FoE: Flashpoint - Chapter 2-1: Blowing Up The Chess Board

~~~===Begin Episode 2, Chapter 1: Blowing Up The Chess Board===~~~
	As the afternoon's light is now accented by bright flashes of an unnaturally evil green in the distance, as well sounds that cannot be described or compared to anything, the zebras look up for a second...and then hang their heads.  This is clearly not the result they wanted...at least, this group of zebras.  The bombardment of megaspells seems so far away in this northwestern part of
	Equestria, but the fear that a missle may strike close to home is resonating through the population of Neighayenne, who were in the courses of their daily lives and had them interrupted, as transmissions were interrupted as the world took a new form.
	The party is still being watched by the three zebras and the Medicine Zebra, Qintal, who was just revealed to be Hala's grandfather.  There is a clear antimosity between the two of them, and were it not for the immediacy of the attack, the two of them would not wait too long to clash hooves over what might have been a long fight from years past.
	Nearby Spritebots start to act strangely. Swept_Wing is hugging Swoop. Swoop is being hugged. "What are we doing just sitting here?"
	Exodus coughs and looks around, "So... time tah' get to work then?"
	Silver_Lining lets out a sob, looking to the ground. She shudders and closes her eyes. Her parents... they'd be in Canterlot. They'd be safe, surely?
	Qintal shakes his head. "No...great stripes, no..." He looks up and frowns. He doesn't look at Hala, not quite ready to discuss matters of time past with his granddaughter. "You...you should leave, quickly. If there are ponies that are in the city with weapons, they will not understand...as we have now earned the ultimate disgust in your eyes. Whomever sent you here was not thinking. You will be hated if it was made known you were here..."
	Swoop looks to the city. "Man... THAT'S gotta suck."
	Swept_Wing replies, "...Yup."
	"All bets off, both sides fired 'bout the same time, best we get rollin'," says Exodus.
	"Might be a good idea. So, back to the bird,” Swoop asked.
[	Grunt nods "Alright then, where to?"
	Exodus hops to his paws, balancing on them. "Well, we got our assignment, at dis' point, we're on our own, we can assume most cities r' dead."
	 Grunt gives a grim chuckle "Guessing command won't be issuing us orders for a while."
	 Silver_Lining wipes her teary eyes and sniffles, mumbling, "I guess I'll find out. "
	 Swoop looks at the nearest zebra that isn't Hala. "So can we go now? World just ended."
	 Swept_Wing nods slowly. "Right, well, I'm guessing that all radios will be down..." He frowns. "So no way to contact the others..."
	 Exodus chuckles. "Probably not." The griffon seeming right as rain with the fact the world had ended. "Ain't nothin' new really, been on the frontlines for nine years, command didn't do dick for us."
	 A nearby Spritebot hovers in, warbling patriotic music. There is a loud burst of static.  "Attention all Citizens of Equestria. This is the Ministry of Arcane Sciences operating on the Emergency Broadcasting Frequency. There has been a widespread megaspell event affecting all of Equestria. If you are in a Stable, please secure the door immediately."  The message warbles with strange waves. "To all citizens outside of the Stables...be assured a counterstrike is being prepared toward the Zebra Homeland. Your...your deaths....are not in vain. Please stay tuned to this channel for further updates."
	 "My, but they're a tactful bunch," commented Swoop, who then turns and attempts to leave.
	 Qintal looks to the Spritebot. He then nods to a guard, which shoots it. "Stupid hovering balls of annoyance." He looks back to the party. "What are you doing here, sitting for? Do you wish to join those who are dead now so quickly? GO! Except for Hala. She stays for a moment... then I will let her free after you have left our part of the city."
	"Who tah' hell let's their citizens know they're gonna die. This ain't the government my uni-" Exodus trails off and shakes his head. "This ain't right."
	 "Can we have out weapons back please," asked Swept_Wing.
	 Hala looks at Qintal and shakes her head, "If you have something to say to me you can say it in front of them."
	 Exodus turns to Swept_Wing. "So tah's why they made you an officer... needs weapons to survive..." he says with a smirk.
	 "No,” Qintal replies to Hala. “My words for you are private. They-" he points to the other ponies, "are not worthy of them."
	 Swoop is still leaving. "Going back to the bird. Kay, thanks, bye."
	 "So...how 'bout dem' weapons..." Exodus asks, tentatively.
	 Silver_Lining shakes her head at Qintal. "She's with us, and she leaves with us. Just tell her now."
	 Grunt stomps his hoof "Yeah, unless you want us to get swarmed pretty quickly we'll need our weapons."
	 Hala looks at them, "Go. I'll be along shortly," she nods back to Qintal, "He and I have unfinished business."
	Qintal groans. "Very well.  It is not like any of you are apt to speak Zebra."  He walks toward the mare, so that his eyes are all she can view.  "K'membie, vu'knar mbenene.  Uksooq, senval renah ishap.  K'membie, n'vkewlam."
	 Swoop is STILL walking away.
	 Exodus rolls his eyes and walks out, looking over to Swept_Wing again, "Hey LT, in times when ah' been a detainee before, there's onleh' one thing to do... wanna play pattycake?"
	 Swoop flaps her wings and takes off for the bird.
	 Swept_Wing adjusts his cap, waving to Swoop. "Bring her back in one piece!" He then snickers, grinning at Exodus. "Why the hell not?"
	Exodus chuckles and sighs. "You know what sucks, LT?"
	Hala looks at Qintal and begins in somewhat halting speech as though remembering something long disued, "Utasikia nisamehe babu, zebrican yangu ni kidogo kutu."
	 Swept_Wing tilts his head at Exodus. "What?"
	"This really ain't any difference from tah' war, just bigger bombs n' more deaths," Exodus muses. "Ain't like we hadn't had collateral before."
	 Hala looks at Qintal and shakes her head slightly but some of the defiance and anger leaves her face, "Daima kuna muda kwa ajili ya babu hasira, lakini kwa sasa nitakwenda." She she turns and makes ready to leave. "Natumaini hatuwezi kuvuka njia tena."
	 Swept_Wing nods. "Yup, hell, we wrecked havok on some of those Zebra bases on our raids.”
	 Silver_Lining quirks her head at Hala, following her out. "Not exactly what I was expecting with how you were talking to him earlier."
	 Exodus nods thoughtfully. "Sure, but all dis' shit even when there ain't any more borders, or government, or way of life. I mean shit."
	 Hala looks at Silver_Lining and frowns, "There are certain expectations when I speak to him, first is to remind him of his crime, second is to challenge his authority, third is to openly defy him, after that I am free to do as I will. Also," she steps up next to Silver_Lining. "Wewe kusema kitu na wengine kuhusu kile ambacho alisema hapa."
	 Silver_Lining clears her throat, nodding timidly. "O-of course. Sorry if I wasn't meant to... hear that."
	 Swoop arrives at the Vertibuck and straps herself in, beginning the start-up sequence. While the blades spin up, she checks the radio. "Tower tower this is Steel one, over."
	The reply is garbled and scratchy. "Can...rel...ar you...inte....rom the...ssles."
	Swept_Wing nods. "Yup, it's crazy..." He sighs.
	Swoop frowns. "Say again, tower, you're breaking up."
	The tower's signal breaks down into indecipherable static, before crackling in a loud burst and the communication going quiet.
	 "Well fuck." The midnight blue pegasus turns off the radio and lifts into the air, turing back toward the zebra area. Fuck their sensibilities.
	Hala looks at Silver_Lining softening slightly, "Sitaki wao wa kufikiri mimi hebu naye mbali bila kupigwa viboko kutokana ulimi." (Editor: WHY THE FUCK WASN’T I GIVEN ANY TRANSLATIONS???)
	Qintal looks up, hearing the sound of the Vertibuck approaching.  "Ponies! No! Now you continue to make war! Leave or we will kill you!"
	 Exodus chuckles. "LT, eithah' way when we get outta' here we're on our own. Maybe get some from tah' airfield or the like, but it ain't going to be goo-" he looks up as he hears that. "Out-fucking-standing!"
	 Silver_Lining blinks, nudging Hala. "Well then, I think we should leave, if you're still coming with us."
	 "Whoa! That's just our ride coming to pick us up, calm down," Swept_Wing says, trying to explain to the suddenly irate zebra chieftain.
	Grunt doesn't need to be told twice "Let’s go everybody, and make sure we get our weapons back!"
	Hala nods and trots along with Silver_Lining, turning to look back at Qintal. "We're leaving, this is just the fastest safest way for us to go."
	Exodus nods with Grunt. "Oscar mike ponies, but we still ain't got shit for guns."
	 As the party leaves the pit, they find all their equipment in a pile near its entrance. A Zebra officer, one of those who escorted you into the "Pit", grabs his rifle, not even thinking clearly. He takes aim at the Vertibuck and fires off a round of shots, most of them glancing off of the well armored helicopter.
	 Swoop hears the pings. "HEY! KNOCK THAT SHIT OFF! I HAVE MISSILES!"
	"Run," yells Swept_Wing, making for the low flying Vertibuck.
	Grunt grabs his equipment and slings it over his back, he'll sort it out inside the Vertibuck
	Swept_Wing picks up his revolver, leaping into the air and yelling back at the zebras, "You pissed her off! Nice job!"
	Exodus snorts and follows after Swept_Wing. "Dude, LT! Your siiiiiiis...!"
	Swept_Wing also grabs Swoop's pistol.
	Swoop arms the weapons. "Last warning!"
	Hala gallops for the pile of equipment and collects her sword and grenades, before making haste to the veritbuck.
	Silver_Lining follows quickly behind Hala, grabbing her saddle bags and meager supplies.
	Another zebra officer comes up, knocks out the one who fired at the Vertibuck, and drags him off, although there is fire in his eyes.
	Swoop smirks. "Good answer." She sets down completely.
	Swept_Wing flies into the Vert, sliding into the cockpit. "Don't shoot them!"
	Grunt hops into the back of the Vertibuck, having to jump higher than most ponies due to his size "I think you made quite the impression there Swoop."
	Swoop Grumbles as her brother boards, "I wasn't gonna... least not alot." She  glances back at Grunt. "I try."
	Hala hops into the vertibuck before turning and offering a hoof to Silver_Lining.
	Exodus flutters into the back hatch of the Vertibuck, taking the place of crew chief at the door, "Load up! We're oscar mike! Move, move move!"
	The radio springs to life, but it is not the tower.  "Razorheart to Vertibuck Steel One: Hold you fucking fire before you start a damned war!"
	Swoop rolls her eyes.”Oh goody. NOW he answers. Get that, will you Swept?"
	Silver_Lining smiles, taking Hala's hoof.
	Swept_Wing rolls his own eyes strapping into his seat, picking up the radio. "Yeah, we got it, Swoop's just a little overenthusiastic."
	"Just proving a point..." Swoop muttered.
	Razorheart doesn’t sound pleased. "Get the *fuck* out of Northern Corner! It's too late to talk. Get back down here. We have problems, as you can probably tell!"
	Exodus yells to the cockpit. "All 'ccounted for! Get us offah' the ground!"
	Hala pulls Silver_Lining into the vertibuck and nods, "Get strapped in we're about to get moving really fast."
	Grunt straps himself in and braces for some mad piloting
	Silver_Lining nods, trotting over to get strapped in. She nods her head appreciatively at Hala.
[06:22.19] * Swept_Wing closes the ramp and throttles the engines, lifiting back off and banking for city hall.
	Swoop slaps Swept with her wing. "Hooves off. My bird."
	Swept_Wing grumbles. "Alright."
	Hala manages to slip into a spot next to Silver_Lining and straps in despite the sudden lurch from the vertibuck.
	Exodus still stands, a claw gripping the overhang strap, looking back at the seated ponies. "Ya'll all good?"
	Grunt nods "Guess so, all things considered sir."
	Silver_Lining adjusts her straps slightly, getting more comfortable. She looks over to Hala. "You probably should have strapped yourself in before telling me that... you could have been hurt."
	Exodus chuckles. "Ain't a sir, Exodus er' Sarge is just dandy Grunt, 'sides dun' think we have any enforcement ah' rank anymore."
	Hala chuckles and shakes her head, "Been doing this for a while now, I'm used to how these things move." she checks her straps and saddlebags before nodding to Exodus, "I'm good Sarge."
	As the Vertibuck slowly lifts from the ground, the sight of more green fire washes across the horizon. A shield shows up around Canterlot to the southeast, bubbling with each concussive blast. Outbound missiles are seen being launched from various places in the major cities of Equestria.
	Swoop watches the display. "Shit's kicking off now..."
	Grunt shrugs. "What I'm used to si- i mean sarge. Might not mean much but I still recognize whatever skill gave you the authority you had."
	Silver_Lining blinks, her brow furrowing in worry as her attention is drawn to Canterlot.
	Hala's PipBuck lights up, with a flashing alarm.
	Exodus signs and leans against the fuselage of the vert. "Shit, too much anger down therah'..." he looks out the window at the green aura. "Suppose tah' fallout might get serious, anyone know iffin' we're upwind er' downwind?"
	Hala looks at her pipbuck and taps the face a couple times just to make sure it wasn't glitching again, when it continues flashing she takes a careful look at the screen...
	Grunt looks from Exodus to Swoop and Swept_Wing "Do any of those dials and meters tell you the wind direction?"
	Swept_Wing winces. "Hope Burnt and Streak are alright..." he mutters, looking towards Canterlot. He glances back at Grunt. "Yup!"
	The radiation detector has auto-activated. It is displaying a yellowish green. A numeric readout flashes: 175 Rads.
	Swoop glances back at Grunt. "That matters now how?"
	 "What Exodus said,’ Grunt replied. “I'd like to know if any radioactive clouds will be passing us by. Maybe I'll hold my breath."
	Swept_Wing flicks a few switches on the console. "There's nothing to worry about in here. We're sealed and pressurized."
	The counter then jumps to 265.
	Grunt grunts. "Well we ain't gonna stay in here forever... I hope. Nice as your bird is, its mighty cozy."
	Hala looks up in alarm and quickly says, "Everyone, one dose of Rad-X and a packet of Rad-Away, our exposure was enough for minor radiation poisoning." She lifts her pipbuck for Exodus to see the radiation meter.
	Exodus chuckles at Grunt. "Breathe easy pony, holdin' our breath ain't going to save us." He looks over at Hala. "Ok, we're not dead yet!"
	Swoop grins back at Grunt. "We sleep in it sometimes. Had a campfire once."
	Exodus goes on. "Eh, between three n' five days for tah' radiation to kill all our cells otherwise."
	Grunt nods and takes the medic's advice "Yeah, just the two of you, not six individuals!"
	Swept_Wing frowns. "Switching to pressurized air now." He fips another switch. "This thing's got a lining of lead, but it's not too thick..."
	Swoop turns her attention back to flying. "Glad I saved some of those rad packs."
	Razorheart gets back on the radio. "Get back to base soon, Steel One: radiation waves are rising with the initial surge. We just crossed 300...it's estimated to peak at 750. Land as soon as you canand get somewhere safe."
	Swept_Wing looks over at Swoop. "Hangars?"
	Swoop shrugs. "Back to the airfield then." She makes the necessary course corrections.
	Exodus chuckles. "Just keep up positive attitudes n' everythin' will be alright."
	Hala looks at Exodus and shakes her head, "If the radiation reaches those levels, you'll suffer fatal radiation poisoning with only two seconds of exposure." she looks at everyone, "This is very bad. Groundless optimism is not what we need; we need solutions... and fast."
	Grunt blinks and mouths 'Two seconds'
	"Well, tah' hangers are radiation proof," Exodus comments.
	Swoop spots the field. "Might wanna tell whoever's still there we're landing."
	Hala furrows her brow and thinks for a moment, fiddles with her pipbuck, slipping into menus and adjusting settings. "Wait! Wait. Stupid settings..." She looks at Exodus and chuckles. "The readout was giving me per hour readouts Sarge, we'll be fine with just the Rad-x."
	Grunt breathes a sigh of relief. Dying by something other than radiation is fine, thank you.
	Exodus nods slowly to Hala. "This is good. Otherwise we had less than five minutes to live." He turns and calls up front to Swoop and Swept_Wing. "What's our twenty?"
	"Less than a minute,” Swoop replies. “Belt in if you aren't already."
	The radio crackles to life, signaling a call from the tower.  "..eel One...cle...to la...at Pad...wo. Hang...oors open. Kill en...on landing. Ground is HOT with radiation."
	Swoop smirks, hearing the message. "Kill engines on landing... well DUH!"
	Hala chuckles, "We would have been feeling the effects of rad poisoning, which I wasn't..." She sighs and lifts her pipbuck. "It's useful but it's still a prototype, so I'll need to take some time to dig through menus and adjust settings." She taps a button on her pipbuck, a simple song. "What... dammit..." she taps a button and starts fiddling with it once more. (Sorry, links make this look dirty)
	Exodus laughs out loud. "No Swoop! Keep em' runnin'! That's sensical ain't it?"
	Swept_Wing chuckles.
	"You guys might want to take some rad-away,” Swoop calls from the pilot’s station. “Tower says the ground is hot with radiation."
	Exodus nodded. "So hot ya'll can fry n' egg."
	Swept_Wing grinned. "We'll just taxi it in, don't worry."
	The hangar comes into view, two ponies in radiation barding waving the Vertibuck in as quickly as it possible, in a very clear state of shock from the fact that the missiles were launched from both nations.
	Swoop brings the Vert in for a light landing, kills the engines and lets momentum carry them into the hangar.
	One of the ponies inside the hanger yells out, "SEAL THAT SHIT UP!  Close it close it close it!!"
	Exodus snickers and pulls the lever forcing the rear hatch to open. Watching as it goes down.
	Swept_Wing puts on the parking brake.
	Hala finally manages to kill the music and looks around, "Take a rad-x tablet before we open the..."
	The hangar doors close painfully slow, energy having been cut when the lines from the Hippocampus plants were snapped. After a long 20 seconds, the doors are secure.
	Hala sighs and pops a tablet of rad-x, looking at her readout once more...
	Swoop kills power to the Vert and un-straps herself. "Well. That was a ball of excite. Where's my pistol?"
	Hala’s pipbuck reads radiation Levels at 105 rads/hour.
	Silver_Lining chuckles at Hala. "I liked that song, what's the name?" She takes a tablet, unstrapping from the vert.
	Swept_Wing hoofs it over to Swoop. "Right here." He says, un-strapping as well.
	Grunt hops out of the Vertibuck, taking a tablet as he catches up to everyone
	Exodus uses his wings to hop from the quickly slowing aircraft, looking around and pulling his weapon up to his shoulder.
	Current stands to the side of the now stopped vehicle as the party disembarks. "Celestia...what the heck happened to all of you?"
	 "Stuff, things. and shit, sir," Swoop says as she takes her pistol and replaces it where it belongs.
	"Unhappy zebras happened sir," Grunt agreed.
	Exodus salutes Current lightly. "Shit. Shit happened."
	Hala looks over at Silver_Lining. "Second Flight by Approaching Nirvanna. Surprisingly, they were against the war." She un-straps and slips over to the ramp, she looks at Current. "What's the situation at the hospital sir?"
	Swept_Wing rolls his eyes. "What they all said. Shit."
	Current is quick to greet that flippant comment, frowning.  "When I ask for a report, Lieutenant, I'll expect one."  Looking to Grunt and Exodus, he says, "Indeed. And... for now we're trapped in here."
	"Trapped is a strong word sir," Exodus comments.
	Grunt cocks an eyebrow "What do you mean trapped sir?"
	Exodus continues. "Trapped infers we're doomed, n' as long as everyone stays sharp, we'll make it."
	Swept_Wing glances back at the Vert. "Yeah... Not exactly 'trapped' per say."
	Current groans. "We ain't got no fucking power. Used what little we had before HC Energy went down after the missiles snapped the lines. We open any door, what little radiation shielding we have in here collapses...and from this Terminal readout, inside is the place to be right now."
	Swept_Wing looks at Current. "Did you turn on the backup generators?"
	Swoop gives a sidelong glance. "No power eh?
	Grunt looks to the pilots. "Can you get some power from the Vertibird?"
	 "Nope."
	Current continues.  "We're *on* the backup generators, Lieutenant. As for the hospital, Miss Hala, I don't know. Too much comm traffic... or the whole damn thing's offline."
	Swoop shrugs.  "If we're on backup power we should be fine then. Have you ever been on a base during full lockdown?"
	 "We should be good, it'll be able to perform any of the required emergency functions," Swept_Wing agrees.
	Exodus nods to Swoop. "Dese' systems should be able tah' handle emergency function, like flush systems n' doors."
	Hala nods. "Well then, who's currently in charge of medical here?"
	Current grumbles, saying, "I would have thought so too. But something happened when the spells hit initially. Scrambled the mains."
	Swoop scoffed. "I could refute that, but I doubt you'd listen. So now what?"
	Current stares Swoop down. "Let me explain something to you, Sergeant Swoop. I'm Equestrian Navy. Some idiot in an office somewhere filed one stupid scroll wrong and I ended up here. We've just had a world-wide nuclear attack, and right now our thought processes aren't working too hot. Now, please, if I can be in charge for a minute, we can maybe figure out how to fix it. Is that OKAY with you, Sergeant?!"
	Swoop looks thoughtful, then, "Navy... Explains why nothing works..."
	Exodus looks over at Current, "Sir, I've been on the frontlines for nine years. Whatever you need done, tell me and I'll go get it done, just delegate, iffin' I may."
	Current sighs. "Finally, someone with brains here. Over there is the main interface. As Sergeant Swoop seems to be able to tell me about this station, he can show me what I missed!"
	Swoop blinks. “Wait... HE????"
	"Oi!" Swept_Wing’s wings flared angrily. "That's my sister your talking to!"
	Exodus turns back to Swoop. "Shush! Just do et', we gotta' get this system in order. Get to it!" He looks over Swept_Wing. "Sir, ain't time or place."
	Swoop looks at Exodus for a moment, then facehoofs. "Fine. Hit that orange button, then the green button. The ones that say Prime and Power."
	Current points over to a double set of terminals, both of which are glowing with various readouts on them.
	Swept_Wing looks around the hangar. "Hey, is there any lead plating lying around anywhere?"
	Exodus looks back to Current. "Right, we got a damn good medic with us." he motions to Hala. "Yah' have any wounded er' the like?"
	"What would you want lead plating for,” Current asked. “Isn't the shield of the hangar enough to keep us safe, Lieutenant, or do you doubt my desire that we all don't die today?"
	Hala nods her thanks to Exodus, then turned to the navy pony. "Sir, if I could get the ponies that have been outside and exposure times, it'd be helpful. Also point me to somewhere I can set up a first aid station?"
	Swept_Wing raises an eyebrow. "I was meaning for the Vertibuck."
	Exodus prods Current. "Sir, I'm short tempered at tah' moment. Do yah' have wounded? Plus yah' have myself and Grunt who are plenty capable... grunts... an' Silver_Lining here."
	Current gets a sarcastic grin. "Aww...ain't that sweet. Pilot too concerned about his bird."  He looks to Exodus. "Just a second, griffon! We can't exactly open and close the doors right at the moment. Get that computer unscrambled and you can get the readouts of what's going on outside."
	Swoop facehoofs again, and walks over to get the computer started correctly. "Pal, you're an inch away from an epic ass kicking..."
	Exodus nods. "Yessir." He turns back to Grunt. "Think yah' can get those readins? Should be already runnin' and idiot proof. Ah' know, I'm one ah' those."
	Grunt nods and salutes "Yes sir!" and goes to get the readouts
	Swept_Wing snorts. "Well, I was thinking that if we needed to go outside to get anything, we should have a little more protection from the radiation, hence the lead plating."
	It takes a couple of moments for the computer to be brought back online, but it does in a quick whirr. The lights soon brighten and a loud "crackle" sounds.
	Swoop smirks and turns back to Current. "Done deal."
	Exodus looks back to Current. "Wounded? Hala is damned capable, n' we have work to do, and mah'self and Silver_Lining can do stuff too, whether it be spin on our horns or groundpound."
	Grunt approaches the computer as his ears twitch at the crackle "Whats the situation?"
	Silver_Lining nods. "I'd be happy to help with anything..."
	Swoop steps aside for Grunt. "See for yourself."
	The communication network is reading a null I/O signal at the moment from all locations. Local communications are sporadic. Information from the hospital comes flooding in, reporting multiple injuries. And something else very concerning. Seismic activity is building and arcing out from impacts. It will reach Neighayenne in 3 minutes.
	Hala looks at Exodus and says, "I'll get started on a first aid station." She looks at Current. "Sir, if you could send anyone that's been exposed to the outside in the last hour to me with approximate exposure times, I'll do what I can to keep everyone from suffering the effects of radiation poisoning."
	Swoop looks at the readings. "Huh..."
	"Most of our ground personnel have been exposed,” Current replies to Hala. “Including those who helped get you guys in. Others are in the infirmary, about...six ponies I think."
	Grunt furrows his brows "That doesn't sound good."
	Hala nods, "Then with your leave sir I'll go do what I'm good at."
	Exodus nods to Hala. "Outstandin'." He looks back to Current. "What's their twenty?" He then looks to Silver_Lining. "Think yah' can help with the radiation sickness with Hala? Yah' have a way with words, might be able to keep everyun' calm."
	Current looks at Hala. "I'm not MoP, Miss. Do what you need to do. Infirmary is 20 feet aside from the hangars. Don't linger too long outside. Rads are still climbing, and it'll be a bit until they're done jumping."
	Hala looks at Current, "I'm not MoP either sir, I'm a combat medic, call me Specialist or Hala, but please, please, drop the miss, makes my mane itch..." She turns and, motioning for Silver_Lining to follow, heads for the infirmary. Having been trained at this base she knew her way around.
	Silver_Lining nods to Exodus. "I can try." She follows close to Hala, thankful that the zebra knows her way around, because she sure doesn't.
	Exodus nods lightly and looks back at Current. "Lieutenant, I know yer' navy, but I need yah' to get in gear, hooah? Lotta' ponies are going to be lookin' to you soon for answers."
	Grunt looks to Swoop then to Current. "Might want to take a look sir. According to this, we should brace ourselves for something major."
	Swoop looks at Grunt. "I have no idea, but earthquake plus sealed bunker... can't be good."
	The computer's readout updates. /Seismic wave impact in 2 minutes. Current force Magnitude 7.2. Estimated force at time of impact, 7.5. Estimated duration: 32 seconds./
	Hala gets to the door closest to the infirmary. "I know you took a tablet of rad-x, Silver, but you'll want to run. Less exposure the better." She looks at Silver_Lining and gets ready to open the door.
	Swoop raises an eyebrow. "That's big."
	Silver_Lining gets ready, fluttering her wings. She frowns. "Admittedly, I'm not that fast, but I'll try to follow..."
	Hala nods, and quickly opens the door hopping out and turning for Silver_Lining to get through before shutting the door, "Follow me, quickly!" She turns and races for the infirmary.
	Grunt calls Current again "SIR! We need to get a warning! Everypony should get under a doorframe and brace themselves! Does this facility have its speaker system working?"
	"Terminal should have base-wide speaker interface,” Current replied. “Just as long as that wasn't knocked out when the comms went down."
	Exodus looks around at everyone left. "Who wants to make tah' call? Shit I can iffin' you want."
	Silver_Lining unfurls her wings and flies, following Hala as best she can. She furrows her brow, straining to keep up.
	Swept_Wing is dragging several spare plates of Obstintanium over to his Vertibuck, a welding torch tucked under his wing.
	Hala slows down just a bit to let Silver_Lining keep up. "Just a bit further," she says as she spots the door they were looking for. "Here!" She hits the panel to open the door and lets her in first before stepping in and closing the door behind her.
	Grunt nods "Sure, but tell everypony to get underneath something sturdy. A desk, doorframe, a clipboard, anything! We've got a massive earthquake coming in about a minute."
	Silver_Lining rushes in, landing as she enters. She pants, chuckling. "I really need to fly more often, sorry..."
	Swoop just hops into the air and hovers.
	Exodus trots over to the terminal and keys in the base wide PA system. "Attention, attention, all personnel on base, be advised that a rather large earthquake is expected soon. Please take all necessary precautions that you can and then proceed to find cover under anything sturdy, this is not a drill. Good luck, and I'll see you all on the other side, Tech Sergeant Exodus signing off."
	Swoop grins at all the ground-based ponies. "Enjoy the ride!"
	Exodus looks up at Swoop. "Bet yah' ten bits you'll get nailed by a falling overhead lamp."
	Hala chuckles lightly, "You did fine, we're here." she looks over at the patients and sighs, "Time to get ready for work..." she listens to the broadcast and sighs, "Forget the wash up, we need to get any of the wounded that can move into safety, I'll get the others."
	Grunt uses his small size to his advantage and takes cover underneath a desk "Duck and cover ponies!"
	Swept_Wing crawls under his Vert.
	The outreaching rocking and shaking of the ground plods ahead, approaching Neighayenne. It picks up just a little more energy before slamming into the Canterlot Ridge. Large rocks are flung from the outcroppings, startling some griffons who are nearby. The ground roars as the shockwave makes its way toward the city...
~~~===End of Chapter 1, Session 2===~~~