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First off, remember that we are double-questing this weekend, today AND tomorrow! Show up here 24 hours from now for a second dose of quest.

>SKILLS
Femanon's skills remain the same, though I should say that this weekend's questing will add a skill point! I'll explain how to spend that when we get there.
Arms: Skilled use of firearms
Badge: Appeal to justice
Wanted: ID bad guys

Cover: vault obstacles, find hiding spots

>INVENTORY
Badge
Wristmasher (2 of 6 shots, gold)
Gold Potato - basic ammo
Red Potato - high accuracy, slow ROF
Sweet Potato - trick shots
Dog Prints - paw prints of Jester and the Stranger
Strange Feather - from the griffon thief

Braeburn is armed with a saddle-mounted cannon that launches whole potatoes. It packs a wallop!

>SYSTEM
Roll 3 times for non-Skill rolls (6 for Skills).
Using a Skill also lets all 10s (0) reroll.
Rolls of 6 or greater count towards success.

>>13529935 (OP)
>>13530004
What happened to our griffon suspect?
I mean that was the original reason we came to the salt lick.

I roll to whip out dick

alright, we were in the middle of the street, moving to check out the fuss, right?

You and Braeburn follow the noise of fighting and whirring crystal fliers to the town square. It seems the citizens of Dodge Junction are being herded into a large gathering by the well-armed Red Eye dogs. Overlooking this dreadful scene is the town hall and courthouse, now shadowed by the dozens of flying machines overhead. Wands are held at the ready, making sure the townies stay in line.

In the center of the square is a gallows; you only call it the gallows because that was its former function in bygone ages, but now it is just a simple raised wooden platform, usually a spot for the mayor and other officials to address the town. The apparatus by which one would hang has long since been dismantled, leaving only a trapdoor now reserved for traveling magic shows.

On the gallows you see the red-eyed Chief in his black greatcoat, pinning Mayor Oakenfold against the rails to let everyone know just who's in charge.

Although there are plenty of patrolling Red Eyes around, you and Braeburn have yet to be spotted coming in off the main street. Still, it'd be a challenge to wade through the crowd undetected...

[START]

>>13530035
Uncertain. You had to leave him when the fight broke out, and it's anybody's guess as to where he would be now.

>>13530150
Crawl on your hands and knees.
A standing human would definitely stick out among a herd of ponies.

>>13530150
Hmm, we definitely don't want to be caught out yet. Too open, too outgunned, too many potential casualties.

>>13530150
Get Braeburned to infiltrate the crowd, while we scout out the rest of the area for ideas.

>>13530150
any good places to hide in sight?
or maybe we should follow braeburn's lead for now

>>13530197
You instinctively get low to the ground and begin crawling forward, hoping to blend in. Braeburn just looks you over with a hint of a smirk. "You're not fooling anyone."

>>13530268
>>13530322
The town square is pretty open, so the only places you'd be guaranteed any cover are the walkways and awnings of the surrounding buildings.

>>13530315
"Ya want I should go ahead and find out what's going on? I'm loaded for bear, so I could shoot my way through if I have to. When I have to."

...Is sending Braeburn off on his own really such a good idea?

>>13530315
This sounds good.

>>13530514
"Try not to start any fights this time, yeah?"

>>13530514
Try to impress the need for caution on him. We don't need to bring down the Red Eyes on us before we're ready.

>>13530514
Find your way into a nearby building and peek through the window while Braeburn does his thing. Be prepared to come out shooting at the first sign of trouble.

>>13530514
Yeah send him through and try to find a vantage point without being spotted

>>13530586
>>13530705
"He's got a pony up there with him! And can't you see they're all being herded? Something ain't right, the kind of thing that needs to be fought."

As raring as Braeburn is to go, he instinctually ducks when a flying machine buzzes low over head. Thankfully the two of you were still next to a building and found cover before it spotted you. Up ahead there seem to be other flying machines parked on the ground as makeshift barricades, Diamond Dogs patrolling around them to make sure no one leaves the crowd.

>>13530800
"I got this thing all wound-up, no way I'm sneaking it past those guards, there." Braeburn shifts his withers and nods at the potato gun on his back. Staring intently at the parked fliers, he nudges you with a hoof. "You think we could grab one of those there flyin' contraptions?"

>>13530892
"Well unless you know how to fly one of those things..."
Still, it's worth a shot. Maybe we can figure it out on the fly.

>>13530892
Of course we aren't going to let them get away with it! ...You ever flown one of those things before?

>>13530892
we've unleashed a monster

okay, is there some way we can maybe sneak one of them away from the barricade and set up in safety or are we pretty much going to have to rush this thing and hope the guards can't stop us before we get airborne?

>>13530892
Braeburned would survive a crash, being an earth pony and all. Less pain on our part, too. If we get out hands on one, let him distract them while we go for the captives.

Find where these dogs are refuelling or repairing these contraptions and hijack a machine. Probably our best bet. Better than camping on a rooftop and hoping one comes close enough for us to jump on, anyways.

>>13530968
>>13531059
"I don't even know what they are! Except that they fly, and they're fast, so we could get the drop on that bad dude up there on the stands. You might have a better time of it, being all... pardon me, handy like them dogs."

Just then you're interrupted by a loud booming voice, the unmistakable smooth gravel of the Chief. He must have some kind of amplification.

"Now, listen here, little ponies. This town is now property of Red Eye Industries."

"You can't do this!" The Mayor protests but is quickly batted aside, held down by a couple goons. "The royal marshals will know!"

"Son, I've got holdings all across the frontier, stretching out from the Badlands to the Palomino, I couldn't give a damn what your Equestrian authorities think, and frankly, neither should you..."

...

>>13531099
>>13531123
The makeshift barricade is the closest spot you can see that has grounded fliers. These things came in from the sky without warning; wherever their base of operations is, it's far out enough to not be noticed by the town watch.

Braeburn adjusts his hat. "I'll make a distraction, while you run for one of them fliers. Maybe I can grab a flier myself and I'll follow you soon enough... though I might be a tad more secure riding tandem with you, that way at least one of us has got their shooter free."

>>13531283
"Got it. I'll give you a lift once I've got my hands on one. Just keep 'em busy."

Let's do this.

>>13531283
It's go time.

The Chief's providing a small distraction of his own, that should let Braeburn get into place and we just need to be ready to take that opportunity.

>>13531283
we'll make a sheriff out of you yet braeburn

>>13531327
>>13531478
>>13531530
Roll 4 dice to make your dash-and-grab for a flier. You don't have a skill for this, so no bonus rerolls. You've got the element of surprise on your side!

>>13531585
well, here goes something...

>>13531585
TIME TO FAIL MISERABLY!

>>13531585
Come on...!

>>13531585
no good

>>13531585
and one more!

>>13531665
>>13531670
whyyy

>>13531629
>>13531630
>>13531642
>>13531665
>2/4
BAD FEELING ACQUIRED

>>13531629
>>13531630
>>13531642
>>13531665
Out of 4 rolls, you had 2 successes. Not bad...

But not quite that good, either. When you jump into the seat of one flier, one of the guards turns around and spots you. You're out in the open and defenseless!

Until a booming shot rings out from a ways behind you, signaling a full sized potato missile flying through the air. Everyone in the vicinity instinctively ducks, and the tuber flies off over the crowd, making a sound *splat* against a building across the square.

"Uh... oops?" Braeburn sets his clockwork mechanism into motion to load another shot, but the discombobulated Diamond Dogs are quickly recombobulating themselves. He runs for your machine and scrambles to get a good foothold. "GUN IT, GIRL!"

The controls and instrument panel look vaguely like a motorcycle's, if you still remember what those look like years after leaving Earth. Unfortunately there's no ignition or speedometer, just a sort of large, round, glass that looks about the right size for a paw... or a palm.

Think quick, because the guards are readying their wands.

>>13531764
HAND ON THE PAD
JUST LIKE IN ATLANTIS

>>13531764
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

>>13531764
Hand on the glass
Think about up

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>>13531764
By the way, have we done anything lewd yet?

>>13531917
No.
We chose not to be a hostess.

>>13531795
You instinctively put your hand to the glass, which lights up with a bright aura. The machine shivers to life between your legs, giving off a satisfying roar of energy as lights fill its crevices. The crystal beneath you starts to spin, pushing you and Braeburn into the air.

Without thinking, you blurt out: "Oh, man, this is just like Atlantis!"

"What?"

"Never mind. Let's go!"

The machine handles rather intuitively, but it's still plenty wobbly and much faster than you anticipated. Braeburn wraps his forehooves over your shoulders and you can feel his barrel on your back as he hangs on for dear life.

At this point the entire square has eyes on you. The other dogs are already mobilizing in the air and on the ground. Are you going to try tearing it up a bit, or head straight for the stands?

>>13531992
Huh. Well, it works.
We're not going to be able to put the whole "weapon platform" plan into motion until we get a little more control over this, though.

Try and establish some air superiority before they get their pants on.

>>13531992
TEAR IT UP.
We need to get used to the controls, and maybe we can pick off a few of those mobilizing guards before assaulting the gallows.

>>13531992
>"Oh, man, this is just like Atlantis!"
lol! i was just thinking that! i got to watch that movie again.

>>13531992
We should probably fly a bit over the stands and towards our goal, if this plane fully runs on magic, and if we are really capable of it, then we could target and shoot down enemy planes by eyesight and evade based on instinct and from good field of vision

>>13532065
>>13532085
"Go left! Go left!"
"Stop pretending you know how to fly this thing!"
"Same to yyyyyyooooOOOOOOOOOOO—"

You're making dizzying circles and spins over the rooftops on the thing with Braeburn sticking to your back like a rucksack.

In your flight, you note that none of the flying machines here have mounted weaponry; all the concussive bolts and force explosions passing by you are wand-cast. They seem pretty on-target, though your inexperienced and erratic wobbling throws off aim.

"I can't aim at them like this! Just go for the hostages!" Braeburn bravely reaches back with one hoof to steady his potato gun, and you feel it clicking into place over your shoulder as he leans up on you.

Roll 3 dice to line up your approach...

>>13532391
stay on target

>>13532391
I think this is going to go very poorly indeed...

>>13532391
"BANZAAAAIII!"

>>13532421
>>13532478
>>13532484
1/3

ouch

>>13532421
>>13532478
>>13532484
Oh.
Shit.

>>13532391
Free the hostages!

>>13532391
can we go for breburns advice, but while flying sideways?(wings vertical) this idea seems cooler to me

>>13532421
>>13532478
>>13532484
Out of 3 rolls, you had 1 success. Cross your fingers.

"What do you want me to do, ram it in?!"
"Just do a fly-by!"
You dip low, a bit too low, skimming a couple ten-gallons off surprised onlookers as you come up on the platform. You see the Chief's red eye quite clearly as you ascend... and clip the platform at a bad angle, tossing you and Braeburn off the flier and onto the wooden dais, which is raised a good twenty or so feet above the ground. The flier careens off into the distance, probably landing somewhere on the edge of town.

On the platform, aside from the Chief and some of his dogs, are the hostages: Mayor Oakenfold, a greying stallion; Sheriff Blazing Saddle, looking like he just woke up from a bad night (probably put up a bit of a fight); and Cherry Jubilee. These three ponies together would be Dodge Junction's community leaders, and here they are, bitted and bridled for all to see.

"Cherry Girl! The wand—" A harsh tug from her handlers pulls at sensitive spots in her gums, forcing instinct and pain over good sense, keeping Jubilee from talking to you.

You and Braeburn are on the floor, still recovering from your nasty fall, but the Chief is already standing over the both of you. You feel something wooden and pointy press against the back of your head. "There's that famous human audacity... take that colt's weapon."

(cont)

this...could have gone better

>>13532769
"Well, seeing as we've got the sheriff AND his pet monkey deputy up here, now, as I see it... I win!" The Chief renews his projecting voice for the whole town to hear and chuckles. "You folks've got no recourse. You either return to your homes peacefully, and stay indoors, lest you lose what last bits of fight this sorry little piss hole still has left in it!"

"Is this what's going on in Clayton Gorge? In Outset?" Braeburn struggles against his bonds as the dogs hold him down and attempt to disarm his potato gun. "The Royal Marshals definitely know if you've been doing this to towns across the frontier!"

"Oh, it's you again, is it?" The Chief leans low, removing Braeburn's hat and tossing it aside. "Fillies and gentlecolts, let me introduce you to... what was your name again, son?"

"Braeburn, of Appleloosa."

"A young fool named Braeburn! Thought he'd get a piece of the action with a fake tin badge, posing as a royal marshal!"

"Deputy marshal!"

"Excuse me, 'deputy'. But let me make it clear that the Royal Marshals do not know, nor do they care about what's happening in Dodge Junction. No one has for years, now. You tell me, how many railroads pass through this podunk dustbin?"

(continued, but feel free to interject)

>>13532942
what was that about a wand that Cherry was trying to say?
look at her, see if she tries to motion with her eyes or something.

>>13532942
Just one. Technically, zero. Dodge Junction is actually the end of the line, on the edge of the east frontier just before the Badlands. True, it was named Dodge Junction in the interest of having it be a southeast hub of travel, but the world turned and left it a half-finished town with a half-finished dream. You heard the stories yourself. Vagabonds, fugitives, and other undesirables began to hole up here, the Ass End of Equestria, far from even the reach of the Royal Marshals who were in charge of the lands beyond Canterlot's green foothills.

"Things have changed! Dodge Junction is a proper town, now, with proper citizens and business."

"Shut up, old man, I'm monologuing." The Chief walks over and kicks the mayor.

>>13533030
During this quick interjection, you look over to see Jubilee doing her best to keep her head up. It's a macabre indignity, seeing a proud and sapient creature like her bound up in a bit and bridle like the dumb beasts you remember from Earth. Beneath that defeated facade, you can detect a hint of burning fire and... hatred? Miss Jubilee had always been a font of generosity and kindness the entire time you'd known her, and yet the piercing glare she focuses on the Chief speaks of a story you hadn't been told until now.

"Point is, Equestria has forgotten you. Been that way for well over ten years now. Between the Nightmare rising, the Crystal Empire returning, Discord's release... well, the kingdom has put you all on the back burner. Hell, you ain't even on the range no more." The Chief goes on with his rambling, quite full of himself.

"RIDER KICK!" You look to your side and see Braeburn struggle against his captors, trying to buck from his prone position. The dogs holding him down look bemused and befuddled. "RIDER KICK!"

Maybe you could try something yourself, but who knows...

(continued)

>>13533186
Give the dog pointing the wand at you a swift kick in the balls.

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>>13533186
Whistle loudly and look into the horizon.

While everyone is distracted and expecting something to happen, do >>13533245.

>>13533186
"...Fun fact for y'all, when I was a pup, I lived here in the days of festive squalor and delicious sin. Thought I'd start up my own gang and take a slice of the pie, but then I was run out with the rest of 'em by a whorse with a gun..." The Chief looks over to Jubilee and tips his hat. "But now the prodigal son returns. I'm going to usher in a new age of relative ease and convenience. You've seen what my magic and machines can do for me... imagine what they can do to you. So don't give me reason to make your lives any harder. Til tomorrow, citizens."

Jubilee looks at you, and something tells you your opportunity is soon. She struggles against the bit in her mouth and calls the Chief out. "Red Eye, you are a thief and a coward!"

This really gets his gall, and he storms over to grab Jubilee's reins and slam her head against the floor. "You listen to me, CJ! >I. AM NOT. A COWARD. I took this town fair and square, same way you did: at the end of a gun. So don't go trying to build yourself up as some beacon of decency and nobility, because at the end of the day, you've charged for more log rides than the Neighagra Falls!"

>>13533245
While all this is going on, you push up and bring your leg up for a reverse kick into the sensitive groin area of the Diamond Dog holding you down. Helps that humans are so flexible!

As your former captor doubles over, you have the advantage of commotion and surprise. Risng to your feet, you... do what?

>>13533394
Appropriate his wand while blasting one of the dogs holding Braeburn down with your frierarm.

>>13533394
wand-fu!
we're gonna set this town on fire!

Seems we've winded down. Shall we save a thrilling fight for next session?

>>13533713
Sounds good. What time tomorrow? (Today)?

>>13533713
Aw man...

>>13533735
Saturday, at 7PM PDT!

Okay, thanks for playing, see you Saturday night!

>>13533747
awesone, ill be here waiting.