Stable 73 had been closed for all of a generation before the problems started. It was a simple tweak to the medication and food, in an attempt to offset what Stable-Tec saw as an inevitable decline in birth rates. A miscalculation, though, saw average fertility rise by over a hundred percent, and within a generation the Stable was overcrowded to a dangerous degree. Luckily, build into a mountain as it was, Stable 73 was able to tunnel outward and expand in a limited capacity, creating new residential areas and some manufacturing space.

So when the Stable was finally forced to open, as population rose above what the orchard could provide, they had a steady supply of goods to trade. And when problems came knocking, Stable 73 had the capability to retool and begin producing weapons.

Since then Stable 73 has remained and independent power, dealing in goods and weapons in exchange for food, water and pre-war information. Blueprints may mean nothing to a raider, but they know that Stable 73 will pay top caps for them. At the moment, the only thing the Stable lacks is the arcane-imbued crystals necessary for creating laser weaponry — and so they've hired a well-regarded mercenary and caravan guard as an escort while their geologist searches for a suitable source. It's the first time Amethyst Aria will have left the comforting shadow of the mountain, but everyone assures that, however gruff he may seem, Steady Hoof is the best around.

———-

First of a three image set commissioned by wonderful and talented Leastways.