ic Shadowtrot IC - Collateral Friendships

[Digodragon]

On 12/31/2023 at 6:25 AM, BlueHamsterBean said:

"...It seems some of what I heard of Equestria is true. The cities don't give animals much place to live anymore... well, except the cities themselves."

Willow chuckles at this. "Quite the opposite--the cities are home to a very diverse ecosystem of insects, rats, dogs, coyotes, cats, raccoons... you get the idea." She goes over to a work bench and piles several tools into a bucket.

"I wouldn't say this is much a hobby. Frankly don't know why you'd come all the way out here unless you were living east of the projects, but you don't look that poor. ...no offense." She picks up the bucket with a wing and motions Shutterfly to follow her to the north end of the fencing.

"You know what a diamond dog is? You don't get many in the cities, but out here on the edge they are everywhere. Real territorial and ornery canines. Smart too. Least, smarter than anypony gives them credit for. One thing you have to be on the lookout is the dogs coming out here to eat the birds I got. None of them can fly, so they're easy pickings without a good barrier."

The fence at the north end has a small tear in it. There's concertina wire and electrical wires strewn about broken. There's also bits of fur, several blood stains, and a distinctive smell of cooked flash in the air. Willow pulls up an AR program that diagrams the fence schematics and where all the damaged parts are. She starts unloading tools to begin repairs. "You any good with a soldering gun?"

(roll anything you think is useful to your goals here)

 

On 1/3/2024 at 1:31 AM, Miltonian said:

Deciding to be kind, he will cancel the auditory bombardment. For now.

The ponies finally calm down in the compound, but still accuse each other of incompetence for doing whatever it was that racket... was. The delivery truck radios them that they'll be 15 minutes late, meaning they'll be here in 75 minutes, so the guards decide to rotate shift in 45 minutes for sleep.

 

20 hours ago, igordragonian12 said:

"Can you widen the gap here, if the need arise? So it wont be this difficult to get through, or pull somepony out. Not right now. In theory.

Zee types back to Deepwood,

<< "I think I can rig one of my batteries to be a bomb, if I do it right. It won't be very strong, but it should be enough to make the hole easier to slip into?" >>

[BlueHamsterBean]

Gale%20nods%2C%20and%20shows%20genuine%20interest%20in%20Willow's%20discussion%20of%20the%20ecosystem%20of%20the%20city.%20It%20was%20something%20Gale%20was%20vaguely%20aware%20of%2C%20but%20had%20never%20thought%20about%20in%20depth%20before.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22I%20stand%20corrected...%20To%20think%20such%20a%20diverse%20ecosystem%20lives%20right%20at%20our%20hooftips%2C%20where%20most%20don't%20even%20think%20to%20look...%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AGale%20shrugs.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Eh%2C%20if%20I%20was%20rich%20in%20bits%2C%20then%20I%20was%20poor%20in%20sense.%20As%20I%20said%3A%20the%20pony%20who%20sold%20the%20property%20greatly%20exaggerated%20its%20appeal.%0A%0ATo%20be%20honest%20though%2C%20most%20of%20what%20I%20had%20was%20spent%20moving%20from%20Roam%20to%20Equestria...%20felt%20like%20I%20had%20to%20leave%20after%20a%20bad%20breakup.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0AA%20half%20truth%2C%20yes%2C%20but%20a%20harmless%20one...%20hopefully.%0A%0AGale%20follows%20Willow's%20lead%20at%20first%2C%20but%20seems%20somewhat%20uncomfortable%20about%20the%20opinions%20thrown%20around%20about%20diamond%20dogs.%0A%5Bi%5DAre%20they%20accurate%3F%5B%2Fi%5D%0A(Rolled%20a%2014%20life%20science%20to%20see%20if%20this%20is%20true%20about%20diamond%20dogs.)%0A%0AIn%20response%20to%20Willow's%20question%2C%20Gale%20shrugs.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22I%20haven't%20used%20many%20soldering%20irons%20in%20my%20time%2C%20but%20I'm%20happy%20to%20learn.%20And%20keep%20watch%20in%20case%20any%20of%20those%20diamond%20dogs%20come%20our%20way.%20They%20tunnel%2C%20right%3F%20I%20thought%20I%20heard%20something%20about%20that%20once.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AAs%20Gale%20says%20this%2C%20she%20glances%20around%20the%20area%20for%20any%20signs%20of%20birds%20in%20need%20of%20defending%20to%20verify%20Willow's%20story%2C%20and%20also%20to%20try%20and%20avoid%20any%20unwelcome%20surprises.%0A(Rolled%20a%2021%20perception.)

Gale nods, and shows genuine interest in Willow's discussion of the ecosystem of the city. It was something Gale was vaguely aware of, but had never thought about in depth before.
"I stand corrected... To think such a diverse ecosystem lives right at our hooftips, where most don't even think to look..."

Gale shrugs.
"Eh, if I was rich in bits, then I was poor in sense. As I said: the pony who sold the property greatly exaggerated its appeal.

To be honest though, most of what I had was spent moving from Roam to Equestria... felt like I had to leave after a bad breakup."
A half truth, yes, but a harmless one... hopefully.

Gale follows Willow's lead at first, but seems somewhat uncomfortable about the opinions thrown around about diamond dogs.
Are they accurate?
(Rolled a 14 life science to see if this is true about diamond dogs.)

In response to Willow's question, Gale shrugs.
"I haven't used many soldering irons in my time, but I'm happy to learn. And keep watch in case any of those diamond dogs come our way. They tunnel, right? I thought I heard something about that once."

As Gale says this, she glances around the area for any signs of birds in need of defending to verify Willow's story, and also to try and avoid any unwelcome surprises.
(Rolled a 21 perception.)

 

[igordragonian12]

Forest Grump

---> Good. Keep it for the actual mission then. We want to ponynap a mare.. I'll try to map this place from the inside. Be ready to save my flank when I eventually screw up.

 

Deepwood slide inside

[TonberryKing]

While everypony else piles out, going to troll the locals, lie to the locals or otherwise get the lay of things at the expense of the locals, they forgot one little detail.

 

Pixel was left to her own devices, alone in the van.

 

Kind of odd, really, since she was the one driving for at least part of the way, but the urban ninja just sits and lets the van settle for a good while, hooves tapping the steering wheel as she glances around, almost immediately getting bored.

 

So she slips out, throws a big junky looking tarp over the van and locks it, before sneaking off.

 

If these guys have held the compound for so long already, she thinks, they might have 'feelers' this far out: spotters or cameras or SOMETHING to make sure ponies like her and the gang aren't waiting immediately out of range of the compound's defenses. Or, at the least, she might be able to find a decent hiding spot to ambush any cars leaving the compound.

 

It's a good excuse to do more training, as well!

 

 

[Miltonian]

Terrabit sends out a quick message to every.

>> Got the schedule down. Guards changing shifts in 45. Truck arrives in 75. Stay safe out there, people. Let me know if you need remote hacking. But don't worry. I'll be watching~

That may or may not be a comforting thing to hear.

[Digodragon]

On 1/4/2024 at 11:07 PM, BlueHamsterBean said:

Gale%20follows%20Willow's%20lead%20at%20first%2C%20but%20seems%20somewhat%20uncomfortable%20about%20the%20opinions%20thrown%20around%20about%20diamond%20dogs.%0A%5Bi%5DAre%20they%20accurate%3F%5B%2Fi%5D%0A(Rolled%20a%2014%20life%20science%20to%20see%20if%20this%20is%20true%20about%20diamond%20dogs.)%0A%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22I%20haven't%20used%20many%20soldering%20irons%20in%20my%20time%2C%20but%20I'm%20happy%20to%20learn.%20And%20keep%20watch%20in%20case%20any%20of%20those%20diamond%20dogs%20come%20our%20way.%20They%20tunnel%2C%20right%3F%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0Aand%20also%20to%20try%20and%20avoid%20any%20unwelcome%20surprises.%0A(Rolled%20a%2021%20perception.)

Gale follows Willow's lead at first, but seems somewhat uncomfortable about the opinions thrown around about diamond dogs.
Are they accurate?
(Rolled a 14 life science to see if this is true about diamond dogs.)

"I haven't used many soldering irons in my time, but I'm happy to learn. And keep watch in case any of those diamond dogs come our way. They tunnel, right?"

and also to try and avoid any unwelcome surprises.
(Rolled a 21 perception.)

From what Gale remembers reading online, yes Diamond Dogs are territorial creatures and can often be mean to ponies trespassing.

Willow pulls a pistol out of the bucket and holds it out to Gale. "Know how to use one of these? Don't try any fancy trick shots; just put a couple center of mass in a diamond dog and they'll run off if you don't outright kill them." Willow goes back to fence repair.

 

Looking around, Gale doesn't see any... wait. To the east Gale sees something moving closer under the ground. Approaching slowly like out of a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

 

On 1/9/2024 at 2:19 AM, igordragonian12 said:

Forest Grump

---> Good. Keep it for the actual mission then. We want to ponynap a mare.. I'll try to map this place from the inside. Be ready to save my flank when I eventually screw up.

Deepwood slide inside

Deepwood easily got inside the compound around the spaces between the pipes. The biggest building looks like is where the gang stays. It has windows and curtains. The smaller building looks like is where prisoners/slaves are kept. No glass in the windows, just metal bars to look like a prison. There's a garden outside and a pony chained to a post is currently watering the garden with an old coffee can.

Two gang members are outside the big building on a smoke break. The only ponies on patrol are up on the walls. There's stairs near the big building and a second stairs by the front gate that goes up to the walls.

 

On 1/21/2024 at 9:29 PM, TonberryKing said:

So she slips out, throws a big junky looking tarp over the van and locks it, before sneaking off.

If these guys have held the compound for so long already, she thinks, they might have 'feelers' this far out: spotters or cameras or SOMETHING to make sure ponies like her and the gang aren't waiting immediately out of range of the compound's defenses. Or, at the least, she might be able to find a decent hiding spot to ambush any cars leaving the compound.

It's a good excuse to do more training, as well!

Wandering out and about, Pixel does find a group of two gangers patrolling out for scrap to loot and to make sure no one is getting close to their territories. They both have backpacks for stories materials they found, and they are both armed with pistols and radios.

 

1 hour ago, Miltonian said:

Terrabit sends out a quick message to every.

>> Got the schedule down. Guards changing shifts in 45. Truck arrives in 75. Stay safe out there, people. Let me know if you need remote hacking. But don't worry. I'll be watching~

That may or may not be a comforting thing to hear.

Time passes quietly. Shift change now in 25 minutes and the truck arriving in 55 minutes.

Listening in on the radio chatter, it seems the guards have mostly forgotten the earlier weird incident.

 

[BlueHamsterBean]

Gale%20allows%20herself%20to%20show%20genuine%20surprise%2C%20as%20it%20seems%20appropriate%20when%20presented%20with%20a%20gun%2C%20but%20rallies%20and%20takes%20the%20pistol.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22I've%20used%20a%20couple%20in%20my%20time.%20Sure%20thing!%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0ALooking%20about%20Gale%20begins%20to%20lose%20interest%20at%20first.%20This%20seems%20to%20be%20a%20legit%20operation.%20Then%20she%20sees%20the%20approaching%20diamond%20dog%20and%20tenses.%20%5Bi%5DPrincesses'%20rump%20cheeks%2C%20she%20wasn't%20kidding!%5B%2Fi%5D%0AShe%20calls%20out.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Look%20out!%20Incoming%20from%205%20o%20clock!%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AShe%20doesn't%20fire%20immediately%2C%20but%20instead%20waits%20for%20the%20diamond%20dog%20to%20surface.%20Dirt%20absorbs%20ballistics%20all%20too%20well%20as%20the%20various%20Stirroupean%20wars%20have%20taught%20Equanity.%0A%0ABut%20once%20her%20target%20becomes%20visible%2C%20she%20takes%20her%20shot%20as%20instructed.%20Center%20of%20mass%2C%20nothing%20fancy.%20She%20does%20remember%20that%20she%20has%20her%20medical%20supplies%20on%20her%20just%20in%20case%20thing%20turn%20out%20to%20be%20more%20nuanced%20than%20first%20appearances%20suggest.%0A(Rolled%20a%2016%20to%20hit%20once%20the%20target%20surfaces)

Gale allows herself to show genuine surprise, as it seems appropriate when presented with a gun, but rallies and takes the pistol.
"I've used a couple in my time. Sure thing!"

Looking about Gale begins to lose interest at first. This seems to be a legit operation. Then she sees the approaching diamond dog and tenses. Princesses' rump cheeks, she wasn't kidding!
She calls out.
"Look out! Incoming from 5 o clock!"

She doesn't fire immediately, but instead waits for the diamond dog to surface. Dirt absorbs ballistics all too well as the various Stirroupean wars have taught Equanity.

But once her target becomes visible, she takes her shot as instructed. Center of mass, nothing fancy. She does remember that she has her medical supplies on her just in case thing turn out to be more nuanced than first appearances suggest.
(Rolled a 16 to hit once the target surfaces)

 

[TonberryKing]

Pixel sets her phone to silent mode, wherever she's hiding, and quickly types out a quick message to the others:

 

*beep boop*

 

{Hey guys! I did some ninja-ing around and the compound creeps have a few scouts lurking around near where we parked. They have radios. Hid Van. Should I try to solo them, or lead them around for awhile so they don't notice us carjacking their buds? What do?}

[igordragonian12]

Deepwood sketch a map in his notebook in silence.

His ears perk up as he check the commling.

Fang. I have forgotten about the filly. I would be a terrible parent.

He type

Forestgrump->>>> Dont "solo" them. That the first thing. And if we start a fight with them ober there, everything we are working for will get much harder. So, we can ask Zee to support you, and maybe she can magic something... while I create a distraction over here. Ok? Maybe a classic terrible prison break

[Miltonian]

Terrabit is trying to keep the situation straight in his head. Maintain an objective view of the developing battlefield. He will text the others, though.

>>> Saber, don't solo them. Wait for backup. If things go wrong, I'm in their comms systems. I can shut things down. They'll know something is up, but it will reduce their coordination. Just give me the word.

[Digodragon]

On 1/23/2024 at 12:05 PM, BlueHamsterBean said:

%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Look%20out!%20Incoming%20from%205%20o%20clock!%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0ABut%20once%20her%20target%20becomes%20visible%2C%20she%20takes%20her%20shot%20as%20instructed.%20Center%20of%20mass%2C%20nothing%20fancy.%20She%20does%20remember%20that%20she%20has%20her%20medical%20supplies%20on%20her%20just%20in%20case%20thing%20turn%20out%20to%20be%20more%20nuanced%20than%20first%20appearances%20suggest.%0A(Rolled%20a%2016%20to%20hit%20once%20the%20target%20surfaces)

"Look out! Incoming from 5 o clock!"

But once her target becomes visible, she takes her shot as instructed. Center of mass, nothing fancy. She does remember that she has her medical supplies on her just in case thing turn out to be more nuanced than first appearances suggest.
(Rolled a 16 to hit once the target surfaces)

Gale

*click click*

The pistol only clicks with the sound of fake bullets inside. The big diamond dog takes a swipe to grab Gale, but misses by a country mile. Willow extends a pair of wingblades in Gale's direction.

"I call this dog Patches, on account of the cute little ol' patches of dark fur on him. Almost Dalmatian like, you know?" Willow says in an eerily cheerful manner. "So. You apparently take me for a fool to just hoof a stranger a loaded pistol. I may be a simple mare, but I ain't a moron. You sound way too educated to just wander into these parts. Who are you really and why are you snooping around? And be honest. Patches is pretty good judge of character."

The diamond dog growls and gets ready for a second attack at Willow's command.

 

 

On 1/25/2024 at 3:22 PM, TonberryKing said:

{Hey guys! I did some ninja-ing around and the compound creeps have a few scouts lurking around near where we parked. They have radios. Hid Van. Should I try to solo them, or lead them around for awhile so they don't notice us carjacking their buds? What do?}

Pixel

The earthpony ganger sees some crap electronics and picks it up to dust off and admire. The pegasus circles around him to watch for danger, but doesn't notice anyone. They then mention repairing the microwave with some parts they found. Then they hear something on the radio about betting on a zebra, and the two start making their way casually back to the compound to see.

 

 

On 1/25/2024 at 4:30 PM, igordragonian12 said:

Forestgrump->>>> Dont "solo" them. That the first thing. And if we start a fight with them ober there, everything we are working for will get much harder. So, we can ask Zee to support you, and maybe she can magic something... while I create a distraction over here. Ok? Maybe a classic terrible prison break

Deepwood

The famer slave points to the hole in the wall and shouts, "Someone's sneaking in!"

Zee had gotten her plot stuck in the hole trying to get inside, and now the slave noticed her. Two gang earthponies in Adidas hoodies come out of the bigger building and gallop over to catch Zee. Zee manages to push away and free herself back outside the wall, but now she tries to run off. The guard up on the wall starts shooting at her from above.

 

9 hours ago, Miltonian said:

Terrabit is trying to keep the situation straight in his head. Maintain an objective view of the developing battlefield. He will text the others, though.

>>> Saber, don't solo them. Wait for backup. If things go wrong, I'm in their comms systems. I can shut things down. They'll know something is up, but it will reduce their coordination. Just give me the word.

Terrabit

Shift change in 20 minutes and the truck arriving in 50 minutes.

There is radio chatter that a zebra was seen trying to sneak inside the compound. One guard up on the wall is trying to gun her down, while two thugs are dispatched to chase her on the ground. Other guards watch and start placing bets how far the zebra gets before they're caught. Finally, something interesting to distract themselves from a boring day.

 

Edited January 28 by Digodragon
Chaos is a wonderful thing. (see edit history)

[igordragonian12]

Deepwood blush, from realizing Zee's issue.

Is it usual.. or.. from my apology date?

He shake his head.

Deepwood take a flight up aiming to push the guard away from the wall

[igordragonian12]

Wow.

It's the wrong time to derp..

[BlueHamsterBean]

Gale%20simply%20blinks%20and%20then%20rolls%20her%20eyes.%20%5Bi%5DRight%2C%20next%20time%2C%20check%20the%20damn%20gun%5B%2Fi%5D%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Yes%2C%20that%20did%20seem%20a%20bit%20odd%2C%20though%20I%20can't%20say%20I'm%20feeling%20particularly%20clever%20now.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AShe%20turns%20around%20and%20shrugs.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22You%20can%20call%20me%20Doc.%20As%20for%20why%20I'm%20here%2C%20it's%20because%20I've%20heard%20people%20like%20Patches%20were%20having%20some%20trouble%20with%20a%20turf%20war%3B%20perhaps%20yourself%20as%20well%2C%20but%20assumptions%20have%20already%20been%20a%20problem%20tonight.%0A%0ABut%20the%20point%20is%20that%20I%20want%20to%20see%20you%20win.%20I%20meant%20it%20when%20I%20said%20I%20wanted%20to%20volunteer.%20I%20just%20didn't%20know%20how%20many%20people%20I'd%20have%20to%20talk%20to%20before%20I%20found%20the%20right%20job.%20Lucky%20me.%0A%0AAs%20for%20why%2C%20let's%20just%20say%20it's%20another%20job.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AShe%20looks%20between%20Willow%20and%20Patches%20and%20shrugs%20again.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22That's%20me.%20I've%20been%20as%20honest%20as%20I%20can%20for%20now.%20I'm%20not%20looking%20for%20trouble%20from%20you%2C%20but%20any%20details%20on%20the%20trouble%20you've%20found%20might%20just%20help%20you%20get%20rid%20of%20it.%0A%0AOr%20we%20could%20have%20a%20Mexicolt%20standoff%20for%20a%20little%20longer.%20The%20time%20is%20yours%20to%20spend.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A(Rolled%20a%20diplomacy%20of%2012)

Gale simply blinks and then rolls her eyes. Right, next time, check the damn gun
"Yes, that did seem a bit odd, though I can't say I'm feeling particularly clever now."

She turns around and shrugs.
"You can call me Doc. As for why I'm here, it's because I've heard people like Patches were having some trouble with a turf war; perhaps yourself as well, but assumptions have already been a problem tonight.

But the point is that I want to see you win. I meant it when I said I wanted to volunteer. I just didn't know how many people I'd have to talk to before I found the right job. Lucky me.

As for why, let's just say it's another job."

She looks between Willow and Patches and shrugs again.
"That's me. I've been as honest as I can for now. I'm not looking for trouble from you, but any details on the trouble you've found might just help you get rid of it.

Or we could have a Mexicolt standoff for a little longer. The time is yours to spend."
(Rolled a diplomacy of 12)

 

[Miltonian]

Welp. That tears it. If they know that they are under attack, then there was not much of a point of holding back. Turning the volume up several thousand percent, he first begins blaring "Carameldansing" across the radio before attempting to conceal his entry point. Specifically, he is going to make it look like he is using one access point to hide his actual point of entry.