[10:39] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The pony stops at takes a hard right, darting to the end of a dock, he hurls the bottle opener into the lake and smiles, breathing heavily.
[10:40] * Challenger sees the bottle opener sink, and glares at the pony. "What the hell'd you do that for??"
[10:41] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Sorry, just following orders."
[10:42] * Challenger walks closer, clearly very angry. "Ans who's orders were those? Ya got five seconds before I buck you after my bottle opener."
[10:43] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The pony smiles and levitates out a small firearm. Pressing it to the his forehead, he looks ready to pull the trigger. "Wouldn't you like to know."
[10:43] * Challenger is unfazed. "I think that's why I asked. Three seconds."
[10:44] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The pony pulls the trigger. Bang.
[10:47] * Challenger tries to roll to the side.
[10:54] <Challenger> [redact]
[10:55] * Challenger winces as the pony dies. "Shit." Starts to go thru the pony's belongings.
[10:55] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The pony's lifeless body falls into the waters of Shining Lake.
[10:55] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  So you can't loot it. Sorry.
[10:56] * Challenger looks around. "Well fuck..."
[10:57] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  After a few minutes, bubbles break the surface near where the pony had lobbed the bottle opener.
[10:58] * Challenger looks down towards the bubbles, leaning in closely.
[10:59] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  A small golden rod with a glass lense pokes up from beneath the water and spins around a few times.
[11:01] <Challenger> "What in the name of Luna is that?"
[11:01] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The rod vanishes and more bubbles break.
[11:01] * Challenger backs away instinctively
[11:03] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Soon, a large bronze capsule bubbles up from the deep. A hatch on top opens and a pale red pony with a blue mane sticks her head and tilts her head to the side. "Hello there! Did you drop this?" She asks, holding up Scarecrow's bottle opener.
[11:04] * Challenger is slightly startled. "Uhm.. more like somepony threw it in... You might've seen their body as you came up..."
[11:05] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The pony takes off her goggles and looks around. The body seems to have disappeared. "Nope, didn't see a thing like it!" She speaks with a noticable Trottingham accent.
[11:05] <Challenger> "Oh. Well in any case, yes that's mine."
[11:06] * SpencerDespenser|GM ([email protected]) Quit ( Quit: See you ! )
[11:10] <Challenger> "Oh. Well in any case, yes that's mine."
[11:11] <SpencerDespenser|GM> The unicorn looks at it for a moment. "Ooooooh, do you mind if I take this with me? I'd love to study it!"
[11:12] <Challenger> "Uh... It's just a bottle opener."
[11:12] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The unicorn giggles. "That's what you think! This thing is really neat. Hmmmm."
[11:13] <Challenger> "Neat like how... also, what is that thing you're riding?"
[11:14] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The unicorn smiles and rubs a hoof on her vehicle. "A bathysphere! They're really neat too! And, this thing is made of pure Stubbornite. So, do you mind?"
[11:15] <Challenger> "Well... so long as I get it back... I kinda gotta go. Got some folks waiting on me, and they might be in trouble if I don't show up."
[11:16] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  She scrunches her face. "Where are ya headed? I could get you there right quick!"
[11:16] <Challenger> "Over to the Rig."
[11:17] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "The rig? Why in Tesla's name would you wanna go there?"
[11:18] <Challenger> "I'm... uh... not really at liberty to say. But my friends are there, and if I don't make it in time, they might get shot full'a holes."
[11:18] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Okay... Hop in!"
[11:19] * Challenger clammers into the sphere.
[11:20] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  It's a little cramped in there, but you can both fit in comfortably. "Name's Nautilus! And you may want to hold on to something, this ride is a little bumpy.
[11:20] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "
[11:22] <Challenger> "I'm Challenger, and I don't mind a few bumps."
[11:24] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Pleasure! Now, let's get... ah bugger. Gimme a minute, just gotta go patch a leak. Take the controls!" Nautilus clambers back into the area behind the cockpit and starts bashing something with a wrench.
[11:25] * Challenger grabs the controls. "Wha- I don't know how to drive this!"
[11:26] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "It's easy! Just make sure we stay on course, and make sure the pressure gauge stays under 200!"
[11:27] * Challenger looks around for the pressure gague. "And how do I do that?"
[11:29] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  It's above you. "Press the green button and make sure our ballast is even!" She shouts over an very loud clunking sound.
[11:29] * Challenger looks up, and presses the green button.
[11:30] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  There's a loud hissing sound and the entire vessle shudders violently. "Not that one!"
[11:30] <Challenger> "You said the green one!!"
[11:31] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus jumps back into the front seat and clicks a few nobs and pulls a big lever in front of her. The porthole in front opens wide and she sighs. "Bugger, gotta be takin' a piss... Well, we're headed home at least... that could have been bad."
[11:32] <Challenger> "HEaded home? But I need to get to Rig!"
[11:32] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "I know, I know... lemme think..." The bathysphere was headed towards a large hole in the side of The Pier.
[11:33] * Challenger looks out the porthole, kind of amazed the water is clear enough to look out into. "So where's home then?"
[11:35] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The water in Shining Lake is very clean, but it's not reccomended that you drink it. "My home, the Boilerworks."
[11:35] * Challenger looks at Nautilus. "What exactly do you do?"
[11:37] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "I'm a handymare, you know, fixing stuff. Pipes, roads, engines, generators, clocks, buildings. Lots of things."
[11:38] * Challenger nods, then slumps in his seat, sure he's not gonna make the meeting. "Hope they'll be alright without me..."
[11:39] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus shrugs. "I'm sure they'll be fine. Now why can't ya tell me what you're doin' in The Rig?"
[11:40] <Challenger> "It's better if you don't get involved, but the short of it is somepony took something from us and we're going to get it back from them. By force if neccessary."
[11:40] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Huh. And it's in The Rig? Nasty place, that casino is. Nothing but scum."
[11:41] <Challenger> "Yeah, we know. We've been thru it once already."
[11:42] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Oh, neat! What was it like? Is it true that they have prostitues wandering the halls and shagging customers in the bathrooms?"
[11:43] <Challenger> "Well, it's kinda under rennovation right now, so there wasn't much to see."
[11:47] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus sighs. "Well, that's too bad. On the bright side, you didn't get any diseases from the whores, eh?"
[11:56] <Challenger> "There is that, yes. So how long till we're home?"
[11:56] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Well, only about ten minutes now! Docking takes a while."
[11:57] * Challenger sighs. "Figures."
[12:13] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The bathysphere eventually enters the large hole, shrouding the sub in complete darkness. It shudders violently and slowly rises. "Alright, we're home."
[12:14] * Challenger looks out of the porthole.
[12:15] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  As the sub is seemingly lifted out of the water, Challenger is offered a glimpse of dozens of other submarines hanging on racks like trophies in a massive hangar.
[12:16] <Challenger> "Cripes, Nautilus. Helluva collection you got there."
[12:17] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The unicorn smiles and undoes the hatch. "Well, that's The Boilerworks for you. We've got at least forty five..."
[12:17] <Challenger> "We? as in there's more of you?"
[12:32] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Oh yes! Dozens! Hundreds, even!"
[12:33] <Challenger> "Wow. And they all 'fix stuff' like you?"
[12:35] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus nods and climbs out of the sub. She offers a hoof down to you. "Yep! We're the best repair ponies in Manetana!"
[12:35] * Challenger takes her hoof and climbs out. He takes a good look around from the dock.
[12:39] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Challenger notices that there are few more ponies like Nautilus scuttling around polishing the bathyspheres. They're all dressed like her, too.
[12:40] <Challenger> "Man, if the Rangers knew about this..."
[12:41] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus trots over to a door marked "Access" and pushes it open. "Follow me, and we'll get you to the surface right quick."
[12:41] * Challenger follows, still looking around. "So why is that bottle opener so special, aside from what it's made of?"
[12:43] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Well... nothing! But Stubbornite is a very rare metal, so rare, that I may have to take this to the boss himself!"
[12:44] <Challenger> "And who is the boss anyway? I'm fairly attached to that scrap of metal."
[12:47] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "The boss is... well, I don't know /exactly/ but he's an interesting bloke." She leads him into a massive hallway that leads off to dozens of others. (( Make a PER check ))
[12:48] <Challenger> "Interesting, you say... Maybe I should meet him."
[12:48] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Hmmm. He's picky about his visitors, but since it's yours, I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
[12:49] * Challenger nods. "Lead on then."
[12:50] * SpencerDespenser|GM leads Challenger throught the concourse. Above is a massive sign that reads "Research and Development". She pushes open another door.
[12:51] <Challenger> "So how big is this place... Sorry about all the questions. I'm naturally curious."
[12:53] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "No trouble at all, I'm sure. This place extends for almost four miles underground. i think we've got nearly eighty different laboratories scattered around here too. Big pre-war R&D sector."
[12:54] * Challenger looks around at the tech they have. "That so?"
[12:55] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "It is! And, most of it was overseen by the boss. He knows everything about this place, most of the Pier too!"
[12:56] * Challenger silently follows the red pony the rest of the way.
[12:56] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Before them is a massive door that reads "The Boss" although it seemed there were dozens of plaques there before it. "Here we are!"
[12:57] <Challenger> "So what do I call the boss?"
[12:57] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "I dunno, whatever he tells you."
[12:59] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Excuse me?" A pony calls from somewhere to the left. "The Boss isn't in. You'll have to wait to see him." Nautilus looks sad, but trots back to the concourse anyway. "Well..."
[13:00] <Challenger> "Guess I'll have to wait... but I should be getting back to my friends.." Nautilus looks sad, but trots back to the concourse anyway. "Well..."
[13:06] [13:07] <SpencerDespenser|GM> Two ponies trot by rather quickly carrying a container of something very shiny. Nautilus nods. "Sure, I can get you topside... but... maybe, you'd like to... erm... maybe... uh..."
[13:07] * Challenger watches the shiny go by. "What was that?"
[13:09] <Challenger> "Gold...?"
[13:10] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus nods. "Yep, we just got it from Radiance's ponies yesterday. They send us most of the stuff the confiscate. Why?"
[13:11] * Challenger stares after it... "...Oh shit...."
[13:17] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Is there a problem?"
[13:17] <Challenger> "I
[13:17] <Challenger> 'll say... that's what we;re after!"
[13:18] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "That gold? Why?"
[13:19] * Challenger starts trotting after the gold. "It was our job."
[13:20] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus puts a hoof on his shoulder. "Wait, wait. What?"
[13:21] * Challenger stops and almost facehoofs. He's talking too much. "Shit... I shouldn't have said anything... Look, suffice it to say myself and my friends need to collect that gold."
[13:24] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Okay... okay, you need to talk to the Boss about this... really..."
[13:25] <Challenger> "Damn right I do."
[13:25] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "But... oh... what the hell do we do? I need to think... follow me."
[13:26] * Challenger takes a last look toward the gold, then follows Nautilus.
[13:30] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus leads Challenger to a squat wooden building with a brass sign that read "Concessions". The mare walked inside, plopped down a stool, and ordered herself a Trottinham Stout. "So... we were informed that that gold came from The Rig... is that why you needed to meet your friends there?"
[13:31] * Challenger sits down next to her, ordering a whiskey. "Yeah. I don't know why we need the stuff, just that our boss wants it for a debt."
[13:32] ->> Connection closed from luna.canternet.org
[13:36] * Challenger sits down next to her, ordering a whiskey. "Yeah. I don't know why we need the stuff, just that our boss wants it for a debt."
[13:37] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus sips her stout. "Who's your boss?"
[13:37] * Challenger knocks back his first shot. "Pony named Deuses. If you don't know him, be glad."
[13:39] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Deuces? I... sounds familiar..."
[13:41] <Challenger> "Well, he's the one who 'hired' us (makes airquotes with hooves) to come get this stuff for him."
[13:41] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Oh, okay... But... hmmm..."
[13:42] * Challenger pours another shot and downs it.
[13:44] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "What are you going to do about it?"
[13:45] <Challenger> "Without my friends, I don't know what I can do but talk to your boss. Problem is, I'm not much of a talker."
[13:46] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "I dunno, I think you're pretty nice and talkative..." She blushes a little.
[13:46] * Challenger snorts slightly. "Couldn't talk my way out of a court marshal."
[13:47] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "I don't know what that is, but it sounds dreadful. Tell you what, let's get something to eat, on me?"
[13:48] * Challenger sighs. "Sure. Got nothing else to do right now."
[13:51] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  The mare nods and orders a plate of melted cheese on tortilla chips. "So, been on the Pier long?"
[13:52] * Challenger noms a cheezy chip. "Only since yesterday actually. How about you?"
[13:56] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Oi, been here my whole life."
[13:58] <Challenger> "That a fact?"
[13:58] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus nods. "Yup! Mum and Popop have too."
[13:59] <Challenger> "Nice. I grew up in the Rangers myself."
[13:59] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Who're the Rangers? Like... Winter's Rangers?"
[14:01] <Challenger> "More like Steel Rangers. I was a sargent."
[14:03] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  She nods. "Huh. Cool story. You should tell it at parties." She grins a little.
[14:04] <Challenger> "No seriously! I was a full paladin. Had the armor and everything."
[14:06] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus chuckles. "Sure, sure. And I invented the steam carriage. Riiiiiight."
[14:07] <Challenger> "You don't believe me?"
[14:18] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "I'll believe anything, if you can prove it to me."
[14:19] * Challenger chomps another chip. "Well alright then. What do I need to do to prove it?"
[14:22] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus shrugs. "I dunno... show me some Ranger tech or something."
[14:23] <Challenger> "I can't. They stripped me of everything when they kicked me out..."
[14:23] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Kicked out huh? How'd that happen?"
[14:24] <Challenger> "I got backstabbed by two subbordinates..."
[14:25] * Challenger takes another shot of Whiskey, suddenly looking dark.
[14:25] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Literally? Knife and all? Harsh!"
[14:27] <Challenger> "A knife is hardly Ranger tech, you know. But if you've got some T-21 power armor laying around, I can prove it that way. Only Rangers can operate that suit correctly."
[14:27] <Challenger> ((I don't remember the model of the Equestrian equivelant))
[14:28] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus titls her head. "Nope. No such thing I'm afraid."
[14:28] <Challenger> "Oh well. That's really the only Ranger-exclusive tech there is that I know of."
[14:30] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Sorry mate... how'd you... erm... like to maybe see... each other again?" She blushes again.
[14:31] * Challenger sees where this is going. "Well if this job goes the way we hope it's gonna go, I'll probably not be back for a long time. If ever."
[14:31] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Oh... well. I understand... sorry, it's just..."
[14:32] <Challenger> "No no it's fine. I just don't want you to get your hopes up is all."
[14:32] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Right... sorry..."
[14:35] * Challenger looks away awkwardly. "Listen, I'm sorry if I led you on at all. I didn't mean to."
[14:38] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  Nautilus smiles. "No! No! Not at all I'm sure! I'm just kind of clingy, sorry. I don't go topside very often, and none of the ponies down here like me so..."
[14:39] <Challenger> "Can't see why. You're a great looking mare."
[14:39] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  She blushes hotly and eats another chip nervously.
[14:40] * Challenger also noms a chip. "So, what now?"
[14:45] <SpencerDespenser|GM>  She doesn't say anything.
[14:48] * Challenger sighs. "I'd better get my friends. They'll want to know I found the gold."
[15:08] <SpencerDespenser|GM> Nautilus nods. "Sure... the elevator is... um... out there." She points.
[15:09] <Challenger> "Thanks... You know, you should get out more. On the surface I mean."
[15:10] <SpencerDespenser|GM> She nods slightly. "I... erm... Yeah, maybe I will!"
[15:11] * Challenger grins. "Hey, in exchange for the bottle opener, you wouldn't happen to have something better than this pistol I have, would you?"
[15:15] <SpencerDespenser|GM> She thinks for a moment... "Well, I have some homebrew stuff I've whipped up before, it's in my room... wanna see?" She's visibly happier now.
[15:15] <Challenger> "An innocent invite to a mare's room. Who am I to refuse?"
[15:16] <SpencerDespenser|GM> Nautilus smiles, but is kind of hurt. It doesn't show, though. "Sure! Follow me!"
[15:17] * Challenger follows. "I didn't mean anything by that, by the way."
[15:21] <SpencerDespenser|GM> She leads you two a long hallway flanked by dozens and dozens of doors. "Oh, of course not."
[15:22] * Challenger looks at all the doors. "Wow you weren't kidding when you said lots and lots."
[15:26] <SpencerDespenser|GM> "Yep! And here's mine! 604, my humble abode." The interior is exactly what you'd expect these kinds of ponies to have in their rooms. It's a mess of mechnical components and other crap.
[15:27] * Challenger looks around the room. "Looks like the aftermath of a Ranger raid..."
[15:31] <SpencerDespenser|GM> Nautilus trots to her bed and produces a long, lever action rifle. "How about this?"
[15:31] * Challenger examine's the gun.
[15:39] <Challenger> "Nice... very nice. I like it. Got any ammo for it?"
[15:39] <SpencerDespenser|GM> Nautilus shakes her head. "I was trying to modify it to take my own custom rounds... but I lost all of those... I've got the blue prints, though!"
[15:41] <Challenger> "I know a pony who might be able to make them.. Fair trade, you think?"
[15:41] <SpencerDespenser|GM> She nods. "Totally, it's all yours. Here are those blueprints."
[15:42] * Challenger packs it all away in his bag. "So, I'll probably be back with my friends. You still be around?"
[15:43] <SpencerDespenser|GM> She nods. "Always! I'm in 'D', Section 6. Drop in and say 'ello!"
[15:44] <Challenger> "Count on it. We may need your help with your boss."
[15:44] <SpencerDespenser|GM> "Have a great day, Challenger. May the spirit of Tesla be with you!"
[15:45] * Challenger waves and gallops off to the elevator, hoping he's not too late, but knowing deep down he is.