Sins of the Mother

Trails slung his repeater on his back and smiled as Zestari got up. "Nah, I'll be fine." he answered, kneeling to help her fold up her bedroll. Then she asked about the pepperberries, why do good things always have to get ruined, was such a nice morning. "Uh, not sure it's going to happen, for a while at least. It's a five month long round trip, and Papa Khan's not gonna let me take a vacation that long after just getting initiated. We're all actually supposed to go on a job right now, earn our collective keep." after a moment of thought he added, "I promise that I'll get you those berries though, I owe you that much."

Sky fell asleep shortly after Trails left, not really in the mood for an all nighter. And she fell asleep on a cloud again, something nice to sleep on a cloud out here. Though the sun was the first thing to Wake her up, she yawned and stretched her wings and limbs. She looked down below to to see the campfire and the others, Trails and Zestari seemed to be awake already. So Sky flew down to the ground and landed softly on the ground, "Morning you two." Sky said to them both, with her saddle bags on her when she slept. Something to get used to when out here, when you sleep on clouds.

Lightning didn't get a chance to answer Zestari the night before. Sky had done that for him. Once the pegasus finished his dinner and Trails had left to go do whatever he had to for the Khans, he didn't waste any time getting some sleep. He needed it after his flight training.

The next morning came faster than he expected and the pegasus had to force himself to get up. Letting out a yawn, Lightning glanced around his surroundings before opening up his saddlebag and taking out his canteen of water. He took only a quick sip before Trails came over to greet everypony that was waking up. "Good morning, Trails. Sky. Zestari."

Kira had fallen a sleep looking in to the fire letting her entire body get as relaxed as best as she could among the Khans in their own camp. It was enough for her to actually get a night of good sleep under the open night sky.

The next morning she woke up from Trails morning greeting feeling at least somewhat rested after night of sleep. She went though what had started to be her morning routine, cleaning her feathers, going though her saddle bags, sharpening her talons and finally getting some kind of breakfast. Once she had finished all this she finally said good morning to the rest of the group.

Kestrel had found himself a place by the fire and laid down. It didn't take long for him to slip into that grey area between total deep sleep and a cat nap. His ears were perked and listening for any disturbances, long ingrained instincts telling him to keep his guard up; even in the presence of slightly trusted company.

--------

When morning came Kestrel could be found just returning to the camp after having awoken and gone on yet another of his typical PT runs. It was a habit for him when he woke to at least do some kind of exercise.

He entered camp just in time to see Trails' telling Zestari that their little trip would need to wait, and that this Papa Khan figure had a mission for him.

Don't waste time do they? Kestrel thought to himself as he walked over towards the group; offering his usual silent nod in greeting. If Trails was getting dragged into this, Kestrel would be right behind him.

“Good morning!” she said cheerfully as the others began to awaken and go about their morning rituals, before returning her attention to Happy.

She thanked him as he helped her with her bedding, and frowned, “Well as long as you keep an eye on those bandages. If you let yourself get an infection, I’m not going to be pleased.”

When he began to discuss what she thought would be the plan to seek out the pepperberries, she grinned, ready to hear what they’d do. Her smile faltered when he said it wasn’t going to happen, and quickly went into a frown.

“Five months?!” she echoed sadly. “Oh, I didn’t realise it was so far away.” She bit her lip and looked away. Perhaps she didn’t need the pepperberry, maybe something else would suffice, or an alternative set of ingredients. Perhaps ponyradish combined with… no, she shook her head. That wouldn’t work. Pepperberry was unique in its action.

Lost in her thoughts she almost missed Happy mention that in payment for shelter and protection, the Khans required them to perform some sort of task. She was mildly irritated, not at the fact that the Khans expected something in return for their hospitality; really, she would have been surprised if there wasn’t a requirement of payment in some form, but that this had not been made clear as a condition when Safiya and herself entered the camp yesterday.

She sighed, and nodded at the quiet appearance of Kestrel. “Okay, at least let me get some food into my belly before we go.” She smiled; it felt a bit forced, she was still a bit melancholy over the pepperberry issue.

Safiya had gotten a good few hours of sleep, but admittedly she had also spent most of the night awake. She was yet to put trust into these ponies and until she saw some evidence to settle her thoughts about them she would keep her guard up. Besides if something happened to either her or Zestari she wouldn't be able to do much about it if she was sleeping. After her usual morning routine of checking her equipment she stepped outside and took in a large breath of the crisp morning air.

She took a look around as her predatory gaze swept over the few that were awake at this time and made notes of them all, silently judging. 'Time to get to work' she thought to herself as she decided to take a walk around, maybe see if she can't find something unusual about this place.

At the mention of food Kestrel felt his own stomach knot up a bit. His little morning workout had revived his predatory appetite. He said nothing about it however. He never did.

Moving away from the campfire Kestrel began to walk about the camp itself. He would return in a few minutes of course, but for now he wanted to give the camp a final look over before he left and let the high from exercise wear off in the mean time.

Adrenaline was all well and good, but it could be just as detrimental as it could be helpful, and Kestrel did not like walking into a mission with a fuzzy head.

Trails heard the group's collective grumbling about breakfast, and started some grumbling of his own, internally. What about we have to go don't these ponies get? Do I have to add a few now dammits into it? Maybe subtlety is a tactic best saved for when there's time to spare. I'll make them some damn breakfast, then we can get on the road, finally. Let's see here what've I got? Hardtack or muffins...no, bad Trails, give the ponies muffins.

Pouring a few bottles of vodka into a pan He got to work on some muffins for the group. He stirred in the flour a little too quickly, forcing him to add in the rest, which was just fine and dandy for his mood. Done with the batter he pulled out some apples and broke them into semi uniform chunks, which he dumped into the bowl. He poured the muffins into some cans he washed out in the nearby creek, and set them onto the camp fire.

"Grab your gear they'll be done in a few minutes, when they're ready grab one and we'll be leaving." He said to the group.

After waiting for the group he jerked his head and whistled, telling them all to follow. He led them down the winding path out of bitter springs where Kick Start and the charcoal pony stood waiting. The charcoal pony had his cut on now, which was even more decked out than Kick Start's. Trails read some of the patches that adorned it when he reached them, he was surprised, first mission already riding with the VP. Kick star and Trails took places at either side of the VP, letting him lead.

"Where we headed exactly?" Trails asked no one in particular as they walked down the road to the strip.

"Stable 3, just a few minutes from McMaren." answered Kick Start.

"So right next to the NLR headquarters? Isn't that a little, y'know, stupid for a meeting site?"

"It is, which is why we aren't actually gonna be crossing by McMaren to get there, we'll be hooking round, down near 188, to avoid any patrols." rumbled the VP.

Trails nodded and fell silent, letting the VP take them on his route. He didn't know where Vault 3 was exactly, but he did know that McMaren was chalk full of all the ponies they didn't want to meet. The thought of stumbling into a gunfight with NLR patrols wasn't exactly the best. He looked back at the ponies and gryphons who had followed him all this way. The thought of any of them getting shot while under his care made him nervous. All he could do in the end was his job, if things did go south they had shown they could handle themselves.

MUFFINS!

Effects: +5 Health for 2 posts
Ingredients: Flour, Fresh Fruit, Vodka
Survival Skill: 10

x3

Sky Looked onto the group to feel relived to get something to eat, although she didn't feel that much hungry to say the least. She took the muffin and put it into her saddlebag, never know when Sky might want a snack on the road. Now she had to go and help out trails with something for the Khans, well the entire group but its something to help him out. She did in fact stay with him out here to go help him out, Just something to do with nothing on home and a new day for her to see a new place.

Sky listened to the whistle, She only nodded and followed his lead. She listened in on part of their conversation, she didn't know what else to think of it. Just some business to help out with trails, nothing much to it just go and follow his lead. Maybe a fight later on, to take her mind of the boredom a bit.

Zestari though that Happy looked annoyed when he left to start cooking as she finished packing her stuff up in preparation for the days tasks. When she finished she went over to the fire to find that Happy had cooked muffins and she happily accepted one and ate it thoughtfully. Not bad.

As they left the camp to meet up with the Khans who would be instructing the group on what they would be doing, Zestari sped up a little until she was walking alongside Happy, “Thank you,” she said, “I really appreciate you helping me with my bedding and cooking for me.”

She slowed down as they joined up with the other Khans, one, she noted, appeared to be better adorned than the others. She let Happy talk to them as she followed, only paying vague attention to what they were saying, she didn’t know any of the places out here, nor was she familiar with the NLR or the Khans relationship with them. She did perk up at the mention of a vault though, always fascinated with the structures, but other than that, to her ears it sounded like they were just going to some sort of rendezvous. She looked towards Safiya and then Kestrel, wondering if any of this Khan plan stuff was cause for alarm or concern.

Zestari figured that if there was anything to be concerned about, they’d mention it, so she sped up a little to catch back up to Happy and asked in Zebrican, “So why did you want to become a member of the Khans?”

Kira was still eating her breakfast when she got news that she and her group was going to do some kind of job for the Khans, she was not sure if getting roped in to their business was such a good thing but she was in this now so she just had to make the best of it. Maybe know if she knew what they did she would finally get a clear picture of these Khans and if they was so great.

"So?" The gryphoness asked as she followed the group down the road. "What do you think of this? I mean the Khans getting us to do their dirty work?"

Trails thought hard for a moment, how Zestari kept asking the exact thing that was tearing him up was the mystery of the century. "It's my family legacy, what my mom left for me to pick up and carry. She was one of the first 9 members of the Great Khans, everything you see back there is the fruits of her labor. It's nice, finding some meaning in the past, getting an answer of sorts."

Trails lit a cigarette and looked at the horizon, they were getting close now. He could see Kick Start's body language change, he was more tense now. The VP stayed calm though, or he was better at hiding it. He took a long drag before stubbing out his smoke.

"Keep your head down when we get to the meeting. Find some cover and stay there, don't want you getting hurt if this all blows back."

While walking about the camp Kestrels ears would pick up the familiar sound of sharp cracks and booms that often signified gunshots.

The Practice Range.

It had been a while since Kestrel had gone there, why not waste a few rounds while Trails cooked breakfast? Walking over Kestrel watched as a few of the Khans shot up some simple targets down range.

The range was not really all that impressive. Then again, it really didn't have to be. A few cans and empty bottles actually made for good targets at range. They were smaller than most of your target areas on a body anyway.

Just as he was about to join in on the shooting match he heard a sharp whistle from across the camp. Time to go then.

Kes turned around and began making his way back towards the campfire and the group beside it. Along his way he spotted the gryphoness that had accompanied Zestari all the way out here.

She'd probably be wanting to come along if his estimates about her loyalty were correct.

"Gear up Rookie, we're moving out."

That said Kestrel picked up his pace and caught up with the main group again. He did not see why Trails was so eager to get going. Then again, Kestrel did not see why Trails even wanted to join this group in the first place.

Lightning watched as the others mutter about the lack of breakfast and Trails giving in and cooking some muffins for them. He would grab a muffin from him and bow his head in thanks. Taking a bite, he had to admit that these were pretty good. Quickly getting the rest of his gear together, he followed Trails to the rest of the Khans.

As they walked down the road, the pegasus couldn't help but wonder what did he get himself into and why was he helping this group. But he was here and there was nothing he could really do about it now. Just keep quiet and don't anger the wrong pony. Better than getting killed.

Zestari shrugged at Kira, “I don’t really know.” And it was true, she didn’t know why the Khans needed a large group to go to a rendezvous, but it was beginning to make the zebra wonder.

She turned back to Happy and nodded, “Ahh, legacies. Important things aren’t they? An answer of sorts? Not entirely what you were looking for, then?” she tilted her head, “If your mother was such an important pony to the Khans, why is only now that you are going through initiation rites?”

As Happy lit a cigarette she took the opportunity to watch the other members of the group heading to the meeting place. She looked at Kestrel and wondered what he’d say to her if she asked about what was going on. The griffon might have been blunt but he would also prevent her from walking into something stupid, right?

Finishing his smoke, Happy turned and told her to be careful for the upcoming meeting. Her ears sagged slightly and she sighed. So much for just an ordinary meeting. ”Thanks for warning me, I’ll do that.”

"Is it just me or is the sea of red tape getting bigger." Major Date Tree groaned, dropping a clipboard onto a desk and falling back into his chair.

"Course it is, the bureaucrats have to get their jabs in somewhere." answered a tall tan earth pony in a NLR uniform and a shadow hooves beret. "Least some things are working out, don't need to ask the appropriations board to go on a bust."

"So we get a location?"

"Eeyup, Juice came through. Even gave us a cherry on top for the sundae, the VP's coming."

Date Tree perked up at this, a wide smile cracked across his face. "Finally, getting that invincible piece of shit. I'm putting you and your people in charge of this, take as many squads as you need."

The shadow hoof lit a smoke and nodded, exiting the tent. He jerked his head a group of five other shadow hooves, all waiting outside their tent. They all grabbed their rifles and fell in behind him. As they walked out he waved over two squads of NLR troopers before stopping to talk to all of them.

"We're going after the Great Khans as they set up a chem deal with the Fiends. My ponies are gonna setup on a ridge and take out the targets of value, make sure this thing goes our way. You troopers will attack on my mark, I'll leave the individual tactics to your squad leader."

With that he turned again to leave the camp.

As per tradition Kestrel took a position up at the rear of the group. His sniper rifle was by no means a up close and personal kind of weapon. He could do more damage up close sure, but it was far easier, especially out here in the mohoofe, to just blow away people from a distance.

As he walked along, Kestrel was sure to scan the surroundings for any suspicious movements. He may not like the Khans, but he was pretty sure that getting the Ranking officer with them killed on the first job would not blow over well.

Kira followed them along the dusty road still thinking about why The Great Khan would take them all with them on this rendezvous. She the only thing she could be sure about as she walked kicking up dust as she walked, was that she did not like it.

Of course things could also go all as planed, whatever their plan was with this, and all of them would leave health and without bullet holes. Maybe they just wanted to make a show of force and with as many as they were it was not that hard, and having three gryphons in the group would make most sane ponies think twice.

The VP led them to an old barn that looked to be long ago burned down. Insides waited ten ponies wearing brahmin skulls for helmets and armor that just screamed raider. Trails wasn't too nerved up by them, it wasn't the first time he'd dealt with the rougher end of the spectrum. What mostly kept him on edge was the sense that the NLR was just around the corner.

"You bring the caps?" asked the VP in his low gravelly voice.

"No shit, you bring the chems?" called back one of the raiders, his voice was high and shrill, sounded like he'd been punched in the throat.

"No shit." retorted Kick Start.

The raider laughed and tossed out a duffel bag. Kick Start grabbed it and dropped his saddlbags, the VP did the same. Trails took out his rifle and started looking around, he didn't know why, but his coat kept crawling. Something was up, that was for damn sure. An loud crack and the head raider's head exploding served as comfirmation.

"Shit shit shit." was all the raiders could say as they took out their weapons and started returning fire at the ridge the shot came from.

Trails was surprised to see that the majority of them used energy weapons, a rarity back in the Capitol wastes. Two squads of NLR came from nowhere, both firing on them with their service rifles, flanking them and using the sniper fire as a scorpion sting. Trails turned his repeater on one of the soldiers and fired two shots to their chest. The first hit, causing the soldier to fall to their knee in pain, the second tore through their now lowered skull, sending them jerkily into the sand. He snapped his rifle quickly to the next target, letting out another crack from his repeater. The Shot tore the aorta of the trooper, sending them into the sand, their body leaving a crimson trail.

Enemies---
There are 14 NLR troopers all equipped with Service Rifles.

Allies--
There are 9 fiends: 3 with Firefly RCPW's 2 with Cowpony Repeaters, 1 with a Hunting Rifle, and 3 with Prism Rifles.

Kick Start is armed with a caravan shotgun.

The VP is armed with an Assault Carbine.

Kestrel was glad that he had been behind the group. Just as they had met with these drugged up ponies, the damn NLR had charged over the hill and opened fire.

Luckily they could not aim worth a damn.

Pulling out his rifle and seating it in his shoulder Kestrel took aim. Training his unerring aim on one of the soldiers heads and squeezing a round off.

(Guns 100, aiming at a head.)

Safiya reacted instantly as she kicked off the floor, spreading her wings and beating them once as she took into the sky at a staggering speed. She drew her weapon as she spun in mid air as she reached the apex of her ascension before she marked her targets for death. She arched her wings into a U shape as she fell into a steep dive, picking up speed as she fell into her first sweep. If all worked as planned She would pass over them, firing at as many as she could before being away again.


(Flying into the air, AP 1, Flight 46)

(Drawing Weapon. AP 1)

(Diving, AP 1, Flight 46)

(Firing at one trooper, AP 2, Guns 46)

(Firing at another trooper, AP 2, Guns 46)

The shots came so sudden for Kira she quickly threw her self to the ground trying to find cover in the old burned out barn. She knew that all this was going to go bad but she had not expected this, still how could the NLR knew where this meeting were suppose to be. The sudden bullet storm from the NLR keep her pinned down, she had been though some ambushes before but this was more organised then a group of raiders or bandits in the wasteland.

(Agility 8, Dive for any possible cover.)

Lightning had followed the group silently up to this point and now, they were under attack by the NLR! Well, it didn't matter who shot at him really, he had to defend himself and assist the others. Just as some other griffon in their group took off into the air, the pegasus followed suit, his wings unfolding from his flanks and taking off straight into the air. As he ascended, he didn't waste time drawing his SMG from his holster before looping his body around to dive and attack. The other griffon seemed to be following a similar plan so Lightning took aim at another NLR trooper and pulled the trigger.

(Take off, 1 AP, Flight 75)

(Drawing 10mm SMG, 1 AP)

(Diving, AP 1, Flight 75)

(Firing at one trooper, AP 3, Guns 80 x2)

Sky wandered with the rest to the meet up, like the rest she just came along for the ride. Until head of the raider or fiend got blown off, which prompted Sky to look at the ridge. NLR soldiers on the ridge, ready to kill and started shoot at the group. This day was not going to be an easy one, but when isn't any day an easy one.

(1 AP to fly to the sky.) [Flight 100]
(1 AP to pull out 10mm smg)
(8 AP to fire smg at trooper x4) [guns 100]