"So my vessel has about seventy-five percent of its energy reserves left," Roarke said, her helmet open as her lensed eyes glittered in the afternoon sun over Aurum. "Normally I would recharge the crud, but with Searo's Hold having gone the way of the proverbial sea serpent, I really can't do that, now can I? So, my options are to either fly to a province outside of Ledomare with the energy available to fuel up my ship, or run the damn thing into dust because any mare with a drop of blood still running through her veins probably won't stop at anything to see me and my aircraft reduced to scrap anyways. Now, even though my fuel is low, I still have a full arsenal of weapons that can take on just about any mid-range Ledomaritan zeppelin, not to mention an entire face of a military fortification. I can't promise that the ship can survive a prolonged slugout with a juggernaut, but it is perfect for hit and run attacks, which could be just what is needed to raid any given place upon this continent and make like the wind. As for transporation, as you well know, the ship is capable of carrying many passengers—even up two twenty ponies at a time—"
"Roarke..."
"So, depending on how many individuals we are dealing with, we may or may not be able to do this in one go..."
"Roarke."
"Though I insist that you all allow me to pilot the vessel and nopony else, because I swear to Searo I will knock somepony's skull off if they so much as try to touch the controls and—"
"Hey! Robot lady!" Tweak shouted.
The bounty hunter froze. She stopped pacing and turned to look.
Tweak, Lucky Strike, Rainbow Dash, Crimson, and a dozen other Aurumites all stood, gawking at her.
Tweak said, "What in the heck are you babbling about?"
Roarke frowned, her jaw clenched. However, she relaxed, sighed, and lowered her head. "I wish to assist you in the rescue of Rainbow Dash's friends."
The ponies exchanged glances. At last, Tweak spoke, "And for how much money, ya bucket huffer?"
"Shhh!" Lucky Strike hissed at his brother. "Tweak!"
"I can't be the only one thinking about it!" Tweak frowned, pointing at the armored mare. "She's a frickin' bounty hunter! When has she ever done stuff for free?!"
"Uhhhh..." Lucky's crystal eyes were narrow. "When she helped me and about three dozen sick ponies escape Searo's Hold?"
"That ain't the point!" Tweak grumbled. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but she got a whole bunch of us into that mess to begin with when she stuck her hooves into Rainbow Dash's party days ago!"
"Roarke, for real..." Rainbow Dash trotted forward from the group and approached her. "I helped you. You helped me. Aren't we square?"
Roarke's lenses pistoned out as she frowned at Rainbow Dash. "If you would rather reject my offer than just say it."
"Huh? Pffft..." Rainbow waved a hoof and rolled her eyes. "Believe me, I'm totally on board whatever plan you're having. Besides, I can trust you."
"Like heck she can—" Tweak began, only for Crimson to urge him to silence with a metal hoof.
"Ahem..." Rainbow turned back to Roarke and spoke gently this time. "I can trust you, Roarke. You know why? Because nopony goes against everything she believes in and ditches her kin and country just for kicks. I think you believe in being good, and doing awesome things. And I don't know what's awesomer and... uhm... gooder than getting my friends out of their jam right now."
Roarke cocked her head aside. "And did you leave your own country just for kicks?"
Rainbow Dash blinked. She frowned. "No. That's not the point—"
"You seem to have it all right, Rainbow," Roarke said. "There's a big world out there, a big friggin' ugly world. And if there's a silver lining to it, it's certainly not here. I wanna fly far, far away, just like you. The thing is, no matter how far I have to go to find a place worth starting over in, I can't see myself doing it with any sort of peace of mind."
"Why not?" Rainbow smirked as she shrugged. "You've kicked the flank of every pony that could have wanted you dead, right?"
"It's not as simple as that," Roarke grumbled. "Look, accept my offer or not. If I have to go it alone right away, then I'm sure I'll make do." She sighed. "I have enough regrets as it is, and I didn't think they would sting like they do."
"What, regrets?"
Roarke said nothing.
Rainbow Dash smirked. "Fancy that. Somewhere in that body of yours, beyond all the mana-cores and steam vents and machinery, there's still room for a conscience, huh?"
"Don't rub it in..."
"The question remains..." Crimson trotted forward. "You have a lot of fantastic gadgetry at your hooves, Roarke. But..." His eyes narrowed. "Where will we even go to look?"
"Right..." Tweak grumbled. "Even the fastest glider in the world couldn't narrow down where these ponies in question are being held."
"Funny thing, that..." Roarke motioned with her ringlet'd mane and trotted towards where her vessel was parked. "Follow me. I think I have just the thing..."
Aaand we're back with Dash and the Gang!
Blue Nova won't know what hit them.
Daring rescue time!
Ah, ringlet'd...
Such a beautiful word. Thanks for the new contraction!
Glad Roarke's still willing to help out.
Random question: anyone else reading her lines in Tex's voice, or is it just me?
At least Tweak still has his common sense.
I am right there with you, brother! The day will come when we will regret taking that snake into our house, and when that day comes you and I will be prepared and we will take up the banner of truth and justice and we shall ride forth into a glorious-
Anyways.
Just the thing? What's the thing? I need to know, darn it!
In other news, yay, Roarke is on board! I can't wait for whatever it is that's going to happen - clearly its going to be of epic proportions. There's no way you can combine that many personalities/grudges/weapons and have it not be.
Am I the only one who hopes Tweak hangs around for the rescue? I mean, he probably won't, but you gotta admit that regardless of the odds, it's always a good thing to have a redneck with a shotgun in your corner.
Eh, I'm on staff duty tonight, so I'm not feeling very creative. Forty pushups today, ):(. Knock 'em out!
Roarke = Rarity with weapons
Righteous Roarke is best Roarke. I had a feeling she would lend her services. Also, this may suggest a willingness for her to join the party after the rescue, at least for a time. Her craft would be a boon to Rainbow's burgeoning entourage. I like Rainbow having friends, so whatever means there are to capacitate their continued camaraderie is good news to me.
I always did like Roarke. IC writes some good characters.
Heh. Looks like Roarke's sticking around for a while. I wonder how she might fill up her energy tank, though. Will it be the flame? Because that'd be cool.
I... I think I just squee'd. When Roarke. When she joined the group.
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Yeah, I get that. Basically I just don't want them to die - I feel they have more potential for growth in the story, and I think it would crush Dash to lose the first ponies she allowed herself to get really close to again. That in itself could be really interesting, but I'm too much of a sap to actually want it to happen.
Also, Martin just does what he wants. Its refreshing and traumatizing at the same time. Although if anything happens to Arya...there will be consequences. I'm not sure what yet, but I'll think of something.
Gonna need more rum if they are turning pirate.
And someone is gonna need to wear an eyepatch.
No Quarter - Alestorm
Fuck I love the dynamic between Dash and Roarke. There is just so much potential there, I can't help but wait in anticipation.
Sorry Tweak, Roarke just can't give a damn. She's far too
badassawesome.Ooh. Did Roarke stick nano trackers in their blood? A slot to stick the Element of Loyalty?
No wait,they never had time for that. Oh well, I'll just wait for the next one.
The team just keeps getting more badass.Scratch that,awesome. :)
I wouldn't consider 75% of your fuel reserves left exactly low on fuel, but then I'm not a cyborg with a mana-ship. :shrug: Good to see Roarke getting back into things; Conservation of Badassery doesn't seem to apply with Dash and Roarke.
Taking bets now on Roarke having history with Nightshade. Odds are 9:1 in favor.
Roarke finally goes on board. Rainbow sure does know how to make amaz--AWESOME Friends.
2790375Deeper messages are always good. And how could I stay away now that I know how awesome it is?
2790243I'm glad you feel the same way. But actually, (POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT) at the point where I am in the story, a lot of mystery got added. So that might be the foreshadow for a new age where Imploding returns to his roots.
OASIS can be used as a beacon.
that is my guess at least.
Can't wait to see how all this pans out. Though I wonder what will happen after everyone reunites and all, who will stick around to go east and who won't.
2787568Maybe Roarke will fight some giant crabs.
IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!
Here, we get a rare glimpse into Roarke's emotional side, however small it may be. She doesn't say much, but her deciding to help Dash means that she is willing to believe in good. Also, unfortunately, I doubt that she will ever find peace and closure out there. So I'm not really sure what'll happen to her. These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
And Roarke finally joins the gang, saddled with her more weaponry and reservations about her past than you can shake a Metal Mare at.
Dash may just stand a chance after all.
awwwww yeah!
Roarke most righteous, Roarke most rare. Now let's go find our friends!
-Spirit
I hope Roarke can find some peace. She needs some.
Roarke is here. Badflankery will surely follow soon
Im shipping Roark and RD, anyone else think it will happen?
Roarke's grown fond of them, whether or not she wants to admit it, hehe...
She wishes with all her heart that that was the case
Roarke is officially part of the crew. Shell, look out.
Wait! Did Roarke put a tracker on them when she first captured them?
-Solar Shift
The crew is starting to finally come together
I bet ha she put trackers on everyone
8656856
But WHERE?
Deus ex Roarke
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In their manes, maybe??