Celestia's Finest: Sombra Went Down to Ashtown

[D.KnightSpider]

Sniper's look turns funny.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

[Elbeyon]

Love tells her flying bot to enact evasive maneuvers while staying near the Overseer. How does Love keep ending up in these situations? Love keeps her voice calm, "I'm sorry about your cousin's disappearance. It's a terrible thing that happened. You have to know: There aren't many changelings in the wasteland. There are always rumors going around about changelings being spotted when none ever existed. You said you never saw a changeling. What did you see? Was your cousin acting any different? Did his things go missing?" The Overseer showed doubt. Her lying to herself isn't going to do her any good.

[Miltonian]

“Just a little longer,” the serving mare promises.

Emerald’s face falls. “I just want to move,” she says, “I wish...I wish I was a unicorn. At least I’d be able to move things with my mind, right?”

“Thank you,” she says, “I do like it. Rather attached to it, you could say.”

Praise the sun, the burgers arrive! Two plates, fresh and piping hot, with a side of fries. It smells delicious.

--

“I don’t know. I can’t...I don’t know the words to describe it,” Merry says quietly, “Thank you for talking to me, though. I...I think I want to be alone for a little bit again.”

--

The Overseer swipes wildly at the little bot, but misses by a wide margin. “I will get my flyswatter,” she growls, “If you don’t buzz off.”

[DigoDragon]

Emerald’s face falls. “I just want to move,” she says, “I wish...I wish I was a unicorn. At least I’d be able to move things with my mind, right?”
“Thank you,” she says, “I do like it. Rather attached to it, you could say.”

Praise the sun, the burgers arrive! Two plates, fresh and piping hot, with a side of fries. It smells delicious.

Rose thanks the service and plops more money down. She levitates Emerald's burger and fries, trying to carefully maneuver them close for her to eat. "Well, I suppose being able to move things with your mind is pretty useful," Rose says. "Though I wouldn't dismiss being built tough as nails."

She lets Emerald chew through a few bites, and will eat some of her own food too, before continuing the conversation. She finds this moment endearing; there's just something about taking care of somepony like this that warms the soul of her heart. It's a huge reason she became a doctor. Taking care of others has always been her calling. Joining the military... well it's taking care of those who put their lives on the line for freedom and peace. She thinks back to when she was patching Sniper and kissed that bandage before putting it on him.

Hmm. Although they weren't together anymore, Rose feels the warmth of that moment still. She looks forward to the next time RT comes down with a cold. Feeding him soup while tucking him all cozy under blanket? Rose blushes at the thought.

"After our meal, did you want to socialize with that group playing games in the corner? Or we could go to the surface and catch a little fresh air? Well, fresher that whatever's circulating down here."

[Elbeyon]

Love softens her voice, "Think about what I said. I'm telling the truth." Love pauses. "I'll shut up now." She stops talking and tells the bot to move out of her reach.

[D.KnightSpider]

"Of course. I understand." Sniper bids Merry farewell and steps away.

He makes to leave the clinic. This wasn't his proudest of moments, but it was a necessary one. Still left a bad taste in his mouth about panicking Merry, but... at least he knew a little bit more about what to expect.

Gotta look on the bright side to an extent, right?

He checks his phone and catches up on messages.

To Star: "My sincere thanks. And I'd say you sound perfect."

To Love... Sniper looks at the message and, well... can't argue with it: "I understand. No hard feelings."

With those two out of the running, Sniper contemplates who else he could ask and... with a sigh decides to at least try to ask Rose: "I'm signing a new will tomorrow. Need another witness. Are you available after the morning briefing?

[Miltonian]

Emerald really does enjoy the meal. Her face is happy, like it hasn't been for too long as of late. Rose feels good about this, about what she's doing. "I'd really like that," Emerald admits.

Spoiler

Show

If you want, we can say they had a wonderful time and move onto a different patient.

--

"I'll waste no time on it," the overseer says mockingly. And with that, Love had better get back to her calls.

--

Star replies with a smile, but no more needs saying right now.

[D.KnightSpider]

Absent any immediate need, Sniper sets off to find a place absent of any pony else. He needs a few moments to get his thoughts in order, and he can't do that with others vying for his attention.

Maybe the library? Too bad Rose grounded him. Otherwise he would have taken a trip to the sky.

[Elbeyon]

Love will get back to her calls.

[DigoDragon]

Rose: "I'm signing a new will tomorrow. Need another witness. Are you available after the morning briefing?

Rose is a bit taken back, but that makes snese. She left her living will with her sister as executor so, maybe it shouldn't be so surprising.

She texts Sniper back, "Yes, I'll happily be a witness. Important to keep your estate affairs up to date."

Emerald really does enjoy the meal. Her face is happy, like it hasn't been for too long as of late. Rose feels good about this, about what she's doing. "I'd really like that," Emerald admits.

Spoiler

Show

If you want, we can say they had a wonderful time and move onto a different patient.

There was time spent at the gambling table with Rose being hard holder for Emerald and a bit outside to catch some sun. Rose avoids talking about the sin and Celestia. She wanted real bad t talk about her vision in the chip, but this is not about her, it's about Emerald. Rose keeps her happy and when she returns with her to the infirmary, Rose hopes she helped Emerald feel good and not so pent up with cabin fever.

Rose then addresses patient #2, Merry and asks if she would like to go for her ride? Rose would offer a walk, but Merry's gunshot wounds probably shouldn't be pushed too soon. Besides, who doesn't like wheelchair rides?

[Miltonian]

The library is there and available. For the moment, Sniper's presence is not required anywhere, but he can hear someone playing the Old World Blues station in the next room. Andromeda's voice comes over the airwaves, though he'll have to get closer to make out her words.

--

Love returns to her calls. A little while later, Happy slips in and leaves a few pancakes for her. She'll try to slip in and out silently, if Love is busy. She'll fail, but she'll try.

--

It did help. Emerald is feeling much better, though she does not relish being put back on that 'stupid bed'.

Merry groans and tries to stand up on her own. "Nah, that's alright, I got..." She takes a step and hisses. "Alright, I'll take the chair."

[D.KnightSpider]

Rose: "Thank you."

It looks like 'un-splitting' his fractured personalities will have to wait a few more moments. If there's a chance that Andromeda is saying something important, then he needs to know about it.

Sniper quickly sets his comm. to broadcast the feed from Old World Blues. That'd probably be clearer than trying to listen through a wall.

[DigoDragon]

Merry groans and tries to stand up on her own. "Nah, that's alright, I got..." She takes a step and hisses. "Alright, I'll take the chair."

Rose helps her carefully to the chair and wheels her out. "Alright, so what would you like to do? Want to grab food first, or just go for a ride around the casino floor? Maybe outside for some air? This is 'you' time, so point the way."

[Elbeyon]

Happy is a walking happy explosion waiting to happen. Love won't pay much mind to any happy accidents that happen, but after Happy probably thinks she got away Love shouts, "Thank you, Happy! Love you!" Love continues to work with the knowledge that a couple pancakes from Happy are there for her. She nibbles on a small portion.

Love glances at the overseer mare. She internally sighs at her failure to sway the overseer.

She'd still like to get a pony to help Needles.

[Miltonian]

Sniper starts listening to her mid-speech. "--have to wonder sometimes, is it all worth it? Will what we do today last until tomorrow? It is a scary question. Our movement, and it does belong to each of us, is so fragile right now. We have enemies on every side, so be vigilant. When I think of the great forces arrayed against us, I cannot help but tremble. But we must have faith, friends. Faith in ourselves, faith in each other, and faith in the goodness in each of our hearts."

--

"Outside," Merry says, "I want to go outside. These fake lights are...well, they feel fake, you know?"

--

Star gives Love a call. "You want me to lend a hoof?" she asks.

[D.KnightSpider]

Hmm.

Sniper set the comm. to record the transmission. He let Andromeda ramble in the background as he left the library. He wanted to take a quick look in the other room. It wouldn't hurt to know who was listening to the Propaganda Channel.

Sure it could have just been Octavia, but on the other hoof...

[DigoDragon]

Rose takes Melody outside to the Grand sands of the wastes. She looks out at the horizon. "It's nice to feel some fresh air, and it is definitely a different light." She looks up at the sky for clouds.

[Elbeyon]

Love answers her comm and writes some information to her computer. "Hey, Sunshine. I have some robots helping me out. It's all computers on deck. You've worked hard and should relax." Everyone deserves their rest days. Love hesitates to add. "If you want to stop by for a little while, I would enjoy the company."

[Miltonian]

Sniper walks in on a few of the staff listening to the radio while sorting through a few boxes. They look up at him, nod, and go back to work.

--

Merry squints at the bright light, but there is a smile on her face. "This is...oh this feels good." She sighs in contentment, "It's a little cold underground, don't you think?"

There is a single cloud in the sky, hovering there, unmoving.

--

"Sure! I'll be right down," Star says, "Want me to bring you anything?"

[DigoDragon]

"Yeah, it is a little cold down there now that you mention it. I guess I don't notice it because my metal legs are always cold."

Rose holds out a leg as exhibit A. "I was thinking maybe to wrap my legs in carpet or something. Fake fur."

"Are you an outdoors pony?"

[D.KnightSpider]

((Part 1))

Upon entering the library, Sniper verifies his isolation and bars the door. He wants, needs, to be alone for a few minutes to take care of some personal business. It couldn't be delayed any longer.

Sniper stares at the floor for a long moment, working up his nerve, then his gaze shifts. The damaged wing comes into view and rotates so that he can see the damage. He hadn't yet really looked at his wing yet and he needs to familiarize himself with the damage. He needs to see how bad it is and whether it will ever heal.

His hoof traces the scars and stitches. Moisture begins to burn his eyes. The feathered skin is gnarled and twisted, patches of feathers are missing and it refuses to fold and lay right. It's long, clean lines were gone and he can see it will never return.

Sniper had never thought himself vain. But, now he could see that vanity had lurked within the shadow of his wings... and Wire's contraption had done an excellent job of cutting off his wing and replacing it with this 'thing'.

The realization comes that the one attractive part of him, which had remained untouched through cybernetic enhancement, Tartarus and the explosion of the Pacification Protocol, was gone forever.

While Sniper would never dare to claim status equal with Nickel Sheen's suffering, he now ever so slightly understands her emotional pain. The grief is overwhelming. He clutches the wing to his chest and lets the heartache reign.

[userpay]

Brazen spends his time working through what they have for equipment in preparation for the attack. When he's not at work maintaining weaponry he's checking in with the different guards, their own and the casinos, to ensure everything is running smoothly and checking in on any odd happenings they report.

[Elbeyon]

Love says to Star, "Aw, you're so sweet." She smiles at the kind gesture from Star. "Happy 'snuck' in a little while ago to deliver me some pancakes under the radar. I'm all set on food." She chuckles. She is good on all her basic necessities. "Would you bring Chompy down? I'm sure she'd appreciate some head rubs by people."

Love glances toward the overseer again.

She sends another bugbot towards the garage / Needles.

[Miltonian]

Merry chuckles. "Heh. You'd look like someone had replaced your legs with a goat's."

"Yeah. Spent a lot of time outdoors. Home was just a couple of shacks. Not much difference indoors or out. It just feels right, being out here."

--

The guards have a few odd happenings to report. Things going missing and the like. No ponies though, which is good news all around. They blame the changelings, of course. It could just be improper inventory, though.

--

"One Chompy, coming right up!" Star declares, "Be there in a jiffy."

The Overseer is drinking from her flask and glowering at the changelings. She makes no moves towards them, hostile or otherwise.

[DigoDragon]

Merry chuckles. "Heh. You'd look like someone had replaced your legs with a goat's."

"Yeah. Spent a lot of time outdoors. Home was just a couple of shacks. Not much difference indoors or out. It just feels right, being out here."

"Yeah, guess that would be bahaahaahaad," Rose jokes.

She digs a little at the ground. Carefully. "The outdoors are nice. I like to go skydiving. Parents took me and my sis camping once in a while. Sand messes with my metal legs tho. Get's grit in the joints."

[D.KnightSpider]

((Part 2))

The heartache ebbs for a few moments and Sniper takes control of his emotions. Compared to Rose, Nickel and Emerald, there is no right or proper claim for self pity or insecurity. Duty demanded that he deal with this insecurity. But recent lessons temper his actions and prevent him from burying the emotion. He wants to deal with this in the right way.

Another look at the wing begins his process of acceptance. Torturing himself with his appearance isn't healthy. He refuses to dress up a hurtful action in noble sentiments. He was what he was. While he would never be Rose or Brazen, he could live with himself. He could refuse to be limited by superficial appearance.

The passing of several minutes brings some peace to his mind. The wing is his. It's a part of him. More than that, it's a reminder: a reminder of how ugly his character can be, a representation of the consequences and a motivation to do better in the future.

The decision strikes a chord and Sniper finds that he can live with it. It's tolerable.

Sniper takes a deep breath and exhales his fear and frustration. With its departure, the last rifts of his fractured mind heal. The different personalities, cultivated throughout his lifetime, congeal into one uniform whole.

There's a the rugged determination drilled into him by his father, a love of culture and the arts born of the Pre-Tartarus Prench Officer, some tactical consideration and bloodlust from the Feral Warrior, the protective, dutiful nature of Second Scope, a pinch of mild kindness from Flutter Scope, a son loved of his parents in Sniper Scope and a shot of rougishness from Longshot.

Some more fear evaporated as Longshot melded with his psyche. For a good long while, terror had kept him from intimacy. By design, of course. He has no wish to put others at risk by opening up to them in such a fashion. But there was more to it than that.

Ponies feared weapons they didn't understand. It was a part of their nature. In the past, Sniper had stoked those personal fears for the sake of insulating himself from the weapon of sexual attraction and chasing immunity to it. The fear ebbs. The disinterest remains.

As his mind settles, Sniper finds himself. Unlike other attempts at reform, this went to his core. Duty, obligation and expectation were absent his healing. It was a resolution of those issues which had driven him mad.

Relaxation brought a smile to his face. Now that he knew who he was, well, it was long past time to do a few things for himself.

First things first: adopt a name he enjoys.

Sniper opens his computer and sends a request for an updated call sign: Longshot.

[Elbeyon]

"Wonderful!" Love smiles real big and touches the feather in her mane. "If you walk her too fast, Chompy will become hyperactive. She is real friendly." Hopefully, some wastelanders find her a cute doggo.

Love keeps the Overseer on her 'hud' somewhere in case her anger subsides.

[Miltonian]

Merry laughs at that. "Oh, that was too good," she says, wiping a tear from her eye, "Alright, might not have been the best, but it's been a while since I laughed like that."

"Yeah. I can see that being a problem." Merry's living up to her name a bit more now. "Seems pretty well put together, though. Not much room for, say, a pebble to get stuck."

--

"I'll be careful," Star chuckles, "First let me track down the little mutt."

The Overseer's anger quickly burns out and leaves behind an empty, hollow look in her eyes and a pained bent to her lips. She takes another sip.

[DigoDragon]

Merry laughs at that. "Oh, that was too good," she says, wiping a tear from her eye, "Alright, might not have been the best, but it's been a while since I laughed like that."

"Yeah. I can see that being a problem." Merry's living up to her name a bit more now. "Seems pretty well put together, though. Not much room for, say, a pebble to get stuck."

Rose giggles along with Melody. It's nice to see her happy. "Not much more than grains of sand no," she confirms. "And better than the first set I had. My old mechanical legs used to short out in water, so I could never take a full bath. Just sponge myself carefully."

She sits down by Melody now, gazing at that one stationary cloud. "You have any hobbies?"

[D.KnightSpider]

((Final Part))

Longshot begins the process of working through additional legal paperwork. He takes a quick look at the process for a legal name change, knowing full well that actively pursuing such a measure will require waiting until he's back in Equestria. The satisfied curiousity is worth the few minutes investigation.

Then he accesses his will and changes the provisions. The bulk of it stays the same. Should he die all of his assets would be liquidated. With a minor edit, Sniper establishes that two trust funds will be established with the money: one for Diamond Hope and the other for his presently unborn brother. He also accesses a seperate letter and removes some petty revenge from his funeral arrangements. This would be better for every pony.

He looks at his ACD and decides to leave well enough alone. There's too much to live for to re-activate his old DNR. That particular temptation faded once he found out about his brother-- the little tyke was going to need him around in some form.

Longshot transmits these files to Love and asks her to bring them to the morning briefing.

Now it's time for some correspondence. An email from Fashion is no longer neglected and Longshot takes the opportunity to update her on his wishes. Another email goes out to his parents re-affirming that everything is alright and they'll be together as soon as possible. Knowing that Polaris might have their communications tapped, Longshot is careful not to be specific or even entirely accurate.

Finally, there's one last task on the docket. Longshot checks his list of contacts and then composes one last email to Ruby Red, the exact text of which will be added here this afternoon when time permits.

With his checklist complete, he closes down the laptop. Then, Longshot brings up his comm. and scrubs through his recorded audio from Old World Blues. Was Andromeda just giving a pep-talk or was there anything more important to her spiel?