File: 1355017727705.png (934.32 KB, 1733x1069, space pon.png)
Still investigating the disappearance of the colony on Galtor IV, our intrepid crew has started to piece together what happened: Honeybee, the only known survivor, has spoken of "bad people" who came to the town, and the population headed off to the north. The crew also found tracks leading north, which seems to corroborate Honeybee's story.
Last time, the crew of the MV Celestial Drifter rescued Gibson from a enormous, psychic, alien boar-dinosaur-thing. They returned to the ship and dropped off Honeybee, where they wait and recuperate before continuing their search for the missing colonists.
Last time, the crew of the MV Celestial Drifter rescued Gibson from a enormous, psychic, alien boar-dinosaur-thing. They returned to the ship and dropped off Honeybee, where they wait and recuperate before continuing their search for the missing colonists.
I'll restock my Medkit and get a new Trauma vest. Holes tend to lower the utility of them, after all. I'll also make sure I'm fully stocked on ammunition, and if one's available I'll see if we can't get a portable scanner. If we're going to be tracking ponies, we'll need something with a bit more finesse than the truck.
>>241554
You go up to the ship's small medbay and restock your medkit. Let's hammer out what it will do — let's say it's basically three heal spells. You grab a new vest and some fresh energy packs from one of the weapons lockers, too.
>>241559
You take your supplies and make your way back to the cargo bay.
>>241557
In the cargo bay is Captain Rosewater and Lucky Leaf. Lucky is fixing up the truck. Rosewater seems to be talking to someone on her communicator.
>>241560
You go up to the galley and ask the ship's steward, Guillaume, about where you might find lasers or shields. He shouts at you in Griffon to take your "abominable tree-rat" out of his kitchen.
You'll have to ask someone else.
>>241562
You remember that you have a scanner of your own. You swing by your quarters and get a set of electronic binoculars and a compass, too.
Your scanner is a basic model intended to track ponies and other relatively large animals. It's not especially powerful, but it will aid you in tracking attempts. +1 to that.
You go up to the ship's small medbay and restock your medkit. Let's hammer out what it will do — let's say it's basically three heal spells. You grab a new vest and some fresh energy packs from one of the weapons lockers, too.
>>241559
You take your supplies and make your way back to the cargo bay.
>>241557
In the cargo bay is Captain Rosewater and Lucky Leaf. Lucky is fixing up the truck. Rosewater seems to be talking to someone on her communicator.
>>241560
You go up to the galley and ask the ship's steward, Guillaume, about where you might find lasers or shields. He shouts at you in Griffon to take your "abominable tree-rat" out of his kitchen.
You'll have to ask someone else.
>>241562
You remember that you have a scanner of your own. You swing by your quarters and get a set of electronic binoculars and a compass, too.
Your scanner is a basic model intended to track ponies and other relatively large animals. It's not especially powerful, but it will aid you in tracking attempts. +1 to that.
>>241569
You know where the spare parts for the ship's defense systems are — Cargo Bay 3. It's a few hundred meters past Cargo Bay 1, but you get there pretty quickly, considering the ship's size.
You find replacement YZ-10J "Starshine" plasma cannon in one of the cargo bins. The Drifter mounts a few of these to fend off pirates. They're outdated — not especially accurate past a few kilometers, heavy,, and power-intensive — but they might work for you. Rigging it to the truck might be a problem, though — the cannon is almost as long as the truck is, and you'd need to attach a large battery system, too. It wouldn't be a comfortable ride in the back, and you'd probably only get a few shots with it, but it would make short work of most anything you might encounter out there.
>>241570
You can hear their conversation perfectly, or, at least, the final parts of it.
"I don't care if you ran the diagnostic last week, Bracer, run it again. They said something might have landed out here, and we didn't detect anything, so either the sensors are broken or they're wrong. Just do it."
>>241572
There's a bloody molar stuck to his butt.
You know where the spare parts for the ship's defense systems are — Cargo Bay 3. It's a few hundred meters past Cargo Bay 1, but you get there pretty quickly, considering the ship's size.
You find replacement YZ-10J "Starshine" plasma cannon in one of the cargo bins. The Drifter mounts a few of these to fend off pirates. They're outdated — not especially accurate past a few kilometers, heavy,, and power-intensive — but they might work for you. Rigging it to the truck might be a problem, though — the cannon is almost as long as the truck is, and you'd need to attach a large battery system, too. It wouldn't be a comfortable ride in the back, and you'd probably only get a few shots with it, but it would make short work of most anything you might encounter out there.
>>241570
You can hear their conversation perfectly, or, at least, the final parts of it.
"I don't care if you ran the diagnostic last week, Bracer, run it again. They said something might have landed out here, and we didn't detect anything, so either the sensors are broken or they're wrong. Just do it."
>>241572
There's a bloody molar stuck to his butt.
>>241584
>>241581
Gibson, putting aside any personal antipathies, shows up to help you look.
Belle doesn't find anything to improve the truck's mobility, but she does find some slabs of ferro-carbide plating, used to protect the ship from hostile fire, as well as debris. It's heavy and not greatly protective, but if you added it to the truck it might prevent some damage to the occupants.
However, if you added it to the truck along with the plasma cannon, you'd likely make the truck far too heavy to move effectively.
>10
Gibson finds a small antifusion supercharger in one of the bins. Why this is here, you don't know, since these sorts of things are used to give extra power to RSF fighters, shuttlecraft, and the like.
This would greatly improve the truck's speed, if you connected it to the truck. You'll probably need some help from the Drifter's engineers, but if you had them mount everything you found on the truck, you'd improve its firepower and armor without sacrificing any speed. Indeed, it would likely make the truck faster, and connecting the cannon to the supercharger would probably mean you wouldn't need any heavy batteries.
>>241588
You try to think of pleasant things — nice books or pretty dresses that you might munch on, tasty leaves of grass, or a nice bed of flowers — but the memory of those strange ponies' faces being eaten off by that poison gas comes back to haunt you. You wretch and hurl a vomity mess of what little you ate since you got back to the ship all over the deck.
>>241591
Hotshot steps back and avoids the puke.
Rosewater finally notices you. "Hey! Hey! The deck is not for that!"
>>241592
You trot back about a meter. A little still splashes on your front hooves.
>>241581
Gibson, putting aside any personal antipathies, shows up to help you look.
Belle doesn't find anything to improve the truck's mobility, but she does find some slabs of ferro-carbide plating, used to protect the ship from hostile fire, as well as debris. It's heavy and not greatly protective, but if you added it to the truck it might prevent some damage to the occupants.
However, if you added it to the truck along with the plasma cannon, you'd likely make the truck far too heavy to move effectively.
>10
Gibson finds a small antifusion supercharger in one of the bins. Why this is here, you don't know, since these sorts of things are used to give extra power to RSF fighters, shuttlecraft, and the like.
This would greatly improve the truck's speed, if you connected it to the truck. You'll probably need some help from the Drifter's engineers, but if you had them mount everything you found on the truck, you'd improve its firepower and armor without sacrificing any speed. Indeed, it would likely make the truck faster, and connecting the cannon to the supercharger would probably mean you wouldn't need any heavy batteries.
>>241588
You try to think of pleasant things — nice books or pretty dresses that you might munch on, tasty leaves of grass, or a nice bed of flowers — but the memory of those strange ponies' faces being eaten off by that poison gas comes back to haunt you. You wretch and hurl a vomity mess of what little you ate since you got back to the ship all over the deck.
>>241591
Hotshot steps back and avoids the puke.
Rosewater finally notices you. "Hey! Hey! The deck is not for that!"
>>241592
You trot back about a meter. A little still splashes on your front hooves.
>>241596
>10
"It, well.. It doesn't matter, Pera. We'll get this cleaned up." Rosewater calls for one of the crewponies to swab the deck. He soon arrives and cleans up the mess with hardly a grumble.
>>241598
You turn around and hit your head on a cargo bin.
>>241597
You call for some of your fellow engineers to help out. You all drag the cannon, armor, and supercharger down to the main cargo bay, and the engineers set to making the necessary changes to the truck.
I presume you want everything
>>241601
You find a specialized Nverness interface system. Nverness makes good interface units, but they tend to burn out pretty quickly. One-time use, +1 to an interface check.
If Clinic or Pera wants to check for something of their own, that would be fine. You've got some time while the engineers outfit the truck.
>10
"It, well.. It doesn't matter, Pera. We'll get this cleaned up." Rosewater calls for one of the crewponies to swab the deck. He soon arrives and cleans up the mess with hardly a grumble.
>>241598
You turn around and hit your head on a cargo bin.
>>241597
You call for some of your fellow engineers to help out. You all drag the cannon, armor, and supercharger down to the main cargo bay, and the engineers set to making the necessary changes to the truck.
I presume you want everything
>>241601
You find a specialized Nverness interface system. Nverness makes good interface units, but they tend to burn out pretty quickly. One-time use, +1 to an interface check.
If Clinic or Pera wants to check for something of their own, that would be fine. You've got some time while the engineers outfit the truck.
>>241611
You can't really access the larger ponynet from here, of course — there's no FTL communications, after all.
You do search your computer. You don't find anything of tremendous value, except for a copy of Grand Turispone 1999. It's a good racing sim, but not really what you're looking for.
>>241608
No, you don't find any new dictionary files. Your translator's up to date, it seems.
>>241613
You find some improved reanimator goo that you made a few weeks back. It's not much, but it should give you a bit of a boost to a task with the reanimator.
+2 to a roll for either commune or raise dead. You pick when it happens.
>>241614
You make a few notes. +1 to repair the truck.
You can't really access the larger ponynet from here, of course — there's no FTL communications, after all.
You do search your computer. You don't find anything of tremendous value, except for a copy of Grand Turispone 1999. It's a good racing sim, but not really what you're looking for.
>>241608
No, you don't find any new dictionary files. Your translator's up to date, it seems.
>>241613
You find some improved reanimator goo that you made a few weeks back. It's not much, but it should give you a bit of a boost to a task with the reanimator.
+2 to a roll for either commune or raise dead. You pick when it happens.
>>241614
You make a few notes. +1 to repair the truck.
>>241621
You find a good Northern Diamond Dog-to-Equestrian dictionary and take it back with you to the cargo bay. Your mistake, however, was carrying it in your mouth. You unconsciously munch it on your way back, and before you know it, it's gone!
>>241622
You join everyone in the cargo bay.
"As soon as everyone's done, I'll brief you and you can get out of here," Rosewater says.
>>241623
You happily take a seat on one of the bins near Rosewater.
Everyone done?
You find a good Northern Diamond Dog-to-Equestrian dictionary and take it back with you to the cargo bay. Your mistake, however, was carrying it in your mouth. You unconsciously munch it on your way back, and before you know it, it's gone!
>>241622
You join everyone in the cargo bay.
"As soon as everyone's done, I'll brief you and you can get out of here," Rosewater says.
>>241623
You happily take a seat on one of the bins near Rosewater.
Everyone done?
>>241620
…Hey, I completely forgot I had that!
Shame I don't have the time to play it.
Ah well, head back to the group I guess.
Though… can I think of any user mods that'd help increase the longevity of the Nverness interface? Surely there's at least a few settings on there I can tweak…
Roll #0 7 + 2 = 9
…Hey, I completely forgot I had that!
Shame I don't have the time to play it.
Ah well, head back to the group I guess.
Though… can I think of any user mods that'd help increase the longevity of the Nverness interface? Surely there's at least a few settings on there I can tweak…
Roll #0 7 + 2 = 9
Rosewater speaks up.
"Okay, I've talked to Honeybee, and she hasn't said much that you haven't already told me. Some 'bad ponies' came to the colony and took everypony with them off to the north. She doesn't know why. She's been living in the remains of the colony for a few weeks at least.
"You say she saw another ship come by. Well, I really doubt it, and our scans aren't showing anything. I think she was just talking about us when she said she saw something land out here.
"In any case, I think it's pretty clear what we need to do. You need to head off north of the colony and find where the settlers went. Checking the colony itself again might not be a bad option, either, but I'm leaving this at your discretion.
"We're not leaving here until we find out what happened. We'll be here if you need any help.
"If you want, you can take someone from the crew. We have the people to spare. Up to you, though."
"Okay, I've talked to Honeybee, and she hasn't said much that you haven't already told me. Some 'bad ponies' came to the colony and took everypony with them off to the north. She doesn't know why. She's been living in the remains of the colony for a few weeks at least.
"You say she saw another ship come by. Well, I really doubt it, and our scans aren't showing anything. I think she was just talking about us when she said she saw something land out here.
"In any case, I think it's pretty clear what we need to do. You need to head off north of the colony and find where the settlers went. Checking the colony itself again might not be a bad option, either, but I'm leaving this at your discretion.
"We're not leaving here until we find out what happened. We'll be here if you need any help.
"If you want, you can take someone from the crew. We have the people to spare. Up to you, though."
>>241637
"Well, you could take Sunshine. He's a good healer. I know Belle knows her herbs and natural tinctures, but it's always useful to have a priest around in a fight. And if you find those 'bad ponies,' you're likely in for another fight or two.
"Otherwise, Lucky could tag along. He can shoot and fix up the truck, but you've likely got all that covered. I guess he can dig holes for you, too, if you need to bury bodies…"
She chuckles for a moment before frowning at her own gallows humor. A little too dark.
"Other than that, I don't know. Everyone else is busy with something else or they'd be no good in a fight. I could go, I suppose, but I'd only be good for shooting things."
>>241640
"Sunshine will go. He'll go if I tell him to, and I think he's more than willing to, anyways."
"Well, you could take Sunshine. He's a good healer. I know Belle knows her herbs and natural tinctures, but it's always useful to have a priest around in a fight. And if you find those 'bad ponies,' you're likely in for another fight or two.
"Otherwise, Lucky could tag along. He can shoot and fix up the truck, but you've likely got all that covered. I guess he can dig holes for you, too, if you need to bury bodies…"
She chuckles for a moment before frowning at her own gallows humor. A little too dark.
"Other than that, I don't know. Everyone else is busy with something else or they'd be no good in a fight. I could go, I suppose, but I'd only be good for shooting things."
>>241640
"Sunshine will go. He'll go if I tell him to, and I think he's more than willing to, anyways."
>>241645
>>241648
>>241649
Rosewater makes a call on her communicator, and Sunshine arrives in the cargo bay in a few moments. He climbs into the cab of the truck.
The truck now features an enormous plasma cannon on the back bed, along with several large slabs of armor lining the sides and roof. There isn't much room in the back now. Enough for Clinic and another pony, maybe.
The plama cannon will have to be manually aimed by adjusting its angle. One of the riders in the truck bed will have to do this.
Firing the gun is made at -1 for right now. It's big and hard to move. You also don't have an unlimited supply of ammunition for it. After 8 shots, it will have mostly drained the supercharger. Firing any after that will be possible, but it will mean that the truck won't be able to move faster than a walking pace.
Everyone else can fit in the front cab, though it takes a bit of squeezing.
>>241648
>>241649
Rosewater makes a call on her communicator, and Sunshine arrives in the cargo bay in a few moments. He climbs into the cab of the truck.
The truck now features an enormous plasma cannon on the back bed, along with several large slabs of armor lining the sides and roof. There isn't much room in the back now. Enough for Clinic and another pony, maybe.
The plama cannon will have to be manually aimed by adjusting its angle. One of the riders in the truck bed will have to do this.
Firing the gun is made at -1 for right now. It's big and hard to move. You also don't have an unlimited supply of ammunition for it. After 8 shots, it will have mostly drained the supercharger. Firing any after that will be possible, but it will mean that the truck won't be able to move faster than a walking pace.
Everyone else can fit in the front cab, though it takes a bit of squeezing.
>>241671
You pop the truck into reverse and slam into a cargo bin.
"HEY! Watch it!" shouts one of the engineers. He looks okay, though.
You put the truck in gear and head towards town. You park in the town square.
There are several prefab bunk houses, similar to the one you found Honeybee in. The main office is still here, as is the clinic. There are some assorted workshops around town, too — a machinist shop and a large warehouse.
Power is probably back on, since you repaired the connection with the power station.
You pop the truck into reverse and slam into a cargo bin.
"HEY! Watch it!" shouts one of the engineers. He looks okay, though.
You put the truck in gear and head towards town. You park in the town square.
There are several prefab bunk houses, similar to the one you found Honeybee in. The main office is still here, as is the clinic. There are some assorted workshops around town, too — a machinist shop and a large warehouse.
Power is probably back on, since you repaired the connection with the power station.
>>241678
The main computer is back on. You can't access it from here, though. You could probably try the terminal in the town hall, though.
>>241676
The town hall is exactly as you left it. The main computer mainframe is near the back of the building, a few meters from the power regulation computer. Both appear to be online.
>>241681
Doesn't look like they have much. There's just the three medibeds. You look around for a set of surgical tools, but you can't find any.
The main computer is back on. You can't access it from here, though. You could probably try the terminal in the town hall, though.
>>241676
The town hall is exactly as you left it. The main computer mainframe is near the back of the building, a few meters from the power regulation computer. Both appear to be online.
>>241681
Doesn't look like they have much. There's just the three medibeds. You look around for a set of surgical tools, but you can't find any.
>>241683
I'll sigh a bit as I apparently have no command clout over any of these science types. Grumbling a bit as I walk over to the computer, I'll give it a once over. '1d10'
"think they'd listen to the guy they were assigned to keep them safe, but nooooo. Hrumph."
After a second I'll turn back to Belle and Gibson.
"Don't suppose you two want to give this a look see and try to find something about the settlers?"
Roll #1 1 = 1
I'll sigh a bit as I apparently have no command clout over any of these science types. Grumbling a bit as I walk over to the computer, I'll give it a once over. '1d10'
"think they'd listen to the guy they were assigned to keep them safe, but nooooo. Hrumph."
After a second I'll turn back to Belle and Gibson.
"Don't suppose you two want to give this a look see and try to find something about the settlers?"
Roll #1 1 = 1
>>241682
"Exactly. I'm going to be looking for anything that can tell me what world these ponies came from or any other little details.
>>241683
Good thing I brought my own tools.
I grab a body and toss it onto the bed. I get it open and start looking in the guts and tissues for chemical traces and bits of native or exotic flora or fauna that could tell me if they came from this world or not.
I think my Biology Doctorate should come into play here.
Roll #0 7 + 2 = 9
"Exactly. I'm going to be looking for anything that can tell me what world these ponies came from or any other little details.
>>241683
Good thing I brought my own tools.
I grab a body and toss it onto the bed. I get it open and start looking in the guts and tissues for chemical traces and bits of native or exotic flora or fauna that could tell me if they came from this world or not.
I think my Biology Doctorate should come into play here.
Roll #0 7 + 2 = 9
>>241686
>>241692
You don't get any responses. All of the house doors are open. The interiors are disheveled and it's apparent that they were abandoned quickly. Clothes are strewn about, tables are overturned, and beds are unmade.
>>241689
You fiddle with a bunch of buttons. The computer makes a loud buzzing noise.
>>241688
You gently push Hotshot to the side and connect to the mainframe. It gives you a few options:
WEATHER TRACKING
SUPPLY INVENTORY
TOWN REGISTRY
MAYOR'S LOG
>>241695
You grab one of the cultist bodies that you dropped off here before you encountered the dinoboar and start to dissect it.
Your analysis is thorough. He's an Equestrian Earth Pony, you're certain. But the cultist's intestinal tract possesses mostly plant matter that seems to come from this world. This is odd, you know, since colonists generally eat only food that they brought from the home planet, or else they eat species of plants brought from the home world. Native foods would not have been eaten unless there was an emergency.
Additionally, you can see evidence in the pony's bone structure that he suffered a variety of traumatic injuries over his lifetime without being treated properly for them — broken bones, mostly. This would be unheard of back home. The gravity on this planet is slightly less than that of the homeworld, too, and his bones show evidence of prolonged exposure to its effects.
From this you can gather that he probably lived on this planet a long time — far longer than the colony existed. The colony was young, only about three years old, but he's been here for at least ten.
>>241692
You don't get any responses. All of the house doors are open. The interiors are disheveled and it's apparent that they were abandoned quickly. Clothes are strewn about, tables are overturned, and beds are unmade.
>>241689
You fiddle with a bunch of buttons. The computer makes a loud buzzing noise.
>>241688
You gently push Hotshot to the side and connect to the mainframe. It gives you a few options:
WEATHER TRACKING
SUPPLY INVENTORY
TOWN REGISTRY
MAYOR'S LOG
>>241695
You grab one of the cultist bodies that you dropped off here before you encountered the dinoboar and start to dissect it.
Your analysis is thorough. He's an Equestrian Earth Pony, you're certain. But the cultist's intestinal tract possesses mostly plant matter that seems to come from this world. This is odd, you know, since colonists generally eat only food that they brought from the home planet, or else they eat species of plants brought from the home world. Native foods would not have been eaten unless there was an emergency.
Additionally, you can see evidence in the pony's bone structure that he suffered a variety of traumatic injuries over his lifetime without being treated properly for them — broken bones, mostly. This would be unheard of back home. The gravity on this planet is slightly less than that of the homeworld, too, and his bones show evidence of prolonged exposure to its effects.
From this you can gather that he probably lived on this planet a long time — far longer than the colony existed. The colony was young, only about three years old, but he's been here for at least ten.
>>241700
The last entries were from about three weeks ago.
"Spring 3 — Ferny found 2 miles outside of town, burned by laser fire. Seems his reports of seeing ponies out there were true. Have put the town on alert and have pulled everypony into it. Prepared to launch communications buoy, but all three were damaged beyond repair. Reason unknown. Suspect sabotage."
"Spring 5 — 20 strange ponies arrive today. Easily overpowered us. Told us go north. Please send help."
>>241706
You don't find any clues for direction, but you find one of those amulets they cultists were wearing. The chain it was hung on is broken — perhaps in a struggle.
>>241701
Your saw rips into the grey matter as you crack the skull, and most of it is reduced to hamburger. You'll need to use one of the other bodies.
The last entries were from about three weeks ago.
"Spring 3 — Ferny found 2 miles outside of town, burned by laser fire. Seems his reports of seeing ponies out there were true. Have put the town on alert and have pulled everypony into it. Prepared to launch communications buoy, but all three were damaged beyond repair. Reason unknown. Suspect sabotage."
"Spring 5 — 20 strange ponies arrive today. Easily overpowered us. Told us go north. Please send help."
>>241706
You don't find any clues for direction, but you find one of those amulets they cultists were wearing. The chain it was hung on is broken — perhaps in a struggle.
>>241701
Your saw rips into the grey matter as you crack the skull, and most of it is reduced to hamburger. You'll need to use one of the other bodies.
>>241711
"Tell me next time you plan on wandering off so I know."
>>241712
"Not so much yet, though Gibson's skating through the records at the moment. Haven't called Clinic yet. He's next on the list. You two get back to the truck with Sunshine as soon as you finish up there, got it? I don't like us so spread out."
"Tell me next time you plan on wandering off so I know."
>>241712
"Not so much yet, though Gibson's skating through the records at the moment. Haven't called Clinic yet. He's next on the list. You two get back to the truck with Sunshine as soon as you finish up there, got it? I don't like us so spread out."
>>241716
You put it in your pocket. You feel the raised edges of writing on the back of it as you do.
>>241714
You saw open the skull more carefully this time. You don't find any obvious signs of infection from bacterial or fungal sources. There are some odd chemical imbalances in the tissue samples, but those could easily be attributed to the high dosage of hydrocyanic acid he got at the moment of death.
You put it in your pocket. You feel the raised edges of writing on the back of it as you do.
>>241714
You saw open the skull more carefully this time. You don't find any obvious signs of infection from bacterial or fungal sources. There are some odd chemical imbalances in the tissue samples, but those could easily be attributed to the high dosage of hydrocyanic acid he got at the moment of death.
>>241719
I take a few samples of the chemicals, brain tissue, muscle tissue, bone tissue, and various other tissues from the two bodies I've examined and label them. After that I clean the beds and my instruments. I then gather the all the bodies and store them in whatever passes for a morgue in this place so they won't rot as quickly. Once that is all done I try to raise the most intact looking one.
Roll #0 10 + 2 = 12
I take a few samples of the chemicals, brain tissue, muscle tissue, bone tissue, and various other tissues from the two bodies I've examined and label them. After that I clean the beds and my instruments. I then gather the all the bodies and store them in whatever passes for a morgue in this place so they won't rot as quickly. Once that is all done I try to raise the most intact looking one.
Roll #0 10 + 2 = 12
>>241721
You scroll through the other categories. Weather patterns were normal over the past several years. Exactly as predicted by initial surveys. The inventory is complete, though you suspect it doesn't reflect reality. The Town Registry lists all 127 citizens in the town.
The mayor's log is consistent, at least, with everything you know. It was made at about the time Honeybee said the colonists left. It refers to a "Ferny" injured by laser fire, which is corroborated by the medibed's logs, you recall. Seems legit.
>>241723
Attention to detail is a boon. You see a freezer in the back of the room. It is empty, you note. Was probably used to store blood supplies and some drugs. You stuff the bodies in there as best you can and take your samples with you.
The most intact one remains your old friend, the leader. He rises, more complete than you recall. He moves with vigor that, you think to yourself, looks almost as if he were still alive.
His jaw clatters and clicks. Maybe he can talk again?
You scroll through the other categories. Weather patterns were normal over the past several years. Exactly as predicted by initial surveys. The inventory is complete, though you suspect it doesn't reflect reality. The Town Registry lists all 127 citizens in the town.
The mayor's log is consistent, at least, with everything you know. It was made at about the time Honeybee said the colonists left. It refers to a "Ferny" injured by laser fire, which is corroborated by the medibed's logs, you recall. Seems legit.
>>241723
Attention to detail is a boon. You see a freezer in the back of the room. It is empty, you note. Was probably used to store blood supplies and some drugs. You stuff the bodies in there as best you can and take your samples with you.
The most intact one remains your old friend, the leader. He rises, more complete than you recall. He moves with vigor that, you think to yourself, looks almost as if he were still alive.
His jaw clatters and clicks. Maybe he can talk again?
>>241730
"Well, it's Sunshine, first of all…" he chuckles at this.
"I'm a priest of Luna. A Nightwanderer. I travel the space lanes to spread Her word of love and good. The Drifter is pretty much the perfect place for that, I think."
>>241732
"Oh glorious day. How shall I serve thee, o masterful master?"
If the ghoul's voice were a salad, and were sarcasm a sort of salad dressing, you can be assured that such a salad would be slathered liberally in said dressing.
>>241736
You scan around. No security drones. And the only maintenance bot you can find in the master computer's registry is the one you exploded.
"Well, it's Sunshine, first of all…" he chuckles at this.
"I'm a priest of Luna. A Nightwanderer. I travel the space lanes to spread Her word of love and good. The Drifter is pretty much the perfect place for that, I think."
>>241732
"Oh glorious day. How shall I serve thee, o masterful master?"
If the ghoul's voice were a salad, and were sarcasm a sort of salad dressing, you can be assured that such a salad would be slathered liberally in said dressing.
>>241736
You scan around. No security drones. And the only maintenance bot you can find in the master computer's registry is the one you exploded.
>>241741
"Oh.. sorry about. See what I mean about no getting out enough Sunshine?"
"Yeah, the drifter is a nice vessel, I believe more in luck than in any goddesses helping me out, but its a respectable way to live at least. For such a sunny name its a little ironic that you wound up following the moon goddess."
"Oh.. sorry about. See what I mean about no getting out enough Sunshine?"
"Yeah, the drifter is a nice vessel, I believe more in luck than in any goddesses helping me out, but its a respectable way to live at least. For such a sunny name its a little ironic that you wound up following the moon goddess."
>>241735
"It's alive, it's moving, it's alive! It's alive, it's alive, it's alive! It's ALIVE!"
>>241741
I stop transmitting my voice over my com unit.
"Master? Oh yes, I suppose that touch of Necromancy does make me your master. Tell me about you and the others you were with. How did you get to this world?"
"It's alive, it's moving, it's alive! It's alive, it's alive, it's alive! It's ALIVE!"
>>241741
I stop transmitting my voice over my com unit.
"Master? Oh yes, I suppose that touch of Necromancy does make me your master. Tell me about you and the others you were with. How did you get to this world?"
>>241752
"Very well, if you must know… We came here ten years ago, at least. It's hard to remember, master — the brain rots and the mind has less access to its memories, I'm sure you understand.
We came on a ship, dozens of us, carrying a great cargo. That is all I remember of our voyage here, and I remember precious little from before then."
>>241750
"Yes, well, I believe my parents had a sense of humor about that. It doesn't really fit my appearance, either." Indeed, he's greyish-blue with a silver mane. Very little suggests "Sunshine" about him.
"And you? How did you get here? I'm afraid I rarely read the crew files."
"Very well, if you must know… We came here ten years ago, at least. It's hard to remember, master — the brain rots and the mind has less access to its memories, I'm sure you understand.
We came on a ship, dozens of us, carrying a great cargo. That is all I remember of our voyage here, and I remember precious little from before then."
>>241750
"Yes, well, I believe my parents had a sense of humor about that. It doesn't really fit my appearance, either." Indeed, he's greyish-blue with a silver mane. Very little suggests "Sunshine" about him.
"And you? How did you get here? I'm afraid I rarely read the crew files."
>>241761
"Oh, I took an interest in engineering at a young age and ships always need an extra wrench to throw around, so It was a.. logical choice. Its my hope that I help research in my own way. " I nod to my little friend. "Maybe someday this vessel will even make leaps we couldn't dream of.. "
"Oh, I took an interest in engineering at a young age and ships always need an extra wrench to throw around, so It was a.. logical choice. Its my hope that I help research in my own way. " I nod to my little friend. "Maybe someday this vessel will even make leaps we couldn't dream of.. "
>>241790
"We needed labor, I remember. Someone to… dig, and to tunnel."
"We needed… it's on the tip of my tongue, master, but I do not recall."
>>241792
Your goat eyes may be cute, but they cannot see anything on the mountain, and they can't penetrate the thick field of wheat. Whatever is in there is well hidden."
"We needed labor, I remember. Someone to… dig, and to tunnel."
"We needed… it's on the tip of my tongue, master, but I do not recall."
>>241792
Your goat eyes may be cute, but they cannot see anything on the mountain, and they can't penetrate the thick field of wheat. Whatever is in there is well hidden."
>>241794
>>241795
You fly up in the air and look around. There you spy what they were after — three hoverbikes, it looks like, parked in the center of the field in a small crop circle. There doesn't appear to be anything dangerous nearby.
>>241796
"I already told you what I remember, master. Do you want to pop off the top of my head and have a look around for yourself? Oh do be a dear and fetch some nice memories while you're in there. I'm growing tired of just being able to remember your big, fat face."
>>241798
>>241799
You see some idling hoverbike engine heat!
>>241795
You fly up in the air and look around. There you spy what they were after — three hoverbikes, it looks like, parked in the center of the field in a small crop circle. There doesn't appear to be anything dangerous nearby.
>>241796
"I already told you what I remember, master. Do you want to pop off the top of my head and have a look around for yourself? Oh do be a dear and fetch some nice memories while you're in there. I'm growing tired of just being able to remember your big, fat face."
>>241798
>>241799
You see some idling hoverbike engine heat!
>>241804
"We came from the home planet. I believe we came here ourselves, of our own wills."
>>241805
They're in decent shape. Older models of hoverbike, maybe 30 years old or so, but pretty fast and rugged. Army surplus, you think.
It looks like one of them has a sheet of paper taped to the fuselage. It's all in the sort of squiggly scratches you saw on the cultists' amulets earlier. It also looks like a map.
"We came from the home planet. I believe we came here ourselves, of our own wills."
>>241805
They're in decent shape. Older models of hoverbike, maybe 30 years old or so, but pretty fast and rugged. Army surplus, you think.
It looks like one of them has a sheet of paper taped to the fuselage. It's all in the sort of squiggly scratches you saw on the cultists' amulets earlier. It also looks like a map.
>>241817
"…Can't say I'm entirely pleased to meet you again, Grey."
Turning to Clinic, I'll continue.
"But this is besides the point. We're getting back to the truck so we can get moving to find the rest of the settlers. Or what's left of them. Since he talks, I assume you got something useful out of him?"
"…Can't say I'm entirely pleased to meet you again, Grey."
Turning to Clinic, I'll continue.
"But this is besides the point. We're getting back to the truck so we can get moving to find the rest of the settlers. Or what's left of them. Since he talks, I assume you got something useful out of him?"
>>241803
"Oh, and Hotshot? Keep him safe. Necromancy can be a tad uncontrollable at times, but if you kill him I swear to Celestia and Luna that you will take his place. Grey Eminence will get me the respect I deserve."
>>241821
"Lots of stuff. I'll tell you once we are back with the group."
>>241817
"Grey, what is Bromion?"
Roll #0 3 = 3
"Oh, and Hotshot? Keep him safe. Necromancy can be a tad uncontrollable at times, but if you kill him I swear to Celestia and Luna that you will take his place. Grey Eminence will get me the respect I deserve."
>>241821
"Lots of stuff. I'll tell you once we are back with the group."
>>241817
"Grey, what is Bromion?"
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>241842
"Hmmm. Well I guess that's better than space monsters. Follow me."
>>241821
I start walking back to the truck.
"Here's what I was able to learn. This stallion and the others have been here for at least ten years. That's much longer than this colony has been here. They brought something big from Equestria to here and are set up somewhere in the north. They took the colonists hostage to use as labor."
"Hmmm. Well I guess that's better than space monsters. Follow me."
>>241821
I start walking back to the truck.
"Here's what I was able to learn. This stallion and the others have been here for at least ten years. That's much longer than this colony has been here. They brought something big from Equestria to here and are set up somewhere in the north. They took the colonists hostage to use as labor."
>>241845
You fumble around with it and make a few tweaks, but translators aren't really your forte, and you doubt you did much.
>>241848
The hug is suitably awkward, but your work on the translator is swift. You reconfigure the system and, you believe, greatly improve its efficiency.
Okay, Pera can roll for that again. +1 bonus on it
>>241850
The hug isn't as awkward as you might expect.
You fumble around with it and make a few tweaks, but translators aren't really your forte, and you doubt you did much.
>>241848
The hug is suitably awkward, but your work on the translator is swift. You reconfigure the system and, you believe, greatly improve its efficiency.
Okay, Pera can roll for that again. +1 bonus on it
>>241850
The hug isn't as awkward as you might expect.
>>241852
The translator spits data at you this time instead of error messages, and you start to sort it out.
Earlier it gave you a list of languages that use the alphabet you're reading, including some varieties of Diamond Dog, Gryphon, and Draconic. You're able to easily pare it down to Draconic — the language of the dragons. It's a language beloved by all sorts of strange mystery cults, and it isn't especially surprising that these weirdos would be speaking it.
The map shows the way back to the cultist layer, you're certain. It's embedded in the side of Mount Luna — the westernmost mountain. You'll have to drive there, but it should only take an hour, at most.
The translator spits data at you this time instead of error messages, and you start to sort it out.
Earlier it gave you a list of languages that use the alphabet you're reading, including some varieties of Diamond Dog, Gryphon, and Draconic. You're able to easily pare it down to Draconic — the language of the dragons. It's a language beloved by all sorts of strange mystery cults, and it isn't especially surprising that these weirdos would be speaking it.
The map shows the way back to the cultist layer, you're certain. It's embedded in the side of Mount Luna — the westernmost mountain. You'll have to drive there, but it should only take an hour, at most.
Our crew rested and refitted back on the Celestial Drifter, where Belle and Gibson found some nifty parts with which they could modify the truck. With their ride now up-armored and carrying a large plasma gun, the landing party drove back to the deserted colony.
There, Clinic managed to once again raise the leader of the small band of ponies that attacked the landing party earlier. While more talkative than before, the ghoul did not reveal too much new information. However, Clinic did determine that the cultist ponies seem to be from the home-world, and they came to Galtor IV several years ago, at least. Grey Eminence, the new ghoul, said that they came to the planet carrying an important cargo, but he did not remember (or did not reveal) what that cargo was. He also said that the colonists were captured and taken to the north.
Gibson found and accessed the colony's log, and this provided yet more evidence that the colonists had been taken north after a struggle.
Pera remembered that the cultists took off into the field after the fight turned against them, and the party investigated the field for whatever the band went after. There they found several hoverbikes, as well as a map. Pera translated the map, and it appears to show the location of their layer to the north.
The landing party is currently still in the colony. It is a little past midday on Galtor IV, with perhaps another 8 hours of daylight left.
There, Clinic managed to once again raise the leader of the small band of ponies that attacked the landing party earlier. While more talkative than before, the ghoul did not reveal too much new information. However, Clinic did determine that the cultist ponies seem to be from the home-world, and they came to Galtor IV several years ago, at least. Grey Eminence, the new ghoul, said that they came to the planet carrying an important cargo, but he did not remember (or did not reveal) what that cargo was. He also said that the colonists were captured and taken to the north.
Gibson found and accessed the colony's log, and this provided yet more evidence that the colonists had been taken north after a struggle.
Pera remembered that the cultists took off into the field after the fight turned against them, and the party investigated the field for whatever the band went after. There they found several hoverbikes, as well as a map. Pera translated the map, and it appears to show the location of their layer to the north.
The landing party is currently still in the colony. It is a little past midday on Galtor IV, with perhaps another 8 hours of daylight left.
>>250170
"Pera's translated a bit more off the cultists' equipment, and Clinic has managed to get a few more answers out of the dead attack leader. With this information, we've located a potential base of operations for the cultists that's on the side of Mount Luna. We've also recovered three hoverbikes that most likely used to belong to the cultists we first encountered. Plan's currently to hit the base and see what falls out, over."
"Pera's translated a bit more off the cultists' equipment, and Clinic has managed to get a few more answers out of the dead attack leader. With this information, we've located a potential base of operations for the cultists that's on the side of Mount Luna. We've also recovered three hoverbikes that most likely used to belong to the cultists we first encountered. Plan's currently to hit the base and see what falls out, over."
>>250176
"Roger that, Ma'am. We'll keep you updated, over and out."
Looking over to the truck, and noticing that there's really not enough room for all of us plus Clinic's mostly-dead follower, I'll consider the hoverbikes.
"So, anyone want to drive alongside the truck with me on the bikes, or are you all comfortable in there?"
"Roger that, Ma'am. We'll keep you updated, over and out."
Looking over to the truck, and noticing that there's really not enough room for all of us plus Clinic's mostly-dead follower, I'll consider the hoverbikes.
"So, anyone want to drive alongside the truck with me on the bikes, or are you all comfortable in there?"
>>250181
"First of all, master, it is inside Mount Bromion.
"The fortress runs deep into the mountain, master. So deep that it taps into the sleeping core of the volcano it lays within. All of the Believers are there, I am sure."
>>250186
"You press the button to start the vehicle, and then you operate its speed via the hoof pedals on each side. It is simple, master. Simple enough that I am sure all of you could learn to operate it without too much remedial classwork."
>>250189
They're not in the best shape, but they all seem to be in working order. They, like the truck, run on fuel cells, and the hydrogen tanks on the side are all intact and fairly full.
"First of all, master, it is inside Mount Bromion.
"The fortress runs deep into the mountain, master. So deep that it taps into the sleeping core of the volcano it lays within. All of the Believers are there, I am sure."
>>250186
"You press the button to start the vehicle, and then you operate its speed via the hoof pedals on each side. It is simple, master. Simple enough that I am sure all of you could learn to operate it without too much remedial classwork."
>>250189
They're not in the best shape, but they all seem to be in working order. They, like the truck, run on fuel cells, and the hydrogen tanks on the side are all intact and fairly full.
>>250192
"There are three entrances into the fortress, master. The main entrance is on the eastern face of the mountain. It overlooks most of the valley. You may be seen, but you might not.
"Another entrance is high on the mountainside. You would all need to climb to the very top, but it is huge and leads into the fortress's heart.
"A third is more secret, my master. The underlings use it to leave the mines quickly without going through the main entrance and inviting the High Priest's ire. If you went this way, I'm sure you would not be seen."
>>250197
You tighten a few bolts and replace the electrical contacts on one of the bikes. They are now in perfect condition.
"There are three entrances into the fortress, master. The main entrance is on the eastern face of the mountain. It overlooks most of the valley. You may be seen, but you might not.
"Another entrance is high on the mountainside. You would all need to climb to the very top, but it is huge and leads into the fortress's heart.
"A third is more secret, my master. The underlings use it to leave the mines quickly without going through the main entrance and inviting the High Priest's ire. If you went this way, I'm sure you would not be seen."
>>250197
You tighten a few bolts and replace the electrical contacts on one of the bikes. They are now in perfect condition.
>>250247
You're no technician. You'll need to roll for it.
Where do you all want to go? Grey Eminence has given you three options. You know where the main entrance is — it's marked clearly on your map. The other two, however, he could guide you to. You just need to ask.
>>250251
His eyes narrow a bit.
"Barbaric."
He points out a location on the east side of the mountain, in the middle of some woods and the base of the mountain.
"It is here, master. A small tunnel leads into the mines."
You're no technician. You'll need to roll for it.
Where do you all want to go? Grey Eminence has given you three options. You know where the main entrance is — it's marked clearly on your map. The other two, however, he could guide you to. You just need to ask.
>>250251
His eyes narrow a bit.
"Barbaric."
He points out a location on the east side of the mountain, in the middle of some woods and the base of the mountain.
"It is here, master. A small tunnel leads into the mines."
>>250278
You're still in the town square, and so you easily access the town's computer. The town had no long-range survey equipment. The closest thing they had was a perimeter alarm that stretched out about five miles around the colony.
There are, however, some geological surveys — made by the BSI corporation's MV Far Wanderer when it first dropped the colonists off here three years ago. They show a simple scan of the surrounding area. Mount Luna is, as Grey Eminence said, a dormant volcano, and it is honeycombed with tunnels made by lava flow over the eons. Significant gem and mineral deposits were expected in the mountain, though the colony had yet to survey the mountain more completely before their disappearance.
>>250284
You get the fuel cell and detach the hydrogen supply, to boot.
>>250298
"Oh, yes, my master, I could never dream of sending you to your violent doom."
You're still in the town square, and so you easily access the town's computer. The town had no long-range survey equipment. The closest thing they had was a perimeter alarm that stretched out about five miles around the colony.
There are, however, some geological surveys — made by the BSI corporation's MV Far Wanderer when it first dropped the colonists off here three years ago. They show a simple scan of the surrounding area. Mount Luna is, as Grey Eminence said, a dormant volcano, and it is honeycombed with tunnels made by lava flow over the eons. Significant gem and mineral deposits were expected in the mountain, though the colony had yet to survey the mountain more completely before their disappearance.
>>250284
You get the fuel cell and detach the hydrogen supply, to boot.
>>250298
"Oh, yes, my master, I could never dream of sending you to your violent doom."
>>250303
"Well that was a dead end… so the third tunnel?"
>>250308
"Oh? You want some music? Here! I think I have something you might like…"
I shoosh her hoof away and connect to the radio, then play http://youtu.be/7H5pYCw4ET4
Also a roll if you want it I guess '1d10+2'
Roll #1 6 + 2 = 8
"Well that was a dead end… so the third tunnel?"
>>250308
"Oh? You want some music? Here! I think I have something you might like…"
I shoosh her hoof away and connect to the radio, then play http://youtu.be/7H5pYCw4ET4
Also a roll if you want it I guess '1d10+2'
Roll #1 6 + 2 = 8
File: 1355459326818.png (76.89 KB, 1000x1000, map.png)
>>250308
The only higher lifeforms on this planet are you, the cultists, and (hopefully) the colonists. There are no radio stations.
You do, however, pick up a transmission from an orbiting weather satellite. It's just some arcane beeping, though.
>>250310
"The only entrance that would ensure secrecy would be the third one I mentioned — the one on the western side of the mountain note: I originally said it was on the east — my mistake. It will lead you deep into the roots of the mountain.
"The main entrance may lead you to safety, or it may not. The valley is watched by many eyes, and they will likely see you. It leads into the fort, far above the mines.
"The other entrance is far, far up the mountain. You would need to climb very high, indeed. It would lead you into the belly of the fort, if you succeeded and did not fall…"
The red "x" is roughly the location of the main entrance. The green arrow and x points towards where the tunnel is. The blue arrow points towards the entrance high up the mountain.
The only higher lifeforms on this planet are you, the cultists, and (hopefully) the colonists. There are no radio stations.
You do, however, pick up a transmission from an orbiting weather satellite. It's just some arcane beeping, though.
>>250310
"The only entrance that would ensure secrecy would be the third one I mentioned — the one on the western side of the mountain note: I originally said it was on the east — my mistake. It will lead you deep into the roots of the mountain.
"The main entrance may lead you to safety, or it may not. The valley is watched by many eyes, and they will likely see you. It leads into the fort, far above the mines.
"The other entrance is far, far up the mountain. You would need to climb very high, indeed. It would lead you into the belly of the fort, if you succeeded and did not fall…"
The red "x" is roughly the location of the main entrance. The green arrow and x points towards where the tunnel is. The blue arrow points towards the entrance high up the mountain.
You drive for about an hour through rough terrain before finally reaching the woods marked on your map. The trees of Galtor IV are odd, tall and spindly, with silver-white leaves — likely the result of the bright white star around which the planet orbits. They are tightly-packed in the woods, but they are fortunately brittle and easily bulldozed by the truck.
"There — there!" Grey Eminence says, pointing at a large cave in the side of a cliff face. A trickle of water seeps through the cave and rolls down through the woods. You could, perhaps, fit the truck through the cave, but it will be a very tight squeeze, and there would probably be no way turn it around.
"There — there!" Grey Eminence says, pointing at a large cave in the side of a cliff face. A trickle of water seeps through the cave and rolls down through the woods. You could, perhaps, fit the truck through the cave, but it will be a very tight squeeze, and there would probably be no way turn it around.
>>250439
"You will reach the mines very quickly, my lord. They lay just below the rest of the fort."
>>250438
You park the truck behind an outcropping of rocks. You take the keys with you.
>>250442
It's spooky, alright. There's just the eery drip drip drip of a subterranean river. It smells awful — the river is evidently used as some sort of drainage ditch.
If you listen hard, you can hear the faint sound of hooves echoing down the cave.
>>250450
It looks safe enough. The sides of the cave are reinforced with a few steel struts. You doubt there's any risk of cave-in.
"You will reach the mines very quickly, my lord. They lay just below the rest of the fort."
>>250438
You park the truck behind an outcropping of rocks. You take the keys with you.
>>250442
It's spooky, alright. There's just the eery drip drip drip of a subterranean river. It smells awful — the river is evidently used as some sort of drainage ditch.
If you listen hard, you can hear the faint sound of hooves echoing down the cave.
>>250450
It looks safe enough. The sides of the cave are reinforced with a few steel struts. You doubt there's any risk of cave-in.
>>250493
>>250489
>>250487
The tunnel you are in opens up into a large cavern, lit by unknown sources. You can't see anything inside, other than more rock and the trickling stream.
>>250491
You see the cold walls of the cave. The opening towards the cavern with the light is slightly warmer.
>>250494
You see nothing as you look around… but you can hear breathing. At least one thing is breathing in there.
You also see a panel on the right side of the tunnel. It's cleverly disguised to look like a rock, but you can tell that it's really a button of some sort.
>>250489
>>250487
The tunnel you are in opens up into a large cavern, lit by unknown sources. You can't see anything inside, other than more rock and the trickling stream.
>>250491
You see the cold walls of the cave. The opening towards the cavern with the light is slightly warmer.
>>250494
You see nothing as you look around… but you can hear breathing. At least one thing is breathing in there.
You also see a panel on the right side of the tunnel. It's cleverly disguised to look like a rock, but you can tell that it's really a button of some sort.
>>250532
A thick grating slams down behind you, cutting you off from Clinic, Grey, Pera, and Gibson. Only you and Belle (and Boltzy) are on the side of the grating closer to the cavern.
"Well, well, well, we got ourselves a gutter rat!" You hear a gruff voice from inside the cavern.
"Come on out, mister rat. We'll go easy on you if you play nice."
You hear the sound of a dozen laser rifle capacitors charging up, and your hair stands on end.
A thick grating slams down behind you, cutting you off from Clinic, Grey, Pera, and Gibson. Only you and Belle (and Boltzy) are on the side of the grating closer to the cavern.
"Well, well, well, we got ourselves a gutter rat!" You hear a gruff voice from inside the cavern.
"Come on out, mister rat. We'll go easy on you if you play nice."
You hear the sound of a dozen laser rifle capacitors charging up, and your hair stands on end.
>>250553
>>250556
I smack my face.
"Great. Now they know that we're back here…"
Can I see any of them? Can I determine if, say, their laser rifles may or may not be capable of being shorted out by a unicorn who's probably at least generally familiar from having worked with them for so long? '1d10'
Roll #1 9 = 9
>>250556
I smack my face.
"Great. Now they know that we're back here…"
Can I see any of them? Can I determine if, say, their laser rifles may or may not be capable of being shorted out by a unicorn who's probably at least generally familiar from having worked with them for so long? '1d10'
Roll #1 9 = 9
>>250571
The tunnel behind you is shut by the grating, but the way into the cavern is open.
"I'm counting to three, and if you don't come out, then we're going to hunt you like the rat you are."
"One…"
You hear a few sadistic giggles from whoever else is in the cavern.
>>250569
The bars look like they're resistant to laser fire, but they also seem to be noticeably corroded towards the top.
>>250567
You can't see anything, but you know from hundreds of hours sunk into Canter Strike that they sound like standard RM-J7 laser rifles — the standard of the Royal Guard. They don't really have an electronics package that can be remotely accessed, though.
You do hear, however, the sound of an RT-999 heavy support laser, which should have a remote access port on it — used for automatic turrets and the like.
>>250566
You scurry about but can't find a way forward. The path back to the forest and the truck is free, however.
The tunnel behind you is shut by the grating, but the way into the cavern is open.
"I'm counting to three, and if you don't come out, then we're going to hunt you like the rat you are."
"One…"
You hear a few sadistic giggles from whoever else is in the cavern.
>>250569
The bars look like they're resistant to laser fire, but they also seem to be noticeably corroded towards the top.
>>250567
You can't see anything, but you know from hundreds of hours sunk into Canter Strike that they sound like standard RM-J7 laser rifles — the standard of the Royal Guard. They don't really have an electronics package that can be remotely accessed, though.
You do hear, however, the sound of an RT-999 heavy support laser, which should have a remote access port on it — used for automatic turrets and the like.
>>250566
You scurry about but can't find a way forward. The path back to the forest and the truck is free, however.
>>250585
You pop your head out and look around. The cavern is shaped like a long ditch. The river of sludge runs through the center of it and into the tunnel you came through. On either side is a raised concrete platform.
On each platform are five ponies, all dressed in robes, and each carrying a laser rifle. One to the left is laying behind a support laser.
Further down the cavern, the tunnel you came through continues. You can't see where it leads.
One of the ponies shoots at your head and you quickly duck back inside. You hear them laughing uproariously in the cavern.
"Two…."
>>250591
You throw yourself against the grating. You collide with it hard, but it doesn't budge. Your shoulder hurts a lot now.
>>250586
You remotely access the support laser with the Nverness interface unit. It doesn't look like they changed the default passwords or encryption at all.
You could turn off the laser rifle, if you want, which would keep it offline until the user managed to cycle it back online. You could also try to overload the capacitor, which could destroy it (though this would be difficult). You might also try turning the automatic targeting system on. If the IFF hasn't been programmed, that might not be so good for the cultists.
>>250594
You put a big dent in the grating, but it's not broken yet. Your head smarts pretty bad now.
>>250601
You chisel at the area around the button with your ray pistol. You can see the wiring now. It looks like it's connected to a battery pack, which you can also see.
You pop your head out and look around. The cavern is shaped like a long ditch. The river of sludge runs through the center of it and into the tunnel you came through. On either side is a raised concrete platform.
On each platform are five ponies, all dressed in robes, and each carrying a laser rifle. One to the left is laying behind a support laser.
Further down the cavern, the tunnel you came through continues. You can't see where it leads.
One of the ponies shoots at your head and you quickly duck back inside. You hear them laughing uproariously in the cavern.
"Two…."
>>250591
You throw yourself against the grating. You collide with it hard, but it doesn't budge. Your shoulder hurts a lot now.
>>250586
You remotely access the support laser with the Nverness interface unit. It doesn't look like they changed the default passwords or encryption at all.
You could turn off the laser rifle, if you want, which would keep it offline until the user managed to cycle it back online. You could also try to overload the capacitor, which could destroy it (though this would be difficult). You might also try turning the automatic targeting system on. If the IFF hasn't been programmed, that might not be so good for the cultists.
>>250594
You put a big dent in the grating, but it's not broken yet. Your head smarts pretty bad now.
>>250601
You chisel at the area around the button with your ray pistol. You can see the wiring now. It looks like it's connected to a battery pack, which you can also see.
>>250616
You lean outside, but just as you put your head out the cavern you feel a laser blast grazes you across the back.
"Three! Alright, boys, have at 'em!"
Somepony throws two large metal balls into the "ditch." You watch as both clatter and clack as they unfold, revealing two robots walking on six legs. The heads on each robot are shaped like a wolf's, each with rows upon rows of glittering teeth.
>>250618
Once more you throw yourself against the grating. Your shoulder hurts even worse now, and the grating looks no worse for wear.
>>250619
The wires are now disconnected. The button and grating has no power to its systems.
>>250614
You work quickly and erase the IFF data. You'll still need to turn on the automated systems for it to fire on them, however.
>>250617
After Clinic Gives it a try, you bust your head against the grating again. You fall over afterwards and waggle your legs in the air in pain.
You lean outside, but just as you put your head out the cavern you feel a laser blast grazes you across the back.
"Three! Alright, boys, have at 'em!"
Somepony throws two large metal balls into the "ditch." You watch as both clatter and clack as they unfold, revealing two robots walking on six legs. The heads on each robot are shaped like a wolf's, each with rows upon rows of glittering teeth.
>>250618
Once more you throw yourself against the grating. Your shoulder hurts even worse now, and the grating looks no worse for wear.
>>250619
The wires are now disconnected. The button and grating has no power to its systems.
>>250614
You work quickly and erase the IFF data. You'll still need to turn on the automated systems for it to fire on them, however.
>>250617
After Clinic Gives it a try, you bust your head against the grating again. You fall over afterwards and waggle your legs in the air in pain.
The crew of the MV Celestial Drifter, acting on the advice of Grey Eminence (Clinic Love's ghoul minion) entered the cultist fortress through a secret tunnel, only to find that the tunnel was not so secret as they were lead to believe…
>>250625
You transmit the order to begin automatic fire, and the support laser gets to work. You hear it begin to shoot.
"Hey, what the hell, Jumpy?"
"It's not me!"
"Agh! I'm hit"
"Turn it off!"
'1d10'
>>250629
You lean in again, but it holds steady.
>>250631
As you raise your gun to shoot, the lead wolf leaps at your face, biting and yelping the whole way. You rear back and it misses its lunge, but it scratches you with one of its legs.
>>250636
As cute as you are, the ferro-carbide-coated steel bars are too strong for you.
>>250644
He sighs and throws his body limply against the bars. It fails to budge.
>>250628
You reverse the wires and reconnect everything. You slap the button… and nothing happens. The gate remains firmly shut.
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>250625
You transmit the order to begin automatic fire, and the support laser gets to work. You hear it begin to shoot.
"Hey, what the hell, Jumpy?"
"It's not me!"
"Agh! I'm hit"
"Turn it off!"
'1d10'
>>250629
You lean in again, but it holds steady.
>>250631
As you raise your gun to shoot, the lead wolf leaps at your face, biting and yelping the whole way. You rear back and it misses its lunge, but it scratches you with one of its legs.
>>250636
As cute as you are, the ferro-carbide-coated steel bars are too strong for you.
>>250644
He sighs and throws his body limply against the bars. It fails to budge.
>>250628
You reverse the wires and reconnect everything. You slap the button… and nothing happens. The gate remains firmly shut.
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>256571
You try your best rendition of that old goat spiritual, "We're All Going to Die and There's Nothing You Can Do About It… (So You'd Better Eat a Pretty Dress Before the End)." To your surprise, however, your companions don't seem to respond in the appropriate, uplifted manner.
>>256572
You reach for your laser pistol only for the robotic wolf to lung for you leg and pull you to the ground. He begins dragging through the muck, out of the tunnel and into the cavern.
You are now helpless.
>>256574
>>256575
You give the gate the ol' shoulder, but it remains firmly rooted to the ground and ceiling.
You order Grey to give it his all, too, and the ghoul makes a surprising effort. Fueled by magical energy and a disregard for any pain he might still feel, the undead pony bucks it three times, knocking a huge hole through the center of the bars. You easily bend the remainder, and the gate is now open.
>>256576
"For Bromion's sake, Jumpy, get that thing tu- AAAHHGH!"
"I'm trying!"
You see through the support laser's infrared sights that you burn a large cylindrical hole through one of the cultists. He falls down, almost certainly dead.
You try your best rendition of that old goat spiritual, "We're All Going to Die and There's Nothing You Can Do About It… (So You'd Better Eat a Pretty Dress Before the End)." To your surprise, however, your companions don't seem to respond in the appropriate, uplifted manner.
>>256572
You reach for your laser pistol only for the robotic wolf to lung for you leg and pull you to the ground. He begins dragging through the muck, out of the tunnel and into the cavern.
You are now helpless.
>>256574
>>256575
You give the gate the ol' shoulder, but it remains firmly rooted to the ground and ceiling.
You order Grey to give it his all, too, and the ghoul makes a surprising effort. Fueled by magical energy and a disregard for any pain he might still feel, the undead pony bucks it three times, knocking a huge hole through the center of the bars. You easily bend the remainder, and the gate is now open.
>>256576
"For Bromion's sake, Jumpy, get that thing tu- AAAHHGH!"
"I'm trying!"
You see through the support laser's infrared sights that you burn a large cylindrical hole through one of the cultists. He falls down, almost certainly dead.
>>256581
You struggle valiantly, but the wolf drags you further into the tunnel. It bites down hard on your leg, but you aren't wounded too badly.
Fortunately, the situation with the support laser is keeping the cultists from paying much attention to you.
>>256584
You leap over Clinic and charge through the now open gate and ram the wolf hard, sending it back a few yards. You help Hotshot to his hooves.
He is no longer helpless.
>>256585
Following Pera through the gate, you stop at the entrance to the cavern and take a quick shot at the robot that was dragging Hotshot through the sewage. You don't land a solid shot, but it's good enough to melt one of its teeth off. Now it only has about 49 left.
>>256587
You move forward a bit, but you keep your eyes on your interface unit. You override the cultists' attempts to shut the laser off and blast the head off of another one.
You struggle valiantly, but the wolf drags you further into the tunnel. It bites down hard on your leg, but you aren't wounded too badly.
Fortunately, the situation with the support laser is keeping the cultists from paying much attention to you.
>>256584
You leap over Clinic and charge through the now open gate and ram the wolf hard, sending it back a few yards. You help Hotshot to his hooves.
He is no longer helpless.
>>256585
Following Pera through the gate, you stop at the entrance to the cavern and take a quick shot at the robot that was dragging Hotshot through the sewage. You don't land a solid shot, but it's good enough to melt one of its teeth off. Now it only has about 49 left.
>>256587
You move forward a bit, but you keep your eyes on your interface unit. You override the cultists' attempts to shut the laser off and blast the head off of another one.
>>256591
You think for a second and settle on the theme tune to the Daring-Do video series. Much more uplifting for ponies, the song makes everyone feel a little better about this whole thing.
+1 to everyone's next roll.
>>256593
You just barely wing him, stunning him for a second but failing to do any serious harm.
Grey is right next to you now.
>>256594
Your parting shots miss, but the shots from two of the cultists on the ledge to your left do not. They each hit you on your back, though they don't cause any real damage.
>>256602
You can only really fire on the cultists on the right side of the cavern, as well as whatever is in the ditch (your party, as well as the robots). There are 3 cultists on the right remaining.
You let loose with a torrent of laser fire again. You hit one of the cultists in the legs, and he falls to the ground.
'1d10'
>>256606
You drag Hotshot back into the tunnel and apply some salve of Hyraxian Nutroot and pumice. This quickly numbs the pain and cleanses his wounds. You bandage up his leg, and Hotshot feels as good as new.
Roll #1 9 = 9
You think for a second and settle on the theme tune to the Daring-Do video series. Much more uplifting for ponies, the song makes everyone feel a little better about this whole thing.
+1 to everyone's next roll.
>>256593
You just barely wing him, stunning him for a second but failing to do any serious harm.
Grey is right next to you now.
>>256594
Your parting shots miss, but the shots from two of the cultists on the ledge to your left do not. They each hit you on your back, though they don't cause any real damage.
>>256602
You can only really fire on the cultists on the right side of the cavern, as well as whatever is in the ditch (your party, as well as the robots). There are 3 cultists on the right remaining.
You let loose with a torrent of laser fire again. You hit one of the cultists in the legs, and he falls to the ground.
'1d10'
>>256606
You drag Hotshot back into the tunnel and apply some salve of Hyraxian Nutroot and pumice. This quickly numbs the pain and cleanses his wounds. You bandage up his leg, and Hotshot feels as good as new.
Roll #1 9 = 9
>>256614
>6
You graze one of the wolves across its snapping steel face, but it presses forward towards Pera.
>>256615
You take aim at the same wolf and fire a perfect laser beam straight into its motor servos. It falls to the ground.
>>256619
You leap forward and ram the downed wolf. It jitters for a second and explodes in a shower of sparks.
>>256617
>13
Running out of targets on the opposing ledge, the targeting system aims at the remaining wolf in the drainage canal. A single white-hot ray of focused energy vaporizes the robot instantly into no more than a pile of metallic dust.
>>256623
You pull Pera inside the cavern and bandage a cut above her eye from when she was ramming the gate.
>6
You graze one of the wolves across its snapping steel face, but it presses forward towards Pera.
>>256615
You take aim at the same wolf and fire a perfect laser beam straight into its motor servos. It falls to the ground.
>>256619
You leap forward and ram the downed wolf. It jitters for a second and explodes in a shower of sparks.
>>256617
>13
Running out of targets on the opposing ledge, the targeting system aims at the remaining wolf in the drainage canal. A single white-hot ray of focused energy vaporizes the robot instantly into no more than a pile of metallic dust.
>>256623
You pull Pera inside the cavern and bandage a cut above her eye from when she was ramming the gate.
File: 1355721134871.png (13.69 KB, 539x450, map.png)
>>256628
There are many still up on the ledges. On the left-hand ledge, there are five, most of whom are attempting to repair the support laser system. As you lean out to harass them, one of them spots you and hits you in the face. Fortunately, it's a weak shot, and you just feel like your corneas are on fire.
>>256629
You strike up a minimalist composition. Just a long B-flat note that shifts intermittently to an off-key C-sharp.
It does little to liven the mood.
>>256634
All the wolves dead, you step outside the cavern to shoot a cultist.
The cultists are waiting for your head to appear, however, having just tagged Hotshot a second before. A scalding laser blast burns the top of your head, and you collapse to the mucky ground.
You are helpless.
>>256635
Your turret takes a shot at one of the two ponies standing on the righthand ledge. He yowels in pain and drops to the ground.
You start to strut out into the cavern, but think better of it when you see Belle take that laser blast to the head.
'1d10'
>>256640
"I think master should be more attentive and not celebrate victory before it is achieved."
Roll #1 5 = 5
There are many still up on the ledges. On the left-hand ledge, there are five, most of whom are attempting to repair the support laser system. As you lean out to harass them, one of them spots you and hits you in the face. Fortunately, it's a weak shot, and you just feel like your corneas are on fire.
>>256629
You strike up a minimalist composition. Just a long B-flat note that shifts intermittently to an off-key C-sharp.
It does little to liven the mood.
>>256634
All the wolves dead, you step outside the cavern to shoot a cultist.
The cultists are waiting for your head to appear, however, having just tagged Hotshot a second before. A scalding laser blast burns the top of your head, and you collapse to the mucky ground.
You are helpless.
>>256635
Your turret takes a shot at one of the two ponies standing on the righthand ledge. He yowels in pain and drops to the ground.
You start to strut out into the cavern, but think better of it when you see Belle take that laser blast to the head.
'1d10'
>>256640
"I think master should be more attentive and not celebrate victory before it is achieved."
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>256648
You run out into the cavern to pull Belle back, but you slide in the muck and go too far. As you scramble back, one of the cultists lacerates your back with his laser rifle.
>>256650
>>256652
Your turret fires a few quick shots at the other side of the cavern and hits the sole standing cultist. He yelps but remains on his hooves before diving behind cover.
>>256653
You try to pull Belle back in, but as you do so a cultist laser blast ricochets into the tunnel. Your teammates are lucky, though — you take the brunt of the weakened blast. Your side aches a little, but you'll be fine.
>>256654
You scramble to you hooves and pull your erstwhile compatriots into the tunnel.
'1d10'
Roll #1 8 = 8
You run out into the cavern to pull Belle back, but you slide in the muck and go too far. As you scramble back, one of the cultists lacerates your back with his laser rifle.
>>256650
>>256652
Your turret fires a few quick shots at the other side of the cavern and hits the sole standing cultist. He yelps but remains on his hooves before diving behind cover.
>>256653
You try to pull Belle back in, but as you do so a cultist laser blast ricochets into the tunnel. Your teammates are lucky, though — you take the brunt of the weakened blast. Your side aches a little, but you'll be fine.
>>256654
You scramble to you hooves and pull your erstwhile compatriots into the tunnel.
'1d10'
Roll #1 8 = 8
>>256660
>>256658
While your huge form makes a tempting target for the cultists, they refrain from shooting at you while you take a few potshots. They only offer retaliatory fire after you lean back inside. Neither of you does any significant damage to the other.
>>256661
You scurry back and fire, but fail to hit anything but cavern.
>>256664
You leap up and begin shooting wildly, hitting little except for the face of one of the cultists. He screams and falls to the ground before rolling around in pain.
>>256669
The turret shorts out for a moment before something clicks. A cheer goes up in the cultist ranks, and you hear the support laser reboot and prepare to fire on all of you.
>>256672
It's not quite as safe as you'd like, however. As you peek out, one of the cultists shoots you in the chest, opening up a small cut.
"Prepare to flush 'em out, boys!" you hear the lead pony say.
>>256658
While your huge form makes a tempting target for the cultists, they refrain from shooting at you while you take a few potshots. They only offer retaliatory fire after you lean back inside. Neither of you does any significant damage to the other.
>>256661
You scurry back and fire, but fail to hit anything but cavern.
>>256664
You leap up and begin shooting wildly, hitting little except for the face of one of the cultists. He screams and falls to the ground before rolling around in pain.
>>256669
The turret shorts out for a moment before something clicks. A cheer goes up in the cultist ranks, and you hear the support laser reboot and prepare to fire on all of you.
>>256672
It's not quite as safe as you'd like, however. As you peek out, one of the cultists shoots you in the chest, opening up a small cut.
"Prepare to flush 'em out, boys!" you hear the lead pony say.
>>256679
>>256681
You both lean out and fire at the leader. A hot blast of plasma burns his coat, and then Clinic's laser fire to his legs sends him sprawling. "Charge, believers!" he says, before he falls.
>>256685
You buzz out a little bit of "The Ballad of Don Perseo," the story of the bravest goat knight who ever lived. It's a good song, but short, and everyone always asks for more.
Everyone's spirits are raised a bit. +1 to your next roll.
>>256690
You scramble to reverse the cultists' gains. Hastily accessing the turret again, you find that the laser's software has locked you out of most interface commands. Nevertheless, you manage to convince its cooling system that it is overheating, and you hear the laser begin venting heat and discharging its capacitors. It'll be a while before the laser comes back online.
>>256692
Boltzy feels a little better.
>>256681
You both lean out and fire at the leader. A hot blast of plasma burns his coat, and then Clinic's laser fire to his legs sends him sprawling. "Charge, believers!" he says, before he falls.
>>256685
You buzz out a little bit of "The Ballad of Don Perseo," the story of the bravest goat knight who ever lived. It's a good song, but short, and everyone always asks for more.
Everyone's spirits are raised a bit. +1 to your next roll.
>>256690
You scramble to reverse the cultists' gains. Hastily accessing the turret again, you find that the laser's software has locked you out of most interface commands. Nevertheless, you manage to convince its cooling system that it is overheating, and you hear the laser begin venting heat and discharging its capacitors. It'll be a while before the laser comes back online.
>>256692
Boltzy feels a little better.
>>256705
The Cultists jump into the canal, lasers pointed at the tunnel. Counting six of them, you prepare to fire, but you jump back into the tunnel as they unleash a concentrated burst of laser fire.
>>256706
>>256709
Both of you fail to dodge the incoming wall of laser bolts. Both of you are burnt badly on the chest, and you collapse to the ground, spent.
>>256711
Your goatish speed and grace allows you to slip under the cultists' shots, and you prepare to ram the nearest hostile. He dodges you at the last minute, however, and you instead slam into the side of the canal.
>>256729
Taking cover behind the cavern entrance, you avoid the incoming laser fire and blast one of the cultists in the face. He falls down, alive but squirming.
The Cultists jump into the canal, lasers pointed at the tunnel. Counting six of them, you prepare to fire, but you jump back into the tunnel as they unleash a concentrated burst of laser fire.
>>256706
>>256709
Both of you fail to dodge the incoming wall of laser bolts. Both of you are burnt badly on the chest, and you collapse to the ground, spent.
>>256711
Your goatish speed and grace allows you to slip under the cultists' shots, and you prepare to ram the nearest hostile. He dodges you at the last minute, however, and you instead slam into the side of the canal.
>>256729
Taking cover behind the cavern entrance, you avoid the incoming laser fire and blast one of the cultists in the face. He falls down, alive but squirming.
>>256742
You get back up easily and scramble for cover in the tunnel.
>>256744
You struggle to your hooves, only have a wicked blast of laser fire cut open your back. You scream in pain.
The cultists will start rolling for it in a turn or two
>>256745
You rush back to help Gibson, but as you reach him, the same laser bolt that sent him sprawling hits you in the chin. You are knocked back a few feet, but remain on your hooves.
>>256750
"Menial labor — of course, my master." He mimes zombie movements and moves to help Gibson. As he reaches the cavern, however, he is struck by a laser bolt and cannot reach the helpless pony.
You return fire at one of the lead cultists. He grunts as a laser bolt misses him and hits the rock wall beside him, sending a shower of debris into his eyes.
>>256751
You shoot a few times, but keep missing. The torrent of laser fire is too much for you to risk peeking out too much farther.
You get back up easily and scramble for cover in the tunnel.
>>256744
You struggle to your hooves, only have a wicked blast of laser fire cut open your back. You scream in pain.
The cultists will start rolling for it in a turn or two
>>256745
You rush back to help Gibson, but as you reach him, the same laser bolt that sent him sprawling hits you in the chin. You are knocked back a few feet, but remain on your hooves.
>>256750
"Menial labor — of course, my master." He mimes zombie movements and moves to help Gibson. As he reaches the cavern, however, he is struck by a laser bolt and cannot reach the helpless pony.
You return fire at one of the lead cultists. He grunts as a laser bolt misses him and hits the rock wall beside him, sending a shower of debris into his eyes.
>>256751
You shoot a few times, but keep missing. The torrent of laser fire is too much for you to risk peeking out too much farther.
>>256762
It actually sort of does. I don't know if we discussed this an past the first session, but laser rifles have the "cleave" and "power attack" abilities, renamed "pulse" and "disruptor," respectively.
You lean out and take another burn to your leg, right where the dog bit you. Were it not for Belle's medicine, it would likely hurt quite a bit.
>>256764
Gibson crawls meekly towards the tunnel…
>>256766
…but Pera grabs him and pulls him back in.
>>256767
Boltzy dives behind a few rocks while you sally forth. You strike one of the lead ponies right in the temple. He falls just as…
>>256769
…Clinic shoots him in the chest. A huge gaping wound opens up across his heart, and he dies before he reaches the ground.
"A wise choice, my lord," Grey says before joining Boltzy behind a rock.
It actually sort of does. I don't know if we discussed this an past the first session, but laser rifles have the "cleave" and "power attack" abilities, renamed "pulse" and "disruptor," respectively.
You lean out and take another burn to your leg, right where the dog bit you. Were it not for Belle's medicine, it would likely hurt quite a bit.
>>256764
Gibson crawls meekly towards the tunnel…
>>256766
…but Pera grabs him and pulls him back in.
>>256767
Boltzy dives behind a few rocks while you sally forth. You strike one of the lead ponies right in the temple. He falls just as…
>>256769
…Clinic shoots him in the chest. A huge gaping wound opens up across his heart, and he dies before he reaches the ground.
"A wise choice, my lord," Grey says before joining Boltzy behind a rock.
>>256776
Following Belle's charge, you run into the cavern, where the cultists' fusillade meets you. You take several shots to your enormous person, but stay on your hooves. You return fire, but only manage to hit a stalactite.
>>256778
Not wanting to let Belle and Clinic win all the glory, you charge as well, only to meet the same fate as your buffalo comrade. But where he withstood several laser hits, you fall to the ground in pain.
>>256781
You lean out into the tunnel and fire a few potshots, but none strike true.
>>256780
As you frantically wave, you hum a hymn of Celestia. Everyone feels a little braver.
+1 to everyone's next roll.
>>256784
You apply a compact of Proximan Parallax and Mint. It cools Gibson's burns, but does little else.
Following Belle's charge, you run into the cavern, where the cultists' fusillade meets you. You take several shots to your enormous person, but stay on your hooves. You return fire, but only manage to hit a stalactite.
>>256778
Not wanting to let Belle and Clinic win all the glory, you charge as well, only to meet the same fate as your buffalo comrade. But where he withstood several laser hits, you fall to the ground in pain.
>>256781
You lean out into the tunnel and fire a few potshots, but none strike true.
>>256780
As you frantically wave, you hum a hymn of Celestia. Everyone feels a little braver.
+1 to everyone's next roll.
>>256784
You apply a compact of Proximan Parallax and Mint. It cools Gibson's burns, but does little else.
>>256794
>6
You stagger but get on your hooves, ready to fight once more.
>>256795
>4
You rub some more compact into his wounds. Nothing changes.
>>256798
You try that CSI: Canterlot theme Belle likes, but you only get a few bars before you start coughing and spitting.
>>256801
You take out your medkit and try to fix him up, but you fumble and drop the medkit in the sludge.
>>256802
Steadying your pistol against the wall, you fire a shot at one of the cultists in the canal. Hitting him right in the knees, you send him into the muck, where he rolls around helplessly before dieing from shock.
>6
You stagger but get on your hooves, ready to fight once more.
>>256795
>4
You rub some more compact into his wounds. Nothing changes.
>>256798
You try that CSI: Canterlot theme Belle likes, but you only get a few bars before you start coughing and spitting.
>>256801
You take out your medkit and try to fix him up, but you fumble and drop the medkit in the sludge.
>>256802
Steadying your pistol against the wall, you fire a shot at one of the cultists in the canal. Hitting him right in the knees, you send him into the muck, where he rolls around helplessly before dieing from shock.
>>256809
Your harmonica plays a bit of "Dirge of the Flying Gryphon," a song about a lost starship that prowls the void and drags ships to their dooms.
It's not very uplifting at all.
>>256812
You clean and bandage the cuts along Gibson's back. He feels a bit better.
>>256814
You rub in a soothing salve of Moxleaf powder. Gibson's wounds are cleaned and the bleeding has stopped. He feels fine.
>>256815
You try to lean out and shoot somepony, only to miss wildly. The cultist you aimed for shoots back, hitting you on the torso. You wobble a bit but stay on your hooves.
>>256820
You stutter a bit but for the most part keep it together.
Your harmonica plays a bit of "Dirge of the Flying Gryphon," a song about a lost starship that prowls the void and drags ships to their dooms.
It's not very uplifting at all.
>>256812
You clean and bandage the cuts along Gibson's back. He feels a bit better.
>>256814
You rub in a soothing salve of Moxleaf powder. Gibson's wounds are cleaned and the bleeding has stopped. He feels fine.
>>256815
You try to lean out and shoot somepony, only to miss wildly. The cultist you aimed for shoots back, hitting you on the torso. You wobble a bit but stay on your hooves.
>>256820
You stutter a bit but for the most part keep it together.
>>256842
You jump out into the cavern and begin shooting at one of the three ponies still standing. You nail one of them in the hoof, which does little damage. It still hurts a lot.
>>256843
You charge the pony Hotshot harassed, landing both horns squarely in his teeth. He falls to the ground, wounded and helpless and toothless.
>>256846
You charge forth, following Pera, but you slip on some sewage and fall down. You spend the next few moments struggling to get back up. Fortunately, nobody shoots at you while you rise to your hooves.
>>256858
You follow Clinic and dodge his lumbering and falling form. You put a shot into the cultist Pera felled and end his mad mad mad life.
>>256859
There are now just two cultists left in the canal. You see one of them and shoot him in the face. He screams but remains standing.
You jump out into the cavern and begin shooting at one of the three ponies still standing. You nail one of them in the hoof, which does little damage. It still hurts a lot.
>>256843
You charge the pony Hotshot harassed, landing both horns squarely in his teeth. He falls to the ground, wounded and helpless and toothless.
>>256846
You charge forth, following Pera, but you slip on some sewage and fall down. You spend the next few moments struggling to get back up. Fortunately, nobody shoots at you while you rise to your hooves.
>>256858
You follow Clinic and dodge his lumbering and falling form. You put a shot into the cultist Pera felled and end his mad mad mad life.
>>256859
There are now just two cultists left in the canal. You see one of them and shoot him in the face. He screams but remains standing.
>>256882
You pounce on the felled cultist and eviscerate him with your tiny horns. He screams and dies.
>>256885
You leap up onto the left-hand ledge and scorch the cultist leader, who remains alive but wounded. He is alive no longer after the roasting you gave him.
>>256889
You leap onto the right hand ledge and put down another one of the cultists.
>>256890
There are no cultists remaining. They are all dead.
The cavern you are in is empty save for a few barrels and chairs. There's also a music system set up in the corner, as well as a water cooler.
It looks like this place was a guard post.
The tunnel you arrived here in continues forward, past the cavern. You may press forward or return to your truck.
You pounce on the felled cultist and eviscerate him with your tiny horns. He screams and dies.
>>256885
You leap up onto the left-hand ledge and scorch the cultist leader, who remains alive but wounded. He is alive no longer after the roasting you gave him.
>>256889
You leap onto the right hand ledge and put down another one of the cultists.
>>256890
There are no cultists remaining. They are all dead.
The cavern you are in is empty save for a few barrels and chairs. There's also a music system set up in the corner, as well as a water cooler.
It looks like this place was a guard post.
The tunnel you arrived here in continues forward, past the cavern. You may press forward or return to your truck.
>>256903
>>256902
"I believed that it was just the unguarded sewage system, master. That was what all the acolytes assigned to the mines told me! How was I to know that it had been fortified?"
>>256907
It sounds like… religious music. Hymns in an alien tongue.
You manage to turn the turret on. It is still stuck in its cooldown cycle.
>>256909
You feel pretty bad. He may have been a crazy weirdo who wanted to murder you, but he was once just a little foal…
>>256913
You left none alive. There are just ten dead cultists here, a junked robotic wolf, and a pile of ash from that other robot.
>>256902
"I believed that it was just the unguarded sewage system, master. That was what all the acolytes assigned to the mines told me! How was I to know that it had been fortified?"
>>256907
It sounds like… religious music. Hymns in an alien tongue.
You manage to turn the turret on. It is still stuck in its cooldown cycle.
>>256909
You feel pretty bad. He may have been a crazy weirdo who wanted to murder you, but he was once just a little foal…
>>256913
You left none alive. There are just ten dead cultists here, a junked robotic wolf, and a pile of ash from that other robot.
>>256934
The system shuts down completely at your touch. It's totally inoperative.
>>256936
"I have told you all that I know. This tunnel should lead straight into the mines."
>>256937
You feel a little better. He may have once been a foal, but he was trying to kill you.
It's still not a good feeling, though.
The system shuts down completely at your touch. It's totally inoperative.
>>256936
"I have told you all that I know. This tunnel should lead straight into the mines."
>>256937
You feel a little better. He may have once been a foal, but he was trying to kill you.
It's still not a good feeling, though.
>>256942
>>256954
>>256945
"I guess you're right…"
I wipe my tears away and sigh
>>256944
…I just cringe and walk further into the tunnel, looking about while trying to distract myself form this horrible feeling.
Do I spot any papers or notes or anything with writing these cultists have laying around?
Roll #0 4 = 4
>>256954
>>256945
"I guess you're right…"
I wipe my tears away and sigh
>>256944
…I just cringe and walk further into the tunnel, looking about while trying to distract myself form this horrible feeling.
Do I spot any papers or notes or anything with writing these cultists have laying around?
Roll #0 4 = 4
>>256977
It's pretty much junked. You'll need to make multiple rolls if you want it to work again.
You repair its movement servos. If you can get the rest of it working again, it will be able to move well enough.
It still needs its power system repaired, and its main computer will need to be repaired, as well.
>>256980
With your knowledge of the Draconic language, you easily translate the note.
"BG —
There have been reports of prisoners trying to run for the sewage tunnel. Make sure none escape.
— GE"
>>256983
A few have markings that one would typically associate with criminals and pirates, which is certainly strange for a band of "believers." The lead pony seems to have horns painted on his head.
It's pretty much junked. You'll need to make multiple rolls if you want it to work again.
You repair its movement servos. If you can get the rest of it working again, it will be able to move well enough.
It still needs its power system repaired, and its main computer will need to be repaired, as well.
>>256980
With your knowledge of the Draconic language, you easily translate the note.
"BG —
There have been reports of prisoners trying to run for the sewage tunnel. Make sure none escape.
— GE"
>>256983
A few have markings that one would typically associate with criminals and pirates, which is certainly strange for a band of "believers." The lead pony seems to have horns painted on his head.