//------------------------------// // 5. Like a Leaf in the Breeze // Story: Millennia: Eye of the Storm // by Thunderblast //------------------------------// Later than ever, the week was over at last. Day after day of exhausting, nerve-wracking exercises carried out both on-base and in the surrounding forest. All in all, every simulation was different in its own way. Each exclusively had shocks and surprises at every turn, some that became quite nearly overwhelming to many of us. Now came day of departure. In just a couple of short hours, we would be in Manehattan, back in our toasty little barrack apartments, and maybe attain some hot cocoa from a Buckin Donuts. Early that morning, with our bags previously packed the evening prior, over our backs they were slung and out into the cold for, presumably, the final time. For now, that is. Most of the airponies, I came to find out, already split for the skies. The majority of the enlisted of that branch consisted of pegasi, anyways. Those not and were left behind now had to wait for the next train after ours to take them back wherever they came from. Nightpath, Silver Edge, Ashfall, and myself all gathered in line as all of us stood by patiently to march out to the station a couple miles away. By now, the blood was thick enough to where the cold didn't quite become as much of a bother as days before, all thanks to spending a good ninety-percent of the time stirring around in the elements. Some of the Marines in the line took this brief opportunity to say their goodbyes to soldiers they may have befriended in their time here. Though it was far and few in between, a decent reminder it was that in spite of the competitive nature of the five branches, no pony was different. Hoofsteps crunching softly in the snow, a mud-brown earth stallion stopped by my side, one hoof looped over his own chest and all parts of his body shivering beneath his green uniform jacket. "It w-was nice meetin' ya, S-Star. Shame w-we couldn't make m-more out of it," his teeth chattered between words. Smiling warmly, I nodded. "Perhaps another time, Skillshot. On the battlefield, maybe." "H-hopefully," Skill nodded back and smiled, yanking his beanie further down over the back of his head whilst inadvertently uncovering more of his forehead and parts of his mane. "W-we can message each other, i-if ya want. Letters g-get sorted through and dispersed correctly if y-ya put my name on it." "Hmm... alright," I smiled a bit more. "If that's the best way to keep in contact." "Oh, i-it is," Skill nodded again, smiling. "Talk to ya l-later, Marine." "Likewise, soldier," I lifted a hoof to gently nudge his shoulder. "Now go get yourself warm." "W-will do," he shuddered out, trotting off to do just that. Facing forward, my gaze set upon both Sergeant Hardstaff and First Lieutenant Arc Nobis moving to the front of the line. "All right, Marines. Move out, on me!" ordered the grey-shaded earth pony, taking lead with Hardstaff falling in just behind. Beginning to trot at a steady pace, all of us set off for the train home. *** Reaching the station a good twelve or so minutes after departing Fort Fetlock for the final time, the majority of us gathered on the small platform along with a small group of other soldiers, who were also waiting for the train. Evidently, somepony had been spilling bluffs, for our ride to Manehattan was nowhere in sight. Likeliness had us believing it to be running late, which was just what we needed. Because not every pony could fit on the small wood structure, many utilized their bags for makeshift chairs to keep their rumps out of the snow and mud. I don't blame them, to be quite frank. At any moment I expected a squall to blow in and turn us all into Marine-cicles, if that's even a word. Somewhere far in the corner, Arc and Hardstaff could be heard arguing over... something. Probably both questioning the train's absence. Over the collective chatter, their argument was difficult to decipher. I allowed myself to relax against a garbage can, wings shifting slightly to make it more comfortable on my back. Already I felt the cold of the surface seep through my clothes. It could have been worse, though. But then, out of the blue, the fast-approaching noise of galloping hooves transferring between gravel and snow caught many ponies' attention as a soldier skid to a halt in front of a Marine, who stood slowly. With the chatter all around not ceasing, what they were saying remained muffled out. Both had looks of surprise, before something quite unexpected happened. They kissed! Right in the center of all of us, these two stallions had begun making out. Others observing had growing blushes on their cheeks. Admittedly, I did, too. The worst part was, on my coat color, it was the most visible. Although he and I haven't gone that far, my thoughts immediately lit up with one pony: Ray. No matter what I did after that, he simply couldn't be pushed out of my mind. Constantly glancing at the two below did not help much, either. In the near distance chuffed our ride, the tracks and surrounding area beginning to vibrate and rumble as the steam plume rose up above the treetops around the nearby bend. Strangely, though, the rumbling and vibrating became worse. For its current distance, this train sure caused quite a bit of a ruckus. But moments later, it began to fade out to almost nothing, then came back gradually as the train approached, eventually screeching to a halt in front of the platform, its doors opening to reveal many near-vacant cars, all of which beginning to fill up with Marines one by one. Standing, I filed in to the line, taking a seat toward the rear of the train in one of the few last-open cars. Laying my bag beneath the seat, I glanced out the window to the Marine and the soldier. The two exchanged a brief conversation, before hugging each other, and the Marine finally boarding the train. The moment as observed utterly struck as heartfelt. Thankfully, it seemed nopony begun speaking of it from that moment on. Negatively, that is. Waving a final goodbye, the soldier watched our train jolt forward, slowly picking up speed as it left the station. Soon, the only sight outside of the window became the green and white of snow-coated pine. Easing into my seat, my eyelids fell shut. Might as well make the most out of this trip and grab an hour or two of sleep, I concluded. *** Having returned safely in Manehattan, a rather large crowd of exhausted, hungry Marines stood in a sloppy line from the concrete steps leading to the entrance of the train station, all the way down to the edge of the street, all waiting to catch a carriage across the river. Along with the remainder of the squad, the Sergeant included, the five of us agreed to stay in the warm building and relax some. In the meantime, Hardstaff bought the four of us each a fresh cup of coffee to our specifications, down to the very amount of cream and sugar preferred. Since the first deployment, black coffee in some peculiar instance grew to be my preference. No cream, no milk, no sugar. Even Hardstaff saw me as insane. These days, that I could no longer doubt. Then again, the taste of the beverage mattered no more. So much as it can keep me awake, that's my central priority. Easing back into my chair while the others engaged in conversation, one glance was given to a digital publication board on a nearby wall, reading them as they switched. One just so happened to flash on to the screen, the advertisement displaying information for Doctor Pastel's office. Blinking, I took a long sip of coffee, mouth imperceptibly parting as the beverage flowed down my tube in a sole gulp. Shifting my gaze to the cup, predominantly the lid of it, the contemplation above initiated. Raising up from the chair, I took my bag over one shoulder and the coffee in the other. "Hey, you guys, I think I'm gonna go stroll for a bit. I'll catch up later, alright?" "Where are you going?" Silver asked, head cocking gently. "Just a few laps around here and there. I won't be long, I promise," I partly answered. At least some of that statement was likely accurate. "Thanks for the coffee, Sergeant," I tapped a hoof to my cover's bill and started out of the large building. Down the steps I went to street-level, making my way between the frequent businesspony on the damp, salted sidewalks. Much to my appreciation, Pastel's office was not too much of a distance from the station. About two blocks at the most. Still, it was where the office existed that continuously had me on edge. Chugging down the remainder of the coffee quickly and tossing the cup in a garbage can from afar, cautiously I ventured into the shadowed alley, some light, fresh snow accumulation crunching beneath the weight of my hooves. With all movements I made essentially silenced and no muggers in sight, a sense of relief rushed through and allowed for a quickened pace leading up to the office's only way in, the 'open' sign flashing proudly in sequence through the only window. Taking and twisting the partially-frozen doorknob and giving a light yank, jarring loose ice and snow from above on top of my head, shattering in a cold, white mess all over both myself, the icy steps, and just a tad of the mat arranged on the inside of the meager lobby. Reopening my eyes from defensively fending off the unanticipated snow bombs, they innocently met with those of the same small pony as last time, blinking twice with her cheeks inflated with food in her muzzle, a white-and-red carton of fried rice in one hoof, with a plastic spoon in the other. For a brief moment, I stepped back outside to shake the snow off. Much to my prosperity, the backpack still strapped atop my back fended off snow from reaching my clothes, leaving a lot less of me soaked. Reentering the office, bringing myself up to the desk and allowing the mare to swallow down her latest gulp of food, I spoke. "Is Doctor Pastel out?" The bubbly mare shook her head with a smile. "Nope! But she is currently seeing another client. Do you have an appointment, Mr. Star?" "I do no—" I froze, eying her suspiciously. "How do you know my name?" "Pastel told me, then about her old companion, Haywalker. He truly sounds like a magnificent stallion, shame the two did not follow through with marriage." "M-marriage?" I stumbled on the word, eyes widening. The mare's pupils shrunk down dramatically, cheeks lighting up like fireworks. "Just go ahead and check in when you are ready, Doctor Pastel will take you in soon." *** Paying the carriage puller for the ride and hopping out, into a pocket stretched a hoof, revealing an identification card that I renounced to the armed guard outside of the gate. He examined it, returning the card momentarily after and speaking softly through a hidden com somewhere on his uniform. In that instance, the gate began sliding open in an adequate space for me to pass on through. Beneath the dreary, overcast skies flew the Equestrian flag, waving nobly above all else on base in the strong oceanic breeze. Taking in a deep, relaxing whiff of that very salt aromic air, a smile crept its way across my muzzle. The chilled, wintry atmosphere of late January unquestionably no longer made much if any at all impact. Practically living in a gelid climate such as Manehattan's took much effect on one's blood. Nonetheless, a steamy shower was in order once I unpack. As I had begun the short journey to the permanent-housing barracks, a glance to the right had me staring directly at a group of newer-looking ponies, each with shovels in their hooves and grunting with effort as they struggled to clear enormous mounds of snow, likely out of punishment by the drill instructor. Just the memory of him itself left me shuddering, immediately forcing it out of my mind. Attentively trotting up the ice-glazed concrete staircase and to the door of my shared room, with one hoof I tested the knob, finding it to be already unlocked, thanks to Nightpath. That inclined to be a hefty relief, knowing the keys were somewhere in my sole luggage bag, and myself not being in any sort of mood to go digging through it. Twisting the rounded knob and pushing inward, I stepped into the heated space with the tiny kitchen to the right. With all lights on, it further confirmed Night was here. More so, he had just rounded into the small corridor where the bathroom sat between our beds and the kitchen. However, something just was not right. Rather than a welcoming expression, his face was plastered with concern. This raised my suspicion. "There you are, Star. I thought I'd have to call a party to search for you. Where were you?" "Oh, I was seeing the—" Night waved a hoof. "Nevermind that. Hardstaff wishes to see you in the session room, like, stat." "Can't he wait a little bit? We just got back." "Not just him, your commanding officer, too." My eyes widened. "Hardstaff and Shadow want to see me?" This could not be good, I pondered. The draft brown stallion nodded in response. "I will unpack your things for you while you are out, if you'd like." "Please," I nodded back, exchanging my bag. "All right, I'll be back in a bit." "Sure thing. And, don't keep any secrets this time around, aye?" "Will do," I replied, starting back out through the door and into the cold. What could they both want? the little voice in the back of my mind asked myself. *** Reaching the top floor via elevator, I stepped off and veered left. One side of the hall was completely open, facing out towards a massive glass wall with a view of the city far across the river, and a vast atrium that led to ground level six stories below. In a hoof I took the glass door's handle, pulling outward and stepping in just past the doorway and standing at attention, saluting. "Captain, Sergeant, you requested to see me?" "Ah, yes. At ease, Lance Corporal," Shadow rose from his seat. I lowered my hoof and relaxed slightly. "Captain Shadow has brought it to my attention that, as a colt, you had quite the hobby with weather and geology," Hardstaff spoke, eyes locked with mine. "Sir? Come again?" I blinked twice, head tilting in bewilderment. "Geology, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, that sort of thing. Correct me if I am wrong, Lance Corporal?" After a brief silence, I nodded. "Yes, sir. It became a small passion for some time. Why do you ask, sirs?" "We need your help," Hardstaff also stood, taking out a tiny black device from one of his pockets and pressing a button. The room darkened, windows becoming shaded out by roll-out blinds. On the wall to my right sat a digital screen almost the width and length of the wall it rested on. Taking some steps back toward the other two, my eyes set on the screen as it booted up. In just a few moments time, the screen now projected multiple different-colored pictures, each similar in their own way. They were maps. "This is... Manehattan. What is all of this?" I questioned, examining each map on all four corners. "It has been brought to our attention by the control center that a cluster of tremors, many of which a minuscule magnitude, recently begun popping up approximately forty nautical miles east-southeast of Manehattan," Shadow explained, walking to my side. "Earthquake swarm? Intriguing, but peculiar. I thought they were more common on the west coast?" I glanced at him. "They are." Hardstaff replied instead. "We are just as puzzled as you are, Lance Corporal. That is why we hoped to hear your speculation for a second opinion." "Well," I shifted, lifting a hoof to my chin and rubbing. "There could be numerous possibilities. Most likely one is some old fault is relieving some stress." "That's the tricky part, there are no faults this close to the shoreline," Shadow added. "Any known faults. They do not necessarily have to be large to cause a ruckus. Have they been reported by anypony else? Civilians?" "None, so far," Hardstaff's head shook gently. "Which is a relief. Quite frankly, the number one thing we need on our shoulders is mass hysteria, that Manehattan may break off and slide into the ocean." "That's a Los Pegasus saying, Sergeant," Shadow matter-of-factually said. "The same could very well work here," Hardstaff shrugged his shoulders. "What are your thoughts, Lance Corporal?" Glancing over the maps a third time, noting the quake epicenters far out to sea, I turned to them both. "Keep a close watch on it, just in case. Likeliness is, it is not anything more than relieved buildup. Alternatively, worst case scenario is, we could be looking at a major seismic event in the near future." "Near future?" Hardstaff blinked. "Explain yourself." "Well... it could happen in a few minutes, it could happen next week, it could happen next year. You cannot predict earthquakes. That is a science not yet—excuse me—not even remotely close to becoming mastered." "Hmmm..." Shadow paused to think, lowering his hoof. "That is as decent enough an answer as any other. Lance Corporal, would you be interested in joining the seismology team to aid in solving the source?" "If that is my next assignment, then I fail to see why not. On the contrary, I do not know how much of a help I will be to the team," I responded with well the opposite of confidence. "Any sort of help works. What ever you can do will likely push to an advantage later on," Shadow nodded once. "Thank you for your time, Lance Corporal. I will inform you when our next meeting shall be."