“Prime Enforcer Fortis, I must protest.” Nightshade frowned as she stood before the stallion inside the Lightning Bearer’s briefing room. She wore a cleanly-pressed backup uniform and her mane had been brushed properly. “Keeping the pegasus and the religious zealot inside the brig--I can understand. But the child? She does not belong in there! Please, take her out so that I may take her to my quarters where she will be both safe and comfortable. I assure you: she will be no harm to anypony.”
“The Council would beg to differ, Madame Nightshade,” Fortis said from where he calmly sat, telekinetically shuffling observation reports across the table before him. “She was the reason the winged pony attacked us in the first place, and when the attempted break-out occurred, she proved to be in league with the attacker. Not only that, but a Searonese mare--however briefly--was involved. Quite frankly, the situation has turned too hot for just any enforcer to handle, and if I don’t keep them all securely locked for the duration of this journey--especially where we are headed--then I’ll likely have to turn in my skull to the Queen even if we pull out of this conflict victorious.”
“If I could have foreseen this incident, Prime Enforcer, I would have told you,” Nightshade said. “I am sorry about the damage that’s been done to your ship and your crew, but please--do not take it out on an innocent child.”
“I don’t intend to. She has food and bedding, just like you. And if you ask me, I’d say she preferred the company she was with, however motley.” The aged officer gestured towards the book in Nightshade’s grasp. “You can, however, continue to hold onto the artifact. So long as it is close to the prison deck, it appears to have the pegasus pacified. I do appreciate that; she seems quite the hooffull.”
Nightshade nodded with a shy. “You have no idea…”
Just then, an intercom buzzed. ”Enforcer Zetta reporting as you requested, sir.”
“Splendid. Let her enter,” Fortis said.
The metal doors slid open. The mare in question trotted forward, standing straight at attention. “Sir! Enforcer Zetta of the Communications Department reporting as ordered, sir!”
“At ease, soldier.” Fortis stood up with a weary sigh and shuffled towards her and Nightshade’s half of the room. “Any news from Lieutenant Straker as to the pegasus’ condition?”
“Yes, sir,” Zetta said with a nod. “She appears to have woken up from her comatose condition, albeit she is physically ill.”
“In what way?”
“She’s wrought with dizziness and appears unable to lift her wings.”
“Hmmm… the book really does seem to be having an impact on her.” Fortis rubbed his chin. “So many questions I have, still.” He blinked. “Can she talk?”
“The guards have described her as chatting with the child and the earth pony cultist.”
“Then maybe she can explain a few things for herself.” Fortis stood before the enforcer. “I want you to round up Enforcer Basso. He seems to have as dominating an impact on the pegasus as the book. Have him bind her wings… and then bring her to me.”
Zetta blinked.
Nightshade leaned forward. “Prime Enforcer?! Are you… are you certain about this?”
“I think we all know that she is incapable of doing much else besides hissing and spitting at this point,” the stallion said with a graying smile. “Between Enforcer Basso’s strength and the book’s luminescence, I doubt she has the will--much less the ability--to put up a fight. Somewhere in that weakened state is a pony I’m sure who is willing to explain herself, and I would very much like to know more about this ‘target’ that the Council of Ledo sicked Prime Enforcer Shell after.”
“I encourage any pony wanting to increase his or her knowledge,” Nightshade said. “But don’t we have more pressing concerns at the moment?”
“Dear Madame, the book is tied to the metal world beneath the landscape that Seclorum defends. If this pegasus has a direct reaction to the tome, then that means she’s connected as well. I appreciate all that you’ve researched and studied on this matter, but I’d like to know every bit of information possible before I send my own ponies into the riskiest venture this war has seen yet.”
He pivoted once more towards Zetta.
“Bring an armed escort to accompany Enforcer Basso. While you’re at it, see if you can find Straker and send him my request to be there for the questioning.”
“Aye, sir.” Zetta saluted.
“You’re dismissed.”
As the mare twirled and marched out, Prime Enforcer Fortis turned and smiled at Nightshade.
“It helps to have greater numbers than a single winged pony.”
“I do hate to inform you of this, Prime Enforcer,” Nightshade muttered, holding the book tighter. “But the pegasus has friends of her own too…”
“Thatta boy, Simon!” Props sing-songed. A pair of thick goggles magnified her blue eyes as she stood on her rear legs and gestured with her front hooves. “A little higher! A little higher!”
Simon chirped, his tiny face twitching as his energy field lifted a hulking steam array inside the Noble Jury’s engine room. With remarkable grace, he managed to slap the custom-crafted web of tubes and pipes to a panel of instruments adjacent to the empty mana cage.
“Just a little higher! Just a sneeze, you adorable little chipmunk fodder!” Props grinned wide, leaned forward, and hissed, “Aaaaaaaaaaaaand--Baddabingette! Hold it right there!” She flung a look to her right. “All you, boys!”
Eagle Eye and Josho trotted forward, levitating screws and nuggets into place along the frame of the steam array. Slowly, bit by bit, they fastened the apparatus to the wall of the engine room.
“You really think this is gonna provide us ample propulsion for a while?” Eagle Eye asked, sweating through his less-than-dainty effort. “It’s a very pretty backup engine, but still a backup engine.”
“I just think somepony’s obsessed with backing it up,” Josho muttered.
“Hardy har har. At least I don’t cuddle up to my stomach every night.”
“You should try it. A stomach can’t write back.” Josho smirked.
“Unnngh… Shoot me now…”
“Oh, it’ll get us to putter-putt-putt-putter along just like all the other Gray Smoking Gray Smokers!” Props smiled wide, pausing to pat Simon’s bushy tail in thanks. “But will we go as fast as we used to with the sky stone?” She sighed. “Noperooni. That’s something we’re gonna have to work out later.”
“Hey, Props?” Eagle Eye glanced over. “I think I’m short a nut or two--” He instantly flung a frown at Josho. “And don’t you even try it!”
“Heh heh heh…”
“Don’t worry, pretty pretty pony!” Props winked. “We’ve got more where that came from.” She pivoted about. “Belle?”
Silence.
Props’ goggled eyes blinked. She raised the article over her brow and whistled. “Yoohoo! Where’s your head at, gurrrrrrl?”
“Hmm?” Belle looked up from where she sat besides an organized pile of tools. “Oh. I… I’m sorry…” She dropped a few extra nuts and bolts onto a tray and hoofed it over to the two stallions. “I was distracted, I guess.”
“Heehee!” Props smiled. “And here I thought I was the inventor’s daughter!”
“It’s coming along nicely,” Belle hummed. “Really, it is. We owe you so much, Props.”
“Think nothing of it, nothing thinker! I’ve been jazzed ever since I found out that Uncle Prowse wasn’t Uncle Pony Being Eaten By Worms In the Ground! We’re gonna save Rainbow Dash, and then we’re gonna save him, and then we’re gonna save root beer! Cuz without all three of those, the world simply wouldn’t know what to do with itself! I know I wouldn’t!”
Belle smiled slightly. “Your enthusiasm is inspiring, Props. I just wish I had more to go on. I mean, it’s been nearly three days since we last heard anything.”
“Well, maybe it’s been three days since they had anything worth sharing!”
“Really?” Belle’s face twisted uncomfortably. “I just can’t imagine a reason why they would go silent… unless…”
“I wouldn’t dwell on that, Belle,” Eagle Eye said, looking over his shoulder. “Remember, Rainbow’s been in worse scrapes before, and she’s always come out on top.”
“The kid’s right,” Josho muttered, tightening a nut or two. “That pegasus has freaky levels of resilience. Nothing short of a meteorite to the face will stop her from finding your little scamp of a foal.”
“I thank you all for being so encouraging. I know I’ve been… rather moody as of late,” Belle said. “I guess it’s my own fault. I should find more things to be useful with on board this ship, besides helping Ebon Mane with the salads or… or…” She sighed. “Looking after Kera…”
“You’re useful just by being you, girl!” Props rushed up to nuzzle her. “Just talk to us, be happy, and for the love of motor oil--grow your mane out!”
“Pfft. Oh Props…”
“I wanna braid something that isn’t made out of metal filament for once!” Props nudged her. “‘Cuz Rainbow Dash won’t let me fiddle with her mane for some reason!”
“Er… uh… yeah…” Belle shifted nervously, sweating. “Imagine that…”
“Seriously! Heehee! What’s up with that--”
”Crrkk! Anypony there? Respond.”
Every equine inside the engine room jumped. Even Simon leaned forward on his perch, chirping curiously.
Belle fumbled, rushed, and finally swept the sound stone off the nearby table. “Oh dear Spark, please--Rainbow?!” She almost shouted, eyes wide. “Rainbow, is that you?! Are you safe?! Oh, please respond!”
”Snkkt--I’m safe, relatively. But I’m not Rainbow.”
The ponies stood stock still, stunned.
“Roarke…?” Eagle Eye murmured, squinting at the glowing stone.
“Where the heck are you?!” Belle asked. “It’s so noisy on your end!”
”That… is a little complicated to explain…”
Her suit battered and scorched in several pieces, the metal mare clung to a piece of the Lightning Bearer’s bottom hull. She was perched between two enormous mana crystals humming with thrust as they propelled the vessel east over jagged mountaintops. The landscape below grew more and more arid, with the vegetation completely disappearing.
“However, I do recognize the geography below me. I believe I am currently passing into the Lower Ashlands.”
”The… The Ashlands?! Why… that’s near the front! Roarke, that means you’re east of us now!”
“Indeed.”
”What in Spark’s name are you doing out there?! I thought you and Rainbow went west to find Kera!”
“And we did find her. And Nightshade as well.” Roarke took a shuddering breath. “And, as much as I hate to admit it, a hulking battleship filled with the most capable breeders I’ve seen since Aurum.”
”My goodness! Do you two need help?!”
“That remains to be seen…” Roarke’s eye-lenses reflected the thrusters on either side of her. “I’ve been observing this ship’s passage as stealthily as I’ve been able to manage. Kera, Rainbow Dash, and Zaid are still alive, so that’s a plus.”
”Who is ‘Zaid?’”
Roarke shuddered. “Perhaps you’re best off ignorant.” She swallowed. “But know this. We are headed to Prime Enforcer Seclorum’s battlefront, but something seems off.”
”How so?”
“Difficult to say. We’ve experienced almost zero resistance from Xonan patrols and… I’ve noticed a few more things suspicious. I get the feeling that we may need a swift and durable vessel to get us out of here.”
”Well, the Jury can do ‘durable,’ but ‘swift’ is another matter altogether.”
“Right. Guess that’s where I’m going to have to come in…” Roarke sighed towards the desert topography below. “Somehow. Stay tuned, alright? Roarke out.”
She slid the sound stone back into her armor and resumed crawling slowly across the belly of the Lightning Bearer.
“Hmmmf… should have taken a harem with me from Searo’s Hold, I swear to Goddess…”
Roarke is alive! That's the best news we've heard in a while ... well, not so much news as inevitability, but it's something.
I smell a wacky AU sitcom.
Roarke Most Ninja.
Well, she's battered, but she's still in one piece (didn't expect much of anything else). And now the rest know that they're in trouble.
Doesn't answer anything about Straker, but I feel that bit is coming soon.
Interrogation, huh?
Eeyup. That won't end well.
For the Lightning bearer, that is.
And it's nice to know that Belle is fine, all things considered.
Don't worry, you'll see Kera soon. And a pretty swell cultist, too!
True metal never dies.
Thirty-five wide-arm pushups, ):(. Knock 'em out!
Wow...
Roarke is one tough pony to put down.
Let's hope she can get the book, and herself, back to the NJ in one piece.
See? Ain't dead. Though I do wonder how much ammo she has left. Not that it would do much against a guy who can casually hold a rocket in his hoof.
The crew seems to underestimate how much RD kinda hates everything wearing a beret. Walrus mustache exceptions aside, she probably would only hiss and spit throughout the entire thing. Then someone might make the mistake of knocking off her pendant and everything explodes.
On a side note, we still don't know Ebon's secret. I'm watching you, Chekov.
3403454
Good, Gooood.
The Herring has your attention.
I'll be watching that Xonan monastery thingumajig.
Wait... the bad guys want to talk? Like, have a reasonable conversation with Rainbow?
...Maybe this Fortis guy isn't so bad after all. I guess we just have to see his response to her explanation.
Rainbow? No will to fight? Fortis plz. I am curious as to how Nightshade will use the book.
And the Jury is on her way! It's been too long.
Shell ETA: 7 chapters.
Jury ETA: 9 chapters.
She's alive.
Interrogating Dash sounds dangerous, although considering the state she's in...
Anyone else noticed that the tone completely turned around between the previous chapter and the ones before it? Now it's Serious Time with Dark and Deadly.
Roarke. Alive.
Hmm. I imagine she's still in bad shape, though.
3403359
Actually, I would be interested, if someone were to write that.
Roarke takes a harem of breeders from Searo and just ditches Rainbow, then lives in peace, being banged senseless.
Then the breeders slowly turn the tables and make her their b****.
Really excited for these new chapters, and cannot wait for the interrogation
Neat! Well I figured Roarke would be alive. I can't imagine she'd be killed off so unceremoniously like that. Still wondering whom I'm working for in all this though.
Well, I'm relieved to see that most of these enforcers are not-bad ponies, and that Roarke is not just licking her wounds, but actually doing something useful
still wonder what Straker is up to.
You know, just having a semi-civilized talk between Rainbow and the Ledomaritans might solve a lot of problems. Now that Shell has truly gone rogue and the Council no longer has Dash on their radar, a dialogue could be quite illuminating.
Of course, as soon as we might learn something of value, Shell will come along and ruin everything. Again. For the seventeenth time.
SHE LIVES!!!
Told you it wasn't that simple. Roarke's a tough bitch.
Also, I've got to say, I like the crew of the Lightning Bearer, Fortis included. Had we been introduced to them instead of the Steel Wing crew, our first impressions of Ledomare would have been far more positive. They seem like reasonable people.
It's strange: I knew Roarke was still alive, but I still squee'd a little when she showed up.
I'm looking forward to the interrogation. Hopefully we'll get a plate of hot, meaty information. I'm still not clear on the LB's loyalties, so maybe that'll get cleared up. Also, I'm getting major Kurtz vibes from Seclorum, and we haven't even met the guy yet.
I'm interested to see how the Noble Jury is going to get to Rainbow Dash... I predict that Rainbow will use the book in the machine world once they reach Seclorum.
Remove RD from a room with friends, place her in a room of enemies. Talking didn't work? Remove pendant. Fun ensues!
Looks like this enforcer is about to get served a piping hot plate of whoop-ass if he takes off the shiny made in equestria label around her neck.
3404063
I kind of want to see this too.... then, after, roarke and the jury swoop in and bust shit up for no reason.
WHOO! I knew IC wouldn't take Roarke out of the game just yet! My body is ready for metal mare/pegasus tag-team ass-whuppin' action!!
3403548
Gotta remember, Fortis is no Shell. Shell was out of his gourd by the time Rainbow finally ditched him. Fortis hasn't even tasted her chaos yet. Give it time, and I think we'll have two foaming, rabid dogs to watch out for instead of just one.
I'm still missing my daily allotment of explosions. I'm going through withdrawal! At least give me Basso not giving a single fuck and I'll be happy.
They've been reasonable so far, so if she'll just talk diplomatically with Fortis & company and explain herself instead of biting their heads off, perhaps Rainbow and her lightning-bolt pendant will be borne beyond the front aboard the Lightning Bearer. Nancy Jane could clear Xona quickly under tow from the fast ship.
In other words, the Lightning Bearer will be flaming wreckage within a few chapters.
3403714 Implying Roarke wouldn't routinely kill them and/or change them for new ones every few months.
most interesting.
A curious commander, who wants logic and rationality? This is a little too predictable. I'm betting that someone is going to get their head removed.
I wonder if rainbow is going to cooperate with fortis. a talk between rainbow and the enforcers could actually be beneficial maybe..
I like how Fortis is using the term 'that pegasus' with such ease, as if there was nothing special about a winged pony. He is also quite clearly not just one of Nightshade's lackeys. With his influence and common sense, he might just have reasonable goals - and could turn out to be an ally.
3403377 Roarke is slowly but surely changing into Shibe.
Foreshadowing? Foreshadowing.
I thought the meteorite was called Basso? As in Basso Fundo, As in base of the world.
Steam power, steam is good on an airship powered by high density magic energy crystals. the trick is carrying all the reaction mass water you are going to feed through channels in the raw crystal in order to eject through the nozzel at the back, giving you quite out of this world speed capability.
Lets see just how fast the Nancy Jane goes, when we strap an F1 rocket engine to her.
But we only have 4 seconds of water available. Beleieve me, when this baby fires off, youre going to see some serious
3405319
Granted. With the way she treats males, they may as well just be commodity.
Good to see Roarke didn't bite the dust.
3403454 They could just ask? I reckon Basso is the sort to pick the right guys.
Failing that.... how good is she at seducing soldiers :P
3406300
Ask who?
Yeah Roarke!!! I knew you wouldn't die!!!
no body, no death!
3406704 Fortis? Anyone in command on the vessel, really, who might believe that a small Xonan foal doesn't want to be with Nightshade; that the book's flame doesn't belong to Nightshade; and that Nightshade is playing them for her own nefarious purposes.
RD is the good guy: even Basso could manage to grasp that.
Boom berets tried to explode the metal!
But they failed, as it lived on in the shadows!
3407201
Ah
*stares in shock*
An antagonist who is SANE?!
Wow, this fic will continue to surprise me.
IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!
Huh...does Nightshade seem a bit...I don't know, almost forwards? She's talking to Enforcer Fortis here and she's opposing him rather openly in this chapter. Maybe it's just me, but maybe the history between these two runs a bit deeper than it was first explained, even though we've had nothing else to indicate that. And now Roarke's gotten in contact with the Jury. I'm sensing some stuff happening on the front with Dash's party and then, once the Jury sweeps in and Dash's party installs the skystone, the whole crew can zip there way east! Wonder if Zaid'll be taggin along...These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
I see what you did there.
and as somebody mentioned in an earlier chapter, nopony is not dead till you see a body.
Pfft, as if people were worried that Roarke had bit the bullet. She eats bullets for breakfast. And then shoots them at ponies.
The only ones who know how she manages it only have time to grimace at the unsavory spectacle before they're full of metal, so the how of it remains a trade secret.
I'm not sure if I was always this weird or if your stories have done it to me - probably some combination of the two.
Onward!
So Belle has noticed that, eh? Good to know... I wonder if she'll talk to Dash about it. I'd love for them to have a heart-to-heart like they did between Green Slope and Foxtaur.
Belle, inventor's daughter, absent-mindedness, genius! (I love the reference IC)
Yup, that went through my head. Felt like telling you
Plus the cabbages earlier. :)
I knew Roarke was alive. Now, how will this interrogation go?
-Spirit
thank goodness