Gatekeeper seems content to let you retreat after it had applied the paddle. Returning to your camp would be without further magical issues.

Saffron wanders back through the woodland, stomping across it and slowly accumulating leaves on her coat. Muttering with a near-instant girly anger at all this: "... I bet it likes punk rock or somethin' shitty like that..." She growled, storming past Ember, "... Stupid rude fairies zapping me for questions."

Brickfielder quickly disposes of the torch once he's in the camp, frowning as he looks to Saffron. "...Good to see you're alright..."

Ember Flare quietly decides not to make comments about the outcome

Sundancer:"Hmph. It's what you get for consorting with the enemy."

Saffron whipped her head towards Brickfielder. A distinct fire in her eyes for a moment--albeit not directed at him. She half-lifts her ears when he says that, and seems to at least partially calm down, looking back forward as they begin to make it back to camp, ignoring the uncomfortably jittering of her wings, or the slight shivering across her entire body. "Yeah, it didn't hurt... Much." She muttered. And then IMMEDIATELY looked up to Sundancer for a split-second, "Shut up.", and kept walking.

Saffron:"You know it wasn't even CONSPIRING--It was clearly going to tattle on some sort of higher authority if we didn't talk to it."

Saffron kicks a twig into a tree.

Brickfielder notices her calming down, and sighs, going to get his equipment back on. "I'm hesitant to call it an enemy. It's something that we are not equipped to deal with. And I don't know if our CO is either."

Brickfielder: "We just need to let Cloudy and the next squad know what's going on."

Ember Flare: "Well mostly it just seemed unhinged."

Sundancer: "It attacked me and attacked the civilians."I'm not going to stop you, but I'm going to keep calling it the enemy."

Brickfielder glances at Sundancer with a stern look in his eyes. "We're dealing with something that's beyond just a regular military engagement. An enemy, maybe, but we can't treat it like any standard enemy."

Brickfielder: "This thing is... magic, of a kind we're not used to. And, I'm worried it's ancient too."

Sundancer sits on her haunches and pouts a little "If you were consorting with a standard enemy, I'd be more worried you didn't run it by Cloudy first."

Brickfielder takes a deep breath and looks at Sundancer... but holds his tongue and prepares to head in for the night instead, seeming to get more lost in thought than worrying about what's being said.

Saffron goes to sit down in front of the campfire, still a giant fuzzball from the electric shock. "It's not like we can just walk up and shoot it, either way." Saffron retorts without looking at anypony in particular, "We've just been fighting wacky butterflies right now. Imagine if it brought something bigger, or began to actively attack us with MORE butterflies. Ponies could DIE, and you saw how they fought back at the camp. They were disorganized, they're faffing around back there."

Saffron:"Or--MAGIC, that we CAN'T fight against. The president-damned operation could just--fail because we don't know what we're up against."

Ember Flare:"Well... we'll have done a good job once we report this all back and the next team will be more prepared to deal with this stuff"

Sundancer watches Saffron trying to justify her actions to herself before agreeing with Ember "It could have provided important information."

Saffron ruffles across her chest fluff and huffs loudly. "Yeah." She muttered, crossly. Then turned to Silver, "It asked us to bring a spool of golden thread, by the way. You think we could arrange that?..."

Brickfielder sighs and rubs his mane. "We can't. We just have to hope Cloudy can."

Ember Flare: "We shouldn't be pandering to the creatures wild demands I think… but that's not up to us"

Sundancer:"There's small amounts of gold in electronic equipment, but it's in short supply... we sort of go on C.L.O.D.S. missions to get gold, not give it away."

Brickfielder:"...And that's the other concern. Whether or not Cloudy will. If we can't convince her... Saffron's worries might come to fruition."

Sundancer: "If these parasprites have a stash of gold somewhere, Cloudsdayle could use it."

Saffron huffs and resumes frantically patting her mane down, to little avail. Which just made her even more upset. She eventually just retreats into her own tent and lays down in it, looking outside at the others as she balls up into a ball of small mare and fur.

Saffron: "Let's just sleep on it."

Sundancer: "I'll take the first watch again."

With a sour note to the evening your group sets back into routine for your last night at camp nimbus. Perhaps It'll be called camp seafoam next. Regardless you just have one more day of scouting. Your instructions included a note to leave the surveillance equipment in place for the next crew. So as long as you were not spotted on this last day be the on edge lumber camp guards then your mission would be a success.

Saffron, in the morning, would spend a bit of time just using her comb from her grooming kit to shape up her short mane and coat to workable order to fit under her armor. She'd smile briefly to Brickfielder when he'd also wake up, giving him an otherwise silent nod. Saffron was... Remarkably quiet, kind of withdrawn in her own thoughts as she got up with Ember and Silver to go scout one last time...

Sundancer sleeps in again, glad she called dibs on first watch and starts packing up the camp around

Brickfielder and the cameras, breaking down tents and setting gear in piles for each squad member

Your last day of scouting would go slowly, if only because of anticipation of it being over. Champagne Shower would have a more dominant presence at the lumber camp that day, which actually made your work easier. His drilling of the troops and very public reprimanding of anyone slightly out of step would keep most of the focus inward. The patrols being out might not have been as on guard as they should have been, given it seemed like a relief just to be away from their CO for a while. Workflow at the lumber camp was particularly inefficient that day.

Brickfielder would find something of note on the camera set at the waterfall basin that day, close to noon time. It was only at the edge of the camera's vision for a few seconds and part of it was obscured by glare that reflected off it. But for at least a few frames he got a sighting of what looked to be another form of glass creature on the shore of the basin. Sundancer could be brought over to help review the footage.

(GM Note): (Sundancer tests Craft to CSI “Enhance” the footage. Absolutely crushes the test.)

Sundancer can put her equipment expertise into effect to make the most of the surveillance equipment. Making use of the high tech equipment at your disposal produces results. The glass creature seen along the shore was larger than a pony given scaling with reference objects. You lacked colour and the sun reflecting off it left only a few good frames to evaluate. Given academic studies of surface creatures it seemed analogous to a bear. It however had a 'coat' of glass that did not end in frame lining like the butterfly wings. It seemed to be covered in sharpened glass edges. Maybe the equivalent of a massive porcupine?

Sundancer starts writing down a page of analysis of the image to add to the report, including her speculation that it generated electricity like the butterflies

Brickfielder watches over Sundancer's shoulder as she works, narrowing his eyes and mouthing some sort of obscenity.

Sundancer: "Let's hope our next mission doesn't bring us anywhere near that thing."

Sundancer: "Is that in charge of the Gatekeeper, or is it controlled by the Gatekeeper?"

Brickfielder: "Wish I knew..."

Your scouting team would not have much in the way of significant events on their side. Champagne Shower being at the camp all day kept things from being interesting. The report on that side of things today would be fairly basic.

Ember Flare sighs half out of boredom and half out of relief "Well nothing happened... looks like we're all clear"

Saffron kept up a semi-grumpy look on her face almost for hours. When she didn't have a grimace on her face, she was idly making smalltalk about food; talking about Thyme and Oregano, about rosemary, and how they could mix them with what they had, or making oatcakes. Things that ended up making her hungry. Until their time was up.

Saffron: "Yeppers. Last day of scouting was pretty smooth..."

Saffron goes to get up and gather up her field journal, casting a glance over their shoulder with a bit of worry... Before piping into the comms again. "Recon team returning to camp." She says simply, and starts walking, along with the others.

It will be about an hour after your scouting team was back in camp when you would get an alert on your encrypted channel from sea foam alerting you to their approach. They evidently had been given your coordinates and were making a beeline. They were also cutting it pretty close to what counted as dusk. Although it would be on them to set the camp for themselves in the dark. When the five member squad arrived to relieve you you might recognize some of them from training. Their squad leader was an average height, if built, mare named Violet Rain. Given her Violet background her name seemed intentionally on the nose. She introduced her subordinates Lavender, Bulky Breeze, Lucky Star, and Comet Tail. Most of whom were fairly average themselves. Excluding the aptly named bulky.

Sundancer:"Camp Nimbus is yours, Sea Foam. We've set up a few cameras around the area. Try to not die of boredom."

Saffron couldn't help but smile at the fact that Violet Rain was the squad leader. It was so obvious it amused her. She flashed Violet a smirk then an amicable upward nod. "How much did Cloudy tell you about what we found out so far?" She asked.

Silver Rush:"greetings squad. Fairly simple job of watching the greens and reds work. The not simple part is that we're about 50 feet from a pair of stone circles, do not fuck with them or go near it with any sort of metal, or it will try to kill you. I recommend you relocate camp asap. It appears magical in nature, and has already attacked us and a squad of greens out west when approached with metal objects."

Violet Rain nodded at the greeting and recommendation. They had been allowed to view transcripts of your reports in preparation for their mission. She thanked you for getting the literal groundwork laid out. Her speech was very formal but sounded sincere. She let you know that you were to head back to the FOB and get showered and rested. Cloudy Forecast would debrief you in the morning and let you know what your next assignment would be. In a less formal way she openly mused what it would be. Your squad, theirs, and only two others were under Cloudy Forecast's command. All of which were given unusual tasks it seemed.

Saffron rebutts with an equally musing tone towards Violet. "Guess you could say we're special forces, huh?" Saffron said in a lowkey, light-hearted tone. "By the way," She casts a side glance towards the circle where they had last spoken to GateKeeper, "If you ever happen to go speak with the weird thing in the circles that way?" She flicks a wing in that direction, "Don't ask questions about Lords. It gets upset and zaps you." She muttered, bitterly.

Brickfielder stays silent during the exchange, though he does glance with Saffron towards the circle.

Saffron:"But otherwise it's friendly, if you don't go with metallic stuff on you, as our squad leader said. Don't antagonize it either. It's temperamental."

Saffron nods to herself, shrugging her wings at the other squad, looking between them all for if they had questions; but otherwise being fully ready to leave.

Ember Flare:"..and uh... all the attacks have seemed to be preceded by bursts of magic so if you have anyone who can detect those..."

Ember Flare trails of her sentence with same confidence she started it with

Violet Rain sounded a bit less chummy when Ember Flare spoke up. almost seeming to have overlooked the mutant in the room until then. She "duly noted" the advice and then quickly moved on. Her squad went about getting the camp set for themselves and Violet Rain would offer a sign off hoof shake to Silver, squad leader to squad leader.

Saffron trailed Violet Rain with her eyes after she spoke to Ember like that. When Violet isn't looking right at them, one could swear the look in her eyes was one of MURDER. Though her fur, being red, doesn't show how her face also becomes increasingly crimson. Luckily she internalizes this, and just puts up a smirk, then hops her small self out of the mound that was around their camp. Crossing her forelegs as she watches Silver shake hooves with them, waiting on them.

Silver Rush: "all yours, sea foam."


Session 6

You had been on the surface for eight days now. Tonight you were allowed to return to the FOB and sleep in your own bunks again. The sun was just past the mountains as you flew out of the woods and across the low rolling hills, leaving you in a darkening twilight. Shadows made eerie shapes below you in the dips of the hills. If you were actively alert it would be difficult to keep from being on edge. The air was damper and saltier out here than in the forest. Keeping aloft and referring to your equipment or Ember Flare would see you return to base in under an hour.

You would pass a security patrol on the way in. They did not seem to have any reason to stop you or ask questions. You were to return through the gate however, checking in your entrance with the post. Your squad had been given clearance on the way out to bypass it. Entering the base was a different matter. It would not take long to go through quick identification and logging at least

The base has changed a little bit in your week away. The motor pool has already seen a lot of traffic due to daily movements to the lumber camp. This includes a stack of logs in the stockpile besides and fresh tar over areas that are going to see a lot of land traffic. Ruts were already starting to form from the heavy truck loads.

Saffron had made small talks perhaps for the entire hour back. Not to anyone in particular as her eyes seemed to constantly shift from looking at the bushes of the underbrush to the shadows being cast around them; though she was not at all jumpy; in fact she was rather optimistic. They had done a good job, she thought! It was a good start, and surely this meant they made a good team and that they were going to keep doing good! She made a few passing remarks about kicking Infrared ass off-handedly, in spite of their behavior with Gatekeeper. Once back at the base, she quieted down. Perhaps to the relief of those who didn't want to hear her as much. But after they reach a certain point, her glance shoots to the motorpool, and she speaks up.

Saffron: "Y'know... We should talk to Cloudy Forecast... Should totally find out if we got anymore clearance, or if I can suggest... Somethin'."

Ember Flare:"She would know the best"

Saffron stops to briefly rest her legs, rolling her neck slightly as she loosens the chinstrap of her helmet a bit more. "Guess now it's nap time." She pouts.

Brickfielder has no complaints with settling in, already undoing his equipment and grunting. "'Least we got to leave all that surveillance junk back there."

Sundancer grinds a servo that still hasn't fully recovered yet and grimaces "I have some replacement parts to get my hooves on."

Ember Flare:"The barrack bunks are an improvement to sleeping on the ground... and finally safe from all those insects. I almost want to burn all the stuff we brought back just in case."

Ember Flare adds with midly nervous tone "...not that I'd ever actually burn military equipment just because of bugs"

Ember Flare: "I hope we did a good job... maybe Cloudy expected us to infiltrate the camp...."

Sundancer: "I'm sure we'd be told if we were expected to do that. Leave that to our replacements."

Saffron starts to leisurely walk towards their barracks. "Get well soon Sundance." She said on a softer note, eyeballing that grinding servo briefly as she went. Snorting a little to what Ember says. "Bit of an overreaction, innit? It was just... Ants. And crickets. Maybe a locust here and there, butterflies. Wasn't that bad..."

When you return to it you would find your barracks was seeing some personalizations appear. The main hall had some minor decorations set up around the doors to a few squad's branches. Two noteworthy examples stuck out. First was a fresh recruitment flier that must have come through recent mail. It was dated as sent less than a week ago and likely pinned up for the irony. Secondly was a frond leaf from a tropical plant. How did it make its way here?

Saffron almost outright misses the leaf of the tropical plant. At first she glanced over it, but then double takes and sort of backpedals. Staring at it, confused, and with a face full of wonder. She leaned in, examining it closely. "Yooo..."

Brickfielder eyes the frond leaf with a cocked eyebrow as he passes by it, and passes by Saffron doubling back on it as well. "That's... not even going native, I don't know what to categorize that as..."

Sundancer: "It's showing off."

Saffron mutters beneath her breath. "Spooky plant." She said, looking up to Brickfielder once and chuckling, before quietly strolling to her bunk to start taking off her gear. Ready to crash for the night. And maybe waste a little bit of time scribbling on her journal, trying to sketch one of the butterflies they had fought earlier for fun. Until she felt sleepy enough to sleep.

Passing the distractions you would get to your branch and individual cells for a chance to rest. At least no one had messed with your stuff while you were gone. Although Brickfielder and Silver Rush each had a letter on their cot waiting for them. Given the week out without proper facilities it was likely you would want to take Violet Rain's advice to hit the showers before crawling into any clean bedding.

Brickfielder rubs his face as he gets the rest of his gear off, pulling up the letter in a wing and tearing it open; he'll get that out of the way, and then shower.

Saffron whispers a quiet, "Fiiiick!..." as she only realizes she was supposed to shower AFTER laying down for literally a second. She, after having taken off her combat gear, whips herself back up and chases after Brickfielder to take the shower while she still can.

Sundancer spent her time doing self-repair also doing self-cleaning and didn't have any reservations about laying down right away

(GM Note): Below is the description of the letter sent to Brickfielder’s player.

The letter was written by Brickfielder's younger siblings. They would be asking a lot of questions about the surface and noting inane details about their day at boarding school. It was likely to be the first of many they would send.

Ember Flare would wait for the others to shower first, going through her bags and hit the showers with more privacy

Brickfielder reads the letter silently while standing next to his cot, and gives a relaxed sigh, tucking it under his pillow before he heads to the showers with a confident smile on his face. He at least knows what he'll be doing before he turns in for the night: write a reply letter.

(GM Note): There was an ooc discussion that the barrack showers were fitting for the scene from starship troopers.

Saffron, despite herself and Brickfielder being so unfortunately tall and small respectively, she ... Doesn't mind, much. She was way too busy staring off into space while under the shower and giggling to herself. Occasionally she'd make a remark since he's there, just to mess with him. "Aww it would've been so interesting to see Brickfielder dance and sing, wouldn't it..." She says, wiggling her eyebrows theatrically before she just smirks and keeps doing her business. "I bet you have a great baritone, too!"

Brickfielder rolls his eyes as he uses his wings to wash his mane. "Maybe I do. And maybe it's for patriotic songs and special occasions only."

Saffron rolls her eyes good-naturedly as well, as she shuts off her shower to soap up mane and tail. "You just don't know any other songs." She teases him, as she washes up.

Waiting on her squad mates to get in and out of the showers Ember Flare can sneak in some privacy. There's few places as exposing as a shower. The potential for hazing is exponentially increased for a mutant.

Brickfielder tosses his mane around and gives himself one more once-over before shutting off his shower; rather than replying, he flicks one of his large wings at Saffron, plenty of water flying off of the feathers at her.

Silver Rush is in no condition for such shenanigans and promptly washes away the weeks filth, if only to not get his bed dirty

Saffron goes to hastily shut off the shower after a few more seconds of letting water run over her muzzle. She goes to dry up with the towels and driers; but not before he flicks water at her face, making her scrunch a little. "Is that how it is?" She remarks from the background, weakly shaking some water towards his legs with her wing in kind. Then just huffing, resuming to dry up, and taking care of her tail while she's at it and sort of wincing as she has to tug a few hard knots loose, to the point that she actually pulls some hairs. Muttering some mild curses beneath her breath a couple times, until finally making her way out.

Silver Rush sighs once cleansed and moseying back to his cot. Great what's this letter for. Who uses mail, these days. He mutters under his breath, hoping it's an advertisement instead of something more ominous

(GM Note): Letter contents for  Silver Rush

The letter was written by Silver's mother. It was a fairly casual tone of letter asking how Silver was getting used to being on the ground. She had an anecdote of her first time and knee aches due to the natural habit of shifting with cloud drifts that the ground did not do. She wished Silver well tidings.

Saffron mutters something about a gunked up toothbrush as she goes to ball up on her cot to draw a little bit before sleep, as she planned.

Brickfielder settles down in his cot after he's finally dried off, getting out a pen and paper and setting about penning a response letter to the one he received.

Ember Flare doesn't spend long in the showers returns back to the barracks and prepares to doze off

Silver Rush snorts. The last thing he expected to be quite honest. But of all the ponies that would bother trying to reach him out here, this should've been his first guess

Sundancer has let a week of taking first watch ruin the early to bed early to rise sleep schedule drilled into her in boot and she's fallen into her habit of reading textbooks by flashlight into the night

Your squad can settle in for the night and get some solid sleep. The military cots are wonderful compared to sleeping on the ground with camping gear. You ‘only’ get a solid seven hours before a shift change and noise raises from the coming and goings. But getting up with the morning shift will let you grab breakfast and prep for meeting with your CO.

Ember Flare enjoys the chance to get warm meal on a proper plate again

Saffron slept like a rock...! After having woken up once and going back to sleep seeing she totally could. Snuggling onto her field journal with her hooves and muzzle. Until the time came to rise and shine, which is when she hastily went to stop looking like she was hugging a teddy bear and put it in the chest pocket of her uniform, doing some stretches beside her bed while the others woke up.; then, with remarkable silence, would follow them to the canteen. Mostly just staring off, deep in thought.

Brickfielder's hair has settled into its natural flowing-back mohawk after his good night's rest, and before heading to the mess hall, he tucks away his sealed letter; hopefully he can get it to the mail room before having to meet the CO.

Silver Rush carefully inspects his uniform, pulling out stay strings for their inevitable debrief... And McCune more depending, who knows "Alright check those creases and double check each other's uniforms. Last thing we need is a wrinkly shirt to stain a successful OP when we finally meet the boss"

Sundancer: "Cloudy seems business casual."

Saffron wries her lip as she side glances Silver once. "Aight, boss..." She replied somewhat noncommittally, double checking her uniform and pulling the sleeves a bit more taut with a bit more seriousness, adjusting the collar properly, and pausing to adjust her midsection; mostly just to 'make sure' more than needed. Then continues into the canteen. Moving along with the others to get food. She pouts for, like, a second. "Iunno... We don't really know her that well."

Sundancer picks over her own uniform regardless of her backtalk, checking every insignia is regulation distance from the pockets and seams

Brickfielder keeps his uniform in perfect condition to the best of his ability anyways.

Saffron casts a quiet glance towards Brickfielder for a moment. Or, well, up to him. She seems to look at him for a second as they go to sit down...

The mess hall was less congested than the last time you were here. With the shift changes in place and some squads eating at odd hours it seemed that the flow would be better now. Getting in and out with a meal in you would be quick enough. Some of the other squads on the same shifts seem to have been getting chummy in your absence.

Saffron squints. Puffing her cheeks as something crosses her mind. Then simply huffs and seems to just mutter: "I hope that bag of glue-goo I collected is actually worth something." She said, then looked off. And lifted her brow. "Oh I have an idea..." She smirked a little, and then just left it at that, eating a bit more quickly.

Brickfielder either doesn't notice or doesn't acknowledge Saffron looking at him as he settles in to eat… though he does spare her a cocked brow and a glance at her muttering about the goo.

Saffron meets Brickfielder's glance for a second, dabbing her lips with the hankie as she elaborates. "My mom's really into magic. She might know something. Maybe if... Hm." She pouts again, freezing to think about. Then just glances up to the others again, "I'm brainstorming sorry--either Cloudy Forecast takes it, or I send it back home. Or I keep it, worse case scenario, I'm sure there's a use for something like this."

Sundancer: "I'm sure Cloudy will call it classified and confiscate it."

Saffron: "Oh yeah, probably."

Sundancer: "Surprised you even kept that junk."

Saffron snorts at the fact Sundancer called it 'junk', "You don't know if it's junk!" Saffron exclaimed softly, "It's AT LEAST evidence."

Brickfielder shakes his head slightly. "It'd be best if Cloudy took it. Something like that needs to be handled by the state."

Ember Flare:"I agree, it could still be dangerous"

Sundancer:"It could be worse than junk, it could be poison. If you want to hold onto it, I'd suggest not bringing it up, but I'd strongly suggest not wanting to hold onto it."

Saffron gives Sundancer a weird look. She looked like she was about to rebut with something by the way she lifts a hoof and opens her mouth!... But then darts her eyes and thinks about it, closing her mouth so quickly one could hear her teeth clacking.

Saffron: "I mean yeah probably a good idea that Cloudy handles it, if anything! Is why I was gonna show it."

Sundancer closes her eyes and smiles "Good idea."

A bit before you finished up your meal and were out of the mess hall another Green came to speak with you. A runner from Cloudy confirming you were on base and letting you know to meet with her in her office at HQ. You had fifteen minutes.

Saffron nickers softly and briskly plugs her lips with the coffee that came with the food. She holds a moment of silence, stifling a chuckle as she drinks, which makes her almost choke up on her drink. Once she finishes that, she takes up the tray and starts standing up. She's about to go off, when the fellow green comes to tell them about their appointment. "Oh, cool, guess we better trot off then." She remarked, mirthfully, and resumed moving; albeit with more purposefully strides.

Sundancer doesn't get much more out of mess food than she does from rations and doesn't waste time savoring her food, leaving with saffron "No reason to not get there early."

Brickfielder finishes his meal quickly and heads out; thankfully, HQ is right near the mailroom. He'll drop off his letter on the way.

Saffron nods to Sundancer.matter-of-factly, cantering on back outside along with the squad--albeit taking the lead somewhat as she goes a bit quicker, slowing down to a walk once outside and heading past the hospital, to the HQ.

Saffron: "I guess it's normal to get debriefed inside the HQ instead of outside comms,..."

Doing any quick errands on the way your squad could get into HQ and be directed to a tiny waiting room where you could spend ten minutes twiddling your hooves. Cloudy Forecast would come down the main hall to collect you herself, giving you each a look over with her appraising gaze. Your CO was still prim and proper even in her less formal uniform. Given you had only seen her in a dress uniform prior. It still did not help her gangly nature when she moved however. Without much of a greeting she directed you to follow to her office. You would pass the open floor plan of the HQ's main room staffed with Greens at rows of desks already busy on typewriters for filing reports. Cloudy's Office was on a short branch off the main floor, opposite an office listed as Thermal Updraft's. When inside Cloudy's office you could note it was both quite sparse and crowded. It Looked almost used more for additional storage than a proper officer's office. The walls were lined with filing cabinets and there were plenty of extra chairs. But it held little in the way of personal effects, or even documentation occupied  her in and out boxes.

Brickfielder keeps his head held high and salutes the CO when she arrives. Being on his best behavior doesn't stop him from sparing a small, jealous glance at the Greens at the desks, however.

Ember Flare would curiously look around the unorthodox office

Sundancer maintains military bearing in front of the chair force and doesn't acknowledge the desk jockeys at all

Brickfielder keeps his posture upright and stiff even once they're inside they're inside the office, staring ahead.

Saffron had quickly decided that, during the wait, that was the best time to get a new toothbrush. She left her squad briefly to go into the commissary and request a spare toothbrush because 'she lost hers', which was a SMALL lie. Coming back out, she would spend 10 minutes writing in her journal; drafting a letter for her parents. Until Cloudy Forecast showed up, and she near-instantly pockets the journal and pencil, standing up to salute the officer respectfully and standing at-attention! Until told to follow. She'd explore the HQ with her gaze, gazing at the Greens there with a childish curiosity, and then settling down once they're inside the ... 'Office'. She remains at-ease, but still stiffly so.

The office would be a little stuffy with six ponies inside. At least with five of you taking space to one side of the desk. Your superior tells you to be at ease and take seating where you could. While she moved to take her seemingly well worn chair on the far side of the desk. Cloudy Forecast started the meeting unorthodox. "How has your first time in a forest altered your view of the surface?"

Saffron moves her smoll self forward quickly to take a seat on one of the chairs there. Keeping her back straight nonetheless, with a small smile of pride and eagerness on her face. "It was uh... Uhm..." Her voice falls short, biting her lip, unsure how to word it. "... Well it wasn't as bad as I thought. I liked it, personally! Easy to acclimate. Minus the... Magic, fey creatures..."

Saffron: "... Or whatever they were supposed to be."

Sundancer can't scrunch her nose, so her face just pulls back in an indeterminate expression "I expected to prefer birds to insects and ground-creatures, even so I was surprised and frustrated by how much trouble they can be."

Ember Flare:"The magical creatures sure were a surprise. As were the constant noises in the forest everywhere around us. And the little bugs everywhere. But other than that it was... actually surprisingly... pleasant?"

Saffron nods along with Ember's description after she says 'pleasant'. "Yeah." She agrees, "For now it seems nice." Saffron adds, on a quieter note. Fidgeting with her forehooves a little bit.

Brickfielder clears his throat, since they clearly have permission to speak freely. "Hard ground and the constant sounds are things that take getting used to, yes. Overall, it's... similar to what I'd expected. But, clearly, there are things on the surface that can't be prepared for. Mystical beings and ancient stone circles, in our case."

Sundancer:"I also expected it to be a wasteland or wilderness, a chaotic place with random weather patterns. It felt like the forest was enemy territory managed not unlike Cloudsdayle managed weather in our sectors."

Silver Rush:"it certainly seems that the Normal idea of an Inhospitable, absolutely dangerous wildlands isn't as true as the stories say. No rampaging Mut-monsters taller than buildings or radioactive puddles everywhere you turn"

Cloudy Forecast draws everyone's attention to what Sundancer and Silver Rush were saying. "Keep those perceptions in mind for later. It will be relevant for your following mission. For now however I would like to say you all did well on your training exercise. You played to your strengths to accomplish the stated mission."

Brickfielder has to stop himself from looking confused at the phrase 'training exercise'. "...Thank you, ma'am."

Ember Flare attempts to hold her beaming on the inside

Saffron flicked her ears at the word 'training', then visibly lowered them. Turning towards Silver Rush once, then back to Cloudy Forecast. As her tail weakly wags behind her, beneath the chair.

Sundancer doesn't give much acknowledgement, successfully keeping her reaction internal

Cloudy Forecast "To preempt your inevitable questions. No, you have not been given clearance regarding the classified topic. For the time being you may refer to it as a U.I.I., or under investigation infrared. "

Ember Flare: This causes Ember to have a little questioning head tilt

Saffron pins her ears fully at that. She visibly pulls her lips taut for a moment, then after a moment of trepidation speaks up quietly: "... Ma'am? I-- I took the liberty of collecting samples of the U.I.I. that attacked us during the night, and put it in a bag. Would you like me to give it to you?" She asked, with a voice that bounced between concerned and eager.

Sundancer keeps quiet and stoic, but shifts her weight uncomfortably

Ember Flare:"...so if we were to encounter more similar U.I.I.s should we just deal with them with our own discretion?"

Cloudy Forecast gave a simple nod to Saffron. "I will have it forwarded." she stated simply as fact. "To be clear, you are not to discuss the U.I.I. to others. Sea Foam has had to be given the same warning as of your discussion last night. In general the other squads are being ordered to avoid the circles. Engagement protocols are for defensive measures at this time. "

Saffron reaches into her combat saddlebags which she had been wearing specifically to carry that specific bag and literally nothing else. Opening it, she lifts up this plump, sealed sack that came out of her survival kit. And slides off the chair to start looking for a space on the table. But seeing as it was ALL occupied by the typewriter, she ends up rather slowly and almost reverently stepping around the desk to put it either beside Cloudy's chair or on her end of the table. Then returns to her seat. "So, ma'am. Are there no plans to potentially try to negotiate with this Infrared? I ask this because... Last we talked to it, they said that if we did not pay tribute to it with a spool of golden wire, it would notify a 'lord'..." Saffron downcasts her eyes slightly. Already looking apologetic, expecting to be chastised.

Cloudy Forecast needs a moment to word her reply in an exact fashion. "Initial recon teams of this area did not uncover the now U.I.I. The possibility was likely discounted as superstition among local infrared populations. I am unaware of central command's intent regarding our reports on the subject." Again, a consideration. "In regards to your squad's interactions with the U.I.I., I had said that other squads are being ordered to avoid the circles."

Saffron lifted a hoof to rub the side of her neck, her face shifting to one of poorly veiled discomfort. She didn't like this answer. But regardless, she nodded her head; "Understood..." She simply answered.

Brickfielder leans forward where he's sitting. "With all due respect, ma'am. I had the most direct contact with the... U.I.I. For what it's worth, I wish to respectfully recommend that it be placated with a small offering of gold, as it requested."

Brickfielder:"I understand it is Central Command's decision, but if they do not take that option, I'd hope they could be convinced."

Sundancer clears her mechanical throat "If they routinely collect gold as our encounter suggests, the U.I.I. may have a hoard of it stashed somewhere

Cloudy Forecast keeps a stoic face regarding the topic. "As is the demands you had reported may be a consideration in your following mission. Should I, through Steel Rain, press the matter it is very conceivably possible that central command will assign an agent to investigate directly. A circumstance that would be best avoided."

Brickfielder nods. "Understood, ma'am."

Sundancer: "We'll do our best."

Ember Flare: "...so what is our next mission then?"

Cloudy Forecast opens a drawer in her desk and pulls out a dossier folder. She slips it across the desk for your team to look through. "This will be research material regarding your next mission. In brief it will be a form of infiltration task to make contact with and establish rapport with a splinter group of the local Infrared population." Inside the folder was a large number of photographs and some written reports, some of which have water and dirt stains. The pictures depict the sort of images you might have seen during movies or other programs that were set on the surface. Blasted hellscapes, utterly ruined cities, misshapen mutated animals, toxic and barren ecosystems, and some infrared settlements that are little more than scrap metal held together by twine.

Cloudy Forecast:"To be blunt, your changed perceptions of the surface are incorrect for the most part. These islands are an anomaly of bounty by comparison to wider former Equestria."

Saffron suddenly changes expression, becoming much more interested and less tense when the talk of their next mission comes to her mind. She leans forward to open the folders for the others to see, and for herself as well. She takes a good, long look at everything. Sifting through the pictures and skimming the reports, as her expression falls a little bit. Like a childish dream slowly coming undone. Saffron looked vaguely disappointed; but not by much. She also seemed very interested in the pictures. "Yeah..." She murmured, nodding her head slowly. Letting the others talk for the most part.

Brickfielder glances through the dossier and purses his lips. "...So then does this mean pretending to be surface-born infrareds ourselves, ma'am?"

Sundancer holds out her metal wing and frowns "How am I supposed to infiltrate anything?"

Cloudy Forecast:"That will be your cover story. You will be given time to craft legacies for the roles you will assume. Then you will be fitted with equipment more suitable to surface born ponies. You will be given directions on where to appear to make landfall by watercraft on the western side of the island. From there you will 'accidentally' attract the attention of the splinter group and make rapport."

Ember Flare: "and once we do?"

Brickfielder is struggling to maintain his stone-faced demeanor, looking at Cloudy as if she's grown a second head. But he's definitely not going to actually say any of his thoughts out loud.

Saffron finally looks up from the pictures and, as she goes through the process of putting the pictures as they were, sits back up on her seat with her ears fully perked forward and a small, eager smile. "Well, with our skillset, we could probably pass for... Honorable mercenaries? Or do-gooders of some kind-- Minuteponies I guess, or..." She tapped her hooves together and looked to Silver and Brickfielder, "Merchants and their escort? That's what comes to mind."

Brickfielder mutters, "Does the surface have merchants...?"

Saffron clops both hooves in front of her lips. Biting her lip as she looked at Cloudy Forecast, then Brickfielder again. She lightly shrugged with her wings.

Cloudy Forecast raised a hoof to stop Saffron from racing for now. "The main mission statement will be information gathering to supplement what is known about the group. But of equal importance is establishing an 'in' with the group for further goals in the future. You are to make a point of contact and establish yourselves as potential allies to this group."

Brickfielder nods, slowly. "...Understood, ma'am."

Sundancer: "Our backstory will depend on who this splinter group is."

Saffron likewise gives a quick nod of her head in understanding. Keeping her mouth firmly shut in that moment.

Cloudy Forecast gives a small nod to Sundancer. "The splinter group in question are effectively rebel exiles of Trottingham. Initial intelligence reports were able to determine the group left due to philosophical differences. Differences pertaining to views on the U.I.I. that were likewise disregarded by initial investigators as simply a break in religious sects. Branded 'Robin Hoods' the group has taken a naturalistic approach and have reverted to a tribal status."

Brickfielder is now looking at Cloudy as if she's grown TWO additional heads rather than just the one.

Ember Flare furrows her brow at the mention of 'tribal status'

Ember Flare: "They're not... completely primitive savages right?"

Brickfielder shakes his head some and frowns while looking down. "...If they left over 'philosophical differences', then, I'd... suppose not..."

Sundancer: "Do they hate metal as much as the U.I.I.?"

Saffron seems to slowly realize something. by the way her mouth gapes very briefly and her brow furrows. She stays still, not moving to rub or fidget her legs. But there is a bit of darting movements in her eyes. Looking to Sundancer at that specific question, and quickly deciding it was time to start reading the folder. Leaning forward again to get to the written parts of the reports, and start reading while the questions were answered.

Cloudy Forecast:"Having read the initial reports it would be easy to try and view the group as primitive. But they are a splinter group of Trottingham's military and would have had a template for similar organization. Having read between the lines I believe they are more than that." She regarded Sundancer. "I cannot state with confidence their position. It is my belief however that you will be able to leverage your medical and technical knowledge as an asset that would far outweigh their opinion of your physical form."

Sundancer nods "I'll be sure to pack enough supplies."

Saffron gives a quick nod of herself. Looking up from the dossier slightly. "Will our gear be scaled down for the assignment? As in, no exoskeletons?"

Cloudy Forecast:"You will not be assigned equipment with Cloudsdayle identification for this mission, no. You have had training with firearms and will be equipped with gear acquired by prior scout teams. I will work with you as my time allows to assist crafting your legacies. But as with many things in cover it will require your personalization to internalize."

Saffron nodnods her head, looking down at the dossier and looking for any particular remarks about 'factions' as she puts it back down on the desk. "I still think we could get away with being some sort of RUGGED group of survivors from the--" She looked down at the pictures and thinks, sort of sifting through the pictures of deformed animals, wasteland, and 'villages', "--The mainland, we had to---to leave our homes to find luck elsewhere, and decided this was as good as place as any." She states. Her mouth going perhaps faster than her mind as she thinks back to what her dad might have told her, since this was where it would come the most useful. "We do have a... Sunshower, so..."

Saffron lowers her voice, brushing her chin with both of her small hooves. "That COULD work." She quiets down, "Probably better than being guns for hire. More relatable?"

Sundancer:"We would need something to sell to be merchants. They'd need extra firepower if we were mercenaries. Strangers that happen to have a doctor seem like it would have a more broad appeal."

Ember Flare nods "it would make more sense, and going as mercenaries would carry the risk of them trying to hire us or something"

Cloudy Forecast:"To assist you with a framework I have some details which you will use for seed information. To start you will be from an old world coastal city named Fillydelphia. You left the region due to attacks by feral mutant ponies."

Cloudy Forecast pulls a picture from the dossier for emphasis, one showing a desiccated pony you could have mistaken as simply a corpse, had it not been standing and with alert eyes.

Cloudy Forecast:"You traveled north until you discovered a boat that could take you away from the mainland to a promising forested island on the horizon. In effect, it will be best to consider yourselves refugees. Consider this information and study the dossier. Of which you will keep private from other squads. It is not to leave the HQ, but you may request to enter my office to view it in my absence. I will soon need to follow up with other duties. If you wish to stay and discuss here for the time being, you may."

Saffron double takes on the image of the ghoul. She stares at it with a mixture of surprise, horror, and wonder at the fact that zombies were real. But made no remark. "That could easily work, yeah. Plus it would excuse the fact that we'd be coming in somewhat armed, and armored, and probably packing a bunch of supplies." Saffron adds, looking to Cloudy Forecast to listen. The excitement she felt was only shown by the way she swishes her tail underneath the chair, and the way she nodnods to the officer quickly. "Might need to get squared away by fully reading the dossier. Maybe come up with individual backstories if it will come into play... Just an outline I guess." She looked over to the rest of the group after saying that.

Sundancer reaches for the dossier on the table and examines the first page "Our Fillydelphia has to have some sort of technical nexus where I learned my trade."

Ember Flare:"Well... the refugee cover story should work pretty well... We really wouldn't have to justify our presence all that much"

Cloudy Forecast raises from the desk, indicating she will be leaving. "It may be best to pretend to be a fully artificial being, Sundancer. Construction of a robot may be technology considered on the surface as lost to the general infrared population. But you may consider the angle of a construct built before the general calamity, reactivated recently."

Sundancer considers it for a moment "I could play the part better by looking up pre-calamity medicine."

Ember Flare:"Uh... do we know their stances on uh mutants?"

Cloudy Forecast:"Given the general 'clean' nature of these isles it is likely in main part they are not familiar with the general phenomenon. I expect the griffons, that more routinely leave for the mainland, would be aware. But they do not have a presence in the splinter group that we know of. It should only be composed of pony infrareds. If it comes down to it you may be able to pass your mutation as traditional magic."

Sundancer: "Secret hornless alicorn Ember Flare."

Saffron side glances at Sundancer and, for some reason smirks playfully in their direction. But opts to not say what she was finding so funny.. She swept her glance to Ember, "Yeah, wizard Ember Flare. And soulless automaton Sundancer. We got a nice composition." She remarked, before glancing down at the dossier, "Is fillydelphia actually inhabited?" She asked out loud, while seeking out the information on the reports....

Saffron: "... Everything looks so awful."

Cloudy Forecast pauses for a moment at Saffron's question. She seemed actually hesitant. Then she answered. "Not any longer. The Fillydelphia region was the staging grounds for C.L.O.D.S. campaign 37"

Sundancer: "A plausible backstory then."

Saffron actually turned her eyes to Cloudy Forecast as she detected the pause. At the answer, a sad sounding "Oh..." comes out of her by reflex. "Well," She quickly regains her composure, "In that case, yeah, we can probably work with that."

Saffron then turned her head towards Brickfielder, who had been awfully quiet. "What do you think?" She asked him, suddenly.

Brickfielder tries not to glance at Cloudy as he glances through the dossier. "...It's our job. I'll just... need more time to read over the reports in here." His brow is as furrowed as can be as he's saying that.

Cloudy Forecast:"I will leave you to the task then. You have a lot of information to internalize. Once legacies have been established we will proceed to training for deception. I expect at least some of you have not had cause to lie to someone's face before. Let alone when it could potentially be a dangerous situation."

Saffron pins her ears and chuckles, "Eh..." Her voice drifts off.

Ember Flare:"Well, this sounds a bit higher caliber mission now doesn't it!"

Cloudy Forecast looks over everyone with another appraising gaze. "If this information has shaken you, consider making an appointment with Breezy Night to work through processing."

Sundancer figures being in the military is good practice for acting like a robot and gets a little practice in as Cloudy appraises her

Brickfielder manages to unfurrow his brow somewhat as Cloudy looks at him, wanting to look more determined than... well... unenthusiastic.

Saffron straightens up a bit more under the scrutiny. "No thank you, ma'am, it's just a lot to think about." She replied readily and with a cool soldier eagerness, turning her chin up slightly.

Your CO leaves you in the room that could be mistaken for an office to contemplate and discuss in what could be one of the few actually private spaces on the base. As noted by Cloudy Forecast you would have permission to come and go for this use. Even if you were curious there did not seem to be anything of worth intellectually in the office aside from your provided dossier.

Saffron watches their CO leave. And... Begins to relax to her usual posture. She instantly looks back up to Brickfielder. "What's ... Up, Brickfielder?"

Brickfielder doesn't exactly relax, but his posture does shift to be less rigidly upright, pulling one of the reports out of the dossier as his frown deepens.

Brickfielder:"What's 'up', is that we're going to be ditching our equipment and hiding our wings to pretend to be some... some, infrareds."

Saffron stays silent for a moment. The way he throws out the word 'Infrared' doesn't stun her, but it does make her entire face tighten a little bit. "... Job's a job..." She mutters.

Brickfielder sneers a bit, and deflates with a sigh, glancing at the... ghoul picture again. "This is beyond what I'd thought we'd be doing in C.L.O.D.S."

Ember Flare:"It is a much more prestigious mission compared to most though. Or would you rather guard the lumberjacks weeks on end?"

Brickfielder 's jaw tightens a bit. "...It might be a welcome change of pace from going through surveillance footage for a week straight, but this is just... ugh."

Brickfielder lowers the report he's looking through and glances around. "Well, we need to figure out how we're going to do this." He looks at Silver expectantly. "Leader?"

Ember Flare looks over the documents some more with somewhat cheery outlook

Saffron inhaled sharply and looked to Brickfielder with a slight, mildly disappointed grimace; but quickly sweeped that glance to Silver Rush, looking at them a bit more seriously herself.

(GM Note): It was likely Silver Rush’s player had fallen asleep at his desk.


Session 7

Nimbus squad was left alone to your own devices in your CO's 'office.' With an uncertain amount of time until she would contact you again, you had time to yourselves. You could spend it working on your current assignment and/or recovery from your last mission.

 Ember Flare: "Hmm so I wonder what sort of gear we'll be able to take with us. is it some trash brought back from previous missions? Eugh I hope not"

 Brickfielder: "Trash, I don't doubt it. That's all that the Infrareds on the surface have, and we're going to have to blend in..."

Saffron spent an awful lot of time just reading their folder. Actually reading it this. It didn't quite click when Cloudy Forecast straight-up told them that the denizens of Fillydelphia had all been killed, but reading the folder and seeing that it had been their own army to do that actually made her go pale, sickly so. Of course she didn't show it much, she just read on from that in silence... "... You all figured out your roles, right? Or how to act, and what to say if they ask you what you did before this."

 Silver Rush: "we can always trade things with the locals we're supposed to...investigate"

 Saffron: "... This folder doesn't say ANYTHING about the mutants themselves... Apart from the ghouls and the mutated animals. Might be hard to explain things unless I just make things up. I'm just going to assume Ghouls are basically zombies."

 Ember Flare: "the plan seems decent.. selling the services of our medical robot"

Ember Flare me nudges her head towards sundancer

 Brickfielder: "...People are going to want to actually *buy* those services, then, will they not?"

Saffron rubs a hoof down her cheek, nodding slowly with Ember's statement. "Yeah..." She mutters softly in agreement. "That too. Medical stuff is PROBABLY in short supply."

 Silver Rush looks at the dossier to see if there's anything about how pegasi are treated. "will we have to pretend to be mud ponies too I wonder..."

 Saffron: "So, Ember. Are you okay with pretending you're like a nurse and an apprentice roboticist? Something along those lines."

 Brickfielder: "Pretending that would put us in a fair amount of danger, if even one of us were found out. ...A surface-dwelling, Infrared pegasus..."

Within the context of the documents Silver can read notes regarding that pegasus presence on the surface is rare. The vast majority of infrareds are of earth pony stock.

 Ember Flare: "Well... something I know some basic medicine and first aid from my training.. it covered a wide variety of things"

Saffron smiled distractedly. The red pegasus was still a bit bleached in the face when she looked back at their mutant companion, side glancing at them. "Yeah so... Here's the thing I have in my head. We HAD an actual medical station with a doctor, and you were the nurse, and since you knew how somewhat you were the one who maintained the robot, that is Sundancer, while they did the procedures. This should be enough to basically explain everything."

 Saffron: "And if you want to work it from there you can just improvise."

 Ember Flare: "Well it is an infiltration mission. But don't worry, we are supposed to be fish out of water in this scenario"

 Saffron: "It also gives you the excuse of going with Sundancer wherever."

 Brickfielder: "And we just... happen to all be pegasi as well, then?"

Saffron suckled her teeth a little, looking back to Brickfielder quietly for a good 3 seconds... "Well, we can't exactly remove our wings, can we..."

 Ember Flare: "...we winged ponies gotta stick together?"

 Saffron: "The best thing we could do if we wanted to pretend we're mudponies is to wear dusters over the wings, or cloaks."

 Brickfielder stares back at Saffron with a flat look, his brow furrowed in the center. "...Correct. I just don't know which would be a safer option."

 Ember Flare: "Best if we don't lie too much about things, if we come up with a blatant lie, we won't be taken seriously by the population and we'll lose their trust"

 Silver Rush: "conceal our identities as best we can for starters. No need to raise unnecessary attention at first"

 Ember Flare: "Just lie about things that preserve that trust"

Saffron chuckled mirthlessly to the look Brick gives her. It amused her, but also annoyed her at the same time judging by the way she pursed her lip. "Yeah." She glanced at Ember in agreement, "Easier to just say it's a coincidence..."

 Silver Rush: "a pegasus traveling medicine pony may even be a tad more....'exotic' to the locals as well"

 Saffron: "A robot medicine pony is probably weird, too."

 Brickfielder: "We'll have to hope that the Infrareds around here are unfamiliar with Fillydelphia..."

Saffron has a bit of a giggle at that, adjusting her wings as she sits up a little more. Leaning more on her hind legs and leaning her side on the backrest to be more at eye level with everypony else. "Aside from that! Silver, boss, you can probably pretend you're some sort of Administrator for all us. Our boss below the actual top-boss. Managed supplies, quartermaster duties, inquisitive work. Would suit you."

 Saffron: "Also, us having a sort of leadership established in our roles from the get-go would probably help show we're responsible and maybe professional to a degree?"

  Brickfielder: "Will be easier to keep up the act if we stick close to our actual organizational structure, I suppose..."

The file would be a bit sparse about Fillydelphia, given it only contains post operation reports compared to preoperation scouting reports. What could be gathered is that the ponies of Fillydelphia were all second or third generation vault residents that came to the surface. Without operational tech but a knowledge base that let them set in the city core. It was largely a farming and salvage based community that had trade with somewhat distant neighbors. The city had an old-world advanced water cleaning facility that they fixed up. They had a larger number of doctors and a hospital. Cloudsdayle came through and took apart the water cleaning facility for tech components. The campagne killed everyone in the city when they resisted.

 Saffron: "I mean the dossier rather clearly says the ponies in Fillydelphia were sort of organized and civilized. They had a hospital, and everything."

Saffron shrugged her wings to Brickfielder.

 Ember Flare: "We shouldn't have too much trouble with being way more competent and knowledgeable than your average savage"

 Silver Rush "we'll just give em the ol razzle dazzle'

 Saffron "I could pretty easily pass for a Watchpony and scavenger. I've got those kinds of skills, surveillance and recovery missions. Doubled as a guard since I knew how to fight, even if I'm--" Saffron wiggled a forehoof, "Kinda small?" She pouts, then looks to Brickfielder quietly for a moment. "And you could've been a security officer properly. Probably above me, as well."

Brickfielder takes a deep breath and shrugs. "Security officer then. Sure."

 Ember Flare: "Maybe we should go check out the kind of gear we've got in our disposal, we might need to fix or modify them a bit before mission start"

 Saffron: "Yeh, you're big enough."

 Silver Rush: "good idea. and pick out the best stuff so we're not left with scraps..."

Saffron glances back to the exit briskly at what Ember says. "I think Cloudy Forecast said she would assign our mission gear..."

There was a crack and rumble of thunder. Something most of you would only be accustomed to through scheduled examples during parades.

Saffron jumps slightly and reflexively mutters a "Fu--", craning their head towards the windows and peering outside. Pinning her ears slightly as her tail shifts nervously. "Okay then it's thundering' outside..."

(GM Note): Cloudy Forecast’s office did not have windows to the outside.

Brickfielder stiffens up with his eyes widening, looking around at the walls of the office and furrowing his brow even more.

Ember is startled at first but calms fast "Heh... a bit omnius for mission planning"

Saffron snickers nervously, her wings shifting on her back somewhat, "Heheh, yeah. It's not a movie tho! So it's not foreshadowing...!" Saffron remarked, nodding to herself with a smirk being given towards Ember. "By the way, unless there's other things you all want to add, we should be good. Bottom line is our place got trashed by not-zombies and we barely escaped our hospital by the skin of our teeth, with our robo-friend, fixed up a boat project we had going on, then skedaddled as fast as possible." Saffron mused, then paused. "Which leaves us to just... Preparing other things? Guess we have free time."

Brickfielder stands up and casts another glance at the folder. "...Well, let's hope Cloudy doesn't take long."

 Ember Flare: "I'm satisfied with what we came up with... Tho I'd prefer if we kept my uh condition concealed from the locals. Don't want to learn their attitudes towards mutants"

 Brickfielder: "That should be easier to hide than wings. ...Assuming you can keep it under control."

 Ember Flare: "And it would be a hidden advantage as well. oh yes.. I'll be fine no worries."

A small puff of smoke would raise from Embers back ventilators as she said that

 Brickfielder sighs and turns to leave. "I'm going to... just, head back to the barracks. I'd rather not spend time outside when there's an unsupervised storm."

Saffron nodnods to both, then sat back down properly on her chair. Likewise eyeballing the folder again and looking at the pictures of ghouls again, for inspiration. "... I guess what started the whole thing could've been an explosion, a sabotage from the inside... We may have had time to hole down in the hospital for defense, but ultimately decided for an evacuation--and we got cut off..." Saffron nods and smiles distractedly to Brickfielder as he leaves.

Saffron spends her time FULLY reading the folder and committing as much of it as possible to memory for future reference, making sketches of the ghouls in her field journal, while also taking out any questionable information that would give away who they are. And then, if she still has time, she's going to the commissary to see if she can get chocolate bars.

Brickfielder swings by Communications to drop off his letter, before returning to the barracks.

When the planning was settled for the time being your group would step outside to find the morning fog had cleared. You had spent a bit longer in the office than you realized. You would notice that more than a fre greens were standing about or a few meters up on wing, looking eastward. That storm you heard was over the sea, maybe a few KM from arriving. Massive dark grey clouds that intermittently threw slighting into the ocean.

 Sundancer will have to go through a reverse hygiene routine to get her looking properly weathered and spend her time prior to that gathering mechanical and medical doodads to look the part of a wasteland mechanic.

Saffron came out of the headquarters much later than everyone else. Perhaps even half an hour later, until she'd walk out with the pallor of her face still having not fully dissipated. She almost LOOKED queasy. Before she could turn the corner to head to the commissary, she double takes on the bunch of Greens looking eastward. She furrowed her brow in confusion, then looked to the storm... And stopped dead in her tracks. She began to approach the greens, shuffling closer to ask a question... "... Is that scheduled?..." She asked, with some worry and confusion.

 Sundancer starts to come to come to terms with all the downsides of a thicker atmosphere, getting buffeted by walls of wind

Brickfielder would not have an issue getting his letter dropped off. As per military practice however he would not envelope it himself. He would give the letter and the address to a clerk who would get it approved or censored as necessary before it would be sent off with the next vertibird to Cloudsdayle.

Sundancer and Ember Flare Could approach the commissary together. Sundancer had the need for parts to seal her chassis. Ember Flare could be wanting to be able to flex her current freedoms for the first time. There was a small, if rotund, issue when they arrived however. Silver Lining would be in attendance, seeming to not have anything to do other than keep an eye on the shop. When requisitioning parts Sundancer would be asked if she actually needed them.

When Saffron finally left the HQ she would get her reply with a headshake. At least no one was certain about how the weather was supposed to be managed out here. This would last until Thermal Updraft came around to start getting the gawkers moving. She seemed less willing to press her authority so much as take it in a joking “you all never seen some dark clouds before?” sort of fashion.

Ember would browse the selection with interest, possibly looking to get herself some sweet drink

Sundancer makes an attempt to pout, but doesn't have cheeks or lips to puff out. "Of course I need them. I'm going on a long distance, top secret mission. I need to be able to keep myself and my squad running."

Saffron would've remarked with a "This place is straight-up weird..." when she was met with that head shake. She spent a moment there looking at the clouds herself, fascinated by clouds that could simply appear out of nowhere and move on their own. At least until Thermal Updraft came over to get them moving along. She did so without further hesitation, resuming her way to the Commissary... "Seeing it in person is so much different than just hearing about it." She says, mostly to herself, as she went back indoors to see if she could squeeze one or two more TACTICAL chocolate bars from her own pay grade for TACTICAL trading and less-than-TACTICAL snacking, maybe.

 Sundancer Settles on a mildly indignant look "Are we running out of medicine with all the splinters the reds are getting?"

Ember adds "We're about to go on an extended mission as well, she will need to be able to remain operational"

Silver Lining would consider Sundancer before signing her request forms himself. Even if he hoofed them over to a subordinate to fill. The portly officer would chortle a bit. Noting that the robot had best not let Champaign overhear that sort of dismissive attitude. He seemed to only remember at the moment, but noted that ‘oh yes, one of the mutant’s squads. Special cases, but not deserving special treatment. Keep that in mind when you make requisitions.”

The other’s use of the commissary would be a bit less impacted. Shopping for sweets to imbibe could go through immediate channels and without need for forms. Just a signing off of payment out of your stipends. Which in consideration were significantly more than a red class citizen’s wages. Not that it may be as relatable for Saffron or Ember to consider.

 Ember Flare will settle for couple soda pops, one which she'll save for later on

Most of your day back in the FOB could be spent resting, studying, refitting, or spending time away in your cot. Most of the day would go by before Cloudy Forecast would have you called and assembled at the arsenal for a weapon’s check. The weather had turned to medium weight rain by then as the storm rolled in from the ocean. It seemed like it would have been a huge job to stop it. But at least the lightning had died off.

 Ember Flare: "Do you want help with the paperwork?"

 Sundancer: "Believe me, I wouldn't dare talk back to Champagne." Sundancer watches the forms getting filled out "I'm glad that not getting special treatment still lets us get what we need."

 Ember Flare: "if you can specify mission requirements clearly, you're more likely to have your order accepted"

 Sundancer: "Well Cloudy is probably going to want to keep our missions quiet, even when just talking to other senior officers. Who knows who could be listening?"

 Ember Flare: "and possible requisition equipment that the brass might not immediately recognize as vital tools"

 Ember Flare tilts her head "I doubt the secrecy goes that high up the ladder"

 Sundancer slumps, realizing that frowns are a bit of a futile attempt "Cloudy's missions aren't going to make that easy. Next time we'll have to ask who we're allowed to tell our mission to."

 Saffron, having now acquired a box of 6 chocolate bars--one for each of her squad mates if necessary, gives things more thought. She wasn't very far from the others and was side glancing at the ongoing conversation without really participating... Just taking note of the remarks about Champagne Shower... Then turning back to her own interface with Requisitions, and inquiring on if they had any healthy spices, specifically oregano, to flavor food with. She will want to buy enough for at least four meals, if there was. "Hey so--I'd like some spices for food? Healthy stuff, oregano if ya somehow have it laying around for cooking supplies, we're going to be away a while and I'd like to have food that isn't stale? Spice, is like, bare minimum. In Fact, you got salt?? Give me like a little bit of salt, too." She said, tapping her chin as she considers more options.

 Saffron: "Oh and--also, I'd like some spare mechanical parts if I can afford those. It's for our robo-friend, I want to make sure we have enough parts to fix her long-term..."

 Gamemaster

(moving along. Do note I listed Cloudy calling everyone to the Arsenal in the last post. Saffron can get all the tabasco and salt she needs. As for mechanical spares, those beyond what Sundancer needs to repair herself right now would need a negotiation+will test vs 5+)

 Sundancer catches Saffron glancing at her and ordering what she'd just ordered a second time and cocks her head

(GM Note): Saffron tested her negotiation to try and get around the logistics roadblock. It failed.

Saffron's attempts to get her squadmate extra parts would come to a stonewall, despite her pleasantries. Repairing Sundancer’s chassis would be one thing. But HOARDING extra parts would be a different matter.

When your squad would assemble at the arsenal your CO would give you the rundown of what you could expect equipment wise. It would not be premium quality. While you would not be given it over yet, there was a selection of firearms in varying states of makeshift nature or with duct taped tactical attachments. The outfits would be extremely basic, most of it unarmored. You would be given equipment kits to cover necessary requirements like your survival gear or radio equipment. You would likely need to go without personal communicators for the length of the mission.

 Brickfielder looks just as unwilling once arriving at the arsenal as he did when he left the office, aside from his mane being a bit messier. He wouldn't admit it, but he's spent his free time just mulling over things and steeling himself to do this mission.

Saffron was totally straight-faced in her request. She attempted a few different approaches, like asking for just a tiiiny bit and adhering to strict military etiquette without fail. Unfortunately, this doesn't work, and in the end Saffron nods respectfully in agreement to this decision, taking her spices and chocolate, and giving a crisp salute. "Yes sir, understood, have a nice day." She'd say, before turning to trot back outside. Following the rest of the squad at Arsenal. Once at the arsenal... Saffron is not surprised, yet still disappointed. Going over the weapons to check them out, check conditions to cherry pick something reliable...

 Sundancer cranes her neck to get a look at the assembled gear, trying to figure out how to improve it with the limited tools she'll be provided

Cloudy asks your squad what seems like another out of the blue question. "Who among you can pilot a boat?"

 Ember Flare: "Well.. Boat wasn't exactly on the training regime but I've trained with variety of vehicles, mostly simulations"

 Sundancer: "Same."

 Silver Rush: "how hard can it be"

The question made Saffron's eyes widen slightly. "Uh... No prior experience here." Saffron remarks, eyeballing the others while she goes and checks out the selection of fairly unimpressive melee weapons. She quickly goes for what is tried and true, avoiding basically all the scrounged stuff that will break with a sneeze, and going straight for an axe that would have a nice shaft and a heavy head in good-enough condition that might require some sharpening.

 Ember Flare: "I might have had more flying lessons but a boat should at least be simpler"

Cloudy simply nodded and moved along with your mission. “For today you have a simple goal. There is a boat docked in the old fishing village east of the base. Your squad will go and acquire some direct experience being on the water and getting wet. I would encourage some basic swimming practice while you are there. What remains of the port is fairly shallow. Even with this weather the waves should not be too much for you to handle.”

Sundancer can't hide her discomfort about spending time on a boat subject to the whims of the sea

 Sundancer: "Practice makes perfect, the Pegasus way."

 Silver Rush: "it'll be like swimming through clouds, right?"

Saffron spends some time weighting the fire axe in her hooves. It was too big to simply carry between her teeth like she would with the ripper, so she put it back down where she got it from. Turning her head back to Cloudy to pay rapt attention. Nodding slowly, before she pursed her lip slightly... "How much time do we have for practice, ma'am?" She asked, her stiffly respectful voice not hiding her worry.

Cloudy continues on. “I will expect you to spend until sundown on the water, which leaves you five hours or so. Return the boat to the dock once you are through. We will reconvene tomorrow morning and discuss your cover story as you have so far created.”

 Silver Rush: "Roger that, will we be utilizing the boat for the duration of our mission, or is it just our infiltration method?"

Sundancer keeps quiet and lets her squadmates sound off first

Brickfielder swallows any complaints he wants to voice and instead salutes.

Saffron nods quickly in understanding. Casting a quick look towards Silver Rush to give him a quiet look after his remark. Staying put for a while to wait for the mare to dismiss them to allow them to choose their mission equipment, or continue on...

Cloudy notes you will be provided a modified boat for the infiltration mission. If it requires abandonment later that would be acceptable. But as it would be your characters link back to the mainland it would need to be treated as such while in character. Your CO dismisses your group to your current task after noting that you will want to leave any valuable gear in your rooms for the time being. Unless you feel insecure and require a laser rifle to go skinny dipping?

Sundancer returns to her 'room' in the squad's tent and strips off her armor and uniform entirely before waiting outside to see what swimwear her squad comes up with

 Silver Rush equips his best horse fur to faff about in the water

Saffron had a chuckle about skinny dipping with laser guns. But refrained from making humorous jokes in the process of an officer, saluting them crisply and respectfully before promptly returning to picking mission gear. She looked over the available outfits...

Brickfielder , with a bit of reluctance, leaves behind his weapons and armor in the barracks.

Ember listened to the orders nonchalantly until hearing the term skinny dipping which caused her posture to droop and ears to fold down

Saffron rather merrily canters her way out of the Arsenal and moseys back to their barracks and subsequently her footlocker to begin stripping off her uniform and beloved patrol cap, as well as her combat boots unfortunately. Swimwear is overrated as she didn't have that kind of stuff. Returning back to the Arsenal she would go back and grab the only item with a hood and a scarf that doubled as a facemask in stock and sturdy tall-boots (the burglar outfit), before rejoining with the others.

Ember would slip out of her armor into lighter uniform and toss a towel over her back

 Ember Flare: "g-guess we won't be needing much"

 Saffron keeps on her patrol cap to cover her head, and her uniform since she's going to be needing dry clothing. And stocks up on towels in her saddlebags. "Nope! Dry clothes, towels... It's probably gonna get cold."

 Saffron: "And it's also raining, so drying up's gonna suck..."

 Sundancer: "So, swimming lessons for four of us, boating practice for Ember."

 Brickfielder: "I'm absolutely taking *something* to deal with the rain. I don't need to be soaked to the bone."

 Your squad stows your gear and gathers outside your cell. There would be more than a few sets of eyes on you considering those who would be out of uniform. Perhaps you got lucky or there had been information put out that your squad was not to get reported for this. But no officer gets on your case and you would be able to check out through the front gate without issue. It would be a short hike through the chilly rain to the old dock town. While much of it was built atop the cliffs there was walkways and some buildings cut into the cliff face paths that lead down to the dock itself. Ancient stonework still held together to form a long stretch out into the water that made a T shape. Smaller docks were to the sides but had crumbled away. The bottom of the cliff face had a thin sandbar and shallower water. Moored to the end of the dock was an aluminum boat painted a dark green. It had mounts for a motor that had been taken off and in place had paddles secured inside the craft. It was a fairly wide craft and could seat your squad.

 Ember Flare: "wait... no motor? I uh... I wasn't expecting this"

 Silver Rush: "....oh uh..that's significantly less useable than we were lead to believe"

 Ember Flare: "Is it even possible to row a boat from the mainland all the way to the island..."

 Sundancer: "We're supposed to have crossed the sea in this thing?"

 Sundancer: "We can tow it with a flyer and a rope. Take turns on the oars and in the sky"

 Brickfielder: "What I'm more concerned about is how useful this will actually be as training without a motor."

Saffron didn't have too bad of a time coping with the cold and the rain. Her coat was fluffy (and now wet), and she had a hat. She did start shivering a little once they were getting there however, and mumbled a bit shakily as they got to the dock to see their ride. "N-no enginee--e-e... Woo!" Saffron cheered half-heartedly, and kept moving to the dock to wait near the side of their little vessel. "... So, uh, I guess we just go into the water while Ember just paddles around and rescues us?"

 Ember Flare steps around the dock anxiously

 Silver Rush dips his hoovsies in the water to test how much he will hate this

Brickfielder stands on the docks with his cap pulled down, just looking over the scene and frowning. He takes a deep breath, flings his cap off, and, while the others are moving cautiously, simply steps off of the dock and lets his whole body fall into the water.

Saffron begins doing recon to find a place that is suitable to put her stuff away from the rain. It was already inside her saddlebags but she didn't feel like risking her towels getting wet early. She looked under the dock to see if there was a nook in the dirt, then if there was slipped her saddlebags there. She takes off her hat, then just watches Brickfielder go into the water like he was. She blinked with a minor worry...

Sundancer doesn't trust her ability to float at all. Despite being built for flying, she's considerably more dense with aluminum bones than with hollow ones

 Sundancer: "I uh, I think I'll head back to the beach. I don't want to sink to the bottom and get stuck in mud."

 The water would be absolutely freezing. The spray that comes from the soft churning would be salty and stinging to sensitive eyes, nostrils, and mouth. While not a hard set of waves the wind was still kicking them up to knee height. The place smelled awful with a mix of brine and indiscernible scents, almost a sort of rotting smell. Seaweed was being pulled into the beach by the waves along with other small bits of debris.

 Saffron: "Just dip in from the shore. You don't need to dive. Take it kinda slow near the shallows."

Sundancer nervously flies to the beach and stands in the surf, waves reaching her hooves as she lands

Ember also finds a place near the docks to toss her clothes safe from the weather and comes back with towel and underoos on

Brickfielder very quickly regrets his decision to drop in immediately, kicking at it some and bucking from the chill. "F-f... cold! It's cold! Ugh..." The saltiness is also something he's not used to yet.

 Ember Flare: "not exactly the beach vacation you'd hope for...."

 Sundancer isn't concerned with the cold, or the salt, but the strength of the waves terrifies her

Saffron straightened up a bit, stiffening as the rain falling on her made her shiver and tuck her wings. She chuckled a little to Brickfielder as he is already in deeper waters. She begins to get into the water slowly, carefully. Biting her lips as she powers through the sheer cold of the water slowly climbing up and making her limbs kinda numb. She was small, and it doesn't take long for a wave to hit her and make her start paddling a bit...

(GM Note) I had the character’s without any Athletics dice test body to see how they fared swimming. Ember Flare Botched.

Brickfielder grits his teeth, but, moves out into the water enough to get a feel for it. He takes to it with relative ease, moving his weight through the water passably.

Ember Flare has what could later be described as a negative reaction to the salt water. Dipping her legs in would not be traumatic. But when she would muster the courage to take a dive under things could go south very quickly. When her back contacted the salt water she would become frozen with searing pain of the brine contacting her unique physiology. The shock would make her want to scream, but that would just get seawater into her mouth. Ember flare would need to receive a quick response to get the water out of her lungs as she started to drown.

Saffron would likely get front-row seats to Ember Flare almost literally dying. It takes her a split-second to process that their comrade did indeed need help, and she starts near lunging in that direction, doggy paddling as her wings extended up above the water while she got there. "Brick! Ember straight-up sank, we need your long legs over here!" She called out, as the waves smacked her cheeks, making her wink as she tried to reach down to try to grasp at anything of Ember, and pull her up despite being small.

Brickfielder notices something going wrong quickly, given Ember's thrashing, and swims to her. "Keep your head above the water, Flare!" He manages to cast Saffron in a frustrated look as he moves to retrieve Ember.

Brickfielder has little trouble hefting Ember back up, given his strength, and tries to shift her onto his back, jostling her around to make her cough the water out... and, well, trying to ignore what he's seeing on her back.

(GM Note) Sundancer tested Academics for assisting the almost drowning Ember Flare. She passed

Brickfielder swims back to shore, half-carrying and half-dragging Ember while keeping her head above the water as best he can, finally depositing her on dry ground and huffing from exertion. Then, he takes a deep breath, before turning away and trying not to heave from seeing what's on her back.

Saffron helps a little bit, lightly picking up Ember by the foreleg and paddling to keep them from sinking further, until Brickfielder reaches them and flexes the mutant out of the water. The red pegasus casts one look at the mare's back to take note of the mutation, but otherwise keeps damn quiet about it and does her best to ignore it. "Y-y-you g-good Ember?? Wanna get out-t??" She asked as Brickfielder carried them along, the smaller mare just worrying from the side, teeth chattering a little from the cold.

Ember sputters and coughs the dirty seawater painfully from her lungs while the cyst like holes flash erratically producing puffs of smoke along the rhythm of her coughs

 Saffron: "B-buck that's a b-b-ad s-start..."

Sundancer can rush over and give Ember Flare rescue breathing to force the thin mare to regurgitate the sea water from her lungs. It will take a long while to clear and likely need to bring the cold mare into the remnants of a building to try and recover heat. But she can be brought back to working order with Sundancer’s care.

Saffron hastily goes to pick up the towels from Ember's things that they brought along, rushing indoors to start rubbing up the mare's back and shoulders to generate some heat and dry them up, waiting for Sundancer to give the all-clear so she could drape the towel on the mare.

Brickfielder feels content with how much he's learned about the water to start trying to dry himself off, as best he can when it's still raining. And purposefully avoiding looking at Ember while he's doing it.

Sundancer struggles her way out of the water and back to the dock once she hears the commotion. At first she's vexxed, not by the mutation, but by the reaction to sea water. Recovering her senses, she helps the poor drowning pony with the water in her lungs

 Sundancer gets a closer look at Ember's mutation and regards it with fascination "Have you ever swam before?"

Saffron spends a while in silence while Ember recovers. She herself was still soaked, shivering and wincing from the cold while her wet feathers stuck to her side against her wet fur, her mane hanging over her forehead and neck. But, in that moment, she was more concerned with assisting Ember in the best way she could, by giving her the towels and some shoulder rubs. Purposefully avoiding whatever weirdness was going on at the back of their chest. She's about to open her mouth to speak, when Sundancer does first. She clamps her mouth shut.

 Sundancer waits until they're under cover before unloading questions "Water got in the lungs, but did it get in here?"

 Sundancer: "How would you rate your pain from one to ten?"

 Ember Flare: "uugh... Haven't had trouble with water before"

 Ember still having some coughing fits between the words

 Sundancer: "Interesting. I'm going to have to examine your back and do some tests before clearing you to go in the water. For now I think it's best if you rest, then focus on rowing the boat."

Ember would also pull off from Saffrons hooves giving awkward apologetic smile

Brickfielder stays nearby, but still isn't looking, looking out to sea sternly.

 Ember Flare: "It's alright you don't need to bother... Doctors have looked at them before"

 Sundancer starts heating a fresh wet towel to put over Ember's back "I'm surprised. Salt water is good for an open wound. What do you think happened?"

Saffron smiles weakly back before nodding a bit in understanding. She silently stands up and departs from Ember's side, trotting to their saddlebags to take out her own towels and start fiercely drying herself. "We're probably gonna have to keep swimming around for a few hours." She muttered towards Brickfielder.

Brickfielder glances back to Saffron. "...I think I'm good. You all need more practice than I do."

Ember pulls the towel tighter looking down her hooves "I don't know, maybe the sea is so polluted here"

 Ember Flare: "I'm fine now, really"

"M-aybe-e." Saffron replied, a playful hint coming to her shuddering voice. Sitting there idly, wrapping herself in a blanket, while Sundancer sorts out Ember, waiting while also looking past Brickfielder towards their little rowboat...

Brickfielder looks out to the boat as well. "...At least we shouldn't have to do much swimming around the surface-dwellers..."

Sundancer pauses and nods "You're right. The forest made me forget that this island isn't representative of the surface. The sea must be poisonous."

 Sundancer: "Still, if you're not going to let me poke you, I'm going to want some notes or to ask a lot of questions. I can't guarantee you will be conscious the next time you need first aid."

With the excitement starting to pass the atmosphere was left with primarily awkwardness. It could be quite telling how you individually have reacted to Ember. She was a mutant, even if also your squad mate. When recovered it might be time to get some practice on the water instead of under it. Together Sundancer and Ember would not have issue piloting the boat. Even if the stronger members of your team might make the best use for it they would find the task very awkward this first time. It would be difficult for them to get a feel for it and be able to keep a straight course.

Ember would keep the towel wrapped around her for the duration of the exercise. Afterwards she would go pick up her stashed dry clothing, stop for a second to concentrate before giving out a bit stronger pulse of magic clearing her... insides and letting out a thick cloud of smoke

Saffron for the most part kept up conversation idly while they recovered and eventually got to the part where they'd have to start getting their sea legs prepared. Saffron, wet mostly from the rain now and kinda shivering still, letting the more experienced ones paddle at first to get a good idea of it. Before starting to get a tiny bit sea sick, grumbling about the "stupid waves." when she'd start trying to row herself with Brickfielder.

You would have a few sights while out on the water, even if you kept to shore. The rain would start to clear up as it got closer to dusk. With the sunlight lower you would see a school of silvery glittering fish near the surface a bit off the side of your boat. They would be chased by a much larger fish that could be academically identified as a porpoise. It’s fin breaking the water and its grey body is visible. A bit further out would be a couple spouts of water from others of its pod that came up for air.

Brickfielder does not care for the strange surface creatures.

"Y'know the pirate movies made this seem a little bit more fun, but I'm totally startin' to feel like garbage bags." Saffron remarked, "At least it's getting--a bit better??" She adds, huffing and rubbing her face to get the rainwater and splashes from the waves out from her eyes. She chances her eyes on the fishes by coincidence, noticing a fin... Then leaning over to look straight down, "Hey it's fishies! There's cool fishies here." She called out quietly, instantly distracted.

 Silver Rush: "are those...animals?" he does not like this wetness...or the giant unseeable nothing beneath the black void "why do people live here"

Sundancer growls mechanically "Those things are huge. If they're magic or mutated, we're at a disadvantage if they fight us."

 Sundancer: "We can just fly away, but if we're off guard we could end up underwater first."

(GM Note): I have the characters test observation here. Only Brickfielder fails.

For the most part your group spots the unknown creature among the animals, which seemed to be focused on hunting fish. It had a green-grey scaled body with thin back fin and was distinctly pony shaped. However in place of hooves it seemed to have flippers for limbs. Silver rush and Ember get the best sight of it. They catch the wide unblinking black eyes and the mouth of sharp-needle like fangs. It was only at the surface among the fish and porpoise for a few moments near the end of your boat trip. But it likely was a factor in returning to shore.

Saffron wiggled excitedly at first! She liked fish! But then she actually saw the bigger 'fish', and began to notice some distinct features. "Uuuhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmm..." Saffron's brain stops working for a second, "I wanna go back to shore."

Sundancer coils herself up, ready to launch into the air before watching the sea-pony recede "S-same"

 Ember Flare: "I guess the trip could have ended even worse..."

 Brickfielder glances down to Saffron and raises an eyebrow. "What?" He then looks over at Sundancer. "...What happened, what?"

 Sundancer:

"Mutant fish aren't the only thing to worry about. There were... ponies down there. Freakish, abyssal ponies. Out of nightmares. Don't fall in the water. I bet those creatures rule the deep like the butterflies rule the forest and we rule the skies."

Brickfielder stares down at Sundancer. "...Right... well, at least we don't have to actually cross the sea..."

Saffron starts to laugh, both nervously and with some amusement at the other's reaction as they hastily make it back to the dock. "H-hahaha! Haaah--That's a BIG nope, chief..." She remarked, not answering Brickfielder's question immediately, "Yeah, something like that...'' She remarked after Sundancer. Once they did get back to shore, she hastily stepped off the boat, staggering a bit as she got used to stable ground again. She goes off to bury herself in her towels again to quickly dry up, and then finally put on her dry uniform later...

 Saffron: "Alright so we're done with the whole swimming thing, yeah?"

 Sundancer: "You couldn't get me back in the sea if you were the President."

 Sundancer: "We can practice in the river if you want."

You have had some excitement today. The sun was getting down and it seemed best to return to base. At least the rain had stopped. You would all need showers to clean the skint of brine and other things out. Otherwise the whole barracks might smell of it. But at least being a late return to the base you would not have to interact with other squads besides patrols. You would be questioned on entrance as to what you had been doing however by a new shift of security at the gatehouse.

Saffron would have quite the messy mane, fur, and tail once she was done FIERCELY RUBBING the wetness from her body before putting clothes on. She was happy just not touching water for today, and it was late anyways. On the way back to the gatehouse, she looked more like she had just come out of boot camp. All frazzled and perhaps a bit bleached in the face and ears, teeth chattering. "We were literally following orders from Cloudy Forecast." She mutters at the guard's general direction, letting the others speak.


Session 8

(GM Note:) Ember Flare’s player was away this session.

With your return to the base your group split up temporarily. Ember was administered to the field hospital for monitoring due to the ongoing pain. The rest of you would need to clean the brine and other less pleasant scents off of you with a shower. After cleaning up and getting a meal you would need to turn in. Swimming burnt a lot of energy for the fleshy among you. In the morning you would find out Ember Flare was being held for a day to mark her status and let her recover. You would have the day to yourselves as your only ongoing orders were to work on your cover story.

Sundancer stands outside the tent, picking salt from her wings

 Sundancer: "We just have this folder, right? There isn't a general recourse for surface knowledge, is there. Oh, no, I know. It's going to be classified."

The early morning when everyone else wakes up would be a lull in terms of Saffron talking and being energetic. She was not much of a morning pony and spent some time being grouchy after finding out Ember was gonna be held up, and doing morning stretches,outside their barracks. Until Sundancer came nearby and spoke up. Drawing the attention of The Saffron. "Nnnnno... Not unless we ask. The dossier we had had remarkably little about 'surface knowledge'."

 Saffron: "Kinda shittastic but--it's not like it's that big'a deal. If they think we can make-do without it, I guess that's what we're gonna be doing, yeah?"

 Saffron: "We already came up with roles and an outline for the background. We just have to work out the little details, like names of ponies that might be relevant in the cover story in case they ask... Most importantly, we need to come up with a 'how it all happened'." Saffron kicked around outside, brushing her wings against her sides and fluffing up a bit in her uniform .

 Silver Rush sits on his cot grimacing as he recalls the previous day "god why do ponies like boats...that was simply miserable GAH--I still have damned water in my ears"

Sundancer can't hide her lack of enthusiasm behind her synthesized voicebox "Yeah. Creative writing. My favorite."

 Brickfielder only comes out of the barracks after the others, brow furrowed as a wing fluffs up his mane slightly. "Boat. That's how it happened, right?"

"What do you meaaaannnnn!" Saffron very playfully replies to Sundancer's remark, "Creative writing is fun! If you're into it. You don't look into it."

 Saffron: "It's okay, in the end only one of us has to be into it at a minimum."

  Sundancer: "I think I'll let you be into it for me."

 Sundancer: "I get the easy job, remember? Look like a robot, try to not blow it."

 Brickfielder: "...It's hard to be into something when you barely know what you're doing to begin with."

 Silver Rush: "how hard can it be? I mean most of the ponies down here probably aren't even literate"

Saffron rolled her eyes and leaned indoors towards the others still complaining about 'boats' and 'water'. She lowkey mutters "C'mon..." beneath her breath with some disappointment to the other's lack of enthusiasm, mostly out of earshot. She glances back to Sundancer, then snorts weakly. "Just practice your acting, at least. Figure out if you want to act like psuedo-normally or be more stiff. Those catbirds probably have NO idea what a robot is."

 Saffron grumbles a little bit. Looking towards Silver Rush and widely shrugs her wings. "Underestimating them is not something we should be doing, boss! We can't just be lazy 'cause we think they're dumb, 'cause if they're smart then we're screwed!" She lowkey exclaims, keeping it quiet but she was getting a bit agitated about it.

 Brickfielder: "Not that I want to give surface dwellers credit, but, erring on the side of caution would be preferred. I think I've already had enough of the surface exceeding my expectations."

 Sundancer: "Uhhh... I'm going to be... I thought it would be somewhere in the middle."

 Silver Rush: "well that's the thing isn't it. we barely have any frame of reference at all. if we're going to be traders, what money and prices are...normal"

Saffron smiled weakly in a moment of appreciation to Brickfielder's statement. Then turned back to Sundancer, flicking down her ears at that statement. "What does 'somewhere in the middle' look like tho?"

A squad you did not really recognize passed by heading to the mess hall. But one of the members paused, broke off, told the others to go on, and came towards your gathering. He was short and pimple faced. To say this pony was ugly would be being kind. He stopped a conversational distance for your group and gave a quick salute. “Squad 59, right?” He asked.

Sundancer assumes military bearing, eyes forward, posture upright and rigid

Brickfielder salutes the short pony in return. "Affirmative."

Saffron eyeballs Sundancer as she ASSUMES THE POSTURE. She observed, trying to be the critic... Though before she can really do that, the fellow Green approached them. Her eyes flicked at the pony's face, then down quickly to not stare. As usual, she keeps it polite, giving the fellow soldier a practiced, automatic salute back and a wry smile. "Yah, that's us. What's up?"

The squat and ugly pony offered a hoof to shake for anyone willing to take it. At least he seemed clean despite his personal care. “Leader of squad 22, Thunder Pudge. We’re also working under communications officer Cloudy Forecast. Not quite set on if that makes us special squads or something else.”

 Silver Rush assumes a professional demeanor but does not alter his stance at the approach of a mere equal! "pleasure, Silver Rush, squad nimbus" he takes the proffered hoof

Brickfielder, ever the diplomat, takes the pony's offer to shake hooves. "Not like we know either."

Saffron, ever the chummy mare, doesn't waste even a second catching the pony's hoof for a shake; "Saffron." She introduced herself. "We're definitely special somehow, that's for sure." Saffron said with a bit of dry humor, "We're getting all the cool assignments so far."

Sundancer refrains from introducing herself, remaining at attention

Silver Rush "Communications eh? don't suppose you've been given any more information about the surrounding area, have you? the surface is quite fascinating but not a lot of time for fact finding"

Thunder Pudge took the offered hooves to shake in turn. “My squad and I were in training, with deep diving next. From what I have gathered we all have had some crazy assignments.Not sure we will end up on base for much time at all it seems.” He seemed pleasant enough despite the off putting aura cast by his appearance and some kind of supernatural miasma about him. Being close to him now made those with skin feel clammy.

 Brickfielder... leans away from Thunder a bit. "Well, we're all certainly busy..."

Silver Rush does not miss the opportunity to draw from this over eager display "deep diving? how lucky, you must be getting to some excellent locales"

Saffron made a focused, stubborn attempt to ignore the extremely uncomfortable feeling on her skin. She looked down to her hoof to see if anything was sticking to it, but then started to come to terms that her entire body felt gross... Her face briefly grimacing with an icked out look, but she was not deterred from politely smiling and standing her ground, unlike Brickfielder. "Deep diving?" She asked, with some interest, "... Like, actual deep diving? I'd warn you because we saw some crazy stuff on our training out in the water, tryin'a learn to swim and manage a boat. We saw some weird fishes."

The squad leader with the uncomfortable aura keeps up his fairly chipper tone. “Oh? Weird fishes? Do tell. We are supposed to get practice with harpoon guns and fishing techniques too. So knowing what to expect should be helpful.”

Saffron nods in interest at the mention of harpoon guns, her eyes widening with interest. But she doesn't derail herself, even if she almost does. "W-wow uh--" She pauses, clearing her throat, "Well there were small, harmless lookin' fishes. But one QUOTE UNQUOTE "fish" we notice before hastily going back to shore was about pony-sized, and LOOKED like a pony crossed with SOME kind of fish. Looked kinda horrific, not sure how to describe it, but things like that are out there apparently." Saffron looked back towards the others to see if they were going to correct her.

Sundancer speaks up robotically, as if she were a terminal answering a query "Additionally, we encountered aquatic mammals known as porpoises."

 Silver Rush swats his tail subtly at saffron "don't envy you at all, if yourve been given boat training. sounds like you're going to become proper seaponies!"

Saffron's eyes drag more towards Silver as she notices his tail brushing her like that. She then sort of looks him in the eyes to catch any meaning out of that gesture, and by the way he speaks she takes a step back to let him take the spotlight.

(GM Note): Silver Rush tests Questioning to get mission details from Thunder Pudge, he passes. 

Despite being a bit evasive about talking direct details and the uncomfortable nature of having him present, Silver is able to get some details out from Thunder Pudge. His squad’s first mission involved trampling around in the woods, not unlike your own squad, although they went to the mountains. Due to related events and likely because they lack a pathfinder like saffron, their callsign is Bramble. His squad was given information about the seaponies, given the purpose of their mission will be to observe them. The fish horses are apparently some kind of magical mutant, and discovering their capabilities will be a priority.

Silver Rush seems to ease and become jovial to egg their new 'compadre' on as he talks about their past week "fascinating...can't say I envy you, I much prefer the air to the sea. But what a unique opportunity for your first CLODS mission..and it looks like your squad has departed as well, we won't keep you"

Sundancer turns her head to look at TP for the first time, keeping it a stiff motion. "I do not envy your squad either. Good luck."

Seeming to have made some friends, the little leader of squad 22 bids you a good rest of your day and takes his leave to go catch up with his squad. When he leaves that palpable aura lingers for a small time before following. Like it had some kind of rapid halflife. With some easier breathing you could get back to yourselves. Or gossip about the unfortunate pony you just met.

Sundancer looks at Saffron "Would something like that suffice?"

Saffron gave Thunder Pudge a quick nod as she bid him a good day in kind. Then, as he starts going away fully. Starts to wipe her fur and mutter, "A mutant as a squad leader..." Saffron said beneath her breath, impressed.

Brick finally exhales after he stops feeling that... 'aura' Thunder gave off. He gazes in the direction the short pony went with a slight sneer.

Saffron then flicked her glance to Sundancer, refocusing on her previous train of thought. "Yeah! It works out, actually. I like it, personally."

Silver Rush: "well looks like we could have a worse job, for sure"

Saffron smiled to Sundancer with some mirth, then turned to Brickfielder and Silver Rush with a slight clipclop of her smoll hooves. "I dunno, our job gets pretty close. Back to the important topic at hoof though! By the way," She turned to Silver Rush, "I think we established that we were going to be refugees from a settlement, not 'merchants'. Not sure if yours was a suggestion or you saying that we're merchants now period."

 Brickfielder: "Refugees should be an easier sell, I'd hope."

 Sundancer: "Posing as merchants is suspicious and easily proven false. It also means we have to carry junk around."

 Silver Rush: "trade is a universal language, so regardless of our cover, we should be as adept as we can be, in it. But I have no idea what anything is worth either, which is also a hole in our story regardless. we don't want to seem...out of touch with local item values"

Saffron briefly looked up to Brickfielder, as if curious to see what he thought... "Well," She slowly turned back to Silver with a confident look in her eyes and a bright smile. "If you're confident about it we can roll that way, boss! This is also why I thought about you having the 'role' of the Administrator, since, in settlement terms, you would be the interface the merchants from outside would interact with to get stuff in and out. Since you're good with words, it works out."

 Brickfielder glances down at Saffron, sensing her looking at him. "...What? We're all going in blind regarding how trade will work. We'll need to just... figure it out as we go."

 Sundancer: "Are we forming a settlement now? Our objective was to infiltrate an infrared settlement. I don't want to build a cabin in the woods to sell the refugee settler story."

Saffron shrugs her wings. "Just like knowing what's on your mind, is all..." She muttered after him in earnest. Then looked at Sundancer with a pout. "We're supposed to pretend!... Building a cabin would totally sell the idea anyways!"

 Saffron: "But that's not the point--These are small details! We should go talk to uh, Cloudy Forecast. She's probably better at this than me."

 Sundancer: "We'll just tell them our 'administrator' hasn't found a good spot yet."

Saffron sighed through her nostrils. "I was more stuck on the bit about how our imaginary settlement got overrun. There's lots of mutant creatures and zombie ponies according to the dossier. I don't really want to hoof wave it, since it's kind of a big deal..." The red pegasus ambled towards the side, taking a few steps in the general direction of Communications before stopping to face all the others. "... I'm open to suggestions by the way."

 Sundancer: "Right, the former settlement, I forgot."

 Brickfielder: "Surely any number of excuses will work. Unless you're suggesting something particularly dramatic had to have happened for us to leave across the ocean."

 Sundancer: "I was a robot, so I didn't think about it. Ember was a mechanic. Brick was in charge, if Saffron is so adamant about it."

 Sundancer: "What were you two doing before we were overrun by flesh eating cannibals?"

 Brickfielder ears perk up slightly. "Since when was I in charge?"

Sundancer looks at Saffron and silver

Saffron's ears progressively get lower and lower as the others talk. She seems to sulk in the background, flicking her tail once behind her. "At one point, when we were looking at the dossier, I spitballed some roles. Basically, I would be the unofficial-ish Lookout slash Scavenger; basically the pony that goes out on a regular basis among the mutant freakshows and grabs things of value to bring back. What Brickfielder would be the more integral 'guard' of the settlement, since he's big, mean, and exudes authority. He'd be above ME since I'm mostly on the outside, and so I try to work under him."

 Sundancer: "So you two are what's left of the security force."

 Saffron: "Basically!"

 Sundancer: "How did Silver end up in charge? Hereditary position, or elected?"

Brick casts a glance at Saffron, and gives a small shrug with his wings. "Fine by me. I was in charge of making sure order was maintained."

 Silver Rush: "i earned my position by merit, of course!" he chimes

 Saffron

Saffron crosses her forehooves and visibly taps one fetlock over the other. "Silver would've been the Administrator beneath the Mayor themselves. Basically the right-hoof pony. So..." Saffron darts her eyes to think about it as she goes, "While the Mayor would be a leadership elected by popularity, Silver would've probably been elected." She nodded to herself.

 Brickfielder: "...Who was the Mayor?"

 Saffron: "Iunno! Throw a name."

 Sundancer: "Champagne Shower."

 Brickfielder: "How cute."

Saffron actually snickers and smirks at Sundancer. "Fine by me!"

 Saffron: "We were all bossed around by Champaign Shower."

 Sundancer shakes her head mournfully "Gone before his time."

Saffron puts on a phony mournful look, nodding slowly. "Shame, yeah." She nods her head once slowly. Then coughs out a chuckle and has to regain her composure for a second. "Another name of note would be the Doctor that managed Ember and Sundancer. We can go with Breezy Night." Saffron then springs on her hooves, kicking out one hind and one foreleg cheerfully and fluttering her wings once! "I'll write all this down!" She nodnods her head.

 Sundancer: "Do we want alternate names for ourselves? It might not hurt to keep the same ones so we don't slip up, but I've never heard of a robot named 'Sundancer'"

 Saffron: "We could just scribble it on your flank and say 'it's just what we decided to call them'."

Brick watches Saffron barely come up to eye-level with him with her leap. "...Yeah, I think our normal names will work fine."

 Sundancer: "I'd rather do some stenciling myself. I'll write SUN-DY on a part of my casing that's visible through the armor, and you can call me Sunday. That way you can get halfway through saying my name before catching yourself."

 Brickfielder: "Clever."

Saffron beams rather cheekily for some reason, and nods in understanding. "Okay Sunday! You're Sunday now and forever." Safforn states matter-of-factly.

 Saffron: "You're also the best day of the week. Wink wink."

Saffron grins. She doesn't actually wink, she just says it. She doesn't have it in her to wink at Sundancer in that moment.

Sundancer smiles awkwardly, trying to shrink from any kind of familiarity

Brick looks between the two of them with a raised eyebrow.

Saffron almost immediately laughs, rubbing her cheek to massage her face to force her smile to ebb away while rolling her eyes to it all. "The last detail we might need to work out is 'why' we took a boat to this side of the river. As far as I know, our Settlement got smashed by mutant things. It could've been that we were sabotaged and had to run away hastily before we all died, or something else." She said, quickly regaining some seriousness.

 Saffron: "H-heheh..."

 Sundancer: "This island looks nice. Looking at pictures of Filly and our time in the forest, it seems reasonable that hearing rumors about this place is reason enough to visit it."

 Brickfielder: "That was my only concern. Taking a boat to an unknown land instead of just, trotting somewhere else, seems like it'd require something major."

Saffron glanced to Sundancer specifically, scuffing the dirt somewhat with her bootclad hoof. "Yeah but it's so lush here... Like, WAY too lush. According to the photographs the entire mainland is messed up completely, so it means that most ponies might not even know this kind of place even exists. I guess if you wanted to hoofwave it we can say we had insight from a traveling gryphon, but otherwise it might've been completely accidental that we stumbled into it."

 Saffron: "I mean, if they did know about it, everypony would be falling over themselves to get here..."

 Sundancer: "That's good. Heard about it from a griffon. We're pegasi, hearing things from griffons makes sense."

Saffron starts to wiggle her sides around, nibbling her lower lip in thought as she considers it after Sundancer says it. "Mmmmmmmmmmmmm... Alright..." She nods slowly, "We can try to present this to Cloudy Forecast and see what she says. It's a good outline for our story if you asked me."

Saffron starts to turn around to begin ambling off towards the HQ to go find Cloudy Forecast. "We can go do it right now! Unless you all have other plans." The red mare says, looking over her shoulder back towards them.

 Sundancer: "Hopefully we got the embarrassing parts of our brainstorming out."

 Saffron leads the way; leading the squad of increasingly taller ponies towards the headquarters with a confident purpose in her strides! "Yeah, hopefully. Sunday." She replied with a bit of a cheeky undertone to her voice, as she approached the entrance to the Headquarters. Quickly stiffening her gait and keeping a stiff upper lip as she goes inside, to head to Cloudy Forecast's office.

You would be in for a small wait at the HQ before Cloudy Forecast would return. But she would be able to meet with you in what amounted to her office once again. She wore a different cut of uniform and matching hat today. She still kept a sharp look, but her colouring seemed more casual? It was hard to explain. When you had gathered in the office and received the dossier again she would ask what your current status was. She had already been informed of Ember Flare’s temporary stay in the field hospital.

Saffron put up a more military flat look as she salutes their CO in greeting. She filed into the office, then turned her head to Silver Rush to see if he wanted to start, or if she should.

Silver Rush presents in a military fashion "Ma'am, squad nimbus would like to present our cover story for approval, and if able acquire more information about the locals we'll be infiltrating"

Saffron seems to beam a little more at his introduction. She stills keeps quiet, looking up at their squad leader with an encouraging look in her eyes. Letting him speak, until he looked down at her and prompted her to speak for him if he wanted.

Your CO gives Silver a nod to continue after saying "I expect there will be many small details to forge, but tell me what you have so far.".

 Silver Rush nods to saffron since she seems to have the best grasp of what it all entails

 With a quick nod, Saffron lightly claps her backhoof on the floor and stands straighter as if making a report. "... We have managed to come up with most of the basics, ma'am. We took your advice and went with the cover story of being Settlers that were forced to vacate; so I came up with roles for each of us." Saffron inhales sharply, as if suddenly feeling a very slight apprehension that was only tangible if one looked at her intently. "I would be the Lookout and Scavenger of the Settlement, mostly operating on the outside--thus being more rogue-ish than the others. I mostly operated outside and brought stuff in, while Brickfielder acted as the de-facto Militia or Guard leader, to whom I would answer to. Ember and Sundancer would be medical staff, with Sundancer being a medical robot labelled as 'SUN-DY', or Sunday, under a Doctor we decided to name Breezy Night." She paused again, so the others could keep up... "Silver Rush would be our Administrator--or the Right-hoof-pony of the Mayor, the Settlement's face for trading and the like. The Mayor we uh... We decided to call them Champagne Shower."

 Saffron: "There... Probably would've been other ponies, and such, but we glanced over the tinier details. The bottom line is that we were a settlement that survived due to Trading, and aggressive scavenging. In my mind I decided it would've been a mostly temporary settlement with the intent of fixing our boat to get off-shore as soon as possible, but due to the way it worked out, mutants overran the settlement and we were forced to leave most ponies and things behind. Presumably due to sabotage, or.. Bad luck."

Saffron smiles weakly towards Cloudy Forecast. "Sundancer would've probably been our most vital member, since they would have the skills required to fix said boat." She nodded to herself, ears slightly lowered with some veiled anxiety. "I'm still debating whether our plan to go off-shore was more desperate or we had a hunch that something was out there..."

 Sundancer: "Our plan was that we heard about the island from Griffons and decided to head to the place that plants grow."

Your CO waits until Saffron has finished before stating “It is good that you will be using elements of truth. For falsehoods having a grounded basis will help keep the lies straight and assist in preventing slipping up. So using names and other details you are familiar with will help sell your conviction in their honesty.” Cloudy considered the other details. “Fillydelphia was an equivalent of a city. Several thousand residents. You will need to factor this in, including those all your characters have lost. It may be important details in the event your contacts had heard of the mainland in turn. Keeping the scale with reality will help the sale.” She looked to Sundancer. “Why the adjustment of name?”

Saffron gives a quick nod along with what Sundancer said. Perking her ears straight forward when Cloudy begins to give her verdict, widening her eyes a bit to the note of 'several thousand residents', and nodding again in understanding. Though she waits on saying anything, as she looked to Sundancer as well.

 Sundancer: "Posing as a robot with such a familiar name... it seems unlikely. I suppose with Saffron around, a nickname was inevitable, but she seems to have taken to the one I suggested."

Cloudy Forecast accepted it. "As long as everyone can keep the details straight." She seemed a little distant in contemplation until she spoke up again. "You will need to build a shared mental model of fillydelphia so that if you were to be questioned separately you would all have the same details. What did you do for fun? What were your favorite foods? Seeming inane details that help the sale can be important. What may be most important are stories you can tell. Of both good times and bad. Anecdotes from your childhoods and work. The story of what happened the night your city died.” Her wording on the last part seemed very specifically chosen.

 Brickfielder tightens up slightly, not helped at all by Cloudy's tone.

On that note, Saffron seemed to pipe up to ask a question. "I am not sure about the 'food' part. I'm guessing the terrain can't be farmed, so not much food unless traded for?" The small pegasus asked curiously.

 

Your CO shook her head. "You are mistaken. While it is difficult to consider, it is a fact that earth ponies are able to grow crops from seemingly infertile areas. Fillydephia had crop fields, if not always sufficient." She looked over your group with her appraising gaze once again. "Have any of you experienced true hunger before? Not simply missing a meal, but days without or at least only tiny portions?"

Sundancer meets Cloudy's gaze and decides to not state the obvious

 Saffron was genuinely flabbergasted at this reply. Her brow quirking with awe, eyes darting with sudden realizations... "Earth ponies..." She muttered beneath her breath. But then looked up to the CO when she asked that troubling question. Saffron's eyes withdrew downward to the floor... Trying her best to find an example. Sure she sometimes refused to eat to spite her father, but it was never days on end... "N... No, ma'am." She answered hesitantly, like she had just willfully given a wrong answer.

 Brickfielder's brow furrows in the center slightly. "...No, ma'am."

 

Your CO nodded knowingly, having expected this reply. “Consider this next order part of your training for your cover story. You are to fast for three days. You will be required to drink water, but may not eat until the morning of the fourth day. Daily exercise will still be required, but avoid added extraneous activity so as not to suffer injury.” She noted a special case for sundancer though. “ In your case Sundancer you may have half your current rations. I am unsure the effects fasting may have on your unique physiology and lack of fat stores for energy.”

Brickfielder's jaw tightens... but, as usual, he says nothing.

Silver Rush dies internally

Saffron, for her part, only looked at Cloudy Forecast with a touch of concern to her order. Though there was no protest of any form. Infact, with a more resolute glance, she nods firmly in understanding the order. "Understood. Three days with no food, only water." Saffron states firmly. Sighing subtly through her nostrils.

Sundancer frowns, unsure of the effects herself "It will be good to learn my limits."

Saffron's ears pinned against her head as she speaks again, softly. "I will make sure to write down all the questions to attempt to complete our cover story, ma'am." She said, simply. Then turned to Silver Rush.

Cloudy leans on her desk, hooves folded over each other. Even seeming professional and prim, her gangly nature undercut it. “Consider it an order to instil sympathy. Surface infrareds often have periods of famine to contend with. While I am not ordering you to starve yourselves to death, it is a fact of life that it is the fate of some ponies. But do not make a mistake and fall into empathy. That will be something you must have in the back of your minds during the mission. You must feel sympathy for the circumstances of the infrareds. But empathy will cause your mission to fail, or worse.” Her tone was hard and experienced.

 Sundancer: "I'll try to find sympathy with the machine."

The way Cloudy tells them about 'empathy' makes Saffron's eyes downcast a little bit. Gulping. But nodding firmly. "I will follow in my father's hoofsteps then." She stiffly stated, nudging her snout upward a little more.

Cloudy left the tone hanging for a few moments to have the gravity of it sink in properly. “Do you have any questions regarding the mission? She asked finally.

 Sundancer: "How do we know when the mission is over, and how can we get out?"

Like a weight off her shoulders, Saffron sighs out a bit as Cloudy speaks up again. She spends a moment in silence, her tail flicking nervously behind her while her wings tightened on her back. "... Is there anything else we should be practicing towards that we still don't yet know about?" She added to Sundancer's question in earnest.

Your CO answers Saffron's questions about the start before answering Sun dancer's questions about the ending. "For now you will continue to work on your backstory, refining the small details. Soon I will have you train with the mundane equipment and go over expected lesser skills that will help your sale. But one step at a time. I expect this training to take at least three weeks in total until I am satisfied for your mission to begin properly. As for your exfiltration that will happen once enough information has been collected to satisfy central command. I cannot state for certain what circumstances will be provided for your exfiltration. It may be staged to help keep your cover story intact, or you may need to discard it."

 Sundancer: "We will keep working on it until we're ready for equipment training."

Saffron gave a slow nod in understanding to the two week estimate. In truth, that amount of training time seemed to ease the smaller mare's gaze a little, then nodding again to the latter's answer to Sundancer's question. "Thank you, ma'am." She simply said, satisfied with the answers for the time being.

 Brickfielder exhales perhaps a bit too strongly... but, is at least relieved to know that they're not rushing out on this mission. Multiple weeks is plenty of time.

With all that said your CO had her many other tasks to return to. You could continue to stay in the office-like space if you required privacy to discuss and access to the dossier. In any case Cloudy Forecast would be returning to Communications.

As usual Saffron would only really ease her stance when their officer would've fully left the room. Throwing out a long sigh through her nostrils, "This is a bit beyond creative writing." The small mare remarked. Lingering there a moment. "I will try to write a series of questions on a few pages of my journal and we can try to work everything out... Before the stomach cramps start hurting our ability to think."

 Sundancer: "I typically don't feel hungry. It will be interesting to feel myself fall into malnutrition without traditional biological feedback.Remember to drink lots of water, everypony."

"You know. That's uncanny, Sundancer. You're a weird robo-mare." Saffron playfully jabbed at the cyborg, albeit with at least SOME seriousness to her voice. As she turned towards the exit of the office, "I'm gonna go get started. I've got a letter to write, too..."

Interlude: Ember Flare

(GM Note): Ember Flare’s player and I did a minisession interlude for her time away from the party.

Ember Flare had been administered to the field hospital on return from the aquatic training exercise. She was to be monitored overnight and to be cleared the next day at some point. She had been only somewhat tended to by the greens in medical training. Mostly cleaned and left to dry, her back still stinging. Ember could hear the whispered talk despite the wide floor plan and cloth partisans between the cots. What was the point tending to a mutant? It wasn’t even real medical practice. Weren’t lame animals supposed to be put down?

Ember Flare Ember would try to let the somewhat familiar comments slide over, she wasn't entirely accommodated with them but she knew of her value to the enclave

It was unlikely Ember could get much sleep that night. In the morning she unexpectedly had her breakfast brought to her by the medical officer, Breezy Night. The officer was a little on the short side of average and a fairly pretty mare. Light and dark lilac colours. Despite being in medical she was wearing her tailored officer uniform. She wore a friendly disposition and told Ember Flare to be at ease. It still sounded like an order. With the meal tray placed on an attachable table over Ember’s lap the officer brought up a chain and sat with her, a clipboard and at the ready. “I have to say this is the first time I have had a mutant patient. I hope you will not mind me satisfying some curiosity?”

"Ah I'll try. I seem to have the time" Ember tries to give a wavering smile indicating her current condition

“To be candid.” The officer began. “I would like to examine your physical corruption once you have finished eating. I have read your charts but reality often does not match cold analytics.” With that said she seemed to want to hold a conversation while Ember was eating. “How do you hold up against the objectification your situation raises? Any particular coping methods you employ?”

"You're free to do so, however I should mention that I was examined thoroughly in the academy and ah.. while it's not my place to say, I got the impression that they could not glean much about my condition. I guess I should also mention that some of the early examinations caused unexpected reactions that were somewhat hazardous.. That hasn't been a problem in a long while now that I've learned to control the magical force embedded into me" The last bit was added a bit hurriedly. "And well... I mean we were of course instructed about our unfortunate, but still privileged position. The enclave cannot allow mutants to exist freely in the society or we could fall into the same state as the infrareds below. Those that possess unique abilities like mine can still serve a higher purpose for society" Emote would almost recite some parts of her sentence but you could hear a genuine hint of pride at the end of it. "Most ponies reactions are understandable, but as long as it doesn't impede my missions it's inconsequential"

Breezy Night took the potential risk in stride. “I believe for both our sakes you will be capable of preventing any of the, well, outbursts that had been detailed in your file.” She offered a smile of assurance. It was very practiced. “I would certainly not wish to be set alight. You would not want to have the repercussions of injuring an officer.” The tone was assuring but the underlying threat was clear. With a pencil at the ready the officer was making notes regarding Ember’s reciting, the tone it took, and her actual answer. Her expression was neutral until she took a bit more conversational tone. “It has been a little over a week into the campaign. It seems your squad has been tossed into a literal deep end. How have your expectations been challenged by the surface?”

"The surface condition was surprising, but our CO has already informed us that this area is a rarity and less impacted by the tainting devastation that covers most of the equestria. Making it a great source to gather resources from" Ember Flare seems to talk maybe surprisingly easily in the situation. It is however a very familiar set up for her. Ember Flare keeps taking small bites between her sentences in efficient manner cleaning her plate rapidly but not so to disturb the interview

The officer gives Ember a few moments to eat while she makes notes. If examined in turn by Ember the officer seemed to be physically younger than the other officers but with a fairly worldly and sage-like presence. Some of the researchers she had met had that intellectual quality, but were all far older. She did not seem to miss anything and spoke up without raising her eyes from her note taking. “I take it you, like many of the other greens, see me somewhat out of place in this role. My specialty of study was psychology after all, which is well known. I can assure you however that even while green myself I was working in medical tents on campaign. Few make it through a campaign under a medical officer without surgical and first aid training under their belt.” When she looked up she had that practiced smile on again. "If you are finished, please sit facing away and open your gown."

Ember Flare almost seems to remember something "oh you mentioned the coping mechanism... The ventilator cover was a suggestion I received before I was assigned here." Embers tone switches to a bit more serious "it is a crime to hide that you are a mutant, but ponies are more likely to have a more positive attitude towards you if you do not display outward signs of mutations." Ember Flare me carefully removes the tray and places the tray on the table and turns as instructed. As she removes the gown and sets in place the glow blazing inside her dims and calms visibly as she waits for the doctor to begin her prodding

It would be a short while until the prodding would actually start. From the sound of the pencil moving the officer was perhaps making a sketch? It would be a few moments of pencil scratching before she idly seemed to speak to herself. “Wonder if you would self cremate after expiration.” She took a tongue depressor to do a small amount of prodding, opening a vent for the purposes of more sketching. Next Breezy Night spoke up with intent to question. “There is a particular scent associated with you. I cannot place it. Have you noticed, or had others describe it before?”

"I think someone described it as a faint metallic smell. Apparently somewhat similar to what comes out of welding. I do not smell it myself really normally unless I'm expending a lot of force. I do not know what might happen if I went down, however most likely the magic would fade away from inside me." Ember Flare does a decent job masking her discomfort about the prodding

The examination was quicker than practically any Ember Flare had experienced prior and might have surprised her when she was told she could redress. If the officer was revulsed she was not showing it. A minute of silence went by as the officer finished writing or sketching. “You will be cleared to leave shortly. While there seems to be inflammation that is causing your additional discomfort it should pass on its own in short order.” She tapped her chin in some momentary self debate before being authoritative. “Your subservient mentality is commendable. I would encourage you to keep aware of your position in life. Despite the apparent leeway provided to our communications officer she is well aware of her role in this organization. Remember that you will be expected to provide your all and more for Cloudsdayle. You are military property and will perform above and beyond what is asked of you.”

"Yes ma'am, I graduated among almost the top of my academy patch. I'll keep the same track." Ember seems to slightly bite her tongue after that. Maybe a bit embarrassed? Seems like she might have become too comfortable in the situation.

Breezy Night gave Ember a formal nod at her reply and raised from her seat. Despite her generally polite management of the encounter the officer gave, if in hindsight later, the impression her opinion was not far off from the Greens that had been whispering among themselves. It was evident she saw Ember as equipment and not a person. It might be disconcerting however if her opinion was shared among all of the other officers. That would make her longevity a potential concern.


Session 9

Your few days of fasting will be a terrible experience. Either you suffered through the experience and had to contest with the worst hunger pangs of your life, or you cheated and have the ire of those that honestly suffered. Perhaps all of you cheated. Maybe you focus on your mission and let this just be part of the learning experience.

For Sundancer the symptoms would be a bit different. She would be extremely lethargic mentally compared to just bodily sluggish. Her thoughts would have difficulty finding focus and she would be suffering some delusionary sensory inputs. Compared to her squad mates who would have hyper fixation on their own suffering and the need to alleviate it.

(GM Note): I have the PCs test endurance for weathering the fasting. They mostly pass except for Ember Flare

Silver Rush gnaws on his blanket idly, eyes sunken as he spends most of the day staring at the ceiling from his bed. Woozily he gets up at times to sink his head in a water basin

Ember tries and push through the hunger and cramps but that would more likely lead to her pushing too hard and crashing down periodically and considering how she's not the heftiest of horses, she'd easily get light headed

Saffron was in two places during the Great Famine. She was either outside looking over the basin out near the basin, or in the barracks laying in bed with a very grumpy belly, her canteen in hoof's reach, and her field journal infront of her. Even in her hunger she tried to write, since the others seemed to delegate that to her rather than do it themselves. Not that she blamed them, ever, since they were all hungry. She was less creative in her hunger too, but at least she had the questions down...

Brickfielder, being an exceptionally large pony, is used to keeping his body fueled with more food than most. Having that taken from him leaves him sapped of energy. He tries to force himself to jog around base daily, but, doing that leaves him virtually completely spent.

 Sundancer initially tried to distract herself from her hunger with work, but once it became clear that her mental state was being affected she spent all her free time sleeping

Brick would be tempted to cheat but would resist that temptation. Faltering like that would just be embarrassing.

Ember feels like she's gonna lose her mind and... become a liability during the mission if she's too malnourished, yes that's it... that's the reason… So she attempts to sneak a little bit of food for herself... for the sake of the mission.

Ember Flare falters and sneaks in the mess hall and snatches couple breads and chomps on them in private as fast as possible. It wasn't fair... she had been hospitalized and had barely recovered.

Saffron doesn't outright see Ember do the dirty, dirty deed but as she looms outside to write in the open air; she looked up to see Ember sort of going in and out in a hurry a few times. Though she doesn't focus on it. Even if her eyes trail her once. Eventually she runs out of things to write, and ends up just going on a flux of consciousness to JUST write something... And stay distracted.

 Saffron:  "Fick... I still do need to write that letter huh..."

Taking a day to recover from the fasting you have a few weeks ahead of you to get your squad's cover story in order. While Cloudy Forecast can be available part of the time for direct assistance, she is mostly only able to periodically check up and give you what amounts to grading in your efforts. A few days in you have training to get familiar with the infrared weapons. Your C.O. borrows from Thermal Updraft and instructs you to get as familiar with them "as you would your sweetheart." You were expected to become intimate with your equipment, as surface infrareds view their tools as companions. A working firearm can be the only difference between life and death. A knife may be the difference between a meal or starving.

When the time came to TOUCH the gear. Saffron finally got to lay her hooves on the Semi-Auto shotgun with another shotgun attached under it. As soon as she gets to wield it, she starts to grin and giggle with suspiciously malicious intent, and beelines to the firing range to start blasting things with it. To get used to the recoil, mostly.

Sundancer meticulously strips and reassembles her ion rifle after each session on the range, trying to get a better idea of its points of failure and capabilities

Ember Flare would struggle a bit with coming familiar with the pistol that fires actual bullets, she was only somewhat familiar with the recoilless laser weaponry that was standard issue

Brick doesn't necessarily feel enthusiastic as he looks through the equipment... but, his brow does raise slightly upon seeing the sword. It'd certainly take time for him to get used to handling such a weapon, but, he seems determined to make it work.

"I am the deadliest rogue!" BLAM. Saffron has way too much fun firing an arguably much realer gun than the laser guns that, while advanced, didn't kick much and weren't as RAW as the ballistic weapons. "I am the greatest scavenger! I am a shameless packrat!" BLAM. She giggles once she had shot all the ammunition out of her shotgun. Then switched to the full-auto magnum, and the shield. Shield held with her teeth, magnum in the hoof...

 Ember Flare: "I do hope we won't have to actually depend on these things for our lives. Not feeling entirely confident with this junk"

Brick also takes one of the 'Zip Pistols'. He's not keen on engineering... but, disassembly and reassembly does at least seem very, very simple. "We'll have to make them work."

Ember Flare also waves the makeshift shield making it give rattling sounds "and I don't really trust this to actually hold if I had to block anything worse than a tossed rock"

Brickfielder finishes snapping the Zip Pistol together and glances at Ember. "There's that larger shield in there too. Definitely sturdy... I'd take it myself if I weren't worried about the maneuverability of it."

 Ember Flare: "It seems a bit too heavy. I prefer to be able to move fast and avoid danger than drag that thing with me"

Saffron's attempt with the Full-auto conversion Magnum pistol was a bit awkward, since the trigger was so sensitive it just blasted as soon as she put pressure on it, and didn't stop. The sheer recoil of such a (fragile) hand cannon made her backstep once by half a step before she poised herself correctly. She tried to shoot it slowly. POW POW POW, POW POW POW, CLICK. That's when she turned around to the rest of the squad that was deliberating; looking between Ember and Brickfielder; dropping the junk shield to her legs. It still covered her up to her upper leg. "These guns are cool!"

 Saffron: "Hey Brickfielder! Hey! What'd you pick? Big sword?"

Ember Flare shrugs but smiles at Saffrons enthusiasm

Brickfielder glances down at Saffron, hefting the sword up with one wing. It seems a bit difficult to do even for someone of his size. "...Yes." He fails to share Saffron's enthusiasm, given how... pathetic the Zip Pistol is.

You would have time to get familiar with the base and other squads. You knew Seafoam and Brambles are out on missions. But you had yet to meet the last squad under Cloudy Forecast. Maybe they had relieved Brambles squad and were in the woods. For the base as a whole things were fairly insular along CO groups. Those under Champaign Shower were indignant for the most part. Not only were they mostly kept bored they had also suffered the only well known attack and injuries so far. The squads under Silver Lining had security details. It seemed appropriate they were around the base to keep watch on everyone else so nothing got stolen. There were rumors of some missing supplies already.Squads under Thermal Updraft seemed to be having the fun of practicing vehicle maneuvers in hilly terrain, digging earthen fortifications into rocky ground, and, admittedly, enjoying blowing up explosives in sapper and heavy weapons training. Breezy Night leads what amounted to a medical corp among the largely uneducated Green. Many of whom seemed to need to learn which end of a scalpel to hold. Hearing what they were training for and getting to know some of them would redouble any thoughts of never ever being hurt and requiring their aid.

Steel Rain seemed a very hooves on sort of leader from when you saw him, being ready to get shoulder to shoulder if a task could use it. He led exercises during off periods and could easily keep lead the pace of the most spry greens. While easy to earn respect he was also as hard an ass as his name could imply. Any infraction he witnessed was immediately punished with cold directness. He never got mad. Simply putting the law down without a hint of compassion.

Everyone in your squad except Ember Flare would receive mail during the next couple weeks. Family checking how you were holding up and otherwise being nice reminders of what you were doing this all for. It could be a while until you get a chance to read another letter from them. You had no idea how long this mission could take.

Saffron had her mind all over the place during their waiting period. She liked to talk with people--namely Brickfielder, trying to tell him that the Big two handed Axe would totally fit better than the two handed sword, and such; and if he picked up the machetes he could also use the shield, maybe with a holdout pistol! She seemed enthusiastic about trying to advise him on things. Fortunately she'd let off in the days to come, and she got distracted with the rumors of 'missing equipment', which got her snooping for a spell, before she remembered they had to finalize their backstory. And then the letters came. Immediately she dropped everything, looking to grab her letter and give it an INSTANT read!

Brickfielder is much more of a 'being talked at' rather than 'talking with' type, as far as interaction with Saffron is concerned. He is, however, set on the sword. Over the downtime before the mission he'd start trying to take proper care of cleaning and sharpening it. Even keeping it under his bed, closer than most of his other belongings.

Despite what Cloudy Forecast had told you previously the time table had been moved up. Your mission was to begin after just three weeks of training. Orders from Central Command. You were in Cloudy's office when she broke the news that you were to be shipping out the next day. Your cover was not yet perfected and lacked some smaller details that would help glue it together. Your CO said you would simply have to improvise. She at least could provide encouragement in seeing you as resourceful and quick learners.

Sundancer writes her parents a bit of sentiment and a few anecdotes about mundane camp life and the bumbling of the green medical team

Brickfielder wasn't planning on shipping out so quickly, so, the first thing he does after hearing the news is return to the barracks and write to his family one more time. He wants to let them know it'll be awhile before he can write again, and encouraging his siblings to be good little pegasi.

Silver Rush doesn't compromise the mission info but sends off a letter describing some more interesting duties happening. No playing bodyguard for reds!

Saffron herself had a three second moment of a minor panic attack when the news came. Though after a bit of regaining her composure, and some encouragement from Cloudy Forecast (Saffron took it at face value at that point), she'd go back to being calm, confident, and stalwart. "We wont disappoint you!" came out of her, shortly before the time would come for them to return to the barracks. With the letter from her parents--from her mother, she writes back. It was a long letter in which she unloaded the baggage of her anxiety, asking her father how he could deal with it--how he dealt with 'empathy on the field', and how she envied him now and wished she had listened to him more. She was going on a MISSION that she was NOT going to fail, and she would make them proud...

Your send off would be in the early hours. It was only a bit over three weeks since the campaign started and you were already being thrown in over your head. Spying on the other greens seemed like foal’s play compared to what awaits. Our CO would escort you down to the docks below the base and give you parting instructions. These included your radio encryption codes, a confirmation to only make reports as you could without raising suspicion, and a confirmation that you were not to act too eager to please the rebels. You were now wastelanders and needed to look out for yourselves. Demonstrate your usefulness without asking to help them. Let them approach you and build from there.

"Act selfish then." Saffron would remark, "That sounds doable. Right?" She'd look up to Silver Rush and Brickfielder both.

 Silver Rush: "and interested in self preservation. Risking our necks out here isn't for cloudsdale anymore"

Brickfielder casts an unamused glance at Saffron, while adjusting the awkwardly-baggy survivalist attire he'd taken. ...Or, well, it would be baggy, if he weren't definitely larger than the original owner.

The boat you had paddled around before now had an old looking engine set on the rear. Having Sundancer look it over would show it to be a powerfully built item hidden in a case that was intended as a disguise. If you had to use it as such it could be field stripped for materials to make a timed bomb. It was time to board and begin motoring your way around the island. It was expected you would make landfall near the rebels in two days, with stopping to camp between.

Ember Flare had been somewhat excited to start another mission, but seeing the boat and the endless ocean did make her a bit uncomfortable

Brickfielder gives quite a large sigh as he comes upon the boat, but, loads himself into it nonetheless, steeling himself for the inevitably-unpleasant journey around the isle.

 Rocket: "not even an airship...I'm sure those exist out here right?"

Saffron was likewise uncomfortable, albeit not initially. They had trained for this, even if only for a day. Looking down at the water she kept an eye out for anymore pony-shark-things, and other fishies that might look horrible. Though roughly in the middle of the voyage, she'd start to wander more towards the middle of the boat, looking a bit sickly. "How confident are you, boss?" She asked out loud, looking towards Silver Rush with a concerned look. "On this whole thing."

Sundancer would be wobbly and shaky until she's seated firmly in the boat and goes stock-still

 Silver Rush: "the boat? Im sure it will... Work. I really don't expect much else from it. Or are you talking about if it's sturdy enough for anything living in the water?"

 Saffron: "Oh, no, the boat's okay. Ant the things in the water--I'd rather not think about that right now, I'm about half-way to throwing up already." Saffron smirked playfully as she casually puts that out there, hoof on her chest as she speaks, "I meant the mission. Are you ready for it?"

Ember Flare packs her things in and settles herself firmly in the boat starting to rev up the old motor

Brickfielder only realizes once he's in the boat and seated that the strap he'd gotten put together for the sword (given it lacked a proper scabbard) is... rather awkwardly-positioned. It leaves him shifting around in his seat every now and then, knocking the sword against the seat as he does.

 Silver Rush: "absolutely. We've even never seen these infrared before, that'll be our biggest challenge I think. Just put on a Stern face and we'll give em the ol razzle dazzle"

Saffron grins, happy with the confidence coming from their squad leader. "Fuck yeah, boss." She lightly cheers by giving him a weak bump on the shoulder, "Glad you're with me on this." She adds, as she shakily moves back to the gunwale of their 'mighty' vessel to sit there, in case she does throw up.

When you were out on the water things were both quick and slow. The boat would move at a quick clip, but compared to the wide ocean off the port, the movement seemed insignificant. It would be a few hours out, just as the fog was clearing, that you would find something particularly anchored out closer to the southern side of the island. A wide, flat boat that looked like a floating house parked a bit out of sight of the cliffs near the FOB, west of the bay. As you get within sight and the sound of your motor reaches them you see Thunder Pudge and his squad come on deck to investigate. Spotting you as you spot them, their leader gives an enthusiastic wave.

Brickfielder raises a hoof, and leans back near Sundancer. "Keep going."

 Saffron would be remarkably silent during the trip. She preferred watching the water go by. Looking up a little more when she noticed the fog clearing, and the big flat boat comes into view. She lingered her eyes on it warily, keeping her roguish grey hood on her head and tugging it over a bit more. Though when she sees THUNDER PUDGE, she sits up and waves at them with both forelegs, waving the big junk shield that says "ROAD WORK AHEAD" with a chuckle.

 Saffron: "Hopefully they don't get eaten by fish-ponies!"...

 Ember Flare raises and eyebrow at the interaction but keeps the course towards their destination

 Saffron: "Well, to be honest, with the aura thing he has going on, I doubt the fishponies would even get near him..."

 Sundancer: "The sea-ponies might be observing them from a distance, we should move."

Sundancer huffs "we are moving, but..."

 Saffron snickers through the little face-wrapped black bandanna she has on her face, looking back to Sundancer once. "This thing doesn't have a turbo feature, unless you can make one up."

Brickfielder glances over at Sundancer, a bit surprised; she was so quiet and still that he almost thought she'd... shut down or something. "Keep moving and not stop, I think is the idea.

Sundancer meets Brickfielder's eyes, her face not betraying fear, but her voice obviously strained "Glad we're on the same page."

The southern region of the island is strange to put it lightly. Sheer cliffs based with jagged rocks line the southern reaches. But what actually gets attention is that you cannot see the tops of the cliffs. Streaming down in a blanket is an endless waterfall of fog. It seemed untouched by the sun unlike the normal morning mists. At points you might see a tree break the fog bank above but for the most part it was a wall atop the cliffs.

Brick stares at her for a moment, before glancing in the direction the boat is moving in, his expression firming up some. "...We'll be fine if we keep on the move, Sundancer."

 Silver Rush: "never get out of the boat..."

Saffron silently peeked from her side of the boat, looking over the THICK fog... She didn't say anything, but her eyes were glued on it, her tail silently sweeping the deck nervously while her wings tucked further into her web-gear covered vest...

It would cut close to nightfall by the time you passed those fog shrouded cliffs and could find a place to land. Thankfully the boat had been powerful and swift enough to get you to a grass choked shore with a bit of daylight left. Without the mountains in the way you would be able to see the sunset into the ocean. Maybe the orange waves would make this journey a bit more comforted.

Brickfielder would, if nothing else, be quite happy to be on solid ground again, wasting no time getting to work pitching tents.

Sundancer jumps out of the boat and flies the last dozen meters to the grassy shore, such is her anticipation to be ashore. After emotionally recovering, she helps Brick get camp established

Ember Flare would share the sentiment giving a sigh of relief getting her hooves back on firm land

Saffron spent most of the journey in silent discomfort. She had only been on a boat twice and she STILL felt sickly; she hated it. It made her miserable and sway around a little more against the boat's movements along the waves. But also quiet. Eventually she'd dismount after all the others had, and with her carrying the additional survival equipment, she breaks out the other tents and sets them up for the others. Albeit clumsily at first.

Your evening in the woods before your final stop would be a bit active. For whatever reason this side of the island seemed to have a lot more animals of significant size. With sundancer’s and Saffron’s field knowledge it was easy enough to identify the racoons, badgers, rabbits, and squirrels that come by and try to steal food in the middle of the night. Your watches manage to fend them all off thankfully.

Saffron quietly complains about the raccoons, saying: "I'm gonna stab them if another one shows up, president help me if another one tries to steal my shit." After having kicked away the invaders with a long stick.

Brickfielder is far from... eager about seeing the large pests of the ground. But it's easy to spook them and make them leave.

Sundancer occasionally practices shooting small animals to decompress after the boat ride before going to sleep

 Silver Rush: "I don't like this plan all that much... Waiting for infrared to find you camped out on their land. should set up some defensive posture just in case they're less curious and more unwelcoming at our trespassing"

 Sundancer: "Try to keep the jargon to a minimum. They could be listening."

 Ember Flare: "Yeah wouldn't want anyone to try and just rob us either. Bet there's loads of unsavory ponies in these woods here"

Waking up a tad more groggy than usual, Saffron rises and shines with a groan--arising with the grace of a slumbering dragon. "Hhhgh..." She goes, still cradling her shotgun (on safety of course), as she rises up again from her bedroll and blanket. She staggers out of the tent with her gun, still fully dressed, and packs up in utter silence. Taking all her things, the tent, helping others pack their tents, then going back to the boat and sitting down.

Your trip north would only take half the day. At least you could eat lunch on solid ground. You haul the boat up onto the shore for a lengthy stay.The remainder of the day would be spent getting the area scouted, the camp set up, and a perimeter established. The campground itself was, well, beautiful. If not impractical for defending. It was a cove between two rocky raises that ran a half circle of a hundred yards in either direction. Weathered exposed slate stones would make a solid foundation for the camp. But the area was wide and fairly open, leaving you generally exposed to anyone skulking in the trees.

 Ember Flare: "Hmm, well here we go then... should try and get into the roles from now on"

Saffron spent a long time just using her survival kit's grooming tools to comb her mane and brush her fur, patting at her wings to check them for any grime, and generally trying to clean herself up even if she slept with her clothes on. She double checked her weapons to see if they were dirty, then settled down, and sighed shakily; eating her rations. But keeping the snack chocolate bars handy for now. Then, when they're there, she eagerly takes up her shotgun and hops off with a bit more energy. "I'll check around... Pretty place, shitty defensive position..." She remarked, nodding to Ember once in passing as she strode ahead to peek around for anything useful, or dangerous. Dropping off her survival kit at the camp, while she patrolled once.

 Sundancer: "That probably includes keeping the grime on." Sundancer remarks, watching Saffron leave to explore

 Saffron: "A good survivalist doesn't stay dirty." She rebutts, as she goes.

Brickfielder looks around the area after landing, quickly taking to muddying up his mane a bit. "Not concerned much about defensiveness. If whatever infrareds find us want a fight, we'll be fine."

Scouting around the area where camp will be made Saffron can find a few interesting marks of note. This side of the island does not seem as poisonously inclined as the eastern half. Maybe indicating part of why it was actually inhabited. There are plenty of herbs and natural edibles that could practically replace your survival rations entirely. Provided they were cooked well. The issue may be however that there was a stone circle not more than a hundred meters south of the camp site. It was not identical to the ones you had encountered prior. But it had rings of mushrooms and a thin amount of that slick goo in patches on the rocks. In other respects however the forest was pretty good save a burrow of badgers that might need to be scared off.

Silver Rush feels even more dread seeing this terribly exposed spot. It fills him with the scent of death and anger at such a trap "fuck. Alright well... We can set up a fallback position behind the main camp... Anyone stupid enough to charge us over open terrain could be caught in the open themselves if we fortify the boat into a makeshift stronghold"

 Ember Flare: "Uh I hope you aren't planning on trying to talk to that thing again..." Ember says once Saffron mentions the rock circles

 Silver Rush: "anyone have some spare tin cans?"

After a good amount of time making a thorough search of the time, occasionally dipping her head past the treeline to check on something and then coming back out--keeping out her road work sign shield defensively moreso than her guns. She eventually returns to report to Silver Rush, letting him speak first. "Uhh, Canned food yeah. From yesterday." She passes him over the one tin can that was now empty, then speaks up. "This place is RICH with food. We just need someone who can cook well and we wont need to use our rations; two things though? One is that there is ANOTHER circle about a hundred meters south, ish? Full of wacky mushrooms, and then there's a burrow of badgers I'm gonna go scare off, probably with my gun."

Brickfielder immediately shakes his head to Ember. "We are going to avoid any circles as much as possible."

"--Actually, Sunday!" Saffron turned to their ROBOT friend, "Your gun isn't as loud as my shotgun, you could help me remove the pests without alerting everyone on the island that we're here right away and make us look like dumb-dumbs."

 Saffron: "Unless, uh, you all WANT me to do that. Plus the rifle of yours doesn't use up any ammo..."

 Sundancer: "No, I can hunt badgers. I don't understand the need, but you're the surface wildlife expert. If someone wants to cover my back it would be appreciated."

 Saffron: "I'm not necessarily planning to eat them as much as I want them not near our camp. Because fuck badgers."

 Sundancer: "Ember's supposed to be part of my backstory."

 Saffron: Saffron gives a quick nod and draws out her magnum pistol to keep it readied, smirking to Sundancer. "I got your back." She simply says, and starts off leading the way to the den of pests soon-to-be-removed.

 Ember Flare: "Ah right! Should stick a bit more together"

Ember Flare trots to sundancers side, moving considerably lighter in her doctors coat compared to weeks before in the power armor

Your badger hunt does not go as well as planned. Waiting around for them to leave their burrow will not work. It ends up being deep and well ventilated enough to not suffer a simple smoke out. Plus your collective patience wears out faster than the badgers do. It might be an ongoing problem but one you can't waste more time on today.

Brickfielder grumbles to himself as he leaves the badgers behind. "Forget the damn pests..."

 Saffron groans from her position near the burrow, shield in front of herself with her chin resting on it. "They may have won this battle but they haven't won the war." The red mare laments, as she goes to pick herself up and haul herself back to the main camp, that they would still need to set up...

 Ember Flare: "Well, might be for the best. I'm sure they're not really that interested in us anyways"

 Saffron: "They're interested in the food." Saffron rebutts with a grumble. Whatever they can stay there a bit longer. Now it's time to get serious, and..." She goes back to her survival kit to start setting up tents, and a firepit, "... Act depressed."

 Sundancer: "Way ahead of you."

 Brickfielder: "However, will we achieve that?"

 Saffron: "You can't be depressed, you're a robot, Sunny."

 Sundancer: "In fact, that might be the hardest part for you. You might want to consider fasting again to get back into the mood."

Saffron pouts in Sundancer's general direction. "Oh yes, I need to starve myself to achieve real misery." She mutters sarcastically, adjusting her face-bandanna to cover her face, hiding her slight sneering smile as she does.

Silver Rush paranoidly sets up noisemakers in the treeline, setting up barricades on the boat in case wild rabid natives charge across the field

Ember might also occasionally check if she manages to sense anything magic sources in their vicinity

With the labor involved in cutting down logs for the work you will need a solid five days to build a single room cabin. While you might not be intending to build a village at least having a couple of such structures will go a long way to selling your intent to stay there. At least your time spying on the lumber camp has helped ready you for preparing logs. The boat being a higher priority will come first however and you can make a nice covered pit that faces inland. The hull of the boat would be reinforced with sandbags.


Interlude: Quick Fix

(GM Note): A sixth player was added into the campaign, starting with a quick interlude to place them into the game.

Today had started like any other day for Quick Fix. The overseer’s son had been his patient for the morning, dealing with a mild fever brought on by spores; the decontamination teams were in the process of cleaning. Having been in the overseer’s quarters would turn out to be a stroke of luck. When the announcement came over the public service channel of his and the teen’s pipboys it would be chilling. There was an emergency evacuation in effect. The reactor was leaking radiation and could not be shut down. Everyone had to evacuate before the system locked down.

Panic would grip the young doctor. Thankfully the overseer’s wife had been there to take charge of the situation. Taking her child on her back she would guide Quick Fix to the escape access in the overseer’s office. One that unsurprisingly the doctor had never heard of being there. By the time the three of them would reach the vault door and begin the process of it being pulled open the vault systems behind them would have engaged the lockdown. They would be the only three making it to the surface it seemed. A dark cave system would await them on the far side of the massive entrance.

Quick Fix had felt uncomfortable that day. He dealt overwhelmingly with injuries over sickness, so even soothing a fever was a little outside of his normal range of activities. He *knew* something wasn't quite right. He never could have predicted that the reactor would fail, however. It was a miracle that he made it out of the Vault, that was for sure. Though they each had PipBoys that could illuminate the cave around them, Quick saw fit to use his magic's light to lead the way out of the cave.

The trio would spend over an hour navigating some dead ends in the cave as they made their way forward. The light outside the cave would be comparably blinding when they finally stepped into it. They did not know what to expect on the surface, but a green, lush forest might not have been even on their list. The surface outside the vault was alive. They could hear bird songs, smell the damp foliage and earth, and feel a cool breeze. Using the mouth for cover the trio took a break. But shortly after the overseer’s wife asked Quick Fix to take a look around and see if it was safe.

Quick Fix was reluctant, but he tried not to let that show. He gave the mare a weak salute and headed out into the forest to investigate it with squinting eyes... and gosh, was it pretty. He was so caught up in its vibrancy and its smell and its wonderful breeze that he'd hardly notice losing his way, or any creatures watching him... at least, at first.

Searching around the cave mouth would be a dizzying experience. There was so much going on with sights and sounds that it could be easy to get sensorly lost in the forest. At least the doctor’s auto-map would make sure they did not get lost. After about twenty minutes of wandering wide there did not seem to be any apparent dangers in the area. That is until he saw reflected rainbow light from a large creature lumbering towards the cave. Circling it to get a good sight Quick fix would see a terrifying creature he could not put a name on. Superficially it was shaped like a bear. A bear made of stained coloured glass and silver binding between the shards. Its back was more like a porcupine’s, with rows of razor sharp glass bristled along it’s back. Academically Quick Fix was unsure what the beast was, even if it sort of resembled creatures from history books. It was heading directly for the overseer’s wife and child.

Quick Fix knew what he had to do... but he didn't know if he had the strength to do it. Well, maybe he didn't... but he had the kindness to force himself to. He ran over to the terrifying creature and screamed some cowardly gibberish at it to try and get its attention. If those two died, he'd be the only pony who escaped the Vault. He couldn't do that. He could be the last pony left on Equu, for all he knew, without those two....he certainly wasn't the last creature, though, judging that glassy freak of a 'bear'...

The glass creature seemed to not be surprised, or possibly very self aware at all. It reacted in a very mechanical fashion, turning towards Quick Fix. In a sudden lurching fashion it made a swipe at the doctor with glass claws as long as the small stallion’s limbs. The claws caught in the armored vault suit’s heavy canvas, preventing more than shallow scratches on the doctor’s chest. But it was more than enough to engage a panic response. With the creature’s attention drawn and the doctor’s fight or flight triggered, a chase would occur into the forest. The beast did not roar or sound alive. Only making supernaturally eerie grinding and creaking sounds above the thunderous stomping and shredding of foliage as it would chase its quarry.


Session 10

It has been two days since Nimbus squad made camp. The defensive position using the boat was built. Preparations for building log cabins could start soon. Felling and cleaning trees would not be so difficult with your survival gear, mainly time consuming. It would take at least a week to get the process in order and the first one built. But from there the others should be simpler. Clearing ground took a lot of time with the small spades available to you. You will have a lot of work to make some semi, or possibly fully, permanent structures to keep the weather off. This mission was likely for the long haul.

Quick Fix had been running for miles with that bear creature on his tail. He had found some temporary respite by attempting to hide a couple times. But the creature had managed to find him and continue the chase. The chase led all the way to the coast where the seemingly both lucky and unlucky pony would happen upon a beachside campground. The residents of it being ponies as well. He would be in sight of the camp when the bear creature came crashing through the underbrush and caught up again.

(GM Note): To summarize the following combat the squad PCs engaged the glass bear creature that chased Quick Fix into their camp. A second bear and a pack of butterflies soon joined the conflict from further in the forest.  A very important element of the combat was Ember Flare revealing a new power: conjuring a smoke-like magical being that can fight in her place. Saffron rushed into the woods with a shotgun and ended up dealing the final hits on the bears. Ember torched the butterfly swarm. Brickfielder and Quick Fix rallied allies. Sundancer helped characters recover from damage they took. Silver Rush unfortunately found out directly the bears could counter attack at range with launching glass shards and had his rifle jam, letting one of the butterflies escape. Silver was also injured by a large bite from a bear.

Saffron's eyes swept towards the butterfly, already changing the grip on her shotgun to hold it by the underslung shotgun--as her bigger gun had now run out of shells. She was expecting the brainless little thing to keep attacking her in a frenzy, but it seems to have brain cells and actually leaves them alone. With her eyes narrowing, Saffron just watches it leave as she lowers her gun, and eyeballs the two dead bears. Or what's left of them, really. Letting the butterfly escape, she turned around and walked back out the treeline back to the others...

Silver Rush doesn't miss a beat and swaps to his holdout pistol, keeping it readied, but lowered, as he faces the infrared that happened upon their camp

Saffron makes a beeline towards Ember as she stows her unloaded shotgun back across her back. She beams with an earnest smile to their mutant-friend, and extends a hoof to her. "Hoof bump?"

Ember Flare pants keeping her hurt wings partially stretched before tossing her hooves in the air "WOOO! What a rush!" completely forgetting about the pony that brought about this situation

Quick Fix almost immediately collapses onto the sand. Miles of running and a tense fight tends to take it out of a soldier, let alone what appears to be some sort of doctor. He's dressed in a medical canvas suit with blue and yellow patterns.

Sundancer has been pretty focused on the action within the camp and her immediate medical charges. Finally taking stock of the situation, she marvels at the puddle of burning goo that Ember left in the forest and gets a closer look at the shattered bear. Second, she looks over her squad's injuries, doing an account of their injuries from a distance.

Ember Flare meets the extended hoof with surprising gusto and confidence

Brickfielder takes a deep breath and quickly reloads his pistol, before stashing it away. He watches Saffron with a raised eyebrow, before slowly turning towards the... new arrival.

Sundancer is about to call out to her squadmates when she remembers she has a cover to maintain

Smokey hovers silently back to Embers side glancing around the other party members with smile. ...a bit disconcerting one maybe with the fiery mouth and glowing eyes

Sundancer tertiarily regards the new arrival and comes to a course of action, bringing her medical kit to his side and judging his condition

Quick Fix blinks at her. A fellow medic, by the looks of it? "Oh, don't worry about me, I'm just bruised... the suit kept th-those things' claws off my fur."

Brickfielder also casts a lingering gaze at Smokey. ...He doesn't like the way it's looking at him. "...Ember, is uh... why is that... thing looking at me...?"

Sundancer stares at Quick quizzically for a second, then stiffly goes to attention and mechanically intones "Medical assistance denied" before turning to help Silver

Ember Flare finally focuses on the arrival "Ah the new pony! Seems like you were in quite the trouble there"

Saffron grins brightly when Ember's hoof hits hers with such confidence, "HELL yeah, we're the BEST survivors EVER! We kick all the ass!" She cheered, not entirely phased by the new presence besides Ember, so elated she was, she was just bouncing up and down, and only now taking it into account. She stares at it with a concerned yet still smiling look, then IMMEDIATELY whips around towards the new pony, trotting to their side, and patting them gently on the back. "You okay? How'd you end up all the way out here?"

Casting a second glance over Quick, Saffron looked at his outfit. Eyeballing the color scheme, and briefly checking for any insignia that might give away affiliation...

Silver Rush steadies himself against a rock as the battle thrill subsides, leaving him with just the pain of his bite mark. "and more importantly who are you, and why are you here"

Ember Flare lowers her voice a bit as she answers Brickfielder "Uh... it's... hard to explain. Uh it's just magic thing kinda...? You can ignore it for now" With that Ember turns her attention more towards the newcomer

Brickfielder lingers a bit too long on Ember and the smoke... thing, only to then slowly look back to the new arrival.

Quick Fix regards the robohorse with quirked brow and a tilt of the head, but other ponies call for his attention. "Yeah, yeah, just bruised, like I said. They chased me all the way out here. Thank the stars above I ran into all of you, I don't think I could have run much farther."Aside from the strange colouring and an odd logo, there's a number on his back: '28'."Well, my name is Quick Fix. Why I'm here... is a long story. Short version is that I could really use your help."

Sundancer tries to suppress her reaction to the flaming creature that she only recognized as not a tent on fire after Ember mentioned it

 Silver Rush: "no. talk. who are you with, why are you here?" he doesn't relent, clearly unamused from the events that transpired to bring the unknown here

Ember Flare looks around a little spotting wounds on the arrival and Silver "Uh Hey, Sundancer, could you be a dear and take a look at Silver, me and... uhhh what was your name again...?"

"Ahuh..." Saffron looked up to the rest, namely to Silver Rush as he gets more aggressive. She purses her lip a little at his tone but doesn't question it, she just sits down a step away from them all, and starts taking shotgun shells from a belt pouch, loading them steadily into her gun as she listens. Click, click, click...

 Quick Fix: "Uh..." He seems slightly taken aback by Silver's aggressive nature. "My name is Quick Fix.. I'm not *with* anypony. L-like I said, why I'm here is a long story. Maybe we should make sure everyone's okay and gather 'round?"

Brickfielder raises a wing at Silver. "You're hurt." He then looks to the new arrival, trying to put on a slightly more diplomatic face. "Apologies for the rough introduction. We're not in a good spot ourselves."

Ember soothes Quick "Oh don't mind him, he is such a grump. Come, make yourself comfortable. What exactly is bothering you"

Sundancer finishes fixing Silver and turns to Quick

"Take it easy boss, I don't think he's the bad pony here." Saffron quietly helps Quick along with the argument as she looked to Silver with an intent glance. Nodding along with Brickfielder as she finishes reloading her gun. Her face was half-covered by a bandanna, which was slightly torn by a claw that had just missed her.

 Sundancer: "Your clothes are in the way of medical attention"

Silver Rush keeps his eyes on the pony momentarily, distrustfully, maybe it was just a chance encounter after all

Quick Fix considers moving a little closer to the nice, soothing pony, but a glance over at the smokey fire monster is... dissuading. With soreness evident in his movements - like he's bruised, or worn out - he spreads out on the sand and sighs.”I'm a doctor. I've lived in a Vault all my life, but... today, there was a major radiation leak. I have no idea if... i-if it reached everypony," his voice hitches slightly, "but most couldn't escape anyway because the stupid system went into lockdown. Only two other ponies made it out with me; we were separated by the bears. I think I managed to lead all of them away, but... they have no idea where they are or what to do. I have to go back for them."

Saffron perks her ears at the mention of 'vault'. Her eyes shoot to Brickfielder once, pursing her lip in the background; letting the others do the talking for the time being whilst she puts her shotgun into safety and keeps it on her lap.

Quick Fix turns to the medical robot, blinking. "Oh, erm... I.. guess I can take this off. I'll go change behind the boat."

 Brickfielder shares a glance with Saffron, waiting until Quick is behind the boat and lowering his voice. "Do not let him realize we don't know what a Vault is."

 Ember Flare: "You're a doctor, well colour me surprised, looks like we're colleagues. This bot here 'Sundancer' is a medical robot."

Sundancer tries to not express her disappointment at the failed name change, but it's her fault for leaving it up to other ponies. It would have bitten them eventually, anyways

Saffron likewise waited. Following Quick with her glance, before standing up and slinging her shotgun to her back; leaning an ear to Brick. "I'll just stay real quiet then. Maybe he'll lowkey explain it to us..." She replied, nodding to him once.

 Ember Flare: "Don't be to too frightened of it. It has some sorta sophisticated AI system installed on it. Haven't dared to touch that part fearing the thing might break"

Quick Fix returns shortly with his suit draped over his back. If anypony's confused about what he 'is', his being naked doesn't really help unless they're shameless.

Brickfielder: "Look, it's some sort of... shelter, if there was a radiation leak and he never left. So just go with that."

Sundancer waits for Quick to disappear from view "If there's a radiation leak, I can enter the area. Could be valuable."

"Here." Quick returns, walking rather stiffly, to his previous spot beside the bot.

Sundancer turns to Quick and engages bedside manner subroutines, or at least pretends to, affixing an artificial smile

 Sundancer: "This will only hurt a bit."

Saffron tucks her wings in a bit more and sighs heavily. She nods again in acknowledgement, keeping it at that as Quick Fix returns to them; prompting her to just casually step back and sit back down near the tent behind her, looking to Quick curiously from the background. She didn't seem to care that he was 'naked'. "... Do you know where your friends were before you split up? I could try to track them if they left anything."

Sundancer cleans the wound and the area of hide around it with alcohol and cleans it again with hydrogen peroxide for good measure before applying an adhesive bandage "Emotional damage remains. Reuniting with your friends is a high priority."

Quick Fix meets her eyes with an expression that says 'I use that phrase, you know.'"Oh, sure, it was at the entrance. I don't know if my PipBoy marked it or not, but it has a mapping function... ...ack." Quick winces at the treatment, but otherwise remains strong in the face of... a little sting."They aren't exactly my friends, but they're... a-all I have now. One's a foal. We can't just leave them out there."

"Well sounds like we should hurry and help them" Ember gives a look to the others looking for approval

The word 'Pipboy' elicits a briefly confused look on saffron’s face, then 'mapping function' makes her eyes widen with pure curiosity, leaning in a bit more to look at the device on his foreleg with an eager stare. "A--foal? Out here?" Saffron sputters in surprise, all of her trains of thought colliding and derailing as she straightened up. She stands up suddenly, looking to Sundancer. Then to Quick again, "Does your Pipboy have a way to tell the time? We might have enough daylight to make our attempt."

Brickfielder's interest also gets piqued by the mention of a mapping function, and he nods in response to Saffron's question. "...We never saw many of those PipBoys back where we came from."

Quick Fix checks said wrist-computer. His eyes light up!"Ah! It mapped the whole island for me! And, here, there's the Vault, on this side of the mountains."The unicorn shows the screen to Saffron, who can see the Vault entrance is practically due East from camp."Oh, sure, it's around... two PM. We should have more than enough time to get to the site and back before it gets dark." Quick Fix then nods to Brick. "It's Vault-Tec... technology. As far as I know, Vaults are the only places you can get them... maybe they have warehouses of them somewhere, though?"

Brick just snorts. "We know, that's why they were so rare even back in Filly." He glances at the others. "...So... a rescue operation?"

Quick showing Saffron the screen of his Pip Boy makes the squat pegasus IMMEDIATELY stride over to him to get a closer look, looking at the screen with a mixture of wonder and awe. "This thing is *awesome*!... Aw man--" She reflexively mutters, before coughing and clearing her throat--her tail swishing nervously as she straightens up again, "--Alright-cool! You can walk straight, right? All good?" She asked, bouncing a step back excitedly.

"Fillydelphia..." Quick seems to lose himself in a daydream, at that. These ponies must be travelers... and so knowledgeable!

Saffron nods her head quickly to Brickfielder. "Would give us the chance to explore. We haven't cased the island at all."

 Sundancer: "Affirmative."

 Ember Flare: "Right. Right... I best get rid of this thing then" Ember turns to the smoke thing for a moment, looking at it "Hmm.. begone? away!"

 Silver Rush: "mapped the whole island? Now that sounds useful... How far away did your group separate?"

Quick Fix then is snapped out of it by Saffron's... enthusiasm. She's certainly an excitable pony... "I'm.. mighty sore, but I should be able to walk along with you. Better they see me with you, too, than a group of strangers out in the forest. As for where they went? I never saw. They could have hidden in the entrance, for all I know."

(GM Note): Did a quick count of who all would go with Quick Fix. Everyone left Silver Rush to tend the camp.

Smokey still floats around

Brickfielder raises his sword and slides it into the strap. "Let's get ourselves ready, then."

"Aight, aight." Saffron nods her head one more time like a bobblehead, sideglancing Ember while she has trouble 'banishing' her weird smoke-thing-monster. Then back to Quick, doing her ABSOLUTE BEST to ignore that to the best of her ability, even if she couldn't not glance at it several times as she speaks, "No promises! But I, for one, will do my best." She beams, fully looking to Quick, "My name is Saffron, by the way. I scavenge a lot." She smirks, starting to take steps towards the woods again.

Quick Fix offers a hoof to shake, but Saffron's already off! Well, you can't win 'em all. "I-I just hope they're alright. And... maybe the ponies in the Vault are still okay, too, even if they're stuck. I can't be the only one who.. who survived."

Quick Fix has put his suit back on, in the meantime.

The group sets out east to locate the entrance to the vault, following Quick Fix’s electronic map. Saffron could have also followed the trail to the cave that Quick and the bear made when they trampled their way through the forest. It will take a bit over an hour or walking to escort your tired little pony. Some breaks will need to be had along the way. Sharing some water would help. When the group reaches the cave entrance they find it vacated.

(GM Note): I have Saffron test Observation to check for tracks at the cave.

"Oh no! I'm sorry." Saffron, however, isn't that much of a baddie as to leave Quick Fix hanging. She makes sure to double back and offer her hoof to him to shake/bump, before they'd go along to the cave. Her keeping to his side as they both lead on.

While it would not be apparent to anyone else, the evidence of some kind of scuffle happening at the cave mouth was evident to Saffron. Something had happened here. There was no blood or anything clear but someone was dragged kicking to the north west.

If following the trail Saffron could lead the group a few hundred meters until they found themselves facing a clearing with standing stones. The trail entered the clearing and vanished.

Sundancer can't help but grind her 'teeth' in frustration at seeing one of the hated stone circles

Saffron She didn't pester him TOO MUCH during the walk, but she was interested in his Pip Boy; asking about all the things that it could do, and if he was really a doctor; she thought of the fact that he was a doctor to be REALLY cool, for some reason. When they get there, she goes quiet and breaks off from the party to investigate; casing the place slowly and with some professionalism. She eventually picks up the trail, and starts walking along, "Looks like somepony crawled or... They were kicking around judging by these marks, so it seems more likely they are being dragged actually..." And, following it, until they got to the stone circle.

 Saffron: "... Oh ... No."

Saffron sighs loudly and starts hastily taking off all of her gear.

Brickfielder stops when coming in sight of the circle, not approaching it and swearing under his breath. He glances down at Saffron, opening his mouth to ask... but, as soon as she starts stripping, he takes it as a sign to start stripping off his gear as well.

 Ember Flare: "Um... This looks rather strange... you sure you want to mess with this?"

Sundancer scans the clearing for a good piece of cover to provide overwatch from and takes up position behind a tree, weapon drawn but not raised

 Sundancer: "Newcomer. You may wish to strip again."

Ember Flare looks somewhat uncomfortable with the stone ring

Quick Fix definitely is a doctor! He reveals to her that he's practically fresh out of the course, but by the Vault's standards, he's qualified! There's various other bits and bobs he feeds to her - perhaps to be discussed another time - but his enthusiasm slowly wanes over time as it becomes apparent the two ponies suffered a less-than-positive fate. Once they arrive, he looks at all the ponies' reactions concernedly and keeps well back from the clearing. "Erm.. why are we all undressing? Is.. this.. a magic circle..?

Brickfielder leaves his sword and pistol on top of his attire and looks at Quick. "Robot's right. It's complicated, but there are circles like this near our landing sight. Bad shit happens if you bring metal in. So if you want in, strip. That includes that PipBoy coming off."

On stripping and entering the stone circle Brickfielder and Saffron would seemingly encounter nothing. It took straining their ears to hear that soft, tuneless humming.

Brickfielder looks around the circle once he's inside, ear's raised and swiveling ever-so-slowly to pick up the humming. "...Is it... quieter here...?"

As Saffron is rather hastily taking off all of her weapons--which consisted of her shotgun with a shotgun attached to it, a large, heavy pistol converted for full-automatic fire, a switchblade, and a road sign converted into a shield that says ROAD WORK AHEAD. "No, I'm not sure at all..." Saffron replied to Ember, "But I'm going to try anyways. You're all free to stay here while I potentially get hurt on your behalf." She adds. Turning to Quick, she gives him a strange look... Then side glances Brickfielder, as if for help. Then back to Quick, "Stay here, don't go in the circle." She tells him, simply. Then goes to step in. Lingering there a while. With Brickfielder next to her, towering over her. "... Yeah..."

Ember Flare curses under her breath as others seem intent on interacting with the blasted things again. Ember removes her gun and other metals from her possession and approaches the circle warily

 Ember Flare: "Maybe... I can get something out of this" Ember creeps closer to the circle putting one of her hooves in and starts concentrating

Quick Fix rubs the PipBoy. "I can take it off, sure... but it's probably best for me just to stay back in any case. You... ponies seem to know more about this stuff than I do. ...out of curiosity... what happens when a pony enters with metal?"

Saffron's ears flick and lower slightly as she picks up the humming. Yet says nothing, instead sideglancing Ember as she concentrates, getting up close next to her, as if to protect her left; glaring at the nothing around them.

 Sundancer: "More bears."

 Brickfielder: "More bears."

(GM Note): Quick Fix’s player had not read prior game logs, so was as confused by the situation as his PC.

 Quick Fix: "I... see... so, it's like... a magical metal detector that signals them. They're not really animals, are they? Something's controlling them."

 Sundancer: "Our observations are consistent with the construct hypothesis."

 Brickfielder: "Mm, but, we don't know for sure yet. We only made landfall a few days ago. Ember?"

Sundancer: "These circles are communication devices that may connect to the controllers. Their motives are unclear."

When Ember enters the circle and focuses on that ambient magic underhoof she feels like she runs into something. Not exactly a hard sensation but it was startling in the same way raising and knocking your head on a cupboard door would be. It seems to have a similar effect as well, closing something. Those in and near the circle can hear the androginous, ethereal voice of Gatekeeper. “Oh. A gate had been left ajar. Oh forgetful lords.”

Ember Flare pulls her hoof quickly from the circle and takes couple of steps back

Brickfielder raises his head up and glances around. "...Gatekeeper. It's us."

 Quick Fix: "Gate...keeper. It's you..? What are you saying?" He glances between them all, terribly confused.

Saffron watched Ember intently, furrowing her brow slightly with a mixture of worry and questioning; though then Brickfielder spoke up. She turned back around. She grimaces and glares to the air around them. She was on the verge of saying something nasty, but lets Brickfielder talk.

 You seem to have gotten Gatekeeper’s attention now, for better or worse. “Closer has garnered appreciation. What will your compensation be for the service?”

Quick Fix would be brandishing a cross, if he had one. This is otherworldly and entirely outside anything he knows.

 Brickfielder looks down at Saffron, and then back up at the standing stones. "...A trail led here. We think a pony was dragged here by the glass beasts. Where are they now?"

"Yeah, we would like you to tell us what happened to the beings that passed into this gate. We would also like them back as a reward, because their kidnapping is VERY displeasing to us." Saffron adds after Brickfielder, underlining this with a tone that edged just slightly between annoyance and anger.

Brickfielder nods to second Saffron, slipping back into that older brother's voice. "Please and thank you."

 Ember Flare: "Uhh.. Saffron, remember what happened last time"

Saffron gave off a low growl in response to Ember. Her tail tossling around behind her as she snorts angrily, lowering her head a bit while her ears pinned against her head.

Ember Flare puts a hoof on Saffrons shoulder "Don't get too riled up"

Gatekeeper replies with what sounds like a nod. "Ah yes, information. Don't know. A lords used the entrance while attention was elsewhere."

 Ember Flare: "Well that's not really anything to go by"

Quick Fix had no idea what a nod sounded like. Now he does. The poor thing sits by a tree outside the circle, struggling to comprehend exactly what is happening between the pegasi and the incorporeal voice.

The gatekeeper elaborates in nonsense. "two plus eight entities dispatched to Hunt. One returns, injured. Attention was elsewhere.”

Brickfielder takes a deep breath. "...Is there a way we can find out, Gatekeeper? Speak to the... lords?"

Ember Flare presses on "elsewhere? isn't gatekeeping supposedly your whole thing?"

There was a simple and resounding "NO." after Brickfielder's request.

Brickfielder purses his lips a bit, ears flattening backwards. "...Forgive my ignorance, but... why not?"

Quick Fix takes a deep breath, stands, and walks over to the edge of the circle. "Listen. A few hours ago, two ponies were dragged into this clearing and went through your.. gate. All we want to know is where they went and if you can bring them back."

"Compensation has been mete, Closer." Gatekeeper informed. "Leave." It commanded. It seemed less child-ish today.

Saffron's head shoots up, she's about to speak up when Brickfielder takes up the lead again. Luckily this prevents her from raising her voice, as she instead starts stalking around the circle to look for any more tracks that might help them more than Gatekeeper was. Though the 'NO' makes her double back. "Their disappearance is VERY offensive, Gatekeeper! They passed through this gate--that we have just shut for you, and we would like you to help us retrieve what has been stolen! We ask that of you POLITELY; PLEASE help us find what has been lost, and we will find a way to repay you."

Gatekeeper had a darkened tone before the conversation was entirely halted. "For this annoyance the matter will be brought to a Lords attention. The mortals will receive an appropriate response soon."

 Sundancer: "This might be a different gatekeeper."

 Ember Flare pulls on Saffron a bit "Come on... it's no use"

 Sundancer: "We should finish our camp. Explore the vault entrance. Get ready.

Saffron gives off a low growl of quiet simmering fury. She nonetheless takes this response. And as Ember pulls her, she turns around rather gently, snorting loudly through her nostrils as she strides away from the circle and out of it. The anger was visible on her face, reddening the insides of her ears as she returned to her gear, and began to redress. Looking to Quick, frowning as she sighs again; "Sorry, friend. This might not be easy at all."


Interlude: Silver rush

(GM Note): Silver Rush and I did an interlude to cover the time at camp while the other PCs were away.

While the others escorted the infrared on some fool’s errand to assist it, Silver Rush stayed at the camp to keep it secure. If nothing else kept secured against more animals. He had the unenviable task of using a sturdy branch like a broom to get the glass shards as far from their camp as he could. He knew that stuff would dissolve into goo by the morning. Maybe the sand would soak it up and they could toss it into the ocean after. Silver might have been distracted, but he was not so distracted that he could not catch onto somepony watching him. They would be hard to see directly due to their forest patterned camouflage cloaks. But an unknown number of ponies were about forty meters north of the camp, staying in the treeline. He could play it out as if he did not see them or make it known they had been caught.

Silver Rush slyly averts his gaze, not letting the information be known. He pretends to act busied, making his way towards the more hardened cover, picking up the most obvious valuables he can find. Silver Rush makes a show of talking to nonexistent people, pointing and directing at nothing "hey make sure not to drop those too hard!" he laughs and gets into the boat

Silver could get into cover and hunker down without issue. The ponies watching him take a very long twenty five minutes before making any changes. One of them breaks off and walks down along the beach openly. He will approach the camp in an open and somewhat casual fashion. The stallion was an earth pony who had camouflage paint obscuring his actual colouration. Or he could be earth tones, hard to tell at a distance. Silver Rush does not move either, letting the stallion get closer and assessing it. He looks for any signs of weapons or a uniform of some kind

Silver Rush waits for the stallion to get into the complete open of the beach, perking his ears and eyes to try and overhear any clues as to this groups intentions

The stallion had a bow with a full quiver on his back. He could have something else under that cloak but it was hidden. He will approach the edge of the camp but not get into it. Seemed he intended to keep a respectable distance from your stuff. It would be difficult for silver to watch him and not be watched back, so the stallion raises a hoof and calls out. "Stranger! I'm only here to talk. Your scuffle with the magical beasts was heard for a long distance off."

"so much for stealth" he mumbles, slightly surprised they speak the same language. Flourishing, he hops onto the bow of the boat "SO, not bandits after all! much wiser than most to not approach the camp. who are you all, and what is it you wish to speak about?" he flashes a look towards the rest of the group for signs of much less amicable intent

The stallion was a good twenty meters away so both he and Silver would need to half shout across at each other. Particularly over the regular sounds of the waves. "A respectfull distance, aye. Quite rude to enter one's home without invitation. I am part of a group we self refer to as earthen cloaks. I wished to sate curiosity of who I am now speaking with, and what caused your attack."

 "Earthen cloaks...well you might be in luck. We are refugees-- traders, you see. our home is gone, and we arrived here. As for the beasts, they came from the woods. Are they familiar to you?" Silver Rush keeps special attention to hesitation--a sign of holding back from this...pony.

"You have my sorrow for your loss. " The pony seemed almost business like? His emotion might be getting lost over the din. "If it would ease you, may I approach and offer you bread in exchange for your revelations?"

Silver Rush is impressed "a splendid Idea. sit with me by the fire, I am being quite the uncourteous host." Silver Rush hops down into the sand and makes his way towards the camp "and tell your companions to stop sulking in the woods."

The stallion would approach and greet you in person. While again keeping what seemed a respectable distance he, with slow motions, drew a cloth wrapped half loaf of dark & dense bread. It was studded with what would be found to be nuts. He approached the fire and laid the loaf down on the cloth for Silver to inspect, then retreated a little to sit. "They are watchers, I am a speaker. It is just our roles." The cloaked pony, now up close, looked to have been painted in colours that matched his cloak. It was clear he had some sort of military bearing. He looked at ease but was clearly ready in the event Silver was to attempt something.

Silver Rush sits opposite. Curious. for savages this is quite the overt ritual. Much more endearing than attending a bad cocktail party, however they seemed to serve the same purpose

Taking the initiative once food was presented the cloaked pony attempted to gain control of the conversational flow. He said his name was Speaker Tree Feller. He asked for introduction.

Silver Rush inspects the loaf with an astute glance, taking it in hoof and tearing it in two, offering the other half to his dinner guest "we have been living off packaged food for some time, it is surprising to see baked goods"

(GM Note): I called for a negotiation test from Silver to oppose the NPC’s test. To see how much information they got from each other. Silver flubbed pretty hard

Silver and the speaker will talk for about an hour. Well before the rest of your group would have arrived at their destination. The Speaker was quite adept at getting around Silver's techniques. He keeps silver on the defensive and ends up having him spill your cover story. He does not let on how believable the story sounds, only keeping it going with seemingly small questions. It was probably the first time in a long time silver had been able to do what he enjoyed, and the stallion capitalized on it.

The bread, it turns out, would be enjoyable if silver had a taste for nut flour. It would be unlike anything he had eaten in Cloudsdayle. Earthy and dense would be an understatement.

In all Silver would not be able to get much direct information in return. Only snippets and references he would need to piece together. He was speaking with someone from the group you were sent to find. Their leader was apparently named robin hood, compared to the whole group? They had something called druids that would look into the magical beasts for you. They were some kind of speaker for the magical beings. The speaker would give some parting words to silver once the bread had been eaten and Silver had been put through the information ringer. Your group would be welcome to stay where you are, and build if you required. You were not to head north without invitation however. There was a city on the island named Trottingham, but you would need to either cross the mountains or their land to reach it. Once he spoke with their leader it was likely you would be contacted again soon. Welcome to the griffonian isles.


Session 11

Your group was currently split. Most of you were investigating the lost ponies, the vault, and the nearby stone circle. Silver Rush was tending the camp and failing at digging substantial information from his guest. Having been a bit stone walled by Gatekeeper the next item to follow up on was the entrance to the vault itself. Quick fix had a map of the cave available now from his travels outward. He could still connect to the radio signals from the vault once he was closer.

Brickfielder had remained quiet during the group's... discussion of Ember's new friend. Partially out of just thinking and considering the current situation, but also because he doesn't really want to have to deal with... that.

Sundancer has a few ideas of what to say to Ember's smoke friend but keeps it to herself for the time being

Maybe wanting to turn the discussion other way Ember asks the newcomer "so... how far away is this thing?"

"Hey mister Quick Fix?" Saffron suddenly piped up as they sort of swing by the mouth of the cave Quick had originally come out of on the way back, "Are there any radiation suits conveniently past the front door of your vault-place?"

Quick Fix turns his head to regard Ember as they approach the Vault. "It's not long from here. We ran to the circle after we got there, remember? It should only be a few minutes."Then, he looks to Saffron. "No.. I might be able to use my PipBoy's radio to contact the ponies inside, if... i-if they're still alive. That would tell us if the whole Vault was irradiated or not."

 When the away group would investigate the vault they would find the massive steel door still open. It led into an accessway entrance but did not allow passage further. None of the pegasus had seen so much metal used in construction. It was like being on the inside of a vehicle, and even the vertiberts had tempered glass canopy. Yellow emergency lights swept the space. The heavy steel doors would be fixed in place by the lockdown. If you had metal cutting tools or a controlled explosive it would be possible to get through the doors. But for now all that you could do is experience the terrible ambiance and make plans. There were still active radio signals being picked up by Quick Fix’s pip boy.

Sundancer inspects the machinery of the heavy door and turns to Quick "Does that device function as a key to this door?"

 Sundancer: "How did you get out? Did it close behind you?"

Brickfielder's eyes narrow as he looks around, being put off quite a bit by the ever-sweeping emergency lights. "Hope it looks better on the inside..."

Saffron pins her ears at that, looking a little more concerned as her eyes shift between looking into the cave, and back to Quick. "That... Does sound like an idea. Might as well go and see then." Saffron said with some good-natured enthusiasm, stepping back to get beside Quick so he could semi-lead the way to the vault. Until they get there... Then she steps aside and peeks her head around curiously, staring at the MASSIVE steel. And the accessway itself. "Wow. This place has a heck of an ambiance..." Saffron remarked, not going past the open threshold of the giant steel door. Instead preferring to stay in the cave portion, outside, while the others peek around. She looked back to Quick at that point, tucking her wings a bit tighter on her back. "So, can you talk to anyone from here?"

Ember is awed at the huge structure (and the implications)

The emergency vault signal was the most potent currently. Tuning in would start playing in the middle of the currently, and seemingly live, broadcasted message. It sounds like the overseer to Quick. “...containment. Remain where you are. The ‘bots are securing the reactor leak and will begin decontamination. Remain calm to maintain clean air supplies. Ration what food you have available. Water seems to still be clean and functional. I can’t say how long the robots will take and the lockdown can be lifted. Hold onto hope everypony.”

Sundancer listens to Quick explain why he was useless as she starts examining through the door's mechanism for spare parts

 Sundancer: "They seem to be alive. Perhaps if we just knock."

 Ember Flare: "Seems like the situation is still pretty much ongoing... You might be fine but the rest of us?"

Brickfielder casts a glance down at Quick and the PipBoy playing the message, furrowing his brow as he does.

Quick Fix blinks. He's always getting pulled between multiple ponies at a time..! Not like that, perv. "Y-yeah, I think so, and no, it didn't close behind us. It just... stayed like that. I'd never seen the door in my life, before." He messes with his PipBoy a bit with his magic. How the fuck do earth ponies use them, anyway..? Probably their mouths or something. Gross dirt ponies. In any case, that plays the message, and his eyes brighten."I-it sounds like things are okay in there, then... and once they're done, we can let them out, and they... well, they'll have to decide what to do. It's... livable out here, that's for sure, so... maybe it's time to leave."

 Sundancer: "We have a two-way radio at home. If we are going to settle here, I'd like to try to contact them. I don't trust their repair team."

 Sundancer:"Nothing we can do for now, though."

 Ember Flare: "It might be best to get back yes. Silver has been alone there for a while already"

Saffron quirked her brow, the small mare trotting besides Quick and leaning up her muzzle to be able to see the screen of his pipboy with the curiosity of a filly. "Is that a live broadcast?" She asked softly. Her mouth lingering half-open when Sundancer speaks, and quickly nodnodding her head to her, "Yeah we could--help! If we manage to open the door, somehow. I mean, Sunday could at least. We can't without protection..."

Sundancer glances wistfully at the tangle of spare parts the entire vault is made of, refined metal being so precious to her

 Saffron: "... And besides Sunday is the only one with the knowledge to repair anything."

  Sundancer: "The overseer may be trying to calm down his people. I'm sure he's not going to turn down help."

"But... they're robots. You are a robot. What are you saying, Sundancer...?""Oh-" and, once again, Saffron's up all close 'n personal and checking out his PipBoy. "Ah... yes, maybe we could help... I'm not sure what kind of radiation the reactor puts out, actually! If it's standard gamma, then we're all boned... but, it could be magic. I must confess it's not really something I focused on in my classes..."

Sundancer tries to not act offended and fails "I don't trust *your* robots."

 Quick Fix: "If it is magic, though, Sundancer will be able to enter without a problem. Stuff doesn't go through suits and won't do a thing to a robot."

Quick Fix regards Sunday incredulously.

 Sundancer: "Pride in your work is a desirable subroutine."

Brickfielder casts just as incredulous a look down at Quick. "We've not gotten much of a reason to trust most of this isle. Let alone the robots here."

Saffron speaks up quietly. "I mean if your robots are doing okay then... Sundancer, being cool as she is, she might be okay too. Otherwise your robots will have been slagged by now and, your overseer just straight-up lied in that case."

Sundancer averts her eyes

 Quick Fix: "Mmn.. I don't know. If they had lead chassi, then they'd be fine in any case. Again, I really couldn't tell you.. and, personally, I don't have much of a reason to trust *you*, either! ...helpful as you might have been so far."

 Ember Flare: "Well do you wanna keep trusting us and come back to the camp or are you staying here?" Ember says in jesting manner

 Sundancer: "Talk to the overseer yourself. I fear the situation is worse than they're letting on."

Saffron, while everyone else plays up their wastelander traits, shrugs with her wings and slightly falls back down to her height from standing on her tippy hooves. She was smaller than Quick, albeit slightly! She looks between the others and Quick, taking a step back as she wries her lips bitterly at the current conversation of 'trust'. "Mhmm... Uhm." Saffron pauses, trying to shift the subject a bit, "We have a radio, a two-way one? Big bulky one. We could get in touch with anypony or maybe the robots inside, and maybe we could get in that way. We could also break and enter. But... Iunno, up to you mister Quick Fix. It's YOUR home..."

Quick Fix: "Look, let's move past that. Point is that we have no idea if the Overseer is telling the truth or not and going inside could be deadly. I don't think it would be a bad plan to go get that two-way radio and see if we can contact him... if that doesn't work, Sundancer can go in, and hopefully not get fried by any potential gamma radiation. Or... we could just wait and see what he has to say later. The ponies inside can go a day without water, if he was lying even about that... and we can decide what to do tomorrow."

Saffron lightly kicks a stone and pouts a little. But nods her head in agreement. "Back to camp we go then." Saffron chirped, turning around and starting the walk back the way they came in through the cave system. Biting her lip as she stays quiet, grimacing a bit to herself.

Brickfielder doesn't have any objections to leaving, being more at ease once he's away from the discomforting atmosphere outside the Vault. "We'll figure something out...

Quick Fix leads the way through the system with his horn lit and his PipBoy light on, and soon enough they're staring at sunlight once more. From there, possessing a neat little map, he leads them back to camp and is just as quiet as he usually is.

Your trip back out of the cave might feel like a breath of fresh air. To say it was stuffy at the vault entrance might be an understatement. It might even be called claustrophobic. It would take a little bit of time to get back to the camp. But once you were there Silver would certainly have some news regarding the time you were away.

Quick Fix is permanently immune to claustrophobia because he's not a fucking idiot bird.

Saffron visibly puffs out a huff once she's approaching the exit of the cave. "You lived there for how long, mister Quick Fix?..." She asked Quick on the way back, even whilst she picked up the pace to a stride to get back a little bit quicker... eager to see their boss again, and if he got shanked or not.

 Quick Fix: "Uh.. since I was born. I suppose I can understand how it might feel being down there, after experiencing such... openness on the surface. The sky... um, it still makes me a little sick to look up. Even if it's such a pretty blue..."

Silver Rush perks up as the sound of crashing branches hits his ears again... Only this time it's good news it seems. He hops off the boat and dusts himself of sand "well squad... We had visitors. I found the rebel griffons. Or rather... They found us"

 Sundancer: "Did they leave a calling card?"

 Silver Rush:  "seems they have ponies on their side t--" he stops short as the smol vault boy manifests. Oh right he's still here. "no.. Some camo'd up ponies approached the camp and we... Had a chat"

"Oh." Saffron's ears lowered with some embarrassment for a moment, side glancing him with a small smirk as she chuckled to herself. "How old are you though?" She asked him suddenly, her curiosity getting the better of her. Though it's also around that time that they start to reach the shore, walking over the prickly grass nearing the sand as they pass the last few trees and shrubs. Though before he'd answer, Silver's call to them made her turn around; frowning deeply. "Oh, there's more ponies living around here huh..."

Brickfielder looks around the campsite with a more scrutinizing gaze as soon as Silver mentions that there were visitors. "Camo, huh..."

Ember Flare: "Well chatting sounds generally preferrable to other alternatives"

 Silver Rush: "told them our story, refugees from our dead city, and their leader laid out some ground rules for our new settlement here"

 Quick Fix: "Your... story, huh?" Quick remained mostly quiet throughout the whole exchange, but that little note made him quirk a brow.

Ember turns to Quick "We went through quite a lot getting to this island. We've actually only been here for scant few days really"

Saffron crossed her forelegs as she stood there in the middle of the beach, sort of in the open and soaking in the sun for a bit while she just scowled more and more. Turning to Quick Fix, she purses her lip. "We're from Fillydelphia. It's a bit of a story, a really shitty one--for us. Guess you could say we can relate to you since Fillydelphia got bucked over, and now most of the ponies we know are gone... We're all that's left, as far as we know."

Silver Rush looks to saffron "yeah it seemed like they were tribal kinda? They smeared camo patterns on their fur and were equipped with bows. Maybe they were locals first?"

Quick Fix softens his look, regarding both members of the party with an *empathetic* expression. "Ah, I see... well... at least you're here, now. Apart from the bears, it seems like this is a good place to settle... and you're well-armed, too. I'm sure we should be able to build something good here. Maybe with the help of the Vault?"

Saffron's lip purses further into her cheek. She shuffles in place a little bit, almost awkwardly, before turning to Silver when he addresses her. Her first response is an amuse snort through her nostrils and a blink, "Tribal? Is that who we're dealing with?" She asked, not too amused or pleased by that. It was easy to fake, since she really did feel hesitant about it. "Let's hope they don't raid us. They were friendly, right?" She asked. She doesn't ignore Quick Fix however, flashing him a sympathetic smile, and a nod, shuffling a few steps towards him. "That's the best case scenario, mister Quick Fix."

 Quick Fix: "Right! Oh, and Saffron... my 18th is a couple months from now. Not that it matters, for now, alone and outside of society. It seems pretty lawless out here - though, Silver, you said something about ground rules for this settlement? There must be a town nearby, then, right?"

 Silver Rush: "they seemed peaceful. He didn't seem to mind we were here, just said not to approach their camp etc etc. But that we could stay here. The battle with thr bears is what tipped them off to our position, so they know about that too"

Brickfielder looks down at Quick with surprise. Suddenly he's not the young one of the group. ...He feels old.

Saffron half-opened her mouth to answer Silver when Quick low-key lets on that he's 17, and a doctor. She blinked her eyes, utterly surprised by this for about a second, before smiling at him and nodding in understanding, "Heheh, you'll make us all feel old." She joked, jabbing him gently on the shoulder with her hoof and nodding at him amicably. Then, she'd return her glance to Silver. Taking a moment to soak in the information and let her smile ebb away, nodding along slowly... "Did you ask them about Gatekeeper, maybe?"

 Ember Flare: "Oh yeah I didn't want to say anything while that thing was around, but I might possibly do something with those circles. Maybe. I got some feel to the magic but it was very brief"

"Elaborate on 'do something'." Brickfielder makes a conscious effort to not look at the smoke monster while asking Ember.

 Ember Flare: "Well they're apparently some sort of doors. perhaps linking each circles together? I can't say yet. It might be risky to mess with them of course but it seemed that gatekeepers attention isn't always on the circles"

 Brickfielder: "Doors, or windows, or something. ...You think you can get to one when the Gatekeeper isn't 'looking'...?"

Quick Fix can't help but blush. He's not *that* young... right? "U-uh... well, I'm sure you all aren't that much older than me. You don't look it, that's for sure."Ignored by Silver-senpai, he trots deeper into the camp and has a look around. Five tents... that means he's going to be sleeping with someone, or.. in the boat, maybe?"Hey, uh... where am I going to be sleeping?"

 Ember Flare: "Well hopefully... I mean if you think it's a good idea? We should have enough beds, usually at least someone should be keeping watch when others sleep"

  Sundancer: "You can sleep in the boat."

Saffron gave Ember a VERY worried look; frowning and half-lowering her ears. "You sure you'll be okay if you do that? Gatekeeper can zap you if he notices, so it'd be a bit of a gamble... But if you're sure, Ember." Saffron says, getting a bit closer to their mutant friendly and, bravely, closer to Smokey.

 Saffron: "Oh and also, I think he could sleep in my tent? He's small enough. I'll go roost in the boat, is fine."

 Sundancer: "We could finish this cabin tonight if we pulled together, but I'm going to work on fortifications first."

 Quick Fix: "Oh, right! I didn't think about that. I guess we can just rotate. No need to give up your tent, Saffron."

Saffron tilts her muzzle upward and stands on her tippy hooves, wings arching by her sides as she goes: "Nnnnnnnnnn'oh." in wholehearted disapproval, "You deserve a reasonably good sleeping place after what happened. AND BESIDES!" The red mare lightly flaps her wings (because she almost falls over from standing on tippy hooves), "I have slept in worse places, and the boat is very safe." She lies through her teeth, nodding to herself.

Brickfielder stays silent. He's not intent on giving up his tent or sharing it with a kid.

 Silver Rush: "I mean.. Grab some sticks and a cloth and make a lean to. I can't expect anyone to give up their bed, newbie. You're going to need to pull weight. I'm sure one of them could show lend you a blanket" he cuts off saffrons worry

Saffron pouts something fierce at Silver Rush. But seeing as he's the boss, she snorts loudly in silent disapproval and shrugs it off. She does cast an apologetic glance towards Quick Fix, "Hey, Quick Fix, you want to help me deal with some badgers?"

"U-um.." Quick looks between Silver and Saffron, unsure who exactly to listen to. "A lean-to... I've heard about those, in books.. I'm not sure I could make one. I guess, um, I can... sleep in the boat?"By the look on his face, it is a very unattractive prospect."Badgers? Where? And what do you want me to do about them?"

Saffron beams with a big cheery smile, she beckons him quickly as she rears up on her hind legs excitedly. "Over here, come on! We're gonna try and make them go away, since they might steal our food and be annoying later on. Maybe you can bother them enough with your magic I don't know anything about?"

Quick Fix walks along with Saffron, frowning. "I can heal ponies and ease their pain. Once... I teleported! But I've never been able to do it again. So, um, not very useful skills to deal with Badgers, I think? But I can give you moral support!"

Saffron laughs at the 'moral support' bit, "Alright, moral support." She hip bumps him with a cheeky grin all over her face, "--I've been having trouble even making them come out of their hidey hole, so maybe you can help me out in being patient." She turned her head back towards the trees where she had last seen the badger's hidey hole, "Maybe I should make some bait..."

If Ember was within hearing distance, her ears would definitely twitch at what Quick mentioned, She'd definitely need to talk to that pone

(GM Note): We move onto a time skip for a couple days of time. Everyone contributes to some physical labor for starting to set up wooden palisades for their camp to be. Ember and Quick go deal with an ongoing badger problem. Ember does some musical investigation of the stone circles. Silver tries to follow the tracks of their earthen cloak visiter.

Building the palisade with more or less everyone's help over the next few days will be a lot of work, but doable. You do not have a large camp to defend. Making bindings to keep them straight will take almost more time than felling logs. But with the space you clear from the forest you would have enough room to make a new camp. You can future proof your work by making enough space for cabins in the future. In all you plot out a space some forty feet across, giving you room for a few cabins eventually. After a few days you have made steady progress felling trees and preparing bindings and glues. From here full construction can begin in earnest.Saffron and Quick will manage to get the badgers moved out of their burrow with a bit of controlled smoke and plugging some holes. It will take quite a while to get it right but after a few days the pair can scare the furry monsters off. Silver’s attempt at following the tracks ended at the edge of the beach. These ponies must be pretty well versed in hiding their tracks. It seemed safe to say they likely knew the local area quite well. It would be extremely difficult to follow their movements.Ember Flare would find the smoke monster vanishing on it’s own when she went to sleep that first night. She might have some control over calling it, but had none when it came to forcing it to vanish. When it comes to the stone circles Ember will make some discoveries over the next few days. When Gatekeeper was not actively paying attention to a site their voice was distant. As long as she kept quiet she seemed to be able to avoid drawing attention. When she felt for the door she could get a feel for it, a force that occupied the center of the circle but was largely intangible and very hard to notice. It had no obvious way of entrance or opening however. It could very well not open from this “side.” It would take deeper investigation somewhere to figure what sort of key opened the lock.

Brickfielder's chance to focus on work does help him cope with the ongoing situation. Really, it's the times when he has no work to do that seem to make him antsy, scanning around more, mind wandering to places he'd rather it not. Then he generally tries to busy himself with his gear... but that sword only needs so much cleaning and tending.

Although Quick was only there for 'moral support', saffron still does give him directions; telling to put a bundle of sticks and kindling over there, lighting a small smokey fire--showing him how to do it at the same time, and having him help her plug holes while she scared off the critters with loud noises, angry flapping, and aggressive but brief chasing and stick throwing. For herself, she makes adept use of baits to draw out the badgers as well. And he also allows her to have good company while she does things. By the end of it, she comes back from it a bit sweaty and exhausted from being under the sun so much, but she smiled happily and gave Quick a nice HOOFBUMP for the good work, "How was that, mistah Quick Fix?"

(GM Note): Quick and Sundancer dice off to see if the vault dweller would be able to notice the robot was more than what she appeared. Quick did not notice anything in the first few days.

Quick Fix blushes lightly. Hoof-holding...! But only for a moment. He thinks he did well, despite not really having any idea about animals or fire or bait or anything to do with the surface, really... it's nice to gain a little experience! "It was.. c-cool! I'm not sure I really helped, but.. I'm glad you brought me along. I think I might be able to light a fire, now... or at least get some smoke going."

Saffron pouts at him and goes on her tippy hooves to match his height for but a moment, "Youuu shut the heck up right there, you helped tons." She falls back to the flats of her hooves and nods to herself sagely to underline her statement, "You were good company and you helped me do things a bit faster, that's really good." She nodnods again, looking back to their hoof work and sighing with satisfaction, brushing aside some sweat from her cheeks. "Now all that's left is picking up that radio and checking on your vault..." She said, already stepping off.

 Saffron: "And maybe making a lean-to. But I'll be hecked if I let you sleep like crap on your first day with us, that's not cool. You're going in my tent, nuhuh."

It was four days in, eight since the squad arrived here, that the Speaker that Silver Rush had spoken to made another appearance. Silver would be alert enough to catch the cloaked ponies approaching and the speaker breaking off once they were within shouting distance of your camp. Once again the cloaked and painted pony made an obvious approach along the beach, stopping a respectable distance from your camp. Currently Brickfielder, Ember, Sundancer, and Silver were in the camp at the time. “Hello again!” The speaker yelled over the sound of the surf. “I see you are doing well! It is good I can meet some of your companions. May I approach?”

 Silver Rush sees the painted ponies approaching and the familiar voice of their speaker. with a quick flourish he dons his salesman persona again "you've returned! come come, what is on your mind, neighbor"

Brickfielder's taken notice of the approach before the shouting started, and looks at Silver as the group gets close. These are people he's familiar with. ...Just to be safe, he makes sure his sword is strapped to him.

Sundancer uses the time she's out of sight to move next to the tent her rifle is in and stand still

Ember attempts to put on a friendly face

The stallion earthen cloak approached your camp and slowly drew out a bundle wrapped in cloth about a foot square. He offered the bundle to Silver Rush when nearby, it had three loaves of that nut bread that, while not warm, smelled fresh. “A small gift. I wished to check up on how you were fairing. It seems my timing is good to meet a few more of you at camp. It looks like you have done quite a bit of work since last time.”

 Silver Rush: "yes yes, when your first introduction to this land are wild vicious bears, it pays to be cautious. cant have any animals ripping us to shreds at night, wouldn't you agree?"

 Ember Flare: "Well nice to make your acquaintance, seems we just missed you when we were helping out this poor lad in the forest"

Brickfielder elects to follow Silver Rush up, keeping his wings folded tight at his side and his head up. He'd been keeping himself as well-kept as he could during this time, so considers himself still plenty presentable. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance as well. Silver told us about you, given we did indeed miss you last time."

Tree Feller would generally keep a respective distance from Sundancer, brickfielder, and ember. But he gave each of them a nod of greeting in turn. He moved from small talk fairly quickly. “I have spoken with outour leader, Robin Hood, regarding your presence as well as the druids regarding the attack on you by the magical beasts. In time, once he is comfortable with your intent here our leader intends to come speak with you in person. I cannot say what he has planned, except that it should improve our relations. As for the attack, it seemed that another group on the island, likely those from Trottingham, have recently angered the masters of the magical beasts. Their masters however tend to be indiscriminate in retaliation for slights. Our druids have made efforts to mend their temperament.”

Brickfielder keeps a serious face, not at all betraying his internal reaction to the mention of 'another group' angering the magical beings. "...It's certainly an issue we're not used to dealing with."

 Ember Flare: "Oh, anything we should know not to make them more irritated than they are?"

Tree Feller nodded to Ember once again and noted “You have likely seen stone and mushroom fairy circles in the woods. It is best that you avoid entering them, particularly at night. Especially so when wearing iron. Otherwise simply avoid the magical beasts that are sometimes found in the deeper woods. They do not act like normal animals and the larger ones hunt for sport. You look to have the right idea in setting up defenses for yourselves.”

 Ember Flare: "You mentioned this Trottingham place? We're obviously a bit at loss on the island so we'd appreciate any pointers you might have"

The earthen cloak stallion tries to keep his pleasant persona, but seems unable to keep the naked disdain from his voice when speaking about Trottingham. “There is a city on the northern edge of the isle that is full of the small minded and childish. They cling to relics of the old world and refuse to listen when it comes to matters of harmony with the natural world.” He tightens up a bit. “But, hmm. I am unsure how large populations are on the mainland. But the city has some sixty thousand ponies and griffons living within and on it’s surrounding ,smaller islands.The griffons keep contact with the griffon lands to the east for trade. Getting past their self focused nature, the inhabitants are mostly honest folk. I would not say you should avoid them, but the trek to the city would force you through our lands, or to cross the mountains. Although you all seem to have wings, so perhaps crossing the mountains is not a major problem?”

 Brickfielder: "It would... not be easy, necessarily. But, certainly not as bad as trying to scale mountains on hoof."

 Silver Rush: "sixty thousand....would we be able to get into the city as normal? while we dont have much a city that size should provide opportunity to acquire more goods for us to survive out here. or potential work. And of course we wouldn't want to trespass through your lands to do so, but we might need some directions to navigate to it"

(GM Note): Silver rush tested Questioning to pull information in a friendly conversation. He succeeded.

Your group learns a bit more of the earthen cloaks and their leader robin hood, at least directly from them. You hear a bit that was in your reports. They are a separatist group from Trottingham that split a decade ago due to differences in beliefs. The earthen cloaks have a reverence for nature and have an aversion to technologies they cannot craft out of natural, unrefined materials. Trottingham is full of failing technology from the old world that they cannot maintain, but it still gives them a fairly decadent life that hurts the island's forests. They consider the city fairly toxic, but understand that it is only the higher ups that make it that way and keep that status quo. Their group numbers about two thousand and is split into a few specialtys. The watchers are their border patrolser and rangers. The speakers are their smallest group but keep relations with Trottingham stable, including converting some of the population to their ways. The druids are spiritually attuned ponies who deal with matters of magic and faith. Everyone is trained for combat and survivalism however. The most important and odd thing you learn though is their leader, Robin Hood, is ordained and chosen by a magical artifact granted to them by the masters of the magical creatures. It grants their leader great wisdom and keen senses. The artifact chose the bearer itself when their group formed.

Sundancer decides early on that reacting to any of this information in the slightest way could be disastrous so tries to play the part of an inanimate object as much as their ideology becomes more and more concerning to her. Luckily standing at attention silently is a skill she mastered in boot camp.


Interlude: Saffron/ Quick Fix Slashfic

(GM Note):The following segment is an out of session role play between Saffron and Quickfix’s players. It is provided here mainly for potential context and entertainment.)

Quick Fix:

 "Oh.. but doesn't that mean you have to sleep outside? It.. it d-doesn't feel right to just... kick you out." Quick frowns some. It's not a nice look for him... but, in the future, she might see worse faces. Things... will be rough, for him, in time.

Saffron:

 Saffron rolled her eyes with a minor annoyance, slowing down just so she can turn around and look at him more directly. "You're not kicking me out. I'm kicking myself out so you can sleep better--there's a difference." She stares at him in the eyes with purpose and intent, a distinct determination in her fiery copper-colored eyes. "It would make me happier knowing you're sleeping better after all that's happened.  Help eachother out." She smirked, lightly giving him an off-hoof slap on the chest.  "Aight?" She hit with that, grinning as they paused there and she waited for his response.

Quick Fix:

 The colt recoiled at the look in her eyes, naturally submitting to such a show of confidence and force. It was out of compassion for him, though... a strange combination. He let out a yelp when she smacked his chest.. it was kinda cute! And still quite androgynous. "Alright, alright! But we'd better find a way to make both of us comfy in the future, yeah? It's not great for anypony to spend the night outside, especially if it rains.. and I don't think the others are focusing on getting those cabins up any time soon." Then, though, an idea strikes him. "Wait... how big are those tents, exactly?"

Saffron:

 Saffron's brow furrows slightly as he yelps from her light smack. She coughs out a chuckle, then she bites her lips and snickers--softly wheezing, but she contains her laughter as her ears flick down and then up again once; looking him up and down once... Before he sees her slightly shaking her head at him with a big smirk.  She listens to what he has to say, rubbing at her cheek to massage away her smirk. Then she lifts an eyebrow at his question... Before her looks flattens slightly as she quickly connects the dots. "Well, they're one-pony tents. Brickfielder is huge so he has the bigger two-pony tent for himself. It'd be a bit of a squeeze if we both went into one; even if we're both tiny." She turned her head slightly, looking at him from sidelong briefly.

Quick Fix:

 All Quick can do in response to that laughter is scrunch up and blush. So what if it didn't hurt? So what if he was startled because he was all tense from her strong attitude? He's not... weak! "A-ahem! Well. I.. wouldn't mind, I don't think? It'd be... new, that's for sure, but I suppose we could always put something thin between us if it was a little too tight."

Saffron:

 Saffron just smiled with a mixture of amusement and genuine warmth at his scrunchy blush, crossing her forelegs as they had now stopped there to talk. "Well uh," She downcasts her eyes as she considers lying through her teeth for a moment, "I--uhm..." She swallowed her lip and suddenly her face became much more meek; her smile fading as her eyes darted with a slight panic. "I'veneversleptwithanyponyelseasidemymom." She rapidly confesses in one breath. Then, taking a breath, she looks up at him, "Muchlessastallion BUT--" She laughs nervously, grinning a bit more forcefully as she lifts a hoof to rub the side of her neck, "I don't--care?" She lied, nodding to herself once and giving a quick shrug with her wings; looking off to the side as she speaks. "I'm okay with it. If it makes you feel better it's fine by me. Though--we wouldn't be able to really put anything in between us without making it really uncomfortable..." She said, her tone deflating to a whisper by the end of it. Wings tucking onto her back.

Quick Fix:

 That... was some serious fluster. Not even Quick could rise to such heights of apparent embarrassment. "O-oh. Um. You seem... a little... uncomfortable with it? I.. think, as long as I'm someplace I won't get rained on - it rains here, right? - then I.. should be fine. Perhaps if we overturn the boat, I can use it for cover and sleep on the sand. As long as I have a blanket underneath me, it should be at least... comfortable."

Saffron:

 Saffron half-extends her wings as she goes: "NONONO--I'm--totally comfortable!" Saffron states with a flick up of her hoof, a gesture so quick it accidentally flicks some sand at Quick's boots as the small mare scrunches her muzzle like an accordion, "--It's fine, really; we'll sleep back to back, it's not--not an issue." She wiggled her snout, pouting at him for mentioning the boat again.  "I'm not making you sleep on the boat. Or under it." She stated matter-of-factly. Stamping her hoof on the ground aggressively! "--And yes it does rain. Also gets super foggy." She looked at the sky once, then back down to Quick within the same second. Still sporting that pout.

Quick Fix:

 "Oh. Okay! Okay!" He raised a hoof in defeat, shying back from the red mare as before. She was very strong when she wanted to be..! At least, in personality. Quick had no idea how strong the mare was physically. Hopefully, he'd never have to find out. "Well... alright. You sure you wouldn't want a blanket or something between us? Just, so it's less.. um... less a-awkward. You know...?"

Saffron:

 Saffron's wings quickly fold back onto her back; flicking up along her back a little bit with a hint of nervousness as she fixes him the most scrunchy pout he'd ever seen for a good silent 2 seconds... Eyes darting as she thinks about it... Then: "Fine..." She muttered, with much more disappointment in her voice than she probably intended to show; which immediately made her pin her ears as she fixed her look on him again, nodding her head once.  "I do have emergency blankets in my baggage; shouldn't be an issue to put something between us. It'd just be a bit uncomfy, maybe, kinda." She muttered, nickering softly as she turned around with a slightly lowered head; glaring around them as if to check for any eavesdroppers as she resumed walking across the beach to their camp, just so they can briefly steal the large, almost backpack sized scavenged portable radio kit (by asking permission from Silver possibly).

Quick Fix:

"...hm." Quick noticed that little twinge of disappointment evident in Saffron's features. Why would she... want their backs to be bare and together? Perhaps she wanted the warmth, the softness... it was a little strange to him, though. They would be naked...! Sleeping together! Naked! Nothing but their fur between their butts! What was the red pega getting at exactly? "Well, I suppose we should hurry back. There's probably still work to do."

Saffron:

 "There is, kinda. I don't know if you're good at building palisades and stuff..." Saffron remarked back to him in reply, half-turning her head to look back towards him with that confident smirk again; despite the slight blush evident on her ears in spite of the red colored fur. "Plus we haven't figured out how to contact your vault, either... Gotta work on that." She adds, wrying her lips into a bitter frown, turning ahead again as she ambled along.

Quick Fix:

 "Right.. well, it was probably encrypted. I'm not really a tech kind of pony... and the robot, she deals with medicine, I'm not she's really... programmed for that either. So our best bet is just sending her in and seeing what happens, after we give the broadcast another listen. Still not great... but it's our best chance at finding out what's really going on in there."

Saffron:

 Saffron grumbles a quiet: "Me neither. Makes me angry." as she remained alongside him, turning her head to fully listen to him; both ears flicking down slightly as he speaks. "Breaking and entry then?" Saffron chewed the inside of her cheek as she looked off with a squint, "We'll have to get the proper tools, maybe. We don't have power tools laying around but..." She pauses to look down to the  variety of tools she had on her webbing vest, covered in pouches of different types, clip-on harnesses, ropes... Plus the backpack of stuff she lugged around.  "We'll give it a closer look tomorrow and with some luck we can figure out exactly what we need, and find a way to get it." She nods to herself. Then glanced ahead slightly more, "... Guess uh..." She lowers her voice, and then just ends up going quiet. If he'd look at her, he would see her just sloooowly looking away from him while tightening her lips shut.

Quick Fix:

 "Probably. Or... maybe the Overseer will lift the lockdown, things will return to normal, and we can join forces with the Vault... though. Things are rarely that easy in these kinds of situations, huh..?" Quick sighed. His PipBoy probably contained significant power or software to help him mess with the Vault's systems, but he lacked both the skill and know-how to make use of it. The more time he spent with the squad, the more he was feeling useless... the doctor-bot seemed confident, he had little strength to help out around the camp, and his skill and knowledge with the outside word was limited to the few things he'd read in books - fiction and non-fiction. "Not sure where we'll find power tools just... lying around. But, heck, maybe that nearby settlement has something like that...?" He tilted his head at the way she was acting. But... failed to comment. His interpersonal skills were okay, but too weak to really tell or have the confidence to investigate what was going on with her.

Saffron:

 "--We'll figure something out." Saffron, albeit with a more gentle tone, insists with confidence that things will work out. Her eyes didn't look at him, but she smiled earnestly as she spoke, "... Things will...-- Work out in the end." She said. Her voice stiffened, wanting to sound confident but not managing it entirely--her voice hitching with a sliver of doubt that lingered in her voice.  But then that doubt quickly passes, and finally she half-turned her head to look at him with her sides from sidelong. "Au--hm--" She half-opened her mouth, wanting to say something. But nothing coherent comes out, she just smiles sheepishly and chuckles to herself, glancing off a moment then looking to him again as her hoof scuffs the ground audibly mid-step--making her half-stumble forward, but she kept going without skipping a beat.  "Gosh dang its--I uh, do you-- I--" She scrunchies her muzzle something fierce. And then makes a noise when she realizes she's being bad at the whole talking thing. "Mrrgmrrr."

Quick Fix:

 The unicorn watched her fumble and stutter, seemingly for no good reason. What was she caught up on? Well... the topic - her beginning - 'we'll work something out; things will work out in the end'. ...hm. Perhaps the pegasus needed reassurance.  "H-hey, it's... I'm sure it will be fine. Sure, we can't get into the Vault right now, and it looks bad, but maybe the Overseer really does have things under control? And, if he doesn't, maybe we can find a way to get in? This can... go right. And we'll find a way. It's going to be... i-it's going to be okay, Saffron. I believe in us."

Saffron:

 Saffron fully stopped walking at that point, again. She pinned her left ear and flicked the other half-up in his direction to listen, but didn't look at him; instead staring at her own boot-clad hooves as her tail slowly sweeped behind her with an increasing nervousness, and her wings shuffled along her back. Her eyes seemed really distant as she seemingly got caught up on... Something.  "I--I believe in us too, Quick Fix." She quickly speaks up, albeit softly and without her usual bravado. There was honesty in her voice, but she did not have much in the way of conviction. "... I have a lot on my mind, is all." She wried her lip into a frown, sighing through her nose as her hoof scuffs the dirt.

Quick Fix:

"You should. The rest of the group... they're capable. Different, unique in their own ways... but they'll figure a way around anything. And you, you'll never give up. You have... that spirit." Quick, too, had stopped walking. Things had surely been rough on them all in recent times. Saffron just needed... a little boost. "Just... try and take your mind off for a moment. We had fun trying to drive out the beavers, didn't we..? We'll keep doing that. We'll work towards making this place livable and help each other. Help the Vault. Heck, maybe join the ponies nearby, one day - or make our own settlement! It's exciting." He gave her a gentle nudge - but.. no, that wasn't enough. Inspired by the confidence of an earlier butt-bump, he leant in and wrapped his forelegs around her neck in a side-hug.

Saffron:

 Saffron winced as he just kept encouraging her and being nice to her. She smiled genuinely to him telling her she has 'that spirit'; while a soft chuckle escaped through her nostrils and she rolled her eyes good-naturedly. She still didn't look at him as he kept speaking, and being nice. Her smile fades, albeit slowly.  "That--... That sounds nice, yeah." She mutters, gritting her teeth as the mere statement hurts her emotionally; wincing a little more as her eyes suddenly do dart towards him after the nudge, looking at his hoof. Then at him as he side-hugged her. Her eyes winking shut for a second as she truly looked sad, in a way she could not hide by just being stoic or smiling; eyes glistening wetly in the sunlight.  "Fuck." Is all she managed to say at first, giggling as her voice cracks. "Hehehnngh--Just--" She doesn't lean away from his hug, despite herself, "--Just stop being nice to me for a second." She throws out a huge sigh.

Quick Fix:

 Quick's smile began to fade as his behaviour seemed only to make her more melancholy... and the mood spread to him, too, even if he wasn't sure why either of them were sad. He was helpless to keep himself from empathising with this poor mare, whatever it was exactly she was going through. Whatever was making her want to reject his kindness as if she didn't deserve it. "Hey." His voice had deepened; the bass was softer and more soothing than his usual pitch.. and perhaps, in that moment, Saffron could tell what Quick really was. He was... opening up to her, instead of gaining distance; instead of shying away from her inexplicable sadness, he was making himself more vulnerable in an attempt to help the pegasus. "I don't know what you've been through. I don't know where you came from. I don't know who you are. But... you, you're a pony. Whatever you've done... whatever's been done to you... you're deserving of kindness." He leant down his head and nuzzled into her cheek.

Saffron:

 It did not help. Saffron's ears pinned as he subtly changed his tone with her, and her wings tensed up tangibly--the other that wasn't currently against Quick weakly flapping once, flap, before returning to her back to nervously flick up and down nervously. Her eyes pointedly looked away from him to avoid eye contact, but did not lean away from his sudden affection.  Specifically, she subtly flicked her head back a little bit from his mouth when it nuzzled into her cheek. But not instantly. As she swallowed dryly again, he could hear the squeak going down her voice as she closed her eyes and whispers pleadingly to the air. "This isn't fair... It's not."  Her face grimaces into a wince as a tear does drip down her cheek from her eye, but she doesn't acknowledge it as she turns more towards Quick Fix. Her face flat at first. Inhaling sharply to regain some composure.  "Not everypony deserves kindness, Quick Fix." She whispered to him. Despite how hard she tried to look cold, her tone was still gentle.  "You do, for sure, but--" She pauses, looking away from his eyes. "... You don't know me, okay? I don't..." She stops there, unsure of how to continue.

Quick Fix:

 Many little ideas and theories were floating around in Quick's head, but he didn't let anything take. It wasn't about solving Saffron; it was about helping her. Comforting her. And, hoh, did this poor little red horse need comfort. Even if she didn't seem to want to accept it… For some time, Quick did nothing but listen, and then stay silent. He moved his muzzle down to her neck, where he could nuzzle a little easier without making it hard for her to look around and speak. ...also made it harder to lean out of it, too. "You're right. I don't know you. But... you don't know me, either. It doesn't matter what someone has done in the past. All that matters is who they are here and now. And you... you're the nicest pony I've met out here. Nicer than anypony back home. Talking to you.. I could almost forget today." Quick still hadn't let go of her and his grip grew even tighter. "Something's tearing you up, bad. Maybe it's something that happened to you. Maybe it's something you've done. But nothing.. nothing is so bad that you are undeserving of my help. Of anypony's help. Alright?" His voice cracked, a little, but there were no tears.

Saffron:

 Saffron's eyes followed him as he nuzzled into her neck, her expression wincing a bit more. He was close enough to hear her heart drumming against her ribs deep within her chest; quickened by some strong emotion that she wasn't truly showing. Her head shifts back predictably to try to lean back a bit more, but she doesn't put much effort into resisting and ends up just letting him do what he was doing. Flicking up and ear to listen closely, while her eyes finally do focus entirely on him; even if they do not really make eye contact for longer than a second.  Her eyes narrowed slightly to something he had said, hastily flicking up a foreleg to brush off a tear with her sleeve while she spoke with a thicker, stiff voice; "What do you mean--back home? Nicer than back home? H-how is that even--possible?" She asked, in disbelief, furrowing her brow as she scoffs a little and mutters on a quieter note: "I-I'm not that nice, come on." She purses her lip into her cheek. Sniffling once. "Heh--all--all I did was try to help a little bit... Is all. You needed it." Then spends a moment actually looking at him in the eyes. And after a couple seconds, she sighed heavily and averted her eyes, but started to lean a little more against him; shuffling more towards him and leaning her side into him. Though she doesn't hug back, just tilts her head to allow him to nuzzle her neck like he was already.

Quick Fix:

That little heart beat so strongly... Was it the contact? Her past? Something... else? Quick couldn't know. He hoped, at least, some part of this was helping her feel better. That was all he was really good for. Making ponies feel better... physically, mentally... and feeling what they felt. He couldn't quite understand it, but at least he could use it to try and lift them from their emotional pits. "Back at home, I... wasn't really anypony. Sure, my scores were good, and dedicated myself to my job, but, I.. never really fit in. Doctors aren't common down in the Vault."  He reached one of his hooves up to stroke her mess of a mane, relieving some of the pressure. "With you, today... it felt like.. I mattered. Like somepony cared about me. Like... I was unique. N-not just... special." His voice really was wavering, then, losing some of its bass as tears threatened to run down his cheeks. Not yet, though.. not yet. He'd cry when he had the privacy not to be strong. "Ponies help their friends when.. when they need it. And you t-tried your best to make me feel as nice as possible, today," he sniffled, "and I'll never forget it. I'll never forget it. Okay? So.. stop beating yourself up."

Saffron:

She seemed to squint slightly as she dedicated all of her attention to listening and comprehending what he was telling her, about how it was for him in the vault. And as he shares his feelings with her. And then pet her mane. Her head ducked slightly like a cat that still wasn't sure if to accept it or refuse it; but with a soft nicker she ended up accepting it, as her head stayed low so that he could more easily access her head.  Her mane was short much like his own, rough from the sea salt and from not being washed daily, tangled up a bit from not having been combed in a good while; but still soft enough to brush through.  Saffron's lips tugged into a frown at his last statement. Looking at him in the eyes for a moment, both of their eyes at least a little bit yet as they shared some emotion. Herself against better judgement and advice. "Fine..." She simply muttered to him in response. And then began to just glance forward again, then back to him. "... I always thought that doctors were the best kind of ponies though. My mom is--was... A doctor." She darts her eyes off to the side a little bit as she says that, "And she was the best. Doctors are really really important. You're very important and useful--you showed it to me." She nodded her head to herself, recovering her smile--as well as some of the energy in her voice, the more she spoke.  "But..." She adds softly, her voice decreasing again as before. Only to look at him again, and inhale sharply to regain her smile a bit more, "--Look I am happy that you would call me a friend and--and I think you would make a great friend for me. I like you, Quick Fix. But I don't want you to get too attached to me, okay? A lot of things could happen... And you could end up disappointed." She said.  And then, for the first time, lifts her hoof up to touch him. If only just so she can put the side of her boot clad hoof against his chest. It wasn't really an embrace, but it was a gentle touch.

Quick Fix:

"Saffron... what comes in the future, neither of us can know. For now... while we are safe... while things are how they are... we can take care of each other. We can be friends. Things change; they always change. But... sometimes... it's important to live in the present." He seemed to have more to say, but he kept his muzzle shut, for now. Those details... they were outside of what was important. She was important; not Quick. Not the others. Not what her past held.  With his hoof brushing against his chest, Quick sighed softly. They were for him to worry about, though. She was keeping something back from him... something she felt terribly about. Something that could separate them. Though... it was useless to worry about something like that. If it happened, it happened; if the pegasus felt the need to tell him, she would. And maybe it was something he'd never have to deal with. The thought was buried, but that little twinge remained. He hummed softly. The unicorn was torn between snuggling her right in the middle of the forest, or... urging their return to camp. Hmn... well... maybe they could rest, for a bit. Quick suggested with the hoof still on Saffron's neck for her to lower a bit.

Saffron:

Saffron stayed quiet after that statement. She didn't even open her mouth to struggle out a reply; pausing to briefly dart her eyes and think this over... Before her eyes shifted further down to Quick's muzzle as it brushed so insistently on the side of her neck. Then her eyes darted sideward as his hoof as it urged her to lower.  It took a few seconds for Saffron to comply. But after about 3 seconds, she starts to bend her forelegs and curl in her hinds to slowly start to lay down on her belly. Swallowing her lip and chewing the inside of her cheek with lingering nervousness--tail sweeping the grass as it touched it, but stilling once she had carefully settled down fully and the weight of all her gear and weapons jingled and clattered softly against her body. Then lowered her chin slightly to rest it over his head, looking down to him with a concerned, tense stare.

Quick Fix:

Quick said nothing. In fact, he closed his eyes, softly stroking her mane and nuzzling into her neck while one hoof rested across her shoulders. They'd picked a good spot to lay; it was soft, dry dirt, and would brush off with a good roll in the grass. There, they could spend as much time as they liked.. well, until the sunlight began to wane, at least. His movements remained as gentle and caring as ever all the while. Stroking, nuzzling... occasionally he'd open one eye to check on her, before closing it and returning himself to the moment. His tail slowly slid across the grass until it met hers... and rested atop it, the hairs mingling with each other while spread out on the ground. There was some gear between their bodies, but it didn't matter - not to Quick. He still felt the closeness.

Saffron:

She did not embrace him like he was at the time. But allowed him to snuggle her as he pleased, while she merely tilted her head to expose her neck, and smiled gently when he opened his eyes to look at her. But that smile died off quickly, as her eyes drifted away towards the distance. And she sighed heavily, with a quivering voice while her hoof lifted, brushing her cheek with her sleeve as she silently started to tear up again.  After having brushed her second tear, she lets the hoof limply fall to the grass with a defeated look to her. Looking to him again... Nickering softly and nudging her head against his pets. Letting almost a minute pass like that, in silence. Finally able to take in the sounds and smells of the forest, even if she couldn't fully pay attention to it with all that was going through her mind.  Eventually, Saffron lifted a hoof towards him, to his chin. She puts her hoof there, and starts to gently, veeery gently urge him to look up and lift his head; until they'd be muzzle to muzzle again.  "You know, Quick Fix... I've... Never really seen friends that snuggle each other like this." She smirked as she said that, amusement in her voice despite the sad look in her eyes. "... You're so painfully sweet I might catch diabetes..." She whispered, her voice, despite herself, oozing with affection.

Quick Fix:

That 'defeat'... the giving in to enjoying herself with him... that was exactly what Quick was looking for. A certain warmth spread through him as, though he knew all was still not well, Saffron returned the affection he'd been practically smothering her with. It felt good... like he'd accomplished something. Like he'd helped her, at least a little. And so they kept on like that, near-silently snuggling each other for a minute or so. He returned her nickers, quietly. He certainly wasn't expecting her to make any moves, though. So... as Saffron brought his snoot up to hers - he didn't resist, of course - a blush that had been threatening to spread across his cheeks finally broke free of his control and put some red into that vibrant green. He'd never been so close to another mare's muzzle before like this... it was... intimate.  "C..come now," Quick tried his best to keep a straight face, but her words tweaked the corners of his mouth up, "your mother was a doctor. You should know that you can't catch diabetes..." That was just stalling, though. They were so close... and her words were dripping with affection. "To.. t-to be truthful... I've never really snuggled anypony before. I just did what felt natural.. what felt.. r-right. It felt right to help you, Saffron..."

Saffron:

Saffron smiled a bit more as he tried to keep a straight face like he was. Then, at his reply, she bites her lip as she snickers--nearly laughing at at him; ducking her muzzle down a bit to conceal the extent of her mirth, and just how much she is enjoying this. "Hehahah... Shut the hell up..." She tells him, sweetly; shaking her head at him. Then, looking back and straightening her muzzle again, she just spent a moment looking at him and smiling warmly.  "Thank you, Quick." She whispered to him. Then, downcasting her eyes sheepishly for a moment, she actually leans to nuzzle into his cheek, and brush her face against his own with perhaps a bit too much affection than she would've preferred to let on. Her cheeks were already red from her fur, but her eartips were practically crimson at this point. She kept it at that however, sighing heavily before she leaned her head away from his quickly before anything else happened.  "... Maybe..." her words drift off, and her eyes shift from his; looking into the distance again. "--I really like... This. With you." She admits, on a tiny, sad note. "... Maybe when you get to know me better, we can, uhm..." She chuckles nervously and dips her muzzle down to look at the dirt.  Biting her lip again. "ᴺ⁻ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳᵐᶦⁿᵈ..." She whispered through her teeth.

Quick Fix:

For a few moments, there, Quick had almost expected her to lean in and do something else... but, just as soon as she'd pulled him up, Saffron leant away, cutting the moment short. Well.. that was okay. Maybe.. that was a bit soon, considering they'd met only hours ago. The brushing, the nuzzling, the warm tones and affectionate smiles... well, it was infectious! He couldn't help but beam back at her. That was, of course, until she pulled away. And it was back to listening. "Listen... Saffron. When I told you to live in the moment... I meant it. Whatever you fear... whatever you dread... when you're with me, it... it goes away. At least, for a little. Don't focus on anything else. Just focus on me, the trees, the sounds of the forest." The hoof on her mane kept stroking, but his other slid down to her chin to lift it, just as she had with his. Not so.. close this time, though. Just so their eyes could meet.  "There's nothing else. Just us and the birds. You don't need to be anypony, here. Just.. yourself." He kept up that soft gaze into her eyes. His were big and.. well, concerned. Those deep magenta irises sparkled with the fading light of the day. "Tomorrow isn't here. Just today..."

Saffron:

Her neck relaxes to rest her chin fully against his hoof, while her own moving from his chin and up to his cheek; cupping his cheek and lightly brushing it with her fetlock and the side of the hoof as her mouth weakly opens to speak a rebuttal... Which didn't come. After a second, her mouth closes, her eyes dart around a little more to give everything a little more thought.  "I do live in the moment." She finally spoke, softly but with conviction. "I just thought you deserved better than me. With all good things--there's always a catch, same with me. But..." Her voice strengthens, as does the look in her eyes as she truly focused her fiery coppery colored eyes to his own magenta ones. "... I guess you're right." She sighed through her nostrils, against his face given the closeness. She spends another long second looking at him. Then starts to smile a little more as her wing extends across his back to give him a wing-hug. Then leaned in with her muzzle, nuzzling into his cheek again--more slowly now, and put a soft kiss on his lips. She holds it for two seconds, before leaning away to break it and just linger their muzzles against each other while her eyes just shoot off to the side and her ears are fully pinned on her head.

Quick Fix:

Words escaped Quick in those pauses he was allowed. He needn't say anything, though. It was enough to hear her voice, soft but unbroken, unhindered by what had been holding her back. It was enough to feel her touch, the convicted sigh against his muzzle; to see her finally meet his gaze with confidence. His smile had never quite left, but it came back then in force. The warm look in his eyes was shortly replaced with surprise. Those two seconds seemed to stretch for minutes. He'd never felt another pony's lips with his own, and Saffron's... they were incredibly soft, just like his own. And her eyes, they burnt with that spirit and strength. It almost seemed unbefitting for her to show weakness after she pulled away - and the embarrassment he surely felt was almost immediately forgotten, if not by the blood in his cheeks. Quick leant forward, heart thumping rapidly in his chest, to kiss at her for just a little longer.

Saffron:

Her head flicked back veeerryy slightly, as if she still had some hesitation for the whole act. But within that same second, her eyes flicked back to his own to make eye contact whilst he returned her kiss with his own. The pegasus' eyes hooding slowly, slightly, as she truly relaxes in the kiss and nuzzles into his cheek as she gives him one more smooch in tandem with his kiss while her hoof rests affectionately against his cheek still...  Another minute or so passes, which feels like 10 in the moment. They were so close against each other that both of their hearts pounded in their respective chests with such strength that they could really feel each other's individual beats.  But before it becomes more intimate than that, Saffron puts a hoof to his chest gently to lightly push against him--not enough to really move him, but more so to signal to 'stop', as she reluctantly brings her head back from his and breaks the kiss once more; which had left her almost breathless as she softly gasped and sighed against his snout.  "We--we... We can't go any further--than this..." She tells him in between slightly heavy breaths, "... Alright?..." She looked at him intently. The fiery look she carried within her eyes slightly stifled by the sheer affection, and love, that she met his glance with.

Quick Fix:

Their muzzles pressed together for so, so much longer... in that moment, it was truly as if they were the only two ponies in the world. Quick felt like hours had passed by the time it broke, and he too was left panting against her. Their hooves still rested on each others' bodies, though he'd noticed Saffron had pushed him away, only slightly. He'd let her lead... the mare probably had a little more experience than he did. "Y..yeah -- that's.. that's, fine." There was a twinge of disappointment in his voice, though it sounded as if even he didn't quite register it. His eyes were full of pure, unfiltered affection, the strength of which had probably driven the usually reserved pony to draw her into another kiss. He leant his head past hers and gave her neck a single nuzzle, just as before. He was still panting and his horn brushed her mane a little. Quick could feel her pulse through her neck, and Saffron hit through the fluff of his chest; both heartbeats, regardless of training, had heightened staggeringly. There was no danger... but it had been exhilarating. And it had been real. "Do you want to go b-back to camp now - or?" Weakness had returned to the unicorn's voice. The nervousness of it all was catching up with him.

Saffron:

Saffron's head leaned against his, nuzzling against his cheek and brushing her cheek against his with some additional chaste affection to match his own. Her eyes flicking up a bit to eye that horn as it poked through her mane like that once, then back down to him again.  She holds a moment of silence after his last question. Just slowly brushing her cheek on his and smiling warmly at him, looking up to keep an eye on their surroundings--still at least partially alert in spite of things. "Yes... There's nothing left to do here, for now." She finally answered after several seconds of delay; and with that said, she sighed happily through her nose and leaned her head away from his, reaching up with a hoof to very lightly boop him on the snout with the tip of her hoof, "Best regroup with the others, and see what they are up to... Maybe there's still something we can help with." She starts to lightly apply a teeny tiny bit more push to his chest to urge him off from hugging her, her wing slowly retracting to her back. "And... Don't tell them about this, alright?... They'll never let me live it down." She smirked with a bit of amusement, despite the seriousness in her voice.

Quick Fix:

Her hoof couldn't hold him back from giving her a short hug and a parting kiss on the cheek, though he soon pulled away from her fluffy warmth (rather reluctantly) and stood, offering her a hoof up. Quick seemed... worried, again, and plenty nervous, but that affection and a hint of love remained in his gaze. "I won't tell a soul; you have my word, Saffron. They.. might get ideas if they catch us sleeping in t-the same tent, though..." Their moment had ended. It was time for the colt to begin milling things over in his mind... sorting and managing threads and conclusions... there was really nothing much he could tell yet from the deep guilt and sadness Saffron had expressed, but at least for the next few weeks, he'd stay plenty observant of her behaviour and the interactions between her and the others. While he couldn't bring himself to interrogate her on what exactly she felt so terrible about, he could potentially learn something about the red pegasus from her companions.

(End of Saffron/Quick Fix ERP Interlude)


Session 12

You have been in your camp for over a week when you felt you had time and sufficient privacy for Silver rush to sneak out of camp with the radio gear to make your report. You radioed out about your context with the earthen cloaks, your encounter with large enemies, your rescue of the vault dweller, and the situation regarding the vault. Silver would be in contact with Cloudy Forecast directly and could get a direct response on how to proceed. The issue though is Cloudy Forecast would give him options compared to just answers.Your progress with the rebel faction was good. Speak with their leader and continue to build good relations with them. Your current goal is information gathering so attempt to extract anything you could. Getting access to their territory would give you the best insight. Work towards this. In regards to the vault and circumstances surrounding it she could offer some choices. If you felt rescuing the kidnapped dwellers was a viable avenue to get the encryption codes and access you could attempt to bargain with the U.I.I. (under investigation infrared) through offering gold. How you would acquire it would be up to you, but it would likely involve going to Trottingham due to their mine. She could not offer more direct information due to it being classified. As an alternative Sea Spray could be sent with equipment to dead drop for you, letting you cut your way into the vault to further sabotage it for later acquisition. The residents inside are not a priority. This can be done as long as you do not blow your cover with your primary objective. Securing the vault is secondary.

Having settled to routine Ember would at some time approach the infrared"Hey Quick, do you have a moment?"

 Ember Flare "I haven't really had many changes to talk to a unicorn and I was wondering what sort of magic you're able to do?"

Quick Fix looked up at Ember, blinking, from... whatever it was that he was doing. Fiddling with his hooves. Who knows. "Oh, um... sure. I can soothe the pain of ponies and I can... 'put them back together', so to speak. Healing, in other words. I can also do telekinesis, but every unicorn I've ever met could do that as well."He tilted his head at Ember. "None of the pegasi in the vault could do magic, though..."

 Ember Flare "Ah.. well I think I'm a bit of a special case. Which is why I am interested in finding out how you natural spellcasters are doing it"

"Well that healing magic sure does sound handy, guess you did pretty well for yourself in the vault with that kind of skill"

Quick Fix hummed, and then shrugged after a few moments of thought. "I never received much formal education about it. I remember something about 'ambient mana', or something, and how our horns let us use it... for the most part, though, healing was just natural to me. It sure helped me get into being a doctor!"

(GM Note):There was a cut OOC discussion about how the group would want to proceed next. They realize they should be discussing IC about the vault and options. They presume Ember is distracting Quick Fix away from the rest of the group.

Sundancer "If they're dead of radiation poisoning, I'll position them outside by the entrance. If they're not, I'll hurry it up. Do you think negotiating is even worth it? They don't seem to want our help."

 Ember Flare "Soo.. would you say you're an average unicorn with magic? Have you practiced anything... uh like... spells? I'm a bit lost with the proper terminology here"

 Ember gives a weak smile

Quick Fix "Umn... actually, I've never *learnt* a spell like a scholar. I picked up my spells naturally. Once, I even teleported all on my own!... but, I never managed to do it again..."

Quick Fix returned the smile kindly. "It's okay. I don't either."

Brickfielder glances over his shoulder to make sure Quick is well-occupied with Ember, before turning back to Sundancer. "Wish I had a good answer to that..."

Sundancer "Silver can try and get their radio frequency again. Otherwise I don't think I'll have a choice."

Silver Rush wrangles his squad that isn't distracted, flapping gums with the filthy infrared "doesn't command regularly crack open these vaults? I'm sure they'd be interested in assisting if we told them one was here"

 Ember Flare "Ah well. I guess we're both kind of amateurs. So what do you think about doing with that situation your home seems to be in?"

 Quick Fix "Uh huh. Guess so. Well.. um... l-look. The ponies without access to water are.. they're... already gone. Some ponies might have died within the first day of the radiation... anypony who's still alive will stay that way for another couple weeks at least. We have time to figure out what to do... b-but we shouldn't waste it. We need to get those two ponies back from the spirit-thingy."

 Ember Flare "How were you planning to do that?"

 Quick Fix "The thing said that it'd get back to us with a response, right? Did we ever check up on that?"

 Ember Flare "ah... I think that was more of a threat. it seemed very annoyed with us"

Quick Fix shrugged, sighing. "We're not getting in without them, that's for sure. Vault-Tec builds stuff to last. We're lucky I could get the blast door open."

(GM Note): The next bit involves a time skip. It would be after four days since Quickfix joined the group.

It would be eleven days since you made landfall that your encounter with the earthen cloaks leader would be arranged. The arrival of Robin Hood would include a little bit of fan fair. First the speaker Tree Feller would arrive and let you know what to expect. A group of two dozen earthen cloaks in total would arrive, with a few portable musical instruments playing to give the procession a festive mood. Their leader stood out visually, a tall and striking sort. While the earthen cloaks typically had their forest cloaks and matching paint, Robin Hood wore a red and brown cowl that bore a bird visage. In truth you would not get a good look at his face due to the mask like hood on his head. The cowl and cape were of fine craftsmanship, incorporating what looked to be actual bird feathers. Ember could sense the cowl's magic aura when in its presence. When Robin Hood arrived at your camp he would be jovial and polite. He would offer greeting, shaking of hooves, and a gift of bread and fruit in a woven basket. You have never had plums or strawberries before. Their group had brought a large round carpet and cushions for almost everyone in your group to sit and meet upon. Sundancer would be able to stay back without offending. The carpet and cushions were laid out on the forest floor conveniently where you have cleared out for later building. As you sat and had a chance to sample the food gifts, Robin Hood would ask you a fairly innocent question. 'What are your plans for the future?'

Brickfielder made sure his sword properly shines where it hangs at his side before the groups' arrival, knowing full well how important it is to put your best hoof forward. And he makes sure to give a firm hoofshake when Robin Hood offers to do so, otherwise standing as tall and stoic as he can. After settling down on the carpet, he cocks his eyebrow slightly and looks to Robin Hood. "...Near future, or far future? We're still, coming to terms with our new situation, as it were."

 Ember Flare "We're kinda looking for a safe place to live. And we found this young lad who is in bit of a bind regarding his folk" Ember motions towards Quick

Quick Fix blinked at the strangely dressed leader, apparently utterly unaware of how to behave around someone of such status. "Oh, yes. I-I could use your help, mister."

(GM Note): Saffron’s player had to be away for a bit at the start of the session. They rejoined now.

Saffron stops being a background pony around that time. She had mostly just been pacing around the beach piecing together her plans for the day, but seemed to trot back to the camp proper just now with that little blue cloth bandanna on her face. Her eyes dart towards Quick Fix once, seeing him... Reserve a spot for her. Even with the bandanna one could see her smirk as she strides up to sit close to their new Vault pony friend, pulling down the bandanna and loosening her vest just so she could catch some wind. She stays quiet now. Just listening, catching up with the conversation.

 Robin Hood "Coming from the mainland it is understandable you are looking for a new home. I can see you have already made progress. Know that we have no reason to stop you from building a new home here. We would just ask you to understand some rules regarding the magical creatures you have previously fought." He lets that topic drop for a small time to discuss Quick's concern. "What all troubles you?"

 Quick Fix "I, um, recently emerged from a Vault nearby. Perhaps you have seen it exploring the caves... in any case, the other two ponies who were with me were taken by a magic circle. The Vault is in peril and one of those ponies is our only hope of opening it, without a nuke or something."

Saffron's eyes narrowed at that point, nodding along with Quick's words as he looked to Robin Hood with some hope in her eyes.

 Robin Hood "If your friends were taken by the lords it is unlikely they will return. If they are returned it may not be for years. Those that are claimed are used as playthings for the lords’ entertainment in the other realms. If they manage to escape on their own they may be very changed.” He tries to add some context. “Our druids have never been able to make major arrangements with the lords and their gatekeeper. Only have we been able to placate them. Their gift of the robin hood was an unexpected boon we do not understand the motive for.”

Saffron side glances Quick Fix once. Then towards Robin Hood again; half-opening her mouth to speak, though he looked towards Quick Fix briefly--as if to ask permission, to not interrupt.

 Quick Fix seemed stunned, offering neither Robin nor Saffron any response other than a slightly open muzzle. His eyes gained a certain... hollowness, for a time.

Brickfielder tightens his lips some at Robin Hood's phrasing, and glances at Quick briefly. "...So then, there is in fact only one Gatekeeper for the lords?"

 Ember Flare "And uh what exactly are the lords then?"

Saffron sighed heavily, looking back to Robin Hood. "Mister Robin Hood--we have already interacted with Gatekeeper a few times. We've already spoken to Him or It about the issue of the disappeared ponies--and he has told us, with slight irritation, that he would present the issue to the Lords." She pauses for a moment, if only to just wry her lip into her cheek and lower her tone to a more serious one. "Is there ANY possible way to bargain with it? To bribe it--or to gain entry; we NEED those ponies back, it is very important... if there even is a chance..."

 Ember Flare "And if I may... what exactly is that robin hood for? it seems rather... peculiar"

 Quick Fix "If there's even a chance..." Quick could barely be heard, though he still projected enough for the birdie-horse to hear him. "Please."

"I offer condolences on your loss." Robin Hood would offer to Quick in legitimate sympathy. To the questions presented to him he responds: “To our understanding there is only one Gatekeeper, in control of all the portals to the other realms. As for what the lords are exactly, it is difficult to say. They are enigmatic to understate the point. To our understanding there is one ‘lords’ but they exist in multiplicity. One entity that forms a court of themselves. That is as far as we understand them.” He breathed deep, seeming to know this is all very confused. “When it comes to bargaining with the gatekeeper and the lords we understand they only desire gold, oaths, or children. They seem to have no use for anything else. What they ask for in oaths can be both strange and terrifying.”

Brickfielder angles his head back to Robin Hood. "...Do you know what the lords consider as children? Some of us are rather young ourselves."

Sundancer is burned by the question of where they keep their damn gold but manages to restrain herself in front of the guests

 Saffron snorts through her nostrils with equine irritation, her tail sweeping the carpet slightly as her wings shift on her back and she throws a glance towards Quick. Then, specifically, to Ember once, then back to Robin Hood... "Could we... Buy our ponies back? Ransom them or something? Maybe with spools of gold?" She asked with mild, but composed frustration. "Has anyone ever tried anything? Force their way in, or something?"

Robin Hood nodded grimly. "It may be possible to bargain with them in exchange for something they desire. But that would be a very steep price. If you ask to pay in an oath you will not be given the opportunity to change your mind once they list terms. While gold would be the simplest way, I cannot say that would be easy to acquire either. We have run our own supply dry in the last year. It is too valuable for Trottingham to trade anything we possess for it.” He leaves the payment in children hanging. But he does at least answer Brickfielder that: “it was uncertain the cut off age for what they consider a child. Stories have said even sixteen year olds have been taken before.”

 Ember Flare "and in some more mundane issues. Could you grant us entry or at least passage through your... village? I know you don't seem that fond of the city but I don't know if we want to or can pull off a full on settler life out here"

Saffron listened intently... And by the end of it, sighed slowly as she nodded her head in understanding whilst her tail fully swept to rest against her flank. Downcasting her gaze pensively, while still keeping her ears perked up to listen on.

Sundancer shifts, leaving her statuesque pose for the first time since company arrived "Where do they take the children? You didn't answer the question of rescue." Sundancer glances at Ember and fixes her electronic eyes on Robin expectantly

Quick Fix remained silent after it was all but confirmed that they were never going to see those two ponies again... and that their fate would be one worse than death. Quick's eyes hardened, but only for a moment.

Robin Hood nodded to Ember. “In exchange for following the terms I will lay out, we can grant you passage through our territory. You seem like intelligent and understanding ponies, so there is little reason to deny you. What I would ask would involve mainly how to interact with the Others, our term for the magical creatures, gatekeeper, and the lords. They can, to understate again, be fickle. In the past few weeks gatekeeper has grown frustrated, if we understand their tone of late. Someone had brought iron into their circles during the night, something that was under an ancient oath to not do.” Robin Hood would give details you for the most part already knew regarding that interaction, including singing that rhyme gatekeeper had said to brickfielder and saffron prior. Robin Hood confirms they used the last of their gold to make the requested thread. Otherwise he lays down ground rules that you mostly know, save washing before attempting to speak with gatekeeper, to remove any scent of iron or rust from your person. To be utterly polite and mindful of your words when speaking with the others. But above all, avoid them if you can. Particularly if they are hunting. Hiding is the best option in those cases.

Robin Hood would not exactly be startled when Sundancer spoke. Some of the others in his band might be, but he seemed more curious if anything. “The children are taken into their other realm. From the stories of those that escaped it is unlike ours. A world of glass and fog. Where the magical creatures form the walls and flooring of endless corridors. A maze that breaks the minds of ponies like us who try to traverse it. Somewhere deep inside it lies the castle where the lords hold court. The court is where the children are taken.”

Sundancer nods her head solemnly in response to both answers "No iron allowed."

 Ember Flare "Oh and... We do appreciate your hospitality and we can pay you back for the access or goods... We currently have several ponies (and robots) capable of giving medical treatments" Ember points at herself, sundancer and Quick "We do however lack quite a bit of resources"

Saffron nods along in silent understanding. Not speaking much more than she already had while keeping a somewhat disgruntled frown on her face. While the others talk, she turned her head a bit to be able to see Quick Fix. Her brow furrowing with concern.

Robin Hood smiled at Ember. “The offer would be greatly appreciated. While our druids have knowledge of traditional medicines it is my understanding the mainland had far more knowledge when it came to treatment and knowing of maladies. Should you acquire the supplies you need in Trottingham we may call on your help if it is deemed necessary.”

Quick Fix had lost whatever strange look he had before, and merely seemed downtrodden rather than... well, weird. He noticed Saffron looking in the corner of his eye, and he turned to share a grimace with her.

 Sundancer "We have limited supplies brought from the mainland if you have urgent cases."

 Quick Fix "I can't heal illness, but... my magic can help close wounds faster."

Quick Fix regarded Sundancer with a strange look. She was leaning on the 'sentient AI' side of things, though the way she had treated him on their first day and the way she'd acted since then was confusing.

Saffron does not grimace like he does. Her glance was more resolute, and she gave him a small, but encouraging smile; lifting a hoof to give him a small pat on the back, then a nod with her head. But she said nothing to him in that moment, and just retracts her forehoof to where it was prior.

  Ember Flare "It sounds like your druids are experts on these fae beings and their magics, would we be able to talk to them if we ever visited you?"

Quick Fix felt somewhat encouraged by the smile and the back-pat, and ever-so-slightly leant into the bright red mare beside him. He needed some comfort fluff after hearing all that.

Robin Hood had a complicated response to Ember’s simple question. “Speaking with them might lead you into circles or simply being shunned away. The druids had taken oaths with the Others for knowledge, given what they give up in exchange it leads them to be secretive and cloistered. “ He removes the air of mystery quickly. “The Others often ask for parts of the requester. An ear or an eye are common sacrifices.”

Ember actually looks horrified at that

Saffron also grimaces with a slight disgust, but doesn't show it TOO much; turning away slightly and quickly evening her expression. Snorting through her nostrils.

(GM Note): Due to a lengthy OOC discussion and players needing to leave early the description of Robin Hood and his group leaving was missed. I called for the group to make an observation test to determine details they picked up on. They succeeded quite well.

It creeps among your more observant members that Robin Hood had been keeping information from you. When he and his band had wrapped up and departed Brickfielder, Quick, and Saffron could come to the same conclusion. He was not telling you everything regarding the Others/ U.I.I. There were definitely half truths somewhere in there. You could collaborate that it likely involved their supply of gold as well. But you can’t see all the gaps just yet.


Session 13

You were given an opportunity a few days after your visit from Robin Hood to provide the help you offered. Escorted by a few of the watchers a druid came to request aid. A dozen ponies had fallen ill with fevers. The druid's medicines have not done more than ease some symptoms. Your group is closer, and honestly put, seeming easier to deal with, than those in Trottingham. Could you provide the aid you had offered?

Saffron would've promptly met the druid quickly to take his request. And then swiftly beckoned him and welcomed him to camp, whilst he called for the others--specifically Quick Fix, and Sundancer. "hey! Quick Fix, Sundancer! There's jobs for you, here!" Saffron called out, peering towards their robo-friend, " Ponies coming down with fevers, you think either of you can help with those?"

Sundancer notices the new arrivals and waits outside the camp for Saffron to greet the ponies "Affirmative. Anti-inflammatory medication recommended. Further information required."

 Ember Flare: "Well, we should try and repay some of the kindness they have shown us."

Saffron would've turned back to the druid to give them a gesture towards Sundancer and a firm, determined nod. "We have the supplies. Lead on, we'll keep up. Better get there quick." Saffron told the druid with some concern beneath the resolute tone of her voice. Luckily Saffron always walked around with all her gear, so she was already ready to go.

 Ember Flare: "ready to go as you are"

 Ember trots up to sundancer getting ready to leave

Brickfielder glances at the visitors before looking at the group preparing to leave. "Good luck. ...Keep a close eye on them."

The druid who came to ask you for help would eventually remember his manners and explain the situation a bit more. You could notice at some point that he was missing an ear. He introduced himself as a neonate of the druids and was sort of going behind his superior's backs in asking for your help. But he had spoken with Robin Hood and gotten the ok to escort you to the village. The druids had tried to treat the sudden plague over the last few days, but they seemed to need stronger old world medicine to save the afflicted without long term damage.

 Saffron casts a glance back to Brickfielder as he said that. "I'm sure we'll be fine." The small red mare chimed on a more low tone of voice, nodding once to Brickfielder as she got to walking. Then would give the Druid her attention again, nodding along. Frowning slightly at the mention of 'sudden plague', "I'm guessing the other druids aren't fond of asking for help from outsiders." Saffron remarked softly, "How sudden was the plague exactly?" She asked.

Ember would address the druid "Hm were the patients treated magically, or with completely.. err.. natural remedies?"

 Ember Flare: "it would help us to know what has already been tried"

The druid would tell you that it will take most of the day to reach their village, so it would be best you pack accordingly. He would like to get moving, but could answer your questions as best he was allowed along the way. His superior druids would prefer not to rely on others at all if able. But even with their broad knowledge, sometimes the old ways are just better. When it came to their prior treatment he was actually fairly knowledgeable to Sundancer’s hearing. They had treated the patients with natural remedies that would help with symptoms and could have let the ill recover naturally. But the sick were those susceptible to seasonal flu and had needed treatment in prior years as well. You had antibiotics in your supplies that should get them through it, based on what the druid described. At the elast they did not seem to lack understanding, just good medicine.

The earthen cloaks territory north of your camp was deep woodlands populated by ancient trees. The tree tops were so wide and the leaves so dense that even at high noon you were in a shadowy twilight. The exact sort of place ponies that do not want to be found could simply vanish into. It would take most of the day to arrive due to simply how dense the forest was.

The village the earthen cloaks lead you into is unlike anything you had seen prior. All of the buildings were suspended above the ground, built on the towering ancient trees. From how natural their construction appeared the structures had to be pointed out. They blended into the foliage and heavy branches about fifteen meters up. The connecting rope bridges high above the ground level were easier to see for what they were at least. A lot of netting kept supplies such as boxes and barrels above the ground floor. The craftsmanship of the suspended village was stunningly artistic.

For most of you reaching the upper level would be simple due to your wings. As long as you avoided the very present netting. For the earthen cloaks and Quick Fix a series of rope ladders were lowered to grant access. Some trees had circular wooden platforms as central points to multiple bridges. You were all gathered on one that was wide enough to walk double file. Rope, netting, or hard wooden rails were present to keep ponies from easily tumbling off. When you were in the trees you would be aware of more and more ponies. Most of them did not have the camouflage paint of those that had gone into the forest, but they all had similar cloaks.

Ember looks around the tall constructs "Well this looks like one way to be safe from those forest creatures"

Sundancer spends the trip following Ember dutifully, letting her eyes and mind wander as they got deeper into unfamiliar territory

Ember would try and spot any guards and lookouts as they are brought in

Saffron was awestruck by the sheer concealment of the village. Not only did she really like what she was seeing, but she wanted to take notes as well! It'd be super helpful for her... Though she keeps the 'taking notes' on the downlow, not wanting to outwardly state it even if she does state that everything looked really functional... Hovering by the rope bridges on the way up to examine them a little more, before they'd go all the way up along the rest of her companions. Sticking mostly behind the others as she keeps falling behind from looking at everything, her wings arched up with excitement with a big grin on her face, peeking over everything curiously. Exploring the architecture to see if she could spot anything hidden! But otherwise keeps trailing behind the others...

You were led from that central point westward into a series of connected buildings that seemed to have been homes. It could have been mistaken for a massive wasp nest or the like up close. A strong smell of sickness and sweating bodies would hit you when you entered the building. The dozen stricken ponies you were told about occupied cots or bedrolls around a half moon shaped room. Most seemed delirious due to the fevers, a pained moan escaping from one side of the room after the other. When they were examined it seemed the patients were older ponies. Some with scars from other past illnesses such as pockmarks.

Quick Fix meanwhile kept a close canter to Saffron. He had to be assisted up the ladders - either by his winged friends, or by the forest ponies - and the forest seemed to instill a sort of dread in him.

Saffron might've held Quick Fix back with how she was looking at everything. But she stood close to him, and hip bumped him gently to reassure him; smirking at him confidently to try and make him less worried. "You got this, Quick." She told him, nodding to him once. She stands back once they get to the room with the patients... Pursing her lip slightly as she looks from the background. "... I wish I could help but..." Her voice trails off, looking to Quick Fix.

Quick Fix broke out of his little daze at the contact. Nice mare, soft mare... pastel redness in contrast to all the dark green. "Ah... Sundancer and I could use your help handling patients so long as you're careful. I just don't want you getting sick, okay?"

Saffron might've had a teeny tiny bit of hesitation at first. But once Quick Fix allowed her to help, she strides forward with a big grin and an enthusiastic, "I won't let you down! Just direct me a lil' bit." She tells him, stepping up to Quick Fix to play the role of the Nurse for the first time in her life.

(GM Note): The group in the village made a group academics test for treating the sick. They passed the test despite a difficult penalty.

Diagnostics and treatment would take into the evening. If nothing else due to having to estimate weights of the ponies and balance some prescriptions. Thankfully for what it was worth they seemed to have all been under the same conditions and it would just require supplies more than skill. You feed the patients a dose of antibiotics and prepare what amount to a care package for the druids to continue treatment over the next week until it is fully cleared.

When your work was done for now and you stepped out of the sick house you would find that druid you had been led here by being chewed out by what was evidently his superiors. The druids were lighting the area with luminescent staves, which looked to have some sort of chemical bioluminescence painted on them. Given the missing eyes, ears, and even a removed nose the four that were quietly berating the younger druid had intense looks. The junior was ushered out by three of the druids and one would stay to address your group. An older stallion unicorn with a wooden half mask on to cover what was likely his missing eye. He calmly asked how your efforts went.

 Ember attempts a friendly smile "Well, looks like all you were really missing, were some antibiotics. The patients should recover well in your care soon enough"

Sundancer feels a little more for lack of a better word 'human' doing her childhood specialization in a hospital setting with a fellow professional instead in a battlefield context. Makes her almost forget herself, before she's driven to discretion by the big shots showing up. Sundancer has her gradually warming bedside manner freeze over while Ember represents her interests

 Ember Flare: "Looking how the patients were faring, the care you have been providing them with is phenomenal considering the lack of modern medical equipment"

The senior druid seemed to take the situation for what it was. He noted you will need to fully clean before potentially spreading anything further into the village. A rope ladder would be provided for Quick Fix, but otherwise you were directed to move along the forest floor to a stream a bit further north. The druid would accompany you since he would at the least want to confirm what you desired in compensation of your generosity. He did not seem hostile, but almost more tired by your presence.

 Saffron quietly giggled as she made some teamwork under Quick Fix's lead. For the most part she just passed things over and employed bedside manners without touching the patients or the beds much, passing glasses of water to go along with the pills. She was not trained or experienced, but she was passionate about it. Helping ponies was what she really liked doing. She let the others talk to the older druid while she hung back, small alongside the equally small Quick Fix. "Oh, we're taking a bath? Sweet..."

 Ember Flare: "Ah right of course. Hmh, would you colts mind giving us mares a bit of privacy then?"

The druid would offer what he could in that regard. It was very dark in the forest after nightfall, without even the stars or moon shining through the dense canopy. When you arrived at the stream he planted a glowing staff at the bank, then turned and sat with his back towards you. You would have some light and the cloaked figure would simply wait and speak if addressed.

Quick Fix fell into a rhythm with Sundancer. Working with her, watching her work... it seemed less and less likely that she was 'just' a robot. She seemed a natural at the work - more than any standard AI could be, at least, in his experience. It was still hard for him to tell either way, though...When offered a bath, Quick declined, citing his lack of contact with the patients. It would be... awkward with the mares, anyway, even if they weren't quite sure what he was.

 Saffron would be more than eager to take a bath in water without salt in it. She undressed of her utilitarian, heavily webbed, pocket-covered, pouch-adorned clothes, and of her weaponry... Then eagerly *sinks* into the water given how small she is, swishing about with her wings. She got her mane wet as well as her tail, and started brushing the grime from between her feathers and hooves. Looking to the side towards her other two mare companions, "Hey. You think we can ask for help with the Gatekeeper?..."

 Ember Flare: "So I understand you're the ones keeping in contact with that gatekeeper and their lords or whatnot... Considering how our meetings with the gatekeeper have gone I can't say I'm envious of that task"

Ember moves into the creek taking off her clothes and awkwardly and quickly washing herself off trying to at least sound relaxed, even if the situation otherwise is making her feel extremely vulnerable

The senior druid would confirm that he has had direct dealings with the others, yes. It was likely for the best if you discontinued speaking with them. While he would not accuse you due to when you arrived on the island, he would note that someone has been angering them lately.

 Ember Flare: "Yes it was a weird experience.. he... it? actually thanked us for running into one of them circles and even offered us a reward for getting his attention."

Saffron perked her ears to listen to the senior druid. Her ears subtly lowered slightly while her lips pursed. She sideglanced Ember, looking in her direction in the darkness, before looking back at the glowy staff... "... They kidnapped some ponies that we need to rescue." Saffron mentions, on a much more serious tone.

Ember would try to finish scrubbing herself quickly, glancing towards where quick was every now and then and pulling her clothes back on, shifting the collar of the coat to better hide her mutations

 Saffron: "... They disappeared inside of the circle. All Gatekeeper said is that they would bring it to the attention of the Lords. Is there any way you can repay our service here with help in recovering lost ponies?..."

Quick stayed behind a little ways, he ain't listening.

The druid could only offer a little help in that regard. Unless you made some sort of large offering of the other’s choosing it was unlikely you would have anything returned to you. The few that have left the other’s realm had done so through their own ability. Or they had been let go by a lord’s whim. It would be hard to tell the difference in either case. The best he could suggest is to offer a trade. The lords may return your friends in exchange for somepony else. This was all said without any inflection to the gravity of the words. Like it was something normal.

Saffron sort of froze up a little when the druid mention they could trade ponies for other ponies. Her brow furrows into a scowl, and she starts to glower at the air in front of herself... She suppressed the urge to say anything else by just silently hopping out of the water and stalking to her gear, drying herself as best she could with the emergency towels inside of her survival kit. "Is that how it works?" She asked, plainly.

 Ember Flare: "They do seem very keen on 'trading'... could you tell us more what they are looking to bargain for?"

 Ember would also try a stab in the dark "And uh... they already seemed to offer a sort of deal similar to what you seem to have taken and... they seemed rather vague about the whole thing so... is it worth it?"

(GM Note): I asked those speaking to roll a Questioning test to draw information. Saffron tested and rolled a botch until they realized they had the Etiquette gift they could apply.

Seeming to take offense at the line of questioning moving from the others to topics the druids considered secret the stallion stood from here he had kept politely away and took his staff back. Saffron would at least be able to get him to not storm off with some platitudes. Having been a bit buttered up to the Senior druid relents only a little. The only items that the others value are oaths, mortal servants, gold, and secrets. The last thing being new to you, he could elaborate on. Telling secrets openly to the Others and an audience can be used as payment, if Gatekeeper or a lords agreed and then tell you what the secret to be shared is. They seem to already know before asking what the answer is. But having it told is an act they enjoy.

Saffron would've breathed a sigh of relief, silently thanking her father for teaching her the skill of buttering others up with politeness as she went on to quietly perk up and listen intently. Taking distinct note of the 'secrets' kind of payment, and making a mental note... She gave a quick nod in understanding. "Thank you, elder. This may help us. I'll stop bothering you now. Sorry." She said, and then finally began to dress back up in her attire. Glancing back to the others to see if they still wanted to discuss, as she gets ready to go off. Peering her head around for Quick Fix already.

Saffron furrowed her brow slightly as she strains her eyes to see in the dark for the green unicorn. "... Quick Fix!" She called out to him softly, "You can come back now y'know!"

Quick Fix appeared a few moments later from down the path. "Oh, are you ready to go? We should probably be looking to eat soon. I know I'm feelin' kinda hungry..."

 Ember Flare: "Ah as for compensation. We might be visiting the city sometimes in the near future, and after our visit here, we are running low on bargaining material. Our medical equipment is running pretty low as we had to travel to the island very lightly"

Saffron meets Quick Fix halfway and gives him a small, playful whipping on the side with the wet blanket of her kit. Then folds it back into her survival kit. "Soon." She told him, then turned more towards the druid, letting Ember speak for now. Nodding along.

With your cleaning done the druid could lead you to where you could sleep for the evening. The building ended up being an empty storage room that had some bedrolls laid out in it and a lantern for light. You were fed more fresh fruit and bread that you had been gifted before. At least for naturalists they were, they ate well. When it came to your compensation the druid could provide you with a pouch of silver and copper coins. Flat stamped Coins embossed with a crown and a capital “T”. The senior druid would let you know the coinage would be about what they could expect to have paid a trottingham doctor to make the trip all the way out here. So It would be a fairly generous amount for spending when you do go to Trottingham.

Quick Fix scrunched a little at the playful pegasus, whipping her gently with his tail. Silly, silly birds... When it was time to eat, he ate beside Saffron, quite oblivious to what the group had talked about. "This stuff is so, so much better than anything we ever had down in the vault!"

 Ember would turn to Quick after the druid left "You know, you might be able to ask more about this whole deal from the locals. They might be a bit more open and sympathetic to your case."

 Ember Flare: "The druid fellow seemed so calm about this like it was a weekly occurrence"

"Hm?" Quick tilted his head at Ember quizzically. "Oh, you mean about... the Gatekeeper? That's what you were talking about with the druid?" He hummed. "I suppose I could ask around, a bit.."

Saffron just grin cheekily at Quick Fix at the tail whip. This only encouraged her to whip him with her (damp) tail. Which potentially would have continued back and forth until they were seated, at which point Saffron ate with him politely. "Oh my gosh--I've never had apples this good, and there's pomegranates too!" She tried a bit of everything, albeit without stuffing herself. She had table manners. "What did you eat down in the vault? Did you grow stuff down there?" She asked Quick.

Sundancer finished her languidly performed cleaning routine and joins the social circle forming in the druid's wake

 Sundancer: "This is a good start. It's possible Trottingham has a currency exchange to receive gold in the most direct way possible."

Ember would have to agree with Saffron on the food and watch out not to stuff herself completely. A welcome change to military rations and what they had with them currently

 Sundancer: "We also know where their camp is, and it's not far, especially by flight. We can become good neighbors rather quickly"

 Ember Flare: "Most likely... that whole secret thing did sound rather weird. I mean... it almost sounds like it would be free?"

 Sundancer: "It means they have to know our secret first, which means we might not have much to trade. Given Gatekeeper's inability to keep track of individuals, I half expect it to just detect lies and not care about the answer."

 Quick Fix : "We had hydroponic farms down there, and some food synthesisers. It was... okay. But it seems almost fake after everything I've tried up here! So much flavour and substance... we could have been living up here for decades, and we didn't know it."

 Ember Flare: "Well this place is more of a special case. It's much worse out there"

 Saffron smiled in interest, nodding along with Quick Fix and passively listening to the conversation between Sundancer and Ember. She glanced in their direction... Then looked to Quick more intently, wiping her lips with a lick and maybe her sleeve before speaking. "Quick. We talked with the druid--I asked if... There was a way they could help us get your friends. They didn't share much, but one thing they shared is that, ontop of being able to pay in uh... Oaths, other ponies, gold. We can also try to pay in secrets..."

 Saffron: "... That might be something... Maybe if you had a secret worth sharing, it'd be helpful."

"Secrets, huh..." Quick furrowed his brow, rubbed his chin... blushed a little. "I suppose there are personal details about myself that I'd rather not share... things I might have done as a kid... nothing that sticks out at me too obviously, but I suppose I could think of something to try. Are there any conditions for the secret? Content, delivery..?"

Saffron visibly brought up a small, but genuinely affectionate smile as she saw him blush like that. She shook her head slightly at him, but listened intently... "... As far as we know, we just ask Gatekeeper if we can try to pay for your friends with secrets, and then share all we can while hoping the secrets are worth enough to release one, or both your friends... Or maybe lessen the cost of their release." She told him, shuffling a bit closer next to him as she speaks. "Maybe a secret that isn't yours to keep is worth more...?"

Silver Rush and Brickfielder would have a day to themselves. While Brickfilder would be performing labor to continue preparation of the encampment, Silver would be able to hide away and make contact with HQ. When informed about how the squad would want to proceed with regards to the vault your CO would inform Silver that she would forward the situation to Central Command and then wait on orders. However things proceed from there you can be sure Nimbus squad would receive some sort of commendation for locating the vault. It would be under Steel Rain’s direct jurisdiction when orders came down the pipeline on managing it. But to make sure you were aware she would send Seafoam to camp nearby and inform you when it was opportune to temporarily vacate.

The group at the village would have a pleasant enough evening in a strange place. At least being above the ground felt a bit more natural. Perhaps you could copy some of this and build a treehouse. Or a nest, but that idea may have been a dream. When it came time to leave the next day you would only be escorted a bit away from the village. They figured as long as you followed the coast you would locate your camp without them needing to tail you. They were evidently unaware of how good a scout Saffron was or that Ember knew exactly where their camp was in relevance to the village.

When the separate groups reunited at camp they could start telling each other about their time apart. Quick Fix would need to be kept distracted once again for Silver rush to be able to inform the rest of the group about the report.

Saffron would easily distract Quick Fix because she was not done hanging out with him. She starts to whip him with her tail some more while 'casually' talking with him, "Hey Quick. hey. Hey." She keeps whipping him, mostly pestering him and lightly pushing him around while childishly giggling, "Does your pipboy have chess on it? I'll kick your butt at chess. My mom plays it all the time." She says, not minding the closeness of their bedrolls at all as she just mingles around with him.

With Quick taken out into the woods by Saffron the rest of the group can discuss the current plan. Quick's vault was going to be taken by others.

 Quick Fix tilts his head at the mare as they relax by the campfire. "Ah, stop that! I'm sensitive, you know." His canvas suit blocks just about any playful whips she can send at him, though the pushing could threaten to roll his prone form onto his side. "It doesn't have anything like that installed naturally. I'd need, um, a holotape or something."

Ember on the meanwhile would join the others in the camp "No more attacks while we were gone I hope?"

 Ember Flare: "We managed to heal the ponies in the village and got some local currency the city uses. Silver, not gold though."

Brickfielder shakes his head to Ember. "All quiet on the western front. ...At least we got something useful out of it for later..."

Saffron would bite her lip to keep from laughing at his 'I'm sensitive you know!', rolling her eyes good-naturedly, grinning at him like a shark. "Aw... Maybe they have holotapes in Trottingham." She nods to herself, then holds a moment of silence looking at him. And shuffles up behind him to rest her chin on his back. "What's your favorite flower, Quick?" She asked him, curiously.

Quick Fix blinkies back at Saffron, who seems to be taking advantage of his soft suit as a pillow for her chin. "U-um... favourite flower??... I've never thought about that, before... e-everything's so pretty up here, and I don't know their names..."

 Brickfielder casts a glance at Quick and Saffron that might linger a bit too long.

Saffron gives a faux gasp and draws back her head from Quick Fix to stare at him with a playfully eager smirk, "No favorite flower??..." She asked him with a softly 'shocked' tone, "What's your favorite color then?"

Silver Rush vaults back over the makeshift boat fort to greet the returning medic party "they actually paid you? Well..I assume they stuck with their line of having no more gold."

 Quick Fix: "Blue!" He grins, snagging a lock of his own hair. "Just like this. I always let it grow long, since I love the colour so much. And.. I think it looks good... do you think it looks good??"

Ember also goes on to relay what the druid told them about the fae 'trades' and their treetop village

Brickfielder only half pays attention to Ember's prolonged recap of their experience.

"MMMMM..." Saffron stares at him mane with squinted eyes and a playfully critical expression, lifting up a hoof to brush through it, and ruffle even more to judge the softness and smoothness. "This is a good mane! It's good color, looks good." She nods her head sagely. "Mine is orange." She grins back. "The color of FIRE!"

 Saffron: "You know what Quick Fix. We should go find some blue flowers. I'll put it on your mane and you'll look very cute."

 Quick Fix’ hair is a little lacking in softness, seeing as he hasn't washed in a little under a week, though generally it is glorious and quite silky. His cheeks gain some familiar redness as Saffron compliments his mane - and calls him cute!! "Y-yes, you're very - y-your mane is very pretty," he stammers, "and I think.. I would like that."

 Quick Fix: "Purple might b-be better, though. It would stand out more."

Saffron snickers at his stuttering and his blushing, wiggling her brow theatrically at him. Side glancing Brickfielder once, and then chuckling some more as she stands up, "Come on. Let's go take a walk! We'll look for violets, and you'll think of a secret to share with Gatekeeper." She tells him warmly, shifting her wings on her back and adjusting her guns along her back a bit more.

 Saffron: "Maybe I'll think of a secret of my own."

Silver Rush Slinks away to the woods and clicks on the radio, waiting the split second for the encryption to kick in "Nimbus to Nimbus actual... Update to previous report. Nimbus requests interdiction on the bunker. Nimbus will be at nearby city center over next few days, how copy"

"I, um.. y-yes, alright."  Quick Fix stands with Saffron, and together they head off into the forest to chat and search for flowers together. That, of course, leaves the rest of the camp undisturbed to perform whatever actions they'd like while Quick's distracted.

When your CO would respond to Silver Rush she had an amendment to your mission. The time table was being moved up again. From here on you were to incite the rebel faction to take hostile action against Trottingham. You could use whatever means you needed as long as the results were made. The rebel faction would be required to start softening and distracting the Trottingham military. The vault would be resolved as soon as resources could be transported to take care of it.

Silver Rush masks his surprise "Nimbus copies all. Be advised, the rebel faction has intimate details about the nature of the stone circles around the island, contact has been made with their leadership." Silver Rush still adds "Nimbus actual do we have encryption codes for the vault? If contact is made with vault ponies about impending rescue mission they might be more cooperative with the interdiction team"

Ember leans towards Brick "ah looks like we won't be getting much help from command after all... It's not really that surprising. Cloudy must have way more important matters constantly to manage to deal with our single issue"

Cloudy Forecast would respond in a bit of an odd tone. “Central command has been informed about the vault. There will not be a ‘rescue mission.’ For now you will need to vacate the area so your cover is kept intact. Higher up special forces are being dispatched.”

Silver Rush oofs internally "Nimbus copies. Over and out"

Brickfielder casts a glance down at Ember, before returning his attention to Silver and the radio. "...That's a bit much to take in, really."

Ember would nod "Yeah it is a bit weird... But on the other hand it does fit her personality. She seemed surprisingly welcoming to me as well"

 Ember Flare: "But still... weird."


Session 14

You have packed up for your trek to Trottingham. Preparing your survival gear and food for the expected three days walk north and the return trip. While the true intent was not so honest, you had plans to head to the city to get a tool that could cut the airlock doors of the Vault and some radiation gear. At least that was what the vault dweller in your group was told. It may take a few days to source them but at least you had a good pouch of coins to spend. At worst the trip would be an opportunity to experience what an infrared city was really like. Your half finished fort would be awaiting your return.

Your first day out would see some fairly hefty rainfall. Thankfully the area around the earthen cloak village had such a dense canopy that you would have little issue keeping your camp dry overnight. Slogging through the rain in a more open area of forest seemed like a bit of a downer.

The morning of the second day had extremely dense fog which kept you from going too far. While Ember's supernatural senses would help guide the group towards the north east it did not help the others from stumbling half blind. When the chill of the fog started to get cut by rays of the sun the group would have another obstacle. A glass bear spotted in the distance, prowling the woods. It had not noticed your group, so you could hide and keep quiet to let it pass.

Silver Rush would indeed like to stealth this bitch

Sundancer is also a member of team stealth by the bear

Saffron somehow managed to look increasingly more irritated in the background. She mostly stayed close to the front of the group, nearer to Ember given her direction sense. She talked sporadically, and most often with a small glare at nobody in particular, seeming to be in a bad mood most of the time as they went. Being near Quick Fix seemed to just aggravate her mood, making her all tense and all grumbly most of the day, trying to talk as little as possible. The environment they were in only compounded this. When they noticed the glass bear, Saffron readied her shotgun and got low, checking for any other butterflies or bears... Taking aim.

Quick Fix looked quite put off by Saffron's sudden change in attitude; he spent most of the trek alone, trailing behind the group and feeling somewhat alienated for the first time in a while. It didn't help that the Vault was slowly getting closer and closer to a potential critical state, if the Overseer hadn't gotten things under control. They had no way of knowing.He was behind the group as they spotted the bear, and stayed there waiting for them to decide exactly what to do...

(GM Note): Saffron rolled an Observation test. She passed

Saffron would be able to spot the second bear that followed the first before it became apparent. It seemed best to wait a while and let them pass before moving on. A bit to the west where the bears were going Ember could feel a small burst of magic a while after they left your sight. From prior experience it would seem there was a stone circle that way.

 Ember Flare:  "...I think they could have carried through another portal" Ember whispered "I'll memorize this location if it is relevant later on"

Saffron's ears flicked forward then back, statuesque in her stance behind the cover of the brush as she observed the bear and then gazed into the distance. She shook her head to herself, flicking out her wing in a particular gesture to indicate 'two' contacts, then nodding in the direction of the second bear, as she slinked a bit further into cover to hunker down. Looking back to Quick Fix and gesturing downward with her hoof.

 When things are quiet and there was no more enemy movement you figure it was time to move on. This trek was the first time you could randomly stumble upon enemy combatants.

 Ember Flare:  "These things seem to travel through these circles effortlessly... It would be great if we managed to crack that one and make use of them"

After the bears had gone, Saffron pursed her lip and slipped her shotgun back onto her back. Looking back to Ember Flare once, then back to the others. "We can move on." She tells them confidently, before looking to Quick Fix, beckoning him closer as they got ready to move. "It would be nice... We'd have to fiddle with the circles though. Or rather, you have to. We can't touch them like you can."

 Brickfielder:  "If only. As it stands, they're too... untrustworthy."

Ember brings a hoof to her chin for a moment "Though I guess the metals would still cause interference or something"

Your third day saw you entering Trottingham territory under cloudy weather. At first the forest came to an abrupt edge. From there it leads into fields lined with low stone walls a meter tall. Between the walls was gravel topped roadways. The fields were worked soil tilled up into rows sporting evenly spaced plants. Your academically inclined could tell you the fields were farmland, if not exactly what they were growing. There were some structures of unknown purpose here and there. Possibly homes or storage depending on the sizes. You would catch sight of some ponies going about their business in the fields. The mysterious ways of earth ponies managing crops.

Brickfielder scans the area as they trot along one of the roads, raising his brow slightly. "...This feels... quaint."

Ember Flare looks at the spreading farmland in awe "...so large"

 Sundancer: "It's like a mud age earth pony settlement out of a Hippology textbook."

Saffron, on the last day, seemed to just give off a resigned, albeit still very irked mood; but she was becoming chatty again. She lingered near Quick Fix, making small-talk to keep him company and occasionally veering from the path to look for violets. Putting small flowers on his mane just to tease a giggle, if nothing then to keep their spirits up. Sometimes making stupid jokes at him for being a unicorn, like, "How do you call a creepy unicorn? Huh? A night-mare." or "Hey. What kind of story do you tell a fleeing unicorn? Eh? A tale of Woah!!" She giggled to herself at her own jokes like a dork. Luckily, around that time, the farm fields became visible, and she changed subjects to eyeball those earth ponies... Peering towards them and the fields.

Brickfielder nods slightly to Ember. "Would be curious to see aerial surveys of this area..."

 Sundancer:  "I wonder how they control their weather."

 Saffron: "Do they, even?..."

 Ember Flare: "Actually now that I think about it, the farms could actually be much larger if they cleared more forest"

Quick Fix felt his spirits slowly rising with Saffron's, thankfully. He was growing awfully quiet... even more so than usual.He turned his head to regard Sundancer. "Pegasi, right? Their magic lets them.. mess with clouds, or something."

 Sundancer: "In ancient times, before the tribes got together, supposedly the weather was controlled by pegasi out of their good will towards the earth ponies. I wonder what the arrangement is here."

 Brickfielder: "Unless Trottingham has a sizable pegasine population, I doubt there's any large-scale weather control."

Quick Fix: "Why wouldn't they? Typically the population is distributed pretty evenly between the races. So, um.. if it's a big city, I'm sure they could do something for fields of this size..."

Silver Rush hops into the air for a little pegasi OP action "well no sense falling into a mud pit or whatever. Lord knows we probably need to exercise our wings a bit"

"Oh, hold up..." Saffron suddenly starts to stop, looking at herself--and at her gear, namely at the more overtly thievery oriented tools that were mostly improvised. Lockpicking tools, an excessive amount of bobby pins, among other things. She starts to sit down and try to move them to more concealed areas on her outfit, inside deeper, interior pockets, splitting the tools between pockets and saddlebags to make them less suspicious...

(GM Note): Saffron tested deceit to hide her equipment. She succeeded

Reorganizing Saffron’s gear took a couple of minutes. But after she would be satisfied that she would need to have her equipment laid out for it to tell any stories regarding intended use.

Walking along the gravel road would give an odd feeling. Like walking over a landslide given how it shifted and was kicked up from unsteady hooves. With how solid the surface was it was unnerving to be on unstable terrain. It seemed like the recent weather had softened the road up.

You did not draw any attention until you were a couple hours of walking down the muddy road. From behind your group came an odd airy sound you could not place. The soft beeping of a horn would catch all of your attention. Coming down the road behind you was a hovering metal tub of a vehicle. Some sort of black coloured muddy truck with a long and wide cargo bed tailing behind. The whole contraption was a good twenty centimeters off the ground suspended on some kind of air cushion that violently vibrated the space under the vehicle. It had a driver who was an older stallion that looked like he spent a lot of time in the sun. As the vehicle approached it slowed and came to a hovering stop within conversation distance. Conversation distance because the driver rolled down the window and greeted you. He had a noticeable accent with an odd take on vowels. While he was mostly understandable there were some words he used that were likely slang. The driver greeted you with what amounted to a 'good day' and asked if you 'lot' were heading into the city.

 Brickfielder seems... surprised by the appearance of the vehicle, especially its design. He manages to pull his eyes off of it, however, to wave a wing to the driver, and his bizarre manner of speech. "That we were, yes."

Saffron would whip her head slightly to look over her shoulder as her wings flicked out slightly, more readily, at the weird sound coming from behind them while she, being short, slogged over the gravely road slightly and gave it a few accusatory stares to boot, before stepping aside a bit more and watching the vehicle approach. Her eyes comically followed the window rolling down, before flicking up to the stallion, staying silent for about a second before speaking up, "Yip! We just got here for the first time." She nods to Brickfielder's reply, too.

Ember is mostly surprised about the weird vehicle the ponies arrived in and attempts to wrap her head around the weird contraption, ignoring the ponies inside

Sundancer is also following the vehicle with her eyes. She's not unfamiliar with the principles it works on, but such designs weren't permitted by cloud architecture and metal scarcity.

Quick Fix has never seen a moving machine of such scale or design, and it throws him off a little just like the gravel path. He lets the squad talk for him, for now. They'll know what to say more than someone who's been on the surface for only a week.

The driver seemed genuinely curious about your group being here for the first time. He stated that newcomers usually arrived through help from the griffons on the northern isles. He says he ‘smells’ that you have a story to tell and he’s ‘keen’ on hearing it. He can give your group a lift in the bed of the vehicle if one of you wants to get in the cab and tell him about yourselves.

Ember gives a concerned look at Silver from the drivers comment

Saffron took a side glance towards the others at the way the stallion used the word 'smells' in that context, giving them all a concerned/amused wry smile, then back to the driver. "You know Fillydelphia, sir? We came from there." She asked, stepping a bit closer to the floating vehicle without jumping in JUST yet.

Sundancer elaborates on Saffron's description curtly "Landed on the coast. Met some tribals."

Brickfielder glances among the group, and clears his throat. "Well... unless one of you wants to give this fellow an earful, I'd be fine going." His look, hopefully, communicates that whoever does this has to be ready to stick to the story perfectly. ...Though he doesn't glance at Quick while looking around.

Saffron actually nodnods her head towards the bed of the floating vehicle, beaming towards Quick. "C'mon! Let's take the ride, betcha're tired from all the hiking, mister unicorn-pony." She excitedly hopped towards him to nuzzle his cheek, then flaps over to the cab to excitedly take up the stallion on the offer to talk with him!

Brickfielder's brow furrows slightly, watches the brief exchange, and moves to get into the bed of the vehicle.

Silver Rush hops in the bed of the truck remembering where his holdout pistol was, taking note of the height the drivers head was through the wall of the truck bed

Ember follows warily onto the strangers truck

 Saffron: "You ever seen, like, zombie-ponies?? And big, mutant bugs!" She instantly started, introducing herself immediately as Saffron, 'professional' explorer and slightly-less-professional scavenger, and then immediately tried to show him her shotgun with a shotgun underneath it.

(GM note): Saffron Tested Deceive+Questioning for telling her story and getting some information from the driver. She passes

Brickfielder settles into the bed, but doesn't pay too much mind to what's going on in the cab of the vehicle. Saffron will say so much that any slips will probably just go unnoticed by this wrinkly old ground-dweller.

"Uh, right, yeah. I could use a rest." Quick trots over to the back of the truck and makes himself comfy in one of the corners of the bed. Totally separated from Saffron, now, he looks around at the rest of the party with a somewhat nervous look about him.

Brickfielder adjusts his baggy attire slightly, feeling the pistol hidden away, and glances down at Quick while he's looking around. He clears his throat and puts on a friendly look. "Concerned for Saffron? You and her seem like you've gotten pretty... close."

"Oh.. um..." Red, unfortunately, contrasts greatly with green, making it impossible for him to hide his blush in the warm sunlight. "I guess. She's seemed a little... off recently. Just before we left, really.. she seems better, now, though."

Brickfielder nods slightly. "Mm, she's maintained her chipper attitude even after what happened on the mainland. Though even then, I'm surprised at how quickly she took to you. No offense."

Saffron would keep the old stallion’s ear occupied with your group’s story and badgering with questions. You had a little under an hour drive to the city. It was unlikely Saffron could fail at filling that time. The drive had heard of stories about the mainland, but not much about the city you mentioned. He was used to horror stories but seemed genuinely surprised they were being told from a ‘direct encounter’ perspective. He seemed pretty content that life around there was nothing like the mainland. When it came time to pepper him with questions for information Saffron would get some details of use. The farmer communities would have a fair view of the robin hoods, given they could understand where they were coming from in regards to nature reverence. But the city folk would likely tell you a lot of false rumors and nonsense about them. Hard to tell what they actually believed regarding the ponies in the woods. The way he heard it though is that The city folk started disrespecting ancient historic sites and that got the robin hoods to take off into the woods. For less serious topics the old man could recommend you went to ‘pub lane’ for honest drinks. It was east of the main square, in eastgate side of town, he said.

Quick Fix shrugs. "I guess she just.. saw somepony who.. maybe needed some help adjusting, and... we got along. I want to get to know you guys, too! ...but we haven't really had much time for that."

Ember tilts her head a bit at Quicks reaction

Brickfielder gives a practiced, charming smile. "I'd say. She's had a stranglehold on you most of the time."

You pass what could be outskirt villages or at least small farming communities on your way into the city. It would have been quite pretty if the fields were further along and perhaps if the sun was out. Regardless you get some fairly picturesque views of farmland on the way. Particularly from the air where Sundancer was trailing the vehicle. Those in the bed of the car would be in for a rather smooth drive, given the vehicle floated above the ground. As uncomfortable as the bed of the truck might be it would be a fairly relaxing ride.

Quick Fix nods. "I can't complain. It's nice to have a friend.. much better than being surrounded by strangers."

Brickfielder glances out at the view, and nods slightly, his thoughts getting away from him a bit again between the smooth ride and the vast farmland. "...Mhm."

Saffron does make a few remarks about the Earthern cloaks, calling them 'nice, honest ponies'--at least in terms of what they do, she respect their reverence of nature since, if the wasteland is anything to go by, it did need to be protected--otherwise, where would they be?? Though she also slips in that it was definitely a radical change from the burglars, murderers, and robbers out there in the mainland in the nooks and crannies of fillydelphia's outskirts... Almost made them feel 'too nice'. But then she'd change the topic by cheering at the notion of 'honest pubs', "YEEAAAH, I need to get PROPAH smashed, I'm so TIRED!" She'd ALMOST be able to be heard from inside the cab, just due to the open window and her nearly sticking her head out of it like a dog taking in the air. "Also this thing is SO COOL!"

 Saffron:  "I've never seen one before?? Can it go faster??"

Quick Fix doesn't quite have the social willpower to keep discussion going, so instead he gives the group a final glance and then turns his gaze to the landscape.

When you approach the city the first thing to see were the high stone walls and gate built around the perimeter. Tall edifices that could be imposing for anyone incapable of flying over them. There was some hoof traffic going in and out but for the most part this afternoon seemed to be quiet. For the observant among you (can rote one success) the walls looked to be in disrepair. Cracks ran across sections leaving some rents in the face of the walls. At the base loose debris that had broken loose was building up. It was not a shining edifice so much as an old remnant of a time when it was needed. To the south your flier would be able to see the top of battlements from a structure inside the city walls. It looked like a castle that had been converted into an anti air battery, given the old world hardpoint weapons emplacements.

Brickfielder gazes up at the walls, running a hoof along his mane as he does. "...Really is strange to see..."

When you approach the gate your driver would slow to a stop to let you disembark a dozen meters out. Since you were all new to the city you would want to talk to the constables for information and rules that he likely forgot about himself. You would be able to recognize the police that were posted at the gate. Their blue uniforms and hats would give them an air of authority you may be swayed by.

Brickfielder thuds to the ground outside of the bed and adjusts his sword slightly before trotting to the side of the vehicle and waiting for Saffron to get out. Hopefully things went well in the cab.

Saffron would peek out the window of the cab to really take in the scenery. Taking note of the wall that was in disrepair. "Wow that wall doesn't look very happy..." The smoll red mare remarked half-jokingly, before her eyes would skip towards the CASTLE. "Is that a castle??" The mare exclaimed like a filly, eyes all glinting with curiosity and eagerness. Though she settled down when the vehicle slowed to a stop. Begrudgingly, Saffron began to dismount... But not before whipping around and offering a hoof to bump or shake, "My name is Saffron by the way, what's yours? It'd be nice to know it, since you were so nice to give us a small ride."

Sundancer rejoins the group on the ground and adjusts her gear for ground based operations

"The walls are so big... I wonder what they would have needed them for?"Quick, in polar opposite to Brick, steps down at least somewhat gracefully from the truck without making much of a sound.

Your temporary companion would give saffron a hoof shake and offer his name of Wheatgrass. He noted you paid well enough with some entertainment so nothing owed. When your crew had dismounted the truck he gave his goodbye and took a slow drive through the gate into town. Could see him nod at one of the gatewatchers as some kind of regular. That left your group amids the very thin crowd of ponies passing through. Given you were obviously new arrivals the police wait expectedly for your approach.

 Ember Flare: "Well ain't that a proper big city, and those huge weapons mounted up top as well with an actual police force..."

Silver Rush hops out of the truck bed, trying his best to look like a beleaguered refugee, slowly moving towards the entrance to the city

 Ember Flare:  "Not any old run down shanty town"

Saffron fully hopped down off the cap. Given her shortness, she extended her wings to very briefly glide to the ground and then gracefully turn around. After that, she gave an excited, filly-ish wave with her wing AND her hoof whilst rearing up, coming back down as her eyes followed the hovercraft... And then her eyes skipped to the police. Her smile wries up slightly, and she whipped her head back towards the others, "Cool!" She called back to them with a hop towards them to rejoin them, "Yeah, innit?" She'd say towards Ember with a grin, looking between the others. "I learned a bit more about the relations people have with the druids."

 Brickfielder: "It is... actually rather impressive..." He glances down at Saffron. "Anything we should know?"

Saffron's eyes peer up to look almost skywards towards Brickfielder's face, her ears flicking back as she takes a few steps back so as to have her head less tilted upward from being so close to him. "Well, according to that elderly pony, the farmers out here are on amicable relations with them. They understand why the druids do what they do, and they agree with it. The city ponies though--they're adversarial, they spread bad rumors about them, and it's said they're the ones that drove the druids into going into self-imposed exile into the woods by disrespecting ritual sites and stuff... Nothing solid, yet."

 Saffron: "Useful to know who is on who's side, I guess."

Quick Fix looks around at the city with wide eyes. Curiosity is more than evident in his expression - in fact, he almost seems awestruck. The place might not be the worst for offloading him, if need be.

Brickfielder glances down at Saffron, and nods. "...Well, guess it's time to talk to the... constable, that's what they're called?"

 Quick Fix:  "It's.. bigger and better than I ever could have imagined. Maybe we could.. live here..?"

 Saffron flicked her glance towards the police ponies at the gates, following along with Silver. Though she pointedly decides to go last here. "Hopefully they don't arrest me." Saffron remarked, half-playfully.

 Brickfielder glances down at Quick as the group starts moving towards the gate. "...You can, if you want. I don't think we'll be making such a decision just yet."

Sundancer tuts at Quick's suggestion "Don't like living in the woods? We spent so long making those walls, too."

"it is a bit claustrophobic in here..." Ember adds eyeing the crowds

 Quick Fix: "Hm?" With that, some of his enthusiasm is sapped and his expression weakens. "Oh.. well, it's up to you guys, anyway. I wouldn't know what to do here all by myself."

 Ember Flare: "So what do you want to do first? It's surprisingly big city, might take us a while to get around to everything"

Brickfielder doesn't respond to Quick and instead looks at Ember; that little unicorn is going to be devastated when he finds his Vault ransacked... "I imagine it'll be busier inside the walls. Just... try to relax."

 Brickfielder: "I imagine that, whatever we do, it'd be wise to stick together."

Today seemed like a lazy overcast sort of day. The air in the city was damp from recent rain and the streets were more than a bit muddy. Beyond the gate you could see tall buildings facing a tree lined avenue. When you approach the police staffing the gate you would get a cap tip in greeting, but a bit of a tired and bored sort of reaction. You get told it was good you were arriving through ‘the star’ since the dock had entrance fees for those offloading. There would be some rules you’ll want to follow, particularly ‘you sorts’ with wings.

 Ember Flare: "Yes, don't trust the locals. I bet the walls are filled with all sorts of unsavory folk"

Brickfielder stiffens his stance up, just a bit, at the phrase 'you sorts'. But, he maintains a calm expression at least. "What're the rules?"

Saffron only now flicked her glance towards Quick Fix for a long second, just silently looking at him. "You'd be safe here, and stuff..." Saffron remarked, on a quieter but earnest note. "... Up to you, Quick." She smirked. "But for now," She turned ahead, looking to Brickfielder to nod in agreement with him, then back to Quick, "Let's try to stay positive." She stated warmly. Before fully turning to the constable once they were in speaking range. The 'you sorts' makes her wings tuck in slightly, pouting weakly. "But I like flying..."

 Quick Fix: "Hey, now. Don't be like that. I'm sure there's plenty of nice ponies in here. Could be plenty of nasty ones, too, but that's to be expected anywhere you go."He turns to Saffron with a proper frown, now. "Like Brick said, I think we're better off sticking together. Who knows if this place is anything like the Vault. If it's like the cities I've read about, I could just starve, homeless."

The constable seemed like this was all a very routine sort of explanation. Maybe he worked at the docks and saw those arriving and going? He gave you some quick rundown of rules you could expect. He said this was a very ‘civilized place’ and the likes of theft or being drunk in the streets would get you locked up. For those with the wings you were not allowed above the first floor since honest folk don’t like when curious sorts could just peek in through their windows or galavant across the roofs. Unless you had some sort of city business like a lot of griffons it was best you kept your hooves on the ground.

 Ember Flare:  "The griffons work for the city?"

Brickfielder isn't exactly happy about the rules limiting flight... but he doesn't say anything. Just go with it.

Silver Rush makes sure to look as bored as the cop giving them the information "could use some maps or directions to centers of business and pubs and the like if you have 'em. Any curfews or other general rules for folk traveling through?"

Saffron's pouting strengthens, her wings flicking and arching slightly along her back as she steps in place for a second. Giving one weak flap, before nodding slowly in understanding, listening quietly...

Not all griffons work for the city, but more than a few were military or valets to some official or whatnot, the constable explained. You would be entering the city through Upper Town, which he explains to be the fancy part of town and where newcomers should not be loitering about. If you follow the avenue right down to the town center plaza there would be a city office right smack in the middle where you could get a map. On the topic of curfew there was one, yes. Don’t be in the streets after dark without good cause like getting to your homes or you could get a fine.

Sundancer speaks up "Where are the merchants located?"

Embers' ears suddenly perk up as if remembering something "Ah yes, we have several doctors in our group myself included, I wanted to ask if there is a place where we could offer our services?"

Saffron actually strides forward around Silver to be more in view of the constable, "--I have a question, sir!--" She pauses a bit as Ember and Sundancer speaks up, prompting her to pause for about a moment to give the constable time to react... Then speaks her question, "So--is there a particular area of the city that we REALLY shouldn't be, at any time and for any reason?"

You were told that the area around the docks would be your best bet in both cases. Plenty of the downtrodden end up in the docks area who could use some care. Most traders came between here and griffonstone so the docks would be where travelling merchant sorts come through. If you need a guildy to make something for ya, it depends on what you want made. He did not seem surprised to be addressed by a robot. Perhaps he did not even notice Sundancer as something other than a pegasus at the moment. When it comes to Saffron’s question you get pointed to the castle area past the wall. The fort was off limits for anyone but the military.

 Saffron gives off a low: "Aww I wanna see the castle..." in response, then just nodnods her head in acknowledgement, looking up to Silver and the others to wait for them to move on...

 Brickfielder:  "We can see it. From a distance."

 Quick Fix: "It looks cool, but I'm sure we can handle missing a guided tour."

Saffron grumbles something about "--See it from inside..." in response, followed by a scrunchied muzzle and a small pout.

You would be let into the city with a casual warning to behave yourselves. As well as a small note that you will want to find work or sell something to earn some coin. But otherwise it all seemed like a typical exchange for the fellow. The avenue leading into the city would be very pretty despite the gloomy weather. The south side was a wall of building faces, possibly homes, built straight up and down in a somewhat imposing fashion. They looked prim and proper. On the north side of the paved road was a park. Tall and strong trees in orderly lanes with park benches resting every few meters. Among the trees and down the avenue were electric street lamps. But they were not on currently given the time of day. It all seemed fairly deserted now. But it was just a bit after noon and a darker day.

Brickfielder has trouble not rubber-necking to look at the trees, the fences, the paved road... this is quite a lot to take in.

Quick Fix had his will broken long ago, and his eyes slide all over the exotic, urban constructions with awe and wonder. "Is this.. what civilisation looks like?"

 Brickfielder:  "...Well... Fillydelphia certainly didn't have anything quite like this..."

Sundancer takes the guard's lack of scrutiny as an excuse to let herself be more outwardly curious, joining the group in socializing and discussing the town's novelty

 Sundancer: "I guess this is the difference not getting hit by bombs makes… Everything here is so... old. The ruins of Filly felt more modern than this. I suppose the effect is produced by continuous habitation."

Saffron, who was much shorter, almost had to flap her wings to hover at Brickfielder's level so she could look at everything without harming her neck too much. "... Makes you wonder what it'd be like if the war didn't happen..." Saffron remarked from the background, furrowing her brow slightly. "The walls that protect this place are run-down, but it's got a military by the sounds of it. A police force, a government." She'd snap a glance towards Sundancer, "Probably. Filly wasn't so bad--it was home, and it worked out. It just wasn't this. Peaceful, I guess? Away from the mutants, and the monsters..."

As you headed east down the main thoroughfare you would start to encounter more and more ponies going about their day. They in general wore warm clothing to keep off the chill. As you reach the center of the city after about an hour of walking you would come to a wide plaza surrounded on all sides by storefronts and possibly service buildings judging from signage. Throngs of people crossed the heart of the city in loose groups. It seemed a fairly chaotic jumble to navigate on hoof. You would see your first sights of griffons as well. One coming out from a central marble building in the center of the plaza before taking flight and another just walking along. Larger than a pony it was hard not to see them as quite exotic and majestic. The crowds were occasionally broken up by a vehicle going through the area. It seemed like the place had never been designed for these hovering beasts. But that did not stop ponies from using them. Most of them were smaller vehicles compared to the truck you had rode in on.

Quick Fix has long left the illusion of Sunny's being purely a utility robot behind. The robot probably has, as well."I think this could be... a nice place to live. The island is small.. Apart from the strange business with the glass animals and the druids, it's free of conflict. And the old buildings are so beautiful.. just how old are they? It must have been hundreds of years, if they're from before the war.."

Brickfielder, perhaps subconsciously, stands a bit taller and fluffs his wings up some at the sight of the griffons. He sees eye to eye with them... quite strange for him.

 Ember Flare"It does look surprisingly orderly around here... Oh but considering the beasts in the woods, you might want to consider checking out some better firepower as well"

 Sundancer: "I need some spare parts if we are to repair anything."

 Saffron's eyes dart upward to see the big gryphons! "Wow, Brickfielder, look. The gryphons are ALMOST as big as you." Saffron would jokingly remark, beaming at the sight of the catbirds with a small giggle, tentatively waving towards one just to greet them before turning to Ember, "Well, I've got a shotgun, a big pistol that might break if I use it too much, a street-sign for a shield, and a knife. Maybe we could buy some more reliable pistols?..."

 Saffron: "Maybe there's someone that makes actual shields. You know, like in the books."

"How are we going to get the money to buy stuff?"Quick seems the kind of pony whose knowledge of guns ends at which end is pointed in which direction.

Brickfielder scoffs a bit at Saffron's comment... and fluffs his wings up a bit more.

 Ember Flare: "We already earned some doing that doctoring and should be able to get more the same way"

 Quick Fix: "Oh, right.. I forgot about that. That'll only get us so far, though. Perhaps Sundancer and I should investigate putting our skills to use."

 Sundancer: "It would be something to do to pass the time."

Saffron side glanced Quick Fix from right beside her, "You, Sundancer, and Ember could make a very good team of doctors and nurses, y'know! Just a matter of finding work. Once we get a map we could go to a place called 'Pub Lane' at the 'eastgate' side of the city, and ask the bartenders and stuff."

Taking the constables direction your group heads into the crowds to start making a beeline towards that central building. The white/grey marble makes the square building and pillared face quite authoritative. While there were the occasional pony going in or out of the large wooden doors that had been left open, it seemed like a fairly quiet place among the noise of the throngs. You would need to avoid at least one vehicle going at a slow pace through the crowds, making a wake of bodies moving to either side to avoid it.

 Ember Flare: "The pubs might be good for information maybe? It would be good to hear about the forest folk and those fae things from the locals"

 Brickfielder: "...Would a pub also double as an inn of some sort? We'll need a place to stay, given curfew."

 Sundancer: "If there's a whole row of pubs, there's got to be at least one inn."

 Quick Fix: "Hopefully we can afford it with what we have. There's six of us, after all... we'll probably have to share a room or two."

Saffron, avoiding the incoming traffic of ponies and hovercraft by flying at around Brickfielder's height to not get tripped on like she was a cat along with her group, lands and prances ahead--making headway towards the square building. Hopping up towards and past the doorways! "That's fineee!" Saffron remarked in Quick Fix's direction as she does, smirking broadly at him.

Your time in the office would be brief, but you would get some useful information from a clerk staffing a strange walled booth. He was on the other side of a wall with an access window leading to his desk booth on the far side. Some kind of security window he could shutter was in place if needed. You learn the copper coins you had in your possession were called pennies, the silver coins were just called silvers though. Gold coins existed and were called crowns. You could get a printed map of the city meant for travellers for a few pennies (0.1 note). It would list the street names and have some key locations marked. But would be quite barren when it came to specific shops or such. Pub lane was south east of the plaza, down a city block and halfway between the plaza and the southernmost gate.

Saffron was more than happy to let the others handle the buying of the map. She simply asked the precise location of Pub Lane so she could have it pointed out on the map, so she then could whip out a half-used pencil and make a note on the map itself. After that, she started walking around the lobby looking at everything, until she decided to wait for the others outside so she could stare at gryphons and at the hovercraft.

Brickfielder is certainly keeping an eye on the griffons; it's not just their size being similar to his, but it's also their bizarre, exotic anatomy. It's almost off-putting...

Silver Rush takes a small portion of the notes and hands it to saffron who appears to be drooling after the wallet so she can wallow in the pubs ``find out what you can about the locals and what they think of the...natives. don't get arrested, ember make sure both of those things happen."

 Silver Rush: "I need to scope out the shops first for anything...interesting"

 Ember Flare: "Will do!"

 Sundancer: "I'll come with you, I've got some shopping to do as well."

Brickfielder nods to them, and looks down at Quick. "I take it you're heading with Saffron?"

With an objective in mind the group is led to the south east to pub row. The buildings down this way look a bit less well kept than the ones in upper town. Some masonry is crumbly and cracked. There’s the occasional bit of graffiti on the walls that’s incomprehensible. It looks a lot more lived in given the street is a bit dirtier. When you reach the pub row it seems to be a busy place. It was starting still a bit off before suppertime but the alehouses and pubs still seemed to be occupied for the most part. You get some with odd names like the dancing oak, the sixteen barrels, and other things that sound like there's a story behind them. One very interesting location is a door above the first floor set above a different pub. Given the name is ‘the griffon’s roost’ It seemed fairly self evident who such a location was for. Most of the group can start crawling pubs while Silver and Sundancer would be able to circle the central plaza for shops.

Saffron was on the verge of whining at Silver for candy money. She walked up to him with intent, ready to present her obviously swaying argument. But it turns out he had foreseen her, and he just gives her some notes. "YESSSSSSSSSSSssss--" Saffron trails off like a snake, flapping once with her wings as she pockets the alcohol moneys and then pokes Quick on the nose, then starts wordlessly making headway, "We should find a place to regroup! Let's see if we find an inn or something first maybe?" She said out loud towards her companions as she goes off ahead of them, hovering at average height with some flaps of her wings.

Brickfielder hangs behind Saffron and Quick, still taking in the sights in between watching the two of them.

"U-uhh.." Practically assaulted by both Brick and Saffron, Quick caves. "Sure... we should do that as a group, though. We don't have any way of communicating apart from each other, so we should find someplace to meet up at the end of the day."

 Ember Flare: "The square would be a pretty easy meeting place. Open area and easy to locate"

 Saffron:  "Mhm! MHM! We can probably meet back in an hour or so?" Saffron replied back to Ember, looking between the others.

 Quick Fix: "Oh, yeah, the square would be perfect. We're on Inns, Sunny and Silver are on shopping, and... Brick?"

 Brickfielder: "Oh, don't mind me, I want to get a good look of the town as well."

Saffron marches off to the first Pub that looks semi-presentable with a most confident stride in her step, and with a most critical thirst for information and maybe beer.

(GM Note) Each of the two groups rolled Questioning+Mind. Silver + Sundancer for locating weapons and items for shopping. Saffron+Brickfielder+Quick roll for information regarding where to stay in the city. Even with spending some money Saffron almost botched.

Attempting to buy other ponies drinks slightly backfires ever so slightly since Saffron just ends up drinking most of them. She had a taste for it in that moment, and decided that, apart from asking direct questions to a bartender in the hopes he'd know anything on the logic of 'bartender know everything!', and the patrons next to them to whom she offers to pay a drink or two, she ends up being surprisingly unhelpful in the whole information gathering thing.

Silver and Sundancer spend their hour looking through stores and talking to ponies about where to acquire weapons. They find that it seems to be almost a taboo topic despite the headway they make. As is trading for firearms or like ranged weapons is illegal for common folk. Only the military is intended to have them. You could speak with a guild run weaponsmith about martial weapons such as a sword however.

The crew working the pub lane make progress. If in spite of Saffron's increasing inebriation and prolific spending of your limited currency. There are traveller's inns in the docks for sailors you could go to. Merchants who travel seem to have homes they rent comparably. Given the only trade partner they have is griffonstone and the griffons that come through tend to stay with those they know your business to one of the bunkhouses that you could rent beds at would likely be welcome.

 (GM Note):  Ember’s Player wanted to start sowing some dissent in town. With a deceive test she eked out a small success.

Saffron giggled semi-hysterically after a good four or so pints, leaning closer towards Quick to whisper stupid jokes at him, "hAy, what do you call, a pegasus that gets stuck on a hoop?" She says, with the most playful voice ever, "Dunked!" She says, and nodnods her head, "That's what they did to me, once! 'cause I'm always small? Kicked me down a hoop. And then I beat them up. And then I got suspended."

Brickfielder looks down at Saffron with a flat expression; he doesn't even have to lean around Quick to do it given his height.

It would be a difficult sell given ember was new to this and she would be competing against some entrenched rumors about the forest ponies already. While she manages to make the mood in that particular pub darker with her story, it was hard to see if it would take a larger hold. A lot more work would need to be done to sow this sinister harvest.

Ember would be telling somewhat tweaked versions of their hardships in the forests. How the horrible glass monsters attacked them and how the horribly disfigured druids communicated with their masters

Saffron then leans back and with a HUGE grin plugs her lips with her fifth beer--which was probably going to be her last at the rate she was going. But that didn't stop her from generously tipping the bartender and buying others drink, which is where most of her allowance goes. Looking straight at Brickfielder as she drinks and just stares back at him. "Pbtt." She bleps at him.

 Quick Fix took one sniff of Saffron's alcohol and scrunched, citing something about a similar smell from the lab albeit with less... 'earthiness' about it. He understands inebriation though and starts patting Saffron on the back nervously."Uh, S-Saffy, you might wanna slow down a bit and drink some water. Don't wanna feel like Brick kicked you in the head come morning." Quick Fix winces at little, presumably at what she said about her past. For later.

 Ember Flare: "The unicorn might have a point there Saffron..."

Saffron gave one look at Quick Fix, pausing her drinking mostly because she's already through most of the drink anyways... And then immediately bursting out laughing at Quick Fix's statement. "HEHEHAHE--HAHEH--" Saffron wipes her cheeks off a tear, staring at Brickfielder once, "He's--PFFT---SNK--" She can't evens peak for a second, putting down the mug fully and she shakes her head, "Aahaha... Okay, whatever! I'll stop. 'cause a cutie patooie asked me nicely." She nodnods to herself.

Ember gives Brickfield a meaningful look about Saffrons comment

Brickfielder shares the look with Ember.

 Ember Flare: "Maybe we should start getting back to the others?"

"Unicorn, huh..." Quick shakes his head. "Why don't we organise rooms for the six of us? Two per room seems reasonable. Ember, I'd appreciate some... help, here. Brick can go fetch the others."

Saffron grumbles something about 'taking a break' beneath her breath, as she reaches back to her belt pouches and draws out her waterskin. Taking a generous gulp of her water to please her companions. Then she takes the rest of the beer, drinks it, and then drinks more water. Then, setting down the empty pint.

Brickfielder nods to Ember and gets up. "You sure you don't want me to help drag Saffron back?"

"I don't NEED dragging BACK." Saffron gets snappy at Brickfielder, her tail tossling under her stool and her wings tightening on her back.

Brickfielder gives Saffron another flat look, and then looks back at Ember and Quick.

"I think it'd be best if we all converged here rather than at the square... go on, we'll be fine here all on our lonesome." Quick waves his hoof to dismiss Brick.

Brickfielder sighs, and nods, turning and heading out, picking a nice spot near the door, and loitering.

 Saffron glowers at Brickfielder with a distinct hostility in return, giving him a look that would kill if she had that ability. She snapped her glance down at the counter as she sips on the water from her waterskin slowly, rather than what they'd offer at the bar. Staring a hole on the counter.

Quick Fix strokes the pega's mane. "You know, you're cute when you're angry. And when you're drunk. No need to get so worked up, though..." He looks over at Ember, "so, uh, how do we.. get rooms, exactly? I've only ever read about it.."

Ember has a hard time finding anything to focus on in the extremely awkward situation with her eyes wandering in the walls and tapping her hooves nervously

 Ember Flare "Ah... well um. I think we'll just... go to the docks and pay for the rooms and.. there! We have rooms."

Saffron's head slightly twitches away from his hoof, as if she really didn't want to be touched. But not by much, she doesn't get snappy with him or lean away too much--allowing Quick to touch her if he pushed it on her. She had a distinct, murderous glare in her eyes, full of frustration. "Stop callin' me cute..." She whispered towards his direction from the corner of her lip. "I've got--hick--" She winces a little from the hiccup, "--Got my reasons to be frustrated."

 Saffron "... He's an asshole... Always has been..."

Brickfielder scratches one of his ears a bit.

(GM Note): The shoppers buy a laser torch and some spare parts for Sundancer which was confirmed ooc.

Quick Fix does indeed push it, though gently; the stroking is soothing and constant, running through her mane and over the fur on her neck. "Alright. He's not here now, though. You don't have to share a room with him, either. Jus' me." In response to Ember, Quick can only offer a most definitely not reassured wince.

Ember opens her mouth to say something before hesitating and backing down after glancing at Saffron

Saffron's drunkenness manifests ever so slightly in the form of a strong hiccup, and a continued grumbling. "SSsshure... I mean don'--get me w-Hicc--he's competent and all that s-shit, but he's such a prick... I tried talking to him--ff-fm..." She just trails off into an incomprehensible mumble, and eventually just decides to slide on a dime on the stool, and start getting up to walk to the exit.

 Ember Flare: "Ah.. I'm sure you're exaggerating... He seems to be a decent enough pony. A bit rough around the edges maybe?"

"Hey, easy! Easy." Quick walks with her and makes sure the pega's walking steady. "You practically consumed your bodyweight in alcohol. I don't want you passing out on the way to an inn. Then Brick's gonna have to carry you." He shrugged, glancing again at Ember. "He seemed friendly enough. But.. I haven't had much chance to talk with him. With any of you, really."

Brickfielder keeps glancing up the street as he waits, frowning. He doesn't care for having to stand around outside like this.

Ember's remark made it so Saffron doesn't go straight outside, she just stops on the walk-way there and just turns around to Ember. "Yeah well NOT WITH ME he isn't! Feels like--HICC--Like FROM--" She states matter-of-factly, stumbling maybe half-a-step to the side as she stomps a hoof once, Quick Fix coming to her side quiets her down. She just frowns at him, looking him up and down, "I'm not passing out. *Hic!*"

 

Quick Fix frowned concernedly at his friend. "Maybe not, but you're drunk and angry. You can tell me all about it once we've got a room, okay? Just... zip those pretty pegasus lips for a few minutes and we'll have all the privacy of a room for you to vent your frustrations.

With your equipment found, some information in your pocket, and a whole lot of beer in Saffron the group can reconvene before heading to the docks and finding a place to sleep. Following the directions you head northward cutting through the city by secondary streets at odd angles off the main road. The dock area is even less kept up than the area around the pubs. The streets have clutter along the edges and there is a notable smell of dirtiness in the air like a faint miasma. The air carries along with it salt from the port as you get closer. As things start to get dark the streets begin to quickly clear out as people return to their homes. That is aside from a couple you’ll encounter having sex in an allyway that you intended to pass through. Just a couple going at it in the rougher looking part of town. Averting your path you could eventually circle around and locate the inn that you had been directed to. It looked crummy to say the least. But it would only cost you a little bit of cash. The rooms were three beds each, so you would only need to get two for the group. The beds would be surprisingly large. Not quite Brickfielder’s preferred size but almost comfortable.

Brickfielder grumbles and sets about moving beds together so that he can sleep without his hindlegs hanging off the edge.


Map of Trottingham


Session 15

It was fair to say your group would have a difficult evening. Between a matter of space for brickfielder, saffron’s inebriation, and the awkward social situation it would be hard for many to get restful sleep. Not to mention there seemed to be more types of bugs in this place than there were outside at your camp. The morning would not come quick enough. Even if it left many of you drained.

Ember would try and get ready for another day preferring to forget the conditions of their sleeping quarters and seek out sundancer

Brickfielder nearly rolls out of his bed(s) while trying to wake up, groaning and rubbing his head. How was he getting better sleep at the camp compared to this...?

 Ember Flare "Morning, ready to make the bread?"

Quick Fix wakes up before Saffron in the morning for the first time since they met. He's quite exhausted after taking care of her the night before, but at least he still had her comforting warmth at his back. He sources water from one source or another, and gently wakes Saffron with the glass prepared. Hopefully giving her so much water the night before will dampen the resulting hangover. Casting painkiller on her head would leave the pegasus slightly... dopey.

Saffron would regret her life choices, such as drinking way too much beer way too fast and only later drinking water with it. The water... MIGHT have helped? She couldn't tell. A spider had walked across her pillow at one point, but luckily she didn't get to be paranoid about spiders that night since, at one point, Saffron straight-up goes out like a rock and just sleeps despite the awful room. As Quick Fix TRIES to wake Saffron, he'd have to nearly shake her to even get a response from her in the form of a light bat at his hoof and a still exhausted sounding: "Dude..." She just says. Unfortunately, she was not awake, and the mare groaned in pain and discomfort, grimacing queasily. She doesn't even get up, she just lays there, limp. "Hhhhhh ffffUuuUcK..." Even after the 'painkilling' effect, she only slightly lifts her head. She didn't want to be alive right now.

Quick Fix *doesn't* cast anything on her, to be sure. He doesn't want to accidentally knock her unconscious by blocking the wrong nerve channels. What he does do is kiss her on the snoot, levitating the glass close to her head. "You should drink this. You're mighty dehydrated, even after all the water I gave you last night."

When you go to eat breakfast your group would be given a meal that involved porridge mixed with fatty plant oils. Something the inn owner assures you would help after a night of drinking. The inn was quiet except for your group, which might account for the state of disrepair it was in on inspection in the daylight.

Brickfielder looks around with a rather unamused gaze while downing his porridge. ...He didn't actually drink much of anything yesterday. But food is food, and he's in no position to complain.

Saffron squints at the glass of water, then up at the stallion as he kisses her on the snoot. Her eyes rather comically crossing to stare at him as he does this, still looking queasy as she lays there. She doesn't drink the water, as she instead holds up a hoof as if to say 'hold up'. Then her cheeks puff up, putting a hoof on her lips to keep herself from having a yelling contest with the bedsheets. And then she straight-up catapults off the bed to go find the bathroom so she could vomit. She could be seen RUNNING out of the room with an unsteady hobble, "Oh f'hk ohfuUck--" could be heard from her. EVENTUALLY, after a good minute or so, she'd (after having drank the water Quick offered), join with the others at the table. Looking absolutely miserable, and with a mane so disheveled one would think something had exploded near her. Staring down at the porridge with a glare of pure discomfort. She decides to give it a taste after a bit of staring, to see if it actually helped...

Ember would actually miss the military rations at this point

 Ember Flare "So... you alright there Saffron? Your coat seems to have lost some colour"

 Brickfielder leans back after finishing his porridge and tries to fluff up his mane; is there even a place to wash around here...?

Quick Fix offers the porridge a similar glare, but... it's food. He's hungry. No worse than some of the meals he's had in the Vault, that's for sure. He tries to be a little more enthusiastic about it than Saffron, to encourage her to finish it too."She's had a rough morning. She drank enough alcohol last night to down somepony twice her size."

 Saffron looked up at Ember with a tired, slow-blinking stare. She then slowly takes a moment to set down the spoon and speak with a completely exhausted kind of calm. "Beer is evil." She tells her simply, with a dry chuckle. "Usually I would say 'it was worth it', but it really wasn't."

Saffron resumes eating the porridge. Seeing everyone else finishing made her try to eat faster, even if she pauses every now and then and just sits back. Hoof on her lips, closing her eyes as she focuses on trying not to stave off the nausea. Then resumes, after swallowing more of her own fluids than the food she was eating. "Ookay--" Saffron inhales sharply, "I think I'm gonna--hnf--take a walk...Go look at newspapers and bulletin boards to catch up on current events, and all that, for today." Saffron said, rubbing her temple and seeking out some water with her glance. "What are your plans for the day?"

 Ember Flare "Maybe me and Sundancer could make some more money doing some doctor work. Anything extra make we could use for better gear"

 Saffron gave a slow nod to Ember in silent acknowledgement, a sleepy smile crawling up her cheeks as she looked at their mutant friend. "We do need radiation suits." Saffron remarked, "And maybe that'll make us some friends too." The pale red pegasus added with some confidence, as she side glanced at Brickfielder once, "You gonna do something in particular Brickfielder?"

Brickfielder gives Saffron a flat side-glance. "...I was hoping to gather information about this settlement, primarily."

Ember pushes the remaining porridge stuff away from herself "Well I remember hearing there might be work for us around here... Guess we'll need to start asking around"

"Cool." Saffron replied to Brickfielder with a slight rasp of her voice, as her slowly nods down the table to rest her chin down. Rubbing at her left eye with her fetlock. "Mmh. I guess there's no harm in Brickfielder goin' about and asking for that stuff while I peek around, maybe there's some job boards..." Saffron stiffly said. Then covered her lips to conceal her yawn.

 Sundancer "I wouldn't mind that. The forest ponies were very grateful for our help, maybe they're not very good at medicine on the island."

Your group is ready to split up and perform some vital tasks. Quick Fix, Sundancer, and Ember were set to stay in the area and inquire into where they could ply their medical skills. Brickfielder and Silver Rush had the task of making sure saffron did not get into more trouble. While possibly gathering intel regarding spreading dissonance among the population.

Ember nods "Wouldn't be surprised at all. "ho looks like it's not quite witch doctor level quackery here..."

Brickfielder takes the same position he had before of making sure Saffron's in his sight at all times.

Ember stands still for a moment looking around "Uh.. so do you have any idea where we should start looking"

Saffron, being herself, did not see the other stallions being there as being there to 'restrain' her. After all, she was a very responsible mare! Half-prancing along the street ahead of the bigger ponies once they had left their ... Motel, she got right on her way to finding newspaper outlets and some bulletin boards to start seeing how much she could find!

(GM Note): Silver’s Player was a bit in and out this session, so his character sort of was and was not available. Each group rolled some Questioning tests to gather information.

 The day was overcast with a stiff wind coming in from the ocean. It managed to blow the usual morning fog away well before you had experienced it previously. Perhaps that is why the city was bustling early in the morning, ponies could see where they were going. A dense smell of salt perpetuated the dock area.

Saffron and Brickfielder spend the morning distracted by the sights of the city. They wander back to the bustling central plaza and can play the parts of tourists very well. The pair find only one lead for the time being. There are petitions going around for the government to let the farmers deconstruct stone circles on their land. Since the circles and the protected woodlands around them occupy a lot of fertile space.

Quickfix, Sundancer, And Ember follow some evidence of an accident down to the docks. Some ponies rushing around, talk of needing extra hooves and hands, ect. They don’t talk to anyone directly until they arrive at the scene, where Quick fix can work the growing crowd that is around a warehouse just off the wharf. An accident happened and a few workers were buried under crates. They have since been dug out but more than a few bones were broken. You arrived in time if you wanted to speak with the labor foreman about setting bones and menting gashes.

 Brickfielder

Brickfielder waits until he and Saffron have a moment of peace away from the townsfolk, and glances down at her, lowering his voice. "Those... petitions sound like something that would be very useful."

Saffron happily wandered the streets, leading Brickfielder around while flapping about like a filly and staring at things that popped into view. Like shops, or distinct architecture, or gryphons, and cool clothes. Basically anything BUT a newspaper outlet, which thus far had managed to elude Saffron given that she insisted on not asking for directions herself until Brickfielder did it for her. Though stumbling into the rumor for said petition does make her pause... And then slink back to a more serious look, as Brickfielder would eventually talk to her once they were going down the alleys again. "They could be. Did it give you any ideas?"

Ember Flare approaches the foreman "Are these your men? If so you're in luck. Me and my associates are freelance doctors"

 Brickfielder "Several. We may not have to do anything extreme here at all, just a... simple guiding hoof to ensure that those petitions achieve their goal. We should discuss it more with the rest of the group."

Brickfielder pauses for a moment. "...Fascinating that people here can just, tell the ponies in charge what to let them do, even if it's not in their best interest..."

Ember looks at the hurt ponies with faked concern "At least it looks like nobody is in hurt too badly... We could take a look at them if you wanted to employ us."

Saffron a chirpy "Hm! That is a good thought right there... Very good food for thought." Saffron said, with a bit of a hop-skip to her step before straightening her gait once more, looking up to Brickfielder once he speaks up again. What he says seemed to confuse her into silence for a second... Then she darts her eyes, tilting her head as she slows down. "It is uh..." She pauses, "Interesting." Saffron's voice trailed off, eyes casting ahead. "Plus there's no colors..."

 Saffron "... I think. Maybe there is."

 Ember Flare "we're not exactly cheap, but you're in luck we happened here at the time. Just looking at the accident I can tell you that the longer you wait, the worse complications you might get. If the ponies had to wait even half a day, they might develop nasty infections that could take months to heal"

The workers, three ponies and a griffon, were laid out in the middle of the warehouse floor space on blankets. Other workers were in the process of cleaning up the damage, including using an electric crane system internal to the warehouse. It was noisy and made Ember need to speak up fairly loud to be heard. The foreman overlooking the site seemed to consider Ember’s point, compared to letting the worker’s families collect them and deal with the damage. It could need some convincing. (Negotiation + will)

Quick Fix eyes Ember, clearly uncomfortable, but says nothing. This is... an interesting way of going about seeking payment.

 Brickfielder "I haven't seen evidence there are any, but clearly, there's some sort of hierarchical structure. If I had to guess, if people can petition their leaders, they probably also choose who leads. ...But then, why petition...?"

 Brickfielder frowns. "Infrared society is a strange beast..."

Saffron's left ear flicks down, peering around the corners of the little alley they had walked through as they got back onto a proper road onto the square. "It feels like it's just a way for the leaders to just know what the ponies at large want, right? Like, a formal request." Saffron remarked.

 Saffron "At least it isn't barbaric. Everypony here is, AT LEAST, on the 'okay' spectrum in my book."

 Brickfielder "Surprisingly. ...I do wonder how this place's administration compares to that of Quick Fix's Vault..."

Quick Fix practically steps in front of Ember and uses some fax and logique to convince them that it'd be best for them to set the broken limbs properly; they could heal malformed if left alone or mistreated.

The foreman relents as Quick Fix would be able to get aid for his workers sooner rather than later. He will let you work on them and will prepare compensation out of their wages since you moved him. There was space to work and your group could go about setting bones and suturing lacerations in short order. Provided you did a good job you would get your payment.

"The Administration?" Saffron asked aloud with some quiet interest. Then looked around some more, peering down the square, as if the answer to her question would be nearby, "Could ask Quick about the way the Administration worked in his vault, I'm sure that'd be a very interesting topic." Saffron remarked, with a semi-guarded cadence to her voice.

Brickfielder gives Saffron a raised eyebrow, before looking ahead again. "Regardless of the more minute details, there are several avenues we can use if the farmers want to remove those circles."

(GM Note): Team doctor rolled academics tests to provide aid to the workers.

Ember helps sundancer with the patients very nervously. She hadn't had this many eyes fixed on her as she pretended to know more than she did.

 Saffron "... I was hoping to find out more information by going out looking for newspapers and stuff out here." Saffron complained softly as she prances along below Brickfielder. "We could ask around the Farmers to see what they think, I'm actually curious about why they're coming to that decision... Maybe the town is expanding and they need more food, but given the circles respond with such hostility to being near metal, and the Earthern Cloaks basically safeguarding them they can't. So… Or maybe it's for another reason entirely!"

Saffron stopped and looked skywards to check the time--and if they had any left to do anything like going out to the farms...

Sundancer is surprised to find that on their first public outing Ember doesn't need her hoof forcefully held, leaving Sundancer free to work on the more tricky cases instead of correcting her supposed superior

Quick Fix doesn't exactly like crowds, but he knows what he's doing, and he provides effective assistance to Sunny as they patch up the workers.

Brickfielder glances up with her, and nods. "The more we know, the better we can make things go our way."

With a good level of efficiency the trio of medical professionals can set to mending the injured. With the griffon it would be the first time any of you had ever been so close to one or had mention of their physiology. But at least the worker was only cut up and you would not need to figure out how best to mend a griffon bone. You think they were hollow after all. You had some onlookers. If not because of left overs from watching the accident aftermath but seeing a robot performing medical services. From snippets of conversation it seemed they’ve only seen robots working in houses as servants.

Your doctors end up with a bag of coinage for your quick work. A few silver coins and an annoying amount of copper pennies.

Given that they still had plenty of sunlight, Saffron tilts her head up towards Brickfielder, who towered over her while next to her, and reared up to point towards the road to "The Star", confident that they'd find one in that direction! "Let's goooo this way!" She'd say, "Back the way we came in, we can go out lookin' for earth ponies!"

 Ember Flare "nice job there Sundancer, I have to say I was tad nervous there for a second. Those griffons really look big up close... and those claws"

 Sundancer "Nice job yourself, you could have been an actor. From what I saw of them, they're half feathers."

 Quick Fix "I'm just glad none of the griffons were too badly hurt. I'd have no idea how to set their bones."

 Sundancer "I have a few ideas. Pegasus wings aren't too dissimilar."

 Ember Flare "Oh the magic doesn't just do that on it's own?"

 Quick Fix "...I suppose I could have, but I can't see what I'm doing and what the position of the bones are."

 Ember Flare "ah.. makes sense. Well still a good job on your part as well. We got lucky with that accident though"

Brickfielder, Saffron, and Silver can go west out of the city through the gate they had originally entered through. Now that you were a bit more familiar with the city you would be able to recognize the area more as a waystop for people going in and out to the farms. There were a couple of watering holes that looked a bit more rough and tumble than the ones in pub row. If you waited around until a meal time perhaps you would catch some farmers to speak with.

 Sundancer "At the very least your magic is a good alternative to stitches."

 Quick Fix "Right! Never leaves a scar, unless I screw it up somehow."

Saffron shuffled about looking at all the watering holes they came to see. She spends some time trotting up the streets until she eventually stops with a "Hmmm!" as she stared at one of the bars. "If only I had money..." Saffron remarked to herself, with a small grin on her face. Looking back towards the two stallions, "We can try to hang around here! Wait for the farmers to go on break maybe? It's almost supper time, innit..."

With the work done at the dock Quick Fix, Sundancer, and Ember Flare can try and find more means of making money. Asking around directly however would prove their situation was not good in that regard. They could learn that there was a medical guild in the city. Persons outside that medical guild were at best allowed to perform folk medicine for their family. As outsiders yourselves you would be effectively performing black market medicine. But around the dock areas there were few if any registered doctors.

Brickfielder gives Saffron another raised eyebrow, but doesn't say anything, instead just looking around. "...Try to be careful if they ask us why we're asking around about the petitions." ...'Innit'...?

 Ember Flare "Hmh! guilds... Most likely just to keep the competition in check"

 Quick Fix "A guild? I've only read about those in books... I thought that was, like, a medieval thing or whatever."

 

Sundancer "There is a castle. It seems like a local thing."

 Saffron "Don't worry! As far as anypony is concerned, I'm just curious, since this place is nice and I am interested in at least the cursory politics of the things that are going on, or that will go on, and that might affect the environment we choose to live in!" After Saffron had finished her long-winded promise, the mare gives a resolute flap of her wings to underline the certainty in her words, nodding to herself as she'd start striding forward with a purpose towards one of the bars, "Wait--" Saffron pauses, looking back towards Brickfielder, "Do you want to sit here and wait while maybe drinking, or do you wanna go out and pester someone on the field?"

 Sundancer "I support doing more work on the side, I don't think we're going to live here long enough to care about joining the guild."

Brickfielder raises an eyebrow again. "...Well, I imagine just happening to be in a pub will seem more natural than going and hunting down infrareds in a field."

 Ember Flare "Agreed, we just need whatever extra we can gather to get equipment. We'd best spend everything we earn while we're here"

 Quick Fix "Uh... well, we can't just stay at camp forever, right? We're eventually going to need to go *somewhere*, especially if... the vault turns out to be... ...empty." He suppresses a shudder.

"Cool!" Saffron resumes striding towards one of the bars. "I wonder if there's any bulletin boards around here..." Saffron asked, and almost immediately starts deviating from walking straight to the nearest bar to just look around a bit more.

 Sundancer "We can spend time getting comfortable in case we fail to save your vault, or we can spend time saving your vault. It's up to you."

Saffron, Brickfielder, (and silver?) can wait around in what would amount to a taproom during it’s quiet time to wait for the lunch crowds. When it came time more than a few sunbaked ponies would arrive in a half dozen of those hovering vehicles or on hoof from nearby farms. The watering holes were not large establishments and your stakeout location would fill in rapidly. You get some grub for a few pennies to fit in and could begin asking around regarding the situation of the petition.

 Quick Fix "R...right. Sorry. I suppose we should be leaving to head home as soon as we can."

 Ember Flare "I doubt we still got enough money for the stuff we'd need. But it really is your home so up to you"

Saffron attempted to scope out an individual that was in a relatively small group, or even by themselves in the off-chance, and even tried to lend an ear to listen for any particular group which was specifically talking about the petition, or the circles, or the state of the farms. She spends some time listening, trying to find her cue to slip into a conversation to ask questions...

 Quick Fix "As soon as we can afford what we need, we should head back. ...that involves asking around about tools and suits, too."

  Ember Flare "We could just try and do that as well... We haven't even checked that this place has all the things we want to buy. Hazmats would be the bare minimum I'd wager. and we could get all sorts of stuff on top of that... lights, ropes, weapons..."

Silver Rush emote glances about to find the most farmer like of the ponies for which to interrogate with their inane farming related questions

(GM Note): Silver flashed into existence for a minute to help Brickfielder and Saffron make a Questioning test

Silver Rush acquires his targets and plops at the bar with a loud pony thump. "all that land free for the taking, if only we could get rid of those danged rocks..." he fishes

 Ember Flare

Ember yawns "Well... maybe we should just catch up with the others if there is nothing else to do"

The group at The Star go about asking the locals regarding the petitions and their experiences with the magic circles. Subtlety helps keep your intent from being obvious. You learn a few details that could help make the process go along. The first is that there’s never quite enough food in the city, so clearing more land would help increase the harvests. The farmers have not been very organized regarding their petitions however. Occasionally a loose group will have one written up but it will fizzle out as a different group writes a different one. If the farmers could be convinced to organize better their petition could have actual weight behind it.

 Sundancer scans the docks for injuries or crime in progress, but is reminded once again how alien large crowds of groundbound ponies are to her "I can't see any work around..."

 Sundancer "Perhaps the guild isn't as foolish a prospect as we'd thought."

Brickfielder once again has things to say, once the group has a chance alone. "I'm having more ideas. This may be quite an... interesting task for us to tackle."

 Ember Flare "Maybe... or maybe we could use them somehow. Maybe we should track down the guildhouse or... whatever they got"

With miscellaneous information gathered it seems like there could be a backbone of a plan. The farmers from west of the city are not organizing with the farmers to the south. If your group could get them working together on the petition then it could be a sure fire thing. They must have some community leadership to speak with.

Saffron, once they were back outside with their new information, would barely be able to contain her excitement as she hops along out of the bar with Brickfielder in tow. She half-turned her head to nodnod her head to Brickfielder, "Yeah!! Let's go back and rendezvous with the others, maybe Sundancer and Ember will have some cool ideas."

 Saffron "Although... Quick Fix is still out here probably wanting to go back to help the vault. So..."

Brickfielder trundles out of the bar behind Saffron. "Hopefully it won't interfere. ...Though having to dance around an infrared like this is fast becoming a detriment."

 Ember Flare "We could just you know... try and see if they could pass us some work. The sick ponies don't care if we got our paperwork in order ...rifle through their patient records?"

Saffron slows down, pinning her ears as she walks along at a more ambling pace. "Eh... I mean, he's helpful. Just have to make up a good-enough excuse to help farmers put up a proper petition...."

Ember looks between Quick and Sundancer

Brickfielder matches Saffron's pace, and glances down at her. "I was hoping to be more... hooves-on with it. If possible. But, we need to speak with Ember and Sundancer about it as well."

Saffron looked up to meet Brickfielder's gaze for a moment, "Let's go to the Rendezvous and see if they're back already, then." Saffron nodded her head with a chipper grin, picking up the pace to a trot. "... What do you mean by hooves-on though?"

Sundancer looks at Ember and Quick "We could spend all day trying to find the guildhall and they'd still probably turn me away."

Brickfielder finally permits himself a little smirk as he returns his attention ahead. "What better way to get signatures on a petition than organizing speeches in a public forum? I haven't gotten to practice my public speaking since I went to boot camp."

Ember blinks couple of times, sort of realization setting in and gathering herself "Look, Quick, ask about where the guild is and lets get a move on"

 Ember Flare"I think we should just go there, bullshit our way in or to the paperwork. Whatever it takes. Well.. almost whatever"

(GM Note): Ember Flare’s player was a little confused about the situation. The group intended to pretend to be guild doctors to get work, not go to the guild.

 Ember Flare "Sundancer, we can pretend you're from some high lord's mansion... or something? Only the rich have robots right"

 Sundancer "So you're going to be from the guild, and I'm going to be from a mansion. Shouldn't be too hard."

Saffron seemed to smile a little more, reassured by Brickfielder's smug aura--at least for this one time. "That does sound exciting! We just need to get past the fact that we're outsiders, maybe by getting a hoof from that one pony that gave us a ride into here..."

 Brickfielder chuckles slightly. "Oh, that's an easy one. Just think--we came from the diseased mainland, where agriculture was difficult, and these ponies are refusing to use arable land because of some rocks?" He glances up slightly. "I'm sure I can work that line into something... "

 "Starving does suck a whole lot..." Saffron agreed as she gave a slight nod, "Plus if the town starts being unable to feed even some of it's citizens, eventually the quality of life is gonna start taking a nosedive. Maybe not now, but soon as more are born. The town will never grow. Gonna need to make a call between feeding the town or not messing with the spooky magic fairies that eat foals." Saffron nodded to herself, albeit speaking a bit more softly, with some extra thought... Looking back up to Brickfielder, "You think we could maybe do that right now? Try to get a public speech going?"

 Saffron "How bad could it go, right? You and Silver Rush would be the best for it anyways."

 Ember Flare "Y-yeah... we'll just bluff our way through"

Brickfielder looks back down at Saffron. "...I can probably try something. Can't be hard turning the opinions of this bunch..."

Saffron grins with anticipation, her wings giving one small flap as she reared up to give a nice stomp on the ground in applause, "Let's do it then!" Saffron cheered for Brickfielder in support, "Let me know how I can help! If I can help. Or if you want me to just not do anything."

Brickfielder puts a hoof to his chin, and glances around. "...I'm not sure if it's useful, but, since the whole idea is getting petitions, we could start getting signatures here. You could move about and get signatures while Silver and I speak."

 Saffron gives a quick nodnod in approval, "I can do that easily. Just need to get, y'know, a formal enough paper to get signatures on. Just need to find somepony who has one going..." She said, starting to crane her head as she walked around...

 Saffron "Speech first though?? Maybe one will come out to meet us."

 Brickfielder "If not, just join up with Silver and I. ...If nothing else, having you as a third person to vouch for life on the mainland will help."

The doctor’s line of inquiry takes them down a strange route. It leads them to a bordello where the local madam has girls under the weather. While your guise of being from the guild seems to fail you, that actually works out in your favor. Turns out the ma’am would like to keep the chance her girls got sailors sick under wraps. You’ll get paid for the medical supplies you spend and everyone will go there separately afterwards. It would be a bit of weird work, but you want the money.

Saffron beamed, whipping her head back towards Brickfielder as she replied. "I can definitely do that. This place is idyllic compared to what we saw." Saffron stated with confidence. Looking around near some of the watering holes that they had just left behind for a good spot. Maybe a crate she can stand on so she can actually speak to a crowd, since she was so small.

Sundancer hides behind her beep boop robot routine to try and avoid or deflect unwelcome attention of scandalously clothed ponies and griffons

Ember shrugs "Well work is work. Ah! If you or someone else you know happens to require more... discreet services, we might be able to help"

It would be a difficult task to get the local yokels motivated. Anything outside their normal routines was considered too much work it seemed. Given the labor they do that did not seem unwarranted. But Brickfielder and Saffron describing the situation of the mainland and pointing out that the farmers could feed everyone seemed to get through to them. They would get organized for their petition that evening.

Quick Fix appears to go on autopilot for some time, barely responding to questions, commands, etc... but he seems to regain sapience upon needing to treat some patients.

Brickfielder does his best with the speech being impromptu, and makes sure to try to make it feel personal given the small size of the audience. Describing how in Fillydelphia it was difficult to farm, acting indignant that Trottingham would put itself into such a difficult position at the behest of forest-dwellers... He may lean a bit hard on the pathos, but that seems to him like the best way to get through to a bunch of infrareds, especially these bumpkins. Plus, he makes sure he fluffs out his wings and stands tall as he moves around and pontificates.

Treating the brothel workers would be an experience for the trio of medical ponies. Sometimes medical journals did not prepare you for this sort of surface disease. But you manage to treat the symptoms for now and give them medicine to take for a couple weeks to clear up their illnesses. At least it was only a couple of mares that needed your help. After cleaning up and getting out of there through a discrete exit the trio would come away with another pouch of coins. Some of it was hush money.

Brickfielder doesn't have a great finish planned out, aside from just urging the ponies to take organizing their petitions more seriously. Once he's done, his brow furrows and he lets a concerned frown cross his face, only briefly, before shaking his head and returning to his normal look.

 Saffron, being small but with a loud voice, was more the one to open up the speech by calling out to the crowd from atop the height advantage of her crate. She beckoned everyone to listen to her companion's opinion on current affairs, and to hear the suggestions of settlers from the mainland. With that out of the way, it was Brickfielder doing all the talking, aside from when she needed to underline something, or flag down whoever was wanting to ask questions to make them speak up. By the end of it, Saffron was a little bit socially tired... But nonetheless bounced off her crate excitedly to stand nearer to Brickfielder, ready to start walking away. "That went well enough, right?"

 Saffron "We started something!"

Brickfielder takes a deep breath, and nods. "I hope so. But again, we need to guide this further. ...Imagine a speech in the town square..."

It starts to get late in the day by the time the two groups finish their tasks. Meeting back up around supper time at the inn. You can get your rooms again for the night, which seem to be some of the only ones in the city being sold out to outsiders. Beds not part of a brothel at least. Meeting back up at the inn’s common room your groups can discuss your day.

 Sundancer "What have you three been up to while we were out playing breadwinner?"

 Quick Fix "We made *so* much money. But at what cost...?" Quick shakes his head, disturbed.

Brickfielder settles in and runs a hoof along his mane as he relaxes. He glances at Quick before starting. "...Well, we actually caught wind of some strange stuff in town today. Apparently the farmers want to expand the fields into areas where there are stone circles. Which means removing them."

 Brickfielder "There's obviously problems with that... but this city clearly needs more food. Can't believe these ponies are squandering good farmland while we had to deal with the awful conditions back in Filly… There's unorganized popular sentiment for it. ...Maybe the city will yield and let the circles be removed if it does get more organized. But then, that'd bother the Cloaks..." He gives an exaggerated sigh. "Kind of a mess, if you ask me."

 Sundancer "They should appreciate what they have. Get rid of the circles, I say. Ponies on the mainland are starving, this place is the future."

Saffron came in rather excited at first! She seemed to bound excitedly to the first empty space they could find so that the gang could all be together at one table. She drummed the table saying "We did a cool thing!", before Brickfielder began to explain. And her attention shifted more towards Quick Fix, frowning at seeing him so disturbed... Looking between Ember and Sundancer briefly, "Quick, you okay?"

Brickfielder nods to Sundancer. "...It's a complicated situation. But if the city is going to grow, it needs food."

 Ember Flare "He might have had too much fun with the prostitutes"

Quick Fix nodnods, and then shakes his head to clear himself of whatever thoughts are troubling him. "Just... saw some things that I probably would have been better off not. Also feels... *strange* being paid for this work. I hesitate to say wrong... it's only fair for us to be compensated... but it was quite shady."

Quick Fix double-takes and covers his reddening cheeks with a hoof. Uncalled for!

 Ember Flare "But the city has food problems then... understandable. It is a big city.

Brickfielder nods... and also raises an eyebrow. "Prostitution, then? That's the sort of stuff you were hanging around this afternoon?"

Saffron side glances Ember and scrunchies her nose at her for that joke, "Ember please, you're killin' him." Saffron says half-playfully, looking back to see Quick Fix already melting in his own hooves. She leaned over from her seat to hook a foreleg around his back and give him a side hug.

 Sundancer turns to Saffron briefly remarking "He got cooties."

 Quick Fix "I-it was for a job. We got paid twenty notes!" He sinks into Saffron, melting with embarrassment.

 Brickfielder "Mm. You never had a girlfriend, huh?"

Saffron scrunchies even harder, looking to Sundancer. Then to Quick. "I can't believe you'd go and get cooties like that..." Saffron whispered at Quick Fix with the cheekiest tone.

 Ember Flare "And I don't know if it is remarkable in itself but apparently the noble houses have robot servants. They seem to have surprisingly high technology up in here"

 Saffron "Wait, there's noble houses?"

Brickfielder glances over to the others while Saffron coos at Quick. "...Servant robots? Night and day, between Trottingham and the Cloaks..."

 Ember Flare "I meant some of the richer ponies in the Upper town. Where we were told not to loiter"

 Quick Fix "That's n-none of your business, Brickfielder." Quick nickers at Saffron, "not you, too..."

Saffron just smirks at Quick Fix and starts to focus more efforts on trying to reassure the poor, abused, bullied unicorn; nuzzling into his cheek once. "Aww Quick!~ I would never insinuate. Let us never speak of this again!~" Saffron very playfully whispered to him, a theatrically 'posh' tone to her voice as she turned away, to look at the others.

 Saffron"By the way, did we find a seller for the hazard suits?..."

 Quick Fix"N..not that I know of. That should be our priority, if we're really committed to getting inside the Vault ASAP."

"Mmmmmmm..." Saffron wrapped her wing around the unicorn, resting her chin on his mane rather cheekily as he answered the question. "Probably." Saffron looked up towards Sundancer and the others, "It would give me, Silver, and Brickfielder time to do what we wanted to do, as well."

(GM Note):Cut out a lot of OOC discussing the group’s course of action the next day. Shopping and a plan to arson some of the city’s food supplies were settled on. Ran out of time and the setup for arson was to happen next session.

The shopping crew will head out into the city and spend much of the day tracking down hazmat suits and equivalents. There were some junk merchants who came from working sites in griffonstone that could sell refurbished or spare sets. Some are a little pricier than others, which means you will drain your funds in the endeavour. Brickfielder in particular has trouble finding something his size. It means he will end up having to get a suit made for a griffon. It will be an awkward fit, and the claw hand gloves will be difficult to use. Perhaps the suit could be tailored by Sundancer later. But in all the group manages to acquire five hazmat suits. You have enough time in the day to start your three day trip back to the camp.


Session 16

It would take saffron all morning to discover the location of one of the city's food stores. She would busy herself around the southern gate to the city in waiting for a farmer to bring goods into the city. Most of them ended up going to the day market that sprung up at the central plaza or ended up delivered to stores for resale. It was a truck ferrying sacks of flour and cereals that ended up being a proper lead. Tailing the truck would lead Saffron to a middle class district west of pub lane. The building that was being used to store the grain was nothing special, nestled among a row of stores. Almost like the cellar of a shop was being used for extra storage. It turns out the main floor of the building was a police office. Likely the neighborhood's post. A locked cellar door at the back of the building was used to access the storage rooms. One grated window looked into the cellar half full of sacks on wooden duty shelves. The office above seemed staffed by only six or seven members. Setting the wooden building on fire might not be difficult with the right tools. Doing so without being caught or without burning down connected buildings was another. It was possible the entire neighborhood would go up with the office if the cellar was lit up.

Saffron returned to their hostel late late in the afternoon looking perhaps a little bit more satisfied and less disheveled than when she went out, very early in the morning. Given that the others were still out buying hazmat suits, she took her place at an indoor pillow-sitting space, and waited patiently for the others to return. Spending what little time she had while the others were still out ordering supper, and hastily combing her mane and tail. Once the others came back, she'd have to take Ember aside for a private chat in their rooms to fill in on what she found... And the possibility of setting everything on fire.

 Saffron "That's the good news. The bad news is, it's a police station. We're gonna get chased if we're not sneaky, and if they even see us, we have no plausible deniability."

 Ember Flare "The police station does sound like it would complicate things... also the whole place is on a pretty busy street..."

Brickfielder cocks an eyebrow to Saffron leading Ember away, but doesn't comment on it, remaining settled where he is and casting a glance at Quick.

Ember ponders for a moment "...if we managed to sneak into the cellar and set the fire in there properly AND managed to sneak out, we it might be possible no one would notice the blaze until it was much too late"

 Ember Flare "What do you think?"

 Saffron nods along, then gives Ember a strange look. Frowning with worry and hesitation, brow furrowing slightly. "The buildings adjacent might catch too. Not exactly what I'd call low-profile--uh..." Saffron whispered, pursing her lip a little more. "And yes--that has a good chance of working, however... The cellar is locked, and watched I think. I can try to bumble my way to picking up but, I'm not... good at it."

Quick Fix sits and eats his supper, rather quiet outside the company of the bright red pegasus. After a day of presumably much awkwardness and lack of conversation with Brick, he seems content to keep to himself unless roped into something.

 Saffron "Honestly It's a solid plan B but we might need more prep time? Brickfielder had a good thing going, trying to rally up a petition. Could see how that goes?"

 Sundancer "Low-profile for us, at least. It'll cover our escape. There's not going to be any hiding the fire, just hiding who did it."

 Ember Flare "Well it might work well in tandem with that plan... Would just have to have a backup plan if we had to off a wandering copper or something. Silently. If I set the place on fire, I don't think I might be able to do it immediately after that"

Brickfielder defaults to what he's found himself doing quite a lot when he needs to pass the time: obsessing over keeping his sword clean and sharp. While pulling it out and running a cloth over the blade, he looks over at Quick. "Alright, lad. Since we've got a moment alone, I wanted to ask you something, buck to buck. What do you see in Saffron?"

 Ember Flare "And uh.. what about the lock?"

Saffron's ears pin as she lowkey grimaces to that notion. But doesn't dismiss, nodding with a grim acceptance. "I have a knife, and I know how to use it. And I think we had a crossbow, too? Won't help muffling the screams, but if I grapple first..." Saffron's voice trails off, grimacing a bit more as she mulls over it... Then pauses at Ember's words. "That's the thing. I never picked a lock in my life."

 Sundancer "I've taken locks apart before. Picking them was only very briefly covered. Shooting any guards will be my job, I suppose."

Saffron beams with some relief at the reply from Sundancer. But then bites her lip, thinking about it some more. "If you picked the lock you'd be too exposed at that point... I can try to improvise something with the tools I have. No promises though; we need a back-up for if I fail to pick the lock and get spotted."

 Saffron "Shooting the cops really should be a last resort. They're gonna start posting up soldiers if the cops start dying."

Quick Fix blinks a bit. Apparently, after all that time together, Brick chooses *now* to start having a proper conversation with him. ...well, the day is coming to an end, the inn is comfy, and they both have nothing better to do, he supposes... "Oh... um, well... a lot. She's sweet, optimistic, enthusiastic, and just... bubbly." He leans in a little. "It, uh... it sounds like things were rough for her in Filly. Sounds like she... did some things she isn't proud of. But she came out of it so happy and positive and... she just tries to make everyone's day better. Not to mention, she's kinda the only pony out of all of you that makes an active effort to talk to me most of the time."

 Ember Flare "As unfortunate as it is, I bet the best option would be to simply run"

Sundancer pats her energy weapon "As long as they don't catch a glimpse of us before they go down we shouldn't need to kill anypony."

Saffron does a little weird jog in place for a good second. Giving off this quiet "MmMmMmMm--" before nodding to herself, side glancing Sundancer once, and giving a quick nod. "Okay. We can go survey the area to see where you two can post up. I'll sneak in close--grab a cloak that can cover me whole so my clothes aren't visible or recognizable at a glance, especially for later. I'll try to open the cellar door, and from there... Uhm..."

 Saffron "Ember can project her smoke-fire stuff into it, and set it ablaze. I haven't seen the inside though."

 Ember Flare"I think we still have that camouflage outfit somewhere... I could switch from this doctor coat to that... or maybe it would do better on Sundancer? You kinda... stand out"

 Sundancer "Yeah, I'll take the heavy clothing. As long as we don't fly anywhere we shouldn't be recognized."

Brickfielder stops giving attention to his sword to watch Quick with a level gaze, letting the unicorn finish before he turns his attention back to the weapon in his hooves. "...Back in Fillydelphia, she was one of the ponies who'd go out to scavenge. I was in charge of the guard, so usually, when she came or went, I was there to see her. She's always been... outspoken, I think is a good way to say it."

Saffron looks to Ember more intently at that. Nodding to Ember once... Then turning to Sundancer, "As long as you two stay away--like, as far as Ember's optimal range can be with her--"magic", and have some cover inbetween if at all possible. You wont be seen, hopefully."

 Saffron "Camouflage would look a little weird, but I guess it's not too on-the-nose."

Brickfielder pauses for a few seconds. "Sometimes I worry she says too much. Not that loose lips can be to blame for what happened back on the mainland, but, it's always concerned me nonetheless. Especially now that we're here in this strange place."

 Ember Flare "I mean I'd have to see into the cellar. I think I could follow behind you without attracting any attention. It might look weird, but at least she would not be instantly recognized"

 "Scavenging, huh? Combing the ruins of the old world for useful scrap..." Quick shakes his head. "Sounds like something you'd read in a novel. And, yet, here we are..." He settles back in his chair. "It's not as if you have anything to give away, save for the position of camp, perhaps. She believes in ponies. That's something... rare. I think."

Saffron wiggles around with some slight excitement which she was barely restraining. "Hm." Saffron stops moving suddenly, pausing to consider this again... "Okay... This could work. I open the cellar, Ember sets it on fire, we dash away--perhaps with the cover of Ember's smokey cover that I've seen you using on me to defend me from that bear, and we disappear somewhere."

 Quick Fix "And sometimes you need ponies who are willing to speak up and voice their opinion. Certainly wasn't enough of that in the Vault. ...I was part of the problem." He sighs. "I just... I value her. If the Vault... if the ponies don't make it, she's all I have..."

 Saffron "Sundancer... You could probably just keep watch to warn me if somepony is about to see me. That way we're not busted TOO hard..."

 Ember Flare "I cannot project it in a wide area, but it should help in a pinch"

 Sundancer "I'll be the lookout."

 Saffron "Good-good. So we want to do this immediately? Because we're going back to camp soon."

 Ember Flare "Worst come to it I think I can summon out that... you know and have it fight out any pursuer. Not the ideal outcome I'd add"

Saffron looked between Ember and Sundancer, "We're sure about this, right? I don't know what will happen after we do this. We might have to do Brickfielder's plan first, before we do this... But we're, y'know, leaving..."

 Ember Flare "I-I Think we should. The brass expects results right"

Brickfielder furrows his brow slightly and just stares down at the sword while sitting still. "...May be rare, maybe." He continues staring silently, and slowly looks back up at Quick, tightening his jaw for a moment. "...I know what it's like to lose ponies close to you." He doesn't. "I hope your Vault will be fine." He knows it won't be.

 Sundancer "Yeah, if we're leaving town anyways, it's the perfect opportunity."

Saffron grits her teeth when 'the brass' is mentioned. "That's what it sounded like..." She whispered through said teeth, before looking to Sundancer. With the approval of both of them, Saffron throws out a huge, heavy sigh and nods. "Alright." She turned to the exit of the room, to go back outside. "I'll go pick up a cloak."

 Ember Flare "You mind switching the armor with me Sundancer? Not that I want to need it but... would be better than being seen with the doctors coat?"

 Sundancer "Fine. I've been wearing it all day, it'll be good to switch up for disguise."

Saffron audibly walked the steps back downstairs from the second floor, hopping down the last few steps with a gliding hop--trotting into the main hall, narrowly avoiding a table as she fixes her glance on Brickfielder's and Quick's. She swings by, laying low to sneak under the eyes of the two stallions by sneaking under other tables with her smallness... And then pops up beside Quick's chair to surprise-boop him on the nose.

 Quick Fix nods slowly, not pushing the subject. They all had to have lost ponies in Filly, after all, they were refugees after its destruction. "I hope so too... but we've left it for so long. I just... I hope we don't get back t-to just find... a dark metal coffin." The poor thing shudders, clearly disturbed.

Quick Fix then blinks, scrunching involuntarily, as Saffron almost interrupts his dark spiel. Well, that's... a change of pace! But perhaps not an unwelcome one. "Oh. Welcome back, Saffy."

Ember fetches the camouflage suit for Sundancer and switches into the armor in their room. She tries to be cool about being exposed but still switches the gear as fast as she could.

Saffron meets Quick Fix with one of her trademark blithe grins, "Jello! And thanks." Saffron shifts aside a bit to lay her bootclad forehooves on the table so she wouldn't actually need to hurt her neck looking up at Brickfielder. "Hey Brick. Me and the other mares were going to take the scenic route to see if we can't explore a little more. You can accompany Quicky here to the gate and maybe wait for us? We'd only be late a couple minutes at most. I hope."

Ember feels a little cramped given the armor was not exactly made for her unique body.

Brickfielder watches Quick, and looks back to his sword as Saffron reappears, figuring that all that has to be said has been said. He has a knot in his chest, feeling like he's being both genuine and false at the same time... what is he doing?

Brickfielder looks back up at Saffron and blinks a couple of times. "Oh, sure. Just don't take too long. I charge by the hour for foalsitting."

Sundancer takes the opportunity to stand and watch Ember as she changes, still not sure what to make of her mutations

 Sundancer "If you need any clothes modified, just ask. I 'm told my needlework is serviceable."

Ember shifts her shoulders "It's a bit uncomfortable but... should do for a short while"

Saffron rolled her eyes good-naturedly, "Oh Brickfielder, whatever would we do without your foalsitting services." Saffron side glanced to Quick and nodded towards Brickrfielder ala 'get a load of this guy'. Then looked to Brickfielder with a smirk, "Don't fall on him." She tells in a faux-cautionary tone. Then starts to lean off the table to start ambling to the exit.

 "Smell ya later!" Saffron calls back to the two.

"Hey!" Quick pouts at the big blue stallion, mock-offended. "I'll have you know that I'm almost an adult. By Vault standards, anyway." He shakes his head. "I'm glad to be leaving, though. Sooner we get back to the Vault, the better."Quick shot Saffron a micro-smirk that faded in the wake of Brick's ever-present smug aura.

Ember closes her eyes for a moment and tests her powers, smoke coming from the collar and the lower end of the armor. She could feel some heat being trapped inside the armor but nothing too bad

Ember would follow after Saffron once she got her gear up

Saffron would've been waiting outside for the mares to finish their dress-up. Giving them both a smirk and a nod, she begins to lead the taller mares towards the food storage she found to show it to them, and begin surveying the place for a good-enough spot to begin positioning.

Your group splits up for the time being. Brickfielder escorting the unaware infrared to the western gate. Ember, Sundancer, and Saffron head across the city to perform some illegal activities. The plan should be simple: Get to the back of the building without drawing attention. Open the lock on the cellar. Let Ember set a small fire to the grain. Leave without raising suspicion.

(GM Note:) The female PCs rolled a series of skill tests for the arson. All passed.

Sundancer takes position near the mouth of the alleyway that leads behind the row of buildings that include the police station. The access to the cellars was not especially watched given the locks in place. With it being later in the day things are quiet at least. Time for the others to get to work.

Brickfielder has a confident saunter as he leads Quick along, not letting the dour mood set previously get him down from keeping his head held high in public.

The padlock on the cellar door was not sophisticated or meant to keep more than casual citizens from wandering in. It would take a minute for the inexperienced mare to get the lock to pop. But after a few agonizing turns the heavy steel padlock would unshackle.

Ember looks at Saffron working from a small distance, nervously licking her lips and glancing around

Ember positions herself to get a proper line of sight into the cellar from the open door and starts to concentrate

 Saffron widened her eyes as she heard the 'click', then watches, almost astounded at how the lock opens--pulling open the cellar for Ember as she hastily goes to put away her lockpick and screwdriver. Not skipping a beat, she'd cast a look back to Ember as she shifted back to lay low, nodding towards the open cellar door...

Sundancer gives an encouraging nod to to Ember

 Quick Fix "See, I told you. She brightens any situation, any conversation... just by being herself. I've never seen that in anypony before."

Brickfielder snorts slightly. "...I suppose it's a gift. I'm used to just finding it more... annoying, myself. Distracting. Guess that's why I was a guard and she wasn't."

 Ember’s magic takes hold on a wooden shelving unit. Within a few moments the furniture and the dry sacks it stores will be a blaze. It would almost be tempting to stay and watch it go up.

(GM Note): The female PCs made a group evasion test to get across the city in a hurry without getting attention.

Ember would shake off her fuming back as the armor really did become pretty uncomfortable when she properly pushed herself. "A-alright let's go" She hissed in low voice

Saffron watches the magical fire-smoke casted from Ember as it starts the fire. Her body stiffens as she winces. Then quickly closes the cellar doors as the fire starts, and begins to canter back to the others. "Time to leave." Saffron quickly whispers through her teeth towards the two of them as she goes.

Quick Fix frowned some. "Well... I... I appreciate it. I guess I can see how it might feel that way... but when things are so, so... *crappy* for me at the moment, she just... she makes it feel all better."

 Ember Flare "See anyone Sundancer? I didn't. You Saffron?"

"Yeah." Quick is out of things to say, so he stays quiet 'til and past when they reach the gate.

"Nop'!" Saffron pipes up softly in response, "Let's hope it stays that way."

Ember is switching between hooves doing a bit of an unprofessional nervous dance before the others

 Ember Flare "Okay.. I guess we just.. leave then"

 Sundancer "As fast as possible."

The trio of arsonists head through back allies to the back of pub row to make a round trip up through the plaza. Moving fast, but confidently, you think you have done a good job removing yourselves from the scene before it became noticed. It was a solid four or five minutes before a bell started to ring from somewhere. Conversation on the main street quickly started to become about the fire going on, with more than a few ponies starting to move that direction. As you make it to the central plaza you’ll see ponies in what was evidently firefighting gear pulling a wheeled wagon that was a huge metal barrel. It looked like a water tank being brought down from elsewhere in the city, and was not the only one moving through the plaza. By the time the mares make it to upper town the excitement seemed to be behind them. They can reconvene at The Star with their stallion companions.

Sundancer speaks to Ember before heading into an alley

 Sundancer "So, you want to keep the armor, or are you dying to get out?"

Saffron watched Ember as she did her nervous-dance. The smoll red mare flashes Ember an empathic little smirk, giving her a pat on the shoulder as Saffron starts very smoothly and calmly leading the way. "Stay behind me." Saffron would whisper back to them, expertly moving about between the alleys, starting to reveal her face again. Lowering the hood, the cloak, and the bandanna, before heading back to the plaza and bee-lining towards the star. Her wings twitching and shuddering on her back the whole way, even despite looking so confident with that big, confident grin of hers. "Well that was exciting." She says, once they're scot-free. Starting down the main street to The Star.

 Ember Flare "I think I'll switch out of it once we're out of the city, I don't want to change on the streets. But it is mighty uncomfortable. Would have to take you up on the offer to modify it if you aren't using it. Certainly was. Still, I can't exactly celebrate the fact much. Need to catch up to Brick and the infrared"

Saffron stays very quiet as they walk along the road with a stride in her step, stopping a couple times to glance up towards the plume of smoke in the distance with a torn, both worried and slightly horrified frown. "Yeah..." Saffron simply replied to Ember, picking up the place even more, into a trot... Until they can actually SEE Quick Fix and Brickfielder down the road. That's when Saffron starts picking up into a canter towards the two of them, "Quick Fix! Brickfielder!" She called out to them as she got to them.

Brickfielder glances over his shoulder, and calmly raises a wing to Saffron, before looking ahead again, keeping a slow pace so that they can easily catch up.

Saffron gives a quick half-flap of her left wing in response, before looking to Quick Fix and sliding up alongside him. "Did you see the smoke??" Saffron turned her head back the way they came, biting her lip and tightening her wings on her back.

"Uh... smoke? No, what happened?" Quick blinked at the red mare and the two others, wondering what could have happened in such a short span of time.

Brickfielder looks back over his shoulder and raises an eyebrow. "We miss something exciting?"

Ember glances at Saffron but doesn't say anything

"I have no idea!... I think somepony messed up cooking and started a fire, or something!" Saffron said with almost childish nervousness mixed with excitement, looking back towards the town. She glanced back forward again hurriedly, looking to Brickfielder, "Apart from the fffire? No, I was looking for, like, bulleting boards and stuff? So we could come back here looking for jobs. Didn't find much. But the black smoke was weird. Kinda reminded me of stuff that happened on the outskirts of Filly, not here. Wacky."

 Sundancer "Everything is so nice and not scorched or bombed-out"

"Eh... Anyways, Quick." Saffron looked more towards Quick Fix, changing the subject slightly, "How is Brickfielder as a conversational partner? Terribad, right?"

Brickfielder looks back again, and just snorts before looking ahead.

Quick Fix looks slightly... confused, but he shakes his head and decides to move on from the whole fire thing. "I hope they get it under control. It's a nice city. But, ah... no, Brick's okay." He leans in, whispering so only Saffron can hear, "talks to me more than Sunny or Ember do, anyway."

When your group gets going you will find you have quite a bit of travel to do just to get out of the farmlands. Not nearly as short a journey when you were not traveling by vehicle. You won’t make it quite to the end of the farmland by nightfall, leaving you to make camp on the edge of a field by the roadside.

Brickfielder permits himself to smile a bit.

Saffron starts prancing along besides Quick Fix, bouncing slightly up and down as she talks to the green stallion. "Ahh looks like the Brick's rating went up then." Saffron playfully stated with a smirk in Brickfielder's direction. Then slowing down, slowing to a walk again at the whisper... She leans in to whisper back, "That's no good... Maybe once we camp out you could talk to them or...?"

 Quick Fix "Yeah, maybe... I don't know. I've never been very good with... you know, the whole 'socialisation' thing. But we'll see. Maybe I can chat with Ember about my magic some more. Oh, and before I forget, I wanna talk to you about something when we get back to camp... in private. Has to do with Filly."

Quick Fix caught a glimpse of the Bricksmile, and if he was looking, returned a kind smile of his own.

Once in camp Ember would remove the armor, stretching her back and stiff wings before donning the Doctors coat back on again and bringing the armor back to Sundancer

"Weird, you're sooooo good at it when you talk with me.~" Saffron rebuts with a cheeky tone that basically made her smirk audible. Though when he mentions speaking to her in private, Saffron's smirk ebbs away, looking a bit more serious as she nods once, "Sure thing, Cutie Fix." Saffron simply says. Keeping a bit more quiet (but also not really) as they get to making camp for the night... Saffron letting Quick approach her for this 'private conversation' he wanted to have.

 Ember Flare "Ah thanks for lending it, I think I prefer something lighter. Even if that's pretty light compared to.. well what we used to have"

 Sundancer "No worries. Honestly, I'd prefer something heavier. Never enough metal plates between the metal plates and the bullets."

Quick Fix merely shakes his head at the compliment. 'You make it so easy', he wants to say... but the whispers grow tiresome around the group, and for now he relents.

 Ember Flare "Heh, makes sense. I've never been the most athletic, so mobility is a bigger deal to me"

 The second day of travel sees you entering the dense woods again. You can avoid the circle you noted on your trek to the city this leg of the trip. Even so you will have another near encounter with glass creatures. A swarm of glass butterflies, numbering four or so dozen, were occupying a clearing and being very obvious. Due to the rainbow range of light they reflect and fill the surrounding forest with. You could avoid the area and circle around or attempted to get a closer

 Ember Flare "Are they... doing something there? or just uh hanging out?"

 Sundancer "I can't tell from here."

Saffron spent pretty much all night with her eyes open towards the town. She couldn't quite sleep that well in the night, she was too... Uncomfortable with herself. She felt icky, in a very literal way. But she didn't mention that. On the following day, as they get back into the woods and stumble onto the murder of crystal butterflies close-by, she starts to lower a bit to take some cover from their general direction... "I could move closer to check..."!

 Ember Flare "should we check?"

 Saffron "Uhhh maybe you all stay here in cover, and I go closer? I can relay what I see."

Quick Fix still slept back-to-back with Saffron, as per usual. Lacking an extra tent (and of course not thinking to buy one in Trottingham) made it a necessity. Once they encounter the butterflies, Quick stays back just as with the bear encounter. It's up to the party what to do.

Ember nods to Saffron

Saffron took a moment to rub some of the lingering weariness from not sleeping from her eyes, before starting to poise herself to get closer. "Stay here. Keep your weapons ready as a just-in-case policy." She tells them quietly, then starts working on her approach towards the butterflies to figure out what they're crowding around.

Brickfielder lowers his brow, and sighs quietly while readying his Zip Pistol.

Watching the butterflies for a while would leave you concerned with their actions. In a slow methodical way groups of the glass insects circle and layer transparent slates into pillars. Not unlike insects building a hive together. Multiple groups are working in unison around the clearing making these pillars at once. You can hear what sounds like singing coming from the creatures, like they were communicating with each other this way. The slates are slick with that iridescent goo left behind by the glass creatures. Before your eyes a pillar of stacked slates seems to be finished. It darkens and takes on a stone-like appearance. It was evidence enough that they were constructing a circle.

Sundancer hisses under her not-breath "We should stop them"

Quick Fix winces at the sight. "That's not good. That thing's spreading its influence through the forest. Those circles make it unsafe to travel."

Saffron took a few long moments to extrapolate just what was going on here. Watching them construct a pillar from that glue-like material, Then, swift as she came, she turned around and trots her way back to the group. "They're building another circle..." Saffron told them, then looked to Sundancer, then to Quick Fix... Then she looked towards Brickfielder and Ember. "We can make an ambush. Ember you can obliterate most of them easily..."

 Brickfielder gives Saffron the flattest, most deadpan look he can manage. "Do we have to."

Ember swallows "Uh, I might have given you a bit too optimistic view of my capabilities..."

Saffron taps her chin, and narrowed her eyes on Ember and Brickfielder's opinions. Then looked back to Quick Fix and Sundancer, "There's a bit over 40 of them there... May be wise to simply take note of where this is and move on in this case, then."

 Ember Flare "It's still good to know how these things are made, might help later"

Saffron throws out a heavy sigh, giving Quick Fix a second, almost ashamed look as she turns around to start making way to get away from the area and move on towards the camp. "This place is starting to feel like a minefield..." She grumbled, "At least they're highly visible mines."

The last day of your trek to camp would be under light rain. Thankfully by the time you were in the woods you would have cover from the trees. You might spot one of the Earthen Cloak watchers as you pass through the edge of their territory. But you were left alone to your travels. You would return to your camp on a chilly afternoon. Reorganizing there while you rest would involve needing to shoo away a pack of racoons that have made use of your boat defenses while you were away.

 Ember would take a look around the camp noting the lack of major changes "Well home sweet home?"

 Quick Fix "Mmhm. We should finish up that cabin after we've opened up the Vault. Really make this place feel like home."

 Sundancer “Depending on the state of radiation, we may need to start making new homes."

 Brickfielder "...It'd be nice to get that off our plate, if nothing else."

Saffron was highly tempted to go straight to sleep despite having to get to the vault. However, as she enters camp and notices all the paw prints, and then the raccoons under the boat, the smoll red mare sighed loudly and began to march to the boat, to begin evicting the new raccoons. "I kicked out your friends already! GIT OUT of there!" Goes Saffron in the background.

 Ember Flare "Do you want to start working on the vault today or wait till tomorrow?"

 Quick Fix "All there is to be done is to open it up and... look. It should be obvious if... if the ponies in the Vault didn't make it."

The racoons were indignant at saffron but relented to her being loud and annoyed. They scuttled off into the woods.

Saffron would eventually return back to the group after having waved and batted a stick against the boat to urge the raccoons out of their boat. She sits down on her haunches with a big sigh of relief after all this walking, and starts looking up at Quick Fix. "So. We're ready to go in... The robots are probably going to shoot us for breaking in--if they're still functional, you wanna give us some directions to the reactor room so we can help out?"

From what Quick Fix could tell the others of the vault's layout there were four levels. The administration level was first, where organizational staff worked. Then there were two residential levels where most every pony lived. Last was the mechanics level were the power generators, robot docks, and armory resided.

 Quick Fix "It's, um, on the lowest floor. There's four... usually we'd take elevators to move between them, but obviously there's a set of stairs as well. I haven't really been around the reactor too much - not really my working area - but there's good signage. We'd find it."

"Righty." Saffron took out her canteen to take a long sip of water as she rests--giving a heavy blink... Before standing back up again. "I'm a little tired but we can go right now." She nods, then looked at the others, "You all ready?"

 Ember Flare "Yea I think so"

 Brickfielder "Ready as we'll ever be, I figure."

 Quick Fix "We've waited long enough."

Saffron stows away the canteen and double checks her shotgun. It was a little bit dirty, but she seemed satisfied when she looked back up and began to take strides back into the woods. "Alright then, let's go DO this thing! Occupy the vault!" She called out, as she begins into a trotting pace.

Ember doesn't need much time to prepare as they hadn't had much time to settle in either before following Saffron

You have a couple hours trek to the vault. Some of you are tense for what might be waiting. If the airlock doors would already be blown open. After passing through the cave entrance to the blast door you would find… Nothing different than when you last were here. The blast door was wide open as Quick had left it and the airlock was still the only barrier keeping you from the inside of the vault. Everyone could start gearing up in their hazmat suits while sundancer began work on the door.

Quick Fix isn't surprised by this happening. He's more worried about what they might find inside... bodies? Monsters? Killer robots? He's not sure about if the Vault's defenses are active or not. He can only hope they aren't.

Ember starts switching into the hazmat suit before freezing for a moment staring at the airtight suit for a good while

Sundancer hums happily as she tries out her new toy on the door's locking mechanism and gets closer to getting a look at all the fancy machines

 Ember Flare "I'm not sure if I can do my regular thing wearing this so I think I best..." Ember doesn't finish her sentence as she starts fuming intensly, the smoke forming around her in a thick cloud before condensing and setting alight as the somewhat familiar smoke entity

Saffron lowkey breathes a slight sigh of relief at seeing that nothing had really changed. Though she keeps it on the down-low, quickly starts to sit down to undress from her rogue-ish gear, and begins to put on the radiation suit. It takes some time for her to get into the rubbery thing, and check if the filters were working. And copes with the fact that it was REALLY AWKWARD to wear... To the point that she had to quickly drop her survival kit and put it in one corner of the vault door's room so she could have less weight on herself.

Saffron grumbles quietly as she starts walking around in a circle with the suit on while the mares worked. "Oh colt, if I get shot this thing is gonna get punctured... I hope the robots aren't accurate..."

 Quick Fix hides behind the Vault door while changing into his suit, still a little nervous about stripping in front of the others. The medical checkup was bad enough.

 Quick Fix "The robots don't have guns. But... they can use flamethrowers and power cutters."

Brickfielder is just glad that the suit could be modified slightly to not be baggy around his hooves, tugging it on and sealing it up. Ugh, and he hasn't gotten to have a proper wash in so long...

Cutting through the airlocks would take about an hour between the two halves of the hall. Once you can get them open you would find yourself at the main thoroughfare hallway system of the vault. Just beyond the connection your two sensors for radiation start detecting increasing levels. Quick Fix's pipboy begins to tick while Ember gets a difficult to describe electric feeling that she was trained to associate with spark technologies. The PA system sounded shortly after you entered. The overseer began telling the residents a surface breech had happened. Residents were to stay in their rooms while the helper bots were turned to security mode and dealt with the breech.

"Oh." Saffron turned to stare at Quick Fix through the visor of the suit. "That's... Good! Better than lasers." She remarked. Taking the time to adjust her shotgun's lanyard across her chest and side, and have the pistol holster on the chest, and the shield closer to her side. Drawing said shield to keep it ready as they entered.

"At least it seems like they are alive after all." Saffron remarked after the PA announcement. "I'm... Pretty sure the overseer isn't going to be happy with us by the end of this.

Sundancer takes point, raising her rifle and shielding her squishy, easily poisoned squadmates from fire

You enter the administration level and nearly immediately encounter the vault robot forces in action. While the first you encounter was down the main hall it would be clear enough from the announcement they were on a security mode. Since you were the breech and a flamethrower was pointed in your direction those with any sense would prepare for trouble.

Ember is confused by the static magic in the air for a few moments after stepping in, costing her precious time to prepare

(GM Note): The PCs engaged a pack of robots in combat. It was fairly one sided in the PCs favor until a significant hit from a flame weapon Injured Brickfielder. Otherwise Saffron did a lot of work with an automatic pistol, Sundancer’s EMP Rifle took out a couple but overheated, Ember’s Smoke creature tanked hits, Quick rallied the group from behind and medic’d Brickfielder, and Brickfielder did work with pistol and sword.


With a successful hacking motion into the last capable security robot your group can catch your breath. Brickfielder suffered some heavy burns through the radiation suit. But thankfully the integrity of the suit itself was not broken.

 Brickfielder twists around from Quick and draws his sword as he's turning, shearing straight through the remaining robot's chassis before slumping against the wall.

Saffron is quite close to tossing her pistol backwards when Ember's support fire rips into the robot and knocks it down for good. "Damn, Ember! That was a GOOD shot!" Saffron piped up, not looking back at them as she slightly relaxes her stance and casts a very concerned look towards Brickfielder as his sword krumps the robot...

Sundancer lowers her rifle and turns to treat Brick before seeing him be attended to by Quick

 Saffron "... You good Brickfielder? You didn't make a very good sound."

 Sundancer "It looks like the suit is intact. You can heal him through that, Quick?"

Brickfielder pushes himself off of the wall and glances back at Saffron. "...I'm fine... It can wait until we're back outside."

Quick Fix steps back from the big, hulking sword-boy, shaking a little from the adrenaline of all the gunfire and danger. He can't believe he's being attacked by the same robots he's lived with all his life.

 Sundancer "It doesn't look like the overseer wants our help, Vault-boy."

 Smokey hovers near Brick with a concerned look putting a hoof on his side for support

 Sundancer "But not many of these robots are still functional. Can you talk to her somehow?"

 Quick Fix "Y...yeah. I couldn't really see what was going on under there, but I could at least tell he was burnt. It wasn't too hard to soothe the tissue with my magic."

 Ember Flare "That's... Quite a few robots. I hope that’s all of them?"

Saffron simply gives a small nod as her expression becomes much more serious the more she glances over him. She stepped back to collect the empty magazines of her pistol and stuff them in her saddlebags, then pull out a fresh 4 magazines to stick them in the magazine loops, as well as loading a full one into the gun. "We've still got a few floors to go." She remarked towards Ember.

Brickfielder doesn't react to the hoof at first, but after casting a glance and realizing it's Smokey's, he nearly smacks it away and stumbles into one of the robot wrecks.

  Quick Fix "The overseer is male. I don't know if he wants our help, but given the place is still flooded with rads, he needs it. I guess we can try and see if any of the robots have functioning radios we can use."

"Take this time to get squared away, make sure your weapons are back in order. Then let's get back into our marching order." Saffron stated calmly and with a more soft tone of voice, looking over Brickfielder as he almost falls into a busted robot, then starting to step forward.

 Saffron "I think you should get behind while I stay in front, I've got a shield so I can take hits."

Quick Fix then trots up to Brick, reaching a hoof up against his side. "We gotta have a look at that as soon as we get out of here, alright? It could be serious."

(GM Note): Sundancer rolled an exceptional craft test to access a downed robot’s radio and get a frequency needed to contact the inner vault.

Sundancer reaches down to the first robot she shot and with little trouble finds what she's looking for, the robot's transmitter and the overseer's frequency

Ember takes the moment to check the rooms the robots came from

Saffron trots her small self around to get more infront of their little group, keeping her shield and heavy auto-pistol readied towards the rest of the hallway. Side glancing back to watch Sundancer work, then back ahead. "We gonna be able to ring the overseer, Sundancer?"

Pulling out a cyber brain from one of the robots Sundancer can take a few minutes to disassemble the radio system. It had a hardwired code for the encryption system that Sundancer could draw to use with your radio equipment. With it you could retreat to get your gear and speak over a signal the pipboys would pick up.

Quick Fix sits in the hallway after they've made sure it's clear once again, handling the radio in his hazmat suit. "It's probably best I talk to him. Vault citizen and all that."

Ember takes a moment to check the storage space looking room she stumbled upon a bit closer

The storage room Ember explored was full of records and administrative supplies.

 Quick Fix retreats to the entrance some time before that and makes Brick strip down so he can have a closer look at his... oof, horrible burn wounds.

"Right." Saffron's ears lower a bit as Quick Fix speaks, giving a quick nod towards him. "Let's stay outside the vault. Sunny keep your carbine pointed in here while me and Ember go get that dummy-big radio we got." Saffron says, looking back towards Ember, wandering further down the hallway.

Brickfielder doesn't seem very happy to be leaving the Stable again, but, he's still shaken up even as he's stripping out of the suit, staying quiet while Quick handles him.

 Saffron "Ember! C'mon."

 Ember Flare "Ah! right!"

Saffron starts to break into a canter once she's outside, keeping a jogging pace to make haste back to camp!

 Quick Fix "...alright, your wounds could be worse, but it's gonna take a few days for the skin to recover with medical assistance. You feeling okay? I can soothe your pain if it's still burning."

 Brickfielder glances down at Quick, taking his eyes off of the wall he was staring at before. "...Just do what you have to do so we can get back in."

Sundancer has been humming merrily and disassembling the first robot, performing triage on its important components

 Quick Fix "...well alright. Sunny, come over here and help me rub on some antiseptic."

 Sundancer "Ah, of course, now that we can look underneath that suit."

Sundancer raises her nose at the charred flesh "You got lucky these aren't radiation burns."

 Ember Flare "Well that certainly could have gone a lot worse. That was quite a lot of tech they were able to throw at us"

Saffron made sure to quickly take off the very uncomfortable and awkward-to-fly in radsuit and leave it by the vault's entrance, even if it left her unarmored. "I *really* wish we had gone and managed to get those lost vault dwellers out earlier right now..." Saffron remarked as she'd get back up and make quick pace out of the cave the vault was in, and out onto the woods. Picking up the pace by flapping her wings and going airborne once they can.

 Saffro "Oh yeah. I have no idea if those were specifically security robots, but damn..."

 Brickfielder grunts and grits his teeth as the antiseptic gets applied.

Quick Fix shakes his head. "Don't grill him about it. He took that for the team."

 Ember Flare "I still think that was better than invading into some unkowable magic dimension that is famous for trapping ponies forever"

Sundancer suppresses a laugh but doesn't suppress the flippancy in her voice "I'm sure he's been grilled by enough robots for one day."

Quick Fix holds back a snort. "You know, for a robot, you have quite the sense of humor."

"uh so..." Ember starts awkwardly "How are you gonna handle those infrareds in the vault?"

 Sundancer "It's part of my bedside manner program."

 Brickfielder's eyes seem to sink in further just from Quick and Sundancer's exchange as they're treating him.

Saffron had a bit of a chuckle as they fly in a close formation. "Heh! Probably. Maybe!" She nodded in agreement. Then paused, half-opening her mouth to speak, but Ember manages to ask first. Saffron pauses again, closing her mouth quickly. "... The plan I have in my head is that, if we can at the very least siphon the radiation temporarily, we can have them move to our camp to establish a settlement. We'd have a lot of friends for future ops."

 Saffron "And plus Quick would trust us a lot more..."

Saffron turned her eyes away towards the front, eyeing the canopy flying by below them as she glides along with her wings. "Not a particularly radical solution but I'm pretty positive it'll work out for us, until command decides to recall us."

 Ember Flare "it would make us look much more credible. The idea of so many strange ponies around does sound a bit uncomfortable though"

 Quick Fix doesn't hold back the snort this time. His magic swells, drifting softly across Brick's side as it rejuvenates the skin, and even a few hairs spontaneously prickle into being. It's not perfect, but it's progress. "Bedside manner program, huh. Well... I like it. You're more of a pony than any of the robots in the Vault."

"You can get used to it, can't you?..." Saffron asked Ember with some more concern, looking back at her with a bit of a frown. "If anything we'd have our own cabin to hide ourselves in, away from everypony else."

Brickfielder has the thought of maybe saying something to help reinforce the lie they're meant to be upkeeping, but instead he just tightens his lips at the healing magic, letting it work.

 Sundancer "As a fellow professional, I appreciate the vote of confidence. Your bedside manner isn't so bad yourself."

 Sundancer looks down at Brickfelder "Look at how much fun he's having!"

 Ember Flare "Oh it's not going to be a problem. Just... lots of ponies"

 Quick Fix "Yeah, well... I try. Not sure you could call me a professional, though. I never finished my course, even if the magic fast-tracked me into working on actual patients."

Quick Fix half-giggles, trying to focus as he wraps up the cast. "Do you ever have fun, Brick?"

 Sundancer "I couldn't tell if that was because of a lack of knowledge or experience. When you've got as much knowledge and experience as a pre-war medical robot, it's hard to tell which is which anymore."

"I know." Saffron smiles a bit more amicably, "Your Smoke-friend seems much more talkative though." She looked back to see the Smoke Monster keeping up in flight, "Are you secretly hiding an extrovert's personality in there?"

Brickfielder slowly turns and looks back at Quick, narrowing his eyes. "...Not since I came to this damned island."

 Sundancer "Come on, fun aside it's not as bad as Filly, you've got to admit."

"Bit of both. But working on you guys has really helped me prac...tice." That look wilts him a little, and he steps away from Brick to signal that he's done. "S-sorry. I just hope that it is better than Filly for you."

Brickfielder slowly pushes himself up to his full height and just grits his teeth. "I'm going to withhold my judgment on that."

 Quick Fix "...you sure you don't want me to use Painkiller? Not a whole lot to do 'cept wait for the others to get back."

 "I just stand out better" Smokey says buffing it's chest (meaning it's bringing out it's flaming distorted rib cage)

Brickfielder swings his head back to look at Quick. "I'm *fine*."

"Okay." Quick takes a seat against one of the walls of the Vault entrance and waits.

Smokey "If I say something you ARE going to listen. Right?"

Sundancer gets up and re-enters the vault, intent on continuing robo-triage

Ember furrows her brow at the comments made

Brickfielder quickly takes to pacing back and forth a bit of a distance from Quick, his mind seeming to go elsewhere for the time being.

 Quick Fix plays some quiet music on his PipBoy - for Brick, he can tell Quick's playing *something*, but it's barely audible.

Saffron's eyes lower to the smoke-ribcage it's puffing out. She gives a quick flap of her wings once at this, before flicking down. "Well, of course I'll listen! I gotta. We're all comrades here. And I think I'm also the acting squad leader, so..." She smirked. Looking back, she begins the descent as they begin to approach the camp, steadily lowering in altitude to get back on-hooves to smoothly transition into a jog towards the largest of the tents.

 Then, he closes his eyes. Time for a nap.

Brickfielder stops pacing after a bit and looks over at Quick, blinking a few times. He... he seriously fell asleep? Just like that? After all that?

Quick Fix is probably not fully asleep - more like a state of relaxation with a reduced consciousness.

 Ember Flare "Oh! Maybe we should report back to HQ. We captured the whole vault by ourselves"

Brickfielder trots quietly, nearer to Quick, and slowly sits down, spreading his wings out and laying his head back against the wall.

Saffron snickered back to Ember. "We cleared the first floor, don't get ahead of yourself Ember. I dunno if the Overseer is gonna let us get to the reactor yet..." She stops strapping the radio to her back, and instead starts deploying it again. "But, that's not a bad idea..."

Saffron quickly begins to settle down, setting up the radio and tuning it into their encrypted frequency with their CO. "Nimbus Actual to command, how copy?"

Smokey snorts in a way campfire might crackle "I ripped through their defenses. We got it"

Saffron would need to wait a few minutes to receive a reply. Eventually Cloudy Forecast’s voice would be heard. “This is Lighthouse. What is your status?”

Ember waves her hooves at the thing to try and get it to shut up as Saffron started using the radio

Though his breathing starts off clearly quite active, it slowly tapers into a relaxed, slow rhythm that could easily belong to a sleeping pony.

Brickfielder keeps quiet, and just stares off at nothing in particular while listening, looking tired but not letting his eyes stay shut for more than a moment.

Saffron settles in for a wait. Having enough time to look back towards Smokey as he says that, flashing them a smirk. "Not doubting your capabilities, just saying we're not done yet." She rebuts, then watching Ember flail about to get some quiet. She just grins in amusement and turns to the radio as she gets a response. She taps onto the microphone to keep it closer to her lips as she answers. "Nimbus has made entry into the first floor of the vault and cleared up a hasty defense of Light Robots, taking only one injury. Sundancer has managed to extract the encryption key from one of the robots, and we're in the process of establishing contacts with the Vault's leadership to try to make it easier on us, and reach the reactor and attempt to remove the radiation threat. We will likely be bringing the dwellers outside of the vault to establish a 'settlement' alongside us once that is done. Over."

Saffron would get a “Hold tight” order to wait for further instructions. Likely due to Cloudy needing to figure out how to even respond to this. It would be a few more minutes until the proper reply came. “Resources from Central have been reallocated elsewhere. For the time being prior instructions regarding resources from central that would manage the vault are null. You are working at your own discretion out there for now. Make sure your primary objective remains primary. It is uncertain when resources from central will be deployed in this operation.”

Ember whispers loudly "Ooh! Mention the food thing!"

"Understood Lighthouse. We were short on time and could not delay this any further due to our new infrared companion." Saffron explained briefly, her ears flicking towards Ember as she pipes up in the background, prompting Saffron to smirk and nod as she resumes swiftly, "As for the primary objective, we've enacted some maneuvers: We've addressed the populace regarding previous petitions to make moves to remove the Circles and expand their farming capabilities due to a shortage of food, and made them to organize themselves better in an attempt to speed up that process--which will likely put them at odds with the Earthen Cloaks. We've sabotaged their food reserves by burning one of their food stores down, which we believe might put more incentive on this as well."

Cloudy Forecast would ask for clarification regarding your actions in Trottingham. But afterwards would seem to have gotten the picture. She states that she expects your mission to be ongoing for a majority of this year as current operations will remain focused on local resources. Prepare for season change, particularly the eventual winter. Continue regular reporting.

Saffron flicked down her left ear as the right one stayed up to listen. She calmly repeated, perhaps a bit more cleanly, exactly what they did. Though at the mention of them operating for maybe a year she grinned with barely veiled excitement that almost oozes from her professionally tuned voice. "A-acknowledged loud and clear, Lighthouse. Will supply drops still be available for us if we need them in the off-chance we need them?"

 Saffron is informed that your squad could receive dead drops if required. Provided your cover remains intact. Continue to disrupt Trottingham and their relationship to the rebel faction. If you can cause open conflict that is the desired result.

"Understood, Lighthouse. Will keep you updated, over and out." And with that, Saffron starts to stand up--taking off the little headset to unplug it and then start getting ready to put the whole thing on her back.

It would take about three and a half hours round trip for Saffron and Ember to return with the radio equipment. Meeting back at the top level of the vault the group can reconvene. Sundancer had been productive and would have a small heap of deconstructed robot parts. Not unlike a particularly metal corvid gathering a nest of shinies. With the radio available It would be possible for Quick to talk over the vault’s encrypted system and contact the overseer.

Sundancer gathers around the radio when Saffron and Ember return

 Ember Flare "Oh, looks like you were busy. And.. how are you hanging Brick?"

Brickfielder raises his head from the wall as the others return; he looks, in a word, like shit, between his eyes being sunken in and his mane hanging down limply. "...Fine. Adrenaline wore off is all."

Quick Fix jerks awake, blinking around him and, curiously enough, spotting Brick slumped against the wall near him. "Ah! I'm awake. I'm awake. Are we making that call?"

Saffron seemed unimpeded by the weight and awkwardness of carrying an entire radio set on her back and saddlebags, and very casually brings it to one side as she begins to set it up again. Once that's down, she lays on her belly by it and sighs with some relief... Looking towards Quick Fix, "C'mere Quick." She calls him, then looks to Sundancer and her hoard of robot parts, "Punch in the frequency for us Sunny." The tiny mare told the cyborg, whilst looking towards Brickfielder... Her lips and ears sank a bit at his state.

 Saffron "Heck yeah we are, Quick. Sleepy head."

Saffron beckons him over with a wing, then eyed Brickfielder again. "You--you gonna be okay? You look worse, somehow..."

Smokey swooshes next to Brick giving him a light punch on the shoulder "you know for such a big guy you sure go down fast"

 Quick Fix "Prolly 'cuz you didn't see him without the suit on. He's looking a lot better than he was, trust me."

Quick Fix trots over to Saffron and gets going with the radio, having already noted down the codes from Sunny.

Sundancer enters the frequency and pushes the send button, testing the mic in a singsong voice "Vault-Tec calling!"

Sundancer waits for a response and pushes the radio set's microphone in front of Quick

Saffron side glanced Quick as he explained. "Oh--good..." The tiny red mare's voice sounded a little hesitant, a lingering worry still in her voice as she looked back to Brick, and saw Smokey giving him a slight verbal burn. Her snout scrunches up like an accordion, and even more at Sundancer saying that in the mic. But stays quiet.

Brickfielder doesn't respond to Saffron, but leans away from Smokey, giving her(?) a furrowed brow. "I keep telling you people, I'm fine. I'd like to see you be chipper after getting microwaved..."

Quick Fix whispers at Saffron, "cute scrunch."

Sundancer’s test call would get a reasonable prompt reply from a gruffer sounding stallion’s voice. Quick could recognize his overseer. “What in tartarus is this? Who are you?”

"Ahem." Quick speaks into the mic, "Mr. Overseer, sir. Quick Fix here. I believe there's been a bit of a misunderstanding."

Saffron looked right in Quick's eyes from the closeness, the accordion-like scrunch descending quickly as she pouts at him and reaches out to give him a slight, mock-punch on the shoulder. Then settles in to hear the conversation.

“Quick Fix? We thought you had died. Explain yourself. What’s going on?” The overseer was apt in assuming his authoritative position in a conversation.

 Quick Fix "Your wife and son escaped through your office with me, but we were separated after we left the Vault. I stumbled across a group of survivors from the city of Fillydelphia, across the sea. There's cities up here, sir. Real cities with thousands of ponies. We managed to get some good hazmat suits, and we can help you fix the reactor leak."

Quick Fix left out a few... crucial details that the team could probably notice.

The overseer seems to choke a bit in hearing that his wife and son made it out. But he focuses on the matter at hoof first. He explains that the survivors have been holed up on the lower two levels. They managed to seal the leak and vent the irradiated air to the top levels. But all said there’s only ninety ponies left. If you have radiation suits perhaps the survivors could be evacuated to the surface through the irradiated levels. Everyone left agrees the vault is doomed.

Saffron frowned grimly at hearing that the vault is doomed, but not as much as her face sinks at hearing that brief choke in the overseer's voice. Sighing quietly through her nostrils. Looking to Quick Fix in that moment, "i'm guessing we can't vent it out any further or filter it? Just have to do it the long way..."

Quick Fix looks around at the party, before returning his gaze to the radio. "We have a camp on the beach. Once everypony's evacuated, we can start getting cabins set up and see about contacting the nearby village in the forest for emergency supplies. We've helped them in the past."

Sundancer smiles wider as she hears the vault is going to be unoccupied for the foreseeable future, going over all the salvage opportunities giddily, the relatively pristine pre-war bots and steel-plated caverns wetting her appetite for what she imagines is weeks of work

Quick Fix speaks to Saffron, then, "the ponies in there aren't dumb. If they think the place is doomed, there's probably nothing to be done about it.”

Quick Fix then turns back to the radio. "Umn..." he takes a deep breath, "Smoky Mirrors... is... she..?"

The overseer replies that he will have the remaining robots switched off of security mode. The evacuation should start as soon as possible. When it came to the topic of individuals the overseer would note that Quick’s guardian was among the survivors. The overseer wanted to know what happened to his wife and child.

 Quick Fix nods even though the overseer can't see him. "I..." Another deep breath. "We were separated. We... we don't know for sure. I think it'd be best if we discussed the matter in person, Mr. Overseer."

Saffron's wings immediately tuck against her disheveled back as her body just tenses up at that line of questioning from the Overseer. She starts to stare at Quick, leaning in with her head slightly to see if he maybe wanted her to say it. But he ends up postponing it. She wried her lip, silently nods, and leans back.

The overseer said something resigned “alright. Alright…” From there he asked to start planning the evacuation. What was the situation on the surface? How many radiation suits did you have available? What did you have for food and water supplies? ect

Sundancer waits for an opportunity when Quick and the Overseer aren't talking and starts collecting discarded hazard suits

 Ember Flare "Oh damn, food. It's gonna be rough for them if the stuff here is completely contaminated"

Saffron turned towards Ember at that. "The place we're in is pretty rich with foodstuffs. It's not infinite, but there's a bunch. Enough that we'll have time to figure out how to stockpile."

 Quick Fix

"There's a stream not too far away, and plenty to forage for a small, healthy population - I think it would be best if we asked for help, though."

 Ember Flare "I mean sure, for a group of our size"

 Quick Fix "This island was completely untouched by nukes, actually. The wildlife is healthy. There's... a slight magical complication, but we can talk about that later."

Saffron, in the meantime, starts to stand up to walk over to her folded up radiation suit to begin the process of putting it back on. "This might get iffy, but we can slowly file everypony outside with Sundancer since she doesn't need a suit to walk around in there. If we give some of the ponies our suits, Sundancer can bring them back in and give them to another set of ponies until everypony is out."

 Quick Fix "...we have a robot that can ferry ponies in and out. She's... not just a Mr. Handy, by the way. We can move ponies more efficiently that way."

With the situation explained well enough to give some hope, the overseer would want to plan logistics. They have some supplies that could be brought to the surface. The remains of the last hydroponics harvest. Not sure if they could port the potable water upwards. They had a couple radiation suits as well left in working order. Doing some math, assuming everything worked out with what you had. It would take two or three hours to file everyone out in turn, carrying what they could with them. That would leave supplies to be collected as well. But the few remaining robots could help porting. The robots would not be useful outside of the vault however, as their charging stations were near the reactor. A reactor that could eventually break again.

Ember walks up to Saffron and whispers "you know we really should go there and look over if they got anything of use to us before starting the evacuation. Could be lotsa useful stuff down there we could put to use"

 Quick Fix "Alright. That's worked out, then. We'll send Sundancer down with the suits."

 Hearing Ember's whisper from beneath the hazmat helmet, Saffron leans in slightly. "We'll be going back in to collect supplies after everypony is out, so we'll be doing that afterwards Ember..."

 Ember Flare "...just thought they might stash or take all the good stuff if they get the chance"

Quick Fix stands and moves to sit against the wall again, once again made to wait. ...he feels bare without any clothes on...

 Sundancer "Well if you want to deliver a couple suits by wearing them down, they're bulky enough to be hard to carry"

 Saffron gave Ember a tense look, like she wasn't sure exactly how to tell her something. "Well it uh--... Doesn't make sense to me that they'd hide 'the good stuff' without sharing it, that'd be irresponsible... It'd probably be personal effects anyways..." Saffron replied, her voice notably unsure. Then starts stepping over to Sundancer, "I can carry Quick's along, no biggie."

 Saffron "I don't know if Brickfielder's would be sized for anypony in there though..."

Your evacuation of the vault would start slowly. Robots would be sent up to take the wearable radiation suits back down and escort Sundancer to the third level where the vault residents were gathering and waiting. She spies so many small technological bits along the way it could get her swooning at the possibilities. She also passes open rooms to residential suites with desiccated corpses inside. She would be told the vault originally had around nine hundred residents. The vault dwellers would be in a hopeful, but mixed emotional range. They have been in their deteriorating situation for weeks and now have to abandon their home. Not to mention all of the lost loved ones. Most of the ponies remaining were able bodied younger or middle aged adults. The radiation had culled nearly all of the older and younger residents. The overseer in specific was a shorter, stern faced older stallion named Golden Clover.

With the radiation suits the residents had salvaged and the ones Sundancer would forward the ponies could start to leave the vault six at a time. Given Brickfielder’s suit was simply too unwieldy for anyone to wear. With the weight of the suits not many supplies could be brought up on the initial trip. It would later need to be a serious porting operation to bring all of the supplies and personal effects to the surface. For the time being the OVerseer had instructed them to take what they could carry. Most would bring foodstuffs, clothing, blankets, and similar portable items. When they arrived at the surface the ponies would be skittish and concerned. Most would need to be reassured the surface was not the blasted hellscape they were told to expect. If they had some military discipline they might have resembled enclave citizens being put on the ground for the first time.

Brickfielder stands near the entrance as the ponies come out, keeping his head up and glancing over them as they assemble.

Saffron would be near the groups of dwellers. Shorter than everyone else, but still a presence as she made sure to be close to Quick Fix in checking all the residents, or if they needed help in some way. She attempted to provide some optimism to the situation by telling that the worst had passed, and that she and her group would be around to help from now on. But then came the time to talk logistics with the overseer as he wanted, and Quick Fix had something to tell them still.

Quick Fix would get a pleasant greeting from his adoptive mother when she came up. The dusty purple mare was in all honesty not very ‘motherly’ given she was only about a decade years older than quick. She had taken him in when she was eighteen when his father passed. Smokey Mirror would give her adopted son a tight, crushing hug when she was released from the confines of the radiation suit.

The overseer would be one of the last intending to go to the surface. Making sure everything in the vault was organized and what could be taken on this first trip went up. There were a trio of security officers who had survived. They seemed a bit unwilling to part with their pistols in the name of defense.

Saffron herself was actually very relieved to see trained security forces among the dozens of civilians who might or might not know how to defend themselves. She actually went up to the officers to introduce herself, exchange names, and let them know in advance that while the forest outside is lush there ARE magical creatures out there that could threaten them. The chances were small to meet them soon, but she still keeps them in-the-know for when they'll move out tomorrow morning. After that, she'd try to chat up the overseer to hear how much they had with them...

(GM Note): Brickfielder and Quick tested Tactics to keep the growing Vaulter group organized. They crushed the test.

Brickfielder shrugs off his pain for a while to claim the adrenaline high of ordering ponies around. The infrareds needed to be organized for their stay in the cave. You, lay out those blankets over there. Stock the food baskets up in that corner. Quit bickering, you need to work together right now. Yes this all sucks for now but it is the first steps. Take a seat and rest. With Brickfielder’s organization on this end the ponies coming up in their trickle from the vault would remain calm and collected for the duration of the evacuation. Most were simply scared, tired, and at a general loss of how to proceed.

Quick’s adoptive mother would stick with him to offer what help she could. There was a lot to do but she could not help herself just being glad he was alive. She would ask him what all he had been through since he escaped the vault. She would spare him the traumatic events that went down during the first couple days of the radiation leak. Only answering questions if directly pressed.

Brickfielder seems to be quickly back to his usual self once he's having to command infrareds around, keeping his head high and motioning with a wing or a hoof frequently while moving about and making sure things are going well. For infrareds, they're doing a good job following orders; perhaps the ones who weren't so good are among the ones who didn't make it.


Interlude: Quickfix & Smoky Mirrors

That evening in the caves outside the vault the huddled masses of vault dwellers got their first taste of the surface. Your group stayed among them, as evacuation and supply porting would be an ongoing effort. Bedding was not an issue, given eight hundred beds had been emptied. Hotplates cooked meals with scattered groups huddled around them. The air was cool in the caves but at least the weather had not turned yet. Quick Fix would be situated with his adoptive mother, Smoky Mirrors, with blankets around them and a soup heating on a hotplate. The purple unicorn mare would take the quiet time now to start grilling Quick.

Smoky Mirrors would let out a content sigh, now that things had calmed down. She had one foreleg around Quick's shoulders. "Time to catch up I think."

Quick Fix nodded slowly, staring at the soup - partially just to find something to look at, and partially to make sure it didn't boil over. "It's been... a very eventful two weeks."

Smoky Mirrors "That is an understatement to be sure. Who are your new friends? They look... Rough to put it delicately."

Quick Fix "They're refugees from Fillydelphia. They took a boat out here from the mainland and set up camp on the beach, which is where I found them. Thank Luna I did."

Smoky Mirrors "Been a long while since I took any geography." It had not in reality. "But why did they leave? I took a look outside. Things don't seem so bad as we were told."

Quick Fix "Well... I'm not sure. I think they might have mentioned it after I found them, but... that slips my mind, and I haven't really asked them about it much. I was planning to talk to Saffron about it - the red pegasus - once we got home. Looks like we might not have the time, though..."

Smoky Mirrors got a bit reminisceful for a minute. " 'Home' huh? Been out on your own for a couple weeks and already got your own place?" She teased and ruffled Quick's mane.

Quick Fix blushed a little. His mane was even longer and messier than usual. He needed to brush it! "Oh, yeah. I'm sharing a tent with Saffron. Sleeping back-to-back of course!"

Smoky Mirrors retracted her hoof after a few more jostles. She continued to tease him however. "That's very 'quick' of you. Seventeen and already got a marefriend who you've moved in with. I expect i'll have to ask if her intentions with you are pure."

Quick Fix only continued to let blood flow to his cheeks. Name puns and relationship-related embarrassment?? What a reunion... "Sh-she's not - we're not - it's n-not like that! She's just a nice... pony. Who I like very much."

Smoky Mirrors let it stand as is for the time being, focusing a bit on stirring the soup telekinetically. "They helped get us out. It would have taken ten times as long without their help. Likely wouldn't even know what to do with ourselves if we did get out on our own. So even if they turn out kinda sour, we have to thank them."

Quick Fix nodded. "I think they're a nice group. Not sure what they plan to do from here - they showed disinterest in joining the local city, so... my bet's on they end up staying with you guys 'til you decide what to do. I'm sure we could make our own settlement out here, independent of the others."

Smoky Mirrors yawned and leaned her head against Quick's. "Have to figure that stuff out in the morning. The overseer will figure out what to do next. Your friends seem to know what they're doing too. So that's a relief." She nuzzled his mane a bit. "Tell me what the surface is like. I haven't gotten the courage to really step out yet."

Quick Fix hummed an affirmation. Then, he frowned.. "I'm... not sure what I'm going to do. We work well as a team, Smoky. The... pegasi and I. The surface is gorgeous, and lively, and there's plants and birds, but - there's dangers up here, too. And we're a real force against them."

Smoky Mirrors sighed and hugged her son. She was evidently drained. "Well, everything is new and strange. I have not had to question your judgement of ponies before. So unless I see something seriously wrong, I think it'll work out if you keep helping them." She lifted a hoof and shook it in mock general threat. "But if they hurt you, I'll illusion them so hard their hearts will give out."

Quick Fix snorted softly. "I have no reason to believe they'd want to bring harm to us. 'specially after rescuing me, and all of you. They could have just left you to die. I couldn't force them to do anything." He nuzzled his guardian, turning off the hotplate with his magic as the soup was indeed threatening to reach the lip of its pot. "Not to mention, these two weeks have been the most exciting and fulfilling of my life. Makes me feel... wanted. You know..?" He always had been somewhat antisocial in the Vault, for... one reason or another. It had been hard raising him alone, and he was a naturally quiet foal. That wasn't to say he had no friends, but she could tell he was never really close to any of them.(edited)

Smoky Mirrors Finally pulled herself up into a proper sitting position given it was time to eat. But she yawned once more. "You seem different. It's probably a good change too. Hopefully you keep improving. Improvement looks good on you." She gave Quick a warm smile. "I don't know if I dreamed of going to the surface since I was a filly. But, here we are."

Quick Fix suddenly couldn't meet her gaze. He was biting his lip... bashful, maybe? Or, heck, still embarrassed, perhaps. "Hmn... w-well... maybe. Two weeks isn't a long time. But... it feels like it's been a whole lot longer than that. Something to do with the surface..? Or... change in general..." Lacking a ladle, he just poured the soup into two bowls straight from the pot.

Smoky Mirrors would lift the bowl up telekinetically to blow on the steaming brew. "From here on we just have to take things a day at a time. See what the overseer tells us to do." She gave Quick a nudge with her shoulder. "What's the sun like? I've only seen books and holovids."

Quick Fix "Right. The Overseer. I've... got to talk to him, about... his family..." He shook his head and took a sip of his own bowl of soup. "It's bright. Like, so bright, it hurts to look at. ...and it's harmful to look at, obviously, what with all the UV. But it's warm. The light looks real, like - like all the lighting in the Vault was fake."

Smoky Mirrors sipped at her soup before starting to gulp greedy mouthfuls. When her bowl was drained she spoke up once again. "Looking forward to seeing it. I can't believe i'll have to start waking up with the sun instead of an alarm clock. I don't suppose the sun has a snooze button..?" She leaned against Quick once more, tired and full of soup. "I'm sure there's more I should be asking, but it's snug o'clock. I think your marefriend can spare you one night." She already had her head resting against his and was making herself comfortable.

Quick Fix chuckled - well, considering the pitch of his voice, it was more of a giggle - and let Smoky rest against him. "You know, light can be blocked? That's why they invented curtains, and blindfolds. You can sleep in as long as you want, lazy bones." Considering the relatively small gap in their ages, they had somewhat of a strange dynamic... one that certainly allowed for reunion snuggles. "And I told you, sh-she's not my marefriend. At least, I... I don't think so?...Anyway, you get some rest. I might sip on this soup a lil slower, in case there's any medical emergencies I've gotta tend to."

Taking the offer to get some rest after the exhausting day the mare would slump over in her blanket cocoon and start to doze off. While Quick Fix would be alert for a while in case he was needed, not much was being done that evening besides the continued efforts of robots to bring supplies up from the soon to be vacated vault. He could soon rest beside his adoptive mother and drift off himself.


Session 17

The first night in the cave among the vault dwellers would be a mixture of tense and relief. For many of them the surface would be an unknown and a cause for anxiety. But they were out of the tomb that their home had become, doing what vault-tec had given them a mission for. At least that is how the overseer would put it. It seemed to put the vault residents at ease.

As specified in the interlude, Quick would chill with Smoky but keep an eye out for any medical emergencies he could help with for a while before he fell asnooze.

 Saffron, given that Brickfielder was much better than her at rallying the vault dwellers, spent most of her time outside of the little cave everyone was huddled in. Using her skills as a scout to keep watch outside in case anything decided to come for them. She would try to have visuals on everything--from the trees, hidden and in cover, to see the improbable threats coming in advance. Not wandering too far from the glade, or the cave itself, while others kept watch from the cave itself.

Brickfielder would, perhaps too eagerly, spend the evening attending to and micromanaging the Vault dwellers. Coming off as rote and serious, but nonetheless inquiring about mental states, answering questions that the infrareds seem to have, and otherwise just keeping himself busy and available.

Ember would not feel comfortable with this many ponies, especially with her magic elemental out and about. She'd spend more time in the outskirts of the camp area and "keep a lookout"

Sundancer walks the halls of Vault 28 undisturbed, humming as she gives herself a private tour of the abandoned levels, formulating an inventory as she goes. Eventually she'd turn in, but not until most ponies had already fallen asleep

When the morning came the overseer would ask to speak with Quick Fix privately. He would want to know what became of his wife and son, as well as the potential dangers that were waiting on the surface. He seemed to be bracing himself against the worst.

Quick Fix filled the overseer in on what happened, as tactfully as he could: as soon as they left the vault, they were confronted by a strange creature, resembling a bear made of glass. It was hostile, so Quick split from the group and led it away from them, losing contact in the process. In doing so he led it to the party and they fought them off. Upon returning to the Vault, they discovered that the ponies had been dragged away, to a magical stone circle some distance from the entrance. There, presumably, they had been taken to a different dimension - one that few ponies had ever returned from. There were ponies nearby that could potentially help them, but the prospects weren't great. "I'm sorry. I wish I could have defended them." He finished.

Sundancer’s inventory check would result in jaw dropping figures for metal and electrical component materials. She could possibly spend a year tearing into this place and hardly make a dent.

Saffron would have a small, distant encounter. A glass butterfly coming down the side of the mountain and travelling to the stone circle that was located within shouting distance of the cave entrance. If she trailed it she would see it enter the clearing and then… suck into itself as it seemed to implode and vanish. Ember would be able to feel the pulse of magic in the distance. It was familiar enough now.

Brickfielder had some satisfaction in his work keeping the infrareds in line. They were a fairly docile bunch and easy to direct. Only a few needed to ask him questions, since it seemed they were waiting on their overseer to give them significant orders.

When Quick explained the situation the overseer would be a bit agasp despite his preparations. He wanted to know everything he could about these magic glass monsters and gave Quick quite a shake of the shoulder when he couldn’t answer. Like the overseer was trying to knock the information loose. He would ask Quick to gather up his friends so they could inform him all that they knew.

 Brickfielder makes a habit of gravitating near the Overseer when things allow, after noting the dwellers' loyalty to him.

Quick Fix then called the group together to talk to the Overseer, after telling him that he unfortunately knew very little about the monsters other than their origin.

Brickfielder isn't very far away, perking an ear and trotting to Quick and the Overseer as soon as Quick seems intent on getting him and the others together.

Ember would come when asked putting on a friendly face to meet the overseer fellow

Saffron creeps closer to the circle to watch the butterfly enter the circle. And then disappear like that. From behind the trees, her brow furrowed as she mouthed a silent 'Gotta be kidding' beneath her breath. She kept watch for a little longer, to see if some death squad came out of it. When it didn't, she fluttered herself back to her patrol route and slinked along. Until eventually, later, she'd hear Quick Fix calling for them. She casually appears from the underbrush, almost invisible and soundlessly in her arrival, and bearing a small frown as she trotted closer within speaking distance. She stays quiet at first. But there was a lot to say.

Sundancer jolted awake when her alarm went off in the morning, and stops herself from immediately diving into drafting designs by recognizing the symptoms of hunger from her starvation training and joining the camp for breakfast

Sundancer would silently nod when Quick gathered the team for the Overseer

When your group had been gathered up a bit aways from the main body of vault dwellers the Overseer, Golden clover, would ask your group some direct questions. He wanted to know more about the glass monsters and how he could get his wife and child back. He would also ask what all your group’s intentions were, although he did not sound suspicious in that regard. Just unsure.

Saffron casts a worried glance in Quick's direction, looking over his face and making eye contact for a moment to exchange a meaningful, questioningly worried look with him, her left brow rising as her ears lower briefly. But then the Overseer spoke, and her attention moved to him. Quarter-turning her head to Brickfielder once, she replied promptly: The creatures that took his family were aliens to them, but they got themselves some information from the natives, some religious sect of druids that call themselves the 'earthen cloaks', that deal and bargain with them. As far as they knew, the place on the other side of those circles was a 'realm' of chaos of sorts, labyrinthic, where ponies who go there go mad, or become slaves, as far as they knew. Very few returned. But it's possible to trade for them back. They already asked about them, the group just needed to go back and talk to IT, again.

 Saffron "The problem is just what you choose to trade away. We know it can be paid for in Spools of golden thread--specifically thread. It can be paid for in secrets that amuse it enough to consider valuable for a trade, or in body parts. Noses, ears, eyes... We also have no way to be certain about anything..."

 Ember Flare "Oh but I wouldn't attempt to make contact with them to do that"

 Quick Fix "You can't bring metal into the circles, so you'd have to take off your PipBoy. It'd be dangerous, though..."

 Ember Flare "The circles, where the gatekeeper resides, react *violently* to any metal carried with you. I think the druids even suggested bathing beforehand..."

Brickfielder clears his throat to assert himself into the conversation. "It has very particular... rules for engaging with it as well, including its stance on metal. As for ourselves, we didn't exactly have much of an intent when we arrived here. We lost our home too." He ruffles his wings slightly while nodding to the Overseer. "In a way, I suppose you're in the same boat we are in now. Only we didn't have help at first."

Sundancer hangs her head at the mention of metal

Quick Fix whispers to Sunny, "hey, being made of metal has its upsides; you didn't need a suit after all."

The overseer would go a bit pale at the implications that saffron was explaining to him. Then simply confused at the particulars, restrictions, and otherworldly situation. One thing he hooks on however is a line saffron said. “the group just needed to go back and talk to IT, again.” Which gets him to see your group as the solution to the problem. If you could get his family back then it seemed you should do so.

 Quick Fix "The only problem is that we don't have anything to trade just yet."

Sundancer opens and closes her mouth a few times in the conversation, holding back her thoughts. However, upon being assigned a task she raises a hoof in inquiry "Have you got any gold I can spin into thread? You did live in a Vault."

 Ember Flare "And it might be difficult to negotiate. Those Lords apparently value children really high"

 Quick Fix "I guess that just means we need a lot of something to trade."

Saffron side glances everyone else as they say their piece after the overseer had directly told them, if not 'ordered', to go get his family back. She looked the Overseer in the eyes for a silent second. "... We're good ponies... Overseer. But you're asking an awful lot of us. We went out of our way to get your ponies out but..."

 Saffron "We barely even know what we're doing. No promises..."

 Ember Flare "We're trying not to get targeted by those magical creatures. We've had a lot of trouble with them as is."

The overseer thought about Sundancer's contribution. He did not question it for the time being at least. He noted that he was not a technical pony and his engineering knowledge was rusty, but he was certain the charging stations for the mr.helper robots had gold connectors. If they were willing to dismantle the stations there might be enough gold to bargain with.

 Ember Flare "Wait, are the robots still operational as is?"

 Saffron crossed her forelegs and gave a slow nod in response to the notion of dismantling robotics equipment. The tiny red mare looked up towards Sundancer, listening in silence for the time being.

 Ember Flare "Uh, well like I said, a simple trade most likely isn't going to bring them back"

 Quick Fix "So what are you suggesting instead?"

 Ember Flare "Well... maybe you could talk with the Earthern cloaks? the situation has changed quite a bit from when we visited them."

 Quick Fix "Ah. Yes. We could seek their help with the matter, though they were quite stingy about it last time."

 Ember Flare "They are pretty primitive folk to be honest so you might be better off trading your skills with them?"

Saffron slowly moved her eyes towards Ember, and Quick Fix. Furrowing her brow slightly. "Anything helps. The more of a payment we can muster the better our chances as far as I see it... As we know it, the Gatekeeper thinks we're a single entity trading with them." Saffron's voice trails off slightly, "Maybe there's someway we can use that..." She bit her lip, tucking in her wings. Looking to Ember once, nodding in agreement to what she told Quick Fix. "Their advice is very valuable, and their resources."

 Saffron "If they give us SOMETHING, literally anything, it'd help."

Saffron lightly scuffed her hoof along the rocky dirt. "I can try and chat up Gatekeeper after we get all the vault ponies situated in the camp. We gotta keep our priorities straight."

 Ember Flare "Do you know what all these ponies here are proficient at? What sorts of skillsets are available to you?"

The overseer agrees for the most part. If your other friends can help then they should be tapped into for it. For the time being the priority has to be on the residents that are with them now. What would your group propose be done for long term homes? When it came to the talents of his people the overseer could give a not the most encouraging list. Hairdressers, garbage burners, teachers, and other less than immediately useful jobs. Aside from the few security and a couple engineers they had, most of the technical jobbed ponies had been on the reactor or administration levels when the reactor leak began.

At the question of 'long term housing', Saffron looked to the more expert pony among them and looked up towards Sundancer again. "Sundancer here," She pointed a wing at their ""android"", "Is our most experienced pony in building things. With the couple of engineers, we can get up some lean-tos and shacks at first, until we can expand them into proper cottages, right?" She lowered her usually chipper voice, shifting in place with barely visible nervousness. "We're just gonna have to make a wall around the site first."

 Sundancer "Right. I have had to raise quite a few barns and build quite a few cabins in my day. I had started building a fortified outpost by the beach, I suggest we expand that into a full fortified settlement until we have something better. Your ponies may be unskilled, but I'm used to working with illiterate Fillydelphians, so a little written instruction here and a little diagramming here should go a long way."

 Saffron "For now that's the plan then!--Hff--We'll have to prepare for the cold seasons too, make firepits, get lots of firewood, stockpiles... One thing at a time, but I'm confident we can get everypony under a roof in good enough time." Saffron beamed with a small, optimistic smirk towards the taller Overseer, nodding to him with a great resolve in her eyes.

Quick Fix "They're good ponies. They can learn. They have to learn."

"Cold seasons... fire..." Quick's eyes light up. "Do you think it snows here?? Oh, goodness, we might get to see snow!! And it'll be so cold..~"

Brickfielder fixes Quick with a raised eyebrow.

Quick Fix clears his throat. "S-sorry."

The overseer would more or less agree with whatever your experts have to say on the matter. He knows when he does not know about something. As long as he announces it to the gathered vault residents and makes arrangements for organization, they would do their parts. At minimum having clear goals on what they were doing would keep up morale. So he would want to get into the details quickly and then begin relaying and forming groups. It was best to get hooves busy.

Ember would approach Sundancer afterwards out of the earshot of other ponies "Oh hey wait."

 Ember Flare "That discussion about the gold thread and disassembling that robot recharge station thing"

Saffron flashed Quick Fix a grin, shooting him a wink. Though she stays quiet, nodding along with the Overseer, and she would look up to Brickfielder in terms of organization--seeing how good he had been with it before, but would mention it was probably best to get 'rationing' out of the way immediately, seeing as the amount of mouths to feed would quickly deplete their food supply, meant for, like, 5 ponies...

Sundancer looks up from her drawing of a tree and saw

 Sundancer "What about it? You seemed to speak up before I could comment on it, got something in mind?"

 Ember Flare "W-well the way I see it, we captured the vault for cloudsdale, and breaking disassembling the station would destroy a valuable asset for us"

 Sundancer "I agree, but right now we're cloudsdale, and this is an asset to be spent. Thank you for finding a way to avoid spending it, but if we come up with a better use of gold than saving this guy's wife, I don't want to think it's off limits. That said I should find out ways of using these bots as long as we have them available. I've just got such a busy schedule."

 Ember Flare "Oh sure but I don't see much value in saving that guys wife really... It doesn't really impact our goal in any way"

 Ember Flare "And I kinda started to get worried if these ponies would be able to go back and forth the vault and strip whatevers useful for their purposes"

 Sundancer "The radiation should stop that. Besides, we're setting up camp back at the beach. Good to keep in mind retaining possession of the suits."

 Ember Flare "Hmh maybe you're right. Maybe in that case it wouldn't be that bad if the robots went offline as well. Couldn't haul things for them. I'm sure we could have better use for the gold than what the overseer planned. Thanks Sundancer, seems like I was worrying over nothing really. You have a good head on your shoulders"

 Sundancer "Thanks for checking up with me. I've spent so much time dissembling I'm afraid of not being on the same page."

 Ember nods "Yeah and you seem to be so caught on... robot things that we hardly talk. Don't push yourself too hard and go nutters there hey?" Ember gives a shaky smile unsure if the joke was going too far

 Sundancer "I'll stay strong. I've been able to get time to myself and Quick at least seems dumb enough for me to act normal around him without him questioning anything."

(GM