FoE PNP G-Platypus Session 15

[18:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****G-Platypus: The City of Broad Withers - Session 15*****
[18:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Departure.
[18:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Goodbyes are frequent in Buckago. Rarely are they pleasant. But on the rare day they are, there is always the change it is a last goodbye.
[18:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>   Perhaps our wastelanders will have some goodbyes to make.
[18:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session Start*****
[18:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>   Our wastelanders have awoken to a camp minus one.
[18:32] * Blackberry_Jam rolls on her side, groaning and groping for her morning cigarette. "Am... I not in Buckago yet?" She asks no one in particular.
[18:32] * Nyota groanstretches, had she fallen asleep during the night. She didnt know.. Looking around groggily as she stands up, noticing that they are missing one pony in camp, her ears drop, sitting down she rubs her eyes and takes a second look again, this time counting everypony, zebra, and dog present. "..." She dosnt say anything. Flicking her tail, ears swiveling.
[18:34] * Blackberry_Jam 's eyes flutter as she sits up and sighs. "Well... still here. Fuck that." she grumbles, flicking open her lighter and starting a brand new day of chain smoking. Her tired eyes roam around the camp, settling on Nyota. "Hey Stripes. You have a- Oh, you've gotta be fucking kidding."
[18:34] * Snack_Cake is a pretty heavy sleeper... though she didn't really sleep so well last night. She misses her bed... Sleeping on the ground hurts.
[18:36] * Scrap is woken up my the morning light and opens his eyes to help himself wake up more.
[18:36] * Thunder_Strike groans and rolls over before sitting up with a stretch. "hivyo bado usingizi." She says rubbing her eyes. (Still so sleepy.)
[18:36] * Nyota starts pacing back and forth, searching around the camp, speaking to herself in disbelief. "I... What.. WHAT?! Where did.." Eventually she sits down hard on the ground, ears pointing in different direction, she looks distraught. "This is very odd." Is all she manage to say after a few moments.
[18:37] * Blackberry_Jam takes a long drag from the cigarette. "Yeah, no kidding. You let him get away, didn't you?"
[18:38] * Nyota blinks and turns her head towards Blackberry_Jam, she blinks once, then shakes her head. "I did no such thing, he was here all night, I never saw him leave."
[18:38] * Scrap looks at the others, still groggy, and tries to figured out what they're talking about.
[18:39] * North_Star sat up, looking around. "What's all the fuss about?" He asked, slightly confused that they were making so much noise without guns drawn.
[18:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A testament to Buckago's lack of Enclave presense ,a gap in the clouds lets through a pillar of sunlight over the area the slaver used to be.
[18:40] * Blackberry_Jam rolls on to her hooves and rolls her shoulders before trotting to the spot where they buck had been. "So... what? He evaporated? -Obviously- he left... What I'm worried about is -who- took him. Whoever they were, they didn't up and murder us in our sleep... which is..."
[18:41] * North_Star makes a quick head count and puts two minus one together. "You're fucking kidding me.."
[18:41] * Nyota also stands. Glancing towards Thunder_Strike and Scrap. "He was suposed to be bound, and I was awake all night, surely he could not have escaped when I watched him so tight."
[18:41] * Scrap stares at the illuminated spot and wishes he had looked harder for rope.
[18:41] * Snack_Cake gives a bit of a groan and sits up, blearily. She's not used to this, at all! And everypony's being so loud... "What's... going on?"
[18:41] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Somepony took him. That's been established, Stripes."
[18:43] * Nyota frowns, ears still swiveling, tail flicking as she scratches a rearhoof at a rearleg. "So, he must have had friends? I did not see anypony tonight."Looking over at North_Star."Did you?"
[18:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask stirs, waking up with Clover on his chest. Mr. Wiggles stayed curled up.
[18:44] * Thunder_Strike looks back and forth between them. "Um... I could probably fly around a bit. See if I can see him from up hi." She says to either Nyota or Blackberry_Jam
[18:44] * Blackberry_Jam gives Thunder_Strike a nod. "Just do it." She says, shooting a glare at Nyota. "I think -I'll- take the night watch next time."
[18:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The group of four slaves continue to slumber, Trio snoring rather loudly.
[18:45] * Thunder_Strike stands and takes a moment to stretch out her wings and body before lifting I to the air and proceeding to do a quick scouting run.
[18:46] * Nyota waves a hoof at Thunder_Strike. "Good, do that." She sits down, grumbles and takes a sit from a water bottle, munching on a apple she aquired from her saddlebags. Frowning back at Blackberry_Jam. "I could not help that he was quieter then a ghost. Do you think you would have done a better job?"
[18:46] * Blackberry_Jam slumps down next to Nyota, eating a light breakfast herself. "Honestly? Yes."
[18:47] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover looks to where the slaver was, a look of relief on her face when she sees he's gone.
[18:48] * Nyota mutters. "Uwazekano..." as she looks up towards where Thunder_Strike flew off to."
[18:48] * North_Star stood up, brushing the durt off his new barding and surveying the area. "So. We're short one head, don't know who took him, but we're still alive to ponder the whole thing?"
[18:48] * Blackberry_Jam looks at the Zebra and shakes her head a little. "Hey Clover, come get something to eat." She says, holding out a can of carrots for the filly.
[18:50] * Snack_Cake blinks a little, frowning. She stands up slowly and goes over to see what everypony is arguing about...
[18:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover and Cask trot over, the filly accepting the carrots with a "Thanks, Docta Jam."
[18:50] * Thunder_Strike flies up high enough to see in the distance but doesn't go into kill zone."
[18:51] * Scrap gets out his own breakfast and eats before joining Thunder_Strike in her search.
[18:51] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike doesn't seen anything blatant from her elevated position.
[18:52] * Blackberry_Jam gives the filly a smile. "So, Stripes, what do we do now?"
[18:52] * Thunder_Strike looks around and sighs. She moves to another spot to get a better view, and doesn't notice Scrap approach.
[18:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake looks at the ground where the slaver was last night. There are drag marks where he was dragged back after Mr. Wiggles tried to bury him. In the dragmarks are eight hoofprints.
[18:52] * North_Star takes a look around the camp. "Luna's horn, these wastes get stranger and stranger everyday.
[18:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It seems kinda odd to her... they are /in/ the drag marks... so they had to come after... but they aren't big enough to be Scraps and nopony else went over there...
[18:54] * Nyota stretches slightly as she stores the now emtpy bottle. "We go.. to their camp, I am fairly certain that we can make our way inside regardless having a guide or not."
[18:55] * Blackberry_Jam tosses the empty can of carrots on the ground and breathes out some smoke. "So we march right up to the front door, then?"
[18:56] * Snack_Cake frowns. This is... confusing. "...Berry? Was anypony else over here?"
[18:56] * North_Star chews on a slightly stale sweetroll. "Why not? We've got the perfect knocker." He said, refering to his newly looted explosive weapon.
[18:56] * Nyota snorts. "Of course not, that is a foalish plan. We make our way inside during the night, with stealth. If we can take down the head of the snake, the rest of their operation should fall."
[18:57] * Blackberry_Jam looks up from the ground at Snacky and shakes her head, but looks to Nyota. "This operation isn't a snake, Stripes. It's a hydra. If you cut off one head, two more grow in it's place."
[18:58] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask looks between you all and Clover munching her carrots. "What about us? I want to help but..." He looks at Clover eating obliviously.
[18:58] * North_Star shrugs. "The easiest way to make sure something won't bite again, is to blow it up. There's a proverb for you." He said, trotting over to Snack Cake, offering a Mutfruit.
[18:59] * Nyota frowns. "Then we posion the hydra, I will not let such a thing exist in this world. I will not let these ponies do thse things anymore."
[19:00] * Blackberry_Jam sighs.
[19:00] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Easier said than done." She slowly rises and trots over to Snack_Cake too, just as slowly.
[19:00] * Thunder_Strike circles around the area looking for the body or some evidence of him. She wishes there was a ledge to land on but she has to make due.
[19:01] * Scrap cursing his bad eyesight and figuring there's no way of finding anything, returns to the campsite.
[19:01] * Snack_Cake just frowns. She accepts the fruit and mutters a quiet, "Thanks..."
[19:01] * Nyota turns her head to face Blackberry_Jam. "What was that? Do you not want to do this aswell?" She shakes her head, facing Cask. "I would not bring you and your filly along for such a mission, it is not safe. Perhaps making your way back to railyard would be for the best."
[19:02] * North_Star glances at Snack_Cake, "What's on your mind, Greenhorn?"
[19:03] * Blackberry_Jam chuckles a little. "Heh... Greenhorn... I'm gonna keep that one... But yeah, Snack, I don't think anypony came over here. Looks like or slaver friend had some friends who showed up to bust him loose while  -somepony- was sleeping."
[19:03] * Snack_Cake taps her hooves together. "I'm just... tired, I guess..."
[19:04] * Nyota 's ears perk up. "I was -not- asleep!"
[19:04] * Nyota mutters. "And I am no pony."
[19:04] * North_Star looks down at the tracks. "He busted loose, where's his set of tracks?" he said, pointing at the drag mark.
[19:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There are no stallion tracks, just eight smaller tracks in the dragmark looking like somepony sat a pony straight down and then picked them right back up.
[19:07] * Blackberry_Jam grits her teeth. "It's a figure of... forget it. There's no point in chasing him, so let's just... get out of here."
[19:07] * Scrap keeps quiet, letting the others argue amongst themselves and figure out the tracks.
[19:08] * North_Star thinks for a moment, looking at where the tracks lead. "I think you may be on to something, Greenhorn."
[19:08] * Nyota gets up and trots over to see what the others where looking at. Flicking her tail as she moves in next to Snack Cake.
[19:09] * Snack_Cake gives North_Star a strange look. She's not sure what she's "on to"
[19:10] * Thunder_Strike turns and flys back to the others.
[19:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Nyota can see the two sets of smallish hoofprints in the dirt that Snack_Cake discovered. Ponies standing side by side, no indication of direction.
[19:12] * Blackberry_Jam trots back over to her gear and sheds her sweatshirt. Grabbing both sets of armor she owns and setting them next to each other. Hmmmming, she sets about taking some pieces from one and fixing them to the other.
[19:12] * North_Star looks over at Nyota. "I don't know about you, but I'd like to see who slipped past our guard."
[19:14] * Nyota sniffs and rubbs her muzzle. "Me too..." her eyes trails along the track. "If we are lucky, we might be able to catch up.. The slaver was sedated, he should not be able to be very quick.." She frowns and flicks her tail again.
[19:15] * North_Star nods, drawing his rifle. "Jam. I'm gonna get some hunting done. See if I can't get some meat."
[19:16] * Scrap curious now, walks over to see what they are looking at.
[19:16] * Blackberry_Jam srunches her nose a little. Been a while since she's had meat... but for now, she was content with carrots. Instead, she pops open her copy of "The Sublime and the Beautiful." "Have fun."
[19:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr. Wiggles wakes up and stretches. He heads over the crest of the hill.
[19:17] * North_Star nods, following the tracks. "Coming, Nyota? Greenhorn?"
[19:18] * Snack_Cake munches the fruit she'd been offered. She frowns slightly, and reaches into her bag. She pulls out one of her cakes, and offers it to North_Star in return. "Here..."
[19:18] * Nyota nods and follows North_Star. "Of course." She bumps her flanks against Snack_Cake's as she moves past her, following the track. "You should join us, Stablepony."
[19:18] * Scrap seeing the hoof prints, "pegasi."
[19:19] * Snack_Cake is right with everypony. She may be slow, but she tries her best not to lag behind!
[19:19] * Blackberry_Jam offers "Or unicorns."
[19:21] * North_Star munches on the cake. "Fhanks." He said, nodding to Snack_Cake, "You might learn a thing or two. If you're gonna cook in the wastes, it's a good idea to know how to hunt, or at least skin a dead critter."
[19:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover shadows Blackberry while Cask wakes the slaves.
[19:21] * Nyota adds. "And shoot."
[19:21] * Scrap looks up at Blackberry_Jam, "so what do we do about it?"
[19:23] * Blackberry_Jam shrugs. " 'Go hunting' seems to be the consesus. I'm content to stay here and read until they come back, though." She says, turning a page and blowing a ring of smoke into the air.
[19:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As Snack_Cake follows Nyota over the hill, her eyes are drawn to an indention nearby. Mr. Wiggles is standing in it, head down. The foreleg of Master Big Shot is sticking up from the hole as well. There is a crunch... Seems Mr. Wiggles was hungry...
[19:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star notices as well when he crests the same little hillock behind the mares.
[19:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star can also see a dark spot in the rubble in the distance, a cave or some such.
[19:27] * North_Star shifts his eyes away from the dog, note to self: Do not piss off Wiggles. The dark spot has caught his attention. "Hey. There's an opening in that rubble over there, might be a nest of sorts." He said, pointing his rifle that way.
[19:27] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Back at camp Clover has snuggled up next to Blackberry_Jam, her mouth moving around the big, unfamilar words as she tries to read over her shoulder.
[19:28] * Snack_Cake widens her eyes in disgust... She shudders. "Oh Celestia..." She has to stop... because the sight makes her very, very sick.
[19:28] * Scrap smiles when Blackberry_Jam says that, happy to be able to talk about reading with somepony again, "I love reading! Even though I'm not very good at it."
[19:28] * Nyota moves up next to North_Star, looking at the direction he was pointing. "Oh.. We might find something in there." Glancing back at Snack_Cake, "Are you alright, Stablepony?"
[19:29] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *Crunch, Rip, Give a dog a bone...*
[19:29] * Blackberry_Jam blinks a little at Scrap. "You... do? Never took you for a reading type, Kamikaze." She says, smiling, knowing that Clover is reading too. "As for you, Clover, might I suggest this?" She asks, fishing out her copy of the "Corpus Hippocrates."
[19:30] * Snack_Cake is quite plainly not alright. She starts coughing as she continues to be sick... all over the ground. She starts tearing up. Why... why...
[19:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover tilts her head, puzzling out the title... "What'th a Copse Hippo and why'th it in the crate, Docta Jam?"
[19:32] * North_Star looks back at Snack_Cake as well, then back to the dog with a sigh, trotting over to her. "Greenhorn?" He brushed some 'sickness' from her lips. "Still with us, Snack?"
[19:33] * Blackberry_Jam snickers a little. "No, no, Clover. It's Latin. Hippocrates was a legendary philosopher from Fleece, and is credited with starting pony-kind's interest in medicine."
[19:33] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover's eyes brighten up. "Ah'm interested in medicine!"
[19:34] * Scrap listens intently, very interested himself.
[19:34] * Thunder_Strike has been behind the group the entire time thinking about other things not really paying close attention to everypony
[19:34] * Snack_Cake has to take a bit to recover from that. She nods slowly at North_Star, still a little unsure about her state. She needs to wash her mouth out...
[19:35] * Nyota sighs softly and moves back to Snack_Cake. Glancing over at what Snack_Cake was looking at for only a moment. "Ah.." She smiles sadly at the entire situation. Trying to understand the stablepony. "This is hard, I know. But, the harsh truth, has you might have noticed, is that out here. These things happen, an they happen a lot. You will have to learn to.. Accept it."
[19:36] * North_Star contines his generous streak, hoofing over a bottle of water. "Here. Gargle and spit, don't swallow." He advised. "I know how it feels, seeing how gruesome the wasteland can be for the first time."
[19:37] * Blackberry_Jam flips open the Corpus Hippocrates to a dog-eared page. "This," she says, pointing to a phrase that has been circled a dozen times in faded ink, "Is the most important page in the whole book. It says, 'Do no harm.' It's called The Hippocratic Oath."
[19:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover looks puzzled... "But... don't you... sometimes we hafta... don't we?"
[19:39] * Snack_Cake does what North_Star says, washing her mouth out. She takes deep breaths, trying to steady herself. She just... doesn't even have words to say to express herself. She makes sure /not/ to look at that again. Or even /think/ about it again.
[19:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The dark spot is about 200 yards away from the hunters.
[19:40] * Nyota nods towards the 'dark spot'. And starts moving that way. "Now let us go, I would like us to head out before midday if possible."
[19:41] * North_Star nods, patting Snack_Cake while heading towards the spot. "Would you believe me if I said I couldn't bring myself pull the trigger on my first pistol?
[19:41] * Scrap looks at Blackberry_Jam, curious to hear her answer.
[19:42] * Blackberry_Jam gives an understanding nod. "Well, Hippocrates wrote at a time when everypony could get along and be friends. The world has changed a lot since then, but his words haven't. What he means is, medicine is to be used to heal, not hurt."
[19:42] * Snack_Cake looks at North_Star. "I... couldn't imagine doing that... at all." Her ears are flat against her head, she feels very uneasy about it.
[19:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask and the slaves trot over and sit near Thunder_Strike. "I suppose we'll head back to Trestle, maybe Railyard, soon as I can pry Clover away from the Doc. She made quite the impression on her."
[19:44] * Thunder_Strike is snapped out of her spacewalk. "Hmm? Oh... Yeah she has. Just. Be careful ok?"
[19:44] * Nyota raises an eyebrow. "Even if it was to survive?"
[19:44] * North_Star nods. "I couldn't shoot a pony at first. Couldn't bring the will to pull the trigger." He shook his head. "Bottles. Giant Rats. Radscorpians. You bet! Just not a fellow Equestrian."
[19:46] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A somewhat stained Mr. Wiggles kicks some dirt over his meal and heads toward the hunters.
[19:48] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover nods, seeming to get it. She leans her head on Blackberry's shoulder.
[19:48] * Scrap stays quiet, not wanting to ruin the moment.
[19:49] * Blackberry_Jam pats the worn, leather cover of the book and leans back against Clover gently, giving a slight, delicate nuzzle. "It's a fantastic read, if either of you are interested in medical ethics."
[19:49] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr. Wiggles catches up to them as they keep heading toward the cave. As they get closer they can see it looks more like a doorway. A concrete doorway with rubble strewn about, nearly concealing it.
[19:50] * Nyota peeks inside of the doorway. Crouching down slightly. You never know...
[19:50] * Snack_Cake nods slowly. She definitely could never shoot another pony... She doubts she could even shoot anything at all.
[19:50] * North_Star breaks his story time for the moment, looking quzzically at the doorway.
[19:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As the hunters approach then can see the doorway leads to stairs going down, or at least they can guess that since the roof slants into the ground. They can't actually see the stairs themselves. They can see a faded emblem on the left interior wall. A double helix shape being slotted into a crystal circle. PEG is written above, something too small to read at their distance below it.
[19:56] * North_Star looks at the emblem. "Something tells me this wasn't ment to be a nest." He took a quick look down stairs. "But, critters like dark spaces..."
[19:57] * Nyota trots up closer to the emblem and aproaches the stairs. Nodding a head towards the emblem she asks. "Seen anything like this before?"
[19:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  as they get near enough to see down the stairs they can read "Prism Elemental Genetics" on the sign. When he looks down the stairs he can see a body on the first landing, the stairs continue down into the black.
[19:57] * Thunder_Strike goes back into a trance as there is nothing happening around her.
[19:59] * Nyota stops midstep as she notices the body. Looking back at the others... "Perhaps we should get the others?"
[19:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The body is in slaver garb.
[20:00] * North_Star nods, "Go grab 'em. I'll see if I can't pull that body up."
[20:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask and the slaves debate whether to head to Trestle or take the longer way to Railyard. One was recently sacked, the other is significantly farther away and is hard to get to without a guide.
[20:00] * Nyota nods at North_Star and starts to head back to camp in a halfgallop.
[20:01] * Blackberry_Jam closes her books and smiles between Scrap and Clover. "Once I find a few more books, maybe I can start loaning them out."
[20:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr Wiggles stands at the top of the stairs, when North goes down to get the body his ears go flat and he wimpers.
[20:02] * North_Star shifts his rifle, aiming down the stairs before giving the body a quick poke.
[20:03] * Snack_Cake hangs back, only barely looking out of curiosity.
[20:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr. Wiggles hops a bit nervously on his solitary front leg, whinning. The body is stiff.
[20:03] * Thunder_Strike looks over at cask as there debate has drawn her out of her trance once again. "There's almost nothing left of trestle. That mortal pretty much destroyed it." She says turning to them.
[20:04] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It is also familiar
[20:04] * North_Star checks the body for a cause of death, also booby traps. Just in case.
[20:05] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask looks to her, "Yeah, I remember, but they've got the mortar now to defend it. Still... From what you all have said of Railyard, it sounds safer... but I don't know the way."
[20:05] * Scrap smiles wider at the idea, "I'd be very grateful for that, thank you."
[20:05] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The slaver corpse has an extra hole in the head from when you last saw him.
[20:05] * Nyota comes over the hill in a quick trott, making her way down into camp before skidding to a stop. "We... Found a body, and a dark staircase. Thought that, perhaps it would be for the best if we all would be there before heading down..." She looks between all teh ponies in camp.
[20:06] <North_Star> "Shit... Thought so..."
[20:06] * Blackberry_Jam looks up at the zebra and frowns. "Well, there goes the morning... Clover, go see your dad and -don't- follow us, okay?" She says, reluctantly rising and gathering her books and shotgun.
[20:06] * Thunder_Strike "hmm.... That is a good reason to not want to go." She says thinking. Maybe you can set up camo in trestle and if we manage to come back. You can follow us to railyard."
[20:06] * Snack_Cake whispers quietly, "Is he...?"
[20:07] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr. Wiggles gives his trademark mewling half-howl, he's aggitated.
[20:07] <Thunder_Strike> "Camp. I mean camp."
[20:08] * North_Star grabs the slaver by the collar, dragging him up. "I've seen Ghouls with more life than this fella."
[20:08] * Scrap wordlessly starts walking toward Nyota to follow her back, already ready to head out.
[20:08] * Nyota turns and starts heading back towards North_Star and Snack_Cake. Surely the pegasi would be able to catch up.
[20:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover trots over to Cask and the slaves. "Daddy? Docta Jam says they found somethin' an' need ta go check it out." He nods and scopes her up on his back.
[20:09] * Snack_Cake frowns. "Oh..."
[20:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask looks at Thunder_Strike. "I think you're right. Trestle first."
[20:10] * North_Star dumps the body out the door, so he can see it in the light. As much light the Wastes provides, anyway.
[20:10] * Blackberry_Jam is a lowly earth pony, but double-times it towards the cave. "A body, huh? Anypony we know?" She asks Nyota on the way.
[20:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr. Wiggles interposes himself between North and the stairway, staring down with quiet intensity.
[20:13] * Nyota flicks her tail, it wasnt very far to the cave, stair, thing. "Slaver garments, North_Star was going to bring it up so we could get a closer look." She says with a nod forward towards their siluets
[20:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask trots after them, Trestle is the same general direction. He keeps pace, curious, the slaves follow.
[20:13] * North_Star gives the body a quick search. No sense in letting a dead Stallion keep things he can't use.
[20:13] * Thunder_Strike nods. "Be safe." She says then looks at the filly. "Keep your daddy out of trouble, Kay?" She says giving her a soft hug.
[20:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover returns the hug and trots/gallops after her dad. Supid, long, big-pony legs.
[20:14] * Blackberry_Jam arrives on the scene, assessing the body. "Well, looks like -that- loose end is tied up..." She looks at the extra wound on the stallions head, looking for an exit wound on the back, too.
[20:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion has only his slaver armor, all his other posessions have been taken.
[20:15] * Nyota_ , finaly finishing fetching fantastic fillies, goes back towards the staircase and moves down it
[20:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As the Trestle group approach, Clover ducks behind Cask at the sight of the body. He scowls, but stays silent.
[20:16] * Thunder_Strike looks around and realises she's all alone.
[20:16] * Snack_Cake still stays a bit further back from the others.
[20:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  the hole in the stallion's forehead is relatively neat, the exit wound however is several magnitudes bigger and ragged.
[20:18] * North_Star sighs. "Picked clean. Although, I doubt a random act of murder would hide the body.
[20:20] * Blackberry_Jam examines the wound for a moment. "Hollow point?" She asks no one again. After a while, she draws her weapon and follows Nyota down the stairs. "I've got your six, Stripes." she says quietly.
[20:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask scoops Clover back up and sits her facing backward on his back. He glares at the stallion a moment. "I think this is where we part ways. I can't say how thankful I am you're helping my family, but I have to take care of the family I have with me." He sighs. "I suppose Wiggles could stay with you, he might prove useful."
[20:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  This directed to North_Star at the top of the stairs
[20:22] * Scrap follows them down, flying just above them.
[20:22] * Nyota_ wonders where this six is and why Blackberry_Jam has it, but she says nothign and continues down the stairs. Slowly.
[20:22] * Thunder_Strike "w..where did everypony go?" She seems extremely nervous. She doesn't like being alone in slaver territory.
[20:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There is a landing a short ways down, where the body was found. A door stands open at the end revealing another stairway descending farther into the dark. A slight glow of old lights is visible far down the stairs.
[20:24] * Blackberry_Jam follows Nyota slowly. Jeez, where do Zebras live? Under rocks?
[20:24] * North_Star nods, "He's proven to be useful, and I'm sure he
[20:24] * Nyota_ thinks most of them do. She peeks inside the open doorway before continuing down the dark stairway... Really sneaky now.
[20:25] <North_Star> "Would be glad to help finish the job." He said, "He's welcome on my caravan, anyday."
[20:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The dog in question still stand aprehensively at the top of the stairs, whining at the ponies descending.
[20:27] * Blackberry_Jam mutters a "Not liking this, Stripes..." as she walks slowly down the stairs.
[20:27] <North_Star> "Plus, he seems occupied at the moment..." North said, looking back at the door. "We'll take care of him. Bring him home safe."
[20:28] * Nyota_ nods. "Get the others.. Ill wait here.."
[20:29] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head. "No use cramming us all into this staircase... let's at least find the landing."
[20:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr. Wiggles looks like he wants nothing to do with that hole, at all. He continues to whine at the top, but has not even set claw on the top of the stairs itself.
[20:30] <Nyota_> "Fine..." She keeps moving down.
[20:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The two go deeper still, several stories if the number of steps can be believed, until they reach a sealed door. A terminal glows beside it.
[20:32] * Snack_Cake is definitely hesitant about this place... but she's not gonna stay outside, alone. After a few moments of everypony heading down the stairs, she follows slowly behind, muttering, "I don't like this..."
[20:33] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It's hard hovering for Scrap inthe tight stairwell. But he can stay above them if he really pays attention to the ceiling.
[20:34] * Blackberry_Jam looks between Nyota and the terminal. "All righty then, now -you- can get the others, and I'll see about getting this open." She looks up at Scrap. "And for Luna's sake, Kamikaze. I can hardly breath with you smothering me up there."
[20:36] * Nyota_ looks around at the terminal for a moment. Eying the door up and down, then, turning on the spot. "Okay, I'll fetch ponies." She starts heading back up the stairs again.
[20:36] * Scrap lands holding his forehead which he bumped several times, "sorry, but I want to take the lead then. I signed on the protect you all and I want to do my job."
[20:37] * Blackberry_Jam rolls her eyes and takes her stance at the computer terminal. "Unless you've suddenly learned how to hack computers, I don't think so. Besides, neither of us are asking to be protected." She says, basking in the glow of the screen.
[20:37] * Snack_Cake is more than a little surprised when she meets Nyota heading back up the stairs. In fact... she jumps a bit, startled, when she sees her.
[20:38] <Scrap> "I just don't want you hurt is all."
[20:38] * Nyota_ smiles slightly at Snack_Cake as she moves past her. "Do not be afraid, Stablepony..." She heads upwards to fetch Thudner and North.
[20:38] <Nyota_> Thunder*
[20:39] * Blackberry_Jam mutters a barely audible "I've already been shot in the face under your 'protection'." as she begins hacking!
[20:40] * Scrap turns slightly away not wanting to fight, "all the more reason for me to be up front, so I don't fail again."
[20:41] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The first screen shows two emblems, the Prism Consolidated Industry logo and the Prism Elemental Genetics logo from above.
[20:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry's first attempt fails.
[20:42] * Thunder_Strike is looking around for the others. Being as distracted as she was, she didnt notice nyota come the first one.
[20:42] <Thunder_Strike> Time*
[20:43] * Snack_Cake mutters quietly as she passes by, "That's easy for you to say... this place is creepy..." She makes her way down to the bottom.
[20:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike can see the group of slaves and some of the others near a cave-looking-thing. It isn't too far away.
[20:43] * Blackberry_Jam frowns a little. "Look, Kamikaze. I know that you have noble intentions, but I'm a big girl. I don't need to be 'protected'."
[20:44] * Nyota_ , reaching the top of the stairs, moving up to north Star, before she speaks she looks around. Then, asking Clover and Cask. "You are leaving?"
[20:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  They nod. "Just getting ready to head to Trestle, was going to leave Mr. Wiggles with you... but he doesn't seem to want to go down there... be careful, alright? He isn't usually skittish..."
[20:46] * Snack_Cake calls out once she reaches the bottom, "Hello...?"
[20:46] * Nyota_ looks between Wiggles and Cask. "Are you sure about this? I believe he could be.. Better in your care, protecting you and your filly."
[20:46] * Scrap not taking no for an answer, "you also don't need to wear armor, but you do anyway because it helps."
[20:47] * Blackberry_Jam is standing there next to Scrap, in front of a brightly lit terminal, which has just recently been hacked. "You're missing the point. It would take- Over here, Snack." She calls back.
[20:47] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask smiles. "Ya misunderstand. He ain't goin' down there. I can tell. Ain't anything that's gonna make him move where he don't want to. Just saying to be careful. He's not a scared type of dog."
[20:48] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam unlocks the terminal. There are two options. 'Foyer Access' and 'Virtual Tour'
[20:49] * Blackberry_Jam selects "Foyer Access", and then hovers the cursor above the tour option. Maybe... later...
[20:49] * Nyota_ shakes her head, looking at North_Star for help. "no, no, I mean, your dog should go with you."
[20:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "That's what I'm saying. I couldn't make him go down there with you all if I wanted to. So he'll have to come with us."
[20:50] * Nyota_ blinks, surprised.
[20:50] <Nyota_> "Oh."
[20:51] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "But it ain't like him to be scared. You know him a bit, right? I'm just saying be careful." With that he gives a whistle and Mr. Wiggles heels.
[20:51] * Snack_Cake heads over, looking around. "What is this place...?"
[20:52] * North_Star looks at the doorway. "I figure it's best if I get down there, eh?"
[20:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  At the base of the stairs the door slides open. Some lights are still on, it's dim but not dark. A mural of an eight pointed star stands opposite the door.
[20:53] * Nyota_ smiles a little. "Well, then... " She raises a hoof. "Kwaheri.. Clover, Kwaheri, Cask." To Clover she adds. "Take care of your dog.." Then she turns and heads after North Star, down the stairs.
[20:53] * North_Star makes his way down the stairs, rifle in hooves.
[20:53] * Blackberry_Jam points to the terminal and motions for Snack_Cake to come take a closer look at the screen. "Something belonging to a 'Prisim Consolidated Industries'. I've seen their terminals and logos before... but I haven't the slightest idea what they did... Or are still doing..." She looks carefully around the entrance to the foyer, for traps!
[20:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask says his goodbyes to North_Star and Thunder_Strike as well before they head off for Trestle. Clover giving them each a peck on the cheek for saving her before se goes.
[20:54] * Thunder_Strike flys over to the group near the cave once she sees them.
[20:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike arrives just in time to get a goodbye kiss on the cheek from Clover. The rest of the group has started to descend.
[20:55] * Snack_Cake goes to take a look at the terminal indicated by Blackberry_Jam.
[20:55] * Blackberry_Jam taps a hoof to her chin, leaning on the keyboard. "So... shall we take the tour?"
[20:56] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover gives Thunder_Strike a second kiss on the cheek for Docta Jam.
[20:56] * Scrap looks through the door, but doesn't stick his head through.
[20:56] * Snack_Cake frowns a little. "Is it... safe?"
[20:56] * Nyota_ quickly makes her way downwards, now taht she knew that the others where down here she wasnt as careful with the whole sneakyness. Making her way down the last stair. "Oh, the door is open?"
[20:57] * Thunder_Strike smiles at the filly and waves her wing goodbye. Then thinks to herself. 'does that mean I have to kiss Blackberry_Jam?'
[20:57] * Blackberry_Jam shrugs. "I... don't know if it's safe..."
[20:57] * Blackberry_Jam thinks Thunder_Strike should stop acting like she doesn't want to.
[20:58] * North_Star shrugs, "When was the last time anyplace was safe?"
[20:58] * Thunder_Strike totally wants to kiss her anyway.
[20:58] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Valid point..."
[20:59] * Blackberry_Jam presses Enter, then. Let the virtual tour begin.
[20:59] * Nyota_ takes a few steps back from teh door, just in case.
[21:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The lights that still work go black, ancient mechanism slide away, a beam of light is shot from above the door they came in from onto the far wall. A white-ish tarp descends. The pair of logos are projected on it.
[21:01] * Thunder_Strike walks over and quickly gives Blackberry_Jam a kiss for clover. "That was from clover."
[21:02] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There is a static crackle as an old recording plays through dryrotted speakers. "My name is Nature Prism, and I would like to welcome you to Prism Elemental Genetics" The slide changes to a prewar version of this room.
[21:02] * Blackberry_Jam blinks, her cheeks flushing with red. "I... uh... well... I... just... thanks... Thanks, f-featherduster..."
[21:02] * Scrap turns to look at the tarp, not sure of what's going on.
[21:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "I know what you may be thinking. Elemental Genetics? But elements don't have genetics? You can't breed fire!"
[21:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "That would probably hurt a lot, right?"
[21:03] * Nyota_ jumps high and the cowers down in a crouch as the projector starts rolling. Blushing slightly she stands up and listens to the pony.
[21:04] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "But the elements are more than just hot and cold and wet, my little ponies... so much more."
[21:05] * North_Star sighs and leans on his rifle. Wishing he had some popcorn.
[21:05] * Thunder_Strike smiles, "welcome." Kisses again. "That's from me." Walks back to where she was.
[21:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The slide changes to a stylized scene. Three ponies frozen in ice, three huddling together as ghostly horses whirl above them. "We all know the Hearthwarming tale. How friendship and harmony saved the tribes from the Windigoes. But what are windigoes?"
[21:06] * Snack_Cake is actually pretty used to this kind of thing, being from a stable. She watches curiously.
[21:06] * Blackberry_Jam is beet red.
[21:07] <~Blackberry_Jam> "I..."
[21:08] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The slide changes again, to a white lab. "They were, /are/, the physical manifestation of the ice element. There are eight elements in total,and you are more familiar with their manifestations than you think!"
[21:08] * Thunder_Strike giggles and winks before watching the tour with the rest of the group.
[21:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Several pictures are shown on the screen, swirling around. A green forest, yellow eyes peering out. A regal phoenix rising out of some ashes. A swirling feline form disappearing into a wave...
[21:10] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head a few times and lights a new cigarette, half paying attention to the slideshow.
[21:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Welcome to Prism Elemental Genetics, where we bring the might of myth against the enemies of Equestria." The screen goes black and the lights come up.
[21:11] * Scrap stares at the screen with his mouth open a couple seconds after it ends before looking around.
[21:12] * Blackberry_Jam blinks a few more times as her brain processes all that. "So... as much as I want to go in and waste even more of our time..."
[21:13] <Nyota_> "We could find something which could aid our cause."
[21:13] <Nyota_> "The door was locked, yes? Noone else has been in here."
[21:15] * Blackberry_Jam isn't convinced. "Well Stripes... doesn't mean something in here won't try to kill us."
[21:16] * Snack_Cake gives a quiet 'hmm', thinking on the slideshow and what the recording said.
[21:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A door to the right has opened. There is also a receptionist desk with a terminal behind it.
[21:18] * Nyota_ trots up to Blackberry_Jam. "We could just take a glance, then leave."
[21:18] * Snack_Cake glances over, curiously... she kinda wants to know more. She slowly heads over to the desk, and the terminal.
[21:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake sees the same two logos on this terminal and an area for a password.
[21:19] * Scrap heads into the new room.
[21:20] * Thunder_Strike follows them in.
[21:20] * Blackberry_Jam exhales slightly, blowing more smoke rings into the air. "Fine. Follow that featherduster." She says, trotting in behind Scrap.
[21:21] * Snack_Cake has this in the bag. She knows terminals! Piece of cake!
[21:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As Scrap and Thunder_Strike enters a small panel slides back, a camera nestled inside.
[21:21] * Scrap looks at the thing that just opened, his mouth still open.
[21:22] * Thunder_Strike looks at the panel and the camera. "That's... Odd.
[21:23] * Blackberry_Jam raises her weapon at it. "A... camera?"
[21:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake navigates past the login screen with ease. There is a text file. 'Opening Day' and a entry called 'Tour Protocol.'
[21:24] * Snack_Cake reads the text file first, before worrying about the other.
[21:24] * North_Star takes a look around, deciding to riffle through the desk for anything useful.
[21:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There is a singular camera in the wall, it's similar in design to the outside P-03. The red light is on.
[21:27] * Blackberry_Jam doesn't like this camera one bit, and greets it the same way she had at the Stable... with the butt of her rifle.
[21:28] * Scrap is slightly startled by her sudden attack, but doesn't question it.
[21:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake reads. "First day has been so busy! Mr. Prism himself came and gave a speech. Even with the war on he made a point against discrimination. I guess it makes sense considering he's an emmigrant himself. The whole translucent thing is... wierd... but kinda cool! I think I can really make a difference here... even if I'm just a secretary. I can at least be friendly! ~Peanut Brickle"
[21:29] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam slams the butt of her rifle into the hole, but encounters thick glass of some make before it impacts the camera itself.
[21:30] * Blackberry_Jam mutters something about 'fucking cameras' before turning to her friends.
[21:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star finds a half dozen pre-war bits in the desk, as well as a holstered .22 revolver and a dozen rounds.
[21:31] * Snack_Cake knows just how important a friendly face and a smile is when working. She checks the other option... the tour protocol thing.
[21:31] * Thunder_Strike watches Blackberry_Jam. "So hostile." She says then shrugs and walks over to Snack_Cake.
[21:32] * Blackberry_Jam frowns at Thunder_Strike, but just shakes her head.
[21:32] * Scrap follows her over, he's very curious and wants to see everything.
[21:33] * North_Star takes the revolver and rounds, as well as the bits.
[21:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As the screen flips over to a memo, a machine next to it fires up. There is a whirring noise as it comes to life. It prints out a picture of Scrap on a card, it does the same with Thunder_Strike and the others in the order they entered the room.
[21:34] * Thunder_Strike looks at the machine.
[21:35] * Snack_Cake jumps in surprise, startled by the sudden activity. She examines the cards, curiously.
[21:35] * Blackberry_Jam keeps her distance from the group, taking a look around the room.
[21:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The memo reads. "Attention: Due to increased security requirements, all tour protocols must be followed to the letter to avoid fatal correction. Please ensure all tor group members have their identification cards at all times. Anypony without proper identification after tour start will be considered a hostile spy."
[21:37] * North_Star looks up from his looting and at the machine as in spits out his card. "Huh..."
[21:37] * Scrap looks at the pictures, "are they us?"
[21:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Please ensure the tour group stays in the appointed areas. Green is the current tour area, Yellow indicates the prior two areas, Red indicates a restriced area. Individuals without proper credentials in restricted areas will be considered a hostile spy"
[21:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Any attempts to leave the tour before its conclusion will be considered an act of espionage and the individual will be consided a hostile spy."
[21:41] * Snack_Cake puts the cards on the desk, spreading them out, before reading the memo. "I think... we might be here for the whole tour..."
[21:41] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Remember: Tour IDs will be generated for tour guests in the waiting room after the intoductory videa until the tour begins. Ensure all guests have their badges!"
[21:42] * North_Star takes his badge, looking over his picture. Dirt spots. Bloody barding. Armed to the teeth. Eeyup. Totally not hostile in the slightest.
[21:42] * Snack_Cake frowns. "It says not to leave the tour before it's finished... and..." She indicates the ID cards, "Don't lose these..."
[21:43] * Snack_Cake adds, "Or else you... 'will be considered a hostile spy'"
[21:43] * North_Star smirks. "I'm hostile alright, but I sure as hell ain't a spy."
[21:43] * Blackberry_Jam trots over and collects a 'badge'. "Oh, I get it now. Though, I've always wanted to be a spy."
[21:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  there is a bin of little clippy things on the desk. A timer is going down in the corner of the screen. "Tour Starts in 3:10." 9. 8. 7...
[21:44] * Scrap takes his own and after looking at it, "cool!", he's going to enjoy learning on this tour esspecially if he'll get more free stuff..
[21:45] * North_Star nods. "I've heard stories about these Pre-War security things. Don't piss off anything, unless you like having a squad of robots hounding your flanks."
[21:45] * Blackberry_Jam pins it on her new barding. "Great... it didn't even get my good side."
[21:46] * Snack_Cake noses her way through the pile to find her own card, to pin on. "Stick together... and follow the green line. Red lines are bad..."
[21:46] <North_Star> "I think it brings out the blood on my barding, don't you?"
[21:47] * Blackberry_Jam frowns a little. She seems to have developed a scowl... She also hopes that the robots don't mind ponies smoking on the tour.
[21:48] * Scrap pinns his on and moves to follow the green line, he's really excited for the rest of this tour.
[21:49] * North_Star takes this spare time to fully load his Repeater before pinning his id badge on his own barding.
[21:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  IDed and ready, the group waits as the clock to the tour ticks down.
[21:52] * Snack_Cake makes sure everypony has their ID... she doesn't want anything terrible to happen.
[21:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  When the timer on the terminal hits zero a concealed door opens. A small robot rolls out. It's about the size of a small dog and has a "head" comprised of three megaphone-like speakers with a rotating green light on top. "Welcome! Tour Guests! I will be your guide! Please move in an orderly fashion to the green room." The light in the camera room turns green. "Please keep up! Or you will be considered a
[21:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM> hostile spy!" It rolls into the room.
[21:54] * North_Star rolls his eyes. "Oh boy. I can hardly wait."
[21:54] * Scrap immediately moves to the next room.
[21:54] * Blackberry_Jam deadpans at the little robot. "You got a name?" she asks, half sarcastically.
[21:54] * Snack_Cake looks between everypony, and trots after the robot.
[21:54] * North_Star follows the robot as well.
[21:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The little robot's speaker array tilts quizically. "I am programmed to answer your questions! You can call me Beeps!"
[21:58] * Blackberry_Jam rolls her eyes. "So, -Beeps-, taken a look outside recently?" She asks, smiling and trotting into the next room, lest she be a spy.
[21:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "It is a beautiful day. A *connection failed* Tuesday morning! Don't you just love *connection failed* weather?"
[22:00] * North_Star chuckles. "Guess they don't make 'em like they used to."
[22:00] * Thunder_Strike follows behind listening to the tour.
[22:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There are some beeps from... Beeps... "The tour is about to commence! *Scanning* I'm glad all *six* of you are here!"
[22:02] * Blackberry_Jam nods to North_Star. "I'm sure you are."
[22:02] * Scrap follows just behind beeps, still very excited.
[22:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The door opens and the lightin of your current room goes yellow. There is a long hall, illuminated in sparce green lights.
[22:04] * North_Star , using basic color code knowledge, decides it's best to move into the room with green lights.
[22:05] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There are doors, offices it looks like, on either side. Red lights glow on the keypads... Of course these are all just lights to Scrap...
[22:05] * Blackberry_Jam follows, only slightly invested in the tour.
[22:05] * Scrap simply follows the robot, "green vs yellow vs red" is something that is problematic for him.
[22:06] * Snack_Cake follows the robot into the hallway. She's interested... but this whole 'spy' thing makes her nervous.
[22:07] * Thunder_Strike follows the robot aswell. She too thinks green lights are better.
[22:07] * North_Star sticks close to Snake_Cake. If anypony knows about this Pre-War stuff, it's her. All his knowledge is rumors and stories.
[22:08] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps wheels into the hall. "These are the offices of our financial and clerical workers! They do important work! Like *Secretary Peanut Brickle*! It's her *anniversary* today! I bet *she* can't believe it's been *One hundred Seventy Six* years!"
[22:08] * Blackberry_Jam smirks. "Looks like the logic algorithms never made into these models."
[22:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "But, important as their work it, it is boring and *classified*! Let's move on!"
[22:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps drives down the sparce hall to a door that opens into a small closet-like room. An elevator for those who would recognize one. "This way, please!"
[22:11] * North_Star sighs. An elevator. Of all the things he hates the most in this world, it has to be an elevator.
[22:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The lights in the hall go Yellow, Beeps waits in the elevator.
[22:11] * Thunder_Strike hates elevators too. She has wings, she doesn't need elevators.
[22:11] * Blackberry_Jam stares blankly at it. "Perfect."
[22:12] * Scrap heads in and wonders why the tour has gone to a dead end.
[22:12] * North_Star reluctantly steps inside, grumbling the whole time.
[22:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps plays the sound of a hoof tapping over its speakers. "*Two* of *six* guests accounted for. Let's go! And we're trotting, and we're trotting..."
[22:14] * Blackberry_Jam hangs her head and gets inside. "Elevators... it's always elevators..."
[22:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Nyota, sneaky sneaks into the elevator for what it's worth. It's large enough to fit a dozen ponies comfortably.
[22:14] * Thunder_Strike sighs and walks into the elevator aswell.
[22:14] * Snack_Cake keeps trotting along with the robot.
[22:15] * North_Star looks over at Blackberry_Jam. "You too?"
[22:15] * Scrap looks at the others still confused, "why did we go to a dead end?"
[22:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "*Tour Group Accounted For*" The floor lurches as the elevator moves with some definate speed down.
[22:16] * Blackberry_Jam blanches as the floor moves. "F-F-Fuuuck..."
[22:16] * Scrap immediately jumps up and hovers, "what's going on?"
[22:17] * North_Star stumbles and leans against a wall. "Damnit... A little warning would be nice."
[22:17] * Blackberry_Jam is shaking a little, giving a nervous nod to North_Star. "Y-yeah... me too..."
[22:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Hovering in a speedily downward moving elevator is a bad idea, He is quickly struck by the ceiling. With some effort he can descend at the same speed.
[22:18] * North_Star shakes his head. "Bad luck, these things. Nothing but bad luck."
[22:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Luuuurch! The feeling of increased weight bends their knees as the elevator slows. They must be pretty far down.
[22:18] * Scrap decides it's easier to just drop down, but he doesn't look comfortable.
[22:19] * Snack_Cake may be more familiar with some of this pre-war tech... but the speed of the elevator is /very/ disconcerting.
[22:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps rolls toward the still closed door. "*Floor B1 Catwalk* Due to the needed cleanness of the Gem Battery area, out route through the first leg of the tour will be on elevated catwalks! Hope you aren't scared of heights!"
[22:20] * North_Star grumbles and swears repeatedly. Snack_Cake's poor, young, innocent ears.
[22:21] * Blackberry_Jam grumbles. "Hope they take care of those catwalks... ponies fall to their deaths on those things..."
[22:22] * Scrap waits for the door to open, wanting very much to get out.
[22:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The door opens out to apparent nothingness. Reinforced glass walls and floor comprise the catwalk. Only the glow of green tube lighting and the metal of the brackets are visible. Beeps rolls out onto the clear floor.
[22:22] * Scrap gladly follows beeps.
[22:22] * Thunder_Strike walks out a little light headed due to the sudden stop. "Wow what a rush. Can we do that again?"
[22:23] * Blackberry_Jam makes an admittedly poor decision and looks straight down as she trots on to the catwalk.
[22:23] * North_Star blinks. "Who thought this was a good idea?" He asks, following the robot. "Whatever happened to old fashioned steel and iron catwalks?"
[22:23] <~Blackberry_Jam> "No, Featherduster. No we cannot."
[22:23] * Snack_Cake slowly follows... walking on reinforced glass is /very/ disorienting.
[22:24] * Scrap doesn't like walking on the glass and decides to fly instead.
[22:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Below them is a pristeenly white factory floor. Primitive robots attempt to pull supplies from empty racks. The end of the conveyer is backed up with a large quantity of gemstones.
[22:25] * Thunder_Strike "awe... Ok then." She sighs and trots along alittle dizzy but straightens out a moment later.
[22:26] * Blackberry_Jam gawks at the gems. "Holy... shit..."
[22:26] * Snack_Cake looks at the gemstones in wonder. "Wow..."
[22:27] * North_Star looks over at the gemstones as well.
[22:27] * Thunder_Strike "Luna's eplosive orgasm! That's a lot of gemstones." She says astonished.
[22:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Did you know Prism Industries is a pioneer of Charged Gem Batteries and Charged Crystal Matrixes? Breakthroughs spearheaded by PCI have allowed for the vast leaps in computing power! Below Crystal Matrixes are charged for consumer use! This is normally a job left to one of the many Prism Industries factories, but with the war demand, we've expanded! Better wiped than striped!"
[22:28] * Blackberry_Jam 's cigarette falls to the floor. "That's... s-so many... Shit..."
[22:29] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Except for our loyal zebra brothers and sisters in the City of Broad Withers of course! Moving on!" The little robot rolls forward.
[22:30] * Blackberry_Jam collects herself, still staring wide at the pile of gems. "So Beeps... any chance we can get down there?"
[22:30] * Thunder_Strike really wants some of those gems.
[22:30] * Scrap follows, he's still interested, but most it is going over his head.
[22:31] * North_Star has been walking this whole time. "Better wiped than striped? No wonder the war started. No zebra would be able to stand rhymes being used against them..." He said jokingly.
[22:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "That's a good question!" The light on Beeps head turns a shade toward yellow. "Unfortunately that is a restricted area!"
[22:31] * Blackberry_Jam frowns a little. "How could we get access to areas like that?"
[22:33] * Thunder_Strike looks her curiousity struck too.
[22:33] * Snack_Cake doesn't think asking questions like that is a good idea...
[22:33] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps light goes yellow. "*Tour guests are not permitted in restriced areas. Do not inquire about restricted areas.* I'm happy to answer any questions while we walk!" Beeps rolls forward leading you over the work floor.
[22:34] * Thunder_Strike makes a sadface then sighs. "I don't feel like fighting robots. Just forget about it."
[22:35] * Blackberry_Jam rolls her eyes. "Fucking robots."
[22:35] * North_Star looks back at Blackberry_Jam. "Yeah. I've kinda had enough of getting shot for a while."
[22:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps leads you over the work area, many different robots trying to perform tasks that ran out of supplies more than a century ago. A door slides open at the end of the hall. Another elevator.
[22:36] * Thunder_Strike plus were not exactly equipped for that kunda battle yet.
[22:36] <Thunder_Strike> " she says then looks at the elevator. "Really? Another one."
[22:37] <North_Star> "Oh, Celestia's Cutie Mark, not more elevators."
[22:37] * Scrap hesitates, but lands in the elevator.
[22:37] * Blackberry_Jam hangs her head. "I swear, we've got to worry more about elevators than robots."
[22:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps rolls into the elevator, the light inside turns green while the underlighting of the catwalk turns yellow.
[22:38] * Snack_Cake follows the robot... "S...so... what are you most known for here...?"
[22:38] * Thunder_Strike "yay! We get to do it again!" Quickly gets in the elevator.
[22:40] * North_Star steps into the elevator, this time bracing himself against the wall ahead of time.
[22:40] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "That's a good question! Here at PEG, we strive to use elementalism to improve our lives!"
[22:40] * Blackberry_Jam grunts. "Can elementalism make these elevators less dangerous?"
[22:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps waits until everyone enters. "The elevators are quite safe. It has been *sixty four thousand six hundred fourty eight days* since our last elevator accident! Going Down!" The door closes and the elevator quickly descends.
[22:43] * Thunder_Strike "weeeeee!" She says alittle overexcited. But she braces Blackberry_Jam.
[22:43] * Blackberry_Jam blanches again. "Featherduster... what are you doing?"
[22:44] * North_Star looks at Beeps. "Next question, when was the last time you gave this tour?"
[22:44] * Snack_Cake winces slightly as the elevator descends.
[22:44] * Thunder_Strike "helping you." She smiles. "Better get ready for the sudden slowdown.
[22:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Have you ever wanted a pet, but didn't want the responsibility of feeding it? What if I told you PEG is working on just that problem!"
[22:45] * Blackberry_Jam raises a hoof in protest, but as the elevator moves, she quickly quiets.
[22:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "*Unit 204* has never given this tour."
[22:45] <North_Star> "Delightful to hear."
[22:45] * Thunder_Strike smiles and braces herself and Blackberry_Jam.
[22:46] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The elevator lurches to a halt.
[22:46] * Scrap is quickly learning to hate elevators as much as Blackberry_Jam and North_Star.
[22:47] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The lights dim and Beeps next words come out in an over-the-top spooky tone. "Have you ever heard of a Timberwolf?"
[22:47] * North_Star is better prepared this time, straightening his hat. "They're fair game. Tasty meat too."
[22:47] * Blackberry_Jam holds back the vomit and stumbles out of the elevator. "You've... eaten a Timberwolf?"
[22:48] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Has anypony not heard of a Timberwolf?"
[22:48] * Snack_Cake shakes her head slightly.
[22:48] <North_Star> "It's very crunchy when you roast it."
[22:48] * Snack_Cake "What is it...?"
[22:48] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Like charcoal?"
[22:48] * Scrap walks out, curious.
[22:49] * North_Star nods. "Exactly. 'Cept it's edible, and spicy." he explained.
[22:49] * Thunder_Strike stumbles out and falls over. "Again again!" She shouts hooves flailing.
[22:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "A Timberwolf is like a dog made of sticks! They usually live in forests! They are an embodiment of earth elemental magics. Lupine forms of elemental magics are common across Eqeustria. Properly trained they are like dogs that don't need to eat!"
[22:51] * North_Star shakes his head. "Screw that, Thunder."
[22:53] * Blackberry_Jam nods to Thunder_Strike. "I'd rather eat a Timberwolf... Beeps, is there any way we can get this tour over quickly and visit the gift shop?"
[22:53] * Thunder_Strike "but whhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyy...... A..sorry." She blushes. "I.. Couldn't control myself."
[22:54] * Thunder_Strike feels like a really big silly filly now.
[22:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The door opens. A few scattered lights glow green. There are several piles of bones strewn about. "Welcome to the Kennel!"
[22:55] * Blackberry_Jam 's ears droop, flattening to the side of her head. "Ah... cripes..."
[22:55] * North_Star looks into the Kennel, spotting the bones. "Uh... Beeps? Whose bones are those?"
[22:55] * Thunder_Strike suddenly feels odd. "Does anyone else have a bad feeling bout this?"
[22:56] * Snack_Cake doesn't get how Thunder_Strike can enjoy that... Maybe it's a pegasus thing. She looks inside the room, warily.
[22:56] * Scrap heads into new room.
[22:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Beeps rolls to the far side of the room. "Soon you will be able to own your very own elemental guarddog from a selection of elemental attributes! They don't sleep or require food!"
[22:59] * Blackberry_Jam looks sideways at North_Star. "Is... the robot ignoring us?"
[23:00] * North_Star looks at Blackberry, taking a cautious step out of the elevator. "Any chance you guys have had any Timber Wolf accidents, at all?"
[23:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "From the woodsy Timberwolf to the fiery Cinderwo..." From the doorway a lupine head weathed in flame descends, snapping up the guide-bot. Beeps sounds an alarm, doors open in the walls, but the robots are not inside.
[23:01] * North_Star blinks. "Well. That answers my questions."
[23:02] * Snack_Cake shrieks and jumps in alarm. What is that!?
[23:02] * Thunder_Strike eeps. "Now we know who's bones those are!"
[23:03] * Scrap surprised by the sudden change, readys for a fight.
[23:05] * Blackberry_Jam ducks away from the flames and draws her shotgun. "Oh, for fuck's sake! Stripes, if we get out of this alive... I'll... I don't know what I'll do, but it isn't pretty!" She says, letting off both barrels at the Timberwolf in front of her.
[23:08] * Blackberry_Jam takes aim.
[23:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The double-barrel blast of buckshot slams into the cinderwolf's head. Ash and sparks fly away as a goodly portion of it's head is obliterated. It turns it's good eye toward the group and drops the robot.
[23:18] * Blackberry_Jam blinks. Usually, that grade of face-removal took the rest of the face with it. "Shit..."
[23:20] * Snack_Cake mutters a quiet, "Oh Celestia..." and starts to back away, fearfully. This is not good, this is not good...
[23:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake backs into the yellow-lit elevator.
[23:21] * North_Star holds his rifle steady towards the Timberwolf, glancing back at Snack_Cake.
[23:26] * Blackberry_Jam takes a few steps back, not taking her eyes of the Timberwolf. "Snack! Look in my left saddlebag, grab the weapon in there, and shoot this damn thing!"
[23:29] * Snack_Cake hesitates. She glances over at North_Star... he said he had trouble too... right? If... If he can do it... She whimpers and rushes over to Blackberry_Jam's side and takes the gun from her...
[23:34] * Scrap seizes the opening Berry made, runs up to deliver a few strikes on its already beat up head.
[23:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap delivers three vicious strikes, each attack further coating his limbs in a clinging ash. The burning intensifies as more builds up on his forelegs. But the last strike sends the cinderwolf  to the ground, exploding into a pile of ash.
[23:39] * Blackberry_Jam falls back away from the explosion, cursing and crying out as she falls back into the elevator. "Sweet Luna!"
[23:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  from his position he can see three more lupine shapes in the next room. They growl.
[23:39] * North_Star shields his eyes from the flying ash with his hat. "Well then. That was unnessecary."
[23:40] * Snack_Cake winces at the sudden explosive collapse of the cinderwolf.
[23:40] * Scrap cries out in pain and waves his hooves around trying to get the ash off.
[23:41] * Blackberry_Jam scrambles to her hooves and looks around for Beeps, but only sees Scrap. On fire. "Ah hell... Kamikaze! Stop, drop, and roll!"
[23:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A little bit of the cinders comes free, but by and large  it continues to cling.
[23:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The rest can hear the growls coming from the next room, it would take a bit of movement to see through the far doorway
[23:43] * North_Star looks past the burning Pegasus into the open door way. "Of course. Always a pack." He grumbled, raising his rifle. Then remembering something...
[23:46] * North_Star sets his rifle down, whipping out his new Grenade rifle. Sure, fighting fire with a more violent fire was never a good idea. But why not?
[23:48] * North_Star takes aim, high and towards the back of the dark room. "Eyes up, ears closed!" He shouted before he fired one grenade into the room.
[23:52] * Snack_Cake decides it's probably a good idea to listen to North_Star.
[23:53] * Blackberry_Jam quickly covers her ears.
[23:54] * Scrap doesn't at at all want to touch his ears with his burning legs.
[23:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star fires into the next room, but his aim is poor, the grenade careens into a far corner and only catches one cinderwolf in the blast. The overpressure and shrapnell makes it glow bright red as bits are blown from it.
[23:56] * North_Star grumbles, loading another grenade into the rifle, this time lobbing one of the Honeycomb grenades into the far room.
[00:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star lobs another traditional grenade into the far room, again having it land in a corner, the cinderwolf glows bright as it's injured again.
[00:04] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike hovers over to the right and lines up a trio of shots at the brightly smouldering cinderwolf.
[00:08] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike unloads directed high-energy into the burning creature. It's cindery body turns purple, then it shakes itself and a layer of ash sloughs off. It growls low and pained.
[00:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Nyota move to the other side and fires at the cinderwolf she can see.
[00:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  One of her three shots hits.
[00:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There is a surge of magical fire around the beast, but it seems to have no effect.
[00:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The three cinderwolves run forward to attack. The first attacks Scrap in the doorway
[00:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The second darts past the embattled pair and attacks the next nearest pony, the shotgun toting doctor.
[00:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  where the first managed to land two bites, the second manages only to catch the good doctor with one bite.
[00:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM> The third darts in and attacks the grenadier.
[00:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The cinderwolf sinks its fangs into North_Star's foreleg and slashes, it then opens its maw and latches on to the side of his head. There is a momentary rush of heated air, then the side of his face in the beasts mouth catchs fire.
[00:33] * Blackberry_Jam gives a slight grunt as she's bitten, but her pained expression turns into a smirk as she loads Second Opinion and delivers a lethal prescription of buckshot, to be ingested once. Orally.
[00:34] * Scrap cries out again as he's hit twice, this time with anger in the yell.
[00:40] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam unloads both barrels into its head. The shot blast clear through, the beast exploding into a cloud of ash. It's the biggest smokering she's ever blown.
[00:44] * Snack_Cake has been right next to Blackberry_Jam, and that was /loud/ and /explosive/. She ducks away from the ash cloud, and fumbles with her weapon, trying to figure out how to use it... it's surprisingly not as hard as she might have thought... it's designed in a sicence-y way, at least. Just... point... and...
[00:49] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake's first shot goes wide, but she schools herself and the second shot strikes true, hitting the cinderwolf still attached to the burning North_Star behind the jaw. For the second time the cinderwolf glows purple, but this time he disintegrates into a purple pile of inanimate ash.
[00:50] * Blackberry_Jam spits a little Timberwolf ash out of her mouth and grins. "Nice shooting, Snack!"
[00:51] * Snack_Cake is pretty stunned. She's shaking, too.
[00:51] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap can feel more of the clinging ash fall off, but a goodly amount still clings to his forelegs and wings where he struck the beast.
[00:52] * North_Star looks at the pile of ash, attempting to shake off his pounding headache. "Hot damn. Nice shot, Greenhorn!" He said raising his rifle to show approval, before bring his hoof back to his pained head.
[00:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  His head isn't so much pained, as still on fire.
[00:53] * North_Star realizes, in that case. So is his hat! He quickly throws it down and stomps on it.
[00:54] * Blackberry_Jam facehoofs hard. "Have none of you heard of 'Stop, drop, and roll?'"
[00:54] * Scrap is able to ignore the pain enough to fight, he has had to endure it before. He pulls out his 9mm and takes aim, punching one was worth it, but he doesn't want to get burned again.
[00:58] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap manages to put one bullet in it, it disappears into the beast, a dot of red the only indication of its passing
[00:58] * Snack_Cake is just staring blankly... frozen. She isn't registering what anypony is saying to her.
[01:01] * North_Star quickly picks up his hat, no longer aflame, and his rifle, using it to take aim at the wobbly, on-fire, slightly larger than a pony figure and blast two rounds at it.
[01:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The cinderwolf yelps as part of it is blasted away in a shower of sparks, but it is still alive.
[01:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  and angry
[01:10] * North_Star grunts in pain, holding his head in his hooves. If only his ears weren't ringing. That would be nice.
[01:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike and Nyota both fire a barrage of rounds into the Cinderwolf, but it says stubbornly alive.
[01:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The last cinderwolf rushes Scrap in a flurry of charred teeth. It savages his limbs.
[01:21] * Blackberry_Jam charges up to the Timber/Cinder/Whateverwolf and gives it the same respect she gave the others.
[01:22] * Scrap screams again as he is attacked his right front leg takes the worst of it, cracking under the assault.
[01:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The buckshot tears through the last cinderwolf, spreading his ashes over the dimly lit room. In the second room can be seen more charred bones, and the broken remains of a lot of small robots.
[01:27] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session End*****
[01:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM> 2000 XP. Blackberry_Jam gains 2 karma for helping a filly read about hippos in crates. North_Star gains 1 karma for the attempted life/firearms lesson.
[01:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Edit: 2750 XP for evensies.