FoE PNP G-Platypus Session 13

[18:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****G-Platypus: The City of Broad Withers - Session 13*****
[18:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Guilt
[18:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  If there is something that gnaws on the ponies of the wastes more than the foul mutated abominations that infest it, it's guilt.
[18:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The thing about guilt is that it is easy to find. It feels like every action, for good or ill, turns to salt in Buckago.
[18:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Perhaps our wastelanders are guilty for more than they know?
[18:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session Start*****
[18:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Our wastelanders stand in the muck that fouled the slaver caravan's travels. They are surrounded by the slaves they have rescued as in the distance Hack and his entourage blink out of sight. Cedar Cask weeps at the front of the wagon's pull team.
[18:25] * Blackberry_Jam quietly tends to her wounded comrades first. She wastes no time pulling the bullets out of North_Star. Forcing a smile, she says, "Promise me that you'll never run into automatic gunfire again, okay Hot Shot?'
[18:27] * Scrap stands watching Hack walk off, wanting nothing else, but to cave his skull in and stomp his throat for good measure.
[18:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Unfortunately for Scrap, once Hack and the mortar team get a few hundred yards away, they disappear in a flash.
[18:28] * Blackberry_Jam readies her tweezers.
[18:29] * North_Star grumbled under his breath, seemingly in the affermative. He wasn't paying attention, anypony with a sense for the art of 'swearing-under-your-breath' could see that.
[18:29] * Scrap blinks a few times, but ignores it thinking it's his eyes not working again.
[18:30] * Nyota sits away from the others, her head is wrapped in the bandages Blackberry_Jam had given her during the combat. She's staring after Hack for a moment.. Blinking as they suddenly dissapear. Sighing deeply she stands up, looking around at the slaves. "Where are they takeing the others?" She says, pointing a hoof to where Hack was a moment ago.
[18:31] * Snack_Cake is still hiding. Nopony has come to get her yet, and she's /not/ sticking her head out there now!
[18:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The slaves at the rear don't seem to know. They can be recognized as inhabitants of Trestle. There are four ponies still chained into the harnesses at the front.
[18:32] * Blackberry_Jam finishes her patch-job and lights a cigarette. Slowly climbing to her hooves, she looks around at the slaves. Spotting Cedar Cask at the head of the pack, she approaches him. "Mr. Cask, are you hurt?"
[18:33] * Scrap walks over to the chained ponies and starts looking for a way to unchain them.
[18:33] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The 'Drowned Mare' goes over to Nyota. "Thanks for the help. Glad he didn't get us to wherever they were taking us."
[18:34] * North_Star uncaps a bottle of water, flavored with radiation, to clean the blood off of him.
[18:35] * Nyota dosnt look at the drowned mare, she keeps staring at the spot where Hack just had been. "Where are they going?"
[18:36] * Thunder_Strike pokes her head up from her cover since the fighting is over. Then calls up to Snack_Cake. "It's over Snacky. You can come out now.
[18:37] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask looks up, tears smear his face. "I'm fine enough. We've all taken the lash, but we'll make it."
[18:37] * Snack_Cake gives a hesitant glance up. She calls back, "They're gone...?"
[18:37] * Blackberry_Jam looks the cart over. "Where... where's the rest of your family?"
[18:38] * Thunder_Strike "yes. I don't see them anymore." She calls back.
[18:39] * North_Star trots over and checks the cart over, though not for a family, for any supplies left behind the morter team's rush to leave.
[18:40] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask collects himself. Mr. Wiggles has slunk up and plopped himself in front of him, rolling over in the muck. Cask strokes his belly absentmindedly. "Arbor and Fern they took to Slaugherhouse. They took Clover and I to an outpost nearby. Then they lashed me up to this wagon for the attack on Trestle."
[18:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The locks on the chains appear simple for someone with skill at picking locks
[18:42] * Blackberry_Jam gives a small smile at Mr. Wiggles. "And where's this outpost? Is it nearby?" She asks, looking for some means of removing the harnesses.
[18:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Unless they moved it, it should be a few hours south along the river."
[18:43] * Snack_Cake slowly peeks her head out of the building, looking around. When she sees the others, she quickly heads over.
[18:44] * Scrap asks the others, "can anypony here pick locks?"
[18:44] * Blackberry_Jam has a breif moment of clarity. "Did you happen across a pony in armor with a chainsaw?"
[18:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star finds the wagon unlocked. The 'Drowned Mare' trots up beside him as he looks in at all the items inside. "We're lucky they didn't have time to offload all our gear. Might be able to rebuild with what they took from us."
[18:46] * Nyota sighs and looks down, taking her time she reloads her weapon.
[18:48] * North_Star opens the wagon, peering inside. "Yeah. Lucky." He agreed, prefering not to think about the town right at that moment.
[18:49] * Snack_Cake glances around at everypony as she trots over. "Is... everypony okay?"
[18:49] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  One of the Trestle Slaves calls over to the 'drowned mare'. "My tools in their Lilac? I'd like to get these chains and collars off?" She nods and hoofs them over.
[18:51] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask shakes his head. "No, I think I would remember that. Day after you helped us, the slavers came. Took us all to the outpost. They send Arbor and Fern on to Slaughter house and made me pull this. I assume Clover is still there. Haven't seen anypony with a chainsaw."
[18:51] * Scrap watches him unlock the chains, waiting to help if needed.
[18:51] * North_Star looks over at the mare. "Lilac, huh?" He commented, going through the contents of the wagon, setting aside anything that was already clamed by somepony in the crowd. "I would've given that bastard what he deserves, if my hooves were what they used to be."
[18:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lilac smiles. "I'm just happy you all didn't get us blown up. And the whole setting us free thing is nice, too."
[18:53] * Blackberry_Jam blows some smoke into the sky. "So what's next for you?"
[18:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The guard stallion with the tools starts by unlocking the pull team's chains, then starts working on the explosive collars.
[18:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask looks down at Mr. Wiggles. His eyes harden. "I see if the others will give me a gun, then Mr Wiggles and I get my girls back."
[18:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam can see through his anger that he isn't really in much shape to take down anypony.
[18:55] * Blackberry_Jam puts a hoof on his shoulder and smiles around her cigarette. "Not in your condition, you aren't. And -certainly- not without hour help."
[18:56] * North_Star nods. "I've seen some low tactics before, but that was somethin' else." He sighed. "I hold couriers in high respect. They know the land. They know their weapons and how to use 'em. Too see somepony take that respect and throw it to the dogs... Breaks a bit of my heart, I must say."
[18:58] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lilac grimaces. "He was a real piece of work. Wasteland will be better when he's dead." The stallion makes it to Lilac and removes her collar.
[18:58] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion waves over to Scrap. "Hey, Buddy? Help a guy out?"
[18:59] * Scrap walks over to him, "of course."
[18:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask gives a thankful smile. "We certainly owe you, again."
[18:59] * North_Star looks over at Lilac. "Madam. I'll personally make sure he regrets even touching that scarf."
[19:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion hoofs Scrap a mirror. "Hold this steady. I need to see what I'm doing."
[19:00] * Scrap does so.
[19:01] * Blackberry_Jam shrugs a little, returning the smile. "Don't let it worry you none... But promise me this: If you get to that little shit Hack before we do, you save some of him for us."
[19:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion twists his tool. His collar blinks rapidly then tumbles into the muck. "Whew! The one on your own neck makes you nervous!" He gives Scrap a punch in the shoulder. "Thank's, Buddy. Name's Channel Lock."
[19:05] * Scrap smiles at Lock's friendliness, "Scrap."
[19:07] * Nyota sighs and trots over to Blackberry_Jam, sitting down next to the mare she asks. "What now?"
[19:07] * Thunder_Strike had walked over with Snack_Cake though she seemed like she wasn't completely there. She is just staring of into space possibly imagining something about plot.
[19:08] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The group saw Hack and the other two ponies head west. The outpost Cask mentioned would be mostly south along the river.
[19:08] * Snack_Cake heads over to where Blackberry_Jam is. She's a little worried. "Is there... anything I can do to help?"
[19:08] * North_Star takes one last look into the wagon. ""Name's North, by the way. North Star." He said to Lilac.
[19:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The three other slaves that were part of the pull team are off being talked to by the rest of the ponies from Trestle.
[19:09] * Blackberry_Jam gives a nod to Cask as she turns to Nyota. "Well... I can't say for certain..." She gives a slight smile to Snack_Cake. "Not at the moment, Snack. Everypony that needs tending to hasbeen tended to..."
[19:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lilac extends a hoof. Friendly for being half drowned. Her mane slicked to the side of her head and neck. "Pleasure."
[19:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask nods. "I'm sure there will be plenty to go around."
[19:11] * Blackberry_Jam chuckles a little, sheparding the part away from the buck and his dog.
[19:12] * Snack_Cake glances around a bit. "Alright... I guess... I'll sit over here, then." She takes a seat nearby, turning on her radio...
[19:12] * North_Star gave the faintest smile. "Pleasure's mine." He said, adjusting his hat slightly. "Look, if there's anything y'all need, I'd be more than happy to oblige.
[19:13] * Nyota gets up and sighs again, she was hungry, tired, feeling empty inside, emotionally drained and now with the adrenaline dying down everything was starting to feel like a hopeless mess of a life again. "Great." She trots away from everypony else sitting down on a peice of rubble and gazes onwards where Hack had went off too.
[19:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake finds a bit of dry-ish rubble sticking out of the muck. She sits down when she spies a plant she recognizes from her cookbook! She gets one Fire Thistle.
[19:15] * Blackberry_Jam blinks as her sheparding apparently fails. With a sigh and a puff of smoke, she joins North_Star at the back of the cart.
[19:16] * Snack_Cake smiles a little. That's useful! She can use this. She carefully stores it away!
[19:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask heads off to talk to the group of ex-slaves.
[19:19] * Blackberry_Jam looks up at North_Star and adjusts her weapon on her back. "Hey, Hot Shot, got a minute?"
[19:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM> Thunder_Strike is around the wagon still as Blackberry walks form the front to the back to meet North_Star. Scrap is also nearby in the company of Channel Lock.
[19:20] * North_Star nods to Blackberry_Jam. "Sure thing." he looks over at Lilac again. "Til' we met again?"
[19:21] * Thunder_Strike starts leaning to the side and bumps the wagon snapping her out of her daydream. "Huh? Who where what? Oh...." She says rubbing her head.
[19:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The rest of the slaves come over to Lilac, who seems to have some authority to them. A few whispers are exchanges. "I think our plan is to take the wagon back to Trestle and rebuild. We can use their mortar for defense until we get the walls back up."
[19:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lilac reaches into the wagon and gives Cask a rifle and some ammo.
[19:24] * Thunder_Strike looks around and trots over to the slaves needing to talk to one. She runs up to cask. "Can I talk to you... Privately?@
[19:25] * Blackberry_Jam takes North_Star to a quiet place to talk. She hoofs him a healing potion and instructs him to drink. "So... What now? Cedar's wife and kids are out there... The wife is a few hours south of here... do you think we can stretch that?"
[19:26] <~Blackberry_Jam> One is a few hours south of here*
[19:26] * Nyota lays down on her back, she picks her trinket, the wooden flower, off from behind her ear and looks at it, holding it between her hooves. Mumbling something quietly to herself in zebra.
[19:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask stows his new rifle and heads over away from the others with Thunder_Strike
[19:28] * Thunder_Strike looks around then says, "do you know if they did anything to your ear?" She says looking at him glancing at his ear a couple times.
[19:29] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask looks at her, confused. "No. Not that I remember. We've only been with them a few days."
[19:29] * North_Star rubs his chin. "I suppose a couple of hours walk wouldn't hurt. It's the fight I'm worried about." He said, glancing at the sun. "We might be forced to camp out a night someplace, and that's somethin' I want to avoid, for Slash's sake.
[19:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Nyota feels a reassuring voice, whether in her head or on the wind. "Mimi na wewe."
[19:30] * Thunder_Strike thinks. "Let me have a look at your left ear right quick."
[19:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask seems a little confused, but allows it. Thunder_Strike doesn't spot anything. OF course, he hasn't been to a hub yet...
[19:31] * Snack_Cake is glancing around every so often, looking at all the ponies while she listens to her radio.
[19:31] * Nyota shudders and brings the flower closer to her chest, sniffing.
[19:32] * Blackberry_Jam takes a long drag from her cigarette. "We'd be putting ourselves further behind him, and... we'd definitely have another fight on our hooves."
[19:32] * Thunder_Strike sighs and relief. "You haven't been marked yet." She smiles happy he hasn't gone through the torchers of a hub yet.
[19:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A surly baritone roles out of the radio. "...You tied my lead and pulled my chain and watched my blood begin to boil..."
[19:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The slaves, minus Cask, begin working on turning around the wagon for the trip back to Trestle.
[19:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Channel Lock is also not helping, being too caught up in good natured conversation with Scrap
[19:35] * Nyota 's ears perk up, or rather, the one not covered in bandage. She puts the trinket back behind her ear, rolls over and looks over at the leaving Slaves.
[19:36] * Scrap habitually and without breaking conversation, begins helping to turn the wagon.
[19:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask still seems perplexed. Mr. Wiggles sniffs at the air and shoulders into him. "Easy, Sir. We'll be off shortly." Mr. Wiggles appears anxious
[19:37] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Being free again must have invigorated them. They manage to rock the wagon enough to get it turned and started out of the muck.
[19:38] * North_Star looks to the south. "You're the boss, here, Jam. I'm just the guide."
[19:38] * Thunder_Strike "it's along story, but thank you for taking time to speak with me. I don't wanna hold you up to much longer." She smiles. "And I have faith that you'll find you family again. Alive."
[19:39] * Blackberry_Jam nsorts a little. "Me? Boss? Hell no... I just... well... In your 'professional' opinion, do we help Clover out or not?"
[19:42] * North_Star looks over at Blackberry_Jam, "My 'professional' opinion says we can't leave her alone with those bucks."
[19:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  With Scrap's help, they manage to get the wagon onto firm ground pointed northeast. Lilac starts to head back toward North_Star and Blackberry_Jam.
[19:43] * Thunder_Strike nods to cask and walks towards Blackberry_Jam. "I vote yes. We are kinda the reason she's in this mess."
[19:45] * Nyota cracks her hooves and jumps off the pile of rubble she had been laying upon. Trottign up towars where verypony seemed to gather.
[19:45] * Blackberry_Jam gives a slight nod, and turns to Nyota. "Stripes, we're moving out. We've got a filly to save."
[19:47] * Snack_Cake glances up. She wants to save them... She's not going to be the one to slow them down. She stand and trots over to Blackberry_Jam, ready to go.
[19:47] <Nyota> "Good. Let us hope that this time we can do so without so much blood. On our side." She flicks her tail, looking at North_Star. "You should learn to avoid getting shot."
[19:48] * Thunder_Strike smiles and also stands ready to go.
[19:48] <Thunder_Strike> She has unfinished business to settle with hack anyway.
[19:49] * Blackberry_Jam snickers and gives Nyota a wide smile. "As much as I -love- yanking bullets out of all of you, you guys really need to work on that."
[19:49] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lilac trots up to North_Star. "We're heading out. We're taking in the other slaves too. With their mortar, we think we'll be safe. At least what passes for safe in Buckago. I just want to say, as a guard..." She puts a hoof on North's chest, then pulls him in for a rather straight-forward kiss. "I love a lawman."
[19:51] * Scrap seeing the group form up, "thanks for the talk, Channel Lock. I've got to go join the group. Hope to see you again." He heads over.
[19:52] * Blackberry_Jam blinks at the sudden display of affection. She whistles, still grinning.
[19:52] * North_Star blinked twice, caught off-guard, but his confounded expression soon dissolved into a smile, "Just doin' what I do best, Madam." He said, beaming like a total goofball.
[19:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lilac trots away, tracing her tail under North_Star's chin as she goes. She hollars back over her shoulder. "You're always welcome in Trestle. All of you. We won't even charge!"
[19:53] * Nyota leans closer to Thunder_Strike. "Is this normal pony behavior? Should I kiss ponies who save my life?"
[19:55] * Thunder_Strike "I don't think so, but kissing is up to you nyota." She says back. "But atleast we don't have to pay to pass through trestle anymore."
[19:55] * Nyota nose scrunchies as she ponders that for a moment.
[19:56] * Blackberry_Jam nods to the south. "Ponies, let's roll. If we can get there under cover of darkness, we can use that to our advantage."
[19:56] * Scrap smiles at the idea of operating at night.
[19:56] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The slaves soon pass out of earshot, heading towards the still smouldering Trestle. Cask and Mr. Wiggles stand nearby. He nods when Blackberry_Jam brings up rolling. He's weak and poorly armed, but determined.
[19:57] * North_Star straightened up his posture, a old fire lit anew in his eyes while giving a nod to Blackberry_Jam, "You've got the lead, Boss."
[19:58] * Nyota starts to head out, moving up next to Blackberry_Jam. Tail flicking back and forth.
[19:58] * Thunder_Strike chuckles and hugs nyota with a wing. "Just teasing you." She says then turns and follows the others.
[19:58] * Blackberry_Jam scrunches her nose too. "Don't call me 'Boss.'"
[19:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask manages to keep up, but is definately the weak link. He's been badly beaten and burned.
[20:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It seems like a lot of working over for a random moonshiner.
[20:00] * Blackberry_Jam drops back to look Cask over. "And here, I thought I could trust you when you said you were okay." She says, assessing his bruises and cuts.
[20:01] * Scrap is once again flying over the leader(s).
[20:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The wounds are mostly superficial. But he is covered with little burns and cuts. Somepony had a field day working him over. He also sports some of the old scars of being thrown out that window a hoofful of days back.
[20:02] * Blackberry_Jam claps him over the back and hoof him a healing potion. "Drink this before you make it worse."
[20:03] <~Blackberry_Jam> Hoofs*
[20:03] * Thunder_Strike is flying close by scrap and keeping an eye in Snack_Cake. She for sonereason feels its her job to help her get used to her new life.
[20:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He smiles it off. "I'm fine. Bastards really know how to hobble a pony, but I won't take your potions. You may need them for real injuries when we get there."
[20:04] * Nyota looks up at the pegasi, shaking her head with a sigh.
[20:04] * Blackberry_Jam narrows her eyes. "You'll take this, or I'll give you a -real- hobbling."
[20:04] * Scrap looks down, "something wrong, Nyota?"
[20:05] * Nyota opens her mouth as to say something, stopping herself she eventually just shakes her head.  "No.."
[20:05] * Thunder_Strike looks at scrap a moment then at nyota tilting her head.
[20:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask looks like he is about to protest, but withers under her gaze. He drinks the potion and his pace improves. "Thank you." He pauses. "I don't think I'll be much use. I haven't been able to stop them any time they've come for us."
[20:07] * Scrap returns to looking up and says matter-of-factly, "remember, I'm here if you need me."
[20:08] * Blackberry_Jam shrugs, trotting up to the front of the pack again. "It's all right, you're with us now."
[20:08] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr. Wiggles slinks over to Snack_Cake. Whining a bit.
[20:10] * Thunder_Strike "sawa hapa" she says down to her then looks ahead again before adjusting and fly
[20:10] <Thunder_Strike>  Flies above Snack_Cake.*
[20:10] * Snack_Cake gives the dog a sad look. "What's wrong?" She thinks a moment. "Are you hungry?" She digs around in her saddlebags for a moment and pulls out one of her sweetrolls and offering it to Mr Wiggles.
[20:13] * Nyota 's ears swivel around as Thunder_Strike speaks in Zebra. Glancing over her shoulder towards the pegasus. "So, where did you learn to speak Zebra?"
[20:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr Wiggles snatches it up happily. Cask breaks out into laughter. "Ha! He knows how to find the right pony to beg." He snickers a bit. "It's why we always put him up at supper. Things might have been different if..." He stops talking, suddenly morose.
[20:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike starts to speak but hesitates. It doesn't look like she's ready to talk about her past.
[20:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr Wiggles seems to enjoy the sweetroll and gives Snack_Cake a massive, full-face lick.
[20:17] * North_Star chews on a sweetroll as well, keeping his spot up front and center.
[20:19] * Snack_Cake is more than a little surprised. She starts giggling. "H...hey! Stop that!"
[20:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The group continues heading south. The last of dusk dying into night as they near the outpost.
[20:20] * Blackberry_Jam hunches down and scopes out the outpost from a distance. She's much more perceptive at night, anyway.
[20:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There is a fire burning near a partially collapsed building.
[20:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr. Wiggles sniffs the air. He makes a low noise, seeming to not be sure if he wants to whine or growl.
[20:24] * North_Star sticks behind with the party, waiting for Blackberry_Jam's report.
[20:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam can see the front of the building is open, the wall collapsed. A few slavers patrol the outside. There is movement deep inside. Movement catches her eye past the building, another pony and a lupine shape is moving in a circle around the far perimiter
[20:25] * Blackberry_Jam mutters in a low whisper, "Guard Dog... patrol coming around the back... a few guards out front... Slaves are probably tucked inside the building."
[20:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake, whose eyes generally dart away from the obvious trouble, can make out the shape near the far slaver definately has a dog, although smaller comparitively to Mr. Wiggles.
[20:28] <Nyota> "How many are patrolling?" She asks, equally quiet.
[20:28] * Blackberry_Jam snubs out her cigarette and watches the patro intently. "Just one, and the dog."
[20:29] * Scrap lands next to Blackberry_Jam.
[20:29] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask rubs Mr. Wiggles withers placatingly, keeping him silent-ish. He whispers. "Me and Wiggles could draw off the patrol."
[20:30] * Nyota frowns. "The dog is going to be a problem-" Looking over at Cask. "You sure you can handle them?"
[20:31] * North_Star steps forward, drawing his new rifle. "Yes. I'm sure we can."
[20:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask pats Mr. Wiggles. "Not if it was just me, but Wiggles and I can take them."
[20:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The patrol in question passes out of sight, they are now directly opposite the group with the building between them.
[20:33] * Blackberry_Jam frowns at Cask's suggestion. "I don't like that one bit..."
[20:34] * Snack_Cake frowns a little. "That sounds dangerous..."
[20:35] * Nyota looks around, nopony else with a silent weapon. Of course.
[20:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask looks at Blackberry_Jam and Snack_Cake in turn. "When you hit the ones out front, you have to end it before they can turn on the slaves. We need the most firepower on them. Me and Wiggles are enough for that bastard and his mutt."
[20:38] * Blackberry_Jam puts a new cigarette in her mouth, but thinks not to light it. "If you get yourself killed... Then... I'll bring you back to life and kill you myself, got it?" She says, turning away and drawing her weapon.
[20:39] * North_Star nods, pulling the bolt back on the Service Rifle. "Don't get in over your head, that's my job around here." He said, following Blackberry_Jam
[20:39] * Nyota puts a hoof on Blackberry_Jam 's side. "Wait."
[20:40] * Blackberry_Jam waits. "I wouldn't dare take the first shot, Stripes. They're all yours."
[20:41] * Nyota pulls out a vial of sleep powder. "We have fliers, we can use this to our advantage. Make the dog sleep, take out the patrolling pony silently, strangle him." She hooves teh vial to scrap. "Make sure the dog breaths this in. Il lbe on the ground behind you, I seem to be the only one with a silent fire arm."
[20:42] * Blackberry_Jam frowns a little. "I dunno... you think the dog will... smell him or something?"
[20:42] * Nyota eyerolls. "If the dog could have, it would have already."
[20:43] * Scrap takes the vile and asks Nyota, "you're not going after the main group yourself are you?"
[20:43] <Nyota> "No.. You and I are going to take out the patrol, then we take the main group together, all of us. One attack, together. But we must act quickly."
[20:43] * Blackberry_Jam glares. "Just... how close does he have to get?"
[20:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The patrol passes into view again from the other side of the building. The dog and slaver alertly sweeping the area outside their perimeter on the far side.
[20:44] * Scrap takes the vile, "ok."
[20:45] <Nyota> "Wait untill they are moving away from us again." She puts her hoof on Scraps side. "Do not miss your throw, it will alert everypony if you do."
[20:45] * Nyota smirks slightly. "No preasure."
[20:45] * Snack_Cake is glancing around nervously. "What... should I do...?"
[20:46] <Nyota> "Stable pony, wait here, keep track of their movements."
[20:46] * Scrap readys to throw.
[20:46] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask keeps a hoof on Mr. Wiggles who seems to be getting more and more agitated, though his growls stay barely audible.
[20:46] * Blackberry_Jam slinks back next to Snack_Cake. "You wait here, okay? Hot Shot and Stripes can keep stay back here and cover you once we knock out the patrol." She nods to Nyota too. "Keep your eyes on that Pipbuck.
[20:47] * Nyota nudges Scrap, her eyes going towards the wings. "You can get closer you know." Then she starts to sneak out as soon as the patrol has started to move away from them. Pulling her .22 Silenced from its holster.
[20:47] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The Patrol continues their circular path around the building. If the building were the center of a clock, the patrol would be at 10, our wastelanders at 6.
[20:48] * Scrap silently lifts off and follows next to her, keeping as low as he can without brushing the ground.
[20:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As the patrol rounds to the '9' the dogs ears swivel. He smells and starts barking in their direction.
[20:51] * Blackberry_Jam grits her teeth. "Fucking hell..."
[20:51] * Snack_Cake gasps in surprise, flattening her ears.
[20:51] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cask smacks Mr. Wiggles and the dog darts off behind them looping around.
[20:52] <North_Star> "Well shit. So much for that plan."
[20:53] * Blackberry_Jam has her shotgun out in a flash. "Snack, get down. Scrap, you're with me. Hot Shot, Stripes, cover her!"
[20:53] * Snack_Cake ducks down behind the first thing she sees!
[20:54] * Scrap starts flying toward the patrol.
[20:57] * North_Star raises his rifle, eyes down the sights and towards the building.
[21:02] * Blackberry_Jam turns around to Thunder_Strike. "Featherbrain, think you can keep them pinned down from this distance?
[21:02] <~Blackberry_Jam> "
[21:07] * Thunder_Strike "possibly." She says then takes aim with the control yolk and fires three shoots at two of the slavers.
[21:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Thunder_Strike strafes some fire at the slavers standing guard at the front of the building, being mindful not to put any rounds into the dark recesses of the place. Two shots strike low, but the third grazes the right-most slaver's right foreleg
[21:13] * Scrap continues flying toward the dog ready to drill it with strikes when he reaches it.
[21:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap swoops down and nearly decapitates the patrol dog with vicious stomps as the slaver/handler recoils
[21:18] * Blackberry_Jam charges in right behind Scrap, leaps on to her hindhooves and levels off her shotgun. Both barrels.
[21:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam's blast scythes through the massive doghandler's combat armor like paper. The brutish slaver crumples.
[21:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There is a yelp behind the guards at the front of the building as Mr. Wiggles injures himself on debris. The nearer slaver looks around the wall only to be met with a faceful of fangs. The slaver screams as he is pulled back into the shadows along the building, but they quickly cease.
[21:37] * North_Star brings his sights to the guard at the doorway, squeezing off three shots at the figure.
[21:48] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Two of North_Star's shots connect and stagger the long surviving slaver.
[21:49] * Nyota growls, her plan had fail of course it failed. That was just her luck. She starts to gallop for the camp.
[21:51] * Nyota gets up closer, she suddenly stops, steadying herself and fires her pistol four times.
[21:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Nyota puts three rounds into the surviving raider, denying him the use of that adjective. he slumps to the ground succumbing to the multitude of holes in him.
[21:56] * Blackberry_Jam trots over to the raider that she gored and examines his gear. That combat armor looked niiiiice...
[21:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Some pained groans emanate from within the three-walled building.
[21:58] * Thunder_Strike flops down feeling bad she barely did anything.
[21:58] * Nyota huffs and holsters her pistol. Quickly moves into the camp.
[21:59] * Scrap mobes toward the building.
[21:59] <Scrap> Moves*
[21:59] * Snack_Cake is back behind her cover. She mutters, "Is that all of them...?"
[22:00] * North_Star walks over to the building, peeking inside the doorway with his rifle muzzle forward.
[22:01] * Scrap looks in with him.
[22:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The interior of the building is dark, the bonfire outside provides some token illumination. Pained moans issue out every so often. It looks like the building was a jail at one point, there is a cell at the back.
[22:02] * Blackberry_Jam pockets the funky lookin energy weapon and takes the barding off of the big guy. With a few adjustments... this would look damn good on her. Hurrying along, she scurries into the building, weapon raised.
[22:02] * Scrap goes directly for the moaning.
[22:02] * Snack_Cake isn't going to come out until somepony says it's safe. She's still worried about getting hurt. But... she's worried about the others...
[22:04] * Nyota waves a hoof at the ponies with their raised weapon. "It is okay, that was all."
[22:04] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There are four adult ponies and a smaller one in the cell. The smallest one is pressing something against the side of one of the adults. "It's awright, Mista. I'll make it better."
[22:05] * Scrap immediately goes to unlock the cell.
[22:05] * Blackberry_Jam flicks both ears, the left remaining flopped. "Clover? Is that you?" She calls, trotting carefully inside.
[22:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap can see a key on the table as he flies inside.
[22:07] * Scrap uses it to open the door, "are any of you hurt?"
[22:07] * Thunder_Strike follows the others into the building.
[22:08] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The docked-tailed filly heads over toward the door after telling the injured stallion to hold the bandage. She comes up to the bars as Scrap opens the gate.
[22:08] * North_Star lowers his weapon, looking around the building for anything of use for the future.
[22:08] * Blackberry_Jam gallops over once she hears the door swing open.
[22:09] * Scrap seeing the bandages, hollers out, "Blackberry_Jam, we need you!"
[22:10] * Blackberry_Jam skids to a halt. Damn right you did. "I'm here, I'm here! Who's hurt?"
[22:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam's eyes quickly adjust. She can see the rusty-colored filly inside. Clover tears up. "Docta Jam?" Her back is a latice of new welts and a few burns.
[22:12] * Snack_Cake can't bear to wait. She peers up from her cover and heads in to where the others went in.
[22:13] * Blackberry_Jam melts a little inside when she sees the filly. "Sweet Celestia... you're alive..." She chokes, hugging the little filly tight, mindful of the burns. Gently setting Clover down, she quickly looks towards the injured buck.
[22:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap can see the other four adults don't look to bad off, nothing severe in his eyes anyway. The stallion Clover was holding a rag too looked to take a big of a ricochet.
[22:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover clings onto Blackberry_Jam. She starts talking a mile a minute between her sobs.
[22:15] * Scrap stands next to Blackberry_Jam, ready to help if needed.
[22:15] * Blackberry_Jam gives her most reassuring smile. She's had a lot of practice with that as of late... "Clover, calm down, okay? Let's fix your friend, and we can talk when your daddy gets here."
[22:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "I did my best, Docta Jam! Masta Big Shot says a slaves gotta feel all their punishment! But A docta has to help. Keep practicing! So I helped, and he hit me, but I had to help! I did right, didn't I? I did right, Docta Jam?"
[22:16] * Nyota moves back outside. She felt so.. Empty.
[22:17] * Blackberry_Jam freezes. She sputters for a moment, like a gasket in her head blew. She... she... "I..."
[22:19] * North_Star looks up from his rifling through the building. "Does every doctor have guts like that, or just the ones I know?"
[22:19] * Thunder_Strike turns and follows nyota out not bearing to see how that filly looked.
[22:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover buries her face in Blackberry_Jam's chest as her words stop making sense between the sobs.  Looking down, BJ spies something else among the injuries. A scarred heart with crossed bandaids over it on the filly's flank.
[22:20] * Blackberry_Jam chokes up a little. You've... Celestia dammit... Tears roll down her cheeks. She pulls the filly into another tight hug. She wasn't ever letting go of this filly... not ever...
[22:20] * Scrap now stands, having no idea what to do or say.
[22:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star doesn't find much around the jail. a small pile of caps in the corner (42) and a half dozen 40mm grenades.
[22:22] * Snack_Cake slowly peeks her way in. She calls out, "H...hello? Blackberry_Jam? Thunder_Strike? Is everypony okay...?"
[22:23] * Blackberry_Jam can only sob in response. Her tears splash into Clover's mane as she barely manages to look at the injured slave.
[22:23] * Thunder_Strike sighs as she takes a seat outside having walked last Snack_Cake unknowingly. "I could use one of those cigs right about now." She says looking down.
[22:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star also finds two pairs of Slaver tribal armor (Mr. Butcher 60%) and two caravan shotguns on the slavers.
[22:25] * Scrap tentatively puts a hoof on Blackberry_Jam's shoulder, "I think this stallion needs your help."
[22:25] * Blackberry_Jam turns her head slightly, her face stained with tears. "I... I c-can see that... I-i... i-idiot..."
[22:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr Wiggles comes into the building with Cedar Cask close behind. The dog makes a soft mewling sound and Clover manages to look up.
[22:26] * Thunder_Strike looks around deciding to stand guard. There's not much use for her inside.
[22:27] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Cedar Cask's eyes mist up as Clover pulls away from Blackberry and runs to her father. "Daddy!"
[22:27] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He stands ther clutching her, Mr. Wiggles licking her excitedly.
[22:28] * North_Star takes the shotguns and the grenades, maybe the appropriate weapon for it is around somewhere. He decided it best to step away from the touching moment can loot the body outside.
[22:28] * Snack_Cake takes a few steps forward... when the filly runs past her she gives a little gasp. "Oh... Thank Celestia she's okay..."
[22:28] * Blackberry_Jam slumps a little, crawling over to the stallion and wiping the gushing tears from her eyes. Focus Berry... Focus...
[22:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam, a well-trained doctor, looks on the reuinited father and daughter. The fillies docked tail allowing a view of evidence of another, unmentioned, 'punishment'.
[22:32] * Nyota moves a small distance away from the building and sits down ontop of a pile of rubble.
[22:32] * Blackberry_Jam tears her eyes away. There's a dying pony here, dammit! FOCUS. FOCUS... fuck... fucking hell...
[22:33] * Thunder_Strike just keeps looking around for reinforcements. She thinks she spots nyota near by but can't really tell.
[22:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The four slaves still inside the cell look worse for wear, but not lifethreatening. The pressure Clover had put on the grazing wound the slave stallion received was sufficient to stop the bleeding.
[22:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The four all show signs of basic medical care, though it is all covered by fresh welts.
[22:35] * Snack_Cake goes over to the filly. She's concerned. "Are you alright, little one? Did they hurt you? Did they feed you enough...?"
[22:35] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head a dozen times, shaking the tears away. She bandages the stallion and slumps. With trembling hooves, she fumbles around in her bags for her lighter... She needs a cigarette... now.
[22:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As if in answer to Snack_Cake's question, the somewhat calmed filly's stomach growls.
[22:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The four adult slaves continue to stay silent and in their places.
[22:38] * Snack_Cake smiles a little and reaches into her bag, pulling out some food, a sparkle-cola, and a sweetroll as a little dessert and offers them to the filly. "Here... eat up."
[22:39] * Blackberry_Jam looks between all of them and looks to the door. "You're free now... go..."
[22:40] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover's eyes light up a bit. She takes the food with a smile. She devours it as if it was the first food she'd been given since she was taken.
[22:41] * Scrap steps back, he is of no use here anymore.
[22:41] * Mister_Clacky|GM slaves stay still. The stallion speaks. "Master hasn't released us. We are to stay here."
[22:42] * Snack_Cake gives the little filly a hug. She's glad she's safe...
[22:42] * Blackberry_Jam sits up, cigarette hanging from her mouth. She eyes them curiously. "You saw the filly run... go. Get out of here. Go to Tressel... go to Railyard... just get out..."
[22:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion looks up at her with dead eyes. "Master says to stay. A good slave obeys."
[22:44] * North_Star trots next to Blackberry_Jam, sitting with a huff. "As odd as it may seem, some ponies get used to the slave life.."
[22:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Master will be back! And Master will be happy we stayed. When Master is happy, there is no hurt."
[22:45] <North_Star> "Does your master have a name that those other than his slaves call him, perchance?"
[22:45] * Blackberry_Jam looks at him with eyes just as dead. "That's bullshit... That's bullshit!" She shouts, standing up and looking the slave in the eye. "Your Master is a murderer! A bottom-feeding lowlife! He has nothing for you but pain! Pain, misery, torture! Look what he did to that little filly!"
[22:46] * North_Star sighs, "Or, you know, yelling works too. I guess."
[22:46] <Scrap> "Your master is either already dead or we'll gonna kill him, either way he doesn't you anymore."
[22:47] <Scrap> Control*
[22:47] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion closes his eyes. "We told the filly, don't help us. A good slave obeys, a bad slave must suffer the full punishment. She didn't listen."
[22:48] * Thunder_Strike hears Blackberry_Jam yelling and goes in to see what's going on. " why are you screaming BJ?"
[22:50] * Blackberry_Jam either doesn't hear Thunder_Strike, or doesn't want to. "That filly earned her cutiemark helping you! It's her -gift- to help ponies like you! What has your Master done? Huh? What the -fuck- has he done?"
[22:50] * Nyota slumps down on her peice of rubble. Ears flopped. What was the point anyway.
[22:50] * Thunder_Strike sighs before walking over to Blackberry_Jam.
[22:51] * Scrap walks over and answers Thunder_Strike, "they refuse to free themselves."
[22:52] * Thunder_Strike looks at scrap and nods. "Alright." Touches Blackberry_Jam's shoulder. "You need to calm down. You're only making it worse for them."
[22:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion looks back at his own flank. Whatever the mark was worn away by repeated lashings. He seems to be thinking.
[22:53] * Blackberry_Jam growls. "Don't fucking touch me!"
[22:55] * Scrap begins backing out, he'll only say or do the wrong thing if he stays.
[22:55] * Thunder_Strike seems to whimper and back away with both ears back. She sinks into a corner.
[22:55] * North_Star stays where he was, behind and to the right of Blackberry_Jam.
[22:55] * Blackberry_Jam glares at the stallion, seething in rage.
[22:56] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  At the front of the building Clover fixes Snack_Cake with a wanting expression. She can see the question forming on her lips, but she's too afraid to ask. Her eyes drift over the the bag Snack pulled the cake from.
[22:56] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare to the right of the stallion starts to stand.
[22:57] * Scrap thinks back to what he used to do in situations like these and walks outside.
[22:58] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The other two slaves move to stand as well. The stallion stays still. "What are you doing? You're going to be punished!"
[22:58] * Snack_Cake smiles a little at the filly. "Are you alright? You're being awfully quiet..."
[22:59] * Blackberry_Jam keeps her haze fixed on the stallion. "They're choosing freedom, buddy. You still haven't answered my question."
[22:59] * Thunder_Strike stops quivering and looks at the stallion. "H..how can you be punished if you aren't here?"
[22:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover licks her lips a little.
[23:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion shakes his head viciously, as if trying to shake a biting insect from his mane. "No! Master will see I stayed, and I won't be punished. He'll find the bad slaves! He'll punish the bad slaves! I don't want punishment anymore! I'm a /good/ slave."
[23:02] * Blackberry_Jam grits her teeth. "What. Has. Your. Master. Done?" She asks, stepping closer with each word.
[23:02] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Master hurts us when we are bad, and doesn't when we are good!"
[23:03] * Scrap once out side, begins looking around for Nyota.
[23:03] * Nyota is still on that pile of rubble a small distance away from the building.
[23:04] * Blackberry_Jam maintains her piercing gaze. She motions to the ponies who left the cell. "They realized how fucked up that is. Out there, nopony cares if you're bad. Nopony cares if you're good. There's no Master. No punishment."
[23:05] * Scrap approaches her, "I want to ask you something."
[23:05] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  One of the mares speaks. "Uno, she's... right. We should go!"
[23:05] * North_Star looked away at that 'no punishment' bit. Being a pony of the law, he knew that wasn't always right.
[23:05] * Snack_Cake giggles a little. "Would you like another? I can give you a choice of which you want." She opens the bag for the filly to look inside. "Here, have a peek."
[23:05] * Nyota glances over, flicking her non bandaged ear. "Okay."
[23:05] * Thunder_Strike stands up. "He's broken. There's no way he going to listen to her." She says shaking her head. "Don't ask me how I know that."
[23:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover nods.
[23:06] <Scrap> "How do you know what somepony needs?"
[23:06] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head. "Feath... Thunder Strike... I'm a doctor... I fix ponies that are broken... do you know what it means when I can't fix one?"
[23:06] * Snack_Cake motions to her bag. "Go ahead, pick one." She smiling.
[23:07] <Nyota> "What they truely need? You cannot. You can only try to understand them as best you can, putting yourself in their hooves."
[23:07] * Thunder_Strike "blackberry, you mend broken bodies. Not broken spirits." She says to her looking at her now with teary eyes.
[23:08] * Blackberry_Jam turns away, back to the stallion that she's been interrogating. "I can do both!" She says loudly and dismissively.
[23:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover takes a Sparkle-Cola Vanilla. She seemed extra thirsty.
[23:10] * North_Star shifts to the side. "I wouldn't try, Boss." He bluntly advised.
[23:10] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Listen to her, Uno. Go."
[23:10] <Scrap> "But, when I do and I do or say what I would want, it ends up being wrong. I don't know why."
[23:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The other three slaves head outside the building, pausing to breathe in the air outside the building as if it were different, better, than inside.
[23:11] * Snack_Cake smiles at Clover. She's glad to see the filly happy.
[23:12] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion shakes his head again. "What does Quatro know! She's hardly been under Master a year!"
[23:12] * North_Star looks at the stallion. "And how long have you been with him?"
[23:13] * Thunder_Strike walks over to Uno. "Alright listen. Get up and go outside before she makes you." She motions to Blackberry_Jam with a wing. "And trust me. You won't like what she'll do."
[23:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The stallion lowers his head. "Always."
[23:14] <Nyota> "That is because you do not understand the pony you are talking too, and perhaps, the pony does not understand themselves. Perhaps you are right, perhaps they are right. We can never know for sure. You are seeign yourself as wrong because you do not believe in your actions."
[23:14] * Blackberry_Jam blinks. So he's never known freedom, then. "Thunder, I'm not going to force him to do anything. If you need me... I'll be outside. There's.. somepony I need to talk to."
[23:16] * Thunder_Strike stops when she hears that and shivers. "You've.. Been under master that long? Since you were born?" She sighs.
[23:16] * North_Star sighs in relief when he saw Blackberry_Jam leave. "Sorry for the trouble, Uno. I'll have a talk with her later."
[23:17] * Blackberry_Jam looks forward to the "talk". She trots outside, looking for Clover.
[23:18] * North_Star looks over at Thunder_Strike, "Well, what'll we do with him? I don't think locking the door will keep him safe."
[23:19] * Scrap sits and ponders Nyota's words. For a moment at least, he gets to once again feel like the colt he used to be listening to his master's advice. "I think I... might understand."
[23:21] * Thunder_Strike "your right. He wouldn't.... But I'm not sure what we could do besides force him out."
[23:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover is sitting with Snack_Cake, Mr. Wiggles, and Cedar Cask. She's nursing a soda, much slower this time.
[23:22] * Nyota nods smiling slightly, giving a flick of her tail. "Good. I hope it helps."
[23:23] * Snack_Cake turns on her radio for her and Clover to listen to.
[23:23] <Scrap> "Thank you, Nyota."
[23:23] * Blackberry_Jam gives them all a smile. "Sorry about that. The crying, and the shouting... just seeing that you got your cutiemark, Clover... I just... It really touched me. You have an incredible talent, Missy. I know you'll help tons of ponies, won't you?"
[23:24] <Nyota> "Mnakaribishwa." (You're welcome.) She keeps gazing out into the settling darkness.
[23:24] * North_Star nods "Right.. Or.." He looks up at the stallion. "Say, Uno. Did your master say anything about the possibility of his death?"
[23:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Clover nods and starts to speak when a booming voice explodes across the area. "Hey!" The filly's eyes go wide and the bottle tumbles from her hooves. Her tail tucks and her bladder loosesns. The stallion standing on the hill in the distance yells once more. "What you doin' wit' my slaves!"
[23:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session End*****
[23:29] <Mister_Clacky|GM> 1500 experience. +3 karma for all for saving (for now) Clover!