FoE PNP Flashpoint Session 1

Flashpoint 1: Our Last Moments of Peace
[07:07] * Scoots|Octy | Neighayenne. Set in the valley of the Canterlot Ridge, this near city has been one of the calmest ports in these difficult times. The population, a little under 18,000, are all relatively happy and content individuals. Neighayenne has drawn many types of ponies to it, as well as griffons and some zebras. Agriculture is the primary driving force of the economy, and the attitude
[07:07] * Scoots|Octy of the townsponies is basically laid back. That has been challenged with an unusual increase of patrols, especially guards from Canterlot as more and more talk of increased hositilities is being rumored about. But, today, on this Sunny summer afternoon, aside from the concern of the increased guards, life as normal is continuing
[07:08] * Scoots|Octy | Behind closed doors, however, a meeting is going to begin in one hour, to assess the present situation and determine the best course of action. Welcome to your home, everypony. Let us begin.
[07:11] * Sledgehammer awakens in his room. Going through the same routine he's gone through a million times before. Wake up, Shower, brushmane, brush teeth, cook breakfast, and eat. It was kind of a boring routine, but it beat the alernative he considered as he stepped out the door and headed for work.
[07:13] * Scoots|Octy | A sentry of guards is standing near the entrance to Stable 59, helping to see to the slow entrant of the ponies and griffons that have been selected to enter the Stable-Tec designed shelter under the auspices of getting familiar with the working of the facility and locating the assigned rooms for all those who are being let in. "Keep moving along, please; you will be seen by the
[07:13] * Scoots|Octy Stable-Tec admittance worker and allowed to enter in the order you entered the line."
[07:15] * Sledgehammer smiles to himself as he passes the Gathering of folks to the stable. He was proud of the work on those stables. Though he hadn't designed or even worked on them...other then a day he was called into do some spot welding since one of their workers had called it a day off. None the less he had often busied himself trying to workout the amount of force neccesary to break into one of those sealed time capsules.
[07:15] * Grunt is patrolling around town, making sure the efforts to load the shelter are peaceful and nopony starts a riot.
[07:17] * Swoop has been up for the past three hours inspecting her and her brother, Swept Wing's Vertibuck. It's not that she was tech enough to know how to fix it if there was a problem, but being a pilot meant knowing your ship inside and out. All of it's quirks, shakes and noises. Swoop like to think she had a very good working relationship with her Vert, and took great pains to keep it that way.
[07:19] * Scoots|Octy | Lieutenant Current came tromping out of the administrator's office, looking a combination between pissed and having been yelled down into the floor. "SWOOP! Front and center, you worthless pile of wings!"
[07:21] * Swoop sat upon a maintenance gantry hanging above the port engine, who's armored covering was pulled away so she could inspect the machinery. Part of basic pilot training was maintenance for engines, and she knew what troubles to look for. She was carefully inspecting a seal when she heard her leutenant bark out her name. "YES MA'AM!" She quickly stood and glided to a perfect landing in front of the officer, snapping out a salute.
[07:22] * Scoots|Octy | The stallion fixed the pegasus pilot with a gaze, saying "When did my gender change today? WHEN, soldier?"
[07:22] * Swoop blushed, forgetting she wasn't in Miramare anymore. "Sorry, sir. Force of habit, sir."
[07:23] * Silver_Lining slips out of her bedroll lazily and yawns. It wasn't the most comfortable situation, sleeping on the side of the road with no home to go to, but there were others worse off.
[07:23] * Silver_Lining quickly packs her few belongings into her saddle bag, humming to herself as she looks around to see another lovely summer day. With a smile on her lips and a happy swing to her gait, she sets out, taking a walk around Neighayenne.
[07:24] * Scoots|Octy sighed softly. "Well, about bucking time you recognized me in my proper gender, don't you think, Miss Swoop! What's the status of the aircraft?"
[07:24] * Sledgehammer looks about to see how much further it was to the MWT headquarters and picks up  the pace to get there.
[07:25] <+Swoop> "The Vertibuck is in prime condition, sir. She's ready to lift anytime you say so."
[07:25] * Scoots|Octy | The line of ponies walking into the Stable starts to decline, reducing from the hundreds down to the tens, still leaving quite a few ponies and griffons to enter the facility. One of the guards sighs as he sees a familiar griffon walking up. "Oh, crap...here comes the Mayor..."
[07:26] * Scoots|Octy nods to Swoop, and then says "And what in the actual fuck are you still doing here, flymare? Weren't you supposed to be off base an hour ago?"
[07:27] * Swoop winced. "I know, sir. It's just... I wanted to do one last inspection. You never know when we're going to be needed, and I wanted to be sure Swept and I could just hop in and go. On your order, that is, sir."
[07:27] * Sledgehammer pauses midstep. The mayor?...He'd never seen the mayor...He figures what the hell and stops for a time to catch a look.
[07:28] * Grunt approaches Sledgehammer "Need directions Citizen?" he asks
[07:29] * Scoots|Octy bristles, looking at Swoop. "Well, that's just dandy! Did it ever occur to you to read the assignment roster this morning? You're supposed to be meeting the Mayor, fifteen minutes ago, at City Hall. Where is your brother, anyway?"
[07:29] <+Sledgehammer> "No...actually I was just on my way to work...,but I heard the Mayor is making an appearance..."
[07:29] * Swoop sighed and hung her head. She never was any good at keeping schedules. "He's probably already there, sir. I'll get moving right away."
[07:29] * Sledgehammer stiffened a bit as he spotted the soldier. He was always a little nervous around soldiers at first.
[07:30] * Silver_Lining 's stomach rumbles. She blinks and quirks her head, feeling a bit peckish having not eaten yet today, and looks around for a food stand, or cheap restaurant, in the area.
[07:31] * Scoots|Octy | Mayor Razorheart slowly moves his was through the crowd, a smile on his face as he approaches the Canterlot and Neighayenne guards that are helping to lead the occupants into the Stable. "Well, good morning, everypony. Glad to see that all is in order. Has anypony seen Lieutenant Current and the pilots that were supposed to meet us here for the briefing this morning?" His red
[07:31] * Scoots|Octy mane drifts softly as a breeze slices through the air gently.
[07:31] <+Grunt> "Well, if you know where you're going, move along. Don't want anypony interfering with the test run today."
[07:32] <+Sledgehammer> (Is the mayor a pegasus, unicorn, or EP? )
[07:32] * Scoots|Octy snorts, saying "You're in luck, technician. I get to go with you. Doesn't that sound like a bundle of fun, hmm?!"
[07:33] <+Sledgehammer> "huh...so that's the mayor..."
[07:34] * Swoop mutters under her breath, "swell," then quickly adds, louder, "sir!"
[07:35] * Sledgehammer nods to Grunt. "Alright I'll just get moving along then."
[07:35] * Sledgehammer heads for his employment...he had important work to do on checking the structural intergrity of some of the new armor frame designs.
[07:35] * Scoots|Octy looks down to a small colt, clutching to his mother's hooves. "Mister Mayor, sir, is everything going to be okay? I'm scared." The colt couldn't have been more then 5, bright eyed and curious. Swiftlance's feathers bristled for a second. "Yes, my dear, it'll all be fine. This is just a test to make sure you know where everything is inside the Stable. There's nothing to be afraid of."
[07:37] * Scoots|Octy | <Current> "Well, what are you waiting for, Hearth's Warming? Get your brother and let's get going already!"
[07:38] * Swoop snaps out a salute, then trots away quickly. In all honesty, she had no idea where he was. She'd have to search his normal hangouts... AFTER closing up the engine compartment.
[07:39] * Scoots|Octy | <Guard Pony>  "Grunt...there a problem with the civilians?" 15 The unicorn stallion looked between the two that had just been speaking, curious at to what it was all about.
[07:40] * Sledgehammer hadn't stopped for too long and thus was likely out of ear range of that little exchange.
[07:41] * Silver_Lining is still wandering around the down, looking for something to eat!
[07:42] * Grunt shakes his head "No problems. Just got a little curious at seeing the mayor it seems. I got him out of his stupor."
[07:43] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor> has set out his wares for the day, freshly baked bread with spices from the many farms in the area. He smiles as the steam slowly rises from the loaves.  "Ahh, another successful bake!"
[07:45] * Sledgehammer considers stopping by the food vendor to pick up a loaf of bread...He was running low back home.
[07:45] * Scoots|Octy | <Guard Pony>  "Ah. Well, just keep an eye out while we finish helping get the ponies and griffons into the Stable. Then you need to go with the Mayor, as for some reason you've been selected to meet with him."
[07:47] * Silver_Lining smiles and licks her lips, trotting over to the food vendor. "Hello!" she giggles in a sing-song voice, looking over his cart. "How much for a loaf?"
[07:47] * Grunt bristles a bit "Yeah. Why they called me I have no idea." he smiles a bit "I'm sure 33rd Heavy Ordnace is having a blast, hopefully they'll have some stories to share when I get back."
[07:47] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor>  "That will be 3 bits per, or 3 for 10 for each loaf."
[07:48] * Scoots|Octy | These loaves are small, circular in shape. A pony could easily hold it in their hoof.
[07:49] <+Sledgehammer> "3 for 10 is more expensive" he blinks.
[07:51] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor> turns to the approaching unicorn and frowns.  "I don't think it is. I normally charge 12 bits for 3, but with all of the rumors I keep hearing..."
[07:52] <+Sledgehammer> "no no no I mean. You said 3 bits for 1...or 10 bits for 3 loaves."
[07:53] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart> turns to one of the guards, whispering  "How long until they're all inside?"  The guard pales, saying "Maybe 25-30 minutes. Then half of us, most of the Neighayenne guards, will go in to provide security.
[07:53] * Silver_Lining listens to the exchange and nods in agreement with Sledgehammer.
[07:56] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor>  "Yes, that's what I said. I would be...flexible to drop the price by one bit, but no more than that. These goods aren't easy to come by."
[07:56] <+Sledgehammer> "uhh...right I'll just buy the one loaf then."
[07:58] * Silver_Lining shrugs, pulling out three bits for the vendor. "Thank you much! One would be fine."
[07:58] * Sledgehammer fishes around for a few bits and floats them out.
[07:58] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart> sighs.  "All right. As soon as they are in, issue the command to seal the door. Then get back to your stationed posts."
[07:59] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor> says  3"That'll be 6 bits between the two of you."
[07:59] <+Sledgehammer> "There is my 3 and there is the lovely ladies 3"
[08:00] * Grunt salutes "As ordered sir." He puts his hoof down and continues patrolling
[08:02] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart>  "Ahh, Mister Grunt, yes? Good. As soon as they are done, you will come with me. Have you seen a tan Unicorn at all, I believe that he was supposed to be joining us?"
[08:03] * Sledgehammer is a Tan Unicorn. Who might not have recieved the news he was supposed to be meeting with anyone.
[08:03] * Grunt blinks "A t-tan unicorn you say? Yes, I might have seen one before." he gulps "Would you like to get him sir?"
[08:03] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor>  "Thank you for your purchase! Have a good day."  He acts a little skiddish after that, looking around, up and to the sides every few moments. He then spots Hala, who is going about their business at the end of the walkway.  "HEY! You, zebra! Get away from that stall!"
[08:04] * Swoop searches high and low for her lost sibling. "Wasn't at the officer's club, wasn't at the PC or the barracks... maybe he really did head to the meeting. Shit! I'd better get moving!!" She quickly lifts off and flies as fast as her over-large wings can carry her.
[08:04] * Sledgehammer looks over. "Well lookie there..." He says with a little surprise. It is a zebra huh..
[08:04] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor>  "Security! Security, it's one of the Striped!!"
[08:05] * Hala jerks slightly, her cloak shifting to reveal her combat medic badge sewn to the standard issue uniform, "Oh, sorry... I
[08:05] * Silver_Lining 's smile turns to a slight frown at the vendor's berating of the zebra. "Hey!" She shakes her head at the vendor. "Leave her alone! She didn't do anything, did she?"
[08:06] * Hala squeaks despite her size, "No... I'm..."
[08:06] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart>  "Please do, it's very important that he be there at the briefing. I want to make sure I get all of the opinions I can have before I decide."
[08:07] * Grunt salutes again "Yes sir!" he trots off looking for the unicorn he shoo'ed off before
[08:07] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor>  "No, but her whole damn race has! Big Macintosh gunned down, hundred of troops killed, and those striped bastards keep coming for more and more blood. You're not wanted here, you pests, go back to the backwater country you came from!"
[08:07] <+Sledgehammer> "Hey I recognize that logo." He notes the medic emblem.
[08:08] <+Sledgehammer> "Hey twitchy. Look at the emblem before you judge. she's one of ours." He tabs the bakers shoulder and points that out.
[08:08] * Grunt notes the commotion and reckons that he should investigate
[08:09] * Hala slips a bit, a prototype of the pip-buck is attached to get right foreleg
[08:09] * Grunt approaches the scene, keeping his battle saddle primmed "There a problem here?"
[08:09] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor> snarls for a second, looking very irritated.  "I don't care. Citizens or not, they're still striped and still can't change. Not even the Mayor could convince me they're even pony-like."
[08:09] <+Sledgehammer> "Not Citizen one of our soldiers you putz."
[08:10] <+Hala> Redact previous post
[08:10] <+Sledgehammer> "You know putting their lives on the line so we can be safe."  He didn't really buy into a lot of that lot...,but he didn't really enjoy seeing ponies mistreated for stupid reasons.
[08:11] * Swoop streaks over the town proper, checking her pip-buck for the rondevous point. "Where the hell is it... I knew I should've explored the town when we got here..."
[08:12] * Silver_Lining frowns at the vendor and sighs, moving over to the zebra. "Sorry about him," She gives the zebra a small smile. "Lovely to meet you." She holds out her hoof. "Silver_Lining."
[08:12] * Hala winces a bit at the conversation and hangs her head, "I'm not... Like them."
[08:12] * Sledgehammer checks a watch he was wearing. "and...I'm late...great"
[08:12] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor> steams for a second, looking to the medical emblem of the Ministy of Peace on the zebra's uniform.  "Fine...so she somehow convinced herself she can be a pony."  He turns to Hala.  "Let me make one thing clear, lady, I don't like you, I don't like your kind, and I don't care if you are a citizen or a soldier. You're still a disgusting blight on our land!"
[08:13] * Hala looks at Silver_Lining and smiles weakly, "Hala." She says softly
[08:15] * Grunt frowns at the baker "I've served with a few great Zebra. Blown up a heck of a lot more. If her loyalties lie with Equestria, and she's willing to heal those who would hurt her own kind, well I don't see how she could be a blight."
[08:15] * Silver_Lining ignores the vendor at this point, seeing as he wouldn't be polite. She smiles as she tunes him out. "So Hala, were you wanting some bread from his stand?" She quirks her head. "You can have mine, if you'd like."
[08:16] <+Grunt> "Now then. She's gone, so just get along your daily business and don't be causing any commotion. We want today to go smoothly. Heaven help you if it doesn't."
[08:17] * Sledgehammer was considering animating one of the vendor's loaves of bread just because he was in the mood to express his distaste...,but pressing concern of getting to work took priority.
[08:17] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor>  "Oh, so short sighted you are. Today will go smoothly. It's the rest of your life you need to worry about. If you'll excuse me, I have other customers to tend to."
[08:18] * Scoots|Octy | Swoop's PipBuck lights up with the directions that will take her right to Mayor Razorheart.
[08:19] * Grunt catches sight of the tan unicorn from early and quickly trots to catch up with him earlier.
[08:19] <+Swoop> "AHA! There you are, you little bastard! Oh shit, I passed it." Swoop quickly banks around, looking fairly majestic in flight, and orients herself on the tag.
[08:20] <+Grunt> "Sir! Mister tan unicorn sir?" he asks, poking the unicorn's side
[08:20] * Scoots|Octy | <Current>  "What was that, Swoop? Something about a BASTARD? You better not have said that, or I will PT you until your WINGS fall off!"
[08:21] * Sledgehammer was making good time when he suddenly felt a poke in his side. "oh...uh...is there a problem Mr soldider?"
[08:21] <+Grunt> "Sorry, what was your name?"
[08:21] * Swoop eeps, completely forgetting her CO was flying with her. "No sir! Technical error, sir!"
[08:22] * Scoots|Octy | <Current>  "Mm-hmm. Where's the Mayor already? We've been up here for all of 5 minutes, and this isn't a big town!"
[08:23] <+Sledgehammer> "uhh...Sledgehammer."
[08:24] * Swoop points at the building in question. "Right there, sir."
[08:24] <+Grunt> "Sledgehammer, right. Well, apparently the mayor has asked for your presence at a meeting today. I am to escort you to the meeting at this time."
[08:25] * Scoots|Octy | <Current>  "Well, shit, techhie, I would never have thought to look near the Stable of all places!"
[08:25] <+Sledgehammer> "Why...didn't anypony inform me of this before hand..."
[08:26] * Swoop winces and angles down to land, not bothering to respond. /What is he, a DI in bars?/
[08:34] * Scoots|Octy | The Stable-line has finally tapered off to a hoof-full, only 6 or so ponies left to enter it.
[08:48] * Hala looks at Silver_Lining and smiles, "I can pay for a loaf if that's okay?" her meak demeanor is totally at odds with her rather impressive size and the somewhat impressive amount of gear she was carrying, having been on field training excercises, "But, if I can't..." she looks at the pegasus mare and smiles, "I'd appreciate it."
[08:50] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor> huffs as he says  "Five bits."
[08:51] * Silver_Lining nods, a gentle smile and cheery voice replying, "Your choice--." She frowns as the vendor raises the price for the zebra, and turns back to him with a smile, pulling out another three bits. "I'd like to buy another loaf, please."
[08:52] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor> nods to Silver_Lining, hoofing over another loaf of bread.  "Three bits, please?.
[08:53] * Silver_Lining hoofs over the bits and takes the loaf, immediately turning to Hala and hoofing it over to her. "There you go, three bits. Just like everypony else."
[08:54] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor>  "Hey!"
[08:54] * Sledgehammer looks to Grunt shaking his head. "alright, but if this turns out to be mistaken identity...you've got to be my excuse for being late."
[08:54] * Silver_Lining turns and sticks her tongue out at the food vendor.
[08:55] * Hala sighs and begins to pull out her pouch, before Silver_Lining hoofs over a loaf, she quickly pulls out three bits and passes them to Silver_Lining, "Thanks..." she smiles as she pulls her hood back up and adjusts her cloak to cover as much of her as possible.
[08:56] * Silver_Lining nods to Hala. "No problem!"
[08:56] * Scoots|Octy | <Food Vendor> huffs, saying  "Go away. I don't want you near my stand anymore. Leave before I shoot you!"
[08:56] * Grunt nods and escorts Sledgehammer to the meeting location
[08:58] * Scoots|Octy | Back at the Stable entrance, the last two ponies are being identified and let into the Stable. There is an air of relieved tension, as if the guards and Stable-Tec personnel wish this were only just a simple drill this time.
[09:00] * Swoop lands gently at the Stable with Current. "So where do we go, sir?"
[09:02] * Scoots|Octy | <Current>  "We go nowhere, mister. We stand and wait for the Mayor."  This is the first time he hadn't yelled at the pegasus.
[09:03] * Swoop nods and waits. /Seriously, this guy needs to lay off the caffeine./
[09:04] * Hala trots away to rejoin what remains of her unit before settling down near a pony who'd been injured while on excercise, "Hey there, I got some bread... I know it's not much but you need to eat." she sets the loaf next to him and lays down slipping her saddlebags off and opening her canteen, taking a small sip before hoofing it to the wounded buck.
[09:04] * Scoots|Octy | The clock tower in the city chimes 9:00 AM as Celestia's Sun makes its way over the peak of the Canterlot Ridge, shining sunbeams on the structures of the small town as birds chirp and sing. The meeting will begin in half an hour.
[09:05] * Swoop fidgets, then, "Permission to go get us some refreshment, sir?"
[09:05] * Scoots|Octy | <Current>  "What part of 'we stand and wait for the Mayor' was I not clear about?"
[09:05] * Silver_Lining flaps her wings, flying away from the vendor. She lands a few moments later, taking the time to eat her own loaf of bread.
[09:06] <+Swoop> "The part where we stand in the sun... sir."
[09:07] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart> has found the ponies--and zebra--that he's looking for.  "Ah, good...I was hoping you'd all be nearby. Come with me, we have much to discuss."  His red plumage flutters in the breeze.  "Wait...not all of you are here, there should be six of you..."
[09:09] <+Sledgehammer> "Uhh...mind if I ask what I'm doing here? I wasn't told I'd be meeting anyone."
[09:09] * Swoop stands silently, wondering where the hell her bother was.
[09:09] * Scoots|Octy | <Current> chuckles.  "What, getting soft are we? Can't take just a little bit of time to enjoy Celestia's sun? What are you, one of those Luna-ites?"
[09:10] * Swoop doesn't dignify that with a response... despite it being true.
[09:12] * Hala quickly changes the bucks dressing, "Now, don't move too much or you'll reopen that wound," she smiles and hefts her saddlebags onto her back and collects her canteen once more, now somewhat lighter, before adjusting her cloak, "Coming!" she trots up to wait with the rest.
[09:13] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart>  "Hmm...perhaps they're near the Stable enterest. And you...you're the variable, the unpredictable piece to the puzzle. Huh. Interesting. Well, if you would come with me so we can all return to City Hall and discuss some of the issues of the day?"
[09:13] * Grunt salutes "Yes sir!" he follows the mayor
[09:14] * Silver_Lining sighs happily as she finishes her meal and takes to the sky, looking down at the city for anything interesting.
[09:14] * Swoop waits for Current to move before following.
[09:14] * Hala looks back at her wounded buddy and spotted one of the others taking care of him, she salutes as well, "Sir." before following along.
[09:15] * Sledgehammer shrugs and waits for the Mayor to lead the way to City Hall
[09:17] * Scoots|Octy | At this point, the entire party (including Swept Wing who is mute as a brick at the moment) are standing in the same vicinity as the Mayor.
[09:17] * Swoop discretely punches her brother when no one's looking.
[09:19] * Scoots|Octy <Swept Wing>  "Hey, sis, what the heck?"
[09:20] <+Swoop> "Where've you been? I've had to deal with the lieutenant all morning!"
[09:23] * Scoots|Octy <Swept Wing>  "Where have I been? Where have YOU been? I finished the Maintenance on the 'Buck and was getting about in the Mess Hall until I noticed the time."  He looks at Current.  "Oh, Lieutenant Current...you mean Lieutenant "Whoops"."
[09:23] <+Silver_Lining> A bird hits Silver_Lining in the face and she flails her hooves, unable to see for a moment and losing her balance. Being a weak flier to begin with, Silver begins to plummet, straight towards the group and ground! Of course, with her luck, the bird is totally unharmed.
[09:24] * Sledgehammer looks up noting that Silver Lining was plummeting quickly acts taking her up in his Telekinesis.
[09:24] <+Swoop> "Wait... you... I... And you didn't even leave a note???" This, of course was said as quietly as she could.
[09:26] * Sledgehammer is used to catching the odd worker from his days of working on building construction so this wasn't really much. He slowly guides her to the ground. "Are you alright?"
[09:27] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart> nods to the guards who turn and head for the entrance to the Stable. He sighs as they disappear from sight, into the hallways that lead to the large metal door that will close in less than 5 minutes.  /I just hope we don't need to keep you in there long, everypony. I'm sorry...but I'm going to save somepony in this town./
[09:28] * Silver_Lining shakes off her surprise, feeling a bit wobbly on her hooves. She nods at Sledgehammer appreciatively. "Yes, thank you..." She looks up towards the sky, frowning. "I hope that bird is safe..."
[09:28] * Sledgehammer looks about for the bird. "I don't think I saw it fall...you probably just startled it."
[09:29] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart> clears his throat loudly to get the attention of the party as the rest of Neighayenne starts to wake up for the full of their day.  "Good morning, ponies and zebra. I'm glad you're all here, and that you're all looking so well. Let's be off to City Hall for the meeting, yes?"
[09:30] <+Grunt> "If you wish sir."
[09:30] * Swoop whispers to Swept. "You are sooo getting a beating later."
[09:30] * Silver_Lining quirks her head and looks to the two that she's seen before; Sledgehammer and Hala. "Meeting?"
[09:30] * Sledgehammer shrugs. "I was rather surprised by it too."
[09:30] * Scoots|Octy <Swept Wing>  "I've heard you say that before, and we both know how that ends up...with me laughing my flank off and you getting wrapped up in bandages by a medic on base.'
[09:31] * Swoop grumbles.
[09:31] * Silver_Lining is still confused. "...Am I invited to this meeting?"
[09:31] * Hala shrugs, "The lieutenant had me pulled from training for this so it must be important." she says lightly, looking over at Swoop, "Oh I remember you!" she chuckles, "I'm sorry I used so many bandages, I was still learning."
[09:32] <+Sledgehammer> "She apparently wants as many opinions as possible."
[09:33] * Swoop rolls her eyes. "Can we please /not/ spread rumors today? Bad enough the whole base thinks I'm a weakling..."
[09:33] * Scoots|Octy | <Mayor Razorheart>  "Of course. Oh, forgive me, I've forgotten myself. I am your Mayor, Swiftlance Razorheart."  He bows politely.  "I'm sure you all have many questions, and I'll do the best to answer them. However, I think we should make haste, ponies and zebra, as time is no longer a friend we have an abundance of."
[09:34] <+Swoop> "What's the rush? We gonna blow up or something?"
[09:34] <+Sledgehammer> "That doesn't sound good..."
[09:34] * Hala nods to Swoop, "Okay, but I am sorry..." she says as she follows the Mayor
[09:34] * Silver_Lining nods, whispering to Sledgehammer as to not interrupt the mayor. "Thanks again for catching me, I'm Silver_Lining, by the way."
[09:34] <+Sledgehammer> "Sledgehammer." He wishes back. "And it's alright...what happened?"
[09:35] * Scoots|Octy | <Razorheart> laughs, a fully happy contented laugh.  "No, no, no...nothing happening like that. It's just such a wonderful day, and I would hate to keep you all inside an office building while we talk about things.
[09:35] <+Swoop> "...yes because why spend a wonderful day outside."
[09:36] * Silver_Lining chuckles, replying in a hushed tone, "A bird hit me, or maybe I hit the bird." She shrugs. "Doesn't really matter."
[09:36] * Scoots|Octy | <Current>  "You'll be lucky you don't spend it in the BRIG  with that attitude!"
[09:37] <+Sledgehammer> "ah. Knocked you off balance?"
[09:37] <+Swoop> "Sorry, sir..."
[09:37] * Silver_Lining nods sheepishly. "Not a very good flier..."
[09:37] * Hala frowns under her hood, but follows regardless, something felt off about everything but she couldn't put a hoof on it.
[09:38] * Swoop looks back at the zebra medic. "I'm Swoop, by the way, and this is Swept Wing."
[09:38] * Scoots|Octy | <Razorheart>  "Radiance! That's enough of your mouth, Mister!"  The mayor looked annoyed, as if he'd been hearing everything that Current had said to Swoop.
[09:38] * Scoots|Octy <Swept Wing> offers a wing to be shaken.  "Pleasure to meet you."
[09:40] * Hala looks over to Swoop and Swept_Wing, "I'm Hala," she smiles but is still worried about what's going on, she idly shakes Swept's wing and nods, "And you as well..." she has a look of concern on her face which thankfully is mostly covered by the hood of her cloak.
[09:44] * Scoots|Octy | The walk to City Hall is a quiet one, met with the sounds of activity in the small town, the noise of equipment being used at the farms nearby, and the clip-clop of hooves in the streets of the city center.  "So...are all things well in your respective departments of the city? Nothing in need of being replaved, funded?"
[09:44] * Swoop looks around the town as they progress.
[09:44] <+Sledgehammer> "We're a little behind schedule."
[09:45] <+Sledgehammer> ",but the new prototypes should be finished by the weeks end."
[09:45] <+Swoop> "Prototypes for what?"
[09:45] * Hala has lived on the post nearby for a while and though she knows the city she's not exactly familiar with the residents, most refuse to even speak to her.
[09:45] <+Grunt> "I just got transfered here, don't know much about the town."
[09:45] <+Sledgehammer> "Slightly more durable armor frames."
[09:46] <+Swoop> "Ah. So you're a ground pounder then?"
[09:46] <+Sledgehammer> "ground wha?"
[09:46] <+Swoop> A mud-slogger. Hoof Soldier.
[09:46] <+Swoop> ""
[09:48] <+Sledgehammer> "no not a soldier at all...I'm an engineer."
[09:49] * Silver_Lining stays mostly quiet as she follows, simply smiling and humming to herself.
[09:50] <+Swoop> "Oh. I see.
[09:50] <+Swoop> "
[09:51] * Scoots|Octy | <Razorheart> smiles as he looks around his town, walking with the group as they turn a corner that will lead them to a squat, two-story building with stairs leading up to the entrance.  "I believe we have arrived, everypony. Let's head inside and get some refreshments, so we can talk about the situation."
[09:52] <+Sledgehammer> "uhh...so what kind of situation neccitates this kind of meeting?"
[09:52] <+Grunt> "Of couse sir."
[09:52] <+Swoop> "Finally! Drinks!" She eagerly trots inside.
[09:52] * Hala still can't shake the uneasy feeling that's causing her mane to twitch slightly, she looks around and shrugs before stepping up the stairs and removing her one weapon, hoofing it to the guard, a simple if slightly elegant sword. "Please take good care of that."
[09:54] * Silver_Lining trots in as well. Refreshments sound nice.
[09:57] * Scoots|Octy | <Razorheart> holds open the door as he looks at the ponies and zebra walking inside.  /You are my best hope...and you will be Neighayenne's Shining Stars when darkness falls./ As the group walks inside, two other ponies are sitting down talking to each other. As the Mayor finally enters the building, they both stand up.  "Oh, good, you found them. We were getting worried,
[09:57] * Scoots|Octy Swiftheart!"
[09:59] * Swoop looks around for the refreshments.
[09:59] * Grunt takes a seat at the table "Permission to speak freely sir?"
[10:00] * Sledgehammer looks a little uncomfortable.
[10:00] * Hala smiles as she spots a bottle of Sparkle~Cola on a nearby table, grabbing one in her fetlock and listening in as closely as possible after she pops the top off, she idly tosses the cap in a nearby waste bin.
[10:01] * Swoop spots the drinks and gets one for herself before sitting down.
[10:01] * Scoots|Octy | <Razorheart> n "Of course I would find them, Harmony. It's a wonderful morning."  After having opened the door to the conference room, which is well lit, all of the "people" sat down and the door closed.  "You have, Mr, Grunt. This room is properly soundproffed."
[10:02] * Silver_Lining moves over to the refreshment table, taking a bottle of cola for herself as well, sipping on it as she listens from the side of the room.
[10:03] * Grunt puts a hoof on the table "Alright then, may I ask what the hell is going on? I'm pulled from combat to escort a bunch of ponies into a stable, and it doesn't seem like its this 'drill' bullshit they told them." he said, making little quote wiggles
[10:03] * Swoop quickly pops the top on the bottle and chugs a third of the soda down. "Mmm. I love this stuff."
[10:04] * Hala nods to Swoop before Grunt's outburst, her feeling getting worse by the moment, "And the Lieutenant pulled me from field excercises..." she offers.
[10:05] * Scoots|Octy | <Current>  "Shut your face, Grunt. You're lucky yoy were even allowed in this briefing, Let the Mayor tell us the truth in his own way, if you don't mind."
[10:06] * Swoop turns to the mayor. "So why are we here?"
[10:06] * Scoots|Octy | The Earth pony that was sitting next to the one that Razorheart called "Harmony" spoke up.  "Oh, good greif, Firehawk, do you seriously need to keep doing this tripe garbage? Relax, it might not kill you."
[10:06] * Sledgehammer ponders. "Let me guess..."
[10:06] <+Sledgehammer> "That Test run...was not a drill after all was it."
[10:07] * Silver_Lining feels like she isn't supposed to be here. She's nopony. She's homeless even!
[10:09] * Scoots|Octy | <Razorheart> deflates a bit as he bites into a small piece of...something on a plate at his end of the desk.  "You're...very perceptive. We received the notification from Canterlot an hour ago. The Zebras have begun the controlled pullback of their personnel on our land. We are likely heading for..."
[10:11] <+Sledgehammer> "End game scenario..."
[10:11] <+Swoop> "Wait, seriously?"
[10:12] <+Sledgehammer> "Welp...may as well tell my boss all the things I've been holding in." He sighs. Trying to put a humorus spin on it...and failing.
[10:13] * Scoots|Octy | <Current> nodded.  "Shutdown and secure protocols were issued earlier today. Stables all across Equiesria are getting loaded up and sealed. The striped have pulled back nearly half of their fighting force, and there are signs that their long-range weapons systems are being...inspected."
[10:14] <+Swoop> "Inspected... you mean readied, don't you."
[10:14] <+Sledgehammer> "are we a priority target?"
[10:14] * Scoots|Octy | "Harmony" "So we've failed, haven't we, Swiftheart? We're...we're all going to die."
[10:14] * Grunt leans closer "/Which/ weapon systems?"
[10:15] * Hala sighs, "Everything."
[10:15] * Scoots|Octy | <Razorheart>  "Their long-range megaspell tipped missles."
[10:15] <+Sledgehammer> "Most likely the ones we designed the stables to deal with..."
[10:15] <+Swoop> "The crowd pleasers... Buck me."
[10:15] * Silver_Lining blinks, her brow furrowing.
[10:16] * Scoots|Octy | <Razorheart>  "Now, please, everypony...remain calm. We are not a designated target, at least...at last update, we weren't. This could all just be rumor, but..."
[10:16] * Grunt leans back "Well, saw that one coming. What are the orders from command? Escort the civilains to shelter then, drink till vapourization?"
[10:17] * Swoop takes another chug of cola. "Sounds like a plan to me. We'll need something stronger than soda."
[10:18] * Scoots|Octy | Razorheart fixes both Grunt and Swoop with looks.  "I was about to say I called you all here to see our on the ground readiness team. May I present Doctor Harmony Harp and Regaling Stalk."
[10:20] * Swoop glances over at the indicated ponies.
[10:20] <&Scoots|Octy> ~~~====Intermission For Scene 1===~~~