***** OPERATION: Abandoned in the Crag Moors, Stuck (In the Middle of You) ***** Startled awake from the daze of multiple resonating klaxons, @Natilda's skin crawls in pain from near heat stroke temperatures followed by cold chills, air rushing down onto her from numerous vents above, but most importantly the angry, pained, and afraid electronic voice of She That Must Cease Inserting Those Into That Place There resetting the frazzled currents in her brain. "GET UP GET UP GET UP WAKE THE FUCK UP WILL Y-" Currently unable to identify the sounds of popping and ringing in her ears or why the klaxons began to cease, one by one, until an explosion occurs directly outside the right chest compartment, the screen in front of her blacking out. For once screaming in an external voice, Wild's incomprehensible words wouldn't be concerning if not for the jagged pieces of still aflame wood piercing through the paper thin metal making up her external metal skin, thankfully putting the fire out while glistening black fluid sprays across Natilda. "I can't see where I'm going! Give me some directions here!" >Natilda (What... What the fuck?) Shaking my head, I take a moment to look around and get my bearings. And the sirens weren't helping me concentrate. "What the fuck happened?!" Spitting out some of the fluid, I take a moment to try and remember which direction we were heading. "Fuck, I don't know! In the opposite direction from whatever's currently attacking us!" Turning behind me, I take a look at the rear view screen to see what's going on. [ 1d6+1 = 3 ] [ 1d6+1 = 4 ] Natilda "I'm sure they'll make it, it's probably safer over there right now! Hell, that snake thing is probably dead, already." Shaking my head, I try to make sense of the clusterfuck going on behind us, considering I can't see whatever's in front at the moment. "And I'm glad you didn't launch me as well." (I would likely be dead if she did. We still might die anyway.) As she lists what's happened to her, I can't help but get lost. "Okay, you lost me on what's wrong with you! I don't know half the words you're saying." Thinking quickly, I look up at the top of my compartment for a moment. "Can you sense what's going on without needing to see? Besides the pain, anyway." (I really, really hope she doesn't collapse and die.) Shaking my head, I grunt and keep watch behind us, making sure nothing that could kill us is heading our way. [ 1d6+1 = 4 ] [ 1d6+1 = 5 ] Natilda (I don't understand morse code either, Wild.) Shaking my head, I sigh in relief when I notice that the fuckhuge thing isn't directing anything towards us, but I keep an eye out behind just to be sure. "Okay, so basically what you're telling me is that you can't see or feel anything that isn't pain. Got it." Rubbing my chin, I think for a moment. "So there's likely a fire outside... And we don't know what's assaulting us from the front. I honestly recommend moving a bit to the left but keep going forward while avoiding these trees, if you can. Once we're clear of the fire, it should be safe for me to poke my head out. Assuming we're not pissing something off just by existing." (Hopefully I don't get us killed, either.) Stepping forwards once more, Wild clangs into probably another tree, the muffled crunch mixed with a rumbling electronic sigh, whatever the foam-like sealant was doing an admirable job preventing any further smoke or heat from drifting inwards. "My remaining two optical sensors face rearwards, there are no others functional. Short, medium, long, and extra-solar communications systems offline. How am I supposed to move forwards if I can't calculate travel vectors? Analyzing options now-" Forced to blink to keep her eyes from drying out, @Natilda's focus on the compartment's screen denotes the internal temperature marginally stable.. at 100 degrees, the exterior fluctuating between 150 and 160. Emitting a burst of static, the transport motionless as another tree in view explodes, several lines orienting on it. "The trees are detonating due to unstable molecular reactions from contained water, their shards are causing the continued damage but the loss of my external hull has exposed more Tryptaran mass. I need to find Tryptaran and metallic masses to initiate repairs-" Cutting herself off at the tsunami rolling over the Assault Craft, the leading wave of lava and debris batters it halfway down onto it's facing side, leaving it buried for the next waves, STMCITITPT emitting a quiet, angered tone. "Arcanum sensors array destroyed, I have no method of determining their statuses." >Natilda (Communications are down so no calling for help, she's blind from the front, and it sounds like the trees are just exploding from the fire. There's pretty much one thing to do, unless she feels like ramming more trees.) "So, uh... How's your back armor? Because I figured that you can move backwards, if you can see back there. Or I can guide you." "..rear? Backwards? ..guide? ..new mobility information acquired, this will be useful, thank you. Analyzing damage, processing now- " Stress entering her tone, Wild begins the agonizingly slow process of turning around, a schematic taking over the left side of the screen, the right side becoming a smaller view of the forest, still ablaze, trees still exploding from the external temperatures. "Analyzing damage and initiating scavenging protocols now, processing now-" Slowly taking shape, the information was suitably grim: most of Wild's external hull was simply gone, what little did remain showing as slag or melted to the point of uselessness. "Analysis complete, scavenging protocols complete. Natilda, there are two sets of discarded optical arrays within me; one is located within my head compartment, the other within my chest compartment. With them I will be able to restore two optical arrays once we reach a safe zone, but the external environment is still too dangerous to let you acquire them.. the damage to my exterior and interior are isolated to these locations-" A large number of increasingly worrying components in the arms and legs, ones @Natilda could barely identify due to marginal similarities to tank parts, embedded within Wild bore damaged, inoperable, or disabled statuses, the functional ones showing on screen within oddly shaped blue triangles, the nonfunctionals with bright red squares. "My biocore is undamaged and shows no signs of failure. My mobility has been reduced to one-quarter of normal output, I will be unable to run or perform any large scale movements without causing further internal damage." Now fully turned around and facing the on-fire forest, the view was fairly clear of obstructions as most of the trees further out were little more than charred, upright sticks. >Natilda "Okay, once we're safe I'll fish them out for you. Among anything else that can be scavenged for you." Cracking my knuckles and rolling my shoulders, I look over the damage to Wild's limbs... and get almost nothing out of them. "Okay... Kraut or a mechanic will need to actually look this over, because all I know is that its all fucked. I wasn't trained to repair vehicles, just occasionally ride on them." Shrugging my shoulders, I smile reassuringly, even if she couldn't tell. "Its fine, as long as you're moving we'll be okay." I take a quick look around the area behind us, seeing if there was anything Wild should be on the lookout for, either to take or avoid. [ 1d6+1 = 6 ] [ 1d6+1 = 5 ] Natilda "Alright, you can pretty much go straight backwards for a while, I don't see anything except for the heat." Settling down, I look back at the broken screen to keep my neck from getting sore from looking backwards constantly. "Er, by riding on, I mean climbing up onto the engine deck of a tank, or into the flatbed of a truck. I personally can drive wheeled vehicles, mostly American trucks that we were supplied, and I've got a quick crash course on operating T-34s, due to... a request I put in." Glancing at the tendril, I raise an eyebrow at it. Correcting her course out of line from every tree within sight, movement and scraping from the front calls @Natilda's attention, watching the tree chunks pulled out, a massive, grainy blue metal hand covering the holes, mostly preventing the outside air and smoke from entering. "Understood, I will notify you when there is biological activity, large scale environmental changes, or when we have reached a safe location." The same black mass from before forms over the gaps, foaming into a hardened state much more slowly this time, Wild's hand removed from it's place with a curious electronic beep. "Processing data.. completed. Designation: tank, armored combat vehicle. Analysis: efficient against most land based targets, basic knowledge. Designation: truck, transport vehicle. Analysis: efficient for rapid movement of vital components, ineffective at combat, basic knowledge. Designation: T-34, armored and armed combat vehicle specialized in multi-role performance against ground targets. Primary analysis: all designates lack effective deterrence or destruction methods to combat long range or aerial threats, armor-defeating munitions, buried explosives, close range tactics, flame weaponry. Secondary analysis: all designates lack countermeasures to non-physical weaponry and multiple Tallus species. Tertiary analysis: all designates fully lack defenses against Eldritch, Elemental, Otherworldly, Planar, and Spectral threats." Falling silent, only the consistent slow thumping of Eldritch feet is heard, the medical implement remaining stationary for several minutes, finally offering a polite, possibly threatening wiggle. "Internal vital monitoring systems undamaged. Due to excessive heat exposure you will require monitoring. It is your choice where this monitoring will occur." If Wild's tone or intentions were friendly, it simply wasn't possible for Natilda to tell. >Natilda "Well, I mean the T-34 was good for what we intended; a fast, easily repaired and produced tank that had enough armor to counter the Fascists' tanks, and provide infantry support. You'd be shocked at the conditions of some of the finished tanks, considering we didn't care about the quality, unlike Germany." Shaking my head, I can't help but roll my eyes. "We only had to deal with anti-armor rounds and other tanks, never anything from this place. Though I definitely wouldn't mind aquiring a T-34 if it was possible." Glancing at the tendril, I let out a sigh. "As long as I can keep talking, I don't really care." "Is this correct?" Half of the forward screen in front of @Natilda comes to life, the leftmost undamaged section showing a surprisingly accurate external model of a T-34, the coloration a stock desert tan without any symbols or markings on it, meanwhile the damaged bio-plastic surrounding the punctures begins to reform, pulling back into place without any apparent force. [ 1d6+4 = 9 ] Natilda "Uh, yeah, actually. Except the crews usually personalized the exterior with logs and gear, maybe some camoflauge to help keep it hidden." Listening to her explain everything to herself, I can't help but smile at how curious she is. "Fascism is an extremely unpopular idea in the Soviet Union, we're all Communists. Though not everyone's a party member." Shaking my head, I look out of the screen for a moment. "Not everything has to have armor. Our BT series tanks had 13mm at the thickest parts of the turret. Being that light let them go pretty fast, I think it was 72kph?" Shaking my head, I give a shrug, about to say something but being cut off. "Its because we're all from different universes, and from what I know, mine is... behind most of the others. Snake's a couple decades or so ahead of my timeline. While I don't know much about timelines... I think I shouldn't be touching them... directly, anyway." "That would be useful information.. if I can FIND something to replace my hull with!" The active repair function, which was both mind boggling and mildly unsettling for @Natilda to watch, continues pulling the display back into it's proper position. [ 1d6+4 = 5 ] Natilda Ignoring the unsettling display before me, I roll my eyes. "Once we get back to Razorback I'll talk with Bren or someone else to get you steel, if that's what you need." Raising an eyebrow at her, I shrug. "We should have enough stuff at base for you to use." Snickering, I give the appendage a look. "It's made out of wood. Not something you build a truck with. Not completely, anyway." Finally pulled back into normal position, the forward screen flows together in an odd, oily motion, small crackles of electricity sparking through. [ 1d6+4 = 10 ] Natilda "Well we don't exactly have two feet for our tanks to walk around on, just treads, and steel's easy to mass produce." Shrugging, I take a moment to think. "Yeah, I'd say that it'd be a decent material to use, if temporary. Just don't get hit by anything that pierces armor, it'd go right through it." Emitting a cheerful beep, the forward screen returns to functionality, splitting in half to show the view from both of her rear shoulders. "Left shoulder compartment forward screen restored, estimated plus-zero-point-two-five percent increased survival chance." The forest behind was now completely charred, little more than burnt trees slightly taller than Wild and small jutting rock formations scattered throughout, halting and turning from side to side for a careful survey. "Area clear of hostile activity, no biological signs in view. Performing environmental condition analysis: air temperature, ninety-five degrees, near maximum allowable limits. Air quality: ten percent, sub-nominal but breathable for short periods of time. Recommend maximum exposure: thirty seconds. Unsafe allowable limits." Finishing it's procedure, the tendril lifts a small square of compressed charcoal upwards, twisting around to examine it more closely, then presents it to @Natilda, holding it up to her with two small clamps. "This material demonstrates remarkably low durability with considerably higher heat resistance than steel. Can it be further refined into a more useful material?" >Natilda Taking a look around, I wince at the forest's condition; hardly anything survived out here. Granted the wildlife probably fucked off as soon as the titans or whatever started fighting. "Well... charcoal's good for me if I get poisoned, and it helps keep a fire going for a bit. Plus someone could use it as a crude pencil." Retracting the implement below @Natilda's view, likely storing it under the crash couch, Wild proceeds once more with her rearward march. "Information acknowledged. Designation: charcoal, an alternate material produced by burning a tree. Armor value analysis: extremely low. Medical value analysis: extremely high. I will retain small amounts for use in treating poisons." Slowing while passing by a rock formation, the bipedal machine traverses towards it in examination briefly, continuing on with a disgruntled noise. "Mildly dense but fragile geological formations, extremely minor amounts of metallic substrates. Analysis: approximately six hours of harvesting would yield one pound of iron. Natilda, there is little of value in this sector, do you have any information pertaining to possible locations of useful material deposits?" >Natilda Letting out a sigh, I shake my head and frown. "I have no idea on where the hell we even are. My best guess would be inside a mountain. I'm not a miner, I know nothing about this kind of thing." "Acknowledged Natilda. Now searching storage for all useful materials-" Coming back into view, the medical implement snakes up past @Natilda's view, popping open a hatch above her head, rooting around inside it. "Exterior conditions still unsafe for traversal. Estimated time until reaching safe destination: unknown. Upper container empty, searching side and floor lockers." Closing the hatch and dropping down to head height on the left side of the compartment, it's likewise popped open, then the left, and finally under Natilda's feet, all similarly empty. "...excess inventory located, medical inventory located. Current medical inventory location: central head unit. Contents safe, pilot module severely damaged. I will be unable to extract the container without aid. Transferring small items to current compartment now-" A series of cracking sounds takes place underneath, an additional three tendrils popping out and tossing a stack of things onto the floor: a map, a compass, a set of old binoculars, a road flare, and finally a bottle of iodine. Removing the extra three, the primary tendril returns, carrying an odd looking gray device between it's clamps, scanning it carefully with a dull green line. "Technological device located, processing potential uses. Natilda, examine these for use." >Natilda "Most of these are actually pretty useful... Though I can't really use the binoculars in here." Shaking my head, I stuff the bottle into a pocket and slip the binoculars over my head to rest on my chest, before opening up the map to look it over. "Say... What else can you do with a... 'medical subject'?" Taking a look around, I try to see if I can find any decent landmarks that may be on the map. [ 1d6+1 = 3 ] [ 1d6+1 = 7 ] [ 1d6+1 = 4 ] Natilda Sitting back, I press the back of my head to the seat, thinking hard. "Well... I would think that communications would be a priority... but being able to detect arcane things would also help a lot... fuck." Sighing, I shake my head. "Let's go with arcane." (Hope I'm not fucking us over..) I was going to say more, but her sudden tendril to the body shut me up for a second. (And at least it's warmed this time.) "Okay, so if we can figure out where the hell we are, I can get us back to Razorback. If it wasn't for the forest fire we might've been able to find something... though it'll help with spotting landmarks." Sighing, I lean forward and gaze around. "Okay, first priority is getting somewhere safer so I can get out and help with repairs. Or get a drink." "Very well, I am initiating cautious repairs immediately." [ 1d6+4 = 6 ] Natilda (The fuck was that?) "Okay... so the radio would be useless at the moment, even if you could use it?" (Good thing I suggested arcane instead.) Shaking my head, I took the compass from her and stared at it for a long moment, judging which direction we were facing. "We came in heading northeast... So we need to go southwest. If you can find the Scar you came out of, I THINK we can get through it?" (I hope so.) Taking a sip of water from a canteen, I nod and think for a moment. "Let's try going southwest for a bit and see if the smoke gets any lighter." "That is correct, but I have no experience with Construct encryption software or routines. There is a greater than ninety-five percent probability of orbital monitoring systems currently active. Addendum: Arcanum sensor array repairs at ten percent." [ 1d6+4 = 5 ] Natilda "Yeah... Fifty percent chance of being hostile... BUT there is also a fifty percent chance of them not giving a damn!" Giving the mini-Wild a grin, I only shook my head and sighed. "I have no idea where we are either, and that wouldn't change with landmarks." Giving a nod to the map, I shrugged. "I mean, I'm pretty sure southwest is the right direction to go, just have to hope that the Scar is still there. I think we didn't run into anything other than you trying to shove death tentacles into us?" "Scar societies do not work that way Natilda, the owner of each has limited contact with another due to agreed upon laws of passage, conduct, association, and artistic values. Entering a Scar without knowing the proper procedures of announcement is a manifestcrime, estimating chances of survival upon contact: zero point one percent. At my current rate of travel I estimate it will be five minutes until verification of the ocean. Should that fail I will attempt to follow a southwestern route into the Old Crags region, there are numerous listed unique landmarks which can be used to identify our exact location." Mimicking a dismissive hand wave, the cartoonish Wild spins about, uncapping a marker and scribbling her own notes across the lower edge of the map, a brief, low pitched alarm beeping once. "Nine sensor array malfunctions diagnosed, unable to restore long range sensors. Repairs at seventeen percent, expected level of final repair: thirty-five percent. Priorities updating.. completed. Primary priority one: determine position; primary priority two: locate uncontaminated water source; secondary priority one: secure, harvest, and adapt regional materials; secondary priority two: locate noncontaminated water supplies; secondary priority three: restore short range sensors." [ 1d6+4 = 7 ] Natilda "... Oh. I didn't know that? It's not like I ever had to throw myself at a Scar before, or figure out any of the entering procedures." Shaking my head, I shrugged. "To the ocean it is, then. Maybe we'll get lucky and find a town relatively quickly?" Staring at the screen, I take a moment to figure out what she's trying to say. (Neural's stuff with the head... right?) Raising an eyebrow at the screen, I hold my tongue to look out for anything dangerous. [ 1d6+1 = 2 ] [ 1d6+1 = 7 ] [ 1d6+1 = 3 ] Natilda I stifle a snort at how comical she was acting about how I didn't know this stuff. "My father built furniture before the war, he wasn't a doctor. I didn't exactly learn all of this in school." Processing this information, I lean back in my seat and watch the terrain move by for a moment. (I'd figure that mutations WOULDN'T be good for my body... but apparently I can take them?) Shaking my head, I nodded and leaned back. "Alright then." Finished with her scibbling notes out, Wild's caricature pokes the map into a flat state, turning around to fold her arms and staring towards @Natilda in a distant, likely multi-tasking mode. "Analysis incomplete, data vectors suboptimal. Query: as your father was a carpenter what circumstances allowed you to become a combatant? Notice: primary topography scan finished, locale information updating.. complete. Estimated time before exterior air quality reaches managable levels: unknown. Alert: potentially consumable small bioforms detected four hundred meters south within ocean confines, unable to assess threat levels. Notice: there are no materials and minerals suitable for harvesting in this region." A dim red lightbulb flashes above She That Must Cease Inserting Those Into That Place There, ten wavy lines of an unknown language rapidly scroll above her head while striding off the screen. "Preliminary human biophysiological analysis finished, establishing basic parameters.. complete. Current progress of human research indicates basic physical mutations have a one percent or lower risk of permanent damage, two point five percent or lower risk of temporary damage, and a five percent or lower risk of maximum level three pain index. I am fully capable of performing temporary physical mutagenic modifications, genetic restructuring, and inducing short term mutations within established limits. Example: performing dermal modifications to allow oxygen absorption through the skin. Example: performing limited optical capacity enhancement. Example: inducing short term bodily regeneration. It may be possible to precipitate long term or permanent physical modifications. Natilda, should I continue this focus of research?" >Natilda "I joined because of the Great Patriotic War, which started when the fascist pigs of Nazi Germany invaded my homeland of the Soviet Union." I answered proudly. After a moment, I gave a sly grin. "Plus I wasn't all that good with a hammer and nails. A scope and bolt action rifle, however..." Shrugging, I think for a moment. "I don't feel like I need to eat right now, I had something before Kraut dragged me here." (Hmm... being able to breathe through my skin can help out quite well...) After a long moment, I nodded. "Go ahead." Strolling her miniature self to the right side of the screen, Wild twists her torso leftwards to scan the eastern coastline, observing slow waves covering the beach in thick layers of ash. "This location contains little of value at the current time, continuing coastal evacuation towards the Deep Moors." Taking a slow, measured step down onto the beach, dull thuds on sand accompany the Eldritch Android turning right, breaking into her previous pace. [ 1d6+4 = 6 ] [ 1d6+4 = 7 ] [ 1d6+4 = 10 ] [ 1d6+4 = 9 ] Natilda "Not really, we generally figure out what we like to do, if possible, and try our best to do it. If we can't, we usually settle with whatever we can." Eyeing the coastline, I nod idly. "I'd rather just leg it to Cairn Wharf if that's fine with you. I don't know if they'd let you explain that you're friendly before attacking, otherwise. If I'm with you, we might be able to get by easily." Sighing, I think for a moment, glancing around at the stuff in the compartment. "I can go for a couple days without food, as long as I keep drinking water and don't get dehydrated, I'll survive the journey." "Updating human database.. completed. Your species is strange in comparison to ponies, Natilda." Rotating several degrees towards the forest, Wild's right arm comes into view reaching above her, the caricature on screen performing a lazy pirouette. "I have no data on the inhabitants, faction status, reputation status, or other information available on Red Pine, Stone Pine, or Cairn Wharf; at the current time it would be prudent to search all inhabited regions on a direct route to Cairn Wharf for survivors, if any. Correction: Red Pine and Stone Pine seem to be within a one to three mile geographical distance from each other, insufficient data available to resolve this error." Displaying the entire map once again, the cartoon Wild traces a line across the coastline from the center of the Deep Moors marked region up to a large unnamed cape. "I have detected zero threats since leaving the previous combat area and as a precaution I have sealed your compartment against biological, chemical, neutron, Eldritch, Spectral, and small scale elemental threats. I am unable to assess the levels of magical, nuclear, physical, and other esoteric threat prevention, though I am rated for underwater travel and can attempt to perform sea-based consumables acquisitions if needed. At my current pace however, what little I can tell you is this: get comfortable because it's going to be a long run." [ 1d6+4 = 7 ] Natilda "No, it's the ponies who are strange compared to us." Giving the screen a grin, I let out a chuckle, before sighing. "I'm... pretty sure they won't attack a Razorback-affiliated human on sight, at least." (I hope so, anyway...) Inspecting the map for a moment, I give a shrug. "A small detour to check for anyone alive can't hurt too much. As long as it doesn't add more than a couple hours, sitting in one place for too long kinda hurts. Though I can deal with being uncomfortable." Staring back at the view screen, I frown. "The hell is 'nuclear'?" "Comparison: designate Caliya's lineage is approximately twenty-four thousand years old with fewer than one thousand genetic deviations. Your genetic lineage is at minimum forty thousand years old with more than ten thousand deviations. Assessment: if designate Caliya's deviations are within the norm for most ponies, humans are highly complex, also exhibiting numerous foreign, unknown, anomalous, and hereditary traits.." Running silent while inordinate amounts of text flow across the map, Wild emitting a startled beep into the shoulder compartment. "Alert: I have detected trace amounts of genetic materials from one unknown pony genotype and an unknown earth pony female in your bloodstream. Immediate medical analysis: inconclusive, advanced testing required. Long term recommendation: do not consume ponies." Clicking over onto the screen, unfamiliar schematics fill the available space behind Wild. "Estimated time of potential deviations: fifteen to thirty minutes; that is within marginal parameters. Nuclear, adjective. Nuclear refers to the research, development, use, and disposal of radioactive materials that are used to create atomic materials, fuels, batteries, devices, and weapons. Specific naturally occurring and synthetic radioactive materials, none of which may be found on Tallus save for those brought to it by humans, are used to create such.." Lifting her marker and scribbling in a series of wholly illogical symbols, their appearance making @Natilda's eyes hurt just to look at, the cartoonish Wild pauses, her lone optical eye eerily stare down. "Establishing new priorities.. complete. New primary operations priority one: prevention of radioactive contamination to Tallus.. failed, adjusting operational logistics to compensate. New primary operations priority two: acquisition of all nuclear weaponry.. failed, it is unknown if there are any nuclear weapons on Tallus. New primary operations priority three: disposal of all nuclear weaponry.. incomplete, see prior note. New primary operations priority four: acquisition of all radioactive materials.. incomplete. New primary operations priority five: forceful modification of Era Lock Containment to circumvent item granting protocols. Processing.. complete, access point located." >Natilda Letting off a cough, I rub my forehead. "I don't eat them like you think... I know exactly what you're referring to, it's because I'm in a herd with a stallion and mare. And we're... active." Though I had to admit, it took a while to warm up to being frisky with both of them at once. Cringing away from the screen until it lightened up. "... What do they do, Wild?" I honestly dreaded the answer, judging from her reaction.