Somber #14

    [19:13] <%Somber> 12Where we had left off, the companions had ransacked the labs.  They'd found some coats that would protect them from the robot's numbing cold, an acidic gel that would weaken the robot's armor and repair talisman, and a power distruptor in the utility that would negate the robot's shields for a few seconds.  The clunky disruptor wouldn't do much damage
    [19:15] <%Somber> 12otherwise, but it would allow people to have a chance to do so.  In addition, Night_Wind had undergone a bit of a transformation.  The alicorn's was now electric blue and her mane and body occasionally crackled with electrical discharges.  If she'd been in unity, the Goddess would be churning out thundercorns along side the rest.
    06[19:20] * @Shimmershy frowned as she made her way back towards the room with the robot in it. Pulling the cloak from her bag and beginning to wrap it around herself. "So are we going to kill an unkillable robot or not? I want to get out of here. This place is making me antsy."
    06[19:21] * +Edna_Stonetalon follows Shimershy, coat on and rifle at the ready "I ain't a fan of this place either. Let's kill this uber-bot and get the fuck out of hear"
    06[19:22] * +Swamp_Shadow nods. "Before the air runs out again."
    06[19:22] * +Wanderlust tosses a coat on himself, staying close to Swampy and trying to fight the growing headache he had. "Sounds like the best plan I've heard in a while."
    06[19:23] * +Night_Wind returns to the group after a few minutes of charging up, glowing and now carrying the disruptor. She seems a bit subdued for a glowy alicorn of awesomeness though. "I believe I have found what we need," she says hefting the disruptor in front of her but not making eye contact with Edna.
    06[19:29] * +Edna_Stonetalon ponders for a moment "Right, we hit it with that zapper and Wander floats one of those acid things at it. Then the rest of us light it up. Any questions?"
    06[19:29] * @Shimmershy looks up at the disruptor as a grin spreads across her face. "Wonderful." She trots over to take it and haul it back infront of the door. Laying it down to line up on the robot inside. "I'll handle this part. You all go blast that thing into scrap metal so we can get out of here. I'm not going to be any good punching holes in armor like that, anyway."
    [19:31] <%Somber> 12The levitating robot rises up, chill fog leaking from its freezers as its articulators paw at the air.  The shield crackles to life from the tesla coils atop the fused machine.
    06[19:32] * +Wanderlust puts his rifle away and hefts one of the acid pods in his telekinesis. "I'm ready when you all are."
    [19:33] <%Somber> 12The slimewort oozes it's... well... slime.  Acrid globs drip from its taut skin.
    06[19:34] * +Swamp_Shadow pulls her crossbow, ready to fire, and finds herself feeling a little light headed. "Not now!"
    06[19:34] * +Edna_Stonetalon aims her rifle at the metal monster "Lets do this!"
    06[19:34] * @Shimmershy preps herself, breathing slowly despite the obvious glee on her face, she sticks out her tongue from one side of her mouth just slightly as she lines up and opens fire with the first bolt of disruption.
    06[19:36] * +Night_Wind levitates a few inches above the ground, crackling with energy. "I am ready."
    [19:36] <%Somber> 12The tesla coils on the disruptor's pack crackle as it goes "VreeeeeeeeeEEEEEE-ZRAPK!"  A ball of lightning flashes out and the round shield flickers and dies.
    06[19:37] * +Edna_Stonetalon "Wander hit it!"
    [19:41] <%Somber> 12The huge ball of organic acid wishes awkwardly past the machine... fortunately, it doesn't burst.
    [19:42] <%Somber> 12Wooooosh.... the robots eyes all narrow on Wanderlust.
    06[19:42] * +Wanderlust gulps.
    06[19:43] * +Edna_Stonetalon face talons "How the fuck to you miss something that big Wander?"
    [19:44] <%Somber> 12The robot sprays freezing mist at all of them, the cold washing out across of them.
    06[19:50] * +Night_Wind murmurs, "Let's find out if this thing was hardened against electrical attacks." With that she concentrates, her aura flaring larger and brighter before a lightning bolt blasts out of her slamming into the robot and blackening its armor where it strikes.
    [19:51] <%Somber> 12The robot was NOT, and it let out a mechanical feedback shriek as its eyes flickered wildly.
    06[19:52] * +Edna_Stonetalon fires off a few rounds at the bot
    [19:55] <%Somber> 12The bolts ping off its casing and do some damage, but it's clear the armor was definitely taking the edge off her shots.
    [19:58] <%Somber> 12The arrow strikes the machine and penetrates.  A moment later the machine lets out a crackle and the shimmering field appears once more.  Its legs raise up and start runing repair talismans over the blackended surface, repairing some of the damage inflicted.  "Threat assessment complete.  Level one protocols insufficient.  Activating level two." the robot
    [19:58] <%Somber> 12buzzed as it moved towards the door.
    06[19:59] * +Edna_Stonetalon blink blinks "Fuck"
    06[19:59] * @Shimmershy grumbled in annoyance. "Hey! Wanderlust! Look where you're aiming! This thing's the size of a barn. Surely you can do better than flail randomly at it!" She breathes out again and lines up another shot, firing the disruptor for the second time.
    06[19:59] * +Swamp_Shadow screams "Opening fire!" and lines up her shots.
    [20:00] <%Somber> 12VrrreeeeeeZAP!  The shield flickers and dies.
    06[20:00] * +Wanderlust grumbles back at Shimmershy. "I'm a medic and mechanic dammit! I wasn't trained for this."
    [20:01] <%Somber> 12The swollen green orb smashes against the robot and erupts, spraying the armor with the green goop. It immediately begins to pop and holes start to appear in the pitted metal as the magic slime corrodes its body.
    06[20:03] * +Wanderlust grins as the first explodes on the robot, grabbing another to try and smash that on it as well, but they hard to hold!
    [20:08] <%Somber> 12The robot raises its freezers, but instead of freezing fog, it sprays out a barrage of frozen ice that digs deep into the others, as well as exploding and pinging off the walls around them.
    06[20:14] * +Night_Wind winces as the slivers of ice stab through her armor into her. "Is that how it's going to be? Well fine!" Glowering, she unleashes a full round of shots at the target blowing glowing holes in it.
    06[20:16] * +Edna_Stonetalon groans "I'm adding robots to my list of things I hate bout this place!" firing her rifle, re-loading then firing again
    06[20:22] * +Swamp_Shadow grits her teeth against the cold and fires off two more shots, dinging nicely against the robots armor and even cracking one of its eyes.
    [20:23] <%Somber> 12Energy blasted the machine, bullets bit into its frame, and crossbow bolts punched deep... but the machine waved its repair talismans over itself... this time healing less than the first.  Still, the robot seemed to have lots of fight left in it as its shield reappeared and then it buzzed.  "Level two protocals insufficient.  Activating level three."
    06[20:24] * +Edna_Stonetalon eye twitches "WHY WONT YOU DIE!?!?"
    03[20:24] * FreakSheet ([email protected]) has joined #FalloutEquestriaPnP2
    [20:24] <%Somber> 12The robot, who was never alive in the first place, does not seem intimidated.
    02[20:25] * FreakSheet ([email protected]) Quit (Connection closed)
    06[20:27] * @Shimmershy growled in annoyance. "Someone over-engineered this thing way too much!" She fired another blast from the disruptor. "There's got to be some way to kill it. Hey Night Wind? You're lightning proof, why not electrocute it with one of those big stonking cables?"
    [20:27] <%Somber> 12It was definitely damaged, but it was like fight a bulldozer...
    [20:27] <%Somber> 12And it's shield once more crackled and failed.
    [20:30] <%Somber> 12The second pod splatted against the machine, coating even more and opening up more gaps and holes in its surface.  It was looking pretty bad right now.
    [20:37] <%Somber> 12The robot reaches out with all four of its articulated arms and grabs Swampy.  It points all four freezers against her and she disappears in a massive cloud of frost.  There's a solid thunk and a chunk of ice falls before the robot containing a completely ice covered Swamp shadow.
    06[20:40] * +Night_Wind sees the ice cloud envelop the green mare and cries out, "No! Swampy!" Tears springing to her eyes, she growls, "Now you die!" Her words are a bit more hollow this time though, the tears spoiling her aim so that only one shot hits.
    06[20:40] * +Swamp_Shadow screams as the cold blast hits her, but is quickly silenced.
    06[20:40] * +Edna_Stonetalon "Fuck! Wander help Swampy!" firing off even more shots at the metal monster
    06[20:42] * +Wanderlust just stares at Swampy's frozen form, a look of horror on his face. His whole body feels numb.
    [20:43] <%Somber> 12BOOM!  BOOM!  ZAP!  The robot seemed barely held together, but it does try and put itself back together... a little... as the shield comes back up.  "D...d...deep freeze protocal...e...e...effective...."
    06[20:44] * @Shimmershy growls louder as Swamp Shadow gets frozen. "You fucking bastard! We came all the way down here and saved her Celestia-damned ass and now you go and freeze her like a fucking ice-cube!? Ugh!" She fires off another shot out of anger and frustration. Today was just not a good day for the changeling.
    [20:48] <%Somber> 12It's arms sweep and snap at Edna, one missing, but the other grabbing the griffin and blasting her with all the icy nozzles.   A second later, an icy griffin lands besides an ice covered swampy.
    [20:56] <%Somber> 12the robot buzzes and crackles.  It seems on the verge of being scrapped completely.  "D...d...d...d....deep.... f...f..f..f....f....."
    06[20:57] * @Shimmershy breaths slowly in and out, trying to focus her anger and frustration into another blast. Calm. Hate. Calm. Hate. Calm. Hate. She blasts the robot again. "Someone kill this thing!"
    06[20:58] * +Night_Wind screams as Edna falls covered with frost. "Eddie!" Eyes mad with anger and grief, she unloads into it again, desperate to end this mechanical menace.
    [21:04] <%Somber> 12"No!"  Wanderlust shouts as he clears the gun.  "Die!"  He snaps, blasting the robot.  It crackles, lightning, smoke and freezing mist leaking from it.  "Die!"  Another blast.  "DIE!"  And the final shot blew right through one of the heads of the repair bots and the huge machine veers off to the side.  It smashes into the wall, breaking and popping and
    [21:05] <%Somber> 12finally folding before the extra coils exploded.  The machine let out an anemic hiss of leeking coolant.
    06[21:06] * +Night_Wind races over to Edna as soon as the robot falls dead, and she hugs the tiny griffon against her body, wrapping her wings and cloak around her. "Please don't die on me, Eddie! Please!" Gently she pets the small, cold form, nuzzling her face and whimpering softly. "I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you. I'm so sorry!"
    06[21:07] * @Shimmershy lets out an angry hiss as the machine drops to the ground, her eye twitching slightly as she slowly lets go of the disruptor and takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "MMmmh. The smell of twisted metal. Lovely."
    06[21:10] * +Edna_Stonetalon is frozen
    06[21:11] * +Wanderlust walks over to Swampy, carefully moving her onto his back since his magic couldn't hold her. "We need to get them to cryogenics, I saw something there that might help." He says as he carefully walks back towards the lab.
    [21:12] <%Somber> 12In the cyrogenics lab was a machine besides the tubes holding the broken remains of long frozen mares.  Fortunately, when swampy was inserted, the red glow washed over them.  A minute later, the frost melted away, leaving a very chilled Swamp shadow as she regains conciousness.
    06[21:14] * +Swamp_Shadow lays in the tube, shivering profusely and gasping for breath. After a few moments, she moans and opens her eyes. "Ah can't stay conscious very long, can Ah?"
    06[21:14] * +Wanderlust opens the machine and immediately pulls Swampy into a tight hug, crying softly as he clings to her.
    06[21:14] * @Shimmershy follows along with the others waiting for the acid to get swept away by the pumps. "Hmph. Well at least now we can get the heck out of here, right?" Frowning as the others got themselves revived.
    06[21:15] * +Night_Wind swaps her cloak with Edna's so that at least she's wearing a cloak still warm from body heat rather than covered with frost then she carefully picks the small griffon up in her magic and carries her along to cryogenics.
    [21:20] <%Somber> 12There was a thud from somewhere off in the stable.
    06[21:21] * +Swamp_Shadow hears the thud and her eyes widen. "L-L-Let's get out of here."
    06[21:23] * @Shimmershy looks up at the thud. "That can't be a good sign." She nods in agreement to Swamp. "Let's get the fuck out of here before Gator finds some way in."
    06[21:23] * +Edna_Stonetalon shivers as she climbs out of the tube "I-ice to s-s-see you" hugging Night_Wind. Then going over to Shimmer and hugging her "You d-d-did fantastic"
    06[21:23] * @Shimmershy blinks, backing up at the hug from Edna. "Yeah. Sure. Whatever." She blushed a little bit despite herself.
    06[21:24] * +Night_Wind gives the chill griffon a quick kiss then lifts her up onto her back. "Sit tight. We're getting out of here."
    [21:24] <%Somber> 12When they get to the 4 way, the doors to utilities, biology, and the stairs up have been sealed.  The door in to the arcane science's lab is open, and a cold mist creeps out along the floor.
    06[21:24] * +Wanderlust helps Swampy to her hooves, still sniffling. "Can you walk? I don't mind carrying you."
    06[21:25] * @Shimmershy glances up and down the hall. "That's not good either." She snorts and continues going, keeping the warm cloak on for now.
    06[21:25] * +Swamp_Shadow smiles weakly. "Just let me lean on ya, okay?"
    06[21:27] * +Edna_Stonetalon digs out five healing potions from her bags "Didn't have a chance to give these out"
    06[21:28] * +Night_Wind waves a hoof. "I'll be fine. Wander should use those on you and Swampy."
    06[21:28] * @Shimmershy pauses near the door into the room the robot was guarding, waiting for Edna to take the time to heal herself and their companions. "So, Wanderlust, want to do the honors of smearing a giant blast door with acidic snot?"
    [21:28] <%Somber> 12The sealed door was now open.
    06[21:29] * @Shimmershy peers inside. "Or not. Guess the locals want to talk, finally."
    06[21:29] * +Swamp_Shadow looks up, realizing she has a squirrel kabob in her mouth. "Um, sorry. I was hungry."
    06[21:30] * +Wanderlust cant help but giggle, even if it was strained. "You're something else Swampy." He kisses her on the cheek.
    06[21:32] * +Swamp_Shadow smiles softly. "Let's just get out of here."
    06[21:32] * +Night_Wind chuckles and pokes Swampy lightly. "For shame! You didn't even ask if Eddie wanted some," she teases.
    06[21:35] * +Swamp_Shadow passes one to Edna with a light laugh. "Here ya go, Eddie."
    06[21:35] * +Edna_Stonetalon takes it and eats it down "Thanks"
    06[21:38] * @Shimmershy waves a hoof at the door. "If dinner is done being served, might I suggest moving on to negotiations?" She looks seriously towards Swamp and Edna.
    06[21:39] * +Swamp_Shadow gulps, for the first time in her life she's honestly afraid of going somewhere unknown to her. "Yeah..."
    06[21:39] * +Edna_Stonetalon sniffles a little "I got your back Shimmer"
    [21:39] <%Somber> 12The dark room beyond had strange flickers of light within.
    06[21:40] * @Shimmershy frowns and moves to head through the door as well, ears folded back and keeping her eyes open for more attack robots.
    06[21:40] * +Night_Wind snorts, "I can put up my shield and go first if you prefer."
    [21:40] <+Night_Wind> ...or not.
    06[21:40] * +Edna_Stonetalon follows Shimmer
    [21:42] <%Somber> 12Inside was a large, spacious chamber as big as the atrium above. Tanks of coolant and chilling talismans yanked from the cryogenics lab hissed besides dozens and dozens of gutted terminals arranged in a massive mound.  As they walked through the knee high mist, they felt the clatter of bones underhoof from dessicated, mummified pony flesh.  The massive heap
    [21:43] <%Somber> 12of terminals and electronics flashed diagrams and images.  Cameras set through out the room followed the five as the screens flashed through images of life before the war.
    06[21:44] * +Edna_Stonetalon groans "Creepy ass mad scientist lab"
    06[21:44] * @Shimmershy snorted a little at the feeling of bones and old, dehydrated bodies. She looked more annoyed than grossed out by it. Glaring up at the cameras with a sigh. "We want to leave. We've been told there's a way out through here." She moves slowly around the mound of terminals, careful not to disturb it, looking for said exit.
    06[21:47] * +Night_Wind also addresses the cameras. "We have no interest in disturbing things any more than we already have. We WILL be leaving though, one way or another."
    [21:48] <%Somber> 12The images on the screens flash to become the image of an orange pegasus with a purple mane and eyes.  She sat beside a desk, her hooves folded on the table before her and her eyes tired.  "Attention overmare.  This is Scootaloo, vice president of Stabletec.  If you are hearing this, then the absolute worse has befallen Equestria.  It is up to you to survive,
    [21:50] <%Somber> 12but survival isn't enough.  We need to know what we did wrong.  Why the did war happen like it did.  It's up to you to find a solution... to make certain that wars like this one never happen again.  The answer must be found, and it is up to stable 42 to find it.  You've been given as many research tools as we can and whatever scientific personel we can spare.
    [21:51] <%Somber> 12It's up to you to find the answer.  Naturally, a stable based on reason won't need a much in the way of security.  Find the answer... and when you do, make sure that we never make the same mistake again."
    06[21:53] * +Edna_Stonetalon leans into Night_Wind "I don't like where this is going"
    [21:53] <%Somber> 12The pegasus disappears and the images return showing war sinareos.  "Hoofington Defense."  "Broken Ridge primary defense."  "Megaspell first strike."  "Balefire first strike."  "Hippocampus energy production and distrabution models."  "Griffion first strike."
    [21:54] <%Somber> 12Others showed images of the life before the last war as the computers analyzed... assessed... and did all it could to determine what was the ultimate cause of the last war, and how it could be prevented again."
    06[21:55] * +Night_Wind frowns at the image on the screen. "You do realize you could've just evacuated the Stable personel and used the tech to set up a secure research facility in the ruins above, right? Or if you got really adventurous, you could've linked up with the ponies at Olives. They have some smart ponies there." She sighs and shakes her head at the array of images. "Were emotions even
    06[21:55] * +Night_Wind factored into those scenarios? Was there any study on avoiding combat?"
    06[21:56] * @Shimmershy frowns and snaps her tail. "Spent all of eternity here trying to find that answer if you want. I just want out of here. And if you won't let us leave, then we'll do what it takes to leave." She continues to stalk around the room angrily, looking for that proposed exit.
    06[21:57] * +Edna_Stonetalon starts to poke around the room, looking for the mentioned exit
    [21:58] <%Somber> 12The screens changed.  "Evacuation viability survival calcuation 23%.  Assocation with olives cooperation: 17%.  Final computational processing and assessment with all stable resources: 29% success rate."
    06[21:58] * +Night_Wind reaches out and gently rests a hoof on Shimmer's shoulder, her earlier anger oddly dissipating. "So it all came down to the numbers, huh? Is there something you want from us?"
    06[21:59] * +Swamp_Shadow shutters and sneezes. "But it's safe to go outside now... Well, without the raiders that are probably knocking down your front door.
    [22:02] <%Somber> 12The screens flickered again.  "Probably of data survival to revelant parties in hooves of current principles 14%.  Probability of survival in all other sinareos >10%."
    [22:03] <%Somber> 12"Probability of great war repeat 100%."
    06[22:03] * @Shimmershy sighs quietly and looks up to Night Wind. "Probably." She looks back towards the collection of terminals with a frown. "Conflict happens for a lot of reasons. And continues for even more. Hate, rage, sorrow, loss, revenge, pride, greed, hopes, dreams. All those and more can lead to conflict. I doubt the war was any exception." she snorts in annoyance. "But I don't really
    06[22:03] * @Shimmershy care. The war continued because one side or the other didn't want it to end. Was so desperate they'd rather risk absolute destruction than face losing." She shook her head. "You want us to play courier for your findings to someone who'll look at it? Fine. Not like we've got any other things to do."
    [22:07] <%Somber> 12The screens brought up more scenarios.  "Mutual cease fire.  Zebra surrender.  Equestria surrender.  Probabilty of peace <20 years 0%."
    [22:11] <%Somber> 12Images from across the wasteland, familiar to anyone who had ever seen MASEBS video feeds, showed the wasteland.  More amazingly were pictures from far above what looked like the zebra lands and images from battered and barely recovering zebra settlements and griffon talon bases.
    06[22:11] * +Night_Wind smiles softly at Shimmer then turns and shrugs at the screens, her voice once more taking on its more sophisticated tones. "Really? That sounds rather grim. What do you plan to do about it? For myself, I know at least one mare that was thought lost to this world 200 years ago, a mare who probably thought she would endure torment for centuries more yet who through uncommon
    06[22:11] * +Night_Wind bravery and sacrifice now lives again. I'm willing to trust in her ideals and do better!"
    06[22:13] * @Shimmershy snorts and shakes her head. "So, what, then? We rip out all our minds like you have? Or better yet, just kill every fucking one! If there's no ponies or no zebras or no griffins there's no wars, right?" She growled in frustration. "Two centuries of hate and betrayal and anger swallowed and I still know that's a terrible idea."
    [22:14] <%Somber> 12"New Canterlot Republic war with Lunar Commonwealth: 19 years.  New Canterlot Republic war with Twilight Society: 21 years.  Enclave counterattack.  23 years.  Alliance of Gilda attack on NCR.  24 years.  Zebra megaspell invasion and attack 29 years."  A moment later it flickered "Complete terminaltion of pony, zebra, and griffon life: war in 120 years
    [22:15] <%Somber> 12between dragon clans."
    06[22:15] * +Swamp_Shadow pales. "No... Ah can't believe that."
    06[22:17] * +Edna_Stonetalon rolls her eyes "You fucks factor this into your calculations?" walking up to Night_Wind and pulling her into a kiss
    [22:17] <%Somber> 12"Repeat of great war probability 100%.  Casual probability: 0%."
    [22:18] <%Somber> 12"Interspecies cotial involvement will accelerate war by 24-36 months."
    06[22:18] * +Night_Wind was frowning at the screens and opening her mouth to retort when her head was grabbed, turned to the side, and pressed into a kiss. Her eyes go wide for several seconds before a smile twinkles in them and she pulls Edna into a hug, all pretense at formality dropped for full on snogging.
    06[22:19] * @Shimmershy was, by this point, not even paying attention to the cameras any more. Instead making her way around the edge of the room. "Shady! Where's your head-friend say the exit is?"
    06[22:20] * +Swamp_Shadow points towards the back of the lab. "This way!"
    06[22:22] * +Night_Wind lets the kiss linger on, not seeming to be in any particular hurry to move. Curious.
    [22:22] <%Somber> 12There was a hole punched in the wall of the stable through which several cables snaked.  The conduit beyond angled up, but it would be a tight fit for nightwind.
    06[22:23] * +Edna_Stonetalon holds the kiss for a bit longer before breaking it "Let's get out of here" moving towards the door
    06[22:24] * +Swamp_Shadow shrugs herself off Wanderlust as she heads over to the hole. "Let's go..."
    06[22:25] * @Shimmershy frowns and heads towards that hole. "Equestria survives a thousand fucking years, then two centuries of absolute devastation, loss and misery, finally starts pulling itself back together and they believe it'll fall apart again." She snorts and shakes her head. She does pause briefly and look back at the monitors. "Fine. I'll ask you just once before we go. What do you
    06[22:25] * @Shimmershy suggest doing to stop it?" Not that she expected the answer to be useful, but right now she could use a laugh.
    [22:26] <%Somber> 12"Unknown influence precipitating conflict.  Repeat probability 100%.  Casual probability 100%."
    [22:26] <%Somber> 12The screens show images from Big Mac's funeral.  Riots in zebratown.  Attacks on Hoofington core.  MoM arrest rates.
    06[22:27] * +Edna_Stonetalon catches the last bit out of the corner of her eye "What now? Explain"
    [22:29] <%Somber> 12"Celestia peace overtures success rate calcuated: 84.95%.  Actual peace success rate: 0%.  Princess Luna peace efforts success rate calcuated 53.3%.  Actual peace success rate 0%.  O.I.A. and third party peace attempts calculated success rate 74%.  Actual success rate: 0%.  Calcuated result of Great war annihilation: 1.2%.  Actual result of great war
    [22:29] <%Somber> 12annihilation: 100%."
    [22:30] <%Somber> 12"Probability of casual effects guiding on going Equestrian conflicts: 0.00021%"
    06[22:30] * +Edna_Stonetalon squints, trying to make sense of this "Can you... elaborate?"
    06[22:31] * @Shimmershy rolls her eyes. "Yeah. So what, the stars are cursing Equestria with horrible things so that they can feed on suffering and strife?" She snorts at that prospect in annoyance. "And even so, what are we going to do about it? We can't leave here right now anyway."
    [22:31] <+Swamp_Shadow> "Can we get going? This computer keeps spouting nonsense. If war comes and is unavoidable, then there's no point in use staying down here and dying. Trying and failin' is better than not trying at all."
    06[22:32] * +Swamp_Shadow also turns back towards the hole and tries to look up.
    06[22:33] * +Night_Wind continues holding Edna and lightly nuzzles her head. "I refuse to believe this has all been in vain. A terrible Goddess ended, a warlord was deposed, genocide against the surface averted, and the wasteland was cleansed of radiation and taint despite horrendous odds. Did you predict that? Of course you didn't. The Gardens of Equestria Project was a secret, and who could
    06[22:33] * +Night_Wind predict Littlepip doing all that? If that can happen, then I suspect your calculations are fundamentally flawed."
    [22:34] <%Somber> 12"Probabity of individual heroism 0.21%.  Current heroes affecting wasteland: 1101% greater than casuality.  Unknown influence on Equestrian events."
    [22:35] <%Somber> 12"Patterns abnormal."
    06[22:35] * @Shimmershy groans and shakes her head. "Get to the fucking point or we're leaving. Incase you hadn't noticed, there's not a whole lot of air in this Stable any more. And unlike you, we actually need to breathe."
    06[22:35] * +Night_Wind nods and smiles benevolently at her friends. "Then we shall simply have to be abnormal then, shan't we?"
    [22:36] <%Somber> 12Dozens of images of Little Pip, Blackjack, Silver, Puppysmiles appear.  "Likelihood of emergence of simultaneous heroes in five year time frame 0.21%"
    06[22:37] * +Night_Wind blinks, not recognizing the odd little pink filly in the yellow hazmat suit.
    06[22:38] * +Swamp_Shadow nervously looks up the shaft. "Crap, I can't see too far in there..." she mumbles.
    [22:38] <%Somber> 12A time line appears showing that natural emergence of heroes should be spread out and punctuated.  Instead, they're all clustered up around the last five years.
    06[22:39] * +Edna_Stonetalon "Is there a.... know reason for all these... heroes?"
    06[22:39] * +Swamp_Shadow turns and watches/listens. She doesn't know what all this has to do with anything, but she listens as per Clem's urging.
    06[22:41] * +Night_Wind smiles at the monitors. "It seems you have a mystery on your hooves. Maybe you should send some spritebots out to investigate and gather more data...and while you're at it, maybe save a few people in trouble, direct them where they can do some good. There's a certain dragon I know of that found that tactic useful."
    [22:41] <%Somber> 12"Casual probabilty: 2%.  Outside influence probability 100%."  The images then show little pip killing raiders.  Hundreds dying in fillydelphia.  Thousands in the Enclave attack.  "Death rate 5y +1460% due to conflicts"
    [22:42] <%Somber> 12Images of spike appears in his cave. "Watcher influence appraised at 2%.  Unlikely source of outside influence.  Stable interference= observable effect calculation 0%"
    06[22:44] * @Shimmershy groans and sighs, rubbing her face. "So something which wants lots and lots of ponies and zebras dead is riling up heroes to kill people for their own ends? Is that seriously what you're suggesting?"
    06[22:44] * +Night_Wind shrugs, her earlier rougher tone coming out. "Maybe Harmony was just tired of getting kicked in the nuts and decided to kick back with a love & friendship buck to the face?"
    [22:49] <+Edna_Stonetalon> "Where is this outside influence?"
    [22:49] <%Somber> 12Figures show projected recovery after the war.  by 50 years, the radiation should have cleared.  By 100, there should have been a recovery of ponies all across the wasteland.  The elements of harmony should have been found and guardians reactivated with spikes help 150 years ago.
    [22:49] <%Somber> 12All the screens flash the word "UNKNOWN"
    [22:49] <+Edna_Stonetalon> "Best guess"
    [22:50] <%Somber> 12It shows a map of equestria, then zooms in to the appleanta region.
    06[22:50] * @Shimmershy snorts. "So maybe whatever it was that was impeding the surfacing of heroes was done away with by someone else you don't know about so you're getting them all now." She shrugged a little bit. "I don't see how any of this is something we can do anything about right now." She frowns but continues watching anyway.
    06[22:50] * +Edna_Stonetalon sighs "I thought as much"
    [22:51] <%Somber> 12"Outside influence elimination probability 0.002%.  No recorded events as such."
    [22:52] <+Edna_Stonetalon> "Probability of the... outside influence being in the Applanta tower?"
    [22:52] <%Somber> 12"56.2% calculated.  Actual unknown."
    06[22:52] * +Night_Wind blinks. "Oh goody, so if I get what you're sayin' we're right near shitstorm central? Damn, I wish I had my Enclave armor still...and the skill to be awesome with it."
    06[22:53] * +Edna_Stonetalon groans "I am definitely not getting paid enough."
    [22:53] <%Somber> 12"Current Night_Wind awesomeness calculated at 120%."
    06[22:53] * +Edna_Stonetalon blink blinks "Wat"
    06[22:54] * +Swamp_Shadow huffs angrily. Then let us outta here so we can start trying to get help to stop the big bad things, okay?"
    06[22:54] * +Night_Wind blushes a little at the compliment. "Uh...thanks?" she shrugs at her friends.
    06[22:54] * @Shimmershy sighs and shakes her head, frowning. "We'll have to find a way into the center of the city eventually then. First, though, we need to stop a Changeling Queen from destroying two of the very few surviving settlements in Appleanta and stop a mad mare from infecting and enslaving everyone with mutant tape worms."
    [22:55] <%Somber> 12"Projected futures..." and it shows a way rising and falling and rising again sharply.  "Projected future population without outside influence."  And it showed a mostly positive climb.
    06[22:55] * +Edna_Stonetalon "Right lets get out of hear" walking to the opening, waiting for the others to leave
    [22:56] <%Somber> 12"Changling influence 0%.  Changlings extinct per MAS megaspell 'Bugzapper'."
    06[22:56] * +Night_Wind nods sharply at Shimmer, tone shifting again. "Quite correct, Shimmer dear. Let's be off. Ta-ta, Stable 42!"
    06[22:57] * +Swamp_Shadow looks back at Shimmershy. "Uh... Shimmer?"
    06[22:59] * @Shimmershy frowns and glares at the terminal. "I'm not fucking extinct!" One of her eyes twitches. "Black blooded strangers coming from Solace trying to destroy Spark Town's generator, just after Solace finds Celestia returned, when the Alicorns don't come in white, and being driven up into a frenzy of hate and violence?" She snorts and shakes her head. "Nevermind. Let's just get
    06[22:59] * @Shimmershy out of here." She turned to follow the others out, sparing only a brief glance back. "You'd better get yourself checked out. Changelings are definitely not extinct."
    06[23:01] * +Night_Wind turns to the monitors again adding, "Fortunately she's one of the heroes. She's just...been having a rough week. We'll get her fixed right up soon though! I'm quite looking forwards to it!"
    [23:02] <%Somber> 12The screens suddenly show an image of a lab with several changelings chained to the floor and Twilight Sparkle standing before her with unicorns behind her.  A metal brace covered her mouth.  "Well Crystalis.  I have good news and bad news.  The bad news is we still haven't found a way to convince you and your... children... to help Princess Luna."  Then
    [23:03] <%Somber> 12twilight smiled coolly.  "The good news is that it doesn't matter anymore."  Twilight slowly back away with a sure smile as the unicorns surround her.  "We've found a way to neutralize your shapeshifting powers.  From now on you'll have to live out in the open like the rest of us."
    [23:05] <%Somber> 12As Twilight looks on, the unicorns surround the struggling Crystalis and their horns begin to glow.  protective magical shields surround all the unicorns.  Crystalis' struggles become more terrified and frantic.  Then there's blinding flash and a scream fills the room.  When it disappates, Twilight looks on as Crystalis' body begins to undulate and writhe and
    [23:07] <%Somber> 12with a burst of green gore, explodes.  The other changelings follow suit, and the screen goes to other changelings in holding cells also exploding and liquifying.  The unicorns scream in horror and shock and Twilight looks on with a strange, blank expression.  "Oh well," she said as she turned towards the door.  "I guess I'll have to write a letter to the
    [23:07] <%Somber> 12princess that Bugzapper didn't work out as I'd hoped."
    06[23:08] * +Swamp_Shadow sees the gorey explosions and turns away, her eyes wide in terror.
    06[23:08] * @Shimmershy twitches her ear slightly at the mention of Crystalis, looking back quietly a few moments before shaking her head, she muttered under her breath quietly. "... Yeah, doesn't mention how much it bloody well hurts..." Looking up as the display continued with a frown, wincing as Crysalis exploded into gore. "Urgh." She shook her head, looking down. "Whatever. Let's just go."
    06[23:08] * +Night_Wind frowns at the scene. "Well, that was simply horrible. I think the usefulness of us staying here has ended. Really, let's go, shall we?"
    06[23:10] * +Edna_Stonetalon cringes "Yeah, lets go" staying by the opening to make sure everyone left
    [23:11] <%Somber> 12The screens seem frantic to convince you of something but it doesn't know how.  It shows graphs and charts and simulations and video recordings almost too fast to follow.
    06[23:12] * @Shimmershy groans and pauses, looking back at the screens with a sigh. "What? You know words. Use them."
    06[23:12] * +Edna_Stonetalon stops "Use small words"
    06[23:15] * +Night_Wind sighs at the spastic flickering of images. "If you have some wisdom to impart..."
    [23:15] <%Somber> 12The flashing stops and the monitors go dark.  Then one comes alive and it shows a young mare struggling to breathe through an air tank.  "All the algorythems are... are working.  It's not a crusader... but... but it should... should find the answer.  The Great War... s...shouldn't have happened.  We've go...got to find out why... an... and how... how we can
    [23:17] <%Somber> 12prevent another from happening.  T...that's what scootaloo wanted...  to find the... the answer... to no more... war..."  She slumped and the mask fell off.  The mare coughed, struggled for it, and then collapsed amid all the other still ponies of the stable. "Find the... answer..."
    06[23:18] * +Edna_Stonetalon "It wants us to find the "unknown influence" and stop it"
    06[23:18] * +Swamp_Shadow swallows and nods. "Guys. Clem says we gotta find stop whatever's in Appleanta.
    06[23:18] * @Shimmershy frowns and groans. "Yeah. We got that part. So what did you find? You've told us lots of interesting information, and a reason to go looking for this influence." She sighs. "Yeah, like that wasn't already obvious."
    [23:20] <%Somber> 12A list of litterally thousands of groups across the wasteland, zebra lands, griffon lands, and enclave pop up with organizations.  It seems they haven't been able to find the answer yet.
    06[23:20] * +Night_Wind sniffs daintily. "I was already intending to go into Appleanta once we were properly prepared."
    06[23:20] * +Swamp_Shadow looks down at Wander's Pipbuck. "Could we bring your data to Olives on Wander's Pipbuck?"
    06[23:21] * +Edna_Stonetalon sneezes "Don't a way to kill a young dragon quickly do you?"
    [23:22] <+Swamp_Shadow> "Maybe they can figure out some more stuff? They're led by a Twilight Sparkle clone, after all."
    06[23:22] * @Shimmershy looks down somberly, before nodding to Night Wind. "I have... Something I need to find out there." She didn't look very happy about it.
    [23:22] <%Somber> 12"Data exceed pipbuck capacity 11500%.  If Stable information = known, chance for answer calculation: 0%".
    06[23:23] * @Shimmershy snorts. "Then we'll just have to find the answer when we find this 'outside influence' won't we? Not like we're going to walk away from something like that anyway.
    [23:23] <@Shimmershy> "
    [23:24] <%Somber> 12The screen goes blank.  Then it shows an elipsis, then... "Thank you."
    06[23:24] * +Swamp_Shadow looks at the screen, puzzled. "So that was interesting."
    [23:25] <%Somber> 12"Probabily of wastelander assistance 0.011%."
    06[23:26] * @Shimmershy shook her head. "You can thank us when we find what's causing this." She grins toothily with a laugh. "And that just depends on what Wastelanders you ask. With a group like us, that's probably 100%."
    06[23:26] * +Edna_Stonetalon motions for the others to start leaving "Let's get going"
    06[23:27] * +Night_Wind nods to the screens then waves to the exit. "I believe we have a wasteland to save. Somehow." She shakes her head chuckling at the audacity of it, daring to try to walk in the footsteps of amazing ponies like Littlepip and Blackjack...and yet...perhaps there's something to that. "Yes...yes, let's do that," she murmurs as a small smile appears on her lips. "Let's get
    06[23:27] * +Night_Wind dangerous."
    [23:29] <%Somber> 12The monitors point to a small garbage can in the corner of the room.
    06[23:29] * @Shimmershy turns in that direction with a frown, heading over to check the garbage can just to see what was in it. Who knows, it might be worth it.
    06[23:29] * +Edna_Stonetalon "I'll help" striking a dramatic pose "For I am the terror that flaps in the night!" laughing as she walks towards the door
    [23:29] <%Somber> 12Making dozens of arrows and showing the garbage can with arrows surrounding it.
    06[23:30] * +Swamp_Shadow goes to check out the garbage can, wary of tentacle monsters.
    06[23:32] * +Swamp_Shadow gasps and her jaw drops at the sight of a garbage can full of bottle caps.
    06[23:33] * +Swamp_Shadow finally finds her voice. "Guys... That's a lot of caps!"
    06[23:33] * +Edna_Stonetalon "Grab it and let's go"
    06[23:33] * +Night_Wind grins at Edna. "I love that griffon so much!" she laughs...only to be caught with her jaw hanging. "That...that is a lot of caps."
    [23:34] <%Somber> 12The screens return to their endless calculation.
    06[23:34] * @Shimmershy whistles appreciatvely. "Well if nothing else this'll help us fund our expedition." She grins. "Now let's go." Collecting the bottle caps before heading after the others up the shaft.
    02[23:35] * +Swamp_Shadow ([email protected]) Quit (Connection closed)
    03[23:35] * Aria ([email protected]) has joined #FalloutEquestriaPnP2
    [23:37] <%Somber> 12The conduit goes on... and on... and on... and on... and on... every now and then turning 90 degrees.  Finally it reaches a vertical shaft and a heavy door.  A camera watches them from above it, and pops it open with a solid thunk of the lock disengaging."
    06[23:38] * Aria waves back after they step through the door. "Thanks. Ah'll try to take care of Clem for y'all."
    06[23:39] * +Edna_Stonetalon lingers in the room for a moment after the others have left, then runs to catch up
    06[23:39] * @Shimmershy takes a deep breath of outside air once the door was open, sighing briefly. "Glad to be out of that place. We really do have to help. We're the only ones who seem to have any idea what's going on." She frowns. "And I doubt anyone will believe us, either." Snorting in irritation at that.
    03[23:41] * Aria is now known as Swamp_Shadow
    [23:45] <%Somber> 12The door opened on to the roof of a large concrete building.  The swamp stretched off to the east, the MAS tower to the north west.  They'd left the swamp by going completely under it.
    06[23:46] * +Night_Wind points East. "Let's not go that way again. Just saying."
    06[23:47] * +Edna_Stonetalon blink blinks "Hmmm.... hey Wanderlust. Mark this spot on your pipbuck"
    06[23:48] * Swamp_Shadow sighs. "Yeah. Let's just get to Olives. Maybe they can help figure out a way to help Clem talk. Ah'm no good at charades."
    06[23:48] * @Shimmershy grunts and stretches her legs a few moments. "Good. Glad to be out of there, and the swamp. Heh. Maybe Gator will try to set up camp around the door, waste a few days trying to get to us." She grins a little menacingly. "Yeah. Olives..." She lowers her head and flattens her ears, closing her eyes. "And help..."
    06[23:49] * Swamp_Shadow grunts, gripping her shoulder. "Ow... I feel weird."
    06[23:51] * +Night_Wind nods rubbing her chin a moment in thought. "Good thought, Eddie...assuming the PipBuck didn't already mark it. We may wish to return and perhaps even some time later we might set up a tightbeam transmitter pointed at Olives. They could communicate without revealing their exact location, and Olives isn't exactly prone to exploration."
    [23:52] <%Somber> 12The large concrete building looked like it was some kind of Stable Tec regional office.  The dishes and antennas on the top were anything but standard broadcasting fare though.  It was dark though, and after walking for miles in poor air, lots of folks were exausted.  Fortunately the top floor offices were intact and from the matresses drug in, they'd been
    [23:52] <%Somber> 12used as shelters before.  Nopony in there now.
    06[23:53] * +Edna_Stonetalon climbs up onto Fumbles back, laying down and snuggling into her mane "When to you think that crazy potion will where off?"
    06[23:54] * @Shimmershy yawns and stretches. "Mmmh. Looks like a nice place to lay down for a few hours sleep at least." She pauses to look at Swamp Shadow curiously.
    06[23:55] * +Night_Wind cranes her head around to stare at the griffon on her back and blinks uncertainly. "I...I don't know. Ah, Eddie...what if...what if it never does? I was already a freak before, but now..."
    06[23:56] * Swamp_Shadow lays down, breathing heavily as her left foreleg and face start to itch. "Guys..."
    [23:57] <%Somber> 12Something looks wrong.  There's black lines starting to radiate along her forehoof and the side of her head.
    06[23:58] * +Edna_Stonetalon nuzzle her "I kinda like it. Makes you stand out and the color is sexy on you"
    06[23:59] * Swamp_Shadow grunts. "Mah leg... What's wrong with my leg, Clem... And mah face!"
    06[23:59] * @Shimmershy blinks a few moments with a frown. "Maybe you got infected by the technology?" She tilts her head to one side with a frown. "No idea."
    Session Time: Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 2013
    06[00:00] * +Edna_Stonetalon gives Swamp_Shadow a sideways glance "You alright Swamp Thang?"
    [00:00] <%Somber> 12Black sores begin opening in her skin... the black ooze of phage begining to seep slowly from the holes.
    06[00:00] * Swamp_Shadow gasps. "Phage..."
    06[00:01] * @Shimmershy blanches and backs away from Swamp Shadow at that.
    06[00:02] * +Edna_Stonetalon jumps "Holy fuck! Wanderlust! Something is happening with Swampy!"
    [00:03] <Swamp_Shadow> "Wander's Pipbuck! Clem says connect mah brain to his Pipbuck!" she screams as the pain starts to get even worse.
    [00:04] <%Somber> 12Wanderlust stops short of Swampy, frowning in his focus as he levitates her foreleg.  The limb appears to be rotting off before his eyes.  "No... no no no... I had you frozen before my eyes.  I am NOT going to have you rot."  He blinked in confusion, then his eyes widened.  "Of course.  if it can made those connections..." he levitated the cable to his
    06[00:04] * +Wanderlust hurries to her side, starting to panic as he tries to figure out what in the world could be causing that. He fumbles with his pipbuck to do as it said. "Please be okay Swampy!" He whimpers, not wanting to lose her.
    [00:04] <%Somber> 12pipbuck.
    06[00:05] * +Night_Wind blushes at Edna's compliment but the pleasure is short lived as she turns to frown worriedly at Swampy's odd condition. "That...should not be happening..."
    06[00:07] * @Shimmershy winces and swallows nervously. Even hate and rage were hard to hold up when one of your friends was in actual, mortal danger and you couldn't do anything to help.
    06[00:08] * Swamp_Shadow writhes on the ground in pain as terror starts to grip her.
    06[00:10] * +Wanderlust pulls her close and tries to hold her firmly. "It's going to be alright. Just relax, it'll all be alright." He says in a shaky voice, nuzzling her cheek as he does so.
    06[00:11] * @Shimmershy frowns. "C'mon Wanderlust! You're a mechanic, right!? Do something with your PipBuck. Clem said it'd help, so don't just sit there!"
    06[00:14] * +Wanderlust fiddles with it, still holding her tight, trying to figure out some way the implant might be able to help. He finds a repair setting and turns it to maximum and prays that it does what he hopes it does.
    [00:16] <%Somber> 12Suddenly the implant beside her head flares and a light appears in the seeping holes.  It spurts out of her body, the diseased flesh sloughing off.  Beneath it, however, was metal that shoved the phage corrupted flesh away.  Finally the pain subsided, but when it ended, Swampy's front limb was suddenly covered with metal.
    06[00:17] * +Edna_Stonetalon sits slack jawed, starring at Swampy
    06[00:18] * Swamp_Shadow lays in Wanderlust's forehooves, crying and panting as metal starts to appear around her eye and regows a forest green ear, slightly darker than her normal coat color.
    06[00:19] * +Night_Wind blinks. "Well...that's certainly different."
    06[00:19] * @Shimmershy winces a little bit at the sight of Swampy's repairing body. "Ugh. Creepy."
    06[00:19] * +Wanderlust refuses to let her go, holding her tight and hoping that he hadn't just killed her. Watching the flesh just fall from her body was more than a little distressing.
    [00:20] <%Somber> 12She seemed stable... if... more metallic.
    06[00:20] * +Edna_Stonetalon snaps out of her daze "We need to get to Olives now!"
    02[00:21] * +Edna_Stonetalon ([email protected]) Quit (Connection closed)
    06[00:22] * Swamp_Shadow finally opens her eyes, the cybernetic left eye slightly glowing blue, and continues taking deep breaths. "She... she saved me. She purged the Phage." Then she feels her missing ear suddenly move and lifts her metallic hoof to her head.
    06[00:22] * Swamp_Shadow sees her dark green, robotic leg and starts screaming. "Ah! Ahhhhh! Ahhhhhhh!"
    06[00:22] * @Shimmershy groans. "Let's at least wait until morning. It's not like we'll make it that far tonight anyway." She snorts in annoyance. "Ugh." She tilts her head to Swampy's comments. "What? Clem found a way to stop the Phage?"
    03[00:22] * Edna_Stonetalon ([email protected]) has joined #FalloutEquestriaPnP2
    06[00:24] * +Wanderlust pulls her close and nuzzles her. "You're fine! It's okay Swampy, I promise you're just fine! Trust me, please!" He whispers loudly into her non-metal ear.
    06[00:25] * +Night_Wind sighs, "It's dark, Eddie, and rather a long distance. It's probably safer to wait here for the night then proceed at dawn. If Eddie is in immediate danger, it's unlikely we can get her there in time, though I'd be willing to try teleporting. I'm feeling...stronger lately. Still, I'm not sure I can make it the entire distance, and there are dangers in the dark."
    03[00:25] * Somber sets mode: +v Edna_Stonetalon
    06[00:26] * +Edna_Stonetalon stammers "But... what the fuck just happened to Swampy? She needs to get looked at proper"
    06[00:26] * Swamp_Shadow stops screaming and just holds Wander, crying as she tries to process what just happened to her.
    06[00:28] * +Wanderlust nuzzles her again, wishing he could be as confident as he sounded about the safety of what just happened. "I think that was how, um, "clem" saved you. But it worked, you're alive, that's what matters."
    06[00:29] * @Shimmershy frowns and turns away, sighing quietly. "We'll deal with that tomorrow, Edna." She stalks off to find a bed to flop down on. One more day. Just one more day.
    06[00:30] * +Edna_Stonetalon sighs "If you say so. Let's find some where to bed down for the night"
    06[00:30] * Swamp_Shadow opens her eyes again. "Does it look bad?"
    06[00:32] * +Wanderlust manages a genuine smile. "You're still the prettiest mare in the wasteland."
    06[00:34] * +Night_Wind pulls Edna into a hug. "Leave them time to be together. Shimmer, would you like to bed down over here? I do have two wings, you know," she says laying one across Eddie and raising her eyebrows.
    06[00:35] * Swamp_Shadow buries her head in Wander's chest and holds him tight.
    06[00:35] * @Shimmershy frowns, "I'll be fine." She curls up on one of the mattresses alone. She'd need a massive dose of something to get back to normal, and right now didn't want to risk hurting her friends in her sleep.
    06[00:37] * +Edna_Stonetalon sighs and goes to curl up with Shimmer "It isn't what you need but maybe a little cuddling will help" cuddling up with the grumpy changeling
    06[00:38] * @Shimmershy sighs quietly and lets out an annoyed snort, but doesn't protest, she even snuggles a little into the wing.
    06[00:39] * +Wanderlust clings to Swampy as if she'll float away if he doesn't hold on to her.
    02[00:39] * %Somber ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
    06[00:39] * +Night_Wind settles down on the other side of Shimmer and stretches a large wing across both of them. Because being a gigantic freaky pony has to have some advantages.