Essential Component (Patreon)

Note. To the best of my knowledge this is not based on  any existing Fallout Equestria storyline, nor does it follow any  particular plot in the Fallout universe. This is just the narrative that popped  into my head as I worked on this piece.

     Gilda looked up and glanced around quickly as she finished tying the knot on the bundle of white and violet blossoms. These were the reason for this expedition out into the wasteland. These were an essential component for tonight's mission.

    With the material secured Gilda picked them up with her right hand and stuffed the stalks of the flowers between her belt and her cargo shorts. With her left hand she reached out and picked up her rifle. Unlike her prosthetic left arm her rifle was a veteran of the wasteland. A late war production before the conflagration it had been rebuilt, repaired, and modified several times over the many decades. Still it worked when she pulled the trigger, and hit where she aimed. 

   Her left arm was a new thing. A gift of sorts from the newly discovered Stable 69. Link  A thank you for aid she'd provided. Gilda had lost her left arm 12 years ago to infection. Up to a 4 months ago she'd gotten by with a crudely constructed prosthetic crafted by members of her clan. They'd done the best could but it had been of limited utility.

  The griffin slowly made a fist with left hand and then relaxed it. The stainless steel digits smoothly clicked and moved to her command. The Overmare Link had apologized that they could not reestablish full tactile sensitivity for Gilda, but too much time had passed since the original surgery and the recovery had left extensive neurological damage that could not be overcome.

  Gilda didn't really care about that. She had a damn left arm that worked again. 

   As the griffin got up she heard the sound of movement to her left. Glancing over she spied 2 ponies both earth ponies, a mare and a stallion, staring at her at 25yds away. Gilda could tell from their utterly lack of personal hygiene and maniac bloodshot eyes they were raiders. Still they just stared at her. 

   Gilda quickly glanced behind on either side to confirm she wasn't being flanked and then looked back at the 2 ponies. They continued to stare at her. Finally the mare spoke. 

    "Wutz ez it? Wutz itz duen?" Said they mare with a heavy lisp.

    "Itz uh burdpeersun" Said the stallion with equally heavy lisp. Gilda could see even at this distance that both were missing multiple teeth.

    The griffon. Slowly nodded her head. "Afternoon." She said with her typically raspy voice.

     "Itz speakz! Itz tuks!" Said the mare as she took a step forward.

     "Wez wuntz tu knuwz mur abut itz" The stallion took a step forward.

      Remembering the lessons on friendship and communication the ponies of Stable 69 told her over and over again while she'd been recovering in their infirmary Gilda raised her metallic hand palm out. 

     However at the same time she discreetly disabled the safety on her rifle with her right hand. As she did this she addressed the 2 ponies.

     "Yeah. Well. I don't have time to be hanging around with you 2. Soooo, I'll be on my way if you don't mind." 

      "Wez dun't wunt tu gu. Wez wunt it tu stey. Yes!" Said the mare taking another and slowly drawing a rusty butcher knife.

      "Wez wunt tu kunwz mur! Huwz it taztez? Huwz it screemz!" Said the stallion as pulled a battered revolver from his waistband. 

       Gilda sighed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah no! I don't think so dweeb!" Then she shouldered the rifle and let loose 3rds of fire as the raiders broke into a sprint toward her.

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       Greta was in the process of setting the dining room table when she heard front door open. Glancing up she observed Gilda stepping through the front door. Gilda locked it and then stored her rifle in the rack near the door. 

      "You're late." Greta said as she lit the candles on the table. "I was getting worried you'd forgotten about tonight."

       Gilda sauntered up to the other griffin. "Not chance! I just needed to get something to make tonight special." Reaching behind herself Gilda produced the bundle of tied flowers. "I know how you like these, and since tonight is our anniversary I figured I'd get you some! Happy anniversary!"

      Greta face lit up and she hugged the other griffin. "Thank you! Thank you so much! Was it much trouble getting them?"

      Gilda shook her head. "Nah! Piece of cake! So. What's for chow?"

     A patron reward for Skyline.

FYI. For folks who are curious, Gilda's rifle is based on the Australian Leader Dynamics T2 MK5. Ian at Forgotten Weapons did a video on it 11 years ago. Link It's one of his first ones and oh how his videos have improved over the years!